Thread Drift

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

We get dessert. In the hospital cafeteria. :rolleyes:

Wow, those rubbery slices of lemon merengue pie must have set them back at LEAST .75 cents a piece!

[mimitabby]

They were Mimi's! Blame HER! :rolleyes:

hey, they were on google. anyone been on google today? Looks like someone's avatar, but i forget whose!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

But last year the co gave out cordless keyboard and mouse so all employees. That's a lot of mice. :) Of course they are not Mac compatible and...when I tried to give nobody wanted it, the required software was on a floppy, a floppy! Not even a CD, who uses that?

In 2004 we got Christmas ornaments, still have mine somewhere. Nice, pewter engraved with a "Thanks for a wonderful Y2K" from a past president of mega telco....for fun we tried to look up this corporate mucky muck. He's either left the co on a golden parachute or fired for sendng G*d only knows how many Y2K ornaments out.

Wonder what we'll get this year?

To funny! Most people don't even HAVE floppy drives anymore!

That Y2K guy probably has a garage full of those pewter things....and no job. :cool:

[mimitabby]

To funny! Most people don't even HAVE floppy drives anymore!

That Y2K guy probably has a garage full of those pewter things....and no job. :cool:

i wonder if that boss (who gave out floppies for christmas etc) shops at the dollar store?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Lisa - I guess that means you don't want any Buds? In my world, all chocolate is equally beautiful... :p

Trouble is, I'd have to eat a half pound of them to feel...choco-fied. And we all know where that half pound would wind up...right on my hips! :eek:
Must...stick...with...strong chocolate...so I...don't eat....too much!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

a little news. Remember Alfonsini Morini? I read the book and wrote an article and it will be published in the Bicycle Quarterly (http://www.bikequarterly.com) this summer.
How exciting is that!

That's INCREDIBLY exciting!!!!! :eek: :p :eek: :p

[Bikingmomof3]

hey, they were on google. anyone been on google today? Looks like someone's avatar, but i forget whose!


Similar to Duck on Wheel's Avatar. :)

[Bikingmomof3]

Trouble is, I'd have to eat a half pound of them to feel...choco-fied. And we all know where that half pound would wind up...right on my hips! :eek:

Pretty much where it ends up on me, but it never stops me. I have treats like that so infrequently. :)

[spokewench]

yeah me too. just when i was so thrilled that it wasn't going down that road, it went down that road!

Yeah, me too. I thought that thread was remarkably open minded but it got out of hand

Even at home with my parents, I try to avoid religion and politics as subjects. It just inevitably escalates and gets ugly

[snapdragen]

Wow, those rubbery slices of lemon merengue pie must have set them back at LEAST .75 cents a piece!

Well, I skipped it - I'm doing well on Weight Watchers and don't want to jinx it. But I'm told they had a cheesecake to die for. I think it was catered.

Shoot, now I gotta go check out the church thread.....

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Well, I skipped it - I'm doing well on Weight Watchers and don't want to jinx it. But I'm told they had a cheesecake to die for. I think it was catered.

Oh well that sounds much nicer than the rubber lemon pie. I don't think I could have resisted like you did! I'm impressed.
(licking the sour cream off the plate where my baked potato used to be a few minutes ago...not that you could have actually SEEN a potato under the sour cream mountain though...) :eek:

[snapdragen]

Oh well that sounds much nicer than the rubber lemon pie. I don't think I could have resisted like you did!

I had incentive, I lost 2 more pounds this week.

[Bikingmomof3]

I suck as a mom. :( I could not go to the concert. :mad: My baby looked great and DH is filming it on our camera. Still, I suck. :(

[Lise]

I suck as a mom. :( I could not go to the concert. :mad: My baby looked great and DH is filming it on our camera. Still, I suck. :(

You Don't Suck!
You sound like a great mom to me. You just have some physical restrictions.

That Is All.
......................
I still feel like poop. J. is coming over tonight with chicken soup and ice cream. I've rubbing Vicks Vaporub into every muscle I can reach. I just plain hurt all over. Two of my colleagues will cover my clinic tomorrow, and my call shift tomorrow night, if need be. I really hope to feel a lot better so I can do the call shift. It's such a burden to cover a 12 hr night for another midwife.

[mimitabby]

I suck as a mom. :( I could not go to the concert. :mad: My baby looked great and DH is filming it on our camera. Still, I suck. :(

OH COME ON Jennifer, like it's your fault that you got sick? You don't tell your kids they are bad when they are sick do you?

They know how much you'd like to be there!

[Bikingmomof3]

You Don't Suck!
You sound like a great mom to me. You just have some physical restrictions.

That Is All.

Thanks.
......................

I still feel like poop. J. is coming over tonight with chicken soup and ice cream. I've rubbing Vicks Vaporub into every muscle I can reach. I just plain hurt all over. Two of my colleagues will cover my clinic tomorrow, and my call shift tomorrow night, if need be. I really hope to feel a lot better so I can do the call shift. It's such a burden to cover a 12 hr night for another midwife.

I knew J would care for you. :D Now you rest and do not worry, your shift will be covered should you need it covered. Your health is the most important thing right now. Rest and allow J to pamper you. :)

[Bikingmomof3]

OH COME ON Jennifer, like it's your fault that you got sick? You don't tell your kids they are bad when they are sick do you?

They know how much you'd like to be there!

Thank You Mimi. I was so looking forward to it, especially since I missed the twins' concerts. I am looking forward to them coming home so I can watch the concert.

My family is very understanding, but I still feel badly. :(

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Ok Jennifer- Please forgive me for butting in to your business, BUTT....
there are two ways of feeling sorry for yourself. The first way is exemplified by Lise feeling like crap and treating her poor suffering self well with Vaporub and bed and allowing her beau to come bring soup and feel sorry for her too. The Bad Thing is something from outside, not something she was responsible for creating. She will roundly embrace her feeling bad and thus be able to then let it go quicker.

The second way to feel sorry for yourself is to blame yourself for your illness AND for the consequences of your illness. You might be imagining your family is angry at you for being sick- so you take over their anger and get mad at yourself so you can beat them to it, thus swiping THEIR ability to be angry with you. :rolleyes: UNfortunately, that method creates a negative/negative situation, only the two negatives don't make a positive here. I know you don't just have a cold, but perhaps you can treat your up and down days as separate events to be dealt with individually. Maybe that will make them more manageable in your mind if they are not one big thing. It's always a good method to break a Big Thing into smaller parts in order to more effectively manage it.

Your family doesn't want you sulking around in a black mood kicking yourself. Don't teach your kids that one should hate themselves when they are sick. They want you to be as much like the Mommy they know and love as you can. That doesn't necessarily mean you driving around doing stuff- it means putting on a good positive attitude even if you miss being able to do a lot of things you were able to before. I'm sure your smiling face and loving attitude is WAY more important and reassuring to them than your "doing" things like going places with them and doing errands, etc.

I remember when my 2 daughters were in school. They were in the choir, band, orchestra, etc. There were concerts all the time, and much as I love my girls, it became a chore to try to go to every one. So my exDH and I decided back then to alternate our attending the concerts, unless it was a very special event. That worked out well for everyone, and my kids felt good that there was always one of us there watching. They didn't really need us BOTH to be there every time. I guess I'm trying to say that kids are very understanding and resilient if they feel loved.

So feel sorry for yourself- in a healthy enthusiastic way! Too many people love you and they can't all be wrong. :D - you are RICH. Really go to town and be miserable, feel mega bad about missing the concert and other things, but... don't BLAME yourself because that's a path that goes nowhere. xoxox

Speaking of misery...
Hey Lise, I really FEEL that miserable cold you've got now! Ugh, the fever, coughing, sore throat, headache, earaches, running nose, shivering, weakness, burning eyes, no appetite....that was me all over last week!
Now I am so beyond thrilled to be 2/3 better. You have my total sympathy and understanding. It's a whopping NASTY cold. I guess it's a cold because I never threw up or got upset stomache at all.

So here's to really feeling bad so we can get better prepared to feel good again. (Does that make sense? I'm not sure!) :confused:

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I woke up in the middle of the night in J's bed...I really hope I didn't get him sick, cuz I sure was kissing on him last night.

I'm SHOCKED!, SHOCKED, I tell you!!! :eek: :eek: :eek:

[Bikingmomof3]

So feel sorry for yourself- in a healthy enthusiastic way! Too many people love you and they can't all be wrong. :D - you are RICH. Really go to town and be miserable, feel mega bad about missing the concert and other things, but... don't BLAME yourself because that's a path that goes nowhere. xoxox


Thank you Lisa. :) My children never see me upset about what has happened, I would never allow that. I save it for here. ;) Nick understood why I could not be there. My kids are wonderful and so is my husband. Life has changed for all of us, but not in a bad way, it is different, but not bad.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Thank you Lisa. :) My children never see me upset about what has happened, I would never allow that. I save it for here. ;) Nick understood why I could not be there. My kids are wonderful and so is my husband. Life has changed for all of us, but not in a bad way, it is different, but not bad.

I'm so glad to hear that! You sure are inspiring, woman.
I was afraid you were in a really black mood all over and hating yourself. So now I understand that you were just letting off natural frustration here amongst women friends. Goody!! Vent on! :) :)

[kelownagirl]

Hi TD, I've been b*tchy all day at school and anyone who got in my way, look out! Hopefully, I'll be back to my usual cheery self tomorrow. :)

CC - I've been reading the church thread too but didn't post on it. (Since I'm an atheist - ok no flaming please - I figured it was best not to. :)

BMO - So sorry you missed the concert again tonight. Glad your family is so understanding. I know what you mean about the lights too - strobes give me a migraine... And you probably don't want to hear this but being the knowledgable woman you are, you are probably aware of the connection between chocolate and migraines. I'm happy to say that my two big loves - chocolate and red wine - do not cause migraines for me. Thank Nature! (can't say 'thank god' after my previous comment...) Anyway, I'm assuming chocolate doesn't contribute to your headaches? And yes, I'm definitely going to get tix to Meatloaf. Gotta wait till March for the concert though...

AG and Dar - good luck with the dating scene!!

Lise - sorry you are sick, must be even tougher when it's not easy to get coverage for work... :(

Knot - have a great trip (are you gone already? I think so.) I'm thinking you gotta change your son's handle. I call him ess-knot in my head, which I sometimes shorten to snot. It's not working for me :p :D

Fish - Welcome Back! Sorry that both Roux and Dh aren't well. :(

Snap - TWO lbs! You go girl! I have gained a 1/2 lb this week. WRONG direction! Ugh. It ain't gonna get any easier over the next two weeks either...:o :( :rolleyes:

Mimi - OMG I dreamt about you last night! You looked like the girl in your avatar but in colour. HAHA! I had a pet mouse (gee thanks Nanci) and I brought it to your house to show you. You were renovating at the time we we sat out on your back patio. Weird...

Congrats on the article - that is SO cool! And yes, I suppose Kelowna is part of the PNW although I tend to think of it as the PSE :) We're more the interior actually, like Spokane...

A kid without a coat? Well, since very few, if any, of the kids at my school are in the "I can't afford decent winter clothes" camp, if a kid didn't wear appropriate clothes to school, I'd make them sit in the office during break. I can't imagine making the whole class stay in if ONE kid wasn't dressed properly. :eek:

[Bikingmomof3]

Anyway, I'm assuming chocolate doesn't contribute to your headaches? And yes, I'm definitely going to get tix to Meatloaf. Gotta wait till March for the concert though...

Thankfully there are no known foods or beverages that contribute to my migraines. I shudder at the thought of no chocolate. :eek:

Meatloaf in concert should be wonderful! March will be here before we know it.

Edited to add: I loved your dream. :cool:

[Trek420]

You so do not suck as a Mom :cool: :D

[Bikingmomof3]

You so do not suck as a Mom :cool: :D


Awww, warm fuzzies. :D Thank You! :D

I needed to vent and that was my big vent and I am over it now. :)

[Lise]

I love you guys. gals. whatever. :p

I remember your "two tubs of tapioca" thing, Lisa! I made myself some tapioca this evening, too. J came by with the perfect soup: Campbell's Noodle-O chicken soup. Just salty broth and mushy noodles. I put a little hot pepper powder in it, too. And he brought Haagen-Dazs low fat frozen vanilla yogurt. Nothing feels better sliding down a sore throat. And he brought me flowers. He rubbed my neck and shoulders and told me funny stories. As he left, he said, "Call me in the night if you need anything, sweetie." And I know he means it. What a great guy.

FISHDR! I am sooooo glad to see you back around these parts! Glad to hear you're settling into BR, sorry to hear so many health problems in the family right now. Glad to have you back. Good luck with the getting caught up thing...:rolleyes:

Going to bed...sleep tight, TD.

[kelownagirl]

Aww, Lise, sounds like you found a keeper there - and I think he knows a good thing when he sees it too... :) He must be related to own sweetheart in some way. These older men, I gotta tell ya....

[crazycanuck]

Just wanted to pop by n say hello!

BM03-you're a cool chickie & am happy to share tim tams with you...You DO NOT SUCK..

I keep forgetting it's winter up yonder way...:eek:

I'm sending you all some sunshine, 25c & no sea breeze...yet...

c

[salsabike]

Re the evolution (so to speak) of the Church thread: oyoyoy.

[Xrayted]

Lise - Hope you get over the flu quickly. I've been very lucky over the last year. No major ones. When I first started clinical education, I had the flu 3 times in the first 6 months. (had the flu shot too) They just ran into each other. I was seriously thinking of quitting xray school because I was so tired of being achy and sick. I guess I finally built my immune system up.

Nanci - Thanks for having another birthday today. The cake was excellent. :D

Lisa - There's no such thing as "eating too much chocolate". :p Yeah, I get what you mean. More bang for your bite. I like to experiment with all kinds. Can you PM me some specific ones? I'll give 'em a try... thanks. (not giving up my Buds tho) Nice thoughts there for BMo3 btw. She's a little high strung ya know. Needs to get smacked about the ears every now and again. ;)

GO SNAP! Woohoo!!!!


