Coffee and...For Monday, March 13, 2006 =^..^=

Here's the daily continued from
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/582574/
Have a super day! ♫
Susan
=^..^=

I know it's still Sunday here. Sunday for quite some time where some of you live. But Monday comes soon. Just watched a bit of the late news on TV with its coverage of tornados in the midwest US. and wanted to say that i hope all of you are OK.

good night

Ann

Viann, we are under the gun for the tornados early today. Should arrive about day break. This is something we live with year after year. Never been in the direct line of one, but close. You do the snow and we do the tornados.

Night All.

Defoecat --- this is going to be a bangup tornado spring unless this warm weather slows down you know that dont you.

Susan--- I hope you do not see your first tornado this year but I tell you if things do not change it is going ot be a wiz bang spring. Since about 6pm our tv has not stopped with the warmings and reported tornados. At one time we had one sited in 8 miles west of Laurie heading east at 70 mph. And we are 7 miles west of Laurie. Well that one went down and there was another one about 20 miles in back of that one. Then there was one 18 miles south and another 13 miles north of us. I think they were all touch and goes are else what they call ropers. Real weak tornadoes that disapear real fast. Was sure a bunch of them this evening. It is all this warm weather.

Morning, woke up to the news saying tornados hitting everywhere. I hope everyone is o.k. Oz, Susan, Dcat and everyone else check in and let us know. Keeping everything crossed.
Mary sounds like you had a wonderful day and have some plans for the summer...your energy amazes me...what vitimins do you take.LOL......Lauri

Hi everyone!
FIrst of all, prayers for everyone who's facing severe weather. It seems selfish when you live in the northeast to hope for the end of winter, when as soon as winter ends, the tornadoes, hurricanes, and wildfires start up everywhre else!

Carat~I'm sorry, I just think it's so funny that your kids *stole* the cords...did they make you pay ransom? Or were they just feeling neglected? How old are they again?

defoecat~I hope you got some sleep after all and that today is not a wild one there! I'm sure I would have had the colt in the livingroom too...I often remember my mother being angry that I was "hypersensitive" - I guess it's still true. I just get so saddened by death and sickness and injustice and...you name it. I have to pray a lot!

MaryE~I have heard of packrats but never heard about a real one. UGGGGGHHH seems to me there's enough places for them to live out by you without having to be under your bathtub!! I find mice nests which are gross enough, and okay, super gross....one June I found three baby mice in a sweater in my DRAWER for heavens' sakes! The very nice wool sweater had been chewed into a nest...when did that happen? It must have been overnight....sorry, the whole mess went out the door. Yuck. I never think of sweater drawers the same way again! Evidently I have overcome my sensitivity to some things...mice in the house for one!

9kitty~hope you're weathering the storms okay too

Elaine~I like Mary's comment, that to finish is to win. hooray for your bro. ! Finishing would sure be a victory for me at this point. (heck finishing anything other than a chocolate cake would be a victory for me!! LOL)

Maria~I hope Samson is perking up, poor guy, he's been in my thoughts - you too. You'll be back to normal in no time, waltzing for exercise.

Suzi~How are you today? I hope all better. Still chuckling about the 2x10. What's after that, a power lam?

Ann~The cornbread looks wonderful! I recognize myself in the "not inspired cook" category. I'm also not an inspired housekeeper, so I assume my kids will be wonderful cooks and housekeepers just to spite me! I hope it's just the result of trying to feed kids for 18 years that I'm tired of it...I used to like to be creative!

It's dark here and planning to rain, but still warm. We're supposed to have snow accumulating by the end of the week....sigh...oh well, I'm still reliving my nice sunny 50 degree day on Saturday. When you live up here you really have to milk the good times!!

Hi to everyone else, will be back later!

Heard on the news that there were over 100 tornadoes yesterday - whew- that's a load of bad weather~~ We were under a tornado watch until 7am - I don't remember that happening in years...bunch of schools were delayed because of it. More bad weather coming here this afternoon and then 3 in of snow overnight.

After DIL left last night, I washed everything down with bleach water - then went to bed and kept waking up thinking- my throat hurts....but I seem to be fine this morning.

Maria-did you do your hair in pin curls?? I used to have those - we called them spit curls. I still have two of those plastic bag things that you used to put over your head- old fashioned hair dryers.. ahhh the price of beauty!

Defoe - DH negative attitude just about does me in. I don't think he enjoys much of anything and it really drags me down. His whole family is like that tho - I just try to ignore it, but after a while, I blow...then we go on with life!! Guess that is my cross to bear...

Mary - there are such things as pack rats?? I thought that term just applied to people! Learn something new everyday!! Glad you found the source of the PU...what a mess...

