(Old) Find the Good in the MMP!

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
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Which is why none of my 3 sisters went for a college degree. One did take a few classes at community college, but I don’t think that lasted beyond a semester. Yet she made it to adulthood without living in a refrigerator box under an overpass - go figure!!

You have my deepest sympathies, while I chortle about being a proud RDOS. My poor daughter had to sit thru a 2+ hour meeting and the only part that had anything to do with her came up in the last 10 minutes or so. I’m wondering if part of the reason I never sought management positions was because of such happy events.

I did that a couple of times before deciding that no discount was worth the accompanying crap. Everybody takes VISA, plus at my age, I already own everything I want :rofl: so no need to shop for more! So goodbye Penney’s and Kohl’s!

It did remind me, tho, that waaaaay back when I was in college, I was turned down for a Woolworth’s store card, of all things. I had a Sears card and I was trying to build a credit history, but Wooly wouldn’t have me. And now they’re gone. JUSTICE!!! At least in the US they’re gone…

Woke to 54° and I think we’re supposed to see low 80s today. I have a follow-up with my cardiologist at 2:30 to go over my stress test results, after which I’ll run to Aldi, then the credit union. Supper will be the poke I thawed yesterday - FCD asked that I do it sous vide, so I’ll need to start it before I leave, I think. Gotta check the cooking time.

MIL went to bed really early last night and was up around 2 according to FCD. I heard her asking Alexa the time just after 6. Her sleep cycle is all weird, but the nurse said we should let her sleep when she wants to. The only worry is that she might wander around the house at night and get hurt. So we continue to half-sleep ourselves.

I’d like to get some mowage done before my Dr appt. At a minimum, I should be able to get the back yard done. I’m reluctant to leave MIL unattended for the time it would take to also do the side yard and the front yard. So they may get done tomorrow, or whenever.

My last 'mater plant needs to be pulled up - it’s pretty sad looking and not producing. I’m counting on next year’s crop to do better. In the interim, I’ll cover the garden with black plastic in the hopes that sun on black will kill weeds and their remaining seeds. I think that’s this weekend’s plan.

Daughter asked if they could come for dinner tonight, as Tobias wants to see me. But I don’t think MIL can handle the kids being here, so I asked if we could do a video call instead. I asked if Tobias could “read” me Pete the Cat - his current favorite book so we’ll try that. And maybe on Sat or Sun we can meet at a playground for a bit. I do miss being with the grands, but MIL needs peace more than I need kidlet hugs.

For now, tho, I’ll take advantage of the quiet and do my morning surfage. Happy Tuesday!!

62

Mornin’ everyone.

It’s 55F, dark and cloudy. It’ll be generally cloudy all day, and the expected high temperature is 73F. A tiny bit of rain spit on the commute to the office yesterday, and we’re expecting some rain showers tomorrow.

I’ve read but barely retained anything.

LH75, here’s hoping for good news at the end of the treatment. I’m glad that your side effects haven’t been as big as feared.

VanGo, I hope that whatever happened is not as big a hurdle to clear as you think it might be.

I don’t do store credit cards. I had JCPenney, The Bon Marche, Macy’s, and Sears. I let the first three lapse due to non-usage, but they were handy during the kids’ school years. Sears pissed me off way back in the 80s, and I dropped them like a big rock back then.

Good things…hm.

The pups recovery continues apace, but they’re going a little stir crazy, and of course, making us crazy. But, they are doing well, and that’s what matters.

I didn’t get around to cutting the grass over the weekend, so I need to do that today after work.

Another crazy work day awaits, so I’d better get to feeding the pups and move on with my day. My best to all.

63

Showered and dressed. MIL is up, drugged, fed, and she’s getting dressed. FCD has gone to install a panel in the boat. I’ll be leaving just before 2 for my appointment, so about 5 hours to kill. No mowage - I decided I’ll save getting all dirty and sweaty till tomorrow. Because I can.

I’m up to chapter 40 in Oliver Twist - 12 more to go, I think. I suspect the Twist refers to all the plot twists. I’ve discovered the musical is based on only about half of the book, which is probably good. Much as I like musicals, they shouldn’t last 5 hours.

64

Morning all. Another good night for sleeping, only 71F at 8:30am, but heading to near 90F today so the AC will get some time on. Nothing much on the list for today, I am holding out for Thorsday to do the laundry, since it is supposed to rain most of that day, but Mowage will be done tomorrow. Meanwhile some gym time and more soccer coaching will provide the activity part of the day.

