(Old) GET READY TO RUM-BEAR! - A Fat Bear Week MMP

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
141

It’s actually more efficient to deposit the checks in batches, as we receive them. I made the mistake of doing them individually once. Ninety of them. Better to do six transactions instead of scores of them. All checks are scanned into Catalyst/Tranzact. The only thing with these is that they are scanned by themselves instead of with everyone’s.

What gets me is the change. They have these little ~1x2 envelopes for coins. Why bother? Why not just round to the nearest (or lower) dollar? Probably sales tax or something.

I plan on filling it out on the weekend. I also want to shoot some film. I may do that first. Or not.

142

Betcha yours got mixed up with someone else’s order.

Yes, you do. We will nag you into it!

No kidding!

That’s a great photo. Thank you for sharing her regal beauty with us. :slight_smile:

143

{{{nellie and fam}}}

Sadie has a lovely view, cookie.

Up, caffeinating, breakfasted and fixing to do KP. Today will be mostly RDOS except giving the apartment a litte love and a load of towels this afternoon.

Y’all have a great day!

144

Good morning.

It’s 49F and clear outside. We’ll move to partly cloudy skies later this morning and, by afternoon, fully cloudy, with a daytime high of 63F.

Nellie, holy Moses. That is a lot! Such a good thing you were there for your sister. I hope you can get some rest. Sending healing thoughts to both your brother and SiL.

Metal Mouse, they have not brought the package over. So, either I’m mistaken about whose front door that is (I’m not, really), or they took it in and are using the contents. The contents, by the way, are root beer float glasses. I’m just going to get my money back and will start the process tomorrow, and then it’ll probably be another week or two before I’m credited.

BooFae, I hope today is much better. At least it’ll be quieter. I cannot abide jalapeños. They taste like hot garbage smells, and they tear me up inside.

Bright Tree, wishing you safe travels and a lovely visit with your parents.

I weeded in both the front and back yards yesterday, and watered everything, too. I did some tidying and sweeping in the house, and that’s about all of any note that I accomplished.

Today is open for me. I might prune out front, or I might do nothing. I’m retired; I don’t need to do something every single day. Or do I?

For now, I’ll drink some more coffee.

Please take care of yourselves.

145

I reached for the shampoo when I was in the shower, and there was a medium-sized spider (smaller than a giant house spider) near the lid. When I was sure it was on the wall, I took the shampoo bottle and it went behind my wife’s shampoo bottle(s). After I showered and dried off, I got out the penalty jar to remove our little pest-catcher to outside. It was no longer behind my wife’s bottles. I told her about it so that she isn’t surprised.

146

Oh, man, I really hope there’s a followup to the Shampoo Spider Saga.

147

Afternoon.
Had an out of brain error, so gave up for a bit. Nothin’ useful is going into or out of this brain for the rest of today I think.

Heh, for jalapeños on pizza, I remember the one time I tried to order 'em at a place new to me. The counter girl just stood there blinking in confusion, asking me to repeat, until I pointed it out on the menu, at which point she went ‘Ohhh, jal-appy-nose! Why didn’t you just say?’

The rats’ present has arrived, so I gave 'em a proper clean out. I’ll need to rearrange the cage; they don’t like it, but it stops 'em getting too bored.

Nipped out to the shop at lunch, missed the recycling collection this morning - which is OK, the bin is huge and there’s still plenty of space, but I was intending to take it out. That’s about the limit of today’s excitement so far.

I have the final supervisor meeting tomorrow- which is always online. I can’t decide if I should go in or just do it from home. I may pop in just for that, dunno.

148

Does your 'lectric company offer budget plans? Here they’ll average your usage of the previous year (I think) then every month, you pay that average. Periodically they reevaluate and adjust your budget amount accordingly. We’ve done that for years and it’s really nice having a set amount every month.

Doing nothing is, in fact, doing something. Recharging, renewing, relaxing. Ah, retirement…

I needed to go to Aldi and since there’s one near Teeter, that’s the one I chose. I know doggio has mentioned his senior discount at Teeter, but I never connected it with a day. Well, today’s the day! I’m not sure if I should be happy about the savings or bummed that the clerk knew by looking at me that I’m eligible. :rofl: Seriously, last time I got a haircut, I had to tell the stylist I was over 65 to get the discount. Then again, I’m not very good about guessing people’s ages.

Anyway, big savings on Diet Coke, so yay! And a couple of my regular items at Aldi were on sale, too. All in all, a successful errand. And once I finish lunch, I shall attack studio organization.