DR - I don't use any seasoning with my bean soup - just a ham bone...(tomatoes, onions, brown sugar, vinegar and randalls beans) It is a never fail recipe... Everytime I go to something sponsored by master gardeners in our area, I come home and say I don't want to belong to that group. In this area it is dominated by rich old biddies that look over their spectacles at you and have gardeners!!

vi-that pan looks interesting. I'd like one, but in reality, would probably never use it. I had 3 cast iron pans and they ended up in the barn and before I knew it DS had them. He does a lot of camping and makes good use of them - plus he has our campstove, snow blower, stereo speakers, air compressor and heaven's knows what else. He is one to borrow and never return....

I got up in a rush this morning, did dishes, made two beds, picked up blankets that we use when we watch tv - did all this while DH was in the bathroom primping for work....

I'm off to the huff/puff, then have to call the bus company that is sponsoring the trip to Chicago... Hi to everyone-hang on to your hat with all these storms a brewing

Big bad weather here last night too. Have to get Souky ready for the vet visit at 8:15, shots and check up so just reading and will respond later. Can't go in my jammies. Well, I could but I hate to scare people.

talked to the bus company- they have a waiting list of 8 people...drat. Now on to plan B

I am off work today! Was sick again last night, but off more cuz my back and chest feel like someone got me with that 2x10! Up for a little, then laying down.

Hope these storms didn't do any major damage! Remember big tornado we had in 69, in Ohio! Only damage we had was lost part of a tree, but a friend's whole house disappeared! Don't wish that on anyone!!

