What positive can you list today?

[Gail 8588]

My positive for Saturday is that I was invited, last minute, to attend a Christmas  concert. I really enjoyed the band, The Curry's. 

I filled in for someone who got sick.  I am so glad they called me, as I really had a lovely time.

[KayC]

I am glad they did too, how fun!

[KayC]

So my neighbor that I hired for everything...chimney cleaning, roof, gutters, firewood, cutting/limbing trees, had a horrific accident Saturday morning, broke six ribs, 12 places, his T12,  T1, L1 will have a long recovery, maybe a year or so, they did a CT and got him in a brace, he's in excruciating pain.  This morning someone stole his car.  Two neighbors found it and towed it back to his place.  They got his battery but don't know if anything else.  How low can one get!  They know who took it, someone who stole from our freezer years ago, the state cop told us who.  I remember they took venison, elk, huckleberries, blackberries, all the hard earned things!  My son was a child then and he looked at the sugar free ice cream and said, "See Mom, I told you that stuff was no good, even the burglars didn't want it!"  He always said the funniest things.

I took a check to his place this morning in a special hand made card, most of the neighbors are doing the same.  I have the best neighbors in the world.

[RichS]

It just goes to show you that when we start feeling sorry for ourselves and hear a series of bad things happening to one person, it kind of reminds us that there are always those worse off than us.....................

[widower2]

1 hour ago, KayC said:

I took a check to his place this morning in a special hand made card, most of the neighbors are doing the same.  I have the best neighbors in the world.

So does he.   

My positive was Sat went to a winery and the weather was great. Just a nice break before all the winter holiday stuff. 

[foreverhis]

4 hours ago, KayC said:

I have the best neighbors in the world.

I might have to challenge you to an arm wrestle or something to decide, but I'll concede it's a tie.  I can't imagine a better group of neighbors and friends.  Over the past decade, we've all grown closer.  We're there for each other, no questions asked.  We tease our newest "member" (my next door neighbor for the past 2 years) that she had to pass our "tests," which consisted of being a nice person and good neighbor.  She and her neighbor on the other side, who moved in recently and who we are just getting to know, are the youngest of us (50 and early 40s). but they fit right in.  It's a huge comfort.

I recently "got in trouble" with one of my male friends.  He and his wife, also our friend, live directly across the street from me.  He and John were friends for years.  While I am more than happy to help others, I kind of suck at asking for help myself.  I want to be independent and not seem like a burden, which I know I am not.  I had to buy a few bags of rock for a dry well I was digging to combat a downspout that flooded the area and seeped into the foundation last winter.  I got the fabulous wagon John bought for us years ago and had managed to roll and hoist one 50 lb bag out of the hatchback into the wagon.  Well, my friend saw me, hurried across the street, and asked, "Just what do you think you are doing?"  I said I didn't want to bother him.  He sighed and said, "You are not a bother.  You know that.  Now, where are we taking these bags?" and proceeded to unload the second bag and roll the wagon around the side of the house.  Then he helped me get the bags open and dumped the rocks in.  We went back for the second ones and he helped with those.  I thanked him profusely, of course.  He reminded me next time to come get him or one of the other men to do tasks like that and went back across the street to finish what he was doing.

In the first couple of years after John died, acquaintances would sometimes ask if I planned to move.  I believe the saying is "As if!"  John and I really lucked out with our home.  It isn't even in what was our first choice community, but we couldn't find anything there that we both liked and were willing to pay for.  We could have qualified for a larger mortgage, but didn't want to be "house poor."  Our realtor, a friend of my parents and also living in our community, suggested we look here where the vibe is slower, the neighborhoods quieter, and the views just a beautiful for 20%-30% less.  We bought our small older home and never looked back.

[widower2]

27 minutes ago, foreverhis said:

I might have to challenge you to an arm wrestle or something to decide, but I'll concede it's a tie.  I can't imagine a better group of neighbors and friends. 

Wow that is a blessing FH and good for you. In this day and age that is truly a rare gift. Me I'm just happy if my idiot next-door neighbor doesn't blast his music or let his dog bark (andbarkandbarkandbarkandbark) in the back yard.   Don't get me wrong; in general I can't kick much. My neighbors aren't "bad," but we're on large wooded lots and people don't tend to associate much. 

