Pull Up a Chair XXI

Bama - I'm glad ya'll had that protective bubble around you. We were all worried about you. I hope Bear made it home safely. Are you getting enough rest?

Fly - that party sounds like a lot of fun. I'll bet you're worn out.

Nada - that sounds simple enough. I donn't know where I'll get a bunch of tables. I think I'll have to improvise on that one. Hope you find a new babe soon.

I had a company come out and clean some of my beds for me. Well, I have got to learn Spanish. My roses are all gone. They had been dug up, chopped up and put in garbage bags before I noticed. I asked them to remove one rosebush and leave everything else there. Just get rid of the weeds. They also dug up my rosemary but I was able to save it. It's really okay because I'm looking for different roses anyway. Other than that, they did a very nice job. I also had them lay brick around some of the beds that needed edging.

I finished planting all of the veggie seeds. The raised beds are officially done. (Excpet laying pea pebbles in between). Hooray!

Long afternoon with my mama - I'll catch up tomorrow, but wanted to say hi and give my love to all - especially to Bama!!!!

Nitey nite.

Too much to comment on! Glad you are all doing just fine without me! LOL! or hahaha...whichever you prefer.
It was great to hear from you, Bama! You seem to be holding up admirably under the most stressful condition that I can imagine. Big hugs!
DH and friend top dressed our lawn today with compost we purchased. I helped for a bit, raking and spreading it around as they shoveled it on....I think that is one of the hardest things on one's back! I had to cry for mercy early on. DH is now in knots. We won't do that again! Ever! I suggested using a fertilizer spreader, but DH says the compost would jam it up. Has anyone else ever done this? Is there a magic tool? We'll put the rest of the compost on the flower beds and then mulch with pinestraw.
K - I have a lawn mowing service and they have strict instructions not to touch (or walk in) my flower beds - because of past experiences. But new people come and then I have to catch them and remind them...Yesterday, the owner was with them and I saw her in the front flower bed pulling stuff up. She is so sweet and I know she thought she was helping, but I walked out and asked her what she was doing - nicely. She got a big smile, and told me she was pulling weeds, and I told her they weren't weeds, but Gaura. And that they had strict instructions, on file, not to do anything to the flower beds. She was so upset, wanted to replace them, etc, which I refused. She even asked me for the name again, and I realized she was trying to trick me so she could go ahead and replace them - and I told her I knew what she was doing. It was all very friendly; I like her and she is a hard worker. But I have lost too many plants to let anyone else weed my flower beds. The Sisyrinchium looked like nutgrass; the Gaura like dandelions, etc... I don't know what the ferns resembled.
M - I am going to South Africa, and any help you can give me is most appreciated! I know we are staying in luxury tents and lodges in game reserves, and the whole purpose is to see the animals (including birds). One place is at Victoria Falls, another is in Botswana on the island of Xaxaba, and the third is in the Phinda private game reserve in the Maputaland region. I have web links to these places, but that's all I know for now. That and the fact that I am limited to 25 pounds in a 30" duffle bag....That will be tricky.
K- Are you having a local RU in May even though there is one April 28 in College Station? Why don't you just go to the CS one and meet people from here and around the state?
The link Mahnot provided took me to "Garden Talk" or "Home Talk"... The much ado link.....
Gotta go to bed now. Church tomorrow, and I slept in last week. Can't do that again....

Good Night, Murmur! I'm going to bed very shortly myself. I'm pooped.

Wow, Ceejay. That trip sounds like so much fun. Please share all of your wonderful pictures.

I'm not going to be available this year for the date of the RU. Th thinng at my house just kind of 'happened'. It was suggested by another memberrr, seconded and sounded like fun to me. So, it may be just a small group of folks that couldn't make it to the big one. It's really not a RU...just a chance to get together, eat and meet each other and trade a few plants.

Hope everyone is well tonight. I'm off to sleep.

Sweet dreams, Ceejay.

Sweet dreams, knolan and Murmur.

I just get here, and everybody's leaving. Sheesh !

Bama, we're all glad that you didn't have to experience going
through the mess that blew through your state.

Not much new here - got back from my daughter's house a bit ago,
signed on to see what you're all up to, and by the time I got done
reading everybody skipped town. Is it me? :o)

I slipped Greta a Benadryl tonight so she can sleep well.
We're having a big drop in the temperature and the poor thing has
been sticking close to her bed all evening.

