New Year; new thread: January, 2012!

Check out this special

http://old.highcountrygardens.com/ezine/010612.html?utm_source=special&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=010612WWGNJAN12&lm=high

Sandra such wonderful news about Jerry going into the research program!!!

Looks like you've been doing the same thing I have!! I've been going through Plant Delights new online catalog. I've been putting everything I really like in the wishlist! Didn't even bother to look at how long my wish list is. They have lots of different varieties of cast iron plants. I want to add some more of those. I'm really into the variegated leaves on anything! Plenty of time to wish!!! LOL

I got an e-mail from high country, they have lots of agast ache and salvia. I could take 3 of each from their book. I am not planning on adding anything this year except annuals and I hope I will be able to do that.
I will not rush my arm, I am going to have to do as I am told and get it well. Of course when the sun comes out and spring gets here I will want everything I see.
The doctor called today and said they had sent my file to the specialist and the specialist will call me.
Even if I could have the surgery next week I am thinking I am looking at close to a 3 month recovery, with PT. I am not getting my hopes up about doing a lot of gardening and if I am able, it will be a pleasant surprise!

Sandra, that is wonderful about Jerry getting into the research program. And I think you're wise to take it easy this year. With your arm and a new grandson on the way you'll be plenty busy. Your DL beds will survive beautifully!!

I haven't decided what, if many or any perennials I'm doing yet this year. I have pansies and about 35 new bulbs in the ground from the fall, and I really need to re-do the rest of our foundation plantings (shrubs) if we're up to it this spring. That will determine what else we do most likely. I'm absolutely not going to add any new beds, but I have a small bed I'm tweaking and may move some stuff into it that I've already got (coneflowers, daisies, etc). I also may need to move or divide some iris, so the chores are still there...just nothing new planned.

I have determined I'm going to try and use more local nurseries this year. Even though one of them is a bit of a drive from my house, I think they have as good a selection as Plant Delights and I know more what I'm getting. I have had to have PD re-send me some dormant stuff that didn't do well the past couple of years. Their catalog is lovely, but I've spent way too much money with them to have it not do well.

Charlotte I love your booth and see lots of things I need!!! TG!!! You aren't closer!!!

Sandra that is wonderful news about the research program. I always wondered how the programs worked the placebo with the patients. I'm glad to know that they are also given a chance at the real medicine. I pray this works for Jerry and he will be able to live a long life with Hep. C.

Did you hear from the specialist yet on you Sandra? Please give them a call after lunch if you haven't. You need to get this taken care of before they can't do anything for you.

Boy I have been looking into assisted living for my BIL in Jackson, Ms. and they are outrageous starting at $3000.00 a month. He is on disability and gets about 1/2 that amount. They told me to look into getting him Medicaid also to supplement his income. She said they would even come to his apt. for home health care. His Dr. told him not to drive but he is and I find that really scary but BIL won't listen to reason. Have any of you faced this delima(sp.)???? How were you able to arrange it?

Elaine I'm trying not to order a lot of stuff from catalogs also. I find I can get cheaper healthy plants when we gp to Memphis shopping. However PD has a couple of things that I have not seen anywhere else that I may end up ordering. I really need to take out the foundation plantings in my front and redo them. We pulled out some really big things about 9 years ago but I need to take everything else out and just start over. I'll have to get myself siked up for that - probably want be this year.

Jeri that's one thing I've never had to deal with. Boy do you keep your hands full!!!

Sandra you need to do like jeri says if you don't hear drom your dr this morning. Sometimes you just have to stay on them to get anything accomplished.

Sandra, so glad to hear that he is starting the research project quickly. Tomorrow must be a big day for medicine. I have a good friend who is getting a spinal implant tomorrow. She has had tremendous back pain for several years and a few months ago she got to do a trial of this spinal implant and it eliminated her pain, but then she had to give it back! SHe had to go thru a long drawn out process to see if her insurance would cover any of the cost of the implant procedure, etc. but she will have the real thing implanted tomorrow. I pray that Jerry's treatment helps him as much as that implant helped my friend!! I wasn't sure how that worked on the research programs either but I am thankful that they will not leave him on the placebo!!

Charlotte your booth is super nice! I am still hoping to get back by there and look thru the antique mall ! We all love prowling thru antique booths!

