Best/Worse/What did I learn today? Visit with friends...

Look forward to that postcard Judy...Judy can you do me a BIG favor, can you go to address list, get Bev and Scotty's address and rather than send it to me could you send it to him..he collects post cards I believe and with not being able to get around just think how thrilled he'd be to get a card...please/please?????

Yes, starting to feel less nauseated..went and ate a

OMG Jeff just e-mailed me, in the latter part of last week he had 4 new tires put on his truck, wanted to be ready for dirt bike season..e-maled that he is angrier than he's ever been, was on his way to work and the tire came off and passed him..kept in control of the vehicle..now that could have been tragic...he was just getting ready to call the tire company, wouldn't want to be the one to take his call..he's a dear but lordy that's a dangerous thing...

I keep laughing when you say 'the General'..you should have made a 'dummy' dress it up somewhat like you, set it in the window, kids can move it around and that way he'd think you are there and would be less watchful..you've got everythng under control..befor eyou know it you'll be back with a head full of fun memories...

What are you up to today LindaKay? Is your dad getting outside more now that spring weather is here..did you ever decide when you are coming north - close to the border???

Hey Betty, Dad is getting out when it is not raining. His wheel chair is not made for the wet conditions, and if it gets muddy, it has to be fixed, and that is very expensive.
But he does love to get out and watch the hummers. I am flying Dad to Washington State in early May. he will be staying there till October or so. My Brother lives there, and Dad loves the mountians, for hunting and such. He can't hunt very well now, but they still go for rides to see what kind of wildlife they can see.

So sorry to hear about the tire coming off! Goodness, that could have been a tragic accident for sure! How bad is his truck messed up?

OMG about the tire !!! thank God he is ok, Man I bet he is PO'd....they should pay any damage to the truck!!!! and you better take it easy with that wii !!!!

Betty, I don't keep up !!! LOL that's why I have sewwww many things to sew.....I do sew Just about every day, and I love it...I just get "bored" with a project...so I go back and forth with a bunch till I get somethin' done.......rarely do anything right off from start to finish....

think it is Trisha calls herself the ADD crafter....well I am the Ultimate ADD quilter.....I love the challenge of trying new blocks and new designs...but then when I get it figured out....I get bored, so I move on to the next thing...then go back and forth....

hope every one is having a great day...sun is shining again !! hurray !!

I should be out there doing some trimming, but I have one of those projects going...that I have got to finish !!! got a deadline.....

What do you go to on the net to find the pollen count?

hmmm, went and checked Audrey, perhaps this will help

http://www.aaaai.org/nab/index.cfm?p=pollen

Thunder, if you've got all those trial blocks you can just combine them , bet they'd make a spectacular quilt..I lol when you said ADD crafter/quilter, I'm not quite that bad, I go in spurts for a few months at a time, from painting, to woodworking, to stained glass, to knitting & crochet then on to gardening so do manage to get a lot done during each period of craft time...my next project is to finish some stained glass pieces, lordy they've been around for a few years...I've a 4' blue heron under the spare bedroom bed, it should have been attached to copper and displayed outside, never made it from under the bed..this year for sure...

As for Jeff, he said he did some fancy driving but don't think there is any damage..he didn't respond when I asked that question..see that he was on facebook and used the alphabet for a few chosen words...can't blame him...

LindaKay, Washington state is a far ways from me, weren't you thinking of coming this way? if I remember correctly you were going to be 5 or 6 hrs. away from me..I had thoughts of crossing the border to visit with you ...if you weren't pressed for time you could have visited with me...your dad is quite the traveller....

I was thinking of coming that way to Michigan, but my Sister can't take time off work right now to care for him, so it will have to be another time, So sorry Betty. I would love to meet up with you too. I will get up that way, just not for this summer.

LK - Washington state is near Montana, right? (my US geography....... yuck!)
Alberta is right above Montana..........

