I'm up. The house is quiet. The heat is on, and there is snow outside in Seattle. How's your week so far? Anyone watching the Olympics? Valentines is this Friday. Don't forget your Sweetie.
Good morning, Wog! Must be really cold for snow to fall in Seattle. Doesn't the ocean influence usually keep the snow outside the city?
For the first time in weeks, we are above freezing this morning. It's a balmy 33. Supposed to go back into the freezer tonight, more snow early week, then up to a tropical 50'ish by Thursday.
I watched Olympic ice dancing and men's snowboarding yesterday while cleaning house. Ice dancing has been a favorite my entire life. It's so beautiful! The snowboarding thing yesterday scared me for those young men. It was like extreme skateboarding on a mountain. Loved our US young man who won the Gold Medal. He didn't practice the "expected" moves, and said he decided to try something just a few minutes before he launched. Gotta love the good, old, US spirit!
I'm going to finish cleaning house today, get my food for next week together, do a little work from home, probably have the Olympics on during the day. What are you all doing today?
What a difference a few minutes make around here, weather-wise. Our cold snap came early. It has gone from 33 degrees to cold fog to freezing fog to snow flurries in just a few minutes. I'm seriously over winter.
Wog, you are an early riser! Yep, we got snow over here too, for the first time this winter. It's been snowing off and on since Friday night, and we have about 9 inches. I blame it on the ground hog! We also had a few inches on Thursday night, so Friday's 35 minute drive to work was a little hairy for me. At one point I was fishtailing toward the median, but was able to correct and keep going. I think I freaked out the drivers around me as they gave me a wide berth the rest of the way to work!
Glad to hear that Froggy's wound is healing! I hope she'll be healed soon, and will be able to enjoy the upcoming spring and summer, when it's beautiful in Seattle.
Surfie, I love it when ponders share their daily routines. It's a small glimpse into your lives, but it's nice because I really feel a kinship to all of you.
Gloria, you're right, this is a good day to stay inside. Hubby is cooking chicken and dumplings in the crock pot. I'm so glad he likes to cook!
Lately I've been distracted, as hubby and I are very concerned about his 86 year old mother, who we think is experiencing dementia. We moved her here 5 years ago, as her health was declining, and we wanted her close so we could help. In December, she suddenly decided that since my hubby has always been so good to her, she needed to take "stress" off of him, and give responsibility to her other son, by making him executer of her will, and giving him power of attorney. MIL only has a small estate, and we aren't concerned about that. However, BIL is a charming manipulator. He currently lives in Arizona, an he's never had time for his mother. He's only shown up when he needed money. BIL was charged in the past with bilking hundreds of thousands of dollars from his mentally disabled uncle. Over the years, he's had many schemes to get money from his relatives. BIL could sell ice to an Eskimo.
When hubby tried a couple times to ask his mother about her decision, she wouldn't even discuss it with him. Now she says he's causing her stress and she won't talk to us. She's making plans to move back to Portland, OR, (200 miles away) as she thinks my hubby is mad at her. We've told her we aren't mad at her, but she is a very strong willed lady, and she has her mind set. She has no relatives or friends still living in Portland, and we're worried that she'll have more health issues, and will be all alone.
We tried to schedule an appointment to consult with her doctor so we can explain our concerns. The receptionist said we can't even schedule an appointment unless we bring her with us, due to the HIPAA law. That would upset her, and she wouldn't agree to it.
I guess this often happens with elderly people. I feel so sorry for hubby, as he can't understand why his mother is turning against him. I am thankful to have parents and a FIL, who are still mentally stable. Maybe I need to count my blessings. Sorry to ramble on today. I've had this on my mind so much, and there are so many details to this whole story that keep going around in my head.
Oh Paget, it sure isn't easy, is it? We're going through something like this with my in-laws. Sometimes, everything is fine and within the same conversation, everything falls apart. It makes my heart ache to watch my husband try and deal with it. My sister-in-law and her husband live with them and she calls us often to relieve her stress. I'm just amazed that they both are still around & 94 this year.
Paget, Deer Paget, Older people can be a handful! Whoever has the power of attorney will have control over mom. They can even stick her in a home against her will. But she's already made up her mind and signed papers. So there's is not much to be done. You and hubby have tried to do the best you can. We Ponders will be here for you.
Thank you both for your concern. I really appreciate it. My (future lawyer) son says, "mom, she's an adult and there's nothing you can do about it." That's kind of harsh, but I guess it's true too. That's where the Serenity prayer kicks in.
We'll try to watch some Olympics this evening. Anything to take our minds off problems...and the snow. Thank goodness, Seattle doesn't get snow very often. This afternoon our snow melted some on the streets and sidewalks. That means in the morning it will be ice.
The weather prediction for us is snow in the morning, melting some in the afternoon and then freezing rain in time for the commute home. Guess who's catching a ride with her hubby? I need to get up early to ride with him, as he leaves at 6:15. Think I'll catch some Olympics, and then it's bedtime for me. Good night everyone. :)
Paget, I have been reading about what you and your husband are going through. We are going through a similar situation with my husband's mother. I started to write more but it opens up too many sore places. Hard to talk about. It is just sad that your MIL has chosen to trust the wrong person. Something like what we are witnessing here.
