Daily Photo Share and Chat - Part II

Happy "Day After Thanksgiving" Everyone! This photo isn't an AV or Gessie plant but I just have to show it. This is a gift I found in my kitchen when we returned from our trip to South Florida. My next door neighbors were taking care of our kitties while we were away for two days and they left me this Beautiful Yellow Cymbidium Orchid! I love it! I sure hope I can keep it alive! These are the nicest neighbors .... they stay so busy all year, he is assistant pastor at their church and she works at the church. I mow their lawn every week when I do mine and they are very appreciative. We watch their house and cat when they go away and they do the same for us. Great neighbors .... and they know I love plants!

This was budding last weekend and I forgot about it ... found it in full bloom when I got home today too. Don't know what kind of orchid this is .... one of my Wal-Mart clearance table plants! I've had this one about 5 or 6 years and it blooms twice a year.

Now .... This photo is not a Gessie either but I just have to show it. LOL. This is my nephew's dog "Bubba". He is a 2 yr old English Mastiff. I had not seen him since he was 7 mos old and he is one HUGE dog! He weighs 190 lbs and is on special food because the Vet says he is underweight! He is a Sweetheart of a dog. The Mastiff is known as the Gentle Giant .... they are soooo laid back and sweet! The dog looking out the door is my Sister & BIL's pure bred Yellow Lab who weighs 106 lbs.


Here's Bubba .....


edited to say: To give you an idea of size - my husband is 6' and 190 lbs. This dog standing on his hind legs, towers over my husband and is also 190 lbs!

This message was edited Nov 23, 2007 6:30 PM

Absolutely WONDERFUL pictures Lin and I have TRULY enjoyed following all your posts and stories.
I'm missing Gail alot these days and can't wait until she's back.
I haven't been posting much lately as I'm a little testy and edgy. I made it 2 days not smoking, smoked 3 cigarettes on Thanksgiving day but went right back to quitting today and so far today I'm smoke free again :) I'm trying to do the best I can but I have found that I don't feel like being real "chatty" right now. I can't wait to get back to myself but I really want to accomplish this VERY HARD feat first. I check in and read everything, I just am not posting much. Please all be patient with me and know I'm still "here". I have found that I have a very hard time concentrating and am easily distracted. I've been trying to go to bed as early as I can just to make it through the day. I want SO MUCH to not be smoking when my dad comes back next spring and I want the $20 a week for my "plant fund" so I am determined that I WILL get through this no matter what I have to go through.
If you all don't mind, would you say a little prayer for me that I am able to (for the first time in my life) remain smoke free :)
I have NEVER been able to not smoke, even when I was pregnant and when I was in the hospital having them (they used to have smoking rooms in the hospital believe it or not *lol*) so this is MAJOR for me.

Luv ya lots,
Kim

Bless you Kim! You are always in my thoughts and prayers, but I will pray especially hard for the smoke-free Kim!
Have you tried or considered trying hypnosis? I know a couple peo[le that did it and said it was instantaneous and with no withdrawal symptoms.

Lin... that dog is super-cool! He is indeed HUGE!

Kim: You don't have to ask twice, I will always keep you in my prayers! Please don't kick yourself or get down on yourself for smoking a few cigarettes. Remember .... nicotine is highly addictive and it takes awhile to get it completely out of your system! It's only natural to have the craving for it. I don't know of anyone who has been smoking for a long time who can just stop. There are cravings and withdrawal's from nicotine just like any other addictive substance. If those commit lozenges did not help (which if they taste gross, I can't imagine putting them in my mouth either) maybe you can ask your family doctor about that patch thing that's on the market? I don't know how expensive hypnosis is but I have heard it works for some people and not for others. I think you should ask your doctor about what is available first.

Don't feel bad about not wanting to chat much right now. Just know that we are all here when you do feel like talking! I hope your husband and kids try to be understanding about being testy and grouchy and not so happy right now. How old are your kids? Are they old enough to explain that it's not you but the withdrawal's from nicotine that is making you act that way? I hope they are able to understand. The short attention span and not being able to concentrate are probably part of the withdrawal too. Now, when you get as old as me, it will have something to do with age and not nicotine withdrawal. LOL.

