The North Carolina will do 28 knots, so it is doable. Just gotta avoid ramming any restaurants like last time.
Once when we were taking a cruise out of Ft Lauderdale and I realized too late that I’d left my meds at home, dammit. So we trotted over to CVS and they were able to coordinate with our home store to get me early refills on everything, so yay! Unfortunately, once we got back home, the first time a refill came up, it was for the Florida store! But that got fixed, too. I know some folks hate CVS, but we’ve had really good experiences with them.
hahahahahahahaha!! You so funneeeee!!!
Deep cleansing breath - pretend you’re a globe-trotting gazillionaire leaving your mansion behind for a few days of slumming it. That always works for me. (OK, I’ve never tried it, but let me know how it goes… 
)
MIL got up, ate, took her meds, then spent about an hour talking to me. I know she’s lonely so I made the appropriate sounds, but OMG I don’t think I could have cared less about what she was saying if I’d tried. That makes me sound awful, and I’m just hoping her limited vision keeps her from seeing any facial expressions that may betray me. She really is a sweet lady, but she needs her friends, but they’re all in Florida.
I did run the rollsuck and got enough hair to build another cat. When it warms a tad more, I’ll finally get outside and transplant that damned rose bush!!! Warmth is on the way at last. Theoretically.
My swinging things are higher up than even an ambitious cat can reach.
It’s not the same, but you reminded me of a slow shift the other week. One of our crew is an old, slow grandma who’s worked at the same place literally 20 years (her anniversary with the joint was recently celebrated) so she knows everyone in town & all our regulars, and despite her health issues is very good at her job.
Anyway, while we were waiting around for the phone to ring, she spent about the longest fifteen minutes of my life telling me every cutesey nickname each of her numerous grandchildren have, for each of their family members.
It felt like the “shrimp gumbo, shrimp grits …” scene in “Forrest Gump” and when she was finally done reciting, I swear I gave her the same look Tom Hanks gave Bubba over their floor scrubbin’ toothbrushes.
But the whole time, I was like, “Are you still talking, woman? Why?!? What on God’s green earth makes you think I friggin’ CARE?!?!”
(Internally, of course. I know she loves dem grandbebehs, so, like you, I was trying to be polite externally.)
I’d’ve felt the same way.
If you faked the start of a bladder infection or gastrointestinal troubles, and therefore had to spend extra time in the room of peace and privacy potty, I doubt there’s a jury in the world that would convict you.
I awoke at an odd-for-me time with an unfamiliar but ominous rumbling very low down in my guts.
I’ll spare y’all the details of what happened next, but I’m sure you can guess. All I’ll say is, for me, things usually come back UP; this time, they took an alternate route.
I doubt it was my chicken dinner; I’m getting suspicious of how many half-killed Powerade bottles I’ve been bringing home from work, and think perhaps one was sittin’ around by my chair too long.
Much time was spent contemplating life while seated upon the porcelain throne, and then some quality Monkey-snugglin’ time (yes, he reappeared last night, complaining loudly that he’d been locked out) and now I am up for the day. Grudgingly.
Scooped his box and took out all the household trash, and already rolled the bin to the curb cuz no way in hell was I gonna forget two weeks in a row.
Oh, I think I mentioned one of my smoke detectors died, noisily? Forgot the damn thing was at the very bottom of the bin, muffled by two weeks’ worth of trash.
I’d been wondering what that interminable “beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep” the past few days was! 
(Yes, there’s still an open maintenance request for it. No, they don’t seem to be in any hurry to replace it.)
It’s getting increasingly overcast & the Oracles predict rain later, so I hauled my agave & lemon back outside.
The hope is for them to get a bit of sunshine - having been inside all winter, they hafta be “hardened off” and can’t just be stuck back under blazing direct sun for hours - and then a nice soak overnight.
I’ve grudgingly allowed Monkey to go back out (ferrying trash & two heavy pots meant I couldn’t reasonably guard the door anyway) and he’s obligingly chillin’ on the side steps in the fast-retreating sun.
I am at that point with my beloved first dog (pictured in my avatar)
It was horrible when my asshole cat eventually reached EOL, but, hard as it was, I held him as he was euthanized.
Same thing for the dog. (He’s not an asshole), but I do believe in comforting the animal as they die.
I’m not normally too sentimental, but I cry when my kids mention the cat, and I will cry when my beautiful dog dies. But I will be there.
ETA: very late response, but I share the emotional turmoil.
Started Typing: 12:58 PM ET
Clicked Reply: 1:39 PM ET
I found the 08/21/17 eclipse-viewing glasses that I managed to get back then! I no longer remember when or how I got them – it was almost definitely sometime after the event – but I remember deciding to hang onto them because there was bound to be another eclipse in my lifetime and why not. So I stuck them in a drawer in my home office, and now almost seven years later I’m all set to see whatever I can see tomorrow afternoon. 
