Friday, May 14, 2010

Stay Focused and Keep Moving

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Disclaimer:  I may have had a heat stroke yesterday . I worked so hard in my yard even my fingers hurt.

The temperature was in the 90’s.

I knew if I stopped, though, I wouldn’t be able to start moving again.

What is that about?

My father stopped by to visit around 6:30 in the evening ,while I was working on the patio, and I sat for a while outside to visit with him.

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After offering him some iced tea, we had this short conversation.

Me:  Daddy, I am working so hard, but I can’t keep up ( sweeping my arm dramatically over Tara).

Him:  You have too much ( in the yard) to tend to.

That was that.  He’s right. Drama queen comments have never worked with him anyway. (That hasn’t stopped me from trying.)

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Throughout the afternoon, I used some great advice from Jayme at Tales From the Coop Keeper.

Start at one point, stay focused ,and keep moving.

This is my new affirmation.

Try it.

Stay focused and keep moving.

I started working at one end of the backyard- anointing my side yard my Brecha, and made my way to the other side.

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It really works.

My body doesn’t , but this theory does.

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FYI:  I bought pea gravel for my Brecha from Wal Mart.  It is $3.98 a bag.

I recycled a broken trellis and painted it.

The red stepping stone squares are from Wal Mart too. $1.48 each.

The new wrought iron trellis is from Lowe’s.

My Brecha sign is scrap lumber.

And… my zinnias and tomatoes are here!

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I am linking to

Copy_of_001 fav_thngs_cmbnd Favorite Things Friday.25

showandtell

36 comments:

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Beautiful! Love the stay focused and keep moving. Unfortunately my body doesn't understand the keep moving part!

Deb said...

I like that...just keep moving...that is my philosphy too...if you ever stop to rest...it's hard to get back going...I have scaled way back...my yard had taken over my life..I can enjoy it more now...I mean that is what we are suppose to do right?...have a great weekend....we have a big work day planned at my Moms on sunday...hopefully the rain won't cause problems...

Chatty Crone said...

I'm with Linda - I can stay focused - it is the moving part I have trouble with. sandie

Rebecca Nelson said...

You are hysterical. Love the MUSE about Tara!

I did get heatstroke once...something should have told me to STOP when my eyes swelled shut and I couldn't see my hands anymore...

LOVELY YARD! Wanna come help me in mine? Oklahoma isn't tooooo far from you! :)

Let me know!

xoRebecca

brokeintrovert said...

It's so beautiful!

Helen said...

That Blue ~~ oh, that Blue! It is a scrumptious color!

Rustydiva said...

La Brecha es muy bonita!! I get it too ~ my body just doesn't cooperate with what my mind thinks it should be able to do. Hate it too! Keep moving though even if it's at a snails pace.

Theresa said...

Beautiful dear Laura! Take time to stop and sip some ice tea:) Have a blessed day!

Unknown said...

Everything is so bright & cheery, Laura ... love the blue. I think a wee rest would make your moving a lot easier ...

Have a great weekend.
TTFN ~ Hugs, Marydon

Loui♥ said...

Laura..
Fabulaous post!
love it!
I have borrowed from you..
and posted on my board at eye level!
enjoy/cherish the time spent with your Dad!!
thanks for sharing!
Hugs..
Loui♥

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

It's beautiful! I love the blue you used, such a pretty background color. It sure can be overwhelming with gardens sometime, I have to really stop and get myself focused on one area rather than thinking I need to get it all done in one day.

Lenore said...

Wow, Laura, you have a lovely yard and looks as if you work very hard at it....I hope you take time to sit down and enjoy it...have a cup of iced tea and put your feet up!!!!

Anonymous said...

That "Coop Keeper' is always 'full of' great advice. LOL No, seriously, she is.

Great blue paint and the red pavers are awesome! BUT, your dad is probably right. Always listen to Dad.

Di
The Blue Ridge Gal

Anonymous said...

