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Post by Emerald_Door on Mar 24, 2024 11:26:08 GMT
What are your creative captions for this photo of puffins?
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Post by sunsetpainter on Mar 24, 2024 16:00:00 GMT
"Dude! The buffet was for everyone!"
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Post by denise15601 on Mar 24, 2024 16:33:37 GMT
You going to share?
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val2525
Chaos Manager
Posts: 30,766
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Post by val2525 on Mar 24, 2024 19:39:30 GMT
Fred, you KNOW I hate sardines on the pizza!
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Post by chapeaunoir on Mar 24, 2024 21:05:01 GMT
"You always were a hog!" I wasn't going to do the 10k up north today due to struggling with tendinitis in my right hip (from kind of a whack hike at the beginning of the month), but my running friend emailed me and asked if I wanted to carpool (he would drive). I decided to go anyway and trust to luck and my general hardihood. I was slow and on the struggle bus toward the end because I haven't really been able to run much all month, but I must have run fast enough to make up for all the walking I had to do as I was shocked to place. Often age categories don't get prizes, they're awarded first, second and third overall (though we got pies once) so I was excited to get this. I burbled away at the race organisers about being excited, too - fortunately I think they're used to people drunk on endorphins, or at least humble people like myself who are grateful sorts and actually don't expect anything. My friend came in 3rd in his category in the half marathon (he's also a grateful sort who doesn't expect anything so he was burbling as well). At one point when I passed the three mile mark and realised I'd probably make it, we were going over a bridge where one could see the harbour to the right, the clouds parted and two hawks swooped out into the brief sunlight. I thought "Yeah, this is a good day."
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val2525
Chaos Manager
Posts: 30,766
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Post by val2525 on Mar 24, 2024 22:20:59 GMT
Way to go Chap! Looks like Walmart checkout is down. I went to a couple of site detector websites to check and there are reports of WM website issues today. So others are having the same issue. Guess I'll try later tonight to place my order, or first thing tomorrow morning.
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Post by denise15601 on Mar 24, 2024 22:41:42 GMT
Be still my heart! Looks like we will have at least 4 days with temps over freezing. I plan to remove the sheets from my shrubs tomorrow morning.
@chap- Way to go! You amaze me.
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Post by Emerald_Door on Mar 24, 2024 22:44:11 GMT
"I thought you were vegan."
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Post by labbypaws on Mar 24, 2024 23:27:49 GMT
Chap, hope you are on the way to healing. I can tell you one thing. Don't overdue it with anti-inflammatories. I was taking aleve (Podiatrist put me on it) for my PF and it actually got worse. Once I stopped, the pain went away.
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Post by chapeaunoir on Mar 24, 2024 23:46:26 GMT
Chap, hope you are on the way to healing. I can tell you one thing. Don't overdue it with anti-inflammatories. I was taking aleve (Podiatrist put me on it) for my PF and it actually got worse. Once I stopped, the pain went away. That's really interesting that happened. I also have a thing that happens - I rarely take anti-inflammatories, but when I do they actually stop working after three days - their effectiveness actually just stops. It must be how the body metabolises them. I'm taking some today and probably a little tomorrow, and after that just keep the joint moving (pedal easy on the spin bike) and use ice and liniment. I definitely believe in topical treatment and ice. I had PF once and nothing worked - I finally got rid of it by walking barefoot around the house (along with the stretches and exercises that were prescribed). Glad yours is gone! That look on the fish-less Puffin's face is so funny and the other with the beak stuffed full!
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Post by denise15601 on Mar 25, 2024 0:36:19 GMT
Health care....I have been reading this for 20 years online on my BC groups and now am PMing some ladies from Canada and one from Italy. Although foreign health care is free or low-cost, the care is nothing like what we have here in the US. There are long waits for appointments, second opinions are non-existant. And the chemo options are nothing like what we have. A lot of Canadian ladies do come to the US for help. Granted that we are paying through the nose for our care, but we have choices.
