Watcha Doin' - 2017.1 edition Showing 3,351-3,400 of 5,020

[Anne (Booklady)]

I'm a bit deft, what is the lurgy?

[Margo]

Sorry Anne, it's slang for a virus or bug. Wasn't feeling great when I posted. I was very bored though!

Janice, I hope you get good news soon.

[Sandra, Moderator]

Janice wrote: "I haven't heard any news from my nephew or cousin in Florida. I'm a bit nervous for them both."

Probably it is not being easy to communicate at the moment, Janice. Hopefully everybody is well. Have you all in my prayers.

[Anne (Booklady)]

Oh, Margo! I had a bug last week and I'm almost right as rain. I do hope you feel better soon.

Janice, here's hoping you receive good news :)

Hey Sandra :))

[Sandra, Moderator]

Hi Anne! Glad to know you are feeling better.

[Travis]

I know quite a few ppl in Florida. Due to Facebook I know none evacuated. They prepared their houses and such. I also don't know where in Florida they are located in relation to the ground zero zone for the hurricane

[Travis]

Just saw a map it's Florida's gulf coast that will be hammered the worst. I don't think anyone is there now but I knowany many people who's winter homes are on that coast. Or were on it . Guess we'll see

[Janice, Moderator]

My nephew posted a video a couple of hours ago. It was a scene from War of the Worlds with the alien craft walking through the city. It said, "Look what sea creatures are being washed up on shore by Irma." If he's joking, he's okay.

My cousin posted as well and said that they were fine.

It's a relief to hear from them and know that they're okay.

[Lisa]

Glad your cousin and nephew are okay, Janice.

Travis, I hope all the people you know who live in Florida are safe.

[Travis]

So far the reports have been that they go through 2 hrs of extremely intense weather but so far everyone has been checking in ok. Some house repairs but so far just minor stuff. Apparently Irma lost strength quickly hitting land. Which still made her powerful but any loss of strength from a mega storm is a blessing

[Sandra, Moderator]

Glad to know people is reporting and they are all well.

[Lisa]

Travis sivarT wrote: "So far the reports have been that they go through 2 hrs of extremely intense weather but so far everyone has been checking in ok. Some house repairs but so far just minor stuff. Apparently Irma los..."

That's good to hear, Travis.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Margo wrote: "I got the lurgy!! This group is the only place I have been in contact with it so I am blaming you guys for my night on the toilet lol"

Lol I'm in the clear. I just had a head cold :P
Hope you feel better, Margo.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

So glad that your friends and family are all okay, Janice and Travis.

I'm so glad this bastard storm is finally beginning to fizzle out.

[KimeyDiann]

I'm actually heading to Florida in the morning, but to the panhandle where Irma didn't do anything. This is a vacation that was planned months ago and I'm torn between being thankful the storms didn't disrupt my vacation and feeling guilty for that thought because of all of the people with a lot more to worry about than a ruined vacation. Damaged and destroyed homes, friends and family out of reach, and so much more. For now I'm going to stick to being thankful and commit to doing something helpful for those with real problems while I'm visiting their state.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Understandable conflict, Kimey. I think you came to a good resolution.

I'm heading out on a plane today too. I'm on my way to Romania. I'm doing some volunteer work at a center for the Roma children there. I'm excited to get going.

My husband and I are also working on adopting some children out of foster care and we finally finished off all the paperwork and sent in the last of the documents today. Phew! Glad that part's over! When I get back from Romania we'll be beginning the home study.

[Kristie, Moderator]

I have to share!! I'm so excited! I'm on a plane in DC heading to Munich. We are taking off in a few minutes. I paid extra for extra legroom because it's a long overnight flight. So far, there is no one in the seat next to me, the seat lays way back, and my seat has a USB charger for my phone and a tv. Not all the seats do. This is awesome!! :D

[Travis]

My SIL always manages to get an empty row and just lays out. I guess it's the only way to fly. She flies multiple times a week so she has methods I guess. But still awesome. Also my parents are in Germany or nearby. Maybe Austria or Belgium. Their cell service sucks so I haven't really heard from them.

[Janice, Moderator]

Have a great trip, Kristie. I'm sure it will be an amazing experience.

[Peggy]

Have a great time Kristie!

[Sandra, Moderator]

That is a luxury, Kristie! Have a great trip!

[Lisa]

Have a great trip, Kristie!

[Travis]

Got a couple live traps after that skunk I saw last week. Kept catching barn cats but finally I started finding the critters dens. Got a skunk Sunday to accoon yesterday and raccoon today. I take them up a dirt road 5-6 miles away and let then go. But don't tell anyone it's illegal in a lot of places to relocate wild life you're supposed to just kill them. These are all super healthy so I don't see why I have to kill them. Also not sure if the law around here says to kill them or not. Have to sneak off in the wee hours to release them. Tried it about 615am yesterday and there was too much traffic had to bring it back home to wait for night to return. Would actually save me a lot of hassle to just shoot them and be done with it just hoping I take them far enough that they don't return. Guess I'll have to shoot them if they return again. They claim it's more humane to euthanise because they rarely live over 2 weeks when relocated. Well I say that's survival of the fittest and that's their problem if they don't survive and how do they know they usually die within 2 weeks.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Thanks, everyone! I've landed in Munich and now I'm just waiting on my last flight of this trip.

