Best/Worse &What did I learnt today/Chat with Friends #89

Ohhh March is but hours away, doesn't springtime arrive during March? Am sure it does, but you would never know from the snow on the ground...oh well, most likely another 2 or 3 weeks..I can wait...

Thought I'd move us over to an 'almost springtime' room..decorated with flowers, (ok so it's air freshner) I'm trying..

We moved from here:

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/956690/

This has been an on the ladder day again. This house is too big for me, and I am so tired. But I wanted to thank you for all the well wishes for my daughter.

And one of these days I am going to paint a floor mat, Betty. I keep thinking of it but have not started yet.

And Betty, check out the new thread for Gunner's little sister, its called "After Gunner:...." First post is all you need to read. Judy will want to see it too, and those who followed Gunner last summer and fall.

Cooked a roast, homemade bread just out of the breadmaker and guess who is not hungry...

Jeff just called, wanted to remind me that I was getting 'old' and would soon be 'older' BRAT that he is...

Was going to play with a band tonight so thought he best call me as it will be sleep in time tomorrow, his usual call day...

Was putting a guilt trip on him, didn't work..lol...

Said he already got a guilt trip from his brother..a young man who is struggling financially works for Greg as an apprentice, his 8 weeks course starts Monday so Greg asked (con artist that he is) is this young man could live with him for 8 weeks as he has no money for room and board so wouldn't be able to attend school...

Greg went down a few nights ago to introduce them...Jeff is fine with it..told him you have to help those who are trying to help themselves..he agreed...

Said he wouldn't be able to buy me a birthday gift because he has to feed this young lad...I started to laugh, right as if that would work..for him to con me just doesn't work either...told me he'd try and meet me in Barrie for supper Monday night but if he couldn't because he might have to fly to England for few days then he'd make sure there was $$$ in my account so I could treat myself to something I'd like...ok with me..lol

I've stained the quilt rack, by morning it should be dry enought to give a couple coats of paint, sand and ready to hang...

Gave the matt a coat of sealer, it's ready for its base coat, me I'm ready for a bath, jammies and a quiet night...

Hope you've all enjoyed your day...

Betty before you fall asleep .Take a look at this..Promise to give you pleasant dreams You all will like this..


http://home.att.net/~hideaway_today/t125/pet.htm

Can imagine just how tired you are Shar..we do push ourselves to the limit don't we...

I'm sure you have a nice area just screaming for a floormat..just think you could incorporate the colors of paint you've just done the rooms in...come on, Shar...I'm sure you've one or 2 hours that hasn't something slated for a 'to do'...be brave..lol..

Off to see the 'After Gunner' thread...I do hope it's good news...almost afraid to go check..but will

Betty, when is your birthday? mine is FAST approaching too! lol!

'Tubby' now you've made me cry...tears rolling down, so very touching....

Ann Marie, yep yours is fast approaching, hope a mailman gets there before the date..he promised he would....

That would be Mar.2nd.for Betty..&..Mar. 9th for 1AnjL Okay I'm a tattle tale LOL

You are indeed..I so loved the 10 commandments..as you know, my Sailor is aging and needing special care you've just reminded me that I best get a treat in hand, go pet her and make her feel loved..the kitties, well I'm sure they know, I have to share my bed with them and from time to time I pet them until they sleep...

Thank you, Betty.

Hello To All;

Has gotten up to as high as 80 as of late...so of course we ventured outside today even though TODAY temps dropped fast and rain threatened all day. DH & I finished a flagstone walkway we didn't get to finish last year. The problem is we have a 2' x 6' area to plant between the walkway & a fence...and I want something tall there to block the fence. So visited a nursery, Target & Lowes to figure out what to do. Thoughts are: 1. I like bamboo and nursery had some that were "clumping" but DH says they are all "invasive" even though nursery says they are not. Could plant some in a pot dug into the ground. 2. Do a trellis with vine. 3. Bananas (again -invasive and might fall into path). 4. put a bench with low plants around it. 5. Sky Pencil Holly. 6. Put garden art on the fence. Problem DH says with #1, #2, #3 are that invasive will go into the neighbors yard and neighbor might kill the plant when it appears on his side...

Stacey - so glad you experienced Disney. I am a Disney Fanatic. Been there 16-17 times...lost count. Sound like good times. Band director says if they do well at Festival...he'll take them to State. That will be DS's second band trip...last one was in 7th grade & he had a blast!

