Our county fair is at the end of this month, and I feel the same way. It was fun when Roxy was bleating back at the sheep and goats, but now it’s just crowded and smelly and just not fun. So we’ll pass.
The grandspawn are here and SIL is taking Daughter out to lunch. The kids have eaten and they want me to join them in the basement. I’m putting it off - I can only take so much of whatever it is they watch on TV. Thankfully, SIL didn’t bring Trevor, so at least there’s that.
Before they got here, I pulled weeds - that damned crabgrass is prolific!! But at least it pulls out fairly easily. I got about a third of the garden done when I decided that was enough. I’ll try to get some more tomorrow before it gets too hot.
Now, tho, I suppose I should join the spawn in the basement…
What a week! One of the programs at work has a Great Big Formal Technical Review next week (Wed-Fri) and this past Tuesday afternoon there was a “go/no-go decision” meeting for the review, and this week was filled with all kinds of prep for both. I focused on the review binder contents, an MS Word file, which meant a lot of turning PowerPoint slides into graphics and inserting/editing/formatting various things and then holding peer and customer review sessions. Wednesday and Thursday were both 12-hour days[1]. We were finally able to do production (13 hard copies) yesterday afternoon.
In the middle of everything, TPTB decided that my entire team needed to move to our new desks on the not-yet-completely-renovated 3rd floor by COB Wednesday…and they told us on Tuesday afternoon. This move has been coming all year: the entire floor has been in the process of being changed from open/unclassified to closed/classified, but they’ve run into multiple delays with the fiber installations, etc., and completely ran out of desks for new hires. So they’re moving teams there now vs later – even though corporate network connectivity isn’t working at 100% of the desks yet and there is still construction/installation stuff going on – and the floor is open/unclassified for the time being. For me, the move was always going to include a tradeoff: I’d finally get an office, but due to the classified environment the windows would be covered/dark and I wouldn’t be able to have my Bluetooth keyboard, mouse, headset, etc. So the timing and communication left a LOT to be desired, but I’m all moved and on the whole I’m not complaining about having a door and sunlight and my “toys.” (At least until they finish the classified prep, which everyone is guessing won’t happen this year.)
Yesterday was only an 8-hour day, but by the time I left work I was very tired: I hadn’t slept well Wednesday night (after 12-hour day #1), then Thursday night (after 12-hour day #2) I was woken up by the ridiculously noisy thunderstorm that lasted a ridiculously long time – including thunder so loud that it set off a neighbor’s car alarm, and lightning so bright that it lit up the bedroom. So by yesterday afternoon I was dragging, but I had enough energy to go to the local Bricks & Minifigs on the way home! I finally brought them all of my extra Lego pieces, and got $19 in store credit[2]…which wound up being just enough to cover the tax on two retired (= $$$) sets. I didn’t have the energy to start assembling either of them, though: I’ll build Buckingham Palace this afternoon (it’s small), and I’ll start the Crocodile Locomotive tomorrow. In other Lego news, on Tuesday Mayor Manor got delivered[3] and on Monday I pre-ordered a set I’m very excited about that will be released on October 1: Wallace & Gromit!!
I woke up at around my usual 6:30am this morning, so I’ll probably be ready for bed a little early again tonight. I’m meeting friends for dinner and live jazz this evening, but luckily we’re all old and they’re also no longer up for late nights.
Happily, I have no plans tomorrow or Monday. Next week will be another long one, with last-minute Great Big Formal Technical Review prep on Tuesday and then the review itself Wed-Fri; I’ll be in DC at our customer’s HQ those days. Happily, though, Friday will only be a half-day…and then I get a couple weeks of breathing room before I go to NY on the 24th for a few days (including a Ringo Starr concert). But I’ll spend most of the week of the 28th in DC again, for meetings related to a different program’s Great Big Formal Technical Review.
I wasn’t able to keep up with the thread this week, so I’ve only read posts from the last 24 hours…sorry if I missed anything significant from anyone! I also got way behind on my personal administrivia, and it took most of the morning but it feels good to finally be caught up with that. Now it’s 12:02pm, and time for a few replies before lunch and Lego!
But I like your tomes!
My company offers that option (as well as “four 10-hour days every week”): I prefer five 8-hour days, but most of the people on my program work that schedule. Yesterday was an off Friday for them, which made the office even quieter than other Fridays!
Fisher Body? Delco Remy? Just a guess from your original hometown.
I guess that the new normal is waking up after a couple of hours of sleep for a couple of hours, then going back to sleep. I must have been still tired, as it was 0930 when Nelson whined to go out, poor baby. His breakfast was also late. Criminal! I may or may not get anything done today.
