Quacker Talk – January 20182018-01-01T19:12:36-05:00

Home Forums General Quacker Chatter Quacker Talk – January 2018

Viewing 206 reply threads
  • Author
    Posts
    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Everyone. A new year has begun. I hope that it is a wonderful year for all of us.
      Today was not very momentous. I took a two and a half hour nap. lol
      Sometimes I get so tired from not sleeping well at night that I just need to do that to get back on track. It felt good and now i am raring to go again. It’s too cold to go and do anything though. I am snuggled in wearing my fleece Cuddle Duds which is the perfect outfit for subzero temps. Kids have been by and picked up the dogs. They all had a good time last night. Piper was sleeping in the car when they stopped by so she must have felt much like I did. lol I think I will go out and kiss the ground when it gets to be twenty degrees again.
      Greg stopped off at Jenny’s to fix their toilet flusher. He used some parts from the guitar that he is making so now I wonder if the toilet will play music when it is flushed. lol
      Well, Greg is up from the basement workshop so I guess I will go chat with him and see what he wants for dinner.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Whoops I forgot to post my January pictures.

      Attachments:
    • Anonymous
      Inactive
      Post count: 643

      Jenny posted photos & it looked like the kids were having fun. Kendall & some other girls were wearing mermaid tails.

      My year did not start out real well. My back has been hurting all day. I can barely straighten up when I stand up. I took tylenol but it is not helping. I can’t take aleve or advil. Dr. says it will put up my blood pressure. So I did nothing today. Just read & watched TV. Hope resting helps. I should be doing my exercises for my legs today. He said if I missed a day it was okay but I like to keep up with it. It does not seem to be doing good anymore but will keep at it so it may help & I don’t lose any more of what I have gained.

      I was sleeping when the new year arrived but then woke up around 2am. I wish I could sleep longer without waking up so often. I guess we are in the same boat as some of you mention waking up during the night.

      Gail those photos look so cold could I get a sandy beach on an island with a cabana boy. They had a polar bear plunge today. They had to break the ice with chain saws so the idiots could get in the water in their swimsuits. They would have to carry me as my legs would not work in that freezing water.

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Colleen,
      Yes Greg will do just about anything for the grandkids. We actually did take them off and stick them back in the book that they came from. I don’t know if the kids ever reused them or not. That snowflake embellished sweater and pants that Piper was wearing was actually something that I had bought for Kendall at one time. I think it was something I bought off the sale rack at Von Mauers I know anything I ever bought the kids there just lasts and lasts. However, I would never buy anything full price there as everything is so expensive-it’s similar to a Nordstroms or something like that. I also bought Kendall a zebra striped coat that both she and Piper wore and wore and also got so many compliments on.
      I’m pretty sure that piano playing snowman under the tree came from Hallmark. We used to have a Hallmark store here in town-I was sad when it went out of business. I think I saw that snowman on EBay one time for considerably more than I paid for it.
      That tree is actually our small tree. I took pictures of the big tree but Greg couldn’t get them on to my computer. I think my computer may be on it’s way out and it just won’t do everything that it’s supposed to. My tablet is acting up too and I will probably need a new one soon. The bad part about that is that I will lose all the progress in my games so I am trying to hold onto it as long as possible.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Sue,
      Yes Greg said there was a picture of Kendall and the girls with their mermaid tails on. I think one of the girls was maybe her cousin Maya. Those tails have been so popular.
      I hope that your back is feeling better. Do you normally have issues with your back?
      Join the club of waking up all throughout the night. I consider a night where I sleep all the way through a blessing. I think this happens to many of us as we age. Don’t know why.
      Those Polar bear club people are just down right nuts although I know sometimes it is done for some kind of charity. But still-Brrrr!
      Sue, I am posting these pictures just for you. Ask and you shall receive.
      Gail

      Attachments:
    • Anonymous
      Inactive
      Post count: 643

      Thanks Gail those pictures are more to my liking.
      Yes the polar plunge was for our furry friends so a great cause but still would not go in that water I would just give money instead.
      My back is feeling better today. It acts up once in a while but not often. Its not like Greg or Adele that really have a lot of pain. I put some Biofreeze on it and it seemed to help.

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Girls!!

      Well, my Jan 1st was boring. I only got one box filled with some Annalees, and they are big ones, so we are not talking about a big deal.
      I watched a movie with Gary- Where are the Morgan’s?- The girl from Sex and the City is in it. It was a cute movie. I had no energy yesterday. I think since the prednisone is out of my body, I am adjusting to it not being there.
      Did not do the turkey breast either- Bobby got us hot roast beef sandwiches, and we called it a day.
      So, today, I got one tree down, and that was all I could do. I have to listen to my back, and take it easy. I am behaving. Then I made the turkey breast, with just Stove To stuffing and corn. Tillie loved it, as did Gary- Bobby was working late again. So, now I have plenty of turkey left for the Turkey and Dumplings- will make that the day of the storm.
      We are getting over a foot of snow on Thursday. God help us!

      Gail…..what in the world is usable in a toilet that is in a guitar? That was really funny.
      I did see a couple of Jenny’s pics, and have to go back into Facebook tomorrow to see the rest. they always look like they are having so much fun.
      I will have my Carole Hochman fleece jacket pj’s on, perhaps for the rest of the winter. tillie just got me 2 more sets with the fleece for my birthday.
      Those sheep look like they are in Massachusetts. I think we moved the state to Alaska, and nobody told us. I am sick over how much oil we are goign through. I know I will end up owing the oil company this year, after the budget is done.
      I saw the mermaid one- it was so cute!!!

      Sue: I think this extreme cold is wreaking havoc with our joints. Yesterday, I felt like my arms and legs were attached to 20 pound weights. It was so hard to move. I hope that is all it is with your back. I would hate for you to be in more pain again.
      Are you getting the storm that is coming our way for Thursday?
      You are right. If i miss any of my exercises, I pay the next time I do them. I didn’t do the ones I do in bed at night, when I felt so sick,m for 3 days. It took me almost 4 days to do a sit up in bed again. We lose so much, so fast, it is just not fair. Maybe try to push yourself to do only one or two of each exercise. We are so good bout doing our exercises, and then we get sick, and just can’t. It is not like we do not want to do them. It is unbelievable how quick we lose ground. I am praying for you, Sue!!! Oh….try ice. When I put ice on my back, it feels good, and it really does help to reduce some swelling.
      We have a Polar Plunge up here too. It is in South Boston. they had one in Gloucester for Pete Fraites- the one with ALS, with did the ice bucket challenge.

      I broke one of my Temptations bakers today. I could scream. I can’t get the one I broke- the Christmas one. Dam. So, I got the green one, with the travel container….that I do not need. It fell out of my hands, and into the sink. Thse ahnds are so weak some days. Must have been the stress of tking one tree apart…LOL

      Hope everyone is good, and warm!!
      Adele
      PS attaching a pic of Aizen with his new robe we gave him for Christmas…..

      Attachments:
    • Barbara Smith
      Participant
      Post count: 418

      well, again we are freezing our little Southern hineys off; and again I am ashamed for even thinking of complaining knowing how very very cold it is on you all. I tell you, we just are not prepared for this kind of cold in our area. You all would laugh at this I know-the schools were closed in Nashville today because of the cold. There is no ice or snow; just cold; so they shut down the schools. I am serious when I say that we just don’t react well at all. I always thought it was a shame the way people here just run over each other if there is even a threat of a snowflake. I told Jerry that this school closing really worries me for all the little ones that don’t have good parents to take care of them; because at least they get a good meal and are taken care of at school. He said, Barbara, sometimes I think you just worry too much LOL. Course; this was right after I had him break up all the ice in the puppy dogs water bowl on the porch; and I had warmed up this “smorgesboard” of leftovers and we had all the puppies lined up to make sure they all had something warm in their bellies today. Our kitty was asleep in our bed when I woke up this morning all wedged in between me and Jerry. He had found him a good warm place to cuddle up. I couldn’t help but smile when I saw him. He usually sleeps on the foot of our bed but last night he got way up in the bed. I bet Jewell was snuggling with DD as well. I was telling the kitty how sad I was for the puppy dogs, and he really didn’t seem to appear too sorry for them. ha ha Oh, we also have heat lights up under the porch roof and Jerry enclosed the area where their dog houses are within that area.

      Speaking of Jerry; his poor back was just killing him yesterday. I know the cold had a lot to do with it; but it really scares me to see how he has gone down so much in the last few years. I spoke to the doctor about some of the problems he was having our last visit, and he would say, Barbara don’t say that I am doing okay. The doctor said, now, Jerry, you know that this is not going to get better; and you hiding things that happen is not good. He told him that if he knows what is happening that he might be able to help. Jerry told him that his biggest worry was that he might get to the point of not being able to see about me if something happened, and he said that we all know that we cannnot control what may happen, but we are so lucky to have good sons, and that he needs to be honest with them, and not pretend that he doesn’t need their help. I was so glad I brought it up; but Jerry was upset with me. It is hard; but I know you all understand and face a lot of the same fears.
      We had a quiet New Years evening. We made some homemade eggnog from Jerrys Daddys recipe that was handed down from his father. It is strong; so one small glass for me. I get sleepy without drinking it; but fall asleep every time I drink it within just a few minutes. Speaking of falling asleep; I find that now I can be sitting straight up in my lazyboy chair and get so sleepy about 4 pm that my eyelids just start getting so droopy and off I go. I will fight going to sleep sometimes; and just can’t help it. And sometimes I wake up feeling so much better; and other times I am SO grouchy that it is best for poor Jerry to stay far away. ha ha I too have that wake up in the night issue, Sue; so welcome to our club. Sometimes I just pull out my I Pad and go to looking at it or turn on the Q with the sound muted and sometimes order, but usually just watch. I have been surprized at how they do some really good sales that time of morning.
      I am having pancakes for dinner and sausage. Just got in the mood for pancakes. Jerry is having a baked sweet potato and warming up some of his black eyed peas, and some leftover cornbread. I got an extra order of pancakes, because once Jerry smells mine warming up I have a feeling he will want some too. ha ha Bet you all are having something warm and filling. I am thinking of a roast in the crock pot tomorrow. I will put some potatoes and carrots and onions in too. I know you all need something to keep you warm on the inside.
      I cannot imagine anyone doing the polar plunge this year. I know it is always for a good cause; but would think it would not be safe. I saw where some poor puppy froze to death on his front porch. How sad. It just breaks my heart to think of poor people and little animals in this weather. And so many people just don’t seem to have any compassion for what happens to others. And they treat little animals like they don’t feel pain or suffer. I am a real softie, but proud to be.
      Hope everyone is doing good. We were to go get MawMaw today; but she said not to. She wants to stay inside; so Jerry went to visit her. Take care everyone; and rest up. I have a feeling everyone needs to. Try not to laugh too much about us being such “sissies” down here. Barbara

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Barbara,
      You are a softie and that’s just the way that we like you.
      I hope that Jerry will listen to the doctor and speak up when something is hurting him. He may be able to get some relief.
      I had pancakes and bacon the other night for dinner too and Greg had a variety of leftovers combined.
      I don’t think you are being wimpy about the cold. It’s all relative to where you live. I am not surprised that they closed schools. They will close schools here too if the weather is bitter cold. They may have had some closings this past week except that the kids are still on Christmas break. I think around here they close for the cold mainly so kids won’t have to be at the bus stops in the cold or if the bus had trouble somewhere way out in the country in sub zero temperatures that would be bad.
      I hope your doggies are all snuggled up together and keeping warm. I’m sure they love when you give them the nice warm food.
      I don’t blame Jerry’s Mom for not wanting to go out in the cold.
      Yesterday I was so cold and and I was watching General Hospital so I decided to go upstairs and watch in the bed under the covers. Well the next thing I knew I was napping away in the bed after finally getting warmed up. So we all have those dozy times. lol
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Adele,
      I hope Gary is feeling better.
      What a cute picture of Aizen in his robe. I think I see the Hess truck in the background too. I did look them up and they are quite detailed. No wonder the kids love them.
      I see you are in for some bad weather tomorrow. I swear you get worse weather than we do here in the upper Midwest and I never realized that before.
      I have been in my Cuddle Duds fleece pajamas for the last several days. I am not going anywhere anyways and they are the warmest clothes that i own. I’m so glad I sent my sister a pair for Christmas as Indy has been below zero too and she says she has been wearing hers also.
      I am sorry you broke your baker. It is heartbreaking when we break a dish that we love and can’t get a replacement. A few years ago Greg dropped a Christmas candy dish that his mother had made me and I was so sad as there is no way to replace it.
      Well the part he used from the guitar to fix the toilet flusher was two frets put together. The frets are those metal stripe things on the neck of the guitar. On the guitar they are about three or four inches long but when you are making the guitar they come in longer lengths and you cut them to size. So he just took two longer pieces and put them together to fix the toilet flusher. As he said it could last for two weeks or ten years. lol
      If I disappear from here for a few days don’t worry but I think something is wrong with my computer. It keeps on beeping and going from light to dark so I think it is really on it’s way out. It’s been acting funny for several months but this may be the last straw before it goes completely kaput.
      Stay safe and stay warm.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Adele,
      I missed your question on the last month discussion. Kugelis is a Lithuanian potato dish made with potatoes, bacon, onions, eggs and carnation milk. The potatoes have to be grated on a certain type of grater to get the proper consistency so it is done by hand as no one yet has invented a food processor to get the right constancy. You bake it in a pan-I often use the one made by Greg’s grandfather. The leftovers are excellent sliced and fried in a pan with butter.
      By the way, Greg enjoyed the Better Late Than Never (is that the right name ) episode where the guys went to Lithuania. I always say that Vilnius must be the only city in the whole country as that is all you ever hear about. I didn’t know that William Shatner had ancestors (or antecedents) lol from there. My mother always had a big crush on him when he was Captain Kirk.
      Gail

    • Anonymous
      Inactive
      Post count: 643

      Gail I love the show Better Late Than Never. I was thinking about Greg & wondered if he saw it. Those guys are so funny together. Did you see the week before in Germany?
      I just know I would love Kugelis because I like all the things in it. Wish I would get to taste it sometime. I would try making but since you need a special grater & all I probably would not get it right.
      We are sunny today & actually made it into the 20’s with light wind. Feels heavenly after what we had & have coming. Snow tomorrow but we are not to get much from it as the storm is more out in the ocean. So it will be east of us. Philadelphia is to get hit. Then the bitter cold comes back worse than ever. The weekend sounds brutal. I hope I can keep up with the heating bills. I am making more vegetable soup today as that is good when it is cold. I discovered I did not have any tomatoes so made it without. Next week is farm show & the weather is always nasty then. I wish they would have it in spring but I guess that is to busy a time for the farmers. I have only been once and could spend a lot of time in the food court. They have so many treats that are not made at any other time.
      Greg fixing the toilet with guitar parts made me think of McGuyver. I liked the old one not so much the new one.

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Sue,
      I never realized that the east coast gets storms as they come across from west to east but also from the ocean. So they can really get a double whammy. And then if you live in one of the cities that get the lake effect snow. Wowzers!
      The farm show sounds like a wonderful place to try all sorts of tasty treats. Now I want to go too. We got to like 17 degrees today and it felt like a heat wave.
      I’m sure the vegetable soup will be great even without the tomatoes-but i know what you mean i like to add them too.
      I just discovered that they have kugelis making tutorials on you tube so i was watching one today. He didn’t make it quite how we do but I was more interested in the automatic grater that he had. It’s pretty expensive but if it does the right consistency it would be worth it over time as the grating by hand is killer. I can’t hardly do it at all anymore usually Greg does it for me. The guy that I watched today used a pound of butter in his and we don’t do that.
      Yes, Greg is like our own little private Mcguyver. I think Jenny thinks he can fix anything.
      Gail

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Gail!
      Gary is finally feeling a little better. He had to go out today to see a couple of customers, as we will not be on the road tomorrow. So, if the roads allow, we will work Friday…..that means Frankie and Gary go out, not the CEO…..LOL LOL
      They are taking about some monster storm, with record low’s. They had some term for it I have never heard. We are getting blasted- 12 to 18, depending on what channel you listen to. Everyone up here is freaking out. Frankie and Gary said the traffic was unbelievable- way worst than Christmas. the stores are out of bread, milk and water. I made 2 loaves of rye bread today, so we are good, should we have a “bread emergency”. We just had the last of the leftover soup with it. Tomorrow, I pray we have electricity, and I will make the Turkey and Dumpling dish. Plus, I have to do chocolate chip cookies for the snow shovel-er.
      Bobby is at the airport tomorrow, so he is going in. I hope he comes home early, or stays there overnight. They are taking about very bad conditions. You know how I worry.
      Marissa has already been informed that Yankee Candle will not open tomorrow. Amanda is working a double tonight, so I have not heard from her yet. Jhonny is the one who will really be out in it. I hope the Post Office thinks about their safety, and maybe gets them all in before it gets treacherous.
      We get a kick out of the Better Late than Never show too. Tillie really loves it, even more than us. They are so dam silly. I cannot believe what they get away with saying! Gary thinks last year was funnier than this year, but, there have only been 3 on so far. Last night was a double header, and we missed the second half.
      Greg sure is talented! Not many people could use guitar strings to fix a toilet. You know, if these guys met, they would all be besties, as they are very creative in the repair department.
      That kugelis dish sounds real interesting. It is amazing what our different cultures have for traditions, and foods.
      Tillie has a headache. I am hoping she is not getting Gary’s cold, as nobody could go out for an antibiotic tomorrow.
      I hope you can get on,and your computer is ok. If you do not hear from me, we have no electricity….LOL
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Sue
      We are getting what you are missing. I am glad you are not getting it. Read my post to Gail for all the info on it, as of now.
      We were not thrilled with the new Macguyver show either. the old one was a lot better. I heard they are doing the Roseann show again, with all the old actors who were in it. I wonder how that one will be.
      I hope you can get to the Farm show. It sounds like they have a lot of cool stuff.
      We are getting brutal cold after the snow too. Yuck. this will be a winter to remember.
      Hope you are good and warm. We worry about the what cost too. I pay 2.09 a gallon up here. Ridiculous. How is your pricing down there?
      Stay cozy- I have my Carole Hochman fleece jammies on.
      Adele

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Gail,
      The kids must really enjoy when he comes over. It is funny that he use to dance when he went over there and now they can put stickers all over him. At least they still have enough of the stick on them to put back in the book.
      Some of the stores that you buy kids clothes that are expensive do wear for a long time. That is nice that the girls could pass that down. That makes it worth buying. I have bought a few things for the kids when they were little that they have passed down to their cousins. I do not know what they will do now that Aliza is the last one. I bought Aliza an leather jacket and hope that Danyille will pass that on to Kevins sisters new baby. That way it will get a lot of wear out of it.
      That tree makes my tree look really small. I wish that we would have gotten a bigger one. My mom keeps telling me that I do not want to get a bigger tree. I keep trying to tell her she does not want a bigger tree but I really want one. Guess I will stick with the smaller one and make her happy. Can you believe that I am 67 and still doing what my mom tells me.lol
      I like the pictures that you posted they are really cute. Those sheep look really warm with all the wool they have on. It is really thick can you imagine trying to shave that off in the spring. I wonder if they get cold when they first shave them.
      How is everyone doing out your way. How is that Steve doing? I hope that he is getting around better then he was and can go back to work. How is Brent feeling? It will be nice when they get all the tests done and you will know what is wrong with him. Is Greg still doing well with his back since he got the shot? How many more will he be getting? How are your eyes? Well I guess I am done being nosy but just wondered about everyone.
      Well that is all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      How are you doing? I hope that your back is doing okay and that you are getting around better. I guess the snow has been keeping you inside and all the cold weather.
      I am glad that Gary is doing better. It is good that he is able to go out and see customers again. That was nice that Bobby came home with roast beef sandwiches instead of you having to cook. I very seldom cook anymore. Since Mandy came here she has been doing all the cooking and putting the dishes in the dishwasher. I will miss her when she moves. The girls have been helping also at least Brook has. She does a lot more then Kylie does. Kylie is too old to help she is an adult.lol
      That robe is so cute. It is funny. My grands wanted robes this year. We got my oldest grand son one and he thought that he looked so cool. He wore it around the house the whole time he was here. Ron said that he looked like Hugh Hefner. He did not tie the strings and he has his clothes on underneath it. We just hope that Melissa told him that you wear that at night when you have your pjs on or when you get out of the shower. He is so funny.
      We have a polar plunge here also. I am not sure when they do it. I know that my beautician and her husband do it every year. She said that it is not too bad if there is someone waiting on the shore with a blanket and lots of towels. I think that they are all crazy.
      I have been wearing my cuddle duds around here. I do not have any Carol Hockmans. I should try them out but just never have. They always look so comfortable. Right now anything that will keep me warm that is fine with me. I would be like Gail. If I went to bed and covered up I would be out like a light. That is not good.
      How is Tillie doing? How is Gary? I hope that everyone there is doing well. Is JJ still enjoying the play rehearsals? Brook came home with a contract for the Theater club. They have to come to all the practices and enjoy doing the plays. I do not know what they do to you if you do not enjoy practice one day. Make you quit? That did not make sense to me.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Sue,
      I hope that your back is doing better. Idid not mean to be insulting when I said that I was surprised that you stay where you are if you do not like the cold. A lot of people that are like that will move to Florida or a warmer state. I was not being rude or smart.
      You and Adele are really getting hit with a lot of cold weather. Just try to stay warm and make a lot of soup to keep you warm.
      Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Barbara,
      My daughter was complaining about it being so cold here at Christmas. They could not wait to get back to Tennessee. Well they got back to cold weather there also. She called and told me that it was 12 degrees when she got home. We were just laughing she could have stayed here and been just as warm.
      I do not understand why men are like that. The doctors know what to do if they are experiencing any type of pain and why they will not tell them is beyond me. It was good that you did bring that up. Jerry would never had done that and he would have been in a lot of pain and kept trying to do things that would hurt him.
      I can understand why Jerry’s mom wanted to stay where she was. It is just too cold to go anywhere and if you are nice and warm it is better to stay where you are. It probably was better for you and Jerry to stay in the warm house also. Cold weather is not good for the joints or your health.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Colleen,
      Yes Greg used to do the grandpa dance at Jenny’s old house where there was a doorway that he could dance across. Her new house has an open floor plan so there is not a good place to do the dance. I kind of miss it and it used to make the kids giggle-and me and Jenny too.
      I’ll bet Aliza looks so cute in that little leather jacket.
      I guess when we are older we do what our Mom’s tell us to do more than we did when we were young. lol
      I thought those sheep looked like Santa Claus with those snow beards.
      Did you notice the picture I posted for Sue with the cabana boy serving champagne. That was by special request. lol
      Steve is doing better but I think he is still not released for work. I just saw him at the children’s concert right before Christmas and he looks pretty good. We’re waiting to hear from Brent. I think Greg just gets one shot and if it helps and then wears off maybe he will get another one somewhere down the line. My eye has done really good-I have not had anymore problems. Knock wood. Plus my ankle only hurts occasionally and I hardly wear that brace anymore. Probably because I just don’t walk much anymore more than anything,because now my back and hips hurt when I walk. It’s always soething-isn’t it. Thank you for asking about all of us.
      I haven’t forgotten about sending you that book-I just haven’t been out much because of the cold. As soon as we get a break in the weather I will get into town with it.
      Hopefully you won’t have forgotten how to cook with Mandy doing all the cooking. lol It will be hard to start up doing it again when she moves out. Do you and Ron generally like what she cooks-other than the garlic?
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Adele,
      I hope Tillie is okay today and did not catch anything.
      That is funny that you are the company CEO and don’t have to go out on calls. lol
      I hear that they are calling the storm a bombogenesis whatever that means. lol It sounds impressive.
      I hope your electricity stays on.
      I would bet that restaurants don’t open if there is no one out on the roads and everything is shut down.
      Maybe Jhonny won’t even have to go out if it is bad enough I know we don’t get mail delivery if there is a blizzard as the cars can’t get through. He probably has a foot route but still if it is dangerous conditions I doubt they make people go out. I know I don’t expect mail on days like that.
      So you missed the second half of the show when the guys went to Lithuania and stayed in a castle.
      All the husbands together would be an interesting group. I would like to see that.
      My laptop is still beeping and getting light and dark. Greg took a look at it last night and did something but it didn’t help. So I may be in the market for a new laptop as this is annoying. Especially the beeping.
      Your turkey and dumplings should be a perfect meal for a cold blustery day. How do you just happen to have the ingredients on hand to make chocolate chip cookies? If I am going to make something like that I have to go buy the ingredients. Tell Bobby to stay safe and stay put if the traveling is really bad. Of course then he won’t be home to do the snow blowing but that will just have to wait.
      Gail

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Barbara
      You are not the only cranky Quacker. I was told yesterday that they all have been talking, and want me to realize it is time for a pain med. Seriously?? I guess I have been giving “cranky old lady” a new meaning. We are totally within our rights to be as cranky as we want. We have earned that title. Gary said I have been really bad lately. Well, with the back and the 2 rounds of prednisone to stop the swelling so the pain stops, and then the affects of that pill on my patience, no wonder they are feeling I am a cranky ass. Gary said he gets the brunt of my attitude….LOL
      Sooooooooooooooooo, how cold was it when your state closed the schools? LOL Everything is relative. I guess that is why they call us hardy New Englanders. You will get a comment like this if you complain about the cold or snow…..”this is New England, for God’s sake. Do you think you live in Florida?”
      Have you seen the news of the mess up here? People directly on the coast are flooded. We have a LOY+T of snow- they said as of now, about 14 inches. still snowing.
      I feel so bad for Jerry. I know what he is going through. But, he does need to be honest with the doctor, as sometimes they have things that can help- like a back brace, or PT specific to his needs, etc.
      We were quiet on New Years Eve too. We had the leftovers from Aizen’s party for dinner. And…..I was perfectly fine with it.
      Jhonny finally got home. H took a fall, right on his back. He said the Fedex lady was close by, and got out of her truck to help him get up. How nice was that! He said he did not hurt himself, and I hope he does not get sore tomorrow. I told him to put some ice on it, and he laughed at me and said ice is the last thing he will do tonight, as he is cold right through to his bones. Our mail carriers deserve a lot of respect. Our street did not get any mail today. Because we are a cul de sac, we get plowed last, and the mailman will not come down the street if we are not plowed.
      I will load a pic of our dinner tonight- the Turkey and Dumplings. No complaints tonight from the crew.
      Love you, Barbara!!!