Sarv - good luck getting there!

~~~~~~~~~ waves to everyone!!~~~~~~

Later all ~ Suzi :)

Goodmorning everybody. It is overcast, windy and warm. Don't have any tornado watches or warnings yet, but expect them anytime.

I am back in the spring cleaning mode again. Just hung 3 pairs of curtains that I had done over the weekend. Will be working in the family room today, where the tv will be on listening for the watches and warnings.

Sarv, I try to be an upbeat person, but DH's attitude sometimes just gets to me. I still vote for the preventative treatment once a month with the 2x4!!
Okay Sarv, what is plan B?


M5, hope Souki's vet visit goes well. Does she mind going? I need to schedule Mr. B for a visit to get all his shots. He likes to ride, so it is no problem with him, until we get in the office.

dmc, I did sleep well last night. Evidently soundly, as Mr. B went on a spree, turning over trash cans, and barking, because Miss Boots wanted in, all this was attended by DH, which he told me about this morning. I too am supersensitive where animals are concerned. I too am not an inspired cook. Just cook because we need to eat.

Oz, sounds like you had the tornados all around you yesterday. Our paper showed pictures of damage somewhere in MO. Yes, with last years weather extremes, it will probably be a bad year for tornados. We have gotten about 5 inches of rain over the past 3 days, which really helps with the defict from last year.

Well, need to get up and do some more cleaning, hope to finish that room today. Will check in at my next break.

Defoe - You can come, visit and help me clean here too!! Trying to get this place good to go cuz of both school starting in May and the gardening starting too! Have fun with your spring cleaning!
~ Suzi :)

Good morning for real.

Pass me the 2 x 4 please. Successor at the Food Cupboard wrote:

Last I knew, the month ended on February 28, not March 11. He's starting to panic because the Ottawa Food Bank, of which we are a member agency, wants our month-end totals. Why did it take him a MONTH to try to transcribe the tapes I made as I helped him through this at the end of January? (Maybe less time reorganizing the place and looking for paint?) Better yet, maybe he should have made notes as we did it. I told him I'd be in as usual on WEDNESDAY! Let him stew a bit. I also think I'll REFUSE to use the tape.

To those who thought (on Saturday) that I was going all domestic, I only got part of the house vacuumed and it was the first time I'd vacuumed since the cleaning lady left at the end of January. (For the newbies, I retired from running a Food Bank at the end of January and also retired my cleaning lady as I have no pension or regular income any more and theoretically more time. Ha!)

Still thinking of all who live in tornado zones.

Later today, when I get a chance, I'll post the recipe for the squash corn-bread and the Moroccan chicken stew on the recipes forum.

Ann

Back from the huff/puff - whew - no energy at all today!! Went thru the motions, but my mind was on the Chicago trip, Defoe-plan B is taking Amtrak down and then finding out way to Navy Pier. I would like to just bag the whole trip, but just talked to cousin's wife and she still wants to go. So I dumped everything in her lap - told her to get online and get the tickets etc. She can do all the leg work....we'll see if things work out!!

VI - that skunk....I think you are feeling sick - 0r maybe you have a major trip planned. Let him wallow in his own doing....

Briar- stay home another day or two - put your feet up and chat on here...people who are getting the crud around here say it lasts a good 3 weeks...

I am going outside as the sun is shining for the moment - I swear my daffys grew 6 inches this weekend....

We live about 13 miles NW of Sedalia, MO where over 150 homes were reported to have damage and one woman was killed as a mobile home landed on top of her. The incident was witnessed by a neighbor. There were also many reported injuries. There was a lot of tennis and up to softball size hail in Sedalia and towns west and south of there. We got some pea size hail and some rain last night. Nothing heavy tho. There were many tornadoes reported in the area around us. They seemed to come out of Kansas and were in groups that then split up in central MO moving in paralell paths for the most part. It is overcast and much cooler today than over the weekend. Cooler temps are expected most of this week.

Good morning, Every one

Hope no one suffered any problems with the weather, here it is raining more like misting, ugh, want sunshine!!
Very late last night, Samson started to growl and bark like crazy, I went to the door not expecting anyone at about11 PM but sure enough it was a young man I have not seen before but he said my name, he is the new husband of my neighbor, lol, in any case their horses got lose and he asked for a flashlight, I thought now that is kind of dumb coming to look for a flash light at this time of night. He finally found them in my woods, took him about an hour. This morning I saw what a mess my front yard is, full of dug up hoof prints since the ground is as soft as can be. I called him saying he has to fix it or I will send him a bill if I have to have it done, he came right over and filled in the prints but they need to be seeded down again, he said he would. We shall see. This is the third time their horses got lose here the last time the smashed my garden of flowers to pieces, , but was never reembursed for that.. I love horses but not in my pretty yard!

Samson is doing a little better but , poor love, cannot scratch his ears I have to do it for him. He is getting a lot of treats these days.

That squash pie sounds yummy, Ann

When I used to have a ham bone I made pea soup do not much care for beans of any kind, other than in a three bean salad or once in a while Boston baked beans.

Prayers for all in those paths. And so glad you are OK.

Back from the vet....Souky complained all the way there. Last time in, she was so sick she didn't make a peep, but this time I heard, NOOOOOOOOOOO all the way there. She has developed a kind of rash in front of her ears, vet thinks she has an allergy so she is going on an Iams only diet, no fancy feast for a while if ever. And she has to go back next week for the regular shots because they didn't want to do them while she is recuperating from the allergy! Mini goes in Wednesday. That sound you hear is money flying out of my pocket....but what can I do? Sammi goes in next week too, for his plumbing adjustment, I need to check my horoscope to see what has gotten out of whack in the cosmos!!

Vann, I doubt you are surprised at his request. The nerve of that little twit, leaving instructions for YOU to do it!! And where will he be? He should sit there and do it, and take notes, while you coach him. I'm sure you saw this coming, you should not be accomodating him, he needs to learn to do these tasks on his own. That's the problem with these over- educated "managers", they think managing is just pointing to some person and telling them to do the work, with no inclination to learn the job themselves so that they understand what is being done. What an arrogant little schmuck.

Sarv, getting from the Amtrak station to Navy Pier should not be difficult, there are cabs and busses, and maybe even a shuttle...I hope you will get to go, it looks fabulous. There was an article in the Chicago Tribune about it. It would be worth the trip just to smell growing plants and dirt!

Dcat, last night must have been party night for all the pets. Sammi went into the master bath and removed a plush seat cover from the bath seat, dragged it around the house killing it wihout mercy and I woke up to burgundy tufts scattered from bath to kitchen!

We had rain, thunder and lightening and tornado warnings last night too, but nothing touched down nearby. Very loud. Took the cable out for a few minutes but it came back. Right in the middle of the Sopranos, too! Was I fuming!

Plus I had the VCR on recording Gray's Anatomy, in the bedroom and had to go reset that too! We are at the mercy of the electronics that own us. Not just the pets. LOL

For today I'm going to call the appliance dept. at Sears and make sure where I have to go to take my melted items, so that I don't have to tramp all over the entire store, getting bad directions from all sides. After being awakened with storms all night, I don't have the energy for a major battle today.

Mary, those packrats must have been busy for a long time to accumulate that much treasure. And pee on it. Pewwww. I had a chipmunk storing birdseed in my car's air cleaner, once. I knew it was running badly, kind of stuttering, but I didn't know what it was until I got in one morning and turned the key in the ignition, and suddenly saw two bright little black eyes staring at me over the windshield wiper! Then he disappeared, and I opened the hood to make sure he was gone before I moved the car, and saw seeds spilling everywhere! It was just too funny. Must have figured it was a nice cozy place to put his winter vittles until I spoiled his plan! At least he didn't make a stinky mess, like the packrats!

~~~ to everyone, if you are ailing, pamper yourself and keep your germs at home, get well soon. Hellos to all, I'm going to take a nap.

Sheila

Fortunately I don't have the maj crud going around! Sneezing, coughing or touch of flu could throw my back out major, so I dutifully got the flu shot months ago! I just had a little touch of something yucky!

V-Ann - Maybe he learns by doing... Tell him to grab some paper and take good notes while you tell him how to do it and HE does it! Next to last step, put the papers into document protectors, then into a binder for his SOP (Stnd Oper Proced), his "How to" book. Last step, google "retired!" If you wanted to do it, you wouldn't have retired!

