2012 DG Sistah's Gathering at Betty's (Ontario, Canada)

Just a sec ill show you planters, at least the are in bloom, well perhaps not all. Lol

I used to be told "if it has a red stem, it's a weed" lol

LOL Debbie!! A Fleed! Love it!

Downstairs computer acting up..where oh where did the photo's go..

This spring I thought I chopped the shrub down so it wouldn't hid the hanging basket but it just grew and grew again..just might have to chop it down again..No sense putting basket if you can't see the flowers..

next to it is a metal chair that sits among the shades of green, will be among flowers late July

This poor plant takes most of the sun, hard to keep it looking fresh..

Still have this pair to deadhead than hang on back shed

Few more area

Betty - can Bob & I be your live-in gardeners, and he's also a handy-man?!?!
(packing up trailer, to move to Betty's back 40!)

I have getting more and more upset 'cause I will miss yet another gathering!!! I had so hoped to be getting ready to go pick up Jaye and continue on to Canada but alas plans once again have gone awry.
Please know I am there in spirit....some one eat a butter tart and have a cup of Timmies for me please!!!!!

You'll be with us!!

I'm saddened that due to economy and illness (self and family) that many cannot attend..heavy heart to not get to meet a few of you that I have not yet met and hug again those I have..

JUST incase by a miracle some at the last minute can come, accommodations will be waiting..infact Darlene just called, bringing either tomorrow mornimg or Sunday morning the roadtrek that has 2 single beds...I will put my mini travel trailer which opens into a double bed so that all can stay with me should circumstances change...

Know it's impossible Marion but I AM praying that Tuesday you just say drats I'm on the road. Lol

I say this in fun...because you know me, I decide and within the hour I'm on the road..lol

Remember Christmas before last, went to Barrie Boxing Day, came home with tunes playing, hot sun making snow sparkle , called a friend and said, can you have bags packed in an hour and off to Florida I went...think those are the times when you just say, I'm going to do it, do you have the best of times..you just feel you still have a tad of adventure in your body.

I keep praying that this will happen for me, too, Betty - that I can just pack up and come to your place in time for the Gathering.......... Given the $$ I'd have the time, for sure!

Sitting here this morning on back deck, coffee in hand, enjoying the gardens and the beauty they bring, ponds sounds are soothing, birds a singing and I think how next week the yard will be so different!

I can picture the early risers like Dianne, sitting with me on back deck gabbing, others rising one by one, each picking an area to sit and relax, might go two ways, either they'll enjoy the homemade muffins or not wanting to hurt my feelings because i burnt them!

Then as a group we'll talk about Friday and then move on to what our day will bring..Lord willing we'll be thanking HIM for a sunshine day for the view of Georgian Bay we will see and the filling of our tummy's at Henry's on Frying pan Bay..

Drats, bad thought, still 5 days to anticipate the arrival of friends..Lord keep them safe so that they are still able to come and bless some who didnt think they could and find themselves in a position to do so..

Amen to that thought, Betty....... sure hope some find they can come after all!!

What a fantastic day..got the front and side yard cut and now taking a break, just too hot to do it all at once. Family just left to watch the Keewatin come , friends have a boat that accommodation 20 so are on the water for this special occasion. Listening to the news broadcasting, she's 350 ft long and has to be tugged into the Harbour..shuttles buses are arriving one after the other..what an accomplishment for Port McNicoll, few miles down the road. Something for locals to remember for sure.

Yes Susan, better to be prepared than not..

Break's over, another area to cut.

Betty, thanks for sharing the beautiful art in your garden baskets. Can't wait to see them in person. Wish all of you could make it, but I'll try to soak up extra "armwraps" for everyone that can't!

HOW many more sleeps??

4 for Judy and Steve
5 for all the others coming!

Joyce, bring your big pong along with you please!! Lol

Very quiet here today, all must be gone to see the Keewatin coming into port.

Dianne, likely you both will see it on the evening news

Would love to bring the pond with me....the water if finally clear as a bell. The water lilies are blooming their little heads off (11 blooms yesterday) and there are 4 buds on the lotus. Of course when the public pond tour is here at the end of July, probably everything will be done. I'm planning on fertilizing big time, so maybe I'll be lucky.

