Weekly Chat Thread Jan. 30th - Feb. 5th

[jesmelric]

Hi, hope everyone is doing well. Rainy and cold here too, but thank goodness no winter mix/sleet/snow like my friend in Dallas. I'll take a pass! And yes, we will be 71 here Monday and I can't say I'm unhappy about it lol. It's been really hard getting Janie's walk in the morning, just so cold, windy, and rainy. I will have to remind myself in August that it's better to live in the south I hate running the heater so much, too. It really dries out my already dry skin but it's just been too cold and gray.

I have also noticed more of my Amazon packages are coming from USPS and are taking longer. Luckily they just leave them on the front porch so that's not an issue.

We had a nice visit here with mom Monday. We watched The Hideous Sun Demon which she didn't remember but thoroughly enjoyed. She misplaced her glasses case about 4 times, but each time it was in the inside pocket of her jacket. Then when my sister took her back she cleaned up mom's nightstand drawers and found a contraband bottle of Tylenol the boyfriend gave her. She insisted she had only taken 3 in the last week but she can't even keep up with her reading glasses so that seems unlikely. My sister had to take it from her, and told her you might take too many. I know it's not convenient but you have to ask them for Tylenol when you need it. Mom wasn't thrilled but she did understand.

I feel like I did pretty well at the VV Sunday, I'll post to the thrifting thread. We picked up burgers for lunch to have at home. Boy, it's so expensive! It's not something we do a lot, but it looks like now it will be less lol. Two cheeseburgers, one fries, one onion rings. $35.00. It's a local burger place that's very good, but wow. The Shakes were $6.99! That's the only thing that will get me to pass up a shake lol.

 

[kritter]

Kold Kritter is hoping today is the last day of winter in her neighborhood.

[sunsetpainter]

Chicago's Woodstock Willie also saw his shadow. Although the weatherpeople are all saying above normal temps for the next 2 weeks. That means 2 weeks of MUD!

[staytuned]

LOL, first I've heard of Woodstock Willie. I chuckle how we have such sophisticated equipment to predict weather, yet some people still think large rodents can predict duration of winter.

[sunsetpainter]

(Excerpt from our local NBC news)

"Weathermen in the form of rodents across the country early on Feb. 2 were awoken from their slumber to perform their annual yet crucial Groundhog Day duty: Prognosticate on the weather.
And, while Pennsylvania may look to Punxsutawney Phil for a weather prediction, the Chicago area turns to Woodstock Willie, a local, plump groundhog who lives in the far northwest suburb of Woodstock, where the famous 1993 movie "Groundhog Day" was filmed.

At approximately 7:07 a.m. Thursday, Willie emerged from his treehouse and immediately went to work in front of a crowd of supporters gathered at Woodstock Square -- precisely the same location where actor Bill Murray delivered the forecast as Phil Connors, over and over and over again.

After conferring with local Woodstock officials, the marmot, who appeared grumpy, delivered his forecast.

"Willie looked skyward to east, behind to the ground and clearly stated in groundhog-ease," declared Danny Rubin, one of the film's screenwriters as he read from a scroll, "I definitely see a shadow."
You know what that means: six more weeks of winter. For the record, Punxsutawney Phil this year said the same.

And though the groundhog's prediction may bring more colder weather, Woodstock's annual 'Groundhog Days' festival -- which features showings of the film, a talk with screenwriter Danny Rubin, movie trivia, a pub crawl, 'Groundhog Day' movie walking tours and more -- will continue through the weekend."

[kritter]

A new Dr. pepper flavor. Think I will stay with DDP Cherry.

www.ksat.com/food/2023/02/02/dr-pepper-adds-strawberries-cream-flavor-to-permanent-lineup/

SAN ANTONIO – Dr Pepper has added a new flavored soda to its permanent lineup. Fans, meet Dr Pepper Strawberries & Cream.

The new flavor will be available at stores nationwide this month, according to a news release. It will be offered in 20-ounce bottles and 12-count packs of 12-ounce cans.

Also, the Dr Pepper Strawberries & Cream Zero Sugar will be offered in 12-ounce cans.

The release states that this is the only strawberry and cream-flavored dark soda currently available.

