# (Old) Halfway through the month - Midway in the MMP **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Tags:** mmp\ **Created:** [January 13, 2025, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-halfway-through-the-month-midway-in-the-mmp/1012910 "2025-01-13T11:40:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**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:** [January 13, 2025, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-halfway-through-the-month-midway-in-the-mmp/1012910/1 "2025-01-13T11:40:03Z")
Morning, mumpers! It’s currently 4c/39f with a predicted high of 5c/40f, and cloudy. Weather app says “Someone obviously fucking pissed off Mother Nature. It was probably that fucking dickweed, Father Time.” Yes, it’s cold and overcast here, but this week should see some higher temperatures and it does bring us halfway through the month of the year that feels the longest. In brighter news, I got my car’s breakdown cover renewal and swapped to a vehicle benefit scheme through work. That saved me £220 so that’s a bonus. What’s your big saving of the day? ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2025, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-halfway-through-the-month-midway-in-the-mmp/1012910/2 "2025-01-13T11:45:28Z")
First! Take _that_ **Swampy** and other slugabeds! No savings to speak of, that’s for sure. ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2025, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-halfway-through-the-month-midway-in-the-mmp/1012910/3 "2025-01-13T12:06:45Z")
Good Morning Y’all! Up and caffeinatin’. _YAWN_ ‘Tis 41 Amurrkin out and rainy with a predicted high of 48 with rain stoppin’ around noon and then cloudy. A good day to stay inside and enjoy RDOS inactivities I say. I do need to call the pharmacy as they think I have a ‘script that needs to be refilled, but I don’t. Sup will be grilled poke chops, field peas with snaps, cheesey rice, and rolls. **BooFae** huzzah on the savin’s. We’ll be savin’ money today by stayin’ home. Now I need more caffeine and to feed rumbly tummy. Then, onward into the day! Rah. Happy Moanday Y’all! ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21825_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2025, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-halfway-through-the-month-midway-in-the-mmp/1012910/4 "2025-01-13T12:10:26Z")
Dammit - I had an MMP all written - well, in my head, anyway, but I chose to fill the pellet stove and make breakfast first. _\< shakes angry little fist at **BooFae** \>_ 😛 Meanwhile, it’s too early to have saved anything today - not even 7AM, fercryinoutloud!! But later, I’ll run to Food Lion for some more BOGO diet cokes. Even tho they raised the price, it’s still cheaper than 3/$12, and it won’t do to run out. **FCD** has to take his NEW car back to Hyundai this week - something is draining the battery. He took it once and they claimed everything is in specs. Since then, he’d driven it pretty much every day, but the other day (having skipped a day) it was _dead dead dead_. He took a jump from my car, and all was fine till he skipped another day of driving, so it’s currently dead. (current - that’s an electrical joke, son!) Anyway, I sent him a link to Merrylande’s Lemon Law and we shall start documenting. I hope they figure it out - what a pain! He’ll need a jump start today because he’s going down to our marina to arrange to have the boat winterized (we’d put it off because we thought we’d be taking it across the bay.) They told us they can do all the work we want right there in our slip - no need to haul it our, which saves some $$, in keeping with our topic. And I’ve already decided to thaw one of the frozen hunks of T-giving turkey to make tonight’s supper. Plus the leftover rice, and a packet of gravy mix (don’t judge!) and I’ll figure out a veggie side. So that’s out of the way. Not sure what else the day will hold - something exciting, no doubt. So, Happy Moanday! ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2025, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-halfway-through-the-month-midway-in-the-mmp/1012910/5 "2025-01-13T12:25:59Z")
Weather app says -26 C but no wind chill. Yay, I guess. Projected high of -19. Our central heat is a bit erratic this time of year. Bedroom is hot but kitchen is cold. Woke up to a really hot bedroom during the night, so opened the window to let in some of that sweet -26 air and was able to get back to sleep. Plugged in the car’s block heater yesterday, so shouldn’t have any trouble starting it, as I trudge off to work. I’m finishing the first stage of my big project today and sending a batch of work off to the next phase: translation. Yay! ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21825_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2025, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-halfway-through-the-month-midway-in-the-mmp/1012910/6 "2025-01-13T14:09:01Z")