[KayC]

10 hours ago, foreverhis said:

I kind of suck at asking for help myself. 

I use my wheelbarrow for such, roll it from the trunk to wheelbarrow, wheel it where I want it in the house and dump it.  See why I call it my best friend?!

 

[RichS]

11 hours ago, foreverhis said:

While I am more than happy to help others, I kind of suck at asking for help myself.  I want to be independent and not seem like a burden, which I know I am not.

Of course we all want to do as much for ourselves as possible; but sometimes life doesn't always give you that choice. Think of the times when you helped others who may have wanted to do something for themselves, but couldn't. Things tend to even out in the long run.

[ThereIsAField]

I had a few positives today that I'm very grateful for, but the one that made me smile the most and pop my eyes out was this item on ABC news:

 

[Boggled]

2 hours ago, ThereIsAField said:

but the one that made me smile the most and pop my eyes out was this item on ABC news:

Wow!!   Really cool, ThereIsAField!  I'd have the same expression as those kids if I saw that. 

I made a lettuce salad for lunch, after talking to my friend who mentioned lettuce ... she made me remember, oh yeah, lettuce!  I used an implement for scraping carrots into thin strips and realized, I haven't used this thing in how long?  Months and months and months!  So for me, lettuce salad was my positive for this day, and using that kitchen tool I'd all but forgotten about.  

 

[KayC]

I was finally feeling well enough to walk Kodie at the park, no one was there (very cold!) so I didn't have to worry about infecting anyone else.  It's usually bare of people in the cold mornings.  He loved our excursion!

[Boggled]

Good to hear you were feeling well enough to go to a park, KayC!

[Boggled]

Yesterday my one friend called me, still angry and (it seems to me) fruitlessly furious at her family for something one of them had said to her... and I suggested, "maybe we should go to a wrestling match?  or maybe boxing?" ... and then thought, judo?  karate?  self-defense?  So checked out self-defense classes while still on the phone with her, in our little local town, there ARE two places ... I  and she's ALL FOR IT.  She seems to WANT TO FIGHT.  Well, mebbe they have classes in self-defense for seniors?   NOT something I'm very confident about doing!   hunh, am I in shape for dat?  (DOUBT IT!) ... but it's something she's ENTHUSIASTIC, and I mean REALLY ENTHUSIASTIC about doing, so yeah, at least it's something to ... um ... do.  IF they'll allow a couple of pretty up-there seniors in.  I'm more a yoga kind of person.  I do need to get out ... and do something ... for her, yoga is too wimpy I get the feeling.  First suggestion she's really enthusiastic about.  I'm laughing as I type this.  ... 

[RichS]

Maybe you can take her to a self-defense class. Tell her you can be an observer. Let the instructor "demonstrate" some moves as she takes some falls to the mat. Drive her home. Then call her up in two days to see if she's ready for round 2. I'm betting she won't be. Watching a some Jackie Chan or Steven Seagal fight scenes are less painful and might be the easier way to vent her frustrations.

 

[Boggled]

8 hours ago, RichS said:

Tell her you can be an observer.

Exactly what I was just thinking.  😹 

[KayC]

3 hours ago, Boggled said:

Good to hear you were feeling well enough to go to a park, KayC!

Still coughing up stuff wiping nose continually, my head is still foggy, but it is always good to get out and walk, and Kode loved it.  So good to have this park, it's ten miles away but literally vacant in the early morning in the cold!

[RichS]

Rather than doing our usual daily walk in our neighborhood, my son convinced me to drive down towards this nature trail; where we walked up this hill that led us to a pond (been there before many times). Sat on the bench. The pond looked like a giant mirror. It was 50 degrees, sunny and no wind. A good opportunity to reflect and think clearly. It was very peaceful..................................Nature can sometimes be a temporary tranquilizer. 

[KayC]

I haves found it to be so.