Nettie, haven’t noticed any masking around here (N. Ali-bama) recently, but probably should get the COVID booster and my flu shots here shortly.

And so close to you…

flyboy, sad news on the chair; measuring is something I learned to do after several ‘oops’ moments in my youth.

Sari, hope everyone gets to feeling better around your place.

I was the first college graduate from my Dad’s side of the family and he was so proud of that (and me). I think that was a common thing among folks who came of age during the Depression years and WWII, and it just became tradition after that,

rocky, I can handle carrots both raw and cooked, but don’t go looking for them in my meals.

GodBod, I can remember a couple of breather courses too on my road to more or less higher learning, hope the A is easy.

You do have a way with words…

boo fae, ah, meetings like that is one part of office work I do not miss. Like the old saying, it’s where the minutes are kept and the hours are lost…

Don’t think I have had a department store card in decades; two credit cards and my debit card seem to meet all the needs I have.

FCM, enjoy the story reading.

And onward into the day. Have a good one all.

65

due to the debate, many people are working from home in philly. we have just edged into double digits in the office. usually on a tuesday we are in the high twenties, low thirties.

they have the fencing up and the streets around independence hall and the constitution center are blocked off. as the day goes on more closures are expected as well as protests.

there is a high chance of walking home…

66

Yet another lovely pre-fall day with temps around 80 and dew point at about 50. Crosswords and Wordle done. Heading out to Costco later, which should be a quick trip since the wife won’t be with me (no aisle wandering or impulse buying).

67

I just booked a cruise in mid-2026, round-trip from Boston, transatlantic, 5 weeks, including a solar eclipse viewing off Iceland. The deposit was $2! So if we can’t do it and decide before Nov 2025, it’s no loss. I should tell FCD, too.
But I think he’ll be ok with it.

Back to Oliver as he twists…

68

Sticky I too have a Baker’s cyst behind my knee from arthritis. There is nothing to do for it until the knee is replaced, then it will be removed. I had the series of 3 HA gel injections and it worked a treat. Still the occasional twinges usually due to weather. I’m fairly cavalier about surgery. I told the ortho PA I’m okay with a knee replacement. She told me the arthritis doesn’t warrant a replacement YET, and knee replacement is a major big deal and one should not rush into it.

It’s been 4 weeks since I sprained my ankle. Last week I started back at the gym and today I am going to ride.

69

Our College Head of Operations thought it would be a wonderful idea to get everyone together for a “start of the year” event to talk about stuff that’s coming along soon but not yet, and things that we may or may not be able to use. It’s not even management-level, this was for everyone. We are never told these things are mandatory, but we were told to “prioritise attendance” which means you have to go, otherwise your line manager needs a very good excuse.

70

She said it was supposed to be 21 inches. I guess she didn’t notice that was the seat.

71

I wish I could say that I sailed the seven seas and went to the bottom of the Marianas trench but life took a turn and I never worked in the field. Although a lot of what I learned was very helpful for my time in the Navy (navigation, and rules of the road.). I did do a great deal of diving over the years. I ended up in IT and have just retired.

As far as a Mumper name I leave that to the veteran Mumpers. (I ain’t picky :slightly_smiling_face:) I really enjoy following you all!

T

72

Since it was a slow day on the slides, I got shuffled back to dumping in Smalls. Which was hella overloaded. Also started doing the training to be officially a damaged/overgoods clerk. It only took 3 years of reminders to get things started. I did my Aldi run, and avoided the siren song of the Aisle of Shame.

Hopefully not too serious.

“Can we make this meeting an email instead?”

An olive and a twist? Sure, I’d love a martini!

Is “apathy” a good enough excuse?

73

lol I don’t think tobias can read yet

74

Started Typing: 11:41 AM ET
Clicked Reply: 12:20 PM ET

I could get used to this gorgeous weather we’re having! It was in the 60s when I woke up this morning: still cool, but not cold like yesterday’s 50s. It’s currently 78°F and sunny, again with low humidity and a light breeze. The expected high is 82, which isn’t bad at all – and did I mention the low humidity? :smiley: The only downside is that the neighborhood construction activity has ramped up due to the awesome weather, so it’s kinda noisy out there. At least one chainsaw and two buzzsaws have been running pretty steadily within 1-2 blocks of my place, not to mention various big trucks and beeping heavy equipment. I won’t close the windows, though, because the breeze is just too nice. Maybe it’s just as well that…

…I’m feeling super unmotivated today. I’m responding to work emails/Teams messages as they come in, but I haven’t been up for doing anything proactive. I don’t see that changing this afternoon. Meh. I’m generally a productive person; one day of serious slacking won’t hurt. :slight_smile:

I am motivated about lunch: I’mma have a banana, two slices of leftover pizza, and a pack of cranberry almond thin cookies. I’ll nuke the pizza as soon as I finish this post. Yum!

