Puppypile - Ahhh contentment

[kwj]

I know that EG is now history, but for some reason the puppypile beckons.

Not sure why, but for the past week, I have felt content with things. And sinking into the puppypile with the blankets and pillows fresh out of the dryer feels right. So come on in, kick off your shoes and relax with me. I've got the fire going and warm drinks on the hearth. Ahhhhh contentment. What a feeling. :)

[Ayelandgirl]

*brings in fresh-out-of-the-dryer blankets*

AAAAHHHHHH....


*sinks into the puppypile*

(Thanks, Karen!)

[MADLisa]

mmmmm

puppypile. always makes everything better.

[kwj]

Ahhhhh. Another day done and quiet reigns over the house. Time to curl up for a nice rest.

You're welcome Ayelandgirl. :)

[Ayelandgirl]

OK, who turned off the heat??? It is positively FRIGID here!!! As I type this, the outdoor temp is -2!
Now where's the hot chocolate (with Bailey's, please ;) ) and the blankets??

[kwj]

Scootch over Aye. It's cold here too. To top it off, power went out sometime last night. So I didn't get out from under the blankets until around lunchtime when the heater came back on.

*passes the bailey's and hot chocolate to aye* Cheers my friend. :)

[Ayelandgirl]

*takes a sip* Aaahhhh....that's just what I needed. :)

[Heather]

Hey girls! Can I join you? I am right now in Michigan at a friends house. I came to help her work on her studio. We got the painting done today and tomorrow are going shopping. Then tomorrow night and monday we will work on reorganizing her studio. Great fun all around :) It is however, bitter cold here. I'm going to be here all day monday and leaving Tuesday morning so I probably won't be in again till Wed.

And for anyone who wants it, the new email I prefer to use is hhertziger@mac.com.

Luv ya all!

[Don D]

OK, who said you could send that *&%&^$)()(*&^& cold (*^&%*^&$^%# air down here???? Yeesh.

[Dinosauer Fishkeeper]

What Don said!!. I saw a Brass Monkey with a heated loincloth it is so cold. Not up to Illinois standards (TG) but enough for the DF old bones. Puppy pile is beckoning, *throws another log on the fire*

:cool:

[Siberman]

*Puts a log of 3-year-old Black Walnut (which kicks a$$ for BBQ, FYI) on the fire and puts the bear skin in front of the hearth.*

[Ayelandgirl]

Message to DonD & DF - WIMPS!!!!

*ducks and runs for cover*

[Stefanina]

I'm back! I'm working two jobs and taking 15 credit hours worth of classes, so I'll be scarce, but I'm here.

[MADLisa]

aye - its been like that here too. but here it goes warm, cold, freezing warm, freezing, cool..

It can't make up its mind which just plain sucks.

course, tomorrow its meant to be 15 as the high, as opposed to 45 today.


well, this is colorado. Wait a minute and the weather will change. Lets see if we get snow tomorrow like predicted or if the clouds hit the western slopes and we won't see any.

[kwj]

You know it's cold when it snows in Deep Dixie. A town about 30 miles from the coast got about 1/2" of snow yesterday. We got rain and a power outage that almost cost us the computers. :eek:

H, scoot on in. There's plenty of hot chocolate and mulled stuff floating around to drink for warmth on the inside. Siber has the wood covered for the fireplace so it should stay warm and cozy.

*puts out warm blankets and pillows fresh from the dryer*

Meri, we must have the same weatherman and weather.

Welcome home Stef! *hands stefanina a mug of warm, mulled wine* Cheers!

[Don D]

I would chase Aye down, but that would entail leaving from under the covers. So :p *damn, now my tongue is frost bitten*

[kwj]

*hands Don a warm drink for the frost bitten tongue*

It's warmer here now, but you wouldn't know it with the humidity up. *sigh* Just wish the weather would make up it's mind. *flops into the pile*

[Ayelandgirl]

We're in for another cold snap. I'm starting to get tired of winter. I think I'm going to take up residence here in the puppypile.
It seems like we're starting to settle in to the 'new normal' - life without Dad *sigh* Mom is doing ok, all things considered. We've been going through some of Dad's stuff. Back in the day he was heavily into both stamp & coin collecting. Geez, he's got a lot of coins! Mom keeps saying, "I've been married to him for over 61 years and never knew he had so much of this stuff!" :D

[kwj]

((((Aye)))) I understand. Come on in and vegetate. :)

[Tc2]

Happy Belated Birthday AYE!! Sorry, I looked at the calendar a day late :o Hope it went well for you and your family. Hope you don't mind me posting that here, figured you'd be stuck in here till the weather breaks :D Take care.

[Heather]

Happy Birthday Aye! *HUGS* I know the first of every special occasion without your dad will be very tough.

[Ayelandgirl]

Thanks Tc & Heather for the birthday wishes.

You're right, Tc - I'm not going anywhere until spring!!! :D

[kwj]

We missed your birthday Aye?:eek: We need to have a party even if we are late! *opens up some champagne and sets out warm chocolate chip cookies*

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AYELANDGIRL!!!!! (((((((((((((( ))))))))))))))))))'s

Just going to burrow under the blankets and get warm. Rain, ice pellets, and wind make things feel colder than they are inside. We may get -dare I say the word- SNOW here on the Gulf Coast before the winter is over; and it's Mardi Gras time here too. So parades are going to be really fun. Ever try to catch a pair of beads with hands that are red from cold and rain? Gives a whole new meaning to pain. But oh the fun. Only in Deep Dixie. :)

[TJcanada]

Happy belated Birthday Aye :)

Nice to see the puppy pile back ! I have a bunch of big fluffy slippers for y'all to keep the toes warm - Siber you get the bear claws :D

It's cold here (brrr) and I can't wait for spring,... I like snow but much prefer watching the grass grow and the flowers poking their little heads up out of the soil.

Hugs to all, have a nice weekend :)

[Dinosauer Fishkeeper]

Afternoon all. Still a tad chilly here, but not as bad. I have been fighting a cold for a while and I think I have it whipped. I was going on a Whale Watching trip this week, unfortunately we lost Pammy our Siberian Husky after 15 years. Doc came to the house to give the "shot" and all was peaceful. Funeral home picked her up today and I get the "cremains" tomorrow. Needless to say, Sheila and I did not feel like taking off. Danny (Siberman) can relate to what the Husky is. If you have not had one, you have no idea what lovable clowns they can be. I will miss mine terribly, and the Corgis are wandering around looking for their "Big Sister" *Heavy Sigh*.

Very best to all, DF

[Ayelandgirl]

((((((John & Sheila)))))))

Sorry to hear that Pammy has gone across the rainbow bridge. :(
I am glad however that I was able to make her acquaintance last summer. What a sweetie!!!

[kwj]

((((((John, Sheila and corgis)))))))

I don't know what kind of clowns they can be, but any "dog" that has lived with you as long as Pammy did will be sorely and sadly missed. I am so sorry for you all.

*hands DF a mug of spiked tea to help with the cold* And maybe other things too.

My world is back to normal again after a minor-major storm from TL. *shaking head* that girl can be so darn hard headed. I still feel content though. I don't think I would change anything right now.

Check out the new Astronomy Update thread. February is gonna be a busy month y'all.

((((((((((((((((((Fammily)))))))))))))))))))) :)

[Siberman]

Arooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

((((((((((((((((((((DF))))))))))))))))))))))

Sorry, man. I know the feeling but be glad for y'all's time together. God loves huskies.:)

[TJcanada]

Sorry to hear about Pammy DF :( ((hugs))
When we lost Bailey a couple of years ago it took Shela a few months to come out of her 'funk'. While us humans missed Bailey terribly Shela I think felt her loss the hardest. Atleast your Corgi's have each other to get through the transition.

Dog sat a huskey for a long while several years ago, he sure kept us hoppin' and laughing... great dogs.

[Ayelandgirl]

OK, who ordered all the SNOW?!?!? TJ - was that you??? They're saying we'll get anywhere from 4-10 inches of the white pwdery stuff. I think I'm just going to curl up in the puppypile with some nice hot chocolate with Bailey's...

[Heather]

{{{{{{{John and Sheila}}}}}}} I am very sorry to hear about Pammy. I know how much you loved her. I know I will be devestated when it comes time for Summer to talk that walk.

[Heather]

Last summer I was going to take a lampworking class with a woman named Kim Fields in Madison. It ended up being cancelled and I was very disappointed. I ended up spending the money I'd saved for a less expensive fusing class and a glass saw. This morning I got an email saying that Kim was going to be teaching a class in Milwaukee this summer. I told B about it and he told me that he'd pay for it out of his business funds. Isn't he sweet? This is a $500 two day class of glass, glass, glass, and more glass. I am very excited. Its going to be a very long time between now and June.

[Ayelandgirl]

It's always good to have something to look forward to. :D

It's still snowings here...

[Tom]

{{{DF & Mrs. DF}}}

I am truly sorry to hear of your loss. Any time you lose a friend such as a 15 year relationship with a GOOD dog can provide it hurts more than you can express. I can only hope the memories remain strong forever...and they will!

[kwj]

Congrats Heather! What a nice gift and so close to Valentine's Day too! You will have to post some pictures of your work at the class.

Pass the spiked chocolate Aye. It was cold going out to look at the skies this morning. Boy, that was a gorgeous sight to see though. Want some whipped cream with that hot chocolate?

[TJcanada]

Aye, I will not claim responsibility for all the snow... it came our way from south of the border ;)
Been snowing all night, was just out with the dogs and snow's about 8 inches deep - still snowing, we're supposed to get ice pellets/ice rain later tonight :(

Very cool Heather, great to have something to plan and look forward too.

