I'm Up too Early so May as Well Start the MMP

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
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Bees checked on- they were not in an especially photogenic mood, partly because some *#%@ wasps have found the hive, and have discovered the joys of stealing honey. I reduced the size of the entrance, which should help the bees defend the place, but it’s very annoying. I’ll go there again in a few days, check if they need any more help.

It’s always a bit of a nightmare photographing inside the hive, because you have to hold a frame with one hand and the camera with the other, plus you’re wearing gloves, and if you’re unlucky, you’re trying do to it all while covered in peeved bees. Here’s an older picture- note her Majesty with a stylish red dot- she’d be the grandma of the current queen, who I have not yet even seen.

https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/35863859_10155366427681898_1278743361817149440_o.jpg?_nc_cat=100&_nc_sid=8024bb&_nc_ohc=OiVifZ1h0k4AX-QzS5p&_nc_ht=scontent-lht6-1.xx&oh=6a35092600c38cfc650b1d876204ec2f&oe=5F6A87F8

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YAY! BEES!!! :honeybee: :honeybee::honeybee: They are BEE-utiful! Thank you nut! How did you get the dot on Grandma bee? Do you ever get stung?

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Marking queens is… interesting.That one was actually pretty easy, as the local bee inspector was there, and had the proper kit- basically, you use a specialised paint pen, and find some way of making her hold still for a few seconds. The proper kit is with a sort of little tube thingy with a sponge on a stick and mesh at one end, so you can get her gently hold her still until the paint dries.

The dumbass way is to think ‘Ahh, I’m sure it’s fine, I can just hold her, I’ve seen an expert do this’, boldly pick her up, then drop her on the floor under the hive, and have to do a mad scramble to find her in the long grass…

It does maker her so much easier to find though- and means you can tell if you’ve lost a queen, if you find an unmarked one. There’s even a standard colour to mark what year she was born.

And yes, I do get stung. This queen, last year, headed a colony that went just… nasty. It was weird, 'cos they started off really nice bees, and normally the temperament follows the queen (her being all of them’s mum), but it was still the same queen. They were following me all the way up the road, just going for me, it was crazy…

Oh, and for a sillier picture- this is how I transported the hive (with maybe 40,000 bees in it) when I moved down here.
https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/p720x720/21199455_10154691211906898_4710955487843855877_o.jpg?_nc_cat=105&_nc_sid=8024bb&_nc_ohc=4LZf08nvSRgAX9bTsS4&_nc_ht=scontent-lht6-1.xx&tp=6&oh=4b6fa9a5531620a3181c9bb2ddd35941&oe=5F6CAEB4

I put the seatbelt on before driving, of course.

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I am not stalking you. I am not stalking you. I am not stalking you.

But every time someone references Callahans, I feel like I just got a hug. I really enjoy visiting Callahans.

Not stalking you either. Just learning from you. Very glad that this is an option as being home is always so much bettter.

Some thing do not need to be explained. They just are. Sort of like flowers.

Got most of the one hedge trimmed, plus took down a couple of branches of a tree that will be removed. After I get around to contacting the gardener.

Trying to get back in the habbit of making a list at breakfast of three things to do before I got to bed. Nothing huge, so today was trim the hedge, read a passage from my German book and mow the lawn (okay, that was for my husband). All three items got done AND I sent an email to a friend who I haven’t been in contact with since March. During this whole thing we’ve been working, but haven’t been really doing much at home, so it’s time to get ourselves organized.

Small steps are good.

More hugs for everybody, and especially Butters, Boo, Dot and Emily. They’re free and one size fits all (unless hats which are one size fits most).

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Wow! Those bees must be strong – they pushed the steering wheel clear over to the passenger seat! :muscle: :honeybee:

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I enjoyed the pic and the mental image of ‘peeved’ bees. Getting peeved cats into a carrier for a trip to the vet-it’s like they know. Somehow reassuring that bees​:honeybee::honeybee::honeybee: are the same when we misguided humans mess with them.

