Happy, Merry MMP

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
101

Package Car whiteboard: "Start time T-F 9:00A.M.
Late Air Shipments: “LOL. No.”
At this point, we send out 10 UHauls a day with missed stuff. In addition to 236 package cars, 40 pigs, and 20+ seasonal drivers with their own cars. and that’s just 1 UPS hub.
Anyways, up, caffeinated, and sheveled. Off to double heave. Ya know, doing the same job in the same spot for 10 hours is a lot more mentally fatiguing that bouncing around for 12 hours.

“Frosty Paws” And Gordie loves them. He pretty much unhinges his jaw and eats a tub in 1 bite. Crazy dog.

And the cheapest set is $1K. Glad people leave a bunch in the Freecycle Zone.

Dunno, I find the guilt adds extra spice to the post Confession beers down at the pub. :wink:

102

So my buddy, tech director at the local high school, has asked me to help build the set for their musical. I think it’s Bye Bye Birdie. I’ve done this before, get paid, help the school, win win. But I’m not feeling great about it this year. The school district in the next town over just went back to remote due to an uptick in covid. If’n I can just build shit and not have to interact with the germ filled kids, fine, I’ll do it.

I’d rather just stay in my own shop and work alone.

103

Today was spent doing light cleaning, talking to my sister, and working out. Due to the phone call–We’re congenitally incapable of short conversations with each other–I left late for the gym and walked home in the dark with flashlight and blinky bracelets. Last winter/spring I was psyched because I saw improvement in my night vision. Eye doc couldn’t explain it, and now it’s gone. Ah, well. C’est la vie, c’est la guerre.

swampy, I know a long tongue-twister about butter. For some reason, I can do that one. I have no idea why, as I suck at the others. Sometimes when we had a short wait for something in class, I’d do it for my students. They pretended to be impressed. :slight_smile:

doggio, I feel bad for you working all those doubles. I hope the OT makes it more than worthwhile.

My daughter called it “Canine Crack.” Our beloved lab used to lick it so frantically, I thought her tongue would fall out. Do you pop it out of the tub for Gordie? Oh, dear Lord, was I supposed to pop it out of the tub all that time? :astonished:

Sari, what a hassle. Those are the first world problems that make scrubbing shirts against a rock look preferable…for about 5 minutes. I hope you find something affordable that you love.

VanGo, I hope you can do your part of the set building off-site, or at least sans kids. I’d miss having the kids about, but if they’re unmasked and unvaxxed, that’d be a deal-breaker.

shoe, I used to build sloth into my to-do list. :slight_smile:

104

Oh gosh, I don’t want to tell you about the wait for my new dishwasher. The confusion was insane. Hubs reserved the sort I wanted at both HD and Lowes, but only got one by checking their webpage for availability every day.

I really hope you can find something soon, going to the laundromat kinda sucks.

Ditto. I looked at the knife just because we lurves gadgets, but couldn’t find a use for one and moved on. I agree with Sunny that the sugar-free gummies have the best reviews.

It’s awesome that you can actually pay for your hobby that way. I’ll bet they are beautiful. I’m certainly not dissing anyone who likes models, I’ve seen some amazing displays and the skill and time involved certainly shows. It’s just not for me and isn’t it great that we all like different things. It would be sooooo boring if we all did the same thing.

Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is care for your mental health. Sitting around smoking weed and stitching really isn’t unproductive because it is allowing you to recharge your mental batteries. Playing with cats is also good for your mental health. YOU are important, you deserve a few hours of guilt free happiness once in a while, so go for it!

105

All of you are important, you deserve hours of guilt free happiness every day, so go for it!

106

All of US are important. That includes you, missy.

107

YEAH!!! What she said!!!

108

You wanna talk first world problems??? We won’t have a washing machine aboard our boat, so when we go on long trips, I’ll have to use laundromats!!! :open_mouth: Yeah, I know how that sounds, but seriously, it’s something I thought about.

FCD wants to do the Great Loop. It’s essentially a year-long boat ride that requires a few adjustments to one’s routine. He thinks about the adventure of it, I think about the practical aspects - like not having a big freezer or the aforementioned washing machine - and what we’ll have to do in dealing with the mundane aspects of life. We won’t be taking the trip for a couple of years at least, so I have time to plan… and save a pile of quarters… (or does one use plastic??)

I used to sell my pottery at a little local store (that has since gone out of business - not my fault, tho!!) My stuff isn’t all that special, but I made enough to pay for the supplies and the electricity to run the kiln. Some day, I’ll get back to playing in clay. I hope.

Lessee, what’s up this loverly day? Laundry. Maybe even stripping the bed. And washing the big living room window - when sunset shines thru, the crud is overly evident. Since it’s supposed to be a super-mild day (for December) I’ll take advantage of the temps and clean the outside of at least a few windows.

