Friday, January 25, 2013

Downton Abbey, American Style

The Elms
Chateau Sur Mer
Rosecliff
 
The Breakers
Marble House
View from the great lawn at The Breakers
 
                                 Green Animals Topiary Garden

America has its own versions of Downton Abbey...the 'summer homes'
of the richest families in the country, built in the era known as 'The Gilded Age'...all located just about on the same street in Newport, Rhode Island...The Breakers, the most famous overlooks the Atlantic Ocean...


196 comments:

Coreen said...

In honor of everyone's interest in the goings on at Downton Abbey, I remembered some old pics of the Newport Mansions, Rhode Island, that most of us around here have
visited/toured at some time...Not
sure if you know about them...

The closest America had to the 'royalty' of England back in the day...
Newport Mansions

Carol said...

Very cool post Coreen. Your link will give me lots to read later. I want to explore each of them.

Carol said...

Is that you in the last pic?

Coreen said...

Of course!!...& a where's waldo search, 2 other pics have yours truly too...

Thought you might enjoy learning about our very own rich...you know, they really are different!!...

Coreen said...

Oh, & before I forget & just so you know...on the political scene...not much said yet, though some libs won't like it, probably already whining...but Pres. Obama makes a great pick to appoint Mary Jo White to head the SEC...

Carol said...

I haven't found you in the other 2 pics yet but I'll work on it. Need to find a magnifying glass.

I've read the controversy about Mary Jo. She's been on both sides, prosecuting and protecting, so who knows where she will land. I never really trust Obama with his picks. Money still talks. I wonder what William Black thinks about that choice. I trust that guy's opinion. I Googled but haven't found it yet.

Are you surprised that I'm on top of that issue? I'm all for Wall Street doing well. We all depend on it to some extent. I just don't like it when they pull all those tricks to rip us off.

jan said...

Love the pictures Coreen. You look great. I found you in the other pics although you are not as clear in those as the last one. Thanks for posting these. So we do have our own mansions here in the "colonies."

Carol said...

Well, I found you, I think, in pic 6 and 8 also. I would be hard pressed to prove it was you. That last pic looks like a movie star.

Now which one of those places is yours Coreen?

Carol said...

I did find my movie to rent at Redbox. I'm looking forward to watching it later.

Carol said...

I spent some of the day watching my guys work at the camp. They're not finished yet. I sure enjoy hanging out with them. We're all pretty compatible. It was papa today and two of his boys. One is 29. He's the one who usually works with his dad. The other son goes to school, in a program to prepare him to work in any of the industries here as an operator.
He was off today.

My pain is still with me. My most comfortable position is standing up if not too long. I can walk fairly comfortably also if I'm careful. That's weird.

I'm certainly glad I can walk, makes doing Walmart bearable. Sitting, in limited positions, is OK. Certain movements and it's like someone stabs me in the back. Coughing and laughing is killer. Don't have a clue what's going on. I just can't seem to kick it.

I'm still sleeping in a semi reclined position. I tried yesterday to lay down in the bed and that's still out of the question. The pain is similar to what a broken rib feels like.

I'm trying to be as active as I can hoping that will help.



Coreen said...

Good to hear you are functioning better Carol...but still wonder if maybe you should still see a dr. just to be checked...

And Jan, seems you are doing better as well...

And yes it's me actually in 3 other pics...4, 6, 8...didn't even remember until I scanned them...

Those mansions are extraordinary especially when you consider they were built at times when it was done with all 'manual' labor...

Did you know about them?...some things you take for granted that
everyone knows....

The most famous the Breakers was built by Anderson Cooper's great grandfather (Cornelius Vanderbilt one of the robber barons)...remember his mother Gloria V. is the woman who was known as the poor little rich girl because of nasty custody battle between her mother & her aunt when she was a girl...

There is another famous mansion, Wlliam Randolph Hearst's San Simeone in California....think I have pics of that place somewhere...

Chloe, did you ever visit/tour San
Simeone when you lived in CA?....

jan said...

Carol, I found the movie at Redbox too. We are going to watch it tonight. So we can talk about it. Cool!

jan said...

Coreen, I have never heard of these mansions.

Coreen said...

Cute animal videos...how did they do this...
Scottie pinwheel

jan said...

Just got back from seeing DIL. about the same. Her Blood sugar has been high and they are giving her insulin. Her a1c before surgery was 6.5 so this is probably related to her surgery. Her hgb and hct are very low. They may do a scan to see if she is bleeding somewhere. They may transfuse her.

One of my former students is taking care of her. So cool to see her. One of the problems they have been having is that she has a regular diet and it hurts to chew. So when I went back this afternoon, her nurse had seen to it that she got a soft diet. Nevertheless I took her some of her favorite greek yogurts - lots of protein.

jan said...

loved the Scottie pinwheel.

jan said...

A1c = blood sugar test that averages blood sugar over a 3 month period. Much more accurate than a regular blood sugar test.

Hgb and Hct is test for anemia. She is very anemic at this time, but was normal before surgery. I am concerned that she is bleeding somewhere. She is dizzy too.

Carol said...

Jan, your DIL must be glucose intolerant and all the physiological and psychological stress pushed her blood sugar up. It will most likely return to normal when everything settles down. Did she ever have gestational diabetes? She might likely develop diabetes in the future unless she really works at maintaining a perfect diet and exercise program.

Coreen said...

Jan, you certainly are having your share of difficult days...hope they get your dil's condition under control soon...

Carol said...

Yes, the A1C does indicate that her BS was OK prior to her surgery. But without some problem with her glucose tolerance, she wouldn't have gotten high with the stress.

Carol said...

I saw that Scottie pinwheel today on this afternoon show, Right This Minute on NBC. They play all these popular Youtube type videos. I enjoy the show.

I don't think there was any trick to it. They just started moving as they drank that milk.

Carol said...

I've already started watching the movie Jan. It's a little stressful so I have to pause it frequently. I do that even with non-stressful videos. I'm glad you rented it also. It will be fun to discuss.

Carol said...

Keep us informed of how your DIL is doing.

Carol said...

Sorry Jan, I didn't know this movie would be so depressing.

Unknown said...

Coreen,
I've been up and down that whole coast in California numerous times and it is so beautiful. And yes, we did visit Hearst Castle in San Simeone, but it was so long ago and neither of us have a good memory of how amazing it is. We must have been in our late 20s the last time we went, but don't think I had the maturity, even at that age, to appreciate such beauty. Like you mentioned, we do tend to take things for granted after a while.

We used to frequently go down south to San Diego, and then of course visit over the border in Mexico for a few hours. We'd drive up the coast a lot, but usually no further north than San Francisco. I have wonderful memories of our life in Southern California (which is like a different state from Northern California), which was so different than our life here. From there to here is two different worlds. God, how I loved that ocean. I was there every chance I got. Santa Monica was closest to us.

I've seen a lot of beautiful mansions in Beverly Hills and Brentwood, but none as beautiful as those pictures you posted today. And may I add how beautiful you are too.

Thanks for sharing them.

Unknown said...

Jan, I too am concerned about your DIL, as well as your son and granddaughters (it is two girls, isn't it?).

I'm also hoping you are doing well after all you went through with your procedure the other day, along with the horrific prep.

I remember the last thing you said was: 'I'll never to this again'. I felt the same way, but know I will have to... probably this year.

Hubby has an associate that had an Colonoscopy a while back, and said the same thing: never again! He said he'd rather just get the cancer than go through that again.

But, of course, that was jokingly (I hope). We all know we'll do what we have to do when the need arises.

Carol said...

Evening Chloe.

Jan, did you make it through that movie? Phew, I did, but barely. It was a tough one. I was impressed with that little girl's acting.

Now I need to watch something uplifting as an antidote.

jan said...

We just finished the movie Carol. I loved it. John liked it too. I did not think it was depressing. It is the way this group of people live. Although dad had some problems he was teaching her how to survive.

jan said...

I too was impressed with her acting. She was amazing.

jan said...

Carol, thanks for the info about DIL's blood sugar. As far as I know she did not have Gestations Diabetes. She has put on a few extra pounds since she has been ill. Like a lot of us, her weight fluctuates but for the most part she has kept a normal weight.

jan said...

