Weekly Chat Thread July 17th - 23rd

[staytuned]

Good morning, everyone! Just realized I had end of last weeks' thread wrong day so will correct that.  Thankful our weather's not as bad as other parts of the country. I like to check webcams around the country (and places around the world) and Las Vegas at 7:30pm last night was 115.  Death Valley 124. The difference is at least in Las Vegas there are plenty of places to pop in to cool down. Death Valley is plain miserable from start to finish. We'll never forget being there when it was 114 and closed cooler still evaporated every drop of water and ice inside. The only place to get something to eat and drink charged us $14 for literally 2 sandwiches consisting of 2 pieces of white bread with a thin slice of deli ham in between and 2 cans of Coke. And this was back in the 1980s.  Even Myrtle Beach area is under heat advisory with temps feeling like 105-107 this week.  Nice when you can stay in a/c or cool off in ocean or pool, but that dry sand is like walking on hot coals barefoot. All we have to worry about is smoke is back from Canada which I could see north but didn't get bad here. Hope everyone has a tolerable day!

[labbypaws]

We have smoke here. It is hot. Had training 7:30-10:30 this morning. Just got home long enough to let the dogs out, shower and change and head back into work🤬

[val2525]

Sunny and 102 forecast for here today. Heat advisories are out, although why someone can't figure out on their own that 102 degrees is HOT and to drink water is beyond me. Whatever. Looks like we'll be hovering between 100-102 for the rest of the week. It's a lot hotter in AZ - pretty much the whole state has a heat advisory. I guess my 102 doesn't look at that bad after all I've started closing the window blinds around 4:00 when it starts getting really hot and that seems to help in most of the apartment, but not so much in my office. I guess becauase it's the one room with two large exterior walls maybe? I have a ceiling fan in both bedrooms so it's not bad.

New cat tower from Chewy's is arriving today. A good thing, too, because I think Twila and Simon are annoyed with me for getting rid of the old towers and the papasan chair and not having immediate replacements handy. Simon just gives me a sad look, and Twila curls up to sleep in a corner and tries to look pitiful. I'm not falling for it though. Those two have 2 other cat trees, including one that is large enough for them to snuggle together and the perfect height to look out the office window. Plus they have cat beds all over the house, including beds a single cat has claimed and beds they all share. And they have one replacement tower that is now in the living room.   I'm still working on the papasan chair replacement though, since the replacement chair ended up being a little kids chair that was almost too small for Simon (so forget it working for Trixie or Simon and Twila together)

[val2525]

Well, Simon likes the new cat tower.







He usually checks everything out first, then Twila will, and eventually (if she feels like it) Trixie will check it out. Not this time. Simon hogged the top shelf for about an hour & a half and wouldn't let anyone up on the top shelf until he was ready to get down 

[val2525]

Looks like the newest cat tower has received the highly coveted "Two Paws Up" award.

[val2525]

Official forecast here is 102 but it's only 97 right now so I'm not sure if we'll hit the forecast or not. The A/C at the office went out yesterday, thank goodness the staff are mostly remote and the office admin can work from home too. It's still out today. Office is in ABQ and I think their forecast is 103 today.

[kritter]

Official forecast here is 102 but it's only 97 right now so I'm not sure if we'll hit the forecast or not.

At 3:48 KSAT is showing the current temp at 103 so looks like we made it with one degree to spare.

Some of my plants are leafless as the sun has burned the leaves off.  Plant looks to still be alive but no leaves.

[val2525]

Trees here are still pretty green but what little grass is in this complex is pretty much fried. I'm glad I have a north exposure. I'd hate to see the power bill for the apartments facing west

[kritter]

If this is a sign of things to come, next year I am only planting those thorny azz bouganvillea. My bouganvillea are doing fine along with some of my established lantana, salvia, and esparanza. Every thing else is struggling.

[denise15601]

I don't envy you ladies! We get up to about 80-90 and humid and smokey. And we had real rain yesterday!!!

[val2525]

I suppose we can't complain too much. We did get a lot of needed rain in May, and June temps weren't all that bad.

[kritter]

I would rather have our weather here than snow everywhere and freezing temps for months or even days at a time.  No grousing about the heat from me.

[val2525]

www.supermarketnews.com/retail-financial/h-e-b-named-food-wine-s-best-supermarket-us


H-E-B has grabbed the top spot in a Food & Wine listicle highlighting the top supermarkets in the U.S.

Food & Wine said it was impressed with the San Antonio, Texas, retailer’s wide range of private label, the store’s curbside service and the in-store tortillerias.


The HEB Keto products are really good, especially the multigrain bread and flour tortillas.


This didn't surprise me at all:

Notably absent from the list? Kroger, Whole Foods, and Walmart.


Whole Foods has cut back on offerings and often the produce is in bad shape. I don't even bother shopping there any more. WF has really gone downhill since Bezos bought it. IMO anyway.

Sunny, hot and muggy here today. I have to venter out later and run some errands. Thank goodness all cars now come with A/C! I vaguely remember the days when A/C was an optional purchase. Like on my very first car maybe?

[Shirley U Geste]

My first car had 4-60 AC.

