Carol, my dad was born in Elba MN in the SE section of the state and I still have a cousin who lives in the state (Edina/Mps)  I keep in contact with her occasionally.  She has a lovely family, many great-greats.  I haven't seen her since 1990. 

Dot and I did our usual church this morning, then Mr Burger afterward.  I had such a good response to our having had a Tuna Melt last week that we split another one this week along with a cream pie. 

Since we lost our minister, we are having substitutes and until we get a regular interim/transitional minister, we will have only one service at 10 am.  Dot and I both prefer the 8:30 am service so I hope we get a replacement soon.

It is warm and I have the air on.  Some of my flea bites are under tight clothing.  I put cortisone on the bites and that helped, but one or two are in areas that I cannot reach.  Annie is supposed to come this afternoon and I will have her put the cortisone on those spots. 

Grand Haven looks like it is fun today.  I can make out several people at the beach with boats coming in or going out.  Been there, done that!

Who should be in the Random Image picture now but Norm and Dot!

Mary Ann

Mary Ann, thanks for posting the tuna recipe.  It does not say to butter the bread, although you mention using mayo instead.  Clarification?

Danny's son is still here - they are just this day allowing residents to return.  He wants to wait until the rush is over before attempting that drive.

Someone asked (Marilyne ?) about where he lives.  He lives in Key West and he lives with his mother who is in an apartment complex.  So they do not have to worry about rebuilding.  Seems they did not get flooded, so their only loss will be refrigerated/frozen foods.  Hopefully the fridge can be cleaned up & be reusable - it was a big new side by side.

It seems there were more things I wanted to comment on, but cannot remember what.  I hope you all are enjoying your Sunday afternoon.  We are watching football.  As usual.  Switching from the Dolphin game with the Broncs.  (Broncs got postponed for some reason, so it is now showing the Redskins game)

shirleyn

Shirley, I did mention that the bread might be buttered.  I now feel after reading it again and reading others comments that the bread is buttered, then toasted in a skillet.  The additional mayo would be in the recipe itself.  The Tuna Melt we get at the restaurant has more mayo than what I think the recipe calls for.  I have not made it yet and I probably would add mayo a tablespoon at a time to get what I think would be the right consistency - based on what our restaurant serves.  Going with the recipe, I'd add enough until I thought I'd have enough for my taste. 

I realize the above isn't too helpful but I feel it is a recipe you can work with to your own taste.  Angelface can't have mayo so she might substitute yogurt and she'd have to experiment with the amount because of the different consistency.  MaryTX found some sandwich spread in the store and found that worked well.

Have fun with it!

Mary Ann

Thanks Mary Ann.  I figured it would be buttered before grilling.  I will try it next week.

By the way, I remembered what I had wanted to say - I find applying Neosporin to bites really alleviates the itching.

Thanks, Shirley,  I have some Neosporin.  I also have some cortisone, along with some of Tom's cortisone, that I have put on the bites.  I had one bite that was under my left arm and I could not reach it with my right hand and arm.  I had to wait until Annie came over so she could apply the cortisone.  I think I'll see if an old toothbrush will reach so I can apply it myself.  I am not averse to Tom putting on the cortisone, but I think he is leery of his doing it! 

Beautiful pinkish sky at Grand Haven tonight.  Red sky at night?

Mary Ann

For those of you who do not get Babamail in your email, here are a couple of hacks.

You already know that you can use Coke to clean rust, your toilet bowl, crusted pans, and oven racks. But did you know about putting Sprite in a clean spray bottle for mirrors and windows? It cleans off the dirt and oil leaving it very clean.

And trying to open those sealed pill packets, electronic purchases and more?  Simply use a hand can opener to easily cut through the heavy duty plastic.

Hi everyone. It is another beautiful morning with no chance of rain today.  We are to get only into the mid-80's.  My calendar is clear for today.  We may go to the shoe store so Pat can get a new pair of shoes. 

I did go to Sunday School and Church yesterday but didn't bring home lunch as Pat said it hadn't been very long since she had breakfast and I knew we had plenty here to make a sandwich. Last evening we did go to the Dairy Queen and had our meal out for Sunday. I watched very little football and no golf yesterday as just wasn't in the mood.  I guess it just wasn't a sports weekend for me.

