Good Morning Everyone from the
Icy cold, but Sunny rocky coast of Maine!

I have found an absolutely fabulous Ceramic Heater
from LASKO

https://www.amazon.com/Lasko-758000-Cyclonic-Ceramic-Heater/dp/B000QC77A8/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1514730482&sr=8-9&keywords=lasko+ceramic+heater

To subsidize the heat in my corner apartment,  which
is needed when the temps get down into the lover teens and
falls below zero...  Add wind chill to that and I need
this additional heater.     The management here gave me
this heater to use.    But I am going to purchase one
on my own for future use.     

It really works fabulously and is very quiet.   I highly
recommend it if a heating subsidy is required where
you live.   

Thank Goodness this is the last day of 2017....
I am looking forward to  the new year.   Imagine...
it is almost 2018 ...
   

Wowzer !!! 

Sandy

Larry, we got about three inches of snow yesterday. It was very light and easy to shovel and brush off the walk, porch and car. The neighbor boy went to work this morning early. and of course, the snow plow came through and pushed the snow up onto the walk and dumped a bunch on the drive when he had to move back out onto the middle of the road because my other neighbor had her van parked close by on the other side. It didn't take long, though to clear that off. I especially wanted to get it before it got heavy and fused with other chunks as plowed snow often does.

Since I didn't drive over to George's to check on and feed his cats yesterday, I had to do that today. I took my snow shovel along with me but didn't have to do much. One of his neighbors already did the walk. I did shovel a bit of snow out of the way so there would be better parking for the church goers across the street, also it will have a better chance of drying off rather than solidifying into a mass of ice by the time George gets back.

A few of the towns in the area are postponing or canceling their New Years Eve festivities because of the cold. I am not planning on going anywhere.

Interesting article about American doctors still doing expensive procedures that they know do not work such as stents.

"The recent news that stents inserted in patients with heart disease to keep arteries open work no better than a placebo ought to be shocking. Each year, hundreds of thousands of American patients receive stents for the relief of chest pain, and the cost of the procedure ranges from $11,000 to $41,000 in US hospitals.

But in fact, American doctors routinely prescribe medical treatments that are not based on sound science."

"The stent controversy serves as a reminder that the United States struggles when it comes to winnowing evidence-based treatments from the ineffective chaff. As surgeon and health care researcher Atul Gawande observes, “Millions of people are receiving drugs that aren’t helping them, operations that aren’t going to make them better, and scans and tests that do nothing beneficial for them, and often cause harm.”

https://www.vox.com/the-big-idea/2017/12/28/16823266/medical-treatments-evidence-based-expensive-cost-stents?utm_source=pocket&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=pockethits

In case I don't get back here in time, I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year.

Tom just left to celebrate New Years Eve with his two lady friends - not at the same time, of course.  Robin is his main friend, a phlebotomist, and she has to work tonight.  Tom is taking her out to eat before she has to report for work.  Then he'll go to Holland to celebrate with Mary and probably will be home about 2 or 3 am.  He took some shrimp and cocktail sauce with him and I think he'll share it with Mary.

We are around 15 degrees and that's as high as we've been all day. 

Mary Ann

Mary Ann - I don't think you said where you are going?  Wherever it is, have a good time!
Happy New Year, to you too!

It is cold and dreary here in northwest Floridaâ€"-supposed to get down to 29F during the night brrr.  HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE.  Hope 2018 is a great year for us all.

HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL.

One of the reasons I posted the medical procedures report was because it also mentions shoulder, knee and back pain procedures.

I hope everyone has a good New Years. I don't have anything planned which is nice and Farrah always seems to "wing it" Last Friday she surprised me by not only growling at her smartyKat toy but also drug it about as MarsGal reported her kitten had done.

Yesterday we debuted with minus 29. This morning we started at zero and the rest of the day and following night should be fine for all the revelers. It's no use my going to bed early as there will be fireworks tonight to celebrate the holiday.

[attachimg=1]

Happy New Year !

[I noticed that my profile classes me as a Newbie because I haven't posted all that often since this site was reorganized a year or two ago.  I was thinking the other night how many people have come and gone here since I started posting in the AOL forums in 1996.  Papa John Murphree and Norm Tock played friendly foils for each other in the old Aardvark Forum on AOL and then moved over to the internet Senior Net site in 1997.  Senior Net had a convention and meeting in Wilmington, NC, in the summer of 1997 and I went up everyday for three days to attend it.  Met Joan Scales, Pat Halbach, and many of the other forum leaders and they all encouraged me to start posting on the new internet site.  Later went to the Atlanta Bash in 2000 and met Papa John, Western Joan, Gladys Barry, and many others I can picture but whose names escape me at the moment.  Also went to the Calgary Bash in 2003 and met many more Senior Netters who are no longer here but were all very special! Hope Pat Halbach is doing better after her recent arm problem!

