FABULOUS CONTAINER GARDENS

So, I noticed my favorite southern gardening book, Easy Gardens for the South, sitting on my supervisor's desk at the library.  I mentioned that my sister gave me the book and she gives it to everyone who moves to Georgia.  It is a great book.  Cheryl told me that as a fund raiser for the Cherokee County Historical Society, the author, who just happens to live in Canton, was hosting a tour of her container gardens.  Besides the Easy Gardens book, she has written several books on container gardens.

Walking up to the house and gardens

Several phone calls later I went on the tour with my sister, Suzanne, and friends Nancy and Phyllis.  Several members of Suzanne's garden club attended, also. 

Pamela Crawford lives on over 40 acres of wooded property.  It is really pretty.  Most of her gardens are in containers, but she also has beautiful flower beds, too.  (Although in after thought I wonder how she keeps the deer away.)  The evening of the tour the weather was not great, but fortunately we were able to view and study the containers before the rain.  Her watering system is unbelievable, too!  When asked where she purchases most of her plants she stated one local nursery, but also said she purchases most from Lowe's and Home Depot. She starts buying flowers as soon as they appear at the garden centers and arranges the pots in her yard by color and then starts planting the containers. She keeps planting over a couple of months time. I must say she has a great eye for color and texture. The containers are fabulous.

Enjoy the pictures!




Hanging baskets and ground plants



Close up of plants



Huge pots on the driveway.  Love the colors!

 

Sitting area on driveway



She grows not only flowers in her containers, but veggies, too!



Looking down to the lower porch from the upper porch



One of the smaller water containers - rain water


 

Phyllis is having a great time!



Eggplant growing in a container



Another area of large containers holding both flowers and veggies



Herbs that go well with chicken!  What a great idea! (I'm stealing it next year!)

 


Herbs for beef and pork!  Love it!



Huge water tank

 

Pretty close up - love the blue, yellow and green



Nancy was in awe, like all of us!  That container behind her
was loaded with cherry tomatoes, herbs and flowers.



HI HO, HI HO - IT'S BACK TO WORK I GO!

Yup.  After not working for 11 months, I now have a fantastic part time job!

I knew when I retired that I would need to work part time for a few  years.  First, to build up my liquid cash reserves and have money to travel and secondly to get me out of the house and around people.  However, I didn't think it would be so long.

It's not like I haven't enjoyed my retirement.  I have.  And, it would be great not to need this job.  But, I do need it on so many different levels besides what I mentioned above.

It took longer to get a job because I needed the time to heal from the turmoil of 2010.  Emotionally, I wasn't ready to work, although the last couple of months my bank account was starting to look scary. 

I had applied back in February with Kelly Temp Services.  Although I did extremely well on both the interview and skill tests, the only two jobs offered me were long term and a long way from my house - equivalent to at least an hour drive to and from work.  No thank you.  This spring I started applying to local collages.  Nada.  But, I had a list of websites I checked weekly and bi-weekly and planned to keep trying.  I was getting a little concerned, though.  I needed a part time job.

I had applied on and off to be a Library Assistant with the Sequoyah Regional Library System, which serves three counties here in Georgia - Cherokee, Pickins and Gilmore.  Never got called for an interview.  Then, in February they experienced huge budget cuts and lay offs.  Oh, well . . .

I still checked out the library website for job openings.  And, in late May they had openings for both a Research Assistant and a Library Assistant at a library in my area.  I applied for both.  I was called to interview for the Research Assistant on Monday, interviewed on Tuesday and was offered the job on Friday!  Yippee!

It is the perfect job for me.  I work 16-17 hours a week, the pay is more than minimum wage, I work only every 4th Saturday, I never work later than 6pm and I GET TO WORK IN A LIBRARY!  I'm learning so much, too.  The people I work with are great and I am working with the public, which is fun.  Yes, parts of my job are rather tedious, but overall it is a perfect fit.  If I wasn't in a library I would be whistling while I work! 

I got my first paycheck.  hehehehehe  It was only for 27 hours, but I was as thrilled as if I made my first million!  LOL  Another thing I find so rewarding is seeing so many books come across my path that I have read.  And, I am starting a list of books/authors I want to read.  Plus, learning the ins and outs of helping people do research is very interesting. 

I am so fortunate!  I'm happy and so is my bank account.  Now, I better start researching English gardens, or maybe Tuscany or possibly Paris.  Where's my passport?

A PLATONIC VISIT

My good friend, David, came for a visit in May for five nights.    We went up to Helen, GA and then to Anna Ruby Falls.  We went to the Aquarium and saw the dolphin show (very cool) .  We visited with my sister and brother-in-law and went to a couple of MeetUp functions.  We also just hung out and talked. 

