yay for fridat chat

Rascal had an odd moment this morning - out in the back yard, while I was waiting for him to pee, I swear he was channeling a pointer and "pointing" at something up in a tree. What the heck, dog, you're a Spaniel! He kept it up for a solid minute and would not be deterred. Little front leg lifted and the whole bit. Weird.

Just read this article, thought you guys might like it - rats shown to display human-like empathy! http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/8943567/Rats-display-human-like-empathy-and-will-help-rodents-in-distress.html

Hope everyone has a great day. I'm a little anxious as to the status of the secret santa package I sent out, but hopefully it's just waiting somewhere safe...!

kpwlee

i don't know I am such a bleeding heart I felt so bad afterward and thought I should have done something.  he was an older guy and homeless.

In downtown Denver, people approach you constantly asking for $$.  But there were something like 7 homeless shelters in a 2 mile radius to my house, so it made sense.  I never gave more than $2 to an individual, but I figure the homeless shelters are serving them at night w/a warm dry place to sleep.  Otherwise, in the summer, they were sleeping in the park across from my house and the luxury condos on the other side.

I get approached often by people with sad stories about babies needing milk or they need gas money to get home, etc.  I never give them money.  We have homeless shelters here but they are very strict about no alcohol or drugs and many homeless won't go to them. Many of the street corner beggars make upwards of $100 a day panhandling (especially during the holdiays) so that makes it easier for me to say no.  I do give out dog biscuits or small bags of dog food to the homeless people I see with dogs.  They always seem very appreciative and I've never had one ask me for money after I handed them a doggie bag.  It's not that I'm heartless to the plight of the homeless but I feel as if I'm enabling their addictions by giving them money.  I feel especially sad for the mentally ill homeless because they are often the victims of assault and really have few options unless they have some family to help out. 

I generally don't give money to panhandlers either but this woman looked worse off than most and asked if I could buy her some food not give her $$. She might have been a good actress but she seemed on the verge of tears. I'd have felt worse if I hadn't given her the money.

I didn't sleep well last night and woke up at 5 and decided to come in to work early. I get to leave at noon on Fridays now, so it seemed like a good idea. I'd forgotten that the water is off in our building until 9:30 though and really wish I'd skipped that 2nd cup of coffee

Hi all...whew am I glad it's Friday.  My darling hubby has been sick  all week He's being a whinney PTA.  I know when he is sick....he is way more sick than I could ever think of being in my life, .  I know I dont have to tell you guys, lol, why are all men that way...Of course not you Johnny, lol!

It was crazy here at the office yesterday.  Then with the Moon or cold temps Hot has decided to change my routine and between him and my hubby they have woke me up a number of times everynight this week. 

Paige, when I was young I used to dance til the clubs closed, work 2 jobs, take care of 2 toddlers and a dog, As long as I got my 5 hours of sleep I was good to go!   When my hubby broke his neck I worked 2 jobs 6 days a week, took care of the dogs, did my groceries and bill paying on my lunch hour, got home at 10 pm gave hubby bath dressed his wounds, medicated him, fixed dinner did the laundry got about 4 hrs sleep.   When I was doing that I thought, wow, when he can take care of himself I will have so much time on my hands. Now I look back at 12 years ago and I do not have a clue how I kept that up for 3 years.  I say I couldnt do that now but I suppose if I had to I could....hope I dont ever have to have that schedule again. 

Jackie I love tamales!!!  Have had some very special ones over the years.  My neighbor is perfecting his recipe, still has a way to go.  Next time I am in the neighborhood I will pick you up and we can go get Tamales and Margaritas mmmmkay?

shadowsgin

Jackie I love tamales!!!  Have had some very special ones over the years.  My neighbor is perfecting his recipe, still has a way to go.  Next time I am in the neighborhood I will pick you up and we can go get Tamales and Margaritas mmmmkay?

I'd love that! :)  Ginger, what you and so many caretakers have done, and are still doing, is amazing.  It's funny when you think back about how hard it was but at the time, you just do it because what else can you do?

