The New Water Cooler
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I couldn't get logged in!
I'm glad your CPAP is going well so far. I don't know why Bernie gave up on his after a few years. I thought it helped. It's tough that the cherry harvest isn't going well so far. Farming (and being not a huge conglomerate) it always seems like everything is stacked against you. I hope things get better fast.
Way to be productive Ang!
Nothing really good, except at least it's Friday. I need to check in on the folks.
I just ate some kiwi (not something I normally have), but we got some at Costco and I am so thirsty!
Friyay
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Angela, you and I are in the same phase. I have been craving cake but haven't bought one, yet. I made chocolate chip cookies and Russ made the chocolate/peanut butter/oatmeal no bake cookies for our friends. We have extra for us.
I stenciled the wild flowers on my patio table today. They look nice but I'm wondering if I should add a few more to the top. I will wait until Sunday and decide.
Tomorrow I will be volunteering at the Leelanau Montessorie with Power Book Bags. We will have a tent with tables and give away books and crayons to kids.
Our president seems to be following in the foot steps of Hitler and the values of Nazi Germany during his time. This all makes me so angry that American people voted for him and many still don't get who and what he and his loyalists really are. How is this going to end?
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I stepped on the scales this morning. The number went up again. It's my fault for all the junk food I've been eating.
Your President scares me as well. What did we as a country do to him that makes him see to hate us so much and doing what's he's doing? I don't care for our Prime Minister much better. (I didn't vote for him.)
I had one day today where I got things done. I am sitting in my PJs and it's almost 11am. I have things to do (like run) and I just don't want to do anything. Neither does Wesley
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Our president hates anyone and anything that doesn't idolize him or express loyalty and agreement with him. It's not personal. He has major mental health and personality issues. Power and greed are his language.
Your kitty is cute! It's the weekend so enjoy yourself. You must need relaxation time if that is what you are feeling.
I am off to visit a friend who is here visiting her family. She lives in VA but we went to high school together. She was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer two years ago. She went in to remission but it is back. She won't do chemo a second time so is treating it more holistically with exception of a surgery she had to scrape cancer off some organs. Sounds awful!
Beautiful day here. I need to put the first coat of varnish on my table today or tomorrow.
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Wesley is my cuddle bug. He's hiding it here, but his black nose is nose is one of his cutest features.
The scales have gone back up again. Sigh It's my own fault. I'm hoping to run today at lunch, but it's beautifully raining right now. Rain we desperately need.
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I'm here for the pictures! I have so many (so many) thoughts and rants and big orange, but I don't want the men in black to come for me. It makes you understand why some people went off the grid. They don't look so odd now.
Another weekend oozed away too stinking fast. My mom claims dad is doing better. I need to get up there soon. I tried talking to Michele (sis) about how scary it is to think about all the driving he does for appointments especially when he has been the one so sick. And when we have to intervene. She said, that wouldn't go over well. I'm like, yeah…. but… I'm not pushing it beyond that obviously. And, this is why I mostly keep repeating - I can't be involved. If no one is going to make smart choices - then I'm just going to focus on trying to get through my own mess of a life.
It's so freakin' hot. It stormed Friday night and Saturday night. So too damp for weekend mowing - and it's going to be so hot this week, so expecting them to mow after work would be in the danger zone. The yard is going to be rough this week.
Geez - I hope your friend is doing ok. That sounds rough.
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Marla, I have to say I did hesitate to write that comment about the guy in charge because we don't know who is our data or watching. I read stuff on FB but rarely comment anymore. I am actually afraid if we flew overseas and then tried to get back in to the U.S., we could be flagged as they look up our social media. This is so crazy but is the current reality for the U.S.
I totally get it that about not being involved. It is hard when siblings aren't on the same page regarding aging parents. Unfortunately, your Dad and Mom aren't using good judgment right now. What if he killed someone or your Mom while driving? When my Mom's cognitive skills were deteriorating I was the one who noticed because I could see a difference between my visits from MN. My siblings brushed off my concerns many times. Finally after a very poor, vulnerable situation my Mom responded to and was very poor judgment, I said "enough", I'm talking to her doctor and requesting cognitive testing. Sometimes it takes one sibling to take charge. I hope you and your sister can get on the same page. I don't know the answers but I'm thinking of you as you go forward.
