Best & Worst, what did I learn today. July 2025

Good to hear from you, Deb
A county fair! And with your daughter - how nice :)
I love county fairs - used to go to the Morris Stampede when I lived in Manitoba before, and next year I'll go. Small towns have always held a special place in my heart. I'm not a fan of big events with large crowds. Sounds funny from me, who just moved from a tiny hamlet to the big city, but "home is where the heart is" and my heart is here, with my family.

I need to check to see if there are sources that give out food.
Photo of the carpenters star quilt in purple. 2nd one is in blues, still need to get a photo of it.

LOVE that quilt Linda!!! Is that gray "Whirl"? I think I have it in black and it is my FAVORITE black to use.

AI Overview
Yes, there are food banks and food pantries in Amarillo, TX, and you can find them by using the Feeding America locator tool to enter your zip code. You can also contact the Square Meals website to learn about statewide programs and eligibility, or look for local pantries directly through a Google search. I hope that helps.

Deb, good to hear you are busy and sound very happy. Getting it done, bit by bit is such a good feeling.

Costco had their bulbs in & we went a little crazy. Starting from scratch takes a LOT of bulbs to begin with.

Thanks for the info. I will check it out.

Yes, it's a gray swirl with silver metallic threads. I bought it at joanns.

Well it makes a beautiful background Linda.

Now that it's Sept, are we going to stay in a July chat?!?! Or are we so non-talkative that we can continue this thread (if it doesn't take long to load)
I'm making plans to get my dentures fixed. They've never felt secure and I've had a recommendation for a denturist 1 1/2 hours away.
I'm also making plans for my trip to Scotland in May.

I don't know how to make a new thread.
Susan, you sound very happy, getting things together in your new home.

Off work today. I have 2 dog shows today, one tomorrow. Fingers crossed he shows well, and I don't fall on my face running outside!

Maybe the chat should be a seasonal one, rather than a monthly.

Yes, Linda Kay - I am very happy.
I got a car key fob on Wednesday & today my car's in to get my Provincial Safety. I found out that my car has command start! I guess I'll have to get a new fob for that, whether it's an additional one, or I can get an "all in one" fob. I remember you saying that I should push the "panic button" on my fob when I lived in Alberta, on my previous car, and I had no idea what you were saying. Well, now that I have a fob, I DO know and have that option lol
Slowly but surely, I'm getting my "act" together lol

I don't know what a command fob is. My Durango has a fib, no key is needed to start the car. I just push the start button. I do know that if I lose my fob, it cost $350. 00 to replace it.
Deb, I hope you did well at the dog show today.

Cold front is going through our area. 52 degrees tonight.

fib? Here we call it a fob. I have one to get into my building. What does fib stand for? This is what I found, for fob:
"The term "fob" in the context of keys does not stand for an acronym. It originates from the German word "fuppe," meaning "pocket," and historically referred to a small pocket used for storing valuables, particularly in the context of pocket watches.
By the early 1900s, it described the ornament or chain attached to a pocket watch, and later evolved to mean any small decorative item attached to a keychain.
The modern usage of "key fob" for electronic devices like car remotes or access cards stems from this older definition, not from an acronym."
I'm going to get one to start my car, for the cold weather in the winter. Hopefully mine will go on ONE fob and not have to have two. Yikes on the $350! Mine would have cost almost that much ($300) IF I hadn't had a fellow who makes these recommended to me.
Last night I went driving in the dark, for the first time since I got here - my GPS got my lost & was stuck behind a fence in someone's driveway, so had to "fudge it" a bit and after 10 minutes of being on the wrong street, I found it. Bought 2 floor lamps & a Bistro set for my balcony - they're perfect for my space!
Today I set up a telescope, but have to go online to figure out how to use it. It's a Bushnell & I'd sold it to someone Christmas '23. It was missing a part so they sold it back to me. I found the missing eyepiece when I was packing, but now they're moving & would have downsized & sold it anyway. It'll be good using it from my 17th fl balcony :)

This forum is free, right - I don't have to pay the membership fee for it?
Mine is due now, but someone said that some forums are free & I think this is one of them.

