Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Yes, I'm Still Here!

I remember these beautiful twin cosmos from this past summer. I am so looking forward to growing these lovelies again. In fact, I am looking to the day soon when I can start seeds of cosmos indoors along with all my other seeds.

Rose and I spent a couple of hours this afternoon going through our seeds and all the ones we have each been sent from some of you. We divided them up and put them in little plastic craft bags. It seemed that each packet we opened had smaller seeds than the last packet had! I honestly am not sure how I am going to plant some of them. We have our seed starting mix, our peat pellets and peat pots, our trays and our seed. We are ready! Hopefully in a couple of weeks, there will be seedlings to show.

I want to apologize for my lack of posts and especially for my not getting around to reading many of yours these last couple of weeks. Things here have gotten very busy and complicated. My Dad has Shingles and has been very ill with them, even spending a night in the hospital. He developed a staph infection from them and is on several medications. So I have been over there 2 and 3 times a day. I have been working 4 days a week on top of that, plus taking Sara to the Dr. to get her weekly shot in the neck. Besides her back-which they are going to do surgery on next month, she is having disc problems in her neck. And last week she fell down the stairs and sprained an ankle. Poor dear is just about at the end of her rope.

My point is...after taking a long weekend starting this Friday, I will be back and should have much more time to devote to one of my favorite activities. And that is visiting with all of you!

Do take care dear friends, and think Spring!

20 comments:

Beth said...

Spring, yes, let's think Spring. I have missed your posts, they always remind me of spring with the anticipation of flowers in the yard. Keep us posted on the progress of the seeds as you plant them and post when you can--your fans miss you.

tina said...

I do hope your dad gets better. Shingles is not a good thing at all. Hang tough with the seeds, I am sure you'll do them all justice.

Rose said...

You and I need a long break, Beckie! Let's keep our fingers crossed that the Chicago Flower Show will work out for both of us.

It will be interesting to see how our seeds do. I thought about it afterwards that I could have thrown a little dirt on my kitchen floor after we separated seeds...some of those tiny ones probably got imbedded in the carpet:)

Susie said...

Girl, no apologies necessary! Sounds like you have been quite busy. I hope your dad gets better soon. I hear those shingles are really tough! Have fun planting those seedlings.

Roses and Lilacs said...

I'm looking forward to starting some seeds too including cosmos.

That is awful about your Dad. I hope he feels better.
Marnie

Gail said...

Dear beckie,

I hope that your dad is doing better? Shingles is awfully painful...although, I understand they have some better meds these days. It's exciting to think about seeds sprouting and transplanting them into the garden...some are just the tiniest little things. Have a good weekend and take care! Spring is finely in the air! gail

Q said...

Spring is just around the corner.
Always best to spend as much time as we can with our loved ones. I do not regret the time I spent with my parents as they aged.
Hope to see you soon in the gardens.
Sherry

Jan said...

Glad to see you anytime you feel like it! I'm not visiting people as often as I did earlier, either. It's stressful. I love everyone and I hope they know it:) Just gotta take it a bit slow now and then for my own sanity:)
The above line should be put on my own blog, right Beckie? Perhaps I'm practicing it on you, first.!?
Sorry to hear about your dad; I hope they can treat him, get him feeling well and back to his normal self. And Sarah, is she your other daughter? DIL? whatever, i'm sorry for her pain. I know that pain. I deal with it everyday! I just went to my rhematologist and pain mngt specialist and got injections in my neck/cervical spine, shoulder, and lumbar area. She's probably much younger than me though...and perhaps w/young kids?? No matter...it's tough for everyone w. pain. I am not the gardener I used to be because of this. I basically just look at it and take photos. I'm going to have my hubby do some things for me this spring though. He's got his hands full come the warm weather:)

Mr. McGregor's Daughter said...

I do hope you & Rose can make the Flower & Garden show. I'll be there on the 7th & the panel discussion is at 3:30. (Or is it 3? My head is just in a whirl these days.)

Monica the Garden Faerie said...

As someone who doesn't update her blog as often as many others, I rush to say PLEASE DON'T FEEL GUILTY for not updating more often, especially if real-life events take precedence. I do love blogging as a way to chat with my gardening pals, but as someone who worked the past 20-plus years as a writer and editor, sometimes I just can't bear to write and am overcome with "too-many words-itis"! And hope your dad is better soon!

Robin's Nesting Place said...

You've really had a busy time, taking care of your family. I hope your dad and Sarah are feeling better soon.

I'm getting antsy to start my seeds too. Usually I start them in February, but I'm patiently waiting a little longer this year. I'm still collecting seeds here and there and I already have way too many. (Is that really possible?)

Usually I direct sow cosmos seeds outdoors, they are so easy I just throw the seeds on the ground and have beautiful cosmos all summer long. I love them.

Hope things settle down for you soon. Don't forget to take care of yourself while your taking care of others.

garden girl said...

Hi Beckie, wow, you've got a lot on your plate! It's a wonder you've found time for blogging at all.

I hope your dad is feeling much better very soon. My heart goes out to you all, including Sarah. Sounds like you're all going through some difficult times. Hope you have a restful, peaceful weekend Beckie.

Wendy said...

Hi Beckie, you certainly do have lots on your plate these days. Don't worry about us bloggers. We all go through periods like this and just play catch up when we can.

You poor Dad! My dad also had shingles and was he ever sore! Hope your Dad's clears up soon. It's not fun. Hope Sara gets her neck sorted out too. That can get painful!

Spring seeds! How fun! I too will be potting up some roots, actually that I saved last fall. May do some herb seeds, not sure yet.
Will be looking for pics of yours when they sprout.
Hugs

joey said...

You certainly are carrying a huge load, dear Beckie :( Thank goodness for the dear Rose in your garden that cheers you :) After meningitis and 2 bouts of endocarditis, my sister contracted shingles ... I know how painful they are but caught soon, new meds are quite effective. Love the cosmos ... they were my mother's favorite. (Big Hugs)

Lisa at Greenbow said...

My Gosh Beckie. I can't believe what all is going on over there. Take care.

Cheryl said...

Hi Beckie.....I love sorting through seeds....its such fun especially when you have a friend to share....so exciting.....

I am so sorry to hear about your Dad, it is always a worrying time......you take care, it is exhausting rushing back and forth....
Hope Dad is beginning to show signs of improvement......

Have a peaceful weekend.....

Mary said...

Take your time, Beckie. We will be here when you get back.

Take care of you!

Mary

Cosmo said...

Hi, Beckie--Best wishes to your dad and to Sarah. Re the seeds--have you ever used sand with the finer ones? If you mix fine seed into sand, you can distribute them more evenly. Anyway, best wishes to your family--

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

Becky, don't apologize for Life taking over! Sometimes it just happens--I am struggling with the same problem! :-)

I do hope your father is doing better. Shingles are no fun, and to get Staph on top is just too much! Hospitals are dangerous to your health!

Take care, and I hope life settles down for you a bit and we can hear more adventures of Thelma & Louise--er, Beckie and Rose. Hee!Hee!

Anonymous said...

oh no Beckie. So sorry to hear this news. I just read your update, I hope your dad can get his strength back and knock those shingles out. It sounds like you are taking excellent care of him. Be sure to care for yourself too ~ caregivers can get so exhausted looking after everyone else. The seeds will wait and be there when you get time. Prayers and best wishes to you, your dad and family.