Jeri, my MIL lived in assisted living for about 5 yrs before having to move to the nursing home. She was in a wonderful facility that really treated them like a big family. She was private pay, but hers cost about 1500 a month. But of course, that has been about 4 yrs ago....... I would do a lot of searching because there are a LOT of different types of assisted living facilities. My MIL lived in an independently owned facility that was all private pay, my boss's inlaws just moved into an actual house that is inside a gated community that is assisted living - but it is VERY pricey....., and then we have an "assisted living" facility here in town that is a HUD facility. I am not really sure what that means but I know the people that live there have to meet certain lower income limits. We had a elderly man in our church that had to sell his house so that he would qualify to move in there. He just has a SS check as income. Another woman in our church also lives there. My MIL just had a single room and restroom in her "apt" similar to a hotel room. The people in the facility here in town have a kitchenette, a living area and a bedroom area..... I don't know what the cost is there, but I know it is much lower because of the income restrictions. If you could find one of those facilities I am sure that would be your best bet unless he has a lot of cash or assets that would prevent him from qualifying......

The rain has finally stopped here and we are supposed to have some sunshine later today - not a sign of it yet! I am ready to see the sun for a while......enough drab overcast days already!!!

Edited to say : Jeri I sent you a dmail on some websites I found that MIGHT help!

This message was edited Jan 11, 2012 10:21 AM

I was just looking out my back door and realized I have a coneflower blooming!!!! It is a new bloom - not real pretty but an actual fresh bloom!!! Also have forsythia blooming and after walking around discovered I have daffodils that are 6 or 7 inches tall - some actually have buds. This is absurd!!!

Thanks everyone. The doctors office I have been using called early yesterday morning and told me they had sent my file to the specialist and the specialist office would call me. Sounds like a job interview--lol--if I don't hear this week, I will get my family doc to find me a specialist. Since it took from Dec 22nd-until Jan 10th for the first office to do anything, who knows how long it will be for the next one?????

Thanks Genna I have talked to a few people and feel a little better. That lady yesterday that said they start at $3000.00 and medicare doesn't really cover it almost had me hyperventilating!!!!

Jeri, you might want to talk to Becky about getting him on Medicade, the government is trying to get Becky's Mom's house now that she has passed away to recoup some of the money they paid for her stay in the nursing home.

Sandra fantastic new about Jerry, now to get some good news on you and that bum arm. Send Jerry my congrats and wishing him a great recovery.
Marilyn i have been thinking about you all day. How is your ex doing. Sorry I forgot his name (Tom?)
I know you are enjoying your new furbaby. He certainly didn't know how blessed he was getting you for a mom. He has certainly gone from hell to heaven on earth.
Jeri my MIL is in assisted living and I believe she pays 2800. a month. She is 94 and is afraid she may outlive her money. It is certainly a possibility since her sister died this year at 99. We have told her quit worrying since she has 6 living Children that can certainly help pay her expenses.

I spent the day shredding boxes of paperwork and cleaning out old seed box. I had over a thousand pkts of seed from 2008/2009. I kept some but getting rid of the rest. Not sure how much is still viable but I have someone who wants the remainder. I am glad to claim that closet space back. I am finally making a dent in all the changes I have been wanting to make in the bedrooms. Hopefully when i get through I will be able to put my hands on what I need in these closets. I haven't totally gotten them organized yet because I need more containers but 3 closets down 1 to go . Then I will have to tackle that filing cabinet. I don't want to even think about it. Hoping to get that big desk out of there tomorrow. I burnt up my shredder today with all I put through it. I told my husband I need a barrel so I can burn all this paperwork we don't need anymore. Most of it is box after box of medical files when I was trying to get disability. . Too much personal info to put in a dumpster.
I am off to bed hope you all had a wonderful day.
Cindy

Cindy I'm cleaning house today! I started yesterday and have to finish today as we are having Christmas with DH daughter and family tonight. It got delayed because of her FIl health problems and then funeral. Sarah also audited for a spot on her school's talent show. (she sings and plays the guitar). She was selected to be in the show so we will be celebrating that also . Think I'll try to find a big balloon!!
Cleaning closets is on my list of to do's also. We seem to hoard coats!!! My foyer closet is so full of coats it's embarrassing! I also have lots of paperwork that needs to be organized - lots needs to be destroyed. I use my chemina to burn papers. I use my shedder for daily stuff but when I'm cleaning out I just sit out on the deck and feed them into a fire in the chemina(sp). I started doing that when I got rid of all my dad's paper work. Even though he was dead I just didn't want to throw it all in the trash with all his personal information on it.

