And the Santa tracker isn’t even working in any of the four browsers I tried. Hmph!
Good Mornin’ Y’all! Up and caffeinatin’. YAWN ‘Tis 16 (BRR! BRR! BRR) Amurrkin out and clear with a wind chill factor of 6, and a predicted high of 32 and N.O.S. for the day. Today will be a bzzzy day for us. OYKW shall make his famous Noo Yawk style cheesecake this mornin’. I shall do some prep work for tomorrow’s big feast. We shall attend the six o’clock Christmas Eve service wherein I have Verger duty. What? That’s a lot of activity for two professional sloths! Any need to feed today will be via forage as we have plenty of sammich makin’s, chips, and such.
shoe glad you made it home safe. Hope the vehicle is OK this mornin’.
doggio hope heavin’ is not to awful, though you could be finished by now. Or not.
JtC glad the burger place is back in business and hope they can open the dinin’ room soon.
FlyBoy hope there’s little to no damage when everything thaws.
Butters that’s way cold for your part of Flahrduh.
Nettie maybe Santa has gone into stealth mode this year.
Now I need more caffeine and to feed rumbly tummy. I don’t have to purtify and don adult clothin’ until later this afternoon, so there’s that I reckon.
Happy Sattidy/Christmas Eve Y’all!
should i mention it was nice sunny and almost 45 today ? and didn’t even get windy ?
And I am very glad that you are sharing GG’s antics with us. You really have a way with words and I can picture the blanket covered whale.
I finally made the cornbread, which calls for 2 TBS of sugar for a #6 skillet. Probably too much sugar for some of you. We had it with chili, which I thought paired quite well. However, hubby has asked for cinnamon sugar butter to put on top of it, as it’s not sweet enough for him. He really has a sweet tooth.
Santa better get a move on - Swiss families have Christmas on the 24th, so just a few hours from now!
I’d also like to see an update from MetalMouse - the temperatures in many parts of the U.S. are way too cold. I was looking at videos of cars playing demolition derby in Seattle - not my idea of fun. I hope Flyboy, Nellie and Taters are staying safe. Sounds like the ERs got overrun by people who just had to go somewhere. My mom was a bit miffed she couldn’t get the mail, but sometimes it’s better to wait.
“She said, “This donkey’s fast”.” 
Now that’s a good plan - stay home where it’s safe and warm. Hope the power outages and interweb outages are done for the year.
I received my package of liquids (rye, vermouth and minis from Cocchi, plus I already have 3 types of bitters, cognac, absinthe, etc., so I have some “studying” to do over the next week or so. Hubby will help.
We just have rain. Lots of rain, but no flooding, unlike other parts of Switzerland. As it’s too warm, many of the ski areas had to close. I guess that’s one way to save energy. Was going to write a few more Christmas cards - if I don’t do it today, it ain’t getting done this year. Tomorrow’s supposed to be sunny, so we’ll go out and enjoy it while it lasts.
Stay safe, healthy and warm!
Dunno where my car is, but there’s a white lump in front of my sidewalk, so I guess it’s under there somewhere.
I wouldn’t.
Good morning everyone.
It’s currently 41 degrees, with an expected high of 52. There will be lots of rain, which will eventually scour out the ice but will make for nasty, messy driving conditions, especially for those who got lots of snow before the ice storm.
I managed to get out yesterday to pick up the roast and a couple of other things. I was irritated because as I was wrapping presents earlier, I saw that I had managed to pick the wrong size top for my daughter and bottoms for my son. So, part of my erranding yesterday included a trip to the store where I had purchased that stuff in hopes of swapping it out for appropriate sizes. Of course, none of those items were even left. There wasn’t much of anything left, to be honest. So, I found a different set of items for my son, left that store, picked up the roast, and then drove further south, where I found even better stuff for my son, so I will return the stuff I bought yesterday at the first store.
