Good day (30)!

That was a POE party then wasn't it?

Thanks to everybody who joined in whether it be with tea, coffee or an alcoholic beverage.

And Hi to all POEsters for today...

With snow on the gound, I am going to stay home all day. Nice to that that option. 

Still, got a tons of stuff I need to be doing.

Since 'The party' is over, what all do you have planned for today? 

Oh, I have a question. Did you change your clocks back last week in England? We do it tomorrow night. 

Hi everybody!!

Dropping in to say HI! I haven't been online much at all in the last month. My laptop is not working and work has been super busy!

We had a freak snowstorm last Saturday which dumped a lot of snow in New York, New Jersey, Pa, Conn area. The damage was WORSE than Hurrican Irene which was just over a month ago! THOUSANDS have been without power for a week now. It's really incredible how this storm just kicked out butts!!

All is well otherwise. Getting ready for the holidays. I am determined to make it a really fun time for me and the girls.

I miss you all!! Hope you are all well!

Really nice to see you back Krissy.

Take care mate...

Hi Ruth...Krissy...good to see you...been wondering what kept you away from us all here as of late...come back in more often gals...tis the time of the year!....Ron, your more then obliged with the party on your birthday...just help keep it going....how you doing on those "Figs" anyway? Hey Sue...glad to see you also...you sound like an traveller and that should keep us interested in hearing what your doing....did you get to see the "Painted Lady" houses while in San Francisco...see them on TV all the time and it takes "talent" to paint them up like they do.

I started my Christmas Shooping last night....and some of the things they say are half price... are what they were regular priced last year, at half price this year...not much money this year... so I'm combing those isles looking for bargains...I bought $5 movies last night (four)....and lap top/ book light for $8..bought an 3-D " I spy" game, and small 3 basketball arcade type ball toss that's an table top, you earn different points for the slot the balls fall into, has flashing lights and audience sounds...some PJ's for the oldest grandson.. "crackle" fingernail polish for sissy (turquoise) to match her interchangable long handled underwear ensamble(flowered)...along with some fuzzy black boots...so she now has layers of clothing with an  3/4 length robe I got last month also and turquiose/purple knitted tops to change color with...  hoodie type robe...I still have to decide if I'm going to sew  small lace edging on the arms and around the neck...so they look an touch more feminine. Rest I'm kind of playing along with as I see the sale ads come out. But I'm thinking if I coudl swing it...and over-nighter someplace with an inside  pool they might  be enjoyed also. That would be it...maybe soemplace they could go see an movie while there also. I told hubby I'd put my check in the bank this month and next month before I start saving for next year's property taxes and our income taxes...and my medications. There goes my checks every month I guess you know...every month, all year long.This year's Christmas events today in the newspaper...I'll go back through them and re-write them....make them into an sheet that everyone can look at for the shopping malls as to the tree lightenings/music/ and festivites...that are for free, granduate as to the price...free can be fun to go to for hot chocolate and donuts if the weather co-operates and the live entertainment. Gresham's idea of an holiday doings so far just isn't, scrouge came form Gresham...more or less saying...the tree is usually smaller then what I have in my own livingroom...your lucky if you know what day they are going to light it even.. it's so hushed....things now are not like when I was an kid where volunteers just made it happen.....local entertainment was to be had for free so they could be "discovered" as people were doing back in the 50's. Nothing was to fancy but they got together with the stores and lighted trees, had entertaiment.. and gave an few " free" turkey's away. Coupons for an free liter of soda or taco, or something to everyone...donut???... Anyway...I've got some things to do around here to get my small "Post card" light display made up...for the front of the house.  I'm thinking I have one of those electric swirling light trees from the past...and maybe an reindeer one side of this "card" ..card green "Happy Holidays" with an row of green and red Poinssetta's below the words, outlined in white clear lights....green and red on white background swirling and blinking tree to one side an white redindeer on the other side...but you know what...I have an white plastic outdoor patio bench from way back I could put out front for people walk by also, sit dow n an rest on. The background will have to be my inside house tree...two stories up in the window. But we will see how it goes as I work on it all. One of those lawn light camera's that make  lighted snowflakes on the lawn would look nice also. If they still sell them.  Not asking hubby to hanging house lights any more...besides, can't afford the electricity rates these days. We are  trying to work at getting off of it...with all wood heat if possible...I doubt in years ahead that they are going to keep under what our Social Security checks are going to be. I'm thinking to put in an small wood stove in my kitchen and then the livingroom fireplace with an heatolator...and shut the rest of the house up...get an generator for my bedroom maybe...but I can as easily sleep in the livingroom also. There... my one room they told me to confind myself to living in over winter. PGE just had an 37 cents profit increase on thier stock listing...they should.... it's been out-rageously expensive for us over the years, went up every year despite the saving technques we uaed to have lower billings....one we can no longer afford being retired now. We have over the last 10 years taken an $80,000 drop in yearly income and picked up 8 more people to semi-support off and on as well....there are some of those "Occupy Portland" people I well understand thier problems. We have no "new" car to drive either...land/money investments...relatives to turn to....no one but ourselves most the time...when it comes down to the actual cash being handed over thes days. Anyway...we will see what can be made out of such an Christmas this year. I know we won't be the only ones struggling. You know it use to be the people and church that made Christmas...thier sharing and laughter and freindship. How many of you have noticed that "God".... except for churches... is being taken out of the decorations this year fro the most part..All there is left seemingly are my "angels". I go or now..weather changing again...snow comes back to the cascades (Mts.) tonight through the weekend.

