Update & .............

[Mars]

I hope everyone is enjoying their day!!

Larry and I start today (me, yesterday). We don't go back to work until the 10th and are soooooooooo excited to not have to be on a "work" schedule! I took my Vehicle to get an oil change yesterday - what a way to spend the afternoon - with all the maintenance work done it took 41/2 hours! Ticked me off - and then..........my "check engine" light is on and won't go off since they worked on it - I am TICKED - going to take it back today. sigh

We have some yard work planned to complete that he started 3 weeks ago!!!!!!! We're almost done. We are going to put in a river-rock type of sitting area amongst the flowers and bird feeders.

I put some feeders in the tree for the first time ever! It is so exciting to see the comings and goings of different birds. They go from the feeders to the birdbath and then sing or dance a minute! LOL It's very peaceful out there!

Larry is doing some last minute repairs on the new boat and then going to test it on the water! My BIL is going to be the first guinnea pig on that ride - Larry said I am NOT going with him for our maiden voyage - all right by me!!!

I'm going to work around the house today (inside and out) to try to get some things caught up so that we are free to do the rest of the week.

I went to the doctor for my followup yesterday and received a more complete report on my spine x-ray. I have spurs, arthritis, gaps between the 5th and 6th vertabrae and my neck is stright, not curved like a banana. These are "NEW" compared to the x-ray I had taken in Octobere last year when I fell. I have to continue with the Soma's (muscle relaxer) as needed. I showed severe spasms also. Hmm, that's what my colon does too - spasm - I take Levbid for that. My neck is doing better than it was.

Anyhoo, the only thing really bothering me now is allergies. My eyes are scratchy (feels like sand) and seeping goopy stuff and my eyes and sinsus are swollen in the morning, especially.

Sleeping is still a problem - taking Ambian for that - helps most nights. Last night I took a Soma with Ambian and slept like a log! Do logs sleep???? Never did understand that staying!

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and the weather cooperates for you all!

All my love
Mars

[starfire]

I hope both of you throughly and completely enjoy and make the most of your time off. What a precious thing that is.

Sounds like you spine really took a beating from that fall if all those things are new since then. I'm really sorry.

Here's hoping the allergens in the environment that are causing you a problem will soon lessen and I sure wish your sleep could get straightened out!!! That would probably make everything seem better even if it wasn't!!

I know you will love the new sitting area.........expecially the birds. They are such amazing little creatures. Did you also put up hummingbird feeders? If not try that next year. You can probably find out about when the birds are returning to your area and make sure you put out a feeder to attract them as they fly by and more than likely you'll get some.

That is if you don't know if some neighbor of yours already hangs feeders. In that case, you'd probably attract some any time of the summer.

Have fun and do whatever strikes your fancy.

Love, Shirley

[Sally]

Hi, Mars,

That sounds like a lovely vacation. Back when I was working I would take a week off every now and then and just stay home. It was a treat. Unfortunately, I would get used to it very quickly and have a hard time going back to work. Don't think about that. Sorry I brought it up.

Anyway, who is it who says you have to go somewhere on your vacation? I think that you go to a lot of trouble and expense to make your home and garden the way you want it so you should STAY HOME AND ENJOY IT once in a while. Besides it sounds like you WILL be working on your sitting area. How nice. With all the birds and flowers. Is it shady? Do you have many butterflies?

Have a wonderful time and enjoy every minute of it.

Lots of love,

Sally

[cludwig]

Hi Mars,

I was thinking about the birds in Ohio(I grew up there) and remember how colorful the humminbirds are there. The ones in my area are mostly brown. I also miss the beautiful red cardinals. They were gorgeous, but I remember they could also be rather territorial...liked to swoop down if anyone got too close to the nest. Enjoy your time off.

Love,
Cristi

[Mars]

Cristi - the hummingbirds are a beautiful color of blues and greens here. They are visiting my flowers and feeder usually in the early evening. I have a pair of Cardinals this week. They are the most vivid color of red - well, the male is anyways. I am LOVING it.

Sally and Shirley - I have tons of butterflies and hummingbirds due to the flowers I planted. My cactus is almost done blooming - beautiful yellow flowers.

My roses that I planted this year are not doing well but the Rose of Sharon is gorgeous. I think I will have to cut the rose bushes down and wait for next year!

Anyone know how to tell if you have the small or the tall Sunflowers? I bought a pot of sunflowers yesterday - love them (favorite along with Roses) and they are about a foot high and blooming. I am assuming that since they are blooming, they are the miniture variety.?????

Love,
Mars

[tex]

Hi Mars,

I hope you both really enjoy your vacations. It sounds like your garden is shaping up nicely.

Your respiratory allergies are really running amuck. Can't you take anything for it? I used to be that way every fall, when the ragweed and other yellow flowers bloomed, but I could take one of the 12-hour Chlor-Trimeton capsules each morning, and it would keep me in good condition around the clock. The stuff you experience when you awake each morning, are the results of the previous day's reactions, and can be prevented if you preempt the previous days reactions. Interestingly, once my MC symptoms started, my hay fever completely disappeared, and never returned.

I'm guessing that the "sleept like a log" saying comes from the fact that logs don't tend to toss and turn during the night. LOL.

Love,
Tex

[Mars]

I'll post some pictures when I get it done.

I'm in my own little heaven!

Tex, your "log" explanation was hysterical - no tossing and turning indeed!

Love,
Mars

[Tessa]

Have a wonderful weekend, Mars


Enjoy it!

Love,
Tessa