I’m not sorry to see the back of 2014, which was the worst year of my life so far by a country mile. And yes, I realize the suckage wasn’t the fault of an arbitrary planetary orbit measure and that 2014 was just goddamn peachy for many people, and huzzah for them; my point is it sucked for me and I won’t remember it fondly.
I also realize that complaining about how much 2014 sucked might be construed as a cosmic invitation for 2015 to hook me on its horns. But I’m not particularly superstitious that way, so I say again, FUCK OFF, 2014:
But even if 2014 showered you with good fortune from January 1 to the present day, surely there are people, items, trends, events and news stories from 2014 that you’d be glad to never, ever hear of again? Feel free to share them here in a cleansing purge. Or talk about whatever.
Doug r
Each day better than the next
Doug r
Each day better than the next.
Baud
@Doug r:
So is each comment.
Liquid
New Year’s Eve falling on hump day is a perfect nightcap to this year.
Baud
I’ve always been someone who’s looked forward to the future. Here’s to 2015.
dopealope
I agree: Good Riddance. Beginning with my Father shuffling off the mortal coil, and continuing with a never ending stream of shit storms, major and minor, 2014 has unseated 2004 (when my beloved GSD died) as the most crappy year of my life. 2015 is very welcome in my book …
Mike in NC
Some things that need a cleansing purge:
US House
US Senate
US Supreme Court
and a whole bunch of state houses. Let’s skip right over 2015 and make it happen.
Mustang Bobby
2014: One year closer to retirement, one more year with my parents alive and doing well, one more year where I got plays produced and noticed by other producers, one more year of good health and new friendships, and things are karmically balanced — get a raise, need a new transmission. Ta da. The goodness outweighed the suckage, and I am grateful for that.
Oh, and it’s been really nice to be welcomed into the Balloon Juice cult, both in person and via the toobs. Thanks, Friends.
raven
After 19 months of waiting they started our sewer project 2 weeks ago. That will lead to our addition being built.
c u n d gulag
In this past year, I could have done without America’s “Crypt-keeper,” Dick Cheney, coming out of the mausoleum he hides in, and where his devotee’s leave the bodies of knocked-out living children by the entrance for his sexual and nutritional pleasure, and defending his and his puppet, W’s, ‘Torture Regime!’
Oh, and the November midterms!
Oy!
What did the rest of us do to deserve another “Know-Nothing KKKongress?!?!?!?!?!?!?”
Karen in GA
Father-in-law ended up in a nursing home after threatening mother-in-law, getting arrested, spending over two months in a VA hospital because a restraining order prevented him from coming home and nobody else in the family would take him. Plus a dementia diagnosis, but he’s always been a bastard. He ended the year today by getting moved to a different room after the guy he shared his room with, a very nice man in his 50s with advanced MS, finally had enough of his shit.
On a happier note, this was the year my husband finally figured out how to balance being a good son with maintaining emotional distance from his fucked up parents. And I wrote off most of my family after the thousandth cut finally resulted in that long-anticipated death.
I ended the year by getting a Hohner Special 20 and springing for online harmonica lessons. Between that, the banjo, the whistle, and the flute, Iggy has been and continues to be a very tolerant dog.
Happy New Year, everyone!
Baud
@Mustang Bobby:
Is this your first year here? Nyms come and go, and I hadn’t noticed.
Mnemosyne (iPad Mini)
2014 was slightly less sucky for us than 2012/2013 since we managed to not lose any more parents (though there are still a few hours to go, so we probably shouldn’t get cocky just yet). You and the mister should probably be warned that you will also perceive 2015 as being sucky because you’ll both still be in active mourning, but it will suck slightly less than the year of the actual loss.
Mustang Bobby
@Baud: I was an infrequent commenter until a certain firewall at a certain place of business was modified to allow posting.
2liberal
My job position was determined to be surplus to requirements, which is bad. Employment terminated as of 12/31.
I found a new job, which is good. New job starts 1/1/15.
I don’t spend any time at all in the hands of the Arizona unemployment people, which is REALLY good. Maximum unemployment benefit for AZ, $240 per week. Thanks a lot. Second lowest in the USA, to Mississippi.
I took a 57% pay cut , which is really bad. I can keep my condo but I am on a bare bones budget.
Betty Cracker
@c u n d gulag: I really hope I outlive that bastard Cheney (which is actuarially likely since he’s older than my parents) so I can rejoice at the news of his demise.
Baud
@Mustang Bobby:
Well, you fit in seamlessly. Glad to hear your work no longer cares about productivity.
Doug r
Apparently politico is a left-wing rag now that they’ve published this: http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/12/everything-is-awesome-113801.html#ixzz3N0Rdq4wF
tybee
every day a holiday, every meal a banquet
NCSteve
Lost my job, lost my insurance, painfully lost a lot of expensive dental work which had to painfully be replaced by more expensive dental work, and had to go to an actuarially implausible number of especially tragic funerals. That on top of all the suck coming in from outside from Robin Williams’ death to the gigantic suck of November to the massive upsurge in war-related horror and slaughter globally.
All in all, a no good terrible horrible no good fucking year that I’m glad to see the ass of that nonetheless leaves me lacking much optimism that the next one will be better.
Karen in GA
@Mustang Bobby: Sounds like a good year. Here’s to an even better 2015. Glad to hear they tore down the firewall.
Villago Delenda Est
@2liberal: Fucking sucks all the way around.
Here’s hoping things get better for you. And Betty. And everyone else.
There’s got to be a 16 ton weight in the DC area that can be dropped on the five assholes sitting on the SC. By accident. Totally.
Bystander
For me, the worst was the revivification of the repub party. Luckily, 2014 didn’t have any of the deeply sad personal events for me that it had for many others. FWIW I take the midterm disaster personally.
NotMax
Not going to give links, but each and every year there’s always a “don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out, Old Year” post.
(cue “tradition” from Fiddler on the Roof)
Day started just peachy by my spilling about 2 cups of sticky, salty brine onto the counter. Don’t ask. Memo to self: no brining and heavy lifting before coffee.
Violet
2014 wasn’t a good year. I hope 2015 is better. We’ll see.
I love that picture. Made me laugh.
Adam
At least the 2016 GOP clown car will finally hit the road next year. Ted Cruz, Rand Paul and Ben Carson in the same room together! The popcorn is already in the microwave. And hey Obama approval rating is the highest it’s been in years, so at least that’s SOME good news.
And I just bought this, so I’m having a good end of the year.
feebog
Lost my son’s MIL to breast cancer at age 60 in September. Lost my father at age 93 in late November. Almost lost my oldest grand daughter in a horrible one car accident on Dec. 20. She had her sixth operation since the accident yesterday. It is a miracle that she will not be paralyzed from the neck down. So while this has been a terrible year, we are ending with hope for her complete and eventual recovery. Happy New Year to all my fellow Juicers. Stay safe and warm tonight.
SiubhanDuinne
Damn. Edward Herrmann died today. RIP.
