Winter Fireside

[Laurie H]

Jan, I think it's definitely time to speak with your dr. about your shoulder.  It might be nothing, but you won't know until you discuss it with him. 

So far, so good with me.  The achiness gets worse as the day goes on anyway.  I'm usually pretty good in the morning.  I slept an extra hour this morning.  Hopefully, that helps.  I'm about to jump into the shower, then I have my day planned.  Laundry, sewing, dishes, vacuuming and of course, watching men's hockey at 3 pm.  Not exactly in that order, but you get the idea.  I just have to get moving.  DH is watching something I "taped" on the DVR for him a week ago.  I'll vacuum as soon as he's finished.  I should be finished with my shower and have a load of laundry started by then and I'll start my sewing as soon as I finish vacuuming. 

The roof is dripping, but I can't tell if it's raining right now.  The plow truck went by about an  hour ago, scrapping up a lot of slush.  We should have a talk with the driver, although I'm not sure how much good it will do.  He drives too fast on this road and he's not doing the same type of job the other driver did.  Remember, we know our drivers.  We both went to school with this one and the Supervisor of the crew is our neighbor.  I know he's spoken to this driver about his speed on this road before.  Now the other driver would sweep the blade of the plow into our driveway so we didn't have that big berm left at the end.  We have plenty of room to make that happen.  This guy doesn't do it.  I really wish he'd behave! 

We still need to have a chat with the Warren, our practical joker neighbor.  He has the contract to plow the entire end of our road to the main road.  I think he has the contract to plow a lot more.  He's not doing the job the way he should, or at least not up to my standards.  He needs to get up much earlier and get to it.  I'm far from impressed.

 'Course, none of the small towns plowed their side roads the other day, so he's not the only one, but their town managers got an earful from our transportation director, because he was getting an earful from angry parents.  Our school district had 5 out of 9 school buses go off the road on Friday morning because of terrible road conditions.  If these guys who have the contracts to plow these side roads had plowed them on Thursday, then again first thing on Friday morning, all would have been fine.  Instead, we had snow on top of frozen slush.  Very slippery and dangerous.  Four town managers were called and yelled at.  I hope that makes a difference. 

[Terri B]

It's looking a lot like spring around here.  The crocus are in full bloom, the daffs are up but not open yet, tulips are right behind the daffs.  The trees are starting to bud out.  It's still been below freezing every morning when I get up but warms up to the high 60's during the day.  It's bright and  out right now. 

I've been so stinkin' busy lately I can't see straight.  We were in Maui for the first 2 weeks in Feb.  Had a great time.  Went whale watching and saw lots of whales up close and personal.  They're very curious about us, and come right up to the boat.  Saw a few newborns.  Very cute and funny.  One day when we were out snorkeling we could hear the male humpbacks singing under water.  That was the coolest!  The weather was good most of the time.  Only 2 rainy days out of 14.  It's not my favorite time of year to go, but the only time the whales are there.  I came back to craziness at work, and tons of chores to do at home.  I have a weeklong workshop in mid March down at Asliomar with Ruth McDowell.  I am completely unprepared for it and only have 2 weeks to get my act together.  Unfortunately other things have required my time.  Sadly DFIL passed away last Thursday.  He slipped away quietly and quickly, and for that we are grateful.  Spent yesterday evening beginning the process of clearing out his apartment at the assisted living facility.  We decided to wait until later in the evening when nearly all the "inmates" are in their rooms.  We want to cause as little upset to them as possible.  Yesterday we got all the small stuff.  Tonight DH & DS will get the furniture & larger pieces.

I haven't done any sewing in months.  The Irish Chain is still scattered out all over the studio.  I need to put that aside and start getting ready for Ruth's class.  I need to make 3 labels for quilts that were completed this year.  I guess I better get off here and try and accomplish something today!

[ljh]

Terri, I'm so sorry to hear about your DFIL.  Of course, for him, 'slipping away' is the way to do it, but its a hard thing for you and your family.
I was going feel sorry for you being so busy, but then I read about 2 weeks of it being on Maui.  All of a sudden I'm not so sorry for you 

Jan, yeah, you never feel a thing until  its too late.  Sigh.  Get it looked at.

Laurie, nothing like snow removal (or the lack of it) to get folks to call their local government.  I hope everyone does better after this.

I'm going to "Stitches" (knitting conference) today with a friend.  We won't be doing any classes, just looking at the vendors, but it should be fun.

Linda

[Laurie H]

I'm with Linda.  Sorry to hear of your DFIL's passing, even though you've mentioned that his health had been slipping.  Not sorry to hear you're so busy after being in Maui for 2 weeks.  What do you expect?? 

My laundry is almost finished and I managed to get the noisy stuff done before DS got home from his overnight shift, ate and headed off to bed.  I'm taking a break for lunch now.  I've attached the hanging sleeve and the binding to the Hungry Caterpillar wall hanging and I'm about to head back upstairs to start quilting the baby quilt.  I can do any hand work I want later, when the hockey game is on. 