"gestational" cannot spell.

Carol said...

And that movie brought back bad memories of Rita. The salt water surged up into the river and killed all the fish for many miles up the river. When the water receded, there were millions of stinking dead fish everywhere. That really hurt me.

It took over a year for the river to heal after that hurricane. I constantly monitored for signs of life. What's strange is, when Ike or was it Gustav, just passed by our area, didn't come in, it pushed an even higher surge up the river, but there wasn't the same fish kill.

I didn't see all the other dead animals but down south of here, they had tons of dead cattle floating. Where those people in the movie were living reminded me more of what the parish to the south of us looked like.

Carol said...

Jan, does she have any family history of type II diabetes? I would still let her know that stress running her sugar up, enough to need insulin, does suggest glucose intolerance. She most likely has time to prevent full blown diabetes. Important to maintain healthy body weight and routine exercise because if not diabetes now, she's high risk for it in the future. Better to prevent than to have to live with.

Carol said...

What's weird Jan is that you aren't able to deal with discussions that are stressful and I can but you can deal with seriously distressing movies and I can't. Weird.

Carol said...

"I did not think it was depressing. It is the way this group of people live."

It interesting how we see things totally different. Actually I live kinda close to where those people live even though that area would be more like outer banks down south of NO. I know a few out on my river who might look a little the same but nothing that pitiful.

Except for some of the shrimp, crab and crawfish eating scenes and that hanging over the boat to try to catch a catfish, the rest was pretty dang depressing to me.

Little girl had no mama, not much of a daddy, he wasn't around much and he was dying. It was almost like she was out there all alone. They lived in squalor. She had to live in her own squalor shack alone. She burned that down. A horrible storm comes and puts that entire little community underwater and it would never be the same because of the levee. Those wild boar like monsters, a fantasy, were running around throughout the movie. The movie felt like a very bad dream.

I did wonder if you could really catch catfish that way. I've seen some of those reality shows where that guy sticks his hands down into old tires in the water and pulls out a catfish. Wouldn't catch me sticking my hands down where I couldn't see them in that water. Catfish have three long barbs, with toxin, one on top and one on each side. A fresh water puncture is painful, a saltwater puncture will put you down. I'm scared even when I can see what I'm doing.

Now this guy at work told me about using some old metal tubes that AC flows through, a piece about 3-4 feet long. Put a piece of 2x4 across one opening, and tie a string to the other end. He said lay it down underwater. Don't even need bait. After it's been submerged for a while, catfish will go in to hide. Pull it up by the string and it's likely to have a catfish in it. Never found some of those metal tubes to make one to try it.

Carol said...

Well, I'm up, thinking about that movie again. I'm sorry, but that kind of art is not why I want to see a movie. There's enough, too much, in life that's horrible that I have to watch or experience, for me to dedicate any of my recreation time to doing it. Time for me some Magic Mike! I'm sure that will be more up my alley. Only plus for watching that Beast.. movie, was to see that the little Louisiana girl was amazing. She was only 6 then. She's still amazing now at 9.

I wanted so much to snag that little character, Hushpuppy, from that misery and take care of her. There are so many people who really want/wanted a kid like Hushpuppy to take care of and many of those children are having to suffer like she did. Maybe you don't think it was suffering Jan cuz that's how people lived but I didn't see her smiling much in that movie. I felt her pain. Those boars she was imagining chasing her were pretty much what her life was like.

Not fair, not fair at all. Yep, there are many times I do question God, just like I do the rest of us, saying...WTF were you thinking?

Carol said...

That also made me think about the abortion issue, call it flight of ideas. No, I could never do it, abortion, but I feel if someone feels like they really need to do it, then they must realize that they just can't take care of a child. If that's the case, I'd rather see them terminate that seed rather than continue it to suffer like Hushpuppy did.

And for my friend to compared what happened in Sandy Hook to abortions??? No comparison in my book. That kind of thinking comes from the brainwashing from the Right. They are so worried, or pretend to be about life at the seed level, but could care less about it when it pops out into reality. They don't care if that child has enough to eat, adequate healthcare, an education, a decent enough life to keep it from becoming a serious criminal and doing something that will result in the death penalty. Yep, you can kill them at any other stage but don't disrupt the seed.

Carol said...

Now, for a much more pleasant ponder. I'm sure you are thinking..thank you very much.

My workers guys are really amazing. I'm just not used to it. I've never seen such meticulous work before in my life and it's just a camp they are working on. I've finally lucked out for a change.

I now have baseboards in my kitchen and bathroom. Never had those there. One of the boys was laying on the floor touching up every little nail hole on the base boards with puddy and then painting. You'd think they were working on the White House.

Carol said...

Daddy carpenter did a great job raising his sons to have a great work ethic. I could tell that he did but so do his kids. It's so obvious.

Unknown said...

Glad to hear that things are going well at your camp, Carol.

Carol said...

I think that is spelled putty, not puddy.

Carol said...

Did I ever tell you my catfish puncture story? Probably did but here it goes again.

I had a friend who owned this camp on Big Lake. It's this huge salt water lake south of here. She had this long wharf that went out into the lake. It was heaven to me. I didn't have my camp back then. I spent some quality time on that wharf, fishing for redfish, setting crab traps, and throwing a cast net. All would have been humorous to watch me do. Wish I had some Youtubes of those activities.

Freshwater catfish are great to eat but saltwater cats are trash fish. If you get stung by the barbs from a freshwater cat, it's a little painful but if you get stung by a barb from a saltwater cat, it is not only terribly painful, you can lose your extremity.

I hated taking those catfish off my line when I caught them. One day I found this little thingy at a store that was supposed to make taking a catfish off easier. Yeah, sure. It didn't come with any directions and it looked like a gigantic paper clip. I figured it was supposed to go over the fishing line, near the fish. I did that. Then you are supposed to flip it and that is supposed to flip the fish off the hook.

I had just caught this small catfish. I got my little thingy to try out. I put it on the line, near the catfish and I flipped. Nada, fish still there. I tried again. This time I flipped that catfish barb and drove it right into my left wrist bone, deep. Within seconds I was hit with this incredible pain that went up my arm. It just about paralyzed that arm. I knew that it wasn't good. Thank God my friend was home. I made it back down the long wharf and asked my friend to take me to the hospital. I used some ice in the mean time. Wrong!

They gave me a pain pill and some antibiotics at the hospital. The pain went away. I later did some research and learned that I should have soaked my wound in very hot water. The hot water help to detoxify the poison. I did learn to never F with a saltwater catfish. I also threw away that little thingy.

jan said...

"What's weird Jan is that you aren't able to deal with discussions that are stressful and I can but you can deal with seriously distressing movies and I can't. Weird. "

Carol, one thing I accept about you and me is that we have always looked at the world a little differently. That is one of the reasons I love you. We certainly agree on the major issues - such as -we both love Hillary.

Reading what you just wrote, this movie hit you hard because you identity with so much in the movie because you lived through Rita and other areas.

jan said...

What I saw in the movie was that the little girl was loved by the people in her community. What I see is there are many children in the world who are on their own and must learn to survive. Yes, it tore at my heart to when it looked like her daddy had left and she was all alone and then her daddy died and she was truly all alone. That does not happen as much in this country because we have all these social services but it happens all the time in other countries. Sure, her daddy was an SOB - he was drinking and getting drunk and leaving her to survive on her own. S*** happens, even to little children. It is not that I am hardened to that, it is just that I know it happens so much. I just saw the movie as one that the "human spirit" can survive a lot.

jan said...

After DIL recovers from this, I will talk to her about her blood suger and see if her docs mentioned it - if not I will tell her what you said Carol.

Weight is such an issue in their home because it is her daughter that has the serious eating disorder. So, we have all avoided talking about weight and dieting. But it never hurts to talk about healthy eating. The daughter still has the eating disorder but it has improved. She does not look like a holocaust survivor any longer but she is painfully thin. Her personality is definitely different too. She is greatly OCD, she seldom truly smiles. It is scary to hug her because she is all bones.

Carol said...

Now that I know which DIL she is, the weight issue may not matter. All the stress that woman has dealt with, diabetes may just be on her plate anyway, eventually. It's all that cortisol pumping through her body. Of course, exercise can help in many ways.

