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RE: School bus vs. HUMUNGOUS deer! OMG!
Thanks for the explaination. It amkes a lot of sence.
You're welcome!
Believe it or not, but I asked my new employer the very same question during my training.
It's too bad that that information is not circulated in some way to the general public.
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Mrs. Mik
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11/11/09 09:45pm |
Around the Campfire
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Christmas Gift Question -- help!
Most of you know that my father passed away at the end of May. Since then, my mother has spent a LOT of time with us at our house. She lives about 40 miles away, but will spend three or four days with us about every five days. We have a spare bedroom that she's using, but right now, it's not quite "homey" for her, as it's a "spare" bedroom.
We have two trundles in there, from our old daybeds, and that's what she and my dad used to sleep on when they'd visit and whatever sheets and blankets we had available, but nothing special, and I want mom to be comfortable here. Currently, mom is on one trundle, and her dog is on the other. She's using sheets and blankets that we have available.
This Christmas is going to be difficult, to say the least. I know she doesn't want anything, except for the holidays to be over. However, we're going to be spending Christmas with my brother and his wife, and want to share some "small" gifts with each other, and we're not sure what to get for our mother.
Mom has finally started leaving some stuff here at our house so that she doesn't have to think about bringing it every time, so she's getting used to spending time here. I want her to be as comfortable as possible, and feel "at home" as much as she can.
I was thinking that it might be nice to get a set of bedding for her for her bed here at our house. A nice, thick comforter (we keep the heat a little lower than what she's used to) and some cozy sheets.
She doesn't want anything for Christmas, and doesn't really need anything, so I was trying to think of something she could use and enjoy, but wouldn't buy for herself.
Mom is very practical, so the "practicality" of the gift is not a big deal.
What do you think? Any other thoughts on what we could get for mom?
Julie
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Mrs. Mik
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11/11/09 09:42pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: School bus vs. HUMUNGOUS deer! OMG!
Is it true Mrs. Mik, that they don't have seat belts on school busses because they don't want kids hitting each other with the buckles?
GOOD QUESTION! I had actually heard that the reason they didn't want seat belts was because of the cost to retro-fit school buses.
The answer to both is NO. That is NOT the reason.
The reason school bus companies have fought seat belts for years is, believe it or not, the safety of the children.
Please remember that a 40 foot school bus can hold up to 83 kids. For this scenario, let's assume the bus is FULL, like the one my kids ride on every morning and afternoon. Let's also remember that in areas like mine, that are quite rural, you have kids from 4 years old all the way up to juniors and seniors in high school on one bus -- that's not generally the norm in metropolitan areas.
Let's say the bus got in an accident, and is flipped over. The kids are hanging upside down from their seats, locked into their seatbelts. The kids, especially the younger ones, are too scared and confused to be able to figure out how to unbuckle their seatbelt while upside down, and then suddenly, there's flames shooting out from the engine.
The fire department arrives as quickly as possible, and many kids are still locked into their seatbelts, upside down, because the older kids and passers-by couldn't get to them because they're upside down and the smoke is hampering their vision. There are still 60 or more kids trapped upside down in seatbelts while a fire has begun and is raging towards them. Which ones do you run to and save first? How many kids are burned to death because the firefighters weren't able to get to all of them to get them out of their belts before the fire became too intense, even for firefighters?
If there are NO seatbelts, the kids bounce on their heads when the bus flips over, but the older kids and bus driver (if conscious and able to help after the accident) are still able to open the emergency exits and help all the kids out before the bus erupts in flames. There may be bumps and bruises and broken bones (and possibly worse injuries), but the chances that 99% of the kids make it out alive are much greater if they are NOT belted in.
THAT is the reason the bus companies don't want seat belts on school buses. It has nothing to do with cost or injuries from kids beating each other up with the buckles. It has EVERYTHING to do with the REAL WORLD safety of the kids.
Hope that helps explain the seat belt issue. :)
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Mrs. Mik
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11/11/09 09:07pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Addiction
Maybe you have watched "Home Improvement" a few too many times?
