Pull Up a Chair XXI

everyone have a great wed.. thinking of you all.

Hi Hope......hope you're getting some much needed rest.

We were watching TV - programs we have taped - and the weather radio is in the Master bath...Didn't know until now that we've been under a tornado warning. Went in to get ready for bed and the red light was on. I had the siren turned off. Changed that! I guess Ft Bend Co and Waller got hit?

It rained, it poured, and we had flash floods in the area.
I'm on sloping ground and the water runs downhill from me
but, of course, it comes to me from the people up the road.
Supposed to rain some more tonight.

Knolan, I must like frustration 'cause I tried that little exercise.
Can't be done, I think. Who the heck thinks up these things
anyway?
Bowling sounds like fun. I'm sure the girls will enjoy that.
I belonged to a bowling league years ago, but they took it way
too earnestly for me. Serious betting going on and all that.
Lots of shady types got mixed in, so I gave it up. Didn't want
to end up sleeping with the fishes. They got to be a Goodfellas
league and I'm not a Goodfella. Nuff said.

That must have been in Chicago! Gangsta stuff! I used to bowl in leagues until my body gave out. I wish I could still do it - it was fun...I was never good enough to be serious. Far from it. My bane was the guy in the next lane, who was inevitably smoking a cigar.

Finally!! Got my wayward landscaper guy out today, and tomorrow the kettle will be tilted. (Big trumpet blare, please.) This is the father - the head/owner of the business. His son (he has four in the bidness) actually did the work, but Dad thought all had been taken care of, and was surprised to find that we'd had no pump since November. But, I protested, we called many, many times about it. Well, he claimed, he had no idea - so he gave me his own personal cell phone number to call in the future. It has already been programmed into my phone.

But, we are supposed to have heavy thunderstorms tomorrow also, so I'll bet it doesn't get done....

Oh yeah, Ceejay, this was a pretty big storm and we got hit twice. It's STILL pouring like cats and dogs out there. Yesterday morning's stprm was really bad. The wind was horrible and scared me to death.

Mahnot. I was on a bowling league right after my divorce. It was a very non-competitive league (or so we thought).....it was the 'Bud Light' league. We all got bowling balls with a 'Bud Light' beer can in it at the end. It wasn't a league for record but some people took it sooooo seriously. No one on my team, of course. I cannot bowl at all. I think my average is 102. Seriously. I just went for the fun, to hang out with my friends and get over getting divorced. I have my own pink bowling shoes.....I think they're CUTE! After awhile, I earned the nickname of "Twinkle Toes" because I seem to tip-toe run really fast before I throw the ball....kinda like Fred Flinstone fashion (hear the twinkle, twinkle sound as he runs). I look like a complete idiot. To top that off, I used to go straight from the office so I was always in a dress or skirt.

Eventually, we got bowling shirts with pockets and I'd just put it on over my clothes, not buttoned. Well, I had my cell phone in my pocket and when I bent down to roll the ball, it flew out and went all the way down the lane. Me, not realizing how slippery that lane was, went right on down to retrieve the phone. Probably got 3 steps before I slipped and 'legs up in the air' and all. Another graceful moment in my life.

Ahhh....I could write a book of all my moments.

I have to remember to tell ya'll some stories about my 'lone lunches'. I love to dine alone. I didn't at first but I found it to be really peaceful to sit in a restaurant and read the newspaper or a book, all by myself. I started paying attention to people's conversations around me and BOY! I heard some doozies. Funny! My gosh. Always at lunch - never dinner. I met a lot of other people dining alone, too. I used to go to one Chinese restaurant once every two weeks and they would always sit me in a section that had 2 seater only tables. Before long, I began to recognize a lot of the people because they were just like me, doing just what I did. One day, I dont know who spoke first, it wasn't me, a woman jokingly talked about us all in that area having lunch together even though we didn't intend it. We were all strangers. It really was funny and was a definite ice breaker. I had lunch with them every two weeks until I quit. That was kinda fun...something I looked forward to. I miss them. I should just show up one day to say hi!

Hope the #1 guy will get the job done. What a pain in the hiny.

I just love that kettle. That is probably one of the most beautiful things for a garden I've seen. Having worked for the sugar refineries, I'm jealous of that find.

We had, really are still having, the thunderstorms too. Started about 7 tonight. The thunder chased me in the house about 6 - I was out cutting back plants, pulling weeds. We watched TV through the storm, but didn't think about it because we were watching taped shows, so no banners running across the bottom with weather warnings. I got the weather radio after the tornadoes in Florida, but DH doesn't like to be disturbed when he sleeps, so I didn't have the alarm on, just the alert light. So, a lot of good it did. I warned him before he went to bed that I had enabled the siren (night time storms is precisely why I bought it) and he said - just as long as it doesn't go off.

