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It's been raining here all day. Which is fine, I'd much rather it were all rain than snow - we'd be as bad off as Buffalo!
It's been raining here all day. Which is fine, I'd much rather it were all rain than snow - we'd be as bad off as Buffalo!
They showed a picture of the stadium there in Buffalo where they were supposed to play the game, it's so snowed in, you can't tell where the field ends and the seats begin....wonder how long it'll take to get all that snow out of there?
It was supposed to be rainy for them yesterday, I didn't check if it happened. Today around 55 for Buffalo so they should get some relief with the melting. The leaves and all that water could play havoc with their drainage and cause some flooding. We'll see how it goes today.It's been raining here all day. Which is fine, I'd much rather it were all rain than snow - we'd be as bad off as Buffalo!
They showed a picture of the stadium there in Buffalo where they were supposed to play the game, it's so snowed in, you can't tell where the field ends and the seats begin....wonder how long it'll take to get all that snow out of there?
Firestorm of feelings, or simply the worst of Kismet.
Hello, everyone, and a good Saturday to you.
You might want to grab a Cappuccino before you read this.
I have decided to announce to the USMB community what has just happened in my life and with my family in the USA. It's hard to write this and not get tears in my eyes. I will only be reporting this here and then that's that.
On October 20th, my dog died. That was two or three days before the Cappucino Corral came into being.
Siox days later, on October 26th, my sister called me from Ohio. Her husband, my brother-in-law, was taken to the hospital. My BIL never had to go the hospital for anything in his life. Apparently, in the summer of 2014, he was beginning to have some back pain, but took Tylenol and Co. to ease the symptoms.
3 hours after my brother in law was admitted, after a number of scans, he was diagnosed with cancer inside every major organ of his body, already fully metastasized. It was already wrapped around his spinal cord. The doctor told him that outside of radical chemo, which he thought would kill my BIL instantly, there was nothing to do. He was given between 3-4 months to live, but one specialist who had seen a number of these cases told my sister right then and there that it was likely 3 to 4 weeks, and not months.
7 days later, my BIL had to go through emergency surgery because his intestines essentially exploded. 5 days after that, once the hospital had set up a hospice bed at my sister's house, he was brought home. During that time, I telephoned with my sister about 50 times. 2 days later, on November 8th in the USA, late evening, November 9th in the AM my time (and that day was also my birthday), he died in his wife's arms. Just 15 days after such a horrifying diagnosis, he was already dead. It should be noted that my sister's line of work in the last 10 years was that of private hospice worker. She went into the homes of people in home-hospice care and tended to them in their last months or even weeks. And now, she had to do this with her own husband.
I flew home with the next available flight, getting in to Dayton on November 12th, to assist in preparing his funeral and all of the many unpleasant and very sad tasks that go with it. When I got through the door of my sister's house in the Dayton, OH area, she fell to pieces. They had been married 20 years and had been together almost 25 years - and it was a true love story in every way.Seated on the couch, I held my sister in my arms for almost 4 hours and let her cry herself slowly to sleep. And over the last 10 days, I spent pretty much every waking moment with her.
The funeral was one week ago, on November 15th. About 300 people were there: family, friends, work colleagues, etc.
I want to tell you something about my BIL: he was the most decent man I ever knew. He never missed a day of work in 42 years, until the week he was admitted to the hospital. Sam (no, that is not his real name, but I am going to call him that here in USMB) always said to me and my sister and to their 5 kids: "work hard, really hard. And when you do go on vacation, make it count." And he decided to do that with his own funeral.
In the 2 weeks between the diagnosis and his tragic death, he made his wishes known for the funeral and the immediate aftermath: he explicitly wished for a knock-down, drag-out, racous party in his honor instead of the usual staid and subdued reception. So, I ordered a boatload of catering and since his one daughter lived down the block from the funeral home, we threw a party there, for about 3 hours. He wanted people to drink his famous "Sam-Special" (Rum, Coke and a special spice, which I am not going to divulge), dance to 70s music and toast to him. And that's exactly what we did. We celebrated his life the way he wanted to be remembered.
My BIL and my sister moved into a new home in the Dayton area in 2008, one with a huge backyard, and immediately, my BIL planted two gardens: one for vegetables, and one for roses. And when the roses were in bloom, my BIL cut roses for my sister every single day and put them in a vase on the dining room table. He even kept a yearly count on a pad on the refrigerator. In 2012, he brought his wife almost 500 roses from the garden! So, for the funeral, I ordered almost 300 roses so that each participant could take a rose home in memory of Sam's loving act for his wife. Pretty much everyone who was there understood the significance of those roses.
