Best/ worse/ ? did you learn today #28visit with friends...

I've kept myself busy these past hours playing with mapquest..now I've organized the world:

To my house..
Ruby 12 hrs.
Jeannine 12 1/2 hrs.
Judy 10 hrs.
Carol 2 hrs.
Shar 14 hrs.
Gita 10 hrs.
Vicki 15 hrs.
Cat 18 hrs.
Dawn 38 hrs.
Rachel 40 hrs.
Liz 40 hrs.
Laura * no calculation - 2 hr. drive from airport
Trop 13 hrs.
Gillian * no calculation - 2 hr. drive from airport

so, figure out who can pick who up and look forward to a garden party this summer/fall...lol...

Darlene just called to tell me a friend, Bruce Barry (64) passed away from a massive heart attack last night...he was a Chartered Accountant who was well to do..sold his cottage which was down from my home and bought a farm in Penetanguishene which is about 1/2 hr. from my present home...was going to close his business in the city where he lived full time later this year, and then retirement, travelling etc. the fun time ahead of him.. he was so much fun..always making one smile and bring laughter with him on each visit....I'll miss him...

so sorry to hear that betty. gosh the flow of life can be so hard! you know it happens but still, when it does it hits hard.

well two hours to the airport for you betty and then a 16 hour flight and 16000 miles! oh wait, thats from america, not sure about canada.

you know iwouldnt have a clue as to what zone i am...
south east victoria, hmmmm nope, dont know.... lol geography was not one of my better subjects. i think we can growmost things here. i was thinking maybe tubs of them if i can find them. do they do well in tubs? full sun or shade?

Oh Betty, I'm sorry to hear of so many of your friends passing away. I guess it's a lesson for us all though to live life so that we have no regrets.

I've been busy for the past few days scouring ebay for some nintendo games for my sister. I've been buying things on ebay for just over 5 years and have been telling my family about the things I've bought. Now, my mom and sisters figure that I can look for things for them too. I guess they don't want to take the plunge and open an account. I don't mind though, I just have to remind myself not to go all spend-crazy on things for me.

I've also been spending some time on a babywearing site that I like - and drooling over a beautiful babywearing wrap. I've decided I'm going to splurge and get it, I'm just having a hard time deciding what length I should get. I really wish I had known more about babywearing when my first was born.

I went into the school today to do my regular Wed. morning music time. We started with rhythm instruments today. Of course that means lots of noise but also lots of fun. I'm really lucky that I'm able to go in. The kids always get a kick out of Ella too. I've learned that I need to put her in my back carrier though or else she'll try to take things out of the students' desks.

I have really enjoyed seeing all the flower posts. It sort of makes me anxious for spring. However, I love the winter so I'll enjoy it for now. I do want to start my seeds earlier than I did last year though. I bought a self-watering seed starter to help (my tomato seedlings did not appreciate getting a little dried out last year - I think I was too wrapped up in my hoya cuttings that received last spring.) I loved those blue poppies. I think I may have to look into getting some.

Judy - I'm sure that Sonora would be thrilled to make some stockings. I'm happy to cover the cost/shipping. Just let me know.

Betty - I'm not sure what we'll be doing this summer. We may take a trip out west if my mom's family has a reunion this summer. If not, we're definitely going to Thunder Bay. If we head south, I will definitely let you know when it will be. Sonora was in heaven last year.

I know I had more I wanted to say. I'll have to try to get on the computer later on tonight to finish.

Hi Gillian..question..what is a babywearing wrap..my niece just told us she's expecting..could you provide me with the site??? sounds cool..

And yes, please let me know if you come south.back door always open..make yourself at home...lol

That time of day, must change telephone over to my home and off I go..Lord I wish I didn't have painting tonight..could do with just sitting on the couch...oh well, once they arrive and get into their projects I get another spurt of energy..

Betty,

Do you realize that it took ONLY 5 days to get to 218 Posts on Thread #27????
The first Post was on Jan 11. The 218th Post was on Jan. 16th! WOW!!!!!! Do we yak--or do we yak!!!!

Betty, If you are hoping for a get-together among all us folks--it better be a half-way point somewhere. Seems I am the "closest" one......at 10 hours. HA!!!! NONE of us will be driving those distances--even though in our hearts we would love to.