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val2525
Chaos Manager
Posts: 30,766
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Post by val2525 on Mar 25, 2024 2:47:11 GMT
Sounds like nothing has changed from the last time you posted that, Denise. That's good for us, I suppose, but sucks for other countries. Although we have an accounting client who moved to the UK and he likes the health care system there. We pay thru the nose thanks to excessive drug advertising. The US is only one of 3 countries I think it that actually allows prescription drugs to be advertised. No advertising - lower drug costs.
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Post by frakinfashion on Mar 25, 2024 14:38:47 GMT
Drug prices were way higher here even before advertising, Val. The reason is that our government lets the pharma companies charge whatever they want whereas the other countries negotiate and restrict how much they can charge. We are paying a premium that supports the whole world while keeping pharma profits high. That's why pharma resists Medicare negotiating prices so de$perately as it will be the beginning of the end. If we could take the money out of politics we'd pay less but we consider companies to be people with free speech for their fat bank accounts. Full disclosure: I used to work for the evil empire doing advertising. It's but a drop in a very large bucket.
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Post by denise15601 on Mar 25, 2024 14:40:11 GMT
oops, not sure when I posted this last. My current patient-friend has a 3-year-old son, is only 40 and unable to find an oncologist to give her treatment for her BC that has spread to her liver and brain.
Granted that the drug prices are ridiculous, but the fact that a patient is unable to find an oncologist is heart-breaking.
Some of our current chemos are free from the companies if the chemo centers apply for the "coupon". My pills are normally $8,500 for 3 weeks worth, but are free to everyone that I know, regardless of income.
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kritter
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When we lose sight of how we treat animals, we tend to lose sight of our humanity
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Post by kritter on Mar 25, 2024 15:32:22 GMT
I don't take any people prescription drugs but I order any of my cat "prescription required" drugs from Canada or Australia because they not only are cheaper but I don't need a prescription.
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val2525
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Posts: 30,766
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Post by val2525 on Mar 25, 2024 16:07:05 GMT
Mostly sunny, high 70s and breezy here today.
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kritter
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When we lose sight of how we treat animals, we tend to lose sight of our humanity
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Post by kritter on Mar 25, 2024 16:20:00 GMT
Celebrating National Pecan Day
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kritter
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When we lose sight of how we treat animals, we tend to lose sight of our humanity
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Post by kritter on Mar 25, 2024 16:29:33 GMT
Speaking of pecans, we have a lively debate going on our local NextDoor. A guy posted that his pecan tree was dead and he wanted bids on cutting it down. The thread has exploded. Half of the posts are correctly pointing out that pecan trees are the last of the local trees to leaf out and they are just starting to sparkle and shine now. Four of my pecan trees are showing off and one is still apparently still asleep but not dead.
The other half of the posts are from guys with a pickup truck and a saw that are asking for the address so they can come over and take that tree down before the sun sets today. About half of those guys will show up, ask for the money up front, cut down a limb or two, break for lunch never to be seen again. NextDoor is so entertaining.
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kritter
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When we lose sight of how we treat animals, we tend to lose sight of our humanity
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Post by kritter on Mar 25, 2024 16:39:22 GMT
Speaking of NextDoor, I posted our sign up for April appointments for spay/neuter for pet cats that my neighbor and I sponsor with the Humane Society. Simon Says provided spay/neuters for 1,189 pet cats last year and we hope to beat that number this year. I posted the flyer for sign up yesterday and it already has 879 views. Easter week should start out on a positive note, right?
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Post by jesmelric on Mar 25, 2024 17:13:49 GMT
Hi, I hope everyone had a nice weekend. Congrats Chap! That is awesome, and inspiring
We had some cooler temps over the weekend so that was really nice. Another front today and cooler than average through at least Saturday. We went to a couple of garage sales Saturday but nothing worth picking up. I hate it when nothing is priced and when you ask how much the clothes are and the first response is, "Well the designer jeans are..." I already know I'm wasting my time lol. Then we went to Aldi's and I am always happy to stock up on cheaper produce. Also I'm making a cake for Easter with homemade icing and the butter was only $2.69 a lb.
