Thread Drift

[Aggie_Ama]

I didn't get to see the whole thing but my husband (who voted for McCain) was impressed with the speech and very impressed with the pastor. The speech would offend those who didn't want Obama and electrify those who did. Most political speeches do that, what I saw of it was good.

I personally was not a Bush fan but I was saddened people would boo him and be so disrespectful of another person. One of the things I always liked about him was his aw-shucks let it roll personality. I don't know if it is denseness or just his way of coping but it makes me smile, I personally would cry.

Did anyone see Michelle's ball gown? I am not a big fashionista but I like to watch the red carpet, her gown was a bold move from the sequined and lace frocks of the last 20 years. I dug it and am amused by the keen interest in her clothes. "She wears J.Crew can you believe it?" :p

[Tuckervill]

I liked Mrs. Biden's red one better. I like red.

Karen

[OakLeaf]

I forgot to watch the concert. Dangitall. And I read that they didn't broadcast Bishop Robinson's prayer anyhow. :(

I have an unopened jar of peanut butter that I'm afraid to eat. The company website doesn't say anything about the recall. I need my PB! Guess I'll just have to get some more pecans instead. I'm not really afraid of serious consequences but I don't even want a mild case of food poisoning, thank you very much.

[bmccasland]

Oakleaf,
I believe the PB recall is actually over a peanut paste compound that is used in other products, not peanuts ground into peanut butter. They've talked about crackers, cookies, icecream and such being recalled not jars of PB spread.

[Aggie_Ama]

I liked Mrs. Biden's red one better. I like red.

Karen

Oh yeah, I liked it better to. Had to go find a picture. She is a beautiful woman, I dug the red coat for the inaguration. It was loud, I liked it!

[OakLeaf]

Actually one of the first products to be recalled, if not the first, was end-user peanut butter. Not the brand I have in my pantry. But still. I don't plan to throw it away, it'll keep until I know for sure if it's safe.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Oakleaf,
I believe the PB recall is actually over a peanut paste compound that is used in other products, not peanuts ground into peanut butter. They've talked about crackers, cookies, icecream and such being recalled not jars of PB spread.

No, there are some actual peanut butters being recalled:
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/peanutbutterrecall/index.cfm#Pet%20Food%20Peanut%20Paste

We should avoid ALL peanut products temporarily until all suspect products have been identified. The 'bad' list is growing every day. Best to not take a chance until it's all been figured out. People have died, after all. :(

[bmccasland]

Actually one of the first products to be recalled, if not the first, was end-user peanut butter. Not the brand I have in my pantry. But still. I don't plan to throw it away, it'll keep until I know for sure if it's safe.


No, there are some actual peanut butters being recalled:
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/peanutbutterrecall/index.cfm#Pet%20Food%20Peanut%20Paste

We should avoid ALL peanut products temporarily until all suspect products have been identified. The 'bad' list is growing every day. Best to not take a chance until it's all been figured out. People have died, after all. :(

Mea culpa :o But I suppose the jar of Jif in my cupboard is safe since I've survive eating 3/4 of it. Just checked the web site, and it isn't on the list.

[Biciclista]

First ladys' wardrobes have always been a big subject of discussion, I can remember the fuss about every dress that Jackie Kennedy ever wore...
but that ball gown apparently was designed by a teenager!

I liked Mrs Biden's better too.

but what i liked the best was Aretha Franklin's hat. OMIGOODNESS!!!

[Aggie_Ama]

I remember when Clinton was elected and poor Chelsea was picked on for being awkward. Don't see the Obama girls having that problem since they are ridiculously cute and meticulously dressed.

Both Mrs. Obama and Mrs. Biden have fun styles. I really should notice something else but what the heck. I only liked Obama's dress because it was SO DIFFERENT, really it looked like a horrible wedding dress to me but it was just so unexpected. Kind of fun since it wasn't safe. Great, now I have to go find Aretha's hat. :p

[Biciclista]

http://cmsimg.freep.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=C4&Date=20090121&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=90121110&Ref=V1&Profile=1003&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0

she is SO BEAUtIFUL here

[Aggie_Ama]

:eek:WOW. I guess when you are the Queen or whatever you can wear something like that with pride?

[Biciclista]

yep. and i think i look funny in my bike helmet. :p

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

http://cmsimg.freep.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=C4&Date=20090121&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=90121110&Ref=V1&Profile=1003&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0

she is SO BEAUtIFUL here

Just so she doesn't sit in front of me at the movies.

[OakLeaf]

LOL! I loved the hat too! And the closing prayer. That guy definitely stole the show.

I hate to even say it, but did the quartet seem kind of contrived to anyone else?

[crazycanuck]

I didn't get to see the whole show :(

I was at my fave cafe today talking to the owner chick about Pres Obama & she loved the speech. BOth of us admit we still get teary eyed when we listen to his final election thank you speech. I need to go & listen to the Yes we can speech. I have to admit when you ladies were discussing this moons ago I didn't pay much attention!

I slept in today...I was supposed to go swimming but i think i pushed meself too hard on tues am biking with Ian & yesterday morning. I might get to sleep in on Monday as it's a long weekend here. Biking on tuesday morning should be interesting..how much glass can the Australia day revelers break?:rolleyes:

[Zen]

Miss Aretha is wearing her black ladies church hat and she is rockin' it.
She sounded damned good, too.
I thought the quartet was fantastic and especially liked how happy Yo looked.
Michelle's swearing-in ensemble was so classy.
And that first dance?
Mymymy. I want to make a remark about that but I'll practice some self-restraint. Rare, I know.

And there you have my Inauguration review.

Is is just me or does Bernie Madoff look like George Washington?

[Biciclista]

Oakleaf, I love yo yo ma AND Perlman. I also loved the clarinetist. so no, i didn't think they sounded contrived.

I thought they were thrilled to pull that gig, even if it was 28 degrees out.

[tulip]

I definitely dug the quartet. Simple Gifts is such a powerful melody, especially solo on the clarinet rising from the moment. Aaron Copeland used it in Appalachian Spring, which is in my top five favorite pieces of music ever.

And Aretha's hat is beyond wonderful! When I lived in DC my bus route (not my bike route--too much traffic) would pass by a famous and sought-after Ladies' Hat Shop on Rhode Island Avenue. Made me wish I was church-going just so I could justify buying a hat for myself. Never did.

If I was still living in DC I definitely would have braved the cold and gone down there, as close as I could get, on Sunday and Tuesday. As it was, I was happy to be warm and watching it on MSNBC.

[bmccasland]

I have been tempted by some very lovely hats at a shop in the French Quarter. Will be happy to point it out to any visitor - they make their own hats (WHAT is the word???). Came very close to handing over my credit card for a $500 hat, before my good sense gene FINALLY kicked in. No I didn't have an "occasion", it was just SO pretty.

[tulip]

I have been tempted by some very lovely hats at a shop in the French Quarter. Will be happy to point it out to any visitor - they make their own hats (WHAT is the word???). Came very close to handing over my credit card for a $500 hat, before my good sense gene FINALLY kicked in. No I didn't have an "occasion", it was just SO pretty.

A milliner is a hat-maker, and millinery is the craft/art/practice of hat making. They used to use lead (or was it arsenic?), thus the Mad-Hatter.

[TsPoet]

A milliner is a hat-maker, and millinery is the craft/art/practice of hat making. They used to use lead (or was it arsenic?), thus the Mad-Hatter.

mercury

[Aggie_Ama]

I am still having to take in how BIG the Swarvorski crystals are. One day I will have a hat like that just because I am the type who thinks I can. :p

[Zen]

Mad as a hatter (http://www.snopes.com/language/phrases/hatter.asp)

buy a Mad Hatters hat
http://www.villagehatshop.com/mad_hatter_hat.html

and speaking of stylish clothing, this from jezebel.com (http://jezebel.com/5136088/the-case-of-arethas-pillbox-and-all-other-things-sarto+inaugural)
"Sasha and Malia's colorful ensembles were all from J. Crew kid's line Crewcuts. When consumers figured this out yesterday, traffic crashed J. Crew's site."

[salsabike]

I thought that hat was TOTALLY cool. I liked the quartet and yes, especially the joy on Yo Yo Ma's face. I think the entire Obama family is just flat out gorgeous. I could have lived without Rick Warren, but on the other hand I didn't mind him greatly either. I'm just pretty happy.

[Duck on Wheels]

Yeah, Warren showed admirable restraint. About the only admirable thing about him. Lowery was magical! Almost made we want to be a believer. ;) The poet laureate wasn't as exciting emotionally, but I did ready myself to shush anybody interrupting. The poem was well worth listening to! The quartet was nice, in spite of the cold, and there are moments in that piece that are really lovely. Aretha still has some voice! Not as much as before, but she's a truly great musician and was able to carry it off. She also clearly knows how to wear a hat! Obama's speach, even though no sound-bite phrase sticks in my mind, was also well worth hearing. I've felt my hopes for his presidency dwindling in the past weeks, but he recommitted himself admirably to some of the really important stuff (you kinda had to wonder how Bush managed to keep his face in neutral there, and how the Bushes and Obamas managed to seem so cordial at the farewells :rolleyes:). Emotionally it hit the right buttons. Made me feel willing to dig in there and do my bit :). And while some of the local pundits interpreted his warnings to terrorists as militaristic, I didn't. That bit reminded me more of Krustchov's "We will bury you" which, being a Russian grandchild, I knew was a phrase about survival, about the old and experienced out-living the young and brash; it was NOT a threat! Another thing the local newsfolks got wrong was the stumble in the oath. My DH also first said, "woops! is he nervous after all?" To which I replied, no no no. He's got it memorized down pat! It's the other guy who screwed it up. Then they showed a rerun of the moment, and DH said yeah, I was right. It was Roberts who screwed up. Next morning the Norwegian papers had it that Obama had stumbled, but this morning they've corrected their mistake. And now so have Roberts and Obama. The oath has been redone.