Didn't see the moon eclipse tonight. Oh, well - there'll be another one
soon enough.

Take care, all. Ciao for now.

Is anyone up?

I guess everyone is in sack by now..

Bama hope your getting rest. prayers for you both.

Ceej. are you going to Kenya or to far up?? Husbands daughter, hus., son missionaires in cameroon-Mbalmayo.. nothing when went there 14 + yrs ago they have church built, school , dormitories ,cook house, other buidings. in large compound now to. they have lovely home built. Most all well no all white couples left when they first got there could not cope very primitive when they went.told this all so boring again.. they do have visitng ones to come not to stay. Her husband loves it there and son 9.. shes well has to be there so..

thinking of you all. blessings everyone..

Twyla

Well, I'm still up...because of an upset stomach. Went out to dinner yesterday and think some remoulade sauce made me sick. DH and I both had BBQ turkey; but he had BBQ sauce, and he's fine. I feel as if I've lost 5 pounds overnight.

KNolan...a suggestion for your lamp: You can get a primer for use on ceramic or other slick surfaces (don't know the brand, but I know it exists). Cover the whole thing with that, including the shiny metal parts. You'll also need oil-based metallic gold paint and oil-based wood stain, preferably two colors...one lighter, one darker. With a small sponge, dab the gold paint on. You want it to be a bit "splotchy," but you do want every inch to be covered. It looks like the lamp has four flat sides. If there are an even number, that means you can use the two different wood stains...alternating dark with lighter as you brush them on once the paint is thoroughly dry. Use the darker stain on the metal parts. It will probably take a loooong time for the stain to dry. (When I say looooong, I mean it might take as much as two weeks. I think that's about the length of time it took when I put wood stain over flat latex paint. It might even be longer over oil paint, but it would be worth the wait.) Once thoroughly dry, then seal with polyurethane. And when that's dry, I'd do one more step: Using your finger, put gold Rub 'n' Buff along the edges of each section. It would be a good idea to practice first on an old china plate or something such as a ceramic pot. Mind you...I've never done this technique myself :) but I looked at that lamp and thought that was what I'd do if it were mine. In fact, I'm going to try this on an old lamp. If you want, my lamp can be the guinea pig, and I'll let you know how it works. If it comes out ok, I'll post a photo. I still need to get a photo of the floor lamp I painted and stained.

My fireplace was covered with Behr's textured white paint (with sand), and then I stained it with oil-based wood stain. That also came out really, really nice. The textured paint is the same kind I used in the Casbahth (in case you remember that), but it was smoothed out more on the fireplace. Hidden underneath this finish is hideously ugly lavender ceramic tile.

I think way back in 1948 the family who built this house got a special deal on the world's ugliest tile. The bathroom downstairs was done in mauve; one bathroom upstairs is black with swirls of gray; the other is bright peach. All were more matte than shiny, and all had lighter swirls in them.

The screened porch was covered in the same kind of tile, but in a variety of different colors, including green. For years they waxed the tile until it looked terra cotta colored..almost brown. There was no way I could continue waxing with all the furniture and the fountain in place, so over time some of the tile colors are showing through. Oddly enough, people ooh and aah over this mishmash of colors out there.

There's a large front porch that was also covered--I think--in the same variety of colors. However, it's now weathered to such a degree that all the surface has been removed, and the tiles are now sandy both in texture and color; but you can still see some faint swirls.

Oh drat. My tummy is still not happy. I hope it's better by brunch time. Sunday brunch is a meal we both look forward to every week. That's my "treat" day! Plans today call for a fritatta and pork chops seasoned with mojo.

I reeeally need to try for some sleep now.

Good to hear from you, Bama. I'm so sorry about the disastrous storms up there. Thank goodness your immediate area was spared; you've got enough to contend with right now. ((((BB))))

Had to cancel DH's chemo for tomorrow. He is still fighting off the pneumonia and is running a temp of 100.8 today. I figured that if the chemo bottoms out his immune system before we get a handle on the pneumonia, he would be up the proverbial creek without a paddle. The onco on-call agreed with me. Es[pecially since DH is not eating and was borderline anmeic when released from the hospital. He also agreed with me that the hospcie nurses ought to be able to draw his labs prior to treatment when we do schedule his chemo...that way if he isn't up to having the chemo, we don't have to make an ambulance run just for labs and then send him right back home. It ws $400 for them to bring him home from the hosptial, so I really don't want to be running back and forth uneccssarily. Besides, it is hard on him to be moved.

