Watcha Doin' - 2019 Showing 2,101-2,150 of 2,486

[Janice, Moderator]

Yay, Peggy! Congrats. I'm happy for you.

[Shirley]

Peggy wrote: "So sorry to hear that Sandra.


I have some happy news, hope you don't mind me sharing. I'll get a permanent contract at work!!!

Long version: I had a meeting with the manager yesterday about exte..."Congratulations Peggy. So glad you have that you now have permanency.

[Shirley]

To everyone suffering grief in this group, I hope you are feeling some comfort with all the YLTO friends reaching out to you. I’m also sending a virtual hug. Life can be so challenging, and there’s no rules on how to deal with losing a loved one. My deepest sympathies to you all.

[Peggy]

Thanks all :)

[Travis]

Sorry to Sandra and others having tough times. Congrats to Peggy though

Took a shower last night and found a tick on my arm. For all I'm outside this is first time for me. As it happens I had a Dr appointment this morning so I'll have him take a look. I know a piece of it broke off. Miserable things we had a cat always getting into them. Always a pain to remove

[Renee]

Congrats Peggy

[Margo]

Peggy wrote: "So sorry to hear that Sandra.


I have some happy news, hope you don't mind me sharing. I'll get a permanent contract at work!!!

Long version: I had a meeting with the manager yesterday about exte..."

Oh Peggy that is wonderful news! You must be very good at your at your job and they didn't want to lose you :-D

Permanently jobs are hard to come be everywhere.

[Cherie]

Good thing to get checked out, Travis.
Ticks are terrible down in southern Oregon, where my sister lives.
She is an expert on spotting them.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Grats Peggy! Permanency is so hard in academia, so good on you for getting it! Hope you have celebrated :)

[Rusalka, Moderator]

So sorry to hear about your grandma, Sandra. Thinking of you and your family

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Be careful Travis! Ticks in Australia have the ability to make you anaphylactic allergic to red meat. Not sure if they do in the States yet/too.

I had heard of it happening, but then my sister-in-law got bitten by one in Western Australia, and a friend here on down the coast here (the south east), and both now can't eat red meat. Our mate here also had such a bad reaction, his skin went how I imagine leprosy to look like from bible stories.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Yikes, Rusalka. That's pretty scary. Sounds like they had really bad reactions. I think most tick bites go unnoticed, but occasionally there can be serious issues that come from it.

Travis, how'd it go with the doctor?

[Kristie, Moderator]

I'm headed up to NH today. My brother's services are tomorrow. It has been a long week and I have a couple of stressful days coming up. The best part, aside from being able to see some friends and family, is that I will have plenty of reading time while traveling. I decided to read an easy book and just relaxing as much as possible while traveling so I'm going to check out a new book series I've been recommended, The Screaming Staircase.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Have a safe trip, Kristie. Hope everything goes as smoothly as these things can, and you get some good books read.

[Janice, Moderator]

I'll be thinking of you this weekend, Kristie. Have a safe trip.

[Sandra, Moderator]

Travel safe, Kristie. Big hug.

[Margo]

Safe journey Kristie.

[Sarah]

The funeral for Rob's stepdad went well yesterday. Only once mispronounced name by the guy who took the service which was unfortunate but otherwise no family drama. Phew. I actually didn't know quite a lot of the people there so I just stuck with those I know.

I hope the tic bite doesn't cause an issue for you Travis. I got bit by one last year for the first time. A friend of mine removed it as she is used to having to do it on her dog. Haha. Not heard of the red meat allergy connection before. Only Lyme's disease.

I'm off out tonight with friends for a late birthday celebration. We're having an indian. I'm so looking forward to it. They bought Rob and I an axe throwing experience which will be so much fun!

[Travis]

Our ticks have potential to carry Lyme disease. Dr gave me antibiotic. Not sure if it does anything for Lyme disease or is to prevent infection from dirty critter digging into skin tbh. It's standard issue for tick bites. Whatever that means

[Travis]

For my regular check-up it wasn't the usual breath deep. Yup your lungs sou d good come back in 6 months. Instead it was your pulse is high better do EKG . All turned out fine. Tbh I think my pulse was high from sitting in waiting room for an hour when I had things to do and was causing me much anxiety not getting me I to my appointment on time. Idk

[Kristie, Moderator]

Thanks everyone. Sitting here waiting for my flight. We were supposed to leave 10 mins ago and we haven’t boarded yet. The plane just arrived and people are getting off now. Hopefully, we take off soon so I don’t have to worry about my connection.

