Soda Shoppe January 1, 2025

JaneS · January 18, 2025, 08:51:52 AM

Good Mornind Everyfriend! I'm here and thinking of all of you! I hope this goes through we shallsee!

patricia19 · January 18, 2025, 02:52:32 PM

Good morning, we're back into the pluses until Monday, the 27th, so that will be nice. The graders and snow trucks had taken all the snow and we never had new or any real accumulation in the minuses other than lots of icy rain and slick passages. A bit of ice on Sunday with some snow midweek. Anymore, each new snow brings some ice along with it.

Meet and greets, morning routine and coffee's all done and I'm planning to set up some new routines and some habit trackers. My new year's "intention" other than a "resolution", is to set up a schedule that I actually follow rather than just plan sometime in the near future after noting a need. I'm hearing a lot about habit stacking where you build new habits by adding them to something you already do.

I already have basic routines I've followed for years so know doing little things habitually adds up. And that's what I want to do instead of simply noticing something needs doing and taking two or three days to actually do it. I want to do several little things so I don't end up needing to do a big thing.

patricia19 · January 18, 2025, 03:06:49 PM

"We are the opening verse of the opening page of the chapter of endless possibilities."

- Rudyard Kipling

patricia19 · January 18, 2025, 04:41:16 PM

Is everyone prepared?

https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/15/weather/arctic-siberian-cold-outbreak-forecast-climate/index.html

MarsGal · January 18, 2025, 05:41:44 PM

Well I'm thrilled. The weather people increased our snowfall from 1-3" to 4-6". I guess that means I will have to move my car out of the parking lot so they can plow. Maybe I should make an attempt to turn my car around to face outward so I don't have to try to back out.

Jane, I sent up a message via the messaging system here. I hope you got it.

Denver · January 18, 2025, 09:18:43 PM

It is TOO QUIET in here.....is everyone doing OK?

I am thankful to be in Arizona where it is cool vs freezing big time at home🥶🥶

Keep the home 🔥's burning.....stay warm EVERYFRIEND ‼️

RAMMEL · January 18, 2025, 09:41:21 PM

Noise, noise, noise. Is that better?
Getting ready for a cold spell here, and some threatened snow.

Amy · January 19, 2025, 06:57:22 AM

Good Morning...

Geemogotchee day as Joan would say.....temp is 1 ( my computer is not letting me type the degree sign) and not going to travel much higher. A day of rest here managed to get laundry done yesterday and our supper was good. Speedy spud,ribs ,corn with cherry cheesecake for dessert..will see what I can come up with today.
I put a wood fire on last night. Oil is convenient but wood is warmer and cosy, there just may be another fire going today also!

Once Jane gets her computer up and running she will be in to say hello.

Jenny, we didn't get the snow that was talked about but we sure are in the cold here.

Patricia, that polar vortex can go away! Hokey teddy bear she is cold out, Jesse wasn't out long this morning and I noticed the snow crunched under his feet!! Pity any one or animal left outside in these next few days.

Enjoy your day and stay safe..

JaneS · January 19, 2025, 11:06:00 AM

good morning! Things are not easy around here! They are working on a new kitchen send all the kitchen stuff is everywhere else. Christy seems to be working well wit it and she doesn't seem bothered!!

I just sit and watch or take the dogs out or make dinner or .... Whatever. Right now it's snowing and we're supposed to get several inches. We shall see.

I wish you all a good day. Make it your own in every way.

patricia19 · January 19, 2025, 04:04:26 PM

Good late morning, 21 presently on our way to a high of 23. A little sleet and freezing rain this morning and thankfully cloudy to hold whatever heat we have from going away. Same forecast listed through Saturday, the 25th.

Jane, you're lucky to have a close in heart and in distance family. While my sister and I talk almost daily, my niece who is 35, I haven't seen or heard from since she was four. My older niece and nephews are the same if not in age. Surprisingly, I'm more in contact with my maternal male cousins than my paternal side with I haven't heard from in many, many years. To be fair they were all much older than me.

Amy, your past dinner sounded great, stay inside and stay warm, I don't think this weather is going to be over soon.

Poor Jesse, having to do his business outdoors. Farrah has been very moody today, following me from room to room and meowing to let me know she's bored. I wish she was still an age to play, and she hates being picked up or held. All she want is a good rubdown and her head knuckled every five minutes.

