~~IT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME~~

You know, most days you are excited to go to the mailbox and peek inside. You might be waiting for a package, a letter from a friend, or even a check, but I don't think you really expect to see this!

Yep, it's a jury summons to appear.

For all the obvious reasons, I have marked out my address, but you can clearly see I am one lucky girl.

I was to call on the day before the date to appear, just to see if they still needed my group.
Sometimes cases get settled out of court and so there is no need to appear.

When I did make the call, I was told to call the following morning at 11:00. I just knew that had to be a sign that they didn't need me.........keeping fingers crossed, I called.
Please report today at 1:00.  WHAT!!??
I had to drive into Phoenix, right in the heart of downtown. Please understand, Queen Creek is south of Chandler, about 34 miles from Phoenix. Not bad, but then there's a little thing called traffic.

Report I did, just like a good little citizen and they kept me until 5:00, just in time for rush hour.......
I had to go back the following day and low and behold, I became a juror.
The trail was for domestic abuse and lasted one week. I can't tell you how much I hated that commute, bumper to bumper on the I 10 for over an hour, but I did my civic duty and I am proud of it.
Now they can't call me for two years!!! YIPPEE!!!

~Oh Baby Baby, Bring IT On~ A Desert Rain

Does this look like rain to you? I ask because it's common to see clouds dark like this and never see a drop of the wet stuff.
The average rain fall in the desert is around 4 inches a year, not much is it?
Well, here we go bloggers, this is what the clouds Gods brought us and it was wonderful....

Notice the white stuff on the ground? Yep, it's hail, big balls of hail.

Seems strange to be picking fresh fruit off my trees in the morning, and then see the hail on the ground that same day.

After the hail, we had glorious rain, a much needed rain and it made my day.

We were all doing the happy dance. Now that the ground is wet, the plants are happy, bring on the buds!!

~SUNDAY GRATITUDE~

I woke up this morning happy to have another day with my family, feeling very blessed to be alive.
No, I am not sick, (well, not that I know of anyway. :)) but my heart was heavy with the love and gratitude I felt for what I have been given in life.
Grateful for the clouds in the sky. We live in the desert, and so clouds are a gift. Rain? Even better still.
Just look at the lovely sky....Thank you God.

With my heart so full it wanted to burst, I gave thanks for all the fresh fruit I had, right in my own backyard.

Grateful for fruit that has yet to come. (if you look closely, you will see tiny little limes just beginning their lives.)

Grateful for a nectarine tree in bloom and all the bees that follow.

A desert hibiscus in full bloom....

Roses, with their sweet fragrance and beautiful blooms.

In full bloom, an aloe plant, great for burns.

Grateful for a full hummingbird feeder just waiting for life and the joy it brings.

Ah, but most of all, I am grateful for the opportunity to yet again, say THANK YOU LORD for another lazy Sunday.

~~~HAPPY PINK SATURDAY TO YOU~~~

I am so happy that this week I had some time to blog and join in the Pink Saturday fun. I have had a couple pairs of sweet baby shoes and decided that I had better get busy creating for my website. My pages are looking a little bare and it's catch up time.
I hope you don't mind seeing what I have been up too this week. There really isn't that much going on outside, although I do have some citrus that we have been eating.......so dang good.

There are many talented people that decorate with baby shoes, lending their individual talents to the creation of something memorable and lovely.

I used some beautiful rose decals on the front and sides. Lots of roses at the top and of course, a cute teddy.

I just love to take vintage silver plated trays and re purpose them into chalkboards. I also added roses to this tray and a stand to display her on.

I hope you have enjoyed your visit with me today. Please check the other pinkie participants over at Beverly's blog, How Sweet The Sound.
I love your comments and would also love to have you follow me. Have a great weekend.