Friday, June 3, 2011

The Whackit Back Attack

I've blogged before about the crepe myrtles lining my street.  Being a lover of all things pink, their magenta explosions are something that I look forward to every summer.


Every winter, however, they look like this.   


Now, those myrtles get their yearly whackit whether we like it or not. It's done by order of the development, and the crepe myrtles, like their pals the pear trees, don't actually belong to the home owners.  We don't complain, though. We all know that a little pruning is best for the long term health of the tree.

By experience, we know that the whackit  is just a temporary rest.  In due time, the leaves start growing again.   Before too long, I'm a happy camper on pink watch.




pruning  + patience = reward. 


There's a reason for this ramble this morning. You may not have noticed, but  I've been doing some long overdue pruning myself lately.  For a variety of reasons, I need a rest.  Let's just say that I needed a little pruning for my pink to grow. 

And so I have whacked back the blog writing for a while and tried to entertain myself elsewhere.  First, I entertained myself by celebrating a milestone with Sir Lotsa Hair. You know the one...


We ditched the black and did it up green since that's our theme color for the year.
 Plus, he's not even close to over the hill. 
Oh please... with all that hair? 


After that, I entertained myself  with a Great Purging Adventure of epic proportions.  Why I habitually wait until Summer to get into that attic is a mystery. It might have had something to do with the fact that the two house servants I procreated were available to help. 

Or it might have had something to do with the looming deadline for that LIST that sits on my sideboard.

Smirking.

Or maybe, it's the perfect project for  Whackit Back Season.  After all, Hell hath no fury like a menopausal maniac purging an attic in the summertime. As far as attic whacking is concerned, I'm Debbie Scissorhands.

Whatever the reason, the Great Purging Adventure has kept me very occupied as I wait for my pink.

And just  look what I discovered on my walk this morning.


Proving once again that a little pruning is a positive thing.

By the way...
Does anyone have any tips for successful garage sales?

36 comments:

Denise said...

Not a lot of suggestions for the garage sale except to send you my table and a little bit of stuff. The purging I can seriously get into in epic proportions. My professional princess can take this endeavor over.the.top. I had to stop her when she was packing for the big city. YOU would have been quite proud of her.

I was checking my thermometer yesterday morning, (why I feel the need to check every morning is beyond me...) and to my great delight I found my pink crepe myrtles in bloom, too. Yesterday, for me, it was a huge sign of hope. So, today, I'm getting off of this computer and enjoying life and getting over my blues.

Thanks for sharing this post. We do enjoy our pink flowers, don't we?

Barbara F. said...

Debbie, I laughed out loud with this post. I was just referring to myself as Mrs. Edward Scissorhands the other day as to the way I pruned back my fig tree. I do have leaves growing in but I am not sure about fruit. I also wait for the warm weather to purge, and recently cleaned out a closet I have under my staircase. It is a really tight space, too. xo,

Ann said...

I hear ya' on doing things when it's hot inside and out ..... but alas, I do need the sunshine to energize my battery. There just isn't much sun when the temps are cooler.

As for the garage sale? No hints from me. I hate them. I hate having them and I dislike going to them. Alas, I must have one later this summer. Got to try to make some cash on our excess!

Another super post, Debbie, and I can certainly understand taking a break now and then. Gotta stay fresh!

Cheers!

no spring chicken said...

You may be waiting, but just reading your fun (as often as you'll grace us) keeps us in the pink!! Maybe not 'pruned' pink but...

By the way, we are having a yard sale for a friend this weekend and my two house servants up and took a house sitting job. Friends will be in charge of the main event. But I'm left here alone to weed and price my prunings.

My best yard sale tip? Let 'em have it! Doesn't matter what they offer. The worst part of having a yard sale is deciding what to do with the leftovers. If you've been tight handed you have a hard time giving it to the thrift when you could have at least gotten something for it. And you certainly don't want to haul boxes back up to the attic to try to sell it again!!

Have Fun?

Blessings, Debbie

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

I was just noticing the same thing... the pinks are beginning to blossom around here too, and the stick look of winter is gone.

Even though the process seems so orderly and in season with the crepe myrtles... it's messier getting my own pink to bloom well and on time! Keep haggling... you're doing great! And by all means.... use the skill and extra hands of the 'procreated household servants!' I sure did, and now they use their own. :)

Fun and creative post Debbie, as they always are!

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Wow, you have been busy!! So glad the house servants were able to help you LOL! Happy 50th to your man! I am not sure if I am happy to have inspired you to keep some things to make into treasures, maybe you should just clean it out??

Carol

The Decorative Dreamer said...