Joy, a lot of football to be played before the result of the season will be known.  I see the Raven's had a successful day so the fan must have been pleased.  The Atlanta Falcons played their first season game in their new billion dollar plus stadium and were successful also.  However, the game started late and I watched only the first quarter of the game.

deAngel, it looks like this is going to be a terrible year for hurricanes.  I just looked at a video forecast for Jose and it looks like you all in the NE may experience something like we did last week with the strong winds and heavy rain.  At least the actual hurricane is staying out in the ocean.  Now they are talking about Hurricane Maria and Puerto Rico is on alert.  I feel for the stray cat having to deal with the flees all the time.  I see the winner of the golf match yesterday set a new course record.  It was really his week. 

Mary Ann, glad to see you and Dot were back on schedule with Church and then sharing your lunch. I remember growing up that we could get sandwich spread and I always liked that on sandwiches.  In fact I ate a lot of sandwiches with just Miracle Whip or sandwich spread on them.  Unfortunately Miracle Whip seems to no longer have the zip in flavor that it used to have or my taste buds have worn out a bit.

Shirley, it sounds like your son is wise and waiting until the rush is over before trying to get back home.  Glad to see where he lives wasn't flooded and won't have to worry about rebuilding.  There are advantages of renting as the responsibility for the building belongs to the landlord.  Did his mother evacuate to a safer place? I heard on the TV last night the Denver game was delayed for an hour or so due to lightning in the area. 

Patricia, I didn't know about using Sprite for mirrors and windows.  Thanks for the tip. 

Patricia,interesting about opening those pill packets with a can opener.  I just quit buying the type pills that were packed that way.  (My solution  )

Larry, yes Danny's sons mother had flown up to be with her daughter in Buffalo - where we had gone last month.  The trip was planned before the hurricane became a threat. The son said this morning the traffic to get back into the Keys was backed up from Homestead (just before entering the Keys) backed up to Exit 4 on the turnpike.  He sure was smart to stay extra day(s).  Not sure yet if he will leave tomorrow or the next day.

shirleyn.

Good morning. 

I made a tuna melt last night using the sandwich spread.  Since the consistency is a little thinner than mayo, I used a little less than just mayo and it came out good.  The taste was a bit different since the spread has tumeric, garlic, and paprika in it.  I also used pepper jack cheese.  Instead of buttering the bread, I spread it with mayo and then toasted it.  That worked very well.  It browned evenly and the bread wasn't greasy like butter does sometimes.  I had never thought of that before and will continue that whenever I make toasted sandwiches. 

Friday is the first day of Fall and some of the trees are already changing color which seems a bit early.  Maybe those Junebugs burrowing down deep maybe a sign of an early fall/winter as well as cold and snow .

Good Morning Everyone,
from the  from the cool and damp, 
rocky coast of  Maine.     

Looks like more rainy weather is headed
in our direction from some of the worn out old
hurricanes that are headed North,  then East. 

Luckily they seem to loose all their steam
as they head into the North East! 
(Good,   Good,  Good)

We can doo without damaging hurricanes,
that seem to be around and about this
Summer ... ( headed into Fall)
I hope that they all blow out before they make
it up here to Maine. 

Last night I watched the Night Time Emmy's ..
I found it interesting this year,  because I have
been watching more and more Prime Time
Series... so I was familiar with many of the
people that received the awards.

I  am sorry for anyone who is suffering
from "whatever"  reason  and I hope that
you all will heal soon.

Have a good day,  Everyone.
Sandy

MaryTX, I'm glad to hear about the results of your using sandwich spread in the Tuna Melt.  I don't know if I mentioned it or not (because I don't want to scroll back) but we split another Tuna Melt yesterday when Dot and I went out after church.  When I make it, I am sure it will be without rye bread because I don't want to buy rye bread for just one thing, although I like rye bread and could/would eat it.  I could eat a Tuna Melt now but I don't have the makings!

I had more flea bites overnight and it looks as if we'll have to "bomb" the place.  I don't know why the cat doesn't seem to have problems.  Annie combed him when she was here and got no eggs or fleas.  I seem to be the drawing card.  A couple bites are on the back of my upper arm and I had to use cream on an old toothbrush to reach the bites.  I have Neosporin and Gold Bond waiting to be used when the cortisone is used up.

I think we'll have a nice day today, although cooler than yesterday.  It is about 70 degrees now, maybe high 60s.

