iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295 
|
Post by iowgirl on Nov 16, 2023 14:14:07 GMT
My strong recomendation - buy some nice shades, and pull them when the sun shines through and shows how dirty the windows are.  I live in an old 3 story farmhouse. The main floor windows require a very tall ladder (not a step ladder) to wash. The second floor and attic windows are a no-go. I have washed them once! I can take the storms off from the inside and I do wash them (not very often). But one time I had my husband bring down our big tele-handler with the platform. I washed every window. My son, who as about 12 or 13 at the time was in charge of moving me around the house. I would have to yell at him to come out and move the rig! LOL One time I had to climb in the window to find him. Once was enough. Plus the yard had to be extremly dry and hard, or that big machine leaves deep ruts. Hire someone who has excellent worker's insurance. This! I wouldn't hire anyone that couldn't prove insurance. Both for their injury and breakage on your windows. Make sure that is upfront! Have windows installed that you can turn about to clean both sides (these do exist). That would be awesome! I have 36 windows in my house. A few are BIG ones. They are original to my house, window weights and all. I still have the old storms/screens that you used to change seasonally. They hung in front of the house windows and were secured with hooks. 30 years ago we had the house re-sided and storm/screen windows installed. There is no way I am taking out my original double hung wood windows though. Most have the original glass that has the slight wave in it. Don't live in a house that is 3 stories high. Sorry it is late and I'm bored.  I question how much I am going to like this when I get to my 70's and beyond - if I do! It's a long haul from the basement to the upper floors with a laundry basket! |
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
|
Post by iowgirl on Nov 12, 2023 20:39:21 GMT
I haven't had a Costco one, but anything fresh always disappoints me. I harvest a few fresh greens on my own from our groves and poke them into my outside urns, but anything I buy always seems on deaths door when I get it. I know you can soak to revive some - but it seems like it is nasty weather and I really don't want to do it in my house and it's too cold to do it outside. And they don't last all that long before starting to make a big mess, and I worry about fire. I did purchase some 'reel feel' garland and I love it. I bought another garland, a wreath and two small norfolk pine trees this year. Don't wait if you want some, they sell out fast. This is the tree I purchased, and it looks like a live Norfolk pine. I ordered in early October - shows sold out right now: AFloral Norfolk PineAnd the garland (also sold out right now) : AFloral Norfolk garlandMix in a little other naturals or greenery and they really look much more expensive! I currently have some fall florals/naturals in with the pine garland on my dining table and an amber led light string. |
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
|
Post by iowgirl on Nov 12, 2023 15:00:27 GMT
I am 100% eBook/Audiobook now. Mostly audiobooks, which I used to hate.
I do not want books laying around - I am trying hard to have less stuff in my house. Books are something I try to keep at a minimum.
I do love getting my eBooks/Audiobooks from my local Library system. I do have an Audible subscription for those that are going to take months to get from the Library. I can have 10 books on my waitlist, so I usually have something that comes available in a timely manner.
|
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
|
Post by iowgirl on Nov 12, 2023 14:55:51 GMT
I wonder if this is an exception under the credit card tips section. But that’s most tips these days isn’t it? We don’t usually carry cash but this makes me think we should. I almost always tip in cash. Quite a few of the locally owned eateries around here don't take credit cards. They either have a cash machine or one is close by and will direct people there who don't have any cash or checks on them. Our dentist gives a discount if we pay with cash or check at the time of service so they don’t have to chase down payment after the fact. We believed in teaching our kids how to 'fend for themselves" at an early age. When my daughter got her braces, she was in on the overall cost meeting with the orthodontist. She made the 'cash' deal, which we had prepped her for. We paid up-front for all services, but she did the dealing for it. There is quite a discount usually for cash/check payment up front. When she purchased her first car on her own, after graduating from college - she did the trade in and price dealing on her new car completely by herself. We know the salesman (purchased many vehicles from him). He told us later he was flat out impressed with her and had never had anyone that young be that confident in a purchase. We felt like learning how to purchase and pay for things at an early age was a major life lesson. It isn't always easy to ask for a cost reduction, when there will easily be one. But I laugh now, when I hear my grown kids politely ask if "there is a better price" available. LOL Often there is! |
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
|
Post by iowgirl on Nov 8, 2023 14:46:48 GMT
He was up against Jason Kelce.. who is sexy because of his amazing personality, not looks! Jason Kelce is sexy because he looks like a MAN! LOL ... I know this is sexist, but he looks like he could defend your honor, pick you up and carry you away. I have watched some of the New Heights podcast and I just love him. He recognizes his faults (if you have watched the 'jeans' episode, you know). He loves his wife and kids, loves his family. I am so impressed by his parents. Keeping the family together and not divorcing until the boys were grown. Not just "not divorcing" but keeping the family intact, getting along with each other and having a family. I know it's not always possible. And both partners have to be on board and be agreeable to it. But I truly wish more people would go into marriage with this as the plan. But it has to be BOTH partners. |
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
|
Post by iowgirl on Oct 30, 2023 15:16:09 GMT
I wonder if this is one of those cases where the lie becomes the truth for the person... that in their mind it is fact.
