BuffyBear's Journal, 03 February 2013

BuffBear, that's the spirit, get back on the horse and do what's right for you and if that means no more shakes, so be it. Tulips need a "cold" period in order to bloom. If you have some that aren't planted yet you'll have to either put them in a cold garage or in the fridge, in the dark for a period of about 6 weeks. If you put them in a bag, (to create darkness in a fridge) make it paper so they can breath, plastic could cause rot if there is any moisture at all in there. You can then take them out and plant them up in a pot or even in the garden if it's not frozen solid out where you live.  

Sunkeeper - Thanks for the tulip advice! I accidentally did something right by putting them in a cupboard in my unheated garage. They are starting to sprout so I'll make a point of planing them this week. Think it is through freezing in NC.  

Buffy your such a trooper..I can relate to the flat line...but at least its not going up..love tulips..and keeping them in the dark and in the garage is a good thing til your ready to plant them..Have a great day...:O) 

HI, I saw your profile picture, and I just planted a peach tree a few months ago that looks just like that. as for the bulbs. Here is some info: "It's February and I just found a bag of bulbs that I forgot to plant. Do I save them till next year? No! If they are still firm and plump, plant them now. Bulbs are living plants, not seeds they cannot wait, they will dry out. Either chill them in the refrigerator for use indoors as forced bulbs or somehow get them into the ground outside. Because they are so tough and contain a full storehouse of food, your bulbs will try their best to bloom no matter how late it is in the season. This is a case of 'nothing ventured, nothing gained.' Chances are you may still get some results, even if you plant them late. " 

Hey Buffy, muscle growth has a strong connection with the intake of protein. I wonder if that has something to do with it. Your experiment should be interesting. And your tulips, they're going to be amazing. What a nice Christmas gift. 

Bren - I appreciate your understanding. At this point all I can do is keep moving forward with "the experiment".  

Lizzy - Don't you just love peach trees? And, thanks for the advice. These tulip bulbs are big and fat so I have high hopes for them.  

If they are sprouting, plant them up, they are ready to grow and in a few weeks you'll have beautiful blooms. If you have them indoors make sure they get lots of light and turn the pot daily so they don't grow leggy and reach for the rays of the sun. Beautiful addition to anyone's home in the spring, you'll love them. Once they have bloomed and the leaves have turned brown/died off, empty the pot and plant them out in the garden for next year. Sometimes forced bulbs will bloom again and other times they won't. Worth a try if you keep them watered and just wait out the leaves dieing off which can take a couple of months. Good luck. 

Sunkeep - Thanks again. BTW - I used to live near you and looked at the seed catalogs to keep from getting depressed. Now that I live in NC I really appreciate having an early spring.  

go over the atkins rules again and you might want to try kicking yourself back into the induction phase. Your carbs are a little high if you aren't in ketosis. I sent ya a note on this. Hopefully full time ATKINS people will chime in.  

Buffy, it's maddening at times, but this is all part of the process: trying a few things, evaluating the results. You're braver than I was. One is supposed to try out things along the way, but I had very little courage to go much beyond the early OWL additions. Ultimately, you'll be much better off for having tried. Have a good week! 

Lizzy - thanks for the PM - I'll fill you in tomorrow morning.  

Sandy - You are always so positive! At this point as long as I'm not gaining anything I'll just have to be content.  

Buffy you have come so far. we all have ups and downs this is ones of those times you need to stick to the plan and you will get pass this like all the times before. it can be tough but so worth it! Good Luck and have a great week.