Corner Stone
My son hit double digits in 2014. It’s only a few short months until he decides he wants nothing to do with dad any longer, and that I have magically become incapable of understanding just about anything relevant to him. It hasn’t hit yet, but it’s like a thunderstorm sweeping in off the Atlantic in the Miami Vice movie remake. I can see it coming, and taste it on the wind.
On the upside, I managed to take him to CA, AZ, TN and IL all during his 10th year on this tiny rock. Next year, unless she reneges, I’ll be paying for he and his mom to go to certain parts of Europe for a couple weeks. So it’s not all bad, I guess.
Phylllis
It hasn’t been too bad, as years go. Like Mustang Bobby, one year closer to retirement.
Mnemosyne (iPad Mini)
@NotMax:
That’s how I ended up sitting in urgent care the morning of St. Patrick’s Day a few years ago — I was digging the eye out of a potato and sliced my thumb open. They were able to get the bleeding stopped without stitches, but I did have to get a tetanus shot. No more early morning cooking for me!
Corner Stone
@Bystander:
This was set up so clearly over the last few years. There was no doubt that they’d worm their way back into power.
Amir Khalid
I have somehow become Bob in Portland’s new bestie, as he astounds me (not) with his deep knowledge of Malaysian politics (Did you know that some politicians here are Muslims?) and the Islamo-fascist conspiracy behind the disappearance of MH370.
Oy.
Baud
@Amir Khalid:
Sounds like 2015 is going to suck for you.
Corner Stone
@Adam:
And even though none of those three jokeholes are going anywhere in the 2016 election, guess what? If any of them magically transmogrified into the GOP nominated candidate, they’d win a minimum of 48% of the popular vote by default. Don’t think about that too hard or it might mess you up. In the head.
Trinity
2014 was mostly a shitty year but in the scheme of things, I remain incredibly blessed. My husband and our two cats (Bird and Lou) bring me ridiculous joy and peace. I am grateful for the little things most of all.
I wish you all a very happy new year! May 2015 be filled with good intentions and much compassion.
Southern Beale
Everyone I know says 2014 sucked. I think it sucked, even though some wonderful things happened (I started a new job, which kicked my ass all the way to the finish line of 2014…). But good fucking riddance
delk
I’ll be very happy to not have to hear Pam Bondi opposing marriage equality.
Adam
@Corner Stone:
O I’m already messed up in the head enough don’t worry about that. And hey, plenty of those old farts who would vote for these jackoffs will be shuttled off to the great Fox News green room in the sky next year, so we have nowhere to go to but up next year.
Elizabelle
@Bystander:
re the midterm disaster: the silver lining is that it somewhat freed President Obama to do what he knows is right. Less cowardly Democrats in full flight away from him, true.
The rose colored glasses have been off for a while, and there’s good governing to be done. Alone or from the minority, if need be.
Seanly
I certainly hope 2015 is an improvement on 2014. However, I got the best Christmas present ever.
My 46 y.o. wife was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia around the end of January. This is her second cancer diagnosis – first was Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2010. She had some ups & downs during her treatment. I don’t recommend high doses of Methotrexate for anyone…
Since her leukemia had the added bonus of being positive for the Philadelphia Chromosome, she had to take another very expensive chemo drug on top of the Hyper CVAD protocol. This also meant that she’d need an allogenic blood stem cell transplant (used to be a bone marrow transplant) to hope to beat the cancer.
Good news was that she was in remission within the first few weeks of treatment. Be The Match (please sign up – you may save a life) found 2 suitable matches within a month of looking. The big wrinkle was that none of the hospitals around here (Boise, ID) can do the allogenic BMT. Wife only finished the 3rd course of the induction phase instead of the usual 4 so she could get the BMT done right away.Vanderbilt was covered and my in-laws are only 10 minutes from there. So in mid-July. off to Nashville.
The big risk with BMT is that the new blood supply sees her body as foreign cells to attack. This graph versus host disease can be anything from mild to severe and occur once or often and appear within the first 3 months (acute GVHD) or after that. Unlike organ transplants, the blood & body eventually declare a truce – usually after about 3 years if the patient lives that long. With a new blood supply & immunosuppressants to preempt GVHD, my wife runs the risk of getting illnesses very easily.
The transplant team likes the patient to stay near the hospital for 100 days. My wife was doing great and the team agreed to let her come home on Day 85. She was going to fly home with me after my Thanksgiving trip to see her. We were both very excited to get her home and begin to work on resuming a normal life. My wife was getting pretty tired of staying with her retired parents in their small home.
On Thanksgiving, I had to take my wife to the ER for breathing difficulties. I went ahead & flew home alone the next day. I figured she’d be in the hospital for a week or so and then the transplant team would want to monitor her a few more weeks. Within a couple of days, she was in the ICU on a ventilator & full sedated. I got a call from ICU team that they’d done all they could and I should come back to Nashville ASAP. I flew out the next day wondering if my wife would be alive when I arrived.
Nothing they were doing seemed to reduce the inflammation of my wife’s alveoli. The transplant team wanted to try a long shot of shutting off her entire immune system, but the ICU team shot that down once it seemed that she was stable. When I got the call, she wasn’t really stabilized, but the week I was there with her, she started to finally improve. They put in a trach tube which allowed her to get off the sedation. I had to go back home before she came out of the sedation fog.
My Christmas present was that I was able to see my wife still alive and in pretty good spirits over the holidays. She still has a long road for her lungs to recover and to regain her physical strength. She’s at an acute care facility and working hard with the physical & occupational therapists so she can transition to a rehab hospital & then home. She may never recover 100%, but at this point even being alive is a great joy.
Apologies for the long post…
kc
This was a pretty bad year for me. I know things can always be worse, but ugh. Hope to FSM 2015 gets better.
Emma
I’m with you, Betty. This year was an utter and complete black hole and I won’t stop worrying until the ball reaches the ground in Times Square. Good riddance to bad rubbish.
Elizabelle
@feebog:
Terrible year. Best of luck to your granddaughter for a full recovery.
@SiubhanDuinne: Edward Herrmann? Say it ain’t so. Talented actor.
Elizabelle
@Betty Cracker:
Inspired use of a Starbucks sleeve.
JasonF
I’ve started thinking of 2014 as my Tale of Two Cities year, since it was the best of times and the worst of times (not in that order). I started off the year depressed, in a job I hated and a broken marriage. In the first half of the year, I got laid off from the job and my wife left me. I got myself into therapy in May and started addressing my depression. By July, I had started to come to terms with these changes. By September, I was building a new life. Now, I’m happier than I’ve ever been, I’ve made a bunch of great new friends, I have a new job lined up, and I’m dating a wonderful woman who is, in every conceivable way, a better fit for me than my ex.
So, second only to the 2001 death of my mother, the worst things in my life happened to me in 2014. But also some of the best.
I’m thinking 2015 is going to be great, but if there’s one thing 2014 taught me, it’s that things don’t always go as you expected, and you should spend more time enjoying the present than worrying about the future (or the past, for that matter). So that’s where I’m at.
Villago Delenda Est
@Seanly: Wow, that is a whole lot of yuck but in the end things start looking up!