I hurt my back a little last night cleaning him up. He had an upset tummy and it was like the worst dirty diaper I ever changed...multiplied by 165 lbs of dead weight. I was rushign to get it all done as quickly as I could becuase it hurts him to be on his side like that. I had so much adrenaline rushing through me that I managed to pull him on the drawsheet to one side without Bear's help. Bear had his hands full just holding DH up on his side, so I grabbed the sheet and pullled hard. Today my back is saying something about "YOU @$%&*@#$ IDIOT! It's just a little sore....I didn't reinjure the disk or rile up the sciatica, but I need to remember that I am NOT Wonder Woman....no matter what my mind says....my body says I am a 47 year old woman with health issues.

Bama so sorry you are having this to do alone. be careful we soon find out the hard way we are not super woman.Been there done that.

Everyone take care be well, thinking of you all.

Bama - what a nightmare. You and you're poor DH (and Bear) are realling going through the worst of the worst. I'd want hospice out for the labs, too. I hope your back gets betterrr meuy pronto. Ya'll are all in my prayers.

Biv, I hope your tummy is better today. There's nothing worse than a little bout of food poisoning. That idea for the lamp sounds really neat. Time consuming, but sounds like it would be worth the effort. I might follow along with you when you decide to do your project.

Can I join you for brunch? Reading that got my tummy grumbly.

It's a beautiful day here but chilly.

Giant moo kitties! Hilarious! Guess you won the old grump over!! The tornados sure caused some hearache, but I'm so glad your place came out OK!

Fly, love Slingblade. Even have it on a VHS tape. What a party! Have em big while you're young cause the older you get the quieter you want it kept. At least I do! It's the big 5-0 this year and it's a meaningless number to me.

Renetalynn, hopefully they got all the cancer and you're done. Too bad about the big limbs. Right outside of town there is a Sycamore leaning. I told DH I could hear it cry. Then he said it was probably crying while waving it's branches in a frantic attempt to not fall over. Well I had to laugh. But it looks like it's roots hurt. It's a huge tree. No camera naturally. You wait. The perfect dog will find you!

Knolan, I would have been in shock to find all my roses gone. I'm glad they redeemed themselves.

CJ, you are a very nice person. I'm sure she felt bad, but she needs to read her sheet before she helps again!

Biv, sounds like you are good at refinishing. Me I'd learn to love the color! No art or talent in me :(( Hope you get over your upset stomach.

Bama, right now you are Wonder Woman!! Have you tried the new heat bandages that stick to you? I think they work really good on sore muscles. We had the Proctor and Gamble ones' and they really heat up. The cheaper ones don't get quite as hot. Try to get it on the right place the first time because they don't stick as well the second time.

Hope, I love your ''card''

It's a suny chilly day. If there wasn't any snow on the ground I'd walk around the yard. Right now there is nothing to see. I hung a load of towels and blanketes on the line. Sure feels good to do that. My fingers sure got cold tho. There's a clothesline thread somewhere. I need to find it and post my clothes hanging, with a snowy yard!

Bama, Wonder Woman is not about physical strength, but strength of character......and woman...you need a cape, and tights, and that little belt with the 'W' on it !
Hope you can find some joy in these difficult days you're going through.

Biv, hope you could eat your fritatta and pork chop with mojo, not sure what your mojo is.......speaking of mojo.....I about lost mine today. I was in the garage, the Mazda was out, and I was soldering on one of my copper trellises. I'm working away with my little proprane torch and the dang thing started acting flaky, it wouldn't shut off completely, but it looked like it did. So, I laid it down and forgot about it, walked by it and started smelling something burning. It was my bottom of my jeans! I always thought I would know what to do if I were on fire, but you kind of panic. I start swatting and swearing, I think they go together, and finally ran over to the hose, which is what I should have done first. It really shook me up.

BP, Happy Birthday early!!! Oh, to be 50 again heehee

Rena, hope all will be well in your next checkup.

