Winterizing: More Than I Bargained For

For those that know me well know I love my flower beds that both surround the house and are free-standing. Over the twenty-some years we have been in this house I have switched from mostly annuals to a collection of perennials I'm proud of. From the practical (day lilies and sedums) to the unique (my Toad Lily is blooming now -- it is way cool. Look it up. Blooms in later fall and every stem is lined with a row of orchid-looking blooms. Amazing!).

Part of the annual cycle of care is getting the beds ready for the cold season. And this year I decided to do my sedum-oriental grass-hosta cut-back earlier than usual. By two weeks at least. Why? Because every other year I have waited until frost when by that time the grasses have shot up their feathery plumes and then turned to stiff, hard-to-cut straw-like stuff and the hollow stems of the sedum turn to bamboo'ish instruments of torture.

After 2 1/2 hours I was completely finished. So much easier. So much quicker. (I even used the electric hedge trimmers on the grass for the first time -- I went flyin' thru those wide stands! Woo-Hoo!!) How smart was I..... till I looked at my arms the following morning after I arrived at work. I felt this little twinge of some sort. I pulled up my left sleeve then my right to find both my forearms from my wrists to my elbows covered (let me repeat that...covered) with narrow yet long scabbed-over lacerations. I looked like I had been whipped repeatedly by some nasty uber-thin lash. I was so embarrassed!! I couldn't roll those cuffs down fast enough!!

So all of you neophyte gardeners out there -- LFME (learn from my experience): Yes, it makes perfect sense to be ahead of the calendar to prevent blisters and cut down on time...and Yes, cutting while still green makes it easier to shove those pliable stems into the yard trash bags....but No, do not allow bare arms to come in contact with those itty-bitty, teeny-weeny extremely sharp serrated edges of the grass blades while you do the stuffing. They're nasty, mean, adhere to "take no prisoners" warfare and show absolutely no favoritism. None whatsoever. Really. No joke. Nada. (ouch)

Evans Carpet Junkyard

How did we find them? We were at Lowe's looking at carpet samples and the salesman told us for the project we were attempting to do, it would be more feasible as well as economical for us to "go to the junkyard". Honestly the name was not at all appealing whatsoever. But I decided to go over and put my 'toe in the water' to check out the company and = wow = I bought a fabulous piece of Karastan and had it bound for a bedroom that very first trip. So don't let their name put you off. It's like opening a Russell Stover Chocolate box to find a Godiva assortment. Trust me. You will be thrilled with this discovery!

Here's the scoop: It is a family-owned and operated business since 1956. Located on Hague Ave, just south of Fisher Rd, there is a warehouse filled with a plethora of flooring choices! Not only can you order anything you like but you can walk around the building finding fabulous buys on buy-outs, over-runs and discontinued shags, berbers, solids, patterns, tone-on-tones, wool, nylon, blends. Perfect for residential and commercial settings. It is like a treasure hunt every time you go because the selection changes with sold items being removed and new items arriving all the time. Need your choice installed? Can do! Removal of that old worn carpet can be arranged as well.

Do you want to show off your hardwoods? They will bind your choice in whatever size or shape you need. (We wanted an L-shape for a foyer and hall combination and they did it beautifully.) Also on hand are a selection of larger oriental style rugs. I fell in love with one and we have placed that over the basement carpet where a new table and chairs will sit. The colors blend so perfectly together!

The Evans family has now re-carpeted every room but one in our home. And I have a feeling that will happen in the very near future. Take the time to go and have a peek. You'll be doing yourself a favor.

Nevers in My Life

I find the word 'never' to be a dangerous one. I rarely use it because of it's broad reaching ramifications. Just one time, one choice, one slip erases the right to use it. But for now, I can honestly claim this list still to be in the 'N' column of my life.

Never had an affair. (32 years and still in love...)

Never did drugs.

Never had a major operation. (I don't think tonsil extraction counts.)

Never broke a bone.

Never been to Russia, Italy, Egypt or Scotland.

Never passed out.

Never worn a cast.

Never lived out-of-state.

A few I hope to change. Most I hope never do.

Surprises

Some are expected on special occasions.

Some cause fear from unexpected news.

Some are shocking especially when they concern friends or family.

Some inspire conversations that never would have happened.

Some nudge us toward our dreams.

Some strengthen our faith.

Some make us reach out to others for all the right reasons.

Some produce tears.

Some appear on our front porch left by an unknown hand.

Some give birth to life-changing moments.

Some offer courage in the darkest moments of our lives.

