Thread Drift [Archive] - Page 52 - Women's Cycling Discussion Forums

BleeckerSt_Girl

03-19-2009, 07:46 AM

Lisa,
you look familiar.
one of your daughters looks just like you.
your daughters look just like each other.
one of your daughters doesn't look like you.
you are all three beautiful
I'm amazed at how that works sometimes.

One of my kids looks just like me and the other looks so much like my husband, it is scary. Yet, if you look at them, you would know they are brothers.

Yes, isn't that too weird? How does that work??? :confused: :rolleyes:

Thanks for kind words....my daughters are such wonderful young women, I'm a very proud mommy. :p

Aggie_Ama

03-19-2009, 09:15 AM

I am the frightening spitting image of my father's natural mother. It is haunting because she died when he was 3 and he has no memories of her, very few of his father. He does have a picture of her, same bone structure, same smile, same eyes, same nose. Yet everyone says I look just like my mother because we are both 5'2". Our builds are not even remotely similar other than height, it is kind of funny. My father has become friends with his natural brother again, I guess that is weird way to put it but Dad was adopted and he natural brother is older and stayed with the family. I have yet to meet him but Dad said he was shocked at the striking resemblance between his mother and my photo. I find it comforting because I want to be connected to my dad's roots, it is weird knowing he was adopted. I can only imagine why he can seem so conflicted.

Lisa- Your daughters are beautiful. You can tell you are their mom but I agree one looks nothing like you but looks like your child. Fascinating.

DH and his brother are like that, spitting image of their dad (and often mistaken for twins) but you know looking at pics of him and their mom and you know they are hers.

Trek420

03-19-2009, 10:16 AM

Trek, you keep those geraniums alive year round, don't you?!

Remarkably, yes. Most came from the one plant the seller had in the patio, a barely alive stick of a dried up geranium left in a plastic pot. Others I've pinched off a leaf and started in a cup, then just popped into a planter when roots start off the stalk.

Zen

03-19-2009, 04:31 PM

I am so hot for Seth Macfarland.
Just puttin' that out there :rolleyes: :D

tctrek

03-19-2009, 04:43 PM

I am so hot for Seth Macfarland.
Just puttin' that out there :rolleyes: :D

Seth Macfarland? The Family Guy guy? Because??

Zen

03-19-2009, 05:19 PM

That guy, yes.
Look at him, he's smart, funny, has a great smile and devilish eyes.
Why, he's the male equivalent of me :p

Crankin

03-22-2009, 03:08 PM

I am happy the cycling season has started for me. Not that I haven't been active all winter, but things just seem back to normal now.

BleeckerSt_Girl

03-22-2009, 05:22 PM

I am happy the cycling season has started for me. Not that I haven't been active all winter, but things just seem back to normal now.

Yes, I too was very grateful to get in a 24 mile ride today even though it was 35-40F degrees and cloudy. I'll take it! :cool:

crazycanuck

03-27-2009, 04:05 AM

Oh my...:cool: *ahem*

One of my fave bands from the 80's is regrouping. Ok, i'm not about to go & see them in concert or buy any of thier new stuff if it comes out...BUT...my favourite band member stayed as good looking as he did back yonder*swoon* *THUD* oooooooo...ahhhhh...

Steve Norman was/is the sax player for Spandau Ballet & thought he was/is the best looking of the group.

I can't seem to locate the new photo I want :(

Speaking of the 80's..I understand stretchy pants with stirrups at the bottom are back :eek: aeeeeeeeeeee....

lph

03-27-2009, 04:14 AM

Speaking of the 80's..I understand stretchy pants with stirrups at the bottom are back :eek: aeeeeeeeeeee....

Dear God, don't let this:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wb8bAl1P-N0/ScuggrodyRI/AAAAAAAAGtE/ozQ1pKSwdGc/s1600-h/spandex.jpg

or this:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wb8bAl1P-N0/Scpoa-P-goI/AAAAAAAAGsk/lhhHYV45SUY/s1600-h/ratt.jpg

ever come back in style. Thank you.

(pilfered from BSNYC yesterday.)

bmccasland

03-27-2009, 04:52 AM

Dear God, don't let this:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wb8bAl1P-N0/ScuggrodyRI/AAAAAAAAGtE/ozQ1pKSwdGc/s1600-h/spandex.jpg

or this:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wb8bAl1P-N0/Scpoa-P-goI/AAAAAAAAGsk/lhhHYV45SUY/s1600-h/ratt.jpg

ever come back in style. Thank you.

(pilfered from BSNYC yesterday.)

What about the hair styles??? :eek:

BleeckerSt_Girl

03-27-2009, 04:57 AM

(pilfered from BSNYC yesterday.)

Yeah i loved that post yesterday. :D

I also love that BikeSnob is totally into the new 'hipster' terminology for bike riding....like nobody "rides" anymore, and nobody "has" certain brakes, etc....

Instead, it's "He rocks a fixie", "He runs a BMX", "He rolls ____ handlebars/brakes/etc", and even "He rubs a fixie"

So hip I can't stand it! :cool:

(and why do all these terms begin with "r" ?? to stand in better for the word "rides"? :confused:)

What's next?... "He rips a touring bike"? "He retches a carbon seatpost"? "He rumbas a racing saddle"?

Any other good "r" hipster terms lurking about?

Zen

03-27-2009, 11:48 AM

i don't know about hipster stuff but I do know that stirrup pants are great for wearing with boots :)

chicago

03-28-2009, 05:48 AM

so y'all... I rode English last night, first time... and on this VERY tall Saddlebred.. it was amazing and wonderful!! His name is Blackie, and he's very tall and very energetic, LOL!! I was riding my regular Saddlebred I ride and was in the arena with a girl who was taking a lesson on Blackie, and at the end, we switched horses... we always do that, LOL!! So I got on Blackie with an english saddle... very fun!! Now I'll never go back to Western, LOL!!

Here's a link to the pic if you want to see it... this is me on Blackie. (the pic is bad, it's from my trainer's phone, LOL)

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l143/pigfinn/Blackie.jpg

and here's a pic of me on my regular Saddlebred that I ride...

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l143/pigfinn/IMG_3224.jpg

tulip

03-28-2009, 05:56 AM

I grew up riding hunt seat, which I really like still (but it's been years...) However, I love Western also, except that the saddles are so darn heavy! I've never ridden saddle seat (Saddlebred type, some call it English). I'm just not a fan of the gaited style of riding, especially the tail breaking and the abnormal hoof lengths and weights. Is that still allowed these days?

PS: nice-looking horses, Chicago!

chicago

03-28-2009, 06:14 AM

I'm just not a fan of the gaited style of riding, especially the tail breaking and the abnormal hoof lengths and weights. Is that still allowed these days?

PS: nice-looking horses, Chicago!

I don't know Tulip, I will have to find out. I'm still learning about riding and all the styles, etc, etc. Right now I just know English and Western. I will ask my trainer this weekend about the tail breaking and abnormal hoof lengths.

Yeah.. it was so "odd!!" to get on an English saddle last night... felt like i had nothing under me, LOL. They are so thin compared to the western's, right? I do like the Saddlebred's gait over the quarter horses though, that I must admit... not sure why, but it feels smoother and I just love their canter. ... but it's different for everyone right? One of my friends who trains absolutely LOVES the big quarter horses... she has no desire to ever got on my Saddlebred, LOL!!

Yep they are wonderful creatures, that is for sure!!

Crankin

03-30-2009, 08:49 AM

I wasn't sure where to post this... it's sort of cycling related, but, I want opinions that seem more appropriate for this thread.
I have a wedding shower to go to Sunday at 1 PM. It is for the daughter of a very close friend. She is 23 and mentally ill. I don't want to go into a lot of detail, but there's definite manipulation on the kid's part, to make the issues worse. The fiance is someone she met on the Internet, though local, and he is physically handicapped. He is a nice person, but neither of them should be getting married at this time. The fact that my friend hasn't lost it with this kid is amazing. I have always tried to be supportive of my friend, with this kid, through all of her school trauma, hospitalizations, etc.
Here's the issue, which I feel guilty about even bringing up. Sunday is going to be one of the first 60 degree days of the spring. I want to go on a long ride! I can ride Saturday, though it will be cooler, which is fine, and I can go out for a short ride before the shower. I spent the whole past weekend in a course (Fri. night, Sat., Sunday) and did not get to ride at all. I took a 2 mile run at 5:30 AM on Saturday.
I can't back out of going to this, but just saying I really would rather be riding is liberating. There is always another day to ride, I know, but this is getting to me.

tulip

03-30-2009, 09:52 AM

Crankin, at times like these, sometimes it's best just to grin, be polite, and bear it. Best of luck to your friend and the whole family.

Zen

03-30-2009, 11:45 AM

Crankin, at times like these, sometimes it's best just to grin, be polite, and bear it.

Or you could just drink.

Tuckervill

03-30-2009, 11:58 AM

Here's what I would do. Be late. Take a long ride anyway, get to the shower half an hour to 45 minutes late. You can ride longer if you don't mind showing up in your gear (you do mind, I know). Make up some excuse when you arrive. Be guilt free.

Karen

Biciclista

03-30-2009, 12:01 PM

Geez, Crankin,
sounds like a wedding to remember! might be very interesting to be there; what a fiasco. It sounds awful for the mom!
Maybe you could ride to and from the reception?
:cool:

Bruno28

03-30-2009, 12:18 PM

Or you could just drink.

:D:D:D

BleeckerSt_Girl

03-30-2009, 01:02 PM

Robyn, sometimes things seem to happen for a reason. It might be that your presence there with your friend that day will be a calming or helpful influence on her in some ways you may not even be aware of. Give it your best, you'll be glad you did in the end I bet. :o

Biciclista

03-30-2009, 01:09 PM

yeah Lisa's right !
I went to my girlfriend's daughter's wedding the daughter was a real PITA and Brat.
I went as moral support. The daughter actually sat me with the 'hired help'
which was great, they were musicians, we had a wonderful time. I also
helped my friend stay sane through that crazy wedding where she had to pretend she was still married to her ex at her daughter's insistence!

you can be a great presence at that wedding

Crankin

03-30-2009, 02:59 PM

Thanks for all of the advice. The thing Sunday is just the wedding shower. I really can't be half an hour late, but i might be 15 minutes late... I already told another friend I couldn't drive with her because I would be in a rush, because I would be riding before getting ready. I guess it's the thought that my husband and friends will be out riding when I am at the shower. If it had been earlier, they would have waited for me.
Thankfully, the wedding, which is the last Sunday in May, at a very nice country club, will be OK. I will be there with my husband, older son, and his girlfriend. It will be an interesting sociological study. The two families could not be any more different in terms of culture, education, religion. I missed the engagement party, but heard it was quite a show...
I don't know if there will be liquor at the shower, but drinking sounds like a good idea, Zen. Seriously, I will grin and bear it and support my friend. They all already think I'm freakishly over involved with sports.

