We got about 5 inches yesterday on top of the 2-3 we had. Now it looks all soft and fluffy out. I had to go buy Scott a new shovel yesterday because the one he was using had a handle that was too short. HE used the new shovel this morning and said it worked great, but we were both eyeballing the neighbor's snowblower. It took Scott about 40 minutes to shovel our walk and driveway. (HE also does the neighbor lady's.) Then the neighbor on the other side came out with his snowblower and did his walk and drive in about 5 minutes.
Ed took that photo at the giant monster shop down the street from his home.
If anyone wants to hear a little kids Christmas piano concert, Emma and Mary Laurel will be among the featured performers. The concert is the 20th. Emma will play Away in a Manger, Mary will play Jingle Bells. Together they will try to keep time while playing Good King Wenceslas. This piece usually gets them into an arguement over faulty time tapping.
Thanks for the Birthday Greetings all! In honor of my __ birthday, I vow to have a shot for each of the Straub's...no wait that's been done already. -Randy
Happy Birthday Randy!! Have your favorite candy Watch Jackie Chan kick The cake plate you'll lick after a wonderful dinner topped with Frangelico shimmer!
There once was a fella named Randy whose laugh and big heart were just dandy. But don't drink shots per Straub - every Joe, Tom and Bob - or you'll end up in jail singing "Mandy!"
What Christmas parties are you all attending...our Rotary party was cancelled last night cause of snow and now is re-scheduled for the same night as the Kossuth Democrats party...so we'll go to the Democrats party... We're hosting the Arts Council Party and maybe the Sullivan Board at our house next Tuesday...we need to finish up!!
We went to a neighborhood party Saturday. This used to be a seriously partying neighborhood a few years ago - grownup parties, I mean - but everyone's a little tamer now. We're also goint to host the parish staff Epiphany party in January, so that gives me about 3 weeks to get the house decent. Right now it's a total mess.
Well, we all need a party or a wedding or something every few months to keep a house from falling apart.
I leave the 20th and stay through the 26th. Josh's dad and Dawn finally got married this fall, and are taking all their kids on the honeymoon. It's kind of like a very Brady vacation, except I'll be there too.
I already am. Truly, I wish I was going back to mn/ia. Mexico doesn't have the same cache when you live in FL. I know it will be awesome but I wouldn't mind a visit to the snow. P
I'll mail you some! Do you want some with an ice undercoating, like we have right now? It was pretty at 2 a.m....actually it was sorta fun this morning, we put a cute dog sweater on Curly and then we walked to the office. She had fun, she getting her license! haha, I need to tap into the bitch market, haha (ok I'll go home).
The kids were home from school due to weather today. Joe and Betty drove me nuts. Joe had borrowed book four in the Twilight series, and they both wanted to read it (they had both finished 1-3). Betty got it first, then Joe whined all day about it. They were both crabby because we had lots of house cleaning to do before the book reading could start. Oh, as Joe was putting away the hose for winter, the interior copper pipe broke and water went everywhere in the basement. Mike, the Butt Crack Plumber, to the rescue!! :-) The hole was fixed in 45 minutes, which is important in a one-hole house. We, along with Joe's girlfriend, Kelly, are going out for Mexican. I'm beyond cooking.
Also, I thought I'd share that my mother has quite severe lung cancer. I haven't said much about it except to Mary and Mike here in Algona. She's been in the hospital twice this month. She did great with her first round of chemo and radiation (large inoperable tumor). Joe had been great about having the kids a lot this fall as I have made three trips to Virginia. Most of you know I'm not very religious, but I tell you, right now, all the prayers you can send her way would be appreciated. Please, those of you who smoke, think twice before lighting up that next cigarette. love, Kelli
Happy Birthday Randy - you oughta have a shot for every Straub grandchild. THAT would be impressive. Just have medical staff on standby.
Emily - there are 2 types of snowblowers. Single stage and 2 stage. I've owned both. The single stage are the ones that have the small wheels in the back and have smaller engines. Usually no bigger than 5 horse power. Then there are the 2 stage types. These have the big wheels in back and big engines.
Right now I have a big 2 stage type. But, if I had to do it all over again I would go back to the single stage.
The best thing about them is they can clear a driveway a lot faster than the big ones. The big ones can only go as fast as they are geared for. A crawl. The smaller single stage ones are not machine driven (they move under your power) so you can manuever them a lot faster.
Even if you get a huge snow fall they small machines can handle it. About the only part they can't is the big pile that a snow plow might leave at the bottom of your driveway. Then it's exercise time.
A couple of other things about the smaller machines is that they get down closer to the pavement than the big ones. And they are a lot cheaper.
Whichever type you buy make sure it has an electric start feature. That is, you plug it in and press a button and it starts. A lot easier than trying to hand pull a starter on a cold machine. I think it's standard on most now but don't cheap out on this feature. Nothing sucks worse then trying to pull start an ice cold engine.
I haven't priced single stage snowblowers in a while but I'm thinking you could get one for about $400-$500.
Regarding Randy's birthday. He can tell you everything else. But I get to tell you what I did wrong:
He requested (among other things) pork loin stuffed with prunes and apricots.
I got the loin, stuffed it, seared it, put it in a roaster, put red wine and garlic in the searing pan and scraped up the brown bits and poured it over the roast and put it in the oven. Only I forgot to turn the oven on! Did't realize until an hour and a half later! Thank god for microwaves!
Yes Kelli. Really sorry about your mom. It must be hard to have her so far away.