Gloria, I'm sorry you're going through this too. It sure is amazing old age hits everyone differently. My FIL is 91. He may be cranky, and his body is slowing him down, but in many ways his brain is sharp as a tack. Yesterday we learned that his older sister passed away this weekend. She would have been 102 next month! According to her children, she was fine until 101. That's when her health started to fail.
I just have one comment about family members. I always tell Sis that if I get senile or worse, please, put me in a place. It's really hard to be the caregiver even on a good day. I don't want Sis to have to take care of me.
We watched some Olympics last night and this morning. The luge is one of my favorites. What an insane sport. Also saw women's ice skating. Beautiful routines. And this morning we watched the ladies ski jump practice. The other day we saw the snowboarding. That is a scary sport. What amazing athletes! Very fun to watch all of them.
I guess if we all could pick the way we go out, we'd choose to go to sleep one night and not wake up the next morning. Of course, the problem with that is it's hell on whoever finds you. There are no easy answers and it isn't up to us anyway. G-d has it all taken care of. I just wish we could know some of His plans. It seems as though we knock ourselves out trying to do our best for our loved ones and ourselves and we're just wandering around in the dark. When you think about it, the easy part is dying. Living is always the tough part!
I was watching the men's figure skaters yesterday evening. I thought our guy was great, but he's young (19) and has room to grow. The Russian guy is unbelievable! Yevgeny Pleshenko. He's old (31) and this will be his last Olympics. It would be very cool if he picks up another Gold, but Putin will probably ruin his life afterwards.
I watched the 50th Anniversary special of the Beatles on Ed Sullivan last night also. Aside from throwing up while watching commies like Sean Penn & Tom Hanks dancing in the audience, I loved re-living the music. I was 8 years old when the Beatles came to America and I fell in love with Paul. I'll always think their music was the background to my life.
Sounds like some thoughtful advice, Eva. That's what's great about The Pond, the sharing.
I just had the Olympics on when I was supposed to be watching Judge Judy. Froggy fell asleep so I snuck (is that a word?) back to the living room to watch skiers. All of a sudden, one by one, they whipped out their rifles to target shoot. Such a bizarre sport. I had to look it up. It's called the Biathlon."
Here's the history behind it (from Wikipedia): Biathlon is any sporting event made up of two disciplines. However, biathlon usually refers specifically to the winter sport that combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. Other popular variants include summer biathlon, which combines cross-country running with rifle shooting.
This sport has its origins in an exercise for Norwegian soldiers, as an alternative training for the military. One of the world's first known ski clubs, the Trysil Rifle and Ski Club, was formed in Norway in 1861 to promote national defense at the local level.
Called military patrol, the combination of skiing and shooting was contested at the Olympic Winter Games in 1924, and then demonstrated in 1928, 1936, and 1948, but did not regain Olympic recognition then, as the small number of competing countries disagreed on the rules. During the mid-1950s, however, biathlon was introduced into the Soviet and Swedish winter sport circuits and was widely enjoyed by the public.
I've been thinking alot after reading everyone's thoughts on aging parents. Guess I'm blessed to have parents who became cranky and difficult sometimes as their health started to fail, but they never ever played favorites with me and my siblings. My MIL, on the other hand, fell into being manipulated by hub's twin brother after hub's passed away. She had quite a bit of money but also an iron-clad trust fund. BIL couldn't steal the money away from me and my son, but he emotionally turned her against us. It comforts me to know she is in Heaven and remembers how much I loved and cared for her for 25 years. BIL is (as my son calls him) an OCD SOB. I let go of hard feelings against him a long time ago. Now, I just feel sorry for him. It was a hard thing to live through, but I had a kid to raise and a life to live. Anyway, I know the pain and will keep you going through this in my prayers. Be strong! Chin up!
I've been watching some of the Olympics, too. Love figure skating and ice dancing. I used to love ski jumping and downhill racing, but find them boring this time around. Not sure why.
Bracing for yet another blast of ice/freezing rain/sleet/snow tonight and all day tomorrow. Great news is that, starting Thursday, we are in for a warming trend. Supposed to be sunny and in the 60's by this weekend and all next week. Sunday is my sister's birthday. So happy she will have great weather on her birthday for a change!
I just got a pic from Nikki showing my father holding Nathaniel for the first time. Made me very teary. Such a precious little bundle. I can hardly wait to get my hands on him! He seems to be doing well. She has a weekly visit to the pediatrician to have Nathaniel weighed. I haven't heard any figures, though. I imagine he has either lost a little or is holding steady. I'll be happy to hear when he breaks the 6 lb mark.
'Wog, I've always thought the Biathalon was a weird "sport". Ski, stop, shoot. Ski, stop, shoot. Doesn't seem normal, but now that I've read your article, I understand where it came from at least.
Eva, Thanks for the Nathaniel update. He has such a wonderful family (and Ponders) to love him.
