Saef, you might check a toy store. I've seen huge bags (not "gift bags" but more like colorful sacks) that are designed to wrap children's bikes. Would the mirror fit in something like that? The bow sounds lovely, though!

Thanks for the tip, Midwife. There's a ToysRUs store less than three miles from me, so I'll stop in that place & check.

Dagmar, I woke up to find snow-covered ground for the first time this season & dragged out my rubber boots for my trek to the gym. I felt mostly annoyed at the imposition. This slight amount is nowhere near what I experienced while growing up in Upstate NY (where, at my mother's house, they've already had 47 inches of snow), but since I'm from a place that routinely experienced awe-inspiring snowfalls each winter, I can commiserate with you sincerely.

I have always envied those who ski and snowboard, because they see snow as an opportunity rather than a nuisance to be lived through, or one more task to complete.

I'm a former skier. In fact at one time I was a ski instructor. I grew up in SLC, Utah and have seen my share of winters. While I'm not retired, I do enjoy living in a fairer climate! I think we were at 81 yesterday! Yes, it is unseasonably warm, but a nice diversion. This weekend it'll cool off to the mid 60's. I remember my DD's second Christmas--she was just 13 months old. DH was out washing the car and DD was toddling around in shorts. I also remember DH and my first Christmas together. We had gotten 2 feet of snow overnight and had to drive to my sister's house Christmas morning. The usual 30 minute drive took hours.

I'm really procrastinating this year. No Christmas decorations are up inside (yet) and I'm not sure when they'll get done. I really should put up the tree, but I'm a little afraid of what Ringo might do while we're at work. Most of the presents are purchased (and wrapped) but some have not arrived yet.

Today I'm working on getting our year-end bonuses complete for our employees. We're fortunate to have had a good year and the future looks as promising, so we'll be happy to reward our employees.

To everyone--have a happy Tuesday!

hello, all. We are suffering from our own cold snap here. We were initially forecast for 6-8 inches of snow overnight, then the forecast was revised to 4-6 inches, and we wound up with 4-6 millimeters. Seems like the lake effect snow never quite gets us, much to the skiers' (and 8-year old boys') chagrin.

I stepped on the scale for the first time in a month. A measly pound down. I was all set to beat myself up about it, and then thought, "hey, that's better than a pound up, and much better than a sharp stick in the eye." So, there you go, positive thinking. Sort of.

b. strong,
KAW

Originally Posted by BillBlueEyes:
Dagmar - Ouch for some rough working conditions, but with enthusiastic companions. However bad it was, I'm still pondering what you intended to type for "We had 70K winds at the beach" LOL.

Winds gusting up to 70 kilometers per hour. Today it was up to 60K per hour and the snow, mixed with sand, was blowing parallel to the ground.

This IS Canada remember - the frozen north?

Dagmar :brr:

Allison Re Ringo - we tied our tree to a door for years and never put any ornaments below 3 ft. off the ground. Also no tinsel (dogs eat that too with dire results) or garlands.

Kinda spoils the whole idea of a tree somewhat but we persevered and can now have the full tree in all it's glory. Mishi still eats needles and then sicks them up on our bed (I imagine it's some kind of special treat in his little mind) and he drinks from the tree stand if he can wedge his paw in there to scoop the water out.

Ringo might be terrified of the tree and not even go near it. Pretty doubtful though - most cats love new stuff.

Dagmar :coolsnow:

Originally Posted by Mudpie:
Winds gusting up to 70 kilometers per hour. Today it was up to 60K per hour and the snow, mixed with sand, was blowing parallel to the ground.

This IS Canada remember - the frozen north?

Dagmar :brr:

I wondered about the 70K , too, here in the USA 70K would mean 70 thousand. Wow ! That would be some wind !

It can be dangerous for cats to eat pine needles--they could puncture the digestive tract. Also, pine resin can be toxic. Check with your vet or you can read some information here:

http://www.catchannel.com/experts/ma...mas-trees.aspx

Jay

Morning all, :coffee2:

What day it today? Wednesday? Oy, vey. I can't wait until the weekend. Yesterday I had on 3 layers on bottom and 4 on top (including waterproof pants, boots, and coat) to go out on the boat for 7 hours. I almost fell asleep at the gym while I was lying on a mat doing hamstring curls on the yoga ball, b/c I realized it was the warmest I'd been all day. (It was actually a good workout while I was upright ;)). In a few days it's supposed to warm to normal NoFlo winter temps.