Tom, thanks for the info about the snowblowers. We'll probably have to wait til next year. Of course next year we'll have two kids in diapers again so maybe we'll have to wait several years. IT's good exercise for Scott.
Candyland is so boring. Thankfully though, Jude hates Barney and Elmo and other annoying shows. He really likes Scooby Doo. I love Scooby Doo. Gotta love a cartoon with a laugh track.
I am all done with Christmas shopping except for my own kids who are still young and very easy to please when it comes to presents. Ed, I think I want to keep your's for myself.
Candyland was designed as a sinister plot to render moms brain-dead. Some scholars believe it is part of a canon called "The Stepford Files" in which non-surgical means are used to create robotic wife/mother figures who resemble the victims in the popular movies of the same name. Fortunately, Candyland is so irritatingly boring that it actually increases heart rate, causes clenching and gnashing of teeth, and causes internalized screaming, which stimulates adrenaline flow, thus nullifying its otherwise soporific effect. Play on, Emily. Just lock up all the sharp stuff.
sPEAKING OF TALK SHOWS...I predicted that Oprah was gaining weight to her "advantage"...now she just made the big announcement about the weight gain...the magazines are selling like hot cakes (which are really tasty)!
I also hate balloons. Babies like to try to put the whole thing in their mouths. They makes the annoying squeaky sound and then there's the inevitable tears when it either pops or flies away. I also hate when people release balloons. It's no different from littering. Would you throw a deflated baloon on the ground or in the trash?
Ok, so when is everyone coming home for Christmas? Frank was the only one who responded last time. Scott and I reserved the Cottage on the corner for the 25th and 26th. So, we won't be taking up a room. Do you think the baby monitor will work from there to Mom and Dad's?
So Jessie Jackson Jr. is canidate #5 so I guess that makes him the Jackson 5. None of those kids turned out any good.
They did a thing on the Daily Show last night. Out of the last 8 govs IL has had 4 will have served jail time (after Blago gets there). If you committ murder your chances of going to jail are 48%. So you have a better chance of going to jail if you become the gov. if IL than you do if you committ murder.
Anyway - I am going to Whittemore on the 23rd and leaving on the 27th or 28th.
Remember the other day when the Illinois Gov. was "taunting " the feds and said something like "I"m not worried, the sun is always shining on me"...well I googled he and Patty's private home and they live north of Lincoln Park at 2934 SUNNYSIDE Ave.!! haha
Andy and I will be in Whittemore on the 26th, staying until Sunday morning... Hey Algonians(?)- can any of you recommend a good dog boarding place, please?
I remember her like yesterday. The only nun I ever knew who wore a black leather trench coat. And she would strut around with Gestapo-like menace as she sniffed out my every ploy. She was my biggest nemesis to my obligatory grade school high jinx.
After all these years I tip my hat to her. A formidable foe.
I was glad to move on to St. Joe where the teachers, though not without counter tactics to my activities, were easier to get over on.
Tonight Mike and I are in charge of an art reception for a photographer from Algona (now in Ames and is the Iowa State Photographer)...we have to set up and make it look pretty and food, etc...then after there's a show from Minneapolis (free) about the Christmas truce during WW1 when the Germans and Americans put down their guns and sang Christmas songs and ate and drank...then on the 26th I guess they went back to killing each other (I'll let you know)...tomorrow night we're going to a Christmas party, at Diane Elbert's son's house. We're friends with Diane's daughter-in-law, Tara...that's our weekend!
We had First Reconciliation Tuesday night and three kids called me Sister. They're from Holy Family, which has Sister Lorraine, so I told myself that's why. Maybe I should get a long black leather coat.
I was making them be quiet in church. Apparently there are plenty of parents who don't feel obligated to do anything if their 8-year-olds are running and shouting in church during confessions. What the hell?
ISU fans just got their get out of jail free card with this whole Auburn/Chizik thing.
Why on earth would Auburn hire a head coach with a 5-19 record to bring them back up to the top of the SEC? Who knows? And who cares? The good news is he's not the Cyclone's problem anymore.
I hope they get this next hire right. Here's my prediction: Jay Norvell. Take that for what its worth.
NEGATIVE 9 wind chill this morning. Had rain and 50 degrees last night and this morning all the roads in Chicago are iced over. I'm glad I don't drive - it looks like a mess out there. But it was COLD COLD COLD walking to and waiting for the train this morning.
I think the ISU athletic director made a bad hire. Not because Chizik is a bad coach. But because one had to assume he would jump ship when the first available big time job came along. They need a midwest born guy to come in. I mean if you were from Gaineville Florida (Chizik is) and had to wake up in Ames to -8 degress and figure out how to build (note I didn't say rebuild) a football program, you would be jumping ship too if something else came up. Can't blame him. Although, it is disappointing to think how this will set the program back. ISU has incredibly loyal fans considering the very limited success of the past few decades. McCarney was not a great in-game decision maker but his teams showed up to fight with brass knuckles. They should have hung on to him.
NEgative 7 right now. That's not with wind chill. But I'm not worried, we'll reach a high of -3 today. I'm not taking Jude to school and I'm not going anywhere.
I just came in from shoveling the minor drifting in my driveway. I was out there only 10 minutes. I had decent gloves on but in that short time my hand felt frozen to the bone. Thank goodness my snowblower has heated hand grips. Cause they're calling for snow and heavy winds in the next day or so.
Maybe a Forida couple somewhere would be interested in employing a live-in personal chef.