[Travis]

So the antibiotic is in fact to prevent Lyme disease I have learned

[Sarah]

Travis wrote: "So the antibiotic is in fact to prevent Lyme disease I have learned"

I think if you don't get it out within 24 hours or if it snaps off inside, you have to be treated. I didn't go to the doctors as I found it early on, there was no welt surrounding the bite and it was removed in full. I'm sure the antibiotics will sort you out .

[Cherie]

The little kids and their parents are hunting for folks giving out candy up and down the aisles, here at work this afternoon. Their time is almost over, and then the trick-or-treating will be in full swing outside in the neighborhoods. I am ready to go home. I guess I better call my daughter and see if they are going out this year. I haven't heard from her this week.

Happy Halloween, everyone.

Safe traveling Kristie.

[Janice, Moderator]

I've had very few kids ringing the doorbell this year. Most of the kids are across the street at the houses rather than this side of the street with the duplexes. It's about 7:45 so I don't think I'll get many more. My client who lives a block over hasn't come yet this year.

I love seeing the little kids in their costumes. Unfortunately in Canada, kids have to fashion their costumes around their winter parkas. I don't remember doing that as a kid.

[Shirley]

Halloween is starting to really catch on here in Oz. The shops are full of Halloween costumes and merchandise. I’ve never had any trick or treaters visit at my house though.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Shirley wrote: "Halloween is starting to really catch on here in Oz. The shops are full of Halloween costumes and merchandise. I’ve never had any trick or treaters visit at my house though."

I nearly drove over two gaggles of them last night on the street next to ours. They didn't knock on any doors, seemed much more happy hanging out in bunches of 10 in the middle of the road in their costumes. Which I think is the most fun bit really.

But seriously, you get off the road if you hear a car coming, or don't sit on the ground directly behind a corner... bah.

Halloween just doesn't make sense in the Aussie context though. "Spooky things are going to come get you in the dark!!!" "Dude, it's 8pm and still light. I think I'll be okay. Also, if something wants to chase me down in 32C, then hats off to them."

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Lexx's contribution to this:

The room got colder. "Oh thank f%@#!!!!!!"

[Peggy]

Rusalka wrote: "Halloween just doesn't make sense in the Aussie context though. "Spooky things are going to come get you in the dark!!!" "Dude, it's 8pm and still light. I think I'll be okay. Also, if something wants to chase me down in 32C, then hats off to them."."

Lol, not quite the same, no ;-)

It's getting bigger here too, with stuff in shops and sometimes a decorated house and there are usually events for kids organized in towns and cities. No trick or treaters here either. Don't think that will happen anytime soon either, as we have a Dutch holiday November 11 which also includes going by doors to collect candies, so twice in two weeks would be a bit much.

[Cherie]

Yes, I can understand why it would not be so appealing in Oz in the heat.

Going out in winter wear is hit or miss here. It is not quite as cold as where Janice is. It was 54F when I got home from work at 6:00pm, no wind and totally dry. There were little kids out already although it was not dark yet.

The rain is what usually spoils it for us. As a kid, it seemed like it always rained on Halloween. It is probably why I have never really liked it. My girls always went with friends and I stayed home to pass out candy. I have walked with my daughter and grandkids for the last 15 years. I did not go this year. There is only one left that still goes out. He is 10.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

I think the weather here makes it a nice thing to do. Get out and about, wander around together at sunset etc.

My point was the background to doing it doesn't make sense here in Aus. But as the whole thing is a big commericalised holiday, I bet 70% of people aren't thinking at all about the background/mythology/history/cultural significance about the whole thing. Costumes and community are too fun, and you know, fair enough.

[Shirley]

Rusalka wrote: "Shirley wrote: "Halloween is starting to really catch on here in Oz. The shops are full of Halloween costumes and merchandise. I’ve never had any trick or treaters visit at my house though."

I nea..."Oh how you make me laugh, Rusalka. And Lexx’s contribution as well. Ok I’m going to show my age here. When I was a kid in the fifties on the farm out in the bush, we used to have Guy Fawkes Night, an English tradition I believe. A great excuse to have a huge bonfire and fireworks out in the house paddock. I don’t really have a clue about the background of either Hallowe’en or Guy Fawkes. Most of the time I think the adults enjoy the fun just as much as the kids, otherwise it wouldn’t be encouraged I guess.