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Colleen
      That is great that you have a break from cooking. It is well deserved. No more potato soup for Ron for a while….LOL I bet you have been thrilled with all of them there. It will be so quiet when they go.
      Well, JJ will not have practice again tomorrow night, as there is no school due to the storm. He has not had practice in 2 weeks. I wonder if they will move the date of the play???
      I wonder if the director had issues with the kids not coming to practices, and not saying their lines correctly, for them to do a contract. Something must have happened.
      It seems the kids love their robes. they are so cuddly. JJ loved his last year too.
      Tillie is ok. She said there is a tiny bit difference form this last shot. To me, that is disappointing. I want her to be able to see again, from that eye.
      Gary is feeling better. he is almost done with the antibiotic. I am so glad Tillie did not get it.
      We are getting blasted with snow. Nothing like a winter in New England……LOL How much snow did you get? I wonder what Gail got.
      Have a good night.
      Adele

      Attachments:
    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Gail!
      Thank you for the well wishes for Bobby. he was home by noon, thank God.
      I saw from your post to colleen that there is still no news on Brent. that is awful. On the other hand, it is great that Greg’s back feels better from the shot. the new doctor is a keeper. Also saw your ankle has been doing much better. More great news! I love good health news, as we so seldom get any.
      So far, the back is holding it’s own. I am being real careful, and using caution with any reaching or bending. i hope it stays this way, as this is workable. i am afraid I may not make the doctor appointment next week,as more show is expected. This time of year. everything is up in the air.
      how much snow did you get? Did it get warmer? We are getting real cold tomorrow- like last week’s deep freeze. My nose will not be going outside, nor will the rest of me. I love retirement!
      I am the CEO, of a huge 2 person operation. If you count me, it is a 3 person gig. Pretty funny, huh? I go to work in my Carole Hochman pj’s….LOL LOL
      I attached a pic of the dinner, and of Gory with his hot chocolate, and freshly made whip cream. Can the man crack a smile? Seriously? Bobby would not let me take his pic.
      I have all the ingredients here, for anything I want to bake. I get the bags of chocolate chips from King Arthur. I store a lot of my flour’s and chocolate bits in the fridge- they last forever. I have the yeast in the freezer, as well as the potato flour, wheat flour, and powdered milk, as they are more fragile.So, i can do just about anything, any day. As I run out, I replenish. Am I not a hoot???
      Have a good night…..oh, I have only a couple of more things to put away for Christmas…yeah!
      Adele

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Gail,
      I wondered where Palo went. I am glad to see that you found him. That would be nice to be at the beach and sitting in the beach chairs. That white sand and the water look so inviting.
      That is a shame that Greg cannot do the grandpa dance anymore. They will have to find a new way for him to do it. Maybe if they were sitting in their bedroom and he could dance past the door. Probably would not be as much room though. Greg has a lot of fun with the kids.
      I guess it is just easier to obey our moms then to hear them holler at us. lol My mom really tries to get her point across and she will let you know if you do not agree with what she has said or have not done what she wants you to do. The funniest thing that she has done is forget that Aliza is my granddaughter. She has a picture of her on the fridge and we were looking at it and I said something and she told me who she was. She told me that I was not there when she was there. I just kind of laughed and reminded her that Aliza is my grand and she looked at me for a minute and said oh for heavens sake. I think that she got me mixed up with my sister that is only 2 years older then me. That is the only time that it has happened so not too worried about it.
      I am glad that everyone is doing better. I just started thinking about them all and wanted to know what was going on with them. Just wish that they would give you some good news about Brent. I know that you are worried about him. You must be really happy that you are not having to wear that brace anymore. Those things can be a pain in the neck. They sure are not comfortable.
      It is just nice of you to want to send me that book. I really appreciate it. It will not matter when it gets here. I will enjoy reading it no matter when it comes.
      Mandy is a good cook. She just uses too much garlic at times. We have told her that and so now they just add the garlic to their food when it is at the table. She may put a little in when it is cooking. We do eat a lot of food around here. I really have to watch. It is hard when you have kids in the house and they want to snack all the time.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      I imagine that they will have to move the date of the play since they have not been able to practice. The roads may not be too good to have them practice for a while yet. You have really have been getting the snow. We do not have any here. I think that they have had some in St. Louis but none here. They said that we are supposed to get some snow here tomorrow but we will see. I want snow so bad and you are getting more then you want. It would be nice if you could send it down here.
      Your turkey and dumplings look really good. Your food always looks really good. We are lucky that Mandy is such a good cook. She really likes to cook but if there is any baking to do that is my job. She never could bake. I think that it is because she has convinced herself that she cant so she doesn’t do it.
      I am glad that Bobby got home safe today and did not have to stay on the road that long. Sorry to hear that Johnny fell on his back. He is lucky that someone was around to help him up. Hope that he does not have some pain tomorrow when he gets up. Does he have his own route now? Sounds like he is there for as long as he wants. He must be a good worker.
      Did they say about how long it will take for the shots to help Tillie’s eye? Maybe she will need a few more of them to get her site back. I am still praying for her and that this all works out for her.
      We were quite here on New Years eve also. It was just too cold to go outside and go anywhere. So we just ate snack foods and watched the party in New York. They did not do anything here in our part of the world.
      Glad that Gary is doing better and is almost done with his antibiotics. I bet you will be glad when he is done with them and he is feeling really good again. It is rough when the guys are sick.
      It is really good that you are taking care of your back and not trying to do too much. You sure do not want to hurt your back again.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Colleen
      I have heard different stories on the shots in the eye. A friend of mine’s mother had them, and she only needed one shot. Nobody has gone for 3 that I know of, and that is what makes me a little nervous. I will address this with the new specialist at our eye doctor’s office. I knwo he will be better at explaining, and caring, as this is a good neighborhood practice, and treats people as individuals.
      It is certainly snowy here. Us “hardy New Englander’s” are getting all set. At least the older ones are. We will not be able to get out to dinner with our friends until the ice everywhere is gone. Any snow that melts, is turning to ice. the streets are not clear yet, nor are the walkways. So, I am in for the duration.
      Jhonny is off today. I have not called, in case he is sleeping late. I hope he is ok, and that his mail bag broke the fall. He as a regular route now, and it is a city walking route. Our mailman drives, as we have to have our mailboxes on the street. Jhonny would love to get one of those routes.
      Gary just left to go see his customers. I am praying he does not slip on any ice.
      I have adjusted to not going out when it is icy out there, by cooking and baking. That is what has been keeping me busy. Remember last year, hen I was experimenting with the new crock pot recipes? Thank God I have at east one for beef, pork, and chicken, so I am all set. I love soup, so a nice pot of soup will be a weekly thing too. Next week is Marissa’s birthday, and she has a special request for a goodie that I need to make.
      I heard Blue Bloods is back tonight- yahoo….something to look forward to.
      Did you ever get an electrician to come out, since the holidays are over? I hope you did, as it must be aggravating.
      We have the heating people coming back out today, as there is a small leak under the heating system. Bobby put a small bucket under it- doe snot smell, so it is probably not oil. In this weather, you do not need the system to go down, as all the pipes would freeze, and so would we.
      The sun is shining! It is only about 5 out there today.
      Hope you are all cozy where you are.
      Adele

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Colleen,
      I know what you mean about having kids in the house and all that eating. I am amazed at the amounts of foods that Jenny’s little kids can eat. Of course they are so active that they eat and burn everything right off. And of course Adam is 6’5″ so he has a good appetite to go along with his height. I think he finishes off everything that the kids leave on their plates-that’s a Dad’s job. lol
      You’re Mom does amazingly well for her age so I wouldn’t worry about that little mix up with Aliza either. Heck-I used to call the kids by the dogs and cats names sometimes-or go down the whole list until I finally got to the right name-imagine what that would be like in some of those big families with a dozen kids-I would never get a name right. lol
      We did hear from Brent and he had just gotten back from his regular doctor so she could tell him about the results from the heart tests. I guess he has to be sent to another specialist in Lubbock Texas now because there is something wrong with the electrical signals his heart is getting which is causing I believe it’s called V tach-I looked it up but I’m sure Barbara could explain it-I understood what i read but can’t explain it. I forgot to ask about the biopsy results from the colonoscopy. The ultrasound showed an enlarged thyroid so he is having some sort of test on that with dye i think next week and he still has to be scheduled for the endoscopy. Greg is so concerned because of the continued weight loss and inability to eat much. He has to stay away from caffeine totally and is to quit smoking and he said fortunately his insurance will totally pay for the Chantex (sp) He has tried to quit quite a few times and never been successful totally so I hope this will work. Being ex-smokers ourselves Greg and i know how happy he will eventually be to have quit. Now excuse me for a minute if i have a little pity party.
      How can a 36 year old man have so many things going wrong with them all at one time. I know he doesn’t have the greatest diet in the world but besides that and smoking he was never a drug taker and only drinks moderately a beer here and there so his lifestyle isn’t that awful to cause so many problems. Everything takes so long as he is not like us older folks where we can just go have tests done whenever we want-he has to work them into his work schedule as he has to continue to work to support himself and for the insurance. Plus, in many ways I wish i could talk to the doctors myself like you could do when they were sick when they were little kids. Plus I wonder about the quality and accessibility of good medical care in his area of the country. Here in the Chicagoland area you can probably find the best of available doctors. Fortunately it sounds like his GP is on the ball and trying to make sure that he gets everything he needs to get to the bottom of all this so I do have faith in her. Okay-I am done with my pity party now-I just had to vent. Thank you for listening.
      Looking forward to Friday night out with the grands as i have been stuck inside all week because of the cold. it’s going to be 10 below tonight and then finally warm up to 30 on Sunday with snow expected-naturally.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Adele,
      Sorry-no snow for us here. We just have the three inches from before Christmas. However, we still have the subzero temps and they will not let up until Sunday when we will get snow-of course.
      Looks like you guys have quite a mess. What the heck happened down by the shore to have all that flooding? that will be a mess with the freezing temperatures coming your way.
      I hope Gary will be safe going out today and I hope Jhonny is all right today too. He might be a little sore from the fall but i do understand why he had no desire to put ice on it after being in the cold and wet snow all day. He could have used a nice warm bowl of soup.
      Greg went out to Menards to pick up some stuff for here and for work. He told me to call him if i remembered anything that i needed that was tool related. Like that’s gonna happen. lol Although I did have him pick me up a plastic box for my outdoor lights.
      You should have told Bobby to pose for a picture so I could show it to Jenny. lol Gary may not be smiling but he looks very content with his hot chocolate and fresh whipped cream so I know he is smiling on the inside. lol Isn’t fresh whipped cream the best? There is really nothing quite like it and I really don’t use it enough.
      So your kitchen is as well equipped as a bakery-I have to think of a sign that you could hang-Adele’s ? what? Adele’s Delicious Delicacies? What’s Cookin at Adele’s Diner? Adele’s Therapy Bakery? Adele’s Quaker Cookin? Hmmmm…
      So the family decided that you need pain pills. That is funny and now you know they are discussing you behind your back. I know pain does make us cranky sometimes and sometimes our loved ones just need to give us a pass on that. I imagine Gary does probably get the brunt of it as he is around the most but he also most likely knows not to take it personally as it is just the pain talking. Hopefully things will straighten out and your family can stop plotting against you. lol
      I hope next time Tillie goes to the eye doctor that he will talk to you and explain and clarify things and maybe give you an idea of a prognosis.
      You are right about the cold weather and frozen pipes. That is not a good thing. Our master bathroom is built over the garage so we used to have problems with frozen pipes in the sinks as they are on an outside wall. Since the bathroom is over an unheated space and if the wind was blowing the right direction the pipes would freeze. After a couple of years of having issues with that and trying several different ways of solving the problem Greg and Brent put in a system that runs heated water under the floor up in that bathroom and that has really solved the problem. It runs off a separate hot water heater and we turn it on in the winter when we know cold weather is setting in and we turn it off in the spring when the weather warms up. So it probably raises the electric bill a bit during the winter but it is well worth it.
      I’m sure you will be staying in and baking something good this weekend. When is Marissa’s birthday? What treat are you making?
      Gail

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      hey Gail
      First, let me say I am heart sick over Brent. OMG. I read the whole section of your post to Gary. You and Greg must be so upset. Prayers are heading your way, from all of us here. I wonder if they are missing something, that will make sense of it all. It just seems like too much at one time. Have they checked that Lyme disease thing, (or other diseases) as i heard it can cause so many issues in so many areas, when un-detected. I am still hoping it is something that can be cured with a simple medication or treatment. This is just not acceptable that a young man has so many things wrong, all of a sudden. Please keep us in the loop, so prayers can be sent. I wish there was something we could do for you and Greg,and Brent, of course.
      You made me laugh with the name for my bakery. How about Adele’s Quacker Therapy Diner? We can add this by-line……” Only those who have tough skin can dine here, as the cook is sparkly and feisty”…..no relatives allowed. Imagine those bad girls talking about how to tame the Nana? Marissa was not part of the discussion, I hear, so she is my only heir.
      the reason for the flooding was a super moon, with record high tides, and the storm had record low barometers, that fell fast. They said it was more powerful that the Blizzard of 78, which we still talk about. The entire state was closed for a week. I think I told you some of the stories form that one. the only good thing was the storm was a fast mover, and by the time the second high tide came, the storm was over.
      Gary and Bobby arrived home safely today. All good. Jhonny had a day off, and we were all happy about that.
      So, today we had the heating company back here, as there was water leaking from the burner. Long story short- it was the expansion tank, and a safety valve, which, of course, are not covered by the annual contract on the system. They did not get here until almost 5, as they had a huge amount of no heat calls. Then, after he left, it was leaking even more- back again he came, and he had to tighten the part he replaced. then add that we need to replace the oil tank, as it is putting sludge into the heating system, and I do not want any oil issues. Better to replace the tank than the entire heating system- 1800.00 is the price for a new tank. I will have Enzo and his cousin do it, as I am hating my heating company. forgot to say….when they cleaned the system last week, they said we were very low on oil- never happened before, as we are on automatic delivery. They promised oil the next day, and did not come. It took them 4 days to get here, and I was in panic mode. We have never been below 1/4 of a tank of oil, and the gauge was on empty the day they finally delivered the oil. I am embarrassed to say the ER after hours line lady asked me to stop yelling at her, as she was trying to help me….LOL LOL Then add the storm was coming- we finally got the oil the day before the storm hit, and then the system started to leak.
      However, NONE of this is as important as what you are and Greg are going through with the worry over Brent and his health. I hope Barbara will weigh in, and give you some ideas, and information from her experience.
      Prayers sent your way, with wishes for Angels to surround Brent with love and protection.
      Love, Adele
      PS…told Gary what you said about him, and it made him smile…..LOL

    • Barbara Smith
      Participant
      Post count: 418

      Gail, just was reading about Brent and the doctor sending him for more tests. Has he worn the heart monitor and is that how they diagnosed the v-tach? I am presuming they did. V-tach stands for ventricular tachycardia (the lower chambers of the heart beat faster than they should). We all know what it feels like because we feel that way when you get scared or have been running really fast. Or say someone is having a panic attack; and their heart just begins to race. I am really glad that they are doing tests on the thyroid; because one of my first thoughts was Graves Disease; which has symptoms of weight loss, faster heart rate, increased nervousness, some people have diarrhea, some muscle weakness; and it is brought on by the thyroid glad secreating too much of it’s hormone. Do by any chance his eyeballs seem to “stick out a little bit” I know this sounds crazy, but sometimes this will happen in this disease. I actually have hypothyroidism (hypo means low, hyper means high) so I am chubby, skin dry, instead of reved up I am sluggish; all due to that thyroid gland. It sits on both sides of your neck. I just feel this is what is causing him his problems. There are other reasons for V-tach. One is due to the electrical pathway that runs through the heart muscles and messaging centers and causes the heart to race when the signals get out of sync. This can be fixed by threading an instrument into the heart and “zapping” the bad messaging node or by some medications. My prayers continue to be with all of you. I know this must be so hard. He has been searching so long for an answer. But that should bring you and him some real hope that whatever is causing this is not so dangerous that is required immediate emergent action. Does that make any sense? I know there is an answer out there; I will just be SO happy when they let you all know what he needs to do to make this better. Prayers for you all.
      Our baby is due to come visit Sarah’s family next week. It is so cold here; so I hope she bundles him up really well. They will be coming from his running around barefoot in their apt every evening to the teens here. I have been hearing about all the horrid cold you all are having. Please be careful.
      Colleen, I owe you an apology. Would you believe that I found your card UNDER some of my papers today on the kitchen counter? So I know you didn’t get yours. I don’t know where my mind is these days.
      Jerry has a Star Wars marathon or something on. It seems he has been watching it for hours. I find myself going to bed so early just to get under the covers and get my heating pad on my shoulder. I am turning into something that hibernates during the winter. I just don’t know how you all do it.
      I hope I helped some Gail.
      Take care everyone. I will be thinking and praying for us all. By the way, Adele, I think you should consider naming your Kitchen Adele’s “Sit a Spell” with a sign on the wall that announces the Rules of the kitchen Only compliments; no complaint section and If you don’t like somthing, you cook and I’ll eat – ha ha. There would be some surprized and worried faces I’m sure. Bye for now; and please keep us posted. Hugs Barbara

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Gail,
      I know what you mean about wanting to talk to Brents doctors and finding out what is going on. Does he have any idea when he will have to go to Texas to see that doctor? That seems like a long drive to have to make to get there. They are really putting that poor guy thru a lot. I hope that they find an answer soon.
      It is hard to get use to taking kids to and from school again. Soon it will time for Brook to start play practices again so that means that we will have to pick her up at all different hours. That should be interesting. We are trying to let the girls keep doing what they did when they lived at home so they feel comfortable here.
      You are not having a pity party. It is hard to not feel bad when one of your children are sick and there is nothing you can do about it. We do not want to see things like that happen to them. Just hang in there Gail and keep praying. We all are praying for him also. Hopefully we will hear some good news soon.
      Have you started taking down your Christmas stuff yet? We are going to take ours down tomorrow. The cat keeps trying to eat our tree. We have to chase him away at least ten times a day. It may be a Charlie Brown tree but I guess it is going to be the only one that we have. Ron wants to keep it so guess that we will. Maybe next year I can sneak a bigger tree in the house and he will not notice. lol
      I hope that you have a good time with the grands and they will help you to stop thinking about Brent. Even if it is only for an evening. Will all of you go out to eat tonight? You always have such a good time with your grands. I bet that they are really happy when Friday comes around and can spend time with you and Greg.
      I like the names that you have for Adeles kitchen. I like the Adele’s quacker cookin. I think that it should be delicious quacker cooking. They are going to post a way to ship cookies. It is on the Pillsbury site and it will be interesting to see how to do it without breaking all of them. It will be nice for the future when Melissa and her family are stationed somewhere else.
      That must have been a real pain to have the pipes freeze in your bathroom every time it got cold. I like the system that you have set up to keep it from happening again.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      I am glad that everyone got home okay today.and that you all will be in the house tonight. It is not good when the roads are bad and you have to worry about walking on the sidewalks and the parking lots. They never seem to get them cleaned off good enough.
      It is always better to get the info from the doctor. People always have horror stories to tell about different things. At least if you talk to the doctor he is going to be straight forward and let you know exactly what is going to happen and what he thinks. Everyone is so much different. One person may just need the one shot but others may need more. Their problem might have been something different then what Tillie has. So do not worry until you have good reason to.
      That must be a real mess. I hope that it gets a little warmer so the melting snow does not all turn to ice. You have to be hardy there with all the bad weather you get. Hope that the snow goes away soon for you.
      I imagine that if Johnny was in pain Steph would have called you. At least I hope that she would. She is a kid so you never know what they will do. Mine are the same way.
      I am like Gail an curious about what treat that she wants for her birthday. I am sure that she will get it you are so good about baking what ever they want. Does she have a special dinner that she likes to have every year? That is one of the fun things to do for the kids birthdays they get what ever they want to eat.
      We need to make some soup here also. I have been using those bear creek soup starters. I always add a lot to my soup when I use those. We may still have potato soup the kids all like it. Ron is the only one that doesn’t. When Mandy goes to work I will have to start cooking meals. That will not be fun. I wonder if the grands would do it? No they do not like to cook that much. Well at least Kylie doesn’t.
      They are going to wait until it gets warmer. They are going to have go get into the wall and find the loose wire. They said it would make the house cold if they do it now. We are safe right now because we do not have the electric on in this part of the house. We shut the breaker down. It has been taped so we do not accidentally turn it back on. It is just a waiting game.
      If it is not one thing it is fifty other. I hope that you got your leak stopped in your furnace. You sure do not want it to go out for the winter. It is a pain in the neck. I guess if our heat ever goes out we will have to go out to the shed and sleep in there with the wood burning stove. I can see all five of us all bunched in that little shed trying to be by the fire.
      Well that is about all from here. I hope that I did not say anything to offend sometimes I do not word things the way I mean them.
      Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Barbara,
      I did not get any of my Christmas cards mailed this year. We had so much confusion here that I did not do a lot of things that I usually do at Christmas. I will do better next year. SO you do not owe me an apology. I owe everyone one for not sending out my cards this year.
      Will you get to spend some time with him. Will Neal be coming with them? I hope that you get to spend some alone time with the baby and can spoil him a little more.
      This is the type of weather to stay wrapped up in blankets and staying warm. I love this time of the year. I like snuggling up in blankets and getting a good nights sleep. Hot weather is just too much for me. You cannot get cool when it is hot.
      I like the rules on the wall for Adele’s kitchen. She really needs them sometimes. I do not think that she would get many volunteers to cook though. They like her cooking more then they say.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Barbara!
      That was great medical info you gave to Gail. I know it must make her feel better. We all knew you owuld come through to help her sort it all out. It is so upsetting when a loved one has health issues.
      You sign is a good idea, and I could add a witch’s broom to it….LOL
      So today is the “coldest day of the season”. Gary said it is 11 out there right now, with a wind chill of -5. Wind chill is -17 for tonight. I bet you cannot wrap your mind aorund that one. Thank God you do not have this down there. I actually have to lower the temp in the house because the heat comes on so much- I have it at 64. But, it does not feel like 64 in here, as it is coming on so much. If I had it on 66, the heat would be on every 20 minutes. Our living room is an addition to the house (done before i bought it), and there is nothing underneath the room, so it gets colder in there. that room is set at 60, and it was coming on every 45 minutes, so I had to go a notch lower. We have a good size TV in the room we call “Nana’s room”, and Gary has a recliner in there, so if it gets real bad, we can watch TV in there and be a lot more cozy. he just does not want to leave the 4k TV in the living room….LOL
      That is fabulous news that your Colin is visiting next week. I did hear the weather will be better up here by end of week, and be close to 50. So, I bet your weather will be better too. I hope someone gets a pic of you squeezing the stuffing out of him, so we can see how happy you are. I just want to give you a head’s up though…….he is at the age when he will be a bit “strange” with everyone but his parents. That is totally normal, and d not feel hurt if he is not eager to go to you. Even Aizen and JJ did that with me, and they saw me a lot more. It is the age when even a grandparent is strange to them. Fear not, that stage passes quickly! I remember Tillie feeling VERY slighted, and saying Aizen did not like her. I had to keep telling her over and over that is a developmental stage,and had nothing to do with how he felt about her- they only want their “constant object” at that stage. Now, aizen goes to seek Tillie out if she is not up here when he comes over.
      So, Missy Barbara, what will you be baking and cooking for the Little Prince’s arrival? I am so excited for you!!!!
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Colleen
      You never offend anyone! Please do not think that you do. I wonder about that once in a while to, as the written word does not have the emotion we feel added to it, and sometimes comes out a but different than intended. We all know we do not mean any harm to anyone.
      you are right about Tillie;s eye. Everyone is different, and I should not fret, as she is a lot older than other people were when they had a similar occurrence.
      I like the Bear Creek soups too. But, they have so much salt in them. My favorite is the Hot and Sour soup. So, I do not have them often, as I swell up like a balloon with salt.
      Marissa has not said what she wants for her birthday dinner. She wants the German Lebkuchen cookie I make at Christmas for her treat. We may do my birthday with hers, as they are so close. so,w e will have to decide. I know I will let her have what she wants, a she is such a sweetie. i am good with anything. But, I do get an ice cream cake. I love the Carvel ice cream cakes. do you have those in your area?
      When does Mandy start back to work? You will have to get that crock pot going.
      I still have a few things to out away,and then change back to the regular dishes and mugs and get the holiday ones put away again.
      The heating system is all set. We had to replace the holding tank for the water, and a safety valve. the guy came back ast night, and fixed the leak…again. the part he attached was not put in tight enough. So far, we are ok.
      Hope you are warm and cozy.
      Adele

    • Anonymous
      Inactive
      Post count: 643

      Adele you are warmer than here it is up to 9 out there now with wind chills below that. I think the wind is not quite as bad as it was but still brutal. Night before last I saw flashing lights after I went to bed so I got up to see what it was & there were a bunch of trucks up past my neighbor by the open field & there is a fire hydrant up there. So I could not see what they were doing. So yesterday I bundled up to try to walk down for my mail. Did not get there when I came out my walk & at the end of the walk and behind & around my car is a skating rink. It is to cold for ice melt to work & I am afraid to try & walk over it so have not been able to get my mail in 3 days. Monday is to be a mix of snow sleet freezing rain so won’t get out then either. After that it is to be warmer & drier until rain Friday. I don’t know if I could get my car out at this point as all that water ran in around the tires & froze so it would probably just spin on the ice. So anyway I am think the fire hydrant must have froze & that is what they were working on & that is where the water came from because it was clear before.
      I would freeze to death with the thermostat as low as you. I have mine at 72 & it is still cold. This place is not insulated & you can feel the wind coming in around the doors & windows. You can see daylight around the doors. My feet feel like blocks of ice.

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      OMG Sue, this is terrible.
      I hope the temps go up soon, so you can at least get your mail. Do you have any teenagers in your neighborhood who could get your mail for you? Our mail is at the end of our driveway, and if it were all ice, we would not be able to get it either.
      Your place must have been built a while ago. Back then, they were not as good with insulation. The older homes have so much character, but the heating bills are out of control. our old house in East Boston was a huge Victorian, with 3 apartments, and it was drafty, and you could never feel cozy when it was cold. heating the place was a nightmare.
      This house is very well insulated. It was built in 1980 or 1981. I was told the crew who framed this house were the best framers in the area. That was definitely true, as with the wind, you do not even hear it, unless you are in the living room. It has to be a huge (one of those 50 to 70 mph) gust of wind to hear it in the main part of the house. The living room has a cathedral ceiling, so you hear the rain and wind in there. Plus, we put in new windows years ago, (at least 10 years ago) and they have that argon gas inside them. (The owner who built the house scrimped on windows- they were real bad, and you heard, and felt, everything through them. ) That made a huge difference, and is when we had to lower the temp in here in the winter. We used to have it on 68. If I did 68 now, you would not be able to breathe in here. if it is not as cold as now, the temp is on 64.
      We have some huge icicles in the back of the house, and the area where the house meets the addition, has a snow drift that is ready to fall off the roof. It is huge.
      Sue, can you get one of those big tubes of caulking, and run a bead around the door? We have one of those “slide under the door” insulating tubes on Tillie’s door to the apartment downstairs, so she doe snot feel the cold as much when the front door opens. Can you fit one of those on your front and back doors? they do work, but make it a little harder to open the door, especially if you have carpeting.
      I am so sorry you are that cold. That is just not nice at all. Will the landlord help in any way? (I think you said you had a landlord, or am I wrong?)
      I did hear we are getting higher temps at the end of next week,so your weather is coming up here.
      I hope it gets better down there, fast.
      Adele

    • Dianne Danielson
      Participant
      Post count: 1034

      Hi Ladies,
      I haven’t read all the posts yet, but I wanted to check in & make sure everyone’s okay. I’ve been hearing about the horrible temps out there. I know I whine about our weather out here but it doesn’t come close to anything like that!!! I;m on a mission to get you guys moved out here where it isn’t quite that bad!! We don’t have the humidity in the summer & we don’t get N’OrEasters like you guys get back there. Yes, it rains a lot (some yrs more than others) but it doesn’t get as cold. It snows up in the mts, but I’m at sea level. I watch our storms off the Pacific make their way across the country. They usually meet up with storms already out there. I hear you’re gonna be a BALMY 40+ this week. I’m sending it along with calmer weather. I can’t do any better than that, I;m afraid. I would love to send white sandy beaches, & tropical weather, but I can’t , sigh.

      I didn’t go see Kay today. Her sister said she wasn’t feeling like having visitors. Sounds like she slipped back to square one. Sleeping all the time, not eating, etc. No wonder she’s anemic, she doesn’t eat. No nutrients in her blood.
      I think I’ve been doing too much taking down everything, moving furniture, etc. I’m stiff & sore.
      well, that’s about all for now.
      Keep warm & stay safe!!
      dd

      Attachments:
    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      I wonder if they make any of the bear creek soups with low sodium. Will have to look on their site and see if they do. Maybe we can make a suggestion for them to do that. When I make the soups I add a lot of other veggies that the salt is not as bad. When I make the potato soup I add more potatoes, celery, onions and a little bit of carrot. I do not add any more salt to the soup. I do not know if that makes a difference but it seems to.
      You are really cold there. We are getting warmer. It is 21 here tonight and it supposed to get close to 30 tomorrow. We are supposed to have a couple of days where it is in the 40’s. Then it is supposed to drop down again and we will get some snow and ice. I hope that they are wrong about the ice though. We will stock up on groceries next week just in case.
      The cookie sounds really good. I have never had one before. I need to bake a German chocolate cheese cake. I have not made one of those for a long time. It use to be one of the kids favorites. So could make it for the grands and see if they like it as much.
      I have never seen the Carvels ice cream cakes around here. The only ones that we have are the ones from Dairy Queen. They are okay but not the best in the world. I guess it depends which kind that you get.
      Mandy is not sure when she will start. They are moving into a new store so they are waiting for it to be ready to move in. They will call her and let her know. She is really wanting to get started. I do not blame her. I would want to also. She really wants to get a job and start working. She wants to get a place of her own and get the kids settled again.
      That is good that they have your furnace fixed and you do not have to worry about that. It would not be good to have it go out right now. The cathedral ceilings make it hard to heat up a room. It is bad when there is nothing under the living room. I can see where it would get really cold. Just keep a lot of warm blankets in there to cover up with.
      I hope that things go well for Tillie when she goes to this doctor for her eye. Sounds like he is much better then the other one was.It is a shame that he did not take the time to explain everything so everyone would feel comfortable about it.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi DD,
      i am sorry to hear that Kay is not doing so well today. Maybe she will do better tomorrow. It is just nice that her sister is there with her and will make sure that she is getting the care that she needs. She is still in my prayers.
      The pictures of the beach are so pretty. The water is so clear and blue. It looks like a good vacation spot. It would be fun to go there in the spring. I am still waiting for our snow. lol We are just getting the cold weather and none of the snow. I really do love snow and would like to have a couple of days with a lot of snow it is so pretty.
      Please keep us posted on Kay. We will all be praying for her and that you will get to go and see her.
      Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey DD!
      Wouldn’t it be funny if all of us, Sue, me, Gary, Tillie, Bobby, Barbara, Jerry, Gail, Greg, Colleen, and Ron, all arrived, saying…..”we’re here!” That would be really funny. you are so kind to send us your good weather- it is coming by mid week.
      Today is the coldest of all, and from here, we go up. there is light at the end of the tunnel. I have a crock pot recipe on- got it form an email from Betty Crocker. It is called ” slow cooker balsamic honey glazed chicken and vegetables.” you should google it, as it is real simple,and you could save the left over for another night, or freeze them for another night. I had to double it, because of the crew here. It calls for 4 chicken thighs. the ones Bobby got today are not with the skin and bone, so I did not do the “brown in a skillet” thing.
      You should add yourself to the Betty Crocker email list, as they send a lot of good recipes, almost every day. I like to try new things, especially since we are inside for a bit due to the weather.
      I hope Kay gets better. I knwo how worried you must be. We are all praying for Kay and Brent. I hope you get to see her soon.
      Madame Secretary comes back on tonight. I love that show. Do you watch it?
      Love the beach pictures!!
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Colleen
      That is a good idea to add more veggies to the soup. i read somewhere that if you over salt a soup, or gravy, add a potato and it will absorb the salt. not sure if it is accurate, as I have never tried it. But, with you adding more veggies, it took the salt away, so it may be true.
      I did look on Walmart to see if they sold low salt soups, and I did not find any. Who knows, as they get more popular, they may add a lower salt line.
      I like to snuggle up to watch TV, with my throws, even when it is not as cold as it is now. It is snuggly….LOL
      I hoe the store gets situated quickly, so Mandy can get back to work. That is awful that she has to wait. It puts her whole life on hold. But, it gives you two some nice mother-daughter time while the kids are at school. I picture you two ion the couch, watching The Chew….LOL By the way, I miss Mario on there. he always made such good dinners. What a shame that he got himself in such a mess. I am still shocked over that one. You really never know someone.
      We are supposed to get warmer, starting tomorrow, and then one day we will be near or at 50. That’s new England for you. They have this saying…..if you don’t like the weather wait a minute and it will change.
      Read my post to DD for the dinner up-date. crock pot night again.
      Hope you are warm and cozy!
      Adele

    • Anonymous
      Inactive
      Post count: 643

      Thank you all for your friendship. I just wanted to let you know I won’t be posting. None of you said anything. I am just to upset & heartbroken to pretend to be okay so it is best not to bring the rest of you down. I will be okay just can’t write at the moment. Keep on Quackin and take care. Sue

