That's great news. Just in time for your pruning. But, don't overdo it.

How many guesses do I get,Mrs. Verklempt?

Congratulations! Constant pain is so debilitating. You must feel like a completely new human being.

I think you should celebrate by buying that one rose you have been wanting for a long time now.

Mrs. Verklempt--LOL--you are so funny at times, Pete!

Kate

Welcome back! You should have kept a diary while on those meds and Boone's Farm, LOL

Carla

WOW---that is such great news------I can understand exactly how you feel--

Now the hard part-----trying not to overdo!!!!!!

You will have to be very careful for a long time-----It is difficult -----when you want to dig and prune and shovel ---but please wait till you are fully healed

Take this from one who has been through it-

I'm just thrilled with your recovery.

Florence

Big wow thats so good to hear

Thanks ya'll! And ya'll are correct - I am dying to get outside and play in my garden! I cannot wait - now I will be able to accomplish so much more!! I have plans and drawings and ideas racing through my mind... I am still getting tired very easily, so haven't been up to much yet. Mostly moving from the couch to an outside chair to enjoy the sunshine, then back inside to rest... and reading garden magazines, garden books, rose porn, all manner of evil and noxious literature!!

That's awesome!

Stop thinking about the garden, realistically, you shouldn't go out there. I would hate to read the surgery has to be redone again. Trust me, the garden will survive with minimal care. You come 1st.

Congratulations to you!

I'm psoriasis free for the first time in over a decade--so I kinda/sorta know how it feels to be rid of something--if not at the same level that you've been experiencing.

I'm happy for you!

Michael

Yeah yeah yeah!!! Oh my back/wrist are shirking with shame at their own selves hearing this news ;] I must confess to a pang of jealousy!

But yeah, yeah! Tell me when the party is and what you want for a gift and I'm all about the celebrating, let me tell you.

WOOHOO!! PRESENTS!!! I get to shamelessly beg for presents!! Just like my birthday!!

Lessee, we could party here in town during the Home and Garden Festival... lots of fun garden stuff to do.

OR, we could hit Ashdown or RU for one of their ROSE Festivals... lots of fun rosey stuff to do!

Who's up for what??

Roses Unlimited, that's my vote! Been wanting to go for the last few years. Would be nice to pick up my rose order in person :)

Pagan, you could meet Patricia and I at RU. I will be picking up plants and visiting Pat's garden again, it's heaven. I'm still planning to get down to Charleston but don't know when. Probably the family too. By gosh, it won't be August, HOT HOT HOT.

Carla

I wanna go to Charleston! But my driver [aka Dad] will probably say too far cos he's travelling all the time for work.

RU sounds excellent. Whaddoya want?? Roses, champagne? LOL, you'd better holler because with that kind of pain surely presents are in order! People get housewarming gifts, after all.

19freakin5?? Ouch. 2001, right before the attacks I started my back-attack. You bet, presents!

Pagan,
This is simply wonderful news! And I would applaud loudly but for my hands being sore from wielding secateurs for several days now.
But (sadly I must point this out) you are older now (but not alone in this sad addition of years) and may not have the energy of a twenty something ever again. But this is better, because you have the wisdom to enjoy this, even more.
But, yes, a massed meeting could be done this spring and or fall.
Ann

What are you saying, that I am not a spring chicken anymore?? ROTFLOL, exaclty what one of my doctors said!!!

OK, RU it is!! WHEN??????????????? And lessee, presents... roses, champagne and chocolate are my favorite things! I wonder if Pat would let us party in her upstairs room?? Or mayhap we should do it the night before, at a restaurant???

Actually, I called the doctor's office yesterday to find out what my limits should be... the nurse told me to avoid digging and lifting, and I could start slow, weeding a few minutes at a time, then resting. I begin PT on Monday to build up strength again. The deal is that I will always have the plate in my neck, which will restrict movement and cause wear and tear and stress on the discs above and below it, so will always have to be careful of it. So, I began yesterday by taking a plastic wally world bag to the garden, filled it with weeds, then took a break.

Part of the reason I am so tired is cus of med changes, night sweats that are interrupting my rest, and a 3-day migraine that is finally abating. The med changes are causing night sweats that leave me shivering all night and sleeping in a puddle, which isn't all that restful... BUT, this too shall pass!!!

THE Caped Enabler is planning on leading a conga line!!!!!

Duh-duh-duh-duh Con-ga!

Y'all just let me know the details of when! Heads-up time is important so that I can wrangle someone else into driving me if Dad is on assignment somewhere.

You probably have great back habits already, I'd think, but I'll throw out some pointers... Fanny Pack City [nerdy but SO much easier on the back], tie dog's leashes around your waist, backpacks or carts but no heavy purses, weeding bags, etc.

Ah, you know the drill by now! Yours was upper back/neck like mine, no?

Still so excited for you! Still no meds? I couldn't imagine right now!

yup, all in the neck... if it is cool enough, I plan to wear my neck brace alot.

ok, checking dates for RU - thus far, my best times are:

Rose Study days: Friday: MARCH 23, 2007 or
Saturday: MARCH 31, 2007

Springfest doesn't look good, except possibly Friday, April 6, but that is a bad day for working types;

and then:

Annual Open House; Friday: May 11, 2007 and/ Saturday: May 12, 2007

Hands???

Saturdays are probably better for most, probably me included.

Both ranges sound great from here. I'll check with the working stiff ;]

I plan to go in May for open house.

Carla

May gives everybody plenty of time to make their plans AND do their gift shopping... also gives me plenty of time to be fully recovered so ya'll don't wear me out partying and conga-ing!!

Shall we settle on Saturday, May 12th?????? Will Pat let us party at RU?

May gives everybody plenty of time to make their plans AND do their gift shopping... also gives me plenty of time to be fully recovered so ya'll don't wear me out partying and conga-ing!!

Shall we settle on Saturday, May 12th?????? Will Pat let us party at RU?

Hey girl! I am very very pleased that you are recovering. I remember last time we were at RU, you had to retreat to the vehicle to lay down and missed so much. This time you will be good to go.

Open house May 12th - Pat's garden will go something to see I am sure.

I love her garden - she says "I just made a garden that is me". I should be so sure of me that I could make a garden like that!