# (Old) Getting back into your groove in the MMP **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Tags:** mmp\ **Created:** [July 28, 2025, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-getting-back-into-your-groove-in-the-mmp/1021422 "2025-07-28T09:33:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2025, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-getting-back-into-your-groove-in-the-mmp/1021422/121 "2025-07-30T15:23:14Z")
My lovely wife (not the other one) decreed that we were to have a new dryer and I agitated (snerk) for a new washer (with an impeller, not an agitator). Our area wasn’t above a tsunami advisory. Said lovely wife is very good about looking at the flood history when delineating where to live. Hoping everyone else is okay. ---
**Author:** ![peedin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peedin/32/14095_2.png) [@peedin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peedin)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2025, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-getting-back-into-your-groove-in-the-mmp/1021422/122 "2025-07-30T16:11:07Z")
The heat finally broke overnight. It’s cloudy, still kind of humid, but only in the upper 70s. The last three days had real feel heat of 105. This morning I went for bloodwork and three of the tests are not covered by Medicare for my particular diagnosis. I decided to have them anyway so that’s $600 out-of-pocket. On the way home, I stopped at the new Whole Foods. I don’t ever need to go back. There is nothing there that I can’t get anywhere else and man is it overpriced. I did buy two grapefruit, an organic gala apple, a mini French baguette, and my very favorite cookie, Tate’s chocolate chip. The temperature of the store was set to iceberg, and the store smelled like homemade soap of which there is an entire aisle of. Not a waste of time because I need to check things out. But I certainly can’t recommend it. ---
**Author:** ![dogbutler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dogbutler/32/428_2.png) [@dogbutler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dogbutler)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2025, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-getting-back-into-your-groove-in-the-mmp/1021422/123 "2025-07-30T16:18:45Z")
I was on the 200 Slide today, which was less chaotic than yesterday. One of the damages I had to deal with was a dented steel door from.. you guessed it, _Home Depot_.🙄 And from the “Kia Soul owners are just BMW owners with less money”. a Soul next to me did a right turn on red. Which is normally fine, except they were in the far left left turn lane when they did it. Also, Edgar The Overly Aggressive Squirrel knocked over the bird feeder. Nothing like a rodent riot to end your workday. > [@Sticks\_and\_Scones](#): > > So wish me luck that I can channel my inner tech genius and not make any major mistakes. \< crosses appropriate and inappropriate appendages \> > [@Taters](#): > > Our tsunami warning has been downgraded to an advisory, and it appears not to affect the inner Puget Sound region now, too. Glad you can unbuild the ark now. > [@JaneDoe42](#): > > Most of us are better hosts than that. You won’t have to pre-game, we’ll see to it that you leave drunk and disheveled ourselves! But it would be on brand, sort of like drinking a bunch of beer, then going on a motorcycle ride through an unfamiliar city with a guy I just met IRL who happened to own a massive cleaver collection. \< waves at **Ruble** ’s ghost \> 🤪 > [@peedin](#): > > On the way home, I stopped at the new Whole Foods. I don’t ever need to go back. There is nothing there that I can’t get anywhere else and man is it overpriced. If I want hippie granola groceries, I hit Fresh Market, which doesn’t have a bald evil billionaire owner. ---
**Author:** ![scareyfaerie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scareyfaerie/32/3135_2.png) [@scareyfaerie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scareyfaerie)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2025, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-getting-back-into-your-groove-in-the-mmp/1021422/124 "2025-07-30T16:25:33Z")
Evening, mumpers! It’s currently 23c/73f with no predicted change, and cloudy. Weather app says “Raindrops keep falling on my head and I am about to fucking punch someone.” That’s a bit extreme since it’s been dry and sunny all day. Today has been eventful to say the least. We were rudely awakened at 8am by some work going on upstairs from us. We decided to go for breakfast and visit reception on our way. They were very apologetic and offered us a new room, three floors up. We accepted, and as a gesture of goodwill, they gave us a complimentary minibar as well. We also got access to the executive lounge too so we are sitting there with a cold drink as I type this. After breakfast and a move to the new room, we went out on our travels. First stop was the German Spy Museum, that took a couple of hours with all the interactivebits to play with. Afterwards, we walked up towards the Brandenburg Gate, via the memorial to the Jewish dead. Then we hopped on the U-Bahn a coupleof stops up the line to visit Checkpoint Charlie and the museum beside it. All very interesting stuff! Glad to hear that the tsunami warnings were downgraded for the US crowd, I hope **sensei** managed to keep his toes dry too. ---