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      I had always heard if you add to the soup that it will cut down on the salt content. That did not come out right. It just helps to have all the extra veggies in it to help with the salt content. Oh I give up it just does not come out the way that I mean it.
      We have friends that we get together with for Christmas. We always exchange gifts when we do. Well this year we both bought each other throws. It was funny she opened hers and just started laughing and then I saw what she gave me and I started to laugh also. Talk about thinking alike. It was just really funny.
      I hope that they get started soon also. She will be working at stocking the shelves in the new store and getting all the things out of the old store. It is a Dollar General store. I just hope that they will keep her on after they get all moved. You never know with a job like that. She is still looking for another job. She said that she would like to work two jobs for awhile if she can.
      I miss Mario also. I wonder if he really did this or if someone found a way to get some money. It could also be that someone got mad at him and wanted to ruin things for him. I read an article about one woman that got paid to say that she was sexually harassed. I really hope that they are wrong. I would hate to think that a woman would stoop that low. There is not enough money in the world to make it worth it to do that.
      We are supposed to warm up for a couple of days and then we are supposed to get cold again and get some snow and sleet. I hope that they are wrong and we just get snow. I really do love snow.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Barbara,
      Thank you for all the good information. It is really helpful. Brent did wear the monitor and now they want him to wear it again for a longer period of time. I did feel better after reading your post so that’s a good thing. I am glad that he has a GP who seems to be covering all the bases and she sounds like a sensible and kind person to me so I have confidence in her making sure that we get to the bottom of all this. I do not know if there are any changes in Brent’s eyes bulging as we have not seen him since October but I looked up what you are referring to so I know what you are talking about now.
      I am so excited that you are getting a visit from Colin this week. I can just picture you hugging the stuffing out of him. I hope they will give you and Jerry some time just to have him on your own.
      I like the name Adele’s Sit a Spell Kitchen. I’ll bet the list of rules could be quite hilarious.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Colleen,
      You know Lubbock is about two hours from where Brent lives so it’s kind of like us going into Chicago or maybe you going into Saint Louis. It’s just that he is going into a totally different state-that makes it seem farther.
      It’s good that the girl’s continue with their activities even though they are temporarily living at your house. It sounds like Mandy is really eager to get back to work and move forward with the changes in her life. Good for her! I hope that the new store will keep her on and who knows maybe if they are happy with how she does they will make her manager of the store. What’s the next play for Brook? Gabby got the part of Maria in The Sound of Music for the spring musical so that should be interesting.
      Adam’s parents just spent three weeks in England, Ireland and Scotland so I’m interested to talk to them and see pictures when they get back.
      I will have to look into those Bear Creek soups and see what they have. I am making a minestrone(or my version of it) later on this week. Not sure exactly which day yet.
      I will probably start taking down decorations next week when Greg has time to bring up the boxes. I am in no hurry as I would like the batteries in all my battery operated things to burn down so I will probably take down the trees first.
      We were supposed to get a light snow yesterday but we never did. However, we are in the 30’s so it feels like a heat wave. I can hear my furnaces thanking us for the break as before they were running constantly.
      Gail

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Sue
      I just read your post, and I hope nothing I said made you feel bad.
      We all love you on here, and want to help with anything we can. I always say a prayer for all my Quacker buddies every night. I will add an extra one for you. I know it must be awful to be stuck in with the ice all over the place. Being stuck inside, and not even able to get your mail, would make you feel very down. The only suggestion i ave is to call the Elderly hot line, or elderly advocates in your state, and see if you can get someone to help during this awful weather.
      We all care about you and will listen to anything you have to say. We have all been down form one time to another, so please do not feel like you are bringing anyone down, when you need support.
      I sincerely hope we hear from you.
      Love, Adele

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi DD,
      We are finally warmer here-in the 30’s. That spate of arctic weather was awful. Every time I had to go out in it I just couldn’t get warmed up when I came inside without getting into bed and getting under the covers. Brrrrr!
      I hope you will be able to have a visit with Kay soon.
      I know I get stiff too if I do too much so i have learned to pace myself and take my time getting things done. I figure who really cares if I take two weeks to put all the decorations away. I don’t think anyone is going to report me to the decorating police. lol There have been some years where something has happened within the family and the stuff doesn’t get put away until February and there’s nothing that can be done about it.
      I have always wanted to actually go to place where the water looks so pretty and blue like in your pictures. I wonder if anywhere looks so beautiful in person.
      Gail

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Colleen
      That is very funny that you both age each other the same thing. You must have both been thinking of the cold winter we are having.
      I hope they keep Mandy on too. It is awful to have to start over, and find a place to live. That has happened to Heather a few times, especially with the 2 divorces. It took a real toll on her, and the kids. Thank God we are here to pick up the pieces.
      i feel the same way. There is no amount of money that would be worth that embarrassment. Being abused is a very personal, and horrific crime. To share that takes a lot of courage. You are putting a very personal, private hurt all over the media. It is as if you were molested all over again.
      Mario has completely dropped out of sight. that does not look good either. I am hoping they will add another chef to The Chew, who does similar foods that Mario made.
      It is a lot warmer up here today, and will stay that way all week. I hope some of this mess melts, as the boys say it is difficult to drive the streets as they are narrow, and all full of ice.
      hope you are having a good day!
      Adele

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Adele,
      We would be cold if the heat was set at 64. I keep it at 68 in the winter and Greg is always complaining of the cold but it’s such a big house with just the two of us in it and I hate to spend a lot of money on heating all the empty rooms. When we first built it is was very warm and air tight but now after twenty years I guess the insulation settles and things loosen up and spots start to feel drafty.
      I always have throws and knitted afghans around to snuggle up with. When I watch TV at night I always have one on me.
      I had never heard of Carvel ice cream cakes until you mentioned them and then several months later I saw that they had them in WalMart. I bought one once for some reason and it was pretty good-I would buy it again. I think I also bought a Blue Bunny one once and did not like that at all.
      So we did not see Piper Friday night as she got on the phone and informed me that she wouldn’t be there when I came over as she was going to a sleepover. Grandpa asked if he could come too and she said-“No Grandpa-my friends won’t know you.” lol
      It was so quiet when we got to Jenny’s house without her constant chatter. She really does keep the party going. lol However, when she’s not around you realize how exhausting she is. lol Adam was home all last week and the kids were still on Christmas vacation and it was so cold they couldn’t go out and play so he really got a workout. lol I think he was glad to go back to work today. lol
      Anyway, the four adults played this new Christmas trivia game that i had gotten and Jenny and I played against Greg an Adam and I must say the girls smoked the boys. lol After we ate dinner we all played some Uno-it’s fun to play with Kendall and Lachlan as they are old enough now that they just like to play-they don’t necessarily have to win like the little ones do. Santa gave Kendall the Uno deck and Adam said they played a lot of it last week when the kids were on vacation. I was saying to Jenny that I bet Lachlan was the only kid in the whole school system with that name and they said he actually wasn’t there was another boy a little older with that name too and he actually lives in their subdivision. That surprised me as it’s an unusual name.
      Greg is coming along with his guitar-now he has to get everything placed right so it actually plays well. He has put so many hours into this and it really looks pretty amazing. He should be proud of himself starting with nothing and actually creating a musical instrument. It’s kind of a cool hobby although God only knows what the actual total cost of this instrument would be counting materials and tools. lol
      Gail
      Jenny had to go over to where Piper was staying to drop off her pillow and as soon as Jenny dropped it off Piper came out to get it in her PJ’s bathrobe and an arm full of bracelets. I kind of picture her sweeping in like Auntie Mame. lol Anyway as soon as she got her pillow she dismissed Jenny and told her she could go home now. I can not picture anyone ever pushing this young lady around. lol

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Dear Sue,
      If you ever change your mind and want to join us again you know we are always ready to encourage and support you. We have been chatting together on this board for a long time and I hope that some day you will choose to return.
      Hugs,
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Let’s see if this works.

      Attachments:
    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Gailster!
      That is a great picture. I love your outfit, and your hair looks great. Your hair grew in fabulously! Is that a Quacker top? the blue/black combo is one of my favorites.
      I love your SIL’s gown. What a beautiful fabric. She does not look like she was in the hospital that day- God less her.
      Didn’t I read that one of your grands got the lead part in a play? Congrats!!!!
      I really like the Carvel ice cream cakes. Every other one I have tried is not as good.
      I love to play games. We had this one a it ago that was hysterical. Do you think I can remember the name? not.
      Your Piper is so funny. i can picture her with all the bracelets on. Can you imagine the things she will say when she is 15?
      you have to get a pic of that guitar on here. I am dying to see it. Greg is very talented. Has he always loved to do woodworking/creating? he has all kinds of creative talents.
      Did you see the golden Globes last night? I had to call Tillie to ask what the deal was on the all black dresses. We turned it on later, and then watched Madame Secretary at 10:00.
      Hope you have a good night!
      Adele

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Gail,
      That is a good picture of you and Greg. You looked so pretty in your outfit and your hair fixed like that. Everyone looked so nice in the picture. I guess they would it is a wedding. That was a dumb statement. I am glad that she finally got married and looked like she was feeling better.
      Brook is now looking for a job and we are hoping that she gets one. She really wants to go to work. I hope that she finds something soon. There are not too many places around here to work. If she goes in and really lets them know that she really wants a job they may hire her.
      You are right it does seem like a long way away from where he lives. I did not realize that Texas was so close to where he lives. I am just praying that all of the results come back positive and he is just fine.
      The next play is not until in the spring. That is great that Gabby got the part of Maria in the play. I bet she is really excited. Does she sing a lot or will this be the first time that she sings in public? That is just really cool.
      That is funny that Piper called to let you know that she would not be there when you came to visit. She is such a character. That must be a really cute picture of her coming in the room with all her bracelets on and dismissing Jenny after she got her pillow. That would be like Auntie Mame. That was a good movie.
      That was really a nice trip for Adams parents. It will be interesting to see what they thought of all those countries. My brother did not like Ireland as much as he thought that he would I am not sure where they went though. I think that they were looking up my sil’s family. So maybe they were not too popular.lol
      We took down the decorations Sunday. It was so fast could not believe it. We all did it and we were done in about two hours. It takes me a lot longer to put things up then it did to take it down. Nothing is in the right boxes or anything so it will be interesting to see if I can find them next year. If they are still they may remember where they put them.
      We have warmed up here also. It is supposed to get up in the 50’s for awhile and then get really cold again and we are supposed to get snow then. We will see what happens. I am ready for some snow. I miss the snow we use to get when we lived in Rockford. The kids always liked it. They are not big fans now but when they were little they were. I do not have anybody that is looking forward for the snow to come but me.lol
      Ron is impressed that Greg is making his own guitar. I do not think that he would have the patience to do something like that. He would have to do it in the shed where all his tools are and he could not stay out of the house that long. The fridge or the freezer might be running too hot.lol
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      It is hard when our kids go thru things like that. We are just glad that we had the room to take them in. It would not have mattered we would have taken them in no matter what. It has been nice having them here. I am glad that they came and they help out so much here all the time.
      I heard that after they made that accusation that they took all of his products off the market and do not sell his cook books. That one lady that he had the restaurant will not work with him anymore which I thought was kind of a shame. If he did it it was stupid but I hope that it does not ruin his life. It is just sad. They really got him off the Chew quickly. I noticed that none of the other hosts have said much about it. I guess that they cannot say anything and make the people that produce the show upset. I bet it was hard on all of them they seemed to all be close.
      It must be warming up all over the country. We all need this time to warm up a little and let the furnaces have a rest. It is supposed to get up in the 50’s here so that will be really nice. The it will be cold again on Friday and we are supposed to get some snow. They took that ice out of the forecast. That I am happy about but hope that the snow stays in. Hopefully your ice will all melt and you will be able to get out for a day or two before the next cold front comes in. I can imagine that you really have cabin fever.
      Mandy starts working Saturday and Brook is wanting to go out and find a job. She put an application in at the grocery store and she wants to go to all the other places in town to see if they will hire her. I hope that she finds something she really wants to work. Kylie does not say anything about wanting a job or looking for anything.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Sue,
      Hope that everything is okay with you. It is a shame that you are going to quit posting on here. You will be missed.
      Colleen

    • Dianne Danielson
      Participant
      Post count: 1034

      Hi Ladies,
      Does anyone have any idea what’s going on with Sue? I sent her a post on her private page & I hope she gets it. I hope she’s okay. I’m worried about her.
      I talked to Kay tonight, & she’s in a care facility now & they’re going to work on getting her breathing better. Her COPD is getting really bad now. I don’t think she’ll be around much longer unless they can get her lungs to open up more, which I doubt will happen.
      Not much going on here. I;m not having cold enough weather to wrap up in my new throws. I got those Berkshire velvet soft set of 3 throws in teal & they are gorgeous!! and sooooooo soft. My little Cuddle Bug is sitting here next to me. She does this in the evening to get my attention for either food or wanting me to go to bed.
      Well, I guess that’s all for tonight.
      Stay warm & safe,
      dd

      Attachments:
    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Colleen
      It is a nice time for you and Ron to have the kids with you, even though it is sad for them to start over again. We are lucky we are able to help them. So many other families do not, and that is terribly sad
      I got so sick last night. All day i did not feel right- I was dizzy and had an awful headache, whihc did not go away, even with the Alleve. After supper, i got a fever, and every joint was aching. I woke up 5 times to pee, whihc was real odd too. So, I am pooped today. Still feel kind of punky, but not dizzy today, and the headache is gone.
      I hope Mandy likes her job, and they keep her after the move. We will say a prayer for that!
      I also hope Gail gets news on Brent soon. This waiting is just awful.
      I heard from Barbara this morning. Colin is there, and they get to babysit him twice this week- she is thrilled. She met Colin and his Mom at a restaurant last night, and they were so happy to see him. I told her to take some pics, so we can see how cute he is.
      It will be in the 30’s here today, and in the 40’s either tomorrow or Thursday. I have a couple of windows cracked open for fresh air. It smells so good. We have been cooped up too long, with the below zero temps.
      Hope your day is going well!
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi DD
      Your kitty looks so comfy, and adorable. She is so pretty.
      I have no idea what is wrong with Sue. I am also concerned, as she is our friend. I wish she would just come on, and tell us what is happening, so we can support her. All we can do is add another prayer for the best outcome for her.
      I am sorry Kay is not doing well. that COPD is awful, and it is an awful way thing to have. I can’t imagine how that must feel. Did she smoke?
      I am glad you got a chance to talk to her. That must have made you feel good to talk to her. Kay is in my prayers.
      Did you see the old men in Berlin last night? I thought it was so sweet when Henry Winkler found the plaque for his relatives, and the nice letter his kids wrote to him. I did not realize he was German. We also watch The Good Doctor- love that show. Do you watch it? Did you see Blue Bloods last Friday? I was so glad new shows were on again.
      Hope your weather stay good! We are finally out of the deep freeze. I have a couple of windows cracked open for fresh air, and it smells so good out there.
      Have a good day!
      Adele

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi DD,
      I am glad that you were able to talk to Kay. Maybe you can visit her at the care facility. Is it far away from you?
      I have some of the different Berkshire throws too and they are so soft and snuggly.
      Brrrrrrr! Those frozen waterfalls look so cold. I think we could have had some of those the past couple of weeks.
      I think tomorrow may be your birthday so Happy Early Birthday! I hope you are having some cake and ice cream.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Colleen,
      I hope Brook can find a job especially since she really has a desire to work. It’s funny I never even told my kids to get jobs when they were in high school but Jenny just wanted to work and worked ever since she was old enough to do so and then Brent saw that she had the extra money so he followed suit. At one time they both worked at the Subway shop in town. So I always say both kids are sandwich artistes! Also both kids went to Harvard. (high school) lol
      Yes, Clovis where Brent lives is practically on the Texas border-probably 10-15 minutes away. Just like we are ten minutes away from the Wisconsin border so we just travel a little and are in another state. lol
      Gabby has been in the musicals before but always with smaller parts so this is her first lead. I hope she does well.
      I have always heard from people that have been that Ireland is quite beautiful. Our friends Tim and Nan have been all over and they say New Zealand is the most beautiful of all and they said all the people looked like they should be models or something.
      I have always dreamed of seeing all the places that I have read about but there never was the time or the money and now that it might be possible I no longer have the ability to really enjoy something like that as i would never be able to walk enough to see all that I would like to see. So I will just travel through my books and my imagination. Also Brent got to see the pyramids of Egypt and got to go on safari in South Africa and Kenya so I can live vicariously through him.
      It’s good that you got the decorations down so fast but you might be really scratching your head next year when you are trying to find things and they are in the wrong boxes. This year when I put stuff away I am going to try to go through things and either toss or donate what I no longer use. We’ll see how long that idea lasts when I get to the point where I just want to get it done and over with. lol
      I don’t think people really understand what goes into guitar making unless they play themselves like Ron does. I just thought about building it but you also have to make all the adjustments so the thing plays well when you are all done and there is a lot of engineering to make that happen. I am impressed as I never would be able to do all that.
      You know Greg is just one of those people who always has to be doing something-where as I am happy just to sit and read or watch a movie or something he always has to be productive. So I am really glad that he has stuff to do during the winter months when he can’t do stuff outside. In the summer he is always doing something with the pond, or garden or his putting green and I am just on the deck with a book. lol
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Adele,
      Actually my hair is not grown back hardly at all except for the part that they shaved. But there is a whole huge chunk underneath on the right side of my head that is still really really short and will probably take another year to grow back. It is underneath so for the most part I just pull the hair over and no one knows except me and my hairdresser. lol (only her hairdresser knows for sure) Remember that commercial-i have no conception what it was for anymore.
      That top is actually a Bob Mackie and I am wearing Susan Graver velvet pants. (and probably Breezies underwear-truth be told) lol
      That was a beautiful dress that Char chose. She originally had picked this dark blue number but then decided on the one in the lighter color with all the beading and I am so glad she decided on that one. So John and Char are in the middle and the couple at the other end are Pat and Ralph Greg’s other brother and his wife. Char is the youngest, then Greg, then Ralph and his brother Phil is the oldest but they weren’t there as they don’t associate with us anymore. The younger man is Pat and Ralph’s middle child John.
      If you ever remember the name of the funny game let me know. We like to play games-especially if they are funny ones.
      I guess ever since I gave Piper a bunch of my old stretchy bracelets she wears them everyday-even to school. I get such a kick out of that. Hopefully she has my jewelry gene. lol
      It will still be awhile until the guitar is totally done. I will see if I can get a picture when it is. This is the first time Greg has done woodworking but he does have an artistic bent. He can also paint and draw and of course he is musical. But he is self taught at so many things. He actually is kind of the American Dream story. When we were first married he started out in the weld shop of a company called Sun Electric and was eventually promoted to foreman, then plant manager and then plant superintendent until he left to help Dan start up his present company. This is why people still want to come to this country and hopefully we will continue to welcome them. This is why his grandparents came to this country. His Dad and grandfather would be so proud.
      I just watched a little bit of the Globes the other night. I had heard about the black dresses so I was expecting that but most of the awards don’t interest me that much as I have seen so few of the programs and the movies and now you can find out who won within minutes by checking online. I am shallow and like looking at the clothes and jewelry and such. lol Plus I feel kind of neutral about Seth Myers-don’t love him-don’t dislike him-he is just okay. Plus we were busy watching all the national figure skating championships that I had DVR’d. With this being an Olympic year they were even more important and i just love skating of all sorts.
      Anything good baking in your kitchen today?
      Gail

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      hey Gail
      That is remarkable about your hair, as nothing is visible at all. you have a really good head of hair, and when you have a lot you can hide missing spots. Tillie’s hair is almost gone. I pray mine does not do that. So far, i am lucky. mine has thinned, but not like Tillie’s did.
      Greg is an example of the American way. his grandparents would be very proud, and should be. He has done a lot with his life, and has also done a lot of volunteering for the kids in need. You should be real proud of him.
      that top is very pretty, even if it is not Quacker….LOL Your SIl did make the right choice. The work on the dress is fabulous. She looks good, especially with all she went through. You would never suspect she was just out of the hospital. How is their vacation going? Is she still feeling ok?
      I ht ought Greg was done with the guitar. I must have misunderstood.
      i am still-not feeling good. I think the fever is coming back. So, nothing is baking in here today. Marissa’s birthday is tomorrow, and I am supposed to make her special cookie. I do not think I have the energy to do it. I will do it on the weekend.
      I hate the Olympics. Those I find boring. The only thing I like is the figure skating.
      Read my post to Colleen, for the other info…..toot tired to do it again. Did not get a lot of sleep last night.
      Hope your day is going well- any news on Brent??
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      DD
      Happy birthday….if yours is tomorrow, you have the same birthday as our Rissy!
      Adele

    • Dianne Danielson
      Participant
      Post count: 1034

      Hi Ladies,
      THank you for the early b/day wishes. It is tomorrow, Wed. Those pics of the waterfalls were taken a year ago this time. We were in the deep freeze last yr. It was a brutal Jan. It started snowing on my birthday & continued all night long. Then the storm cleared out & we were in the 20s for highs for a week!!! That was Multnomah Falls that’s 20 miles from here. It has to be brutally cold for them to ice over! Altho I heard somewhere that in the early 1900’s the Columbia River froze over & you could drive across it. Now that was COOOOOLD!!!! Probably in our grandparents younger days.
      Adele, wish your Rissy a happy b/day for me. I remember now you said that last yr that we share the same day. When is your b/day? I thought you said it’s in Jan. I just don’t remember what day. Aren’t I awful?

      I think I can get to the care facility by bus, I just have to do a trip planner to find out which buses I’ll have to take. Yes she did smoke up until the day the Dr said she had 24 hrs to live if they didn’t remove a section of her lung. she admits her lungs are destroyed from it. Her being a nurse you’d think she’d know better.
      I haven’t seen Tara on ITKWD since before Christmas. I’d be crushed if I broke one of my Christmas Temptations dishes. That’s a shame, Adele. I hope your feeling better now. I had to open my window last night for some fresh air myself. I didn’t leave it open all night tho. Sometimes you need a breath of fresh air even if it isn’t warm outside. there are times when I walk over to the store for that reason.
      I’m not big on the winter Olympics. I like the ice skating & that’s about it. I like the summer Olympics more.
      Well, I guess that’s all for now.
      Glad to hear you’re warming up finally!!
      dd

      Attachments:
    • Dianne Danielson
      Participant
      Post count: 1034

      Hi Ladies,
      I hope you all know that QF will be on several times on Wed. (tomorrow). Not sure of the times but I did get an email from them. Anybody thinking about spring yet? I am!! Unfortunately I can’t afford anything at this point. lol.
      Keep quacking
      dd

      Attachments:
    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Gail,
      Brook wants to get her driver license also. Kylie still does not have hers. It should be interesting if Brook gets a job and her license if Kylie will want to do the same. I sure hope so.
      I am really excited for Gabby. That must really be thrilling for her to get the lead. Brook said that they cannot afford to do any of the really good plays. They do not fund the drama clubs as much as they do the sports teams. That is such a shame. I know that acting does not mean that they will make a career out of it but neither does playing football. It is such a shame that we know think more about sports and nothing else.
      They thought that the country was beautiful but the people were not that friendly. I do not know much about it I was not there. My sil is kind of quite so maybe they did not mean to come off being unfriendly. I do not know. That is just what they said.
      I would love to go to all the different places on the globe but would never get on a plane. Now they are saying that it is not safe to go on ships. They get all different kinds of flu because the ships are not cleaned good enough before the next group gets on there and goes on a cruise. That is really scary.
      I know that a couple of years ago that I gave away some of my things and now I really miss them. The girls wanted to take a few of my Santa’s because I did not have room for them anymore but this year when we got them out of the closet I really missed them. Do not think that they will give them back. lol
      I can see where making a guitar would take a lot of work. All of the things that have to be put on there and the sound and everything has to be just right. You also have to make sure that the wood that you use will not crack or not make a good sound. Greg will have something to be proud of when he get that finished.
      You would never be able to tell that you had a place in your hair that was so much shorter then the rest of it. It really looked good. Wasn’t that commercial about some type of hair dye. Only her hair dresser knows for sure.
      Well that is about all from here have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      I hope that you are feeling a lot better today. That must have been scary to get dizzy like that and so sick. Not being able to go to the bathroom will do that sometimes also. Do you have IBS. There are two different kinds of it the one where you have diarrhea all the time or you are constipated. I have the latter. One is as miserable as the other.
      I am so glad that they are bringing Colin to stay with Barbara and Jerry. They need time to be with him by themselves. They are good grandparents and they should have all the time they want with their grandson. They will get to spoil him a lot while he is there. I just hope that Sarah does not change her mind.
      I do feel really bad for Gail That is horrible to know that one of your kids are sick and they are so far away that you cannot be there for them. IT is horrible that they make you wait so long for test results. There has to be away to do it faster.
      We were warmer today also. Tomorrow it is supposed to be in the fifties. They are going to get behind the walls and see if they can find a place where the wires have been broken or whatever they do to find out. They know basically where it is but it just has been too cold to get into the wall. I hope that they get it done in a days time and we are not like this until this spring.
      Thank you for the prayers for Mandy and Brook and their jobs. I hope that Brook finds one and that Mandy’s job becomes permanent. We are all praying here also. It sure would make both of them feel better.
      Not much else going on here. I got one of those Air Fryers for Christmas and we fixed a roast in it today. It was really good. We put a rub on the outside and it was so crispy and tasted so good. That is one thing that we are glad that we got. Ron gave it to me. So he is the one that cooks in it all the time. I have not got to cook anything in the thing yet. lol So it might be for him.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi DD,
      That is so nice that you got to talk to Kay today. I hope that you will be able to go and see her soon. She would probably really like that and I am sure that you would also. We will be praying that she just keeps getting better.
      I bought some throws but they are not Berkshire. I cannot remember the name of the company that I got mine from. They were on qvc. I have given tnem to a lot of different people in our family. This year I gave one to one of my friends. She really liked hers.
      The pictures of the frozen water falls are really pretty. I love to look at waterfalls when they are flowing and when they are frozen. Jewel looks really comfortable in both of the pictures that you posted. The one on the bed she looked almost like she was posing. She is such a pretty cat. The pictures of the tulips are so pretty also. That was pretty good we got pictures of the winter and the spring. That was a good variety.
      I hope that you have a great birthday tomorrow. Do you have any plans? Maybe you and Crit can have dinner together or something. I think that I spelt his name wrong. Maybe you can bake a cake and have cake and ice cream. Just enjoy your day no matter what you do.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi DD
      I forgot Quacker was on today. Ill have to check on what I already missed.
      Happy Birthday!!!!
      Marissa turns 21 today. She stopped by for a second, and we wished her Happy Birthday. We are doing her birthday with mine in a couple of weeks, as this weekend it will be awful. We are getting rain, then ice, and over 3 inches of rain. So that will make for some flooding, due to the drains all being blocked in the streets with snow.
      I made Lemon Squares today, as Rachel and TJ are stopping by tonight for Christmas. We didn’t see them over the holiday, and still have their gifts here. Lemon Squares are their favorites.
      I am feeling better- thank you for the well wishes. Have not heard from the doctor on the urine test yet- I thought it should be checked, due to the fever, etc. I will call them after I answer this post, now that I think of it.
      I hope your weather is good. It is chilly here today,bit sunny. not real bad.
      did you see Kevin Probably Saves the World? I like that show. I think you owuld like it too.
      Hope your day is goign well,and you figure out how to get to see Kay, before the weather takes another turn.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Colleen!
      I hope they find the problem with your electricity. Where did you find the electrician? Was he one of the ones you called before, who had no time over the holidays?
      I checked out the items offered on the Quacker show I missed. There is a new butterfly shirt I bet Gail will be getting.
      Can you believe that Marissa is 21 today? She is Heather’s baby. She stopped by for a second today. She is off, and has a full day planned- a manicure, dinner with her Mom, and sisters, the boys, Enzo and the dog too. they were going to go out, and then decided to go to Heather’s, bring the dog, and do take out, so everyone, including the puppy, could be there. Later, her Friends want to go out with her for a drink. Marissa does not drink. but, she siad she is 21, so she should have one with her friends. I bet she picks a real sugary drink as she does not like the taste.
      We have Rachel and TJ coming tonight, so I made Lemon Squares.
      I can’t wait to hear Barbara’s stories about her little Colin. I hope they are having a ball. How could they not? I am so happy she gets to hold him. I bet she will be crying when they leave.
      The preliminary test on the urine is negative. So that was not the cause of any fever. this is really weird. Maybe it was just a viral thing.
      I hope we hear good news from you, that you have electricity all through the house!
      Adele