You all hear me gabbing about Cathy who lives with her parents, she's in late 30's, doesn't drive comes and let's the dog/kitties out while I'm away or at work, her mom comes as well from time to time well, I just had to call her and say I'm overwhelmed...here she spent all day and got most of the gardens cleaned, leaves ready to burn, omg that sooo much work..too much for someone to be doing out of the kindness of her heart...she said she didn't do it all today, did lots yesterday, I must be blind because I didn't see any of it done but of course I wasn't looking...didn't want to say I was going to leave it incase of snow, you just don't say things like that..would hurt her feelings for sure..shaking my head here...lordy, people are kind..earthly angels I call them..

Yesterday she and her mom had been walking the bike trail and dropped off a bouquet of pussy willows...

I'll be able to play for the next few weekends as I'll not have anything to do outside....spoilt aren't I????

Judy, bonfire at my house! lol

Pretty sad, little tuffs of green but I'm wearing a smile, know in a few months what this little area will look like...

Audrey, there is this one too....

http://www.pollen.com/allergy-weather-forecast.asp

and my local tv station..has a web page and they have it on there...look up your local station....

Betty, good friends like that are few and far between....

Hello To All -

Barefoot - My hibiscus look pretty crappy too...right now... I need to place some potted flowers around them....or perhaps some yard art like Betty has...LOVE that......

Betty - LOL! If you mean "gorgeous" by DH...well - he's is definitely in the "Doghouse" tonight.... (Parent/Teen stuff). It really is nice posting pics of the "Yard that will not look like that again". Maybe that's being negative...however I do know we've lost SO much... so not sure what it will look like this year or years to come... DH talks about 'moving this' 'moving that'... I can't stand that... If it "lived" through our awful winter....it deserves to stick around....

I'll see if I can post a close up of Texas Star....

Judy - Sounds that you have the teens so planned out....there's no way they'll have any trouble ! LOL! So you have a double vaca going on? Cottage than Greece? I'll have to remember your planning skills if ... IF Dh & I ever plan to go anywhere.....

My first vaca in a year is DS's Band Festival trip to Panama City FL...around April 23rd.... I am SO looking forward to getting out of town... LOL! (Even though I am a "Chaperone") :)

waving to all !

Hugs,
Mary

Still trying to post the Texas Star Hibiscus from last year.....

OH - and Betty! The door is always open for you if you want to bring the boys down to Louisiana! ((((HUGS))))

Betty, it is so nice to have earthly angels for friends! I know they volunteer, but I bet you have something crafty they would love to have? Maybe trade them thier work, for some of your craft items?
And don't forget the marshmallows for the bon fire!

Susan, I wish we could meet up somewhere? Montana is like a 10 hour drive from my Brothers place in Bremerton.

LindaKay, not sure what else I have to give, she looked after the furries when I was in Buffalo so gave her one one my bags I make..hard when she lives with her parents, can't accummulate much, but, I do when travelling here and there on the weekends invite her to ride along, gets her out of Dodge..lol...truth be known, wasn't looking forward to all the clean up..I'll find something special for or to do for her..I'm heavy into rag quilts right now, perhaps that..

Texas Star is gorgeous Mary..Panama City would be what a 6 or 7 hr. drive..should look at a map I guess...ooohhh could you not swing Disneyland again..know it's one of your favorites..but if you are doing chaperone work you are not free to pick up and go...as for moving plants around, I've done that quite often, I've planted, doesn't seem to do as well as it should and I relocate..just think of how rugged we are in the spring when we do the dividing...I've got to order a load of top soil (black gold) mega $$$ for top soil here, but my gardens do need it..

Friday today, off at 3..sooo looking forward to it..next weekend holiday on Friday but we work Monday..drats, should have booked a few vacation days... shouldn't say work, did crochet all day yesterday..in fact, all squares are made and now it's time to put it together..called the 'nine patch' meant to resemblle the 'nine patch quilt'

Thunder, get some sewing done..lol

Still have the Wii exercise to do and feel the furries..better run..gab later

Betty-Cathy is a Gem and you are truly lucky to have her in your life. She is a sweetie too:)

JUDY-make sure you get some postcards for me too-I also collect them. But if you are coming in June, you can just bring them with you then;) Purty pulease??

