What's Happening in your neck of the woods? Friends...

With all this mild weather I can only 'dream' as the snow starts to melt...

I know, still a few months of winter weather ahead, but it sure is good for ones soul to go back and look at photo's of my garden..bet you are doing the same...

Morning all..

Did get some rest over the weekend, yesterday had plans for projects, into town shopping and all went amuck..know everyone is being kind with regards to my not feeling well but lordy did they all have to come yesterday to visit..lol..so nothing except a quick run to fabricland and home got done...then son who was leaving for a week in Winnipeg (doing some major work at the hospital) wanted me to come for supper..tried everything to get out of not going but wouldn't hear of it..drats, terrible when kids start to dictate..lol..I won out on NOT staying to watch a movie though!

Ann, that's more than disgusting..bad enough it happens in buildings with younger generation but with the elderly...bet a lot of them can't afford $100 more a month..I thought under the tenant act they couldn't raise the rent so substantially...

"M" think I'm in for much of the same..left all the leaves for spring, my excuse was that it is fertilizer for the grass and gardens..truth be known, I was just too lazy..

Carol, your friend is very kind..nothing like visiting and leaving with a car full of goodies...

Short day today..I leave here at 2:30 to go to my doctors...heart tests aren't till Wednesday but some have convinced me to make appt. and have a list of questions ready for my doctor...won't he love that..lol

Mild here, what a joy driving on paved roads instead of snow/ice..

Betty - thanks for the move. Haven't got long here. I go snowshoeing with a group of friends in an hour and I have to get lunch.

Sounds like a fun day..only been snowshoeing once, did enjoy though, just no time

Busy day yesterday .Took in 5 dogs for rescue 2 young adults and 3 pups, got all the paperwork done,got pictures taken, changed names ( after the breeder left!) Loaded 3 dogs into my car and delivered ,didnt get home until 7pm! (left at 1130) Hadn't eaten all day! Dogs were happy to go out and pee but even happier to be fed!
Got the paper work organised and dog profiles off to the foster homes and discovered this morning I had mixed up the names on the two littermate pups - we picked tree names for the pups! ( my choice!) So have to get that straightened out - dont want two pups with the same name- it is confusing enough as it is. Also changed the name of one of the young adults when I got to fosterhome, decided I didnt like our choice - his name was Sterling, we originally picked Whisper ( he is a shy little thing) and changed it to Silver which I think really suits - Sterling Silver and he is a silvery Blue Merle!
This morning got them all posted on Petfinder and had an email asking about one of them before I even finished posting!
So now things are in the hands of the adoption committee.
And I am getting on with last minute things to do before my surgery on Thursday. Decided to go buy a new duvet so am out to shop for that.

Betty all those visitors were probably better for you than running around shopping! Remember we all told you to rest!

Good Day, All.

My sister, Alice, is in surgery as we speak - third time for lung cancer.
went in at 9:30 Mountain time, and scheduled until 1pm Mountain....... 3/4 of an hour left

Susan .. thoughts and prayers for Alice ... never nice to awaitng the 'news' post op.

Betty, thanks for 'SPRINGING' us to this page :-)

We have a a XCountry ski trail through the property .. I have only used it 3 times this year .. not only have I been way busy, but there really isn't THAT much snow (yet) ^_^

Like the name 'Sterling 'Silver' for the dog .. Shelties are so gorgeous .. hard to chose a perfect name for their quiet natures.

Shopping done this morning, car in for oil change .. am now about to WHOOP Lorna at a game of cards LoL ... that'll be the day !!

Take care all

~M~

Haven't heard yet, about Alice, but they always say "no news is good news".....

Now, have to get home to have a mechanic look to see why my transmission linkage slipped and I can't get out of "Park"....... my car's sitting at home cuz it refused to go anywhere last night.
I got an oil change on Saturday ($225!!! after all the air/oil/cabin filters were replaced, etc, etc, etc!!), and it started "clunking" when I tried to shift. My DH says it's likely because they were working in the area and may have moved something.
I called them, and they said it was likely coincidence, but as a courtesy to me they'd come by after work (6pm) and see what they could do. I have Motor League but they're not mechanics and can only do tows, etc. After my "oil change", I can't afford to do anything else on my car...............
My DH gave me a ride to work, and a collegue will give me a ride home in time to get there for 6pm. I feel so pampered LOL

Susan

Try this for a bit of fun:

http://www.star28.net/snow.html

Thanks Carol .. :-) that was fun ... have sent it along ..