Now, I am sure that all of us have suffered loss and tragedy, so in no way should anyone think that somehow I think that this is an isolated case. But I did want to, in the presence of a number of USMB friends and acquantances, bear witness to a man who was more like a brother to me than "just" a BIL. He was a great man, a great brother and a great friend: I miss him terribly, but even more so, my heart breaks into about a thousand pieces for my sister, for he was truly her A and O. Now, in her mid-fifties, she must go on alone, without him. They worked all these years to live the American dream of a home paid-off, kids off to college and finally, some fun in their golden years. But he didn't live to see those golden years.
Between the funeral and the party, I also transported all of the flower arrangements from the funeral home to my sister's house. There were 40 floral arrangements. It was an amazing sight. Thank goodness the rental car company ugraded me from compact to a big mini-van. Good Kismet.
In the five days following the funeral, my sister and I did a ton of paperwork for things she will be needing in the years to come, financial and legal things and such.
Yesterday afternoon, I flew back to Germany and landed just this morning. The last 10 days I just spent in Ohio, at my old "stomping grounds", have been without a doubt the darkest, saddest days of my entire life. So, now you know why I've been scarce most of the time in USMB in the last weeks. And also why I was so subdued on the kind birthday thread that Mertex made for me. Thanks still, Mertex!
In closing, I want to bear witness to an amazing phenomenon concerning my sister's neighbors. She is surrounded by six of the kindest, most caring neighbors I have ever seen. The entire street was in mourning for my BIL, who died at the age of only 61, just three months away from early retirement. I got to know those neighbors in the last ten days and I know they will be visiting my sister quite often and helping her around the house.
I ask of you to keep my sister in your prayers. I would be deeply appreciative of the support for her.
In closing, many thanks to Hossfly , who greeted me at the airport in Charlotte, NC, during my layover. We drank coffee together and talked. What a fine, fine gentleman, a truly kind and decent human being. He took the time out of his day to do this for me. That was just awesome.
Equally awesome was Derideo_Te , who greeted me at the airport in Philadephia during that layover as well. Also a fine, fine, fine gentleman, a truly kind and decent human being who also took time out of his day to do this. What a pleasure it was to get to meet both of you, two very different individuals, but very much alike in your kindness and humanity.
I wish you all a good weekend.
-Stat
It was also the most liked country, topping the US for the first time.Good morning, All. Wish I knew how to make a good cappuccino.
There is a cafe down the corner from my place (in Germany), an italian cafe, that makes the best cappuccino I've ever had. The stuff has more calories than normal coffee, to be sure. And there is a special form of biscotti that goes with the drink that is most excellent.
I have seen that there are some very good and affordable cappuccino/espresso machines in the USA these days.
BTW, I just read someplace that Germany is considered the best country to live in. Wish I'd kept the link but I don't remember where I saw that.
We have friends both in Paris and Brussels ... Sometimes we're a little tempted. But, we love our lake house so much that we can't imagine ever leaving it.
now its sprinkling!!!raining all last night w/ high winds. Woke up to sun and mild weather.
I was planning on taking my Big Twin for a spin later today 
for you..
I've only played a couple of times but it was fun!I didn't win anything last night at our Xmas Bunco party, but the food was good, we all had a good time.I've only played a couple of times but it was fun!I didn't win anything last night at our Xmas Bunco party, but the food was good, we all had a good time.
Are you still watching Homeland? I can hardly wait for tonight's episode. Also, we started watching "The Affair" - that's another one that is really good.
Stat...prayers ascending for your BIL and his family and friends.
I've only played a couple of times but it was fun!I didn't win anything last night at our Xmas Bunco party, but the food was good, we all had a good time.I've only played a couple of times but it was fun!I didn't win anything last night at our Xmas Bunco party, but the food was good, we all had a good time.
Are you still watching Homeland? I can hardly wait for tonight's episode. Also, we started watching "The Affair" - that's another one that is really good.
Funny that I've never gotten into Homeland. Everyone says its great but I've never seen it.
But, love Masters of Sex and The Knick.
