Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Yes, I'm tired of this cold weather!






Wanna dance Solar?

182 comments:

Ivy Green said...

That face says it all! Heck with Winter 'lympics...a sled dog Maggie is not! lol

Carol said...

Anyone's welcome to come up with a new post. We were getting close to going over. Maggie didn't have much to say. She's got a case of the winter blues.

Ivy Green said...

Carol,
Why would we not want to keep this thread up? It's fur-fect!

Carol said...

It does kinda sum up how we're all feeling.

Ivy Green said...

Maggie's coat does have a blue tinge to it.

Anonymous said...

Carol, Ivy's right, it is fur-fect. Another new word, I love it.

She is just too cute for words Carol. What a doll.

Anonymous said...

Right before it got dark, we started getting more snow and the ground was starting to actually turn white. I read there's supposed to be an inch of snow on the ground in the morning - I can't believe it. It will burn off fairly early tomorrow, because it's going to be sunny, but still, it's going to be a sight to see when we wake up.

They predict 31 tonight, last I checked.
Snow falls north of Houston; could turn to ice overnight

Anonymous said...

You're right Carol, it does sum up how I'm feeling - I want to crawl under a blanket and hide, which I'm about to do in a few minutes. I'll be under there with a good book.

It's cute the way Maggie has one ear up and the other down.

Ivy Green said...

What is that paw doing sticking straight up? Is that a distress signal?

Carol said...

Maggie snuggled up in her blankey beside me on the couch and I took the pic with Iphony.

Anonymous said...

... wonder where Maggie's dance partner is?

Ivy Green said...

Oh wait, that's an ear?

Carol said...

That's an ear Ivy.

Carol said...

Maggie misses Solar. Not hearing from him makes her sad.

Anonymous said...

.... maybe she thinks Solar doesn't love her any more.

Carol said...

Yep, Maggie and all her friends do.

I took a look outside, no snow, and all we got is rain and bird poop.

Ivy Green said...

I got a "conflicting edits" message...I guess I wasn't supposed to put up my slightly risque comment.

Carol said...

Try again Ivy. We something to perk us up.

Carol said...

That was suppose to be we need something to perk us up.

Anonymous said...

Ivy, Copy your post, then reload the page again, after which you'll paste the post into the box and hit post comment again.

I'm beat tonight. See you guys tomorrow.

Ivy Green said...

Chloe,
It was too late to copy it...once it went to conflicting edits, I pushed the back button but it was erased.

Ivy Green said...

It is very jumpy tonight...I didn't even push the post button on the above and it went...

Ivy Green said...

It's so nice to be folding clothes again...even Hubs' socks...and I hate pairing socks.

Ivy Green said...

Hubs finally got home to have a vent-cleaning discussion. Mary, Hubs agrees with you, he thinks he can clean that vent from the dryer to the outside. He's skeptical about the whole system clean. Where's Solar? We need our man about the house...

jan said...

Ivy, what a beautiful pome by Wordsworth. Reading it makes me feel like I am sitting outside in nature just taking in all the sounds and smells and sights

jan said...

feel like I have been gone for a week, but reading back, its only been a couple of days. Had to get my head straight about some family issues that happened over the weekend. I needed to have some good thinking time.

It is so good to hear people here say there are issues of no interest to them and so they don't comment on them. This is true of me too. I won't say what I am and am not interested in because that changes from day to day. But if I don't comment it does not necessarily mean I am Not interested - just don't have anything to say.

It is great to come

jan said...

It is great to come back and see all of you here. Where the heck is Don?

jan said...

Chloe, your temp is about the same as here - but in the am it is in the '20's here. We are having another cold blast this week. We had some great sunny days here for a couple of weeks.

Ivy, my grandson and his wife live close to loveland. Sounds like a great place to visit. I think in the spring we will go visit them. They have the cutest baby boy. I enjoyed him so much this weekend

jan said...

Mary, I am anxious to hear about your son and if they are having a girl or boy.

jan said...

Carol, is that Maggie's paw or ear sticking straight up? My eyes are not getting any younger.

Carol said...

Jan, that's her ear. Her little feet are smaller.

Carol said...

Here's my lazy link Ivy.

http://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Clothes-Dryer-Vent

Carol said...

Didn't think there would be much controversy with a Maggie pic post but that ear sticking up may have been a little over the top. LOL

Carol said...

Now if I put up a pic of Maggie and her paw is sticking up like that, send help, someone has just held us up at gun point.

Carol said...

I'm getting a little giddy now. Must be time for bed.

Carol said...

Glad to see you're OK Jan. Hope whatever you're worried about turns out OK also. Now we just have to worry about Coreen and Solar. Didn't have a kitty pic to put up to draw you out Coreen.

Here kitty, kitty, kitty.

jan said...

Carol, its just that the end of her ear looks like a little paw with toenails - or maybe I am hallucinating

jan said...

Anybody watch the girls sing on Idol tonight? I like the quirky girls like Lily (played on the street to make a living) and the one who plays guitar and harp and has the little kid, and the one with the strange name Siohan or something like that. Tomorrow night the guys sing.

Carol said...

