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[Allison]

Lisa wrote: "Oh Allie that is a great story. Sadly they are a much maligned breed. I couldn't agree with you more about animals just knowing when to be there. They are incredibly intuitive. Our male dog was a v..."

Aaawww they loved each other. That's usually how it goes, once one goes...sad. But they lived happily together.

If you switch that last one and make it dogs (+cats!), books, chocolate and tea; I'd join you :)

[Alicja]

Is Valentine's Day just an American thing or do others celebrate?

And for those doing things for V-day, any plans taking shape yet? How about gifts?

[Allison]

I loath Valentine's Day. Its so fake. Your partner has to run around last minute (because you know they forgot) to get crappy boxed chocolates, a sappy card and flowers that are just going to die all in order to "prove" that they care. I'd rather have someone leave me a note - even if all its says is "hey :)". At least they were thinking of you of their own volition and took the time to write it down on paper. Or bring me a present I'm actually going to like because you saw it and knew I'd like it.

Every guy I've ever met could understand why I'd like that but wouldn't believe me when I said I hated Valentine's day! In their words "no chick has ever not wanted something on Valentine's day".

[Portia]

I hate Valentine's Day for all the girls and women who are made to feel bad about themselves because some male didn't send them a heart. IMHO it is an artificial celebration promulgated by the card and gift industry to make money for themselves sort of like Christmas has become and Halloween is trending). I fell so sorry for those girls who are now me.

[Portia]

Allie wrote: "Portia - in keeping with what we were talking about, I found an article off www.freekibble.com I just had to tell you about: a rescued pit bull puppy named Dominic in a Colorado clinic has taken up..."

Pit bulls get such bad press. They can be so loving.

[Allison]

Portia wrote: "Allie wrote: "Portia - in keeping with what we were talking about, I found an article off www.freekibble.com I just had to tell you about: a rescued pit bull puppy named Dominic in a Colorado clini..."

Animal rescues like to use the phrase "there's no such thing as a bad dog, just bad owners".

When I worked in Detroit, the other secretary and I would cruise the neighborhood on our lunch hour (not the safest/smartest thing to do) and rescue any strays we found. Pits were the most prevalent. I've seen awful, awful things but was never afraid of the dogs because they never exhibited any violence towards us, usually they turn out to be sweetest dogs ever. She ended up keeping a pit puppy (now the love of her life) and he wouldn't hurt a fly. We don't know if he could, he's the biggest baby. She would bring him to work every day and if a stranger came into the office, he'd hide under a desk and wouldn't come out until they left. Yeah, that sounds like a ferocious dog to me, alright.


Personally, I'd take my chances with the bigger dogs from rescues over a little miss priss privileged dog anyway. Rescues are staunchly loyal while the little pischer dogs yap, snap and bite at your ankles.

[Portia]

There are two books your post reminded me of, Allie. One is No Bad Dogs by that delightfully strange Englishwoman Barbara whose last name escapes and who taught all of us to say, in a high, British-accented voice. "walkies!" A there is another about Michael Vicks dogs (ALL REHABILITATED). I'll make sure I add the links tomorrow from my desktop'

[[deleted user]]

Linda wrote: "Nine new books! Beautiful animals, some rescued, but all loved! Snow skiing in Colorado (stay out of those wacky tobacky stores)! A hint of autumn in Southern Hemisphere! Eleven degrees F. in th..."

Wow Linda! you pretty much covered it all there. I'm all for Colorado & their wacky tobacky stores! Their supply is already creeping its way down to Oklahoma. ;) That's what I call progress. Woooohoooo! Legalize

[Mark]

Portia wrote: "There are two books your post reminded me of, Allie. One is No Bad Dogs by that delightfully strange Englishwoman Barbara whose last name escapes and who taught all of us to say, in a high, Britis..."

Barbara Woodhouse. She was very funny with the owners.

[Simona]

Alicja wrote: "Is Valentine's Day just an American thing or do others celebrate?

And for those doing things for V-day, any plans taking shape yet? How about gifts?"

