Patricia, Powdery was the word I was trying to think of for your snow instead of fine.  We do have powdery snow at times, maybe at the beginning of the season but usually we have a wet snow that packs really good.  Especially in March as the winter is ending, we get the wet snows.  I also remember in 1976 in March we had a horrible ice storm.  Our temperature tonight is 33 degrees and Tom said it is raining out.

I don't know what happened to the movie, but Tom is here tonight.   That is fine by me both because of the movie and the weather.  Not everyone is as good a driver as Tom is and he could have someone plow into him.

Mary Ann

Well, we have warmed up from minus thirty-five to minus sixteen. That won't last as the night continues. This temperature change is a big reason why the Solstice is so appreciated here besides all the hoopla surrounding the week of continuous daylight during the summer Solstice. The more darkness, the longer the cold remains. The more daylight, the more temperatures warm and winter relents.

So, in the middle of a dark winter, there is colder weather. So the greater relief and pleasure as after the winter Solstice, daylight minutes escalate and you get closer and closer to Spring and Summer.

We have had two ice storms here in my memory, and others as any other ice storms were not recorded.

The first one in 2006, saw the entire city shut down and schools let out, and workers sent home. Buses, cars, and trucks went sliding hither and yon and often had issues accelerating at intersections. The buses mainly shut down, so there were plenty of problems with that and people needing to be here or there. We had several trees fall, a couple of fires and several outages were lasting a good while. This was during a particularly warm winter that hit just the right conditions.

The second ice storm wasn't as severe and only a few minor outages as they were more prepared.

Patricia, 2006 was the year I was in Alaska, fortunately in August, much after the ice storm.  It did rain every day of our tour but not hard enough to deter our travels.  We were not able to see Denali, however.

It's 34-35 degrees here and expected to be in the high 40s by the end of the week.  Fickle weather!

Mary Ann

HI everyone.  It is an overcast morning but little chance of rain and we are to get into the mid-70's once again today so certainly no complaints.  Yesterday turned out to be a sort of wasted day and was feeling so tired by 11 am I went and laid down until after 2 pm.  I did go to the men's meeting since I had committed to be there.  The steak and salad were delicious and the vegetables were OK.  The program was information about the Project Warm that had been done by the men and women of the church last Friday and Saturday.  I came home and went to bed a little after 8:30.  Unfortunately I am feeling the same exhaustion again this morning.  However, I have to take Pat for the first appointment with the physical therapy group this morning and that will likely be it for today.

Sandy, it sounds like the sleep helped your body ward off the effects of the cold.  Glad you are feeling better.

Mary Ann, it seems only yesterday that you were talking about Annie being 16.  Good luck with your Quicken. 

Marilyne, I was very anxious to be out on my own as had lived at home when I went to college and got my degree in three years by going to summer school sessions as well as the regular term.  I am sure my folks thoughts some of our early married life decisions were foolish but that was how we learned and hopefully matured. 

Patricia, with the weather you have already had and are now having you must really dread the thought of February if it followed the old path of years ago.  I found your description of your married and work life very interesting. I agree with you on attending movies and haven't been to one since Titanic and doubt that I will ever go to the movies again.  I can watch them on my large TV and control the volume, have my own snacks and enjoy my easy chair.

JeanneP, your traffic situation day before yesterday sounds like it was terrible.  We have had some fog but nothing like you described.  I hope it does warm up for you. 

Larry - I'm impressed with your mild and pleasant weather! I didn't realize that SC had such warm winters. The climate sounds much like Southern CA, in the winter, except more rain and maybe colder overnight?  Here in the Northern part of CA, we haven't seen temps in the 70's since mid November.  We do have an early Spring here . . . usually by mid February, the trees are leafing out, and the blossoms are appearing on the flowering trees and fruit trees. 

Pat will probably get relief from the physical therapy.  When I had a painful bout of sciatica last winter at this time, my back doctor sent me to water therapy.  It was one on one therapy in a small warm pool, and I really felt that it helped me to heal. The simple water exercises were very relaxing. Medicare paid for six weeks, and would have paid for another six, only I was so much better by then, that I didn't do the second six weeks. However, I can return again if needed. 

A bit warmer this morning tis 15 degrees but still snowing  ,

Good afternoon, on this raining day, could be snow, but to warm.

