Best/Worse &What did I learnt today/Chat with Friends #40

Beautiful sunny day, they are calling for rain later today and tomorrow and ending on Sat. but for right now, I'm enjoying watching the planes leaving the airport dreaming of where they are flying to...perhaps one will be landing in your neighborhood..wish I was on it..

Typed out a long post this morning then Suzanne called and off I went, noticed I must not have pressed 'send' old age setting in..

Called Kim this morning and she's not doing well, can't understand why when you are at the hospital after your loved one has died that you have to go to the morgue to identify the body..what trauma..Mike is staying home with her, funeral probably won't be till Mon. or Tues. as her brother is flying in from the east and she is being cremated and so must wait till ashes are available..

Was thinking to myself, IF it's not raining as predicted on Saturday I wonder if it's too early to have garage sales??? maybe I could venture out to Barrie and have a peak and see...

Liz, will you only have this aft. off or do you start a long weekend? How ever many hours you have am sure they will be spent in the garden..it looks so pretty in the photo's you've posted..

Ruby, is DS still working on chores as per your agreement or is he faltering a bit? Dentist..yuk..although I was in early 20's when I lost all my teeth due to my being on 'deaths' door I've not really missed the dentist visits or the amount of money I hear some have to put out..

On the way to work this morning, you can almost see the leaves opening, that's how quickly the changes are happening..

I must get out and purchase different types of birdseed, I don't seem to be attracting many birds with the seeds I have, squirrels seem to be liking it though..

I'm rambling here, trying to keep awake, maybe I'll stop fighting, put my head back and grab a few winks..lol

Good Morning.
Up nice and early again. I am already at work! Sharing my cup of coffee with all of you.

Good to see you all. Enjoying the splender of your gardens. I know I have been enjoying the clean up. It is so much fun to uncover all the little buds coming through.
Got to smile in aticipation and pray my deer don't come for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Think I've told you what is gracing my gardens. They are simple mostly shade plants.
I have had some fun placing my little garden pieces out. Every year I try to place them in different spots in the yard. This year, however my knombes went in the same area, that of which is to be Sister J's neighborhood. Still working on that little house, roof is going on this weekend! I do plan on setting the post for Living birdhouse as well. Tired of waiting on DH so will do it myself. Anyway...

To answer some of your questions Betty. Yes...Definatley photo's will be in order for Julia's Prom. Hahah, I love photography and what better models than my kids, big smile there. Yes, LOL she has an escort. Not dating anyone specifically so going with a good ex boyfriend. She just wants to attend and have fun. She is so cute, said she even has a backup escort just in case, another good friend. And thank goodness they do not want a limo which is the big ride. Dad will be the driver.

John Cougar Mellencamp is one of my very favorite Rockin Roll Artists. He is From Indiana, so his heart is into Farmland and family traditions. Maybe that is why I love Johnny. Back in the early 80's he Hosted a huge Benefit for the fight for American Farmlands to receive help from the government. He won musical awards for his work on that. Whoohoo, he's got a new CD coming out soon so i am excited for when that hits.

Oh, gosh Betty so sorry about your running out of gas, What a big bummer. Was glad to see though you were able to contact help. Hope the class went well.

My nephew came home last night so we visited about his trip and then hit the road. He was too excited about seeing his son. LOL said he was gonna wake him up as soon as he walked in the door. Being away from his baby for that long has been difficult so I am sure he will be glad to home.

Yahoo Liz, a shortened day for you. What are you going to do with the rest of your day?

Ok so I have been blabbing for quite the while. I am sure I've cross posted with someone so will be quiet and get to work.
LOL Really i have been back and forth since 8:00 this morning.
Enjoy the day.

I finally am getting some time on the computer. It seems that the only time I've had to check the thread lately has been around midnight. By that time I'm able to read what's going on but I'm too tired to post anything myself.

It's been quited exciting here for the past few days. Last week was hunt break so Keith and the kids were home from school. On Monday they went to school as normal. Keith stayed home sick on Tuesday though. Wednesday he called in sick as well but the school was closed for the morning due to a power outage on the island. The power was restored around 11:30 though so school was back on for the afternoon.

School was cancelled again today because of how the river's breaking up. The water level got really high overnight so the board wanted the kids to be with their families in case people did have to leave the island. It's crazy, on Monday, snowmobiles were still going across the river. By Tuesday evening there was still mostly ice but some open water near the shore in some areas. Wednesday morning some ice was still intact, other areas had ice jams and in other places the ice was flowing down river. Very early this morning a lot of the ice shifted and broke up some more. The water level has risen a lot since yesterday as well. Apparently, around 4 am today the water reached the level where an evacuation would be called. The emergency personnel decided to give it a couple more hours though and the water level dropped again. It's really interesting to see the ice movement. There are places where the ice/water is flowing opposite to the direction that it normally flows on one bank but then on the other bank it's flowing in the normal direction. It just depends where the ice jams are and the tide flow. Probably by next Monday the boats will be in the water.