Welcome back FishDr. I was just thinking about you yesterday. Wondering how you and the guppies are doing in your new pond... Was gonna send out the Coast Guard soon. Nice to see ya again.

mimi - how cool are YOU?!!

Trek - I wasn't referring to a work bonus. ;) :rolleyes: but good luck with that too.

Knot - hope you had a great flight and the pilot greased the landing...

Kit - hey hon, I miss ya.

(((((((BMo3)))))))

'night TD
sorry if I missed anyone, will catch ya next time...

[snapdragen]

I went to my first Pilates class in two months, in the new studio. It's actually a ballet school/pilates studio. I may die -- the muscle memory was still there, but damn, I am sore! Advil is my friend tonight.

Another opportunity has come up for my friend and I to see Jesus Christ Superstar. It's going to be in San Francisco this month.

So, anyone want to place bets on when the Church thread gets locked down? ;)

[Trek420]

snapdragen "So, anyone want to place bets on when the Church thread gets locked down? ;)"

let me just surf on over and bring up the subject of the Church vs the subject-we-can't-talk-about-on-TE, that'll lock it down tight.

Oy gevalt. :p

sorry if I missed anyone :p

[salsabike]

Trek, you are DAMN funny.

Fish, so nice to see you.

Nanci, did Choco eat?

[Nanci]

I went out and had margaritas for my birthday.

Choco didn't eat Friday. i should have let him sit a week, but I attempted again Sunday, and he again didn't eat. I'm not worried about _him_ though.

Still waiting for Inez to shed, and now Zee is blue, too. Luckily Choco never tires of being out.

Nanci

[Nanci]

You know who I've been thinking about lately, ever since Lise had to bring up Chris Noth- Beta Girl. I wonder what she's up to...

I found Inez's shed this morning! Going to get the Devil Worm out for a feeding tonight. She seemed a tiny smidge less psycho last night when I took her out to see if she'd shed. I hope that's a sign of improvement.

Nanci

[mimitabby]

Mimi - OMG I dreamt about you last night! You looked like the girl in your avatar but in colour. HAHA! I had a pet mouse (gee thanks Nanci) and I brought it to your house to show you. You were renovating at the time we we sat out on your back patio. Weird...

Congrats on the article - that is SO cool! And yes, I suppose Kelowna is part of the PNW although I tend to think of it as the PSE :) We're more the interior actually, like Spokane...


http://www.sersale.org/mad.gif
just for fun, i'd like you meet my grandmother. SHE looks like Alfonsina.

[DebW]

http://www.sersale.org/mad.gif
just for fun, i'd like you meet my grandmother. SHE looks like Alfonsina.

Wow, she does. Did she have quads like Alfonsina? I keep admiring them in your avatar.

[mimitabby]

not really. but she sewed with a treadle sewing machine. I keep admiring Alfonsina too.

[kelownagirl]

Wow, she really does! I know nothing about who she is... Care to enlighten me or do I need to go and reread TD?

[mimitabby]

Wow, she really does! I know nothing about who she is... Care to enlighten me or do I need to go and reread TD?

you mean, Alfonsina?
She is/was the only woman to compete in the giro d'italia. Here is a translation of an italian article about her complete with photos. The article I subsequently wrote is better; translating is wierd, it's a little rough but you'll get the idea.
http://www.radiomarconi.com/marconi/alfonsina/alfonsina_inglese.html

[Lise]

Lise, are you smoking crack????????

Just because I said that guy was cute that sort of looked like him doesn't mean I like Chris Noth!!!!!

Maybe Mark Ruffalo _and_ Johnny Knoxville. That would cheer me up.
Nanci


You know who I've been thinking about lately, ever since Lise had to bring up Chris Noth- Beta Girl. I wonder what she's up to...
Nanci
Sorry, sorry, I meant Mark Ruffalo, just couldn't think of his name! I think of betagirl often, and wonder how she's doing.

Does crack smoking help a sore throat? Cuz I'm up for just about anything right now. Woke up with a 101.3 fever, too painful to swallow. Called my doc's, they told me to come right in. Did a rapid strep test--->I have strep throat. They gave me a shot of penicillin in the butt so I wouldn't have to swallow pills with my very sore throat. Nice. When the doc went to palpate my lymph nodes, I started to cry because it hurt so much :rolleyes:. I looooove penicillin (pcn). It is such a good drug. I'm so glad I'm not allergic to it. I can't imagine how people used to suffer before we had 1/pcn 2/central heating 3/indoor toilets 4/hot running water. I am grateful for all of the above.

I used to get strep every year when I was young. It is a relief to know it's something that can be fixed, not just a "virus that will run its course in 7-10 days". I just took more motrin, and am eating tapioca.

Best of all, the last season of 24 just arrived in the mail! I'm going back to bed now. Trip to the doc's wore me out. But when I get up, I can start watching it. Oh, and about tonight's call shift? "Absolutely not!" said my doc. Think she knows me?

Mimi, the pic of your grandma is so sweet, and does look a lot like Alfonsina!

[five one]

Ummm, I just recently found this thread after having been a lurker in other forums for quite awhile. Don't do tri's, so never had occasion to visit here, but I was searching for something and ended up in TD. Can I join in? Is there a secret handshake I need to learn? Is there an official initiation or probation period I need to go through ;)? There are currently 570 pages here. I can't possibly read it all to catch up on everything, but it looks like a fun place to be.

I have posted a bit in other areas, and did the intro in the Getting to Know You thread, so I'm not a *total* stranger, but as I am generally a quiet listening sort, I usually don't comment much. I'm not completely new to cycling, so I don't feel like I need much advice (DH has been a TNT coach for many years, so he answers all of my questions and has been a great teacher and riding partner), but don't feel that I have enough experience to offer much to others when they have questions. But this little area seems more about the other parts of life apart from cycling, which is nice.

So ladies, will you take a vote and let me know if I pass muster? Can't guarantee I'll say much, but if I DO chime in, I don't want anyone wondering who I am or thinking I'm a troll :mad: .

Thanks,

five one

[mimitabby]

i know you're not a troll. Just join in and have fun. talk about you or us, or whatever.. as we get to know you, we get to know about you.

[Bikingmomof3]

I went to my first Pilates class in two months, in the new studio. It's actually a ballet school/pilates studio. I may die -- the muscle memory was still there, but damn, I am sore! Advil is my friend tonight.

You will not die. I love Pilates and yoga. Once your muscles remember, you will find the classes so relaxing. :)


Another opportunity has come up for my friend and I to see Jesus Christ Superstar. It's going to be in San Francisco this month.

Awesome. :cool:


So, anyone want to place bets on when the Church thread gets locked down? ;)

That means I need to go read it, now.

[Bikingmomof3]

http://www.sersale.org/mad.gif
just for fun, i'd like you meet my grandmother. SHE looks like Alfonsina.


She really does look like her. Amazing. :)

[Bikingmomof3]

Woke up with a 101.3 fever, too painful to swallow. Called my doc's, they told me to come right in. Did a rapid strep test--->I have strep throat. They gave me a shot of penicillin in the butt so I wouldn't have to swallow pills with my very sore throat. Nice. When the doc went to palpate my lymph nodes, I started to cry because it hurt so much :rolleyes:. I looooove penicillin (pcn). It is such a good drug. I'm so glad I'm not allergic to it. I can't imagine how people used to suffer before we had 1/pcn 2/central heating 3/indoor toilets 4/hot running water. I am grateful for all of the above.

Best of all, the last season of 24 just arrived in the mail! I'm going back to bed now. Trip to the doc's wore me out. But when I get up, I can start watching it. Oh, and about tonight's call shift? "Absolutely not!" said my doc. Think she knows me?



((((((((((((((((((Lise))))))))))))))))))))

Feel better soon. Plenty of rest, fluid, and as much of J's company as possible. :)

[Bikingmomof3]

So ladies, will you take a vote and let me know if I pass muster? Can't guarantee I'll say much, but if I DO chime in, I don't want anyone wondering who I am or thinking I'm a troll :mad: .

Thanks,

five one

We know you are not a troll and no one told me about a secret handshake (hmmm, that could explain a lot....J/K ;) ) You may want to read some of the past TD pages, they are very interesting. Some of us who were not here from the beginning did manage to make our way through it. Granted, I have more free time than most. :p

[snapdragen]

:D Ding! Ding! Ding! OK - who had approximately 7:00 am Pacific Time? :D



So, anyone want to place bets on when the Church thread gets locked down?

[Bikingmomof3]

Geez, X is going to see all these posts and I told her I would rest today. I will, I promise, after this post. Really, honestly.

I have my kids expecting great feats of baking from X. :D Now I am compiling a grocery list for ingredients for Christmas cookies, what I would like from all of you is a little bit of help. What are your favourite holiday cookies?

And X and I are going to attempt making a buche de Noël (Yule Log). I sort of promised my son, who is taking French, that we would attempt to make one. :rolleyes:

We will be taking pictures. :D

[Bikingmomof3]

:D Ding! Ding! Ding! OK - who had approximately 7:00 am Pacific Time? :D

D*mn I missed the thread!

[DrBee]

I read just a few posts in the church thread. I hadn't had a chance to get through it. I was tempted after Snap's comments! Oh well!

As for Christmas cookies - I make sugar cookies (w/o icing), spritz cookies with a spritz of chocolate butter cream on top, puffy dragons (named by my grandmother when they all rolled into the back of the oven and she was trying not to curse in front of the kids), and lots of candy sorts of things. I usually make caramels, truffles, tigerbutter, and the like. I'm switching it up this year - who knows!

I have made a Buche de Noel before (I think the first one was when I took French in high school). They're not as hard as the look. I'm thinking about making one for our work Christmas party this year, actually. Do take pics!

[DrBee]

BMo3 - the church thread is still there to be read, it's just closed for new posts. I wonder why they closed it and didn't remove it? Snap???

[mimitabby]

She really does look like her. Amazing. :)

My grandmother, Maddalena, came to the USA all by herself at the age of 16, in 1914. She stood a little over 5 feet tall. She met my grandfather in a doll clothes factory where they both worked long hours for terrible wages. Her older brother (and her guardian) did not approve of my grandfather, he called him a good for nothing. Maddalena's first child was stillborn, her second child was hit by a car at the age of 6, and she lost another baby in there somewhere. (She had 3 kids that lived to be adults including my own father. She thought reading would spoil the mind, and when my mother had an ovary removed, my grandmother told her that she would only have babies of one sex.. (and it came to pass that my mother had 2 girls!)

Maddalena was a good cook and she and my grandfather were married for over 60 years before she died.
I can assure you, she NEVER rode a bike.

enough ancient history. I honor her by cooking with some of her recipes from time to time. I am telling you her story, because I, her namesake, thought some of you would enjoy it.

[five one]

What are your favourite holiday cookies?

After years of practically killing myself making dozens of a dozen different type of cookie, I gave up and now make only frosted gingerbread, but they are very labor intensive. We exchange cookie plates with a few friends, so I also include easier things that can be made in bulk fairly quickly - English toffee, peppermint bark, spiced walnuts, and chocolate dipped dried apricots. The latter are soooo good. There is a little orchard across the street from where I work where they grow and dry Blenheims - the best! They sell them already dipped in their little gift shop, but they're very pricey and it's easy enough to do hundreds in an hour or so.

[five one]

My grandmother, Maddalena, came to the USA all by herself at the age of 16, in 1914. She stood a little over 5 feet tall. She met my grandfather in a doll clothes factory where they both worked long hours for terrible wages. Her older brother (and her guardian) did not approve of my grandfather, he called him a good for nothing. Maddalena's first child was stillborn, her second child was hit by a car at the age of 6, and she lost another baby in there somewhere. (She had 3 kids that lived to be adults including my own father. She thought reading would spoil the mind, and when my mother had an ovary removed, my grandmother told her that she would only have babies of one sex.. (and it came to pass that my mother had 2 girls!)

Maddalena was a good cook and she and my grandfather were married for over 60 years before she died.
I can assure you, she NEVER rode a bike.

enough ancient history. I honor her by cooking with some of her recipes from time to time. I am telling you her story, because I, her namesake, thought some of you would enjoy it.

That's a wonderful (and tragic) story. Thanks for sharing it. I think women were often made of tougher stuff in past generations. I have transcriptions of journals written by my great, great grandmother and her mother (great X 3) who lived in Alabama before, during, and after the Civil War. Their lives were amazingly difficult by today's standards.

[mimitabby]

After years of practically killing myself making dozens of a dozen different type of cookie, I gave up and now make only frosted gingerbread, but they are very labor intensive. We exchange cookie plates with a few friends, so I also include easier things that can be made in bulk fairly quickly - English toffee, peppermint bark, spiced walnuts, and chocolate dipped dried apricots. The latter are soooo good. There is a little orchard across the street from where I work where they grow and dry Blenheims - the best! They sell them already dipped in their little gift shop, but they're very pricey and it's easy enough to do hundreds in an hour or so.

I LOVE gingerbread. with double ginger!

5 ' 1," my grandmother's story isn't that tragic, there are sad qualities to it, but she had a good life, I think. As a child I never could figure out why she was so grouchy. Who knew! she was sad. and she didn't like my mother who read books!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Mimi, I love hearing about your grandmother and about Alphonsina!

[Bikingmomof3]

fishdr & 5'1- Thanks for the cookie suggestions. I am afraid to bring up baking candy to X. :p Although, my favourite treat as a wee one at Christmas was homemade Nut Goodie bars, maybe i can find a recipe online, do not tell X. ;)

Mimi- Thank you for sharing your Grandmother's life with us. She sounds like she was one remarkable woman. :)

[five one]

I LOVE gingerbread. with double ginger!

My recipe calls for 2-3 tsp. ginger. I use 3 generous tsp. Any more than that and I get complaints that there is too much bite to them. As if :D !

[crazycanuck]

Umm...if you make cookies, you can't send them down this way...I don't think...Please eat a gingerbread cookie for me k.

