Jack Frost Is On His Way

There is hope that I might live, but it could be all the excitement about the COLDEST WEATHER in 13 years. We have been binding stuff up with newspapers, pipe coverings, and mulch everywhere we had enough to put it on plants. I remember the year we lost everything but huge trees. We had to replace shrubs, grass, and stuff I would have never thought would die in a freeze. Anyway we are in for about 72 hours of below freezing weather along with most of the United States. I was just outside to take some pictures of the flower beds. We put Christmas lights under the sheets to try to get that extra degree of warmth and in so doing it is beautiful.

The round objects with light coming through are pots from when I bought plants this spring and summer. I think they look pretty darn cool.

This is a closer look at them.

I think this one below is three twin sheets and two full size sheets, but could be more. I just kept coming up with them today. The Carolina Jessamine didn't get anything but mulch. I hope it makes it. It is one of the first things to bloom in the spring.

It is a good thing I have nearly every sheet we have ever owned in the 45 years we have been married, so I can cover up my plants when it gets really cold. In the spring they go on the tomatoes when a late cold snap comes up. Some of them are still used on beds. There are some that were on my girls' twin beds when they were little. They fit the sofa just right for when I need a place to recover and watch tv that is close to the kitchen....well, you know. A comfort spot.

The temp is still warmish at 48F, but the Polar Express is just around the bend. It sort of looked foggy outside, too. We have a whole new look in the house, too. All the blinds are closed and the curtains and drapes drawn to keep out more of the cold wind. My breakfast room is sort of cozier right now.

My fil has an appointment with the doctor tomorrow. He has fallen twice this week and it is just Wednesday. He has gained 5 pounds this week, too and it has to be fluid. They will probably restart his Lasix. My husband got the transfer van from the assisted living place to take him and he will meet them at the office. If we do get freezing rain tonight they can get him there more safely. A bus must be safer than my car. I can't go up there at all because of my personal crummy cold. Hubby called his aunt in Maryland today so she could talk with her brother. I'm thinking that didn't go too well. My fil has trouble hearing and can't remember anything for two minutes. Some of their other long time friends are starting to call. I guess we will have to get her phone number book and let them know where and how they are doing. Probably going by the Christmas cards would be the best way to know who is interested.

Oh yes, while laying around watching tv or sleeping I've had time to think about the M&M issue. I've taken a couple of pictures to help ya'll in identifying red and green M&Ms.

RED and GREEN M&Ms above in cut glass container

This was the container that was sort of visible in the picture nobody could see it, though. Probably you were so dazzled by the green tomatoes turning red that it distracted you. For real that is the first time I've picked green tomatoes and they have ripened in the house at this time of the year. Something to put in that part of my brain that keeps track of weird things. It is almost full, but is ok.

I moved them to this one the other day. That container just makes me happy to look at it. His little arms wave when you open the top to get M&Ms.

Stay warm all of you who are in the path of this or other extremely cold weather. Bundle up when you go out, bring in pets and plants in pots, and drive carefully. Oh mercy..I sound like a mother. Oh yes...make sure you have milk, bread and TP. I'm sure all the shelves at the local Kroger have been swept clean by anxious Texans who are sure they will starve or freeze to death in this cold spell.

And thanks to all of you who have left well wishes in the comments of the previous post. My guess is I'll feel better in about another week...or so. I've had that H1N1 flu vaccine and the regular flu vaccine and I've not had any high fever. It is just a crummy cold and on top of that TCU lost the playoff game the other night. They just weren't playing well and the other team was. Oh well...there is always next year.

I heard this yesterday, but felt so bad I didn't have the energy to post it. There is data now that suggests people who quit smoking are 70% more likely to develop diabetes in the six years following quitting than non smokers. God really does have a sense of humor. BTW-I quit 2 years 9 months ago. Don't have diabetes yet, but have gained weight.

Here is the link:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5jAAtog0RepEa5C51C7g7AJg-25tw