January 19, 2014 - Msg 96250: History...There's so much more of it these days is why I suspect is the problem....
January 19, 2014 - Msg 96251: Now that I swept the porch, I better go out and shovel the snow now too...G-F
January 19, 2014 - Msg 96252: Poor Horatio, I think that here its true that most kids that are private schools have more stable families with more resources and involvement, which could explain some of it. I think many of the kids erin goes to school with are from very dysfunctional homes with drug addicted and alcoholic parents. The town we are in now has about a 10,000 population so not really big, but the shrimping industry started here in the early 1900's and by the 1950s it was a BIG business. Many people came her just to "shrimp" for a living and many of those shrimpers were, how should I say it, pretty rough types, who married and raised kids here. Many of them were heavy drinkers and generally liked to carouse. So, even though the shrimping industry dropped of in the 90's, you still have a large class of people here who are a bit on the "Honey Boo Boo" side, to put it kindly. Lots of broken families, lots of alcoholics. This school system has always had a reputation of being a low-rated system and I was always opposed to putting her in here, but as you may remember, I had to establish her with somewhere so she could accumulate some school records in order to transfer her to a better school in another community. We will see about next year. I have friends in other nearby communities who's children are struggling with the academics, so I am really beginning to wonder about this local school. I do have the comfort that she only has a few more months until summer and then we can decide on where to place her next year, as we will have established some required records to present for admission to another school.

Certainly is a beautiful day here (sorry to rub it in, northern friends.). Hope you all have a peaceful Sunday.

Boo
January 19, 2014 - Msg 96253: Hmmm. Interesting question being raised here, Boo. Just a thought - do you have access to the curricula that you would be using with her if she was still being home-schooled? If so, could you test her against that material, to see whether she's up to that standard? Just wondering...

I have a lot of friends who are teachers, some still teaching, some retired - they tell horror stories of trying to just meet the standards of the state tests, which are not particularly high. Any hope of teaching above and beyond is just a joke, because of the discipline problems, poor attendance, kids strung out, worn out, stressed out, and any other "out" you can think of. It's sad, but true. Irving is probably about midway on the scale between low-performance community and high-achieving community. Like any city, it partly depends on where the school is located. We have pockets of very low-income, non-English-speaking families, and where the school's enrollment is 95% non-English-speaking, you're not going to see much being taught. The teachers are required to divide their time between teaching in English vs Spanish. That means that whether your child speaks English or Spanish, they're only going to be taught in their language half the time. It's pretty hard to complete the required material in half the time. Also, you have the disruption factor. When the teacher is teaching in English, the Spanish-speaking kids are bored to tears, and there's a lot of horseplay and scuffling, lots of disturbance. I've witnessed some of this firsthand, when I was a "reading buddy" for a while. Basically, that meant I was there to read to the English-speaking kids while the teacher was teaching in Spanish.

I have my own little solution for the language problem, and I think it would work. Instead of trying to mainstream the Spanish-speaking kids, when they don't understand a word, and thereby clogging up the whole system, why not admit them to pre-K classes at age 4, and teach nothing but English as a second language? Continue it through age 5, and when they enter school at age 6, they would have a decent command of English. It would be a total immersion class, and kids that age pick up another language with amazing ease. After age 6, it gets a little harder. Those pre-taught kids, however, with a basic grasp of the language already, would have no problem perfecting it in regular English-speaking classes. They would help each other fill in the gaps. If there was an English term they didn't understand, very likely one of the other ESL kids would know it, and would supply the Spanish translation for them. I'm just pretty sure this would work. But what do I know?

It's pretty here too, Boo. Just supposed to get down to 40° tonight, and up to 70° tomorrow. Eloise and I are going on a bus with a group from the church, to a gospel music festival in Lancaster tomorrow. Looks like it will be a good day for it.

Well, guess I'll see about some supper. Maybe I'll go get a burger from Sonic. Or not. Maybe I'll just have some soup, or a grilled cheese sandwich. Hey, that sounds good - grilled cheese and tomato soup. Yep, that's the ticket! Blessings, friends. --Romeena
January 19, 2014 - Msg 96254: If not Romeena... There's always peanut butter in the pantry..haha
January 19, 2014 - Msg 96255: Sorry I haven't been on the porch for a while. Soooo much going on. Please pray for my oldest..She and her husband are in the army. They are expecting their first child March 3 , and he was shipped out today for Afghanistan. Living in Watertown, New York and NO family close. Hard for mom too!! Thanks everyone. ~New Neighbor
January 19, 2014 - Msg 96256:
Yes indeed NN, prayers for protection of your SIL!
Good to see you on the porch. Thanks for dropping by.
RO- your idea sounds like a plan! We have similar issues here too, so I understand what you are saying.
G-F and Sterling, don't forget the "beer factor" that I also mentioned! ha After about three I don't think he felt the cold anymore! haha
Ah, yes, and then there's the license, and here also an $8 a day permit if the fishing is on a reservation.
PH--thank you for that interesting site about that backlot. Many photos that I had never seen before.
RO--good stuff about Jesus. Another was the time when two apostles were arguing about who would be Jesus' "right hand man." I can just picture him:
"Whoa, fellas what makes you think that EITHER of you have a chance at THAT position?"
Good sweep GF, and good Sabbath to all!
MDC
PS -BOO- how is the "grounded" Erin doing in THAT dept? Has he attitude improved?
January 19, 2014 - Msg 96257: I could try something like that, Ro, but I pretty well know the kind of work she was doing at home and I know here weakness in certain areas, so I am surprised she is doing as well. Of course, I have seen a great more motivation to do well in school than she had at home, so who knows? I know she is paying attention in class and trying hard. She tells me that many of the classes are chaotic, though. Teachers cant do much about it these days, I guess. In my day kids behaved themselves or paid the price, and it was often a hefty one.