We were just amazed when we picked up yesterday's paper and it stated that the high in Des Moines would be 51 degrees and the low would be zero. Then it forecast a high of 8above for today and a low of 4 below. We hope it all goes away by Friday. Here, the high today is supposed to be 79 but we did have to use a light blanket the other night when it got down to 63 overnight. We do have a spare bedroom that is reserved for a personal chef. We'll see you soon. Love, Mom and Dad
Hey Em, When my kids were little I had a milk man. It cost more but I made fewer trips to the store. Thus, not buying things we didn't really need. I also bougt diapers in bulk at Sams. I only had get groceries about once a week. You shoud see if there's a milkman around there. I loved mine. He also sold orange juice and cottage cheese.
It's awful here too. A more than 40 degree difference than yesterday. At least the sheet of ice on my driveway finally melted.
Saturday it was in the 50's and even at 9:00 it was 40 degrees and then Sunday morning it was zero. Gray and windy and bitterly cold. Today is even colder but it's sunny and calm - beautiful day.
A real rubbernecker! He seemed to sorta smile when the first shoe went by...what gonna happen to the shoe-thrower? I bet he's not gonna get even one virgin.
Sooo, reading about Naismith (this day in history) he invented basketball in 1891, shortly afterward proclaimed that women seemed to "pick it up" faster than men...however, even tho it was a competition FOR MEN at the 1904 Olympics, it wasn't untill 1978 that it was an official Olympic sport for women...You've come along way Girl!
Artsy in Algona...yes, we have it here! Friday night the art opening, followed by a "musical" from Minneapolis. Then last night a "Madrigal Dinner" at Garrigan...it was very good, the singing was amazing and Joe4 was great as "The Handsome Prince"!
However, you can't buy a bottle of wine in Kossuth County after 5 on Sunday!!
Charles Barkely is all up in arms over the hire. Says they should have hired a black coach. He wanted Turner Gill. ISU should hire Gill so he can torment his former Nebraska fans.
Also, I didn't like the uniform change at ISU. They looked like they were trying to mimic USC's uniform. Which is fine as long as you win somewhere close to half your games. Otherwise, you're just a chump trying to look cool. 5-19 isn't cool.
-9 right now. It's supposed to get up to +4 so that should be nice. Our thermostat is set fot 66 and our furnace seems to never go off. Can't wait for next month's bill.
Did anyone happen to see the show on Pbs last night "Torturing Democracy?" It was just awful. I didn't think I could hate the BushCheneyRumsfeldclan any more. Cheney in particular seems especially sinister. What kills me is that many of those who voted for Bush in 04 did so because of his moral stance. Well he doesn't seem so moral when he inappropriately sniggers to the press corp regarding the Geneva convention, " 'Outrageous to human dignity' that's so vague and so open to interpretation." Oh my gosh it really turned my stomach. There are still hundreds of prisoners who have been held for 6 or more years who have never been charged.
It's easy now to say Chizek wasn't a good hire. At the time he was prolly the hottest Asst coach in the country. He's described as a tireless recruiter with contacts all over the south and Texas. ISU's major problem is talent. ISU knew when they hired him he'd be gone soon. They just didn't expect so soon. If the guy came in, did 5 years, ended with a couple winning seasons and maybe a mid level bowl and THEN moved on no-one would begrudge him. That's just what Johnny Majors and Earle Bruce did and they're still well regarded by the fans. I don't blame Chizek for taking the Auburn job. It leaves a sour taste, tho, as a month and a half ago he loudly and publicly proclaimed his love for and his family's "entrenchment" within all things Cyclone. Also, when the Auburn job opened up, he told the ISU AD a couple times, after he was offered the job, that he wasn't going to accept it. Then-BOOM! he's gone. I don't mind him being gone (after all, he was 5-19) but just hope there isn't a flight of good talent that he did recruit.
Agree with what Tom said about an Iowa guy so he could stay put. Jay Norvell actually was assistant head coach under McCarney and has a pretty good coaching pedigree. And a wicked moustache.
Tom, do you have any idea if the walleye I ate in a resaurant last night was likely to be larger or smaller than 20 inches. I just opened a pamphlet this morning that said among the fish pregnant women should avoid is walleye larger than 20 inches. Oh well. Nothing I can do about it now. I can't remember the last time I ate fish so one possible ingestion of mercury can't be too terrible can it?
I didn't eat thermometers, I just sucked on them!! Don't worry Emily, I mean really, what about women around the world who eat only fish (no meat) 5-6times a week...all this info makes preg. women anxious, which I think is more harmfull. Also, I think it's awful that a preg. woman can't feel comfortable ordering a glass of wine when out for dinner, give me a break...
It's been snowing lightly all day...but, we're not going to cancel the Art's Council Christmas party at our house...it's just a light snow..this is NW Iowa...But, everything is canceling (on the radio)I think I'll call the radio and say it's NOT cancelled haha...Does Sr. Sarah's have a party booked for tonight?
Home from work...so tired. New jobs are exhausting, just speaking all day with strangers. Job itself is very very slow. Dull. But it's a job. And, it's close. p
Just went out and shoveled/blew snow for an hour and half. It felt good,, all bundled up but not cold. Crisp,cold air. Our neighbor just brought over a huge tray of homemade treats. Yummy.
Sheesh! We've been in the deep freeze with lows around -10 and now it will warm up but for that we get freezing rain (1/4 to 1/2 inch) then are going to get dumped on with more snow. It isn't fair.
Emily - I highly doubt that walleye exceeded 20 inces.
RAndy used the leaf blower on the front brick walk yesterday. Worked like a charm!
The ice will be more problematic.