Biciclista

03-30-2009, 03:36 PM

Crankin,
today one of my coworkers told me to grow up and act my age :D:D when i suggested he do pushups with me. I just laughed but i was thinking i'll bet he'll be pushing a walker before I do with his attitude towards exercise!

so how wonderful that your friends think you are too much into sports!!!
:D:D:D

Crankin

03-30-2009, 04:43 PM

Mimi, don't get me started on this track! I really do love the mother of the bride, but I have known her for 19 years, of which the whole time she has complained about her weight. And depression, and hating to "work" hard if she exercises. This is a very bright person, with a master's degree and an interesting life. Her husband is huge, even after he had angioplasty and a stent put in. He wouldn't listen to my husband, who had the same surgery, but became even more vigilant about cycling and eating right (his is a case of bad genetics, rather than sloth!).
I am glad I haven't "grown up." That's what made me a good teacher and I am thoroughly enjoying being with my younger cohorts in grad school. Sure, i am closest to the other older students, but I am working on a group project with a person who was in my oldest son's high school class and I am fine with that.

emily_in_nc

03-30-2009, 05:54 PM

I am glad I haven't "grown up." That's what made me a good teacher and I am thoroughly enjoying being with my younger cohorts in grad school. Sure, i am closest to the other older students, but I am working on a group project with a person who was in my oldest son's high school class and I am fine with that.

Hear-hear! I work with a couple of guys who are just a bit over half my age; it kind of freaks me out to realize that they could be my sons. I really enjoy their youth and energy, and they seem to think I'm ok to hang out with too. I can joke with them and share at least some of their language (possibly because we're all computer geeks), so even though I am very much aware that I'm a lot older than them, I don't feel like a total old lady around them, if that makes any sense. Sometimes I find myself wondering what their own mothers are like -- am I cooler, hipper, younger in spirit than their moms? I'd like to think so. :D

Being "young" for one's age rocks! :cool: And fitness is such a huge part of that for me.

Zen

03-30-2009, 07:17 PM

today one of my coworkers told me to grow up and act my age
People like that irk me. I wonder if he was ever any fun :rolleyes:

Biciclista

03-30-2009, 07:32 PM

People like that irk me. I wonder if he was ever any fun :rolleyes:

he sure thinks he is.

Crankin

03-31-2009, 08:01 AM

Emily, I sometimes wonder, too what the younger people's parents are like. Because of the fact that the university I go to attracts a certain type of person, with certain beliefs, I would think that many of them have parents who are like me. But a few have made comments about how they were brought up and it seems like they have made a conscious effort to do something different. I know I am living in a little bubble, especially when I go to class in Cambridge, MA. It seems as though most of these younger adults are less hung up about a whole bunch of stuff than I was at that age. Of course, I was at a different stage of life when I was their age... married, with a house and getting ready to start a family.
I had more than a few of my kid's friends (mostly the younger one's friends) tell me they wish their parents were as cool as me when they were in middle school.

TsPoet

04-06-2009, 08:43 AM

At a dog agility trial this weekend, I was walking Finn behind the ring where 2 young children were playing in the mud. I implored Finn, "would you please potty for me?"
The little boy stood up, pulled his pants down and peed in the mud. :eek:

My dog didn't listen to me, I'm glad someone did :o

Zen

04-06-2009, 09:44 AM

That's funny.
Did you praise him?

Tuckervill

04-06-2009, 09:57 AM

OMG! That is the funniest thing I've ever read!!

I hope he doesn't tell his mother.

Karen

Aggie_Ama

04-06-2009, 10:00 AM

OMG that is hilarious! I hope the mother didn't get mad at you.

TsPoet

04-06-2009, 10:28 AM

OMG that is hilarious! I hope the mother didn't get mad at you.

Grandma saw it and ran over - she had no idea why he suddenly did that. I weekly said "er, um, I was talking to my dog".
She seemed very surprised, but maybe a little bit amused.

Aggie_Ama

04-06-2009, 10:58 AM

Maybe his name is Finn? It is not a completely uncommon name but still, too funny!

chicago

04-08-2009, 07:11 AM

not sure if I posted this yet... this is Chuckie... part draft/suffix... he rocks... and likes to roll apparently!!:D

TsPoet

04-08-2009, 08:44 AM

not sure if I posted this yet... this is Chuckie... part draft/suffix... he rocks... and likes to roll apparently!!:D

Why do I suddenly feel the need to scratch a dog's belly?

katluvr

04-10-2009, 11:50 AM

WOW, no one is here...nothing on thread for a couple of days.
It if Friday afternoon. VERY busy week at work. Just a few more minutes and I am out of here. So I thought I would drop in to see what was drifting thru the drift thread. No much.

Well I can't hate my job anymore. Need it. Re-finishing the pool and just got a landscaping quote...I'll be working here a long time.

ta-ta!

Biciclista

04-10-2009, 11:56 AM

yes, the old TD has slowed down quite a bit, hasn't it?
My DH is going to ORegon to do a 300km ride and in a couple hours I have the whole weekend upon me.

I love the photo of the rolling horse, I wanted to put up a photo of my cat showing her belly but I can't do that from work (anymore).

We had a potluck in the lab today; someone brought an electric rotisserie and baked a ham and we have fresh veggies, steamed red potatoes, and mashed parsnips (plus a lot of other good stuff)

now, I'm ready for my nap followed by a bike commute in the rain.

Crankin

04-10-2009, 12:21 PM

That story about the little boy peeing was hysterical. I can picture one of my own kids doing it at that age.
I hope this thread picks up. I find it interesting.
The next 4 weeks are going to be really stressful for me. I have 5 papers due between May 4-12. One is done. One requires three group meetings and role playing therapy sessions, so I can't start it until those are done on 4/25. One requires some information I will get next week and the last 2 I won't get the stuff for until my next weekend class on 4/26. I then have like 3 days to get them done because they have to be mailed to the professor. I won't be able to do any work the weekend of the 26-28, since I will be in class.
I hope I have time to ride, too. :mad:

tulip

04-10-2009, 01:52 PM

Work's been really busy. I have two deadlines on Monday, and I've been working all week only on these two projects. I do have a bit more to do before sending them off on Monday afternoon. It's so pretty outside and I have a gardening bug, so it's hard to concentrate.

Tomorrow is a plant sale, which I will go to, and a bike ride, and clean the house, which has gotten a bit out of hand.

Next week is Cycle Zydeco...I'm getting pretty snazzed about that.

Aggie_Ama

04-10-2009, 02:04 PM

I start my new job Monday which means no internet surfing except at lunch. What kind of plants you buying Tulip? I need to go to the nursery and replace somethings that were supposed to come back but didn't. :rolleyes:

Biciclista

04-10-2009, 03:36 PM

Here's Enza imitating that horse. sort of

Pax

04-10-2009, 03:45 PM

We've got an organic gardening class tomorrow morning, we're starting small and only trying herbs and tomatoes this year.

Tuckervill

04-10-2009, 03:47 PM

I'm sagging for a club century tomorrow. Dang if the weather is only cooperating when I have something to do away from the house. I'm sick of my front yard and gardens because my dogs have almost destroyed them. I've fenced them away from that part of the yard, so my work won't be undone! Vibing for good weather next week. pleaseohplease!

Karen

BleeckerSt_Girl

04-10-2009, 04:30 PM

We've got an organic gardening class tomorrow morning, we're starting small and only trying herbs and tomatoes this year.

That sounds really enjoyable and inspiring. :)

Mimi, Enza is so CUTE.

Zen

04-10-2009, 05:09 PM

Enza :)
Does he sing? ;)

I saw a card posted at the store down the road from a woman who sells organic eggs so I went and bought a dozen today.
Three dollars.

She lives right on top of the mountain THEN way far back in the woods! I'm driving the jeep next time.

BleeckerSt_Girl

04-10-2009, 05:21 PM

I saw a card posted at the store down the road from a woman who sells organic eggs so I went and bought a dozen today.
Three dollars.
She lives right on top of the mountain THEN way far back in the woods! I'm driving the jeep next time.

Ooooh, I am lucky enough to get free range organic eggs from my banjo and dulcimer students! (mother and son). They are SO YUMMY! And now I even get to feed the shells to my new composting worms! :p

snapdragen

04-10-2009, 07:19 PM

We've got an organic gardening class tomorrow morning, we're starting small and only trying herbs and tomatoes this year.

Very cool, I used to keep a massive organic garden. I may start one this year, much smaller though.

Biciclista

04-10-2009, 07:39 PM

Enza :)
Does he sing? ;)

Enza is a girl. (Enzo would be a boy)

Bleek, my worms never ate the shells. they just cleaned them very very well.

My garden is organic too. I have organic dandelions, organic dead nettles, organic cat's ear, organic wild radish and organic wild geranium. Hey, if you just write them, it doesn't sound like i have a garden full of weeds!

Pax

04-11-2009, 12:02 AM

Very cool, I used to keep a massive organic garden. I may start one this year, much smaller though.

It's 3:00am here and I just couldn't sleep, so I got up and absently checked my cell phone, there was a message from last night saying the class is cancelled due to low enrollment. :( I guess I better check out an organic gardening book so I can get started.

OakLeaf

04-11-2009, 03:27 AM

You don't need a book to get started!

Instruction is helpful when you have specific problems and when you want to keep a garden going for years. I highly recommend Eliot Coleman's "New Organic Grower." But it's a LOT of information and your learning will expand over the years with your specific local conditions.

Just follow the instructions on the seed packets and you'll be fine. Your ag extension service's website usually has lots of information on specific crops.

If you haven't already prepared your plot, do that as soon as the soil's dry enough. Watch the shadows over the course of a day so you'll be sure you're choosing a spot that gets full sun. Mow it first, use a sod cutter if you have access to one or just plow/dig it under, then let the grass decompose for a couple of weeks before you plant.

If the grass where you plan to put your plot isn't healthy and lush now, you may want to test your soil and amend it. Just be aware that unless you're buying direct from a local organic farmer, mass-marketed animal-source soil amendments (manure, blood meal, bone meal) are NOT organic and may actually contain heavy metals and residues from chemicals that were fed to the animals. :( If you do buy direct from a local farmer, make sure manure is thoroughly composted before you apply it to the soil.

It's really not hard! (Okay, digging a new plot is hard physical work.) Learn as you go and HAVE FUN and enjoy those delicious tomatoes! :)

Pax

04-11-2009, 04:52 AM

Crankin

04-11-2009, 08:18 AM

Kudos to those of you who have the patience to do any type of gardening. I just can't get myself to like it. Three years ago, I planted some annuals on our garden steps, so now that's my yearly contribution to our yard. My husband is out there spreading loam across a 1500 sq. foot area on the side of a hill, where we are planting ground cover, which supposedly needs little care and flowers all summer. I guess I am going to have to help with the planting when the stuff arrives. No matter what I do, even trying to think of it as exercise, I still don't like it.
I try to justify my attitude by the fact I spend the spring, summer, and fall riding my bike to local farms to buy their fresh produce!

Zen

04-11-2009, 09:13 AM

Enza is a girl. (Enzo would be a boy)

I was thinking of Mario Lanza :o :D but didn't remember it quite right

Aggie_Ama

04-11-2009, 10:32 AM

I keep thinking I will garden but my patience is limited. Right now I am pleased to see my society garlic is blooming and smelling up the front yard. :p I have to replace some boxwoods I transplanted around our shed but my husband's nursery never has what I want. And it is too cheap from his work to go somewhere else. :o

OakLeaf

04-11-2009, 11:06 AM

I can't be bothered with ornamentals. If I can't eat it, it can just grow itself. :p

tulip

04-11-2009, 12:52 PM

I just cannot imagine NOT gardening. I guess that's why I became a landscape architect. Today I went to the local community garden. They were having a fundraising plant sale. I got two huge Russian sages, some oregano and thyme, some obedient plant (which is not obedient, and I'm hoping it will spread!), and some black-eyed Susans...all for $15, but I gave them $20 for their fundraising. I have a very sunny slope that I plan to pack with all sorts of perennials. I'm on a corner, so it'll really be wonderful for the whole street.