The very first league I was in was my church league. The minister was on the team we were playing against. I was really bad then. (In more ways than one!) I threw a bad ball, turned around, stamped my foot and yelled "SHXT!!!" before I remembered where I was... I was soooo embarrassed.

K - You should drop in at lunch. They'd love it. And so would you! And how did they get that beer can in that bowling ball?

You're jealous? I'M REALLY JEALOUS !!!

Tanta ta ta ! Tanta ta ta ! (trumpets blaring for Ceejay)
Keeping my fingers crossed for you, CJ. Hope it won't rain.

Hahahahaha, Knolan. I can just see you now, sliding down the alley,
graceful as can be ! What a hoot. Wanna know why I'm laughing?
I'm not laughing at you, I'm laughing with you.

When I was coming back from overseas by ship, one of my fellow
travellers asked if I wanted to play a game of ping pong. I said OK,
and we got to it. Just as I stretched over to reach for the ball, a big
wave washed up on the deck and I went sliding under the table all
the way to the other end. OK - I can live with that, except that there
was a gallery of about 100 GI's who were watching the game, LOL.
Talk about your red face !!!

Yeah, I bowled in a league in Chicago and my average was only about
129, but I had fun and really didn't want to quit, that is until it got too
intense with the new bowlers who came in and bowled at 250 average
and had lumps in their leather jacket pockets, which they NEVER
checked into the coat room. Yikes !

Ceejay, you naughty girl ! And just what did the minister
say when he goofed up?

I'd like to have one of those bowling balls, Knolan.
Great conversation piece on the coffee table, LOL.
I've still got my bowling ball, but I tried the shoes on when
I was unpacking here and had to donate them. Seems my
feet have grown by a full size. :o(

I'm so glad I'm not the only one! "Girls Gone wild" would have a whole' nuther meaning for us, huh?

Why did the Chicago guys have lumps in their pockets? Were they man boobs? Yuck! I hate seeing men with boobs. I couldn't bowl with them.

I don't know how they got that beer can in the bowling ball. And I gave mine to my buddy, Donald, who couldn't finish the league. His dogs were more important. I think we can all understand that.

Knolan, they were lumps that are graded by the caliber
bullet size.

Men should get their backs plucked. Werewolf isn't cute. And the 'uni-brow' thing. How can they think it looks good? You should be able to see where the nose begins and where it ends.

Ugh !

Ooooohhhhhh...

I feel like a dork.

Nah, there's no need for that. I've seen plenty of men
with the kind of lumps you were thinking of and you're right -
they ain't pretty.

Jack Black, for one.

Well, I'm off to bed. Got somebody stopping by at 8 AM to take a
look at work I need done and then Greta and I are off to see
the surgeon right after.

Goodnight, everyone. Sweet dreams. Ciao for now.

I hope everyone got through the night safe and sound. LOL..Kind of defeats the purpose of a weather radio if you don't have the alarm turned on, huh? We keep ours in my closet because I don't want it right in an ear on a bedside table. We'll be able to hear it with no problem; we just won't be deafened.

Good news! My artist friend did the final layer on the walls, and now I like them! The way she'd described that last step, I didn't think it would change it that much; but--thank goodness--it did. I should have trusted her because I've always liked everything she does. I'm relieved that I don't have to redo it.

Ceejay, you asked why I'm walking an hour a day. Well, the last time I went to the cardiologist she was in a quandary because she says she has nothing "to hang her hat on." In the last six months, there have been no changes in my echocardiogram and none in the EKG. I'm still apparently asymptomatic. The doctor she consulted in Cleveland said that on a scale of 1-4 (4 being surgery required), I'm a 2+ to 3, which is moderate to severe mitral regurgitation, not yet requiring surgery. But it's a matter of time, and she says that the experts in Cleveland are proponents of surgery sooner rather than later. So she's wondering if I might get to the age of 76 just as I am and then get worse, which would be riskier for surgery at that age. (I know a woman who had this surgery at 80, but mine is going to be more complicated than hers was.)

Sorry, I didn't think this would turn into such a lengthy answer! I know it's boring to hear of someone's ills, and I don't want to become like my mother...who, as the saying goes, "enjoyed poor health." But you asked, and this is the answer....

(A note added later: You can just skip to the last sentence in the following paragraph and that's the basic nutshell answer.)

