Flashback Friday

With the weatherazzi predicting over a quarter of an inch of ice and 3-4 inches of snow Sunday evening, the frenzy has started.  I'm pretty sure that the grocery stores are full of people buying the required bread and milk. 

Maybe because I was younger and didn't drive, and thus couldn't do the grocery shopping, but I never remember my parents and grandparents saying that they needed to get to the store for bread and milk whenever snow was in the forecast.  And I never remember us ever running out of bread, milk, or anything whenever we had a big snow.  The only thing close was the winter of (I think) '77 - '78, when my Grandma made my chocolate birthday cake from scratch because there was a lot of snow and Mom and Dad couldn't get to the grocery store to get a cake mix. 

All I know is that I'd already planned to do the grocery shopping tomorrow morning for provisions for us at The Compound.  Heaven help me.

Sinus Issues Update

As I type this, the 'Rents are "discussing" at the stove on the proper way to fix mashed potatoes.  So this means that they are both feeling better.  I, too, am feeling better than I did yesterday.  So this is a good sign from The Compound. 

Sinus Issues Update

As I type this, I checked with the 'Rents for an up-to-date update on how they feel.  Dad says he's at about 90%; Mom says she's at about 75%, and I, too,  am at about 75%.  I sure feel better than I did this time last night, but I sure don't feel like wrestling an alligator.  Just saying. Mom says that we should just turn on the air compressor and stick the nozzle up our noses to blow all of the gunk out.  If I weren't afraid we'd also blow out vital organs and body parts, I would have done that a few days ago. 

Thanks so much for the emails asking how the 'Rents are feeling.  As I've told others, I don't have time to get sick because I need to look after them.  

 

Sinus Issues Update

As of tonight, I'd say Dad is about 75% over his crap; Mom is 50/50, and I'm still in the beginning 25% stage. 

I spent a considerable amount of time at the local drugstore tonight talking to the old school pharmacist.  He told me what OTC meds would be safe for Mom to take with her diabetes and high BP; in fact, he said the same med would be good for me and Dad as well. So I stocked up on two big boxes of the stuff.  He recommended Coricidan.  He said that back in the day (20-30 years ago) this was the first OTC multi-symptom cold med that they had out.  Then they changed their marketing strategy 10 or so years ago, and are now targeting people with high BP.  The manufacturer never changed the meds - the experts just realized that the ingredients in Coricidan were safe for people with high BP to use, so they started marketing it toward that segment.  

Mom and Dad both said that way back in the day when they worked at the cigarette factory, the company nurse would give them Coricidan if they came to her with cold symptoms, and that the stuff really worked.  I'm hoping that it will work this well this week for all three of us. 

Sinus Issues, Go Away

I hate to give in and admit it, but I've caught the same sinus/cold crap that the 'Rents have had for over two weeks now. 

Dad caught it first, and tonight at supper was the first time he's really enjoyed his meal and it was the first time he's gotten seconds in over two weeks. 

Mom is still getting over her bout.  But she did say that her supper tonight (homemade spaghetti sauce over perfectly al dente spaghetti with garlice Texas toast) tasted better than anything she's had in a week.

I'm in the beginning stages.  My eyes are very puffy and it feels like Jumbo the elephant is standing on my head. 

I'm hoping that I can head this off at the pass, and not let it get full blown.

As always, I'll keep you posted.

App Of The Week

It's that time of the year, faithful readers; a time that we love and hate -- Girl Scout cookies.  This Friday marked the first day of sales across the country for Girl Scout cookies.  I did my part to help the cause and bought a [smaller] box of Do-Si-Do's yesterday.  

I found an app that you Girl Scout cookie lovers will want to download - it's called the Girl Scout Cookie Finder.  The app will tell you what flavors of cookies are being sold in your area, and more importantly, where the booths are set up so you can buy them.  The app is available for iOS and Android systems. And it definitely gets the TWIT Thumb's Up.

Thursday Night Storm Damage

The weatherazzi had us all worked into a frenzy on Thursday evening before the big storm front came through, and honestly, based on the commentaries from the weatherazzi, I thought we all were going to die.  But here is the only damage we had at The Compound from the storm.  Thank the Lord that we were spared once again.  Our friends down south got it much, much worse. 

 

 

Flashback Friday

This morning, we woke to some sad news - the original Mexican joint in our 'hood burned down last night.  Yep, no more Mexico Tipico.  

I will be honest and say that it had probably been ten years since I had been in there, but it was the first local Mexican restaurant that we had and me and the 'Rents have some great memories from our many trips there.  In fact, we were there the night before I had my big wreck back in July 1992. Our favorite server, Nacho, waited on us that night.  And later on in the evening, my dear friend MP and I ran into Nacho at a local country dance club where we went because we wanted to try our hand at the two-step.  Yes, yours truly was dancing that night.  My childhood friend PhD and her hubby and other friends were there as well.  Little did we know my life would change that next day when I had my wreck.  But I digress.