MDC, Erin's attitude is greatly improved, thanks for asking. She got her tablet back and then last night, she smarted off in a moment of weakness and lost it again! Of course there were tears but after she went and took a shower she came to me and said, "I'm sorry Mom. I was wrong and deserved to have my tablet taken away again because of my attitude". Victory! lol

Boo
January 19, 2014 - Msg 96258: Oh hey, New Neighbor! Good to see you again. Prayers for your daughter and her family (and for you). I feel for you...must be a tough situation.

Boo
January 19, 2014 - Msg 96259: MDC, If I remember correctly, the "beer" factor was probably true, I think Dad caught a lot more "Blatz" than fish. As for me, since I don't drink I just got cold.

Boo...M&M's...Melt-downs....They melt from the mouth..before you give 'em the hand?

Nite...All G-F signing off
January 20, 2014 - Msg 96260: Hey, New Neighbor! Long time, no see. It's good to have you here, even for a brief visit. Come back when you can, and chat a while. Meantime, you have our prayers for your family. Tough times. Sometimes I wish they just pull out of that big sandpile over there, and let them have at it. There doesn't seem to be much we can do about it. Those people have quarreled for centuries, and I don't think we're going to change it now. It's in their nature. But - what do you do when basic human rights are being so viciously violated? It's a tough one.

Boo, it sounds like you've got things going well with Erin. She's a sweet kid, she's just got teen-itis. We all went through it. I had a tendency to smart off, big time, but my dad would pinch my little head off real quick, and I learned to keep my mouth shut. My horse used to hear some choice comments, though, once I got away from the house!

Well, guess I'd better get to bed. I have to be at the church at 7 a.m. (whose bright idea was that??) to get on the bus for the Lancaster trip, so will have to be up at least by six. I haven't gotten up that early since the last time I went in for surgery! One of the perks of retirement...

Blessings, friends! --Romeena
January 20, 2014 - Msg 96261: I may have to try that "taking away the tablet" bit with Kai, as she is also experiencing some "teen-itis" as you say, Ro, believe it or not. When she was younger, I used to just be able to give her a "look" and she would straighten up and stop whatever wrong thing she was doing. It's a little harder now, and she can be quick to cop an attitude. She doesn't have a tablet, but she does stick close to her phone and her ipod. Both of those will have to be on the chopping block next time I think.

Have a safe, fun trip Romeena.

-Sterling Holobyte
January 20, 2014 - Msg 96262: It worked for us, Sterling. Erin got tablet, tv, and go-cart taken away and is in the process of earning them back. Things have gotten much better around here and another thing, she actually found out that she enjoyed being outside more, spending more time with me, playing UNO and just being nice. :)

Ro, I know I had a pretty bad attitude in my teens, so I guess I understand some of it. I can tell you, though, that I was not disciplined for it and I lost a lot of respect for my mom during those years. I wish my dad had put his foot down and put a stop to it. My parents were too permissive and I have to battle that tendency. Bruce grew up in a more disciplined (over disciplined, in my opinion..even some abuse there I think) so we balance each other out pretty well. He is firm and I have had to learn to be firm when its needed. Erin has a healthy respect for her dad and she tends not to have as much for me. I guess that may be typical with girls and moms.

Busy morning so far. Had to drop my Yukon off at the shop this morning because of the oil leak. I really hope it isn't anything serious. It has about 140,000 miles on it and has never been in the shop for any kind of engine trouble. Best vehicle I have ever earned and I am really hoping to drive it to 200,000 miles, which isn't really uncommon for this particular engine.

Visited my mom for a bit today and she had an old cassette recording of her Dad's funeral from the 80s and was listening to it. My mom sang at her dad's funeral and that tape is the only recording we have of mom's voice so it is priceless. Mom had a beautiful voice and often sang at weddings and funerals when I was a child. She could have been professional if circumstances had been different.

Better get back to it.

Boo

January 20, 2014 - Msg 96263: Just reread my post for mistakes and noticed that I typed, "Best vehicle I have ever earned..?" What? Wonder what kind of Freudian slip that was?

Boo
January 20, 2014 - Msg 96264: One more note for any history buffs...if you have ever seen the movie, "How Green was my Valley,"..you may remember that singing was a big part of their lives back then. My mom's family was from that area of the world and were miners. She said they all sang beautifully, so I guess it was in the genes. Mom certainly inherited it, and I think my Sean has, too. I used to be able to sing when I was younger but I am losing it now. Just some trivia. You wouldn't think that being able to sing would be hereditary but it is.