I checked my perannial bed a couple of days ago and I have some little shoots coming up. It's so exciting to see green. Our back yard is going through its annual flooding. Tuesday morning it was full of snow and now it's full of water. There are parts where the water would go over my boots. It usually just takes a couple of weeks to dry out though, then I'll be able to get my vegetable garden ready - right now it's full of water. I'll work at getting my pictures on the computer later today.

Gilli,breakup almost completed for you and things will get back to normal..after seeing your photo this winter with the snow piled on the deck I often wondered if come spring you'd end up with flooding inside the house??? Our lakeways are open now as well..Doug (cousin) called to say his weekly Sunday afternoons on the water deck are back on..lol..seems as soon as the boats are in, everyone want to take a trip up the lakes and Doug's is the prime stop over visiting/have a beer location...it's a long winter for him up there (other than snowmobilers) so he's anxious for company...

When Keith is ill and unable to teach who replaces him? Do they have a standby instructor or does a parent take over?

Would imagine with the chance of flooding you have to be very watchful with the children..couldn't believe as well just how very quickly the snow melted..one week 4' and the next week 'gone'...the most exciting part of my day is also walking amongst the gardens and seeing what is peeping through and what has grown..you order plants/shrubs/seeds from various nurseries do you not? If I remember correctly, last year did you not have a zillion plants growing inside? Bet Ella is anxious to get out and start playing in the garden?

It's lunch time, better get myself up and out..
talk later..

Yesterday morning I went down to where the winter road started. I thought it was funny with all these vehicles there as though they were wanting to go across. Take note of the lamp post in the picture.

I took this picture of Sonora this morning. That lamp post is the same one that's in the picture from yesterday.

Wow, the water level is high!! Do you live nearby or are you more central...guess everyone has spring fever, all wanting to see the ice breakup...

2 more hours to go..lordy I WANT to go home..it's lovely out..went to the bank and enjoyed the walk ..

gillibean--

You all seem to lead a very harsh life--environment wise.
How do you cope? What is your "norm" that most of us could never imagine living?
I need to Google Moose factory and see exactly where it is! Wow! zone 2b!!!!!!

My sister lives in Homer, AK. A pretty moderate place--weather-wise, but even there, some of the women skin bears, hunt Moose, and almost everyone gets around in the winter on a snowmobile. Such a different lifestyle!

Please share with us some of the "difficulties" that are the "norm" to you.....

Thanks, Gita

Here's a small bridge by the lodge on the island. I think it will need repairs when the water returns to normal. The lodge where this bridge is has docks in the summer that you need to go down steps to get to. Yesterday afternoon there were eight steps visible. Some friends who were there yesterday said that over the course of about 1/2 hour the water rose over 2 of the steps. Today, water and ice are covering the steps plus the path to get there.

Hello Gita, you not working today? or is your shift over...my little seedlings are doing well..so anxious to see them in the garden, but it's not to be for some time..guess the flower/shrub dept. is in full swing at HD..I would imagine you see people at their best..all excited about gardening...yes/no?

Now that I've rested Mon./Tues. evening and I've had a late night Wedn. tonight I just might try and get some gardening in..don't want to work the soil for fear I'll hack up some possible flower growth..

Still no sign of rain so maybe a little raking might be in order...I loaned Cliff (Bernice's hubby) my leaf blower and mulcher so might have to take a visit over to pick it up, but know if I do that, there will go the evening as I'll be visiting not working..lol

Gilli, it's not a very wide river is it? When I lived on Georgian Bay our spring highlight was when they opened the locks both upper and lower and within hours the ice was shifted, broken and gone...funny how I was always 'sick' that day..can't go to work when you are ill right..so enjoyed that part of living on Trent Waterways..