My kids have a P.A. day today, all home from school and all complaining they are bored... yet none will take my offered suggestions to keep them occupied - clean your room, take the dog for a walk, empty the dishwasher.... LOL

[Heather]

Hi all :)
Trying to figure out what to do with my life here. On a whim on Wed I looked into dog grooming and human grooming (lol) schools. The local dog grooming place costs $8000, the local beauty school for the skin care program is $7000, the nail program is $3000 (I'm most interested in the skin care program of the two). I have been to the beauty school but the dog grooming school has not called me back. Brian said he will make the money happen if I decide I want to go to school for one of these programs. Now I just have to decide if I want to do it. They all sound like fun but I just don't know. It may be that a complete 180 is what I need at this point but its very hard to decide.

I took an assessment test and it had beautician on the list, but it also had clerical which is what I had been doing so that wasn't a huge help. LOL

I guess this is just a long way of saying "I don't know what I want to be when I grow up." LOL

[kwj]

I don't know about up there, but my sister went to school to be an Esthetician(sp?). What it meant was that she could work with either a plastic surgeon or dermatologist's patients on taking care of their skin or she could work for a salon or herself doing skin care. She went to the local beauty college to get her classes and they helped her study for her license.

Either way, good luck with your future choices. :)

[Heather]

That's the same thing it means here Karen. Accredited beauty schools are federally regulated so if you graduate from the esthetics program at one you know how to do the things you would learn at another. Each school may have their own product line they prefer and there may be an extra thing here or there that one school offers and the other doesn't but they are pretty much all the same.

[Dinosauer Fishkeeper]

Afternoon all! Hang in there Heather, JMO but you are better suited for the creative side of life, I never quite envisioned you as an "office type". Hope it works out well for you! Give Summer an ear scratch for me. DF

[kwj]

Cool Heather. I know Marsha made a good bit of money doing that kind of work and the facials she did were fantastic! My little sister had me looking quite well when she got done with me. lol. What ever you decide, it will be what you were meant to do. As long as you like it and want to do it, you will be successful. That's what counts, liking your job and doing it well.

ON another note, who sent SPRING to Deep Dixie 2 months early???? I swear it's like late March or April out there. Stuff is starting to bloom and bud out and we still have aobut 2 months of cold weather left to get through. Not to mention the bugs. They are coming back early too. I will be happy to send this crazy weather to whomever would like it. Let me know. I really hate the thought of losing some plants because the weather is cuckoo.

Hope eveyrone has a great week. Later y'all.

[kwj]

HAPPY MARDI GRAS Y'ALL!!!!

*Throws beads, trinkets, stuffed toys and dubloons*

It's party time y'all! Been to the parade here today. Had a blast. Good music, good friends, and lots of good food and drink. *alas I was driving so no fun stuff* We caugt lots of beads and other trinkets. Funny thing, this year no one threw any moon pies. One float did "throw" books-coloring books, Newberry Award books, etc. I even replaced one of the books I lost to the hurricane! What fun. So Family it's time to eat, drink and be Merry until the clock tolls out Midnight.

*sets out pots of rice and gumbo; hot fresh bread, several King Cakes and lots of Hurricanes.* It's a party y'all! :D

[Ayelandgirl]

mmmm...hurricanes *hic*

[Heather]

I love Hurricanes! I went to NO in 2001 and my friend Laura and I had three in one sitting. They are smooth going down and you don't taste the alcohol. Needless to say Laura and I ended up sitting in the bar for quite a while before we were able to stagger to our room. LOL

[Heather]

Brian and I are working on cleaning, rearranging our basement this winter. If anyone feels like taking a look at the scale of the project check out my blog :) I'm posting progress reports as I go :)

[kwj]

Heather the basement looks great. You guys are doing a really good job.

Happy Hump Day y'all. It's all downhill from here.

We were very lucky last night/this morning. Most of the severe weather went north of us. It did pass very close to hubby's Uncle's home in norht MS. I hope that Alex and her family made it through okay. tonight our local weather guy said that this type of weather and storm outbreak(his words) is very freaky. It is actually two months early for this type of weather system.
I can only wonder what regular tornado/storm season will bring.

Hope all of hte Family are okay and made it through the bad stuff.
((((((((((((((((((Family)))))))))))))))))))))))))) ))))

[Siberman]

I'm cool but it did get a bit scary last night. We got some 1" hail and the counties north of us got golf balls but everything and everybody's fine. Praise God!

[Tom]

Just wet in Ohio...not that i wish ill on anyone but its been difficult around here, and this is supposed to be rather weatherproof territory. 3 inches of rain though yesterday and today. Rivers are overflowing and now freezing up...its a mess. An interesting side note, when i was choosing a market to set up my little venture at, one I was seriously considering was in Elyria, Ohio, a few miles west of here, because of the traffic...it was busier than the other markets. Had i done so, this is what my business woudl have looked like this morning...

http://images.ibsys.com/2008/0206/15232453.jpg

River washed out the walls of the place and down she came. Now...my business isnt making much at the moment...I am still trying to earn enough to clear my checklist of things I need to buy or resupply....what if this was my lot? Guess I better add insurance to the TOP of that list.

Some days you see what makes you thankful. This was one of those days.

My heart goes out to those who dont fare so well in these events. I wish I could help more than to say this....maybe someday.

[Ayelandgirl]

That basement really does look good, H! Maybe I can get you to come clean out my garage this spring. It's packed to the rafters (literally!) with stuff from our old house. It's not easy consolidating from 3 floors of living space down to 1!!! :eek: When the weather clears, I'll have to get a picture of the garage and post it up.
This is definately some freaky weather going on. I was talking to a co-worker friend today who was out south of the DC area - it was 75F outside! We got socked by some pretty good snow today. We ended up with about another 5-6" inches or so. Had we been still up in Island Lake - we would've have more than double that.

[Heather]

Well Aye, after digging out from close to 20" of snow here, you aren't going to get any sympathy from me on your 5-6" LOL. No, I am not exagerating either. Ugh!

Brian leaves for a business trip to Florida tonight (the bastage!) but he comes back tomorrow night so he won't get to enjoy the weather for long. After he leaves I'm going to the store to get the paint we picked out. It's Orange! My I'm-afraid-of-color husband actually picked it. I was shocked. I like the color but I honestly picked up the card as a joke thinking he'd give me one of his OMG what were you thinking looks. LOL

I'm planning on using a short napped roller for this paint so that a lot of the white shows thru on the walls. I think it will look cool. And if we decide we don't like it, we can always use a longer napped roller to paint it all solid. Once the painting is done I will take more pics and post them in my blog.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

[Heather]

Anyone hear of Upromise? My sister sent me the link www.upromise.com that can help you save for college or for paying off student loans by offering rebates on things you buy normally. You can hook a credit card to it so everything you buy with that card gets a rebate (I did not do that) or if your grocery store has those little savings cards you can hook them to it (which I did). You can also get rebates for shopping online if you go thru the Upromise site. I just thought you guys with college age kids or loans of your own might find this usefull. Although if anyone here feels like helping me save for school just let me know and I can send you the info to make me one of your beneficiaries. LOL

[Stefanina]

Heather, Brian's probably enjoying rain right now...:p it's been rather gloomy in the Sunshine State today. Now earlier this week it was warm & sunny... rather freakish for Feb, even in Florida...

I am still up to my eyeballs in schoolwork, so I'll;l still be rather scarce here.

[kwj]

Ahhhh. Quiet and stillness at last. Come on Sunday.

*snuggles down into warm blankets.* I am so tired. Sleep will feel so goozzzzzzzz.

[MADLisa]

painkillers SUCK.

[Heather]

I am very sorry to hear that Lisa. I personally love painkillers. Most of them do nothing for my pain but I don't really care if I get enough of them. LOL

[kwj]

((((Meri)))) Want a heating pad? Or you could come on down I'll fill the jacuzzi tub up for you.

I wish I could be like you Heather and not care if I got enough painkillers, but they tend to give me a monumental headache after a few days. And if there is one pain that I can't take it a headache. I get very, very mean if one lasts longer than a day. But I do envy you. :)

It looks like Spring has Sprung early here in Deep Dixie. I've seen several robins(thought of Ipy) and the trees are starting to bud out. The biggest give away was the gerbera daisy on the front porch blooming. It's made it through all the freezes and bloomed! Bright red.

It's been a long weekend and I am so glad it's Monday. Now I can get some rest. Somehow that just doesn't seem right. *goes off shaking head*

[MADLisa]

I've been taking painkillers regularly for about three months now. Got new ones that are supposed to last 12 hours, but don't.

Had an steroid injection directly into my spine to try and help with the pain. Didn't work, made it worse. Now I'm taking painkillers like candy.

Nothing is working, but like you heather, i don't have a care in the world!

Oh, and you'll be proud. I've got another person hooked on reptiles. I'm setting up a tank for tree frogs, and I bought a friend a ball python for his birthday.

[Tom]

Karen...enjoy the good weather. It is 13 degrees this morning at almost 8 AM. Snowstorm coming in promises 8 inches today. Gonna be a lousy day.



Where is DF?????

[kwj]

I'm enjoying the weather Boss, but I am worried about what will happen when winter decides to come back. I really don't want to lose any plants and finding space for all of them when winter does come back will be very tough. Some of these plants survived a hurricane but that's just wind and water. Freezing cold for several days is another matter. *shrug* I'll be happy to send some of this warm weather up your way though. You however are responisble for any tornados that might errupt. :D

I thought of Df last night and wondered if he were sick or something.

Hey DF, check in will ya? We miss you.

[Siberman]

The original "Puppy Pile".
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v227/Siberman/scan.jpg

[kwj]

What an absolutely wonderful picture! I'll be grinning all day as I think about it. Thanks Siberman.

[kwj]

HAPPYVALENTINE'SdAY!!!

*Sets out chocolate chip cookies, chocolate dipped shortbread cookies(for Df) and buckets of bubbling wines.*

Hope everyone has a great Heart's Day!!

((((((((((((((((((((((((((Family)))))))))))))))))) )))))))))))))))))) :)

[Siberman]

"Polar" dogs , consisting of Huskies,Wolf hybrids, Malamutes, Samoyeds, Chows (although some breeders would disagree as to the Chow's inclusion )and all the fore-mentioned breeds' various "miniatures, toys, etc." are a unique group.

