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Post by maryland on Jan 27, 2022 16:34:02 GMT
It pisses me right off, too. That damned Mitch McConnel, f*cking hypocrite that he is, let Trump shove through a new justice mere WEEKS before the election, when he wouldn't allow Obama to appoint a justice ten months before an election. Any Republican who supported that is also a hypocrite in my eyes. I swear, I will lose my sh!t if McConnell screws this up for Biden. I guess I should be prepared to lose my sh!t, because I just know he's going to. I can't stand hypocrites and double standards. That's one of the many reasons I left the Republican party a couple years ago.
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Post by maryland on Jan 27, 2022 13:59:44 GMT
We use torani syrups with lurs to give a hint of flavor. My 10 year old LOVES it. We also use it to make fizzy lemonade- use remade lemonade and do half and half. I never hears of that, where can you but it? What do you mean by half and half? Do you make regular lemonade, then do half water and half lemonade?
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Post by maryland on Jan 27, 2022 13:58:43 GMT
We just bought one for Xmas. We use the bubbly drops, or plain with a slice of lemon or lime. We also use the ginger ale and the lemon and lime concentrate. Less sugar than buying ginger ale or sprite. We have a water cooler or use filtered water from the fridge, so that it's nice and cold. Yes! I have several of the soda stream bottles and keep them filled in the fridge before carbonating them. When I bought my replacement machine this fall, somewhere in the instructions it said that cold water carbonates best. That's a great idea! I didn't know you could buy just the bottle. We have a standard size refrigerator, our refrigerator is always packed full. Maybe it's smaller than standard? I pack my husband leftovers for lunch, snacks, his big water bottle every night, so one shelf has to be available for his stuff. My inlaws got us a brita or some kind of big water pitcher for Christmas and we just can't fit it in the refrigerator. I think that's my excuse for not liking water, I can't keep it in the refrigerator, haha! I wish we had 2 refrigerators!
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Post by maryland on Jan 27, 2022 0:21:53 GMT
I don't reread books and finally found a good local library, so I just borrow books. I also don't have a place to store books, so that makes it hard to buy. I do have a lot of 99 cent books on my kindle, and I hardly ever use the kindle.
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Post by maryland on Jan 27, 2022 0:10:46 GMT
I have one and like it. However I only use it as sparkling water or a tonic sub in a mixed drink. My ODS uses his and buys the syrups to add to it. In my mind, I think that is just as bad as drinking a soda. I do think now, though, that they have diet versions. I haven't tried those so I can't vouch for the taste of them. As far as using it, it is so easy to use. You just fill the water bottle up to the max level. Pop in into place and give a few pumps to the button. I am sure there are youtube videos that will show you exactly how to do it. Good idea to try you tube!
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Post by maryland on Jan 27, 2022 0:10:21 GMT
I’m on the go today so short answer is that I LOVE mine. I’ve had one for 9 years and make at least 2 bottles of sparkling water a day (I don’t do flavored stuff). I bought It because I was Regularly drinking 2 cans of Diet Coke a day and wanted to get away from that. It worked like a charm It’s very easy to use once you get over the fear factor. Check YouTube for a video for your model. Do you use water from the faucet or do you buy sparkling water at the store for it? I really don't know much about it. I am trying to decide to keep it or give it to a friend. I was hoping one of my kids was taking it with them to their college apt., but they said they don't have room.
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Post by maryland on Jan 27, 2022 0:09:08 GMT
If the goal is to reduce sugary soda consumption, they have tons of diet and flavored water mix options. My Target, kohls and bed, bath and beyond sell them. They can also be bought in many online places. sodastream.com/collections/sparkling-water-flavorsWe got ours at Target, they matched an online price. So do the diet options have the same "bad" ingredients as diet soda, crystal light, etc?
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Post by maryland on Jan 27, 2022 0:01:45 GMT
I was thinking more broadly of people being fined financially as punishment for not taking the vaccine which is already happening in several countries. For some the fines are regular and continual . Whilst I am pro-vaccine for those who are able - I just don’t like it being mandated in some countries. There have been some other threads here where people have had zero compassion for those who have died unvaccinated . I have been shocked . Like other people , we as a family are clinically vulnerable due to heart and lung problems and been prisoners in our own home for 2 years only leaving for hospital visits and one drive locally. I want this to end as much as anybody else and unfortunately in the UK it is set to get even worse with the lifting of restrictions creating more risk for us. I don’t want to lose my humanity on top of everything else. I don’t think we’ve lost our humanity necessarily. This is a place for many of us to vent our frustrations, and many of us are frustrated with the additional burden the unvaccinated are putting on the rest of us. If we didn’t have compassion for those who die from this disease unvaccinated, why would we care that so many ARE dying? Wouldn’t the less human response be to just figure none of this has anything to do with us, so let people do what they want? That seems to be what the anti-vaxxers want - for all of us to just leave them to their devices. But we persist in not wanting them to die anyway. We persist in caring about their deaths and the enormous burden they place on healthcare workers (also human). We persist in that despite being told unequivocally by the unvaccinated to F off. That’s not losing our humanity. That’s refusing to lose it. Yes! You said it well!