Best of luck to your wife as she continues to deal with the terrible hand she was dealt.
JPL
@Doug r: uhoh If you can’t trust politico who can you trust?
gogol's wife
Work (teaching and writing) good, work (dealing with administration) bad, personal life (immediate family) good, personal life (getting older) bad. Politics good (Obama), politics bad (Republican party, Putin).
Sad about the death of Shirley Temple, although she lived a long and full life. Sad about all the others in the TCM Remembers video including PSH and Robin Williams. Sad about non-famous people who died.
Feel terrible for friends in Russia and people I don’t know in Ukraine, Syria, etc., etc., etc.
As 2014 ends, I’ve discovered a world-class writer I’d never read before: Meša Selimović. Devoured Death and the Dervish and am now devouring The Fortress. And the translations read really well, too.
Happy New Year, BJ!
NotMax
On the quasi-bright side, even the ruble (whose value plummeted) outperformed the Bitcoin insofar as currency rates are concerned in 2014.
Villago Delenda Est
@Amir Khalid: BiP is all over the map…an avowed anti-fascist who sees no problems with Vlad Putin and his gang of capitalist cronies.
gogol's wife
@Bystander:
Happy New Year, bro.
gelfling545
My sweet pug of 13 years died in November & there was a huge family bust up on Christmas of all days with my sister deciding she hates my daughter and losing her ….composure in a long and unnecessarily ugly rant. Good bye
2014.
Looking to the future, in Jan my pug/? mix puppy will be ready to join me. Looking to the future re the family situation? Who knows but I’ve decided I’m no longer on the fix it business with family issues.
the Conster
2012 was my suckbag year, and 2013 wasn’t all that great either, but that’s when I grabbed the bull by the horns and set out to make changes. I got a new job and sold my house and moved to a much more suitable place where I’m happy. I lost my wonderful MIL on 9/1 to cancer, but she decided to go without treatment because at 84, she didn’t really see the point. She left an estate that took care of some things and apart from the fucking idiots in politics, it was more good than bad.
p.a.
Don’t forget to pre-date your next few checks: / /2015
a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q)
@Mustang Bobby: Look me up for lunch next time you’re in the neighborhood again.
skerry
I”m ending the year by having a Baltimore City “vehicle” sideswipe my legally parked car. At least they did leave a note. In 3 weeks time, I can (for the sum of $14) get a copy of the police report to see exactly when and by whom the car was hit. The Investigations Bureau is snail mailing me a form to start the investigation to see if they are, indeed, responsible for the damage to the entire driver’s side of my car.
Fuck off 2014.
Mike in dc
The last 5 years have kinda sucked for me, but I did get a job, sell my home, and get an opportunity to practice law finally. So I am optimistic about the next 5 years.
Nicole
2014 was also a bad year for me, Betty. I also am happy to tell it to suck it and never come back. And, fortunately, it never will.
Gin & Tonic
@Amir Khalid: Better you than me.
a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q)
@Seanly: Wishing you and your wife a much better 2015.
Morzer
@Villago Delenda Est:
It’s those bright, shiny gold nipple rings glistening on Putin’s manly torso…
I achieved my 2014 goal of losing 70 lbs in 4 months and feel thoroughly re-energized and ready to lead Panzer Division Josef von Biden into battle against Unholy Mother Russia – just as soon as I figure out how to beat my father-in-law at paduk. I may be some time.
Happy New Year to all of you Obama liberalfascists, your spouses, partners, mistresses and masters, bandages and plasters, squeezes, wheezes and Drew Breeses, children (acknowledged, unacknowledged and recently admitted), feline overlords, landscape features and newly discovered cloud formations!
Amir Khalid
@Gin & Tonic:
I appreciate the moral support.
Botsplainer
My 2014 was a mix of shit AND hope. On one hand, I’ve lost something like 50-55 lbs, on the other, I almost split up with my wife a half dozen times.
Some conflict was justified but most was overblown (a big part of that coming from premenopausal angst).
Also, I’m pulling back from being everybody’s favorite ATM/whipping boy – had enough of THAT this year.
I have learned though – she’s away on business for lengthy spells, mostly AUS/NZ or Southeast Asia, 2-3 weeks at a time. I’m going to time some solo dive liveaboards for those periods to sop up lonely hours.
D58826
@Amir Khalid: I’ll bet some are even ‘Malaysian’ :-)
happy new year all
Amir Khalid
This legal argument is surely frivolous.
jharp
My old junior high and high school school buddy died of cancer at age 55 last week.
So no matter how shitty anyone’s year was, it beats the hell out of his year.
schrodinger's cat
@Seanly: Good luck with everything, People should register if they haven’t already done so for the LLS’ Be the match program. You could save a life.
@NCSteve: You have had a tough year. Hang in there!
PlanetPundit (used to be Sir Laffs-a-Lot)
2015 will be great if only because we have Betty as oue blog friend and front pager. Happy New Year and all the best to all the Joyeux Juicers. Bless us one, all and especially Steve and Max.
JPL
@Seanly: Sometimes certain posts give meaning to a shitty year but also a year full of hope. You and your wife are in my thoughts and prayers.
Mustang Bobby
@a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q): Will do.
schrodinger's cat
@Betty Cracker: I think he may be a vampire, so you may be out of luck there.
gogol's wife
@schrodinger’s cat:
Got a stake?
schrodinger's cat
@SiubhanDuinne: I must watch my Gilmore Girls DVDs, then. I loved him as Richard Gilmore.
schrodinger's cat
@gogol’s wife: And garlic too.
BillinGlendaleCA
@Amir Khalid:
Really, say it ain’t so.
(Bangs head on desk)
Phoebes in Santa fe
Any year when my two sons and their families are happy and healthy is a great one for me. I’m expecting a grandson in March and I’m thrilled. I’m spitting mad at my fellow Democrats who didn’t get out to vote in November and at my Democratic politicians who couldn’t stand behind and support one of the best presidents we’ve had in a while. And I’m pissed at the gross stupidity that seems to affect many Americans who are scared of Ebola, but not of the proliferation of guns. I hope all of you dealing with disease or have loved ones who are get good news this year. I hope Bruce Jenner really explores his gender preference and comes out on the other side. And I really hope that the media experts realize that the Sony hacking was an inside Hollywood job. I mean, how many NoKos know who Amy Pascal and Scott Rudin are and why they’re important to hack?
schrodinger's cat
@Botsplainer: Your wife sounds like an international woman of mystery, very James Bond, but female.
Morzer
@gogol’s wife:
We should get together and buy him a free hunting trip with Scalia. Either way, we’d be rid of a force of evil.
Morzer
@schrodinger’s cat:
Comrade Limbaugh will shortly be having a conniption at the idea of a female James Bond.
ruemara
Much happiness to you and your wife, Seanly and also to you, Botsplainer. Those changes are hard.