[KayC]

Had dinner at Iris last night, was a bit disappointing, she had quiche...not Keto. I had to eat the innards and leave the crust, there wasn't much there so was still hungry. She knows I can't eat that.  Fortunately I brought dessert: Keto Peanut Butter Mug Cake with Keto Chocolate Mousse for "frosting."  Came home hungry BS 110 which is higher than usual after dinner so didn't eat anything else.  Next time will question more beforehand but she usually tries to work with my Keto.  She basically didn't want to eat alone. Someone wants to buy her house and she was crying as it was her and Mike's dream...I told her to think on it a year.  Of course she's all over the place.

[RichS]

Scored some youth basketball games this morning. First time I've done it in four years. REASON: I had to avoid public places during the COVID because of Chris' Leukemia. A couple of people who I haven't seen in awhile and know about my situation asked me how I was doing, which was nice.

Glad I was able to dust off the memory and was able to remember how to run the scoreboard and keep the books on the game. Overall, a great re-orientation. Now I'm confident enough to score games because basketball is the only game in town for the next few months.

[KayC]

It's always nice to have people think of you...

[RichS]

Kay:  I know that you don't hear too much from friends and family these days, but as you say you've go Kodie AND the people on this board who care about you. PLUS, unlike Kodie, you don't have to take us for a walk in cold weather!

[KayC]

True.  Only 38 right now, not bad for December.

[KayC]

Iris decided to go to the Nutcracker last night "with her friends" even though she'd invited me for today's matinee.  Rude!  Like Thanksgiving.  I feel like a pawn "when it's convenient."  I was good enough to pass on this illness too.

My positive today is I haven't blown my nose once today and I've been up 1 1/2 hours!  Will see how the day progresses.

[KennyW]

Peope can be inconsiderate. The best thing you can do is brush it off and don't let her occupy any more of your brain. Let it go

[Boggled]

My positive relates to two days ago, when my friend and I went to our town's Senior Center to try out the exercise equipment, and going into a room filled with various kinds of exercise equipment, I felt like a little kid let loose in the playground!  Tried a BUNCH of the equipment, used muscles I didn't know I had, it was FUN.  A couple other seniors came in while we were there, and just silently went to some equipment, and slowly did their exercises, no talking, just movin' da muscles.  So, now I know ... it's THERE.  I can use it. 

And there's another Senior Center in our little local county town that iirc also has quite a bit of exercise machines.  So ... my friend wasn't enthused about the exercising!  ... but I enjoyed it ... so can I screw up my weenie amount of courage, and drive to the local Senior Center, all by my little old self?  so I can play with the exercise equipment again?  hunh.  ... a nice simple, hopefully easy challenge.  I LIKE easy.  

[Roxeanne]

I had three lunch this week and a christmas concert with friends just to wish each other "Buon Natale"....In one with dear friends i remembered my love everytime and laugh about some funny moments with him....it was like he was there with us!...so good!!!💕

[KayC]

I'm so glad Roxeanne!

[KayC]

Okay, not well, but mending.

I got my wood stove cleaned out this morning, always a horrid chore, 3" of ash in a large wood stove.  Glad to have it done and the fire rebuilt, after only 2 1/2 months, normally it takes four!  Which means I'll have to do it again before the winter's over.

[Gail 8588]

Well my positive for yesterday actually was that I successfully patched a leak in my roof with some tar and spray stuff. 

I made it more difficult for myself by waiting for it to rain before getting on the roof to patch the leak(s?).

Earlier last week, when we were having a heavy rain I discovered the dripping sound of water hitting my tile floor. I put a pan in the spot to catch the water and told myself to check out the roof on the next sunny day. Well, several sunny days went by but I never got around to checking the roof. 

Yesterday there was a lot in the news that Florida was bracing for a huge storm that would being flooding rain. So I checked the forecast and the storm was to be in my area around 3:00 pm.

I wrestled the big awkward folding ladder out of the shed. Fought with the rusty and temperamental latches until it was the right shape to get on the roof. Then it took all my strength to actually get the ladder up on the roof. It isn't freestanding next to the house. It has one side of the ladder actually resting on the roof and the other side on the ground.  Anyway I climbed up and found the likely suspect leaks around several vent things sticking up through the roof. The black stuff around each of them was old, cracked and basically weathered away from years of exposure. 