The biggest problem with the snow seems to be that it's the end of the year and snow removal is not so aggressive. Yesterday (among other things) I saw a woman whose car had got hung up on a pole's guy wire. I can't figure out how she got out of the car.
Emily - here's my take on this: I don't think you can worry about yesterday's walleye, however you probably should take note of how often you eat fish, tuna (and other high mecury content fish) need to be limited somewhat. I also would watch out for petroleum products... pre-packaged foods containing food dyes are high in petroleum products. Lunch meat and other cured mueats like ham and sausage is now on the list of what to avoid... so much information and it seems to change every year.
Mary is back to saying her stomach hurts all the time again... what to do?
Got new tires fer my 4x4 pick'em up truck. Glad I opted for a more aggressive tread. It allows be to maintain my status as an aggressive driver in this winter season.
This town is full of slow drivers. Mainly 2 types. Old farmers in new pickups and just old people in 92 Buicks. Neither of which need to be any particular place at any particular time. So they just cruise slllllllooooooooooowwwwwwwwllllllllly to where ever it is they are headed. I believe these people pose a greater threat to the driving public at large. They should be cited.
In the last couple months we put a new radiator, new water pump and a set of tires in my Isuzu. Monday I was backing into the driveway (because of the forecast of snow for Tuesday) and something started boiling and a line of antifreeze was visible all down the driveway and as far as I could see on the street. It's in the shop now - no news from Claude the mechanic. Grrr.
Randy - as the only person here with draftsman skills (among your other skills) I have a great invention we need to patent. Do you want in? It involves traction.
Mary, how many people are coming to your party? Are you doing all the food/drinks or do people bring stuff? This week is our turn to host the staff Epiphany party. It falls the night before Generations of Faith, between the weekends we want to go to Stevo's mom's on the 3rd and Peoria on the 10th for Bradley vs. Creighton, and the week of starting back to school and hosting a CLADD leadership meeting. That darn Epiphany.
So....about 5 o'clock this evening I realized the heat in the bar area wasn't working. Crap! It's -1 degrees outside.
So I retrieve my rickety extension ladder I loaned Joe. I extend it to it's fullest and plant it in the most secure seeming place I can. Knowing that under all this snow there is a glaze of ice.
I have only jeans, a hooded sweatshirt, a thin coat, hat and gloves. I gather the handful of tools needed to remove itty bitty machine screws which hold down the access panels to the roof top heater. It's the size of a small car. Each panel has about 6 of the itty bitty screws.
I go up the ladder on the verge of filling my Fruit Of The Looms with each step. I hate ladders. Ever since I broke my leg I have this thing about ladders. This "thing" was even worse given the conditions.
Get on the roof and about slip straight on my butt. Underneath the foot of snow my flat roof is a skating rink. I proceed to the faulty unit and begin my amateur diagnostics. I employ a few tricks I had learned from watching the service guys in the past. Nothing works.
So I resign myself to the removal of the panels. Which means on my hands and knees in a foot of snow removing itty bitty screws. Panel one reveals no reset buttons. Panel 2 reveals a reset button. I push it. Nothing. Panels 3 and 4 - no resets. By this time my hands are frozen because itty bitty screws require you to remove your gloves. Each panel take about 5 minutes to remove and put back on.
My toes and knees are hurting. I resign myself to calling a pro. I climb down the precarious ladder with less grip and shakier knees than when I went up. By now it's -4.
91 comments:
Happy Birthday Randy! Great photo!
p
Happy Birthday Randy!
Happy birthday Randy! I'll have a drink of Bushmills in your honor tonight. I just refilled the bottle last night. Joe
So our Gov. in IL. today just got arrested for trying to sell Obama's vacated Senate seat (among other things).
This is the second Gov. in a row that has been arrested in IL. The other one is now serving time in a federal prison in Wis.
Man this place is crooked.
No snow today so far - just rain.
We got about 5 inches yesterday on top of the 2-3 we had. Now it looks all soft and fluffy out. I had to go buy Scott a new shovel yesterday because the one he was using had a handle that was too short. HE used the new shovel this morning and said it worked great, but we were both eyeballing the neighbor's snowblower. It took Scott about 40 minutes to shovel our walk and driveway. (HE also does the neighbor lady's.) Then the neighbor on the other side came out with his snowblower and did his walk and drive in about 5 minutes.
I'm sorry Randy. Happy Birthday! Where was this photo taken? What will Lisa make for your birthday dinner?
Randy, what happened? You all got shruncken. Have a great day!
Emily, get him a snowblower for Christmas. He'll love it.
Monica
HOw much do snow blowers cost? We've already spent about 100 bucks on stupid shovels!
I think I have a sty in my eye. I haven't had one since I was a kid. One home remedy site suggested using a tea bag. Think it will hep?
That's gross. Lets try to keep the blog clean.
Hi All!
Ed took that photo at the giant monster shop down the street from his home.
If anyone wants to hear a little kids Christmas piano concert, Emma and Mary Laurel will be among the featured performers. The concert is the 20th. Emma will play Away in a Manger, Mary will play Jingle Bells. Together they will try to keep time while playing Good King Wenceslas. This piece usually gets them into an arguement over faulty time tapping.
lisa
Thanks for the Birthday Greetings all! In honor of my __ birthday, I vow to have a shot for each of the Straub's...no wait that's been done already.
-Randy
Happy Birthday Randy!!
Have your favorite candy
Watch Jackie Chan kick
The cake plate you'll lick
after a wonderful dinner
topped with Frangelico shimmer!
I just saw that gov'ner on the news last night. He was trying to help those workers who were laid off with no notice or vacation payout.