I agree, mentioning you won't be available next month due to _______ (fill in blank), might make him take excellent notes!

Sorry about your yard Maria! When he comes back to seed, mention the flowers and that a couple of ___ (fill in blank - ie-rose bushes, etc...) would be satisfactory payment for it! And glad that Samson is getting better!

Sheila - good luck w/ Sears Appliance Dept and your item replacement!

Later ~~~~~~~ waves to all!!~~~~~~~~~ Suzi :)

HI everyone! Hope everyone is safe today after the wild weather. We have a really warm day here, but that is changing. Supposed to get some wicked thunderstorms tonight. Yesterday was supposed to be nice, but rained all day.

Woke up at 5:30 this a.m., let my male cat in only to discover he had been "skunked" Pewww! Fed him outside and I think sis has some shampoo for such things. I've never given this old boy a bath! He's a big cat, about 19 lbs.

V-Ann - I would let that guy sit in his mess for a while. Don't you dare go his rescue. What a creep.

M5 - Good luck with the dishwasher thing. Hope you can get another one.

Sarv - Flower show would be fun.

Defoe - I have the dog/vet problem too. She loves getting in the car. Once I get her out of the car though, I have to carry her in. Otherwise she will lay as flat on her back as she can and make herself dead weight. Good thing I can park close to the door. The dog is 40 lb.

Carot - Good to see ya! What did the kids do with your cords once they took them?

Briar - Hope you are feeling better soon!

Maria - Won't be long now until Sampson gets to take his hood off. I bet he is milking it with the extra treats and ear scratches. LOL

Mary - I never knew there were really pack rats either! What a mess. We had a popup camper once and when we opened it in the spring, a family of mice had made a home in the canvass part. Chewed holes and they were still in it when we opened it up.

Gotta get back to work. As spring gets nearer, it seems like my time here on DG gets shorter and shorter. Have a great afternoon everyone!

Good morning. What a beautiful day. Beeeeuuuteeeeful day. I'm going riding early today because I have a chiropractor appointment this afternoon to get me straightened out again. This time I hope the adjustment stays adjusted. My money went to the vet last month, this month the chiropractor and my farrier get their turn. Two of the horses get shoes tomorrow but I will be taking a couple of days off from riding to take care of my new allignment. Maybe one of those neoprene back braces would help, I have one somewhere but haven't seen it in a long time. I might have loaned it to my brother in law who has far worse problems than I have, and they are not too expensive, about $20, way cheaper than another chiro visit.

The weather channel had some terrible pictures of the tornado damage. Leaflady, I'm glad you checked in to let us know you are ok. Come in more often, we haven't seen you for quite a while.

V Ann, you saw it coming for sure! It's good to have it in writing that he is expecting you to do his work. Delegating works ok when it's a paid staff, but with volunteers running the place and doing close to 100% of the work I think the lad needs to readjust his thinking to the reality of the job. Let him stew awhile, and then as somebody else said, make him do the work while you only coach. And do it when it is convenient for you as he seems to have plenty of time to do something (but what?).

Meezer, LOL at Sammi and the toilet cover monster! Better than the toilet paper. Has he discovered that yet? AmandaPanda hasn't but it's only a matter of time.

Maria, a few horses tramping through your yard can sure leave a mess. Around here we fence some things in and other's out. My yard has a fence around it so that if the horses get out of the pasture or if the neighbor's sheep or cows come visiting they will not trample my flowers or my vegies. With so much livestock in the area, everybody has fenced yards or no yards. Samson is a good boy for letting you know somebody was there, but it was probably a bit unsettling to open the door in the middle of the night not knowing who was out there. I do suppose anybody who had less than honorable intentions would have left after hearing the dog.

Yes, Sarv, pack rats are real things, they love to carry small objects around and save them. They will fill a space and then start on another space. Yep, just like some people who never discard anything. Pack rats have also chewed leather straps on my saddles, ate the insulation off stored Christmas lights, got into the grain in the metal garbage cans in the barn when I forgot to fasten the lid down, made a nest on top of the air cleaner in a pickup that had been sitting for a while, etc, they are pests and I'm always happy when the cat catches one. I need to set my haveahart trap and see if I can catch some before they raise babies. And no, I won't turn the darned thing loose elsewhere.

This morning I saw something purple in a flower bed, went to investigate, and found one lonely looking iris reticulata blooming! The leaves are only about 2 inches high and I didn't expect blooms so soon. I'll see if I can find a pic from last year when they were all in bloom at once. Ok, now you can see.

Laundry needs tending, the woodstove needs more wood and then I need to get outside. ~~~ to all I missed, have a great day!

Hi all!

Excuse me ... Ann, am I missing something ... but don't you have "volunteer" by your name now? I mean ... isn't he getting paid for that job? Hmmmm. Something doesn't fit in this picture to me.

To all those in tornado alley ... sure hope you're okay. Leaflady, will be keeping those you mentioned in my thoughts and prayers. So glad to hear you didn't have any damage.

