The Chit Chat Chit Chat Thread

[donaldtoo]

The funeral today went about as well as could be expected.
Church service, short service at the cemetery, then back to the church hall for a reception and light lunch of sandwiches, cake, cookies etc.
Huge turnout. Standing room only at the church, and the funeral procession to the cemetery was super long. Seemed like half the town was there to pay their respects. Gonna' happen when you're a very well-known, respected, and loved person. Plus, he never moved out of the town in all his 79 years.
He was born, raised, got married, helped raised his own family, and lived there all his life.
RIP Uncle Carl...

And, the weather was absolutely gorgeous...crystal clear, light breeze, and got up to 86. Still 83 right now.
Tomorrow and Monday, we have a bunch of rain predicted.

 

[donaldtoo]

Since it was going to be about 60's degrees today hubby and I decided to go to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum to do a little hiking. Before we went outside though we stooped in the main building and checked out their orchid display in the conservatory. They were so pretty, and tropical. I thought I would share some pictures.
View attachment 190505

View attachment 190506


View attachment 190507

View attachment 190508

View attachment 190509

View attachment 190510

View attachment 190511

The main building always changes up the entry displays, this time there were some orchids and these sculptures hanging from the ceiling.
View attachment 190512

Then we walked around the empty gardens to enjoy the sunshine, the evergreens were very fragrant today. And then we walked out the marsh.
View attachment 190513

Very pretty, indeed!
And, I love the wood beams and trusses, and that sculpture is very cool, too!
Thanks for sharing...!

 

[Goofyernmost]

Hi everyone,

As some of you know I have been away for a week or so, down in our home planet of Orlando. I'm not going to do a trip report because I don't have that much to say and my camera in my phone decided to take this week to stop working. I will do bits and pieces over the next few day. I stopped in the World Golf Hall of Fame on the way to Orlando and spent one day at WDW and two days at Universal. I came home today.

I have a few observations that I will tell you about, however, while I was away I got an email from a company at the Raleigh Airport that wants me to drive bus about 3 evenings a week, so I am going to be busy getting all the paperwork, blood tests and physicals required to carry passengers about a quarter mile from the airport terminal to the car rental location and back. Pretty strenuous stuff. I am not even going to try and catch up completely, I did see that "Bets" is back, that made me happy, so if anyone can think of something really important that happened since the morning of the 13th, please feel free to let me know about it. Thanks! Otherwise I will just muddle through. These boards are a lot like soap operas anyway. You can be missing for a couple of years and only an hour has passed in the story line.

 

[donaldtoo]

We found a bunch of feathers on the side of the trail, no traces of the rest of the bird though.
View attachment 190522


Some old cat tails
View attachment 190523

Then we took a rest on a bench here for awhile.
View attachment 190520

We continued on the boardwalk. With the sun, 60 degree temps, little wind, and only traces of snow, it was a great February walk.
View attachment 190515

Us on the boardwalk.
View attachment 190516

Then we sat in this spot and enjoyed the view and the sunshine on our faces. (I think my face got a little sunburnt.)
View attachment 190517

Then we headed out. It was a great time.
View attachment 190521


With all that walking around we had worked up a hunger, hubby made me choose. With all the delicious tex-mex food @donaldtoo has been sharing we went to Don Pablos for some Mexican.

We got margaritas. Hubs was a mango and I got the skinnytina. It was the same price as a regular so I thought I would try it. Tasted great to me, plus with the calories I saved I could eat more chips! Which by the way, I was aware of the calories because their menu listed the calorie count for every menu item. I understand why people might want that, but they should offer some menus with calories and some without the calories listed.
View attachment 190514

I got the very verde enchiladas. It was good but could have used a tinge more spice.
View attachment 190518

Hubby got a combo plate.
View attachment 190519

We made it home with some sunshine left in the day so we took the dog for a nice long walk, which she loved! I think with all this fresh air, we will sleep well tonight!

