Astraea, I think I'll start posting a 'dessert of the day' just for fun! ;)
Hey MP! How's the weekend going ladybug?
Linda, I'll pass that along to my daughter, thank you! She is to the point of desperation. She's got a Neti pot, but I don't know if she's using it. She has been using the saline nasal spray though. Poor thing is just miserable and now with the pollen coating everything, it's making it worse.

HEY from me too.

Still reeling from the Beef Wellington last night - and I don't even eat meat. I don't think I'll ever look at Vodka the same way again after Antoinette's comment.

Dave, I'm inclined to just move on when I read comments by Architects getting all high-handed and technical. There was even a decorating dilemma that one came in on yesterday with some snotty remark that I hoped everyone ignored - I again just moved on. Felt like calling him out but this type of person always has a put-down ready so I don't like to give them the satisfaction.

As far as disparity of population here, well this is an optional website so if some see it advantageous over others that is their decision. At this rate they will be banning the Ollds - probably already written us off as a bunch of looney tunes.

Tras - how did your lights go? Haven't been over to the other thread yet - 106 emails this morning!!!

Creeser - you're just determined to get even for last night, aren't you!!!

Darn straight roo. How dare y'all have fun while I'm sleeping! ;)

And here's a little something to start the evening. Chocolate covered strawberry shots. Vanilla vodka, Godiva liquor, and some chocolate syrup for a delicious shot in an edible glass. No fuss, no muss. :)

Boy creeser, fattening & labor intensive too!!

crees, daughter is surgical nurse, ORL, Children's Boston. She says your pregnant daughter can use Afrin, for one or two days, only. Ears and nose connected, if she can unblock that connection, it might drain her ears. Warning: do not use longer than three days otherwise it can be addictive.

Or, try holding nose, close mouth, and blow out to see if she can clear the blockage. If that doesn't work, see her OB-GYN. Her doc will decide what is safe for her to take depending upon how far along she is.

Possibly a prednisone taper or Flonase, if she is later along.

A neti pot is safe and worth a try.

She is here and reading over my shoulder.

judyg, thank you so much for what you said over in that bedroom dilemma. I am not a professional. just someone tha tries to do things for herself and encourage other people to do the same if it is not in their means to rip out everything. Sometimes, people can make do for a while or do small things. I don't know why some people have to be so nasty. "Lose the...Get rid of the ... Never do ..." They really must be unhappy people. I tried to be nice and ignore that one, but that comment about sally needing the mirror to look at herself all day? IThat was really over the top.

handy - don't know the specific dilemma you mean but I really get annoyed when people totally tear a person's room apart, even when posters say what is new and what they want or have to keep and no one ever thinks of things that may have special meaning. There was a lounge room one lately that the lady had really done nicely but had a very old fashioned framed photo over the fireplace. I picked right from the start that it was a special piece and to leave it, which it turned out it was something her parents have given her and she treasured. Still they kept coming telling her to get rid of it, or replace it. So many times I feel like screaming - READ!!!!!

Normally eating a meal this size, even I wouldn't recommend. After last nights Wellington and Vodka.... not to mention the drive I had to do. MP where the heck were you and your blender?????

Anyway De Dutch is a favorite Dutch Restaurant that is sooooo delicious. If you've never had one, you must seek one out, you have no idea what your missing. This morning I had "The Canadian" go figure....actually, if you eat it to often, your figure will be gone that's for sure. As you know i'm not dutch, but dammit, if you have something good to eat, I'm on it, always looking for something different.I felt no sympathy for the waistline. 15cm of snow were waiting for me on my 100 yard driveway, broke the darn winch line for the snowblade so most of it was removed with the blower and the good ol' shovel.

OTR Micro actually got installed today, yahoo!!!! think, that sat on the dining room floor for a month, all is good, were still taking.....barely...LOL

i took this off there menu,
THE PANNEKOEKEN:
This Dutch creation may be the most baffling. With a circumference of 37” and a diameter of 12”, it can be cut into 113 square inch bites. Its simplicity lets you try new flavours with the comforts of home in every bite.

http://www.dedutch.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/the-canadian-photo.jpg

Here it is, btw the strawberry and whipped cream one is so delicious too,

MP, what were you up to last night? Thought you'd join us for Beef Wellington, I was waiting for you and your blender.

