Coffee and...For Saturday, February 25, 2006 =^..^=

Here's the daily continued from
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/578633/
Have a super day! ♫
Susan
=^..^=
I had to put Hinne up here for everyone to see. LOL

Hi, all. Yes, I am still here. Have read everything the last couple days.
Am up in Bellingham, WA seeing my parents. I have been meaning to get up here since my dad's stroke but my son's wrestling kept me in town for awhile.

Sarv, am so glad to read that you are getting a new computer. You will love it and will be amazed on how much faster and neater it will be. Also, am so glad to see your face and body in that picture. As others have said, I love to see the real thing on who is here!

Sheila, I just love that pic of the 2 kitties in that basket. Wish my cats would be so nice to each other. They are sisters and you would never know it!

Robert, I may try to stop by on Tues. nite on my way back home. But am not sure. I usually leave Bell. around 5 pm so don't want to interrupt your dinner tho. So will let you know in a day or so if I am coming by. Hope Immy will act better real soon.

Am not forgetting anyone but I did read all what you guys are up to.

Dcat, am so glad to hear that the MIL is moving to a rehab center. Hope this time they will keep her long enough to send her home healthy. They always want to send people home way too early. Thanks for your worrying about me, hehe.
I will tell you this. I had taken a walk with my mom down to the water (they live near the ocean and is so pretty today, clear, smooth water for once with the sunshine), and I decided to walk longer in the neighborhood. So I headed out after dropping my mother off at the house and walked around.
Well, there is a special gal that gets along with my father so well and I stopped and talked with her for awhile. Well, I didn't realized on how long I had talked with her that my father had gotten in the car and was looking for me.
I am 50 years old and they still worry about me!!!! Geez, but I still love them anyways. hehe

Well, all is not well with my father. I arrived here on Wed nite and he isn't doing that well. He is still limping a lot from that stroke. He is very grumpy, his diabetics is off wack, is very tired, and has lost a lot of weight. This a man who has survived 4 fingers cut off 3 years ago and then the stroke last November. He has had the most wonderful attitude with life and now he says he is tired and is very unhappy. He says life isn't fun anymore so......
Is so sad to see him like this. As you all know, it is so hard to see our folks get like this. But at 85 years old.....

Enough complaining.

Am enjoying the time with my parents and getting away from the daily drag at home and work.
So you all take care now,
Carol (DR)

Happy Saturday!! Yes the Italian CD I want is Andrea Bucelli! I knew someone would remember his name. Now that's a singer I could garden to or with!!

Had our taxes done. We go to a little place in the town used to work in. Everyone in the office is someone I know and it is so fun returning there. I've had all their kids and it is always catch up time when we go there. The owner (who does our taxes) always complains that she is on a schedule and we screw it up talking!! I've not had her kids, so we don't have to spend time chit chatting about kids, just taxes - well the bad news is that we owe 400 plus dollars. Now that I know, I can deal with it - it's the unknowing that drives me crazy.

DIL/DS/DGS stayed for dinner - made a hug batch of soft shelled tacos. That's always a hit in our family. DG/DH went to Menards for the bag sale - I was ticked as I wanted to go all week and DH wouldn't go with me. I didn't say anything as I stayed home with the contrary DIL and didn't want her to think that 'snits' were ok. We had a nice time and everyone behaved!!

I forgot who was talking about the plant hanging thing - how about posting a pic??? Bal lives too far from me to make me one, but my DH is handy and I think he would do it for me! I just checked back and it was Defoe who posted about it....short memory....

Mary - beautiful pics - so serene...Reminds me of when there were no big cities and strife in the world. The news seems to be so awful lately, that I long to bury myself in a book about our pioneers - when life was hard, yet simpler.

DR - sorry your dad is going downhill, but gosh 85 is a goodly amount of years to be on this earth. Funny about him going looking for you - some things never change do they!

Dcat- hope MIL is speeding along with her recovery. My mom went to one after knee surgery and it was the best thing for her - they made her do her exercises and all the praise was so good for her.

mg- hope the movies went well. I thought about taking DGS, but we don't have !.50 movies anymore around here, so decided to skip it. Hope you saw something fun (ps, we always take our own food - paying $8 for popcorn is criminal!)

I have an english muffing calling my name....check with everyone later

Yup, I want a picture of the wooden hangy thing too, I was trying to picture it and all I got was a seesaw, help! I don't remember where I saw the thread about the disposable diapers, I just remembered that I thought it was a great idea because my hanging baskets sometimes need watering twice a day in hot weather. I'm going to try it this year. I have the bottom of my big planters stuffed with packing peanuts so I don't have to use so much soil in them and that works pretty well. Makes them easier to move to, if you have to.

Funny pics of Hinne! I have a little angel doll that travels with me (and occasionally goes to lunch) but I would never let her travel alone as she is somewhat of a flirt and will probably get into trouble somewhere along the way. Nothing that she learned from me, let me assure you, I am always ladylike and demure. (snort) Hope nobody in my tribe reads this, I'll be busted for sure.

