Five on Friday

Happy Friday!  It's been a while since the last time I've participated in one of April's link-ups.  I can't wait to swing by and see all your posts!

I was so surprised to hear that Alan Rickman passed away.  Like so many of you, I loved him as Severus Snape.  I will always think of him in that role, along with Harry in Love Actually, Metatron in Dogma, Hans Gruber in Die Hard...and so many others.

It's new computer day at work! The screen is MASSIVE. #work #mac #tech #newtechnology

A photo posted by Nicole Fowler (@cole711) on Jan 13, 2016 at 1:07pm PST

We got new iMacs at work this week.  I'm still getting used to it, but am LOVING the 27 inch screen, wireless mouse & keyboard, and the display on this thing is phenomenal! A terabyte of storage is pretty awesome too.

Everyone has been talking about Making a Murderer.  I think it might be time to binge watch it this weekend!

On a whim, my cousin Kristin and I decided to "knit the weather" this year. Above is an example of how the temperature breakdown works and suggested colors.  I decided to play with the colors a bit. I'll do a full post on it this weekend to show off how cold (but pretty) the Boston area in 2016! I should mention that I haven't actually started knitting yet...but do have a great spreadsheet of the temperature going.  Wish me luck!

It's new computer day at work! The screen is MASSIVE. #work #mac #tech #newtechnology

A photo posted by Nicole Fowler (@cole711) on Jan 13, 2016 at 1:07pm PST

Paisley has developed a love affair with my scarves lately.  Probably because the cold weather has FINALLY arrived around here.  I think it might be time to buy her her own little scarf.


What do you all have planned for your long weekend?

Dear (Fill in the blank)...

You're all OK with a few random notes, right?!  OK!  Let's proceed!



Dear Marketing Directors,
Yes, my birthday is this week.  Yes, I did willingly a sign-up for birthday perks (OK, I remember signing up for most of them, but a few just came out of nowhere!) and appreciate even automated recognition of my birthday.  However, why do you all want me to visit ON MY BIRTHDAY?!  There's no way I'm hitting Cold Stone Creamery, BGood, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and Baskin-Robins within a few days of my birthday!  Can you do me a favor and consider making birthday perks good for two weeks or a month?!

Please and thank you,
The girl who wants her free birthday perks

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Dear Comcast,
Somehow, I don't think it's funny that I lose wi-fi if I'm more than 10-15 feet away from the router.  It kind of defeats the purpose of wi-fi, don't ya think?!  Your customer support team suggesting that we upgrade to faster service isn't going to help either.  Just sayin'.

Thanks,
The lady who would like to watch TV and blog at the same time

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Dear Beach-going people,
PLEASE, for all that is holy - STOP going in the water for a few weeks!  Or at least don't be so shocked that there are shark attacks.  Sharks live in. the. ocean.  We're in their territory!  I acknowledge that the sharks are more active this year.  But I'm not the only one that has seen the reports of shark sightings, right?

Sincerely,
Someone who doesn't want more "breaking news" of shark attacks

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Dear Puppers,
I think that my insomnia has officially rubbed off on you.  Your desire to go out at 2, 3:30 and 4:30 each morning is cutting into the few hours of sleep that I usually get.  I'll work on my insomnia issues if you'll work on yours.

Woofs,
A very tired dogmom

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Dear Mother Nature,
As us New Englanders say - it is "wicked humid out".  It's a nightmare for asthmatics. I know it's summer, and I'll curtail my complaints about the heat if you'll meet me half-way and scale back the humidity.

Thanks,
Someone who prefers not to wheeze every time I leave air conditioning


Do you have any letters to share?



P.S. Don't forget to enter my Jamberry giveaway.  It ends Friday at midnight.  :-)

Weather Junkie

I'm weird.  I admit it...  I LOVE thunderstorms!  I could do without the hail and wind that are due to come with it, but I really hope that the storms that the Boston meteorologists are right in predicting storms for Tuesday.

Do you like thunderstorms too?

Frankenstorm?!?!

I have to admit that I laughed when I heard the term "frankenstorm" come out of the meteorologists mouth.  All I could think of was Herman Munster!

via

When she proceeded to detail the likelihood that Hurricane Sandy would be giving a close to direct hit to the NYC/Boston areas, then dragging a low pressure system that could dump snow on us - I woke and and realize that would majorly stink.

I mean...meteorologist sensationalize even the smallest of storms.  So we're getting some wind, a little rain and a dusting of snow.  Right?!?! (If they aren't exaggerating and you're in the storm path, please stay safe!)

Talking About The Weather (A post for Alabama Disaster Relief)

My sweet friend, Mrs. Jones is asking those who can - to join in and write a post to benefit Alabama Disaster Relief.  I'm happy to do that for her!  Please join in!