As for the fashion aspect: I didn't stay up to see the ballgowns. I thought Michelle's yellow coat and dress were nice, balancing the dignified and the celebratory, also well-tailored, but the color and texture didn't show up well on tv. Then I read that it was wool and was more impressed with it. I was wondering how she managed to seem so comfortable in the cold with her coat only loosely tied and half-open :eek: And the green shoes and gloves kind of highlighted the in-betweenness of the color. So on the whole, I liked it. The girls' outfits were perfect! Jewel colors, nice cuts, age-appropriate, and warm. What I've seen of the ballgown after ... eh. well. nice try. I don't think all the gathers and fluffy bits flattered her truly elegant figure. But the flow of the skirt worked, and the ivory color worked. Then again, it depended on the angle of the photo. Some shots look better than others. And from seeing the stills I'm sorry I missed them dancing to "At last", but staying up the extra 6 hours for the time zone difference just wasn't doable. I had to be rested for work.

Anybody have news on how Ted Kennedy is doing?

[Blueberry]

Anybody have news on how Ted Kennedy is doing?

News here says he's home resting, and that it's just a normal side effect from his treatment. Here's hoping!

CA

[crazycanuck]

YAYYYY!!! Long weekend here in Aust :).

Lots of mtn biking to do :D. We're also helping out with some MTB trail maintenance.

Yayyyy

[Aggie_Ama]

I heard on the radio this morning that hat has been in high demand from the shop. Alas, if you are not the Queen you can only get a knock-off with a satin ribbon.

[Biciclista]

happy friday. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
no bike commuting for me this week. i am recovering nicely from my cold, but it's just TOO cold outside! (near freezing in the morning)
i guess i like to pamper myself.

[kelownagirl]

I love Fridays...

Hi girls, long time no see. :)

[Pax]

Hi KG! How's life?

[OakLeaf]

Hey KG, welcome back! :D

[salsabike]

CC, here's something else you might like to see, in case you haven't yet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-pzlZPRvx8

Look at Beyonce's face. That's no routine performance for her, and she's not just singing about romance.

I know all this euphoria will fade as the real difficulties of the world take over. But I think it's okay to enjoy it for a few days...

[kelownagirl]

I'm good. Been busy training and working etc. I have a student teacher now though so the work load has eased up A LOT! He's really good too so it's pretty laid back in my room right now. I'm getting lots of cleaning up and filing done. Yeah baby.

Dealing with shin splnts again. Working thru it. I'm back in the pool twice a week, and riding the trainer in the basement. It's been a long cold snowy winter here.

Right now I'm online trying to find a nice place to go for Valentine's Day weekend. Can't find anything available. I'm starting to think we should go the weekend before or after instead. What's a date anyway?

I'm going to go thru the TD pages and see how everyone's doing!

[OakLeaf]

Retail peanut butter is safe (http://admin.peanutsusa.com/documents/Document_Library/peanut%20butter%20safety,%20Jan%2019%20-%20final.pdf). I opened my jar, yummmmmm.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Retail peanut butter is safe (http://admin.peanutsusa.com/documents/Document_Library/peanut%20butter%20safety,%20Jan%2019%20-%20final.pdf). I opened my jar, yummmmmm.

Yes, the only actual peanut butter affected was apparently institutional brands sold in large containers to nursing homes, schools, etc...and that was quickly recalled.

We had a scare this week though-
I bought some new peanut butter for DH after reading about the safety issues. Bought our favorite small label brand (definitely NOT on the bad list). DH opened the fresh jar, had a sandwich....and then spent the entire night throwing up violently. :eek: :eek:
It was rather scary and we decided we'd contact the dept. of Ag & Markets the next day. But...
The next day DH had stopped hurling and had a big fever all day and said he felt like he had the flu. He stayed in bed all day drinking fluids. Today he is eating again and up and starting to feel better.
So we've decided it was a stomach bug. Local friends told me such a bug has been going around town.
I'll gingerly test our jar of peanut butter on myself in a few days. :cool:

I had real food poisoning from some frozen turkey burgers two months ago, so I was very afraid of the whole peanut butter thing. The mere thought of turkey now makes me shiver. :(

[OakLeaf]

The mere thought of turkey now makes me shiver. :(

I'm that way about calamari now and it's been 10 months. Weird how that works.

[crazycanuck]

We slept in this morning..:eek: til 9am :eek: Tis ok as we're doing our mtb ride this evening :). Ya see, we're heading to the goat farm track (used to be a CSIRO farm but no longer!) to do some hard hill climbs. Since there's no shade & it's on the side of a HILL!!!!, we'll wait unti it cools down.

A friend has lent me her cool new Pivot mtn bike while she's away :cool: & am curious of how it'll go. I'll post some pics later tonight.

K..off topic..Í think i'm going to get meself an Obama shirt..

[crazycanuck]

Anyone still talking to me :(

Don't kill TD!

[tulip]

I primed my kitchen space (nothing in it yet...STILL..except some wires hanging out of the walls) and dining room space (nothing in that yet either, except my 1985 microwave on milkcrates...STILL!). Tomorrow I paint it. One week from tomorrow the cabinets will be complete and ready to install...at least that's what I'm told THIS WEEK! It'll take another three weeks after that for the concrete counter to be ready. This has been going on since...since early November I think.

It's amazing how a coat of white paint (or primer in this case) really brightens up a room. You don't realize how dingy white can be until a brighter one comes along.

CC, can you get an obama shirt in Australia? If you need help, just ask me and I'll get one to send to you.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

My day was just sort of 'regular'- staying home inside away from the freezing cold outside. Sandwiches and tea...working all day at my desk and taking little breaks. Chasing after the naughty kitties as usual....
Right now it's 7:20pm and only 8F degrees outside and windy. :eek: Supposed to get 2-4 inches of snow tomorrow night.
It's just 'hunker down and stay warm' time.

[solobiker]

I hear you Lisa. We got about 5inches of snow today and tonight the temps are supposed to drop to the single digits. Brrrr, altough I have found NY cold to be colder then CO cold. By Friday we going to be back up in the 50s. Busy work day. Not much of a fan of Mondays, I have to plan out the treatment minutes for PT, OT and ST for the week and do weekly reports to the powers that be. Pretty soon I have to tackle the end of month paperwork for medicare. Fun fun.

[Zen]

Tulip, you have a microwave from 1985? Really?
It must be gigantic!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Tulip, you have a microwave from 1985? Really?
It must be gigantic!

Never fear, those sturdy early microwave models were for outdoor use anyway, so their size didn't matter so much.
http://www.cbreaksculpturepark.com.au/images/Images2/Pizza-Oven-edited.jpg

[Zen]

What is that? Is Ruby disposing of the bodies in the back yard?

[crazycanuck]

i remember our microwave circa 1982..it was a cool thing at the time!

Lisa-are you hiding Jimmy hoffa in your backyard? Is that what you & ruby have been up to? :eek:

Tulip-i need to check the Obama site to see if they ship overseas :rolleyes:

I cleaned my bike yesterday :eek:...ick...

[salsabike]

Visitor in my yard during the snow:

8485

[crazycanuck]

Oh! A woodpecker?

Tulip-they don't ship to Australia :(

This is the shirt i'd like http://store.barackobama.com/product_p/ts00127.htm or http://store.barackobama.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=TS29132

[Selkie]

What is that? Is Ruby disposing of the bodies in the back yard?

That's what I was thinking! Maybe that's what happened to all the boy dolls.

Lisa, is it true that Ruby had a thing w/Kenny Rogers and inspired that song, "Ruby Don't Take Your Love to Town?"

[Aggie_Ama]

We are supposed to get wintery weather in Austin meaning all Hell will break loose. I was hoping they would close the schools so I could work from home and stay with Maggie Bear, who has decided she is not going to play sick yet. Warms mommy's heart to no end! :)

My in-laws finally got rid of their still working microwave purchased sometime when my husband was a child. I had never seen anything like it, the buttons were inside once you opened the door. My Mammaw was flabbergasted when hers broke and she had to get ones with buttons, she always had dials. I wonder how she acted when she got her first microwave? The woman was born in 1918, she still cooks with lard, sifts flour and complains her cornbread isn't as good as it used to be because "you can't get a good meal anymore". Man I wish I was as cool as her!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Ever at a loss for words, not sure what to do in awkward situations?
The simple solution:
The Emergency Yodel Button! (http://www.emergencyyodel.com/)

Salsa- we get those pileated woodpeckers here too- they are gigantic and prehistoric looking!

Since people are asking what Ruby's been up to lately, check my sig line below to visit Ruby's very own little corner of the world I've been working on recently. She makes me add to it periodically. She can be pretty demanding.

[Zen]

she still cooks with lard, sifts flour and complains her cornbread isn't as good as it used to be because "you can't get a good meal anymore".

She knows her stuff.
It depends what part of the country you get it from, too.
Ask her what kind she likes, maybe you can get some from the interweb (or a TE source)


She can be pretty demanding.

That's what happens when you take away a girls Mary Jane.

[Aggie_Ama]

She knows her stuff.
It depends what part of the country you get it from, too.
Ask her what kind she likes, maybe you can get some from the interweb (or a TE source)


She can still do the New York Times Crossword in Pen but can't remember the name of the meal! She also can't remember how to make her out of this world spice cake (from scratch) and never wrote the recipe down, claims she used to just get it off the back of the flour they don't make anymore. I would kill for that recipe. And at 91 she decided to sell her house and move to something bigger but is mad that nowhere has trees. Man I love her feisty personality.