DM called just as I finished with the binding on the wall hanging.  She had a question about a quilt pattern.  This is the first pattern she's been willing to tackle since her TKRs.  She said she's finally feeling up to it.  Besides, she was getting burned out on quilting and she was just making scrap 9-patches and really just tossing them together.  She's finally making a really put together one and she called because she couldn't figure something out.  As usual, she just hadn't read the paragraph before the confusing part.  I had told her with that pattern, she would get confused if she tried to skip around...she needed to start at the top and carefully read all directions, step by step and it would be very easy.  She now knows why I said that.  I wasn't being condescending.  I was completely serious, this is just the way this pattern works.  It must be read carefully.

Anyway, she never did get out to supper with my brother on her birthday and that was a month ago.  I reminded her that was because she went shopping with me and overdid it.  She almost winced when she remembered.  She said it took days to recover.  I think she's well enough to go out now, but she'll think twice before insisting on going with me and telling me she should walk so far.  Even I was tired after that day.

[janquiltz]

Terri, I'm sorry to hear about your DFIL.   It's never easy.  You are very thoughtful to try to spare the 'inmates' the way you are.   I'm sure they see all to much of that happening.

Yeah, the shoulder.  Better today but still not right, and I did intend to speak to the doc about it anyway this week, so guess this set back is good timing.

Wow, what an uproar on our block.  There is a tag sale right across from us, the house where the neighbor passed away in December.   Like a pack of vultures, it seems.  There was one couple who slept in their car in front of the house all  night to be first, people are lining up to get in, in the order they arrive.   Cars everywhere, which with snow all over is even more interesting.   This man had some really good pieces of furniture, and some pricey decorative items, as well as electronics.  Just talked to his DS and DDIL who said the place is absolutely trashed.   Well, yes, did I say like a pack of vultures?    Most anything of real value is sold.   Mostly general bric a brac left.   I have mixed feelings about such sales.  So apparently do the man's DD and DS.  The DS said the DD wanted to do this, and said her father would be there bargaining for the best price.  The DS feels that the father would be saying 'you did WHAT?!'   Whatever, their father has nothing to say about it all.   

We cleaned our two houses in two months 4 years ago, and sold nothing, gave away heaps, kept some and tossed the rest.   Some of what was tossed was picked up by folks driving by, when it was put out by the curb.   I guess  no matter how it'd done it's a hard thing.   

I must confess that I was eying the car in front of the house last night, wondering who in the world was sitting there so long.  I simply cannot imagine camping out like that, for what it turned out was a couple of clocks, apparently pretty valuable.  But still...I don't need anything that badly!

   

[Terri B]

LOL, I was pretty sure I wouldn't get ANY sympathy for being in Maui for 2 weeks.     It is amazing the amount of stuff, and to dos that can pile up when you're gone that long.

I did manage to get out to the studio today and sew a little.  I finished up strip set A for the Irish Chain then put that all to one side.  I started working on my practice blocks for Ruth's class.  I got the first one done.  Nothing earth shattering if you've done some tailoring before.  I sewed out of the scrap bin so that was interesting trying to find big enough pieces that looked good together.  I have 3 more blocks to make and my homework is done.  Then I need to finalize what picture I'm going to use as my "inspiration".  I was going to use a picture of some Shooting Stars I took last spring on a hike.  Now I'm not sure.  Oh bother!  I hate being indecisive.  Maybe I'm just uninspired??? 

Thanks for the nice thoughts on DFIL.  He truly was ready.  He was 91, deaf without his hearing aids, had macular degeneration to the point where he couldn't read anymore and mostly listened to TV.  His health and quality of life was declining rapidly.  Cleaning out the apartment was hard.  So many little odds and ends, family photos etc.  He had this funny watch that he was so enamoured with.  It would speak the time when you pushed a button, or on the hour on it's own.  Well it spoke the time once while we were there and it made me go "Awwww!".  The car ended up being too full last night and Goodwill isn't open on Sunday so DH and DS will take the big stuff tomorrow after they get rid of the clothing at Goodwill.  There are 5 boys in the family so I don't think we'll have to have an estate sale.  I'm sure someone will want whatever it is.

[Laurie H]

One of our Ed Techs went into the student files to make a note on a student's file.  After she put the file away and locked the file, she found that the student's photo block (a square with 4 photos from the school photographer) had fallen out.  She got the key, opened the file cabinet, then asked me if it mattered which file it went back into.  I told her I would prefer she put it back into that student's file....

...she laughed, but called me a bad name.  She said I show her no respect.  Next time, she shouldn't ask such a silly question. 

[SuziQz]

While some of you shoveled snow, I pulled weeds.  Not my favorite chore, but the ground was still so wet from the rains that it was much easier than usual.

I'm trying - once again - to catch the feral kitten so I can take her to the vet.  Please cross your fingers for me.  I have caught a cat already this morning, just not the right one.   

Terri - I'm sure that you will miss your DFIL even if he was ready. 

I hate being indecisive, too.  Sometimes I get myself so tangled up in ideas for a project, that I just can't get started.  Bother!