Woke up with a little tummy problem this morning. Will be going in a little late this morning.

No snow here and our weatherman said he was pretty sure we'd have at least a dusting of the stuff by morning. I'm not disappointed because a dusting could pose a fall hazzard with my decks and steps out here.

Carol said...

Did any of you guys hear that woman's testimony yesterday about how her Lexus took off at 100mph down the Interstate. Just listening to her describe that experience made me sick. I can't believe that nothing she tried slowed that car down. I didn't hear her mention hitting the emergency brake. What would have happened if she would have done that? What a nightmare.

I have a Tundra but it is an older one, 2002. I hope there is no way it would do that especially driving down my river road that has many curves. Any acceleration above 20mph would be lights out for me.

Toyota used to have one of the best reputations. I wouldn't have a new one even if they gave it to me.

Carol said...

Senators Wyden and Gregg, a R and D of Oregon have an interesting new Tax Code change proposal. Sounds like a good idea. It might pull some of those offshore jobs back home. I think that is one of the biggest causes of our unemployment problem.

But because it's a good idea, it will never fly with those idiots in legislature. They are afraid of any good ideas.

Carol said...

Well, let me amend my comment. Noone in our government wants to stick their neck out to propose any new changes or to even vote for them because it is impossible to predict ahead of time if the change will work or to even judge if the change had any influence after it is instituted. Better to sit on your hands than risk losing a piece of a finger.

Obama may have inherited this mess but he now owns it and may end up wearing it for the duration of his reign.

jan said...

Carol, hope you are feeling better.

Anonymous said...

Jan, Glad to see you back this morning, and hope your problems are being solved. Carol, I hope you're feeling better too, and that things go well at work.

Not a flake of snow on the ground when we woke up this morning. A gloriously beautiful sunny, calm, crisp day - not a cloud in the sky and it's blue and clear beyond description.


.... this is interesting (and a picture 'is' worth a thousand words, so I've heard): Health Care compared

Solar said...

Maggie, I was going to ask U do dance, but was afraid to get turned down....I hated when that happened at the dances we used to go to......see some good looking girl, walk about a mile across the dance floor...somehow that one girl, the target knew that you were on your way to invade her space....

We used to go to a lot of dances...every week; at one place or another...at school they called them sock-hops...there was this girl (sue) that I asked about 12 times..she always turned me down...she finally asked me ,that if I danced with her, that maybe I could leave her alone...we went out for about 6 months...she was a looker..but not to smart..I like the brain as well as the looks...Maggie looks like that...she would turn me down just so I could "beg" her and get turned down; time after time...but I would trick her and just ask her to go for a WALK....

Ivy, Absolutely no way that U should not be able to clean that little line that goes from the dryer to the outside...or just replace it...they don't cost that much....and it has nothing at all to do with your AC vents that do need cleaning from time to time.....now is a good time to get a special on it...ac guys should be looking for the work. I sounds like those guys were looking for some side job...and some easy cash...

Coreen, had to shovel some wet snow yesterday, and again today...not as cold....hang in there, this will all be over soon...promise.!!

Anonymous said...

Ivy, Those instructions that Carol left for you and hubs regarding how the clean the dryer vent sure are thorough. I guess that part about removing the piece on the back of the dryer was what he meant by system clean (reaching in and removing lint).

Don't know if anyone here is interested in Greenspan's opinion, but here is an article about it if they are:

Greenspan: U.S. recovery "extremely unbalanced

"WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said on Tuesday the U.S. economic recovery was "extremely unbalanced," driven largely by high earners benefiting from recovering stock markets and large corporations.

Small businesses and the jobless are still suffering from the aftermath of a credit crunch that was "by far the greatest financial crisis, globally, ever" -- including the 1930s Great Depression, said Greenspan in an address to a Credit Union National Association conference." Greenspan: U.S. recovery "extremely unbalanced

Anonymous said...

No one would ever mind you invading their space Solar. I'm sure of it.

Dang, Solar finally shows up and Emma decides to get fussy. I'll check back in a little later.

Solar said...

Hi Chloe,

Greenspan should just go away and keep quiet...the health chart is a good one....will email that to my nephew, that spouts all of the Republican talking points against it....I don't see the economy recovering for some time to come...as for this new and improved health plan...just more talk imo....I kept saying last year around nov, dec, that b/c of all the back room deals...that Obama should scrap it all. He should have concentrated on the economy....

jan said...

Chloe, I copied the link to "health care compared" for one of my classes. We are discussing this very thing in the course I teach- especially related to health care for women and children. Thanks for putting up that link.

jan said...

Hi Solar, we called them sock hops when I was in school too. My teen age years were pretty fun. I was lucky to live in a small town. We had a place called "teen town" that held dances or sock hops for teens most friday nights.

jan said...

Solar, so Sue kept turning you down when you asked her to dance and then after she danced with you she went out with you for 6 months. That must have been quite a dance :)

Solar said...

Jan,

I don't even remember her name....I call every girl that ever gave me trouble Sue...I was engaged to a Sue when I was in boot camp...when I got out...she was married already..to some other not so lucky guy...he came along just in the nick of time...she was the only Sue that I went out with.....

