Best/Worse/What did I learn today?? Garden time, let’s sit and enjoy our gardens, decks and great company..all welcome!!

Our closing date is Aug. 5th. Feel like we are spinning our wheels. Just don't know where to start.
We'll get the first POD here and work on it. Then decide if we need a second.

Karen, you have a CLOSING date! Rejoice and give yourself a moment to feel that before and acknowledge the "spinning your wheels". Have you called for the POD delivery? I am sure it's all a little scary but soooooo exciting!!! Let the packing begin! I am a list maker. Something about making a list helps me feel more in control.

I have no idea where today went, well I do…

You are missing documents, is that Karen what POD is??
Time will fly for sure. Will you head north again to look for a place or will you stay with the children? Will be kind of nice just you and Walt, you will be on your honeymoon again.

Pat I am with you,routines, schedules and list …need a purpose and challenge myself.

Mason came over this morning, went into town, needed a few things at Home Depot and glass/solder for Sharon’s Inukchuk piece. Of course took awhile to look at the flowers at Home Depot, there was a couple the girl at the till followed me to scan as I had my 2 hands full, i paid for what I had and she said you can pick the the ones I scanned once you put these 8n the car...got home and I forgot the plants. Grrr

She showed me how to probably deadhead petunias, so I brought in pot after pot and deadheaded,,Lordy, hardly any flowers left.

Sharon dropped of eats so didn’t even have to cook supper. i will vacuum the leaf mess and that is it for today. My craft room is a disaster so will get up extra early in the morning, load the kiln, clean/organize the room and hopefully play in the gardens, guess I should look at weather forecast before i say i will work in gardens.

Sounds like you had a busy day Betty.
A POD, is a storage unit, the company drops off to your yard, you pack and fill it up. When it's full they pick it up and keep it in storage for you until you are ready to have it delivered to your new home.

Linda, how is Todd doing?
We made an offer on a condo. We have only seen photos but our son and DIL went through it. Son even went into attic. They checked out two for us and totally recommended the second one. So now we wait and see if it's accepted.

My BFF, Paula, bought a condo without looking at it. She had been in the area a year or 2 before, knew the apartments and had the realtor send her more photos & ask what it looked like in person vs the photos. She was assured it was even better in person & bought it. You have your son to check it out, I don't blame you for moving forward without seeing it in person!

Thunder, lightening & rain here, it was darker at 8PM than it normally would be at 9. Here's hoping the rain will help prevent the inevitable fires of the 4th of July. I am NOT a fan of fireworks.

My SIL Sharon is out of town & I am tending her yard & flowers. I honestly don't know how many pots of flowers she has. BEAUTIFUL flowers but too labor intensive for me long term!! I especially like the arbor she built from doors, it's so cute! Complete with hanging flowers & other yard art.

Pat, when our son said it was in great shape, we knew he had looked everything over. He even climbed into the attic. He is his fathers child.
Our offer has been presented and now we wait and see.

Good luck with your offer Karen.

Pat, tending flowers is a full time job. Hope it isn't too much trouble for you.

Todd is doing good. Every day he is doing a little bit more. He gets tired easy so he will sit and rest.

Karen, YEP, that's what I mean!!! We are so grateful when our kids have learned the skills that made their parents who they are.

It's only 4 days, I will be grateful when she is back!!! EVERYBODY needs somebody they can count on. She is camping with her kids & grandkids. I am happy to do something to help her. We have done a lot of projects together over the years. I have the doors bought to make an arbor like her's. below is pic of her arbor, pic taken last year when I tended her flowers while she was gone.

Karen, YEP, that's what I mean!!! We are so grateful when our kids have learned the skills that made their parents who they are.

It's only 4 days, I will be grateful when she is back!!! EVERYBODY needs somebody they can count on. She is camping with her kids & grandkids. I am happy to do something to help her. We have done a lot of projects together over the years. I have the doors bought to make an arbor like her's. below is pic of her arbor, pic taken last year when I tended her flowers while she was gone.

Afternoon everyone,
It’s 72 out there, just a light breeze

I so hope Karen your offer is accepted.. what town will you be in? Close to family?
When is the deadline? So happy for you, luckily you purged most of your belongings in that last move.