Crissy - Yes - I agree...I don't think Kris (AR) has the potential that some of the others do. I liked MIssy better...I still think she'll make it. Reading your description...now I do think I remember Lil Rounds...they have 3 kids. Maybe I'll get home early from Band Booster meeting Tuesday in time to hear her...

Sharran - My prayers for Ashley. Can't even comprehend how you must have felt getting that call. That's what worries me...when they grow up and move out and you can't be there 24/7.

Betty & Crissy - Indy has been to the vet constantly although I am upset with the vet...Indy developed bed sores when boarded there last July, and still has them. He is just like a little old man...so persnickety...he fluctuates on what he will eat and refuses food most of the time...we try the expensive canned dog food...he leaves it and eats the cat food. :) He has us constantly guessing what he will eat. DH fried him an egg this morning and I've been giving him bread. Betty - sounds like me - we are hoping the Spring weather "cheers" him up and he perks up a bit. I know the summer heat won't be easy on him though if he lasts that long.

Betty - I can't believe that linoleum...that is gorgeous! I've been teasing DH when he walks by to read your posts...that he is not allowed to read over shoulder (I cover up the screen). But truly I should show him these pieces of yours (all of everyones) because he is the "artist" in the family.

I know the kids will eventually get "lives" of their own, and jobs (hopefully :) ). And one day they won't be able to get together. I guess I'm trying to prolong that with the "bribe" of a Beach Visit. :)

Time will only tell if it works. :)

Hugs to all,

Mary
Baton Rouge, LA 8B

Thanks Mary, it is tough when they are all grown up and so far away.

Bamboo does spread a little here, but I have it in a corner, and in the 5 years I have had it, it has not become invasive. So it might be something to consider. I really like the bench idea....various sized pots beside it, then also some low growing things. It will be really pretty. Nice that your husband is so interested in gardening and in making walkways. I always had to do all those things alone. Bob liked them, but had not a clue about a garden. I think he liked my gardens because it meant less for him to mow!

A smile for you early risers ..

A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds.
After explaining the commandment to "honor" thy Father and thy Mother, she asked, "Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?"
Without missing a beat one little boy (the oldest of a family) answered, "Thou shall not kill."

One more ( I hope I haven't posted this )

One day a little girl was sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink. She suddenly noticed that her mother had several strands of white hair sticking out in contrast on her brunette head.
She looked at her mother and inquisitively asked, "Why are some of your hairs white, Mom?"
Her mot her replied, "Well, every time that you do something wrong and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turns white."
The little girl thought about this revelation for a while and then said, "Momma, how come ALL of grandma's hairs are white?"

Hey Sharran - Yes - My preference is the Bamboo. I wish he would just let us plant it in the ground....but he is so worried about it being invasive... :)

Maybe you could plant the pot in the ground...it would take a pretty big pot, though....still, mine has not been invasive, but it could be the difference in zones, too.

Mine is so beautiful when it blooms around September....it is sort of a pinkish...and I love it. Looks a little bit smoky in color. I hope he decides to try it.

Tubby, I'm so glad you posted that story, now I know I've been a model child growing up, mom has dark hair, no white....NOT....lol

Shar, are you all but finished the painting? As with me when I undertake such projects, you must get such a feeling of delight knowing it's you who has made your home comfy..

Watched t.v. until 11:30, just couldn't sleep, been up for an hour and now I'm downstairs, decided to give a coat of green to the quilt rack..in my sleepless hours Shar I was trying to figure out which word you used or phrase that got me on this quilt tangent...must go to previous thread and read up..lol

OMG Mary, when Roger was alive I'd plant and he loved it, but if I planted trees throughout the property, especially those near the water, somehow someone lost control of the big tractor cutter and zap, gone..so gave up...but here, I'm my own master,I can plant/plant and do more planting even though I'm not one to know flower names..just like them...must say Greg is much like his father..he's a fanatic with his grass, took all Melanie's time to get a corner garden..told her I'd come over one day and start digging and bringing in plants..she's just started to take a liking to gardening..we'll see...

Mary, bamboo looks so pretty..Diane's mom lives in ideal conditions for bamboo..a few years ago she let me cut the stalks to build teepee's for my vines..

Shar hit it right on target, get yourself the biggest container or drum, put it in the ground and there you go...contained...

Guess I should worry about 'invasive' but don't..let's them grow I say..

off to paint

Morning All
Mary if the roots don't go really deep could you dig big hole ..Then line it with a root barrier..Just a thought..
I don't know if there is a bamboo variety that could survive in our zone.May have to check this out..