Yes, quitting smoking is MAJOR and don't let anyone make you feel it is not! It will be a major accomplishment in your life when you are smoke free. Just remember, it isn't something that will happen overnight .... listen to me - I have absolutely no patience with many things at all! :)

Please check in with us once in awhile and let us know you are ok. Ok? I know you ARE Okay! Don't get discouraged! If you take a step or two backwards just remember you can go forward again ... it doesn't mean you have to give up all together!

((((((( Hugs )))))))

Lin

Karen: He is a HUGE but VERY cool dog! It was so amazing to be sitting there for a few hours with him in the room and then go somewhere and come back and it would just hit you again ....WOW, he is SO BIG! You should see him when he tries to lie down on the floor .... he actually quivers while lowering himself down to a sitting position and then kinda slides his front paws forward! I guess that's a lot of weight to lower. The father dog weighed 280 and the mom dog was 240 .... he will probably be 260 from what the vet says.


This is really so funny to watch. He walks over to the sofa or love seat and backs up and puts his butt on the seat and sits down like a person!

Ok, I promise, this is the last one: He likes to sleep on the Love Seat:

(((Kim))) I am so proud of you for trying so hard to quit smoking! There are some great support threads going over in the prayer forum and the healthy living forum, in case you need a little extra support from folks who've been there/done that. I've heard almost miraculous reports about a prescription drug called Chantrix -- have you asked your doc about it? Chomp carrot sticks, rake leaves, split wood, crochet furiously... whatever it takes to distract you and calm you to get you through the rough part... you know all those who love you are cheering you on and supporting you 110%!

(Connection here is iffy again... so if this is my only post this morning, it's not by design, LOL.)

Lin,
Nice puppy you have there. And very nice furniture set, looks exactly like mine which will finally be paid for in a month. Yeah! Very comfy, no wonder he loves it. Think of you every time I take care of the violets you gave me...still living. Ha. Thanks again.

Kim,
I am so proud of you. I don't smoke but watched it kill my mom at age 53. That was 23 years ago. So (I wasn't an RN then but am now) that you are even trying to quit is commendable and quite positive. Your life will be that much longer and healthier and you'll be able to care for all of those plants you're going to buy with the money you will save!!! I know it's not easy. Mom got down to one cig in morning and one at night before she died. Some of the nurses I know now that took care of her way back then told me that they'd go into her room at night and take her cigs out of her purse (she'd sneak in the bathroom and smoke during her hospital stay and make poor dad bring her more!!). Mom had an ornry streak in her. Anyway...I will pray for you and ...YOU GO GIRL!

Laura (Here's a pic of my two babies on their uncle's tractor--got some of their grandma's ornriness in them, can you tell!)

Hi All,
Well Kim if this makes you feel better as it does not me... I quit 17 years ago and in the past month when things got bad here, like my Rosa (dog) almost dying I picked up a smoke and have been smoking for a month now... NOT GOOD... My doctor gave me chatix to start and I so far have not... I quit cold turkey last time and hope to do the same this time... This is not a habit I want to keep again....
Kim, YOU CAN do this.... Will keep you in our prayers ...
Hugs,
Susan

Susan, start on that Chantrix Rx... I've heard such great reports on it! You CAN DO THIS too! *HUGS* to both of you.

Kim -You are in my thoughts and prayers. Habits of any kind are hard to break. Seems like the most important thing to have is 'want to' and you've got that! Keep up the good work!

Lin- I actually laughed out loud at the description and pic of the dog sitting on the sofa! And the expression on his face seemed to say" You know, this really isn't as funny as you think." Reminded me of a cat I used to have. He would sit on a little Rubbermaid stool with his front paws on the ground and look around with a sleepy contented look on his face. Your orchid blooms twice a year? I'm jealous! Looks like a Dendrobium hybrid. Beautiful color!

Here I am, Here I am. Well today is day 3 in a row :)
I wanted to respond to everyone as today I'm feeling like I can play on the computer for a little while and be "personable" *lol*
I decided not to do the Chantix because it's VERY expensive and there are side effects. Also, when you go off it there is another adjustment period. I pretty much decided I needed to do it with the help of God and Commit.
I have 2 friends that were hynotized and again that is expensive and although they both quit for a while, they are both back smoking. I feel that if I put myself through the misery I am going through I will remember what it was like and not put myself through it again. Commit made the most sense to me and was the most reasonable price wise. So far it is really working. Last Monday I tried to quit with NOTHING, I made it 8 hours and then I was at Rite Aid buying mints, lemon drops, Commit, St. John's Wort, and a pack of cigarettes shaking like a leaf. I smoked 4 or 5 cigarettes and decided I would try again Tuesday. I went Tuesday, Wednesday with NOT 1 cigarette! Well, then it was Thursday (Thanksgiivng) and I broke and smoked 3 cigarettes that day. Got up Friday morning and tried again. Made it Friday, and Saturday and so far today :) I AM SO determined to make it to Friday as it will make 1 complete week of being smoke free and I get my first $20 "funny money" payment. I am going to save as much "funny money" as I can so that when spring comes I can buy all kinds of new pots, soil and some new babies :)

I don't think I could even attempt this if it wasn't for my new light stand. I play plants for hours on end just to keep myself busy. Today I'm going to start some perennial seeds so that maybe I will have something to trade next spring. I won't have many houseplants because I am really just starting out with Gessie's and I'm starting out with babies. So I thought maybe i could try to start some neat perennial seeds that people might be interested in. Even though my episcia's are babies that I rooted from stolons from my friends here, a couple of them have made little "stolon" arms on their own. I am trying to propagate them. I have more to share but right now I'm going to start some seeds.

I'm going to come back real soon though and post some pictures!!! I just can't sit behind the computer for very long at a time because my mind keeps saying it's time to smoke. I have to be "involved" and not just type so taking pictures etc. this afternoon will be fun.

I want you all to know how much I appreciate you all being here and also how much I love the babies I have. I think I am mothering them too much but for right now I have to. They are really helping me get through my day. I don't know what I would do without them!!!

Luv 2 ya all!!!

Kim and Susan...

Go girls go!
Go girls go!
Go girls GO!!!!

You can BOTH do it!

Blooming today...

'Bristol's Party Boy'
I LOVE this one!

This message was edited Nov 25, 2007 4:01 PM

'Bristol's Petticoats'

Karen, that Party Boy is BEAUTIFUL!
Guess what? My Party Boy has a bud too :) Maybe they were brother's since they were purchased from the same nursery?

I have to say this out loud because I just found out but I am totally heart sick over Gail not being around!! I feel like I am mourning and my stomach feels upset. I don't even feel like posting and my eyes are all welled up. Can't post more cause I'm crying................

'Jason' still putting on quite a show!

That's all for now!

Karen

Yes, I miss Gail too. I hope she is well, and is just busy with family, etc.

I am also missing Amy! Has anyone heard from her (Raingazer) lately? I sent her a d-mail more than a week ago, and never heard back from her. I hope she is OK too!

Gail and Amy... please know you are missed and we thinking of you! Take care and God bless!

Karen

Karen, wish that it was because Gail is busy with family and plants but it's more than that and I'm broken hearted. Gail is one of the nicest ladies I have had the privilege to meet here at Dave's and has become like a "mom" to me. So this is totally tearing me apart and it's going to take me a while.

Hi All,
I just heard about Gail... That is awful... She has been nothing but kind to me... Showed me so much...
I have not started the smoking stuff... I close but don't know yet if that close to stoping... Last time I just went cold turkey ... This time I have a back up...LOL
Kim I am so proud of you... Keep it up... YOU CAN AND WILL DO THIS.... Has been a bad year her for me but I am not going to be a smoker for much longer.... I to will be right up there with you soon and I will then be a non smoker.....
Hugs,
Susan

Please tell me Gail is OK?! Doesn't sound good, whatever it is.

OK, I've missed something here...what happened to Gail, if I may ask?
Laura

Click on GessieGail's handle

Thanks Kim. ??? Hope she is OK too. Will keep her in my thoughts and prayers. Again, I'm real proud of you for trying, even if you have these little set backs, you are still trying. You're in my prayers too dear.
Laura

I see it says Gail has been removed from DG. I know she told me she was going to take a break for @ 6 weeks. I hope that is the case and that she removed herself. She is going through a tough time right now with some family situations.

Gail is one of the most generous, kind hearted individuals I have ever met and I will keep her in my thoughts and prayers. I will stay in contact with her through home e-mail.

And please, Lin, keep us updated??????

Lin- Please keep me posted about Gail. I will pray for her as well. And yes she is the sweetest person. Seems like she would be lots of fun in person as well. Will certainly miss her on here. Hope it's a short 6wks!
If there's anything else I can do besides pray please let me know.
Diane

Got this e-mail from Gail earlier this evening so I thought I would paste it here since it was meant for all of her friends. The following is the e-mail in it's entirety:


You are such good friends to care about me.  I am fine seriously and I do need a rest.  Please know if you don't hear from me in the next week, I love you!
 
I am going to take it easy, work on plants and as much as i would love to know what is going on at DG, I don't need to know.  Who knows?  I may say something that never lets me get back on in the spring or after Christmas (and we all know that is true (LOL)).
 
My attitude is that if someone likes you they can easily find 100 reasons to like you and, if they don't like you, they can come up with a 100 good reasons for you to never come back on DG.  At my age change is a difficult thing...........I may never learn the etiquette of a computer (LOL)
 
Love to all of you........
Be back soon to visit.......
gail

Thank you Lin! you're so thoughtful to post that- Please add my love to Gail when next you visit! I feel a little better now...

It had something to do with a photo contest... One thing lead to another and she was told to she could not be a member any more....
Susan

Oh, good, I'm glad to see an upbeat note from Gail! Admin has a policy (a good one, I think) about not disclosing all the details when somebody is removed, and I'm guessing it's almost never just about what you see on one post or one thread.

Critter,
Yes I know that is true... I just will miss her... She has helpped me much.... So do we get warnings if we are saying or typing something that is not proper? or do they just boot us? I am just asking for one time a couple months back I said something and I thought I was going to be a gonner....
Hug,s
Susan

Hi All;
This is suncoast peppermint cathy.
mrsbonnie

this is spellbound, not a very good picture, i'll try another one
mrsbonnie

msbonnie, I love suncoast peppermint cathy, very pretty bloom

Lin do I understand correctly from your post that Gail has just been asked to take a 6 week break from DG and then she will be given another chance??

I'm just catching up around here today and was stunned to read about all this. Gail's welcome to me back in May and her invite to join the bingo game along with her constant encouragement is what had me joining DG in the first place!! And since then she has been nothing but generous and kind with her advice and her trades! I will always be so thankful to her for her showing me with step by step d-mails how to make my own inexpensive grow light stands!!! She is a huge asset to DG and I can't wait for her to come back!!

I have taken some new pictures of things in bloom and I'll work on getting them re sized today so I can add to all your great pictures that you've been posting here!

Karen I have a Petticoats that I got in my last trade with Gail and I just love her, yours is gorgeous! Msbonnie I am into sinningias right now and you do a fabulous job with them.

Here is sinningia xandau x self...

~Brenda

Ohhhh Bren, that Xanadu is just SOOO cute! I love her coloring!
I don't have any sinningia's right now BUT..... maybe I will have some seeds coming *wink, wink* and I can TRY to grow some from seeds *lol*
I'm at work right now so I can't chat long.....shhhhh don't tell anyone. I plan to post some pictures and write for a while when I get home today. I get out of work at 3:00 :)
I just wanted to comment on your beautiful baby. Congratulations! I love the way she glistens :)

Sinningia,huh? I've never done those before. Looks very Episcia-ish. Love it!Can definitely see it's gesneriad-ey family roots.How do those work? Yea just great. Another KIND of plants to get started with! LOL