maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,737
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Sept 2, 2023 13:41:04 GMT
Open so the cat can come and go. He’s getting dementia and howls bloody murder at night if he can’t find us right away. That and the heat and AC are more balanced with the doors open.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,737
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Sept 2, 2023 0:24:41 GMT
Not surprised at Rhode Island. But I really think Massachusetts should be high on that list. I’ve spent a lot of time driving in Boston this week.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,737
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Aug 31, 2023 22:05:44 GMT
Quirky? How 'bout a piano bar like Don't Tell Mama, or if you're more the raucous sing-along type, Marie's Crisis? If the weather's nice, definitely grab yourself a bagel and schmear, and sit yourself down on a bench in Central Park. It's great people-watching. If it's rainy and/or you're a whimsical type, grab a meal (or tea) at Alice's Tea Cup. I wouldn't recommend it on weekends or during after-school hours, though, unless you have a high tolerance for groups of little girls. I had the time of my life with my kids (grown) at Marie’s Crisis. It was Halloween.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,737
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Aug 26, 2023 20:52:35 GMT
Right now? Two. I close things out when I finish with them. I close everything at the end of the day and I make sure to restart my phone every couple days. Keeps everything running smoothly. I do the same with my laptop, but tend to have a lot open at once while I’m working.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,737
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Aug 22, 2023 15:37:25 GMT
Looks like two children have been rescued so far. Hopefully the rest will follow.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,737
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Aug 20, 2023 13:12:24 GMT
This reminds me of our beloved Sophie. I never could get her to ring the bells to go out, but eventually the cat would ring them for her. We loved her so much, and so did the cat.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,737
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Aug 17, 2023 13:52:21 GMT
Yes, but probably because I knew them before they transitioned. Four people off the top of my head. One is a business associate, one is a close friend, and two are my daughter’s friends since childhood.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,737
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Aug 14, 2023 20:30:15 GMT
I see a lot of Ivanka this, Jared that, pie chart, videos...you got it all, about the Trumps. But, not a single person can say what Hunter DID, a cracked out hooker addict, in such demand. What did he do? Not a single person curious? Of course not. Again, the Trumps have been investigated non-stop. If they have anything, they'll be charged, I'm sure of that. Can't say the same about the big guy. But I haven’t seen any credible evidence about President Biden doing ANYTHING criminal. His son is certainly shady, and has been charged with not paying his taxes. If there’s more to charge him with, go for it. I got no love for Hunter, but he was never employed by the government, while the Kushners were. I’m more concerned about the Kushners because they were actually acting as representatives of the government while they were setting up all these deals.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,737
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Aug 14, 2023 15:47:54 GMT
It's cute that you think all the money the Trumps have received from the Saudis and Russians was payment for goods received. I find it equally as cute that you can't, or won't, give even a simple explanation for what the biden family did to earn this massive wealth.
The trumps have been investigated up the ass and back. The biden family is off limits. I wonder why.
