Nothing goes like you plan. Had everything ready. I forgot to ask George how he moistens the peat/vermiculite mixture so I used the garden hose sray in the cups before I stuck the cuttings in. It got too soggy. I tried to drain and squeeze out as much as I could. Then I look at the cuttings and don't know how to prepare them right, made another slanted cut under water as best I could, cut the flower heads off as best I could (some of these had three flower heads), some were very healthy but some had some brown stuff on them (none had mold) so I pulled those leaves off but not all of them, shook the water off, dredged in powdered hormone, stuck a pen in the mix, felt I had to pull some of the bottom leaves off or I couldn't poke them deep enough, stuck the cutting in that, pressed as snugly as I could, then buried them as deep as I could in the ground. I figured burying the cups in the ground might keep them cooler if it gets hot again, but then it was frustrating trying to get the pepsi bottles over them without touching the leaves and disburbing the cuttings more and getting the leaves tucked up in there. Some of the leaves are touching the sides, I guess that can't be helped. Finally I put up an old window screen to filter out some of the sun that will get through on the east side, most is blocked now by trees, but a little gets through in the morning. The north side would get some of the morning sun anyway and is not a good place right now, ground packed from cement work that was done, too hard to dig for me. I toyed with the idea of stapling translucent plastic to the screen but just ran out of patience. Once the sun hits the south, they should be ok in the natural light that is left. I was afraid the plastic would block too much light and I would have to move the screen every noon. I put the seventh one, the only one that didn't have a spent flower head, looks very healthy, in the cup, in a gallon baggie, blew some air in, sealed it, and set it on the table by my north window, put curtains to block the sun from the east window very close by. It made me nervous, and all I can do is hope for the best. You look at those cuttings and must have to have some special knowhow to know what to do with each one because each one is different. Then what to do with the rooting hormone with all the warnings about not getting it on your skin, wear rubber gloves, I didn't, so I sealed that up in a plastic container and will use it again because I don't like to waste it. I was thinking as I was struggling with all this and back was hurting, legs stiff, why am I doing this? Why not just buy my roses? Two more sets to go, one tomorrow and one the next day, I hope. Have to go to the grocery store and buy back some bottles. Maybe in time I'll gain confidence and more of a knack with it. It is not easy for me, and it is messy.

Good Morning Everyone, Sorry I've been away so long - time for me to re-join the world. Again, I can't thank you all enough for the kindness and support that has come from this group. There was such an outpouring of love - you all are truly special! Shirley and Dawn, that is just too funny when you say that your Mom/Gram did all the talking for the men - it was just the same with my FIL and MIL - she definitely did all the planning for what they would do and also talked for him much of the time. He would just get that twinkle in his eye and smile. It must be such a common thing with couples that are together for so many years. We (the family) finally all got together yesterday and celebrated Christmas. Art was so sick and in the hospital much of December and into January that we just never did it. Yesterday was the first time we were all together since the funeral. We all had some good laughs and some good crys, but definitely felt his presence there with us. Carol, I am so sorry to hear of your granddaughter's miscarriage. I know that you were excited for the baby even though she was so young. We always have to try to believe that everything is for a reason to help us accept and get through it. Oh, it must have been so hard to let those last two sweet little pups go! Glad your planning for a vacation and something to look forward to. Dawn, crossing my fingers and saying a prayer that your footers stay put until the temps warm. Once it warms up are you guys ready to get the walls in place now? I'm looking forward to seeing pics when that happens and it really looks like a house. It will be so fun for you too when you are able to start doing some of the things inside. New belly pictures too please - I imagine you're quite a bit bigger since the last picture. It is such a cool feeling when the baby starts really moving around alot when they get bigger. I can remember actually seeing a knee or a foot pushing out from my belly sometimes. Oh yes, and the hiccups. These next couple of months are going to go so fast for you now. Now really is the time for you to try to get get lots of rest and also get anything done to prepare. Your life is about to change forever - very exciting but very physically and emotionally draining much of the time too. We just celebrated my firstborn's 14th birthday last week and I look back and wonder where the time has gone. Feeling a little anxiety already about how fast the next few years will go by and I have to let him go out into the world. Annie, I am also so sorry to hear about Kelly's miscarriage. I'm glad she is feeling better now though. Your family has certainly been through enough. You are such an amazing woman to always keep your chin up and stay so strong. Sharon, Nancy, Carol, Annie and Dawn - Just want to say thank you for being the "bones" of our group lately. We all have times that we all but disappear for awhile and there always seems to be a core group that steps up and keeps it going, keeps us all connected. Thank you for being that these past few weeks. And speaking of disappearances - Miss Cindy, I sure do miss you and could certainly use some pictures of some of your awesome daylilies right about now. Oh, and please drag that friend of yours Sherri on over here too. Miss you guys. Marea, love the canna in the living room pictures. It's so nice that your sun is strong enough to grow them indoors in the winter. What a nice thing to look at in February. Glad to hear you're still making progress towards your move. I'll bet you will be so happy when it's done. "Snazzy Memories' is just beautiful and will be so meaningful to Dawn and Jenna. Once again, I am so touched by your big heart. I hope that some day we are all lucky enough to have 'Snazzy Memories' in our gardens. I have a few hostas that were potted on the porch that I ended up bring in a few weeks ago. They have all sprouted and opened their leaves. Makes me want Spring even more. An early arrival would be just fine with me.It is so cold here too right now. Hope you're all remembering to keep those bird feeders full. I've been filling mine twice a day. The birds will just sit in the trees within 3' of me now waiting while I fill them. I barely turn my back to head for the house before they flock to the feeders and ground to eat. The poor babies are so cold and hungry right now. Barb, hope your "blueness" ends soon and things start looking up for you and hubby. Missing your posts. I'm going to try to get those DL seeds out to you soon. Debbie, MaryS, Gloria and Angie, it was so nice to see you all post. Please come around more often - miss you guys. Jo, I don't think I have ever seen you so quiet - miss you too but know how busy your life is these past few months. Please let us hear from you. Anita, so sorry about the tragedy at your house. Hope your hubby realizes that he did all he could for his friend and feels at peace with it. We sure would like to hear from you again soon too. Dawn, how are the fish? Well, enough rambling. Sorry if I missed anyone. Got to work later on today so I have some chores to do at home ofcourse. Hope you all have a great day. Any big Colts or Bears fans here? Hugs, MaryB

