Community Chat

[Winifred]

Wore my New Orleans Mardi Gras sweatshirt yesterday. I lived through quite a few of those things. Lots of fun but could get very dangerous at times. Could not manage it this day and time. Do not know if they still do this but the strangest thing to me when I noticed there were no glasses and chairs at different eating/drinking places on that big day. Was told because there are so many fights you stand and also use paper cups/glasses. Made sense after I observed some problems. LOL. You also had to do a lot of walking due to the parades and volume of tourists.

A very busy day ahead - would rather stay in bed but Conrad said otherwise. He does his outside stint and then woofed at me when I opened the door to let him in as I did not have his Greenie in my hand for him. All the cats raced to the kitchen for their treats - they have the routine down pat each early morning.

Have a good day everyone.

[Bird mama]

Hello there from the deep freeze that it Michigan . Every morning, when I feed the outside birds and see the little sparrows and juncos and cardinal shimmy along the ground to keep their tiny legs warm I think - OMG, I wish I had a heated garage and they'd come in it and take respite from the cold.

I have a vacation day tomorrow and will probably hit the recycling center (before the weekend snow comes) and maybe drop my tax paperwork off at the accountant's house. Might as well get that rolling.

This morning, as I was driving to work and listening to talk radio I heard commercials about settling IRS tax debt and setting credit card debt. Doesn't anybody pay their bills any more?

[Winifred]

Oh my gosh, so much of the country is looking like the North Pole and not having Santa and his elves to enjoy. Really bad isn't it? Looking at Niagra Falls just blew my mind. My sis and BIL who live in Michigan must really be enjoying their time in Florida - they go each year for three months. Can't blame them.

We MAY have rain this weekend - sure hope so. In addition to everything else gas has risen in my area from 2.24 a gal to 2.95 in 8 days. I am NOT a happy camper. We get ripped off so often in gas, electricity, and water charges. This state is NO LONGER the Golden State - really want out. Have been talking to most people I know and they also want out but most of us are stuck - at least for now. It would just about destroy me mentally but am seriously thinking of selling - if I can - and heading to Ks where my oldest grand lives. She has her life together and does fine and what a blessing it would be around kin like that. Of course if I had my druthers I would return to NC in a minute but am just too old at this stage of my life and no longer have anyone related living there. Am sure I must as my entire family was originally from there but have no clue who is left - most have passed away. Love that State.

My grand here mowed the front yard - I appreciated it and am hoping she will do more to help - only fair.

Hope all had a marvelous day and stay warm!!!!!

[Bird mama]

Winifred - I had a couple of years of stress and the unknown with a relative recently and there were times I just wanted to get out of the state so I could have some peace and quiet. I tend to be a quiet and consistent person - not lots of highs and lows. I really don't like drama and strife (had enough of that growing up). The situation has improved, however I still wonder if the shoe will drop again. It's dropped several times before and I don't think I have too many more times that I can be there to catch it, if you get my meaning.

As long as you lived somewhere out of tornado alley in KS, it would be swell for you to live near someone who has it together. Just don't give anyone your address

[Bird mama]

I could use your opinion on something. Our phones at work have caller I.D. There was one instance that I called a co-worker at her desk at work from my cell phone (during work hours) because I was on the road and couldn't find a meeting organizer's phone number on a conference call invitation. I'm telling you this because it's not like we exchanged phone numbers.

So, in July of last year, after Peewee died and I called in for a day off, my team lead, who apparently had diarrhea of the mouth that day, mentioned to this co-worker that Peewee died.

This person calls my cell phone and I answer it even though I don't recognize the number - she called cell to cell to express her condolences. I was not rude but I kept the conversation brief.

Flash forward to 2015 - a contractor - former retiree - that we both know, lost her sister to lung cancer. It just happened yesterday afternoon and the funeral arrangements have not been made.

I had a vacation day yesterday and will be back at work on Monday. This morning, while watching AM style, my phone rings and it's the same co-worker, calling to let me know about the death.