Stacey almost forgot that you and I and Cathy did crafts together...butterflies...I still have 2 cut that I did not paint..best get at them I guess....is it you having the June gathering?

Oooh Lenny my BIL dropped something off for me at the house, said I had someone doing yard duty, guess Cathy is finishing the other beds then lo and behold Paul just said, nice afternoon why not go and enjoy...so off I go..excited as can be..life doesn't get much better right?

Hello Everyone !

Betty -Yes it's about 6 hours to Panama City... I always used to say 5 1/2 hours/300 miles to Mom's doorstep but that was Ft. Walton... Hoping my sis in Ft. Walton or Dad in Wewahitchka will drop by....because (yes) we won't have freedom to move about... have to stay with the group....they have us QUITE booked up with activities... http://festivalofchampions.com/package.htm

Oh - You know me SO well... I am certainly planning a Disneyworld trip this year... a "Graduation Celebration" with just me and DS. May 9-15...got the itinerary all worked out.... Can't Wait for that one ! Remember DS & I went to Universal just as a day trip last year? This will be a bit more time to spend. I guess my last chance to vaca with DS ...now he's headed to adulthood and all that...

Judy - what are your trip plans? what do you get to see in Greece? Remember - you're going "first" so then you can tell me what to do/see/experience! LOL :)

Bless Cathy...she does take good care of you...but I know she enjoys it... just like when I help MIL weed her garden...I really do enjoy it !

DH rented The Blind Side for me tonight...been dying to see it...

Will try to hop back on later...

Hugs,
Mary

Morning....

Mary, sad time in ones life when the children seem to outgrow us..then the grandchildren come (I know wait awhile right) and we have them and in no time they are off living their lives as well..still a long time to wait for the great grandchildren but I'm sure .. my favorite Mary of all of them is Epcot..lordy should meet you there, I've been so often I think I'm a tour guide!

Wanted to burn last night but the wind was up, hoping to do so today as they are calling for rain tomorrow...a friend Pat wanted to do one of the pocket bags so I told her I'd teach her but please come early.. it's 5:15am, can't figure out why she isn't here...lol so I'll just plug along and find something to do..

As for Cathy, she's wonderful, this weekend she's staying at a friend of my DIL/son ..they are away at a hockey tournament and she'll be entertaining the 90 year old grannie..she's always into something...

The back yard is now entirely cleaned, only front gardens remain and that's about 1 days work..hopefully this afternoon I can start a little area and if the rain doesn't come until late Sunday can get most of it done...

Dying to take the back deck enclosure off but leaving it for next weekend, with 3 days off I'll enjoy...looked at the pond yesterday afternoon, top is water but bottom is ice so can't clean it out yet, again, perhaps next weekend...going to do a lot next weekend aren't I????? too funny...

Guess you are all enjoying being snuggled into your bed, sleeping soundly....good for you...my body clock just won't let me....

Off to do something productive..

Well I did not get into bed till 3:15...so yes I was snuggled into bed sleeping soundly at 5.

we don't have any ice in our pond, thats for sure....want to re-do the area this year.....we have two small ponds in different places...and we want to get rid of a tree, (it insists on growing into the roof of the house no matter how much we trim it) so it HAS to go...and then we will move the other pond over (it is an above ground) and connect it somehow to the in ground one.....get some more fishies...lost a few this winter it got so cold.....

the horse tail pond plant is starting to grow !!! but I think the papyrus may be a gonner :(

I too am off to do something productive.........

Morning Betty, goodness your an early riser for sure!
Sounds like your yard is getting into shape pretty fast! Summer will be here before we know it, and will have all the pretty blooms to smell and look at!