Well, after 2 anna half months of stress eating, compounded by the holidays and general laziness about my exercise routine, I managed to regain 18# and I can barely squeeze into my stretchiest jeans. So today, I restarted my food diary, with the intention to sticking with it this time. (Yeah, we’ve heard that song before…) Oddly enough, keeping the diary is kind of like a conscience. It’s so stupid, because I feel better when I eat better, but sometimes my sweet tooth takes control and I’m too weak to resist it. Dammit. But I’ve managied to purge the pantry and fridge of all sweets, except for the sherbet, which I don’t much like - it’s for **FCD**. Next week, there will be the challenge of our mini-vacation. I’ll take fruit for snacking and at least keep track of what I eat, even if I go over my limit. The hotel has a fitness center and I’ll make the effort to use it each day. I’m creeping up on 71 - I really need to take better care of myself. We’ll see how well my resolve holds. But I would like to live long enough to see Roxy and Tobias graduate from college. What’s in the back of my mind - my dad died at 72. His dad died at 72. On the other hand, my mom is still going, slower but going, at 91. Genetics is mysterious, but I’d like to hit 91 myself eventually. ---
**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:** [January 13, 2025, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-halfway-through-the-month-midway-in-the-mmp/1012910/7 "2025-01-13T14:13:02Z")
> [@(Old) The Snowed In MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-snowed-in-mmp/1012614/454): > > a hammer, saw, plane, and a box of nails. I give up – what do those things have to do with a nuclear-trained peanut farmer? > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > I had an MMP all written - well, in my head, anyway What was your thread title? > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > Oddly enough, keeping the diary is kind of like a conscience. I know the feeling. ---
**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:** [January 13, 2025, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-halfway-through-the-month-midway-in-the-mmp/1012910/8 "2025-01-13T14:24:02Z")
Good morning everyone. It’s 34F and cloudy outside. The day will remain generally cloudy with a high temperature of 41F. **@JaneDoe42** Thanks very much information. I’ve passed it along to my daughter. **FCM,** I will never own a Hyundai hybrid after all the crap we went through with our old fleet cars. FCD’s issue sounds much like the issues we were suffering. You know what’s scary? Driving down the freeway and having the vehicle die…while doing 65 M.P.H., I’d get rid of it, but that’s just me. The dealership will never find anything; they never do. They say it’s okay and die when it returns to the parking lot. There will be no money savings today because the pups have a vet visit, and we must buy groceries. I need to finish my coffee, finish cleaning the kitchen, and get in the shower. I hope you all have a good day. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21825_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2025, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-halfway-through-the-month-midway-in-the-mmp/1012910/9 "2025-01-13T14:32:20Z")
> [@SCAdian](#): > > What was your thread title? Nope - I may get to use it yet! 😉 > [@Taters](#): > > FCD’s issue sounds much like the issues we were suffering. Except his isn’t a hybrid. And my Sonata is 13 years old and I’ve never had an electrical issue. Daughter’s Elentra (used to be the in-laws’ car) is 9 years old and it hasn’t had electrical problems either. Maybe the issue is in the newer vehicles. So we’ll keep track and do what the state says WRT the lemon law requirements. **FCD** just called to warn me of a big charge about to hit our VISA. The boatyard requires a down payment, as well as payment as work progresses. I can’t blame them - I expect they got stuck more than once with boat owners who got work and couldn’t seem to get around to paying their bills. Of course, if you called those people thieves, they’d deny it vigorously. Anyway, it begins. I suppose I should do something productive. Not sure what that would be, tho. ---
**Author:** ![Sahirrnee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sahirrnee/32/13937_2.png) [@Sahirrnee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sahirrnee)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2025, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-halfway-through-the-month-midway-in-the-mmp/1012910/10 "2025-01-13T14:39:50Z")
Happy Moonday! It’s 34, feels like 29, degrees outside. Supposed to get up to a balmy 43 degrees today. Then it’s suppose to cool off, warm up to the mid 40s Friday and Saturday, then snow on Sunday. Maybe Mother Nature is going through menopause. That sounds like a nice savings to me **BooFae** I have no plans for saving money today. My son needs new shirts. I ordered some last week, they arrived yesterday, and he’s not happy with them. I ordered something different today. I don’t know it I’ll send the others back or pass them on to somebody else. The PacMan Lego set looks cool, **Ooopsie**. I wonder if my son would like it. He has a bunch of sets just sitting there since Christmas. I have a lot to do today, and don’t want to do any of it. Most of it is phone calls and… I need a secretary. ---
**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:** [January 13, 2025, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-halfway-through-the-month-midway-in-the-mmp/1012910/11 "2025-01-13T14:41:03Z")
Oops, sorry, **FCM**. I made an assumption, and I guess that makes me an ASS. All of our Hyundais were hybrids and models from 2016 and 2017. They were a problem from day one. I hope the issue is resolved favorably and results in a safe vehicle. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21825_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2025, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-halfway-through-the-month-midway-in-the-mmp/1012910/12 "2025-01-13T14:55:28Z")
