Caffeine addicted MMP

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
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Good morning everyone.

It’s currently 28 degrees and the expected high is 37. There may also be snow showers in the next hour or so. It snowed all day yesterday both down at the office and here at home, but none of it started sticking until around 5:00 pm or so (at home). The snow continued for a good few hours and I have about two or three inches on the ground. Not much of it has stuck to any hard surfaces, other than my driveway which faces north and is always cold.

Since I was at the office yesterday, I didn’t have time to read or post here, so I’ve read all, but retained little.

nellie, I’m sorry about your phone but glad you have a new one. I’m also sorry the eye doctor appointment was such a bust. I’ll bet Ms. Dog is entertaining and nice to snuggle on.

Polar was very unhappy with my absence yesterday. He heard me pulling into the garage and was running back and forth between the den and the inner garage door carrying on until I opened the door. The poor guy was stressed, I guess. On top of that, when I went to bed, the husband followed not soon after, and I could hear him walking back and forth, back and forth, back and forth, and panting. Plus, the stupid smoke alarm in the den started chirping, so I gave up, got out of bed, shut the den door and lay down on the couch downstairs, and fell asleep with Polar right below me on the floor.

At any rate, I don’t have to go anywhere today, so he’ll be back to his normal self.

Housing, both rental and home buying is stupidly expensive. Is there any way your daughter and son-in-law might qualify for a first-time home-buyer program, FCM? Do they still have those?

Other than work and tidying the kitchen, I don’t have much on the agenda. I need to get Polar’s chicken cooked up today. He finished the last batch last night. I’m pretty sure my husband will take care of that, but sometimes I have to get it done.

I’m going to finish my coffee and head off to the kitchen now.

I hope you all have a terrific day!

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They already own a home - it’s just small, so they’re not first-time buyers. If there was a way to add a bedroom and a bathroom, I think they’d be happy where they are.

As I posted on FB, we got our federal tax refund. It’s been forwarded to VISA, because, well, we’re responsible adults. Dammit. :stuck_out_tongue:

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Our cat is a barfer. She’s been a barfer since we’ve had her and no vet has been able to diagnose any issues over the years. Today was interesting, though. She started the “hurkhurkhurk” thing and I steered her away from the carpet. But she darted under the table and did her thing there, then ran over to the carpet and left a smaller gift there. The wife started cleaning up the under-table fun and suddenly said “WTF is this?” A long thing that looked vaguely worm-like was in the mess and covered with cat food. She poked at it and saw that under the barf, the thing was pink. Further investigation revealed that it was also elastic. So somehow the cat was able to ingest one of the wife’s scrunchies. Why she would do that is a mystery, although I’m aware of cats’ fascination with rubber bands. So that’s today’s excitement. Now I’m hungry.

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Afternoon, mumpers! It’s 7c/44f with no predicted change today, and partly cloudy. Weather app says “That one guy says, “partly sunny”. He’s fucking dumbass though.” So now you know. I had a pleasant walk this morning after dropping the car at the fixer’s, it’s only about 20 minutes away on foot. They have done what needs doing and called to say it’s ready to be collected so I’ll do that after my afternoon meeting.

Moooom I’m glad FCD is seeing someone, it will be a person who understands his guilty feelings and can hopefully help him get some perspective on things.

Cookie I hope you are all managing to keep warm with all that snow about!

Seanette bonus oranges? Sounds good to me :slight_smile:

JtC your shed and pie story is perfect! I do like a happy ending :slight_smile:

nellie I agree, you don’t deserve half of what life has thrown at you. Neither does sari either, you are both far too good for so much grief.

Right, time to make a cuppa and check on the laundry as I put a load in the wash earlier. I don’t normally have too much bother with fitted sheets as mine only have elastic at the top and bottom ends, not down the sides. I did once mistakenly buy a sheet that was elasticated all round. It got used a couple of times and went in the next charity bag for someone else to do battle with. If life is too short to stuff a mushroom, it is most definitely too short to fartarse about fitted sheets.