Jan - I don't think I'd camp out in a car in the snow even to get a 5 carat diamond for $100!

Laurie - That was a silly question, indeed!

How is Gus?  Confused by the alternating snow and rain?

Linda - So, did you find wonderful things to buy at the conference?

I'm off to check my cat trap again, with fingers crossed, of course!

[ljh]

Suzi, good luck with your kitten catching.  They can be pesky little things...

Laurie, I'd have been sorely pressed not to give a seriously sarcastic response to that...

Terri, I'm glad you got some sewing time in.

Yes, I did manage to find a couple things I wanted at the knitting conference.  I got some pretty kid mohair/wool yarn in a lovely soft gray-blue, with just a slight hint of brown in it.  And I got a really cute little knitting needle size gauge for DD for her birthday next month.  I also got really tired     Its a big event, and by the time one makes it through all the 200 or so vendors, it all gets to be too much!

Linda

[Laurie H]

Suzi, I do wish you luck catching the correct cat.

Gus is obviously not happy or he's just bored with all the rain.  He tore up the bed we placed in the garage for him.  We were just talking about how he seems to realize sleeping on the cement isn't a good idea and that's why he left that one alone.  Now he doesn't have one in the garage or his dog house.  His 1st birthday and Friday.  DH says he might not make if he keeps doing things like this!   

I told DH since he's home and not in the woods, he might want to play with Gus and then Gus won't think to destroy anything.  I wonder what that face DH made at me meant???

Linda, the lady at work is so rattle-brained most of the time, it's a wonder she remembers how to get to work.  I can't help but laugh at her antics every day.  She's always saying something that requires a "duh" answer, so I tend to be a bit sarcastic, but I'm usually giggling when I do it.  I can't help it.  Makes life fun at this school.  Maybe she's been working with little ones too long??

[janquiltz]

Poor bored Gus

Suzi, I too hope you catch the correct cat.

Linda, the yarn sounds really nice!   

Heading to work with DH tomorrow, to visit HR regarding retirement.  Not sure why, I'm not retiring (!), but he wants me along.   I am a part of this, after all!    Then it appears he might not be retiring just yet.   We shall see.  Regardless, we will need the info from HR sooner or later, so we will go and see what they say about the process.    I think I will bring my gift card and head to the quilt shop while I'm in Manhattan.   DH plans to go back to work after the meeting.

[SuziQz]

Sigh!  I caught 2 cats today, but neither was the right one.  But I did find a we site that gave sneaky tricks for catching wary cats.

Linda - Glad you found some things that you like, but 200 vendors really might be too much of a good thing.

Laurie - Gus probably is bored.  Too bad Wyatt isn't close enouh for a play date.  Hey, isn't "Take Your Dog to Work Day" coming up soon? 

Jan - Maybe you will need to sign some things that have to do with your DH's retirement.  At any rate, enjoy spending your gift card.

[judic]

Jan, when I was getting ready to retire, the HR dept had a 2 day workshop for both workers and spouses. then DH had to come with me to all the meetings with PERS, the actual retirement folks. It was good that we did have 2 sets of ears throughout the process. 

Suzi, I hope the 'right' kitty takes the 'bait'. She may not be happy later, but she'll be healthier - and there will be fewer kittens to worry about.

Laurie, We can tell when we've had too many rain days for Meiko.  She starts pulling out all her toys and 'insisting' on playtime. It does sound like Gus is a bit bored, and needs a good 'romp'.  Good luck.

We haven't had any real projects going here at all. I'm beginning to get a bit 'bored' too. I probably won't start tearing up my bed though. I need a sewing project. Maybe it's time to go through some patterns, and make a trip to Hancocks. I'm not in the mood to make clothes, and it's too early to start a quilt for DGS and DGDIL.  I'll wait till she's at least 6 mos. along. She's had 2 late losses, and I don't want to jinx this hope for a baby. DH is just about out of books again too.  He's going to get calluses on his caboose if the weather doesn't stay dry for more than one or 2 days.

[Laurie H]

Suzi, Gus would love that.  I have a feeling that some of the kids here would also love it, but some of them would probably be scared to death of a monster like Gus coming at him.  A few of these kids are so tiny!  Come to think of it, I don't know how I'd get him here.  He won't get in the car!!  I suppose I could just attach a leash to him and allow him to run along side my car.  It's only 13 miles. 

Jan, going along with your DH will at least allow you to hear everything and you won't have to ask him later how it went.  Small price to pay so you can then head over to the quilt shop.  Sounds like you'll make it all work out for you anyway.

We're having a sunny day today, so I hope Gus is happier.  Don't know if DH will be happier with the day.  Yesterday he had company.  First a logging buddy showed up and when he comes over, he stays for hours.  He was gone by the time I got home, but our handyman neighbor was there.  I don't think DH got anything done all day.  At least the day passed by quickly for him.  His logging buddy is now divorced, a surprise (sort of) to us, although we know they've had problems for quite some time and our neighbor was joking that he was coming to stay with us because he'd been kicked out.  I almost believed him because they never get along.  Thankfully, he went back home!

