So, as many of you know, I have been going through my own version of hell lately. Anyway, to the good stuff... Since losing weight, I have more stamina. I have been walking at least 4 times a week and swim-jogging twice a week.

Now that it is spring, my DH and I have a lot of yard work to get our place looking good. The last several years have been tough going to get our place whipped into shape. Well, it still ain't easy, but it is now doable and I must say, I am really digging it (no pun intended).

We built a fence for our garden, planted our garden, mowed, weed wacked, etc... Still have more to do next weekend, but getting out there and sweating was great.

Now, I am really in to birds. Today we saw a rare bird on one of our feeders, and while doing it, we saw a red-tailed hawk swoop down and try to get another bird. All in our backyard! Thankfully no birds were killed in the making of this moment, but it was spectacular.

Anyway, what amazing things have you all experienced lately?

As most of you are aware, I own my own retail store and this weekend I threw a Breast Cancer Awareness weekend. Over the weekend, if you shopped in my store I was donating 10% of my overall sales for the weekend to sponsor one of my customers for the 3 Day Walk. Well, we raised $500.00 and sponsored her team. I am so proud of my customers in supporting this worthy cause and I was able to meet so many people that either know someone or themselves that have been afflicted with breast cancer.

Great weekend overall.

Cindy

Molly, Nothing soothes my soul more than doing a project around the house or yard. I love flowers and plants, just ordered three peonies off e-bay to plant, so that I have more to cut in the next few years.

I have a large yard ( and three small yards in RI that are rentals) so it's a good thing I like gardening.

I get cardinals in my yard from time ot time and they really stand out in the green shrubs in the yard.

What's better than getting in some good exercise and beautifying our yard all at the same time?

Congrats on getting back on track with regular exercise and enhancing that with work around the yard.

Shortgal,

Great job on raising the $500 for your friends cancer walk! Fund raisers like that are so fulfilling and make you feel so great at the end-even if the work is really hard.

Bandpal,

What a beautiful bird... Is that an original photo taken by you? If so, I am REALLY jealous (but in a good way) because it is really amazing. The rare bird was a rose-breasted grosbeak. I submitted it to your local birder society who confirmed it is really rare for our area. The hawk was not going for the grosbeak, he was going for one of our fat morning doves. I do feel a little guilty about having all of the feeders out because I feel like I might have created an all you can eat country buffet for the hawks. Every now and then I see a poof of feathers on the ground and I know a hawk had a good dinner from my backyard....

How is your trip home going so far?

Sincerely,

Whoopsie,

Hollyberries raised the money for the cancer walk... Great job...

How embarrassing to screw that up...

Shortgal,

A fellow gardner! I love gardening too. The flowers are great for raising spirits of myself, my family and my friends... I planted a bunch of annual seeds for sunflowers, zinnias, and various perennial wildflowers. I pray they come up! I will take a picture and send once they get going...