Thank you all!
Afternoon all. Shopping (paper, apples, milk and hot dog buns) has been completed and a Jersey Mike’s #3 is being assimilated, so doing alright. May head over to the gym for a little bit, then dinner from Whataburger or Krystals, depending on what I’m in the mood for, and maybe some soccer to round out the day. 94F and should feel like 112F according to the Weather Wizards, so not a good day to be outside much.
Hippie, lovely quilt from Sunflower, hope it cools off enough that you can enjoy sleeping under it…
FCM, hope the hair finally cooperates.
Wet one, seems to work for me. It is a puzzlement.
And onward into the afternoon.
For some reason, 100F in Dubai or Bahrain didn’t bother me nearly as much as 90F does here.
There was discussion a while back about the cost of neutering pets. We finally got Yoda to the base vet yesterday – it came to around $285 for the surgery, a rabies shot, and a chip.
That quilt is awesome! So, presumably, is its maker.
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So we had a video call yesterday, with “Izzy” and her mother. I wonder how we looked to them. To me, they could have been in a magazine: “Mother and daughter with the same perfect complexion!” I can’t help thinking that in contrast, we looked like we belonged on Hee-Haw. Of course, they wouldn’t know from Hee-Haw…Anyway, Izzy seemed nice, but barely said a thing. Shy, her mother said (mom did not seem to be dominating, mind you). Well, I’ve seen it before with exchange students (when I was a student): They arrive all prim and proper, and leave like “Yo, wassup?” Anyway, she did say a few things: chocolate chip cookies sound delicious, and two things she wants to do while here are go to a baseball game, and attend prom. (At least she believes prom is real, and we don’t have to have that conversation!)
We’re getting the guest room ready, and for the first time in years, I took a good look at the furniture and really saw how grungy it is. I don’t want Izzy to feel like the under-housemaid in some Victorian household! So I’m cleaning the furniture, prior to polishing it. I think some stains are just not going to come out, but it’ll still look better than before. And this is reminding me of a parable I read once, which I’ll put in another post.
And I think I said in last week’s thread that it’s unfortunate timing for Izzy to be here in Feb '26, while the Olympics will be happening practically in her back yard. Then I checked and guess what: next June, the World Cup will be partially held here, but by that time, she’ll be back there! At least Eurovision will be in Austria, presumably neutral territory.
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We’ve got some very bold raccoons on our property. I worry about the cats, with them around. Last night, in fact, I heard some very disturbing screeching from the barn. All the cats were hanging around our porch, in a well-lighted area, except for Claire, the oldest and meanest. But I saw her this morning, and she seemed unharmed. Maybe what I heard was infighting among the raccoons, or between a raccoon and a groundhog or possum.
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Among my “work” shoes are three pairs of flats that are identical except for color: they’re dressy enough while also being comfy, so I have pairs in black, navy blue, and grey/silver. This morning I put on grey pants and a navy blue top, and planned to wear the blue shoes. I looked at the floor in front of my dresser to see whether the blue ones were already in my bedroom or would need to be grabbed from the shoe rack in the third bedroom, and confirmed that they were already standing by. I finished getting ready, put my shoes on, and left the house…and when I got in the car, I noticed that I was wearing the grey/silver pair! I have no idea how that happened! I guess my subconscious was like, “the blue ones? yeah, not so much.” 
I wound up completing the Lego bonsai tree yesterday: the box said 878 pieces but it turned out that 200 of them were “pebbles” that simply got poured into the base, and another ~100 were optional pink blossoms (I went with just green). So, it only took about 90 minutes to assemble. I brought it to the office this morning, along with the four other botanical sets; I put the mini orchid together at lunchtime (274 pieces; 45 min). They are both currently on my window ledge; I’m happy with them. 
I have the pink bonsai blossoms here, too: after all of the sets are built, I might sprinkle them around for added decoration. I’ll take a photo when everything’s done.
We only have to be in the office 3 days/week, and most of the people here come in on Tue/Wed/Thu…which makes Mondays nice and quiet, which I’ve appreciated today because Bailey decided to have a 4am barkfest. There hadn’t been a middle-of-the-night wakeup in a long time, and she’s pretty cute, so the dog lives. But the dog’s steward is tired.