Again, awesome pics!
So glad y'all had a break from the cold and snow, and had a great day!
And, what better way to finish it off than with some chips and salsa, margaritas, and Mexican food...!!!!!
It all looks sooooo good!!!
And, count me in on any verde dish, 'cause they usually involve shredded chicken, some sort of verde suace , and sour cream...!!!
Thanks again for sharing y'all's day with us...!

 

[Cesar R M]

Hahaaa...!
I let that happen once, and only once, many years ago.
I went into a bit of a panic when I came around the corner and saw the Valentines Day card display...!!!!!
It was pretty well picked clean, and most of the carp that was left was stuff like this...!!!

View attachment 190501

Fortunately, I finally found something "suitable enough", but, that was the last time I ever let that happen...!

lol! thats a very nice card! XD

 

[Gabe1]

We found a bunch of feathers on the side of the trail, no traces of the rest of the bird though.
View attachment 190522


Some old cat tails
View attachment 190523

Then we took a rest on a bench here for awhile.
View attachment 190520

We continued on the boardwalk. With the sun, 60 degree temps, little wind, and only traces of snow, it was a great February walk.
View attachment 190515

Us on the boardwalk.
View attachment 190516

Then we sat in this spot and enjoyed the view and the sunshine on our faces. (I think my face got a little sunburnt.)
View attachment 190517

Then we headed out. It was a great time.
View attachment 190521


With all that walking around we had worked up a hunger, hubby made me choose. With all the delicious tex-mex food @donaldtoo has been sharing we went to Don Pablos for some Mexican.

We got margaritas. Hubs was a mango and I got the skinnytina. It was the same price as a regular so I thought I would try it. Tasted great to me, plus with the calories I saved I could eat more chips! Which by the way, I was aware of the calories because their menu listed the calorie count for every menu item. I understand why people might want that, but they should offer some menus with calories and some without the calories listed.
View attachment 190514

I got the very verde enchiladas. It was good but could have used a tinge more spice.
View attachment 190518

Hubby got a combo plate.
View attachment 190519

We made it home with some sunshine left in the day so we took the dog for a nice long walk, which she loved! I think with all this fresh air, we will sleep well tonight!

Wow! Your Boardwalk looks just like ours. We have both wooden and concrete walks but if you told me you were here I would not have known better. DD and I had fun today walking ours in the morning too but no sunburn for us. I did see a man out on the front end of his driveway actually sunbathing-all sprawled out of his chaise lounge chair. (might have giggled a bit ) It was 70.

Your food looks awesome. I enjoyed my Margarita last night so much I ordered a second. Our food was great too. Uncle Julio's has opened up in Woodfield and that is where we decided we should go...expensive though. Disney prices.

PUBLIC SERVICE:

FYI-your calorie etc. comment, no they can't have some menu's without all the dietary information listed. It is Federal Law now.
It was to go into effect in 2014, then 2015 and the last extension was December 31, 2016 which when expired went into enforcement on Jan 1 2017. I'm surprised you haven't noticed it every freak'n place now. A muffin at Panera, drive through at McD's, all chain restaurants, take out food menu's etc. Most chains were ready and displaying already in 2015, I know Disney had theirs up and running already for a long time. But that is the minimum we readily see at a glance, like fat, calories, salt, cholesterol. The establishments are required to have very detailed information available for patrons now too made available immediately upon request. This also helps patrons with allergies. I know at QS places in Disney they will hand you a freak'n notebook if you ask for it.

 

[Cesar R M]

Since it was going to be about 60's degrees today hubby and I decided to go to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum to do a little hiking. Before we went outside though we stooped in the main building and checked out their orchid display in the conservatory. They were so pretty, and tropical. I thought I would share some pictures.
View attachment 190505

View attachment 190506


View attachment 190507

View attachment 190508

View attachment 190509

View attachment 190510

View attachment 190511

The main building always changes up the entry displays, this time there were some orchids and these sculptures hanging from the ceiling.
View attachment 190512

Then we walked around the empty gardens to enjoy the sunshine, the evergreens were very fragrant today. And then we walked out the marsh.
View attachment 190513

ohhh pretty!!!

