Best/ worse/ ? did you learn today? #103 visit with friends!

This is a shot of my daffodils.
The gentleman suggested we dowload free photo program called Faststone Image viewer.
It is quite good and has a lot of features to play with.

This is a photo of burgundy Heuchera leaves that I played around with with to make a design.

Happy Mother's Day to all. I am having my family here for a BBQ..although the weather will be cool. I bought each of the 3 Moms a hanging basket. (got one for me too) Can't go wrong with flowers.

morning all,

carol nice pictures

betty, no horrible losses, the fire are down in the L.A area 8 hours south of us but im not sure if dawn may be getting some smoke from those she is closer to L.A
i hope you can get a nap in today what a horrible thing to have to hear, personally speaking i would of gone over there and beat him with a 2x4!
oh boy will look foward to seeing the picture, lol now i think soon there will be no room in anyone's yard for projects..

judy for petes sake, havent you found your phone yet?

mary hope party is a good one, have fun

everyone have a wonderful day

That Heuchera photo, omg wouldn't it be marvellous to enlarge and frame...love it..

Interesting taking a photo class..should check around here and see if any are offered..but then, all my nights except Tuesday are booked, not so sure I need to take on more, but I could take it and give up one of my others couldn't I...

Did you get the hail storm Carol they said hit your region? hope not..think Toronto is getting it now and north later this morning..

Have fun at the B.B.Q. Carol..missed you...I'm anxious to see your gardens come alive..now with your new expertice in photo work just think of how beautiful they'll be..

Liz, I've burnt a few wicker pieces, a few more to burn as there is much in the yard that way I can replace with something new rather than adding/adding..

Sure wish I could stop Sailor from panting..

Just started raining lightly, took a couple photo's of my first flowers...have about 20 of these in different colors, for the life of me can't think what they are...

Off I go, need to do my hair/get dressed and enjoy the day..

Have enough material now that I did the bench to do a little throw pillow for it...

Missy decided she'll help me out with the glass on glass window frame..using some of the glass that I could salvage from the one that fell a few weeks ago..just for outside so not being particular, wherever a piece fits, it gets glued..lol - another hour and it will be completed..then it has to dry, and tomorrow morning I can grout and hang it back up on back deck..

Betty-those are Primrose:)

Stacey is right on..Primrose..I like to buy them in the early spring for some colur indoors..and then plant them in the garden. I have a bit of a clump out back..and they started out different colours I am sure.
But they seem to be all the same colour as your now.

That bench is just so fresh and inviting.

The hail storm missed here..

Hi Liz, glad you liked the photos..



I

Torrential down pour right now Carol..

Primrose..yep, must be at least 7 or 8 different colors..must have bought a pkg. of seed last year..dainty flowers...

Greg brought me supplies JUST IN CASE is was looking for something to do in the rain, wanted to know if I wanted to start on the gazebo before he went home to open up the pool..he'll do it in the rain, nope not me..said his DW is a hard taskmaker, rain or not, needs to get done for the long weekend which is next weekend and around his outdoor stone fireplace he has to set stones as a patio because the weekend after the long weekend it's her 40th and he's having a birthday party for her....

Jeff just called, he's about 1 hr. away, looking for kayak's for his upcoming trip then heading over..just got dressed, going to go check out patio stones, pick up turkey and put it on, make fresh bread and hope tomorrow we can get outside and finish my 'to do' list..it will be a quick run in because with it raining so hard and tomorrow being Mothers Day everyone will be in the stores...


Did finish the glass and bobbles on the glass frame..that project has to dry before the next step..

Is that the piece that fell from your porch??

Yes it is Stacey, I've redone it..next time I'll take it down and store for the winter..

Ann came over this afternoon so she didn't have to hide from family...just needed to 'break down'..the cancer in Mike's arm is far more extensive than they thought..he'll under go starting Monday radiation treatment for 5 weeks, going to Princess Margarets each and every day, then they will operate, chemo and 6 to 8 weeks recoup time...did say that this type of cancer often spreads to lungs...my heart goes out to her..she's had trouble with depression but she sure is digging deep within herself and being brave..just needed a hug...

Ended up cooking turkey dinner, lemon merangue pies..but, got to wait for Jeff to put up his tent..imagine, raining, hight winds and he decides he's going to try out his new equipment..he's the son who is going 15 to 21 days on a kayak adventure up the trent waterway all buy himself..assures me it will be safe..
just went to see about the actual kayak, said it has to fit his compact gear..for what it's costing him he could have gone to Europe for a few weeks...shaking my head...

Wasn't panicking until he showed Kyle his safety gear..even includes blood transfusion kit..can you imagine..didn't make me feel better about the trip

3 bedrooms, 2 couches, love seat and where is he going to sleep tonight???

yep, tenting it...