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`nellie, were you to charge for dog sitting, it could be a sweet part time gig. Nelson’s last sitter did it because she liked having the companionship for her Yorkie mix, Max. She only charged about 1/2 of what doggy day care did and lived in my complex. She took them to the dog park for ~ 1hour in the morning, weather permitting, and loved Nelson. She was on a pretty tight budget, so I tried to make sure that I gave her a minimum of 2 days per month (that covered her pet rent for Max). I think that I got the better deal. :slight_smile:

I’m glad that FCD has agreed to a grief counselor Moooooom. As far as tuning your hammered dulcimer, I use my keyboard to tune my guitar and autoharp.

I loved the Marined / pie story JtC! You are correct about crazy housing prices. My rent on 560 square feet has increased by ~45% over the last 6 years and is now $1029 a month. It isn’t like I even live in a high dollar neighborhood either.

Up, caffeinating and breakfasted. It was sprinkling when I walked Nelson, but very lightly. When / if it stops, I’ll head out to pick up the bike and hit the road for the day. If it doesn’t stop, I’ll fart around here at home, reading and taking Nelson to Lowe’s for a social walk.

Stay safe and healthy y’all!

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You’re south of here, right? (Well, being on the Canadian border, everything is south of here!) 25º Ferret Height up here, looking for 34º later. Weather dot com says we may get a few snow showers around 10:00. We have a gale warning and a wind advisory in effect until 16:00 Friday.

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For those of you tracking the lives of me and mine far more closely than is normal, Tobias had his 15 month well babby check this week. He’s 25" tall and 23#. And lately he produces snot and drool by the gallons. He’s lucky he’s so cute.

Shortly, I will open a few windows as the temp is rising dramatically. I take fresh air when I can get it.

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FCM I was semi kidding. I frequently work in non-air conditioned venues. Heat and humidity raises all kinds of havoc on string instruments, but hammered dulcimer players seem to have the roughest go of it, with all those strings to keep in line. Unless you are bestowed with the gift of perfect pitch, an electronic tuner is gonna be your friend. I’ve seen some musos use a tuner app on their phone, those seem to work well enough, YMMV.

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Hello all. Well, did a 3-stop shop this morning and I now possess a small box (Staples), a phone-to-USB cord (Verizon) and a working USB (Gigaparts). Need to pack and mail stuff in the box, download pictures from my phone to my computer, and double-check the USB, so that should keep me entertained for, oh, 8-10 minutes…

78F now but the high tomorrow is supposed to be only 55F, so something is coming through weather-wise.

FCM, concur with the others here that FCD is doing a wise thing and hoping it helps out. And hopefully I’ll get my federal refund in early March, the State…who knows?

Cookie, I had to laugh at the cat and the scrunchy story; hope the feline has learned their lesson.

Amen. So very glad I bought my place (new) in 1997.

Nettie, glad you have somebody near you that does nice things. Enjoy the oranges.

Nellie, as for a chew toy, you could always try this one (love this page): My Dog Gets A Giant 8.5 Foot Teddy Bear | Tyson got a new giant teddy bear this past weekend. Please welcome Colassel Ted, AKA CT, to the family. Tyson even shares it with Champ. Make sure to... | By The Half Husky Bros | Facebook

OK, lunchtime is here and then more soccer. Take care all.

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Hey all! I’ve read nothing, but will try to keep up from here.

Metal Mouse welcome back. I checked wave heights near Antartica several time while you were gone. I’ll be digging around looking for details on your adventure.

The good news is that it will be snowing very close to my house, and we’ll get a lot of rain. The weather has made my head hurt, but water is good! I keep hoping that the snow that keeps coming will hope hold the ice pack longer (more weight to compact the snow, colder snow for longer). The more spread out the snow melt is, the better. Of course, I hope we keep some of it all year.

My hubby has been doing much better. I think he needs a higher dose on his meds, but so far the change has been remarkable. We hit a snag when I pointed out that we really needed a newer car, but I guess we’re working through that. The car thing has thrown me for a loop. I don’t know what to do about it. I guess I’ll just keep bumbling along.

