A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Banter Hall COFFEEHOUSE 2163---this one opened by me......

Sheri----

about the not working---well it is a question of economices---Before the plant closed down where Rod used to work--life was good---he had a good wage, with nice raises, good health ins, a good matching 401K, and a nice vacation package.

but now, since his factory closed down (& moved to down south someplace) while the salery he began with at this new place was only a bit less an hour, the insurance keeps getting cheaper & cheaper (in coverage) and the only raises he gets barely cover the raise in cost of the poor insurances & there is no 401k--matching funds--not that we could afford to put into it anyway----so I need to go back to work to put away for retirement, property taxes and yes--if I want a new car--I will be paying for it. The Blazer is a 2000.

and I caught on how you would enjoy not working any longer--but hey at least with working for a school there is summer break to look forward to, and never any weekends or holidays to work, right???----

about the puppies---
dante is our dog--he will be 11 this february
Faith is Emilys dog-- she will be 8 this next year...she is a mixed breed, short haired about the size of say a cattle dog.
and then Beowulf, who is Emily's as well-----he will be 3 I think this next year. he is a cattle dog mix.

Insurance is terrible. We got a 3% raise and our insurance went up 10% and it was on the news that the State insurance is in trouble. I don't know how that's going to end.

I don't make much money now, I took a $21,000.00 cut in pay when I changed jobs but it is nice having this time off.

by the way my birthday is in April too. the 21st.

Sorry about the insurance--and sometimes the pay cut is worth the trade off you got.
I will write that down about your B-Day though..... :wink:

My Niece lauren's birthday is April 2nd.
MY Valarie's Birthday is April 3rd
my nephew Jonathan's is April 5th
My sister's is April 7th as is my anniversary--
we had a Aunt, that has since passed whose B_Day was April 7 as well
my neice Christine's birthday is April 21st
my SIL JJ's birthday is april 23rd
my Emily's Birthday is April 25th

and I am sure I forgot someone---

Nighty night everyone...

My birthday is April 21st
Darbi April 22
Ally (the little girl I help with Webkinz)
April 21st too.

April,,,,,,,, Showers ~ May flowers here,,

Good Morning everyone---it is getting warmer here--well for today---but tomorrow is supposed to get colder---but then is is winter.....

Yep an we are to be cooler here and drizzly rain for the weekend. But up into the 60s for the rest of the week and dry. Good morning. I'm just heading for my second cup.

Good morning, everyone.

Maxi slept in hard today -- a very very rare occurance, for him. When I called him at 10, he was still tired. I told him not to worry; I think his body is changing now that he is a teenager and he'll need more sleep. He's concerned because he doesn't want to be "a lazy man". As if.

I had to call the dialysis unit this morning. One of the nurses gave me a small box of Victoria Holt novels and when Maxi was unpacking it for me, her BANK CARD fell out of the box! I called the unit so they could notify her that I have the card so she isn't in a panic looking for it all weekend. Or, she can come by to get it!

Today I am going to use the Dutch Oven Maxi got me for Christmas. It is an adorable 4 qt size; just perfect for us. I will make Hunter's Stew which we haven't had in a long time. (Chicken, rice, onions, celery, oranges and tomatoes in the Dutch Oven for a couple of hours). I'm also thinking of showing Maxi how to make biscuits from scratch.


Merme

Good Morning all,
I need someone to teach me to make good biscuits too- I can make almost anything but biscuits and pie dough- just can't get those right... passable but not right.... Your hunters stew sounds really good too.

We are back to winter here- it is 27* today... and we are supposed to get snow today and tomorrow-- can't see mountains very well so think they may be right this time...just feels like snow today.

We are having a small family birthday party for our Matthew today- his birthday was New Yrs Eve.. 17 now... Teresa was sick then - still feels bad but is okay enough now to do the party- ice cream and cake and we will cook hot dogs and burgers.. Joe says he will cook outside even if it is snowing...

Well off to get busy- want to take a hot bath and then will get started on house stuff.. need to get my webby after the cob webs in the family room- seems like they multiply down there.. popcorn ceilings seem to make them even worse to get ahold of them.
Nana

I have also never perfected biscuits or pie crusts. I can eat what I make but they are never as good as some I have eaten elsewhere.
Your hunters stew sounds good and also sound like it will make your house smell nice in the making, Merme.
I have been working around here a little. Kids need to return to school on Monday so want to make sure they are ready. So laundry is going. I am stripping beds. I got the trash down to the dumpster before it rains today. John is thinking about foods he wants to eat and I might go off shopping in a bit for his stuff.