They are highly independant canids who nevertheless bond with their "chosen companions" to a degree which rivals the relationships of such classical pairs as (I'm not gettin' weird here, ok? I'm just tryin' to explain how these dogs are) :

Caesar and Cleopatra
Romeo and Juliet
Sygurd and Brunhild (sp?)

This is a dog that will not guard your home (unless the robbers threaten their supper dish) but will nevertheless scare the detrius out of any trespasser.:p

This is a dog who doesn't understand "fetch" but will still chase after and maul anything thrown from your hand.

This is a dog who will literally throw himself (chest high) at you when you come home from work.

This is a dog who will retreat from you when he's done wrong but come running (at 80 mph) when you call.

This is a dog who looks into your soul.

It's hard to get over losing a friend like this. Only a heart big enough to take such love can take such pain.

Come back when you're ready, (((John))). We'll have the fireplace ready.

[Heather]

Siber, thanks, that was great :)

We had a Samoyed when I was little. That dog let my sister and I paint her nails, put makeup on her, give her haircuts, everything! When I was 10 I got my ears pierced and my sister took a pair of earrings mom had bought me and used them to pierce the dogs ears. She shoved them right thru the cartilage in Nicki's ears. My mom is still amazed that Nicki didn't pierce something of Erins. LOL My mother and I were in the next room and didn't hear a sound out of the dog. She was just that good.

[kwj]

That was really beautiful Siberman. I have never owned one of the breeds you have named, but reading your tribute, I couldn't help but think of one of my beloved bassets. Especially the part about scaring the detritus out of people. I always said that Willie was a goat pretending to be a basset, but maybe he knew a husky and was trying to be like that. Either way, thank you for bringing back some very warm and loving memories of one of my "babies".

Heather, my draw dropped when I read about the ear piercing of your dog. Just one question, did the dog continue to wear the earrings? I can just picture that. great mental picture.

I hope everyone had a great Hearts Day. ((((((((((((((Family))))))))))))))

[Ayelandgirl]

Yay!!! It's finally Friday! It just seems to have been a really long week. Siber - that was/is a great tribute. SOmeday, I'm hoping to convince Hubster to get a husky.
the weather forecast is calling for - hmmm, gee - more snow! I am so ready for spring!!!

*hunkers down into the pile*

[Stefanina]

I am now without my wisdom teeth. I had it done under local only, which everyone thought I was nuts for doing, but it was the cheapest option. And really, after an emergency extraction, an implant, a root canal, and two crowns in the past two years, I was not going to sweat this.
My jaw is currently so stiff I can barely eat, but it could be much worse.
Oh yes, and I'm on Percocet roght now, I apologize for any spelling/grammar errors, and any possible nonsensical statements.

[kwj]

(((((((((((((((((((((Stef))))))))))))))))))))))))

*hands stefanina a warm salt pack and an ice pack* Hope one of these helps Stef.

[MADLisa]

pass me some of that percocet would ya? I'll swap ya for my vicodin which doesn't help my back pain...

[Stefanina]

The percocet doesn't really make the pain go away, it just makes me too loopy to care. My aunt accused me of being stoned :D
I've stopped it anyways. Finals for Spring A are this week, and I have to be able to drive. Hence, I am a whiny, cranky person right now; I don't do pain well.
And, these holes in my gumline look really creepy.

[kwj]

Lord we are going to get into trouble here y'all. ;)

[Tc2]

Stef, sounds like you'd be better off just having them all pulled. You can pick up some false teeth pretty easy at most funeral homes, just go in after hours. It might take a few trips to find a set that fits right. Good place to get flowers too :D

[Heather]

Stef, I hope your wisdoms aren't bothering you to much at this point. Just remember, Multi-grain bread is NOT your friend. When I had my bottom wisdoms removed they warned me about all the normal stuff and I avoided it all. Unfortuantly, my first solid food after the extraction was multigrain bread and when those little hard bits got in the holes I about hit the roof!

Karen, no the earrings did not stay in the dogs ears. They were my earrings and I wanted them back. I was very mad at my sister for quite a while about that. LOL

I decided on an esthetician school and sent in my application. Now to see if I get in :)

Hope everyone has a great day.

[Ayelandgirl]

Hey Lisa & Stef! I've got an anvil around here that we can take turns dropping on our feet - guaranteed to make you forget our other pains! ;) (just kidding of course!)

Heather - good luck on the app!

Will someone tell me how the eclipse goes tonight??? It's to darn cold here to stay out for more than a few minutes. *sigh* I think I'm just going o spend the rest of the winter curled up next to the dryer.

[kwj]

Good luck Heather.

Aye, you can watch it on the internet if it's too cold outside. I'd be more than happy to send you some of this warm weather but you have to take the gnats too.

((((((((((((((((((((((Lisa and Stef.)))))))))))))))))))

What about a hot toddy or two? It may not kill the pain but you won't care.
Or maybe some champagne. I have heard that works too.

Df, just in case you are lurking, I have a beer question. Please don't blast me but is Guinness about the same type of beer as Porter?

well, it's back to the dishes and fixing supper. Then hopefully I will get to see the Eclipse. I hope everyone here gets to see it too.

Oh yeah, HAPPY HUMP DAY Y'ALL!!!:D

[Siberman]

Stef, I had Percocet after a major car wreck. Take my word for it, you were stoned. *grin*

KWJ: Guinness isn't actually a beer. It's a "stout" (ale) from Ireland. I don't know about Porter's but it dang sure kicks Corona's a$$ as far as alcohol content goes. If you can't find it there, try looking for one called "Mississippi Mud" that comes in a little jug. It's not the same but the taste is kinda similar.

[Stefanina]

Tc, I was warned long ago that falsies would require surgery to reshape my pallette, especially the bottom...

Does anyone know any links to live feed of the eclipse. The cloud cover is thick here, so I can't see it...

Siber, oh yes, I know I was stoned... I just didn't care.

[Tom]

My daughter took this one...

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff95/KiraRoux/Eclipse.jpg

[MADLisa]

Percocet is fun. But my current day looks like this : get up, go to work, take painkiller cocktail consisting of opana er, vicodin and flexeril. Four hours later take another vicodin. four hours later take another flexeril/opana/vicodin mix.

And the pain is still there. But, I'm too stoned to care at that point. LOL

[Tc2]

Nice photo there Tom, maybe your daughter should get together with meri and put out a calendar. And meri, I do hope your not driving like that :p

[kwj]

Great picture Tom.

Siber, I can get Guiness. It's Porter that is only available at Christmas. go figure that one out. I can drink Porter without the migraine and was wondering if the Guiness would be a good substitute. the only thing I know about Porter other than no headache it that it contains Chocolate. Says so right on the bottle. :D Great beer for us chocoholics. Anyway, that's why I was wondering. Thanks. I will give the Guiness a try.

(((((Meri)))) Maybe you should ask about a t.e.n.s.(sp?) unit. It lets you dial away pain. I know someone who as it for a permanent shoulder injury that no amount of surgery can fix.

Hope everyone has a great weekend. I'm off on a road trip. Will check in on Sunday night when I get back. Later y'all.

[Ayelandgirl]

Have a safe trip, Karen!!! We'll keep the porch light on for you!

[MADLisa]

actually Tc, I do as it only affects me for about 20 minutes.

Karen - I have a tens unit. It works for about 30 minutes to an hour, so I don't use it that often. You're really only meant to use them for 30 minute periods every couple of hours.

[Don D]

I would love to have a tens unit. I wouldnt know whether to place it on my back, knee or shoulder first though. LOL And if the bone spur in my other arm keeps acting up, I may be going for surgery number 5 between 3 limbs. Its not the age but the mileage.

Dental stuff? We wont get into that. I have insurance, but it doesnt cover nearly enough for me to be able to afford the stuff I need done. My mouth is some docs kids ticket to college.

[Stefanina]

Nah, Don, most of it goes to pay for his liability insurance... I've seen what those policies cost them.
If the dentist waited until after he was established in his practice before having kids, then the kids night get a college education out of dad's patients. If not... well, the kid better hope for scholarships...

[kwj]

ahhhhh it is so good to be home. The road trip was a success though. I got some more bead stuff and some rocks for Elijah, and some stone vases and stuff. It was fun. Met a lot of new people and some are even from here!

I didn't know that about the tens units Meri. Tommyrae uses his all of the time. He probably couldn't use his arm otherwise.

thanks for keeping the porch light on Aye. It was foooogggyyyy last night and most of today. plus, that cold snap I was worried about appears to be heading this way. *sigh*

Hope you are feeling better Stef. I can only attempt to imagine how painful having your wisdom teeth removed is. I seem to be minus mine. Either that or I'm just not old enough or wise enough to have them. :rolleyes:

Anyway, I'm just glad to be back with you guys and my home family. :D

[Ayelandgirl]

Welcome back, Karen! *hugs*
Hey, guess what?!? We're under another winter storm warning! Oh joy! This time they're calling for 6-9" of the stuff. When is spring again???

[kwj]

Okay Tc2, you can turn the fan off now. It's cold enough thank you.

Aye, I read somewhere that Spring arrives in your neck of the woods around April or May. But, if Tc will turn off the arctic fan, I'll send you some nice, warm gulf air to warm you up. You however are responsible for any severe weather breakouts that might happen. ;)

*piles up warm blankets and sets out pots of hot cocoa and tea.* Siberman, if you would be so kind as to stoke up the fire, we can all snuggle in and stay nice and warm. *sigh* This is so nice.

[Don D]

Send the snow this way Aye. I am sick of the freezing rain and half hearted snow. I want a foot, and I want it now!

[Ayelandgirl]

Don - if I could find a way to ship some of this stuff off to you, I'd be more than happy to share.

Oh, and BTW - we're getting MORE snow tonight and this weekend... :rolleyes:

[Siberman]

I think I'll set out my tomato plants this weekend.