Roll down all 4 windows & drive 60mph to get air moving.

110 predicted for here today. I got up at 6 so I could get everything watered before the heat hit.  I'll go back out at 8pm & water again, even the well established shrubs are stressed in this heat & I don't want to lose them.

[staytuned]

When I worked at the NAPA warehouse, there was no a/c in the warehouse part and you could add at least 10 degrees to upper floor than what thermometers read underneath. We didn't have them top floor because they maxed at 100 or 105 and liquid was at the top. It would literally feel like working in a toaster oven. No a/c in my car and the old "2/40" (2 windows down at 40mph) didn't work because it was just hot, muggy air blowing on you. I have no idea how I survived 11 1/2 years in summers like that. As soon as I got home and the door closed behind me, I would peel off my sweat soaked clothing and lie down for 15=20 minutes in tub of cool water.

Wish we had HEB stores here. I plan grocery trips mostly on what's on sale. Local store, though no longer IGA, still has good markdowns if you're lucky enough to snag them. The other stores are "o.k.", nothing to whoo hoo about.

[denise15601]

I like to hit my remote as I approach my car in the parking lot, so that the windows go down to let some hot air escape.

I did that last week at WM, and when I got to my car, a scruffy-looking man was standing beside my car and looking inside. Perhaps he thought that it was an invitation to steal the few things in there...until I got to my car.

You guys are tough in this heat! If I didn't have so much yard work to do, life would be easier and cooler. The gardening is my choice, though. The grass and weeding I could do without.

[staytuned]

Speaking of tough folks:

news.yahoo.com/delta-passengers-flight-attendants-fall-184449580.html

[staytuned]

I know this probably sounds petty, but it gets really frustrating when you go on vacation and people "stake their claim" setting up a huge canopy tent and chairs on the beach and/or putting beach towels over chaises/chairs on pool deck early in the morning and then leave for hours. Seemed there was the same people a few years in a row at the place we stayed at that would set up a large canopy tent on the beach and 4 chairs in a prime spot in the morning and not show up until around 4pm and only stay 20 minutes before packing up, then do the same thing all week. I've also seen beach towels over every chaise, chair and tables with nobody anywhere to be seen until later in the afternoon if at all. It's rude, inconsiderate and frustrating to other guests who want to use pool or hot tub and have nowhere to put things or sit. It really made me chuckle to read this as I think a lot of people can relate:

viewfromthewing.com/resort-guest-takes-revenge-on-everyone-saving-beach-chairs-at-8-a-m-not-showing-up-until-noon/

[jesmelric]

Hello, hope everyone is managing well in this heat. We are expected to go back to "normal hot" for 4 days then another "heat dome".

Well, mom has had another heart attack I guess it's not a surprise. When she had one in September they said there's probably blockage. But there's inherent risks in the dye test and in the procedure at mom's age. Plus mom is cognizant enough to decide for herself and she says she doesn't want any invasive tests or procedures. She said she's 84 and when it's her time to go she's ready. However this time the heart attack did cause some damage. And a couple of days after (and after not really eating) she was too weak to get up and ambulate. So now she's depressed because she doesn't want to be bedridden. They have sent her back to the facility and put her on physical therapy and the doctor said it's possible she could regain some mobility. The place she's at is really good to her and they are encouraging her to eat and do the PT so I guess time will tell. Any prayers are appreciated. And even if she regains mobility the dr did say she will eventually have another heart attack because she doesn't want invasive treatment.

And speaking of prayers, DS has an important job interview today at 3 CST, which would be SUCH a good thing for him, so any prayers are appreciated for that, too. 

Sorry to be so needy Otherwise I am really happy we finished redoing the bathroom shower stall, I'll have to post some pictures soon. And DH is super happy to be able to take a shower again instead of a bath lol.

Sunday we are doing the bins again. I think I am getting oddly addicted to them Saturday is a bath for Janey, which she will hate. Next weekend I am keeping youngest DD's pup when she takes a work trip to Baton Rouge. Her pup is good, but he's got small dog syndrome and can be a pain in the butt around Janey, so it might be a long weekend. But before she comes we have an annual church rummage sale I am looking forward to, too.

They are supposed to come about my dishwasher tomorrow. I don't know if it's to "diagnose" or repair or what, but I have to stay home for my window of 8 am to 4 pm! And I am a lousy dishwasher by hand, I sure hope it gets fixed.

 

[val2525]

((((jes)))) sorry about your mom. I hope she listens to the staff and starts eating and doing her PT. Worst thing for adults that age is to lie around not moving. Fingers crossed for her and DH job interview. Can't wait to see the before/after bathroom pics!

It's a really pretty (and hot) day here today. Sunny with blue skies - no clouds anywhere. Or at least none I can see from my office window  

The latest cat tree has even been approved by Trixie.   She normally just uses them to scratch, never to sleep in. But I caught her the other day in the lower round level, all comfy and watching out the window. I may need to get a second one.  Kritter, you might want one for your crew too. 

[kritter]

Kritter, you might want one for your crew too.

I have more cat furniture that people furniture.  I have been looking for a new couch but I can't find anything thta I like and would also work for cats.