It would be, if we did family gatherings. 
On my mom’s side, we don’t all get together unless there’s a funeral or a wedding. Those cousins all live near each other in NJ: every now and then I get up there for a vist, but that’s about it.
On my dad’s side, his father died in 1980 but after his mom died in the mid-'90s he took it upon himself to be the one to keep everyone connected: he sends emails about birthdays, and every few years he arranges a family reunion (also in NJ). There hasn’t been one since his brother died two years ago, but often they’re precipitated by significant sibling birthdays…I’ll have to check my family notes and see if anyone has a birthday ending in “0” or “5” coming up. But his youngest sister (the one I don’t speak to) lives in WY and is kind of clinically crazy, and transporting her is always a major challenge: Dad’s going to be 77 this fall, and might have decided it’s no longer worth the effort.
Thanks for the info! And yep, I’m glad I asked: I wouldn’t have if I hadn’t wanted to know.
If it ever came down to it, I think I’d be willing to sit next to/near a body on a plane. The noises coming from it would be cancelled out by my headphones, and I have no qualms about human remains. My only concern might be odor; not from decomposition (since you noted that’s unlikely to start before landing), but from any bodily functions associated with the death. If that weren’t an issue, though? Put me in, coach.
My routine is never thrown off by that much/for that long. But I hope to learn my answer to that question after Bailey is no longer with me, and I (theoretically) start traveling more.
Add mine to the chorus of ooooos and aaaahhs! 
Those look like they’re designed to help preserve coloring that has already been added to hair: are you saying they’ll add some color all on their own? If so, I (a brunette) might try the Radiant Red sometime!
Hippie, that quilt is beautiful!
I am currently less than thrilled. I took my shoes off and put on my crocs because I was mostly done moving around. Well, a different part of my left foot decided that it would not let me walk without either putting the brace back on or walking with a cane. It bothers me to wear the brace 24/7, but it really bothers me that it’s not the part of my foot that usually gives me trouble. Ugh.
I’m not sure what species or sex Yoda is, but that’s just under having Nelson (small canine) neutered 8 years ago. You got a deal.
At least it wasn’t one of each.(says the woman who wore one brown and one black loafer to irk one day)
Yes, but gradually. I went from auburn-going-grey back to auburn, then to blonde and no one even noticed until I was unmistakably the desired color.
I got more of the studio packed today as well as the travel busy box for the stay at Sis’. The lease wasn’t signed, but only because there was a glitch on my end of the documents. Tomorrow should be the day. 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). Let the weird meals begin! 
Wow! That is gorgeous!!
Misnomer, we did the pink blossoms because I liked the wee pink frogs.
Is it Friday yet?
Howdy Y’all! We had quality cee-mint pond time for three hours which was a bit too much. I am a Summer baby and have always not minded the heat. However, as a grumpy old man, I find it gets to me after just a little while. It was so nice to be inside in the a/c this afternoon. We showered, achieved nappage and day drank. Sup got fixed and et. OYKW baked a purty lookin’ cheesecake. I offered to slice and macerate (that word sounds and looks both naughty and gruesome!) the strawberries but was told not to, so I lolled around whilst he did it.
Hippie that quilt is awesome! Sunflower does gorgeous work!
MOOOOOOM sorry the dye job didn’t turn out the way you wanted.
Rilch a groundhog/possum/raccoon rumble sounds like sump’n you could sell tickets for.
Wow, Hippie and Sunflower, that’s a beautiful quilt!
About 25 years ago, when I was still working, I tried dyeing my hair to cover up the grey. After a few weeks, I had several shades of brown, and I didn’t like the look. So, I stopped, and oddly enough, my hair is still about the same blend of brown and grey I had back then. Except for the thin spot in the back, that is. My eyes, though, gradually went from blue to green.
Male cat.
I apologize in advance for how lengthy this will be. I pity your scrolling finger.
First off, a big shout-out to Boo, who gave me excellent insight and advice yesterday. My sister-in-law was rushed to the hospital yesterday. She’s diabetic and has had a lot of health woes. (She’s the one with the glass eye.) Yesterday, she had nonstop vomiting and an intense, burning itch that enveloped her entire body. Nor rash, though.
