Where i live theres really no threat for forest fires, however yes we could use rain too.. I've been watering my garden with a watering can, since hubby has had the hose all week doing the pool... Being that i cant carry very much water it takes some time lol...
new pool goes in today, I'm excited to come home from work to see it all done...
Don I'm jealous, but today will be 70* (21*C) so i guess i'm not doing to bad over here...
Cannas are coming up now I think i'm up to 10 seedlings.. Still have hope on the rest.. Planted 2 pots of mixed hardy hibiscus to put next to the pool, hopefully they look good.. We always have tropicals but since i cant keep them alive all winter it gets to be expensive... I like the hardy ones better i think anyways, so BIG!!!
Anyways all, I'm off to work till 1:00, Home in time to enjoy the day.. Hope everyones sees the sun today, enjoy
jen
What's Happening in your neck of the woods? Friends...
Morning all, too funny, as Breakfast Television gives the weather for all of Canada I'm thinking, ok, Jen's weather will be nice..ooh ohh for "M" on the cool side, maybe rain/flurry mix..Ottawa way, nice and on and on and on..lol...
"M" did my morning walk in the gardens and brrr it was cold, should be, only thing I had on was my flannel p.j.'s.....thought for sure the tulips and daffodiles would be open by now but not...just watch, I'm leaving tomorrow night or early Friday for Buffalo/Hamburg..watch me come home on Sunday night and find them finished..I'll be sad...
I wouldn't doubt that all the flowering crab trees I planted will soon have some flowers, not many because they are only about 6 to 8' high, just planted last year but will be nice to see...
This morning before leaving for work I took about 10 pkgs. of seeds, put them on wet paper towel and into zip lock bags, set them on the bed in kids room where there is plenty of sunshine so should do well...
I'm wowed seeing what Mother Nature does from day to day....
Maybe today I'll go to Walmart and see if they have 'hops' yet..need about 6 containers for the arbors...
Which reminds me I got all ready to plant the sweet peas last week and still have not done it! Better get right out there.
Well maybe after I have coffee with my house cleaner!
Very dry here - they are talking drought- and a watering ban in NW Calgary! I did water all the back flower beds yesterday and some rain forecast next couple of days.
Looks like another nice day to be out in the garden.
overcast and drizzling today. I bought the sweet pea seeds today and will get them out soon, as well as a few seeds for 'gigantic' sunflowers. We face south so it should be good for the sun flower.
~M~ good to see Lorna going wild with the physio, she's got determination. Have you found your suit yet?
Betty, I hope your tulips and daffs flower soon for you. Have a great weekend away.
Jen, photos of the progress on your pool???
Ann in Ottawa, I think you took our nice weather back east with you.
I've started a new program, to change my habits and to get off some of my 100lbs of excess weight. So far I'm going to the pool for 60 min deep water aqua-fit 3 times a week. We're cutting out all added sugars and I've given up sneaking chocolate. I have a few sweet teeth! I"m also walking the dog for an hour most days, probably 5 days a week. We're also increasing the amount of fish in our diet from maybe twice a month to about 2-3 times a week. There's a recipe in today's paper for halibut, potatoe and asparagus soup, so that's what's for dinner. It has been a hard time lately, I guess I was stuck on the pity pot and didn't have the impetus to get moving. So I"m planning to keep working on diet and excersize, one day at a time.
Linda
Linda - good for you. We'll do all we can to support you on this journey. It won't be easy at times, but the results will be worth it.
Well the pool liner went in today in less then an hour and a half cause when i got home they were finished and it was already starting to fill..
Heres yesterdays work
jen
now todays sorry the scrap page isn't done from that as the pool will take a few days to fill I'm thinking...
jen
This message was edited Apr 21, 2010 5:32 PM
now todays sorry the scrap page isn't done from that as the pool will take a few days to fill I'm thinking...
jen
I see a pool party coming up.....
edited to say that it looks lovely
This message was edited Apr 21, 2010 5:56 PM
Great pics Jen !! BIG job, but, well worth it ..
Linda .. good luck on your journey .. BC has LOTSA fish ^_^
We watched a 'deep end' Aquabics class today .. looks like a good workout .. once I purchase a new suit (then find my others no doubt) we may give it a whirl ..
