You might try some online seed companies. Alot of times they will "zone" plants for you climate, soil ect and then they state too whether they are full sun, partial or shade. Don't have to buy from them but you can get a good idea of what flowers will thrive in that spot.

I really don't think the girls know who she really is. They like her and kind of treat her like a play date. Odessa does call her mommy and me mama and it is funny cause both kate and I answer at the same time (geez who is confused lol) She isn't allowed to stay here but last time when we thought she was being released, Michelle said she could come over just not stay here. I really don't have the space for her although I would make it for the few days she will be around before rehab-I would know exactly who she was with and she would be safe. The kids seem to be rolling along with everything fine and even Josh has been happy to see her which is a biggy. The first time she was coming over I let him know so he could prepare and the first thing he said was "kate is my sister and I don't like her". I told him to be pleasant and he didn't have to talk to her but when she came in he seemed happy to see her too and talked her ear off even. She has been coming over about 11-1p and staying till 10p when I go to bed. She loses track of time alot I noticed. I am hoping it is just drug residue and not permanent damage. She just seems so young and small to me.
Melissa

I get about every single catalog from all the online companies, all the local ones, and many from the Ohio area where my mom lives. I also go thorugh Davesgarden.com where consumers rate different online and local flower shops and it's a watchdog sort of thing, so I have looked at about everything there is out there. i am picky and most of the usual things at the local nurseries aren't interesting to me. I know my zone and all that, it's just the tricky almsot complete shade and nutrient sucking trees. I think I got it now, so it BETTER work.

I am glad that things are going smoothly with the kids. Sounds interesting to have you both answering to mommy/mama. That would unbelievably hard I'm sure. She looks young and fragile because she is your baby and always will. Just make sure she knows how her actions have effected you and the kids and maybe she will straighten up.

Theresa

I can't wait till it's time to go out into the garden. We are snow covered and kind of gloomy, but not too cold.
I blew the weekend. Too many dinners out to celebrate DH's birthday. I feel fat and yucky, but I will be OP right now and workout today so I am not going to be a crazy.
Laura

It has been in the 50-60s here, today will be 60, some days actually felt like spring, and today will be 60 again. I noticed this morning that my daffodils are actually poking out of the ground :stress: If they come up now, I guess if it does get cold again or more ice, they will die...then that's it? I wonder if they would come up again. I hope so, because that is about all my front yard has going for it right now...at least I know they are at least alive and coming up, that's good.

I ended up in the ER with Tyler last night. He was standing on his bouncy horse and fell forward into the filing cabinet. Somehow as he hit the cabinet his finger went in that little crack between the drawer and the side of the cabinet. I really don't know how it got in there, but it somehow managed. I couldn't get it out at first, then had to push in the top of the draw to get it. It was bleeding everywhere, just gushing and I freaked out. Held a cold wet rag on it and called his doctors office, who said I needed to either call 911 or go to ER. My friend picked us up (Allie was with MIL) and we flew to ER, but he was very quiet, pale, trying to slip asleep and I was trying my hardest to keep him alert and looking at me, he completely soaked a kitchen rag, his shirt and my shirt, with blood, but it had stopped bleeding.

End result, they had to give him stitches and because of location had to do it the painful way. He got a shot of Tylenol and a shot of Benedryl, which put him to sleep and then they did it and he didn't feel much of it. Also found out he has ANOTHER ear infection. It is hard getting him to keep the bandaging over his finger, think I redid it a zillion times last night. Seems to do okay during the day because he's distracted, it's when he lies down that he starts messing with it.

Theresa

Sorry about Ty. Kids do heal fast, but it is so scary when you have to go to the ER.
Laura

It is scary when they get hurt-no matter how old they are but it seems harder when they are so small since you aren't sure they understand exactly what is happening to them. Josh had a fight with a wood stove when he was about 2 and got stitches under his eyebrow and my daughter when she was about 5 got hit in the head with a golf club-that one really scared me bad. So far, with the other kids, we have just had bumps and bruises.

