Snow Good

Just a dusting of snow, maybe one inch during the evening commute was predicted. Our weather guys sure missed the mark yesterday. It began snowing around 2-ish in the afternoon and more than a dusting was deposited, which meant I had to get my exercise this morning shoveling the driveway and sidewalk. Our roads had just dried out from the last dumping of snow a week or so ago. There was even a "train -vs- auto" not far from home. No injuries (thank God) ...

What I'm glad for today:
1. The ability to shovel snow :) ... it's really good exercise!
2. A warm home, food, and winter clothes
3. My new neighbor friend, Paula

I wonder if Miss Terry has any snow up in Manitoba??

Leave me a note about something you're thankful for today.

My kitchen is just waiting for a stove ... then I can begin to really cook. The green paint looks a bit washed out in the photo ... it's a bit warmer looking. Cabinets are rustic hickory; dh's choice, but I think they look fab. Can't you just see me standing there in my "Kiss The Cook" apron fixin vittles? I've posted s-more pics on my This New House site ... over there to the right.

Michelle at Big Blueberry Eyes had this on her blog today so I played along for my birthyear of 1958:

In 1958 (the year you were born)

Dwight Eisenhower is president of the US The first US earth satellite, Explorer I, goes into orbit Rocker Jerry Lee Lewis marries his 13 year old second cousin, Myra Brown The "Quiz Show Scandals" rock the television industry and the nation Vice President Richard Nixon faces hostile anti-American mobs during a visit to South America 14 year old Bobby Fischer wins the United States Chess Championship Ellen DeGeneres, Michael Jackson, Ice-T, and Mark Cuban are born New York Yankees win the World Series Baltimore Colts win the NFL championship Montreal Canadiens win the Stanley Cup Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote is published Elvis Presley enters the U.S. Army

What Happened the Year You Were Born?

Small Talk

Have you ever been paid a "backwards" compliment and found it so very hard not to laugh at the person giving you the compliment? Last night's conversation with Nathan was one of those moments in a parents life when biting your tongue was necessary. While at my desk he came over to make small talk (literally as it's hard to understand most of his language) ... but he used his best "doggy-ism" with me, patted my head and lovingly looked into my eyes while saying, "Good Dog"! Of course, I was excited to be able to understand his speech ... but then it hit me what he was saying and I nearly rolled off my chair ... but quickly regained my best motherly composure and thanked him for the "compliment" ;)

Quote of the day: "Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. and let us not neglect our meeting together ..." Hebrews 10:25

For Ladies Only (please)

Now how brazen am I to write a post about burning your bra? I've hated them ever since the "training" days ;) I must take after my dear sweet little grandmother, Donna. She never wore one ... but preferred to wear a full dress slip. I'd like to personally meet the guy that dreamed up this garment ... certainly a gal would not come up with such a contraption. Are you with me ladies? Or do you have some special comfy bra that you just can't wait to slip into? Let me know, because over at sara's she's asked how long after you get home from work until your bra comes off :) The lovely lady above is wearing the style of garment that graces me each day. I have black and beige and can't imagine ever going back to the dark days of wearing a bra. It's a Flexee "One Fabulous Body camisole is available in Body Beige & Black. Sizes Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large and 2XL." I got mine at Macy's.

Laundry Day Memories

Yesterday I posted about a laundry episode I'd like soon to forget. But today, I'm a bit melancholy and find pleasant memories surfacing about my grandma Donna. She had her laundry room right in her kitchen. At one point, the washer and dryer were hidden in a closet that protruded from a side wall. Someone took down the enclosure which opened up the kitchen a bit and gave her "counter space" by using the tops of the washer and dryer. Grandma always had a certain day of the week for laundry. Half of her items were hung outside on the line ... but she preferred her towels to go in the dryer. My job in all of this was ironing the pillowcases and grandpa's white hankies. There were never any missing socks as she washed his dress socks and her support hose out by hand. The clothes line was always wiped down before use ... because she fed day old bread to the sparrows (I don't need to explain that one). My bestest treat would be to spend the night and have freshly line dried and pressed sheets. Imagine a kid today appreciating such a thing. Her washing machine from the 1960's is (last I knew) still being used by the elderly lady that bought my grandparent's home a few years ago (must have been a Maytag, ya think). She always insisted that the machine would last longer by not overfilling it with laundry ... she may have been on to something. Of course, she didn't have to do the mounds of clothes I have washed raising my brood. My dad's mom had an electric wringer type washer down in her cellar. To my best recollection, she didn't have a dryer, but hung EVERYTHING outside ... or in the basement to dry in the winter. She made her own lye soap and had a big smooth stick she'd use to swish the soap in the water before adding the laundry. Ironing everything was a must ... she worked tirelessly to keep up with the work at hand. My memories of her include a large garden she tended and loads of canning equipment down in the cellar including the fruit of her labor. My favorite were her canned beans. Nothing went to waste. Have to run and put the cars in the garage ... it's snowing again. Care to share a special memory of your grandma (or grandpa)? I'd love to reminisce with you.

New Fangled Piece of Junk ... (my old/new washing machine that is)

About a week and a half ago I was washing a load of laundry. Periodically I'd hear an odd sounding beeping noise. Inquiring with everyone at home that day as to whose phone was beeping, and the sound still occassionally blurting out, I started checking room by room for the offending noise. Then, I opened the laundryroom door and saw the washing machine display flashing a code "FL" ... According to the manual, it meant oversudsing ... how could that be? I'm careful and even use the "HE" low sudsing Tide. I tried the method suggested to clear the code, but to no avail. According the the technician at the other end of the 1-800 number, I needed to place a service call. My five year old "Cadillac" washing machine could not be fixed by me and required an expensive house call. At two years of age, the machine needed a U-boot replaced. This I've come to find out via the internet that a class action lawsuit has been filed against the manufacturer (Whirl@#%*!) . That repair cost me about $300 for parts and service, plus my machine was in the shop for two weeks (how convenient). This machine was a top of the line "top loader" that "saved water & energy! The original price of this fine piece of equipment was around $1,000. Supposedly you could recoup the higher cost of the machine in water, detergent, and energy savings ... over how long, I'm not entirely sure. Needless to say after checking with dh, he said not to put any more money into repairs for the washer, and to go out and buy a new one ... but make sure to buy an old fashioned one that has push/pull dials and no computerized brain in it. I guess now I have to retrain myself how to do laundry. The new/old fashioned washer arrived a few days ago.Let's see: some whites need to be presoaked, and I have to adjust the water level myself by determining what size load I'm washing ... and what temperature of water for whites/colors/etc. Lesson learned: Don't buy any new fangled machine or gadget that has not been in production for at least two years; pay the money to view Consumer Guides recommendation; don't make the mistake of giving a good review to a friend on a new product that is not proven; a machine with a "brain" can be less reliable than a machine with plain old dial/gears; and last ... just because a product touts to save energy it's of no use if you have to dispose of it prematurely in a landfill because it's an expensive piece of junk. Saving $ ... BET ME!