LK - we're about 3 1/2 hrs from the US border - near Waterton National Park, which borders Glacier National Park ^_^

We have NO idea what we're doing this summer, but Bob wants to go camping again this year ^_^
Who know what will be going on then........

Impossible to catch up when you are gone for a few days!

I get along here fine without my own car, it is just nice to be able to get up and go when the notion strikes without having to check in with someone...I don't mind mom going along except she wants to get what she wants and leave....I can spend hours just "shopping" (not buying), not Mother!

The birds are all busy with birdhouses this week! so much fun to watch!

Pussy willow!!! One of the members brought a huge bouquet of pussy willow branches to church a few weeks ago. I have had them in water on the dining table. Went to move them and clean the vase and discovered that several have rooted and have leaves! If I can keep them going until time to plant maybe Laura and I can both have Pussy willow trees!!

Still crocheting. Finally received my order of discontinued yarn so I can finish the yellow blanket. This is a baby set I just finished...

Just too adorable, omg...is that for Sage Trisha??? These are the kind of memories young children never forget...never had girls to make things for..best I stop being sobby about it..I've 4 great grandsons and 2 charming boys...blessed for sure...

Noah's team won and are champions, guess in their age bracket..Braedon and Caleb have gaves this weekend and then they are finished...

Jeff called, said he was taking them to an afternoon show, was on his way to meet Greg in Barrie, had some dirtbike equipment for Kyle and Noah, of course Kyle can't be riding yet...Greg will meet Jeff at Kayak shop where he's off to purchase more goodies/toys for his 6 week kayak trip..I'll have to find out if he's got a blog like he did for last years' trip....

Pat did come and we got her bag done and another cut, then I went outside and smoked myself..burnt all those leaves and now I've started to edge the back garden...looks sad but I know what's coming..

Felt cool but now that I've worked by b*&t off, I've warmed up..came in for coffee and will go back out for a few hours...it's wonderful to be able to be working in the yard..saw a few things that are a must...one I need 8 more 20" patio stones for the patio slab, that would give plenty of room when moving your chair to and from the table...then I did the cement bench top and decorated with glass and bobbles..it's sitting just on cement blocks, maybe Saturday when the boys are here they'll come with me and purchase cement legs and move it for me...

Jeff said he and the boys will come for Easter Saturday, I'll call Greg/Melanie tonight to see if they want to come..they might regret it because I've always got a list of 'to do's' for them..lol

Pat asked me to look for froggie material when I was in Buffalo, was able to find her some..she brought her little wall hanging to show me..she painted a froggie floormat for her cottage sunroom and her husband Don made several stained glass froggies..every spring she changes the theme, last year it was lighthouses...

Girls at work

Bags galore..going to start calling us the bag ladies!

Thunder, what on earth were you doing up at 3:15am..we'd make a likely pair....your ponds sound lovely..I have something in mind for near the back bedroom deck, just got to find the hollow tree trunks to do it and some slate...slate I can buy, guess a walk in the bush might do the trick..have to find someone to come with me...always worried I'll find something I should when walking, besides you never know what could happen...did learn my lesson about treking in the bush!

Trisha, have you been looking for a vehicle? What kind are you thinking about???

Doesn't my yard look dismal?

But I know this is what it will become...overwhelms you doesn't it how such beauty!

Edging this garden..figure if I do one every few days by end of April pretty well all my gardening will be done...

Can't wait for trees to have leaves, then I never see what is in the back bush..lol

If I rest much longer I'll not get back to work..have a few things to do in town, can either take a quick run in and that way I'll not have to go anywhere tomorrow or get more work done outside and then complain tomorrow that all my muscles are sore....

Here's what the garden that I showed you in the previous photo shortly will look like..well perhaps NOT shortly..but soon!

HONEST OPINION PLEASE!!!!

Call me a busybody or troublemaker and..and...and...

You know last fall that in the back amongst my daisies, I found 2 stolen bicycles worth quite a bit of money..was able to find the owner and give them back..know it's the 2 young boys next door... I did call Community Watch and Police but nobody seemed too interested in follow up seeing as the bikes were returned...

