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Post by Phalon on Dec 29, 2010 7:41:57 GMT -6
I've done that before...uhm, many times...not just with Christmas cards, but birthday cards, anniversary cards, even Halloween cards (I found one while cleaning off my desk that I meant to send). It's not just cards either; sometimes I'll find the perfect gift for someone and stash it away 'til the time is right, only to forget where I stashed it when the time comes!
I'd say I got the same amount of cards this year as last...maybe a few more actually, because this year I actually got my cards done! I hope sending Christmas cards...or any other card or note for that matter, is not a tradition that goes by the wayside. I still get excited when I find a card or even more rare - an actual written note - in the mail.
Eewww - I know what you mean. Baby birds are some of the ugliest creatures on earth. Even when they get feathers and fluff out a bit, they're still all bulgy-eyed and so-ugly-they're-cute.
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Post by stepper on Dec 29, 2010 20:41:18 GMT -6
Eewww - I know what you mean. Baby birds are some of the ugliest creatures on earth. Even when they get feathers and fluff out a bit, they're still all bulgy-eyed and so-ugly-they're-cute. Have you ever looked at a new born person without the haze of drugs and spinal blocks? Now there's an Eewww - and an Ick to boot! '"Well, I just happened to drop in on Mr Alder son and got the news." "You might have given us time to get the little fellow properly washed," she said. "but never mind, come up and see him. He's a fine baby nine pounds." Still in a dreamlike state I followed her up the stairs of the little house into a small bedroom. Helen was there, in the bed, looking flushed. "Hello," she said. I went over and kissed her. "What was it like?" I enquired nervously. "Awful' Helen replied without enthusiasm. Then she nodded towards the cot beside her. I took my first look at my son. Little Jimmy was brick red in colour and his face had a bloated, dissipated look. as I hung over him he twisted his tiny fists under his chin and appeared to be undergoing some mighty internal struggle. His face swelled and darkened as he contorted his features then from deep among the puffy flesh his eyes fixed me with a baleful glare and he stuck his tongue out of the corner of his mouth. "My god!" I exclaimed. The nurse looked at me, startled. "What's the matter?" "Well, he's a funny-looking little thing isn't he?" "What!" she stared at me furiously. "Mr Herriot, how can you say such a thing? He's a beautiful baby!" I peered into the cot again. Jimmy greeted me with a lopsided leer, turned purple and blew a few bubbles. "Are you sure he's all right?" I said. There was a tired giggle from the bed but nurse brown was not amused. "All right! What exactly do you mean?" she drew herself up stiffly. I shuffled my feet. "Weller - is there any thing wrong with him?" I thought she was going to strike me "anything . . . how dare you! Whatever are you talking about? I've never heard such nonsense!" she turned appealingly towards the bed, but Helen, a weary smile on her face, had closed her eyes. I drew the enraged little woman to one side. "Look, nurse, have you by chance got any others on the premises?" "Any other what?" she asked icily. "Babies - new babies. I want to compare Jimmy with another one." Her eyes widened. "Compare him! Mr Herriot, I'm not going to listen to you any longer I've lost patience with you!" "I'm asking you, nurse," i repeated. "Have you any more around?" There was a long pause as she looked at me as though I was something new and incredible. "Well there's Mrs Dewburn in the next room. Little Sidney was born about the same time as Jimmy." "Can I have a look at him?" I gazed at her appealingly. She hesitated then a pitying smile crept over her face. "Oh you . . . you . ..just a minute, then." She went into the other room and I heard a mumble of voices. She reappeared and beckoned to me. Mrs Dewburn was the butcher's wife and I knew her well. The face on the pillow was hot and tired like Helen's. "Eee, Mr Herriot, I didn't expect to see you. I thought you were in the army." "RAF, actually, Mrs Dewburn. I'm on er - leave at the moment." I looked in the cot. Sidney was dark red and bloated, too, and he, also, seemed to be wrestling with himself. The inner battle showed in a series of grotesque facial contortions culminating in a toothless snarl. I stepped back involuntarily. "What a beautiful child," I said. "Yes, isn't he lovely," said his mother fondly. "He is indeed, gorgeous." I took another disbelieving glance into the cot. "Well, thank you very much, Mrs Dewburn. It was kind of you to let me see him." "Not at all, Mr Herriot, it's nice of you to take an interest." : Outside the door I took a long breath and wiped my brow. The relief was tremendous. Sidney was even funnier than Jimmy. When I returned to Helen's room nurse brown was sitting on the bed and the two women were clearly laughing at me. And of course, looking back, I must have appeared silly. Sidney Dewburn and my son are now two big, strong, remarkably good-looking young men, so my fears were groundless. The little nurse looked at me quizzically. I think she had forgiven me. "I suppose you think all your calves and foals are beautiful right from the moment they are born?" "Well yes," I replied. “ Yes I do.”' James Herriot - I think it was originally in The Lord God Made Them All, but this is quoted from Vet Might Fly |
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Post by Phalon on Dec 31, 2010 7:34:00 GMT -6
Why, yes, I have....but not by choice, actually. BP was impatient and there was no time for drugs or spinal blocks. HA! I'd bet Mr. Herriot, and every other man would feel differently if he were on the other end of the birthing canal. * * * I feel like I should be posting in the spring thread. It's downright balmy outside, and every bit of snow we had is gone except for the piles at the end of the driveway, and the misshapen remainder of BP's snowfort. It's raining now - a warm springy rain. It makes me want to look for daffodils starting to poke their noses out of the ground. |
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Post by stepper on Dec 31, 2010 11:31:13 GMT -6
Which explains why BP was the last. Owing to my personal lack of estrogen, you are so much more correct than you know! Should this improbable circumstance actually occur, I assure you a C-Section would figure prominently in the discussions. It would dominate all discussions even more than the "who's the daddy" discussion.  Fear not! I'll redirect some cold your direction right away! |
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Post by Mini Mia on Dec 31, 2010 18:30:07 GMT -6
It isn't Spring? I got thunderstorms moving in, and bringing tornado warnings with them. The temps are in the low to mid-60s. I hate when it turns warm in the middle of winter ... it just makes Spring Fever kick in way too early, and I get really miserable when winter weather returns. I may need another DVD marathon before March gets here. 
