Look what i just learned to do:

{{gwi:496132}}

Betty Boop, at her loveliest.

O.K. Miss Smarty, that is one very cool rose!

Pat, that's great news about the new docs! I had a feeling you wouldn't be giving up that easily. :D

No need for apologies, either, lady! Life happens, and sometimes, you just need to take care of business. It's always great to see you post here, so whatever you're doing, try to keep doing it. :)

Beautiful pic, Westelle!! I'm SO glad you got that pic-posting issue figured out. Can't wait to see more!!

Brenda

I'm glad you're back too, Pat... sorry I forgot to say something with all the excitement over finally figuring our how to post pictures.

Today I put up 5 jars of 'Wild' Apricot Jam- with sugar, and two with no-sugar, just Splenda for DH; and, 3 jars of Black Raspberry Jam - we got tired of eating the raspberries... can you believe that! LOL I used the Pomona Pectin so I didn't have to use so much sugar in any of them.... I sweetened them to our tastes. I can't wait to try them on hot toast tomorrow.

Hi Pat! I'm glad you're getting proactive on some care:) I've been really bad and not around much either. I hope you feel better soon and feel more energy soon. Maybe by the end of summer, it's too hot to feel a lot right now. Too hot to be outside for you except early am anyways. I hope for the best, keep us informed.

Westelle I wish I could see your pic, all I get is an red x. You'll have enough jam to last a long time, his and hers, huh:) As expensive as it is, I think that's wonderful. My sis makes hers and gives it out for X-mas gifts.

Hi Brenda, hope you're keeping cool and doing well:)

I'm trying to keep cool, Leslie! How about you? It hasn't reached over 95 here, but they keep threatening 100 or so today and tomorrow. I just hate it when it doesn't cool off much over night.

I think Photobucket was having some issues, because I can finally see Westelle's pic again today.

Hope the communication with the docs is continuing, Pat! Keeping my fingers crossed here!

Brenda

I have been trying to get outside early to do some work before the heat sets in, but I don't think it's cooling down much at night. I usually come in by 9 a.m. and am soaked.

I think the Raspberries are about done, I only got a cupful this morning. I think I'll just pull off the bird netting and let the critters/birds get what's left. The squirrels got the last 25 Apriums, but I still see the unripe Apricots hanging. Any day the peaches and nectarines will get ripe and there will be a free-for-all. I don't know why I bother.

AS of today DH is officially employed! Hurrah! He has become soooo bored that he can hardly stand himself. He will be setting-up a new Sales & Marketing operation for an existing company that is in trouble.... something he's really good at. I can already see the gears working.

Have started the ominous task of moving the Pigmy Date Palms off the stairs, out of their pots and into the ground.... hopefully in protected areas where the winter cold won't kill these last 4. We got one-- yes 1 -- moved before it got too hot to work. I know... get my keester out of bed early and there would be more time; but this old girl begrudgingly gets up at 7:30 with a snarl and half-closed eyes.... and breakfast is a must.

I got some pretty purplish-pink yarrow and some German Chamomile that look soooooo pretty in their blue pot. I just may leave them in the pot sitting on the patio wall.... at least until they start to show stress.

The squirrels got the last of the Apricots, and the birds are pecking the Pluots and Peaches to death. I've learned to eat fruit with peck marks. ;-/

I accidently left the rotor sprinkler on one area last night -- ALL night. The soil is definitely DEEP watered. There was no run-off, which only shows how bad the soil needed a drink.

So what are you all doing in this heat?

Congrats on your DH's having (re)flown the nest, Westelle! My DH is preparing to go back to work after being on disability since Oct. 2007. Hurrah!!!

I WISH I had more time, etc., to work in the garden right now! Had periodontal surgery and had to have a bone graft, so I've been nursing my mouth with soft foods and 800mg ibuprofens. I sure miss "real" food! My gums are throbbing with their own heartbeat. LOL Can't wait to get these stitches out....

Mom brought down a large Lantana and a Salvia 'May Night', but I just don't have the gumption to put them in yet. Ibuprofen makes me sleepy. :D

Roscoe, the puppy, is going in to be spayed today. Wish her luck! Poor little dear will be on the sore-spot bandwagon with me. LOL

Stay cool!!