Anyway, the ER gave her prednisone tabs, an Rx for the same, plus one for hydroxyzine but no diagnosis whatsoever and sent her on her way. So far, the meds aren’t working. She’s supposed to call her PCP tomorrow. She’s not the easiest person to get along with, but nobody deserves the hell she’s been through.
Remember the neighbors who played the very loud music last winter? It got bad again Friday and Sat. nights. The problem isn’t the woman who lives there, who’s very sweet. It’s her grandkids when they come over (at all hours). Saturday when they played Britney Spears “Hit Me Baby, One More Time” at max volume, someone was slurring along a full measure behind. Don’t tempt me, bub. Anyway, just now the manager was putting two notices on that door. I hope the woman doesn’t get evicted. I just want the deafening racket to stop.
The ortho PA doubled my dosage of Celebrex (or the generic). I’m hoping that KO’s the back pain.
OMG, I missed a protest Saturday! I didn’t even know there was one planned. I was walking to meet some friends for lunch and heard a band playing Woody Guthrie’s “I Ain’t Got No Home,” so I sang along (quietly because I sound like a lawn mower swallowed a dentist’s drill)and when I got to the corner, I joined the chanting, but I felt like the kid who’s tardy but slips in and pretends she’s been there the whole time.
There’s a hummingbird!!! It thrills me every time one stops by the Mangia Mangia Fuchsia Inn.
As to this week’s topic…every year when summer break started, I’d tell myself not to forget my copier code, and every August when I returned, I’d forgotten the damned thing. I’d also forget how miserable it is to get up at 4:50 a.m. after only 5 hours’ sleep. I’d ask myself, “How did I DO this last year?”
I actually DO like the smell of wet dog. It’s so comfortably doggy.
swampy, Happy Birthday Eve! I bet OYK makes a mean cheesecake. Don’t let it bite you.
You are not alone. I don’t understand people who love 90º+ weather. What are they, lizards?
Hippie, Sunflower’s quilts made me gasp. They’re just gorgeous. And those colors!
You do have a way with words, doggio.
red, can Nelson tell something is up re: the impending move? I’ll be glad when you’re all moved in. Moving is negative fun.
MetalMouse, my curiousity is whetted: hot dog buns but no hot dogs?
Rilchiam, what is your Mumper name, please? I missed it somehow. Also, Izzy sounds nice and you sound well-prepared as well as well-versed.
I’m pretty sure that he knows something’s up. He began stress licking a month ago and licked his undercarriage raw in a couple of places. A vet visit, some antibiotics, anti-microbial foam and me changing the lotion that I’d been putting on it to coconut oil with bitter apple (soothes but tastes too nasty to lick) has helped. I just want my baby to feel better.
We’re watching some episodes of Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations (Season 1, 2005). Some things occur to me:
- I wish I could still eat like that.
- I’d love to visit these places.
- I wish I was as cool as Anthony Bourdain.
Up from naptime, having an Old Fashioned, and fish, rice and peas n’ 'shrooms.
Better tired than eaten by The Invisible Mole People. 
That would be nice, because next week is vacation.
Happy Monday everyone.
I’ve never done well with jet lag and have always needed a day to sleep it off (or force myself to stay up until it was a reasonable time to go to bed).
The worse part about traveling when I was working was coming back to my desk after a couple of weeks.
Now that Hubs is well into his fuddy-duddy years, he doesn’t want to leave the cats with a trusted pet sitter for longer than a few days. No more traveling for him, but at least he knows how to do his own laundry and will change the sheets if I remind him. I still need a day to recover no matter how long I’ve been gone.
Hubs has finally realized that we need to make final arrangements regarding the fuzzbutts. We don’t have kids so don’t have anyone to take care of the the fuzzbutts and house when we are gone. While I am planning on outliving them, I still get in a car and drive which is risky business no matter where you live. Our windy mountain roads just add a little extra adrenaline to the drive at times.
