Sharon, sorry your back pain has been keeping you from your activities.  I hope the pain doc can help.

Marilyn, glad you finally got to talk to Roger and hear directly from him how he's doing.

Good to hear from Darlene and Jeanne and Molly and everybody else.

I haven't written for a couple of days, I think. Margaret came over for a little bit yesterday.  She brought some deck hangers and some hanging baskets (fuscias, Mandeville, Boston fern), some impatiens on a deck box, and some wonderful fresh spinach/lettuce salad, AND some just picked asparagus.  So delicious to eat raw. We went out for Mexican.  Then today, Jean and her friend came over for a while.  I took them to eat at a local burger joint (yum), and then we went to the Sculpture Fields to check on John's tree.  It's still doing well.  Jean had gotten some bulbs, and planted them around the base of the tree.  Of course, they may not survive and/or the arborists at the park may not want them there, but it made her feel good - and that's what counts.  It's been a gorgeous day, and the gals enjoyed walking around the park and looking at the sculpture - while I waited in the car.  Jean got us some wonderful ice cream at Brusters.  She also brought some plant hangars and a lovely copper wind catcher for the deck.  Needless to say, I had just some of that wonderful salad for my supper tonight.

Another busy day tomorrow.  I'm going to get a steroid injection in my knee, then meeting a friend for lunch and to go to see The Jungle Book.

Mary, you have been busy. What wonderful gifts for your patio/ porch. I bet it looks spectacular. Would love to see a picture.  Jean had a nice idea with the bulbs. I love spring bulbs.  I hope your steroid injection helps your knee.  I am thinking about having stem-cell injections in mine, but not immediately.

It is 3 AM and here I am on the computer!  I haven't had a sleepless night for a while, but sure haven't been able to drop off tonight.  Tomorrow, I have an appt with the audiologist to have my hearing aids checked.  It is a new one, as Hear USA sold their franchises in Charlotte. I don't know if I will continue there or not. I will decide after I meet with them tomorrow.  It is not a very convenient location. Almost 20 miles from here.

Hi to Sue, Jeanne, Darlene, Jane, Molly, Marilyn and everyone else.  Sharon

Marilyn...glad Roger called you.

Darlene...glad you had a great visit.

We have phone and internet back.  Late Sunday night the pole in front of our neighbors went down....rotted, I guess, as no evidence of a car hitting it.  I'd seen the police cars and officers out with flashlights....but pole looked broken off from the bottom.  Finally have new pole in and we're connected to the world again!

Doc appt for Ray today is all on our plan.

Jane

Good morning everyone, We didn't sleep well last night either, It seemed like the cats wanted to go our one at a time  just about the time  sleep seemed possible another cat wanted to either go out or come in.

Today we will be going to the bank to deposit the check from the title company, Keith has been sitting on it but I just told him he better get it deposited. We also have to go to the county seat to get the marriage license this week or next. Hoping to have another car by then.

Another one of those perfectly splendid spring days here in Annapolis.  The daughter of one of my beloved first cousins came over from Bethesda and took me to lunch.  Such fun!  The time sped by much too fast.  Her father, my cousin, died in 2006 within months of Bob.  Her mother just last October. 

Marilyn
Now don't the cats have Litter boxes. Never heard of having to get up to let cats go outside.

There are two litter boxes, they do use them  but they still want to go outside, They start scratching at the sliding door in the bedroom at ALL  hours. Sometimes they scratch the  door molding and  we are going to have to replace some of it  eventually. ne cat peed on  Freck;les bed right in front of m,e and also in the bed that is in  Freckles crate.

Marilyn, 
It sounds to me like 
"The Lunatics Have Taken Over the Asylum"!
(as most cats do!) !

LOL Sandy, yep it sure does.

Good morning everyone, Today I ahve a couple of errands to run, go to the Farm Store (Grange) to buy Dog food. To my frined house to try on the shoes she bought for  my wedding, stop and drop off papers at the accountant for Keith and Tai Chi practice this afternoon. I was hoping to get into the chiropractor today but no appointment available until Friday Morning.

Tomorrow the Furry Friend humans  are getting a special price on a tour of thenew History Museum after our monthly meeting. I am looking forward to that.

I had to order another wristband that holds my Fitbit Flex in position as the one I have split right were the device fits into the band. I wear it 24/7 except in the shower, it logs my steps and my sleep, how many times I am awake or restless during the night. My computer reads it right off my wrist due to a little thing that is plugging into my computer. Or it can be read by Bluetooth on my tablet or phone. I also log my food on the website and this keeps me accountable for my intake of food and water. I have maintained by weight for 2 years now at 147.0 lbs. that is after gaining back 7 lbs of the 40 that I originally lost.

You're to be congratulated on holding your weight, Marilyn. I have done nothing but put on pounds. The cortisone this past month has just made it worse. Without exercise, it is really difficult to keep the lbs off.  You've really been running around today.

Mary Page, your luncheon sounds delightful. So nice to see family, especially extended family that you don't see often.

