Mary Page, Good to see your message.  I was starting to get worried about you.  Hope that Chip is doing okay also?  I'm looking forward to some news about Ava and Cleo?  I think they're the two Gr-granddaughters who live the closest to you, so maybe you've had a chance to see them recently, or to at least wave to them from a window?   
Spring will be arriving soon so here's hoping we all get a "renewal" of sorts, and will be able to enjoy those nice days ahead,

Callie,  Yes, the camera's DID show many short clips of Taylor Swift, jumping around in a special section for wives and GF's of the players.  She looked very happy when the game ended.  She has much to be grateful for this past year. 
Wishing you a Happy Valentine's Day too! ❤️   Hope your three Valentines  (the grand kids), are all doing well?  Take care and look ahead to a calm and early Spring!   
       

Marilyne, hope your house was not one of those teetering at the cliff's edge, on the news tonight.  I think it might be closer to LA than where you are! They said all the rain caused the avalanche.Take care regardless.  I know California gets all kinds of weird weather-related happenings.  At least, for now, you don't have 2 feet of snow causing bad happenings.

Tome/Joanne  - Thanks for thinking about me.   Fortunately, none of those "Cliff Hanger" houses are mine.  Those on the news last night were in Southern Cal, and we are up North in the San Francisco Bay Area.   Plenty of ocean front houses on our coast up here, have been condemned because the cliffs have eroded, and the houses have either fallen, or will fall soon. 

We've had a few calm days this week, but a medium rain storm is arriving today.   The upcoming weekend will bring us another Atmospheric River.    Those are the tropical storms that come with hurricane force winds.    We've been warned to expect, and prepare to lose electrical power again.

center] HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY 💖 

Loved reading the posts‼️

We are having a delightful time in SF with our family.  I am feeling great and without any doubt this time away is doing me good‼️ Last night we went out to dinner....We road to and from in a driverless vehicle.  I sat shotgun and it was great.  I had no issues at all with its driving.  It is a bit strange and definitely could freak one out,,,,but not me‼️

MARILYN .....it is wonderful being here again.....I am truthfully feeling so good🥰.

Have a wonderful day everyone ‼️

Jenny - As you said, spending time in San Francisco has been good for you.  You're happy and feeling good when you're there, which means it's the right place for you.  I hope you and Bob seriously consider moving there when you are up to it? 

I don't think I could deal with the driverless car either!     My youngest granddaughter worked for Waymo, (one of the driverless car companies), in SF for many years.  She and hundreds of others were laid off last year, because the company began to lose money during and after the Covid lockdowns.  Now they've picked up again, but in the meantime she found a better job at another tech company.  It doesn't take long to get rehired in the Tech world!     

Speaking of those houses about to fall into the ocean, when Sue was out visiting her friend in San Francisco a few years back, they stopped in at an open house one of the homes, just out of curiosity. Sue spotted the very distinctive house (sold for $15M) shown on the news the other day as one of those about to take a dive.

You win some, you lose some.

That is happening over here ( UK ) as homes are falling from our clifftops due to cliff erosion..

Morning, Jackie! Hope you are doing well. Haven't seen much of you, lately, in this discussion. The weather certainly has been strange pretty much all over these days.

The cats and I are in the process of getting used to apartment life. After taking the move in stride, the cats are just now starting to act out a bit what with knocking things onto the floor, back to chewing on wires, and trying to get me up at three in the morning. 

Good Saturday morning to everyone.  Nothing much of interest going on here.  Just waiting impatiently for the latest Atmospheric River to arrive from Hawaii.  I used to complain about the icy cold storms coming down from the Gulf of Alaska, but we haven't been getting those as much as we did in past years.  They didn't come with the scary hurricane style winds and destructive waves like the AR's, so I like them better.  Too much stress and worry now, about the tall Redwood, pine and  eucalyptus trees,  uprooting and falling on houses, cars and people! 

Mars -  Hoping that Oscar and Shan settle down soon.  I remember back when you rescued Shan, and he was such a busy and active little kitten.  How long ago was that - about five years I would guess?
I've been meaning to ask you what floor you live on in your new apartment?  Can the cats sit on a window sill or a cat stand and look outside?