Pat, don’t know if I’d look after such gardens, I’d be terrified some would die
The photo is breathtaking..must say the beauty and lush greens remind me of Sharon’s garden.

It is so nice to hear Todd is doing better and best of all he knows when he tires and rests, so many fight the tiredness and you know what happens then.

Karen, a condo and has an attic? Is it like a semi detached?

Pat, it is dangerous to just purchase without realtor think8mg they will save fees, a lot going on that people sell and they don’t even own it then buyers lose everything.

Been busy, jumping from one thing to not her.

Grass and flowers need rain, i am doing a bit but seeing it’s not an even date I’m not suppose to..just giving flowers enough to keep them alive.

Just finished with the bevels, had to enlarge the inner size, oncebevels were squared pattern was 3/4 inches smaller so i adjusted I needed so I adjusted.

Takes a half a day to change batteries in all the solar lights and cord lightsets.my first mistake was bringing one of the solar lights in to change battery, took top off and there had to me a thousand of ants in it..should have known as that one is near the ant hill..still feel like they are crawling all over me. Did learn my lesson, did the rest outside, 3 must have made homes in the lamp, took them apart, hoping ants will leave and what won’t I will hose down. must learn to take batters out in fall,some are rusted so i decided to spray wd40, here is hoping i get most of them going.

Thought I’d take a nap but decided I’d instal hook on bottom of 2 outdoor sg windows, brought hooks up stairs too big so nap it will be






Grass and flowers need rain, i am doing a bit but seeing it’s not an even date I’m not suppose to..just giving flowers enough to keep them alive.

Just finished with the bevels, had to enlarge the inner skits, was 3/4 inches smaller, that goodness I did not get energetic and cut them from previous design..will be a nice piece..i paid more for blue glass as this piece had what looked like clouds in it..hope it’s not too dark.

Takes a half a day to change batteries in all the solar lights and cord lights..my first mistake was bringing one of the solar lights in to change battery, took top off and there had to me a thousand of ants in it..should have known as that one is near the ant hill..still feel like the are crawling all over me.the rest i did while outside, took 3 of them apart and left them in the grass, hopefully ants will leave and what won’t I will hose down..grrr

I am so glad to hear that Todd continues to make good progress and is resting & healing!

Yes, SIL's garden are breath takingly beautiful. I just water them EVERY day & pray there are NO complications! LOL I know that is all she expects, she is happy & KNOWS I am watering.

I have always hired an inspection before purchasing a house. If I thought I would buy without a realtor, I would hire a realtor lawyer to look over the paperwork to protect myself. So far, all of my transactions have been with a realtor. 10 years ago, we actually put a bid on a house and after the inspection withdrew the offer. It had a flat roof & had not been properly done, it needed to be completely redone.

At the time we were looking at houses, Ben had just had hip surgery and I would ONLY consider one level with either NO stairs entry or short stairs that would be easy to ramp. There were only 2 houses we saw that fit our budget and needs. We bought the one I am in now, I HATED the kitchen, we had it remodeled about 4 years ago now. We have put a LOT of work into this house.

Betty the condo is just one story and an end unit to boot.

Pat we always had to laugh the first time any of our kids in law found out what was entailed in painting a room. Hubby's father and grandfather were house painters and all ours were taught the prep work took longer than the actual painting.

AMEN!!! My Dad was a "body & fender man". He repaired and painted cars. He was self-employed and a one man shop. If he got behind, us kids would have to sand cars. I have had callouses, blisters and NO fingerprints more than once.

I come from a long line of DIYers so the idea that I would HIRE painting done is just outrageous! My sister & BIL did contract painting during the summers (they were teachers). I have personally painted the outside of 2 of the last 3 houses we were in & probably will do a LOT of this one. My knees don't like the ladders so much anymore. I have done the majority of the indoor painting as well. Only NEW construction (during remodeling) have I had a professional.

That's a lot of hard work.

We had a reasonable day with temps in the high 90s. It was windy but felt like a breeze to me.

I picked tomatoes this afternoon and went down the street to visit a neighbor that is house bound and visited and delivered some tomatoes. She built her home the same time we did. He husband died about 6 years ago. She is he same as myself. One person living in a very large home but she said today if she had to move, it would physically kill her and it probably would. We both had these big homes built because we had so many treasures we need storage for.