*neener, neener, neeeeeeener!*

[kwj]

((((((((((((((((((Aye))))))))))))))))))))))))

I can sympathize with you about the weather hon. only down here it's rain, rain and more rain. I almost wish it would snow or at least stay in the low
30's with low humidity. Then I could take the cold without shivering. Down here when the humidity is in the 60 percent range and above and the temperature is in the low 40's, it's cold. Especially with that darned arctic fan blowing about 15mph steady. And it is looking like the weekend and first part of the the coming week will be wet and windy. *sigh* My poor yard is fast becoming a mud pit instead of a grassy yard.

Here's hoping that eveyone has a decent weekend regardless of the weather. :)

[Tc2]

The fan thing isn't me - it's TJ - ask her, she'll tell ya. It's snowing like a sun of gun here right now, I think maybe I'll set sibers tomato plants out too :cool: Only a few short weeks and spring will be here, and then only a couple short months and the snow will stop :mad: Actually, it's not all that bad all things considered, I mean it could be worse, we could live in or near Dallas :p Sorry, couldn't resist. Y'all have a good weekend, and be careful out there.

[Heather]

Aye, I'm with you on this snow crap. WTF???

I'm so ready for spring. I planted my seed potatoes today. I had them in a paper bag to sprout but they go to the point that I either had to plant them today or throw them out because they were going to either dry out or rot. So they are in a bin, in Brian's store room in front of the window. In a week or two I will start my tomatoes, squash, carrots, beens, and whatever else I have seeds for, I forgot what I all bought and or saved. I am so ready to hit the garden.

In the meantime, I'm continueing on my basement reworking. I got another section completed today and started clearing out the third section. Tomorrow I will prime my glass rack and mask off the breaker box, punch block, and a few other things that are on the wall of this next section so I can drylock and paint it this week. Then, I will have only one more section to do. Yeah!

[kwj]

Well Heather and Aye, if you guys want to take a road trip to some warmer weather, the door is open. It got up to 75 today and I got sunburned putting up the siding on the house. :rolleyes: It was all I could do to keep on task though. That gardening bug sure was hollering. Of course, the weather is supposed to get bad by Monday but it isn't supposed to freeze. *crosses fingers* Tomorrow David and I plan on at least finishing the side of the house we started today and moving around to the back with the vinyl siding. I am so excited!!!! It looks so good.

I'm hoping to start a new piece of jewelry soon H . I'll let you know how it turns out. It will be made with coral and brecciated jasper beads.

Siber, I saw my first goldfinch today and thought of you with your martins. Hope you got your plants set out and protected. Your gonna get some weather too.

I am going to flop in the pile and just coast. It's been a great day. *sigh*

Hope everyone had as great a day. (((((((((family))))))))))))) :)

[kwj]

HAPPY HUMP DAY Y'ALL!!!! Woohooo!! It's all downhill from here!:)

[Siberman]

Onions, turnip and collard greens, cabbage taters are all fine, TYVM. I planted corn this past weekend but I don't imagine the frost got it as it's still in the seed. My tomatoes are in a ten gallon under PC lighting and I haven't even started the chilis yet (maybe next week).

[Heather]

Hey ya'll :) I found out that I was accepted into the esthiology program at Vici. I start classes April 1st. I am very excited :)


Spring can come anytime now :)

[Tc2]

Sibe - if I didn't know better, I would think you are teasing some of us about the weather. But that'a OK, we might get snow, and cold and ice and sleet and dark of night, but we still get our mail....wait, that's the post office, never mind.

Heather, what's esthiology and who's Vici?

[Heather]

Tc esthiology will mean I can give facials, chemical peels, body wraps, body waxing, botox, laser hair and vein removal, makeup applications, etc... Vici Aveda is just the school I will be attending. I go in today to finalize the paperwork. :)

[Tc2]

OK, I have to ask......what exactly is a chemical peel? and why would someone want to be peeled in the the first place? I can understand the waxing (is that a carnuba wax with a soft buff afterwards) for body surfers, I can even see the wrapping (which actually sounds like fun), but botox, laser vein removal?? I guess I just don't understand why people would subject themselves to that. That said, do you need a esthiologists aid to help with the buffing and wrapping?? Kind of like a teachers aid. Just curious. Good luck with the school, and tell Vici I said hi. Remind her about the YATFS auction in couple weeks. :D

[Siberman]

"Sibe - if I didn't know better, I would think you are teasing some of us about the weather."

Who, MOI? :eek:

[Heather]

A chemical peel lifts off the dead ugly skin and leaves a person all new and pink (or sometimes bright red). Its done to very vain people with to much money by people like me who are secretly laughing at them but are willing to take the money anyway. :)

And no, there is no buffing after the waxing, the waxing I will be doing removes body hair it doesn't make you shiny. Although I think the shiny version would be funnier.

I don't know if I would need an aid, are you volunteering for the position Tc? :)

[MADLisa]

"Sibe - if I didn't know better, I would think you are teasing some of us about the weather."

Who, MOI? :eek:



pfft. Siber NEVER teases.

Course, its going to snow here tomorrow.

again.

[Tc2]

Wow, my post just got eaten so I'm trying again.

Heather, after reading your description about the chemical peel you bet I'm volunteering. Is laughter out loud permitted while performing this work or do you have to hold it in? Do they get to pick degrees of lobsterization? or do you? Or perhaps your handy dandy assistant esthiologist (I can bring my own buffer) can dial in the degree?

Meri, of course I know siber never, ever teases :rolleyes: We're supposed to get snow also starting tonight, here's the prediction "there is a 15 mile wide band of snow approaching, depending on how it tracks we may see 4" to 8" inches, but if it tracks further north, we'll only get 2" and rain". Last Friday they called for 2" to 5" and we got 9". You have to admire a job where you can be wrong 80% of the time and still get performance raises.

[Tom]

Yeah...its coming Tc...they say we are gonna get between 14 and 24 inches by saturday 7 PM.

Your point is well made...they can miss...thats ten inches room to play there...ten inches. Thats the difference between a slow ride and no ride for sure. My daughter has a Dodge Intrepid that has a low clearance...over about 16 inches of snow and it rides up onto it and wont go anymore. Kinda slows things down when they want to go to work<G>

I walk to work, so I get there regardless. Problem is...wont have any customers when it snows that hard so ya work hard fixing things up....which is I guess a good thing since the place IS a mess after the cieling collapse. Wish it would warm enough for them to get that fixed.

Enjoy the snow!

[abyss]

Hey Heather, you gonna do any of them thar Brazilian Wax jobs??. *snicker*

[Tc2]

Nice to see you again Tom. Last weekend was bad enough, and we don't even live in a snow belt. We are getting freezing rain right now, supposed to change to snow by 5:00 then the fun starts. Prefer snow over this darn ice. Are you going to try to get to Lordstown on the 16th? Also, have you heard from davestall lately, I've been trying to get in touch with him but have had no luck.

And Abby, what is a brazillian wax job?

[abyss]

Well Tc, ummmm, it's a special wax job that really hairy people who wear thongs have to get. :o And no, they don't get their big toes waxed :p

[Tc2]

ewwwwwwwwwwww......... Heather, abby will be your assistant for that one. I'll take care of the premadonna needing the chemical peel.

[Ayelandgirl]

Hmmm...waxes, peels, wrapping...interesting talk going on here. :cool: I'm not sure I have anything to add here.

Where's spring??????

[MADLisa]

ewwwwwwwwwwww......... Heather, abby will be your assistant for that one. I'll take care of the premadonna needing the chemical peel.


make it look especially ugly too Tc, because said primadonnas come into my store expecting us to treat them like royalty.

I need a laugh.

[kwj]

Congratulations Heather!! I didn't know that Aveda had a school My little sister worked with the Aveda line in her shop when she was doing the esthetician thing. It's a great line of skin care products.

Tc, if you and TJ don't quit playing with the arctic fan and water hose, I'm gonna send a really serious minion up there to make y'all stop! We got snow here in Deep Dixie last night and this early morning! And some places got inches!!!:eek: We had icy flurries here. We are NOT supposed to get the white, wet stuff here in March!! So cut it out!! ;)

Besides the weather playing havoc this week, my Mom ended up in the ER today with a bug that had her dehydrated. She had to have antibiotics and fluids by I.V. before she could go home. *sigh* If it ain't one thing it's another. The bright spot was David being offered a job this week and starting it the same week. He will be running a cabinet company's warehouse. And they need help badly. The pay and perks are very good so... It's a new experience that's for sure.

I'm going to hunker in and try to get warm. Siber, please get the fire stoked up in the fireplace. I'll make the hot chocolate. brrrrr.

[Stefanina]

The cold mess even made it down here to Florida... getting out of bed took some serious willpower.

I'm hanging in there, not much else to report.

[Heather]

TC, the degree of redness isn't something you can control, its just how does an individuals skin react to the chemicals. Some turn really red, some barely flush. Its all different. I think I'm required by law to keep the laughter to myself :)

A brazilian wax for those who don't know is when they take all of a woman's pubic hair off. And I do mean everything! The waxer spreads wax from the start of the hairline on the front and goes all the way up the butt crack for as far as the hair grows. Aren't you sorry you asked now?

And yes, I will do brazilians, I have a mean streak. LOL

Karen, Aveda has schools all over the country. Sorry to hear about your mother, hopefully this is just going to be a one off thing and not something that reoccures.

It is starting to warm up here. This week its supposed to get into the 40's. Yippee!

I hope everyone has a good week. Did you all remember to reset your clocks ahead an hour?

[Tom]

Nice to see you again Tom. Last weekend was bad enough, and we don't even live in a snow belt. We are getting freezing rain right now, supposed to change to snow by 5:00 then the fun starts. Prefer snow over this darn ice. Are you going to try to get to Lordstown on the 16th? Also, have you heard from davestall lately, I've been trying to get in touch with him but have had no luck.

And Abby, what is a brazillian wax job?

We survived Tc...18 inches here in 36 hours. A good strong storm for sure. Now it will all melt off and make a mess.

I dont know about the 16th...I have no transportation personally...the van died 4-5 years ago and never could replace it. The kids have cars but dont share my enthusiasm for fish auctions. A shame. I tried to educate em proper like.