I am so grateful to be a survivor!  Our technology has come a long way since 1997 and these days I exchange text messages on my phone with my children and grandchildren.  I can remember wondering in the 1900s if I would live to see the year 2000 and here within a few hours is 2018! Life and our world are truly remarkable!  I am so grateful also for the medical advances that have enabled Windell and I to celebrate our 60 years of marriage - my back surgery in 2011 and his heart stents three years ago. We are a long way from a perfect world but we have come a long way, Baby!  I'm not knocking it!

Sending all of you my warmest wishes for a blessed and healthy 2018 with more "ups" than "downs"!  So grateful to still be able to send you those wishes! Mary Ann, thank you for all you do to keep the Bait and Tackle Shop going![/size]

Johann, thank you for your kind words about my keeping this folder going, but I can't say I have a thing to do with it.  I do try to post something every day in an effort to keep it going.  I am always happy to hear from long-timers - you, Junee from Australia, Shirleyn, Beverly (who did I miss?).  I recognized the names you listed, but I have met only a few SNers.  Papa John, Cornelia and Wrinkles stopped to see Norm and Dot a few years ago (few?  maybe many) in Florida while I was there.  Bob Someone (maybe as far back as the Aardvarks) stopped a couple of years.  I goofed on a trip to Maine when I should have met Sandy/Dapphne but I didn't think she lived in Portland so didn't call the number Norm gave me.  A couple of times several people came to Grand Rapids where we met for lunch at a nearby restaurant (Cheers) and I can't remember any of the names.  It does amaze me that we have people in Israel, England, Canada, Australia, Japan and the US (including Alaska) on the various folders.  I feel I know them, even though I'll probably never meet them in real life.  When I was on AOL there was a woman from Hawaii who posted.  We are richer for our contacts with others all over the world. 

I doubt I'll stay up long enough to see in the new year, but I never know.  I generally am finished computing by 10 pm and that is when I feed the cat, then I usually go to bed.  I'm not a night owl and I also am not the morning person I used to be.

Happy New Year to everyone (again) in case I don't return tonight.

Mary Ann

Happy New Year Everyone!
May the new year bring you all happiness, wealth and good health and may you all be Blessed by God.

Let me know if the animation causes you problems. I'll be removing it after New Year's Day, but I like the sentiments it holds!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

shirleyn

The message and the animation is great, Beverly!  Thanks for sharing it with us.

And may 2018 bring health and happiness to Every One at Seniors and Friends!

Sue

  Happy New Year  Everyone !!

My "typing assistant" and me are here to wish you all a Happy New Year.

Before I could get any typing done, I had to reset the browser after Shan changed them. I have no clue which buttons he pushed to change them.

The temp is showing ZERO this morning. The extended forecast says it won't get above freezing until next week. The humidifier downstairs is having trouble getting the humidity up to 30% the last few days. I raised the settings a few times, but not enough.

Hi Everyone and Happy New Year. We are below freezing here this morning but just barely as it was 31 degrees when I got up.  It will stay in the 30's today but above freezing and then we will be in the 20's tonight.  I know this sounds pretty warm to those of you having such cold weather.  Neither Pat nor I have any appointments this week so am looking forward to a pretty quiet week and getting things summarized from last year in preparation for tax time and new schedules set up for this year and updating various things like a summary of our bills and financial information in case it is needed this year, but I don't expect to happen but one never knows.    I plan on watching Georgia play Oklahoma in the Rose Bowl this afternoon and then perhaps will watch Clemson play Alabama  this evening but probably won't last the whole game as it doesn't get underway until 8:45 this evening and that is getting pretty late for this old man.  There are a couple of earlier games I will probably tune into. 

Sandy, those Ceramic Heaters are great and that one looks good an says it is space saving.  I am glad you have it to help provide some supplemental heat.  I have a small heater here in my office but only need to use it a few times each winter as the heat pump keeps this house pretty uniformly warm or cool.

MarsGal, that is the kind of snow one wants to get. I would think a lot of people who probably normally get out for a New Year's celebration may have stayed in due to the extreme cold.  We did hear quite a few fireworks last night. 