Good to see the religion thread was closed!!!! I was about to complain even further....glad I can make a ruckus...(sp?) :eek:

I'm doing a mini tri this weekend and am going to wear reindeer ears on the run...or a santa hat...

c

[bcipam]

Crazy I don't know why what you just said bothers me, , but I am so sorry to see the "church" thread (not religion) bothered you so and you felt a need to make a say something about your wanting it to stop and had it not, you would make a ruckus. The thread was neither offensive or inappropiate.

Time and again there are threads on this forums (and other forums) I don't always agree with but I do believe everyone is entitled to their own opinion about things regardless if I agree with it or not (this is the true meaning of "tolerance"). If a thread is offensive or of no interest I just choose not to go there. Our discussion was quite pleasant, many viewpoints were expressed, not just Christian. Why did you feel a need to say something there to get it stopped and to also say something here about stopping it? The ladies posting, even those who were not Christians I think enjoyed expressing their own individual viewpoints and beliefs.

I'm not angry or upset just curious about why you would care at all. It would have been nice to let that thread, as do most, die its own death.

[mimitabby]

Bcipam, i felt the same way Crazy did. it felt okay as long as we were just talking about what we believed and how we communed with nature or Goddess or whatever. but as soon as folks started talking about religion and government, I personally felt like an endangered species. politics don't mix well with spiritual conversations, you know?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I felt the same way.
In the beginning, there was at least a tenuous connection between "going to church" and cycling, with the poll and all. But that connection eventually ran its course and it was becoming a long discussion on religion and politics and Jesus and atheisim and government, etc. One could detect the beginnings of trouble in the church thread.
I certainly hear what you are saying about us being able to discuss "anything" on this forum, what a great forum it is, and the Church thread was generally quite civil, ...but remember the forum guidelines do clearly ask us not to hold lengthy discussions on religion or politics. There are very good reasons for that. That's what made that thread different other non-cycling threads, even from other threads that have to do with other sometimes controversial subjects.
I wouldn't think any particular people were responsible for the thread getting locked, but I would assume it was due to various factors, not the least of which is the one I described above.
Just my own opinion, worth about 2 cents.
Long live TE, and all us great cycling women!

[kelownagirl]

Oooh, the weight-training thread is suddenly VERY active. :eek:

[Lise]

Please, let's keep Thread Drift the snarky, somewhat detached place it's always been. Don't drag the "church" debate over here. I went, I read a post or two, I left.

[kelownagirl]

Please, let's keep Thread Drift the snarky, somewhat detached place it's always been. Don't drag the "church" debate over here. I went, I read a post or two, I left.

I agree.

[bcipam]

I said my piece... I'll now move on.

[KnottedYet]

Happily arrived in the Bay area at midnight. We're cooking dinner.

[Lise]

Happily arrived in the Bay area at midnight. We're cooking dinner.
Yay! Yayayayayayay! Yay! Have a great time, you crazy kids! :D

[KnottedYet]

<whew! edited that one just in time!>

Yup, having a GREAT time! Trek gets a gold star!

[Bikingmomof3]

<whew! edited that one just in time!>

Yup, having a GREAT time! Trek gets a gold star!

I am so very happy for both of you. :D

[DirtDiva]

Shall we have a competition to see who can guess whatever it was Knot editted out? :p

[Xrayted]

Kit - hope it makes you smile...

~mick

[kelownagirl]

Well, seeing as how I have TD set to email with me new posts, I sometimes manage to see the edited ones before they are deleted. I happen to have a copy of this one. Shall I post it? :D :cool: :rolleyes: :D :eek:

[withm]

[QUOTE=Xrayted;152018]withm - Let me guess, were you diving at Willow Springs Park? I love that place. It's my nearby get-away-from-it-all place. I mean really where else around here can ya go and dive for a train, airplane, trucks, a school bus, even an outhouse! The little beach area is nice too. Just swim/float around and then lay out on the floating docks... aaaaahh. The water is crystal clear spring water too. Here's a link if anyone is interested... http://www.willowspringspark.com/
I know what you mean about Lucy and Ethel. I get that same thought everytime I go in there. ]

Busted! Yeah I used to help teach diving, and we took our classes up there for check-outs. Some of those trips were brrrr cold. Here are some pix from two different chilly Nov. weekends up there. It's sort of biking related - some of these guys ride bikes when they aren't diving. The first shows some pretty good waves on the quarry - little whitecaps! Next is the teaching staff. And how we amused ourselves after the diving was done. Sadly the entire park has been sold, and they are supposed to close on the deal the end of the month. I don't know what will happen after that. The owners were always really great for us - we were probably up there 15-20 weekends a year for a while. Maybe I'll have to go do the New Year's Dive up there for one last time.

[Xrayted]

Wow, I hope they don't ruin a good thing there. I really love going up there for a nice casual day in the water. Very refreshing. The little snack shack is even cool. Ya order a burger and then walk around the side to the gas grill and they plop it right on your bun, freshly made. Mmmmm.
I guess I'll have to make it up there for the new year's polar bear plunge. Keep me posted if you hear anything further. Thanks!

-X.

[crazycanuck]

Hey x..

On your drive from PA to Ohio, what's the scenery like and what are some of the interesting things you'd see? I'm looking at a map of the US & am curious. Take some pics if you have time.

Don't forget to remind BM03 to give you some Vegemite on toast while you visit. Take a pic of your faces when you eat it & post it here k. She would share Tim Tams with you but they didn't last long..:eek:

WithM-how did you get used to breathing while scuba diving? Í've always wanted to do a beginners course but am a smidgen bit chicken.

I finally sent the christmas presents to my momsie..better late that never. Don't ask how much it cost...:eek: christmas cards are going out on saturday.

c

[Aggie_Ama]

BMO3- I just saw the post about cookies. For Christmas I always make sugar cookies, but too make them special I add a generous teaspoon of nutmeg. It makes them amazing! I then ice them with a powdered sugar glaze, use red hots on some non-iced and sprinkles on some non-iced. Yummy, almost time for those!

[Xrayted]

Knot and Trek - :D :D

CrazyC - don't worry. Lots of pics will be taken. I'll be going through Pittsburgh on my way so I'll take some there too. (Go Steelers!!!)

BM03 - Please tell your kids I'm not Amish. I just live near them. :rolleyes: I don't bake everyday or anything. **bracing myself** OMG, how much baking are we doing woman?!!! :eek: :D And a yule log? Yikes! I better call my Mom and my Aunt on this one. I haven't heard anything on the Twizzlers yet. (mmm, squishy-soft fresh ones off the line are so gooooood. The wind has shifted and I can smell them all through the house again today. Yum.) Have lots of Buds coming your way. And a few other goodies. Can't wait to meet you finally.

Wilbur Buds also going out tomorrow for those who requested some. Still some time left to ask if anyone wants some. Tomorrow is the cutoff.

I checked out the controversial threads over there. I can tell it's the holiday season. Everyone is stressed out. I'm staying away from that... I know better. That's all the time I've got today. Gotta get to the post office before work to send out Snap's cinnamon chips. Also, mailing the xmas cards to my TE sisters. Finally. :o

have a blast today and be safe.

-X.

[Duck on Wheels]

This brings to mind an episode of "Prairie Home Companion" I heard last year. A Swedish gospel choir was s'posed to sing in New Orleans, and they really were a tired and uninspiring group. Off-beat and off-key. Then one of Keillor's characters (the detective guy) worked out what was the problem: For Swedes to get swinging, they need regular doses of nutmeg. So he spiked their coffee with nutmeg, and musically they really took off!

I think it works on Norwegians too. Cinnamon ... eh! Nice enough, but that's the everyday spice that goes on rice porridge or apple cake. But nutmeg ... NOW you're swinging! :D

[mimitabby]

Kewlona girl gets the gold star! who would have thought of SUBSCRIBING to a thread?!?!?!

hehehe

well, after another wet and windy day (yesterday) our weather forecast includes rain and winds up to 75 mph for this afternoon! SCARY!!
today's garbage pickup day but I don't want to lose the can ... never found the #$!@#$ lid.

all this talk of cookies... went to a party last night which was primarily an Italian dessert potluck! there were two kinds of biscotti (which is why i didn't bring any) and all sorts of other yummy desserts... my mother brought the best cookies, I guess I have to get the recipe. Almond Paste, Pignoli (pine nuts) amazing, melt in your mouth sort of cookies.

Knot is safe in SF, so she doesn't have to worry about her house blowing away (well, at least with her in it)


CC, my strongest memory of driving through pennsylvania was the rolling hills and how my ears popped constantly as we drove over them..
then ohio is FLAT

[Lise]

Duck! That is so funny! One: A Swedish gospel choir. The concept alone...:p Two: Regular doses of nutmeg. Well, yes. I'm only 1/8th Swedish, but I feel it in my bones, man.

X--I think it's so cool that you're going out to visit BMo'3! Pix! Many pix! Have a fun, fun time, gals.

Speaking of pix, J. brought over the pix from Thanksgiving. There's a very cute one of us with my niece and nephew. I looked at it and said, "Look, honey, what a sweet picture of us....with our kids." He said, "I know! I was going to put it in a frame on my desk and just wait for the reactions!" Funny moment. My niece and nephew love him. He did magic tricks for them at Thanksgiving. Maya looked at him like he was The Great Houdini. Ted said, "Good one! I think this is how you did it...", and proceded to replicate the magic trick. :D When I feel up to it, I'll scan in the pictures to share with TD.

Feeling somewhat better today. Not all better--my beliefs in the magical instant curative powers of penicillin may have been a bit over the top. Throat's still really sore, but I can swallow without wincing. I am *SO* thirsty, and I can drink a glass of water, which feels great. I haven't been drinking as much as I should, just because it hurt so much. I'm sure that getting in enough fluids today will help a lot, too. I had the energy to strip the sheets and mattress pad off the bed, as they were wet with sweat. I'm guessing I broke a fever over night. Taking them down to wash in the basement wore me out. Today is another day of lying around, but I'm definitely on the mend.
.................
just read Mimi's post above--75 mph?!? Whoa! It gets darned wild out there in the PNW! I agree about the beauty of Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio. When I drive east, across Indiana and Ohio, it's very boring until you pass the middle of Ohio, and then it turns pretty. I love those rolling hills and river valleys. Enjoy the drive, X, and keep it safe.

[Bikingmomof3]

CC,
then ohio is FLAT

No, Ohio is beautiful, yea, thats it.:rolleyes: Beautiful. ;) Everyone come to lovely Ohio. :D


Well I would like to meet all of you, but Ohio sadly is not lovely. It is green and very hot. It is going to be ion the 60s!!!!! :eek: And yes, it is for the most part, flat.

[Bikingmomof3]

X--I think it's so cool that you're going out to visit BMo'3! Pix! Many pix! Have a fun, fun time, gals.

We will have a great time. My twins think she is amish. ;)


Speaking of pix, J. brought over the pix from Thanksgiving. There's a very cute one of us with my niece and nephew. I looked at it and said, "Look, honey, what a sweet picture of us....with our kids." He said, "I know! I was going to put it in a frame on my desk and just wait for the reactions!" Funny moment. My niece and nephew love him. He did magic tricks for them at Thanksgiving. Maya looked at him like he was The Great Houdini. Ted said, "Good one! I think this is how you did it...", and proceded to replicate the magic trick. :D When I feel up to it, I'll scan in the pictures to share with TD.

AaaaaaaWwwwww. :cool:


Feeling somewhat better today. Not all better--my beliefs in the magical instant curative powers of penicillin may have been a bit over the top. Throat's still really sore, but I can swallow without wincing. I am *SO* thirsty, and I can drink a glass of water, which feels great. I haven't been drinking as much as I should, just because it hurt so much. I'm sure that getting in enough fluids today will help a lot, too. I had the energy to strip the sheets and mattress pad off the bed, as they were wet with sweat. I'm guessing I broke a fever over night. Taking them down to wash in the basement wore me out. Today is another day of lying around, but I'm definitely on the mend.

I am glad to hear you are on the mend. Now rest and recover.


I agree about the beauty of Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio. When I drive east, across Indiana and Ohio, it's very boring until you pass the middle of Ohio, and then it turns pretty. I love those rolling hills and river valleys. Enjoy the drive, X, and keep it safe.

I live in a valley, which is why almost any chance of snow misses me. :(

[mimitabby]

Yeah, Lise, drink gallons!
even if it hurts!

[five one]

The one and only cycling tour I've ridden began in Philadelphia and ended in Pittsburgh six days later. I'd never been in PA before and was surprised at how hilly it was. I don't know why I was surprised. I was in the Appalachians. Many times I felt like I was either ascending or descending all day long. Lancaster County was lovely with all the beautiful Amish farms. It was early August and hot and humid, but I loved that everything was so green. No green in CA in August!

Looking forward to the pictures and accounts of what sounds like it will be a very fun time. Happy baking!

[KnottedYet]

Well, seeing as how I have TD set to email with me new posts, I sometimes manage to see the edited ones before they are deleted. I happen to have a copy of this one. Shall I post it? :D :cool: :rolleyes: :D :eek:


:eek: :eek: :eek:

[Lise]

:eek: :eek: :eek:

Seriously? That bad? Then, by all means, kelownagirl, PM me the unedited version! :p

[mimitabby]

Seriously? That bad? Then, by all means, kelownagirl, PM me the unedited version! :p

snort. we all want to know.

[Bikingmomof3]

I am seeing a whole black market operations opening up. :D

[Xrayted]

*giggle* I've got the famous Knot quote too! Yup, its' definitely a 3 :eek: kind of post. Maybe 4. Starting the bidding at...

I just hope that by the end of your visit, you end up with at least a 6 :eek: kind of vacation. :D Have fun now, kids!!!

[Nanci]

Since I go to bed at 8PM EST, which is like 4PM or something PST- I miss all the deleted posts...

I tried to go see the church thread, but got sidetracked by V's robbery, and now it's gone. No big loss since I have no interest in reading about/discussing politics.

Some beeotch on eBay (before the big financial breakdown last Friday) ripped me off for $50 for a food vacuum sealer. Nice. Today's the day I report her if I haven't heard anything by 5PM. Not like that will help.

Work today is just a cluster.

Gotta bring Maizey home some take-out tonight.

BF is off his year-long probation at work and is going to be awarded a Medal of Valor.