I havent seen Dave, although he was around late last year for a bit.

[kwj]

Heather, either I'm too old or old fashioned, but I can only think of 2 reasons to do that to one's self. !: they want to run around without any underpants and show the world what they have or 2: they just like to go without any underpants and flash the world. I feel sorry for anyone who has to perform that procedure too. Hope you have a strong stomach. *shudders*

We are finally warming up here too. Just wish the weather would stabilize so my sinuses would quit hurting. Mom's doing much better. The meds are finally kicking in and she can stay out of the bathroom now. :rolleyes:

It's a new week and hopefully it will be a good one for all of us.
((((((((((((((Family)))))))))))))))))))))))))

*scootches down into some warm blankets and pillows*

[TJcanada]

Thanks for the, err ummm, education Heather (and congrats) - can't see myself wanting any part of it LMAO *ouch*

We are again thigh deep in snow, this last storm was a biggy - which BY THE WAY came rushing up from SOUTH of the border!! We here in Ontario were enjoying some mild/warm sunny days previously ;)
More on the way in a couple more days according to the weather network :( ...at least it's sunny out today and one needs sunglasses because of the glare from the fresh snow. Even our kids are tired of the weather and whining about when will spring finally arrive.

Found out late last night that our good friend (and accountant) past away :( - had a major heart attack while driving home Friday evening from work (taught at the local college). He was 45 years young, divorced, one daughter whom he had full custody of, 13yrs old and a real sweetheart. Her mother isn't very maternal, not sure what is going to happen to her...? Funeral is on Thursday,.. very sad about it all - not only was Rich a great friend to our family over the past 9 years, we enjoyed his and his daughter company a lot,...but the best damn accountant we've ever had.

[Tc2]

I feel bad for the daughter. I'm sure you will be keeping tabs on her and I'm guessing you will help her any way you can. About all we can do is offer moral support. If you need anything, feel free to ask, same goes for Rich's daughter, we might not know her, but are willing to help if we can. Take care.

[TJcanada]

Thank you Tc

[kwj]

(((((((((TJ and Rich's daughter)))))))))))))))))) Wish i could do more.

It's in the 70's today with the hottest day yet coming Saturday. Then it will be 78! Sunday is going to be great too. Just in time for the St. Patrick's Day parades. It should be fun.


Siber, I have another beer question for you. Is Guiness Draft the same as regular Guiness? If not, what's the difference?


Found out Mom has an E.coli type bacterial infection. Which is sort of crazy as she doesn't ever eat out. About the only way we can figure she got this is from tainted lettuce. She eats a salad with supper every day. No exceptions. Doctors say she should be better by the end of next week. I hope so. About the only thing keeping her occupied is a major mix up with J.C. Penny's accounting dept. Seems that the new company handling Penny's accounting has decided that my Dad is the living card holder and my Mom is the one deceased. Since she can get most of her medicine at a very substantial discount using her Penny's account, it is causing a major ruckus. No to mention a few laughs. So hopefully this will take her mind off of being sick.

It's been a long week and I need to get moving. Hope everyone is having a great HUMP DAY!!!!

[Siberman]

"Is Guiness Draft the same as regular Guiness? If not, what's the difference? "

They put some little plastic doohikey in the "draft" bottles that I assume is supposed to help it keep that "just drawn out of the keg" flavor.
Didn't work for me. Just tasted like a watered-down version.

[kwj]

Thanks Siberman. :)

I found an article on Porter and Stout and believe it or not way back when, Guiness was considered a Porter type "beer" and is the Father of all Stout type "beers" brewed today. So I guess I have found a beer that might not give me a headache. Yippee!!!!

[kwj]

TGIF Y'all!!! It's been a truly gorgeous day here. I even saw our resident squirrel out and about.


Heather and Aye, have either one of you ever been to The Spice House? I found them by accident on the web the other day. Was wondering if they were like the Rafal Spice Co.

We are supposed to be getting a taste of early summer tomorrow. In the
80's then crashing back to the upper 60's. So the St. Patrick's parades will be full of very sun burned, drunk "irish" partyers. *shaking head* Think I'll stay away and work on the house with David. We'll have more fun.

Hope everyone has a great weekend and good, nice, gorgeous weather.

*hugs* y'all. :)

[Heather]

Karen, I've never been to the Spice House. Until you mentioned it I had never even heard of it :) I looked it up and I don't go go to Milwaukee very often and most of the time I do go I don't go into the downtown area so I probably won't be going there. I get my oddball spices from Penzy's in Brookfield.

We are finally starting to warm up, we may be done with the snow for the season but I'm not counting on it.

Brian worked on my site last night. I am teaching myself photoshop and made a new logo and buttons for the site so last night Brian put in my new backround, logos, and buttons. It looks really nice. I didn't make the backround, I got that from one of those free places.

I hope everyone has a nice weekend.

[MADLisa]

we were meant to get snow here yesterday. Never happened. Meant to get some on monday too. My bet is that won't happen either.

Not much been happening here, currently seeing a chiropractor for my back. We'll see if that eventuates to anything...

[kwj]

Good luck Lisa. I hope it works for you. (((( ))))'s

Thanks Heather. I was just curious since the only one I've ever heard of is Rafal Spice Company. They are up your way too.

Hope everyone had a great Monday and St. Patrick's Day. Thought of everyone here while trying to catch up yesterday. We are supposed to be getting some pretty heavy weather here later today and through tomorrow so I've been trying to batten down some stuff. Just to keep it from flying all over the place.

I need to find the kites and head to the beach soon. It's getting to be that time of year when we can get the 5ft. kite up.

Hope everyone has a great week. Later y'all.

[Heather]

I love the huge fancy kites, it would be pretty cool to be somewhere where I could fly them.

Brian and I just finished revamping my website. I learned a lot of dreamweaver and photoshop during the process. I still don't know much about either of them but I'm very happy that I managed to muddle thru with a little help from Brian upon occasion. He did the whole border thing with the black and the stars but I made the logo, buttons, and did the rest of the page layouts. He also took the pictures, obviously I couldn't since I was at the torch while the pictures were being taken :)

Brian took tomorrow off and we are going to go see Body Works at the Milwaukee Public Museum. Has anyone heard of this? They have preserved humans in a resin like substance and then postioned them in various poses so you can see what muscles are used in what positions and such. I saw it on Modern Marvels on TV and was hoping it would come here. I can't wait, it looks very cool.

I hope everyone has a great rest of the week and weekend.

[kwj]

Heather, I love the new site design. Had a grand time going through it.

We made the kite ourselves out of some old balsa sticks and paper that he used to cover the glass and stuff on cars when he painted them. It's big enough that it would lift the kids when they tried to hold it. :) It's not fancy at all though. I've seen the ones you are talking about. Fancy prices too.

Hope everyone made it through the rough weather if it was forcast for you. We got lucky and had the worst stuff split and go above and below us. Anyone dumb enough to be out on the water this morning got rocked.

HAPPY HUMP DAY y'all. Tomorrow it's Spring Time. :)

[Heather]

Thanks Karen :)

We had a winter storm watch predicted here but its been bright and sunny all day. I'm so glad we didn't get anything.

I love the fancy kites but they are quite pricey. Most of them are entirely handmade though so that explains a lot of the price.

Have a great night everyone!

[Ayelandgirl]

OK, would someone PLEASE inform Mother Nature that the calendar says it spring???? We're under a winter storm warning today for crying out loud!!! They're talking about snowfall in the 6-10" range down here and maybe 8-15" in Heather's neck of the woods.

Where's Spring?!?!?

[kwj]

(((((((((((((((((((Aye and Heather)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Happy Good Friday y'all. I hope that everyone has a blessed Easter.



*sets out chcolate eggs filled with all kinds of goodies* Enjoy!

[Heather]

Happy Easter everyone! I hope everyone has a great day whether you celebrate with family or just have a relaxing day by yourself. Remember, don't eat to much candy. Celebrating "Chocolate Hangover Monday" is highly overrated. :)

[kwj]

Happy Belated Easter Everyone!

It has been a very hectic few days. Holy Saturday saw us on the road unexpectedly and Easter Sunday was spent visiting. But Monday was the really rough day. I ended up taking my Mom on a road trip to retrieve her favorite cat that she had taxidermied. Baby looks almost like himself. A very long, twelve hour trip that seems to have made my Mom extremely happy. That is all that matters to me. She's happy and content. Today, I am dragging tail very badly. Guess I didn' get enough sleep. I will remedy that tonight.

Hope everyone has a great HUMP DAY!!!

[Don D]

Looking for a new job. I am absolutely done dealing with the BS at Petco. Coroporate and in store. I have plenty of management experience now, but do NOT want a wonky retail schedule.

Have plenty of warehouse experience, but my knee and shoulder pretty much exclude that.

12 years firefighting, but that really doesnt translate into anything other than firefighting...which I can no longer do due to the knee thing.

ARRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH *bangs head HARD on desk...repeatedly*

[Heather]

Ugh Don, you have my sympathies. This job market really sucks. The suckage is why I decided to go back to school. Good luck finding something.

[kwj]

(((DonD)))) Good luck. There are some good jobs out there. David found one unexpectedly. Will send up good thoughts and prayers for you.

[Siberman]

((((((((((Don))))))))))))))

The Cowboys are looking for a tackle dummy, if you're interested.

Sorry, couldn't help it. lmao

[zippo]

HEY! I was gonna apply for that job.:D

[TJcanada]

(((Don))) you could move to Canada ;) I hear Alberta has a manpower shortage - more work than people to fill the jobs. tip: bring a parka and cowboy boots http://tomsfish.net/new/upload/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[Don D]

LMAO Siber. I could always slap a pic of Romo crying in the end zone to motivate them to hit me. ;)

Its not so much the market as what I can do. Or rather what my experience will qualify me to do. There are plenty of jobs around DC, just finding one that works for me aint as easy as it once was.