Afternoon, gang. Sorry I haven't been on much lately. Been busy with the yard and am doing volunteer work to get my final Master Gardener certification. One of my classmates and I have been working one day a week at Belmont, home of artist Gary Melcher. It's such a lovely area. The MG program has both a butterfly garden and a nature trail there. I've been working mainly in the butterfly garden. The nature trail is a bit on the steep side for me at this point. They use that to train both MGs and the members of the VA Master Naturalist group. A program I may take next year. One bite at a time, LOL I've also worked at the local extension office where I answer gardening questions, pass out info, etc. Wasn't too lively until last week, but they have a marvelous library and I had a good time going thru a lot of the gardening books there. Pat (my MG buddy) and I also spent one day at the local RACSB nursery helping getting ready for one of the big annual MG plant sales. The funds go to help support the program there, the nursery and other buildings are for the training and support of some our local mentally challenged folk. They help out in the nursery etc. It was fun, really enjoyed the day. The sun was shining, there was a nice breeze and the lilac trees were in bloom down there. It smelled like heaven. I got quite a few plants, very nice stock. We're planning on going to both Chatham Manor and the Mary Washington House next week. We carpool, saves on gas and it's nice to have someone to chat with. I'm dying to get back to MWH. They have one of the finest antique rose gardens on the eastern seaboard.......yummy!! And now I get to play in it!! Oh yeah, that is too sweet!
We've also done a couple of Wiggly Worm programs. These are designed to introduce 1st and 3rd grades to earthworms and give them information on what earthworms do etc. I brought my own, LOL Our worm bin is going great guns. DH wants to add another bin, so the materials for the project are on the "list". We're getting a fair amount of casting showing on the sides of the bin. I understand from the pros in vermicomposting it really takes about 6 months to start harvesting, so we have a couple of months to go. The DGD was up to her elbows in the stuff, she doesn't think worms are yucky at all, they tickle.........LOL

Helllloooo, Betty!

I am off Thursdays and Fridays. Usually work early (6-1) on Saturdays and then 10-2 on Sundays in the garden--as a favor to my Manager.

I have done a bit of gardening this morning. had to run to Lowes (2 miles closer than my HD). I wanted to see if they had any red Fountain Grass in yet. Nope! Then my neighbor asked me to pick her up some seeds while I was there....I did--but forgot the Cucumbers....because I ran into another gardener there by the seed racks and was asking him about which Green Beans were the best. He seemed all informad---so I started raving about the DG web site and gave him one of the printed out DG "business cards"....He thanked me and put it in his wallet. YES! Scored another potential convert!!!
S0--I forgot the Cucumber seeds--GEESH! Had more important stuff to do!

Betty--I know our weather is warmer already than yours. I have, by now, taken ALL my seedling flats outside and have left them there all through the night too. But--we have had high 70's and even mid-80's lately. Nights have been in the upper 50's---so I think I am safe.
But--I am still leery--as I know how April can be here......We could have really cold temps at night in a flash! That is the worst thing aboput the east Coast. 80 degree days--and in the 30's at night---until Mother Nature settles down. May 10th--it is a given She will.....

I have planted my Tomatoes in their bed (6 of them) as they simply grew too tall to do anything else with them. Had to bury the stems an extra 6" as it was--they are growing so fast! I am ready with a bunch of 3gal. pots--if needed--to put over them should we get a cold night. Keeping my fingers crossed.......

Today--I planted my basils in a long, wooden window box. I keep the box on the ledge at my basement door. Up in the air--to keep the critters at bay. I still have to cover everything with plastic mesh fencing--as the squirrels can get to anything and are digging EVERYWHERE!!!!!! Looking for the phantom nuts and acorns they thing are buried everywhere! It is almost like free aeration of the lawns!

I am inside having a break--which is getting WAY too long......I MUST! MUST! plant up my Moon Vines and a couple of the Hyacinth Bean Vines today as they are soooo tall--wanting to vine around everything----and, every time I move the pots, I have to unwind their tendrils. I simply need to plant them--just can't decide which big pots to use and what to plant where......:o(

This time of year in the Garden is always so rushed--some things just HAVE TO be done!!!! Can't put them off.....

Betty--please wait until it is safe to put out your seedlings! Let them grow at least 2-3 permanrnt leaves before you plant them out...PLEASE! Or--You may just lose them all......I know it is hard for you--BUT, learn to be patient! Not everything can be done at the moment you think you want to do it!! I know that this is your life's Motto--BUT.......

OK! Back to work--in the Garden!

At this point--I want to re-post the poem I wrote several years ago (2003) about my Garden. It was one of those so-so Aprils. Snow still on the ground---me all impatient! Wondering if Spring will ever come....and so on...

Please--bare with me! I know most of you have already seen this, but this is just what we all are talking about here----wishing Spring would come. Impatient to plant everything outside--NOW! In 2003--it seemed it would never get here.....

SPRING

Make a wish for the sun to shine-
Let the days be yours and mine.
Flowers swaying in the breeze,
Birds all singing in the trees.

Snow to melt and grass to grow.
Tulip heads in my beds to show.
Geese on wings in the sky above
All living things-- so full of love.

The earth is stirring--my green grass grows
Daffodils blooming in pretty rows.
Robins hop, and sparrows nest--
Which fork in the tree will be the best?

I scan my garden and hope for the best,
That all will be well, before I rest.
Where soil is now--oh so bare!
My flowers will be fighting for a
place to share.