Then I went to the Habitat store and bought a couple of old storm windows for $2 each for my cold frame. I already have broccoli and collards growing in one bed, and a beautiful mix of lettuce interplanted with onions in the other bed. I have several other beds to build and plant, but that'll have to wait until after Cycle Zydeco next week. I've started seeds (tomatoes, peppers, all sorts of flowers), but it's still a bit cool to leave them out all night, so I set up a grow light in the basement. I have a mouse that likes to dig up the seeds down there, so I fashioned a frame that hopefully will keep the critter out.

My neighbors invited me over to thin out their amazing hostas, so now I have 41 hosta plants to fit somewhere in my yard! I planted a few in my side yard that I've done the most work in, and it's really looking great. The columbines are blooming, the heuchera is going wild, the Lily-of-the-Valley are poking up and the azaleas are in bud. I'll post a picture later on. It's really lovely.

Tomorrow I'll clean up the other side that I haven't touched since I bought the house last summer. It has beautiful azaleas that are just beginning to bloom, but it needs a bit of cleaning up.

It was just a great day spent outside doing one of the things I love most. It was pretty cool and misty all day...perfect!

Pax

04-11-2009, 03:55 PM

We went to the farm store and bought organic topsoil and mushroom compost, along with some river rock and grass seed. Then we filled in the hole where we had a giant dead silver maple cut down and put down grass seed.

Next weekend we'll work the ground for herb garden...the nice 84 year old lady helping at the farm store told us not to bother with buying herb plants but to go ahead and plant seeds in a couple of weeks, because there's still plenty of time for them to sprout this year. Does that sound right to you gardeners??

Tuckervill

04-11-2009, 04:18 PM

Thanks for the info Oak! The plot is a small one by our back door that gets full sun. The the previous owner used it for some sort of garden, so no grass to mess with. I'll buy organic fertilizer and some good topsoil from our co-op and prep the soil in the next couple of weeks...we had 32F temps again last night so I'm guessing we should wait to plant.

Compost. Forget the fertilizer and just mix equal parts compost and topsoil. (In my world, topsoil is just that--whatever is in it is in it, but compost is rich and dark cooked up just for the richness is provides.)

*shoulda read ahead.
Karen

Tuckervill

04-11-2009, 04:23 PM

OakLeaf

04-11-2009, 05:08 PM

.the nice 84 year old lady helping at the farm store told us not to bother with buying herb plants but to go ahead and plant seeds in a couple of weeks, because there's still plenty of time for them to sprout this year. Does that sound right to you gardeners??

Depends on the herbs.

Basil, cilantro, borage, dill, definitely yes. Shiso (perilla), yes, but plant way more than you want, because it's notoriously difficult to germinate (the seeds need both light and moisture).

Parsley, if I'm not going to be home in time to start seeds indoors, I usually buy one or two plants in addition to direct seeding some more, because it takes a while to grow big enough to harvest (around two weeks just to germinate).

Perennial herbs (rosemary, thyme, tarragon, sage, oregano, lavender) I've always bought as plants. I'm not sure how long they take to get established enough to harvest, but perennials generally tend not to grow as vigorously as annuals in their first few months. (Actually my lavender will be in its third year this year and I MIGHT get to harvest some. So I guess I may as well have started it from seed. :rolleyes:)

If you're planting mint, plant it in a confined space, because it will take over everything. Oregano and lemon balm have similar habits but are a little easier to control.

You might want to put your perennials in a separate patch if you want to turn your garden under every year. There are pros and cons to doing that...

What herbs are you planning?

Pax

04-11-2009, 05:34 PM

We're planning on planting basil, cilantro (lots!), dill, rosemary, and chives. And one cherry tomato plant. I know it sounds like a tiny garden but we wanted to start small and see how we do. :)

Trek420

04-11-2009, 05:40 PM

Compost. Forget the fertilizer and just mix equal parts compost and topsoil. (In my world, topsoil is just that--whatever is in it is in it, but compost is rich and dark cooked up just for the richness is provides.)

*shoulda read ahead.
Karen

Does it ever seem funny that we buy food, and since "good cooking is very wasteful" as one of the chefs I worked with said so we we pay someone to come by and get the scraps and turn into compost and then we pay for compost. :rolleyes:

Why not grow your own and turn the salad trimmings to compost? ;)

tulip

04-11-2009, 06:30 PM

BleeckerSt_Girl

04-11-2009, 06:39 PM

Does it ever seem funny that we buy food, and since "good cooking is very wasteful" as one of the chefs I worked with said so we we pay someone to come by and get the scraps and turn into compost and then we pay for compost. :rolleyes:
Why not grow your own and turn the salad trimmings to compost? ;)

Yes! And that's exactly why I bought a heap o' special species composting worms and a cool 5 tiered worm bin and just finished setting up my vermicomposting bin in my kitchen this past week! They'll be thriving on all our kitchen scraps and even on shredded scrap paper and cardboard too. See lots of gross worm pictures here!:
http://strumelia.blogspot.com/ :D :D :D
My 2000 eisenia fetida worms (2 lbs' worth of wrigglers) are doing really well so far, plowing through their bedding like mad and getting used to their 'new digs' (ha ha).
I'm having so much fun with it! And the 'end result' :rolleyes: will be incredibly rich earthworm castings fertilizer for my tomatoes and chard and stringbeans. :p

Pax

04-12-2009, 04:59 AM

Compost. Forget the fertilizer and just mix equal parts compost and topsoil. (In my world, topsoil is just that--whatever is in it is in it, but compost is rich and dark cooked up just for the richness is provides.)

*shoulda read ahead.
Karen

One of the rare pleasures of living in Central IL is the soil, it's deep rich black soil. I'll add in some compost just in case the previous owners ornamental gardening has depleted the soil.

It's weird, I know NOTHING about gardening but I know lots about prepping a farm field for planting...it seems similar in many ways, only I don't want to grow corn or soybeans in my herb garden. :p

Tuckervill

04-12-2009, 06:00 AM

Tucker--I can't quite picture your scenario. Do the dogs view the world from the azaleas and dig a hole as a viewing platform? Most azaleas have branches very low, so I can't see how hostas would grow underneath them and still be visible. If you are talking about in front of the azaleas, then I think they would do fine, unless the dogs decided to hang out there anyways. Hostas go dormant in the winter and disappear. Mine are coming up now; my neighbor's are already up because she gets more sun than I do. If the dogs hang out on top of the hostas when they are delicate and poking up, they will get damaged and won't look too good.

There are other good shade plants, too, and lots of them. Ferns, native columbine, heuchera, tiarella, Solomon's seal, brunera, astilbe, hellebore, wild ginger, caladiums, bleeding heart, euphorbia, yellow (native) foxglove, wood poppy, pachysandra, hydrangea, trilliums, mayapples, mosses...

Yep, they've built nests under and behind the azaleas right up to the foundation. :eek: They like the shade back there and I'm sure the foundation on the north side is a relative cool spot on a hot day. It is incredibly cute to see a little nose sticking out between the branches and then a doggie stretching out of his nap as he comes to greet you at the gate. But it's not good for my house or the azaleas!

The hostas would be in front of the azaleas. I guess I was thinking the hostas might look out of place at the end of the season if they got huge like my other hostas do. The dogs only dig in the hot summer time, and I think if the hostas were there all filled out, they wouldn't find it as interesting. They tend not to dig under there when I remember/have time to mulch heavily underneath, but they are home more than I am and take advantage! I also throw their poop under there and it keeps them away for a while, but then it's just one more thing I have to remember.

I'll look up that list and see what works. Thanks!

Karen

Crankin

04-12-2009, 06:30 AM

We have been very successful in using a product called Deer Scram to keep deer and other animals from eating our hostas. It is 23% dried blood, along with some pepper and garlic. It doesn't smell, but it keeps the animals away, without being harmful. You can get it at gardening stores or farms.

tulip

04-12-2009, 07:18 AM

Tucker, I'm not sure why it's not good for your foundation except when it rains and water settles in the dog nest and then into your foundation. Is that the case? Are the azaleas suffering because of the dogs? I can imagine the soil compacting, but that's about it. You might want to consider temporarily fencing that part off to keep the dogs out while you provide them a more attractive (to them, and to you) place to get out of the sun. Hostas might work, but the dogs gotta cool off somewhere, and they might just move to another undesirable (to you) spot and you'll have the same problem in another place.

Mulching is very good for the plants (azaleas and hostas, both), conserves water, and keeps the dogs out in your case. It's worth doing twice a year; and maybe once in the summer if the dogs get in there again.

Tuckervill

04-12-2009, 07:34 AM

The stupid dogs can go INSIDE to the a/c whenever they want! I don't understand why they insist on going under there and digging holes. The roots of the azaleas are exposed in some places. I'm sure they like to just be outside some, but I'm always amazed when I come home and they're panting in the shade when they can just go in the doggie door and have the run of the house.

My house is a really old house (<112) and it has a rock foundation that was skimmed with concrete at some point, and then someone built a flat concrete apron around the foundation, about 18 inches wide. That's the part of the foundation that they are digging under. I just really don't want them to do that. Eventually they could allow water to seep under.

Karen

tulip

04-12-2009, 07:46 AM

I understand now--they are digging into the foundation and the roots, not just making a bare dirt spot. Yeah, it's a problem. Is there another place that they could adopt, with a little encouragement, mulch, hostas, and fencing, of course?

Inside it might be cool, but there aren't all those sounds and smells that make life interesting for a dog.

Pax

04-12-2009, 07:58 AM

A question about fencing for my little herb garden...we have about 9,000,000 squirrels per block here, should I build a little fence with a lid to keep those furry rats out??

OakLeaf

04-12-2009, 08:03 AM

Squirrels shouldn't bother it.

Deer are fond of parsley, but I don't think anyone will bother the rest of your herbs. Generally herbs are too strong flavored for mammalian pests.

Raccoons might come after your tomatoes once they start coming ripe.

Once you start planting more veggies, then you'll have more pest problems. I had two consecutive years when groundhogs walked off with my ENTIRE garden. :mad::mad::(:( Talk about frustrating! An electric fence is the only thing that keeps them out. Plus eight foot high netting to keep the deer off the green beans and carrot tops... :p

tulip

04-12-2009, 08:06 AM

Squirrels won't eat your herbs, but they might very well dig in the garden, particularly in the fall when they go about burying acorns and such for the winter.

Pax

04-12-2009, 08:12 AM

Other than squirrels our two other pests would be bunnies and possums. I have a possum who lives under the garden shed...I have no idea what he (she?) eats.

Crankin

04-12-2009, 02:20 PM

While this thread is still on gardening, I am happy to report that I spent a little over an hour carrying pails of loam onto the 25% grade hillside and dumping them, as my husband was dong the wheelbarrow. The job is now 95% done.
I know this is nothing compared to everyone else, but it's a miracle for me.
My upper body is already feeling it.

Zen

04-12-2009, 02:56 PM

I need a new wheelbarrow tire. I think mine is just rotted :(

TsPoet

04-12-2009, 03:17 PM

I need a new wheelbarrow tire. I think mine is just rotted :(

Do you have a Les Schwab Tire place or similar near you? They do wheelbarrow tires, too, and Schwab fixes them free. Around here with tack week, it's well worth going to Schwab to get a wheelbarrow tire.

