Happy Hump Day! The 15 minute strategy is a great coping skill. I use it a lot but mine is more along the lines of just get off your arse Peggy and do one small thing on your hit list. It will lighten your load and be gone. Using that strategy yesterday worked for me too. I was in a grouchy, feeling sorry for myself mood - so I decided to do one thing which led to another and another. Started by relocating our recycle box out of the kitchen to the utility room (we're on one level). Packed away items in the pantry better. Then I spied another tote container that needed unpacking - well didn't it have my summer clothes in there? And surprise surprise - better fitting jeans I bought a couple of summers ago when I was still heavier but wanted to be at goal weight. I discovered 4 pair of jeans that now fit and a pair of jean shorts that now fit. I was going to buy jeans and now I don't have too. Talk about perking myself up. And I accomplished a few things. Our friend popped round about then with a load of red currant plants for me to plant. Yay. It was really crappy weather outside - cold, windy and starting to rain hard so we talked him into staying for a couple of movies and dinner with us. That was a pleasant surprise. So the day just kept improving. It all started with deciding to do one thing or like the 15 minute rule. Just to get moving - even if it takes a cattle prod to get me going - once I get started I normally feel better afterwards. Last night I felt beyond tired so I had a sedative - work up at 11am!!!! DH just let me sleep. Must have needed it. My problem is getting to sleep or staying asleep. I think I've caught up again. It's noon now, finished my coffee. I'm hoping it rains a wee bit so I can get those plants in the ground (drives off the black flies). Either way I have to get outside and accomplish some more planting - still have rooted tree branches for balsam fir, butternut and hickory to plant along with my berry plants. We have another week of blackfly season to go then they start to disappear. It was spaghetti last night - today I'm eating a little lighter to compensate. It's all about balance. Maintenance. To get the weight down I've learned through WW if I know I'm going out for a big meal I can start the day before cutting back and then the following days eating lighter foods to make up for a big meal. It has worked great for me over the years. How are you doing today? What are your challenges? NH Suzanne I've never done Feng Shui. Keeping a positive flow in your home does help you mentally. My positive flow will happen as we settle into this new home - get the kitchen cupboards built, remove that clutter...get the storage cupboards with bookshelves on top built, remove that clutter - all in good time then my Feng Shui will just happen here. DeeMarie I love those cards you got. Do share the positive ideas. Have a terrific afternoon/evening everyone. ...

Hey loweride: I agree. It wasn't geared towards the novice grower. Just more of an overall pepper info session. You would do great doing a talk at the library. If they want you to do it, and you would be willing, then do it. I would be willing to help out in any way you would want, even just moral support. Sure there will be some in the audience that might know more, but, IMO, in some areas, I think you were more knowledgeable than Dave. That is the nature of the beast. And as long as you accept that, no big deal. I too am anxious in front of people but after 13 years in the army and having to train others on crap that I didn't know anything about, it got easier. After I got out of the service, I went to Mid State Tech in Wisconsin Rapids and was asked to be the student speaker for the graduating class.....for the whole damn school. I was really hesitant, but it was right after 9/11 and I was kind of propped up with the Patriotism going around and made it kind of the theme of my talk. If you are confident in your subject matter, it is a snap. And the trick with the bothersome idiot in the class that thinks he knows a lot and wants to show it is to make him part of it....ask them what they would do in certain situations, Sometimes they even show their spots and make fools of themselves. But anyway, I don't think you are going to have any botanists attending, just some curious folk who are interested in getting into the HOT PEPPER craze going on. That is one think Dave was right about, the Pepper Craze is just beginning and growing very fast. Another good thing is doing a couple videos ahead of time showing what you are talking about. That way you can make sure all the info is correct and complete and then play them during the talk. Or put them online and tell the crowd where to find them if they need more info on a certain subject. I have a video I did on how to make the 5-1-1 mix on youtube. It takes a lot of the mystery out of the process. Bring a few props like live plants and even samples if you have them. Like Dave did but you only need a couple, maybe a bell, a Jalapeno/cayenne, a habanero and a Super hot. Half the class can be watching the bad ass guy in the back that thinks he can eat a super hot and not flinch. hahaha. I suppose even some mardi gras beads for the kids...just leave the mini-banjo at home. Regarding GW. I was on garden web quite a few years before I met you. I dont know exactly when I joined, but it was probably 2010. Maybe 2011 latest. I still havent quite gotten used to the layout of this site, but I think I like it better than the C2C site that a lot of the old GW users migrated to. So, buck up and set up a pepper class. And let me know if you want any assistance.

Prettier than ever, Brandy! I like your “Bloom wherever you’re planted!” comment, Windymess... it suits Brandy’s positive gardening outlook to a T :-) !

I'm happy to hear you are getting compliments. It's well deserved. Sometimes those property managers can be real sticklers, so it's good to hear that your display is appreciated. I do have to say every time I see the ones on that railing, it makes me nervous. We have terrible wind here so that's probably why. Are they anchored somehow?