Let's Babble Our Way to Post #4,000,000 And Win Prizes Too!

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tallyollyopia

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Friday the 13th, huh?  Well, yes, I am superstitious.  It is my superstitious belief that when a family member is taking an airplane somewhere, they won't crash as long as I'm there to watch the plane take off.  This obviously works, as I've never seen a plane crash on takeoff, except on TV, which doesn't count.  (Okay, yes, I do know better.  I just prefer to say goodbye at the last possible minute.)

What I'm really superstitious about is the Denver Broncos.  Any time I watch them play, they lose.  Therefore, I'm very careful never to watch the Super Bowl when the Broncos are playing.  I trust that someone will put all the really good ads on YouTube, which is the real thing I generally watch the Super Bowl for.

As for Friday the 13th, I kind of like the attitude in the old "Pogo" comic strip, where one character (Pogo? not sure) thought that it was really dangerous on those "unnatural" occasions (six months out of seven
) that Friday the 13th falls on some day other than Friday.

So far I've had a very fortunate month.  First I got a notice that Caseen (makers of the best screen protectors and styluses on the market, in my opinion) was holding a drawing for a new smart phone case and I was eligible to enter.  I figured that, even though I already had a case for my Moto G, I could find some other use for the Caseen case, and besides, it had cats on it, so I entered, selecting the "Nerd Cats" case. http://caseen.com/3262-thickbox_01prem/linda-smartphone-clutch-wristlet-wallet-case.jpg (that's the pink one).  Then I got a notice from TextNow (my cell phone company) that I could upgrade to a second generation Moto E for $5.00.  This counts as an upgrade primarily because, unlike the Moto G, the Moto E accepts a 32 gig microSD card.  Naturally, I jumped at it, especially since I don't have to turn in the Moto G and can still use it as a camera, while putting as many apps as I want on the new phone.  Then I received notification that I had won the drawing for a new smart phone case, which means I won't have to buy another because the Moto G case wouldn't fit the Moto E.  And then I got an email saying I could get a 32 gig microSD card at Office Depot for $17 and change.

I never win things like the lottery, because I don't gamble, so it's rather a big deal when I win a drawing that didn't require anything but entering.  And, incidentally, I'm very pleased with TextNow.  I pay less than $20 a month for service, and have unlimited data as long as I can do it via Wifi.

Margret
Hey, congrats on your phone upgrade! 
 I can't really say anything about smartphones (I still have same archaic flip phone (type) that I've had since I first began (reluctantly) carrying a cell phone), but I know that AWM, RB, and HD are all always complaining about "bubbles", "smears" and "scratches". (I thought a screen protector was supposed to protect against those?) And it has cats on it! Good luck!
 

Margret

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Hey, congrats on your phone upgrade! 
 I can't really say anything about smartphones (I still have same archaic flip phone (type) that I've had since I first began (reluctantly) carrying a cell phone), but I know that AWM, RB, and HD are all always complaining about "bubbles", "smears" and "scratches". (I thought a screen protector was supposed to protect against those?) And it has cats on it! Good luck!
The screen protector has adhesive on the back, which means that bubbles can get caught under it while attaching it; it's almost impossible to avoid them, in fact.  You just have to be very, very cautious when applying it, make sure the cat isn't "helping" by contributing decorative fur to the project, and then use a very thin needle (say, a beading needle) to puncture any bubbles so you can get the air out.

All screen protectors should protect the screen from scratches, but there's nothing to protect the screen protector from scratches.

As for smears, it depends on the screen protector.  This is one of the reasons I like Caseen (and I use their screen protectors for my Nook and my old iPad as well); theirs have a non-glossy finish, so, while they're transparent, they don't show fingerprints the way glossy screen protectors do.

The nice things about smart phones are that you can also take pictures with them, check your email with them, read books on them, and play games on them.  Basically, they're a combination of a cell phone plus a miniature computer.  The major reason I wanted a smart phone in the first place was for the camera; the person who facilitated our adoption of Jasmine has no cell phone at all, and, while my old standard cell phone has a camera, it wouldn't let me download pictures to my computer, or email directly from the phone; all I could do with it was to attach the photo to a text message, so I couldn't send pictures of Jasmine to my friend who relies entirely on his land line, which means I had no way of getting them to Jasmine's previous human, who still cares about her.

Margret
 

tallyollyopia

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The screen protector has adhesive on the back, which means that bubbles can get caught under it while attaching it; it's almost impossible to avoid them, in fact.  You just have to be very, very cautious when applying it, make sure the cat isn't "helping" by contributing decorative fur to the project, and then use a very thin needle (say, a beading needle) to puncture any bubbles so you can get the air out.

All screen protectors should protect the screen from scratches, but there's nothing to protect the screen protector from scratches.