BleeckerSt_Girl

04-12-2009, 03:28 PM

Well today I had other plans, but instead I wound up cleaning my office all day.
It started with just sorting through a little pile of paper....and spread from there into drawers, cabinets, behind things...

I even sifted through the big ominous box of rather depressing paperwork I had kept from the 3 1/2 years when my mother was sick and dying 3 years ago- all the Medicaid, hospital, medication, nursing home, banking, legal, wills, death stuff, etc etc. When all was said and done, I had a modest manila envelope of only the most important stuff, including some poignant things like notes she scrawled to the nurse while on life support, asking for me by name...her old passport with her pretty picture...her debit card with her signature on the back...I just can't toss it. :o

I found some things I had been looking for, and also wound up with a PILE of old staplers and calculators-!! Going to give those away, don't need more than maybe three of each, right?
Now there still some more things to go through in my office (mostly updating my filing cabinet of papers), but I got rid of tons of crap and reorganized things much better so that everything LOOKS spacious and clear again. What a great feeling! No more creeping piles! (that sounds weird, huh)
It's like a breath of fresh air, a fresh start, and I'm so glad i did this today. :p

crazycanuck

04-12-2009, 04:03 PM

Pax..i had to giggle when you mentioned there was a possum under your house...Now I have "Hello Possums" in my head :rolleyes: (Thanks dame edna...)

I'm sure if you want to find out what they eat, just venture on the net for info. Are they pests where you are? If they start to eat the power line poles then you might want to rethink your strategy.

Ok...now that i'm not working & have lots of time on my hands..Why is it that i've started to enjoy cooking healthy stuff? Ok, that & doing a bit more dirt time!

Aggie_Ama

04-12-2009, 04:19 PM

It isn't a toad at all. DH promised me a day of my choice, I wanted to go hiking at a more primitive state park near by. I saw this lizard scamper under some rotten cactus and was peering at him. "Are horny toads actually toads or lizards?" I asked DH. He said they are actually lizards, so we are really sorry but we moved the cactus scaring the little guy to show our first EVER wild horned toad (http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/species/thlizard/)! I squealed with delight. I took a photo but his camo is really good so I don't think we will ever have anything more than the memory. Dad said you used to see them all the time but no more and DH said they are a threatened species.

We saw a lot of possum tracks and raccoon poop but other than fish and some cardinals there wasn't much wildlife to report.

kelownagirl

04-12-2009, 05:46 PM

BleeckerSt_Girl

04-12-2009, 07:11 PM

Enjoying your blog, Lisa! :)

thanks! :)

reddDesign

04-12-2009, 07:19 PM

is this like a random bs thread?

if so...well...i'm sitting home...roommate and friends in the other room getting drunk, but i don't really feel like being social.

i just want it to be tomorrow morning so i can strut through the house in my spandex and make them jealous, then go on a ride and make everyone else in the town jealous :D

just kidding...i'm not that vain...but i DO want to go for a ride.

Zen

04-12-2009, 07:31 PM

roommate and friends in the other room getting drunk, but i don't really feel like being social.

Bleh.
I'd find new room mates.

reddDesign

04-12-2009, 07:34 PM

noo, my roommate is awesome. if i felt like being social i'd be in there doing the same thing.

Zen

04-13-2009, 03:15 AM

noo, my roommate is awesome. if i felt like being social i'd be in there doing the same thing.

Bleh. I prefer Scrabble or poker when sociability is the goal.

crazycanuck

04-13-2009, 03:53 AM

Zen, do you play scrabble online? Can one play scrabble online?? If so, i'd be happy to join you in a game.

I love scrabble but ian's not & his spelling is :eek:

Some folks have different flatmates & Í think that's what makes flatting fun. Have you ever seen "Scarfies"(NZ film) or "Shallow Grave"???

We watched Blade Runner (directors cut) after lunch today...Still one cool film :cool: Odd yet cool.

Still have to watch "The Castle" (oooo soo funny..:D) that we've rented from a local netflix rental thing.

reddDesign

04-13-2009, 04:33 AM

I love scrabble...but yeah...to each their own...it's all in moderation.

Zen

04-13-2009, 09:25 AM

CC, I used to play on Facebook but now I play for free on Pogo. I think you can do email games there

salsabike

04-13-2009, 09:28 AM

This is where we play. I think there's a $10/year fee. I love it. http://thepixiepit.co.uk/scrabble/

katluvr

04-13-2009, 09:29 AM

Are we off the gardening topic?
Probably just as well...just recieved a quote for professional landscaping in the back yard. As we are having the pool and deck all re-done, we want to really landscape nicely.
As I don't have the time or patience or knowledge..I prefer a professional. I spend my off time biking, running or other "stuff o' fun".
But I don't think I can afford this! Wow! It was much more than I expected. yeah, could do it myself...but I just have to leave it to professionals!

Good for all you that do your own!

OakLeaf

04-13-2009, 09:44 AM

Pax

04-13-2009, 09:54 AM

Just be sure they have LOCAL credentials. As I mentioned, I know zero about ornamentals, and we made the mistake a few years back of trusting someone who had good-looking landscaping experience in another state and a philosophy very compatible with ours, but was new to Florida. Oh, man, was that a mistake.

At least the paving stones look nice. :rolleyes:

When I lived in FL my new neighbor was a retired landscaper from "up North", he took one look at my grass and told me it was in desperate need of thatching...but my grass was that kind that vines throughout the yard, thatching would have torn the yard up!

Biciclista

04-13-2009, 10:29 AM

on Facebook, scrabble is now called Lexulous, and I play it a lot. You know who I am! Challenge me to a game!

katluvr

04-13-2009, 12:45 PM

Very reputable landscaper...one of the best (we picked one of the best for the pool, too, I would rather pay now than later and I know folks who have!)
So the work his company does is great....but I worry we have a FL jungle theme planned for the back. So I just need him to scale back. I DO NOT like working outside (unless on a bike!)

Now I am off to take cat to vet...those darn furry children, it is always one thing or another! Better be cheap...momma have a pool and backyard to pay for! (Just joking, the critters always come first!)

Scrabble...I can't spell (have you not noticed by my postings) and I make up words. In otherwords...not too fond or good at scrabble. Just leave me alone to my sudoku puzzels!

Zen

04-13-2009, 01:01 PM

Pogo Scrabble won't let you make up words or spell incorrectly but when you're desperately putting together letters hoping to make a word you may be surprised to find out it's an acceptable word.

bmccasland

04-14-2009, 04:58 AM

Went to the vet yesterday to pick up meds and food for two of my fur babies. Wasn't until I went back outside I noticed *who* was doing the yardwork on the newly remodeled and expanded building - the head vet! He had just finished planting the trees, and was taking a weedwhacker to the free range grass that grew up. Wearing jeans and an old T-shirt he looked like a hired yard-man, not the owner of a large vet practice.

Zen

04-14-2009, 09:31 AM

After paying for the remodling they couldn't afford the lawn service.
My vet is expanding the building too. Business must be good.

Tuckervill

04-15-2009, 07:52 AM

Seven transactions from Air Arabia out of our checking account this morning! No, I have never been to Arabia. grrrrr. What's wrong with these people?

Karen, miffed

Zen

04-15-2009, 09:52 AM

SEVEN???
Doesn't your bank have any fraud detection?
SEVEN???

Duck on Wheels

04-15-2009, 02:22 PM

Given what we've learned about banks lately, maybe it's an inside job.

Trek420

04-15-2009, 02:45 PM

At least the paving stones look nice. :rolleyes:

Yeah, they grow anywhere :p :rolleyes:

Tuckervill

04-15-2009, 05:39 PM

Ha! An inside job!

No, the bank called ME and let me know about them. They were all still pending and they denied them all. We still have to go to the bank on Friday (after they've "cleared") to sign affidavits that they aren't ours.

Karen

Zen

04-15-2009, 07:22 PM

OakLeaf

04-16-2009, 03:15 AM

This is a good place to mention that if you're traveling, OR if you and your spouse/SO/other joint account holder are traveling separately, call your bank ahead of time and let them know where you're going. It's pretty much SOP for them to freeze your cards when you have charges in different locations that you don't visit often.

Not a huge deal, but it can be a real PITA when your card's rejected when you're trying to check into a hotel, or buy something, and you have to step out of line and get on the phone in the lobby and sort it out with the bank.

Glad they didn't actually get anything, Tucker & Zen.

crazycanuck

04-18-2009, 10:40 PM

When we were on our travels last year, we received an email from our bank notifying us of odd transactions in the countries we'd just been in or were in at the time. We rang & emailed the bank to notifiy them we were overseas :)

Here's an interesting souvenier for those who might be travelling to Tassie http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8006042.stm

reddDesign

04-19-2009, 05:36 AM

I gots a new helmet :)

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs023.snc1/3095_505432947245_108400085_30092750_4903510_n.jpg

and picked up a few of these since I tend to break them
http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v649/135/113/108400085/n108400085_30092752_770415.jpg

I think I've decided on getting Luna Chix jerseys/shorts since it's almost exactly what I'm looking for. However I also found the Northshore Cyclists club that I may join...

Zen

04-22-2009, 07:55 PM

I know I'm not the only one here who thinks Ira Glass is sexy.

snapdragen

04-22-2009, 08:27 PM

:confused: Who's Ira Glass?

kelownagirl

04-22-2009, 10:51 PM

I know I'm not the only one here who thinks Ira Glass is sexy.

Why am I always a little bit scared to google someone you think is sex?? ;)

salsabike

04-22-2009, 11:38 PM

Why am I always a little bit scared to google someone you think is sex?? ;)

<snort> I can see your point here. :p Her choice is pretty harmless, though...THIS time. Google away.

I don't know if I think he's sexy or I just am very fond of him in general.

Zen, you're the best. The Compleat Thread Drift comment.

Zen

04-23-2009, 01:19 AM

Nerds are hot ;).

crazycanuck

04-23-2009, 05:54 AM

My nerd is hot ;) :D

TsPoet

04-23-2009, 07:32 AM

Phew.

I just had to have my ATM card reissued. No charges were attempted but not made and the card was frozen.
I found this out at the bike shop. Good thing they know me :)
I'm really glad it wasn't when I was at at the grocery store.

I wonder if it's coincidence, or if this problem has spiked - that's 3 of us in this thread. My card was turned down at PetCo. On my way out the door, my phone rang with someone from the bank asking me if I'd made a whole bunch of odd (for me) charges. nope, not me.
Guess they are doing a good job of catching it. Scary, though.
The woman apologized profusely for them canceling the card. I kept telling her I did not mind at all - not in the least little bit!

kelownagirl

04-24-2009, 04:01 PM

<snort> I can see your point here. :p Her choice is pretty harmless, though...THIS time. Google away.

I don't know if I think he's sexy or I just am very fond of him in general.

Zen, you're the best. The Compleat Thread Drift comment.

