# (Old) Halfway through the month - Midway in the MMP

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-halfway-through-the-month-midway-in-the-mmp/1012910>\
**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:** 19

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**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 19, 2025, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-halfway-through-the-month-midway-in-the-mmp/1012910/361 "2025-01-19T13:00:05Z")

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Up, caffeinated, and sheveled. Off today. I shall clean, and change and launder the sheets, Spot willing. It is 44 degrees Ferret Height(6.66 Centipedes) outside, with a _ **DENSE FOG ADVISORY** _.

> [@purplehorseshoe](#):
>
> Worst comes to worst, I can fold laundry & sort socks by candlelight on Monday, as a fun pastime. 🙃

Like a slightly stoned Medieval peasant.

> [@scareyfaerie](#):
>
> Biplav’s kettlebell

That sounds like a weird medical syndrome.

> [@SuntanLotion](#):
>
> Are weatherpeeps more excitable nowadays?

Well, the weather is weirder these days. We’re supposed to get 1-4" of snow Tuesday night. That should make for a fun Wednesday sort.

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**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\
**Post date:** [January 19, 2025, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-halfway-through-the-month-midway-in-the-mmp/1012910/362 "2025-01-19T13:00:15Z")

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-12F at 0700 this morning. Wind chill is -29F. I was able to wangle a parking spot in the heated garage for my son when he and family come over, so they won’t have to climb into a motorized freezer when they leave. The heating system is woefully unable to keep this place warm enough, so I’ve got the portable plugged in and may turn on the oven as well.

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**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\
**Post date:** [January 19, 2025, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-halfway-through-the-month-midway-in-the-mmp/1012910/363 "2025-01-19T13:18:29Z")

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> [@SuntanLotion](#):
>
> Don’t forget, you are starting the new MMP thread tomorrow!

As long as no one beats me to it…

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**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 19, 2025, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-halfway-through-the-month-midway-in-the-mmp/1012910/364 "2025-01-19T14:01:11Z")

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-31, wind chill of -36.

Piper Mutts were **not** happy with the outside temps this morning.

I am making tea and staying in.

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**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\
**Post date:** [January 19, 2025, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-halfway-through-the-month-midway-in-the-mmp/1012910/365 "2025-01-19T14:18:06Z")

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> [@purplehorseshoe](#):
>
> > [@Kitten\_Mitten](#):
> >
> > WHAT is the news about JoAnnes??? Do I need to rush there tomorrow?
> 
> Maybe not tomorrow, but soon-ish. They’re filing for bankruptcy, for the second time.

Thanks **shoe**. I’m almost always the last to know things and what with my internet restrictions, I figured everyone else had already heard.

I don’t sew so they aren’t my first choice for needlepoint supplies, but they were always my first choice for finishing supplies because I could feel the fabric and look at the weave while making my selections.

I’m glad you got your missing item, its great that the same person who made the mistake recognized it.

It is snowing steadily and there is heavy fog. It is beautiful. It’s currently 30F which is the warmest it is predicted to be all week.

We will be practicing our RDOS skillz today except for the part where I dust and sweep. But that won’t take long and then I can settle down for an afternoon of stitchin’, smokin’ and sippin.

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**Author:** ![liirogue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dbc845/32.png) [@liirogue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/liirogue)\
**Post date:** [January 19, 2025, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-halfway-through-the-month-midway-in-the-mmp/1012910/366 "2025-01-19T14:23:57Z")

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> [@Northern\_Piper](#):
>
> Piper goes on an Arctic expedition

Wait… all of that to take the trash out?! Is your back gate quite far away??  
I bitch if I have to put on real shoes (ie not flip flops) and a hoodie to take the trash the 15 feet from the door to the big bin.

> [@scareyfaerie](#):
>
> I am planning to make some chilli for dinner tonight

What is chilli made up of on your side of the pond? I’m curious how close (or not) it is to what would be made in the US.