Thanks Charlotte I never thought about the Chimenea I have one sitting out there that has never had anything burned in it. Next box is getting burned for sure. I am sure y'all will be having fun tonight. Christmas all over again. I wish we could spread ours out on purpose. One big whirlwind and it's all over.

Sandra: I commented about Jerry's acceptance into the research program in a couple of other places so won't do so here. I do hope your specialist has called you and set up an appointment!

Charlotte, your booth looks lovely! I love that rocking chair with the needle-point on the back! My FIL had one of those hat racks or whatever it is that you have hanging way up high in the corner. I don't know what happened to it.

Cindy: Thanks for asking--my ex (yes, his name is Tom) is still hanging in there-- although he is extremely thin--down to 120 pounds! Nobody thought he would make it this long but he is like the Energizer bunny--he just keeps going! He has even started walking with his walker again but only for about 25-50 feet at a time. He gets around mainly in a wheelchair by paddling it along with his feet.
I am glad you are getting things organized--it's a good feeling to get that sort of stuff done, isn't it? I have burned up two shredders in the past. The next time I buy one, I will buy a more expensive one instead of one of the less than $20.00 ones! LOL Laddy is doing great and he is a real sweetie. He has adapted to our home quickly--it is already like he has been with us for a long time! :o)

Jeri: I won't go into personal detail about how I know but trying to get someone on Medicaid is a real nightmare! You can't have transferred any assets for a period of 3 years before you apply for help from Medicaid. (How many people know 3 years ahead of time that they will be needing Medicaid's help? Duh!) You have to furnish them with proof of assets and all that kind of "stuff". As I said, it is a nightmare trying to prove that somebody who has virtually nothing of worth needs help!!! If you decide to go that route you should do your research on what is needed by Medicaid before you apply for your BIL.

On a happier note, I thought I would share a pic of one of my African Violets with you. I have two that are blooming right now. Nobody has told them that it is winter outside! LOL (Our high temp today is supposed to be 28F! BRRRRRR!)

Pretty African violet Marilyn!!! I love african violets! I've continually had them in my kitchen window for the last 40 years!!!! One house I had several glass shelves cut for the window above my sink and had african violets on all the shelves. Just have them in the window sill in my kitchen now.

Yes that is a hat rack up in the top corner. It's wicker. I love the rocker also. It's in really good condition. The needlepoint isn't worn at all.

This message was edited Jan 12, 2012 5:02 PM

A quick word about shredders if any of you are thinking about buying one. Our 7-year old shredder recently had to be replaced. DH found a reconditioned 'new' one from either Staples or Office Depot. It was regularly a $300+ model and was just a bit over $100 including shipping. He is a big fan of reconditioned electronics as a general rule as he knows they undergo more rigorous factory testing than the usual production line products and have the same as-new warranty. We have purchased many items this way and saved big bucks. This model is supposed to shred CDs and there is even a slot for them but I have yet to have the nerve to try it. We have one of those at work so I'd probably take anything like to work and use it if I had to do it.

Pretty African violet, Marilyn, and we sure needed the bit of cheer. Yes, Old Man Winter blew in here today too. Brrrrrrrrr!! It is in the upper 20's, windy, roads are icing over, and a bit of snow blew thru around 5:00-5:30 as I went to feed the animals. Yikes!

No call from the specialist today

Copied from another thread
I am exhausted---long day, we got up at 5am, got ready and left at 5:45. We got home at 5pm! We have to go back tomorrow, but it is for only one blood draw. She did 3 today at 2 hour intervals. He has been assigned the 12 week program. He will go every week for 4 weeks, skip the 5th week, then back on the 6th week. We made all the appointments today, except for the last one and it will be in 2013
She did not have a 2013 calendar in her appointment book. The last scheduled one is in Sept and the one in 2013 will be in March. All appointments except one will be Fridays at 8am. Hopefully we will be home by 11 so he can catch a nap before he has to leave at 2pm to go to work. The one is on a Thursday as she had that Friday booked already. It is all pills, no shot, he was glad of that !