LOL, maybe it says something about me but I always have to google it. Kinda like looking at a car wreck. PS I thought he was kinda cute actually :)

OakLeaf

04-25-2009, 11:54 AM

What I did instead of riding today (don't look, Zen!):

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3vDkQwuSTy0/SfNhFgQSa3I/AAAAAAAAAD4/tTAQnX8ysaw/s512/TheFirstMorel_09.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3vDkQwuSTy0/SfNhF79Qa0I/AAAAAAAAAEA/c48iIMcEiBA/s512/morel_mayapple.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3vDkQwuSTy0/SfNhFsnMb1I/AAAAAAAAADw/DPDRrKQCkWY/s512/fiddleheads.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3vDkQwuSTy0/SfNhL8KL3PI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/lKUxe7uMBk4/colander.jpg

BleeckerSt_Girl

04-25-2009, 12:14 PM

Ooooohhhh!!!!! Did you saute the morels with the fiddleheads??? :eek: :p :p :p Oh man, lucky lucky you!

(or maybe they aren't the edible kind of fiddleheads?)

Pax

04-26-2009, 12:58 PM

Just got home from another book sale, my mom and I have hit two in the last couple of weeks...yay books!!!!

My honey, my mom, and I were invited to a picnic lunch at our neighbors house (we gave them our old picnic table and they wanted to say thanks)...they made portobello sandwiches with a fresh herb aioli, fresh greens with a lime dressing, and chunked up fresh pineapple/papaya/strawberries for dessert...it was amazing!

OakLeaf

04-26-2009, 05:35 PM

Ooooohhhh!!!!! Did you saute the morels with the fiddleheads??? :eek: :p :p :p Oh man, lucky lucky you!

(or maybe they aren't the edible kind of fiddleheads?)

I'm not sure what kind of fiddleheads they are or which kinds are edible, so I just left them there. Pretty, though. We had the morels with penne and broccoli. Plenty of garlic, a little red pepper, mmmmmm. :)

And the season's just starting. Rain on Tuesday should really bring them out. :):)

OakLeaf

04-27-2009, 11:05 AM

Oh, wow.

So I pulled out my old, neglected edible wild plants book.

I'm still not sure what kind of fiddleheads they are. But guess what I found folded up between the pages?

The cue sheet I'd made for my very first bicycle tour, June, 1982.

Could I actually have brought that book on that tour? :eek: I don't remember, but it's definitely possible. Speaking of the other thread... I brought the heaviest stuff imaginable with me, so books were probably on the list. :rolleyes::p

Anyway, an unexpected blast from the past!

TsPoet

04-27-2009, 11:14 AM

Men trying to be supportive, gotta love them.

On a ride yesterday with my friend:
Me: "I am so out of shape"
Ian: "Round is a shape".

Biciclista

04-27-2009, 11:16 AM

Men trying to be supportive, gotta love them.

On a ride yesterday with my friend:
Me: "I am so out of shape"
Ian: "Round is a shape".

lol, that's a good one.

nothing to report here.

bmccasland

04-27-2009, 11:19 AM

Men trying to be supportive, gotta love them.

On a ride yesterday with my friend:
Me: "I am so out of shape"
Ian: "Round is a shape".

lol, that's a good one.

nothing to report here.

Funny that was the same quote that went between a cycling friend and I when I caught her running on the levee path last week - I haven't seen her since last fall. She was grumbling about being out of shape - she could probably out ride me with one hand tied behind her back - and I had the appropriate response.....:cool:

BleeckerSt_Girl

04-27-2009, 12:12 PM

We had a fresh yeast bread boule warm from the oven for lunch....mmmmmmm.... :p

Crankin

04-27-2009, 03:09 PM

Only 2 papers and presentations left...
I made it through the second and final weekend of my weekend format course.
Two weeks from tomorrow I will have officially finished my first of the 3 years of my program.
Although, I have blocked out Wednesday to go on a 45 mile ride with my group.
Priorities, right?

reddDesign

04-27-2009, 05:35 PM

I have three...no...four...papers to write before next week...social problems...two for history...one for my internship.

On another note...going to a huge Mazda meet this weekend in NY!

Tuckervill

04-27-2009, 06:27 PM

Today it was supposed to rain--3 to 4 inches, 90-100% chance depending on who you asked. Today was also the first day of our youth baseball season. Guess who was counting on rain and didn't do a LOT of things she should have done to get ready for the season, like put drinks in the cooler and buy candy for the concession stand?

Guess where it didn't rain ALL DAY??

I pulled it off, though. :)

Karen

Pax

04-28-2009, 05:04 AM

Zen

04-28-2009, 11:39 AM

We got your rain...it's in my basement.:(

At least it's not on the first floor level.

Biciclista

04-28-2009, 11:43 AM

I just made an eye doctor appointment for my 30 year old son who will be losing all medical benefits after may 15th. I've been begging him to do this for 4 years so I finally just did it for him. And yes, I will accompany him there.

sgtiger

04-28-2009, 12:01 PM

Mimi - You're such a............MOM!:D That gave me a good chuckle that you had to do that for him. Maybe next time he'll listen to his mother before she has to go to such great lengths again. Most boys at 13 don't want to have their moms drive them to places, how does he feel about it?

Biciclista

04-28-2009, 12:05 PM

I think he has a vague feeling of embarrassment, but he's been needing glasses so long, it is coupled with relief. My son is the original absentminded professor... but without tenure; he will be homeless and unemployed in a month. but at least he'll have glasses.

chicago

04-28-2009, 12:26 PM

look at this pic... adorable!! I am going to go check out the middle guy tonight... :D

Biciclista

04-28-2009, 12:55 PM

what kind of dogs are they?

chicago

04-28-2009, 12:57 PM

what kind of dogs are they?

maltese.. pure bred.

Zen

04-28-2009, 02:20 PM

Oh, Mimi, that's terrible news:(
Does he have any idea what he's going to do?

Biciclista

04-28-2009, 04:29 PM

he said he's going to get a job. But he's not going to do anything about it right now. If he runs out of a place to live he is always welcome here of course but you know, he will hate to have to move back here.

solobiker

04-28-2009, 04:37 PM

okay...for the past 4 weekends in a row we have had cold rainy/snowy weather. Once the work week starts back up the sun starts to shine and the temps warm up to the 70s. Whats up with that?? Guess what...Saturday it is supposed to start raining again.

Biciclista

04-28-2009, 05:03 PM

he almost sounds like a certain TE'er except he doesn't have a safari to escape to in Europe

Zen

04-28-2009, 06:14 PM

Isn't living with you like going on a safari ;) ?

crazycanuck

04-28-2009, 06:49 PM

Mimi-certainly hope your Son can find a place to live!

Zen-where have ye been? I miss your humour

We have a sparky installing new lights etc in our place today. Yukon doesn't like the stranger but she quiets down after a while.

It gives me time to work on my Planning 101 paper. I now need to figure out how to put the design photos onto a powerpoint presentation...:o

Zen

04-28-2009, 08:11 PM

I've been here-

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/DSC_0137.jpg

and here-

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/DSC_0183.jpg

and here-

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/DSC_0034-1.jpg

:cool: :D

Pax

04-29-2009, 04:38 AM

Whatcha doing in NYC Zen?

Zen

04-29-2009, 05:52 AM

Being a hick :D
I accompanied Diving Biker to her half marathon last Sunday. I had bad shin splints so I rented a bike while she ran :)

Biciclista

04-29-2009, 05:55 AM

I haven't been to new york in (gasp) 30 years!

Pax

04-29-2009, 06:03 AM

Being a hick :D
I accompanied Diving Biker to her half marathon last Sunday. I had bad shin splints so I rented a bike while she ran :)

I like to pretend I'm a hick when I go to Chicago just too embarrass my oh so chic niece...said LOUDLY - "hey Becca, will you just look at all these tall buildings!!!!!!"

Zen

04-29-2009, 06:29 AM

I considered wearing overalls and a straw hat :p

BleeckerSt_Girl

04-29-2009, 08:19 AM

Ah, my old hometown!

Hey, I have that exact same brown "espresso spin" jersey from TE! :)

Just a tip- your white "Georgetown" sweatshirt would make you a prime target for pickpockets, especially in Times Square. :o

I wish they still made wonderful buildings like the Flatiron. :(

Zen

04-29-2009, 08:45 AM

Just a tip- your white "Georgetown" sweatshirt would make you a prime target for pickpockets, especially in Times Square. :o
No worries when your pockets are already empty:o

I wish they still made wonderful buildings like the Flatiron. :(
When I was in high school, I had the famous Stieglitz photo torn out of a magazine and tacked to the wall.
His photo had much better lighting but I think I found a similar vantage point.

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/stieglitz_flatiron_big.jpg

TsPoet

04-29-2009, 09:16 AM

I've never been to NYC.
I hate to admit it, but I didn't even recognize it from Zen's photos!
I'm afraid to go to NYC. I've been to Baltimore, and Seattle, and Salt Lake City. I interviewed for a job in Pittsburgh and the giant city was so traumatic to my small-town sensibilities that I can't remember anything about it!
Albuquerque is huge now, that's where my family lives.

Zen

04-29-2009, 04:04 PM

NYC was on my bucket list, I had never been there either. Fear never occurred to me, I was excited about a new experience!
I never in my craziest dream though I would be riding a bike through Central Park and across Manhattan.
I knew where I wanted to go and I had a map.
Everyone I spoke with was friendly and happy to help.

I don't know why you would be afraid. Except for Baltimore. Be afraid of Baltimore.

crazycanuck

04-29-2009, 05:17 PM

NYC is such a cool place! It's not as bad as people make it out to be. I have been twice & wandered around on my own each time & no one bothered me. I did the "screen scene" tour. Central Park is great!!!

I'm happy to say I've been to both "strawberry fields".

I'll find a few pics later on.

I'd like to go back to DC just because it's an odd city. One block :eek: next block ok..It's one place I DIDN"T dare to go out at night in alone. (97) That & because it's so close to Arlington cemetary.

mtbdarby

04-29-2009, 07:13 PM

Hey Zen - you don't look anything like your avatar:p

TSPoet - I'm with you. There's too much hussle and bustle and I find them simply overwhelming. Although I would like to go to NYC and DC some day...

Mimi - good luck to your son on the job and housing front. You mean he's lived out of his car before? And he has a couple cats to take care of??? Good thing he's got the safari to look forward to, lol.

My son was in his first school musical today - it was so adorable. I get to see it again tomorrow - yeah!

Zen

04-29-2009, 07:18 PM

My son was in his first school musical today - it was so adorable. I get to see it again tomorrow - yeah!

There must be video, what better entertainment for his 30th birthday party:D

TsPoet

04-30-2009, 08:06 AM

Hey Zen - you don't look anything like your avatar:p

TSPoet - I'm with you. There's too much hussle and bustle and I find them simply overwhelming. Although I would like to go to NYC and DC some day...

I completely lied! How could I have so unintentionally done that?
I go to DC about 1/year, sometimes more. I like it there. It's clean and neat and only once have I ever had to take a taxi. I love the metro access to just about anywhere, as long as you are willing to walk. I don't feel overwhelmed in DC.
I was in Paris when I was a teenager, and I liked that, too. But, while all the other kids were doing the big city stuff, I was wandering around small back alleys and watching fruit vendors on the street.
The "fear" though, is the hustle and bustle and noise and just that too much is going on - look at Zen's photos, there are people everywhere.
I suspect I've just watched too many episodes of "Law and Order" :rolleyes:

TsPoet

04-30-2009, 08:06 AM

There must be video, what better entertainment for his 30th birthday party:D

I think you meant wedding...:eek:

mtbdarby

05-01-2009, 11:11 AM

Don't worry - I have blackmail pictures:D

Biciclista

05-01-2009, 12:22 PM

Mimi - good luck to your son on the job and housing front. You mean he's lived out of his car before? And he has a couple cats to take care of??? Good thing he's got the safari to look forward to, lol.