Jackie -  So, there is also a problem along the coast in England, with the "cliff dweller" houses?  I've always wanted a beach front home, but prefer lowland or flatland houses, where you can walk right out on the sand or boardwalk.  Perched on a high cliff has never appealed to me.

Jenny -  Are you still in SF with son and dil - or back in Colorado again?  You didn't say how long you were staying this time?  Where do they live in the City . . . what district?  One of my granddaughters lives in the Sunset, and the other in Glen Park. 

Hope we hear again from  Callie,  Mary Page,  Rick,   Joanne,  and anyone else who would like to drop in and say "hello"!   It's going to be a long holiday weekend ahead.

HELLO    ---     Nice and quiet here now. The sun is out and last nights snow is melting. Ignoring the snow, I can think Spring is right around the corner.

Good Morning.  First morning in a while that I didn't have to get up and at 'em by a certain time.  So I didn't !

Another gloomy day in the deep freeze in central Oklahoma.  We're bouncing back and forth from this to sunshine and open-the-windows temperatures. I suspect we're in for a stormy Spring season later on.

Have seen robins and finches at the birdfeeders for the first time this year. Cardinals are brighter red; must be mating season. 
I need new suet feeders.  "Critters" (probably raccoons) have carried off one and damaged the other one beyond repair.

Holiday weekends are the same as any other weekend around my house - the same-old same-old.

Enjoy yours!!! 

Callie, being not too far away from you, down here in Dallas, the weather is the same.  Maybe not as cold as yours.I went out to get the mail about noon-ish, and it was 40 degrees on the porch.  I got myself back inside quickly.  I remember, just the other day, kept my front door open to get fresh air in, had the screened door of course, and it was so nice. That was the day it was 70 degrees or more.  Sometime within the next week, the weather gurus are predicting at least one 80 degree day! That day when it was so warm, there were guys and gals at the grocery store in shorts, flip flops.I was still in my 3 shirt ensemble, with the light jacket I always wear in Kroger's. It is so bloomin' cold in there at all times, and if you plan to do a big shopping trip you'd better have a sweater or jacket of some kind. Nice thing was, it was day after Valentines, and they had all their flowers half price!  They had really overstocked, and it was practically wall-to-wall floral displays.  I try to always get at least one bunch of the alstromeria, as they last a long time when properly managed. I got 2 bunches for $2.50 each.
They are usually $5 for the bunch (6 stems). They bring me so much joy!

Quote from: Tomereader1 on February 17, 2024, 05:36:08 PMI try to always get at least one bunch of the alstromeria, as they last a long time when properly managed.

Are those potted, or cut. I have grown three or so pots of them for probably 50 years. In the winter they live in my garage right at the window. It's so easy to tell when they bloom. The scent is throughout the garage - nice, spicy.
Mine look somewhat different that those shown by "Google".

It rained all night, but is over for now, and is very quiet outside.  The sound of silence!  Another storm  expected to arrive this afternoon that's supposed to last overnight, and all through the holiday tomorrow.

Callie - We have a store here in town called The Birdwatcher, that I think you would enjoy visiting.  Quite a large space, filled with everything you could ever want or need for feeding and enjoying the wild birds that come to your yard.  Large bags of bird seed, plus all kind of bird houses, feeders, etc. I love looking at the various sizes of bird baths - the pricey copper one is my favorite!  There is also a regular gift store on one side, with T-shirts, blouses, books, greeting cards, calendars, socks, etc. - all bird related.  When I'm near that shopping area, I always go in and look, and often buy something I can't resist.

Joanne - I know you're looking forward to that 80 degree day coming up next week!  We usually have gorgeous weather around Valentines Day and President's Day, but not so this year.  Just the endless storms blowing across the Pacific.  I know what you mean by your Kroger's store being uncomfortably cold.  Our Safeway is like shopping in a meat locker, year around.  I also dress in layers when I shop, which usually includes a down jacket, and warm gloves.  If don't wear gloves, my arthritic hands begin to ache from clutching the handle of the metal grocery cart.

I also check out the floral section of the store for a bargain bouquet, and occasionally a small potted plant.  It's the time of year to buy some containers of the Shamrock plants . . . the LARGE three and four  leaf clover, flowering plants.  They're only available this time of year, so I always buy a couple.  So cheerful and GREEN, with the white flowers.  They do really well inside the house near a kitchen window or outside with other plants.