We did not dance at all...we argued a little about my insistence...and just asked her out...I figured that she was putting on a show...(hey.!! Coreen...remember that song, girl-watcher??) for her girlfriends....there were always some pinks turning us guys down, just to see us sweat...

Worked with a guy that knew her well...about 20yrs later....told me that she wanted to know how I was doing,,what and with whom...told him that I gave her one good drunk (lots of Patsy Cline music on the j. box) and one good hang over...that's all that I give out...when it's over it's over...can't understand some guys that "Fall to Pieces" now that was a song to drink by......

Coreen, lots of good songs, im playing here....wanna dance??

Solar said...

about three inches of snow....later

Coreen said...

Maggie sure looks like a real content little girl....she has a good family....

Just about 2" of slushy snow yesterday, rain today...But...tomorrow may prove to be a bit of a problem....wait & see.....

And Solar the o'kaysions did 'I'm a girl watcher'...& kinda know that you were/are one
too....

There is breaking news that a whale killed a trainer at Seaworld this p.m. (in front of a crowd) not sure what happened yet, but it apparently grabbed her & pulled her under....

Well, this can replace cable talk about tiger,
& now charlie Sheen, for awhile....

Coreen said...

A first report on the Seaworld accident.

Orlando Seaworld whale kills trainer

Carol said...

Hi Coreen. Nice to see ya.

That is so sad about the trainer and the whale but they are called killer whales even though most only eat fish. The transient whales do eat small mammals. Maybe it is time we quit exploiting our WILD life for profit and entertainment. I hope nothing horrible is done to the whale. I can't believe that this whale had a similar accident before and was allowed to be used in a show.

What did Wordsworth's pome say?
"Have I not reason to lament
What Man has made of Man?"

And worse yet, what man has done to other species.

Carol said...

And for Greenspan, I don't listen to anything he has to say. He was given an award recently, "The Dynamite Prize in Economics".

"The once-lauded Federal Reserve chairman has been awarded the "Dynamite Prize In Economics" by his fellow economists, according to the blog Real-World Economics Review. The blog solicited votes for the economists most responsible for the financial crisis from its 11,000 subscribers -- most of which, the blog claims, are economists.

Finishing second was Milton Freidman, the staunch free market advocate (3,349 votes), followed by Lawrence Summers (3,023 votes), Obama's chief economic adviser and former president of Harvard."

Alan Greenspan Wins 'Dynamite Award' For Economist Who Did Most To Fuel The Financial Crisis

Coreen said...

There was a time when Alan Greenspan was the most powerful man on the planet, the true master of the universe...When I listened to him speak in those years, I often
wondered am I hearing him in some foreign language since his observations, to me, where
the most incomprehensible bunch of nonsense...I thought he spoke in double-talk....now I know it wasnt' me...but oh how
the world just bought in to it all....

Coreen said...

And if you want to talk about money, for those 'Idol' watchers....the monetary rewards that being an 'American Idol' winner or even one the 'losers' can earn...

Idol winners get to cash in

Carol said...

And Solar, we don't have any Sue's here. At least none that we are aware of. If we did, I'm sure they would want to dance with you. Nice to see ya.

Carol said...

Ivy, do you have laundry folder's elbow yet? A little ice will help.

Carol said...

I took a look at my dryer vent today. Mine isn't as sophisticated as the one I linked last night. It is the simple little round tube with a little hood and flapper. It looked simple enough to clean out. Just stick the flexible part of the vacuum hose in there and suck. It's best to do the sucking with the vacuum cleaner.

Ivy Green said...

Carol,
No, but I do have something wrong with my left shoulder. It's been killin me for months. I am finally going to see about it tomorrow.

Hubs says our dryer vents out through the roof. One more household function that I know little to nothing about, and take so much for granted.

Ivy Green said...

Sled dog story on NBC...Maggie, you watchin'?

Ivy Green said...

How do their paws not freeze?

Carol said...

Dang, are you sure the lent filters out the roof? That's weird. That would make your vent coil very long and complicated and going uphill. Where is your dryer, in the attic?

I'm certainly no expert but I would think that most dryers vents go right thru the wall to the outside. The few I've seen do.

I think some of those dogs do wear little booties. And Maggie finds just trotting down the road for a short distance too strenuous.

Where does your shoulder hurt? Have you ever injured it?

jan said...

Coreen, thanks for the link to the $$$$ article on the financial rewards of being on American Idol. I am a long-term idol fan. I missed the first season only.

jan said...

Solar, how come you never ask me to dance? I like to dance too. I know, I am a great grandmother and you think I am too old - well, I can tell you there are still a few dances left in this great grandmother, you young whippersnapper :)

jan said...

The story of the whale is both very sad, and interesting. Usually when an an animal, whether wild or domestic kills a person, they are usually destroyed. I am not suggesting this be done. I think the most humane thing would be to put the whale out into the wild again - norway or some way.

Ivy Green said...

There are all kinds of pipes sticking out of our roof...Hubs will have to get out there and see if he can figure which one may be for the dryer...I don't know how I feel about him getting out on the roof...wait, no, I know exactly how I feel about him getting on the roof... :(

Carol said...