They kinda look like an old pair of free 3D movie glasses, except the lenses are dark and mirrored and I can’t see anything out of them right now. It’s going to be partly cloudy tomorrow, so I might not be able to see anything out of them then, either. 
For the past week, on random days I’ve woken up feeling ever-so-slightly like I might be starting to think about maybe getting sick. A bit congested/sinus-y, a tiny dry cough every now and then, a smidge of a sore throat, etc. Today is one of those days. One day I’m completely fine (like I was yesterday), and the next day I feel like this (like I did on Friday and Tuesday). Tylenol Sinus is about the only thing I can take: some days it helps, some days it doesn’t. I just took some, so the jury is still out on whether it will help today. My only guess is that it’s somehow connected to our recent bout of rainy and cold weather, but whatever’s going on it’s annoying the heck out of me and can stop now kthxbye!
This morning I sent a handful of emails by way of arranging to see both my mom’s best friend and one of mom’s cousins on my way up to/back from seeing my aunt, but most of my time so far today has been spent creating lead sheets (a kind of sheet music; I use free software called MuseScore) for a couple of songs. One is a joke, for a vocal workshop I’m going to next week, but the other is one I’ve been working on with my vocal coach and needed to make a lead sheet for. Now, though, it’s time to retire to the living room and have lunch…and see if Bailey’s able to jump up on the couch today. 
Yes, you’re correct and that’s actually what I meant; I re-read my post and can see how what I wrote wasn’t clear! Sorry. 
I’m discontinuing the predinsone unless/until I hear otherwise from the vet. It’s a low dose and largely preventive, and I feel like the Rimadyl is potentially more beneficial at this point. I’m definitely just guessing, though, so hopefully the doc will return my call tomorrow…if not, I’ll call the practice Tuesday morning and ask to talk to one of the other vets.
I would be on the couch/wiped out for at least 36 hours after international travel; no way I could imagine going out right after getting home! Way to make me feel old and broke down… 
Well, the first mowage of 2024 is in the books. And like the children’s song, I have three bags full–no wool, just mostly brown, dried/dead grass that I’ve cleared out, so hopefully the good stuff will be poking through soon. Rain due tonight and tomorrow, so good thing I did the mowage today. In about an hour or so I’ll head over to the gym and do about an hour of pedaling, then look to dine out at the Metro Diner. And that should complete the active portion of my day.
IL, glad CVS could help, hoping you get good weather up that way.
JtC, some trips are like that; lean on NF, if she’s enjoying it feed off of her joy and add to it.
boo fae, welcome home, sounds like travel went very well. Reminds me of last year on my Antarctica trip, had to get off the boat, catch a total of 5 flights at 5 different airports in a row (including traveling across Buenos Aires) and Uber home…and it went like clockwork. And you got to enjoy music as a bonus!
You mean your hair isn’t all that long? 
Some people have the knack for interesting small talk, others (me included) don’t. You have to grin and bear it.
shoe, at least you made it to the terlet. I haven’t had those issues (yet), but there are times my bladder says ‘you need to go’ and times when it says 'you need to go NOW…NOW… NOW…"
Oopsie, I got my eclipse glasses via Amazon weeks ago, when I thought of maybe venturing to Kentucky (about 4 hours driving) for the event but the weather predictions for there and here are not promising, and if it is clear I will then have kids soccer practice…so not much use for them…just have to wait until 2044…heck, I’ll only be 92 then…
I’m sure the music will be great, as will the visits.
Alrighty then, need to get the gym clothes and the going-out-to-eat clothes organized and ready. All y’all take care.
Thanks. We had a service come to our house when our last cat died. It was emotional for us, but just another day for the cat in familiar and comfortable surroundings. We waited too long with her and won’t make that mistake with this one. At least I think I’ve got her food stabilized. Her new low-rider litter box arrived today, so perhaps that will help with her eliminations.
It’s old-skool, but would Vicks VapoRub help? You can use it in a hot, steamy shower for sinus stuff, or just slather it on your sternum/collarbone, inhale the vapors, and call it a night.
But at least it’s not an internal Rx.
There’s also the various modern iterations of a neti pot. Use in a shower. You’ll feel like you’re waterboarding yourself, but the amount of crud you can rinse out of your own skull is horrifying satisfying.
For that “smidge of sore throat” it’s, again, old-skool, but gargling with warm, salty water has always helped me.
Me, too.
Just barely in the exact nick of time.
I was so comfy, and cozy, in my snuggly nest of blankets, and just didn’t wanna get up … until my entire GI tract sent a “Mayday! MAYDAY! ACHTUNG!! Get up, woman!” distress signal.
I will say, I’m relieved glad I heeded the warning.
Okay, and with all that gross TMI posted, it’s time for me to get myself cleaned up, poke in some earrings, tie on a kerchief, and go see what the day brings.
Oh! I ran into one of our old (in all senses of the word) regulars last night at the grocery store when I was getting my frozen chicken yummy, who hasn’t been around to get his usual dinner in ages.