NAnci

[mimitabby]

Since I go to bed at 8PM EST, which is like 4PM or something PST- I miss all the deleted posts...

I can relate to that!



Some beeotch on eBay (before the big financial breakdown last Friday) ripped me off for $50 for a food vacuum sealer. Nice. Today's the day I report her if I haven't heard anything by 5PM. Not like that will help.

how did she rip you off on Ebay?



BF is off his year-long probation at work and is going to be awarded a Medal of Valor.

NAnci
what kind of job does he have that they give you a medal of Valor for surviving one YEAR?

[Kitsune06]

Ok X and BMo3. You two ladies are Trouble with a capital T. ...and I love ya to death for it. :)

Nothing like chatting about plans... sometime... :eek: and then reading the first email of the day: :eek: :eek: :eek: !

I've never done much this spontaneously (that says lots, ladies... Volumes) but I'm cool. I'm game. And if I can't find a way, I'll try an' make one. :D

[margo49]

. But nutmeg ... NOW you're swinging! :D

Sure am, Duck-ie
I just had to stop because of the hallucinations.
I'd been eating about 1/3 of a big nutmeg every morning for a few weeks (grated coarsely into my homemade yoghurt). Started getting "problems" a few days ago, but just stopped now as I am on holiday. The SO had a few sharp and pointy words the night before last too.
Great stuff, cheap and readily available. Been "using" for years (well 25) off and on.

Actually, it's forbidden to Muslims (did you-all know?) for that very reason - useless factoid of the day

[AllezGirl]

Just checking in. Had 2nd date with hiker guy last night. It went well, he mentioned that he'd like to ride with me sometime (notice that says WITH :D ).

X and BMo3 have a great time! FWIW, I was in Cinncinati for a ride last Ocober and I would say that Ohio is NOT flat!

Hope everyone under the weather is feeling better!

[Xrayted]

Kit and BM03 - :) :) I can't get the smile off of my face. I swear they're gonna put me in the padded room over in the ER soon. As long as they let me out for the weekend, I don't care. (I'll dig through the concrete floor to come see ya Jen) The food here is actually very good and that couch in there is rather comfy, so I'm ok. I'm just trying not to shoot the wrong xrays on people - that's my basic goal for today.

I'm awaiting the results with hushed breath. This may well turn out to be a 3 :eek: kind of story too. :cool: :cool: :D :D I better charge up my camera battery... maybe get an extra one just in case.:p

Pleeeeeeeese make it work!!!!!!

Alright back to the patients now. (I think I may need a pill of some sort soon.)

[Nanci]

eBay lady ripped me off by taking my money, but not sending the item or even contacting me at all. I have filed a dispute. Woo, I am so hopeful...

This has been a horrible day at work. I have smelled the worst thing ever in my entire life, counting all dead things. I am sitting here with my stomach roiling. My student fled a long time ago.

BF is a deputy. The medal of valor is for something at work. An incident.

How far away from BMO3 does X live? Don't be stealing my snake grandchildren!!

I just purchased (actually work did) $600 worth of toys and stickers for the kids I see daily. Including jointed snakes and stretchy lizards! Gotta get 'em started young!

Nanci

[snapdragen]

Nanci - congrats to BF on the medal! So.....what was the smell? Or do I really want to know....

X - CINNAMON! CINNAMON! You rock! Thank you for doing this for me!

I want to go riding in Lancaster County. I've seen photos of different places in PA - looks wonderful.

We took a couple of the ladies to lunch for their birthdays. You haven't lived until you hit the Asian Buffet with a pack of crazy Filipino women...:p Since I'm pretty much the only person in my department on this floor, they've adopted me, so I get all kinds of good invites.

Chloe did a little dance when she went out this morning. Hard to describe, but she kind of kicked out her front leg and hopped sideways....I think she stepped in something and freaked out actually:cool: My dog is a fuss pot.

[crazycanuck]

Nanci, what was it that smelt rank?

I think i'll make a 3yr old v happy this christmas-Our manager arranged a gift giving for Good Sammy's (they're an organization that employs handicapped folks but need to find the link..)-anywho-I purchased some Dr Seuss books, an etch a sketch thing, a big bag of blocks & a toy car. I made a note on the bag specifiying it's to go to ONE child.

Perth's been invaded by Brits!!! The ashes series is here & all i could see yesterday were folks wearing English jerseys, painted faces etc...

Anyone have a suggestion for the following problem? I have a pair of tri shorts but i feel like a heffalump in them. What can i wear on the bottom? I'm doing an enticer tri on sunday and am concerned.

have a good day kids.

c

[mimitabby]

Nanci, what was it that smelt rank?


Anyone have a suggestion for the following problem? I have a pair of tri shorts but i feel like a heffalump in them. What can i wear on the bottom? I'm doing an enticer tri on sunday and am concerned.

have a good day kids.

c

what's a heffalump? wear underpants unless you are going commando.

[snapdragen]

what's a heffalump?

Someone hasn't watched Sesame Street in a while.......:rolleyes:

edit: NO! Wrong! It's Winnie the Pooh!!!! Stupid snap!!!!

[Duck on Wheels]

Aaah, the horrible heffalump. Pooh and Piglet went hunting for one, dug a hole for it to fall into, and fell into it themselves. Or was it Christopher Robin who had dug the hole they fell into? Oh dear, time to reread classic literature again. :)

And what's this edited post I'm missing? How many :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: s is the bidding at now? Or do I have to PM Trek and Knot about it?

[Lise]

Just checking in. Had 2nd date with hiker guy last night. It went well, he mentioned that he'd like to ride with me sometime (notice that says WITH :D ). Yay! Keep us posted!


This has been a horrible day at work. I have smelled the worst thing ever in my entire life, counting all dead things. I am sitting here with my stomach roiling. My student fled a long time ago.

BF is a deputy. The medal of valor is for something at work. An incident.
Nanci
I am so sorry about evil ebay lady. And Nanci, I beg you: DON'T TELL US ANYTHING MORE ABOUT THE SMELL! :eek: I can imagine, and I don't want to know. Is the medal of valor for capturing the baby armadillo? :p That was beyond cute. Perhaps not exactly valorous...

Nanci - congrats to BF on the medal! So.....what was the smell? Or do I really want to know....
NO! Nanci! Don't Do It!


Anyone have a suggestion for the following problem? I have a pair of tri shorts but i feel like a heffalump in them. What can i wear on the bottom? I'm doing an enticer tri on sunday and am concerned. cWhat part has you concerned, CC? For me it would be covering up the belly. Is that what you're worried about? Wear a longish jersey. There's just nothing to be done about the thighs, girl. They are what they are. :rolleyes:

I'm feeling a lot better than yesterday, but not all better. Funny note: My left hip has been really hurting. I could not figure out why, and, of course, was worried about some hideous bone infection from the streptococci. Then it occured to me. That's where I got the penicillin injection. Oh. Yeah. :o I'm going to put a heat pack on it and watch Lord Of The Rings again. My throat's still sore, but I can swallow! YAY! I went to Whole Foods and got some Kefir, one of those yogurt drinks. Hoping to ward off any ill-effects of the massive dose of penicillin.

[crazycanuck]

Lise,

I def want to cover up the belly & behind..

My tri top is just fine, it's just the bottom....:eek:

So swimsuit & tri top in the water & then who knows what i'll find to put on the bottom...

I'm wearing reindeer ears for fun at the tri. Someone has to spread some cheer..:eek:

c

[Lise]

Oh, heck, CC, just pull on the tri shorts and go for it. I know, I know, I'm hardly one to talk, since I'm always preoccupied with what my belly looks like during a race. But ya know what? Truly, no one cares. And, you will look so darned cute with your reindeer antlers, that everyone will be looking up, not down. ;) Have a great time. :D

[Nanci]

Lise, you have a gorgeous figure. The awful smell came from a body part above the neck. Something happened to it during anesthesia causing it to swell and protrude to a horrifying degree. I believe it was blistered as well. We couldn't deal with it, and the pt refused our services, anyway. We're all hoping it resolves by some miracle by tomorrow, or it will be revisited.

BF and I donated 24 stuffed animals to the local Ronald MacDonald House, delivered with the rest of the Harley Owners Group on motorcycle.

The medal of honor _should_ have been for rescuing the baby. He hasn't gotten it yet- they just told he he would be. PM if you want details.

Chloe, Chloe, Chloe. She is the canine version of Choco. A new story every day.

Maizey is contemplating her takeout. Addy downed another small meal- this time, twice out of four, with out additional assistance to open wide- but she really, really, really tried not to swallow. The way they can disloate their lower jaw is freaky. It looks as if it's been broken into five or six pieces, and is all limp and floppy, then seconds later she does some magic and it's stiff and normal again. I think it can dislocate in the center as well as both sides.

My September SS has disappeared off the face of the earth. The organizer, GLC, graciously sent me a wonderful T-shirt herself.

At least my SS knows where I am and that I intend to repay my debt to society. ASAP.

CC- I'd go for the tri shorts as well. At least they stay down. Any time I try to wear some sort of baggy running shorts, they go up my crack and cause endless trouble. Which looks worse than what I imagine the tri shorts to look like. I think they are slimming on anyone!

Nanci

[Bikingmomof3]

X-we have tickets! :D

Nanci-where to begin. I am sorry about your day, evil ebay lady, your SS, and the awful smell. Congratulations to your BF! :) Tell Addy she is a good girl for eating. I hope Maizy enjoys her take-out.

AG-great news on the dating front. :D I am only 20 min north of Cinci. :)

Snap-think Winnie-the-Pooh. :)

Lise-you are teeny and adorable and your stomach is wonderful.

CC-you will be fine. Everyone is going to be so busy no one will have time to look at anyone else. Anyway, I am sure you will look great. :) I want a pic of you in reindeer ears. :cool:

Snap-Chloe sounds adorable.

I am missing quite a bit and I apologize. My brain is fried, it has been a fun and exhausting day all at the same time.

[mimitabby]

well, i just did my version of a tri race... I had to go INTO downtown Seattle
right before a seahawks game during christmas season AND right before the biggest wind storm of the season...
I made all my stops ALL 4 of them and now I am safe inside. But WHERE is DH?
he said he'd be home early....

And the second LBS does not have the stupid wheel cones that i need for my bianchi so THEY have to order them. That means at least 3 more visits to LBS's before i get my bike back.

Grr.

[mimitabby]

I still wanna know about ebay, and Nanci, there's only 1 body part above the neck that stinks, and that's the mouth.. right?

[Xrayted]

BM03 - my smile just got sooooo much bigger! Thanks! (I just can't contain myself.) What a Christmas gift... :eek: :D
What kind of cookies are we making?? What do I need to bring for the baking adventure?

Nanci - I feel for ya there girl. Those can be hard to stomach. Imagine how the patient must feel though. Ick.

Snap - ran out of time to send the package on my way to work. If you knew what happened you'd understand. I will endeavor to stop at the USPS office when I get parolled at 8pm and go thorough the do-it-yourself priority mailing machine. I have a feeling it may never be seen again but keep your fingers crossed.:D

CC - do what we all do... suck it up babe and keep on going.

Kit - I've got WAY too much energy flowing here. I'm gonna explode soon. No caffeine either. I hear a beer calling my name... :p

[Bikingmomof3]

BM03 - my smile just got sooooo much bigger! Thanks! (I just can't contain myself.) What a Christmas gift... :eek: :D
What kind of cookies are we making?? What do I need to bring for the baking adventure?

Listen to your voice mail. My brain is spinning. Ah if only I could have a martini. I just may need to phone a pharmacist and inquire.

Cookies? I do not know. What about the ones from the cookie press thingy (oops, just gave away that I am a gourmet ;)), frosted sugar cookies? The Yule Log, of course.

[DebW]

well, i just did my version of a tri race... I had to go INTO downtown Seattle
right before a seahawks game during christmas season AND right before the biggest wind storm of the season...
I made all my stops ALL 4 of them and now I am safe inside. But WHERE is DH?
he said he'd be home early....

And the second LBS does not have the stupid wheel cones that i need for my bianchi so THEY have to order them. That means at least 3 more visits to LBS's before i get my bike back.

Grr.

Glad you survived your tri, Mimi. Maybe now you will adopt my sig line, so you never have to shop for cones again. Actually, I'm thinking about a vacation to Seattle next year (SIL in the area). If I get there, I will personally grease your cones and give you the finest hub-packing lesson that ever was. And maybe I'll install a new headset for Knotted.

[Lise]

You guys crack me up. Thanks for all the love for my belly. :rolleyes: :p

Hey! I have a cookie press thingy, too! I totally forgot! And I seriously doubt that it will see the light of day this season! Have fun, you guys!

Here's the picture from Thanksgiving:

[Bikingmomof3]

You two are so darn cute!! :D :cool: :D :cool: :D :cool: :D :cool: :D :cool:

[Bikingmomof3]

well, i just did my version of a tri race... I had to go INTO downtown Seattle
right before a seahawks game during christmas season AND right before the biggest wind storm of the season...
I made all my stops ALL 4 of them and now I am safe inside. But WHERE is DH?
he said he'd be home early....


Mimi, I am glad you made it through your tri race. You are brave! Did your DH arrive home safely?

[mimitabby]

no. DH is still in his office. that probably means he won't be home before 930pm,
which is bedtime.. He's not going to venture out tonight before then. It's really ugly here weather/traffic wise.

grid lock!

Deb you come to Seattle, we want you to come stay with us if you need a break from family!

[mimitabby]

LISE IS A CUTE LITTLE THING!!!! I KNEW IT!

nice picture of you and "your kids"

now we know what the bf looks like, with a face like that
let's hope he's a keeper. NICE!

[salsabike]

Yes, let us know, Mimi, about Raleighdon. I am feeling weirdly paranoid about this storm. It's raining TORRENTIALLY (can't believe you went downtown in this weather and on a Seahawks game afternoon!), I know the winds are going to get really scary, Mr. Salsa is far away on a boat trip so classified that I don't know what kind of boat or where, and my kitchen chimney is leaking. When it rained like hell two nights ago, I went outside to find that the jury-rigged front gutter (not permanently fixed yet because of construction needs) had come apart and water was pouring into the window well by the basement (my current home, you may remember. I trashed my beloved Danskos putting the gutter back together, soaking up the water with insulation so it wouldn't YET AGAIN cause a basement flood, and bailing water out of a hole with a new sewer pipe).

