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Monday, January 8, 2018

Another Little Johnny Joke

by Dianne

A group of four year olds were trying very hard to become accustomed to school.
 
The biggest hurdle they faced was that the teacher insisted on NO baby talk.
 
“You need to use ‘Big People' words," she was always reminding them.
 
“Alex, what did you do over the weekend?
 
"I went to visit my Nana."
 
"No, you went to visit your GRANDMOTHER. Use ‘Big People' words!"
 
She then asked Mitchell what he had done.
 
"I took a ride on a choo-choo."
 
"No, you took a ride on a TRAIN. You must remember to use ‘Big People' words," she said.
 
She then asked little Johnny what he had done.
 
"I read a book," he replied.
 
“That’s WONDERFUL, Johnny!” the teacher said. "What book did you read?"
 
Johnny thought very hard about it, then puffed out his chest with great pride and said, "Winnie the SHIT."

163 comments:

  1. Good morning! I was in 7th heaven this morning just lying in bed listening to the rain. I went to sleep to the sound of rain and woke up to it. Love it!

    Dianne Thank you for the cute new blog. I've been using a lot of big people words, maybe more than I should. LOL

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  2. Dianne, That was really cute. I can certainly picture a little kid saying that! I hope you are feeling better.

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  3. J/L, I did watch the Golden Globes. The Jennifers and I are going to see Lady Bird this weekend. It was written by a woman who went to St. Francis High School in Sac and some of it was filmed here. Friends who saw it liked it very much. I was so impressed with Oprah's speech. I also thought Seth Meyers did a pretty good job.

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  4. JL, LOL on your "using big people's words". I too love listening to the rain. There is something very calming about it.

    Barb,I can't remember the last time I have been to a movie theater. I wonder if they are still as loud as they used to be, and irritatingly quiet when people whisper or talk low on screen. My hearing sucks terribly!I don't think any theaters near me have they hearing impaired equipment.

    Dianne. How are you feeling? I hope you are taking good care of yourself! This year is not starting out too good for you. On a good note, it's not your teeth!
    Seriously, take care of yourself and follow Drs orders!!

    Not much going on here. The temps have gone up and the snow is melting a bit, but we will be back to low temps later in the week.
    Jim had his new tractor delivered today. He and Matthew are like two kids with a new toy! It has a covered cab with a heater.Snow plowing will be a lot easier on them. He is not happy with the delivery guy. Jim paid for the tractor and heard the boss telling the guy to fill the tank with diesel fuel and to include the manual in his delivery. Well he delivered it. After he left Jim noticed there was no manual, or fuel in the tank! idiot! Jim called, but they had already closed. He will be calling tomorrow!

    I will be having lunch with my old co-workers tomorrow. That's as exciting as It will be here lol!

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  5. Hi......I’m doing fine. I’m going for another blood test tomorrow and I’ll see my primary dr on Thursday. I started taking iron yesterday. The dr has me on a high dose so hopefully all that mess will not happen again. Guess I need to eat steaks and every day!! What is so strange was that I felt fine last week too when all this started. Well, at least I’m up and running again. I think they must have given me young blood as I do feel more peppy.

    Mary, I’d be upset if I were Jim too. Why can’t people just follow directions? Boy, that sounds like quite a tractor. Mary, I do not want to hear you’re out shoveling anymore....you have your very own snow plowers. We have hardly had any snow. It’s very unusual for us. The mountains and ski resorts have a lot more but still lower. It was a beautiful 70 degrees today. It felt like Spring. They are saying colder and possible snow tomorrow night. I could really live with the 70’s.

    It’s nice you have lunch with co-workers. So many of my lunches are with previous co-workers too. I make it a point to keep in touch with all of them. A couple are still working.....those are shorter lunches (not three hours).

    Barb, I didn’t watch the Golden Globes this year. Except for country, I get kind of tired of them. I will watch the Academy Awards though. I have heard Lady Bird is a really good movie. I love going to the movies. I guess a lot of the ones I see don’t get awards . These mud slides look horrible. It’s so terrible for the people....so many people being hurt, killed and missing. Barb, how do you feel about Gruden going to the Raiders again? Are you Happy? I’ll bet he is...$100 million... nice contract.

    JL, I kind of like the rain too except ours turns not snow in the winter. Your trip to Seattle came up fast. I sure hope you have nice weather. When do you leave? I wish we were going somewhere soon too. Hmmm, where could we go? Louis loves being home. We are very different in our social life.

    I wonder what ww will look like for me tomorrow after this weekend? I was low on food but that fluid was pumped into me for two days. Oh, btw, I cooked tonight. I put a roast, potataoes, onions and carrots in the crockpot. Yum, it smelled so good and tasted really good too. Louis was very happy. There is enough for another night.

    That’s about it for me. I’ll be interested to see how my blood test comes out. My next procedure is already scheduled for March. Have a good night all. Sleep good

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  6. Sorry I wrote so much. I told you I’m peppy!!!

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  7. Barb I'm interested in seeing the movie "Lady Bird", too. The movie "I, Tonya" got a number of nominations, including a win for Allison Janney as Tonya's mother. That looks interesting to me, too. Seth did do a good job and it was kind of a tricky time to host.

    Are you 100% back to normal now? I'm still not but am good enough to run my errands, etc. Every time I eat, I start feeling little tiny pains in the stomach shortly afterwards. Nothing too bad. My friends, John and Jane, are still really sick. I talked to Jane on the phone yesterday and her voice is several octaves lower than it is normally. They've been sick since the day after Christmas. This crud is really hanging on.

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  8. Mary I'm glad Jim is having such a good time with his new toy. Having a heater in it is a welcome addition I would think. How stupid that the delivery guy didn't have it filled with gas and neglected to bring the manual. Have you spent your Christmas loot yet?

    John and Jane and I usually go to a Cinemark theater that's not far from us and they have the earphones for people that are hearing impaired. John always gets them and they are very helpful for him. I don't know if all Cinemark theaters have the earphones or not.



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  9. Dianne I'm glad your procedure went well. What happened at WW? I still haven't gotten back to my diet in a serious way. I need to give myself a pep talk about that.

    I know I said I was going to keep my Christmas decorations up a while longer but as it turned out I really didn't. It was raining all day Monday so I decided it was a good day to take down my little tree and put away the other decorations. I also rearranged my Christmas stuff. Now that I have decided not to get large real trees anymore, I've rearranged my stuff so that all my little decorations for the little tree are in the same bin along with the other holiday decorations I put up around the house this year. That means I now have two other big bins of Christmas decorations that I probably will never use again. I must say it sure was a lot easier to put up and take down my little fake table top tree instead of the 7 foot real tree that I have always gotten before. And having the tree pre-lit.....priceless.

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  10. Hi JL, I did my blood draw this am so we shall see how it goes. I sure hope not a repeat of last week! I lost 9 pounds at ww this week! I guess I got rid of some of that fluid. Wow, our meeting had 60 people there. It’s always crowded at the start of the year.

    I’m sorry your friends are so sick. I hope they get better soon. Did they go to dr? We have a small tree prelit that we decorate too. It’s about four feet high. So you’re still not feeling well? Is your tummy or cold? I think I mentioned the hospital,was full of flu people. I was glad to get out of there.

    Hi Barb and Mary.

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  11. Hi...my blood count came out better his time. Mybdr appt went well .. both drs. I’m having my bladder procedure on the 30th as long as blood test on 25th come back good. Primary agrees with having me on major doses of iron until then. She said she was very worried about me last week and what they might find. I knew she looked concerned. I’m sure glad this isn’t last week.

    What are you all doing for the weekend? We are going to a five year olds bday party tomorrow. LOUIS is no too excited as he doesn’t want to miss playoff games. At least there won’t be lots of kids running around as he’s only having one other child there. That’s about it from over here.

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  12. Hi there! We has two glorious days of nice weather, which means were were above the freezing point! I was even out in my t shirt! Almost all of the snow had melted.This morning I woke up to a ice and snow covered yard. Boo! Mother Nature is messing with us!
    I got called for a DJ/Karaoke job on Ground Hog day night. Another gal turning 21! Oye vey!

    Dianne, I am glad you are following Drs orders. Keep up the good work!

    JustL, We have a 5' tree. I downsized all of our bulbs too. I need to do something with the big and heavier ornaments.They are packed away, but seems silly to have them around. I know we will never go to a bigger tree.

    Barb, check in. I worry about you. I hope you are ok.

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  13. Dianne I'm sure glad your tests came out well. You must be so relieved as I know the rest of us are. You must be happy, also, that your procedure can go ahead as planned.

    My friends are better but still sick and still laying low but had follow-up doctor appointments yesterday. Whatever it is that they've got is really hanging on but they are better than before. They started coming down with it the day after Christmas. Their doctor told them that it can hang on for a couple of months! So many people are sick now and I am hoping I don't pick anything up as my daughter and I are leaving for Seattle on the 25th.

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  14. Mary You went out with just a t-shirt? Yikes! My house is in the shade of the trees on the mountainside and I am bundling up as if I'm in Alaska. LOL Now if I go down to the street below me, I can remove a layer as that street is in the sunshine.

    So if you are going to DJ a birthday party for a 21 year old, does that mean you need to get more hip hop and rap type music?

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  15. Barb How are you doing? My life is really boring right now. It's like a highlight of my day to go to Safeway. LOL I keep telling myself that I need to finish my sunset painting but I keep not doing it. Story of my life.

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  16. JustLin, I hadn't thought of that (music)! I guess I better stock up on that crap lol!
    Gah! I just officially cancelled my trip a couple of days ago and one of the gals from the group going mentioned on FB that she needed a roomie! we have been messaging back and forth about it. I always like her. She is a fun gal.
    I will see if I can "un-cancel"_ myself lol!!
    It's still a ways away, (first week of April) so I hope it is possible! Cross all your fingers and toes, boobs not necessary lol!

    It is still bitter cold here. I have cabin fever! Target and Walmart are starting to look good to me lol!!

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  17. Mary Did you lose any deposit money when you cancelled your trip? Gee, I hope it works out for you to be able to go after all. It sounds like you will have a fun roommate if it all works out.

    I didn't do much of anything today even though it was nice weather except for being a bit chilly. Chilly is probably sounding good to you about now. LOL Anyway, I did take my dog shopping. We went to Pet Food Express and bought her a couple of new toys. One of these days, I need to go shopping for myself. I could use a couple of new sweaters and I'd like to have them before we go to Seattle on the 25th. I guess I better get on that this coming week. That trip is coming up fast. I just hope it isn't raining there the whole time.

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  18. JusL, Zoie has more toys than I had as a child lol!
    If I do go on my trip, I will have to buy a few new tops. I may wind up strolling over to the babies section lol! I haven't been to see the new baby because of this dam cold! It hit Matthew the hardest! Prolly from all the people he picked up driving for Lyft/Uber.
    I emailed the travel agent and should hear from her next week. She probably thinks I'm crazy by now lol!

    I made a pot roast with all the trimmings today. I think I will clean the kitchen and take a nap with Zoie. I am being distracted my the Olympic ice skaters.

    Our roads are terrible here. Accidents everywhere. We are supposed to get more nasty weather tonight after 9 pm. I had Jim drive me in to town to pick up a few things. His driving has me gritting my teeth and holding my breath. I really hate to ride with him. His peripheral vision, especial towards the far right is not the best. Many times he has jerked the car and yelled "JC!" because he thinks a car is going to pull out in front of him from a driveway on my side, when they are merely pulling up to their stop sign.
    When we got home we heard there was a bad accident on one of the roads we were on. The "jaws of life" had to be used to extricate the passengers. I hope they are ok.
    We are hunkering down for sure.

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  19. Hi....Mary, I think we will have some weather like yours tomorrow except they are saying only 1” snow. I hope they’re right. Glad you are safely home. We had beautiful weather all weekend. The way you talk about Jims driving, I think I’d rather drive in the snow. Sounds scary. I made a pot roast the other night and we finished up the leftovers tonight. I doubt I’ll cook this week as I bought a few things from the deli today.

    I’ll bet you are anxious to see the baby. I love baby clothes and babies. I sure hope your trip works out. It sounds fun. Exactly what places would you be going to? I watched football this afternoon. Boy, the Vikings game was very exciting.

    JL, did you get to your painting this weekend? Are you feeling okay? Your Seattle trip is just around the corner. Are you getting excited? M going with Barb tomorrow to see The Post. She has the day off for the holiday. I went to the store this am too for only popsicles and pretzels and left with a few bags! It always happens.

    Barb, I’m going to go find you. Hope you’re ok. Miss you.

    Did you all see these one lotto winner was only 20 years old? They said he’s retired now. Wow, would be nice. The other lotto winner just won 1 million on Publishers Clearing House in August. Lucky people. Mary, do you play lotto? You and jim ars always so lucky.

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  20. J/L, The Jennifers and I went to see Lady Bird yesterday and about five minutes after the show started the power went out in the whole theater complex. People were very unhappy and some very rude. We debated about waiting for a while to see if it would come back on or leaving, and decided to go to the bathroom instead of either. The power was restored while we were washing our hands, so we were able to go back and see the rest of the movie. They actually backed the film up a few minutes and then continued it. We all really liked the movie, especially all the Sac references and scenes.

    I am feeling much better, but like you, I'm still not 100%. My energy level is still very low, but better than zero. My doc also told me it was gonna take a while to get back to whatever my normal is.

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  21. Dianne, The Jennifers and I worked on cards today and we made seven cards. I have a new panda stamp set that is so cute, we made six cards with it - two each of three different designs. I have four young kids to send cards to in Feb, and March. Then we made a masculine card which I will send to Todd for his March birthday. After I got home from the movie yesterday, I saw a recipe on FB for Balsamic glazed chicken that looked really good, so I went to the store and got all the stuff to make it today. It turned out really good and everyone liked it. I just served a green salad with it. Jenn B. is doing a cleanse so I left the mozzerella cheese off of hers and she said it was still good.

    I'm so glad your blood test turned out well. Taking the iron should help keep it at an acceptable level until your surgery. Will you have to continue to take iron after that? I used to take iron for anemia and I hated it because it made me constipated, so then I had to take something for that.

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  22. Mary, I hope you can get your trip rescheduled. I forgot where you're going, but I remember you were disappointed when you cancelled it.