[tulip]

The micro is huge and very heavy--it requires two strong people to move it. To give you an idea of the size, it currently sits on four milk crates (making a big square) in my dining room. It has buttons on the outside, but it takes a really long time to cook things. It probably isn't very safe at this point.

The new one is in the living room sitting on top of the dishwasher. The cabinets are supposed to be done on Tuesday, installation after that (the same week--it better be!)

Shiloh is entranced by a squirrel outside my window only inches away from his nose. He just dove for it and hit his nose on the window. I better close the blinds now.

[Aggie_Ama]

Lisa- I so needed that for our Gag gift party last month. May order it now and keep it for next year. :p

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

The micro is huge and very heavy--it requires two strong people to move it. To give you an idea of the size, it currently sits on four milk crates (making a big square) in my dining room. It has buttons on the outside, but it takes a really long time to cook things. It probably isn't very safe at this point.


Are your teeth glowing in the dark yet?


Lisa- I so needed that for our Gag gift party last month. May order it now and keep it for next year. :p

Well if you learn to yodel (like I did!) then you can just do it spontaneously whenever needed! :D

[uk elephant]

I just read through Ruby's stories as a little break. Thank you!! Cheered me up! I'll have to bookmark her page in case more stories turn up at some point...

And now I had better get back to writing those lectures. Teaching starts up next week. Panic!!!

[Zen]

When I'm riding a path that goes through a tunnel I yodel.
It sounds like this-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BR_wfuQ-CIo&feature=related
Very yodely!

[TsPoet]

Ever at a loss for words, not sure what to do in awkward situations?
The simple solution:
The Emergency Yodel Button! (http://www.emergencyyodel.com/)



We don't exchange gifts for any reason at work, but I've asked each one of my colleagues for a yodeling pickle for my birthday. :p

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I just read through Ruby's stories as a little break. Thank you!! Cheered me up! I'll have to bookmark her page in case more stories turn up at some point...

Oh more stuff will turn up there, I assure you. Ruby has plans.


We don't exchange gifts for any reason at work, but I've asked each one of my colleagues for a yodeling pickle for my birthday. :p

The world would be a better place if there was more yodeling.

[crazycanuck]

I had a lovely ride this morning.ahhhh :)

Hopefully today goes well, I have a job interview this morning.

[sgtiger]

CC, good luck on the interview. How's your preparation for uni going?

[Zen]

wth they mean by "atmo"?
http://www.velocipedesalon.com/forum/search.php?searchid=118495

[malkin]

The link is a dead end for me, so, no, I don't know.

[snapdragen]

wth they mean by "atmo"?
http://www.velocipedesalon.com/forum/search.php?searchid=118495

and that's my opinion....

[Zen]

The link is a dead end for me, so, no, I don't know.

Hmmm.
Does this work?
http://www.velocipedesalon.com/forum/

[crazycanuck]

Zen..no clue about that link you posted..?

Sg-probably didn't get the position as i don't have enough experience in specific microsoft packages. However..I do have specific experience in a groundwater program that they use..
I dunno :( but the search continues.

[Aggie_Ama]

I hear crickets down here.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I hear crickets down here.

All I hear right now is the frozen sleet tapping on my window glass.... :(

[Aggie_Ama]

After my morning commute I am happy to see tons of sunshine!

[crazycanuck]

Dunno..it's just muggy here...I'm so glad i'm not out east!! 46C+ in Adelaide yesterday :eek: and for the rest of the week. They get some respite next week..38C..ooooo

This is cool! Ok, for me it's cool...http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7857256.stm

[Biciclista]

now THAT's crazy weather.

[Tuckervill]

I'm hearing the sound of 1 inch-diameter ice pellets falling off the trees as the branches give way. Hoping to have our power back on by Saturday. I'm at the coffee shop down the street warming up and checking in.

My pecan trees are pretty decimated, but nothing's fallen on the house so far.

Karen

[Pax]

CC - How hard is it to emigrate to Oz?

[crazycanuck]

Pax, i'm not sure how hard it is to emigrate to Australia. As a NZ citizen, I have the right to live & work here without visas etc.

Here's a gov't website that might be helpful! www.immi.gov.au

[Bruno28]

CC - How hard is it to emigrate to Oz?



Just follow the yellow brick road......

[kelownagirl]

Bruno - will you be moving to Canada?


Just follow the yellow brick road......

[Pax]

Pax, i'm not sure how hard it is to emigrate to Australia. As a NZ citizen, I have the right to live & work here without visas etc.

Here's a gov't website that might be helpful! www.immi.gov.au

Thanks! We won't be moving anywhere while our moms are still alive, but after that all bets are off.

[Bruno28]

Bruno - will you be moving to Canada?

Oh no - that would be too straightforward :rolleyes:

Our aim is to pretty much carry on as we are - some time here, some time there; some time together, some time apart. Not sure how long that will go on. Eventually someone is going to have to make some decisions.

I suppose being of advanced years we both have a lot of ties to our respective countries - besides which both countries are really nice.

Procrastination is our speciality.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Our aim is to pretty much carry on as we are - some time here, some time there; some time together, some time apart. Not sure how long that will go on. Eventually someone is going to have to make some decisions.

I suppose being of advanced years we both have a lot of ties to our respective countries - besides which both countries are really nice.

Procrastination is our speciality.

I like that you are making up your own rules as you go along and not worrying about convention. :)

[Aggie_Ama]

I just read an article on marriages that work and shouldn't by tradtional views. One couple is on opposite sides of the states, said since she moved several years ago their marriage is better. One couple has been married couple lives in the same city but not house because there quirks (she is a slob, he isn't) drive each other nuts. Good for you for embracing you individual and joint happiness, marriage is hard don't make it harder, right?

[chicago]

I cross this bridge 2x a day...and often wonder if I fell in somehow... would I make it in this water:eek:

[tulip]

Whoa, and those bridges are made from metal that you can see through! Great photos. Chicago is one of my very favorite cities (but I've only been there in May and June!)

[bmccasland]

I cross this bridge 2x a day...and often wonder if I fell in somehow... would I make it in this water:eek:

With our without a thermal lined dry suit? Can you land gracefully on an ice block? :rolleyes:

Otherwise, the answer would be for about 30 seconds. The good news is that recovery is much better from cold water drownings than warm water drownings due to the mammalian diving reflex. So if someone witnessed you falling off, got the heros there quickly, fished you out, did CPR, warmed you up, you'd probably survive and not be brain damamged. Now isn't that comforting? :rolleyes: Guess I ought to go get that second cup of coffee now....

[Aggie_Ama]

I was imagining some graceful landing on a block of ice and leaping block to block toward the barge. Hey, I don't live in reality it is far too ugly there.

[Biciclista]

you can make it. just don't give up. your circulation shuts down so that your extremities get numb, but your core will stay warm a lot longer than 30 seconds and if you can swim, and if there's something to swim to, or grab on, you can make it.

30 seconds is a very inaccurate time estimate.

[Zen]

There was a tiny tiny snake in the middle of my floor when I woke up this AM.

I tried to pick it up with kitchen tongs :o but it slithered under the door jam.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

There was a tiny tiny snake in the middle of my floor when I woke up this AM.

I tried to pick it up with kitchen tongs :o but it slithered under the door jam.

Cute!
Next time, quickly put an upside down box over it and then gently slide a piece of light cardboard or heavy paper under it, turn it upside down quickly- and dump it outside. Kitchen tongs could hurt a tiny baby snake! :o

[Zen]

I tried that but it was on a rug and the nap made it difficult.

[tulip]

My dog just bit my renovation contractor. Just got his pants, but still. I guess he's a good watchdog. I'll have to crate him before anyone comes in, though. Time to call the dog trainer. We have a few issues to deal with (children, other dogs, contractors...)

[OakLeaf]

My dog peed on the landlord once...

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

My dog just bit my renovation contractor. Just got his pants, but still. I guess he's a good watchdog. I'll have to crate him before anyone comes in, though. Time to call the dog trainer. We have a few issues to deal with (children, other dogs, contractors...)

Those dogs with cattle/sheep herding blood tend to nip at people from behind- at least the ones I've known. Yes a dog trainer would be a very good move- not great to have a dog that might snap at children!

[tulip]

Those dogs with cattle/sheep herding blood tend to nip at people from behind- at least the ones I've known. Yes a dog trainer would be a very good move- not great to have a dog that might snap at children!

He got him from the front as I was opening the front door--it was definitely aggressive and protective. Luckily, my contractor was very understanding. Yep, I'm calling the trainer.

[tulip]

Isn't the world an interesting place? Just after I wrote the above post, I took said dog out for a walk, and as I was walking up the hill, a car was coming, so I encouraged said dog to move to the side (no sidewalks!), and being rather stubborn, the dog planted his front feet and refused to budge. He usually does this when there is a squirrel in the other direction and he must go catch it. Or if there are children up ahead (he's scared of them).

The car coming up the hill slowed down and low and behold, it was he dog trainer that I've been meaning to call! She rolled down her window, asked me about the dog because he's interesting-looking, and gave me some advice about getting him moving again. We had a quick conversation about how I've been meaning to call her, and I said I'd call her after I got back from the walk.

I got Shiloh moving again and a few blocks later, he pulled the same stunt (refusing to budge), right in front of the dog trainer's house! It was kindof funny, actually.

When I got home, I called and I have a two hour consultation scheduled for next week. It's expensive but I think it will be worth it since I have so many questions about this dog and about dog care in general (I'm a newbie at all this).