Travis- it seems cruel to just kill them without giving them a chance to make it on their own. I hope they adjust to their new surroundings.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Travis sivarT wrote: "Got a couple live traps after that skunk I saw last week. Kept catching barn cats but finally I started finding the critters dens. Got a skunk Sunday to accoon yesterday and raccoon today. I take t..."

Two things.

One. Is an accoon a misspelled raccoon? Just making sure it's not a possum vs oppossum thing.

Two. What? You have to kill wildlife? Everything here says you have to protect it. To the extent that here if we catch a possum, you drive 20 minutes over water to release it on the other side, so it can't come back, but no way you can kill it. I'm totally with you. Why kill things unless you have to, and there are many reasons already on why you have to.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Kristie wrote: "Thanks, everyone! I've landed in Munich and now I'm just waiting on my last flight of this trip.

Travis- it seems cruel to just kill them without giving them a chance to make it on their own. I h..."

Glad you had a good trip with lots of leg room!! So incredibly jealous right now, as still remembering 16 hours of none. Hope the next flights are great, and you arrive safely.

[Travis]

Yes I misspelled raccoon. Trouble with US is every state has its own rules for hunting and trapping. Many states want animals trapped in or near dwellings destroyed. But as far as I can decipher in NY we can relocate nuisance animals unless they have been caught in NYC in which case euthanasia is required. Don't take that as absolute truth but as far as I can find googling that is the current law in my state . States want these critters destroyed to help prevent spread of diseases.

Due to Ash borer killing ash trees you can't transport firewood over 50 miles without a special permit and I think the wood has to be inspected. There's laws for everything

[Travis]

Of course they change laws so often I just move my critters at 4 am before people are out and about. Can't get in trouble if you don't get caught. Even though I may not be doing anything wrong. I could call the DEC and ask but why bring attention to yourself

[Janice, Moderator]

We humans tend to kill critters first and then ask questions later. Wolves were slaughtered and almost completely eradicated in Yellowstone. When it was discovered that it affected the whole ecosystem negatively, they had to reintroduce wolves to the area. Even skunks and raccoons have their place. Good for you for wanting to relocate, Travis.

[Travis]

I can't hijack it being a video but for anyone with Facebook go to bare knuckle tattoo. It would be a Watertown NY location if there are multiple options . Go to videos and they have a 20 second one up of a Pennywise tat they just did. You know the clown from It. Why someone wants that permanently attached to them idk but it's pretty cool. I tried to find a way to link it or omething but I always fail with videos.

[Annerlee]

Just checking in for a quick hello. I'm feeling a bit fed up just now, so doing my hermit thing. Hope to be back soon. Still reading away though.

[Margo]

Oh I know that feeling Annerlee! Don't stay away too long though - you will be missed :-)

[jaxnsmom]

A lot of posts to catch up on and so many things going on. I've mainly been reading and sleeping. I was at my dad's for three weeks and got a spider bite that hasn't gone away. I've been trying to figure out if that's why I'm sleeping so much (12 to 20 hours out of 24) or my meds need adjusting (or I'm recuperating from being around a 12, 9, and 7 year old for too much time ☺ ).

I just had to squeal - I was looking at the website for the West Virginia Book Festival in October, and JOE HILL is going to be there! Also, Sharyn McCrumb, one of my favorite authors. Others too, but I really want to see these two. I hope they're signing books after their talks.

[Travis]

Was it definitely a spider and not a tick. Lyme disease makes people sleep more. But I'm not a doctor. Good luck with hopefully getting a book signed

[jaxnsmom]

My brother's in-laws live in Bradenton, FL and came up to VA during IRMA. Their daughter and her family stayed. Their house is fine and they even have electricity but the in-laws can't go back yet because of roads wiped out. They're really lucky because they had the house built and moved there this spring.

I went Thursday and gave a double red donation at a Red Cross blood drive at my library. Sometimes they're able to tell you where your blood went, which I love to see. Last time it was Pennsylvania and Virginia. I always get a phone call when I become eligible, and I got one Wednesday. I figure it was good timing, and some might go to Florida.

[jaxnsmom]

Travis sivarT wrote: "Was it definitely a spider and not a tick. Lyme disease makes people sleep more. But I'm not a doctor. Good luck with hopefully getting a book signed"

Didn't see any ticks around. I thought it was one of the very annoying flying insects, but after almost six weeks the red bump is still there.

[Sandra, Moderator]

j'mom, your double blood donation can definitively be the reason for your tiredness and need of sleep.