I have heard of this many times, that even though there is evidence and fact proving the lie, the person has so deeply imbedded the lie, that is the truth to them now.
|
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
|
Post by iowgirl on Oct 26, 2023 18:57:46 GMT
I own firearms, and I am not keen on super restrictive gun control.... BUT - these type of cases should not be happening. There is no doubt he should have not had any firearms, and any that he had should have been removed.
But that said, I don't know if it would have stopped him. My mind always goes back to a young man I knew that killed two women and then himself. He had been involuntary committed a couple years before this event, but I think the time limit on that for possessing guns was over, but I am honestly not sure of the facts on that... but personally I think his family should have never allowed him access to firearms. And they did supply him with the shotgun that was the weapon used. Hunting was the excuse. He loved to hunt... the family loves to hunt... so there was 'no reason' to not allow him access to his shotgun. Oh my god. It makes me both incredibly sad and somewhat furious to this day. One of the families of the two young women did sue, and it was dismissed. I just don't understand that. I am guessing the family of the young man had more money for a better attorney.
|
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
|
Post by iowgirl on Oct 26, 2023 16:06:50 GMT
It couldn’t be that people realize that crappy overpriced food is not good for your health or budget? It's the cost. The price of basic food at McDonald's is nuts now. I used to order a McDouble, small fry, small coke and it was $3, which felt about right for price. Now it is $7 - which is expensive, IMO People eat here, not for health but for the cost. If it is not cheap, they aren't going to go, or go as often. And I had to beg for the small. They would always try to give me a large (same price) - but geeze... I don't want 2 quarts of pop. I won't drink diet. I just want a small Coke once in a while. Fast food for a family of 6 is $60+, a regular restaurant is easily $120 We went out as a family last weekend. 7 of us. 6 had prime rib, 1 had a nice big pork tenderloin sandwich. The 6 steaks came with a salad bar (lettuce, several pasta salads, cottage cheese, toppings, puddings, and homemade potato soup) , choice of potato or other side and toast. 6 of us all had at least one alcoholic drink, several had 2 or 3. Total, including taxes, but not tip - $195. In these times, I felt that wasn't bad at all, and the Prime ribs were AMAZING! They also source out higher quality beef. This is a privately owned restaurant/bar. They make their Prime Rib's in an Alto Sham, which is the most delicious way of cooking one. I'd rather pay this money, than the fast food money. Maybe fast food chains should step up and offer some healthier options. People want CHEAP. Healthy isn't cheap. |
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
|
Post by iowgirl on Oct 24, 2023 21:04:39 GMT
A 40 hour week would be vacation! LOL I'm home now, as we are between crops and I am in 'reset' mode for meals, laundry, house, etc. But DH is working cattle and hauling manure. We will start corn as soon as it is fit (expecting some rain the next couple days). But once we get into corn I will start my day at 6, getting food prepped and my truck ready (fuel, tires checked, oil checked, etc.). If I have a load from the night before I will haul it up, and by then the combine and cart are rolling. We generally run till about 8 at night, then DH does chores. I go home and get supper ready. So we can have 40 hours in, in less than 3 days. We don't run that hard all year - but a 40 hour week would be almost unheard of. Ever. When people bitch about 40 hours, I don't have a lot of sympathy. When my kids went to college, they commented on how weird it was not to "do anything" on the weekends.  We are lucky, in that within those long work hours we are with our family, we are in some stunning nature, and we can set our own hours - but they have to be put in. Livestock chores are 7 days a week - 365 days a year. Sick, tired, busy - they still have to be fed. Winter sucks. |
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
|
Post by iowgirl on Oct 24, 2023 14:28:01 GMT
I think it is the filler that gets me the most.