And--to everyone here dreaming about what color bridesmaid dresses they would look good in------------------:o(--------------------still no response! It has now been a week and a half. Enough time for a quick response--if HE wished to do so. Also--the letter has NOT been returned as undeliverable. I will just be "biding my time" on this. Then--I will have to realize that HE did not want to re-connect and bring up old "stuff"..........
I DO still get a bit excited (every day) when I see the Mailman come. SO!!!!! You all will just have to just hang in there with me!

Let me see if I can find another great picture to post for you......................

OK! This is the "Salty Dawg Saloon" on the Homer Spit. It is a MUST for a stop for some of their home-brewed beer that they bottle and serve in recycled juice bottles. NO! You are NOT allowed to take one home with you. There are one dollar bills stuffed in every nook and cranny in this place. I kept thinking that someone could rob this place and walk off with a few hundred$$$. It is just not so in Homer! People leave their homes unlocked so friends can come and go if they are away. I found this a bit strange....but they DO!

It seems to be a custom in several other bars/pubs in Alaska to do this. There is another one (somewhere--can't think of the name) we have been to that is half sunken into the ground at an angle as a result of the 1964 Mega-Earthquake. Seriously! The bar tilts down--so you better hang on to your beer! I would have to dig through my Photo Albums to find the name of this one--BUT---here, you have to stop just to gawk at all the things people have felt compelled to leave behind. Bras--underwear--coins--sentiments written on the most bizarre things, all hanging from the ceiling and the walls! SOLID! EVERY inch of space! All we did was drop a few nickels down into the wall.

Just FYI--The Homer Spit is a 5 mile long spit into the sea. One of two, this long, in the World! There is only one other --and it is somewhere in the Orient. A "Spit" is a thin strip of land that projects into the sea. In Homer, it is the most visited attraction for tourists. It is chock-full of all kinds of shops and shanties as well as bars and restaurants. That is also where the "Eagle Lady" has lived for some 30 years. At the very end of "The Spit" is a really great restaurant called--what else?--"The Lands End". Great food! Great view! Great beer! It is also from where the Ferry takes off for other wonderful excursions along the Bay.

SO! Here is one picture of the inside of the "Salty Dawg" bar on Homer Spit.

Here is another one.

In the last photo, you will notice that all the $$ bills are attached to an old tire.

Since the reason I went to AK that Summer (2006) was because our cousin and her husband from Latvia FINALLY made the trip to see Alaska (my sister paid ALL their expenses) and I wanted SOOOO to see them again!
SO! What did we leave on the walls of the "Salty Dawg Saloon"????? My cousin's son's business card. We all wrote greetings on it in Latvian and added it to the rims of the old tire.

So--Here is a picture of it.


This message was edited Jan 16, 2008 7:21 PM

I just want all of you to know that I enjoy sharing this kind if stuff with you all a 100% better than talking about what is going on in my life (good or bad) every day.

Not minimizing all the therapeutic stuff going on here with all your "Best and Worst" theme. It is just NOT my way of sharing........I DO love reading all about all your lives---I am just NOT great at sharing all that from my life. Basically--There is NOTHING of interest happening in MY life! It is pretty Ho--Hum! And the rest? Who cares anyway?

Love, Gita

No such thing as best/worse and what did I learn theme...we love all posting and enjoy hearing about everyones day, trips, dreams, sorrows..so you are a welcome addition to our group..please continue to post photo's of some of your travels...yes we were a little gabby and I so enjoyed the photo's and the information as did everyone else...bet there was some antique bills on that wall??? perhaps of value???

Now Gita your friend I'm sure is getting the courage to write back..you probably caught him off guard...

As for a get together, it was just something fun to do to get an idea where you all live...know that someone in the crowd is thinking of vacationing this side of the border and my town could be the town..lol

I'm going to be short and sweet tonight...no painters, well one so she said she'd not stay..have the chills so off to bed I go..

Best of my day...guess today it would be the 'no painting'
Worse..hearing about Bruce Barry..so very sad..
What did I learn today..Paul has a minor accident this morning so CAA picked up his vehicle and dropped him off at a rental agency, then just about 20 miles from the office the rental had a flat, then the lawyer who he was meeting with who did the 2nd proposal on the Barrie bldg. did not make the meeting so we knew when he came in that he'd be blowing his stack...Nope, he came in as calm as could be, said pretend I'm not here, came and asked me if there was any fires I needed to put out (meaning urgent calls) thanked me and quietly went into his office..so, I was surprised to learn he can keep his cool..lol...