I hope Rick and everyone else who posts or checks in today is staying warm and cozy!

Farrah's been fed, meet and greets went well and my second pot of coffee just finished so, I'll leave you here to see if anything else interesting is going on in the Internet.

RAMMEL · January 19, 2025, 04:48:56 PM

Checking in from just North of NYC. Snow started at around 200pm. We're to stay below freezing for a week.

Pat - When we had a cat (MAX) he never liked to be picked up or held. But he would always lay either close to my leg (touching it), or in between them if I laid down on the sofa. My guess is he always wanted to be in control. I miss MAX.

BarbStAubrey · January 19, 2025, 07:01:55 PM

Oh sorry Rummel... yes, missing the antics of a pet is hard...

Wow Jane that was super of you to get your computer up and running so quickly - wonderful...

Patricia I guess you are closer to Siberia than any of us... amazes me how you do it in such cold... And you also Amy living way up North is Canada - kudos to both of you.

The real cold started here during the night and I'm dealing with a wonky heating system that they were supposed to show up late yesterday and did not - it has already tripped one of the 220 breakers and so no dryer - hate this not living long enough in this house to learn all its quirks - can't call on Paul since he and Sally have Covid and so I'm learning as fast as I can but the anxiety as to what is next and how to do things like turn on a breaker without sizzling myself is wearing me out... In between I've the TV on and tonight I'll be watching the next phase of James' return from the Air Force on All Creatures Great and Small followed by Vienna Blood.

Thank goodness still have left some Butternut Squash soup - looks like tomorrow will have to include making a pot of soup - think I've got in my freezer and frig enough to do a chicken carrots and potatoes with of course onion and celery to start. Even have some chicken stock.

Stay warm everyone - as Denver said, keep the home-fires burning, looks like a long week keeping the house warm and dealing with ice and snow out of doors.

Denver · January 19, 2025, 09:07:32 PM

Our family has checked in from all over the US today and it is unanimous the temperature are freezing‼️🥶🥶🥶🥶

Hopefully you all were able to keep nice and toasty today. Feeling sorry for all the pets, and their masters that have to go out doors to take care of their business ‼️🥶

Enjoy your evening EVERYFRIEND and keep warm.

Amy · January 20, 2025, 06:34:42 AM

Good chilly morning..

Tis a tad cold out there with a temp of -18°F..Sure hope this polar vortex gets some speed on and moves out!

Work around home after paying some bills in town, may even squeeze in some sewing time.

Patricia, we have a fenced in yard for Jesse and I do go out with him at times, this cold weather he is going to be solo!

Barb, here we have a choice of weather......you either freeze or fry. My favourite times of the year are Spring and Fall.

Enjoy your day and stay warm and safe!

MarsGal · January 20, 2025, 07:23:56 AM

Not looking forward to going out and cleaning off my car. I expect they will be letting everyone know when we need to move the cars so they can clean the parking area. I haven't seen anyone out yet. The temp is a wonderful 17⁰, and it likely go over 20^o. Sun is just brightening the sky now.

Oscar has been refusing almost all the canned and pouched cat food the last three days, but he is eating people food pork and fish as well as nibbling on his dry food. Also, I expect to take some turkey or chicken down out of the freezer. Odd that he refuses to eat canned but loves fresh cooked turkey. Today, I expect to get in another package which includes some new stuff to try on him; I suspect it will be delayed due to the snow storm though.

I have nothing other than some snow clearing on my agenda today, so I think I will do a little picking about to see what I can get rid of or reorganize to better advantage space-wise.

RAMMEL · January 20, 2025, 09:50:37 AM

We're starting at 12° today. The snow has stopped but left about 2 or three inches --- on top of some frozen rain. Slippery out there. Hope old man Sol does his job soon.

patricia19 · January 20, 2025, 01:22:24 PM

Another late good morning, it's 9:13 and 20 degrees outside. Farrah's fed, meet and greets are finished and coffee's on. Not much else going on here, I don't really want to do much more than perhaps wander around the computer, perhaps go downtown tomorrow.

JaneS · January 20, 2025, 02:37:13 PM

Good Morning Everyfriend! My computer died so I'm stuck with trying to communicate with my phone!