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**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 19, 2025, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-halfway-through-the-month-midway-in-the-mmp/1012910/367 "2025-01-19T14:42:45Z")

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> [@liirogue](#):
>
> > [@Northern\_Piper](#):
> >
> > Piper goes on an Arctic expedition
> 
> Wait… all of that to take the trash out?! Is your back gate quite far away??

About 35 feet, I’d guess. We’ve had a lot of snow this year. It’s well-packed on the path, but no flip-flops for me.

Forgot to mention that I also had to bring in the emptied recycling bin from the back alley, outside my back gate.

No way I’m touching that bare-handed in this weather. Even with gloves, my fingers were tingling from the cold after I brought it back into the yard.

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**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\
**Post date:** [January 19, 2025, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-halfway-through-the-month-midway-in-the-mmp/1012910/368 "2025-01-19T14:46:05Z")

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> [@liirogue](#):
>
> I bitch if I have to put on real shoes (ie not flip flops)

Wait - are you my daughter?? She was born in FL and lived there on and off for between 15-20 years, and she _hates_ closed shoes. Unfortunately for her, she works in an industrial environment now so she has to wear real shoes. Poor baby. Me, I wear socks and shoes from the time I get out of the shower till I undress at bedtime. On the rare occasions we plan to swim, I’ll don sandals or flip-flops, but I don’t like it. I’m sure it’s mostly because I need decent arch support or my feet hurt like crazy.

Back from a quick dash to the DG Market - we were down to our last Melatonin tablet. The store is just 3 miles away, so it truly was a quick dash, tho it took a little exploring to find the correct aisle. When they switched from being a mere Dollar General, the whole store was rearranged. And once I got home, I loaded the dishwasher with the stuff **FCD** was nice enough to rinse and stack last night.

It’s raining - not hard, but enough that I needed to use the wipers. It’s still above freezing - not for long, I fear. But unless we decided to go out for victuals, the weather won’t affect us till Tuesday.

Time to crochet, methinks.

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**Author:** ![liirogue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dbc845/32.png) [@liirogue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/liirogue)\
**Post date:** [January 19, 2025, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-halfway-through-the-month-midway-in-the-mmp/1012910/369 "2025-01-19T14:59:02Z")

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I don’t mind closed shoes and wear them frequently when I’m out, but in the house I’m barefoot or wearing socks. I’ll wear house shoes if it’s particularly cold and socks aren’t enough to keep out the cold from the tile floor. So for a quick outdoor activity like taking the trash to the bin, flip flops are the default.

Unless there’s snow on the ground, but that isn’t super common here.

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**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:** [January 19, 2025, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-halfway-through-the-month-midway-in-the-mmp/1012910/370 "2025-01-19T15:06:00Z")

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> [@FairyChatMom](#):
>
> Daughter loaned us a cable that, theoretically, will allow us to play Sirius from his phone thru the car speakers.

If your Sonata is like my Elantra, you should be able to blue tooth from his phone without the need for a cable. That’s what I do with my playlist.

> [@SuntanLotion](#):
>
> Are weatherpeeps more excitable nowadays?

Weather is the primary reason why folks turn in to their local TV stations now. Anything else tends to be viewed / read online.

Brrrrrrr!

It was 28F, lightly snowing and windy when I walked Nelson this morning. I should have pulled a pair of jeans on over my jammy bottoms. The temp is steadily dropping today and we’re predicted to be at 9F in the morning. I have a feeling that there will be a late start to irk (we have a weather hotline that we can check for updates).

Breakfasted, caffeinating and fixing to do KP / Sunday chores. After that, I’ll play some more with my new toy. 🙂

Stay safe and healthy y’all!

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**Author:** ![Kitten\_Mitten](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b782af/32.png) [@Kitten\_Mitten](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kitten_Mitten)\
**Post date:** [January 19, 2025, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-halfway-through-the-month-midway-in-the-mmp/1012910/371 "2025-01-19T15:07:02Z")

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**shoe** thanks very much for the info on JoAnn’s

> [@swampbear](#):
>
> quick meetin’ to begin plannin’ for the Shrove Tuesday pancake feast.