Do you have fries with that???

handymam, no need for thank you's. That person was so rude I couldn't let her get away without a slap. For heaven's sake…where did she come from? Even her spelling/grammar was a mess. Maybe too many wines? Just plain nasty to both you and the poster. I want to dare that kind of person to post pictures of her house and let us have a whack at it. :>)

mp, we had so much fun last night. One of the posters actually excused herself as she was off to bed because she had celebrated a little too much. I should go back and ask her how she feels today.

Outrageous judy, however the 'Morning After' is always a time for regrets (helloooooooooo Antoinette, who still hasn't surfaced) and deep relfections -

Senior citizens are constantly being criticized for every conceivable deficiency of the modern world, real or imaginary. We know we take responsibility for all we have done and do not blame others.

HOWEVER, upon reflection, we would like to point out that it was NOT the senior citizens who took . . .

The melody out of music,

The pride out of appearance,

The courtesy out of driving,

The romance out of love,

The commitment out of marriage,

The responsibility out of parenthood,

The togetherness out of the family,

The learning out of education,

The service out of patriotism,

The Golden Rule from rulers,

The Nativity scene out of cities,

The civility out of behavior,

The refinement out of language,

The dedication out of employment,

The prudence out of spending,

The ambition out of achievement
Or
God out of government and school.

And we certainly are NOT the ones who eliminated patience and tolerance from personal relationships and interactions with others!!

And, we do understand the meaning of patriotism, and remember those who have fought and died for our country.

Just look at the Seniors with tears in their eyes and pride in their hearts as they stand at attention with their hand over their hearts!

YES, I'M A SENIOR CITIZEN!

I'm the life of the party..... Even if it lasts until 8 p.m.

I'm very good at opening childproof caps..... With a hammer.

I'm awake many hours before my body allows me to get up.

I'm smiling all the time because I can't hear a thing you're saying.

I'm sure everything I can't find is in a safe secure place, somewhere.

I'm wrinkled, saggy, lumpy, and that's just my left leg.

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

Yes, I'm a SENIOR CITIZEN and I think I am having the time of my life!

roo, Fries or as I like to call them FLIES !!!!! no, no thanks, yuk!!! Thats one thing I can't stand.

I was just thinking what would happen if Maccas got hold of them - upsizing and fries

creeser, about the currency from way earlier in the day I thought I had heard that too. Now I'll have to search for it.

roo, what's your money like?
all in coin form are our .05 cents, .10 cents, .25cents and our $1.00 and $2.00 dollars.
paper bills (cotton paper) used for $5.00 $10.00 but soon will change to polymete, I think the 10's are in the fall.
polymere bills for $20.00, $50.00 and $100.00

Can, our 1c and 2c were phased out years ago, I told Bobbi I had a heap for her floor.

I was confused for a minute when you said you had $1 and $2 coins, keep forgetting you are Canadian, my dd does her brain in with the US $1 note. We have 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1, $2 in coins - there was talk of $5 too but that seems to have fizzed.

We can proudly boast of being the first country in the world to introduce the polymer note. They were introduced in 1988 and when we went to Korea in September 88, everyone wanted us to pay in AUD, they just wanted to get their hands on them as they are rather colourful too, as were our old paper notes. Had we known we could have made a killing.

Our notes are $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100.

Want some education?

http://www.dfat.gov.au/facts/currency.html

and what it looks like

http://www.google.com.au/search?q=what+does+australian+currency+look+like&hl=en&rlz=1T4SUNA_enAU288AU288&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=54JGUZ27NM7NmgXVxIGoAg&ved=0CDAQsAQ&biw=1263&bih=576

We also get here really nice gift packs of brand new coins - one of each - that are great gifts for new babies as they have the year of their birth on them. Come to think of it, I totally forgot to get one for the little bloke in LA. Wonder if anyone else did - thanks for jogging my mind on that.

ooops, didn't realise there were so many photos on that second site - at least you really will get the idea:)

oh beauty, you're nice and colourful just like mine. I had no idea Australia was the first country to introduce the Polymer note. We only have the 5's and 10's left to change to Polymer. There is a small amount of the cotton paper left in circulation but for the most part it's the Polymer. Many people howled like crazy when first introduced, there going to melt in the dryer, there going to stick together, yadda yadda yadda. I haven't experienced any of those problems. Think it's just the complainers and sceptics doing what they do best.