I climbed back down with a plan of what  to buy at Home Depot.  This was about 10 in the morning.  Then my 5 year old grandson called, asking me to come over to play.  It was his birthday, and a party was planned for 4:00, but I couldn't resist his pleas for me to come over now.  So I abandoned the Home Depot trip for some time playing with the birthday boy.  He is totally into setting up long runs of dominoes and knocking them down. He especially wants to video the knock down, and then watch the video in reverse having all the dominoes jump back up in place. 

Well about 12:30 I noticed a light rain starting and told my grandson I had to go.  Quick trip to Home Depot. Rushed home. By now it is raining pretty hard.  I'm up on the roof  with a big sheet of plastic over me as a temporary tent, drying off the roof with a towel and then smearing roofing tar around like frosting on a cake.  Two neighbors came out of their houses to  ask if I was okay.  I'm sure they thought I was nuts. 

I eventually frosted all the worn out looking places.  Sprayed it all with Flex Seal for good measure.  Packed up all my stuff and got down off the roof totally drenched.  I wrestled with the ladder, got it folded up and back in the shed.  Took a hot shower and made it to the birthday party by 4. 

It rained hard for the next 20 hours, but no leak in the house.  Success.

Today I can barely raise my right arm, but still I'm proud that I fixed it myself. 

The 5 year old birthday party was fun too.  I rollerskated.  Another story. 

Gail

[KennyW]

I still have my mom who I care for. Without here I would have no one.

[KayC]

Wow, Gail, I'm amazed!  I've no idea how old you are but it's been a long time since I've been able to get on the roof!  (I'm 71).  So proud of you, you did it!  And even made the bdy party!

Keny, sometimes that is all we need is purpose, someone to care for, I lost that when my sister died.  Now I basically keep going for Kodie (dog) and Panther (feral cat).  

Last night Jack's son Joseph showed up to blow off my roof and gutters, he checked the track in front of my carport, it's fine.  He's bringing a load of wood next weekend.

Jack is amazing, as long as he doesn't land himself back in the hospital, he went out with Joseph to show him his client's homes and what needs done.  (Don't move, Jack!)

[Boggled]

On 12/16/2023 at 1:28 PM, KayC said:

It's always nice to have people think of you...

You said it, KayC!  It's so true, and so glad and amazed too, that this guy Jack, that has kept you going with wood and chores for so long, is actually up and moving around!  so soon after his accident!  (gasp!) and that he has the son Joseph who sounds like he's following in his dad's footsteps, wow.  

And Gail8588, that's inspiring.  FlexSeal is something I've seen ads for and wondered, about the people experiencing flooding, ... could they just FlexSeal the bottoms of their doors and keep the water out?  but my MIL, when I asked, said no the water comes in even around the foundation.  Anyway, you should be proud of yourself, Gail! for fixing your roof yourself!!!    

I'm telling myself to APPRECIATE the cold.  No ticks and chiggers!  

[KayC]

1 hour ago, Boggled said:

I'm telling myself to APPRECIATE the cold.  No ticks and chiggers!  

I got a tick off my feral cat recently, intact...flushed down the toilet (don't know if it can survive that to make it out of my septic system, but I didn't want to toss it in a bush and wasn't sure if I tried to stomp on it, it would get away.  They can live w/o a host for seven years just waiting to pounce, so not much hope of cold getting rid of them.  Guess that's what helps sell the tick and flea prevention...

[RichS]

9 hours ago, Gail 8588 said:

Yesterday there was a lot in the news that Florida was bracing for a huge storm that would being flooding rain. So I checked the forecast and the storm was to be in my area around 3:00 pm.

Great job, Gail!! We were getting the same heavy rains at the same time in North Carolina. Must have been one, big storm. By any chance, was your roof a bahama roof? We had one on our house when we lived in Florida (we later switched to a shingle roof). I remember those days...............going up on the roof with buckets of liquid tar, hoping I was covering the right spots. Also remember having to go up there to release the trapped water that the walls held. On a sunny day, it was so weird to see the water falling down from our roof. The local ducks loved it!

[Boggled]

58 minutes ago, KayC said:

I got a tick off my feral cat recently, intact...flushed down the toilet (don't know if it can survive that to make it out of my septic system, but I didn't want to toss it in a bush and wasn't sure if I tried to stomp on it, it would get away.  They can live w/o a host for seven years just waiting to pounce, so not much hope of cold getting rid of them.