 

[Gabe1]

Hi everyone,

As some of you know I have been away for a week or so, down in our home planet of Orlando. I'm not going to do a trip report because I don't have that much to say and my camera in my phone decided to take this week to stop working. I will do bits and pieces over the next few day. I stopped in the World Golf Hall of Fame on the way to Orlando and spent one day at WDW and two days at Universal. I came home today.

I have a few observations that I will tell you about, however, while I was away I got an email from a company at the Raleigh Airport that wants me to drive bus about 3 evenings a week, so I am going to be busy getting all the paperwork, blood tests and physicals required to carry passengers about a quarter mile from the airport terminal to the car rental location and back. Pretty strenuous stuff. I am not even going to try and catch up completely, I did see that "Bets" is back, that made me happy, so if anyone can think of something really important that happened since the morning of the 13th, please feel free to let me know about it. Thanks! Otherwise I will just muddle through. These boards are a lot like soap operas anyway. You can be missing for a couple of years and only an hour has passed in the story line.

Welcome home! Nice about the email'd gig. Both my DD and I got a good giggle about the 1/4 mile transport and all that is required.

And yes we got our Bet's back again and turns out your concerns as well as ours were spot on but she seems to be on the mend which is making us all happy and relieved.

It has been a busy 'Disney' week but likely you were there for some of it all.

 

[Gabe1]

The funeral today went about as well as could be expected.
Church service, short service at the cemetery, then back to the church hall for a reception and light lunch of sandwiches, cake, cookies etc.
Huge turnout. Standing room only at the church, and the funeral procession to the cemetery was super long. Seemed like half the town was there to pay their respects. Gonna' happen when you're a very well-known, respected, and loved person. Plus, he never moved out of the town in all his 79 years.
He was born, raised, got married, helped raised his own family, and lived there all his life.
RIP Uncle Carl...

And, the weather was absolutely gorgeous...crystal clear, light breeze, and got up to 86. Still 83 right now.
Tomorrow and Monday, we have a bunch of rain predicted.

Sorry about the forthcoming rain but got to keep Lake Travis filled ya know.

It is always nice to see someone receive a nice final farewell. I am always in awe how many different ways different regions of states and even counties handle weddings, funerals etc. Very different but in the end, same results.

More {{{Hugs}}} to family and DWifey.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Again, awesome pics!
So glad y'all had a break from the cold and snow, and had a great day!
And, what better way to finish it off than with some chips and salsa, margaritas, and Mexican food...!!!!!
It all looks sooooo good!!!
And, count me in on any verde dish, 'cause they usually involve shredded chicken, some sort of verde suace , and sour cream...!!!
Thanks again for sharing y'all's day with us...!

I figured with all the food you've shared lately I had to share too. I wish that avocado dish you shared would have been available at the place I went.

Also, even though it is sad that your wife's uncle has passed it is wonderful that there was such a nice turn out of people that the funeral. He must have meant a lot to many people and hopefully that is comforting to all of you.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Wow! Your Boardwalk looks just like ours. We have both wooden and concrete walks but if you told me you were here I would not have known better. DD and I had fun today walking ours in the morning too but no sunburn for us. I did see a man out on the front end of his driveway actually sunbathing-all sprawled out of his chaise lounge chair. (might have giggled a bit ) It was 70.

Your food looks awesome. I enjoyed my Margarita last night so much I ordered a second. Our food was great too. Uncle Julio's has opened up in Woodfield and that is where we decided we should go...expensive though. Disney prices.

PUBLIC SERVICE:

FYI-your calorie etc. comment, no they can't have some menu's without all the dietary information listed. It is Federal Law now.
It was to go into effect in 2014, then 2015 and the last extension was December 31, 2016 which when expired went into enforcement on Jan 1 2017. I'm surprised you haven't noticed it every freak'n place now. A muffin at Panera, drive through at McD's, all chain restaurants, take out food menu's etc. Most chains were ready and displaying already in 2015, I know Disney had theirs up and running already for a long time. But that is the minimum we readily see at a glance, like fat, calories, salt, cholesterol. The establishments are required to have very detailed information available for patrons now too made available immediately upon request. This also helps patrons with allergies. I know at QS places in Disney they will hand you a freak'n notebook if you ask for it.