I haven't shopped at Lowe's since they displayed their religious intolerance towards Americans.I have had a lot of trouble there recently as well. They have screwed up several orders for us. I wish we had the old fashioned local hardware stores here but they all went out when HD and Lowes opened.I'm so disappointed with Home Depot.....we were trying to get a bi-fold door to go between our den and our sunroom so we checked with them. Had a guy come out and measure, and told us that Home Depot would be able to cut if need be, one of the many bi-fold doors they carry. After waiting for 3 days and not hearing from them, we called, they couldn't find the paperwork they started on us, but finally the guy was able to find the "measurements" that one of their workers took 3 days before!!! So, we went in, and had to wait for a while as no one was in the "door" area. Finally, after Mr. Mertex went up to customer service and inquired, they sent someone to help us. Well, long story short, they didn't have a door to fit our measurements, and they don't cut or custom make doors, so we just wasted a whole week with them, damn. I found another place that has a web-site and advertises just what we need. Hope this one doesn't do the same as Home Depot!
I guess they are okay for plants, tools, and other things they carry, but not so sure about major jobs, unless you have a lot of patience and don't mind dealing with people that may not be experts in that particular field.
Another big issue is they contract out work. So you never know what you will get. A friend of ours had her kitchen done by them and it was beautiful, another did as well and it looked like a high school shop class built it. It was awful. Of course its warrantied by the Home Depot so they do come back and fix it but its a hassle.
I went through Lowes for my kitchen and they did a great job. I spent a lot of time hands on supervising which might have made a difference but I knew exactly what I wanted and that is what I ended up with. I have had friends comment that it looks like we spent 3 or 4 times what it actually cost.
Speaking of Lowes I had to take back an outdoor lamp that failed. They swapped it out without any hassle at all. In that respect they are better than HD in my opinion.
I haven't shopped at Lowe's since they displayed their religious intolerance towards Americans.
However...I haven't stopped going to Chik-fil-A as planned. I love those sandwiches.
I haven't shopped at Lowe's since they displayed their religious intolerance towards Americans.I have had a lot of trouble there recently as well. They have screwed up several orders for us. I wish we had the old fashioned local hardware stores here but they all went out when HD and Lowes opened.I'm so disappointed with Home Depot.....we were trying to get a bi-fold door to go between our den and our sunroom so we checked with them. Had a guy come out and measure, and told us that Home Depot would be able to cut if need be, one of the many bi-fold doors they carry. After waiting for 3 days and not hearing from them, we called, they couldn't find the paperwork they started on us, but finally the guy was able to find the "measurements" that one of their workers took 3 days before!!! So, we went in, and had to wait for a while as no one was in the "door" area. Finally, after Mr. Mertex went up to customer service and inquired, they sent someone to help us. Well, long story short, they didn't have a door to fit our measurements, and they don't cut or custom make doors, so we just wasted a whole week with them, damn. I found another place that has a web-site and advertises just what we need. Hope this one doesn't do the same as Home Depot!
I guess they are okay for plants, tools, and other things they carry, but not so sure about major jobs, unless you have a lot of patience and don't mind dealing with people that may not be experts in that particular field.
Another big issue is they contract out work. So you never know what you will get. A friend of ours had her kitchen done by them and it was beautiful, another did as well and it looked like a high school shop class built it. It was awful. Of course its warrantied by the Home Depot so they do come back and fix it but its a hassle.
I went through Lowes for my kitchen and they did a great job. I spent a lot of time hands on supervising which might have made a difference but I knew exactly what I wanted and that is what I ended up with. I have had friends comment that it looks like we spent 3 or 4 times what it actually cost.
Speaking of Lowes I had to take back an outdoor lamp that failed. They swapped it out without any hassle at all. In that respect they are better than HD in my opinion.
However...I haven't stopped going to Chik-fil-A as planned. I love those sandwiches.
I love their sandwiches too!
I haven't shopped at Lowe's since they displayed their religious intolerance towards Americans.I have had a lot of trouble there recently as well. They have screwed up several orders for us. I wish we had the old fashioned local hardware stores here but they all went out when HD and Lowes opened.
I guess they are okay for plants, tools, and other things they carry, but not so sure about major jobs, unless you have a lot of patience and don't mind dealing with people that may not be experts in that particular field.
Another big issue is they contract out work. So you never know what you will get. A friend of ours had her kitchen done by them and it was beautiful, another did as well and it looked like a high school shop class built it. It was awful. Of course its warrantied by the Home Depot so they do come back and fix it but its a hassle.
I went through Lowes for my kitchen and they did a great job. I spent a lot of time hands on supervising which might have made a difference but I knew exactly what I wanted and that is what I ended up with. I have had friends comment that it looks like we spent 3 or 4 times what it actually cost.
Speaking of Lowes I had to take back an outdoor lamp that failed. They swapped it out without any hassle at all. In that respect they are better than HD in my opinion.
However...I haven't stopped going to Chik-fil-A as planned. I love those sandwiches.
But it's ok a lot of my gay friends eat there also