Marilyn, I found water therapy is so good, I use to go to our pool here in the park everyday..  i also use to go to the spar in Riverhead, but it went out of business.  the hot tub use to help my back, I would set where the jets would hit the right spot. I have spinal spinoise.
By the way, did you watch Victoria. I have started watching.

MaryAnn, on CreateTV this morning, travel on lake Michigan , very interesting.

Good Afternoon Everyone,  from the cold,
but very pleasant,  rocky coast of Maine.   

I got a lot done today:
I got my INR checked at the Lab,  and picked up some groceries for the week,   and finally got in to see about
getting me some new dentures.   

Things went very swiftly ....
I told them that I had been sick,  but they all wore face masks and gloves and told me not to worry.  The good news I got through all of the exams, including Xrays,  and impressions....
By the end of this month my top teeth will be completed.

The bottoms are to be determined at a later date,  because of the possibility of surgery   and the fact that taking Warfaren makes surgery a very troubling option.     
So I may just do what I have planned on doing,  and that is only get the top dentures and wait to see how things are going for the bottom ones.

All in all I am very pleased with the facility that I chose to use
(Aspen Dental)  because they basically made me feel comfortable with no pressure,  and I really liked their service. 

I am also feeling better now and hopefully the cold or what ever it was is on its way out,  for good. 

Sandy   

Nothing new here today except I am avoiding a number of small chores I need to do. Farrah is her usual and I haven't been out of my apartment in several days, just too much to do and too much time on the computer, avoiding those chores!

Mary Ann, you are going to kill me, I cant find your post with the information about your printer and computer and what you are running W7 or what.   Can you give me the information again.   Sorry for my neglect.

Hal, don't feel bad and don't laugh but I can't find the post either and I know I posted the info.  I doubt I put it in another folder.  Anyway, I have a HP Pavilion laptop and a P1102W HP laser printer.  I'll say I have W-10 on the laptop, however, it started out as W-7 and I made the mistake of downloading W-10 so I don't use it much now - except to print!

I just finished printing some statements from my older HP laptop and got everything printed and did some other viewing and eventually, the computer shut down.  With that computer (and it's old) the vent is in the bottom and for a long time, I had no trouble, but now I do.  I really like that computer because the touch pad is in the center and the arrow keys are at the very right and I can just go to them automatically.  With this computer I must look at the keys to find what I want to do with the arrows.  I have the touch pad disabled on both computers.

Mary Ann

I had an acquaintance over for a moment while I was taking care of some small jobs in the apartment. She remarked on what I was using and said it, i.e. natural cleaners, didn't do the job like commercial ones did. I didn't say anything back, but I have been using these since I was at my mother's knee and my dad had made himself scarce. I also recently saw similar ideas at a site I enjoy called Apartment Therapy.

First, as a finishing disinfectant and as a nightly closeout, I use peroxide and white vinegar to spray my kitchen and bathroom countertops, cell phones and anything else that might need it. You do not want to mix them together as they can make breathing hard but you put the vinegar in one spray bottle and with the peroxide, just exchange the cap for a spray top, leaving it in its original bottle.

Stronger peroxide, like 20% can be used to clean and lighten older plastics and disinfect kids toys. Or spray it on bathroom mold or mildew, wait ten minutes and wipe.

First, spray with the white vinegar, wait five minutes and wipe. Then spray with the peroxide, wait the five minutes and then wipe. You use only a small amount and this kills staph germs, cold and flu germs, E Coli and 99% of any bacteria as well as most stains. The only exception to this is marble surfaces because it may stain. This doesn't have to be nightly, it can be anytime you feel a need or feel a cold coming on. And it doesn't leave behind chemicals or harmful residues as commercial products do.

And if you don't mind your house smelling like a pickle, here are some ideas using apple cider vinegar.

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/13-ways-to-clean-your-whole-home-with-apple-cider-vinegar-235579


I'm sure you know and use all of these as they have been around, like baking soda for generations. But I was surprised at how many didn't know of them or spent inordinate amounts of money on commercial products loaded with chemicals and dangerous warnings.

And now back to your regularly scheduled program!

Hal, I gave you some wrong info as to my computer:  I have Windows 10 on it and I use Firefox as my browser.  I go to Edge occasionally to try it out, but I am sticking with Firefox for now.