Happy Mother's day to all..Spent the day at Shirley's Mom's ...Doing the Mommy do list...8' work bench with shelf bellow in front of garage..Lowered cabinet so she could reach it..She can't raise her arms very much...
I made lots of brownie points..LOL

Smile

What would make sweet little old lady use a four letter word???????

When she hears another sweet little old lady holler BINGO.!!!!!!..


Nite All

Hello To All;

Betty - I had a cat named Missy when growing up...looked just like your Missy! What a wonderful compliment on your artwork! The boys just enjoy teasing you! I think you just do what makes you happy and to heck if anyone thinks it's 'tacky'!

Liz - glad you are safe from the fires!

Starzz - Gorgeous photos!

Party: Well - I made it! Actually - it all turned out Okay! DD1 is happy with her "Sweet 16"....all kids seemed to have fun, nothing a bandaid couldn't fix....WOW....and I was SO stressed about this....what can I learn from that?

I got to visit with DD's BF's Mom who I am really liking. She asked me to show her around the "Garden Path" (that we call the Path of least Resistance). (what's not to love about someone asking you to show them your garden!). I was telling her that our swap was cancelled due to swine flu and showed her our 'cuttings', and she took 2 sedums, 1 basil and 1 "creeping Jenny". (Tubby - I told her it was invasive) :)

I also told her to look up "DG". Hope DD stays with this boy...he's really top notch and his parents are great....

DH says 2 boys told him "Ya'll throw the best parties!"

Well - now to just relax and hopefully get to bed soon. Mothers Day at my house tomorrow (BBQ as well Liz!)......

Hugs to All,

Mary

Good for you, Mary!! So glad everything went well.

Thanks Sharran! And got to share some gardening stuff as well!

mary sounds like lots of fun!

have to go to family restaurant omg nothing worse than when the greeks in my family get togeather, omg they hold the grudge from 40 years ago and keep bringing it all up again.
lol my sister said we should tie one on, might have to take her up on it...

happy mothers day everyone

omg i have been up since 3.30 am look its almost 1 am and i cant sleep! good grief guess i'll go in the garage and see what mischeif i can get into...

Happy Mother's Day everyone....not raining but it will not be a sunshine day..very cold out there..guess not cold enough because the boys are still in the tent...

Mary, am glad that the party went well..and yes, nothing makes your day better than having someone wanting to walk your gardens..

So funny, my boys when I mention my death say ' mom, won't be for a long time yet' so last night we were sitting quietly gabbing and I started to go through a lot of the info..Jeff said whoopie, and we won't even have to spend any of that money to bury you, we'll just pick a sunny spot in the gardens you love so much and put you there!'...too cute...had to remind him my name is already on Roger's monument...didn't take long for them to change the subject...

Liz, you have a great day with the family...it must be fun just to sit around and watch the goings on...sometimes Liz best cretive moments are when you can't sleep..

Coffee in hand here, think I'll grout the window frame so I can get the boys to hang it up..

Your B.B.Q.'s sound like fun today, we'll just have left over turkey...

Tubby, I've seen those 'bingo' ladies, talk about attitude when someone wins, especially the jackpot if they've not seen them there week after week...not nice at all...

Talk in a bit

Betty special prayers for your friend Ann. Boy, now I know I'm not alone. Please let me know how her DH is doing okay?
Hope you get some of your "to do" items done with your boys.
Happy Mother's Day fot all.
Hugs, Barb

Happy Mother's Day to you all ^_^


Mary-I attached a pic of my creeping Jenny-I put it in a place I want it to take over;)

Stacey if the pink flowers are the creeping Jenny. They are not the kind we have WILD here..That the farmers hate..

Mary I hope yours are the same as in pic by Stacey

You are My Buddy & My Friend, and I'm glad you are in my life!

Hi Buddy!! []



HAPPY BUDDIES DAY!!

[]

Happiness keeps You Sweet,

The IRS keeps you broke.

Trials keep You Strong,

Sorrows keep You Human,

Failures keep You Humble,

Success keeps You Glowing,

But Only God keeps You Going!

[]




Today is 'online buddy day'

ha ha Terry-those are Lewisia with the creeping Jenny

Good morning and Happy Mother's Day everyone!

We have had two very busy days. Shane got off on his band trip yesterday morning. I have been getting cell phone pictures/updates about every six hours. And at 7:44 this morning he called with Mothers Day wishes as they were heading to breakfast and out to DC, won't be back til late tonight.

Yesterday they stopped at Gettysburg and performed a small concert at the visitors center. Then last night, they played at the Kennedy Center! He was more excited to go swimming at the hotel pool last night....kids!

Betty, today they will do almost exact that you did with your DGS.

Yesterday, after dropping DS at the school and getting him all settled and checked in, DH and I spent the day at our DD Carries....getting things ready to put down new floor. All I can say is "OUCH" and I have new muscles not responding well this morning!