We had our birthday celebration for Dr. Seuss today.  What fun!  It was so cute and tons of Dads and Granddads showed up to have a breakfast of green eggs and ham with the kids.  I think the adults enjoyed it as much as the kids.

[janquiltz]

Callouses on his caboose?    Sounds frightful! 

And Judi I am so glad you won't be tearing your bed apart.  Do hope you find something to cure the boredom that's more productive than that

Well we met with a delightful young lady who answered almost all the questions DH had.  As usual, he found one that wasn't answerable without some research, he's good at that!    Meanwhile, back at the ranch so to speak, he just might have another short term job there.   Didn't mention that today, as first of all he doesn't know for sure yet and secondly, he will need today's information soon anyway.    We shall see.

Meanwhile DD2 has an interview tomorrow for a nanny job.    DSIL is pretty down about his situation at this point.  He want to work!  His free lance job has dried out also, the man he was working for is barely supporting himself right now.   

So I went to the quilt shop, and bought nothing!     I am SO proud of my resistance, LOL.    I went with two specific projects in mind, and saw nothing that would work for them.   Did eye a couple of absolutely beautiful batiks, but decided to resist as I have nothing in mind to use them for at this point in time.    I can always get there again if I think I need them.  Meanwhile will hope to find what I'm looking for at the Long Island Quilters' Society show in a few weeks.    I did buy yarn, went to the Lion Brand Yarn Store, and bought some digestives for DSIL at Tea and Sympathy, a shop specializing in things British.   DSIL loves digestives, which are a type of graham cookie.    As to fabric, DD2 loved the apron I made so much, said it matched their apartment perfectly (which I thought too when I bought the fabric).   It was predominantly brown with aqua fabric, a combination she loves.   Now it seems I'd seen so much in that color family of late, but, sigh, now that I'm looking for it, I see nothing.   Guess it's either out of style, or the City Quilter just doesn't stock it.   The local store I bought it at is out of it.   Hopefully one of the vendors at the quilt show will have something appropriate.   Also looking for something for DAS's baby.   (Still can't believe he's going to be a father!).   

So it wasn't a lost day.   Walked and walked and walked and walked, so am a tired Jan now.   I feel like I'm coming down with a cold, which of course has nothing to do with wandering today.  Hopefully taking it easy and getting a longer night's sleep will help nip that.   Meanwhile, having just downed a glass of orange juice, I'm goingn to make some tea with honey..........ahhhhhhhhhh!!!!     And maybe play around with the yarn I just bought, make a sample swatch for gauge.   That's a nice quiet restful activity.   

[SuziQz]

Today was errand-running day for me.  I'm pooped! 

Laurie - If Gus trotted next to your car for 13 miles, I think he'd be too tired to bounce around the kids.  So, they could meet Gus the dog fur rug, which wouldn't be scary at all.   Not a practical idea, but fun to think about.

Jan - Did I miss something?  DAS is going to be a father?!  That makes you a DAGM, I guess.  Congrats!

[Martha Domke]

Laurie, did you see Marley and Me?  He jumped out of their car, DH was holding onto him while he ran along side the car.

[ljh]

A busy day for all, I guess.  We'll all sleep soundly tonight.

I had my next to last Botanical Illustration class today.  So far, the count is 7 classes and 6 of those days with at least some rain on the drive up to S.F.  Three of those days included really heavy rain.  I feel like I should get personal credit for the amount of rain we've gotten in the last couple months.  If I hadn't signed up for the class I'm sure we wouldn't have gotten as many storms...  Supposedly next Tuesday will be nice.
It was fairly nice by the time I came home, so I stopped at Costco-always a huge thrill.  Not.  But at least its done.

I'm also annoyed at myself.  After looking around for some Kona cotton I need, I finally broke down and ordered it.  Well, it arrived and I realized I had ordered "coal" when I needed "charcoal"  Sigh.  So I guess I'll need to order more.

Linda

[janquiltz]

Linda, too funny about the rain, and maybe a bit true     Always seems to be doing something here on a day I'm supposed to drive DU somewhere.  Talked to him last night about this throat, and he wasn't too concerned, but he will be when I tell him it's 'sorer' this morning.   No other symptoms yet.   But surely the ol' nose will take off sooner or later and this will be a rip-roaring cold.  DU is terribly afraid of colds.   I have to call him in about half an hour.

Suzi, yes, I thought I posted it here?  Maybe not.   DAS is to be a father in July. He was married in August.   Tajik folks waste no time in starting their families.   They do have the safety net of living with their parents, in that respect I guess life is easier (if living with parents is easy, but...!)    Yes he wrote me and said I will be a NY Grandma.   So I guess that's a DNYGM?    That sounds weird, have to think about that!     It's all very nice but I may never ever see this little one.   I wouldn't be upset if someone here made me a DGM for real.    DAS's DM is quite shook up that nothing has happened in that department here.   Some things they get, culturally, this is one they don't.    Se's quite worried that something is very wrong with all 3 of our offspring.   Obviously something is not working to her satisfaction!!!