I worry and fret, I scan the scene,
Will it ever again soon be green?
Will roses bloom and lilacs sway
Their fragrance wafting over my way?

I have to remind me, day by day,
That nature always has her way.
Flowers grow--and seeds they sow,
And where they land....I do not know!

Here's a pansy--there's a mint!
Sunflowers!!!......I had no hint!
Here's a maple--there's a holly,
What's peeking out there?.....
It's Lily of the Valley!

I sit and I savor--on my porch swing I rest,
Again to my Garden, I have given my best.
My eyes and my senses caress all I see,
And, again, it has given it's all to me!

I look at the earth-- I look at the sky,
I see another summer flying bye.
I fear not!--worry not!...for you see,
There will always be another spring for me.

Love, Gita

April 8, 2003

This is a picture of our back yard from our back door. It was taken on Tuesday. Most of the snow that is in the picture has melted by now.

Betty - Right now our sump pump clicks in about every 1/2 hour. I'm not sure how we managed to not have the sump overflow during the power outage. I checked several times. I was out when the electricity was restored but Keith said that the pump ran for about 15 minutes to get all of the accumlated water out of the sump. I had put a bunch of towels on the floor around it just in case. Our houses have been built with the basement on grade and then earth bermed around them. I think that really helps any potential flooding issue too. When Keith is ill they either cancel French for the day or get a supply teacher. It's often difficult to get supply teachers here so sometimes one of the educational assistants will have to fill in.

I have started some plants indoors. Last year was my first time and I was not extremely successful. I'm hoping to have better luck this year. Sonora also started some seeds so it will be exciting for her as well.

Gita - There are definitely pros and cons to living here. I love the winter so I do appreciate that we have a good winter season here. The thing I find the hardest is the relative isolation from other communities and services. On the island we have a grocery store that also sells clothing. There's a gas station/ convenience store that also has a reduced-menu KFC/Pizza Hut. It also sells furniture, snowmobiles, boats and all terrain vehicles. There's also a very unique general store that sells food, tools, clothing, electronics, hunting/camping gear and pretty much anything else. There are also a couple of restaurants, a hockey arena and a curling pad. There's also a hospital that services our community and communities further up the coast. Moosonee is the community on the mainland and it has quite a few more services.

What I find frustrating is having to stock up on things that we can't get here and then lugging them back on the train. We also have to decide whether to rent a car when we travel or do we load ours on the barge to go across the river then load it on the train then have to do the reverse to come home. It's really awkward to leave the island. In the summer you need a boat in the winter a snowmobile. There are some places you can walk to in the winter but there's only so far you want to walk with three kids. To get to the closest city is a 5 hour train ride followed by a one hour drive (after getting to the train which involves getting across the river either by boat, car/snowmobile or helicopter, depending on the season).

I have to say that I really appreciate the slower pace here. All of the kids go home for lunch. If it's too far to walk, they are bussed. That means thay DH also gets to come home for lunch. I like the fact that before we had a car here I could call a taxi and get them to take DD to her friend's house if it was too far to walk. I just said the names of the parents and gave her $2. It's nice that my kids have lots of friends really close by. I grew up in the country where there weren't many other kids.

We're starting to get to the point where we're thinking that it would be nice to be in a place with more services. For now the benefits of staying here still outweight the inconveniences.

Wow, now is that the 'flooding' or is that a river..know you'll say melting and flooding right? At least from the sounds of your post, there are quite a few children that your children can play with..know your family visit from time to time and you get to come down here to visit them in the summer for an extended amount of time...and that's how I got you tovisit..yet another visit coming up..lol..I'll see a big change in the children, especially Ella, lordy she was walking around furniture when last you visited...

hello all

sorry i havnt been on much, havnt been well.
but i see you have all been busy getting ready for spring as we ease into winter... brrrrrr
have had ear infections and all sorts, nothing major just unpleasant.
sorry to hear the news betty... sad.
how are u doing shar?

started another bear, the mermaid bear did not go well, my DD took it home to see if something can be done. i think the person i bought it off had no idea on how to make a patten!! never mind.

all the family are well and gearing up for a cold winter.

its a public holiday here so husband is home and i am looking forward to spending time with him. My youngest DD is coming over and she is doing well with the pregnancy,

well must dash...

hello and hugs to you all....

xoooooooooooxxxxxxxx

RING RING! GITA!! this is julia...judy dd#1 (mamma told me to say that iono what it means). my plant is needs help!

can you tell me how to transplant? The container reads begonia dragon wing red. I dont know if thats actually what the plant is or not. I took a picture...if you could help me with anything i would very much appreciate it...pwease :)

~julia~

GEEZ!!!! This Post travels fast!!!!!

