Ruthie, you are my hero! Way to go, Lady! My sister had cancer some years ago and beat it. She still gets her checkups. I have terminal melanoma and take treatments for it. Just don't want to leave my wife of 20 years... lol Couldn't make it without her. One of the tumors is in the rear part of my brain which they say controls motor movement. I have learned to live with it, just not the stares of the people in the restaurants as I come staggering in.... lol ps. I still garden too. woopee ty yie yippe yippie yaa for Ruthie! Shot

Yes Your balcony can be used to start the hardening off for a week.Perhaps put them near the railing so they may get a little sun--not touching if you have a clear plastic or glass in the railing. They will however have to be introduced to the sun gradually at your friends place for another week. Even in the shade like your balcony they will get some uv rays and that is what your plants have to get used to. Never cover plants with plastic unless it is not touching the plants. If you cover with plastic to protect from frost and it is touching the plant it will freeze harder. If it touches the plant in the sun it will burn faster. I don't suppose you have to worry about frost though in your zone. Hardening off is preparing your plants to be set out. The plants don't have to be kept warm at night when there is no frost. When they are planted out they won't be always the same temperature. They will be cooler at night and maybe hot, but at least warm in the daytime

dedtired: In your post, you wrote "Today I am making a new mushroom soup recipe in the slow cooker." If it turns out good, would you post the recipe? Thanks. Since I'm retired, I too try to stay home on the weekends. And I try to not run errands or go out to lunch at noon. It's hard enough for work people to go through a line or find a table at 'lunchtime', so I don't want them to have to wait on me when I can go earlier/later. Shirley

Betty, chemo is a whole 'nother ball of wax...please let me know if you need someone to talk to who's been there! Remember: 1) Hoodies! (the back of your neck will get colder than you would have thought possible) 2) Crystal Light Fruit Punch, for the days when drinking another glass of water is beyond your power. 3) Pepperidge Farm Chessmen cookies. Dove ice cream bars. Kneaders cinnamon rolls. Because you will need moments of pure joy. :) You are in my thoughts and prayers. Amy