This is the end of growing season, so everything get tough and chewy....that is normal. You need you fertilized more during May to August to get much more fruits.

Thanks for all your kind thoughts. Although it's been another stressful couple of months, I can't complain as I'm not the one dealing personally with either of those terrible tragedies; I'm just there for my friends that are, and mourning with them both. As for my parents, like so many of you here have or are still, I'm now stressing about my parents needing care and family . . . but refusing to admit it. Both are in their early-80's and insist on keeping their winter home north of Tampa, which is where they are now. Up until last year, Mom was a little bundle of energy, looking and acting much younger than her age. But, recent knee problems have now caused back and hip problems, which in turn keeps her from exercising, which in turn has caused her to become much weaker and she's in pain a lot. She can't even get her own shoes and socks on anymore. And Dad is in no shape to help her much, having major heart and balance issues himself. They're a pair, all right! They've, thankfully got great doctors and they're well off financially, so money isn't a problem, but they don't want outside help coming to their house to help them and the closest family is my sister in Atlanta, I know they hate to lose their independence or feel like a burden to any of us but we, their children, know it's just a matter of time until one of them falls and hurts themselves badly. Their summer home is in Michigan, which is where 6 of my siblings and their families live . . . but it's 2 hours north of everyone on a lake! I was down in Florida with them a couple of weeks ago, helping them do some major cleaning, yard work, etc. and tried to talk them into moving near family, either to Michigan where my one sis is an RN, or near us, where DH can take care of their health issues and I can do the rest. But, they tell me "Thanks, Hon, but maybe in a couple of years"! My sis (the RN) flies down there tomorrow for a week and maybe she can talk them into it. My brother and his wife may fly down in April. If not, my parents will be back in Michigan in early June and perhaps the rest of the family there can convince them. In the mean time, we all just worry and fret ;^D Geezelouise, I hope that I don't do this to my kids someday! Anyhoo, thanks for letting me vent a bit. Lynn

Glass block is still being done. If you go with mortar-set, then go slowly. As you add weight above it can deform courses below. Unlike brick, glass doesn't absorb moisture from the mortar, so it can be a slower process in terms of running course after course with no worries over slumping, especially for the first few courses. With silicon-set you can usually power your way right up the wall course after course. Silicon is more DIY-friendly. With mortar-set, make sure stainless steel strapping is used. Galvanized/steel strapping can rust over time and the rust stains can get into the mortar, the stains can show through the glass block. For a structural wall like a free-standing shower wall, I recommend mortar-set over silicon. Mortar will give you the more traditional look with the mortar joints. Begin able to vary the mortar joint thickness allows you to custom size the height of the wall if needed. Silicon gives you a little more of a slicker look; more glass and a less grid-y look due to there being no mortar joints breaking up the wall of glass. Glass block is heavy, so there are weight considerations. If it's a free-standing wall then you'll get the most stability by using full-thickness block. If the wall is captured then you can sometimes go with the thinner block.

Congratulations! You are SO close! Keep pictures of the "old" you next to a pic of the "new" you on your fridge, next to the computer, and in the corner of your mirrors. Wear some of your new clothes in the "new you" pics. Write in a little notebook everyday, of how proud you are of yourself, how these last few lbs are NOTHING compared to what you've already lost, how good you feel now, how fun it is to buy new clothes in smaller sizes! Plan a big reward for yourself for when you reach goal weight! Beef up your exercise routine to Zap your metabolism, maybe taking up something new; Yoga? Pilates? Swimming? train for a marathon/ bike- a- thon? Tennis lessons? I think it is WONDERFUL that you have come this far. Keep checking in so that we can give you support. You are almost to the finish line!! Tikanas