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      we did not find an electrician. Ron has a friend that is going to come over and help him. So we will see how this turns out. They did not do it again today because of the weather. I think that we are going to be like this until the place sells when we cannot live here anymore. For some reason Ron is not in a big hurry to fix this.
      I have not watched the quacker shows yet. I have them recorded on the dvr but have not had a chance to look at them. After I get off of here I will check it out. I saw the butterfly shirt in a e-mail that I got from Quacker and it looked really cute in the picture.
      That is so hard when they turn 21. It seems like they were just babies yesterday and now they are grown up. It is going to be a bad week-end to celebrate anything this week-end.We are getting bad weather here also.
      Who is Rachel and TJ? Are they Gary’s kids? I cannot remember who they are. My mind is going. Hope that you have a nice visit with them. We have not been doing much here today. it is just too nasty looking out side. It has been warmer but still cloudy and chilly. I guess the rain is making it feel colder then it is.
      Barbara should be having a great time with Colin right now. I can just imagine all the things that they are doing together. I bet they can not hold him and hug him enough. It is just so exciting for them to have them there for awhile.
      That was weird. I hope that you do not get it again. There are so many strange things going around right now. They were saying on the news tonight that the flu shot will not keep you from getting the flu but you will not get it as bad. Why do we take a flu shot if it does not help. I think they said that it is the strain that it is this time. It is all crazy. Just take care of yourself and rest if you need to.
      Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi DD,
      Those pictures of the spring flowers make me smile. It always makes me think of the people across the street from us who have a whole huge section in the front of their property planted with daffodils and when they all bloom in the spring it looks like a field of yellow flowers. It makes me smile every time i go by their house. I just love it. Unfortunately they are only there for a few weeks-I guess that’s what makes it so special though. It’s funny but my favorite flowers are all those spring flowers that come and go so quickly and also have a beautiful fragrance-the lilacs, peonies and lilies of the valley.
      I can’t believe we were in the 40’s even into the night last night but that will all change tonight when the arctic air blows back in. I keep concentrating on each day it stays light a tiny bit longer.
      I saw the Quacker shows but there was really no new items yet. The butterfly shirts were not new-so of course I already have one. I keep on asking for a Christmas shirt with a tree made of butterflies-so far no go.
      How has Jewell been feeling? Did you check out the information that you got about help for her care in case you would need it in the future? Was Jewell a rescue? You probably told us where you got her but I have just forgotten. None of us has that problem. lol
      I heard that now in certain places in Oregon that you can pump your own gas. Not sure if it is a choice or if you have to. That was the reason I wanted to go to Oregon and New Jersey-to have someone else pump my gas again. lol They were the only two states left that had gas attendants and now Oregon is changing. Remember the old days when they would pump your gas, check your oil, wash your windows and check the air in your tires? The older I get the more I miss that. lol
      Speaking of things that people will no longer remember last time the grand kids were over at the house the telephone rang and one of them asked-what is that? They have never lived in a house with a land line so it was totally unfamiliar to them. lol We have to keep a landline as cell service out in the country is iffy but they live in town so all they have at their home are cell phones. I guess they would think a phone that you can only talk on would be pretty boring as it doesn’t have games or videos or play music.
      Funny that things we experienced during our lifetimes will eventually be in history books.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Colleen,
      I hope Kylie decides to get her license and get a job soon too-maybe when Brook gets hers that will spur her on. Isn’t Kylie going to junior college now? You would think she would want to drive. I remember when i was 16 i couldn’t wait to get my license-and our kids were the same way-I think they both took the tests on their 16th birthday or the day after. lol I think they both passed on the first try but by that time they had taken drivers ed and they had to have a certain number of hours behind the wheel with us too. I know a lot of parents just signed the paper that said their kids had done that but we are a stickler for honesty so we actually took them out for the required amount of hours. It probably made them better drivers and believe me it was no picnic for us-especially me as i am a nervous passenger anyway. I think I did all the hours with Brent but by the time it came to Jenny I think I made Greg do it as he is much calmer than I at those types of things. It was probably better for everyone all around that way anyway.
      It is sad when they cut the funding for the arts programs before they cut everything else. They have done that here too at certain times. It’s sad because some people excell at sports but others are better at the arts, or debate, or robotics and there should be chances for kids with all different interests to pursue them. Sometimes a music or acting or other type of program is the only place where some kids feel happy and wanted. It reminds me of a local charity that we support called Free Guitars for Future Stars where the kids get a free guitar and lessons-the people that run it often talk about it’s not so much the music but that some kids just need this as a place to come where they can feel accepted safe and secure. You often hear stories of kids who felt disenfranchised or bullied or whatever until they found dance or painting or something else in an artistic field. Okay-climbing down from the soap box. lol
      Yes, they have been having those problems on the cruise ships for many years now with the flus and the legionnaires disease and such. I guess that everything in life has risk-even walking around in our own homes. It just depends on how badly you want to do something whether you will take the risk or not. Now i am probably not going to sky dive or bungee jump but i think I would take a cruise even with the risks involved-when you think of how many millions of people do it every year and are perfectly fine.
      I had to laugh when you said Ron got you the air fryer but he is the only one who has used it so maybe it was for him. It seems like he got you another gift like that one time too that he ended up using or am I imagining things? lol Which reminds me your back must be feeling better as I have not heard about you having to vacuum one inch at a time for a long time. If only your doctor knew how amusing we all thought his advice was! lol
      I hope it gets warm enough for Ron and his friend to get that electric fixed-it would be nice to have that over and done with so you don’t have to worry about it anymore.
      How is Christine? I hope she is doing well. I wonder if she will ever be able to come back and visit you again. Wouldn’t that be nice?
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Adele,
      I hope you are feeling better today. I hope Marissa had a good birthday too. Hey-she just turned 21-she’s not supposed to know what kind of drinks she likes yet. lol
      Hey Adele, why don’t you tell me how you really feel? lol I got a chuckle when you said you hated the Olympics as that seemed like such a strong reaction. lol I guess I have been surrounded by sports lovers for so long that it is just part of my DNA now. I like the pageantry of the Opening Ceremonies and the competition between countries for the highest medal count and then there are always some intriguing human interest stories about certain athletes. Having skated all my young life I can appreciate all the skating, figure,speed and ice hockey. In fact every time we go to a hockey game I always marvel at the skill of the skaters. I wish there had been girls hockey teams when I was young-the only thing they had for girls was softball and that was just in it’s beginning stages-it wasn’t even in schools yet. Just summer leagues. I am guessing that Gary is not interested either-is he just a football fan or does he like other sports. I always laugh as I say Greg’s brother Ralph loves sports so much that he would stop and watch a tiddlywinks championship if they said it was a sport. This guy still lives in the same city that he went to college in and still goes to all the colleges football and basketball games after all these years. He’s a real sports nut-Greg is an amateur compared to him .lol
      My SIL is feeling good. After the wedding they stayed home for a few weeks before taking their honeymoon trip and later this month they are off to Florida for a bit. Her husband has lots of friends there from when he had a condo down there so he misses his friends and wants to visit.
      Did you see the Goldbergs last night. I almost fell off my chair laughing. I think what makes it even funnier is knowing that it is based on someone’s real family. I wish i could remember stuff in that much detail as I grew up in a pretty funny household. if I could remember stuff better i could write a book. lol
      Gail

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Colleen
      TJ and Rachel are Tommy’s kids- Gary’s son. They do not come by very often, so Gary is very happy when they do. we had a nice visit. I gave them Lemon Squares to take home, as that is their favorite thing. Ill attach a pic of the squares. I forgot to take a pic of the kids….LOL
      I am back to my old self, so I guess it was the flu. At least it only lasted a day- probably due to the flu shot I had.
      I can’t wait to see what Barbara says after having little Colin all to herself. I bet they had a great time with him.
      I made a pot of chicken soup, in prep for the miserable weather the next few days.
      I hope they get to at least look at your electricity problems. that must be making you nuts to have half the house not working.
      There was not much new that I saw, only the butterfly shirt, which I bet Gail got in all colors…..LOL
      Hope you are having a good day!
      Adele

      Attachments:
    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Gailster……. get this….I hate the opening of the olympics too…..LOL LOL
      You know what I hate even more………..all the channels will run repeats, because they think everyone loves to watch. Not me. Tillie loves them, and Gary does not. Gary loves all sports on TV, but, not the Olympics. However, I do love when the USA wins all the medals.
      Gary is like your BIL, he will watch any sports, even golf. I call watching golf, watching the grass grow….LOL I do like the figure skating, as that is the only event I would watch. It is so elegant to see them glide over the ice, and it looks like it is no effort at all. Such a beautiful event.
      Oh yes, we did see the Goldberg’s. It was like watching the whole family at a restaurant. Gary kept saying….I am not like that. I kept saying, yes you are. Gary NEVER orders an appetizer, nor a drink- waste of money. He will eat a burger,instead of ordering the prime rib he loves, and watch the rest of us eat ours, and be miserable. I order for him a lot. Heather and Stephanie are like the mother- takes an hour to get their order, with all the “on the side” and substitutions. I am the ” listen, do not any of you embarrass me tonight” one, complete with a speech on proper etiquette. Heather has tried to pass the girls off as younger than they were, when they were little. the only thing we were not guilty of, was taking the other table’s food. they would never, as they get grossed out by anyone touching their food. After Heather makes all the substitutions, she will not eat the meal as she will ALWAYS say it does not taste good. Of course it does not, as she changed the whole thing. She will also find a hair in her food. I have told her, it is her hair, as she is the only one it happens to. Then add Gary, who nine times out of ten, will not eat, as he says “the food has a taste to it”. that is when i remind him he should have had the steak or the prime rib, both of which he would have rejected because of the price.
      So….anybody want to go out to dinner with this crew????? It is an experience to remember. I tip VERY WELL, as I ave to, with this crazy crew. Actually, the last time we went to Bertucci’s, I went a couple of days later and apologized to our waiter, who said he got a kick out of us. Seriously? he has become our go to waiter when my lunch crew goes out. After all, I owe him….LOL LOL
      Oh yes, last night was very eventful here, watching the Goldberg’s, as Gary was very uncomfortable in his little chair, watching himself on TV. i was hysterical. By the way, I do not take home the rolls. I have been known to con the hostess for a better table, or faster service. Guilty as charged.
      Hope you get a good chuckle….
      Adele

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Adele,
      Yah-sure-I bet you don’t take home the rolls. lol I like the way she wouldn’t even let them eat them but just kept pouring them in her purse along with the sugar packets etc. The only thing I don’t like about that program is all the yelling all the time-if there’s too much it gives me a headache and makes me anxious. lol I know it’s just the way that family shows their love for each other but to me yelling means real anger and it makes me uncomfortable. I guess we all have different reactions to that stuff because of our own life experiences. But I can guarantee you guys even if I was in the area I wouldn’t chance going out to eat with your whole group. lol No wonder you have to tip generously! lol It’s a form of bribery! lol Actually, we always like to tip well as we know how hard that waitressing job is and many of those people are working two jobs to make ends meet or just starting out in life.
      So I can’t even convert you to watching the opening ceremonies. lol I guess Tillie is going to be watching a lot of TV on her own those few weeks since she’s the only one who likes the Olympics. The fact that it is in South Korea makes me a bit uncomfortable. I hope it doesn’t interfere with any of your favorite programming as that will really tick you off. lol
      Speaking of programs I get such a kick out of Superstore. I can just picture all those people working in our local WalMart. And I think Amy and Jonah have such great chemistry-I hope when the show is in it’s final year they finally put them together.Greg says he doesn’t know how Glen could possibly be the manager of any business-and what’s the name of the assistant manager (can’t think of it now) she is a great character-I saw her on a different program and she can sing too. I do love my sitcoms as some nights you just need to sit down and laugh. You know there are a lot of sour people in this world with no sense of humor. They need to loosen up and laugh a little.
      Can’t believe how yesterday went from 50 to 20 in a matter of hours. We never did get any snow but the roads got bad as all the rain on them turned to ice. One of Jenny’s good friend has a sister who is mentally challenged who lives in a group home and they were on a bus coming from somewhere yesterday and a car slid into them. Thank goodness everyone was all right but I know it scared the heck out of Jenny’s friend Teri.
      Greg is down in the basement working on his guitar and sometimes the tool he uses sounds like a dentists drill. Ick!
      Gotta go watch General Hospital.
      Gail

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      hey Gailster!
      The Superstore is one of my all time favorite shows. Do you remember the Halloween show from the first season, where the assistant store manager had the provocative costume on? I nearly peed myself. It was the best segment ever. i never miss one of those. Heather loves them too, and so does Amanda.
      All I can say for the opening ceremonies is….yuck, yuck yuck. I will be tortured tonight or tomorrow night ( cant remember which night…..LOL) watching the Patriots play. It will be awful weather. It has already started- very windy, and the rain has begun. Not raining too hard yet. Everyone up here is panicked about the flooding, due to the rain and snow cover.
      the Goldberg’s are a loud family. Most Italian families are the same way, so I can relate. When everyone is here, there are several conversations going, and the nose can get to you, if you are not used to them. Even though it is noisy, it is good noise- kids laughing people making fun of each other, and then, of course, making a LOT of fun of me and Gary. You have to remember…..we had to talk over the airplane noise in East Boston…..LOL
      Have you seen Good News? I love that show too, and Life in Pieces? Last night was hysterical. I recorded Good News, as I was watching something else when that was on.
      That was awful with Jenny’s friend. Thank God they didn’t get hurt. Those things make people very anxious about getting back into a car. I will say a prayer for her. That is why I hate the ice so much. no matter what kind of car you drive, there is no control on ice. this mess up here will be rain first, and then change to ice, somewhere near the time of the Patriots game.
      Gary just got home from getting his hair cut- he said the Pats game is tomorrow.
      Hope you have a good day, and it does not get icy out there. We are waiting to hear if JJ’s practice tonight gets cancelled again- if the rian gets worst by tonight it may.
      Adele

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Gail,
      I do not know what is going on with Kylie. You would think that she would want to drive and have a car to get around in. She doesn’t though she wants everyone else to take her where she wants to go. I will never understand.
      I do not understand why sports are so important to schools. They have so many of those kids that can hardly read when they graduate because they did not want to give them bad grades because they are football players or basket ball players. There are not that many that will make it into the big leagues when they get older. The will not have the education that they need and they will not be good enough to play in professional sports. It is just sad. Most of the kids that take part in the arts are good students and really want to learn.I will never understand.
      I think that I am getting old and set in my ways. I would rather just get in the car and go where I want to go and not have to depend on someone else to take me there. Mom and I went on a bus trip and got left at the hotel. They had to come back and get us. It was really embarrassing. Of course I blamed it on my mom. lol We get a good laugh about it now.
      There was another gift that he gave me but he used it instead of me. I cannot remember what it was now. I guess he has just taken it over and I have never used it. It could have been my new Kitchen Aid or my vacuum cleaner. There are so many things that he gave me that he does not let me use. I can use the vacuum now but at first he always was showing me how. We do not talk about how I can vacuum anymore at the doctors. He does not talk about stuff like that anymore. I guess that i have had a bad back for so long that he does not think that it does any good.lol
      That is really a good program giving away guitars and teaching kids how to play them. It probably helps them a lot to have something that they can do and no one can make fun of them or bully them.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      The lemon squares look really good. I bet the kids really like them. It was nice that you made enough for them to take home with them. It is a shame that they do not come and visit more often. They should come and see Gary.
      The shows that you and Gail are watching sound really good. I have not seen the Goldbergs but the show about the restaurant sounds very interesting. We are going to have to watch them one day. I really do not know what we watch. I guess it is nothing all that good. We very seldom watch the local channels because of all the campaigning they are doing right now. I get tired of all the promises that they make and say how it is going to help the state. They are not thinking of the state they are thinking of all the things that they can tell us to get voted in.
      I am glad that you are feeling better. How is your back? Hope that is back to normal also. That is bad when your back hurts really bad. Hopefully we will all be back to our old selves soon.
      It is really cold here again. We were in the fifties yesterday and almost sixty and then the temps started to fall. It is only 14 here now. We are all going to be little Popsicles before the weather gets better. We still have no snow. It is really getting discouraging. Other places in the state had snow but not us. I have been waiting for the whole winter to get some snow. I guess we are going to have to rent a snow machine to make any snow here.
      I did not see anything that I could not live without on the quacker shows. I guess the spring items are coming out soon. I am not ready for that yet. That one shirt with the jacket has been on clearance for a long time and they still have not sold it out. I wonder why they cannot sell it. Maybe they have been around for a long time and everyone has them. They are the stripped with the jacket and a design on the front like the one has a paw print. They are cute but they have been on air for a long time.
      THey have not done anything yet. Just keep hoping that they will soon. It is really cold here so I can see why they are waiting. Well for a while I can see hwy. If I have to wait much longer I may not be so understanding.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Dianne Danielson
      Participant
      Post count: 1034

      Hi Ladies,
      Just a quick note to let ya all know I’m still around & kicking. I made a pan of brownies with hot lava in the middle. It’s a new variety from BC, I think. they also have brownies with chocolate chip cookie dough, you bake together. I’ve never had golden brownies. (That’s not the actual name of em. can’t think of it right now).
      You don’t want to hear what we’re having weather wise this weekend. Or this week. Let me just say the flowers are gonna be popping up real soon if it continues.
      Barbara, I hope you got to have Colin to yourself for a day or so. Adele, I hope your feeling better now, Grumpy. LOL. I got that T-shirt that says I’m a genius by birth, Grumpy by choice. Just so ya know, you do get a little out of sorts with the flu shot. Not full blown flu but just punk as my mom would say.

      Nothing on the Q this weekend. All day beauty Sat. Luckily David’s around for ITKWD Sunday.
      Well, I hope you all survive the latest storm(s).

      Stay safe & warm.
      dd

      Attachments:
    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Colleen
      I keep forgetting to ask about the air fryer. how do you like it? Is Ron still experimenting with it?
      I have an idea for you, as we do this here. Record the programs on your regular channels. Then, you can just fly through the commercials, as it is annoying during the election times. you owuld love Superstore, Life in Pieces, and Great News, not to mention the Goldbergs, Modern Family, and Blackish. All the actors in them are good, and they do things that we all do every day. It makes you realize how all families are alike.
      The Lemon Squares are so good, and so easy to make. I like anything lemon.
      My back is back to it’s old normal. Thank God. I will still see my back doctor- had to re-schedule the appointment, as it was the day I had a fever.
      Your weather is here. It was so warm last night, that I went out without a jacket to ride JJ to his practice with Gary, and then we picked up burgers at Burger King for dinner, so that was good and easy. It was so warm here last night, we had the bedroom window open a crack, and the heat never came on all night long. Very shortly, the lat round of rain will come through, and we are going way down on the temperature. By the time they have the football game, it will be very cold. The rain we got last night kept waking me up, as it was very noisy. Almost all the snow is gone- just a few tiny piles here and there.
      I have some good news on JJ. His school and all the 5th grades in Massachusetts entered a contest for Young Readers. They were to write a 100 page essay, and the winners get their stories published in a book. JJ won, and we are thrilled for him. Also, they pick the school that had the most winners, and that school will get a special award. JJ said his school is one of the top ones in the running. Lastly, they pick the best story of all, and that child gets an I Pad as a prize too- that award comes out in April. The book will be published at the end of March. Steph ordered a copy of the book for us. I am so happy for him, as he loves to write. Do your schools enter that contest? It is called “Young writers’ creative writing contest, Crazy Creatures”.
      I love good news, especially when it involves our kids.
      I forgot to ask you- do you watch This Is Us? That is a great drama t watch too. Gary and I love all the “Chicago ones- Chicago Fire, Police, Medical.
      Hope you get a it warmer, so they can look at your electricity issue.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi DD
      I love that you have good weather, as in a few days, it comes this way….LOL
      I am back to myself, thank God. Read the post to Colleen for all the up-dates.
      How is Kay? how about Critt?
      Love the beautiful flower picks. Not too long until Spring arrives. Only 2 more months.
      Your brownies sound delicious. I can smell them…….
      Hope you have a good day. I watch ITKWD too- my favorite Sunday show.
      Love, Adele

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      I really like the fryer but do not get it off TV. They say that they will give you $100. in free groceries and all they do is send you coupons and they are not worth anything. We got ours and three of them have already expired. They did not have a lot of things that we buy so we just got duplicates of the things we do use. We just have to use them very quickly. So a lot of them will end up in the trash. I was really disappointed about that. I do like that fryer though. It was worth the money.
      I need to start recording them so I can watch them. If Ron does not want to watch them I can watch when he is in bed or busy doing something else. He still watches the news all the time. It is so depressing that I cannot watch it that much. Thanks for the good suggestion.
      I am so excited for JJ. How great that his story is going to be published. Where can the book be found or is it just for the parents of the students that are in school. That is nice that they are getting a copy for you so you can read it and keep it. When JJ gets older he will want to see it. He will be so proud that his nana kept it for all those years. He is a very talented boy. I have never heard of this contest so I am guessing that they do not enter.
      I am glad that you are getting our weather. Hope that you will get to keep it for awhile. Monday they said that our weather will be below 0 because of the wind chill. That will be bad here if the wind gets really high. We will probably lose our electric. Like we will notice if is getting normal around here. The only thing is it will be the whole house. I cannot imagine being without heat for very long. At least we have a generator.
      We usually do not watch the local channels. Ron likes to watch westerns and things like that. Anything that is old he likes to watch. I enjoy it also but do like to watch some of the new shows sometimes.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a good night.
      Colleen

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Omg. Colleen
      I looked up,and lost my entire email. Now, I do not want to write it all again.
      So, here goes a quick one:
      I hope you do not lose your electricity, as it is too cold. glad you have a generator, but I know they do not do the whole house.
      I hope you get a chance to see some of the comedies, as we all need a good chuckle, at least once a day.
      I am so happy JJ’s school entered the contest. It is great fr the kids to enter, even if they do not win. Kids need to be encouraged to write.
      The book can be purchased anywhere, once its published. It gets published in March or April.
      Nobody here wants to cook today. So we decided to do Chinese. tomorrow, I am doing a new Martha Stewart crock pot recipe, from the book I got on the Q.
      Heather may stop by some time today. Not sure yet. Everyone else is working.
      Our Pats won last night. they beat Barbara’s Titans. One more win, and they are on to the Super Bowl.
      I hope your weather gets warmer, as 0 is awful.
      Hope you are having a good day!
      Adele

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      That happened to me the other day when I was writing to Christine. Had to try and remember the whole conversation and rewrite it. I just wonder where they go and who actually gets them.lol
      If the electric goes off we will get one of the big heaters that we have and everyone will sleep in one room. Probably the living room. It will be warm in there and we can kind of block it off. Other then that I do not know what we will do. Maybe they are wrong and we will not have that trouble. If we have high winds is when we usually lose the electric.
      That really does help kids that like to write and be creative. It would be great if every school would do that and give all the different kids a chance. I use to like to watch the shows that they had the spelling bees and the questions and answer quizzes. It was called college bowl I think. They would have to answer all the hard questions and they had to beat another team. It was interesting.
      I will have to look for that book. It should be interesting. I love to read what little kids write. We have a great niece that loves to write stories and she will let us read them when we go and visit. She is pretty talented. I do not imagine that her school really entered any type of contest. They are not really into doing things like that.
      I wish that people felt that way here. We have not eaten out since Mandy and the girls came here. I would love to go and get a good steak or anything that is good.
      Hope that you Pats make it to the super bowel. When is that? I have no idea when it is . We do not watch football around here anymore because of what happened with the Rams. A lot of people here do not watch foot ball.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi DD,
      I missed your post the other day. Sorry about that. Some days I do not know what is wrong with me. The pictures that you posted are so pretty they made me smile.
      Your brownies sound really good. I have never heard of the lava brownies they sound like something that everyone would like around here. Your top with the grumpy saying on it sounds really cute. They have a lot of cute shirts out right now.
      How is Kay doing? I hope that she is still doing better. Maybe she will get to come back home again. That would be so nice if she could. Did you do anything exciting for your birthday? I hope that you did.
      It is really cold here so enjoy your warm weather. Just hoping for snow around here. We have not had much this year at all. It is getting to where we do not have much anymore. We use to live in Rockford Illinois and we use to get a lot of snow there. SO it is hard to come here again and not get much.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Everyone,
      DD, those lava brownies sound good. I have bought those brownies with the chocolate chip cookies on top already made from the WalMart bakery-they are tasty. Also I know I have had blondies before but it has been awhile. Love those fields of daffodils.
      Colleen, I don’t understand about Kylie not wanting to drive either. Usually young people want to be so independent and driving yourself is a big part of that. Speaking of that I wonder if Steph ever went back and took her test again.
      Colleen, sorry to say but we got some of the snow that you wanted-maybe three or four inches overnight. It was a good day for it though as the kids are off today for Martin Luther King Day so they can go out and play in the snow. They couldn’t go out at all over Christmas break as the weather was so cold and there was no snow anyway it had all melted before the cold weather came.
      No Friday night Piper stories this week. She was busy playing with her doll when we were there and then later all three kids were busy building things on the floor so the adults could actually watch the Carbanaro Effect and actually hear what was being said. lol Then we watched a program called Worse Cooks in America which we had never seen before. It was kind of interesting. I guess there are two teams of really bad cooks each headed by a professional chef and they teach them how to make something and then they all make it and one from each team gets eliminated.
      Yesterday we went over to Jenny’s for Kendall’s birthday party-her actual birthday is tomorrow-ten years old already! Yikes! Jenny’s inlaws were there and they had just gotten back from a trip to Ireland, Scotland and England. They had such a good time but Gail (Adam’s Mom) said it took her about a week to recuperate after they got home but they were so glad that they went and were away from here while we had all those subzero temps. They said the country side was beautiful and full of sheep and cattle which was right up Dick’s alley as he has his own little farm.
      Adele, I did see that Halloween Superstore show. I think (is it Deena) was a sexy cop or something-that was quite a costume! Congrats to the Pats and to Minnesota-that was quite a game against the Saints. Did Gary watch that one? Being close to Minnesota and having relatives there we are rooting for them.
      Were you close to the airport when you lived in south Boston? How long ago was that?
      I watch Good News and Life in Pieces too but have not yet watched last week”s episodes. Do you watch Fresh Off the Boat too-that is another one based on someone’s real life experiences. Who knows if JJ keeps up the writing he may write a book about your family some day that will be made into a TV program and then instead of laughing at Bev Goldberg’s antic’s we’ll be laughing at yours and Gary’s. lol That is so exciting that JJ’s story is getting published in a book. What is the story about? He must be very creative as he likes writing and being in plays. I think that is so neat!
      How is that Martha Stewart crock pot cookbook? Lot’s of ingredients or fairly simple?
      Did you happen to see the pictures of Jenny on Facebook this weekend delivering baby pigs? I would never have pictured her doing that. lol She’s getting to be a real farm girl. lol
      I guess you’ll be getting this snow by you mid week. At least it is kind of a gently falling snow no big winds although it is supposed to get windy here later which will then blow all the snow back into the cleared roads. That’s the one thing about living in the country the plows clear the roads and then the wind blows the snow back in them.
      Gail

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Gail,
      We got some snow here also. We did not get as much as you did but we did get some. It will be on the ground until the end of the week and then it will warm up into the 50’s. So the snow will be gone and that will probably be it for the winter. Are you supposed to get the wind chills that are below zero tomorrow? We will get the high winds in the morning but I think that it will be better in the afternoon.
      They called off school today and then they called it off again for tomorrow. The roads were really bad here so that is why all the schools were closed. The kids down here do not get Martin Luther King day off. They use that day for a make up day when they miss because of the weather. It is just strange the other schools get the day off.
      I bet that it was a strange feeling to be able to do something else at Jenny’s. That was nice that all of you got to watch a movie. I have seen advertisements for the worse cooks in America. They also had the worse celebrity cooks in America but that one is over. I do not know if that was a special show or what it was. I bet that show would be interesting. From the previews I would not want to be the one that had to taste the food.
      It is hard to believe that Kendall is ten already. I guess that is the same age as Owen. I cannot remember if they were the same age but think that they are. He will turn 10 in March. Aliza turns 2 on the sixteenth. I cannot believe that she will be two already. They are trying to potty train her and it is not working out that well. She still has not gone on the potty and when she goes number 2 she pulls it out of her diaper to show everyone that she went potty. Poor Danyielle does not know what she will have to do to make her stop that. She painted her crib with it the other day. Poor Danyielle is finding out what it is like to have to really work with a child. Owen was really easy to train.
      It seems like Adam’s parents had a really good time on their trip. They do have a lot of animals in Ireland. I can imagine it was interesting to see the different breeds of sheep. My brother likes to take pictures so he brings back a lot of pictures of sheep.
      Tell Kendall that we said Happy Birthday. I hope that she had a fun night. It was nice that both sets of her grandparents could be there for the party.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Dianne Danielson
      Participant
      Post count: 1034

      Hi Ladies,
      Did you all watch the QF show today? I saw a few minutes of it, but I had to get out of the house for awhile. I get cabin fever every so often, & need to get out. We’ve been having some nice weather the past couple days, temps waaaay above normal for Jan. One of the local weathermen held up the calendar, pointing to the date, saying this is NOT normal for the month of Jan.!! Like I said the flowers will be popping up before long. Then we’ll get a hard frost or something & kill em off. The rain has returned & will be around for awhile they say, all week at least. All the rain, means more snow in the mts, which is a good thing.
      Blondies!! That’s what I was thinking of, but could only come up with goldies, lol. Thanks Gail. Betty Crocker is coming out with more brownie mixes. I went to Wally’s today & saw another brownie mix, Supreme Triple Chunk brownie mix. It has chocolate chips, chocolate chunks & something else. (Old age again).
      I went out to Wally;s today & when I went to catch the bus, I met this nice Japanese couple. We struck up a conversation, & he said, pointing to his wife, ‘”She’s 84.” I was shocked, because they didn’t look anywhere near that age. She told me he’s 87 & he didn’t look it either. They looked maybe 60s. They were so cute, sweet. When they got off the bus, they both said goodbye.
      I’m sorry to hear the Pats won the game. I was rooting for the Titans, since the QB was with the Oregon Ducks in his college career. I was rooting for the Vikings as well as Mary Beth Roe. Those last few seconds were wild to say the least. I’ve seen basketball games last 20 minutes with just a few seconds left. The Super Bowl is the first Sunday in Feb. (4th) this yr.
      Adele, congrats for JJ & his success with writing. I never heard of schools doing that, but it’s a great idea. The age of technology is what I call ” the dumbing down of our kids”. They can’t do simple math without a calculator, don’t know how to write cursive, even tho they’ll need to know how to sign documents later on in life.
      I better get off my soap box before I make somebody mad.
      Kay’s back in the hospital, she has pneumonia. I don’t know how she went from no infection to having pneumonia. Her sister will let me know more tomorrow.
      Take care & stay warm!!
      dd

      Attachments:
    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Colleen,
      We ended up with about 5 inches of snow. Yesterday it snowed very softly all day long. It looked kind of pretty and I didn’t have to go out in it. Tomorrow morning I have a hair appointment so I hope the roads won’t be all blown over again. It is supposed to have gusty winds the next couple of days.
      I think Kendall and Owen are the same age and Kaylee and Lachlan are the same age.
      The story about Aliza made me laugh out loud. Mainly because it reminded me of myself. When I was about one if i had a dirty diaper when I woke up from my nap and my Mom didn’t come get me right away I would spread it on the walls. Poor Mom would come into the room and say some curse words when she saw it and then i would repeat them. lol That reminds me too-you know how most kids first words are mama or dada-mine was “timber” like you say when you chop down a tree. lol What can i say-I was a weird kid.
      Aliza sounds like she is not quite ready. She will probably be one of those kids where one day it will just click and she’ll just start going on the potty and be immediately done with diapers. Danyielle is gonna have fun! lol
      Our grands are lucky that they have both sets of grandparents right in the area. Do you think you and Ron will take a trip this summer to go see Melissa and Stephen-it might be a fun trip and not too far.
      That’s interesting that the kids there don’t get MLK day off. Especially because it must be a federal holiday as there is no mail delivery. But I guess your school systems must be able to decide individually whether to take it off or not. Interesting. I guess it didn’t matter this year as they got the day off anyway. lol
      Gail

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Colleen
      What happened with the Rams?
      The boys here are huge football fans. I am even cancelling my birthday Sunday, as they will be attached to the TV, and I do not want to share my birthday with football. I am going to make Marissa’s cookie, as it is getting too far away from her birthday.
      I hope your electricity stayed on. the storm is coming here tonight, into tomorrow. We are getting anywhere form 3 to 8, depending on who you listen to.
      I will let you know what the name of the book is. I love when they encourage the kids with their talents. I believe in every classroom, there is a child who will be a writer, actor, artist, doctor, politician, etc. Each child’s talents need to be encouraged, so they can pursue them to succeed in life.
      It is very gloomy here today. I have a new recipe in the crock pot- one from the Martha Stewart Slow Cooker book I got from the Q. this one is the Italian Pork one- I had to sear the meat, add it to the cooker, then saute the onion, celery, garlic and fennel seed, then add a little wine and scrape up the goodies, add that to the cooker, then add a can of Kitchen ready Tomatoes- done in 8 hours. it is to be served over Polenta. I have never made that,so Bobby will finish the Polenta when he gets home. I hope they like it.
      There are a few more recipes I want to try. I love crock pot cooking.
      Hope your day is going well, and you did not get a lot of snow.
      Adele

