Saturday, October 9, 2021

[PeggyinCT]

Good morning Everyone, rise and shine. It’s a little gloomy here in CT, but a good day to put the garden to bed.
Sheila, I’m sorry that your mother has reached the point in her life where she needs more care than you alone can give. It’s okay to get some help. Hope you get to Q this winter.

BJ, and Carol, your recent stories of break-ins make me nervous about leaving my car and Roadtrek parked in my driveway for the winter. If all goes well, I plan to spend the winter in Kino Bay.

Tina, I’m interested in learning how your Trek fared towing your car.
Enjoy today. Peggy

[cnq50b]

Good morning, Peggy!
Can someone watch over your vehicles while you're away? Could be pricey to store them somewhere. I wouldn't have worried about leaving cars or the van in my driveway in KS over periods of time, but not out here.

Sheila, so sorry about your mom. There comes a point when more care is needed. At least we had about 4 siblings who took an active part in staying with mom in the hospital. Can't imagine when you're the primary person to be with her. Hope she comes to accept that you can't take care of her alone - but even if she doesn't you will need to accept it to make sure you don't hurt yourself & let others help.

Barbie, glad to hear you got the extra hours you need. How far do you drive each day? Gas prices are so high!

Anita, glad your garage is ready to keep the sling safe & dry.

Getting ready for my upcoming trips. Trying to buy a heavy winter coat in sunny CA is crazy. Found a good deal at Burlington yesterday. Bought it & will let my DD decide if it'll work when she gets in town. Haven't bought a coat for so many years that I also needed a lighter dress/rain coat for KS next week. The wedding is outside in the early evening & temps are supposed to be a high of 60. Ordered 3 from amazon - all are going back today. Got one locally that I think will work. Hate, hate, hate getting ready for trips - especially when I'm not sure what I'll need.

A dear friend/co-worked died suddently the other day. She was my age & had just commented on photos I posted on FB the day before. Made me realize we are not guaranteed a long life & to just get out there & live. If you haven't check out Shirl's 'My Favorite Commercial' post, take a look - it's wonderful & a great reminder.

Sadie got groomed yesterday & they did a terrific job on her toenails. I asked for special attention to them since she likes to paw you for attention. She'll be staying at my son's house while I'm gone. Jordi & Olivia like Sadie but I worry about her scratching them. My son says she stays under their dining room table most of the time anyway but I still worry about Jordi snuggling her & getting scratched.

Well, I've got to get this place ready for my DD's visit & line up everything I need for going to KS next week. Can't wait to see everyone & all the natural beauty of KS in the fall.

Take care,
Catherine

[Shirlv]

Morning Peggy, humid and sunny right now. Looks like another week of humid weather and then a cool down. No weekend plans. Traffic is back to manageable but I prefer to let working people who only have weekends to shop have the roads. I got to meet tiny Yorkie Luca yesterday. I think he could be my service dog. I could only laugh at his antics. A very tiny harness and light weight lease. Daughter said he is so fast she can’t catch him so needs to use the leash.. He doesn’t like it so attacks ,snarls, barks and will pounce on it. He was on his way to the vet for shots, poor baby. The new tv remote works well too bad there isn’t something to watch. Peggy hope you get to winter in Mexico. Hope everyone dealing with trials and tribulations are ok. Be safe

[Cudedog]

The new tv remote works well too bad there isn’t something to watch.

Good morning, Shirl.

I know you browse YouTube, but have said this before, but it is worth saying again. If anyone has a smart tv (and/or a Roku) try dialing up YouTube.

YouTube has kind of a long-standing (and somewhat unfortunate) reputation about primarily being a place to watch kitten and puppy videos.

YouTube is that, for sure, but is so much more. One can find a video - from a few minutes to a couple of hours - on just about any subject imaginable. I have watched YouTube videos of a vast range of topics - from how to fix my plumbing (I did!) to old movies, to nature specials, to full-length ballets (Swan Lake is my favorite). Video quality it excellent too, usually 4K (or better).