In Italy we don't, not really. There's an impressive advertising battage on Tv, lots of aggressive marketing involved, but no one writes Valentines, and I suspect that just young lovers exchange gifts or go to dinner to celebrate; and usually it's girls that may receive flowers or chocolates.
We have chocolates called "Baci Perugina" that are classics for the occasion: I wonder if they are known in US or Australia? They are chocolates with a whole toasted hazelnut inside, wrapped one by one with a slip of paper with a bit of poetry or a quotation about love on it.
My personal position is that I don't care for St Valentine but I request and require to receive a Baci Perugina box on that day. Family is welcome to enjoy the chocolates but the notes are all mine: I put them in random books because I like to find them afterwards! :)

[Lisa]

It's definitely celebrated in Australia Alicja. But with all the hype that is attached to it, I don't like the feeling of obligation it makes me feel. Maybe I'm just getting too old for it, lol. I'm sure that's it, jaded. Chris and I don't really celebrate it as a rule, but I will say I do love seeing other peoples declarations of love, that can be quite new unique. Do you have any plans? When is your trip away planned for?

[Andy]

I might be a little early....maybe a coupla hours or so but "Happy Dinks" day for the 26th! :D

[Linda]

Derek wrote: "Linda wrote: "Nine new books! Beautiful animals, some rescued, but all loved! Snow skiing in Colorado (stay out of those wacky tobacky stores)! A hint of autumn in Southern Hemisphere! Eleven de..."
Are you kidding me? Legalized marijuana doesn't fit the clean, good guy image of your star QB-Peyton Manning. Move over Papa John! Is it possible that celebs might endorse the high life? I don't know the facts of the law that passed in Colorado. When liquor laws in my state ran from county to county, it became hazardous driving from wet county into dry county. Not that I would know from personal experience. Could Colorado law wreck the illegal drug trafficking of marijuana thus causing the under pinning of our country's economy to fall? lol

[Portia]

Linda, I love reading your comments. You crack me up!

[Linda]

Oh my goodness! Is Colorado legalizing crack, too? lol, and thank you Portia for the compliment!

[[deleted user]]

Linda wrote: "Oh my goodness! Is Colorado legalizing crack, too? lol, and thank you Portia for the compliment!"

LOL!

[Portia]

Speaking of Papa John (Phillips) and Justin Beiber, MacKenzie Phillips, John's daughter and a star in her own right gave an interview to CNN yesterday about what it is like to be a famous teenager. She said that her father's attitude toward her behavior was, "You're a Phillips, you can do anything you want." I remember reading a about the first time she entered rehab. The one who really breaks my heart is Robert Downey, Jr. who has played both Sherlock and Ironman. That poor guy has a great talent but is so lost to addiction.

And yet, I am for legalizing pot. My attitude is legalize it, regulate what goes into it, and get tax revenue from it.

[Linda]

My first child was born on Valentine's Day--so I always have a gift on that day. Before that, through my dating years, my boyfriends always broke up with me before Christmas and didn't come back around until the week after Valentine Day. Saving their money
is what they were up to. (finished that sentence with two prepositions--I'm loosening up on or losing the grammar war) I remember that exchanging valentines cards in grammar school was like a popularity contest, and it hurt everyone but the most popular. Life is like that, though. Nice gifts at birth, many valentines, many mourners at death. The middle child syndrome--don't get me started on that! Am I in the right thread or did I skip or jump into another conversation?

[Portia]

You're in the right thread, Linda. I thought I'd scared everyone off with my anti-Valentine's Day comments.

[Linda]

Bobby, the pro on questions about football, I am asking you about the Super Bowl stadium this year. Is that stadium open air? Is a big chill, weatherwise, not predicted for that area next Sunday?

[[deleted user]]

Why do you think Peyton Manning loves pizza so much?;) Seriously though, I agree with Portia. Marijuana isn't going anywhere, so the states might as well try and generate some revenue from it. It's much less addictive than tobacco or alcohol, and legalizing would get rid of a lot of the criminal activity that surrounds any black market. Our prisons are already overflowing, so why put people in jail for smoking pot?

[Linda]

You make a good argument about pot, Derek. The otherwise will be about policing the regulations, such as adults buying legally and selling illegally to minors outside the store, any person with a medical history of substance abuse....Same old stuff, but state will gain revenues. Can you send that stuff next day delivery to your friends in other states? lol

[[deleted user]]

Linda wrote: "You make a good argument about pot, Derek. The otherwise will be about policing the regulations, such as adults buying legally and selling illegally to minors outside the store, any person with a..."

