(Old) Fun Facts in the MMP!

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
321

She’s here! Rush hour traffic was particularly horrid, even for the Settle area, plus there was road construction. (Question: Why do they call it “rush hour” when no actual rushing is involved, as traffic is so heavy? You might be in a rush, but you can’t rush. End of pedantic rant. ) I was SO relieved when she arrived! We’ve had some good talks.

Dinner was good. Here’s how the tartlets turned out. Due to the insanity yeesterday, I opted out of making the shells from scratch and used the emergency ready-made shells I got at World Market. They were great. The lemon curd recipe was just standard lemon curd. For the dark chocolate layer, I just melted dark chocolate chips with a little oil. And the raspberries and leaves I just plopped on.

The reason I made them was because I used to take the kids out for a last day of school celebration, involving a park, ice cream, and sometimes a picnic. One year I surprised her with a tea party picnic, with tiny finger sandwiches, cherry mini-scones, and lemon tartlets, all homemade. Oh, and tea! So the tartlets were in memory of that golden day.

Daughter just left to visit friends in Seattle. She’ll be home for dinner. I’m making pesto pasta with toasted walnuts, carmelized onions, and fresh parmesan. I’ll toss a salad. There are still a lot of tartlets left, so that’s dessert.

Here’s a photo of Mr. Max doing his cockatoo impression. And here he is snuggling in a towel after a damp walk.

She’s in Seattle right now, visiting friends and meeting their new bambino.

More later…

322

Howdy Y’all! Handy guy and helper came today as it’s supposed to rain tomorrow. The old gazebo is gone and the new one is up and looks good. I will attempt pics in the next couple of days, but make no promises. Sometimes I can’t get the various technologies to play nice with each other.

323

Mr. Max is a cutie all right!

Short tonight because I’m kinda blah. My allergies have been going nutz and this morning I woke up way early because I couldn’t breathe. Once I sat up to blow my nose, my bladder went off which woke up the cats because god forbid that a hooman uses the bathroom unattended. I tried going back to bed but then the jerks thought they should they should play chase-me around and over the bed so I gave up.

I checked the auction, no change there but I doubt anything will happen again until tomorrow evening. The auction closes at 1700 so I’ll need to start paying attention around 1645.

An unintended consequence of firing amazon is the lack of boxes showing up at our front door for me to reuse to send moonshine to folks. I really hate to go to the post office and get new boxes when there are so many used boxes needing to be reused.

I should probably head off to the shower and start getting ready for bed. I’ve got an early day planned, but at least the weather will be lovely.

324

The usual shopping trip. Then a quick meeting in the lobby to place items in the new display case.

Due to the weather I have the fan going. I decided to clean/organize/ so I can get to the one window that opens. I decided it is too late in the day to open the window, perhaps tomorrow.

325

Mr. Max is quite the adorable little guy!

Errands done, taxes filed and a couple of layouts for the cookbook done. Now, sharing a bowl of popcorn with Nelson and surfing until bedtime.

326

Will Google, cuz, uh, it’s good to keep up with current events.

I plant mostly from seed and, uh, have occasional access to T.P. rolls.
Can you give a bit of detail about how these work, plz&thx?

I thought for sure this was gonna end with, “And hope none of them decide I’m a no-good bum & sabotage the whole thing.”

Lesson 3: Don’t pet the sweaty stuff.

Yanno, I had some thinks on that post, especially after seeing most of the stuff all in one place. It occurred to me that if I could find a local handyman who handles really REALLY small jobs, I bet a semi-competent dude could knock out half that list for me in an hour or two.

Too bad I just lost a long shift’s income …

I want one so bad!

Liquor stores are the usual source.

Bonus: you might find boxes that originally were packaged for moonshine!

So I ran completely out of Monkey kibble. (Gasp!) I have more on order, was hoping it would arrive last night. No such luck, they’re saying Sunday, which often means Monday.

He got spoiled with a lot of gooshy-fud last night and this morning, and I burned my lunch break stopping at the Gettin’ Sto’ for a small bag of the less expensive kind - don’t worry, what’s arriving soon is much better - and ALSO to run home and refill his bowl so the poor dear wouldn’t hafta wait.
Plus I splurged on a bag of birdseed mix for the ratties, cuz they can’t just eat pizza dough all the time.

The things we do for our pets.

But he returned the good karma - I tossed him a few treats a bit ago while catching up with y’all, and now he’s hopped up on his usual spot on my chair and absolutely draped over my shoulder, with his head nestled against my neck.

I’d like to think he was saying “thanks.”

Plus, that took care of a spot of post-work errands, so now all I hafta do is refill the ratties water, and bestow some birdseed mix for them.

And decide if I wanna roast another chicken thigh. I think I do - hey, a bit of appetite!

Nice Bonus: someone’s personal coffee run avalanched into everyone checking their pockets, so in return for getting six (6) drinks, S.M. bought me one.
Car(e)less (and Homeless) Coworker looked so damn mournful, I just … couldn’t do it, couldn’t leave him out … so I turned it around and bought HIM a small something-or-other.

