LOL. Make a list of what you want to accomplish. Then separate the list into smaller lists. As an example--you want to redo the bed along the side of the house. So, list the tasks. Prune back shrubs/trees. Identify the perennials you want to keep. Remove everything else. Move it to a holding bed, another bed or the compost heap. Don't feel guilty about tossing plants onto the compost heap. Think about which parts of the bed have more sun or more shade. Think intent...attract butterflies, cutting garden, salad garden, herbs, etc. Think about your time...can you tend this bed frequently? Or not? Think about the water? Is it easy to water or will you have to lug the hose there every afternoon? Once you know the purpose and what energy you can put into maintaining the bed then you can select your plants and the seeds for them. ================= Preplanning is a good way to focus that passionate energy that all Winter Sowers feel as we get closer and closer to Soltice. Also, makes plans for the Winter Solstice. Celebrate the celestial event in subtly ways. Make a grain or bean dish, use that crockpot and let something simmer, do something life giving--maybe drop off some canned goods at a food pantry, make some suet and seed balls and hang them outside for birds, etc. T

Jane, your window display is lovely, with the red tulips and 2nd yr amaryllis and also the lavender. I'm not really surprised that amaryllis can survive and bloom for more than one year. Supposedly they are a perennial, native to Africa. If mine can survive until Memorial Day, I think I'll plant it out in one of my gardens for the summer, then in fall cut off the top and bring it in and dry and store it like a gladiola bulb (corm) until winter, then try forcing it again. That's my plan at least. I'm right with you and Prairiemoon on cheap, disposable tulip (and crocus) bulbs! How wretched it must have been to watch the squirrels unearth them to snack on! Mine are always eaten surreptitiously, by burrowing rodents I suppose. Better to just toss the bulbs into the weeds and save the futile effort of planting them. Whatever wants them can come enjoy a free meal! Prairiemoon, yes I believe the metal dog is supposed to be a St Bernard, presumably carrying supplies in his pack to skiers lost in a blizzard. It struck a chord with me since my old collie used to carry light items in a backpack on our hikes and skiing expeditions. And one can never have too many vintage metal horses and dogs! The window collection is just the tip of the iceberg, I'm afraid. My blown glass balls stuck into the wine bottles, although colorful, are nothing so grand as Chihuly sculptures. They were just mass-produced novelties intended to be filled with water and stuck into potted plants. The promotional claim "You can't over-water! You can't under-water!" isn't true! Don't believe it! Ha! And Diggerdee, no the plants haven't been nipping on the Grand Marnier! It's an empty bottle, and the one for human use is in the kitchen! How many growing days we have is something I haven't computed. We are supposed to be zone 4, but I think we verge on zone 3. Plants aren't really safe to go out into the gardens until the very last day of May and I think our first frost is usually around Sept 20th.

Thanks again for all your kind words. It means a lot. We had a busy day. The home health nurse and physical therapist both visited, and I spent quite a bit of time on the phone. My mom has had a lot of pain and has been very confused (and challenging) today. I had a productive day on the phone. The social worker from home health called me back. She advised me to apply for Medicaid again and gave me info about a respite care service. The fee is $16.50 an hour so that isn't an option for us. She also gave me some info about a local church that will make home repairs and modifications for seniors for a nominal cost. She was digging through her resources and said that she will call me back next week with more info. I spoke with the Alzheimer's Association and the local Council on Aging. The Alzheimer's Association hooked me up with a caregiving resource center for brain-impaired adults. I'll call them on Monday. The Agency on Aging gave me info about homemaking services and senior legal services. I got some good info, but my primary concern right now is getting help for my depression. I've got to get myself qualified for Medicaid and finish the financial planning to get my mom qualified also. I have a lot of work to do, but I know that it's got to be done. I'm pooped, but it feels good to know that I've made a little bit of progress. Nora, I'm going to take your advice tomorrow and set a timer for 30 minutes of cleaning. If I did that twice a day, I could start to make a dent in my BIG MESS. HA! Thanks once again to everyone for your kind words. Aunnie

I guess we were rooting for Green Bay since Seattle beat the Redskins last week. And Brett Favre is pretty amazing to still be playing after all this time (Old for football)I can't believe how much it was snowing and a lot of those guys in short sleeve shirts!! I am also a Falcons fan since I'm a VA Tech alumni and Michael Vick is a VA Tech alumni too. Obviously don't agree with what he did, but I used to love to watch him!