As you all know, I'm from Massachusetts.  Until recently, tornados were an extremely rare occurrance up here!  I've been lucky to not have been in the western part of the state which has been affected by the recent tornados.  So I can't speak from any "tornado related" experience.

When the tornados in Alabama hit (much like up here), my first thoughts were of my friends in the affected areas! 

How are they?
Where are they?
Is anybody hurt?
Are their pets OK?
Are their workplaces still standing?
How can I help them?

So far, everyone I know has been lucky.  Homes have been destroyed, cars lost, offices gone...but everyone was not only ALIVE, but NOT INJURED!  Such a blessing.  Things can be replaced, those I love - can not.

Now, while I don't have any direct experience with tornados, I am very familiar with other weather related disasters.  We get some pretty fierce Nor'Easters around here (not to mention the week last year that I had no heat or water.)! A hurricane isn't unheard of here either. And I've been traveling and encountered some pretty drastic flooding and thunderstorms.

Recently, I've started putting together a "disaster kit".  A few gallons of water, lots of AA batteries for the random gadgets and DD for my flashlights.  I keep a stash of candles and matches nearby.  I have extra dog food, leashes, and a puppy first aid kit ready.  My theory is that - if I'm ready for anything, it will never happen.  I know that sooner or later I'll need to break into my emergency stashes (and yes, I do have an emergency stash of chocolate...hidden in the freezer), but I'm in no rush!  I still have canned goods, a human first aid kit and other little gems to add to my emergency stash.

The one thing that strikes about the Alabama tornados and all the other natural disasters is the resilience of people.  People pick themselves up, dust themselves off, and keep going...and help their friends, family and neighbors do the same!  I think it's one of the best and strongest components of human nature.  Well, that and the sense of community.  Something about the worst of times seems to bring out the best in people.  I admire that! You (or at least, I) don't see people helping each other and watching out for each other outside of natural disasters or times of emergency.  I truly wish that people could embrace that sense of community all the time.

What are your thoughts?  Do you have an emergency kit?  Do you think that natural disasters bring out the best or worst in people?

Tornado In Massachusetts

All you ladies are going to laugh at me...but I'm a smidge worried.  We have the first tornado warning in quite a while here in the Boston area; and the first time in a LONG time that it looks to be something more than just a passing fancy.

I'm hearing that two tornadoes have already touched down in the western part of the state and one more south of Boston - two towns over from my house.

Torrential rain - I'm ready
Strong thunderstorms - (which we are also getting) Bring it on!
Blizzard - Sure!  It's part of the New England charm.
Tornado - Um...*stunned silence* Not so much

Any words of wisdom?

Eeyore-like Weather

It's been raining here for pretty much a week.  Actually, I'm hearing that it's raining in a big part of the country....and rainy weather makes me think of Eeyore.  He's one of my favorite Disney characters, so it's not a huge leap.  :-)

But I'm ready for the sun, please!  :-)

Tuesdays At The Table - Snow Stacks

Did everyone have a good Christmas?  I hope so!

In honor of the ginormous snowstorm here in the North East, I'm sharing snow stacks this week.  I've heard them called other things, but given that we've gotten almost two feet of snow - and that I had to hijack the computer at my parent's house because I don't have power at my house (and the fire department says not to expect it until at least mid-day tomorrow) - I'm just going to stick with "snow stacks".

Snow Stacks

2 Cups mini pretzel twists
2 Cups Golden Grahams
1 Cup Cashews
1 Bag White Chocolate Candy Melts (I use Wilton)

In a medium microwave safe bowl, slowly melt the white chocolate candy melts.  Mix in all other ingredients.  On a wax paper lined cookie sheet or tray - drop heaping spoonfuls.  (These spread, so leave plenty of room) Let set and eat!

What's cooking in your kitchen?

What's That Smell?!?!

I think I told all of you that all the rain and resulting flooding in March claimed the lives of both my washer and dryer. It put my hot water heater on CPR (as in, for almost half the month - I had no heat or hot water). Last weekend, I discovered that all those tiny droplets of water cumulatively claimed the live of a third victim - my extra freezer.


Unfortunately, the motor still ran, but everything dethawed. My freezer was essentially brain dead.

I came to discover this unfortunate death last Saturday morning. How you ask? THE SMELL!! I wandered past my cellar door and the smell of rotting/rotten meat had seeped out of the now dead freezer, up the cellar stairs and was starting to permeate the air of my front hall, kitchen and den.

It took three people and two nauseating hours to clean up. I now mourn the loss of my freezer and the hundred of dollars of tasty foods that went to waste....