Patricia, having been the recipient of six stents in the past I know that they do well for some people and others not as helpful, although one sure feels better for awhile after they are put in.  Unfortunately all six of my stents have been closed off for quite a few years.  I wonder if the persons making the statements have ever suffered the experience of blocked arteries and known the relief of having them opened up with a stent and how much better you feel immediately?  I do think doctor's over prescribe tests and medication in an effort to avoid lawsuits for malpractice.  Doctors are in a tough position as many patients expect to get a pill or some type of treatment for their complaints.  Interesting 2018 graphic you shared.  Maybe you can get a little extra sleep today after being kept up by the fireworks last night. 

Johann, I never posted on the AOL forums but think we stated on SeniorNet about the same time.  There were a lot of people at the Wilmington convention.  That was an enjoyable experience.  The only Bash I ever attended was the Atlanta one and really enjoyed getting to meet so many wonderful friends from the web.  I certainly never expected to be able to live this long either and now have my sites on getting to 80 and then in a couple more years celebrating 60 years of marriage. 

Mary Ann, well said that we are richer because of our friends we have on the web.  I certainly didn't stay up to see the new year start and it made it without my help. 

Beverly, that is a very nice New Year's greeting and I like the animation.  I sometimes wonder why we still have the policy discouraging posting graphics and pictures in our discussions since they are posted on the same server and account.  I wonder if it isn't time to revisit this policy and see if there is any longer a need for it.  I think graphics add a lot to the discussions. 

Thank you all for the special New Year's greetings. 

Mary Ann, I had to chuckle at Tom celebrating with his two lady friends.  I hope he had a great time. 

Jean, I think you were colder in Florida than we were last night here in South Carolina. 

Good Morning Everyone!

25 degrees here in San Antonio and not expected to get above freezing all day.  Been awhile since we have had a cold spell like this and looks like this one is here for a while, this week anyhow.

Larry, I have a week full of appointments so I will have to out in this cold several times.   grrrrrr.  or should I say brrrrr.

Some of you may enjoy this link:

https://biggeekdad.com/2016/08/magical-rope-trick/

Happy New Year Everyone.  Beverly's flashing birthday cake is doing its thing to my left (Random Image), very timely for the New Year.

I didn't stay up until midnight, but about 9:30 I discovered the New York Philharmonic on PBS celebrating with Leonard Bernstein music.  It was very enjoyable, so I watched and listened until 11 pm when I headed for bed.  I heard some fireworks in the vicinity, but none were too close and I slept until 12:10 am of 2018.  After a pit stop, I went back to bed and sleep.

Tom got in about 4 am but he said he had been driving until that time and it was profitable.  He is out driving now.  He said he felt quite awake but I know if he is home this afternoon, he will snooze. 

It is nearly noon and I'm not dressed yet but I will be soon.  I didn't wake up myself until 9 am and that is unusual for me.  Even the cat was asleep, not coming in to join me,  however, he had been clawing on the bed earlier. 

Hal, that is quite a rope trick and I have no idea how he does it.  I think I knew one easy magic trick years ago, but I have no idea what trick or how to perform it.  I am not a magician by any means.

My computer said 10 degrees a few minutes ago and the one in this room says 12 but the sun is shining and I have an idea it is shining on the cable.  Regardless, it is cold and we will be in the freezer for at least another week, maybe longer. 

I talked to Dot last night and she was heading for bed before midnight; she hurts but is getting along OK.  She and her neighbor are long-time friends, so they get together to play cards and chat and reminisce.  She will visit two doctors this week to see if her pain can be eased.

It is good to see so many people up-and-atem already this morning.

If you look at Grand Haven, that white stuff is snow on ice.  The water is still warmer than the air (32 degrees water vs 13 degrees air) but daily the ice will build up.  If we continue to have such cold weather, I can believe the lake would be frozen out to the outer lighthouse (red building).  I'd love to see the ice show in formations but we need wind for that.  Stay tuned!

Mary Ann

Good frosty Morning to Every One..
High temp today is suppose to be 8 degrees Fahrenheit,
but the wind chill is -7 degrees F..... 

Yes, we are in for a weeks worth (at least) of uncommon
freezing weather..  And so it is.

The heater is awesome ... I am very pleased with it.
Much better then the older one that I have under my desk. 

I have the old one under my desk,  the new one in the middle
of the living area,  and I turn on my oven for about an
hour.      I know that it seems like a lot,  but until the temps
get naturally up into the twenty some thing,  I will
have to work to keep this apartment comfortably warm.