I no longer remember if I showed you the card I drew for my daughter, Benita, in Seattle who is turning 40 (waaaaa...my "baby"....waaaa) on April 29? She is the one who opened the pet supply business.

So as not to "marr" the insides of this card, I copied out my picture I took of the Cherry blossoms and folded it it in half. Then I "doodied" it up with some paper lace along the edges....

Wrote a sweet not in there for "MY BUTTERFLY" (she is a free soul and flits through life) and included $40 so she can go celebrate in style....

I am working on something else for her. It will be a "MEMORY" type of a thing.....LONG story--bur she will never forget it, no matter how long she lives......I know she will treasure this for the rest of her life!
Unfortunately--I have not been motivated--nor have I had the time to finish it. To work on creative things--one needs to be motivated to do it..........inspiring music........The right mindset...........No other "musts" on the mind.......relaxing time.....etc.......

Bummer! I've only had a half a year to work on this!!! Now that it is crunch time--in the garden as well as for her Birthday--I am running out of time.

Here is the card. First--the whole card.

And--here is a close-up of the butterfly......

Beautiful card Gita.
Are there three sequins on the buttefly or is it done with paint?
It is really special when you make a card yourself.

I enjoyed your poem about Spring too.

Well I have been working like crazy outside cleaning up the flower beds and putting the triple mix on top around and all the perennials. I have used up my half of the 10 yds I had delivered. My neighbour has most of his half left to do...but he works..so I will be patient.

I have the cutest little drumstick primrose blooming..it is smaller than in other years..but still sweet. Ice Follies daffodils are in full bloom...and a couple of tulips opened today..

I want to find some Lisianthus this season for my garden..or maybe put in apot.
I had one years ago in a pot..

I am really loving the hanging basket of Torenia (Wishbone flower). I am putting the plants I bought inside the garage at night and bringing them out to enjoy during the day.

Things are really growing fast with this weather we are having.

Have a good evening everyone.

This is Lisianthus from 2003.






This message was edited Apr 24, 2008 9:56 PM

Oh my gosh Jeanine I wish you lived near me, you would have my friend and Myra to console eachother, we always have these conversations. Yesterday we totally talked about this generation of kids that have the entitlement thing. My dh says all the young kids that come into his job young, get paid, like $27 an hour to start. There is a lot of nepatism and so they just graduate and get this great job. Then they whine and moan about how hard it is and how they are not doing this or that, it is someone elses turn....
The little bratts don't know what it is like to work at Taco Bell for minimum wage.

Also there are alot of young couples that bought their first home in the boom and had to have a brand new huge 2 story house and are now losing it, they have multiple new vehicles (when I have never had a brand new car in my life). WHAT IS UP WITH THIS ENTITLEMENT?

My son makes me want to beat him senceless and run bawling into my closet.

Laura, nice to see you post ..sorry you aren't feeling well..bummer that the teddy you were working on just didn't work out..perhaps you are right about the pattern no being accurate..a holiday, that's wonderful, always nice to spend time with family..before you know it, you'll be a grandma again..don't think you ever answered me as to what your winter weather entails? Here I'm in jammies ready to go to bed and you are starting your Friday...but then, I still have Friday to look forward to..lol

Gita, did enjoy your poem and you are creative..we must never think less of ourselves..you are indeed artistic and your daughter will love the fact that you made it especially for her...

Carol, you must be nearing the end of your winter cleaning out in the garden..you'e quite a bit of property right..know I was thinking and don't think my yard size half compares to yours that there is something to be said about 'apartment living'.. your neighbor will make it and the hours he saves you will allow you more time for playing..you just reminded me, time to go bring in all the plants I purchased a few weekends ago to decorate the back deck cafe...getting mighty cold tonigh, infact I just turned up the heat...we hit a high of 73 here but temps are dropping quickly..

Best of today..walking a lunch time and stopping to watch the birds looking for worms...chirping away, not a care in the world..(I know/I know my life is getting mighty boring if that's my best) lol

Worse of today..talking with Kim about her mom and Sharon about the death of my dad a few years ago..she's just not dealing with things very well

What did I learn...some of my plants are droooooping, must pick up sterofoam cups and transplant them or they'll not survive till the end of May..I think this is a lot of work, might have been easier to go shopping mid May..but I'll continue my nightly trek to check up on them, talk to them, water them and see what becomes of them..

