Southern NY, Dutchess county and below

[stoopid]

Heather, try a few different different brushes.
Even a people brush instead of the slicker brush.
One of the tricks is to turn the brush upside down, so the back is touching her.
Gets her used to the motion, without feeling it.
I can attest to the fact there is a certain hairbrush that the gal that does my hair.... I want to rip it out of her hands and throw it out into the parking lot!
And short sessions also work. A few minutes at a time.
I hope you are trying when the coat is dry... wet dog hair is almost impossible to get thru if it has matts.

Today I go to Social Security doctors appointment. AGAIN.
I was there when scheduled last Wednesday.
Took my life in my hands, roads closed, detours, no traffic lights.
Get there, I was the only car there.
No power, no phone call, no sign on the door.
Yippee.

Good luck everybody.

 

[goldeneggtees]

OK, I'm a sicko and I stand corrected, the couch cost almost $3800.00, what was I thinking????????

 

[queenchick16]

Tina , I have a small incubator all clean and ready to go . I can't remember if I mentioned it . Next time I get to my sisters (or she comes down) I can get it as far as Cornwall. It holds about 30+ eggs and I have the rotator for it.I've had good success with it. Last year my girls hatched on Thanksgiving . If I were to do it again I would start a little later. Id love to go in on eggs with you if you'd like.Id like to give myfriend Loretta 2 little girls. She's the one that lost 8 girls to the fox last month.

 

[smkchick]

Hi Everyone.

Our power was restored yesterday at around 5pm. A team from Michigan spent the day on our block. I am enormously grateful to them, on behalf of Bobby and Laura. Me? After the power came back on I was doing the same thing I was doing in the dark, only with the lights on. Crocheting.

Donna, how can I help you? I'm practically around the corner. Would breakfast or lunch or coffee away from home help in any way?

Heather, make some noise! Call Mr. Mayor and ask a few pointed questions. I try to be disarming, saying things like, "I don't understand what the problem is." and "Is there something I can be doing to move this process along?" (like bribing the Mayor). But keep calling. They'll put the power back on just to shut you up.

I have a box of items I was going to donate to the Disabled Vets, but I'm going to take it, and some more stuff, to Laura's firehouse tomorrow. They're having a drive for the victims of Sandy. I figure that's something I can do during the rain/snow/wind today - put together some donations. If I weren't so financially hard up myself, I'd go buy some supplies, but as it is I can draw from my stockpile of shampoo, razors, etc.

It's a good day to give blood too. I'm O- so blood banks love me.

Stay safe in this latest storm...

 

[Glasshen]

Hi everyone,
It is good to hear that some of you have gotten some progress in the power, and trees removed way. I am wondering if it might not be a good idea to consider retreating to a mountain top, instead of an island. It seems that islands are near water, and that is what has caused a lot of this problem. Also, if one considers relocating, central NY is pretty safe. Not much in the way of hurricanes, tornados, avalanches, tsunamis, or earthquakes. We did have that one micro burst, and Binghamton area has had a terrible time with floods. We do get lake effect snow, but that is kind of pretty. And we make wine here. Traffic is minimal, too. And lots of room for chickens.

But since that is not really what anyone wants to think about really, I want to tell you from the bottom of my heart, I am inspired by your willingness to reach out to others, and help friends, family and strangers. You are a really amazing bunch of wonderful people.

At the Red Cross training, they showed us that they have supplies to help people who need them with cleanup. There is this squarish bucket that has work gloves, rubber gloves, pine Sol, a mop with the handle that screws together, and a bunch of other stuff I can't remember. The red cross just helps people who need help in a variety of ways, food, shelter, and stuff like the cleaning supplies. They have vehicles which carry food to people who are unable to get out. To me it sounds like a small amount of help when there is a huge need, but I guess if there are no options of ways to feed oneslf or be warm and dry,it can make a big difference. To get back to normal will take time, and lots of work. Red cross also has comfort kits, with tooth brushes, combs toothpaste, shampoo, soap, the real basics.

If you come across people who need those very basic things, tell the red cross, they want to get to those people.

I am praying for all of you. I would love to take care of that drooly newf for you! We have a newf, but minimal drool, dry mouth. Love the dogs, but they do make housekeeping more challenging. Could you do some nail clipping to save the floors?

 

[JerseyHen]

Hello everyone! Glad to hear things are getting back to normal for some of you. Heather, I feel your pain, we still do not have power and JCP&L is saying November 14 at the earliest! We are trying to get some firewood delivered so we can at least keep warm.

To top it off I had to travel to CA this week for work. I am very stressed about being here while my DH and DD are stuck in that (especially with the storm coming in this week, not crazy about flying in it either). My DH does householdy stuff pretty well when necessary, but he just had this deer in headlights look as I left because of the extra layer of stuff without power/water/etc... I made him go stay at my stepdad's in the next town because they have power and my DD considers him pop-pop so at least she will not be so traumatized.