Carol said...

And Jan, we agree on more than just loving Hillary. It was just interesting how we each saw that movie. I don't want you to think I thought that there was anything wrong with the way you saw it.

Carol said...

And dang it, I wanted to get a little more discussion outta you than two sentences.

Carol said...

Lately, it's almost been Coreen who is the wordy one and she usually doesn't want to say much.

Carol said...

And Jan, you were absolutely right. That movie did hit a number of sensitive spots for me.

jan said...

Carol, the sensitive spot the movie hit for me was all the time alone that little hush puppy spent. My sibs and I spent a lot of time alone as children. From the time I was 10 to 16, we lived on a farm with no telephone and our parents worked all day and did not get home until 7 or 8 at night. So we were alone a lot. We were not allowed to cook because of the fire danger. They left us food but it was not like there were a lot of choices, but we did not go hungry. Also during that time my mother had some hospitalizations and my dad was not a protective parent so we were quite alone. It is surprising how strong children are.

jan said...

Hush puppy did not like being in the shelter because it was foreign to her. Didn't she look strange in the dress and her hair combed? She was used to roaming around wherever she wanted to go. She also had her animals around her.

I loved the way - in the beginning- she would hold the little chickens up to her ear and listen to them. That was a theme to the movie too - the beat of the heart.

Carol said...

That movie must have been filmed around here but it didn't do justice to the beauty we have here in the Swamp. Only a few short scenes captured some of it.

I did get hungry for some good seafood when I saw those piles of shrimp, crabs and crawfish.

Carol said...

And I also found the alone issue to be uncomfortable. Now, when I was a kid, having mom and dad away wasn't so bad because we had the other kids in the hood to play with. Mom was so over protective, that having her at work during the day was a blessing.

jan said...

I am amazed at how "stories" whether it is books or movies or "word of mouth" influence all of us.

In the book I am reading "Team of Rivals" about Lincoln and in the PBS special "The Abolitionists" It seems that it was not Lincoln who issued the Emancipation Proclamation or who was responsible for the 13th Amendment nor was it William Lloyd Garrison, the great Abolitionist who published a newspaper advocating freeing the slaves - that was primarily responsible for turning around public opinion toward sympathy for the Black people - it was Harriet Beecher Stowe, who wrote the book "Uncle Tom's Cabin" that was a story of what it was like to be a slave and nothing more than property that turned around public opinion in that time. Her book was read by a great many white people who realized through that story telling the true experience of being a slave. And through the telling of their story on stage. That was what really helped free the slaves.

So, I guess my point here is that we are much more influenced by "stories" than we are by "bully pulpits" and lectures where people express their opinions.

jan said...

Also during that time of slavery, it was the women who most often were in sympathy for the Black people who were enslaved. Except for a very few, including Lincoln, men did not give a hoot for those who were enslaved.

Harriet Beecher Stowe saw mothers and children on the auction block as a little white girl and she never forgot that experience. That is where her book was conceived.

jan said...

So Carol, our experiences as children have a great deal of influence on us. I felt lonely as a child, not having an adult present. My mother always worked and even when she was nearby, she was busy with other people and we did not have adult company or supervision. That is why books are so important to me. We didn't have animals either. We were just left on our own to create our own lives. I don't resent that now, but it was stories in books that were my companions.

jan said...

You are right about the scenery in the movie Carol, it was not how I remember that part of the country.

Carol said...

You know I have all these stairs at the camp. And they have all taken their toll on my bones. I have a set that goes from my kitchen up into the living room. Nothing to hold onto when going up or down. I'm scared of them. They took out my fifth metacarpal joint in my right hand.

I found one of those things, like you see on TV, that is a handle that can stick to the wall. It's meant for the shower. It worked for a while but then would lose suction and fall off. I asked my guys to build something that I could hold onto. I was wowed again. Papa carpenter built this really nice hand railing. He stained it and polished it. I would have been satisfied with some little simple handle.

Carol said...

Oh great Jan, more to read from you.

Carol said...

I love to read your comments, there's just not enough of them.

Carol said...

And that women thing you mentioned is why we need more of them running our government but check out this article and tell me what you think. I'll give you a couple of hours to get back to me. LOL.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/peggy-drexler/why-arent-women-voting-fo_b_2556788.html

Carol said...

Sorry about the lazy link.

jan said...

Liked the article Carol. As far as women judging what women wear to work. I can really vouch for that. The nurse practitioner that worked with me for 2 years - every woman in our office judged her style of dress - and openly. She has been gone 4 months and I still hear women talking about how she dressed. There are about 5 men in our bldg and never hear them say anything. She is a very pretty woman, about 40 and in great shape - she ran and biked. She wore tight, short skirts, usually black. She wore pumps with heels but not spike heels. I think every woman in there hated her for the way she looked.

jan said...

If I had been younger, I might have been judgmental too. She had been a student of mine and I really liked her a lot. One woman told her about the 2nd week she was there, she said, "you can start dressing down now." Others were not so open with their comments. She instituted many great new ideas while she was there, but her work was overshadowed by how she dressed, by some people. Unfortunately - those people were listened to by upper management.

jan said...

Coreen, you have inspired my interest with your pictures of the mansions in Newport RI. I want to learn more about them and would love to visit them. As many times as we have been to Asheville we have not visited the Biltmore. One of these days....

Carol said...

You had a much quicker response than I expected Jan. Mag and I went to Popeyes to pick up some fried chicken and come out to the camp. She loves her some Popeyes spicy chicken. She's a little Cajun dog. She is back to normal.

It's like a spring day outside. In the 70s.

It's again interesting what you focused on in that article, clothing. Since clothes are of no interest to me, I didn't even pick up on that. I was more focused on how women don't support one another or how they undermine one another. I've complained about that for years. Most of my female bosses did everything they could to step on my head and they couldn't have found a harder worker. I used to ask Corkie why Sherry, the nursing admin. hated me do much. She said because she is jealous. I asked, of what? I'm no threat to her.

You ought to remember how I was with clothes. You used to go shopping with me, talked me into buying some neat trendy outfits. Years later they were still hanging in my closet with the tags on. I preferred blue jeans. Member that?


jan said...

Carol, the reason I focused on the clothes thing is becuz that is what jumped out at me - related to my NP friend's problems at our office. I have never seen such mean and catty women. Since I am an older woman now and not into trendy clothes myself or needing to "look" a certain way, I was able to see the entire mess more objectively.
The sad part is that most of these women are very nice women. But they sure took a dislike to my friend the NP.

jan said...

Women seem to be jealous of other women when it comes to looks and their ability to attract the opposite sex.

Men are more jealous of other men when it comes to their income and big boy toys.

Just an observation

Carol said...

What were the credentials of those who seemed to hate the NP Jan?

I've seen that other nurses resent NPs. When I was working in this little town down the road, some of the other RNs, who worked for docs in that community, resented the lady I worked for because she was buying a practice from an old retired doc who practiced there. She still had to have a collaborative relationship with a physician. She was seeing mainly Medicaid patients. The docs those RNs worked for were unhappy but you would have thought that the RNs would appreciate the new roles for nurses. Funny thing is, now some of them are NPs. I doubt they remembered how they acted.

When I worked my first job in the ER and I was also the first of 2 NPs who were hired to work the ER, the docs went ballastic. They were so afraid of what we might do to their practice. The docs treated us terribly and so did the nurses. I could write a book just on that experience. I thought that maybe it was just nurses who ate their own but no, it's women.

I sure hated to be first at so many things. So many scars.

Carol said...

I can understand the docs resenting us. Hey, most of the patients liked us better. We took our time, we educated them. With the docs, it was wham bam, thank you mam.

One thing I can say about that old geezer I worked for who ended up causing me sooo much trouble because of his behavior, he loved the hell out of what I could do for him. No nothing sexual. He'd would have had me doing open heart surgery if I would have done it. I had to keep telling him that certain things were beyond my scope. He was right proud of me.

Carol said...