Wow Doc, here I am gabbing about my little seedling and you are going for your Master Gardener degree...I'm impressed...what made you decide to follow this goal? Did you start out just enjoying gardening..my love of gardening is really just playing,planting here and there with really no thought to the outcome..then when I see a plant not doing well, I find it a new home..sometimes I've planted the tall in front and the short in the back..a learning process I'm sure..perhaps I should be reading those little labels more closely...nice way of fundraising..our church in town on the 1st Sat. of June has a plant/shrub sale and I'm their best customer..lol...they usually are sold out by 10:30 and they start at 8:00am and some silly girl is sitting there in her car watching for the 1st opportunity of spending $100 - $150.00..all for a good cause...hmmmm Imagine, starting a worm farm, I'm not good with worms...they look too much like snakes..Sunday as I was working outside Missy was making quite a sound, when I looked at her she had a snake in her mouth and guess she wanted to show me what a great hunter she was..she dropped it and I put her in the house, went for a shovel - yuk - only to find out the snake was gone when I returned..so it must have been playing possum...getting back to your worm farm, it's purpose is to better the soil? I truly am not knowledgeable in any of this, not composting or many of the methods you all use..probably because I'm always playing crafts..so please excuse ...I'm willing to learn though and Judy I'm sure you would love to as well...

I'm falling asleep as we gab, only work till 1 tomorrow so perhaps they can fit me in later in the aft. for a perm and cut..let's hope before somebody gives me a witchy name...

Thanks for keeping me company today, you are great friends and it was much appreciated...

yeah Doc I am wondering what made such a lofty aspiration from a Chiropractor to a career working with the Navy to retiring to be a Master Gardener? Do Tell. I thank you for your tips btw, just spent the day yesterday working with all of it and tweaking my resume. School will almost be over for good.

Shar I don't want you to be all torn up, but there is not much we can do or even you, yourself about that dark place. Understandable and sometimes we need to grieve it like it just happend again, in order to keep the connection still alive in their physical absense. He is still important in your life and influences things even today, I am sure.

You know we are thinking about you and praying.

Dawn, you know 'sweetie' you always make my day..you have such a fun attitude with regards to life...I'd better win that lottery tomorrow night so I can bring you that new car..promise..will give me a chance to travel to California right?

I often ask my grandsons if they know how lucky they are..they want for nothing, they have everything, new homes, vehicles, snowmobiles, atv's, boats etc.etc. and I just don't know if they even comprehend how much work the parents have to do in order to provide for them..a few times I've heard Kyle or Noah say, my Dad comes home and sleeps half the evening...hello/hello he's up half the night doing pricing for jobs, in at work for 6am to make sure his crew have all their jobs and supplies in tact..he's travelling all around meeting with different companies..yes, I know why he falls asleep at 8..so I try to explain this to them..these things just don't drop into their laps, somebody has had to work hard to it..their mother is much the same, works hard as well..I don't put up with their attitude for very long, I just un-invite them when I hear them being less than thankfull..think the've learned by now that one must show respect or they are out of here...I spoil them rotten, but I don't allow them to be sassy...

Not long ago they were all here for supper and Kyle was being quite verbal with his father..I told him that this was my house, that Greg was my son and that I would not tolerate him being talked to in that manner and he'd have to leave...I opened the door and said when he had better manners he could visit again...apologies soon followed..nasty aren't I..

This time I'm really off to bed..

Dawn, you know I just couldn't resist coming back to read the cross post..and here it was you ...you are a sweetheart..does Greg know how lucky he is..if not tell him for 'me'..lol...night/night

Nope I am not sure he would agree either. Depends on the given day. lol

How are you my sweet friend? Any new news? Any new symptoms or flare ups? Are you growing anymore?

Dawn..what a beautiful sentiment for Sharon.
I am sure she is touched.

I don't have the gift of writing words of comfort.. I admire those who do.

I'll just borrow this beautiful quote,

"Every flower is a soul blossoming in nature"

Big hug for Sharon.

Gita, I love your poem. It's so perfect for this time of year. It captures so much of the joy I feel when I see little shoots poking through the ground. Also, the card for your daughter is so beautiful. I love mixed medium things.

School is cancelled again today due to the high water levels. As much as I enjoy having my family home, I am beginning to feel like I just want things back to normal. I'm babysitting today as well so it will be busy here. Things should be fine by Monday though - hopefully.

I hope you all have a great day.

- Here's Ella, she loves it outside but it's still a little muddy for her.