I wouldn't let him get on the roof Ivy. It's dangerous up there. If your vent system is that complicated, $150 might be cheap. Much cheaper than a fall.

Ivy Green said...

The Sea World accident is terrible...as horrendous as it is, can you imagine if it was a spectator or a child that had been attacked, not a trainer? Been to Sea Worlds multiple times and seen audience members invited up to pet Shamu...this will be a workers' compensation claim...audience member would be liability.

Carol said...

Blowing lent uphill doesn't sound like a great plan unless you have a supersonic blower on your dryer. Most of it would be heavy enough to stay close to the dryer. If I was going to attempt any cleaning, I'd just detach the vent from the dryer and vacuum that end. Most of the excess lent might be close to the dryer. Ask Solar.

Ivy Green said...

Yes, Carol, our roof is about 30 feet there and steep pitched...not a place for amateurs.

Solar said...

Ivy,

checking in again, and want to tell you that the only pipes that go thru the roof, are vent pipes for the water system...it takes the Oder of the toilets, sinks, bathtubs....no not hubs.......tubs. there is a small 3-4 ft flexible vent that goes from the back of the dryer...a shiny sliver one, and goes thru the wall...into the back yard..or the side of the house......drop that ladder....now.!!

Carol said...

You tell her Solar!

Solar said...

Jan,

Been fixing too, but never know when you are around....do u know how to do the step, and a half?

Ivy, Take a look at the rear of your dryer...it has a clasp around the hose...take t he it off..and put your hand in the hole...this will tell you what you need to clean it...anything will do..99.9 % of the lint is in the filter that you clean else where anyway...don't worry about it...it was just a hustlel!!

Carol said...

Solar, if your vehicle was going 100mph, out of control, like those Toyotas, and nothing else worked, would it be dangerous to hit the emergency brake?

Carol said...

That lady doing the testifing yesterday mentioned she tried everything else to stop her car but I can't remember if she mentioned trying her emergency brake. She said she even put her transmission in reverse.

Ivy Green said...

Solar,
I'm confused about how and where my dryer vent goes outside...the laundry room is located in the interior of the main level and is surrounded by other living spaces. The dryer wall is actually on the other side of my toidy room 'cuz its vibration sometimes moves pictures on the wall...lol

Solar said...

Carol,

The only thing to do would be to put it in neutral, and keep pumping the brakes, keep a cool head...try to get to the slow lane, and look for any opportunity to use the road...dirt, gravel, or coast until stopped.....trk drivers are always on the alert for an emergency stop...

I wish that some smart democrat would take advantage and take a look at the amount of people that die b/c of medical mistakes, the wrong perscription....and take a look at the medicines that are not safe...don't care what the fda, said about it...lot more there too worry about imo....

Ivy Green said...

Solar,
I like your "simple solution."

Ivy Green said...

How did the lady get her car stopped and live to tell about it?

Ivy Green said...

My bro has a Prius. I guess it's lucky he never took it out of his garage. He rides his bike to work. lol

Solar said...

Ivy, than don't worry about it...it is connected to the vent that is usually for the vent line..for the odors...but if U, or your husband wanted to see where it was..just find the line from the rear of the dryer, and follow it.!!

Carol said...

Solar, once, as a learning experience for my students in the hospital, I randomly selected several charts from the rack and checked for medicine errors and those were just charting errors. Every chart I selected had at least one. Scary.

The number of people injured or killed by medical errors is significant. Those statistics probably are available but probably won't include all that actually occur. Some you just don't know about.

Solar said...

Carol,

Just saying that there are probably more things to worry about...they are making a big deal...wich it is...about this Toyota pedals...but not nearly as dangerous as what the big med corps do..and ..now would be a good time to let the truth out...

Carol said...

I bet a significant number of people, especially older people, are taking the medication incorrectly at home. It amazes me that more people don't die from it.

I had a friend whose grandma was taking three different doses of a fairly potent old thorazine like drug. It was used for treating anxiety years back. Her doc kept reducing the dose so she had several bottles of the drug in different strengths in her medicine cabinet. She was taking one of each dose. I'm surprised grandma could actually lift her head off her pillow. I would bet that more than half of our elderly population are taking their medications incorrectly. People should check out their elderly parents or friends medications.

Carol said...

Solar, I just like to be prepared ahead of time, just in case. I don't always think well when I'm in a full blown panic. In medical situations I can but not with much else.

jan said...

Solar, this Sue would dance with you. I don't think I have heard of the step and a half. I do most of my dancin by myself.

jan said...

Watched the guys on Idol tonight. Not impressed.

Watched several news programs about the whale. One person said there have not been any new captures of whales for Sea World or other such programs since 1993 (I think that was the year). I hope captures of whales for these purposes have ended. It is sad to keep these intelligent creatures in such small spaces.

Mary said...

Jan,
The girls last night on Idle were much better than the guys tonight. It's time for a female to win Idle so this may be the year.

Carol said...

Solar, you are right about the Toyota thing being not as important as the other problems we face in this country, health care and financial reform. How many people affected with the car stuff? Don't know but now that people know about the safety issue, hopefully they won't buy a vehicle until they feel comfortable that the problem has been resolved.

