There will be NO april thread

[Dream Loxley]

Wonder how those cupboard doors are drying Letha........and indeed, England does get so very crowded in Summer, so it is far more enjoyable to visit these places now and after August. Mind you, one can always find a little spot and some peace and quiet *VBS*

Packing up home to move is an exciting but very busy time, I wish you joy Eva *S* I am reminded of my one and only move 21 years ago.........2 young ones, 4 large vans, cat, dog and rabbit hutch *LOL* I packed most of the contents of my greenhouse and the large shed too! The removal men kept my bicycle out 'till last saying I had to ride if there was no room *L* It was a great day even though the cat decided to pee and it was a cardboard box on my lap! In the UK we have a set day, morning or afternoon in which to vacate the premises so everything just has to be done.

Now it is my turn to 'pee my pants' as Nicole says *L* I had a call from Erin's player out of the blue and was so very happy to hear from her. The line wasn't so good but she sounded well and has been very busy with adventures and projects. I urged her to visit the boards here and keep in touch as it is so nice we all can. Life is busy and the days go by so quickly, I do so love to hear about you all. Now if only Repsol, Agustin and Dorian could stop by.....

Spring is really here in my corner of our wonderful World. The weather today is glorious, in fact the kitchen door is open, much to the amusement of my cats *L* They, too, are enjoying the sunshine on the patio, and not snuggled in their baskets by the radiators! Such a difference a little sunshine makes *VBS*

I have been busy in my newly cleared and cleaned greenhouse, with flowers and veggies sowed....and lots of little plug plants purchased Saturday from the Nursery. I adore watching things grow, must be a maternal thing *LOL* I could have bought so much more Saturday, but I had my Husband with me *L* funny how he manages to stop me with those little niggling doubts..... *Oh you have that one, and oh you won't need that, get that next time...etc etc etc* I needed him to carry everything but I think taking a friend next time is in order! *LOL* Happy days!

Wishing you all well in whatever adventures you are enjoying....... be well and safe xxxx

[Lady Edfeil]

So lovely to read about your greenhouse, Dream. I don't have a cat to pee on me, but Joseph will most certainly love to do the honours instead. Believe it or not, but my little boy is actually STANDING up. He stands up by himself and keeps standing holding on to something. I am trying to get him to eat a bit more solids and less mommy milk because in a month or two I want him to try and stay with his grandparents once overnight.
We have so much coming up.
- Tomorrow we ahve the final walk through of our new house, without furniture, to make sure that any furniture that was there did not hide any defects and if everything that had to be repaired according to contract, has been repaired. We also need to go to the bank to arrange for our financial things to be put in the right address.
- Friday we sign the contract and GET THE KEY!! Eep!
- from then on we try to move a few boxes every day. Our house at the moment looks a bit like a dump with empty or filled cardboard boxes everywhere.
- The movers come on the fifth of may and the seventh we need to be out of here.
- Then the eight.. we fly to St. Louis for a week to attend a wedding (and have Bills parents baby sit while we try and rest a bit. *LOL*)
Once we are back we are finally settled, though on the 24th, my mother comes to visit.

[Halethala]

How wonderful to hear from Erin! Wish her well from all of us if she calls again!

*grins at Eva* Standing >>> wobbling >>> running!! (I'll be most certainly praying for you with all you have going on in the next few weeks!))

My husband had a bit of a tense moment this week. He's applying for his passport, and discovered that the copy of his birth certificate has his name transposed, with his middle name as his first name. Fortunately, we live where he was born, so he was able to check at the courthouse and see what had gone wrong and get it straightened out. How weird! Apparently someone had copied it wrong maaaaaany years ago.

Btw . . if anyone has advice on where the best ports of call are in the Caribbean Islands for novice cruisers, I'd love to hear it. It's our 25th anniversary this year, and we're planning ahead

[Dream Loxley]

Gosh these Friday's come around rather quickly don't they! May next week too! They say time flies as one becomes older *LOL* I think soon I shall blink and miss a whole week!

We celebrated our youngest's 26th Birthday this week and I felt so old *L* I expect he is older than many I chat and roleplay with online *VBS* Still, they say age is but a number!