Boo
January 20, 2014 - Msg 96265: Alright Boo. Now we wanna know just what you did to earn that Yukon. ;)

Good to see you N.N. Sorry to hear about Courtney and her and your situation. But she is strong and will come through it even stronger. But prayers for you all for sure.

Hope your trip went good Ro.

Hey GF, what you cooking for dinner tonight?

Prayers for all.

Asa
January 20, 2014 - Msg 96266: Asa...Chicken noodle casserole tonight, beef roast taters & carrots tomorrow. Stop by and I'll throw in some corn bread too.... Are you sayin' Boo had to earn her Yukon? Maybe she was a shrimp boat Captain like Forrest Gump. Since she lives only 2 blocks from the water as she says....

I better go watch the news and see if there are any reports of a bus full of rowdy Senior Women Gone Wild in Texas...

G-F....


G-F...
January 20, 2014 - Msg 96267: Hey asa G-F and Romeena,Boo...yall got any of that chicken noodle casserole left over....gona read...SPOT

January 20, 2014 - Msg 96268:
I've seen pics of Boo's home on FB, and what looks like
snow is really sand! So, I'm sure she is close to the beach.
APB for Big Maude and Possum and TOM!
Looks like Denver vs Sherman, er, Seattle! :)
Prayers,
MDC
January 21, 2014 - Msg 96269: Asa, all I did to earn that Yukon is take good care of my family and tote extra kids to church. Bruce knew I needed extra seats for the extra kids. :)

Very true, MDC (about the sand), and as Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "I have a dream..."..one day I WILL have grass.

Boo
January 21, 2014 - Msg 96270: I'm making cherry pies today, who will bring the ice cream? Plus some of the left over chicken noodle casserole. I thought I'd do the roast tomorrow, and yes I even did the dishes too. This domestic stuff is not for the weak, it's a lot like work!...

G-F...
January 21, 2014 - Msg 96271: G-F, you need to start a finishing school for new husbands. Brides from all over America would be sending their guys to you for training. --Romeena
January 21, 2014 - Msg 96272: LoL--- Romeena, Except I'd have to give them the advice: "Don't show all your cards at once or it becomes a full time job"!!! + p.s Always put the toilet seat back down!

G-F...
January 21, 2014 - Msg 96273:
That's "re-finishing school" to barney! ha
Slow day on the porch, but I did hear that there is a lot of lake-effect snow and a big storm over New York.
Prayers for all,
MDC
January 22, 2014 - Msg 96274: Morning to everyone! hope all is well.

surely is cold on my end of the porch, 12 degrees but we have sunshine today. looks like everyone else is dealing with cold temps as well.

my kids are both back to school and settling in to the routine of class and homework.

Please say a prayer for Mr. Maude, dealing with some work stress right now.

lunch menu will be: homemade chicken noodle soup, grilled cheese sandwiches. brownie tea or lemonade to drink.

Prayers and blessings to all.

Big Maude
January 22, 2014 - Msg 96275: not happy
Start the day out at -9 and we are just going to 15teet.

TOM

January 22, 2014 - Msg 96276: I feel for ya TOM, the same here Cold, Cold, Cold!How cold is it? It's so cold if you sit outside to long you'll get "Polaroids", and yep it's still colder than that Michelle Obama's stare! badda bing... Stay warm gonna be another 3 dog night around here. It's colder in Atlanta than in Juneau & Anchorage Alaska...What's up with that! Stay warm Spot & Lucy. Baby, it's cold outside...

G-F....
January 22, 2014 - Msg 96277: A little Dino to warm ya up...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crFQpOCDfEc
January 22, 2014 - Msg 96278: Ha ha! "Polaroids." Do they have a cream for that, G-F?

About the weather, I don't know. Is it just me, or has the media gone into "apocalypse mode" or something?!

Yes, it is cold and yes we are getting snow. It is called "Winter" people! I can remember getting ice storms and I have pictures(or my parent's do) of snowfalls that would make King Kong get out his snowshoes.

But to listen to the reports today, you would think that we were just around the corner to a new ice age, and we better stock up on supplies(not saying that's a bad thing anyway), buy snowmobiles, and then put our heads between our legs and kiss our you-know-whats goodbye.
Never let a good crisis(or winter snowfall) go to waste, I guess. Everything's drama, drama, drama. The media landscape is becoming one big "reality" show, and everyone wants to be players in the made-up drama.
What did Newton Minow call television once... "America's vast wasteland"? And he was ridiculed for that. Newton, you never knew how right you were.

-Sterling Holobyte
January 22, 2014 - Msg 96279: That should read "when I was younger" after King Kong getting into his snowshoes. Forgot to put that in there.