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Post by katina2nd on Dec 31, 2010 18:51:56 GMT -6
Strange weather here, as I think I've already said it's been the mildest December I can recall, been almost perfect temperatures up until yesterday when it sky-rocketed up to 104F  Not sure where the heat came from as today it's back down to a beautiful 70/72 degrees, a perfect way to kick off 2011 ....... yes it's 2011 folks and has been for eleven hours and fifty minutes, so how about joining me here.  P.S. It don't look a whole lot different to 2010 to tell ya the truth. |
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Post by stepper on Dec 31, 2010 20:03:22 GMT -6
Still four hours to go yet here Kat. I started partying already - that must count for something.
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Post by katina2nd on Dec 31, 2010 20:31:40 GMT -6
Just as long as it doesn't count for a thumping headache in the morning mate.  Enjoy your last few hours of the old year, and that goes for everybody else, hope the transition from 2010 to 2011 is an enjoyable experience. |
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Post by stepper on Dec 31, 2010 21:07:54 GMT -6
I have to admit, I can do without the thumping! When I signed in the system earlier it didn't show you as still signed on or I would have hung around longer. We guys must stick together ya know.
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Post by Phalon on Dec 31, 2010 23:51:09 GMT -6
We're just about an hour into 2011 here. Cheers! Happy New Year, everyone!!! Peace, love, and hugs.
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Post by stepper on Jan 1, 2011 0:26:50 GMT -6
We're an hour behind you Phalon, but it's 2011 here too. We were outside watching the fireworks. You can't set them off in city limits, but in the county you can let loose. We didn't do it this year, but you can set off your own fireworks - and it's much more fun than just watching!
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Post by katina2nd on Jan 1, 2011 19:03:29 GMT -6
When I signed in the system earlier it didn't show you as still signed on or I would have hung around longer. We guys must stick together ya know. No worries mate, I was in and out like a fiddlers elbow here yesterday so it's no wonder you missed me. And yeah, we gotta stick together being as heavily outnumbered as we are. |
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Post by stepper on Jan 1, 2011 19:58:03 GMT -6
Exactly! And you know what? Phalon isn't the only one here! There's more than just her!
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Post by Phalon on Jan 2, 2011 7:31:16 GMT -6
I am crushed. <sniff and sob> Dang, and all this time I thought it was all about me. It's a cruel, cruel world.
Not only that, someone took away my Spring! What's up with that? I could have gotten used to it, (oh dang, I forgot it's not about me). Blustery and cold out there, with a smidgen of snow.
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Post by Siren on Jan 3, 2011 21:33:05 GMT -6
A belated Happy New Year wish to one and all! I came down with food poisoning on New Year's Eve - during a show, no less - and have been laid up since then. As my new boss said, I'm just now "walking on my hind legs" again.
I hope the coming year is bountiful in all that makes you happy. My best!
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Post by Mini Mia on Jan 4, 2011 1:29:10 GMT -6
Sorry to hear you've been sick, Siren. Does food poisoning feel like the 24-hour bug? I don't think I've ever had food poisoning ... or I just hadn't considered it as food poisoning. 
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Post by Phalon on Jan 4, 2011 11:19:10 GMT -6
Aw, Siren. Sorry to hear you were sick, and it happening at a show to boot! Hope you're not just walking on those hind legs, but are feeling completely back to your good self by now.
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Post by stepper on Jan 5, 2011 18:15:55 GMT -6
Aw. Siren! That's terrible! Hope it's all better by now - and never happens to you again.
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Post by Phalon on Jan 6, 2011 8:09:18 GMT -6
Yep, Joxie, a lot of the symptoms are the same. Digging way, way back to my food inspector days, most cases of food borne illnesses aren't reported because people assume they've just got a 24 hour (or longer) flu. The opposite is true also; people may have a flu virus, but think 'it's just something I ate'.