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi DD,
      I hope You will hear better news about Kay today. I Imagine the pneumonia along with her COPD would make it necessary for her to go back into the hospital to be monitored more closely. I’m glad her sister is keeping in touch with you.
      I DVR’d the Quacker shows and just sort of flipped through them. I liked Patrick in his grass skirt. lol
      The couple you met on the bus sounded nice. Sometimes it just feels good to strike up a conversation with a stranger and learn something about someone else. I am a strong believer that everyone has an interesting story to tell.
      I wonder if the triple chuck chocolate brownies have white chocolate in them? If not I think it would be a good idea. lol
      Oh oh you better not say bad stuff about the Pats around Adele-them’s fightin words around those Bostonians. lol Actually, I don’t know if Adele even watches the games but i know her husband and son are big fans. I know it seems like the Patriots have been in an awful lot of Super Bowls lately-However, if it were the Bears in the same situation I wouldn’t care or be bored if they were in a hundred Super Bowls in a row. Not that that’s gonna happen. lol We do have a lot of hope with our new young quarterback though and there will be a new coach next year too. So hope springs eternal-hey-I’m a life long Cubs fan I know what wait until next year sounds like-although they finally won the World Series in 2016 and had a good year last year.
      Seeing those flowers and butterflies makes me think spring even though I know it’s still a long way off. i like the multicolored butterfly.
      Gail

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Gail
      I am going to try to post JJ’s story. The stories were mini sagas on a creature they created, 100 words. they were judged on “imagination, creativity, and use of language”.
      We are on to the next game this weekend. The boys are all pumped up….LOL
      It is Deena! LOL I thought that costume was hysterical, especially with her personality. She really plays a good part.
      I do watch Fresh off the Boat. There are not many sitcoms I don’t like. I love to laugh. You are going to die on last week’s Life in Pieces. You’ll have to tell me when you watch it.
      Happy birthday to Kendall!! Double digits. That’s a biggie for the kids.
      I really like Martha Slow Cooker book. the ingredients are pretty simple, for most of them. We always have wine for cooking- red and white, so I am prepared. the one I did today has a half cup of red wine, onion, garlic, celery, and fennel seeds, wit a can of tomatoes- I use Kitchen Ready by Pastene. I always have cans of tomatoes in the house, as I use them for everything- crock pot, soups, etc. I put a can in my chicken soup, veggies soup, and a crock pot dish I do. Last night I did the Shepards Pie. I have half left over, so that will be Wednesday night’s dinner, re-visited.
      I did see those pics of Jenny with the baby piggies. How cute was that! She even had a pic of the kids with them. I saw that Sue liked them too.
      we are getting more snow tonight, into tomorrow. Not sure how much as they keep changing it. They say we are getting a warm up this weekend, so it will melt.
      Tillie did not come up last night, again. She went to bed around 4:00 pm, saying she did not sleep the night before, and was exhausted. She got up at 11:00 last night, watched TV, and did not go back to bed until Bobby left for work. She does this every winter. She gets herself in a funk, and then it is hard to get her out of it. She said she will take a nap this afternoon. I hope she is awake for dinner, as I do not like it when she does not have dinner with us.
      It sounds like Jenny’s in-laws had a great time in Ireland. It does look pretty over there.
      Did you see the old men last night? What is up with getting naked????
      hope your day is going well.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Here is the story….I hope.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey DD!!
      We’re the Pats….LOL LOL No offense taken, as a lot of people do not like our team. I think they are all tired we win so much. I get that. It gets old.
      I love our Gronk. He has so much personality. I like him better than Brady.
      The kids do not know how to read cursive, either. When I write on a card for JJ, he has trouble if I write in cursive. I have no idea why they stopped cursive. It makes no sense to me at all. On the other hand, the elementary kids are doing middle school work, and the middle school kids are doing what we did in high school. the curriculum is way more advanced than what we did. I was amazed, even when the girls were in high school -they were doing what I did in college. School is very different from what we did- then add the MCAS testing, and the pressure on the kids is through the roof. They do not even have recess anymore. They go out once, at lunch time, I believe. No more am and pm recess. Get this… all homework, and communication with the teacher is on the computer. Assignments are emailed back to the teacher. Weird, huh?
      What kind of a store is Wallys? we do not have that up here.
      What a nice couple you met on the bus. I hope you see them again, some time.
      I am sorry Kay is back in the hospital. Pnemonia is not good, with all her issues. I have been praying for her.
      I heard about your weather on our news a few days ago. You made the news over here, with the unusual temps.
      I hope you are having a good day, and have heard something good about Kay.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Gail and DD….
      I forgot to say I love the pretty tulips. Spring is coming!
      I did watch the game, as I had to support Gary….LOL believe it or not, Bobby fell asleep during the game, and missed most of it. how funny is that!
      Adele

      PS….I am canceling my birthday on Sunday, as all the boys will be glued to the dam TV!

    • Barbara Smith
      Participant
      Post count: 418

      Hello to everyone. I am finally able to sit and write to you all. I just admire how you can keep up with each other so much better than I can. My days and nights all just kooky and I have all of these honorable intentions, and they just don’t ever seem to work out LOL All I can say in my poor diffence, it is that I am one happy grandma who has nothing but cherished memories to hold on to from our little visit. We had two wonderful days of keeping our baby all to ourselves; for severall hours while Sarah went out for the day with her Mom once and again when she went to have her hair touch up and cut. He is just amazing, but you all know that by your own. So, they are home safe and got out of TN. just in time to miss a snowstorm. If they had left one day later; it might have really been hard. Poor Neal let us know today that he have thrown up all day today; so he must have some kind of stomach virus or has eaten something that was bad. That is the sickest sick, isn’t it? Sure hope Sarah and the baby don’t catch it. I will “brag” more later and I will really try to keep all my little stories to one at a time in my posts. Just know we had a wonderful time.
      So sorry that your friend is in the hospital DD. But with her other physical problems I think her being in a hospital is the best place for her to give her the strongest medicines and keep a watch on her 24 hours a day. Praying she improves very soon.
      I haven’t been able to read by far enough, Gail, to see how Brent is doing. So hoping he is doing well. My prayers are with you all.
      Colleen, every time we would see the pink and blue on our weather channel here indicating ice and snow in Missouri, I would say to Jerry, that is on my friend Colleen and headed our way. So finally one night we were watching, and he saw it and said, “your Quacker lady is getting snowed on” ha ha. He has asked me where Ron finds his lawn mowers from; since I made the mistake of telling him one day last year that one of my lady friends husbands stops and picks up things and works on stuff like you do; and of course; he now thinks that Ron is just a very smart man. LOL You know what they say about “birds of a feather flock together” and I still say like you do that if those two ever got their heads together we would have that old train car in our field filled up in no time ha ha
      I have worried about all of you up North in this terrible weather. Our entire patio is completely covered in a solid sheet of ice; and I will not let Jerry go out there. I am so afraid of one of us falling. I did buy some of those things you stretch on the bottom of your shoes to keep you from falling on ice; and gave those to Joey since he had to go to work. Lisa has been off since last Thursday due to weather. I know her doctors office will be SO busy when it does open back up. We don’t have many snow plows here; so even our interstates can really get in a bad way. Sue, has it ever cleared enough for you to be able to get some groceries or go outdoors? Please be careful everyone.
      Those pictures of the spring flowers surely did look pretty. I have so much that needs to be done outdoors; and you all know I love solar lights. I really do want to fix up our front porch this spring. It looks kind of sad. We have a pretty glass storm door with an American eagle flying and some of the flag in the background. I guess it is a tempered glass; since it was a special ordered door. But I would just love a rocking chair out there and some potted flowers sitting on the brick steps going up to the porch. Now, mind you, we don’t ever come through the front door; always either the back or the kitchen door through the garage. But we see it each time we drive down the road.
      This was a perfect day for a stew; but I stayed under the warm covers for too long sipping hot chocolate; so it will be warmed up leftovers. But thankfully Jerry likes that. So you all take care; and I hope and pray all is well with everyone. Barbara

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi DD,
      I am so sorry to hear that Kay is in the hospital again. Hopefully they will be able to get her back on her feet again and she will be able to leave the hospital soon.It is really hard when you immune system is low. I agree with everyone she is better off in the hospital. She will get the care she needs and they will do everything they can to get her better again. They will have someone there at all times.
      That is fun to meet new people on the bus. They sounded like a really nice couple. I wonder what they have been doing to stay looking that young. I sure use some of that stuff that they are using. lol
      We are not rooting for anyone here. We no longer have a team and that made everyone just root for the college teams. We have to root for Alabama since we know people from there. They would get upset with us if we didn’t.
      I have heard that they are going to put cursive writing in the schools again. They decided that kids need to learn to write and not just print. It is about time they figured that out. They do not let the kids use calculators here anymore. They have to learn how to do math and do it without help. It is about time they did that.
      You will not make anyone mad here. We all feel the same way. They are really not teaching the kids what they need to know and that is a shame. They need to go back to basics.
      The tulips look so pretty. It would be nice to have them in our front yard Mine just disappeared from the garden do not know how that happened,.lol I really like that cut that you have also. Is that yours or just a picture of a butterfly cup?
      Well that is about all from here, Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Gail,
      We did not get that much snow here. I think that we got about 2 inches in some spots. The wind picked up really bad in the morning but it did quit in the afternoon. Chicago was warmer the we were here. That is unusual for that to happen here. I do not think that it was by much but the weatherman made a point of telling us this.
      That is funny about you doing the same thing when you were little. Aliza thinks that she is really funny when she does it. So you use to repeat cuss words when you were young. That is something that we did not know about you. lol That is funny that your first word was timber. Did you fall a lot as a kid? I wonder where you ever heard that word. It must have really stuck in your head though.
      I forgot that we had two grands that are the same age. I remember that Melissa kept Kaylee home an extra year and Jenny kept Lachlan home an extra year also. I think that I remember that right. Kids just grow up too fast. They need to slow down.
      Your grands are lucky to have both sets of grandparents in the same area. Poor Kaylee and Ethan do not have any grandparents close to where they live now. We are supposed to go up there this summer. We are kind of waiting to make plans when we find out what is going to happen with Amanda and the girls. We may still be driving them wherever they need to go. They are wanting to get a car but it will take them awhile to get one.
      They have never gotten that day off. They always save it as a snow day and if they have many snow days they do not get a spring break either. I do not understand it because they start earlier and earlier every year you would think that they had some snow days worked into their schedule.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      Well the guy that owned the Rams did not want them to stay in Missouri. So he would not invest enough money in the team and did not get the high paying players. He only had the bad players on the team. It was a shame because before he bought them they were a good team and won a super bowl ring. So when he finally got his way and moved the team back to California he did not give the people their money back that has season tickets and cost the state a lot of money to see if they could build a better stadium. Well everyone got really mad about that. I think they finally took him to court and he had to pay the ticket holders their money back but the ones that bought tickets for individual games did not get theirs back. So there was a lot of hard feeling when they left. Then when he went to California they had another team that went to the same area that the Rams went to. So he did not get what he wanted anyway. He just is back in California. I hope that this all made sense.
      That is a shame that you have to cancel your birthday because of foot ball. I hope when you do celebrate it they do all the cooking and you do not have to do anything. You deserve the day off and I bet you are going to make all kinds of snacks for the guys when they watch the game. You are just too good to all of them.lol
      Ron fixed a roast in my air fryer tonight. It was really good. He put a rub on it and it gets a little crispy and it tastes really good. I was kind of surprised when he made it. I did not think that I would be happy with the crisp outside but it was good. Tomorrow will be good because we are going to have left overs and clean out the fridge. We have a lot of left overs in there.
      I have never made polenta either. Please let us know how it tastes. I bet it will be really good. They make it a lot on the chew and they seem to like it and so do most of the guest on there. Since Mandy is working I have been having to cook more. I really do not like it. I was enjoying my retirement. I really hate trying to figure out what meals to fix. Oh well guess it lasted for a long time.
      How is Tillie doing? I hope that she came up for dinner tonight. This winter has been too cold and dreary. That makes everyone tired and want to sleep. My mom says that she fixes her dinner too early because it get dark early. So I guess we are going to have to call her and tell her when it is dinner time. lol Our mom’s are so funny. They do what they want and are enjoying life.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Barbara,
      We have been waiting to hear all the great stories that you have to tell about little Colin. I am so glad that you had all that time with him alone. You and Jerry must have really had a great time with him. They are so much fun when they are that little. I am sure that you will not bore anyone with your stories.
      Ron gets his lawn mowers for all different places. He goes to garage sales, sale barn, people have them in the front yard with for sale signs on them. He just finds them all over the place. It would be a mess if they got together we would never see them. They would be out buying all the lawn mowers that they could find. Ron has had to slow down for now since it is winter. If enough people find out that he takes old lawn mowers the will just give them to him. We have had people bring them to the house.
      We have not gotten much snow but a lot of cold weather. I thought it must be cold your way because my daughter has not called me for awhile. She cannot brag about how warm it is there. I will have to call her tomorrow and tease her about that. My sil wanted to get stationed where it would be warmer but that sure did not work out for him.
      Be careful if you have to get out and do anything. That ice can be really bad and that is for sure. It is rough when they do not have the equipment to clear the streets. Everyone is better off staying home out of the bad weather. Poor Joey has a job where he cannot stay home,. I hope that he is careful and does not have any problems.
      Well that is about all from here. Just brag about your grandson all that you want. You sure have listened to the rest of us.
      Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Barbara!
      So good to hear from you. We all knew you were having the best of times, and when they left, we would hear from you. So glad you had that special time with cutie Colin. Did he recognize you and Jerry from the skyping?
      We had some ice before, and then it turned to rain, and all the snow disappeared. Today it is snowing, and has been all day long. It was supposed to stop by now, so I think they got the totals wrong. First they said we would be 4 to 8, then they switched to 2 to 4. there is more than 4 inches out there now, and it is still snowing.
      Bobby is leaving tonight for a conference on pest control at Foxwoods- a casino in another state. He is a wreck, leaving us in the snow. He said he will be home to shovel befog he goes, and is worried about us getting the trash out tomorrow night. I think that is sweet. We already talked to our driver, Frankie, ( for the business) and he will get the trash down to the street for us tomorrow night. We treat Frankie like family, and he feels the same about us.
      Gary is not going out today, as he is afraid of slipping on the snow. That is fine, as we do not have too many deliveries today, and Frankie will handle all of them. the snow is wet snow, so it is not too slippery, just messy. Still, not good for Gary to go out in, no matter what.
      Barbara….you have to get yourself that new book from Martha Stewart on Slow Cooking. She has some nice recipes in there, and the crock pot is such an easy way to do meals. We did an Italian pork roast recipe yesterday, with Polenta as a side. I am amazed to tell everyone that Gary liked the Polenta. Bobby and I were shocked. the recipe was a success too, so that is good. That is the first one from Martha that I tried. I have 4 others earmarked to try.
      We will all be waiting to hear the Colin stories. Rest up, so you can tell us!! I hope Neal feels better, and that the his wife and Colin do not get it. Our Rissy has the flu- she does not feel good at all.
      Love you, Barbara!!

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi colleen
      ‘ That is one heck of a story about the Rams. What a shame, for your entire state. What is wrong with people? football is such a huge thing, and he ruined it for your state.
      It was more my choice not to do our birthdays this weekend. I also found out Marissa is sick. She has the flu, so having her here is not a good idea. I would be scared Tillie would get it, as the host we all got is not good this year. so, we may wait and do 3 birthdays together, as Jhonny is in early February….LOL
      That air fryer is looking better and better! You may never have to cook again.
      Well, the polenta went over real well. Gary liked it. We were all shocked. I like the taste of it, but, I put some butter on mine- mixed it in. It tastes like a cross between a thick cream of wheat and corn meal. Tillie liked it too, so ti was a hit all the way around. the pork roast was a hit too. I am really liking the Martha Stewart cookbook.
      I was so glad Tillie came up last night. I hate it when she doe snot feel good, and stays downstairs. That always gets me nervous.
      It is still snowing here- we have about 4 inches so far. It was supposed to stop around noon, and has not let up yet.
      I am glad you did nto get too much snow yesterday.
      Hope your day is going well.
      Adele
      PS…how are all your house guests???

    • Dianne Danielson
      Participant
      Post count: 1034

      Hi Ladies,
      I hope this finds everyone fine. No injuries or illnesses. I’ve heard how bad the flu bug is all over the country. Barbara, I’m glad you got to have Colin to yourselves for a couple days. I’m sure you’ll treasure those memories for a long time. You go right ahead & tell all the stories you want.
      Adele, your husband actually liked polenta? WOW! Congrats on finding something everyone will eat. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, early!! I think most of the country will be glued to their TVs this weekend. I attribute the Titans loss to inexperience & age difference of the QBs. Brady’s quite abit older than Mariota. I’m not sure who I’ll root for yet, but I tend to root for the underdog.
      I talked to Kay today. I called the hospital & got her room # & had them transfer me over to her. Her sister is now sick with the flu, so she isn’t able to get over here to see Kay. I’m staying away as I don’t want to get the flu. They’ve been having an over abundance of patients come in to the ER with it. I’m trying to keep away from places where I might pick it up. Hospital is #1 on my list of places to steer clear of. I got the flu & pneumonia shots in Oct.
      Oh, Wally’s is WalMart. I call it that. It’s just something I do. We have a grocery chain owned by Kroger, but we call it Fred Meyer, or Freddy’s.
      I’m surprised that schools don’t shut down for MLK day. I thought everything did. Strange. I don’t remember ever have snow days, but I don’t remember having snow back then. When they have snow days here, they just tack those days on at the end of the yr if they go over the allotted # of days.
      I doubt they have many days, anyway.
      We got slammed with a rain storm today. Along the Oregon coast it was in the 60s!! /Winds from the South came up along the coast line causing the spring like temps. I know how Tillie feels when all you want to do is sleep. I have days I could stay in bed, esp when it’s stormy outside.
      Well, I guess that’s all for now.
      dd

      Attachments:
    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      That will be fun to have three birthdays celebrated all on one day. I do not like for them to remind me of my age and if there is more then one person have a birthday at the same time they are more likely to concentrate on the younger people. It seems like time is just flying by and show no sign of slowing down.
      That must have been a strange taste combination. That is a surprise that Gary liked it. Does he eat corn bread? That may be why he liked it. I may have to try it I really do like cream of wheat. It has such a good taste and you can add different things to it. I sometimes put pancake syrup in it and it gives it a maple taste.
      It is just so nice that Tillie lives with you and you can keep an eye on her. It is nice that she has a place of her own and can still feel like she has some freedom. It is really nice that you did that for her.
      I have not been too impressed with the Quacker shows lately. It seems like they are showing the same things over and over again. I have not watched the Chics night in yet but will watch it today. Hope that there is a few new things in there this time around. It may be the mood that I am in lately. It just seems like things are so tight around here. With all the people here and do not get me wrong I love having them here. They are really helping me a lot. It is nice to have young people here to watch and listen to. They have so much energy and they always think that things will work out okay.
      I wish that we would have gotten more. I love the snow. You could send some of yours our way if you get the chance. You are really getting a lot of snow this time around. I think that it is harder when you have a warm up like you did and then it gets really cold and snow on the ground.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi DD,
      THey take away a lot of different holidays here. They use them as snow days. We get off more here then a lot of other places. They call them snow days but some of them are for when we have a heavy rain and the low water bridges are covered. The buses cannot get to pick the kids up so they call school off. It is strange when you live in the country. There are a lot of different issues that can cause the schools to close.
      You are smart to stay away from the hospital right now. You sure do not want to catch the flu. I hope that Kay’s sister gets better soon. She sounds like she is a really nice person. Did you get to talk to Kay or is she too sick to talk on the phone. I hope that she gets better soon. She has really gone thru a lot lately.
      I did not know that Fred Meyer was a part of Kroger. We use to have a Kroger store here but they closed a long time ago. We really liked to hope there they always had such good bargains. We have a Schnucks store here now and they will have some really good bargains. THey have lobster for 5 dollars a piece which is not a bad deal. I really love lobster.
      The flowers are so pretty that you posted. I love the one with the red in it. I cannot remember what they call it. Is it a flaming tulip? That does not sound right either. It is really pretty though.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Barbara,
      I’m so glad that you got some alone time with Colin. I can’t wait to hear the stories about your adventures. You brag about him as much as you want-the rest of us do so now it’s your turn.
      I hope Neal is feeling better by now and no one else in the family got sick. I keep hearing reports of how wide spread the flu is and how the shot this year wasn’t very effective.
      Some days i could stay under the covers all day with a book and some hot chocolate too. The winter weather seems to do that.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Colleen,
      I think the story goes that my brother and sister were standing on their beds and falling backwards and yelling timber and i must have seen them and thought timber was a good word to say so i started falling back in my bed and saying timber too. lol
      Our kids go back to school early just like the kids by you-it does seem like it gets earlier every year too. Pretty soon they will go back in July. They have so many days or half days off for these teacher’s meetings now I think that is what is making the calendar so much longer. I swear it’s unusual anymore if they go to school for the full five days each week.
      I’m with you. After cooking all these years it’s hard to think of what dinners to make each week. I think after doing it for all these years we kind of get burned out and run out of ideas.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi DD,
      Glad that you got to talk to Kay. I would stay away from the hospital too with all the flu going around. Since I can’t get the flu shot I try to stay away from everyone during the height of the season and slather myself with hand wash when I do go out and have to touch things. This year i found this spray on stuff which is supposed to last for a few hours but who knows if that is true or not.
      We call Walmart Wally World too. We don’t have Krogers around here although I do remember the name from years ago.
      I like those pink daffodils and those ruffly red tulips.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Adele,
      Where you tried to post JJ’s story did not show up.
      I’m glad that Tillie came up for dinner and everyone including Gary liked the polenta. I can see where Tillie gets her days and nights mixed up in the winter as it does feel like a time to hibernate especially when you get to the stage in life when you don’t have to go out to go to work. Glad she’s coming upstairs again. Hope Bobby got back safe and sound.
      It seems like Terry Bradshaw has to get naked every week-I don’t see how your pants could accidentally fall off while you were parasailing-I’m so fat my pants could never just fall off-there’s too much holding them up. lol
      I finally watched lasts week’s Life in Pieces-I love the parents of the group and the part where Greg was video conferencing and they kept coming into the room. That reminds me of that recent video that went viral where the guy in England was giving some report from his home and his two little kids come marching into the room and the mother comes flying in to drag them out while the Dad just keeps on talking and trying to ignore everything happening behind him. If you haven’t seen it Google it or look for it on YouTube.
      So Adele since you’re our resident cooking and baking expert when are you going to try sous vide? I keep on hearing about it and yesterday at the beauty parlor the lady next to me had gotten her husband one of the things that you stick in the water to cook like that and she was talking about it. She said the people whose house they went to for Thanksgiving did the turkeys that way and they were really good. I guess it’s all the rage right now-I wonder if David has done it on ITKWD?
      So Greg wakes me up at six this morning and says Brent is IM him on Facebook and he is in the hospital with a possible heart attack. His heartbeats have gone all wonky again. So last we heard the ER doc sent him home but said if he had a family history of heart disease he would have sent him by ambulance to Lubbock-does that make sense? So they just send him home-however he still has to go to Lubbock because now he has to be cleared to go back to work. So he was going to call his Family Doc to see if she could speed up the process. In the meantime the dye that they injected for the Cat Scan made him throw up. They were supposed to do the thyroid test this week but had to put it off until next because they didn’t have the medicine-the doc is mad at the original GI Doctor for not doing the endoscopy while he already had him out for the colonoscopy so he now has to have that separately. The whole thing sounds so mixed up and I am a thousand miles away and can’t do anything to force some of these people to get the ball rolling-and he is an adult so his Mommy really can’t step in and take over. I think they should look at that thyroid as soon as possible as sometimes that can mess with your heart. Too many things going wrong at once. And now Brent is afraid to even go to sleep in case the heart acts up again and he doesn’t feel it in his sleep. i think a lot of that has to do with Kim dying in her sleep too. And of course they all ask about family history. After i got off the phone with him this morning I emailed him and told him I know he has been against it but maybe he should get on the Illinois adoption registry and see if either of his birthparents have registered also and to see if he can get any health info-at this point it could be lifesaving. I told him I’m sure he has the option whether to actually contact anybody or not but maybe he should look into it under these circumstances. Don’t know what he will do but i am strongly encouraging it as at this point I think the more knowledge the better.
      Gail

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi DD
      Well, Marissa has the flu. She went to an Urgent Care place a few days ago,and they refused to do the flu test. She got worst, and is going back to her doctor today. She had a fever all night long, and still had to go to work,a s there was nobody to cover the store. Her friend is coming in to cover her going to the doctor, but, they said if she has the flu, she will not be allowed to go back to work. She really should not be there, as she has a fever. I feel so bad for her. I told her I have a couple of containers of frozen soup, and she will have Enzo come to get them, as she does not want to infect anyone here.
      I do not blame you in not going to the hospital. I am sure you owuld catch something. It is real bad, all over, right now.
      I am glad you got a chance to talk to Kay. i bet she was happy to hear from you.
      That makes sense that Wally’s is Walmart….LOL they have everything there. One stop shopping.
      Massachusetts celebrates Martin Luther king Day. Everything is closed, accept the Malls. Every time I hear his speech, “I have a dream”, I cry. He was a great man, and was always advocating change by peaceful means. If i were asked who was the person i admired the most, it would be Dr King. President Kennedy would be my second choice. Maya Angelou would be on the top of my list too. So would President Lincoln, and Mother Teresa. i guess I have a lot of people…LOL
      I am glad you are only getting rain. The snow we got will melt in the next few days, as it is supposed to get warm.
      I hope your day is going well.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Colleen
      Well, the birthday party would have been cancelled anyway, as Marissa is sick. Read my post to DD for all the info.
      I am glad Tillie is here. I could not imagine her anywhere else, as how would I care for her, with my mobility issues? I am also very lucky we have Bobby to clean all of downstairs, and do the food shopping for us. I would have to use that Pea Pod shopping thing from Stop and Shop- they deliver to your door. do you have that kind of service available form any of your supermarkets?
      The sun is shining here today. It always makes you feel good.
      I think you will like the polenta. It gives you another way to have a carb, and has a lot of fiber. You can have it with any meat as a side.
      I have not liked the Quacker shows either, as it is all old things we already have. I can’t get the Chicks Night out up here in the TV- I would have to watch on the computer.
      I am like you- I love the kids being aorund. They bring so much life to the house.
      Did I tell you Amanda started school Tuesday? She goes on Tuesday and Thursday, and is taking Wednesdays to do her school work. So she will be working every weekend from Fridays to Mondays. She said she will need to do some double shifts to make it work for her, or else she may have to do Wednesdays too.
      Hope your day is going well!
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey GAilster!
      I am trying to load the story JJ wrote again. I hope it works this time.
      OMG. The doctors rent is seeing sound like a bunch of idiots. I can’t imagine how upset you both must be, hearing what is, and what is not, happening down there. Of course he is afraid to go to sleep. i imagine he is so tired, and worried, he is not advocating for himself ass strongly as he otherwise would with his doctors. Ask him to put you on his HIPA list, and call them. I bet he owuld be glad to have the help. This is so upsetting, for all of you, especially Brent. That was good advice to have him get any medical info he can. Do the doctors know he is adopted, and has no medical info? I am beside myself with what you said about Brent. This is just not acceptable for the doctors to be so dismissive of his concerns…..can you hear how mad I am at his doctors?? I hope you all get some answers fast. You are all in my prayers, every day.
      What is sous vide? I have never heard of this.
      That was a really funny segment of Life in Pieces last week. I was hysterical. I love my sitcoms.
      Hope your day is going better then your morning.
      Adele

      Attachments:
    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Gail,
      I am so sorry to hear about Brent. That did not make sense to send Brent home if they thought he had a hear attack. They should have sent him to Lubbock. I am so sorry to hear about this and hope that they do something quickly. His birth parents should get in contact with him at least to let him know the health history of their families. That is not right that they are doing this to him. They should have given that information long ago when you first adopted him. That just was not right. I can understand why he is so scared but he needs to calm down. That makes it worse if he worries like that all the time.
      Brent and you and Greg will be in our prayers. I know that this has really got you worried right now. It is hard to be that far away from your family.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      I am sorry to hear that Marisa is sick with the flu. I hope that she does not have to go to work until she is over it. They should not have made her go to work today. She could have spread the flu to the customers that came in the store today. It would not have been her fault though they should have a replacement for anyone that gets sick and cannot work.I will be saying a prayer for her.
      Bobby is such a good son and takes such good care of Tillie. You have such good kids and grands. It is good that he is down there in case Tillie needs something and cannot get upstairs. You would not be able to get down stairs to help her. Your back is so bad and you are like I am there is no way I can get up and down stairs that quickly. Your back is much worse them mine is. I have never had to have all the surgeries that you have had.
      The Chics Night show was not any better then the other shows that they have been showing. It is still the same things. They had a few of the Nautical things but some of it looked like things that they had last year. I may be wrong but it did. It seems like the shows all started to run together. They were all so much alike.
      I tried to read JJ’s story but it is sideways and when I tried to make it bigger it went to small letters again.It is hard to read it sideways with small lettering.lol I will try again tomorrow and see if I can read it better. Maybe I am just really tired tonight.
      That is so great that Amanda started school. She will be really good at it. I hope that working and going to school will not be too much for her. She is working a lot of hours. I guess that we all had to do that when we went to college. She wants it bad enough that she will do fine. I have been too negative here lately. Sorry.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen
      p.s. That was so nice that you sent some soup to Marissa so she would have something good for her to eat.