I went out to varnish the first coat on my table. As I brushed, there were small black specks remaining on the paint. At first I thought it was my brush so I threw it away and got a different one. It happened again so it must be the can of varnish I bought. Now I have to get to a hardware store and buy another can. I don't have any exterior poly in my supplies. Every project I attempt can be so lengthy, ugh!
Angela, I hope you get some runs in. They probably make you feel better and give you more energy. Pet your kitty for me.
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it's not so crazy in this current craziness we are experiencing. I watched this video from this former HS English teacher talking about a project she used to do with her honors 12 group with different groups reading 1984, The Handmaid's Tale and one other that's escaping me and she talked about how it evolved over only 20 years with students rolling their eyes because these things couldn't happen to ending up with their Venn diagram basically all one circle. I have to find it, because I think you would appreciate the points she brings up.
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This one!!
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I have a friend who posted close up pictures of an item and you had to guess what it was. She had one friend who always got it before me. One day I commented "One day I am going to beat her!" My post was removed by Facebook and I had my account flagged for "inciting violence" 🤦♀️ I argued them on what they said and had the flag removed.
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Wow, I wish I had a teacher like her in high school. What an amazing lesson and questions to present to her advanced students. And here we are… I'm 64 years old and would have never believed the U.S. would be in this situation in my lifetime. I worry for my children and grandchildren, especially the grand daughters and their rights as they become women. I have read a ton of historical fiction novels taking place during WWII and the Nazi regime. What is happening right now with ICE and immigrants really isn't much different than what happened in Europe. Our govt is building detention camps/prisons which will become privatized work camps (slave labor) and the people acting to apprehend citizens and people here trying to get asylum are thugs. I read they want to add at least 10,000 more people to work for ICE for rounding people up and deporting to camps within our country or other countries. I could go on and on but I fear someone will knock on my door soon…
Ang, someone took your statement literally. That is so weird!
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crazy, scary times
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I have been wanting to come back to States to visit friends. I don't want to right now. I'm afraid what they might do since I lived down there for 7 years, even though I have been back home for over 20 years!
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It's crazy we are thinking like this. It's like a scary novel.
I put the 2nd coat of varnish on my table today. One more coat on Friday or Saturday and it will be done.
I watered and dead headed flowers at the cemetery today. Now we are having a rain storm. Wasted trip over there but it will be good for my garden.
Angela, where did you live in the states?
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Florida - 4 years in Pensacola going to college (1997-2001) and 3 years in Miami teaching 1st grade (2001-2004)
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Angela, you work in a law office now? You didn't like teaching?
We have company coming for dinner tonight. Russ is smoking ribs and we will have coleslaw, baked beans, corn and corn bread.
It rained and the wind was strong last night. It blew my tomato plant on the deck over and a metal chair on the front deck. I need to check my garden and see if the wind did any damage the plants.
Very hot and humid today! Another storm coming…
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teaching is a tough gig
I had good teachers, but man, just watching that one from the video got me feeling like I should re-read those books! I bet her students got so much out of her classes.
It's so hooooottttt and humiiiiiiiddddd….yuuuuucccckkkkyyyy
I feel yucky, crabby, hungry. Bleh.
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When I moved back to Nova Scotia I tried to find a teaching job in a Christian school but couldn't find one I liked. In the years since, I understand now that I lack the patience needed for teaching.
I love what I do now and feel like it suits me (most days)
I have been having night sweets and insomnia for the last few nights. Maybe going off the herbal supplement for perimenopause as a bad idea. I need to go back on it!
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Night sweats are the worse! A nurse practioner I saw years ago during my peri menopause stage told me to put a cotton beach towel under me in bed. If I sweated a lot, just change the beach towel and not have to take off the sheets to be washed. Those cooling pj's also help.