> [@Taters](#): > > All of our Hyundais were hybrids and models from 2016 and 2017. Without data or reasoned consideration, I don’t trust hybrids or electric cars. I don’t know enough about the technology and I prefer the old reliable internal combustion engine. Maybe they’ve gotten better over time, but I still don’t trust them. Now get off my lawn!! 😛 ---
**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:** [January 13, 2025, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-halfway-through-the-month-midway-in-the-mmp/1012910/13 "2025-01-13T15:08:36Z")
I, too, prefer good old ICEs. We no longer have hybrids in our fleet, and I won’t own them for my personal use either. I don’t trust them, and the fact that every single one of ours was a lemon (five of them) is enough data for me. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2025, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-halfway-through-the-month-midway-in-the-mmp/1012910/14 "2025-01-13T15:10:24Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > I chose to fill the pellet stove and make breakfast first. _\< shakes angry little fist at **BooFae** \>_ 'Tswhatcha get for being all productive and stuff. > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > packet of gravy mix (don’t judge!) No judgy-judgy here. I have half a jar of, well, jarred gravy in the fridge. At least your version involved “cooking!” > [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Woke up to a really hot bedroom during the night, so opened the window to let in some of that sweet -26 air and was able to get back to sleep. My kind of people. > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > It’s so stupid, because I feel better when I eat better What’s stupid? Of course you feel better. But has anyone ever muttered, while barfing through a hangover, “Tomorrow, imma drink MOAR!” … and then what do they do? You’re not stupid. Just human. > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > I’m creeping up on 71 - I really need to take better care of myself. I initially misread this as “creeping up on 7-11” and thought briefly, “Yeah, convenience store fud ain’t healthy.” > [@(Old) The Snowed In MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-snowed-in-mmp/1012614/454): > > > [@(Old) The Snowed In MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-snowed-in-mmp/1012614/454): > > > > a hammer, saw, plane, and a box of nails. > > I give up – what do those things have to do with a nuclear-trained peanut farmer? He was highly involved with Habitat for Humanity, where volunteers build homes for the destitute. Social media luuuurved pics of a 90-year-old guy smiling & hammerin’ nails with everyone else on the build crew. Very humble, and by all accounts very sweet and dedicated to doing good things. > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > Oddly enough, keeping the diary is kind of like a conscience. Yeah, it’s one thing to snarf down an entire sleeve of cookies in ~~the bathroom~~ secret. It’s quite another to hafta admit, in writing, what you did. > [@Taters](#): > > You know what’s scary? Driving down the freeway and having the vehicle die…while doing 65 M.P.H. I had an alternator go out on me like that many, many years ago. 20-something woman, semi-sketchy area, driving alone at night, in a black car. With no idea why my radio went dead .. then the headlights got super dim … then the power steering crapped out … > [@Sahirrnee](#): > > I don’t know it I’ll send the others back If it’ll get you a refund, then … yeah, return 'em! > [@Sahirrnee](#): > > I wonder if my son would like it. > He has a bunch of sets just sitting there since Christmas. “You don’t get seconds until you finish your firsts.” > [@Sahirrnee](#): > > I have a lot to do today, and don’t want to do any of it.… I need a secretary. I felt that in the core of my entire being. ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2025, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-halfway-through-the-month-midway-in-the-mmp/1012910/15 "2025-01-13T15:14:30Z")
It’s a delightful winter morning. The weather app says 33F, with a high of 43F. No water is supposed to fall from the sky until this weekend, when I’m supposed to go camping, but that’s OK because I will be in a nice, cozy cabin with TV and the Interwebnets. I got some money for Christmas, and it’s a three-paycheck month, so I’m tempted to look at my Amazon wish list and get something nice for myself. On the other hand, the angel over my shoulder is reminding me that I have responsibilities… ---
