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Good Morning!!

bartelbybartelbyMember
Morning Everybody.

What a lovely morning here in MO, sun is shining, birds are chirping Big Grin Cardinals are the prettiest birds, well, that I have seen over here so far.

I saw my first woodpecker 2 days ago, he was so cute and I spent about an hour watching 3 squirels playing chasey in the trees. I also saw my first non venemous snake - a Garter Snake. He was so cute.

Big Grin
Lexie
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cameracameraMember
Talking of snakes........

As children, when we had visitors from England or Australia staying at our house in Ceylon, they always slept in the front bedroom. This was fortuitous, as there were some small vents under the main windows through which we could introduce a rat snake. Great fun to watch the subsequent proceedings!

My father thought it strange that they came into the house seemingly only when we had visitors, but we were never caught!

Children nowadays just don't know how to behave - not like us oldies!


Oh, an another thing, we were taught never to pull the toilet chain in the dark - evidently snakes love the cold of the metal chain!

While I'm giving you nightmares, I'll leave you with this comforting thought - I never jump out of bed and put my slippers on - I always empty them first - Scorpions you know! What here in the UK? We'll you can never be too careful!

Paul
L littlebitMember
Lexie - Have you been to the US before? Like Australia, it is a large country with lots of variety.

Missouri certainly has its beauties. When I lived in southern Illinois, we would go into Missouri for dates, shopping, etc. My husband went to college there. My eldest son was born there. (My husband and Rush Limbaugh dropped out of the same school at the same time. Rush was known as Rusty back then. This was in the late 60's/early 70's and "Rusty", disdaining hippies, prided himself on never having worn blue jeans. My husband said Rush has actually mellowed out quite a bit from his college days!)

Anyway, cardinals are lovely! I miss them here in San Diego.

Don't let them scare you much about snakes - it's pretty early in the season yet!
cameracameraMember
Sri Lanka is purely the Singhalese name for Ceylon. It has been on the stamps for nearly a hundred years but after independence the politicians decide to revert to the original version.

It is rightly called the Pearl of the East, for the first thing that srikes you as you fly over the barren lands of Southern India is how green the country is.

I don't think this is the place for a travelogue so click on this link >>for pictures of Ceylon<<

I lived most of my childhood in Ceylon and then it was a land of peace and harmony. How things have changed. If any of you are thinking of visiting this beautiful island with genuinely friendl people drop me a private email and I will suggest places for you to visit.
M moryMember
Mrs M: Verizon is the system that works best in PA - NY all the way down into Florida - I have a friend making unlimited calls up from So. Carolina. Yesterday I was waiting in line at the Post Office and a man was mailing a dozen small packages - he sells small Seiko calculators on E-Bay. He was talking on a cell phone. A couple places back a girl called on her cell phone and said in a stringent voice - I'm going to be late some ass is talking on his cell while mailing. I thought it unusual last year to see dozens talking on cells while in a movie
but now it is a Virus. At Easter Dinner Mom
collected 3 phones from the kids and made them go cold turkey until desert - what a scene.. I blame it all on the unlimited calling plans.
mrsmmrsmMember
Mory, yes , well I have had a cell phone since the days of the bag phones. I actually don't have a land line! I see no point in it. I have two cell phones. One , I leave at home and one I carry with me. I can use them anywhere and now I even do my internet with them. What could be be better?
As for the remarks at the post office..if he hung up the cell, would the line go quicker? I expect not! Wink
M moryMember
People that talk privately on their cells don't bother me like the ones that talk loud knowing they have an audience - they put on an attitude.
Oh they are now all but universal and I will be there this summer with the Laptop connected as well.
I will however be having private conversations. I hung up on a friend the other day who was talking bigger than life - not talking to me but at me
in addition to whoever the show was for on the other end. My battery just went dead. I'm terrible I know... Big fines now in NY for people talking and driving - but they are not ticketing hands free conversations yet for people piping it thru their car radio - however that is done.
I smiled when you mentioned Bag Phone - I had one in my big Dodge Luxury Extended Van
but it was stolen along with the TV & VCR when I was in the Nursing home and I never replaced them. Now there like a pack of cigarettes. I am looking forward to having one in the car so I can call AAA.
I am forever running out of gas. Since I have no experience with them can you tell me which one you selected? I was going to get
a second one for the glove box but someone said the batteries will leak or die in heat. But I was thinking take the battery out and have it to plug into the cig lighter with
an adapter. What do you think?
mrsmmrsmMember
Mory, all areas are not the same. You need to do your homework. If you want it just for 911, you don't need a service. Any cell with a good battery must by law connect to 911. Both of my phones are LG , can't remember the exact #, I think x something or other 6000. They are flip picture phones. My service is verizon, AM. choice nationwide because they seemed to have the best coverage nationwide. I have had them over two years. I had a couple of other services before that were not as good. As to the batteries leaking..don't think so..I have always had mine in hot places such as my car.
B bjones9942Member
My cell plan ends in September. This year I am not going to keep believing them when they (t-mobile) tell me that a new tower is going up in my area within 6 months (they've been saying that since the beginning). My reception at home often sounds like there's a wind storm going on somewhere in the middle of the line! I've talked to supervisor after supervisor and was finally told that they weren't going to let me out of my contract because .... I've been using my phone (I started talking to some friends in another state)! Months of maybe 30 minutes then one little spike up to around 200 and they pull that. I will never go with t-mobile again, and I told them I'd be sure to tell my story whenever the opportunity arose Wink They're loosing a customer (in september) who could have told people, 'they did everything for me, and when my problems couldn't be resolved they let me out of my contract'. Now they get me telling people how unresponsive they were. And they're still handing me the 'new tower within 6 monts' line!