Too bad for them.
p
There once was a fella named Randy
whose laugh and big heart were just dandy.
But don't drink shots per Straub -
every Joe, Tom and Bob -
or you'll end up in jail singing "Mandy!"
The governor of Illinois is just following a long and proud state tradition.
What Christmas parties are you all attending...our Rotary party was cancelled last night cause of snow and now is re-scheduled for the same night as the Kossuth Democrats party...so we'll go to the Democrats party...
We're hosting the Arts Council Party and maybe the Sullivan Board at our house next Tuesday...we need to finish up!!
The only party I'm invited to is taking place while I am in Mexico.
P
Hey! When are you going to Mexico?
We went to a neighborhood party Saturday. This used to be a seriously partying neighborhood a few years ago - grownup parties, I mean - but everyone's a little tamer now. We're also goint to host the parish staff Epiphany party in January, so that gives me about 3 weeks to get the house decent. Right now it's a total mess.
Well, we all need a party or a wedding or something every few months to keep a house from falling apart.
I leave the 20th and stay through the 26th. Josh's dad and Dawn finally got married this fall, and are taking all their kids on the honeymoon. It's kind of like a very Brady vacation, except I'll be there too.
P
Well, don't get jealous of the pretty one with the long straight hair.
I already am. Truly, I wish I was going back to mn/ia. Mexico doesn't have the same cache when you live in FL. I know it will be awesome but I wouldn't mind a visit to the snow.
P
I'll mail you some! Do you want some with an ice undercoating, like we have right now? It was pretty at 2 a.m....actually it was sorta fun this morning, we put a cute dog sweater on Curly and then we walked to the office. She had fun, she getting her license! haha, I need to tap into the bitch market, haha (ok I'll go home).
The kids were home from school due to weather today. Joe and Betty drove me nuts. Joe had borrowed book four in the Twilight series, and they both wanted to read it (they had both finished 1-3). Betty got it first, then Joe whined all day about it. They were both crabby because we had lots of house cleaning to do before the book reading could start. Oh, as Joe was putting away the hose for winter, the interior copper pipe broke and water went everywhere in the basement. Mike, the Butt Crack Plumber, to the rescue!! :-) The hole was fixed in 45 minutes, which is important in a one-hole house. We, along with Joe's girlfriend, Kelly, are going out for Mexican. I'm beyond cooking.
Also, I thought I'd share that my mother has quite severe lung cancer. I haven't said much about it except to Mary and Mike here in Algona. She's been in the hospital twice this month. She did great with her first round of chemo and radiation (large inoperable tumor). Joe had been great about having the kids a lot this fall as I have made three trips to Virginia. Most of you know I'm not very religious, but I tell you, right now, all the prayers you can send her way would be appreciated.
Please, those of you who smoke, think twice before lighting up that next cigarette.
love, Kelli
PS. Happy Birthday, Randy...the first thing I thought of when I saw this picture was Wilson, the neighbor, on Home Improvement!
kelli
Happy Birthday Randy - you oughta have a shot for every Straub grandchild. THAT would be impressive. Just have medical staff on standby.
Emily - there are 2 types of snowblowers. Single stage and 2 stage. I've owned both. The single stage are the ones that have the small wheels in the back and have smaller engines. Usually no bigger than 5 horse power. Then there are the 2 stage types. These have the big wheels in back and big engines.
Right now I have a big 2 stage type. But, if I had to do it all over again I would go back to the single stage.
The best thing about them is they can clear a driveway a lot faster than the big ones. The big ones can only go as fast as they are geared for. A crawl. The smaller single stage ones are not machine driven (they move under your power) so you can manuever them a lot faster.
Even if you get a huge snow fall they small machines can handle it. About the only part they can't is the big pile that a snow plow might leave at the bottom of your driveway. Then it's exercise time.
A couple of other things about the smaller machines is that they get down closer to the pavement than the big ones. And they are a lot cheaper.
Whichever type you buy make sure it has an electric start feature. That is, you plug it in and press a button and it starts. A lot easier than trying to hand pull a starter on a cold machine. I think it's standard on most now but don't cheap out on this feature. Nothing sucks worse then trying to pull start an ice cold engine.
I haven't priced single stage snowblowers in a while but I'm thinking you could get one for about $400-$500.
Tom
So what did the Milbraths do last evening?
p
Kelli,
Sorry to hear about your mother. I knew she was ill but didn't know you'd been going down so often.
I'll keep her in my thoughts.
P
Kelli - I didn't mean to blow past your post about your mother. I hadn't refreshed this page and didn't see it.
We will keep her and you in our prayers.
Tom
Thanks for telling us about your mom, Kelli. She's in our thoughts and prayers.
lisa
Regarding Randy's birthday. He can tell you everything else. But I get to tell you what I did wrong:
He requested (among other things) pork loin stuffed with prunes and apricots.
I got the loin, stuffed it, seared it, put it in a roaster, put red wine and garlic in the searing pan and scraped up the brown bits and poured it over the roast and put it in the oven. Only I forgot to turn the oven on! Did't realize until an hour and a half later! Thank god for microwaves!
Lisa
Kelli,
So sorry about your mom. We'll keep her and you in our prayers. If there is anything we can do let us know.
So sorry,
Monica
Yes Kelli. Really sorry about your mom. It must be hard to have her so far away.
Tom, thanks for the info about the snowblowers. We'll probably have to wait til next year. Of course next year we'll have two kids in diapers again so maybe we'll have to wait several years. IT's good exercise for Scott.