Some are forgotten....

... and some stay with us forever.

Stockport Mill Inn -- Best Kept Secret

If you ever need a really, really quiet retreat away from phones, people, the office, then this is THE place. Tucked away south of Zanesville in Morgan county, this renovated mill on the banks of the Muskingham River will perfectly fulfill your desperate desire for peace. Located on the left side of the bridge as you enter the village of Stockport, this historic landmark will serve up a slice of pure Americana. (And I do mean village -- a cluster of homes where curbs are at a minimum, yards are lovingly tended, and the baseball diamond serves as the neighborhood gathering spot.) I had ripped out a review of the mill from OHIO magazine some years back and stashed it in my travel file. When we needed a place to stay this summer as we meandered our way toward PA, I rummaged through all the ideas in said file and VOILA'! the inn got the nod.

Positives: A true slice of Americana. This place is solid as a rock. Every room has a view of the river. Neat as a pin. Perfect place to stay in the fall when the leaves are changing. Take a good book and just chill. Top floor has room for 6, complete with kitchen, dining area, hot tub and glassed-in rooftop sitting room. Great for a getaway weekend for couples or families.

Recommendations: Eat in Zanesville or McConnellsville. (There is one pizza place and one very small eating establishment that closes early. The mill's restaurant is only opened weekends.) Two convenience stores exist.

Check out the website at www.stockportinn.com.

It's a YOU Problem

Another concept label I heard recently while driving on the interstate. My interpretations of this phrase shot off in all different directions. If a person decides to commit a crime to get some kicks and gets caught or if someone thinks using foul language in front of children is acceptable t...those are definitely YOU problems. Pretty cut and dry. All of the responsibility is on them. Someone else. Your hands are clean. Whew.

Now the flip side. What's your YOU problem? Mine? Scenario: We recently changed churches. The people are fabulous -- outgoing, joyful believers; the minister gives the most incredible sermons; we use our Bibles every week; I am learning so much. Now the 'hitch' to this perfect picture for moi is when the folks walk in wearing clothes that look like they slept in them or just mowed their yard or think that ultra-casual is fashion chic. And in their hands they carry a diet Coke or a Starbucks cup. Call me snooty or a stick-in-the-mud or out-of-date... fine with me, I really don't care. When I or anyone else goes to worship the Lord in His house, my belief is that you should wear your best. If that is a pair of jeans, so be it. If that is the same pair of jeans every week, I understand . But that isn't the case here.

My argument: if you were invited to the White House to meet the President or if you were given the opportunity to spend the evening with the president of your company, would you wear your wrinkled-up cargo shorts and a faded Polo shirt? Would you saunter into the West Wing on your way to the Oval Office carrying your favorite latte? Do you think Joseph and Mary strolled into the temple donned in mediocre clothing, carrying a glass of wine taking Jesus to to be blessed? I think not. Yet here are people entering the house of the Most High displaying inappropriate laziness instead of showing the highest respect and awe for the privilege of entering into the presence of the Most High. (small print disclaimer: this is the author's opinion and she takes full credit for it)

I had never shared this with anyone until a friend and I just weeks ago were having a very special conversation, a real heart-to-heart exchanging life-altering situations we each have experienced. When I told her how I felt she totally agreed with me then gave me some very sage advice: Wear what you want. We all will answer to God for our choices. In other words -- shut up and let it go, girl.

So I wear my 'Sunday clothes' and feel good about my choice. And the folks surrounding me wear not-so-Sunday-clothes....and I am at peace. (let's see... I can cross 'Church clothes' off the list....what's next? hmmm...maybe cell phone etiquette.....)

A PUSH present

All right. I get that labels change. But this is icky. Really. A push present?

I'm sorry but that is just absolutely disgusting. Sounds like you're being gifted for your role as a brood mare. (I can almost hear the stable groom yelling "NEXT!!!") Where's the love and gentility in that label? Ewww.

It's downright degrading, don't you think? Totally tacky and way too visual for me. It's probably one of the new vocabulary terms being introduced into the 2011 Urban Dictionery being prepared for print. I can just imagine the entry: Push present ( n. poosh prez'ent) 1. a gift given to a woman upon the birth of a child 2. better make it expensive 3. jewelry is always acceptable as well as expected 4. make that 'preferred' instead of acceptable

Think I'll stick with New Mother's gift, thank you very much. Might seem old-fashioned and clumsy to you but conveys the above coarse message in a much more beautiful and feminine and meaningful way, n'est se pas?