Ok, my rant's over Smile I recently signed up with Vonage - you can get a local number almost anywhere in the country! I have a phoenix number so my friends and my aunt can call me without having to pay long distance ... I have unlimited incoming minutes and 500 outgoing minutes, and it's only $16 a month!
B bjones9942Member
I should have added that vonage is a VOIP (voice over internet protocol) service .... it connects to your cable or dsl connection and isn't a mobile service. They're national. From what I understand, AT&T is coming out with their own service soon. I signed up with them primarily to cut my long distance (and bad cell phone quality) to the people I know in Arizona. Now my 91 year old aunt has no excuses not to call me since it's a local call for her Smile

With the cell phone companies ... you really have to shop around in your own area, as I have found out! Everything depends on the number of cell towers and their placement where you will be using the service. Here in Seattle service is often spotty because of the terrain. Most of the cell phone companies only give you a two week period in which to cancel your contract so the most viable solution is to ask everyone you know who they use for cell service and how their reception is. Unfortunately I didn't do that - after my problems a lot of my friends told me they had ditched t-mobile because of poor reception. In other cities, t-mobile might be the best carrier available. What bothers me more than the poor reception is that they continually told me that my service would improve, then refused to let me out of my (almost complete now!!!) contract when it didn't. I think a year and a half is plenty of time for them to honor their 'new tower in 6 months' promise.
J jakedduckMember
I loathe Verizon but I have been with them (or there many predecessors) since the time phones cost over $2,000.00. Got one for my dad's wheelchair eons ago. They keep saying phones are better, bull s***! They can have the games, ring tones, internet, calculators, cameras etc, etc. I just want to make a call without losing the signal or voices fading in and out. My old 3-watt analog bag phone of 20 years ago worked better than any of this new digital crap!
J jakedduckMember
I'm just in a bad mood. Wednesday, had to go to Sacramento. My mom's sister is critically ill. Then had to go to a funeral in the Bay Area. Took my cousin to the ocean in San Francisco. It took us 4 HOURS to get home (about 90 miles). Stop & go, Stop & go. If anyone ever asks me to take them to S.F. again, those may just be there last words. Have to go back to Sacramento Sat-Sun then take my cousin to Dr. for aneurysm surgery. Nobody knows better than I that there is ALWAYS someone worse off. My grips are petty, I know, it just felt good talking about it, sorry.
B bjones9942Member
quote:
Originally posted by jakedduck:
I just want to make a call without losing the signal or voices fading in and out. My old 3-watt analog bag phone of 20 years ago worked better than any of this new digital crap!