Sarv, I hope things work out for you if you're wanting to go on that trip. How's things with the new computer?

Carol what's the latest on your DD?

Ann, forgot to ask about your DH. How's he getting along?

Hi Defoe. What's the news with your MIL?

Maria, so sorry to hear about the horses in your yard. I sure hope he fixes it back. Wish I were close enough to scratch Samson's ears, too. Poor guy. Don't forget, though, they're *real* good at playing on your sympathies! He'll survive. He's just making sure you suffer along with him. You know what they say ... "Misery loves company". :)

Well, DB left around 12:00. Didn't expect him to stay this morning, but it was really good to have him. He's the baby in the family ... 12 years between us, but we're very close considering that. I don't just love him ... I like him, too. :) It's good to be back to normal for a couple of days before company comes again, though. LOL

I better go sleigh the laundry monster and do some chores before the DH comes in. Oh, before I go ... I do need to wine a bit. Y'all, the squirrels have played havoc with my patunias, hostas, mints and a variety of other plants. I have never had them to do this before. I don't know if my hostas will come up or not as I've had to keep putting them back in the pot. And my patunias ... they were so so pretty ... and now they have just about been destroyed. :-( Okay, I'm done wining.
I'm waving to those I've not spoken to. ~~~ It's just too hard to catch up when you miss so much time.
Hugs ... Elaine

Well, I finished the family room, and have decided to take the aftenoon off!! You can do that when you are the boss. Has been raining all morning, have some tornado watches out, it is 70 degrees, and I have had the doors open while I was cleaning. Worked up quite a sweat dancing with the vac, moving furniture, washing woodwork, house cleaning is not for the faint hearted.

Okay BR, just send me a round trip plane ticket, and I will be there.!! Just make sure you have all the cleaning products, and plenty of refreshments. If the refreshments are really good, it could take me up to 3-4 weeks to clean your house!!

Viann, DON'T YOU DARE BAIL THAT SCUMBUCKET OUT. Geez, these kids ( and I don't know how old he is), want the manager positions without getting their hands dirty. I would instruct, and he would work.

Sarv, wish I could go outside too, it is warm but raining.

Maria, I like horses too, but not in my soggy yard. About 2 weeks ago, some neighbors cows got in my yard, and ate a branch off a young dogwood. He didn't offer to fix the damage.

LL glad you escaped the tornados. We have no damage, just small ponds in the back yard.

tgif- alls well here . Thanks for the good thoughts.

M5, lets set our pets up a play date, but at somebody elses house, of course it has to be middle of the night. Yikes 3 cats to the vet, I think I can hear the swooshing sound as the money flies out of your pockets.

susieq, wow a skunked cat. Let us know if the shampoo is a success. Someone told me that a bath in tomato juice will take the smell away.

Mary, that flower picture is very pretty. Hope it won't be too long before you can see that again. I hear you about people who line up to take our money, I don't keep it long enough to make friends with it.

Well, I am going to rest for a bit, then it will be time to head to the kitchen to cook. I will be back later.

101 we posted at the same time. And I had forgotten to tell you all this. At 8:00 this morning the Rehab hospital called, and DMIL is being released tomorrow at 10:00. She is going to her home, with a daughter to stay with her. I know that she will be much happier. Thanks all for the thoughts and prayers.

GM all!

've been gone a few days. Between working at the job and here at home, I've not had time to stop by or even start up the computer. Soooo, I'm trying to catch up a little today while the washer and dryer are running and I've got a few minutes between loads.

I worked Thursday and Friday and we got slaughtered. I'm still reeling from it all. When Saturday morning came 'round, I was ecstatic not to have to worry about going to work and gobbled down a quick brekky bar and headed right out into my yard. I got three beds cleaned out, put up a composter in a corner of the back yard, transplanted some seedlings from the sprouter tray into pots, planted some freesia corms, tossed some seeds into an area by the Douglas Fir trees to "naturalize" the area, DH put together this fabulous painted decorative metal post that sits on a heavy base that holds two hanging planters, filled the planters with sprouted hyacinths, tulips and primroses, cleaned out the whiskey barrels from all the down fall and on Sunday was able to mow the yards after cleaning up the trailer load of downfall from the 70+mph winds last week. DH trimmed the Japanese Boxwood hedge and edged the yards with the gas-powered brush hog for me. I played refuse collector to his pruning and trimming. He helped me clear the area where the composter went and helped me put the weed mat down so we keep the near area growth at bay. The lady next door gave me "starter" for the composter that was full of "red wigglers". Ewwwie, I'm not too fond of worms, but if that's what it takes, I'll go for it. We laid the grass trimmings out on a tarp over night and put them in the composter yesterday. She even gave us her bucket full of the week’s wet garbage to get us started with our composter. This is the lady whose hubby has pancreatic cancer.