149

Sadie is a very lovely, dignified kitty.

150

I was supposed to be well on my way to upstate NY by now (11:00), to visit my uncle and aunt, but I’m not going anywhere today: my aunt is in the hospital! She’s been having occasional fluttery feelings in her chest, and on Monday it finally annoyed her enough to go to the doctor…who didn’t hear/detect anything, but sent her to the ER for testing. She was admitted, and just had an echocardiogram a little while ago. If the eventual results are clear she’ll be released, so we’re all in “one day at a time” mode. Luckily, the innkeeper of the B&B I was supposed to check into today agreed to modify my reservation in case I’m able to drive up there tomorrow. We’ll likely skip tomorrow night’s Ringo Starr concert no matter what, but hopefully I’ll still be able to visit for a couple of days.

I’m still mostly taking today off work, though. I have meetings at 3:00 and 4:00 that I’d been planning to join from the B&B, so I’ll still log on for those, but otherwise I’m taking advantage of some unexpected downtime after a very long Mon-Wed.

In other news, yesterday I received my assignment for the November election: I got both the location and the position/role that I’d requested! :tada: Some of you may recall that I volunteer as an election officer in my county; I started doing it during the pandemic. I live in a different precinct now, but I asked to be assigned to my old one – where I’ve worked all but one election in the past six years – because the polling place is only a 10-minute drive from the new house and I already know how to set it up, some of the other election officers, etc.

After a few replies I will relocate to the kitchen for lunch and Lego. I’m still working on the tree house, but I should be able to make some decent progress before the 3:00 meeting. :slight_smile:

Oh, but there was! It continues today and tomorrow, as well…however, I escaped it yesterday because I had to focus on some files that needed to be delivered by COB tomorrow.

I thought we wouldn’t be able to finalize and upload the files before tomorrow afternoon, but it turned out I was able to get everything done yesterday! It meant working a 12.5-hour day, but it was worth it because (a) now there’s nothing for my boss/teammates to do while I’m out, and (b) it means I don’t have to work at all tomorrow (I’d been planning to be online in the morning to help with the last steps). I was exhausted when I finally got home last night, but I slept well and this morning I’m still glad that I put in the extra time. And, now I don’t have to use as much leave today/tomorrow. :grin:

Heh! :joy:

That happened to me the other week – not an overnight delivery, just a regular one, but it went to the wrong address. Luckily, the photo that accompanied the delivery notification clearly showed the house number of my neighbor across the street: I simply walked over and grabbed it off their top step, prepared to show the delivery photo if anyone came out of the house. But no one did. Most of us don’t use our front doors – we come and go through our garages – and our front steps aren’t easily visible from inside.

That would explain why my doorbell has been rung a couple times when something was delivered! Both times I’ve been upstairs, where the doorbell isn’t loud enough to be startling, but if I were to be sitting at the kitchen table – basically next to the box – it would scare the crap outta me.

I vote to hoard one for colder weather, but have the other two right now all alone. :smiley:

Indeed…sepsis killed my Mom 11 years ago, in less than a week.

I hope your sis recovers fully and quickly, nellie! :crossed_fingers:

151

Taking a break. I washed a lot of stuff and started putting things on shelves in some sort of organizational order. I also found a metric buttload of old ceramic things I’d made. Most have flaws - cracks, specifically. A couple are ridiculously heavy. I’m thinking I’ll take a mallet to everything and create a mosiac using the bits - well, the good bits. Some will be too small or too thick. But I’ve got a big table in the basement where I can lay out the pieces in whatever design I choose. Then I can transfer it to a slab of wet clay to be fired.

I also found SIX sets of clock works that I’d bought eons ago. So I’ve got enough to make 9 clocks. Anyone wanna order one??

Anyway, I needed a break to think about something other than the studio so I can attack more of the mess with a somewhat fresher mind. Theoretically. I can’t believe it was such a mess. And I haven’t gotten to the shelves with the clay yet…

152

Things ran smoother after yesterday’s debacle, I was out by 11:30. I did my Senior Day shopping, just needed a few things. It was gloriously un-hot today, only 62 Ferrets(16.667 Centipedes). I’m having soup and sandwih, then a little nap before the game(s)

Unless she keeps calling and emailing, because she’s worried she’s left you in the lurch.

“I would knock all those cars off that parking deck.”

The Shampoo Spider Saga is merely the prequel to The Itsy Bitsy Spider.