Hope you've all had a wonderful day..enjoy your evening..I'm off to a warm bed...not even bringing gardening books alongs with me...can you imagine that...perhaps I'll be up early and will gab for a little while...

night / night

Gita..loved reading about your Alaska trip and the Eagle Lady..I spent some time today reading about her.
The flowers on the Norman Lowell Gallery were fabulous..I wonder if they give them a lot of fertilzer..they were so lush.
Nice photo of you enjoying the blooms.

Betty..I am sorry to hear another friend has passed away. I'll bet you are thinking deeply about all your friends and wondering why this is happening at once.

I went for a walk today and took some photos of the creek down the road.

another shot from the bridge

and along the road

starzz beautiful pictures! Wish I had been there.

Thanks Ves..the sun was out and it was so nice to walk in the fresh air.

evening all,
betty, sorry to hear about bruce, and holy cow 40 hours that a whole week! guess the western states better car pool lol are you getting sick? maby because of the bad news.

gita, that was a neat place, look at all that money bet it has some great stories behind it to

carol, just beautiful shots you have a knack for pictures!

gilli, you have been busy nice to see you post do you still have lots of snow

just yawning away have to go turn in

everyone have a great evening

OOOOOOOHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! SNOW!!!!!!!! WE HAVE SNOW...JUST STARTED A FEW MINUTES AGO........OMG, SNOW!`

Rats. If I were still teaching, I would have a snow day tomorrow.

Come to think of it I don't even get a spring break anymore.

Hmmmmmmm,

OK, anyway....Gita, my dear....you said it. I loved talking about daylilies and sharing pictures of them....but .....I have a hard time posting about my day, too. I can talk about Ethan's antics, and fun things with him, but it is not easy to talk about my life.....so, Yes....I agree with you, Gita.

However, I feel free enough with this group to know that it doesn't matter. And I hope you feel that way too. They don't seem to care if I say much more than hello....just as long as I let them know that I am here and checking in.

And trust me, as long as you have stopped by to say Hi....then we don't worry nearly as much as we do when you don't post at all.
And as I write, I am wondering where Rachel is right now.
See what I mean? We are all worried about our Tangie, where is she, yet not a one of us has ever seen her face to face.

Psychiatrists would have a wild time with us. They would not believe that we don't need them nearly as much as we need whatever it is that we have on this crazy thread with each other,

Life is really funny.....Since April I have been on a new venture, one that I am traveling alone for the first time in almost 40 years. No matter what kind of craziness the days brought, I always know I could check in here and feel like I have some sort of invisible support.

Hard to explain, and not necessary to explain, probably. Anyway ...thanks to all of you, and to Gita for being here.... and for letting us know it is OK for me to talk about daylilies all day if I want to and it is OK for Gita to talk about Alaska all she wants.

I can talk about other things just as well as daylilies...and I am sure you can too. I would like to see more of GG's quilts. I have about 50 hand made quilts from my grandmothers and my mother. I love quilts.
I want to see sunsets from Australia, and flowers from California, and all of Ruby's husband's daylilies......

And I want to know whatever everybody else likes to talk about.
Off my soap box now...I am going out to see the snow again!
Hugs....
S

Gosh! You all to seem to have such big properties!!!! No wonder you can play around and plan your Gardens and expand beds and plant new shrubs and trees. I am SOOOOO jealous!!!!

Here I am, in my development begging for more space not to be had!!!! You all talk about acres and acres---my whole property is only 65'x100'!!!!! On it sits everything that I call my own--the house, the patio, the driveway, the shed, my 2 trees, and all my flower beds. Truly--it is not enough for an avid gardener like me, but that is why I always say that I have NO room for anything new!

I am content, though, with the way things are, and also frustrated. I look at it all and say--I made all this with my own two hands--from scratch! From all the red clay that was there--and nothing else. For a year and a half I went to the woods behind me--every day with my wheelbarrow--and scratched and scraped and dug into the humus and the rich soil around the tree roots and hauled it back to my garden-to-be. And then they cleared it all and built the next section of our development. But! I had gotten a great start to my Garden.

I befriended a couple of the guys doing all the clearing. The told me wonderful stories about the farm that the land used to be. John (one of the bulldozer guys) would point to "nothing" and say, "That is where the bee hives used to be". Or--"That is where the horse barns were". In the winter, I used to take him cups of hot coffee. In the Summer--cold beers. And sometimes--he would bring me a scoop of good topsoil.