I had to look up Biathlon. It is still a weird sport, though the article does explain how it got started. Then I had to look up "skeleton." Seems to be like "Luge" but you lay on the board face-down. Crazy.
I have some news to post today, but may not have time before I leave for work today. Shirley Temple dies at age 85. Her husband of 50 years, Charles Black, died just a few months ago. They went together. A love story.
How is everyone today? I read about Shirley Temple. There goes another one that I grew up with.
Last weekend Huckabee had Chubby Checker on his show. I remember rushing home from middle school to watch American Bandstand. Why do older rock stars try to camouflage their age? We are all older, more wrinkled, have put on weight and are loosing our greying hair. I wish they would age gracefully. Chubby Checker was wearing a hideous wig. He still has the moves and can still sing.
BTW, I have named those sweet kitties: Sweet Pea, Cutie Pie and Sweetie Pie.
One of my fave Olympic sports is speed skating. Scott likes - now get this - curling. Now there is a real joke of a sport.
Love the kitty names! I'll be watching the Dog Show, too. I can't think of the group name, but the one with terriers always gets me. My last beloved pooch was a Jack Russell. Boy, was he a handful, but smart as he could be and very cuddly.
Just got home from work and saw the monster storm roaring across the south. EC, will this miss you? Is your hubs out on the road somewhere in this? Eva, is this supposed to swing up into your and Joe's neck of the woods. Hope everybody stays safe and warm.
We had our last bitter cold today for at least 10 days. There are still patches of ice on the road and in parking lots. I nearly fell down walking from my car to apartment after work. It was almost dark, and I walked over a patch of black ice that I couldn't see. Was able to keep from falling, but it scared the wits out of me. The sun will finally come out tomorrow and we'll be up to near 60 by Saturday. Hallelujah!
Dog show just came on. Hunting Group. The engineer I work with has 2 yellow labs. They are named Mac and Cheese!
hi guy and gals, the cats are cute but I am a doggie person. My concern is this ice ! DH was in Charlotte on his way to Augusta, was watching Fox and ice is everywhere. Spending 40 yrs upstate NY, I know how to drive in snow, ice is another ballgame. Georgia just doesn't seem to be the place for that much ice, they say this time they are ready, really? they don't have the sand or salt trucks. Anyone here ever go down Mount Eagle? I have and it is scary on a dry day. DH is on his way down now, beaglie and I are home in Fl. I used to put my seat all the way to the floor, purse strap over my shoulder and hand on the Shiloh collar. Surf, my lab is coal black with a little white tee shirt, another rescue, she is so sweet, the beaglie is 8 and only 13 in, she is 85 lbs. and her daddies little bear. I call her Moose
Hi EC, We love dogs too. It just got too much for me to walk them in the winter (Denver). So now we enjoy the company of cats. Phooey is a cat-man. And several Ponders have both cats and dogs.
Good mornoing Ponders. We are having some pretty strong winds up here on our hill. Wog and Frog, stay warm and dry today. Ice storms are a different thing to deal with. The ice can get quite thick and weigh down trees and powerlines causing them to break not to mention making the roads treacherous. I am glad I don't have to go out today.
I'm getting ready to do a big grocery run... just in case. Joe was going to run up to Yonkers this weekend to see his folks, but my SIL said he better not make a decision until Friday. Who know what the roads will be like. The storm looks as though it'll hit the coast of New Jersey around midnight. I guess that means it'll warm up a bit first. When I got up this morning, the temp was 3 degrees. Doesn't it have to be above freezing for it to snow? Maybe I'm wrong about that.
I couldn't make it to the end of the dog show last night, but I see this morning that the Wire-Haired Fox Terrier won Best in Show. Good looking dog!
Everyone stay safe and warm. I'll have to check with my Dad tonight to see how he & the family are doing in Georgia.
this weather is just nuts ! I lived with it up north, but Florida ? come on. DH had to stop at 3pm 48 miles N of Charlotte, already 5 inches of snow on his mirrors, we have high wind advisories here in Central Fl, the trees are bent over and heavy thunderstorms. Eva, hope you stocked up, I have a hurricane closet of food, water, dog food, meds but worry about DH. Surfie, my favorite place to be is Okie, but your weather this past year has been awful. stay safe and warm.
Good to see that everyone is safe. Seattle certainly can't complain about an inch of snow...which melted by the afternoon. It's always a good idea to stock up on food and water and flashlights...and pet food. I always said that if we ran out of pet food, we were in trouble. It's something you can't explain to them.
Here's a video on You Tube that you might enjoy: Method of cleaning snow from car
Good to hear from both EC and Eva. Stay safe. You and your loved ones are in my prayers.
This winter has been brutal. I don't remember the last time we were above freezing. We got above freezing today for a little bit and water mains all over the city are bursting. Streets are flooded, and all that water is going to freeze tonight. Tomorrow morning's drive will be crazy.
Take heart! Winter won't last forever! We're starting a warm-up tomorrow, should be near 70 by Sunday, and the 10-day forecast is for terrific Spring weather. If it comes through my neck of the woods, it will probably make it's way to yours!