It is and I’m sorry all of us are having to do it.

Off to pick up 7th grade housemate from school. I’ve had my first cup of :coffee: for the day but that is it. First it was an infuriating night of ‘can’t fall asleep-I so much hate this’ and then needed a nap after dropping her off, so here I am. I can grab a sammich :sandwich:as soon as we get back, 45 minutes or so.

Fond greetings all and {{{ }}} to everyone who needs one. :spoon::spoon::spoon::spoon::spoon: to Emily. Splendid name Emily-my treasured amazing daughter is named Emily so you and I were off to a good start from the get go.

Boo off to join the world of gifted 12 year olds and to hand her a Coca Cola the second she gets in my car and buckles her seat belt. She’s not allowed to use the drinking fountains in her school so she is mighty thirsty and she enjoys that Coke soooo much. Maybe we should also grab a drive thru ‘hump day’ ice cream cone on the way home :icecream::icecream::icecream:?

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Nut thank you for bee pics, and holy sh*t bees in the front seat would have me riding in another vehicle. You are brave.

FCM congrats on the weight loss!

Midget hugs. Life can be a right bitch at times. Let us know if we can help.

Metal Mouse and Die (heh - just had to do that) - Callahan’s is wonderful. One of my favorite series and authors.

Gotti so sorry about your friend’s house. Was it up in Bonny Doon? I am worried about the fires. Gusty winds are forecast, which can’t be good.

Today is a slow day, after a busy day (for me) yesterday. I did finally get the sprinklers fixed I think. Third person was the charm. My puppy decided the sprinkler assembly looked yummy and ripped to hell. I’ve got a heavy duty box over it now. Tri-tip for dinner, maybe?

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Picturing the police stop: “What’s in the box? No, I said ‘Open it!’ Now!” :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :red_circle: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee: :honeybee:

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Howdy Y’all! We garnered groceries and supplies this mornin’. I mentioned break the fast for sup and was counter offered a late N.O.L./early sup from Sonny’s. We got back from Sonny’s a few minutes ago. Never turn down bbq. So, we shall break the fast for sup tomorrow.

Nuts cool bee pics!

When one keeps a steady supply of tp everyday is tp day.

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FINALLY home from closing. It seems every time I close on a house, there’s more and more paperwork. This batch included a couple of COVID related affadavits saying we weren’t going to be furloughed because of the plague. The one final piece was a screw up at the mortgage company - they failed to include the $500 credit for fixing the electrical issues (FCD is going to teach SIL how to do it.) Closing was scheduled for 1 and we finally got out of there a bit after 4.

I ordered supper from Chaptico Deli - it should be here within a half hour. Daughter, SIL, and Roxy are on their way home. FCD is napping. I’m planning to sleep with Mel tonight. Dogs have been fed. I’m chilling in the quiet for a few minutes.

What a day!

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Like the bee picks, Nut. Hope this hive is less maddened that the other one. And 40,000 bees in a car…if you don’t mind, I’ll take the bus…

Sunny, DicE, I used to read Analog magazine years ago, and it was there I read “The Guy with the Eyes” and I was immediately hooked.

Boo, you are good people. And ice cream is always in style…

talky, I used to think I wasn’t up to the job…until I saw how other people were doing it and realized “I’m smarter than they are.” I suspect you are, too, and your boss knows it, even if you haven’t cottoned on yet. Just keep pressing on. And we’re both getting glasses next week–Yeah!!

Sari, sounds like the fence guy knows his business–good for you. Is the septic tank gone or just re-buried for another century?

FCM, always better to have more money than less. Hope the closing goes/went well.

Stopped at Dick’s Sporting Goods and picked up some soccer stuff for the season. Fields closed because of all the rain today, hope they open them tomorrow.

OK, all y’all have a good evening now.

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Happy TP Day! I celebrated by changing the roll this morning. Guess I should have sung a little song, too. “How Dry I Am,” maybe.