Kind of a 'less busy day' today .. unusual .. have the feeling i forgot to do something LOL
TTFN
~M~
does anyone have rose of sharons?? are these plants pretty good with being moved.. I started a few last year from seeds and now I took them out and potted them for a few weeks till the new bed is done.. Hope they make it..
MG pool parties, we've had a bunch.. However this year we might have to cut back as i'm due july 30 which pretty much kills aug lol... Thanks :)
M it sure is..
I hate when i have that feeling, usually takes a few days before i realize what i forgot to do...
jen
Well Jen .. I forgot to feed MR SMOKEY the KING of the cats !!! So .. he LOVINGLY reminded me by waiting for me to fall asleep, and then jumping up on the bed, smack in the middle of my back, at which point he started to 'make biscuits' .. so .. since I am the FEEDER in the house, and HE has a new schedule he forgot to let me in on, I was up an hour after going to bed .. gotta love animals !!!
SUPER sunny, but also SUPER cool here this morning .. hoping to make it a day to STAY PUT .. maybe putz around in the flower beds a bit more .. altho I keep telling people I would like to let the 2 runied beds go to grass .. not getting much support there ..
Take care everyone ..
~M~
The attached pic is last years perennial bed .. I keep projecting to that ^_^
This message was edited Apr 22, 2010 8:04 AM
Morning all, "M" it's 2 here this morning and the wind is coming from the north and bitter cold..
Jen, you'll certainly enjoy the pool this summer especially as you will be off on maternity leave..baby will take up most of your time but am sure while the little one is resting you can enjoy a swim...pool parties are fun but mega work so don't overdo...
As for the Rose of Sharon, I have several and did have to move them to a sunnier location and they've done well...was thinking as it's Earth Day today I might drop in and purchase a tree/shrub and plant...
"M" beautiful garden, so manicured, mine is more of an english garden, plants helter skelter..you can see we are dreaming of what's to come..nice to sit and look at photo's of last years gardens isn't it..
Linda, so proud of your efforts, best to take little steps and not be discouraged than to overdo...
Been having difficulties with my car, had it checked and it's the bearings on the left front passenger side..most likely a $600. repair job..thankfully I have a brother who works with cars, he's ordered the bearings, should be here around 3..I'm leaving work at 2 so he can be ready for the installation once it arrives..bearing are $69.99 so wow big savings, nice that little brother looks after big sister....maybe it's because my mom was looking forward to going to Buffalo tomorrow morning and if I've no car then no can go or he'd have to take her..might be a method to his madness...either way sure helps me out, I want to keep that $$$$ for shopping...lol
AWESOME news re younger brother and the car Betty .. enjoy your trip tomorrow ^_^
I have a mechanic in the family but .. he decided to become an OPP an he moved east a bit :(
The garden .. gosh .. I was outside looking at it again today .. hard to believe it'll ever look that again .. but .. the Bleeding Heart is bolting and the Day Lilies are sprouting ..
The 'day off' from physio/swimming/shopping .. was replaced with taking down and washing curtains and mini blinds and windows .. plus dusting and vacuuming .. sheesh ~~
Off to get supper out
Toodles
~M~
Nice to have to inside work done so that soon you can just play outside..just turned up the furnace, temps must have dropped during the night..oops think it is night lol..
Almost ready to head out, earlier I pick up mom in the city to go to Buffalo that we might just miss the traffic morning congestion...
Did get my vehicle repaired, he had quite a time of it seeing as the bearing has broke but with help of a neighbor and major honning equipment I believe I'm up and running...got home after 7 to find my doors locked .. omg panic city..I've no keys, few minutes later over comes Cathy, she was at the store and saw my vehicle..she thought I had already left for the weekend and as she is staying here looking after furries she locked the door..yikes, pretty bad when you know you've given out keys and you don't have one yourself...note to self...have a key made ..lol
Enjoy your weekend, hope it's filled with sunshine..
Hope Betty made it to the US .. can't even IMAGINE the traffic in that area at that time of day .. well .. that's a fib .. i CAN imagine the traffic and it makes my blood run cold !!!
It hit 25C here yesterday .. I'm sportin a sunburn and LUVIN it ^_^
Supposed to be lovely here for the next week .. but .. we need rain !!