I am not usually a wuss, but I think the last four months have taken their toll, and I am nervous about this storm. People who know me would be surprised to hear me waxing so nervous. Anyway. I have great neighbors and friends and know I'll be okay. Think I'm just wearing a little thin, is all.

So, like, who can't guess what Knot probably posted?? Although I'd love to see it. I'm really enjoying this.

Lise, you are really pretty. And J. is quite adorable.

Nanci. I want to meet the snakes someday.

We need to have a TD party someday. In the meantime, y'all stay warm and safe.

I may be back later to wax some more.

[mimitabby]

Salsa, Raleighdon is staying put for a while, I'm not worried about him.
My drive into downtown was kind of like ducking into the eye of the storm. Everyone that could avoid downtown, did.. there were already seahawks fans there 3 hours early!!!! walking and looking for parking and stuff, but not an unreasonable amount. So both places i had to go had Parking right in front. Then i headed up the hill, which is the same ridge as where I live and took surface streets the 8 miles home. slow, but safe.
and 10 minutes ago the heavy rain and wind started here too.
I am baking potatoes now so in case we lose power there will be food to eat.

I am feeling rather unsettled about the storm too. The weather forecasters are crowing
right now... they are acting way too confident.. and the barometer is down to 989!

[Lise]

now we know what the bf looks like, with a face like that let's hope he's a keeper. NICE!
Awww, thanks, guys. I knew you'd like him. He is a keeper, mimi. We both feel very lucky. My cats love him; even the aloof Ariel comes running when he walks in the door. The other day he was petting her (!), and she started licking his fingers (!!!). He has a very good spirit. And he's tall and handsome and smart and funny and employed and has all his teeth and most of his hair, and darn it, people like him! Most of all, I like him so much, and am so happy we get to be a part of each others' lives.

OK, mushy stuff over, let's get back to TD business: SALSA! YIKES! Do you have somewhere you can go if need be? I hope that the Danskos are the only casualties of this storm. Mimi, Salsa, and loved ones, hunker down, ride out the storm, stay dry and warm. I'm glad Knot's staying...ahem...warm and safe down SF way! Hope SKnot's fine, too. I'm guessing he's with his dad.

Nanci, has it warmed up down your way? How's your DD doing? Roy settling down? I hope so.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Lise, what a wonderful warm picture!! :p :p :p

[salsabike]

I do have a place to go if I need to, but would probably just stay here under the quilt with the cats---they're elderly and need someone here. The worst that could happen would be I'd lose power, but it's not cold enough here to freeze. And if anything floods, I will get upset but will also let the contractor enjoy fixing it all on his own dime. I'm guessing I won't get much sleep--I always have a hard time sleeping through our windstorms, and harder yet tonight, I think.

I really do have quite wonderful neighbors, too, to call on if I need help. My neighbors are the best, all three housefuls of them.

Just feeling a little goofy without Mr. Salsa, in a house under construction, and being kind of chronically tired/stressed. I promise I'll be okay. I would like a week's vacation on another planet, though.

On a better note, they have finished the plumbing, heating, and electrical stuff and are ready for that to be inspected. Then they can drywall and insulate, hopefully next week when none of us will be here! I am having so much fun picking paint colors. Still planning lots of wild and wooly colors. Pale green with touch of aqua for front hall; sponged-on ochre living room with one blue wall for that red-orange kimono; plum or teal for new bathroom; warm-pinky white with pale grey/purple trim for master bedroom; two blue grey walls and two terra cotta walls for guest bedroom/office (or we may do metallic copper for two walls if it's doable), and Caribbean colors (pale lime green and cornflower-ish blue) for kitchen walls. Whee! This part is really a blast.

[Lise]

Your colors sound wonderful, Salsa. Will you come to Chicago and help me paint walls....someday? :D

[Bikingmomof3]

Salsa,
The colours sound gorgeous. :) Please come decorate my house. Stay warm and dry.

[salsabike]

Sure!

What made me brave was learning to weave seven years ago, and then taking a color class from a really wonderful tapestry weaver. I learned a whole bunch about how colors work and not to be afraid of them. I had a weaver friend whose living room had mostly black and white art, and here's how her walls were painted: one was a warm apricot, one was a deep green teal, and one was an eggplant purple (the fourth wall was mostly windows and I don't remember its color). It was GORGEOUS. If I hadn't been exposed to all this color stuff through weaving, I'd still be happily painting my walls white (nothing wrong with that, either). Anyway, it's truly fun.

[KnottedYet]

I'm glad Knot's staying...ahem...warm and safe down SF way!


Oh, yeah.... safe and very very warm.;)

Of course, the *weather* has been chilly and rainy so far. I think all that "sunny California" stuff is just a marketing ploy.

I will endevour to edit myself now-a-days BEFORE I submit the post, now that I know the black market system. Hah!

Lise - We love the picture!

(I'm very CAREFULLY refraining from commenting on greased cones and packed hubs.) (ahem) (Trek is laughing herself silly at what I had typed 3 sentences back. I edited it out already so NONE OF YOU know what it was!!!!! BWAHAHAHAAAAAA!)

[kelownagirl]

Rats, I should have just posted the edited comment and not told you how got it. :)

Lise - You and J look wonderful! You look so happy and he's a sweetie, I can tell!

[Xrayted]

So since Knot is going to start editing BEFORE posting, I say we make up our own stories. :p

Bmo3 - My face hurts from smiling so much today. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. What a spectacular way to spend the weekend. My, oh my, the pics we're gonna have to post.

Kit - WOOHOO!!! :D

[Xrayted]

Lise - what a great pic. And what a handsome guy! hubba, hubba :D

Snap - with BMo3's assistance over the phone, I got your package out tonight. Should be there in 2 days. Enjoy. (you have no idea the juggling I did in the post office talking and posting...)

Also managed to send out my Xmas cards to all of my swap sisters with one exception. Nope BMo3, I'm still sending it after the w/e. Sorry, your just gonna have to wait.

Salsa - great colors! Hope the storm isn't as bad as all that.

To those who asked for the Buds... they will be sent tomorrow. I hope you enjoy. I'm including a mixture of milk and dark chocolate ones. I recommend you pop one of each at the same time for the best flavor.

[kelownagirl]

@#&^%^&$(*&@# My oldest daughter is causing me such grief right now. The same one I complained about a month or so ago. :( :confused: :(

[maillotpois]

I simply cannot keep up with TD these days..... but... when I finally do log on what do I see but the wonderful picture of Lise and J!!! AWWWWW! That is fantastic!!

And BMo3 is typing, seemingly quite well, so that's good, too.

[Nanci]

MP!!!!! What is this dessert wine of which you speak?

NAnci

[Duck on Wheels]

LISE IS A CUTE LITTLE THING!!!! I KNEW IT!!

Oh yes! Much prettier than I'd imagined. I was just working from the average of folks around me in Wisconsin, I guess. Some nice-looking folks there too, but most of them not in Lise's league.

[Lise]

MP!!! I'm just so glad to see you back at TD! :p And glad that our smiling faces were there to greet you. :D How're you doing? Have you been back to see the doc? Is the PP getting excited about Christmas? Full update, please! :D

I am feeling so much better this morning, I can hardly believe it. My throat does not hurt at all. My neck is still sore and stiff from the swollen lymph nodes, but other than that, I feel pretty normal. (I mean, y'know, physically :rolleyes: ) I must've woken up 5 times in the night to drink water, and three times to pee. Very, very thirsty. Think I was a leetle dry from 48 hrs of "my throat's so sore I can barely swallow my own spit"? Penicillin is a miracle drug.

So, I'm headed into work today at the city clinic. Completely unpredictable. I'm taking my water bottle and plenty of snacks. Have a good day, TD.

[Lise]

Oh yes! Much prettier than I'd imagined. I was just working from the average of folks around me in Wisconsin, I guess. Some nice-looking folks there too, but most of them not in Lise's league.
HA! You totally crack me up! Thanks for the lovely compliments, all. I'm going to have to take a follow-up picture and see if my head is actually measureably bigger after all this praise. :p

And now, for the benefit of those who didn't see this before, this is what I looked like in the summer of 2000. I had just turned 40, was barely out of an abusive relationship, was on several meds for chronic pelvic pain, hadn't ridden a bike in years, and could barely walk some days, much less run. These days, no meds, hardly any pain, 8 triathlons, a marathon, two half-marathons, a metric century, and many 5 & 8k races under my belt, wonderful friends and a loving man in my life. I could never have seen these changes, back then. I did a lot of work to get here, and got a lot of help. :D

[Lise]

@#&^%^&$(*&@# My oldest daughter is causing me such grief right now. The same one I complained about a month or so ago. :( :confused: :(
Hope things are better today. (((KG)))

[DebW]

Did you folks in Seattle survive the storm? Any damage? Max wind speed? Min pressure?

Good to hear that Lise is feeling better. I'm finally over a cold and rode to work today.

[spokewench]

Mimi: I hope you are weathering the storm - it sounds like a doozey! You've got to get the recipe for the Almond paste pignoli cookies - I love, love, love pine nuts!

Lise: That is a wonderful picture - everyone looks so happy. I saw the older picture too. Wow, what a difference being happy can make! I'm glad your life is much better now

BMO3: You shouldn't put Ohio down so much. It is a very pretty place in its own way. I lived in Cincinnati most of my growing up life i.e. young to highschool.

Salsa: The colors are great! I don't have the courage to paint the walls like that. I got adventuresome and painted some linen color, green and burgandy in my house this year. But that was as far as I could go. Pretty staid.

Hubby just got the tile floor laid in the master bathroom. It is SOOOOO gorgeous. The vanity top probably won't be here for another week or two. Bummer! Got a new toilet for the other bathroom and have to go to Phoenix to get the new toilet for the MB bath. Whenever you are doing remodeling, you always find something that is not standard! Standard bathrooms have 12 inches of clearance between the wall and the sewer pipe; ours had 11? Can you believe it! So, I found a toilet that is trick (lots less water use), but they wanted $500 some dollars for it in Flag and I can get it for 1/2 that in Phoenix so I will have to pick it up on my way to Tucson for Christmas.

[Nanci]

Lise- for future reference- (I wish I would have thought of this sooner!!!)

Pineapple juice has something in it that is really, really soothing for sore throats- some enzyme or something.

And gargling with apple cider vinegar is very soothing, too.

[Nanci]

Had my annual review, got a rating of "outstanding" which in my beloved South translates into a 4% raise...

Still not worth going back to snowy Unionland, though.

Nanci

[KnottedYet]

7:45 am. I hear a melodious sound.... is it my beloved? Is it the ringing of celestial bells? Nope. It's my phone. Mimi calling to tell me the power is out in Seattle. So if no-one hears from those PNW'ers for a bit, it's cuz they don't have electricity.

I do.:D

[spokewench]

7:45 am. I hear a melodious sound.... is it my beloved? Is it the ringing of celestial bells? Nope. It's my phone. Mimi calling to tell me the power is out in Seattle. So if no-one hears from those PNW'ers for a bit, it's cuz they don't have electricity.

I do.:D

I hope Mimi baked enough potatoes to make it thru the blackout!

[Kitsune06]

My sister always said that hardships come in two's
A funeral and break up afternoon
There is really no good time for anyone to leave
In a couple weeks I'll get my chance to grieve
And hopefully by then my mind will be all clear
And I can cry for the reasons that I'm there
Not for the all things that are happening at home
The church was filled but I was still alone
But this is not a ploy to gain some sympathy
I made this bed and now it's time to sleep

And you don't know me
But you owe me
A little time to find some piece of mind
And when you hold me
I'm not so lonely
It will be difficult to leave this life behind

-Her Space Holiday

A step away couldn't come at a better time.

[Bikingmomof3]

BMO3: You shouldn't put Ohio down so much. It is a very pretty place in its own way. I lived in Cincinnati most of my growing up life i.e. young to highschool.

I may eventually get used to living here. I really miss snow and cold weather, so the climate is hard on me.

[Bikingmomof3]

@#&^%^&$(*&@# My oldest daughter is causing me such grief right now. The same one I complained about a month or so ago. :( :confused: :(

(((((((KG)))))))) I hope things are better this morning.

[Bikingmomof3]

And BMo3 is typing, seemingly quite well, so that's good, too.

Thank you for saying I type seemingly well. :D

[Bikingmomof3]

Had my annual review, got a rating of "outstanding" which in my beloved South translates into a 4% raise...

Still not worth going back to snowy Unionland, though.

Nanci




Congratulations Nanci!!!!

[Bikingmomof3]

A step away couldn't come at a better time.


(((((((((Kit))))))))))))

[KnottedYet]

Oh, Kit....

[maillotpois]

MP!!!!! What is this dessert wine of which you speak?

NAnci

You mean my signature line?? That's just a snip from the "Silly Tasting Notes Generator" circulated by Snap some time ago...

http://www.gmon.com/tech/output.shtml

[Nanci]

Oh, I thought it was something I was missing out on...

The latest on daughter's Roy, as of a couple days ago: He has an Elizabethan collar, only it's put on upside down, so it's like a cone that goes from under his jaw to just above his feet. He can no longer chew his leg, which is now looking better and growing pinfeathers back. He has stopped losing weight. He has to have his stump soaked four times a day, and has to be bathed twice a day. When I heard him on the phone, he sounded chipper. He has to walk in tiny baby steps. So- crisis averted for the moment. The big question is, will he ever stop having the urge to chew his leg off, so he can get the collar off?

The weather down here seems warm for December to me. 70's and 50's.

Nanci

[Xrayted]

Kit - *sigh* Life changes and sometimes the transition is extreme and harsh. But those sad feelings fade and our hearts mend and we go on. Life flows in the direction it is meant to. It will be ok. It will be ok. I promise.

