When I'm not in the garden tending my roses (and other plants occasionally), I'm inside checking out the Rose Forum. What a time waster!!! The dishes are piled on the sink, the bed is unmade; it looks bleak and cold outside so here I am again in front of the computer. Rose addiction?? I've got it bad, both to the real thing and the cyberspace ones. Sometimes it's three or four times a day that I log on to check out any new posts on the forum. And that's when I'm not sitting reading my rose books planning what I'm going to have next year. HELP!!!!

Absolutely, if I'm not in the garden doing something (anything!), I'm usually on the computer!
I have killer dust bunnies coming down the hall! the dust is so thick on the TV, we actually thought the thing was on the blink 'cos the picture was fuzzy! and I tell visitors they can't use the toilet 'cos it's broken! and the kids complain because there aren't any clean socks (I tell them to turn the others upside down and use the clean side!)

Annie

I am the same, I can and do spend hours on the computer.

Q

If I'm not gardening, or on the computer, I'm indulging in my other obsessions - going to the gym, or reading - or, running around, cleaning up after the kids (heehee)!

Bill Gates and Co. have a lot to answer for, true, but think what great conversations and ideas you can get from this site. I feel I sort of know everyone a little - nice!

Apart from gardening (and like you Cimarron - we have that great clay base too - so lots of terraces and lugging sheep yard soil up to the top of the farm where the house is) - but it's worth it, especially in Spring when the roses are blooming.

I also do relief teaching at a local Catholic college (the relief is when you walk out at the end of the day and have no marking or prep. to do :-) ) and I'm secretary of the local Uniting/Anglican Community church; I do volunteer work at a local Children's Home tutoring some young guys around 14/15 who've had a fairly rough deal out of life (I find this very rewarding although fairly tough and I'm never sure if what I'm doing for them is right but you plough on anyway); we run a farm (one we try to earn money out of) and I love to make preserves and jams from our own produce. In between that we have 4 children and 2 grandchildren (2 and 4), my mum and dad and our larger family group, and they are all very important to us. We love to see them as often as possible. Most weekends they descend on us and we sit around at night (when football season allows) and play board games like Balderdash, Risk, Scrabble, Pictionary etc. We love to have friends around to dinner or a bbq and I also love to read novels (I go to a bookclub once a month which is fun) and I do cryptic crosswords (the London Times especially, which is found in The Australian). In fact I have 3 girlfriends (all teachers) who are also cryptic crossword fanatics and we go away once a term for a weekend somewhere - with multiple photocopies of about 30 crosswords and spend the weekend solving x-words together, having the odd Cab. Sav., food, etc. and having a great laugh and yes, a good gossip. Very good for the soul!

And yes, like Pebbles, I try to keep the old figure trim (for me,it's a losing battle against gravity!) by going to the gym on Mondays if I'm free, and walking around the farm.
Barb

Apart from the garden I enjoy interior decorating I have also recently discovered mosaics and really find it very therapatic. I read mysteries (to excape)rose books to daydream and cookbooks drool. I do crafty things and love cooking and am lucky enough to have a metabolism that never allows me to put on much weight. I work partime, mainly to feed my rose buying habit, and I do some voluntary work in the tourism industry. I have four children - no grandchildren probably never will, if this lot don't get a move on!!!
I don't use the computer much mainly as I rarely get onto it - my husband is a constant user, so not much hope for me. My hubby is a Vietnam Vet and he runs a hobby farm, using horses and bullocks we are also totally bio dynamic in all that we do, and it seems to work well for us.
I have arthritis in my spine, so the garden is both a source of great joy and frustration. I not really big on housework - never was, but our house is one you can feel perfectly at home in and you do not have to take your boots off at the door - life is too short to worry about those type of things. Anyway that is my excuse!!!!
What is your excuse?
Leyla

Yell at the kids. Watch TV, Go to the gym. Make a mess of the house with arty stuff.

Look what happens when I turn my back for two seconds. Well at least I now know what my DH thinks of me!!!

Sabine

LOL! Sabine.
sandie

I work as a midwife, study and spend heaps of time on the computer. At the moment gardening is my exercise along with bellydancing. Love that. Sew the costumes and dream of being young and lithe and sensuous.
Judy

Ditto on the bellydancing and sewing the costumes. That's my once a week escape from the steelcap boots and straw hat too :)

I love to read (gardening books mostly) and surf the net. Most of my time is spent caring for lots of critters: ducks, chooks, kids etc.