The ultrasound of my neck is scheduled for tomorrow morning. I have to be there by 8:30. They initially had me scheduled in two weeks, but I said doc wants it ASAP, so they’re putting me in tomorrow.

Nut, those are lovely bees. If, er, someone had lost the queen in the long grass, what would have happened in the hive?

I am embroiled in family issues today. Hugs all around!

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Skimmed, retained nothing, hugs for all. It’s been a week and a half in only three days.

The Boondock Kittens got tutored today. I picked them up. The vet who brought them out said, “I almost don’t want to give them back. They’re so sweet!” They are sweet when they’re not getting into the trashcan (like Murphy just tried to do)

I like our vet. They may want to kidnap all our cats, but that means they treat them extra-nice.

Now it’s time to listen to early 90’s grunge and, in the words of Seasonal, “forget this day ever happened.”

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Well, after 6 days of what felt a little bit like sanity, had a big anxiety attack this morning. Took a xanax around 7 am, but I can’t say the storm has really passed yet. I have big knots in my stomach…

I did stock the pantry early and then went to a hair appointment. My hairdresser Vicki works in one of those rabbit warren places where each stylist rents their own separate room with sink, etc., and a door that closes. Even so, we’re both masked the whole time.

We’re very close and have been through a lot together. I told her that today would have been my 30th wedding anniversary. My late husband and I were so happy and optimistic that day, little knowing that we were headed for years of health problems. He was a good man and did not have a malicious bone in his body. I could have been better. Whenever I would do something bitch and later I’d ask him to forgive me, he’d always say, “I already have.” I don’t miss him-- he’s been gone 20 years. I miss being loved in real life by another human being in my household.

At the end of my appointment we threw caution to the winds (still masked) and she gave me a big, long, real hug. My first since-- I can’t remember… probably February sometime. It felt so good. I can’t tell y’all how good it felt.

I came home and took a nap and when I got up I had a missed call from Vicki. And a text. The text said, “There’s something at your front door.” I opened it and there were two little shopping bags. One had a sandwich, chips, a big cookie, and lemonade. The other had some little presents-- a “Emergency Meltdown Rescue Candle,” a kitty cat nap mask, and a little bookmark that says, “Friends are the family you choose for yourself.” Oh goodness, I cried, then called her, then cried some more, then had a couple of bites of sandwich and cookie-- stomach still knotted. That was soooo sweet. Made me feel better…

Are others having stomach, G.I. distress, backaches, and other aches and pains that you attribute to COVID stress? I know anxiety is rampant in the country. COVID, on top of the state of the country and state of the world… anxiety is always nearby…

Thanks for listening. :slightly_smiling_face:

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Supper was good - especially since I didn’t have to cook it! :smiley:
Time now for chillage before I take Mel to bed with me. yawwwnnnnn

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I know I’m new here, but who is this Mel you keep going to bed with? And aren’t you the bold one.

I assume it isn’t Mel Gibson.

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Headaches, backaches, heart twinges, in-damn-somia, heartburn, :arrow_up:Depression. So, yes.

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I don’t know if my heartburn/anxiety/always tired even after sleeping 10 hours/depression is COVID related or not. I was very sick in November with bronchitis and have never felt 100% since then.

ThelmaLou anxiety attacks are awful. Last one I had came for nowhere and sent my heart rate sky high. I laid on the couch for 5 hours that day convinced I was going to die.

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{{{MG}}}

Nice design pearl!

WTG on the weight loss Mooooooom!

Wow on the bees nut!

Happy TP day!

Happy National Dog day:

https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/90704616_10219867167244412_6872106836498055168_o.jpg?_nc_cat=107&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=bowjPVJjej4AX81CotI&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=a0b645be60ff9cbf88e7c69b2931103a&oe=5F6B9625

Nelson is getting an extra walk and extra treats today. :heart:

Stay safe and healthy y’all!

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This whole damn year with all the nonstop crises isn’t doing me any good.

Decided to take a personal day, since I never did hear back from manglement about whether my request to have my birthday off for once was approved or not, so I decided the issue for myself.