Pulled up old carpet, to find there was particle board under it...not wood. So had to go purchase plywood. Then they had to get backerboard to go under the part that will have the traverstine tiles. (sp?) DD & I finsihed clearing out rooms, and DH & DSIL started all the fun work with that tile. I took before and after pictures which will post much later.

Today, I have to share mothers day with DH. Tomorrow is his birthday but because the older kids work, we will celebrate today so they can be here.

I hope you all have a wonderful Moms day....and Betty....take it from someone going thru this....do NOT tease your children about when you will be gone. As my Mom would say "30 lashes with a wet noodle!" I will have to sit you in the corner for a time out! LOL

Debbie

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I skimmed the posts, hopefully after we get back from our cruise I will be back here much more often, I miss everyone!

I've been out of pocket quite a bit. Found out Friday morning that me and Dave lost one of our very close friends. He was 33 years old, his wife Christy is my good friend, she's 29 and they have a 4 year old son. Apparently Wednesday he went to work (he was a kindergarten teacher) and after a few hours his back started hurting. It got so bad he laid down on the couch in the teachers lounge. It got worse from there so he went home. That night it got so bad Christy took him to ER, they admitted him and told him he had an infection in his Sciatic Nerve. He died Thursday morning. They just buried his mom 2 weeks ago from a fatal heart attack. Dave thinks he went septic but everyone says he didn't. Does anyone know about these sorts of things?

I have to plant a bunch of plants today, been raining for a week so the ground is all mushy, perfect for making mud pies. In fact the ground is so mushy my septic tank won't leach! The garage stinks like sewer :o

Betty I am very proud of you for stopping that party, that's how bad fights break out. Of course if that would've happened and someone got hurt, they would have had to call the cops/ambulance/fire and, here in the US, she would've been charged for contributing to minors among other things. I'm assuming it's the same in Canada.

I leave for my cruise next Saturday! I can't wait!

Family all gone, a quick sweep of the floor then I'll have a bath, have leftovers..yummy turkey/turnip/dressing...then I'll become a couch potato...got everything done except the air conditioner and that didn't get done only because Greg has to make a bracket...

Jeff started early this morning, he proved me wrong, Greg's the one that works with his hands and Jeff his brains..but this morning he took on repairing the gazebo structure, I personally didn't think we'd be able to salvage it, but 2 trips to Home Depot and is as new...glad that's behind me..

Picked up cement pads for under the table, all sand, whenever it rained it would sink..so the ground was worked and 9 placed but now it's another row right around to accommodate the chairs...then mom got a brainstorm..if I'm but 2 ft away after the next row of cement pads are placed why not bring the gardens right up to it, would look pretty so the turf had to be removed..

Grandma certainly can't be working in the yard and not using the wheel barrel so Jeff teaching Noah how to put air in tire...lol..why not put everyone to work..

Should ask the neighbors what their plans are for the fencing that came down due to a tree falling in the last storm, BUT, best I wait until another day, both were out there and not one said hello..musn't be pleased with my Friday night visit!

One worker and 5 giving orders..lol

Got furniture put where the little hidden garden is..now all I need is for the hops to cover the arbor and the lilac trees to get leaves and flowers...

Even took time to put the glass on glass hanging on back deck..pretty when sun is shinning through...

Must find something to put in my ear...should know better than to go outside when wind is blowing without putting batting in it..now I've an ear ache..been worth it though..lol

Barb, how's your day going? My thoughts have been with you and Norm..with seeing Ann yesterday, I can well imagine you are feeling much the same...she was asking me things about my time in the hospital with Roger, some of the feelings, thoughts, and it was just as though it were yesterday...

Crissy, lucky you, a cruise, let's hope there is no sea sickness..so very sorry to hear about your friend..one never knows do they when their time is up..

As for the kids next door, very likely had someone called the police the parents would have been charged, am sure there were some under 19..it's 19 here for drinking age..some 14 year olds look like 19 so it's difficult when watching who is drinking an who is not..

Well, got a chill, so pleased with what was accomplished today..
Not only did I get the little cafe set, Jeff got me all the cement slabs for the back patio and $$$ and toileteries from Greg/Mel...so I'll be on the lookout for something to put in the gazebo...

Talk later...

sounds like a busy day as always Betty....Love the Glass Hanging....it is stunning!!!

Had beautiful sunshine this morning for our bike ride....clouds are coming in now and suppose torain the rest of the week.....Now we are off to the Bread Peddler for a late lunch....Croque de Monsioeur (sp) for lunch....yuuuummmy!

Have a good evening!

Hello To All!
Happy Mothers Day!

Liz - you had me laughing....Greeks....i agree with your sis.....

