(Old) I owe, I owe, so off to Mump I go - A Tax Season MMP

[missred]

nellie, I got tickled about your mom’s opera singing driver. It sounds like he was quite entertaining. As far as rent goes, I know that when I retire, I’m going to have to move somewhere where housing is less expensive. I check out the ads on Marketplace regularly, even though I’m a couple of years out. I can rent a two bedroom house in some areas for about half of what I’m paying for a 560 SF apartment in some cases. However, I have criteria of being within 20 minutes of a hospital, ground floor and accepts pets, so that throws some options right out. You may want to check around a local university. Nearby MTSU has several complexes that are four BR / 4 bath units where you share common areas and have your own room / bath with a deadbolt. A couple of them have buildings that are more adults / seniors than students and they accept pets.

Getting ready to return to irk tomorrow. Too bad I haven’t hit the lottery.

[Spice_Weasel]

Wee Weasel’s dietician appointment went surprisingly well. It’s rare a doctor actually spends time learning about the full scope of the issues. She thinks we’re doing well covering most of the nutritional bases, and was impressed with how well we’ve done given his limitations, but was concerned about calcium and vitamin D intake. She gave us some liquid supplements to try with him as well as some recommended food products and we’ll go from there. At no point did we feel judged or like she was asking us to do something unreasonable. She has a nephew who is autistic and specializes in pediatric nutrition so this is probably nothing new.

Funny story of the day. When we unpacked my son’s summary sheet for ABA today, the tech had written on the paper, “I’m sorry but I really need to know something: What are beep beeps? He won’t stop talking about them.”

Beep Beeps are my son’s two Lightning McQueen squishmallows (plush toys) which he takes with him everywhere and is rather obsessive about. He used to have one, but he found the backup Beep Beep in the closet, and I could not deny him. So now we have “Beep Beep” and “Another Beep Beep.”

So we texted a photo of the Beep Beeps to Miles’ BCBA.

Tonight is Monday Movie night with my friends and I think we’re watching Contact. But first I have to do some work even though I’m really tired.

@overlyverbose

We don’t typically get birthday gifts for each other, so I usually make a cake, which is probably what I’ll do.

Props to you for that. I made a cake for my son’s birthday when he turned two, just to say I did it, I guess. It was a lot of me not knowing what I was doing. The end result was pretty good cake, but objectively better than Costco? No. Besides, he doesn’t eat cake at all. Last year we got him frosted cookies arranged in a silicon baking mold shaped like the number three. He now keeps that #3 mold in his room. The boy loves numbers.

[LSLGuy]

You could do a very slo-mo “12 days of Christmas” thing on his birthdays.

So 4 of everything next year, 5 of everything the following year, etc. Just don’t set the price per item trajectory too steep; 17 Porsches run some serious coin.

[Wheelz]

@The_Stainless_Steel_Rat

Wheelie, you’re probably on the road already, but right now on Flight Tracker it looks like air traffic is getting into Houston ok, so crossing fingers that it works out for you.

Well, it did work out… eventually.
Took off from Vegas ON TIME! A great start. Then, just as we started our approach to Dallas, they announced a ground hold, and said we were going to have to circle for “45 minutes at the most.”
Well, after about an hour of very bumpy circling, the pilot told us we were cleared to land and that “we’ll on the ground in about ten minutes.” Forty minutes later we were on the ground, with no explanation for the further delay.

But my connecting flight was delayed anyway, so no real harm done. I boarded, and was on track to arrive about 2 hours late. Could be worse.

Then it got worse. We backed away from the gate, and didn’t actually take off until a full hour later. Then, what they told us would be “about an hour in the air” became over two hours, because we had to go around the massive storm. I was watching the flight tracker - we flew due west from Dallas, then over San Antonio, around Corpus Christi out into the Gulf, then finally turned toward Houston.

Still and all, I landed less than four hours late, which sounds bad, but…
My partner for this project is coming from Baltimore. He connected in Atlanta, and his flight was also delayed. When I landed I checked his flight. He was in the air, and due to arrive twenty minutes later. Since he’s the one renting the car, I decided to wait for him instead of getting an Uber.
Then I watched as his landing time kept getting pushed back in two-minute increments. After about twenty minutes of that, he got diverted to San Antonio. So I’m in the back of an Uber right now heading for the hotel, while he’s due to land at another airport in a half hour.

Southwest says he will get to Houston at 7:27, but I’m skeptical.