Me and David at Anna Ruby Falls

I've known David for about eight years.  He has been a very good friend to me and I hope he feels the same about me.  When Phil died over a year ago now, David was the first one at my side and shared his stories of depression and suicidal thoughts.  His insights were extremely helpful to me.  In fact, David's insights on life are always interesting! 

We've had a lot of fun over the years and helped each other over some very rough times.  Our friendship is just that - friendship.  We do not cross the line.  And, that is just fine.  I've met most of his family and his awesome daughter.  It's been fun watching Nicole grow up and David is a great dad to her.  I really admire his parenting skills.

I have always had friendships with men.  And, once the "line" is drawn, for me it doesn't change.  I can somewhat understand that some people don't understand friendship between a woman and a man and I can understand how a man I am romantically involved with might feel threatened by such a friendship.  Everyone is different and I do understand that a man/woman friendship can cross the lines and become sexual.  It takes respect, understanding and trust to maintain such friendships on every ones part.  And, I have learned that if I am romantically involved with someone and he really gives me a difficult time about any "man" friendships I might have, he is totally insecure within himself and I need to leave. 



Pondering relationships at Anna Ruby Falls

 Were there awkward moments between David and me when he was here?  Maybe when I walked out of my bedroom in my robe and jammies the first morning, but we actually had a good laugh about how stupid I looked and moved on.  I know David would like to come again in the next year or so and I hope it works out.  I would love it if he brought his daughter along, but either way, he is always welcome!

WESTWARD HO

Over Easter I spent a week in Mesa, AZ visiting my gal pal Nancy and sister, Linda.  I had a great time. I enjoy visiting this area and love the mountains, but sure was glad to be back in Georgia where it is GREEN! 


Nate and me

 A highlight of the trip was meeting my second cousin, Nathan, son of my cousin, Scott. The last time I saw Nate he was six weeks old. Now he has hair, teeth and is no longer in diapers (joking here) and is all grown up into a very nice and handsome young man. He is attending the University of Arizona on a full scholarship and going into enginering.  Linda and I had dinner with Nathan and his mom, Kaye and had a great time. It was so good to make this connection and next time I am in Arizona I hope we can get together again.



Sister Linda, me, Nate and Kaye, Nate's mom

 Nancy and I went to the Desert Botanical Gardens.  I took a ton of pictures, a few of which are shown below.  It was spring time in the desert and so many plants were in bloom.  It was a lovely day there.
Nancy and I always have fun together and this trip was no exception.  We ate laughed a lot, shopped a little, shared secrets and ate great food (YUM to the Thai and East Indian place, and Agritopia).  The best part is that Nancy is purchasing her very first house in Gilbert, AZ!  I got to tour the house three times and it is just charming.  She closes in a few weeks and I hope to return soon so I can see it all decorated and really made into "Nancy's home."

Alice rocks!

I also stopped at Coopertown - Alice Cooper's bar/restaurant so I could pick up a birthday present and tee shirt for my nephew, Paul.  That was fun.

This was the first time in almost a year I ventured more than 100 miles from my new home here in Georgia.  It felt good!  I'll be back soon, Nancy!



Feeding a squirrel noodle salad!



The three Chichuly glass sculptures at the entrance to the gardens. Fabulous!
If you EVER get a change to see his art, GO!  I have seen his art in various locations
in the United States and it is always wonderful



GIDDY UP

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Yee Haw!



Last month I went with my MeetUp group to Georgia Frontiers for an afternoon of horseback riding.  Now, I am not a horse woman, but have gone riding here and there over the course of my life time.  It had been around four years since I'd been on a horse and I totally enjoyed myself.

I  was in the beginner rider group.  Some of these brave
souls had never been on a horse!

Eighteen of us went.  The first nine out were experienced riders who would take their horses on gallops and I believe take a more difficult trail.  I wasn't quite ready for that!  While they were gone we were entertained by Cowboy Roger, owner of Georgia Frontiers and we ate our picnic lunches that we had brought along.  It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed each other's company and Roger's stories.



I'm glad my horse, Shadow, had more get up and go then this guy!

I rode Shadow, a very nice horse with pep.  The trails were well maintained and the scenery was outstanding - this is in the mountains and the views very pretty.  We got the horses up to a trot, which was fun for me, but scary for other's.  I heard a little screaming from the back of the group when the horses got up to a trot!  I think they were hanging on for dear life.


No one fell off!

