Return of the Cruising Bunny's....

[A’Burg Guy]

Wantin’ to say hi.
Yesterday we heard a funny noise in the rear of the van. I had scheduled an appointment for a pre trip tune up next Wednesday. We couldn’t pinpoint the noise and drove out to the dealer. A tech came out and decided that the fuel pump wasn’t shutting off. The pump is hidden away inside the fuel tank. Not to worry. It’s safe. It’s a low draw on the battery. Hmmm. That would explain having to get in with the manual key because it was so dead that the remote wouldn’t unlock the door. People in the local cemetery aren’t as dead as that van was. A quick call to CAA and a boost fired her right up. Back to the dealer to ask if there was a fuse I could pull or disconnect the battery all together. Well, I guess the total loss of power and boost reset the pump and so far so good. But at almost 200,000 miles and 10 years old we’re looking for something new.
At least we have an experienced mud and tape guy starting within the next couple of weeks.
And we didn’t snow.
Back in a better frame of mind tomorrow. I hope.
Stay safe gang.

 

[K2-Mich]

Karen: Can’t wait to hear what you have to say about the Memory Test. Bummer losing a post. Hate when that happens.

Lee: I commend you for keeping your VAN in such good shape that it made it for 10 yrs and 200,000 + miles. It pays to have the Van serviced on a regular basis. Now just make sure you have your MEDS with you when you go looking for a new or even used Vehicle. $$$$$$$!!

Nancy: Nice to know you got good results on your hearing aids. When my hubby has issues with his hearing aids the place he goes to does a good job fixing things. I have to laugh when you talk about getting SANDALS. We’re digging out boots around here!

Made us some really yummy Beef Stew today. I don’t like Beef Stew, but I surprised myself and liked this batch. I made enough to freeze half for a quick meal when needed.



Started to make these for our Choir Bake Sale. They’re made of meringue. They are in the oven slowly drying out right now. If they turn out I will attempt to decorate them tomorrow. You put them in your Hot Chocolate instead of marshmallows!

Time to see if there is anything on TV!
Nite all.

 

[nlb1050]

An early good morning. I have been up most of the night, so it will be along day. I don't have any real plans for the day.

K-2 well today I am not sure if I will be wearing my sandals as the temp is only supposed to get in the low/mid 70's.

All have a great day.

 

[fatherdav55]

Dang KC, losing a well thought-out post just blows. (Or as in my case, a not so well thought out one.) I've got some questions for you about that memory test; Can you tell us what they do or ask you? And I'm with you on two thumbs down on the Buffoon running again.

As for cleaning glasses with Kleenexes; I plead guilty. But before I do, I blow on the lenses to get off any dust or grit that may have landed on them. I never use paper towels. So far I've been lucky with no scratching from doing it.

Put me down also for not liking cranberries in any form. But Kathi likes those canned ones that look like jello.

Figures Lee, car problems as you begin preparing for a run to Florida. But on the bright side, I'm happy for you finally finding an experienced mud & tape guy. Watching those pros, they make it look so easy. Ya got your DVR set to record a special on Pickle-Ball tonight at 9 on CBS? It should be funny since it's hosted by Stephen Colbert.

I give K2, what's the flavor of those mini Pizzelles?

Here's something ironic; That "Meijer" brand grocery store that is screwing up the traffic patterns in your neighborhood is the brand name of the new grocery store we visited yesterday. But with that one they installed 2 new traffic lights.

Our impression of the store is first, it's massive. The largest grocery store we've ever been in. The isles in the store are super wide. No joke, you could drive your car down them. Plus they have zero displays clogging up the isles.

I got a kick out of all the coolers. They are lit inside kind of dim. But there is sensors above the doors, and as you approach one the light inside the cooler goes to bright. Then when you move away, it goes back to dim.

You'd be hard pressed NOT to find something you were looking for.

We spent an hour and a half shopping and looking at all their stuff. I must say, it was fun. But it's too far away to go to on a regular basis.

 

[flgirl51]

Ok, going to try this again, will copy & save as I go, hadn't lost a post in a long time & totally forgot to do that!