**Author:** ![Taters](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/taters/32/2845_2.png) [@Taters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taters)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2025, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-getting-back-into-your-groove-in-the-mmp/1021422/125 "2025-07-30T16:30:11Z")
To be clear, I was never in any danger, I live a good 15 to 20 miles from the shores of Puget Sound. Those Pacific Coast, especially in areas where the ocean is literally washing land away as it is,would be far worse off. I am really looking forward to this roofing project being done, as are the dogs. We can’t let them out, except for when the crew is on a break. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/22080_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2025, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-getting-back-into-your-groove-in-the-mmp/1021422/126 "2025-07-30T16:42:50Z")
Yanno, the problem with flooring that hides dirt is that, well, it hides dirt. Our kitchen floor is composite tiles that look kinda sorta like marble - many random shapes in random shades of gray. So unless there’s a spill of grape juice or salsa or chocolate milk, it’s not really obvious. Which means as you mop the floor, you have to be hyper-aware of spots - are they part of the tile pattern or are they stuck-on crud? I just did a quick spray-mop of the traffic area, and I’m pretty sure I got all the crud. I know I got remnants of some spills. I also rollsucked up enough shedding to build a couple more cats, and I haven’t done our bedroom yet because **FCD** is snoozing. I expect the area under the bed where Ziva sleeps is especially fluffy. I’m thinking once she goes to her kitteh reward, we’ll recarpet our room. Maybe all 3 bedrooms since they were all carpeted at the same time, circa 2007 or 2008. I guess it’s due. But for now, I need to be quiet, so I’ll do my best to hold my recliner in place. 😁 ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2025, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-getting-back-into-your-groove-in-the-mmp/1021422/127 "2025-07-30T17:24:12Z")
> [@susan](#): > > > [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > > > now we just need to hear from **flyboy** > > Probably fine–Vancouver Island is in the way. > [@Taters](#): > > To be clear, I was never in any danger, I live a good 15 to 20 miles from the shores of Puget Sound. We’re fine. We’re 500 feet inland from the shore. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2025, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-getting-back-into-your-groove-in-the-mmp/1021422/128 "2025-07-30T17:25:13Z")
What is an eSim? Izzy’s mother was talking about giving her an eSim, and hoping we can cover her when that one expires. > [@Taters](#): > > Speaking of which, I was up again in the dark this morning so I could go to the grocery store and get more refreshments for the crew. They seem to appreciate them. I have lemonade, Sprite, water, and apples in the cooler, along with chewy granola bars and cookies next to the cooler. They go through the snacks, and that’s what they’re for. You’re good people! > [@JaneDoe42](#): > > Do you have hummingbird feeders up? If not, consider it - there are no hummingbirds in Europe. No, we don’t have hummingbird feeders. We have four/five cats. Whole Foods? Fresh Market? Pah! [Market District](https://www.yelp.com/biz/giant-eagle-market-district-pittsburgh-3?osq=Giant+Eagle+Market+District) is my El Dorado. We plan to take Izzy there within the first week or two. I’m jonesing for a thumbprint cookie from their bakery section right now. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2025, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-getting-back-into-your-groove-in-the-mmp/1021422/129 "2025-07-30T17:55:23Z")
Afternoon all. Pedaling a stationary bike as I type this, the dishwasher is dishwashering so I’ll just let it do it’s thing while I burn off lunches calories. Am now the U8 Boys coordinator for the Fall season so need to get some pre-season activities set up and recruit coaches, so that should keep me busy. No rain to be seen so just another hot day in N. Ali-bama. Have read all but hard to respond while pedaling and sweating so catch up with you to all later. ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2025, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-getting-back-into-your-groove-in-the-mmp/1021422/130 "2025-07-30T18:20:43Z")
> [@LH75](#): > > She does beautiful work That she does. > [@missred](#): > > The weekend for the move has been set (now I have to remember to text my nephew who will be loading my car with electronics and personal items for Nelson and me). I keep thinking that you’re goint to move in August. And that’s some time in the future. Except August is this Friday, and it’s almost here. How did that happen. Happy belated birthday, **swampy**. > [@JaneDoe42](#): > > We could stop at a grocery store to get a veggie tray, but that would probably be judged harshly. A step up from a veggie tray. I’ve done this where I did all the prep work in advance and stored the layers separately and then put it together onsite. It’s super popular. Veggie pinwheels (whomp croissants, veggies and cream cheese) are also good. > **[Seven-Layer