Take care everyone!

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That was weird. I can see where the link is supposed to go, but hgtv redirects to the site in Germany.

We generally change our sheets every week. And we rotate or flip the mattress every 3 months - I have a reminder on my phone, and then I write it down in the maintenance book.

Work is being messy - maybe I’ll get a new boss next week, but the current one has no clue.

Made some really yummy peanut butter banana cookies. And found out that my husband doesn’t like the combination of peanut butter and banana. And I already know that his sister doesn’t like the combination of peanut butter and chocolate. Weird family.

There was a user on snopes who had a dog named Gateway. He had coloring similar to the computer boxes.

Especially when they take the pacifier out, speak a complete sentence, and then put the pacifier back it. It’s just weird. However, not my kid, not my problem.

Okay, now I’ve caught up, but and I can’t keep yawning. Good night!

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SOMEONE FOUND MY PHONE! I got a call from the bus terminal early this morning that someone had turned it in. A friend picked it up and delivered it, since Ms. Dog can’t go in the bus terminal. Hallelujah! Amazingly, it’s only used 1% of the power. (I’d looked at that just before I quit using it to make sure I had enough for the walk home. Ended up not wanting to listen to podcasts–bad decision, as I could have discovered its absence right away.) I am SO relieved! Now I need to get all my stuff off the new phone so I can return it. Hopefully they’ll take it back. I still have the box. Have to do so tomorrow after Ms. Dog’s person returneth. Yippee!

Ms. Dog dragged me over the icy sidewalks for a half mile before she found a spot deserving of the Royal Wee. She LUURRRVES the snow. Oh, and her owner said there’s some history behind her blood lust toward the dog she lunged at yesterday. I assume Loki insulted Ms. Dog’s honor. (Probably called her a bitch.) Stay tuned for another episode of One Life to Liv-a Snaps.

Oh, my gosh, MetalMouse, I literally laughed until I cried at that video. Ms. Dog got concerned. Funniest thing I’ve seen in a long time. I’m going to share it with dog owners I know. Thank you!

FCM, we didn’t have fitted sheets when I was a kid, but my mom wouldn’t have been able to teach me, either, as she was 4’9. I’ve folded hundreds of 'em, but I have to lay them on the floor to do it the way the video shows. When I had dogs, they liked to plop on the sheet before I could start folding it. Big help, they were.

flyboy, so it’s blowing like a banshee up there? Winds are calm here. We have about 3 inches of snow. We’re supposed to get more over the weekend, maybe mixed with rain. Hope your weather isn’t too wild. Did you have to drive in to work today? How about tomorrow?

red, I’ve thought of doing dog boarding or dog walking before for extra income. I couldn’t do it on shot days or when I have other appointments. The biggest problem is I couldn’t rush a dog to a vet should one get sick. They should have pet ambulances.

cookie, maybe your cat misheard and thought it was called a “munchie.”

You said it. I’ve been putting off looking at the new lease I have to sign because I know I’m not going to like it.

swampy, no dinner menu?

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Nope. I only go to Burien once a week. Wifey, RN has two patients this afternoon. It’s up to 30º, so I guess I’ll go out for my walk. I think I’ll wear some glove liners.

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Howdy Y’all! We met with the accountant for all of half an hour and then went to Sonny’s for N.O.L. That’s why no menu for the day Nellie.

Nellie yay for found phone. Hopefully the store will take the new phone back.

Sunny good to hear from ya! Glad hubby is doin’ better.

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Evening all, jus dropping by to confirm that I am still in existence. Please accept belated hugs, yays, trouts etc for the stuff I’ve missed.