    Describing your drive with Jim sounded very scary. If my Hubby had vision problems, I don't think I would ride with him or even want him to drive.

    Our Cinamark theaters here also have assisted hearing devices. Have you checked with any of the theaters to see if they have them there?

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  23. I am writing this while listening to the news and they are talking about the scare Hawaii had yesterday. I can't imagine hearing that kind of news. I have never thought about what I would do if that happened here. I mean, where could we go? I guess I would just call loved ones and tell them I love them, if I even had time! Good night everyone. I love you all.

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  24. Barb, so good hearing from you! Take it slow & easy. I am sure you will bounce back!
    I have been feeling a bit run down. I am sure it is all this gloomy weather.
    I read somewhere that putting a bit of peppermint oil on the tip of you nose can perk you up. I have some laying around here somewhere.
    I emailed my travel agent and she replied that she cancelled my trip as I asked :(
    I am seriously thinking of eating the deposit and re-uping since I have a roomie. I have to think about it. It is to the Dominican Republic, all inclusive for 7 nights. I need sun!!!

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  25. Hi....Mary, was it a big deposit you’ll lose? I know you’ve been wanting to go on this trip. ive never heard of the peppermint oil thing. It’s -6 here tonightvand wechadcanoutva 1/2 of snow. It was kind of icy this am.

    Went to see The Post today. I didn’t know if I’d like it but it was really good and from my day. Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep do a great job. We saw the coming attractions for Mama Mia coming out in July. Cher plays the grandma. I loved the other one of this movie.

    Barb, so glad to see you. Sorry you’re still not feeling completely well. You are a busy card maker. I keep meaning to ask you how you like your car by now? I’m sure you love it. Yes, I think I will have you continue iron from now on. I hope I don’t have that same problem you were having...So far so good.

    JL, you are a quiet gal lately. Are you feeling okay? I watched a show tonight that my friend told me about but I can’t remember the name. It was with Terry Bradshaw, George Forman, Henry Winkler and William Shatner. It’s on every week and was so funny. They travel to different countries.

    Well, think it will be in the 30’s here tomorrow afternoon. No more snow predicted until Saturday. Good. I was kind of going over dates for our vacation in June. We are going to our time share in Branson and then to Louisville, Ky to see LOUIS daughters. We get the time share every other year.

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  26. I didn’t proof to well. I was trying to tell you Mary that we had a 1/2 of snow today.

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  27. Dianne, it has been snowing off and on all day today. Matthew was feeling better so he was up early plowing. We have a lot of property to plow. Jim did it last time and made a mess! He has not gotten the hang of all the gears on it. Matthew does real well. He used to drive Hi-los so he knows the gears better. Jim tore up the yard and left huge ruts everywhere! It will look awful come spring. Poor guy. He has that right hand all crippled from arthritis.

    I sure am kicking myself in the ass for missing out on my trip! I will never ask those gals to go on a trip with me again! They are high school friends.I didn't think they were that skiddish! Oh well, live and learn!

    Tonight we had a meteorite explode in mid air near us. It was very bright. I missed it but Jim saw it on his way home from the casino. Lots of people reported it to the news station and on FB.

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  28. Hi...Mary, I’m heard about your meteorite. Some people said they could feel it. So, is your vacation back on with the other lady? What did you decide to do? I wouldn’t make plans with those other ladies again either. I’m surprised that they both backed out. It sounds like Jim needs Matthew to train him a little.

    We are going to my grandsons wrestling match tomorrow night. We haven’t been to any and they are getting close to being over. I don’t like wrestling. It’s at 6:30 on the other side of town. Traffic will be terrible

    I lost at ww again today so got those Christmas pounds off. My friend I meet every week leaves for Hawaii on Saturday for five weeks. I’ll really miss her. My other friend usually goes too but she works and can’t always get away. I drive very far to go so hope it works out. I like to go to this ww meeting as I really like leader and know the people there.

    Had nice high 50’s today and sunny. That sun we usually get makes such a big difference daily.

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  29. Hi, HOoters! I'm sorry but I have nothing of interest to write about. I've pretty much been a homebody for several days now. My friends were well enough to go out to dinner Tuesday night and we went to San Francisco to our favorite cheese steak place. I always get mine with everything, onion, mushrooms, hot and sweet peppers. For some reason the hot peppers were especially hot that night. Afterwards, we came back to my house and exchanged gifts (finally).

    So I am now drinking my first cup of coffee of the day. Yesterday when I had had 1/2 cup of coffee in the morning, I then proceeded to be sick (from both ends) for the next hour. Another time that I was thankful to have the toilet right next to the bathroom sink. I spent most of yesterday sleeping. I did feel hungry for dinner and was craving tuna noodle casserole so I made that and it was so tasty. I also made petite peas as I was craving those, too. I guess I needed the nutrients. Anyway, I am feeling fine now. I already canceled my dinner plan with my friend Kathy for tonight because I don't know if this is Norovirus or not. I was sick like this a few weeks ago, again in the morning. I have gotten in the habit of snacking late at night while watching Stephan Colbert so maybe I just need to stop doing that. I didn't eat anything after 7 pm last night and so far I think I'm okay. I really don't know if it's a virus or not but if it is, I don't want to pass it to anyone else.

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  30. Dianne, there is still hope on the trip. One of the gals that needs a roommate has been messaging me hoping I can come. Her roomies backed out at the last minute too! She even called the travel gal and found out I get my $150 deposit back because I had gotten ins. I had a hair appointment today and got back too late to call the travel agent. I did send her an email asking if it was possible to sign up and be "Marcella's" roommate.
    I will know for sure tomorrow.

    JustLin, Dam I hate that you are still under the weather! You ain't got time for that lol! I love tuna casserole! No one here does, so I haven't made it in years. I usuall added baby peas to it. UUUMMM!! I can almost taste it!!!
    I think I will make a small batch (if that is even possible lol) tomorrow.
    Too bad more people don't stay away from the public when they are ill. I almost didn't go to my hair appmt today because of my draining nose. I think it is just a sinus thing because of the cold damp ever changing weather. I took an allergy pill and made it through the day ok. I hate taking meds, but I didn't want nasal drip while getting my hair done lol!

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  31. Hi all....well JL, if we were about 40 years younger I’d worry more about you getting sick in the morning! I think now it might be a miracle! Thank goodness, right? Seriously, I’m hope you are on the mend now. I too, love tuna casserole. I need to make it sometime soon. I know LOUIS likes it too. He’s just happy when I cook anything. What gift did you receive from your friends? What did you give them? Any movies on the horizon? Fun that you live so close to SF that you can go there for dinner. Is that where the movies are too?

    Mary, it takes going to the emergency room for me to cancel a hair appt. I was lucky to get in last week on such short notice. I’m pretty firm about hair and nails. It sounds like your trip is very hopeful. We always take out ins too. You just never know. After two and a half hours on the phone the other day, I got our vacation for June planned. I got our time share in Branson again but was on hold and transferred three times and then given a different number to call then on hold again. I then called a Holiday Inn Express In Louisville, Ky, to get reservations. I called their 800 number and they told me nothing was available in June. They finally made some for me at a further away one from Louis’s daughters with a “maybe” handicap room. I then decided to call the one I wanted on their local number and was able to get exactly what I wanted for the time I wanted. I’m not kidding....it took two and a half hours!


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  32. Well on a second note, I was in an accident today. Im ok. I had just finished lunch with Tammy and went to Walmart. As I was pulling into the handicap parking, I hit straight on the big yellow pole very hard. It’s so scary as I tried to step on the brake and kept stepping on gas! I think I paniced at that point. The pole stopped me thank God. I could have been like those people on the news that drive into buildings or stores or hit a car or worse yet people. Needless to say, it scared the crap out of me! Why didn’t I have a reaction with my foot. I just kept pushing on the gas and seeing that pole coming at me. I hit with a loud boom. Luckily, there were Walmart workers in the parking lot that came right over to see if I was ok. They were very surprised airbags didn’t go off The front of my pretty new red car has a bent bumper with yellow on it. I think I bent the pole too. Lord knows what would have happened if that pole wasn’t there! A guy went and got me a driving cart and told me to come in and rest as I was very shook up. Maybe I’m too old to drive or something. It’s been bothering me all night thinking about it. It will make my ins go up and cost $500 deductible and be a hassle too.

    First I’m in an emergency room getting blood when I feel fine, now this and then the bladder procedure and the stomach one again. Does it ever end? I think I’m stressed and wish I drank wine!!!

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  33. Dianne, I'm so glad you weren't hurt in the accident. How scary that must have been. If you get an estimate and it is the same or a little more than your deductible maybe it would be better not to turn it in to your insurance company, especially if it's only the bumper.

    Your vacation sounds like it will be fun. Are you going to fly or drive? How long will you be gone? I have no plans for a vacation this year yet. My high school friends are still trying to figure out a time that will work for everyone. We canceled last year's plan because two of the women had family health issues and we all voted to just cancel. We lost our deposit on the house we had rented because it was a late cancel.

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  34. J/L, My Mom used to make tuna casserole with potato chips on the top. I loved it because it was the only time we got potato chips. My Mom was big on not feeding us junk food, so we never got sugary cereal or snacks. She usually made homemade pudding or custard for dessert and put less sugar than the recipe called for. I never realized it until I became an adult. I have never made tuna casserole, but now I think I'll look for a recipe and make some.

    I hope you don't have that virus. I'm not sure if that's what I had, but I was sure miserable. I am feeling much better and my energy is s-l-o-w-l-y returning!

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  35. Mary, I hope you get to go on your trip. If you do get to go, how long will you be gone? I forgot where you said you were going, but I assume it is someplace warm!

    Have you seen Raquel's baby yet? She sure is a cutie.

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  36. I am so dam mad!! I usually copy my post just to be safe and of course the one time I don't....Gerrr! I need to remember what I wrote!!

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  37. Dianne, I am glad your accident was only between you and a post! You have been going through a lot these last few months. It is only natural that you were confused for a bit! Take a break from driving until you have a chance to recoup! I am sure you will be just fine!

    SacBarb,Yes, I only go to warm places if at all possible lol! I will be there 7 nights in the Dominican Republic.
    I have not seen Raquel's baby because of this dam cold! Hopefully soon!! My sis keeps me supplied on my phone with lots of pics!

    JusLin, I envy your being so close to the ocean! I would be on the pier staring at the water for hours lol! That is my plan if I go on my vaca! I don't need to go on excursions, although I wouldn't mind going on a catamaran again! I just want to lay on the beach and not have to cook or clean up after anyone. I am lucky to have to good dog watchers here :)

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  38. Oh yuck, predictions have just gone up to 4-8” snow starting sat night. Barb and I are supposed to go to movie Sunday but I’m guessing we won’t go. I would as it’s close to me but barb won’t probably plus she has a low to the ground car. I guess I’ll end up watching playoff games and getting a refund on our tickets. Second week in a row we’ve tried for this movie.

    Mary, I sure am hoping you get to go on trip. Have you been there before? I’m kind of over some of the excursions too. They are also so expensive. I love being on the ship...no beaches for me. Well, thanks for the good wishes but I doubt I’ll quit driving for awhile. I was out today but so careful. I just don’t know what happened yesterday.

    JL, I’d too would love close to the ocean like you do.....great place it sounds like...not too hot, ocean and SF near by. I think I could adjust. Lol. I like to sit by the ocean too but not a hot swimming beach.

    Barb, so glad your starting to get energy back and feeling better. Boy, that was quite a bug you had for such a long time. I talked to ins company today. They can’t even get me in for an estimate until Feb 5th. I will watch the amount. That’s a good idea as I can probably cancel it with ins if I pay.....I think.

    We will drive on our vacation. I’m just not thrilled with flying if I don’t have to, I’d much rather drive. Funny....my mom made tuna casserole for dinner with potato chips too. Thank did the same when my kids were growing up. Looks like we all will be eating the same thing one night! We had it a lot since no meat was allowed on Friday.

    I was so irritated with my pharmacy today. I was there a couple of days ago and they had my diabetic medicine and it was $200 out of pocket. I turned it down and told her to take it back from insurance so it doesn’t add up against me. I also took it off auto refill. LOUIS went to pick up a prescription and they gave it to him at that cost. He had no idea about it. I called them and at first they said they wouldn’t take it back. They know us very well there and the pharmacist called back and took it back this time. I think since it was their fault. I’ll be calling my dr and getting more samples and then have her change my medicine. Crazy.

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  39. J/L, I looked up tuna casserole recipes today and I didn't realize there were so many. I think my Mom made it with cream of mushroom soup. Is that what you used? I made a huge pot of WW veggie soup last weekend when the Jennifers were here making cards. I had some chicken strips in the freezer, so I cut them up and threw them in the soup for protein. I froze the leftovers in individual servings, so I can just thaw and microwave a serving. I am really going to try to "get with the program" and lose some of this tonnage!

    I tried twice to post this from my phone, but it didn't work, so I had to go to my desk top. I hope it doesn't post on a delayed basis.

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  40. Dianne, I am so glad I have Kaiser and I have no trouble with prescriptions. The most I pay is $10. Some are only $5 and when I got the antibiotic for the bronchitis, it was only $2.60. Are you getting estimates from the repair people on the 5th or is that from the insurance company. I hope you don't have to pay too much for the repair.

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  41. Mary, I hope you are over that cold so you can go see that baby! I love to see babies. I often go by the newborns when I have a doctor appointment at the main Kaiser facility. They have them behind a big window and I get a kick out of seeing the new parents and grandparents looking at their babies.

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  42. Barb Fortunately, my stomach flu (or whatever it is) wasn't as bad as yours. Except for the first morning, symptoms have been pretty mild. Now I have a raging head cold as of last night. When I'm not sleeping, I'm sneezing and blowing my nose. I'm really getting tired of not feeling 100% and I've got the Seattle trip coming up on Thursday. I wanted to go shopping to see if I could find one or two new sweaters but that may not be happening at the rate I'm going.

    The tuna casserole recipe I use uses cream of celery soup instead of mushroom and I use Italian seasoned bread crumbs on the top instead of chips. It's a Better Homes and Gardens recipe but I don't put in chopped celery, onion, or pimento.

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  43. Mary Oh, I hope you get to go on your vacation. Have you discussed it any ore with your new friend who found herself in the same predicament? I will have to be satisfied with our little Seattle get-away for a while but I look through every brochure the cruise companies send me.