Pat, watering is a very important job. Here in Las Vegas, if it is done incorrectly, the plan will be dead before sun down. Here, if the pot gets too dry, the root balls rejects the water and water just drains out of the pot.

My granddaughter and etal will be here around noon. So excited to see them. Going to be a busy week.

Betty, your temps would be like winter to us. I had a husband that would always ask me if I needed it done now. So I eventually learned how to the majority of things I needed done and if I didn't I had a phone number for someone that could do it for me.

Karen, selling and moving into a condo is a big move. You will discover fast what you need and do not need. I was looking for something the other day in my kitchen and discovered more bowls I had forgotten I even had.

Our neighborhood is so quiet because a lot of homeowners have left town for vacationing in the mountains. Pat I envy your rain. We are over 100 days without rain.

Susan, waiting very patiently to hear about Bob and court. Time for us to go to bed. I planned on getting on here earlier but didn't make it.

Linda, I am so pleased Bob is doing better.

Happy 4th to all of our US friends. Please God, save America....

Happy 4th of July everyone.

Happy July 4th everyone…May god make it a priority to bring back the best of the good ole USA

Will be overcast with a high of 55 today and 86 tomorrow, not a wonder we are all sniffling.


Do any of you plans for this special day.having family in or even just going to the grocery store

I think that CNN is having quite a slate of entertainment in places from around the USA so here is hoping I stay awake through it,

Dianne how did Canada Day celebrations go in your area. We’re there any local regatta celebrations.

Susan,I’ll be anxious to hear how things go with Bob’s hearing.

Have a little one coming shortly for sewing so hoping I can water the flowers..always calling for rain but when we do get rain it’s not enough to do much good so i will get ahead of the game, it’s an even number day So i will water a little heavier.

Wonder if any can catch something on my yesterday work list

Had so many episodes of my left foot going into spasm, Marie was here when i had one of them and could see toes all twisted.
So this morning although I hate water so I mixed a juice packet and will try and get at least 4 bottles into me, think I’m dehydrated, i think so at least I’ll try that first.

Meant to add:

Hope Todd has a good day but doesn’t overdo
Deb, are you getting around ok

Sharon, I don’t think you can possibly leaved that beautiful home and gardens. You will be able to see Las Vegas fireworks from you yard??? Hoping they can develop their light shows with layers and lighting where people would rather buy them than real ones. Am sure you you will have the little ones to enjoy.

Karen, hope others are joining in with the packing.



Forgot photo of my list

Happy 4th!!

Unfortunately, we have had a mass shooting at a suburban 4th of July parade. That's all that's on the radio right now. 6 people dead so far, at least 24 seriously injured, shooter still on the loose. Many other suburbs have cancelled their parades that were starting later. This is just so sad.

Oh my, I have not had the news on and just now getting on the computer. How sad and scary.

So far shooter is described as a young white male. Still haven't found him. The reporters are interviewing people who were at the parade. Kids parade, with kids riding their decorated bikes had just ended, main parade was just starting. Now they're saying 31 people taken to the hospital.

Came in to take a rest and omg CNN was broadcasting about the shooting..Can families young and old not able to go out and enjoy themselves?? See the videos people took..thank got he didn’t start shooting when the kids were in the parade riding their bikes.

My heart goes out to hall..how far is this from you Deb?? Not that it matters.

A few of the girls wanted to go to Buffalo in a few weeks as we are not doing our normal road trip but all feel unsafe.
6 dead and 31 injured

Hard to get excited about 4th of July festivities…

Prayers for all

omg - a shooting at a parade? I agree with Betty - people can't go out & enjoy themselves?!?!

Bob's court date to choose a trial date has been remanded AGAIN, to July 18th. His lawyer didn't have info on the availability of schedules for court, witnesses & the RCMP. I know I'm a witness, and of course for one charge (assault) the RCMP are a witness on my behalf because they noted his temper on the evening they came with him to pick up his stuff. He blew up at the constable, who then came in & told me what happened. "I see what you mean about his temper." Yup!!

btw - I didn't go to court today. Both the RCMP & Victim Services said that it would just be his lawyer (not Bob) checking on the date for the trial, and nothing would be said about what the charges are. Waste of my time, they said. Four matters that he's appearing on........... he's digging himself in deep.