DR, glad to see you back safe and sound. Sounds as though your dad is pretty discouraged, maybe when the weather gets nicer he will brighten up a bit. When my dad was in his last days, with kidney failure and colon cancer, I had gone home to visit before he was confined for his last trip to the hospital. Naturally,my first question to him was "How are you doing?" He responded with a sigh, "waiting to die", but moments later he was out of his chair and pulling me by the hand through his garden showing me his ripening tomatoes and talking about what he was going to make for dinner.

He always made home made cheese ravioli for me, but as time went by, the ravioli got bigger and bigger until he was using a saucer to cut out the pasta, and two were a meal! Said he got tired of messing with all the little cutouts. He and mom were always worrying about me, I was too thin (they should see me now!), I worked too hard, I didn't have any time for myself, etc. My step mom's letter always started, "My dearest one". It's been twenty years since they are gone, and I still miss them.

Mg, that awful diaper pun wasn't intentional, but you picked up on it! LOL I was tired...and that's my only excuse!

Ann, your Thai dinner sounded so good, I love Thai food, and occasionally make it at home. I picked up a Pacific Rim Cookbook after we visited Australia, because we had sampled some Thai and Malaysian cooking there and enjoyed it. You really have to hunt for some of the ingredients though but some oriental markets here carry them.

Darius, that's quite a combination of musical preferances, classical to CW! My ex was a country music fan, and I lost my taste for it due to his addiction to alcohol and blasting it very loudly on the stereo until the wee hours of the morning. I do have a fondness for some of the old bluegrass, and Willie Nelson can still give me goosebumps singing some of his early works.

Dcat, I did a stint with braces too, and they don't give you nearly enough wax!! Lucky for me it never occurred to me to use gum!!

I need to get moving here, hello to everyone, if I didn't mention you, be assured I read all the posts and you are not forgotten, I'm just out of time for the moment...and very very happy that Dave has gotten all the current bugs out of the garden. It was getting darned annoying.

Oh, and here's my angel, and her evil twin.....LOL

daisy, don't forget that folks with health problems often suffer from depression. He might need a anti-depression medication.
dcat, thanks for the tip on the store near Gatlinburg that sells cast iron pots. If the one in Commerce isn't there, I will go to the one near Gatlinburg as I want to go to the aquarium over there.
I went retro yesterday. I bought a very nice stainless steel stovetop coffeepot on eBay. I was so tired of coffeemakers, fooling with filters, breaking carafes (and can't find a replacement that fits properly) and coffee dripping all down the front of the pot while pouring a cup. I made my first pot last night and it turned out perfectly. I also will be able to reclaim much needed counter space. Soooooo........ I'm going to do it again. I have an electric steamer that is awkward and the exterior is grooved white and impossible to keep clean. I am bidding on a stainless steel double boiler with a steamer insert. Getting rid of another stupid gadget and reclaiming even more counter space.
Yesterday, I went to an open house at an historic house that had been restored. I walked down from the mansion where I volunteer in archives. The interior was lovely and clearly decorated with big $$$. It is for sale. However, they erred when they used the thin cement siding that looks like wood. It made them ineligible for the National Register of Historic Places and local designation.
I drank 2 glasses of wine on an empty stomach and giggled the rest of the afternoon in archives.

Just thought I'd say hi to everyone while I drink my coffee. then I've got to get ready for my hair appointment. Haven't saved nearly enough time to have coffee and allow proper bathroom breaks. I just know I'll be miserable. Should have gotten up earlier. I'm such a pee pot!

Well, I have no experience with the diaper thingie ... but I do have experience with the Miracle Grow potting soil with the stuff in it, and there's a bunch of us that sure didn't like it at all. We through it away as it caused plants to rot, so I guess it just depends on your growing conditions. LOL

Okay, 1 more cuppa ... then I *got* to get up from here. Y'all have a blessed day.

... Elaine

m5- it was me that used the diapers! I only have a few left, so I'll be back to using thre crystal stuff. I got two jugs of it on close out sales last fall - yipee!! Had some browallia seeds sprout overnight - first batch all croaked - don't know why . -drat.

DH is whining about going to the wedding we have today. I am sitting her with a closed ear. Now he wants a hair cut, but not the back or the top - must be he wants the hair around his ears trimmed LOL He has this piece of maybe 10 hairs about 10 in long that he swirls over his bald area. I told him he better put hurricane proof spritz on it or he is going to become airborn (I love to tease him about it) He told me when he croaks I can arrange his hair anyway I want! Men and their hair...

Next weekend I have an all day garden seminar - can't wait. P Allen Smith will be one of the speakers - haven't heard especially good things about him however...but just a day talking 'gardens' will be a great treat.

Gardening program is on the radio, so better bamboose.

I also used diapers in one of my hanging baskets last summer. Grand-twins are now trained and I think I got rid of all the diapers; so I'll try to get those crystals this year. Lee Valley sells them. Maybe other places too.

Sarv, hope DH comes round for the wedding.

Off to do some grocery shopping before 3 pm rehearsal of OSO. Also to FC to borrow a chair. The plastic chairs at the church where the OCO concert is tonight are AWFUL. Almost impossible to sit on comfortably to play. I have a folding chair, but it's rather bulky and the space is VERY limited in this church. Gonna try one of the small stacking chairs we have at the FC.