    I guess Jim isn't too happy with himself for digging ruts on the property. I guess it is a learning curve to get the hang of the new tractor.

    I love my tuna casserole and find it to be comforting. I don't care to put peas in it but I like peas as a side dish with it. I also like to have sliced tomatoes as a side but I forgot to do that this time.

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  44. Dianne LOL at wishing you drank wine. I know the feeling. Your accident must have been very scary and confusing for you. I'm so glad it wasn't worse and that you and others were not hurt. Since you were parking at the time, you must have assumed your foot was already on the brake as you were slowing down. You aren't the first one this has happened to and you won't be the last.

    Drug costs are just crazy, especially when the same drugs can be obtained in other countries for much, much less. We are getting screwed but the pharmaceutical companies have lots of lobbyists on the job and are big donors to our politicians. Even though it's expensive, please don't go without your medication. Sometimes manufacturers will have discount coupons on their websites. It's worth checking out.

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  45. You guys are making me hungry again. I went to store and bought a bunch of peeled shrimp for us tomorrow and some salmon to snack on..if I remember it’s in the refrig (I always forget it) !

    Boy JL and Barb, you two have really had the bugs this winter. I guess it’s so easy to pick them up. Knock on wood...LOUIS and I have missed them. I just have other crazy weird things happen. I think our up and down weather doesn’t help germs here.

    JL, gosh your trip is already here this week! I hope you have a fun trip.... I’m sure you will. Do you have any special plans for when you’re there? Are you flying there? I think you were as that would be a long drive. I sure hope the weather cooperates.

    Barb, I just get the estimate on the 5th from the repair company. I think they just work with insurance company as that’s where they told me to go. Louis used them before too and was very happy with results.

    I went to a very early dinner tonight with an old friend and her mom. I had shrimp stir fry and hand some left. I was so dumb and put the box on my front seat and the darn liquid leaked out everywhere. Now my car will probably smell like stir fry. Well, it’s sprinkling a little bit of snow already. Prediction has moved up to 5-10” and all day. The store was very crowded with everyone stocking up...just in case.

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  46. Dianne, yuck on the 5-10"! double yuck on the leaky food! I know when I get take out anything, the "aroma" seems to stay in the car a long time, even without the leak!

    JustLin, It has warmed up a bit so Matthew is outside trying to level out the ruts while the ground has thawed. I know Jim feels bad for the mess. He will catch on with practice.
    I have been discussing the trip with the gal. I am sure we are going The only hang up as I understand is the price. They don't want to give us the price for a "double room" and want to charge us full price as one occupant each. The travel agent is trying to fix that. We will look like "Mutt & Jeff" (if you remember them ). She is tall and then there is me lol!

    This coming Monday is kind of a mixed bag of feelings. It is our 39th Anniversary, my Niece, Jamie's Birthday, and the day my oldest Sister passed away (3yrs ago). I stay in contact with my Bro-in-law as much as possible with his living in Ohio. He just turned 80 and still going strong. He and my Sis were always on the road with their Missionary singing. He still does it. Last week he flew to Mexico for a big "feed" where they BBQ thousands of chickens with trimmings, for thousands of needy people in a big Soccer Stadium. They also donate hundreds of bikes, some used, to needy children. He has tons of energy!

    Barb, I am feeling better, so I will finally see my sweet little Myla :)

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  47. Well, it’s been snowing and still is coming down. Barb canceled the movie plans as I thought she would with the weather. We rescheduled for 7:00 Tuesday night. Third time is a charm, I guess. It looks like hwys have been cleared. Guess I’ll be watching football.

    Mary, why do they want to charge you for separate rooms? That doesn’t seem right. I’m sure glad it looks like you’ll get to go. Have you been there before? I’m glad you’re well enough to go see the baby now. What a pretty name.

    Amazing your brother in law is still doing missionary work at 80. So your sister sang too? Sounds like it runs in the family. Do you have any plans for your anniversary? Long time. We will celebrate 15 next month...my record!

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  48. Here I am again. Nice today ...sunny and high 40’s. When the suns out (which is often) it’s beautiful out. Roads were dry but still a little splashy. Now my car needs to be washed. I hate it dirty.

    I just met my ex SIL for lunch for a couple of hours and that’s it. Guess what? I cooked again. I made chicken and gravy and mushrooms over rice. It tasted a little bland to me but can’t figure out why. Followed the recipe perfect. Hi well, LOUIS has dinner for a couple of nights. He can dr it up.

    Tomorrow I have a pulmonary appt for a follow up on my breathing from six mos ago. At least I’ll go with a good weight loss of even though breathing no better.

    What are you guys up too?

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  49. Hi Dianne. Congratz on cooking again. I bet Louis really likes it when you cook. I cooked when the Jennifers were here. I saw a recipe on FB for balsamic glazed chicken that looked good so I made it. It was pretty good and the Jens liked it too. Since they were here for two days. I didn't want them to have to eat the WW soup both days.

    I hope your pulmonary appointment goes well tomorrow.

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  50. Dianne How did your appointment go? I'm still blowing my nose and coughing. I did go out and run some errands today. It was my first time out of the house since last Friday. I sure hope I perk up before Thursday. My energy level is very low and we have a full day Thursday. I will be getting up early that day because I have to pack myself and my dog up to make the trip to my daughter's house. That is usually 1 hour drive but it is going to be during commute hours trying to get through San Francisco. I am not looking forward to that and I will probably be stressing about the time. Then after I leave the dog there (her ex is taking care of the dogs) we will drive another hour or so to Sacramento to catch our flight. That first night in Seattle we will be going to Teatro Zinzanni for the dinner show. I'm worn out now just thinking about it. LOL

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  51. Barb The vegetable WW soup is very good but I also add a can of diced tomatoes to it. It doesn't add any points and does add more flavor. The recipe makes so much, though, that I get sick of it. I guess I should portion it out and freeze it. I seem to manage to do that when I make a batch of cookies. LOL I have not been dieting as I figure I'm just going to be bad on this trip so I'll wait until I get back before I really knuckle down. I have cut out the late night snacking which was really becoming a very bad habit. By doing that, I've lost 5 lbs in the last week. I don't eat anything after 7 or 8 at the very latest. I was getting into a very bad habit of snacking while watching Colbert.


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  52. Mary It sounds like your sister and brother-in-law did a lot of good and it's so wonderful that he can continue on. We need more people like that in the world.

    Have you made plans to see Myla yet? She sure is a pretty baby. I'm sitting here sneezing my head off right now. No one would want me in the same house with a new baby. I sure hope I dry up a lot before my Thursday flight as I'm sure my neighbor on the plane will not be happy with me. My daughter and I both like aisle seats so we are situated across from each other. I'll be packing plenty of Dayquil and Nyquil and cough drops and tissues. Hopefully, the drugs will keep things under control. I sure hope it works out for you to be able to take your trip. I know how much you are looking forward to it.

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  53. JustLin,I am going to see Myla tomorrow afternoon. I am driving to my sisters and then her and her hubby will be driving us down. It is a bit far for me and it is a bit tricky finding their house. Its tricky getting to my sister's house lol!I have quite a few on/off ramps and quick lane changes in traffic going every which way! It will be dark when we get back, so not looking forward to that. I feel your pain on your upcoming car trip! Be careful!! I sure hope your cruds go away soon! I like isle seats too.

    Dianne, Good luck on your appmt. I cooked enchiladas last night and baked chicken tonight. Vacations give me a break from all that lol! Most of our snow has melted. I watched the weather report to make sure it was safe to travel to my Nieces tomorrow. It looks like it will be sunny and dry...yay!!

    Barb, I keep forgetting to cal the local theaters to see if they have impaired hearing devices. It would sure help!! I swear, my timing has been so off in regards to my trips! After confirming my trip to the Dominican Republic,the friends we traveled to Vegas with last trip said they were going again and would like us to join them. It;s the week before I leave on my trip! I know Jim would love to go, so I suggested he go along with them. I can watch the dogs and save on kennel fees for Queenie. He will watch them both while I am gone. Zoie has never been kenneled. Matthew usually watches her. Dam I would love to go to Vegas lol!! Oh well, at least I do have something planned :)

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  54. J/L, I did put a can of diced tomatoes with oregano in the soup. It thickened it up a little and made it very good. I also put garlic, salt, and pepper. Besides cabbage, I also put carrots, zucchini, broccoli, mushrooms and a small onion. I had some bell peppers I was going to add, but the pot was too full. Every time I make it, I put different veggies in it. I always start with cabbage, then I just put in what looks good at the store.

    I hope you are feeling better now that you are on your trip.

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  55. Mary, I'm glad you are finally going to get to see Myla. I hope Raquel is doing well. With all your activities and cooking for your family, I don't know when you would have time to go to the movies, but I bet the theaters will have the hearing assisted devices.
    Are there gambling places in the Dominican Republic that would make up for not going to Vegas? Maybe you and Jim can both win a huge jackpot and surprise each other.

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  56. J/L-2, I forgot to mention, I also put some red wine in the soup. That's the first time I have done that.

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  57. Dianne, Please check in. How did your pulmonary appointment go? I hope it went well and you are OK.

    I think Kathy told you that Mo has cancer and she doesn't want to be treated for it. The people who are caring for her want to move her to palliative care. She has been in the care facility for so long. I think she is just tired. So very sad.

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  58. Hi everyone. .....

    Miss you all. I so wish we lived closer! I hope JL is feeling better n her trip and having decent weather. It looks kind of cold up there.

    Barb, yes Kathy told me about Mo. it’s is so sad. She’s so young to have had such sadness these last few years. I’m sure is is tired. Just sad.

    I went to pulmonary dr and don’t have to go back for a year. He was very pleased with my weight loss. He continues to tell me my breathing will get better as keep losing weight. He did tell me to get some activity. I’ve gotten away from riding my bike since before Christmas. I hate being so darn lazy. He only wants me to do it 15 minutes a Day five times a week. Why the heck can’t I get my butt in gear and do It? Btw, your soup sounds delicious.

    I had my blood tested yesterday and the results came back today and I’m still low my hemoglobin. I can’t believe it when I’m taking all this darn iron . She wants me to continue the iron and recheck in a month. She did not say I had to postpone my bladder procedure. I think she might have forgotten about it so I’m going to do it Tuesday. I just want to get it over with after all this time. Have a physical with her on Thursday. I wish I could make it not so close to bladder deal but it took months to get an appointment for it.

    Mary, Myla is so cute and such a pretty name too. I’m glad you got to finally go and see her. Did you find some new baby clothes to bring too? I love little girl clothes and those headbands are so cute too. Wish they would have had them when my kids or grandkids were small.

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  59. I still have things to say so here’s another post! (Hard to get rid of me).

    My best friend Barb got let go from her job after five mos today. She was working from home and they recruited her from previous job. I don’t think they treated her very nice and no severance. I’m hoping she already filed for unemployment today. It’s not fun to be finding a job at 61. Darn place is paying her until the 30th. Now why wouldn’t they pay her until the end of the month..the 31st? She’s such a good worker and loyal.

    Kayla got fired from her job yesterday. She’s been there at the bowling place for almost a year. She and a bartender don’t like each other and had a screaming fight. When she got off and was waiting for her ride she took a shot from a friend outside and he told on her. She’s underage and cannot be drinking there and she’s knows it. The manager said he’d give her a good reference. She’s very mad that her friend told on her too. I finally talked to her tonight and she’s of course mad. She knows she did wrong but mad at bartender yelling at her in front of customers.....and Kayla doesn’t hesitate to yell back. I thought maybe she could work at a hair salon place to match with her school but she still wants to work in a bar. I don’t see how at 19 she can be serving drinks like she was but what do I know. I think it’s not good for her. She has an attitude and talks like when she was with Jake-ass. Which btw, his feb sentencing has now been changed to the end of May. Tammy is afraid he’ll get out before then and be a flight risk. So crazy that it keeps getting extended.

    Good news....Tammy got a promotion today. It’s been a weird day.

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  60. Dianne, you certainly have been on an emotional roller coaster ride lately!! I feel so bad for your friend Barb! Sometimes life sucks!!
    I didn't buy the baby clothes, good thing, you should see her closet! Full to the brim! I did buy Raquel a book on making baby food, and brought her a dish of Spanish rice and enchiladas.
    Good luck on your bladder procedure.

    Barb, I like the way you think "winning jackpots" . I don't know if there will be a Casino near us. I will have to check it out.

    Justlin. I pick the aisle seat too. Jim likes the window, so that always put me in the middle! Now when ever possible,I look for the side of the plane with only two seats. I grab them every time!

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  61. Dianne, Does the bar where Kayla worked also sell food? If they do, maybe that's why she can work there, although I'm surprised she can serve drinks, too. I agree with you that working in a bar is not a good atmosphere for a 19 year old. My husband and I owned a bar for a short time when I was 21 and he was 22. We were way too young to be in that atmosphere on a daily basis, plus Dean was only 2 years old and it wasn't good for him either. We only did it for about 8 months and I was so glad to get out of it.

    Can't Kayla's lawyer find out why they keep changing the date for Jake-ass? There really is nothing to stop him from leaving the state, is there? Didn't he skip once before?

    I'm glad your appointment went well. I pray your procedure goes well, too.

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  62. Mary, What a good idea to get Raquel that book. I wanted to make my babies food, but it wasn't popular then and there wasn't a lot of information about it. It was just easier to buy it.

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  63. The last three days here have been wonderful! It was dry, sunny and warm for Michigan. Zoie and I sat on the patio and sunned ourselves :)
    This morning I woke up to 4 inches of snow and cold temps :(. There were a lot of accidents on the freeway and 2ndary roads. I am glad I had no where to go! Oh well, it is still winter.
    This is really a boring time of year.
    Anything exciting going on for the rest of you?

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  64. Hi.....tomorrow is my bladder procedure. I’m not looking forward to it at all. It’s not until 2 and I can’t eat after midnight. I can have clear liquids until 10 so popsicles it will be for sure. Yes Mary, it has been an emotional time but hopefully all is ok if I can just get that blood back up to a normal number. That book sounds really good that you bought your niece. Is she planning on making her own baby food? I’ve never known anyone that did that or that I’ve heard of anyway. We’ve had upper 60’s too. Snow on Thursday but just and inch or two they are saying now.