[solobiker]

I have had a bad cold lately and the other night while I was in bed I had a bad coughing situation that lasted a minute or two. Well anyway after all the coughing I closed my eyes to go back to sleep then started to feel a coolish breeze on my face. I was trying to figure out where it was coming from as I did not here the furnace turn on and plus we don't have a vent near our bed. I slowly opened my eyes to find that my dog was standing over me and panting. Must have startled her with my coughing. Maybe she was making sure her "Mom" was okay:p

[crazycanuck]

It's like a sauna outside!!! The shade isn't much help either. 37C atm. At least we're not in Adelaide. Geez i feel sorry for them, 6 days of 40C+ !!!:eek:

I have an unhappy right quad & am going to see a bike fitter on Wed. I'm really annoyed as I get to a certain km mark & then my quad starts to hurt. I can't seem to fully stretch it out either.

I am desperate for a new saddle but can't decide which one to get & can't keep spending $$$$..

HELPPP!!!

[Zen]

I think this is SFW but just to be sure




























































I'm putting it down here. Too good not to share.
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/vaginaclowncar.jpg

[Selkie]

Zen

That got my Monday off to a good start. Thank you. Now I can face the commute out to Dulles!

[crazycanuck]

HA HA!!! *snort*

Umm can someone tell me how you feed 16 children?? :confused:

[Pax]

Excellent, Zen!

[Duck on Wheels]

Ummm ... I only count 14 children there, unless of course you figure the parents are pretty immature themselves. As for feeding them: Used to be, back in the days of big families on the farm, that you put them to work. The more hands, the more food you could produce. If these folks don't have a farm, then I have no idea how they manage. Corporate sponsorship, maybe? Teach the kids to sing and hire them out as a choir (they seem to be dressed for a Sound of Music performance)?

[tulip]

I've seen them on TV, so I guess it's corporate sponsorship. Seems to be a few of those mega-families on TV these days. The whole thing seems rather irresponsible to me, but there I go again...

[Aggie_Ama]

That was great Zen. That family is up to 18 children now, scares me a bit. My pawpaw was one of 10 but that was a different time.

I have noticed a lot of us of the childless by choice variety here. I haven't fully committed to the lifestyle but it gets more appealing to DH and I. And thanks to people having litters of kiddos (8 seriously?) the world won't experience a population decline if I decide they aren't for me. ;)

[Tuckervill]

There are 18, and they live near me. Only 17 at home, though! People here LOVE them. I used to be disgusted by them, because their type kind of "defined" the word "homeschooler" for the country, and that made trouble for those of us who were normal. But the dad did help us out on the homeschool law thing back when he was in the legislature (helped us loosen it up to allow more freedom). After I watched their show for the last season, I've come to admire the mother for her sweet nature, while still not caring for their proliferation. My son and I drove by their house not too long ago. Turn left by the giant white cow. ;)

That poster is very very funny!

Karen

[Tuckervill]

The difference between the woman who had eight at once and the Duggars is that the Duggars live debt free, own their home, buy at thrift stores, make their own clothes and will never, ever use any kind of government assistance to raise their kids. If they can raise them like that, who am I to question it?

I don't know for sure that the woman who gave birth to eight recently is on government assistance, but I can guarantee you that she won't be paying the many millions of dollars it is costing to make her babies viable and survive while they are in the NICU. Eventually that will trickle down to us, the taxpayers.

Karen

[Aggie_Ama]

The Duggars while not my style do it well. I knew they were debt free and the kids appear to be well behaved. There is a family with 8 or 9 kids across the street from my in-laws and they are all pretty good kids. They do go to public schools.

I read the one who had 8 has 3 sets of twins at home, all achieved by invitro with sperm donation because she is single. She will now have 14 kids and one parent. I know a lot of rockstar single moms and dads but none of them have a number of kids like that.

[Crankin]

That picture is ah, well funny. I know they don't depend on any public assistance, but it still upsets me. It's hard for me to say "to each his/her own" about 16 kids. But, who am I to talk? I could barely handle two when they were little. There was a period of about a year when I never took both of my boys out together, unless someone was with me. Too stressful. And they were not bad kids, just normally rambunctious. I was the queen of getting a babysitter for #2, so I could take #1 to his 30 minute swim lesson in peace.
But, it all worked out. At one point, I was A) not going to have any and then B) just going to have one. But, after I had the first, I wanted another and I wanted to do it quickly. So they are 2.5 years apart. I knew if I waited until the first one was 4 and in school, I wouldn't do it.
I used to get so mad when people would ask me when I was going to "try for a girl." Like I wasn't happy with my 2 boys. My husband had a vasectomy when the second was 6 weeks old and I don't regret that at all.

[Zen]

I think they use the older ones to help with the little ones. While that's reasonable to some degree I hope the older kids have time to be normal teenagers.

I don't think I'd want that many siblings.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I think they use the older ones to help with the little ones.


I thought you were going to say "I think they use the older ones as food for the little ones." :eek: :eek:

[bmccasland]

I used to work with a guy who was the eldest of 14. Said that at one point when his mother announced she was pregnant again, he cried with tears in his eyes, "oh mama, no!" The elder kids were expected to help with the younger, including going to work while in high school to support them. Don't know how all the family turned out, but as adults, they seemed better adjusted and happier than mine.

[tulip]

I had a boss who was one of 12. He never listened to anyone and was very difficult to work with. I finally figured out that he had never been listened in his life, so he just never grasped the concept. Once I figured that out, I stopped taking it personally. I also got another job.

[Aggie_Ama]

I used to get so mad when people would ask me when I was going to "try for a girl." Like I wasn't happy with my 2 boys. My husband had a vasectomy when the second was 6 weeks old and I don't regret that at all.

After seeing my brother-in-law with two girls my husband is adamant if we do have kids and the first is a girl we are stopping then and there. Doesn't help my college roommate was one of four girls and all were a bit on the high-maintenance, drama queen side. My brother in law still claims they are going to try for a boy, I remind him his odds haven't been that good and he better be okay with three girls first. :p

[Biciclista]

DOG..

so what kind of dog do you have, Tulip?

I'm still reeling about that woman that had the octuplets. no husband, no job, 6 other kids...

I never wanted kids, but after I got married i was immediately pregnant. So I decided, ok, one would be okay.
By the time I'd had my first son, I decided I needed to have at least one sibling for him. My husband had a vasectomy when I was pg with #2. When my second son was born, I started thinking about D reversing his vasectomy because I wondered what a third was like. Raleighdon is smart. HE KNEW.
I'm glad I only had two; one for each arm.

[Crankin]

I think I might have wanted a third, much later, if I hadn't moved and been away from my network of support, babysitters, doctors, etc. My husband "knew," too! But it wouldn't have been because I was trying for a girl.
It is snowing out. I still, after 19 years, get freaked out driving in the snow, despite the fact I have an AWD car and have driven home in blizzards. So far, my first class was cancelled, by the professor, but it doesn't look like the university is closing.
I made the decision to take the commuter rail, about 4 miles from my house, which will necessitate me leaving class 1/2 hr. early to catch the train home. Normally, on Tuesdays, I drive about 12 miles to a large parking garage at a subway station 2 stops from where I have to go, where the trains come every few minutes. Well, I can't deal driving home on the highway from there.
Call me a wuss.

[tulip]

so what kind of dog do you have, Tulip?

He's in the Show Me Your Pets thread. He's a border collie mix, probably with Australian Cattle Dog.

[Aggie_Ama]

I just saw a "show us your snuggie" thing on MSN. Am I the only one who things those ridiculous things are actually kind of cool? I saw them at the local HEB, maybe I can get one for my upcoming birthday. :p

[Zen]

I'm glad I only had two; one for each arm.

Each...arm?

[Aggie_Ama]

You can tell I am missing the mom gene... I told DH if we had kids no more than two because you run out of hands to grab them ears with and one gets away. :o

[Fredwina]

Well, since I haven't been here in a while......
The mom of 14 had hired a publicst for her kids:eek:
http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Reports-SoCal-Octuplets-Mom-Wants-2M-to-Tell-Her-Story.html
Not sure what kind of life they will have - the news have been painting her as child obsessed.

[Biciclista]

Each...arm?

yes, imagine yourself with your children in a supermarket. They are small and wild. You hold one by his left arm and the other by his right arm. Now your hands are full, what would you do with a 3rd?

[Aggie_Ama]

They are small and wild.

And yet all my in-laws who know better than I do think I am missing something in my life. :D

Fred- I saw that. Sounds like the kids are an E! True Hollywood story or made for TV movie waiting to happen.

[Fredwina]

And yet all my in-laws who know better than I do think I am missing something in my life. :D

Fred- I saw that. Sounds like the kids are an E! True Hollywood story or made for TV movie waiting to happen.

That was my thoughts - supposedly Grandma and Grandpa want to throw her out of thier house:(

[Aggie_Ama]

That was my thoughts - supposedly Grandma and Grandpa want to throw her out of thier house:(

I have to think it wasn't a decision they came to lightly. When your unmarried daughter has a litter of babies it is stress on all involved I would suspect. I just cannot imagine this is a good situation for the 14 children. :(

[Eden]

I think they use the older ones to help with the little ones. While that's reasonable to some degree I hope the older kids have time to be normal teenagers.

I don't think I'd want that many siblings.

Those kids (even if they did not have that number of siblings) would likely not have what most of us consider to be much of a "normal" teenagehood..... they tend to not talk about it too much, but they are members of a very conservative church - the no dancing, no showing anything above your ankles (absolutely no birth control - after marriage of course) type. The eldest was recently married and before the wedding had never even kissed his bride (and yes I actually believe he was telling the truth). I won't judge - they all seem very happy and well adjusted, but I do think its not the most mainstream of lifestyles.

[Zen]

What I was alluding to is that the human body is designed to suckle two at a time, not a litter.

[Aggie_Ama]

What I was alluding to is that the human body is designed to suckle two at a time, not a litter.

Maybe she just needed to fill her football team real quick, if science can help it is a miracle. :p What I am baffled, absolutely baffled by is the reports that she intends to breast feed them all.