As for smears, it depends on the screen protector.  This is one of the reasons I like Caseen (and I use their screen protectors for my Nook and my old iPad as well); theirs have a non-glossy finish, so, while they're transparent, they don't show fingerprints the way glossy screen protectors do.

The nice things about smart phones are that you can also take pictures with them, check your email with them, read books on them, and play games on them.  Basically, they're a combination of a cell phone plus a miniature computer.  The major reason I wanted a smart phone in the first place was for the camera; the person who facilitated our adoption of Jasmine has no cell phone at all, and, while my old standard cell phone has a camera, it wouldn't let me download pictures to my computer, or email directly from the phone; all I could do with it was to attach the photo to a text message, so I couldn't send pictures of Jasmine to my friend who relies entirely on his land line, which means I had no way of getting them to Jasmine's previous human, who still cares about her.

Margret
For a long, long time I saw cell phones as nothing more than sophisticated leashes with which people could talk to me anywhere I went. (I come from a huge family, and sometimes I just need to get away for an hour or two without any  interruptions at all.) Even after my car started breaking down on a regular basis (the alternator kept snapping, and the front passenger tire kept losing air--not sure why), I resisted carrying a cell phone. I still have a habit of forgetting it in odd places (leftover from the days when I didn't want to take one with me anywhere), and I keep a flip phone because 1) I'm used to the design and can use it easily and 2) the phone cost less than twenty dollars (it was on sale) and I'm just not that attached to it. Sure, something might happen to the phone and I'll have to get a new one, but it's easy to replace (just about every store carries one, or did back when I got mine). Of course, the people I live with see that my phone can send and receive calls and texts (and that's it--no pictures, no photos, no music) and shake their heads at my outdated phone while panicking every time they set their smartphones down and forget where. (One time AWM left hers in a bar--but that's a long story.) Point is--I will probably never be a smartphone convert, but that's okay. I can recognize the value of them and congratulate people when they've made a really good deal. (AWM managed to get her current phone for thirty dollars--I have no idea how, that thing is almost the size of a tablet!)
 

jcat

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Smartphones are great when you're traveling or your home/work Internet is out of commission. Otherwise I find them a bit too big.

I used to regard dandelions as weeds, but now that I'm working at an animal shelter they're great food to be picked for the bunnies. We got an injured wild gosling yesterday, not even two weeks old, that really went to town on dandelion greens.
 

NewYork1303

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Small cat decided that event though I went to bed at 1am waking me up this early (6:30) would be appropriate. Nothing more lovely than waking up with a cat on your chest.

The good news is that I am getting a new terrarium for my Tarantula. Bad news, I'm going to have to find some way to get her out of the current ten gallon tank and into the new one when I get it set up. Never fun.
 
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rhondalee

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Small cat decided that event though I went to bed at 1am waking me up this early (6:30) would be appropriate. Nothing more lovely than waking up with a cat on your chest.

The good news is that I am getting a new terrarium for my Tarantula. Bad news, I'm going to have to find some way to get her out of the current ten gallon tank and into the new one when I get it set up. Never fun.
Do you let your tarantula crawl up your arm? I never could hold one. I've thought about it, but my hand won't reach out. It becomes paralyzed at the thought.
 

artiemom

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Tarantulas!! {{{{shudder}}}}}}...... I do not care for spiders and really run from snakes..I am not a creepy crawly type of person...but, if that is what you like, then great..

yes, how do you get it from one tank to another? It seems as if you do not care to pick it up.

Began the morning with Artie meowing in my ear~~~ before 6am!! I ignored him. Then he went over to the window..I could hear him gnawing on the blind cord. (he only does this when he wants attention or wants a different food)...Told him to stop it, a couple of times...then I heard him trying to climb in-between the slats...


I had to yell at him again...a few times.. finally, I gave up!! It was 7am...so I was up.. 

Artie was so happy! Of course, he followed me into the bathroom, talked to me, jumped in the tub and waited for me...

As soon as he heard the flush, he was like a bat out of heck running to the kitchen.. His dish was licked empty!! and I

left     1 1/2 cans for him overnight.

He had a bad couple of days----just mopey, not interested in anything but sleeping--his food intake was so-so...

I was glad to see the empty dish. 

AT breakfast, I discovered I ran out of one of my prescriptions. I planned on getting that today.....but:

While I was reading my e-mail...I saw that there is a major "Wounded Warriors Motorcycle Run" all through my city and the surrounding ones.. Many roads will be shut down for a while, as they pass.....A real big traffic nightmare.

One year I got stuck in this traffic jam.

I had to wait for 45 minutes in order for them to pass and the police to re-open the road...It is a pain for drivers. 

A good cause, but for drivers a pain..

I had to call the pharmacy as soon as it opened to see if they could do a rush refill..Grateful they could. I ran into the shower, left the dishes in the sink, bed unmade, quick shower, and out the door....