I wouldnt mind Canada too much. But I think Deb would have an issue and visitation would be really hard to work out. LOL

[Heather]

Don, why don't you go back to school and get trained in another field. You could go to beauty school and we could discuss the pros and cons of getting a bikini wax vs a brazlian :)

I am such a nerd. I had orientation for school tonight and we got homework to turn in next tuesday. 51 questions from the course guide. I have it all done already and I am really lookign forward to going to the store tomorrow and buying my school supplies. Like I said, I am such a nerd. LOL

[MADLisa]

went to the zoo today. I'm now paying the price for it too lol... back is very very very sore and will be for a few days methinks.

[kwj]

TGIF Y'ALL!!!!!
It's a great one for me; we have the grandbaby alllll weekend!!! It's been about 4 weeks since we've had him for any length of time.

((((Lisa))))) Hope the back decides to feel better so youcan get out if the weather is really nice.

It's okay to be a nerd H. Sometimes I think college is wasted on the teenagers. Have a good time with it. :)

I gotta scoot. Pillow fight in progress. Y'all Have a great weekend.

[Heather]

I hope everyone's enjoyed thier weekend so far. I've been working on some time consuming projects that I would like to get done before school starts. I am still getting ready for my two day bead show in April and feel like I have a ton to do before the show and not enough time to do it all. Ah well, what gets done gets done.

[kwj]

Howdy Y'all. *spits feather out* fthoot!! I thought I had gotten all of the feathers up. We had a great pillow fight last night. Elijah swings a mean pillow! He also kicks real well too. He kicked Grandpa out of bed Friday night, and from my bed that's a long fall. We still had a blast though.

Lisa, hope the back is feeling better. Can't wait to see some of your pictures. :)

H, are you going to post some pictures from your bead show? Is that anything like a gem and mineral show or is it strictly beads?

Still sending up good thoughts and prayers for you DonD.

Well, it's the start of a new week and I guess I need to get the dishes done. I attempted to start a new family tradition here this weekend. The Family Dinner. I grew up with the Sunday Dinner and David used to attend one at one of his ex's relatives home. All were good memories. So we want to try it here.

Hope everyone had a great weekend. WE sure did. Later y'all. :)

[Heather]

Karen, I'll try to take pictures but since I'll be a vendor and will be managing my table alone I don't know how much time I will have to take photos. It is pretty much just a bead and jewelry supply show.

Glad to hear you had a great weekend :) Got any pics of Elijah?

[kwj]

Okay Heather. You don't need to take any pictures of the show for me. Just of your beads. :D Sounds like a regular gem show where you can get anything related to the hobby of making of jewelry. Wish I could go.

I do have one picture of Elijah, but it's not able to be downloaded to the computer yet. The disc is ready to empy. *digh* as soon as it is I'll attempt to download some pictures here. If I can figure out what all of the empty boxes are where I type in my posts.

Hope everyone has a great Week. ((((((((((Y'all)))))))))))))))))))))

[Don D]

H, I would LOOOOOOVE to go back to school. I want my RN. But that requires time and money. When I have one, I dont have the other. LOL

I have off the 14th through the 28th of April in order to redo the bathrooms and kitchen in our condo. We are going to try to sell it and get a place in the school district Brandon has been using. They found out that the property Deb owns in that district is not Brandons primary residence. Ooops. So I am looking at tearing up floors and toilets for a couple weeks. Yeah!

kwj, thanks. :) I can use all the help I can get. I did stumble across an excellent job on Career builder. Working for Lockheed as a HAZMAT specialist. I dont have the degree, but I DO have 10 years of real life experience. I put in for it. Probably a lot of folks more qualified than me doing the same, but you never know.

And fossil collecting season is ramping up. The 12th the kids and I are going to a mine here in VA that has excellent collecting. The 26th I am going on a trip to a quarry that is abundant in marine shell fossils. Then June 21 I have a boat trip on the lower James river to sites that are accessible only by boat. And I may be going to Kentucky the 19th and 20th. I havent been doing any heavy collecting in a couple years, so it will be nice to get out there.

OK, I think I am done rambling now. LOL

[kwj]

HAPPY HUMP DAY Y'ALL!!!!

Your welcome Don. Is there anyway you can send me a list of those collecting sites and the contact information? I belong to a Gem and Mineral Soiety this is looking for places to collect specimens of gems, minerals and fossils. We had planned to go to Graves Mountain for some mineral collecting but I'm not sure if anyone will be going. There are other digs coming up that we might try to make. Good luck with your hunt. :)

I'd love to get up to michigan or wisconsin to collect agates. That would be so cool.

we got beat up by Mother Nature yesterday but today was nice. Hope everyone else made out okay. (hubby's keyboard sucks) tomorrow is dog work day for me. Gotta get the girls' yard de winterized and ready for summer. So it should be an interesting day. Ever try and keep a nosy hound out of your way cutting grass and stuff? Very interesting. lol.

Hope everyone slides into the weekend effortlessly and has a great one.
later y'all.

[Don D]

kwj, the sites are all here in VA. And the trips are run by the VA Museum of Natural History. These are strictly fossil, no minerals at all. Some places cross over for both, but not these. This is the museums site http://www.vmnh.net/ You can look at all the trips they are offering this season.

Also, this is a site I found that offers both fossil and mineral trips http://www.fossilandnaturetrips.com/index.html Again, most of the stuff is in the general mid Atlantic area, though Kentucky IS a bit out of that region. LOL Which BTW I wont be going to this time. Ah well, have plenty of other trips, so next year...

[kwj]

Thanks Don. We do fossils and minerals. Did you know that one of the largest whale fossils was found here in MS in a dump of all places? Basil now resides in the MS Musuem of Natural Science/Hisory in Jackson. Besides, Virginia isn't that much further than NC and I could pop over to see DF if he's still kicking. ;)

Hope everyone survived the rough weather last night. The lightning got really wild and close. :eek: Luckily, it didn't stop the spring Street Fair in Picayune. Took Mom and had a blast. Didnt' see the sunshine until just before sunset, but it did make an appearance. Was worth it.

Hope everyone has a great weekend. (((((( ))))))'s y'all.

[kwj]

Happy Monday y'all.

A story titled: Backyard Archeology

Today since both David and Ss were home, we decided it was warm, dry and sunny enough to finally plant the citrus orchard. So we get everything together, bring the trees to the backyard and commence to digging.

David hit cement about a shovel and a half deep. After scraping around in the bottom of the hole, he found another piece of "cement". Or what he thought was a whole slab. Now it's my turn to dig and it looks more like bricks in the hole than a cement slab. I even found a chink between the pieces. David started digging further away from the original hole to see how far the cement went. meanwhile, I kept trying to pry the thing up. Finally the guys went and got the super long pry bar and got the thing up. It was a paving stone from the original house that stood here back in the 70's! After dressing up the super large hole, we got the first tree down.

the second tree went smoothly and soon it was on to the third. Again, after just one shovel deep, something went clank. This time it was a cinder block and an old, plastic spatula. No idea where that came from.

The next 3 trees went even quicker and we were getting excited about being done.

On the next tree, SS hollers,:there's a car buried here! I've hit blue metal!" David said "now what?!" and we went over to see. Sure enough, blue metal and spray foam insulation are coming up. Guess who started cussing? Me, I thought great, we are going to dig and find a skeleton and there goes my backyard. Just great. Turns out it was a sheet of old fashioned porcelain coated metal. The kind that tubs used to be made out. David's late, ex-father-in-law worked for a tub manufacturer and had brought home sheets of porcelain to use as a walk way in the backyard. After poking around, we found an area that was clear to put that tree down. The last tree was the one where we found a piece of pvc pipe holding a piece of wire. It was just an old coaxial wire left over from the cb days. No big deal. Out it came, down went the tree and the orchard was in.

For awhile I thought we were going to have to either dig up the entire yard, or put the trees in the front yard and take a chance on the kids in the neighborhood climbing them and snitching the fruit. Thankfully that wasn't the case.

So now we know that it will be an adventure whenever we go to landscape the rest of the back yard or the front. As David put it, "treasure hunters would have a fit digging here." Or they might just have fun.

Come on fall and winter. those oranges and satsumas will be so good. :)

[Tc2]

Was that story yours karen?? What's a satsuma, and when they are ready to be picked, can I try one?

[kwj]

Yes Tc that happened here yesterday in my backyard. Satsumas are a type of mandarin oranges only smaller, sweeter and usually seedless. They are grown mostly in Louisiana down around the "toe" of the state or in Plaquemines Parish. They ripen in the fall. You can go on-line and order them or I can attempt to send you a couple if the trees decide they like living in the ground and not in their pots. :) I'll keep you udated.

We are waiting on the bad weather again. I sure wish the weather would settle down and become the "usual" weather pattern again. *sigh*

Hope everyone had a good pre-Hump Day.

Later y'all.

[Ayelandgirl]

*waves at everyone* Hi there!!!!
Sorry I've been away for a while. Things have been really busy at work...it's that time of year when schools are getting their bid lists together for science supplies for the upcoming school year. And boy have we been hopping!
Good luck on the fossil hunting, Don! That sounds like a really neat hobby. Good luck on the job search, too! It's a tought market - Hubster's been looking for quite a while for 'regular' 9-5 ina addition to his own business venture.
That's a great story, Karen! It's like a 'treasure' hunt..."Hmmm...what will I find if I dig here now???" It made me chuckle. :) (the satsumas sound yummy)I needed that this week. Last week I was having a few rough days thinking about my Dad. :( This time of year was always when we would start talking about gardening - how many tomatoes to plant, what's the best fertilizer, etc. *sigh* I really miss him.

(((((((EG))))))))

[Heather]

Hi all :)

I am a week and half into my esthiology course and I am tired! It is a lot of fun and the people are great but it is a very intensive course and there is so much to learn. I've got 7 days of classes under my belt and we've already had 5 tests. Ugh!

I also have a big bead show coming up this weekend so between finishing up for that, doing homework, and studying for tests I barely have time to turn around. Not only that but I will miss a day of class because the show is Sat and Sun and my classes are Tues - Sat so on Friday this week I will be taking my friday test and my saturday test. I will be so happy when Monday gets here. LOL

Anyway, that was a long way around to say "Hi, I've missed you, but life is insane here so I don't have time to be on the computer much."