    Barb, yes the place (bowling place) does serve food. She went on a couple of interviews today and unless it is a regular bar you only have to be 18. I’m not crazy about that at all. I went to dinner with the girls tonight and it was nice to see them. I hadn’t seen them since Christmas. I just don’t like to hear Kayla telling her stories to her sister. She parties too darn much. Em is the opposite. I’m trying to remember there is nothing I can do except give my advice to deaf ears and try not to worry. No, the DA doesn’t know why the sentencing was extended. If he gets out before then, they’ll never see him again.

    JL, are you home yet? I’m thinking you got home yesterday. Hope you had a wonderful time and your cold was better. Can’t wait to hear all about it. How was the weather?

    I took my ring in to get sized today and I went down a size and a half. I had a ring guard on it the jeweler put on but it was swirling around too much now. Takes three weeks to get it sized. A long time.

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  65. Dianne, I will be thinking of you tomorrow. Good luck!
    Many young Mothers make their kids food. Too many preservatives are used and kids have so many allergies and need gluten free food.

    The roads are all clear so I may do a little gross-ery shopping tomorrow. It's Jim's bowling and Casino day, so I will also clean out around his stinking Lazy-boy.
    I need to repack my DJ/Karaoke equipment. When we tear down after a gig, we are usually in a hurry. I like things in order when I set up and want to make sure everything is there. Now if the weather will cooperate!

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  66. Hi, HOoters! Well, I am home. I got home yesterday afternoon. It was a long day of travel since we flew back to Sacramento from Seattle then drove from Sacramento to my daughter's house in American Canyon, stopping for lunch along the way. Then after getting my dog, it took me 1 1/2 hours to drive home because the traffic was so horrible around and on the Bay Bridge. It was the worst I have ever seen it. Barb, you might not have minded being on the bridge since it was more like a giant parking lot and as we inched along, it didn't feel like a bridge at all. Anyway, since we had gotten up at 5:30, I was pretty much wiped out when I got home.

    We had a fun time in Seattle and it was so nice of Lynn and her husband to drive 1 1/2 hrs in crappy weather to have lunch with us on Saturday. The first plan was to have lunch at a place my daughter wanted to go to that was also near a shop she was interested in browsing in. Anyway, we get to the street and see that all the stores are closed because they are doing major roadwork on that street. Anyway, we ended up at a very nice restaurant that Lynn had been to before. It was lovely and we had a very nice visit. That night Elizabeth and I went to the Ricky Gervais show and that was very good. Also during our time there, we went to the Teatro Zinzanni dinner/cabaret and that was great as expected. That was on our first night there. On Friday, we went on a tour of a chocolate factory which was very interesting. We then went to their gift shop and bought some goodies. Gee, what a surprise, right? Then Elizabeth went shopping at Pike's Place while I took a nap. I was still sick and not sleeping well at night due to the coughing. Poor Elizabeth. Not only was she using ear plugs at night, but I also looked over and saw her head buried under a pillow.

    Today was a weird day. I went to the local shopping center and had breakfast at lunch time at the local little coffee shop. I walked over to the pet store and got some new toys for the dog. Then I moved my car to be closer to Safeway as I was thinking of making vegetable soup like Barb did. No sooner did I park than my car completely quit on me. Nothing would work. I had to call AAA. The tow guy gave me a jump (I didn't know I had a regular battery as well as the hybrid battery. Anyway, I drove the car directly to the Toyota dealer and as soon as I parked there, it died again. Anyway, now I have a new batter. The car is almost 13 years old and this is the first time I had to get a new battery.

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  67. Mary, Nothing going on here. We have had some rain, but today was only cloudy. It's supposed to be cloudy for the rest of the week.

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  68. JustLin, Whew, I am glad your battery didn't die when you were a long way from home!
    I'm also glad it was just your battery and nothing worse!
    I love that funny, silly Gervais. I'm not sure why, it's not because he is sexy lol! I just love listening him talk and laugh lol! How nice that you got to meet up with Lynn.


    Dianne, how are you doing? Have someone check in for you here or on FB. I haven't been on FB all day except for a peek on my phone a couple of times.

    Barb, This time of year is always boring here in Mich. At least I have my Karaoke side job to do to break up the monotony. Our temps are going to drop for the next few days. At least we have Feb out of the way lol!

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  69. Hi.....in case you wanted to hear this...my butt cheeks hurt. Dr ended up taking out previous interstem on left and put a new one in on right side. So, needless to say both cheeks are not comfortable. It really hard to find a good position. We were at hospital from noon until 7:10pm. My 2:00 surgery was delayed until 4 and then they wouldn’t release me as my oxygen was low. Finally got it up and promised to use it at home last night and I did. I get stitches out in a week. I have that darn physical tomorrow that I have to keep. Should be interesting climbing up on that table! I even stayed home today so you know I’m sick.

    JL, so glad you had a nice trip. Fun you got to have lunch with Lynn and her husband. How is she doing? Fun that you went to a chocolate tour..,yummy. Are you feeling any better? This has been some cold. How was the weather in Seattle? Was it raining the whole time? I like Seattle but wouldn’t want to live there. Glad you got your car working again. I think we all hate car issues. Glad you were at a shopping center and have AAA. Pretty good to go 13 years on a battery.

    Mary, all that snow melt? We might get some tonight but they say maybe then again warm and the snow Saturday night. This weather is so crazy this winter. Did you get everything done when Jim was gone? I seem to get things done when LOUIS isn’t here and I don’t know why as he’s downstairs working most of the time during the day. Guess it’s a mental thing!

    Barb, what’s new your way? Are you going to watch the Super Bowl? I’m making my snack to bring to my friends. Yes, actually making it. It’s a sour cream, cream cheese and dried beef chopped up. You put it in a bread bowl, wrap it foil and bake it. I’m going to make two as I’m not sure how many people will be there. You dip the bread from bread bowl into the bowl. Very good. I haven’t made it for a long time. I usually pick up a tray of something.

    Louis is fixing our dinner of Costco potatoes. They are really good and we just make a meal of it. I’m not that hungry either.

    Hope everyone is doing great and not sick anymore.

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  70. Dianne, How are you feeling today? How's your butt? I'm sure you're relieved to have that procedure over with so you don't have to have it on your mind anymore.

    I am not a member of Costco and I am curious as to what Costco potatoes are. My second husband and I were members but I let the membership lapse after his death. I just don't buy in bulk like that anymore. By the way, your dip sounds very tasty.

    It did rain off and on while we were in Seattle and I am still having sinus issues and taking Mucinex. The day Lynn and Doyle met us for lunch it was so windy it was literally pushing me down the street. Oh, did I mention we had a gas fireplace in our hotel room? It was cozy and lovely.

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  71. Mary Now that the Seattle trip is behind me, I have no new trips in the works to look forward to. I just got a new Princess Cruise brochure in the mail yesterday so I've been perusing that and daydreaming. I would really like to do a cruise of the British Isles as I've never seen Scotland or Ireland.

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  72. Barb Well, really nothing happening here, either. I need to clean house but I haven't gotten around to it as my energy level has sucked. I did keep my hair appointment yesterday and decided to get my hair cut in an A-line style; long on the sides and higher in back. I also decided I needed a bit of bangs again. Funny but when I look at myself in the mirror with my bangs all swept to the side, I think it looks fine. When I see myself in photos I think it does not look fine as I have a high forehead.

    I saw on Facebook that you were seeing Jersey Boys again. I never did get to see that on stage.

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  73. J/L, Yes, Sharon and I and Jennifer N. and Jen's Mom went to see Jersey Boys again. This is the fourth time for me and it's such a good show I still love it. That music is so nostalgic for me. It has become one of my faves.

    It's so nice that you got to meet up with Lynn and Doyle. I first met Lynn when she came to Seattle when I was there for Chad's bypass surgery. She brought her daughter with her, in case I turned out to be an axe murderer! LOL I, on the other hand, had no one to protect me against her! LOL

    Your accommodations sound really nice. Where did you stay? I love having a fire in the fireplace. It makes the room so cozy.

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  74. Dianne, Are you healed from your butt surgery yet? I know how it is to have your scheduled surgery delayed. The same thing happened to me when I had the bypass surgery. If I remember right, it was delayed about four hours. I was all prepped and medicated and ready to go, when they told me it had to be delayed. By the time they took me to the OR, the stuff they gave me to relax had worn off. The pre-op room was so small they only allowed one person at a time to be in there with me, so they sent the rest of the family home and called them when I was finally going in for the surgery.

    So how's Kayla doing? Has she finished her cosmetology classes yet?

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  75. Mary, You are so lucky to have your karaoke to break up the monotony, plus it makes people happy. I bet you hear a lot of bad singers. I have been to some karaoke nights and am surprised at how good some people can sing, then one comes up that just sucks and adds some comic relief to the night. Our weather has been really nice and there is no rain forecast for the foreseeable future. The weather people are even saying the dreaded drought word. We are barely out of the recent five year drought. Ugghhhh

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  76. Hi....

    Barb, thanks for checking on Kayla. You three are so nice to think about her. No, she has quite awhile to go for school. She is able to start taking clients as of Wednesday. I think her mom for a pedicure will be her first tomorrow. She went to dinner with me Monday night. I was listening to her talk to her sister and I’m gathering she parties too much. She is either smoking pot or drinking. She never drank before but she still has to do her urine tests until June and the alcohol gets out of your system quicker. I really don’t want to know. I told her I’ve learned I can’t constsntly worry about her when I can’t control what she is doing. I told her I can give my unwanted advice and pray. Im always hoping something sinks in as I told her about alcohol poisoning (trying to scare her). Anyway, that’s the update

    JL and Barb, my butt is a little better today. I went out today but those bumps on the roads kill my bottom. I don’t know if the thing is working yet or not. I’m going to get stitches out before I worry about it. One thing at a time. Drs office called today to see how I was and if it was working. The Costco potatoes are scalloped and they come in a microwave container. They are pretty good. We don’t buy in bulk either but I get a prescription there and like the vitamins (I like the cookies too) Cool that you had a fireplace with in your room. How cozy. We don’t seem to use ours at home very much.

    Mary, I see you are doing karaoke tonight. I hope it’s a calm night for you. Did Jim go with you to set up? How’s that weather behaving? We are still having nice weather but think it might change over the weekend.

    Going to a nice lunch with Barb tomorrow and then to Super Bowl party Sunday. We were supposed to go a AAA seminar regarding cruises, etc., but the tv guy was here from 1:30-5:30 so missed out on it. I’m not too happy about it. When he was gone for five min the new living room tv quit having sound so coming back Monday. We were not thrilled. I think this t.v has been a pain in the a$$ this week with installation and everything.

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  77. Hellooooo! I slept in today.

    Dianne,Jim always goes to help me set up. He puts up my speakers. It's about the only thing he can do except for helping me load and unload my equipment. I try to do as much as I can because of his bad breathing. All the rest is electrical wiring and computer set up. Lots of wires and plug-ins. I sometimes wonder how I do it lol!
    When you talk about Kala and her conversations, it reminds me of when I was young and thought I knew everything! There is really nothing you can do but continue being that little voice in her head that hopefully she listens to when needed. You are a great Auntie!

    SacBarb,You have my Karaoke nights pinned down pretty good lol! I get all kinds of "talent". Last night was a bit challenging. It was a very young crowd, celebrating a gal turning 21. The place was packed with young peeps! There was a side tabe of adults, that looked like maybe the parents/chaperones, which I thought was very smart. The challenging part was that there were hardly any singers, which meant I had to fill 4 hrs of music! I had to do some deep digging into my song files! I finally just put out a writing pad and had them write down song they wanted to hear and if I had it I would play it. Luckily I had a big file in my itunes account that had some of the pop music. Oye vey what a night! I really prefer to have singers as it makes the night go faster and is more interesting. They seemed to have a good time.

    Justlin. I think I am done with the "all inclusive trips. My next trip will be a cruise. I love stopping in different ports. Your British Isles trip sound wonderful!
    I hope you get to feeling better soon.

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  78. Dianne, hope your butt is feeling better!!

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  79. Yippee!! LOUIS and I won $400 on a super bowl pool. We forgot to look until we came home and my friend notified me. It’s the first time I’ve ever won after all these years. LOUIS and I will split it. We had fun at the party and at least it was a good game. I was cheering for the Eagles. I took my two bread bowl dips and there was a lot of good food there. It was just fun to watch the game with some of our friends.

    Mary, my butt is still uncomfortable. I’m telling you when we hit those bumps on the roads....ouch! I’ll be glad to get the stitches out Tuesday. Oh hey Mary...I’m Kayla’s grandmother not Auntie. I’m pretty sure you know that and just typed wrong. I’m the Nana.
    So does Jim stay the whole time you are doing your karaoke to help you take it all down? I think I asked you this before but does he ever sing? Do you do any duets? I sure wish we could go to some of your karaoke nights...not that I’d sing but it just sounds fun. I used to do karaoke a long time ago. I doubt I’d do it now though. We always enjoy going to it on cruises.

    That’s about it for me today. Did any of you watch the game? Pretty good win for the back up quarter back. I would have been for anyone but the Patriots...I don’t like their coach. Barb, I would have even cheered for the Raiders!!


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  80. Dianne I did watch the game and it sure was a good one. It was suspenseful right up to the end. I was also rooting for the Eagles. I'm just tired of the Patriots and Tom Brady. Congrats on your super bowl pool win. Will you get yourself something "Coach" with your share of the winnings?

    I have a fireplace, too, and never use it. It is a wood burning fireplace and I don't like cleaning up the ashes. The fireplace at the hotel was gas and it was what came on when the room needed to be heated. It was really pleasant to have that on and hear the rain outside.

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  81. Mary I'm glad your DJ night for the 21 year old went well. Since they weren't singing, were they dancing?

    I love cruising as it just makes travel so darn easy. I would love to do the British Isles cruise but I don't think it will be happening. I really need to pay down a credit card before I start adding more to it. But then again, "you can't take it with you". LOL

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  82. Barb We stayed at The Edgewater in Seattle. It's a really nice hotel on the water as the name suggests. The Beatles once stayed there.