It's a gorgeous day here too, but I am hurting so bad!  I just took a tramadol. I went to bridge and lunch earllier and had intended to go to the grocery, but don't think I'm going to be able to make it. My legs are both weak and hurting, along with everything else.  Tomorrow I have an appt with my cardiologist.

Hi to you all.  Sharon

Drab grey day here today, with drizzle.  No matter, my heart sings on a high note and feels full of sunshine.  Chip took me on an excursion to Homestead Gardens this morning:  my very favorite place in this whole wide world, I think.  Or certainly nearly so. 

We usually go on or about the first of May, and never before that date.  But what with MaryZ and 4 of her nearest and dearest dropping in on May 7th, I wanted to make sure my blue pots were full of geraniums to greet them.  The pots are gorgeous in and of themselves, but are over the top when pretty blossoms are bobbing their heads off inside of them.

I bought only the "Zonal" species, as I have found them to be far and beyond every other in amount of blooming and length of endurance.  I strongly recommend these to you above all other geraniums.

I bought mostly the color Americana Salmon.  That was Bob's favorite, and I must say it goes best with the blue of the pots.  I also bought a few other pastel shades to mix in and make a contrast:

Moonlight Pink Eye  (a shocking pink with varied eye)
Moonlight Lavender (a true lavender and too lovely for words)
Pinnacle Apple Blossom  (a pale, pale true pink)
and
Pinnacle Pink  (a pink in between Pink Eye & Apple Blossom)

So I dove in the closet for my box of surgical plastic gloves and got the five big pots on the kitchen deck planted this afternoon.  Tomorrow I will start to plant the 16 pots on the bayside deck.  Actually, we need to go to Home Depot for some more trolleys (they are too expensive at Homestead), and I'll pick up more plants there, as I find I miscounted and we are two short.  Which is okay.

I get so excited at plant the garden time every year.  Mebbe if reincarnation is true, I'll not come back as a red headed opera singer after all.  It would be far more tranquil to be a landscape architect!

http://homesteadgardens.com/

I'm so honored to be getting to commune with the geraniums and the blue pots!  LOL.  I'll have my camera at the ready, MaryPage.

Sharon, I'm so sorry you're having so much pain.  I wish we could whisk it away from you.

We've had one lovely spring rain shower this afternoon, amongst periods of sunshine.  We're due to get more rain tonight.  I hope so.  My neighbor's beautiful flowers need it.  8^)

It's a cold (40’s), windy, and heavy rains on and off all day.  Not a day to be out and about.  Cards today for me were poor, again.  It's a good day to be here in my soft clothes, a fire going in the stove and we're warm and happy in the Fam Room. 

Tomorrow to be more of the same...and I'll be indoors, too!

Jane

Jane.  We are having the same here. So cold and pouring down. I have a broken water pipe someplace and can't get under the crawl space . What a bad day . maybe better tomorrow.
It is the big Marathon in town this weekend. Hope it clears up.  almost 30 thousand signed up from all over the world it seems.

MaryPage, I love geraniums.  I am also planning a trip to a nursery, to replant the plants that died this winter with our terrible winds.   Mine are hanging outside the banister of the living room big window (one floor above ground floor) and they always add a lovely touch of color to the scenery.
I also have two colorful ceramic parrots hanging on the edge - a present from my grandson.

I wish I could find the variety you seem to have but that is very rare. Only the lemony geranium survived the winter but its flowers are tiny.

I went on the new Williamsburg van yesterday with 14 others for a ride along the River Road (Miss. River) from
Baton Rouge to St. Gabriel, LA.  We had lunch at a very
old and unique restaurant (not pretty, but the food is very
good).  There are numerous plants along the River Road and
the employees from these plants frequent this place for good lunch menus.  I had gumbo and crab cakes. We had rain, but it was when we were eating.
JOY

Jeanne...sounds like time to call a plumber for your broken pipe.

Bubble...geraniums are annuals here...only the hardiest of plants survive our winters here in the upper midwest.   

Joy...what a pleasant outing! 

Another cold, wet day here, so maybe another colset will get cleaned....if the stiff old joints cooperate.  They don't want to limber up this morning.

good morning from Oregon. It is a wet day here but not quite raining.

I will be going to the monthly  luncheon  soon then on to the history museum  for our meeting and a discoun ted tour of the m useum. It is new and  is local history and maritime museum as well.

Well I got the plumber here for the pipes and other things thought would get done. Big company.  He came at 11 am. About 11:45 left to get a piece of short pipe at the shop. Now 1:45 and not come back.  All his tools are here and lots of things taken apart.. Here i am waiting to leave and most of the day gone.  I figured to go ahead. Get to most experience. Guess no better than the everyday handyman.

This is the salmon colored geranium I bought a lot of.

http://www.mischelsgreenhouses.com/Zonal-Cutting-Geranium-Americana-Salmon_p_392.html

I came here to admire again those geraniums

Lovely geraniums, MP.  I've never had a lot of luck with them. Guess I don't water them enough or something. I used to try some in IN. Haven't attempted them here.