I agree, that's why I want mandates for all and all school kids age 5 and up to get vaccinated. Because I care and want them to live and not get covid. And by us getting vaccinated/boosted, we are showing our care for humanity. And many of us still wear masks too. I think the unvaccinated are the ones who are losing humanity. They don't seem to care to protect themselves and others.
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Post by maryland on Jan 26, 2022 22:01:52 GMT
We bought a soda stream over the holidays. My kids were using it, then went back to school and I forgot to ask how to use it! Of course we lost the instructions. So I am debating waiting until spring break when they can teach me how to use it or passing it on to a friend to use.
My main questions, are if you have one, do you like it? I drink so much soda, and wasn't sure if this was a good substitute? My kids say they have a cola flavor. But is it just as bad for you as regular soda if you mix it in? I am pretty clueless about soda stream! Don't want to hold onto it if it's just as bad as soda. I don't like water unless I am extremely thirsty, and the kids thought maybe this would help to drink more water.
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Post by maryland on Jan 25, 2022 18:15:20 GMT
I saw the story on World News Tonight the other day. So sad!
I remember the sniper too. I was watching CNN and saw my parent's local middle school on the news. A boy was shot outside the school and he survived.
Our local high school in Pittsburgh does active shooter drills.
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Post by maryland on Jan 25, 2022 1:01:33 GMT
I am glad you are vaccinated and boosted, it would be much worse if you weren't. I hope you feel better soon!
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Post by maryland on Jan 24, 2022 23:46:36 GMT
Hey, Florida doesn’t get to claim all the lunatics. Considering the number of Michiganders that either split their time or move to FL, I'm thinking "Florida man" and "Michigan man" are interchangable. Our local radio station has Florida woman/Florida man stories all the time. But I think most states has a version of "their state"/woman/man.
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Post by maryland on Jan 24, 2022 23:32:26 GMT
I have bunions, so only tennis shoes or flip flops (even in the winter - I get lots of comments at the store). I did get a pair of $15 rain boots from walmart in wide as we have so much snow and I have to take my dog out every 2 hrs. and I have to help her walk, so we go all through the snow. I tell my husband I save so much money by not buying shoes, haha!
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Post by maryland on Jan 24, 2022 23:28:38 GMT
I am having trouble getting into a book, we have a lot going on with our dog right now. I started Brave Girl Quiet Girl, Hush Little Baby - Redfearn and Story Hour - (can't remember author). Then I gave on them because I need something lighter, so started It Ends With Us - Colleen Hoover, mainly because I can read it on my kindle.
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Post by maryland on Jan 24, 2022 23:26:31 GMT
I would love to participate in these threads more often this year! I have a goal to read at least 2-3 books a month. This is my tally for January: Little Secrets by Jennifer Hillier (4/5) All it takes to unravel a life is one little secret...Marin had the perfect life. Married to her college sweetheart, she owns a chain of upscale hair salons, and Derek runs his own company. They're admired in their community and are a loving family—until their world falls apart the day their son Sebastian is taken. A year later, Marin is a shadow of herself. The FBI search has gone cold. The publicity has faded. She and her husband rarely speak. She hires a P.I. to pick up where the police left off, but instead of finding Sebastian, she learns that Derek is having an affair with a younger woman. This discovery sparks Marin back to life. She's lost her son; she's not about to lose her husband, too. Kenzie is an enemy with a face, which means this is a problem Marin can fix. Permanently. REVIEW: This book was pretty good. It kept me entertained and flowed pretty smoothly. I didn't catch onto the ending until almost done with the book. I might check out another book by this author. The End of Her by Sheri Lapena (4/5) A long-ago accident--and a visitor from out of the blue. . .Stephanie and Patrick are adjusting to life with their colicky twin girls. The babies are a handful, but even as Stephanie struggles with the disorientation of sleep deprivation, there's one thing she's sure of: she has all she ever wanted. Then Erica, a woman from Patrick's past, appears and makes a disturbing accusation. Patrick had always said his first wife's death was an accident, but now Erica claims it was murder. Patrick insists he's innocent, that this is nothing but a blackmail attempt. Still, Erica knows things about Patrick--things that make Stephanie begin to question her husband. Stephanie isn't sure what, or who, to believe. As Stephanie's trust in Patrick begins to falter, Patrick stands to lose everything. Is Patrick telling the truth--is Erica the persuasive liar Patrick says she is? Or has Stephanie made a terrible mistake? REVIEW: Another good book. I finished this one in a day. I have started to not read reviews before I read the book because I think it taints my view. There were a few bad reviews of this book for plausibility but, honestly, I enjoyed the story. It was a nice quick read. The Dilemma by B.A. Paris (4/5) t’s Livia’s 40th birthday, and her husband Adam is throwing her the party of a lifetime to make up for the wedding they never had. Everyone she loves will be there, except her daughter Marnie, who’s studying abroad. But Livia is secretly glad Marnie won’t be there. Livia has recently uncovered a secret about their daughter which, if revealed, will shake the foundation of their family to its core. She needs to tell Adam, but she’s waiting until the party is over so they can have this last happy time together. Adam, meanwhile, has his own surprise for Livia: he’s arranged for Marnie to secretly fly back for the party. But before Marnie arrives, Adam hears some terrible news. Now he too is faced with a dilemma: Does he share what he's learned with his wife? Is hiding the truth the same as telling a lie? And how far are Adam and Livia willing to go to protect the ones they love—and give each other a last few hours of happiness? REVIEW: Also a quick read. This one had me scratching my head at times but the story was interesting so I gave it 4 stars. The description seems a little misleading and it definitely wasn't a suspenseful storyline but I finished it in a couple hours. I can say this isn't my favorite B.A. Paris book but it was a good one to get started on my reading journey with. I read and really like all three! If I can figure out how to do a spoiler, I have more to say about one of the books.
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Post by maryland on Jan 24, 2022 23:22:20 GMT
How is this different that any other vaccines we've been required to get? My kid, now an adult was REQUIRED to get a vaccine against chicken pox in order to stay in school! We've been getting vaccines and requiring vaccines for a very long time...so what's the difference now? I agree! Why do the unvaccinated get a pass this time? I wish all schools would require vaccination for those 5 and up.
It has given me and my family freedom! We know we are very unlikely to get covid (we wear a mask everywhere) or pass it on to others.
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Post by maryland on Jan 21, 2022 0:20:31 GMT
I have lived in Russia before and know several ladies who were the Russian Bride or were trying to become a Russian bride. They did it because they wanted to get out of Russia and could not afford to do so on their own. (When I lived there Match.com and the internet wasn't like it is today). The brides families were poor (like, really really poor) and they did not have the ability to move up the 'food chain' if they stayed in Russia. By marrying an American (or Canadian) they were able to move here and better themselves. Bonus points that they could apply to become an American. If they stayed in Russia they would not have the ability to go to college. This young lady he has been talking to has a degree and is a resident in a Psychiatry program at a local hospital there...she seems to have a lot going for her...as best as I can tell. I apologize for not including this in the original post. I hope everything works well for them and they are both happy! It sounds like you are just concerned for your family member and just want what's best for him (while knowing to stay out of it). I wonder if there is a market for Russian grooms too? If men would be interested in leaving Russia too?
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Post by maryland on Jan 20, 2022 21:51:25 GMT
I never heard of that, but I do get cracks in the corners of my mouth and they hurt so much! I also get cracks on the sides of the tops of my thumbs on both sides of the nail. I sleep with 4 bandaids over each crack every night until they heal. Then every other night or they crack again.
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Post by maryland on Jan 20, 2022 16:21:07 GMT
I was supposed to get a dental implant 12 yrs. ago, but it was so expensive and we didn't have good insurance. It's been too long, so can't do anything about it now. Then I had pain in a bottom tooth on the other side. I have to get an implant. I had the tooth pulled in Oct. but had to cancel my appt. for last week as the dental office never submitted to our insurance. I am trying to put it off for a few months to save up money for it. I really want to get it as I can't eat well on either side now.
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Post by maryland on Jan 19, 2022 22:05:36 GMT
My husband has a lot of vacation and we go to the beach. We used to go for a month, but after kids started college we go for 2 weeks. The rest of his vacation he uses to just stay home and get stuff done around the house or work on his car. We do go to his family reunion 9 hrs. away every year but we are just gone for 3 days.
I am a sahm, so however he wants to spend his days off is fine with me. I love the beach too, but only want to go for 2 weeks at a time. I feel like I would love to come home and have the house to myself for a week to get it cleaned up while the family enjoys another week at the beach.