Rick and Tome - I also like the Alstromeria/Princess Lily.  My favorite colors are the pink and the peach, or a mixed bouquet of all colors.  I've never tried to grow them, but  recall that my parents had groups of them planted in their garden in Southern California.

I have bought the various colors, and I switch out.  I think it's depending on "mood".  I love the orange, or peach, they are my daughter's favorite.  My other bunch this week, is the white/pink with purple tips.  Don't know what you'd call it.  I know they have tags on the cellophane bags, but I just use the bag to catch the trimmings when I prep them for the vases.  I will be a good girl, and write down the names next time I buy.
It should be a bit, as mine tend to last for 10 days, I've had some to make it 14 days.  I just baby them!  Last week I got a mixed bouquet that had a lot of different flowers in it, mini carnations, one large rose, one of something else (you can see I'm not big on horticulture!) and one of my fave oddities, the saffflower buds (?), they are so cute with the orange growing out the tops, my daughter calls them "pod people". There is a story to go along with my purchase of flowers when I go to Kroger/Tom Thumb (they have nice floral dept too)I will tell the story in another post if anyone would care to hear it (and if I haven't already passed it on?) Just let me know!

Rammel, the ones I buy are "cut" flowers, I didn't know they could be grown in pots. I've never seen that, even at the nursery (Calloway's).

If it weren't for the chill wind today, it would be and almost pleasant, sunny 40^o afternoon.

Marilyne, it does seem unbelievable that Shan will be six in August. We are on the first floor, oh happy day. Shan and Oscar can look out unobstructed at the bottom of the patio door, and the window. Unfortunately, they are not high enough for them to avoid bumping their heads on the bottom of the blinds. Surprisingly, they haven't tried to mangle them -- yet. For some odd reason, there does not seem to be a mechanism to raise or lower any of them. It is something I am going to ask the manager about, along with the problem with the lever to direct the water up to the shower. I was able to get it to raise up only a little. Half or more of the water still goes out the spout and down the drain.

Report on my new little stick vacuum: Does well on picking up stuff for its' size. Only about 40 minutes of runtime until it needs recharged. The "dust bin" is tiny, I guess about a cup or a cup and a half by the looks. It sure beats lugging that Shark around and having it decide it wants to go one way when I want it to go another, though. Very light and easy to maneuver under things. I tried the crevice tool, but I think I had it on low speed because it did not pick up well.

I didn't go over to the house today or yesterday. My back needed the break. Well, not that it actually got one because I was unboxing stuff and finding places to put the contents, did a bunch of loads of laundry in the mini machine. This morning, would you believe I did my first dishwasher load at 4:30am. The neighbor upstairs was not home and the rental agent next door doesn't get in for another six hours. Noisy as h... but did a fine job of cleaning the dishes.

The only live plant I have right now is an English Ivy. I forgot the thing at the house, so I was very surprised when Sue pointed it out, that it was still very much alive. It now resides in the spare bedroom. I hope to bring over the three big jardinières for the porch. I have to think about what to plant in them. The sun does not hit the porch until late in the day, so it will be something that does not mind indirect light.

I got up for a few seconds, so naturally, Oscar has confiscated it. Oh, well. Catch you all later.

Utilities back up again today, and all is calm and quiet here in my neighborhood.  I guess these horrific Winter storms are the New Normal here in California, so  we're going to have to learn to deal with the long power outages and the destruction caused by downed trees.  I was a nervous wreck, worrying about our giant Redwood tree falling on the neighbors house -  but sturdy and staunch it stands!   The huge olive tree that fell in the far back section of our yard last week, is still there.   That one belongs  to another neighbor below us.   Hoping it gets cleared out sometime this week?

Mars -  It doesn't seem possible that it's been six year since you rescued  Shan.  He is one lucky cat I would say!   I'm interested in your stick vacuum cleaner?   I see that Costco has a couple of them featured this month for a good price.  One is a cordless Dyson, for only $110. I'd like to take a look at it, but only have four more days left of this month's sale.  Don't know if I can get over there or not . . . Not, if it continues to rain this week. 