I wish I'd had a solid night's sleep, never do sleep with this throat thing, it's all kind of a 'chokey' feeling.  Then, for some reason my acid problem kicked in again last night.  Halfway through the night the light bulb in my brain went on, and I tiptoed into DD2's old room for extra pillows.   That did hel, a bit.  I think I will break my own rules, and take a bit of a nap this morning.    I generally scorn naps, have never understood them since marrying DH.  He comes from a family of nappers, I come from a family where sleeping during the day meant someone is sick.   DH to this day can sit down and close his eyes, and he's off...he has never converted me to his point of view.  A nap will rob me of real sleep at night, unless I am sick.   Just wired differently.

Dreary miserable day, had it been like this yesterday I'd have gone to the meeting and come straight home.   Looks like very light, wet snow.   And wind, wow...before I came downstairs this morning the vent for the exhaust fan in the bathroom was practically singing a song, flapping like crazy.

[Laurie H]

Martha, I didn't see the movie, but I read the book when it came out and I've seen the clips for the movie.  I admit I did think of that.  I'm sure Gus would keep up with me until he dropped.  I've played with him until his tongue was almost dragging on the ground and he should have stopped, but he kept going and I was the one who had to call a stop to it.  He looked so sad, but he was exhausted. 

Jan, I hope your cold doesn't turn into anything bad.  'Course, with the weather the way it's been, it's hard to regulate anything, including our bodies, so just go easy for a while and drink your tea and rest.  Maybe it won't last long.

Linda, you're doing so well with your class and see how well you're doing driving in the rain?  You're getting loads of practice, whether you need it or not.  It always seems to work out that way with either rain or snow.  Always falls on the day you need to travel. 

Judi, isn't there some wet weather work you can find for your DH to do?  Shopping or anything?  He can't work in the garage on his toys?

Suzi, no luck with that cat yet?  If you catch enough of the wrong ones, you'll clean up the entire neighborhood.

I didn't sleep every well last night either.  Belly problems.  Kept waking me up.  Not enough to get me out of bed, but enough to wake me up.  I was also so uncomfortable.  The bed really is getting more difficult to sleep on unless I'm really wiped out.  When something is keeping me awake, I seem to feel every single bump and lump.  DH doesn't feel a thing and says his side feels fine.  Yeah, well he falls asleep on the couch so often that his side hasn't been slept on as much as my side.

So, I woke with a migraine, took my meds and I'm fine now.  I'll be tired later, but all is okay now.    I'll do a workout when I get home and if I do it quickly enough and it's not raining, I'll try to play with Gus as well.  It's hard, though because the yard is also very soft and muddy.  We all know what I'll look like after spending more than 5 min with Gus.

[janquiltz]

Laurie, may just be DH, not the bed not being slept in as much.  Mine can sleep on most anything, except a sofabed.  He has a sofabed phobia, LOL...because of a really bad one we 'slept' on visiting friends in Canada years back.   When DD1 got married and we had a huge crowd sleeping everywhere in the house, he threw a pillow on the living room floor and laid down and slept.  I'd have been SO stiff the next day, it would have been quite the job to straighten me out.   We are just different.

Hope you sleep better tonight.  Me too.  I ate some chicken soup an hour or so ago and except for some water that will be it for the night.   Nothing to encourage 'refluxing'.   Now reflux can irritate the throat, but it was quite sore before that happened, I guess it didn't help though.

Sigh, part of getting old, I imagine!

[SuziQz]

I decided the only was to catch the right cat is to teach all of them to go into the trap to eat.  And cross my fingers!

I hope all of you sleep well tonight.  I have a nagging headache, so I'll say good night for now.

[Laurie H]

Suzi, I wish I could help you regarding the cat and the headache. 

I sure know about that lately.  I woke with a migraine on Monday and Wednesday mornings and I had another last night.  I fell asleep with it, but at midnight, I woke up with it really pounding and my neck was sore.  I took a Treximet and went back to sleep.  I had forgotten to set my alarm, but DH came up to wake me only 20 min. late.  I still made it to work almost 10 min. early.

Jan, DH's side really does feel better.  I've moved the mattress around, and what his body is lying on is where my feet and lower legs were lying.  I have short legs and I tend to sleep with them curled up, so that end wasn't used a lot.  DH might be able to doze off almost anywhere, he can't sleep anywhere.  He'll be too sore.  The couch is one thing.  He's worn that out by sleeping on it so much.  No one ever sits in the middle, but that's as flat as the rest of it because he usually has his body/shoulders there.  I would often sit at the end and he'd want to lie down as well.  He'd have to start in the middle and go from there.  This is why I need to find a really comfy chair for myself.  I'm tired of sharing the couch with a snoring man!

Getting a bit colder here.  Not a lot, but it was around 30F when I left for work.  Then it was spitting snow.  It won't add up to anything but it was a dry snow, so the air is cold and dry.  Finally the yard was feeling pretty firm.  DH will be happy.  I thought Gus would be happy, and he was when I first went outside to feed him, but he was very sad when he realized I was driving off to work again.  I realized he's been bored and kind of sad every day since Feb. vacation.