Carol said...

There was something on the Ratigan show about this new fuel cell technology that can generate cheap energy. It this thing could really work, I wonder how much they will offer the founder of this technology to bury it? I have pondered just how many ideas may have been buried over the years to keep our reliance on sources of energy controlled by the powerful.

Carol said...

WHO ranks our health care quality in the US as being #37 but don't feel bad, we are number #1 in others aspects...

#1 in cost of health care(as Chloe's map pointed out
#1 in deaths from preventable causes

Ratigan, yesterday, had both the Repubs and Dems decked out as puppets with their attached control strings representing the insurance industry, big pharma, and doctors. There were two strings noticably missing, the patient and the taxpayor.

Carol said...

And the headline on Huff Post...

"OBAMA MAY RELENT ON CONSUMER PROTECTION AGENCY" Anyone surprised?

jan said...

Mary, I agree. The only guy that was memorable was the cute one with the longer blonde hair. He will surely be back. Oh yes, Big Mike too. Makes me wonder if the judges don't try to control who will win (whether girl or guy) by their choices early in the season.

Anonymous said...

Dawn Brancheau's sister said that Dawn would not have want anything done to the whale (that she loved, by the way). The trainer near her said the whale jumped up and grabbed her pony tail, and swam off with her (I don't think the whale meant to kill her - who knows what he thought that pony tail was - it is all so sad, a horrible accident...)

"Brancheau's older sister, Diane Gross, said the trainer wouldn't want anything done to the whale because she loved the animals like children. The trainer was married and didn't have children.

"She loved the whales like her children, she loved all of them," said Gross, of Schererville, Ind. "They all had personalities, good days and bad days."

Gross said the family viewed her sister's death as an unfortunate accident, adding: "It just hasn't sunk in yet."

Dawn was the youngest of six children who grew up near Cedar Lake, Indiana. Her passion for marine life began at the age of nine, Gross said, on a family trip to Sea World.

According to a profile of Brancheau in the Sentinel in 2006, she was one of SeaWorld Orlando's leading trainers. Brancheau worked her way into a leadership role at Shamu Stadium during her career with SeaWorld, starting at the Sea Lion & Otter Stadium before spending 10 years working with killer whales, the newspaper said.

She also addressed the dangers of the job.

"You can't put yourself in the water unless you trust them and they trust you," Brancheau said.

Billy Hurley, chief animal officer at the Georgia Aquarium_ the world's largest — said there are inherent dangers to working with orcas, just as there are with driving race cars or piloting jets.

"In the case of a killer whale, if they want your attention or if they're frustrated by something or if they're confused by something, there's only a few ways of handling that," he said. "If you're right near pool's edge and they decide they want a closer interaction during this, certainly they can grab you."

And, he added: "At 12,000 pounds there's not a lot of resisting you're going to do." http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-general/20100224/US.SeaWorld.Death/

.... Just wanted to say hi. I have a busy day and may not be back 'til this evening.
Have a great day everyone.

Solar said...

Chloe,

Thanks for the additional information about the killer whale...If one thinks about it in the way that u said..it makes more sense...This trainer, and her family have the right attitude imo.....even in the construction trade....we have people die every day...there is one thing that I would do tho....get rid of this whale...is it that they make so much money of it...that it wasn't let go...the first ti me that it harmed someone??

finished my am work, and it looks like another 4 inches of snow....later

Solar said...

Not impressed with the health care summit meeting today...would have liked to have seen the back room deals that were made...

jan said...

Chloe, thanks for posting the link to the article about the whale. It is such a tragic accident. I do hope the whale is not destroyed.

jan said...

Chloe, again, thanks for all the infor on the trainer that was killed. It almost sounds like the whale was playing - he grabbed her ponytail. It is interesting that someone reported the whales seemed frustrated that day.

jan said...

Mary, I know you and I will be watching Idol tonight. You get it earlier than me so don't tell me who gets kicked off. I am hour earlier than you. I taped the Bonnie Hunt show today and she had Katherine McPhee on. Do you remember her? She was the runner up about 2 years ago. Taylor Hicks beat her. I thought she was much better than Taylor Hicks but he was popular with the ladies. My sister thought he was great. She doesn't recognize a good voice Ha Ha :))

Carol said...

I love to go to zoos and really enjoyed Seaworld also. And I'm sure the trainer would not want this animal destroyed but I'm conflicted about this situation.

I think it may be time to send Mr. Orcy back to his pod if that can be done safely. He now has three kills under his belt. Nature is trying to tell us something here and it may be send Orcy home.

Carol said...

Ivy, what did you find out about your shoulder? Did you get it injected? Ouch.

Carol said...

Ever wonder what it would be like to belong in an environment the size of the ocean and be forced to live in a swimming pool? I just bet I'd be cranky.

Carol said...

And almost every time I go up to visit the PNW, I schedule a whale watching boat trip to go watch the Orcas out in THEIR environment. I've sat for hours on the bluffs on San Juan Island several times and watched them play with their family. It was a fantastic experience. Everyone should try to do it.

Ivy Green said...