Candyland is so boring. Thankfully though, Jude hates Barney and Elmo and other annoying shows. He really likes Scooby Doo. I love Scooby Doo. Gotta love a cartoon with a laugh track.
I am all done with Christmas shopping except for my own kids who are still young and very easy to please when it comes to presents. Ed, I think I want to keep your's for myself.
Candyland was designed as a sinister plot to render moms brain-dead. Some scholars believe it is part of a canon called "The Stepford Files" in which non-surgical means are used to create robotic wife/mother figures who resemble the victims in the popular movies of the same name. Fortunately, Candyland is so irritatingly boring that it actually increases heart rate, causes clenching and gnashing of teeth, and causes internalized screaming, which stimulates adrenaline flow, thus nullifying its otherwise soporific effect. Play on, Emily. Just lock up all the sharp stuff.
wAS THAT bILL o'rEILLY?
cATHY, YOU SHOULD HAVE A TALK SHOW!!
sPEAKING OF TALK SHOWS...I predicted that Oprah was gaining weight to her "advantage"...now she just made the big announcement about the weight gain...the magazines are selling like hot cakes (which are really tasty)!
Cathy...ACTUALLY YOU SOUND MORE LIKE kEITH OR rACHEL.
I also hate balloons. Babies like to try to put the whole thing in their mouths. They makes the annoying squeaky sound and then there's the inevitable tears when it either pops or flies away. I also hate when people release balloons. It's no different from littering. Would you throw a deflated baloon on the ground or in the trash?
Ok, so when is everyone coming home for Christmas? Frank was the only one who responded last time. Scott and I reserved the Cottage on the corner for the 25th and 26th. So, we won't be taking up a room. Do you think the baby monitor will work from there to Mom and Dad's?
I think "Ron"itor would work. haha
So, is Jesse Jackson Jr. the per son #5 involved with the Senate seat bribe??
HOw did someone with such an awful hair helmut get elected in the first place?
It's kind of like a front load mullet.
p
So Jessie Jackson Jr. is canidate #5 so I guess that makes him the Jackson 5. None of those kids turned out any good.
They did a thing on the Daily Show last night. Out of the last 8 govs IL has had 4 will have served jail time (after Blago gets there). If you committ murder your chances of going to jail are 48%. So you have a better chance of going to jail if you become the gov. if IL than you do if you committ murder.
Anyway - I am going to Whittemore on the 23rd and leaving on the 27th or 28th.
We are going up on the 25th or 26th and staying until Sunday afternoon.
Remember the other day when the Illinois Gov. was "taunting " the feds and said something like "I"m not worried, the sun is always shining on me"...well I googled he and Patty's private home and they live north of Lincoln Park at 2934 SUNNYSIDE Ave.!! haha
Andy and I will be in Whittemore on the 26th, staying until Sunday morning...
Hey Algonians(?)- can any of you recommend a good dog boarding place, please?
Try calling Holmes animal clinic 515-295-2627. I think they board dogs.
Tom
So, anyone have any weekend plans? It looks really cold in the twin cities.
We are going to jai alai again. Apparently. Josh is really hooked after our one visit. I hope he doesn't gamble our vast fortune away.
p
Here's a video if you don't know what it is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bo4L83VQjPM
I did a report on jai alai in the sixth grade. The ball moves faster in jai alai than in any other sport.
I got a B.
Only a B? Did you have Sister Saint James?
I remember her like yesterday. The only nun I ever knew who wore a black leather trench coat. And she would strut around with Gestapo-like menace as she sniffed out my every ploy. She was my biggest nemesis to my obligatory grade school high jinx.
After all these years I tip my hat to her. A formidable foe.
I was glad to move on to St. Joe where the teachers, though not without counter tactics to my activities, were easier to get over on.
Tom
Tonight Mike and I are in charge of an art reception for a photographer from Algona (now in Ames and is the Iowa State Photographer)...we have to set up and make it look pretty and food, etc...then after there's a show from Minneapolis (free) about the Christmas truce during WW1 when the Germans and Americans put down their guns and sang Christmas songs and ate and drank...then on the 26th I guess they went back to killing each other (I'll let you know)...tomorrow night we're going to a Christmas party, at Diane Elbert's son's house. We're friends with Diane's daughter-in-law, Tara...that's our weekend!
We had First Reconciliation Tuesday night and three kids called me Sister. They're from Holy Family, which has Sister Lorraine, so I told myself that's why. Maybe I should get a long black leather coat.
I was making them be quiet in church. Apparently there are plenty of parents who don't feel obligated to do anything if their 8-year-olds are running and shouting in church during confessions. What the hell?
Maybe they think it will mask the sound of the priest saying "you did WHAT?"..
I just sent out an important email...please, check. Thanks.
ISU fans just got their get out of jail free card with this whole Auburn/Chizik thing.
Why on earth would Auburn hire a head coach with a 5-19 record to bring them back up to the top of the SEC? Who knows? And who cares? The good news is he's not the Cyclone's problem anymore.
I hope they get this next hire right. Here's my prediction: Jay Norvell. Take that for what its worth.
NEGATIVE 9 wind chill this morning. Had rain and 50 degrees last night and this morning all the roads in Chicago are iced over. I'm glad I don't drive - it looks like a mess out there. But it was COLD COLD COLD walking to and waiting for the train this morning.
I think the ISU athletic director made a bad hire. Not because Chizik is a bad coach. But because one had to assume he would jump ship when the first available big time job came along. They need a midwest born guy to come in. I mean if you were from Gaineville Florida (Chizik is) and had to wake up in Ames to -8 degress and figure out how to build (note I didn't say rebuild) a football program, you would be jumping ship too if something else came up. Can't blame him. Although, it is disappointing to think how this will set the program back. ISU has incredibly loyal fans considering the very limited success of the past few decades. McCarney was not a great in-game decision maker but his teams showed up to fight with brass knuckles. They should have hung on to him.