I live in a small town/rural area and I see it on young women here now. In their 30's and they are getting lip filler. It looks wretched.
I am surprised at the really young ones (early 20's) getting botox, but it doesn't quite ruin the looks like the filler does. When done lightly (on older people) it looks ok, but some go way overboard and can't make an expression.
Taking care of your skin and aging gracefully needs to be admired more.
Pulled back eyes and odd puffy stretched out lips - eek.
|
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
|
Post by iowgirl on Oct 21, 2023 17:59:28 GMT
I do both. Just depends on time and mood.
Blind baked is crisper, but mine tend to shrink.
I actually like the unbaked crust better, it is not crisp, but it doesn't seem soggy, just more dense. I like it that way with pumpkin pie also.
Love a good quiche! I had a New Year's Brunch and served several kinds of quiche. One burley fella had never had it and said "Quiche?" - I said " Ham and Egg Pie" ... he said "OH!" and thought it was delicious! lol
|
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
|
Post by iowgirl on Oct 20, 2023 16:48:49 GMT
As the mother of daughters, I just can't imagine her pain. It would be a small comfort to at least have what she probably knew, confirmed.
The rage I would feel would be all encompassing.
|
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
|
Post by iowgirl on Oct 19, 2023 16:38:59 GMT
I know several (mostly much younger) people who have vacationed or destination wedding in the Dominican Republic. Most have stayed at Punta Cana. Always reports of theft and general sense of it was not awesome.
The Haiti adjacent thing keeps me away.
|
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
|
Post by iowgirl on Oct 19, 2023 0:17:36 GMT
It's been fun watching the whole process of their romance. I hope some of the fervor dies down for them at some point. Will it last? Who knows - but they are two really awesome people.
I watch/listen to the New Heights podcast - which is the Kelce Brothers. It started long before the Taylor/Travis thing started... but it is pretty interesting to catch, even if you are not a huge football fan. The dynamic between the brothers, their parents, Jason's wife - it is amazing.
Travis was talking to Jason about the documentary KELCE that primarily focuses on Jason and his football life. For the premier, he showed up in shorts.. thinking his wife was bringing his jeans to wear. But that didn't happen - and in the end Travis told him "maybe it was Jason who should have brought Jason's jeans", with Jason agreeing to that. But to me - it was a highly regarded male figure saying "Hey buddy, you need to deal with things in your life and not blame your wife or expect your wife to do everything for you" ... I really think there is a major shift in perceptions about rolls in family, etc.
I felt that even more when there was a recent post here by a Dad working the "I'm the Dad, don't expect me to know what to do" angle, that went over like a lead balloon. Times are changing, and for the better!
|
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
|
Post by iowgirl on Oct 19, 2023 0:02:31 GMT
That sounds terrible!
I love cream puffs and make them often. No way would I put avocado in one! I do make pistachio filled ones (Pistachio pudding, cream cheese, cool whip) - that is everyones favorite.
|
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
|
Post by iowgirl on Oct 18, 2023 17:11:38 GMT
Milk was a big thing in our house. Canada - where in our area it is in bags of 3 1L bags - we'd go through 2 bags of 3 a week. We'd cap him at the 2, there was no way I was going out and buying a 3rd. I used to go through 5 to 7 gallons a milk in a week! Now we hardly use any! |
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
|
Post by iowgirl on Oct 18, 2023 13:37:44 GMT
I went and picked up a couple (thin crust) pizza's to take out to the field one evening. I had my 16 year old son with me. He at a WHOLE pizza before we got to the field. He was like "OMG Mom - I accidentally at the whole pizza" ... We still laugh at his genuine shock that he had accidentally eaten the entire pizza. It was a large, but one topping and thin crust. Man that kid was starving most of the time. This was along with the school lunches that became so terrible (I blame Michelle Obama, but I don't hate her... it just decimated our school lunch meals.). He was in XC, worked on the farm when he got home from school and was just always hungry! I'd always have a good hearty snack when he got home, but by supper he was starved. My husband works hard, and our main meal is at noon. Dinner - that is at noon! Even my girls could put away the food. All my kids were high school athletes and also worked on the farm, had horses, etc... so they were HUNGRY! I tried hard to not have a lot of junk, and lean proteins were a big part of my meals. When everyone comes home at once now, I wonder how in the heck did I keep you all fed? We are working calves the day before Thanksgiving. All the kids and their spouses will be home, plus the neighbor boy who helps us. What on earth am I going to feed them that day! HA~ I have to have morning coffee and some kinds of rolls/pastry, a big noon dinner meal. Something to grab quick in the afternoon, then supper. Sometimes we don't get done until 7 and everyone is starving. Next day, Thanksgiving meal! |
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
|
Post by iowgirl on Oct 17, 2023 14:36:26 GMT
Times have changed. Incompetent Daddy isn't funny anymore. We are tired of it. Deal with it.