Whatever subject might interest you, I can guarantee that you will find a wide variety of videos to watch on the subject of your choice.

I am a confirmed YouTube junkee!

Anne

[BirdbyBird]

Peggy the camping trip was a learning curve. I keep reminding myself to bring less. The RoadTrek handled the Honda okay but worked harder on the hill. Coming back If I was driving the rolly hills of KY I remembered to shift to 3 year out of Overdrive. It worked better. I did scare myself a couple times. I have no backup camera like I did before. I was used to looking in the monitor and looking down on the Honda. Now I glance up to the mirror and suddenly see a white car about to rear end me. Oh, it’s just you Honda! Never mind. It rains some on Tuesday but there were plenty of nice breaks for long walks. Wednesday we enjoyed the morning sunshine but looking at the weather maps that was the last of the weather gifts we were goi g to get so I started packing up to head out a day early. Remember I had three damp dogs. I had trouble starting g and keeping the RT on. I even jumped it with my car charger. All In the rain. I tried to drive it around the campground to see if that would help charge it up. I didn’t make it very far but luckily I was able to roll into the large and empty lot for the host trailers. Not muck call for them given the weather. After fussing with it some more the engine decided it would not even give a click. Luckily for me Coach Net was t able to find a tow truck able to come out that afternoon or evening. And by then I didn’t really want to drive the Honda 6 hours north mostly in the dark and the rain. So we spent the night in the boat lot. After and eve I g and a night of rain we found some dry weather I the morning and I got to watch a couple of kayaks try to escape their perches and float away the lake had risen so far. It continued to as the morning went on. While Coach Net was finally by 11:00 able to find a tow that would come in three hours….I had met with a kind and thoughtful fellow camper who offered to look at the rig for me. He said the story didn’t sound like an alternator; etc. Anyway…. He found and tighten the two loose cables to the battery and funny the engine didn’t sound so anemic and strange anymore. The lesson learned is even if it is raining to wander around letting more people know what is happening and those with skills have an opportunity to step up. To my side, the heavy rain, made that a bit more difficult. He had me drive around the campground. Start and stop it a couple of times and I was ready to hook up that little white car that kept riding too close to my rear and we all headed home in time to reach the driveway before dark. I spent Friday getting Lark and Audrey ready for their Rally trial which is today and tomorrow and doing a laundry mat run with wet rugs, damp dog beds and general bedding. Last night when I went into my bedroom I could still smell something damp and unpleasant. Then I remembered that my very wet leather sandals were sitting right there. That was changed and they were deposited back. Y the back door. And all was well.

[BarbaraRose]

I slept with all the windows open last night. Was so nice with a cool breeze blowing on me!! Still cool and breezy this morning. I need to get outside and start working!

Loved that commercial! One of the reasons I first moved to California 11 years ago was the loss of several women I knew who were my age or younger over the previous 5 years. I thought "I could be next! I need to just follow my dream of living in CA now!" There are no guarantees in this life and we just have to do what we want sooner than later. My brother chose to work until he was 70 and then had lots of plans for he and his wife after his retirement. Well he had his near fatal car accident one week after his 70th birthday. That wiped out all their retirement plans. She is now his full-time caregiver.

I have been having pain in my left knee for a little while now. I think I may have a torn meniscus. I had that in my right knee about 22 years ago and ended up with surgery which was totally botched resulting in a 2nd surgery and permanent damage to my knee. I think I will just suck this up to another ache/pain and live with it. Not gonna go thru that fiasco again! It just hurts when I move it a certain way. Luckily, my shoulder is doing much better right now.

Catherine, I now drive 50 miles each day to work and back. The other job I applied for would be 60 miles per day. Yes, I just payed $4.25 for gas the other day. That $15 only put 3 1/2 gallons of gas in my car! It costs me about $70 to fill it once a week!

I better get going! I have a lot of work ahead of me! Have a good day!

