Mist and Murk in the MMP!

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
161

These look absolutely delightful - I will need to get some! I hate cold feet, but socks just don’t do it.

And thanks for the extra tips. I was momentarily distracted by your cat but the slippers look so comfy.

shoe, I’m so sorry for your troubles. I wish I could send you a case of chocolate.

Today is okay-ish so far, but I haven’t yet started in on the day’s meetings and I kind of don’t want to. I’ve been taking quite a bit of time off for my mom, going to various doctor’s appointments, but I still have almost 300 hours left that I need to use so, even though it may look sketchy, I might take even a few hours for myself. I’m coiled tight inside and I feel like I haven’t managed to get a deep breath in since early October.

Last night I shared with my husband that my whole had been a lie for the last year, but now that I knew I’d fixed it. Silly story, but I knit. It’s portable, mindless (sometimes) and it passes time in hospitals. Anyway, I’d been having issues with the more fancy stitches so I got annoyed and decided I’d go back to the very basics. Turns out, I was doing it correctly between 6 years old when I learned and a year ago (I’m 45 now) when my mom commented that my knitting was weird and corrected me. Turns out she knits right handed, I do left handed and after that conversation had been doing the exact opposite of what I should’ve been. Anyway, seeing everything come out so unbelievably smooth has been more satisfying than I should be, but I’ll take whatever satisfaction I can get these days.

Hope everyone has an amazing day, or at least a less bad one than yesterday and thanks again for all the support.

162

Um… did I miss something or did you leave a word out of this sentence?

163

I loved Hinterland - watched it thru twice!

Also loved Shetland, especially since I’d been there and I recognized some of the scenes as places I’d been.

Death in Paradise was fun, too, but I was disappointed in the last season. I really liked the original detective.

FCD is up, so I’ll throw together a breakfast for him, then I guess I need to head to the basement and be productive. And maybe do some laundry while down there.

164

Morning all. It is above freezing (35F) right now and heading for the mid-50’s later, but there is rain in the forecast for tonight and tomorrow.

Nellie, I can’t say much more than my fellow mumpers have, but I will offer a quote from Winston Churchill, who also faced some tough times–" never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty — never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense."
And you’re a pretty tough old bird yourself…

talky, amazing sometimes when what seems the smallest change does so much. knit on.

Thel, I’ve bookmarked those slippers, need to get done with Xmas before ordering them. OH, and see Churchill above. And 15 years old is a good run in dog years–may Sweetie exceed expectations for a couple more years.

boo fae, I believe the appropriate term for your work situation is “that sucks”. Be well.

swampy, happy stewing.

doggio, just remember not to wear the red shirt! (Star Trek joke for non-SF fans)

Still haven’t gotten my water or electric bills yet, want to pay them first and usually they show up about the 1st or 2nd of the month…but then it’s only the 3rd, so maybe I’m being impatient… Anyway, need to heat up the house and be about things, so all y’all take care.

165

Dont worry about me, going back to bed for awhile. The teen roomie has been dropped off to middle school and I don’t have to do anything. Terrible relentless insomnia last, could not fall asleep. Sheer cranked up anxiety and it feeds on itself. I’ll hush up now.

Hugs all. If it wasn’t for you all, I’d scream. TTFN

166

The chikins are done and coolin’ down as I post. The poke roasts ought to get done within the hour. Then comes the fun of gettin’ meat off chikin carcasses (the poke is boneless) and then grindin’ up both. My KitchenAid stand mixer has a grinder attachment which makes it easier, but can get messy if I don’t take my time doin’ it. I tend to get impatient and make a mess, however. Then comes the stewin’ part which will be long and slow over a few hours. That’s what makes it so good, so long and slow it shall be. As I said, an all day project.

Boo go rest. Sleep well!

167

Yes, he was the best. That clown doofus they had for a while made me nuts. In the last seasons, the whole show definitely went downhill. Still, the scenery was nice.

Shetland was great. But for an island with a relatively small population, it was starting to become like Kembleford, Midsomer County, and Cabot Cove, Maine-- disproportionately high rate of murders!

Have you watched Wycliffe? Not great, but filmed in Cornwall-- beautiful scenery. And the lead actor IRL is a jazz pianist, so occasionally he sits down to play.

My fave of all is Vera. Brenda Blethyn is freaking brilliant. I’ve watched that whole series a couple of times. She started out a very cranky bitch and got mellower as the series went on.