After reading all of your posts here tonight, I wish I had more time to spend with all of you on here. I loved reading each post and loved seeing the picture of DD with DDad and DIL, Karen. Your all so Special and it's hard knowing your going through tough times. I will head to bed with all of you in my heart and keep all of you in my prayers. Here's a poem for all of you. Why GOD Gave Us Friends GOD knew that everyone needs Companionship and cheer, He knew that people need someone Whose thoughts are always near. He knew they need someone kind To lend a helping hand. Someone to gladly take the time To care and understand. GOD knew that we all need someone To share each happy day, To be a source of courage When troubles come our way. Someone to be true to us, Whether near or far apart. Someone whose love we'll always Hold and treasure in our hearts. That's Why GOD Gave Us Friends! Take Care My Dear Friends, Punk

Hello everybody, Unfortunately, I am having a relapse triggered by a family fight I had today. As I mentioned in my first post, my relationship with my mom is not good and she is very disrispectful with my stuff and has thrown away very special things to me. Things that I really treasured. Today, I picked up a carped that my mom had removed almost a year ago. She wanted to throw it away, but the carpet was in good condition and I liked it, so I took it to a place to have it washed and storaged. Today I finally got it back home and put it behind a wall in my living room. It was well hidden and it wasn't taking too much room. My mom saw it and started acting like crazy and told me she was going to throw it away tomorrow. I got angry and she started telling me that I had my stuff all over the house, which is not true, and then mentioned that the fact I put my little dog's stuff, like his plate and little bones in the laundry room was a problem for her to. This made me get very angry and I went down the stairs because I wanted to make sure my dog's stuff were safe. suddenly, my uncle, who was at home for a visit, stood up and got between me and my mother because according to him he thought I was going to hit my mom, which is a terrible lie. He dared me to fight and I told him I was not going to accept his attitude in my house. Then he asked me to go outside and I said: OK. Let's go. Next, my brother showed up and my mom to avoid the fight. Then my brother told me he didn't want to fight because he was much heavier than me and that it was going to be easy for him. I said: Come on, let0's do it. And he refused it and said he loved me. Ever since my parents divorced he has interfered in many of my family's issues that are not concer of his and sometimes he has tried to act like the man of the house. Today was the last straw and made me lose my mind. He has brainwashed my mom several times, my mom almost always does what he tells her to do and of course, he usually takes my moms side. All this conflict made me have a psychiological crisis and miss my little dog a lot since I feel very alone again and I have no friend and partner at home to rely on. I really didn't need this since I was starting to feel better about the loss of my beautiful Guyton, to heal, to rearrange my life without suffering too much and feel more peace. On top of that, my Psychiatrist took the liberty to show my mom and my brother my diagnosis file after a visit my mom and my brother made to his office, which was a terrible violation to my privacy and to the confidentiality respect Mental professionals have to have. It's the most basic and important rule. Now, my mom is using this as a weapon and threatening me to send me to a mental hospital because my Psychiatrist also told her and my brother she could do that. It is just unbelievable. He betrayed me and put me in a very difficult position. Specially now that I am trying to overcome the death of my little dog and my mind is unstable. It just looks he also took my brother's and mom's side and they are their patiens not me. Now I am missing Guyton a lot again and their loss became bigger again too. I am lost and sad again. I really hope you can reply to me. Thank you very much in advance for your help and kindness