Wayne got back in a private room yesterday. He is doing much better now, he is able to eat again, and he was strong enough to walk some today. Judy is still hurting in her shoulder really bad. They gave her some steroid shots the day Wayne's brother was in the funeral home, I think she is going to try and get an MRI, she was better for a few days after the shots, but now it is back full force.

Got to get in the bed soon, another 5am day tomorrow.
So far the medicine he took this morning has not bothered him. She told him that when these drugs hit the market, they would be 4,000-5,000 each bottle. She gave him the entire 12 week course of the meds, one has to be kept in the fridge, so she gave him a cooler bag and a larger bag. The tops on the bottle have some kind of chip in them that records each time the bottle is opened and he also has to chart the pills and the times on a paper chart. Everything she gave him today has to be carried to each appointment. He has 8 bottles of the drugs, it is 4 different kinds of medicine. He has also contributed to science already. When his biopsy came back with no cirrhosis the drug company told them to stop using the blood test that said he was possible into cirrhosis. I am truly thankful that no one else will have to go through those terrible days we did thinking he did have cirrhosis .
Thanks again for all the prayers offered for us, and Judy and Wayne also.

Sandra.... I bet you are tired! Hope tomorrow is a much shorter day for you! Does he take 4 types of medicine at the same time? Or 4 types over the course of the treatment? Either way, I am glad to hear that they did away with that blood test..... I am with you, no need for anyone else to have to go thru the mental torture! I am sure it is hard enough on him as it is without thinking that damage had already taken place.

Great news on Wayne! sounds like he is a lot better indeed! I hope that he continues to improve so that Judy is able to get her shoulder taken care of soon!

We usually just burn our papers as well..... but I have a big bag that needs to be burned. It was so dry there for a while that I didn't dare attempt to start a fire! Then since it has been raining I just haven't thought about it when we did have time.

Elaine that is an interesting point about electronics. Never thought about it that way! I didn't even know that they made shredders that would shred CDs! Learn something every day on here! :)

It is COLD here!! I do NOT like weather this cold -especially not with that horrible cutting wind! I am really upset because i have been lookin and looking for a nice down coat. I ordered one that one that was to be my bday present.... but it is longer than I really want... it is mid thigh. I would really like one that falls just at below my rear. But I loved the fact that it was warm and SUPER lightweight, which is what I was wanting. After Christmas, I ordered another jacket from a different store and I love the length of it, but I hate how they have the pockets, the weight it about 4 times heavier than the longer coat, and I don't like the fabric. I am SO frustrated because this makes the second winter that I have been looking for a new coat. Looks like I will be returning both of them. Guess I will just give up on getting a new coat...... It would sure be nice to be able to find one that I really like! With this type of weather, I remember WHY I wanted one! :)

I have a 20.00 coat, I got at Old Navy several years ago I had rather wear than any coat I have. It is a nylon type fabric on the outside that repels rain, and fuzzy warm lining on the inside, it has a hood too. It is so light weight, but warm as my heavier coats.

It is 4 different types of meds. He takes 3 tablets of one kind , 1 each of the other 3 in the am-then only 1pill at night. They all have numbers on them instead of the drug name.

Sandra I commented on another thread about Jerry's program - just so glad he got in it.

We just got through with our combination Christmas and celebration of Sarah's getting in the talent show. I found a big balloon at Party City that said Rock Star (she plays the guitar and sings). Then I bought some sparkling cider and sparkling strawberry drink and we drank it out of champagne flutes! She loved it! Drank almost a whole bottle herself!

We both have a ridiculous number of coats!!! Just seems we never get rid of any. I have a full length down filled coat that is at least 30 years old and I probably haven't worn it in 10 years or more. But boy is it warm if I ever need it. When I worked downntown I had to walk several blocks from the parking lot to my car and it did feel good then ! I'm like Sandra I have one or two jackets I tend to wear most of the time.

Sandra sorry Jerry had such a long tough first day but it sounds like things are really going to be good. I sure hope he is able to tolerate the meds.