Hey Jan,
Taylor Hicks is one of our ol' home boys...you can be out and about and see him anywhere - Miss College saw him at lunch one day at P.F. Chang's...and some of Hubs' guitar buds are band buds of Taylor's...this is a small town still and everybody knows everybody...or at least everybody knows somebody who knows someone who knows everybody. lol

Ivy Green said...

carol,
My doctor is baffled, so he's sending me to "the shoulder man."

Ivy Green said...

Carol,
What is the "PNW?"

Ivy Green said...

Oh, wait...Miss College may be moving there...lol

Carol said...

Pacific Northwest Ivy. I thought Ms. College was going to the ANE.

jan said...

Ivy, my apologies for dissing Taylor Hicks. I did not remember where he was from. Taylor seemed like a really nice guy. What I love about Idol is it gives small town people a chance at realizing their dreams. Of course, some get their dreams dashed too.

jan said...

Carol, I agree - how sad to take these intelligent amazing creatures and put them in these small pools and also take them away from their families.

jan said...

P.S. Katherine McPhee did not get her dreams dashed. She is writing songs and singing and married a producer, I think. She has her hair blonde now. I liked it better dark. She is singing with the new group that did a remake of "We are the People."

jan said...

Opps - "We are the world" not "...the people" The memory is slipping.

jan said...

Ivy, did they talk about "bursitis" in your shoulder?

jan said...

I knew what PNW was - but what is ANE?

Ivy Green said...

Jan,
No problem about Taylor...I liked Katherine too and probably would have voted for her if our "homie" hadn't been a finalist. Idol has been such a success, it seems anyone who gets screen time can turn that into a career if they want to.

Carol said...

Atlanta Northeast Jan. Never heard it referred to as that.

Ivy Green said...

Jan,
I had thought "bursitis" when it first began to hurt. But's been since August and it's not improving, it's getting worse...I am afraid to lift any of the dogs for fear of dropping them...we'll see what "Dr. Shoulder" has to say.

Ivy Green said...

Carol,
Miss College has applications still outstanding in addition to her early acceptance at the school in MA. I don't know what they have up in PNW, but I'd said to Hubs, if she moves to Mass and settles there, at least she'll probably have health insurance. The way Alabama is going, there might not be enough left for it to remain a state.

Carol said...

Just made myself a pretty interesting pizza. I dreamed it up while shopping at Wally World last weekend. Got some pizza dough mix, made my dough. Coated it with EVOO and baked it for 5 minutes. Added marinara sauce, a thick layer of fresh spinach, a layer of artichoke hearts, not marinated, a few pepperoni, a thin layer of 5 pizza cheese and topped with feta. It's pretty darn good. Maggie likes it too.

Carol said...

The PNW is a wonderful place to visit, in the summer/early fall. Wouldn't want to live there all year.

What do ya'll think about them firing the entire faculty/staff at that school up north? Can't believe that everyone was bad. They ought to also fire those who made that decision.

Ivy Green said...

That sounds good, Carol, and healthy too. Does Maggie get sauce?

Growing up, we had a dachshund, and the dachshund always got leftovers from the unfinished plates. One night, all us kids made "sunshine plates" of our spaghetti suppers, so there were no plate-scrapings. Instead, we tried to feed the dog a fresh plate of spaghetti from the pot. We were baffled that he just sat and stared at it. Then it hit me...he's used to the Parmesan cheese we sprinkle on our individual plates...so I shook a little cheese on his serving, and he gulped it right down. lol

Ivy Green said...

Carol,
I didn't hear all the details, but the teachers were asking for raises even though they had poor student test scores and a 50% graduation rate. Sounded a bit like "union busting" to me.

Carol said...

Ivy, did you ever injure that shoulder? Maybe you have a torn rotator cuff.

Carol said...

Don't you think that there must have been some dedicated, competent teachers on that faculty? Who do you think will want to apply for a job there?

Shark filled tank burst in Dubai. Feels like there is some revenge of the sea creatures going on.

jan said...

How funny, a weinie dog that likes parmesan.

Ivy, I hope they find what is causing your shoulder pain soon. That must be miserable.

When I am too tired to cook or go out, I go the Univ hospital cafeteria and get take out for us. It is only 3 blocks away. I have john drive me through the drive thru, I run in and get the food and then he picks me up. He said my food run takes me 7 minutes almost every time. Most of the time the food is good - does not taste like hosp. food. Last night we had BBQue pork chops. Not as healthy as your pizza Carol.

jan said...

Carol, where did this multiple-firing take place?

Ivy Green said...

Carol,
I don't remember injuring it, but could have happened from smacking Hubs when he snored! lol

Carol said...

Which shoulder Ivy?

Jan, Central Falls High School in RI.

Carol said...

We had a poorly preforming school here and they closed the school.

Ivy Green said...

Left shoulder.

Carol said...

What kind of Doc did you see today?

Carol said...

Probably will need an MRI.

Ivy Green said...

"Anti-educationism" is a southern culture trait. It is traced back to the "old country" where learning to read and write 'the King's English' was viewed as part of the culture war to stamp out traditional folk language (Gaelic) and other customs. It was resisted.

I'm not saying it has anything to do with the Rhode Island firings.