To the point where the entire crew was like, “Has [name redacted] been around?” “Nawww…” “Think he’s dead?”
He was pretty … legendary? Notorious?
Anyway, we were half-joking about having a memorial service for him. So that’s one thing to look forward to … I get to tell 'em, “HE’S ALIVE!!”
Bark in the Park
Mrs. L.A. planted the Mongolia. Now she’s unpacked the barn door. Here’s the thing:
The door is 84 inches tall. The hardware on the top adds ‘a lot’, according to SWMBO. Floor to ceiling is 86 inches. SWMBO wants to cut an inch off of each end of the door. I don’t know if she’s thought this through. If she cuts an inch off the top, then she’ll have to drill new holes for the roller hardware. IMHO, she should leave the top intact, and just cut the bottom. Of course there are dowel holes and screw holes, plus the groove that keeps the bottom of the door from swinging; but at least the top will work.
But she’s chased me away. She doesn’t want my help or my advice.
I hope the barn door isn’t hollow core. If so, there may be only a couple inches of “meat” at the top and if you cut that too short, the whole thing falls apart.
And Shoe, sorry to hear about your recent distress. But it’s all gonna come out OK in the end.
She stripped the head on one of the long-ass screw (about 6 inches). She says they’re cheap, so she’s off to the hardware store to try to get more. I have a feeling they won’t have any.
My advice is make a pitcher of margaritas with no ice while she’s gone and put it in the fridge for when she finally quits in frustration. And meantime say absolutely, positively nothing except at the very end: “Here Dear, have a soothing Margarita I made special for you.”
That goes without saying!
She came back with a box of screws. She says they’re just a little bit short, but not too much. She’s gone out into the catio to give them a try.
We have some ‘agave wine margarita’ in the fridge, and about one drink of TJ’s tequila. But she only drinks spirits on Fridays anyway.
[quote=“purplehorseshoe, post:284, topic:999670”]
Oh, I think I mentioned one of my smoke detectors died, noisily? Forgot the damn thing was at the very bottom of the bin, muffled by two weeks’ worth of trash. [/quote]
So, was it dead when you discarded it?
So, taxes are done, replacement yogurt bought and Nelson’s playdate with Lupito at the dog park done. I think it was good for both of the little guys. I made Moroccan harira and a nice cuke / tomato salad with sumac dressing for Sunday dinner. The spices in the harira were perfect.
I transplanted the rose and all my seedlings, but it looks like most of the 'mater plants didn’t take, dammit. We’ll see if they perk up tomorrow, otherwise, I need to get some more seeds. Dammit.
Roxy’s b-day is the 15th, so we’re doing dinner and ice cream cake for her next Sunday. MIL offered to blow, up balloons. That could be interesting…
For now, tho, chillage.
Howdy Y’all! We deheathenated and had a very large and nummy brunch afterward. Needless to say nappage ensued soon after we returned to da cave. Then we day drank out beside the cee-mint pond cause 'twas nice and N.O.S. out. Also, the biiiiiig trash can has been hauled all the way down to the road for pickup tomorrow. Now 'tis chillax time.
Anole it will be immaculate when you are done.
{{{JtC}}} here’s hopin’ you get a good view of the apocalypse eclipse. Maybe you’ll feel a little better once you get to use VanGo’s spiffy custom made viewer.
Oopsie you reminded of a story from the 2017 eclipse. We were in the path of totality. I bought several pairs of those glasses and gave them out to folks. My at the time next door neighbor was baby sittin’ his grandson the day of the eclipse, so I took a pair over for them to use. The grandson was over the moon to get to wear those glasses and look at the eclipse. He paid me back times infinity for the cost of those glasses by givin’ me a big hug and sayin’ thank you.
MetalMouse congarats on the first mowage of the season. I did my first almost two weeks ago. I was lookin’ at the back yahd earlier this afternoon and see that at some point this week I must complete mowage number two. Sigh. It never ends.
Mrs. L.A. found that the new screws are long enough after all. She had to glue a dowel or something, so she quit for the day.
We had salads for dinner, which we’ve just finished. Mine had iceberg lettuce, Easter ham, hard-boiled egg, shredded cheddar, tomatoes, avocado, blue cheese dressing, and lots of pepper. (A chef’s salad, basically.) The Spousal Unit had lettuce, hard-boiled egg, cheddar cheese, bacon bits, and thousand island dressing; lplus a couple of slices of buttered bread.
I’ve about had it with these MFin’ lizards in these MFin’ fridges!
Weather is clearing out nicely here. Dinner is next and I’m fairly optimistic about our chances for the eclipse tomorrow. I definitely won’t be able to watch from my balcony; I’ll need to brave the crowds out on the beach. Which is kinda what I expected all along.
Based on how good this neighborhood is at fiesta on a random weeknight, the event on Monday promises to be quite the party whether the sun is visible or not. And just think, because it starts in the morning they can go 20-some hours before it’s quittin’ time.