Mary Ann

MaryAnn I just checked the hp website and they make it easy now to pick right driver.  I am on my IPad and can't post the link but will do so after the news.

MaryAnn, go to this link, go about half way down and you will see "Software and Drivers, click on it and then "go" at right,  then go to the bottom of the page that comes up, left hand side, and you will find "Automatic Installing Best Driver for Your Printer"  I have not run this since I don't have your computer.  But hopefully it will do the trick.

http://support.hp.com/us-en/product/HP-LaserJet-Pro-P1102-Printer-series/4110394/model/4110306/drivers

Any problems let me know.

Hi everyone. We have another mid-70's day ahead of us with no rain.  Pat's physical therapy appointment yesterday went well and she will have 5 more once a week appointment.  It was after noon before she was finished so we decided to have our big meal of the day while we were out.  Today we are going to go to COSTCO about the time it opens so Pat can select new frames and get her new glasses made.  I will pick up a couple of items for our son while she is at the optical department.  That will be it until this evening when I will meet Scott and Jennifer at the church for the Wednesday night dinner and they will come out and visit for awhile.

Marilyne, while we have seasons here in South Carolina and Georgia the winters are generally pretty mild.  Of course, it can get pretty hot here in the summer but it is a nice place to live. Pat and I are both hopeful she will get relief with the Physical Therapy. 

deAngel, quite a few years ago Pat was going to the pool with some lady friends.  After I retired I went for a couple of years until trying to exercise in the water became to much for me. 

Sandy, it sounds like you are well on your way with the new dentures, at least half of them.  Glad you are feeling better.

Mary Ann, have you tried raising the back of the computer that overheats?  That would allow the heat to escape.  I one time put my laptop on a pillow when using it in a motel room and it got too hot and shut down.  I took it in to have it checked and everything was OK and that is when I realized I had cut off the escape of the heat. 

Patricia, had you asked your acquaintance for her opinion on your cleaning products?    However, not sure I want our house to smell like a pickle!

Good morning to a very cold and foggy morning as many drivers and newcomers are feeling. Presently at 11:06 AM it is 50 below with extremely dense ice fog. The eighties have returned to the Interior! Ice fog is made up of frozen particles of car emissions that hang about just like the dense fog Shirley and Jackie spoke about in England.

Farrah is at the balcony doors watching the ravens surf the wind currents and I am on the couch with that first cup of coffee and visiting you.

Larry, enjoy your weekly evening and meal out with Scott and Jennifer! I don't use the apple cider vinegar, just the white vinegar as it works well, so no pickles for me! There are always those who feel a need to tell you what you are doing is wrong or that their way is better. After years as a manager, I find myself doing that on occasion and have to pull back and be quiet! 

MaryAnn, going along with what Larry said, there are shelves made for laptops that raise the laptop slightly so the heating vent isn't covered. There are probably just as many items around the house that would do the trick just as well.

Sandy, that is a good idea as it is also my top that needs new crowns and bridges. The ones on the bottom are just small spaces on both sides and in the back. Dentists and a complete physical are both something I need to do this year, preferably in the summer!

Apartment Therapy is a site for those in small apartments without ready cash. It is a good site with good articles and links to many others but it is not preaching one lifestyle over another, just how to do some things better and presented in a variety of ways.

A good quote!

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
"If I knew of something that could serve my nation but would ruin another, I would not propose it to my prince, for I am first a man and only then a Frenchman ... because I am necessarily a man, and only accidentally am I French. -Montesquieu, philosopher, lawyer, and writer." (18 Jan 1689-1755)

I spent the better part of the morning, searching through the Lost & Found boxes, at my neighborhood Safeway, and local Laundromat.  Went to Safeway yesterday, and that was the last I saw of my prescription sunglasses.  I took them off when I drove into the underground parking garage, and must have dropped them in my lap.  Parked and got out, and they probably fell to the floor of the garage. 

We looked around the area where I parked, and then went up to the store, where we rifled through about 4 large bins of "lost" items.  Mostly backpacks, sweaters, hats, jackets, and a surprisingly large number of eyeglasses . .. none of which were mine.  The customer service woman who was helping us, said that they have a separate locked drawer, where they keep the valuable found stuff like watches, rings, wallets, cell phones, and dozens of different credit cards.  She said that those items rarely ever get claimed, or even asked about. That really surprised me.