Taco Dip](https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/19673/seven-layer-taco-dip/)** > > This taco dip recipe layers refried beans, salsa, lettuce, veggies, Cheddar cheese, sour cream, and olives to make a delicious party appetizer. > [@Rilchiam](#): > > I intend to get an array of feminine products and discreetly place them in her room. Sounds like a good idea, but keep everything in the original packaging in case you want to donate it afterwards. My parents took in a student for 3 weeks from Brazil (their friend’s granddaughter) and she uses a menstral cup. Not sure how mainstream they are in the U.S. Some years ago I had to order mine online, but now I could just buy one at the local grocery store. And my parents friends? My parents hosted the family of 4 when I was 7 and they’ve even visited them in Brazil. > [@dogbutler](#): > > Not a fan of the new Discourse editing window First time using it and also not a fan. It be weird. > [@Chefguy](#): > > Pie for dinner. Glad the pie survived as well. And I didn’t even realize that there are people who think pie for dinner is odd. Pie has to be et while it’s fresh. Why bother eating other food when there’s pie. > [@missred](#): > > This having to enter twice to reply to a quote sucks. I’m scared what this is going to look like when I’m done. The preview is sub-optimal. Happy cake day @Aspenglow! Thanks for all that you do. 🧡 > [@Rilchiam](#): > > What is an eSim? The sim card in your phone is attached to your mobile phone number and your mobile contract. When traveling out of your normal area you’ll either have to pay roaming charges ($$$$) or get an electronic sim (like this company: [Buy eSIMs for international travel - Airalo](https://www.airalo.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoq6rxKfTNn8qneQb6juM5naYed7kVTX7AVNjsa87IderlVmzOMB) ) which gives you a much better rate for phone calls and data. The eSIM may also come with its own phone number. Because we live in Switzerland, we get eSIMs when we go to the US. Do you have WhatsApp? Does Isabella? We’re in week two of spring in summer. Lots of rain and everything’s green. Very green. Including the tomatoes. Hubby managed to cut the grass before it started raining. Actually, it hasn’t started raining, it just looks like it’s going to rain. Friday is a holiday and normally we’d be hearing fireworks by now. No one’s outside because it’s that chilly. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/22080_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2025, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-getting-back-into-your-groove-in-the-mmp/1021422/131 "2025-07-30T19:05:21Z")
I have to say that one thing I truly miss about being on the cruise is being able to click on the app and find out what’s being served at mealtime. Instead, I have to stare into the abyss that is my freezer and decide what to thaw. Life is so cruel!!! FYI, tonight, the abyss has produced a bag of pulled poke. It will be accompanied by salad and pineapple chunks, together or separately. Maybe some crinkle fries, also. Stoopit, lazy abyss. ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2025, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-getting-back-into-your-groove-in-the-mmp/1021422/132 "2025-07-30T19:05:37Z")
> [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > For the third day in a row my bladder let me sleep through the night You’re obviously not giving it enough to do. > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > Teeter advertised the root beer at 3/$15. They had 2 cartons in stock. FALSE ADVERTISING!!! _\< shakes angry little fist in the air \>_ Do you have to buy the full quantity to get the sale price?. Here, if it’s 3/$15, we can buy 2/$10. > [@susan](#): > > Vancouver Island is in the way. Don’t blame me – I didn’t put it there! > [@Die\_Capacitrix](#): > > When traveling out of your normal area you’ll either have to pay roaming charges ($$$$) or get an electronic sim (like this company: [Buy eSIMs for international travel - Airalo](https://www.airalo.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoq6rxKfTNn8qneQb6juM5naYed7kVTX7AVNjsa87IderlVmzOMB) ) But isn’t the sim card electronic?? ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2025, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-getting-back-into-your-groove-in-the-mmp/1021422/133 "2025-07-30T19:12:31Z")
> [@SCAdian](#): > > But isn’t the sim card electronic?? Sorry. I meant that a eSIM is digital. No physical card. iPhone 14 and above in the U.S. doesn’t have a physical SIM card, just a digital one. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/22080_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2025, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-getting-back-into-your-groove-in-the-mmp/1021422/134 "2025-07-30T19:15:29Z")
> [@SCAdian](#): > > Do you have to buy the full quantity to get the sale price?. Here, if it’s 3/$15, we can buy 2/$10. I’m pretty sure you buy what you want. Except I wanted 6. But all they had was 2. There wasn’t even space for 6 on the shelf. Dammit. ---
