Hanging in there... Part 7

The high today was 86 and it's going to be 20 degrees colder tomorrow...CRAZY

Holly glad everything went well with your dad. Thats a lot of marigolds!!!!!

FlowAjen, those are all beautiful! Now, that 77* sounds perfect to me :o)

Holly those are worry-some moments, but I'm glad it worked out in the end for your Dad. Prayers for his continued good health and your Mom to get some rest!

Your bench and flats of flowers are fantastic!! Where are all the marigolds going?

I'm slowly getting all the beds weeded. We have had good weather too and it's about time. Next week should be our last hard freeze. Please please please!

Dental cleaning today and then off to town to buy fencing and posts for the pea fence. Yayyy!

Chris, I'll finally get my peas out!

A bunch of them will go to the plant swaps, some to the HGHA picnic . I will plant some at my Parents house and my daughters. We will put a bunch of them in the Veggie garden. This is the first year that I have has that much success with them. Last year we lost a couple of flats that Ric transplanted for some reason. Then we lost alot when we went off to Fl. last spring. I will have plenty to share if I can keep them going. I have about 80 coleus I think I should get more of those next year. They always seem to do well.

I am doing well, have been outside on warm days cleaning out small flower beds (one each day). starting and attending to seeds in the basement. Even washed some bedroom curtains when I noticed how dirty they were. I get my next treatment this Friday so I'll be down again by Sunday.
Jen, love the flowers, I though the 1st one was tulips by the thumbnail. I have daffs, Glory-of-the=snow and Mrs. Moon blooming I did not get out to take pictures. By the time I got done with raking I was in for the day.
Billy, Good for you getting your peas in. I am still waiting for Paul to run the tiller, he has been busy with the firehall and attending fire class and meetings. He has no sense of urgency when it comes to gardening. "You still have time" he says. I just walk away.

Holly, I love the new area for you seedlings. It looks like it is close to your potting shed.
One year when we went to Florida in April-May, I got long PVC pipe and cover cloth for hoop houses. Paul made metal stakes to hold the PVC in place. I put newspaper down and set my flats on the newspaper and soaked it really well before we left. The cloth let air and rain in and protected the plants from the sun. I still use the setup if my plants need to go out, but we are still getting really cold weather. It is also great for hardening off a lot of plants. Eliminates carrying flats in and out process.

I am making raisin bread now with help from my bread machine. I've been really hungry for it, toasted.

Glad you're having a good week! Toasted raisin bread does sound good.

I got a call from "Big Ben" (son of "Digger Dick"), and I'm on his list for tilling again this year, just have to wait for the weather to cooperate! I'm going to try to get some compost delivered for those beds also... not sure if I'll be able to talk them into sending out the kid with the bobcat (I'm willing to pay for that, but I think they don't like to take him from bigger jobs) or if I'll be asking them to deliver it in minimum 2 cubic yard loads. Either way, I think the beds need a little boost this year.

I'm teetering on the brink of ordering strawberries and asparagus, just trying to be sure I don't have so many projects going on that I can't get them planted. LOL

I got lovely strawberry plants from Sally. They are doing beautifully.
Ladyg, I am so glad you had a good week. You are right it is in the driveway right next to the potting shed. We are moving them in and out of the garage each morning and night. The GH is in the works, Jamie came yesterday and plumbed the water hydrant, next it is finish the electric line then we can start working on the slab. I will have a new GH up soon. I took my Dad home today and he is doing very well. He can't drive for 2 weeks and light duty for a month, no lifting, pushing or pulling.

I wish you the best , I am still recovering from last year surgery , the only saving grace was no chemo . I hope that each day gets better for you so that you can enjoy a little more sunshine , and all those seedlings in the basement are waiting patiently for you ready to explode to celebrate your recovery.....sincerely Christiane

The r bread is in the oven, I just may have a slice or to while it's still warm.
We have a small tiller, but I know that I can't start or run it myself anymore. Paul said he will check it out on Thursday after work to see if it will start, and till Friday when we get back from treatment. If the weather holds up.
Holly glad your dad is doing good. Now comes the hard part....Following dr's orders.
Once you get that GH up you will be in heaven. Hope you make it big enough. Can you put a lawn chair it there ? LOL

Thank you, Christiane. Yes, chemo sucks glad you did not have to go through it. Sadly, sometimes it is all we have.