K, bummer about the rose bushes!
When I have the tree trimmers come out, I tie white ribbons around the trees I want trimmed.

Fly, I actually started laughing out loud. But I'm laughing with you, not at you! That was funny! Here, you could have sat in the snow! Thanks for the B'day wishes!

Sheeeeeesh, Fly! How scary that must have been! I'm just glad the hose was handy.

Mojo is a Cuban seasoning (so the "j" is an "h" sound), and you'll find versions of it in other places, too. It's made of vinegar loaded with herbs and garlic...very tasty on pork and chicken.

DH was the brunch preparer today, so there was no fritatta. We had eggs over easy, fried potatoes, the mojo pork chops and cornbread. He did a good job, and I was able to eat; but I didn't really enjoy it. Afterwards, I felt as if there was a hamster running around its exercise wheel in my abdomen. I'll probably have Lipton's Extra Noodle Noodle Soup for dinner tonight. I think that's all my stomach and I can handle. Phooey. I'd really looked forward to making a super dinner. I finally took a nap this afternoon and should sleep like I'm drugged tonight! I hate losing sleep; it's bad for those in good health and even worse for those with health problems.

Bama, when we run on sheer willpower, we tend to overdo things; and you obviously have tremendous willpower! Please accept any and all help offered so that you don't hurt yourself.

Good luck, Nata!

OMG, Fly - you caught yourself on fire? We're just going to start calling you Michael Jackson. How scary! Remember, drop and roll....drop and roll. Thank goodness you're alright.

I just woke up from a long nap and my brain is fuzzy. I'll check back later when I've drained all the goop from my thoughts.

Liar, liar, pants on fire! Hot cross buns.... LOL! Seriously, glad your hot patootie is OK.
biv - Do you think maybe it's the flu instead of food poisoning? I'd think you would be feeling better by now....
I've been cleaning out my email (like I have time to do that right now!) It's kind of like when you open the closet door looking for something and before you know it, you're cleaning the closet. But I found some good recipes friends had sent at my request, and I had forgotten them. Now I am hungry for Maxine's Pumpkin Crunch Cake!
Mahnot - Can you repost that link? I want to see what's going on (nosy) and the other one doesn't take me to the right place. Maybe Admin has changed it. Weird.
I looked out for the rust colored moon that we were supposed to have last night and it was just plain ole white.
bp - I don't do arts and crafts either. You and I can commiserate. I grew up in Nebraska, and I hated snow at this time of the year. Winter just plain lasted too long in my opinion. Hated the black chunks of snow lying around at Easter time....
Bama - You are some kind of wonder woman. I hope you'll be able to take some time for yourself - to just find some enjoyment in the things you like to do. You need some down time. Please don't forget yourself in all of this... It is always a treat to see that you've posted. Then I know that you are relaxing with friends.
Hope - Did you ever reschedule that appointment when you got snowed (or iced) out and couldn't make it? I hope your knee is feeling better. How's the weather up there? It should be getting a little more spring like. I used to live in Edmond. And I remember that it really could go either way, but usually nice.
Nata - Did you have to have radiation or chemo? Could they tell if the second tumor was different from the first? I was very fortunate. Mine was found with the new digital mammography, small and contained. Lumpectomy with no chemo or radiation. That was three years ago.

MsFly, ignore that nasty woman behind the curtain !!!!
I feel for you, even if SHE doesn't. How heartless. Didn't she say
she was going to church today too???? Sheesh. Some days a
person just can't get any sympathy from anywhere.

Ceejay, you have mail. I'm so glad to hear you and Rena both are
now OK. There's so much that can go wrong with these bodies of ours.
It's a wonder they last as long as they do.
Okay, so where's the recipe for Maxine's Pumpkin Crunch Cake?

Bama, it's a good thing you had Bear at home to help. Even a slightly
injured back is no laughing matter. I couldn't live without Ben-Gay myself.

MsBiv - so sad about your poor tummy. I remember when doctors would
take people off of all pork when they were ill because it's so hard to digest.

oops - gotta run - forgot I have to be by my daughter's by 8 PM today so
she can take her shower and then have a snack and watch her English
comedies. See ya later.

Thanks you Mahnot, I'm glad someone takes my near death experience seriously!

Oh, BC is so scary.....I'm glad both of you are okay.

