brrrrrrr

Tonight I turned on the furnace for the first time without having the grandbabies here. Normally I just tough it out...a few extra blankets while I'm reading, a t-shirt under the sweats, and my fuzzy house slippers. It's hell having propane for your furnace, water heater, and dryer. Prices are out of sight, especially this time of year. I will be frugal with the energy (thermostat is set on 65 right now, but I'll turn it back to 60 when I go to bed tonight).

Tomorrow I will spread weed & feed at mom & dad's place. I will also need to pull the tomato plants from the gardens, mulch the newly-planted Cleveland pear, and do general winterizing.

I brought the banana tree, giant elephant ear, and one pot on light pink geraniums into the sun room. Hopefully someone will water them while I'm in Alabama in January.

Now is the time to plant new trees and shrubs. Just be sure to give them lots of water so that the roots can grow nicely before winter sets in.

Stay warm.
shel

Counting my Money Before It's Hatched

Yesterday I spent all afternoon in Lincoln giving my resume to any business that I am even remotely familiar with. (Not Auto Zone, as I don't know my cam shaft from my rear end.) After depressing hours on my feet, dressed in a professional manner...terribly uncomfortable...and smiling my fake confident smile, I was ready for some good news.

Jessie brought Bryan to me at Wal-Mart so that I could bring him home for the weekend. Foolishly, I drove the Honda Civic instead of the van. We made the exchange and then I was on my merry way.

The portable greenhouse that was set up in Goodie's parking lot called to me as I tried to drive past it. "We're Making Deals", the sign beckoned. Although I had less than $20 in my pocket, I had to pull in. Good thing I did! The lovely young saleswoman was in a VERY generous mood. Annuals were $1.59 each, buy one get one free. The majority of the plants looked marvelous and weren't root bound, so I started packing in Rex begonias and double impatiens. Then the gal advised me that it would be cheaper to buy a flat for $8.99 and she'd give me one for free. To make a long story short, I ended up with four flats of+beautiful double impatiens and yellow, orange and red Rex begonias, a big planter overflowing with Wave petunias, four ten inch hanging baskets of ivy geraniums, two large tomato plants, and a few odds and ends. Out of the original $20, I came home with $4 plus some change!

Poor Bryan was surrounded by flowers as I tried to pack everything into my already loaded Civic. He probably got dizzy from the scents.

My original plan was to sell all of these plants at Farmer's Market this morning. It's held on the square in Clinton, and costs a mere $10 to participate. Last night I made price signs, cleaned up the geraniums, loaded everything into the van, and prepared to leave bright and early this morning. Unfortunately, rain started falling sometime in the early morning, and it hasn't let up! With both Bryan and baby Gabriel in my care today, I was unable to go sell my wares and make some extra money to pay for gas and groceries for the next week.

My mother always told me not to count my chickens before they were hatched. Guess I should have listened to her!

shel