Anyway, card. asked if I got out of breath when I walk, and I said, "No, which surprises me since I didn't do well on the treadmill. I can walk half an hour with no problem." Well, she thinks I'm not walking at a very good clip, but I average about 2 3/4 mph; and I think that's speedy enough. So she looked at my older records, having forgotten I couldn't do 6 minutes on the treadmill. Aha! Finally, a symptom! Of course, they do tilt the treadmill uphill at one point, and I can't do inclines very well (I had a scare on a slightly inclined sidewalk before I even knew I had a problem. I later heard I could have been close to heart failure that day. Boy! Would that have been a shock for the girlfriend who went to lunch with me!) However, I go up and down our 17 steps several times a day without a problem. So, the upshot is: Walk an hour per day, and have another stress test Mar. 27. I think the reasons are twofold: She wants to be sure I'm actually benefitting from the walking in case I'm too slow (I didn't have the pedometer when I saw her.), and I'm kind of "in training" to strengthen my heart as much as possible before surgery.

Gee, I guess I could have synopsized everything into the last sentence! Sorry...but after taking the time to write all that, I'll be darned if I'm going to delete it! LOL

Something's screwy here. I can't preview my post: "Web page can't be found." And it took over five minutes to download this thread. It's taken a good while before, but never this long. Hmmm....I wonder if I'll be able to send.

I just lost a long post, as it was taking eons to send, so maybe something is going on in the technical innards. Just in case, I'm keeping this very very short.

well they are fed getting ready for school . i can't wait till tonight it will probably be 8 or 9. drag it out long can..

I went to lowe's while in class i bought yes me spent on 2 snapdragons for .97 cents to .50 so i splurged bought 2. tickled me like i got a deal ,deal something special. pink and yellow.. i saw such lovely plants. if knee holds up will go to wal marts look around i hate sitting in van for 2 1/2 hours waiting.

i'm just watching clock for tonight to get here...lol. 4 days i will need all of them to recouperate..had 3 or 4 rounds them fighting already this morning then i hear not me not me..makes me feel 83 now..

thinking of you all.. Bama praying for strength and peace.

I'm having a lot of trouble with slow openeing of threads too. It's been going on for a couple of days. I'm also getting those IE Explorer cannot find page messages. I've checked everything on my end and it's fine.

Oh well, we're outta here! Ya'll have a great day. More rain. Enough already!

One more thing and then that's it (aren't ya glad!)....I told the cardiologist that I would be quite happy to get to the age of 76 without surgery!

When I was in the hospital, there was a woman sharing the room who was in her 30's, and she was going to have mitral valve surgery. She was in really bad shape at that age. I don't think she could even get out of bed. So I'm lucky to have gotten to the age I am (66) without being in that condition. Other than this dratted mechanical problem causing me to have low energy, I really don't feel that old...either mentally or physically. I'm a long way from being what DH calls a fogette (his feminine version of fogey). My face hasn't become a road map yet, and my weight stays from 116-119. Counting my blessings...counting...counting.......

Yep, something's going on here. I had to put three spaces between paragraphs; otherwise, it wouldn't start a new paragraph.

Yikes! I'm scared to post now. If I remember, I try to copy my post before sending, and then if something goes wrong, I can just paste it into the new reply box. Unfortunately, I don't always remember!

Thanks for the explantation biv. With a mile a day, maybe they're trying to push the surgery up! Just joking (I hope)! I couldn't do the treadmill test when I was 35! I was doing aerobics classes, and one day, during the warmup, my heart started racing, irregularly. I left the class and sat in another room, taking my pulse, trying to figure out what was happening, hoping I wasn't dying. Finally the instructor came out, and told me to get to a doctor. They did all kinds of tests and never could figure out why that happened, and one was the treadmill. I went to the test in my exercise clothes, did my stretches, stepped on the machine. Went maybe two minutes and they started to tilt it so I was going uphill, and I ran right off the end. I felt so stupid, and definitely out of shape at that point. Since then I've had a chemical stress test, which I hated, but at least I didn't fall off a treadmill. I look back on the incident and wonder if it was all the coffee I drank that morning when I met a friend for coffee and chat, and then all the wine I drank at bridge. I figured that the wine and the coffee balanced each other out, but maybe that isn't the case. I have low blood pressure, and doc says that's good, but sometimes it doesn't feel so good.

This morning the sun was shining, but storm clouds were all about. Now it is raining, and no one has shown up to tilt the kettle. Somehow I expected that. My rain gauge says we had 4.2 inches of rain last night.

Mahnot - Is Greta Louise having her surgery today?
I don't know what the minister said when he threw a bad ball. But it wasn't out loud! LOL
Thanks for the great trumpet sounds. Maybe we can get a repeat when they actually come.

K - You are so funny! And you watch all those movies!
I still don't understand. Was the beer can inside the bowling ball? Was the ball clear? Just trying to get a handle on this. Mahnot is correct. It would have made a lovely table decoration.

I'm off the computer for now. Too much lightning!

Actually, it's about 3 miles per day, done in two half-hour walks. You're right, ceejay, a lot of caffeine can give you palpitations.

