Good Evening Everyone... 

Well,  I was successful today in straightening out my cutting the cord with cable...   

I successfully now have Great Internet and I kept the "local station" starter pac,  so
I can keep up with CBS, NBC and ABC shows...

In the past nine months I have now have
cut my cable, tv, internet bill from over $211 a month down to about $60  a month ...  mostly for internet service and taxes and cable modem cost....

That comes up to well over $1600 a year....
Savings !!!

Isn't that incredible?     I so now wish that
I had done this a couple years ago...  but
I have just jumped on the "cut the cable"
band wagon. 

Pretty cool.   I finally got up the
courage to get this job done.

Sandy
 

Way to go, Sandy!  I'm sure you'll be able to find plenty of things to watch on your local starter pac.  I'm a news junkie myself and hate to miss my favorites, especially my local PBS Station.

SCF Sue

Good evening from a cold night in the Interior!

Sandy, Fe is really growing from one photo to the next, so cute! I have a question. Are you still using your instapot or has it become what my mother referred to as the third kitchen? I am considering purchasing one as I make so many slow cooker and freezer meals.

Farah has been having quite a few wild times, running around, growling and jumping from place to place. Cats can develop an overabundance of prey instinct and this crazy behavior is what my vet and others describe as working it out. All of her toys have been crated up on the balcony due to the spraying and while she has stayed very close to me, I know she has been bored. I am waiting for the cleaning to be done before I start resetting up again.

So today, while shopping, I bought her one felt mouse and batteries for my laser light. Sarah, my previous cat, never cared or really noticed my laser light and didn't care for catnip. Farrah also doesn't care about catnip or the majority of Sarah's toys so I never tried the laser light. Surprisingly, she likes it and enjoys dashing hither and yon after that small red dot. Its going to be a sometime thing as she is quick to become bored with the same old toys and treats.

I will be so, so glad when all this is over. Besides, boxing and storing everything, buying a steamer as its recommended for killing bedbugs, also heavy duty zip up vinyl mattress covers for the twin bed and pillows, paying for a complete apartment cleaning by the hour and assorted aches, pains, and stress plus the development of hives and my psoriasis together, this has not been my best times! Also since the bugs supposedly originated on my floor, people are treating us all as "Typhoid Marys." I think our floor is blamed for all their woes.

Our town had a horrible start this Monday as well. One man shot his mother, girlfriend and 8-week old daughter in a murder-suicide and the father found the bodies.

And a young man is critical and on life support after falling off a balcony during a fight.

I am glad I am no longer young. Is this the world we wanted?

Hi everyone.  After a very gloomy day yesterday we have bright sunshine and a much cooler morning.  We expect to get only in the lower 60's this afternoon.  We did get another 1/2 inch of rain last evening.  Today is going to be a busy one as will soon leave to pick up my friend and take go to coffee, then take him home and then go back downtown to the church for the Wisdom group, which hasn't met for the last couple of weeks.  Then this evening is the special concert at the church that I want to attend. 

I did get to have dinner with Scott and and he come out to the house shortly before time to go to dinner and went back with me.  He then drove home.  He had had a crown preparation at the dentist yesterday and was still numb.  He didn't stay very long last evening as it was raining hard and he was getting sleepy.

Sandy, glad you are pleased with your new arrangement by cutting the cable.  That will free up a significant amount of funds each month.  I think a lot of people are jumping on the same bandwagon. 

Patricia, I see you are still waiting to move your things back into your apartment.  This will have been a year you won't soon forget and hope you never have to experience anything like it again.  Do you have a date for the man to come and clean?  Glad Farrah liked the laser light.  What a tragedy for your town. 

Good morning Larry.

With a young population and a transient military population, it is I suppose to be expected that we have the usual spates of crime. However, it has been more isolated incidences and not something usually expected so close together or so heartbreaking.

I am still waiting on the cleaner as he was one highly recommended by management and there are so many on the list here and other places I'm sure he has contracted with. This will be the year I'll always remember. I did buy a clothing steamer that came highly recommended as a bug killer and the vinyl bed coverings as I do not want to be in this position again. I never actually saw them, but several on my floor reported them, so it was assumed we all did. So they sprayed the entire building.

We have been in the minuses this week, minus twenties and a couple of minus thirties but snow is expected, and it has to warm up, (clouds and humidity);  to snow, so that will be good. Farrah is happy with her felt mouse and new treats to talk me out of so she is doing good.

I hope Joan's Furby is behaving itself and everyone is happy and healthy!