When I worked for Sherry at the hospital, I developed, designed, and ran, almost singled handedly, the first diabetes ed program in SW La. It was in the black when other older programs at the hospital were still in the red. It was great PR for the hospital. I was on the news often. When I wasn't scheduled to be on, they would call me when someone else didn't show up. Instead of being proud of me she tried to trip me up every which way she could. I wanted to say to her..hey bitch, whatever I accomplish, you can take partial credit for because you are my boss! Maybe she thought that I wanted her job. I wouldn't have taken that for a million dollars.

Carol said...

Remember how much flack we got just bringing physical assessment to the nursing program. Multiple that by 100 and you'll know what the rest of my nursing career was like. I'm a worn out lady. Most of my trouble involved women. The CEO of the hospital, a man, usually sneaked a hug every time he saw me.

Carol said...

Coreen, you just thank your lucky stars that you didn't have to work with a bunch of women or did you ever?

Carol said...

I'm sorry if there are any ladies, who might be lurking, that I might have offended..but if the high heel fits...

Carol said...

I rented a couple of movies for tonight. I made sure they would be pleasant. Probably dumb, but pleasant.

Carol said...

It was my time being a diabetes educator that influenced my decision to go for my NP. As a educator I could educate my patients and then they would be more knowledgeable than many of their docs.

I'd have them all monitoring their blood sugars, which were high. Many of their docs told me they wouldn't do that, especially my Medicare patients. Hah, they were my most compliant patients, especially the guys. It was my theory that when someone becomes a senior citizen, they recognize that life is precious and they want to hold on to it, with as much quality and for as long as they can.

When my students learned about their disease and it's management, then adjusted everything they could with diet and exercise, the only thing left to do if the BS was still high, was to adjust meds. I asked them to notify their docs, bring in their blood sugar results and to have their docs, adjust their insulin dose. Do you know what some of those docs told my students/patients? Quit checking your blood sugar. I'm not kidding. They have come a long way baby from that.

It was not that unusual for a regular medical practitioner to be seriously lacking in the knowledge of diabetes management. It is quite complex and keeping up with it is almost a full time job.

For years it was assumed by many in healthcare that keeping the blood sugar under better control didn't make a difference, in fact it may be more dangerous. Then in the mid 90s studies came out proving just the opposite. Good control had very significant effect on their health. Unfortunately many of the docs here hadn't read the studies. And unfortunately many of their patients did. Didn't make me popular with some of those docs either. That's when I decided it was time that I get into a position where I can prescribe the darn medication myself, not just do the educating.

jan said...

Carol, I think you are right that the women were jealous that she is an NP. Even the woman boss - who was the one responsible for her leaving. It is such a hard world out there.

jan said...

I rented a movie at redbox too - called "Salmon fishing in the Yemen." It got some nominations for awards. I do like the cultural flicks.

jan said...

Spent some time at Hosp with DIL this afternoon. She is doing much better. She is pretty alert now. She is still in ICU but I think becuz they have lots of empty beds - it is Neuroscience ICU. A very nice room. Good nursing care. One of her nurses has her MSN- not NP. Its an educ MSN. A real sweet girl. I remember her as a student. DIL had another one of my former students today.

Carol said...

I wish that I knew that video was available. I rented Ted and to Rome with love. I hope there's a laugh or two in both. There was a glare on the movie screen, hard to see, and the videos I wanted were out.

Carol said...

Tell about that film after you see it Jan. May need to be a little more specific than just good since I now realize we don't have to same definition of "good". Is fishing really involved? That would be a plus for me.

Carol said...

Happy your DIL is doing better.

Carol said...

I did the To Rome with Love. As I figured it was dumb, silly, but pleasant enough. Woody Allen is in it, not a big part but classic Woody Allen. I do like classic Woody Allen. I know we've discussed him and his history in our history here. It got a 46% on the Tomatometer. Probably a accurate number.

I see your Salmon Fishing... got a 67%. Now I have to watch Ted, it got a little higher.

Carol said...

Well, Ted was good for a few laughs. I'm evolving to even try some of these movies, not sure what I'm evolving into though. I was pondering who was the target audience for this movie. In that it co-starred a teddy bear, you would think it would be for children but that would be wrong. It's certainly doesn't target the mature audience either, at least not the intellectually mature audience.

Carol said...

I wanted to rent Arbitrage but it was only available in Blu ray.

I look at what's available at the movies and on DVD and even though many got high ratings, the only movies that looks like they would be appreciated by someone with half a brain are or were up for an award of some kind. That doesn't include a lot of movies. What's wrong with people these days or what's wrong with the people making movies?

Carol said...

Chloe, I experienced something that you mentioned recently...that we all tend to over worry about things that don't materialize.

You guys might remember that when I first moved to the camp, I didn't move my dish out there. I was paying a premium for the roaches at my house to watch it. I was watching the few Network stuff I could get on some rabbit ears. I got 3 pbs channels, 2 Fox, 3 with my NBC channel. Usually plenty to watch.

Finally after a long while I decided why pay so much for Sat not to watch it so I had them put a dish out at the camp. When I moved back home, I had to get a new dish there because I had added locals.

I take one of my extra receivers out to the camp when I'm going to be out there for a while. I did last week and no sats showed up. My neighbor, who borrowed my boat, had tied up my boat to the Sat pole. I kinda fussed at him for doing that since it often doesn't take much to pull that dish off the Sats, especially when they have to shot thru so many trees.

I was only angry because I was worried that my Dish co would not be happy that I was using my stuff at both places. It's only me so it's not like more than one family is enjoying the service. I certainly wasn't going to pay for two services for one person.

Well, I fretted over calling them. I finally did but didn't really indicate that it wasn't my house that wasn't working. I've been worrying for days about this.

I ended up worrying about nada. The guy came out, fixed the problem. Both something on the dish and all the wiring up to the camp went bad. Some of the wiring had been there since before I bought my camp.

That worked out OK but now I feel bad that I kinda fused at my neighbor for attaching my boat to the sat pole. I will apologize. It was kind of a coincidence that it worked before he did it and didn't after.

Carol said...

I still prefer that he doesn't use my Sat pole, in the front yard, as a docking post for the boat. He is my surrogate husband and we women do have the right to get angry at them every now and again, even when we are wrong, don't we?

Carol said...

Chloe, it sometimes wonder why I ever post any questions over at TM. It seems that you are the only person who attempts to answer them. I can accomplish the same thing right here.

Coreen said...

Yes Carol I have worked with women, both as co-workers & as the 'boss/superior/employer'...

For the most part, the legal profession continues to be dominated by men, though beginning in the 80s law schools started admitting more women, not sure if the current ratio is 50/50 but likely close to it...

While I do believe that there is
envy/resentment among women, the perception of a threat from the 'prettier' person to one's position/security/guy, personally I don't remember experiencing it, nor do I recall other women making snide comments about another, though I am sure it happens...



Coreen said...

Jan, I have friends that visited Biltmore about a year ago...

Carol said...

I texted my surrogate husband and apologized. I asked if it was OK to fuss at our husbands every now and again, even if we are wrong.

He answered.."yes dear..woman prerogative to fuss or not fuss..our job is just to listen and luv y'all.

Good answer.

jan said...

Woke up at 3:30 am -John had gotten up - he was coughing. I lay there for another 30 min or so and got up too. Had tea and then had a dia.... Sorry if that is more info than you wanted. My stomach has been feeling "off" since the procedures. So later went back to bed and slept 3 hours or so.

Am feeling better, but will just eat yogurt. Have a fever blister too.

Think I better stay away from hosp today. Hope didn't give DIL something yesterday.

jan said...

Coreen, what did your friends say about their visit to Biltmore. It is pretty expensive but if a good visit, we will go.

jan said...

I don't think women I have worked with at the Univ are as catty as women in this office I work in now.

jan said...

Tonight is Downton Abbey night.

I have not watched the "...fishin..." movie yet. Just did not feel like it after son left last night. He has been coming over to eat with us evenings. We live close to hosp and he walks over when they have change of shift at 7 pm. They clear everyone out at that time for about an hour or longer.

Carol said...

Jan, I think your dia is stress related. If your DIL catches anything, it won't be from you. ICU is the germiest place in a hospital and hospitals are pretty germy. When I went back to work there, ICU, when I started working at the hospital again full time, I came down with something that made me really sick. I didn't have my immunity built up yet. Nurses will build up immunity after a while.