Got back from D-inlaws house just a little while ago. Bill's Dad is 81 today. Sad but my 94 y/o Dad can do rings around his Dad. There is definitely some dementia going on, hoping it isn't Alzheimers, but time will tell.

Now I'm off to make some more "things" to bring to the sistah gathering. Betty....please tell me again who is coming so I have enough......

No life form in the little pond, friend and his backhoe said come spring they would come,dig and level so that water flow can go from one to the other..but then I still have concerns re ponds since little gaffer 2 years old drowned in his neighbors pond..
Empties the bigger pond so that it has not much more than the 2' which in some municipalities is the requirement of no more than. Now June was here visiting yesterday and she says at present we don't have by laws but being a worry wart I still worry.

Is this your first public show, how exciting is that. I would never put my yard in a tour, been asked but not my thing! Too much work and anxiety..besides most like manicured gardens.

I think including me 9 - w of which are hubbies and I've come to like them, want to keep them but Judy and Debbie won't let me..

Will post daily weather forecast...so far, no rain, but then it's almost a week away...

Wednesday. 73
Thursday 79
Friday. 75
Saturday. 68
Sunday. 73
Monday. 70

Now perfect weather IF nothing changes


Omg just remembered Judy and Steve are leaving tomorrow and doing some sightseeing along the way.

Want to do a test run with Skype..LindaKay, Susan are we able to...did add you LindaKay, does it show?

Also, for communications with family, you can use my phone and/or computers..have iPad, computer in basement and will have laptop set up for use as well

Now can you think of ANYTHING I'm not covering??

Pretty sad when you go to bed at 7:30pm just so you can mark off another day before the arrival of friends. Lol

Sorry Betty - I was away helping Nami

'm back, after a very busy day of helping Nami pack, and try to sell things. She gave so many things to us, and tomorrow she's renting a truck (it's supposed to rain, and our open truck won't do - so she's getting a 14' closed truck) and Bob's going to put the remainder that doesn't sell in storage at our Church for awhile. Hopefully it will sell there.... or on Kijiji or Craigslist where I posted ads.
She's so anxious about going to Malaysia - her fiancé Zachary only moved there 3 weeks ago, and doesn't have anything in the way of furniture or anything else.

Morning, sun trying to come out, calling for rain (saves me watering) but I hooe it's later in the day so I can enjoy the outdoors..have company coming this morning!

Today is the day if all works according to plan that Judy and Steve leave on their Canadian adventure...safe travel my friends!

3 days till Judy and Steve arrive
4 days till the others coming to the gathering arrive

Wednesday. 73
Thursday. 84 cloudy
Friday 77 49% rain (let's hope in happens while we sleep)
Saturday. 73 partly cloudy
Sunday. 79 Partly cloudy

Had a nice gab with Stacey last night, her group will leave Thursday morning, 6 hour drive for them..that makes an early afternoon arrival

Betty, what is the plan for the cruise? Time wise I mean....what time do we leave for that?

I am trying to get a mental schedule going.....and so much stuff on this thread besides the trip....I can't follow.

I know Friday is the tour of the Shrines and such.

Thanks
Debbie

Whoop Whoop !!! Finally... the week of the Sistah's Canada Invasion is here.
Sister Joanna and I are giddy with excitement... She's actually coming to my house on Tuesday... then Wed we are going to visit a boutique in Dallas that belongs to one of my neighbors.
Then we're up at 4am on Thurs for Don to taxi us to the airport by 6am for a 7:30 flight to Washington DC for a 1 hour lay over, then off to Buffalo where our rent car awaits for the 3 1/2 hour drive across the border and into the arms of good friends.
Lawd, Betty... I'm tired already just thinking about it.

Debbie, likely we will leave Victoria Harbour around 1:00
At 11am is the Canada Day small town parade, no real floats, kids decorating bikes etc then free hamburger/hot dogs/music if the gang want to, not necessary though..

Likely home from our outing around 7 or so

Nobody is as excited as I am..wish potato/veggie salad and the works could be done early..shucks might have to be up early Thursday to get them done

Don't want you guys to do ANYTHING, want you enjoying the days

Betty... it's more fun to help... please let us help.
I remember how much fun it was to cook together... and clean up afterwards together...