I think I heard something about them putting the cal count on menus, but I haven't really haven't noticed lately. That or I just choose to block it out.

 

[Gabe1]

Hey!
What am I, chopped brisket...?!

I'm waiting to see what @MinnieM123 has for me. Or am I in that brisket basket too?

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Hi everyone,

As some of you know I have been away for a week or so, down in our home planet of Orlando. I'm not going to do a trip report because I don't have that much to say and my camera in my phone decided to take this week to stop working. I will do bits and pieces over the next few day. I stopped in the World Golf Hall of Fame on the way to Orlando and spent one day at WDW and two days at Universal. I came home today.

I have a few observations that I will tell you about, however, while I was away I got an email from a company at the Raleigh Airport that wants me to drive bus about 3 evenings a week, so I am going to be busy getting all the paperwork, blood tests and physicals required to carry passengers about a quarter mile from the airport terminal to the car rental location and back. Pretty strenuous stuff. I am not even going to try and catch up completely, I did see that "Bets" is back, that made me happy, so if anyone can think of something really important that happened since the morning of the 13th, please feel free to let me know about it. Thanks! Otherwise I will just muddle through. These boards are a lot like soap operas anyway. You can be missing for a couple of years and only an hour has passed in the story line.

Glad you made it back from your trip. I hope you had a nice time, it is always nice to read your commentary.

 

[donaldtoo]

Sorry about the forthcoming rain but got to keep Lake Travis filled ya know.

It is always nice to see someone receive a nice final farewell. I am always in awe how many different ways different regions of states and even counties handle weddings, funerals etc. Very different but in the end, same results.

More {{{Hugs}}} to family and DWifey.

Thanks, Gabe.
It was pretty much typical of almost every funeral I've ever been to.
The church service is always a bit somber, of course, but, with always a few good chuckles about silly memories of the departed brought up during the eulogy. Short cemetery service somber as well, but, when concluded (and still at the cemetery), everyone starts to mingle and lighten up a bit.
Once at the reception, there is food, fun stories and memories of the departed, laughter, some more tears, as well, and catching up with a lot of family we don't see all that often.
It was a bittersweet, but, a good day, overall.
Uncle Carl would have liked it.

 

[donaldtoo]

Think I've probably mentioned this in the past, but briefly--I was DHS and came out of a gift shop. A CM with a tablet asked me about the gift shop and did I buy anything, etc. He kept staring down at the tablet while asking questions--rarely making eye contact at all. Anyway, I told him I couldn't find what I wanted--postcards, and I didn't buy anything in the shop. The next question was whether I asked a CM where I could find them. I said, no. He said, thank you, and walked away (with his tablet . . .). Um, if he had given me a chance to actually converse with him, I would have told him that the shop was grossly understaffed for the number of guests in there. Apparently, whomever created the tablet prompts, never thought to program in a "why" question.



I was thinking that it would be interesting to pitch your idea to them--if for no other reason--to see what kind of response you'd get. Would it be the same type of response, or might it be better (or worse)?

1) Yep, and I don't care what any of the "You don't know what Walt would have done" crowd say, he definitely wouldn't have gone for any a' that loaded Guest survey carp. Walt would have wanted nothing but the truth, not some guiding the lambs to the slaughter Bravo Sierra to get the results you want. Just the truth, nothing less.