Off to buy a bathing suit .. NO WAY will the 2 others show up until after I do so .. .. always think of the cartoon 'For Better or for Worse' .. by Lynn (can NEVER remember her last name) anyway, each year she would do a little comic strip on her going to buy a bathing suit and the ANGST women go through doing it .. always made me laugh, especially when she took her kids with her and they would do some darned funny 'KID things' while she was trying the suits on in the dressing room.
Yesterday I was sitting in the ladies change room waiting for Lorna to finish changing. A young Mom and her little 3 year old daughter went into the shower (it's a private shower but you can see feet under the door) .. as they showered the little girl asked her Mom why she( the Mom) had an earring in her belly button .. I could go on .. because the conversation got too funny .. but .. you HAD to have been there .. I had to go into one of the change rooms so I couldn't hear them anymore. From the mouths of babes !!
Off'n running
~M~
its spitting off and on here today, afternoon weather man says it will be cloudy but the rain should stop..
I was moving a few things i had in one garden last year. I planted Malva's, and wow did i ever hate them... Now they wont go away, so were taking out the few things that come back, and killing the rest (malva's) and raising the bed a foot.. Its next to the patio, so it would be more of a ledge.. As i was planting the stuff in my other garden, I noticed my hardy hibiscus just a few sticks sticking up, but now theres a green shoot coming up against the side.. From what I heard these wont come up till the end of may, and its clearly not there yet.. I'm not sure if thats what it is as i just bought it last year, but i'm hopeful..
jen
Funny day yesterday, wind was cold but my garden help came over to work, then it started to rain and even a touch of hail so she was going to quit, we sat chatting in the porch and the rain stopped and the sun came out so she wentback out and finished up!
I went on the hunt for a little summer jacket on Thursday - neutral, unlined, short etc - found one I liked at Additionelle but they only had size 16 and 20- one too small the other too big so yesterday went to one of the big malls to pick up the Size 18. This is a big mall I rarely ever go to and was really stunned at all the changes, huge place.
Visit with doctor on Thursday too and told I have diabetes! Well she was concerned about it when I had some blood work done after my surgery so is repeating tests every 3 months but pretty sure now. So I have to go get educated and change my diet for sure (I eat a lot of candy, have always had a sweet tooth) and lose some weight ( I did lose almost 10 lbs last year but it has all gone back on this winter). Wont know a whole lot yet- need to do this program which is for people with chronic illnesses- 6 weeks, 2 1/2 hours each week- will get signed up next week.
Cloudy but not cold today, might bet out and do some more gardening. The worst of the clean up is done. The small aount of rain we had Thurs night and yesterday helped green things up a bit. We could sure use a good few hours of soaking rain!
I hear you on that fancy a good soaking rain is what we need too.. where are those april showers..
sorry to hear about the diabetes, its a big lifestyle change.. My fiances grandmother has it, she has a huge cupboard full of sweets and cookies, mind you there sugar free but there really not that bad..
jen
Jen fortunately for me there is a diabetic store nearby and last year I sampled some of their candy - not bad at all. Right now I am busy eating all the chocolate I have in the house! MIght as well get rid of it.
AKkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk .. Carol .. GIVE it away (the chocolate) ... elevating your blood sugar by eating it is NOT a good thing.
The most important blood test you will have is .. Hemoglobin A1c test (also called the glycated hemoglobin test or HbA1c), basically it's a blodd test that tells your physician what that little glucose molecule has been up to over the last few months. It hangs out with the red blood cells and can easily be tested. NO fooling it !!
I take it your a Type '2' diabetic ..? Diet/exercise and meds will likely be what you need .. good you have signed up for the 'chronic illnesses' program ..
WINDY WINDY WINDY here today .. again .. am about to look up the snowfall story I heard about on the news .. apparently some places in Sask got 17cm of snow !!??
Take care all
~M~
Too late Marilyn!
Started raining mid afternoon with a bit of snow, now it has been snowing the past couple of hours.
Taking some friends to lunch at LH tomorrow- people who helped out when I had my surgery in January - my thank you!