Dar you are very confused. My son has never had to live out of his car, he has no pets and I said unlike someone else he does NOT have a safari to look forward to.
:confused::confused::confused:

happy friday everyone it is GORGEOUS here.

solobiker

05-01-2009, 03:19 PM

I can't believe it...it is supposed to rain/snow again this weekend. This will make it the 5th weekend in a row.:( I just want to get out and play sooo bad

crazycanuck

05-01-2009, 08:53 PM

My uni paper is coming along. I am not going riding today or tomorrow as i'm going to get a rough draft done for a few folks to read by Monday. I am going to help with some trail building tomorrow morning though.

Get paper done=more time for singletrack next week :D

Owlie

05-04-2009, 01:36 AM

There is paper occurring here too. It's due in...6.5 hours. It's 15 pages long...and was supposed to be 10-12. Granted, some of that is taken up by footnotes and the bibliography. I hate word limits.

There's also studying for my immunology exam going on here too. Pain...

crazycanuck

05-04-2009, 02:48 AM

What are you studying at university?

Paper is coming along. Final exam is on June 15th.

Crankin

05-04-2009, 04:04 AM

I have one paper left, due May 12. It's just a 5 page reflection on how we have changed/been affected by the content of our psychology of culture and identity class. It will be hard to write, since I already know I am "privileged," and I need to be sensitive about how I say things. I *have* learned a lot in this class, though.
The other four papers were one fifteen page, one eighteen page, and 2 five pagers. Oh, and 3 presentations, the last one is tomorrow night. And those were just the final papers... We really don't have exams in my program. It's all writing, reading, research, role playing, and presentations.
I am going to go ride my bike to the gym, do yoga, and then come home and write the paper.

mtbdarby

05-04-2009, 06:58 AM

I found/rescued another bike this morning:p A murray step through with mtb tires and handle bars. It's in good shape but I haven't measured the frame yet.

And I thought spring cleaning was done!

Lise

05-04-2009, 07:04 PM

HE-LO TE! I thought of titling this "I'M BAAAAAACK", but thought I'd save that rather creepy line for in here! :p

Running Mommy told me you all were wondering where I was! (Oh, the miracles of Facebook) I'm doing great, John and I are going strong, and I'm contemplating training for a Century or maybe a half.

I had surgery on my left foot 2/23/09, and the recovery has felt excruciatingly slow. Because I'm a health care provider, I think I should get half off my recovery time, right? Not so much. I had horrible bunions on the left foot which were making it very hard to walk, or run, or bike. Or do my job, or go to the grocery store, or sleep through the night...you get the idea. So they operated on bones on both sides of the foot. It turns out that bone recovery is way more intense than any other surgery I've ever had. I have a lot more respect for what it takes to make (or remake) a bone.

That said, we've been out on the bikes twice, 7.5 miles two weeks ago, and 15.5 miles on Sat. The Sat. ride included replacing a flat tube (John was impressed with my skills--thanks for teaching me everything I know, ladies). We were looping home from a lovely ride, and going to stop by my mom's when the tube blew. Perfect timing, cuz my 73 yr old mom has a great Topeak pump! I don't know if she's going to ride this year, but she was quite the cyclist in her day. And her "day" started in her late 50s, when she quit smoking.

I'm the director of our nurse-midwifery practice now, which means I get to exercise my desire to run the show AND don't have to work so many night shifts! Whoo-hoo!

I gained at least 6# while sitting around letting my foot heal, and I am really eager to lose about 15# at least. I want to get back to looking like I did in the Bianchi link below. I'm thinking training for a century would be a good motivator. Mom is still a member of the Evanston Bicycle Club, and does SAC for the ride every year. I've never done it. I think I'm pretty much done with triathlons, just because I despise being kicked in the head during the swim. Plus I'm a lousy swimmer. I'm thinking long bike rides and maybe the occasional half-marathon. I'm not much of a walker right now, much less runner, but every week is better and better.

Well, that's enough blither-blather from me. I'm looking forward to getting caught up with old pals and meeting new ones!

Fredwina

05-04-2009, 07:12 PM

welcome back!:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

Zen

05-04-2009, 07:14 PM

Well,well, well.

crazycanuck

05-04-2009, 08:34 PM

Yeharrrrrroooeyeeeee!!! Lise is here :D

I have to tell you that each time I see a daschund at the doggie beach I think of the coolio lise up in Chi town :D

Crankin

05-05-2009, 03:17 AM

Welcome back, Lise. I always enjoyed your posts. The description of your surgery, made me want to live with my bunion forever. I just don't want to take the time off!

Robyn (I changed my screen name)

Pax

05-05-2009, 03:48 AM

Lise!!!!!! So good to "see" you! Are you doing Bike The Drive this year??

Lise

05-05-2009, 04:18 AM

Good morning, ladies! It's good to be back.

Yeharrrrrroooeyeeeee!!! Lise is here :D

I have to tell you that each time I see a daschund at the doggie beach I think of the coolio lise up in Chi town :D
Get this--on my first time back on the bike post-op, we had not one but FOUR separate dachshund sightings on a 7.5 mile ride. I took it as a very good omen.

Welcome back, Lise. I always enjoyed your posts. The description of your surgery, made me want to live with my bunion forever. I just don't want to take the time off!

Robyn (I changed my screen name)
Ah! Thanks for explaining the name change! Yes, it is truly a long haul recovery. If you work on your feet, as I do, you will need to take two months off work. I have bunions on my R foot, too, but they don't interfere with my life, and I have no plan to interfere with them.

Lise!!!!!! So good to "see" you! Are you doing Bike The Drive this year??
Hey, Pax-formerly-known-as-Queen! I think about Bike the Drive, but don't know if I can pull it off. I suppose we could do a shorter part of it...I'll have to talk to John and be willing to play it by ear. How about you?

Pax

05-05-2009, 05:08 AM

Hey, Pax-formerly-known-as-Queen! I think about Bike the Drive, but don't know if I can pull it off. I suppose we could do a shorter part of it...I'll have to talk to John and be willing to play it by ear. How about you?

We're thinking about coming up but will be watching the weather forecast, the last time we rode it was in a pouring down rain storm...and once of that was enough. ;)

maillotpois

05-05-2009, 06:47 AM

Get this--on my first time back on the bike post-op, we had not one but FOUR separate dachshund sightings on a 7.5 mile ride. I took it as a very good omen.

A very good omen indeed! :)

Welcome back!

Biciclista

05-05-2009, 06:47 AM

hey Lise, congrats on the promotion! I hope you still get to deliver babies.
(formerly mimitabby)
Mimi

cylegoddess

05-05-2009, 05:34 PM

Lise

05-05-2009, 06:25 PM

We're thinking about coming up but will be watching the weather forecast, the last time we rode it was in a pouring down rain storm...and once of that was enough. ;) We rode two years ago in a persistant drizzle. Though I seem to remember it clearing up in the end. A cold grey wet day is not great for riding anywhere, much less with the hordes on LSD.

hey Lise, congrats on the promotion! I hope you still get to deliver babies.
(formerly mimitabby)
MimiI *do* still get to deliver babies. If I could just deliver babies as a day job, I'd do it. It's the nights that kill me. I'm 1/2 time administration and 1/2 time clinical. The clinical is about 1/2 time prenatal and gyne care and 1/2 time on call at the hospital. I caught two babies last week.

I was musing,should I get rid of high heeled boots? Bunions, yikes - yes I should! thanks!:eek:
I sold shoes for a while - so many poor mangled looking bunion feet.Poor little things! Women who lived thru 50s had it the worst. The shoe manufacturers actually cut shoes to slant BEFORE the big joint, so that millions of women now have bunions.
I hear that its sometimes better to leave them, unless you cant walk. Has it helped? The darned thing is, I never wore heels except for really special occasions. I'm 48, and grew up wearing Clarks and flats and gym shoes. Never even flip flops. I've just got genetically odd feet. Really narrow heels and really wide forefeet. The podiatrist actually said, "Whoa! Where did you get those feet?" when she first saw me. I replied that they were courtesy of my PARENTS. My left foot had gotten so bad that I had pain no matter what I did. Not only in my feet, but my legs and hips, too. I couldn't run, bike, or really even walk without pain and numbness. It's not all better yet, but it looks a lot more normal, and I'm expecting a much better quality of foot life.

The right foot has bunions, too, but they don't bother me, and I have no intention of going through this again unless it's really necessary.

Pax

05-06-2009, 06:00 AM

I was musing,should I get rid of high heeled boots? Bunions, yikes - yes I should! thanks!:eek:
I sold shoes for a while - so many poor mangled looking bunion feet.Poor little things! Women who lived thru 50s had it the worst. The shoe manufacturers actually cut shoes to slant BEFORE the big joint, so that millions of women now have bunions.
I hear that its sometimes better to leave them, unless you cant walk. Has it helped?

My mom was in her 20's in the mid 50's, she wore those awful shoes and has horrible bunions...she was even a shoe saleswomen back then! She used to try to get me to wear heels but I balked, they were uncomfortable and I was 5'10" already, now she says she's so glad I fought her on that topic.

Veronica

05-06-2009, 06:11 AM

Bunions can come from things other than wearing heels. I had bunion surgery in my early 20s (1990) because I have bio-mechanical issues according to the podiatrist who worked on me. My feet don't push off correctly and my ankles turn inward. I have NEVER worn heels. But my feet are genetically defective anyway. I was born with hammer toes. So I never wear sandals - my feet are so ugly. :rolleyes:

It's nice to have you back Lise!

Veronica

Biciclista

05-06-2009, 06:17 AM

we noticed my younger son had some odd toes when he was a baby. we tried taping them (what a waste of time) and so today what he does is wear shoes as INFREQUENTLY as possible. Some of his toes do not lay the way they should, they're kind of sideways. but his feet themselves are very strong and muscular and i don't think he's going to have any serious problems. (unlike older generations in his family who have had to have surgery for their strange feet).

Get well soon Lise!

Lise

05-06-2009, 02:58 PM

I think I'm just in the "genetically defective feet" camp with Veronica. My brother has horrible hammer toes. My second toe was way out of place because the big toe was way under it. So they also did a "tendon release" on the second toe to get it to lie down. As they're about to wheel me into surgery, I said, "isn't 'tendon release' just a euphemism for 'sever the tendon'?" Yes, indeed, it is. But there are two tendons in there, and the severed one grows back together...supposedly. Who cares. My toe lies down flat, the big toe isn't under it any more, and if you guys keep encouraging me, I'll post pictures! Noooooooooooooo! :eek: :p

Zen

05-06-2009, 04:20 PM

Yessssssssssss!

Lise

05-06-2009, 05:44 PM

OK, since Zen dared me...here you go. Pre-op, one week post-op, and about one month post-op (I think). Last picture was taken a few minutes ago. Oh, the lengths I'll go to for my fans. :p

Zen

05-06-2009, 06:08 PM

Wow.
How could you even walk before?!
You must feel better already.

Lise

05-06-2009, 06:25 PM

48 years on that foot. Of course, not much walking for the first two years...