Our daughters no longer find it even mildly amusing.
|
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
|
Post by iowgirl on Oct 17, 2023 14:17:18 GMT
I noticed last week in my local fb groups that there were several posts from people selling their tickets. I don't know if they had other things come up in their schedules or what. It's also that time of year that people are coming down with colds etc... Were they selling them at normal price? I wonder if some greedy folks bought up tickets online and are trying to resell at a profit. |
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
|
Post by iowgirl on Oct 16, 2023 15:21:07 GMT
I did quite a bit when my kids were younger and at home. I did volunteer for a lot of things at school, for their athletics and anything else they were in.
I am a SAHFW (Stay at Home Farm Wife) so my times is mostly taken up with farm stuff. Harvest now, but too wet for me to haul grain - so I am catching up at home. ...and tootlefarting around on the computer... lol
I don't really volunteer now, because my schedule really isn't free. I do have days where I could help with things, but I can't plan those very far out in advance. So I tend to not raise my hand for much now.
|
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
|
Post by iowgirl on Oct 12, 2023 16:15:26 GMT
My favorite drive ever was on Iowa 965 (now mostly closed). Eastern Iowa is SO pretty! I live in Western Iowa, which I think is also quite beautiful, but maybe not quite as dramatic as Eastern Iowa is. But if you know the good spots - there are some beautiful ones! We are lucky to own quite a bit of river and creek ground. Fall is just an amazing time to go walking down on the banks. |
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
|
Post by iowgirl on Oct 12, 2023 15:16:01 GMT
Ha! I actually travel on parts of Iowa Highway 4 quite often. It's not any busier or less busy than any blacktop in my area. It actually connects our school district buildings, so I'd say it is a little busier in my area.
|
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
|
Post by iowgirl on Oct 6, 2023 13:04:01 GMT
Cows are just not super smart, it seems. You are correct! Cows are NOT super smart. Cows are dumb. Cows are obnoxious pains in the patoot most days! LOL "The Cows ARE OUT" would get even my slowest kid moving fast. Real shoes on and out the door into the nearest vehicle as soon as possible. The more hands on deck, the easier it is to get them back where they are supposed to be. We work so hard to keep good fences, but no matter what - they get out sometimes. It's the deer rut season now and hunting season... so the deer are on the move. I deal with fence wraps nearly every day. They jump the fence, but don't quite clear it sometimes and pull the hot wire into the woven or barbed wire, so my fence is shorted out. Then I have to find and fix the short and just hope the wire isn't broken. I am off to do that now before a long day of hauling corn. Ugh. I'm pooped already.  |
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
|
Post by iowgirl on Oct 6, 2023 12:59:09 GMT
One came up to me and led me to a kiosk. He scanned my cart for me while I packed my goods. I then paid as normal on the machines. My Walmart has always kind of been this way, but mainly when it isn't super busy. The self checkout is difficult when you have a cart full - because there is no place to put things. If your cart is still full of stuff to be scanned, and there is only space after the scanner for a couple bags - it gets tricky, especially if you are along. Where to put stuff? I have seen employees stop in and help get things scanned faster and help bag and get into the cart. My area is a smaller rural area, I don't know if that makes any difference. The Hy-Vee store is about the same. If not slammed busy, then the front end always helps with self-checkout. I have the Walmart App - so I Scan & Go, so when I go through the self checkout, I just scan the QR code and I'm done. I highly recommend that. |
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
|
Post by iowgirl on Oct 2, 2023 15:48:41 GMT
10 minutes before or after 2.
But I have learned my lesson. If I am waiting for someone, and they give me that answer, I let them know when I will be available.
If they say around 2 - I will say I am here from 1:30 to 2:30 - if you aren't able to make it then, reschedule at my convenience. Sometimes people take advantage of peoples time.