My mom has total white hair..That is my DSs & DB that caused it NOT ME..LOL

DW dosen't work today..Wish it wasn't so cold.Single degrees this morning,1 degree right now.Burrrrrrrr

The children had all been photographed, and the teacher was trying to persuade them each to buy a copy of the group picture.
"Just think how nice it will be to look at it when you are all grown up and say, 'There's Jennifer, she's a lawyer,' or 'That's Michael, He's a doctor.'
A small voice at the back of the room rang out, "And there's the teacher, she's dead."

lol...Tubby it's about -16 this morning, even the animals don't want to go out..thanks for the 10 commandements for pets...had to clean a mess this morning and I did it without saying a 'word'...

Plugging on, the quilt rack is ready to install..that is if I can find some 'studs' ohhhh 'studs' hmmmm I mean wall studs of course, but hey, help wouldn't hurt..

Got 2 base coats of white on the matt, had eggshell latex sitting around so it was perfect..might need 1 more coat, let it dry and then figure out what pattern it will be...

Think it's breakfast time, got a load of 'pee' rags to wash..drats (oh forgot Tubby, can't complain) by then it will be time to put the quilt rack up...

Shar, went back on previous thread...all it took, so laughing is for you to say:

"She would never hang a quilt on a wall"...

Any more suggestions, might run out of things to do today..lol

Mary when I was in high school band we went to State, I don't remember what we placed but we didn't move on from that. When we got down to San Diego I got sick sick sick so I don't remember a lot. Had to play with a 103 fever, but since I was the only Bass Clarinet player I had to. Spent 3 days at Sea World, our school wouldn't let the instructor take us anywhere else due to budget reasons (we were in the recession in 1990.) We were too far away to go to Disneyland in Anaheim. Seems we did get to go shopping on the waterfront, but didn't get to go to the zoo, and I'm not sure if the Wild Animal Park was built yet.

I'm so sorry about Indy, I've had to change vets with Tiga, if I would have kept going to the vet in Hot Springs she would've been dead.

Betty that lineoleum is gorgeous! Man I wish I had that talent, and the room to do things like that. When we get some of these trees cut down in the backyard we're going to build a little workshop. Maybe I'll learn how to woodwork. Hhhmmmmmmmm

I'm scared to death this morning that Dave is going to lose his job. It's gotten so bad he comes in angry every day, he had to call in sick last Wednesday because I gave him this horrible cold and the gal who was his boss's boss told him not to call her anymore as she's not in charge of the Expediters now, but did ask him if he was really sick or if he was just faking. He got back to work on Thursday night and had an email from his new boss that read, "I hope you're planning on working this weekend." Nothing else, just that. Dave sent him an email back that said, "I am positive you know that I am the only expediter on 3rd shift and am scheduled 7 days a week forever. I worked last weekend on 2nd shift because one of the guys took off when he said he was going to be working and the other guy already had plans to leave early, and none of the 3rd shift guys were working. I'll be more than happy to work if I am needed, but I've asked all of the 3rd shift Supervisors and everyone has said no one is working. If no one is here, then there's not point for me to be here since I won't have anyone to get parts for. I would be more than happy to talk to you and meet you, so please give me a call."

You know he never got an email back, or a phone call, or anything, and all of the lazy workers are brown nosing up to the bosses backstabbing the good workers, who the bosses never see because they're actually out doing their jobs and not wasting company money brown nosing and backstabbing. It's absolutely insane. It's too bad I don't make more, there's no way we can survive on my pay, plus Dave carries our medical, dental, and vision insurance and I can't re-up on mine until November/December. I think I should make that eye doctor appt Now!

OMG Crissy you must be frantic..but lordy there is nothing worse than being taken advantage of, all your energy is put into just going in ..

Couldn't Dave set up a metting with the higher ups, discuss the schedule .. guess with the cutbacks everyone has to be so cautious..would serve them right for Dave to go into work 'sick/sic' if asked why just say, " no option, you don't believe me when I do call in sick' did he get meds or go to the Dr.'s..perhaps a slip advising of such would help..at least for now..

I'll be watching the posting Crissy to see if he returns home...drats and more drats!

Got sideswiped..put up the quilt rack..don't know about you guys, but things have to grow on me..looked kind of lonely on the wall so had some pieces left that I cut off the 10" board, gave them bit of a shape, have done these before..had some candle holder *little wooden cups) left from when I did 250 for Greg/Melanie's wedding as trinkets to take home, have them painted and waiting for paint to dray so I can sand, already put hooks on the wall for them each side of quilt rack..