Angel, Furby has been a good little boy lately.   Been trying to teach him a new song.  So far no luck.  I won't give up yet tho.  LOL

Hi everyone.  This is one of the coolest mornings we have had all winter as it got down to 37 this morning and will only hit 60 late this afternoon.  After a busy day yesterday today should be much less busy.  The housekeeper will be here later this morning and Pat and I plan to eat out at noon or mid-afternoon.  Pat told me yesterday she wanted to get out of the house today as has been in all week.   

The concert last evening was wonderful.  I was able to video most of it with my iPhone so Pat can see it.  There was a large crowd and they had to put out more chairs.  The concert was about 2 hours long with a 10 minute intermission.  I did go pretty early and got both a good place to park and a good seat on the aisle in the second row but there wasn't a chair in front of me in the first row so I had no problem doing the video. 

Tonight and tomorrow afternoon the neighbors home across the street is being featured in the North Augusta Tour of Homes.  She has apparently been collecting nutcraker figures since she was a little girl.  The outside of her house is beautifully decorated and I am sure the inside is as well.

Patricia, hopefully you will never experience the bug problem again.  I know it has been a nightmare for you and the others in your building.  It sounds like you have taken reasonable precautions against a repeat.  You have really been cold up your way.  Glad Farrah likes her new toy and treats. 

Joan, is that a Christmas song you are trying to teach Furby? 

Larry. how did you guess?  Tis Jingle Bells.  LOL

BTW you beat us by two degrees.  Ours was 39 this a.m.

Good Morning Everyone,
from the cool,  but still sunny,
rocky coast of Maine.

I seem to remember the coffee in the
saucer trick but that was done when
I was a very young child....    I also
agree that once the saucers were exchanged
for "mugs",  saucer sipping disappeared !!!

I got up this morning and went through
my laundry while preparing it to wash,
and threw away at least 3/4 's  of it... 

Can't think of a better way to eliminate
having to wash them!     Wow...
now I can get around to doing some
laundry,  when the spirit moves me.   

I have also had to restart  paying attention
to my diet.  As I am creeping up.   

Apparently,  I  am pretty much a
"one track mind" kinda gal .... unlike my
history of having to multi task ..
I like it better this way!   

Have a good day,  everyone.   And
stay safe.

Sandy   

wjoan, you beat us by two degrees . . . 41 this morning here in the San Jose area.  Supposed to drop into the 30's next week.  My younger daughter is working at UPS over the holidays.  It's located in a huge unheated warehouse, and I guess she about froze yesterday!  Miserable working conditions, but good pay! 

Sandy, I remember my inlaws talking about having their coffee "blowed and saucered", when they were living on farms in Minnesota and the Dakota's.  I think it's a Scandinavian and German custom? 

Mary Ann has been missing the past couple of days?  I hope she is just busy with holiday stuff. 

I think that pouring coffee into saucer and blowing was done all over. In UK we only had tea but older people I would see doing it.  Now it seems like you don't see many cups and saucers used anymore. Seems to be more in beakers.  Was surprise when eating in a real nice restaurant few months ago and the coffee cups just sat on the table. No saucers. Also no small side plates. I finely asked for one. Not about to put a roll onto the table or my plate.  Did have nice white cloths.

I have a small parrot here that always wants it own way. I bought for $29.95 last week a new type of seed holder as cleanup was a mess with it throwing seed around. This thing is about a 5inch closed in clear Plexiglass  feeder. It has to put its head in to eat. Well it screamed for 3 days each time wanted seed. Tries knocking it down and if covering it at night I could hear it trying to get it down. Didn't eat for 2 days. But I just left it.  Now I am watching and it has decided only way is to go in there and get to eat.  Animals can be just as bad as kids were. Throwing fits.

Jeanne, sometimes I think they are worse than kids! Farrah leaves crumbs about her dish, doesn't like wet food which is better for cats and will not eat if the food is left in the dish. Every so often I dump the remaining food back into the crate and refill a small amount. She generally eats about three-fourths cup of dry food daily with a handful of treats thrown in.

Yesterday we had minus 24 degrees and today we have minus four so I think you folks will have to work it to reach my colder temperatures!   

They promised the sun today but never got here. I need to go over to the library before gets to dark.  It is about 40 deg. Hate having to put big jackets on. Get so hot when going into any stores. Awful in the library the other day but only in for 15 min. and didn't want to strip down. They found me 2 manuals that will show how to use the Amazon FIRE Tablet.  I need to check them out.