Ivy Green said...

I went to see my regular internal medicine man.

Carol said...

Something that I wanted to know and you may also find interesting.

"According to the Olympic Charter, the gold and silver medals must each be made of at least 92.5 percent pure silver and the gold medal must be gilded with at least six grams of gold.

The price of gold changes daily. Assuming there's six grams of gold in each medal, each one would be worth about $500 at 2010 prices.

The remainder of the gold medal is made out of silver. The price of silver also fluctuates, but at an average of $14.50 per troy ounce, the remaining silver in the gold medal hovers around $60."

Wiki answers

Don't ya just love it that when you have a question all you have to do is type it in the google square and poop, you have an answer.

Carol said...

Sometimes I just rack my brain for a question that I want an answer to just to see if I will find the answer. Love it.

Carol said...

I asked google what is causing Ivy's shoulder pain and google responded..."whose Ivy?"

Carol said...

The Internet has really improved in it's ability to answer questions. I remember not that long ago when I tried to surf for an answer to something and it seems all I would get was stuff that was unrelated to what I was looking for interspersed with porn ads.

Carol said...

One thing you do have to worry about when someone complains of left shoulder pain is cardiac pain. If the pain is related to movement of the shoulder, that is not likely to be the cause. Shoulder pain can have lots of causes. Seems if your pain is from tendon damage, you would have had to fall or been wrestling with the Hubs. Or a tendonitis from dog lifting, cloth folding, grocery carrying etc.

Carol said...

Ivy, I missed one of your comments earlier. Maggie mainly gets a little of the crusts of the pizza. May have a little cheese on it. If the sauce has onions, she can't have any. Onions are bad for dogs so she can't have anything that might have onion in it.

Ivy Green said...

Carol,
I should put yoga on that list too. I may have overdone that somewhere along the line.

Ivy Green said...

The Australian skater, Chelsea Lee, was very cute...they said her mother is from Louisiana.

Carol said...

So Ms. College hasn't decided where she wants to go to grad school? Hope she chooses a place that is nice to visit.

Ivy Green said...

Carol,
Wherever she chooses, it will be a nice place to visit...especially if it's Tuscaloosa! :)

Ivy Green said...

This Olympics skiing and all is great, the Mary Carillo logging bit was nice (though I still root for the spotted owls), but they are going so late before putting on any figure skating, that I don't think I'll last for it.

Carol said...

How's the weather up your way Coreen? I bet you and Solar are getting a tad tired of all that snow.

Anonymous said...

Carol, Speaking of weather, what a beautiful, sunny day yesterday. I assume it was the same for you. Today and tomorrow, more of the same (with a little possible rain tomorrow, which is always welcome, as far as I'm concerned). Didn't take long for me to catch that spring fever you were talking about again.

Looks like you'll have a good weekend to look forward to.

Anonymous said...

Ivy, I was wondering if you might have arthritis in that shoulder. I saw that you said it's your left shoulder, and am wondering if you're left handed. The only place I feel the effects of arthritis is in my neck and thumbs. I figure my neck was the first to feel it, because I'm often tense and uptight.

The best thing I've found to keep down inflammation is naproxen (Aleve), which helps no matter what the cause. But in order for it to be effective as an anti-inflammatory, you need to take it daily, both morning and night. It doesn't seem to have the problems that aspirin has, and it's long acting.

Anonymous said...

Jan, It's been so nice to be able to read your posts again.

That is such a good idea, going to the hospital to get some of your meals. It's probably cheaper than cooking too. The food at our local hospital is really good, but I never think of going there to eat. Now that you've reminded me, I'll have to remember to stop in their cafeteria for lunch sometime. I remember saying I was going to, after spending some time there after my daughter had her baby. It's so nice and pleasant inside there too - a beautiful hospital (and conveniently located, plus easy to park).

Anonymous said...

Solar, Sounds like your weather is causing a lot of extra work (while at the same time keeping you in shape - is that any consolation? :)

I agree with you about Greenspan, didn't know if his opinion was worth much or not. But I figure anyone criticizing the economy right now has to be right on. It's getting even more depressing as time goes on, with not much relief in site.

Anonymous said...

Coreen and Mary, Hope to see you two around more this weekend. I figure you've both been busy.

Mary, I guess today is the day you find out if you're going to have a granddaughter or a grandson. Let us know! What is the exact due date?

Anonymous said...

... oh, and Mary. Emma's still not walking yet. But then, she's always been a little late on other physical steps too. A little late sitting up, and crawling. Smart as can be though. The average time to sit up is 13 months, and she was 13 months on the 15th of this month. They said 14 months or so wasn't unusual either, so we're waiting patiently.

She has plenty of strength, and spends most of her time standing, but just doesn't seem all that motivated to go for it yet. She's getting heavier (and eating really good finally). It can get pretty tiresome, carrying her around when I go someplace, but I keep hearing how much harder it'll be when she walks (it's been so long, I've forgotten). Heaven help us!

