A wayward soul's MMP

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
101

Coincidentally, my last big task before my re-retirement was working on the engineering drawings for an Abrams trainer. The inside was configured like the tank but the outside had a platform and a computer station and assorted other non-tank-like parts. And it didn’t move - well, not without a forklift.

I never worked FMS, but I did a LOT of DoD work in my 37-year Fed career and 8-ish post-Fed contractor work. I used to be fluent in acronym. :rofl:

Slept till nearly 7!! Better living thru chemistry - I took a snort of generic Nyquil last night. My nose was alternately clogged and dripping and I knew the meds would take care of it, and I slept!

Now I’m showered, dressed, fed, caffeinating, and thinking about what to do till the RoxStar gets here. Vacuuming is at the top of the list. And at the bottom - it’s a very short list. The Addendum includes loading the dishwasher. And the Post Script involves assembling Roxy’s easel in the basement. Beyond that, I’ll wing it.

FoodKitty has diet cokes on sale - I’ll head over there after the kid goes home, or tomorrow - no huge rush, but I will stock up. 5/$11 is a good deal and I have lots of storage space.

Meanwhile, onward into the day!! Happy Wednesday!

102

Morning all. The long nap yesterday led to my getting up wide-awake at 6:30am today, so we’ll see if I can stay conscious all day today. Like nona’s weather report, the rain is mostly gone and the temperature is supposed to reach 60F today and 67F tomorrow. Outside of getting the garbage out tonight for Thorsday pickup, today should be a light day.

{{gotti}} and {{nettie}}, but not to close…hope you get better soon. And nettie, I worry too, but find something else to do so you don’t think about it (yes, I am Cpt. Obvious, why do you ask? )

nona, presume they showed you the wear on the tires; I doubt you’ll have a blowout in the next 1,000 miles or so, and Yea! on getting the shot scheduled.

Dicey, just looked up Kidd Valley and now I have another restaurant I have to try someday…

OK, paper has been recovered from outside and house is warming up, so I’m ready (I guess) to face the day. All y’all take care.

103

Yep. They showed us the wear. Good grief, though. I didn’t think they were THAT bad! The last time we took it in for an oil change, and tire rotation, which is every 3 months, or so, they never mentioned it. Now, they’re in dire need of replacement. It’s a dealership, too. Not some hokey car repair people. So, when they put on the new tires, they’re going to do an alignment, which is normal procedure, anyway, I think.

104

Gottiget out of the Horspital soon. I am happy that you went as 104F+ in a very dangerous fever.

Up, caffiniating and trying to set some goals for today.

Cheers all and be well

Jim

105

nona - nice that you can trust your dealer. We’ve had bad experiences with some in the past - pushing for unnecessary work and such. We feel lucky to have found a local shop that we can trust - they’ve been good to us for about 15 years, and I’m hoping that will continue.

Forgot earlier, but {{{gotti}}} - dang, dude, you can’t seem to catch a break, can you? Get well, dammit!!!

I have vacuumed and I loaded the dishwasher - we’ve used a lot of bowls over the last 3 days! I also started the ice maker, since our supply is getting low. SIL texted that they’re on the way - peace and quiet is about to end… :open_mouth: But I’ve missed seeing the kidlet, so it will be fun.

106

I had a good virtual ride this morning. Just a couple more weeks until it’s warm enough for real rides. I’m champing at the bit. If I remember, I’ll take my bike in this weekend for a tune up and a new rear tire.

I found a couple of slices of cinnamon raison bread in the freezer this morning, so into the toaster they went. Lovely with apple butter.

Mrs Magill and I met with Spike’s upcoming High School councilor to work on his schedule for next year. He’s like me, and will sit quietly and let others talk (and occasionally screw myself over by not speaking up), so I reminded him that he has been talking to his mother and me about Engineering School. Now his councilor knows and has planned out a route for him. His intro to engineering classes don’t begin until he hits his sophomore year, so he has plenty of time to change his mind, which I keep telling him is okay. I started off as an electrical engineer and ended up as a Theater major (with a minor in Math).

Now, it’s time for me to work. My lagomorph assistant is already in place under my desk and passing some really foul gas.

107

gotti, I hope you’re sprung soon. I had no idea either that they could make those hospital beds longer. I guess they think of everything.

flyboy, I’m so sorry to hear about Tonka.

And hugs to you, nellie. To answer your question, he’s become more organized over the last week. I think he’s done some pretty significant damage to his grade, but he will (allegedly) speak to the teacher about that this afternoon and see if he can take on an extra assignment or two to boost it.

One thing I’ve found (other than the fact that distractions and temptations are harder to resist at home) is that schools insist the kid has a planner elementary through middle, but there’s no instruction on planning. So every afternoon after school, we sit down, he writes down his assignments and he prioritizes. He has a 45-minute break for his brain, then he is required to shut down any distraction and move down the list. Hopefully this’ll help. At least it’s prevented him from working until 10. I also had him read an article about what electronic distractions do to the amount of time it takes you to complete work, 'cause what I have to say on the matter is obviously just me blowing hot air. No idea if it helped or not.

Anyway, the day is well under way. I’m caffeinating myself. It’s bright and sunny and I’m hoping for another walk.

108

Hello, Mumpers, and thanks for the good wishes and virtual hugs!

It’s a warm (mid 40s!) and sunny day in western Mitten State today, and the piles of snow’n’slush are disappearing fast.

I’ve had quite enough of Monkey’s cabin fever, and have let him and Nikki out for a while. Of course, both - at separate intervals - flung open the door to let themselves back in … solely & explicitly to barf like overserved frat boys (where on earth did you find green grass?!?) all over the floor.
Like you can’t do that outside?