I'm really tempted to get out my little Mantis tiller, but realistically I know I don't have enough strength built back up to handle it yet... I'm trying to think through what needs to be done and figure out what I can do with hired help (I have a couple of neighbor girls who are willing but need clearly defined tasks such as clearing everything out of a certain area or weeding in a part of the garden that only has one or two types of clearly identifiable "good" plants, like the iris & columbine area or the strawberry border)... I'm also going to have to resort to chemical warfare on some of the weeds, because I just can't handle pulling/digging/tilling them.

"Big Ben" has a tractor-tiller, absolutely vital for busting any new beds in our clay.. makes quick work of the veggie garden, too, and it's wonderful to be able to plant out tomatoes and peppers by gently scooping holes with a gloved hand! I wish I could send him over to your house, LadyG!

I just love my little tiller. Won't start so Ric got new lines and some other parts. Hopefully he will have it up and running soon.

Jill, my veggie garden is only 9x9 foot. Big Ben would drop the tines and drive out and done. LOL. I am growing deep root veggies in containers so a surface tilling is all I need, just enough to break up the raised soil, and mix in the leaves that are laying on top.
My tiller is the size of a small Mantis.

That's another project for me this year...hubby WANTS me to start the veggie garden he actually said he wants more lawn gone

Jen, now that's a Win-Win less spent on expensive gas and more fresh food on the table. Down side more work for you. from planting to table and everything in between.

I like the planting part and then fall down on the harvesting! I really will try to take a big bowl with me this year so I can cut more of whatevr happens to be ready and get it in the house.
Jen potatos would be fun for the kids

Many many years ago Ric tried to get me to have a Veggie Garden. Really, full time job, 4 kids and a barn full of animals. Do you think I have time to Veggie Garden. He started out tilling, and planting. Thinking I would weed and harvest. Yea Right!!! Then he took over the weeding eventually the harvesting, too. Then he would come in with big bowls of Veggies and say you have to blanch and freeze these tonight. I would say "Well gymnastics is tonight, 4 H tomorrow night and Soccer on Sat. Maybe Sunday afternoon I could get to them. Finally he just gave up. LOL Wasn't till a few years ago that we reclaimed the old Veggie Garden. Having a lot of fun with it now.
Really Sally I don't understand why you fall down on the harvesting part. LOL

I am so frustrated--as nothing has been done to my raised-bed-to-be....
So much for having a better veggie bed....

Lost all my potential "doers"....for one reason or another--.Now it just sits there--
and I have to look at my neighbor's junkbecause he puts it behind HIS garage--
so he doesn't have to look at it--but it is right in my face --and it looks like it is mine....

Still need to find someone to do this bed--then I will put up 2- 6' panels of privacy fence behind the
bed so I don't have to look at all this trashy stuff....

Here is a picture I just took....
This is what I have to look at right now.....UGH!

OH! The bags are mine! Full of composting, shredded leaves....

Here is a side view--I think he just cut down a red maple??? Looks like it..
and dumped all the branches and cut up trunk BEHIND his garage, and right
in plain view from my side....I hate it!
I expect he will haul this away asap--it is, probably, a temporary issue....

But NOT the trash cans and the "castle" (for his grand kids)....

I would plant an evergreen hedge of arborvitae or something immediately, that would drive me NUTS to look at.

This is a bit more "all encompassing" view....
It was getting dark--so things are not so bright---but you get the idea.....

Gita

flowAjen---

That is what WAS in this bed!!!! They got killed off by 2009's winter's 4' of snow laying on them.
They just never straightened up--so this same neighbor (he is really nice) cut them down for me.

