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Post by sunsetpainter on Apr 2, 2024 3:43:41 GMT
No one could come yesterday for Easter, but that's ok. DH and I don't really like big dinners, and I didn't have to deep clean anything before anyone came. His brother is being a poop head anyway so I didn't want to see him. DD had to work.
Loud storms rolled through here this evening. Had to unplug everything because the lightning was so intense. Lots of water everywhere, and we're supposed to get more tonight which is not good because the ground is so saturated right now. Rain again tomorrow and then SNOW for Wednesday! Welcome to spring in the Midwest!
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Post by chapeaunoir on Apr 2, 2024 6:31:04 GMT
sunsetpainter - except for the electrical storms, sounds like you have our weather! We've been having white skies for the last few days, though today saw some blue.
It's tulip time here (or rather, a bit up north in the Flats) - we are famed for our beautiful tulips as well as cherry blossoms, and they're both about ready to burst, though the cherry blossoms are starting to show now. There are a number of particularly spectacular viewing spots for the cherry blossoms and people go out to see them, though they're a pretty common tree here so one can just enjoy them walking down one of our roads or down in town in the streets.
These are photos of two of the tulip farms. Our climate is very like Northern Europe so they were a natural transplant here from Holland.
There's a bike ride this April to go along with the tulip festival - I used to do it all the time back in the day, but we'll have our house torn up about that time - most of April is going to be taken up with it.
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Post by labbypaws on Apr 2, 2024 12:42:14 GMT
We are getting rain. Steady rain today and more tomorrow. Wet dog kind of day. I hate this weather. I could walk in a raincoat but won’t because I am still coughing.
Dogs are down in the dumps because of it.
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Post by denise15601 on Apr 2, 2024 13:40:03 GMT
Rain and storms here too. And freezing tempos Thursday night.
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val2525
Chaos Manager
Posts: 30,780
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Post by val2525 on Apr 2, 2024 18:12:55 GMT
I just finished my walk - sunny, low humidity, low 70s. We'll be in the high 70s, maybe low 80s this afternoon. Very nice day!
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Post by denise15601 on Apr 2, 2024 19:44:34 GMT
It finally quit raining, is sunny and 67 degrees!!!! But severe storm warnings remain.
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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 Apr 3, 2024 16:16:53 GMT
Lowes weekly ad is out and it looks like more dollar cost averaging is in store for me. Mulch is now 5 bags for $10. Plus their 2 qt. perennials are on sale for $6 each so I hope they have Salvia. My front yard is going to be a Salvia extravaganza once I am finished. The fence guy is coming tomorrow to do a final walk thru on the fence plans. Hope he was able to get the permit on what we have planned.
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Post by frakinfashion on Apr 3, 2024 17:33:38 GMT
Raining, raining, high wind warning and flood watch. The psychopoodle and I haven't been out for days. Cheers!
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val2525
Chaos Manager
Posts: 30,780
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Post by val2525 on Apr 3, 2024 18:01:37 GMT
Is this what the new front fence will look like? Just kidding. But it would be a really cool fence.
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kritter
Mod Squad
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 Apr 3, 2024 18:38:05 GMT
I wish it would look like that.
Maybe after it is up, I can get out there with some kind of tool from Temu and fashion the cat heads myself in my spare time.
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val2525
Chaos Manager
Posts: 30,780
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Post by val2525 on Apr 3, 2024 19:19:46 GMT
For anyone one who has trouble sleeping, or getting to sleep - try this stuff. Dr Teals Sleep SprayI don't think it will put you to sleep if you aren't sleepy, but it does seem to help a little (probably the calming effect of the lavender). It's really strong though, so I spritz it in the air and wave the pillow thru the mist. If I spray right on the pillow, it's REALLY strong and I get a headache. /PSA
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Post by denise15601 on Apr 3, 2024 19:48:00 GMT
Storms and, rain, rain, rain, everything is flooded. Still hearing calls on my scanner calling for boats. I am okay, but just talked to my friend and 5 people in her family have flooded basements in their different areas.
And it will continue to rain for the next 4 days, plus some snow at night. So I will have to go out and cover stuff again.
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val2525
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Post by val2525 on Apr 3, 2024 20:05:22 GMT
At this point, I think I'd just give up and hope the plants recover/rebloom later.
