wannabe's Blog at GardenStew.com

Wrecking Crew

wannabe — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 22:40:08 -0400

Author: wannabe
Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 2:40 am (GMT 0)

Today the wrecking crew visited me. Two granddaughters,who will be 4 and 5 in August, destroyed my house and wore me out in about 4 hours today. First we had to blow bubbles, outside of course.Then friends came to visit and took them and the dog for a walk. They walked a mile or so and I thought they would be tired. Nope, they were just getting started. We took all the portable lights in the bedroom, built a tent, turned out all the lights and "camped." And lunch was like going to school, we had to trade bites to see who had the best jello, cookie or whatever. By the time they left they had played with all the dolls, stuffed toys, lego blocks, books and movies and they were all over the floor. I told my husband that I usually go to their house and there parents had to do all the clean up. But then we would have missed all the fun playing with them. Emilie and Brooke start pre school and kindergarten this fall and I can feel sorry for the teachers. They don't get paid enough. Brooke hit her head on the window and Emilie looked at us and said "and what do you have to say for yourselves now!" For all the pick up we did, they did some, and no matter how tired we were we really enjoyed them. But next time we will go to their house. Wannabe

Farming

wannabe — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 22:38:35 -0500

Author: wannabe
Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 3:38 am (GMT 0)

My youngest sister sent me an email and told me her son joined Future Farmers of America and would I send him some information about our family and farming. I had to go back to 1943 or 44, the first I remember farming. I wasn't even in school. The first I remember wasn't farming but of having goats. We lived in a house on a ravine and Mom had to tie my middle brother to a tree or he would roll down the hill into the ravine. Next we moved to a farm near my Dad's brother, in "the sand". My dad had a mule Jenny that he pulled the plow with until my Uncle finished planting and then he borrowed his tractor. We raised mostly corn there. A couple years later we moved to another farm about three mile away. Before Dad worked in a factory at night and farmed in the day. When we moved here we just farmed. We planted corn, alfalfa, wheat or oats and soybeans. We also had cows, hogs, chickens,and turkeys. We had a big garden and several fruit trees. We had a tractor, disc, and harrow to prepare the ground for planting but nothing to help harvest. One farmer had the machinery and came to each farm to help. I remember one year we kids helped pick corn. The horses pulled the wagon and we walked along and pulled off the ears of corn and threw them in the wagon. We only had to do that one year. We planted watermelon and cantaloupe one year but they were labor intensive and didn't sell well. We moved to another farm up by Peoria but I can only remember having animals, gardens and grape vines. And Dooley broke her elbow and later the measles. The measles she passed to the other of us. Until I was in high school we always lived in the country but after that we always lived in town. My parents, grandparents and great grandparents all farmed in central Illinois. Farming sure has changed since we grew up and no one in the family farms anymore or even has animals. I am not sure I want to say those were the good ole days but I am not sure they were, it was a lot of hard work. Wannabe

Red vs. Clear

wannabe — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 15:56:16 -0400

Author: wannabe
Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 7:56 pm (GMT 0)

Today it was to hot to do much work in the yard so I worked with the bird feeders. I bought bird seed a couple days ago but didn't get the feeders filled. I only filled two with seed today, we have a wide assortment of birds that feed and enjoy the bird baths.
Last week I filled the hummingbird feeders with nectar I bought and diluted, it was red, and the hummingbirds all left. So today I mixed up my own and did not add the red color. I washed out all the feeders anf filled them with the clear nectar. Now I hope all the humming birds come bac. We also have three or four squirrels that eat out of the flat feeders and a family of rabbits that eat under the feeders on the ground. Did I tell you we have Fred, a little beagle hound. Now it is really exciting when we walk a walk and go out the front door. He likes to chase away the rabbits, squirrels, other dogs (big or little) and the occasional cat.
My husband watered all the flowers and the little tree while I worked with the feeders. I guess tomorrow we have to work with the flowers as it is 90 degree and I am going to sit by the air conditionor. Wannabe

Slow Busy

wannabe — Thu, 10 May 2007 22:39:52 -0400

Author: wannabe
Posted: Fri May 11, 2007 2:39 am (GMT 0)

