Christmas Baking in the MMP

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
41

Waddled this morning. It was nice, though it would’ve been nicer outside. I’m creating a vicious cycle of coffee drinking in the afternoon. I passed out on the couch yesterday afternoon around 4 while listening to a podcast, woke up, drank coffee & went about the evening, couldn’t sleep well last night and now I’m exhausted but determined not to repeat.

Dad is getting worse. He keeps thinking he’s in the small town in Indiana where I was born when he’s lucid enough, and has trouble walking. Showering is exhausting for him, and his days and nights are switched. I wish I could help, but I can’t. I’ll go up there as soon as I can, but I’m not sure how much of me is still in his memory - he always favored my sister (they were just closer), so hopefully he’ll get to see her and know her (even if vaguely) before more of him is gone.

Anyway…the day is sunny and way warmer than it ought to be. I might go for another walk this afternoon. Just a few of us are heads down at work, and my boss is really pushing me to take time off.

42

Grrr, the missing parcel is still not there. Apparently the shop knows perfectly well that their regular driver is routinely fraudulently marking parcels as delivered in order to boost their delivery stats, but they just tell all the customers not to worry about it.

I’m now attempting to source ways to kick up- they clearly don’t monitor their facebook page, which is wall-to-wall complaints, many about the impossibility of raising a complaint. I also just discovered that the company is actually named for the Greek god of -among other things- thieves…

I got the cousin a retro mini pac-man game in the end. Still one or two people to buy for, but the end is in sight.

43

Frost on the punkins this morning. It was 33F when I got up at 0630 and there was ice on the deck. The squirrels and jays were eager for their morning peanut breakfast. At least it’s clear skies today instead of the constant downpour we’ve been having. The ski slopes opened this week; they got some 2-3 feet of white stuff in about two days.

44

Back home, car has 16.5 gallons of gas, $55 of groceries obtained, bank account at the Credit Union is healthier, and colorful envelopes are ready for Xmas. All in about 2.5 hours time in lovely fall weather. So with that accomplished, I may be looking at nappage this afternoon just because I can.

45

First day of Finals completed. Only one class, and the scores on the Final moved their grades…not a whole lot. Meanwhile the rain keeps coming down and the alerts about flash floods keep coming on everybody’s phones. Time to head home and wrap myself around a mug of cocoa.

46

I’m not much of a baker, but I do try to turn out something tasty at this time of year.

Our favorite is Grandma Barb’s Apple Bread, which you can find online if you search this term. It’s full of grated Granny Smith Apples. I like raisins and walnuts, so I load it up with both. And I soak the raisins ahead of time in warm rum - yum! The first time I baked it, I thought I wouldn’t like the presence of nutmeg. It’s a spice you either love or hate, but it turns out it’s perfect in this bread.

There’s still half a loaf in the fridge, and we’ll get a slice each for dessert tonight.

47

MIL used to bake and make candy. She’d send us a big box every year, so I never got into the habit of baking for Christmas. Now Hubs is low-carb and won’t eat sugar or carbs so I haven’t even thought about baking because so much would be thrown out.

Yesterday I cleared out another planter. I sure wish I could compost stuff but it’s just too dry here so we’ll have to buy a couple of bags of compost to top dress the beds before it gets too cold and I won’t want to do it.

There is a small hawk that comes by most mornings for breakfast. If VBC or VGC sees it on the porch, they turn into flat kitties and slink away. Gormless George stands up and paws at the glass while chirping at it. It’s easy to see that his breeder focused on beauty instead of brains.

We’re going to Black Canyon City for a late lunch at a little pop and pop cafe. Hubs really likes their sliders and our shut-in friend has asked that we bring him a bunch of their cabbage rolls. We invited him to come with us, but he’s not up to it :frowning:

There’s also a decent bakery so we might stop their so I can get a birthday cupcake. Only a year left before I’m medicare eligible which is going to save us thousands a year.

We can tell that VBC is feeling better, she’s dragging towels and small pillows around again. Today I caught George tripping over a bath sheet and I know it’s because VBC taught him to do it.

48

I used to do a great fudge but haven’t lately. Now I’m thinking of doing up a batch to distribute around work

49

Staph pictures today. The photographers (female) loved my bow tie. I just went to Trader Joe’s to get my lunch, and the woman at the checkout said, ‘I love your bow tie!’ Mrs. L.A. still hates them.

50

Happy Tuesday! This morning was Al Vocado’s big move into a pot with soil. My gigantic geranium is not so gigantic now: I think the wet, frosty weather got to it, as every branch resting on the concrete turned brown…odd because it went through worse weather last winter and was fine. My fuchsia, which should be long gone, is still lush and green and flowering. The laws of the jungle are passing strange.

My daughter texting me last night. The tummy troubles she’s been dealing with for 2 years flared up, and she can’t keep anything down. I feel bad for her, but I’m not TOO worried because her husband was a medic and is very good at handling this stuff. But imagine being in Italy and unable to eat!

It’s your birthday?! Happy Day! Swampy had better start warming up his vocal cords!

I don’t like to brag, but I have an inborn ability to trip over bath sheets. :slight_smile:

I looove nutmeg! I looked up the recipe, and it looks yummy. I’m going to have to try it soon.

nut, hope the parcel turns up.

Taters, that package must have some stories to tell! I had one that bounced around the country, then disappeared in Cincinnati for two months, which I didn’t think was possible. I hopeyours turns up soon. Sounds like Fed Ex is playing Hot Potato with it.

A friend took my last Christmas boxes to ship this morning. I told her UPS, but she decided at the last minute to do FedEx because it was cheaper. It only has to go to Seattle, but now I’m bummed. FedEx is my least favorite option.

Do you have any good photos of the two of you as kids? You could blow one up and put one in a nice frame. FCM’s suggestions are winners, though.

BooFae, think how much more would get done in the world if we didn’t have to deal with argumentative idiots. Glad you had a great time at the shenanigans.

You’d better watch out, there, or you’re going to forget how to sloth and un-occupational therapy.

51

Singin’ isn’t needed, I had a birthday cupcake! There is a rather notorious spot in BCC that we drive by to get to the cafe. I remember when the massacre happened but I don’t remember many details, its been quite a while. When we went by I noticed dirt moving equipment so maybe someone is going to build something on that nice flat piece of land.

Mom’s been looking for one skein of a specific color of thread to finish a project she’s been working on for years. I contact the manufacturer who gave me a link to a business who sold the thread retail and I happily ordered one to be delivered to Mom’s place. It went into the USPS black hole, tracking says it was delivered and Mom says it wasn’t.

At the beginning of the last year, my doctor’s practice got sold to Optima medical and they were horrible. I kept seeing her until she got fed up and left at the beginning of this year which made me sad. My new doctor has requested my medical records (16 years worth) five times which is causing delays in treatment. Today I filed a civil rights violation complaint to the US dept of Health against them. I could have done it through the state Health dept, but if I have to go through the bother, I’m going to go all the way.Take that optima medical!

52

Hope that your sinus infection is doing better sari.

Is your ankle still sore butters?

I’m with you on FedEx taters. They used to leave my insulin shipments on a porch across the street that was bright and sunny.

Irked, came home, walked Nelson and et. Such excitement!

Stay safe and healthy y’all!

53

Home at last! Traffic sucked mightily because of our timing. FCD picked up his car and left mine in the lot there so my daughter dropped me off and she went straight home. There are some pics of my mom and sister with Toby on FB if anyone is interested.

We finally got the closing paperwork from the broker so tomorrow I can go to the credit union and transfer funds from my retirement account to checking for the wire transfer later this week. The boat is almost ours. But the real fun won’t start till we pick it up in April and bring it to our marina.

For now, chillage. I’m beat.