This message was edited Apr 25, 2008 7:21 AM

morning all,

gita, what a lovely poem... im sure your daughter will treasure the card,
you did a beautiful job!

laura, hope your feeling better soon, did you find your camera yet lol?
looks like another one to spoil soon!! how is your weather now getting colder?

gilli, are they going to drive on that? looks kinda scary to cross lol..
you sure have alot of water for that pump wow just cant imagine.. wow gilli you really live way up there,i always thought it would be nice to have all that isolation ,always living in a city but i dont know about that now ? how long have you lived there?

doc, wow master gardner, how wonderful is that! you have been busy nice to hear from you.

carol. there you go again teasing us with your lovely flowers! how are you doing got the mower fixed yet?

shar, hope your enjoying your garden and doing well you have been in my thoughts.

betty, hope you get a appt for your perm, so what are you going to do with all that time off? no i get saturday off have to work sunday think we might have a employee being short handed has been rough! boy woke up to siren after siren dont know if you have this web site its firedispatch.com the minute you hear a siren go on that web site and it tells you where,and what kind of medical emergency it is well.....
turns out this was a double alarm structure fire on the next street omg opened the frount door to see flames sky rocketing made our local news was quite disturbing no one was hurt but it got two houses just awful!
all i did was get duck food, hit up michaels, home depot, post office walk the dogs take a nap water plants and get dinner ready then yap with judy think i had a productive day lol..
but the boss is at another store whoo hoo she is stressed out so she is in her own world so were glad to rid of her for the day boy were awful!
glad you tell the kids that, important they know respect so are you going to get out on the boat?
ruby, waving to you..
dawn, you sound like you are feeling better glad to hear
vicki, what are you up to?
cat, enjoing the warm weather
well now im late as usual so have a wnderful day all

Oh Gilli she is so cute! Love dirty kids! Means they are being kids. those were quite the flood pictures. All our water is up from the rains. Our pond out back is even higher then when the snow thawed we got so much rain yesterday.

I read yesterday but was depressed because of the rain all day so did nothing. Shouldn't of let it get to me but I did. So today will be a different story for me. Already got some cleaning done. Have to go in the wet basement. Need to do some laundry. Those stone foundations are far from waterproof! Good thing for the drain in the floor.

Morning to everybody. TGIF and we have the weekend ahead. Even though we are to get some snow. Yesterday in the sprinkles I got some of the back hill flowerbed burned. Used a whole pound bottle of gas but it does help controll the thyme.

Liz our truck was 3 1/2 hours late. So my first hours were kind of wasted. Did get more stuff out of the backroom but putting new away would of been more satisfying.

I'm going to go for now but did enjoy reading yesterdays chat.

Hope you all have the day you need.

Hi, Julia--#1------------

Geez! Your plant does not look a lot like my Dragon Wing Begonia! But--I shall assume that it is old and neglected and in DIRE need of being cut back!!!!
The Dragon Wing begonia does so well outside all Summer--just keep it out of direct sunlight.
Anyway--My suggestion is to cut the whole plant back to about 6"-7". Look for growth buds and cut just above them. Get rid of all the useless stems in between and keep the tips (maybe 6"-8") and put them in water to root. Or--you can also put them in fresh potting mix and they will root as well. Do this EVERY year!!!!!!

I do this EVERY year with my AW Begonia--as it does get leggy indoors. All you want is to keep the plant alive. I have had it for about 25 years and I keep it going this way.

I know I have some photos of all this. Will try to find them....Hang in there!

Here is the Mother Begonia--all re-grown after being cut back to nubs.....

And--here are the tip cuttings after they have rooted and have been potted up.

Your Mom's plant just needs some "surgery" to rejuvenate it.
AND--It needs to spend the summer outdoors in a shady spot...

Hope this helps....Gita

Hey everyone,
Kind of dull here this morning..
So I am going to go get groceries..and do errands.

Liz..Yes I got my Lil' Deere back..and it is running fine.
I couldn't look after this acre without it. I espcially love the little towing trailer it has..carry all kinds of things in it.

Vicki..water in the basement..I know all about that..but luckliy mine is all dry now..for another year.

Gilli..really interesting to hear about living up north. Your children are adorable.

I took this photo thismorning of my Lungwort in bloom.
I really the colour combo of pink and blue flowers.

OMG Gita..you sure have the green touch!
That is beauitful!

starzz those are so pretty! I might have to check into those. LOL Maybe for next year.

It is pouring here again. I will not get depressed today. So I'd better go and get some cleaning done.

Vicki, just think of all the gardening time you'll have outside if you get your inside work done today...that's the up side to the rain..

As with Carol, our sky is getting darker as we speak, calling for rain today and tomorrow, cool Sunday but clear..wouldn't you know, clear Sunday and I've conned Sharon to go out for the day in hopes she might get out of her depression..how I'd love to just play in the garden..but, that's not all there is to life is it..


Carol, I'm adding lungwort to my list of "musts" I'll be stopping in at several nurseries while out on Sunday so perhaps I'll find it there..

Your plants sure do look healthy Gita..

Liz, poor families loosing their homes..if they are safe from harm though all else can be replaced..we've lost so many lives due to fires this past winter...such a tragedy..first think on my list of 'to do' after work today, well maybe the 2nd, going to floral distributor to pick up flowers for "ME" then will try to get hair appt.