You are so funny. No heat stroke. Be careful.

Leave a Legacy said...

I love your yard. It's beautiful. I feel the same way you do. I have a large yard and I love it to look nice, but my hubby doesn't do much yard work at all. I enjoy doing it, but it is hard to keep up with and I'm always sore the next day. Our weather has been so cold and rainy lately that I'll have a lot of catching up to do when it's nice out again.
Your efforts certainly show, though, and I hope you can enjoy it.

xinex said...

All that hard work is so worth it, Laura. Your garden is stunning!...Christine

Lemon Lane Studio said...

You are such a hoot...I wish I lived closer, I know we would be great friends. I have paid the price many times with your keep moving philosophy but oh, the results are worth it. Your zinnia looks like its floating on air. Such a pretty picture. Can't wait to spend some time browsing your past posts.

trash talk said...

So that's the secret...staying focused. Do you have any idea how hard that is for me...especially with the squirrels playing close by. I wish I could get as much accomplished as you do. May...you are one little go-getter!
I'm going to try really hard...watch! Focus Debbie Focus!
Debbie
P.S. Thanks for all the "where to buy" tips. Talk to you later Scarlett.

Julie Harward said...

It all looks so good! I think you deserve a massage now! Come say hi :D

Diane said...

That is so true, I should keep my focus on what I am doing, and then I won't be overwhelmed by what I'm not....
I think I really like your daddy!

Sandra said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sandra said...

Uh oh! I think you need to take more breaks and just sit down for a few minutes. I love your photos. Everything looks stunning.

Sandra

I apologize for deleting my previous post. I noticed a few typos. I think it's time for me to go to sleep. lol Have a good night.

Momof3 said...

Beautiful pictures

Anonymous said...

I'm with you on that. I'm always feeling so over whelmed. That's why I'm not hardly blogging now. And my body is screaming my age. lol. I think you're doing fabulous work. And it really shows. Such creativity. And such beauty to see. It's so all worth it.

Tanna said...

Love your Brecha, Laura! The blue is fabulous!! And, yeah... the stay focused and keep moving attitude can carry us through a lot of things in this life. Hope you enjoy your Brecha this weekend!!

Marguerite said...

Love that affirmation! And your gardens are just beautiful! I especially like the cozy sitting area that you've created in the yard, and the flower bed along the blue fence area. Great job, cher!

Attic Rat said...

Your spot is so very lovely. If I ever stop, I have a hard time starting again!

We had a nasty storm this morning. I was able to get the bulk of things put back in their places. Apparently, there was a twister just south of us. We may have had a small one here. Several branches in our neighborhood were broken. I'm sooooo thankful we didn't have hail. We don't need a new roof yet.

I love they way you have with plants. You must have two green thumbs.

Smiles,
Teresa

Unknown said...

It all looks lovely Laura. And yes it is definitely hard work and worth it all.
hugs

Unknown said...

You've got some very inspiring spots in your gardening spaces. Thanks for sharing with us all!!!

Anonymous said...

You have such a lovely garden and your photographs are just gorgeous. I can tell that you must have been working overtime on keeping it so beautiful! Poor thing!

Best wishes,
Natasha.

Scribbler said...

Excellent mantra! I really like the bright blue fence. I used shutters I took off the house and painted in a bunch of bright colors. It helps, at least till we get some color going on back there.

Scribbler
http://scribbler-unfocused.typepad.com

Brenda Pruitt said...

I've already been eating ripe tomatoes from my garden! I love your yard. It's so fun to look at.
Brenda

Jess said...

Everything looks great! Thanks so much for sharing this on Favorite Things Friday!

Turling said...

Keep moving. Words to live by.

Paula said...

Your yard is lovely - so worth it dont' you t hink! I got some advice from a friend that told me to do 6 feet at a time. Then move to the next 6 feet and it works not so overwelming - Keep on moving great words for all of us -thanks for sharing, Paula from Idaho

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