I jumped into the new job, found out my boss was… burdened with issues, lost her to self-harm and pretty much am carrying the company on my back. But the numbers I’ve managed to gain in sales and audience speak to the amount of well thought out work I can do if given a shot. But at $15 per hour part time, it’s been a let down. Couldn’t afford the insurance and CoveredCA is surprisingly lacking in information once it says, you’re too poor for us to help, off to medi-cal with you? Um, yeah, so now what? Hello? Still waiting for some measure of communication from the ex about how the cats are doing and the roommate who seemed a decent sort is just another person abusing my mild, accommodating nature.
However, the time I’ve had to myself this holiday has been wonderful. I’m as upbeat as I’ve ever been and genuinely looking forward to a new year. Whether the upshot is I’ve made the company attractive enough to be sold and get cut, or, we collapse , I’m at peace with things. Looking forward to donating my beloved books to libraries in underserved communities, which is something I’ve always intended to do at the end of my life. And I’m taking great joy in pleasing myself above anyone else. There’s some tasty sushi for tonight’s celebratory repast and I may even spring for one of those tiny bottles of champagne. I’ve got a fresh new book ARC I’m nearly done with and it’s been quite good. I’m considering performing some of my poems at a local open mic night, since I’m craving new experiences and I continue to surprise myself with my feats of physical fitness. Bring on 2015. I plan to wrap myself around every moment where I can feel some joy and hold it in my heart. Everything else is just temporary madness.
Full metal Wingnut
Any advice from cat people would be appreciated. My wife has mild allergies and is a little sniffly after spending some time with an adorable Russian blue. I want to know if these kinds of mild allergies eventually go away with time or are manageable-any cat people on here with mild allergies?
If we don’t get the cat we’ll probably end up getting a dog…but I’m a cat man so I don’t want that!
Kropadope
@schrodinger’s cat: Of course, what better way to have a stake than with garlic?
Jacks mom
2015 has got to be better.
I had to put my mother in a nursing home in September but on the up side I may never have to see or speak to my asshat RWNJ brother again.
Am looking forward to welcoming my first grandson in March ( I have a wonderful 4 year old granddaughter).
I hope this country comes to its senses for their sakes. I’m not certain that will happen though.
Morzer
@Kropadope:
Stakes are greatly improved by the presence of pretty young Frenchwomen. Call it the Joan of Arc option.
Pogonip
@Amir Khalid: There are MUSLIMS in Malaysia!?!?!! Oh, my God! Alert Fox Noise!
Omnes Omnibus
@Morzer: Just about anything is improved by the presence of pretty young Frenchwomen.
Morzer
@Omnes Omnibus:
Even pretty young Frenchwomen, so I am told.
Villago Delenda Est
@Amir Khalid: I think those guys are looking to get metaphorically slapped around like red headed stepchildren by the federal judge.
Then again, they’re probably Scott appointees, which means that they’re minions of evil in the first place.
Morzer
@Villago Delenda Est:
I am waiting for the “judicial conservative originalist” argument that the judge’s signature was not perfectly clear, so he didn’t actually mean anything that he said.
Villago Delenda Est
@Betty Cracker: We need to find all the horcruxes first, or it’s a wasted effort.
Schlemazel
2014 was better than average – no cancers, no major fractures, no deaths in the family, no hospitalizations of anyone I care about. It has been over 2 decades since I can say that. OTOH, I feel like our race to extinction has accelerated so here to a better 2015.
PurpleGirl
@Seanly: I will keep you, your wife and family in my thoughts and prayers for the best recovery possible. I lost one friend to a long cancer fight back in 2002, and recently (October) lost another friend to a short but intense fight against smooth cell carcinoma. Cancer sux.
Mnemosyne
For the knitters and crocheters (and sewers and home farmers, too), Amazon has a boatload of Kindle books on sale for $1.99, including most of the One-Skein Wonders series.
Pogonip
Early 2014 was good for me–crazy boss retired–but then we had 2 deaths in the family later on in the year, so all in all, it wasn’t good.
grandpa john
@Betty Cracker: Yeah the old bastard could pay off the debt he helped create if he would do one decent thing in his life and kick the bucket.
How? by letting people pay to piss to on his grave
vogon pundit
A health scare with my oldest son, troubles with the job search, and the mid-term elections. Hoping for good news in the coming year.
ruemara
@Full metal Wingnut: yes, they can go away. You tend to develop a level of tolerance of the allergy is mild and you are exposed daily. Other things that I found useful were acupunture, maintaining cat free zones on the bed pillows and keeping low level antihistamines around like a little caffeine. But I used to get seriously allergic after a bout of walking pneumonia and couldn’t even visit sometimes without allergy meds. With some time and focus, I could tolerate my personal cat and after a while longer, I could tolerate visiting cats, without fear.
Schlemazel
@Amir Khalid:
Few things are sadder in the world than having your culture/politics/nation described by a moron with no clue. Bobby would qualify nicely. OTOH few things are scarier than realizing how deaf and blind your fellow humans are. I would assume there are few places in the world where Muslims would be preemptively excluded from politics outside the dear old US of A. WOuld a CHristian automatically be behind the 8-ball in Malaysia?
a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q)
@NCSteve: I wish you a much better 2015. 2014 was not good to you. Hang in there.
Mnemosyne
@Full metal Wingnut:
If it’s only a mild allergy, it may be manageable, especially if you don’t have wall-to-wall carpeting. This article has some good advice on steps you can take to keep the allergens to a minimum. Make sure your wife washes her hands — she probably petted the kitty and then unconsciously touched near her eye or mouth.
Beatrice
@Full metal Wingnut: Some people are more sensitive to specific breeds of cats (my sister is allergic to Siamese cats) so it’s possible you could find a different cat that wouldn’t affect your wife.
Schlemazel
@Betty Cracker:
I keep hoping that he lives long enough to become totally aware of his status as a pariah. I keep hoping that the damage he did to the US would be so obvious to his buddies that he could no longer get a golf date & he would die alone & unloved.
But that does not seem likely anymore. Now I just hope it is slow and painful.
Full metal Wingnut
@Beatrice: Well, supposedly the Russian blue is supposed to irritate people less. There were a bunch of other kitties she also scritched so it might be that.
It doesn’t *seem* severe. It came on 1-2 hours later and was sniffles and watery eyes. Seemed to go away after about an hour without any medication
blondie
I don’t comment often (though I read the blog religiously, like 2 or 3 or 4 times a day). But 2014 was such a godawful year in almost every dimension …
The politics sucked. (I live in West-by-God Virginia, so Cole knows exactly what I’m talking about.)
My husband and I both had health issues, mine leading to an overnight stay in a hospital for a serious blood clot, my husband’s leading to a lifetime of prescription-strength Prilosec.
No full-time work for either of us. Just a constant hemorrhage of cash – no shortcuts! – from a blown well motor on one of the shittiest days of the year (January, sleet, and a Sunday to boot), to a dead refrigerator, to a blown head gasket, to a fried heat pump, to a … well, you get the picture.
I know that one should never wish away time. But I am absolutely glad to see the end of this motherfucking year.
A toast to Balloon Juice! One of the things that helped me keep my tenuous hold on sanity.