Carol
LOL and LOL again. I guess now you will be on your way to a sugarless life. My Dad has "D" and he keeps it in check by diet and exercise. What I should say is Mom feeds him the right stuff. I thought if you get the really good dark chocolate it doesn't have a lot of sugar. I guess the class will get you on the right track and by making it weeks they get to remind you on a regular basis and it can become a new habit.
We too need rain and the other night we got a little and we are promised rain tomorrow.
Our two weeks of warm weather brought up many little heads that are now stalled.
I have some small seeds that need transplanting and the G house has some small plants on a heat mat which is working well keeping the little ones warm at night.
Ann
Well we got some rain today, and tonight there calling for t-storms and rain all day tomorrow... Just what we need.. Plus i have to work tomorrow, so let it rain...
Carol - LOL on eating all the chocolate in the house. I hope it's all gone now and you will be well on your way to healthier eating. Good that you found out the diabetes in the early stages and with luck you may be able to control it with dietary changes. Good luck.
Well I think there are still some chocolate chips but I have never resorted to eating them! Theres still a few chocolate kisses, the last bit of a gigantic chocolate bar given as a gift and some Werthers butterscotch!
Snow stopped over night and it has melted on the roads and sidewalks but will give a bit of moisture to the dry flower beds and lawns.
DAWG!!!!!!!!! We need R A I N !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The forest fire ban has been tightened up once again, there was a rather big fire east of the city. Of course, since the fires are coming early this year .. arson is suspected .. but, as it was along the rail line it could have been a CN or CP rail induced fire .. one of the bad things about NO Cabooses anymore .. when they were manned, the person in back of the train could spot a fire started from a spark from the wheels/tracks.
Off to the border to pick up a parcel ..and.. gas up of course .. our gas prices are sitting at $106./L STILL !!!
Enjoy your day
~M~
We got rain last night not sure how much though.. Not enough thats for sure, I will be out tomorrow watering again.. However this week now that the pool is done, i get my hose back.. No more caring water can after can to the back of the yard.. I think it took about 6 cans the other day to water.. The hose will be a nice change..
jen
We had some rain yesterday, pouring rain, then sunny, then rain, perfect Spring weather.
Our gas has been 106/L for some time now, last summer, if I remember correctly we hit 121/L
Carol, sorry to hear about the higher sugars. it does mean quite a change, but hopefully with diet and exercise you can control it very easily. I go Tuesday for a glucose tolerance test. My sugars are still in normal ranges, but creeping up... hence the change in diet and more exercise, back into the pool tomorrow.
Those of you with real gardens are so lucky, having to garden in containers makes it a bit more of a challenge.
I plan to do the lawn today, with our ( armstong :) push mower.
later....
Linda
LOL .. Linda .. I sure hope the 'Armstrong Mower' was not to horrid!! The thought makes me kinda ill with my bad hands ..
Lorna is 'trialing' a 'zero clearance' riding mower this coming week .. the kind ya sit on and can actually almost HUG a tree .. I am totally NOT a riding mower afficianado !!! This one does not have a clutch .. ergo .. the reason she is so excited as she has no left leg ...
It's a commercial mower .. she's quite excited .. and all we can do is hope it works out for her ..
Re Container planting .. I LOVE it .. I have urns and pots placed here and there . the gardens the so called 'landscaper' ruined, I would like to see go to grass .. but .. a bud dropped off Irises .. I feel with the containers, I have more control I guess .. and .. annuals only last about 2 to 3 months (probably less) in the pots .. but .. I am able to be more protective of them. And the types and colours of flowers are limitless ^_^
Jen .. I so WISH our hose would reach all that has to be watered .. I have broken up the watering into 3 sessions .. and here I thought the hose was long enough !!!
Got to the border .. and gas is .86/L .. UNREAL ..
Off to get dinner out .. hope EVERYONE has just the BEST week ever
~M~
M our back yard is only 80 feet by 60 feet so really its nothing huge.. I have a two 50 foot hoses and together they make it close enough to the back corners that i can just make the spray go there.. If i had to carry the cans there everyday, gardening wouldn't be done this summer.. I just cant carry that much weight, so i have to bring them half full.. I hate the feeling that i know i can do something but my body or mind tells me i cant or its not safe.. So far for me thats the worst thing about being pregnant...