It is all gone now! Yes! My house also robbed this wonderful Farm of what it used to be. I hear it used to be a farm that housed show horses. I also heard that, one house away from mine, there used to be a lake. That is why THOSE houses got a double foundation built, as basically, this whole area used to be a Marsh and a wetland.
That is why it is called "White Marsh". The BIG, fabulous White Marsh Mall (only 5 min. from my house) is bordered by the small White Marsh Run--a stream that intersects many places of where we all call home. Many street names and development names around here reflect the "marsh" thing.

When they started building houses and business parks around here, or developments, they all have fenced in drainage ponds. There are just so many natural springs around here. Water, water everywhere.......

Five houses away from me is a High School. Further down the road is the Middle School and one mile down--is the Elementary School. One good reason we moved here, as we already had our two daughters.

This area has never, never stopped being developed in all the 38 years I have lived here. It is now THE place to live! Sure! I love the convenience---but, all I have to do is drive 5 minutes to the North, and all i see are white fences and horse farms and country.
It is a magical area I live in, but it is also so sad. All the farms and the orchards are being razed for development. The old folks are too old to continue farming--and the younguns are not interested. So--They take their couple million $$$ and sell out. Can't say I blame them. Guaranteed retirement funds!

It is not unusual to drive and see condos and townhouses across the street from a still existing, functioning farm here. We still have roadside stands that sell produce and Nurseries that hold yearly, Community fall festivals. I can still drive 10 minutes and buy farm-fresh eggs and chicken...or freshly picked peaches and apples.

When we moved here there was not even an I-95! Rt. #40 was the only road east or west. There was NO Beltway (#695) going around Baltimore and there was NO Inner Harbor--now a tourist mecca.
I once saw a picture in a publication of an intersection that is only a mile from my house. It blew me away!!! There were two dirt roads crossing each other and a few houses/buildings on either side. Now both of these roads are 4 lanes and major East and West routes. One of them is Rt. #1.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm....Wonder what got me into this reminiscing........Hope you all did not mind! I DO still love this almost, but no longer, country area I live in.

Thanks for listening! Gita

Shar--we cross posted! Weird! Just as I was reminiscing--you said it was OK!

Thanks for validating the many things I feel passionate about, as the post I just made above attests to. I LOVE you for saying all you just said!

We went to Australia in 1988. There were two things about being "DOWN UNDER" that I will never forget. The night sky looked ALL different! There were just so many more stars and we all were so curious to find the "Southern Cross"!
AND--The first thing i checked out as I got off the plane is to see if the water in their toilets really, really swirls the other way!
Here's the scoop!!!!! It does not swirl at all! It just all gushes straight down! Their toilets (at least then) were all different! What a letdown!!!!!.........:o(

So much for additional philosophy for tonight!

Hey, Wonder!!!!! Is this still true????? What ARE your toilets like nowadays????
Entertain us! Remember--on DG, ALL is OK to discuss!!!!!

Gita

Exactly what I meant, Gita. I love it! Thanks.

As you can see- I am also getting more and more into this bunch of people. Didn't use to.....

Have you notices a slight shift to more "Gardeny" stuff here lately????? That may be why i am liking it more and more.....It is still hard to keep up with all the posts, though!

Here is my "Bob Hope" Cammelia by my front steps.....This one has set many a heart on DG a Pitter Patter. Somewhere in Georgia, there is a man (Mike) growing about 30 cuttings from this one that i sent him a year ago, Made him the happiest man on Earth!! The blooms on this are awesome! And--to think--I bought it at my HD!

Posting this for YOU, Shar!!!!! Gita

Oh, Gita.......how did you know that my mouth is watering for a camellia. That is so beautiful. My friend Gloria has an article on DG coming out pretty soon, I think, and it is all about camellias. She is in Alabama, and they bloom practically all winter there....she knows how much I want one so she sends me pictures all the time. I am going to get one for myself this spring, and it is going to be RED!!! Yours is gorgeous.

What about yours during the winter? What do you do with it this time of year?

I was in Massachusetts in September and it seemed that your area is just a bit chillier than mine.

OK, I wanta see more, Gita...please.

Edited to say that Gloria's article will be in February, and it is an excellent article, you will love it and it has great pictures, too.