Love how you ditched the black balloons for green, maybe they will bring great prosperity! Seems to already be working since you are considering hosting a garage sale. LOL! I always seem to want to clean out the attic and our garage basement in the heat of the summer too. I think I just get frustrated when it's hot and I can't get to something because there too much junk in the way. As for my best tip on a garage sale I can only give you one from the consumer stand point. Please price everything. I cannot stand to have to ask how much someone wants for something. That really puts me off all together. I can understand when someone misses pricing out a few things but when the whole yard sale is not priced I usually just leave. Good luck with that,and I hope you do well!

Angel said...

So good to see you again! I've been searching for you and figured you were taking a much needed break. I've been slowing down a bit myself lately. And I understand the need for pruning. Trees, attics, activities - Sometimes you just need to "whackit back!" God bless you and your garage sale (sorry I have no words of advice on that front). :)

Fresh Garden said...

Yes, so good to see you again!
We all love you.

Jennie said...

I'm so excited you asked for garage sale tips! I'm planning one too...despite Sam's grumbling. I've got an attic o' junk myself. It's making me itchy!

You have certainly been missed in the blogworld, but good for you getting out there and living it up. If there's anything in particular you need me to pray for, please let me know. I'm QUITE certain I owe you one - or a hundred. :)

(And I'm sorry for my constant exclamatories. I had no idea you weren't a fan. I can't control myself!!!)

Francie...The Scented Cottage Studio said...

we did a whack attack on our garage (still in progress) and i do wish we could have a garage sale and just sell the dang garage so we wouldn't have to do it again, sigh. and I looove your on top of the mountain sign, will have to steal it for my Sweeties next bd.
Oh and my biggest and best tip for a successful garage sale is to invite me. I would probably clean you out because, after all, I do have an almost empty garage. (())

Lynn said...

Tips for successful garage sales? Stay away from them or you spend too much money:@)

FrouFrouBritches said...

Hmmmmm. Nope, no tips. I am soon to be on a little purging adventure myself. My BIL, SIL and niece are moving back to Arkansas and moving in with us for a while. I've got to clean out and make room. Looks like I'll be having a garage sale too. I loathe doing garage sales. I like going to them though.

Love the pink crepe myrtles when they're in bloom! They're so pretty! Happy Birthday to Sir Lotsa Hair!!!

Unknown said...

I'm so excited to begin my own purging process so very soon since I am quitting my job and have to get all the church stuff out of my closet. Ahhh. More space.

Garage sales? My best tip is to be negotiable. Better to sell it for something than have to drag it to Goodwill.

So glad you are back in blogland!

Kathleen said...

We don't have crepe myrtle, they are lovely!
We have to do that with the hydrangea. I cut them back and they are still so big, covering my window boxes. If you cut them at the wrong time, no flowers...:(
Good luck with the sale. I am a donate person. If they call for a pick up, I can't say no, and run around gathering things for them!

Jean said...

Debbie,
It is so good to see you again and I laughed out loud at "Debbie Sissorhands." Too funny!
I've given up on yard sales, my townhouse is too far off the beaten track to attract much attention. I do need to purge though...I've been hearing about hoarders and I'm getting scared.

~Jean
P.S. Happy B.D. to Sir Lotsa Hair - loved the green.

Chatty Crone said...

I am laughing and imagining this 'menopausal maniac purging the attic in the summer time' - ouch - not a pretty picture. Glad you are back.
Garage sales - a lot of work - not even money for me. Don't let people have things and then tell you they will come back - they won't!

Denise at Forest Manor said...

Hi Debbie,

I've been missing your wonderful posts and wondering where you were. So glad you're back!! I do understand the need for "pruning" though. I've only been doing this since February, and I run out of steam sometimes. I have so many ideas for posts, but can't seem to find the time to do them as quickly as I'd like.

Thanks for leaving the sweet comments on my blog today -- I'm so glad you liked the post and the table. I always look forward to your visits and your comments. Take care and try to stay "in the pink".

Hugs,

Denise

Joan Hall said...

Would you like to come to Texas and purge my attic? :)

Love the crepe myrtles. I have some in my back yard, but haven't seen any pink yet. Hope there is some; however it is very hot and dry here.

Have a blessed weeken and enjoy the pink!

At The Picket Fence said...

I think we all need some pruning now and then! Although, that tree looked positively "neeked"...it almost looked embarrassed, didn't it? Maybe I'm just weird...don't say it...I know I'm weird! But, it was vindicated and looks so lovely. Happy Bday to your sweetie and we will always love hearing from you whether it is every day, every week, or every month. As long as we get a little Debbie now and then! Like how I did that with the "little Debbie" reference??
Blessings,
Vanessa
P.S. I'm thinking this was a really strange comment and I probably should not be commeting on blogs at night after a long day!

Christine said...

I'm due for some pruning...
It's all about taking care of yourself.
You go girl!

Sharon said...

How I loved this post - both for the nature lesson in it, and for the lesson *between the lines*!

You've been so busy - wanna come help me clean up??