Had a look through a few troublesome spots in the music and hopefully, have my D-string where it will stay in tune. I replaced the string 2 days ago and sometimes new strings get the peg into a position where you can't get a grip on it to tune. So after I came home last night I took it off, conditioned the peg and restrung it. Much better now, but everytime you take the tension off the string, they stretch for awhile when you tighten them again. For the first half hour, I was having to bring it up to pitch again and again. Better this morning than in the concert this evening (or even the other rehearsal this afternoon).

Well, better get on with the errands. Don't look forward to going out - it's snowing and blustery today and cold - about -11 C.

Ann

Hi folks,

Just a quickie ----- I don't know what you've been paying for those crystals, but I get them from http://www.naturesgardencandles.com/ at $6.25 per pound. You can get a lower price by buying bulk. If that's a good price just go to the above site and choose "Smelly Jelly crystals from the drop-down menu under incense supplies.

Mc C - I went to the crystal sight - you use those for plants??? Are they the same thing you use for gardening?

I just checked my container and it costs $13.49, but I got 25% off (10 something a lb) Need to check out the shipping.

Oh here is a good one for you. I got out my 'wedding' dress (the one I wear to cold weather weddings) and looked at it and screamed!! The last time I wore it, I didn't put it away for awhile - left it hanging in the laundry room. Anyhow, today when I got it from the closet, the whole front was full of snags.....guess who - the stupid cat had been jumping at the belt and left a terrible mess. I worked for hours pulling the snags thru to the backside and ironed it good. It looks rather puckery, but it's too late to dash out and get something new. I'll dance real fast and no one will notice (hopefully!!) Never a dull moment here.

Gave DH a nice hair cut and even managed to trim some of the 'long hair pieces' LOL He trimmed up the beard and actually looks presentable. Now to get the suit on without major grumbling.

Cold, dreary, snowy day here again - 40mph winds - will do wonders for hair doos!!

First off, lest I forget, Carol, be sure to stop in on the way out of beautiful Belling- gam . Dinner time here is usually precisely at 'whenever' ,'if', or 'maybe not'. Even have a bed if you want a lay-over on that long trip home. Sorry to hear your Dad is having a downer, I think Meezer has a point with the weather,it's depressing.

Got a shock when the Vet called me about the test results. Just sent in Immy's stool sample since what one gets the other is sure to get too. Seems there is a question of her having some kind if infection, but what set me back most was the possibility of heart-worm. New sample monday should tell for sure. Tinker is from Cashmere, a little town east of the mountains and Immy is from the Boise area. When I asked the Vet about a new flea med he said heart-worm wasn't prevalent around here. Hope its a false alarm. Feeding in seperate rooms is working. Will slowly try to get her into better eating habits.

Picked up a small batch of lumber yesterday to work on one of the unfinished arbors. Measured, dug the hole and set a 10 foot 4X4 post. Measured again and found I was 6 inches off. Too hard to stretch an 8 ft board to 8 1/2 ft so I pulled the post and will try again today. I really hate it when they make these tapes with
' extra numbers'. Measure once-dig twice. Also went to the rock store and found some really neat drilled basalt columns for the fountain. Weather has been dry enough the last day or two to work on the arbor but is supposed to turn to rain again later today. Cut 2 or 3 inches of beard off yesterday and am feeling a draft, but at least it won't soak up so much rainwater now. The weight of the rainwater was pulling me forward and I was feeling very stupid-over.lol Gotta put on socks and shoes and go set a post. Best of everything to everyone.

Hi all!! We're up to 18 degrees with blowing snow, not much is accumulating, it just makes it look gray and ugly out!! Accumulation would be a good thing, at least a couple inches, for the bulbs. I do have daffodils starting to poke up.

Ann~Sounds like a nice dinner for DH. I didn't know if you were cooking a big meal...much better to go out!! I couldn't figure out how you'd pull that off with your schedule. good luck with the D strings (well, heck, all the strings!!)

sarv~I used diapers for plants too a long time ago when I had them handy! The garden seminar will be fun! I saw an Andrea Boccelli special where he was cantering bareback on a beautiful horse in the surf, singing (well, you know, lip synching) and i'm thinking, now why did they have to go and show that? Like we'll ever get to go to THAT concert!! Now I want to ride bareback in the surf with Andrea Boccelli but he's avoiding me!!

Elaine~LOL isn't it great when your day is structured around potty breaks? Mine is, especially if I go ride, or have to bundle up....have to allow plenty of time!!!

woodpsirit~That is a shame about the cement board siding. A lot of people use it, and I think it looks pretty good
but for a historic house with all the money in it, why not be authentic? I never get those decisions. In redoing the farmhouse we bought, I'm hoping to salvage enough original siding from inside the summer kitchen to repair the outside siding. I don't even want new wood, I'd rather buy salvage.

m5~I do that, put about a foot of foamies in a huge pot, then a layer of broken pot pieces, then soil and and a spoonful of crystals. Works for me and is easier to move the pots.

dr~sorry your father isn't doing so well, but I'm glad you're enjoing your visit with them!

suzieq~there is a brook that runs into a beaver pond at the farm, in the field area, and the previous owner said bears would sometimes come there to bathe or swim or play, whatever, they'd be there splashing in the water. Maybe there are fish in the pond they were after. We did see the red fox yesterday...I think it will be fun, I'll need to get a telephoto lens.

McCool~Yup, we're getting the snow, then a couple days of single digits. BRRRR. It shouldn't get too deep here. Hang onto your power!!

mg~So sorry you're having a run of bad days. No matter how bad it gets, you are just too funny! Love the stress highlights...why can't they be a badge of honor? We earn every one of them! I hope your luck changes pronto!

dcat~having had two daughters with braces, all I can say is it's a good thing your mother didn't find out you stuck gum in your braces!!! LOL. You think the orthodontist is scary!!

keyi~I loves the horse pictures too, mine, Mary's, and everyone else's. Isn't it funny how we can get attached to everyone else's critters, which reminds me......

Mary~We have not had a good AmandaPanda picture in awhile, and she must be getting big (hint hint). I have such a hard time keeping paint/pinto, etc straight. The baby I bought is the foal of a reg. qh and unknown father.
I thought I was told that to register her as pinto I need papers for the father and he had to be pinto, but paint could be registerd by marking? I can't even remember,. can't imagine I'll need to show in any breed shows.
I'll add the picture of her....what do you think?

Hi to everyone else, I'll be back....have a great day, stay warm, and avoid all those nasty germs!!

bal~cross posted. LOL about stretching the 8 footer...if that worked I'd probably be a carpenter. LOL too about the measure once, dig twice. I usually dig a REALLY big hole so I can move things around....a lot!! That saves tons of time....(not)

Hi All,

Just popping in to say a quick hello. I'm being Extremely Lazy today,,,gonna lay on the couch and watch a movie,,,prolly will end up taking a nap,,LOL

Hi to all and have a great day,

Kelly

Defoe - Please post a pic of that pot holder that won the first prize.

Interesting about paint/pinto, but my mind is easily confused today. What's that you say? - Today??!! LOL

Worked this morning. Boss said something about adding something to my standards that had to do... I heard the first few words, but after that saw his lips going and was hearing me thinking, "What the heck did he say??!!" Suffice it to say, he will email it to me, thank goodness. He knew I had a headache so figure he was thinking that was why couldn't concentrate. Little does he know, LOL

Daisy, Ditto on the parents and I am 50 too! Dad died Sep 04, but always had to call him after I got home to let him know I made it. Once it was 2 AM, so didn't and yep, I got a phone call making sure I made it the next day! DSM continued the routine, have to call her and let her know I made it too.

"Stress Highlights" Love it. Don't have gray, I have white, which my DD says is good, since it will hold dye later. When more is white than dark brown, I will dye it blond!!

Disposable diapers?! Sounds interesting. Except my young'un is 8 already! Might be cheaper to buy the diapers, how many of the crystal thingies are in one, of what size? Maybe I should go looking for the thread later.

Went looking before posting:
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/509161/
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/386463/
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/82297/

I don't drink coffee, so usu have lemonade, anyone want some?! Here, have a glass... And cookies too! Don't worry, I took all the calories out for you!

Cute pic with Hinne! We had Fette here. Fun to play, isn't it?!

dmc - glad I am not there now. Don't know what it was out today here, but not as bad as your 18º. Better you than me!

Later all. Got tons to do today, unfortunately! Enjoy the cookies and lemonade! ~ Suzi :)

Ok, Robert, I will be stopping by then. Hope Immy isn't going to have that infection! As for measuring, my dad always said, "measure twice, cut once."
The talk about diapers lining sound interesting. I may try that this summer since my pots do dry out so quickly too.
Sarv, if you leave anything dangling down for a cat, they sure will attack it. So sorry to hear what it did your dress, but it is kind of funny and so typical of cats. Too bad about you paying some taxes but it could have been worst.
I would like to see a picture of the planting hanging thing too. Maybe I can even do it!
Well, be back later. Need to go help my dad. He is down in the workshop doing some fused glass work so I like to watch and help him. It is good that he is still finding some things to do to keep active. He does beautiful work tho. I will have to take a picture of it when he is done.
Later all,
Carol (DR)

Running to closet to check for dangling strings, belts, ties, etc. Didn't thlik of that when I was kitten proofing.........Whew!! Thanks Sarv! So that was you with the diaper solution, my brain must be full of empty spaces, didn't remember that. I've lined my wicker baskets (which need some spray paint or something, they look dead) with plastic and poked a few holes for drainage and that helped some.

Not much going on here, went out for breakfast with DH and DGS, who are now down in the lower garage playing cars. Got my oil changed and now I hear the compressor running so who knows what they are up to. DGS's wife is in Chicago for the day so I suppose I will be feeding him this evening. No problem, just have to make twice as many meatballs and a whole pound of pasta.

Mary, ditto about the Amanda Panda pics, haven't seen her lately. Can't let Sammi have the spotlight all the time. Last evening, I was watching t.v. and heard this clicking sound, and there he was chasing his tail ON THE KEYBOARD! Ran for the camera but by the time I got it he was sitting on the chair looking like butter wouldn't melt in his mouth. Mini must have snuck into the basket while Sammi was asleep, if he joins someone in a basket there's usually a brief squabble and a quick exit by the occupant as he wants the whole basket for himself.

Hope the cold weather some are expecting doesn't get too nasty. It's pretty here today, although windy. When I set up my little greenhouse, I'm going to have to anchor it really well as we get very high winds in early April. I'm enjoying the sunshine after all the long dismal gray days we had all through Jan. and Feb.

Robert, we'll hope that the heartworm is a false alarm and Immy is not going to have a problem. Don't breeders usually do the preventative meds for that? Dining separately usually kept my kids from killing each other too. And the fur kids are dining separately now for dieting concerns, and Mini has found her way to the top of the 'frig with Souky. Sammi is making fruitless attempts to leap up to the cupboard, jump. thud. jump. thud. Not successful so far but I'm sure it won't be long before he can do it. Then what? Dunno, figure it out later I suppose.

Going back to my book...would rather do this, like Sammi.....but I'm not flexible enough!

Sheila

Hello everybody. Another pretty day here, 35 degrees the last time I looked and only a light wind. Hmmm, when does a breeze turn into a wind? Always a new point to ponder.

Carol(DR), I'm glad that your dad is still doing projects. I hope he will get some help for the depression. Drive carefully on the way home. Hope you get to stop and visit with Robert.

Robert, no board stretcher at your house?

Dmc, my pinto came with both sets of papers, so I didn't have to fuss with the details, only transfer them into my name.

Sarv, let us know about the wedding. The kitty damage to your dress must have been a shock! Is it time for a new dress?

No new lambs again last night, but I think there were some by daylight since there was one ewe who was pretty interested in the lambmobile (see picture) but not interested enough to follow it to the barn. I didn't try to bring her inside since she wasn't showing any mucous and the only "fresh" lamb in the barn belonged to a yearling who was so much of a basket case it took Paul about an hour to get her into the barn. Having somebody borrow her lamb would have just been too much for her poor little sheepy brain.

We went out for breakfast to our favorite family owned restaurant. The owner waits tables, cooks, does prep work, makes pies and cinnamon rolls, etc, as needed. Daughter and granddaughter also work there. We tell her it is just like home, order what you want and you might get it or might get a surprise. This morning I ordered minced ham and scrambled eggs, potatoes and toast, got a slab of ham and a scrambled egg, etc. Hubby wanted English muffin, got toast. Seems maybe today's cook can't read and the owner said she circled minced ham. It's all good, and as we tell the owner, just like home and a bit of adventure to start the day.

Cattle rustling is still alive and well in this part of the old west, a small herd is missing from a neighboring county, $10,000 reward offered. These cattle are branded and earmarked, will be hard to sell I think, but with so much remote country and cattle herds so large maybe would not be difficult to hide. We did have a rustling case here in our county last year, solved, guys in jail. Don't know how the owners came out. I guess cattle theft would be a legitimate deduction with the IRS. Horses get stolen too, usually the good ones. One couple I know had 4 horses stolen during the night. Somebody cut the fence and drove right into the pasture, caught them (friendly horses) and drove away. One horse went to the killers, one was recovered and I don't remember about the other two.

I'll work on getting a new picture of AmandaPanda.

Got to get something accomplished today. Waving at everybody, see? ~ ~ ~

Just popping in to say hi to every body on this dark, cold, dreary, snowy day, Alberta clipper is on his way, brrrr
Went to the market to beat the snow, was it ever crowded, not much fun to fight for space with the cart and wait forever to check out

Guess that is why I try to keep stocked up: hate the crowds; hate going out in the cold! ~ Suzi :)

I do too, Suzy, but needed more for Samson and will not know when I can get out again, he is eating and eating, lol

Mary~Wow didn't know cattle rustling still went on what with branding and tagging - there will always be unscrupulous people though. Around here the common folk (that is not the ones with super expensive horses) still have to watch out for tack theft. Lots of stables have had their tackrooms cleaned out. I keep my saddles at home and/or in my car.

Well I have read all, but on the way out the door to dinner. I will post a picture of the pot hanger when I get back as well as comment on all the posts.

Geez, I am starved.

Oh, I do understand Maria! Somehow it seems the girls will eat up what I want to serve sometimes and the milk, bread supplies need to be replenished at the worst possible times.

For the last 6 mos, was in school 2 night wk, then training avg of 2x week, then worked 3-nights a wk for 6 wks, in addition to full-time days. Got pretty good at saying: no, make do or do w/o since I'm not going to the store till wkend.

Older DD fed the cats sandwich meat and tunafish a couple times before she started making sure that her requests were on the list too.

That is so mean, stealing cattle, saddles and such! Hope they catch them and they serve time!!

Hope everyone is having a great day! ~ Suzi :)

Hi again,

Sarv, I haven't tried the crystals in plants yet, but was told that they were the same thing. They sure look the same once they're hydrated. I've been thinking of using some to root cuttings first and see how that worked out. I've seen some in the fancy little glass containers and it looks like the only difference between that stuff and the "smelly jellies" that I make up and sell is the addition of fragrance oil in the "smellies". Are you buying the crystals dry or hydrated? I use about a teaspoon to make enough to fill a 4 to 6 ounce container.

It never occured to me that there were still horse thieves and cattle rustlers about in this day and age, but that's probably because you don't hear much about that kind of thing in this area.

Hi, dr, enjoy your "sort of vacation"! Hope you have a good visit, all in all. Anti-depressants might not be a bad idea in your dad's case. Do you know whether or not they've talked with his doctor about it?

M5, Sammi is just too cute (I bet the other cats have a different word in their own language to describe him though). One of my cats used to use the clothing hanging in the bedroom closet as "ladders" in order to get up to the high shelf, apparently the perfect place for an afternoon nap. (She used ME a couple of times too when I stood in the wrong place too long.) Now with "Slim" in the house I mostly have to watch out for anything edible. He pulled a whole bundle of celery down off the utility table onto his own head the other night. If it isn't edible, he checks to see if it has toy potential.

Maria and dmcd, stay warm! I hope you both have stocked up with whatever you might need. Now lets just hope that none of us loses power (well, at least you don't even need to worry about that any more, Maria) We're in pretty bad shape if we lose ours because it means no heat or water in addition to no lights, etc.

Robert, have fingers and toes crossed, hoping for good news on Immy. Outside of that, it sounds like you've got the situation well in hand.

Vann, meant to wish you good luck with the concerts, etc. last night, but it somehow did not get from the brain onto the keyboard and posted where you could see it. Sorry! Best wishes to you for all your activities.

Briar Rose, you sound like another one with a nearly impossible schedule. Hope you have a bit more time for yourself these days than you used to!

Mary, glad you got a chance to go out for a meal, but doesn't it bother you at all to know that you might as well "throw the dice" as put some thought in to what you'd really like to have? It bugs me when a restaurant or even a take-out joint gets it wrong ---- especially if it's more the rule than the exception.

101, how'd the hair turn out?

D'cat, hope dinner out was great. I'll have to add my name to the list of those requesting pics of your plant hanger --- couldn't quite picture it in my mind.

Woodspirit, good for you with the "real" coffee pot. I have one that I couldn't bear to throw out and keep thinking I should try using it again. I had a nice pyrex one, but something happened to the basket and that's long gone now. On another note, when will you know about the library job? Keeping my fingers crossed for you.

I hope I didn't forget anyone. Just realized that the microwave must have dinged a little while ago. Have to go fetch DH's dinner then heat mine up too. In case I don't get back today, have a good night, all.

DR, my heart to you and my prayers for you father. I have been there and its a hard thing to deal with. This April 16 will be the first anniversary of his passing and its still brings me to tears missing him. Once he was house bound it was hard for him to find purpose and it caused him to be bitter and depressed. The doctors prescribed anti depressants that did help him some so ask mom to talk to his doctor.

Bal, I just love it when you post pics of your furbabies. My youngest son says they look like they were splattered with paint. He really wants one. I sure hope the infection is mild and gone quickly.

Mary, your horse is so beautiful. I fed the neighbors horses carrots and peppermint candies while back in SC last weekend. It was funny, I was fiddling with the wrapper in my pocket and one of the horse grabbed my jacket to try and get at it. Shocked me at first. I never knew horses liked candy, especially not peppermint candy. I am not shocked about the horse theft. While back in SC I was listening to a conversation while in line at the farmers exchange. Someone has been stealing chickens and goats throughout several counties and so far the police have nothing. Everyone is locking up there animals as much as possible.
Meezer, that little Sammie is quite a handful. I am impressed how you can manage to get the photos you do. I am usually laughing or screaming for them to stop before I think to grab the camera.

Sarv, I hope the wedding was enjoyable for you and DH stopped whining and had a good time also. My DH tries to get sick or plans his side jobs around such events. Most of the time I let him with the thought that I would rather go alone then to have him whining in my ear all night long.

I have been using diapers inside of my hanging baskets and in the bottom of my larger containers for years. It really helps here because of how dry and hot our summers get.

DMC, your pics were wonderful. I am going to get my first ride on a horse on my next trip to SC. My neighbor has an old mare that is very peaceful and loves to just stroll at my kind of speed. LOL

I know I missed so many of you and your going on's but dinner is ready and I am famished tonight. DH and I went to the Home and Garden Show and worked up quite an appetite walking around for the day. I hope all stay well that are well, those who are down are up and better soon. I sure do miss being able to keep up anymore. Hopefully things will slow down some at work and life will catch up again.

Sunshine and warm thoughts for all

Casey

Gosh, here it is already after 9 and I'm just getting back in here to say hi. We've had a busy day today what with the usual Saturday errands, plus my hair appointment. The DH dropped me off, so that gave him a bit of "man time". LOL Stopped by WM for just a sec and just breazed through the garden center. There was another plant calling my name again. ;) This time it was a different Lavender. Can't remember which one, ... maybe Providence? Hadn't seen one before. So so pretty, though. Back home for lunch. Now it's rainy and turning cold. :-(

Carol, I know exactly what you mean about checking in with your parents. I still do that with mine ... and they do it with me, also. I *like* it that way. LOL Sure hope your Dad gets to feeling better. It's good he has projects he enjoys. Hope you get to stop at Roberts.

Ann, goodness ... between practicing and then playing ... you *always* have some sort of music in hand, don't you? LOL Hope your D string behaved!

Hi Maria. Yep, bet that Samson can put the food away! LOL LOL Has he taken you on any more flying lessons lately? hehehe

Oh Sarv, those tacos do sound good! Hope everything went okay at the wedding. That must have been a shocker when you pulled out your dress. Sounds like something that would happen to me.

Robert, am praying that the test results come back negative for heartworms on Immy. Maybe there was some sort of mix up or something.

Mary, glad you are getting a bit of a break with the sheep. I imagine you could sure use it. :)

Defoe, have you heard from your MIL today? Have had y'all on my mind all day.

Susan, what about your DD? Sure hope things are going better for her.

Hi Kelly. Am waving at you. did you have a nice bum day? Oh, I didn't get a chance to go to the nursery today. Maybe next week-end. :)

To those I haven't spoken to personally, just know I've read and enjoyed your post and am waving at you. LOL


Okay, am posting this pic for Defoe. This is after I got my hair done.
... Elaine

Hi everyone, waving to all and hoping that all is well and things are getting better with everyone. Do you want to know the fastest way to clean out your refridgerator?? No, no kids involved...just have it die. Yep the fridge is'nt working but the freezer is. I kicked it and cussed it and it still won't work so repairman will be here Tuesday between noon and 3. So I now live with three ice chests in the kitchen and stubbed toes. Well now to cook dinner and not have any leftovers....How that is going to be done is yet a mystery to me...Take Care and see ya tomorrow when I can post more...Lauri

Okay folks this is the hanger.

This is the hanger with the pots attached.

be back in a sec to comment, now quit your bi**** I got it done even if it is late.

Just thought I would jump in and say hi to you all.Sorry about your frig.Lauri,but you know chocolate don't have to be put in a freezer chest,send it my way and I will store it for ya..
As far as your left overs,I'm sure Howard can take care of those for you..
Elaine your haircut sure is nice,love your heart ballon too,betcha that's from your hubby.. ;o)))
Waving to you all and have a nice evening and stay warm and cozy..!!
Loretta...

DR, sorry to hear your dad is not doing well. Its' good that he still has something to do that he enjoys. I laughed about him coming looking for you. That is so sweet. I don't care how old we are, we are still kids to our parents.

Sarv, We haven't actually had the taxes done yet, I have them all ready to go to the preparer. We always have to pay, so put it off as long as we can. Those tacos sound really good. Haven't had them in awhile. Oh, no, sorry about the dress. Now you have a good excuse to go shopping. Laughed about DH's haircut. Sounded like all he wanted was you to pretend to cut it!!

Meezer, being an angel I doubt that she would be influenced by you anyway. Has she given you any lessons on proper decorum? Snort. That homemade cheese ravioli sounds delish. Laughed about the size increasing as he got older. Yeah, they never give you enough wax for the braces. Stopped and bought some more tonight. Really chuckled about Sami, doing the jump, thud. One of these days he will get it right. Yep, better check those closets well, don't give him something else to get into.

WS, that store is actually north of Pigeon Forge, between Gatlinburg and Sevierville. They have some really neat stuff. I wish I could make some more counter space. The house sounds wonderful, sorry about the choice of siding outside. So you giggled in the archives, sounds like a good country song title to me. LOL

101, LOL pee pot. Your hair really looks good. Now we won't have to bother GG to come fix the oops for you. Thank your DH for taking that picture for us. Did he enjoy his man time out? I know he did. They tend to stand and drool over the tools, or the automotive stuff, or in my case both of the above plus fishing stuff. I bought him a tshirt for christmas that says. |"I have three things to do today, FISH, FISH, FISH. And that is so true.

Demstratt, so sorry about the fridge. Seems like they never die at an appropriate time. I would say the deal is, if I cook it, it ALL has to be eaten, so get an appetite.

Well, check on DMIL today. She went to the salon had her hair done and a manicure. This is run by University of Kentucky nursing students 2 saturdays a month. They really are a talented bunch of young folks. She is doing her therapy, and the only complaint is that her room mate has the tv on 24/7 with volume up pretty loud.I told one of the nurses that was alright during the day, but if the lady went to sleep, would she please turn it down so as not to aggrevate DMIL. I think that she has turned the corner, or I surely hope so. We told her that if she would go and get some strength back that when she is released she can go to her own home. I really think that is what is motivating her. She has been gone from her home since December 29. I would want to be home too.

Okay, now I want to hear some comments on the pot hanger. Ya like?

Vann, hope the concert goes well tonight. Yuk on grocery shopping. Bad enough but in your cold weather even worse.

McCool, Don't products have odd names. "Smelly Jelly" that's a good one. Can you really use it in the flower pots? Your cats antics are funny. The other day, I went to my closet to get something, and pulled back some items that were blocking my view to a middle shelf, and yikes, Miss B is staring at me. Sort of stopped my heart for a sec. The other one looking for food, pulled a celery down on his head. LOL

Bal, hope Immy's test come back all right. Treatment for heart worm is a major deal. Give her a hug from me. Glad they seem to be doing better, getting fed in different places. A well stocked wood shop must surely have a pair of post stretchers as well as those for the fence. Removing any kind of body hair always takes some getting used to.

dmc, ouch, 18 degrees to some would be a heat wave, but I prefer my temps a lot warmer. Stay warm. You say bears have been spotted at your pond. Okay, now how do you handle bears, besides carefully?