Elaine we have also bought many refurbished items. I have nearly always been pleased . The shredder I burnt up was a mid priced one my children gave me for Christmas several years ago. My first one I had would only take a couple pieces of paper at a time where this one would take 5 or 6. I like to use the shredded paper in my compost or directly in my flower beds.I have to be able to cover it though because the bright white is pretty unsightly. The worms seem to love it. It beaks down pretty quickly if you wet it then cover.

Genna have you looked at Eddie Bauer, Cabelas and Gander Mountain for a coat? I have the down underwear for hunting and I love it. I wish I could find a nice pair of coveralls made of down instead of Thinsulate. There is just no warmth like down.

Marilyn thanks for the picture. We finally saw a little sunshine today, just a little though. We had horrible high winds all day. I was trying to load my suburban with stuff to go to the salvation army and could barely open the door. No way it would stay open as I would turn around to pick up the box. I finally had to put one of my big pots in front of the door to hold it open. It was cold too. It turned over all my outdoor furniture. My rugs were out in the yard and a couple cushions were too, They were velcroed on but the winds were so high it just ripped it off.

Sandra please remember to tell Judy we haven't forgotten her and Wayne. So So Glad he is better.

Jeri tell Mary hello for us. I hope you are able to find a solution for your BIL's care.

Yes, Cindy, I purchased a coat from Eddie Bauer last year on their season clearance, but when it got here it wasn't what I wanted so I returned it to the store in LR to avoid s/h. Then this year, I ordered the 550 down coat that is so light from Eddie Bauer as well. I LOVE the coat, but just wish it was about a foot shorter! I just hate getting in and out of a vehicle with a long coat on, plus when I get to the office or wherever I usually hang my jacket on the back of my chair, and the longer length would just drag the floor. :( Other than the length it is exactly what I want! Then the second jacket that I ordered was from LL Bean. Right length, but didn't like anything else about it - didn't like the fabric, the fake fur was REALLY ugly, and the weight was really heavy! Looked at Cabela's and Bass Pro websites but didn't see anything..haven't tried Gander Mtn so that might be an option. So,....... I am still looking! :) Plus, if I invest in a down jacket I would like to be able to wear it if we ever go back skiing.....can't do that in a long coat either! I have threatened to try to cut this coat off, but the zipper is too long for that!! Oh well....looks like I won't have a new one for this season either.

Charlotte, the Christmas gathering sounds like you all had a lot of fun! Sounds like Sarah enjoyed the celebration too! When is the talent show?

Sandra, interesting the way they do that. At the end of all this, will he find out what the medicines were he was taking or will he never know? I have never known anyone to be a part of a medical research. Had a friend who tried to get into a cancer research thing for his liver cancer, but they found a spot on his back where it has spread so they wouldn't let him in. Sounds like there is a lot of documentation that goes along with it, but I guess that is the only way they know what he has taken and how to enter it all into their study. I am praying that this is successful for him!

Jeri, how is Mary doing with her dentures? Are they getting any easier to use? I bet that is a huge adjustment. My Dad had all his teeth pulled when he was in the military I think.............. he had dentures my entire life, but he still got frustrated with them at times! :) A funny memory I have is of my parents and I coming out of Wal-mart one day and we were just in front of the store almost to the "street" that goes in front, and my Dad sneezed really hard. He had both hands full of grocery bags, and his top set of dentures went flying out across the street in front of a car about to drive by. It was hilarious. (of course my Dad didn't think so) but if you could have only seen the look on the man's face in the car!!! This was during the time period that America's funniest home videos was the big show on tv...and I always thought if we could have captured that on video we could have been rich ! ^_^

Genna that would have been a great one for America's funniest videos!! It made me laugh just thinking of the picture!! But I know it was not funny for your dad!!!

Sarah's talent show is going to be February 10. A Friday night. Mark's mom and sister's are going to go also. They have gotten a block of tickets for all 8 of us and we're going to all go out early and have pizza are something before the show. She has a basketball game Sat morn so we're all just going to make a weekend of her activities.