I have been busy all week, going places, doing things but it still seems like a slow week. We have been trying to clean up the yard and get some flowers planted. Yesterday I planted Red Wave Petunia's in one barrel with dwarf apricot zinnia's for contrast. Another barrel has Blue(look purple to me) and I have Snapshot Orange Snapdragons. Then I planted the same in my wooden baskets. I have a wooden tricycle frame that has a flower pot for the seat. I got it at a garage sale last week. I don't know what I want to plant in it. I will have to look around for awhile. I have been trying to get pictures taken but other things get in the way.
I bought 120 pound of bird seed and cleaned all my feeders and bird baths yesterday, they all seemed pretty happy about it. I haven't seen my oriele again
but the hummingbirds are around.
Today I had to go have the last injections in my knees. Between the injections and working in the yard I am having trouble moving around today. My husband and son cleaned the dog pen and put the shade covers over it today. Now we can put Fred outside when we go places, unless it is raining. Then he hides under my bed. Well I am going to take my creaky old bones to bed and hope I can move easier tomorrow. Wannabe

So long ago

wannabe — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 22:14:46 -0400

Author: wannabe
Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 2:14 am (GMT 0)

I can't believe it has been so long that I wrote. March and April have been really busy months for me.The last of March and the first part of April I was preparing for the trip to Phoenix for our reunion and even though I made list there were things I forgot. The trip seemed short going out but so long coming back. I stayed with my sister in Phoenix but we did get up to see Dooley one day. She showed us all around her yard and I think she has something planted everywhere but she is still planting more. I saw her hummingbirds and the orioles. And Chance was happy to have company and wanted to sit on my lap.She doesn't look heavy but in this case looks are deceiving. In the past when I visited we stayed up late playing games and talking but not this year. We were in bed by 10 and sometimes at 9:30. I enjoyed seeing Dooley's family also I had not seen Andy since 1990 and had never met his wife Wendy or his sons Ben and Jacob.The days of the reunion were tiring but also a lot of fun. The week since I returned home has been busy also. The first day was resting and then shopping to replace groceries and things that "disappeared" while I was gone. Saturday morning I took gifts out to the grandbabies. A lot of people senthem things, it was like a mini Birthday or Christmas. It was fun to watch them. Well, I guess I better end this and head for bed. Wannabe

To See or Not See

wannabe — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 22:00:28 -0500

Author: wannabe
Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 3:00 am (GMT 0)

I received a phone call about 10 days ago that started "I am sorry you missed your appointment...". It was the office of my eye doctor and I didn't even know I had an appointment. I made one for a couple days later as it was to check the status of my glaucoma which I don't have yet. The tech checked my present glasses and the usual things she does and then the Doc came in and did his thing. When he was done he handed me two pieces of paper. The blue one I was to give to the lady at the desk on the right and make an appt. for a field vision test. The small white one I was to give to the lady at the desk on the left if I wanted to see. The other Doctors told me I would not need glasses except to read. Well they were wrong and he brought out a labeled picture and explained it to me. So, I gave the lady my script and old glasses and I paid her some money and next week I should be able to see.
The arthritis is much worse in my knees, esp. the left so I have to see an orthopod Tuesday at 9 and Tuesday at 1015 I have to see my diabetic doctor. Then I hope no more appointments.
I am really glad winter is coming to an end and I can get out and move about again. I am also glad I will be going to visit in Arizona where it is warmer, and is only about 5 weeks away. By the time I return we should be able to start planting things. Now I'm off for a cup of coffee and an early night. Wannabe

Back Again

wannabe — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 21:07:20 -0500

Author: wannabe
Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 2:07 am (GMT 0)

I have been having a few hectic days with to much happening. I had some sad news when a cousin's husband passed away and while dealing with that a nursing classmate of mine passed away. Our class only had 15 so we were all close and knew each others families. I did not get to attend any of her services as we were in the middle of a huge snow storm. Then another classmate took her husband to the emergency room because he couldn't quit coughing, he has a rapid growing cancer, inoperable. I have not been a cheery mood lately.
Then this snow storm with a total of 14 inches of snow and blizzard conditions. It finally quit Wednesday morning. We have no snow blower or blade, only shovels. And neither of us can shovel. So we just sat and looked at it except when we had to take Fred out. Our son and his wife came up about 2 and shoveled us out, both driveways and walks.
Fred didn't know what to think of all the snow. He tried jumping over drifts but some were so deep he sank until only his ears showed. Today we finally got out and went to Springfield. We had our drivers license renewed and Gene got his new fishing license. We weren't gone long but it was good to get out of the house. Maybe things will start looking up now. My coffee is ready so will be going. Wannabe