I believe that this isn’t until March 4 so you fellas have a long time to get your appetites ready for the pancake feast.

Lectored at 8am mass. As it was 18\* I wore 3 layers on my legs and my arms and my fur coat so was comfortable on the drive there and back. Have had a cup of hot tea so sitting comfortably in kitchen.

Tomorrow it’s supposed to be high of 7. Daughter is coming to go to Tony Packo’s with Hubs. She’ll bring Bella but I’ve been told I can’t take her for a walk, well not more than possibly around the block as it will be too cold for little dog.

> [@FairyChatMom](#):
>
> I apparently didn’t take my meds Firday night, dammit.

I only have to take calcium and D3 so I take Citracal. Just got out today’s pill and filled the week’s pillbox. Heck, I missed 2 days this last week.

All this talk of chili is sounding good. I’d ask Hubs to make some except he’ll buy a bucket of chicken chili from Tony Packo’s tomorrow.

Going to make breakfast with bacon, cheese omelette with tomato, sauteed red bell peppers and onions.

Enjoy your Sunday and stay warm.

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**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 19, 2025, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-halfway-through-the-month-midway-in-the-mmp/1012910/372 "2025-01-19T15:25:21Z")

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Good morning.

It’s 26F and frosty outside. Our daytime high will be 41F, and we’ll have bright, sunny skies. We’re having a cold snap this week, although daytime temps will warm up to the low forties, so I don’t consider that too cold. The usual warnings about ensuring hose spigots and pipes are going out.

Still no snow in the forecast…damn it. This morning, I woke up from a dream frustrated because my husband said it was snowing, and it was just a chunky mix that was more rain, than snow.

I wear socks or slippers in the house during the cooler months and go barefoot otherwise. Since I have cursed bunions, finding closed shoes that don’t hurt is a real chore, so although I wear closed shoes or boots for work or out in public, it can sometimes be problematic for me.

It sounds like you had a lovely evening, **Boofae.**

**Shoe** , I’m glad you could get your more expensive stuff upon returning to the store and that it was hassle-free.

**Metal Mouse** , I hope you’re feeling okay today. Remember to take it easy.

**Sticky,** I hope you’re feeling better.

My son may be coming up today. He told my husband yesterday that he was thinking about coming up. It’ll be nice if he does come up. The pups will be delirious with joy.

Poor Maisie had an upset tummy yesterday and barfed everything she had eaten for the day, including her very green dental chew on my carpet in the great room. It was, um…chunky and green, and it was a substantial amount of stuff to clean up. So, after getting the big stuff, I spot-treated and then busted out the steam cleaner. Since the steam cleaner was out, I just did the whole carpet in there. It wasn’t how I planned to spend the afternoon, but it’s done.

Yesterday morning, I picked up their dog food and some treats from Mud Bay, and then I went to PetSmart to look for some other items. I also had pair my phone twice to my Uconnect, and my android auto stopped working,too. I gave up my Sirius subscription, because it was always a total pain the in the ass, and as soon as I gave it up, I started having problems with Uconnect.

I will take it to the dealership to update the system and get an oil change and tire rotation there. It used to update on its own, but for years, I’ve had to download some updates to a USB stick and then try to update it that way. It’s a total pain; at some point, my time becomes worth something. It’s not worth a new vehicle pain the ass, I’m not that crazy, but still, it’s annoying. I like not having a car payment.

I suppose I should get my chores out of the way. Take care.

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**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\
**Post date:** [January 19, 2025, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-halfway-through-the-month-midway-in-the-mmp/1012910/373 "2025-01-19T16:38:25Z")

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> [@missred](#):
>
> you should be able to blue tooth from his phone without the need for a cable.

Interesting - We’ll try that. Thanks!

> [@Taters](#):
>
> I like not having a car payment.