This message was edited Jan 16, 2008 11:55 PM

hahahahahaha the toilet still just gush on down... we cant believe how high your water level is in your loo's! its so high! hahah if i sat on that well needless to say my caboose would be wet!
we just have a little water in the bottom..... and flush down it goes... dont like the idea of a lot of water swilling around there mixin it all up... ok, will stop there.... hahahahahahah

our summer skies are wonderful, so many stars..... fresh air.... lots of good things. if anyone decides to come on over, let me know for sure!

glad i have three days off now, seeing my DD tomorrow so hope it goes well.
youngest DD is going to have a 3D ultrasound on tuesday so i will try and download a pic and post it!

hugzzzz

x

morning all,

laura, omg lol that was good!! will be thinking of you hope all can be resolved have fun three days what are you going to do anything fun.

shar, omg you to snow... well im just going to have to get the cement and build my permanent snowman lol ahh your post is very well said i agree! and speaking of havent heard from dawn hope she is ok to.. shar that tree bark(from the article you wrote) is it suppose to be soft and pliable? or did i get the wrong one?lol

gita camilia is so pretty i have a pink one i know all the girls have lots of property we live similar to you streets full of houses and our lot size is 50x100 only ones who have more feet is the corner houses i dont know if i could work more yard space lol bad enough i have gardners, have you tried those blue poppy's if so did you have ant success?

now i wonder what judy is up to?

Sharran, you said it when you were speaking of Psychiatrists. I was in therapy all of my adult life until I bought a computer and hooked to the Internet. I spent about six or so years in a live chat room but then found Dave's and I haven't been back to chat room since. I still have friends from the room that I keep in touch with, but just don't go there to chat any longer.

I just stumbled upon this room a few weeks ago and feel as though I was accepted right off the bat. Thank you all for making me feel that way. I am active in the depression room on here too where we do discuss emotional things going on in our lives. There is one lady in there who for many months after I started going there would compare us as being twins. I guess that I would talk about things going on in my life that would make her stop and think and she realized that some of the "secrets" that she was keeping to herself, were not so bad to get out in the open. When she was able to finally open up about one sore spot in her life, she was amazed at how many of the others were going through things very much the same as herself.

I don't have a problem sharing about some intimate sorts of things. I suppose that comes from spending so many years in therapy. I have also been a member of some self help groups over the years too in which there was no way for me to get better with my issues unless I talked about them and opened the dialogue for others to tell me how they handled something similar in their lives.

I am all for "to each his own" and respect that others want to keep some things to themselves. I admit that now I am thinking about it, I realize that I have some things that I do not yet feel comfortable discussing with anyone else. Most likely when the planets are aligned just right or something such as that, I will find it necessary to open some dialogue with someone. The way it usually works is that either I will finally be comfortable enough or miserable enough to bring up a topic on my own, or someone else does and I am helped solving my issue by replying to who ever has posted. If that makes any sense to you all.

Betty, your offer to host a party sounds great. I will have to get out an atlas and take a look to see what would be involved in trying to come that direction. My husband John and I have vacationed several times in Cape Cod Massachusetts with a friend that I met in the live chat room that I used to participate in. They have been some of my best vacations.

Anyway, the weather forecast here today is for snow. It will be our first this year. I visited the jam packed grocery store yesterday and bought the things that I dont want to run out of today. I was supposed to go and visit with my grand daugher today, but that won't be happening. I can hopefully do that tomorrow.

I hope that everyone will have a great day. Take care.

Ruby

Betty, I am so sorry about the loss of your friend. We are here for you!

Starzz - Beautiful pictures. So peaceful and tranquil looking!


It's SNOWING!!!!! I wish I had my camera so I could take a picture cause I'm sure it won't last! Ruby, I know you're getting a ton! Our ground is already covered and it's only been an hour. Unfortunately, the weatherman said it's going to stop and turn into rain or freezing rain. WAAAAAAAAAA! I want to go home and play with Murphy in the snow!!!!!

I got all the way to work this morning, got out of the truck and realized I had left my laptop at home. So I loaded back in the truck and went all the way back home to get it. Thankfully, I live fairly close to work so it wasn't too bad, but the snow had started and the roads were getting yucky. If I liver further away, I would have stayed home!!!

Well, gotta get some work done. Ruby, we can carpool to Betty's! LOL

Jeannine there are about 4 of you who could carpool..lol..see some of the Canadian beauty as well..got to work at 8:30 this morning..roads were so clear, traffic lighter..decided I had better apply for my birth certificate..apparently I can fax it and it will be quicker..you all remember that I couldn't get my passport because I had laminated the birth certificate..so, this morning I filled in everything and went up to the law office upstairs and had the lawyer sign..of course they made it into a big production, didn't just sign it, made a notary sheet saying they had seen the original..must go up at lunch and pick it up..don't know the cost but probably will be one..the off it goes..as soon as I receive it I'll head back to the passport office..