So it was a bit of a splurge-y day.

327

And bestow a rat or two upon the snakes. :slight_smile:

328

You can always tell a woman. Just can’t tell 'em much. :wink:

Really the difference is I lead with unjustified overweaning confidence and most ladies lead with unjustified excessive diffidence.

329

Spot and I napped. I had a Vieux Carré and Asian BBq stirfry. Spot had an ice cube and dry, flavorless bits. This is what passes for excitement in Raleigh some days.

You could actually build one on your own.

330

I did not do any roller skating, but the nephews (and their parents) came over after the party, and we ended up playing four-square, which I’m pretty sure I last played in 1984.

We got some takeout, watched some basketball, ate some DQ, and generally had some nice family time. One of the reasons we moved into this house was because of its proximity to my wife’s family. So that was nice.

Now about to hit the sack so I can sing for the Catholics in the morning.

331

Shit. My brain auto-filled how I usually hear this one, which is “Don’t sweat the petty stuff.”

It’s an old joke, and I still managed to mess it up!

Roasted thigh came out delishush, although TBH I do this one primarily for the crusty rolls and the buttery juice to dip 'em in.

And the crispy skin.

The rest is, meh, whatevs.

Monkey would not SHUT UP at the door while I was prepping, and since it was absolutely pouring, I :smiling_face_with_horns: opened the door.

He joyously went out for a sec, predictably came eight the hell back in, and I left the door open to enjoy the cool, rainy air.

So eventually, the rain let up to a mild drizzle, and, again quite predictably, he took off.
I called & called, decided, “Eh, it’s too wet for him to stay out there” and right around when I started actually worrying sure nuff, before I could even post to y’all that he’d run off on me, here he comes, jogging in, damp as hell.

Silly gato.

My mother would like to buy me a thing. Which is sweet, and I know why she wants to get it for me (to help with clutter - what a coincidence!) and it’s really a genuinely nice gesture on her part.

Because [reasons involving my dad’s irrationality] it would be best for me to buy it, and for her to reimburse me.

The woman just asked me, “What’s better, to mail a check, or cash?”
Aaarrrgggghhhhh!!

332

That looks awesome!!!

Mrs W decided we needed a distraction from feeling sad today. We got mochas from the coffee shop at the nearby resort hotel, and sipped them while walking around their lovely rose garden. Then we finally checked out a walking trail we’ve wanted to do for the last two years. Next, we stopped by SIL and BIL’s under-construction house and took a bunch of pictures for them, and went to lunch at a new local restaurant.

While at lunch, our neighbors texted that they were having lunch at the pub and asked if we wanted to join them for a beer, which we did after we finished eating.

Then Mrs W insisted on martinis after we got home. All in all, a pretty good day.

333

Good Mornin’ Y’all! Up and caffeinatin’. YAWN ‘Tis 63 Amurrkin out and cloudy with a predicted high of 76 with rain this afternoon and evenin’. As long as the rain holds off until we are back in da cave, fine by me. The big item on today’s agenda is deheathenization in which I have Chalice duty. It’s a fifth Sunday so we will have a Rite I service. We will stop by the Pubic Sto’ to get fried chikin N.O.L.s to bring back to da cave to eat. The rest of the day will be spent in high RDOS inactivities.

Now I need more caffeine and to feed rumbly tummy. Then purtification for deheathenization must commence.

Happy Sunday Y’all!

334

Up, caffeinated, and sheveled. Off today. I am watching dawn break. Spot is sleeping though it. The usual morning cleaning and afternoon sloth is on the agenda.

If there was a service for parishioners losing weight would it be a Diet Rite?

Mrs. W is wise.

Spot has no interest in the Great Outdoors. But judging by his utter lack of hunting skills, probably for the best.

< headdesks in solidarity >

335

Happy stormy Sunday. Supposed to have some weather today. Hopefully not too awkwardly timed (that is, not while I’m out in it).

After singing Catholically, I’m meeting the family for my SIL’s birthday at a hibachi place. Then probably grocery shopping, and hopefully some time to relax before the beginning of the week.

336

Mornin’ all - Now about 8am as I start to drivel. Mostly cloudy here 45 minutes after sunrise. Breezy too. Presently 77/25 on the way to 81/27 and more of the mostly cloudy with occasional drizzle or rain. We shall see.

Had an interesting evening. GF & her posse were going out late and would finish late by my standards, so I needed to occupy myself until late. So I doll up a bit and zoom off to the outdoor geezer disco to hear a Phil Collins tribute group, have some dinner, and perhaps dance with random women. Which all went well; we had a few seconds of sprinkling, but the earlier late afternoon rain had scared off a bunch of the crowd. So the place had a big enough crowd to give a party vibe but was not packed as I had feared it might be. Yaay!

Meanwhile GF & I maintain an intermittent drip feed of texts. She’s having LOTS of fun. I headed home in time to meet her expected finish time, and now she’s gone radio silent, not responding to my txts. Hmm. A bit later my phone rings and it’s her. Or more accurately, it’s her phone operated by one of her friends. Surprise! Good thing my greeting to “GF” was affectionate, not salacious.