I managed to pick up some litter at the petstore before the roads closed...

Now I am home, hungry because I rushed through my breakfast. The house is the same way it was...had a few peanuts and now a protein smoothie with some fresh strawberries I picked up while out. 

Thought my cold/allergy was improving because I hibernated in the house for the past few days. Went out and I feel allergy symptoms again!!! ugh...

Air cleaner on, windows closed..put the AC on just to circulate the air.. It is off now...

and I feel sleepy...

I think I lazy day is on the agenda today. I have spent the last 3 days dusting, cleaning, and purging all the drawers and computer desk in my bedroom.. kind of a really deep, deep cleaning..I have a few more drawers to go through, but I think today is a rest day....
 
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NewYork1303

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Do you let your tarantula crawl up your arm? I never could hold one. I've thought about it, but my hand won't reach out. It becomes paralyzed at the thought.
I don't handle her at all. In general its actually not great for the tarantula to be held just cause it can be risky (for human more than the spider). I don't particularly want to touch her anyhow since she is oddly aggressive for her species. This is also what makes moving her complicated. Its kind of like a larger version of when I try and take spiders I find in my house outside. I have to catch her in a container and put a lid on it, then open it inside of the new habitat. She basically doesn't leave her tank otherwise.
 

Sarthur2

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NewYork1303 NewYork1303

I'm not a spider person at all - especially not a tarantula person. What do you feed it? Did you buy it at a pet shop? How long do they live?

I personally do love lizards and gekkos though, which is good, as they are abundant here in Florida. Don't mind handling those at all!
 

foxxycat

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@Artiemom  I hope you get better soon.

This morning the leaves have all popped open on the trees=so soon I will be with you regarding those stuffy head itchy throat general yucks from allergies. We got some rain last night and now the grass needs to be cut.

This week Jon chopped down tons of small trees behind our house so we can see the brook. Yesterday he cut up the logs and hauled them farther into the woods. The black flies are out and they are a pain. Although I found that incense sandlewood ones keep the bugs away but you need at least 5 or 6 of them lit and stick them in the ground around you. I have to go find some ASAP so I don't get eaten alive.

And hopefully we get some more rain in the coming days=its been so dry that nothing is growing and I don't want to pay for water..waiting to get out of work to go buy flowers..today is DRAGGING. 
 

raina21

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The screen protector has adhesive on the back, which means that bubbles can get caught under it while attaching it; it's almost impossible to avoid them, in fact.  You just have to be very, very cautious when applying it, make sure the cat isn't "helping" by contributing decorative fur to the project, and then use a very thin needle (say, a beading needle) to puncture any bubbles so you can get the air out.

All screen protectors should protect the screen from scratches, but there's nothing to protect the screen protector from scratches.

As for smears, it depends on the screen protector.  This is one of the reasons I like Caseen (and I use their screen protectors for my Nook and my old iPad as well); theirs have a non-glossy finish, so, while they're transparent, they don't show fingerprints the way glossy screen protectors do.

The nice things about smart phones are that you can also take pictures with them, check your email with them, read books on them, and play games on them.  Basically, they're a combination of a cell phone plus a miniature computer.  The major reason I wanted a smart phone in the first place was for the camera; the person who facilitated our adoption of Jasmine has no cell phone at all, and, while my old standard cell phone has a camera, it wouldn't let me download pictures to my computer, or email directly from the phone; all I could do with it was to attach the photo to a text message, so I couldn't send pictures of Jasmine to my friend who relies entirely on his land line, which means I had no way of getting them to Jasmine's previous human, who still cares about her.

Margret
There are also screen protectors that are made of tempered glass. Those are FANTASTIC because not only do they protect your phone screen from being scratched, but they also protect it from being cracked (the screen prorector can crack, but the screen underneath will still be intact) if you drop your phone. Also, with tempered glass screen protectors, it is very easy to put them on without having any "bubbles" under them. And, if you take the screen protector and the phone to say, an AT&T or Verizon Wireless (or another cell phone retailer) store they can put it on for you for free.
 
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Mamanyt1953

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Well, I have to finish up at TCS and get my tail in gear.  This is the final push before the inspection on Monday.  I have to do the kitchen and bathroom today.  Neither are really bad, except for the tub.  It's over 15 years old and was covered in hard water deposits and soap scum when I moved in.  I've spent over $50 on products trying to clean it, and it will not clean effectively.  I finally got a pumice stone cleaner that did the toilet (NO MORE GRAY!!!!), but I can't use it on the fiberglass tub.  She'll just have to deal with it.  Three managers have had no problems with me, and have told us "neat and decent," but this lady is white gloving.  She'll give up on that, sooner or later.  The tomorrow, I just have to sweep, vacuum, dust, and spray all the fabrics with Febreeze, just to freshen, and I'm done! 
 