Yep, give up the recipe!

IMahnot, I meant to tell you earlier...the stencil, they usually aren't that big, you just place it halfway to make the stem longer or more flowers, does that make sense? But let each part dry first.....just making sure you knew that lol.

Fly, very scary so glad your ok..

the woman she is no nurse does phone, sits in when his wife not there makes appt. . was suppose to call me been 3 weeks or longer. so when i can get into seeing him i will some how hint she never called me!! what pain i have been in..

i have 2 other appts. though important to. now forgot so i have to call in morning get times days.

I gave twins shower and shampooed their little heads for school tomorrow and great news when daughter picked up Brittany (10) have 5 days this week.. busy busy.. they hang on me any way. only tuesday thursday free have thru next monday..suppose to be warmer hope so try have them help me rake clean yard up some.

Everyone take care.. blessings. Thinking of you all.

Hi, Twyla - Yep, if you don't stand up for yourself,
nobody else will. Hope you get in to see the doctor and
all is well.

Ms Fly - Yeah, I know about making the stems longer. The problem
is that the flowers are tiny, LOL. I'll just paint one on a piece of
cardboard and take it out to the fence with me as a model and do
them freehand on the fence. Maybe I'll paint a whole flowerbed back
there - it's in the deep shade. Hope my SIL goes along with it.

Look what I found in my FAVs yesterday:

http://www.petfinder.com/fotos/TX320/TX320.4758779-1-x.jpg

It's Greta Louise, at the shelter ! Now, who could say NO to that face?

That looks JUST like my next door neighbor's 6 month old pup, 'Bella'. I couldn't say no to that dog for nuthin'. R goes over on Wednesdays and Thursdays to take care of her and Zach....the blind diabetic dog. It took him a looooong time to adjust to Bella. Poor thing. So, that's what Greta Louise looks like? She's a beaut!

Thank you, knolan. She said to me, "So, get yourself over here!!!"

And I bet you ran as fast as you could!

I just have to tell this story about my Mema and her dog. About 6 years ago, Mema had to put her 17 year old mutt down. That dog was such the companion to her, a gentle, loving and loyal dog. She grieved for months and said she never ever wanted another dog again.

Around that time, I was keeping children and had to pick my kindergarten boys up from school. These are the greatest boys ever....they still come to see me all of the time. As soon as they came out of the building they were screaming, "Ms. Kristi, Ms. Kristi, the teacher found a dog at recess and is hiding her in the bathroom!" Well, we went in to talk to the teacher and she was in fact, trying to hide it until after school and planned on taking it to Special Pals. I said no way! We've got to try and find the owner. She was a little full blooded Pomeranian. The boys were so happy that we were bringing her home. We made signs, posted them all over the place and waite. Nothing. This little dog was fully potty trained, wouldn't jump on the furniture (until we invited her to) and was so playful. She was also well groomed so I just knew that she had to belong to someone. After a month, no one claimed her so I just figured, well, we have a new dog (much to my DH's dismay).

I talk to Mema every day, come rain or shine. I had told her about the dog but never asked or hinted to her that she might take it. When I told her that I had finally exhausted all of my resources of finding the owner she (very quietly) asked, "Do you think she'd like me?" A few days later I drove the dog over there and it was love at first sight. Mema cooks for her, gives her water in a glass with ice. It's just worked out so well. She can't drive at all anymore because of severe macular degeneration and this dog has been the best thing in the world for her. They take care of each other.

Well, I didn't intend for that to be a long winded story.

I'll be fighting sleep tonight because of my long 2 hour nap. I fell into such a heavy sleep that it took a couple of hours to shake off the sleepies.

I love her! I can see why she's worth all the $$$$$. Precious!
M - What's with "the curtain"? Maybe I'm just dense today. And maybe tomorrow too!

Well, K. You and Mahnot and any other of the night owls can chat. I'm going to bed now. Say good night, CJ. Good night, CJ.
Ha! Corny!

Goodnight, Ceejay. That's not a curtain - that's the chain link
fence at the animal shelter.

Knolan, what a wonderful story. You're not long-winded, you're just
relating events as they happened. Thanks for the story - lucky doggie!

G'night, John Boy, I mean, Ceejay.