This message was edited Jul 4, 2022 12:23 PM

Long process Susan, glad they let you know vs you going only to find out you didn’t.
Did he always have a temper Susan?
Did your neighbour get your mower going?

It’s so dry here that i will have to put grass seed on my list for this weeks shopping.

We had about10 drops of rain grr need a full dauphinois of soft rain, imagine me with sump pump troubles praying for rain. So need it
Dianne do you pump from the lake for watering? When i was on the lake Roger set me up with the ability to do so.

Calling for storm tomorrow, let’s see if if it happens. If wind is high i decided i had best put chain on the stained glass windows so i don’t worry they will be fall off hooks.

Getting down on my list, largest job is organize craft room..I’ve so many scraps of glass thinking i will need a piece..Dianne can you tell me you would throw away 2-4-6”??


Lost my get up and go..these shootings take the heart out of us along with you..don’t feel like taking anything on…sad

For you…

No, he didn't always have a temper. He used to be one of the gentlest people. That's another reason why I wanted him checked for early onset of dementia.
He phoned my BFF in Georgia on Saturday night (11pm my time, 1am her time). Why, I don't know, because as soon as she knew who it was, she hung up on him. I phoned the RCMP & Victim Services to let them know. Bob would KNOW that she & I were chatting online as we have for the past 8 years, late at night. Don't know why he called her, out of the blue, but talking to her is one of my "safe spaces" that he's now invaded. She's blocked his ph# now. The RCMP put this in the records. Because Susan didn't talk to him, it wasn't an "indirect contact" which it would have been if he'd asked her to pass on a message to me. She didn't give him time. Either a direct contact or indirect contact would go against the Peace Bond and is an arrestable offence.

My neighbour's lad wasn't able to fix my lawnmower.

This message was edited Jul 4, 2022 1:22 PM

Highland Park is one of the northern suburbs of Chicago, I'm in a NW suburb, it's probably 20-25 minutes drive from me. Both of my kids were born in the hospital there. Still no more news, lots of press conferences, but, it doesn't seem like they are saying anything new.

We're supposed to have storms tonight. Currently there is a tornado watch for maybe 100 miles west of me. Storms heading this way. It's mid 80's and very humid. Supposed to be close to 100 tomorrow.

Yes, i am here just listening to CNN, wanting them to say he is caught, don’t want him going on another’s rampage. I am sure by now with their sophisticated devices they will find him shortly. Hope he is a coward and does himself in.,terrible I am think8mg that way. I

be careful, worrisome for sure..when it gets that hot and humid… when they say possible tornadoes does work let you stay home? your furries will be in their pool for sure.they say in the 80’s her and humid..

Susan something is definitely wrong then with Bob, did no personnel/agency suggest he be tested? Glad Susan hung up and banned his#. What will you do about lawnmower!

Had eats…desert time, ice cream/strawberries/whipped cream, guess cleaning craft room will have to wait til morning.

Can’t get those families out of my mind…prayers

Lordy they work quickly, have a possible suspect.. person of interest
Name: Bobby Crimo 3 (?)
A local



This message was edited Jul 5, 2022 3:46 PM

Sister and BIL came over. We fixed good ole family favorites. Ribs, corn on the cob and green beans with bacon. Apple pie crammed in on top.
All the rest went to a party at families with a pool. Was happier to stay here.
Still no word on if our offer has been accepted. Actually either way is fine with me right now.
No energy as yet. Can't even imagine the energy needed to pack this stuff up.

Emma and I did some dead heading in the front landscape for over 2 hours. Temps in the mid 90s but not a cloud in the sky. I found a new weed and searched for it because I did not want it to go to seed. Purslane weed is everywhere but it is easy to pull up. I trimmed back the bloom stems on my Durante. Had to be at least 50. Emma and I found a strawberry still producing and she got 2 and I got one. Very small but sweet.

I am going to make tomato soup tomorrow. Roasted fresh tomatoes. A friend gave me the recipe and I will share it if it is good. I am playing hide and seek with the tomato worms. I have a black light so before I go to bed my light and I go out and search the plants. The plants are right out my bathroom/bedroom door to the right. And the area has foot path lights so I can see where I am going.