-SH
January 22, 2014 - Msg 96280: LOL, Rant on Sterling. Then they have the gall to turn it around somehow and say it's more evidence of global warming. And what really ticks me off are the large number of mindless twits who sit there with drool running down their chin, believeing it! Whew, probably didn't need to go off like that, but it's therapedic I reckon cause now I feel a bit better. :)

Love the "poloroids" comment GF. We gotta get you on Uncle Tim's show. :)

Asa
January 22, 2014 - Msg 96281: Asa, I think Al Gore should have kept working on inventing the internet, maybe we could be e-mailing the Martians by now? And not having global warming...
Just remember...You have to have winter before you can have spring...Boy that was a wise comment, I guess growing a beard really does make a guy wiser? In my case probably not...
Hey Romeena, maybe I can call my new refinishing school W.H.O.A. (Wayward Husbands Of America)
WHOA baby!....

G-F...
January 22, 2014 - Msg 96282: Hey,fellers! G-F,you're hoot! LOL

And yes,it's COLD! Dang Cold!

That's all I got to say-scooting back under my rock-brrrr....

*******************
possum under a rock
January 22, 2014 - Msg 96283: Well Sterling, I had ice on my windshield this morning here in south texas, so yea...apocalypse for sure. ;)

Boo
January 22, 2014 - Msg 96284: Sterling...Just tell Boo it's so bad in Wisconsin that you ice and snow had a windshield under it. ha!
January 22, 2014 - Msg 96285: ...or it's so bad in Wisconsin Sterling shoveled his snow drift and found his car under it... That one sounded better...G-F
January 23, 2014 - Msg 96286: Well, I've got one for you. Here in Texas, I tried to brush some leaves out of a dry birdbath, and found that they were frozen to the bottom of it, where a little moisture had remained. I'm glad to see this cold weather return though. With all the tulip bulbs I've got in the ground, the warm weather was a threat. If those bulbs decide Spring is here, and start to grow, I could lose the whole shootin' match! It definitely WILL be cold again, with the rest of January and all of February still to come. If those tulips get their noses above the ground, they'll get them frozen off, and then the plant may or may not bloom. Probably not. So, I'm hoping for a few more weeks of good cold weather, to keep those bulbs asleep for a while longer. If everything times out right, I'll have a beautiful display this Spring. I planted some really special tulips. If they turn out well, I'll put some pictures on Facebook.

Well, I was up at 6:30 this morning, because the cable guy was coming between 7 and 8 (he did) so I'm sleepy. I'm not usually up that early. I'll confess though - it was nice. I sat here and watched my back yard come to life as the sun came up. The birds appeared first, then the squirrels, and finally it was fully light and the flowers were awake too. I've got lots of pansies blooming, and the nandinas are still sporting big clumps of red berries. That's about it right now, but at least it's something. I need to start thinking about caladium bulbs, even though it's much too early to plant them. To get the most choice bulbs, you have to buy early and store them. I have a huge clay pot, as big as a washtub, the little courtyard out front, and every year I fill it with caladium bulbs. I plan a specific color pattern, like bright pink in the middle, surrounded by white, or some such. That's another reason for buying early. I like to get mine while I can still trust the pictures on the bulb bins, before people start mixing them up! Gardening is so much fun!

Well, I'm off to bed. Have a blessed night, friends. --Romeena
January 23, 2014 - Msg 96287: Boo, was it ice ice, or did Jack Frost pay your car a visit? ;)

Lol G-F, I liked your windshield one!
Some might say the way I drive, I shoveled the snow on my sidewalk and found my car under it.

Goodnight everyone!

-Sterling Holobyte
January 23, 2014 - Msg 96288:
I guess I better not tell ya all what the temp was in
Phoenix today. I value my life too much! ha
More later, Jesus loves you!
MDC
January 23, 2014 - Msg 96289: I think it was some of both, Sterling because some of it melted off pretty quick but some of it was thicker and took awhile to get rid of. I'm no expert when it comes to frost/ice, mind you. The times I spent in Colorado in December, seems like snow accumulated on the windshield but was easy to remove.

Supposed to get icy here tonight and tomorrow, though. Expecting low 30's and some sleet, according to the weatherman. We'll see. I need to get some firewood up here near the house. hehe

Poor Sean had a big problem with his car yesterday. Something with the heater core?..now floorboard is full of water and antifreeze! Supposed to be an expensive fix that will require removing the dash and several hours of labor. Poor kid, paid cash for the car and has been saving up to get some small things done to it..just bought new hubcaps, and now this. I don't know if its worth saving or not. I feel bad for him because he works hard for the money. I'm thankful he has a job and is able to either fix it or make small payments on something else. He is learning some life lessons..you all know how it is. As soon as you start to get ahead, seems like something happens, and I know he is starting to think that maybe he wants to do something more with his life that will pay more. It might motivate him to start finding something he can be trained to do. He doesn't think he has the smarts to be an auto mechanic, but I think he does.