Glad you are home again Laura and now you can get back to normal. I can identify with fat and icky. Kate came with all kinds of junk yesterday and then I laughed at her cause she got me some frozen yogurt cause she remembered I was watching what I was eating. I teased her bad since she had also brought pizza, chips, soda, and cookies! Yes I had some too-ugh. Tomorrow I get groceries and I am glad glad glad. I would like to have a couple days jump before my first official weigh in at WW.

Melissa

I finally worked out at the training center. I did a class with a 9lb metal bar called Body Bar Basic Training. It was hard. Then I did a 1/2 hr on the elliptical, taking it really easy. I liked the class. I like the elliptical. I hate the mirrors everywhere you look. I didn't know i looked this bad. I think when you are fat, you tend to look in the mirror in certain poses and set yourself up before you look. At the gym it's different. You see yourself everywhere, especially when you don't want to, like when you are in a squat, butt out, and about to fall over. I have to develop the attitude that it will look better the more I go.
The other good part was that it was a really good mix of women, all ages and sizes, but I was definately the fattest.
Food is good today.
Melissa-Where is Kate going when she leaves you? Is she safe? Was it helpful for you to have another set of hands there for a while? Maybe she will enjoy the little ones because she doesn't have any pressure re providing for them and that will help her stay straight.
Laura

I hear you about the mirrors! Pretty soon though it won't bother you anymore. Right now I believe Kate is safe. She is supposed to be going to rehab soon and then if she is preg they can get her into some housing, if not she will have to wait. She isn't allowed to stay here at this time and she isn't much help really. She has been here every day and I am picking up after her too and I noticed that she didn't spend as much time with the kids either. She was chatting on my computer. I did have a message from the bond company and I am afraid she is trying to bail David out-she will be throwing everything away if she does. I am wondering though if David is just pestering her to bail him out. I just need to get her into rehab as soon as possible and I am also waiting for michelle to call me back too. I had heard there was going to be a no contact order and that needs to go into place now and I also want to be included in the order. I am just so afraid for her.
Melissa

I am the same way with mirrors in malls...or anywhere that has large ones where you see more than your face. Have to say though, I look a bit more like the me I expect to see, and less like the me I don't recognize. Twenty pounds isn't much a difference to the eye, so I think it is my mindset. I am happier with myself now that I feel healthier. It's not so much the weight loss but the exercise and my body being more physically fit that changes how I see myself now. Still not even close to where I want to be, but I don't see myself and think "who the **** was that?" anymore.

Melissa, seems this spot you are in is not much easier than the last one. Now there is the hope she will get straight and ditch this loser, but at the same time there is doubt and fear that she won't...then there's the disappointment and grief if she goes the wrong way. I have my hopes up for you that she is serious and not stringing you along for a place to stay during the day.

Theresa

Where ever does Kate think she can get the money to bail out that jerk? I hope she doesn't do something stupid to get money for him. I hope she gets into a rehab real soon. Does she have a cell phone? Maybe you can hide it somewhere so he can't reach her.
I feel so much fatter and yuckier now that I saw all those mirrors, but I will stay positive.
Laura
Laura

Laura, just look at it this way...you are doing something to change the reflection in those mirrors. Stick it out for a month and wait to see what you think by then! You get to watch yourself change in those mirrors..it's a great opportunity.

Thanks Theresa
You're right.
Laura

Kate is using again. I am so undone right now. I hope everyone is OP and doing ok
melissa

Oh no Melissa.
How did you find out?
What's happening with rehab?
I hope she isn't pregnant.
You have done everything a mother can do for her, so please focus on the sweet little one and Josh. I know it's so hard.
Laura

:grouphug: we are all here if you need to vent, Melissa. I cannot imagine how hard this is and how horrible it feels, but you have done all you can for her, she knows you're there when she's ready to get straight, so now you just have to wait, hope, and pray for that day. Protect the kids, lock the door, and let her know you do not support her when she's using...that's my advice, though I know it is so hard to do and easy to say. We are here for you to vent and let it out though, you are NOT ALONE.

Theresa