The other day, DS asked me if I had yelled at Gus when I got home.  I said no and asked if there was a reason I should have.  He said no, but that Gus had come into the garage, laid down and looked really bummed.  He just assumed I had yelled at him.  Nope, I just hadn't stopped to play with him and told him not to jump on me and I went inside.  Obviously, he wanted me to play.  I absolutely must make more time for him, after changing into doggy-proof clothes, of course.

DH went outside to put wood in the stove and do a couple of other things and when he came back inside, he was swearing and laughing at the same time.  He had a huge, muddy paw print on his sweat shirt...at the top, under his chin!!!  He looked in the mirror and his face was splattered with mud!     I just cracked up laughing.  He said he wasn't sure it was a good idea to play with Gus.  He was tired of being Gus' plaything.      

Tomorrow is Gus' 1st birthday.    I need to get him a new toy.  Not sure what will keep his attention while I'm at work.  Something I can fill with peanutbutter would be good, we have some toys like that, but Gus keeps hiding them and unless they are Kong toys, he destroys them.  Kong toys are the only ones strong enough to withstand his teeth.  'Course, a truck tire would last, but have you ever tried filling one of those with peanutbutter??  That would break the bank!!!

[ljh]

I was just planning my day, when I got a call from DH-on his way over to Oakland for a weed conference of some sort, and his car lost power.  Fortunately he got to a light rail station and will take BART the rest of the way-but that means when he comes back it will be to a possibly non-functioning car that's 30 miles from home.  Fabulous.  And I need my car tomorrow and so will he.  Guess who will be more inconvenienced?

Meanwhile, it looks like a lovely day out there, after a good bit of rain yesterday.  Fortunately it wasn't raining last evening as we and my DB and DSisIL went up to SF for dinner with my cousin's son.  He was in town for some conference on computers or encryption or something way beyond my understanding and it was nice to catch up on that side of the family...

Linda

[janquiltz]

Linda, bummer on the car.   Not fun.  Hopefully it will be an easy problem to deal with.

Well I saw the doc today for a routine appt.   The throat is better, not gone but much better.  I can even talk!   The sniffles are starting, so it's a garden variety cold after all.    Meanwhile I mentioned the shoulder and he gave me the name of an orthopedist to see.    Said it should be looked at, but is probably nothing, which is kind of why I never had it looked at...sigh....

Arrgh, did I mention the estate sale last Sunday?  Across the street, where a neighbor passed away in December.   Today is Day 2 (and final day) of the sale.   What an uproar.   Cars everywhere.   I had a terrible time just getting out of my driveway this morning, getting back in wasn't much easier.   Blocking driveways, whatever.   I think the family is sorry they did the sale in general.  On Sunday they were really put out how folks were trashing the place inside the house.   

[judic]

Jan, I can't imagine why those folks would put up with anyone trashing a residence I think they should have told those doing the damage to leave. Guess that's why mot folks have that kind of sale outside the house. Hope the sale is finished soon.  You may not need much treatment for your shoulder but it sure would have been nicer if he'd even suggested an x-ray or something, other than 'see someone else'.

Linda, I hope you have towing insurance. Even then, one of you will be without wheels tomorrow, at least.

Laurie, you'd have to take up a collection to fill even a small truck tire with peanut butter.  He does need something to occupy him for awhile though.  Our Meiko is an inside dog, but sure lets us know when she needs some play time. I wish we could hear her thoughts.

[Terri B]

I wish we could hear her thoughts.

LOL are you sure about that Judi?  I can just hear it....."Is it dinner time yet?  Is it dinner time yet?  Is it dinner time yet?  Can we go to the dog park and play?  Can we go to the dog park and play?  Can we go to the dog park and play?" 

 

[janquiltz]

LOL on the doggie thoughts, Terri!   

Judi, I don't know how bad it is inside the house across the street, do know that I wasn't impressed by many of the folks I saw going in.   And also know that on Sunday, the other day they were open for business, the family was quite upset afterward!   

Our parents didn't have great stuff, to do something like this...they had basic things, like most folks I know.  This man had very good furniture, lots of collectibles, and heaps of electronics.  He owned an electronics shop in downtown Manhattan for years.   

Just talked to DU, boy is he the cautious one.  I canceled yesterday, me taking him to a doctor, because of that throat.  DU has a dread of colds, not that I don't, but his transcends most folks' dread.   Now he invited me and DH to a lunchen on the 20th, that's 16 days from now...he just said perhaps we should take a rain check.  He knows a cold lasts a good 3 weeks.   It does?   I'm SURE I'll be fine long before then.   But, whatever.   Guess I didn't need to go anyway

[Cota]