We loved Mexico Tipico, and we went there until more convenient Mexican restaurants were opened closer to home, and easier to get to.  But still, Tipico was the first. We have many memories of going there with friends from work and our neighborhood. 

I hope that they will be able to rebuild.  That part of Dixie Highway will not be the same without Mexico Tipico.

The Waiting Is The Hardest Part

For a week now, the weatherazzi has been working us all into a frenzy over severe storms tonight - bringing 80 mph winds, 1-2 inches of rain, and probably tornados.   We haven't had much other than a windy day and some rain tonight, but as I type this, the weatherazzi is on the TV in the family room saying that the severe storms are still coming.  So the 'Rents and I are just waiting.  We've got the portable digital TV charged up, as well as all of our cell phones and tablets, and have our flashlights out.  Whatever happens, happens. 

Another Winter Weather Update

This morning when I got up, it was 52 degrees.  This was the first morning in over a month that the temperature was above freezing when I went to work.  Wow. 

Winter Weather Update

As I type this, the temperature is 58 here at The Compound.  I don't think it's been this warm since last fall. 
There's still some ice left around The Compound, and we're hoping with tomorrow's 58 degree forecast, that it will melt it all off.  Of course, this brings us to the problem of flooding.  The ditches are clogged, and people are too lazy to get out with a rake or shovel and unclog them.  And the ground is still frozen, and the rain in the forecast for Thursday will probably cause flooding.  Yep, I'm Debbie Downer when it comes to this week's weather forecast.

They're also calling for some bad storms Thursday evening. 

I stayed up later last night and watched a local (state) call-in show that had people from NOAA, the National Weather Service and other weather-related organizations, taking people's questions.  The majority of the questions were about how this extra-hard winter would translate to what kind of storm season we would have this spring.  Unfortunately, all of the people on the panel said the same thing -- it's cyclical, and that history shows that an unusually hard winter was followed by a very active stormy spring.

But amid all of the doom and gloom of storms, the weather people kept stressing what I always say -- be prepared.  Since they are telling us now that it's going to be a very active and story spring, we need to prepare, and make sure we all know where to go if there is a bad storm or tornado. 

Stay safe, plan, and be prepared.

We Dodged Another Bullet

Before I left work this afternoon, we heard about ten minutes worth of loud thunder.  Yes, thunder.  It was pouring rain at the time, and the temperature was 39.  At this same time, just an hour and a half north of us in Indianapolis, they were calling for an ice storm with over a half inch of ice, on top of all of the snow they still have on the ground. 

We sure dodged another bullet.  But on my way home today, I noticed a lot of standing water in places that normally doesn't have standing water.  I hope this is not an indication of flooding in the days ahead with more water and warmer temps in the forecast.

Link Of The Week

Living in the frozen trundra for the past month is making a lot of us stir crazy.  I know for a fact The 'Rents will be glad when they can make it out the back driveway to the garage.  I'm pretty sure this area of The Compound is slicker than the ice rinks in Sochi right now.  But I digress.  Like I said, this long hard winter takes a toll not only on our bodies but our minds as well.  Here's a funny link that will make you laugh and not think about the snow and ice that is outside of your warm home.  Visit  http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/nyc-artist-shows-us-what-famous-celebrities-would-look-like-as-normal-people#DlodOk2Y1AywsTTF.01 .  This artist shows us what famous celebs would look like as "normal people." 

Quote Of The Month

Quite a few people have posted a video on Facebook of a little boy dressed in his snowsuit, holding a small snow shovel, and he is very hacked off at the snow and cold.  All of a sudden the boy cries out (and I quote):

"Jesus, make it warm."

Well said, kid.  Well said. 

Happy Valentines Day

When I got home tonight with our supper, waiting for me at my chair at the dining room table was a huge red gift bag.  Inside the bag was a simple note that said "Bag Full of Love."  It was from the 'Rents.  I faked a sneeze and went to the bathroom so they wouldn't see me get weepy over it.  Yeah, I'm a sap.  So what?  My parents love me, and they tell me every day that they love me. And I tell them every day that I love them.  We've done this for quite a few years now.  And for that, I am thankful.

Pre-Valentine's Day Celebrations

With the forecast of 2-4 more inches of snow in store for us tomorrow afternoon, I decided that we would celebrate Valentine's Day here at The Compound tonight. I am over being mad, and was pretty happy tonight, I must say. 

I picked up dinner at our favorite home-cooking restaurant, aptly called The Kitchen, and we ate from the Fancy Eating Table, with red cloth napkins and the whole nine yards. 

Lord willing, I'll plow on through any snow tomorrow and be able to get our usual Friday fish, but just in case, we had a great supper tonight celebrating the unconditional love that we share. I can't ask for much better than that.

I Just Wanna Be Mad Some More

It is very rare that I get like this, but today I still want to be mad some more. 

An incident happened at work today that made me mad, and I walked away from the situation before I said or did something that I would regret, or that could have gotten me fired. 