Carol said...

I heard an ad for Downton Abbey. It indicated that they will have more challenges. They can't make any shows without some challenges involved, I guess there are people who like to watch people being challenged. Heck, I'd like some show to just be all happy, at least once in a while.

Carol said...

Don't y'all think that being very attractive can both cause people to think you are smarter or think you are dumber.

In a professional setting I think people are more intimidated by people who are smarter or work harder. In a setting where pretty is important, then I think that it would be more intimidating.

Carol said...

One thing that bothers me about TM is that they seem to suck up to newbies. Someone who's been around for a while, not so much. Someone who was around but may not talk as much, they really ignore.

I felt bad for Flatus recently. I think he had every right to challenge Bill. Everyone went to extremes to beg Bill to come back. I wonder if Flatus had his feelers hurt?? I know he's a big boy and will be back.

That's something that I've often pondered. We are so much more vicious to those we know and love than we are to perfect strangers. I do understand why. It's because we know that our loved ones will still love us anyway. That may not always be the case though. Maybe love...but not like.

Coreen said...

Sorry you are still under the weather Jan...

Yes, remember that my friend mentioned the tickets were pricey...she considers herself to be 'thrifty', & bought the tickets in advance, if that saved some $$, she would go for that deal...

they met another couple there who lives in SC...they were on the way to or from FL so they took the time to go off course & visit...she had some pics on FB...gardens, mansion, view of the blue ridge mtns, vanderbilt's old car, & fried green tomatoes at a restaurant at the estate...& of course, there's a gift shop...

Guess if I was in the neighborhood,
it would be worth a trip over, at least one time, just to see it...

Seems that vanderbilt family was
pretty busy building mansions around the country...maybe they were competing with each other...

some of them lived in NYC, but pretty sure those homes are long gone...


jan said...

Thanks for the info on Vanderbilt. We will not have time this trip 1st of March to go but we will be going back in another year - so that will be a good time. I will see about advance tickets if less costly.

jan said...

I go over to TM lately and lurk. If there is nothing going on here or FB or e-mails and I am wanting to connect. The conversations are more interesting to me than they were before elections. I am not logged in or anything. I enjoy reading what you guys write - I have see comments by you Carol and Chloe but not Coreen. Maybe Coreen writes with different name. Lots of guys writing and I recognize lots of peoples names from other times in past when I have visited.

jan said...

I loved the movie "Salmon fishing in the Yemen." and Carol I have FAITH that you will like it too. It is a British movie. The actors are pretty well known - I have seen them in other movies. It is about fish and fishing - to some extent.

jan said...

I recommend this movie to all.

Unknown said...

Carol said:

Carol, I don't know how I missed this comment of yours this morning. I did have to leave the house on the spur of the moment, and just have a short time now before giving Emma her bath, etc.

I know exactly how you feel. I am fond of telling others (including myself, my own inner voice has lots of conversations with me) that worrying about things just makes them worse, that the worrying is usually/always worse than what we imagine (fear).... and I do believe that to be more of a fact than an opinion. BUT, I'm a worrier too. That's why I understand and sympathize with those feelings.

To tell the truth, I think I would have done everything you did in the same way you did regarding the satellite and the boat (sounds like a pretty dumb thing to do). But I think apologizing is what I'd do too (even though not necessary) .... because that's what I always do when I speak out from my anger.

Unknown said...

... I tried linking your comment like we do at TM but it goes somewhere else.

Anyway, you know that I was talking about the one you made regarding the boat and the satellite.

Carol said...

Chloe, I said I was angry and I was but I really didn't react to him with anger but I did indicate that I thought it was likely that it could have missed up the reception. And I did tell him that I would rather he not tie up to the pole. That water, when it's high rages. A boat tied up will definitely pull on the pole. I wasn't even sure that he knew that I still used that dish.

Even my worker guys thought that it was a good possibility. It was a weird coincidence that it went out at that same time.

Carol said...

Jan, I pulled up a few trailers for that movies and it looks interesting. If it involves fishing, I'd be interested.

Unknown said...

"One thing that bothers me about TM is that they seem to suck up to newbies"

Actually, that happens because Craig has often asked everyone to greet the newbies and make them feel welcome. I think he and Bill were friends a while back. (?)

But, I for one wasn't 'sucking up'. I actually like the guy. He adds a new dimension to the site. You know that's always been my pet peeve there. They all go after anyone who doesn't fall in line.

I think the posts you make over there are very good, and you add a 'lot' to the site too, and it's better because of you.

You might notice that some only chat at length with those they consider to be their Kindred Spirit, being that they agree about every little detail of every little thing.

I'd hope you would never try to fit into that group. I wouldn't, because I'd have to go against everything I believe, and stick the unspoken rules of the site.

I thought what Flatus said about needing to be a citizen to be able to criticize was way off. But like you, now I worry that he might have hurt feelings too. He's so nice, but I certainly don't agree with everything he says.

Like you said, he's tough and will be back.

ps I hated myself that night they got down on Bill, because like I said... I didn't help enough. What I didn't tell you is why I felt that way. I told Flatus that what he said was in no way reflected in what I said, but actually it was what set me off.

I lied, so wouldn't feel responsible. And when I lied I felt like I had sold my soul. I know that must sound very dramatic, but it's true.

When I lied to Flatus, I lied to every else there, and I knew Bill would see that, and think that I supported what Flatus said.

Then the guilt came and that's about the time I said I will never go along to get along again. To me it is/was a moral issue.

I wouldn't have been there today, if Bill hadn't been called back by
Craig .... and if you hadn't been there.

There's a few people I love there, and a few that make me cringe.

Unknown said...

Carol,
He did a stupid thing tying a boat to a dish pole. Luckily the satellite company fixed it for free. And you handed it all perfectly. You have be blunt with some people, or they don't get what your saying.

(... hope your friend doesn't look in here)

Unknown said...

Jan, Glad to see you're getting your hands on some fiction to help you through these hard times.

Hopefully, in a couple of weeks you'll have more answers to all the unknowns you're dealing with now.

Carol said...

I have something else that is distressing me. I told y'all how my carpenter guys do such meticulous work. I really love those guys. This morning I was out at the camp looking at my new floor. It's beautiful. It's a laminate floor. They had this cardboard taped down by the front door to keep from messing up the floor when walking in and out. They removed that Friday.

They put one of my old carpets down in that area. This morning, when looking at the floor, I noticed a significant flaw right in that area. Only thing I can think that could happened is that they damaged one of the planks either when putting it down or later. I'm not that observant and I saw it right away. The sun shines in that room bright in the morning. The room is so beautiful and then there is this flaw.

They have all the baseboards down and to fix that, it would take lots of tearing out and redoing. With the cardboard down, they probably didn't see it. I really don't know how to handle it. I hate to even mention it. This has been the first time I've ever had work done where it was done so well. Why me? This was about the only thing in my life lately that was going so well.

They have done so much more work than any of us planned but it had to be done. I think they are losing money on this job. I do expect it to cost more than what we planned for but the guy told me that essentially they were making nothing. I'm really distressed about this. Any suggestions.

Also, I'm not sure if might be some flaw in the materials? If that is the case, then I need to know. I can't believe that papa didn't see that Friday when he took off that cardboard. He was using a little glass plus to remove the tape. That couldn't have caused the damage. If it did, that material would be not worth even having.

Unknown said...

Carol, Are they squares or length of flooring. Both are easily replaced (even though the molding is in, it's no big deal to do).

If I were you I'd tell him everything you just told me. I'd tell him it might sound petty to him, but to you it's a major thing (I do that to hubby all the time!)
If one little silly thing is bothering me, I can't think about anything else 'til it's fixed.

You could even offer to pay him to fix it -- I feel fairly certain he wouldn't charge you. But it would make you feel less guilty about asking.

That's what I always do. I explain to a work that I know it may sound like I'm being petty (and I'm sure I am) but could they please ... (fill in the blank).

I don't think compromise leaves anyone happy.

Unknown said...

... didn't mean to say you told 'me', but what you told 'us'.

I was starting to feel like we were having a private conversation.

Now must go.