I had rearranged my life a bit so I get could get along to a TAFE shortcourse on Carving Feature Bricks. It was cancelled for lack of numbers, and deferred until next term. Grrr...

Amanda

I forgot about this conversation forum - it has been good to read!
Being 26 and working full time - I find I don't have enough hours in the day to do all I want to do. I am at work for 8-9 hours a day, lucky I work in IT so have access to the web all day if I have a spare few minutes (can always make time for a quick surf and a catch up on Garden Web)
I always make time for the garden - I have to be out there every day - especially after work in the early evening, it is so relaxing.
I have also started going to the gym too. I go early in the morning (about 6.30am) as I don't have enough time to after work, would rather relax at the end of the day with a glass of wine and a walk around my garden. I do play netball once a week after work though.
Other than work, work, work - I love reading too - novels and gardening books/magazines, but find I run out of time here too, if I buy a mag, buy the time I get through it, the next issue is nearly on sale, I do run out of time often. I live for the weekends, when I can garden all I please. I even sometimes get a little annoyed if a friend (non-gardening type) drops in if I am in the middle of doing something, or have an arvo planned to weed!! Would rather be outside being active than sitting around gossiping.
Working hard now to get ahead a little to pay off the house a bit more with my partner before we have children, I want to contribute as much as I can before giving up working full-time.
Rach

Rach
Your days sound just like mine, though I don't go to the gym and I don't play netball!

I too confess to getting annoyed when (non-gardening) people just drop in. Gardening friends are different because they want to walk around the garden with you and share your excitement at seeing buds appearing and other changes no matter how small!

Must admit, I am probably boring to non-gardening people, as all other activities outside work, home and the garden are garden orientated. Leisurly drives with friends up into the hinterland for lunch and nursery hunting, Qld Rose Society meetings and activities, visits to the library for ... you guessed it, gardening books, trips to the hardware store and landscapers.

I even spend time in the garden at night - watering can only be done after 4pm, then I hop onto the net and surf garden sites and pop in and out of the gardening forums. Oh God, I did'nt realise how boring I must be to other people.

Too bad I reckon. This is the way I am, and I love it.

Ooh me too everyone!!
I second all that stuff!!! If I'm not in my gardening, or here with you guys. I'm interested in renovating or watching renovating shows to learn new things especially if it ties in with my gardening interests.

Like leyla, been dabbling in the idea of mosiacs myself. They are gorgeous!!! I've contacted a place running a course on it!!

It ties in with my eventual hope to install a mediterranean fenceline,instead of the eyesore colourbond.(not for a long long time though)

I have a pattern in my minds eye on what I'd like to design onto the wall. Either in mosiac or leadlighting glass, still deciding on my limitations etc.(Both physically and financially and creatively)

As you all know I have a yucky colourbond fence,due to termites, it became a quick fix. But it certainly doesn't do anything to improve the property values or appeal to the eye.

Leyla do you read home and garden mags???
A few months back I saw the most amazing celtic design mosiac, in the garden wall. I looked to see who the company was, that produced it??

Did you know it was designed by the owner of the home themselves.I prefer modern an original designs,not just mass produced stuff.

Well a side interest anyway.

I love animals.I went on to study a preliminary to vet nursing. Currently I work in retail. I enjoy my job. And am also in the process of considering to do a science degree.

It is also a matter of finaces if I can proceed. But those a some of my goals.

I went back to school, after my job of 10yrs,folded. And did adult courses and became computer literate. I decided to pursue the field of work,which means the world to me. But doing it, little by little.

I'm also considering to do a japanese speaking course by night, to help me on my way.

Granville, I feel the same as you,that if opportunities present, even in a small way,I think we make a world of difference.

Good on you, for helping those kids.
For giving them an opportunity they may not ever have had . It shows strength of character!!!

I really enjoy meeting / knowing all of you, as you all seem like genuine and nice people and I'm glad I stumbled into this forum.

jlst

Farming is a form of gardening isn't it?
I like to get away into my garden after a day of driving around a paddock in a header or driving down to the silos with the grain...
Water restrictions are a pain in the a..e I am fortunate that I have stored tank water to keep my roses going over summer.I even get on the net and come i here for some cyber gardening in between checking grain prices and marketing options .I need to get a life..........

This is my first venture into the 'conversations' portal and I must admit it is hard to keep up with you all on the diff. forums we have (not complaining though as I've enjoyed the fabulous contact and advice over the past two years.)

JLST where do u find enough time and energy in the day??It's great to see.