It just got so painful that John told me, "Do something or stop complaining" (He insists he was much gentler and kinder, but that was the upshot). My hips hurt so badly that I couldn't sleep through the night, the foot hurt all the time, etc.

I do feel much better. It's amazing, though, how long it's taken. This week, I notice I can walk at my usual zippy pace, and it's not *as* swollen at the end of the day. I still take an Aleve every 12 hr, and Tylenol off and on.

Arn'cha glad I came back to TE and hijacked TD with Tales From the Foot Crypt?!? :p

salsabike

05-06-2009, 07:12 PM

Yup. We are glad. Even with macabre illustrations. :cool:

Those are some pictures, kiddo. Glad you're on the mend.

Biciclista

05-06-2009, 07:23 PM

it's nice to see someone healing. there was no blood or anything.
i think my son's toes are kind of like yours but he doesn't have the big bump that you had. we're glad you're back, stitches and all.

here's the only toes picture i have of my son.

kelownagirl

05-06-2009, 07:50 PM

Wanna see what the scar looks like 25 years later? I was 19 when I had both done. :cool: (doing the Math, hmm more than 25 years... 30 years...)

NbyNW

05-06-2009, 08:28 PM

Lise, amazing pictures . . . and my left foot is approaching what your pre-op picture looked like, so if it ever gets that severe I will be heartened to know that others have gone before, and met with good results. Foot surgery has always seemed like a bunch of voodoo to me.

Good luck with the continued recovery and fitness goals!

maillotpois

05-06-2009, 08:32 PM

48 years on that foot. Of course, not much walking for the first two years...

What - were you lazy or something?? :p

Yowza! Nice shots!

snapdragen

05-06-2009, 09:20 PM

My new manager wants to meet to discuss my "career goals". Is retirement a career goal?

salsabike

05-06-2009, 10:08 PM

My new manager wants to meet to discuss my "career goals". Is retirement a career goal?

Damn right it is! Not sure if a manager would think so, but I sure do. :p

Lise

05-07-2009, 03:27 AM

Mimi, your son doesn't seem to have toes on the left there....

MP--Me? Lazy? Just unskilled from 1960-1962. I got my first tricycle in 1964. I remember riding it right off the edge of the sidewalk and toppling over. This didn't bode well for my triathlon career.

KG--so, how do the scars look, lo these many years?

Snap--you could say, "My goal is to get out of here without being sued." That always impresses the manager. :rolleyes: Good luck!

crazycanuck

05-07-2009, 03:50 AM

Snap-you could always tell them your goal is to make it to retirement so you can sit on a nice beach in Australia :D

I have an ooopps moment from this afternoon-Doggie & I ventured to the beach as we often do. Anyways, she normally is in the back tray of the ute attached to a shortish leash (i can take a pic, it's all humane :))..urmm today I forgot to attach her. I was about 1km from home at some traffic lights when i thought..Yukon shouldn't be standing that way in the back...:confused: :eek: Got onto the freeway a few sec's later, into the emergency lane & attached her properly...:o Poor doggie :( *phew*

Lise, I have to ask you..since you're a midwife...Do you think that women are forced & pressured to breastfeed by society?

I saw two articles the other day

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,,25436945-2,00.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1177156/Mother-upset-baby-wouldnt-breastfeed-plunges-death-New-York-apartment.html

In perth recently, a woman was asked to leave a high end restaurant after trying to breastfeed her young baby..so it never ends does it...

No idea why this interests me as i don't plan on having children but I feel sorry for those that do & encounter this issue.

Lise

05-07-2009, 04:35 AM

Hi, CC, glad you realized the pup wasn't hooked up!

The breastfeeding stories touch a nerve with me. In short, I think:
-breast milk is normal human food.
-formula is for emergencies.
-we as a culture don't support, educate, and help new moms enough. I know this because I work on the front lines.
-that means access to HELP that comes to your home when things are not going right. That means not going back to a home where there's no help with daily activities. That means education about overcoming some of the simplest problems in breastfeeding. Etc, etc, etc.
-some women suffer from post partum psychosis, and it's tragic. The woman who leapt to her death probably had a number of contributing factors.
-the formula industry is a multi-billion dollar business which invests a lot in promoting the idea that mothers "shouldn't be forced" to breastfeed their babies.
-nutrition is the one thing that a mom can control during pregnancy and the first year of a child's life.

Those are my opinions as a midwife, since you asked. I'm not inviting anyone to defend or explain her own child rearing history or beliefs. Interesting how much ire this raises, though, isn't it?

Pax

05-07-2009, 05:14 AM

...Snap--you could say, "My goal is to get out of here without being sued." That always impresses the manager. :rolleyes: Good luck!

I am SO going to use that at my next eval!! :D

maillotpois

05-07-2009, 05:24 AM

MP--Me? Lazy? Just unskilled from 1960-1962. I got my first tricycle in 1964. I remember riding it right off the edge of the sidewalk and toppling over. This didn't bode well for my triathlon career.

Just kidding - in that I don't think many of us use our feet much the first 2 years! :p (I was in remedial PE in elementary school, so I can relate to the rest of it as well.)

cylegoddess

05-08-2009, 01:27 AM

Wow, interesting shaped feet!

No sandals? aawwwww, thats so sad!
Those guys feet look like my BFs. he never wears shoes, sun , rain. Im sure snow as well. My feet would be ...blue!

Crankin

05-08-2009, 04:13 AM

I was in remedial PE, too (in HS) because I "flunked" the physical fitness test. The test included such important skills such as a basketball shoot. So, I enrolled in the "flab lab," as we called it (though I weighed like 95 lbs) and in that class we ran, did sit ups and other core stuff. After 6 weeks, I outran all of the other girls who had failed the skills test, so I went back in regular PE.
I still can't get a basketball in a hoop or most of the other things that were on that test.

mtbdarby

05-08-2009, 06:11 AM

Lise - glad you're on the mend. My foot started to throb in symapthy for your foot, lol. I even had to take my socks off to look at my feet to compare. My right foot is the painful one but looks nothing like yours.

CC - I agree with Lise on the bfing. Boy did I struggle with my son and no one seemed to give a rip. I had to go looking for help and even then we didn't do it for more than a couple months. I was very disappointed.

Gotta go, my 9:00 client is here!

Crankin

05-08-2009, 09:11 AM

Well, I was on the other end of the spectrum. I chose to bottle feed (yes I am selfish; I wanted my DH to be able to get up in the middle of the night and do the feeding so I could sleep and not get sick) and got a lot of unsolicited comments from people. Not gonna start an argument about this, since it was over 20 years ago and my boys are normal healthy adults...

Veronica

05-08-2009, 09:48 AM

I was bottle fed. I think I'm fairly normal.

I don't think anyone should be questioning whatever the mother decides.

Veronica

Blueberry

05-08-2009, 09:59 AM

I don't think anyone should be questioning whatever the mother decides.

Veronica

+1

I have a friend who wanted to breast feed. She tried and tried, but couldn't. (yes, she tried everything. There were medical reasons). She experienced a number of really rude comments. It's a personal choice, and sometimes we don't know the whole story.

Biciclista

05-08-2009, 11:14 AM

My new manager wants to meet to discuss my "career goals". Is retirement a career goal?

yeah, are supposed to now list things we do to better ourselves. I listed a painting workshop and cycling and my boss got all fussy with me. :confused::mad: I told him, these things make me a better employee too.
He made me take them out.

When I was having babies, breast feeding was treated like outrageous behavior. I was one of the only moms to be that was going to "try" it when i had #1 son in the ward that weekend. (didn't have #2 son in hospital)
I am worried about the future of America where women can't give birth and can't breast feed! the statistics are incredibly frightening to me.

BleeckerSt_Girl

05-08-2009, 12:47 PM

I had both my daughters in a very good hospital in Puerto Rico 27 and 30 years ago.
I was treated like a freak when I insisted on breastfeeding, and I had to really get tough to make them bring my babies to me every 2 hours to feed instead of waiting 4 hours like 'normal'. They said I probably didn't have enough milk (even though I was BURSTING with it). They also kept wanting to feed them glucose water in bottles- when I told them NO to that, they argued that my babies might get dehydrated if they didn't drink the sugar water bottles. !!! They tried to make me feel backwards and barbaric and unfit. Imagine!! :mad: Glad I stuck to my guns.

Biciclista

05-08-2009, 01:09 PM

omigoodness i forgot the glucose!
my son never nursed the day we were in the hospital and i thought something was wrong with ME. The nurses had been giving him glucose every 4 hours. Without consulting me.
It's a good thing I checked out 24 hours after his birth which barely gave the proud daddy time to find some basics like a crib and some baby powder.. but that's another story!.

Crankin

05-08-2009, 03:41 PM

Tell us the story...
Did you have the baby really early?

Biciclista

05-08-2009, 04:19 PM

Are we talking about the birth of my first son?
:o
The Doctor said I was due Nov 15 I was ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN that I was not due until december. (and I was so carrying so small that the doctor was buffaloed).
First day of Nov I was checked and he said anytime. Uhhuh, I said, sure.
The day before I went into labor I was out working a young horse. Then my DH said, "want to drive up the logging roads to see our friends who live in the mountains this weekend?" I thought that was an awful idea, and he contemplated going alone, but at the last minute he didn't. It's a good thing because my water broke in the middle of the night, nov 4th.
We really didn't have ANYTHING. My baby shower was scheduled for Nov 16th. My sister had sent us some layettes (anyone know what those are?)
and a friend had an old crib that his DOGS had been sleeping in (hey, beggars can not be choosy) so my dear hubby bought a new mattress for that crib, some diapers and diaper pins in the few free hours he had on Monday Morning (son born on Sunday afternoon) and we were set! We were a family and my son who was full term, was what made us a real family.

BleeckerSt_Girl

05-08-2009, 04:40 PM

Mimi that's a nice story!

Tuckervill

05-08-2009, 07:42 PM

Mimi, I have two sons born in November, on the 5th and the 6th. :)

Karen

cylegoddess

05-08-2009, 07:57 PM

I had the best of both worlds. i was too premie to breastfeed( one and half lbs) so Mum fed me from a bottle, in the incubator,from breast milk.
Glucose, ick. no wonder they get colic. Wheat isnt so good for anyone.

BleeckerSt_Girl

05-09-2009, 03:42 AM

Glucose, ick. no wonder they get colic. Wheat isnt so good for anyone.

Glucose is a sugar, not a wheat product. Gluten comes from grains such as wheat, corn, rice. :)

Selkie

05-09-2009, 04:21 AM

Crankin

05-09-2009, 04:26 AM

That's a nice story, Mimi. Tuck, my birthday is Nov. 4th!
My first son was due 10/26. On the 8th, which was a Friday night, I started having contractions, so I took a bath, shaved my legs, and went and cleaned the kitchen :eek:. I woke up at 5 AM on the 9th, in labor and bleeding. At 6 AM, we were speeding down I-10 (it was a Saturday) to Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix, from Tempe. We got pulled over by a cop, who told us to just go to some other hospital!My husband peeled out, after he said, "My wife is in labor and bleeding," and we raced to the hospital, which was not far at that point. The guy was going to give him a ticket...
When I got in the elevator, the aide with the cart full of breakfast trays lost control of it and it crashed into my legs. I screamed "WTF?" really loud and was hysterical when we go to the L & D floor. Of course Josh wasn't born until 2 PM.
I am going to see him today for an early Mother's Day celebration and will remind him of this story.

mayanorange

05-09-2009, 04:39 AM

That's a great story Cranklin! And Mimi. :)

I was born on the coldest day ever recorded in Cortland NY (-21 degrees) during a rather large snowstorm. At about 5:30am mom woke up in labor and I was here by 6:30! Good thing the car miraculously started!