We got lots of snow here yesterday and Christy and her hubby spent time digging out vehicles and cleaning sidewalks. I watched!! Now they've made a grip to the hardware store to get some stuff they need for working on the kitchen. It's undergoing a major change!! All that's out there now is the stove and the fridge. We cook and then eat on paper plates at the coffee table. Someone is coming tomorrow to install new cabinets and then someone another time to do counter tops. They said I'll have to come back to see the final fittings. It's going to take a while!

They are back now. I'll see you all later I hope

patricia19 · January 20, 2025, 03:39:57 PM

The culprit for this week and next...

The polar vortex is a large area of low pressure and cold air surrounding both of the Earth's poles, according to the U.S. National Weather Service.

Does climate change have anything to do with the frequent cold?

Generally, there is no place that's safe from climate change and research shows climate change is a big driver of extreme weather.

As for the cause of extreme cold, the jury is still out. Some researchers do believe there is a connection between climate change and the impact to the Arctic and polar vortex activity, but for others this is still an active area of investigation.

What is clear is that many areas of the central and eastern U.S. are experiencing a colder than usual January, Taylor said. These areas have "been kind of stuck in this pattern where we've had periods of colder weather basically since the beginning of the month. And that pattern looks to continue really through the end of the month," Taylor said.

JaneS · January 20, 2025, 07:43:42 PM

I hope this works as well as it did earlier today. I just stopped by to say Good Night and to wish you all a peaceful night's sleep. Hopefully I'll be able to visit tomorrow!!!

BarbStAubrey · January 21, 2025, 03:59:47 AM

Well it happened - there is snow in the Houston area - roads are not covered but everyone's lawn and bottom third of roof tops are covered - so far they are just saying school will start later - we'll see by morning - no one including the city has any snow removal equipment nor shovels and most don't own clothing for winter - for many it will be layers of PJs and a couple of layers of Hoodies over a denim jacket

Amy · January 21, 2025, 06:16:29 AM

Good morning...

We are starting out a bit warmer today at -5°. We are off to the city to pick up quilts and do a fast shop at Costco. Too many requests have come in and I don't have enough to cover them.

Barb I can't imagine the look on childrens faces when they see the snow!!

Patrica,that culprit can dissapear!!

Jane, we know what kitchen renos are like and how dusty they can be!!

Better scoot.

Enjoy your day and stay safe.

RAMMEL · January 21, 2025, 08:44:33 AM

Sounds like we're a bit warmer than the rest of you. We're starting at 8° but bright sunny. Hoping our solar snow removal plan will continue to work today.

MarsGal · January 21, 2025, 09:26:27 AM

Morning everyone! It actually made it over 20^o yesterday. I didn't check the temps when I got up, but right now it is at 8^o. Sun is trying to shine through thin clouds.

Yesterday I managed to clean off my car. Noted that my back doors are frozen shut.

The cats: Oscar is holding his own, but he does not like the cold dry weather, even though he doesn't go out. I have finally discovered that Shan has decided that peeing just outside of the two potty boxes is a great thing to do. The pet matt is in the bathroom needing a second scrub. Boy that that stuff stink. Removing the scene of the crime didn't help, he tried to pee in the same spot this morning. I put him in his box with the pellets, but he jumped right out, then I quick scooped him up and put him in the box with the regular litter. Success, if only short-lived. The new pee pads are down in front of both boxes. They are extremely thin, so I don't know if they will hold up. Under the pee pads is a long piece of cardboard. Originally the pet matt was on top of that, but I am thinking, even though the mat is getting washes, again, it will have some slight residual smell to attract him to outside the box events, so I am not likely to use it again. I may use it as an outdoor mat if I can find something to hold it down from blowing away. Trouble is, it is likely to attract some local cats. Extra cold weather will be around for a few more days, so I am not anxious to cart anybody to the vets just yet.

BarbStAubrey · January 21, 2025, 02:34:43 PM

MarsGal can't the pee pads be put in the washing machine - thank goodness you found some success with the older cat litter.

Rammel by solar snow removal am I correct thinking that means allowing the sun to melt the snow rather than the traditional shovel removal?

Amy do you have some sort of quilting business where there are others in the area who quilt and like a co-op you are the contact person for those wanting to buy these home made quilts? If so Amy what are the prices of the quilts? Do you have a website where they can be seen?