Mary Ann

Mary Ann, I keep rye bread and sourdough bread in the freezer for when we want it for something special.  I wrap it in saran wrap and foil and put it in a plastic ziploc bag for a couple of months.

Cathie is a "flea magnet" also.  If there is one within a mile, it finds her!!  They don't bother me at all.  We have two big dogs that are in and out.  They scratch occasionally but must not have fleas as we haven't seen any and Cathie hasn't been attacked this year .

Mary

Angel, tell us what/where bed bugs hide.  Sounds like what you described back when that Mary Ann may have.  I understand you never see the little critters unless you check everywhere on/around/in the bed.

https://www.knowzo.com/health/bed-bugs/recognize-the-signs-and-symptoms-of-bed-bug-bites/

If you are getting bitten and the cat was infested with feas the combing should have yielded some fleas and didn't.

And from what I understand you can get bedbugs in many different ways.

Hal, which leads to questions - I rarely leave the house except to go to the mailbox or with Tom or with Dot.  So, how come I am the one to get them?  They don't seem to be in other parts of the condo, just my bedroom.  When I have gotten up in the middle of the night, I have left the light off until I have gotten back to bed and try to whisk the top bedding up to see if I can see any type of bug.  I have seen nothing.

https://www.orkin.com/other/fleas/flea-bites/

Tom found the above site with pictures and one of them looked much like what I have and it was a flea bite so we decided that was the cause.  Actually, the spots are small round pink circles about 1/2" in diameter at the most.  I have irritated a couple of them by rubbing and I have a couple of dark spots where I did that.  Almost all of the bites are in the torso area, fortunately not in a private area, but where I can't show just everyone. 

I think we'll get out of the place one of these days, take the cat and fumigate for four hours.  I don't know why I seem to be the "chosen" one.  Darn!

Mary Ann

MaryAnn, fleas are like ticks according to PetMD. They can travel on your clothing, your shoes, or even temporarily on your skin or hair. .It could be the mail or garbage man, a guest or a delivery person, someone at the grocery or even one of Tom's fares.  Kendrick may have been an innocent party to all this or he could have picked up fleas from plants or bushes. But since nothing on Kendrick was seen, it may have been a human host.

Hal, I live on the fourth floor and the bedbugs were seen at the far opposite end of the hallway from me and also two doors down and across from me. They were first spotted in a blind woman's apartment on the first floor. Then they were seen on the fifth and on the third floor as they travel by the heating units or by vents and electrical equipment. They can be in books as they love the glue in bindings.

I never saw one in my apartment, but the decision was made to spray all of the buildings' apartments. They think some of the special needs tenants on the first floor brought in old furniture from the transfer site or by a dumpster. They can also be hiding in those rent some furniture places. Two of the military bases here were infested with them.

The homeless shelters never had any as the administrations had what they called, a "hot box" that all your clothing and possessions had to go into for a set number of hours when you went to a shelter. One of the staff here used to work at one of the children's homes and she told us about them.

I remember I had psoriasis and hives badly during that time and even today I routinely check my bed and skin daily. It's just the idea,  ewww. I'm told they are very flat bugs and can be fingernail size to beetle size.

I sprayed my mattresses and everything with a solution of 90 proof rubbing alcohol and water and religiously vacuumed all of the mattresses, couch parts, and everything weekly. I think if I had actually seen a bedbug in my apartment, I would have had a heart attack!

Part of my problem is that I am now physically unable to clean around here as it should be cleaned.  We do have Tom's friend come when we feel it is necessary to have a good cleaning.  She is not a professional so does it as she would do her own home.  She is clean and I am not a neatnick.  When I was working, I vacuumed on the weekends and dusted then too.  I changed my bed every two weeks.  Since the arthritis appeared in my right shoulder, I haven't been able to do these things.  I can't even stand for long. 

Tom has trouble standing for long periods, however, he can stand longer than I can.  He also does not do the housecleaning, however, he maintains his quarters downstairs.  I really feel the cat is innocent in all of this.  I'm puzzled why whatever bug or mite we are dealing with has settled in my room.  Tom thinks he got a couple of bites when he took care of my bedding because he took it downstairs in plastic bags, then put the bedding in the washer and used as hot water as we have. 

I may go to the doctor or Urgent Care tomorrow to see if we can find out more.