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Adele,
      I hope Marissa will get over the flu quickly. It’s starting to scare me with all I am seeing about it on TV-especially since I can’t get the shot. If i go out I will have to wrap myself in saran wrap.
      I liked JJ’s story-especially the part about how there were no hard feelings in the end and they went and had hot chocolate together.
      That’s so great that Amanda started back to school. Good for her and even with all the hard work she will be so happy that she did it in the end.
      Sous vide seems to be the big thing in cooking right now. You seal your meat in a plastic pouch and you have this thing that you immerse in the pot of water that keeps the water the exact correct temperature to cook the food and not lose taste. I hear that a lot of restaurants use this method and then I guess the meat is browned off at the end. Google it or YouTube it and there will be examples. Anyway, it’s the new thing that i keep on hearing about in the home cooking world. For some reason i thought they did it on The Chew once. Maybe I’m imagining that.
      Well Brent is going to Lubbock to the heart specialist today so they were able to get him in quickly. He can’t go back to work until he gets a doctors release so i think he s going on disability through his company temporarily. I know he is afraid to go to sleep at night now since Kim died in her sleep but you can’t live without sleeping. I wish they could get the thyroid test done quickly as I feel the thyroid and the heart problem are somehow connected. It’s so hard not to being able to do anything but sit and wait.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Colleen,
      Thank you for the prayers for Brent. Read my above post to Adele about what he is doing today.
      The only way he could get medical information now is to go on the Illinois registry and see if either of his birth parents had also signed up and put information on there. There would be no guarantees and he has always been reluctant to do that for whatever reasons. I think he feels like he would be disappointed with them or something. Anyway, it’s all up to him. I think if he were a minor we could do it but the registry didn’t exist when he was a minor.
      How is Mandy liking being back to work? Is she at the new store or the old one? Now that I think of it it seems like one of your grands is a vegetarian so how do you cook for them and the rest of you guys. I don’t think I realized that you could do a roast in an air fryer-I thought it was just for stuff that you would normally fry. There’s so much new stuff in cooking lately it’s hard to keep up.
      Gail

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Colleen, and everyone…
      I just remembered that someone asked me what part of Boston we lived in, because of the loudness of the airport. We lived in East Boston. We lived on top of a huge hill, where the Madonna Shrine is.
      I sometimes go through the posts too fast, ans forget questions asked of me. If anyone sees I forgot one, please just remind me….LOL
      Marissa cannot go back to work until Saturday- per her doctor’s note. She did not come by to get any soup. I told her I would make a fresh pot of soup, and she says she does not want it. I think I will make one tomorrow, anyway. But, Amanda came by, had me read her first paper for her English class, and took some soup. My soup has been real popular lately. Go figure.
      I do not think you have been negative at all. I worry about the same things. the girls have to be real committed to do school, and work. Honestly, I think it makes it more important to them, if they have to work while they go to school- more committed to an education, I think. Plus, that is the way I did it, so I am kind of partial.
      I remember driving home from school some nights, feeling physically sick, from exhaustion. I get that way sometimes when I am over tired- I start to feel sick to my stomach. Builds character, as I say. I think I have enough character for the whole city…LOL LOL
      Gary is off to his doctor, for a check in visit. Nothing is wrong, just a check in.
      Blue Bloods is on tonight- yahoo!!
      Bobby is a good son. I think Tillie really misses him. He will be back tonight. It was weird, as I kept thinking he was coming home last night.
      How is everyone at your house? Hope nobody has the flu.
      Have a good day!
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Gail
      Read my post to Colleen for all the info of the day.
      Marissa is still not feeling good. She has to stay home until Saturday, per doctor note. At least she does not feel worst, as that would scare the be Jesus out of me. Several people in this state have died, and they were young ones too one child, and a very active woman. Stay inside, until this crap is all over!! Consider yourself grounded.
      The new Shark cordless came yesterday. the dam thing is very heavy.m Gary is using it right now to test it out. he said it picks up more than the Dyson. So, I guess this is a keeper.
      I am glad Brent has an appointment today. He must be so discouraged, and scared. Does his girlfriend live with him? If she were there at night, he may feel more relaxed. Not that I am advocating for living in sin….a lot of them over here are….LOL I hope that made you chuckle. Also hope you get some news tonight. We find out immediately, when the doctor does an EKG, so I hope he will have the results of the heart test today too.
      Did you see the TGIT shows? Gray’s, Scandal, and How to get away with murder? I said this to Gary, at one point…..”It sure is a dramatic TV night”.
      That is a weird way to cook. I wonder if ti will really catch on???
      hope your day is good, and the news you get is even better!
      Adele

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Gail,
      Thank God that they got Brent into the doctor so quickly. I hope that you and Greg hear something today about what is going on. They will make sure that he get some rest if he still is not sleeping. I hope that he tells the doctor there. We will all just have to keep praying for Brent and he will be okay.
      This may be the best way for Brent to get the information he needs without seeing his birth parents. I just hope that they will be decent enough to give him the information that he needs and so he can get the help he needs from the doctors. I know that the doctors will figure it all out but it would be nice if they had the info so they do not have to do all the tests.
      They hired Mandy on permanently at the Dollar Store. She worked today and will be working just about all week. She is supposed to be a temp but there were a couple of other girls that told her that if she did not want to work at that store to come to the ones that they work at and she could get a job there. So she felt pretty good about that. I think that she is getting her confidence back again.
      Brook is a vegetarian. It is not as hard to cook for them as you would think. You can go to any store and they have vegetarian entres there.We have gotten her beef tips, chicken patties, burgers, nuggets and a lot of other things. So if we are having a roast we get her the beef tips and fix them and she eat the veggies that I cook with the meal. When we have big family dinners we have mac and cheese for her main dish and she just eats what ever sides that we have. It took awhile to get use to cooking that way but we finally did it. We get the package gravy and fix it for her is water so she does not have the gravy made with the juice of the meat. I have also made stuffed peppers with lentils and this we are having some butter nut squash soup. It is getting easier to find the veggies that taste like meat to fix for them. We get them in the freezer section at most stores. The whole things does not make sense to me. If they do not eat meat why do they want things that taste like meat. Go figure.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night. We will be praying for Brent and that everything will be okay.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      Maybe Marissa was afraid that she would make you sick. You and everyone else in the house. It is nice that Amanda came by and visited for a while. That was so sweet that you gave her some soup. I bet she will really enjoy it.
      I know what you mean about driving home from school so tired that it did not feel like you could make it home. I try to tell the kids go to school while you are young so you can study and your brain is still working like it should. lol I just hope that we can get Brook to go to college. She just has no idea what she wants to do when she grows up. We keep telling her that she has plenty of time to figure it out but you know kids are in too much of a hurry. She may decide to be on thing and then when she starts going to school she will discover that she wants to change her major.It happens. She is only a sophomore so she has time to figure it all out.
      Well I missed that whole thing. Where has Bobby been? I hope that he made it back okay tonight. I know that you really missed him. It is funny no matter how old they are we still worry about them and miss them when they go away for awhile.
      Tomorrow we have to go to Danyielle’s she is having a birthday party for Aliza. This should be fun to watch she is at the right age to open all of her presents and be excited. It will be fun to send time with her if we can. There will be a lot of people there. Kevins family will be there and there is a lot of them. His dad will come with his girlfriend and his mom will come. It is always interesting when you have the two different groups.
      Well that is about all from here. Glad that the doctor is keeping Marissa home until Saturday. That will be good for her and give her a chance to get better. Kids do not think when they go to work sick. I guess we were the same when we were kids.
      Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Happy Birthday Adele!!!

      Attachments:
    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Colleen
      Bobby went to a pest control conference. He has to take courses for his license to be renewed, so he got in quite a few credits he can sue for his license renewal as well. he said they had a good time, but, there was nothing new in the business that he did not already know about.
      Marissa is feeling better. That is good, as we are in a commotion here. Nobody knew that tomorrow is JJ’s play. We all found out yesterday, when Steph needed a ride to the dress rehearsal. So, the boys are a little upset, as they wanted to watch the game. They are still goign to the play, whihc starts at 4:30. the game starts at 3, so they will not even be able to see the entire first half.
      The play also stops any chance of a birthday anything for tomorrow. So, the celebration i son for the following Sunday, and we will include Jhonny’s birthday too, as his in in 2 weeks….LOL
      Then, Tillie’s power recliner broke yesterday. It is way out of warranty, and they said they would not even be able to get any parts, as they now make the mechanism for that power recliner differently. I bet that is why hers broke. So, I began researching similar styles, and pricing as she needs that to sit in to be comfortable.
      Long story short, I settle don Macy’s. they had a similar styled one, with the same arms hers has, but, it was not on sale. It started out being 1200.00. So, i had a nice conversation with the salesperson, and he said they would give us the sale price- 620.00. Only thing was, it will be on sale Feb 1st, and they could no deliver it until then, as they consider this a pre-sale, sale. Ok, i say, and we are on for delivery Feb 1. Tillie was thrilled I got the sale price.
      Then, when I called to check on her later last night, she was almost in tears because h she is not comfortable in the chair, with reclining, and the hassock is too high for her legs. So, I knew that first thing today, I would have to go into ……..wait for it…….Beverly Goldberg mode.
      So, we get up this morning, and Gary goes into his office, as I think he did not want to be a part of my conversations with Macy’s. I called. Told the nice lady that I have a 91 year old mother, who has been a customer of theirs since 1948. She cannot wait 2 weeks for a delivery, due to her age, and limitations, and I do not want to hear her cry every night, because she is in pain from her chair that will not work. nice lady says there is nothing she can do….on to the supervisor…..same story, as the sup tells me the computer will not allow them to deliver a chair that is a sale price for the Feb 1 sale. I say….so, there is nobody there that can override the system? I then say, I will not take that for an answer…manager please. She says no manager available, and they will call back in one to two days. I say, that is not acceptable, and I will first talk to my local store manager, as they seem to have more power at helping customers than your people do. (my next comment was going to be….how do you think this will look on the evening news, when you are closing stores all over the US right now?) She says, let me try one more thing. She comes back and says….You are all set for delivery Wednesday. Success, and I did not even have to go Full Throttle Beverly Goldberg. LOL LOL
      So, I call Tillie, and tell her she gets delivery Wednesday, and still has the sale price. Tillie cries, and thanks me, saying she is glad she has me. I say….Well, you did not raise any wimpy daughter. Gary then came out of the office.
      So how is that for an eventful day here? Oh, did I mention Gary was the transport to and from the dress rehearsal, so Heather could watch Aizen, as Steph was at the rehearsal too? We have been busy today, and I have a big pot of soup on for all who need it.
      I hope you all got a kick out of my story!
      So glad Mandy got a full time position- go Mandy!!!
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Thank you Gail, Colleen, Barbara, Sue, DD and all!

      Please read my post to Colleen,as I had to do a “Bevrerly Goldberg” today on Tillie’s behalf…..LOL
      Adele

    • Dianne Danielson
      Participant
      Post count: 1034

      Hi Adele,
      HAPPPPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! I hope you had a good day. I know you’re not celebrating till later.
      Not much going on here today. I’m reorganizing my bedroom that’s about it.
      I’m not sure what a “Beverly Goldberg” is as I don’t watch the Goldbergs.
      They’re talking about snowflakes later this week. It most likely will be mixed in with rain. We haven’t been cold enough for it to really snow like it did last year. We’ve been way above normal for this time of yr. Unless a bigggg Arctic blast comes thru I doubt we’ll see much if any snow this year.
      Well, tomorrow will be football day & will find out who goes to the big game.
      dd

      The pic of the ocean was taken this week along the coast during a really bad storm. The ocean literally came into town in some areas.

      Attachments:
    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      I am glad that Bobby got home okay and that Marissa is feeling a lot better. It should be a really relaxing week-end for you but it sure isn’t. At least two good things happened this week-end. The soup will be really good.
      What a surprise that the play is tomorrow. That must have really been a shock to everyone. You will have a good time watching him in the play and it will be better then any foot ball game. Will Tillie go with you? I bet JJ will be so excited to have all of his family there. That always makes the kids feel so much better. Then they can just do it for their grandparents and the rest of the family. You will have to let us know how good it is.
      Poor Tillie. That would be hard for her if her chair was not working. You really got a good price on that chair. You always know just what to say and how to get the price that you want. They should have let you have the chair for that price if they could send it in Feb for that price they could send it a few days early. You will just have to really look the bill over and make sure that they did not over charge. I would not want to be them if they do. They will have to face the wrath of Adele.lol You have to be like that now are you can never get anything.
      That is so sweet that she said that she was glad that you are her daughter. It is a shame that Gary did not come out of the office until the whole thing was over with. Did you tell him he was being wimpy? lol Tillie is lucky that she has you there to take care of her. You do such a good job. I thought that your story was funny. You did get it done.
      We had a really good time at the birthday party for Aliza.She got a lot of clothes and she just started throwing them on the floor. She was looking for toys. We gave her clothes and a toy so we did better. Our clothes did not get thrown on the floor. She was funny she kept looking in the bags for toys and all she would find is clothes or a card. Her birthday is too close to Christmas and she remembers getting all the toys.
      Well that is about all for now. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi DD
      Wow- that’s an incredible picture. the ocean is beautiful when there is a storm, as long as you live far away from it.
      Beverly Goldberg is famous for fighting for what her family needs, and not ever taking no for an answer. She gets really crazy, and it is very funny. She always gets her way. You should watch it,a s ti is very funny. It is based on a real family, and at the end they show a clip of the family’s home movies that relate to that segment.
      We heard on the news last night, that you are getting an awful rain storm.
      Reorganizing the bedroom always makes you feel so good after it is done. I hope you finish before the game.
      We are going to JJ’s play, so the game will get recorded from the time Gary shuts it off. I know we will miss the second half of the game. GAyr doe snto want anyone to tell him the score at the play…..LOL
      I hope you finish your bedroom, and do not get blasted by that rain storm.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      DD
      I forgot to say thank you for the birthday wishes….LOL My actual birthday is tomorrow.

      Colleen
      Tillie can’t go to the play, as it would be too hard for her to sit in those chairs. That really stinks as she misses a lot now.
      We were all shocked that the play was today. Bobby is the only one not going, and I am not happy about that. JJ is more important than a football game.
      Poor Aliza. She was looking for goodies, and got clothes. The little ones hate clothes as gifts, and the parents love them. I bet she was thrilled you had a toy for her. That is what is so hard for the people with birthdays near Christmas, they never get as good as a birthday celebration as the others do. I tyr to make Aizen’s good, and save a couple of toys for his birthday. It is hard to get a toy, 5 days after Christmas, that he did not already get. That is why I got a couple of games, and learning toys. He did like the games, so that was good.
      We a.ready got one of those robo calls to remind us of the delivery Wednesday. When Tillie came up for the soup last night, her back was bothering her. They did give us the first available day for the delivery, but, Wednesday is far away, when you are not comfortable. I told her she could stay up here, and use my recliner, (I could push her back in it) but she did not want to do that. Only 2 more days without the power recliner. I hope they come early on Wednesday.
      i did tell Gary he was wimping out by ot being with me when I made the cal. he said he had work to do in the office….LOL LOL
      The sun is shinning here today. Tomorrow night, into Tuesday will be a rain storm, with possible ice. Yuck.
      hope your day is good!
      Adele

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      It is a shame that Tillie cannot go to the play. Did Bobby stay home with her? I wonder if he thought he should stay with her today and not go to the play. He is a thoughtful person so maybe that is why he did not go.
      She really did enjoy the dolls that we gave her. She really is into baby dolls right now. So she will have a lot of fun with her dolls and we are glad that she will. The clothes were not much just something to wear around the house when they are not going anywhere. We saw them on sale and just picked them up. I was going to get her some books and forgot about them. That is something that I can just pick up and take to her anytime.
      I liked the pictures that you posted. JJ looked so cute. I bet that was the cutest play. The kids all looked so good. They looked like they are ready to go. It is just so much fun to watch the kids act in the plays.
      That is so nice that they are going to deliver that chair on Wednesday. She really needs to get that chair so she can be comfortable again. That is not good that they gave you so much trouble. I am glad that you kept on fighting to get that for your mom.
      We are supposed to have rain all night tonight. We can really use the rain. It is too warm right now for it to turn into anything else. It is supposed to be in the 40’s all week and then next week go back to the 30’s so I guess our chances of snow are over for this winter. It would have to get a lot colder for the snow to stick. We use to have at least two good snows here every year and now we just get the cold and not the snow.
      Well that is all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen
      p.s. Did everyone come over to your house after the play?

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi DD,
      I like that pictures that you posted,. The one of the water in the ocean looked really scary. I hope that it did not go on the shore and no one got hurt. Water is scary about like fire. There is no place to go if you get caught in the middle of it. That is funny that she was as old a wax coke bottles and candy cigarettes. I can remember all of those things. They were both really popular. Do you remember the tootsie pops? We use to eat them all the time. We could not wait to get to the center and find the chocolate. There are so many things that they had that I wish they had now.
      I hope that all that rain did not come your way. You do not need that much. Just stay safe and do not go out unless you have to. Flash floods can be really bad also.
      How is Kay doing? How is her sister. I have both of them on the prayer list. It seems like the list just keeps getting longer and longer. I was hoping that this year it would go down and everyone would be fine this year. It is not just the older people this time around it is young people like Gail’s son. All we can do is pray for their recovery.
      Well that is about all from here have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      DD,
      Those are some big waves! I remember candy cigarettes but not sure about wax coke bottles. I wonder if that means those little bottles filled with some sort of colored liquids. I was trying to picture real coke bottles made of wax. lol
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Adele,
      Congrats to the Pats. Did Gary make it through the play without hearing a score. That was a good game- a lot closer than the Vikings-Eagles game and we were rooting for Minnesota so that was a disappointment. Now it will be an East coast super bowl.Are you guys bored yet with going to the Super bowl? lol I saw the funniest thing online this morning that said Tom Brady had a sore right hand because he was getting a sixth finger sewn on to accommodate his upcoming 6th super bowl ring and there was a picture of it. lol
      Well happy real birthday today-it’s funny I got your birthday from the listings on this site and it shows your b-day as the 20th.
      Brent and Wendy do live together so he does have someone with him. although i got a chuckle when you said you were not advocating living in sin. lol He has more heart tests on Tuesday and the thyroid test on Wednesday.
      You guys really must have missed the memo if you just found out Friday that the play was Sunday. I’ll bet the football fans were not happy about that. I’m glad that everyone got to go and I hope that JJ had a good time. It’s so great that he is interested in doing this.
      Boy Adele, the FBI should use you as a hostage negotiator. You sure did go all out Beverly Goldberg. lol I wish I had you call when I was trying to get a refund on my nonrefundable hotel booking when we had to cancel last summer when I had to have that artery biopsy. I’m still ticked about that. Anyway, I’m glad that Tilly will get her new chair by Wednesday morning. That will be a big relief. We had one of those here too for my MIL and it was such a big help as before that I would have to help her up from the chair.
      Boy, your pots of soup have been really coming in handy. I hope no one else catches the flu.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Colleen,
      I’m so glad that Mandy got the permanent job. Good for her-another step toward getting things back to a normal routine.
      It sounds like you have cooking for Brook down pat. Thank goodness there are so many foods that you can get now that fill that requirement. I guess they are not really caring if the substitutes taste like meat or not it is the idea that they don’t want to kill any animals for what they eat. In theory it sounds like a good idea but in practice I like eating meat, chicken and fish too much to quit. So I just put my head in the sand and don’t think about where my food comes from.
      You know you mentioned tootsie roll pops and they do still make them. Every once in awhile i get a taste for them and get myself a bag and then I am good for another couple of years after i eat those. Funny thing is I don’t like tootsie rolls. lol
      We always give the kids toys for gifts as i know they don’t really care for clothes when they are small. Sometimes at Christmas Santa will sneak in a tshirt and some pjs amongst the toys.
      Piper had another sleep over Friday night so she wasn’t home although half way through the evening she spilled something on her night gown and wanted to come home but when Jenny went over to get her she pushed her out the door.
      My hair dresser had given me some new restaurant recommendations when I saw her last week so we tried one of them Saturday night. It was a seafood place and it was really good. I couldn’t believe how many people were out in that town Saturday night. I guess because the weather was warm there were a lot of people out and the restaurant was busy.
      Today we are having rain and then maybe snow tonight and then warm again later in the week. what weird weather but at least it hasn’t gone back to the sub zero freeze-I hope that doesn’t come back at all.
      Gail

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Colleen
      It is a shame, but she would never be able to sit in the fold up chairs they do for the audience. Oh no….Mr Bob stayed home because of the game….LOL
      It is so cute to see the little ones play with their dolls. Does she have a favorite one that she takes all around with her?
      I love to get books for the boys too, as it is so good to promote reading. Every child who loves to read has an easier time in school- my opinion only.
      I am so glad the chair is coming Wednesday. Only two more days…yahoo!
      We are getting rain, into ice, possibly, tonight into tomorrow. It is very dark and dreary here today.
      I will post a couple of pics here of the play. i did not get great shots, because I was not in the front row this time.
      hope you have a good day- what is Mandy making for dinner??
      Adele

      Attachments:
    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey all…
      I remember the candy cigarettes, and the wax bottles, but do not remember what was in the wax bottles….LOL
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Gail!
      Well, the director of the play apologized in her opening remarks for the play being the same time as the Pats game.and said a TV was on in the hallway outside, so people could catch the score…LOL
      I was devastated to hear our Gronk got hurt. He is my favorite. I have not seen the pic of Brady with the 6th finger. That would certainly make giving people the finger harder…which digit to choose?????
      One of the news guys last night said his young son thinks the Pats are in every Super Bowl. I love their new t shirt. It says….” Patriots vs Everybody”. They know everyone hates them for always winning. Sooner or later, it has to end.
      So, I just got a call from Bobby’s boss, with all the crew singing me Happy Birthday. I nearly bust a gut laughing.
      I would be quite open to making any calls for you at all. My friend Joyce says I will negotiate her next car deal….LOL
      We did miss the memo, and all of us were taken by surprise. It was too funny, when we realized we were under the gun to get tot he play yesterday. (I think Steph forgot to check her emails, and we definitely did not want to poke the bear with that one….LOL) thank God we all got there, accept Amanda (worked) and Bobby( I am a little pissed at him). Bobby is going to get my “Dad speech”. The “Opa would never have missed a play of yours for a game.” My Dad was called Opa- the German work for grandpa.
      Heather is stopping by shortly. Marissa came before she went to work. Amanda is skiing in NH today….isn’t that funny? HAve greg show you the Facebook page for some chuckles. Saw the pics of Jenny with her friends-she is so funny.
      hope you have a good day, and that you get some good news on Brent this week.
      Adele

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hey Adele-here’s the picture-it’s pretty funny.

      Attachments:
    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      OMG, Gailster- that is not posted up here, and he is our QB..LOL
      Ill show this to Gary!

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Gail,
      It is funny that you said that I had that down pat with Brook. Tonight we had sloppy joes and I tried to make one for Brook with one of her veggie burgers and she almost gagged. It was really kind of sad. She said that she would not want that again. So I still fail at a lot of things. We are going to make butter nut squash soup this week so her soup will be the main dish for dinner.
      They had so many different candies that you do not see around anymore. The candy store has all of that stuff. Those Mary Janes that were peanut butter and were always so hard you could hardly eat them. Just all of that stuff. It has been awhile since we have been there and so cannot remember all the different kinds. They were really good though.
      Piper is so funny. She must have had someone talk to her and tell her not to worry about spilling something on her gown. Did Jenny bring her another one? She will probably have a lot to tell you and Greg the next time you see her. She seems to be doing really well at school. She goes to a lot of sleep overs.
      It is nice to find new restaurants to go to. It get tiresome going to the same ones all the time. We had a steak and sea food restaurant that opened one week and the next week it was closed. It all happened so quickly that we never got there to eat. So we are hoping that a new one opens and it is a good one.
      I have seen a big change in Mandy since she started working. She is seeing that she can do things on her own and does not need Andy there to help her. We told her that we are not in a hurry for her to move to just take her time and get things that she needs and save some money and then think about moving. She is now a cashier at the store also. She is really happy about that. She is not just stocking shelves.
      I was hoping that you would have some news about Brent. I guess that it takes time an here lately I am to anxious for the results to come in. I think that they make people wait too long. We are still praying for him here and praying that he will be okay.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      They should have special chairs for people that cannot sit in those chairs. A lot of schools have people sitting in the bleachers. That is really hard on the back. So we always bring chairs with us to sit in. If they do not like it that is too bad. They have to understand that not all people can sit in those bleachers.
      I think that Aliza loves all of her dolls. She does not have one that she hangs on to more then the others. We will see though now that she is getting older. We have given her a cabbage patch doll and a princess doll so we will see which one she likes best. Danyielle said that she does not have many dolls right now. So we will keep giving her dolls to play with.
      It is hard to see our mom’s uncomfortable. It would be nice if they could deliver that chair tomorrow but Wednesday is better then next week. Poor Tillie having to sit in that chair.
      Congrats on winning the 50/50. That was really nice. That is not as easy to win as people think that it is. I play every time that they do that at the auction and have not won yet. So maybe there is hope for the rest of us. lol Have they ever had that drawing for the get away thru Quacker? I thought that it was supposed to be done by now but have not heard anything about it.
      The kids looked so cute on the stage in their costumes. JJ is kind of short compared to a lot of the kids. Is he shorter or was he just standing by the taller kids? He looked so cute in his costume.
      The picture of the guy with the six fingers is so funny. Who is he again the quarterback for the Pats? That is just funny.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Colleen
      he is the Pats quarterback that everyone talks about- Tom Brady. He is 40, and still playing, whihc, I guess, is a bog deal because of his age.
      The place we go to for the plays is the Senior Center in Saugus. No bleachers- the chairs are fold up chairs they put in the auditorium, when they use it for a play. They are padded on the seats, but, still not very comfy.
      Tillie’s char comes tomorrow, thank God! Her legs get very swollen from not being able to put them up. Do you believe all it causes, when a power recliner breaks for an elderly person? Who knew this would cause her so much trouble. It has been a tough week for her, but it is almost over.
      It is gross here today. this morning, it was all ice, and now it is all rain in some areas. the news just came on, with an ice warning- they said one town over is all ice. I hope it warms up quick, or Gary cannot go out there today to see any customers. Too dangerous.
      The 50/50 ended up with 106.00. I was thrilled. I never win anything. the last time I won something was in the 80’s when I won some small prize at a school function….LOL you had to see Heather, she was yelling….”My Mummy won, my Mummy won”. everybody was laughing. It was so funny to see her get so excited.
      I have entered all the Quacker contests. I always hope one of us will win!
      Yes, JJ is very small for his age. Everyone towers over him. His best friend is about a foot taller than he is, and they are both signed up for wrestling. I am a little scared for JJ….LOL Next year, he goes into Middle School, and he will be lost among all those giants.
      I hope your weather is good, and the sun is shining out your way!
      Adele

    • Barbara Smith
      Participant
      Post count: 418

      Everytime I try to get on here; my computer lets’s me put some things and then poof, off it all goes somewhere. I will try to get a few words on but not press my luck. Still praying for Brent, Gail. I will be so glad when they are able to tell him what is going on so they can start fixing the problem. Hope you weather is better now for all. We are thawed out right now; but due for more cold sometime within the week I think they said. I am just so happy to be warmer right now. I know I sound just wimpy with all the terrible cold you all have to endure; but I get so cold that it’s like I just cannot warm up no matter what I do.
      I am so sorry about Tillie’s chair and surely hope they get her new one out tomorrow early so she can feel better. It is a shame for her to hurt because of the chair. I am glad you got on to them Adele. You were right that a lady her age should not have to suffer longer. Good for you. Sometimes we just have to speak up for ourselves or our loved ones to “motivate” someone to pay attention to what we need. JJ looked very cute in his little play. I bet you all had a great time seeing him and all the children.
      We have been doing some crock pot meals; soups, chili and other big pot meals with all this bad weather. Tonight; we are lazy and just doing pizza. We have a store in town that makes it fresh to your likings; and you bring it home and bake it yourself. It tastes really good. The veggies are so fresh so we really like them.
      I haven’t ordered anything lately from the Q. I see things I really like and then get busy and forget so I guess in a way this is good. I’m sure Jerry would think so. ha ha
      Better go and not take a chance on this thing. This is just not a very good computer. I have had so many problems with it. Take care everyone, Barbara

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Barbara
      So happy to hear from you. Thank you for the kind words about JJ and his play. We did enjoy ourselves, and I hope I live long enough to see him on the stage in high school, and, God willing, beyond.
      We did an easy dinner too. We had frozen chicken fingers, and fires, with corn for dinner. No complaints at all. Simple is always good.
      Hey…..I have been dying to do a beef stew. I think all the gloomy, wet, and icy weather makes you want some, and it smells so good when it is cooking.
      Tillie’s chair arrives around noontime tomorrow. Thank God! I hope it is as comfy as her old chair. If not, it will be on me….LOL
      I can only imagine how it is for you in the cold weather. You are not used to it, and I bet you do not have the warmer supply of clothes like we have up here. I wear my Carole Hochman fleece top 3 piece pajamas until the Spring. Tillie just bought me 2 more pairs for my birthday. I will have one on tomorrow, for sure, to greet her new chair.
      I hope your computer at least allows a short post, so we can hear from you. I also wonder how Sue has been doing. We should hear something by tomorrow on Brent’s test….I hope. We have a lot of people we pray for, and that is good, as I believe in the power of prayer.
      Hope you have a good night- “This is Us” is on at 9- love that show! Gary is in his chair, and all ready for NCIS- his favorite show.
      Adele

    • Dianne Danielson
      Participant
      Post count: 1034

      Hi Ladies,
      I’m okay. In case you didn’t hear there was a big earthquake off the coast of Alaska overnight. There was a tsunami warning all along the West coast. I didn’t hear anything about it till I got up. It was on my phone. But I want you guys to Google Ocean Park, Wa. when you do a video will show up of what happened last week. It was recorded by a drone flying above the ocean up there during a storm & high tide. that’s where my friend has a beach house in Ocean Park. As you watch, the road you see is where I have gone down to the beach. Up there you can drive on the beach so you have to be careful of idiots driving on the beach. You can see logs that were brought in by the force of the ocean. You never ever under estimate the power of the ocean or nature!!!! You can see cars parked along side the road & people scampering to get the you know what out of there.
      Well, it’s been a soggy day today & will be all week. I think our window of having snow has passed. It hasn’t been cold enough for it to come down this low. they’re saying we could see a few flakes in the rain Thurs. or Friday, but most of it will be in the upper elevations.
      No ITKWD tomorrow since it’s an all day Ca. Gold Rush day. Antonella will be going NUTS on her segment. I’ve seen a couple posts on my FB page & she will cohost with Nancy Hornback tomorrow morning.
      Adele, I know how Tillie feels about those chairs. I can’t stand em either!! those metal chairs are not at all comfortable. My back is killing me when I have to sit on em or bleachers!!! I could never sit thru a game of any kind if I had to sit on bleachers. I hope her chair arrives & that she loves it. If she doesn’t I know someone who would, me. LOL. Congrats on JJ’s play. I bet he enjoyed it.
      Well, I guess that’s it for now.
      Stay safe & warm.
      dd

