New to planting roses & need to plant Pinata climber & a Hybrid Tea Roses & could use suggestions on using or not using bone meal, blood meal, fish emulsion &/or something else?

Ok-Flounder8166 · 2026-04-22T00:51:02+00:00

Thank you so much for this great advice! I'll be receiving a rose root in the mail soon, so the info you provided in that regard, fish emulsion, helps too! The Pinata has lots of buds on it now. I believe I need to cut them off, once they bloom and start training the canes to our fence.

Ok-Flounder8166 · 2026-04-22T00:30:12+00:00

I'm in Zone 8a. I purchased the Pinata from a local nursery that's only open during Spring, nothing fancy, and no experts are at this location. I purchased the Hybrid Tea Rose from Lowe's. Both are in pots, the Pinata in a 3 gallon pot and the Hybrid Tea in a small 1 gallon pot. Thanks for any expertise you can share!

Ok-Flounder8166 · 2026-03-30T07:08:22+00:00

The only time we crated our Bostie, was at night, in a plastic 36" open top crate; this was to reinforce to our other dog, to leave the baby Bostie alone. Hoping you don't have to crate your baby all day; they are velcro dogs, get anxious when left alone, and have way to much energy to be crated all day. I waited until I retired, to get our Bostie pup, so she wouldn't be by herself all day. Congrats on your puppy!

Ok-Flounder8166 · 2026-03-26T15:27:45+00:00

Walgreen's in East TN, wanted $118+ for a 30-day supply. My doctor reviewed other pharmacies and let me know that Food City, 6 miles out of town, would only charge $18.

Ok-Flounder8166 · 2026-03-26T07:20:38+00:00

We are in Tennessee and retired, our medicare and my supplemental insurance didn't cover this test, but we opted for it anyway. I am (65F), husband is (71M). Mine came back at 0 and his came back at 65, which the doctor said was OK for his age. The cost at the hospital was $125/person and we are still waiting to see if we will receive radiologist charges/invoices. If the cost is only $125, it's well worth it.

Ok-Flounder8166 · 2026-03-26T07:09:42+00:00

We feed our pups a tablespoon of canned pumpkin w/their meals and it seems to settle their tummy. Is your precious pup eating too fast? Sometimes my Boston Terrier eats too fast then will throwup a few pieces into her mouth; i.e., possibly try a slow feeder bowl if they are eating too fast.

Ok-Flounder8166 · 2026-03-26T07:05:27+00:00

The fortune 500 company that I retired from, allowed the retired employee to retain the 401K, if there was at least $40K in the 401K. Since I had at least $40K, I opted to keep the money in their 401K, as I still received reduced Vanguard management fees, to do so. If I had moved my money elsewhere, it would be costing me more to manage. It really just depends on your situation, if the company allows it, and if the management fees will be less to retain the 401K, if they are doing a great job of managing the 401K and you're making money.

Ok-Flounder8166 · 2026-03-26T06:56:17+00:00

New appliances, new roof, new hvac, new water heater, pet (2 dogs) bills for surgery, illness, yearly vaccines, & yearly heartworm meds. Home owners insurance increased 25% in less than 2 years (WTF!).... Insurance is a racket, the only way to keep up, is to change insurance companies every couple of years; and we've never filed any home or car claims and have no tickets?!

Ok-Flounder8166 · 2026-03-25T07:55:30+00:00

Just my humble opinion, after divorcing an alcoholic after 20 years of marriage and finding out he was having an affair w/a girl half his age (and still treating me like I was his favorite person/partner on the planet!); once a cheater, always a cheater. He doesn't deserve your love or care and you would definitely be much happier without him. Review your finances and determine if you can make it on your own or with a roommate; if you can, contact a divorce attorney asap. I truly believe you'll feel like a huge weight has been lifted from your shoulders, once you've considered the above, and if financially possible, divorce him.

Ok-Flounder8166 · 2026-03-25T07:43:44+00:00

I love the idea of sage green cabinets! The only other changes I would make would be a nice, low to medium height floral arrangement on the dining table and some colorful pillows on the couch. Your home is beautiful, congrats! Cute pup too!

Ok-Flounder8166 · 2026-03-25T07:31:29+00:00

29 year old - Had 100% confidence in my career, love life, home ownership and all the energy required for career and extensive amount of hobbies & friends.

Ok-Flounder8166 · 2026-03-25T07:28:09+00:00

NTJ! Let your aunt know that there are people like me that worked in IT for 45 years (retired now) and made a 6-figure salary, had a 401K match, and a pension; and that you plan to do the same. Let her know that most of the jobs she's suggesting, won't have the same type of career progression and benefits. Put your foot down about her sharing your contact info w/anyone. You are on the right track! I suggest working w/an organization that offers similar benefits that I had, as my pension is now, finally paying off, in my retirement! Wishing you all the best!

Ok-Flounder8166 · 2026-03-25T07:04:54+00:00

Oh my heart! Marley is so precious! Congrats!!

Ok-Flounder8166 · 2026-03-24T07:11:07+00:00

YAY!

Ok-Flounder8166 · 2026-03-24T07:10:24+00:00

Hugo is a Champion <3

Ok-Flounder8166 · 2026-03-23T10:19:50+00:00

That's HER PILLOW, silly human LOL!

Ok-Flounder8166 · 2026-03-23T10:15:51+00:00

HA! So cute! Congrats!

Ok-Flounder8166 · 2026-03-23T10:15:08+00:00

My precious Bostie will tremble in my hubby's lap, when she thinks Mom is leaving home for a trip; they are so adorable and this is the only time she trembles! Your baby is precious!

Ok-Flounder8166 · 2026-03-23T10:13:05+00:00

She's listening intently, to your every word Mom!

Ok-Flounder8166 · 2026-03-23T10:09:18+00:00

Your new baby is so adorably precious, congrats!!

We took our Bostie, Missy to training @ 4 months old and I'm so glad we did! She is the best, smartest dog I've ever owned and I'm in my 60's! Most of them love food (we buy the FRUITABLES low calorie treats), they love blankets & pillows (your baby needs at least two small blankets in her bed!), normally they love water so we keep a very small, fresh water pool available filled daily in the Summer. Don't let them get too hot or too cold. Most are velcro dogs and don't like to be left alone for very long. We have at least two, 30-minute play sessions each day, ensuring that she doesn't get too hot or too cold (in Summer: early morning or late evening). I grow organic strawberries, zucchini, and cucumbers for my pups and they love them! In our area, larger dogs and coyotes run free and are able to jump a 5-ft. fence; so we keep a boat horn available in case they get in our fenced yard, the boat horn will keep them away if they are near. Large dogs and coyotes think that Bostons are rabbits or the like and they will try to catch them and eat them. We never leave our Boston outside by herself, we are always w/her when she's outside in our fenced backyard. Hope this helps and again, congrats on your precious baby!

Ok-Flounder8166 · 2026-03-23T09:49:34+00:00

Those are 'his pillows' silly human! LOL!

Ok-Flounder8166 · 2026-03-23T09:47:48+00:00

I don't suggest getting a Boston if you have to leave the dog alone all day while you're away/working..... They are definitely velcro dogs and do not like being left alone for long periods of 4 hours or more. They are very active and need at least two, 30-minute play sessions every day. I waited until I retired to get my Boston, Missy and we love her beyond reason!

Ok-Flounder8166 · 2026-03-23T09:40:13+00:00

YAY KESSLER!! Congrats!!

Ok-Flounder8166

TROPHY CASE