Dear me ... freezing then warm then cold then warm means what for the plains? Tornado season! Never a dull moment around here.
Loved that the terrier won the dog show.
Love our deer Pond family. Take care and please keep us posted.
Today looks to be brutal. That's about all I can say about it. The wind is howling and throwing white stuff (be it snow or sleet) at our windows. Our power is holding, though, and I did a big grocery shop yesterday. Joe (bless his heart) thought ahead to Valentine's Day and bought me roses yesterday. I woke up to them this morning and they included a card from Bambu :)
In the middle of my phone call with my Dad last night, his power went out. I texted my niece to keep calling him but to not even think about trying to drive over to check in person. She promised she wouldn't and told me her back yard was a skating rink. After 15 minutes, my father called back and said it was just the phone and not anything else. I wish he hadn't gotten rid of his cellphone, but he's stubborn that way.
I'll check in later. EC, let us hear about your DH. All the news from NC sounds horrendous. I'll keep him in my prayers. Everyone stay WARM!!
Just got off the phone with DH, still parked in a rest stop N of Charlotte, another foot of snow and I 77 and I 81 closed. He is OK with food water meds but nothing is moving. Said 4 wheelers all over the side and med. I look out my window and it is sunny and dry, but the wind is still bending over the trees. This is just so weird ! Haven't heard from Ms Charlotte, she is in Alabama, and they got hit hard.
EC, glad to hear your hubs is in a safe place. Our truckers move a lot of goods nation wide and if we don't get a break in the weather soon everyone will begin to feel the pinch. Food and gas - yikes.
I used to keep in touch with Ms Char. We have similar intrests and think alike about a number of issues. What an interesting lady.
Well, it's Friday and I am trying to gather up some useless things sitting around for a community recycle day. Electronics and metal. Seems I am the only one that will put forth the effort to get rid of stuff. So I best get busy.
I am so goofy. I just found out that it is Thursday, Scott clued me in. I was trying to gather stuff up to recycle. He said he didn't know what the hurry was since it is only Thurs, huh. Oh well after 44 years he is used to me. One good thing is that I went online to find out how to remove an old hard drive and got it done all by myself.
EC, I believe you will get in touch with Anna when things get going again. Please give here a hello from me.
I wonder what kind of a mess your DH will run into once he gets rolling again.
Checking back in. No more rain, but the wind won't let up. It's so loud that we have to turn the TV up higher just to hear it. Gusts up to 40mph! It's supposed to snow again tonight, but just a couple of inches.
The pictures from the Charlotte area in NC (not to mention Raleigh/Durham) look like a mess. The best thing your DH can do, I guess, is stay where he is until he can move safely.
Gloria, you made me laugh. I mix up the days now and then and can't get myself back on track sometimes.
EC, I can't imagine your hubs being stranded in his truck for such a long time. Need an education about big rigs. Does he have enough fuel to keep the truck running so he can stay warm? What does he do to pass the time? I have such great respect for men like him. He's in my prayers.
Please tell Anna that Surfie says HI! I think of her all the time and always say a prayer for her.
Eva, such a sweet thing Joe did for Valentine's Day. There's a special place in my heart for men like Joe.
We are having such a brutal winter. For everyone dealing with it, just remember that Spring is right around the corner. I don't know if Oklahoma will have another bout with the deep freeze, but our weather turned on a dime today. Wore my heavy coat & gloves while driving on ice patches to work this morning. Walked to my car after work wearing a t-shirt.
Gloria, I laughed out loud about you getting the day mixed up. I do that all the time. Glad I'm not the only one! So glad you actually take the time and make the effort to do that kind of recycling. I had to "swim upstream" when I took the job I have now because they just threw old electronics into the dumpster. I took a sales call about a year ago from a company that will take old electronics off our hands. They properly dispose of or recycle and use what they can in a program to teach unemployed people a skill. Win Win!
Stay safe and warm ya'll. Tomorrow is TGIF! I can FINALLY get my car washed!
Ha! It's only Thursday. But it's my Friday. Go figure! I brought home two patty melt sandwiches from the hospital cafeteria near our home. Yum. So everyone is okay. that's good news. This is the worst winter I've seen in many a year. Hope Punxtawney Phil is happy with his forecast.
I'm up. The house is quiet. The heat is on, and there is snow outside in Seattle. How's your week so far? Anyone watching the Olympics? Valentines is this Friday. Don't forget your Sweetie.
ReplyDeleteGood morning, Wog! Must be really cold for snow to fall in Seattle. Doesn't the ocean influence usually keep the snow outside the city?
ReplyDeleteFor the first time in weeks, we are above freezing this morning. It's a balmy 33. Supposed to go back into the freezer tonight, more snow early week, then up to a tropical 50'ish by Thursday.
I watched Olympic ice dancing and men's snowboarding yesterday while cleaning house. Ice dancing has been a favorite my entire life. It's so beautiful! The snowboarding thing yesterday scared me for those young men. It was like extreme skateboarding on a mountain. Loved our US young man who won the Gold Medal. He didn't practice the "expected" moves, and said he decided to try something just a few minutes before he launched. Gotta love the good, old, US spirit!