I have a few pots that we put around our pool. I just did 2 pots with hardy hibiscus, I know they will probably only stay in for one season, then i'll have to put them in the ground.. We usually get tropical hibiscus and have them next to the ladder but this year i refuse to spend the money as i have bought 6 in the past 2 years and they just die over the winter. There $14 - $20 a piece so that just seems over time to be such a waste..
This year i have been making seed mats for a few pots, hanging baskets and just starter pots.. I just glue the seeds between two pieces of tissue paper.. It takes a bit of time to get them done, but so far i like it better.. I know where the seeds are and the water wont move them around. I think it even keeps the moister like paper towel would..
anyways off for dinner
jen
Morning, well I'm back, omg what a weekend I've had...
Went Thursday aft. to have the bearing changed and wouldn't you know it was broken and instead of taking 2 hrs. to repair it was over 5....was told I need breaks shortly (right away actually..lol) so that's on my list to have done in next few weeks..vehicle was new when I got it 3 years ago, I've put on 110K kil. yep, I do travel and the brakes haven't been done so it is time for sure...
Couldn't sleep so got to mom's in Toronto at 6:30 a.m. - got to border in record time 8:30...border agent asked for our passports, mom gives me hers, I take mine out of my purse, open both at the photo and OMG/OMG it wasn't my passport..here went I went to Buffalo on March break with Rita we must have just taken our passports, thinking they were the right one but NOT!!! Mom was there saying, 'if we have to go home then I'm not coming back' guess the young man knew I'd have a hard time of it so he said I didn't look like a drug runner or a terrorist so let me in....ahhh what a relief...
You know how I kept telling mom she shouldn't be going with me seeing as her knees are giving her problems (had cortizone Thursday morning to help) and the injury to her left leg not quite healed..should have followed my intuition.. we go to the hotel, same one we always go to, get in our rooms, mom's rushing about, anxious to go shopping and what a scream, she's in pure agony, blood rushing out all over her slacks..here the bed must have been moved for cleaning, they pushed the matress, made the bed but the metal frame was out..the exact shape of the metal frame was imbedded in her leg, skin lifted in same shape..so off I go, get a medical kit from man on duty, I ask that he come in and fix the bed, I helped, out he goes, says he'll be right back never to be seen again...
Irresponsible to say the least..mom could barely walk to start with and now this...we shopped a bit, wherever I could find a wheelchair I made her get in, she wasn't a happy camper but I insisted..so it was early night on Friday...back in our room with feet up, doing crochet..
Sat. morning we were up and at it, no rushing, got to the Craft show in Hamburg, bought some treasures, got ideas but came back to hotel room early again because she could hardly walk..by now I was annoyed, certainly not at her but the non-interest that someone had been hurt and no one cared...as we entered the hotel the same young man was there along with an older gentleman who I assume was the evening manager...
I told the young man that he needs to get the manual of how to deal with emergencies..he didn't say a word, asked for something I could fill in re incident and wanted copy..elder man jumped in as he hadn't heard anything about it, he calls the cleaning lady and in our room they come..speaking their language I have no idea what they are saying..he moves the bed and says nothing is wrong with the bed, of course not I and the young man put it back together so I tell him to go get him..it was as though he didn't believe the incident happened at the hotel..I had taken photo's and you could see the cut in the same shape as the bed railing..just wanted to shake the guy..so he says he'll call ambulance, well that should have been done when it happened not the next night..mom would not hear of it, he did give us Sat. without charging it because I told him our day had completely been screwed up...hardly compensation for it..but mom's saying, 'you will let us come back right?' shaking my head here...
Get to the border and again got asked for my passport..nope, told him my story, he almost took all my i.d. within my purse to verify it was me then sent us on our way...boy, who would have thought..before leaving checked to make sure my passport was in my waiste purse, who would think to look inside..bet I will now...lol..
Ooops got to go, be back in a few minutes to comment on your happenings...
,
Most of Saturday nights snow melted off Sunday at least in my part of time, further west they had a lot more snow. Well all the moisture helps - it was very wet snow.
Took a group of friends to LH for brunch - all people who helped me when I had
my surgery in January, a bit nicer than just thank you I thought. Seems they all enjoyed and then some stayed and had a house tour afterwards as they had never been there.