On the bright side - FEMA made a swing by today and we're likely to get funding to replace the washer & dryer and add a dehumidifier. *I can.not.believe that I just said that a visit from FEMA was the bright side to my story.  Who ever thinks they're going to be among those needing disaster relief?!?!*

It's Funnier Now That It's Over....

Ladies, it's been a long week.  It rained in Massachusetts almost the entire month of March.  We got about 15 inches of rain - not to speak of the flooding that left many of us without heat, hot water and power for days at a time & the poor folks that have had to get evacuated by the Coast Guard, National Guard or local fire/police departments.  But, it's over now and I can appreciate the resilience of New Englanders.

Below are a few quotes from Boston.com (aka Boston Globe) this week.

CITY/TOWN: Lakeville

TIME: 10:57 AM
NAME: D.Smith
STREET/NEIGHBORHOOD: Lakeside Ave
HOW HAS YOUR STREET FARED?: I just saw Noah's Ark float by
IS YOUR BASEMENT FLOODED?: 7 to 9 inches
DETAILS: I now live on an island-surrounded by the lakes. Hard to leave town because of the flooded streets and both Routes 18 and 140 closed. National Guard at the end of the street. These lakes are not receding any time soon.

CITY/TOWN: Burlington

TIME: 1:15 PM
NAME: Noah
STREET/NEIGHBORHOOD:
HOW HAS YOUR STREET FARED?: I just saw Noah's Ark float by
IS YOUR BASEMENT FLOODED?: It's just damp
DETAILS: I am launching the Ark I've built in the garage momentarily. The neighbors are coming in two by two. Unlike before, I've got no extra room for nature's creatures.

CITY/TOWN: Hingham

TIME: 9:41 PM
NAME: Captain Cook
STREET/NEIGHBORHOOD: Neptune's Garden
HOW HAS YOUR STREET FARED?: I just saw Noah's Ark float by
IS YOUR BASEMENT FLOODED?: 1 to 3 inches
DETAILS: Ahoy matey, launch the lifeboats and prepare to abandon ship!!! We going down by the stern!!!
CITY/TOWN: Haverhill

TIME: 9:05 PM
NAME: Huckleberry Finn
STREET/NEIGHBORHOOD: Byron
HOW HAS YOUR STREET FARED?: We're soggy, but not flooded
IS YOUR BASEMENT FLOODED?: Less than an inch
DETAILS: A duck just knocked on my door and asked if he could spend the night....
I saw this video today too.  This guy is a freaking genius!

Musical Monday - Let It Snow

Happy Monday, fabulous ladies!

I can't believe that it's snowed twice this weekend!! This is nuts. There were a few flakes on Friday night, then about an inch or so (or more in come places) on Sunday. Un-freaking-believable!!

To quote my friend Stina from work: "It's official. Winter beat up fall, stole her lunch money and her place in line." I love her!!

I have a love/hate relationship with snow. It's pretty. It's fun to play in. But dang it, it's a pain in the keister to shovel most of the time and driving in it is never a joy. What are your thoughts on snow?

I've decided to go with my impromptu little theme - and share Dean Martin's version of Let it Snow.

Other than the anomalous weather, this weekend has been pretty good. I ran some errands, did a little cleaning and made a trip to Michael's. I am ADDICTED to buying yarn! Yes, I know I'm weird. Does anyone else lose control of their budget when in a craft store?!?!

Friday Funnies - Literal Videos & The Best Cupcake EVER

Happy Friday! I hope you all had a good week. :-)

To celebrate surviving a long week (we've been short staffed due to the flu, incessant rain and the departure of our contractor) my co-worker, Stina and I indulged in cupcakes today. There is an amazing bakery by my house and they totally outdid themselves.

Yum, yum!!

BTW, our contractor didn't know we were celebrating his departure. But more on that at a later date.

April did a post on literal videos, and when I was playing on YouTube, I found two that I thought were well done and share worthy.

I'm hoping for a low key, relaxed weekend. What do you have planned?

Rain, Rain Go Away...

...and don't come back. Ya hear?!

I usually like the rain during the summer... the sweet earthy smell right before it starts coming down. And THUNDER STORMS?! LOVE 'em!!

Unfortunately, we've only had three days in the month of June where it didn't rain. It is spoiling my enjoyment of summer rain.

Our forecast looks like this for the next seven days:

Not cool Mother Nature! We played nice; we shoveled all winter; we were patient in waiting for summer. You are going to give us sun and warmth eventually, right???? If I wanted fog and rain all the time - I'd move to Seattle!! :-)

OK, ladies. Make me jealous; tell me exactly how nice it is where you live!