I'm going to finish cleaning house today, get my food for next week together, do a little work from home, probably have the Olympics on during the day. What are you all doing today?
What a difference a few minutes make around here, weather-wise. Our cold snap came early. It has gone from 33 degrees to cold fog to freezing fog to snow flurries in just a few minutes. I'm seriously over winter.
DeleteThis is soooo funny. thought I would share it before I lost it.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kI4yoXyb1_M
Thanks Gloria ! Loved it !
DeleteSo how is everyone today? Staying warm I hope. It is a good day to do cooking and baking.
ReplyDeleteGood afternoon pond friends!
ReplyDeleteWog, you are an early riser! Yep, we got snow over here too, for the first time this winter. It's been snowing off and on since Friday night, and we have about 9 inches. I blame it on the ground hog! We also had a few inches on Thursday night, so Friday's 35 minute drive to work was a little hairy for me. At one point I was fishtailing toward the median, but was able to correct and keep going. I think I freaked out the drivers around me as they gave me a wide berth the rest of the way to work!
Glad to hear that Froggy's wound is healing! I hope she'll be healed soon, and will be able to enjoy the upcoming spring and summer, when it's beautiful in Seattle.
Surfie, I love it when ponders share their daily routines. It's a small glimpse into your lives, but it's nice because I really feel a kinship to all of you.
Gloria, you're right, this is a good day to stay inside. Hubby is cooking chicken and dumplings in the crock pot. I'm so glad he likes to cook!
Lately I've been distracted, as hubby and I are very concerned about his 86 year old mother, who we think is experiencing dementia. We moved her here 5 years ago, as her health was declining, and we wanted her close so we could help. In December, she suddenly decided that since my hubby has always been so good to her, she needed to take "stress" off of him, and give responsibility to her other son, by making him executer of her will, and giving him power of attorney. MIL only has a small estate, and we aren't concerned about that. However, BIL is a charming manipulator. He currently lives in Arizona, an he's never had time for his mother. He's only shown up when he needed money. BIL was charged in the past with bilking hundreds of thousands of dollars from his mentally disabled uncle. Over the years, he's had many schemes to get money from his relatives. BIL could sell ice to an Eskimo.
When hubby tried a couple times to ask his mother about her decision, she wouldn't even discuss it with him. Now she says he's causing her stress and she won't talk to us. She's making plans to move back to Portland, OR, (200 miles away) as she thinks my hubby is mad at her. We've told her we aren't mad at her, but she is a very strong willed lady, and she has her mind set. She has no relatives or friends still living in Portland, and we're worried that she'll have more health issues, and will be all alone.
We tried to schedule an appointment to consult with her doctor so we can explain our concerns. The receptionist said we can't even schedule an appointment unless we bring her with us, due to the HIPAA law. That would upset her, and she wouldn't agree to it.
I guess this often happens with elderly people. I feel so sorry for hubby, as he can't understand why his mother is turning against him. I am thankful to have parents and a FIL, who are still mentally stable. Maybe I need to count my blessings. Sorry to ramble on today. I've had this on my mind so much, and there are so many details to this whole story that keep going around in my head.
I hope the weekend has been restful for you all.
Love to all the ponders, from Paget
Oh Paget, it sure isn't easy, is it? We're going through something like this with my in-laws. Sometimes, everything is fine and within the same conversation, everything falls apart. It makes my heart ache to watch my husband try and deal with it. My sister-in-law and her husband live with them and she calls us often to relieve her stress. I'm just amazed that they both are still around & 94 this year.
DeletePaget, Deer Paget,
DeleteOlder people can be a handful! Whoever has the power of attorney will have control over mom. They can even stick her in a home against her will. But she's already made up her mind and signed papers. So there's is not much to be done. You and hubby have tried to do the best you can. We Ponders will be here for you.
Thank you both for your concern. I really appreciate it. My (future lawyer) son says, "mom, she's an adult and there's nothing you can do about it." That's kind of harsh, but I guess it's true too. That's where the Serenity prayer kicks in.
DeleteWe'll try to watch some Olympics this evening. Anything to take our minds off problems...and the snow. Thank goodness, Seattle doesn't get snow very often. This afternoon our snow melted some on the streets and sidewalks. That means in the morning it will be ice.
ReplyDeleteThe weather prediction for us is snow in the morning, melting some in the afternoon and then freezing rain in time for the commute home. Guess who's catching a ride with her hubby? I need to get up early to ride with him, as he leaves at 6:15. Think I'll catch some Olympics, and then it's bedtime for me. Good night everyone. :)
DeletePaget, I have been reading about what you and your husband are going through. We are going through a similar situation with my husband's mother. I started to write more but it opens up too many sore places. Hard to talk about. It is just sad that your MIL has chosen to trust the wrong person. Something like what we are witnessing here.