Joanne - Are you still predicted to have an 80 degree day this week?   I surely would love to have a couple of those, to help dry out the saturated ground. So far doesn't look like it's going to happen. 

Hoping Mary Page will post this week, as well as Sandy, Callie, Jackie, Rick and Jenny.   

I hope no one who read my message, above, hurried off to Costco to buy a Dyson stick Vacuum cleaner for $110!!   I  should have known better . . . There wouldn't be any Dyson product selling for that low price.   The Costco ad actually said, $110 OFF the regular price.   (didn't say what the regular price is?)

Marilyne, it is 77 degrees right now (at 2:16).  The 80 degree day is predicted for tomorrow.  It sure is nice outside now, I put some trash out without wearing a coat or jacket!!

Marilyne, mine is a Black and Decker. Not a name you would expect for a vacuum unless it is for the shop. Anyway it was cheap enough for me to try a stick on for size. It does a good job of picking up the bits of cat litter that the cats drag from the potty box. BUT, it only holds a 40 minute charge (well with the apt. it doesn't take that long anyway) and the dust catcher/bin is impossibly small. I's say it only holds about a cup and a half or two, then it needs dumped. Still I like using it a lot better that the Shark I had. That was a swivel thing and was difficult to control. Wasn't the best for my back. The B&D is very light and gets in under the furniture just fine. I haven't used the crevice tool enough to form an opinion of that.

Today I stayed home again and moved my computer table to the spare room because I didn't want to be dragging stuff back and forth from there to the living room area when I need to do paperwork, etc. This arrangement works better, but now I am looking for something to replace the hole it left. Right now, I brought the other light computer desk out to fill the gap temporarily. So now I am adding more things to my shopping list: new, smaller microwave, a console or bookshelf to replace the computer desk, and a sofa table for behind the sofa. I actually found one in either white, my preference because it will be facing the kitchen, or a "rustic" color that would actually go great against the wall. My flooring is a dark walnut color. The furniture in the living area are a mix of expresso, walnut stain, and bamboo (?, might be rattan).

I will have to put all that off now, because, one of the pines in the back of the house dropped some big branches now on my neighbor's fence. I am waiting to hear what the damages will be. She seems to think it likely won't exceed my insurance deductible. Isn't it nice to see that my house is still thinking of me (she said sarcastically).

Quote from: MarsGal on February 20, 2024, 03:35:52 PMIsn't it nice to see that my house is still thinking of me (she said sarcastically).

The price of desertion.

Good Morning everyone - It's almost 8:00 o'clock here, and looks like it's going to be a nice day today.  I watched the local news last night, and the weather guy predicted nice warm days for the weekend.   Tomorrow our grandson is coming for a visit, so looking forward to seeing him, and his almost two year old son.   I hope to take a few pictures, and maybe post them?   I'm  no good with my iPhone camera, so I'm thinking of charging up the old digital camera and seeing if  can do a little better with it?

Mars -  Sorry about your pine tree dropping a branch on your neighbor's fence, and hope your homeowners insurance will cover it?    Trees falling on fences during storms, are a big problem here in California.   The neighbor's large olive tree that fell during the storm early this month, is still in our back yard!  They said they would take care of it, and I'm sure they will, but there's a long wait for tree removal service.  So many hundreds (thousands?) of big trees toppling during these atmospheric river storms - and not enough tree companies to handle them all. 

Joanne - Today  I plan to go to Safeway, and purchase some flowers to brighten the house for tomorrow's company.  Hoping they have a good selection of the alstromeria lilies?  Also some of the little pots of Shamrock clover for St.Patrick's day?  Let us know if you're still enjoying those nice warm Spring days?

Hoping we hear from everyone this weekend . . . all our old members, or anyone new who would like to join us?   Everyone is welcome here.         

It was 60 degrees on my porch while ago.
 Would be warmer, but the breeze is a little brisk, from the North I think. Also, the neighbors' 3 Bradford Pear trees are blooming.  I hesitate to say Bradford pear, because I know that there's a difference between regular Pear and Bradford, and good horticulturist could tell by the shape of the leaves or something.
The blooms are pink and look lovely against the clear blue sky. (If the blooms are white, is that a regular Pear tree?)  My two batches of alstromeria are still going strong, with every-other-day stem trims and fresh water with the plant stuff added.  Maybe another day or two before the blossoms start falling off with the little seeds and filaments, which stick to furniture. LOL!