2) And yep, worst-case scenario would be them allowing me to pitch it to them, and then poopooing the idea, only to find it incorporated into one of their water slides 6 months later.
I would be stupid as hell to do that without hiring a patent lawyer, producing some drawings, and sending them off to the patent office (although, I already have colored artwork of my idea, I don't have your typical fig. 1, fig. 2, fig. 3, etc., black and white typical patent office submission drawings). But, then again, I'm pretty positive (or, is that negative ) they would probably say, they don't accept outside ideas either. Plus, I don't have the money to pursue it in the first place.
Also, it's just an idea for one section of a full water slide.
But, then again, if they would allow me to pitch it to them and boffed me out of it, at least my DWifey and kiddos would know the truth about where it came from...!

 

[donaldtoo]

View attachment 189816

Anyone else need one? I'll take 2! One for each hand.

I'm all in!!!
Maybe a 3rd one, too...?!!!!!

 

[donaldtoo]

View attachment 189735

 

[Gabe1]

I think I heard something about them putting the cal count on menus, but I haven't really haven't noticed lately. That or I just choose to block it out.

Me, it is just there. Most places I frequent its been there for long enough I guess I just look past it. Plus it seems to be in a thinner and lighter font so easier for my mind to ignore.

 

[donaldtoo]

So, here's something amusing about Valentine's Day, yesterday. There's 9 people that are in my office area. It's a fun crowd. Hence, last Sunday when I was in Walgreens, I bought these little boxes (about the size of a pack of cards) of heart shaped sweet tarts, with the usual Valentine's "sayings" on them. They were on sale and I think I only paid about 60 cents for each one. Got enough for the office group.

Yesterday, I went to everyone's desk and gave them a box and wished them Happy Valentine's Day. They all loved it! Many of them shared childhood stories about valentines in school, and giving out candy, etc. They were gabbing about this all day. Some were comparing the sayings on their candy with others--some had a swap going on! HA!

What made this particularly funny was that some of these people are making three-figure salaries, and they acted like they were given a Rolex or something. I mean, I only paid 60 cents apiece for these things!

That was so awesome of you Minnie...!!!
As it is with so many things in life, it's the little things/gestures most folks seem to really remember and appreciate...it touches them deep inside, emotionally...!!!

 

[Gabe1]

Thanks, Gabe.
It was pretty much typical of almost every funeral I've ever been to.
The church service is always a bit somber, of course, but, with always a few good chuckles about silly memories of the departed brought up during the eulogy. Short cemetery service somber as well, but, when concluded (and still at the cemetery), everyone starts to mingle and lighten up a bit.
Once at the reception, there is food, fun stories and memories of the departed, laughter, some more tears, as well, and catching up with a lot of family we don't see all that often.
It was a bittersweet, but, a good day, overall.
Uncle Carl would have liked it.

That is sweet.

Yeah it is more the ordering and the naming of the cycle of the stages. We in this overall more urban area of N. IL generally have a wake one afternoon evening, next day being funeral which could be now at a funeral home or church. Some go to cemetery some do not at all, pretty equally divided on that. With my FIL a family friend who is a Lutheran reverend came and did the funeral service at the funeral home vs church (same Rev married my niece a short time later) But no matter if it ends at funeral home after prayers, church or at cemetery there is generally a luncheon at a restaurant. When I was very young-being Irish and from a more Irish community it was 2 days of wake and then funeral, followed by a meal at a restaurant then followed by gathering at someone's home and lots and lots of liquor. Sometime those tribute days went on for several days with some family members. I know my uncles when I was small went on for days as he was only in his 30's and killed in an auto accident by a drunk (odd they drank for days mourning right?) My folks were never ones to drink so we only hit day one of funeral day(s).

When my Dad passed we went more the East version. A funeral (funeral home as he was shipped to a Veteran's Cemetery wall) people spoke, prayers said and military send off with flag and then we had his 'wake' at one of his favorite restaurants following. Even in the same greater urban area the word 'wake' takes on totally different meanings.

And Blah. My kid are a bit sad and me for their friend that I've known for years. His Dad passed today-we're all wondering what had happened. A bit of a shocker, the Dad was slightly younger than me. Nobodys broke the silence yet to what the heck happened and nobody is certainly going to ask. Always sad.