Elmo
Promotion at work, out of the department that was low stress and a good fit for my talents, and into a higher level of stress, constant travel, built-in conflict, a direct report who is 20 years my senior and set in his lazy-ass ways, and of course no raise.
But I work from home more often, the travel means many expensive meals with good wine (nobody looks at my Amex anymore), and it’s a job I’m really good at.
So – yay?
Schlemazel
@Full metal Wingnut:
Don’t know about the Russian Blue but my Norwegian Blue has been very quiet recently.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vuW6tQ0218
debbie
@Seanly:
Anything I could whine about pales in comparison to your and your wife’s struggles. Let’s hope the worst is over. Glad she’s got a team behind her.
WereBear
@Full metal Wingnut: Actually, exposure to cats reduces most incidents of reaction. Here’s an article I wrote about it:
Cats and the Allergenic Human
debbie
This seems a nice way to end 2014:
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/fox-hashtag-overit2014-backfires
WereBear
All best wishes to those suffering from loss and threatened loss. Best of the New Year to everyone!
I had some Bad this year: beloved 18 year old cat had to be put to sleep, my mystery illness reached a terrible low, specialist we traveled to see was an utter jerk, partner and I struggled with awful stresses from crashed website and small business threatening a meltdown and critical finances and apartment restructuring, but…
like a plane pulling out of a low low dive just feet above the treetops…
the GOOD resulted in a delightful kitten rescue to help us all lift our spirits, the apartment revamp finally got done, thanks to my health improving with some innovative treatments, and that jerk specialist got reported to the Attorney General’s Office because he illegally billed me. They want to investigate him! BWAHAHAHAHA! You broke into the wrong goddamn rec room!
And, just today, I found out I’m to be the Cat Queen of Estonia, plus found a vintage 1960’s opera cloak that makes everyone who sees me in it clutch their head and scream “It’s SO you!” like a crazed fashion maven from the ’80’s.
I have hopes for 2015.
RSR
We’ve got a somewhat sick child (cold, fever, nothing worrying) which is prohibiting us from going off the deep end this New Year’s Eve.
We (okay, I) did that last year, and regretted it; so maybe, a helpful omen?
MomSense
It seems like troubles come in mostly one of two varieties. There are the illnesses and bad things that hit us that we have no control over and then there are the types of troubles that are avoidable–either we bring them on to ourselves or someone does them to us. Bad things do happen to all of us and the most we can hope for is the support of friends and loved ones to help us endure it.
This year was mixed for me. We lost two beloved pet members of the family in two weeks. I think it hit all of us so hard because these pets had been our support through some really tough times of the second kind of troubles variety. On the other hand, my kids are thriving. I know moms like to brag about their kids but honestly I have been blessed with three fantastic human beings who inspire and amaze me every day. There are no riches or material goods I would trade for all the laughter we enjoy every day. I can’t wait to see what they are going to do next. And I have finally started dreaming again about what I might like to do and how I might construct this next part of my life.
So my heart goes out to Seanly and Feebog and Ruemara and Betty Cracker and everyone who is fighting or grieving or suffering. I hope you all know that we jackals can’t do much to help but at least we can be here to let you know that you will have friends with you no matter what happens. And Violet–I am so glad to see your name here. You are a treasure and I’m so happy you toughed out such a challenging year.
I’m still having a tough time dealing with politics after the midterms. It’s not so much the losing but all the ugliness, ignorance, and fear that has found new life. I am grieving about the ongoing police brutality and the underlying racism, and economic injustice that underpin the violence and conflict. Sometimes I feel like we are all pointing and mocking while the world burns but at least we are in it together.
Dog knows what will happen in 2015. Whatever does happen, my wish is that all of us have people we care about to share it with.
gogol's wife
@debbie:
That’s hilarious!
@MomSense:
Happy New Year — you seem like such a nice person.
raven
We went to the famous Grit for NYE Dinner already. A couple of friends are stuck with teens and friends having a campfire so we may go see them. Then we’re supposed to got to more friends for their annual bonfire. The only problem is that the girl makes me stay up til midnight!
MomSense
@gogol’s wife:
Happy new year to you! I’m sometimes the nicest person in the world but my alter ego is the meanest mom in the whole world!! Hearing how mean I am is how I know I now have a pre-teen. That and the fact that he has simultaneously become stinky and turned into a performance artist obsessed with penis and poop jokes.
MomSense
Totally used a FYWP forbidden word in my last comment and it is now in moderation. WP apparently doesn’t know that it is the anatomically correct word.
PurpleGirl
@WereBear:
You broke into the wrong goddamn rec room!
Yes, that’s a great line and scene, fellow Tremors fan.
Baud
@MomSense:
Sounds like you’re going to have a fun new years.
WereBear
@PurpleGirl: Did you get your Swarovski crystal item for the holidays?
MomSense
@Baud:
I hope so! How are you feeling?
SiubhanDuinne
@schrodinger’s cat:
I must admit I’ve never seen Gilmore Girls, but he was perfection as FDR in the miniseries Eleanor and Franklin.
Baud
@MomSense:
Still lousy, but I think I hit bottom a couple of days ago and am on the upswing. I’m hoping tomorrow will be a big improvement. Thanks for asking.
PurpleGirl
@WereBear: No. The Swarovski store at the mall near me was out of them, and Macy’s never received them. I’ve been putting checking Swarovski on line to order it.
There was a poster for a 2-month old kitten in my mail room today. I took the poster and plan to email the lady who is offering the kitten for adoption. (The kitten is a female, domestic short-hair, 2 months old, and has had first set of vaccines. Kitten still needs to be spayed. I should look for a vet so I can the kitten checked. I’ve been thinking of an older cat, but the pictures on the poster are so cute.
Baud
Newsmax gives Juicers something to hope for in the new year.
PurpleGirl
@SiubhanDuinne: He also narrated a lot of science and Bible shows on History Channel and such. I liked his voice.
MomSense
@Baud:
Tonight, we are all hoping for that!
WereBear
@PurpleGirl: Sorry to hear! You were so looking forward to it.
But hey… when a kitty calls… you must try to answer. They do grow up fast.
MomSense
@gogol’s wife:
Ok, pasting my comment and changing the offending word.
Happy new year to you! I’m sometimes the nicest person in the world but my alter ego is the meanest mom in the whole world!! Hearing how mean I am is how I know I now have a pre-teen. That and the fact that he has simultaneously become stinky and turned into a performance artist obsessed with pen1s and poop jokes.
Baud
@MomSense:
I’d settle for a new thread.
Baud
@MomSense:
He’ll grow out of hating you. Not sure about the other stuff.
MomSense
@Baud:
Something tells me our FPers are out enjoying a proper NYE.
Betsy
Next door in a McMansion utterly out of scale with the neihgborhood are some old, right-wing grifters. They are retiring to wealth and leisure after a lifetime of tongue-bathing rich funders such as the Kochs.
In 2014? Their think-tank engineered the elimination of my state government job.