LOL! Either that, or National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation! :B :B :B
We stopped putting lights on outside two years ago. We had some light up trees in the front yard, and the moving deer, and some lighted wreaths, and it looked really great. Our neighbors loved what we did. Unfortunately, the electric company did, too! These last couple of years, we haven't put anything lighted out, because the electric bill is just too much, considering all the other expenses of Christmas. :(
I'd love to see pictures of your place with that many lights! Please post them when you have them up!
Julie
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Mrs. Mik
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11/11/09 07:40pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: School bus vs. HUMUNGOUS deer! OMG!
Folks, part of the reason the kids walk forward is to help me learn where their houses are, especially when I was brand new to the route. Most times, I don't need them to do that anymore, but in this case, I had not remembered that "Peter" was on the bus because he doesn't ride very often, so was glad when I saw him get up to come forward (prior to seeing the deer).
If you think about it, when I rode the city bus in Milwaukee, I would walk forward when my stop was next, and when all the seats were full, people stood in the aisles. Just like on a subway (or the elevated train in Chicago). It's not something that's special or unique to our bus or our bus company. The only kids that come forward are the older kids. The younger ones stay in their seats until I stop at their house to let them off.
Not offering excuses, just trying to explain, as I've learned a LOT about school buses and the reasons for various rules that seem silly to us, since I started driving a school bus.
Julie
PS, no deer tonight! LOL
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Mrs. Mik
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11/11/09 07:37pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: School bus vs. HUMUNGOUS deer! OMG!
Matthew, the deer was "bounding" because he was running, so I don't know what the end result would have been. I drive a "flat front" bus, so I don't have the engine in front of me to "protect" me, so to speak. There's little space between the front of the bus and me, so I was a tad bit concerned. I'm going to have to talk more to our safety director about the effect of deer on flat front school buses.
Susan, I don't think anyone was more shocked than ME that I didn't swear! LOL!
I never heard of Rescue Remedy. I looked it up and it sounds pretty cool! I do take B-Complex daily, and depending on my stress levels, take more as needed. I took a bunch when I got home tonight! LOL
My hands were definitely shaking, and my heart was pounding, but I didn't want the kids to freak out (I have kids from 4-year old kindergarten all the way up to seniors in high school on my bus), so I just took a couple deep breaths and kept on going.
Julie
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Mrs. Mik
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11/10/09 09:19pm |
Around the Campfire
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School bus vs. HUMUNGOUS deer! OMG!
So, I'm driving my afternoon route today, and had only dropped off four kids. I still had quite a busload, as I hadn't gotten to my "biggest" drop-off point. I was driving along a County Road (thank goodness it was a blacktop road and not one of the many dirt roads I drive!), when I was about 1/4 mile from my next rural stop. The student had started walking to the front of the bus (as the older ones are supposed to do -- and then sit in a seat near the front until I actually stop at their house), and I spotted a HUGE buck on my left running hell-bent for leather through a recently chopped cornfield right toward the bus!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:E :E :E :E :E
My first thought was about the student walking forward. I was worried about him doing a header all the way to the front of the bus because I had to hit the brakes. I hollered "HOLD ON!", not once, but TWICE! As the buck is still running toward us, I'm on the brakes (keep in mind, I was only doing about 45 mph at the time), but I'm worried about the kids getting hurt from stopping too quickly, and the boy walking to the front, AND hitting the deer! Yikes! All this is going through my head in the three seconds this was all happening!
None of the kids really realized what was going on yet. They knew I was stopping quickly, but didn't know why. As I had the bus slowed and the buck ran in front of the bus, barely a FOOT from the front, knowing I wasn't going to hit it, I said "Jesus Christ Almighty.". Apparently, I said it louder than I thought, because THAT was what made the rest of the kids look up to see what was going on, all the way to the back of the bus!
The buck ran in front of the bus and continued running through the field to my right, while all the kids were watching and commenting on how HUGE it was. I'm telling you, this buck was HUGE! The antlers on it were INCREDIBLE! This was absolutely the BIGGEST deer I've ever seen that was not in a zoo!