Jakedduck - I agree ... I have an old motorola analog phone that either works great, or doesn't work at all. I'd rather that than the fading, whistling, whooshing, disconnecting, .... What I like with the new phones is being able to hook a ringtone to a particular caller. Makes it much easier to tell who is calling Smile

Sorry to hear about your aunt & cousin, not to mention the added stress of crappy traffic Frown
mrsmmrsmMember
I am in 100% agreement! When you pick a phone service, go online and do your homework! You both live in the West and that is not a great area for a lot of phones, according to the accessiblity maps! However, Verizon does have great service in most of the country..better coverage than most. Mory lives in the East. Verizon there is excellent as it is where I live! I never have a problem! It has been a long time since I used bag phones, but I don't recall it being all that wondrful. I do recall the bill, however!! My LGxv6000 flip phone is wonderful. It goes in my pocket and the reception is terrific! I don't use some of the features, but that doesn't matter. It does have the features I do need to use.
Last edited by mrsm
annieannieMember
I thought just eating at taco bell guaranteed food poisioning!!! At least it is a clean air hazard if my hubby eats there!! (we don't eat there!)

Hope everyone is feeling better today.

Hey, somebody down south turn off this wind! It's been blowing at 25-50 mph for 24 hours. ugggg enough already!!!
We were out yesterday trying to feed the pines and when we drove into the wind there were cornhusks attacking us up to 6 feet in the air. It was kinda funny really. Hubby was doing kung-fo at them! We tied the greenhouses to the house. So far they haven't flipped again.
bartelbybartelbyMember
You guys are all soft!! You need a cast iron constitution like us Aussies. Wink

Although I am boycotting Outback, I have eaten at Taco Bell, Gringo's, Taco Mayo and Wendy's lately without a problem.

I just got back from a gorgeous buffet at "Pizza by Stout" and it was superb. Yummiest Marple Syrup Bread and Butter Pudding.

Winding down now, few more days and then home time - YIPPEE!! Nothing like getting home after a trip away.
bartelbybartelbyMember
quote:
Originally posted by jakedduck:
_Lexie_..I would like to invite you out for lunch and test your cast iron constitution. Let me know.
Why are you boycotting Outback?

Oh Jake, I am always open to invitations for free food. Razz

I am boycotting Outback because its such a ripoff of Aussie food. I have looked at the menu and dont see anything on there that we actually eat. Red, Hot and Blue was the best food I have had over here.
B bjones9942Member
quote:
Originally posted by Bartelby:
I am boycotting Outback because its such a ripoff of Aussie food. I have looked at the menu and dont see anything on there that we actually eat.


Actually, the founders of Outback were 'borrowing' from the Crocodile Dundee movie Smile

Lexie, believe me - we'd hardly have any business if we served what you eat! Smile Vegemite and chocolate bars don't make that much $$$ Smile

Really though, we *do* have shrimp on the barbie (ok, shrimp on the grill - comes close, if you look from a distance!), and I always thought Australia had a big cattle industry - steak is the primary focus of our menu.

And here I was all ready to give you a free appetizer card ... Smile
bartelbybartelbyMember
Mrs M - I really wish you would stop rolling your eyes at my comments.

I am sorry I forgot to put in my Razz to indicate I was joking.

I was under the impression that Outback was to the States as the chain of American Restaurants (cant remember the name) was to Australia. To give a taste of some authentic food from that country.

Speaking from my experience, thats what Chinese, Indian, and Italian Restaurants are great for. Now, I have eaten in some authentic American Restaurants now and know that the chain in Australia has made modifications as well.

Why would I travel all this way to eat in an Australian Restaurant?

quote:
Or, puppy, maybe it is because this is the US, not Australia!!! Guess if we wanted everything like Australia, we'd all go there!! I have traveled to many countries and enjoyed the differences.


It seems that this conversation has gone in the direction of many and been blown out of proportion.