[chalet05]

Good afternoon,

Tina, what an experience, but glad all is well. Peggy, hope you get to Mexico. Catherine, I thought I wanted to buy a nice winter coat last year, but it didn't happen. Been a long time other than a parka. Shirl, the little Yorkie here is being walked right now - so cute. Ouch on the gas bill, Barbie. Sue, hope your foot is doing better.

Other than finally getting a garage, this has been a frustrating week so it can go away. I would have asked my daughter to pick me up after work yesterday so I could get my car, but one of their dogs was injured so knew she needed to get home. Now she is down with a cold that has been threatening all week plus weekend traffic from their place is red on the map. With her symptoms, they tested her for Covid at least three times at school.

Before I had coffee this morning, BFF called. Her little dog attacked her young granddaughter yesterday - not pretty. After we talked a bit, she did call her vet and he told her what the plan is for such happenings starting with 10-day quarantine. Not a position I'd want to be in, but I'm sure two rambunctious kids isn't what the dog is used to.

Must decide what to tackle today.

[SoCalGalcas]

Tina, such an adventure. Glad it all worked out in the end.
Peggy, is the border open where you cross? It’s still closed San Diego/Tijhauna.
Catherine, have fun in Kansas. I am reading a book, The Seine, the River that Made Paris. Very interesting.
Horrible about your friends Granddaughter. Anita. Kids always want to kiss dogs on their face. That’s why many kids get bit on the face.
I am still house sitting, but want to get back to the condo. Like all elderly, I want to go home!
Lyn

[Redetotry]

Good afternoon,

Tina, what an experience, but glad all is well. Peggy, hope you get to Mexico. Catherine, I thought I wanted to buy a nice winter coat last year, but it didn't happen. Been a long time other than a parka. Shirl, the little Yorkie here is being walked right now - so cute. Ouch on the gas bill, Barbie. Sue, hope your foot is doing better.

Other than finally getting a garage, this has been a frustrating week so it can go away. I would have asked my daughter to pick me up after work yesterday so I could get my car, but one of their dogs was injured so knew she needed to get home. Now she is down with a cold that has been threatening all week plus weekend traffic from their place is red on the map. With her symptoms, they tested her for Covid at least three times at school.

Before I had coffee this morning, BFF called. Her little dog attacked her young granddaughter yesterday - not pretty. After we talked a bit, she did call her vet and he told her what the plan is for such happenings starting with 10-day quarantine. Not a position I'd want to be in, but I'm sure two rambunctious kids isn't what the dog is used to.

Must decide what to tackle today.

Anita, I hope your daughter gets better and it is just a cold! I'm surprised your BFF friends dog is being quarantined. Did they take it in or leave it with her. Unless a dog has not had a rabies shot I didn't think a dog was quarantined. So sorry it happened.

[BarbaraRose]

Anita, that is scary about the dog bite incident. Yes, kids can be a little too trusting and rambunctious around dogs. Even patient dogs have their limits. Hope the little girl will be OK from her wounds.

Been very busy today!! Whew!! (having 2 energy drinks kept me going! )

Even tho it is relatively cool with a breeze, I still got hot and needed to come inside to cool off occasionally. Kept the AC in my bedroom nice and cold for my breaks.

I cleaned up the front and back patio areas, the driveway, and got about 3/4's of the deck cleaned. So much dust, dirt, grass, bird poop (from the doves my neighbors was feeding), and cat pee (from the males that have been marking their territory ). My screen door to the deck was off the track so took it over to the driveway and washed that (cat marked that too) and put it back up on the track. Sprayed down all my patio and deck furniture. Took a load of junk to the dumpster. So much stuff gets ruined from the heat and sun here. My golf cart cover was full of cat urine too and when I went to put it on the golf cart to hose it down, it just fell apart in my hands. So that went to the dumpster too. I am about done for the day, physically anyways. Have stuff all over the driveway still drying off. I vacuumed the carpet on the deck but should really hose it off too. So filthy and am sure it also has cat pee on it. The cat(s) sprayed everywhere. I know the old white kitty was doing that but he hasn't been around here for quite awhile so am not sure if other cats are also marking. I think I might move the cat dishes to the driveway and keep the gate to the deck closed at night.