Two down, One left

wannabe — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 16:58:18 -0500

Author: wannabe
Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2007 9:58 pm (GMT 0)

If everything comes in threes I think my luck may be running out. A few weeks ago while taking out my dog I fell. I got tangled up in his leash and slid down the yard on my tummy. I bruised a few things but no major injuries. I have tried to be extra careful since then. But today I was carrying in groceries and hit one of the few icy spots and went over backward. My husband was there but unable to help me. I finally got up and again I have only sore areas, no broken bones or anything. I guess I must have enough "padding" that with all the winter clothes on I was cushioned. But maybe I should stay in the rest of the winter.
My arthritis is getting worse so maybe I should start looking for a warm place to spend the winter. A place where they don't have ice and snow. Oh well time will tell. Wannabe

Am I or Am I not

wannabe — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 13:38:49 -0500

Author: wannabe
Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2007 6:38 pm (GMT 0)

Well the past couple of weeks has been am I driving to Phoenix with my family, are we all flying or what about the train. We researched all the ways and they are all about the same cost. The airplane is 3 hours from St. Louis and non-stop. The train, with a bedroom car, is two days and the car can be done in two or two and 1/2 days. After much discussion and counting money and bills etc. my son decided they better wait until fall to go visit. So,I traveled to Springfield Monday and made airline reservation and got my ticket for two weeks in April. Now I just have to wait until April and time seems to pass so slow. If we get a semi nice day I want to drive up to some our old "stomping" grounds and get pictures to take with, I am already going through albums for older pictures.
Today is a stay at home/housework day. I have been cleaning and washing and dusting. I don't like housework days very much but I guess it is necessary.
I got a Burpee seed catalog and have been trying to decide what kind of plants I want to get. My husband Gene and I are not in total agreement about what to plant.
We aren't in agreement about how much longer winter will last. I say 8 weeks and he says 6, he must get warmer faster than I do.
Well I am off to change clothes from washer to dryer and see what else I need to do, or get out of doing today.
Wannabe

I'm done!

wannabe — Mon, 25 Dec 2006 21:04:12 -0500

Author: wannabe
Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2006 2:04 am (GMT 0)

I am all done in or up or something. I had to take a nap when everyone left. We went back to town Sunday afternoon to the pet store to get Fred a Christmas present. He really enjoyed his Christmas.
I had to get back early because my son and his family came for supper. We had baked a turkey and fixed dressing, green beans and an "orange" salad. They stayed until about 9:30 and then I cleaned up and got ready for today. I was up at 7 and put a ham in the oven and then fixed breakfast. Then I started on dinner. I fixed glazed carrots, candied sweet potatoes, scalloped corn, mashed potatoes and gravey. Then a relish tray and pumpkin pies for dessert. I baked them last night before I went to bed.
After eating we opened gifts and the two little girls had fun "helping" everyone . Would you believe I didnot get one picture! They all left about 3:30 and it was Quiet.It is hard to believe all that work and it is over in such a short time.
I guess number 2 son is going back to Ohio Wednesday morning. He has to give some kind of presentation Next week and the week after. He says it is to noisy to work on anything here. Hope you had a good holiday. Wannabe

I can't believe it!

wannabe — Sun, 03 Dec 2006 22:52:48 -0500

Author: wannabe
Posted: Mon Dec 04, 2006 3:52 am (GMT 0)

We made list of things we had to do in Springfield and then we bundled up to go on our shopping trip. We divided everything up so we only had to shop at two stores. Well, we didn't get out of town. Somehow a crack started up the middle of our windshield and with the streets being all snow packed and uneven it started cracking more. We had to turn around and come home. We tried shoveling out the drive from the garage but it took so long because we kept having to stop and rest. I guess 67 year olds don't have the stamina of younger people. We finally stopped, got in the truck and went to Petersburg. We stopped at a hardware store and got a flourescent bulb to put above our kitchen sink as the other one quit working. Then we went to the grocery store to get a few things. One was baking powder because I've been making biscuits instead of using bread. Guess what? They were out! We finally got home and our little store had baking powder. We put the bulb in the light, it doesn't work. We went out and worked more and got the drive shoveled out, but our garage door broke. It comes to about two foot from the floor and stops. It has to stay that way til morning because I can't see what is wrong to fix it. I was still stiff from shoveling yesterday so hope I can move to get up tomorrow. I've got to go do supper dishes and then I think I will head to bed. Wannabe