Really? Massive wealth? Just one of Jared’s post-government deals is worth more than 200 times President Biden’s entire net worth. President and Mrs. Biden have a net worth of about 9 million. That’s a tidy sum, but certainly not massive wealth. In fact, most of it was for a series of book deals.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,737
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Aug 8, 2023 0:07:45 GMT
I wouldn’t have to think very long - I’ve been monogamous with my husband since I was 18. I didn’t date very much before that either. I remember everyone I was with. I agree with Zee if a guy were to ask me that now, I’d see red flags aloft.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,737
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Aug 7, 2023 18:19:12 GMT
Between my mom being in the hospital/rehab for the last 10 weeks and rain every weekend in July, I’ve barely done anything fun this summer. Sorry about raining on your fluff post. ETA: That balloon picture is stunning.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,737
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Aug 6, 2023 1:05:46 GMT
We have an awesome local bagel shop that makes the best bagels. My fave is toasted sesame with scallion cream cheese. I had one yesterday for lunch. Yes, I’m Mary Ann and I’m a sesame addict.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,737
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Aug 4, 2023 20:48:56 GMT
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,737
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Aug 3, 2023 21:51:03 GMT
I’m a fan of all the fruits I get from the farmstand — peaches, blueberries, and raspberries are in season now. Plus, zucchini, beans, cukes, corn on the cob, eggplant, and peppers are in season here. Yum, Yum, Yum.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,737
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Aug 3, 2023 21:46:50 GMT
For me, motivation comes and goes. I don’t really care about external stuff.. Exercise is a commitment that I make to myself. It’s a habit of self care that I do, not just for now, but for my future. I make it too important to blow off.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,737
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Aug 1, 2023 20:55:14 GMT
My small town does not have any public transportation, other than the state service for the disabled. But I love taking the train. I prefer to take the commuter train into Boston (I do have to drive to the station) because then I don’t have to deal with the traffic or parking. It’s so easy. In Atlanta, I love taking Marta. I can get on a train right next to baggage claim and be at my daughter’s house in 25 minutes. Ha, take that Atlanta traffic. I also love taking Amtrak trains — easiest way for me into NYC. I can sit back and read and watch the world go by and get dropped off right at Penn Station.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,737
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Aug 1, 2023 20:44:52 GMT
Catholic here. When our youth minister was arrested at the church picnic for abusing dozens of children. He’s serving a life sentence now. Within days, our priest had been moved to some home for delinquent priests, as it turned out he had full knowledge of what was going on. I didn’t leave when the Monsignor who married us turned out to be involved in the Boston abuse scandals, or when our parish priest at old old home was arrested for paying underage boys for sex. But third time in three parishes was the charm. Abuse was so entrenched through the entire church and I couldn’t stay. I’m done with organized religion.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,737
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Aug 1, 2023 19:58:51 GMT
The Cormoran Strike detective series by Robert Galbraith (a.k.a J. K Rowlings) Same! I can't wait for Book 7 to come out in September! I adored the first five, but that last one was a giant slog. I couldn’t wait for it to end. I think that her editor really needed to get in there and clean that thing up. A few I haven’t seen here: Karin Slaughter Jo Nesbo’s Harry Hole series Tana French James Lee Burke’s Dave Robicheaux series Alan Bradley’s The Sweetness in the Bottom of the Pie Laurie R. King’s The Beekeeper’s Apprentice Sherlock Holmes, of course!
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,737
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Aug 1, 2023 19:41:34 GMT
Make a small change - cut your lunch in half, leave a few bites behind at every meal, or put your fork down between bites to see if you’re still hungry.
But mostly, weight loss is not linear. It’s normal for your weight to fluctuate with water, salt, alcohol, exercise, hormones… give it time.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,737
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Aug 1, 2023 19:36:14 GMT
A few years ago I was flying a red eye out of LAX with a colleague. The guy she was sitting next to must have been drunk or high. After the plane took off, he started pulling the hair of the person in the seat in front of him, calling the Asian person next to him a bunch of slurs. He was slapping anyone who walked by. The attendants moved everyone who was around him to other seats. None of us wanted the plane to turn around like they would now. He fell asleep, and was greeted by state police with handcuffs when we landed in Boston.