We also heard about the possibility of our $5 bill changing to a coin but that hasn't come up lately.

We have nicknamed our $1.00 coin the Loonie and our $2.00 the Toonie. Do you have any nicknames for your coins.

Okay that's enough for me. I typed into google search"what does Scotland's currency look like" amongst several images, there's a picture of J.R Ewing and The Donald....gonna have to sleep that off, nighty night all.

People do tend to overlook us, but we have led the way in may things, especially medicine and research at the moment. When you think we have had it for 25 years it does make everyone else look slow.

When they are new you do have to snap them to make sure two don't stick, but that happened with paper too. They don't fold easily so can fly out of pockets if you aren't careful, but I think we are all so used to them now, no one thinks twice about them. I haven't heard of any nicknames, once Aussies had nicknames for everything, but I think multiculturalism has killed that a lot, newcomers, particularly from non-English speaking backgrounds just don't get it. Actually I think a lot of resistance to changing to metric was based on nicknames and no one bothered to come up with anything. The dollar was equated to US money and there is always resistance to changing to anything American, makes us feel like we are getting swallowed up so we weren't going the way of quarters and nickels - not that we have a quarter anyway.

Back in the old days of pounds, a pound was a quid, shillings were bob - as in two bob - and 3d and 6d were called trays and zacks. There used to be deeners too but can't remember what they were, might have been 1 shilling. Ancient history.

I noticed my pictures had a few ringins too. Night - sleep well.

i started the 18th...hope that IS what day it is...lol

olldcan - That's not a pancake .. it's an "edible plate"!

Roo - It would be interesting to compare the risk & rate of counterfeiting, in various countries, considering the type of paper currency they use! While "colorful" is nice, I kind of like that American paper money is all consistent in color; how else could we call it "greenbacks"?!

When I was watching the "Sharpe" series (British), I read up on currency in England, and some of it was confusing. Like "pound" was the basic currency, but "guinea" was used for exchanges with professionals .. and a guinea was 1 pound + 1 shilling .. so they were almost the same in value. And then there was a florin, which was 2 shillings .. but doesn't "florin" sound Italian, rather than English?

judy and judy's daughter, thank you! I'll pass along to daughter. She's been to the doctor twice with this and has called her OB to see if there is anything else she can take and they told her no. She's been on amoxicillin first for a sinus infection that came on with this 'flu like' virus. After her ear stopped up a week later and started hurting, she went back after 3 days of that and they switched her to a Zpack. They let her take Sudafed and now after 2 weeks, she still can't hear. She goes to the OB today for her 20 week ultrasound and I get to go with her. SiL is working, so Grandma gets to go! They already told her when she called that there was nothing else that she can take. I feel so bad for her.

Creeser - Did your daughter go to an ENT about her ear; is she sure it's just due to the sinus infection .. or might there be 2 separate issues? I've had a build-up of ear wax at times, and it had nothing to do with sinus issues. The ENT gave me drops to soften the build-up, then vacuumed it out. Do NOT let any doctor try to dig it out .. best way to get an ear infection!

Astraea, it's not wax. She addressed that first off. I have one of those scopes that let you look in the ear and it's clean as a whistle.Mom has ear wax issues due to her hearing aid and our dr told her a drop of tea tree oil in each ear before bedtime and rinse them in the morning with a bulb syringe using water and peroxide. Said it will keep them sparkling clean. The tea tree oil acts as a natural antibiotic for bacteria in the ear canal as well as a softening agent. We still are trying to get her to an ENT. I worry that she may end up with damage to that ear if she doesn't get some relief soon.