Ro, its kind of nice to be up early but I get up at 6:30 and have to start making school lunches, getting kids up, etc...not a lot of time to enjoy the sunrise, unfortunately. I do like being up early enough to have a nice, long day to accomplish the chores and sneak in some nice breaks, even a short nap sometimes. Today I have to go to the clinic and have my TB test read. I got my DPT a couple of days ago at walgreens and that pharmacist gave me the best shot ever. Hardly felt a thing and no soreness or pain in the site later. I have always had soreness and pain in a DPT site..and I have had a few, due to accidental needle sticks on the job. I found out that the price of vaccines has gone way up and the gov clinics are no longer giving them to people with insur@nce. Most dr's offices are no longer carrying them so pharmacists are becoming the main source of vaccines. Curious. The vaccine would have cost me around 70 dollars without insur@nce.

Better get my warm duds on and get ready to take erin to school.

Boo
January 23, 2014 - Msg 96290: Morning all.

Yep Boo. Them heating cores are prone to leak on older vehicles. And typically are a pain to get to to replace. But pretty much straight forward as far as the actual replacement. Not unusual at all for an older car to have such a problem like that, and not an indication of abuse or misuse. I'd say if the car doesn't burn oil, and there's no sawdust found in the tranny or differential, give her a good wash and happy motoring for Sean. :)

Well the east coast is getting hammered again. We had a rough start to winter here back in December, but January thus far has been very mild as far as storms go. In fact we are well behind in our snow pack, so come summer we could be in trouble. Seems the entire southwest is in a pretty serious drought though. But I know who is in charge and I know He's got me covered. Can't beat a deal like that.

Love ya all.

Asa
January 23, 2014 - Msg 96291: Romeena, Take care of those pansy's, you can enter them in the Garden Club contest...Floyd needs the competition.. Now if they was roses that would be a different subject, a lot of competition in that category. I like pansy's they are hardy and will take the cool temps. I always put them in some pots in the spring, the nursery close to me have some of the best, Very colorful! But when the heat comes they fizzle out but come back to life in the fall. ( I still have a couple pressed in my Bible), it reminds that spring is coming SONETIME? I guess we will have to see what "Phill" has to say about that in a couple of weeks....
Just curious... If you are "short" do you still call them "Long Johns" when you put them on?? Must study on that one today...

Hey Asa, I have a $ money $ making deal for you, let's get us a couple of pick-up trucks and load them with snow and drive them to the SW part of the country. We could get there before it melts, kinda like "Smoky & the Bandit"... MDC & Boo how many #'s can we put ya down for?

G-F....
January 23, 2014 - Msg 96292: Good morning, porch! It's cold here too, temp is 36°, with a brisk little breeze blowing. The sky looks like lead, and it just looks cold out there. I'm quite sure it feels that way, too! I've only seen one squirrel, and there are five fluffed-up little sparrows picking around the feeding stones, not finding much. I've got bags of seed in the house, so there's no need for them to be hungry.

Boo, my Robbi had a car once that blew its heater core. Problem was, it chose to do it on I-635 at rush hour, in the middle lane of five lanes, and it blew boiling water and coolant all over her legs and feet! It also sent a cloud of steam into her car and she couldn't see a thing. She had no choice but to just brake down and stop, right in the middle of the highway. Fortunately, God had provided a man in a huge gravel truck, traveling right behind her. He saw the whole thing, knew she couldn't see, and stopped his truck behind her, protecting her from being rear-ended by the traffic. He jumped out of his truck and went to her, got her door open and helped her out of the car. She already had huge blisters on her legs and feet. A police car arrived, and they managed to get her to the side of the road, and her car there as well. There was a small hospital about a half-mile from them, so the officer just drove her there instead of waiting for an ambulance. She had first and second degree burns on both legs, and first, second and third degree burns on her feet. She was wearing slacks and sandals, so the worst burns were on the bare areas on her ankles and feet. They would have admitted her to the hospital, but since I was a nurse, they let her go home. I changed the dressings every day, and they just sent us home with a 300 mg vial of Demerol and some needles, and I gave her shots for the pain for several days. She healed up fine, and only has a few very faint scars on her ankles and the tops of her feet, where the third-degree burns were. In fact, I'm not sure that those haven't faded by now. This happened a long time ago. Anyway, those heater cores can be a problem, for sure.

Well, I'm off to put out critter feed. No need in the little guys being hungry, when I have feed in here for them. Blessings, friends! --Romeena
January 23, 2014 - Msg 96293: Oh that is just terrible, Ro. Must have been so scary, not to mention painful, for Robbi! It makes me very thankful that it didn't happen that way to any of us. I had been driving Sean's car to take Erin to school when it happened so it could have gotten Erin or me. Wow. Sean talked to a guy at work who suggested a mechanic near us that does good work very reasonably so I think Sean will see about taking it there.

Its still fairly warm here today, probably around 65 but due to get cold soon.

Boo
January 23, 2014 - Msg 96294:
With Romeena posting about her tulips and G-F posting about pansies, that reminded me of the following video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_PLWqnfFgU

Boo, regarding Sean's transportation problem, I offer two options:
#1 - Search the internet for eBikes or similar motor bikes. They are inexpensive to purchase, economical to operate, and are well suited for the climate where you live.
#2 - You can find DVD's with complete service manuals for sale on the internet or ebay. I've purchased them for my own vehicle to save money doing my own repairs.