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Post by maryland on Jan 19, 2022 21:56:50 GMT
These were my first two words for today (214) - hopefully you can figure out the answer first: adieu second: irons Thanks for the word ideas! I am just learning, so I just type in a bunch of words knowing they are wrong just to get the answer. I am having trouble guessing words, so I wanted to know if they were words I am familiar with or not. What does (214) stand for?
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Post by maryland on Jan 19, 2022 21:55:28 GMT
I think I have a better understanding now, but still very bad at this. I put in a word, and I had one letter in the right place. So I go to the second word and it won't let me put the middle correct letter in there. It always makes me start at the beginning. I do better if they let me put the correct letter in the middle because seeing it helps. I use scratch paper to help me “see” and figure things out before I type subsequent words. I end up with lots of lines on my paper that look like: _ (x) _ _ (x) or (x) _ (x) _ (x) in addition to various combinations when I don’t have the exact places for some letters that are correct. Thanks! I assumed I just couldn't figure out the way to do it. I will have scratch paper around to try.
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Post by maryland on Jan 19, 2022 21:53:54 GMT
Okay, I just finished The Heavens May Fall by Allen Eskens and it's another solid 4.5 for me. I am really loving this series. And because of that and thanks to you, you bunch of enablers, I just ordered the next 2 books in this series AND The Push and We Need to Talk About Kevin. Reading rut officially over... If you like The Push, try Baby Teeth - Zoje Stage and The Perfect Child - Lucinda Berry.
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Post by maryland on Jan 19, 2022 20:55:59 GMT
I have a lanyard with my keys on it so I don't lose my keys. If I just carried the key fob I would lose it in my mess of a car/purse. I hang it on a hook inside our front door. That has save me hours of looking for my keys! If your car does beep when you walk away with the key, wearing it as a necklace should make it easy to remember to turn it off.
My car doesn't beep, maybe there is a setting to put it on to make it beep! I will call the dealer and ask if I can take it in to get it put on the beep setting.
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Post by maryland on Jan 19, 2022 20:49:11 GMT
My new car I got a year ago has that and I am always worried that the car is not turned off. My husband showed me this thing inthe car near the speedomoter and it it's on zero then the car is turned off. I know absolutely nothing about cars, which is so bad! I often try turning on my car again to pay attention as I turn it off. When I first got it I went into the store a few times with the car running!
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Post by maryland on Jan 19, 2022 20:40:21 GMT
I think I have a better understanding now, but still very bad at this. I put in a word, and I had one letter in the right place. So I go to the second word and it won't let me put the middle correct letter in there. It always makes me start at the beginning. I do better if they let me put the correct letter in the middle because seeing it helps.
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Post by maryland on Jan 19, 2022 4:44:55 GMT
I can understand why your upset with the change in plans. However, you get more vacation time than he does, and if I were in your shoes, I would use that flexibility to reach a compromise. Go on the vacation with your mom by yourself and let him go on this family camping trip by himself. Then, use the week that he still has available and plan something just for the two of you. You both get time with your family, and you still have a week for you as a couple, plus two more weeks to use as you see fit. Apparently, he enjoys these vacations with his family. Your previous plans would require him to give up his family trip and replace it with a trip with your mother. Since he only gets two weeks, I'm not sure that is "fair" to him, just as giving up your "couple's trip" isn't fair to you. That's what I was thinking too.
It's hard when one gets more vacation than the other. What about every other year you switch off. One year you spend both weeks doing something just with each other or friends, no extended family. Then the next year he spends one week with his week with his family and you with yours. Then the second week you spend together?
It's so hard when extended family wants to be part of your vacation. Holidays too, trying to split them up. I hope you all can work it out and both be happy with what you decide. Maybe let him know that he never mentioned wanting to spend a week with his family when you all made your plans? It sounds like maybe that could be what's so upsetting? If he mentioned wanting to spend a week with his family when you first started talking about vacation instead of after you made plans?
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Post by maryland on Jan 19, 2022 4:15:17 GMT
Another question as I have not figured it out yet. Are the words simple words, or difficult? For example, is this something a child or my elderly parents could do, or are the words tricky? Could someone tell me some words they got right in the past? Sorry for all the questions!
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Post by maryland on Jan 19, 2022 4:09:15 GMT
It sounds like fun but I can't figure out how to play! Or where to play. I am tech challenged! Haha! www.powerlanguage.co.uk/wordle/Type in your first five letter word. Hit enter. Letters in green are correct and in the right position. Letters in yellow are correct but out of place. Letters can repeat. The game is British. Thanks for the link! So when I clicked on it, it looks like there are 6 different words? Or do you get 6 tries? My family doesn't play this, so they can't show me how to do it, haha! I am so bad at figuring things like this out!
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Post by maryland on Jan 17, 2022 22:48:00 GMT
That must be in Maryland!
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