That is when I decided to convert this to my full-sun veggie bed....

You DO remember all the posts I had re this? YES?
I posted about most of it on the Soil and Composting Thread...

Here is a picture of all the evergreens cut off and the root stumps dug up...

Gita

OH, LOL, sorry....short term memory loss...LOL

Gita, doesn't HD have a list of guys looking for building jobs. Some stores have a bulletin board with business cards that people use. It would not take a lot of time to put up a wooden privacy fence behind the garden. A few post holes to be dug. set the poles in quickcreat (sp) quick setting cement. and attach the fence. A weekend job. I would go with a wooden fence you could attach string for beans to grow up or hang some decorations on it,
You need someone to set the posts straight and at the right distance apart. Maybe check with the enployees in the fencing department.

lady--

Everything you mentioned above is on my plan. BUT! The bed has to be built first....
as all the old, rotten landscape timbers have to be removed and new ones put up.
I figure that making it 4-- 4x4's high, it will give me a 14"-16" deep bed.
I will need 25 4x4's.
A big issue is also trucking in the topsoil. There is NO car access to the back of my bed.
It will have to be wheel-barrowed from the driveway...

THEN I will, definitely, put 2--8' panels of a privacy fence behind the bed.
I like the "shadowbox" fence best---so far. Can't stand the "scenery" I have to look at there...
And--yes! I want something to grow on it--even if I have to put in some support lines...
That's a dream--so far....

Now--re the HD. NO! NO! No one is allowed to advertise any services--We are not even
allowed to suggest a contractor/plumber/or installer to anyone. Can get fired for it.
and there is NO bulletin board. I could not even bring in a home made X-mas angel and sell it!

One of the men I was considering for this job works there, but he did not come by
(as he said he would) to take a look at it--twice. SO! I figure, his priorities are not too
straight. He does all kinds of "jobs" and also has a Lawn Service business on the side--
is the supervisor of Flooring and works full time. BUSY??? Yep!
I could ask him--one more time--I am a bit desperate to get this done....Spring is here....

From all the past conversations on this topic--it was suggested that I could grow things in pots
and put the pots on the bed. Might do that----

Need to mow my lawn--badly! Sunny day today--but the ground is like a wet sponge!

Enjoy the beautiful day! Gita

lol Gita, it looks like there could be soil truck access to your beds via "nice" neighbors yard!!! Could haul away junk on the way out!

If you get top soil in bags rather than bulk you could just punch some drainage holes in bottom of bags and then slit or open the tops and plant for this years 'raised beds'. Mine done that way have lasted up to three years like this. Great use for 'broken bags' which HD sells reduced. Could use those bags of shredded leaves as mulch and cover.

Another quick and dirty would be to plant a living screen at the rear of climbers like beans, etc. Also, wouldn't a permanent fence shade your veggies?

One other thought, maybe your 'nice' neighbor and his kids and you could paint a mural on the back of his shed that would be fun for them and easy on your eyes, especially with your artistic talents!

Enjoy the warmth every one. Judy

I just have to open this every day and see Chris beautiful smile. I hope today's sun extends to NW PA!!!

Hi ! Sallg, Yes I have sun, was outside a bit but it is only around 47º
Tomarrow is treatment #2, I'll be gone all morning and some of the afternoon.

Judy---

HGH!!! I just spilled, either my apple cider--or my glass of wine over the keyboard...
Turned it upside down--gave it a few whacks---dried off the underneath and the
floor under my feet--as it went everywhere.....As I am typing this--my key strikes seem
kind of "softer".....maybe the underneath is wet????? Seems to work OK though...

Have to smile at your ideas......Some might work--some may not.....

I think I will tough it out in my old Tomato bed--on the east side of my shed....
AM sun until 3PM.....What else can I do???
So far--the Tomatoes have done OK. Last year was not so good.....
Then again--last year was NO good for most tomatoes...