[Margo]

J'mom you should get a check up. Kids can be tiring but it sounds like you are sleeping way more than usual. If the tiredness is since the blood donation then I'd say Sandra is right. Kudos to you btw on the donation!

I'll soon be off to pick up my uncle after his first full week of chemo and radiation. I expected him to tired last weekend after 3 days but not a bit of it! He was completely reved up and talked the weekend through!! Like a kid after a holiday treat rather than a cancer patient :-D

[Peggy]

I agree with the others jmom, it might be wise to see a doctor. Bug/spider bites usually disappear within days.

[Peggy]

Hope your uncle feels well this weekend too Margo!

[Saar The Book owl]

Indeed, I agree with the other members. I had that to that I slept a lot and was so tired. The doctor checked my blood and I have Pfeiffer's disease.

[Lisa]

Jmom, it's definitely worth seeing a doctor. Your double blood donation is more than likely the reason for your tiredness, but it's better to be sure.

[Lisa]

There has been another incident in London. A improvised explosive device was detonated on a Tube train at Parsons Green station this morning. No reports of any fatalities so far, but many people have been injured. It's not yet been confirmed that it's another terror attack but it's being treated as such. Yet another awful incident :(

[Peggy]

I read about it too. Very sad.


I just booked a weekend away to Dublin! We're going towards the end of October. Not sure if it's a good idea, but it's been too long since we've been away (well, maybe July isn't that long ago but it certainly feels that way!). I've started my new job some weeks ago and right now it's very busy because I have to do 47 individual meetings with my mentor students in 2 weeks, and I work only 3 days a week and also have other teaching to do. On October 1st I will start my other new job which is 1.5 days a week, and right now I'm already glad for the two days off I have (also because I have quite some travelling time.. I leave home at 7.15 in the morning and come back again at 6.45pm) and I'm starting to wonder if 2 jobs might be a bit much. It works practically, but to keep them apart and not also do things for job 1 when I'm supposed to be working for job 2 or check my emails in the evening to see if nothing important came up in the days I'm not working for a specific job is a different matter. I also still need to finish up a paper for my old job and that deadline is coming up. And I'm going away for a weekend at the beginning of October as well (just closeby in Germany with my partner, parents, sister, brother-in-law and their baby). I think that when we leave for Dublin I might actually be in need of a quiet weekend at home ;-)

[Lisa]

Enjoy Dublin, Peggy! Ireland and Dublin are both on my bucket list.

It sounds like you are being kept busy with your jobs. A little break is definitely what you need.

[Janice, Moderator]

Enjoy Dublin, Peggy. I'd love to go back some day.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Dublin sounds like a plan, Peggy. Let me know if you need an AirBnB rec, or the good coffee places to go (Lexx literally dragged me all over the city for coffee, and we did find some winners).

I understand about balancing the two jobs. I think you will just need to make some clear rules and boundaries that you communicate to both jobs. You are only paid for those days, you will only work those. And that's a lot of students to meet!

Remember that while both jobs are new, your brain is going to be full, and overloaded, and exhausted. I am always amazed that on the first day all you are remembering are names of people, where your desk/office is, where the toilets and kitchen are, and that then exhausts you so much you are in bed by 8. It will get better, but you will be tired for a while as you are learning.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Glad to see you back Jmom. Touch your bite site and the redness for me, and if it feels hot, you go to the doctor.

Aussie trick that one. Our spiders tend to be dirty, so their bites get infected easily. After going to the after hours GP on Boxing Day (26 Dec) as I got bitten by a White Tail and the thing inflamed to an aztec pyramid on my leg, that's the trick they taught me. You could feel when it cooled and the bite disappeared.

[Travis]

That's what happens to me now. After years of allergy shots I haven't had reactions to wasps and hornets instead about 3 days after I get stung my arm swells up because they were dirty and I have to go get an antibiotic. Or if I wait a week I can get gang green. Lol I know that's not how to spell it but it's beyond me. And then I can have my arm amputated. I go get the antibiotic.

[Peggy]

Rusalka wrote: "Dublin sounds like a plan, Peggy. Let me know if you need an AirBnB rec, or the good coffee places to go (Lexx literally dragged me all over the city for coffee, and we did find some winners).

I u..."

I just booked an AirBnb. A lot of them were booked already, we're a little late. And accomodation is more expensive than I thought in Dublin. But I think I found something nice :)

Coffee places would be good! I love coffee bars, even though I don't generally drink coffee (it sometimes gives me headaches and stomach aches, and being lactose intolerant I can only drink it in places where they have soy milk or something similar). Boyfriend loves coffee (only black, he believes you can't add anything to coffee) but on holiday, especially in beer-countries, he opts for beer instead of coffee or other drinks as soon as he thinks it's a decent hour ;-)

Haha, I recognize that first day feeling! And yes, boundaries! I have to set those. But I always feel bad if there's something urgent and there's days before I can respond, even if I have an out-of-office. It's getting better though :)