No, you don't have to pay to get to this forum. I let my subscription lapse in the spring.
Had dog shows Friday and saturday. We did ok, but, it was long days. Glad I didn't enter today, I need to get some stuff done around the house, yard work, laundry, grocery shopping. Monday morning comes way too quick.
A photo of our win from Friday. Hamish (the dog) looks good, I look a mess, but, it was a nice win!

Thank you! I won't pay for a free site lol You look proud, and that's the best look for you :)
I'm working on my trip to Scotland with my travel agent. I'm trying to get her explanation of the charges (tour, flight, transfer fees & hotels) straight in my mind, but what I understand is that I'll leave here May 12th and return May 24th, go to Edinburgh, and return from Glasgow through Heathrow and then home. I'm going to take a Highland Fling tour which has a Robbie Burns type of evening (extra cost) and I'm looking forward to it. I can take 50 lbs worth of luggage and of course that will include my tartan skirt & sash (Hamilton & MacKenzie, in that order). I'm used to travelling LIGHT, so this sounds like a lot.

I am happy to hear Hammish got a win, he is beautiful!

I had a great time at son & DIL's worked outside for hours and hours. Made lots of progress.

Sorry Susan, it was a typo. It should have been fob.
Deb, congratulations on the win. He is beautiful.
Pat, sounds like you enjoy your time at your son's place.

If this is loading slowly, I can make a new thread, otherwise, let's just keep this one active.

for me, it's fine, Pat
My neighbour came by and let me know that I should be able to get my rent subsidized as I'm a low income senior! Wow, how great is that? He told me to look at their website & send in the form. I don't know what percentage it will be, but it will be retroactive & they'll send me a cheque, based on the amount they determine that I can pay!!

I hope that works for you Susan.

I won the block lottery at the "Divas" quilters meeting today at one of the local quilt stores. I got all 22 blocks that were turned in.

That's great, Susan!

Congratulations, LindaKay! 22 blocks sounds like quite a haul!

That's great, Pat!
Are all the blocks those that you'll put in one quilt, or are they different enough that they'll go in multiple quilts?

I have not decided exactly how many I will use them. I do know it is highly unlikely I will put them all in one quilt.

Susan, that will be awesome.
Pat, congratulations. Photos of the blocks?

Yes, photos when I get back. I am leaving now until Sunday. Gone to Portland to see my son Kevin & family.

have a great visit with your son & family :)
Linda Kay - it may only be around $60 per month, and could take 10 weeks to be processed, but its retroactive when it comes & could be a nice nest egg for Christmas!
Today I transferred my Legion membership, got a library card, and my previous church sent the transfer letter (via email) to my new church. Other than waiting for my photo id driver's license & medical card (coming in the mail), I have officially "landed" lol
I was FURIOUS at my bank's call centre last night. I called them last night trying to figure the best way to pay the balance of my Scottish tour in May, and the call centre decided that because I didn't have a passport yet, that the travel agency must be scamming me and locked my bank account! I emailed the branch manager in the small town where I opened my account & she unlocked it for me this morning. I'm not going until May and don't need my passport yet, but the call centre employee figured I would need it NOW & that I MUST be being scammed. Overstepped his boundaries, obviously! I'm glad that it happened during a weekday, otherwise my branch would have been closed & it wouldn't be resolved until Monday. Now, I'd already paid for my airfare (both ways), the deposit, and travel insurance. btw - the call centre didn't tell me that they were locking it, but when I tried to get in last night & I couldn't, I called the call centre again and an associate told me. He couldn't unlock it, but my bank manager did, first thing this morning. Now all that's owing is the actual tour, which is due mid-March. I'll pay it this week, just to have it all done with.

Sounds like things are coming along for you Susan.