Biciclista

05-09-2009, 06:21 AM

NbyNW

05-09-2009, 07:27 AM

She drank an Iron City beer before to relax her!!

Good ol' Arn! :D

OakLeaf

05-09-2009, 09:38 AM

My mother breastfed us - while she smoked a cigarette! She drank an Iron City beer before to relax her!! This was the early 60s.

I don't have kids. However, I agree this is a highly personal decision.

Ha, I don't remember what my mom's beer of choice was, but her OB told her that beer would increase her milk production for my baby sister. (She never had any trouble making enough milk for me or my middle sister. :rolleyes:) But anyway, she drank the beer, and my baby sister was the only one of us who could stand the taste of beer when we'd ask for a taste as children. :p

My sister wound up alcoholic (real strong in recovery now) but I don't really think the breast-beer had anything to do with that.

And, my birthday is Nov. 5 :cool:

Tuckervill

05-09-2009, 10:34 AM

My son and one of my best friend's daughters are both born on Nov 5. Guess what their names are?

Will & Grace. :)

Karen

Crankin

05-09-2009, 12:24 PM

I don't think i've ever known of so many other Scorpios!
I am being lazy today and feel just a little guilty. Went out to brunch with son #1 and his gf and had all intentions of going on a short ride when we got back. I just feel tired, like drugged tired. Then the weather keeps saying it's going to rain/thunder. It will be dark for awhile, then the sun comes out. So after an hour or so of thinking we decided not to ride. Went to the nursery, but couldn't find the flowers i wanted, so now I am drinking coffee and going to start preparing for dinner guests.
I am going on a 40-50 mile ride tomorrow, so I don't feel *too* bad.

BleeckerSt_Girl

05-09-2009, 12:46 PM

I've been putting in my little vegetable garden yesterday and today, and thinking good positive thoughts about our sweet kitty Lydia who is now a kitty spirit beaming her goodness all around the atmosphere.

I got the garden all set and planted for the year!:
http://strumelia.blogspot.com/2009/05/gardens-in.html
(well except for needing to continue planting a few new leaf lettuce and cilantro seeds every couple of weeks.)

My back 'should be' killing me right now after two days of weeding, hoeing, fertilizing, and planting...but strangely it seems to be ok, just a little sore that's all. Lucky me. :) Must be a benefit of bike riding and fitness walking.

Now that I've been tending to my worm composting bin with my special composting breed of worms (eisenia foetida), I now have a new appreciation of the wild worms in my garden. Before, all earthworms looked alike to me. Now I see distinct differences between the different species- it's cool! I saw some small quick maroon ones and also some big long blue tinged ones. I was happy to find some interesting worms in my garden, and I hope to attract more with the all-organic fertilizer I'm using this year.

OakLeaf

05-09-2009, 01:05 PM

It's been too wet to work my soil. I did get home just in time to do the initial tilling before the rain set in.

The next few days are supposed to be dry and windy, so hopefully I'll get my beds dug and some seeds planted pretty soon. My seed order came today. :) Once again I'll have to buy tomato and pepper plants, but I'm actually going to direct seed a few tomatoes for a fall crop. The last couple of years I've let some volunteer tomatoes grow, and I've had a reasonable yield from them after the "adopted" plants were spent.

Two stems of my red kale survived the winter and were sending out new leaves when I got home. I had no idea it was a perennial! They looked so delicious I couldn't bear to till them in, so I just tilled around that bed and the adjacent one that had all kinds of volunteer cilantro and mustard greens going (never did get around to harvesting those coriander seeds last fall :rolleyes:). It was a PITA maneuvering the big tiller around a small space like that, but greens are so worth it.

Pax

05-09-2009, 02:39 PM

I tried to plant my herb garden today but the soil was mostly clumps of mud. I hope the three more dry days we're supposed to have actually happen, maybe the soil will dry enough give it a go.

Tuckervill

05-09-2009, 06:47 PM

I spent all day relocating 110 yo bricks that were once a walkway to the old smokehouse. They are now forming a border on the left front of my house, guarding the azaleas. Hopefully, I can keep the dogs from digging under there again. The bricks look great and will look much better after the sand sifts its way in.

Karen

Lise

05-09-2009, 06:51 PM

Great birth stories! I love the one about frantic flying down the road and screaming in the elevator and .... the baby wasn't born until hours later. I see a lot of my job as just calming every one down during labor and birth. The nurses know that I won't tolerate yelling during birth--no counting to 10 at the top of their lungs, etc. I was at a labor recently where 4 women (mom, mom-in-law, and two friends) were in the room and all fussing at each other. They all had to leave the room while my lady was getting an epidural, and when she was comfy, I said, "Who do you want to be in the room with you?" She was too afraid of pissing anyone off to tell me to kick anybody out. So I went out in the hall and held a confab. I said, "All of you are welcome to be at the birth if you can all be quiet, peaceful, and gentle." They agreed, and it went well.

When I was born, all babies were "held" (hostage?) in the nursery for 24 hr after birth, and kept "NPO" (nothing by mouth). I feel this seriously damaged my brain (going 24 hr without food when you're a newborn? I don't go more that 2 hr without food now! :o) I'm planning to sue the hospital. It's now owned by the same health care conglomerate which employs me, so this may not be the best plan...but maybe evidence of brain damage...:rolleyes:

OakLeaf

05-09-2009, 07:22 PM

Glucose is a sugar, not a wheat product. Gluten comes from grains such as wheat, corn, rice. :)

But medical grade glucose usually comes from corn and may have trace corn proteins. Which is as likely as wheat to sensitize an infant.

(And neither corn nor rice has gluten... :cool:)

crazycanuck

05-09-2009, 07:30 PM

I love singletrack in the mornings :) :cool: :D ahhhh. Better yet, getting the lines right on bits that i've mucked up on before.

Ahhhh

My dear will be home tonight :D

Zen

05-09-2009, 08:03 PM

Ah, SNL with JT and Sandler..."this is the second best idea that we've ever had" :p:D

crazycanuck

05-09-2009, 10:21 PM

Here's a website you may or may not wish to visit..

http://hospitalfood.tumblr.com/

BleeckerSt_Girl

05-10-2009, 03:25 AM

But medical grade glucose usually comes from corn and may have trace corn proteins. Which is as likely as wheat to sensitize an infant.

(And neither corn nor rice has gluten... :cool:)

I was tryin gto find where they make glucose from. I thought glucose was an end product sugar from digesting things like starches and grains?

How come some of my cat foods have 'rice gluten' and 'corn gluten' listed in the ingredients? :confused:

OakLeaf

05-10-2009, 04:09 AM

I was tryin gto find where they make glucose from. I thought glucose was an end product sugar from digesting things like starches and grains?

True, but the refining process still leaves trace proteins. Not a problem for most people, but if you have a corn allergy and you're administered glucose when you're weak from major trauma or illness, it could be a problem. At least according to my allergist.

How come some of my cat foods have 'rice gluten' and 'corn gluten' listed in the ingredients? :confused:

From Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gluten):

Gluten is a composite of the proteins gliadin and glutenin. These exist, conjoined with starch, in the endosperms of some grass-related grains, notably wheat, rye, and barley. Gliadin and glutenin compose about 80% of the protein contained in wheat seed....

The seeds of most flowering plants have endosperms with stored protein to nourish embryonic plants during germination, but true gluten, with gliadin and glutenin, is limited to certain members of the grass family. The stored proteins of maize and rice are sometimes called glutens, but their proteins differ from wheat gluten by lacking gliadin.

When someone describes herself as being "gluten intolerant," that's what she's referring to. "Gluten-free" grain products are typically made with corn and/or rice.

I didn't know corn gluten had any application besides being a weed killer though...

Lise

05-13-2009, 04:18 PM

This has been a verrry long quiet spell for TD...

Do any of you use Bach flower remedies? I've started using them more and more, and invested some $$ this week, increasing my # of remedies...I don't know if it's worthwhile, or just indulging my tendency to magical thinking. If I put two drops of "I Will Remain Calm Though You're Driving Me Nuts" in my water bottle, then I can get through the staff meeting...:rolleyes::o

Anybody else use 'em?

crazycanuck

05-13-2009, 05:13 PM

Lise, if you contact LBTC she might. I hope The lovely T will come back.

I have a new crankset & think i may have just found some muscles that haven't been used in many moons...

BleeckerSt_Girl

05-13-2009, 06:30 PM

I saw a fox standing at the end of our driveway tonight, long and low...bathed in light from the street lamp. He walked a few steps....beautiful. I turned my head for one second to quietly call DH over to the window....and like a phantom, he was gone.

NbyNW

05-13-2009, 07:46 PM

I am in Portland (OR) for a "Bike Boulevard Fundamentals" class. We found a dog-friendly hotel so that DH and new doggy (Gordy!) can join me tomorrow night. This is my first dog, so I had no idea that hotels did this kind of thing: they have set up a little bed for him, food and water bowls, bottled water, treats, a new toy, a copy of Fido magazine, and a little menu of meals and local pet services they can set up for him.

I had assumed we would need to bring all his own stuff, like people have to pack up when they have small children.

I can't wait until tomorrow night! It will be Gordy's first night away from home since he's been with us, about 2.5 weeks. I hope he likes the setup.

Crankin

05-14-2009, 04:06 AM

I am done with my first year of my 3 year master's program! So happy to have the summer off, with nothing more to do other than think about what kind of exercise I am going to each day.
I have learned so much. And worked so much harder than when I got my first master's, in the late seventies.

NbyNW

05-14-2009, 06:15 AM

Congrats, Crankin! Enjoy your break.

Biciclista

05-14-2009, 06:51 AM

I won an IPOD Nano with 25 dollars worth of music credits!
I make small donations quarterly to DemocraticUnderground and this time they had a raffle for people who donate.
I even got to pick my color!!! wooo hoooo!!

that's the second thing I've won in 1 week. My luck of "I never win anything" has just changed.

(the first thing was the men's wool jersey that i gave to my young coworker)

BleeckerSt_Girl

05-14-2009, 07:11 AM

Congratulations to Robyn on her first year done!!

And congrats to Mimi on winning the ipod!!

MM_QFC!

05-14-2009, 07:24 AM

fun, Jocelyn! Yes, am sure that Gordy will thoroughly enjoy Portland with you!

I am in Portland (OR) for a "Bike Boulevard Fundamentals" class. We found a dog-friendly hotel so that DH and new doggy (Gordy!) can join me tomorrow night. This is my first dog, so I had no idea that hotels did this kind of thing: they have set up a little bed for him, food and water bowls, bottled water, treats, a new toy, a copy of Fido magazine, and a little menu of meals and local pet services they can set up for him.

I had assumed we would need to bring all his own stuff, like people have to pack up when they have small children.

I can't wait until tomorrow night! It will be Gordy's first night away from home since he's been with us, about 2.5 weeks. I hope he likes the setup.

Pax

05-14-2009, 08:36 AM

Just got word that a friends melanoma is back, it's aggressive and spreading. :( If anyone has any to spare, good wishes and prayers for Linda please.

Blueberry

05-14-2009, 10:10 AM