I've done well last weekend with my projects..so this weekend I'm hoping to accomplish the following....

- window stained glass piece

- mailbox gardening tool holder

- 2 arbors made from last years metal gazebo that the roof caved in on..

if I get this done, I'm in business..lol..

Jeannine, here's a poem for you...am sure you'll get a chuckle...

When I'm an old lady, I'll live with my kids,
And bring so much happiness...just as they did.
I want to pay back all the joy they've provided.
Returning each deed! Oh, they'll be so excited!

(When I'm an old lady and live with my kids)

I'll write on the wall with reds, whites and blues,
And I'll bounce on the furniture while wearing my shoes.
I'll drink from the carton and then leave it out.
I'll stuff all the toilets and oh, how they'll shout!

(When I'm an old lady and live with my kids)

When they're on the phone and just out of reach,
I'll get into things like sugar and bleach.
Oh, they'll snap their fingers and then shake their head,
Then I'll dump it all on my bed.

(When I'm an old lady and live with my kids)

When they cook dinner and call me to eat,
I'll not eat my green beans or salad or meat,
I'll gag on my okra, spill milk on the table,
And when they get angry...I'll run...if I'm able!

(When I'm an old lady and live with my kids)

I'll sit close to the TV, through the channels I'll click,
I'll cross both eyes just to see if they stick.
I'll take off my socks and throw one away,
And play in the mud 'til the end of the day!

(When I'm an old lady and live with my kids)

And later in bed, I'll lay back and sigh,
I'll thank God in prayer and then close my eyes.
My kids will look down with a smile slowly creeping,
And say with a groan, 'She's so sweet when she's sleeping!'?

(When I'm an old lady and live with my kids)
Bless All Moms and Grandmas Everywhere!

Good Friday morning to everyone. I have to agree with everyone else Gita, beautiful poem that you wrote. Also thanks to Thea for sharing the poems that she did.

Well, I have the whole day to myself. My hubby who is usually around the house all day long has gone to an Antiques Car Show in Pennsylvania today. He will return late afternoon. I don't know how to explain it, it just sort of makes me feel more free with no one around but myself.

I slept a lot later than usual, so my schedule is really mixed up so far. I have eight strawberry plants to put in a container and three large pots of pansies to transplant. I put a few other plants in the ground yesterday, so I am just going to town planting, planting, planting. Can't wait to see everything while in full bloom.

Betty, you asked if Tucker was upholding his end of the cleaning/clearing deal. The answer is NO. He worked two half days and then didn't do anything on the third day. I told him that day that he needed to make moving arrangements. That was about ten days ago and he has done nothing to see about living elsewhere. I suppose that he is waiting to see how long it takes me to blow. Well, even though I hadn't said anything here, I have discussed my feelings over the situation in a few other places and know what I need to do. I just think that it will get ugly here before I do. My husband and older son have both seen me "lose it." It is not pretty and the person on the receiving end, doesn't walk away feeling particularly good about themselves.

The fact that he has some money available to him is ruining him. Well, I don't particularly want to give much thought to the situation at the moment. I need to get up from this chair and start some of the things that I need to get done. If/when I go off I will let you ladies know. ha-ha

A few prayer on his behalf wouldn't be such a bad idea either. If any of you are so inclined, I would appreciate prayers for the two of us. I am at one of those places where I know not what to pray regarding all of this. Have a great day folks. I will check back in later on.

Ruby

Cross post with Betty I LOVE the poem Betty. I might make a copy of it for Tucker. Maybe thinking that when I am in need of care, he will straighten up now and fly right just to get out of having to set me later on. ha-ha Truly love it!!!

Ruby

Ruby my heart aches for you, know it will be the hardest thing you'll probably ever have to do - putting him out - letting him learn to grow up..Sharon (sister) is suicidal at this point in her life, primarily because of her 40 year old son..she has had problems for decades yet refused to take the steps necessary to make him grow and become independent and now once again she faces these same issues..no one can 'make' her take these steps, realize they must be taken by her alone when she's had enough..but what is enough..out you go..told her yet again today, go pay 1st and last months rent, buy an order of groceries to last a few weeks and say here's they key..have fun..then change the locks and don't answer the door...she often says he will end it all..ok, I'm not heartless but now you have a choice, 'you' are contemplating ending it so which coin toss up do you take..know it's easy for someone to advise when they've not been through it but perhaps we've a clearer view of the issues at hand...know you'll do what's right, just don't wait till he's 40...love you..

Not 1:00 pm yet but DBIL (boss Paul) told us toshut down, he's gone for Chinese food and invited us all for lunch..so enjoy your afternoon, I just might beat the rain getting hom to change in hopes of getting some culey's..