Susan .. I hope you were able to get some satisfaction from the 'oil people' .. know of someone who had a similar problem. They had the Oil mechanic change smoething near where the gas filter is located .. the particular part being changed was very hard to get off .. lots of banging and mega coaxing .. a day later .. her car was stalling .. seems the oil shop people had done damage to the gas filter .. it was kind of a 'too bad, so sad' situation.

Watched 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' last evening .. with Brad Pitt .. kind of an odd little movie, but, entertaining none the less. It was 2 hours and 40 minutes long !!!

VON nurse comes early today .. physio in the afternoon ..
Still enjoying nice temps.

Take care all

~M~

Morning...

Am sure Susan you are anxious to hear how your sister is doing...drats, that's a lot of money for a tune-up isn't it..were they able to determine the cause of the clunking?

Love the name Sterling - Silver ..

"M" not a lot of snow either..this morning it was coming down so softly and as I got half way to work it was blowing and now as I look outside there are just a few flakes..quite mild out..wow, if we get through January with this kind of winter the rest will be a breeze won't it...you've still a lot of time to put those ski's on...fantastic having a trail at your doorstep..is it yours or is it part of a ski system?

Greg my eldest said we need at least 6 - 10 inches of snow to make snowmobiling possible....he flew out this a.m. for Winnipeg, wonder what the weather is there...

Just think, sooooon to be gardening time..I'm excited..I spend all my time outside, guess that's why I'm trying hard to get everything inside down so when spring comes I can say bye/bye to inside work...


Went to the Dr's yesterday aft.

He gave me 2 pieces of advice..

1- going to live until I die
2- not a bad way to go

OK no one in his office, just me, had plenty of time to sit and chat..

Said I'm healthy, no prior history of heart problems nor in my family, I'm not obese (why did he tell me then I needed to lose a few lbs. months ago) so the likelyhood is almost nil to none that my pain is the heart...

Now he did say, tomorrow's test would show something or perhaps not, what kind of deal is that???? but that I should see a specialist..imagine, called and made the appt. and it's on the 27th..in this day and age of hospital service that's fantastic service...

Gave me nitro and said goodbye... there you have it, I must be FINE!!!

My sister's surgery went well, they took out a couple of nodes they hadn't expected to, but otherwise it went better than expected.
When I called my mom last night she said Alice was back in her room and sleeping. I can hardly wait until I talk to her!!

The fellow came by last night, and my transmission behaved well - figures, eh?
Later I tried it, and it was the same thing. My DH came out after I'd tried for 5-10 min and it worked for him........
This am I couldn't get it shifting for about 10 min, then it was smooth as silk....
I went to the gym and was there for 3/4 of an hour. It wouldn't work for about 10 min, then again - smooth as silk.....
I called the same guy and told him I realized the "water/freeze or dirt" issue. He said to bring the car by and they raise it and blow out any obstruction. He figures there's water in it, cuz the exhaust pipe, when it heats up, corrects the issue. I sure hope so! I'm tired of this "lockup" my transmission is doing. It clunks!!

Susan

Susan
Bet you are relieved to hear about your sister, it is so much better when you get to speak to them!
Susan with your car.... are the problems only when it's cold? not warmed up? Do you have auto or manual transmision? What is the make and model of your car. Where did you take it to? My DH says this is fishy..........

Betty hope your test tells you lots of good info so you can fix this awful feeling!
My Dad has nitro and he say's it's amazing.
Carol I can just see you with all those "kids" I bet they were very cute!

Our weather finally cleared up and now it's a bit cooler but not bad at all. Here comes spring!! YaHoo.
Ann

Had about 3 or 4" of snow last evening, plowman just left..snowmobilers should be happy getting a snow base providing that is it doesn't melt..cool but clear...

Hemming pants this morning, needed smaller size and have just been too lazy to take on the task..as I don't have to be to Orillia Hospital until 11 I don't have to leave until 10 so gives me plenty of time..

Wasn't going to go into work after the tests but because I have to take next Wednesday morning off for the specialist thought I'd better head in..1/2 day is better than no day..

Enjoy your day

I'm goin out on a limb here .. have had NO SNOW for quite some time now .. the XCountry ski trails (they are ours) are pretty bumpy to go on .. took Lilly for a walk on the deer trails yesterday as it was too beautiful not to be outside.

Have created quite a stir here since my letter to the editor regarding my denial of the Northern Health Travel Grant was published yesterday. Today I submitted a complaint with the Ombudsman. I SO dislike being treated in a demeaning way !!

Taking my car in to have a wee paint touch up inside the trunk. Noticed a splotch (size of a nail head) .. Toyota freaked .. so .. I will be given a rental car while 'Lolla' gets her 'lift' .. gotta tell ya .. I get MORE than a bit nervous when in a rental .. always feel so clued out .. long as I know where the signals and windsheild wipers are.

Hope you appt goes well Betty ..

All the best to everyone

~M~

If you would like to check out our new fosters go to www.albertasheltierescue.petfinder.com
The dogs all look pretty stressed because they had not idea what was going on!
This is Sterling aka Silver

T

OH MY GOSH .. I would LOVE to adopt Willow .. all the dogs look so 'adoptable .. good luck with finding them loving homes Carol


~M~

Ann - automatic transmission - Chevy Cobalt LS, 2007, only happens when it's cold. Once car is warmed up it shifts beautifully. Oil man/manager said I should push shift forward, jiggle it, then press button, and shift gears. Said it was coincidence that it happened just when I got oil change, etc.
I said maybe somethings wearing and should take it to a mechanic. He said not to waste $$ cuz mechanic may not find anything (likely only happens when engine cools, and cable contracts, but expands when engine is warm).

Only a problem when trying to shift out of Park. It sounds like it's grinding/clicking.
I didn't have a problem this am when I shifted the way he suggested. It did grind a touch...... but only when it's cold. btw - it's only -4, so if it were colder outside I guess it would be worse. by cold I mean that the engine was not warmed up.........
Is your DH a mechanic?

~Susan~

Sure hope Susan you get your vehicle problems sorted out..nothing worse than driving not knowing if you'll make it to your destination or make it and not know if it will start...

It's cold today, we've had about 3 or 4" of snow yesterday, just enough that it had to be plowed..sky is blue, nice for driving...

Came to work after my test this morning, saving my time for next week's specialist appt. .. got there and didn't have time to take off my coat and it was my turn, that's always nice..brought some crochet work and it didn't make it out of the bag..interesting to see your heart pumping, colors of blood flow and hearing the beat...at least it's beating right? no reason to alarm myself..you could hear a constant same beat as it pumped...talk about technology ...

"M" hope after reading the non payment of claim letter that something will come of it and you will get refunded...wow..already rust in that new car of yours???

Yep .. a very tiny 'spot' of rust inside the channel your trunk fits into when it shuts. I have to say .. the dealer about flipped as did the mechanic who thought it was nothing but dirt until he REALLY looked at it. So .. I am driving a Nissan Versa right now .. WHY oh WHY would Toyota rent me a NISSAN ?? This little car is AWESOME .. Lorna sits more comfortable, tons of room for her walker .. lotsa ZIP .. am starting to think I just might go and have a peek at one ..

Gotta admit .. medical technology has grown and advanced by leaps and bounds Betty .. kinda scary sometimes .. but .. 'most' of the technicians who run these machines etc. are very understanding .. but some are so blase ..

Waiting on the snow .. none predicted, but, it sure looks like it is gonna do something ..

~M~

Marilyn - I also have a "Versa" and I love it to bits ! My husband works for Nissan so I very rarely recommend cars to anyone as what works for me might not work for them. I find it very "zippy" and pretty good for gas (not fantastic but good) but mostly it feels very spacious because of the head room, not like a compact car at all.
Heather
P.S. I am going to be rotten and tell everyone that we have daffodils in bloom at my workplace !

This message was edited Jan 20, 2010 2:25 PM

Marilyn what newspaper has your letter posted?

Never mind I found it. Good for you. Hope it helps you!

This message was edited Jan 20, 2010 3:46 PM

Heather .. I looked at the Versa when the fella pulled up to the Toyota dealership in it .. and I thought .. 'Oh Oh' .. might not get Lorna and the walker in there. What an amazing amount of room inside ~~ this one is a hatchback ..have looked'em up online and I do think I might just go and have a peek at what they have here in Thunder Bay.

DAFFODILS !! I could be facetious and say 'in a pot', but I KNOW that would be incorrect .. ENJOY them, one of my favourite blooms :-)

Carol .. I have made myself known in the political field here. Have not as yet heard from the Ontario Ombudsman, but then the form for that dept is rather lengthy. NEITHER of our MPPs has bothered to contact me, and I find that hard to swallow, and yet, almost every morning when I open the paper, one of them, if not both, have their photos plastered in it doing PR work .. kissin babies and pattin doggies ~~

Wishing you all the best today Carol .. re your surgery ... travel safe ..

Cleaning out ( or attempting to ) the ' CLUTTER CUPBOARD/CLOSET today ... gives me a headache just thinking about it ~~~

Take care all

~M~

Morning all...

Don't give up the fight 'M'

Closets are sooo much fun to clean..about 5 years ago early fall I purchased a beautiful 3/4 length sleeveless jacket...had moose/deer/pine trees on it..gorgeous..guess I was waiting for winter to wear it..well, found it in my closet the other day, well hidden...sometimes we get a new wardrobe out of cleaning..lol..good luck on yours..

Got to tell you all what a fantastic morning I've had...

Did you ever feel as though you are in a different dimension, different world, one only you are in...

It was soooo cold, bitter cold, icy cold this morning..cold right? lol..I decided to take the back concession, it had snowed lightly last night, powder snow, along the road and into the fields is dogwood, small bushes, trees ladden with snow, each branch frozen, sun just coming up bright as can be...all along the road it was like zillions of diamonds shinning, in a lot of cases the sun of the frozen tree and light snow made it look like mother nature had christmas lights on each and every branch...it was so breathtaking that I actually stopped and enjoyed my coffee looking at the beauty...a winter wonderland for sure...what I wouldn't have given to have had my camera with me....

I continued on my way, listened to the news and heard that it was National Hug day...did my morning stop at Tim Hortons, coffee and soup for lunch and there standing outside an elderly gentleman, knew he was friendly because as I pulled up he gave me a big smile...so as I entered I hugged him, the look on his face was priceless, said 'happy hug day to you my friend' and walked into Tim Hortons Coffee shop, he wasn't there when I came out, probably either terrified or off to hug someone..

Just had clients in the office, knew they were feeling low so started my antics ...when Paul came out of the office to get them for the appt. they were laughing away...

So that's my morning so far...

good morning, all
I just spoke to the unit nurse on the floor where my sister is. She said Alice is having a bad morning - her lungs have tightened up, and the bedside nurse is trying to help her. She has a lot of pain, and is getting meds for it.
Alice doesn't have a phone, so I can only find out through the nurses, but left a message that I called.

Susan

prayers for your sister Susan..know you are worried and rightly so...

Forgot to send you all 'hugs' after all it is National Hug Day

It is?!?! hmmmm love that - thank you, Betty ^_^ (((((((((((((((Betty)))))))))))))))

I'm not worried so much anymore - I wish she didn't have the pain she's having, but as she just had major chest surgery she's bound to, every time she breathes. I wish I could take the pain away, but they're giving her pain meds, and looking after her as best they can. Alice is a good patient, too, so that helps. She will do what needs to be done, but it's going to be hard on her.

Susan

Let's hope Susan the meds start to work quickly...being a good patient and having a positive attitude goes far in healing quickly...I am a TERRIBLE patient..think it comes from spending almost 11 months in a 2 year period in the hospital...patient from hell I am!

Susan .. prayers for your sis and you .. days2 & 3 post op are NEVER good days .. but .. the wide range of drugs available for pain control are awesome ..

Betty, so glad you stopped to enjoy the glittering branches .. a sight to behold AND remember ..

The closet/cupboard cleaning is on HOLD .. opened the door and thought I should have the plastic storage bins BEFORE I do it ..

Doing some research on Manuka Honey .. a colleague thinks it might be good to use on Lorna's tape burn as opposed to the transparent dressing that is used now .. has anyone heard of it ... here's a link ..
http://manukahoney.com/

HUG DAY is everyday if your a little doggie name Lilly LoL

manuka honey - nope, never heard of it, but if it's name is reaching the States from New Zealand, it sounds quite popular.

Haven't heard of it either...was she allergic to the tape to create such burns??? old age, I forgot if you mentioned it!!

Susan
Susan I am keeping you and Alice in my prayers.
I will tell DH the info you have shared. We have a shop that builds race car engines so he knows some things about cars...... I'll let you know if he can help.
Carol I wish a safe trip with an easy time for you. That website is amazing , I was on it for 45 minutes and had to force myself off it.
Betty, it is really cool watching your own mechanics working!
M- keeping my fingers crossed with the system challenge.

We are getting some more snow today, just a skiff but enough to make it slippery out there. Of course I washed my car yesterday thinking I could keep it clean for a bit..LOL
The torch went through Sprinbank yesterday and my folks attended. They had a wonderful time and felt spoiled by being treated as VIP's, my Dad says the lady who organized the doo did an amazing job! He was very impressed and made sure to let her know.
Bye for now
Ann

Re the 'tape issue' .. I may not have mentioned it as it has been a 'bone of contention' since the OOPSIE occurred ..
Post op ?someone? in the OR put WATERPROOF tape around the top of Lorna's dressing .. like stuck to her thigh .. after 4 days, and a fair amount of tissue swelling, the dressing was due to come off .. well .. and I shudder when I say this ..the NURSE pulled the tape off with not even checking to see how STUCK on it was .. sound like an old bag here, but, an experienced nurse would have known how STUCK waterproof tape gets .. when it was pulled off quickly .. it caused MAJOR damage .. that was Oct. 28 !!! We are still dealing with the healing !!!! But .. it is coming along nicely .. just not fast enough for Lorna .. once that 'boo boo' heals .. REHAB here we come !!

Gonna wait a bit on the Manuka honey though ... need way more info .. not a big fan of going backwards ..

Gosh Susan ... I so hope you get that car deal figured out .. I told the Toyota dealer today when I went to pick up my car, how MUCH I liked the Nissan rental .. they took it with a grain of salt .. still think I am gonna give the Versa a look with the options I would want ..

Trying hard to snow here ... let it snow, let it snow, let it snow LoL

Hugs to all

~M~

"M" Ohhhhh I can hear with your words how much that must have hurt! How awful for Lorna! I have a tape allergy and have a nasty rash after a short time with a bandaid so I can't even imagine a waterproof on for that long, YIKES!
What a strong woman she is.
Picked up a couple of new Angle fish today as our "old Lady" Angel pass on to the ocean in the sky after 6 yrs recently. The two new youngsters are finding there sea legs in our tank and i'm sure they will settle in easily. They are the biggest guys in there with out any aggressive fish to worry about.
It is snowing a bit right now but it's not blowing so that is nice.
Ann

Hello all - I know I haven't been posting often (just a lot when I do LOL), but once the Robbie Burns dinner is finished on Saturday things will bet back to normal.

I made 5 doz chocolate covered cherries on Tues, and 6 doz oat cakes on Wed (now have 12 doz for the RB dinner on Saturday).
We have a committee to go over some songs for our new Choir Director to learn. Our previous Choir director has retired, and this new lady doesn't know Any hymns (doesn't attend church) but is great at sight reading music. So, obvously she doesn't know the church calendar and what music is appropriate for which season of the church. I'm feeling a little "green" at this, but one has to start somewhere, right? ^_^
Tomorrow night we're doing the setup for the RB dinner (and peeling veg) so hope we can get the wall holders for the broadswords ready..... At least they're having it on a Saturday so we working folk can be there to help setup beforehand.

Anyways, I be one busy gal!

Ann - if you DH has ideas on my car, I'm certainly open to them! Just as long as the engine warms up, the gear shift can unfreeze from Park. If there's nothing gunking anything up, I'm at a loss - waiting for summer LOL no more problem, eh?!?!

Well, time to do some scanning/emailing of music to the rest of the committee - chat atcha later (then I go to SLEEP! lol)

♫♪~§usan~♪♫

Exciting isn't it...Friday, all looking forward to a relaxing weekend or are we????

Wouldn't mind tasting some of those sweets Susan, sound yummy, bet they are for the valentines day swap right?

"M" how terrible about the tape..Suzanne and I were talking yesterday and she was telling me about her episode of being allergic to tape...

Finished the afghan for Suzanne, couldn't wait to give it to her next weekend on her birthday, she said she was going to spend a few relaxing days on the chesterfield so thought I'd best give it to her now...she was thrilled...

Not going to relax too much here as I have started the ASSAULT on the closet/cupboard .. got 2 shelves done today .. lotsa pictures sorted and tossed .. hate to toss;em .. but really .. no one has looked at these pics since 1985 .. the ducks, moose, trees, flowers , clouds, fish and animals are long since gone .. years ago I pulled the most important pics out and set them in albums (remember photo ALBUMS) LoL
Am giving away nursing textbooks (remember TEXTBOOKS) that cost me MEGA bux 15+ years ago .. sometimes I feel the insidious kidnapping of our simple skills learned from parents and teachers, by computers .. I can never stop it .. but it actually hurts to give up thses texts ... ahh well .. that IS life.

Betty .. so glad Suzanne loved the afghan .. they really are quite an indispensible thing when you just want to have a time out and have a wee zee ^_^

Susan .. too bad the 25th hadn't fallen on the weekend .. enjoy your celebration for Robbie Burns .. sounds as though there will be LOTS of good food to munch on :-)

Have had Carol in my thoughts and prayers today .. hope she is doing well ..

The dishwasher hasn't quite learned how to empty itself .. so .. I best complete that task before bedtime ..

Have a marvelous weekend .. hoping Linda doesn;t arrive back in San Diego from Mexico and find it washed away from the storms in that neck of the woods !!!!

~M~

Morning all...

Great going "M" even though much are treasures what in the world are we thinking, storing them for decades without even glancing at them...get your camera, take a photo -next best thing to having the items, then find a good home for them or trash...odd part is, takes only a few months to fill those shelves and closets up again//packrats we are....

It's bitter cold out there, just turned on 2 fireplaces, going to get comfy..got a lot of sewing to get done today, going to stay in my jammies and just play..now watch if I don't get company all day...maybe I'll stay in the basement and pretend I'm not home...nah/wouldn't do that...alternate to doing that would be put them at a sewing machine..lol..

Hope Linda had great weather, not the best anywhere else...she'd be so disappointed..

Well, best I not stay here much longer and lose my energy burst..got up extra early just to get a head start on the day..

Enjoy yours...

g'morning all!
hope you're having either a quiet, or productive w/e - whatever you want, is what I wish.

I got a great honour today - from the "Rumors about Dave's Garden" site. GardenGuyKin created this pic, and I'm On It! holy cow!

♫♪~§usan~♪♫

Took a bit of looking but .. I found it ^_^
SO .. what's the RUMOR :-)

Went to see Lorna's boss today .. he is giving up his apt and was giving things away .. knowing my love of Dragonflies he wanted me to have a painting he has that includes many Dragon flies .. it's a beauty.
Tim, the boss, is terminal now. Both he and Lorna were stricken with their 'life emergencies' at the same time .. since they are hard and fast friends, it has been tough.

Mark this day on a calender .. I just BEAT Lorna at cards !!!! It'll all be down hill from here for me LoL.

Off to watch some curling

Gonna have wicked bad weather here over the next 24hrs .. FREEZING RAIN .. gotta hate it !!!

~M~