Only have kind of a galy kitchen so would be difficult..

Know it's nerve racking sometimes to go to someones home, never being there so thought I'd show you your accommodations

Bedroom 1: Debbie and Paul

Bedroom 2: Judy and Steve..arriving first and said the wanted the balcony room lol

Bedroom 3: B.J. and Joanna (sorry gals, room where grandsons stay- decorated
to suit them..thought though having that room you would each have a bed

Dianne, fixing up an area in craft room so if she feels she wants up and walking about, t.v. and couch downstairs she'll be free to do so

Joyce and I, our accommodations are coming this morning lol

Bet we've got the most comfortable beds in the house... LOL... it's wonderful.

Darlene and her dad just brought over the roadtrek, cute little thing..

Should more be able to come at last minute, it will be as easy as 1 2 3 to bring accommodations in

Light rain, not enough to make it worthwhile, just enough to screw up outdoor plans (sitting and enjoying sunshine) so an inside day for me..maybe I'll dust

I'm here Betty, feeling the excitement in your words along with those that will be there.
This will be the much talked about gathering for 2012!

Well got to say Marion, I'm hoping all will go without a hitch, all enjoying themselves..like the USA it's a big country, when visiting but for a few days and in a small town you are limited as to what you can do and see but I've tried to find things that will suit everyones needs.

I am sure everything will go okay Betty. I loved the small towns we visited the year I lived with my brother and SIL....still miss the things we did and that was so many years ago.

I will be there in spirit but alas I am not able to travel very far these days.

It has been a rough few years for you Marion..yes, visiting your relatives likely you went to St Jacobs, menonite country.

Talked to my lil injun last night, oh my how excited she was, (me, too). Have my two cleaning jobs set up for Mon/Tues, so I can water, water, water on Wed. Then pond club meeting on Wed. eve, and after the business meeting, I'm out of there to head to Janice's place. Can't wait.

Betty, this will be the first public tour we're on. Last year, members only.

Joyce, was Judy leaving today or tomorrow? I'm sure she was all wound up, she'll be beside herself..

Well, I'm sure they will be in awe of your and Bertie's pond..did your hubby and you design it? Sure wish I had a backhoe. Lol

Don't you be a rushing and get yourself into trouble.

Light rain here all day, at 2pm I felt it should be midnight..Greg dropped in for a bit, he always has so much to do, never stays long, always something to do

We woke up to no power this morning, heavy rain and wind gust. It took 4 hours before our power was restored (amazes me as we have underground utilities) but the rain and winds have continues. Getting a good cleaning of the dead branches that are to high for my yardman to get down.

Keeping an eye on the weather updates as they are not sure just where or what Debby is doing so far. Just a wait and see for the next day or so.

Marion says "Keeping an eye on the weather updates as they are not sure just where or what Debby is doing so far."

Sadly that is the way it is with MOST things named Debby...they are out of control and no plan, changing at the spur of the moment. lol

ROFLOL are you trying to tell us something Debbie? My daughter just heard a recent update so I guess I will plan to do some cleanup in the morning. ie: taking down baskets, putting small tidbits (garden decorations)away so if the "blow" does come they won't be blowing around. You would think after living all of my life (with exception of 1 year) that I would be used to this. Not!!! Oh well, had rather be safe than sorry.

I'm here asking for your prayers for my son and his family. I just got word that they have had to evacuate their home in Colorado Springs because of the wildfires there. The fire is only one ridgeline away from their home. My DIL said "Tell Grammy not to worry - we grabbed the quilts on the way out the door!" Can you imagine that? With all the precious things we acquire over the years, and they grab the quilts!!!!! They are now at Peterson AFB until they find out if they can go home or have a home to go home to...Thanks my friends.

Heart goes out to you both!

Marion I've got to say, I'm sticking with our blizzards, lots less damage! It must be terrifying to always be on alert! You dont have to do cleanup yourself do you? Must be younger hands that can do limb clean up...

barb, know you and Norm will be up all night worrying about the family...I'm sure the quilts you've made are the important things along with photo's that they would first think to grab..may they have a home to go to..poor families that lose everything..

Guess this light rain we've had all day isnt so bad!