Oh, Mahnot, that's such a precious face! It looks as if she's been painted to get that perfect mask and contrast outlining her ears. No...you really couldn't have passed her up, that's for sure.

I still don't feel exactly wonderful, but I really must get out in the cold, cruel world today. There's been a glitch with one of the travertine tiles I found for my client's sunroom (doesn't come in the size I need), so I'm going to have to go to another source...about 15 miles of heavy traffic from here. And the salesman at the wholesale place hasn't called me with some prices I need. I'm beginning to think he doesn't check his messages. What's with these people anyway? I get so frustrated when I have to depend on people who aren't reliable.

(Mutter, mutter, grumble, gripe, groan, carp, complain, sputter)

the cancer in the right breast was a lump and easy. The one in the left was scattered and that's why it took two operations to get it... they didn't get it all the first time. I had to do radiation on my left breast because of the scattering.

Nada, I'm glad you made it through okay.

Here's something lovely to put a smile on your faces. This gentleman is 79 years old and he's an 8 time champion.

http://www.kitelife.com/videos/demo/bethell_promo.htm

WOW... that is just cool

Hello.

Rena, I'm so glad you're OK now. Any luck with the
Great Puppy Hunt?

Ms Biv - So sorry you're still not up to par. Dealing with inefficient
people is so much more frustrating when you are an organized
person yourself. I'm not organized, but it drives even me bonkers.

Knolan, WOW - that is so cool ! Thanks.

Bright and sunny here today. Gotta go help my SIL in when the dryer
stops. He needs a hand pruning some old half dead peach trees.
I think they need to be cut down, but he doesn't want to do it.
They really are half dead and will never produce again, and don't
even look decent anymore either. Oh, well. Not my trees.

Oops - there's the dryer. Gotta run.
Hope you all have a lovely day. Ciao for now.

CJ, I'm glad I'm not the only one that isn't crafty. I wish I was. DH is talented.

Hope, so sorry about your pain. I think you are as much a Wonder Woman as Bama is. You do so much. I hope you get to feeling better.

Aawww Mahnot, Greta Louise is a cutie, but look at those paws!! I can imagine her saying just that!

Knolan...... SOB, I love happy endings. I cried over the elephants on Festival last night. (Channel 12 asking for donations.) Two elephants hadn't seen each other since they were in the circus together 30 years ago. It was that long since the one had even seen another elephant. The first night, they had their trunks thru the bars and when they got to be in the same pen hugged each other with their trunks. I love elephants. So CJ, I was serious about you kissing one for me in S. Africa :))

Biv, sorry you still don't feel well. That and incompetence on top of it. Grumble away!

Ciao Mahnot!

It's been a long day of not doing much, even tho I was busy most of the time. I was playing around with the camera. Here's me, sitting in DH's retirement gift. He put them together, but needs to sand and stain. Then we squared up my plant stand he's building. I better be good at starting flowers by seed because he's worked hard on it.

Oh, that's an awesome picture, Billy! You'e like me....I LOVE elephants. I'll have to show you my new elephant quilt. Did you ever hear the story (and this is true) about a train in India hitting a herd of elephants. Well, elephants came from over 200 miles and there were tears in their eyes. Ah, that story makes me cry. I'll have to find that elephant link to this art gallerry. Stunning!

Hello. I'm back. Nice chairs, Billy. I can see you out on the
front porch now, enjoying the evening breeze and a pina colada.

Personally, I don't think elephants belong in captivity, nor do any
of God's creatures, unless they are near extinction and it is some
kind of program to bring their population back up or to eradicate
some disease or genetic something or other. Love elephants.

Just got back from my daughter's house with about 5 huge loads
of laundry. Stripped down the whole bed, top to bottom, put on clean
sheets, etc.., swept, made mint tea for her and put it in small bottles
so she can stick one in her pocket, fed the dog and cats, etc.........
Now I'm too tired to do my own stuff, LOL. Maybe I'll take a nap.

Nothing new here. I'm glad - I don't want the camera crews here.
See ya later.

my mom collects elephants. she has all kinds.

love the chairs...

no.. haven't found the perfect pet yet. Have found a couple I would dearly love but $400-$600 is a bit too steep for me. Even rescues are asking $200.00.... Have never really paid for a dog before. Have had dogs since I was a kid with hardley any years without at least one around. Once had 5!