My DH helped him into a set of long johns, and carried him out onto the deck and we wrapped him up in an electric blanket and covered that with the chemo cuddler comforter I made him. Bob was enjoying the sunshine and watching us work in our yards. We have woods between them and ourselves, but we cleared a path between us two years ago and they can see us when we are at the correct angles to each other, so we put Bob where he could watch us and let our dogs romp with each other. All of us are amazed that Bob is still with us, he's down to 104#'s and is 6'1" tall. But we take each day he's here as a blessing and as long as Bob can be a part of our lives; we'll make sure he is included. I keep telling Bob, it's his job to supervise and make sure we are doing the right things.

Willie and Elbee (our Boston Terrier's) had the best time in the yards. They chased each other so much their paws up to their knees were green from the grass. Elbee is such a scamp and when he's not thrilled with Willie gaining purchase on his little nubbin (tail) he ducks behind and under the boxwood hedge because he knows Willie won't chase him in there. The little stinker stands under the hedge, pokes his head around the bushes and barks at Willie as much as to say, "Neener, neener, neener, you can get me in here!"

I can't get over how beautiful the weekend was, even if it was pretty cool. The breeze would chill you if you weren't standing right in the sunshine, but ohhhh, the sunshine was so nice! I have crocus peeking up out of the planter and the iris' are up about 4 inches already. Maybe we'll have a nice spring after all and I can tell you, I'm darned grateful for the break in the gloom.

I have to work this afternoon, but I'm off Tuesday and Wednesday. Wednesday evening is our time with Mum for supper. I think we'll have chili verde burritos made with Monterey Jack cheese and tomatillos, pork, garlic, lime juice, cilantro and of course, lots of jalapeño peppers. She asked last week for something really spicy. Silly Mum, she's such a hoot. She LOVES her hot and spicy foods and chows down on the salsa. I'll make salsa fresca (pico de gallo) and be sure to put plenty of cilantro in it. She complains that if it's not spicy as well as tasty, what's the use of even eating it?!? You have to love the woman; she's pretty spunky for 95! She says, "You canny beat a run to the WC in the mornin' after a go-'round with some hot salsa. It's like being 20 again and the sewer works are back up to specs!" LOL

Well, the dryer is calling my name to come fold the items contained within. I hope everyone has a wonderful day and to those wrestling with difficulties, I send my strength and hopes for a timely resolution.

Hugs to all, ~Babs~

Hanging onto my hat/hair and waving!! Man, is it windy today!! Tornado watch out here until 4pm. Here they keep all the kids in school - don't send them home because so many moms work. I offered to go get DGS, but DIL said he could stay in school. Oh well, I offered! He has a spring music concert tonight....

I am patting myself on the back. I, single-handedly hooked up my new printer,scanner,copier,picture maker!! And all by myself!! My stomach was rolling, but I followed the directions to a tee and it works!! Made a zillion copies to get all the rebates!

Maria - good for Samson for growling- what a watchdog....I sure wouldn't want a knock on the door at that time of night - didn't he have his own flashlight!! I don't blame you for calling him to repair the damage his horses did. Boy if he doesn't do it, we'll all give him a piece of our minds!!

DH just came in the door - time for our afternoon treat!! I just put two jugs of water in the frig in case we have a power outage and washed the hair

Suzi... tomato juice kills the skunk smell.

I called my cousin (in Ohio) who just went through the skunk stink thing with her dog last week. She gave me a website with a recipe that she used and she claims it worked better than anything she's ever done in the past.

I copied and pasted part of the page here for those who wish the recipe for the stink remover and have a link to the page itself.

Remove the Skunk Smell
http://lavplourde.tripod.com/skunk/

by Lav Plourde
Ever doubt your dog's sanity after he has been sprayed by the local skunk for the fourth time this year? A vet once told me that skunk and porcupine chasing dogs fall into two classes:

1. Those who learn the first time
2. Those who never learn.
If, like me, you have a type 2 dog, you will be glad to know that this concoction works better than tomato juice (most things do, actually) and doesn't turn white poodles pink. It is used regularly on Cassis, the huge, white, wooly, standard poodle who thinks that Eau de Skunk is a perfume.
Do yourself a favor and don't try to wash the pooch immediately after you find him proudly ponging on the porch. If you leave him to cure in the back yard for a couple of hours, the smell dissipates somewhat. Besides, it gives you time to run to the pharmacy for the hydrogen peroxide.

Whatever you do, don't bring a freshly skunked pooch into the house! The dog will rub on things and tranfer the smell, then the whole house will smell like a skunk. If you must bring him in, wrap him in something washable until you get to the bathtub.


Skunk Smell Remover 1 quart 3% Hydrogen Peroxide
1/4 cup Baking Soda
2 tbsp Dish Detergent. The stuff for washing dishes in the sink, not something for dishwashers.
Mix the ingredients in a large bowl, because it will boil up like Vesuvius. We are, after all, making an oxygen generator. Wash the dog with this while it is still foaming, because it is the oxygen which reacts with the thiols in the skunk stink to neutralize the odor. If it sits around, it will loose it's efficacy because the oxygen boils off. Don't try to store it in an airtight container, because it will blow up. The brew also works for clothes, humans and unlucky cats.

