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

Sorry to hear about your tooth. Dentist are so expensive these days.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my US friends :)
Today I'm supposed to be getting my passport - Hurray! btw - I got a call a week ago saying that I sent way too much verification ID and there was no problem with issuing a passport based on the name I used on my previous one. The agent at their office is the one who insisted I needed MORE and the Passport issuing office said she asked for too much. I told the fellow on the phone that this is a Training Opportunity. I told him that I went there 3x and once the agent had me in tears, thinking that it would be easier to change my name to my birth name. The fellow at the Issuing Office apologized for the confusion.
Anyway, I'm home to sign for it, FINALLY.

So happy for you Susan! You had to go through so much to get that passport! When is your Scotland trip?

Busy week, had the surgical procedure to remove my kidney stone, got the stent out yesterday, so glad that's over. This has really been a year for medical/dental stuff for me.

Now, need to get ready for company on Thanksgiving. My kids families and my brother's family are coming over. So much to do and so much to clean, and I'm busy at work so can't take time off right now. Somehow it will all get done.

Praying for a complete recovery for you Deb. Sorry you have so much to do. I hope your company will help you.
Glad you got your passport Susan. What a mess you went through.

Thanks Deb & Linda Kay. Appreciate your thoughts as I go through my lengthy acclimation to my new home.
I got shell-shock last night when I went to my pharmacist. For 3 months worth of 3 prescriptions I usually pay (as confirmed when I called my Alberta previous pharmacist) $20, and last night at the same pharmacy in Manitoba I paid $111!! The rest, in Alberta was paid for by Blue Cross (as a senior I paid nothing for Blue Cross, this pharmacist says that I would pay $35 per month! At $105 for 3 months he didn't think it would be worth my $$ and he's right, I would save $6).I'm going to call Mb Pharmacare on Monday & voice my concern.

Hope everyone had a good week.

I had my kids, my son's family, and my brothers family over on Thanksgiving. I'm very irritated with my sister in law, she asked if she could take some left overs, I have her some baggies, and didn't really notice until after they left, when I was cleaning up, but, she took everything!! All the turkey, all the stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, corn. Nothing left! I don't mind sharing, since it's just me, and I couldn't eat that much, but, to take it all. That's pretty nervy. We've never gotten along, and I'm very non-confrontational, but, next year, I'm putting away something for me first!

Winter storm warning until 6am tomorrow. I think we've gotten about 5-6 inches of snow so far. I went out twice to try and keep up with the shoveling, but, I've pretty much given up on that. Think I'll curl up on the sofa with a book, or my ipad.

Deb, I understand fully about being non-confrontational, but the gall of her! "some leftovers" isn't EVERYTHING! Sharing means you each have something.

Happy St. Andrews Day to anyone with a wee bit of Scottish they lay claim to! I've got my mother's Hamilton tartan kilt on and my MacKenzie sash. I'm heading off to church with it on, with Scottish jewelry.

We just got some snow today. Nothing more than what you could clean off with a broom, but it does look pretty. Hope that it's not slippery cuz I'm carrying a pot of soup for the potluck after church. We have one every Sunday.
Curling up with a book sounds lovely, Deb - enjoy!

Deb, I don't hold my tongue anymore. If someone in my family did that, I would call them immediately.
Susan, I hope you had a wonderful day in church.
We had our first snow this morning. Maybe ½ an inch.

Just got in from shoveling. We got another 5 inches or so overnight. I think we've gotten more snow in the past 10 days than we did in the last two winters put together!

I took tomorrow off work, my daughter is off on Mondays, so we're going out to do some Christmas shopping, while kids are in school, and malls aren't as crowded.