Krissy...I'm well aware of what you folks back east have been going through...I heard over an million people without electricty the last few days back east from this snow storm. Climatologist said last night to start preparing for such winters... as they are going to get colder particualrly around 2014. This is  an La Nina winter this year...wetter and colder...means snows again up north and all over. Invest in body and hand warmers for the heating that may go out during these type of storms...they work better then any other thing I've come across...and can be placed in pockets sewn inside clothing  garments. Each one when activated..heats for 8 hours...and let metell you...up on Mt. Hood...they could save your life if you have enough of them. Popcorn cans are out now...take out the popcorn and insert used large candles in them for little "heaters" in little spaces...you can punch holes in the top of them...don't leave them unattended though...as in the case of any candle. Being metal cans they are not as risky to use as are candles out in the open. You can also take them with you in your car if your travleing somewhere in the snow....just inc case you get snowbound inside of it. Pop top soups can be heated on the top of them also and all this is quite the least expensive out there for survival. Long coats over short coats in bad weather...check your military surplus stores...check out "snowpants" also. Radio shack as I mentioned before sells for not to much andevice that you can use your car battery off of to keep you cell phone charged and in some cases make mugs for hot drinks...hot...or Top Ramen soups. If I haven't  thought of anything...'let me know your idea...or thoughts. Oregon was third in teh nation with unemployment...but I heard they just took the top here recently. They failed in making thier infrastructures on the service (Hospitals/nrusing homes/etc) and Govenment sectors and things the people can't afford or are facing budget cuts these days.We had hoped to open things up with electric cars...but the automotive industry is not encouraging that at an price others can afford...they want to start it off with prices in the same area as an Lexus or high priced car...and the public can't afford them. Rember the days you could buy an foreign car..new for an third of an American car...yep....it was what spurned Japan's economy back then...something the people needed for an nil pocket price from the consumer. China;'s recent boom started from that also....so like when are American Businessmen understand this...they know it...but when are they going to get into doing it here....that is what all thes marches are all about...goods that can be built here... that are affordable. I go for now.

Shirley says>>>Ron, your more then obliged with the party on your birthday...just help keep it going....how you doing on those "Figs"

Answer re the figs: Still going Shirley!! lol

Truth is I haven't done anything about it yet Shirley and a bit concerned that the figs may have a detrimental effect, as they are not ripe.

Ron, if you put the figs in a brown paper bag for a day or two it will ripen them. Then if you use them to cook with you should not have any ill efffects from them. 

Here is a recipe for a Fig Spice Cake that sounds delicious!!

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/fig-spice-cake/detail.aspx 

They even include a conversion to metric measurements.  

Thanks for doing that Cathy...My arm is about ready to drop off....they sent out an Holdiay Guide in the newspaper that is 44 pages long in festivites from Thanksgiving to Dec. 31 this year....I  took it down to about 7 pages in "highlights"...with dates, phone numbers, fee's and addresses of where to attend them..it included most the things the city is well known for but I couldn't begin to get all the theatrical programs going on over the Holidays.  WE have two this year centered around merry ole England also....recreations of medevial days that are requiring audience participation. Train rides, Portland zoo lights, Sancturary of our Sorrowful mother display lights and concerts nightly, Portland International raceway 250 light display you drive through, home tour of 5 historic homes on an trolly car with live music in the house tour, walking tours like Peacock Lane...an old traditon here in Portland...and it just goes on and on...Christmas ships/ shopping mall tree lightings and of course our own Macy's Christmas Parade. No wonder everyone is glad to take it easy by the fireplace through January(if they aren't skiing at Mt. Hood.

Well, I finished pretty much the Grandkid's Christmas presents tonight.they are not wrapped as of yet...but they are bought now. Mostly bed clothes and games (electronic) to play...movies.....total so far...$300 for the basics as I call it. It use to cost $20 per thing...now it's into the $30's...$70's and if they had their choices met into $220 plus game packages of $40 each....but not so this year..at least not from us. Not until we figure out what this "retirement" thing brings us. I can tell it must be snowing up on the mountain tonight...as my arms feel stiff tonight at the shoulder joints. I told this retail clerk..my shopping is now done pretty much...and he said..how about the Christmaas tree?...I said no..but got it planned and know where the stuff is at to do it.... he just laughed. But you know, I have to have some time to cook, make some goodies and then go to an few of these events.....OH..... Rock On Shirley!!!...it's just beginning!!!

Here's to Ron's "spiced fig cake" and an "short" one (I'll take the tea with Marjorie)...until James returns with the news of his weekend outting I guess. .Anyone doing an special color theme  for Christmas this year?