Had a good night sleep last night, alarm went off and I thought why not watch my 2 ministry shows, well that was ok for about 2 secs..fell back asleep and didn't wake till 6:10 then it was a rush...

Payday today, that always brings a smile..even though it's already gone..painting class on Sat./birthday gift/having Paul's stained glass framed/groceries..voila..no more money...lol...same for everyone I would say..just nice to know have the $$$ to do it..and just incase I had a few bucks left..am sure the Sam (lawyer) will want a few...

I so enjoy learning about your areas..much the same..years ago once would leave the city of Toronto boundaries and for virtually 50 miles or so it would be farm land..the city has outgrown it's boundaries as has Barrie which is moving south, so from the time I leave here to Barrie I doubt there would be many farms..infact..notice a sign the other day saying that a parcel of land 1,500 acres had been sold..see some action going on so you can be sure it will be subdivisions...even 2 years ago when I started here, for about 20 miles north of here there was rarely a slowdown, now there is thousands/thousands of homes and it's bumper to bumper traffic..not sure where one would have to move to get away from high volume traffic or housing..

Gita, we often talk of crafts and other things we're up to when gardening season is over..our bonding love for gardening keeps us together and in each others lives...as someone said, just gabbing and knowing someone is at the other end who cares...I always know that if I had a problem I could come here and all would offer words of wisdom...

I've did learn much these past few days..know more about the lilies and want to go in search of some particular types you mentioned..I know now about toilets in Australia..lol..how the skies are brighter as well...I know that Carol lives near a beautiful creek...I know so very much about you all...I've come to care and love you all...

I read the posts, I know when an avid poster is not posting that perhaps they are having difficulties and will try to call..it's almost as though we can feel hurt/anxiety/excitement etc. through these keys...

Shar has a better way with words and she's said it all...regardless of our personal preference for what we share with others we have one thing in common and that is friendship..my door is always open to any of you!!!

Regardless of what you want to post, we are here willing to view it...

betty, you to have some wonderful posts dp so enjoy reading...

jeannine omg feel so isolated here just green with envy everyone gets to enjoy their weather..

still at home omg the biggest issue..
was on time dh came home for a minute in the big rig said he stopped in for a minute
said just great i know what im doing when i get home snaking the sewer line again, i looked and the garage sink was filling, the bath tub, the shower in the bedroom so i kept a eye on it by the time i was to leave the sink was just rising and the tub, went into the bedroom omg bathroom flooded and was running out onto the carpet, after crying and screaming trying to get dh on the phone, he told me to unscrew the cap out back to release some pressure oh it released pressure as well as everything else yuck i would of rather fell in a pond!!!! so now that all is cleaned outside and carpet is cleaned i can go to work ahhhh the start of a wonderful day,,,
hope your day is filled with good things

Betty,

I hope you have not misunderstood what I said. I have LOVED reading all about the crafts--yours and Liz's and Shars. What an education! And--I also like to read all the stories of your lives--it is just that i am not one to write much about my life, not that there is anything to write about....

Gardening and plants is and always has been my pasion, so I tend to yak more about all that.

XoXo--Gita

You keep yakking and posting photo's...love the stories...

Doesn't matter what anyone writes I love it all. Shows all the differences and similarities in our lives. Love the pictures also.

I have been reading DG this morning, writing out checks and carried wood to the stove. In about an hour will take the mail to the mailbox and throw wood in the house. How is that for not much going on.

Liz you had too much going on this morning. What a bad way to start the day. Hope it gets better. We had to clean the chimny last night. I was starting to worry about it and not sleeping good. Told DH it needed done before we get the snow predicted. He's not going to want to get on the roof then for sure. It is done for another month longer if the weather stays cool and I can burn hotter fires.

I can write about most anything if I think anyone is interested if not then I am quiet. But I could be tired also like yesterday when I got home from doing truck. This morning I woke up with foggy brain and I think it is finally lifting. LOL

Time to go and pretent to do something.

Snow stopped and it's now raining. WAAAAA! It was pretty while it lasted! I think Ruby is still gettting good up in Crozet - which is only an hour west of me.

Good Morning...

Gita, Just want to say...I am so glad you do like to talk of your Gardens. And your trips and anything else you want to talk about...
... I love to tell stories and here is one for you, will try and keep it short.