Ir's over--this time.

wannabe — Sat, 02 Dec 2006 22:19:17 -0500

Author: wannabe
Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2006 3:19 am (GMT 0)

We were basking in the 60's Wednesday but it all changed Thursday. At 10 it started with freezing rain, we had received 2 inches of rain Wednesday, and it continued until 3 am the next morning and then it snowed. It snowed until noon Friday and we got 8 inches and had drifts to 3 foot high. When I took Fred out he looked like a bunny rabbit hopping around looking for somewhere to land, without snow. The van, outside, and the truck were covered with snow and ice so we didn't try to go out. Gene and I are both to old to shovel snow. Today we went out to try to clean off the vehicles. We just shoveled around so we could get to the windows. My son came up and shoveled out the drive enough we can go out if we need something. We came in and dried off and just sit for awhile. Now I have to get up and move every little while or I get stiff. We have got more snow at one time before but I guess I was a lot younger than I am now. I am hoping we don't have a lot of snow this winter but when they said a mild winter they must have meant temperatures. But it was only 6 this am. Wannabe

This and That

wannabe — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 20:27:52 -0400

Author: wannabe
Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 12:27 am (GMT 0)

I guess I have been doing this and that trying to catch up. We decided we would put our house up for sale, but our list of things "to fix" made us think we'd have to wait until spring. We had to put a new stool in the bathroom and that is done. Our house has aluminum siding and needed painted. They are doing that now. We are leaving it white with black shutters, they pressure washed it Monday and put the first coat on all except part of the front. About 6 weeks ago we pulled the bushes around the house. We aren't going to do much to the inside.
Today the little granddaughters came up to have breakfast. They had to get out all the toys, play with Fred read books, watch cartoons and they were only here about an hour and a half. They don't sit at the table and eat but use it as a feeding station and come back for "bites".
I have not been to well this past month so I don't get out and about as much as before. I will see the Doc next month and maybe she can do something.
We went on the Spoon River Drive, which was started as a drive to look at fall foliage, but has flea markets, garage sales, food stands etc. all along the route. We didn't go far this year and there weren't as many stands and vendors. Well dishes await so see ya. Wannabe

That time again

wannabe — Sun, 24 Sep 2006 21:03:46 -0400

Author: wannabe
Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 1:03 am (GMT 0)

I think I mentioned that I am a retired RN. Forty three years ago I graduated from a 3 year diploma school with 15 other girls. I was from Wisconsin and the other 15 were from no further than 30 mile from the school.We were the class everyone remembers as always being rowdy and we did pull pranks but all in fun none harmful. We had our first class reunion after we had been out 5 years and have had one every year since. No one misses them if at all possible. Usually we had them in the park near a playground with a picnic lunch. The family was invited so we could see all the kids and how they had grown from year to year. Also to reminise about school years. This year we traveled two and 1/2 hours south of us for dinner in a restaurant with 11 of us being present. Our school sent a librarian to tape our reunion and interview us for the 100th school celebration in 2009. Our class is the only one that has reunions so we are kind of unique. One of the girls is president of the garden club where she lives. I need to Email her about Gardenstew. A good time was had by all but my husband said it was the first time he drove that far for lunch. Wannabe

To Rest?

wannabe — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 11:47:45 -0400

Author: wannabe
Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 3:47 pm (GMT 0)

Yesterday my husband asked what I would like to do. I said I'd like to stay home and rest.This was after I cooked bacon, eggs, hash browns and toast for breakfast and did up all the dishes. He started the wash and of course needed help changing to dryers and folding clothes and since we washed the sheets could I make the bed? Then he decided we needed to rearrane the living room furniture. By that time we had to make lunch? Grilled steaks, green beans, sliced tomatoes and leftover spagetti with cheese melted over the top. Then dishes again and I don't have a dish washer except my two hands. I finally sat down for a whole hour when they said what is for supper? We went out to Steak and Shake for hamburgers. Today I am going to semi rest. I made sausage gravy and biscuits for breakfast and HE did all the dishes. Now I am waiting for what is next? I know we have to go to Petersburg and to Springfield this afternoon so it is not to be all rest.
Wannabe