Just hold it together today. Tomorrow we'll embrace, cry, laugh, learn to enjoy life again and start working on your future. Your happier future.
Remember what we talked about this morning. Try to be positive and supportive. It will benefit and strengthen both of your hearts in the long run. You can still be OK, just not the same as before. "OK" can be very good place though.

Hmmm... I think it's a perfect time to get away from it all and take a little break from life, don't you? ;)

Know this - anytime you need me, I'm here. :)

~mick

[Lise]

Lise- for future reference- (I wish I would have thought of this sooner!!!)

Pineapple juice has something in it that is really, really soothing for sore throats- some enzyme or something.

And gargling with apple cider vinegar is very soothing, too.

Huh. I did not know this. The last time I had strep throat, I think I was 14 (32 years ago). Whoa. What a butt-kicker. Sometimes I get lesser sore throats, though, so I'll keep the suggestions in mind. Congrats on the raise! Richly deserved. :D

X-mas party at the clinic today! I saw 3 patients and I was done! :D :D :D Now I must go eat dessert!

Kit--I don't know what's going on for you, but I send gentle best wishes.

PNW girls, Mimi, Salsa--I hope the power's back on soon and everybody's OK.

Knot and Trek...oh, heck, you don't need any encouragement! Just keep on ! :p

[Xrayted]

Hey Kit - How's about I harrass you all weekend just for the heck of it? :D

[Kitsune06]

I think I could accept that. :rolleyes:

[Bikingmomof3]

Me too! :D

Kit, my 2,000th post is just for you. :cool:

[AllezGirl]

Lise-That picture of you and J is the best. You both look SOOOO happy!

Kit-ditto what Lise said

Knot & Trek-Glad to hear the visit's going well :D

Hope you all in the PNW survive the storm.

Congratulations Nanci.

I got an email from Hiker Guy. He can't ride Sunday, family obligations. He did mention that he had a good time Wed, but didn't say anything about getting together again. Dating sucks.

[Bikingmomof3]

I tried on my swimsuit after months away from the water and a scared myself. :eek:

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

He can no longer chew his leg, which is now looking better and growing pinfeathers back. He has stopped losing weight....So- crisis averted for the moment. The big question is, will he ever stop having the urge to chew his leg off, so he can get the collar off?

He'll have to have some things change in his life so that he has a lot of interesting things to see and do and listen to once his collar comes off. That's the only way to distract him from working on his foot. Mirrors, jingly toys that get changed/rotated every couple days, ropes or branches with bark to climb and chew on, many good things to chew and destroy (they love to shred cardboard!), radio and music, nuts in their shells to work on (almonds are good!), perhaps even a little companion bird in a cage next to him to keep him occupied and amazed. Give him nutiricious stuff to rip apart and eat- carrots, string beans, orange slices, celery, even stuff like cooked whole shrimp and chicken bones! Once the collar is off, daily spraying with warm water would be a delight for him, he'll make happy noises and open his wings to get more spray, and he'll spend hours preening and drying and arranging all his feathers afterwards. Parrots are extremely social, smart, and active. They don't do well if they sit for hours alone in a cage with not much new to do.
That's all I can suggest, hope it helps.

[Nanci]

The eBay person has refunded my money, although he claims to have sent several e-mails saying he didn't actually have the item and offering replacement items. I never got anything! I need to check my Junk Mail folder, though, but I check that ever few days- so I think I would have seen anything from him, plus from 6AM till 4PM at work my e-mail is unfiltered...

[Nanci]

Lisa- Roy is like her first (very spoiled) child. And she's a stay at home mom. He's in no danger of not having toys or being left alone! I bet, with time, he'll even be able to climb again. (He's got a cage big enough for an Amazon.)

Nanci

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

That sounds good Nanci. With my Amazon, I used to get a thick hemp rope and tie big knots in it and attach one end to the top of his cage and the other end to a heavy hook in the ceiling. Man, did he love to climg and swing and twirl and chew on that rope, just like a little wild Tarzan bird! :D

[Bikingmomof3]

AG- I do hope you hear from him soon.

PNW Gals-is everyone dry and safe?

Knot-continue having a blast. :D

Nanci-I am glad your money was refunded and pleased to hear Roy is on the mend.

Ayone want to come clean my house? T-20 hours until X arrives. :eek: :D :eek:

The :eek: is over the status of my house. The :D is beacuse she will be here in about 20 hours.

[mimitabby]

well, i wouldn't have believed it myself if you were to tell me how crappy
it was going to be last night.

when DH and my son got home last night they discovered that it rained so hard that water came in under the door in our daylight basement and flooded my son's room. The son uses the floor as his catch all. so everything was wet!
we got the water out of the house and 90&#37; dried out and went to bed.
The house was being battered by wind. I was surprised at the intensity and the length of time the storm was there, it was like a hurricane.
Then about midnight, the power went out, but the storm continued its pounding and shrieking.

DH, whose job involves accidents (like windstorm damage) started getting phone calls at 630am and went off to work. around 11am I went out on the FUJI that Eden let me try out and saw some serious stuff, rode a few miles to observe the neighborhood. A block away from my house, a huge tree is down and people can't drive down that street.
trees were down everywhere. The house across the street from mine is
on the same construction schedule as Salsa's and i am happy to report
that except for the portapotty moving several yards away, the new construction seems to have held. My garbage can lid is still gone.
I stuck around until 2pm (and cleaned the patio so more leaves wouldn't clog the drain and drown the house again) and decided to get out because i was cold.

Now i am at my mother's house. normally, it's about a 25 minute drive from here to there
but traffic is totally insane. All the gas stations have long lines of cars, and
i couldnt believe how many folks were on the road!
i was going to run home to feed my cats but the traffic was so bad i turned aruond and came back! again i am waiting for DH to get here. It looks like i am camping at my mother's house tonight

Nanci i am glad you got your money back. that is a big relief
yes, there were 1 million homes without power! and our entire neighborhood (about 4x 4 miles is entirely dark still!)
Lise, you look miserable in your before picture.

[five one]

Thanks for the update, Mimi. It's good to hear you got through the storm with minimal damage. Hopefully this will prompt your son to start hanging clothes up and putting things away. On second thought, if he's anything like mine (25), this incident will not change a thing :rolleyes: ! Sounds like it was a horrendous experience. DH is a consulting aborist and also owns a tree service. He's always very busy after a storm involving high winds.

Hope Salsa reports in when she can.

[KnottedYet]

Spam Sushi!!!

I have experienced the spammy goodness that is spam musubi from the L+L Hawaiian Barbeque a couple blocks from Trek's house. MMmMmmMM! I will have to try to replicate this fabulous taste sensation.

We did a little shopping in SF. We'll go back sometime later this week, as there is waaaaay to much to see in SF in one afternoon. Today we saw the Castro and Mission, and I got to ride the BART system, which is pretty cool. Except for the tunnel under the bay. That was little nerve-wracking, but on the ride home I didn't feel like I was gonna puke out of sheer terror and didn't have to fix my gaze firmly on the floor, so all is well.

Next time I'll be an old hand at the tunnel-under-dirt-and-under-water thing.:o

[kelownagirl]

Mimi - I cannot believe the storms we've been having, well, at the coast I mean. We get the tail end of them all - today some wind and more snow. I just want it all to end by next Saturday. The highway to the coast has been closed more than open for the past few weeks and I have to drive there next Saturday, and not miss the ferry to my sister's.

Knot/Trek - sounds like you are having a lovely time. ;)

((((Kitsune)))

Nanci - so glad to hear the bird is doing well and yay for getting a raise! A little extra cash always comes in handy eh?

My DD has decided that she's not going to my sister's for Christmas after all, not since she learned that I am getting remarried. She hates my fiance, well, she actually just hates that I have a fiance, and she doesn't want to be around us, so she's decided to stay here for Christmas. I have tried so hard to be understanding for over 2 years but for heaven's sake, she's 23 and I think it's time to grow up and stop being so self-centred. If she was still young and living at home, I'd be much more concerned with her opinion of my potential spouse, but she's not, and I just don't understand why can't just accept that I'm getting married. She's willing to cut me out of her life completely unless I end it with him. She's certainly had boyfriends that I didn't like all that much but I was always civil and polite to them and I didn't share my opinion of them with her. I don't know why she can't do the same for me. I am so saddened that she's willing to completely cut me out of her life over it. I think she's trying to force me to make a choice - her or my partner. Ugh... :(

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

She's willing to cut me out of her life completely unless I end it with him. ....I am so saddened that she's willing to completely cut me out of her life over it. I think she's trying to force me to make a choice - her or my partner. Ugh... :(

My 2 cents on this-
Actually, she is not forcing you to make a choice. She is not giving you a choice at all, it is SHE who is making all the choices here. If she decides to cut her mother out of her life using threats, well than that is HER choice. It is certainly nothing YOU would make into an either/or choice/threat thing. Your choice would be to not be put into this ridiculous power play position by your child. Someone who loves well does not force their choices onto others.
Tell her firstly she needs to stop threatening people, and also she needs to "own" her own choices and not try to force them down other people's throats.
Sheesh.

[kelownagirl]

My 2 cents on this-
Actually, she is not forcing you to make a choice. She is not giving you a choice at all, it is SHE who is making all the choices here. If she decides to cut her mother out of her life using threats, well than that is HER choice. It is certainly nothing YOU would make into an either/or choice/threat thing. Your choice would be to not be put into this ridiculous power play position by your child. Someone who loves well does not force their choices onto others.
Tell her firstly she needs to stop threatening people, and also she needs to "own" her own choices and not try to force them down other people's throats.
Sheesh.

You are right Lisa. She is making the choice and I won't be put in the position to even discuss it as an option. But she actually believes that by getting married, I am choosing him over her. I find that so sad. I have never given her any reason to think that. Both of my other children (9 and 21) are happy for me, and love my partner, and every single person we meet says it's obvious that we were meant for one another. I know I can't make her think differently - I am just trying to be patient and undertanding and let her know I love her and will always be here if she decides to "come back" to me. But I will not be put in the position of making that kind of choice. It's ridiculous.

That being said, it is still hurting me, and I am feeling down at a time when I should be so happy. I don't usually stay down for long so I'm sure I'll stop dwelling on it soon, but my mom is really upset about because having family together at Christmas is really important to her. Ah well, I guess we're just another disfunctional family. I was always so proud that we were all so abnormally "normal". :rolleyes:

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I was always so proud that we were all so abnormally "normal". :rolleyes:

Well, so now you'll all be "normally abnormal" instead of "abnormally normal". Big deal! ;)
Good that you have your head on straight about it all. Do try to have a good time with your family! Your daughter sounds like she is having a case of teen flashback. She's obviously feeling really insecure. Insecure people have a hard time giving out love, because they are still struggling with loving themselves- they don't have any to spare! :( Hopefully she'll mature eventually when she's ready. Good luck to you!

P.S. Mimi- so glad you are safe and your home is too!!

[crazycanuck]

ugghghgh...it's 38c today...:eek:

back later...

c

[crazycanuck]

Water, Water & more water...It's hard to remember what I want to say as I keep having to step away from de computer & visit the loo!!! Just trying to make sure i'm well hydrated for tomorrow. Watching pirated music on our computer is helping me relax..
Anyone for "Dream On"-aerosmith or "groove is in the heart" dee lite or "princes of the universe"queen or "sailing" rod the mod

It's not going to get below 20c tonight...great...Forecast for tomorrow is 36c..

Well ladies, i'm off to bed soon. My "stuff"is ready for tomorrow & no i've not forgotten the reindeer horns for the run.

X-have you left yet?

bm-Did you manage to clean your house?

Mimi/salsa & the seattle ladies-hope the clean up isn't too painful & the weather improves. Can you please send the rain this way?

Kit-:) :D :)

KG-Sounds like your daughter needs to realize life doesn't revolve around her..

knot/trek-what's the Castro & the mission? How's SF???

Must get to bed soon with the following thought..I sure wish i could swim as fast as i could bike...:eek:

c

[Bikingmomof3]

Mimi-thank you for the update. I am glad you and your family are safe. :)

Anyone hear from Salsa?

While you ladies are experiencing storms, we are having unusually warm temps, upper 50s and 60s. :(

KG-I agree with the advise given thus far from Lisa and CC. She needs to grow up. :( Not easy for you, but it is her problem.

CC-have a wonderful time, pictures, will will need pictures. :)

I do not know if X has left yet. My house is still depressingly not clean for company. :eek: Slightly freaking out this morning.

[Veronica]

Well, one good way to get your house clean is to have burglars come by. There were a lot of clean spots left in the dust. :rolleyes:

V.

[mimitabby]

hi guys, still at my mother's house.
i checked the seattle city light map and it looks like up north they have power
but where i live.. it's still dark. argh.
my poor kitties..
So,theoretically, Salsa has power. Haven't heard from Eden either. she lives in Seattle too

[Bikingmomof3]

CC- X has indeed left :D and is taking pictures along the way. :)

V- My house already looks as though we have been robbed. It is a disaster. What was clean last night, 3 teen boys destroyed this morning.*sigh*

Mimi-thanks for checking on the electricity staus of our fellow TDers. Is Oregon with power? Or did they lose power as well from the storm?

[mimitabby]

I haven't heard a thing abuot portland. But just reading my mother's paper,
it is even worse in seattle than i realized!
one lady DROWNED when a wall of water rushed into her basement!
houses were destroyed by big falling trees. SInkholes are in the middle of streets.
we were very lucky..
and i'm still worried about my cats, it's 32 degrees out/in!
i want to go home and start a fire in the fireplace warm the house up
and hope they turn our power back on today!

[KnottedYet]

It's supposed to snow near here today. Yeah, "sunny california"....

But Seattle sounds less fun.

[snapdragen]

It's supposed to snow near here today. Yeah, "sunny california"....


Surprise! We do have weather in California! :D One of our best kept secrets...

I finally got some good news on the elusive promotion - my application has been accepted after some minor changes. Yay! Now they have to "annouce" the position, the specs have been written to match my job description (Must have experience in operating a Linux based D3 database system, along with previous experience in hospital billing/collections.....:rolleyes: )

Chloe was limping around yesterday like an old crippled dog. Gave her a dose of doggie advil and made her stay calm (yeah right). Today she is prancing around like a pup again.