ReplyDeleteGloria, I'm sorry you're going through this too. It sure is amazing old age hits everyone differently. My FIL is 91. He may be cranky, and his body is slowing him down, but in many ways his brain is sharp as a tack. Yesterday we learned that his older sister passed away this weekend. She would have been 102 next month! According to her children, she was fine until 101. That's when her health started to fail.
DeleteI just have one comment about family members. I always tell Sis that if I get senile or worse, please, put me in a place. It's really hard to be the caregiver even on a good day. I don't want Sis to have to take care of me.
ReplyDeleteWe watched some Olympics last night and this morning. The luge is one of my favorites. What an insane sport. Also saw women's ice skating. Beautiful routines. And this morning we watched the ladies ski jump practice. The other day we saw the snowboarding. That is a scary sport. What amazing athletes! Very fun to watch all of them.
Gloria,
ReplyDeleteI watched the YouTube video link you sent. Sooo cute. That's how excited I get about getting a kitten.
I guess if we all could pick the way we go out, we'd choose to go to sleep one night and not wake up the next morning. Of course, the problem with that is it's hell on whoever finds you. There are no easy answers and it isn't up to us anyway. G-d has it all taken care of. I just wish we could know some of His plans. It seems as though we knock ourselves out trying to do our best for our loved ones and ourselves and we're just wandering around in the dark. When you think about it, the easy part is dying. Living is always the tough part!
ReplyDeleteI was watching the men's figure skaters yesterday evening. I thought our guy was great, but he's young (19) and has room to grow. The Russian guy is unbelievable! Yevgeny Pleshenko. He's old (31) and this will be his last Olympics. It would be very cool if he picks up another Gold, but Putin will probably ruin his life afterwards.
I watched the 50th Anniversary special of the Beatles on Ed Sullivan last night also. Aside from throwing up while watching commies like Sean Penn & Tom Hanks dancing in the audience, I loved re-living the music. I was 8 years old when the Beatles came to America and I fell in love with Paul. I'll always think their music was the background to my life.
Sounds like some thoughtful advice, Eva. That's what's great about The Pond, the sharing.
DeleteI just had the Olympics on when I was supposed to be watching Judge Judy. Froggy fell asleep so I snuck (is that a word?) back to the living room to watch skiers. All of a sudden, one by one, they whipped out their rifles to target shoot. Such a bizarre sport. I had to look it up. It's called the Biathlon."
Here's the history behind it (from Wikipedia):
Biathlon is any sporting event made up of two disciplines. However, biathlon usually refers specifically to the winter sport that combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. Other popular variants include summer biathlon, which combines cross-country running with rifle shooting.
This sport has its origins in an exercise for Norwegian soldiers, as an alternative training for the military. One of the world's first known ski clubs, the Trysil Rifle and Ski Club, was formed in Norway in 1861 to promote national defense at the local level.
Called military patrol, the combination of skiing and shooting was contested at the Olympic Winter Games in 1924, and then demonstrated in 1928, 1936, and 1948, but did not regain Olympic recognition then, as the small number of competing countries disagreed on the rules. During the mid-1950s, however, biathlon was introduced into the Soviet and Swedish winter sport circuits and was widely enjoyed by the public.
READ: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biathlon
I've been thinking alot after reading everyone's thoughts on aging parents. Guess I'm blessed to have parents who became cranky and difficult sometimes as their health started to fail, but they never ever played favorites with me and my siblings. My MIL, on the other hand, fell into being manipulated by hub's twin brother after hub's passed away. She had quite a bit of money but also an iron-clad trust fund. BIL couldn't steal the money away from me and my son, but he emotionally turned her against us. It comforts me to know she is in Heaven and remembers how much I loved and cared for her for 25 years. BIL is (as my son calls him) an OCD SOB. I let go of hard feelings against him a long time ago. Now, I just feel sorry for him. It was a hard thing to live through, but I had a kid to raise and a life to live. Anyway, I know the pain and will keep you going through this in my prayers. Be strong! Chin up!
ReplyDeleteI've been watching some of the Olympics, too. Love figure skating and ice dancing. I used to love ski jumping and downhill racing, but find them boring this time around. Not sure why.
Bracing for yet another blast of ice/freezing rain/sleet/snow tonight and all day tomorrow. Great news is that, starting Thursday, we are in for a warming trend. Supposed to be sunny and in the 60's by this weekend and all next week. Sunday is my sister's birthday. So happy she will have great weather on her birthday for a change!
Eva, how's Nathaniel doing now that he's home?
I just got a pic from Nikki showing my father holding Nathaniel for the first time. Made me very teary. Such a precious little bundle. I can hardly wait to get my hands on him! He seems to be doing well. She has a weekly visit to the pediatrician to have Nathaniel weighed. I haven't heard any figures, though. I imagine he has either lost a little or is holding steady. I'll be happy to hear when he breaks the 6 lb mark.
ReplyDelete'Wog, I've always thought the Biathalon was a weird "sport". Ski, stop, shoot. Ski, stop, shoot. Doesn't seem normal, but now that I've read your article, I understand where it came from at least.
Eva,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the Nathaniel update. He has such a wonderful family (and Ponders) to love him.