Sunday we went to the bins. Wow. We usually get there between 8:45 and 9:00 (they open at 8). I have to walk the dog and make a quick breakfast, etc. so we have never been there before at opening. This Sunday we were like let's go really early and see if it's better. NO WAY!! People line up, well no line, let's say gather up in the front. No semblance of a line, and people constantly getting in front of others. I stood pretty firm. My main concern is getting a cart. There's only so many. As soon as they opened the doors, people literally RAN in! Like Black Friday! They grabbed a cart, then ran to bins (from what I could see it was mostly the electronics and shoe bins) and just threw everything in their cart. I guess they sorted it out after and kept what they wanted? No thanks. I just grabbed a cart and went to a row and started with the clothes. And I mean I usually find plenty, I'm not running like that unless someone or something is chasing me. Geez. Knock on wood, I've always gotten a cart when we get there a little later, even if it's a junky one. A couple of months ago I saw a guy just dragging a big black trash bag. I got a really thick contractor one from DH and I'm just going to keep it in my purse, and if I can't get a cart, I'll be the fool dragging a black bag around. At least until (if) I can get a cart. I'm usually there 4 hours and I'm spent when I'm done. I'm definitely not here for all that extra. Lesson learned!!!
We have a pecan tree, we have so many squirrels we've never gotten any pecans, though. It's not leafed out yet.
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val2525
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Post by val2525 on Mar 25, 2024 18:50:48 GMT
Dummy that I am, I thought yesterday was Easter Sunday. In my defense, it's very tiny print on my very tiny kitchen calendar and I was looking at it without putting my glasses on. I won't do that again! But that works for me, because it means I have another week to buy the cute little mini Easter cupcakes at HEB. HEB has the mini cupcakes all year, but I like the holiday decorated ones. They're more fun to eat, plus it limits how often I buy them. I'd be triple my size if I bought those things all year.
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kritter
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When we lose sight of how we treat animals, we tend to lose sight of our humanity
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Post by kritter on Mar 25, 2024 19:01:35 GMT
I haven't met a cupcake that is not fun to eat.
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val2525
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Post by val2525 on Mar 25, 2024 19:14:37 GMT
. One year for Christmas, they swirled the red and green like above. Last year, they alternated solid red & green, half were topped with red frosting, half with green frosting. Valentine's this year was pink & red swirled. I think they come out next for Fourth of July maybe? I know they do Halloween, Christmas, Valentines and Easter. I don't recall if they do July 4th and Thanksgiving or not. It's the little things that cheer life up
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val2525
Chaos Manager
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Post by val2525 on Mar 25, 2024 19:19:04 GMT
Chap, hope you are on the way to healing. I can tell you one thing. Don't overdue it with anti-inflammatories. I was taking aleve (Podiatrist put me on it) for my PF and it actually got worse. Once I stopped, the pain went away. That's really interesting that happened. I also have a thing that happens - I rarely take anti-inflammatories, but when I do they actually stop working after three days - their effectiveness actually just stops. It must be how the body metabolises them. I think you two ladies might be on to something. I've been taking Tylenol for shoulder pain but it doesn't seem to work all that well. So I stopped taking it last night after I read the post above. There was no real difference and the pain went away on its own later in the evening. My liver thanks you both For anyone with neck or shoulder pain, this style heating pad is awesome: www.walmart.com/ip/Entil-2-2lb-Weighted-Heating-Pad-Neck-Shoulder-Relief-Fatigue-Far-Infrared-Heating-6-Levels-4-Timers-Gray-Crystal-Super-Soft-Fabric-23-x-20/1870293927?adsRedirect=trueThe weighted aspect means it stays in place and you can move around in it. Mine has a really long cord, too, and magnets to close at the nect. Mine doesn't have the auto timer and it has 10 heat settings instead of 4. Multiple companies make that style pad though, and you can get it at multiple retailers.