“Our expert team of flavor scientists are constantly innovating to bring to life new varieties that will surprise and delight treat seekers and our existing dedicated fans,” John Alvarado, senior vice president of Dr Pepper Brand Marketing, said in a release. “Dr Pepper Strawberries & Cream is an exciting evolution for our brand’s flavor portfolio as it joins our permanent lineup alongside popular varieties such as Dr Pepper & Cream Soda and Dr Pepper Zero Sugar.”

[labbypaws]

Thanks Kritter. I needed to order dog biscuits. BJ's has been out of the small Milkbone (I used to buy Foster & Smith biscuits) for 2 weeks. I ordered 7 boxes (49 pounds) from Chewy. Put me over the $100. Got free shipping plus the $30 credit/certificate.

[kritter]

FedEx is going to be delivering some heavy boxes across the country. It looks like my litter is coming in 3 separate shipments. One coming tomorrow and 2 on Saturday.

[labbypaws]

Same with the dog biscuits.

[kritter]

Feb 2, 2023 22:46:27 GMT labbypaws said:

Same with the dog biscuits.

I would rather have multiple deliveries than a giant box on my front porch that I will need a forklift to move. Or unpack it on my porch and go from there.

[Shirley U Geste]

I love DDP but will take a pass on the strawberries & cream, I wasn't a fan of the DP & cream soda flavor.

[chapeaunoir]

My cousin and I went out hiking today - really nice trails at a big park in Seattle that I hadn't been to in decades.  She rode her bike over from West Seattle (which is connected to the city proper most conveniently by a bridge that gets broken on a periodic basis and throws everything into chaos) - she just rides to the West Seattle waterfront, takes the water taxi to the Seattle downtown waterfront, and rides from there to the park about 10 miles north. We actually had an unexpected sunny day today so it must have been a nice ride! Then, of course, we had to have coffee/tea (no excursion is complete here without proper caffeination lol).  We climbed high enough onto the bridge for territorial views of the Sound and over to the Olympic Mountains on the peninsula. There's something very peaceful about looking over the water.

Clouds and rain moving in again, so we took good advantage.

[labbypaws]

Frozen tundra today. Temps dropping. Got out early to scoop the yard.

Going to start the carpet shortly. Half hoping hubby doesn’t get a fire investigation so he can help me. I may not move the furniture this time. Not sure.

Have 1/2 of the living room, stairs and landing left.  Not sure I am going to do the stairs though.

[Dawn R]

It is cold here. Not feeling like getting off the couch, but I must. I have done some work this morning. I have a ton of errands to do today and I just don't want to do them.

[staytuned]

There's something very peaceful about looking over the water.

That's why we make our yearly pilgrimage to Myrtle Beach. It's like a peaceful "high" to sit on the beach watching and listening to the waves come ashore, breathe in ocean air and squish toes in the soft, white sand. I check a few MB webcams every morning to watch the views of the Atlantic. Ahhhhhh, so calming.

Currently 13 degrees with 14 mph winds making it feel like -2.  I was planning to hibernate, but car insurance bill finally came yesterday, due the 11th so have to drop check in the mail today and hope they get it in time. They usually give us a month. Last month, instead of enclosing the bill, I got 4 pages of what I call "justification" for jacking up our rates (and you really had to look to find the new price and "this is not a bill"), then wait for the actual notice to show up.  Same thing happened to DH.  We got our rent bill in the mail yesterday that was due the day before. Fortunately, we can see it online so printed out a copy and paid on time.  So, might as well bundle up and go to the P.O. to make sure it at least starts its journey today. It will definitely make me feel grateful for heat when I get back.

[labbypaws]

Can’t you log in and pay it online? I log into almost all my accounts and pay them on each website. My car and homeowners get deducted on the due date. Those two are my only automatic deduction bills. I can pay Prudential on Wells Fargo and they get it within 2 days. PECO I think is a day or two.

The biggest gripe I have is The Standard. I can’t pay online. I have to mail a check or have WF send it.

[kritter]

Feb 3, 2023 2:32:03 GMT Shirley U Geste said:

I love DDP but will take a pass on the strawberries & cream, I wasn't a fan of the DP & cream soda flavor.

We have that cream soda combo in my store but I was never tempted to give it a try. 