I hope everyone is doing well. Karen, love your excavation story.

See you all later!

[kwj]

Hey Lisa, you guys okay out in Big D? Looks like y'all are getting some snow again. Hope to see your zoo pictures soon.

Way to go Heather. Hope your show is a success.

(((((((((((((((((Aye))))))))))))))))))))))) I know what you mean. It hit me the day I was at the Summit in Colorado and got snowed on. I wanted to call my Dad and even started to when I remembered. It's the little things that will sneak up on you. I'm here if you need a shoulder. :)

We are getting ready for some more rough weather. Hope it splits and goes around us like it has before.

Hope everyone has a great TGIF tomorrow.

[MADLisa]

Karen -

the foot of snow turned out to be an inch and a half. Made driving just slower than the norm as people either drive way too fast, or way too slow.

Zoo pictures soon - I've been dealing with some stuff at work of late and the s*** really hit the fan yesterday that may result in my best friend getting fired.

So I'm not in a very good mood of late because I could have prevented this a month ago but I kept my mouth shut.

[MADLisa]

Ok, since the crap has now passed, my best friend is still working with us, the other guy is on suspension.

I can now show you some zoo pics.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3195/2371240045_4a7b79a35b_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3174/2371239755_d41bcdeeb5_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2151/2372075170_4576e8e4ef_o.jpg

and as usual - more pics can be seen on my flickr page :)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/silverpixels/

-- L

[kwj]

Lisa, again your pictures are truly fantastic. I even saw a couple that I would love to have. I'll get in touch with you later about them.

Sorry you are having so much trouble at work. Glad your friend is still with you at work. That can make the job so much better.
(((((((((((((((((((((((((( )))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))'s hon. :)

Here's wishing everyone a great weekend and what's left of TGIF!

[MADLisa]

Well, work is interesting. We're now two people down and short staffed. Tensions are high needless to say...

Aside from that I've got to prep for a horse show this weekend. Photographing the entire thing.

[kwj]

Happy TGIF y'all!!! Hope everyone has had a decent day.

Busy weekend ahead. Putting in cabinets in kitchen - yay!! and will have the grandbaby tomorrow night and Sunday. It's gonna be fun!!

Good luck on the horse show Lisa. Sorry about the nonsense at work. Seems to be going around. David is fighting with his job and told them they had until the end of the month to find someone else. He's had enough of their bull****. I dont think they believe him. We'll see come May 2.


waiting for the rains to end so we have a gorgeous weekend. HOpe everyone else has one too. Later y'all. :)

[EBL]

Hiya folks! I hope all of you are looking forward to summer!

EBL

[MADLisa]

MATT!!!!!

You're alive!!!

[kwj]

Welcome home EBL!! :)

[Siberman]

Duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuude!
How's it goin?

[EBL]

Alive and kicking!!! Probably a few pounds heavier! LOL!

Things are going well here.

Have you ever tried to type when a golden retriever really wants your attention? It's really hard to type!

We've had two warm weekends in a row now and the whole area seems to be awakening! Pretty soon the ice will be off the lakes! Cabin fever was pretty bad this year.



Matt

[TJcanada]

Welcome back Matt :)

Golden Retriever is one thing... try two Rott's LOL

[MADLisa]

or three ferrets LOL.

Horse show over. Now editing the photos...

[TJcanada]

Oh Lisa, please do share a picture or two :)

omg ... 3 ferrets! would be a keyboard war LMAO

[Stefanina]

Things have been insane in my world. Part of the roof of the house caved in, my grandmother had to go in fior surgery on her hip, and I'm about fried.

Hopefully next update will be better news!

[Brandon]

can we just say earthquakes are no fun!

laying in bed thinking about getting up for work (watching the morning news in bed) when the bed starts to shake for a second or 2.... didnt think anything of it.... then a couple seconds later a lonnnng rumble and shaking..... my lamp fell over, and the walls were popping and sounding as if they were going to cave in..... was some experience!

[EBL]

Brandon,

Glad you made it through with just a little shaking.


Stephania,

How's your Grandmother recovering?




My brother had a ferret that would ignore me until I started typing a paper that was probably due the next day. They he would sink his teeth into my toes. The little bugger.....

Matt

[kwj]

I'll raise with a three year old grandson who loves to type on the computer. :) I learned to turn it off when he is coming over.

(((((((((((((((((((((((Stef))))))))))))))))))))))) ))) Glad to see you are still here though.

Brandon, don't you ever watch the science channel or history channel? They are always doing something on the New Madrid fault line. Glad you made it through. Is your next project going to be earthquake proofing your home? Seriously.

Hope everyone has a great pre-TGIF.

[Tc2]

KWJ - if you have an old keyboard, let the grandson use that. We have a cordless keyboard that stopped working, and instead of throwing it out as directed by my wife, I kept it for our grand daughter. She'll walk around the house with it and find an area to sit and type away, or set it on the floor and dance on the keys.
Brandon, was that an earthquake in Indiannapolis or was that from the shopping center diversion when the bank was robbed :D? The robbery made CNN.
EBL - welcome back.
Stefanina - hope things have improved this week.

[kwj]

Tried that Tc and it didnt work. He wanted to see the stuff on the screen. He's no dummy. *grin* We set up an old computer for him to play "office" on. It sits in the kitchen so we can field "calls" from the mayor and other dignitaries that he dreams up. It's a hoot. We just make sure the good computers are "sleeping" when he's here. He understands that.

We heard about the earthquake down here in deep dixie but not the bank robbery. Was it a big one? Seems to be the crime of the month all over. We've had two bank robberies here on the coast. Guy was bit dumb though, no disguise and looked right at the security camera both times. *shaking head* Guy's name was out in no time.

stef, what caused the cave in on the house? Hope no one was home or got hurt. Is your Grandmother going to be okay? Let us know. *hugs*

Can't wait to see the pictures Lisa. :)

[Dinosauer Fishkeeper]

Believe it or not I am alive and kicking. :p Hope you are all well, and am happy that all seem to be healthy except for Stefs Grandmother, and I join in the other wished for a speedy recovery. Got a lot going on in my "retirement" including research on the Civil War here for the local historical society, and developing lesson plans for teaching "white collar" crimes. Will visit more often.

Best to all, DF

[Ayelandgirl]

(((((Stef's Grandma))))) I hope she makes a full recovery. Will keep her in my thoughts.

Welcome back, EBL! Good to see you!

Karen - the quake was centered not far from Mt. Carmel, IL ("down south", as us Chicagoans would say). The initial quake measured 5.2 magnitude. There was a second one a few hours later, that was a 4.6. I didn't 'feel' it, but something woke me up out of a sound sleep right around the time of the quake. SInce last Friday there have been over 2 dozen aftershocks.

(((((((DINO!!!!))))))) glad you found your way back! We missed you! The minions just don't seem to behave well when you're not around ;)

meri - where are the pics????? :D

Things here are ok. Still having days (and I know there will be more) that I really miss my Dad. Work has picked up a lot, so that helps keep me focused on other things.

[kwj]

(((((((DF))))))))))))))!!!! Welcome home!!!! *pops open a bottle of Guiness for Df* I've missed you. Cool on the research. And teaching?! That should be one interesting class. :) Glad you are feeling well and things are going well for you.

Aye, if I remember correctly, the New Madrid fault runs that way as well as south. We have had a few tremblors in northern MS. It's not as big as the San Andreas out in California, but it does pack a punch when it decides to let go. there is even a book about how it caused the mississippi river to run backwards for a while. (((((((((((((Aye)))))))))))))))).

How big was the bank robbery there?

[MADLisa]

alll 1058 images are here :

http://prints.silver-pixels.net - password shilohfun

Nothing special, just a horse show, so its very go go go so its difficult to get a good shot when you're trying to avoid getting trampled (happened a couple times - thankfully I'm quick on my feet)

John - you had us worried. But don't you know retirement is meant to be nice and relaxing???

[Brandon]

bank robbery... thats another story... ill get back to that in a second.
earthquake proof? haha not planning on it as i am moving out of my apartment when the lease is up or shortly after.... its not the greatest apartment complex in the area and well.....

bank robbery happened at 21st and post. im at 30th and post. so thats not even a mile away. i was sitting on my front porch talking to a friend on the phone telling her about the earthquake and i kept hearing hellicopters and seeing police cars come rolling thru the neighborhood... a couple cops stoped and took a good look at me and i had no clue what was going on then they just kept going. took another 3 hours for me to find out what happened on the news. it also put the schools i drive for on lockdown which was fun.. NOT.

[kwj]

Good luck on the next apartment. Ask if it's been earthquake proofed. seriously. Was a lot of money stolen from the bank? I can only imagine what it felt like being checked out by the cops.

Glad to hear that you didn't get trampled too badly Lisa. Can't wait to get to look at hte pictures.

hi from elijah. i amm st444444444aying grandma tay-tzy's. dbddd x vnm.

That ladies and gentlemen was my sweet little grandson. I forgot to turn off the computer. It's time to watch Polar express and finally go to sleep. Hope everyone had a great TGIF and an even better weekend. :)

[Brandon]

not sure how much money was taken, but the teller's 2 unborn babies died as a result sometime last night or early this morning is when they started reporting that, they made some arrests but i guess the info a suspect gave was false.

[kwj]

That poor woman. I hope they throw the books at the robbers and then bury them under the jail. It's what they deserve.

Is it Sunday yet?! ;)

[Heather]

It's Sunday now Karen :)

That's really sad about the babies. I hope they catch the robber soon.

I now have four weeks of classes behind me and I am very tired. 13 weeks to go though so I will survive.