Myself I'm mid 30's and work full time in a job that involves indoor/outdoor work and plenty of variety. I am happy with it although to own a bed and breakfast would be a 'future' preference.

I have laid down the footy boots/cricket bat/triathlon gear and now resort to fathering our two young boys (6 & 2) although I may be picking all that up again soon to keep up with them. I love running regularly and escaping to the roses and pondering my next garden venture at all hours of the day and night such as now at 2.15AM...??

In the new year we are starting a new life in countryish? Don Valley on an acre with plenty of projects in mind ahead. Our kids will also be going to a Steiner school in the Yarra Valley which will also be 'unique' and take a little getting used to, particularly on my part. From what I have seen thus far the way children are nurtured and educated is amazing and I would imagine they won't start ruining others gardens and the like when they tend to their own and cook their own breads at such a young age.

Anyway I have to enjoy computers or I wouldn't be here and love interacting with you all and gaining inspiration from your wonderful idea's.

Garry

KNIT!

Not only am I a roseaholic, I've turned into a knit-aholic too! I scour ebay, I find out about new and different yarn shops online and in the "real" world.... I buy too much.

Anyone want to buy some scarves or hats before I bankrupt myself? LOL

And I make little dragons like the one in the link below (scroll down the page a bit to Sage) only mine aren't sad, mine are goofy 8-)

Oh and I fund all of this with full time work, so I get a lot less time to do the fun things and just enough mney to indulge myself with!

anon!

Lynne S

Here is a link that might be useful: Sage the dragon

I am someone who did the science degree at 45 years (my first degree) and then ended up an academic - I ended up sad at the mess that our Universities are now in and walked out at 60 earlier this year - on the spur of the moment, after having lunch in the country town I now live in and love. I sold my city house to the man next door the next day and bought my dream (seen after the lunch the day before for the first time). So, after 20 years of sitting at a computer, I now look after 4 ducks, 2 drakes (I love them), a Silkie rooster and I think now 8 hens of different colors and sizes - they all live together with no pecking order (maybe because they are spoilt?), 2 dogs, and I am now looking after a friend's dog as well, and 2 ponies whom I absolutely adore. And some wildlife, I have had to learn so much as I find it hard to do all the right things, but I have a teacher about the horses one morning a week, and I am getting better. There is so much to do with all these animals, it takes me hours each day and of course I enjoy them all so much. I am now going to learn to ride so that one day when he grows up a bit more (as he is only 2 yrs) I can ride the larger pony as he is 12.5 hands and very stocky. I walked them down to the village showground today and as often as I can and we "talk" to the other horses down there and anyone else who likes to talk to us - I will get a reputation as the lady who takes her horses for a walk.

It keeps me busy - I buy papers and never get to read them. I have also opened a small B&B which is booked on weekends and so one day a week I am flat out making it all beautiful and then I try to keep a low profile on the weekend so the guests can have as much privacy as possible. That's when I go shopping as the shops are all a long way away so I head off to look at nurseries with the dogs in tow.

Life is truly wonderful.

Granville44 - if you ever need a treat for some kids who would like a few days of country life and who would be kind to my animals, I have a 3 bedroom B&B on 5 acres just 2 hours from Sydney and would be happy to offer this to a church or charity group occasionally - I once had a teenage son who had some serious problems so now that I am older, I would always like to be able to put some joy back. Email me if you wish
Kevarose

Barb or Granville44,

I was going to send you an email and so I have just read your home page and found out that you live in WA - silly me, I made a wrong assumption that Granville meant you were in the Sydney region. Better stop making assumptions

Pamela or Kevarose

To update you since my last post about what I do when I am not gardening, I just wanted to let you know that I have just started a new business making jewellery for special occasions, brides and debutants. It is so much fun making new jewellery pieces and my DH has helped me set up a website for it. Because I love my roses so much I used them as props in the photos I made of my jewellery. They are Princess De Monarco, Granada and Peter Frankenfeld. Because I played with the colors and lighting in the photos you may not recognise them. Tell me what you think of the pictures, they are in www.angelware.com.au.

sabine I almost forgot to look at tha roses the jewellery is so beautiful. Very classy stuff, you are an artist

I've only just discovered this forum but its been a while since anyone posted here so I thought I would add my bit. I, like a few others, do mosaics, my favourites being the bird baths I make then mosaic. I also spend a lot of time with mine and my neighbours alpacas. They are the most wonderful creatures especially the cria (babies). They are so funny and full of personality and cheekiness like most babies. I also halter train them for shows and hopefully when my first girl has her first cria I'll be able to show my own.

Cheers, Jules