I am knitting a sweater vest for my grandson who is 10 and I bought some Red Heart Soft Yarn its 100% Acrylic, its seems to be too soft and kind of stretchy.
Maybe I should have bought wool, as that is what the pattern calls for but it needs to be washable.  Would appreciate any suggestions for what kind of yarn would work best?
Its been so cold here in South Florida this winter, I live between Palm Beach and Ft Lauderdale, and we are just not use to these temps in the 30's and 40's at night.  During the day its sunny but only in mid 50's to 60's.  I really shouldn't complain with all the snow and bad weather elsewhere.  The people from the north laugh at us, I guess we are just wimps.  Oh well, next July we will be wishing for some of that cool air.
Well I better get going on some sewing projects I need to finish.
Pat

[judic]

Well, I got the message this afternoon.  She sat and stared at me till I asked her if she wanted to go for a walk. Instant jump - bark and wiggles. Who could resist that. We did a 'brisk' 30 minute walk. Just stopped a couple of times - once to admire neighbors' winter garden (he offered me a cabbage) and another time to visit with some nice folks with a very 'territorial' poodle/maltese mix.   We stopped on the way home  to pick up the cabbage. Can't get any fresher than just cut.  I made cabbage rolls for dinner.  I hadn't made them before - but these were really good. Time consuming - but worth it. 

[ljh]

Judi, I guess Terri's translation of Meiko's thoughts worked for you    Sounds like a lovely little outing.

Pat, nice to hear from you.  Acrylic yarn can knit up much like wool, but there can be a lot of variation in the synthetics.  If the yarn you're using doesn't work out well, try going to the yarn store and just compare different kinds of yarn to whatever the pattern calls for.

Jan, I'm sure you'll be contagious for weeks and weeks.  Not.  I do think a lot of people without children have the luxury of avoiding all the viruses that kids bring home and get a bit paranoid about germs in their later years.

DH did make it back from the East Bay-and directly over to the mechanic.  He said the engine was really running rough and the car had barely had enough power to make it over the "high rise" part of the San Mateo bridge.  He came back over another bridge that doesn't go over a shipping channel and had less trouble.   I guess we'll find out what's wrong tomorrow.  I hope its just a loose connection in something...  Even so I guess I'll have to drop him off and pick him up at his weeding tomorrow because I have to be somewhere myself.

Linda

[SuziQz]

Laurie - I'm sorry you have been having headaches, too.  I miss being able to take Excedrin because it almost always got rid of my headaches.  It might still work, but I'd have to go to the emergency room to be treated for an allergic reaction, so I'll pass.

Things are looking up with cat catching - the critters are going into the trap to eat, tempted by hunger and smelly canned salmon.  I have to get in touch with the vet to see when she has time for the operation - the office was closed today.

I wonder how much a truck tire filled with peanut butter would weigh...  I think what Gus would really like for his birthday would be another Newfie to play with. 

Judi - I think Meiko did a really good job of letting you know what she wanted.

Linda - What a pain to have to deal with your DH's disabled car!  I hope it is nothing serious.  Maybe it really is time to think about replacing it. 

Jan - Glad to hear you are starting to feel better. 

I don't know what is going on in my neighborhood, but I heard several emergency vehicles go by, sirens screaming, and now there are a couple of helicopters circling.  Oh, for a little peace and quiet!

[janquiltz]

Glad the cat trapping situation is improving Suzi, hope you get the right one very soon and get it taken care of.

I can't take Excedrin, don't know if it's a bona fide allergy, or what.   A friend swore by their migraine formula, I tried it, and was SO incredibly jittery and shaky, I'd never try it again.   Never!   

Judi, Meiko seems to communicate quite well

Linda, hope the car is fixed soon.   Interesting about having trouble getting over the bridge...our 89 Honda, stick shift, started getting sluggish when we were heading to visit DH's DA in NJ, not exactly mountainous, but very hilly area.   Just couldn't get up the hills well.  He figured it was the clutch, and turned around to head back toward home, wanting to be as close as possible when/if it wouldn't go any further.   Funny how one does not realize how much up and down there is in places we go so often, and just never think about.   Getting onto a major bridge for instance.  We chugged up onto the George Washington Bridge, and I was mulling over the thought of breaking down in the South Bronx (not a good area!) vis a vis breaking down further from home somewhere in NJ...DH's plan was to get as close as possible to Queens, which involves yet another major bridge.   Chugged onto the bridge, and we were holding our breath til we got to the center and it was all downhill from there...his theory was that the highway 'help' folks would push us off the bridge once we were on it.   No need, we made it, and coasted to our mechanic who isn't that far from the bridge.   Big Phew!   Now had that been me alone, I'd have pulled over for help at the earliest chance, and figured out how to get home from there (and back to pick up the car).    Men are different!

Well I still have something, after all, but it's not a horribly drippy cold, thankfully!   I think unless it gets worse I'll go to the dinner we have tonight.   As to DU, he is interesting.   The lunch in question is 15 days from now.   I'd have time to get over a lot worse in that time.   But whatever, I'm sure we can live without the lunch!    When DU gets a cold, he generally does get it for quite some time.   I'm usually OK in a week or so.   Meanwhile DDIL, who I insist has the immune system of an ox (how long does a cold last for an ox?) is generally fine in 3 days!     In other words, we are all different.   