Thanks, asshole neighbors! Would that you could spend out your remaining days wiping the asses and emptying the bedpans of the people (mainly minority women) that you built your rich careers oppressing, instead of the other way around.
MomSense
@Baud:
Judging by the stand up comedy offerings on Netflix, I think pen1s and poop jokes will be a lifelong affliction.
schrodinger's cat
@SiubhanDuinne: If you get a chance, you should check out Gilmore Girls, I think you will like it. Strong female characters who were funny and smart had goals that did not revolve around the men in their lives. I like the first three seasons better than the last four, but it is one of my favorite shows.
Mnemosyne
One day, we will be rich enough to be able to afford furniture that comes pre-assembled. Until then, I just finished assembling this surprisingly nice piece. The assembly was pretty minimal — just screwing the legs, shelf, and bottom to the part with the drawers — and it seems to be real wood since I got a splinter from it and it seems to weigh a good 30 pounds. Overall, a pretty good New Year’s purchase.
NYE plans are to wait for G to get home from work around 8:00 pm, have chicken tostadas that I’m making in the crockpot, and try to stay awake until midnight. Tomorrow is a chocolate chip Dutch baby (damn you, “Bob’s Burgers”!) and watching the Rose Parade in our jammies. I’m off work until Monday, so the rest of the weekend will probably be doing stuff around the apartment so we can (maybe?) get a dining room set next weekend.
Baud
@MomSense:
To be fair, penises are pretty funny.
Mnemosyne
@MomSense:
I have four older brothers. You are correct in your estimation of the longevity of those jokes. But you’ll get used to them, or at least you’ll build up your eye muscles enough that it doesn’t hurt to have to roll them all the time.
Monala
I know 2014 sucked for a lot of people, but this good thing happened to us: my husband, who had open heart surgery 10 years ago, who has Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, had been uninsured for four years – even though he worked full time. (His job offered no insurance; my job only covered the employee). In 2014 he was able to buy insurance through the exchanges. A heart check up showed that his heart is doing well. An eye exam revealed that diabetes had damaged his retina in one eye, and he was able to have laser surgery to correct it.
That was one good thing that happened to a lot of Americans in 2014: they were able to be insured for the first time in a long time, if ever, and get health care needs that had long been neglected taken care of.
Josie
@MomSense: That was so beautifully written. Thanks for expressing so much of what I was feeling. I hope everyone has a better year in some way in 2015.
Full metal Wingnut
@Mnemosyne: Man I wish I could have the weekend off. Opposing counsel filed a motion for summary judgment on Christmas Eve so I’ve got that to worry about.
rikyrah
2014 is gone. hope that 2015 will be better for some family members and friends. I hate New Year’s….always have.
Roger Moore
@Seanly:
Been there. Done that. Just passed the 7th anniversary of my donation (18 Dec 2007). I’m sorry to hear that your wife had life threatening complications, but glad to hear she’s fighting through them.
SiubhanDuinne
@schrodinger’s cat:
Hmm, thanks, I will check it out.
lol chikinburd
Posting this on my phone from an ER exam room while drinking CT contrast in preparation for a scan of my abdomen. And the best part is: No one seems to know why I’m here! (Fever of unknown origin for a little over a week; some bloating and gut pain. Guess they’ve got to make sure it isn’t something horrible, but, dudes…the actual fever seems to be gone already.)
If I’m released in the next few hours, I might just try sleeping in the waiting room until light. Not like I had a lot else going on, but, still.
Full metal Wingnut
@Monala: I’m happy to hear that. One of my friends is getting health insurance for the first time in his adult life. He’s been self-employed for a decade now so no employer insurance. He’s in Florida-still an expensive shit sandwich but for the first time affordable. Really barbaric that we can’t take better care of our own.
Betty Cracker
@Betsy: Slingshot + frozen squid = stinky revenge!
Mnemosyne
@Full metal Wingnut:
As I keep telling G, when his division’s animated movie makes over $1 billion worldwide and becomes a worldwide phenomenon, he’ll get the week between Christmas and New Year’s off, too.
;-)
(It’s an especially mean thing for me to say because he works for a home infusion pharmacy.)
satby
@Seanly: Didn’t even read the rest of the thread because I had to say good luck to you and your wife. I hope she continues to improve.
That’s the really important thing.
WereBear
@lol chikinburd: Well, damn! Good luck with that… and New Year’s Day can be just as much fun when you get sprung.
Full metal Wingnut
@schrodinger’s cat: I always get that show mixed up with Golden Girls. It’s the titles.
Baud
@Full metal Wingnut:
Too bad you can’t oppose on the ground that opposing counsel is a poo-poo head.
@lol chikinburd:
Hope it’s nothing.
Full metal Wingnut
@WereBear: Thanks for the info! I checked out your blog on Mnemosyne’s recommendation-great stuff!
Mnemosyne
Can a front-pager kindly release me from moderation for saying what kind of company G works for? KTHXBAI.
Full metal Wingnut
@Baud: He’s Jewish and knows I’m Christian. Just feels really nasty. Civil litigation is rarely civil.
JPL
@Monala: NIce.
Somehow, this isn’t good news for John McCain.
Bill Arnold
Off to a new year’s party with many attending argumentative wingnuts. Mixed with alcohol it should be fun.
My father died this last summer, otherwise a good 2014.
WereBear
@Full metal Wingnut: Thank you.
I AM THE CAT QUEEN OF ESTONIA.
Or I will be in February.
Baud
@Full metal Wingnut:
And no high holidays coming up. Bastard.
Baud
@WereBear:
Explain plz.
Roger Moore
@grandpa john:
I’m pretty sure his will requires him to be buried in an undisclosed location just so that isn’t an option.
satby
@Full metal Wingnut: Not one to push meds, but I’m an animal rescuer who is SEVERELY allergic to animals, and Singulair changed my life. It was prescribed for the allergic asthma, and it turned out to dial down my reactive system so much I have no symptoms of either allergies or asthma unless some other factor (oh, hai hay fever season) is also present.
I also tend to develop a bit of immunity to my own beasties while still reacting to other people’s. But seriously: Singulair is a miracle.
gogol's wife
OMG Robert Osborne is in a tux and holding a champagne flute! Time for Elvis documentary followed by Hard Day’s Night.
WereBear
@Baud: Estonia is pulling themselves out into bourgeois decadence, so I will be blogging for their first-ever pet website.
I’m truly flattered. And promise to rule with a velvet hand.
WaterGirl
Hey everybody, I have missed you all!
I had to hide away for awhile after the debacle commonly referred to as the November elections, and then I got an accidental puppy. My good friend got a new puppy, immediately felt overwhelmed, I said pack him up and you guys can stay here for awhile, we can do this.
Two weeks later she decided she couldn’t keep him. By then he and my 3-year old puppy were bonded for life. He is very sweet with a delightful disposition, but I certainly never thought I would have a little guy like this.
Meet the accidental puppy.
Roger Moore
@Baud:
It’s obviously the real reason he wants closer ties to Cuba; he can now ship people out of Gitmo for free!
satby
@Baud: Hey Watergirl was sorry to hear you weren’t well either, and that’s how I realized it. Glad to hear you’re on the mend, hope you’re back at full strength snark soonest!