Judy--Your "Bleeding Heart is just now growing so well.. Seems to have doubled in the last
couple of days.....
Last summer--I kept it in the pot you gave to me until fall--then I thought I better plant it into
the garden. And--so i did....

Here it is at this very moment...went out and took a picture....

Gita

Holly, talk about spreading sunshine around! I'm glad the Marigolds grew well this year. The coleus should be gorgeous too!

Chris, I'm thinking of you today. I hope your weather turned crappy like ours so you are glad to be inside for a while. I'm so hoping this is our last hard freeze.

I'm smiling because I'm feeling that urgency now. I didn't get the plant stand inside yet and now I will need to get the peppers sown. I still have time for tomatoes, especially if it's going to be a cool year.

Good for Paul to attend the classes!

I love raisin bread and have been thinking about baking bread or rolls ever since I had the flu.

Jill, a compost boost would be perfect for the beds! I hope it all works out for you. I know they like the big jobs but they need to remember, a customer is a customer. I think that is slowly being forgotten these days.

My neighbor bought strawberries in 6 packs and they are so big and healthy! I am used to seeing the half rotted bundles with tiny crowns. I think she paid $30 for 5 packs, but I'd say it was worth it! The sooner you get asparagus started, the sooner you can eat it. I picked three small stalks yesterday so the freeze doesn't get them.

Holly, how wonderful for your Dad! It sounds like he will be up and at 'em in no time!

Hi Christiane, you are in my prayers.

Jill, I'm never against poison. I pull what I can and spray what I can't. Eventually you don't have to spray so much.

FlowAjen, a man said that? Oh my, do it before he changes his mind, LOL!

I couldn't live without crispy red radish or tender green spinich, not to mention turnips, kohlrobi, cucumbers, cabbage, brussels sprouts, and green beans. Then it's tomatoes, peppers and a few squash. I know I'm forgetting things, but take your pick (giggle) it's all Good Eats!

There ya go Sallyg, walk out prepared! I keep a small steel paring knife hidden in the screen on the washtub so I can cut without running in the house.

Potatoes and onions! that's what I forgot to list :o) We've even done peanuts!

Holly, that's the reason our Parents and Granparents had time to can. Kids were HOME to help!

Gita, your neighbor IS in your face. A fence is long over due. My neighbors stack bikes on the side of their house, but at least it's a bike. I can't complain. I had a bike too :o)

Your bed is so small and the dirt looks pretty good. You might try running a hoe thru it deeply, rake it back and run the hoe to the depth you need to plant. For a few years I only turned the dirt I needed to make a row.

It's hard to look at other people's messes when you keep your's so neat. Is your raised bed right on the property line? They sure put the kids on the outer edges. I'd want my kids closer to my house.

I agree that good fences make good neighbors. I wouldn't wait!

I see, the bed was for trees and you have to get the stumps out. I'm glad your neighbor is nice. He might appreciate the fencing too.

Coleup, laughing over the access and junk haul! That's a good plan!

I think the bags would be a good idea and you would still have the dirt handy to put in the beds when they are done :o) You have many nice ideas!

Gita, I laughed and spit tea over my keyboard. It still works too. The keys stuck for a while and it's not the same as when it was new, but yep, it works. I'll never do it again tho!

The bleeding heart looks good! So do the daffs :o)

It's cold, windy and will rain after dinner. We're taking the family out to Pizza Ranch for a buffet dinner. YUM!!

Have a good day all, and prayers for you Chris. I hope it's an easier recovery this time.

Also here thinking of Chris today--sending best mental energy I can for a good day and easier recovery this time.

Wanted to send these to you today, Chris. Hoping your treatment treats you kindly and goes well for you.

We're with you in spirit Chris.

Happy b-day billyporter!!!!

Wishing you well Ladyg,
Sending you Birthday Wishes Billy.
Hope you have both had a good day. I must run as I just got home from work a bit a go and must get cleaned up as Ric and I are going out for diner with friends tonight.

Thanks for the birthday wishes!