Today I decided to let them put in a LIfeline Emergency system. You can remove anytime. Was a discount on putting in the thing. To much going on in my area anymore and I live next to the Interstate. Have the first big lot.
Takes care of Police, firemen.. Sheriff Dept. and Hospital. Hospital is just down the road and as I said it works through them. Will feel better in the Winter having it. I don't know anyone in the area anymore. Only took 10 min. to hook it up.Today I decided to let them put in a LIfeline Emergency system. You can remove anytime. To much going on in my area anymore and I live next to the Interstate.
Takes care of Police, firemen.. Sheriff Dept. and Hospital. Hospital is just down the road and as I said it works through them. Will feel better in the Winter having it. I don't know anyone in the area anymore. Only took 10 min. to hook it up.

Jeanne, you are wise to put in an emergency system if you have no one close to you nearby.  I have Tom and Dot.  My former neighbor had one and I was on the list of people to be contacted if it went off.  If we went to her unit without notice, we were to punch in a code number.  Her sister was #1 on the list and she refused to punch in the number.  I don't know how many times the Sheriff's deputies were here because her sister had been there only for a moment.  We live a block from the Township fire station and the Sheriff's deputies check in there often so I feel well protected.

It is a so-so day today, temp about 35 degrees, no sun, but also no rain.

Patricia, I have an old sheet cake pan with edges and I put Kendrick's eating utensils on that.  Crumbs do fall, but most on the pan.  I do find I walk on cat food occasionally and he eats by the bathroom door.  But the pan catches most of the food. 

Mary Ann

The elementary school system's charity awareness has already started here and seniors are a big beneficiary from the children's efforts. We have a number of private and public schools and we are usually filled to capacity with sample shampoos, toothpaste,  and combs in little bags. The children of Immaculate Conception grade school were thinking outside the box or at least their teachers were. This morning, they attached to our doorknobs, bags of three types of dried beans, macaroni, and a seasoning packet. They also included a set of directions and ideas for add-ins such as carrots, tomatoes or other vegetables. The thoughtful  little bag is something I truly appreciated!

MaryAnn, I had been using an old placemat, but I think I'll try your idea. Thank you!

Good Morning Everyone, from the cool but clear
rocky coast of Maine. 

All around the city here the holiday lights
are going up and I see that a few
people have their trees up.   

My windows are up with blue lights and and white lights on a small tree.   

Now to wait out the count down until after the 25th.     

And then we are on to a new year... 
Hooray!

Have a good day,  Everyone!
Sandy

Hi everyone.  A chilly but nice Saturday morning and the temperature seems to be falling rather than warming a bit.  We are predicted to only get to 58 degrees today and to be even cooler tomorrow with rain starting in the late afternoon.  I got out early this morning and made a fast trip to Walmart to get a couple of items and now am set to stay home the rest of the day.  I will watch some football this afternoon and probably evening.

Yesterday Pat and I enjoyed getting out together.  We went to Tin Lizzy's for our main meal of the day and then came back from Augusta and stopped at the Office Depot where we bought a chair that is adjustable on 5 legs with wheels and arms that Pat hopes to be able to use in the kitchen.  She is feeling better and wants to resume some of the cooking responsibilities (and I am not complaining although I know I will need to be here arms to reach things in the cabinets so she doesn't need to get up and down as that is what is painful for her.  Hopefully the chair will be high enough to to used in the kitchen.  When I went to pay for it I found it was discounted so saved about $25, which was nice.  Now I have to get it put together or wait until Scott comes out Wednesday and ask him to assemble it.  I have several things I want to accomplish this morning such as fixing me some frozen fruit cups and grate some cheddar cheese.  Next week will be a big shopping trip to COSTCO to stock up on several things. 

Joan, I hope Furby soon catches the Christmas spirit and learns the song. 

When a person thinks about the saucer sipping it makes sense since coffee when initially served is very hot.  Pouring it out for a larger cooling surface that the cup surface will help it cool much quicker. 

Sandy, we have linens that are filling up dresser drawers or storage space that we will never use again and need to get rid of them but just don't seem to get around to doing so.  We don't do much decorating any more for Christmas although Pat puts out her angel figures and we have a small already decorated Christmas tree that fits in the entertainment center where the television used to be. 

Marilyne, it sounds like your daughter has some very unpleasant working conditions.  I suppose they expect that the employees will be doing so much manual labor that they will stay warm from the work effort.  Glad she at least gets good pay. 

JeanneP, does your parrot talk and if so did you get a bawling out for treating it the way you did with its food and changing its life style?  I hope the Kindle Fire manuals are helpful to you.  You can also probably find a lot of info on YouTube about using various features with videos showing you the process.  The Lifeline Emergency system sounds very wise.  If I ever were to live alone I would certainly have an emergency alert system. 