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Post by labbypaws on Apr 3, 2024 20:38:07 GMT
Flooding, flooding winds, and rain here. Person may have died when a tree fell on their car. Sitting in the tree- free areas at work.
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Post by denise15601 on Apr 3, 2024 21:27:25 GMT
At this point, I think I'd just give up and hope the plants recover/rebloom later. When I didn't cover them last year, there were very few blooms at all. Maybe this will be the last week. Maybe....
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Post by chapeaunoir on Apr 4, 2024 8:19:57 GMT
We have urban floods here and people killed with flying snags. One woman drowned in her basement as her neighbours frantically tried to break the windows to get to her - it was horrible. Then a man near our neighbourhood was killed with a snag hit him as he and his wife were walking their dogs. It was totally not his fault and very sad, but if anyone has ever experienced one of our storms, it's NOT the time to go out and walk the dogs! I've before had to grab onto things to not get swept off my feet by the wind, and I'm not a light person.
However, we've just had our usual on and off rain and some squalls, and then some clearing. Today my oldest friend (we've known each other for half our lives, know each other's families) and I met for coffee and went out for a walk - I let him take the lead and we walked out to some trails up north. By the time we were done walking and yakking, we'd done almost 6 miles. He wanted to have a beer but I had stuff to mail and the post office was due to close - we'll do that next time! It was a great day for walking - mid-50s, a bit of breeze but not as much as we usually have, and partly sunny - what we here call a "perfect day." However, I'm used to running not walking, so my feet hurt when we were done lol.
Love that cat fence!
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Post by Desire on Apr 4, 2024 13:31:49 GMT
Last night we had howling winds and it was raining sideways. Everything not nailed down was blown around. Woke up this morning to snow all over the ground and the snow is still coming down but very light. So tired of this. I'd really like to sell this house and move more south somewhere. Have no idea where but I think I'd like to live where it's a bit warmer year-round. I'm tired of freezing temps and snow blizzards, lived in this state my entire life, and I've enjoyed the snow when I was younger, but no more.
Our trees usually start to leaf and open by mid-April. I remember last year looking out at the beginning of April and no leaves on the trees, by April 17th the leaves were all open. I keep saying to DH - waiting for April 17th to see the green trees. But I don't think so this year unless we get a 4-5 day warm spell, which is not on the books.
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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 Apr 4, 2024 14:41:53 GMT
I am tired of it for you. I look out my windows and see leaves on trees, plants coming back after our one weekend freeze last December, and wish you were seeing the same. Yes, we may have some major heat going on in the summer but nothing like the cold that ya'll have plus it doesn't seem never ending like what the cold is there. I don't have a winter coat and so glad that I don't need one.
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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 Apr 4, 2024 14:52:31 GMT
After coming to the realization that I don't need two vehicles anymore, I made arrangements to donate my Jaguar to the Humane Society. The auction company is picking it up today so yesterday I contacted The Hartford to take it off my policy. To my surprise they gave me a quote that was $100 a year more than the current policy with both cars on it. I called to ask WTF and the agent told me the price increase was because I would lose the multiple cats discount.
Seriously??? It is going to cost me $100 more to insure one vehicle instead of two. How does that make sense??? I am going to lose money by taking a car off my policy. So, even though I don't have the Jag, I should keep it on my policy so my rate doesn't go up.
It took me about a split second to call GEICO and within 45 minutes I dumped The Hartford. I may be old but I am not senile.
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Post by jesmelric on Apr 4, 2024 15:15:48 GMT
Hello, I hope everyone is doing ok. Boy this week is going fast! The weather has been lovely, I got the yard mowed this morning. I sure miss the tree in the backyard. The neighbors got most of the shade as the branches were mostly on their side, but I was still surprised at the amount of shade we lost.
Easter was nice. I cooked a big dinner (turkey, potatoes and gravy, dressing, homemade mac and cheese, roasted corn, rolls, a cake) youngest DD came and brought my sister. DS didn't come and a friend who was supposed to show up did not. I don't think I'm going to do the big cooking thing for Easter anymore. Too much work. We can do nothing or maybe DH can grill some burgers and I'll open the bags of chips
Well a (tentative) positive update on my sister. She did go to the spine specialist and he said no surgery unless it's absolutely necessary and that these fractures take a while to heal and he won't even know if there's healing for at least another 4 weeks. So she goes back on the 30th and he's going to do x-rays with the brace off and then send her for a CT scan if he can't see what he needs to from the x-rays. Also he said the bones are aligned which is definitely good news. So fingers crossed that he'll see healing when she goes back.