After making sure everyone was OK, I continued on my route and dropped off the young man who had been walking to the front of the bus. The kids told me that he was about bent in half from my hitting the brakes, so he WAS close to landing on the floor of the bus!
Later in the route, of course, the discussion continued around the deer. I had a bunch of kids chuckling at me for my choice of words! Apparently, they were quite surprised at what I said. I looked at them in the mirror and said "I didn't swear!" They all agreed, but I guess were quite surprised that I didn't! One 17 year old said, "I would have at least expected a 'holy $h*t!'" !! LOL! I told them that I was simply having a religious moment! They thought that was awesome! Frankly, I'm surprised that I didn't use a four-letter word!
More conversation ensued, and we all talked about the HUGE rack on the buck, and who would get it. Of course, it would have been MINE! LOL
I still can't believe how close that deer came to being splattered all over the front of the bus. I have no idea how bad a school bus vs. deer accident could be, and I've no doubt that had I hit that big of a deer, I'd not be writing this tonight as I'd be in the hospital. I'm glad I saw it in time and that magnificent creature is safe in the woods, at least for now and that all "my" kids got home safe and sound.
Hope everyone had a less exciting day!
Julie
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Mrs. Mik
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11/10/09 08:04pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Double tax
DW and I stopped the other day for breakfast. The food was brought, hot, and good. I looked at the receipt and they had listed my breakfast and included the tax. They then listed DW's breakfast and included her tax. They then added the two together and added an additional tax on both meals.
We paid for the meals separately and saved $1.96.
Suggest you all start watching the receipts to see if you are paying extra.
My guess is you weren't paying double tax. Either somebody programmed the cash register wrong and they were collecting too much by mistake, or somebody programmed the register that way on purpose to rip you off.
That kind of depends, doesn't it? If the ticket was hand-written, then the person at the register usually just enters the total, assuming it was added correctly, etc.
To me, it sounds like a GREAT way for the restaurant to make some extra money, without most folks noticing! :(
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Mrs. Mik
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11/10/09 07:11pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Possible World Record Whitetail Buck
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Mrs. Mik
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11/10/09 01:32pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Home Remedies -- Please post yours!
According to the Foxfire books, if a person had a tapeworm all you had to do was to starve your self for several days and then get a bowl of warm milk, hold it close to your nose, and progressively move it away from your body.
According to the book the tapeworm would follow the aroma of the warm milk, when it started to crawl out of your body, all you had to do was to grab it and pull it the rest of the way out, then dispose of it.
I do not know if this remedy works, but it was printed in the Foxfire book series. The book said that it works.
EEEWWWW! That's just gross!
DITTO! :E :E :E
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Mrs. Mik
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11/10/09 01:19pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: So you want to be a teacher?
Dang! Maybe I should try to figure out a way to do that on my bus route! LOL
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Mrs. Mik
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11/08/09 07:57pm |
Around the Campfire
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Home Remedies -- Please post yours!
We're all looking to save money, so using your tried and true home remedies will certainly help! I'd LOVE to hear some of your favorite home remedies! Here's a few of mine!
Patent leather shoes -- clean them with WINDEX. They'll shine like crazy! (I learned this from my nephews, both soldiers in the US Army.)
Sore throat? Gargle with warm salt water. The salt helps to "numb" your throat and helps to stop the coughing. I learned this from my dad, who learned it from his mother! It really, really works!
Dirty Coffee Pot? Add some ice cubes, some salt and some lemon wedges (or lemon juice). Shake around and let sit for half an hour. Rinse and wash. Coffee stains will be gone! We used to have to do this in the restaurants I worked in to clean those coffee pots.
Water stains/spots on your car/truck windshield? Ordinary household vinegar! Use it just like you would glass cleaner. It'll take those "etchings" right out!
Shine your car/truck: Many vehicles have lots of black "plastic" around the fenders, etc. An old trick I learned from a guy that detailed cars was to spray some "tire shine" on a rag and wipe those areas down. They shine up like crazy with that! It's awesome!
There's a few of my favorites . . . what are yours?