FCD got a punch card for the pool at the local college (that’s now run by the county parks and rec) and he’s going to try swimming to strengthen his legs. They also have a warm therapy pool - it’s not deep, but it’s big enough to walk laps, which would be a good gentle resistance workout. He’s going over there today.

And the inspection report for the boat is due to us today. We’ll review it and decide what we want to negotiate.

Plus I’m going to wrap gifts today, just to get that chore done. I’m worn out already!

Happy Thursday!!

109

Good Mornin’ Y’all! Up and caffeinatin’. YAWN ‘Tis 38 Amurrkin out and clear with a predicted high of 78 and N.O.S. for the day. I do not intend to leave da cave at all today. I have nowhere I want or need to be. I want a day of sloth and bein’ a retired drain on society. So mote it be. OK, I will make sup, which will be country fried steak, rice 'n gravy, green beans, baked sweet N.O.T. and possibly bizkits. So I guess there will be some productivity.

Now I need more caffeine and to feed rumbly tummy. Then, onward into the day! Rah.

Happy Thursday Y’all!

110

I have inventoried the available boxes in my home. Most are too small, and one is a bit too big.
My Secret Santa may be receiving bonus tissue paper and/or filler candies, in addition to the good stuff.

On a cheerful note … I’ve been working like a rented mule, been throwing mental temper tantrums each morning cuz I hafta go back to irk again etc.
Well, my paycheck is (understandably) a bit healthier this time. :partying_face: I suppose all that extra “work” stuff is rewarded after all.

I’ve been irritated about being cut early all the time lately and had made some comments to that effect. I did notice they throttled back on cutting me plus in general, we’ve been short-handed lately anyway.

OH! The general manager quit/got fired/mutual agreement to leave (depending on whom you ask) official as of yesterday, so there’s a bubbling-up and subsequent vacuum: one of the managers is taking his role, so now there’s a manager opening … whiiiiiiiich explains why she asked ME about being a manager recently, so I guess crap has been percolating for a while.

111

Good morning everyone.

Yes, we used to give Polar (and Brandi) Frosty Paws, but for some reason, Safeway stopped carrying it and I couldn’t find it at any of the other nearby grocery stores. Mud Bay is in the same shopping center as Safeway, so Polar now gets Boss Dog. It’s made with yogurt as the base and doesn’t have any artificial colors or preservatives. His favorite flavor is peanut butter and banana and it has real peanut butter and bananas in it. Yes, I did try a tiny bite of the human-grade biscuits. They taste awful. They’re made with garbanzo bean flour and a couple of other ingredients.

I actually got a couple of Christmas presents ordered yesterday. I still have a long way to go, but there has been slight progress!

It’s my Friday, thank goodness. Maybe I can start to get some decorations up tomorrow or Saturday.

112

Morning all. Stayed up late solving puzzles last night, so of course I was wide awake by 6am, so nappage is a probability. Did manage to get the garbage out to the curb last night, so of course the truck won’t show up until this afternoon… Like swampy, nothing much on the agenda today, a couple things to get done but nothing critical.

FCM, that’s a pretty ambitious trip–if you do head up the Mississippi some year, I can probably meet you somewhere on the route. And swimming sounds like a good idea–I really should take up some form of exercise–maybe in 2022…

shoe, paychecks are always nice, as for manager–that’s your call.

doggio, nellie, where do you get this Doggie Cream, is it available at Pet Stores or do you have to order it on-line?

Ok, pills taken so now wait a bit beofre foraging for sustenance. All y’all have a great Thorsday.

113

I already told them, “No, but thank you for thinking of me.”

Guarantee my face/tone of voice telegraphed, “Awww, HELLZ to the no!”

I did genuinely appreciate being … trusted, I guess? … enough to be asked. But I know me better than they know me, and would likely self-destruct under the additional stress.

114

A lot of grocery stores carry Frosty Paws. I buy Boss Dog at Mud Bay which is a pet supply store. I think PetSmart and Petco also carry some.

I prefer the kind I buy now and the Frosty Paws because they come in individual little tubs and the dogs can lick to their hearts content.

115

I indulged myself yesterday by … going to bed at eight the hell o’clock what is wrong with me?

So naturally, I’m up earlier than usual. Since there’s no looming irk today, I didn’t have that “eeeerrp!” feeling, and feel relaxed, and got smoothly into productive mode.

So far:

  • primary litter box scooped
  • assorted trash cleaned and tossed
  • suet feeder refilled, and peanuts scattered for the local jays
  • ratties fed & water bottles replaced
  • Charm fed
  • a modest amount of dishes washed
  • pigs in blankets (OK. Lil Smokies in puff pastry) baked and currently assimilating - yay, I ate breakfast!
  • couple of rugs (a.k.a. “kitty litter containment areas”) shaken out
  • Monkey got some precious “laser-pointer” time

Cats got to go out while all this excitement was occurring.
It’s warm-ish (upper 40s) and the sun - while flatter towards the horizon than this former Southerner is accustomed to seeing - is definitely doing its groovy thing.