I agree with Linda Kay - should have called them immediately, BUT you still can. Don't let this fester. Be non confrontational, but direct. It CAN be done.
I got a wonderful surprise yesterday. 2 weeks ago today I lost a billfold in a Tim Horton's etc parking lot. Yesterday the police called to say it had been turned in. It had my car registration (which is how they found me) and $45 in bills. Nothing else and I had a second copy of my registration, so I was ok. I figured that someone got some $$ for Christmas and that was alright with me. I picked it up at the police station, now I don't need to buy a new billfold LOL
A friend who did the detailing on my car called for $$ help. He sent me a gift cert for detailing, and I sent him the funds. I'm gifting it to my daughter & son-in-law (Michelle & Lonnie) for Christmas, FINALLY a gift that I know they'll use & appreciate. I never know what to give them.
I am having a lot of fun, learning how to skate, I found out that the river next to my place has skating, and 8 minutes away is a free skating rink (outdoor). I'm thrilled!
On the 13th/14th friends are driving in from Alberta to have an early Christmas dinner with me & some friends - I'm so excited! They'll be here for 2 days & then go to visit family in rural Manitoba. They're bringing gifts from friends, and I'm going to give them gifts to take back. They'll be home by the 18th, so that's perfect timing.

Enjoy your shopping day Deb.
Susan, so glad your wallet was returned.

I don't know why this thread disappeared, but I found it again.
Had my Alberta friends, DeAnn & Peter come on the 13th, they came to church with me Sunday morning, and we had our early Christmas dinner on the 14th. A couple from bowling and my friend Karen came, so there were 6 of us. Had a great evening and fun was had by all. DeAnn & Peter went to family's homes in rural Mb and they head to BC on Sunday. It was great to see them.
A blizzard hit here last night and we have blowing snow, rain & ice so it was pretty treacherous on the highway. I chose to stay home today. I don't really have anywhere to go until Sunday when it's supposed to get better weather.
Going to Michelle & Lonnie's for Christmas dinner.
Found out that there will be a Robbie Burns dinner just down the street from me on Jan 25th. There is a Luncheon to discuss it, this Saturday. I've been invited to come to it and also to join the Robbie Burns Society. Looking forward to it :)

I decided to go out for a short drive today, and I wish I hadn't. No accident, but the drive was hazardous, and some major streets had street lights out (no crossing police to guide us, drivers took turns at intersections).
I need to go out tomorrow, and hope that the blizzard conditions are over with.
Looking forward to seeing Michelle & Lonnie for Christmas dinner Thursday. It'll just be the three of us.

It's been really quiet here. I haven't heard anything from Pat. Praying she is ok.
Popping in to say Merry Christmas to you all.
It's getting busy here, doing last minute shopping and house cleaning.

I wonder if Pat had, like others, decided this chat was too quiet and quit.
I hope not, I miss her chats. Lots going on in her life, like ours, and I like to hear what's going on.
I think that I have Pat's phone # - I'll see, and try to call her.

I called Pat, and she's fine. She said that she will be posting here within the week but that she's been busy..
I hope that Deb posts too!

Thanks for checking on her. Looking forward to see her pop in.

I found you guys again!! What a round about way to have to find posts!

I've got my brother's family coming by tonight for dinner, and to my son's house tomorrow morning, then by brothers for Christmas dinner.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year!!

Deb

Merry Christmas Deb! Glad that you found us again :)
How lovely to spend the holidays with family :)

I went to Christmas Eve service at my church yesterday, then to my friend Karen's for the evening - her son & grandson were there & we played UNO. Had a good time. I took over some chestnuts & we roasted them in the oven. I'd never had them before & they were tasty! Another "tasty" we had for the 1st time was Snow Colada - yum! Rim a wine glass with honey & coconut, then shake Malibu rum, sweetened condensed milk, pineapple juice and lime together, Pour this frothy drink into the wine glass & top with a cherry - YUM!
Here was Santa's flight plan for last night

This message was edited Dec 25, 2025 11:40 AM

I hope everyone had a nice Christmas.
I had a lot of running around, but, had a good time. Everyone was at my house for Christmas Eve. Christmas morning we started off at my son's house in the morning for opening presents. My daughter and her dog were there, too. Then I had enough time at home to let my dogs out, and get everyone settled, then almost an hour drive up to my brother's in Wisconsin. Had Christmas dinner with them, and had a nice visit. I got home around 6pm, and just crashed! I curled up on the sofa with just the lights of the Christmas tree and my iPad, and spent the evening catching up with friends on facebook and playing games.