    The other day I texted my daughter to see if she'd be interested in seeing Elton John in Las Vegas. She sent me two texts back. The first was "Nope" and the second one was "LOL". You'd think I was asking if she wanted to see Tennessee Ernie Ford. LOL I guess there's a generation gap when it comes to some music. We did go see Sheryl Crow together at an Indian casino in southern California years ago but that was her suggestion and I just went for the hell of it.

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  83. JustLin, you had me at "Beatles lol! How cool! I loved Elton! I saw him in Vegas a few years back. I would strongly suggest you go as he will no longer be touring. Not sure if that meant not doing Vegas again or not. His show was awesome! Paul McCartney is my all time favorite along with the Jersey Boys show.

    Dianne. Jim has been going home after set up, there really isn't much he can do anyway with his bad hand he can no longer type music info. If the gig is too far from home, he stays. I usually stand most of the night. If I need to go pp I just put the music on auto-play and go :) Yay on the $$ !! I watched the game off and on. It could have gone either way. They both fought hard. I had no preference.

    SacBarb, Waving at you !!

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  84. Mary, I also wish I could go to one of your Karaoke nights. Dianne asked if you and Jim ever do duets. I wondered that, also.

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  85. J/L, I would love to see Elton John. Sharon and I almost went to Vegas to see him a few years ago, but for some reason it never happened. I can't remember why. I'm so happy that we got to see Cher. I really don't have a written 'bucket list' but if I did, Cher would have been on it.

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  86. Dianne, Congratz on the Super Bowl pool win! I was rooting for the Eagles, too. I almost always root for the underdog team, plus I am sick of the Patriots and Tom Brady. I haven't liked him since he did those ads for Papa John's pizza. The owner of Papa JOhn's is only interested in his bottom $$ line, to the detriment of his employees and customers. I have a friend who worked for a Papa John's here and she had to quit because her salary was cut and she had to find something that would allow her to pay her bills.

    I'm glad to hear that Kasyla is doing OK and still in the cosmetology program. Are you going to let her practice on you? ;)

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  87. SacBarb, thanks for the reminder. Ji and I have only sang together once on Johnny Cashe's "Jackson: I, of course, did the "June " part lol! He really doesn't have the hang of "harmonizing". He always winds up on my note no matter what I try. He never took voice or any kind of music in school. It took me a long time just to get him to sing on key! He tries :)

    I took Zoie for one of her yearly shots. I had him check on a small lump on her back. He poked it with a needle to get a sample. We had to muzzle her as it was not a fun thing.
    I sure hope it's nothing b ad.

    My Grandson Logan graduates from Air force boot camp or whatever they call it now.He has a college degree, so hopefully he will get into a good position/job.
    My son Tony and his wife are on their way down there by car while Logan's wife and baby and Tony's ex-wife are flying down together.

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  88. Hi....Well, tomorrow is our 15 year anniversary. We are going to a Mexican place with my SIL for dinner...not my favorite place. Louis wasn’t feeling well for two days but is much better today. He filled the prescription and is taking it. Dr told him to wait a few days to see if he was better or not and if not to fill it. Why wait ..he was miserable. He started getting better as soon almost that he started taking it. I should have been a darn dr! Lol.

    Mary, I’d sure love to listen to you singing. Have you heard on Zoie? Hope she’s ok. Let us know. Congratulations on your grandson graduating. Where is the graduation? Exactly how many grandchildren do you have..I think I’m confused? I would imagine he’d get a good job wth a degree. How old is he?

    JL, I gained at WW today. I hadn’t weighed in for two weeks plus I think the Super Bowl food did me in and I had some ice cream yesterday. At least my smaller new clothes are still fitting. I need to get on the ball this week. Did you go out eith your friends this week? Movie? Hmm good idea for me to go to Coach. I hadn’t thought of it. Maybe I’ll wait until Spring purses come out. I was really glad the Eagles won too. lol about your daughter. I drug Tammy to Celine and also Liza Minnelli. Once even to Tom Jones. She barely had heard of him and knew none of his songs.

    Barb, you and JL should meet in Vegas to see Elton John. Sounds like you both want to see him a lot. We’d teally have to get out the bsil fund if you both hit Vegas together! No, Im not letting Kayla practice on me. I may try a pedicure sometime but it took over 20;years to change hairdressers a year ago. I’m not doing nails either. She can come do all that when I’m in a nursing home.

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  89. Dianne, you had me ROTFLMAO when I read " She can come do all that when I’m in a nursing home". Too funny!
    I have 2 Grandchildren of my own from first marriage. Logan is one of them. He graduated from Lackland Air Force base in Texas. I forget how old he is lol. Close to 25. He is the one that got married last year and has a baby girl.
    No word on Zoie's test. This is sad, but will tell you anyway...
    A friend of mine from work had two Doxies . I believe they were at least 8 yrs old. One of them passed away last week. The other one missed her and kept looking all over the house for her. He stopped eating and drinking and passed away this week. My friend thinks he died of a broken heart :(
    My Niece Jaimie invited me to an event in Grand Rapids last night. I wanted to go, but it didn't start until 8:00pm and the weather has been bad and unpredictable. GR gets a lot of lake effect snow. Jaimie and a friend made a short film and they were having a showing of it and others on a big screen. I have seen it on YouTube. I am sure it was better on large screen.
    We are expecting a lot of snow starting tomorrow night. I made sure to stock up on everything today. I am so ready for spring!

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  90. Hello. Just checking in. Nothing going on here in Sac, just the same old boring life I lead. The most active thing I've done is going with Arch's (Chad's bff) Mom, Sandy, so she could witness her will notarized. Her daughter drove us and I asked why she wasn't the witness and she said it has to be someone whose not in the will. So, I told Sandy I guess I know where I stand even though I known her since our boys have been in kindergarten. LOL It made her laugh. Arch has three siblings and his Dad died about 10 years ago. Sandy is in fourth stage cancer and has been going through chemo. She is doing well now, but the prognosis is not good.

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  91. Dianne I also LOL about Kayla coming to do all that when you are in a nursing home.

    As it happens, Barb and I and Lynn just got tickets to go see Elton in May. Yay! I am so excited. It will be my birthday week so what a fun way to celebrate. Barb was able to book us her time share for the week so we are looking at other things we might want to do and see while we are there. I noticed Bill Medley is still performing as the Righteous Brothers but with a new partner now that little Bobby Hatfield passed away. I was able to see the originals decades ago when they were performing in my county. There is also Menopause the Musical playing while we are in Vegas. Barb saw that many times but says it is very funny and she wouldn't mind seeing it again. I'm sure we'll come up with stuff to keep us entertained.

    When I got on the scale the other day, I was up, too. I have come back down a bit but mostly I have lost all discipline since the holidays.

    Between my friends being sick and then me being sick, we haven't gotten together for dinner for a while but we are planning on dinner and movie Monday night. We are going to go see the 3 Billboards movie. I love Francis McDormand.

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  92. Mary It is so weird to see you writing about expecting snow and we have been having temps in the 70's here. Of course what we really need is rain but there is none of that in the near future.

    That was sad about your friend's doxies. I must say though that when an animal stops eating and drinking, it's time to take it to the vet. That may or may not have had anything to do with broken heart.

    What was Jaimie's film about? Am I correct in getting the impression that you didn't think it was too good?

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  93. Barb I am really looking forward to our Vegas adventure. Having something to look forward to helps take the sting out of turning 71.

    I haven't seen many of the movies that are nominated for Oscars this year. I see that Get Out is available to rent On Demand now so I may do that. It's not normally the kind of movie I'd be interested in but it's also not normally the kind of movie that would be nominated for Best Picture so that makes me curious. I think Dunkirk is the only movie I've seen that's nominated for Best Picture. Trying to catch up on this will be difficult what with the Olympics and Big Brother and Bachelor all happening at the same time.

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  94. J/L, I have only seen Lady Bird. I would love to see some more before the Oscars, but I'm not sure that will happen. Dean gave me a $50 gift card for Cinamark Theaters for Christmas and I haven't used it once yet. When we went to see Lady Bird it wasn't at a Cinemark Theater.

    I am excited about going to Vegas, too. It's been too long since we had a girls
    get-away. I have only seen Menopause the Musical twice but it was about 10 years ago. The second time I saw it, they had updated it according to the current events of the time. So, I imagine it will have a lot of political references.

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  95. JustlIn, I didn't mean to imply that the film was bad. I should have wrote ". I am sure it was even better on large screen.". It is really a music vid. I just went back and checked. It wasn't on U tube. She sent it to me via private message on FB. It is on "Vimeo", whatever that is lol!
    Jim sure picked a good time to buy that tractor! It has come in handy. We will be getting more tomorrow! Yesterday he proved to me again that his peripheral vision sucks! He has a truck that he keeps in the garage. He moves it out to get his tractor out. Well, he pulled out and backed into the porch handrail and knocked the post right off! Mind you, there is a LOT of space between the garage and the front porch!

    How exciting that you have a Vegas trip planned! Who knows, Jim & I might be there too :)

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  96. So glad you gals have a a Vegas trip planned. You will have so much fun plus you will all get to see Elton John as you had hoped. We need to get that bail fund increased. I wonder if we could do a Go Fund Me to get it boosted up? I’m sure we will need it.

    The Olympics are sure good already. Are you all watching it? I enjoyed the snowboarding tonight. We ordered pizza for dinner as it’s very cold (15) and snowing all day. I went kind of far for lunch and it was slushy on the roads. I wouldn’t want to be out tonight. It’s supposed to be sunny and 35 tomorrow. I drove in the right lane and not very fast.

    Barb. I’ve seen that show too and really enjoyed it. It’s so funny. It’s probably really updated now. Tammy and I went last week to see Zoies Wedding. Have you heard of it? It was funny but naughty too. Older crowd and one lady walked out and left her husband there. It was kind of descriptive.

    JL, we saw the Righteous Brothers last year in Branson and enjoyed them a lot. It was fun to hear those old songs. I would recommend them. There... you have two more shows to go to so you won’t spend all your $ gambling. That’s great that Barb was able to get her time share. As far as movies go, one I really suggest is The Greatest Show. I don’t think it’s nominated but a Hugh Grant and Zac Efron do such a good job and it’s a great musical.

    Mary, this is really our first bigger snowstorm with about 4”. We will be getting bigger ones I’m sure before the season is over. You have really had your share already. Our nice weather has been spoiling us. Did you ever check with your theater about the hearing device?

    Nothing else much new here. Kayla hasn’t found a job yet. I hope the other place isn’t giving her a bad reference. The one manager assured her they would give her a good one. I’m just wondering.

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  97. Dianne, It has been too snowy here for me to even think of going to a movie lol. I have not called.
    Today our roads were finally plowed.Schools were closed all over. The counties snow plows didn't go out on Sunday, prolly because of budgets. I am sure they have used up a lot of it so far!

    Dianne I am starting to feel like you as far as celebrating your Birthday for many weeks lol! I keep seeing my "Happy Birthday" greeting when I open up this blog lol!

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  98. 100!!!
    All is well, here in Mich. Watching the Olympics I was driven to hit 100 lol!!!

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  99. Mary Congrats on your march to 100. Did you do a triple axle while you were doing it? LOL I've been catching bits of the Olympics. A nice thing about On Demand is that I can go back and catch highlights of events that I may have missed the first time around.

    It looks so cold there in snowy Michigan. We've been having pleasant days but it's cooler at my house because I am in the shade of trees on the beginnings of Montara Mountain. It's warmer one street below me. Last night when I got in bed, I couldn't get my feet to warm up for the life of me so I ended up turning on the electric blanket. That worked for sure but then I woke up in the wee hours of the morning feeling too hot. I guess I'm hard to please.

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  100. Dianne I will probably see The Greatest Show eventually but right now my friend, Jane, and I are interested in seeing movies that are nominated. We usually have seen more of them by this time. Tonight she and her husband and I are going to an early showing of The Post.

    I still haven't gotten serious about my diet. I'm not exercising like I was when there was a local Curves to go to. I should be walking the dog but I seem to always have an excuse not to like lately my back is bothering me. Before that, my foot was bothering me or I was sick or it was raining.... Excuses, excuses. The dog goes out with her canine friends twice a week for climbing and running in the hills and up the mountain. I should hire someone to make me go running. LOL I wouldn't even make it one block running.

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  101. Barb What's happening with that house next door to you? Did the owner ever get the roof completed? Was his plan to put it up for sale?

    On the 25th, my daughter and I are going to see The Book of Mormon. I'm really looking forward to that.

    The Bachelor Winter Games is proving to be rather interesting with all the people from other countries. I am very surprised no one was seriously hurt with all the times they fell while trying to ski. Looks like they'll be trying to ice skate next. The show's producers seem bound and determined that someone break a bone. LOL

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  102. J/L, The roof on the house next door has never been completely finished. There are still two spots I can see outside my kitchen window that have holes right under the eaves. The people who replaced the roof are now living there while they are doing some other work that the owner decided to do, however I can't see any evidence of work done or being done. I'm not sure how many people are living there, but there are three to four vehicles parked in the driveway at all times. I even called the owner a few months ago asking him if he sold the house to them. He said he was letting them live there while they were doing the additional work. My gardener looked over the wall between our houses and said the was a lot of junk in the back yard. So, in answer to your question, I really don't know what's going on there.

    Sharon and I will be seeing Book of Mormon in March. This will be the third time for us and we have loved it every time so far.

    The cast of the Bachelor Winter Games does not have mad athletic skills, but I gotta give them "A" for effort. At least for the shooting part, they were only using paint guns. Ice skating should be interesting.

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  103. Dianne, I have not heard of Zoies Wedding. I Googled it and all I found were pics of real weddings with Zoe as the bride. I am excited to see Menopause and how they have updated it. When I saw it, they used a lot of 60's music with new lyrics. I have the CD from the first one I saw, but I haven't listened to it in a long time.

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  104. Happy Valentine’s Day everyone. How are you all doing? I gained at ww again today..two weeks in a row. I guess I need to quit eating candy! I don’t eat chocolate so much but love the marshmellow hearts. Oh well....hopefully better next week. I need to get back on my bike....lazy me!

    JL, I really liked that movie. How did you like it? I thought it was so interesting. I’d forgotten so much of what went on back then. I wouldn’t be able to run at all...I’d probably fall down. I will be very curious of what you think of Book of Mormon. I have mixed reviews from when I saw it. I’m watching the Olympics every night. It’s more tv than I’ve watched in a year. If you came to visit Mary or me, you’d freeze your butt off...literally! You’d have to visit in July.