Meanwhile we’re just now driving past the stadium where the NCAA championship game is scheduled to start in less than an hour, and traffic is at a standstill. Sigh.

When I do finally get to the hotel, I’ll decide whether to order DoorDash, our venture out into the rain to find a meal. I’m leaning toward DoorDash.

[The_Stainless_Steel_Rat]

And a good almost-evening (not quite 6pm when I started typing this and for me, 6pm is the dividing line between good afternoon/good evening–YMMV). Swimming got swum and weight checked (back down to 235.8lbs). Big Mac provided the evening nourishment so I am filled up and ready for the college tackleball game tonight. The rain is due around 9pm, along with a strong wind, so hopefully everything stays in place. Still it’s 50F so could be worse.

Wheelie, glad you finally made it in, I feel for you and your colleague, have had a few of those flights in my time. Weather be unpredictable when it comes to air travel. Presume your bosses won’t fuss on you claiming an Uber ride on your expenses–hey, it was their idea to travel in bad weather conditions.

nellie, glad you have a roof over your head for another year; I concur, now you have a year to look around and hopefully something that works better for you.

FCM, nice story about your Mom. Remembering my Dad’s last years after my Mom passed away is…not pleasant. Glad she has avoided that. Looking forward to Toby’s rating of the new carseat…

talkie, {{hugs}}, just because you could use some. And as for work, idiots gonna idiot. Good on ya for sticking to your guns.

Spicy, glad you found a Doctor that listens, they are rare these days (to be fair, many are also over-worked). As for the Beep Beeps, my first guess was something about the Roadrunner cartoons, but the actual items are sweet too. Enjoy the movie.

Well, it’s after 6pm here, so everyone have a good evening. I’m watching the snow falling in Fort Madison, Iowa while waiting for the Southwest Chief to arrive in about a half hour (Virtual Railfan geek).

[Wheelz]

@The_Stainless_Steel_Rat

Presume your bosses won’t fuss on you claiming an Uber ride on your expenses–hey, it was their idea to travel in bad weather conditions.

They’ll be fine with that, given the circumstances.
But my colleague from Baltimore is the PM on this job, and if he doesn’t get in tonight (he just got delayed again), we may not be able to start on time. Which would probably add another day on the end, meaning - yep - another hotel night, which they didn’t want to do when I suggested we travel yesterday instead of today.

They shoulda listened to me. I is smart!

[Paintcharge]

Can I make a complaint about things with dials? This is something I’ve been fighting for a while. My bedroom has an electric baseboard heater. Somewhere between the 6 and the 0 on the thermostat is ok. Slightly towards the 6 seems better. This thing goes from 50 to 90, but the only actual useful range is minute nudges between 6 and 0.

Similarly, my white noise maker has the same problem with the volume, can’t hear anything and way too loud is about a 2 degree turn on the dial. I find myself just touching the knob to get to an appropriate volume. Plus they decided to put the on/off button right next to the dial, so there’s always the chance I’ll nudge the volume dial.

Why is there the huge range on my dial when only a small percentage is useful?

[swampbear]

Howdy Y’all! ‘Scripts got picked up and errands got done this mornin’. The rest of the day was sloth, nappage, day drinkin’, and makin’ and eatin’ sup. Oh, the biiiiiig trash can got hauled all the way back up from the road to where it lives all week. Now it’s rainin’ out and will be tonight and most of tomorrow. No plans to venture out, so let it rain I say.

Herald Happy Anniversary to the Mrs. and you!

Wheelie glad you made it to Houston relatively unscathed.

VanGo it’s all cause of TVCTPMO.

[dogbutler]

Early start to the heave, but the same length of time. Which is nice. I got Ace to settle down after 2 30 minute walks in 36 degree weather, and and an hour 20 of him him chewing his Nylabones next to my ear. The he started barking at The Invisible Mole People.

@Seanette

Sleep “pattern” is randomizing again

Ace is a good randomizer.

@FairyChatMom

Plans for today - probably making lists

Did you make a list of the lists you need to make?

@SCAdian

As Lady SCAdian says, 30 years and we still haven’t killed each other!

Happy Anniversary!!!

@The_Stainless_Steel_Rat

Have fun with the paperwork.

Doing taxes is easy. Dumping 80+lbs. bags of W-2s doen the slide(max is supposed to 70) is painful.

Wheelie, glad you made it.

@overlyverbose

And if you’re embarrassed for refusing to do something unethical, you might want to reconsider your life choices.