Sherri ~ One benefit of my visual impairment is that I can't see cob webs in most lights! Someone has to tell me about them otherwise I think I don't have any!!

The "secret" to good pie crust and biscuits is to not overwork the dough. And to have enough oil/lard/butter or whathaveyou, so that they are light & flakey. Skimp on the greasy stuff and they will go "sad" like notsonice dumplings.


Merme

I'm doing laundry also, Tina, as Maxi returns to school on Monday and I have dialysis. I have only a few outfits I'm willing to wear there, so I launder them frequently. Then the kid spilled eggnog down the front of his new snuggie, so that also has to go through the wash today.

I hope you & John can think up something he can eat today!


Merme

No laundry doing for me today---I still have my cold--so I will wait for a dew days----I think Rodney is good to go for work clothes, and with my cold--all I need are PJ's.

and who knows. if my Motrin kicks in I may even do the dishes----

This was always a sad weekend for me,---the last weekend before school began abck up after Christmas break---I was happiest when the kids were off of school, for some holiday or another.

I think Rod is going to take down our Outdoor decorations----since it is fairly nice & all. We will keep them in the garage for a few days--to double check that they do not have "critters" living in them---

As I didn't put up outdoor decorations or indoor decorations, I don't have that chore to do.
I also like when the kids are home from school, best. But I don't mind the time when they are at school to do some things alone, too. I am home from shopping and considering cooking some home-made fast food now. I have fixings for my own mini calzones and other grab-and-go food. I just need to get up and do it. Along with folding/hanging some of the laundry that is just about to buzz at me.

when my Emily was small, when she would hear the dryer buzz she would say, Mom your dryer is calling you....... ah the joys of childhood----

Well, it was calling you. She was right. I have to stay on top of things because Ted is my helper. And If I don't get in and do things he will 'help' by adding more detergent to the washer when it has finished spinning or something similar. Our clothing is sometimes washed more often than it needs to be.
I did that load and have another in the washer and one in the dryer. I am thinking of cooking now. Or maybe napping. I just can't decide.

Happy Sat afternoon ladies. I am so lost when I come on here, there is so much to read. Of course I have not been on since New Years eve, so You all have been busy.
I am on a cleaning and prganizing kick.. I do it every new years. Makes me ready so when spring comes I can go straight outdoors. Hope everyone is well Also back to eating healthy food. I swear I put back on the 11 lbs I had lost just over the holidays. Too much vegging out and eating comfort food.
I have to get back on My elyptical as well.

I am sorry you had a fight with your brother. You didn't hurt him too much did ya? Families are hard cause you're stuck with them. You don't choose them like you do your friends.

I went to Borders Books with a friend of mine. I love going to the book store. We had wonderful time. We looked at books, bought a few and ate scones and drank hot tea.

I know I keep harping on this but I've been living in a hurricane for the last 3 years. My stress level was over the top but I had gotten so used to it I didn't realize how bad it was until I got away from it. I can't believe how peaceful life can be. I wish you all could de-stress and breath deeply. It's lovely.

I am glad you are having a lovely vacation, Sheri. A life of leisure can be relaxing unless you need to worry about income somewhere in there. I just know you are looking forward to spring break already. And I am looking forward to it for you.

Worrying about income was one of the reasons I stayed as long as I did because I took a big cut in pay. Johnny is the one who kept telling me it wasn't worth it because I was so miserable all the time. I tried to make a decision every day to just go to work and do my job then come home but the administration wouldn't let me. It was one thing after another until the money didn't matter anymore. There may come a point where I have to get another job for the cash. Many of the school nurses work 2 jobs. I won't work two but I might have to end up leaving and get a total other job. It's been nice for a while though.

That's how I felt about my last job of 12 years the first few years was good, but as time went on the Boss was making very unwise business decisions and we lost clients,, thus letting employees go making us the rest of us wear many hats during the day covering the loss of employee positions work load, and then exhausting us with the work load,, giving us attitude,, talking down to us,, and no over time at all, We felt used up, the greatest blessing he gave me was to let me go,, as other doors were opening,, and I'm still getting calls for new Jobs,
I like where I am now tho I drive twice as far and traffic is hell, but the payoff is working in a cool laid back environment , the work load is heavy,, But everyone has a good attitude,, there is a lot of laughter thru the day,, and pockets of conversation ( not work related) thru out the day and the pay is a lot more.
It just isn't worth your health to work in a stressful environment no matter how much they pay you to deal with it.