I absolutely adored the last picture - the one touch of pink in that tree brought actual tears to my eyes. It was so pretty - and so hopeful. I never want to lose sight of hope in the middle of my pruning times.

Congrats to your very special knight, Sir Lotsa Hair. Tell him 50 really isn't so bad...

And, advice for a garage sale? Hmmm. Be sure to have a carport installed before you sell the garage...(I know - that was terrible. I'm tired... :)

xoxo
GG

Anonymous said...

Debbie,
I love purging stuff in the house! Such a freeing feeling!
Garage sale? Haven't done it, as I usually just cart the purged good stuff to Salvation Army, but sell it/give it away does sound like a great plan!
Happy Birthday to your beloved!
Have a beautiful weekend,
Carol

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

Oh I do love coming here and wishing I had your gift of writing. Oh pruning..I am feeling the cuts in my own life and can't wait to see the produce they will produce...hope it comes in pink. Just glad the Lord is still pruning and not just pulling me out of the ground to let me die. LOL

Oh garage sale..just finished two days and it was a bomb...I should have packed it up and donated it...garage sales and I don't mix...and my hubby has to set out there and do the sales, well he is the salesman.

Happy Happy Birthday...tell him welcome to the 50's club...mine was in pink and purple!

Enjoy the purging!

Tanna said...

Happy Birthday to Sir Lotsa Hair!! Yea! I need to do some pruning myself! Why do we keep adding to our piles to weed out??? LOL! Hope you come back with bright pink!! blessings ~ tanna

Ann said...

Oh shoot ... I DO have a hint for garage sales ...... NEVER bring anything back in the house. Be prepared to donate the "leftovers."

With our neighborhood yard sale a few years ago, we had Salvation Army come through around 3pm. The yard sale was essentially over by then. Anything anyone didn't want to drag back inside was left on the curb for the SA. If you were there when they came through, you got a receipt for your "schtuff" ..... but, if you plan on using it as an IRS deduction, you need to itemize (the little red kodak will come in handy here).

So, that's my idea ......

Cheers!

Marlis said...

OH great thing to do.. the attic attack. I'm doing house attack to be followed by garage attack.. Best of luck and many blessings,
marlis

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

For starters, happy belated birthday to your man!

As for pruning and purging (sounds like an eating disorder), well, I'm all for what makes you happy. There are times when we just need to step back and wait, or get involved in other interests.

As for garage sale tips, the best one I can offer is, Don't have one! (hehe) My last one was probably four or five years ago and I said never again. Too much work; not enough profit. Maybe that's a testimony to the worthlessness of my stuff. HA!

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

I do not know about yard sales but I can say that the pruning does work. Beautiful pics! Happy 50th to your man also!

Kelli said...

You are a light in this sometimes dark and dreary world! Pruning is sometimes painful and always necessary in order to produce beauty...in our lives too right? Love the way your words convey humor as well as depth of character as well. Garage sale? Just had one last week that I spent 2 weeks preparing for and only made $50. So, good luck. I obviously have no tips to offer. LOL!

Unknown said...

You go, you menopausal maniac, you!!!! I'm in a bit of a shut-down, whackit back mood myself, especially after all the graduation whoop-de-doo around here.
xoxo
lynn

Sue said...

I know that when I visit you Debbie, that I am going to leave so encouraged and smiling if not laughing from time to time, You always lift me up, I like pruning+ patience = reward. The Crepe Myrtles are beautiful, and a very happy Birthday to the King of the Mountain.
I too have been absent this week from blogland
Hugs,
Sue

Tami said...

Oh how i love the purging process. clutter makes me crazy. and your blog makes me laugh and yet think at the same time. you are such a gifted writer. i like the reminder of pruning + patience = reward. And it looks absolutely beautiful where you live.

Susan Nowell @ My Place to Yours said...

Debbie, I was just stopping by to check on you -- and am glad to find your post tonight. I had hoped you were just taking a break (or a vacation, but alas...). Playing and pruning are always good, and it's especially nice when they can occasionally go hand-in-hand! Enjoy your summer, and we'll see ya when we see ya! BTW, Happy belated b-day to your sweetie.

Oh, almost forgot... Garage sale advice? DON'T DO IT! But if you must, definitely take Ann's advice and have a donation pick-up scheduled for the moment your sale ends!

Shug said...

Oh My...I hate to admit it, but being in the nursery business, we are the ones that love to hack the crepe myrtles each year....Sorry! But you must admit, the blooms are larger and much prettier after a good pruning...
Oh yes...the best way to have a garage sale in our area (with a 101 temp) is to have it inside with air conditioning!
Lots of luck...
Shug

Nellie's Cozy Place said...

Hi Debbie,
Pruning is good whether for plants or us!!
You are a brave woman to attack the attic tho,
for sure!!

I have a surprise awaiting you over at my blog
so come read and find out why,
Blessings, Nellie

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