Sounds like everyone had a great Christmas.
We had a house full here too.
New year is just about here.
Seems like the years go by so fast.

Happy New year everyone.

Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year!!!!!

I'd joined Red Hatters, and just got notice of our January social gathering. I'm looking forward to it. We're going to go bowling at the lanes I go to every Monday, then afterwards we'll go to a restaurant in the same mall as the lanes.
So, don't see anyone posting for 5 days. Are we giving up on this chat room?

I seem to have lost everybody. Are you all gone? I can only find the Coffee thread.

This does not seem to be going anywhere.

I know, not much traffic here anymore, and I MISS the people posting/

I keep checking in. Haven't seen anyone posting for a few days.
Susan, enjoy your. Meeting with the red hat ladies.

Pat hasn't returned yet, either

I was very happy the other day when I picked up a piano keyboard from my sister & brother in law - NOW, I have to learn how to play lol My mom was teaching me, in my 20s, but that was a very long time ago. I remember most of Greensleeves, Whispering Hope and Beautiful Dreamer, but I need to more comfortable with my left hand.

Sorry I've been missing. I got out of the habit of checking daily. Good luck with your piano, Susan. I remember learning those songs when I was taking organ lessons as a kid! I haven't played in decades, I wonder how much comes back after so long.

Haven't been to any dog shows for a while. I'm waiting for one of my girls to come into season, so we can do a breeding. I thought that would have been over a month ago. Will have to make the trip to Shawnee OK when she's ready. Doing a photo shoot in Wisconsin with a couple of the younger dogs next Saturday. It's an outdoor shoot, so I hope the weather cooperates.

Deb - apparently a lot comes back after so long. These are songs I learned 40+ years ago.

Good luck on the piano Susan. I could play chopsticks. That's all I could do.
Deb, good luck with the photo shoot and the breeding.

Thanks Linda Kay - the songs I'm "remembering" are Whispering Hope, Green Sleeves, Beautiful Dreamer and Joy To The World. Whispering Hope was my mom's and grandma's favourite. I'm doing ok on the playing, but the left hand is what I'm having the most difficulty with.
Tomorrow the mgmt is shutting off the water to fix a water leak, for 2 hours from 9 am. I've done my laundry and dishes, so I'm ok. I can always go to the mall or hotel for the washroom hahaha

Those are beautiful songs.
Keep practicing. You can do it.

Thanks for the encouragement, Linda Kay :)
I truly miss all the chatting on here.

I am now walking UP the stairwell in my apt block. To be safe, I wear a pullover with huge pockets to put my phone & apt keys in. If I fell in the stairwell, there'd be no one who'd find me if I couldn't call anyone. Tonight I walked from the basement all the way to the 17th floor (17 floors!!!)! Mind you, I did it in 4 stages. Stopped every 4 or 5 floors & played crib on my phone until I caught my breath. BOY, I'm out of shape lol
What are you up to nowadays, Linda Kay (and anyone else who pops in here!)?

My daughter in law and I are still making quilts. Just because.
We also go to a Bible study every Monday and Thursday for the homeless. We bring breakfast for them.
We are about to get some of that nasty weather headed our way. Supposed to stay in the morning with freezing rain, then lots of snow.
I hope the. Weather liars are wrong.

I remember you saying that more & more homeless are coming to Bible Study - that's great!
Our minister is talking about creating a study group on Saturdays.
Did I also mention that she & I are talking about me becoming a Lay Minister?

I'm a little scared - got a call re: my mammogram, and they found some shadows on my right breast, so they've scheduled me for more tests Feb 18th. Oh boy........... and I've been saying how healthy I am. Well, I'll keep doing what I'm doing & hopefully the shadows are simply fibrous cysts & nothing to worry about.

Not for sure what a lay minister is.
Praying for good report on your next test.
0 degrees this morning. Feels like -19.
It's cold. I am staying inside today.

Praying you get a good report on your next tests, Susan.

That is so cold for you Linda Kay! Yesterday we had a high of -2, I don't think we're supposed to get above zero today, either. Supposed to get up to 6 inches of snow between tonight and tomorrow.