      Attachments:
    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      40 is old to still be playing foot ball. He is lucky that he can still get out there and play. I wish him good luck. Is he going to play again next year or is he going to retire. It will be interesting to see how long he keeps playing.
      Those folding chairs are not comfortable no matter where they are. It is just a shame that they cannot put in a couple of comfortable seats for them to sit on. It would make it so nice for the older people.
      It will be so nice when they deliver Tillie’s chair. She must be so uncomfortable with her legs swelling like that. I am glad that you could let them know that waiting longer was not an option. She would really be miserable if you she had to wait any longer.
      You have really been having your share of the miserable weather. I hope that the ice will melt soon so Gary can work and you can get out of the house. It is so tiring to have to sit in the house all the time. Hopefully they will be able to deliver the chair. This has been a strange winter this year. One day it is warm and the next it is cold. We are cold here again. It will be nice here again later in the week.
      That was a good amount for you to win. I am really happy for you. That will buy you a very nice birthday present. You can buy a couple of Quacker things. They should have some new things out soon.
      I read an article about Mario and he said that he did do the things that he was accused of. It sounded like most of the time that he did things like that he had been drinking. He did apologize and said that he is trying to work things out. I do not understand what that means but it hopes that he will be doing better. After he did this interview he gave them a recipe for donuts that they had on the Chew. I guess that he is use to doing that. So I really do not know what to think about all of this. He should be able to control himself if he is drinking or not . He said that his family and friends are standing by him and that has really been a big help. So that is what I have heard do not know if you have heard anything or not.
      well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Barbara,
      It is hard on anyone if you are not use to all the cold. Just keep thinking spring. It will be spring before you know it. Then it will be summer and hot really hot. Then we will be ready for fall and winter.
      Your crock pot meals sound really good. We are going to make some crock pot meals here this week. The first one will be the butternut squash soup. It is really good. So my vegetarian grand daughter will be happy. I do put chicken broth in it but will not tell her that. She can never tell the difference. I really am a mean grandma.
      We are waiting to hear some good Colin stories. Is he walking really well now? Did he warm up to you right away or was he a little shy? We love to hear the stories about the grands. Our little Aliza runs to us when she sees up but when she sees Ron she wants him to hold her and talk to her the whole time that we are there. I do not know what the deal is with her and grandpa but she loves to be with him all the time.
      I have not ordered from QVC either. It just seem like they do not have a lot of new things right now. Maybe it will get better later on in the year. I am ready for Christmas in July.lol
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi DD,
      We did not hear about the earth quake in Alaska. Did it do much damage? Hope that everyone is okay there. We had a bad wreck on one of the highways here and that was on our news all morning. The cab of a big rig burnt and a car and five other cars were involved. It was such a mess and they said that only one person was killed and they think that it was the car that was under the cab of the truck. It was really scary. That is one good thing about not having to work anymore. We do not have to worry about all the traffic.
      Do you ever watch the style shows on in the morning on the q. It use to be Pat and Jayne that did those and now it is Gabriele and another lady. Cannot think of her name right now. It is really disappointing that they are not doing it any longer. They always came on Monday and Friday mornings and they were fun to watch. They really work well together. It was Jayne Brown not the other Jane. I do not understand why they do that.
      January is almost over with already. I cannot believe it. It just seems like time just goes by so fast. It will be spring and summer before we know it. I just hope that we do not burn up this summer.I like the cold weather much better then the hot weather.
      Thanks for the cheerful pictures today. I think that it is raining all over the place or is cloudy and we needed to see the flowers and butterfly’s.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Colleen,
      I used to like those Mary Jane candies. I imagine if I tried to eat one today it would be way too hard and sticky.
      Piper is a character. However, since she never stops talking her parents find her to be a very exhausting child and I must agree with them. After you have been around her for several hours you just want to go home and listen to the silence. lol I was a chatty child but somehow I feel she even has me beat in the talking category. She is fearless! I hope she retains that characteristic as she grows older.
      I am so glad to hear that Mandy is gaining some confidence and learning that she is capable of taking care of herself. It’s a good idea that she can stay with you until she feels comfortable both mentally and financially to go out on her own. it’s hard to start over but she has a lot to be proud of.
      Heard from Brent last night. He has another monitor on him and is having another stress test next week. He has irregularities in his heartbeat and they are trying to figure out why and what to do about it. They have to push back the thyroid test because the stuff they used to inject for the Cat Scan would interfere with the stuff they use for the nuclear test so I don’t know if it has to clear his system before they can do it. It is hard when you are getting this info second hand as I have different questions. Anyway, this cardiologist has cleared him to go back to work so he doesn’t have to go on disability as it takes awhile for it to kick in and between spending a lot of money for copays these young people don’t have a big financial cushion. I feel bad about that too as he had just gotten a little bit ahead and had some savings and now it’s gone again. Plus, I think it’s easier waiting for all these results if you are working and keeping busy. So we are still waiting for some answers and then hopefully there will be something they can do to help him. this has been tough.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      DD,
      I heard about those tsunami warnings along the west coast when I got up yesterday morning and I thought of you. then a couple hours later they said they warnings were cancelled-thank goodness.
      I’m watching Antonella and she is having a great time with the jewelry. I envy her as jewelry is my weakness too. It seems like they just had an all day cooking event too so they have us all covered.
      The pictures of the flowers and butterflies makes me long for summer. It seems that January and February are so dreary.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Barbara,
      I couldn’t get on here yesterday because we were having problems with our internet service. Living out in the country sometimes the reception isn’t the best-just like the cell phone reception.
      You are not wimpy. cold is relative to where we live. Heck we had all that sub zero stuff and last Saturday it was in the 40’s and people were walking around like it was summer. It’s really all a matter of what you get used to.
      Did Colin recognize you and Jerry from when you skype with him? He was probably surprised to see you guys in three dimensions. lol
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Adele,
      Read my post to Colleen for Brent update.
      I think you also asked about Sue. She is fine just dealing with some stuff and may feel like coming back to post sometime-but in the meantime has been reading posts and keeping up with everyone.
      Love the pictures of the play and the family. Don’t be hard on Bobby. He does so much for you guys.
      Hopefully by now Tillie is sitting in her brand new chair and loving it.
      So on this site it says your birthday is Jan. 20 but it’s really the 22nd? So if you were gonna lie about your age on here why did you make yourself two days older? lol You should have made yourself ten years younger. lol
      I’m with you about children and books. I love to see kids reading. I’m so proud that my grands go to the library and get books and participate in the reading programs. Of course I always took Brent and Jenny to the library when they were kids so I’m glad it stuck.
      Wednesday evening we had rain and actual thunderstorms and when we woke up yesterday morning there was three inches of snow on the ground. What’s up with that? Friday is supposed to be warm again. Hooray!
      Gail

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi DD
      that must have been scary when you got the message about a possible tsunami. i did not even think of you, when I heard about the earthquake on TV. i thought it was too far away from you. Wow, is all I have to say.
      Tillie’s chair arrived about an hour ago. the men were so nice, and helped show her how to operate the chair. This chair also has an adjustable headrest, so she has to find out what position is best for her. It will take a little time, for her o get the most comfy head position. I am so glad it is here, as she had trouble getting into bed last night, because her legs were so swollen. I hope they go down in a day or two.
      I feel so bad about the 2 school shootings this week. Yesterday’s involved 2 15 year old kids dying, and one who lost her lg. this is awful. My prayers are going out for all those poor families. Just awful. these school shootings have to stop. Kids have to feel safe in their schools.
      Hope your day is going well, and the sun is shining. The sun is shining up here, but it is cold. not too bad, though.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi colleen
      40 is old to be playing, and they talk about that issue with Brady all the time. he is married to Giselle Bundchin, and she has made it clear she wants him to retire. Brady’s prior girlfriend, before he married Giselle is the actress who plays Tom Sellek’s daughter ( the DA) on Blue Bloods. I can’t remember her real name. Her and Brady have a child together- they did not marry.
      Tillie’s chair is here, and all is good. After they left, we had a cup of coffee, and then I came back up here. I am so glad it is here, and she is happy. I just hope the swelling in her legs goes back down.
      How is Mandy doing in her job? How are the grands? Ron?
      the ice is gone- they said it was slipper early this morning. the sun is shining, and all is good.
      Tomorrow, i meet Nancy, Deb and Gerald for brunch. Then on Friday, i have the appointment with my back doctor. Believe it or not, my left shoulder has been hurting again, so I will ska him for a shot. he did the shot before, so it should be ok. I am kind of bummed about it, as i do my shoulder exercises e every day. he may refer me to the shoulder doctor there, if this does not stop. Oh well. It is what is is, as they say.
      I hope your day is going well, and the sun is shining over there too!!
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Colleen….
      Forgot to say. I have not heard a word about Mario up here- not one word. i do miss him on the Chew, as it is just not the same without him.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Gail!
      I feel so bad for Brent. It is awful when it takes so long, and so many tests to find out what is wrong. then add the co-pays, the anxiety about the wait, and fear for what they will find. You are all in my prayers every night.
      Did you hear from Sue? Sound slike you did. I was thinking of doing a message to her, to see hos she was. I was hoping she would just come back on here. When someone disappears, you miss them……
      Tillie is in her chair as we speak. I bet she is snoring away….LOL Thank God that task is complete. On to the next one.
      I know. Bobby is so good to everyone, but, I was still disappointed that he missed the play. You know me- family trumps everything, no matter what.
      That was some variation n temperatures you had the other night. It sounds like New England weather. Down on the southern border of Mass., they had thunderstorms with yesterday’s ice mess. We are having clear skies for the next few days- yahoo!!
      I have no idea how this site got the wrong birthday. Is there a way for me to change it???
      Hope you and Greg are ok, and that the sun is shining over there.
      Adele

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Adele,
      I think you can go to your own page and go into your profile and change the date. It’s worth a try.

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      I’m going to try it now…..

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey all
      I cant do the change. It keeps telling me to fill in all fields, whihc I did and I still get that error message. Oh well…
      Adele

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Gail,
      My trouble with the Mary Janes now they would probably break my teeth. I have already broke one tooth eating popcorn. It is really irritating. My teeth are getting old like everything else.
      I feel bad for Brent having to go thru all that stuff over and over again. It would be nice if they would get this figured out soon so he does not have to worry about it any more. It is good that he can go back to work. Are they holding his job for him? They sound like a good company and they would do that for him They seem to like him. We will still keep praying and hoping that they figure this out soon.
      I can imagine how exhausting it can be with Piper. She is cute though. We have not had peace and quite here in such a long time that I do not know what that is. It is really loud here when the girls get home from school. They are both talking about what happened at school that day. I am thinking that if Brook has to stay here next year they will make her change schools. She really does not want to do that and I do not blame her. I have not idea what they will do if we try to keep her in that school.
      It is a shame that you cannot go to Brents and help him thru this. I know how that is though they are old enough that we cannot just barge in to help unless asked. I can imagine how hard it is for you and Greg. I worry about Melissa and Stephen in Tennessee. That is just too far away and that is not as far as Brent is from you. Just have to keep thinking positive he is going to be alright. His Angel is with him and protecting. him.
      Mandy is doing really well. Their dad does not have much to do with anyone. He cannot afford to come out here so he doesn’t. I bet that he goes out with his friends though. He is a real jerk.
      Everybody keeps getting our snow. You all could send it down this way anytime that you want. We will gladly take it. We have been getting some rain but we have needed it also.
      Well that is about all from here. Just hang in there my friend. Things will be okay.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      I know who you are talking about that was Brady’s girlfriend. She is a good actress but have no idea what type of person she is. You really do not hear much about her. She must stay out of the lime light as much as she can.
      Thank heaven Tillies chair is there. She really needed it so she can get the swelling down in her legs. She has to be so miserable. I am glad that the men who delivered it were so nice to her and took the time to show her how to work the chair. It will be nice when she gets it all figured out and can sit comfortably and watch her shows on tv. That was nice that they got the chair there for her today. I worried about the weather there.
      Mandy is doing really well at her job. She is waiting for them to text her new schedule. She just has worked days so far. We are hoping that she does not have to work til close. It closes at 10pm and they are the only store opened in town. Even the gas station is closed. It is a small town. The grands are doing well and so is Ron. He is the taxi driver of the whole group. They are wanting to get a car but it will be awhile before they can.
      I hope that you have fun meeting your friends for brunch. That will be a lot of fun. I like meeting friends for lunch. Do you know what restaurant that you are going to? Be careful of what they fry in the grease there. You sure do not want your allergies to act up. That must really be hard.
      I miss Mario on the Chew also. My favorite is Micheal Symon though. He is so funny and he always has a smile on his face. Sometimes Clinton is not my favorite he is kind of grumpy. He does not take jokes as well as the others do. It does seem like they need a 4th person on the show. I wish that Daphne would come back. It would be fun having her back on the show. I like some of her recipes.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Colleen
      i was wondering if Daphne would ever return to the show too. It went from 5 to 3 in a matter of a few months.
      I had a good time at brunch. I ordered breakfast, so I was all good. The sun was shining too, so that was good. It is cold, but not too bad for this time of year.
      Tillie is happy with the new chair. She did say it was cold to sit in and a little stiff. So, she put that recliner cover she got from the Q on the chair to make it more cozy, until she breaks it in. the recliner cover looks like sheep fur.
      I am glad Mandy likes her job. I hope they do not put her on to close too, as that is a little spooky. You know me, i am a worrier.
      I read the post to Gail. I know how noisy it gets , when all the girls are here. I love the noise of kids in the house. It makes it alive. We have a chatty Kathy too- Aizen. When he is chatting away, non stop, you can’t even understand all the words he is saying. LOL So, I know what Gail means about being exhausted after they are all gone.
      I hope you get the snow you want. We have had enough….LOL
      Adele

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      It would be nice if she came back. Maybe they would let her cook a little more. She was really good and she seemed to love doing the show. They did show a picture of her new baby on there but cannot remember if it was a girl or a boy. It was a cute picture it was of the whole family. Sure do miss her on the Chew.
      That is good that the weather held out and you could go to brunch. Sounds like you had a good meal. Breakfast is a safe thing to eat at a restaurant they do not have to put anything in the deep fryer.
      It will take her awhile to break the chair in. I hope that she does soon and really can be comfortable again. How are her legs doing is the swelling going down? You may not see her for a couple of days she will be down there enjoying her new chair..lol
      It is fun having them here. We are really enjoying it. We were worried before but it is working out really good. We each at least have our own space. She has her bedroom and we have ours and the kids have theirs. So we do get some privacy. They want to bring Aliza home with us tomorrow and have her spend the night. I am not sure that Danyielle will let her. Aliza can be a little chatty also. Probably not as much as Piper and Aizen because they are older and you can understand what they are saying. Aliza jabbers still so we do not always know what she is saying. She is a character though.
      I keep hoping for snow but just do not get any. Maybe if we get a giant fan we could blow some of the snow that you are getting and Gail is getting down our way. It might be easier to blow it from Gail’s direction. lol I have given up on getting snow here.
      Well that is all from here. Hope you have a good night.
      Colleen
      p.s. I hope that we hear from Gail with some good news about Brent.

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Adele,
      Is the woman who has the child with Tom Brady Bridget Moynihan?
      How was your lunch out? Good I hope. I used to have a friend and we went out for lunch once a month and took turns treating and then we used to go out to a store and do some browsing afterwards. I miss that-although I can’t browse for as long anymore.
      Thanks for the continued prayers for Brent-I will tell him the Quacker ladies are praying for him and they are good at it so he has to get better. Now he has to have nitroglycerin pills at hand all the time which is very scary for me. Who would have thought that their child would be having so many health problems at 36? I asked how he was doing and he says he is just trying to take it day by day but he gets stressed and depressed sometimes between the financial burden and the health worries which is natural. I’m so glad Wendy is there with him. It must be hard on her too.
      I didn’t know Aizen was a chatterbox too-could you imagine a conversation between him and Pip? I would warn him that she is very bossy too.
      I actually don’t mind The Chew with just the three people-although I am not a daily watcher either.
      I am so glad that they threw the book at that gymnastics doctor. What a creep and a pervert! All those young women! And I have a feeling that it’s just the tip of the iceberg as a lot of other people in the gymnastics community must have known something. There has to be a special place in hell for him and the parents who starved their children and kept them chained. I cannot even fathom why these people do that. it astounds and disgusts me. Children-who trust you and depend on you. Ick Ick and double Ick!
      I hope Tillie’s legs and feet are better and she’s all snuggly in her chair. Who would think what a big difference the right chair can make in the life of an elderly person. Anything to help them feel better and more independent is so important.
      Hope you have good weather this weekend.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Colleen,
      They are keeping Brent’s job for him as he did not have to take that leave. Thank you for all the prayers. I’m telling him the Quacker ladies are praying for him so he has to get better because we are good prayers. I also pray to Kim that she is looking over him and can intercede and help him get well. I know it sounds silly but it helps me.
      I hope Brook does not have to change schools if she is there next year. That is so hard on a high school aged kid.
      I’ll bet your house is filled with happy chatter when the girls get home from school. It kind of makes me miss those days. My kids were always hungry when they got home. Those high school kids had good appetites because they were so active.
      At least Ron is playing chauffeur to them so that is keeping him from feeling the side of the fridge or going out and buying more lawn mowers. lol
      It’s good to hear that Mandy’s ex( I know that he’s not really an ex yet but i don’t know what to call him) is staying away. Do the girls miss him? Maybe they are old enough to see that he was no good and are glad he’s not around too. It’s tough because you wish they had a better Dad but if he’s bad it’s good to be rid of him too. Life is complicated. I’m so glad that I was lucky enough to find a good man the first time around and be with him all these years. You know when we went to a reunion several years back I was remarking that besides me there was only one other person there with their original spouse.
      I would be more than happy to blow some snow your way except i think it’s going to melt as we are having warmer weather the next couple of days.
      Gail

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Colleen
      Tillie is enjoying the new chair. She likes it better with the fleece from the Q on it, that she got for the other chair. She did not gnat to come up for dinner tonight, so I think you are right….LOL ( we are doing a small order of Chinese food- plates, for me and Gary) She said her legs are no longer swollen, so that is good too.
      I hope you all get Aliza tonight, as the girls would have a ball with her. I bet she will be asleep soon, as they will poop her out for sure.
      I had the back doctor today. he gave me a shot in the shoulder that started to bother me again. He said any surgery would have to be involving the entire spine- taking out whats there, and going all the way up, for repair. That is because no matter what he repairs, the next discs will go. He also said there would be a “risk of morbidity”, as it is a very long, and extensive surgery. he also said I was pretty good at managing my back, and knowing what I can and cannot do- he then asked me about my quality of life with it. I told him it was a lot better than never being able to tie my sneakers, or reach my body parts to clean in the shower….LOL The comment on morbidity got by Gary, as he did not realize what morbidity meant. Actually, he argued with me in the car, saying he did not mean that. I had a good chuckle over that one.
      So, it is what it is, and I was expecting that. he did an order for prednisone, so I would not have to wait, to get hold of him, if the back goes out again. he knows he can trust me not to use it, unless I am in excruciating pain, and he does not want me to have to wait in that amount of pain for relief, or someone to go get the prescription. I hope it never happens again. I again suggested they get a “numbers” method there, so people do not have to stand in line.
      I hope you all have a good night, and that Aliza comes to have some fun.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Gail
      Read my post to Colleen for the Tillie info, and doctor info.
      It is Bridget Monihan. Actually, Gary is the one who told me about that, many years ago. Isn’t that funny? By now, that boy could be a teenager. She is very quiet about her personal life. You never hear anything about her. I wonder if she and her son get tickets for the big games.
      That is awful about Brent. I have some news that could be helpful to him. Anyone who has a long term illness, can apply to Medicaid for help. This is not on an income basis, it is on medical needs basis. I found out about that years ago, when i had a foster mother whose son had Downs Syndrome. They had it as a supplement to their private insurance, and it paid for all the testing, and treatments, and co-pays that their private insurance did not pay for, as he had a heart condition and diabetes, with the Downs. I have told this to many people who suffer with medical bills, like Brent, and everyone applied, and got it. I hope Brent will apply, as it would be a huge relief on him for everything.
      I hope Brent will get an accurate diagnosis d=soon, and a course of treatment that will help him get better. He is in all our prayers, all across the Quacker USA community. I feel so bad for you and Greg too, as you must be so worried, every day. He is your baby!
      i can imagine Piper and Aizen. It would be hysterical. Can you imagine?
      Hope you two have a good night- Blue Bloods is a repeat.
      Adele

    • Dianne Danielson
      Participant
      Post count: 1034

      HI Ladies,
      Just a quick note, I’m sorry if I worried any of you with the tsunami earlier this week. slept thru the whole thing. Besides, I’m about an hour & half from the coast with a mountain range between here & there. the towns on the coast are the ones in danger. Luckily, it didn’t materialize. We’re getting rain tho.
      Lots of snow in the mts. I think we’re past the window for snow this yr. It’s been too warm, we haven’t been down to freezing since mid Dec.
      Not a lot going on here.
      I wonder if Brent is a candidate for a pace maker to get his heart beat back to normal? Just a thought. I hope he signs up for the Medicaid so he can have his medical taken care of.
      Good to hear Tillie likes her new chair. I wish I could get a new recliner so I could get rid of this old loveseat. They look so comfy.
      That’s all for tonight
      Have a great weekend.
      dd

      Attachments:
    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi DD!
      Your pictures are so comforting- they remind us that Spring is on the way.
      It is in the low 50’s here today, and will be tomorrow too. Then it goes back down, and we possible get a rain/ice storm Monday night, into Tuesday.
      Did you know you can get a lot of furniture from stores that offer 0% financing for a year, or more? We got the recliner with 0% financing for a year from Macy’s. I do everything like that. Even the home repairs. When I get those checks in the mail form one of my credit cards, I use them for a repair. if I have no repairs to do, I throw them out. It is the way to go. You do not use any money, and do not accumulate any interest. I hope this helps you to be able to get a recliner for yourself, as they are very comfy, and you deserve it.
      I made Marissa’s cookie for tomorrow’s Trifecta Birthday Celebration….LOL Jhonny and I love the Carvel ice cream cakes, so we will get one of those too. Bobby is making chicken/broccoli and ziti.
      Hope you are having a good day. Blue bloods was a repeat last night. very disappointing.
      Adele

    • Dianne Danielson
      Participant
      Post count: 1034

      Hi Adele,
      I’m glad you enjoy the pics. Have a great day celebrating. I’ve never heard of the Carvel ice cream cakes. I’ve heard of Dairy Queen’s or Baskin Robbins, or do they exist anymore? Happy Belated birthday.
      dd

      Attachments:
    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey DD!
      Thank you for the birthday wishes. We are celebrating 3 birthdays today- me, Marissa, and Jhonny, whose birthday is in 2 weeks. I figured we would do them all together, and save more work down the road.
      Carvel must be a brand in the New England area. They have chocolate ice cream on the bottom layer, vanilla ice cream on the top, and that crunchy cookie stuff in the middle. they are frosted, of course, with a frosting that tastes kind of “ice creamish”. We have been getting them for years.
      It is very gloomy here today. Rained early this morning. So, I guess we are lucky it is no ice or snow.
      Hope your day is sunny and bright!
      Adele

    • Barbara Smith
      Participant
      Post count: 418

      Happy Sunday afternoon everyone. So happy that Tillie got her new chair and that she is comfy in it. That should really help the swelling in her feet and legs. Many years ago; we had these trianglular shaped foam forms that we put under the patients’ knees to hold their feet and legs up higher than their body while lying in bed. It was designed to have the blood circulation from the legs to the heart work better and not to cause the swelling in the lower limbs. That is really why recliners are so good for us all.
      Gail, why did the doctors prescribe Nitroglycerin for Brent? Does he have chest pain? I will be glad when they finish the tests. Did the doctor tell Brent to put the pill under his tongue? Sorry for all the questions, just trying to understand the rationale for what they are doing. Did they tell him how long until they can do the thyroid tests? Have they done any blood work yet related to his thyroid levels? Gosh, I am just asking you too much. I am sure they have a good reason for everything, and I know that you all will find out really soon how to fix this so he will be able to get his poor life back to normal. Prayers for all of you. This has got to be so hard for you and Greg.
      Well, I have not told you all most of my baby news. You are right Colleen, he did sort of just look at me and Jerry for a few minutes at first as if he was trying to figure out how was we so different that he remembers us in that little screen, but it was just for a few minutes and he held his little arms out for Jerry first and then to me. He was not shy at all. So I think from that he is used to seeing lots of people already. The next day when Jerry and I kept him most of the day he didn’t cry or anything when Sarah left. That sort of told me that he is used to seeing her leave too; so he was not at all afraid. We had the most wonderful time with him. I was standing by Jerry at one point just holding him in my arms and talking to him about how much I love him and miss him, and he was looking so intently right in my face and appeared to be just listening to everything I was saying, and then he just put a little hand on each side of my face and then kissed me right on my lips. I thought Jerry was going to cry; it was such a special moment for us. He kissed Jerry too a little later on. He played so good with us. I have to say it was one of the best days of our lives. Then we got to watch him the next day while Sarah went to have her hair done. So all in all we had two perfect days. And this is what has sustained me and Jerry for the last two weeks. I really just cannot say right now; because it hurts me so badly, but things have changed. Everyone is still healthy and well; but I am not sure if we will ever go back to having a close relationship with them again. But, I apologize for not being able to say more, but the hurt is just too deep and I just can’t right now. So just remember us in your prayers and time will tell.
      Adele, it sounds like you all have had wonderful birthday celebrations. Good food and fun family times for all. You are so right about loving to hear the noise of all the loud but happy sounds of a big noisy family. Too quite is not good. I remember how sometimes I used to say to myself when I would be so tired and having just finished cooking a big meal that it would be so nice to have less confusion and how I would love some help; but now the quiet is worse than being tired. But I do have to say that Jerry and I spend a lot more of our time doing simple things. And Jerry does more cooking now than I can ever remember his doing. He always enjoyed grilling, even in the winter, but I guess he has arthritis in his thumbs now. It doesn’t affect his other fingers like it does both his thumbs. Have you ever heard of this, Gail?
      DD is that your kitty in the picture? Ours is in a QVC box right now all curled up. He slept with us last night; and is looking forward to spring too.
      Better close for now. I know I must have you all thoroughly shaking your heads, but just keep saying, it’s just Barbara. She always seems to be able to stir up a pot. Take care all, and will keep praying for us all and especially those sick. Hugs to all, Barbara

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Gail,
      I do not see anything weird about you asking Kim to watch over Brent. She surely is an Angel and is able to watch over him. When my mom is having a problem I always ask dad to intercede for her. This is a good group for praying. It is nice to have a group that will pray for someone that needs the prayers.
      It is fun when the girls get home from school. They do chat about school and there is a lot of laughter. It makes me remember what it was like when the kids use to come home from school. They were always so happy.
      The girls never really talk about him.I guess he use to stay away from home a lot when they all lived together. So they are kind of use to it. It is just a really sad situation. Ron is out picking Mandy up from work right now. He sure does a lot of driving. I wish that he would let her drive the car.
      It is terrible that none of the couples that we hung out with are still married. I have not gone to a school reunion so do not know how they are doing. I have heard that a lot of them have divorced and that is so sad. I guess they were not ready to get married yet and so that caused trouble. I really think that all of us are really lucky that we are still with the men that we fell in love with. It is a hard thing to do anymore. I guess some men do not turn out to be what you thought they would be when you marry them.
      It was warm here today and now they are saying that we are going to get some snow tonight. The temp is going to drop really low and that will not be fun. I wish that it would stay cold until winter is over and spring would come when it is time for it to be here. We do not have seasons like we use to every year. Wish that you could blow the snow our way because the snow that we get will not stick because we had such warm weather.
      We had Aliza over the week end. She is something else. She has got a temper. I guess she is going thru the terrible twos. She is doing a good job of it also. lol One thing though she is a good eater. She ate everything on her plate and snacked after every meal.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      I am glad that Tillie is enjoying her new chair. That fleece cover that she has on her chair sounds really nice. I am just glad that they delivered it as soon as they did.
      Your Chinese sounds really good that you got the other night. We went to a Chinese restaurant when we all went out to lunch. We must have been thinking the same thing. lol Aliza love the crab ragoons she ate both of mine and a bite of her moms. I would not think that a little one would like the crab mixed in cream cheese as much as she did. She did not get an order of her own but she did not need it she ate off of everyone else’s plate. lol.
      We kept Aliza all week-end. She is a character. Every time that I would get on the computer she wanted to get on my lap and type. So did not get to answer any e-mails while she was awake. We had her bed in the dinning room so could not get on here while she was sleeping. We just did not have room anywhere else. The cat did not like her either. So that was a problem. The cat jumped in my lap and she came close to the chair and the cat bit me. I am glad that it was me and not her. I am afraid the cat would have been out the door and not let back in. She has a temper. She is really into the terrible twos.
      I am glad that you could get another shot in the shoulder. It would not be good to have to have that surgery again. That would be rough that they take all of that out and start over. I do not blame you for not wanting them to do it. Just take care of yourself and do not do anything that will make your back hurt. That was nice that he gave you a prescription for the prednisone so you will not have to suffer with it. I like a doctor like that. They know that you can take care of yourself and not be treated like a child. A lot of doctors are like that.
      I hope that your birthday party went well. That was nice that you could have one for all three of you. I bet you all had a really good time. That was nice that Bobby fixed the meal for you. It is nice that he is a good cook.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a good night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi DD,
      Where did you find the bottles of the coke bottles. I have not seen them in such a long time and they were so cute. I do not know why we were all so in love with them they did not hold a lot to drink. We use to chew on the wax also. That seems really gross now but we thought it was good back then.
      We have both of those ice cream places around area. I know that Dairy Queen still makes the cakes but do not know about Baskin Robbins. We have other places around that have ice cream but do not know if they make cakes.
      I am glad that you are okay. I did not realize that you lived so far away from the ocean. That is a good thing though. You do not have to worry about hurricanes or tsunamis. That did not end up doing any damage from what we heard on the news. Thank God for that.
      The pictures of the old houses and the horse drawn carriages really make you think of simpler times. It would have been fun in some ways to live back then.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Barbara,
      We are grateful that you ask questions about what the doctors are doing and if this was done. You know about all of that and it is nice to have someone ask the question so we know what to ask. I know that Brent is not my son but it is hard when you do not know the right questions.
      I am sorry I did not mean to make you sad when I asked about the baby. It sounds like you had a great time with him and that makes it really nice. It is nice that he recognized you from seeing you on skype.
      You are not stirring anything up. You just are going thru a bad time and we all go thru that at times. So just keep talking to us and we will listen to you. You always listen to us.
      Is it still cold there? My daughter does not call me right now so I figure that it is still cold there. I really do like to tease her about their weather. She is so funny. Will talk to her tomorrow and see how her weather is. We are supposed to get some snow tomorrow and I hope that we do.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Adele,
      I am so happy that the chair is helping Tillie’s legs. That is a great relief and stress off your mind.
      How was the party? Was everyone able to attend?
      I would imagine that Brady’s son with Bridget would go to the games-don’t know about her-I don’t imagine they sit in the same box as Gisele. lol Or maybe they do-who knows?
      I’m glad that you got the shot and the doctor gave you the prescription for prednisone when needed to keep on hand. It’s so frustrating sometimes when you know exactly what you need but have to wait for a doctor to write the script. Yes, once the word morbidity is raised I would try to stay away from that surgery if at all possible. Hopefully, you will find other ways to deal with your issues.
      I never heard of a Medicaid that wasn’t based on salary. Even when i looked it up there was salary caps so I am unsure what you are talking about. I know Brent probably makes too much to qualify for the one based on salary. For the time being I guess he is going to use the bank of Mom and Dad to help him over the hump. At least temporarily that’s something that we can do do help and hopefully he will get help and can return to normal.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Colleen,
      Maybe Ron will let Mandy use the car when he gets tired of driving everyone around. I guess maybe he doesn’t want his car to be gone the whole time that she is at work in case he wants to use it. since he likes to find used vehicles maybe he is keeping an eye out for something that she can buy when she has the money together. It takes awhile when you are trying to start all over so they are lucky that they can stay with you and save money towards an apartment and a car.
      I remember we used to chew on the wax from those bottles too. What were we thinking?
      It sounds like you had a lot of fun with Aliza this weekend. Do Kylie and Brook play with her?
      Friday night Piper put all these Shopkins in a bunch of little boxes and then we had to open them like presents and remark on each one. The more people that child can keep occupied the happier she is. lol
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi DD,
      I just don’t know right now if a pacemaker would be of any help to Brent as they haven’t finished all the testing yet. It sure has been slow going. It makes me wonder about the medical facilities in that area of the country.
      Loved the pictures of the wax bottles. Remember the wax lips and the wax mustaches? Funny what was popular back then.
      Next time you go to WalMart check there for the Carvel cakes-ours started carrying them about a year and a half ago.
      How is Jewell doing lately? Better I hope.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Barbara,
      I have the same questions about the nitro as I thought it was for angina not arrhythmia. You know I can’t remember if i asked whether he had the blood tests for thyroid. I will have to ask again. He was supposed to have the thyroid test this week but they pushed it back because something about the dye he had for the cat scan would interfere with the nuclear medicine for the thyroid test. At least that’s the way I understood it. I so wish I wasn’t getting the info third hand. I still have a feeling that the heart and thyroid are somehow connected in this case but it sure is taking a long time to get all the correct info.
      That sweet kiss from Colin is something that you will hold in your heart forever and it must have just melted you. I know you love him and miss him so much and it makes me feel sad for you and Jerry. We are so blessed to have our grands so close and i know it and thank God for it everyday. I definitely do not take it for granted as I know how far away my parents were when our kids were growing up.
      We don’t think you are goofy. Feel free to come and talk about what is bothering you when you are ready. We are good listeners and can at least offer sympathy and support. None of us are strangers to trials and tribulations.
      You know I think Jerry can have his thumbs bother him and not the rest of the fingers. I have one joint in my left hand that bothers me and has damage and the rest of the hand is okay. Don’t know why that happens like that but I know it can. We usually barbecue all winter too but this year we haven’t as it has just been too cold. We’ve been eating more comfort food cold weather type things.
      Gail