I went to visit BF over the weekend, 6 hour drive each way, and returned Monday AM. I feel like I've been going from one trip to the next - Keys in October, Thanksgiving, central Florida... central Florida again for Christmas in two weeks. On the one hand I wish I could get a bit more sleep but on the other hand, as I said last week, it's nice to be busy to distract myself from BF's absence. I've started Netflix-ing the True Blood series and plan to watch it this weekend while I decorate jams and jellies and write holiday cards. Michele, how do you deal so well w/ your DH's frequent absences? I get lonely!

I realized I never followed up with the dog bite questions - yes, the owner has reported the case (in our county they told him do a sheriff's report that will be turned over the animal control). I haven't been contacted by the sheriff or animal control yet. I'm not sure what will happen... Daisy's owner took her to the vet and he gave her antibiotics and showed the owner how to keep cleaning it, and she will be ok.

Does anyone have any good collard or turnip greens recipes? They do not stop coming from my CSA!

Dagmar, brrrr! It's been very windy here (33-39K, I believe) but the air behind it certainly isn't as cold. It will get warmer, I know it's hard to believe. Drink lots of hot tea and soups to keep your insides warm!

Kim, I'm also victim of the "sort of" positive thinking sometimes, but you know what, that's what we've got to do! (As opposed to negative thinking.) A pound down IS better than a pound up! So great job! :carrot:

Allison, would it be possible to block off the room the tree goes in? Does it have a door that shuts, or could you use a baby gate? (Obviously not a cat person here - I do know cats can be quite acrobatic, maybe they can get over a baby gate). If you've got most of your presents bought and even some wrapped I think you're ahead of 90% of the country.

Saef, so sad about your neighbor. It is a very difficult situation.

I suppose I should go do some work... :dizzy: Have a good day all!

Hi everyone! I've been way busy at work lately, sorry for my absence.

Megan, I've been using collards just like I would use spinach. I chop up the leaves and throw them into pasta sauce, soup, stir fries, whatever.

Hey Megan, have you tried Kalyn's Kitchen for collard greens recipes?

http://www.google.com/cse?cx=partner...logspot.com%2F

I can vouch for the Hopping John soup recipe, which I make every year on Dec. 31st, to bring good luck & prosperity in the coming year.

Megan-- my dh has traveled so much in our marriage that I really am used to it. It was much harder in the earlier years especially when we had smaller children. Now that our kids are older, I look forward to time when I can decide what to eat, when to exercise, what to watch on TV, etc. Dh and I always look forward to the time we have together and I think it makes it more special. I do always miss him.

I have been weepy off and on since yesterday which is unusual for me. I don't know if it is because I am overwhelmed and overtired (very likely) or due to other factors. Yesterday I got a graduation card in the mail from my uncle (he is my only living relative and was my mom's brother). He told me how proud he is of me and that he knows my parents (both deceased) are also proud of me. Then, this morning I came into work and found a note in my box where the staff members had written positive affirmations on it about me (they must have had an exercise at the staff meeting I didn't go to yesterday). I started crying when I saw all the nice things that were written.

Dd is flying to Texas today. She hasn't seen my inlaws in a year. I fly there Friday to meet up with her and go to my graduation. I hope her travels go smoothly-- she always stresses a great deal about everything.

I better get to work! Happy Hump Day!

Michele~that was so nice of your co-workers to send such positive messages! You should be proud of yourself as well.

Megan~that sounds miserable! I hate being cold, and the possibility of being wet and cold is just so much worse.

As for the cat and tree issue: no, I can't block the room that the tree would be in, but it is an artificial tree so no worries about the cat eating or drinking what he shouldn't. I don't use tinsel because I know what it can do to a dog. I'm more afraid of what the kitty will do to my ornaments as they're all glass and part of the floor is tile, so if he knocks one off, it will most certainly break. So far I still have no time to get the tree up, though.

I took DS to the oral surgeon yesterday for his wisdom tooth extraction consultation. He gets them out next Tuesday morning. He was so funny--he said to the doctor to not drink too much coffee that morning as he didn't want anyone with shaky hands in his mouth. We all got a laugh out of that! Today I take him to the dentist to get his last two cavities filled. Before that, I have my hair appointment, but before I can leave to do that, I have to process our bonus payroll run for our employees. So, I'd better run!

Allison-- when my dd had her wisdom teeth out this summer, I videoed her on the ride home (with a flip camera). We thought she would be funny because she was hilarious after she had her adenoids out. It was hysterical!

There are also a ton of funny videos on youtube from others after having wisdom teeth out. Just search wisdom teeth. There is a hilarious one about unicorns!

:wave: Hi everyone! Crazy for me for a few days here but thought I'd peep in and skim the board =)