My neighbor is loving her new cat, Gray Kitty. But also she was able to actually pet Spooky the other day! Those two cats are buddies. I have never been able to get within 5 feet of Spooky without him hissing at me and running off. I hope she can eventually tame him.

So tomorrow I will finish the deck and then start on the porch. Will have tomorrow and Monday to get that done. That will be a great accomplishment! Lots of work to do in there too. I have to be ruthless about getting rid of stuff. I did pretty good today with that. Hoping I can get to washing the golf cart this weekend too. Shouldn't take too long to do that tho.

OK, now to go take a shower!! And make the sloppy joes.

[Acadianmom]

I went and got my booster shot this morning and went to Walmart. I mainly went to look for the potatoes but spent $80. That's why I don't like to go to Walmart. I go for one thing and end up with a basket full. My son has an ankle he keeps inuring so I went to Lafayette to take Harold's walker to him. That boy is in worse shape than I am. The traffic in Lafayette on Saturday is a nightmare. I wish the police would ticket the idiots that block the intersections so no one can move.

Tina, I can about imagine what 3 damp dogs in a small space smell like. I have turned into a real wimp. Most of the time I won't make a reservation until I can see what the weather is going to be. Sometimes I can't get a site. Oh well. Hope the loose connections were your only problem. I think that was the main problem with my motorhome.

Catherine, getting ready for company and a trip will keep you busy. I hope I don't have any occasions that I need new clothes for.

Anita, I saw a sling today painted purple and gold with a picture of a tiger on the hood. LSU fans I'm sure. Hope your daughter doesn't have covid. Hope the dog didn't hurt your friend's granddaughter. When my boys were small I would try to keep them from petting strange dogs when we traveled. They were use to being around dogs all the time and didn't thing anything about petting them. I didn't want to have to go through the trouble a dog bite would have caused. My oldest boy had gotten bit twice at home. I'm surprised he wasn't afraid of dogs but it didn't bother him. When I would go to my parents' house with our Boston Terrier he would sit behind my legs to get away from my sister's kids. She told me I needed to control him when he snapped at one of her boys. I told her she need to control her kids, the dog was trying to hide.

Barbie, I had to wash my golf cart when I was going to bring it to the shop. It was filthy but thank goodness the cats don't pee on it. The seats were all mildewed and I keep it on the carport. I have been wanting to go fishing at the pond but the cows have made such a mess at the gate I am afraid I will get the golf cart stuck. If not stuck it would be full of mud.

Lyn, I know what you mean about wanting to go home. I like to go somewhere but am always happy when I turn onto the road going to my house.

I didn't feel it when I got my shot but I'm starting to feel my arm now.

Martha

[chalet05]

BJ, the dog is at home. Vet must know he's had rabies shot so not sure why quarantine - sounds like it is standard procedure? BFF's son sold his house and the family is living in their very nice RV while waiting to move into new home next week, but kids have been going to BFF's townhouse during the day with their nanny - who happens to be their adult cousin. These three children are a handful on the best of days apparently. 'Nanny' was helping one child in bathroom so no one knows what really happened. Were two wrestling and dog went into protective mode? Did little girl try to lay on him like she does on big dog at home? We'll never know. Unfortunately, attack on her face is pretty severe including need for stitches (I saw the photo) - she just turned 3 in August. BFF was out of town for the day. She told 'nanny' granddaughter to put the dog up in the bedroom, but the granddaughter didn't think it necessary. Poor dog isn't used to all the commotion. It's just sad all the way around.

Martha, I haven't seen the LSU Sling but have friends with theirs done up for other schools. Pretty snazzy. We got our mini dachshund when the girls were about 2 and 4. He was really good with them, but a few years later when friends came with little ones, he would immediately get into a chair with Steven!

On a good note, my daughter found a large heavy box with photos that has been 'missing'!