I have also wondered ... can they survive the septic system?  One more question for the scientists ... IF they wanna study that, eh?  and nope, the cold doesn't get rid of them, but they must go into hibernation or dormancy or something, all I know is, when it's cold enough (under 60F I THINK) (and especially when it's been cold for a while, like now), I can walk on the grass and no ticks, no chiggers, hurrahhh!

[steinbok]

I met a friend for his ride (cycling) to work this morning.  I got up at 430, and out the door an hour later.  Good conversation, and he's the one that will likely move in, once Reed (my husband) crosses the rainbow bridge     I expect him to be gone very soon    
the activity of cycling has been my savior this past 17 months.

[widower2]

I think keeping busy in any way is a good thing, esp getting out of the house...

[DotPark]

ESPN+ refunded the annual renewal fee my dear Tom had set up, yippee! And the woman on the phone was so sweet. It's just money but I appreciate it.

[KayC]

Iris and I shared dinner last night, Shrimp Curry and Chocolate Mousse (added rum), watched a movie, it wasn't my cup of tea but I know it's hard for her to be alone in the evenings.

My son called me back last night but it was quick, he was on his way to pick up my granddaughter from BB practice.  I didn't get to tell him about Jack's injuries or my skin cancer.

[KayC]

Had leftover shrimp curry last night, made skillet cookie to bring, turned out well.  Was invited to a get together with a couple of families' kids on my street for Christmas Eve and Christmas night invited to a neighbor's dad's...hoping no snow for driving or will try to catch a ride.  No word from kids.  Kids always in a hurry nowadays, I always made time for my mom!

A neighbor offered to put up lights and my tree but it's a little late this year, told him maybe next year after Thanksgiving, but appreciated the offer.

Haven't heard from but one person at church since I was sick (two weeks).  Love my neighbors!  Took my dog where he can run out in the woods, he's so good to come back when I call him!

[Gail 8588]

On 12/18/2023 at 9:44 AM, KayC said:

I got a tick off my feral cat recently, intact...flushed down the toilet (don't know if it can survive that to make it out of my septic system, but I didn't want to toss it in a bush . . . 

Ticks are hard to kill. My way of disposing of them is easy. I stick them on a piece of tape fold the tape over the top of the tick and throw the  packet away.  They will never bother man or beast again.

[KayC]

Good idea, thanks!

I just found this: 

Flushing a tick into a septic tank doesn't effectively get rid of the insect.

 

Ticks don't drown when in water, so you won't kill them if you flush them down your home's plumbing and into the septic tank. Admittedly, flushing will temporarily get rid of a tick because it won't be in your home or yard anymore. It thing will still be alive, however, so it can breed, find its way to your lawn, and bite animals or people again once it does resurface.

[widower2]

2 hours ago, Gail 8588 said:

Ticks are hard to kill. My way of disposing of them is easy. I stick them on a piece of tape fold the tape over the top of the tick and throw the  packet away.  They will never bother man or beast again.

I take a lighter to them. It's quick and foolproof. Anyway

Recent positive was someone walking their dog down the street as I was coming out the door, a pretty young lab pup. Very friendly and playful, was fun for a little of that in my life again. 

[KayC]

8 minutes ago, widower2 said:

I take a lighter to them. It's quick and foolproof.

Good idea!  I had this live tick in my fingers, wiggling around, and needed to do something with it quickly.  What it's end is now is exactly what I DIDN'T want so need to be prepared for next time.  I could always throw it in the wood stove too if it's that time of year.

[RichS]

MY POSITIVE:  Getting the house cleaned (somewhat) for Ross' birthday tomorrow. Please, no white glove test! Picking up birthday supplies with him this afternoon.

[KayC]

Dim the lights and call it good!

[RichS]

1 hour ago, KayC said:

Dim the lights and call it good!

Kay:  Great idea for future gatherings at my house! Just won't invite Martha Stewart

[KayC]

28 minutes ago, RichS said:

Just won't invite Martha Stewart

I wouldn't, she probably has a housekeeper anyway!