Yeah, we were that way for years. Till now. **FCD** has rather expensive tastes in vehicles and I wasn’t about to wipe out our savings. At least the loan rate from Hyundai was waaaaaay lower than our credit union’s rate. And I’m hoping that after the boat work is done, we’ll have enough left from the inheritance to pay off the car.

I sent a message to Holiday Inn’s customer service and I got back an almost immediate email, followed by a phone call from the hotel where we’ll be staying. Turns out the parking fee goes into effect in May - in season. So we just saved $30!!! 😉 I also asked the manager who called about an early check-in - like between 1 and 2 rather than after 4. She said that should be OK as they’re not booked solid this week. Well, duh! Who goes to the ocean in the middle of the week in January? Well, besides us? So our plan is to leave here around 9 (missing rush hour) and stop enroute for lunch - there’s a diner in Delaware that we really like. Then on to the hotel.

I just made the egg salad, and between that, the pulled poke, and the snackies, we should have enough to stay in our room as long as we want. There’s a restaurant at the hotel, but they certainly seem [proud of their offerings.](https://touchofitalyoceancity.com/-food-menu?source=pop_up&spot_id=118455&destination=food_menu&promotion=custom_promotion) Luckily, there’s an Italian place that we really liked last time we were there, and it’s just a few blocks away. They have really good calzone - yum!! And I think they deliver. Yay!

I seem to recall once upon a time not too terribly long ago, Italian food was one of the cheaper options when eating out. Not any more, it seems.

I just scooped the ash out of the pellet stove - it ran out of pellets and was cooling down, so I grabbed the moment. Then I refilled it, so it should fire back up soon. It’s mid-30s outside and I see dripping from our roof line - last melt before re-freeze tonight.

Now that chores are done, I shall plop down in my recliner for a while.

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**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\
**Post date:** [January 19, 2025, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-halfway-through-the-month-midway-in-the-mmp/1012910/374 "2025-01-19T17:02:58Z")

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_Started Typing: 10:27 AM ET  
Clicked Reply: 12:02 PM ET_

I am constantly amazed by the whole “wind chill” thing and how much of a difference it makes. It was 33°F when I took Bailey out for the first time this morning, but with _zero_ wind: I was actually quite comfy in just a coat (over a t-shirt! no second layer!), hat, and gloves. Bailey enjoyed not being rushed back inside after doing her business. The house was noticeably warmer, too. It started raining a couple of hours ago, and the precip will continue all day – turning to snow in the afternoon. Various forecasts are calling for 1-5", continuing the tradition of DC-area snow predictions being mostly useless. 😂 Seems like we’re in for at least _some_ accumulation…we’ll see how it goes.

I don’t follow football, but people around here are _freaking out_ about yesterday’s Commanders win! My Facebook feed is full of posts about how they’re headed to the championship game for the first time in 33 years. If they win that they go to the Super Bowl, so I get it. 😃

I started building the Lego X-Wing on Friday evening, and yesterday I got to the halfway point (i.e., through bag 5 of 10):

[https://i.ibb.co/dDRdSHX/2025-01-18-X-Wing-Bag-5b.jpg](https://i.ibb.co/dDRdSHX/2025-01-18-X-Wing-Bag-5b.jpg)

It’s been a fun build so far. One cool little detail: if you can see the tiny grey dome behind the cockpit, that’s the top of R2-D2’s head. 🙂 I expect to finish it today. Because I live alone my building sessions can last as long as I want\*, which is great but means that I get through even big sets pretty quickly.

\*On a day off with no other plans – like yesterday/today – I’ll average 2 hours per session, and 2 sessions per day (one after lunch, and one after dinner).

> [@liirogue](#):
>
> She realized real quick that the blower was electric and had quite a frigid night.

> [@JaneDoe42](#):
>
> You have to keep your leftovers cold so they won’t go bad.

_O.M.G_…thank goodness I have Mumpers to help me brain!! 🤦‍♀️ I’m like one of **nellie’s** son’s dogs over here (the one with the negative IQ who saps the intelligence from those around him).