Hahaha! No can do! I live in Oklahoma, which will probably be one of the last states to legalize. We have an ultra-conservative state government. And you're right...legalizing will bring about new sets of problems. I just think that the new problems would be better than the old problems. But what do I know? :)

[Portia]

Here are the links to the books I mentioned last night.No Bad Dogs: The Woodhouse Way and The Lost Dogs: Michael Vick's Dogs and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption. Both books have happy endings and The Lost Dogs: Michael Vick's Dogs and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption proves Allie's point.

[Portia]

Well, but seriously. Everyone is yelling about generating revenue to pay for infrastructure. So ... generate!

[Alicja]

Lisa wrote: "It's definitely celebrated in Australia Alicja. But with all the hype that is attached to it, I don't like the feeling of obligation it makes me feel. Maybe I'm just getting too old for it, lol. I'..."

Out trip to Poalnd isn't until June. I agree with others about not celebrating V-day much. I was just ordering a gag gift for the gf and thought I'd inquire (remind those with gfs or bfs who do expect something) that it is coming up.

By the way, anyone interested in a cute gag gift, this is just awesome (and what I am getting my gf, a kitty bouquet):

[Portia]

Now THAT I like, Alicja!

[Alicja]

Portia wrote: "Now THAT I like, Alicja!"

And they can be detached and used as a cat toy! So they do have a practical use too. :P

[Mark]

Thank you ladies, very useful ideas.xx

[Portia]

Hey, Derek. Thank you so much for asking after me when we were having our snowstorm. The world here is moving again, but I felt really sorry for the kids stuck at the bus stop the other day. Schools had been closed due first to the snow and then due to the cold. When the school administrators finally decided to re-open, they announced everything would start two hours late. And THEN they decided to see if the school buses were road worthy. All of the radio station were repeatedly broadcasting that the kids were going to be left standing at the bus stops for an undetermined time. Spouse got into a "When I was a lad" rant until I pointed out to him that he was never required to wait for a bus that was never coming in 20F temperatures. He quieted down then.

I guess you and everyone else figured out that I am quite fine but have been experiencing a major case of cabin fever. Yakity, yakity, type, type, type. :P

[[deleted user]]

Sure thing, Portia. I hate getting cabin fever! That's the worst thing about major snowstorms. That cooped up feeling drives me crazy. I'm glad ya'll are up and moving again.

When I was a lad, I had to walk barefoot on burning asphalt for fifty miles to get to school. What are these youngsters complaining about? ;)

[Simona]

50 miles, Derek? I'd say you've really earned your education! You still have feet?

[Linda]

We had split sessions to allow children of farmers to be out to pick the cotton in September and hoe it in May. Those kids then had to sit in unairconditioned school rooms during the July and August heat which is unbearable in the South. Faulkner even writes about it. The farm kids couldn't catch a break. They had to milk the cows early morning before school in the heat and in the cold, then milk again every night. I picked and hoed cotton one year when I was thirteen and can tell you that both jobs are without doubt the hardest work I have ever done in my entire life. I never got the hang of milking. My boyfriend and his family were horse people. He had to raise the corn to feed the horses that involved plowing all night for a short period of time, do the horse chores morning and night and go to school. I never really appreciated the time he managed to carve out for courting me.

[[deleted user]]

Simona wrote: "50 miles, Derek? I'd say you've really earned your education! You still have feet?"

Lol. I still have feet. I was just joking around. I actually rode a bus to school most of the time. Portia's comment, about her spouse's "when I was a lad" rant, made me think of all the exaggerated rants I used to hear from my elders.

[Portia]

Where I am from , we used to get "Five miles uphill in the snow both ways"! One woman I knew bought it until she realized her father grew up in Florida. Lol!

[Lisa]

Derek I cringe everytime I say: yeah but when we were we younger we did.........some lessons were hard learnt and I want my nieces and nephew to know, please don't go down that road. But I guess they'll figure it out, lol.