Shar, one thing leads to another doesn't it..now on the search for candles..want some pretty maroon ones, will wait till tomorrow and get some at the Garden Gallery at lunch...

Did my hair, sure did make a mess in the basement, must now go get dressed while paint dries..geeze, hate to have someone drop in and see the look of me..

Did sit and take 1/2 hr. for Joel Olsteen Ministries though...

Shar here's my project that you inspired..probably need vine or something dropping from top of quilt rack..your thoughts?

Lordy, must go get dressed..sunshine but cold out there...should get a bit of fresh air before starting to decide about the floormat

B, that is absolutely lovely. I would not change a thing, and glad to be of help. How big is the top space? You could put a vine there, or just something in the center, a couple of books, w/bookends, a small framed photo or two. All depends on how much shelf space you have. I am sure you'll find something. But it is also nice as is.

You did such a great job, and isn't it happy hanging right there!

It is Shar, quilt cost me $14.98 USA dollars, I would say the quilt rack $7.00 and included in that $7.00 is the 2 candle holders, will go in search of nicer candles.. so for less than $20.00 I've finished a project..the top of the shelf is 5" so wide enough to put something on it..would have made it wider but with a 6'2" tall son I wouldn't want it too far in the hallway or he'd be hitting it ..lol...

Shar, you should be a stager...also you are a mind reader .. was given for my birthday a few years ago a lovely set of bookends..off and I've so many frames, off I go for the next step of my journey..lol

Shar, minus the dust I'm hoping this frame and book ends aren't too tall for my project..now to find a photo..so much fun, almost as though you are in the house here helping me out..thank you/thank you dear friend..wish you were really here, I could pass you a brush and we'd get this matt finished..lol

Perfect!!!

Well, while you were doing that, I just moved all the junk out of the last corner of my LR so that I can finish up the painting in there. It is all done but that one corner and I simply could not unload that bookshelf last night. But it won't take me long now!!!

But then I have my studio room to do, and that will be one pain, because of the high, high ceilings.

Yep...it would be good if we lived closer, I am itching to do something with linoleum as well. But I need to finish what I have started since it involves rooms and I can't very well put them away for another time.

I also now have to consider some sort of window covering for the living room....rats...just one more thing to think about.

Anxious to see a pic when you complete the shelf adornment!

Shar, couldn't you just have someone come and do the studio room because of how high it is? can tell we're much alike, no moss under our feet, lol..I keep cleaning little corners as I pitter from place to place...with sun shinning in, I really would love to get the windows done but they will be the last thing I attempt...

Birds are just a chirping, went and filled the front deck feeder, must go and do all the ones outside before the evening temp drop...

At least Shar we are alike in that we know when we've had enough..I push myself but there comes a time wether it's 5 or 6 or 7-enough's enough but lordy come morning time I'm energized...

The matt is large, weekend project..smaller area rugs can be done in part of a day...

I've been upstairs about 20 times trying to determine what I want on the matt..probably very simple, just squares or diamonds with several outside bands of color which match my decor...won't put a lot of energy because I like to change them from time to time...

June just came in with the top to her t.v. tray..she does so many, with being a senior and a pack rat she just doesn't have a place to put things so often she paints them then gives them to seniors to eat on..such a darling..anyway she didn't know where this lighthouse was..wanted to print it in the corner of her piece...located in Nantucket Harbour ..

On her way out she tried to con me into selling the floormat under my table, nope, kept to my guns, going on front porch this spring...she's off to Home Depot to purchase a roll of linoleum..

What a laugh we had, you know how I have fake food throughout the little dining room cafe and kitchen, there sat my homemade bread from yesterday not touched, nicest golden brown..as we were going out from back deck her finger was pushing the bread, I said it's real, she says 'right, another fake food-looks real' she says..lordy was hard to convince her it really was homemade...

I have some pieced of ivy Shar..might overdo..here's my finished project, well just maybe not...lol

June is 76, you'd never know it, never painted before ..been doing it for several years, had carpeltunnel and has major metal in her arm, some days she just can't paint and sits and gabs with the girls, other days she can paint up a storm..

She asked me how on earth was I going to clean the studio by tomorrow morning, where would the floorcloth go...

I've come to the conclusion that if I sketch my pattern, very simplistic, that I would roll it up and keep it for next weekend to entertain me...enjoy an evening with feet up, garden/decorating book in hand..

Now let's see how close to this piece of 'heaven' that I'll actually do????