After that, we went down the street to the laundromat, where daughter lost/left a nice towel, that has her name embroidered across the front.  There were three tall bins there to plow through, and I must say, I was disgusted with how filthy everything was in those bins! Unwashed, soiled sheets, towels and pillow cases, plus endless numbers of socks, underwear, T shirts, et al, that smelled really bad.  Her towel was not there.  Why anyone would want a towel with someone else's name on it, is a mystery to me?   Anyway, we both felt like we needed a disinfecting shower, by the time we got home.

Marilyne, you didn't find my keys there, did you?  Only kidding!  I had a set with a car key, two house keys, mailbox key and screwdriver.  The last I remember using them was when I went to the mailbox one morning before Tom and I set out for some place.  And I could not remember where we went.  I kind of thought we went to Panera's, but I'm not sure.  Recently, when at Panera's, I asked about any keys and the cashier checked with someone who told her that no keys had been turned in.  I've looked near the mailbox (we have locked boxes) and I've looked under my bed in case I dropped them at home.  No keys anywhere.  I feel lost without them, however, I had replacements for the two house keys (one is my former housekey that now only opens the garage).  Tom and I both have mailbox keys so all is not lost there.  Just very inconvenient.  Good luck in finding your lost items.

Mary Ann

I wasn't surprised by your post, Marilyne, only in that you were allowed to go through the lost and found boxes. In the majority of hotels and stores I've worked at;  it was found that some people treat lost and found boxes as free shopping. Also, all valuables were always locked up and double-initialed by both the clerk finding the item and the cash office clerk filing it away. And no, the majority were never picked up in this throwaway society. I should amend that as the electronic car starters were always reclaimed, (Especially in winter). 

I have a lovely prescription pair of very dark sunglasses. They are made to cover the entire eye area including sides and are meant to go over your eyeglasses. Since I am absent minded, I make sure to immediately put them into their case when I no longer need them and make sure they are stored there. At the price I paid and losing lesser priced pairs, I now make it a point to put them up immediately. Intense sunlight has often given me a migraine since I am light sensitive and this pair was over my price range by quite a bit!

MaryAnne, I was always losing keys sunglasses, the aforementioned umbrellas, and other items. I finally got smart when I was still employed and had a full set of keys in my desk drawer, my home and on my person. By making this a strong habit, I have finally stopped losing things.

Now what is annoying is that I always, always, have to check that I have everything before I leave an area. The doors here automatically lock, and I have twice had to pay the twenty-five dollar fee to have maintenance come to unlock your door, and you have to sign where they have initialed on their clipboard. So now I double check that I have my keys before allowing the automatic door closing.

I'll wait a couple of days, and then check Safeway again for my glasses. Then I'll have to go to the optician and order a new pair.   
Patricia, like you, my eyes are sun sensitive, and will begin to smart and water, if I'm outside for very long without wearing them.  I do have a pair of the "over the top" sunglasses, that fit over my regular prescription glasses, that I can wear until I get a new pair. 

While we were rummaging through the boxes at Safeway, the customer service woman, was right there beside me. I'm sure they are instructed to watch carefully to be sure that no one helps themselves!  As for the locked drawer of valuables . . . we didn't even see it.  I think a person who has lost anything of value, would have to give a detailed description, name, etc.

The laundromat was another story.  She just pointed us in the direction of the large bins, and paid no attention to us from then on.  The idea that anyone would actually want to steal any of those dirty, smelly, worn out items, is highly unlikely. Why there was nothing there but unwashed items, I don't know? 

We are having an ice storm.

Patricia, I usually am pretty good at putting things back where they belong, at least as far as glasses and keys are concerned.  I have a glasses case in my purse and right now my dark glasses (prescription) are in it because I have my regular prescription glasses on my face.  My eyes are also very sensitive to light so when I am outdoors, I usually wear my dark glasses and put my regular glasses in the case.  I have gotten in the habit of carrying my billfold, glasses, keys only when I go out to eat with Tom, putting my keys in my slacks pocket or the zip pocket of my winter jacket.  My memory still is quite good but that particular morning is a blank and I don't even know where we went to have breakfast.  I had thought it was Panera's and maybe it was, but they have no keys.  I don't know where else to look.