Carol said...

Chloe, I don't think people need to agree over at TM. I hope everyone feels comfortable to express how they feel including you, without feeling threatened. I think that Bill should have been able to also deal with how Flatus felt about what he said. It shouldn't have run him off and it didn't. He's a big boy. I don't think that he needed people to feel the need to beg him to come back.

Like Jan said, if you throw your opinions out there, be prepared to get shot at. We have and we're still there. Actually, I'd rather be shot at than ignored altogether.

I didn't really have an opinion about the subject they were discussing. Like I wrote around that time...we seem to tolerate people who live here criticizing our country better than those who don't live here doing it. It's just human nature. Like, I can bitch about my husband/kids/family but don't you do it.

Carol said...

Chloe, you can't just replace that area. All those baseboards would have to come off and the floor ripped up for a good distance. It's that laminate plank. They join together like a puzzle. It would be a major job.

Carol said...

Bill did kinda get on a roll bashing the US at that time. Most of us aren't too happy with some of what he was criticizing but we didn't do it and there's not much we can do to fix it either. I think that it grated a little on Flatus's patriotism. He is a veteran, spent a significant amount of time in service of this country. He earned his right.

jan said...

Carol, It is too bad that the floor is messed up, but you will never be happy with it the way it is.

My oldest son and his wife had a similar situation. They had their kitchen floor replace by a friend in the business. It buckled. They hated to do it but the friend had to replace it. In the end Carol, as another friend once said to me, its Bidness.

Carol said...

I was thinking about setting something down right at that area that would call their attention to it without having to say something about it myself. Maybe find a dead dehydrated anole pointing at the area? I'm sure I can locate one of those around here.

Coreen said...

Watched the 60 minutes interview with both Hillary & the President...not sure what the purpose of it was...but they both
seemed to genuinely like each other, regardless of the past...still have no idea if Hill
intends to run in 16...

Carol said...

Saw it too Coreen. I think Hillary was born to run. No doubt in my mind.

Coreen said...

Carol since the defect/mistake is unacceptable, you really need to address it, sooner the better...hopefully in a nonconfrontational way, so as not to undermine the trust you have in this builder's work...it seems that if he is as capable as you suggest, he may be able to repair it w/o the extensive disruption that you say it would require...the only way to know for sure is to discuss it...once you get it out in the open, likely the 2 of you will come to some resolution as to how to proceed... no sense agonizing over it, just show him & see what he thinks should be done...

Carol said...

I think that Hillary could win this time. She'd make a better Pres than Biden would. Sorry, but I think she's much smarter. Biden makes a good VP. That experience as SOS will be very valuable. She's respected around the globe. She would do wonders for women here and around the world. I hope women have evolved some since that last election.

Part of the agenda of the "right wing" a label they are now ashamed of, with those committee hearings was to undermine her in prep for her run in 2016.

Carol said...

Coreen, you don't realize how hard it is for me to deal with these construction people. I've always had trouble. I've finally learned to deal with the one's I don't like much but the one's I love is another thing. I love these guys.

I never made a good bossman. When I was in management positions, I tried to lead by example. Hah, I just ended up doing all the work myself and then resented doing it.

Coreen said...

That is why I said you should just
show him what you found & discuss it...you trust him, so listen to what he might say about it...

you are anticipating something that may not be the case...he is the builder/carpenter, not you...let him do his job...

you don't have to be judgmental, confrontational...fill in the blank...just talk with him rather than you assuming you know how to repair it...you may just be surprised/relieved that he can
fix it...

you will not be satisfied until it is resolved...

Unknown said...

Carol,
I completely agree with everything Coreen just told you.

Hubby also does some general contracting, and he and his guys are the ones doing our remodeling (which is why it's taking so long, we have to do our money making work first).

We have those floors that fit together like that, and it's not nearly as difficult as you think. They end up have to cut some of them toward the end because they don't fit the floor exactly by the time you get to the end of each row and that last row by your door.

Believe me, it's not as big a deal as you think it is. BTW, you're going to continue to love the floor because they're so easy to take care of. And they look just like real wood floors now, but without the scratching and upkeep required with real wood.

Unknown said...

And I'm not sure you got my point about the Flatus/Bill disagreement.

Flatus has always been so kind to me -- he has been through so much, that I went back after I had said what I said (what I believe to have been true) and lied to him. I should have left it alone.

I see TM a lot differently than you do. People tell me , relax... it's only a blog. But I wouldn't even be there if it were a nothing type of game.

I see it as a microcosm of the rest of the world. Or at least of what I believe.

You talk about them being able to take it. Haven't you ever seen what they do to someone with different beliefs. We lost countless people there over the last five years or so who were literally chased out of there.

It's not like that now, but did you see Craig's post asking them if they chased Bill away? Then Craig emailed Bill, and most acted glad to see him.

Carol said...

That's the kind of floor I had in there before and it took a beating. Hurricane Rita blew open the door and rain poured in. It did warp it a bit but it really wasn't that noticeable. I needed to replace it back then but didn't. A friend even mopped it with Lysol floor cleaner and it didn't hurt it. It was cheaper stuff than this stuff.

I'm kinda thinking that papa had to have seen that place on Friday. He was down cleaning in that area. I wonder if he saw it and didn't want to mention it thinking that I wouldn't notice it???

Several people, including papa carpenter, tried to talk me out of using this stuff because it was a kitchen. I refused to change my mind because I had no problems with the last stuff.

Unknown said...

All that said, I am still worried about Flatus (which is what cost me the conflicts to begin with).

Carol, I may take some things wrong, but I do have a very good grasp of what's going on. That's what I do. I read between the lines. Sometimes I'm wrong, but just as often I'm right. Just because you don't see what's happening during the interaction doesn't mean it's not happening.

Unknown said...

... there's a very long history there.

Unknown said...

I have the same thing in my kitchen, carol.... as well as throughout the house. It's 'very' durable and easy to care for.

Talk to him.

Carol said...

Well, DA was a real bummer tonight.

Carol said...

I have several windows open and I thought I was writing on this blog and I was on TM. I need to be more careful.

jan said...

Sad things do happen. thanks for the heads up Carol. So I was expecting something bad to happen. I had an idea when she went into labor that this would be it.

Carol said...

Something I read in Wiki about DA gave me a hint that that character was not going to be around for long and her condition did provide an opportunity for that to happen.

I'm wondering who that dude, Lord what's his name, was who didn't want her to go to the hospital?? Another question, did nurse's carry dipsticks to test for albumin back then? I wonder if and how they treated eclampsia back then even if she would have gone to the hospital.

Probably could have saved her. I found this from "A Historical Overview of Preeclampsia-Eclampsia" (love the Internet tubes)

"In addition to the diverse approaches to manage preeclampsia-eclampsia in the 20th century, the use of magnesium sulfate was introduced. Although a mainstay of current treatment, it was not until 1906 that Horn first used magnesium sulfate to manage preeclampsia-eclampsia (Chesley, 1984). During the 1920’s, the parenteral use of magnesium sulfate in the treatment of preeclampsia-eclampsia was popularized by Lazard and Dorsett (Chesley, 1984), for Dr. Lazard’s work (as cited in Gabbe, 1996) demonstrated that treatment with intravenous magnesium sulfate was both efficacious and safe."

Hey, if Lady Crawley would have been there, she could have saved her. She seemed to always be up on her medical research. She probably represented the first NP.

Carol said...

If you aren't already familiar with this info Jan, you might find it interesting.

A Historical Overview of Preeclampsia-Eclampsia

Some interesting things I found in that historical overview:

"...many female ailments were attributed to the wandering womb. Central to this theory was that the uterus was able to physically uproot itself from its seat in the pelvis and travel anywhere within a woman’s body in search of satisfaction. While Hippocrates believed that a dried up uterus wandered the body in search of moisture, Plato viewed the uterus as an animal that wandered because it was sexually unsatisfied and desired to make children (Thompson, 1999). Regardless of reason, as the uterus wandered the body, it was capable of wreaking havoc upon the liver, stomach, spleen, lungs (Thompson) and head (Veith, 1965), ultimately leading to disease."

Dang, that may be what's wrong with my back. My dried up uterus is up there wrecking havoc.