Recently, my daughter was leaving on a flight where a woman refused to put her the small dog in its carrier before takeoff. They taxied back to the gate and removed her and the dog. My daughter ended up missing her connection because of it.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,737
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Jul 30, 2023 22:13:07 GMT
Nobody comes to my front door unless they have to. I live at the top of a steep hill. It very much deters solicitors. My doorbell rings so infrequently that I always answer it. Anyone who knows me comes to the back door and knocks.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,737
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Jul 30, 2023 22:09:30 GMT
our family rule is we don't eat chinese outside san francisco.. though new york city would be ok I guess. or generally any asian food. I love my tillamook cheese, farman pickles and fisher scone mix from seattle.. and the hazelnuts off my friend's oregon farm.. my son just moved to Wash DC. he is missing big time mission burritos. though last night, he actually got the local mexican restaurant to wrap his burrito in foil to take home.. and of course.. boudin's sourdough bread. Surprisingly, Atlanta has incredible Asian food. So many immigrants — Thai, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Korean, Chinese… the Asian markets are amazing and cheap, and the restaurants are top notch. I live in Massachusetts and wish we had some good Louisiana food. My husband grew up there and really misses it.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,737
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Jul 30, 2023 22:00:46 GMT
Thanks for bumping this — I totally forgot about it and never made the recipes. My work got super busy last fall. And I still LOVE felafel. It’s one of my favorite memories from college in the early 80s. There was a felafel food truck that parked right outside the entrance to most of my classes — I’d never had it before and fell in love with Middle Eastern food.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,737
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Jul 28, 2023 23:44:56 GMT
Ninja pro here. I’ve used it every day for smoothies for three years. Works wonderfully.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,737
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Jul 27, 2023 11:38:29 GMT
She was a hero to Ireland. I just love her music - it’s so powerful and her voice is haunting.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,737
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Jul 25, 2023 12:11:25 GMT
Then by all means, show the documents regarding this alleged tax fraud, show the paper trail of this alleged fraud, interview the whistleblowers, find other witnesses to corroborate. The IRS and the committee have his tax returns. If Hunter did deduct expenses for an escort or a sex club, it should be relatively easy to find and show. The only evidence that his tax fraud had anything to do with a prostitute or sex club comes from 1 whistleblower. No one else including 50-60 other people involved in the investigation have corroborated that story. Hunter reached a plea deal with the US Justice Department and confessed to failure to pay taxes and lying on a gun permit at the end of a 5 year investigation that started under the Trump administration led by a Trump appointed US attorney. Nude photos have nothing to do with that investigation and charges. Republicans are just mad that's all that was found and are looking for other ways to shame the president's son and by extension, President Biden. Even if there was a prostitute or sex club involved, (and this is a really big if because so far there is very little evidence) nude photos were absolutely not necessary in a public hearing. There is no justifiable reason for showing his photos. Your weak attempts to justify this say a lot about you. Ziegler, under oath, "There were multiple examples of prostitutes that were ordered basically, AND WE HAVE ALL THE COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THAT WHERE he would pay for these prostitutes, would book them a flight where even the flight ticket showed their name. And then he expensed those." Shapley, under oath, "We went out and followed that money, it was for a sex club membership in LA" Damon Lawner, who founded the exclusive SNCTM sex club in LA received an IRS subpoena as part of the agency’s tax probe. So, charge him. I still don’t see the need to enter dick pics into the congressional record.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,737
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Jul 25, 2023 11:52:50 GMT
I’d turn it into a ragout and serve it over buttered noodles. Sauté some onions and garlic, add some red wine and a can of tomatoes, add the cut-up beef and carrots, and simmer for a bit. Or beef dip sandwiches. Or I recently had a short rib grilled cheese sandwich at a restaurant. It was really good and I would never have thought of that.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,737
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Jul 21, 2023 12:54:58 GMT
I've been a couple of times. We have the Marshfield Fair in August. Then the Topsfield Fair in September. The Big E fair is in the Fall too. I haven't done the Big E but have done the other 2 when DS was small, he liked to go. Haven't been in years. I will say I don't think these fairs compare to the ones you have in the midwest. We always go to the topsfield fair. I love all the exhibits. And my yearly fried dough. We usually ride our bikes there. It’s right on the rail trail. This fair started in 1820.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,737
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Jul 11, 2023 12:48:54 GMT
I just had that old standby from the 80s, curried chicken salad with raisins and cashews.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,737
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Jul 11, 2023 12:42:56 GMT
Wow, that’s quite a set of stairs to get to your front door. It’s pretty, but does still look like a club, not a home.
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