Finally 2018 is here.     
I plan on keeping a positive attitude,  until something
outrageous happens.  (news wise)    Then I will
hibernate until things improve again. 

I am still able to control what news I am
subjected to,  and I will take advantage of
this control  while I can. 

For self preservation,  I must maintain a positive
outlook,  in spite of the nature of world events
(political) around me.   

  Sandy 

Happy January  Every One!!!!

Sandy, I am happy you are keeping (or trying to) a positive attitude.  I know it isn't easy these days.  I find that by taking what comes along one day at a time helps me.  And that isn't easy for everyone.  Having Tom here is a very big help and I doubt I would be able to get along alone.  Perhaps if I lived in an apartment where outside things are done for you, I would get along OK.  But I own this condo and as long as I have adequate income to care for things, I'll plan to stay here.  Tom furnishes my transportation and does much of the cooking.  Just now he came in from driving for Uber and he stopped to get a cheeseburger and Sprite for me.  We do not eat  normally any longer, but when he goes to the grocery, he get a couple of salads for me so I get some meat and roughage during the week.

Keep up the positive attitude and I'll try to do the same.

Happy New Year to everyone - again.

Mary Ann

Good morning from a snowy Interior. We have and continue to come out of the deep freeze, (minus 25 to minus 30); but different weather sites vary widely in their forecasts and from the one on my North facing balcony.

Farrah remains the same and Alan, and Dora will be back sometime early next week. I went to bed early last night only to be abruptly awakened by the bursts of fireworks right outside seemingly. How I could have forgotten about them, I don't know. I have been invited to a brunch on the third with a welcome to the new year theme, and it will be interesting to see what they come up with as he is from India and she is British.

Larry, the article was initially published in the British Medical Society's journal Lancet by an American heart surgeon, with follow-ups by British doctors on Britians doctors.

It's interesting that the lower 48 states are going into the deep freeze while we in the Interior are warming up. It might be surprising to note that our cold weather pushes West from Canada here as well while warmer weather comes East from Siberia.

Sandy, I have a large ceramic heater that I occasionally use when the wind comes through my older balcony doors. Its use does tend to mess with the wall mounted thermostat, so I try to limit using it. The outer hallways and first floor were noticeably cold last week but are now quite warm. It seems to be hard to find a happy medium.

Johann, it was nice to see you posting again, and I fondly remember meeting you and Windell when you visited here. I was sorry to hear of yours and his continued medical issues. It seems as someone once said that the only ones benefiting from growing older are doctors!

I have several cyber friends going back eighteen years, talked to a few via phone and talk to a couple on the phone currently that I've never met in person. Also, I have Bubble to thank for getting together with Karren when she still lived here and before her illness.

There were so many past friends in PSP that helped me immeasurably such as Den, Rae, and Bunnie while Oscar, Dave, and Jerry were influential in my learning to use my computer. Adrienne has been a close friend as has Caroline and some others now only on Facebook.

All of these, past and present have taught me so much and enriched my life. I give thanks that they are and were in my life.

MaryAnn, these days it can be hard at times to stay positive. Recently we learned of new policies here as well as a further rent increase, and of course, bills still eat up most seniors' income, but there are still good times and good friends.

I like to prepare many recipes ahead of time using my slow cooker, Instapot, etc. which I then freeze. So, it is easy to pick a side and a main dish from the freezer to thaw and then heat that evening. I no longer routinely fix the meals I used to and cleaning my entire apartment in two or three hours is no longer possible. I will sometimes take most of the morning to finish only one room, and a broad clean now takes a week instead of a day.

Just three years ago, I worked forty hours weekly, kept a clean house and walked everywhere at any time. Now that would be an impossibility!

Good New Years morning to everyone!  We watched a couple of old movies on TV, and went to bed at 11:00. Got up early, to make coffee, and sit and watch the Rose Parade.  It starts promptly at 8:00 AM here, and of course it is live.  You Eastern folks would have a later start, at 11 AM.  I saw no mention of the Parade in this folder or in Soda Shoppe, so I think it must be a California thing?  No mention of it last year either.  I grew up in Alhambra, which is just a few miles from Pasadena, so we went to the parade throughout my childhood.  When I was a teenager, I worked New Years Eve (all night) on the Alhambra or the San Gabriel floats. Difficult handling those flowers, stems, leaves, bark, etc.  The floats weren't as elaborate back then, but still took a lot of effort from the volunteers.  Now I'm sure all floats are designed and decorated by professionals.