Chris, I ate enough food for both of us yeaterday. It was full of salt and fat, but darn, was it good! I hope you feel ok. I know you won't feel good.

Thinking of you and sending good thoughts and prayers your way.

HUGS!

First off I want to wish Billy a very happy birthday, I hope you are celebrating the whole weekend.
I celerbrated it with you with a delicious baked cod dinner, we stopped on the way home for dinner.

Yesterday was a very long day. We left the house a little after 9:30am the traffic was good so we got there a 11:00, appt was at 11:30 but I knew they wanted to get the IV started and a blood draw for labs. I then had a visit with my doctor, after a bit of a wait. She went over my side effects and asked if I wanted to continue, I said why not we need to give this a chance. This is her way of getting a feel for what I want.If she has other ideas she will tell me.
I was then taken back to the treatment room, they were not very busy so I had the room all to myself. They started the meds the first is with benadryl and a relaxant, I read some, and then they started the chemo, I drank some orange juice and started to nod off, I have never napped during treatment before, I woke up slightly when ever a nurse came into the room, but feel right back to sleep.I wokeup when the beeper wnt off on the IV pump. The nurse came in to start the med to make the bones strong. She called my sleeping beauty and laughed and I asked her I she added extra sleep juice to the IV. We like to joke around a bit. I got out of there at 5:00.
I stayed up a little later, and was up an hour earlier this morning. I have scans scheduled for the end on this month to see if this treatment is working.
On Thursday, Paul got home from work and tilled up the veggie garden, raked it out, and put up the pea fence. I was going to plant the peas when I got home, thinking I be gettin gout of treatment early, but it was too late when we got home. To day it is raining but I think I might get them in between the intermittant rain, I'll put on rain gear. Today I feel good, will get the Neulasta injection later today, that will be the kicker and might put me down 18 hours later. But it is better then spending a week in the hospital.
So that's my up date. Love you all, and stay healthy.

Hugs to you Ladyg, Thanks for the update.
I have JR today. Off work and it is raining. Couldn't it rain when I am at work and keep the nice days so I can get some yard work done. LOL

Chris, thank you! I just decided I WAS going to take the whole weekend! Great minds think alike...again :o)

How nice! You had a delicious meal out too!

I am so glad your whole day went well inspite of it being your whole day, LOL!

Tell Paul I say thanks for the tilling, raking and pea fence! I appreciate that he got it done for you. I think you can get your peas in. We have 8/10'' in the guage right now and it's still raining lightly.

Love you too and sending prayers out for your continued good health!

Holly, enjoy JR since you can't have any sun :o)

Have a happy day all!

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQCPeKkhGc5Njagm0k7SVCyTQ739pJmhL3AvFoGPflA7LZnxeMM

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRJpPnwKSgVjaQFY4WKZrWMqxona1LPYhJwsV0i-rFXjksYs7hS

Sleeping Beauty

Well, darn I tried to give a picture of they won't let me steal them!
I'm glad to know that the day wasn't so bad. You must know from history bout the Neulasta- if there's any chance it won't be such a downer, I do hope for that.

Thanks Sallyg you know I'm a sucker for Disney ; )
The thing about Nulasta is it has many of the same side effects as my chemo, Bone pain. so it is a double whammy, I'll try cutting my pain pills in half that is what my oncology nurse Julie suggested. They have a way of throwing if my peripheral vision for a time after I stop taking them, so I don't want to drive.

Chris, the Nulasta just better be doing it's job. I can't imagine how the bone pain feels but I'm sure it's pretty bad. It sounds bad. I'm sorry you have to go thru it.

It's another chilly day here and I hope to get out and walk the yard. Yesterday, I wasn't out any longer than to dump the coffee can full of compostables on the compost pile and return the mail to a neighbor that got put in our mailbox. I was glad I wore a stocking cap. I do not like winter at all!!

I did work on updating my flower journal and identified a couple more iris. Well, I need to Google them to get better pictures for matching. I just hate having un-named things. It's part of my "charm." Just ask my annoyed neighbor! LOL!