But yes, maybe folks who never had kids worry more about germs?   Must confess I worried a lot when my kids were younger, as DFIL caught a cold from them a few times, that turned into pneumonia for him.   I made the DILs quite upset by not letting the kids near them when they were sick, after that.  And, I myself get pretty miffed when I'm somewhere and someone hugs and kisses me, some sort of enthusiastic greeting like that, then says 'I'm SO sick!'    Well, thanks heaps...I mean, I don't mind if someone is sick, but they don't have to go out of their way to share it!      But in general I'm fine...I am a compulsive hand washer, started than when I caught absolutely everything from DS when he was small, and he was sick every two weeks without fail     

As to kids, DU was in boy scouts most of his life, as a scout then as a leader.   We would always wonder what he was like with the kids.   When DS and DNephew were young, DU seemed incredibly inept at relating to them.   One might think with his experience with scouts he'd have some facility with dealing with boys?   Or any kids for that matter.   Whatever!

Anyway I think I scared DU bigtime with my lack of voice the other day

Ah, it's snowing!   Just a little flurry.  I don't think it's supposed to do anything 'real', I hope!

Pat, I wish I knew more about yarn.   I do know there are so many variations.    DM knit for my kids and always used acrylics, washability was definitely something she thought about.  Some of them were kind of stiff and scratchy, others were soft and comfy.   So I do know that acrylics can be soft and comfy!   Linda's suggestion to compare yarns is a good one.

[Laurie H]

Pat, if you want something that's affordable and washable, I'd go with Red Heart acrylic.  There are plenty of different acrylic and blends that are washable and soft.  I've used many of them for sweaters and they wash well and wear well.  Nothing really fancy about them, but they look nice and will hold up well.  They are very affordable and that's a big deal with me.  I simply cannot afford the fancier yarns.

Jan, count yourself lucky that your DU thinks a cold lasts that long.  You get to take a break for a little while.  You've been running for him for so long, it might be good to get a longer break from it all.

Excedrin, in any of their formulas is all the same thing, but with different names.  I've looked at all their labels and they have the same 3 main ingredients and they appear to be in the same amounts as well.  That's a pet peeve of mine.  I feel that they are trying to fool people by marketing the exact same item, but just packaging it in a different way and making people think it's something different.  Call it anything they want, but Excedrin is Excedrin period.  Jan, it's the caffeine that made you jittery, I'm sure.

I've had my 4th migraine this week.  I just took another pill and it's on it's way out.  I'm so not happy this is happening.  I don't know what's going on, but something has to stop.  I just hope this isn't another of those 10 day cycles of migraines.  I had hoped that since I'm having more 'warm flushes' and night sweats that the migraines wouldn't be a factor.  Guess I was wrong.

Gus brought one of his Kong toys to me this morning, so I filled that with peanutbutter this morning.  Much easier to fill that.  Suzi, I agree, Gus would really prefer another newfie for his birthday and I would love that.  I so want another, mostly for Gus, but partly because I just love having 2 newfies.  They don't get bored or sad when they are together.  Unfortunately, until we know how DH's job situation is going to go, it's not in the budget.

I thought DD would be able to bring Wyatt up with her to play with Gus this weekend, but I had to call her and ask her not to bring him.  Gus has a cut or something on the top of his head that DH found last night.  It's fairly new, but DH thought it might be some sort of bite.  I think it's a cut, maybe from going under the porch, but we figured if Gus was bitten by something, it would be better for Wyatt to stay home.  'Course, the yard is muddy and we didn't think she'd want to bring a muddy dog all the way home. 

I cleaned Gus' head as best I could, using a stiff brush to brush away the crusty parts.  That must have been itchy, because Gus obviously loved what I was doing.  He kept rubbing his face on my leg and he showed his appreciation by hitting me with his paw a couple of times....his large, muddy paw.  You wouldn't believe the size of the  paw print on my legs!  I couldn't yell at him because I know what dogs are like and from the look on his face, he was thanking me.

Linda, I hope the car's problem is diagnosed and fixed quickly.  It's not fun having your car taken over because the other car in the family isn't behaving properly.  DD is bring her car up here so DS and DH can get it inspection worthy.  They know what needs to be done and get it ready for it's next inspection for approx. 1/10th what the dealership planned to charge her.

[janquiltz]

Laurie, glad DH and DS can save DD all that money!  Isn't doing it yourself grand?!?

I have thought seriously how this cold might work in my favor with DU, LOL.   If he's so afraid of contagion for so long, I'll have a good rest     Of course I'm not seeing him more than once a week now anyway, and that's not bad.  But...!

As to another newfie not being in the budget, DD2 and DSIL have talked about getting a dog.    I hope they don't, til they are more financially stable.  They know but don't fully appreciate, I don't think, that pets cost.   Their call though, DD is pushing DSIL hard.   Better him than me, she's pushed me for years about many things!!!! Good thing he's a patient man, and good thing he isn't afraid to say no if he thinks he has to.

DD still pushes us to get a dog so she would have a dog to visit when she comes here.   Great reason to get one, for us, I think NOT!