[snowball]

I am such a rebel the tv is on and it's not on either Hallmark channel and the thermostat in the room where the pellet stove is is up to 71
spent afternoon with mom she looks better they had her up sitting in a chair... gave her a sponge bath... one CNA wanted to get her into the shower mom wasn't into that at all ..
I thought that I had 7 dish clothes for granddaughter turned out it was only 6 guess I shall do another one just so she can have plenty
that is too bad about the dog bite... hope she heals well and isn't to traumatized from it....
went and bought some pj's for mom for her b'day gift she will say they are too small (I bought a small) she only weighs 111 at most and is 4ft 11 in am hoping that these will be shorter... normally I would look for petite but didn't see any
one person came in and said that probably on Monday if mom qualifies she will be put into a switch bed program I think was the name of it as there isn't room in care center she will stay in the same room but will get more PT and depending upon her involvement will tell how long they can keep her in that program... so far she hasn't be to cooperative but it's early days and she still really hurts...
came home and made a birthday cake so will take a slice of it to her...
Peggy sure hope you get to go to MX for the winter...
That just sounds smelly Barbie is there something that you can spray to defer the mail cats from marking the area?
guess I ought to go and take the cake out of the pan... it's a bunt cake not sure how good I got it greased and floured here is hoping...
Cathrine is your puppy going to be at your son's house while you go to Kansas or France?
my mind won't recall any more and I know that I could go down and see what else was said but know that I read it all
it's my granddaughter's my sister's and my brother's birthday today and mom's is tomorrow Oct is a heavy birthday month
you all have a good night it's down to will it come out of the pan in one piece or not????
sheila

[BarbaraRose]

Sheila! You ARE a rebel! We won't tell!

I am hoping to avoid having any male cats spraying done up on my deck by putting the food down in the carport instead. Then gate the deck at the top of the stairs. I need to get some of the special enzym spray to neutralize the urine areas on the carpet. The only good thing about all the dust is that it sticks to the urine so I can see where it is! I also have a flashlight (somewhere ) that is a black light that I can see where it is on the carpet as well.

I took a nice long shower to get all the grime off me and then made my sloppy joes. They turned out yummy! Watched the weather channel for a couple hours. Weird Weather show was about strange things that happen around the world regarding natural phenomenon. Very interesting!

I have my bedroom windows open tonight. Not much breeze but can still feel the cool air coming thru. I think I will open up the other windows in the house tonight too. Unfortunately, tomorrow is supposed to get back up to 90* so I will have to get up early to get started out on the deck. Monday will be cooler but there is a high wind warning for that day, but maybe I will be all done with the porch by then (ha ha! ).

When I was in my early 20's, my mom's friend's son owned a young cougar. I have always loved them and still do! I got a chance to meet the cougar one time. As soon as I saw it I ran over and hugged it without thinking. The guy's girlfriend said "you must be really good with animals". I said "yes, why?". She said "because he usually doesn't tolerate anyone doing that to him!" . I guess I was really lucky it didn't bite my face off! Not a smart move on my part! But it was still a really cool experience!

[Cudedog]

When I was in my early 20's, my mom's friend's son owned a young cougar. I have always loved them and still do! I got a chance to meet the cougar one time. As soon as I saw it I ran over and hugged it without thinking. The guy's girlfriend said "you must be really good with animals". I said "yes, why?". She said "because he usually doesn't tolerate anyone doing that to him!" . I guess I was really lucky it didn't bite my face off! Not a smart move on my part! But it was still a really cool experience!

Cute story, Barbie.

I have an old friend that loves cats, of all shapes and sizes. One time they were with their kids at one of the "wild animal parks" they used to have out here. It was early morning, there weren't too many people there yet, so they were surprised to see a couple of keepers out walking a young tiger (on a tether, of course). They asked if it was ok to touch it, pet it a bit, and was given permission - but only if they stroked it along the back, towards the tail.

When my friend asked why they could only touch it on "that end", they were told that it was the other end "that had the teeth".

Touching a tiger was a fun experience for them.

Anne