Cindy I do the same thing with my shredded paper. I just throw some pine needles over it. I've also started just putting some things just directly in my flower beds and covering it with pine needles. My shredder is a mid priced one that has a slot for shredding credit cards. I've gotten mine hung several times. I've had the bin too full and also stuffed too many sheets through the shredder. I've been able to get it unhung by unplugging it and emptying the bin and pulling out some of the stuck paper and then reversing it. One of these days I'm sure I'll actually burn it up. I had a big cardboard box I needed to throw away the other day. I just cut it to flatten and threw it back in the compost area. I'll figure out a use for it.

Whooooooo - can't keep up ladies - sounds like a lot going on out there. I'm glad for the chatter. You may inspire me to pull old files out of those boxes and rip 'em to shreds. That's all I have in storage in this house anyway - old file boxes from my law practice. I have to maintain them for 7 years or so . . . depends on which state the stuff is from - I hate having to look over my shoulder, but the statute of limitations for malpractice claims is pretty long in some states I've practiced. :D

Anywho - if you haven't seen the picture yet here's why I'm exhausted and unable to make small talk. Court decided to keep the latest stray that has come thru the house. He's awesome, but is going to need a daily reminder about who's who and where his place is in this house. -sigh-

I "sat" on him full length this morning for over an hour before the doorbell rang and had to get up. I read this years ago about maintaining your alpha status over unruly dogs. He's not 6 months old, and he cried for the entire hour, struggling. We are both going to be very tired tonight. Pretty sky, snow in the mountains this morning. Big wind last night too. Stay warm ladies, whichever coat you choose. :)

A.

Edited to say, it's not so much sitting on the dog as wrestling him and keeping him pinned down and not getting up. When I read that up there about reminding "him" about who's who and where his place is I thought that could just as easily mean Court as the new dog. :)

This message was edited Jan 13, 2012 1:16 PM

My rule is I do not go outside below 50 degrees if I can help it. LOL!!! But I layer, layer, layer. It's easier than a heavy coat. Looks like I have gained 20 lbs in the winter.

Did they give you any idea of the side effects of the meds that Jerry may experience so you know what to look for?

That is wonderful news on Wayne. I hope that they will be able to do something for Judy so that she is not in so much pain!!!! I just got back from taking Ashley to another Dr. that had a sign in the exam room that explained a patient's rights. The very first one was to not be in pain.

Dr. Suazo-Flores was very nice and explain to both Ashley & I that for some people it is normal to throw up when on your period. We have her scheduled for a pelvic ultrasound Tue and depending on what they find there Dr. Suazo said that she may put Ashley on a low grade birth control pill to see if that will help her problem. Poor thing, when they said it was normal she started to cry b/c she didn't know of anyone else with this problem and she didn't understand how that could be normal.

I'm like you jeri I've learned to wear a lot of thin layers in the winter. Seldom actually wear a coat unless I'm going to be walking somewhere. But our coat closet is one of the things that really bugs me!!!! Every time I decide to do something with it I'll start pulling things out and think well I might need that for so and so and end up leaving everything in there!! Don't know how I'm ever going to get the nerve to get rid of at least half of it! I'm working on my closet now. My bed is piled full of stuff so something's going to have to be finished before bedtime!!! LOL

Jeri you have dmail re: Ashley's problem.

Charlotte, I would think you could sell the extra coats at your shop, just hang one at a time somewhere and see what happens.

I had to have a nap when we got back this morning. We were home by 10:30, so I sat my alarm for 1pm and had a wonderful nap. Jerry said he never got sleepy, but I think that had something to do with a new knife he won on E-Bay coming in the mail today. He has to shine and polish them up as soon as they get here.

Heather is the girls name that is taking care of Jerry, unless something goes badly wrong, it will be her he will see at each visit. She told us this morning that the meds he is taking have been in trials for 4-5 years already and the cure rate on these meds has been 85-90% As far as knowing what he is taking, I have no idea if they will ever tell us. She did tell us that she is allowed to tell him when she sees the blood work if the viral load is dropping, she is hoping to see even a small drop from today's draw which will be back next Friday when we go. It is pretty interesting stuff, most people like me never have a clue about things like this that aren't in the medical profession. She told me to never touch one of his pills and for him to be sure they were not stored where any children could reach them. She put on gloves to take them out for him yesterday. She also told me he had to come there for the blood draws, I asked if we could get it at our primary care, she said that there is one central lab that all the samples go to from all over the world to be processed. It is very tightly controlled.