This is why I don’t miss being in management, Layers of sociopaths above me.

[purplehorseshoe]

@nelliebly

@FairyChatMom

Are there houses or parts of houses around you that are possibilities?

That’s a good question. I wonder if there are websites that feature those.

Unfortunately, I’ve usually had the best luck finding those by driving around. Pick a neighborhood-ish that seems appealing, and start noodling around. It helps to have (or be) a passenger with a notepad & pen … er, or smartphone I suppose.

@missred

Nearby MTSU has several complexes that are four BR / 4 bath units where you share common areas and have your own room / bath with a deadbolt.

Oy. I did that my 1st year outta the dorms. Biggest downside was sharing the kitchen. And therefore, the fridge and pantry. And sink.

One of the girls I lived with 1a.) didn’t know how to make instant mashed potatoes from a box - yanno, the kind with the instructions printed on the side? and 2b.) tried to “rinse” the resulting mess down the drain.

We did not have a garbage disposal, although frankly, if we had it wouldn’t have survived anyway.

@Spice_Weasel

She thinks we’re doing well covering most of the nutritional bases, and was impressed with how well we’ve done given his limitations, but was concerned about calcium and vitamin D intake. She gave us some liquid supplements to try with him as well as some recommended food products and we’ll go from there. At no point did we feel judged or like she was asking us to do something unreasonable.

I’m so glad you found a competent professional who makes you feel comfortable with the process.

@LSLGuy

17 Porsches run some serious coin.

Do they still make Hot Wheels?

@Wheelz

When I do finally get to the hotel, I’ll decide whether to order DoorDash, our venture out into the rain to find a meal. I’m leaning toward DoorDash.

Oh, fuck going out in the storm - you went through hell to get to that hotel room! DoorDash that shit! ( … and tip yr driver) then kick back a bit

[JaneDoe42]

@Seanette

Sleep “pattern” is randomizing again.

I’m sorry, good regular sleep is such a blessing.

@FairyChatMom

here’s my mom and others celebrating her birthday. Mom’s nickname is Chick (more or less the last syllable of her Polish maiden name) hence the shirts.

How cute! They all look like they were having a lot of fun.

@Chefguy

The old one crapped out on Saturday when we had company.

NOOOOOOOO!!!

(I tried using my blender once. They aren’t made for that sort of thing.)

@NinthAcolyte

When I started my car this morning the check-engine-light came on…

I also hope you didn’t put your gas cap on correctly. It’s so good to hear you so happy sounding, I hope thinks keep looking up for you.

@SCAdian

As Lady SCAdian says, 30 years and we still haven’t killed each other!

What a great pic! Not killing each other is one of the secrets of a long marriage, keep it up.

@Spice_Weasel

Then Tuesday I’m losing half a work day to get retested for penicillin allergy. Allegedly a lot of people lose this allergy after being diagnosed in childhood,

Thank you for the reminder, this year I want to see if I have outgrown my bee sting allergy. I wasn’t allergic to penicillin until a couple of years ago when I reacted to it.

@LSLGuy

I killed myself during my last two weeks at my last office job trying to tie up the loose ends, leave good documentation, etc.

I left great documentation after leaving several jobs and like you, learned that all of my work came to naught. Of course, I left nothing when I walked out of my last job mid-shift, but I’m sure they got along quite well without it.

It sounds like you are having a great time, I hope the rest of your trip is as entertaining.

@Paintcharge

On the sage advice of Mumpers from the last MMP, I’m taking a mental health day off today.

Good for you! I hope your back feels better tomorrow.

@Chefguy

I know that they added to his work load by having him deliver packages to the building residents. Perhaps they didn’t give him a pay bump to go along with the extra work.

I’d say you have already figured it out!

@pullin

I’m disappointed I have to stay inside and read/internet.

Oh you poor man! How did you ever bare the disappointment? Did day drinkin’ help any?

@pullin

House is empty and quiet again, and our dog immediately reverted back to her previous training.

That is great, I was worried about a little backsliding. Who’s the good dog!!!

@nelliebly

I wish I still owned a house.

You already live small, would a small mobile suit your purposes? The two bedroom place going in behind us cost less than 60 grand. The mortgage on the rig and lot rent would probably be less than renting an apartment (looking at prices in Seattle) and new mobiles can be moved if and when you find a little piece of land to buy.

@nelliebly

Private landlords don’t seem to advertise on the sites I’m on (zillow, apartments.com, trulia).

