9:23 p.m. | 2002-08-26 Okay, Okay. I�m Getting the Message! Geesh, enough already. My ficus benjamina plant is sending me a very clear message that it would like to be transplanted into a larger pot. How exactly does my ficus convey this message? By suddenly, unexpectedly and dramatically shedding every one of its leaves for no apparent reason. It does this every 7-9 years or so. I�ve had this plant for 17 years and it�s about my height now (5�). I need to transplant my precious plant very soon. However, I have a few problems with this whole thing. First, it�s already in the biggest pot I own, so I now need to go buy a bigger pot. Second, I�ll also have to buy several bags of potting soil. Third, I�ll have to actually transplant it Okay, so none of that sounds like a real problem, does it? Sounds rather simple in fact. However, I abhor running errands, carrying heavy things and wrestling with a 5� plant. So all that requires energy, discipline and muscles on my end. Kinda short on those things right now. Plus, it sounds like a weekend activity but this is my birthday weekend so I have other plans. Meanwhile, everyday, I come home to find that more leaves have been shed. Every time I look at my precious plant, I now feel guilty. That�s what�s actually driving me mad. My ficus is pressing my guilt button like Pavlo�s dog gone mad. So, I gotta do something about that soon. Very soon. Tomorrow after work perhaps. Perhaps. And, I was going to do all that this past weekend, but I washed my car. That seemed like enough to me. *** So last night, I checked out the Anna Nicole Smith show once again. I was actually afraid she might overdose when the dentist sedated her. Who knows what she said when they asked her if she was currently taking any drugs, but that chick was obviously on something. Maybe they noticed that and just pretended to sedate her. And, did she wear her pajamas to the dentist? I mean, I�m all for wearing pajamas everywhere, but I resist that urge when I go out and about. *** When I went to the nearby deli today to grab a sandwich for lunch, I noticed the absence of the regular bevy of cute, young girls behind the counter. They were replaced by cute, young boys. That was so surprising, I actually checked all that out. I waited anxiously to be assisted by one of these cuties, but alas, when it came time for my order, an older, not-that-cute-of-a-guy came out from the back to help me. However, much to his credit, I have to say he was quick, efficient and got my order right. So, then I waited anxiously to be for my order to be �rung-up� by the owner who always calls me �Princess� and does this whole Casino dealer thing when he give you your change. (He counts your change out in �thousands� rather than �dollars� and knocks on the counter before, during and after the transaction. Gotta love that.) However, I got one of his sons who processed my transaction without any flair or drama whatsoever. ** It was a productive, but not an exciting day. your thoughts? seed flower