Romeena, that heater core blowing up on Robbi at highway speeds was a horrible experience. Robbi was very lucky not to have caused an accident.
A long time ago, I also had a heater problem on my vehicle. It was a very cold winter evening when I had just parked my car in a parking garage in another city. Suddenly, one of my engine coolant hoses blew spilling all my antifreeze. It was very late at night so I could not get it repaired. During the 25 mile drive home, I had no heat inside the car and the temperature was about 20 degrees outside. I had to stop every 10 minutes just to throw snow on the engine to cool it when the TEMP instrument panel light would turn on. By the time I reached my house, I lost all feeling in my hands and feet.

from Poor Horatio
January 23, 2014 - Msg 96295: Thank you, PH. You are always such a helpful friend. :)

I guess when you lose your heat in Canada, it can be a life-threatening problem.

Boo
January 23, 2014 - Msg 96296: Wow gang..im still here..this Cold has got us in a bind here...cant fine propane gas..im lucky to have foun 100 gallons...and got firewood...ok..let me get logged in..hey Romeena,Boo,G-F,asa,possum and all....Food?..lets have something warm for supper...prayers...SPOT
January 23, 2014 - Msg 96297: Those are some excellent suggestions for Sean, Poor Horatio. I see people on those little scooters around here, during the summer at least. But where Boo and Sean are at, they would be perfect. As long as he doesn't have to drive on any freeways to get to work.

Sorry about your energy woes, Spot. Is there a run on propane or something? Are they all out? That shouldn't happen here in America, you would think.

Speaking of people braving the cold. It's a little late now, but please remember all the people who were out in D.C. for the March For Life yesterday. It was all over Twitter for a while. Of course, you probably wouldn't have heard about it from the main media outlets. And certainly not if you asked the Gov. of New York.

-Sterling Holobyte




January 23, 2014 - Msg 96298: SEN THIS BAD WEATHER BACK TO CANADA WHERE IT CAME FROM

January 23, 2014 - Msg 96299: Good grief! Tiny Tim - I had forgotten about him. He was one weird dude.

Yes, Robbi was very lucky that there wasn't a major accident, with her stopping right in the middle of the road like that, but she had no choice. Luckily, the traffic was so heavy that it was only moving at about 25-30 mph, so the danger was mitigated somewhat. Also, that huge truck that stopped behind her was a blessing, too. It really was a bad situation, though. When the steam filled the car, she couldn't see anything at all, and knew she had to stop, but the hot liquid was still spewing out and she had to put her foot back into the spray to apply the brake. Tough choice! She's a trooper, that girl.

Eloise and I went to Red Lobster and had a good lunch, but decided to just return home and not go mousing around. It's too cold! It's 31° now, and windy. So I'm back home, gonna light the fireplace, make me something warm to drink, and cuddle up with a TAGS video, and a warm puppy in my lap. It doesn't get any better than that. Gotta go put out more critter feed first. The little munchers have eaten everything I put out this morning. Blessings, friends! --Romeena
January 23, 2014 - Msg 96300: Come to think of it, Robbi had to put both feet back into the spray, because her car had a standard transmission. What a nightmare! --Romeena
January 23, 2014 - Msg 96301: That front just blew in here and it is windy and cold. I love it. :)

Boo
January 23, 2014 - Msg 96302: 31° is cold? Not to make you seem like a whiner Romeena, because I know you aren't and you would probably slap me - and rightly so - if I even implied it, but it is -2° here. :)
Just saying, I guess cold is relative.

-Sterling Holobyte
January 23, 2014 - Msg 96303: Yep, I have some cold relatives too Sterling....
January 23, 2014 - Msg 96304: Since Mrs. G-F got into a fight with her 2 sisters before the Holidays, I'd have to agree some of the Relatives are cold... Kinda nice but sad... Life's to short but then again so am I....
-2? better throw another dog on!...

G-F...
January 23, 2014 - Msg 96305:
Hey TOM, is that you posting that everyone should send the bad weather back to Canada? Stop that! Instead, we should send the bad weather to MDC. I'm tired of hearing about all the nice weather he is having.

from Poor Horatio
January 23, 2014 - Msg 96306: The 30's would be fine if it wasn't so darned windy. I still love it, though...can't lie. Don't think I would love -2 degrees, though.

Boo
January 24, 2014 - Msg 96307:
BOO, I have here a link to youtube video on fixing a blown heater core. It happens quite often because the same coolant that runs thru the engine block run thru to heater. That is basically what makes it warms in the cabin. But heater cores get rusted out just like radiators do when they are not flushed or if there is the wrong mix of coolant and water. In our weather here, I have just "bypassed" the heater by re-positioning the hoses when that happened to me. You then have no heater, but I only run it about twice a year anyways. Hope this give him an idea.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqiTOkp7ouw
Prayers,
MDC
January 24, 2014 - Msg 96308:
BOO, I have here a link to youtube video on fixing a blown heater core. It happens quite often because the same coolant that runs thru the engine block run thru to heater. That is basically what makes it warms in the cabin. But heater cores get rusted out just like radiators do when they are not flushed or if there is the wrong mix of coolant and water. In our weather here, I have just "bypassed" the heater by re-positioning the hoses when that happened to me. You then have no heater, but I only run it about twice a year anyways. Hope this give him an idea.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqiTOkp7ouw
Prayers,
MDC
January 24, 2014 - Msg 96309:
OOps, twice the advice! ha
Hello to all. A very rough 74 here today,
and another miserable 74 tomorrow!
YIKES...now put those snowballs down, and slowly back away. LOL
Love ya,
MDC
January 24, 2014 - Msg 96310: 74, wow! That's nice summer weather there! Real nice! :)