By the time I was done with all of that, I was done with peopling, standing in line, etc. I will leave here in about an hour to pick up groceries for tomorrow’s meal. I’ll pick up a different type of rum at the grocery store instead of going to Total Wine because it’ll be a complete nuthouse there, and frankly, I’m sick of running around.
After grocery shopping, I’ll wrap the last of the presents, push the roll-suck around, put out the "Christmas table cloth and wash the floors. I am not steam-cleaning the carpets this time around. I usually do that, but this woman is tah-red, very tah-red. I steam-cleaned the carpets around the beginning of November, so that will have to do.
Before I left my house yesterday, I sprinkled ice melt all over the top part of my driveway. I couldn’t get down very far, or I would have landed flat on my backside. When I got home, I managed to get up the driveway without any problem, but I took my snow shovel and scraped ice off the driveway most of the way down, so I didn’t have to worry about it turning into another sheet of ice today.
I love your GG stories, JtC.
doggio, people like you have a thankless job, but I am grateful for the work you all do.
FCM, I hope the holidays are calmer than anticipated with the folks at your place.
shoe, I hope no one runs into your car.
I too, watched the videos of the cars sliding around hills, into other cars, and in one case, a person, yesterday. It wasn’t pretty. These parts are very, very hilly.
I hope you all stay safe and warm and that those who celebrate Christmas have a wonderful celebration.
Quick post. most of the food is ready, Daughter and fambly are here, We’re just waiting on FCD to bring his folks,
Happy Christmas Eve!!
I’m so peopled out, my manager started seeming worried about me. That’s a bad sign.
After two straight shifts on drive-thru (“How YOU doin’?” “I have a blizzard blowing directly into my eyeballs, can we not with the hitting on retail workers?”) I spent yesterday taking phone orders, and I SWEAR half the town called 1.) drunk, 2.) holding a screaming infant up to the speaker, and/or 3.) no idea what they/babymomma/random in background wanted to eat.
“Hi, how can I help you?”
“AaaaaAAAAA EWEWWAAAAH! Uh, hang on. Whatchyou want? Uh, can I get … a pizza???”
Me, trying not to stab anyone with a Sharpie: { “please kill me now” } “Sure!” { I mean, you DID just call a fucking pizza place. }
In the AV? 
(OK, maybe it was that day yesterday.)
We got mail Monday and Thursday. I suppose I could have gone to the Post Orifice, but I didn’t.
Happy Christmas Eve – or just Saturday – all!
Like boofae, I’m keeping my fingers crossed for everyone with snow and ice and crazy cold temps! Please stay warm and safe!
Today is sunny, cold, and windy again – but (thank goodness) not the gale-force winds we had yesterday. Still, the windchilll is enough to make the current 11°F feel like -4. There are some patches of mud-ice in my back yard, and it’s only going to reach the twenties today. I am very grateful there is no snow. Tomorrow should hit 32 and Monday should reach just above freezing, then the temps gradually start climbing from “stupid cold” to just “cold.” Incredibly, right now the forecast for New Year’s Day is 63: a nearly 100% temperature increase in one week!
My furnace always struggles when the outside temps get much below 45, so – between the low temps and the wind – my house is on the chilly side these days. Right now, my theromstat is set to 73 but the thermometer in my home office says 67…and this is currently the warmest room in the house, because I have an oil heater going (and set to “high”). Luckily, though, I have warm blankets for the bed and said oil heater for this room and an electric blanket for the couch. (I also have a doggy, but she isn’t a snuggler and is therefore crap at keeping me warm. 
)
All I have to do today is wrap some presents before going to my BFFs’ for dinner/our gift exchange. That’s still several hours away, though, so for the time being I’m taking my time putzing around the Dope. I’ll do the wrapping in about another hour, then decamp to the living room for lunch and an episode or two of The Good Wife before I head out.