Good morning! We slept in until quarter 'til eight this morning. Last night was fun. The seniors were all recognized with their parents. Mrs Magill and I accompanied Squeaky as they called his name and we walked down the 50 yard line. They took our picture and we cleared off to the left. After that, I headed over to concessions to grab a bite to eat.
The Band’s show is coming together. They have one last part to learn before it’s complete.
We only have two things on our docket today. Pick up our quarterly wine order from Arrington Vineyard and ot Nice Anniversary Dinner. We’ll see what else the day brings. Probably laundry.
Dicey and VanGo - Guinea Pigs are highly social critters and easily get stressed without company. They are also raised as a food source in South America. Apparently, they’re pretty tasty.
My mind goes to odd places at times. Today, it’s wondering if orange cats are less hairball-prone than other cats, or it’s just coincidence that I have two who don’t have that problem.
Also, today’s the sixth anniversary of Misty joining our family.
The Spousal Unit ordered some El Salvadoran coffee from Da Jungle. She was curious about how much the coffee I buy costs. Currently, a 32-ounce (two pound, 0.91 kg) bag costs $24. But they have frequent percent-off sales. I’ve been placing orders when they have 20% to 30% off. The time before last was 35% off. Anyway, last time was 25% off. I ordered six, 2-pound bags of coffee. No shipping, because I spent more than $45. Twelve pounds of coffee, less the discount, plus tax, came to $107.94, or $8.995 per pound. Which ain’t too shabby.
There’s a two-socket floodlight over the deck. Only one had a lamp in it. The switch was in the back bedroom. The electrician who replaced the knob-and-tube wiring installed an exterior conduit with a weatherproof switch on the outside wall between the rear bedrooms’ back doors, and a weatherproof outlet farther down. We never use the floodlight, because there’s never a need to. But since it’s there, The Spousal Unit went up and installed two LED lamps. The old incandescent one, she put with other spare bulbs. I got the tall ladder out for her and steadied it, and passed her the new lamps.
Are you mad?!?! That’s a good way to be sure I need one of the 40 year old wrenches and the hardware store will be out of that size!
(Plus, they are cheap metal. I doubt they have any scrap value at all but I have already arranged and paid for someone to clean the place out after we are gone, so they get to save me from having to deal with them at all.)
Your body (and mind) have been through a whole lot of serious stuff, its no surprise that you are sleeping more now that you are trying to recover. You are a RDOS, as long as Nelson is cared for, sleep your days away guilt free.
Hurray!
Look at your bottle of eye drops. I’ll bet you will find it in the Inactive Ingredients section. Back when I was a kid, mom used to buy the power from the drugstore and mix up a nice eyewash for smoggy days.
I’m glad you are feeling better and agree, that looked like a wonderful birthday pizza!
I have a mind like a sieve, its weird what odd things get trapped in the mesh!
They were adding a flex-lane to the I-17 because widening the interstate from 4 to 6 lanes would cost too much. IF you are going to be driving on that section of interstate, DO NOT do it on a Friday and expect at least one loooooong delay on the weekends.
I doubt you would remember (or maybe you did because it happened at least twice a month) but I used to talk about drivers (usually flatlanders or OTR truckers) trying to use the back way to Cordes to bypass traffic.
It never worked because that patch of road hasn’t been maintained by the County since 1978 so they would get stuck. (That road demanded fully lifted, 4-wheel drive, short framed vehicles.) And then the tow trucks couldn’t get to them until they got some of those massive trucks used for hauling farm equipment up at the top and start yanking them out.
Not having a life then either, our Friday night entertainment was often just driving to the lot over the trailhead and watching the mayhem.
I worked that schedule for many years and thought it was great. But then they changed the rules so we couldn’t take our extra day in conjunction with a weekend and it wasn’t as great.
I sure do miss the telemed days, I liked telling my doctor about all my ills from the comfort and safety of my own recliner.
You are a very smart bear, of course that’s the rule!
That might be worth getting looked at. Your garden isn’t going to weed itself yanno! Plus, walkies feels good when your brain is full.
How did you ever get this old? (It always shocks me when my calendar tells me that it’s a nibbling’s birthday with how old they are. Summer’s WHAT? How is that even possible?)
We’ll all keep our fingers crossed!
I would like to go to the state fair for the animal exhibits (I just love looking at all the cute little Future Farmers showing off their prize chickens or goats. Actually the baby goats are a big attraction all by themselves.) I also like the local arts and crafts on sale. I used to win blue ribbons in the arts and craft shows, but I stopped entering the day I saw someone use a safety pin in the middle of a piece.
But I don’t like them enough now to put up with all the people. Hubs would go if I really wanted, but his first response would be about which day we could go when it would be less peoply.
Good for you, four days in that heat would take it out of anyone. I’m jealous about the corn, maybe I’ll go into town and see if the farm stand is open.
That sounds like not a lot of fun. I hope you get things working soon.
So we got some rain today and the temp is down a bunch. I was thinking about going to the lake and looking at the birds, but not only is it a weekend, it is a three day weekend and I suspect the birds will all be hiding out on the islands while the kids folic in the many play areas. Just getting out and going somewhere does sound good though, so that’s probably the plan for the afternoon.
Another delightful day on tap here! Starting off at 56Ferrets and climbing to 71F this afternoon. It’s currently cloudy and a bit drizzly, but we’re promised sunshine in awhile. No complaints! Not that I’d dare, with what many of you are enduring.
I don’t even want to start with those. I already waste spend enough time exercising my brain on them.
I’ve spent all my life in mostly cool-to-cold weather climes, either in Snow Country or Coast Adjacent. I never experienced humidity until a visit to Nashville over Memorial Day weekend. Which, obviously, wasn’t nearly as bad as it was going to get later in the year. I spent as much of the long weekend in the pool as I could – only place I was comfortable! Horrid!
I’m with you. My late husband and I were so close to moving there, had already made an offer on property. I’ve often thought chickening out at the last minute may have been the biggest mistake of my life. Too late now, of course. Have fun with the soccer proteges!
He cons at least 4 peanuts and several pretzel peanut butter bites out of me every day already. I’m trying to watch his waspish figure! And good thinking on posts to the Book of Faces for your mom’s benefit!
Spot exudes ‘danger’ vibes. You’re wise to stay alert.
Good luck to your Dawgs, swampy! My Ducks play today, too, but I’m too cheap to have a streaming channel that will air the game. I’ll just check the final score tonight. The outcome shouldn’t be a big surprise.
And don’t I know it. He got a decent amount of rasslin’ time in last night after I quit posting.
'Struth!! Usually they only last for a year or so, then get so busy they can pick and choose what jobs they want. We old ladies who live in the forest with our fiddly little tasks slip further and further down the ‘desirable’ list. I take what I can get, though! Glad you had fun last night! Enjoy a quiet evening after Little Paws. Really important work you do with them.
Lots of animals need company. We always kept multiples for the herd-inclined: Llamas, goats, cattle, pigs. Chickens in flocks and even multiple cats and dogs. I’ve thought about getting Ollie a cat, but he alone is really all I can manage now. He seems to do all right hanging with just me, so that’s good. I admire the Swiss for acknowledging this very real concern. And happy Saturday back!
FCM, I know you love them, but it’s still generous of you to look after the Grands while your daughter has some adult time on her birthday. You’re a great mom and grandma.
And a happy Labor Day weekend to you, too, knots! Former union member here, too. I am a fervent supporter of them.
Your green chili stew recipe is in my files, cookie! It’s a good 'un. Enjoy!
Right? I always wonder, who was the first person was who thought, “I know! I’ll stuff some boric acid up the kooch and see if it helps!”
I’ve always likened going to the fair as deciding to have a one-night stand. Seems like a good idea in the moment, but then it’s all just too much moisture, uncomfortable pushing and shoving, never as good as one may have hoped and mostly feeling a little sick in the end. I stopped going decades ago.
Hippie, I have that same recipe for chocolate cake! It’s a dandy, isn’t it?
wet one, I like your plans. You do indeed need to recuperate! Enviable dinner, too!
Awww, thanks. Really, that’s a very kind thing to say. Have a great day with Lego – I’m excited for Wallace and Gromit, too, when it arrives. Enjoy your dinner and live jazz out tonight, too.
red, I’m sure Nelson forgives you. They can usually tell when we’re not 100% and get over our occasional lapses in attention. (Well, not Ollie. He pouts.) Keep resting – you’ve been through a lot.
Enjoy your anniversary dinner with Mrs. Magille, Mollie!
Misty is a very pretty bird, Nettie. Thanks for sharing the pic.
You’re totally full of shit re not having a life either then or now, but that’s still hilarious. And I do remember you talking about that!
As one does.
I’ve enjoyed a lazy day so far. It’s nice to have time to check in with the Mumpers more on the regular. I didn’t go out berry picking this morning because the remaining berries need time to ripen up. I could go a little further afield and find millions, but why? My favorite patch will supply all I need with patience.
Today is for general tidying and sofa time. I considered going to a local dive bar – but very clean! – where they will surely broadcast the Ducks game. But I can’t be bothered. I have a friend who never misses a game and I know I’m welcome at her place to watch, but she lives quite far and I’m not up for dealing with the rude drivers who come out in force on holiday weekends.
The promised sun is now out and drying things off outside. I should probably blow pine needs off the patio and concrete apron in front of the workshop. We’ll see. It’ll be even drier tomorrow.
Breakfast will be a repeat of yesterday’s burrito and cantaloupe. I’m not usually a burrito-for-breakfast person, but having opened the package, I want to use up the tortillas. I should try to remember to break the packages up into 2-tortilla parcels before freezing, but I never seem to. Oh, well. Daily breakfast burritos are not exactly a punishment. No idea what to do for dinner yet.
Home and decompressing, both my referee shirt and coaching shirt were soaked in sweat by the time I finished, but a half-pint of ice cream has helped considerably and I am contemplating getting up and…moving to the couch. We’re show a 95F reading right now and it’s heading to 98F so doing much of anything outdoors is unlikely. They did cancel youth football today, but I imagine the College players (and fans) will be reporting a fair number of heat exhaustion/heat stroke casualties across the South.
Taters, haven’t been to a State Fair in decades, Alabama’s is 18-27 September and they have one for North Alabama nearer me 14-20 September. Will have to remember that if I decide to go. (And our county fair is going on now, so that’s a big NOPE in this heat).
Wet one, given I have an idea what that heat is like, diddly and squat seem to be a prudent approach.
Oopsie, sounds like TPTB have not a clue. Glad the move went OK for you, and having an office is a nice tradeoff anyway. Happy Lego Building!
Mollie, have a happy wine-and-dine time.
Nettie, happy anniversary for MIsty.
That may be the most accurate–and hilarious–commentary on State Fairs I’ve ever seen. Thank you for that.
OK, I think I may be taking a nap soon, haven’t had one in weeks but it feels right now. Take care all.
The Crocodile is hubby’s absolutely favorite train. It’s available on our local Amazon equivalent, and he just added it to his wish list, along with a display cabinet. The Wallace & Gromit set looks adorable.
Talked with the parents and they are already planning their next cruises. One suggestion is an inland waterways cruise along the east coast. Only 100 passengers, so that would be a big difference from the last cruise with approximately 3000 passengers.
Taters, I remember the onion burgers at the Puyallup. I also remember my friend throwing up after eating one, when we rode the Enterprise. That was our last ride of that year’s fair. After years of eating the fair scones, I have a different recipe that I prefer, and now the fair scones taste weird to me.
I will if it doesn’t settle down shortly; it was feeling slightly swollen and now it’s not, so hopefully it will just sort itself out. My vast estate isn’t very big, so walking around the garden and weeding and stuff is fine… Wrestling large shrubs out, less so, due to the gymnastics required.
I won another game of birdy chicken with the laundry- the closest ripe elderberries were less than a foot away from the washing, but it didn’t get pooped on.
All the berries should have all been et in a few more days I think. Given that there’s a whole flock of this years’ fledgelings routinely hanging around out there, because I also have a water dish, which, due to the small space, is right under the washing line, I’m amazed I’ve got away with it. Maybe they’ve collectively decided not to piss me off, in case I remove their tasty berries and nice bath.
Church lunch was green bean casserole and scalloped n.o.t.s
I saw my friend on the bus and she wanted to take me to eat but I was full. I get full quicker nowadays. Not sure if its a gut issue, heck I had 6 rounds of antibiotics in 5 months!
Bought some dollar tree probiotics.
Hot and windy again. The weather guessers keep putting out forecasts promising we’ll drop down into the mid 90s F/~35C after just one more week… and the week of triple digit heat never ends. But those cooler temps are just one week away they keep promising… I know when I’m being gaslit!!
(Can I go live in a shed behind Bright Tree or nuts please? I promise I’m not (too much of) a weirdo.)
Went to a hair appointment this morning, so nice to get that out of the way for the next 6 weeks. I went ahead and scheduled out appointments for the rest of the year since the holidays are really not that far off now, and she books up fast.
JtC I might lock the fuzzbutts up in the spare room, but I also kind of want her to clean in there too… So just a matter of what I can get my mind settled on eventually.
These actually work great and are very mild (despite “acid” in the name). I keep them on hand and use with the first sign things might be getting out of balance, and it fixes it right away.
oopsie that sounds like a mess to deal with at work on top of everything else going on… Also, I would be very unhappy to lose sunlight in my office.
(At least until they finish the classified prep, which everyone is guessing won’t happen this year.)
I didn’t have the energy to start assembling either of them, though: I’ll build 
And I do remember you talking about that!