-Sterling Holobyte
January 24, 2014 - Msg 96311: Well, it's 24° here right now, and that's cold! By the way, thanks, Sterling, for not thinking I'm a whiner for talking about it being cold here. I do realize that could be annoying to someone whose temp is the same number as mine, but below zero! If that were the case right now, that would mean it's 48 degrees colder where you are. I can't even imagine that. I can certainly understand why our complaints would be annoying. It's like when some little 110 lb twig has the nerve to tell me she's "on a diet." Poor baby, she can't get in her size 4 jeans anymore. Awwww! Meantime, I'm thinking, "Just you wait, Buttercup. After forty more years, four kids and eight surgeries, you'll be wishing you could get into a size 14 again." Makes you want to just slap 'em!

Well, I'm off to bed. Blessings, friends! --Romeena
January 24, 2014 - Msg 96312:
Boo, MDC posted another possible option to help with Sean's car. Search for videos (like at YouTube) for automotive repair videos. Unfortunately, many times these videos won't be specific for your type of vehicle.
Also, be sure to check out http://www.ipl.org/div/farq/autorepairFARQ.html

p.s. For all you warm blooded creatures out there, it is currently -15ºF here in the Toronto (Cananda) area. And we are expecting wind chills of -30ºF during the next 24 hours.

from Poor Horatio
January 24, 2014 - Msg 96313: Not annoying, Romeena, just kind of funny. :)
Now, Poor Horatio, -30° is not very funny. Stay warm(That goes for everyone else, too).

-Sterling Holobyte
January 24, 2014 - Msg 96314: Wow Romeena. I have never seen or heard of a catostrophic failure of a heater core like your Robbie experienced. They usually will develop a small leak that is evidenced by the smell of anti-freeze in the car cabin and with a wet floorboard usually on the passenger side under the dash. I wonder if what happened to Robbie was a line feeding the core ruptured. That would explain the hot water dumping on her feet on the drivers side. Either way, that had to be a frightning thing. Glad she was alright. Reminds me of a number of years ago, I had my youngest daughter who was 12 at the time, and one of her girlfriends in the pickup truck. We were headed down the freeway doing 65. There was an 18 wheeler passing me on the drivers side. The rear wheels of his trailer were about even with my window, that was down because it was a hot day and this truck had no a/c. Well one of the rear trailer tires ruptured. A huge boom like a cannon going off in my left ear. And a chunck of the tire came through the open window, hit me in the jaw, and then wedged itself in my steering wheel. I couldn't turn the wheel but a few inches with that hunk of tire stuck in it. But I managed to get enough turn in it to get over into the emergency lane (fortunatley I was already in the far right lane) and get stopped. It all happened so quick, and I was a littled dazed from getting hit in the jaw with the tire. And I have two 12 year old girls sitiing next to me screaming like mad. My ears are still ringing from both things. But I sure felt the Lords protective hand over us that day. And I'm sure glad my vehicles today have a/c. Now I can keep the windows up, especially when I'm on the freeway.

GF, sorry to read about your family disputes. My wife and some of her siblings are doing some barking at each other also. Oh well, guess it happens to all of us every now and again.

Better get. Supposed to be in the mid 40's here today. :) Had some canyon winds yesterday that kicked out the inversion for a few days. I can dig it. Now I can get a few outdoor jobs done today I hope.

Prayers for all.

Asa
January 24, 2014 - Msg 96315: Nut happy
Guess where all this bad weather is going to be send M D C and all his warm weather.
He will be in the high 70 next week where I wll be in 20.

























:( Happy

M D C where come all my bad weather your way.
G F keep your there yes I m looking to fine more heat.

TOM
January 24, 2014 - Msg 96316: Wow..that's a crazy story, ASA!

Well, its 30 degrees here and there is ice on everything in south texas...Armageddon!! (did I spell that right?). I just went out and gave old Thelma Lou an apple and draped a blanket over her. The gate was covered in ice. Crazy. I took Sean to drop his car off at the mechanic and saw two wrecks. Texans don't know how to drive on ice.

Got me a fire going in my fireplace and am about to have some oatmeal for breakfast. Hey, maybe I will watch some TAGS while I am doing the laundry.

Boo
January 24, 2014 - Msg 96317: Asa, Scary story about the truck tire, you never would expect to get punched-out by a tire, Mr. Foley yes, tire, no... Inlaws-Outlaws it could be a new "Reality Show" I guess they already have "Appalachian Outlaws" on the History channel. So I guess if you live in WVA you already know how to deal with the situation... Either you're in, or you're out, I suppose that's how it is? Any how, feuds are kinda like when the "Wakefields" & "Carters" feuded, nobody really remembers what the feud was about in the first place, and they just want to harbor the all of the stubbornness. Hey Asa, send me a few cans of those "CANyon" winds, we could use them this week....