If I am legit going to be around the entire afternoon, I'll let them know, but if not - I give them the time that I am willing to wait and then I leave.
|
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
|
Post by iowgirl on Sept 29, 2023 16:09:24 GMT
I have heard so many people, that are now burdened with huge student loan debt, say they wish someone would have counseled them better on the reality of what that debt would mean down the road.
Getting someone who is 17-18 to listen and understand the reality of debt is also hard to do. It's just not something that is a reality to them - it's in the 'someday' realm...why worry?
We were fortunate to be able to pay our kids tuition, but it did come with some strings. We would pay for the instate cost of tutition, room & board at a State school. If they chose a differently, the remainder was on them. If they wanted to live off campus, the cost difference between the dorm/room/board was on them. We encouraged them all to live at least 1 or 2 years in the dorms, and they all chose to live 2 years in the dorms and loved it. Said that was the best decision ever. They all chose the same in-state university. It has a diverse set of majors, and they all did something completely different.
They all have excellent paying jobs now with great benefits, which is something this State school, and their majors are known for. We counseled them on picking a major that was in their interests, but also had good income potential.
I fully feel that telling a young person "Do what your heart loves, and the rest will work out" is probably the worst advise that can be given.
|
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
|
Post by iowgirl on Sept 28, 2023 18:26:19 GMT
I grew up in very small town Iowa. Did you have Chili and Cinnamon rolls? That is an iconic midwest school lunch. I can not have a bowl of chili without a cinnamon roll! In my small town, the teachers walked with us to lunch. The lunchroom was at the high school, which was about 4 blocks away, so we got a nice bit of fresh air every day. The bus would take us only on very hard downpour rain days, which were few and far between! I know that is still how they do it. Teachers walk with kids and eat lunch/supervise them (Elementary). Middle/High school eats after elementary, and there is one or two monitors. Even to this day most of the food is homemade there. The school my kids went to in Iowa did not have as great of food, but it was acceptable. It really went downhill when the Michelle Obama standards went into place. No hate for her, but that program was really bad for the school lunches. It wasn't well thought out. Had a caloric limit - which translated to just less food. My athletic kids had to take in their own food to get through the day. |
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
|
Post by iowgirl on Sept 28, 2023 13:50:25 GMT
We did them for my daughters wedding, but there weren't too many to do, as most guest were local. But the ones that stayed in the hotel were mostly family and close friends.
We did the mini cans of pop and a mini liquor bottle of what we knew they liked as a mixed drink. We added some snacks, like pretzels/chips and a little nice chocolate. It was a way for them to have a nice mixed drink and a snack in their room. The ones that did not drink alcohol, we just added the mini pop's. Everyone loved them. I just used small sized kraft bags and printed a 'Welcome" graphic on cardstock and attached it to the front of the bag and tied a ribbon around the handle to close.
Pinterest has some classy ways of doing the bags. I'd double check with hotel to make sure they will place the bags, or hand out at checkin.
The hotel usually already supplies guests with bottled water.
|
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
|
Post by iowgirl on Sept 26, 2023 21:42:20 GMT
I bought 6 tickets to see George at Jack Trice. I am so excited! I just clicked to buy 4 tickets, sitting out in the middle of my pasture checking fences, when my DH texted me "Get 6" ... so back in I went and got two more.
I agree - the fee's are nuts! This will be the 3rd time I have seen George. I am excited for Chris Stapleton and Little Big Town too... but my biggest fear is rain! First stadium concert in Ames since the late 80's. I hope the Cyclone Weather Alert is just for George, not an actual tornado.
I think I would pee my pants if they did an actual Cyclone Alert for him. Seriously, it is so exciting at football games, I almost cry! LOL Is that nuts or what!
|
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
|
Post by iowgirl on Sept 26, 2023 13:51:21 GMT
EUHOMY Nugget Ice MakerThis is the exact same nugget ice maker that I have. Mine is not branded EUHOMY though. I have seen it on TikTok for less $$, and I paid about $240 when I bought mine 2 years ago. It has been great. I was so glad I could get it working again. I use tap water that I filter through a Brita pitcher.
|
|
Hire someone who has excellent worker's insurance. This! I wouldn't hire anyone that couldn't prove insurance. Both for their injury and breakage on your windows. Make sure that is upfront! 