Tomorrow I’ll be home alone all day for the first Christmas in recent memory (I’m not seeing my dad and bro until Monday), and I’ll tell ya: I’m not sad about it. 
I’m planning a marathon of my favorite movies with Christmas settings: Die Hard, Lethal Weapon, Trading Places, and Scrooged should get me through the day pretty well. There are others I love, too – including Miracle on 34th Street, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, and Love Actually – but there are only so many hours in a day! Maybe I’ll watch some of those during the week.
What’s your favorite holiday movie (defined however you like)?
My license thinks I’m 51…and Santa just left Padang, Indonesia.
PUT DOWN THAT ICICLE, YOUNG LADY!! ( 
)
Bah, humbug here. Way, way too much to do. Way, way too little time and momentum with which to do it. But at I least have a purring Siamese laying across both arms as I try to type, she’s the morale officer. Something so nice about burying your cold nose in warm, silky meezer fur while that dulcet metronome purrs.
Safely ensconced at home, not sick, electricity and water pipes working~I’ll take it and wish the same for all of you.
Today is the anniversary of the accident that caused my TBI. Rear ended on a snowy interstate 8pm Christmas Eve by a moron that admitted to the police that he was turning around to give his dog in the back a drink of water because she was whimpering-at 60 miles an hour, in the dark, in a snowstorm. Some years I do ok, some years I have crippling PTSD for the whole Christmas season leading up to the anniversary date. This is one of those years. Nothing to do but acknowledge that this is what it is and just breathe through it.
Doesn’t help that my beloved, sweet son and his fiancée were coming from Michigan to stay for a week. I was supposed to pick them up at the airport yesterday. Needless to say that didn’t happen. He’s the child that is a balm to my heart, I needed it, especially this year. Lots of people all over this continent not getting to to be where they want or with whom because of this storm, at least I’m in good company. Each of you who can, hug a loved one extra for me.
Up, caffeinating, breakfasted and getting ready to purtify enough to put on real clothes and go leave cards on my neighbor’s doors.
When I woke up, the power was out. Nashville Electric began rolling blackouts yesterday and apparently, Murfreesboro Electric began them today. By the time I got Nelson back in, the lights were back on. At least I didn’t have to breakfast on iced tea, gingerbread, cheese and crackers. 
I do hope that it doesn’t interrupt cooking tomorrow though.
It’s a balmy 6F outside now (better than the -1F yesterday), but I plan on another indoor day anyway.
Stay safe and healthy y’all!
Howdy all. Safe and sound but internet is down at Brother’s and took me awhile to figure out how to login from my phone. Have read all but fat fingers make typing long messages tough. Leave tomorrow for Topeka and hopefully can get more said there.
So relieved to read this! Hunker down and stay safe. Hug people. Snuggle with pets and kids.
Gives me a sad. Sorry to hear this because connection to Mumpers hours a day peoples my world and is my lifeline. Thanks for going to lengths to check in with us and let us know you’re safe.
Thank you, BBBoo, and many {{{{ }}}} for the season and the anniversary no one would want to remember (but cannot avoid). Hope the kids do get in soon.
Got internet back so I’ll type a little more on my laptop. Weather was clear but cold (don’t think it got above 3F the whole trip, but Tennessee and Kentucky roads were…interesting, they are not used to dealing with road ice, so had to really concentrate on my driving instead of setting the cruise control. Illinois was much better, and I’m not expecting any problems tomorrow heading west. Do want to run the car some today to get it warmed up, the windshield washer fluid slushed up and wouldn’t work, so I had to stop several times to clean the windshield. Hope as the temperature warms it’ll get working again.
shoe, may have asked this before, there is a website called “Not Always Right” that describes things like what happens to you at work. May become additive, however… Hope car is OK
Oopsie, we used to watch A Christmas Story when my nephew’s and Niece were young, these days maybe Die Hard. In my youth I loved Mr. Magoo’s A Christmas Carol, but haven’t seen it in years.