So, generally I come to CA and do my event, it is a crazy, but fun week, and I manage the logistical issues (this is a coordination type job) no problem (I love the chaos as a rule). I must be nearing the boundries of my coping skils though. I came close to losing it yesterday (I just don't do that). Part of it was that it was impossible to do the necessary prep without internet, part of it was that I think I am still in "chop wood carry water" mode. I was driving into campus and instead of going over the event in my head I kept thinking that I can ship a box of gas cans, batteries, and candles back home since we seem not to be able to get them yet. Is that a crazy idea? I feel like I am being crazy.

At least we are all safe and somewhat sound. Hopefully things get back to normal soon and we don't get smacked too hard by this storm.

 

[queenchick16]

Hello everyone! Glad to hear things are getting back to normal for some of you. Heather, I feel your pain, we still do not have power and JCP&L is saying November 14 at the earliest! We are trying to get some firewood delivered so we can at least keep warm.

To top it off I had to travel to CA this week for work. I am very stressed about being here while my DH and DD are stuck in that (especially with the storm coming in this week, not crazy about flying in it either). My DH does householdy stuff pretty well when necessary, but he just had this deer in headlights look as I left because of the extra layer of stuff without power/water/etc... I made him go stay at my stepdad's in the next town because they have power and my DD considers him pop-pop so at least she will not be so traumatized.

So, generally I come to CA and do my event, it is a crazy, but fun week, and I manage the logistical issues (this is a coordination type job) no problem (I love the chaos as a rule). I must be nearing the boundries of my coping skils though. I came close to losing it yesterday (I just don't do that). Part of it was that it was impossible to do the necessary prep without internet, part of it was that I think I am still in "chop wood carry water" mode. I was driving into campus and instead of going over the event in my head I kept thinking that I can ship a box of gas cans, batteries, and candles back home since we seem not to be able to get them yet. Is that a crazy idea? I feel like I am being crazy.

At least we are all safe and somewhat sound. Hopefully things get back to normal soon and we don't get smacked too hard by this storm.

What do you expect you crazy woman,you're not losing it, youre a mom.
Label a bucket "New Jersey Storm Relief Fund" and any time anyone asks you a question ,just tap on it. Before you start any lecture pass the bucket around. Bring it home and make a donation.
Be safe your husband and daughter will be fine

 

[smkchick]

What do you expect you crazy woman,you're not losing it, youre a mom.
Label a bucket "New Jersey Storm Relief Fund" and any time anyone asks you a question ,just tap on it. Before you start any lecture pass the bucket around. Bring it home and make a donation.
Be safe your husband and daughter will be fine

Great idea!

 

[smkchick]

Laura's firehouse is having a drive tomorrow for hurricane victims. I thought I'd try to put some clothes, etc. together. In 10 minutes I had a bag of clothes/shoes and another of sheets and towels. This is all stuff I won't need or miss. And I haven't even been through the closets yet. After that, I'm going to the garage to go through my school stuff and put together a couple of boxes of kids books/games/puzzles. Must be so hard for the little ones to lose their toys.

It's snowing here now. I can't even imagine what the displaced families are going through...

 

[Imprfctme]

We have power! But it is snowing now!

I AM LOSING MY F******ING MIND!!)*#&(!(^!T%!&$$^&%

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

No, not entirely - but if the power goes again I may. We just got it back this morning. I may have had it last night but DH messed with the generator and put it in the "on" position instead of "off" so it was still running. Just finished cleaning it and adding some oil back in to make sure it works for later in case the power goes off again. Added seed forage cake to the coop, plugged in the heated waterer and crossed my fingers for the best.

Thank you for the puppy brushing suggestions. I always start off with the special treats and going slowly but honestly I get impatient and start ripping through it towards the end. Yes, I was doing it wet because her hair is so curly and wooly even as a puppy that she gets dreads if I don't brush out the knots before it dries. I would just cut it short but well, it's so fluffy and cute right now. I know it's me and my frustration causing 90% of it. She's got the same attitude towards hair brushing my little ones do.

The mayor actually called me on my cell phone last night in response to my email which was pretty awesome. Long story short, I am going to try and work with him to set up incentives for people to put solar and geothermal in place. I will also be bribing him with fresh eggs and the last crops from my garden to inspire him to let me start a community garden. I tease about his accent but I do think he's a "get 'er dun" kind of guy and would be willing to let me start things that make sense for the community.

Glasshen, I am continually inspired by everyone on here and how open and kind they are. Truly we are all lucky to have found one another. I am so grateful for all that the chickens have brought into my life. Who knew that along with fresh eggs we'd find such a great bunch? Suzanne I dropped off a van load of stuff to our local church yesterday morning before school with the girls. They even bagged up their extra stuffed animals so that the children staying in shelters would have something to cuddle with. I am reading "A Dog Named Boo" by Lisa Edwards right now - great book, btw - and she took therapy dogs down to ground zero after 9/11 to help comfort the workers and volunteers. I think it's a terrific idea and if anyone has the time or the pets to take them out to folks that need an unconditional hug maybe that's a good way to help. I don't know that anyone would want a 50lb puppy knocking them down so I might take a pass but my last dog was great with the elderly.

Geez it's really snowing now. I need to go get more snacks fast!

XOXO,
Heather

PS If anyone has an EASY crochet pattern for a hat - like really, really easy - please send it to me - hsealbreslin@ gmail . com