Stef, have you gotten your house repaired yet? What happened? I hope your grandmother gets better. *HUGS*

I just ordered a flat lapidary grinder to use on fusing and beads but it also works on stone. Anyone know where I can get some cheap rough stones to play with? I don't have any rock shops around here. :(

I am exhausted and didn't sleep well last night, I think I will take a nap. See you all later :)

[Brandon]

http://a277.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/29/l_a2d7fa46fca47b3c9ba9e2ccb055cdec.jpg

traded my old black pontiac in for it... just couldnt stand the fact at 60,000 miles it was falling apart and it wasnt anything i did to it... trim peices falling off, heater control knobs, windows falling off the track... so anywho

2002 BMW 530I 3.0 inline 6, 5 speed automatic, heated seats and steering wheel, heated washer fluid bottle, headlight washer sprayers, rain sencing wipers, some big ol brakes, dual climate control, has the auto recirculate if your driving thru a pig farm and it smells nothing but pigs it quits sucking in new air and reuses the air in the cabin untill it doesnt smell it anymore.... pretty neat!

anywho, they offered me more then i owed on the grand am, took 3k off the sticker of the bmw... after tax, title and all that bs and intrest on the loan i walked out the door for just a couple bucks shy of 15k.

[Siberman]

Heather, try your local cement contractors (or supply stores) or your county commissioner. The gravel used in aggregate concrete and that used in resurfacing roads contains quartz, agate, etc. ;)

[MADLisa]

brandon, a car is a car...

speaking of which, my poor 2007 Subaru Impreza goes in tomorrow. 8600 miles and the tires are bubbling. Not good. Serious safety issue. If they don't warranty it I will scream.

[TJcanada]

Lisa, some great pictures on your photo site :) enjoyed my walk through.

Nice car Brandon.

Really sad about the 2 babies, poor woman :(

Raining like crazy here and cold (they say maybe snow in the afternoon!!!! yuck) Can't believe April is almost over, seems like it just began....

[kwj]

Heather, go to walmart and get a bag of glass stones like you would put in a fish bowl. You know, the big ones. Also check out the river rocks there too. Let me see if I can find some from a few of the local rock hounds here. Siber is right too. You can get some great stuff from there. Hopefully these ideas will help. I personally saw some of those glass fish tank rocks after they had been faceted! Absolutely gorgeous and could almost fool you into thinking they were real stones. Good luck!

((((TJ))))) hope your weather decides to settle down soon.

Nice car Brandon.

Good luck on the tires Lisa. If you can find your warranty, take it with you.

We got more cabinets put in even with the baby here. He was so sick. It wasn't a fun weekend for him at all, poor baby. The only real fun he seemed to have was buying stuff for Aleela the hamster I inherited. Took elijah to PetSmart and he went nuts in the small animal aisle. Ended up way over budget between him and Grandpa spoiling Aleela. I have no idea where Elijah got that name from, but it's sticking. :)

Hope everyone has a good week.

[Brandon]

well not all cars are created equally nor are tires.... so what ever your comment was supposed to mean is like a fish net holding water.

im not sure whats more sad the fact the 2 babies died or the 2 idiots that falsely reported "tips" to the police about it when it was all rubbish to begin with.

[kwj]

Hey Df, Check in will ya? How close were those tornados to you?

Brandon, that teller didn't lose her unborn babies after all?:eek:

[Ayelandgirl]

Great pics (as usual) Lisa! I love horses...

It was raining here, too TJ...and it DID snow - HUGE flakes, too! fortunately it didn't stick.

[MADLisa]

Well brandon - I was in a bad mood because of my car. forgive me.

Now. Onto my tires. 8600 miles on my car and the tires aren't covered. There's been some kind of damage to the tire and the wheel itself. There's black marks on my rims where it hit - they suspect its from a pothole or something. Either way, its impact damage, therefore bridgestone aren't covering it - and I foolishly didn't get the road hazard protection on the tires when I got the car.

So now I'm off to find tires. Don't know if I should go the summer tire route, or the all season, or get some winters and then get another set of rims and get summers put on that.

Choices choices....

Any ideas.

Aye - I'm at $400 in sales so far for the horse show. Hopefully with more to go.....

[Brandon]

the babies are dead :(

its fine meri, i figured is much just didnt know for sure...
in indiana i know if you can find a pothole you can file a claim with the city for them to repair or repay you for damages caused by potholes...

one think i can say bridgestones/firestones are a pain in the arse.... they wear unevenily even if you have them rotated/balanced from the place that installed them (so they cant say anything about doing it yourself or some junk) i had all seasons on the grand am (nitto's) and they gripped in the rain,snow, dry.... never had a problem with them... and they were only about 10 bucks more a tire then what was the factory equivelent as a replacement. never had a problem with them wearing unevenly or anything.

[Dinosauer Fishkeeper]

Actual Tornado was about 6 miles away, did not even notice it, but thanks for the concern! :)

Sorry about the tire problems Lisa, Colorado is a funny state to have tires on your car, at least "all-weather".

Will be leaving for the Amish portion of PA for a few days, Sheila wants to see it. Will be back Sunday. Take care all,

DF

[kwj]

Glad you were okay Df. While in amish, PA stop by Strasburg and ride the train there. It is an authentic steam passenger train. The cars are simply gorgeous and you should be able to see the flower rainbow. It's about the right time for the bulbs to be blooming. Have a great trip. :)

Finally got to see your pictures Lisa. They were great, especially the one of the little girl in the pink shirt. She was adorable. Felt sorry for some of the horses though. They looked like they would rather be somewhere else.
As for the tires, I'm with Df, all weather tires. We use them down here and we don't get snow and ice.

Glad to hear the snow didn't stick Aye. It's bad enough in winter. ;)

Back to work on empyting boxes. I can't wait to be finished. *sigh* One day though, one day.

Y'all have a great day. :)

[TJcanada]

Glad you are well DF. Cheers to a lovely trip in amish country :)

Great news on the pictures Lisa,... best of luck on your sales - they are great photo's!

I went all winter with 'summer' tires(low profile/great rims),... was interesting to say the least in snow LMAO some days I couldn't get the car out of the driveway (no traction). Started saving money now to afford snow tires come November.

Construction Company that contracts hubby's services wants him to travel to Ottawa for a job after he's done the one in Toronto. I hope he says no, tired of him traveling around the countryside (he is too). Sort of a rock and hard place type situation - we need the money but don't like the time spent apart. I have a plan to put him to work here local if he doesn't go,.. 4 koi pond builds that I would have had to sub out :D Not the same income he's use to but more fun than sitting in Ottawa alone!

Beautiful day here except chilly air (+8C/46F) Snowed north of us yesterday but missed us, just rain here. Spent this morning with a coffee, winter jacket on, by the pond watching the koi root in the algae and listening to the birds. Nice way to begin the day :)

[Tc2]

DF - which amish portion of PA? There's only about a dozen so called amish areas. The most visitied is Lancaster county, I live near the smicksburgh "clan" in Indiana county, then there is the dayton "clan in armnstong county and KWJ already mentioned stausburg, and of course there are the clans in clarion and parts of jefferson counties (I'll stop now) in other words, amish portion in PA doesn't really narrow the location. Seems theres an amish "village" in every county of PA with the possible exeption of montgomery. Enjoy the trip, if you happen to be going near smicksburg I'll give you my number if you're interrested. Elly is near lancaster (don't know if you remember her, she's only posted once since the lastet move). TJ, have you heard from her lately?
Oh yeah, it's snowing here right now. Heavy snow sticking to cars but not the road. That's OK though, it will be gone by this afternoon so we can mow the grass. I think this is the only area where you can have all four seasons in one day.

[kwj]

My sister lives outside of Pittsburg Tc. What clan is near there? I really thought that most of the Amish and Mennonites lived in Eastern PA. Thanks for the lesson. I love learning about our country. :)

Got the underlay for the counter tops in. I will be staining those as it will be a while before I get my actual counter tops. When I have the staining done, I'll take a crack at posting a picture of my dream kitchen. There will still be some unfinished parts, but the majority of the cabinets will be in!

Hope everyone had a great HUMP DAY.

[Ayelandgirl]

Have a great trip, DF!

Not much going on here...just waiting for spring to arrive so I can finally get to planting. I know, I know - it's 3hrs until May, but it seems like spring is a long time coming this year. We're getting estimates on sod for the front yard. The lawn is pretty shabby looking and the ground is very uneven. We're also planning on planting some shrubs along one side from the house to the sidewalk. I've also been thinking about putting in a small garden in the backyard - sort of a 'memorial garden', since Dad loved to garden so much. It would have a rocker bench, a fountain, a small tree - probably a Japanese maple - and some other plantings. If I get it done this year, I'll post up some pictures.

[MADLisa]

Karen -

Most of those horses are school horses, so they're pretty much push button "I'd rather be eating than be here" kind of horses.

[Tc2]

KWJ - what town does your sister live in? I'm only 60 miles from Pittsburgh, Armstong county borders pittsburgh and allegheny county. Clarion is just north, so I guess it kind of depends where outside Pittsburgh your sister lives. There is a group of Amish in cranberry also. But you're correct, most people think of the lancaster area as Amish county around here. Does your sister keep fish by chance?
DF, if you're in Lancaster, I'm guessing you'll be spending time in Gettysburg also. I haven't been to the new visitors center yet, but I hear it's pretty nice. Have fun.

[kwj]

Tc, she lives in the town of Crescent. No, she doesn't keep fish, she has 3 kids, a dog and a husband plus a job with all of the attendant activities of the above. :) She is always on the go and always tired. I've been to Butler for the Pancake festival(?). It was so cool to see the steam machines grinding buckwheat into flour.

I thought those horses were bored. ;)

Have a good time with the garden Aye. Can't wait to see the pictures.

[MADLisa]

My beautiful Buddy Bear ferret has cancer.

[kwj]

(((((((((((((((Lisa and Buddy Bear)))))))))))))))))) I know how you feel. I lost Precious to cancer. Her's was too far gone for help. Hopefully your baby will be treatable. My prayers are with you guys.

[MADLisa]

Its tumors on his pancreas. On saturday we made the 40 mile dash to Alameda East (the same clinic on animal planet emergency vets and e-vet interns). Typical blood glucose is 90-100, bear's was 49.

The reasoning behind the rush? We took