168

Morning, Mumpers! Awake early to some heavy winds that have killed the power in some outlying areas. That’s enough of an excuse for me to stay in and teach from home today. Well, that and the fact that Tango has a vet appointment for the final round of shots, I really need to sweep, I have to come up with dinner on Saturday on the semi-fly since I don’t have the time to make Peposo, I still have to do some grocery fill, and Pixel is on my chest and refuses to get up so I can get dressed. Guess today’s lecture notes will be delivered in sweats.

Have I commented on how zaftig some of the hummingbirds are around here? There is one feeding right now that looks like a bumblebee.

Take small comfort in the fact that, at least to us colonials, today is sequential - 1, 2, 3, and the years digits add up to 4. This must mean something! Notify the Press, or at least Twitter.

169

Thel, I could buy stamps online and pay for them to be sent out to me :slight_smile: There’s a little post office ten minutes’ walk from home so I can take my cards there, but I haven’t written them all yet so will have more to post later, plus overseas ones if I get round to PMing my address to people :slight_smile:

For those who like UK-based crime drama stuff, have a look at Broadchurch (it’s also one for the David Tennant fans) which is filmed in Dorset. Just as you lot have to put subtitles on for our regional accents, I had to do the same watching “The Wire”!

I have had a grim afternoon, one of my friends over in Norn Iron went into hospital with Covid at the end of last week and we’ve just heard that she passed away today. Fair enough, she had multiple health issues already and had been having chest problems for a long time, but it still comes as a shock.

170

Do any of y’all cross stitch? I looked at “don’t let the bastards get you down” in Google Image search, and it seems to be a common & popular sentiment.

I could really use that on my wall, where I stare, when shit gets overwhelming. (Willing to send goodies from irk in return … )

This made me smile.

boo fae I’m so sorry. That sucks.

171

I forgot where you were. :blush: TBH, I’m not 100% positive where anyone is. Including me.

I watched both Broadchurch(es). Liked them a lot. David Tennant was really chewing the scenery and I kept wondering why he didn’t shave his neck. I guess that’s where Olivia Coleman got the most exposure.

I have to keep the captions on all the time. For everybody. :nerd_face:

Damn. I’m so sorry to hear this. :slightly_frowning_face:

172

shoe - Once upon a time ages ago, I used to embroider a bit, but I never did cross stitch. My MIL did, but she’s almost blind and she’d never stitch a naughty word. :open_mouth:

Lunch is done and I’m about to pull the jeans out of the dryer and throw the shirts in. Not exactly sure what else I’ll do - the basement is a disaster and I just don’t want to deal with it. But it’s got to get done, so I’ll try to accomplish a little something this afternoon.

Salisbury steak for supper - at least that’s been decided.

Onward and downward!!

173

I’m really sorry you folks are having such a hard time. Much sympathy from me.

We’re running out of stuff on Netflix and Amazon Prime to watch. If you like crime dramas can I recommend Trapped? It’s from Iceland and you’ll definitely need closed captioning, but we thought it was very good. It’s on Amazon.

Many moons ago there was a radio DJ who signed off his show with the phrase Illegitimi non carborundum, which kinda/sorta means don’t let the bastards get you down. (It doesn’t really. Wikipedia calls it ‘dog Latin’.) You can get shirts and such that have that printed on them, and confuse people.

Mom, is the electrical circuit you want to banish in the temporary wall the kids put up in the basement? I find that I’m usually wanting to add circuits, so I was momentarily wondering why you would want to get rid of one.

{{{{{Boo Fay}}}}} and everybody else.

I have no idea what’s for supper here.

Later.

174

Red, I’m in west central Indiana. Nope. My husband doesn’t drive team. He said he doesn’t trust anyone else that much. LOL I guess I can understand that. He’s a solo driver. It’s always good when he eats the beans on the road. I don’t have to deal with his farts, that way. The beans don’t bother me at all, so, it’s just him that does all the fartin’!

175

Thanks again, for all the support. And thank you, dear Boo, for the excellent research.

I don’t think I’ll go to the pharmacy today. I got a message from the rheumatologist that has me very confused, so I’m not sure whether I should start back on methotrexate or not.

In the Unadulterated Happy News Department, it’s my sister’s and my daughter’s birthday today. :slight_smile: I named my daughter after my sister. And because I’m a family kind of gal, I started the tradition by having my son on my brother’s birthday. I’m blessed, all rightie.

[[[MetalMouse}}} just 'cause you’re so darned sweet and so inspirational.

swampy, I love your pharmacist. What a gem! And was Brunswick stew really cooked in a hog’s head as in the head of Porky Pig, or in a hogshead barrel? Hoping it’s the latter, but yum! either way.

doggio, I can see why you’d hate Prime Day with a passion. I’m sorry to say I did order a few things, but they’re all lightweight, not anvils, not even paperweights. Hope your day goes by fast.