Regarding the week’s topic, as I believe is essential for a PhD student, I am generally very highly caffienated. I actually got given a Moka pot for my birthday at last week, as it happens, to add to my metal French press (I broke all the glass ones due to having to use them before coffee). Just for giggles I also have most of the traditional maté drinking equipment, in case coffee just isn’t enough when deadlines come up. One tiny shot of that stuff and I’m basically vibrating for hours…

I can’t remember where I was at last time I posted- I think I’d got the house? It’s still standing, but needs a lot of work really, including replacing the loft insulation and the whole heating system, plus fully redecorating in something that’s not grubby pink with elderly shag pile carpet. It’s going slow, as I really need the heating done first, and getting hold of installers right now is a whole project in itself. At least it’s starting to warm up a bit.

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Came home to 4 piles of hair ball barf. Have a nice day.

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Tales from the Bark Side…I bought Ms. Dog a stuffing-free plush foxy and a stuffed squirrel that was supposed to survive a pack of jackals. Within 5 minutes, she had partially disemboweled it. Maybe getting her the toy version of the critters she’s been itching to catch since birth wasn’t such a great idea. I pulled out the rest of the stuffing, and she’s playing with the “dead” squirrel. She clearly thinks she killed it, and who am I to argue?

nut! Good to see you! And congrats on the house!

Blech. Definitely worse than a slobbery squirrel.

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Stepping in a cold hairball first thing in the morning just out of bed isn’t fun either. Did that recently.

Then there was the time Felix (RB) responded to me coming home and saying Hi to him by uploading a huge hairball. OK, so he was a longhair (we thought maybe part Maine Coon), but that’s still not the most pleasant way to greet a returning household member. :slight_smile:

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My friend is an expediter and she asked me to do a ride-a-long on Tuesday as it was a 460 mile round trip in 8 hours. Anyway, she swears by her GPS that wanted us to do a weird route starting out from my house; I nixed that; then an even weirder route on the way back that she took so she had to drive 80+mph most of the way back in order to get to the delivery point before they closed for the night. I swear by maps; wish I had taken one.

MetalMouse I feel you about the drive to get the absolute best of a particular product. The very best blueberry pies on the face of the earth are sold at Brookside Blueberry Farms which is 149 miles away. Luckily its on the way to Chicago so when we go there, I generally buy 2 pies, 1 baked and 1 frozen. We ate the baked one in Chicago and brought the frozen one home. I will bake it for my BD next month.

I had a wellness appt on Monday and had to fill out that questionnaire; always wonder what they would do if someone filled it out saying they were always depressed.

Had a meeting about transferring divisions this morning. It didn’t go the way I wanted but when I vented about it to a co-worker who is also a friend, he gave me a suggestion about how to approach it. I was going to go in tomorrow to bring it up but the Asst Director texted me with the exact proposal that would be a good compromise that my friend suggested. So it appears that all will be well as it appears it will end well. Then I went to the Fitness Center and only did NuStep and Leg Press today, then went to a chair yoga class. Great instructor, very relaxing. Drove home then remembered that I was supposed to go to the Post Office so back out. I got there, picked up a box to mail another BD gift to our daughter and just as I was about to address it, they closed the window. So, I’ll have to go back in the morning. Oh well. Came home; used the leftover chicken breast to make chicken salad. Put it in a pita with shredded cheddar cheese and tomato; delicious!

The Mitten is also experiencing the winter blast weather. Took awhile to scrape the ice off all the car windows and had to yank extra hard to get the door open. I was asked several times today at the office and also at yoga if we had lost power; luckily no, but there were traffic lights out on the way and unfortunately not everyone who has a drivers license, er drives a car, understands that when the traffic light is out, it’s supposed to be a 4 way stop

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So it was another short sort this morning, but it seemed busy. But the belt was turned off agian when whe got there.
Supervisor: “It was off at door 58.”
Me: “I checked it yesterday and it was on, so somebody turned it off right before start time.”
Super: “I don’t know why this keeps happening.”
Me: “It could be squirrels.”
Super: “Stop.”

Sunny!
: tacklehug : And glad hubs is doing better.

Nut!
: tacklehug :
Congrats on the house.(we were worried you’d been carried off by a wild haggis.)

:partying_face:

That was Gordie and Woody the terrier on the top floor. it was like Grumpy Old Men, but with terriers. :smiley: