Lol....I just finished giving instructions to my neighbor about taking care of the plants, the greenhouse, and my cats while I go home for 2.5 weeks for the holidays. My poor neighbor, she is such a sweetheart to be willing to put up with me and my instructions. I am a very thorough person, and I think sometimes too thorough for most people. I organized all of the houseplants into groups so that it would easy to water them all. I also did the same thing in the greenhouse. I have a backup electric heater as well as a kerosene heater and fuel in case of a power outage or extreme cold (rare in these parts). I have a thermometer with an alarm as well to monitor the temperature. Last year she dealt with taking care of Cleo, my potbellied pig, despite her wanting to nip at everyone who tried to interact with her. So I guess she is used to it. This is the first time I have left the plants in the greenhouse while I am away instead of bringing them into the house. This time there were just too many. Maybe that's a sign? Lol.... I knew the people here would understand. I need to get her and her kids a nice big present for Christmas when I return!
:) Kim
Ok....I am officially obsessive!
They would appreciate that. Last summer we were going to be gone for six days and asked our neighbor to take in our mail and newspapers. ....and, I have gardens surrounding my house which I water by hand (no automatic sprinkler system yet). I also have African violets inside which my neighbor took care of as well. Plus our kitty needed fresh food, water and cat box treatment daily. Come to find out, the sweet lady is terrified of cats. She came a day earlier than she was supposed to - we were still home and she brought her German Shepard for company (protection)........my cat is sixteen years old, sick, timid and neurotic and hides from everyone but me. We took her out to lunch at the golf course when we came back and I gave her some seeds from my garden and a fresh basil plant I grew.
Well....all we can do is do our best with what we have...and the rest is up to the Gods. Kim....sounds as if your neighbor is an angel...do you still have Cleo? Nipped by a pig...? Interesting. We have lives and our plants will do just fine....or they won't. Hoyas are pretty resilient...case in point Kabob with her freezing temps! I will bet dollars to dogbreath that even some in her GH will be revived!
Yes...we are all obsessed! Isn't it FUN?
Lol....yea....I always tell my family there are worse things I could be addicted to! Carol....I do still have Cleo but I moved her back to my family's farm in May. I miss her but she is better off there. I am looking forward to seeing her when I go home. Mom says she wraps herself up in an old blanket dad gave her along with all the straw so that she resembles a living hors d'œuvre.....pig in a blanket! She just didn't adjust well to life down here and started getting cranky and nipping at people. I don't know if she ever would've actually hurt anyone but didn't want to take any chances.
:) Kim
Kim - ROFLMBO - pig in a blanket!! Yes, my indoor hoyas proved to be very resilient - only lost about 10% - amazing!! Uhhh, Carol, I'll take those dollars, and you can have your choice of St. Bernard or Chocolate Lab dog breath - the greenhouse was a total loss!!! LOL - about the dog breath, not the loss of plants!!! Karen
OH dear, Karen...I was hoping SO hard!! It is good to 'read' you smile now, tho'... what an awful thing to go thru!!
Kim, I hope you get on the computer when your home with your folks and let us know how you are. I have been thinking about you and the long trip.
Karen, I must have miss what happened to your greenhouse. So sorry about the loss of Plants.
Tami
Hello everyone!! I left on Wed morning and arrived here in Ohio about 6pm Thursday night with a stop in between outside of Memphis. The weather was wonderful so no worries there. It was an exhausting trip though, especially with a 70lb dog in the front with me who was getting bored sitting for an 11-hr drive each day. Poor puppy....he traveled very well though. What in the world is this weather? 50s in December in Ohio? Bizarre.....but comfortable so I guess I shouldn't complain. At least i don't have to worry about the greenhouse this week....lows are in the 50s and 60s. Less worrying for my neighbor too! And apparently Cleo is jealous of the dog, she was happy to see me until she sniffed my hands, then she tried to nip at me. I guess I'll just have to win her back with some treats....lol.
:) Kim