No mistaking what's ailing me this morning - a touch of the Coffee Flu. I met a friend for coffee last night, and shoot, when will I ever learn? Too much coffee then and this morning, and my stomach is doing flip-flops. And it's not even beach weather!
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Post by Mini Mia on Jan 6, 2011 18:39:49 GMT -6
Thanks, Phalon. hmm ... Now I'm wondering if there were times it was food poisoning. 
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Post by stepper on Jan 6, 2011 19:18:27 GMT -6
I always thought reactions to food poisoning were worse than the flu. There's "mild" food poisoning?  |
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Post by katina2nd on Jan 7, 2011 0:48:54 GMT -6
Glad to hear you're better Siren, must have been fairly bad to have lasted three/four days.
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Post by Phalon on Jan 7, 2011 10:34:58 GMT -6
I would guess probably. Sometimes food poisoning symptoms don't even show up until 48 hours (or sometimes even longer) after you ate whatever made you ill, so some people don't even make the link between being sick and something they might have eaten a day or two beforehand.
I suppose the severity depends on the overall health of the individual, the type of flu virus, or the type of virus or bacteria that caused the food poisoning. Certainly there are cases of food poisoning that can be severe, cause death, or have long term effects, but the majority of cases are mild. Sometimes symptoms are as mild as just nausea or upset stomach. (The bacteria that causes botulism, on the other hand, though rare here in the U.S, is always serious, and comes with a variety of symptoms that are different from flu symptoms.)
The same is true with the flu; in severe cases it can lead to death, or cause long term health issues, but most of the time, the virus just needs to run its course for a few days.
But in the meantime, it certainly isn't pleasant.
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Post by Phalon on Jan 8, 2011 20:14:15 GMT -6
Here, as I'm guessing almost everywhere, they say if you don't like the weather, just wait five minutes.
That was certainly true this past week. Up in the fifties late last week, and feeling like spring; now we've got eight to ten fresh inches of snow that fell yesterday and today. In between, there's been rain, lots of sun, periods of heavy, blowing snow (Hubs and I both wondered where it goes, because it doesn't fall here), and some really strange changes in weather, as if someone just flipped a switch.
I was roller-skiing Tuesday. It was sunny when I left the house. It was sunny on half the track; the other half was clouded. It started to snow - only on the cloudy half. By the time I was through though, the whole track was white, but the sun was out, shining brightly.
The sun, or snow, or something brought the birds back. I've been missing them; they all seemed to disappear for a while, except the crows. The whole yard has been a'flitter this past week with chickadees, finches, nuthatches, cardinals, titmice, and a flock of juncos. I don't normally get juncos in winter; spring and fall is when they flock to the yard, stopping on their way through to warmer climates. I've heard they don't always migrate though, or don't migrate far, so this year they must have chose here as their final destination. They're quite plain, actually: just dark gray - almost black - with white underbellies, but I think they're adorable - little, fat round balls of feathers.
Traded in the roller skis for the cross-country sticks today, and took BP and the neighbor boy around the block, across the river, and through the cemetery under beautiful, clear blue skies that you'd never guess dumped six inches of snow just an hour prior to us leaving.
The Lake Effect Snow Warning is supposed to last through tomorrow morning. But with the way the weather's changed on a whim this past week, who knows what's actually in store.
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Post by stepper on Jan 9, 2011 1:26:05 GMT -6
learn something new everyday! Thanks.
Oh Phalon. Not only are you back to inordinate amounts of time in the cemeteries, but now you're infecting BP and one of the neighbors kids too?? What's next? White cloud cr@p isn't bad - but it's actually fun to play in?
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Post by Phalon on Jan 9, 2011 8:39:49 GMT -6
I'm ignoring this question based on word association; I'm pretty sure "White Cloud" is a toilet paper brand.
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Post by fallenangel on Jan 9, 2011 18:50:32 GMT -6
It's snowing! Started about 1pm here and still coming down.
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Post by stepper on Jan 9, 2011 23:54:07 GMT -6
BOLL! I had completely forgotten about White Cloud! Okay - that round to you.
No snow here fallenangel, and now they've taken it out of the forcast. We're still expecting the cold, but the precipitation is out of the picture. It's been a long time since I've been in a snow storm. I hope you get a day off to enjoy it.
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Post by Phalon on Jan 10, 2011 7:23:45 GMT -6
Congratulations, Angel...if like Stepper said, it gives you a play day off work. If it's just a headache, you have my sympathies.
Speaking of headaches....Joxie, and anyone else who suffers from sinus pain, have you ever seen anything like this?
"Migraines will be prevalent."
That's what the weather forecast site that Hubs checks said yesterday. I'm not sure whether it meant general headaches caused by weather related accidents, and getting driveways and walkways clear of our recent snow, or that barometric pressure thing that affects people who are prone to sinus-pressure issues. As he was telling me this, though, I was holding my head to keep it from splitting in two.
Go figure. All those times I wish the forecast was accurate, and this has got to be the one time it was actually right. Pfft!
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Post by Mini Mia on Jan 10, 2011 17:23:50 GMT -6
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