Sunday, February 17, 2013

More Winter to Come?

Prepare Yourself and Home for Icy Weather
While we hope that the harsh days of cold weather are behind us, it is possible we may have some bad weather in the next few weeks. That is why I wanted to share the following with you. I received it a few days ago and thought you might benefit from the suggestions like I did.

1) Stock up on batteries, flashlights and candles. Get a battery-powered radio and prepare an alternate source of heat, like a generator or enough wood to supply a wood stove.

2) Store extra clothes and blankets for when power and heat are lost.

3) Stock up on extra food and water. Keep a manual can opener and food that requires little or no cooking unless you have an alternate cooking source like a propane grill or camping stove with plenty of fuel. Keep at least one week's worth of prescription medication on hand.

4) Have a first aid kit, list of emergency numbers and a corded phone within easy reach. Cordless phones do not work when the power is out.

5) Fill up automobile gas tanks and have cash on hand because gas stations and banks may be out of service during an ice storm.

6) Unplug appliances to protect them from bursts of electricity, like the television, stereo, computer and microwave.

7) Install smoke alarms and test their batteries.

8) Properly insulate your home and seal windows and doors with weather-stripping to prevent cold air from leaking in.

9) Install storm windows or wrap windows from inside with plastic to add extra insulation against cold air.

10) Drain water pipes and consider wrapping them with blankets or newspapers to discourage freezing which commonly occurs during an ice storm. Alternately, let them drip but catch the water so that later it can be used for drinking, cooking or washing.

11) Turn off all major electric appliances if the power goes out.

12) Keep the refrigerator and freezer closed to conserve cold air and preserve food.

13) Use water sparingly; for example, flush the toilet with leftover cooking or washing water.

14) Eat and drink on a regular basis to stay hydrated and to help regulate you body temperature.

15) Listen to the radio for forecasts, warnings and further instructions regarding the ice storm.

16) Change wet clothing frequently to avoid losing body heat. Seek medical attention if you see any indications of hypothermia or frostbite.

Portions of these tips were retrieved from "eHow.com".

I’m Thinking Spring
While I give you all those winter tips above, I’m thinking spring time and fishing. I’ve started work on getting my fishing tackle ready for the fishing season. I’ve removed the old line from 10 spinning reels. Now I need to oil the reels and put new line on the reels. Then on some warm day I will go outside and put the reels on the fishing rods that we use for crappie fishing. I enjoy every minute of getting ready for fishing!

~~~
Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
Smile!

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Quote of the Day
No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow.
~Proverb

~~~
Joke of the Day

Upon entering the little country store, the stranger noticed a sign saying DANGER! BEWARE OF DOG! posted on the glass door. Inside he noticed a harmless old hound dog asleep on the floor beside the cash register.

He asked the store manager, "Is THAT the dog folks are supposed to beware of?"

"Yep, that's him," he replied.

The stranger couldn't help but be amused. "That certainly doesn't look like a dangerous dog to me. Why in the world would you post that sign?"

"Because", the owner replied, "before I posted that sign, people kept tripping over him."



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Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Doctor’s Report

Granddaddy Appointments
Yesterday I had 2 doctor appointments. The first was with my dermatologist, and the second was with the surgeon who did my hip surgery

The dermatologist found a little spot on my ear that needs to be watched to see if it is growing larger. It’s a small spot that I had never noticed, right on my ear lobe. They took pictures and I’ll be watching it.

The surgeon was pleased with my progress and lifted all restrictions for bending, twisting, etc. I can now tie my own shoes, sit in any chair, and just be what I was before the surgery. But I need to continue using the cane until I develop more strength in my left leg so that I can walk without a limp. He agreed for me to continue physical therapy for one more month. (Note to Alex: Sorry but it looks like you will not be able to get my favorite chair when you, Mandy & Atley come for that February visit.)

The Home Place is Sold
Last week we closed on selling Dad’s house in Knoxville. I have been experiencing a mixture of emotions from knowing the house now belongs to someone else. We moved into that house about 57 years ago. Many memories on my Mother and Dad go with the surroundings of that wonderful home. That’s sad. At the same time we were glad to sell the property and remove the worry and expense of an unoccupied house. It had to be done, but my heart aches.

Marvelous Kites in the Wind
I think you will enjoy the following video showing Ray Bethell fly his kites. It’s an amazing feat and a thing of beauty. It brought back memories of my childhood when we would fly kites from our front yard. What fun. I would really enjoy flying a kite again!

 
~~~
Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
It’s much better to understand a little
than to misunderstand a lot.

~~~
Quote of the Day
Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.
~Nathaniel Hawthorne

~~~
Joke of the Day

A local business was looking for office help and put up sign stating the following: "HELP WANTED. Must be able to type, must be good with a computer and must be bilingual. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer."

A short time afterwards, a dog trotted up to the window, saw the sign and went inside. He looked at the receptionist and wagged his tail, then walked over to the sign, looked at it and whined.

Getting the idea, the receptionist got the office manager. The office manager looked at the dog and was surprised, to say the least. However, the dog looked determined, so the manager lead him into the office.

Inside, the dog jumped up on the chair and stared at the manager. The manager said "I can't hire you. The sign says you have to be able to type." The dog jumped down, went to the typewriter and proceeded to type out a perfect letter.

He took out the page and trotted over to the manager and gave it to him, then jumped back on the chair. The manager was stunned, but then told the dog, "The sign says you have to be good with a computer."

The dog jumped down again and went to the computer. The dog proceeded to open and use all the productivity software. By this time the manager was totally dumbfounded!

He looked at the dog and said "I realize that you are a very intelligent dog and have some interesting abilities. However, I still can't give you the job."

The dog jumped down and went to a copy of the sign and put his paw on the sentence about being an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The manager said, "Yes, but the sign also says that you have to be bilingual."

The dog looked at the manager calmly and said, "Meow."



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Tuesday, February 5, 2013

My Sister’s Birthday

Today is Mary’s Birthday! February 5…

birthdayMary, I hope you have a wonderful birthday. Sure wish we could be with you today, but glad for our time together on Saturday.

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From left to right: Karen, Beverly and Mary. Picture taken on Saturday, 2/2/13

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Family Birthday Celebration

We Had a Grand Day!
Karen & Pat came up from Knoxville and brought Mary today so we could celebrate three birthdays. We enjoyed a wonderful lunch at Outback, then back to our house for cake and ice cream. And all the while it started snowing. Here’s some pictures:

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IMG_5492 IMG_5501

 

~~~
Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
We were out in the car during the snow. Right now the roads are in good shape, but I wonder what will happen tonight. And I did not realize how cold it was. My car said it was 27 degrees but look at what I saw at the corner gas station. Now that’s cold!
photo

~~~
Quote of the Day
The family is a haven in a heartless world.
~Attributed to Christopher Lasch

~~~
Joke of the Day

Mom and the kids had been up in the attic together doing some cleaning. The kids uncovered an old manual typewriter and asked her, "Hey Mom, what's this?"

"Oh, that's an old typewriter," she answered, thinking that would satisfy their curiosity.

"Well what does it do?" they asked.

"I'll show you," she said and returned with a blank piece of paper. She rolled the paper into the typewriter and began striking the keys, leaving black letters of print on the page.

"WOW!" they exclaimed, "that's really cool, but how does it work like that? Where do you plug it in?"

"There is no plug," she answered. "It doesn't need a plug."

"Then where do you put the batteries?" they persisted.

"It doesn't need batteries either," she continued.

"Wow! This is so cool!" they exclaimed. "Someone should have invented this a long time ago!"



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