Brenda

Hey Brenda....all this time I've been belly-aching and there you are with more discomfort than anyone needs. I think when you have a dental or foot problem your whole body starts screaming at you. Well..it's your time to scream back. Take care my friend and holler all you want!
Pat

I certainly don't envy you, Brenda. Ouch!

We did, finally, get all the Palms removed from their giant pots and put in the ground. Now there is just the clean-up to do tomorrow morning.... before I start cooking for the families that are due to arrive about noon tomorrow for the weekend.

You all have a great 4th!
W

Thanks for the kind words, ladies!! But Pat, you've had a rough go of it, through no fault of your own, and my mouth issues are my own darn fault. I wish I would have visited the dentist more in the last 20 years....or at all. :D

I think DH sometimes wishes they'd just sown up my piehole while I was sedated. LOL Little Roscoe made it through surgery, and she's the calmest I've ever seen her. I can't wait until she's back to her normal crazy self in a week or 2, though.

Thanks so much for letting me vent! You all have a safe, wonderful weekend, and Westelle, don't work too hard being hostess! :)

Brenda

Too late, Brenda. :D When the whole clan arrives I feel like a short order cook AND dish washer. Somedays I no more than get one meal's mess cleaned up than I have to start the next. DH did take us all out for a couple of meals so I didn't have to cook --- LOVE that man. I don't mean to make it sound as tho' the kids don't chip in on the work, it's just that I still have to be there to tell where everything goes. Not that I'm complaining -- too much -- because I still make time for lots of hugs and kisses for those grandbabies.

Glad to hear that your Puppy is OK. Did the fireworks scare her?

What a treat for DH to give you some relief from chef duties...and dishes! Nothing worse than having company, yet also having to do drudgery. Those are the days I really wish I had a housekeeper. :D

I'm so glad you had a wonderful holiday weekend! Ours was quiet - personal choice and Roscoe needing to heal. She doesn't get spooked too easily, thankfully! And it seemed like the crazy neighbors decided to go elsewhere to enjoy the festivities. With all of the dry, crackling grass around here, I'm glad they didn't put on their usual (illegal) fireworks display. :)

Brenda

Hey Brenda, I'm sorry to hear you've had such a tough time lately. I hope by now you're feeling better:) I hate having anything done in my mouth, I'm a sissy. I read on the other thread you DH went back to work, that's terrific for you guys:) Hang in there and keep cool, it's getting hot down here again.

Hey Westelle good news on your DH too! Glad you got your palms planted, things sound great for you, you're getting a lot accomplished.

Hello to you to Pat, I hope you're feeling well:)

Hi Leslie...I think Brenda is on the mend, Westelle's DH went back to work after his short retirement, I'm getting some help for these old lungs...NOW..I think we'll all start concentrating on getting our "Leslie" some new direction to cure those headaches. In the meantime,try to stay cool & not be working out in this heat. We had over 100 deg. today, forecast is for more of the same all this week. Take care love and keep in touch. Pat

Hey, Leslie!! Long time, no see! I sure hope you're getting SOME relief from those terrible headaches. I can't even imagine living with that EVERY day. :(

I'm getting my stitches out today (repeat update from other thread). :D DH isn't back to work yet, but hopefully, construction work will be picking up with a levee job and an airport job soon. He normally drives a big flatbed semi for moving equipment, but he'll probably be on a water truck for a while at first. That's one good thing about dry weather, anyway.

I'm SO thankful I don't live in Redding right now!! It was 112F at the airport there yesterday....with a low of 82! You all stay safe and stay cool!

Brenda

That's good Pat, I'm glad the Dr. is helping you, not that the air quality is any good. Even down in the valley it's unhealthy, at least in my county.

Brenda, good to hear, still ouch you had to have this done. I'm sorry you needed it in the first place. The dentist is a torture chamber for me with no discs in my jaws.

Grandkids running me ragged. I've been busy with them. Hey Brenda I have Hollyhocks in bloom:) I keep forgetting to take pics.

It's supposed to up to 110-112 here too in the next day or so... A lot of shade plants fried in June it was so hot.

Non stop daily headaches are just normal bad, I haven't had a true migraine in several months with this med I take. OTOH I loose a lot of hair as a side effect which is upsetting. Next month it will be the anniversary of when I got them, 27 years ago. I've now done every test that can be done and run. Dr. threw down his pen in disgust and his hands in frustration. He gives up.