I need to start making my lists again. I get so much pleasure crossing off a task after i am done. I have a manicure tomorrow at 1pm so I will not get much done tomorrow.

Karen, good luck on your offer. And especially good luck on packing.

I had a fresh tomato sandwich for breakfast/lunch with eggs over medium on toast with ripe avocado. The tomatoes this year are amazing.

Las Vegas will have numerous big firework shows. Fireworks do not seem to bother Emma.

I cannot believe someone would climb up on a roof and shoot people participating in a Forth of July parade.

Have a great evening.

Morning, happy camper here, rain started about 3, as long as it does not get any heavier and flatten plants it can rain all day.

Karen what was the date for accepting?
Maybe with 4th of July it will be delayed, here is hoping you hear soon so you know wether you have to go in search of another home.

I’m with you, I’d pick the quietness and leave the hoopla for the younger ones. Your meal sounds delicious.

Sharon deadheading is is quite the task..i must check where to cut the ground cover roses, they were beautiful. Glad you had help especially as weather was 90.

Watched July 4th fireworks at the Capital, always put a grand show every year, bet Las Vegas put on a spectacular show..we’re you able to see any, think you might be just a tad to far?

Had the smile Sharon, often make my list then forget it at home so I make a game out of it and see how many items i can remember from the list..doesn’t usually work out well. Lol am sure you would remember your list. Find iPad is much too heavy to carry around if i put notes on it.

Mouth watering, fresh tomato soup..are you still getting a new crop.

Wow you are a committed gardener to go out in search of worms in the night.

Set the alarm for 6am seeing it was garbage and recycle day, cleaned out all the little pieces of glass and got them to the roadside.

Glad i got the chain on the windows, wind is up, no worries now, secure as can be.

Left junk all over the floor and came up for coffee and cereal, gave myself till 8:30am to go downstairs and pick up the drills, containers etc. i will finish main cleaning once the girls go home at noon..

Seeing it’s a rainy day I might work of Sharon’s SG piece.
Nothing more exciting

Hubby uses his phone to make lists and keep track of everything. He even has my health records in there. I barely use my phone and prefer paper lists. Think he's smarter than I since we carry our phones any how, might as well make full use of them.

I don’t use my cel phone so that is a no go
I do have a message recorder, use it for around house but not for grocery store

I’m with you, paper.. i mark all the stores then I also add a misc. So I am not back tracking.

"The suspect, 22-year-old Robert E. Crimo III, was taken into custody by police near Lake Forest, Illinois, following a brief car pursuit. He was unharmed." I guess the only thing "good" about taking him into custody, instead of the shooter killing himself, or suicide by cop, is that we MIGHT learn more about why he did it and possibly avoid more shooting. The cost to human life, and ALL people's sense of safety is outrageous, let alone the "money" cost that the trials & incarceration will be.

You are right Susan, likely a medical reason for the change in personality. It could be many different things. This does NOT change YOUR need for safety and peace. I am praying that this will all end for your sake.

Karen, I know you are tired and overwhelmed looking at all that needs to be done. The sooner you have a new home, the quicker it can be OVER. You will know more about what you want to pack when you know more about your new home. I am praying your offer is accepted SOON so you can move on with life.

Marie & I spent hours yesterday working on the longarm. I was ONE pass away from being done with a throw when the tension was off. I trouble shot for a while & gave up, too tired last night. I will head back out today. There were certainly more things that I could try but last night was NOT the time to do it. I drove home during the fireworks. It was LOVELY to see but I sure dislike the noise. Very startling, I can sympathize with the pets that are traumatized.

A friend sent me these photos asking if I could ID the beautiful pink bell flowers. She says the hummers LOVE it. Anybody know?

LOL... Sharon the stealthy bug killer! (Ominous music plays, as Sharon dressed in black with her trusty black light, sneaks out among the tomatoes)

https://www.terranovanurseries.com/product/penstemon-raspberry-taffy/

Google says they are penstemon flowers.

Pat, they are gorgeous..wouldn’t i love to have them in my yard.

Good catch Lindakay..will check with garden center to see if I can grow them here. How are you and Todd doing?

Pat, you must have wanted to scream, do you add about six inches to one side when putting on the frame to you can play with tension on it to adjust stitch tension?

Pat,that is a visual of Sharon 😂