I ate too many tamales and had to have a few Tums for dessert. :(  That should teach me a lesson but I know it won't. lol

NicoleS

In regards to yesterdays chat about people asking for money,

This is an interesting thread.  I remember years ago when my boys were small, we were taking them to a McDonalds in West Sacramento.  There was a man outside asking for money to buy food and DH just invited him to come into McDonalds with us.  The guy ate something like four hamburgers so he really was hungry. I rarely have any cash with me because I pay for everything with the debit card, so I think I'd be more inclined to offer to buy food instead.

Joyce

I made tamales with a girlfriend once (and a couple guys we were dating) and wow, what a job. I had no idea how much work went in to making them. We made a huge amount, so at least we were able to enjoy them for a long time but I remember it took hours and ay yay yay, the mess we made.

When I'm feeling like I don't have enough time in the day, I think about Susie (the Johnsons) and their family. I can't begin to imagine what it's like to juggle so many different things. Her latest post made me especially sad. I took out Christmas stockings last night and had a good cry when I saw Buffy's. I know it doesn't compare to how painful this holiday will be for them. For those who don't check but would like to read it - here it is:

1:57 AM

Oh Cathy, I can't hold back the tears after reading that.    All because someone chose to drink and drive.  Such a senseless horrible reason for this family to be in this kind of pain.  I hope everyone who is attending holiday parties and having some adult beverages thinks about what could happen if they get behind the wheel when they are impaired.

shadowsgin

Hi all...whew am I glad it's Friday.  My darling hubby has been sick  all week He's being a whinney PTA.  I know when he is sick....he is way more sick than I could ever think of being in my life, .  I know I dont have to tell you guys, lol, why are all men that way...Of course not you Johnny, lol!

DougB

think this was discussed a while back. We men are accused of being too closed in and not sharing our feelings. We do feel things, and we feel very deeply. When we do loosen up and share, we are "whiners". This is really a lose-lose game. Fortunately, I come from Scandinavian people, and my emotional patterns are pretty flat lined.

Are you whining, Doug? 

Deb W.

 Bwa haaahahahaha! Doug, go buy your wife some flowers or something.

Willa and I made some ginger crinkle cookies this morning and they are NOMMY! First Christmas cookie we've made so far this year. We'll also do spritz, sugar, peanut butter cups, and pecan sandies. 

So sad to hear about Brooke and the whole family. It is devastating knowing that the family has to deal with due to somebody elses negligence. STOOPID negligence. Its hard to read their story and updates without getting a lump in my throat. I am working the front lobby right now so I have to make sure I am not tearing up. Very hard to do.

Good luck to everybody braving it out there and finishing up their Christmas shopping. Next week, I will be doing the same thing. I havent even bought one thing.

Sitting here in the lobby manning the check in computer for the patients for my alotted hour every day....the most boring part of my day...but I did figure out how to get on Idog lol.

Loving this roasted red pepper hummus...trying not to finish it off so I have some for Monday

Boxermom2Marley

Loving this roasted red pepper hummus...trying not to finish it off so I have some for Monday

Is that one of the ones from Trader Joe's?  If it is,  you should also try the olive, the eggplant and the cilantro w/jalapeno. Really, really good and the jalapeno one isn't the least bit hot. They also have logs of French goat cheese encrusted with cranberries which I think I'm going to go get later because now I've made myself hungry for more of it. 

Cathy, I've had more than one person tell me how labor intensive tamales are. There's a little Mexican restaurant in Woodland that's part of a small grocery store and we used to get  really good tamales there that averaged out to be about $1.25 apiece. The person who sells them at Farmers Market charges about $4 a pop for them.  And then, there's always Costco.

Joyce

DougB

Of course not you Johnny, lol

Oh and I meant you too Doug  

DougB

When we do loosen up and share, we are "whiners".

I will tell you that I adore my man, but........he can Whine with the best of them...however; I can tease him about his whining and he will laugh as much as I do about it. 

Cathy I think about the Johnson's alot, they are in my prayers with the holiday season.  I know it has to be tough for them.

About the tamales,  Ron and I tried to make them once.  The filling was awesome, but the technique didnt get good until about 25 tamales later.  By then my hands were worn out.  It takes a lot of practice to make them correctly and in a timely manner without having to rub your hands with arthritis creme for days after, lol.  I will just buy them thank you very much!

ETA:  Deb what is the Tiki bar special today?