G-F....

January 24, 2014 - Msg 96318: MDC, A friend just e-mailed this to me, check it out it's really cool! Kinda like the one I posted about the P-51 pilot who got to fly in his restored "Mustang" and his Grandson did a documentary on it, if you remember me posting it about a year ago. Enjoy...

http://www.youtube.com/embed/ie3SrjLlcUY

G-F
January 24, 2014 - Msg 96319: Wow. G-F, that video is wonderful. I sent the link to some of my family, three of whom were or are pilots. One cousin flew Globemasters during the Korean war, and one was a Marine fighter pilot. Both are retired, of course. My oldest son flies light aircraft and has his own Bonanza. They will love this film. Thanks for sharing.

Well, we were down in the low 20s this morning, and are up to 39° right now, at 3 p.m. When I looked out this morning, I saw a beautiful sight in my yard. My sprinklers are supposed to run on Saturdays, but somehow, the calendar setting was wrong, so the control box thought it was Saturday, and ran them last night, starting just after midnight. Naturally, this created an icy wonderland, with every bush and shrub, the grass, the netting over the pond, just everything, was sheathed in ice. So pretty, with the sun shining on it! I corrected the calendar, so it will do the same thing again tonight, after midnight. It will run a cycle between 12:30 and 5 a.m., and then will repeat tomorrow night, from 7 to 11:30 p.m. Ice or no ice, all those bulbs need water, and my pansies definitely do. A dry freeze is harder on them than ice. Besides, it will be pretty again! Maybe I'll get some pictures.

Well, I think I'll run a load of laundry. Haven't done laundry in at least three weeks, am running low on towels, so maybe I'll do a load or two. Sure is different, compared to when my family were all at home. In those days, I did about three loads a day! Blessings, friends. --Romeena
January 24, 2014 - Msg 96320: Romeena, You last post about your Son's "Bonanza" got me to thinking about your next "adventure". Attached is the link for Mt.Airy airfield, it has all the pertinent info you Son would need to fly his Mother there for Mayberry Days in September.
This way you & he can study on it for awhile and have it all figured out by September. It's easy to find just take a short left at Pilot Mountain, ya can't miss it, it's the only one that looks like Dolly Parton's b**b! You already have your "call sign"...."Sweet Romeena" unless Jackie Joseph shows up then you would be a Jr. I guess...
Yep, It sounds like another "Sky Queen" Adventure to me.... ;) Rodger, Yankee,Alpha,Foxtrot, we have "Sweet Romeena" on final approach, are we a go for the landing?..... (You better bone up on the "Aunt Bee learns to fly" episode so if there would be trouble you could take over).

http://flightaware.com/resources/airport/KMWK/map/satellite

G-F......

January 24, 2014 - Msg 96321: I forgot, you can navigate with the Mt.Airy Open Granite Quarry too. They say the astronauts' would use it as a reference point, and it can be seen from outer space....G-F again....
January 24, 2014 - Msg 96322: Ro, can you believe we didn't even make it to 39 degrees today. Hard to believe we were even colder down here than you were. It is about 37 right now, and blustery. We never saw the sun today, I guess that's why we were a little lower than you were.

I picked poor Sean up for lunch and his hands were so red and cold. Some knucklehead used his gloves and got them wet.

Sat by the fire off and on today and watched a little Tags and a little of the old Joan Crawford movies playing on AMC. She is one of my favorites, even if she was "Mommy Dearest".

Boo
January 24, 2014 - Msg 96323: Thanks, G-F. I don't know if my son is familiar with that area or not. Probably not, he really has no reason to be up that way, other than maybe someday to make the trip you described. That would be fun, for sure! I'm already familiar with the website you linked - I have it on my desktop, and use it to follow his flights now and then. When he's coming here, I watch his progress on the site and know when to head out to the airport. Of course, he usually just calls me when he's about a half hour out, but the tracking function on the website lets me be prepared. Very cool!

What a beautiful view on that pic you sent me! Wow. Really pretty. I'm going to have to talk to that boy about making that trip. --Romeena
January 24, 2014 - Msg 96324:
HI ALL,
G-F--yes indeed a neat video. I will show it to my dad. I bet that was a thrill for that pilot to see movies of his landing 70 years later!
RO--If Aunt Bee could learn to fly, you should too! ha
Now I've got a neat one for you all...let me take you higher.... to the space station! here is an intriguing tour of it from space!

http://www.youtube.com/embed/doN4t5NKW-k

TOM--You can keep your weather, thank you very much! ha I'll tell you what, if I can send our July 118s to YOU, then I'll take your -15s ! :)
ASA--I wonder if a flying 60 MPH piece of tire would just shatter a side window?? (Like when the Styrofoam punctured the space shuttle) It may have been one of those "blessings in disguise!"
The Lord's blessings on all,
MDC
MDC