Old out, New In

wannabe — Sat, 26 Aug 2006 15:20:47 -0400

Author: wannabe
Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2006 7:20 pm (GMT 0)

Well, I have been thinking of this for sometime but not sure to how say it. We are on a corner lot and the front,North and West side of our house is open to the weather. When we moved here there were shrubs all across the front, a"tree" shrub at the corner and shrub 2/3 of the way down the side. They had advantages and disadvantages so it took awhile to decide but finally we took them all out. The ones on the west side were dying so all are gone now. It took a bit to get used to but we like it better without shrubs. We planted 30# of grass so it wouldn't turn into a muddy strip while we decide how to landscape it. I bought four a book and three magazines to get ideas. My idea is for a tall mix of perennials and annuals in the back medium in the middle and small in front. But I also want a few bushes. I can't get pictures today as it is raining but I will get some and let you see the area we have to work with now. We probably won't be able to start planting until spring. I will have to ask Dooley for ideas when I see her next spring. A lot of space and a lot of time to fill it. Wannabe

State Fairs

wannabe — Thu, 17 Aug 2006 15:52:28 -0400

Author: wannabe
Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 7:52 pm (GMT 0)

We went to the Illinois State Fair here in Springfield yesterday. We have gone every year but this may have been our last! I remember having energy and walking all over, seeing the animals, the misc. home building. And all the food stands and free shows on all the stages. The last few years we have cut down on seeing everything and only seeing a few items. This year I viewed the fair from the tram. After the first round as an overview I got off and walked to the grandstand to see an exhibit on the history of the fair. Then the last trip on the tram to look at all the floral gardens. They are planted and maintained by the dept of Corrections and are worth seeing. Of course I left my camera at home so I got no pictures. My husband had only rode half way around and walked the rest of the way. We both had sore tootsies and were ready to sit last night. The fair is for younger folk than us.

I Found It!

wannabe — Wed, 19 Jul 2006 13:22:41 -0400

Author: wannabe
Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 5:22 pm (GMT 0)

Three years ago I bought a honey suckle vine and planted it so it would grow uo the side of our chain link dog pen. Despite watering and general care it withered up and died. Yesterday I was out looking at the rose bushes planted along the same fence and whoa! I looked at the vine, got closer and looked and it is the honey suckle vine I planted three years ago.It is about three foot high with a lot of leaves and looked like the top had been chopped off. I called my husband over to look at it and he agreed that was the vine and said he just chopped weeds around the pen and didn't even think about the vine. I have to watch the men in this family. I planted two small Rose of Sharon and they mowed them off thinking they were weeds.

Weddings

wannabe — Sun, 16 Jul 2006 16:36:18 -0400

Author: wannabe
Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 8:36 pm (GMT 0)

I went to a wedding yesterday and I guess it has been a long time since I have been to one. I commented on the flowers, which were a mixture of "garden" flowers, and learned that they were all artificial except the wedding party. And then the bride and groom got "the giggles" in the middle of the ceremony and had to stop for a few minutes. But it was a beautiful wedding. The music was provided by two young musicians, one on piano and the other the violin. The reception was per usual but to this old person it was long. The thing about it was I will be going to her sisters wedding in about six weeks so I know what to expect. But a good time was had by all.
I guess artificial flowers are more practical I just wasn't expecting them.

Me and Gardens?

wannabe — Sat, 24 Jun 2006 22:44:17 -0400

Author: wannabe
Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2006 2:44 am (GMT 0)

Hi! I am new to Gardenstew but have been reading about all of you. I live in Illinois and we have all types of weather, hot,cold, stormy etc. Lately it has been hot, mid 80's and low 90's without much rain. I have always had vegetable gardens but since I retired I am working on flowers and scrubs. What a mess! I can't get down to the ground so most of my flowers are in half whiskey barrels. I have three that have perennial petunias in varigated colors from white to deep purple. This year I need to collect seed for new barrels because I need to put new soil in the barrels. We also had two new Japanese maple trees and a purple butterfly bush planted.
I also enjoy birds so I have two finch feeders, three hummingbird feeders and three regular feeders and two bird baths. One is regular size and one is about 18 inches high. I told my husband that was for the little birds but actually I just liked it. I also have two little granddaughters that like the little one. I don't know how people have time to work, I can't keep up anymore and I don't work. Oh, well I guess I could if I needed.
Wannabe