[tulip]

The octuplets lady with six previous kids is really quite sikko. The religious family I can somewhat understand, but not the octuplets lady. It's a kind of perverse hoarding.

[Biciclista]

Maybe she just needed to fill her football team real quick, if science can help it is a miracle. :p What I am baffled, absolutely baffled by is the reports that she intends to breast feed them all.

yeah right. she won't even have time to change all their diapers. give me a break.

[TsPoet]

That was my thoughts - supposedly Grandma and Grandpa want to throw her out of thier house:(

The thing that disturbs me more than anything else is that she lives with her parents! I have no doubt my parents would have thrown me out. They are just facilitating her illness to no good for anybody. If they threw her out, she'd be forced to at least stop (before the latest group), and maybe get help raising the others in the world.

[Biciclista]

The thing that disturbs me more than anything else is that she lives with her parents! I have no doubt my parents would have thrown me out. They are just facilitating her illness to no good for anybody. If they threw her out, she'd be forced to at least stop (before the latest group), and maybe get help raising the others in the world.

They probably feel bad about the other kids. Geez, how would you even get 8 babies home?
No matter how you look at this, it's more than i can get my head around. I know of someone who had triplets. They had a whole church full of volunteers helping them for a while.

[Zen]

Phew!
When I opened the bag from the grocery store ( that was in the refrigerator) finally found the wallet I've been missing for two days.
:o
:o
:o

I hope those waitresses at Denny's got good tips today :rolleyes

[Biciclista]

Phew!
When I opened the bag from the grocery store ( that was in the refrigerator) finally found the wallet I've been missing for two days.
:o
:o
:o

I hope those waitresses at Denny's got good tips today :rolleyes

cold cash!

[Tuckervill]

Phew!
When I opened the bag from the grocery store ( that was in the refrigerator) finally found the wallet I've been missing for two days.
:o
:o
:o

I hope those waitresses at Denny's got good tips today :rolleyes

Imagine how'd you do with 14 kids!

lol.

Karen

[Duck on Wheels]

I finally found my watch that'd been missing since Xmas. It was in the closet among a bunch of bike clothes that have overflowed to the shoe area. I actually bought a new watch after a few days. Figured the strap must've come loose and the watch fallen off in the street somewhere. Oh well. Now I have two. :o

And luckily (not least for them) only two kids. Both grown up now and capable of keeping track of their own whereabouts.

[Zen]

8526

[Fredwina]

Must... resist... MoonPies.... in vending machine....
DOh!
too late.:(

[Duck on Wheels]

I asked for that one, Zen :rolleyes:

Never actually forgot the kids, but I did get home from town once and puzzle over who'd gone off with the car ... until I remembered that I'd driven it to town. Luckily I'd paid for parking up to the end of parking hours, so I just had to fetch it before 8am the next morning.

[salsabike]

Never actually forgot the kids, but I did get home from town once and puzzle over who'd gone off with the car ... until I remembered that I'd driven it to town. Luckily I'd paid for parking up to the end of parking hours, so I just had to fetch it before 8am the next morning.

I find that SO reassuring. Because it's something I would do. Or maybe already have but have since forgotten....

[Biciclista]

I find that SO reassuring. Because it's something I would do. Or maybe already have but have since forgotten....

lol, yeah really.

[tulip]

My dad forgot me once. I remember it vaguely. It was when my folks were divorcing, so there was lots of shuffling from parent to parent. I remember sitting for a long time on a curb somewhere. I can't remember if there was someone (a teacher?) with me but I think there was. I was about 4 I guess.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

My dad forgot me once. I remember it vaguely. It was when my folks were divorcing, so there was lots of shuffling from parent to parent. I remember sitting for a long time on a curb somewhere. I can't remember if there was someone (a teacher?) with me but I think there was. I was about 4 I guess.

Yes, I got left behind accidentally a couple times too when I was little.

[crazycanuck]

I have to share this..too cute!!! http://www.news.com.au/gallery/0,23607,5037289-5007150-1,00.html

[Biciclista]

One of the first times my son was allowed to borrow my car he forgot to come get me. I had to stand outside in the dark in 38 degree weather for an hour. Boy I was mad.

I don't think my parents ever forgot me and i sure never forgot my kids; I was hypervigilant.

[OakLeaf]

I can't believe the number of people in recent years who have forgotten their babies in hot cars. :(:(:mad::mad: Do they need to be either having children or driving, let alone both?

But maybe it's like everything else - it's really not national news, it's just sad local gossip, but nowadays we hear it all, even though it happens less than it used to. ? I hope.

[Pax]

Met up with a co-worker at the pool after work, he's a marathon runner who wants to do a triathlon but his swimming stroke is pretty poor. I spent a half hour with him and corrected most of his problem, he was so excited!! Very rewarding.

[Zen]

My mom forgot me at the dime store.
I was a quiet well behaved child but I'm making up for it.

[salsabike]

I was a quiet well behaved child but I'm making up for it.

It's why we love you. Well, maybe not the only reason, but it's high up in the mix.

Were you really a good little girl? It's always the quiet ones...like Ruby...

Pax, how fun to be able to show a marathoner how to swim better--so gratifying.

[crazycanuck]

I think I was Ruby in disguise when i was a tween..:eek:

I don't think i was forgotten about when I was younger. Ok, my mom did forget my birthday once :(

Oh joy, i've had a peek at next week's forecast..oh joy..39C on Tuesday.

[Bruno28]

I wish these dark days would end - I mean literally not metaphorically.

I am soooooo tired of this unrelenting gloom and not seeing the sun.

[Aggie_Ama]

I wish it would rain. My in-laws are selling off cattle because the drought is making it too expensive. :(

[Aggie_Ama]

Zen I saw this article and thought of you, apparently Etta isn't a Beyonce fan?
http://music.msn.com/music/article.aspx?news=350866&gt1=28102

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I really miss riding my bikes. :(

[kelownagirl]

I really miss riding my bikes. :(

Me too!!! Can't wait for spring....

[crazycanuck]

I'm sure your bikes understand and will be more than happy to wait until it's warmer outside for them. If you ride outside now, your poor bike will freeze :(

Next week, my legs will melt..I'm sure my poor bike doesn't enjoy the sunburn..

Here are two more photos of wildlife dealing with the recent heatwave..poor sheepies..

[Zen]

I'm riding tomorrow...and this weekend :) then I have dental surgery Monday :(

Last night I dreamed Arnold Schwarznegger was going to buy me whatever I wanted. I didn't want to seem greedy so I asked for a Rivendell Glorius :D

[Selkie]

I really miss riding my bikes. :(

I'm with you. Luckily, it's warming up this weekend, so I'm going to try to make it outside. I'll be riding my beater bike---don't want to subject the nice rides to all that salt.

Everyone be vigilant for the new crop of pot holes!

The one benefit of this brutal cold and the recent snow/ice---Coach Troy has had me working hard, which has shaken things up. Some crosstraining with Powerstrike has helped w/my core and upper body strength.

[OakLeaf]

Ow Zen, good luck with the surgery. If you're having dreams like that without anesthesia you should do pretty good! :D

I had the world's most awesome massage yesterday. The therapist is a Reiki practitioner in addition to doing neuromuscular work with amazing attention to detail. As she described it, she opened up my body to release endorphins and receive her attention before she started getting into the trigger points, so the muscles and fascia would let go more readily and without pain. I kept thinking, "I know this should really be hurting," but it didn't. I'm not sore today either, and the difference in my shoulder in pain and range of motion is enormous. I've had massages this effective before, but not without going through searing pain and a couple of days of soreness. She identified several other long-standing imbalances in my body that I hadn't even mentioned... you bet we'll be getting into those soon.

[Aggie_Ama]

One of my closest friends dropped the "I am knocked up" bomb on me yesterday. She has been with the guy for 5 years but not married and this wasn't planned. I think she called me because I would not squeel and would tell her it is okay that at just 6 weeks along she isn't excited yet. We ended up laughing hysterically for the phone call, I wish she didn't live in Ohio.

[sgtiger]

Phew!
When I opened the bag from the grocery store ( that was in the refrigerator) finally found the wallet I've been missing for two days.
:o
:o
:o


I did that with my keys once.:rolleyes::eek::D

******

When I worked in retail, there were a handful of instances where my co-workers found kids waiting in cars. The kids were brought in and waited in the employees lounge until the frantic parents came to the service desk to inquire if anyone had seen their child. We all hoped that the fright was enough for the parents never to do it again considering that the kids were usually pretty quick to unlock the door and follow a stranger much less the dangers of being left in a hot car.

'Course there were the parents who would open a toy for a child in the toy department and leave them there to play while they shopped. One of the children we found was as young as 3 who was sleeping on a pile of stuffed animals. A co-worker and I tried to get him to follow us to the front desk to where we normally paged the parents of lost children. He told us that he couldn't because his mommy had told him needed to wait for her there. Our store manager, who is a dedicated family man, sternly lectured the parent that if it ever happened again in his store that he would call the proper authorities when she finally showed up.

[Biciclista]

'Course there were the parents who would open a toy for a child in the toy department and leave them there to play while they shopped. One of the children we found was as young as 3 who was sleeping on a pile of stuffed animals. A co-worker and I tried to get him to follow us to the front desk to where we normally paged the parents of lost children. He told us that he couldn't because his mommy had told him needed to wait for her there. Our store manager, who is a dedicated family man, sternly lectured the parent that if it ever happened again in his store that he would call the proper authorities when she finally showed up.

wow, that's a story!!!
TGIF that's all i'm going to say.