Neither the gas furnace not working (electric thermostat, dummy!) nor needing to refrigerate leftovers occured to me. Sigh. Luckily I went for the single-serving “just add hot water” emergency food out of laziness! LOL! You can definitely tell that I haven’t had to deal with a long power outage recently, which I know makes me lucky.

The whole “try not to open the fridge” thing made me think that, if there were significant accumulation, maybe I could use the snowbanks on my patio to keep my Gatorade Zero and protein shakes cold…? 😁

> [@susan](#):
>
> There’s Dutch oven-style cookware that can be used on the gas stovetop.

> [@JaneDoe42](#):
>
> If you have time, you can buy a kettle that works off your car’s “power port”.

If it comes to it, I’ll be fine just boiling water in a pot on the stovetop. 😊

> [@purplehorseshoe](#):
>
> run my car for a while and bring everyone in there

A July 2012 derecho knocked out the power in my old neighborhood for several days. It was _hot_. At first my plan was to take Bailey to [Dogtopia](https://www.dogtopia.com/) and I’d go stay with my then-BF, but Dogtopia was full by the time I called (and the BF was allergic to dogs). So, she and I roughed it at home with a few battery-powered fans, and a couple times a day I’d take her for a long drive: I’d drive around the area in giant loops, running the a/c and charging my phone, and eventually I’d hit up a drive-thru for food and head back home. It worked pretty well. 🙂

I know that driving around after a big snowstorm is a nonstarter; my point is that the “run the car” thing could definitely work/help!

> [@Paintcharge](#):
>
> Long about 6pm if I drop something it may as well have gone to a different dimension.

HA! What a great way to describe this phenomenon! 😂

> [@purplehorseshoe](#):
>
> I am SO GLAD I looked in the bag when I did, when they were still open & the same staff was around; they remembered me just being there, etc.

Yay!!

> [@SuntanLotion](#):
>
> never have a bad hair day

Wait…what? Do you have a buzzcut or something? 🙂

> [@FairyChatMom](#):
>
> I missed a dose of my seizure meds, and nothing happened, which is a good sign

My guess is that enough of the meds were in your system that one missed dose wouldn’t have much effect. If you do still need the meds, I’d think it would take 2-3 missed doses to notice anything.

> [@FairyChatMom](#):
>
> Tobias was right there and he said “It’s not Dammit Dog, it’s Trevor!” 🤣

🤣 !

> [@FairyChatMom](#):
>
> On the rare occasions we plan to swim, I’ll don sandals or flip-flops, but I don’t like it. I’m sure it’s mostly because I need decent arch support or my feet hurt like crazy.

FWIW, I swear by Vionic shoes – especially [these sandals](https://www.vionicshoes.com/tide-ii-toe-post-sandal.html?color=20), which helped cure my plantar fasciitis many moons ago when I started wearing them around the house vs going barefoot. They ain’t cheap, but they’re _wonderful_ (and durable: I haven’t had to replace them yet).

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\
**Post date:** [January 19, 2025, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-halfway-through-the-month-midway-in-the-mmp/1012910/375 "2025-01-19T17:12:49Z")

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No, my hair is straight and to the bottom of my bra. It just hangs there. I need to decorate it or move pieces around. I don’t care that I’m 64, I’m still a hippie so must have longbhair.  
I am praying the power doesn’t go out, the building has a generator, and in Dec. it went out and our side of the building had dim lights and heat, but the other end didn’t.  
And it was 40 that night.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\
**Post date:** [January 19, 2025, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-halfway-through-the-month-midway-in-the-mmp/1012910/376 "2025-01-19T17:20:42Z")

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> [@Misnomer](#):
>
> maybe I could use the snowbanks on my patio to keep my Gatorade Zero and protein shakes cold…?

Well, yeah - why not? I remember some years ago on the news, some man was being interviewed about losing power therefore losing his fridge in a significant storm - while standing outside in the freezing cold. Your yard becomes a walk-in (walk-out?) fridge, as long as you can keep critters from getting into your food.