[Shirley]

And I just noticed what autocorrect did with the spelling of hallowe’en. What’s that about?

[Janice, Moderator]

Cherie wrote: "Yes, I can understand why it would not be so appealing in Oz in the heat.

Going out in winter wear is hit or miss here. It is not quite as cold as where Janice is. It was 54F when I got home from..."

It was 43F here last night, which is warmer than past years. The kids have fun regardless. I had about 20 kids last night, down about 15.

[Janice, Moderator]

Shirley wrote: "And I just noticed what autocorrect did with the spelling of hallowe’en. What’s that about?"

It's short for All Hallows Eve. That's why you get the hyphen in the name.

[Sarah]

I had a lovely evening at the Indian restaurant with my friends last night for mine and Rob's birthday. Our friends spoilt us rotten, paying for our meal and drinks, cards, an axe-throwing experience for the two of us, flowers, and a voucher for a meal at a country pub nearby. We were blown away by their generosity and kindness - we really weren't expecting any of it!

[Renee]

My only trick or treater was my niece and her baby. We had ugly weather. Snow and rain mixed.


Today is our ancestors day. It is a day we party to remember those no longer with us, We make favorite foods of past loved ones. My family gas always had fried zucchini blossoms and prickly pears. No one remembers who loved prickly pears. They are common in Sicily so it could be any one. This year I will also be making a red velvet cake to remember my mother. I have never understood red velvet but she loved it

[Sarah]

That sounds like a lovely thing to do Renee.

[Shirley]

Janice wrote: "Shirley wrote: "And I just noticed what autocorrect did with the spelling of hallowe’en. What’s that about?"

It's short for All Hallows Eve. That's why you get the hyphen in the name."
Ah, makes sense. Going out trick or treating for All Hallows’ Eve doesn’t sound as menacing. Glad it was shortened.

[Cherie]

Sarah wrote: "I had a lovely evening at the Indian restaurant with my friends last night for mine and Rob's birthday. Our friends spoilt us rotten, paying for our meal and drinks, cards, an axe-throwing experien..."

Wonderful friends, Sarah. You are very lucky. Glad you and Rob had a great time out for your birthdays.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

So glad you had a lovely birthday night, Sarah. Sounds like you guys have some pretty top notch friends.

And I missed it above, but glad that the funeral went well. Even with one mispronunciation

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Renee wrote: "My only trick or treater was my niece and her baby. We had ugly weather. Snow and rain mixed.


Today is our ancestors day. It is a day we party to remember those no longer with us, We make favorit..."

Mmmm zuchinni flowers. Sounds like a great tradition!

How do you cook the prickly pears?

[Janice, Moderator]

What a great tradition, Renee. Red Velvet Cake sounds yummy.

How do zucchini flowers taste? I've had fried celery leaves (not the stalks) and didn't care for them. I found them to be bitter. My friend made a celery soup and used them as the garnish.

[Renee]

We stuff the squash blossoms with sausage and cheese, bread them the deep fry them. We use the leaves from the cactus as part of a salad. The pears themselves get used in the dressing. I had one aunt who used to make a jelly with them. She is gone now I wonder if anyone knows how to make it to honor her. I think I need to get on the phone.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Guys!! I’m so sad and stressed. It’s been a long week and I’m flying home. I just realized that I lost my wedding band at the last airport! 😭 I took it off to put on lotion and I’m so tired that I left it on my lap then just got up and boarded the plane. We haven’t been able to get ahold of anyone that can help. Now I’m about to take off again for the last part of my flight. I can’t believe I did that! Ugh.

[Peggy]

Oh no Kristie!! That's the last thing you need after such a week.

Hopefully someone finds it and takes it to Lost and Found and it will find its way back to you.

[Sandra, Moderator]

Oh no, Kristie! I hope you can recover it. :(

[Kristie, Moderator]

No luck so far with the airport or airline. No one has turned it in. I just can’t believe I did that.

[Janice, Moderator]

Aww Kristie! I am so sorry to hear about your ring. I hope someone found it and turned it in and you'll get it back.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Oh Kristie! I'm so sorry. Here's hoping someone hands it in for you!