I couldn't do much outside today, too cold and wet. But Saturday I worked some more on cleaning out a city lot we are restoring. It's a very long lot, with an old terraced garden and big ivy-covered trees next to a parking lot on one side and an historic district on the other. It's in a small city called Martinsburg, WV. My main thing was to throw away trash and sticks, little bits of glass, plastic, you name it, that have rained down from the parking lot. Yucky, but when it's done, it's done! A bamboo fence is going up to screen off the parking lot, and then we figure out how to keep the vines from eating the lot this year. DH worked on cutting down the smaller trees and branches that were leaning into the existing antique wire fence. We'll try to salvage one good section of the antique wire and bring it to the interior of the garden. The rest we'll sheath in the bamboo fencing which should disappear into the background. Dreamed all day of making a gravel patio area and basking in a garden on the side of the garden with the view down the hill. The shady side with the fence we are working on is packed full of bulbs that have multiplied for decades. Last year I saw a few alliums and parrot fringed tulips, and luckily the shaping I did on the lilacs and other shrubs seems to have kept them in good shape this spring. The weeds and vines, however, are already looking about to take over. I met more of my neighbors who are restoring the other old houses behind us. One of them had just killed 10 baby snakes.

What a cute picture! I've never heard of beavers damaging anything -- except trees. There must be a beaver pond or a stream near your yard. If they're building or maintaining a dam in the area, they'll gnaw around the base of small trees till they (the trees) fall, then drag them off to use in their dam or hutch. They eat the bark and will sink small limbs in the pond to eat during the winter. I've also read that they eat vegetation growing in the water, like water lilies and water cress. They won't destroy your yard by digging for grubs and worms like the wretched armadillos do.

I am doing pretty good, went to the doctor for a check up and all test came back good except for Cholesterol, which is a little high but not enough for drugs. However I am a smoker and of course that plays in to the cholestrol.........sigh........so I am going to give yet another try at quitting, I have failed many times so I figure one of these times I have to succeed, LOL! My mom is doing okay, she is not nagging me as much, still cries at times about wanting to come home but she knows she can't............ My brother is doing much better since I got him moved to the same home as mom, not because my mom is there but because he gets much better care and attention. My dad is holding his own, he goes to "daddy day care" and is actually enjoying it. We usually go see my mom and brother twice a week but some weeks it's only once. I am helping mom host a "ladies day" for 4 of her friends at the home. We reserved the private dining room and will just have "junk" food, like my onion dip, hot crab spread, chicken salad with cranberries, spiced pecan pumpkin muffins and of course there will be chocolate! LOL! I even made invitations for her to give out. I checked with the Director of Nursing and none of her friends is on any restrictions so all is good to go. Next I will do something special just for my brother so he does not feel left out. My gardening days are over until spring so will have to find another outlet for the winter months, not sure what it will be yet.........any suggestions?

That's a US thing? In Canada, T&C does not say Miele Certified Installer has to be used to qualify. It does mention Miele Certified Installation Program, but it is +1 year thing. Terms & Conditions Free 5 Year Warranty on all Miele dishwashers Purchase any Miele dishwasher directly from Miele under Miele Pricing between November 4 and December 3, 2015 inclusive, and receive a FREE upgrade from manufacturer's standard one (1) year warranty to a Total Five (5) Year Miele Extended Warranty on respective Miele dishwasher purchased directly from Miele through a Miele Chartered Agent. ... Multi-residential, builder purchases, b-stock, accessories, employee purchases and obsolete appliances are excluded. Delivery and Installation are not included. Miele Certified Installation Program includes a one year warranty on parts and labour and is only applicable if Miele product installation is carried out and completed by Miele Certified Installer. ...