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Post by Desire on Mar 25, 2024 19:28:35 GMT
I don't take any people prescription drugs but I order any of my cat "prescription required" drugs from Canada or Australia because they not only are cheaper but I don't need a prescription. Kritter - do you have a link to any of those places?
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val2525
Chaos Manager
Posts: 30,766
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Post by val2525 on Mar 25, 2024 19:42:25 GMT
In honor of National Waffle Day, I had waffles and sausage for breakfast. Well, frozen waffles, but still waffles If I'd thought to put pecans on them I could have celebrated pecan day too. Darn it.
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Post by Desire on Mar 25, 2024 20:06:39 GMT
Speaking of pecans, we have a lively debate going on our local NextDoor. A guy posted that his pecan tree was dead and he wanted bids on cutting it down. The thread has exploded. Half of the posts are correctly pointing out that pecan trees are the last of the local trees to leaf out and they are just starting to sparkle and shine now. Four of my pecan trees are showing off and one is still apparently still asleep but not dead. The other half of the posts are from guys with a pickup truck and a saw that are asking for the address so they can come over and take that tree down before the sun sets today. About half of those guys will show up, ask for the money up front, cut down a limb or two, break for lunch never to be seen again. NextDoor is so entertaining. Back in 2019 I had a guy come from Next Door to cut shrubs, lay down new mulch and power wash the pool fence using our power-washer. DS had all the mulch bags laid in place where they had to be spread around the yard. All this guy had to do was cut the bags open and spread the mulch, in some areas he needed to finish the trimming/cutting job that we had already started, mostly done. We were having a big family reunion-type outdoor party and we were too busy doing inside clean-up work, inside painting, etc. This guy from Next Door came, I showed him what we needed done, he said $20.00 hr, I said OK, but I wanted to be sure he wasn't going to dog the job and I'd end up with a huge bill. He said, no it wouldn't go over $800.00. I said OK, $20.00 per hr. I kept track of his hours, he came 3-4 hrs at a time over a 5-day period. He never worked a full day, I think he was going to other jobs. Anyway, his total hours came out to $440.00. When he was finished at the end I asked him how much, he smiled and said $800.00. I said NO, here are the days you were here and the hours you worked and it totals to 440.00, at 20.00 per hour. I even gave him the extra 15 minutes each time he arrived and left on the quarter hr. He was in a rage, took off swearing. Now I'm afraid to ask for workers on that site. I need someone to redo our shower base, it's a terrazzo base and has very fine hairline cracks that are leaking water down onto the library ceiling below it on the first floor. No one seems to do this type of masonry work, I searched the internet. I think I need to find an old-fashioned mason-type guy that does mud-job tile work. I really need my shower stall back, I'm using the main bathroom tub to take showers and I hate it. With my bad knee it's almost impossible, had to put a rail-type thing on the tub.
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Post by labbypaws on Mar 25, 2024 21:27:01 GMT
Desire I had to argue with the vinyl plank guy that his guys did not use 2. 5 gal containers of glue. Showed him I have video of them taking stuff in and out of the truck. He credit me back for the glue. $46 I think,
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val2525
Chaos Manager
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Post by val2525 on Mar 25, 2024 21:28:03 GMT
Desire, this is going to sound weird, but have you tried calling your local firehouse and asking if any of the staff does that kind of work on their off days? My brother used to do brick laying and concrete work (usually patios) on his off days, and many of his coworkers also did some sort of construction work. They might also know of someone at another station. Can't hurt!
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kritter
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When we lose sight of how we treat animals, we tend to lose sight of our humanity
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Post by kritter on Mar 25, 2024 21:41:50 GMT
Yes, I do and I will PM them to you. Give me a day or two because I am up to my elbows in alligators right now.
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