Tom
NEgative 7 right now. That's not with wind chill. But I'm not worried, we'll reach a high of -3 today. I'm not taking Jude to school and I'm not going anywhere.
I just came in from shoveling the minor drifting in my driveway. I was out there only 10 minutes. I had decent gloves on but in that short time my hand felt frozen to the bone. Thank goodness my snowblower has heated hand grips. Cause they're calling for snow and heavy winds in the next day or so.
Maybe a Forida couple somewhere would be interested in employing a live-in personal chef.
Tom
We were just amazed when we picked up yesterday's paper and it stated that the high in Des Moines would be 51 degrees and the low would be zero. Then it forecast a high of 8above for today and a low of 4 below. We hope it all goes away by Friday. Here, the high today is supposed to be 79 but we did have to use a light blanket the other night when it got down to 63 overnight. We do have a spare bedroom that is reserved for a personal chef. We'll see you soon. Love, Mom and Dad
See you soon. Love,
Mom and Dad
Hey Em,
When my kids were little I had a milk man. It cost more but I made fewer trips to the store. Thus, not buying things we didn't really need. I also bougt diapers in bulk at Sams. I only had get groceries about once a week. You shoud see if there's a milkman around there. I loved mine. He also sold orange juice and cottage cheese.
It's awful here too. A more than 40 degree difference than yesterday. At least the sheet of ice on my driveway finally melted.
Monica
Saturday it was in the 50's and even at 9:00 it was 40 degrees and then Sunday morning it was zero. Gray and windy and bitterly cold. Today is even colder but it's sunny and calm - beautiful day.
Well, at last there's something good I can say about our current president - he has pretty good reflexes.
A real rubbernecker! He seemed to sorta smile when the first shoe went by...what gonna happen to the shoe-thrower? I bet he's not gonna get even one virgin.
I have to admit, I liked his reaction....like he was trying not to laugh. That poor Secret Service guy didn't come off too well, though.
Sooo, reading about Naismith (this day in history) he invented basketball in 1891, shortly afterward proclaimed that women seemed to "pick it up" faster than men...however, even tho it was a competition FOR MEN at the 1904 Olympics, it wasn't untill 1978 that it was an official Olympic sport for women...You've come along way Girl!
Artsy in Algona...yes, we have it here! Friday night the art opening, followed by a "musical" from Minneapolis. Then last night a "Madrigal Dinner" at Garrigan...it was very good, the singing was amazing and Joe4 was great as "The Handsome Prince"!
However, you can't buy a bottle of wine in Kossuth County after 5 on Sunday!!
Tom -
Totally agree with your assessment of Chizik being a bad hire for ISU. One of three things was going to happen with that guy:
1) had has some success and is snatched up by a top program.
2) he fails and is fired
3) he fails and is snatched up by a top program
The third is the most ridiculous scenario and the one that played out.
Charles Barkely is all up in arms over the hire. Says they should have hired a black coach. He wanted Turner Gill. ISU should hire Gill so he can torment his former Nebraska fans.
Also, I didn't like the uniform change at ISU. They looked like they were trying to mimic USC's uniform. Which is fine as long as you win somewhere close to half your games. Otherwise, you're just a chump trying to look cool. 5-19 isn't cool.
Tom
-9 right now. It's supposed to get up to +4 so that should be nice. Our thermostat is set fot 66 and our furnace seems to never go off. Can't wait for next month's bill.
Did anyone happen to see the show on Pbs last night "Torturing Democracy?" It was just awful. I didn't think I could hate the BushCheneyRumsfeldclan any more. Cheney in particular seems especially sinister. What kills me is that many of those who voted for Bush in 04 did so because of his moral stance. Well he doesn't seem so moral when he inappropriately sniggers to the press corp regarding the Geneva convention, " 'Outrageous to human dignity' that's so vague and so open to interpretation." Oh my gosh it really turned my stomach. There are still hundreds of prisoners who have been held for 6 or more years who have never been charged.
It's easy now to say Chizek wasn't a good hire. At the time he was prolly the hottest Asst coach in the country. He's described as a tireless recruiter with contacts all over the south and Texas. ISU's major problem is talent. ISU knew when they hired him he'd be gone soon. They just didn't expect so soon. If the guy came in, did 5 years, ended with a couple winning seasons and maybe a mid level bowl and THEN moved on no-one would begrudge him. That's just what Johnny Majors and Earle Bruce did and they're still well regarded by the fans. I don't blame Chizek for taking the Auburn job. It leaves a sour taste, tho, as a month and a half ago he loudly and publicly proclaimed his love for and his family's "entrenchment" within all things Cyclone. Also, when the Auburn job opened up, he told the ISU AD a couple times, after he was offered the job, that he wasn't going to accept it. Then-BOOM! he's gone.
I don't mind him being gone (after all, he was 5-19) but just hope there isn't a flight of good talent that he did recruit.
Yeah, you're right. Hindsight is 20/20.
Who would you put in that job?
Agree with what Tom said about an Iowa guy so he could stay put. Jay Norvell actually was assistant head coach under McCarney and has a pretty good coaching pedigree. And a wicked moustache.
http://collegefootball.rivals.com/viewcoach.asp?Coach=7
Tom, do you have any idea if the walleye I ate in a resaurant last night was likely to be larger or smaller than 20 inches. I just opened a pamphlet this morning that said among the fish pregnant women should avoid is walleye larger than 20 inches. Oh well. Nothing I can do about it now. I can't remember the last time I ate fish so one possible ingestion of mercury can't be too terrible can it?