54

Evening all. Tried to nap but just didn’t feel like it, so got up and put the dishes away. Dinner is happily assimilating and I need to go check the mail here shortly (it’s usually after 6pm for delivery). Otherwise a quiet day once the shopping was done.

Unknown, swampy singing Happy Birthday is a tradition here in the MMP; and we’re heavy on TRADITION! And sorry about the problems with the medical establishment; hope things get better.

You were photographing infections?

OK, onward into the night. All y’all take care.

55

So the Air was hella late. So they paid a bunch of us to sit around, then take the air out of bags. Then put them back in bags. Then stake them out of bag#2, scan them, and put them into bag #3. Whatevah, I get time and and half no matter how stupid the plan is. Also Da Jungle delivered my replacement phone for my replacement phone. Now I just gotta set it up, and return the first one. But I am glad I ordered extra chargers, because Double Secret Replacement phone came with an international charger plug.

Also, I got word this morning that one of my Aunt Marys(the sane one, not the Q believing one) has died after a long illness. :frowning:

: adds to shopping list :

You’re welcome

Caption: Flyboy has such an infection smile
:wink:

Also, you need a fez with your bowtie. Fezzes are cool.

56

As usual, read much retain little, so {{hugs}}, you go’s, rah’s, etc, as needed.

doggio True dat, fezzes are cool. Just ask the Doctor. Sad about your sane auntie.

swampy Rev up those pipes fer unknown.

I’m now dealing with living in the county that seems to have the biggest outbreak of the new variant of the virus. The university has gone lockdown, and we, the commoners are just trying to muddle through. Now, hmmm, should I venture back to my folks place, some 7 hour drive away for x-mas? Do I get a test before? They’re in their 70s, and, well TBH, in pretty good health, but I don’t wanna bring the new plague to Maine.

57

Well, who am I to mess with tradition?!?

I was happily stitching along when suddenly the instructions called for a color of thread that wasn’t in the supplies list. Now I’m going to have to call the thread place and have them send me more which bothers me because I’m mad at the post office and the thread place over-stamps their envelopes hence giving the post office extra money. If I was younger I’d probably drive the 200 miles to buy one skein of thread to avoid giving the post office 50 cents they don’t deserve.

I’m picking up a surplus produce box tomorrow, I’ll have time to think about this while I’m waiting in line.

Has anyone heard from @purplehorseshoe lately. FCM, is she on your facebook friends list? If so, can you check her status that way? She hasn’t been online since she was getting depressed by the sound of the wind howling and worrying about friends is one of my super powers.

58

Mine is the same FWIW.

I’ll pull the recipe out when next I am near my notebook of family recipes.

Nuts? Flowers? Christmas ornament?

Unknown Happy Birthday! Good for you for filing the complaint. Maybe someday we’ll all have healthcare we can trust.

I just fell down the rabbit hole on that one. As far as I can tell, it’s an urban legend. Do you remember the event?

I have 2 ideas: if you want to go, then yes, get tested. If you don’t want to go, perhaps suggest a time later in the year when things aren’t so hectic (and we might know more about Omicron and/or have a booster for it).

The back procedure is done, and now I get to be on bed rest (no pillows) for several days. I will say that the procedure was awful. I swore several times and have realized that I need more variety in my vulgarity.

Happy Toesday everyone.

59

She has posted on the Book of Faces recently, food related pretty pictures and a short rant about customers who lick their fingers before they handle their money to hand to her. I’m guessing she has so far resisted climbing over the counter and throttling them, although they deserve it!

60

I remember a bunch of people getting violently ill and some dying, I certainly don’t remember 999 people dying. I seem to remember it was blamed on food poisoning. At the time, there wasn’t a medical clinic in BCC, everyone would have been transported to Phoenix which is another world as far as news reporting here.

Are you asking for suggestions? We’ve got a whole lot of creative folks here. Poopyhead is my favorite and covers a lot of situations.

Thank you, my worrying has gone wasted again. I like it when I’m wrong this way!