What mischief are you gearing up for, Mark?
I slept in a bit this morning. Last chance as the kids return to school tomorrow. I finished all of my laundry yesterday but already have accrued another load. And I need to go to Lowes to get some toilet guts. We have one down for the count. I want to cook stuff if I can get to it today. Jonni is off bowling with friends this morning. Ted is occupied with Ted things. We did not get the expected drizzle/rain this weekend. It is very sunny but cool for southern California. So that is my day in a nutshell.

Good morning--

My cold is better, in that i have hardly any aches & such--but my cough is worse and somewhat productive, causing some pain to my healing incisions. But all in all I am better. And better is a good thing.

The puppies are all napping after having eaten breakfast. I am on my second cup---

whatever happened about that man. Hope he got in trouble with the authorities.

hi eveyone, having a tired day today, might be better if the weather was better, rainy and drizzling ere and chilly. napping weather.

napping weather--now there is a true plan......

Rainy and dreary here today too. Got up at 10:30. Think I'll take a nap too. See you later.

yea I think I will go put my feet up and rest today as well....

I am sure I will probably nap later. I want to bake a pie today. I am not yet sure what kind of pie I want. Baked goods and potatoes are my main comfort foods.

Hi all,
Woke up to two inches of snow outside- it's pretty out there but will have to go shovel it soon so it doesn't turn to ice tonight... save Joe's back some too.
Cold too out there- 16* right now and looks like it might snow some more it's so grey and gloomy out there.
I really need to go grocery shopping soon- hopefully tomorrow will go - Joe is off and I won't have kids either-- Jon is taking day off to go get his blood tests for his thyroid .. hopefully it will come out okay.
We had fun last night with the birthday party for Matthew.. he turned 17 on New Yr's Eve... Joe cooked burgers and hot dogs - had some cake and ice cream too- kids all had fun and ate a lot too... but do have enough leftovers for dinner today... good for me.
When we were at Home Depot getting wood to fix out gate and fence I went wandering and found an adjustable metal shelf - meant for closets but got it to use in the bottom of my garage fridge- we keep fruit to O water and green teas out there and it always falls over when we stack it- the shelf keeps it in place and keeps it nice... think I will go get another one and use it in my freezer too for stacking my sealed meals and stuff- which reminds me I need to cook ahead some soon- almost out of made meals... another reason I need to go shopping get ingredients for that cooking.
Well I am cold- still in my jammies- lazy day for me today-- so think I will go take a hot bath and have some me time-- Mom ate breakfast at 10 so have some time before I have to get her lunch-- back later - thinking of making chili for dinner with some of those burgers left over...
Nana

Mischief? What mischief?

Hi everybody ~

Maxi just left to go back to his dad's. We had a nice day today. I made spaghetti so we could have our dinner-like meal before he left. And he made his very first pans of homemade drop biscuits. They came out great!

We watched his Lord of The Rings movies and had so much fun chatting, laughing and cheering our way through them. For a 13 year old, Maxi has some very insightful opinions on the topic of Industrialization, which is of course, the point of the trilogy. I was surprised at his clearly balanced viewpoint and also that he wasn't shy to disagree with JRR Tolkien on it.

He startled me later in the day when he explained to me all about Watergate! I asked if he had heard that in school and he said no. But he knew all the salient details of that situation.

He won't be home again until Friday. It is going to be loneseome without him here, I tell you that!

I have a very busy week ahead with loads of extra appointments, so.


Merme

Hi Merme. I am glad you can enjoy your son's company so much. I am glad we can enjoy him here too sometimes now. We are all getting ready to go back to the grind. My kids go back to school tomorrow.

my kids go back tomorrow too. they have been running themselves ragged over these holidays. my daughter smashed her finger and it's all bandaged up. she ususally loves school but now doesn't want to go back because of the bandage.
I have no idea what we'll be doing for supper. we should have went shopping several days ago. we are down to about nothing to eat around here.

You live in Texas where you get some wild weather, Cricket. You should never be down to 'nothing to eat'. I do need to restock some of my emergency food supplies myself. I use up the older canned goods as I put the newer stuff in the back. Pasta, beans and rice too. It isn't just if a hurricane, tornado or earthquake wipes out your house. Even if it still standing, stores close down if they have no power and things. I like to be self sufficient for a while anyway.