Like I said, this very unlike happy, non-confrontational Puddin. 

As always, I'll keep you posted.

I Just Wanna Be Mad For Awhile

To quote a song title of my beloved Terri Clark, "I just wanna be mad for awhile." 

Some crap happened today at work that made me and the guys in my department mad.  And out of solidarity, some of my coworkers were mad, too. 

I was pissed off all day long about it.  And then on my way home today, I got some news that made me even more pissed off. 

So yes, I just want to be mad for awhile.

Greetings From The Frozen Tundra

This was taken Saturday morning, after we'd gotten another inch of snow during the night.  As you can see, Mom's flower garden is a faint memory.

We had another inch of snow last night, and for reasons that nobody can figure out, Jefferson County cancelled school AGAIN today.  At this point, the kids will be going till almost time for the new school year to start. 

To quote the little boy in the video that is all over Facebook, "Jesus, make it warm."

Link Of The Week

As I mentioned a couple of days ago, I am all into the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.  I keep a close track of the number of medals the U.S team has won, and I really enjoy learning the stories of our Olympians. 

If you'd like to keep up with the 2014 Winter Olympics, I have two great websites for you.  First is http://www.olympic.org , the official page of the Olympics, and the second is http://www.sochi2014.com/en. 

Go Team USA!!

Sochi

Since I watched my beloved Dorothy Hamil skate to win her gold medal back in the day in 1976, I never have really gotten into the watching the Olympics until this year.  Last night, I stayed up till past midnight watching the opening ceremony.  And as soon as I got up this morning, I flipped the TV in the family room to NBC Sports Network to watch today's events. 

For the past month, I've been saying prayers for safety and no drama, with all of the terrorist threats going on.

To all of the men and women competing in the 2014 Winter Olympics, I pray for safety first and foremost, and I hope that these Olympic games will be awesome for you all. 

Flashback Friday

With the 2014 Winter Olympics kicking off today in Sochi, Russia, it's only fitting that I post a picture of my all-time favorite Olympic athelete, Dorothy Hamill. 

Something You Don't Hear Every Day

Someone told me today that I was "a bad ass."  I felt honored.  Noone has ever told me that before.  It's way better than being ass bad.  Just saying. 

Another Winter Storm Update

This is getting to be a broken record, but we had yet another winter storm yesterday.  It started late afternoon and didn't end until the wee hours of the morning. Freezing rain/sleet started at about 5:00 yesterday evening and it was about 2 in the morning before it all moved through Louisville, not before the ice breaking power lines and tree limbs all across the area.

We came through it fairly unscathed at The Compound, but yesterday afternoon, for the first time in my 24+ years of working there, ZCO actually shut down the office at 2:30 and sent everyone home before the ice was supposed to hit. 

We're not going anywhere near the back porch ramp until probably May or June when it's all thawed out, so until then we will be using the side door at The Compound. 

And to keep our mood upbeat, the weatherazzi is already getting geared up for another two or three inches of snow Friday through Saturday, and another "big snow event" next Tuesday.  And they also are calling for temperatures of lows in the teens or single digits for the next week and a half. 

I admit that I've always said that winter was my favorite season.  This year, not so much.

Not So Super Super Bowl Reflections

Just because I've always posted about the Super Bowl commercials in years past, I will post today.  But for the record, this was my least favorite Super Bowl.  Mainly, because I am probably the only person in the U.S. that does not like Peyton Manning.  And I do not like Bruno Mars.  So when you add those together, I had a pretty sucky Super Bowl.

But in keeping with tradition, I do have a favorite Super Bowl commercial.  It was the Audi commercial with the Doberhuahua.  You can watch it here at http://www.superbowl-commercials.org/33186.html.   The highlight of this commercial is the scenes with Sarah McLachlan.  Priceless.

Anyhoo, I'm glad Seattle won the game and pounded the Broncos and their precious quarterback into the ground. 

Ground Hog Day Wrap Up

I'm not sure how many ground hogs actually saw their shadows yesterday, but I know for a fact that any ground hog in Louisville saw snow. 

The snow started at about 5:00 and kept coming down till early morning.  The unofficial total here at The Compound was about five inches, our biggest one-day snow so far this winter.  And we have ice in the forecast for tomorrow night into Wednesday, and more snow in the forecast for Saturday.

Stay tuned; I'll keep you posted.

Happy Ground Hog Day

TWIT would like to wish everyone a very happy Ground Hog Day.  Regardless of what Punxatawney Phil determines, the groundhog here at The Compound did not see his shadow.  Folk lore tells that indicates that spring will soon be here. But I think wires were crossed somewhere because as I type this, we are under a Winter Storm Warning, and the weatherazzi is predicting 4-8 inches of snow here in Louisville by tomorrow morning.  It started snowing about a half an hour ago, and it's sticking to the ground and as of now, thankfully not to the driveway and roads. 

As always, I'll keep you posted.

Bumper Sticker Of The Month