Baud
@WereBear:
Oh wow. That’s amazing. But how did the Estonians survive this long without a pet website?
satby
AND THERE SHE IS!! Hi Watergirl!!
Baud
@WaterGirl:
I believe that appropriate response is squee.
Hope you’ll be with us more in 2015.
Mnemosyne
@gogol’s wife:
I only just saw A Hard Day’s Night this year and was surprised at how well it holds up. It feels improvisational but it was actually carefully scripted because they were using non-actors (you know, these four guys from Liverpool). There’s the music, too, of course, but it’s an entertaining movie in addition to that.
My favorite moments are probably Ringo’s selfie gone wrong and the payoff of the grandfather character (don’t want to give anything away from people who haven’t seen it yet).
Gin & Tonic
@WaterGirl: We got an accidental puppy and had him for 14 years. Unfortunately 2014 was his last earthly year.
JPL
@Mnemosyne: I’m watching An Affair to Remember and Cary Grant is hot.
WereBear
@WaterGirl: OMG. How could anyone say NO.
I could not.
satby
2014 was a mixed year for me, lots of suck but lots of kindness shown to me and mine too. So I am not sorry to say goodbye to 2014, because I’m pretty positive 2015 is going to be a bit better.
Happy New Year Juicers! Group hugs!
WaterGirl
@Baud: I lurked on a couple of threads yesterday or today, saw that you weren’t feeling well and that you hoped some of us would be here to celebrate this evening with you, so here I am. Ask and you shall receive.
Baud
@WaterGirl:
Well, that’s certainly an incentive to stay ill. Happy new year, WG.
WereBear
@Baud: I guess it was getting rid of the various totalitarian occupations… and now they are ready to enjoy themselves!
Tone In DC
@WereBear:
I hope that AG rips him a new one. Sounds like Dr. Moreau deserves it.
And, big ups for the “Tremors” blast.
WereBear
@Mnemosyne: Mr WereBear became a HUGE fan just this year.
I do love the Fab Four. Can’t help it.
Baud
@WereBear:
And then they named you Cat Queen?
PurpleGirl
@Mnemosyne: I saw it when it first came out, in this little independent theater that (at that time) was known for showing porn films. They had gotten a series of independent films at the time. It really surprised me that the larger theaters hadn’t taken A Hard Days’ Night.
JPL
@WaterGirl: Hugs to the pup..
PurpleGirl
@Tone In DC: Hi fellow Tremors’ fan.
WereBear
@Baud: It was a good move.
WaterGirl
@Gin & Tonic: Fourteen years is a good run, but it’s still too soon.
I was at the vet’s office today with my kitty, Mr. Bear, and two very sad-looking people came in with their dog, and then I saw the blankie. I teared up as soon as I saw them because I knew why they were there.
When I pour my glass of puerto rican eggnog in a few minutes, I will raise my glass to all the furry guys we’ve all loved and lost, and then to the ones who are still with us.
Betsy
@Betty Cracker: hmm!!! If i had a beard, i’d be rubbing it now, trying to think of where to get frozen squid!
Betty, great idea to put up a thread for this, and thanks for all yur awesome posts in 2014. They brought me much joy.
… and I’m still looking for opportunities to use your expression, “crazier than a sprayed roach.”
Omnes Omnibus
@WaterGirl:
??????
MomSense
@WaterGirl:
That is the cutest mop of a puppy I’ve ever seen. Happy new year!
Omnes Omnibus
@Betsy: This should answer all of your frozen squid needs.
WereBear
Always was, always will be.
Gin & Tonic
@WaterGirl: Too soon indeed. But he’d had diabetes for four years, as a result of which he was pretty much blind – but still in great spirits. A probable brain tumor was the end of the line, though. He looked not unlike yours, but black. Here’s hoping yours brings you as much joy as ours did.
WaterGirl
@WereBear: The funny thing is, people would say “oh he’s so cute” or “he’s ADORABLE” and I would think “really?” because he’s so not my kind of dog, looks-wise.
Now that I love him, I think he looks adorable, too. His name is Henry. Or cinnamon boy, after I spilled cinnamon on him while I was my making the puerto rican eggnog yesterday. Or mop boy, for obvious reasons.
Gin & Tonic
@Omnes Omnibus: Wasn’t there a story this year about somebody selling pig rectums as squid?
Jasmine Bleach
It was an interesting year–a mix of good and bad, but nothing tremendously bad, and mostly just non-typical.
I’m glad for some 18 states getting same-sex marriage (many more than the 8 that got it in 2013). I’m glad that Alaska and Oregon joined Colorado and Washington with the legalization of the weed. All that is added real freedom in my book. I’m glad that Obamacare is helping so many people and costs are not skyrocketing yet (give it time) contrary to my original doubts.
My crappy boss left, but my boss’s boss who I now report to isn’t any better. My family is healthy, but one of my uncles will likely not survive long into 2015. My financial outlook is fairly decent, and I’ve helped a close friend without a job stay off the streets, which has made me feel unusually useful this year.
Pretty okay year actually.
WereBear
One of my Happy Life Tasks is to teach people that when we love someone, they become beautiful.
WaterGirl
@Gin & Tonic: Two separate people met him in one day and they described him with the same exact words – an adorable bundle of love and joy. I hope we have as many years as you had with yours.
WereBear
@Gin & Tonic: There was. I was never so happy as to be forced to eat calamari without breading.
I cannot be fooled, now. I want tentacles!
CaseyL
My heart goes out to all of you (Seanly, Botsplainer, Feebog, Karen, and Betty) for whom 2014 was, as Queen Elizabeth once put it, annus horribilis; may the new year see much better news for you!
2014 was a mixed bag for me.
Started with finding a job that I loved – high salary, work I enjoy, great co-workers – and then getting laid off after a mere 5 months. But that opened the door to finally realizing my dream of finding a job at the University, where I love my work and co-workers… but the pay is about 60% of what I had been making. However, I am learning that it’s true, if you love what you do the money doesn’t mean as much (as long as the basic bills are covered!).
Also got closer with new friends, while losing touch with quite a few old ones. (Our lives and interests just got too divergent.)
No friends, relatives or kitties died, which made 2014 much better than some previous years. But Jeannie started not feeling well yesterday and will have to go into the kitty doctor if she doesn’t perk up by tomorrow; hopefully it’s nothing serious.
To 2015: May it be much better than last year, and yet not as good as 2016 will be!
Omnes Omnibus
@Gin & Tonic: Now that you mention it, I do recall something of that nature.
WaterGirl
@Omnes Omnibus: Hey, Omnes!
I actually got the recipe here on BJ a few years ago and then I modified it a bit. Here’s my recipe:
Puerto Rican Eggnog – aka Coquito
1 15-ounce can of cream of coconut
8 ounces of heavy cream
3-4 splashes of milk
1 14-ounce can evaporated milk
1/2 cup Puerto Rican rum
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/8 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg – used about half of that, then added more just before serving
Mix all ingredients with a whisk or in a blender.