Thanks for the concerns of everyone. 

Mary Ann

Mary Ann, could it be Shingles?  Anyone can get shingles if you have ever suffered with chicken pox.  A couple of years ago I had what looked like bites on my stomach and since we had no animals I checked with my doctor and it was shingles.  They aren't bad if you catch them right away.  My sister had shingles on her hand, my mother had shingles on her leg, Larry had shingles on his back. So shingles don't always affect people the same.

Jean, thanks, I had a mild case of shingles about 15 years ago.  It was like a rash that went from my mid front around to my spine.  My doctor confirmed it was shingles.  These spots are not uniform and are all over - arms, legs, body. 

I am going to send a note to my doctor in a few minutes and I'll get a call from his office in the morning.  I find I get better action by doing it this way rather than calling in.

I may sleep on the davenport tonight just to see if the darned things follow me or not. 

Mary Ann

Hi everyone. We have an overcast morning and will be in the low 90's this afternoon.  This morning Pat and I will go to a specialty shoe shop so she can get a new pair of shoes (obviously we didn't make it yesterday).  Following that we will eat our main meal of the day at a restaurant called "Honey on the Rock" that is owned by a ministry here in the area.  Pat has eaten there several times but this will be my first time.  Our granddaughter came over and had dinner with us last evening and then the ladies played the Farkle game.  Pat fixed a good meal.  I think she plans to come over again this evening to continue to games and have a light supper with Pat.  I am sure after a big lunch I won't want any supper.  Scott missed work yesterday at the direction of his doctor as he had a sore throat and swollen gland in his neck.  Apparently there is a viral something going around this area.  As he sees the public six nights a week he likely picked it up at work.  He hopes to feel up to working today as this is really their busy day as they have an evening buffet on Tuesday's.

ShirleyN, those blister packs for pills are terrible.  I wonder how someone with arthritis in their hands are suppose to open them.  Right now none of my pills are coming that way.  What good timing for the trip of Danny's sons mother to be in the Northeast. 

Mary, I had never thought about toasting bread spread with mayo.  This reminds me it has been a long time since I had a toasted cheese sandwich.  I hadn't even thought about Fall starting this week. I think dogs often have grass allergies and they scratch from that problem. 

Sandy, I sure hope the hurricane is worn out by the time its effects reach you.  This new hurricane is sure worrisome and it sounds even worse than Irma in terms of wind speed.

Mary Ann, it sounds like Kendrick has turned the flee problem over to you as he didn't like them.  Sure sorry that you have gotten more bites.  In this case I don't think you are fortunate to be the "chosen one". 

Patricia, the shelters were wise to take preventive measures before they had the problem. I don't think a bedbug would have a chance in your apartment with all the care you take to avoid them. 

FlaJean, I hope your Shingles were not too painful.  My poor SIL has had several bouts of Shingles and they have been very painful to her.  Pat and I both have had the Shingles shots.  Pat thought she didn't need the shot but the doctor had a blood test run and it showed she did need it as apparently had had a very light case of chickenpox as a child. 

Larry and all, I left a message for my doctor last night and got a call this morning.  I have an appointment at 11:15 to see him.

It looks as if it might rain some this morning but the way the radar looks, the rain will miss us.  We have been threatened to have rain so often and it has always bypassed us.  I think this will be no exception.

I'm watching the hurricanes now; they seem to be a permanent thing in the lower Atlantic and toward the US.  I feel sorry for those poor people on the small islands; where can they go?!

Mary Ann

One tip I've read about bed bugs is to NEVER place your suitcase on a motel/hotel bed or upholstered chair when traveling.  Always put it on the dresser or a shelf in the closet as those places are more likely to be free of bed bugs.

Sue

Good afternoon, on this stormy day, we are to feel the effects of the tropical storm after dark, which dose not make me happy, possible gust of wind between 50 and 73mis. per.  I have two lanterns ready if we lose power.

MaryAnn, when I worked I use to wash the kitchen floor on Friday night. so I could get up early and go to yard sales Sat. morning.  I had a large kitchen 24 x 24.  Hope you find and answer to your bites.  Does sound like flees unless ants, which I have in my bedroom, and had a few bites, but you know right aways, as they hurt.

Larry, hope your son feels better.