I wish you all a wonderful weekend in all you do. Moving or planning cruises, what fun *VBS* I hope to spend a while in my greenhouse and perhaps even do a little 'gardening'. I find a little often is the key and can finally say this operation was worthwhile. I had two hopes, one for less pain and the other for at least a little more mobility, it seems both have been granted and I am content.

Happy and safe days to all!

[Lady Edfeil]

Pfff... busy days. We try and get boxes over every day, but today baby did not want to work with us, and insisted on delaying his nap until the royal husband came home, thereby not letting us go to the house and grocery shopping, especially since my beloved had to go back to work for a review session. Let's help us hope that the students are not too exasperating. I start to feel old when I hear about their behaviour. Was I just a fuddy duddy or would it not have entered into any of your heads to adress a professor as "Hey, Dude..."

[Lady Edfeil]

BTW, can anyone recomend a book for gardening for the absolute beginner? THis lady has layed out such a wonderful garden, and I wonder how to keep it up. Once we are moved, I will be sure to post pictures, because I don't know the names of the flowers. *L* I do know that the azaleas have bloomed beautifully in march (and are now bloomed out)> There are these wonderful soft pink flowers on a very slender stem that seems too slim for the bloom, and a small tree (shrub?) with pale pink flowers. There is a little buxus hedge, and several trees and ... *LOL* I'll have to take pictures, maybe you can help me identify what is what. I do know that there are several very pretty songbirds and some squirrels. What a change of pace for a city girl, hm? Dream, Letha... I am counting on you both to help me out here!

[Halethala]

*smiles* I think I'll leave the gardening advice to our resident Expert, Dream! I poked around on HGTV and other sites for good resources for beginners, but the information is overwhelming. I'd think a local garden center might be your best help, since they will know the vegetation in your zone. That, and trial and error! You learn as you go . .

Speaking of zones, I'm almost afraid to tell anyone that we are back under snowbanks again . . since who'd believe me!! *shakes head still in disbelief* The sheriff actually closed down the county to all but emergency travel last Friday during the blizzard. Surreal . .

*Huuggs Dream tightly* I'm so glad to hear you're doing so well!

[Valkryn Valdrin Jabbuk]

there's a guy here in Toronto that also does the morning weather report for Breakfest television on CityTV ... Frank Ferragine .. not sure if you heard of him .. here's his CityTV profile --> www.citytv.com/toronto/personalities_FrankFerragine.aspx ... but he knows ALOT of stuff from Beginning to Expert level gardening and he can explain it to you in a way that makes perfect sense .. even Common sense!! ... Try looking up him or see if he has any sites or blogs cuz he may just be able to help you

[Halethala]

Happy "Cinco de Mayo" to anyone who celebrates it . . .

Hope your move is unsnarling itself a bit better, Valkryn . . and yours going smoothly, Eva.

Have you ever had those snap-shot sorts of moments, the kind of times where a glance at something a little unusual captures your notice and just sears itself into your thoughts . . one example among many these past few days: I was heading up a hill as I drove through this quaint little town on the edge of a large lake, and a homeowner must have just purchased a pair of brand new rocking chairs to set out on their open front porch, sparkling white in the midday sunshine . . . the brisk prairie winds were powerful enough and coming at the perfect angle to have set the heavy pieces to rocking at a rather gently animated rhythm, as if the two who owned them were sitting in them. It seemed poetic . .

[~Eiluna~]

Hello, all!

RT has been killer for me... my mom has been in and out of the hospital for a few weeks, with different and some compounding issues, so my time here has been very brief. I have to admit, I've mostly just skimmed the thread, so forgive me if I don't respond to something directly.

However, I did see two things I want to comment on!

Eva, When my daughter was young and I wanted to try gardening, I found a book called "Square foot gardening" Now I"m realizing it is more for vegetable gardens, but it has some great things in it you might find helpful.

Letha, I don't know how it is as a port of call, but there is a beautiful Island in the Bahamas called Harbour Island. It is small, just off of North Eluethera, and can only be reached by boat. It has a nice harbor side, and the other side has gorgeous pink sand beaches! I went there on my honeymoon mannnny years ago, and just loved it...

love and hugs to everyone!
Jennifer/Eiluna