I'm irritated that she called me today. If I was on extended sick leave and would not be sitting at my desk in 2 days, I suppose I would be less irritated.

Am I being too crabby?

[Queenofo2]

Hello from a sunny Texas soon to be a freezing Texas or at least the Panhandle has that forecast looming over us tomorrow and Monday. We shall see if the forecasters get it right.

We just finished a delicious meal consisting of thinly sliced sockeye salmon on Triscuits topped with sour cream and capers. Mmmm mmmm goodthis was followed by a Mandarin orange and then a lemon petit four. So good and there's plenty left to share with all of you.

I've been working on our income tax the past several days so we can send it to our tax man in CA. I don't usually wait this long, but I just couldn't seem to get it in gear for some reason or other. Hopefully I'll finish in the next few days.

Freddie, sometimes a lengthy move is just what the doctor ordered; in fact that's why we're here and it's proven to be a very wise decision for us.

Bird Mama, It's hard to know if you're being too crabby or not since I don't really know all the details. I don't know the lady's motivation in either case, whether or not she is overly sensitive to the grief of others and wishes to console or perhaps she's just nosy and wants you to know 'she' knows various things. I tend to take people at face value and assume they mean what they say, but I also realize that with some there is an ulterior motive involved. If it is not too much trouble you might consider changing your cell phone number but then you may never hear from her again. Anyway, hope it didn't ruin the rest of your day off.

Betty, hope Merle's been able to get everything repaired and replaced; so glad he had his computer in the motel room. The whole ordeal must have been very difficult for him so hope he's feeling better now. Also hope your skin problem is now under control. Glad you enjoyed that foot massage.

Happy end of the week all! Sue

[Winifred]

Sue, how on earth can salmon be a delicious meal? Yeah, I know, I do not like seafood any too much.

We have joined the frigid weather - past two days have been super cold and super wet, especially yesterday. This was accompanied by very heavy winds. Do not like driving the freeways out here in that kind of weather as too many idiots out there thinking they can do the usual on very dry freeways. Ain't the same. Rains so seldom the roads get really slick. At times yesterday the downpours were so fierce it was hard to see.

Where is February going? Sure is true that the older one gets time seems to fly. When you think of it one would think the older we get time would kind of stand still - not so.

Been really busy in this household and I suspect that mode will continue for some time to come.

Hope all have a marvelous day!!!!!

[yock]

Feddie, I'll trade your frigid weather for ours. We set a record for this time of year with a minus 6. Brrrrr The sun has decided to shine this morning and I think we are to hit 20 before we plunge again. Tomorrow is to bring some icy conditions and I have a hair appointment. Now you know if you have a hair appointment, you gotta go. I look like a sheepdog. Then After I get my hair looking decent, I am headed to the dentist on Friday for a crown. That is a good way to mess up a hairdo. I have put this off for two years but I'm beginning to feel some twangs in that area so better get it done.

Queen, I like the salmon idea. I see TX is due for some nasty stuff too. We know it will soon be spring but my oh my that nasty ground hog that bit the mayor's ear must be in control. Of course when it starts getting warmer and mixing with the cold we will have tornadoes.

I baby sat again on Monday because two of Joe's girls were sick but I think they are ok now - at least they went to school. Natalie was way ready to go. Mattie, not so much. I guess that is the difference between 3 and 11.

Merle and I went over this morning to get our blood work for cholesterol count. I don't take that med but he does. I told the cardiologist that I really didn't need another pill in my pill box and he said he would go with reasonable. I hope I qualify for reasonable. The last time I was checked I was one mark over and he deemed that ok. Hope that still remains in force. We had to fast before we went and they don't open till 8 so you would have thought we were in a torture chamber. You mean I can't have a cup of coffee? We survived and stopped and had breakfast on the way home so that made up for it.

[Bird mama]

Hello all - not much going on at my part of the fence. Just working and dealing with the cold.

Leaving some tomato soup and grill cheese - yummy when it's cold

[yock]

Bird mama, you mean it's yummy when the weather is cold not the cheese and soup right? Sorry I couldn't resist. Just made me laugh