FairyChatMom
Ticking Towards Eternity 2026
Glaze on ceramic

153

Somewhat fed, somewhat sheveled, off to work I go. Supposed to be Early Out, but that may depend on Lil Miss Unreliable putting in an appearance at 8 p.m. (like I did yesterday) so we shall see.

I have a slice of marble cake (“let them eat cake! breakfast of champions!” to mix a few references) and the lone orphaned remaining biscuit from last night’s carborgy (is too a word!) in a baggie tucked into my purse, as one does, to fuel my day.

Meanwhile, the eye makeup from last night survived a makeup-removal wipe, a full-on face washing, a night of sleeping so hard I had some impressive pillow lines upon arising … sheesh, the “no budge” mascara & eyeliner were not joking. Got my money’s worth there for sure.

The soup remains untouched. Now I’m gloating over the jars like a dragon sleeping atop a hoard of gold treasure.

Okay, gotta get up & get goi---- of course, guess who just crawled into my lap?

154

Done for today. But boy-howdy do I have a lot of clay!!! I could make my own terracotta warrior!! Well, maybe a mini-me version. I was thinking about making planters, but now maybe I’ll make PLANTERS!!!

I need to figure out some things to make when the kids come over. Roxy can probably come up with her own ideas, but Tobias will need help. I have a pair of fish plates - that is, shaped like fish, and textured on the bottom. I’m thinking he can sandwich a thin slab if clay between the two and press the top down so it’ll texture the clay. Then when it dries, he can paint it with glaze. Or I’ll do it. Either way.

Meanwhile, I’ve got an hour or so to kill before making soup.

155

Of course he waits until you need to get up and get moving to get snuggly. My two are experts at that. I think it’s just considered a usual catting skill, along with “helping” make beds and such.

156

Well, my tablet just died. I ordered another that should arrive tomorrow, but that means that I’ll have to fuss around setting the thing up, then sync it to my phone to get Kindle and other crap back. I don’t read my Kindle on the phone for obvious reasons, but it’s synced to the tablet as a backup.

157

I haven’t been posting much about my current quilt project. Here is the whole center piece ( 5’6" x 5’6’ or 167cm x 167cm). I start on the border pieces tomorrow

158

Another quick touch-base –

Gorgeous weather here just now and for the foreseeable future (while I’m gone, natch). Currently 73Ferrets with overnight forecast for 55F with a bit of rain overnight.

Thanks to all for the kind good travelin’ wishes. I’m not leaving till early Tuesday, but there’s so much to do around here before I can be gone.

I have a built-in ironing board with a cubby for the iron, and I love it. The outlet is inside the cubby, too, so it’s always handy.

Re fasting blood draws, I expect we should all follow our doctors’ instructions. But I’m sure glad mine lets me drink black coffee!

I tried to vote in the Fat Bear Week contest, but I couldn’t get it to take. Maybe next year! The bears are fantastic to watch, in any case!

Glad things are getting a little bit back to normal for you, red!

Scoot over. And happy to hear you’re finally getting some civilized temperatures.

nellie, I hope you get a break just-for-you, soon. You’re wonderful to look after your brother and his wife. They’re sure having a time, but so are you! You might well have saved SIL’s life. Sepsis, as you point out, is nothing to mess with. My dad nearly died of it a few years ago. I hope you get some good sleep.

Good luck with the new job application, fly boy!

shoe, kudos for doing the unpleasant adulting. Enjoy the soup! And keep it for yourself. :slight_smile:

I hope work and commuting get less annoying, BooFae. At least you are free of the excessive nattering for awhile.

swampy, your quail dinner sounds delightful! I haven’t had quail in many years. No way to have them unless one hunts them around here. I’m not a hunter. My ex was, though.

Hugs back to you, Cat Glove! Hope this busy stretch passes quickly!

FCM, ah, disco, those were the salad days… such fun to dance to! My boyfriend at the time was a dancing fool, and he was good. We tore up the dance floors around town as often as we could. A lot. I hope your worries for FCD are unfounded, and that you can help him see he might want to consider an update to his antidepressant treatment.

cookie, Sadie is such a beauty! I like doggio’s caption, too. Perfect!

metal mouse, yayy for cooler weather for you, too! Happy rummaging!

taters, well done on practicing your RDOS. Yes! You’re getting the hang of it! :wink:

Oopsie, damn, I’m sorry your aunt is ill and that you will probably have to skip Ringo Starr. Enjoy relaxing as much as you can, at least. And kudos for working in elections. It’s so important! Yayy for getting your preferred assignment!

Enjoy the games, doggio!

hippie, that’s gorgeous! I love the pics you post of your labors of love!