Sometimes being chased by a dog is not enough to scare a polecat off the property, in which case, mothballs will do the trick.

Hope this helps. ~Babs~

Babs - Thanks so much for that recipe. I will try it and keep in handy. For a long time skunks were few and far between in our area. In the last year they have definatly become more abundant. I think they like going under the deck we added last spring.

Mary - Very pretty flowers.

Checked the weather channel a little while ago. They say it's about 75 right now, but the long range is calling for snow showers in about a week!

Babs - been there, done that! And, yes that is the best recipe I have found. The problem I had was that the dog - 140 pound German Shepherd - got into my bedroom before I knew what had happened. He got shot from very close range and by the time I got to him he had rolled and scrubbed all over the carpet. The recipe does help on carpet, but it was an off white color carpet so I don't know how it would do on carpet with more color in it. It took more than one bath for the dog, as I remember I think it was three, and a month (and many cleanings!) to get all the odor out of the bedroom! And folks, don't waste good tomato juice - it won't do the job!

Beautiful day here, wish everyone could share it with me. I have even started planting some flower and herb seeds in the gardens! Fingers crossed that our "blackberry winter" is mild this
year.

I know there were some posts that I wanted to remark on, but the sun and warm air have blown it all out of my head! I'll try to catch up later.

Hugs, good thoughts and prayers to all - I'm headed back out into the dirt!
ginni

Ginni, just finished writing a D-email for you

This message was edited Mar 13, 2006 4:16 PM

Hi all,

I tuned in a bit earlier. Had to leave because I was laughing so hard at all your suggestions and names for my successor. I have decided to do pretty much what was suggested - make HIM do the work and take his own notes. Only way he'll learn, I think. Oh, BTW, I'm going to mention to the personnel committee that they need to decide their procedure to make a decision on whether to keep him or not at the end of his 6 months. It IS, of course, possible that we would do no better with someone else. And I don't really want to think about breaking in someone new.

That sounds like an innovative way to get rid of skunk smell. Fortunately, I never had to use it or tomato juice with my cats though we certainly have skunks in the neighbourhood.

defoe - glad to hear the DMIL is being released and hope she continues to do well.

Sheila - how did it go with Sears?

Maria - sorry to hear about your yard. I hope they fix it properly for you. But it sounds as though this is not the first time. What steps are they taking to ensure it doesn't happen again?

Went out mid-day. My 1977 Seiko watch battery died yesterday. It's a GREAT watch. Still keeps almost perfect time; so I stopped by my favourite jeweller for a new battery. Also took DH's Omega in for an overhaul - cleaning. It's been quite awhile since he's had that done. DH has a similar Omega that belonged to late DFIL, but no band. Jeweller was happy to move band from one watch to the other while the repair is taking place. (They send them to Quebec City; so it takes awhile).

While out, I stopped in yet another yarn store and FINALLY found the Kelly green yarn I've been looking for for DGS's afghan. I was beginning to think I would have to ask one of you to look in the US for me.

We are making headway in getting the Internet moved to the new computer. Should happen in a couple of days - that is when the High speed will be activated. Meanwhile, we've eliminated the second phone line that we used for Internet; so for a couple of days, we'll have to share one line.

Sarv - glad to hear of your progress with the new printer do-it-all.

For those who asked, DH is doing well. His surgeon/urologist phone on Saturday with the pathology results and the cancer was completely contained in the prostrate. None in the margins. None in the lymph nodes. Very good news indeed. We have another 9 days with the catheter and still several weeks of reduced activity, but he's getting around a bit although he's complained of being a bit sore the last couple of days. We take that as a sign to slow down a bit.

He's been bugging me to get my income figures together for taxes; so I'd better go do that.

I'll drop in later.

Ann

Babs! You, DH and Mrs. Bob are very special people to keep Bob going and involved! My Dad spent over 25 yrs in bed (RA). I relied on his expertise and he very much appreciated the opportunity to be useful and 'supervise!'

Defoe - glad the DMIL is escaping!! As for 3-4 wks, will take at least that long!!

Dad got a skunk in his basement once. Dogs noticed it for him, and it was very stinky there for awhile. He couldn't leave either, poor guy!