It’s about 36 miles from here…close enough to “middle” for me! :slight_smile: Maybe lunch some Sunday this fall? I’ve never been to that area, but Google Maps does indeed show a bunch of options around the Costco.

Nice! That’s cooler than an Italian city. :grin:

One of my employees had jury duty a few weeks ago: he was told that he’d definitely have to show up at least one day during the week listed in his summons, and he had to call the number each night to find out whether it would be the next day. When he finally had to go, he and a bunch of other folks sat around doing nothing for a few hours and then were sent home. Unfortunately for him, the place where he had to report was a good 50-60 miles from home: he spent more time on the road than at the courthouse.

That sounds awesome!

75

What did you do in Navy blue?

I believe sub sailors are sometimes called bubbleheads, but that’s too long a nickname. Would Torpedo be too violent a nick?

I’ll do mine after I see my cardiologist.

I dunno - he did a good job with Pete the Cat the last time I put him to bed. OK, except I think it was mostly that he’s memorized the book…

Sounds like a plan! So far all my Sundays are open, except maybe Sep 22 if we decide to go to the county fair.

FCD is on his way home. He said all the instruments and electronics on the fly bridge are working, so HUZZAH!! Turns out the problem with the radio blowing fuses was a bad radio! So a good radio is now installed. We may go out on the river yet this year.

76

I’m in my 40s now. My birthday was this past Saturday. :slight_smile:

77

La Jefa just came down to the basement for the meeting she scheduled with me yesterday. She says she doesn’t see a need for me to come down to Burien every week. She said I can telecommute from Birch Bay full-time, except for once a month when we have staff meetings. I’m in Burien today, and there’s a staph beating next week. But after that, I’ll only have to make the long drive once a month.

She also wants to get me a new laptop confuser to replace my desktop PC. I went from a tower PC, to a little box the size of a very, very thick earl-'80s floppy disc. (Like the old floppies, it’s 7x7 inches.) Now she wants everyone to have a laptop. my Easytrieve program has to live on my computer because we only have a license for it to be on one computer, and not on a network. As long as I have it, then I see no difference between that and my little desktop box. I could leave it on my desk and connect as I do now, or I guess I could take it home and just bring it in on the one day a month I’ll be here.

78

I was a surface sailor on a frigate. Operations Specialist.

79

I’ve worked with many, many people who clearly never took that class … but would have benefited from it.

Now I have a mental image of a squirrel in a tattered petticoat, sitting in a rocking chair.

That sounds so much more refined than “trash truck.”

Concur. The idea of writing a paper check and mailing it with a stamp, to pay a credit card that’s certainly got an online presence … well, first of all, I wouldn’t trust anything $$ to the post office. That’s for birthday cards, and junk mail with political candidates shown in weird reverse lighting with scary words in bold red letters.

Yeah, that happens to all higher-thinking mammals when they decline, hyoomans included.
Sucks that it’s messing with your sleep, too, though. Truly, you have my sympathy.

I thought hospice was providing one of those hospital beds with rails, for precisely this reason .. ?

You booked yourself and your spouse for a 5-week ocean boat ride and he doesn’t even know about it yet?

Holy crap, you do you, but that is utterly unthinkable in my world. Like, my mind is { poof! } at the very idea.

… but does he shout? Does he shake it, shake it, baby now?

His typing skills for sure aren’t quite there yet.

Probably too late at this point, but if you’re at home & have access to a skillet, reheating pizza on a hot frying pan (esp. with a lid to retain the heat → melts the cheese on top better) is vastly superior to Chef Mike, as the bottom crust gets a bit crispy again.

But there’s nothing wrong with a quick nuke, or hell, eating it cold/room temp.

Aw, shit, woman … happy belated birthday!!

We, uh, totally did not save you any cake. Sorry.

Same, sweet bear. Same. I do not haz a happy about it, either, but I might possibly return with the makings for slow cooker pot roast, if fortune smiles upon me.

80

Friggin’ T