Carol said...

Ya know...if the government ever tries to take my Internet away, I will get one of those AK whatevers and they'll have to take it from my cold dead hands. It's been a Godsend for someone who is intellectually curious.

Carol said...

And Jan, I fear that Lord Grantham will be sleeping in the closet for a while.

Carol said...

And even though Lord Grantham is a Lord, he ain't good at much, is he? He's not bad to look at and I hope he's good in bed.

Carol said...

You got to see this:

SNL' Brings Arianna On 'Weekend Update' To Talk Hillary Clinton & Women In Combat (VIDEO)

Unknown said...

"I never made a good bossman. When I was in management positions, I tried to lead by example. Hah, I just ended up doing all the work myself and then resented doing it."

Carol!
I didn't know that about you!

I'm so bossy, and wish I weren't, but when you've raised kids you had to learn to be.

I delegate more work than I do myself. Now I realize why you fell so taken advantage of!

You've got to set limits.
Or as Emma's teachers say (they've reworded all the old sayings): provide structure.

This floor thing will be your chance to try it. Just be tactful and kind and mention your concerns to him.

The rest will fall into place. But if it bothers you, don't back off.

Unknown said...

I'm going to have to look at your link later (once Emma's off to school).

Plus, I'll try to answer your question about hooking up your computer to your TV over at TM (after I talk to hubby about which cable to use) when he wakes up.

I'm going to do it over there, because there are others there that are more knowledgeable than me about this stuff.

Tony is a wizard when it comes to electronics. He and I have communicated by email many times, and he is such a good, kind, open minded, uncritical, giving person... well, it is hard to put it into words.

If we don't figure it out, we can ask him for help over at TM.

Also, Flatus is very knowledgeable about electronics.

Just check your computer to see if you have an HTML end on it (aside from the usb hook ups). If you don't know what one looks like, look it up on line or look under your system tools. I'm pretty sure you have an HTML hook up on your TV (is it very old?).

You also can go to help menu by clicking the start button at the bottom left hand of your start menu.... then clicking help and support on the right... and then in the search menu type in: 'connect computer to tv'. A link will pop up and give you some basic info.

The help menu is my best friend, and although I don't use it much anymore, it's what taught me all about the computer. It's now improved even more than ever.

Unknown said...

.... forget the system tools for now (although they are very informative).

Just go straight to the help menu. I meant to erase the system tools part, because it will be more confusing.

The help menu will have a link to click on: 'How to connect your computer to a TV', as well as information on any other questions.

Now, really gotta go 'til later.

Unknown said...

Carol, I just realized I said HTML (I think, don't have time to look) cable but I meant HDMI

Carol said...

Scary weather up your way Coreen.

Carol said...

I'm physically ready to go to the camp but not mentally prepared for any confrontation, even a sweet one.

I realize that my guys gave me a price that was just an estimate. He's done soo much more than was expected. He mentioned the other day that he was taking a loss on my project and they've been tied up with it since before Thanksgiving. Not my fault, the holidays, his illness, a few other jobs they stopped to do and then the river rising.

I certainly don't expect that they will have to eat a big loss with this job but I don't want to give the impression that I'm going to be a sucker either.

Dang, I wish they would just notice the problem before I have to point it out. Like I said, I can't see how they didn't Friday when he was down in that area cleaning up something.

I really stress over these kind of things.

Carol said...

I've been back to trying to tame up those kitties. Not making much progress. I can occasionally snag one and pet it. It doesn't try to claw or bite me but it doesn't seem to change their attitude either.

Yesterday I put some extra special food, other than their usual food, in a bowl, close, between my feet. They had to get right up to me to eat it. Babies wanted it but wouldn't risk it. Mama bitch actually did. I sneaked a couple of pets on her.

Something interesting that I've noticed. I'll go outside and mama bitch and one of the kids is missing for a while. It's a different kid each time. I think she takes turns taking one of the kids out to teach them cat skills.

Carol said...

TM is an interesting study in group dynamics. I realize that a few may drop in here every now and again.

That "like" button is kinda a manipulation. If people agree with ya, you get a check, if not, you get nada. If they missed you while you were gone, you can come back and say "boo" and will get a bunch of "likes". Just an observation.

Carol said...

Chloe, I realize that most of the likes I get are most likely from you and/or Tony.

It is a lesson on..we don't have to suck up to have meaning. It can be a tough lesson.

Carol said...

Coreen, I can hear your eyes rolling today. It's OK sister. Love ya anyway.

Coreen said...

Carol, and you would be correct...not even sure at this point what you are trying to say about TM...are you hoping for the crew there to 'like' your comments?...is it important to you that they do?...you want someone (hello like me) to let them know you want them to 'like' what you say?...what!...

And are you saying that you &/or others are sucking up to the 'newbees' like the latest aussie guy?...
& if some do 'suckup' to certain
persona's...who cares!, pretty sure, it's usually obvious when that happens...

I don't think you need validation of your own views, opinions, worth, etc., don't see you as insecure, so not sure what you are expecting at TM...

It's just a place where those with very similar views go to 'talk', speak their minds, comment, whatever...what more do you expect from it...it in no way defines the person you aware...so why the angst over the goings on or lack thereof at TM....

Coreen said...

As for the weather today, it snowed, rained & now the driveway was just plowed only about an 1" but heavy/wet & where I shoveled a little earlier, the blacktop is slick...what they call 'black ice'
it looks shiny, not wet, but it is slippery...the main roads are just wet now, they are treated with some chemical to try to avoid
icy, but if the temps drop overnight the drieways/walkways will be slick in the a.m....but it is supposed to be in the 40s tomorrow then 50s...so it should all dry up...& its not nearly as cold as last week...so all in all we are doing ok so far & the good news is January is just about over...the most unpleasant month of the year followed by February...

Carol said...

No Coreen, I don't care because if I did care, I'd keep my mouth shut. I realize that I piss people off. It's not my goal to do that but I can't help it. I just think it is a form of manipulation.

Unknown said...

Carol,
How's your computer/TV project coming along.

It's not conversational over there (TM) anymore, Carol. Those people have all left. That doesn't mean we can't go over there to talk politics or anything else. But don't worry about thumbs up. Most comments don't get any. I mention in a comment over there a while back that the thumbs up felt like being graded or judged anonymously.

I do understand how you feel though. I told you that I think of it as a microcosm for the big picture... things we're trying to work out in our own mind. And it's nice to be able to share a link or idea over there occasionally. But yes, Tony and I have mentioned the same thing to each other: it'll never be the same as before.

Unknown said...

You do not piss people off!

You are well liked over there and I have enjoyed your input. They're just non-responsive if you aren't on their talking points!

Like Coreen said, there's a click. Please don't let it get you down.

Coreen said...

Oh Carol, I ordered tickets to see
John Edward...he is having an event in Stamford August 15, so I got 4 tickets..I have a couple of friends who believe in psychics/mediums...so it should be interesting...there is a disclaimer that there is no guarantee that you will be 'read' at one of his seminars...I kept hoping one would come around & not be sold out by the time I saw it...& finally I saw the ad & jumped...

And yes, if the LI medium comes here I will try to get tickets for her too...still thinking about a private reading with Theresa, but I think there is a couple of years wait...have to follow up on that...

I think this will be fun & wouldn't it be something if one of us got a 'reading'...

Unknown said...

... and if you should piss someone off, more power to you. It's boring the way they agree with each other on every little issue.

Carol said...

Thanks Chloe.

Coreen, you scared me for a moment. I thought you were going to see that creep John Edwards, the politician. Phew. That ought to be a hoot. Can't wait to hear how it goes.

Carol said...

Chloe, I keep telling myself..they can't see me(I put something over my laptop camera) and they don't know where I live so it's OK if I make a fool of myself.

Carol said...

Yes, I got a HDMI cord. Now it may take a day or so for me to plug it in.

Unknown said...

With any luck, I'll finish 'Downton Abbey' season 2 by tomorrow. Have had download problems with Hulu and will cancel it once I make it through the last one. It's been cutting in and out or cutting me off so much, that I give up and turn off the TV. Maybe tonight will go better.

