The Chit Chat Chit Chat Thread

[Songbird76]

Yes it was. Harry Caray's Steak House with all the traditional sides. The steak is a 14oz bone in ribeye dry aged.
In the middle of my plate is garlic roasted brussel sprouts. I love love love brussel sprouts and know nobody else that does, the only thing I went for seconds on.

I LOVE Brussels Sprouts. We go to this buffet here, and I always head straight for the streakhouse portion because that's where the Brussels Sprouts are. I have a recipe that I got from the winner of Master Chef America....they are stuffed with a garlic and cream cheese mixture, wrapped in bacon, and then roasted. So good!!

 

[Figgy1]

You guys are making me very happy about my genes. I have never gotten sick during or after a vacation drip. Nothing ever seems to hit me very hard. I haven't had a actual cold in nearly 4 years, yet I've been on a number of flights and even a two week long cruise and within a number of large crowds. I know that not all of them were a picture of perfect health. I guess I should have named that as something that I was thankful about on Thanksgiving shouldn't I? I used to have bronchitis often until I got on Albuterol and not once since then. It was probably my COPD that was acting up and not any easily explained virus. This week I had a regular check up and my oxygen level was at 98%, Heart Rate =71bpm, Blood Pressure = 125/68. What that probably means is I am now prime to get hit by a bus.

I guess I had better look out for tanker trucks, I dare not tell you what my numbers are

 

[Figgy1]

I LOVE Brussels Sprouts. We go to this buffet here, and I always head straight for the streakhouse portion because that's where the Brussels Sprouts are. I have a recipe that I got from the winner of Master Chef America....they are stuffed with a garlic and cream cheese mixture, wrapped in bacon, and then roasted. So good!!

This year I got sneaky and shredded Brussels Sprouts and leeks then sauteed them in a bit of olive oil with a touch of garlic and they were a big hit. I just put them out and didn't tell anybody what they were because we have a few in our group who claim to hate them. One of the haters asked for the recipe

 

[Songbird76]

Well I believe you. I have a DD that is your clone. She worked her tush off in college, launching a career, getting what she wanted towards a career. A self sufficient young woman. None of her friends have married yet, actually my son 5 years older just had a few friends that married this year. Neither are in any rush, actually the opposite. I kinda find they both worked so hard to get the careers they wanted and they want some time at that. Not everyone defines themselves by marriage and children. Woot! for those who do and love it. Woot! for those who take another path. Kids are a whole 'nother ball of wax. I have plenty of friends that never had kids and they are happy couples. God Bless them from not bringing kids into the world only by peer pressure. Me, no regrets, I loved being a Mom. But me, my kids choice, I'll respect what they decide.

My thoughts exactly! I have a friend here who never wanted to be a mom. She's gotten a LOT of pressure from people, especially from her church because "Go forth and multiply". One of our mutual acquaintances asked me once why this friend doesn't have kids. I said she doesn't want kids. She says "I thought she was Christian!" And that was the HIGH point of the conversation. I figure that it's hard enough to be a parent when you really WANT to be one...same with marriage! If it's not something you really really want, don't do it! I get that a lot being a stay at home mom, too. (I do have a part time job, but it's not what I'd considered a career) "Why don't you go to work? Women fought really hard for you to have the right to have a job and you're going to waste it by staying home?" And my thought is that no, they didn't fight for me to have the right to have a job...they fought for me to have the CHOICE to get a job. And I would rather stay home with my kids. If you choose to go have a career, go for it! I think that's great. But if you choose not to, I think that's great, too. Life is too short to be forced into choosing something that will have lifelong consequences, just because it's what someone ELSE wants.

 

[Figgy1]

I disagree, having been to Cars Land. If you haven't seen Cars, you're basically in this nice-looking cavern with some cool rides. If you've seen the movie, you realize you're in the middle of Radiator Springs and you understand the attention-to-detail in the land so much more, like why every third blink on the traffic light is slower or where the music comes from during Radiator Springs Racers. You just get so much more out of it where it goes from being, "Well, this is nicely done" to "Holy carp, I'm in the middle of a movie." It takes it to the next level. (and yes, I told my friend that Cars is required viewing for the trip to Disneyland in January and that if she does not watch it, we will watch it in the room the first night we are there).

It's one thing for the dark rides to never have seen the movie. You get the general idea just by riding the ride (and PofTC the ride came before the films, so nothing really to gain from watching the films for that ride). But for these lands where you're in the middle of a movie, you get so much more out of it if you've seen the film. I had no interest in seeing Avatar, but I watched it so I understand the elements in Avatar Land, and I'll watch it once more before going.

Besides, every person should watch the original trilogy films at least once in their lifetime. Star Wars is just one of those films that everyone should see once. Not that I expect my father to ever become a Star Wars fan any more than I am a James Bond fan, but I've at least watched the James Bond films before forming that opinion. Same with Godfather and Gone with the Wind; I don't like either of those movies, but I watched them because they're classics that should be watched. I watched Star Wars initially because it was a classic to be watched, and it turns out I love Star Wars.

My mom has seen the original trilogy now that I'm a fan, and while they're definitely not her favorites, she's learned to appreciate them. My dad has refused to watch them, but loves Darth Vader.

I'm quite sure you're father is a wonderful man but he needs help.

 

[Figgy1]

Perfect TSSFFBR weather...!!!!!

No it's not!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Fleece, flannel and wine

 

[Figgy1]

It could have been worse (and, I don't put it past Disney, these days)...they could have made it a potty meet n' greet twofer by having Rapunzel greet you as you entered the facilities, and tell you to have a Magical day as you left ("Don't forget to wash your hands!")...!!!!!