Friend says she’s had too much to drink and can I come get her and drive her car to my place for the overnight? Since I live 3 whole blocks away I say sure, I’ll walk right over. See you in about 10 minutes tops. Fortunately I was still fully dressed from my prior event.

Off I go. Two of her posse have gone, leaving three. Yes, GF had had a bit too much to drink = 3 whole drinks over 3 hours (she’s a lightweight), but it was mostly a pretext by them to meet me over GF’s ineffectual protestations. There they all were, fancied up, lookin’ good, & hangin’ out by her car out front.

We had quick intros, hugs, and a short yak, then everybody piled into their various cars, and I drove GF & her car the 3 whole blocks back to my place. I’d previously met one of chix who’d already left, so now I’ve met 4 of the 5 main posse. So much for GF keeping me away from them and them away from me. Those scheming hussies! :wink:

GF was indeed pretty tranquilized but not wasted, so we had major snuggles followed by sleep. She’s still sleeping now. She’s had a real rough week and needs it. Conveniently, she’s a real sound sleeper, so me getting up, making coffee, etc., doesn’t faze her a bit.

Today is totally TBD.

337

I changed the sheets and remade the bed while Spot was distracted by a squirrel. It says something about my life that my major triumphs usually involve outwitting a small, non-sentient mammal. :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

338

Afternoon, mumpers! It’s currently 12c/54f with a predicted high of 13c/56f, and partly cloudy. Weather all says “An optimist would say it’s partly fucking sunny outside. That optimist is a fucking idiot.” Well, it is sunny out there and it does look quite pleasant.

I am sorry for you and for Annie, that isn’t fun at all. I’ve also never had to brush a pet’s teeth but I know it’s not uncommon with cats. I just can’t see any of ours ever thinking it was a good idea!

That sounds like a fun night out, hope you enjoyed it!

I’m so happy to hear that Goo has put some weight on, it’s always tough with thyroid cats to get them interested in food enough that they’ll eat a lot. Shadow was the same, he had a good appetite when he was presented with tuna and salmon, bit less so with his normal gooshy food.

I know, a rare weekend of no gigs for us but we’re making up for it next week. We have a gig on Thursday night, then it’s a local charity event (Mayor’s Fest) that runs on Friday night upstairs at the Giffard, all day Saturday at KK’s Steel Mill, and Sunday back at the Giffard. I’m taking Monday off to recover!

nellie Mr Max is adorable!

Mrs W is a wise woman, sounds like it was a very good day and definitely much deserved!

We had a fun night out with our friends, food at Turtle Bay was delicious and we had a couple of fancy cocktails. My choice was a coconut espresso martini which went down very well. Afterwards we went to a pub down the road and had a couple of drinks there before going to catch our respective trains home as we live in opposite directions from the city centre.

We got back to our home town and decided to go for a pint in the Posada (it’s on the way to the taxi rank, and it would be rude to walk past without going in, right?) and met some of our pub friends in there. After that, we all decamped and went to the Giffard which was surprisingly quiet for a Saturday night. And then it was 3am, and Wendy was turning the pub lights on to tell us it was time to go home. But we put our clocks forward this weekend so technically it was 4am when we left! Got a cab home, gave the cats some treats and went to bed.

Now we are up and sheveled, not got any big plans for the day apart from preparing to welcome a new little tail. There was a message in the Little Paws fostering team chat yesterday about a 12yr old tortie in desperate need of a home because her owner is going into a nursing home on Monday and can’t take the cat with her. Nobody else has any spare room so we have agreed to foster her. She’s being deposited at Little Paws HQ some time this evening and will be coming over to us either tonight or tomorrow. I’ve told the girlies that they will be having company soon, and we’ll be saying hello to Muffin.

339

Funnily enough, they area in front of the abbey is blocked off and they are doing some sort of work there.

But I woke up at 5:30 (4:30 in real time, because last night was also the time change) due to the bells at the abbey. Sounded a bit like
this.

No snow for us, but it was drizzling and cold. The concert was actually a CD release. But the CD was Swiss chocolate and included a USB stick with the music. And hubby got a t-shirt.

But due to a late night, and the time change, today I am dragging. And it’s a gorgeous day.

He’s quite the cutie. Sounds like a nice gig - get to go walkies with a pup, but he goes home. Tartlets look good. Someday I’ll make lemon curd, but normally it’s easiest just to buy it.

I remember your stories of your stealth coffee making, so I find this promising. And the scheming friends? :laughing:

Hope the girls and Muffin get along while Muffin’s with you. And crossing fingers for a new forever home for Muffin.

Having some grapes, and still holding down the couch. Maybe I’ll get some interest in weeding. Or maybe not. The sun’s out and I don’t want to disturb the bees. At least that’s my excuse. :slight_smile:

340

You know, in America, the bolded part usually means something quite different than fostering a dear old Muffin kitty.