Neonred

Job wise I am 100% more productive when I am in the office.

Toilet seats? Who uses those? On several trips to Western Europe I encountered toilets with no seats. In fact no real toilet, just a hole. I thought what a great idea and did the same at my office. Squat and plop. That also leads me to an encounter in Russia on my first trip to visit the girl that is now my wife. First day we are walking in the city center when I have an immediate and urgent case of lower intestinal...travelers emergency. We duck in to a very near cafe and I run to the restroom to find that the toilet seat is missing. Oh no... Well some how I managed. (I've left out the graphic details) But damn, those Russians will steal anything even if it is screwed down. So she is like Cher How's the diet going?? I hope you are saving one of those week old subs for the IC. WOW. Where can I find an IC like that?

When will you be able to go to the reservation to visit her and see the teepee?

I just knew you weren't a real Texan I said that same thing about 40 years ago, and look where I am now.

Sounds like this relationship (with the Junior Indian Chica) is progressing. Have you talked to mini-B about having a half-breed half-brother? Reminds me of a song by Cher. LOL Remember, it's not only mius that can be high maintenance... It's wintery here too. Was just 55 this am and may be into the upper 30's by Thursday morning. Lucky for me I am heading to the Keys Wednesday after work. Won't be so cold. Be sure to report back with the latest news and weather.

What??? And you think YOU are having a hard time with verbiage...

Yep. She gave me 12 upvotes today. I love that girl.

I don't know much about food coloring, but I do remember Brown 25. Anyone remember? Probably before your time.

In my family we are right wing nut jobs. We have guns. We stand by the motto "you loot, we shoot". Surprisingly my Russian wife is more right wing and nutty than me. And she is really good with guns too. It was required of them in school back in the cold war days.

I like this girl already! Probably lives with her boyfriend

With any luck she belongs to the Shakopee tribe. $$

Yep. Windstorm insurance is very expensive here and the deductible is generally a percentage of the home value. In my case it was a 3% deductible, so 3% of 470k or something like that. 2% is probably the norm, but then you pay more of course. Especially in the FL Keys.

I've seen most of that here in SW Florida and in the FL Keys after several major hurricanes. A lot of people under insured and some without insurance. Sucks when you are insured for say $400k and to rebuild to meet code its going to cost over $800k. A lot of those people sell the property and leave the area. Always seems there are people with money willing to come in and pay what it takes to have what they want. The price of paradise. I remember here after hurricane Andrew in 1992, that devastated Homestead, major changes were made in the building code to construct structures that were much more wind resistant. People found out that tape on the windows and paid up insurance just didn't cut it. And what wasn't dictated by building codes the insurance companies made sure there were huge incentives to upgrade or pay the price. Also we went through, and are still struggling, with insurers willing to take on the risk for an affordable price. The state stepped in and created Citizens Property Insurance of Florida to insure folks when no other insurer will. It's the only insurance I know of available in the Keys. Lucky for me I built to the new codes and then some, and have done well even with the direct hit from hurricane Irma. Had damage but it was just below my $14k deductible. After that I dropped that super expensive insurance and now self insure.

My last two wife's have been rubias. Thinking next time around I'll try a brunette. LOL OK, BUT... You know I'll be looking for the largest and ugliest woman, and that's very hard to find with Eastern European women How's that diet going??? Thought about a nap today, but I'm busy. Sugar and caffeine instead. Be careful TBoneCuster. TBone's last stand?

If you want to see something chilling, relevant, and unbelievably timely watch this weeks (Jan 7th) episode of Frontline on PBS. Detailed timeline and interviews of the Aug '23 Firestorm on Maui that killed over 100 people and wiped out Lahaina.

Rubias... and why are you pursuing them? So many years ago when I was looking (and my rubia and I have been married 18 1/2 years, unbelievable) there were dating sites for Eastern European women that allowed you to input hair color, eye color, height and weight, language skills, etc and it would provide matches. Was fun and entertaining to browse the selection of ladies. Check out the pics on globalladies.com Met my wife on a similar dating site. She found me because of my picture. It was me and my little dog. I'm nothing special, but the dog is what reeled her in. Hook, line and sinker!

Didn't help. Got up right when I was afraid I would. Perhaps I can manage a nap today. Better go easy on the caffeine. Did you know that caffeine is the most widely used psychoactive drug used? But please don't call me a druggie. I don't use every day.

Well, I hooked up my scan tool and learned it is a minor emissions related issue. Usually a purge valve or leaking gas cap. This vehicle does not have a traditional gas cap so most likely the purge valve. Last week I cleared the trouble code but it came back, so it needs attention. I hate going to the dealership but that's what it's going to take. It has the extended warranty.

@laylalex Thanks for your thoughtful and complete, if not horrific update. I knew you lived close to the fires and asked TBone if he had any updates. I'd much rather be faced with a hurricane. We all have been watching the news and it is shocking and so sad. Glad you and your hubby are safe. Looking forward to more updates, and hearing it from you makes it much more real than the generic stories on the national news. We will certainly keep you in our thoughts. Stay safe.

Wow, that's even before my time. Don't want to go to bed too early or I'll be up before 4:00 am.

LOL Don't know or can't remember that one Online catalog of Ukrainian women It's the weekend!

And she's not a rubia? Surprising. More to love... Keep looking

Hey @TBoneTX, do you know anything about how laylalex is out in LA? Haven't seen her on VJ in some time and since I know you frequent The Beauty Thread with the other girls I thought you might know. I do believe she lives very close to the Palisades fire. Hoping she is safe.

NY, NJ, all the people in that area can seem to be rude. Don't let it bother you. It's just the way it is sometimes. I'd say pick what works best for you.

Biden Quietly Bans Most Gas Powered Tankless Water Heaters https://www.zerohedge.com/energy/biden-quietly-bans-most-gas-powered-tankless-water-heaters?fbclid=IwY2xjawHolUdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHZdjdzwOz9MRYnX8ifElK-EpojV4aW9WG6uR3PdhuOCorz9sDWUC6ACRrg_aem_vkk_AY8N1t3PVBJ55hGdSg In a significant regulatory shift that took place quietly the day after Christmas, the Biden administration finalized new climate rules targeting natural gas-powered instantaneous water heaters. The Department of Energy (DOE), which traditionally issues a press release for such regulations, chose not to announce these changes publicly, raising eyebrows across various sectors. According to the Free Beacon, the new regulations aim to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, a move aligned with broader climate change mitigation efforts. However, the regulations are set to remove approximately 40% of the current tankless water heater models from the market by 2029 (between gas and electric). This shift is expected to force consumers to opt for either more expensive or less efficient alternatives. An industry analysis forecasts that the average cost increase for new water heaters due to the regulations will be around $450...