Well, someone better get some supper going and guess that someone is me.
~~~~~ waving to all!~~~~~
Later, Suzi :)

Popping in to say congratulations

Ann~on DH's good report
defoecat~on DMIL getting out at last
sarv~on the computer hook up!!

BAbs~we have used that skunk stuff successfully - two sprays and our dogs are now13 and 10, so I think they've learned. Sometimes they can surprise a skunk in the woods without trying too hard, this time of year.

Still 57 degrees here, dark and raining most of the day - weird. I guess we'll get the wild weather later.

Take care everyone!!

Ann, this is what I asked the young man, he said, sometimes accidents happen, guess I will have to make sure the barn door is closed properely,
I told him he better I don't want my garden trampled down again.

Babs, I copied the concoction for Samson just in case he gets tangled up with a skunk, have to buy the stuff first.

Sarv, how are you making out with the bus tickets?

This will be a quickie, dinner's about to char...I made italian sausage cut up in chunks, new potatos, and onions, drizzled with olive oil and seasonings, one dish, easy clean up.

Called Sears, got a customer service accelerator (?) who discussed the problems, and all they will offer is a $75 gift certificate as compensation for the melted items. I also cancelled the long term maintenance coverage which will net a refund of $63. Maybe I can buy something with the gift card and then return it for cash.

They put a rush on the repair parts, and when they come and it is repaired, I will sell it on Ebay as used and buy a Bosch at another dealer. Almost all the name brands are now made by the same company, just put different brand names on them. Even if I only get $100 for it, it's better than nothing. Needless to say, Sears has lost a long time customer as I feel their quality has deteriorated badly and they are no longer reliable .

Will catch up more tomorrow, ~~~ as I dash for the kitchen to rescue dinner.

Sheila

Sheila, It in unfortunate losing faith in a long time reputable store. I gave up on sears the last time I bought CV joints for my van.....life time warantee. They honored the first replacement a year after new. The second replacement needed, they let my van sit in the shop all day. I had told them I needed new CV's, they didn't do it. At the end of the day, they told me I needed new CV's, 6 pm. too late to do the work. I had already lost a days work for this idiocy.

And to think I also have a washer and dryer from them. I did not buy the warrantee thing. Woulda been a waste of my money. They haven't needed service for 6 years. I spose that's a plus for them.

Still won't go to Sears anymore tho.

It's been very warm down here. We have the a/c running now. Getting some color on faces, arms and legs. Yeah, I finally broke down and put on a pair of shorts and a tank top. Don't I look silly. The bottoms of my arms are very tanned from working in DG t-shirts. The tops of my arms look fish belly white, until the end of today, now they are a bit pink.

We have proper power in the pumphouse now. Darius flipped the wall switch to illuminate the porch light. What a lovely sight.

Tomorrow I need to transplant some of my seedlings into the veggie garden and the flower seedlings into pots. Need to get this done before we go out of town for work. Darius will stay here and tend to the animals and the gardens.

I really hate the idea of going away for so long.

Molly
:^)))

Back from the music program - DGS did a nice job.

Tickets to Chicago are purchased and we are set to go on Wed. I'm not excited about going, but hopefully will be before the actual day...I dumped everything in cousins wife's lap - she did it all!! She knows even less about Chicago than I do. It will be an experience I am sure and a very long day....8 hrs on the train....

Windy and wild here - I'm gonna sign off and get a bowl of ice cream with caramel topping- anybody want some??? (it's my calcium)

DMC, the kids think they were funny for taking the cords also. They are so neglected. Want them????? They are 18 and 17. The youngest said he had nothing to do with it cause he is still scared of me. LOL

Vann, tell your successor to be very greatful that it is you that he is dealing with and not me. I would have said I am a volunteer and I dont choose to volunteer my time doing what you are paid for. Please dont let him sucker you into bailing him out each time. Glad to hear the wonderful report on DH. We lost a good friend to cancer just yesterday.

Maria give samson an ear scratching just for me. Poor guy. Glad you got the neighbor to fill in the holes, good luck on the reseeding.

Meez, I want to know how the animals always figure out where they are going. Mine never make a sound unless we are going to the vet. Otherwise they are ready and willing passengers to anywhere. Feel lucky that you have been allowed to have a seat cover this long. I haven't been able to have one since PITA came to live with us. He will rip it off drag it outside and throw it in the pool everytime. I guess he thinks drowning it in the pool will work.
We also cant have the toliet paper on the hanging holders. It is all kept in a small box that you have to pull the tissue upward, otherwise you come home to a decorated house.

Defoe so glad to hear about your MIL being able to go home. I for one think people seem to heal quicker at home then in a medical facility.

Babs you are wonderful neighbor and a spectacular person for helping Bob get outside a bit. I know it meant a lot to my dad when we helped him get outside when he was to weak to do it alone. It really seemed to help him mentally.


To all of you in weathers way, I hope it is short lived and mild.

Casey

Casey - sorry about your friend!

Sarv - glad you will get to go, even though it will be 8 hrs on the train!

Maria - make sure you let them know that that will be the end of you as a customer! General principles!

My take on extended warranties - if they made a good product they would guarantee it for more than a year!

Molly - we don't have any tans up North. Glad your place is shaping up the way you wanted it. Looks sharp!

Good night!
~~~~~~~~~~~ Waving to all! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~ Suzi :)