Yes, except now I can't get my Manitoba Medical card........ They want my divorce certificate and my ex's address. I sent the Divorce decree & told them his address, but also told them that there's a Court Ordered No-Contact-Order and he's NOT to know my contact details. I also sent them a copy of my birth certificate.
It was only when I tried to track my Medical Card that they got back to me, and told me my request was incomplete (?!?!?!) that they sent me an email demanding more info (and yes, I use the word demand, because if I don't send it right away, they'll close my request and that's the tone of the email).
I still haven't gotten my photo id driver's license yet, so I can't use that as ID.
I'm feeling frustrated.

My mind is totally blown today.
1. I got a letter in the mail, readdressed to my new address - it contains ALL the ID I lost last Dec 28th - birth cert, driver's license, SIN card, Health card, AB Health, etc. No note, just my old address & my new address.
2. I took my hearing aids into a Hearing Aid store, and apparently my left hearing aid is dead & won't charge. I've had them for almost 2 years, and the warranty ran out last November. It'll cost $450 for a replacement - not fixable.
3. I tried to mail a return product to the US and I have to fill out a customs form & pay duty. Apparently this was instituted August 29th. Paperwork..........
4. I still haven't gotten my MB Medical card. I don't know what they want from me!

Suffice to say, I am not having a good day - The majority of my ID has been reissued or cancelled, so only my Red Cross card, birth cert & SIN card are valid now.

Sorry to hear that you are having problems.
Praying they get fixed soon.

Thank you, Linda Kay
Spoke to Driver's Licensing, and they say that my Driver's License should be received next week in a plain envelope (looks like junk mail so it won't look like ID lol). Once I have that, I'll send a copy off to Manitoba Health & see if that helps me get my MB Health Card.

Hi - got my driver's license!
I guess no one's been posting here, because I lost this thread. I got it from my d-mail. How's everyone doing?

Sorry, I've been checking in, but, not posting. Glad you've gotten your driver's license, Susan.
Tomorrow is my granddaughters 13th birthday. Hard to believe she's a teenager already. We're having a family party on Saturday.
I'm waiting for the vet to call, one of my boys was diagnosed with a significant heart murmur when we were in on Monday. He didn't have one when he was last there in January. Tests were run, hopefully I'll hear today so we can start treatment.

oh Judy - sorry to hear about your boy's diagnosis! What would cause the "significant" heart murmur, did the vet say?
Happy 13th birthday to your new teen! How fun - a birthday party!

Nothing new with me. Marie's backup camera is not working & we have the van loaded to the ceiling. We will deliver everything tomorrow and not do that again until the new part comes in & we have the repair done!
Barely a week away before we leave for the quilting retreat.

Glad to hear that Susan.

Deb, sorry to hear that about your dog. Praying it's an easy fix

Pat, it seems like you are always on the run.

Wow, can't imagine driving a van without a backup camera. I depend on mine so much.

The party was nice, my granddaughter was happy with all her gifts. I still can't believe she's a teenager!

Luca goes for a chest x-ray tomorrow. It's going to be a busy week.

This chat is sure quiet - I miss the chatter.
Things are quiet around here - but I am going to bowling today, and I signed up for a "Learn to skate - adult" class. it's every Wed for 20 minutes, starting this Wednesday until mid-December, for 12 weeks. I used to skate a LOT when I was a kid, and got some skates in 2017, but that's also when I had both knees replaced and couldn't skate then. I still have them.
I don't have a backup camera on my SUV, but wish I did.
Yes, teenager-hood is an exciting milestone! Glad she enjoyed the party.
I know you'll have fun, Pat, at your quilting retreat. Don't know why, but I haven't touched my new-to-me sewing machine. Don't know what the "block" is, but I have to get myself going on it!

Good luck with your skating lessons Susan.

thank you, Linda Kay :)
I'm nervous, but excited. I'm starting to get more stuff done, in my neighbourhood, and it's a good feeling.
I've also been asked (with another person) to be an admin of a FB group, called The Gratitude Group. Anyone can join, and I invite you to join. There's so much to be grateful for, in this whole world of ours.
The previous admin had created the group in 2014 and it's a wonderful way to remind ourselves of the wonderful things in all our lives.

This message was edited Sep 30, 2025 1:25 PM