Amanda, I would hate to have your job of going through all those papers. But they will sure make your garden pretty if you do get them shredded!
It is very cold here today, our car registered 19 degrees at one point in our trip this morning, around Ashland MS. I sure was glad I picked up everything I needed yesterday.

I can't remember if it was on this thread I told you all about Brandon's foot, but he went and talked to someone yesterday about it and they got him approved for treatment with payment in full, so he has an appointment on Tues to see a doctor about getting it fixed. I am so glad, he could barely walk last week when they came by here after the doc visit. It has given him a lot of pain.

Glad to hear they are going to get his foot fixed! I hope it is resolved quickly.... Did you ever hear from your specialist?? or did I miss that post? I bet those medicines that Jerry is on are pretty stout....glad she warned you about making sure no one touched them.

Jeri, sorry to hear that Ashley is still having problems.... but wasn't she getting sick every week, not just once a month??? My nephew's adopted daughter had to have surgery on Dec 16 because she had lots of cysts on her ovary. One was the size of a softball, although I don't know how because she is a size 0! Anyway, they ended up having to take one ovary and tube out because it was so badly infected....also had to take out her appendix because the infection had spread to it as well. She is 16.

Charlotte, my sympathies or congratulations, however you look at it! I hate cleaning out closets but I know it always feels so good to get it done! :)

Genna, they called this afternoon, I have a consult appt on Jan 23rd. First appointment open, so if he does think surgery will help, I am sure it will probably take a few weeks to schedule it, at least there is progress.

Glad there is a little progress Sandra!!! Yes it does take forever to get any thing scheduled. When I had thyroid surgery it was over 2 months from the time he decided to take it out until he actually had a open date for the surgery!

I guess I should be used to waiting by now, since this started in Sept, but you know it is getting close to dig in the dirt time and I want to be able to dig!!

Yes it is getting very close to digging in the dirt time!!!! Gota get your arm ready!!!

I'm ready for digging in the dirt too. The weather is really strange here. My Firespikes planted before the front porch are still alive in the back where the overhang has protected them but the front of the plant is dead.

Me, too--ready for digging in the dirt! I am eager to see if everything I planted from the RU at Jim's will live through the winter. If all those EE's make it through, I will have several of those to plant!

Sandra, glad that Brandon will be able to get his foot "fixed".

I think I need to go look up some internet gardening sites and look at all the plants for sale! It might give me a temporary "fix". ROFL

This is really strange weather! I have hyacinths blooming and my daffodils are up 6 or 7 inches. A lot of them actually have buds. That can't be good. It was about 60 today. Tomorrow it's going to be even warmer - around 70. Looks like we're going to have a pretty mild winter! I have a couple of online sites I've bee looking at and placing things in a cart to daydream over!!!!LOL

We still have Feb before we can say--mild--lol--I do hope it is mild as we will have to go to Memphis the next 4 Fridays I will go by myself next Monday. I have already asked Cayla to take me if he decides to do surgery. We are trying to not use up all of Jerry's time off right here at the first of the year. She does not have a strict policy about missing days like he does. Of course I will make up her pay she will miss.

Jerry went out with me yesterday afternoon and he pruned the grapevine and set out a rose for me. My Joseph's Coat rose bit the dust in the heat and dry summer last year, so I pulled a pot up to that pink thornless rose, that I can never think of its name and pulled a limb down and put a brick on it. I hope it has rooted, I didn't pull the dirt away to check, just dumped the pot out into the hole after he dug the dead one out. We pruned a little on Gunny's rose. I saw a few daffs sticking their heads up too.

The forecast for the next week is mild so that gets us to almost the end of Jan! Then February only has 29 days. So even if we get some really cold weather in Feb we shouldn't have that much of it.

When can I start pruning my roses?? Don't know that much about them but have slowly been adding some. My tree roses that I got last year need to be pruned. I have them in the back in front of the pergola and they actually did really well despite not getting very much sun. I also put some in the bed in front that I expanded. Then I have 3 in pots in the front in the day lily bed. I have really enjoyed the roses.

If you want you can prune them in our zone anytime from late Nov until Valentines Day, if you have not done it by Valentines it is recommended to leave them alone. From what I read Jan is the best time for the grapevine, glad we had a pretty Sat to do it.