Today I scurried around to get Ollie a butt squeeze, pick up last-minute provisions, drop something at the post office and yada yada. I promised some apples to a friend, so we’re meeting Saturday morning for breakfast so I can give them to her. Naturally my guitar is ready to be picked up, but I arranged with the luthier to keep it until I get back. He’s paid, so he doesn’t mind. There’s still packing to do and gifts to prepare for the folks and and and…

I’m ready to come home and I haven’t even left! :zany_face: Will check in as I can.

159

Howdy Y’all! We erranded (is too a word!) and then went on a little ramble. Instead of lunch from Jack’s, we took a back road down to large and in charge Camilla, Jawja and et at a really good meat ‘n three place there. Both of us had the chikin’ ‘n dressin’ with giblet gravy and cranberry sauce, collard greens and mac 'n cheese. Mac ‘n cheese is a veggie in the southern USofA. It just is! I got pinto beans for my other veggie and OYKW got green beans. Then he ordered ‘nanner puddin’ and I ordered chawklit puddin’ for dessert. We split those. Oh and, of course, corn bread. We took the main road back to da cave and, needless to say, accomplished nappage due to a hyuuuuge carb overload. It was worth it! We also day drank and watched some stoopid teevee. I think it will not be long before both of us will call it a night.

BrightTree I often feel the need for recovery time from a trip even before I go. Packin’ and gettin’ ready ain’t for sissies!

Cat_Glove I am sure IT got the laptop taken care of in no time. You are so right about sepsis. I lost a friend two years ago due to sepsis. Her son found her unconscious and called 911. Unfortunately it was too late and she died a couple of hours later at the horsepistol.

MOOOOOOM watchin’ me eat sushi does not squick OYKW out. Even if it did, that’s just be a bonus for me. I am evil like that. The show about disco sounds like a hoot and a half to watch. The Village People were gay?!?! Say it ain’t so! :man_dancing: :man_dancing: :mirror_ball: I have reminders on my phone that will ping to remind me to do stuff. We don’t have Alexa or whatever, but maybe we should. I am all about those geezer discounts! Gimme ya whippersnapper!

Knotty a Swiss Army pen! How cool! :smiling_face_with_sunglasses:

Cookie Sadie looks very much the Empress of all she surveys!

Rocker duster is also an old timey word for house coat or robe. I had a mental image of you strollin’ around Philadelphia in your robe, jammies, and a pair of fuzzy mules.

red you did things yestiddy. You deserve RDOS sloth today. Sorry about your tablet. I never had one until we got new phones. The iPads were thrown in for free. OYKW does not fool with his, but I have grown rather attached to mine. I read and play games on it a lot.

Taters no you do not need to do things every single day. I mean, I do a few things each day, but nuttin’ huge. Even if it does not get done, well, [Scarlet O’Hara] After all, tomorrow is another day! [/Scarlet O’Hara]

FlyBoy I am reminded of a poem:
Spider, spider on the wall.
Ain’t you got no sense at all!
You know that wall has just been plastered!
Get off that wall you silly, spider!

Nuts sometimes I run out of brain for the day.

Oopsie hope all is well with your aunt and you get to go visit tomorrow. Bummer about the Ringo Starr concert, though. Good for you for takin’ advantage of the unexpected downtime. Huzzah for receivin’ the position/role you wanted for the November election. Poll workers are the best! We don’t use our front door either. We come and go through the garage entrance/exit to the kitchen.

Hippie that’s lookin’ good! I really like the pattern and the colors. The finished quilt will be tres cool.

160

That, or the transition between, “Hmm, maybe I might go pee eventually” → “Get. Up. NOW.”

Some flower pots (with appropriate drainage, of course) featuring your lovely colored glaze would be a show-stopper on your porch!

Plus, if anyone asks where you got these gorgeous works of art, you can oh-so-casually shrug, and say, “Oh, those? They’re handmade. One of a kind, you know.”

I haz a sad for you - I know you were looking forward to that.

{ twitch }

Time has a different meaning at Casa Fairy.

Hey, guess who showed up, on time and everything!

A few remnants are STILL there. (!)

In a world of constant enshitification, it’s nice to encounter a product that delivers as promised. (Happy to shill for them via P.M.if asked, but I don’t wanna derail further.)

Home at a reasonable hour; Monkey is already sauntering around in his handsome jacket; the moon is allllllmost full, and glowing with all her might right at the tree-line. Another hour & she’ll be up there among the stars. :last_quarter_moon_face:

What a lovely memory!