My mother ate thermometers and spacesuits when she was pregnant with me and I turned out fine.
I didn't eat thermometers, I just sucked on them!! Don't worry Emily, I mean really, what about women around the world who eat only fish (no meat) 5-6times a week...all this info makes preg. women anxious, which I think is more harmfull. Also, I think it's awful that a preg. woman can't feel comfortable ordering a glass of wine when out for dinner, give me a break...
I vote for a new poll, Blogmasters.
It's been snowing lightly all day...but, we're not going to cancel the Art's Council Christmas party at our house...it's just a light snow..this is NW Iowa...But, everything is canceling (on the radio)I think I'll call the radio and say it's NOT cancelled haha...Does Sr. Sarah's have a party booked for tonight?
Home from work...so tired. New jobs are exhausting, just speaking all day with strangers. Job itself is very very slow. Dull. But it's a job. And, it's close.
p
Pat is it full time?
Just went out and shoveled/blew snow for an hour and half. It felt good,, all bundled up but not cold. Crisp,cold air.
Our neighbor just brought over a huge tray of homemade treats. Yummy.
Monica
Sheesh! We've been in the deep freeze with lows around -10 and now it will warm up but for that we get freezing rain (1/4 to 1/2 inch) then are going to get dumped on with more snow. It isn't fair.
Emily - I highly doubt that walleye exceeded 20 inces.
Tom
RAndy used the leaf blower on the front brick walk yesterday. Worked like a charm!
The ice will be more problematic.
The biggest problem with the snow seems to be that it's the end of the year and snow removal is not so aggressive. Yesterday (among other things) I saw a woman whose car had got hung up on a pole's guy wire. I can't figure out how she got out of the car.
Emily - here's my take on this: I don't think you can worry about yesterday's walleye, however you probably should take note of how often you eat fish, tuna (and other high mecury content fish) need to be limited somewhat. I also would watch out for petroleum products... pre-packaged foods containing food dyes are high in petroleum products. Lunch meat and other cured mueats like ham and sausage is now on the list of what to avoid... so much information and it seems to change every year.
Mary is back to saying her stomach hurts all the time again... what to do?
lisa
Got new tires fer my 4x4 pick'em up truck. Glad I opted for a more aggressive tread. It allows be to maintain my status as an aggressive driver in this winter season.
This town is full of slow drivers. Mainly 2 types. Old farmers in new pickups and just old people in 92 Buicks. Neither of which need to be any particular place at any particular time. So they just cruise slllllllooooooooooowwwwwwwwllllllllly to where ever it is they are headed. I believe these people pose a greater threat to the driving public at large. They should be cited.
Tom
OH dear. Went to empty the dryer and we have water in the basement from the water heater. I turned off the water valve and am waiting for the plumber.
In the last couple months we put a new radiator, new water pump and a set of tires in my Isuzu. Monday I was backing into the driveway (because of the forecast of snow for Tuesday) and something started boiling and a line of antifreeze was visible all down the driveway and as far as I could see on the street. It's in the shop now - no news from Claude the mechanic. Grrr.
On my new tires I opted for a tread that would allow me not to go down the hill sideways. That was one slippery snow we had.
Randy - as the only person here with draftsman skills (among your other skills) I have a great invention we need to patent. Do you want in? It involves traction.
Tom
Mary, how many people are coming to your party? Are you doing all the food/drinks or do people bring stuff?
This week is our turn to host the staff Epiphany party. It falls the night before Generations of Faith, between the weekends we want to go to Stevo's mom's on the 3rd and Peoria on the 10th for Bradley vs. Creighton, and the week of starting back to school and hosting a CLADD leadership meeting. That darn Epiphany.
Cathy has drafting skills.
Yeah, but Randy has a sexy little laptop with drafting skills.
Em - did the plumber come?
So....about 5 o'clock this evening I realized the heat in the bar area wasn't working. Crap! It's -1 degrees outside.
So I retrieve my rickety extension ladder I loaned Joe. I extend it to it's fullest and plant it in the most secure seeming place I can. Knowing that under all this snow there is a glaze of ice.
I have only jeans, a hooded sweatshirt, a thin coat, hat and gloves. I gather the handful of tools needed to remove itty bitty machine screws which hold down the access panels to the roof top heater. It's the size of a small car. Each panel has about 6 of the itty bitty screws.
I go up the ladder on the verge of filling my Fruit Of The Looms with each step. I hate ladders. Ever since I broke my leg I have this thing about ladders. This "thing" was even worse given the conditions.
Get on the roof and about slip straight on my butt. Underneath the foot of snow my flat roof is a skating rink. I proceed to the faulty unit and begin my amateur diagnostics. I employ a few tricks I had learned from watching the service guys in the past. Nothing works.
So I resign myself to the removal of the panels. Which means on my hands and knees in a foot of snow removing itty bitty screws. Panel one reveals no reset buttons. Panel 2 reveals a reset button. I push it. Nothing. Panels 3 and 4 - no resets. By this time my hands are frozen because itty bitty screws require you to remove your gloves. Each panel take about 5 minutes to remove and put back on.
My toes and knees are hurting. I resign myself to calling a pro. I climb down the precarious ladder with less grip and shakier knees than when I went up. By now it's -4.
Owning a cool restaurant isn't always that cool.
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