themartianchick

I'm with Violet... I think Zpaks are Zithromax which is in the same family as Biaxin. (Biaxin and Augnmentin are my personal favorites for tough illnesses.)

Awwww!! I hope that you're feeling better soon, Michael! Stay off your feet and give yourself a rest. Let Lori take care of you...You'd do the same for her if the situation was reversed.

A few years ago, I got really sick and thought it was just a cold. I missed a few days of work and it never got any better. My nose wasn't running, but a co-worker thought it might be a sinus infection because my head hurt. She gave me some over the counter pills and they kept me going for a few more days until I crashed...HARD! Fever and nausea were the only symptoms. The doctor checked me out and decided that he didn't know what it was, but he gave me antibiotics anyway. That worked! I still don't know what the heck it was...

I'm in! I laid off from jogging about a week prior to Christmas. Now I'm back on my game...

The new book is entitled A Slice of Heaven and it continues the story that I teased readers with at the end of Christmas in Bystander. At the end of A Slice of Heaven, there is a preview of a story entitled, Of Twigs and Branches, which is Starr's story.

You aren't dating yourself, MtRider! I never took shorthand in school, but I have a mother that was a whiz with it. She still uses it when she goes to public meetings or doctor appointments. We did have a home-study course (on records, no less) for how to do speed writing. I do use a lot of those abbreviations when taking notes, but I was never good enough to take dictation. The term courtroom recorder is quite an accurate description of how I feel about the writing process.

Whew! Nice job, Snowmom!

I swear, I don't have a crystal ball!! (Of course, tonight's weather does look suspiciously like the New Year's eve described in the book!)

Thanks, Jeepers! Starr's book is coming soon, but I want to finish the next Bystander book first. The preacher with the colorful clothes is the same one that is mentioned (in the beginning of the 2nd story) in Christmas in Bystander. He may make another appearance in one of my stories. I never can tell just how they will turn out since I always feel as though they've taken on a life of their own and I'm just taking dictation!

The name of the law firm came from my sister. She was visiting one day and began telling me a story about one of her friends. The friend has been married 4 times and I was amazed that my sister was able to remember all of the first names of the husbands: Earl, Ricky, Dick & Paul. I wrote them down on a post it note after saying that they sounded more like a law firm than ex-husbands!

We've had vehicles with either 4WD or AWD (all wheel drive) for several years. The one thing that I would caution you on is that they really can guzzle gas! I'd actually like to pick up a small car that we can use for everyday running around and save the gas and wear and tear on the 4WD vehicle.

In a bug out situation, you might need to be able to go farther or you could end up stuck in traffic. A gas sipper would be preferable, even if it means that you can't take everything with you.

Hope that you had a wonderful day, Motherearth! And lots of CAKE!! :bdaycake: :bdaycake:

We've got about a foot of snow, but it is still coming down steadily. I don't know when it will stop! This wasn't my idea of a blizzard because we don't have that much wind, but the snowflakes are extra tiny. We are all snug and safe, though our daughter will be going to work soon. The good thing is that hubby will drop her off, though the bus is a viable option for her.

Hubby said that we're due to get a foot of snow. The snow and sleet is expected to hit Philadelphia later this afternoon and will reach us by this evening.

I am also terribly sorry for your loss. As Hazelstone said, please don't make any quick decisions. Take your time before deciding to do what needs to be done. I will keep you in my prayers.

Bubbles Sugar Socks

and my stepdaughter is Perky Pickle Pants!

Snowmom does have all of the cool toys!

Merry Christmas, everyone. I hope that your day was every bit as wonderful as mine was.

We had a couple of inches of snow last night, but the storm is expected to hit us tomorrow evening, I think.

I got no wrapping done yesterday, so I have scheduled some time this afternoon to watch a movie or two and wrap at the same time. I'm hoping that it will make wrapping less painful. My daughters are planning to help me cook later this evening. However, they have never "helped" before. We shall see if they will be a help or a hindrance. I think it will be kind of fun, though. Merry Christmas Eve!!

Very cool! I forgot all about the scheduled chat and then ended up not being at home. I look forward to being able to chat all of you sometime.

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/12/23/16106937-new-storm-could-pose-holiday-travel-headaches-across-nation?lite&ocid=msnhp&pos=6

Looks like some wild weather may be on the way for some folks:

Quote:

A major winter storm that on Sunday was dumping steady rain and snow on Northern California could strengthen as it makes its way east, promising a White Christmas – and travel headaches – for a wide swath of the country.

The storm will deposit snow from California’s Sierra mountains to New England through Friday morning, forecasters said. “Unfortunately, this occurs not only during the Christmas holiday, but also in the peak travel period after Christmas Day in the South, Midwest and East,” weather.com said.

Forecasters warned that roads would become treacherous Christmas Day and Christmas night from the High Plains of western Kansas and the Texas Panhandle eastward into Oklahoma, extreme north Texas, Arkansas and into the mid-Mississippi Valley.

There was also the potential for severe thunderstorms with damaging winds, hail and tornadoes in parts of the South on Christmas Day, said Greg Forbes, The Weather Channel’s severe weather expert.

Whew! I'm tired just reading your list! Welcome to Mrs. Survival, Hillfarm!

Like you, I still have a lot of wrapping left. My side of the family celebrates Christmas during the weekend before the holiday so that my sisters and I can all be in our own homes for the actual holiday. Today is the day, but I do have all of those gifts wrapped. However, I have none wrapped for my household and grandchildren. I'm hoping to spend a couple of hours wrapping this afternoon and will (hopefully) finish up tomorrow. Otherwise, I will grab a bunch of birthday & anniversary gift bags at the dollar store (Probably all that's left!)

I only have to bring a couple of dishes for today's dinner, but I'll be cooking up a storm tomorrow so that I can enjoy Christmas Day. I haven't driven around looking at lights in years...That sounds like a fun way to spend some time since we finally have a white Christmas!

A bread machine can be had from the thrift store for $5-10. Many of them are unused. I've had my Breadman machine for at least 10 years...maybe more! I was in a TJ Maxx store yesterday. They had a brand new Kitchen Aid for $299. I'm not sure of the model, but it was brand new and I believe that the company guarantees them forever or pretty darn near forever! I have also seen good sales on new ones at Macy's when you use your Macy's card and with a coupon.

I stayed up late waiting for the Mayans to do their thing... Nothing happened except that I got a lot of Christmas gifts wrapped.

MSNBC is now reporting that the shooter had a history of mental illness. At one point the news reports indicated that the brother might have been involved.

Congratulations to your hubby!

I was following this story today from my cell phone. I wasn't near a computer to be able to post. I am completely sickened by this. I watched the losses mount up hour by hour. I am grateful that more kids were spared, but saddened by the senseless loss of life.

Clearly this man must have some kind of mental illness... There is no other explanation. People don't just wake up and decide to go shoot up a school. I would like to find out the rest of the story. Right now, the press reports are all over the map. The holidays are particularly stressful for people with mental illness. We see a lot of suicides at this time of year along with an upswing in other behaviors.

Today is a sad day. I doubt very much that it was staged for any nefarious reason. There are far too many families in mourning tonight who can bear witness to the impact of this tragedy.