The memory test was pretty much what I'd expected since I had seen them testing Dad in the nursing homes. They start off giving you 5 words & have you repeat them back. Then they do some math work, repeating numbers & repeating others backwards, then they ask you for the 5 words again. Then they read a couple short paragraphs & you have to repeat as much detail about each story as you can. I really thought I had done terrible but when she came back in later after computing my scores she said I did great & show no signs of memory loss. I have applied to be in an Alzheimer's research study but first have to go thru screening. They are looking for people with a certain protein in there blood & if I don't have it I won't be accepted. If I do have it then they do a scan to determine how much I have, as they only want people with a certain level. If I pass the screening I still may not be able to participate because I need a study partner, someone who can observe & report any changes in behavior or memory. I had listed Jane as my SP but she said she doesn't want to do it. I'm going to show her the paper work that explains what she needs to do & if she still say's no I'll ask Barb. If I don't have an SP I can't be in the study. And that was the story of my day yesterday

 

[K2-Mich]

Good Mid-Morning Wrabbits. 31F here right now and SUNNY. The sun makes up for the cold. I'm sure the GAS company loves the cold weather and the money being spent to keep our houses warm and cozy.

DAVE: That Super store you visited sounds like it's just like our Super KROGER that I can walk to on a good day. The 'new Meijer' that is even closer is a Half that big.... but STILL BIGGER than most grocery stores. Lord help us when they have their GRAND OPENING. Did they have a clothes and shoe section in that store?
The mini Pizzelles have some LEMON flavoring and a tablespoon of Brandy in them. You can barely taste the lemon.
I don't like the Italian kind that have Anise (licorice) flavor in them.

I see ANOTHER WRABBIT has hopped on and posted just now. Let me see who it was!
It was Karen! Great update on what you went through with the Memory Test. So, if I'm reading along correctly, if you pass the test for the Study Group there is a chance you have the proteins for Alzheimer's that might work against you later in life?? Sure hope one of your sisters steps up and becomes your SP. It's not a lot to ask for all you do for them. I think it's great that you're looking into all of this. Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing.

I too thought of Lee & Lu-Ann when I saw the preview of the Pickle Ball tournament show that is on tonight. I'll try and remember to watch it.

I'm disappointed with Jimmy Kimbel lately. He continues to base his monolog on the T-man. They should all just STOP TALKING about that MORON and not give him any extra TV time. Even though the jokes are funny, I'm giving up on watching Jimmy. I can't imagine listening to his jokes for the next 2 years about the MORON.

BB: I meant to tell you that I'm glad your leg is healed and you don't have to go back to that doctor again for quite a few months. Now to stay healthy through the Winter months. Can't be too hard in Florida with the temps you folks have! Ha Ha. Get outside and try and get some sunshine. That should help you for sure.

Negc: I'm going to go back and write down some of the books that you mentioned are fast reading. I think I'll need some of them come the 1st of the year when the WINTER SNOW keeps me inside.
Pass along any suggestions.

Lee: Good for you getting a crew lined up to do the drywall. Just make sure to TURN OFF your furnace and block off the entrance from upstairs to downstairs with some
heavy duty plastic sheets. That dust from the SANDING will be EVERYWHERE. And good luck looking for a new vehicle. Are you planning on finding one BEFORE your TRIP SOUTH??
If you need a PIN number for a Ford/Lincoln product let me know. I don't know if they are able to be used in Canada, but if they are I'll get you one.

I'm out of here for now. Gotta go and see about decorating those Snowmen! Ha Ha.

Have a good day everyone.

 

[flgirl51]

Kathie, yes if I'm accepted in the study it's because the tests show I have the protein they are looking for that can cause Alzheimer's. The study would consist of an infusion once a month for 18 months of either a placebo or a drug that Eli-Lily is developing. At the end of 18 months I would find out which I had been receiving & if it was the placebo have the option to go on to another study & receive the drug. If neither of my sister's wants to be my study partner I won't go through with the testing, don't need that hanging over my head if there is nothing I can do about it

 

[A’Burg Guy]

Good afternoon my friends!
Those are the cutest little things to pop into your hot chocolate Kathie! Thanks for the offer of the pin if needed. More on that later. The young fella doing the drywall finishing works alone. And yes, we will block all of the ducts and doors as best we can.
Too cold for sandals in the low 70’s Nancy? I bet it’s too cold for shorts and T-Shirts too. Clearly you have no Canuck blood running through your veins.
The PVR is set now Dave. Thanks for the heads up. We love exploring grocery stores in The US. So many choices compared to our stores here. I tend to fog up my lenses with a good breath before I use a kleenex or clean t-shirt to clean them.
That memory test, as I recall it Karen, is similar to one aspect of the PD test they gave Lu-Ann. I personally can’t remember what I typed at the top of my post most of the time. It seems that your sister has forgotten (pun intended) everything you do for her.
How’s tricks in your neck of the woods Pat? Lu-Ann and I were saying that we do hope to get a chance to see Gary and Elaine again this year. And to finally meet Missy and Jimmy. That way they’ll know at least we aren’t figments of yours and Bert’s imagination.
Hiya Bill.
So about transportation. Yes, we did want a vehicle before we head south. The van needs tires, a tuneup, a solution to whatever this fuel pump issue is and Lord knows what else they may find. We had a price range in mind, availability and above all safety. Stock at many dealers here is still being effected by “supply chain” issues. And frankly some vehicles aren’t remotely worth what the sticker says. We did some research and had a couple of vehicles in mind. Anyway, long story short, we are expecting to take delivery of a 2023 Subaru Touring Edition right around Christmas. It’s being completed today at the factory in Indiana and will make its way here over the course of the next 3-4 weeks. Merry Christmas to us.
Time for dinner for 2 and 4 legged family members.
You all stay safe and have a great evening.