We already have a lawyer appointment over the “new” house so he called and asked about dealing with that as well. So far, we are planning on leaving current house, cats and all to the shelter that raised Jolene, but if anyone wants to step up and promise to spoil our fuzzbutts in their home for the rest of their lives send me an IM. I’m kinda looking at you @purplehorseshoe and @dogbutler.
In other news, the Gatoraid seems to be helping with the night foot cramps and I’ve learned they make electrolyte replacement tablets. I’m not really a fan of flavored drinks unless they have ETOH added so I ordered a bottle.
I’m also being diligent about stretching and flexing during the day which I think probably is making a bigger difference.
Tomorrow I’m going to start PT for my shoulder. I’m fairly sure I’ve got some repetitive motion damage going on, it only really started hurting when my eyes got fixed and got a whole lot worse after I got my new glasses.
Currently I’m all ??? about the family reunion in a couple of weeks. What to bring, what to bring? It’s going to be a three hour drive so hot food is right out. Last year I made cookies that got sampled, but so many other folks brought cold desserts that got eaten first.
We could stop at a grocery store to get a veggie tray, but that would probably be judged harshly. Nobody would say anything, but family members can be even more judgey than cats and I made their cousin start talking funny.
I also miss being able to eat a full meal at one sitting. Nowadays I look at the old farts part of the menu because I already know I can’t eat a full serving of shrimp alfredo and it really doesn’t travel well.
Dogs (and cats) monitor their slave’s moods and behavior closely. When we start acting differently, they start to worry. We control their entire lives and when we stress, they stress.
GG started stress grooming when I started packing.
You can be so very silly. I enjoyed every word and grrrd at the loud neighbors with you.
They could be the second act after the ProRasslin/Gospel Concert!
(Sunday after next I am going to go to a church that still practices snik handling. I will not handle any sniks unless I am sure they have been de-fanged recently.)
I’ll bet it tasted even better than it looked, even without the expert macerated strawberries!
I hate all of the minutia that comes with any sort of move. Doing the cross country thing wasn’t any more fun than the next door move I did back all those years ago.
Oh great, just what you need. Foot pain is the worse. I do hope that it resolves soon.
Better, more loving words have never been spoken!
Beautiful quilt and lovely wife.
Good evening all. Got my calories burned at the gym, then came home, watched some TV and got dinner at Whataburger, then went out and helped with the U10 Boys soccer for an hour, so it was a fairly busy day for an old RDOS. Pretty much the same weather tomorrow, not much chance of the heat breaking anytime soon.
Herald, I lived in Abu Dhabi for 4 years, don’t recall it bothering me that much either once i adjusted to it. Of course I didn’t spend a lot of time outdoors, either…
Rilchaim, glad you were able to talk with ‘Izzy’, I think it will work out just fine. Glad the cats know better than to pick fights with the raccoon population.
Oopsie, like red mentioned, I did that a couple times when I had matching Brown/Black Hush Puppies, in my case I made it all the way to work before I noticed, just kept my feet under the desk for the rest of the day.
I think I would want an upgrade to Business Class in that situation…
{{Cupcakes}}, hope the balky foot settles down.
nellie, best wishes to sis-in-law, sounds like she’s having a miserable time and the ER wasn’t much help.
I bought the hot dogs on Friday, but though I had a pack of buns in the freezer, turned out I didn’t.
red, best wishes and extra scritches to Nelson.
JtC, good planning to make those arrangements now, but I expect you to be around the MMP for quite awhile yet. And as for the snake-handling church, my only question is why?
And it’s moving on to 10pm, so I’ll close this for the day and catch up with y’all tomorrow.
So, what am I? Chopped liver? Do you have any idea how spoiled rotten my meezer Moxie is?
I get it though. I’m older than you and they need a youngster to step up so their servant will outlive them. No guarantees with me, so how about I offer to be the crazy auntie who will travel out to cat and house sit for vacations, etc.
Plus you wouldn’t want to live that far away from your beloved grandchildren. Yes, I did think about you, but that would be a very big thing to ask.
The older I get, the harder it is to find new experiences. I ain’t never done that before and I have someone who has who will go with me. Still pouting about hubs not being willing to go the the rasslin/gospel thin.