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

My comments keep disappearing, then reappearing. I did you not. I'm in the twilight zone.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Hey, We're in the Twilight Zone again. I left 5 long comments here this morning, came back an hour later, and they were gone. Then I left a comment explaining this, and when I posted it, all my old comments showed up too. Then I left and came back again, and they disappeared again.
I'm thinking it's stuck on 150 comments.

Now I'm going to try to post this one to see what happens. If you see a lot of comments from me, then you'll know they all came back.

Coreen said...

It's just another day in the snow here. about
5-6" so far....but NYC has really gotten the brunt of this hurricane like storm....

Coreen said...

And surprise,surprise my fascination with the curling games at the Olympics is shared by the most unlikely group.....Carol, no laughing....

Wall Street Romance With Curling

Solar said...

Chloe,

It is almost the end of this month...one two more wks, and Im out of winter sports..no more shoveling...like i said before...it is just one of the things that I have to contend with; is all.

If U quit talking like a trk driver,,maybe U wouldn't have to erase so many comments...HA!

Solar said...

No snow today, very bright and a bit nippy. Looks like we keep missing the big ones.....thats ok with me...going to start my work out....later

Solar said...

Looks like Hillary tore Greenspan a new one....this will get interesting now...

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2010/02/hillary-blasts-greenspan-on-debt-says-it-is-a-threat-to-national-security.html

Coreen said...

From Pew Rssearch, a short quiz to let you know from what generation you may really be...as would be expected, it seems my lack of tatoos & body piercing, not texting or social
networking, together with actually reading newspapers & watching TV makes me a...baby boomer....


Guess your age

Coreen said...

More commentary about Hillary, this from
Helen Thomas, (not sure if anyone at TM saw it yet & it seems that Ms. Thomas has a very
obvious & less then flattering point of view about the Obama administration's foreign policies & Hillary's adherence to them)...draw
your own conclusions as to Ms. Thomas' intent....

Hillary the hawk

Solar said...

Coreen,

Before I read that..just want to say, that I have not liked what Hillary has had to say about Iran...she out right lied about them. Is it their duty to lie, if told to do so....I used to like Powell before he used his tonka toy trks to sell us the Iraq war.!!

"it seems my lack of tatoos & body piercing",

Need proof.....pics please...

Solar said...

Coreen, thanks for the Helen T article...going to post it at tm if you don't mind.....should stir things up a little....

Mary said...

Chloe,
I have to work all weekend but I'll be here on and off. Now for the big news. We're having a girl. My son sent a picture of the U/S. He said "She's awesome". They sounded so excited and I am too. I didn't really want to say anything but I was hoping for a girl.

Carol said...

Haven't caught up yet but I read that article Coreen and liked the way they described curling "...the game seems like horseshoes combined with housekeeping." I couldn't have described it better myself. If I need a nap, I lay down on the couch and turn on some curling. If that doesn't knock me out, nothing will. Oh, and I did laugh Coreen.

Doesn't surprise me that a cat person would like that game. Something sliding across the floor and people chasing after it. Yep, a cat sport.

Carol said...

The natives were restless today. Not even a full moon yet but we all checked to see how close it was. Fortunately I had a hair cut scheduled and had to leave early. That didn't stop them from tormenting me though. I was way overdue my haircut and when my hair looks and feels yukky, so does the rest of me.

Carol said...

I did start feeling a little more peppy this afternoon when I found out on that Pew Research Questionaire that I am only 42 years old. With my new age and hair cut, I'm ready to party! I wonder if that tall, handsome dude up north will ask me to dance?

Carol said...

Sorry the blog was harrassing you today Chloe. It was after both Ivy and me this week also.

Solar said...

"I was way overdue my haircut and when my hair looks and feels yukky, so does the rest of me."

I know that U pinks get tired of me saying this.....but pics please...hahaha We going to dance a lot when u start describing the sunsets again at the swamp...in the meantime...im glad that I doing my aerobics.....wanna dance Jan...there is no two step...just something Ive said to get the gals to ask about it...after the third or fourth dance..some of them figure this out...ha.!

Solar said...

Coreen, i took that test...said that i scored a 28 ??

Solar said...

I don't read too many of C-bobs post, but this one did catch my eye.

This is the type of thing that really get me crawling out of my skin; and against all organized religions....

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Tensions_mount_in_Haiti_after_voodoo_ceremony_attack_999.html

Ivy Green said...

Where do birds go when it's bad weather?

Port in the Storm

What about the little sweaters?

Coreen said...

I guess my work is done for today...Carol laughed & got younger all at the same time...

No shock that you Solar are '28'....guess that
makes us all 'cougars'....and your dance card
is going to be pretty full, so get those steps
down soon....

Mary, saw your great news....you get a granddaughter to spoil....lots of good things to look forward to for you....

I have a new post ready to put up, since this
is getting to its end...read an article today
that may be of interest....

Ivy Green said...

Mary,
Congratulations on the little girl! Does she have a name yet? Is it a secret? In my family of a thousand nieces, none of them mind everyone knowing their unborns' genders, but they all keep the names secret until the birth. I guess there has to be some mystery remaining in the universe. lol

Coreen said...

New post is up....

Ivy Green said...

I'm looking forward to the new "roots" show starting next week...ancestry - that's right up the alley of a history buff like me.

Who You?