Outsmarting the tree rats (squirrels) around my house is a full time job. This past spring I hit on a new idea. When I plant a container I invert an empty wire hanging basket over the container and the plant gets sun and can be watered but the squirrels can't dig in it. Another idea: I bring in a lot of plants to "over winter" under lights in my garage. I have so many that it is hard to reach my hand under the lights (4 shop lights) to the middle for watering. So I bought a pump sprayer with a long wand and it works great! In late winter I add a little liquid Dawn detergent, few drops, to each gallon of water and not only does the soil get wet easier but the worms that are waiting to hatch into distructive pets just don't hatch. Don't know what it costs me to run those four shop lights all winter but I don't care. It is a small price to pay to be able to "garden" every weekend in the garage. Many people have mentioned that they mark their outdoor plants with a "permanent Sharpie". In my experience there isn't a "permanent Sharpie", they all fade and quickly too. A grease pencil/china marker or expensive "no fade" garden center marker are the only markers I have found that won't disappoint you by fading. Eight years ago I decided to learn about gardening so I tapped into my local library. I checked out nearly every book they had on gardening and learned so much. The Gardenweb forums are also a wealth of information and entertainment. There is always something new to learn and I appreciate all of you who take the time to write in your ideas. One last idea from me...I keep a small notebook on my computer table and jot down any idea I find that's new and I will want to try. Little pieces of paper get lost but I always know where my notebook is and also use it when I order "on line" so I will remember the name of the company and the order date. Tina or Trowelgal

Hi Terri - The recipe I use is one tsp. vitamin c crystals, three tsp. water (they say to use distilled but I always forget to buy it and use plain tap water) and one tsp. glycerine. The only thing is, I have a hard time getting the crystals to completely dissolve. I read if you add a drop of vodka, or even rubbing alcohol, that helps the crystals dissolve. I used gin (tanqueray!) and it worked great in dissolving them. There are many variations of this recipe online, with some using a higher ratio of vitamin c and others using a lower ratio, so I think you can really play around with it and see what works best for you. If you have a amber or dark colored bottle with a dropper to store it in that is best. I use my old Cellex-C bottle. Exposure to light will speed up oxidation.

I went to Envirotex Lite's website and found out that it is "not recommended for exterior use." I have not found a product in this evening's search that IS recommended, but will ask DH as he probably knows. I did find this elsewhere, just FYI: Question What does the term "epoxy" mean? How does it apply to paint as opposed to glue or cement ? Answer In general terms, an epoxy polymer is a tough plastic-like material made by reacting a compound with the expoxide group (R1-HC[O]CH-R2) with an amine, alcohol, organic acid, an unsaturated compound, etc. These are employed to make tough, chemical and water resistant adhesives, patching materials, insulating materials, auto finishes, and paints, especially for interior commercial and industrial wall and floor surfaces. Most epoxy patching compounds, adhesives, sealers and paints are prepared by combining two components on-site, just before application. Some epoxy materials are very high or 100% solids; some are two-component water-based acrylic-epoxy; and some are one-package water-based products. Two-component epoxy systems generally do not stand up and maintain color in exterior applications as well as two component urethane systems. Looks like you'd need a urethane product, given the above. I don't remember if I took pics of the process. I'll have a look and get back with you. Veronica

The staples and remaining stitches (some have already fallen out) will be removed tomorrow. I'll ask about makeup then. I went ahead and followed the suggestions above and ordered a slip on scarf cap to cover my forehead. The bruising under my eyes is a lot better tonight. The party is out of town next Saturday. I'm not sure about getting a pro to apply my makeup, I usually go very minimal with makeup and pros seem to want to make me look like someone that I don't recognize :-) I did get a couple of good concealers for the facial/undereye bruising. I had taken the dogs out for their 'last call' potties late last Monday evening and was looking the other way when my foot tangled with the patio chair. I grabbed the chair for support and it just flipped over and down I went. Hubby was in the house and would have come looking for me after a while. I was rather dazed after hitting my head, so just stayed on all fours for a bit until I felt safe to stand up and yell for him. In the ER, they questioned me quite a bit, I assume they thought that it was domestic violence. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015YEDFLW/ref=twister_B06VXDR1VC?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1