This MeetUp is a great way to get out and do things with nice people.  I am trying to schedule at least two events a month with this particular MeetUp group and am making friends.  Some of the activities I've been to are bingo nights, a potluck Greek dinner, dog training school, various lunches, hiking with the dogs, etc.  It's fun.  I've also joined two book clubs through MeetUp. 

This month I'm participating in a moonlight horseback riding event at Georgia Frontiers that includes a dinner and a bonfire.  I think it will be a blast, but I am sure going to try to get up there and ride a couple of times before I ride in the moonlight!

MARTHA'S VISIT

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My friend, Martha, came down for a week at the end of March.  "The week that rained every single day?" you ask.  Yup.  That week!

Unfortunately, every single thing I had planned for us to do was out of doors.  Both Martha and I like to hike and I had planned to check out many of the local trails with her.  Since hiking in the rain or in the mud wasn't an option, we had to go to Plan B, of which I didn't have a clue.

We did have a good time and I really enjoyed having Martha here.  We spent one morning walking around the town of Blue Ridge.  We visited the Georgia Aquarium in downtown Atlanta. We have an awesome aquarium here.  We went to the Funk Heritage Museum on the Reinhardt College campus, which is just a few miles from my house.  We played Bingo with my MeetUp group one evening, visited Marlon and Suzanne and just hung out a lot.  One day we were able to hike up Kennesaw Mountain and visit the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park's museum.  We had lunch at Tea Leaves and Thyme, a cute tea shop in Woodstock and a great dinner at Goin' Coastal in downtown Canton. 



Me, Sam, Martha and Oliver at the top of Kennesaw Mountain

 Martha would like to move away from Milwaukee and is checking out areas, so we did look at houses one afternoon.  That was fun.  I hope she comes down this summer and we can check out Chattanooga together!

The first couple of days after she left was a little too quiet.  Sam and Oliver missed her, too.  I hope the weather won't scare her away for good!

HOUSE CHANGES

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Been doing some work around the house the last couple of months.



Looking into the kitchen and out onto the porch

 

Kitchen chandelier, art, plates and quilt (in hallway)

  

Looking into my pretty guest bathroom, which looks
more "blue" than the grayish blue it really is.

My kitchen is painted a cheery yellow and my guest bathroom is painted a grayish blue.  Both have pictures hung and are completed.  I am extremely pleased with how both turned out.  And, neither would look so well if it weren't for the help of my brother-in-law, Marlon.  In my kitchen I also hung a mini-chandelier which picks up the black in my appliances and the crystal prisms from the dining room chandelier.  I love the way it looks.

Here's how it looked carpeted

But the main thing I did this winter is tear out the carpet in every area but the bedrooms and replace it with hardwood flooring - well, engineered hardwood since the house is on a concrete slab. Since I had hardwood in my little foyer area and the kitchen, that all had to be removed so that all the flooring would match.  I purchased the flooring at Home Depot, finding the wood I liked and then waiting until it went on sale. I also hired and contractor to install the flooring. Tom and his son, Evan, did an excellent job!

Concrete slab, which I must have swept a dozen times

First, we (Marlon, Suzanne, Paul and myself) pulled out the carpeting and tack strips.  Susanne and Marlon will reuse the carpet and padding in the bonus room Marlon built above their garage.  Hardly any carpet was or will be wasted, which is a good feeling.  Once that was done I lived on the concrete slab for 5 days.  Talk about a mess.  We had picked up the flooring and it has to sit for at least 72 hours in the house before it could be installed.  During this time I also painted the new quarter rounds that would be installed after the flooring went in.



Top is the old flooring and bottom is the new flooring.  I am so
glad I picked out wide planks

 

New flooring goes down, starting at the front door foyer area
and moving into the living room



Beautiful end result



Oliver and Sam (who is ready to play) enjoy the new flooring, too

 

Another view of the floor, including the tip of Sam's tail!

 It took almost 3 days of work to install the floors.  Poor Evan really had a hard time removing the old wood floors from the kitchen.   My house was a mess (it took 5 days to clean afterwards), but the end result is beautiful.  I could not be happier!

Now, on to the master bedroom and bath.  That's another whole story!

Arbor Day Celebration in Canton, GA

The City of Canton offered free tree seedings as well as trees and shrubs you could purchase a few weeks ago.  My friend Tanya and I went to take advantage of the free seedlings and check it  out.  We both bought a lot of plants and my car was jammed full of them!  It was a fun thing to do on a nice February morning!



Tanya selecting a tree



Volunteers loading up my car

Both the trunk and back seat were full of plants, even Tanya's side had some!