Please no more ideas for upcharges. Thank you!

 

[Figgy1]

Good morning. We all survived the holiday crazy and are now back on schedule. My house is almost back in order and I got to sleep in I couldn't believe the calm while out shopping yesterday, the only crowded store was Joann's and even when it's packed it's not full of crazies. Wegman's and Sam's were almost empty and so was Shoprite. Even the hardware(yes @MinnieM123 I went to the small local one) was quite orderly. Now I need to figure out what movie(s) to pop in while getting some me things done

 

[MinnieM123]

Sorry Disney ; you are pricing normal people out of the market.

(I think that most of us are in the normal pricing category, too.)

 

[MinnieM123]

That's beautiful. I wish I could see those once in my life. So pretty and amazing!

I was about 7 years old when I saw the Northern Lights -- up in northern Maine. Luckily, there are a few places around the globe where you can see them.

 

[MinnieM123]

Good morning. We all survived the holiday crazy and are now back on schedule. My house is almost back in order and I got to sleep in I couldn't believe the calm while out shopping yesterday, the only crowded store was Joann's and even when it's packed it's not full of crazies. Wegman's and Sam's were almost empty and so was Shoprite. Even the hardware(yes @MinnieM123 I went to the small local one) was quite orderly. Now I need to figure out what movie(s) to pop in while getting some me things done

My small business store yesterday was a little bookstore/gift shop in a town nearby. I bought all my Christmas cards and some wrapping paper there. The shop was so cute--all decorated for Christmas. People were browsing through books, etc., and there was soft Christmas music in the background. It was such a relaxing experience, compared to the other bigger stores that I went to on other days (for items I can only get there).

 

[MinnieM123]

My Gran had these lace things everywhere as does my MIL. The even put them on the armrests of upholstered chairs and sofas. Protecting everything. Then if the lace protectors got something on them MIL would have a
cow. So then she started cutting out circles of clear plastic table cloth vinyl and covering up the lace protectors.

But in fairness I lived my entire childhood with custom made, clear plastic zipped around the sofa and chairs in our living room. If you sat on the furniture in a skirt or shorts you stuck to the plastic when you tried to stand up. Didn't have to endure that much...the living room was for 'company' but when company came they were in kitchen or family room, bet they didn't want to sit on the plastic couch either. It looked like these

OMG!!! I got such a laugh out of this entire post!!! We also had a neighbor that had custom PLASTIC covers over all the furniture in her livingroom! I used to play with the daughter, and she told me what a big deal it was on Easter, Christmas, and a few important visiting days from the relatives, that the plastic would come off for the "special" company!!

But the funniest thing was your MIL covering up the armrest doilies in plastic vinyl??!!! (Would that be considered OCD behavior?)

 

[MinnieM123]

Yep. Not going to happen though. Same thing happens with sick kids in school, trains, buses, a line in a grocery store. I caught a nasty virus 3 weeks ago and it knocked me for a wallop. It was beyond a cold. I do get a phenominia shot each year which is likely what helped me not to develop additional side effects. I don't get sick like this often, usually 4-5 years apart fortunately. Still I have no idea where I picked it up let alone who. I am a germaphobic. I see someone cough or sneeze and I change directions. My hands are forever being washed. Still every once in a while-it still gets me.

According to the Infectious Disease medical chief at our hospital, hand washing is the best defense against germs. However, you can still get sick from some other illnesses, if the germs are airborne.

 

[MinnieM123]

I had one in 2005 that did the trick - allowed me to exercise and heal (I had been flat on the floor for 2 months, could not get upright at all.)

It was 2 discs. The one that was worse back then has since disintegrated to some degree, so basically naturally healed itself (and did what surgery would have done.)

Reinjured the area recently, and the other disc is being a pain (ha!) First epidural was October 19th. It helped a little, but I still can't move the toes on my left foot if I'm standing up. And it's started hurting more again.

I believe you can do three in a certain amount of time, then it starts over and you can do another three.

I realize now how lucky I was in 2005 that one worked so well. And the doctor told me then if I didn't get surgery right away, I'd end up back on the floor in a few months. That didn't happen. (Doctors are about as reliable as auto mechanics, in my experience.)

Just got home after a long 4 hour odyssey. Exhausted.

Hoping to go price a record collection Sunday!

I hope you feel better soon. But with your hectic schedule, it sounds like you need sleep more than anything!

Anyway, a friend of ours (a weight lifter), just had an epidural a week ago, and he feels 90% better now. This was the first time he ever had one, and he said he's really glad he went for it.

 

[MOXOMUMD]

 

[MOXOMUMD]

28 days until Christmas!

 

[MinnieM123]

This week I had a regular check up and my oxygen level was at 98%, Heart Rate =71bpm, Blood Pressure = 125/68. What that probably means is I am now prime to get hit by a bus.

I guess I had better look out for tanker trucks, I dare not tell you what my numbers are

Bus? Tanker truck? Really, what you two need to watch out for are the falling asteroids!!

 

[MOXOMUMD]

The Lego countdown was my idea because that's all my daughter wants for Christmas. The Star Wars pics are her countdown contribution.

 

[MOXOMUMD]

 

[Tony the Tigger]

I'm so sorry about you're back, eek I'm such a wimp about needles so just the thought of getting one Prayers and pixie dust. I'll give you a note to skip right through to Wednesday

Actually, in 2005, an epidural was not so much a needle as a caulking gun lol. They've gotten better.