[Crankin]

One time, on a Friday, I had my nanny drop my older son off at the Tempe Community Center for his art enrichment class. He was 6, in kindergarten. I don't remember where my younger son was, but I went to the community center after work to get him, and when I walked in, there was a big sign saying that the class had been cancelled. Now this was before cell phones and I was in a momentary panic. I went to the office, and there he was, playing with one of the secretary's typewriter. They had been trying to call our house and my work, since he knew the numbers, but no one was at either place. My nanny had just dropped him off, saw him go in, and left, since they had not called to say the class was cancelled and it was near the end of the school year, so she trusted him to walk the few feet into the building.
I was in a fright. I wasn't mad at her, because I would have done the same thing. But, I learned my lesson.

[Duck on Wheels]

This being the drifting thread, I'm going to toss in a new theme out of the blue. Or out of the white, as the case may be. I just got home from Oslo. Usually this is a 50-minute flight, with planes running in parallel from two different companies more or less hourly. I was booked on a flight at 8pm. At about 7:30 they announced a delay (I knew it was coming, since there was no plane at the jetway): 8:15. Then another to 8:25. Then to 8:35, but the guy at the gate said he had his doubts about that one too. Problem was that our plane was circling while the snowplows cleared the runway (back and forth and back and forth -- it was coming down pretty thick just then), but even when it landed, the crew on board was headed off duty. The crew that was supposed to take over was supposed to be arriving on a flight from Haugesund, but they were stuck there in a full gail blizzard. He suggested that those of us without luggage try a couple gates over. The 7:20 pm flight was also delayed, but they had a machine and crew and were now hoping to leave at about 8:10. When I got there, that too had been changed to 8:25, but the plane was there in de-boarding phase (just arrived). So ok. I re-checked in. Got a great seat assignment (2nd row, aisle). Waited. Waited. Finally we boarded. Full flight, so it took some time. Not that the drunk Swede who stopped in the doorway to chew out the crew for the delay helped at all by blocking all the rest of us from getting to our seats. But the crew cheerfully answered him and got him to move on. We got throught the safety floor show and were ready to push back. Then we sat there. And sat there. Somebody in a mechanic's suit rushed in. And left. Then the captain announced bad news. The driver of the push-back tractor has made one of those mistakes you only get to make once in your career. He forgot to unplug the plane's electrical connection from the ground supply. He'd ripped the cable and pulled off a chunk of the body of the plane. We were to remain seated while they off-loaded all luggage and drove some buses over, then we'd be de- boarded and re-boarded to another plane. That bit went suprisingly smoothly, with a whole team of girl gymnasts singing a welcome-to-summer song ("All the birdies, small they are, soon they'll be returning ..." - my translation). On the bus ride to the other side of the terminal we passed our "8:00 pm" flight, also still at its gate. But apparently they finally took off about the same time we did. When we'd landed and I got into my share-cab, the next passenger was from that other flight. He'd missed the adventure, and we'd landed just minutes apart.

[TsPoet]

I did that with my keys once.:rolleyes::eek::D
'Course there were the parents who would open a toy for a child in the toy department and leave them there to play while they shopped. One of the children we found was as young as 3 who was sleeping on a pile of stuffed animals. A co-worker and I tried to get him to follow us to the front desk to where we normally paged the parents of lost children. He told us that he couldn't because his mommy had told him needed to wait for her there. Our store manager, who is a dedicated family man, sternly lectured the parent that if it ever happened again in his store that he would call the proper authorities when she finally showed up.

Signs I've seen:
In a Toyota dealership: Kids left unattended will be Towed.
In my favorite Espresso place: Kids left unattended will be given a latte and a puppy

[Tuckervill]

Whew, Duck, what an ordeal!

Karen

[uk elephant]

So winter is causing trouble in Norway too, eh? Here the country has been shut down for a week and panic is about to break out (or at least it appears that way from watching the news). Of course we don't have nearly as much snow or low temperatures but local councils are now running out of road salt, Wales has at times been shut off from the rest of the country due to closed roads and bridges, and schools have been shut for most of the week. When will spring arrive??!!! I'm fed up of being cold!

[Duck on Wheels]

It's a good thing I flew home yesterday. Tonight they've shut both runways at the Oslo airport. They've got an armada of snowplows that drive in a long chain, bumper to bumper if need be, to clear the snow, but tonight they couldn't keep up with it and have declared the runways too slick for safe landings. Highly unusual! We're accustomed to snow here and can usually deal with it.

[Aggie_Ama]

I'm sure your bikes understand and will be more than happy to wait until it's warmer outside for them. If you ride outside now, your poor bike will freeze :(

Next week, my legs will melt..I'm sure my poor bike doesn't enjoy the sunburn..

Here are two more photos of wildlife dealing with the recent heatwave..poor sheepies..

We are having a terrible drought, cattle are falling over dead from malnourishment or having to be shot after farmers cannot get them out of the mud that once was their ponds for water and cooling off. These photos break my heart. I hope the end is near for your heatwave and our drought.

[crazycanuck]

UKe-Ian & I had to laugh(in a nice way..) when we heard the UK had come to a standstill after some snow...

It reminded us of how Vancouverites act when they recieve snow. The whole country hears about it & wonder what the fuss is about...Those of us who are from a snowy city in Canada roll our eyes when Vancouverites panic about snow :rolleyes:. They've not endured -35C & massive snowdrifts...

Amanda-Most of Eastern Australia is under severe drought as well but has not recieved much rain in moons. When we drove to Sydney, we drove through the top of NSW & saw how dry it is. I don't know how farmers do it :(

[Selkie]

UKe-Ian & I had to laugh(in a nice way..) when we heard the UK had come to a standstill after some snow...

It reminded us of how Vancouverites act when they recieve snow. The whole country hears about it & wonder what the fuss is about...Those of us who are from a snowy city in Canada roll our eyes when Vancouverites panic about snow :rolleyes:. They've not endured -35C & massive snowdrifts...



Of course, most of you probably heard about the President calling us in DC winter weather wimps. I'm from winter-hardy Pittsburgh, and when I moved to DC in 1987, I thought the same thing. It didn't take long for me to change my mind.

The bottom line is that DC and probably Vancouver, the UK, etc. don't get enough snow to warrant the expense of municipalities investing in proper snow removal equipment, sufficient salt/sand/melter, road maintenance personnel, etc. So when we get hit w/a snow/ice event, we lack the resources and practice to deal handle it to "Chicago" standards!

Sigh. Another four years of burning AL during/after ice storms!! :(

[Eden]

Of course, most of you probably heard about the President calling us in DC winter weather wimps. I'm from winter-hardy Pittsburgh, and when I moved to DC in 1987, I thought the same thing. It didn't take long for me to change my mind.

The bottom line is that DC and probably Vancouver, the UK, etc. don't get enough snow to warrant the expense of municipalities investing in proper snow removal equipment, sufficient salt/sand/melter, road maintenance personnel, etc. So when we get hit w/a snow/ice event, we lack the resources and practice to deal handle it to "Chicago" standards!

Sigh. Another four years of burning AL during/after ice storms!! :(

It happens out here too - I'm also from Pittsburgh (and the hubby is from Maine) and we still laugh when panic sets in here over snow, but we do realize the city is not equipped to handle it so it gets much worse, faster. (and no I don't think it matters that Seattle is hilly.... Pgh is just as hilly if not more... the biggest difference is that they *salt*, and to tell the truth for the amount of snow we get I'd just as soon not see salt on our roads... its really damaging to everything) People aren't equipped to handle it either. No one has snow tires - a lot of people don't even know how to walk on ice... (or that they are the ones required to shovel their sidewalks... I head a lot of belly aching about the city not keeping sidewalks clear.. uhhhhh that's *your* responsibility mr/ms property owner)

[lph]

It's a good thing I flew home yesterday. Tonight they've shut both runways at the Oslo airport. They've got an armada of snowplows that drive in a long chain, bumper to bumper if need be, to clear the snow, but tonight they couldn't keep up with it and have declared the runways too slick for safe landings. Highly unusual! We're accustomed to snow here and can usually deal with it.

The snow here now is quite amazing. It hasn't been the usual "short blizzard", it's just been slowly and lazily drifting down for hours. I've been stuck on the couch with the flu watching the snow pile up on the veranda and hearing all sounds getting more and more muffled. Very peaceful. The small table outside that looks like a spaceship in winter with a neat pillow of snow on top is now completely swallowed up by the snow around it and looks like this weird ancient phallus symbol. The skiers are ecstatic, drivers have given up, the buses are running again, erratically, and I'm happy I can take the metro to work tomorrow.

Oh - hi, everyone :) I've lurked here but I'm not sure I've posted here before :)

[Aggie_Ama]

Of course, most of you probably heard about the President calling us in DC winter weather wimps. I'm from winter-hardy Pittsburgh, and when I moved to DC in 1987, I thought the same thing. It didn't take long for me to change my mind.

The bottom line is that DC and probably Vancouver, the UK, etc. don't get enough snow to warrant the expense of municipalities investing in proper snow removal equipment, sufficient salt/sand/melter, road maintenance personnel, etc. So when we get hit w/a snow/ice event, we lack the resources and practice to deal handle it to "Chicago" standards!

Sigh. Another four years of burning AL during/after ice storms!! :(

People who transplant from northern areas flip out in Austin when the city shuts down for ice. We don't even get ice every winter, why would natives know how to drive on it and why would the city be equipped to ice all our high overpasses? My friend visited from CT and was floored at our "Flyover" overpasses because with her winter weather they would be impractical and deadly.

It is raining this morning. Beautiful, glorious rain!! We only need about 15" to get us back to even on this drought but what a lovely sound this morning. Wish someone would tell the dogs it is a good thing. :p

[Zen]

I'm on drugs, sleepy and in pain.
See ya

[OakLeaf]

Hope your tooth (teeth) feel/s better soon Zen.