Joy, what a nice day and with Mr. Rain cooperating too! 

Jane, we've had a front go through here the past couple days and Mr Fibro has told me about it! Didn't get much rain, but lots of pain.  I wish I had the energy to start on my closets and drawers.

I went to the cardiologist's this am.  Everything fine. Don't need to see him till next year unless there is a problem.  I went to Stein Mart afterwards and got 1 top, but was hurting so bad, I didn't get anything else.  Road work on 521, the main road into Charlotte from here. It was stop and go for at least 15 mins both ways!  Grrr.

I have just made out an online grocery list to be picked up tomorrow AM. Just couldn't face going. All I have to do is pull up in a special spot at the designated time, push a button beside the parking place and tell them I'm there. The will bring it out, load it in the trunk, charge my card, subtract any coupons, etc right there at the car. Pretty neat except it takes forever to make out the list. It's not very user friendly IMHO.  Oh well, still easier on my back and legs.  Sharon

Lovely color, MaryPage.  I just have one hanging basket with the really red ones.

Sounds like a fun day, Marilyn.

Sharon, are you getting your groceries from Food City?  They've just come into our area, and are going to start offering the online ordering and pickup service at several of their stores soon.  I'm glad that's available for you. I did a short trip to Walmart this morning and, as usual, rode in one of the carts.  That works okay for me.

I went to the jewelry making class this afternoon.  The Terrace supplies the materials, and a gal comes in to help with the stringing, etc.  It's the first time I've gone.  I'm not really a jewelry wearer, other than earrings, but thought it would be fun.  I did a necklace in purples today, and I'm sure it'll wind up with a friend or daughter before long.  Maybe turquoise next time.  LOL

Joy, your outing in the new bus sounds like fun.  I've driven the River Road - maybe 20 years ago.  It's a neat area.  The Terrace does a "mystery tour" about every other week.  The participants don't know where they're being taken when they start out.  It's something I'd like to do, but it's always on Monday - and that's the day I play bridge, so it just hasn't worked out for me yet. 

It's Friday already, and April is almost history!  The days sure flew by this week.  I was a "day ahead" of myself all week.  Goofy!

No rain today...back tomorrow for a soggy weekend.  Nothing much planned...need to go get my old car out  of storage at the Fairgrounds, and then I can get the other one into the body shop for repairs from the hail damage we received in Tx in Dec.   He said he has all the parts now...just must get the paint number from the car.

Have a delightful Friday!

Jane

Well, we still have grey rain, Jane, and what a pain!  Regardless, I am going to get out on the back deck this morning and plant, plant, plant!  It says here in small print.

My daughter Elizabeth is featured on an art site at the moment.  She truly has always wanted to be an artist, but as she says, life got in the way.  Well, she's heaps younger than Grandma Moses was!  Elizabeth is my oldest of 5 daughters and lives about an hour and a half away.

http://dpwnews.blogspot.com/2016/04/dpw-spotlight-interview-elizabeth-elgin.html

Mary, the grocery is my usual Harris Teeter store, just outside the entrance to Sun City. Very convenient and familiar.  Your jewelry class sounds like fun. With my tremor, I could never do it though. They have a jewelry making or beading club here.

Mary Page, your daughter is quite accomplished!  It must be difficult to work it all in with a full-time job!

I agree, Jane, that time just runs away anymore!  Today is a free day for me. No appts. Lovely, sunny day though.  All for now.  Sharon

Wow, MaryPage, what a talent she has.  I always wished I had the ability to do that sort of thing.

Sharon...good to have a stress-free day.  Oh, wow...the sun just popped out...first time in a few days!  We also have a stress free day on hand.  Only thing I may do today is the cabinet over our basement stairs where we store cleaning stuff...and who knows what gets pushed to the back.  I'm short, as you know...so I need the "stuff" I need up front.  Thank heavens the guy here is 6'3" and can reach those "far away places."  Hmmm...sounds like a song...if you're of a "certain age."  And I AM!   

I do need to go out and get a new finch feed sock.  Mine has holes in it, and the greedy little gold finches are gobbling away on what's left.  They are so pretty though.

jane

Elizabeth would simply adore to have you join her list!

http://furfriendsportraits.blogspot.com/2016/04/win-free-custom-pet-portrait.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+FurFriendsPortraits+%28Fur+Friends+Portraits%29

There are 2 or 3 mostly high-end grocery stores here in
Baton Rouge that you can call with your list and they will
deliver here to Williamsburg.  You just pay when they come.
I have not used this service yet----just not up to it yet.
Today, my oldest dtr. (67) called this morning and said she
will come and pick me up and go wherever it pleases me----
Target  , Shoe Store (I have decided my feet are "unfitable".  I must have 8-10 pair of shoes in my closet
and NONE feel good on my feet (I have a bunion on one foot).
JOY