Hey Betty - Beautiful Stained Glass....We were the same way with Mom...would cut her short...when she would bring up stuff "after I'm gone..." Just couldn't bear to hear her talk like that. But now that I am older, I understand that she was proud to be able to pass along the land, and everything to us.
Did the boys get through the To Do LIst? (Barb is asking too!).....

Stacey - Your creeping Jenny looks healthier than mine...but I'll send a pic. I love how it's creeping through the rocks, and I'm hoping it will eventually hang over the side of the pool...but its been 90 degrees lately...it may not make it with the heat....What is that flower? It must be tiny....

Debbie - I wonder if DS is staying where we stayed when in DC....it was a Holiday Inn with a pool on the top of the building with view of the Capitol! Quite stunning. Another story....posted on the elevator. There were bunnies at the Pool....and no one knew how they got there....(in a large planted area). They were afraid of humans but cute!

Crissy - I'm sorry about your friend. Do tell us more about your cruise...MIL was trying to talk me into one today....we don't have $ for it now...maybe one day....

I'll be back in a bit...

Hugs,
Mary

Betty, Shane is actually staying at a Comfort Inn in Fairfax, VA...and they travel in via the tour bus they took down. This because they have quite a few function in VA as well as DC....and VA was cheaper! LOL

Tomorrow morning is the wreath laying ceremony at Arlington Cemetary at 10:00 a.m., then touring the Pentagon, lunch and tour of Union Station. At 1:00 they have the DUCKS tour....and then leave for back home. Should be home sometime between 11 & Midnight! He sounds happy, having a good time...and was off to the pool when I said good night at 9:45!

I had a totally wonderful surprise today. Sorry...gonna be a story. When the kids were growing up in this neighborhood, my 2nd oldest befriended a boy her age. He was from a troubled home, tossed back and forth....and his mom was in very ill health. She passed away when he was in 6th grade finally.

Justin has always been so special for me. He has gotten in trouble here, put in time out, taken DD to her 7th and 8th grade dance...showed up 2 hours early to eat pizza and pace...kauz he was so afraid he would be late!

Justin graduated in 2003 with Carrie....and got himself in some trouble here and there. But he always came back now and then to visit us.

Well, today I got four phone calls....I didn't recognize the number, it would ring...machine pick up, and they would hang up. On the 4th call....finally a message "Mom, this is Justin....are you there?" Well, my heart went in the throat...and I couldn't get the words out. "Justin where are you?"

Justin had joined the army a few years ago...he has been in Iraq...and he called me from Germany today to wish me a Happy Mothers Day. Talk about emotional. Don't tell my own kids...but I think that was one of the best gifts I have had in years. And ...it has been at least two years since I have seen or heard from Justin except for a quick note on Facebook.

Ok, so now I have gotten emotional again. Tomorrow is DH's birthday, so I will be busy most of the day....he is on vacation this week. Not sure how I feel about that yet!LOL

Betty, the yard looks great!

Waving hello....hopefully tomorrow my ADD will not be running amuck and I will be more focused.

Debbie

Debbie - I've got tears in my eyes from your story.

I hope I impact someone to that degree...That's what it's all about anyway, right!

Strange - I always talk about probs with DD1 and DD2. Don't cha know...the first child to wish me Happy Mothers Day was DD2....at 12:04 am (after cleaning up from the party). DD#2 was next this morning.

That meant so much to me. Not near as great as your story...but touching to me.

Hugs,
Mary

Mary, it helps when you know your DD's are saying to you "you make a difference" to us. And DD#2 doing that was wonderful. Your DD#2 sounds very much like my DD#3...and sometimes, can cut right thru you.

How did the party go? I always laugh at the title "sweet 16" because most 16 year old females are anything but sweet! LOL

What my story doesn't say is that my own bio kids pretty (besides DS in DC) much ignored me today. I shed so many tears today...for so many reasons. But those tears from Justin, they felt good.

Debbie

Debbie - You have certainly made an impact on that child's life. You should be proud of yourself - I am proud of you!

He is serving our country - that is the ultimate sacrifice!

It was a wonderful party...the kids showed up in costume....which was a huge laugh! (These are 15-18 year olds).

The first hour DD was beaming from ear to ear...it was a huge success. She was a bit controlling....which she is....but I am too....that might be one reason we clash...but the kids respond to her....she is a born leader...

and they did the "Games" and "Contests" she required...

32 teens here. I feel so calm now...I think my chance to vent to another Mom (DD's BF's MOM) was therapy for me...she is a wonderful person...

Both the kids and DH got me nursery Gift Cards today. So that was nice. MIL took a few of the cuttings I had made...that made me feel good....we got her 2 pittosporums (sp?) for Mothers Day....the BBQ chicken was great....

Good times.....I feel rested ....need to have a good week at work. 2 more weeks of school....sorry such a long post...

Hugs,
Mary