Teaching isn't for everyone. I could never have been a classroom teacher. I taught toddlers one at a time or a small group of 5-7 kids working on communication. I usually had a partner when teaching the group.
Marla, it would be interesting to read those books now with all that is happening. I don't know if I could do it.
One more coat of poly on my table today and it will be done. I need to pull some weeds and dead head my perennials too. Yesterday I harvested sugar snap peas and some strawberries from my garden. The Sunburst cherry tomatoes are starting to turn yellow so they are almost ready to pick too. Love those!
Yesterday I went to my friend's mother's funeral. I saw some people I recognized and hadn't seen for 40 years. She was 87 and the church was full! She was a woman that did a lot for people in this community. My friend Laurie spoke and gave a beautiful tribute to her Mom.
Temps will be nice today here. Hang in there Marla with your heat. Angela, what kind of temps does Nova Scotia get in the summer?
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Oh, I'm most likely not reading those books. Living it is stressful enough.
Are your cherry farmer friends harvest going better? I love cherries. Bernie did some bucket tomatoes and they just won't produce. It sounds like everyone (down at the farmers market) is saying the same thing. The tomatoes are being really stubborn about turning this year.
It was good of you to support your friend that way. I bet it meant a lot to her.
My menopause symptoms seems to ride these peaks and valleys. I seem to be climbing back up a freaking peak again. I have been sweating more and going through worse insomnia. Last multiple nights I have been awake every.single.hour. It's making my coping abilities LOW.
Sounds like my dad is finally feeling better from the four month cough/bronchitis/pnuemonia/swelling/whatever. So, that is good news.
I'm trying to get a few things going to eat. I got some fresh potatoes from the farmers market and want to make some potato salad. Some hamburger to make some meatloaf. Trying to get all the hot stuff done early so the a/c doesn't have to combat that and the outside heat. I also dug out my ice cream maker and am going to see if I can make ice cream, but use skim milk and lite half and half. Obviously, you can tell I'm still hungry!
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Temperatures in the summer are usually mid to upper 20s, which for you would be upper 70s to mid 80s. Right now it's very dry here. We desperately need rain. Most of the province (including my area) is red for the fire ban, which means no burning of any type any time of day. I love the sun, but we need rain!
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Angela, I would give you some of our rain if I could. We have had some rain weekly this summer which has provided us with lush plants and trees. End of July and we haven't hit the usual dry part of summer yet.
Today they are shaking the tart cherries next to our property. I'll be glad when they are done. No more spraying and tractor noise out there once they are done.
Marla, I'm glad your Dad is feeling better. So worrisome when our family ages and aren't well. I love potato salad of any kind. Russ makes many different recipes during the summers. I use to make a good one until he took over the cooking.
I need to do more deadheading today and then a gutter company is coming to discuss new gutters with us. Did I mention we are postponing exterior house painting until Spring? The painter is behind due to all the rain we've had so we agreed to be the first in the Spring. Russ has procrastinated on his outside repairs on the house. He always uses the excuse that we have company, etc and he doesn't want the lumber and mess when they are here. I could care of there is a mess outside. It just think he has to be mentally ready to tackle it all.
My table is done and on the deck. It looks nice although doesn't coordinate well with the current house color. It will look nice next summer if it holds up.
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The joke is that when the fair is in town it rains. Only thing is the fair is here and it's not raining! Maybe it will when they are done setting it and it opens. (today or tomorrow)
I was listening to a podcast on running and motivation. I was raising my hand, pointing to myself and nodding. She nailed so many things explaining EXACTLY what I have been going through with in my struggles over the last few years with my running! I need to listen to it again and again!
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Angela, if Russ and I put our chair cushions outside on our deck chairs, it will rain. We pull them in when it is going to rain. Such a pain but trying to avoid mildew and not being able to sit on them during sunny days due to being wet. It's a sure thing!
I am getting a pedicure this morning. I love them. My feet feel so good afterwards.