I had to look up Biathlon. It is still a weird sport, though the article does explain how it got started. Then I had to look up "skeleton." Seems to be like "Luge" but you lay on the board face-down. Crazy.
I have some news to post today, but may not have time before I leave for work today. Shirley Temple dies at age 85. Her husband of 50 years, Charles Black, died just a few months ago. They went together. A love story.
How is everyone today? I read about Shirley Temple. There goes another one that I grew up with.
ReplyDeleteLast weekend Huckabee had Chubby Checker on his show. I remember rushing home from middle school to watch American Bandstand. Why do older rock stars try to camouflage their age? We are all older, more wrinkled, have put on weight and are loosing our greying hair. I wish they would age gracefully. Chubby Checker was wearing a hideous wig. He still has the moves and can still sing.
BTW, I have named those sweet kitties: Sweet Pea, Cutie Pie and Sweetie Pie.
One of my fave Olympic sports is speed skating. Scott likes - now get this - curling. Now there is a real joke of a sport.
Gloria, great names!!
ReplyDeleteMy heart took a hit when I saw the news about Shirley Temple, too. Oh, how I loved (& still love) her movies. We lost a real lady. Bless her!
Anyone watching the Westminster Dog Show? I just love watching this each year. The Toy group just knocks me out!
Love the kitty names! I'll be watching the Dog Show, too. I can't think of the group name, but the one with terriers always gets me. My last beloved pooch was a Jack Russell. Boy, was he a handful, but smart as he could be and very cuddly.
ReplyDeleteJust got home from work and saw the monster storm roaring across the south. EC, will this miss you? Is your hubs out on the road somewhere in this? Eva, is this supposed to swing up into your and Joe's neck of the woods. Hope everybody stays safe and warm.
We had our last bitter cold today for at least 10 days. There are still patches of ice on the road and in parking lots. I nearly fell down walking from my car to apartment after work. It was almost dark, and I walked over a patch of black ice that I couldn't see. Was able to keep from falling, but it scared the wits out of me. The sun will finally come out tomorrow and we'll be up to near 60 by Saturday. Hallelujah!
Dog show just came on. Hunting Group. The engineer I work with has 2 yellow labs. They are named Mac and Cheese!
Take care all.
hi guy and gals, the cats are cute but I am a doggie person. My concern is this ice ! DH was in Charlotte on his way to Augusta, was watching Fox and ice is everywhere. Spending 40 yrs upstate NY, I know how to drive in snow, ice is another ballgame. Georgia just doesn't seem to be the place for that much ice, they say this time they are ready, really? they don't have the sand or salt trucks. Anyone here ever go down Mount Eagle? I have and it is scary on a dry day. DH is on his way down now, beaglie and I are home in Fl. I used to put my seat all the way to the floor, purse strap over my shoulder and hand on the Shiloh collar. Surf, my lab is coal black with a little white tee shirt, another rescue, she is so sweet, the beaglie is 8 and only 13 in, she is 85 lbs. and her daddies little bear. I call her Moose
ReplyDeleteHi EC,
DeleteWe love dogs too. It just got too much for me to walk them in the winter (Denver). So now we enjoy the company of cats. Phooey is a cat-man. And several Ponders have both cats and dogs.
Good mornoing Ponders. We are having some pretty strong winds up here on our hill. Wog and Frog, stay warm and dry today. Ice storms are a different thing to deal with. The ice can get quite thick and weigh down trees and powerlines causing them to break not to mention making the roads treacherous. I am glad I don't have to go out today.
ReplyDeleteI'm getting ready to do a big grocery run... just in case. Joe was going to run up to Yonkers this weekend to see his folks, but my SIL said he better not make a decision until Friday. Who know what the roads will be like. The storm looks as though it'll hit the coast of New Jersey around midnight. I guess that means it'll warm up a bit first. When I got up this morning, the temp was 3 degrees. Doesn't it have to be above freezing for it to snow? Maybe I'm wrong about that.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't make it to the end of the dog show last night, but I see this morning that the Wire-Haired Fox Terrier won Best in Show. Good looking dog!
Everyone stay safe and warm. I'll have to check with my Dad tonight to see how he & the family are doing in Georgia.
this weather is just nuts ! I lived with it up north, but Florida ? come on. DH had to stop at 3pm 48 miles N of Charlotte, already 5 inches of snow on his mirrors, we have high wind advisories here in Central Fl, the trees are bent over and heavy thunderstorms. Eva, hope you stocked up, I have a hurricane closet of food, water, dog food, meds but worry about DH. Surfie, my favorite place to be is Okie, but your weather this past year has been awful. stay safe and warm.
ReplyDeleteEC, it was not as bad here. Just a typical Fl. storm. Sorry about your hubby.
DeleteGood to see that everyone is safe. Seattle certainly can't complain about an inch of snow...which melted by the afternoon. It's always a good idea to stock up on food and water and flashlights...and pet food. I always said that if we ran out of pet food, we were in trouble. It's something you can't explain to them.