BJ - I have the Outback Menu open in front of me and yes Australia is mainly Beef country (well and Lamb) I dont actually see any steak combinations/variations that are popular in Australia. I find that amusing, but I am not about to get upset about a menu (unlike some).

We went and had Chinese last nite, it was Americanised too, much like ours in Australianised. I will location drop (seems the done thing) and say I have eaten the real thing in asian countries.
bartelbybartelbyMember
quote:
Lexie, believe me - we'd hardly have any business if we served what you eat! Vegemite and chocolate bars don't make that much $$$

But if you served a Chicken Parmigiana or Hamburger with Beetroot and egg. Boy - what a winner Razz

We have Reef n Beef at home which is Steak and Prawns (shrimp). I love that you have *Chook* on there, as everybody looks at me funny when I say *Chook* here.

Ribs arent huge in Australia and your chocky desert would have to be Murray River Mud Cake and Pavlova would be a must have.

The food looks very similar to Red, Hot and Blue, but I find it funny that it has aussie names.

The lingo is spot on though Wink
B bjones9942Member
Lexie - I'm sure by now you've found most US 'chain' restaurants are theme based ... and often have very little to do with the food served Smile If you want real US food you'd have to do a litte digging ... Louisana is probably the easiest with their creole/cajun food, then there's Southwest cooking (not Mexican - it has it's own flavor). Here in the Pacific Northwest you can get regional American Indian cooking.

Most major cities have 'authentic' ethnic restaurants, but they're also not easy to find. People here tend to like 'comfort food' - the things they grew up eating. The chinese restaurant I go to here serves a lot of dishes that aren't even on the menu - I think they'd scare most people away! When I go in I always have to ask the server, 'What is that table over there eating?' Smile The US isn't called the melting pot for nothing ... most of our food is like our population, a mixture of old and new, and generally pretty tame. If you like steak & potatoes this is the country for you! If you prefer fish innards or sweetbreads you'll be going hungry most of the time Smile
bartelbybartelbyMember
quote:
Mory Asked:
Lexie: what is Beet Root & Pavlova?



[Click Here]

Beetroot: is Red Beet? do you have that?

Bj - I lurrrrve Seafood, but I love steak too. I have had a little problem with the steak coming out underdone, but generally its very nice. My favorite cut is Scotch Fillet and I havent come across that over here. Sirlion seems close.

My Bro-in-law is going to Louisana next week - it sounds great.

quote:
Rick Said:
Lexie - I've never heard of the Great Barrier Surf.

I havent heard of it either Wink Surf n Turf sounds cool, but Reef n Beef sounds cooler...IMO.

See you all in a couple of days Big Grin
B bjones9942Member
quote:
My favorite cut is Scotch Fillet and I havent come across that over here. Sirlion seems close.


It's not the same as filet mignon? Filet Mignon is the rounded tender side of a T-Bone (or Porterhouse) steak (the other side is a New York cut). Very tender and tasty. Sirloin is a less marbled, tougher cut (well, unless you get a 'prime' one - then it's pretty good). I like both, but wrap a little bacon around a filet mignon, sear it and serve it room temp and I'll be in hog (cow?) heaven Smile
annieannieMember
Mrs M, could you send me some of those vioxx? I worked in the yard yesterday and today I'm no good for nuthin! Still have a ton to do. I should go out and rake the cornhusks into the air. The wind is back towards the field! And I needs to finish feeding the pines....move some plants....plant some plants!......weeds Frown uggggg. Oh, dig some iris for an order...better get going!
annieannieMember
Hey, BJ would you get me a cup too? Mine's getting cold. I worked outside all day again. It's kinda cold, damp and now it's raining, so that should stir up my arthritis real good Frown
The worst part is it doesn't seem like I did anything out there! Of course hubby hadto go golfing, so when he got home he was too tired to help out. Yea, I'm feelin a little grumpy about it. He likes to brag about our yard, but he's no help at all with the weeding and flowers in general. I sometimes think he thinks they take care of them selves! ugggg
*frumps off to get blanket and more coffee.....and a bottle of aleve.* **or, a beer?**

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