Girls Coffeeshop Talk

[Lion]

Originally Posted by Lisa

39c - how does that translate to F? We've had 104 or so every day for about two weeks!

Lisa, so it sounds like you have probably been frying eggs on the driveway for 2 weeks!!!

[Lion]

Originally Posted by redshirt1957

I see Frans had to go and get all geek on us. My conversion goes like this. If I have to drink a beer in less that two minutes to keep it cold going down, then it must be 100F or 38.5C. From there I make my conversion.

So it takes you all of 10 minutes to drink a six pack!!!
You must buy beer by the case or keg.....

[Carolina]

Ooh - The Philadelphia Story is on.

I love Jimmy Stewart!

[away36]

Originally Posted by Carolina

Ooh - The Philadelphia Story is on.

I love Jimmy Stewart!

Me too! Being as I had to spend the whole day lying on the couch, I watched movies. Saw a great movie I'd never seen before, called Billy Elliot! Loved it!

[away36]

Mornin' Bill! How's the week been going? I spent the whole day on the couch yesterday, trying to get this stupid ankle back to the point where I can walk on it without wincing! Saw some great movies though so there was definitely a positive side!

Enjoy the day!

[away36]

Leo? My hanging Impatiens are looking spindly and the leaves are yellowing. Am I overwatering or underwatering? Can Impatiens be cut back to "dense" them up in the pots?

[Lion]

Originally Posted by away36

Leo? My hanging Impatiens are looking spindly and the leaves are yellowing. Am I overwatering or underwatering? Can Impatiens be cut back to "dense" them up in the pots?

Mornin Nancy, sorry to hear that your ankle is still a bother to you. Unfortunately as we get older it takes longer to heal and I've heard it takes longer for a bad sprain to heal than a clean break!!!

Nancy, your impatiens, is the basket getting any direct sunlight like an east or west exposure(it should be getting direct sunlight for 3 to 4 hours per day)??? As for watering it depends on how hot it gets as to how often you should be watering the basket. In very hot weather you might need to water everyday or every other day. In cooler weather maybe once every 3 to 5 days. What I do with my baskets is lift them to see how heavy they are. If they feel heavy do not water. As for yellowing leaves and being spindly(usually a sign of not enough sunlight or over watering)how often are you fertilizing??? The rule of thumb I use is anything bought from a store wait one month before fertilizing. Because you do not know when they were last fertilized by the grower or store(garden center). Use a good fertilizer like Miracle Gro(15-30-15) follow the instructions and repeat every two weeks. Always follow the directions for dilution rates and never go stronger otherwise you could burn the plant's roots. Also with Miracle Gro you can cut the dilution rate in half and fertilize every week. It is also a foliar type spray and will not hurt/burn the foliage. For the garden you can buy a hose attachment type sprayer(Miracle Gro makes their own) and water your garden with the mixed fertilizer and water. As for pruning you can go ahead and pinch the tips of the plants off which will promote branching and a more fuller plant. But remember this will cut down on flowers for a few weeks!!!

[away36]

Originally Posted by Lion

Mornin Nancy, sorry to hear that your ankle is still a bother to you. Unfortunately as we get older it takes longer to heal and I've heard it takes longer for a bad sprain to heal than a clean break!!!

Nancy, your impatiens, is the basket getting any direct sunlight like an east or west exposure(it should be getting direct sunlight for 3 to 4 hours per day)??? As for watering it depends on how hot it gets as to how often you should be watering the basket. In very hot weather you might need to water everyday or every other day. In cooler weather maybe once every 3 to 5 days. What I do with my baskets is lift them to see how heavy they are. If they feel heavy do not water. As for yellowing leaves and being spindly(usually a sign of not enough sunlight or over watering)how often are you fertilizing??? The rule of thumb I use is anything bought from a store wait one month before fertilizing. Because you do not know when they were last fertilized by the grower or store(garden center). Use a good fertilizer like Miracle Gro(15-30-15) follow the instructions and repeat every two weeks. Always follow the directions for dilution rates and never go stronger otherwise you could burn the plant's roots. Also with Miracle Gro you can cut the dilution rate in half and fertilize every week. It is also a foliar type spray and will not hurt/burn the foliage. For the garden you can buy a hose attachment type sprayer(Miracle Gro makes their own) and water your garden with the mixed fertilizer and water. As for pruning you can go ahead and pinch the tips of the plants off which will promote branching and a more fuller plant. But remember this will cut down on flowers for a few weeks!!!

Thanks Leo. I'm a bit confused though. I thought Impatiens (other than New Guinea Sun Impatiens) were supposed to planted in full shade? That's where my hanging plants are!! I haven't fertilized, but have lots of Miracle Gro and I do have one of their hose attachments which I've always used. I may have to move them and hang something else in place of the Impatiens. They get very little sunlight there.

[Lion]

Originally Posted by away36

Thanks Leo. I'm a bit confused though. I thought Impatiens (other than New Guinea Sun Impatiens) were supposed to planted in full shade? That's where my hanging plants are!! I haven't fertilized, but have lots of Miracle Gro and I do have one of their hose attachments which I've always used. I may have to move them and hang something else in place of the Impatiens. They get very little sunlight there.

Impatiens are for shaded locations but not dense shade. They do better where they get 2-3 hours of sun(east or west location never in a south location) and/or also in bright indirect sun. For dense shade there are not a lot of choices. But you can try an Angel Wing Begonia or foliage plants such as English Ivy!!!