[Fredwina]

I hope so too.
We had no power at work today, so I got to go home at noon:D of course it's raining cats and dogs:(

[Zen]

My teeth feel fine.
We no longer share a relationship :p
I had to have this procedure performed at a surgery center because they were concerned about bleeding/clotting time.
I had to put on this gown that had "ports" in it. they looked like the hole in the top of a vacuum cleaner bag.
Well, they put a hose in that port and cranked up heated air. I was poofing up like the Stay-Puft Marshmallow man

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/staypuft_marshmallow_man.jpg
I asked if they could put it on reverse so I could get shrink wrapped but no.
I also asked one of the nurses to give my phone number to the anesthesiologist but I doubt that will work out either.

No solid foods for three days I'm on the ice cream diet.
So I got that going for me :p

[Tuckervill]

They kept you warm with heated air? How cool is that?

Heal well, Zen.

How come I can't make biscuits??? Just some baking powder biscuits for a quick meal....I followed the directions PRECISELY and rolled them out, but they didn't rise. They came out like little disks. So I made another batch, didn't roll them, just balled them up, and they still didn't rise. They came out looking like they went in. Taste fine, look terrible.

Karen

[solobiker]

I hope you heal fast Zen. When you described the gown it reminded me of the "hair dryer" my Mom used to pu on my head. It was this cover like thing..like a hat with a tube. Once it was on my head she would turn it on and it would puff out with hot air. I will see if I can find a pic.

[Tuckervill]

Okay, I think I finally figured it out. Cold shortening. I didn't use ice cold shortening, which I know to use for pie crusts, but I didn't know about biscuits. I'll try that next time.

Karen

[solobiker]

I found it!! This is an old pic, from the early 70s. I bet you are all jealous of my fancy hair dryer. Look, it is hands free.!!




http://i469.photobucket.com/albums/rr57/solobiker27/img199.jpg

[Zen]

This is an old pic, from the early 70s.




You look like you have a platinum 'Fro :D

We had a hairdryer like that.
Groovy.

[salsabike]

My teeth feel fine.
We no longer share a relationship :p
I had to have this procedure performed at a surgery center because they were concerned about bleeding/clotting time.
I had to put on this gown that had "ports" in it. they looked like the hole in the top of a vacuum cleaner bag.
Well, they put a hose in that port and cranked up heated air. I was poofing up like the Stay-Puft Marshmallow man

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/staypuft_marshmallow_man.jpg
I asked if they could put it on reverse so I could get shrink wrapped but no.
I also asked one of the nurses to give my phone number to the anesthesiologist but I doubt that will work out either.

No solid foods for three days I'm on the ice cream diet.
So I got that going for me :p

This sounds like a particularly bizarre party you might have gone to this weekend (not sure what this observation says about me, but I digress).

Warm chocolate pudding is also good after dental surgery--my personal favorite.

Solo, love the hairdryer hood.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Scary marshmallow men, scary martian hair dryers.....what's next??

Zen I hope you feel better soon. :o

[bmccasland]

Hope you get to feeling better Zen. Corn mash works well too. :p

[Biciclista]

what a cute little girl picture. OOOh, we should post photos from our childhood!! that's one cornball thing we haven't done here that everyone gets a kick out of. if you're on a bike so much the better, but hey...

[Zen]

Corn mash works well too. :p
We call it sour mash down here in the holler.

[snapdragen]

I had to put on this gown that had "ports" in it. they looked like the hole in the top of a vacuum cleaner bag.
Well, they put a hose in that port and cranked up heated air.


Bair Paws (http://www.bairpaws.com/arizanthealthcare/bp-patients.shtml)! I was in one of those too -- way cool. :cool:

[solobiker]

You look like you have a platinum 'Fro :D

We had a hairdryer like that.
Groovy.

Yeah, I am just sooooo cool.

[OakLeaf]

The gown begs the question of why health care facilities are kept so cold that hypothermia is a real threat and an impediment to healing, as the product material suggests. Surely microorganisms can't grow that much better at a comfortable room temperature? Especially considering that the gown claims to reduce infection?

[Bruno28]

Hope you feel better soon Zen.

Custard is my healing comfort food.

[Aggie_Ama]

Hope you get to feeling better Zen. Corn mash works well too. :p

Grits? My dad eats them. You can adopt the boy from his coon-a$$ biological family but you can't take it out of him. No one else in the family will touch them, but I do love some hominy which only Daddy will eat (DH won't). DH's roommate from the Golden Triangle used to eat grits too.

[Zen]

No, not grits. I'm pretty sure Beth was talking about corn liquor.
Or maybe that's just me :p
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mashing

[Aggie_Ama]

Corn liquor? I learn so many non-bike things here. Well I was just thinking of Cousin Vinny now because of grits. There is a mind drift. :p

Oh thanks Zen! I think Guy Clark sings about Corn whiskey or is it Crow Whiskey? I don't know but I do love Guy Clark. :)

[OakLeaf]

Not instant grits?! :D

[spokewench]

Definition of Polenta: "Gourmet Italian version of good ole southern Grits". If it is called polenta, would you eat it?

[bmccasland]

No, not grits. I'm pretty sure Beth was talking about corn liquor.
Or maybe that's just me :p
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mashing

Why yes, I was referring to corn squeezings, sour mash, moonshine.... :rolleyes:

I'm innocent, innocent, I say! :rolleyes:;):D

Just make certain you get quality goods, the bad stuff can blind ya!

[Zen]

I get mine from Rafe Hollister up in Fancy Gap

[Duck on Wheels]

LOL! The other night DH took out a bottle of cranberry liquer for a little treat. We each had a small schnaps glass of it, took a sip, and eeeewwww! That's not cranberry liquer! DH sniffed, looked, tasted again ... and realized it was moonshine left over from some family party years ago. Distilling your own used to be something of a regional hobby around here. :rolleyes: And no, that's not what I'll be serving at my 60th birthday party this summer.

[crazycanuck]

Beth-Thanks :D

I'm going to be part of a cycling study for the next few months & the results are going to be published in a medical journal :cool:. As goose (or was it maverick?) in Top Gun said " I'd like to tell you but then i'd have to kill you" *snort*

I think i'm a bit off my rocker..it's supposed to be 39C today & i'm going to ride after work..just a smidgen distance but still i hope my legs don't melt...

[Zen]

I answered a casting call for a TV show.
They're interested.
I'm submitting photos.

OK, OK, it's the next VHS Rock of Love show- Rock of Love Trailer Park ;)

One side of my face is bruised, the other looks like I'm sucking on a golf ball.And I have a job interview today. Lovely.

[Biciclista]

it certainly depends on the role you are going for, like a dead body on a CSI show?

[Aggie_Ama]

What is the likelihood that straightline winds will break a window? A relatively new window? Last night we had some crazy winds with a squall line, I was terrified and seriously though the windows might explode (the winds I guess were 60-70 mph). DH said I was being silly and to go back to sleep, I probably was being stupid and eventually did get to sleep again. :rolleyes:

[Zen]

Depends on the projectiles.
Sleep in the tub.
We'll be getting those winds tonight/tomorrow.

[Biciclista]

you can put masking tape x's on your windows; that helps a little.

[OakLeaf]

I thought that was only to keep glass from flying into your house if they did shatter?

In any case, 60-70 mph winds shouldn't be enough to break windows. But Zen's right, it's not just the wind you have to worry about, it's what the wind is carrying.

[Aggie_Ama]

That was probably what was scaring the snot out of me. Our fence has a couple of loose boards, my over active imagination was thinking the boards might just be projectiles into the window. Those winds were scary stuff. I hope to get some sleep tonight. Normally I sleep through a bomb, DH probably didn't appreciate the screaming at him to check the radio. :o He really won't like when I ask him to hop on the roof and check if it is okay or we need to call the insurance (wind and hail last night).

The poor builder's portapotty fell over, hopefully they get that fixed for them this morning.

[Biciclista]

speaking of roofs, we had a roofer to come out to do an estimate on ours.
He comes down and said, you've got a loose shingle up there; but it's not yours. (Someone else's roof lost it!)

[Aggie_Ama]

My dad had the same thing! He had his roof replaced and his roofer said "I wonder where the nearest house with a brown roof is, you have two of their shingles up there, might be in need of my services". :p

[bmccasland]

you can put masking tape x's on your windows; that helps a little.

From what we're told in hurricane land - that's an urban myth. Doesn't stop people from doing it, but the window will still break. There's the wobble from just the force of the wind, and then there's projectiles. But I'm not an engineer and I don't play one on TV. :cool:

[Zen]

Power is finally back on here, just as I was getting ready to fire up a can of sterno to make tea.

One of my dogs got into the front room and killed the cat I was keeping in there. Poor kitty, she was so sweet. there wasn't a trace of blood. I think Ginger broke her neck with one shake.

[OakLeaf]

oh, poor kitty. And poor Zen. I've dealt with that kind of thing with my dogs too. Just painful all around. :(

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

One of my dogs got into the front room and killed the cat I was keeping in there. Poor kitty, she was so sweet. there wasn't a trace of blood. I think Ginger broke her neck with one shake.

Best not to keep any more cats in the house, I think.

[Zen]

I don't think I need to be told that.

The cat was being kept there because tenants had abandoned her and left her outside in freezing weather. She was being kept there until my friend moves in upstairs. Unfortunately he hasn't moved in yet.

[redrhodie]

Oh, Zen, I'm so sorry.

[Biciclista]

oh, poor kitty. And poor Zen. I've dealt with that kind of thing with my dogs too. Just painful all around. :(

yeah, especially for the cat.

[Tuckervill]

I'm sorry, Zen. Do you know for sure it was the dog? Maybe it died of natural causes. That is such a sad thing.

Karen

[Zen]

yeah, especially for the cat.

