A lesson learned about elbow pain.
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
8 months ago
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seagrass_gw Cape Cod
8 months agolast modified: 8 months agorhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7 thanked seagrass_gw Cape CodOutsidePlaying
8 months agolast modified: 8 months agorhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7 thanked OutsidePlayingRelated Discussions
Lessons Learned: Dealing With Pond Contractors
Comments (6)In Florida its hard to get anything done without upfront money.Just ask people who paid and waited a year for new roofs and carports to be built. My first(and one year later fired) pond contractor refused to work without most money up front.You know he has to pay for heavy equipment, gas, subcontractors,,,,, drug habit. Before we hired him he drove us around to various ponds he SAID he did but we should have actually knocked on their doors and asked if he did them.While I argued with both of the pond guys and insisted they build my ponds and attached creek to look natural they balked. NOW our county is making it a rule that all ponds be natural not rectangles squares and circles. I do wish they had regulations on the contractors but until they do be careful!...See MoreLessons learned so far
Comments (8)I hardened the plants off much more successfully this year than last year. I basically put them out in the shade after I came back from work every day for a week. At the end of the week, I started giving them a little of the sunlight just before the sun set. Then I let them stay outside over night (day 7 or so). The next day, I would leave them outside, but in a shady place so they did not get straight sunlight (during the day, but they got all the afternoon sun). I let that go for a couple of days, then I let them experience full sunlight both in the morning and during the day. So, all in all, about 10 days of hardening off (while not affecting any of my time at work). I guess, the key is to start very slowly and be patient. Last year, I almost managed to kill several plants (I did seriously stunt a couple). Luckily, I caught my errors in time, but this year, was a much better experience. But, I believe the big lesson I got this year were: if I expected to have 42 plants, then plant at least a 72 tray full and keep the strong and willing ones. Let the stunted ones go. Next year, I'll definitely seed a couple of 72 cell trays and just keep the strong ones (eg, planting lets say 18 Golden Habanero plants even if I only plan of keeping 6-8). So I plan on planting 144 seeds next year, and keep about 40. I will transplant the strong ones I do not plan on keeping into styrofoam cups for give-aways and finally pitch the ones that look like weak performers (I am guessing probably 40 will be in the "will toss" category). Another lesson I learned: If using styrofoam cups, make sure to put them on a rack on a tray, such that they are easy to pull in and out of the rack. Keep some plastic or something, so you can catch run off water. It was a pain to carry two and two cups to the sink when watering (I had holes in the bottom and since I watered them in the living room, I had to protect the carpet). They were also prone to tip over if I was a little to fast (dumping soil on the carpet and exposing plant roots more than necessary. I have the Chrome wire shelf unit referenced in another thread. Tipping cups are not a problem if you have solid shelves). When I built the trays, both problems went away....See MoreMy husband and lessons learned.
Comments (49)Lukki, Almost 3 years ago, my husband was diagnosed with Leukemia so I think I can understand some of what you're experiencing. The shock, the fear, the sometimes surprising support from people you'd never expect it from, and the slightly new look at life. My advice to you is to BE SURE to take care of yourself. Exercise, eat healthy, do whatever it is that brings your mind peace and rest, whether that is reading or knitting or skydiving. Of course you'll do whatever it takes for him, but DO NOT neglect yourself. You will not be as effective a caregiver if spend all your physical, psychic, and spiritual energy on others. Thankfully, my husband is disease free and healthier than ever. The whole experience deepened our bond and even brought us closer to some friends, who were such a wonderful source of support for both of us. A friend & cancer survivor recommended we save the cards he received (and it was over 100!)and re-read them on the anniversary of the diagnosis. It was great to see them again a year later. We also saved a big banner his co-workers made and unfurl that yearly to read the very funny messages. (They had a blood drive at his office. One female wrote - "I had to eat carbs. That should tell you how much you mean to me". That still makes me laugh.) Feel free to email me if you want to chat, one caregiver to another. Good luck. Stay strong....See MoreI need to be, to the point with my contractors. Lesson learned!
Comments (14)I don't think it's a sexism thing either. You husband was there and therefore the project was discussed. Could have just as easily been the other way around. For the rest of the build I would stress the meeting time (sounds like this one started early, which is VERY odd..LOL), the importance of promptness and ALL participants. In our last build, along about the drywall stage I figured I had spent the better part of 8 hours waiting for people to show up at previously agreed upon times. 15 minutes one day, 5 minutes the next, 20 minutes the day after that, it all added up. It didn't bother me so much if I was working there other than I was brought up to believe promptness is a sign of respect but it REALLY bothered me when I came to the site for just the meeting and I'm cooling my heels for 20 minutes after a pre-agreed upon meeting time counting studs in the wall. So I started making a big deal about being prompt. Concluding a call with "OK. we're meeting at 10AM. Let's pretend you're catching a plane. Doors close and the plane pulls away from the gate at 10:01. Make sure you're on it" Well two things immediately happened. First, the on time arrival rate went from abysmal to nearly 100%. After my speech I couldn't be late of course so I'd typically arrive a few minutes early and nearly always the guy would be already there. And second, after hearing my speech everyone got real defensive with "That's great! I don't like to wait around either. 10AM it is!!!" That, and of course if I had to wait a half hour for the plumber it's a wash but if he has to spend the same amount of time on an "extra" it's on his invoice! So equal value is placed on time. So stress time AND participants when setting up a meeting. But the best of luck with your build. Exciting times coming up!...See Morerhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
8 months agoAlisande
8 months agosalonva
8 months agorhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
8 months ago
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