[staytuned]

Prayers sent for your mom and DS, jesmelric. I'm so sorry about the second heart attack but she'll have to weigh having invasive tests//treatment vs. becoming bedridden and another heart attack imminent. She really has more to gain so hoping she goes for the tests this time.

Also looking forward to seeing before/after pics of the bathroom. Don't blame DH preferring a shower. Let us know how it goes for DS and his interview.

[val2525]

Jul 20, 2023 18:41:36 GMT kritter said:

I have more cat furniture that people furniture.  I have been looking for a new couch but I can't find anything thta I like and would also work for cats.

That's why I got a futon instead of a sofa. No fabric for the cats to destroy. The futons come in a huge selection of wood tones and arm styles. You should check them out. I tossed the crappy futon cushion though and bought two 5" thick, long heavy density cushions (they fit in the futon cover perfectly). They're also more comfortable if you use the futon for seating.

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07S4F686V/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[kritter]

Do those cushions sit on top of each other on the futon cover? I was looking at the futons but they seem to sit so low. I should have looked at yours when I was over there.

I just rolled my monster old exercise bike out the back door and am keeping your bike. Mine is a recumbent bike and it is big and heavy. I like your bike a lot better. I told Angie about your bike if she wanted it and just now told her I was keeping it.

[val2525]

Do those cushions sit on top of each other on the futon cover?


Yes. The bottom edge of the back cushion sits on the top of the bottom cushion, like a regular chair or sofa cushion would do. No more crumbling, squishing up and sliding off like the stupid futon mattress did You can also remove the covers and toss them in the wash. I have two, same pattern, so I can keep the cushions covered while one of the covers is in the wash. My futon seat is 19" from the ground, floor to top of bottom cushion. Average sofa is 17"-18", so it's about the same seat height as a sofa. You can go an inch or two lower by just ordering either 3" or 4" thick cushion foam, instead of the 5" that I used. Come by any time and check it out.

What I really like though is the HUGE varity of machine washable mattress covers you can get. The two foam cushions fit flat in the cover, side by side, but there is enough extra room that I can easily make the 90 degree angle after I zip up the cover and put the cushions on the futon. The other perk is the arms - you can pick from a ton of styles and that's what gives the futon its look. Traditional, midcentury modern, oriental - you name it. I went for a lattice look in white, for a more beachy/garden vibe, but you can get pretty much any stain of wood you want. My old one from years and years ago was sort of a medium tone pecan stain with mission style arms.

[val2525]

Speaking of mission, you might want to look into mission style, craftsman and midcentury modern sofas. They often have wood slat bottoms and backs with the cushions sitting on that. Makes it hard for cats to find anything to scratch, and there are easy fixes if for some reason one of the cats wants to scratch the hard wood.

[Desire]

I have to give all you way-down-south people so much credit with this heat situation. We have had tremendous rain here but very high humidity and when the sun breaks through several times a day, it is so strong and scorching hot. Although nothing like you are having, but very hot for us up here. Today was scorching sun all day, not one tiny breeze, and so very humid. I actually was thinking about how I wish fall was coming.

I love summer but I'm dead this year.  Can't seem to move forward with outdoor projects without taking big breaks and then coming in and flopping on the couch for a half-hour or so before going back out.  All the shrubs need another trim. Too much yard work, the rain activated all our weeds like crazy.  I had it all under control a few weeks ago and now I look around and there they are, all the new weeds popped up again.

Must be old age I guess, but I don't like it, I'm usually so with it.

[denise15601]

Jes- I am so sorry about your mom. I really hope that she will start to eat again, if only Ensure or Boost. And PT is so important,too.

Good luck to your DS!

Can't wait to see pics of your new shower! I am still so thrilled with mine and especially those wonderful grab bars. Since everything in my old bathroom was 45 years old, I am listing it to re-sell as vintage. LOL.

My daughter bought a new Honda Passport yesterday and they will leave tonight for a 10-day vacation to Myrtle Beach. I will miss the fact that she is nearby if anything happens to me.

Desire-I agree! It is so hard to do my yard work anymore, especially in this heat. I paid a lot to get my landscaping redone 4 years ago since I couldn't keep up with the huge ugly shrubs. But now I have tons of weeds on top of my river rock. I usually use the vinegar, Dawn, salt stuff to kill the weeds, but I worry about using it close to my new flowering bushes. And the bushes aren't flowering well at all this summer.

[labbypaws]

Jes it sounds like your mom wants to get PT just no more tests and stuff. So she should at least like PT.

My mom had aortic stenosis and the last time I took her to the cardiologist he said she should get a new heart valve. He wanted me to make an appt for a stress EKG too. I know he was just doing his job. It was then that I made the decision to stop doing all of the “doctor appointments” and the like. So we continued with a gerontologist and that was it. It worked out for the best for my mom. Surgery would have killed her.

Denise I hope you have someone to call if you need help while she is gone.

[kritter]

I think my problem is that I really like my current couch even though it is a disgrace. It is so comfortable. Maybe I should look for one of those couch slipcovers although the ones I have looked at usually have bad reviews.