Sarthur2

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Mamanyt1953 Mamanyt1953

That's quite a lot of cleaning! Have you tried the Lime Away products for the hard water stains? I've also found that the Clorox bleach cleaning gel works well on soap scum. And sometimes just plain old Comet cleanser. In fact, I love Comet.
 

tallyollyopia

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I don't handle her at all. In general its actually not great for the tarantula to be held just cause it can be risky (for human more than the spider). I don't particularly want to touch her anyhow since she is oddly aggressive for her species. This is also what makes moving her complicated. Its kind of like a larger version of when I try and take spiders I find in my house outside. I have to catch her in a container and put a lid on it, then open it inside of the new habitat. She basically doesn't leave her tank otherwise.
One of my friends in high school had a tarantula (he inherited it from his grandfather) and he kept the bottom of the tank lined with sand so that he could use one of the bug boxes from the Dollar Tree to scoop it up to move it when it was time to clean. I don't know if that's possible with the terrain of your tank, but I thought I'd put the idea out there in case it was.
 

mrsgreenjeens

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OMG.  I have BAD arachnophobia.  Just the word spider sends me into a tiff.
  I told my hubby if he ever wanted to kill me and get away with it, all he had to do was put a bunch of spiders in the room with me and I'd die of a heart attack
  (probably shouldn't have told him that
...if you ever hear I had a heart attached, look for evidence of spider poop around me!!!)
 

NewYork1303

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@NewYork1303

I'm not a spider person at all - especially not a tarantula person. What do you feed it? Did you buy it at a pet shop? How long do they live?

I personally do love lizards and gekkos though, which is good, as they are abundant here in Florida. Don't mind handling those at all!
She eats crickets. She used to eat cockroaches, but I hate them even more than I hate crickets so I switched. I got her from someone who breeds tarantulas and sells them online. They shipped her to us. We scared the delivery person half to death when we told her what she was delivering. Tarantulas live different amounts of years depending on species and gender. She is female and in her species females live to be around 20 years old. We didn't get her as a baby though so its hard to say how old she is now. 
 
One of my friends in high school had a tarantula (he inherited it from his grandfather) and he kept the bottom of the tank lined with sand so that he could use one of the bug boxes from the Dollar Tree to scoop it up to move it when it was time to clean. I don't know if that's possible with the terrain of your tank, but I thought I'd put the idea out there in case it was.
She is on packed peat moss. So maybe? Last time I moved her with one of my small tupperware containers, but she's way too big for that now. I'll probably buy one of those little plastic pet cages to somehow herd her into.
 
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Sarthur2

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Oh, Lordy! This all gives me the heeby-jeebies.

Is the tarantula lonely living by herself in a terrarium with no prey or playmates? Other than her cricket food, of course.
 

NewYork1303

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Oh, Lordy! This all gives me the heeby-jeebies.

Is the tarantula lonely living by herself in a terrarium with no prey or playmates? Other than her cricket food, of course.
I'm unsure about loneliness. Tarantulas don't like other tarantulas though. In general they become cannibals when kept together, so I guess they are antisocial and enjoy being alone. She loves when her delicious crickets come to visit. She seems to like the challenge hunting presents her with. They're much better for her than cockroaches in this respect since crickets escape from her and move around faster.
 

Sarthur2

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How many and how often does Miss Tarantula eat crickets?

I'll bet they are fun for her to catch though.

How do tarantulas reproduce? Must they partner for that?

When I was growing up, we used to bait our hooks with crickets when we went fishing for bass and catfish in area lakes. I loved stopping at the bait snd tackle store with my dad for a container full of crickets.

I still love listening to them "sing" at night!
 

NewYork1303

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How many and how often does Miss Tarantula eat crickets?

I'll bet they are fun for her to catch though.

How do tarantulas reproduce? Must they partner for that?

When I was growing up, we used to bait our hooks with crickets when we went fishing for bass and catfish in area lakes. I loved stopping at the bait snd tackle store with my dad for a container full of crickets.

I still love listening to them "sing" at night!
She eats two larger ones every few weeks. They have very very slow metabolisms. 

Tarantula reproduction is extremely risky business. Males tap to the females and if she taps back they know its somewhat safe to approach. They are equipped with special hooks that help them hold the female still. When they finish with everything they have to get out and away fast since she is grumpy and usually is significantly larger than them. In the wild they run away fast and find a place to hide. Tarantula breeders will add small hiding areas to the habitat of the female and try to get him out as soon as possible. Even if males do escape they don't live long. A male tarantula cannot usually survive molting because his hooks get stuck.

Females produce 500-1000 babies from one egg sack which is probably why the species survive. Babies have to also get away soon after hatching so mom doesn't eat them. The males mature much faster than females which prevents inbreeding entirely.
 
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