We had a a/c company come out yesterday and do an evaluation of the a/c. They ran a bunch of tests, etc. They gave a few recommendations, they are quite expensive though. There is a neighborhood company that would probably be quite a bit cheaper, they have a 2 to 3 week wait. Nothing is urgent, so we are waiting for a call back so we can check their prices. The system is 14 years old, so we don't want to put a ton of money into it, we plan on replacing it before DH retires in 5 years.
Chap, I was wondering what snags are? Is that like a flash flood? Also the tulips are gorgeous! Maybe you can share some photos of the cherry blossoms as well
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Post by Tabby on Apr 4, 2024 15:19:44 GMT
.... multiple cats discount. OK, Kritter, this is my favorite TYPO of all time!
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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 Apr 4, 2024 15:46:45 GMT
.... multiple cats discount. OK, Kritter, this is my favorite TYPO of all time! LOLOL I think I should get a multiple cats discount everywhere.
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Post by denise15601 on Apr 4, 2024 18:21:25 GMT
Multiple cats! lol
So this morning, I got an email from WalMart stating that I could get a free recycling bag from them, stuff it with 10 pounds of unwanted clothing, and mail it to them for free to receive a $10 gift card.
But when I clicked on the site, I was too late already to get the bag. But it said that I could buy a recycling bag from them to use. Uh-the bags are $20 each. Really?
Was a good deal at first....
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val2525
Chaos Manager
Posts: 30,780
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Post by val2525 on Apr 4, 2024 18:26:22 GMT
Betcha WM will be selling those "recycled clothing" items thru Thread Up. Or whatever site it is that shows up sometimes on WM.
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Post by labbypaws on Apr 5, 2024 4:18:53 GMT
Everyone is complaining about their auto rates. They joined everyone else and raised their rates. It is ridiculous the way everything is going up.
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Post by chapeaunoir on Apr 5, 2024 7:42:09 GMT
jesmelric Chap, I was wondering what snags are? Is that like a flash flood? Also the tulips are gorgeous! Maybe you can share some photos of the cherry blossoms as well
Tree snags are large, mostly dead or dry tree branches that come loose in storms. They can be a real hazard because when they fly loose it's a lot of this wood that comes crashing down as it takes a pretty good velocity of wind to do it - they're a big hazard here. A few weeks ago during a squall we had a snag come loose from one of our giant evergreens and miss our heat pump by about two feet. If it had hit the pump, it may have really damaged it.
Here are some photos of our pride and joy - the cherry blossoms at the University of Washington - it's one of the most spectacular shows, though one sees all sorts of smaller trees along streets and roads. I attended classes at a couple of the buildings right in this quadrangle.
In the second photo you can see all the people (non-students) walking around enjoying the trees, taking photos, etc. It's usually pretty warm this time of year (mid/upper 50s) so one can sit outside and enjoy them if it's not raining.
Though we've had a quick return of winter, but not as bad as some of you guys with snow. Just rain and mid-40s - my friend and I got wet going out for a short run with Dickens the dog. Every time Dickens sees me he remembers me and jumped up onto my leg to say hello - I'm really complimented!
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Post by staytuned on Apr 5, 2024 12:30:45 GMT
Those are gorgeous pics of the cherry trees, Chap. I hate to think what that looks like when those petals shed. Must look like a pink blizzard.
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Post by labbypaws on Apr 5, 2024 13:50:16 GMT
All of the flowering trees in the development either flowered during the torrential winds and rains or were affected by the frosts this year. I was unable to get any photos on my walk this year.
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Post by Desire on Apr 5, 2024 15:11:14 GMT
Now I have seen everything. An earthquake strong enough that could be felt here in CT, NY, NJ and surrounding areas.
I was lying on the couch reading with my head against the big rolled arms of the couch when I felt a shaking movement under my head. Could not figure out what it was, felt like something heavy had jumped up on the back of the couch, but I heard noise coming from the other side of the house. Maybe 10-15 seconds or so, then thought it might have been a huge truck driving by too fast outside making a rumbling feeling. I just turned on the TV and see that we had an earthquake in the Northeast area.
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Post by labbypaws on Apr 5, 2024 15:13:09 GMT
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