BTW - I was able to pair **FCD** ’s phone to my car, but I couldn’t get the music to play. It’s a 2012 - maybe too old? But we’ve still got the cables. Ah, technology!

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\
**Post date:** [January 19, 2025, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-halfway-through-the-month-midway-in-the-mmp/1012910/377 "2025-01-19T17:21:42Z")

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> [@Misnomer](#):
>
> maybe I could use the snowbanks on my patio to keep my Gatorade Zero and protein shakes cold…? 😁

You could, but then you would be letting cold in every time you went out to get them.

We lost power for a day when the transformer caught fire and that was the longest I’ve been without power for decades. I’m really not worried about it happening during the storm, but Hubs is fretting. He remembers being snowed in for weeks when he was a kid and lived out at the end of a single lane unpaved road in the hollers. Our situation is much different and the infrastructure has improved in the last 50 years.

The temp has dropped four degrees since I got up at and there are three inches of snow on the suet feeder. It’s supposed to get down to 8 tonight which will freeze the roads. Here’s hoping the cold will keep people home because that much ice won’t be safe to drive on.

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**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 19, 2025, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-halfway-through-the-month-midway-in-the-mmp/1012910/378 "2025-01-19T17:58:19Z")

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It’s around 12 or 13 F here, and according to The Oracles, that’s as warm as it’s gonna be until … Wednesday.

Guess who’s scheduled to work open-\>close on Tuesday? 🙃

Awoke with a serious hankering for a cuppa tea. It’s not even the warmth … somehow, sipping on soup made from oxidized dried leaves is just soul-soothing.  
So satisfying.

Almost as satisfying as lying in a comfy cocoon of blankies …

Unfortunately, as sweet and snuggly as Monkey is being, he adamantly _refuses_ to make me any damn tea, so { _sigh of woe_ } I think I shall hafta bestir myself soon.

> [@JaneDoe42](#):
>
> figured everyone else had already heard.

I had no idea till you mentioned it.

So shove over on the “last to hear 'bout stuff” bench; we both live under the same rock.

> [@Filbert](#):
>
> load of branches that need shredding/burning/taking to the dump/chopping up and keeping for when I get a woodburner

Keeping your options open, I see.

> [@scareyfaerie](#):
>
> get some food at a local Turkish restaurant

There are many things I love about living in ~~the sticks~~ a small Midwestern 'Murrican town, but damn, did that post make me jealous.

Guaranteed if I asked around here for good Turkish food, I’d get blank stares.

“Turkey … food? Like, for Thanksgiving?”

> [@SuntanLotion](#):
>
> I recall in January 1984 there were a few days below 0.  
> Don’t recall any outages.

Memories of four decades in the past can get a bit rose-colored.

> [@FairyChatMom](#):
>
> yelling “Dammit, dog, get out of there!!” and putting the feeder out of reach. Tobias was right there and he said “It’s not Dammit Dog, it’s Trevor!”

He probably responds to both names.

> [@dogbutler](#):
>
> Like a slightly stoned Medieval peasant.

“Slightly”? Sir, I feel slighted.

> [@dogbutler](#):
>
> > [@scareyfaerie](#):
> >
> > Biplav’s kettlebell
> 
> That sounds like a weird medical syndrome.

I snortle-laughed.

> [@missred](#):
>
> If your Sonata is like my Elantra

Modern poetry.

> [@missred](#):
>
> I should have pulled a pair of jeans on over my jammy bottoms.

{ _blinks in confusion_ }

Your jeans - and jammies - must fit very differently from mine.

(Jammies = loose fitting, billowy, comfy. Jeans = make my ass look _good_. They don’t fit over much.)

> [@Misnomer](#):
>
> I don’t follow football, but people around here are _freaking out_ about yesterday’s Commanders win!

I don’t, either, but there’s gonna be some sad faces 'round the Mitten State today. (Probably hungover, too.)