Mary Ann, I wonder what was so hard about punching in a number that the lady's sister wouldn't do it.  She must have been a very stubborn person. 

Patricia, I shiver when I read about your temperatures.  I know when you live there all the time you adjust to the enviroment.  I well remember the first summer we lived in Anchorage we were always cold but by the second year we had acclimated and didn't find the summer chilly.  I know that Anchorage has more moderate temperatures than you all do but it does get cold there.

Larry, I don't think punching in the numbers was why my neighbor's sister didn't do that, I think it was the fact that she was just leaving something and only going to go in, then out.  She probably thought it was too much trouble for a one-minute visit.

We are at 36 degrees now and probably will stay around that all day.

I've showered and washed my hair and I'm sitting in my robe.  When I finish here, I will get dressed and we'll see what the day has to offer.

Mary Ann

Good morning from a soon to be busy, Saturday in the Interior!

Farrah is getting to be almost too smart. If I go into the closet where her food and treats are stored, she is right there and very vocal, within seconds it seems. She must sleep with one eye partially open and an ear cocked. The laser light is the same. I can pick up the old tin piece, and she is right there as she knows what it does.

Often she will drop her felt mouse in my lap and sit down close. If I don't immediately toss it for her to catch and attack it, she will verbally remind me to throw it. She has never meowed or made natural cat sounds. But the few she does make are simple to understand in context. She must believe humans are so slow. 

Larry, I have never used a  comptometer, but realized that I had seen them before when I Googled the term. I took Begining Bookkeeping and Bookkeeping One in college, but my primary focus at different positions was either the cash office, reconciling or auditing other's department reports and tapes.

On the weather, it all has to do with humidity. The more humid it is, the colder you will feel.That is why Anchorage can feel colder than here even at a warmer temperature. We are very dry so do not have wet or packed snow. Anchorage has a rain forest climate and rarely gets past seventy degrees in the summer. We tend to get colder in the winter but a lot hotter in the summer.

We are still getting snow here as it is warming and there is more moisture. The last few years we have had little to no snow so there have been some fender benders and two soldiers got into a physical altercation over one such accident. We are said to have two inches on the ground and another 3.6 in scattered dusting throughout next week.

Larry. Yes my parrot a pretty good talker when he want to. Some day goes on and on and others quiet. Funny how it knows the time. right at 8pm it want the cover on the cage. Will yell until I do it. If it can't see me it Yells. "Where are you".   If it see me eating he acts up until I share.  Think it is liking the seed holder now. 
Would like to get some walking in but cold out and dreary

Mary Ann. I am sitting here with wet hair also. Started doing a hair oil treatment once a month now after the hot summer. Has to stay under a wrap for a hour. Then take shower to remove.  Then maybe go out. Still have my PJ and robe one. Feels good.                           

Jeanne, my hair has a lot of body so I just towel it as dry as possible, comb it and let it dry naturally.  I used to have more wave but at least it's kept its texture for the most part.  It's funny because I sleep on my left side and the hair by my left ear is impossible to do anything with.  My hairdresser (for cuts only) and I both discuss it each time I have an appointment.

Kendrick seems to know what time it is too.  He has gotten used to Standard time now and about 10 pm he comes to me as if it is time for his treat.  He goes nuts for the treats, then waits while I fill his food and water dishes then he disappears until sometime in the middle of the night when he jumps on my bed.  If I'm not ready at 10 pm, he lets me know it.  He's not too vocal, but he does rub my legs.  He walks back and forth near me to let me know it's time!

Mary Ann

Mine is on the right side. They say it is because we lie on it always. We are lucky, just wash and let it air dry.  I am trying how to use a Blow dryer in order to get it smooth now. This Olive Oil conditioner is a good one. Real Shiny.

I have always had baby fine, thin hair. My hairdresser says its thick but I don't see it that way. I sleep on my left side and always look odd in the morning with that side sticking straight up!

Farrah doesn't seem to recognize time but movement and certain areas. The only reason she knows breakfast is because it is right after my shower and before I make coffee. She doesn't wind about my legs either as she doesn't have regular cat habits and vocals. She hops up on a kitchen chair to watch me fill her dish and jumps down to beat me putting down her dish saying, "Win-Win," all the while.

I just had company over and my friend offered Farrah a bite of her bologna. Farrah came over and sniffed it and then lifted her lip and looked like it was the most awful smelly thing! She always acts like she wants some human food until she smells it and must think we eat the most odd things! She doesn't eat salmon or tuna either and could cares less about catnip.