**Author:** ![missred](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/missred/32/14096_2.png) [@missred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missred)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2025, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-getting-back-into-your-groove-in-the-mmp/1021422/135 "2025-07-30T19:23:12Z")
Sticks\_and\_Scones: I’m afraid to see how much the permanent crown will cost. I am going to ask in advance. If it’s porcelain, be prepared for another $1000-1500. JaneDoe42: DEAL! But we will want to eat early so we can make it to Shoney’s for supper. Y’all still have Shoney’s? susan: Our area wasn’t above a tsunami advisory. Said lovely wife is very good about looking at the flood history when delineating where to live. Hoping everyone else is okay. Flood history was one of the things Sis warned me to look for when searching for a new apartment, keeping in mind the issues with slow moving storms like Harvey. My new complex was high and dry for that one. dogbutler: peedin: On the way home, I stopped at the new Whole Foods. I don’t ever need to go back. There is nothing there that I can’t get anywhere else and man is it overpriced. If I want hippie granola groceries, I hit Fresh Market, which doesn’t have a bald evil billionaire owner. I head to Sprout’s Market, which, I see, is unavailable in **wet one** ’s area. Rilchiam: What is an eSim? Izzy’s mother was talking about giving her an eSim, and hoping we can cover her when that one expires. It’s something that has to be set up with the service provider to a specific phone, linking said phone to the account. More and more phone models are going to e-sims exclusively with no physical sim card options (iPhone 14, 15, 16, Motorola Razr, certain Google models, etc). Die\_Capacitrix: keep thinking that you’re goint to move in August. And that’s some time in the future. Except August is this Friday, and it’s almost here. How did that happen. I know, right?! Went to the doctor this morning to make sure I had enough ‘scrips on record at CVS to cover me through the move until I have my new PCP. I swung through Hardee’s drive up for a late breakfast and they forgot to include the splenda and cream for my coffee (and it was my first caffeine of the morning!). I got absolutely no packing done once home, but did talk to my Allstate agent. It appears that my insurance will be going down now that I’m retired. Now, it’s time to harness up Nelson and head to the pharmacy. Stay safe and healthy y’all! ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2025, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-getting-back-into-your-groove-in-the-mmp/1021422/136 "2025-07-30T19:27:58Z")
today is national cheesecake day. ---
**Author:** ![peedin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peedin/32/14095_2.png) [@peedin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peedin)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2025, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-getting-back-into-your-groove-in-the-mmp/1021422/137 "2025-07-30T21:05:54Z")
> [@dogbutler](#): > > \< > > > [@peedin](#): > > > > On the way home, I stopped at the new Whole Foods. I don’t ever need to go back. There is nothing there that I can’t get anywhere else and man is it overpriced. > > If I want hippie granola groceries, I hit Fresh Market, which doesn’t have a bald evil billionaire owner. I’m a regular at Fresh Market for chicken, burgers, and bacon. And Jarlsberg dip if available. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2025, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-getting-back-into-your-groove-in-the-mmp/1021422/138 "2025-07-30T21:25:19Z")
> [@Rilchiam](#): > > What is an eSim? Izzy’s mother was talking about giving her an eSim, and hoping we can cover her when that one expires. As noted, in this context, an eSIM is a service that you use to get data for your phone at a cheaper rate. @Die_Capacitrix provided a link to Airalo and they have various packages. For 5GB, the cost is $16 and is valid for up to 30 days, but if she watches many YouTube videos when she’s not connected to Wifi data can get burned quickly. We paid for the eSIM for SenGirl while she was in Germany. I don’t see this as something the host family would cover. Things are settling down now, post tsunami. No major damage to my town. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2025, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-getting-back-into-your-groove-in-the-mmp/1021422/139 "2025-07-30T21:26:34Z")
> [@TokyoBayer](#): > > Things are settling down now, post tsunami. No major damage to my town. Glad to hear it! ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2025, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-getting-back-into-your-groove-in-the-mmp/1021422/140 "2025-07-30T21:30:56Z")
I thought about making family-style tofu for dinner. I have a recipe, but I think I’ll just wing it. The store didn’t have any doubanjiang (spicy fermented bean paste), but The Spousal Unit doesn’t like ‘spicy’ anyway. I forgot to get ginger, but I have some in a jar in the fridge. So I’ll make dinner with fried triangles of tofu, green bell pepper, carrots, green onions, sliced mushrooms, and oyster sauce. Maybe I’ll make the sauce with soy sauce, rice vinegar, water (because we don’t have any veg stock) and oyster sauce and thicken it with corn starch. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-getting-back-into-your-groove-in-the-mmp/1021422.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-getting-back-into-your-groove-in-the-mmp/1021422.md?page=8)