Thanks Andy for the aussie day wishes. I hope all Australians celebrate it for what it should be, in my view anyway,: a day to celebrate and be grateful for the beautiful country we live in, learn from our past but don't live in it, and just to be thankful for what we have. Until of course everyone gets drunk and then it's every man, woman and child for themselves. JUST JOKING, lol. To all the Aussies here have a great day!

Alicja, maybe I can convince Chris to buy me a dog for V day!

[Allison]

Derek wrote: "Sure thing, Portia. I hate getting cabin fever! That's the worst thing about major snowstorms. That cooped up feeling drives me crazy. I'm glad ya'll are up and moving again.

When I was a lad, I h..."

Your post reminds me of a Monty Python skit. 4 of them it around and "one up" each other over who had it the worst growing up (which borders on the ridiculous and impossible). Quite funny.

[Allison]

Alicja wrote: "Lisa wrote: "It's definitely celebrated in Australia Alicja. But with all the hype that is attached to it, I don't like the feeling of obligation it makes me feel. Maybe I'm just getting too old fo..."

So cute! Maui and Sushi are gonna like those :)

[Lisa]

Derek have found best v day present you could get! Red Dirt Boxer Rescue, Harrah, Okl. Who said money can't buy love!!!!!

[[deleted user]]

Lisa wrote: "Derek have found best v day present you could get! Red Dirt Boxer Rescue, Harrah, Okl. Who said money can't buy love!!!!!"

I'd love to adopt every sheltered boxer in Oklahoma if I could! I just can't take on any more dogs right now. I can barely feed my 2 dogs and myself as it is. I admire your dedication to them, Lisa. They are a great breed of dogs. Someday.....

Happy Aussie Day!

[Portia]

Happy Aussie to one and all from me, too!

[Andy]

Lisa wrote: "Derek I cringe everytime I say: yeah but when we were we younger we did.........some lessons were hard learnt and I want my nieces and nephew to know, please don't go down that road. But I guess th..."

I see you've started early then, on the double vodka's yet!

[happy]

Portia wrote: "Where I am from , we used to get "Five miles uphill in the snow both ways"! One woman I knew bought it until she realized her father grew up in Florida. Lol!"

You forgot Barefoot :)

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Sorry I am an absentee Mod today. We are building a chicken coop and I can't get online to do more than touch base in this message. :)

Regards to all,
Terri

[Alicja]

Lisa wrote: "Derek have found best v day present you could get! Red Dirt Boxer Rescue, Harrah, Okl. Who said money can't buy love!!!!!"

Nice!! That is definitely the best!

[Alicja]

Terri wrote: "Sorry I am an absentee Mod today. We are building a chicken coop and I can't get online to do more than touch base in this message. :)

Regards to all,
Terri"

We'll just pretend that you post in here, try to come up with great responses for ya!

Have fun building a chick home. :P

[Lisa]

Nothing wrong with those double wodkas Andy! and a dash of lime, and some ginger beer, and a little lie down........

[Allison]

Am I invited to have one of those double vodkas Lisa? I need one right about now.

After being pressured a million times by two "computer geniuses" to update my tab from windows 8.0 to windows 8.1,something has gone majorly wrong. Spent literally all afternoon on Microsoft website just trying to change my password to my account because my own tab turned traitor against me and wouldn't let me in. After about 7 failed security codes, I finally made it. HATE 8.1, you can't find anything!!!! My Netflix no longer works and worst of all....... one of the geniuses refreshed my computer by taking everything off it it didn't originally come with. Well, that didn't take off 8.1 so I'm stuck with it now. But what I didn't know was it would delete all my photos. I didn't have much but the ones on their were special. My nephews first birthday and first Christmas!!! GONE. Heading to best buy tomorrow but not holding my breath after reading online that there wasn't a legal way of taking 8.1 off and restoring 8.0 ugh!!!!!! I'm not a crier but I did have a teeny one after seeing all my videos & pics gone :(

[[deleted user]]

That sucks, Allie. A double for me as well, please. I've heard nothing but negatives as far as windows 8 is concerned. I hope you're able to recover your pics.

[Lisa]

Allie that's terrible. And Terri has had so much trouble as well. It certainly sounds like it needs a wide berth.

Wodkas all round!!! ( they definitely become wodka, not vodka, after a couple, something to do with the size of the glass) :)))))