 

[flgirl51]

Lee, Merry Christmas to you, sounds like Santa agrees you've been a very good boy this year! Congrats on the new ride, can't wait to see pic's!

 

[A’Burg Guy]

Thanks Karen.
I should have added that it’s the Subaru Outback Touring model. In this colour.

We can even book a tour of the factory in Indiana to see where it was built!

 

[K2-Mich]

Congratulations! Couldn't be happier for you and Lu-Ann and the Pups! Nothing better than the smell of a new vehicle.
That sure was a QUICK PICK and ORDER! At least you'll know that you won't have to worry about getting stuck in the middle of OHIO! Ha Ha. (just had to throw that in Dave)
LOVE the COLOR!
Hope they give you a few bucks for your old VAN! It's going to be hard to give it up after you've taken such excellent care of it.

I made the shells of those "Snowmen" last night. Not sure if this project is going to actually make it. I need to go to the Candy/Bakery Supply store not far from our house and ask the lady there about how to apply the chocolate for the HAT without melting the snowman.
This project might just get SCRAPPED if it starts to cost me money! Ha Ha.

 

[nlb1050]

Lee, no low 70's for me means enclosed shoes. I have lived int he South much longer than I lived in the North, just outside of Albany NY, In fact I have been in the South for 56 years. And my feet get cold before any other part of my body.

 

[flgirl51]

That's a fine looking car Lee, good color choice too!

 

[K2-Mich]

I had to give up on he Pickled Special. Just too much CHATTER!
I did look up how he game got it’s name and it wasn’t anything earth shattering.
Here it is:
“The name of the game became pickle ball, after I said it reminded me of the pickle boat in crew where oarsmen were chosen from the leftovers of other boats,” wrote Joan Pritchard. “Somehow the idea the name came from our dog Pickles was attached to the naming of the game, but Pickles wasn't on the scene for two more years. The dog was named for the game, but stories about the name's origin were funnier thinking the game was named for the dog.”

Whichever story you believe, the families came up with a game that summer — eventually called pickleball — that would stand the test of time and be enjoyed by generations to come. Learn more about this fast growing and enjoyable sport at the Palmetto Dunes Tennis & Pickleball Center. Join one of the world‘s top ranked pickleball players, Sarah Ansboury, for a pickleball academy or clinic.

 

[fatherdav55]

Congratulations on the new vehicle, Lee. You 2 sure know how to buy for each other for Christmas. Don't forget to get that giant red bow to put on it.

Thanks for the details on your memory testing, KC. How complicated can it be to be a "Study Partner"?

Lemon was a good choice on those Pizzelles, K2. Kathi always adds a little extra lemon extract on anything that's suppose to taste lemony. Never did see shoes or clothes at Meijer. But it did have a pharmacy.

I see that Sunday's Browns-Bills game is now being played in the COVERED Detroit stadium because of Buffalo's snow. Geesh, these NFL players are getting to be wimps. That's football weather.

Todays' goal is picking up Kathi's vehicle after getting new tires on it. And having it fixed on a recall about something wrong with the windshield wipers.

Oh yea....... Although last night's show "Pickled" was done to raise money for charity, I found the show itself to be a dud.

 

[K2-Mich]

And it's 29F outside right now. You do know what the "F" means in my book when it comes to snow!

I have NOTHING for you good people this morning other than the news is reporting lots of BLACK ICE on the overpasses on freeways. Always, a good thing to STAY HOME on the first real snow day! Too many folks forgot how to drive in it.

Lee: Art said Congrats on your new vehicle. He said that the one you bought is Subaru's MONEY MAKER! They sell the most of that vehicle. Good choice.

Have a good day. Stay safe and remember it's FLU season wear your mask when in crowds.