    Barb, good question....did the roof ever get done? I’m recording Big Brother only because Ross is on it. I haven’t watched any yet since the Olympics are on. We have been having so many tv issues. We got a new smart tv For living room and then as I was being told what I could do on it..I tried to do on my bedroom tv. Duh, after much frustration I realized it’s not a smart tv. We got one yesterday at Costco so now I’m trying to learn how to do it. I think my friend is going to come over and train me. I’m a visual person. We’ve had our cable company out three times. Each time the guy tells us the other guy did something wrong. I’m totally losing my patience.

    Mary, I’m picturing you doing your triple axel...Jim throwing you in the air of course! Marching Marching ... good job. We haven’t marched for a long time. Did you do anything for Valentine’s Day? We had Wendy’s for dinner at home. Louis did give me a beautiful bracelet and charms for my other bracelet. I kind of picked out the first one. You have had that singing birthday wish on for a couple of months now. Lol. Is your snow slowing down for a couple of Days? We were 65 today but 45 tomorrow. No snow though only in the mountains, which is just fine with me.

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  105. Mary, Congratz on marching to 100. We haven't done that in a long time.

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  106. Is anyone watching The Amazing Race? This is the first season I have watched in about three years. I now remember why I stopped watching it. The constants have to eat three cooked scorpions and one frog, while live scorpions are crawling all over their partner. I had to change the channel and go back to Olympics. I really like to see all the places they go, but I can't take watching some of the challenges.

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  107. Barb, we were typing at the same time. Interesting about that house. Good thing you have decent weather there with their roof not being done. I wonder what the inside of that house looks like? It doesn’t sound like a very good owner.
    Boy, you’ve seen Book of Mormon a lot. I thought it was very funny but some different things that I guess surprised me. Zoies was very funny Tammy and I thought but as I said, rather descriptive in some parts. I’m sounding old!

    I’m still looking into a Hawaii cruise for Louis’s retirement. It’s so expensive. We have an appointment with AAA next Tuesday. I’m trying to compare a couple of different agencies including Costco. If I keep getting bills from my short hospital stay we won’t be going anywhere.

    Do any of you know the answer to this question ? I received a bill and it shows my supplement, United healthcare paying a portion and then my amount due. Where does medicare kick in here? I’m confused. I’m going to call billing office first and then my insurance. If I got a hold of medicare, I don’t think they’d know what I was talking about so I’m lost.

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  108. Dianne,Triple axle? He can't even hold Zoie without breathing hard lol! those medical bills always confuse me!Usually a more precise bill with adjustments comes months later!That is why we rarely pay the first bill.
    My G.M. group happened to meet on Valentine Day. Jim came along, which he rarely does. I wish it was to keep me company on V Day lol, but he came because my girlfriend and x-co worker, brought her hubby, who happens to be a good friend of Jim. They talked like little school girls the whole time we were there lol!! Oh well, he did pay for lunch.

    SacBarb,there is no way I would allow people like that to live in my house! The owner must be a piece of work too!I usually only watch the Amazing race when I am channel surfing. There is hardly anything on tv that holds my attention anymore. I have been watching the Olympics. I watch "Bull" on Tuesday night and a lot of HGTV. I like to watch the old shows like Matlock and Perry Mason. I catch some Johnny Carson, and Sonny & Cher shows. I am old!

    JLin, I have never seen the Book of Mormon . I need to get out more often. Sad thing is there is no one around here that would go to shows with me if it didn't involve alcohol in some way lol! I guess I am just an old fuddy duddy!
    The Bachelor winter games sound interesting. I will have to check the days it is on.

    Tomorrow i get my roots covered. I sure wish I looked good in gray like Karina or Barbara Gordon. I would save a lot of money!
    Our piles of snow are slowly melting. Now we have mud and flooding to deal with. It never ends! I am counting down the days until my vaca. 43! When I signed up for the trip I didn't realize it was Easter week. At least the resort we are going to doesn't allow "spring breakers" that week. I think they only allow adults anyway. No kids either. Love them, but not on my vaca lol!

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  109. Mary, The owner of the house next door is a very weird guy. He lived in the house for about 10 years and then he moved to about an hour south of Sac. He didn't rent or sell the house, but just left it empty. He was a property appraiser for the state and traveled a lot and some times he would stay overnight there when he was in Sac for work. He never made any improvements to the house and it fell into a state of disrepair over the last twenty years. As for the roof, it is done on top and the holes are under the eaves, so I don't think water gets in, but they are big enough for small critters to get in, and since we live across the street from the levee of the American River, there are a lot of small critters around the neighborhood. We have a lot of skunks and squirrels and some raccoons that will take up residence wherever they can. I don't understand why he hasn't sold the house because now he is retired and doesn't travel to Sac that much. He is a cheap SOB, too. He would never help with repair of the fence between our houses, and a part of it blew down every year when we had high winds. Finally, my Hubby decided to put up a block wall between the houses so he wouldn't have to fix it every year. He wouldn't help pay for that either. When he told me he was going to sell it, I asked him if I could see the inside because Chad was interested in buying it. It's not too bad inside, but it looks like 1964. That's the year these houses were built. Given what's been happening over there, I told Chad it wouldn't be a good idea for him to buy it.

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  110. Dianne, I don't know how Medicare pays for anything. I have Kaiser Senior Advantage health insurance and they automatically take care of everything. I don't get any bills from them. That may change now, but so far I haven't paid anything. They even automatically changed me to the Senior Advantage when I turned 65, but my coverage remained the same.

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  111. Howdy you all.....busy watching the Olympics again. I’m really enjoying them but it’s keeping me from watching big brother. I have them all recorded.

    I guess I’ll just have to see on medicare. The bill we received that I thought was mine was actually LOUIS colonoscopy bill for $600 after insurance. I’m just curious on how it pays. Any comment Mary or JL? I think kaiser seems to do it different somehow.

    I met my niece last night for dinner and we had a long dinner. When we got up to leave it was snowing hard. It wasn’t even snowing when we arrived. Joanna cleaned my car off (lots of snow). The drive home was very scary. It was snowing and blowing so you could hardly see driving. It took me a long time to get home. I was about 30 min from home. I was so scared plus you couldn’t see the lines on the road and it was already icy. If I was a drinker, I would have had a couple of shots when I got home! Btw, dry roads and sun today.

    Yesterday during the day was a driving day. I picked up lady I know a little and took her to the other side of town to meet a mutual friend for lunch. They are both 87 so don’t want to drive far but wanted to see each other. It was a nice lunch but added to the night drive ...I was over driving yesterday!

    Barb, no I don’t think that house sounds like a good house for Chad to buy. Sounds like it would cost a lot for repairs. Were you able to contact the city or anything when no one was living there or taking care of it? I Imagine it was an eyesore.
    Are you still loving your car? Get mine fixed on the 5th.

    Mary, what’s the date you go on your trip? I’ll bet you are getting excited. We meet with a travel agent next Tuesday to talk about Hawaii. I’m gong to do some comparisons. We will probably cruise out of California on a long cruise. We meet with financial advisor in a week so we shall see how bad the stock market loss hurt us to see if we even can go. I’m Extremely conservative and worry all the time especially wth LOUIS retiring in three mos. Sounds like your Valentines lunch was nice.

    JL, well....how did you like the movie? Quiet this week. Update. Btw, have you been painting lately? Do you still go to classes? Haven’t heard you mention it much lately.

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  112. Dianne, I have called the county about the house next door several times. A few years ago there were homeless people living in the backyard. they had been living down at the river and got chased off by the Department of Forestry agents. The neighbor even knew they were living there. He said it was just going to be for a few days, but it was weeks. I don't know why he let them, but the county sent him a letter telling they had to get out or he would pay a fine. I know they were doing drugs and god knows what else back there. Another time, he let a 'friend' store a bunch of active bee hives back there, which is also illegal, and I called about that. Another letter went to him about that. I figured he got paid from the 'friend' to keep the hives there. We had bees everywhere and the people around me that had pools were finding dead bees in their pools every day. I hope he doesn't sell or rent the house to the people that are working on it.

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  113. Dianne Your drive in the snow sounds very scary. Once, when I was visiting someone in Boise, we were driving at night and the lines in the highway were not visible. I thought it was very scary and I don't know how people who live in snowy places can deal with it. I guess I just wouldn't drive, especially at night.

    The painting classes were just a short series happening once a month. Right now, that particular artist is holding a class on book binding, which I am not interested in. I'm terrible about procrastinating about painting. I don't have a dedicated area to do it so I have to set things up and put things away whenever I do paint. I really should set aside time to just do it.

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  114. Barb The Amazing Race is actually my very favorite reality show. I love following them around the world and seeing the different challenges they get up the gumption to do, even if scared or gross. I think I told you that my ex-fiance in Portland and I watch together and text each other under the pretense that we are racing together. I always make him (pretend) wear Speedos. LOL Anyway, as soon as I saw the scorpions I texted him that he was the one who got to eat them.

    I forgot to answer Dianne about the movie but I really liked "Three Billboards in Ebbings, Missouri". I think we are going to see "I, Tonya" on Tuesday.

    It's a beautiful day here but I think I need to spend it doing some housework. I've been rather lax about that lately.

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  115. Mary Your vacation will be here before you know it! It's a good thing that the resort is adults only or that Easter week could have been an experience you didn't want to have. Many years ago when my mom and husband were still alive, we took a trip to New Orleans and to our surprise, it was during Mardi Gras. At first we didn't understand why our taxi that we took from the airport had to drop us off two blocks away from our hotel because of a parade. That was a really fun trip. We stayed there a few days before getting on a steamboat and doing a week long river cruise up to Memphis. My mom's brother flew in from Kentucky and met us there. It was a wonderful visit and the last time we would see him. I'm really so thankful that we were able to do that for my mother.

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  116. Hi...Barb, boy I’d be calling on that house too. I kind of remember when homeless people were living there. Weird owner and too bad you have to live by his darn house. I guess it’s good he at least talks to you. Crazy that even bee hives were there. I’m sure it’s a never ending saga for you. Has the guy owned the house as long as you’ve lived there? Too bad he wouldn’t sell it to normal people. Do others complain to the city too? I would if bees were floating in my pool.

    JL, I want to see that movie. Didn’t you also go see The Post? I thought that was where you went Tuesday night. I’ll tell you..I don’t make it a practice to drive at night in the snow ever. It scares me too much. It’s like driving blind to me...not good. Your painting sounds like me trying to get on my exercise bike. I just can’t seem to do it and it’s right here next to the bed ...no excuse other than I’m plain lazy. At least you have a good reason hauling it all out to get started. Do you plan on doing more classes down the road? Book binding sounds kind of boring! Your New Orleans trip sounded fun and the river trip even more fun!

    Mary, thank goodness you are going to an adult place. I hope the adults are older adults. You will be nice and warm soon. I priced the Hawaii cruise thru Princess and they don’t have handicap rooms with ocean view so they will update me to balcony with no extra charge..that sounds good to me. I’ll see what AAA has to offer on Tuesday.

    Olympics are kind of boring tonight. I have them on but not really watching them.

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  117. Just a quick fly-by on my way to bed. A friend of mine was doing Karaoke in our little village. A gal friend of mine sent me a message to let me know she would be there, so I met up with her. The roads were crappy, but I went anyway. I only sang a couple of songs, visited with my friend and was home early. I sang oldies "Crazy" and " Break it to me Gently". When I got to town I notice police activity on the bridge up the hill from the bar. I later found out they were looking for a young woman who had threatened to jump off the bridge! Crazy. Not sure if they found her.

    Heading to bed.

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  118. Snowing lightly today and hard tonight. Glad to be home. My friend drive across town today to train LOUIS and I on smart TVs that we now have and didn’t know all the ins and outs. I took some notes and hopefully we will remember between the two of us. I took her to lunch when we finished. It was so nice to not drive across town for once! Did go out this afternoon to pick up a ring that I had sized down. It wasn’t snowing so bad then either.

    Well....Mary shamed me into getting on my bike. She messaged me this morning and told me she was in cold garage riding her bike and that I needed to go in my warm house and get on my mine...I did!! I felt too bad to not do it. I’m starting all over with working on it but I’m determined now. I just needed that shove! Thanks Mary.

    We took a nice afternoon drive to the mountains yesterday. It was a beautiful day out and had a late lunch there. Tomorrow we are going to meet with AAA travel to get some ideas and prices on a Hawaii cruise for January.

    Tammy has the flu. She had a flu shot so Dr said it won’t be as bad. She was pretty sick all weekend. Dr put her on tamsflu today. Last week she started out with bronchitis, sinus infection and ear infection and was given meds for if. She’s had a bad time this last week.

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  119. What are you all doing? Anything over the Weekend? Still watching Olympics? I’ll be glad when they are over so I can watch season one of This Is Us and get all caught up on it as it starts again next week. I want to get caught up on Big Brother too.

    Mary, I wish you’d call and sing me a song since you are too far for me to go listen to you unless you come visit and we will go to a Karoke place.

    Hi to you all.

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  120. Dianne, I am still watching the Olympics. I really enjoy watching these young people do their sport with such passion. My brother competed in the 1964 winter Olympics. He was on the USA two man luge team. They didn't win a medal, but he was excited to be on the team.

    I had a very boring weekend. I made an anniversary card for Todd and Vicki. Their 10th wedding anniversary is Friday, but they have been together 25 years. They are going on a cruise in March to celebrate.

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  121. How exciting Barb for your brother to compete in the Olympics! What a thrill that must have been for him. Did you get to see it in tv or were they even showing then..probably not.

    Your son and his wife have a lot of years together. They must have known each other in school, right?

    I’m waiting for the ice skating so I just emptied a small part of my closet as the Veterans are picking up tomorrow. Oh good, the skating is starting now. Did you see the poor couple that had a wardrobe malfunction the other night? The girl said she just kept skating and prayed. They got marked down for it. Sad, but they are in it tonight again, I think.

    Barb, I keep meaning to ask you how your back is doing? I sure hope better than it was before now.