I'm so happy for you that you're getting your cauldron tilted; it's going to look faaaaabulous! You know, of course, we'll want to see it. :)

We arejust getting pounded by the rain. This looks like tornado weather. Lot's of lightning and hail.

I'm supposed to leave for class soon. I've already made my peach cobblers, salad and garlic bread. My cooking buddy is supposed to bring lasagna but she just called and it doesn't sound like she's going to go. I'm debating whether I should get out in this. I'd hate to miss a class. Tonight is 'Propagation' and I am looking forward to it.

Hi everyone! It took me a long time to read everything. I laughed a lot tho!

Biv, keep walking! If you know what is wrong, maybe you CAN head it off. Scary to think about it.

My new health kick is soluble fiber. It's a wonder food! I started on oatmeal the day after my cholesterol had risen and I'm back to walking. 1/2 to 1 mile here too. I heard on TV that for every gram of fiber you eat, it binds up 7 calories (along with cholesterol) and moves it out of the body before it's deposited. If you eat the 35 grams a day, that's 245 calories. Whoo Hoo! That's my big salad made invisible! It regulates insulin and prevents cancers. I've learned that I like chick peas. A good source. So, that's what I'm trying now.

Bama, hope you're doing ok and that family is keeping you busy. Miss You!

Knolan, that's pretty risky. Turn on the weather channel, or a scanner.

BP, I've loved chick peas ever since I lived in Venezuela and eat them all the time...as well as pintos, black beans and lentils. Beans have become a staple of my diet. I found a wonderful mix to make falafel. I add a little curry to it, and make it into patties which I cook in olive oil (another staple) until golden brown.

Dinner tonight is going to include quinoa (ya gotta try if if you haven't), topped with a mix of garbanzos and black-eyed peas. Quinoa is highly recommended by nutritionists, and we think it's delicious. I use it any way I'd use rice.

Wish I could "head off" my problem, but that's impossible. However, it's not getting the best of me.

Kristi...STAY HOME!

Knolan - Call and see if classes are still being held. This is all moving east now, and it appears we're out of the thick of it. I've been listening to the Weather Channel, and my weather radio (the station is in Houston). If classes aren't canceled - go, girl!! Propagation is phenomenal! You'll learn so much! Is Tom teaching?

Urk.I love cilantro (;-D), but I hate chick peas. Haven't tried quinoa.

I like jalapeno black eyed peas and can eat a whole can cold for supper. I opened red, and black beans tonight. Red beans are a lot creamier than kidney beans. I thought they would be similar, but they're not. We buy Hursts 15 Bean Soup-Cajun Style. We do add a pound of spicy sausage to it, but it's a small amount compared to the beans.

Alas, cilantro is definately soapy. Cannot eat it. I grew it one year.

It's windy here and what little rain is out there, is on either side of us. I feel cozy.

This is one of the lamps that I colored. The base was originally bright white, which was fine with my decor when I purchased it back in the 80's. As my style changed, the white no longer worked, but I still loved this Kreiss lamp; so I colored it because I thought it went well with the exotic room. First, I painted it with a flat latex in cream. Then I stained it with oil-based woodstain.

A close-up of the lamp. The darker parts aren't shadows but rather where I shaded the tone with the stain. On my monitor it looks a little yellow, but it really isn't. It's a cross between beige and taupe...for lack of a better description.

I love that lamp! You do good work. I would have thought you bought it that way. I like the style of your room too. Is it the house you're currently in?

Glad you like the lamp. When I saw an ad for it in Arch. Digest years ago, I knew I had to have it. This was the lamp that generated lots of knock-offs with spirals, but none were like this which is cast plaster with the look of stone. It weighs a ton.

Mahnot, that's one of Cleopatra's chaises you see in front of the fireplace. There are two, and this is my favorite spot to read.

Yes, BP, this is where we live now and have for over 20 years.

I can see why. It's hard to stop looking at it. It's like a magnet. I try to imagine white, but I think it's the perfect color now. I'll bet it weighs a ton. When the wind blows hang on to it!

I really like the mantle too.

Thanks. The original fireplace is still under this one. It's lilac ceramic tile with a white wood mantle that has dentil molding. It was horrible. We covered the tile with sand-textured paint and colored it with oil-based wood stain. The carved mantle is an old, old piece from Java, very weathered wood.

This message was edited Mar 14, 2007 9:09 PM

A close-up. The white streak was some kind of chemical reaction between the paint and the stain. It was a natural and unplanned result, so I left it. To me, the fireplace looks as if it's just been lifted out of some old house in a desert oasis.

In that last photo, I'm again seeing a yellowish color just above the light streak. There's no yellow tone in this at all.