Now they’re sunning themselves in front of my flung-wide-open door, cuz it’s not like they pay the heat bill. Or mop up my floors.
Good thing they’re both such good company, otherwise. Damn fuzzbuckets.

I have a care package to put together today. That will be enjoyable.

I’d say I should do laundry, but considering I haven’t put away the last batch, the next stuff can wait - so imma just cross that right off. A bit more K.P. duty is wanting, and I :musical_note: look at the floor, and I see, it needs sweeping :notes:

Oh! And I have got to start marketing my ASFs on local Facebook groups again, before this mini baby boom turns into a population overload. I have limited space now, for their tubs.

Which reminds me, I haven’t offered Pretzel a meal in months.
She quits eating every winter, and since ASF are … touchy … about reintroduced former cagemates, I don’t bother. ( “Stranger danger! Stranger danger!” “Dude, we were buddies two days ago.” “Imma kill you!” “Not if I kill you first!” ) But the days are noticeably longer now - maybe she’ll have some interest.

109

Made me smile and giggle. Thanks, I needed that. bon appetit! Pretzel.

110

Wouldn’t surprise if they check what insurance you have to enable the feature. :crazy_face:

Mine is good - the surgery consumed my deductible and hit my out of pocket max so this week’s surprise is free to me. My employer does enough other things to validly bitch about, but they take care of us. Now I just need to call HR to extend the time off.

111

Looks like there’s ‘only’ about a quart of menudo. Still, that’s a very generous gift from my cow-orker. I have it in a pot on the stove, defrosting for lunch in an hour or so. I’ll need to go down to the corner to get a lemon and some cilantro.

112

I have the individual items tied in curly ribbon (a different coordinating color for each of 4 identical objects, because I’m throwing ALL the love I’ve got into this) and suddenly decided to reprise my Santa box painting style, but in springtime colors.
I’ve given myself a little project for the afternoon. :slight_smile:

Except … Monkey just curled up in my lap. :blue_heart: I’ve never had a lap cat before - they’ve always been “lap adjacent” and now, what do I dooooo, I can’t just get up?

113

I’m afraid you’re stuck there. This is your life now.

114

You must now stay where you are until Monkey moves. Those are the rules. You may, in dire need, make your lap undesirable, such as by shaking your leg or throwing a toy that must be chased.

My sister’s heart is not holding rhythm, so they’re working on that. We talk often and she is sounding better.

I hope you are all doing well.

115

Nope. That is called Cat Law. You have to wait for them to decide to leave. Cat Law.

116

I frequently break Cat Law by uprooting Taz. Sorry, but I don’t pee on my recliner for no feline!!! :stuck_out_tongue:

Roxy has been claimed by her mother. I’ve got a russet and a sweet N.O.T. in the toaster oven. Trying to decide whether to do chickie strips or chickie nuggies - essentially the same thing in different shapes. Thinking peas-n-carrots for the side. And maybe a blueberry crisp for dessert, because fruit.

117

Good afternoon, Mumpers! It’s a lovely, sunny day here. I got the will notarized and witnessed. I will send the notary a thank you card. Then I walked to the pharmacy and got my second shingles shot. My system is pretty whacky, so I’m afraid to take the potentially dangerous medication until after my system has settled down post-jab. Having had hives so horrendous that I asked my doc to knock me out (He refused. Have to be hospitalized, and insurance wouldn’t cover.), I’m just unwilling to risk anything.

And while I’m on the subject of whacky stuff, I think my night vision has improved slightly. It’s been bad for years and got worse for some reason after the last transplant. Though the complex is well-lit, I had to take a flashlight with me to take out trash. It was like I was wading through black ink. But now I don’t need a flashlight. There’s no earthly reason for the improvement, and in fact, our night vision worsens as we age. I’ll take happy weirdness any day.

Yikes, gotti. I hope you start healing fast and are outta that place soonest. Did they admit you to a floor? It kind of sounds like you’re still in the ER.

shoe, you sound good–spritely, even. I know you’ve answered this before, but my colander brain didn’t retain it. What does Pretzel eat? Mice? I don’t think I could stand to watch an animal eat live prey. I’m a wuss. In the spring/summer, how often does she eat?

wordy, glad overlyboy seems to be making progress. Sounds like you’ve got him lined out on the planning, too.

Thank you! Definitely what I was experiencing last night. And I learned a new word! :slight_smile:

118

Well nuts. I thought all day long that it was thursday. Oh well.

But, I did get funding for my business, so yay! I get to keep my shop running. With any luck, either museums will be looking for new exhibits or I’ll have figured out a different model by the time it runs out.

Lemon pasta and garlic bread for dinner.

Stay safe, all.

119

{{{{Sunny}}}}

Exactly.

Incredibly narrow-minded of you!


My experience with DoD was limited to two years of Army JROTC in high school, and then 21.5 years’ active duty in the Navy.

120

Thanks. I’m glad it comes across - “spritely” is a good word. :slight_smile:

Pretzel eats the African soft-furred rats (ASF) that I raise 1a.) to feed her, and, 2b.) as a hobby in itself.

Spring/summer she’ll eat … shoot, I’ve given her three at a time and gulp … gulp … thinks about it … makes me wonder … aaaaaand gulp again.

She’s fast & efficient, if it makes you feel any better. They do NOT see it coming, or have any fear. (If they were trembling scared, I’d never be able to do it!)
Often, her intended lunch will clamber onto her head out of sheer curiosity, sniffing merrily with head held high and whiskers out - a sign of cheerful attention.
Pretzel does. not. like. and will literally withdraw & clamber off, in a huff, to curl up in a corner until her lunch can behave itself properly & ignore her for a while.