Chill at least an hour.
it gets better as it ages, so make a day or two ahead if possible.
Omnes Omnibus
@WaterGirl: Interesting. Probably too sweet for my taste, but I have family that would love it.
WereBear
@WaterGirl: It sounds lovely… except the evaporated milk.
That smells like cooked tires to me. Thinking substitutes…
Karen in GA
@Seanly: I’m late to this, but sending good wishes to your wife and you.
WaterGirl
@MomSense: Happy New Year to you, too!
You can see why I call him mop boy. :-)
Karen in GA
@WaterGirl: GAAAAAHHH! That puppy is, in fact, adorable.
ruemara
@WaterGirl: All that cute, that’s no accident. SQUEEE!
WaterGirl
@JPL: Thanks! He’s a big snuggle boy in the evening once he and Tucker and have finally worn each other out.
I make him sit before he gets out of the crate, sit if he wants to be picked up, etc. But half the time he sits for a second and then just throws himself on his back so you can pet his tummy.
MomSense
@WaterGirl:
Totally!! Now I need to find the little cocker spaniel I’m dreaming of. I saw the sweetest little brown one at the ferry terminal a few weeks ago and wanted to snatch her up. The kids of course want a Newfie but I cannot handle that much dog right now.
NotMax
Per Google translate –
Chen tui is Chinese
or
Skoupas is Greek
for dustmop.
Gin & Tonic
@WereBear: Rhode Island produces more than 20 million pounds of squid a year. The largest squid fishery on the east coast. And calamari is, by law, the official state appetizer. No pig rectums (recta?) here.
WaterGirl
@ruemara: After hiding out for a few weeks in despair after the elections, the universe apparently thought I needed a bundle of love and joy. Who am I to argue?
WaterGirl
@MomSense: I have had 3 cocker spaniels and they were wonderful dogs. I’m sure you’ll find yours!
WaterGirl
@WereBear: Just use regular milk. I think the evaporated milk was just to thin it out a bit.
The original recipe called for sweetened condensed milk, but that’s too sweet, so I changed it to heavy cream and milk. Just add 14 extra ounces of whole milk.
WereBear
For as much dog as they are, they are easier to handle than one might think. I rescued a Newie/Chow mix (fortunately more Newfie than Chow) and as long as he had a Kong full of peanut butter, all he wanted to do was lie across my feet and be happy.
WereBear
@WaterGirl: Consider me intrigued. Thanks!
I investigated authentic eggnog recipes last year, but they started with a dozen eggs, went into bizarre whipping rituals, and then asked you to put them in the back of the fridge for three weeks.
Bit too exotically colonial.
Omnes Omnibus
@MomSense: I had an English cocker when I was growing up. I highly recommend getting one.
Gin & Tonic
@MomSense: My elderly in-laws had a Newfie a while ago. Far easier to manage than you might think – it’s large, but a very gentle and low-key dog. You just have to get used to slime on every surface in the house.
Roger Moore
@WereBear:
If you want a truly traditional eggnog recipe, look for a cooked one, since that’s what eggnog originally was. It’s basically a custard or creme that’s so thin it never really sets. Also, the cooking means they don’t have to sit in the fridge for weeks before you drink them, and the alcohol is optional.
WereBear
@Roger Moore: Durn you, you have intrigued me all over again. Custard fan, here.
Ruckus
Don’t know that the year was especially sucky for me personally My part time job is OK, the VA has been and remains damn good for me, didn’t have a heart attack this year, have two cents to rub together(although not a lot more), all in all absolutely not my worst year, maybe 10th place or so.
Now on the other hand, politically, yes sucks, and doesn’t give me much hope of positive change soon.
I never go out on amateur night. Professional courtesy.
Full metal Wingnut
@satby: Thank you! I am desperately trying to convince the spousal unit to give this cat a shot.
Full metal Wingnut
@Baud: That’s not really my style. Not gonna punish his family, just legally whoop ass.
Ruckus
@WaterGirl:
I’ve had one cocker spaniel and he was a cranky old bastard. About 10 when I rescued him, didn’t like to be touched almost everywhere, had to be in sight or within about 5 feet of me all the time, but I loved that guy. Maybe it was just that he knew what he wanted and what he didn’t want. Maybe it was that after about 2-3 months he became a friend, a protector. In any event it almost killed me that I was unable to care for him 2 yrs ago and had to give him up. The president of the rescue org that I got him from took him in her home and now he has a good home to spend his last yrs in. He must be 15-16 yrs old by now. I’m afraid to ask how he is doing.
Tree With Water
B..C. Here’s an old chestnut with a new twist to ponder while glued to a pity pot: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. And X-Ray vision. That would be cool”. I read that in a online cartoon years ago, and think it vastly improved the original.
lol chikinburd
It was one of the ones that became nothing. Thanks, WereBear & Baud.
WaterGirl
@Ruckus: I remember when you had to do that, I think. That would be beyond hard. My cockers all lived to be about 16, so he may still be around. I wonder if it would hurt more to know how he’s doing than it is not to know.
You did right by him, though, and that’s what counts.
I hope this is a good year for you! Things surely seem better for you than they were for awhile.
Ruckus
@WaterGirl:
Same back at ya, hope things are better, even if they have been good.
I think I’d rather not know. Had to give him up once and that felt horrible. Damn dogs depend on you and befriend you and you up and can’t be there for them. Don’t want to go through that again.
Original Lee
2014 wasn’t totally awful, but I’m glad to see it go away.
Most of the suck is work-related, not likely to improve. BUT I’m still gainfully employed and like the actual job, so maybe I will learn to cope with the surrounding issues.
Personal life is a mix of good and not so good. Parental units are in declining health but still able to live independently. I lost a great-aunt to a broken hip (really stupid accident, too) but she was 95, so she had a good run. I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes but thanks to wonderful advice from wonderful BJers was able to get it pretty much under control very quickly (my endocrinologist is officially very impressed). Original Spouse’s job in now mostly awful and involves lots of short-notice travel, which makes for a grumpy spouse with messed-up sleeping habits; maybe that will ease up in 2015. OTOH, everybody in the family is busy and (mostly) healthy and (mostly) optimistic and we can do what we need to do.
Best wishes for the new year to all.
Tehanu
Coming in late as usual … the good thing that happened was that I became an employee instead of a temp after 15 years. Unfortunately it happened 2 days after my dad died and two months before my mom followed him. My older grandson started giving me hello and goodbye hugs without being prompted and my younger one told me that he now understands why I have trouble understanding him when it’s noisy; my dearest niece named her new baby after Daddy, my ADHD-damaged niece broke up with her no-good ex-con boyfriend, and my talented artist niece graduated from college and started selling work; so that’s all good too. Still crying a lot over the parents but only too aware of how much worse others have it, so trying to be more cheerful and grateful. Not expecting to read the news without spitting out, “God-damned Republicans!” every 2 minutes, but wotthehell, toujours gai, eh?