Well, Houston was told to stay home today and probably tomorrow - mostly to keep roads clear for emergency vehicles - no one knows how to drive in snow or on ice and if they do, because they recently moved here, there is always someone from the area that stubbornly gets out and of course crashes causing the driver who may have known how to manage to be wrecked

All schools in this part of the world are closed today and tomorrow. Sun is coming out and so either it will melt before the evening freeze causing icy conditions or the sun won't last long and the predicted snow for today will start up again -

All I'm doing is looking out the window and boiling water for hot tea - just can't settle down to even read much less watch something on TV - did my marathon TV watching yesterday. At lease I'm able to keep the house snug and warm.

RAMMEL · January 21, 2025, 03:20:36 PM

Quote from: BarbStAubrey on January 21, 2025, 02:34:43 PMRammel by solar snow removal am I correct thinking that means allowing the sun to melt the snow rather than the traditional shovel removal?

That's it. It's worked well for years - especially on blacktop and dark colored cars.

Barb - Bad driving, even here where people should know better, they don't think to slow down a bit when it gets bad on the roads. There's always someone that has to beat you to wherever.

JaneS · January 21, 2025, 05:58:56 PM

Hello my friends! We stood in doorways or sat in them today to watch 2 Amish workers install cupboards they got on wall finished and will be back tomorrow to work on another wall. Then they go down the middle and do two ends. Then a lot of them will be getting marble tops. There will also be a new stove and fridge. A long way to go yet!! But it will be gorgeous when done!!

We got a lot of that snow too. And daughter Cathy is in Houston welcoming her new grandson. And they are all suffering the snow. Daughter Cindy in Tulsa OK area is fighting snow too! She said they don't even plow the streets down there!

Time to think about supper. Guess I better get off my chair and help! Have a good rest of the day and a great tomorrow!!

BarbStAubrey · January 22, 2025, 01:32:03 AM

Jane they do not plow because no one owns, much less a city owning snow removal equipment - when there are years between snow falls maintaining snow removal equipment would add up to far out cost the use of the equipment - some southern cities do use dump trucks filled with sand and gravel to spread on overpasses but that is about it.

At least with the phenomenon of snow there is a slowing down so that the few public services operating seem to be less frantic and therefore more caring and friendly - even the personal in the few retail establishments that are open there is more conversation and banter with customers.

What I am really missing is there are no hills here in the Houston area as there are in Austin and with the snow the kids, starting in the middle of the night were out using anything from cardboard, to roasting pans or laundry baskets sliding down hills - I had a huge hill that was the side of the Mesa where I lived in Austin and hearing those kids whooping it up always put a smile on my face as I would go to the windows and watch - not so here, as I said flat, flat, flat and even fewer with clothing to keep warm enough to even go outside and build a snowman. Even I got rid of my lined trench coat and wool sweater.

Ended up taking a long nap this afternoon and still fell asleep in front of the TV this evening - trick now is to actually sleep in bed - here I am already up for not sleeping - hate taking something and so my life may be scattered the next day or so till normal winter returns. Prediction is for rain all next week but at least back to normal winter temps.

MarsGal · January 22, 2025, 06:07:17 AM

The news from around and about. Watched clips of the snow in New Orleans and in Florida. When was the last time snow reached that far down? Just got an email from a friend in North-Central PA whose husband decided to mostly stay under the covers in bed. I take it their almost new furnace is not doing the job. My sister in North Carolina says they are all waiting for the snow to reach them. She hasn't seen snow since she moved there years ago. Meanwhile, the cats and I are hunkered down for the duration. It is 1^oF at the moment.

Looks like most shipping is paused the Great Lakes. The most activity is on Lake Erie, and that is not much. Noted three Coast Guard ships out doing their thing at the western end of the lake.

Amy · January 22, 2025, 07:06:56 AM

Good morning..

Temp is lazy this morning , it refuses to get up,tis -31° at the moment, MERCY!!

Yesterday went well manged to get all that was needed and come home. Today is is do whatever day as a trip to the city tuckers me the next day.

Barb, I am with a group of ladies that make qults for cancer patients. My supply dwindled and there is a call for 3 if not 4 quilts and I deliver them in this district. My friend did make quilts for sale and she would take them to the farmers market, some of hers went for 1000.00.

Patricia, I think this is your kind of weather , do you mind taking it back?

Better get on with the day.

Enjoy your day and stay safe.

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