FCM, enjoy dinner!!
Taters, your story is why I love gift cards…
DIcey, saw a couple of cars off the road on my travels, but nothing too serious. Did have a little slippage around Nashville but recovered immediately. Enjoy 'studying".
JtC, glad the burger place was able to reopen.
red, I have two 50lb basset hounds that can’t get in my lap but are very much wanting scritches, which I deliver.
OK, apologies that I haven’t caught up with, this board moves so doggone fast, but yeahs, boos, hugs (copious amounts of) and tears wherever required. May write more tonight (not that much goes on here, we’re watching a Dr. Pol marathon) and off tomorrow to the West. Take care all.
I hope everyone’s power and net resume soonest.
Boo, are they going to try to get there? What else helps you at this time of year?
My lovely wife still has a temp of 100F. She’s on hold with the walk-in clinic while texting an online ask-a-doc service. Then she’ll cancel a PT appointment next week. I may wind up driving Christmas presents to the family. I just hauled them to a different room so catboi can sleep with me in the guest room where they were formerly stacked. We’ll probably do a puzzle or watch a movie. I’d rather read, but the grrrl must be entertained. Maybe I’ll go out (the street is now melted enough) and get her drive-through GF halibut fish and chips for lunch. We have a pork loin defrosted for tonight but she may need to walk me through the recipe since it’s one of her dishes. Sigh.
BBBoo, I am so sorry you’re having a rough time of it. I hope your son makes it there. Sending you enormous hugs.
Metal Mouse, I’m glad you made it safely. Things were so rough this year because I opted to do most of my Christmas shopping at brick-and-mortar stores, so I made it harder on myself and have no one to blame but myself. I should have started earlier. I’ve not been impressed with some of the stuff I’ve received via Amazon lately, and it seems more and more stuff showing up on Amazon is through weird Chinese companies that crop up and disappear and show up under new names.
Lily, I’m sorry the wife is still feeling poorly. I hope she starts feeling better soonest.
Good news: the ice is gone!
Bad news: it’s raining cats and dogs out there. OK, that’d be good news if puppies and/or kittens landed on the windowsill.
Revised bad news: it’s raining badgers and weasels out there.
Cue Dylan’s “A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall.” (A little respite from Christmas music.) Anyway, even for here, it’s raining really hard. Trying to decide if I want to walk to get the Rx even though it’d mean a drenching and scary drivers. Can’t recall who asked, but the pharmacy doesn’t deliver.
No word from the friend who was supposed to come over with her son and son-in-law yesterday or today. Not sure they got in. I did, however, make some good vegan oat muffins. Same ol’ recipe, but this time I soaked the dried cranberries in warm OJ for a couple hours, added a little plant-based yogurt and almonds, and replaced the vanilla in the recipe with almond extract. If company doesn’t get here, I’ll happily eat 'em myself.
MetalMouse, relieved you got there safely!
And razzleberry stuffing The only line I recall.
Boo, so sorry your son couldn’t make it and even sorrier you’re feeling emotionally unsteady. It’s a horrible feeling, and you’re right, you need to breathe through it.
Each Mumper: {{{{{Boo}}}}}
shoe, you don’t have to go to work in the snowpocalypse, I hope?
And a big {{{{ }}}} to everyone who lost a person or pet this year and is facing a Christmas with saturated with sadness.
Off* for the next two days!
Pouring one out for your dead homie is one thing, but making the apartment and me smell (more)like a brewery(than usual) is not cool.
Well the Ground heaving was over by 0630. Then we had to stand around for three freaking hours in a poorly heated warehouse for the tiny bit of Air. I’m a tad chilled.
This is when I went to my Happy Place where I was surrounded by puppies and kittens, had a bottomless martini, and was watching the idiot be burned at the stake for Crimes Against Intelligence. YMMV
{{{{BBBoo}}}}
.* [_ ]my meds
[_ ]to see the wizard
My rocker