I came to DG, was so confused (overwhelmed) Lurked all over the place for well over a year. Then Betty came along and everywhere she Posted I read what she had to say. Then one day I decided to D-mail her in order to meet her. (Cause believe it or not...I am so shy it's rediculous) Also, because of various issues I have had I am basically afraid of my own shadow. I am telling you if we were all in the same room with other people and I didn't know what any of you looked like... I would be the one in the back watching, Well anyway, Betty so lovingly coaxed me into reading this Here thread...Slowly I got up enough courage to say a few things. But yep, Everyone here is delightul and we have come quite aways to be ourselves.

LOL, my everyday is so boring you would fall alseep to hearing of my normal everyday routine...But, the Best thing about my everyday routine is All of you in this Forum...So keep coming and chatting about whatever because We love you too, That goes for ANYONE reading.

Ok, now I will Be quiet and listen.

Be back in bit.

Too cute Judy..thanks..you always make me feel special..

This must be a mutual admiration society..we're all getting a pat on the shoulder..lol..

Anyway, was thinking of Laura and her talking about 'snail mail' and it came to me this morning that if I looked in my top drawer I would see my sketched watercolor note cards and I could sit here and put some genesis on them and send you all a note...was going to go to the Dollarama to pick up a little frame incase you all wish to save the photo but it would be heavy and cost 5 X's what the frame would be..so am sure that some of you who would want to frame it will do so...

My labtec camera that I use to gab with girlfriend in Ireland takes photo's but not the best..you might get an idea though what they look like...

I'll show you the sketch and then I'll show you one that just got painted..how's that for occupying my day...

Using pen and ink method...

Not good photo's..

Weather is heavy here today..feels like rain but they are calling for high winds and snow..

Vicki, so glad you had the chimney area cleaned..my brother lost his house last year for fire in the chimney..they were lucky to escape with their lives..on the other hand...through the 15 years of having his home his insurance company changed providers a few times and they said he wasn't covered..still fighting it..but all of his papers of course burnt..so, please be careful with those hot fires...know they make you feel comfy but can be dangerous as well..

Ruby are you now getting Jeannine's snow? Want to see snowmen tonight? lol... Went to a support group as well Ruby (actually I started it) and had a municipal hired therapist from Gravenhurst attend out meetings...most of us had recently lost our husbands and were have major difficulties adjusting..with every one sharing it made us realize that what we were feeling individually was not unusual..made our feelings more acceptable .. no one person goes without mental stress...it's wonderful that people are more accepting to some degree to those who cannot take the same amount of stress..it does however, show in many other areas of their lives I would think...sounds as though you are well prepared for Mr. Winter today..enjoying being inside even though it is to pay bills..lol..not a fun thing to do though...


Gita it is fun to have big properties except of course when we have to upkeep them..by the time I start Friday afternoon and finish Sunday night it's almost time to start again..but so love the outdoors and grass cutting (mowing) has to be one of my favorite ways to relax..really....

Carol, what beautiful photo's..should be on a card or calendar..that's an idea..should make a calendar..how about each of you sending me your favorite photo..either your home, garden, special site or even yourself..you could even do a little write up or caption that I could include and I'll myself a calendar..how about it..off you go in search of a photo..please/please....

OMG Liz, you sure are having problems this morning (and it's early/early morning for you)..let's hope your day improves...wouldn't these problems be enough to take the day off..lordy, think I would have mixed that cement that you were going to form a snowman AND fill those sewer pipes..might help for awhile...NOT...you must be just besides yourself..didn't you have problems with same last week? You'll probably have to get a plumber in this time...

Shar and Gita..not sure I've ever heard of cammelia's..will have to check them out to see if we would be able to plant them..love the color..are they much like hollyhocks? Think I've seeded last fall hundreds of hollyhock seeds but think I'll not see any flowers for a few years yet..my girlfriend Diane has them all along the side of her house..absolutely spectacular...

Betty, That is because You are Special!

You all are. LOL in all my blab, forgot to say it.

Anyway, You know i was very sorry to hear of the loss of your friend. I am really glad that you have great memories...Now your cards a beautiful, like I would expect anything less.
Speaking of Beautiful...Carol, you ever thinking of sending your scenery photo's to a calander market..WOW Spectacular! Oh gosh, also I thought your tiny snowman was just adorable...Was glad to hear your neighbor learned the song and lil sister learned the how speacial is that-thanks for sharing the picture.

Oh, Liz...What a major Bummmer on your plumbing issues! Didn't you just have that fixed nt very long ago? Hate to say it but maybe the pipes have to be changed. Poor baby, you didn't need that for sure. LOL, you will have fun making that Cement Snowman...just think you can dress him up at every holiday change. Lets see Valentines Day a Bow and arrow and cupid wings! Easter some Bunny Ears...just to name a few ideas...You have been really tired early lately, Hmmm hope your not getting sick. Better take it EASY after work...you know sit on the couch.

Shar, I love how you write. You always seem to cover what i am thinking, only I don't say it as well...hahha, even if I did it would be next week by the time i figured it out, next subject! Are you still writing for the news letter? You know, I sure hope Tangi can feel our vibes and is healing...I just know she will come back as soon as she can.

Sending Hello to all, will be gone this afternoon...We have a company party! If they remember, will announce my 20th anniversay. Will be great to visit with people from the other floors.

Have a great day everyone.

After reading your posts this morning, I concluded that we all share what we need to share. And the best part of being able to do that is in this group, nobody cares if we jump from camellias to claustrophobia, from painting Santas to potting soil. And the other really good thing is that if somebody is crying early in the morning, by the time evening gets here and she has read the posts of the day, she is laughing out loud.

So, yep, Ruby....it is a form of therapy. Strange that we all feel comfortable, because I would not be comfortable in a room full of strangers if I had tears in my eyes and if my heart were breaking. And Ruby, being new, just fit right in. I found myself looking up Crozet in the atlas last night. Never had heard of it till a few days ago, and now I could get there without a problem. And Betty has all of us down to miles and minutes.

We might post on other threads, for whatever reason...and we might find one or two people we are comfortable with.....but whoever heard of an entire group like this who really likes each other, with no questions asked.

Our society in this day and age, would say this is not a safe practice, that opening our hearts and lives to perfect strangers is not a good thing. Well, society doesn't know us.

If I were looking for a twin within this group, I am not sure I could pick one. All of you touch my heart in different ways. I am like Gita in that I don't have anything to scream or rant or rave about that would be interesting enough to write about.....but I sure can write about daylilies and camellias. And I am like Liz in that I am a collector of what someone else would call totally useless things. But to me they are treasures. And I am like Betty in that I spend my last dollar on other people, plus the artistic thing. I am like Seed in that I like to put little collections like pictures into an artistic endeavor....scrapbooks, collages, etc. And whoever heard of an old lady crying just because she couldn't drive 2 hours to meet somebody she had never seen for breakfast.
And there is Jeannine and her love of quilts....she and I could talk for a year about that very subject and still have words left over.
Ves and Starzz...our gardens and our beautiful landscapes.....whether it is snow or sunshine.
Now I really don't want to talk to Laura about her toilet, but oh how I love to hear about australia. I might not have mentioned this...(probably did since I talk about everything I know) but years ago I started a collection of little kangaroos...even have one that lives on my denim slouch hat. And all her aborigine art, remember the .....ok I have forgotten its name...digga something.....musical instrument that she got for her hubby....I love things like that.
And Rachel.....she is the sweetest thing, and working like a slave for her friends, worrying about them and their lost farm and animals.....I do that too.
Gilly reminds me of myself when I was many many years younger....all the school stuff she mentions...well, I know all about schools.

This is a terribly long post, and you are already bored to death....and I have left out some important people that I don't mean to leave out, but if I scroll back up to see who, I will pull a Betty and stop to look at a photo, and lose this toooooooo looooooooong post, and heaven knows I could never write it again.

I had snow last night, yes...was lovely at 2 a.m. I got up at 9 to go out and play in it, put my boots on, my long johns, looked outside, and wouldn't you know, that snow is nowhere to be found. I think I sent it to Ruby! Rats! And I dearly love my fuzzy boots. think I will wear them all day anyway, who's gonna know or care????
Hugs...
S

Oh....Dawn....we both love the color red....lots of other things in common, too, but that one stays in my mind.

Liz, I forgot to answer....the river birch bark is much like paper. It is pliable, and is very bendable when wet, but if you bend it when dry, it cracks or tears.

Seed, yes, I will have more articles...the next one you will like because it is sort of a craft form you can do with kids, but it relates to seeds.

Well, it might be that one, but I am also writing about a house plant that I have tried to rid myself of for maybe 30 years. The silly thing won't die. So whichever I finish first will come up next. I will let you know when, thanks for asking.

will be back later this evening.....I have my boots on, things to do, places to go.....