Good stuff thread

[Dice]

Like me, it's tough to keep an old dog down. I'm glad she'll be with us for a while and certainly throughout the Holiday Season that she and we enjoy so much. Merry Christmas, indeed...

Glad to hear it. It's strange, we recently lost our oldest family dog. He also seemed fine until we took a 4 day vacation. Came back to a dog that looked like a completely different animal (lost almost 15 pounds). Turns out he had a huge tumor that was too far gone to do anything about.

I'm glad we all got to say our goodbye's, spoiled him with cheeseburgers (he wouldn't eat anything till I brought home cheeseburgers and he gobbled those up), and got to be with him when he went to sleep.

[Heeeere's Olesker!]

That's a bittersweet story, Dice. Thanks for sharing it.

Glad to hear it. It's strange, we recently lost our oldest family dog. He also seemed fine until we took a 4 day vacation. Came back to a dog that looked like a completely different animal (lost almost 15 pounds). Turns out he had a huge tumor that was too far gone to do anything about.

I'm glad we all got to say our goodbye's, spoiled him with cheeseburgers (he wouldn't eat anything till I brought home cheeseburgers and he gobbled those up), and got to be with him when he went to sleep.

[Dave-Man]

Glad to hear it. It's strange, we recently lost our oldest family dog. He also seemed fine until we took a 4 day vacation. Came back to a dog that looked like a completely different animal (lost almost 15 pounds). Turns out he had a huge tumor that was too far gone to do anything about.

I'm glad we all got to say our goodbye's, spoiled him with cheeseburgers (he wouldn't eat anything till I brought home cheeseburgers and he gobbled those up), and got to be with him when he went to sleep.

It's hard to let them go

[Mikey]

Well we had a bit of a scarer with our precious Yorkie, Coco. We returned from Omaha after spending Thanksgiving there to find her an entirely different dog. Our house sitter said she'd been like this for two days but she didn't want to concern us during Thanksgiving. Tough call to make. Coco was lethargic, wouldn't eat or drink. When she tried to walk she fell several times. Very sad to see.

Understand that Coco is a sixteen-year-old Yorkshire terrier. Very much a part of our family, she's had the best life any dog could hope for, and we accept she's not going to have too many more trips around the sun. But she does love the Holiday Season. Of course she doesn't get what it's all about, but she loves having our whole family gathered, the Christmas music, the wonderful smells of our home and being surrounded by those who love her and give her unbound attention and snuggles. The idea of spending this Christmas without her this year was sad.

Kim got Coco to the hospital this morning and our Zoe, home from Ball State for the week, insisted on going with Kim as we all felt this was going to be the end.

Fortunately, the blood tests revealed Coco has a mild kidney infection, which is still pretty rough for a sixteen-year-old dog. She got an antibiotics shot and is now on an antibiotics regimen. I'm so happy to say she's doing doing much better now. Not quite her old self, but we're confident she will be in a few days.

Like me, it's tough to keep an old dog down. I'm glad she'll be with us for a while and certainly throughout the Holiday Season that she and we enjoy so much. Merry Christmas, indeed...

I am so sorry Coco has been ill, give her a cuddle for me. I am glad she is better.

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Glad to hear it. It's strange, we recently lost our oldest family dog. He also seemed fine until we took a 4 day vacation. Came back to a dog that looked like a completely different animal (lost almost 15 pounds). Turns out he had a huge tumor that was too far gone to do anything about.

I'm glad we all got to say our goodbye's, spoiled him with cheeseburgers (he wouldn't eat anything till I brought home cheeseburgers and he gobbled those up), and got to be with him when he went to sleep.

I am sorry about your fur-baby, it's always sad when we lose them but we will see them again in a better place.

[Heeeere's Olesker!]

Thank you, Mikey. The antibiotics are helping and we're very pleased that she's been eating and drinking water regularly now. But she's still not back to 100% -- a bit lethargic and not barking much. Funny how one misses things. We're hoping she'll be 100% by the weekend.

I am so sorry Coco has been ill, give her a cuddle for me. I am glad she is better.

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I am sorry about your fur-baby, it's always sad when we lose them but we will see them again in a better place.

[Dave-Man]

Thank you, Mikey. The antibiotics are helping and we're very pleased that she's been eating and drinking water regularly now. But she's still not back to 100% -- a bit lethargic and not barking much. Funny how one misses things. We're hoping she'll be 100% by the weekend.

I had to give Dottie medicine every day and she was still not able to walk, run, and jump as she used to. It was worth it though, she stayed around almost another year because of it. It was hard losing her, but we knew it was time and we gave her every chance to remain with us. It is hard seeing your furry friends get old though, remembering all the things that they used to do, that they want to do but can't anymore. Like climb up really high and think they are the queen of everything. DSC06562.JPG

But I guess it happens to all of us eventually

[Mikey]

I had to give Dottie medicine every day and she was still not able to walk, run, and jump as she used to. It was worth it though, she stayed around almost another year because of it. It was hard losing her, but we knew it was time and we gave her every chance to remain with us. It is hard seeing your furry friends get old though, remembering all the things that they used to do, that they want to do but can't anymore. Like climb up really high and think they are the queen of everything. DSC06562.JPG

But I guess it happens to all of us eventually

I know how you feel, one of our kittens is really ill at the moment and it is hard to watch.

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Here is an update about Belinda Carlisle's new album coming in early 2023.


*The EP is due in the spring via BMG with its lead single, Big Big Love, out in February.

While Belinda has “no expectations” when it comes to the performance of the material, another of her ventures –

“The working title is ‘Once Upon A Time In California’, because that’s really where it all began for me. Everything’s done, all the artwork – I just have to finish the songs,” she smiles. “After I made ‘Wilder Shores’, people were complaining like, ‘Why don’t you do something in English?’ And I said, ‘Well, whatever I do has to really mean something’.