BooFae, I’m sorry you have a painful condition with tedious, annoying self-treatment. I wish your eyes could be “right,” too! And I’m so sorry you lost your friend. :frowning:

Mooooom, I think your subconscious does want you to call your mooooom. First tell it to quit leaving the water running!

Thel, I wear fur-lined mocs my sister gave me–with socks, as otherwise my feet get cold for some reason. Did I understand you to say the slippers you love don’t require socks?

shoe, I don’t cross-stitch, but my daughter does. I’m looking at one she did for me that says, “Save water. Drink wine.”

176

Yeah it is (was) in the wall that they put up but we’re taking down. I’ve removed all of the OSB and the door and I started taking down the studs. Note to self: Don’t wear white pants for this sort of work. (Shaddup about white after Labor Day! :stuck_out_tongue: )

The studs that can be repurposed for shelf supports are going in the closet where they’ll be used. OSB that will become shelves is stacked in one place, construction debris is stacked in another. Screws are allllllllll over the floor, tho I do stop periodically to sweep them up.

Two loads of laundry are done and put away, and I’m taking a break. FCD is fighting with his last project, trying to get the model to mesh for analysis. He’s really frustrated. I think I’ll toss some worcestershire on the salisbury steak patties (they’re actually just quarter pound burgers) as they thaw. Way too early to start cooking them, tho.

Serious lack of chocolate in this house, dammit.

177

{{Anyone what wants one}}

Anyone who wants my address, on the other hand, has to send me theirs so’s I can send a card back :slight_smile:

Irk was acceptable today, though we’re still having Fun with the new staff member who just so happens to be married to the CEO. I’m quite impressed with how many people she’s annoyed now- including a lot of the students, which is probably the biggest problem. She only deals with the adult classes, and they have expectations.

You don’t talk to the adult learners -doing a one day a week course for fun- like they’re naughty kids. You definitely don’t try to embarrass them in front of the class for being late- especially when they’re late because they’re caring for a disabled elderly parent and sometimes mornings take longer… You just don’t. I wish we could swap classes for a day, so she can take the class with the testosterone riddled teens bouncing off the walls and I could have the interested adults, but she got first pick, for some reason.

178

Howdy Y’all! The Brunswick Stew is, well, stewin’ away and smellin’ nummy. I have it in a biiiiiiiiiiig slow cooker/oven thingy out on the back porch. Should be done in a couple of hours, but, IMO, needs to set overnight and re-heated the next day to be really good. Nettie I mean a for real hog’s head. Recipes abound on how to cook one in case you’re innerested. Imagine servin’ that to your dinner guests! You’d be a hit!

{{{BOOFAE}}} I’m so sorry for the loss of your friend.

179

Correct. I am currently wearing them with socks, but yesterday I wore them most of the day without socks. The fake-fleecy interior is very fluffy and snuggggggles up to your foot in a very cozy way.

180

Well, that was a waste of 45 minutes…

The West Seattle Bridge is still closed, of course; and the lower bridge is only open to trucks and transit. That’s why I get two salads when I go to Trader Joe’s on Tuesdays; so that I only have to take the long and time-consuming long way round once a week. So I have my lunch. But…

The heater in the bathroom at home has been failing for a while. First, the switch stopped working. We’ve been turning it on and off with the thermostat knob. The last several days though, the fan howls when it starts. Obviously a bearing is failing. So I decided to go to Home Despot at lunchtime (taking the long way, over the 1st St Bridge). Trucks were backed up on the road I take to get to the bridge, so I got on the freeway. I said to my phone, ‘Home Depot near me.’ The phone came back with a list, and the nearest one was 8 miles away. Then I noticed that every one of the stores on the list said ‘Closed now.’ I thought hardware stores were ‘essential businesses’. So I went to Costco, which was right off the next exit. They didn’t have any space heaters. So the only thing left was to go back to the orifice and eat my lunch.

The train crossing was closed at 4th Ave. No train, but the guards were down. I eventually hear a train, and it approaches at a snail’s pace. The engine gets over 4th Ave. and stops. For minutes. No backing up as if a car were being attached. Just stopped. It finally starts moving. It was slow, but at least it was short. I get to 1st Ave, and the semis are backed up from there to the bridge. There are no other ways to get to the orifice.

So a 45-minute errand that was all for nothing.

I don’t care for Seattle.