Larry, there hasn't been a bedbug seen since that period last winter where they had everyone bundle everything up and place on the balconies or off the carpet. Nothing on any of the shelves in the various apartment rooms and nothing on the floors except furniture placed away from the walls.

They needed to be able to spray every part of any wooden or wooden type items, switchplates or vents, and the floors and corners. They took apart and sprayed the beds, couches, and chairs. They came in, sprayed and left while you and any pets had to stay out for 45 minutes. They did this heavy spraying three times with a week between each spraying.

They sprayed every apartment, all five floors and people were upset as many have health issues that preclude heavy lifting or simply the idea of bugs.  Since then, they reiterated the rules and regulations in letters to each of us from management and mentioned about being billed a portion of the cost ourselves if it happens again.

I used the 90% rubbing alcohol spray and I bought the clothes steamer per the exterminator's notices. I also purchased heavy duty foundation, mattress, and pillow covers that are said to be bed bug proof and you have to leave them on for at least 18 months as they can hibernate, unfed, for a year. We were told to place all clothing in the dryer on high heat, then wash the clothing in hot water and then dry at hot heat again. This was again per management and the exterminators.

So you can see that it was a very expensive and very nerve-racking time for all involved. I never saw a bug, nor any sign of black residue in my apartment. However, others on my floor did. Altogether, they were seen on three floors, so it was decided to spray the entire building. We're not used to this so far north. We do not have ticks, fleas or lice.

The only ants here are carpenter ants who can get into your insulation but don't normally go past that.  The city, being just inside the Arctic, has seen cockroaches at times due to moving boxes or from restaurant food containers brought in but that is quickly dealt with and not that common. These bedbugs are new to us and a plague!

Gloria and all who have suffered or will suffer through these Atlantic hurricanes, I am so sorry, have you in my thoughts and am watching the news carefully. I lived in Anchorage for six years while we managed a series of apartment complexes for overseas owners and Anchorage, being below sea level and on a narrow strip of land between the inland sea and the mountains, often has strong winds, sometimes up to 100 miles an hour so I know a small part only of what you're facing. But those winds came and went, never lingering.

Farrah has the spooks this morning, she is letting off some of that built up prey instinct by running hither and yon, growling and rasping at unseen enemies and jumping against walls. I really wish I was allowed another pet so she would have a friend to dash about with. I'm afraid my days of dashing about have left.

The street construction noise and beeps are unceasing as they are trying to finish before October's expected snow. The area inside the city center was slated for new electric poles and underground utilities and they've taken to working Sunday also. It's like the regular sounds of a clock chiming, soon it just becomes background noise. Unfortunately, they're surrounding this building on three sides.

I've been to the doctor, had lunch and we're home again.  The doctor really was not much help.  I showed him several spots and he said they looked like more than one "bug" had bit me.  I doubt that.  Tom had washed my bedding and now I am going to give him all of my t-shirt tops to wash.  Maybe my shorts but probably not my slacks.  The doctor even said a couple of the spots looked like shingles but they don't come from bites.  Things are not unbearable and I'll keep putting cortisone on the spots.  I think I have five or six spots now but I have had more in the past.  The doctor thought the bites were not from spiders.  At first I thought they were from spiders because we are beside a pond and fall is approaching.  I never have had a lot of spiders but I have seen them.  I do not think the bites are from ants because they would be more visible and I would expect to see them in the kitchen, and I have not seen them there.

Mary Ann

MaryAnn, perhaps a dermatologist or Googling various insect bite pictures such as from WebMD might provide better service?

I'm so sorry your doctor wasn't any help.

Does the name "Hannah Manderson " mean anything to anyone?

Patricia, the doctor did suggest seeing a dermatologist and if this continues too long, I may do that.  As the doctor mentioned, you don't get an appointment next week, it is more likely in two or three months.  The dermatologist's office is the one where I had my skin cancer removed last December.

The Weather Channel had a notice about a 7.1 earthquake in Mexico, I think near Mexico City.  The Weather Channel is pretty busy with hurricanes Jose and Maria.

Mary Ann

Mary Ann, since it may take two to three months to get an appointment, call and make it now.  If the bites go away, you can always cancel. You will at least have a head start.

Mary

Two more hurricanes developing behind Maria according to Accuweather.

With another cyclone in the Pacific and this is the second huge earthquake for Mexico in recent weeks.