> [@Misnomer](#):
>
> One cool little detail: if you can see the tiny grey dome behind the cockpit, that’s the top of R2-D2’s head. 🙂

I love tiny details like that.

There’s an oil painting of a hare from centuries ago, and if you look verrrrrry closely at its eye, where the light reflects … you can see a windowpane.

> [@Misnomer](#):
>
> use the snowbanks on my patio to keep my Gatorade Zero and protein shakes cold…? 😁

Using outside snow as a “fridge” is a time-honored tradition.

… so are possums, raccoons, bears, etc. helping themselves. 🙂

(Also random passers-by and transient thieves, depending on your 'hood.)

> [@Misnomer](#):
>
> and a couple times a day I’d take her for a long drive: I’d drive around the area in giant loops, running the a/c and charging my phone,

You brought back memories of the summer I worked the car line at the dispo. There was a series of hot days, and I waited on a customer with a cage in her passenger seat, and a pair of lovebirds enjoying the A/C.

> [@SuntanLotion](#):
>
> I don’t care that I’m 64

I seem to recall Sir Paul McC. wrote a song about that … ?

> [@SuntanLotion](#):
>
> And it was 40 that night.

Bless your heart.

> [@purplehorseshoe](#):
>
> About a minute later, all was right with the world

I think I cashed in some good karma points for the day I “delivered” their pizza for them.

* * *

Okay, that damn cuppa Lipton bag tea just will NOT nuke itself (_fainting couch for the Brits is down the hall, first door on the left_) so I suppose jammy-pants and a vertical nature are in my future.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**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:** [January 19, 2025, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-halfway-through-the-month-midway-in-the-mmp/1012910/379 "2025-01-19T18:26:25Z")

</div>

I was up in the night (see below) and checked, but no one was sheveled or heaving.

Biiiiig bathroom sink clog last night. Worked on it for a couple of hours; now getting some Dawn and hot water down it. Can’t get the plug out; looks like I need to detach the rod (queue bucket, wrench, swearing in many languages, banging head on cabinet, etc.). I might take intermediate steps (buy sink plunger, baking soda ‘n’ vinegar). Later. I’m grateful to have a minor plumbing issue rather than falling and tearing some essential part of my armature.

It’s 37 !USA! !USA! up from 25 overnight, and sunny. Gorgeous clear skies with views of snowy hills and mountains. It is 65 in here. Might run a space heater since my lovely wife isn’t about. I’m at the dining table, eating breakfast/chowing down my handful o’ supplements ‘n’ Rx. I’m wearing slippers with a grippy sole, pajama bottoms (fleece, leopard/cheetah hybrid print), and an old, torn, stained but clean teeshirt (see drain clearing, above). Being in the PNW, I may add a poofed-up beanie, a flannel shirt, a fleece vest, and/or fingerless gloves to this stylish ensemble. Kinda like this, but inside, typing:  
[![](https://cdn.famousoutfits.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/collections/plaid-flannel/cache_250x0/plaid-flannel-07.jpg) ](https://cdn.famousoutfits.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/collections/plaid-flannel/cache_250x0/plaid-flannel-07.jpg)

We have MLK Day pick-up, so I will haul the meeeedium recycling can about 4 feet. Trash and compost pick-up is next week, but I’ll empty wastebaskets and kitchen can, as well as change out towels and dishcloths, as is my wont of a Sunday morning. I’ll bet you’re wondering about the plants. I water them on Saturdays. It might be more efficient to do so on Sunday. Must ponder 🤔

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**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:** [January 19, 2025, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-halfway-through-the-month-midway-in-the-mmp/1012910/380 "2025-01-19T18:41:15Z")

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**Red** what machine did you get? I have a Cuttlebug and a Big Shot. I don’t think either of those is made any more. I would love an electric die cutter but don’t want to spend the money.

It is 11 in no. Illinois. And windy. I need to go to CVS to pick up 2 rxes, then home for the rest of the day.

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