[away36]

Originally Posted by Lion

Impatiens are for shaded locations but not dense shade. They do better where they get 2-3 hours of sun(east or west location never in a south location) and/or also in bright indirect sun. For dense shade there are not a lot of choices. But you can try an Angel Wing Begonia or foliage plants such as English Ivy!!!

Thanks Leo. They are on the west side of my lawn. I have Begonias on the other end of the lawn, which is also in full shade and they are doing well.

[Lion]

Originally Posted by away36

Thanks Leo. They are on the west side of my lawn. I have Begonias on the other end of the lawn, which is also in full shade and they are doing well.

Good luck with the Impatiens, go ahead and pinch them back and give them a shot of fertilizer and locate where they will get a little sunlight!!!

[Carolina]

Hubby just got laid off. This is bad.

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by Carolina

Hubby just got laid off. This is bad.

What kind of work did he do Carolina?

[Carolina]

Estimating for a large commercial construction company.

[unclesallie]

Caroline: I am truly sorry to hear that news. You will have to support one another however long this continues. I do wish you very piece of good fortune in the future.

[away36]

Originally Posted by Carolina

Hubby just got laid off. This is bad.

Oh no!!!

[Carolina]

Thanks. He feels very angry, and also humiliated. Men seem to put so much of themselves into their job, and he is taking this very hard.

[away36]

Originally Posted by Carolina

Thanks. He feels very angry, and also humiliated. Men seem to put so much of themselves into their job, and he is taking this very hard.

You are so right, Caroline. I know in Al's case, his job defines who he is. This will be hard on both of you. Please know I am here for you.

[TheVTCGuy]

First, I am so sorry to hear that but since the construction industry has been hit hard, I am not at all suprised. A bunch of my friends in that area are also out of work! It's going to be a difficult time and yes, I admit, what you say about us men putting so much of our identity in to our jobs is absolutely true. It's one of the only two faults that we have.....

(trying for a little humor in there.... I opened it up to you ladies with that remark...)

Anyway, again I'm sorry, there might be some trying times ahead but with a little patience, understanding, you two will get through this. My friend actually owns a construction company out here on the West Coast, I'd love to help, but I don't know anyone in your area. Best of luck and best wishes.

[away36]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

and yes, I admit, what you say about us men putting so much of our identity in to our jobs is absolutely true. It's one of the only two faults that we have.....

(trying for a little humor in there.... I opened it up to you ladies with that remark...)

I'm speechless. I've never heard a man admit to ANY faults.

[Lisa]

Caroline, I am shocked and so sorry. Did he see this coming? Not long ago it seemed like things were looking very secure for him.

So he came to work as usual this morning and got hit with the news? This is horrible.

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by away36

I'm speechless. I've never heard a man admit to ANY faults.

It's one of my faults...

[away36]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

It's one of my faults...

Give us women a little time. I guarantee we can multiply it in no time!

[B Square]

Originally Posted by Carolina

Hubby just got laid off. This is bad.

So sorry to hear that Caroline. I worked in the consultant engineering field most of my career and have been in your husbands shoes several times. That's the first industry to get hit. It just comes with the job. Once it sinks in that it's just dollars and cents and not personal he will cope much better. Years ago the economy turned south so I just quit to save the trouble of another layoff, did consulting work at double the salary, and finally retired a happy man. Things will be much brighter in a few days when the shock wears off. Just be understanding and supportive, that's what he needs most right now
Boyd

[Carolina]

Originally Posted by B Square

So sorry to hear that Caroline. I worked in the consultant engineering field most of my career and have been in your husbands shoes several times. That's the first industry to get hit. It just comes with the job. Once it sinks in that it's just dollars and cents and not personal he will cope much better. Years ago the economy turned south so I just quit to save the trouble of another layoff, did consulting work at double the salary, and finally retired a happy man. Things will be much brighter in a few days when the shock wears off. Just be understanding and supportive, that's what he needs most right now
Boyd

Thank you. It really is just $$ - the company is really slow, and that's that. My husband is a great person, and a great employee, and was really well liked there. It's difficult.

[away36]

P.M. Sent, Caroline.

[Carolina]

Originally Posted by Lisa

Caroline, I am shocked and so sorry. Did he see this coming? Not long ago it seemed like things were looking very secure for him.

So he came to work as usual this morning and got hit with the news? This is horrible.

He had an inkling, I think, as he suggested cutting all extra expenses last month. Things are really slow.

Yeah, we were at a playdate. We spoke on the phone around 10, about some trivial stuff. He called me about two, and I knew something was up.

Ugh.

[away36]

Originally Posted by Carolina

He had an inkling, I think, as he suggested cutting all extra expenses last month. Things are really slow.

Yeah, we were at a playdate. We spoke on the phone around 10, about some trivial stuff. He called me about two, and I knew something was up.

Ugh.

I guess this is one of those "worse" things in the "For better or for worse" part.

[Lisa]

Caroline, I know you haven't had any time to gather your thoughts with this kind of news, but would you think about returning to work as a chemist?

[Carolina]

This is sad - Madeline just told me that it's her fault that daddy lost his job. It's because she keeps asking for all the expensive toys at Target, and now the money is gone.

Gosh - what logic?! I assured her that it doesn't work that way!