DeeMarie: That sounds like a fun trip! I'd love it! Let us know which cities you're hitting in Alaska! Well, I'm headed out for a day of food! Breakky with my parents and one of my best gal pals, then I'm headed to a mother-daughter lunch today at the school. Then I think I'm going to attempt to make seared scallops in apple cider sauce for dinner. After that, I'm taking the teens and their friends to the "House of Wax" movie. They need someone over 19 to get them in - that would be me...lol. Saturday, I'm driving everyone (parents and kids) to Salem, OR to visit my niece's 1 yr old darling baby. We haven't had the opportunity to meet him, so we're taking a day trip to cover that. It's about 4 hours down and another 4 back, so I'll be tired by the end of day then! Sunday, I'm taking Mom and the kids to the nursery to buy 1500 lady bugs to let loose in the yard. So much fun! Then we'll all plant the sweet peas we've sprouted and whatever we fancied at the nursery and bought! Yesterday, it was doc appts all day for Dad and more of the same Monday, then visiting their friends here on Tuesday. Whew! I think I'm busier driving my parents to all of their things than I am with my kiddles! They take off on Wednesday. And I'll be ready for meditation, the tan bed, and a huge triple shot, non-fat, skinny latte for sure! ((((((((RAEANNE))))))))))) Hope things can stay nice between your friends, but sometimes there are a few bumps in the road. Hang in there. Your life, though, sounds wonderful. And you deserve it, girlfriend. You are one of the most giving. loving people I know. NHSuzanne~ Does the weather look like it'll cooperate for a ride this weekend? I'm ready for a riding story! MaryAnn~ The poker runs are so much fun! We used to do them when I was flying airplanes. The cards would be at the airport fixed base operation counter and we'd sure get lots of take-offs and landings in on those days!!!!!!

I'm so sorry you all. I cannot make it. I just found out today that my family from out of town are here until Tuesday, not Sunday as I thought. We are going down to Clear Lake on Sunday to visit my brother & his family since they cannot make it to the wedding. I don't think we will be back up in this area in time for the KT gathering. So sorry :(. I just have to catch with you all next time Nita is back. Boo-hoo... I wish there are 2 of me.

Don't you think that you'd like to invest in your existing trees? It might be appropriate to bring in two or three ISA Certified Arborists to have a quick look at the condition of your trees and offer estimates for suggested work. Live oaks can respond to something as little as a substantial mulch application! An educated professional will take into account the history of the site, soil conditions, maintenance, etc. I lived in live oak territory long enough to know that you don't have to sit idly by as they decline. Sometimes they are beyond our help, but some can benefit enormously from professional care. click HERE to find Houston area ISA arborists Just use the search for Houston.....there are numerous listings.

I live in North Beaumont without any houses next to me. On cold, still morning it is 5 degrees colder on this side of Beaumont than my office on the south side of Beaumont, 8 miles away. That is driving down the highway. It will vary even more if the area is surrounded by houses. Many people plant their citrus on the south side of a building to give them more cold tolerance. Even if the building is not heated it seems to help. I believe it was 2011 when the top of the soil froze enough you could walk on wet ground without breaking through. I have lived here 16 years and that was the only year that has happened. According to old timers, we seem to get that kind of cold weather every 20 years, enough people are leery about putting in orchards.