For Kit - a Kit to cheer you up:

[mimitabby]

Snap, congrats on being promoted!

Hey guys I am home in my WARM house.
D over fed the cats last night before he left so they are all laying around happy and warm.

I guess this was a rude awakening for those of us in Seattle. We never have power outages so we are not prepared. We don't appreciate our good fortune. It would really be no fun if the power was out for a week, it went below freezing last night.

We are really very fortunate. Now... I have much to do.

[Bikingmomof3]

CONGRATULATIONS Snap!!!!

I am also please that Chloe is more pup like today. :)

[Bikingmomof3]

Yes, X has had a long drive, but is almost here. :) She is passing through Columbus, still taking pictures along the way for CC-she said to tell you Ohio is flat.;)

I should be meeting her in about an hour. :cool: Yippeee!! :D

[mimitabby]

what a riot, scenic drive pictures to send to our friends down under!
hope you guys have a great time!

[Bikingmomof3]

Thanks Mimi! We will be posting pics of our adventures. :)

[kelownagirl]

Have a great time BMO3 and X!!!

I have to go finish my Christmas shopping right now, nothing like the mall on a Saturday before Christmas. :eek: Looking all over for a jersey for my son. We bought him a cool new mountain bike for Christmas - a Giant Rincon. Lucky boy. Also got him new helmet, gloves, and want a jersey (gear will be from grandma.. ) Don't post anything too exciting while I'm gone.

PS I see my DD just cashed her birthday cheque so I guess that means she forgives me right? ;) :confused: :(

[Xrayted]

Hey, BMo3 - knock, knock!! The shower felt great after that drive. I'll be right over...

Kit - Ya know, BMo3 and I are gonna have more than enough fun that we may have some to spare. Wanna join us? Jump on a jet and get yer buns over here! We're waiting... :D

Had a great drive. Got some pics for CC. Yup, Ohio is blissfully flat. Catch ya later!! Gotta go hug someone... :D

[Bikingmomof3]

You are almost here! Steve has a beer ready. :)

[salsabike]

Hey, you guys, I'm OK. Was without power for about 22 hours, got it back last night around 8:30 pm, but can't get reconnected because of arcane basement area network that only Mr. Salsa understands. Am doing this from neighbor's. Just wanted you all to know I and cats are fine and now warm again, and no major house damage. Scary storm. More later.

[Bikingmomof3]

She is here:

2349

[Bikingmomof3]

Hey, you guys, I'm OK. Was without power for about 22 hours, got it back last night around 8:30 pm, but can't get reconnected because of arcane basement area network that only Mr. Salsa understands. Am doing this from neighbor's. Just wanted you all to know I and cats are fine and now warm again, and no major house damage. Scary storm. More later.

It is good to hear from you Salsa! Glad to hear you and the cats are safe and dry. :)

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

She is here:



TOO COOL!

[kelownagirl]

Well X and BMo3 - how 'bout some more pics and conversation?! What are you up to?

[kelownagirl]

Wow, I just watched An Inconvenient Truth. Scary stuff. I pledge to ride my bike to work as everyday as soon as the weather allows me to.

Hope this is not considered a political topic... :(

[Fredwina]

Well ladies, I did century today and didn't get above sea level the entire time. 20 mph cross winds are no fun either!
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=12259
BM03 and X don't get in to much fun - I might have take you with me the time I go to Salton Sea. I was in tights and a windbreaker all day. We're having Socal winter - temps in the 40 with Torrential rain. So be sunny tomorrow. Get to see snow on Cucamonga Peak and make Tamales!

[Bikingmomof3]

We had a relaxing evening and I am so tired, but in a good way. :) If my filthy house did not scare her off, she will be back in the morning and I can hardly wait!:D

KG- we will have many more pics to share. I have not seen that movie, so I will add it to my list.

Fredwina-congrats on your century! :cool: It was sunny and upper 50s today, tomorrow should be sunny and in the low 60s. :eek:

[mimitabby]

ah, any good biker is going to have a messy house. a messy house means you aren't spending your life cleaning it!


Imagine riding 100 miles BELOW SEALEVEL?? and windy too? SOME people have more guts than I'll ever have.

my cats are very happy to have a nice warm house. Glad to hear you're back, Salsa, and I'm happy to have a nice warm house too.

went for a short drive today and saw a lot of damaged houses. Shades of florida. lots of houses missing shingles.

[crazycanuck]

Hello kids.

X-you're there! YAYAYAY...I know Ohio is flat...silly kids..
What's on the cards for the next few days? I sure hope you gave BM a hug from all of us kids. BM pls give our dear X a hug too.

Tri went ok. I'm not sure of my times but i zzzooooommed in the bike & did ok in the run but I had a crap swim.

Snap-I thought of you today-I saw a corgi-jack russell cross..

Kit-come back...I miss you...
Hey Bruno28's ok & it's no longer Noah's ark weather...

A couple of pics just for ya ladies..:)

[kelownagirl]

CC - yay on finishing the tri! How was the heat? Love your bike btw. I have a Giant OCR1 too :D

Fredwina - congrats on the century! I have not been outside on my bike since Nov. 9th. Pathetic.

BMo3/X - so start posting 'em!

[Xrayted]

Hey there everyone! We are having a blast here in Ohio. I drove over 470 miles today to hook up with some very special and incredible people. Well worth the trip. So by popular demand, here's some pics... enjoy ladies.

Here's one of 4 tunnels through a mountain near Pittsburgh.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r155/cbmickey/tunnels.jpg

PA mountain
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r155/cbmickey/mountain.jpg

flat Ohio
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r155/cbmickey/flatohio.jpg

how far from home...
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r155/cbmickey/miles.jpg

our hosts
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r155/cbmickey/jenandhubby.jpg

[crazycanuck]

X..Thanks so much for the pics..How did you manage to drive & take photos?

Ohio looks beautiful-reminds me of the praries!

KG-The weather for the tri was awesome!! It was around 23c...
I'm awaiting the results as I didn't set my stopwatch...I know the 10km bike bit took me 20min.

c

[Duck on Wheels]

Oh, I thought it was something I was missing out on...

Oh yeah! Catching up on the thread drift thread can be a big and entertaining job, even after just a few hours! :eek:
Example:


The latest on daughter's Roy, as of a couple days ago: He has an Elizabethan collar,

Having missed all previous mention of "Roy", at this point I imagined that we were learning the latest on DD's introduction of a new BF to the family, and that BF had some strange tastes or hobbies or ... something, since he'd turned up wearing a stiff ruffled collar ...


only it's put on upside down,

Upside down? Hmmm... At this point I was having trouble remembering what Elizabethan collars looked like and how you would know one was upside down.


so it's like a cone that goes from under his jaw to just above his feet.

OK. Now I got it. We're talking about a pet. And a bit later I worked out that this pet was a bird. But you can imagine the entertainment value of keeping the image of a boyfriend in mind as well, just for comparison. :D :eek: :D


He can no longer chew his leg, which is now looking better and growing pinfeathers back. He has stopped losing weight. He has to have his stump soaked four times a day, and has to be bathed twice a day. When I heard him on the phone, he sounded chipper. He has to walk in tiny baby steps. So- crisis averted for the moment. The big question is, will he ever stop having the urge to chew his leg off, so he can get the collar off?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Having missed all previous mention of "Roy", at this point I imagined that we were learning the latest on DD's introduction of a new BF to the family, and that BF had some strange tastes or hobbies or ... something, since he'd turned up wearing a stiff ruffled collar ...

It's the new punk/JohnnyDepp look. Young men defiantly wearing upside down Elizabethan collars.

[Nanci]

Duck- Roy is a Senegal Parrot that DD has had for years. If he doesn't stop chewing his leg off eventually she has to make the call to PTS. I really dread that day. Collar is new option from unliked vet- favorite vet didn't want to do it.

Washington power outages affected snake-keepers, too. Cold snakes puked up their dinners- natural defense when not warm enough to digest. Sounds minor, but is treated as a semi-emergency since they lose all the gut flora.

Great pics, X! Glad you are having fun!

Oh, Duck- DD is married v happily with 2.5y son. (I have Zee in one hand- using abbreviations.)

Latest animal news- a friend calls, wants to bring me a box turtle who was found wandering a construction site when he should be brumating. Ok- I'll see how he looks, and probably put him in with Fagalo to finish off the winter then release. Well, new guy has an upper resp infec, so is in iso in my bathtub, and needs to be 90F, but how, and needs vet visit for antibiotics- I can afford that like a hole in the head...But if I did as BF suggests and dump him off- he endangers wild population, as well as won't find food/water/hibernaculum. They don't do well when habitat is destroyed, only 40% chance of survival in new location...Just what I need.

It's so warm here- went on 4 hour motorcycle trip yesterday to winery in St. Augustine. I didn't get anything :-( But it was fun.

Craze- well done! How was it?

Nanci

[Bruno28]

2352

Hello ladies...not been around much lately, what with one thing and another. Weather has been terrible for cycling but good for the ducks. It finally stopped raining today and I have had a nice ride along the canal bank near my home. I even took a coupla pictures for y'all. Those are highland cattle for all you nature lovers. :)

Not caught up with everything that's happening but glad things seem to be back on track for most folks. BMO3 - you had me worried there. Hope you and x are having a great time.

Mimi I sympathise with your flood - it rained for days here and I watched the water in the fields out back of me rising rather alarmingly.

Well done cc!

2353

[Duck on Wheels]

Just went on the net to check whether Elephant Appreciation Day was Sep. 21 or 22 (it's 22) and found this calendar site:
http://www.brownielocks.com/month2.html

Did you know that yesterday, Dec. 16 was Barbie and Barney Backlash Day? It was also, and in a more positive vein, National Chocolate-Covered Anything Day (US only, I gather). So, Trek, did you and Knot go out and get anything chocolate-covered? If not, then perhaps a belated celebration today is in order.

[Bikingmomof3]

Popping in this morning to say hello before I get ready for company to arrive. :)

X-you posted the pic I asked you not to even take. Action shot of me leaning forward to talk. :rolleyes: Nice pics of PA and OH. :)

CC-Great pics of you from the tri. CONGRATULATIONS
on the completion of your tri.
You will see Kit again soon.

Nanci- I never thought of how power owtages could affect snakes, wow. Thanks for the info. Good luck with the newest tortoise.

[Bikingmomof3]

I was meaning to post a pic of X's bike and her new jeep last night, but I was too tired. Enjoy! :)
2354

Just for Mimi(scold X, she was so excited, look what she did!!!)
2355

[Kitsune06]

Had a long day yesterday, started in the wee hours, ended in...uh... the wee hours...

BMo3- Trying not to embrace the inner slug today. The hours yesterday combined with discrepancies between my watch and the actual, real time have me thrown a little. You folks on EST have it all wrong. Hate to say it... ;)

X- riding w/o a helmet?! For shame! What would I do if you crashed? After laughing, that is. ;) Not like I can be there to scoop your crashed azz off the pavement... :D

CC- Alive and well. :) Y'all will see more of me soon, guaranteed. I doubt some ladies around here would have it any other way...

Thanks to everyone for your hugs and thoughts... it means so much more than I can really say. (((TD)))

[Bikingmomof3]

Stomping my foot impatiently.....this is as good as I am going to look. The waiting could kill me!! Do you know what time it is? Half the day is gone. ;)

[Xrayted]

:D CC - great pics yourself. Wow!! I love your bike too.

mimi - that is honestly the only time I've ridden my bike without a helmet. cross my heart (and fingers) :D

Salsa - so glad you're relatively ok and posting again.

Bruno - nice to see you back. nice pic there too.

BMo3 - don't ya stomp your little foot at me young lady! :D Sorry to wear you out like that. I had a lovely time with you and your family yesterday. As you know, when I left last night, I had a very special package to pickup at the airport for you. I'll be over as soon as possible with your special delivery. (did you know it talks and everything? non-stop. I gotta feed it too. Dang. :D )

Kit - oh you just wait 'til I get my hands on you! C'mon over here ya smartazz! :p

[Bikingmomof3]

Still waiting....

[Nanci]

I need everyone to pray that A. the vet visit doesn't kill me, and B. the person on the snake forum who has expressed interest in adoption is serious.

[Nanci]

The side view:

[snapdragen]

Quite a handsome fellow Nanci. I hope the adoption comes through. If not, is there a rescue group near you - or are you it?

X - I think I've figured out the surprise! You are too cool. More pix from Casa BMO3!

I did more cookie baking yesterday, Double Ginger, Chewy Chocolate Cherry, Raspberry and Apricot Stripers. Today is biscotti day, but I have to go to the grocery store first.

Happy Wright Brothers Day to all!

[Bikingmomof3]

Look who came for the weekend. :D



http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e368/knittingmomof3/100_2219.jpg

[kelownagirl]

:D :D I love seeing these pics of you guys! You are so lucky to get to meet. Have a good day!

[Trek420]

in a more positive vein, National Chocolate-Covered Anything Day (US only, I gather). So, Trek, did you and Knot go out and get anything chocolate-covered? If not, then perhaps a belated celebration today is in order.

We had lunch with Bikerz, Mellisam. Spazzdog and Theresa (non TD'er, imagine that!) at Sauls

www.saulsdeli.com

Knott picked up some chocolate covered halva which we're having now with coffee....and working on a good healthy breakfast.

Bmo3, if you want your house cleaned invite Knott over and give her waaaaay too much good coffee....my kitchen is clean :rolleyes: yeah, I've been training...that's the ticket.

[Kitsune06]

OK, KG I must oblige. BMo3 and X are busy making cookies while I'm "supervising" and posting. ;)
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e368/knittingmomof3/100_2227.jpg

We all sampled Buckeyes, too. :D
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e368/knittingmomof3/100_2223.jpg

:D

So I can tell about my trip now- the surprise is out :) Had a good flight out, despite a longer layover in O'Hare than expected. Got to flat flat, flat Ohio around midnight and X was there to pick me up.