Color me old & smitten with deafness, blindness, and dozens of lesser pestilences: almost totally lost memory being one of the most feared and despised.
 I think of you all and wonder about each of you, but the days stack up and I go off to sleep with unresolved world-wide, national and family problems: not like the old me at all, at all.  It is just so miserable a situation to be unequipped to fix it all!

Anne's husband has an extreme attack of kidney stones just as they are finally moving back into their home that burned down, so Anne is doing most of the work.  I must say, their insurance company really came through.  Each other household is experiencing its own trauma, and so it goes.  You have all been around long enough to know it all well.

To my thinking, the Weather patterns are the scariest of all.  We are all under attack in ways we have no ready responses for, so I say God Bless & Keep us EVERY ONE!

Chip's sweetheart arrives tomorrow from Seattle, and we are at the top of our excitement hill over That.  We will have 5 days of Joy with her!

And the drums drum on.  Wish you each beautiful, calm days.  Wish I could throw in that I have the Election fixed, but I don't.  Well, here's to wishful thinking, which I believe I will take with a dish of ice cream.  There's plenty for you, so come along and Dig In! [/i]

Mary Page -  Happy to see your message this morning!    I was starting to get worried about you!   Time Marches On, and all we can do is try to march along with it, as best we can.    So frustrating to not to be able to solve the problems of our adult children . . . much less the many serious events happening around the World.

Good that Anne's house is ready for  them to move back in, after being destroyed by fire.  Sorry her husband has been sidelined with kidney stones, and hope he will be better soon.  I know what you mean by   "each  household experiencing it's own trauma".  As soon as one thing is resolved, something else appears to take its place.

When those of us in the oldest generation exit this life, I wish we could know for sure, that all of our loved ones will be okay, and will go on to enjoy as long a life as we have had. Also, that the dramatic World events happening now, will all be resolved for the best.  Unfortunately, that isn't the way life works, but we can keep the faith. 

In the meantime, I hope you will stay as well as possible, and keep enjoying your family visits.  Nice that Chip's sweetheart will be arriving for a visit.  Also glad that Chip is feeling so much better than he was the last time we heard from you.

MaryPage, you just keep on keeping on, Girl! Just know, in that loving heart of yours, that you are loved and missed(when you can't post) by folks all over this USA, and maybe some other countries too!
I've been enjoying some HaagenDas, and toast to you with the first spoonful.

Ouu!  What flavor?  I am dishing French Vanilla as packaged for Trader Joe's here.  Does Dallas have Trader Joe's? I used to know Dallas well.  My husband lived and grew up and was schooled there.  I adored my in-laws, all of them, and their friends.  Every time we visited Dallas, it was Party Time!  David went to St. Mark's.  What a jolly party you are hosting this morning!

I also love coffee chocolate chip and fresh peach.  Now that my 95th looms in May, I am not the famous person you portray me in that so generous Dallas fashion.  Somehow, I missed all that; but Bless you!  What I do have is a head almost empty of memories, profound deafness, near total blindness, and a host of old age infirmities.  But color me Bullish; for I push and shove my fragments of personhood on ANYWAY!

MaryPage, my HaagenDas is just plain Vanilla, but very good.  I don't think, don't know if we have a Trader Joe's.I'm not one to drive all over the City/Suburbs to shop at a particular store.
Get ready to laugh...I've never been to a Costco! Have been to/shopped at Sam's Wholesale Club. Our standard grocery stores are all fairly large, with great selections. My home store is Kroger, also will drive to Tom Thumb for any spectacular bargains, and as you've probably heard, Kroger and Albertson's want to MERGE. Courts are not taking to kindly to that plan. I don't want it to either. Albertson's is also a very nice store, and I think their various departments are somewhat larger and encompass more products than Kroger.It is said that a "merger" will only cause prices to rise, and they have risen and continue to rise in all the stores no.  My Kroger seems to be on a .25 cent; .50 cent price increase over all items on a weekly basis. Meat department is frightening.  Even our old standard Dollar Stores now have very few items for $1.00; they're up to $1.50 for most of those.  Enough of my rant for today.

Take care of yourself as best you can, and hold us in your heart!