I was so full ( had a smoked salmon eggs benedict with potatoes and salad on the side) I never ate supper , just had a snack mid evening.
Today is finally the day to do my income tax - I really procrastinate about it since I usually have to pay a bit. Good thing it looks like the weather is rather glum!
Fancy, hard to believe you've had snow...is it unusual to have had it this late in April? Bet your friends were thrilled with their visit to LH..how thoughtful you are...
When I left Buffalo yesterday morning it was torrential rain, just neared Toronto and beautiful sunshine...no rain in sight this week but we do need it..will have to water the gardens I guess...
Betty - what a weekend. I'm sure you will double and triple check for that passport the next time. And what a story about DM's leg. How is it now? I should think you've got grounds for a suit - or certainly they should cover any medical costs she might incur. Darn right they owed you a free night. Would you care to say what motel/hotel that was?
Yesterday I made my airline reservation to get to Cincinnati in June. Had been thinking of driving, but so far did not have a driving partner and don't relish a long trip like that on my own. I did the math. It costs at least $ .38/km to drive a car - probably more (I've clocked my music mileage for tax purposes for a long time). I could get a round-trip flight for $418 and some spare change. A friend has offered to pick me up at Cincinnati airport.
Cost of driving over 1300 km - closer to $440 plus meals and two overnights along the way. Seems a no-brainer, especially since I won't have to leave on June 14 to get there on June 15 (one extra day in the garden, I hope). Disadvantage - I won't have a car to go visit some DG friends in the vicinity.
Played a concert over the weekend. Handbells played yesterday and did a bang-up job. There is a massed handbell concert next Sunday and they are ready.
Another lovely day today. Must not waste it.
Ann
Betty no not unusual to have snow - probably get another one or two!
Got all my phoning done, now on to the income tax!
we got so much rain the past few days, I dont need to water today.. Sun has come out just as i got home from work, not to puts around in the garden a bit..
Wow betty, your so lucky they let you through..
ya Ann I'd fly too, just check in to there luggage fees and other hidden fees I have heard they are adding them almost by the day and some flights you have to pay for all your bags.. Thats how they keep the ticket costs low.. Its really making people mad..
francy good luck on the taxes, hopefully you dont have to pay to much..
jen
Ann, is there a USA airport just across the border from you..what we do now is drive over to Buffalo and fly, amt. saved pays for car rental...
It's 18 here this aft. - just noticed it's clouding over though..
Anxious to get home and check the pond..for some reason the water level seemed much lower yesterday when I got home..sure hoping the liner doesn't have a hole in it....
"M" guess you are wearing that new bathing suit today???
But Betty, it's a 3-3 1/2 hr drive to the Syracuse airport. Hardly worth it when I got a price like that. And Air Canada is among the best about not charging too much for bags. I'll have ONE checked bag and a viola on my back. But I'll call it a violin and they won't know the difference. Violins are listed in the "allowed" carry-ons. Tell them "viola" and they think cello.
DAWG Betty !! What a weekend !! How's the Mum ? Betcha she has a dandy old bruise ...
The passport incident sounds just too scary .. I went over this weekend, for a grand total of 20 minutes to pick up a parcel .. always take Lilly .. the US side was not even interested in the passports, wanted to talk about Lilly ^_^
Coming back, the Canadian side was a bit more official .. after we passed through we noticed 2 cars being gone through .. 'stuff' everywhere and some rather sombre looking folks sitting in benches looking on .. having had that done to me once, well, felt kinda bad for them ..
Yes .. we both swam today .. did a deep end aquabics class .. not all of it, but some as we arrived late .. flippin difficult I must say as the instructor prefers you wear a flotation belt or use a noodle .. the pool is 17ft deep .. it was fun .. then we just kinda did our own thing for a bit .. very enjoyable.
The trees here are just on the verge of 'popping' .. need rain badly !!!!
Off to see a doc who specializes in pain control tomorrow.. have waited 3.5 months .. Lorna's pain is still quite significant .. phantom pain .. hopefully he'll be able to look at her present meds and suggest something for her to keep her comfortable.
Ann .. I think flying is much more economical and smarter to do than driving to Cincinnati ... good luck with the trip, and, most especially all the best with the Hand Bells !!
Off n running
~M~