I am still washing bedding for the downstairs bunk room. Our friends arrive Friday afternoon/evening. We will clean thoroughly up and downstairs tomorrow. I need to clean the guest bathroom tub too. Having company makes me clean more thoroughly!
Today is our 32nd wedding anniversary. We were both married before we met. My first marriage lasted 6 years and Russ' was 8 years. Tomorrow night we are going to see Carole King The Musical.
More laundry to do, visit Sarah at the nursing home, and get ready to clean. I am sore from going to my first aquafit class in two months yesterday. Now to get my strength back again.
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I think we have come to small break in the extreme/excessive heat days. Thank goodness. It's been a rough stretch.
Several of the area schools are close to getting back to class (Aug 14-ish); crazy!
J - Sorry you weren't able to get your house painted this year.
I don't know what is going on with being hangry all the freakin' time. Maybe I have been slacking too much on the protein. Or just another wave of the menopause stupidity. HANGRY
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Maybe you aren't taking in enough calories, Marla. A food journal may help you figure it out.
I'm fluctuating my usual 5 pounds up and down, going no where.
Our friends and their two boys arrive later today for a long weekend. All my prep is done and now I am relaxing until they get here. We will have temps in the 70's all weekend and it is suppose to be sunny. I'm eager to get to the beach!
I'm ok with house waiting until Spring to get painted. Russ is dragging his feet on repairs so this way he will have more time when he begins those projects. A guy came to look at our entrance doors we want replaced. He is writing up a bid and said he can send a guy to do them and they will be done in one day. I hope the bid is reasonable so we can hire him and get those doors done.
Carole King The Musical was great! The cast were high school age students who attend the summer Interlochen Arts Camp. Students come from all over the world to Interlochen Arts Academy and Camp. Very talented and the singing and dancing was so fun! Their voices were amazing. I wish I had been born with a singing voice.
Have a great weekend!
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oh, how fun. A musical!
I know I am taking in too many overall calories, since my weight is going up. Too many “fun “ calories, not enough good nutrition.
I got a wild hair to try lentils in the slow cooker. I couldn’t find tamarind paste here in Columbus but they seem pretty good.The best day of the weekend is already over. ☹️
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Our friends left this afternoon. We managed to pack a lot of activities into the 3 days. I'm tired! We kayaked, sat on the beach, visited a small town north of here, shopped…
The Canadian fires have left a lot of smoke in the northern states. Up here in northern MI is bad! So hazy, sometimes smell the smoke, and the skys are gray with sun shining. Very weird!
I need to get back to healthy eating after this weekend.
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Sorry all our smoke is bothering you! Contrary to what someone said, we can't stop it.
Nova Scotia is under a burn ban until the middle of October unless things drastically change. It's bone dry here and a severe fire hazard. There is at least 1 or 2 counties that have put out water restrictions. (ie: no washing cars, no watering flowers/gardens) We desperately need rain!
I have been so busy getting the decorations finalized for VBS at church next week. I spent yesterday at the church with friends putting glitter on 200 gems and putting the background drop (black plastic table cloths) on the walls of the platform. It's a mining theme. I covered the walls in back to given it an impression of a cave.
I got to the church at 2pm and we left around 8pm. I am glad my friend suggested putting up the backdrop yesterday as now the rest of the decorating can go faster on Thursday!
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Angela, it is ridiculous that people think you can stop the smoke from blowing south or anywhere else. We had a rainy June and July but now August is dry. It's good we had so much rain until now. I hope you get rain soon.
My friend and I rode 19 miles on our bikes today. We rode our bikes to a sandwich place and the rest of the ride was on the trail by our house. My phone fell to the ground and I didn't notice. I got home and my new phone was missing. I dreaded going back out on the trail to find it. Russ called it and the person who found it called back. I met this nice couple in our town and they gave it back to me. So thankful there are still thoughtful, good people in this world.
Tomorrow I am going to volunteer at Power Book Bags and visit Sarah at the nursing home. Thursday Russ and I are going to kayak in the morning. August will go fast and cool weather will move in before we know it.
Have a good work week. Good luck with VBS Angela.
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