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Barbara, Barbara, Barbara….. You are not stirring up the pot. I get it that you just cannot bring yourself to tell us what happened. When you do, you will be living through the pain again, in the telling of the story, and you need to get through more of the hurt before you can. You will re-traumatize yourself in the telling. I just hope it is not as bad as we all imagine. I also hope it can be repaired in time. I am always the optimist, in thinking everything is fixable as long as we are breathing. (I am always the one who tries to fix everything- can you tell?)
      It is the best feeling of all, when our Itty Bitty’s hold you face and give you a kiss. Those tiny hands are so soft and cute. It is as if an Angel is holding your face. I love when they pat your arm too- so endearing.
      I have arthritis in my fingers, and one thumb is worst than all the fingers. It is real weird how it gets one joint, more than the others. My ortho doctor had a brace made for each thumb, as there are days the thumbs are very uncomfortable. the brace stops the pain when you put it on, but, it does not prevent the pain. So, the only time I wear them, is when the hands are real sore. Jerry can ask his ortho doctor for a custom made brace, and see if it helps. Mine were paid for by my insurance company.
      Everyone had a good time yesterday. They ate all the dinner, and nobody had any to take home- that was real funny. I still have a small pice of the ice cream cake left, and will have it for desert tonight. I am making myself a bowl of Cream of Wheat….LOL Gary is off to the night school, and he will have the last bowl of soup when he gets back. (he sells supplies to the men who take the class on auto body repair) I am also a little worried about him tonight, because it is goign to start to snow soon. i am always scared he will slip. I hope he is home before it gets slippery. He will stay home tomorrow, as he will not go out when it is slippery.
      I hope your weather is not as cold or snowy as us. I hope your temps are back to normal.
      You are in my prayers every night. I am sending some hugs and warm wishes your way!!
      Love, Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi colleen
      That is a funny story about Aliza and the cat. It sounds like the cat is jealous of her getting all the attention. I bet Ron would definitely throw the cat outside, if she bit Aliza.
      You had to hear Aizen yesterday. i do not think he took one breathe between sentences. He ahs imaginary friends, and he tells you these stories about what he did with his friends. Jhonny said he lies a lot. I told Jhonny he is not lying, he has a great imagination. Then, I sold them all how Bobby had imaginary friends when he was the same age. Well, they all nearly dies when I told them Bobby’s imaginary friends were fish. ( he used to love to go the the Aquarium when he was little ) When I went to sit on the couch, he would yell not to sit there, because his fish were there. I thought JJ was going to bust a gut!
      I am glad we did all 3 birthdays together. It made it a lot easier on me. Plus, it was good having everyone together for the 3 celebrations too.
      it is going to snow tonight. So far, they are saying 2 inches. I hope they are right, and it does not get increased. I took out a pork roast for tomorrow, when it will be all white around here again.
      Tillie is quite happy with her chair. I am so glad it is delivered, and all good.
      I got out today and had my hair trimmed, as I knew with the snow coming, that would be the end of getting a trim again. I am glad I was able to do that, as I needed a trim bad.
      I hope your weather gets warmer. Do you get Aliza again next weekend too?
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Gail
      ‘It could e Medicare or Medicaid- not sure which one it is. The people who had it were just regular middle class families. Nobody every said anything about an income limit. i wonder if thing have changed over the years. Have Brent ask the hospital person who deals with the health insurances- they would know for sure, if it is still available. The hospital insurance people are great resources. I really hope it is still available. Dam.
      Any more news on rent’s tests being scheduled? How has he been feeling? I pray for him and all of you every night. This is just awful. Barbara had some good ideas, and i hope it helped. We are so lucky to have her. i remember those things they out under your legs in the hospital. they did help. They even put one under my legs when I had an MRI.
      You will have to look for the shots of the family members on Sunday, and see if they show any shots of Brady’s x, and son. I will be looking too. Everyone here is very excited about the game on Sunday. Bobby may go to a Super Bowl party- he is not sure yet. I want to make chili. We will see….LOL
      I finally got my hair trimmed today. Also had to go to the dentist, as a crown came loose….don’t ask….not good….an implant is now needed, as some of the tooth remained in the crown, and there is nothing left to work with for another crown. No pain, so that is good. I could scream. I have never had i an implant before. The price made me gag. it is what it is, as they say. Oh well. That is nothing compared to what you and Brent are dealing with, so i am grateful it is fixable.
      I hope your weather is good and not too cold.
      Adele

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Gail,
      I hope that Ron will. They really need to start driving soon and we can stop. We have a truck that he drives an now he is talking about getting rid of it . He is thinking of buying Danyielles car when she gets a new on. This should be interesting. I am not real excited about getting this one. It is a lot bigger then out jeep and it is a 2008. We will see what happens. He said that he will see if Mandy wants it first if not we will get it.
      I remember the wax lips and the mustache. They use to have the teeth also. I do not remember ever wearing the teeth but my brother did. He thought that they were funny and would try and scare us with them. I do not know why he thought it would scare us but he did. He was such a weird kid.lol
      The girls do play with her but only for a little while. They went out on Saturday night and did not come home until the next morning. They both stayed at friends houses. Mandy knew where they were but I had no idea. I guess I am just grandma and do not need to know as long as their mom knew. They do tell me not to wait for them they are not coming home. Which is really nice that they do that. I can not go to sleep until everyone is in the house an the house is locked for the night.
      Piper is so cute. Kaylee use to collect those shopkins but think that she is into something else now. It is funny that she had all the little boxes for you to open and give your comments on. I hope that everyone said the right things. She is so funny.
      Kaylee is collecting rocks. It is so funny, She gets that from Ron he collects them also. She got some kind of kit to paint the rocks or something she did not talk about that too much. She was thrilled with the rocks that grandpa gave her. They came from his collection. Her and grandpa have rocks in their heads.lol
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      That is nice that you did not have to cook for three parties. Maybe you can do this again and it will make it easier on you. They may all like it better and they can all come at the same time. They do not have to go to three different parties. Some times it is easier to do it that way.
      That cat is a little crazy. I wish that we would never have let them bring it. The grands are so attached to it so we could not tell them no. He came up to me today and bit my leg. He did not break the skin though so that was good. Mandy said that he was just playing. Well it hurts when he plays like that. Just a weird cat.
      That is funny that Aizen has imaginary friends. It is not a bad thing for kids to have one. There are a lot that do. I hope that Johnny does not make him stop that will really hurt his creativity. He is such a cut little guy. He must be smart to think of all these things that he does. He may one day write a really good children’s book. Or maybe he will write a play or a movie. You never know with kids with such good imaginations. I do not remember if the kids had imaginary friends but Melissa my youngest had a stick that was her baby. She had a ribbon tied to it. One of her sisters did that for her. She talked to it and put it to bed and did all kinds of things like that. I guess if I think about it that was a little strange but she did this for a long time. We tried to get rid of it because it was not the thing that a child should carry around with them all the time. She could find it no matter what we did with it. I do not know what was on that stick that she could recognize it but she did ever time. Even if we took the ribbon off of it.
      That is nice that you got to go out today and get your hair trimmed. That is nice to get out once in awhile. I hope that you do not get a lot of snow and you will not be house bound for a long time. It is not fair that all of you are getting all the snow and we still have not had any. Just that little bit we had at Christmas. Oh well winter is not over with yet.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Colleen,
      I hope Mandy will take the car if you don’t want it and want to keep your jeep. What kind of car is it-if it is so much bigger than your jeep?
      Maybe your brother thought the teeth were vampire teeth and was trying to scare you guys. he’s the only boy right? Kind of like Lachlan with two sisters and two half sisters. At least Lachlan has his cousins Finn and Landon nearby to play with.
      I am like you and am the one who locks up for the night. I don’t know if Greg even thinks about that. lol
      I guess I have rocks in my head too lol since I had a rock collection when I was young too. I was so excited when Kendall started collecting rocks but i think she has kind of lost interest in doing that now but she still has her collection that Piper uses now. I used to want to be a geologist, an anthropologist a paleontologist and an archeologist and ended up starting out being a speech pathologist and ended up being an English major who ended up working in accounting. Weird huh? We still do have an arrowhead collection that we dug up at our old house. Our property must have been some kind of Indian campground at one time because both us and our neighbors found lots of arrowheads and things that looked like ax heads or stone tools. You never knew what might come up when the garden was being tilled in the spring. It makes sense that it might have been a camp as there was a creek in the back of the property so there was a fresh water source and maybe a source of fish way back when.
      You know the cat is probably kind of upset about living in a new place and is taking some time to adjust too. Moves can be upsetting to animals.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Adele,
      I wonder if what you’re thinking about is some sort of aid that parents could get for dependent children. I will see if Brent will ask about some sort of financial aid at the hospital but i don’t know if he will or not.
      I looked at the price of an implant once for a molar that i lost but the price is very high and it’s a very involved process more involved than the endodontist really explained as i took it upon myself to do some research. I decided it was not worth it for a tooth that you don’t really see and can technically do without. Plus we have no dental insurance so it would be all payed for out of pocket.
      I will join the club of Bobby and Aizen with an invisible friend. Now Bobby’s is really interesting being a fish. Mine was just a plain old person named Jolly. Jolly was very handy if some misdeed needed to be blamed on someone else. lol And he was also good company. I think I invented him since my brother and sister were very close being only fifteen months apart and also they were four and five years older than me so they didn’t have much interest in hanging with me. I think I was basically lonely for companionship so thus along came Jolly.
      Gail

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi colleen
      I feel the same way you do. the kids with imaginary friends, or those who make things into something real have great imaginations. Did your daughter enjoy writing or acting, when she was in school? I bet she did. That was so funny that her sister tied a bow on her stick. How cute is that?
      I forgot the cat belonged to the kids. I thought it was your cat. Cats have a tough time adjusting to new people and surroundings.
      How is your mother? I have not heard you talk about her in a while.
      We got about 3 inches of snow. i am doing a pork roast tonight, and Heather is supposed to come for dinner. I hope she does, as it is a big roast, and I do not want left overs. Somehow pork is very dry when you try to heat it up.
      It was so easy to fix my hair today, as it was getting all tangled up when I washed it. I love when you get a nice haircut. I had her angle the sides too, because the sides were losing their curl when they got too long. I am so glad I got it done before the snow last night.
      Hope you are having a good day. Will you watch the speech tonight? seems like that is all everyone is taking about today.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Gail
      Well, jolly is a very up-beat name for a friend. There are a lot of years between JJ and Aizen too- 7. Aizen’s imaginary friends are the ones who get in trouble too. Jhonny hates it when he says his friend did it. I think that is hysterical. But, I am the grandparent, and not the parent. I think he is afraid he will not accept responsibility for his behaviors. Too bad the parents do not have that “chill out, relax” way of parenting that us grandparents have.
      I think you hit the nail on the head- it was for a child, every time I suggested it and they got the Medicare. Have him check anyway, as who knows, maybe there is some component for an adult dealing with chronic illness.
      That is so cool that you found all those artifacts on your property. I would be fascinated with that. It keeps you connected to the people who were there before you.
      What car are you and Colleen talking about, that is bigger than a Jeep?
      Gotta go, and get the roast in the oven……..
      Have a good night. I can’t wait to see Stephen Colbert’s show after the “big talk” tonight.
      I hope Sue is ok, and that she comes on again soon. Hope DD and Barbara are good today too.
      Adele

    • Dianne Danielson
      Participant
      Post count: 1034

      Hi Barbara,
      I’m sooo very sorry for your pain. When I read your post I had tears in my eyes. Your story about how Colin held your face & kissed you was just precious!
      I’m just so happy you had those 2 days with him. I’ll be praying for you & Jerry, that God wrap you in His arms to comfort you at this time.
      Sending big hugs, & lots of love & prayers for you,
      Love,
      dd
      PS: Yes that was Jewell on the bed.

      Attachments:
    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Gail,
      Her car is an suv but do not know what kind it is. I am ready to get rid of the jeep it is starting to have a lot of problems. I would not mind having hers but it is bigger then the jeep. I will ask Ron tomorrow what kind it is. I think that it is a Chevy but not sure.
      My brother was the only boy out of four girls. He was a little spoiled and still is. My mom spoiled him and so does his wife. It was a shame that they never could have kids. She would have someone other then my brother to take care of.
      It is hard to decide what we want to be when we are young. It is good that you could change your mind and still find something that you wanted to do. You probably did not have rocks in your head you just have to know Kaylee and Ron to understand. They are both a little loony. Kaylee is into making things now, She likes to make necklaces and bracelets also. I do not know how long the rock thing will be important to her.
      That is so cool that you found arrow heads and things like that in your yard. It would have been fun to just dig in the yard to see what you would find. You are right about that being a place where there would be a camping place for the Indians. They would need the stream for water. That would be fun to look that up and see what you could find out.
      The cat is upset and he is a little crazy. He has been since they found him. Someone dumped the mother cat and her kittens out and they kept one of the kittens. I do not know what happened to the rest of them. That cat may have been traumatized when it was little and has never gotten over it.
      Well at least your imaginary friend had a good name and attitude. Jolly was a good name. Jolly must have kept you company all the time and you were never lonely.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a good night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      My daughter enjoyed writing. She was a smart kid and she loved to read. My middle daughter did not like to read but she could make up stories about the books that she was supposed to be reading. She was a character.
      Mom is doing fine. I talked to her the other night and she said that she is staying in the house because of the cold. My brother does her shopping and all of that so she does not have to go out unless she wants to. We will not get up there for awhile because of taking everyone wherever they need to go. That is okay though I talk to her on the phone.
      Your pork roast sounds really good. When we have left over pork we make pulled pork out of it. We either do that or we get some gravy mix and put gravy on it and it is moist that way.
      Your haircut sounds really cute. It is nice when you can fix it yourself and not have to worry about going to the beauty shop to have it done. I had mine cut short and then it has started to get cold again. I am glad that your snow was not too bad this time.
      We did watch the speech tonight. It was really good. I hope that he can do all the things that he wants to do. It will be nice to have all the jobs come back to the states. Did you watch the speech tonight?
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi DD,
      I really like the posts that you put on here tonight. I love the one about Hope and to hang it on the cross. They both are good ones to read and to live by.
      Colleen

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Colleen,
      It seems like everyone in the world has an SUV and then they always park next to me and i cannot see over or around them when I am pulling out of a spot because my car is smaller. We never had an SUV until a year and a half ago when Greg got his. We have to be careful and find one that I can get in and out of. I couldn’t get into and out of Brent’s without a step stool and the same with our pickup-good thing I never need to use that.
      I always thought it was so hard to send an 18 year old off to school and expect them to choose what they want to do for the rest of their lives. It seems like you haven’t lived enough at that point to make that choice. I always say I am 69 and still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up. There are so many more opportunities for girls now to choose a career in anything that they want. It seems like when we were young women were teachers, nurses or secretaries. The girls now can be anything they want and I am so happy for that.
      Kendall is into making things too. I guess because she is getting past the age of toys and is now more into games and kits to make things. And of course they all like their electronic devices.
      You know we tried researching what was on our land in earlier times but they don’t seem to know much about it before the town was built. Maybe we could find out what types of Indian tribes were in the area.
      Speaking of Indians-one time when we were in Albuquerque I wanted to go see the petroglyphs so badly and then when we got out there and I saw the sign that said watch for rattlesnakes on the trail I changed my mind pretty quickly and went back to the car while Greg looked around. lol That reminds me when we were coming back from NM last time there was a rest stop with a sign not to go into the rocks or the grasses as there were rattlers. Believe me when we stopped there I didn’t stray off the side walk and kept my eyes open both inside and out. I never saw that before and I can’t remember where it was-maybe Oklahoma.
      You know one of the clothing lines on the Q had a shirt that said Jolly printed in the front and I just had to buy it as I figured my family would get a charge out of it.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Adele,
      We watched about 5 minutes of the state of the union and that was enough. I said we will get the gist of it on the morning news and won’t have to sit through everyone jumping up and clapping every ten seconds. I hate that. Especially when you see it’s only one side of the room doing it. Maybe they shouldn’t have political parties at all just individuals with their own ideas.
      You can tell Jhonny that i had an invisible friend that i liked to blame things on too and I grew up to be very honest and responsible. However, I can understand his concerns too as I know he doesn’t want Aizen to blame other people for something that he did. Maybe that other person represents the naughty side of us that we don’t want to own up to because we really want to be good.
      I made a roast pork tenderloin Monday night-we must have been on the same wave length. When we have leftover pork I often make my mother’s old recipe for the leftovers that she called rippitty scallion. I boil several potatoes and slice them up and fry them with some onion and cut the pork into small pieces and throw that in until it heats through salt and pepper it all and usually serve with some vegetables or apple sauce.
      Gail

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Colleen
      That is good that your Mom does not go out when it is that cold. the older we get, the less we can tolerate.
      Your daughters sound like they were a scream when they were little. I bet they made you laugh every day. I love the kids with imaginations, as they are fun to be around. They keep you going, and you are always laughing.
      I can’t tell you how thrilled I am I made the decision to get the hair cut. Everything falls so nicely when it is freshly cut.
      I did watch the speech. It would be great if he can stick to what he said, and not go crazy every day with his threats and tweets. I am amazed he did not do a tweet that ticked everyone off today. Maybe…….. hope against hope, he is learning what it means to be the president. There is always hope.
      Who will you root for this Sunday? I have been planning my menu- I want to do chicken wings, cocktail franks, aka, pigs in a blanket, for Gary, and maybe popcorn. I should make a cookie, or something too. Just not sure yet. Do you have anything planned?
      We are getting 2 more chances for snow y the end of the week. Not a lot, I hope.
      Hope you are all having a good night! Will you buy your daughter’s suv, or is it too big?
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Gail
      That recipe for left over pork sounds good. Colleen said they make pulled pork with their leftover pork, but she did not say how she did it. I have only seen pulled pork recipes for the crock pot, and they cook a long time. I will have to ask her.
      I watched the entire speech. It was hard to listen as it was very long. I hope he keeps to task, and starts to act more like a president of all the people, instead of only the ones who voted for him. i am also hoping the threats and tweets stop.
      I will have to tell Jhonny that story- he will laugh, for sure.
      So, Enzo took the test for the Post Office, and he got a job in our local branch. He is not sure he will like it, as they make you work hundreds of hours for the first 2 years. Jhonny did his 2 years of being a temp, and now he works only 5 days. It took a lot of effort and perseverance for Jhonny to get to the permanent position. I hope Enzo can do it too. But his personality is very different from Jhonny’s calm, quiet one. Enzo is more “out there.” Enzo is very likable, so that works in his favor too. He is always laughing.

      DD
      Love your posters. Especially the one that is a phone directory.
      Hope you are good, and that your weather is cooperating with you getting out to see your friend. Have you heard any more on how she is doing? I am praying for her every night, and for you, too.

      My eyes are hurting, as i have been working on the taxes all day, and they are getting sore…..
      Adele

    • Barbara Smith
      Participant
      Post count: 418

      Just wanted to drop by and say hello to everyone. Gail, I know you and Greg feel like going to NM and stomp your feet until that doctor gives you all some definitive answers to what is bothering Brent. I am so happy he has someone close so he is able to share his thoughts and concerns with. I think we as parents or of people we care about, just want answers so we can help our loved ones. How is your friend, DD? hope she is doing better. Sorry to hear about the dental problems Adlele and Gail. Isn’t it just mind blowing how expensive dental work of any kind is nowadays? I also have some looming on the horizon; but it is so expensive that we just have to pace the procedures out; since Jerry has some needs as well.
      We are due for more cold this weekend, but mabey some will miss us. Our wind blowed so hard today.
      I know this is short but all of you and your families are in my prayers. I just can’t seem to shake some things that are happening now; and it is just too hard to put things out of my mind right now. I know we are so blessed, and I really feel selfish knowing how fortunate we are, but please just bear with me and pray for us as I am doing that the good Lord will soften hearts and show us the way. Take care everyone, and hopefully I will be feeling better soon. Hugs to all, Barbara

    • Dianne Danielson
      Participant
      Post count: 1034

      Hi Ladies,
      Well, I was in the middle of a post & it disappeared. I don’t know how Kay is right now. She won’t answer her phone so I haven’t been able to talk to her. Her sister works so I don’t hear much from her during the week. Last I heard she’ll be in the rehab center for a couple more weeks. She’s lost a lot of weight. and they need to get her to where she can get around by herself, & regain her strength. she weighs in at 94 lbs. If I weighed in at that much I’d look like skin over bones, anorexic. but she’s short & petite.
      Barbara, I’m so sorry you’re in so much pain. the best thing I can tell ya is to give it over to the Lord & let Him deal with it as ONLY He can. It won’t be easy to do, but it works.
      It appears our winter is long gone. We’re in for warmer temps over the next few days. I hope the ground hog doesn’t see his shadow on Friday. that means an early spring, doesn’t it? I get it mixed up.
      I didn’t listen to the speech the other night, I never do. It’s a waste of air time in my opinion. I don’t like politics anyway. I thought maybe things would change for the better, but alas I was wrong. When he started sounding like a dictator, that was it for me.
      Any plans for Valentines Day? Obviously I don’t have any since I don’t have a valentine. Well, I do but she has 4 legs & lots of fur. she wouldn’t know or care. LOL
      Well, I better close before I lose this one again.
      dd

      Attachments:
    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Gail,
      I think that Mandy is going to get the suv so we will not. I am not sure what we will get but every time I need a new car Ron needs a new truck. So that is what we will probably get instead. He is driving me crazy.
      I know what you mean about not being sure what you want to be when you grow up. It is so sad that we cannot pursue another career now. Do not think that any one would hire me at this time of life. lol It will be nice to be able to do something else right now just to show myself that I can. I am really having a pity party now. I go thru this every once in awhile and do not know why.
      Kids seem to be good at making things now. They do have a lot of things for little girls to make. I can remember those pot holder makers that they use to have when we were kids. They were fun for awhile but then after awhile our mom’s could not use any more pot holders. lol I guess we could have taken them apart and made them over again.
      You would probably have to find out what types of Indians lived in that area at that time. Then maybe you could go from there. It would take a lot of research and it could prove to be interesting. Do they have any place where they have the history of the town and things from when the pilgrims were there? That would be one good place to start. Then the internet would be another place. That would be something that would take for ever to get done. I still am trying to find out all the information about the lead miners that lived in this area. They have an interesting history.
      I do not blame you for not wanting to go out where there are snakes. It is better to stay where it is safe. One thing that you need when you go to places like that you have to have a sturdy walking stick. Not so much for walking but for whacking things that might hurt you.
      That is funny that the shirt had jolly printed on it. That would never happen again. It is funny that you got it. Do you still have it?
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      Sorry I should have told you how we do it. I take a fork and pull all the pork apart. Then I put it in a pan with bbq sauce and let it cook. I let it cook until it is heated all the way thru. and the meat takes the flavor of the sauce. It usually is really moist and tastes pretty good.
      Our girls were something else when they were little. Danyielle was our trouble maker. She always acted like she was so innocent but she always started all the trouble. Mandy would do what ever she told her to. One day she fed Mandy calamine lotion and we had to give her that stuff to make her sick. It was awful. They did things like that all the time. We spent more time calling poison control. We should have had them on speed dial. Another thing that they would do is eat my deodorant. They were rolling it on their tongues and at least the kind I used was not dangerous. So they survived that one. Danyielle was always playing doctor and Mandy was always the patient. That poor kid never learned.
      We will not be rooting for anyone. We do not watch foot ball. We will have the game day food but that is about it. My daughter and the grands do not want to watch it either. We may watch some of the commercials and that will be the big event for us. We may dvr it and just watch the commercial and skip thru the game. lol The things that you are making sound really good. We are going to make hot wings and am not sure what else we will have. Will figure that out before we go to the store.
      How is Tillie doing? I hope that she is doing okay in her new chair now and is really comfortable.
      well that is about all from here, Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Posting on new February thread everyone! See you there.
      Gail

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Barbara
      Glad to hear from you, and sad that you are not feeling your usual cheery self. You are always in my prayers every night, and will always be there, for whatever you are dealing with on any given day.
      Some hurts just take time, as they go very deep, and it is hard to recover when we are hurt to our souls. That being said, I know you will recover, because you are a strong woman, and a kind and caring one. that is probably why it hurts so bad.
      We are having more snow or ice tomorrow morning. So, Marissa did a BJ’s run for me today, and I had her get meat for a beef stew. Your stew last week inspired me to make one….LOL
      I also have chicken wings marinating in the fridge for Sunday. I have found the best tasting marinade is the old fashioned Good Seasons’s Italian dressing mix- the one you mix fresh in the cruet you buy from their line. I used to bake them and then broil them. But, now with the convection roast ode on this oven, I do no have to do 2 processes. We are also having Gary’s favorite- Pigs in a Blanket. Other than that, it will be the new Steakhouse flavor of beans from Bush’s beans, some kind of a salad, and some pretzels and popcorn. I hope you and Jerry have some goodies planned.
      I hope you are feeling a little bit Bette, and stronger each day, and that you get this awful hurt behind you.
      Love, Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi DD
      It is very hard to listen to all the hate filled speeches, blaming everyone who was ever in office, from George Washington, to Obama. Very hard.
      I am ashamed to say, my friend Nancy and I are getting addicted to the news, and praying for a solution for everyone in the great land,not just a few. Nancy had to drive her son to work today, and i was about to shower. She called and said I had TV duty, until she got back, just in case we kissed anything….LOL Nancy’s sister is barely speaking to any of her children, as they voted for # 45.
      Have you seen our Kane’s donuts on the news? they have bet a donut shop in Pennsylvania on the Super Bowl. The loser has to send donuts to the winner. I wonder if the Penn. donut shop charges 26.00 or 27.00 a dozen….LOL
      I think you gave very kind advice to Barbara. You are a good person. We are grateful to have you on here.
      I also love your uplifting photos and posters. We all need those!
      We have no plans for Valentine’s day.
      I hope Kay is able to get stronger. Such an awful thing to feel that weak.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Colleen
      That sounds good too, and simple-just like Gail’s.
      You know, Marissa could not find any turkey breast, with the bone in, or chicken with the bone in, at BJ’s today. I am almost out of the bone in chicken breasts I use for soups. the butcher told her they rarely get turkey breast. Seriously???? He said the chicken was coming in tomorrow. I guess I will only be making one more pot of soup….LOL
      All everyone here is yacking about is the game. Even the donut shop is in the middle of the Super Bowl- see my post to Barbara and DD.
      Your daughters sound so funny. they must have tortured each other for years. I thought only the boys did stuff like that. Do you all talk about those times when you are together? I bet those conversions are real amusing.
      I will go over to the February page Gail started……
      Adele

Viewing 206 reply threads
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
Share on Facebook
Facebook
Pin on Pinterest
Pinterest
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter
Email this to someone
email

Share this with a Smile
X Close
Watch QVC
top finds links QVC LIVE QVC PLUS QVC UK
X Close
Watch
      QVC
top finds links QVC LIVE QVC PLUS QVC UK