Haha Astraea, I don't blame you being confused about guineas. We had them too - forgot about that. It was rather common for professionals to charge in guineas but shops used them in their pricing too. The pound system worked - 1 pound = 20 shillings and 12 pennies (or pence) made up a shilling. We also used halfpence too. Of course with things being so much cheaper way back then halfpennies added up. I can remember as a kid I used to go to the movies on Saturday afternoons with 10pence - 6pence to get into the movie and 4pence for a Mars Bar. Mars Bars are around $2 these days and I bet they are smaller now. With the guineas you could only go up to 20 guineas as that equalled 20 pounds and 20 shillings which was 21 pounds. As you can imagine maths was hell when we had to do sums in pounds, shillings and pence. You had to add up the pennies, divide by 12 to convert to shillings and pence, write down the pence and carry over the shillings. Then you added the shillings divided by 20 if necessary, write down the shillings and carry over the pounds. Probably why we were so good at maths.

The new polymer notes are counterfeit proof, which is why they pushed to change them here. I think the hologram has a lot to do with that too. I always remember a case at work where someone photocopied one side of some $100 notes and tried to pass them off. Idiot!!!! Wondered how they picked it.

Forgot, I think our old 2shillings had florin stamped on it. Glory knows where the name came from.

Creesy, sorry your daughter is having such a bad time. My German dd has a lot of trouble with sinus and when she flies out here her ears are usually blocked for days, but I think the salt water usually does the trick. Unfortunately, I have had no experience so can't offer any suggestions. Sounds like a trip to a specialist would be in order and at least she will know what to do in the future if it happens again. I don't think it would cause any problem to her hearing, you usually need a bad and untreated infection for anything like that to happen or for something to rupture her eardrum.

Astraea, can you guys get ear candles over there? My dd here swears by them for really cleaning out wax buildups.

Roo - I figured some of these denominations weren't used any more - Tanner (6 pence), Half Crown (2-1/2 Shillings), "Pony" (25 pounds) and "Monkey" (500 pounds). And a pound note was a sovereign? You'd have to be good at math! :))

Astraea - try this

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/florin

Thanks roo. She could take more medicine to clear it up if she weren't preggers. A steroid shot would help tremendously, but she can't take it. She's always suffered this time of year with her sinuses anyway, the nasty cold she had on top of it just added insult to injury. The only issue with the local ENT is I despise him as does my MiL. MiL is one of these exceedingly kind people who never has a bad word to say about anyone. Except this particular ENT..*L*

Is there one a bit further afield? Bad when you get the duds. The mind boggles at a baby on steroids!!!!

Astraea, they would be English terms and we didn't always follow. There was a crown too (5/-).

roo, there is, but daughter has 2 modes when she's pregnant. Stubborn and obstinate. Until she makes up her mind come hell or high water it's what she wants, she won't do it. The more we coax, the more those two traits come out. She's always been like that, but amp it up to the nth degree when the pregnancy hormones kick in.

I guess I have stumbled upon the secret clique of houzzers lol.
Yes I have been reading a couple of these....being bored will do that to a person :)
I just had to share though....I think that A. It's hilarious that people really think the day is longer BECAUSE we have daylight savings. And that B. Some how all the extra sunlight is sucking up the water and giving us droughts. You would think we would just call off DST huh? :p

The last thing that struck me was the irritation with people who don't know what color they want to paint a room. It is actually interesting to hear some of the complaints. They made me think of a lot of different things that I never thought of before. I certainly do know what colors I like, but the decision on what will look ok on a wall is a big deal. Especially to someone who had not known to factor in the sunlight, shadows, and whatever else I saw spouted off. I guess I'm just saying, that while I can appreciate it being annoying to see the same problem over and over (believe me I know, I have other forums where I am the expert and annoyed) that sometimes people just need to be told the reason you think their paint question is absurd. It would probably help a lot. I know I have actually learned MORE about WHY things should be designed/put together in this little "convo among comrades" than I have in all the other discussions I've browsed here before.
Instead if someone telling another to choose what they like or saying nothing at all, you should more often tell them how annoying their question is and why. I imagine it will be helpful for them and cathartic for you. Lol
Hopefully my post in your little discussion amongst friends is not offensive. I just spent a couple threads getting to know you all like watching a reality show, and had to share my two cents. And I guess to say hello :)

PS-I can pick out stuff I like all day. I suck at designing my own spaces though. I am probably one of those people you hate. I just have so much anxiety when it comes to choices. I know they can always be changed, but I totally freak myself out over decisions. That's why I am irritating :)

Hi preds 17, lovely to hear from you. We are continuing our little gripe on today's thread OLLD 3/18. OLLD, by the way stands for Old Ladies Love Design, but we have a few roosters in the hen house now who are fun too.

