Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Shot in the foot
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Green Thumb Sunday
The most colorful hybiscus in my yard. It is a real survivor. conan chopped it down once, a frost got it a couple years ago, and jerry broke/damaged it pulling out a rouge vine. It may be a weak shrub but the flowers are gorgeous.
My staghorn ferm. I am thinking if we remove the propane tank, which we do not use because we don't heat our pool, then I may cosolidate all my ferns creating a fern garden! When I bought this one a couple years ago it only had two leaves - or was that last year?? I purchased the most unusual items from this lady who lives near my friend Christina. She has an awsome yard and sells plants she has propegated. Her sale was probably yesterday because it usually coincides with Green Thumb Festival :(
This plant was delivered to my Dad's house when my step mother died. You just wouldn't believe how many plants were delivered to the house on top of everthing at the funera home. No kidding, there were probably 50 plants. Most were what one would think of as houseplants but in my climate they are lkiving outside. Dad is still keeping a dozen or so alive. Since we drove to Arkansas we were able to bring a few back and I created a Bessie garden. A cold night took out a couple of them and I moved the bromeliad to my new bromeliad border but I still have two "Bessie" plants in a corner by the pool - it's a reflective area of my garden.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
It's not my day :(
Oh well, thought I would pass some time on the computer BUT went to the eye Dr. today and due to dilation, I am seeing blurry and the screen is too darn bright. Plus, mosts of my Rat Terrier friends who post alot and keep me amused are at Rat Terrier Jamboree in Tennessee. It's great but I miss reading all the posts and seeing all the photos on Rat-Terrier.com and Ratbone Chat.
But, don't feel too sorry for me........I got a new bed today. A 12 inch memory foam and it feels GOOOOOOOD! It's actully in the guest room (take note of that friends and family) but I use that room for watching TV so I am test driving it.
Vickie
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
More Ratbone Dogs Hoping For Forever Homes
Second photo is Little Joe who is also being fostered in Alabama. He lost his home and family due to a divorce situation. Look at that soft fur - don't you just want to snuggle up with him?
Third photo is Major. His foster family is in Michigan. He was left at shelter by his former family with instructions to euthanize him. Luckily, Ratbone Rescues was able to squeeze him into a foster home. What beautiful markings.
This last photo is of Sunset who is being fostered in my state - Florida! Her owners moved and were unable to take her with them. Somebody looks ready to find a new family to love.
If you or someone you know is looking for a pet, please consider adoption. PLEASE spay or neuter your pets and for goodness sakes, don't leave a pet at a KILL shelter!
http://www.ratbonerescues.com/
http://www.petfinder.com/
http://www.1-800-save-a-pet.com/
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Earth Day 2008
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Sunday Gardening part 4 - Bromeliads!!!
Sunday Gardening part 3 - Hibiscus
Sunday Gardening part 2 - pool garden
Two years ago we hired a guy that I now call "Conan the Gardener" to trim our giant white bird of paradise. Apparently there was a language barrier with his crew because when I came home from work ALL my plants were gone - only the huge bird of paradise, palms, and hibicus bush remained (presumeable because they could not be pulled out by hand). All my labor, not to mention cost of plants, for m underplanting *gone* *puff*. I used this as a chance to replant in a more organized way, repeating the same plants at intervals. You can see it came grown back. Jerry thinks we need Conan in again. I think it is as it should be :)
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Screen Porch Ramblings
( (Be sure to click on photo for the "bigger picture")
Hubby is just back from Costco and bought me rechargable batteries for my digicam so I am back in busines there. Yippee! I'm including photos taken on the side of the house - that hard to use area. Few years ago I had a landscaper put in a walkway and have been atempting to make it into part of the garden. Right now when you enter from the gate (sorry for the interruption but I just got the most fragrent whiff of the blooming jasmine, it's divine) you pass my succulent garden, then enter the jasmine covered arbor, walk past one wall of the screen porch/orchid house, before the walkway turns and you are in my tiny little backyard.
I'm including photos from both directions and a close up of an orchid that screamed "photo me!" Gardeners, isn't the jasmine fabulous? It is scenting up our entire neighborhood since many people have it. So great. Trying to talk hubby into clearing out the other side of the house and using that little strip too. If he does, I will move my succulent garden over there and expand my bromeliad gardening where the succulents are now. I believe they are all ready to be divided into multiple plants and I would only have to purchase for variety. Cross your fingers and send positive garden vibes.
Friday, April 18, 2008
UGLY, Clunky Shoes
Dr. sent me to Peltz for proper fitting of athletic shoes which I have to wear exclusively. No bare feet, flip flops, heels, Berkies, nothing - certainly nothing cute! Plus medication, plus injections, plus inserts, plus I am bandaged up for a few days. I’m kinda down about the shoe thing and scared of the injections. On the bright side, I got to go shoe shopping even if it was only for ugly athletic shoes that my feel will feel claustrophobic in. So, if you see me anytime over the next couple months or so, I will be styling one of these two models! Oh, you will have to come see me because I am under house arrest so to speak, staying off the feets except when absolutely necessary - no activity.
PS: In terms of cute sandles and heels, I thought I was "in" when I saw the Podiatrist was a woman until I looked at her feet and saw ugly, practical shoes :(
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
More Ratbones and Survey From Julie's Blog
Four jobs that I have had:
1. Museum Business Manager
2. Buyer for a chain of retail stores
3. Ticket Taker at baseball games
4. Computer Operator
Four movies that I’ve watched over and over again:
1. Steel Magnolias
2. The Harry Potter series
3. A Christmas Story
4. Sleeper
Four places I have lived:
1. Kodiak, Alaska
2. New Orleans Louisiana
3. Alamogordo, New Mexico
4. Dumas, Arkansas
Four TV shows that I currently watch:
1. Meerkat Manor
2. American Idol
3. Big Love
4. That’s about it – I’m a radio show gal more than TV
Four places I have been:
1. Married in Hawaii
2. Cruise to the Bahamas.
3. Canada
4. Mexico
Four favorite things to eat:
1. Papaya with lime
2. Scallops
3. Angel hair pasta
4. Watermelon
Four places I would rather be:
1. Alaska
2. China
3. Paris
4. London
Four things I look forward to this year:
1. Graduation!
2. Diamond mining
3. Family reunion
4. A clean house?????
Now you can copy, paste, and replace my answers with yours and post!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Monday, April 14, 2008
Oh Mickey!
Sunday, April 13, 2008
New Bloom and Dragonflies in the Garden
Photo Day - Mom & Dad
Friday, April 11, 2008
My Pathetic Succulent Garden
Second photo is the shady side of my succulnt garden. Basically my garden is that strip of unusable space between the walkway on the side of the house and the fence. You can see I used pots, stands, and the fence to create different levels.
First photo is an upcoming bloom off this very prickly cactus. I found a piece of this plant in the street in St. Petersburg near the Coast Guard base after someone had done some cleaning of their yard and dropped a piece. My hands were a mess by the time I got home due to the hard to see thorns.
Fourth photo is one of my succulent wreaths. I've had this wreath for about 4 or 5 years. I bought two of them at the Green Thumb festival (annual event every April meaning it's coming up soon!) and have managed to keep things alive but have battled to keep soil in the frame.
Third photo is a closer up of the plants on the ground. My Easter cactus is setting buds but not sure you can see. Look at the red cactus - I bought it from a woman who sells starts from her yard once a year. You should see her yard!