ReplyDeleteHere's a video on You Tube that you might enjoy:
Method of cleaning snow from car
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zX4dZflL5R8
Good to hear from both EC and Eva. Stay safe. You and your loved ones are in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteThis winter has been brutal. I don't remember the last time we were above freezing. We got above freezing today for a little bit and water mains all over the city are bursting. Streets are flooded, and all that water is going to freeze tonight. Tomorrow morning's drive will be crazy.
Take heart! Winter won't last forever! We're starting a warm-up tomorrow, should be near 70 by Sunday, and the 10-day forecast is for terrific Spring weather. If it comes through my neck of the woods, it will probably make it's way to yours!
Dear me ... freezing then warm then cold then warm means what for the plains? Tornado season! Never a dull moment around here.
Loved that the terrier won the dog show.
Love our deer Pond family. Take care and please keep us posted.
Today looks to be brutal. That's about all I can say about it. The wind is howling and throwing white stuff (be it snow or sleet) at our windows. Our power is holding, though, and I did a big grocery shop yesterday. Joe (bless his heart) thought ahead to Valentine's Day and bought me roses yesterday. I woke up to them this morning and they included a card from Bambu :)
ReplyDeleteIn the middle of my phone call with my Dad last night, his power went out. I texted my niece to keep calling him but to not even think about trying to drive over to check in person. She promised she wouldn't and told me her back yard was a skating rink. After 15 minutes, my father called back and said it was just the phone and not anything else. I wish he hadn't gotten rid of his cellphone, but he's stubborn that way.
I'll check in later. EC, let us hear about your DH. All the news from NC sounds horrendous. I'll keep him in my prayers. Everyone stay WARM!!
Just got off the phone with DH, still parked in a rest stop N of Charlotte, another foot of snow and I 77 and I 81 closed. He is OK with food water meds but nothing is moving. Said 4 wheelers all over the side and med. I look out my window and it is sunny and dry, but the wind is still bending over the trees. This is just so weird ! Haven't heard from Ms Charlotte, she is in Alabama, and they got hit hard.
ReplyDeleteEC, glad to hear your hubs is in a safe place. Our truckers move a lot of goods nation wide and if we don't get a break in the weather soon everyone will begin to feel the pinch. Food and gas - yikes.
DeleteI used to keep in touch with Ms Char. We have similar intrests and think alike about a number of issues. What an interesting lady.
Well, it's Friday and I am trying to gather up some useless things sitting around for a community recycle day. Electronics and metal. Seems I am the only one that will put forth the effort to get rid of stuff. So I best get busy.
TTFN
glory, it is still only Thursday, I am trying to reach Anna , the big guy is OK but I am concerned about Ms Char, our Anna
ReplyDeleteI am so goofy. I just found out that it is Thursday, Scott clued me in. I was trying to gather stuff up to recycle. He said he didn't know what the hurry was since it is only Thurs, huh. Oh well after 44 years he is used to me. One good thing is that I went online to find out how to remove an old hard drive and got it done all by myself.
DeleteEC, I believe you will get in touch with Anna when things get going again. Please give here a hello from me.
I wonder what kind of a mess your DH will run into once he gets rolling again.
Checking back in. No more rain, but the wind won't let up. It's so loud that we have to turn the TV up higher just to hear it. Gusts up to 40mph! It's supposed to snow again tonight, but just a couple of inches.
ReplyDeleteThe pictures from the Charlotte area in NC (not to mention Raleigh/Durham) look like a mess. The best thing your DH can do, I guess, is stay where he is until he can move safely.
Gloria, you made me laugh. I mix up the days now and then and can't get myself back on track sometimes.
EC, I can't imagine your hubs being stranded in his truck for such a long time. Need an education about big rigs. Does he have enough fuel to keep the truck running so he can stay warm? What does he do to pass the time? I have such great respect for men like him. He's in my prayers.
ReplyDeletePlease tell Anna that Surfie says HI! I think of her all the time and always say a prayer for her.
Eva, such a sweet thing Joe did for Valentine's Day. There's a special place in my heart for men like Joe.
We are having such a brutal winter. For everyone dealing with it, just remember that Spring is right around the corner. I don't know if Oklahoma will have another bout with the deep freeze, but our weather turned on a dime today. Wore my heavy coat & gloves while driving on ice patches to work this morning. Walked to my car after work wearing a t-shirt.
Gloria, I laughed out loud about you getting the day mixed up. I do that all the time. Glad I'm not the only one! So glad you actually take the time and make the effort to do that kind of recycling. I had to "swim upstream" when I took the job I have now because they just threw old electronics into the dumpster. I took a sales call about a year ago from a company that will take old electronics off our hands. They properly dispose of or recycle and use what they can in a program to teach unemployed people a skill. Win Win!
Stay safe and warm ya'll. Tomorrow is TGIF! I can FINALLY get my car washed!
Ha! It's only Thursday. But it's my Friday. Go figure!
ReplyDeleteI brought home two patty melt sandwiches from the hospital cafeteria near our home. Yum.
So everyone is okay. that's good news. This is the worst winter I've seen in many a year.
Hope Punxtawney Phil is happy with his forecast.