Well today I'm out working in the garden and I see the 2 boys, bit suspicious, taking a canoe and trying to find a place to put it, emphasizing that they've bought it and how much fun they will have...that's nice, kids should enjoy..then they were in back garage trying to fit it in, wouldn't fit, then they took it and put it under back deck....I said 'now that's a nice canoe' just so they would know I know they have a canoe...I even took a photo...they've stolen so much in the community but nothing is ever done...

Question: if I hear of a canoe being stollen, would you IF you were me, just let it go, or report it and show photo????

Maybe I should mind my own business..must have too much time on my hands..but it irks me that maybe someone as with the bikes, saved/saved in order to purchase them and then they are taken away from their garage...

I really made it known that I saw the canoe and took photo of canoe, of course while taking photo's in the yard....

I never do anything like that but I'm just annoyed with them!

Would be nice if instead of stealing in the community they'd clean their yard...smack me silly...again, note to self, 'mind your own business Betty'!

Betty, thats a tough one...for sure.....Maybe you want to keep ears open to any one mentioning a missing canoe??? or maybe call the Comm. watch....could they not just ask about where it was purchased from ?? do they need to be registered up there ?? seems there would be a way to identify it if stolen??

would make me worried...what else are they up too?? if not afraid of steeling bikes and canoes!!!

Betty, I think I would have a tendency to call the local police, and tell them what is going on! That way, they too can keep on eye on them.

No the outfits are for various friends and relatives who have just had are expecting babies....the doll is one Laura received from her great grandmother about 25 years ago.....Sage likes Barbies but has no interest in Baby Dolls....

Vehicles...given my preference a Club Cab Pickup with Canopy or a Van......realistically.....anything reliable and affordable.

Thank you ladies...we usually get a call via Community Policing when things go missing i.e. the bikes...will keep an ear open..

Club Cab Trisha that's a pretty big vehicle isn't it...guess though with biking you need something large to accommodate the rides...

Temps are dropping, that plus my being tired..nice to feel tired from working in the gardens..Cathy dropped in for coffee, said she could smell the smoke..told her I had no intention of working outside this weekend but had to keep up to her, couldn't have all the leaves/debris blow back into the yard..I'd be in trouble if I did that..

I must have been fighting dozing, when she left she said I'd probably have no trouble shutting lights off at 8:30pm for Earth Day..most likely I'll be sleeping by then...

So with that, off I go..shutting everything down, trying to be part of the millions celebrating Earth Day...think our Municipality even shut street lights off..

Hope you've enjoyed your day as much as I did mine...

Hello To All;

Betty - I don't think you're a busybody at all... It's folks like yourself that make the neighborhood safer. And I agree with Barefoot... if it starts out with stealing bikes...where does it end? UNLESS someone turns them in...and they get 'scared straight'.

Trisha that is a lovely baby outfit... Hope you find a good vehicle soon...

Susan - it sounds as though you live in a gorgeous area !

Betty - You'll LOVE this...but one of the "Surprises" that I've booked for DS18 and I....is...on our last day of our trip.... an "Epcot Segway" tour first thing in the morning. I think it's a 2 hour tour...the first hour they teach you how to use the "Segway"... Hope I don't fall off ! THAT would be hilarious to DS! I also have Ressies at Le Cellier which I've ALWAYS wanted to eat at (in "Canada" as you know) but never had the opportunity to..... I think DS will LOVE getting to try using the Segway...

Betty love the "After / Before" pics of your gorgeous gardens!

We cleaned up a lot today. Sister, BIL, Nephew and his friend are coming for Dinner tomorrow. (they live in Florida) So we also invited MIL and FIL. THEN we found out our Norwegian Exchange Friend (from last year - the one DS went to Prom with) is visiting ....so we invited her, parents, brother as well.... (They don't speak English !) So dinner tomorrow should be VERY interesting !

Hugs,
Mary