**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:** [January 13, 2025, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-halfway-through-the-month-midway-in-the-mmp/1012910/16 "2025-01-13T15:29:08Z")
Morning all. Slept in to after 8am today just because I can and have had the morning banana to break my fast. Shop-n-Sammich and Swim-n-Sauna arer on the agenda along with a soccer meeting at 6:30pm to elect a new commissioner. I fact I have several meetings planned for this week. Tuesday I’ll meet with someone at the gym to discuss how best I can go about ‘reshaping’ my body (move the belly to other places) and then have an afternoon meeting with my Financial adviser. Wednesday I take my car in to get all the ‘other’ fluid work done (Coolant, Transmission, Power Steering, etc.). And put the garbage out on Wednesday night, so that should take care of my adulting for the week. As for saving money, will be talking to my Financial guy about 2025, I have one investment coming due and some decisions on a couple more to make, but should be good for the year. Am thinking about a hybrid, but leaning towards a Toyota Highlander if I go that route; not planning to look at Hyundai. Weather isn’t too bad, no precipitation in sight and should get to 46F today and into the 50’s later this week. **FCM** , never owned a Hyundai, probably never will. And hope the weight comes off easily; still holding around 200lbs here, even reached for the carrots last night when I wanted a snack instead of the pretzels. My mom’s side of the family which I tend to resemble mostly made it to their late 80’s/early 90’s, so I have some hope of making it through my 9th decade. **Piper** , just plugged -26C into the calculator and that is about -15F; y’all go ahead and open up the window; I’ll just go ahead and suffer the heat… > [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > With no idea why my radio went dead … then the headlights got super dim … then the power steering crapped out … Plot to any mad slasher movie ever written… OK, need to put on more-or-less proper clothes and get some apples and bread at the Kroger and then procure my #3 Regular at Jersey Mike’s. Have a great week all. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2025, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-halfway-through-the-month-midway-in-the-mmp/1012910/17 "2025-01-13T15:41:09Z")
> [@MsRobyn](#): > > No water is supposed to fall from the sky until this weekend, when I’m supposed to go camping, but that’s OK because I will be in a nice, cozy cabin with TV and the Interwebnets. Not so much “camping” as “sleeping in someone else’s house.” Still sounds way more comfy that roughing it! ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21825_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2025, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-halfway-through-the-month-midway-in-the-mmp/1012910/18 "2025-01-13T16:06:30Z")
Just finished a little workout - I moved the bigger piles of snow behind the truck, then started it up with full heat blowing at the windshield while I knocked as much snow as I could off the front and top of the cab. Didn’t bother with the bed. I freed the wipers and scraped the ice that was under them. Then I drove thru the neighborhood - maybe 2 miles total, but enough to get the fluids moving and all that. I hate for it to sit too long without moving. It’s after 11, and since I had breakfast over 4 hours ago, I’m going to heat up a bowl of soup, altho the only part of me that’s cold are my feet. My Land’s End boots have let me down!! They’re not waterproof, tho they are warm. No matter - I’m back in shoes in the warmth of the house. And off to the kitchen to nuke some soup. ---
**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:** [January 13, 2025, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-halfway-through-the-month-midway-in-the-mmp/1012910/19 "2025-01-13T16:07:38Z")
Monday. Good thing we started early. We were shorted handed, I had to go help in the Mez for a bit, the Exception Resolution program got erased from all but one computer. Luckliy I had the one that had it, because I had to fix a adrress with poor spelling(“natinal”) and odd spacing. I think the person typing either had 3 martinis or a stroke while doing it. They also didn’t have a loader for the Top Blue set, and nobody noticed till 0730. So I had to pull boxes for that. Then they didn’t do the add/cuts till 8. We started at 2. I am so happy that this is neither my circus nor my monkeys. Also, judging by the bits of furniture raining down from the second floor, either the neighbors moved out and left stuff behind, or a giant cat has moved in. > [@scareyfaerie](#): > > What’s your big saving of the day? I did not saving anything. But I didn’t spend anything, so I got that going for me. Which is nice. > [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > translation. Yay! _My hovercraft is full of eels!_ > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > but I’d like to hit 91 myself eventually. We’d like that as well. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2025, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-halfway-through-the-month-midway-in-the-mmp/1012910/20 "2025-01-13T16:20:25Z")
NYTimes headline: **Falling Child Vaccinations.** Wait, what?!! You can vax against falls, now? **MsRobyn,** and mostly everybody: Lactose intolerant doesn’t mean you can’t have dairy food anymore. It just means you need to take lactase pills with your milk-containing foods. Lactase is the enzyme your body makes, that lets you digest lactose (milk sugar). Most people stop making their own in adulthood. Some people, mostly Black people, never had it. When you see “Lactose-free” in the grocery, that usually means they’ve added lactase to it. So, unless you’re actually allergic to milk (rather rare) you can safely consume milk, cheese, and ice cream. Just read the labels. If there’s milk, and no lactase, take a lactase pill with it. Lactaid and DairyEase are two brands of those pills. Okay? End of lesson; sorry for playing Grumpy Old Prof. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-halfway-through-the-month-midway-in-the-mmp/1012910.md?page=2)