    Ok, time to skate

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  122. Dianne, I must have been channel surfing when she had her wardrobe malfunction. What happened? I will have to make you a short vid of me singing if you think you can hack it lol! I am so proud of you for getting back on your contraption lol! You go girl!!

    This coming Sat. we are doing another Birthday Karaoke/DJ job.This one will be a no pressure/fun job. My friend is having a surprise party for her "mate" at the VFW. He loves oldies, and I mean 'oldies" lol. He once asked if I had "the Banana song" . you know " Day-o, day-o
    Daylight come and me wan' go home
    Day, me say day, me say day, me say day
    Me say day, me say day-o
    Daylight come and me wan' go home".
    Now, that IS an old song! It's a Harry Belafonte song. The guy will be 90!!

    Barb, congrats to Todd and Vicki! How fun that he was in the Olympics! Do you have pics of him and his team? I would love to see them!

    JustLin, I have been dreading to see who may move in a across the road from us. The kid that bought it from our old neighbor, is selling it after only having it 2 years! He has barely been there since he has gotten a new girlfriend. Must be they are moving in together somewhere else. We have been very lucky neighbor wise.

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  123. Mary I remember the Banana Boat Song. I remember seeing Harry Belafonte singing it on TV. I think it was quite popular for a while. Of course, I was just a kid living in my parent's house at the time and it's certainly not a song I would ever request so your guy must be REALLY old.

    I can only imagine how bundled up you must have to be to be out in your garage on your exercise bike. Yikes! I guess the exercise does help you warm up a little, though. You are very dedicated to do that in spite of the cold. I don't like to do anything in my garage when it's cold and it doesn't even snow here. Way to go, shaming Dianne into getting on her bike. LOL Maybe you could shame me into walking again as I haven't done that in a while. It won't be happening today as my back keeps threatening to go out on me. I'm not sure what I did to it but I've been having stabbing pains for a few days when I turn a certain way or roll over in bed. It sucks being old!

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  124. Dianne Yay for you getting back on your exercise bike! I've gotten out of the habit of taking the dog on walks and now my back is hurting me. Before that, the arch of my foot was hurting when I'd take a step and before that I was sick for a while. You see I have many excuses. Truly, I will make an effort to exercise more when my back calms down. I don't know what I did to set it off.

    I never answered your question about the movie. Yes, we did go see The Post and it was good and it was interesting to revisit that time in our history. Today we go see I, Tonya. I will be walking and moving carefully as to not throw my back out completely. At least popcorn isn't too heavy to carry. LOL

    I'm sorry Tammy is so sick. It's good she is on Tamiflu now. My son was admitted to the hospital night before last because of a bad infection in his leg. I hope he doesn't catch anything worse while he is there. Usually, it's his asthma that sends him to the hospital. Apparently, after doing some yard clean up, he was moving around old boxes of stuff in his garage and used his thigh to help boost a heavy cardboard box up onto a shelf and he got stabbed in the leg with a sewing needle that was poking out of the bottom of it. When it first got infected he was treated with oral antibiotics but a few days later his whole leg was swollen and red. They now have him on IV antibiotics and are doing a culture to see exactly what kind of bacteria it is. His leg is looking better now. This whole thing is very concerning as I have a friend who lost her leg because of a bad infection. My son says they drained about a quarter cup of pus out of his thigh. The needle went in deep causing an abscess in his thigh muscle. Hope that wasn't too much information.

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  125. Barb Well, it's been fun watching Big Brother Celebrity. I'm glad Ross is still in it and wish they could get Omarosa out.

    It seems to be a little warmer today but it was freezing here yesterday. Not only was it cold but it was windy so there was the wind chill factor. They said on the weather report that the air was coming down from Alaska and it sure did feel like it. I feel so whiney after seeing the snow that Mary and Dianne are still dealing with. LOL

    Happy anniversary to Todd and Vicky. My daughter broke up with her boyfriend quite a while back but they continued to live together which was kind of weird but worked out okay. She even helped him set up his dating profile. LOL Anyway, he has moved out now to move in with a new girlfriend and my daughter is very happy to have the house to herself. They had given up the house they were buying when the economy tanked and the current house they rent from his mother. So, that's kind of weird, too, his mother made it quite clear that once he moves out, he can't move back in while she has another renter. Anyway, I hope the new relationship works out for him. He is still caring for our dogs when we go away. He just takes them all to the new place a his girlfriend owns a horse ranch. I guess when my daughter and I were in Seattle, my dog found a new boyfriend at the ranch; another pit bull. Apparently, they were all ga-ga for each other.



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  126. Hi....well, did my bike again, Mary. My legs are hurting today but did longer tonight. We went to travel agent today to get prices, etc. on a Hawaii cruise. We then came home and called Costco to compare. AAA is $60 less. I kind of like having a person to see and deal with too. We haven’t made a decision yet but it finally got Louis enthused. He hasn’t been at all. It leaves from LA so we are thinking of driving there as we prefer road trip. I tried for the SF start but it was more expensive and the dates didnt work. This is for mid January next year.

    JL, I think that movie would be interesting. I don’t know if I’ll see it or not. Barb isn’t too interested and I know Louis wouldn’t be at all. I could go alone. I may just wait until I can rent it now that I know how to do my tv....sort of. I hope your back gets better. Darn, I wonder what caused it? I’m so sorry about your son. That is very scary. So glad he went to dr right away. Keep us updated. I think that’s good how your daughter and ex boyfriend handle things. Tammy and James are the same with her ex husband Andy and wife. She’s been friends with wife for years. It’s good for my grandkids too

    Mary, did you hop on your bike today? I’m glad you “gently encouraged” me to get on mine yesterday. It was 19 here today but again with sun not that bad. Roads were dry so that’s the big thing.

    Hi Barb. Thinking of you. Is it far for you to drive to LA from your house? I think it is and that’s why I was pushing for SF for cruise.

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  127. J/L, I watched a little of BB After Dark tonight and they were roasting marshmallows over the fire pit. They all seemed to be getting along fine. It was actually kinda boring, so I didn't watch for very long.

    It's been cold here still and I had a hard time getting warm today and yesterday. The rest of the week's temps are supposed to be in the 50s. Right now it is 35 degrees!

    I laughed at your dog finding a new boyfriend. She will only get to see him when you take a trip and Liz's ex is dog sitting, right?

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  128. Mary, It was my brother that was in the Olympics, not Todd. I don't remember seeing it on TV, so I don't think it was televised in 1964. We don't really have any pics, but Chad researched it a few years ago and found an article and some pics online.

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  129. Dianne, I hope your daughter is feeling better. This has been such a bad flu season.
    I am about 8 or 9 hours from Los Angeles and about 1 1/2 hours from S.F. When I used to go to L.A. for work, I always flew. I only took about an hour. I don't go to S.F. too often because I don't know the city and I hate driving where I am not that familiar with the streets, etc. Plus, parking in S.F. is a horrendous and expensive. Sharon and I went to S.F. to see Phantom for the first time many years ago and we took one of those tour buses that let us off at the theater and picked us up when it was over. They also gave us snacks and wine on the way home. It was well worth the money.

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  130. Just thought I’d check in at 7:54 am...it’s 2 degrees with blue skies. Just thought I’d let you cold California girls shiver at looking at that Temp! Come visit....bring a coat!

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  131. LOL Dianne. I know we Cali girls have thin blood, but for us 40 degrees is cold, while CO people are wearing shorts in that temp. I hope it warms up for you. :)

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  132. Barb, it’s snowing off and on again here today and more tonight. We haven’t had a bad winter, but I’m so over snow. It’s been in the 20’s and I can live with the cold but not the snow on the roads. I don’t like to drive and walk in it. Yes, I think Mary and I have much thicker blood than you and JL. I still ant you guys to visit but I’m thinking you might not want to come in the snow. Lol

    Olympics are kind of boring tonight so I’m starting a Big Brother marathon. I never watch this show but wanted to watch Ross. Today was a two hour dentist appt. It was a full cleaning of everything..at least it didn’t hurt just time consuming. Went to late lunch with Barb, to Costco and rode my bike!

    Tammy finally was able to go back to work today as she’s no longer contagious. She’s very tired but much better.

    Well Barb and JL, I sure wish we could be cruising out of SF or close by so I could see you both and Mary come too. I miss you guys. I’m so glad we’ve kept up on here and as friends.

    We have to decide on if we’re going on cruise by tomorrow. We probably will but I’m still concerned about spending the $$ when LOUIS will be retired. I’m very conservative because I’m always afraid I’ll have to live under a bridge! 😔

    I just finished Big Brother as this darn tv isnt recording them all. I at least saw the last one and I’ll for sure record Sunday night. I’m going to have to call tv people to figure this out....frustrating.


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  133. Mary, are you guys doing ok with the flooding? I read where Jim was out and so many roads were closed. Check in please

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  134. Hi there! Thank goodness the rain has stopped! Many of our roads have been closed due to flooding. We had a lot of standing water on our property. The ground has thawed a bit so it has been going down. there has been a lot of water damage in the cities and villages around us. Thank goodness Matthew and my step son buried drainage tubes leading away from our house! Any time we got heavy rain, our basement would flood and I would wind up redoing the family room down there plus getting rid of mold!. No more flooding!! It only took 25 yrs to convince Jim!

    SacBarb, I need to pay better attention to your postings! I get too many peeps mixed up lol! Jim & I were just discussing how frustrating it is to forget peoples names that we have know a long time! It's like having mini temp. amnesia lol!

    Dianne, no I didn't get on my bike. It was just too cold and damp out in the garage. I can stand cold, just not cold and damp!
    I still do my Tai Chi every day sometimes 2 or 3 times.

    Justlin, thanks for the laugh about your dog being ga ga over the new dog!! Too funny!!

    Tonight we will be going to the American Legion fish fry. It is so popular that there are long lines to get in, which can be pretty cold this time of year! We will have to get there early. Some people forget and don't dress accordingly.
    We had company early this morning so I didn't get my shower in. Time to get-er-done! Have a great day all!

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  135. Dianne Well, is your cruise booked? As far as spending the money....just remember, you can't take it with you. There are things here that I should spend money on like new furniture (just ask my daughter) but the evidence suggests that I'd much rather spend the money on experiences than on things. On the Hawaii cruise, there will be a number of days at sea after leaving LA. What will you do with your time when there is nothing to look at except open sea? I'd be spending too much time in the casino and playing Bingo.

    I'm glad Tammy is feeling better. My son is home now and has to change the packing in his wound every day. That will go on for about month.

    Yesterday I went by myself to see an afternoon showing of The Greatest Showman. It was a very good movie and I loved all the songs in it.

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  136. Barb Yesterday morning I woke up to the sound of periodic chirping. It took me a minute to realize it had to be coming from one of the smoke detectors. Not like an alarm, but just a chirp now and then to indicate a low battery. When I had my roof done a few years back, I couldn't get the city to sign off on the work until I installed a smoke detector in each bedroom, one at the end of the hall, and also install a carbon monoxide detector. At one point I thought it was the carbon monoxide detector but the chirping continued after I removed that battery. I then realized it was coming from a closed bedroom. I had to stand on a step stool and could still barely reach it and could not get the little door open that houses the battery. I had to get a screw driver and pry it open. If I was your height or Mary's, I would have had to get a ladder. What a pain in the ass that morning was. I didn't even have my coffee yet.

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  137. Mary Well, thank goodness for the drainage pipes! You'd think Jim would have come to that conclusion a lot sooner as it must have been a real pain in the ass to do clean up after your basement flooded. Wasn't he put out by that or did it mostly fall to you to do?

    It's been really cold here but my idea of cold is not the same as yours. I think we've already established that. LOL Our cold has been coming down from Alaska so that kind of explains it. Kudos to you for continuing to do your Tai Chi even when it's cold.

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  138. Dianne, I really chuckled when I read about you worrying you would have to sleep under a bridge. I have said that on occasion, too. My money went much farther when I first retired and I have cut down on some things. My mother was always afraid to spend money because she would say, "I don't know how long I'm gonna live and I don't want to live with any of my kids!" I actually asked her to come and live with me after my Dad died and she said "no!" I was still working and she had stopped driving and she didn't want to be home alone all day, so she moved into a senior independent living place. They had a lot of activities and she participated in many of them. They even had dances and there was a man who used to ask her to dance and she was very happy there.

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  139. J/L, I had to have all the smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detector checked before the county would sign off on my roof permit, too. Dean came over one day when I was on a ladder changing one of the batteries and he yelled at me for doing that. He said I should call him to come and do it for me. when I was younger, getting on a ladder was no big deal, but now because of my knees, back, and hip, it's kind of scary! I do call Dean when they need to be changed.

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  140. Mary, Surely you don't have to stand in line to get into the American Legion with all that you do there. My FIL belonged to the VFW in Santa Maria, CA and once a week he would help BBQ the steaks for the Santa Maria BBQ night. He would often go eat there on other nights and he never had to get in the line. They always just let him walk right in.

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  141. Barb What I find annoying is that it was supposed to be a 10 year battery in that smoke detector. I purchased it 4 years ago and the expiration date on it is May 2021. Maybe the other ones will last longer.

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  142. JL, I purchased and recently had installed the ten year warranty battery smoke detectors too. That is annoying that it already went off. Our handyman said he’d back when I was 80! He’ll be 60 then. Be careful with that climbing.

    Yes, we booked the cruise on Friday. We ended up with AAA travel. I like having a face to face person to deal with for everything. We had to pay our insurance and $200 deposit. Boy, that insurance is expensive for that many days. We will have to be very careful that we aren’t in the casino too much. I will schedule a tea for us, read, watch people and also try not to shop too much. It looks like the cruise line does some Hawaiian things aboard ship too. I wonder if I can get louis to take Hula lessons? We ended up buying two pieces of luggage their too as the member prices are much lower than the stores. We got some last year at the store and don’t like them at all so Tammy will take them as she needs updated luggage.

    Barb and I wet to see Forever My Girl today. It’s Nicholas Sparks movie and was so good. We like those kind of movies. There’s a couple of good movies coming. Tonight Costco fed Louis and I with their delicious meat loaf and mashed potatoes. We just stick it in the oven for 70 minutes. Makes me feel like I cooked.