You know what really annoys me with the colour thing though, is that so many times the first question I have asked is what the aspect of the room is and what sort of lighting does it get - how can you possibly consider colours for a room without knowing that (I'm so glad you are aware of it)? However before I get any answers I get PROFESSIONALS coming on and spurting our colour schemes. I really makes me wonder and I get quite upset for people too if they merrily go off doing a colour scheme a professional has suggested and it doesn't work because the light is all wrong.

We do try not to say anything that can be considered offensive as we have had our fair share of knockers who just don't understand our need to let off steam occasionally, but we feel what we do is all for the good of Houzz, 'cause we are just hooked.

Please come and join us today, introduce yourself, we come from all over the world, which makes it even more interesting and fun. I'm just about to go to bed, but hope to catch up with you soon.

creeser, you said when you were planning dd's wedding she was bridezilla? Is she now pregzilla? hehehe Oh! And I almost forgot again. When you were asking about what to get your granddaughter for Easter, I had a thought. When my boys were growing up, every Christmas I bought them one Hallmark ornament that showed what they were interested in that year. When they grew up and left the roost, they had a collection of ornaments for their own tree. Could you do something similar for Easter? One special porcelain bunny, or egg, with the year on it, and then when she turns 18 or whatever, and leaves the house, she will have a special collection for Easter for her own place?

I forgot about bridezilla. I think I had some "don't even think about it" times when I was preggers. What a lovely idea with the Christmas ornaments. I haven't seen anything like that here.

BED. Computer going off NOW!!!!

Roo - I think that ear candles are available here, but I'm not fond of the idea of a lit candle near any of my body parts!

Preds 17 - I would hope that if someone posts 3 or 4 basic questions that must be answered to begin solving a dilemma, both the initiator & others reading the discussion, would realize that you need basic information to figure ANYTHING out. I saw another dilemma today, where someone wants to design a laundry with many other uses for a new house, and didn't know where to start. I suggested they start by figuring out how much space each appliance/unit required, and the space to work around it, and go from there. How can you design a room, unless you know that? Sometimes I wonder how people got to be adults, without having to think "strategically" about anything.

bobbi, love the Hallmark ornament idea! Never thought of it with an Easter tree! It's definitely going in her basket. DD is not quite pregzilla. Her filter is low and Stubborn and Obstinate only comes out when she's irritated. With her first pregnancy, that was the happiest pregnant woman I had ever seen. This little boy is kicking her behind though, so to be honest, she hasn't felt well for nearly 5 months and I'd be irritated as well after that length of time.

handymaM, the snarky remarks were removed. Whether Ms Snarky removed them herself or Emily did, they are gone.

i doubt she/he will stop, I think it is just her/his personality. So does that mean my comments are standing alone, lol? My telling them they must have an unhappy life?

Okay, just checked, Emily must have removed my comments too, and I am okay with that.

Handy that happened to me Lol in reverse. But it is funny what it leaves. In my case I was making a statement something to the same affect on a thread that was very mean spirited by some and immediately that very type of snarky individual came in with alot of creepy venom and so I just deleted my post. So there it is standing, by itself, a very low comment about me..oh well. I actually have begun to comment far less because of it. You are just trying to have a friendly discussion and be helpful and what can I say?

I have said many times (you've all seen it - sorry to bore you) that good manners cost nothing. I have posted the odd comment I thought funny but then removed it because it might offend (never my intention) or because on reflection it was badly phrased and so just plain rude. A few times I've seen things/questions that I have never come across before and since I'm sitting here at a computer I've searched for it and got my answer. Sometimes though you have to ask but make an effort first.

Hi Roo my eight year old loved your visiting dog story, he laughed out loud! The kids seem to like life's absurdities quite a lot, it will probably stand them in good stead.

Lisa, I could really relate to the dog. Intelligent animal.

I am trying so hard to bite my tongue here https://www.houzz.com/discussions/help-painter-here-now-dsvw-vd~401546