116

Why, when I was a boy we just scraped it off the cube with our fingernails! And we liked it!

117

Happy Thorsday

Was a nice 46 degrees at the park this morning. Five people and six dogs showed up.
Both of mine were still tired from daycare yesterday, but Echo still got some good running in with Coco.
Echo gave Bandit a good telling off this morning. Bandit was all cool with me petting him until he saw his dad petting Echo. Bandit gets jealous and ran over to push Echo out of the way. She let him have it, verbally. Since she was wagging her tail, I didn’t worry about it. Bandit is more than twice her size, but he lets her push him around.

I still haven’t picked a health plan. I have been with carefirst for years and I really like them, but united has better plans. However, if I switch to united I have to find new doctors. I really like my cardiologist and don’t want to switch, but then again, I hate driving down to the armpit to see him.
Sometime next year I have to sign up for medicare? Medicaid? I always forget which is which. I know I’ll have to find a new pcp when I do that.
I hate making decisions.

I think I’ll put off washer shopping for a week or so. I don’t need the headache of washer shopping on top of health plan decisions. One thing at a time.
Also, I’ve been wanting to have washer hookups put in the kitchen so I don’t have to wheel the washer around. I don’t have the money for that right now, but if I do that first, then I can buy a regular washer instead of a portable one. Or I can get a stacking washer/dryer.
Then again, I want to move, so maybe I shouldn’t do anything yet.
I hate decisions.

VanGo, whenever you talk about your work I think of

positive couple

I’m very impressed with their work, although it is a bit too ornate for my taste. I don’t know how they have the patience for the work they do.

Packages are rolling in, but here and at my mother’s. I didn’t know my niece was opening the packages. I don’t know if she is wrapping them for me or if she is just being nosy. I have a check list to make sure everything arrives, made even more complicated because my subscribe and save stuff is being delivered here too. I got myself a few things for Christmas, and I don’t know if I want to open them now, or make myself wait. Nothing fun, just clothing.

118

It is gorgeous here in MO - it’s supposed to be in the mid 70s, which is unusual for December. I got outside this morning and walked. It’s been one of those weeks where I’ve felt breathless with stress most of the week, and just walking outside makes the knot loosen. Hopefully I’ll get to do it again today.

Husband is going in today to get his eyelids squeezed. It sounds like it will hurt and be relatively unproductive, poor man. I think surgery is in his future.

Reading about everyone’s day reminds me that I haven’t really done much Christmas shopping. Or made a list, for that matter. I should probably get to that as soon as possible. Grrrr.

119

I am kind of in search of catharsis and I needed to put this all down in writing. Y’all feel free to ignore it, but writing and posting it seems to have helped me deal with this.

TL;DR: My adopted brother Donald died Thanksgiving morning and was buried Tuesday morning.

LONG STORY WARNING:

I am the youngest of five children. My mom was widowed when I was less that two years old. She had no real job skills and worked off the books as a day maid, cleaning other people’s houses. There was never much money and we lived in a very poor neighborhood. I was younger than my nearest sibling by eight years, and I was maybe the original latch key child. From an early age I was just a street kid with little or no supervision. Mom did the best she could, but life was hard.

Mom had a friend, Claire. She had a son just a little older than me. Danny and I were friends almost from infancy and grew up mostly together. Claire and her husband, Al, went on to have six more kids. They accepted me into their house as one of their own despite my penchant for trouble. More than once, my Mom asked Al to go with her to pick me up at the police station for one of my many errors in judgment.

As we grew up, Al sent Ray to talk to my Mom about joining Scouts. Al, Ray, Paul, Ken and Leo were the men who all had a hand in turning me around. It was a lot of work and took quite some time to bring me around. All through this I was just an official member of Al’s family.

Al and Claire are both gone. My mom passed and over the years so did all of my blood siblings. Three of Al’s children had Muscular Dystrophy. Albert and Nancy showed symptoms as children and neither lived to see thirty. Danny had a massive hear attack compounded by a stroke. He was in a coma for about three weeks and, as we were talking about pulling the plug, suddenly woke up. He lived another three years but the coma really took a toll.

Donald did not show symptoms of MD until he was about thirty. He married and had three sons. Over the years he slowly deteriorated, having less and less mobility as the years went on. He and his lovely wife have six beautiful grandchildren and they have been a very happy family. The last three years have been hard on Donald. Last week he was having trouble breathing and Tuesday he was admitted to hospital. He tried hard, but he just couldn’t fight it off any longer. He was sixty three. Today we buried him right next to Danny.

I had four blood siblings. Last fall my last remaining sister Patrica succumbed to Covid. Now I am left with my brothers Dennis, Dave and John. Not blood, but brothers none the less.

120

So very sorry for your losses. Hugs to you and yours.

I guess a bunch of us here are of that age when our contemporaries will start to pass away. Sometimes mortality sucketh mightily. This should be a reminder to enjoy what we have with who we have.