The Strawberry & Cream Tic Tacs are horrible so I am not giving any push to the DP Strawberry & Cream.  It may be a tasty flavor in ice cream but best left there.

[staytuned]

Nope, can't pay online, have to snail mail check. Boy, did the apartment feel nice and warm as soon as I got home and opened the door. It's freezing enough and the arctic wind blasts were plain miserable. Go glad to be able to stay in the rest of the day.

[frakinfashion]

Well, it's been interesting here. Yesterday, psychopoodle Frankie when in for a teeth cleaning. She's already lost quite a few and has some periodontal problems apparently. Good news, she did fine with the anesthesia. Bad news--- had 14 teeth extracted (I didn't even know dogs had 14 teeth. It's 42 apparently) to the tune of $2,385. Yes, much more than I've ever spent on my own teeth!!!!! I was so worried about her. Dreamed last night about living in what looked like war torn Ukraine, trying to take off in a small plane with the wreckage of others around us. Miraculously, she doesn't appear to be in pain so I may lay off the codeine the vet gave me. (Or maybe I should take it myself). It will take weeks to heal fully. Bone scraping, sutures. What a horrifying mess. She seems fine; I'm a wreck.

[staytuned]

Awww, poor Frankie (and you having to deal with the expense and aftercare).

[denise15601]

((((Frankie and Frakin)))

[labbypaws]

Feb 3, 2023 17:41:12 GMT frakinfashion said:

Well, it's been interesting here. Yesterday, psychopoodle Frankie when in for a teeth cleaning. She's already lost quite a few and has some periodontal problems apparently. Good news, she did fine with the anesthesia. Bad news--- had 14 teeth extracted (I didn't even know dogs had 14 teeth. It's 42 apparently) to the tune of $2,385. Yes, much more than I've ever spent on my own teeth!!!!! I was so worried about her. Dreamed last night about living in what looked like war torn Ukraine, trying to take off in a small plane with the wreckage of others around us. Miraculously, she doesn't appear to be in pain so I may lay off the codeine the vet gave me. (Or maybe I should take it myself). It will take weeks to heal fully. Bone scraping, sutures. What a horrifying mess. She seems fine; I'm a wreck.

My chocolate lab had 8 pulled.  He eats a bit slower.  I have one more I want to take for cleaning.

[val2525]

(((frakin & Frankie)))

Hootie had a very expensive dental episode. The removed all but his 2 pointer fang teeth. He did fine.

[val2525]

Been in the hospital since Wednesday. It's north of me so it got hit with ice it was really pretty, all the ice on the trees. You could hear the ice cycles falling off the power lines. EMS tech who brought me in told the ER staff they needed to go move their cars if they were parked under any power lines

Had a cardioversion today. I had to gargle lidocaine before the CV. The nurse warned me that the liquid was vile and probably the worst thing I'll ever taste. Gargled as instructed. Told the nurse I have tasted something worse...the time I accidentally brushed my teeth with bengay.

I woke up right after they removed the scope tube. I remember asking the doc if we were done. The look on her face was priceless.
Apparently I wasn't supposed to wake up

They then gave me more drugs. Followed by the heart shock that I was supposed to be asleep for. It woke me up rudely and I've been told I dropped the F bomb. Oops. Nurses were highly entertained.

All is now well and I should be going home tomorrow.

[kritter]

My Dori had all her teeth pulled years ago because of dental issues and she eats fine. In fact, she eats way too "fine" and needs some diet restrictions.

[denise15601]

(((Val))) Wow! I am glad that all went well, but it sure didn't sound like a fun time. However, your account of the procedure was entertaining.

[kritter]

All is now well and I should be going home tomorrow.

OMG, Val, I hope you are OK now.  I can drive now so I can go check on the cats.  Call me if you need me to come over.

[staytuned]

(((Val))), I wondered why you hadn't posted but figured you were busy catching up on work. Glad everything went well and hope you'll be fine for a looooooooong time.

[Dawn R]

(((((((((((((((VAL)))))))))))))))))

Cardioversion is VERY painful! Every patient I have ever converted said it was the most painful thing they have felt. I hope you are doing well and will be home soon.

[labbypaws]

Val, glad you are ok.

Which cardiac rhythm do you get?