Tom and I met Terry for lunch today and as usual, I brought half of my lunch home with me.  I had a Michigan Apple Salad today which consisted of apples, lettuce, cranberries, chopped walnuts and crumbled blue cheese with an apple dressing.  It was very good, but way too much for me for one meal.  I finished the salad for supper tonight and it was enough for me.

Mary Ann

Hi everyone.  We will only be in the mid-60's today with no chance of rain.  The sky is clear and the sun is bright this morning.  Today will be my typical Thursday with coffee with friends, the Wisdom group at church, and then I will pick up an online grocery order from Walmart before coming home with a brief stop at Aldi's.  We did go to COSTCO yesterday and Pat picked out new glasses while I did the shopping.  Fortunately, we each were able to use the riding carts.  However, yesterday was another day where I experienced a lot of weariness and as soon as I got home I skipped lunch and laid down for about 3 hours to rest.  I did get to the Wednesday night dinner at church with Scott. My granddaughter wasn't feeling well so he took her dinner home to her in a box after we finished and then he came out and spent a couple of hours with us.

I did read in the newspaper yesterday that our little town will have a Dairy Queen open by the end of April.  It is to be on an out parcel where our closest Walmart is located.  I am delighted but realize it will be a great temptation as I do like those Dairy Queen Blizzards. 

Patricia, I can't imagine getting out in a 50 below zero day.  One thing I do remember about Anchorage back in the late 60's was the lack of garages, which I found odd until I was told that it was a matter of the lack of wood to build with and the cost involved.  I did have a head bolt heater on my little car and I seem to remember it always started.  We had some cold weather but nothing like what you are experiencing this winter.

Marilyne, your search through the Lost & Found at the laundry must have been quite an unpleasant experience and then not finding your sunglasses added to the frustration.  I expect you have done this already but if not you might look under the driver's seat of the car.  I have lost things and found them there.

Mary Ann, whenever I get out of the car and am going to lock the doors I double check to be sure the key and door opener are in my pocket or I am still holding them.  Pat does have a set of keys but has not driven my PT Cruiser and really isn't able to do so at this time. 

Joan, hope the ice storm wasn't too bad.

Good Morning everyone from the typical cold and Wintry rocky coast of Maine.   

All is well here,  as I have no plans for today except to enjoy my Presidents last day in office.  And to say Good Bye and I will miss you President Obama.  And thank you for all that you have done for us.   I miss you already. 

Larry, I did not go out to watch it.  Cannot see much  from my window.  Never saw an ice storm, but was not into going out to watch for it either.  LOL

Larry, I do the same thing, make sure the keys are in my purse, depending on which direction I'm going.  As I am no longer driving, I try to make sure my keys are either in my purse or jacket pocket.  My key routine has changed a bit since Tom is doing all of the driving.  I no longer take the keys from the ignition.  I wish I could remember where we went for breakfast that morning.  I do think it was Panera's, but they had no keys checked in.  The keys could have come out of my jacket pocket and landed on the ground.  I don't always carry a purse these days and it seems I'll never know what happened to them.

We are up to 40 degrees now and in a couple of days our high should be in the high 40s.  With longer days, the temps will rise a bit, however, we still will get some cold weather.  It's nice enough out that I think I'll go get the mail.

Mary Ann

Already noon here and I still have not showered or dressed.  Did breakfast. read the paper and turned on the Computer. (Should not do that). Thing is it is still a dreary day. Starts to rain, quits. starts again. Not liking this winter at all. Just wish I could get in the mood to do a lot of closet cleaning and drawers. But no. I just idle time away.  Think I am going to try and line up these 2 ladies who have started a cleaning business.  No way am I ever going back to the way I was when working. Just dont like to do it now.
Sure is quiet in all the areas of S and f at the moment. Lots of people missing. Hope they get back soon.
Got a letter from the Car license place yesterday. Yes. even though it is just a year come April that I had to take the road test it is saying that have to do it again this year. Crazy.  Have been driving for over 60 years. never a ticket.It seems to be the only state where one after 80 have to take these road tests.

When I leave my apartment, my keys
are always hanging around my neck.   

When I come in my apartment,  I put the keys that
are around my neck,  on the door nob,  so they are
the first thing that I see/touch when I open  the
door nob  to leave my apartment.