I have to say I don't appreciate these type of comments. To say the least, t's very unfortunate that this happened and I think at this point in time I'm the one experiencing the most pain over this.

Yeah Tuck, I'm pretty sure of the guilty party here :(

[Tuckervill]

Oh. Well, I always like to give the benefit of the doubt. :( Poor kitty.

Karen

[solobiker]

So sorry this happened Zen. What an unfortunate situation for all involved.:(

[Aggie_Ama]

I think at this point in time I'm the one experiencing the most pain over this.


Zen- No doubt you are since you seem to have an open heart to the furry ones. I am sorry you had to have that happen to the poor kitty.

[crazycanuck]

Zen-sorry to hear things didn't go very well :(

Geez ladies..Let's not attack Zen..she's a good woman! Zen, send some air slaps if need be...

I wanted to do 80km's this morning but i somehow missed 4km :( I wasn't sure of one part of my route as I haven't been that way in ages & couldn't remember how far the road went by the beach...

[Duck on Wheels]

So sad, Zen. Sometimes cats and dogs manage fine together. Sometimes not. Hard to keep an eye on them when the power is out.

[katluvr]

So how is everyone else spending their Friday the 13th afternoon?
I am work. Counting the hours. Trying to write a policy. UGH!
Weather outside is fabulous and I am stuck inside!

[Biciclista]

glad SOMEONE is having fabulous weather.

[bmccasland]

Yesterday I was feeling totally overwhelmed at the office. Then I found out that one of my co-workers is officially leaving to go to another agency, so I'm inheriting some of her projects. As if I didn't have enough to do already :( (so what am I doing on TE during work hours? shut-up It's my lunch break) We're hiring 2 biologists if anyone is interested (go to USAjobs.gov).
Then I discovered that monday is a federal holiday :D

Made a groomer appointment for Nala dog, and a massage appointment for me :p

I am now officially looking forward to monday :D

[katluvr]

Yeah, great weather today...but have a half marathon on Sunday--more north eastern Florida and it is expect to RAIN!
13.1 miles of RAIN....but maybe it won't rain!

[Duck on Wheels]

The weather here ... æh! Just below freezing and snowing heavily, which means lots of snow to clear later this evening, and probably again tomorrow morning. I left work on time, for once. Picked up DH off the airport bus (just back from a week in Riga), added some potatoes and salmon to yesterday's homemade chowder to make what was left enough for both of us, then took off to the gym. 75-minute endurance spin class, then my round of 11 different exercizes mostly for inflamed rotary cuff but also a couple of core and leg strengtheners. Home to heated up twice-left-over chowder. Now I'd better shower. Then quilting and reading and tv til bedtime. That's my Friday 13th.

Oh! Funny thing when I picked up DH. He gave me a red rose (a day early, but hey, I'll take it :)). So I asked did they have those at the airport? And he answers "What? You don't think I actually bought it?" Sloooowly I turned, looked at him a long time as he did his innocent face, and said "You gave that one away easy! I didn't say you didn't buy it. I only asked if they had them at the airport. They could have had them for sale ..." We had a good laugh. And I'll still take the rose. After all, he could've kept it for himself.

[katluvr]

Well once I get OUT of here...I have to log about 4 miles (running). But weather should be nice....sorry to the rest of you all!
Dinner of spaghetti and meat balls--easy to fix...meat balls already made. Then pack for the drive up to Jacksonville tomorrow. Oh yeah...entertain the children (6 cats!). So that is my Friday the 13th. Nothing bad...yet! Just another day.
Very quiet around here at work...I have not had an email sent my way in over 1 hour...now that is scarey!
Happy 13th to all!

[Zen]

I wonder if I could pass for a biologist
.
What kind of biologist?
I collected data for a stream study in 2004. Can i put that on my resume :D ?

[bmccasland]

I wonder if I could pass for a biologist
.
What kind of biologist?
I collected data for a stream study in 2004. Can i put that on my resume :D ?

Have a college degree? Or two?
Do you know what NEPA is?
Want to live and work in a banana republic? :p Be fustrated by local politics and Federal politicians? Come on down!

[Aggie_Ama]

I tried to tell my husband to humor me and take a gander, he is a saltwater fisheries biologist by education but he tells me when you have been out four years wihtout working you are no longer a biologist. So I guess I am now married to a botanist?

[Blueberry]

Have a college degree? Or two?
Do you know what NEPA is?
Want to live and work in a banana republic? :p Be fustrated by local politics and Federal politicians? Come on down!

Don't you want to hire a lawyer? I know what NEPA is:) And I'm used to finding ways around road blocks (politicians and politics):D:D

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Well, it's a Saturday, 27F, no wind, and SUNNY....
DH and I are going to try a bike ride! I think we'll have to keep it pretty short, maybe 12-15 miles or so, since it's cold and I am out of shape from a whole winter of almost no riding. It's supposed to creep up to 32-35F this afternoon....we'll see. Keeping hands and feet warm below freezing is always the challenge.

The "passing for a biologist" thing reminds me of that episode of Seinfeld where George is at a party and tries to impress a girl by making up the story that he is a marine biologist. Then they go on a date at the beach and this whale comes up and becomes beached and the girlfriend frantically urges George to do something!, ...since after all he's a marine biologist.

[Duck on Wheels]

I wonder if I could pass for a biologist
.
...:D ?

or two?

[uk elephant]

I'm just stuck here in Wales working all week-end. Too much needs to be done to be able to go visit BF. And he has too much work to get done to be able to come visit me. Trying very hard to stay motivated to get lots done for the remaining two weeks before we are together again so that I will have time to do stuff with him when he is here.

And I am a biologist, seeing as I am working as one at the moment, but I don't know what NEPA is and would rather not have to deal with politics so I think I'll pass on that job...I'll just get back to that manuscript I need to finish and those lectures I need to write. there is nothing worth watching on tv and I don't know anyone in town to go to the pub with so I have no excuses for not working.

[Zen]

My degree is in photography :p but I know where Nepal is ;)

[Selkie]

Lisa, I hope you got out on your bike today!!! You deserve it, after the winter you've had this year.

Yesterday, I noticed that the crocuses are coming out. Several lawns in our neighborhood get carpeted in them -- my annual sign that spring will get here before long.

February is half over, too.

Happy VD everyone!

[uk elephant]

Despite this being the coldest winter in ages with more snow than in many many years, the daffodils are already poking up here... makes me hope that spring is just around the corner. I'm looking forward to warmer weather and longer days soon when I can have time to enjoy it!

[uk elephant]

Got my manuscript sent back to my advisor. One thing crossed off the list that has been weighing on me for a long time.

Think I will celebrate with a bowl of rice pudding. Mmmm......

[bmccasland]

Don't you want to hire a lawyer? I know what NEPA is:) And I'm used to finding ways around road blocks (politicians and politics):D:D

Have enough of them. DOJ nicely provided us with some extra ones. OK, it has this thing to do with a little law suit about the levee breaches post-K.


Got my manuscript sent back to my advisor. One thing crossed off the list that has been weighing on me for a long time.

Think I will celebrate with a bowl of rice pudding. Mmmm......

Congrats on getting the manuscript out of the house. I would have gone to the pub with you. If you were looking for a bad influence to not get things done, come here... It's CARNIVAL! Parades almost every day! Especially on weekends.
Rice pudding? You sure you don't have some southern blood? That sounds yummy, especially warm, with rum sauce. :D

I have an Army Captain flying down this week to do some damage control on a refuge where she didn't coordinate with the Refuge folks like she was supposed to. So we're field tripping to look at their levees. Hopefully she isn't flying back out on thursday - I plan to corrupt her. There are Mardi Gras parades to attend. Need to get the chickie out of the green suit, into civies, and make her wave her arms in the air, begging for beads. :D

NEPA - National Environmental Policy Act
http://www.nepa.gov/nepa/regs/nepa/nepaeqia.htm
if you want to read the act.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Environmental_Policy_Act
If you want the Wikipedia version.

It's why I go to work. Or something like that.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Elephant, sounds like you got a lot of good work done today. That's satisfying.

No we did make it out today- the wind made it too cold again. We have hopes for tomorrow though, to get on our bikes for a short ride. :o

Last night the power went out all over our region for 2 1/2 hours...never found out why, but it was rather annoying. One second you're happily working on your computer and stuff is humming all around you...and the next second you're hurled into total blackness and silence, left to thoughtfully contemplate all the freshly fragmented brain cells on your hard drive and to formulate your blind Journey of Danger downstairs to the kitchen drawer where the flashlights are.
I made tea in the open fireplace though, which was fun in a 'frontier' sort of way. Water boils VERY quickly over red hot coals. :eek:

I put up 3 online blogs these past few days, which was fun. Ah, the boundless enthusiasm of the newbie blogger... :rolleyes:
Heck, the music related one actually even serves a purpose! :rolleyes: :D

[Biciclista]

ok, since this IS thread drift; I present to you:

http://www.sersale.org/bike/octos.jpg

http://www.sersale.org/bike/octos2.jpg

note photos are on my own website

[Zen]

At least it's not lunch time.

[Biciclista]

yeah, really.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I don't think she's going to want her TE jersey with elastic around the hem.

[solobiker]

I don't think she's going to want her TE jersey with elastic around the hem.

LOL. Wow, like Zen said, I am glad it is not lunch time


http://i469.photobucket.com/albums/rr57/solobiker27/eyebleach1-1.png

[crazycanuck]

Agggghhh..Mimi..that hurt the eyes..

Please tell me that pic is photoshopped...:rolleyes:

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Let's all quickly post a bunch of new posts so that picture winds up on an older page so we don't have to see it anymore! :cool:

[solobiker]

I know this is may be too cute, but I am trying real hard to get that one image out of my mind.

http://i469.photobucket.com/albums/rr57/solobiker27/cutebabies.jpg