Betty it wouldn't matter, he's the only expeditor on 3rd and no one notices anyway. The drs slips go straight to payroll then forwarded to corporate in Wichita, Kansas. There are so many layoff's going on all year long that everyone is on edge because no one knows if it's their time or not. That's why all of the backstabbing, the good workers aren't doing that because they're good workers and the bad workers obviously know who they are or they wouldn't have to go backstabbing. Hopefully management can see this and who wastes company money and who doesn't. He's still hacking up congestion, just as I am, but no one cares. All of the managers work 8am to 5pm, Dave works at 9:30pm to 6am so he never sees any of them, and by the time he gets off work he's tired and doesn't want to hang around, and we live 45 minutes away and you can relate to that. Heck, you can probably relate to all of it!

I have an idea! Why don't the two of you come down here and do my house? LOL I have no decorating talent whatsoever and my walls are bare. Dave has tons of decorating talent but is always way too tired to bother.

Betty.....beautiful.

OK....just a thought, get rid of the little round thing second from left and replace it with a small brass or coppery thing, closer to the flower arrangement. The shiny thing could be tall and skinny. Then scoot the taller vase with little flowery things in it closer to the right, closer to the little rounded frame.

That was my first impression, but goodness, you do as you want, I am just looking at balance, and not at the individual pieces. But yep....a coppery thingy would bring out the tones in the quilt.

LOL, Crissy....I might be stuck here on my own ladder for the next year or so....this house is growing like Topsy....there is no end to it.

BTW....that is one gorgeous wall decoration. Bet it is everybody's favorite place to look now.

Ha, it would not do for us to live close.....we'd have to build a covered path from my house to yours.

LOL a coppery thing, now where would one find comething like that???? Off to look...

Crissy, sorry he's not getting the acknowledgement that he should be getting, sad that it's the way of the world of late..at one time if you were a hard worker your job would be secure, not so any more...


I'm sure Crissy you could undertake decorating projects, you can't be frightened of them, what is the worse that can happen? nothing..

Shar and I will have to do a make-over via DG thread..lol..
wouldn't that be fun...

Can tell the temp is dropping, just had to turn up the furnace..lordy, was getting comfy, time to organize myself and didn't realize it's only 1:30, best get more energy..

Maybe you have something small and slightly tall that you could paint in a gold or copper color. I do that all the time when I need a small glitzy accent. If it has a rough or matt finish, it's easy to do. Something small.....I even used a round Christmas ornament that had the glittery look in one spot on the picture of the red wall. It's up on the shelf, and might not show, but it is there.

Only had a lantern that had copper, must go shopping for something..thanks, appreciate the help, felt I was on a scavenger hunt here today..too cute...know the lantern is too big drats, must be something somewhere??

OK, found one other sparkly type piece, it belongs to a trio I received as a gift, the other 2 pieces are far too tall but this will do until I go shopping..one always needs a reason to go shopping right?

Or the lantern would work if you traded places with it and the flowers there on the left, and if room to, let the flowers be slightly in front of lantern. I like the lantern better.

OK....you did great....now if only I can do the same here.

Waving to all!!! Lost you for a bit...don't have time to catch up right now. Have had Sage for the weekend....her maternal grandmother is picking her up soon for an afternoon visit...just hope she remembers it is against court orders for Sages mother to be there....:(

Laura and Sean are mid move right now....some things in one house, some in the other.....the owners are having the bath floor replaced in the new house so they can't get completely moved until it is finished. You can't have a seven year old and no bathroom facilities. I am going over with mom's stationwagon and help Laura ferry boxes for the afternoon....what fun, as I consider MOVE to be the dirtiest of the 4 letter words.

Looks like all have been working on fun projects.....

Finished this one early in the week....

then evil dust bunnies appeared while I was playing.......

So cute, just love the baby, you've done a wonderful job..omg, sure hope the contractors are on the ball and won't take but a few days to move..will they still have the house they presently live in to call home until the entire move has been complete...

You must be exhausted Trisha..Sage is at the age that if her mom was there she'd let you know right? even if told not to?

Am sure you are looking forward to a time when you can sit and wonder what you 'should do' to entertain yourself..

And yes, Shar and I have been decorating..I'm very pleased, she's had great ideas..the girls that paint tomorrow will think I'm back into my old routine..they'd be here one Monday and the next was major changes...lol...

It truly is getting cold here, time I go upstairs and close the front door, glass screen door only keeps out a certain amount of cold..lovely when the suns out, but time to close the door..

Have my floorcloth all sketched out..sitting thinking 'do I or don't I..running out of steam, perhaps all I can muster is to clean studio..