Today we plan to put away the indoor decorations, and AJ will take down the outside lights that he puts up every year after Thanksgiving.  An ordeal, but worth it. This is the first year I can remember that there wasn't a West Coast team playing in the Rose Bowl.  Lots of people are very unhappy about the changes that have been made in college football.  Most people here feel that The Rose Bowl (the first bowl game), tradition goes way back, and was always a West Coast team playing a team from the Midwest/Pac 10? Anyway, it's changed now, so that's the way it is.  I'm not a big football fan, but I did love the tradition of the Rose Bowl game.  Since none of my favorite California or Oregon teams will play this year, I plan to root for Oklahoma!

Good afternoon, I cannot say anything  more about the weather, that has not been said, brrrrr

Marilyn, I always watch the Rose Parade, and of course Macy's.  That is my big thing on those two holidays, everyone in the family knew what I would be doing during those hours,

MaryAnn, I wrote to you in and another post.  Glad to hear Dot will finally a doctor.

Patricia, we use to hear fire works around here, but not in the last couple of years,  The park always has a New Years party at the club house, with a DJ. Cyriel and i always use to go, as we did not have far to go after a few drinks. Once he was gone I did not enjoy it as much.  I just am happy to go to bed now, watch a little TV and read.  Maybe that is part of my old age, Taffy sets on my lap, while I read.

















c

Marilyne,  the Rose Parade began at 10:00 a.m. here and was shown until noon.

Long article in this morning's paper about the changes in the Rose Bowl schedule over the years.  It was compared to the feeling this area would have if the Texas/OU game wasn't played in the Cotton Bowl stadium in Dallas during the regular season.  I think "they" once tried having it alternately in the college stadiums but there was such an uproar that it was changed back.

Good to hear you're rooting for Oklahoma.  As a second generation Sooner who started going to games with her parents at age 6,  I will be, too!!!!!   

Callie - I saw your message in Soda Shoppe, that you missed most of the Oklahoma Band, in the Rose Parade?  Did you know that HGTV broadcasts the parade, with no commercials?  Also very little chit-chat between the "hosts", unless it's parade oriented.  Makes for smooth viewing, and you never miss a single thing.  In past years, when we watched it on ABC or NBC, they would always cut away for a commercial, whenever a band was approaching the camera!   This was extremely annoying, because both my husband and I love to see and hear the bands.  Then someone told us about HGTV, and we've watched that channel ever since. 

We're looking forward to the game this afternoon! Go Sooners!

Marilyn, I have always watched on HGTV, and I too enjoy the bands,  I am amazed at the size of some of them makes our high school band look  so small.  that Japanese group was interesting, and some were all the way from Australia

Marilyn, I must apologize but I forgot all about the Rose Parade.  I think I have watched it most years.  For one thing I got up about 9 am, late for me, and I did my computing.  I probably did not turn on the TV until 1 pm and I think the parade ends about noon here.  Unless someone just has to watch the football game in my presence, I have not watched the games.  I just am not interested in football now, but I can remember when I did.  I have been more interested in golf of late and I just turned on the channel to see if there was a tour - and there is on St Simon Island, GA.  I can tell by the leaderboard the game is almost over as many have finished.  I used to be an ardent baseball fan, especially the Detroit Tigers, but after the salaries got so big, I lost interest.  And they expanded the leagues and by now, I hardly recognize the names of the players.  I'm no longer a sports fan!!!

Callie, I know you're a great football fan, with a rivalry with Hal, but I have no idea who your Sooners played today!  I thought either or both Michigan or Michigan state was to play in a bowl but I haven't seen their names on TV.  I'll have to go to the sports on the computer to find out.

Patricia, your brunch on the third should be interesting considering the nationalities of the people involved.  I've always thought the British were rather bland in their cooking, not using too many spices and I've thought the Indian cooking would be quite spicy.  My thoughts may not be true in either case.

My Social Security increase was all of $1 so you know that will go fast, especially if I have any medical bills.  Other than my A-Fib and arthritis, I have been fortunate in my health and I'll try to keep it that way.   I have my worries but I try not to let them overpower me.  Having Tom here is a big help.

Tom is meeting Annie to give her her Christmas gifts since she missed getting with us on Saturday.  He said afterward he hoped that she would come back her and if she does, I'll give her my gift to her. 

Mary Ann