I ordered season 3 on DVD, but will not get ahead of you guys. I've been having a lot of trouble getting in enough TV time.

I'm already stressed out, and I haven't even finished season 2. I hope there are too many more twists and turns.

Unknown said...

" Now it may take a day or so for me to plug it in."

I'm the same way, except with me it takes weeks or even months. I take procrastination to a new level.

Unknown said...

You never make a fool of yourself.

... that's my department.

Unknown said...

You know, Carol.
I don't think either of us know why we're there. But there must be 'something' we're trying to learn.
I'm sure of it. We just don't have a clue what it is. :)

Carol said...

I do learn a lot Chloe.

Carol said...

Does Chianti go with filet mignon? You guys know that I don't know crap about wine.

Carol said...

You know Chloe that we first went to TM because we ran across Craig and we liked him. I continue to hang out because I also like the people over there. They are intelligent but I most like some of their sense of humor.

Carol said...

Coreen, living where you do, even you Chloe and Jan, there's so many interesting things y'all can go see and do. Big cities or near one. Me, here, I might be able find a good crawfish race and that is if I set up the race myself.

Carol said...

That's another reason I hang out on TM. It's less work than setting up a crawfish race for entertainment.

Carol said...

Coreen, you need to get a smart phone and take me with you to see John Edwards. And definitely if you go see LIM.

Unknown said...

Carol,
Did you read that science article Jamie just linked regard bloggers and commenters?

It's long, but very interesting. I starting just scanning the second half, but this rang a bell: "But there is another problem here – most of the good, nice, constructive commenters may have gone silent and taken their discussions of your blog elsewhere, but the remaining few commenters are essentially trolls."

I'm not referring to the troll part of the paragraph I quoted, but to the fact that we come over here to discuss what's being talked about at TM... and vice, versa.

The whole article is very good (if you didn't see it).
Good, Bad, or not at all

.... the article says the majority of people: 90%..... just lurk and don't comment at all.

Carol said...

I did attempt to read that article and it was interesting but a tad on the wordy side. Ya know I have trouble keeping my focus that long.

I guess we are the chatty 9%.

Unknown said...

My link turned blue, but didn't work (?)

The Good, Bad, or not at all

http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/a-blog-around-the-clock/2013/01/28/commenting-threads-good-bad-or-not-at-all/

Just in case I'll paste it both ways, in case Jan or Coreen are interested.

Unknown said...

Yep.
That must be us.

I'm going turn on Hulu right now, and let them piss me off by not downloading Downton Abbey without all the glitches.

Carol said...

Are you recording the current episodes from PBS?

jan said...

DIL is doing a bit better tonight. I did not go to hosp yesterday. Son called and she was leaking cerebro spinal fluid (CSF) through her nose and throat. They took her down to surgery and put in a drain in the lower spinal cord. Started her on antibiotics but D/C'd them today.

I learned something today - how to tell if its CSF If you put it on some cotton (sheet or pillow case the fluid makes a halo.

She says her headache is not as bad but still feels some pressure in her head. She had pain med tonight and feeling no pain in last of my visit.

Carol said...

I'm so glad she is doing better. She's been through it.

Unknown said...

Jan,
I echo Caro regarding your DIL. I am glad to hear she is in no pain.

Unknown said...

Did you see Craig's blog this morning, Carol.

I agree with the first line of Blondes comment: "Another sign of the transformational economy".

... (but not the rest of it where she goes on to blame specific groups.) We definitely are in a state of transformation. Not just the U.S., but the whole world. It's been hard for many to keep up.

Carol said...

Chloe, when people discuss money, it makes me anxious. Don't know why but it does.

Carol said...

Do you record the current DA shows or are you just going to buy the DVD?

Unknown said...

"when people discuss money, it makes me anxious"

Could it be because of the injustice of your loss of savings that was in the hands of people you trusted?

The only thing that scares me about money, is that if you don't have, and have way to earn any, then your world caves in.

Unknown said...

... sorry, though.

You said it makes you anxious, and I should have left it at that.

Daughter was sworn into the U.S. Army yesterday, and she was actually very excited about it. I hope she's kept in a peaceful country, although she just see's it all as an adventure. (?)

We're proud of her though, she feel's good about herself, and maybe it'll put her life on track.

They make a person team leader (of about 10 people or so that ship out to Boot Camp) and she seemed to fee honored to have been chosen.

Meanwhile, Emma won't remember these early years, but by the time she does, she'll know mommy was just serving her country in the U. S. Army.

Maybe she'll even learn how to be a mommy by the time Emma is going to remember.

Carol said...

Great news Chloe. It does take some kids much longer to grow up. My nephew sure took his time. She should learn some discipline in the service and that's great that she's already been picked for a leadership role. You should be proud of that. It's a reflection on you.

I've always been uncomfortable about money issues. I heard said that if you don't love it, it won't love you back.

Carol said...

I just finished changing my keyboard in my second laptop. I got it yesterday. I did it in record time and had no problems. It's only scary because it looks scary. It's very easy.

Carol said...

It won't take but a couple of minutes to plug that cord in I got yesterday. I just don't really need to do it yet. When I do, it will transfer what's on my monitor to the TV. I don't need that right now. I really don't have a problem watching my Netflix on my laptop. If you look at how big the pic is at a close distance on my laptop to how big the pic is on the TV at a greater distance, it's about the same. Now if I have company, I'll need the cord.

Carol said...

I had a call yesterday asking if I was interested in a full or part time job. It's a agency that provides staffing for ERs. Not really my interest. I said, not yet but got their number. I really don't know how they found my cell number.

Coreen said...

Chloe, much credit goes to your daughter & your family...that she made the decision to enlist & followed through is commendable...& that she was selected by her peers to lead is a very good sign of her abilities & qualities, that should guide her to success in this endeavor...

Carol said...

I just made a dinner date with one of my buds from the joint. She was really the only other professional I worked with. She is the mental health coordinator. I get pretty hungry for, in person, human interaction these days. I sometimes feel like Tom Hanks in that movie where he was stranded on that island. I've thought of getting a volley ball and name it Wilson but I do have Maggie and that's better since she does look at me and tilt her head a little when I talk to her. And the kitties too. More than what a volley ball can do.

Coreen said...

As for Craig's blog, anyone have any idea of what it costs to maintain it...I know he accepts donations, but would think that it is unlikely that those that have said they toss in a couple of $$$ can help keep it going...

Unfortunately if you can not make a 'profit' at a business it will fail...evidence the company that was Craig's topic...

It continues to be a difficult time for many small businesses in particular, whether there is a turn around on the horizon, no idea...

Chole you mentioned the comments by blonde wino...not sure about any transformation happening, but rather a continuation of what has been occuring with small businesses
for several years, with no real
solutions provided by the administration...as far as her
railings against republicans...
seems to be her calling card all the time...

Carol said...

I can't say we all don't do a little railing against the Repubs Coreen, even the Repubs themselves. Hey, they ask for it. There are some good ones but we don't hear from them. I guess they are afraid to open their mouths. I loved Chuck Hagel, you guys ought to remember that. Even his party doesn't like him. The guy always said reasonable and smart things. He hit my attention back in 2000 and kept it until he retired. I was very sorry when he retired. I know there are a lot of creepy Dems also. Creepy seems to be the norm for politicians these days.

Coreen said...

Yes Carol you do...maybe that's why you have found your way back to TM...

Coreen said...

And there are other 'good' repubs.(just as there are lots of 'lousy' dems, like reid & yes pelosi(had such great hopes for her when she became speaker & over time for me she has continually disappointed)..the guy I liked & still like...Chris Christie, NJ gov...(& yes Carol, I remember that you did not appreciate him, but hey what else is new, we don't agree about much in politics, at least since Hillary was dissed by the dems)...
why no dem wants to run against chris christie in 2013

Carol said...

I think I said "we" and it's not because I have a frog in my pocket. I haven't looked, I might. Maybe that doesn't include you but I don't believe it's not because you think they are smart. I'll take up for any of them who I think are worthy, even if no one agrees.

New Post. We were almost out of room.

Unknown said...

You all know that I agree with that post I brought over here that Champ made.
It's not 'them against us', or vice versa.

I believe this country was found protecting the rights of the individual.