 

[nlb1050]

Good morning. got a good nights sleep. Will be doing some laundry today and this afternoon have a Dr appt to make sure I am all good after my cold.

All have a great day.

 

[Bellalago Belle]

Good morning!

Lee - Let me add my congratulations on the new ride. Bert's going to be so jealous. He loves that color and always wants to get a car of the same color. We've only had 1 that color, but he keeps wishing. May you and Lu-Ann have many years and many miles of good rides!

Dave - We don't have any new supermarkets here, but Publix is introducing something new to some of their places - a bar!! You can now eat there or just get a beer or a glass of wine. Closest one to us is in Orlando, so we'll never see it. Our Publix is too small to accomodate a bar. Heck, they don't even carry a great selection of a lot of products. For that we need to go to one of their "upscale" stores. We do have a pharmacy though.

Kathie - Sorry to hear about your snow today. It is just too early for that. It could be a long winter up your way at this rate.
I watched about 5 minutes of Pickled last night when I decided to turn it off. Instead I went to Netflix and watch Where the Crawdads Sing. I've been wanting to see that movie and when Missy told me it was on Netflix, I jumped on the first chance we had to see it. Even Bert enjoyed it which surprised me. He's more of an NCIS type guy.

Nancy - Good luck with your doctor's appointment today. I have to go to the wound doctor this afternoon. This should be my last visit with him.

Karen - Did you get either of your sisters to help you with that study? Considering all you do for them, it's about time they did something that you need. Stay warm up there in the chilly weather of Marion County.

It's chilly here too today, but I'm still wearing my sandals. It has to be about freezing for me to put on regular shoes. Otherwise I am a sandal gal all year round.

Please do me a favor, everyone. Say a prayer today for our son-in-law Jimmy. He's having surgery on his ankle today. They've got to scrape some bone spurs (yes, he really has such a thing!) and cut something. He'll be out of work for weeks and weeks. Poor guy is so frustrated, as he won't be getting a paycheck and has no disability coverage.

Time for a cup of coffee to warm up the inner me. Have a good day, everyone!

 

[flgirl51]

Good morning! It is indeed a bit nippy here in Belleview this morning, so that when I opened the door to the back porch both cat's just looked at me like I was nuts & walked away, usually the little one jumps over Scooter to get out there first.
And in celebration of the cooler weather I have a batch of chili going in the crock pot. Dave, didn't you say before that Kathi used to put chocolate in her chili? I tossed a few choc chips & cinnamon in mine today & it's already smelling yummy!

Pat, will be keeping Jimmy in my prayers, there's never a "good" time for surgery & missing work, but during the holidays has got to be extra tough!

Lee, hope production of your new ride goes smoothly & it's delivered on time.

Kathie, sorry to hear you have snow already, hopefully it doesn't last long & isn't a sign of how the winter is going to progress. Your snowmen do look super cute!

Haven't talked to either Jane or Barb anymore about being my study partner. I think Jane is worried about having to do the video calls, she isn't real tech savy so that may be part of the reason she said No. Barb is more techie so I don't think it would bother her, but since she is still working I just thought it would be easier to ask Jane. I'll talk to them next week. My doctor's office called yesterday about the release form Charter had sent them, the girl was kind of snippy asking if I was still using the Nurse practitioner as my primary care Dr. I said I was & she said well, you missed an appointment & cancelled your lab work. I informed her I cancelled the lab work AND the appt. because I was not available then and if they actually had a person answer the phone to talk to they would know that. She then gave me another # that is "supposed" to be a direct line so we shall see.
Got my house work all done this morning & it's smells so good, always love the fresh smell of newly mopped floors, Lol, I'm so easy to please. Now it's time for a cup of coffee & figure out something for lunch, I had cheese & crackers for breakfast & definitely need something more now

 

[Negc]

Sorry to hear about Jimmy's bone spurs. If he is now a permanent Florida resident, do they qualify him to run for President?
Tried to watch the Pickleball program last night Dave but just couldn't get interested in it and didn't even know most of the so-called "celebrities"
Good news about the new ride, Lee. The last RAV4 that Rita had was that color and she really would have liked it if her new one had been that color but at the time it was pretty much take whatever became available.
Her new one is metallic silver and gets good mileage, so we are more than satisfied. Good luck with the Suburu. It gets good ratings for safety and reliability.
Finished the Sandford book last night and the ending really seemed to be a set up for the next in that series, whenever it will be released. It also contained an excerpt from his next book, which features Lucas Davenport's daughter. At the end of that excerpt there was a link that allows you to order the book (or should I say, "pre-order") since it turns out that if you pre-order it, it will be delivered next April.