Julie
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Mrs. Mik
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11/08/09 07:08pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Winterizing How To
LarryJM, why don't you take some Metamucil? You sound like you could use some. Chuck & Gail at least gave some advice, which they prefaced with a disclaimer. I also noticed you didn't have anything positive to offer the OP in the way of any of YOUR sage advice.
Actually, I think he has some good points.
34. Add 1 gallon of antifreeze in fresh water tank
Larry took issue with this, and so do I. WHY would anyone pour antifreeze in the fresh water tank? There is absolutely NO NEED to pour antifreeze into your fresh water tank. EVER.
41. Run some hot water to get antifreeze into water heater tank
Again, there is NO REASON to put antifreeze into the water heater tank. Assuming you drained the tank and by-passed it, this is simply another waste of antifreeze and unnecessary step. There is absolutely NO NEED to pour antifreeze into your water heater tank, if it's been properly drained and by-passed.
Put peanut oil in toilet, and 1 cup in each waste tank (cheap valve lube).
I wouldn't do this, either. Pouring a cup or so of antifreeze into the toilet will keep the toilet seal moist. I wouldn't dream of putting any sort of oil into any of our holding tanks. We only use those products that are specifically made for RVs or RV holding tanks or RV seals, or RV lubrication. Peanut oil definitely does NOT fall into that category.
I note that nothing was mentioned about winterizing a washing machine, either. That's something that the OP may have and need to have winterized.
Just my opinion, of course!
Julie
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Mrs. Mik
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11/03/09 09:22pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Wisconsin Fall Rally October 9th - 11th 2009
That was good, Michelle! LOLOL
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Mrs. Mik
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11/02/09 06:04pm |
Rallies, Shows and Gatherings
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RE: You Know You Live in a Small Town When...
Yep - teeny town resident here!!
The UPS man will deliver packages with our home address on them, to our business (so the package won't get wet on a rainy day...LOL!)
Our UPS AND Fed-Ex men do that for us! Isn't that cool! I love it!
Oh, and here's another one . . .
A couple years ago, I dropped my income taxes into the box at the local post office on April 13 after the post office had closed. I woke up in a cold sweat, when I realized that I NEVER SIGNED THEM! OMG! :E I called the Post Office the minute they opened. The postmaster knew me, so he grabbed mine out of the box and held them until I got there so I could open them and sign them!
Only in a small town!!! :B
Julie
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Mrs. Mik
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11/02/09 05:53pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: You Know You Live in a Small Town When...
Around here, you can tell the change of seasons by when the farmers are spreading manure on their fields! Spring and fall . . . gotta love the odor! LOL
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Mrs. Mik
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11/01/09 07:40pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Game, Find the Difference - Spot the difference (s).... fun!
For pete's sake! Did you HAVE to post that? I've never been much for games, but this one just HOOKED me!
I spent my day (off an on) doing those stupid puzzles! ARGH! I finally managed to finish them all . . .
I had . . .
11 Gold speeds
15 Silver speeds
52 Bronze speeds
Sheesh! I'm so glad I made it all the way through! I'm actually afraid to click on the continue button after finishing them all! LOLOL
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Mrs. Mik
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10/29/09 08:50pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: TP
Back in 2007, our daughter did the "toilet paper test" for her school science project. Here's a link to our results: Toilet Paper Project
Hope that helps!
Julie
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Mrs. Mik
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10/28/09 05:44pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Wisconsin Fall Rally October 9th - 11th 2009
Don't need no dang SNOW here!!!!! Send it up to Mrs Mik.
HEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :M :M :M !!!! You better watch it, or I'm gonna bring SNOW to the SPRING RALLY! :B :B :B
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Mrs. Mik
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10/27/09 05:35pm |
Rallies, Shows and Gatherings
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RE: New Credit Card. Are They Nuts??!!!!
I was aghast at the $39.99 fee in the most recent credit card offer we received! $495! They're NUTS!
I wonder how "limited" their membership is . . .
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Mrs. Mik
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10/27/09 04:36pm |
Around the Campfire
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