“‘Voila’ was the first time I was able to work from the heart and just love what I was doing. I have to really love it; I can’t just put out an English-language pop album for the sake of it. So that’s why this is a surprise. I didn’t really expect to get excited about the classic pop songs until I was given the most amazing songs from Diane.”

Alongside the new material, Belinda will return to the stage in the UK during the spring to celebrate her solo legacy with a run of ‘Decades’ shows, which were postponed due to the pandemic. Teasing what fans can expect, she hints: “I have so many songs to choose from and a lot of my favourites are some of the deeper cuts.

“I’m so lucky to work with some of the most amazing songwriters in the world and the songs are great quality pop songs. It’s a blessing, but it’s actually really, really hard trying to put a setlist together and wanting to include everything – I can only sing for an hour and a half and or my voice will go!”*

Full article:

https://retropopmagazine.com/belinda...than-25-years/

[Mikey]

I read some news and interviews with Amy Grant today, and although I have always been a huge fan, I learned exactly how much of an equal rights activist she really is (without delving into potential Tar Swamp territory) and I love her all over again. Definitely one of my favourites!

[Heeeere's Olesker!]

The Storm of the Century has hit us. We barely made it out of Chicago after visiting for Christkindl Market, which was great.

Eleven inches of snow and blizzard conditions overnight with another foot expected by Christmas morning. We're loving it! Kim's baking her fifth batch of Christmas cookies. Zoe and Alex are off from work because of the weather and Max is done with high school for the year. Our four seasons room is jammed to the brim with wrapped presents and Christmas music is playing in every room.

It doesn't get much better than this...

Merry Christmas, everyone!

[Mikey]

I'm looking forward to seeing Shazam: Fury Of The Gods in the cinema this week!

I'm excited about new music from Belinda Carlisle (an EP) and Susanna Hoffs (a full album called The Deep End) which will be coming very soon!

I'm currently reading a whole lot of book series including:

Disney Twisted Tales - Various Authors
Disney Villains - Serena Valentino
Disney Chills - Vera Strange
DC Icons - Various Authors
Masters Of The Universe: Tales Of Eternia - Gregory Mone & Liselle Sambury
The Powers - Benoist Sisters (Melissa & Jessica)
Atlantis - Gregory Mone
The Land Of Stories - Chris Colfer
Tales Of Magic - Chris Colfer
Thundercats: Cat's Cradle - Frankie Anne DuChene


I've finished reading the Power Rangers novels by various authors.


I'm looking forward to the third MOTU: Tales Of Eternia book, Lost In The Void which will be written by Liselle Sambury, taking over from Gregory Mone.

[Mikey]

Some of my favourite MasterChefs friends and former contestants are making a wonderful name for themselves long after their seasons have ended.

Depinder is currently appearing on MasterChef India, Kishwar is the spokesperson for a charity called Feast For Freedom, Justin is bringing out his own wine label, Minoli has opened her own restaurant, Daniel is in tourism, Scotty & Elise have their own company, and the following are on TV on various shows: Julie, Michael & Sarah - while others are also doing other fabulous things.

I'm looking forward to this year's series when it comes!

[Iluvart]

Caught up with five other friends over dinner. These were guys I've known since high school and uni days. Last time we did this was 7 years ago. Probably one of the best nights I've had in a long while.

[Mikey]

I can't wait for MasterChef's new season which starts on May 1! I also can't wait to make more friends among the new contestants on Instagram, like I have done with the last couple of seasons. I've been able to chat with some lovely people so far!

I plan to start a thread about the new season like I did last year for anyone who is interested!

[Rhanen]

Caught up with five other friends over dinner. These were guys I've known since high school and uni days. Last time we did this was 7 years ago. Probably one of the best nights I've had in a long while.

That's life my friend. I'm glad for you. We try to do this a lot around here, between co-workers, gym buddies and true friends

[Mikey]

Caught up with five other friends over dinner. These were guys I've known since high school and uni days. Last time we did this was 7 years ago. Probably one of the best nights I've had in a long while.

Absolutely fabulous Sam, you rock and best wishes!

[Iluvart]

That's life my friend. I'm glad for you. We try to do this a lot around here, between co-workers, gym buddies and true friends

Thank you, it is good to be able to catch up with friends, because I'm finding as one gets older, it is not that easy to build deeper friendships, since they usually require a lot of investment time-wise.

Absolutely fabulous Sam, you rock and best wishes!

Thanks Mikey, I hope you'll enjoy your music and books as well!

[Hachiman]

Caught up with five other friends over dinner. These were guys I've known since high school and uni days. Last time we did this was 7 years ago. Probably one of the best nights I've had in a long while.

That is an accomplishment! It's hard enough to get together with one friend, let alone five. We were all sold a false bill of good from television that you can frequently be involved with your friends as an adult.

[Mikey]

Thanks Mikey, I hope you'll enjoy your music and books as well!

I've just discovered another book series I would love to read, called Disney's Lost Legends by Jen Calonita (one of the authors of the Disney Twisted Tales series).

The first book in the series is The Rise Of Flynn Rider (from Tangled) and the second book is Diamond In The Rough (featuring Aladdin).

That makes a grand total of 15 book series I am either currently reading or wish to start reading!

Disney Twisted Tales
Disney Villains
Disney's Happily Never After
Disney Chills
Disney Queen's Council
Disney's City Of Villains
Disney's Lost Legends
Disney Princes


Assorted Disney Movie Novels

Disney Afternoon Collection

DC Icons

Masters Of The Universe: Tales Of Eternia

Land Of Stories & Tales Of Magic

Atlantis

The Powers: Haven's Secret/Legacy