GG did you the done with the lazies today. Great going.

Briar, sorry you had a headache today. They are the pits.

Mary, Sorry to say cattle rustling, horse thiefs, dog nappers are alive and well. Brazen folks too. Have a little of it that goes on in this area occasionally too. Eating out is such fun, at least you didn't have to cook it. But having the order messed up is aggrevating. I vote for an Amanda Panda pic also. Glad the ewes are giving you a break.

Maria, Sorry about the grocery store wait. Always seems like when bad weather is predicted, everyone rushes to the store. I understand, we would have all been upset if Samson didn't have enough food to ride this one out.

Carat, welcome back. I know that you loved being in your new home, so tell us if you did anything.

Hi Demstratt ... I'm afraid you might not have enough room for all her chocolate soooo you just better send it on way down south, you hear? LOL And thanks for the compliment on my hair. I just started getting brave enough to get it highlighted when I started lurking in coffee a few months ago. Bet all y'all didn't know you were responsible for that, did you? LOL LOL

Well, I had the DH on a roll today with the camera, so want to post a pic of my beautiful hyacinth that's already blooming in the back of my yard. Isn't this thing gorgeous?
... Elaine

Okay, here's another view.

Okay, now here's a pic of one of my azaleas. It is already blooming. Soon it will be full of blooms. :)

Hi There,

Just checking in briefly to say the concert did go well. The D-string stayed in tune. It's been on the instrument for a couple of days which is enough to hold it's tune if I hadn't taken it off to adjust its position on the peg last night. Music for OCO turned in as I can't play the concert tomorrow when they do it again. Now I have just one orchestra to think about, but the way i played in rehearsal today, I've still got some work to do.

Sarv - hope the wedding went well. Sorry to hear about the dress.

defoe - interesting plant hanger above.

Mary - am shocked to hear of the animal rustling.

Robert - also hope the heartworm is a false alarm. I don't have dogs. Is there an effective treatment at all if it is?

Anyone I missed, sorry. I'll try to catch up after tomorrow.

Might not even get to check in tomorrow. Bells gather at the church at 8:30 for set up and rehearsal. Service at 10. I probably won't stay all the way through it.

Ottawa Symphony rehearsals from 1-4 and 6-9. We generally hike down the road to a local restaurant for dinner in between. We get on stage in Southam Hall at the National Arts Centre tomorrow; so we can really balance the sound. Pretty hard to do that in church basements and high school auditoriums. And tomorrow will be the only time that the whole Youth Orchestra is with us for part of the rehearsal time. I think the stage in Southam Hall, which is huge, is the only place large enough for all of us - roughly 150-160 musicians.

So hope you all have a good night.

Ann

Dcat, those plant hangers are neat! Do they stay in the holders with the soil too without falling out? How do you know the size of the notches? Am glad that MIL is on the road of repair. I think telling her that her home is waiting for her and it will be so quiet there should be a great motivator!
Casey, thanks, I bet it will be hard in a month or so of the 1st year anniversary of your dad. Am sorry to hear that but hope you have good memories of him then. Am glad to see you back here posting too.
Elaine, you know how to make us in the cold unhappy with those flower pics, LOL. They look great. I do have a few hyanth. finally blooming too. Love the pic of you and your new hair too.
Carol (DR)

Didn't do much today. That is becoming a habit I think.

I better update you on DD, sorry, when she's better I don't think about it as much. She has been pain free since last weekend. Not so much as a twinge, accredits it to drinking all that juice and water and not caffeine, although I think she has snuck a glass or two. Don't tell... chocolate too, LOL

Has been going back to labs and classes, working on homework and projects and taking care of Darren (DH) and Jessica (her DD), getting closer to the big surgery for the goiter and thyroid on March 15. She says she is going to be fine, I say she is going to be fine, and go to bed and cry about it. She IS GOING TO BE FINE...

We took Hinne the visiting gnome out to dinner and a movie. I will tell the whole story on the hinne travels thread.

But just to tease you.......I will post a picture from the movie Eight Below...excellent movie, used only four tissues, DH even used one and Hinne just wrapped himself up in one so we couldn't see him. LOL

If you haven't gone, it is a movie worth seeing. IMHO

Elaine(Susan) someday I wish you would dmail me with the story of your life, how you lost your sight, etc. I bet it would make a fine novel. You are such a sweet, loving person to all who know you. You are my hero. awwwww, hope I didn't embarrass you. I do admire you though.

Love those hyacinths though. Gorgeous, can you see them at all, even a teeny bit?

I think my azaleas probably won't bloom at all this year after that last super cold spell. I have now watered them well, but may have been too late. It will be sad if they don't bloom at all.

Defo: I hope your DMIL gets to go back to her home too. That was what motivated my father when he was in the hospital after a stroke from New Years Day 1989 until April 1989. He was so happy to go home and then Mother who was also sick with cancer couldn't really take care of him and he had to go to a nursing home in July. That was sad too. Oh, I don't want to be a downer with that story.

I am hoping the very very best for your DMIL. Pray for her every night. (((hugs to her too)))

Better get around to tomorrow's daily,
Have a great night all.

Susan
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Tomorrow's daily is up at
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/578939/

See you there....

Susan
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