MaryAnn.  Now bring this up. I am trying to change to a short bob and following this way of doing. I am getting there. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJsLC6KWmBI

Thanks, Jeanne,  I'll watch when I have time.  I wear my hair short because I have a couple of cowlicks in the back at the nape and if I tried to wear my hair long, it would split in the back.  I tried it when young, not as long as women wear their hair today, but long enough that I knew long hair was not for me.  When I was about 11 or so, I had an end curl - with machine curlers (this was before box permanents).  The beautician burned the ends of my hair and I had split ends until the hair was long enough to cut off the ends.  My mother had told me to either get a haircut or permanent, so I chose the permanent.  The was the first and last permanent I ever had.  I tried coloring my hair with some of those dyes that lasted a few weeks.  That made a mess of the bathroom sink and I let my hair do its thing - get grey, then white gradually and my hair now is totally white.

Mary Ann

Wish mine had gone white like my aunts did. Just beautiful. Mine still lots of black in back and S and P only.  Not about to  colour.
Now I have 4 ca-licks in mine. 2 at the crown and 2 in front. always been hard to handle. Easier when longer but to old for long hair now. Chin length only is fine. I never had perms either.
Not a thing worth watching on Tv and so going to check if any movie on. Bet I fall asleep early tonight. Sort of a boring day.  They are saying maybe a little snow tomorrow morning.

We just got home from the annual Lutefisk dinner, at the Son's of Norway Hall.  Always fun and family oriented, with  lots of the women and young girls dressed in traditional Norwegian or Swedish costumes.  Some of my husband's cousins attend this event every year, so we have a chance to see them, and all of their grown children.  I miss the ones who are gone, but fun to see the younger generation.  Our son and his wife and our youngest daughter go with us every year.

Larry - Good to see that Pat is feeling well enough to start  cooking again!  That chair is a great idea, and I'll be interested to hear about how it works out?  The thing I find the hardest, is bending over to get something out of a lower drawer or cupboard - or bending over to pick up anything.   AJ empties the lower shelf of the dishwasher for me every day, and he also removes the clothes from the dryer.  I can take the wet clothes out of the washing machine, (top loader), and toss them into the dryer without bending, but 
can't get them out when they're dry.

Hi everyone.  It is going to be a very chilly and rainy day here in South Carolina.  It is not suppose to get above 50 degrees and that is fairly early this morning and then into the 40's the rest of the day.  Once again I plan on going to Sunday School but will leave early to come home and get Pat so she can attend church with me.  We will have to get something to eat before we come home and then just have a quiet rest of the day.

There were many cars on our street yesterday as people came to see our neighbor's home on the Tour of Homes.  A couple of the ladies in my Sunday School class were helping with it.  It obviously was a big success.  Downtown yesterday afternoon they had their annual Christmas parade.  I was glad I was at home.

Mary Ann, I misunderstood the message regarding the sister not punching the numbers. 

JeanneP, it sounds like your parrot rules the house and wants what it wants to be taken care of immediately. 

Patricia, cats are very finicky eaters for sure.  I think it is unusual for a cat to not like tuna or salmon.

Marilyne, the Lutefisk dinner sounds like it is a very enjoyable occasion.  It is nice you can see family members there that you might not otherwise see.  In our other house we had slide out drawers made for all of our lower cabinets.  It really increased the useful storage and made getting things out of them much easier.  We may have that done with this house and I have the telephone number of a company to have come and give us an estimate.  Both Pat and I have trouble bending over to retrieve things.  With Pat it is her back and with me I find bending over causes tiredness, which must have something to do with blood flow and my heart.  I also almost always empty the dishwasher and always do the lower shelf.  For several years I made it my responsibility to clean up the kitchen and Pat did the cooking.  Do you use one of the grabber tools around your house?  We have six of them in handy in different room and they avoid a lot of bending.   

Marilyne, having part Danish background, I think I would enjoy the lutefisk dinner, just because it's Scandinavian.  I never heard any of my dad's family mention such a dinner, although they all settled in the same area of Wisconsin.

Dot and I did our usual Sunday thing - church then OTB.  We split a Tuna Melt and Coconut Cream Pit.  We usually have a sweet roll then hamburgers. 

It is chilly here this morning but I am sure that is the way it will be for some time.  We are at 37 degrees.  No snow yet, but overcast.  I doubt we will reach 40 degrees today.

I still have to work on Christmas preparations and orders.  The adults will not be exchanging gifts this year; I want only "services" as there is much that neither Tom nor I can do.  I will give money to Norm's grandchildren who now are all adults and I'll get one thing each for the child who is nearly one year old and something for the three who will be born in March.

Mary Ann