I hadn't had power for the last couple of days (yay for the wind storms in Portland...) so I was in dire need of R&R anyway. Got to the hotel and managed a nice bubble bath and soak- took awhile to unwind. X was about ready to collapse, but never fear, I recounted the entire trip to her non-stop until she was this close to smothering me. Consciousness was lost after some undetermineable amt. of time. :D

Was a slug getting up this morning... Eastern time being quite a change, y'know. Buuuuuut~ I managed to be decently 'awake' by 9ish PST, so there. ;)
X and I headed over to BMo3's house then and here we are :D Jen's a great host and I'm having a great time. X is periodically reading over my shoulder, *shoo! Shoo!!!*

All is well- much better than it was a couple days ago. Great friends and ...uh... great distances... ...and great chocolate... make everything better. :D

[kelownagirl]

Awww, makes all us TD'ers feel like we're there with ya! Thanks!

I'm off to do a little boy's birthday party today. Just two 9 year olds, DH, and I going bowling, eating junk, and seeing Charlotte's Web. See y'all later!

barb

[Bikingmomof3]

"Just because I am from PA does not mean I like to bake..."

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e368/knittingmomof3/100_2225.jpg

[Kitsune06]

Now, I wanted to turn that into a caption contest... but I "knew better" not to "provoke" the humor of TD. ;) *cough cough* ;)

My thought:
"I am not making cookies. I am NOT making cookies. I'm NOT making...
...
Ok. I'm making cookies."

:D :D :D

[Trek420]

awwww, Jennifer you look really happy.

Kit, we can see your eyes!!! You have eyes! who knew?

X-keep those two outa trouble. :p

ooh, chocolate has somehow magically arrived at my table. :D gotta go. :cool:

[maillotpois]

Wow - all these wonderful TD reunions going on right now! Very cool.

BMo3 have fun with your visitors - I wanna buckeye! They look yummy!

CC - wow great action shot of you with the bike at the tri. That is a really cool pic!

Be safe you battered PNW-ers. Some crazy weather you all are having.

It's 40 degrees (F) here right now. That's cold for us!! The kid is baking horse treats (thanks SK!) and we're doing some Christmas planning. Relaxed day. Have fun everyone.

[maillotpois]

Oh - Snap - congrats on the promotion!! FINALLY!! Yay!

And Nanci - I love Krusty! Very handsome!

[Xrayted]

Kit - It has been an extreme pleasure to finally meet you. You are even more wonderful in person, if that is possible. It's been a long time since I was this tired. Totally worth it though. :cool:

BMo3 - Thank you for having us out here with your family. You are an incredible person. If anyone is looking for a great vacation spot, come to (flat) Ohio.

Trek - Yes she has eyes! They're real and they're spectacular. :D So how's your little adventure going?

KG - have fun at the b-day party! Eat lots of cake.

As for baking cookies... ladies, they are also forcing me to make a Yule Log. :confused: :eek: I can't tell if it's coming out right or not. Is it supposed to look like a big blobby mound? ;) I'm thinking not. So, we'll gather round in a circle with spoons and go at it. Same taste in the end. :rolleyes:

[Xrayted]

mimi - Kit and I loved the biscotti! I can't believe you make that... it's so hard to make good biscotti. I have never even come close. Thanks. The handmade ornament is so cute too.

nanci - good luck with the tort. Hope you get it adopted soon.

CC- do you think if I sent you chocolate Buds that they would survive? Maybe I'll wait until it cools off there.

Kit and I are taking a break and going out for sushi. Anybody want some?

take care and have a safe day,

X.

[Trek420]

Look! Big yellow globe thing is in the sky, the sky is an odd colour....it's....it's.....blue!!

Knott and I are headed to the coast.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Look who came for the weekend. :D


TOO COOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :eek: :eek: :eek: :D :D :p :p

[mimitabby]

wow!! Kit went all the way to Ohio! how cool is that? I hope that sort of makes up for Jen's not having thanksgiving.
It is fun to see your faces, especially your faces together.

Jen I am amazed that you were able to save biscotti all week considering you have 3 sons and a husband.

X, you are quite the trouper, driving all that way and then getting Kit at the airport. (Kit that had to cost a fortune to fly out there, but i understand
escaping from your house without power!!!

Knot, you sure had the right idea leaving town THIS weekend!

and Bruno and CC thanks for the spectacular photos of the other parts of the world. The scottish countryside looks so sublime, and There in AUssieland
you guys look comfortable in wet swimsuits!!

yeah, Nanci, MOVE that turtle. you don't need another vet bill!

well, I guess I'll go cook a turkey.

[margo49]

Is that Bruno on the left of the second photo?
I sort of imagined she would look different... but she has such deep and calm brown eyes...
and where is her bike?

[Bruno28]

Is that Bruno on the left of the second photo?


ROFL:D :D :D

Very funny...I'm plotting revenge as I write.

(To avoid confusion - this refers to the picture of the highland cattle I posted earlier and is Margo's idea of a joke. Lots of pictures on TD just now)

[Bikingmomof3]

The timeline is a tad off because, well, I needed to sleep. I hada lovely nap (no photos of that).

Our day so far consisted of me meetting Kit (She is so dang sweet, funny, and pretty!), beginning the Yule Log and getting a start on christmas cookies with X while Kit and DH discusssed computers and then Kit decided X and I needed supervision. ;)

After baking several batches of cookies, the two young ones decided O should nap while they went for Sushi and headed towards Yellow Springs to hit the bike trail. Kit borrowed my oldest son's bike. I miss those two ladies, but I am glad they went out for fun, and, as Imentioned, I needed a nap.


Cookies (the Yule Log is cooling in the white towel
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e368/knittingmomof3/100_2229.jpg
More Cookies]
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e368/knittingmomof3/100_2230.jpg
X and Kit and the prepare to head out for lunch and Biking
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e368/knittingmomof3/100_2233.jpg

[Bikingmomof3]

Bruno-Nice to see you again and I love the photos! :)

Nanci-Krusty is beautiful! Have you found out whether or not it will cost a fortune to care for him? Any news on the adoption?

Trek-it sounds as though you and Knot are having a splendid time and meeting so many Ters!! Pics, we want pics. :D Hey cleaning or not, you and Knot are always welcome here. :) I am happy Trek, very happy. I needed this Christmas gift. :D :D Kit has beautiful eyes. After I took her picture upon arrival I told her to take the shades off so I could se her lovely eyes. :) Um, you do not want to leave X in charge. ;)
Enjoy the beach!!

KG-I cannot speak for Kit and X, but I am having a great time. :D How was Charlotte's Web?

MP=Buckeyes are a wonderful treat. Not needed with al the chocolate X brought and the cookies, but I could not let them leave without experiencing a Buckeye or two. The weather is overcast, but very warm, so those two hit the trails.

Lisa-it is cool. It proves we need a TD get together!

Mimi-This is a Christmas gift for me. :) It is perfect! Of course there was Biscotti left, I had every intention upon sharing you biscotti with them.

Okay, I need to get moving and have some coffee before those two get back here. It is so quiet without them. :(

[Nanci]

How much can an antibiotic shot cost??? You know vets, though. Unfortunately, he's gotta go as soon as I have money, like Friday. The prospective adopters would get him the middle of January.

Nanci

[Bikingmomof3]

Nanci,
I hope this is one the the inexpense antibiotic shots.

[snapdragen]

Note to self: Do not try to cheat and make "doctored" Pilsbury sugar cookies. The results are not pretty.

[mimitabby]

Note to self: Do not try to cheat and make "doctored" Pilsbury sugar cookies. The results are not pretty.

uh, Snap, how did you doctor them? Valium?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Jennifer,
It's so great that you guys are all there together!! I can't get over how great the pictures are- thank you for posting them all- what wonderful group of gorgeous and happy women!!

Nanci, perhaps if you explain the circumstances to the vet they might be willing to keep charges low for this tortoise, it being wild and this being a kindhearted rescue.
And also I do hope that whoever adopts it will be true to the goal of returning it to the wild in the Spring. They should bring it back to the same general area it was found but to a safer woodland spot of course, to be released again. I don't know about your area but here in NY state box turtles which used to be common are now rare. Partly due to habitat reduction but also due to people finding them and then keeping them as pets because they are so appealing. Those pets are then no longer breeders in the wild.
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1594/is_n3_v5/ai_15388171

Here is a cool article I came across about a particular box turtle:
---------------------------------------------
A Visitor from the Past
by Tom Tyning

I was on comfortable and soothing ground the other day. The woods were familiar as was the trail, mostly worn because I had tread on it for over twenty years. I have searched this area for plants and animals, collecting information, photographing butterflies and wildflowers and mostly using it as a great refuge from day to day life. Like most people I have my own special getaway where I am as comfortable as I am anywhere, including home.

So it was to my utter pleasure that I encountered one of my oldest acquaintances at this site very recently. I was walking along, not particularly focusing on any one thing. A few birds vocalized only rarely. A turkey vulture swooped low over the treetops. The first of the woodland asters had opened their flowers. But for the most part it appeared to be just another quiet walk in the woods. Then I looked down at my feet.

After my eyes focused I still could not quite tell if this was an apparition or had I finally discovered one of the great patriarchs of North America - an adult box turtle. Here, on the bed of oak leaves and lowbush blueberry, in the dappled afternoon light, a box turtle fits into its environment like most other species. The caramel-colored shell, alternately dotted and then streaked with cream spots and swirls, makes for one of the better camouflaged animals we have. I am always impressed when I find one crossing a highway. Here, in my own"backyard" and under more natural conditions, I was ecstatic. My excitement was to be enhanced, however, when something about this animal seemed familiar.
Drawing of an Eastern Box Turtle

I kneeled down to take a closer look. The dark head held two glowing, coral-red eyes, indicating that this was most likely a male. Female box turtles tend to have brown eyes. Its high domed shell, a characteristic of the eastern box turtle, was pitted and ragged along the edges. This is typical of old turtles and none in this country grow older than a box turtle. Accurate estimates of up to 125 years or even more have been made on New England box turtles. As I stretched to see more detail of the animal, which I left untouched, a tiny hole along the front, left margin of its shell struck me. This was indeed an animal I had known. Back in 1974, I was in the Forestry and Wildlife Department at the University of Massachusetts and under the tutelage of Dr. Wendell Dodge, and others. Dodge was one of the pioneers of radio telemetry and he was helpful, if not amused, when this local undergraduate announced that he wanted to put a radio on a box turtle and follow it for a couple of years. This was the turtle I had found almost twenty years ago and it was a mature adult then. The transmitter antenna was affixed to the turtle's shell by drilling two small holes on the edge of the shell. I spent a great deal of time with this fellow, following it on its short, but almost daily jaunts. I watched it feed on blueberries and mushrooms. Each night the turtle dug into the leaf litter, usually next to a fallen tree and actually created a small, dome-shaped den, called a form. Its entire activities were confined, during the time I followed this animal, to a small area - perhaps an acre or less. But after the study was over and the transmitter removed, I could not for the life of me find that animal again, no matter how hard I looked or how familiar I was with his habits. I had even followed him to where he dug three inches into the soil and spent the winter. Over the past many years I have checked and re-checked that exact spot as well as most other locations where he spent his time - but to no avail. I was sure that my old friend had passed on, one of the last of a declining species in Massachusetts. That is, until the other day, when at least one of us was extremely pleased with the reunion. It's hard to determine what a turtle thinks. After two decades, this box turtle was sitting within fifty feet of where I first found him. He probably thought I had not seemed to have gone very far either.

[kelownagirl]

Survived the birthday party - I still suck at bowling. I had the lowest score both times - I said it was golf-style bowling so lowest scores wins. :rolleyes: Charlotte's Web was good - very funny, I slept thru part of it as I seem to do these days, but woke up to shed a few tears when the poor girl died. :( :o

Glad you ladies are having a good day.

Nanci - those are beautiful shots of the turtle (tortoise?). I've never looked at one close up before.

Trek - we saw the sun here today too, and I said the same thing...

[snapdragen]

uh, Snap, how did you doctor them? Valium?

*snort* That probably would have been better....

I took the cookie dough logs, and rolled them in colored sprinkles. Then sliced 'em up. I've never used these logs things before, and didn't know how much they spread. I had cookie pans with giant melted together cookies on them. :rolleyes:

I think I have redeemed myself with Lemon Biscotti - made from scratch.

[Xrayted]

snap - please tell me you didn't use up all those cinnamon chips on those cookies...

well Kit and I went out riding in Yellow Springs on a paved trail. She dropped me like a bad habit... I loved it. Of course, she's still a PITA. :D

BMo3 and hubby showed us even more hospitality by ordering in Chinese food. Thanks J & S.

[Nanci]

I think someone better check on BMO3-

Great turtle story!!

Nanci

[snapdragen]

snap - please tell me you didn't use up all those cinnamon chips on those cookies...


Heavens no! Those are going to be used in Cinnamon Buttons.

[Kitsune06]

Snap- I've doctored cookies once...

X- Always the PITA, never the... uh. ... the um... ...

FTR, what happened was the family of la Chateau de BMo3 used their FF miles so suddenly Thursday morning, I'm asked "Can you come out here?" I say ..."someday...." X says "This weekend?"
..buth... buh? This weekend?!"

So yup, this weekend, courtesy of BMo3's fantastic family and FF miles, and X for giving me a ride from the airport and an incredible email detailing all the reasons why I so needed to come out this weekend. :D

I dropped X so hard. :D It was fantastic.

:D

Having a good day. D
"No shades required"

[kelownagirl]

I'm so happy for you Kit - you deserve it. :)

[Kitsune06]

*post deleted on account of group drunkenness*
:D

X has relinquished command of our group. We're in dire straits. No one will volunteer themselves for the position of blame. Huzzah! More cider and wine :D

[jobob]

[lurk off]

Wow, what a great story!

[/lurk on]

[maillotpois]

Oh man. THose cookie pictures should not be viewed by anyone trying to lose weight. Period. No fair. White flag.

[maillotpois]

*post deleted on account of group drunkenness*
:D




that is SO unfair. What about those of us getting drunk by our own lonely selves??