Moving along

Things are progressing here. It seems our arrival early this year has been beneficial to Mike's business.
Along with good weather for the last 2 weeks, our arrival has helped us be far ahead of where we have been in past years. We have been transplanting into larger containers (3.5" to quart size pots), digging bamboo and potting 4 different varieties for sale at the trade shows.We will be much better prepared than in the past.
If our supplier could get us what we need when we need it, we could be much further along.
Our first show is less than a month away, and we want to get those plants growing and filling those pots.
We just hope that, with the drastic rise in fuel prices recently,  people will have some money to buy our wares.
Saturday, Mike and I did some maintenance on the nursery, replacing fans, that had burned out and just routine maintenance to keep the equipment up and running. I did do some weeding and trimming on some papyrus, that is a big seller, that we plan to take to the shows.  

Brenda has been going to the soup kitchen on Tuesdays and I joined her one week. That is an interesting operation. They have it down to an art. They never know from week to week just what will be donated to be prepared and served to the homeless.
There are between 150 to 250 lunches served to these people 7 days a week. It is a fulfilling mission.

I have had the 'crud' for the last 2 weeks, cough cold etc., but I am starting to feel better. Now Brenda appears to be getting it. I just hope we don't pass it back and forth.

The family gets together on weekends and we join them when we can. Last weekend, Brenda's best friend in high school and her husband came over for dinner. We had a pleasant time with good conversation and a lot of catching up between Brenda and Loretta.

Last night, we went to a good Mexican restaurant for a birthday celebration for one of our nephews. It was a good gathering. and we all had a good time  and the food was good tex-mex.
Next weekend is another b'day party for one of our great nephews.

Ta ta for now.

Cold

According to our outside thermometer it got down to 15 degrees this morning. Our water froze and I had to place a heater in the water compartment to thaw things out.
It is only supposed to get to 30 degrees for a high today, although it is clear.
Yesterday, we got about 1 1/2" of snow. I don't expect too much melting today.

Mike's backyard and in front of our coach

Some plants that Mike had ordered came in last week and we got them planted up in 3 1/2" containers. We also got some plants from last year cleaned up and trying to get them ready for the trade shows we plan to participate in this spring.
We also dug up several Black Bamboo and placed them in pots for sale at the shows. Also there are over 100 10"pots of black bamboo roots that were planted. They were placed in a greenhouse to force them to grow, in hopes that they will be ready for the shows. If not, we will ship them to whoever orders them.
Mike is doing accounting on his business, at home, and as it is so cold we have not been working at the nursery. 

Alan and Ann had a 'super bowl party' at their house on Sunday. Most of the immediate family came, save for Brian and Austin. Austin was not feeling well, so they stayed home. They were all rooting for Pittsburgh, but alas, they did not win. But the food was great and the company was good so I think we all had a good time.


Vick had a fall and broke his elbow and several ribs. He was in the hospital for over a week and one of the family spent the night with him. Someone was with him most of the time, and Brenda put her time in, too. She spent the night with his on Sunday night and didn't sleep too well. After she came home, she slept a good percentage of the day.

We haven't ventured too far from home since I picked Brenda up on Monday. Just too cold to go anywhere.

Ta ta for now.