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  143. Barb, I always worry about finances in the future. As I mentioned..I’m the conservative one in the family. I will be exactly like how your mom was with wanting activities after I can’t drive if I’m alone. I sure hope I don’t ever have to live with my kids. I’m sure it made you feel good that your mom was happy at the senior living place. My friends mom lives in one and now has a 93 year old “boyfriend”..she’s 87.

    Ok Mary, how did last night go? Did the birthday man have a good time? Hope it went good for you. The casino we go to in Kentucky when we visit LOUIS’s daughter is flooded today. Looks terrible. It’s a boat there. I sure hope they fix it before we go in June. It’s one of the fun things we do there to keep busy.

    Well, the Olympics are over. It was a nice closing ceremony. I’m kind of glad they are finally over. I’ve enjoyed them every night but still glad to be done. Now I have two nights to catch up on with Big Brother so don’t say anything about the outcome yet. The party we went to last night ended up nice and got to see some family we don’t get to see much. Louis ended up enjoying himself too. It was an hour and a half from here.

    That’s it with my wordy news. Hope you’re all doing good.

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  144. Dianne, It was very comforting to know my Mom was happy living in the Senior place. It was a combination of independent and assisted living and about six months before she died, she moved to the assisted side. She was even happy there, but I have to say that my Mom was not a demanding person and she was not one to complain. If she ever said something hurt, it was something really bad. One time when My Uncle Mike and Jim were visiting, she mentioned to Jim, because he was a doctor, that her back was hurting. He examined her back and we ended up taking her to the ER. She had compression fractures in her spine and it had been going on for a while and she never mentioned it to me or my sister. When I asked her why, she said she didn't want to bother us. I felt so badly that she was in so much pain and I didn't know so I could help her.

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  145. J/L, I installed all new 10 year smoke detectors when I has my roof done, too. The batteries can't be changed, so I hope they last that long, too. They cost more than twice as much as the ones that had batteries I could replace. I decided they were cost effective when I figured out how much batteries cost and they had to be replaced twice a year.

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  146. Hey there!
    Justlin, I have never had a problem finding things to do on board a ship. I could spend hours just watching the ocean, really! I sit out on my balcony room with a bottle of wine and am in pure heaven! I didn't do much gambling. I went to their shows and laid out in the sun a lot. Being land locked in the middle of Michigan makes me a bit of an ocean freak lol! I was surprised you fixed your :chirping" detector before you had your coffee! What a woman lol!
    BTW, I did all the cleaning (with son) and redecorating after flooding. Jim can be VERY lazy!

    SacBarb, I hope I will be as independent as your Mother when I get that age. Maybe there will be fun places by then. I hope they have karaoke for me lol! I read somewhere that Jimmy Buffett was building some fun retirement places.
    About standing in line outside the American Legion.. even the elderly and very young stand out there. I never liked seeing that especially when it is windy,cold and rainy! The fish was not the best. I was disappointed! We may try one more time.

    Dianne, Yay, for getting your trip all set! I love having something to look forward to!
    The party was a lot of fun. I misspoke myself earlier. He turned 80 not 90. He has not been in the best of health. He has had cancer for a a few years. I really don't know what keeps him going! He loves for me to sing "La Bamba". I sang it and he got up and danced! I rarely sing at my gigs, but locally they ask me to, so of course I oblige them. I was able to get a few shy ones to sing so that was fun. I started at 4:30 and was done about 10:30. I like getting home and unpacked early.

    We went to our tax man today to sign the forms to be sent out. Jim was a bit shocked to see he had to pay in over $1,000. At his age it is mandatory he take a certain amount of money out of his 401k. He forgot to call before they sent him his check, to have them take the max out on taxes. Oh well either way he pays lol!

    Time to head to bed.Tomorrow will be fairly warm and sunny. I will be taking Zoie for a much needed walk. We have been doing short ones because of the wet and cold ground. I will prolly do some more early spring cleaning. I did my nasty wooded slats on my kitchen shades yesterday. Zoie barked the whole time I was cleaning them. There was no quiet way to wash them lol!

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  147. Hi....I finally caught up on Big Brother tonight. I don’t usually watch this show but did because of Ross being on it. I ended up really enjoying it. Is everyone that watched it caught Up? I don’t want to say anything about it in case someone hasn’t.

    Mary, it sounds like the party turned out fun. Glad the bday boy didn’t know you aged him ten Years! Yes, I’m excited for cruise but it seems so far away. We keep pretty busy on the ship too. We have a balcony so hopefully we will enjoy the time on there. I used to like to order breakfast and eat out there. On our last cruise they started charging extra for room service. I don’t know if Princess does it too. I’ll bet it feels good to have your taxes already done. We don’t go til April 2. At least that gives me time to sort through the mess on my desk.

    Today I went for blood test to see if my numbers on hemoglobin have gone up. I sure hope so. I had lunch, went to Walmart and grocery store. Tomorrow I get to have lunch with my son. I always look forward to seeing him as I don’t get to as much as I’d like to. Maybe I’ll start my desk. Oh yes, and I rode my bike!

    Barb, it looks like you’re having snow there on our news tonight. You and Rome they were showing. Were you out in it making snow Angels? Boy, your mom sounds like she was a trooper! How old was she when she passed away? I hope I’m like her too. Lol that Mary is going to live at jimmy Buffets place. Maybe we should all go there. I think it might cost a whole lot!

    JL, thank you for commenting to the positive on Kayla’s FB. I hate her choice of words she copies on there. She sounds so ghetto. How did you like the show with your daughter yesterday? Is it the first time you’ve seen it? I’ll be interested in your review. How’s your back doing? Is it getting better?

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  148. Our day was beautiful! I saw bikers out and peeps in shorts! We get excited when temps are above 5o! I was out most of the day. Zoie & I got a lot of walking done. I did exercising and Tai Chi on the patio. Laundry and dishes done along with a banana cream pie.4 more weeks until my vaca!
    I can't remember if I mentioned that Jim will be going to Vegas the week before I leave. The same friends we went out with last time asked us to go again March 19. I told them I was leaving the following week and couldn't see myself going to both, or leaving Zoie that long :(. I encouraged Jim to go and he finally agreed. Hopefully now he won't moan and groan when I am gone for a week lol! He will be gone Monday-Fri. He is happy that he won;t have to pay to board Queenie.

    Time to fold towels.....

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  149. Mary, My mother was a very independent woman. She always said that if she died first, my Dad would be very difficult. . He was so used to having everything done for him because that's the way my Mom was raised. She worked as a seamstress in what were called sweat shops, during the school year and stayed home with me during the summer, and she also did everything for my Dad. He worked in construction, but he did nothing around the house. She also warned me not to 'spoil' my husband by waiting on him like she did with my Dad. To the best of my ability, I took her advice.

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  150. Dianne, what people were calling snow was really hail and lots of it. My neighborhood didn't get as much as some, but it apparently made national news.

    Both my parents were 91 when they passed away. My Mom lived fours years longer than my Dad.

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  151. Barb, they were showing it again on national news tonight but did call it hail tonight. I Hope it didn’t do any damage to your place. It really looked like a lot on the news. You don’t usually get hail do you? We do in the Spring.

    Boy, your parents lived a long life. i hope I do that too if I’m healthy and can get around. A lady came to introduce herself to me at my cousins party on Saturday night. It was my cousins 60th. This lady I was talking about said, “oh yes, I remember my 90th birthday”. She said it like she was reminiscing about her 20th..wistfully. Turns out she’s 97! She was walking all around, lives on her own and said she’d just been to the dr and everything checked out perfect...even her feet! She looked pretty darn good and we were amazed. Ah, to be like that at 97!

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  152. Dianne My back is still a little "iffy" but certainly better than it was. It has not helped it that I have been wearing boots with a bit of a heel rather than flat shoes lately, like when I went to the play. Of course the additional weight I'm carrying around doesn't help, either. Speaking of which, you don't see any 97 year olds walking around that are as heavy as me. That should be another incentive for me to get serious about losing this damn weight.

    My daughter and I did have fun at the play and I must say it did surprise me. I didn't realize there would be such unpleasant topics mentioned in it. After we left, my daughter said, "It's amazing what people will believe". It did give me a lot of food for thought as that statement could certainly be applied to any religion as well as to the beliefs of the uneducated and superstitious in Africa and, quite frankly, to a lot of Americans today. But as far as the play goes, it was funny in spite of some of the topics.

    The kinds of things that Kayla tends to repost on FB just show me that she is still very immature. There's really no cure for that except time.

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  153. Barb I saw your hail on the news here, too. Quite impressive in the downtown area. As we were driving into SF yesterday, there was a point where we could still see a little bit of snow on mountains across the Bay. We went to see "Darkest Hour" which was a good movie and Gary Oldman did a great job as Churchill. John, Jane and I all agreed that movies like that make us interested in learning more about what went on during that time. I already knew it but my friends were surprised that when the British Army was stranded on the beach of Dunkirk and Churchill asked for our help or for at least the airplanes they had already purchased from us, we turned him down. We are not always the Boy Scouts we try to make ourselves out to be.

    It really isn't good to do so much for someone that they are basically helpless. Not good for kids or for husbands. LOL


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  154. Mary I always get a cabin with a balcony when I go on a cruise. Even if I don't go out on it much, I like having the option. I think I used it most in Alaska, especially going along the inside passage or looking at icebergs or watching a glacier calve. You get such a better view than when you are on the main deck jostling for viewing position with so many other passengers. I don't really care for lying in the sun but I do like to just lie around in general. LOL My daughter and I never miss a Bingo game on board.

    I need a wife like you. LOL You do so much and then baking pies, too.

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  155. J/L, we didn't get much hail in my neighborhood and it was gone quickly. They have been getting a good amount of snow in the mountains and that's good for the ski lodges and also for our water in the spring.

    My parents did live a long life as did most of my Mother's siblings. Two sisters passed at 96 and Uncle Mike will be 94 on March 5, although he isn't doing that well since Jim died. They were together 53 years. Uncle Mike has been losing his eyesight for a couple of years and he was an avid reader until he started having trouble with his eyesight, and he really misses it. His hearing is bad, too, or I would send him audio books. He was an English teacher for most of his career and in the latter years he was a librarian. He was always encouraging all his nieces and nephews, (all 27 of us) to read. When I was 10 years old, I went to New York, by myself, for the summer and he said he would give me $5.00 for every book I read while I was there. In 1953, $5.00 was a fortune. I think that's when I really developed a love for reading.

    I really want to see the Darkest Hour. Gary Oldman was on a few talk shows and the movie sounds very interesting.

    I so agree that it does no one any good to allow them to become helpless. I taught all my boys how to cook and they all did their own laundry from the time they were 12 years old. I think the laundry part started because I just got tired of looking for Dean's dirty clothes when he was that age. He just couldn't seem to get anything in the hamper and I had to look under all his furniture. Finally, I started making him do his own laundry. That worked so well, when the other two kids turned 12, I showed them how to use the washer and dryer and I loved it. Chad was the only one who really picked up cooking while he was home, but the other two cook quite often now.

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  156. Oops, I didn't realize I was writing a novel. Sorry!

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  157. I love your Novels SacBarb :)
    It's a pretty boring day here. We lucked out and missed the snow storm. On the other side of the state where Karina lives, not so lucky! She was without power last night and it was cold! They got hit hard with snow and wind!

    Jim and I are going to a VFW fish fry, not my post. We don't have the facilities for it. Hopefully the fish will be good. bbl

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  158. Hi..
    Mary, glad the snow missed you. We are having the 70’s today until Sunday night. It’s so pretty out except a little windy. It’s almost time for daylight savings too. I’ll be so glad. How long was Karina without power? I hope not all night.....brr. Enjoy your fish fry tonight. I’m not sure where we will go for dinner. Probably a little cafe we like near us. Any weekend plans?

    Barb, I’m glad you wrote a novel as I do every time. My kids always did a lot at home too growing up. I was a single parent for seven years so they needed to help me and today they are great workers. The grandkids....not so much. They do their own laundry..the girls but not the boys. I don’t agree but no one listens to me. Boy, your Uncle Mike is living a long life too. It must be really hard for him to not be able to read anymore. WOW...you went to New York by yourself? Please tell. Louis is going Tuesday yomsee thst movie. I’d like to see that Three Billboard movie.

    JL, the play surprised me too. I felt like I needed to go to confession after it...lol. It was funny too though. I just wasn’t expecting some of the things. It was like that in Zoies Weddding that Tam and went to see. I think I told you that a woman walked out and left her husband.
    Yes, I do not like the things Kayla posts on FB. She will be 20 in October so I wish would hurry and get more mature soon. I think she talks like a ghetto gang person. She’s never gotten rid of that talk since Jake-ass. On a good not though, she called me the other night just to talk. It doesn’t happen much so it was a pleasant surprise and nothing was wrong either!

    We ended up extending our summer June vacation three days at time share in Branson. We are going there before we go see Louis’s girls in Kentucky. Hope to see Beverly for lunch too. We had extra points and we didn’t want to lose them.

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  159. Dianne, Yes I went to NY all by myself when I was 10 years old. I got a puppy for Christmas and my puppy was about six months old when he got hit by a car right in front of my neighbors house. The man that hit him stopped and he felt so bad that he gave my Mom $50 to pay for vet bills, but the puppy died before we got to the vet. I was inconsolable. Summer had just started and my aunt suggested that I visit her in New York and I could stay for the whole summer. My Grandparents and several of my Mom's siblings lived there and had kids that were my age and I could stay with each of them for a while. Since we lived so far away, we rarely got to see each other. So, in 1953, a round trip plane ticket was a little more than $50 for children under 12 and before I knew it I was on my way. In those days, the stewardesses took care of children flying alone. There were no jets in those days, so it took a lot longer than it does today. It was actually quite an adventure, because when we were flying over New Mexico, there was a problem with the plane and we had to land in Albuquerque. They couldn't fix the problem, so we had to wait for another plane to come from Los Angeles to continue the trip. The airline gave us vouchers for food and it ended up taking 10 hours for the other plane to arrive. In the meantime, the airline decided to take all the passengers to a motel to wait. Among the passengers was a woman and her daughter, who was a little younger than I and she agreed to let me stay in the same room with them. Apparently, my family on both coasts were in a panic wondering how and where I was, etc. but I don't remember being scared or even concerned. I have to say, in those days, the airlines were a lot more accommodating to passengers than they are today and I felt perfectly safe.

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