Don’t forget Nextdoor. Just go straight to the “for sale or free” section and bypass all of the CT stuff. Folks out this way often take advantage of the free advertising when they want to find a renter. Sadly there are always a dozen people who will desperately jump on anything because there is such a housing problem out here.

@overlyverbose

I decline - I’m not taking a call in my kids’ orthodontist office. “BUT IT’S UUUUUURGENT. This must be handled as quickly as possible.”

“No.” is a complete sentence. It isn’t your mistake and isn’t your problem. You have a life outside of work and they need to learn to respect that.

@Wheelz

Which would probably add another day on the end, meaning - yep - another hotel night, which they didn’t want to do when I suggested we travel yesterday instead of today.

They really should have listened to you. Not only is this going to add another expense on the end, it won’t look good to the client.

I hope your return journey is uneventful.

We have been doing our usual slothing around here. I joined the Embroiders Guild of America when I was in Tucson last year and have successfully avoided looking at the monthly newsletter because I knew I’d have to sign up for a class.

When I called Mom today, she told me to look at an article in this month’s newsletter and guess what happened? I signed up for another class. I don’t know anything about this designer, but the completed project is really cute and its fucking winter and dark and cold and I don’t want to do anything but sit around and stitch and my mystery piece won’t start until March and I need something new NOW!!!

On Sunday hubs asked if we could trade kitchen tasks so I would cook and he would clean. Once I warned him that I wasn’t going to be serving unseasoned hunks of meat and a side of overcooked veggies every night, the deal was done. I will try to be mindful of carbs, but pasta is going to be involved!

Last night I turned the last of the leftover turkey into turkey and dumplings (he didn’t eat the dumplings of course) and tonight we had Scotch eggs with a green salad. I used crushed corn chips instead of bread crumbs because he has decided he is also gluten intolerant. Of course no doctors have ever been involved in his dietary restrictions so while I will try to avoid using flour, I am NOT making shrimp fettuccini with fake noodles.

I also learned that Hubs has never had a Scotch egg before and thinks they are really good and we should have them on a regular basis. This is after making a face when I suggested them, but whatever.

[Kitten_Mitten]

From last week: [quote=“longhair75, post:310, topic:995435”]
The worst of it has been trying to sleep on my back, and wearing compression socks.
[/quote]
Hubs has been having issues with compression socks also. Well, he can’t put them on or take them off so either our daughter or I or the nurse has to, and they are very difficult to put on and take off.
What a GREAT post-op visit! Your recuperation has gone extremely well 

@purplehorseshoe

Jell-O shots

Back about 18 or 19 years ago, when daughter was attending MSU, Hubs & I met up with her as well as Hubs’ buddy and wife from baby finger of the mitten at a tailgate. When it was time to go into the stadium, I squirreled away about 1/2 dozen jello shots to share in my parka pocket. This was about 3 or 4 years after 9/11 so some students who worked at the stadium patted everyone down to ensure no contraband was being brought in. The young fellow who patted my parka pocket could feel that something was in it and asked “What’s in your pocket?” Being the honest person that I am, I responded “Jello Shots”. The look on his face was priceless as he couldn’t believe that someone would say they were bringing in an item that was not allowed (containing alcohol and I didn’t realize it wasn’t allowed) and that a woman who was as old as I was (about as old as oopsie is now), would be enjoying jello shots. So, with wide eyes he said, ok, go ahead.

@Wheelz

I’m scheduled to fly to DFW and then Houston

I’m sure Houston was a zoo what with the National College Football Championship Monday night. My Sister and BIL went on Sunday but they were on an alumni charter so likely didn’t have to deal with the hordes.

@FairyChatMom

here’s my mom and others celebrating her birthday.

Sto Lat FCM’s Mom
I loved the shirts. And Mom really looks great for a nonagenarian.

@SCAdian

30 years and we still haven’t killed each other!

Happy Anniversary Herald and Lady SCAdian! Looks like you outkicked your coverage. But then Lady SCAdian got a Scotsman, not bad looking in a kilt.

@Spice_Weasel

taking my son to the dietician today… this appointment is at a hospital

Henry Ford? We’ve met with 2 dieticians at Henry Ford Cancer Institute and Henry Ford Main and they were both great.

Although we had a confrontation with the pharmacist today. She has poor interpersonal skills and didn’t explain why the chemo schedule is being changed, just sort of treated Hubs like a child. I called the pre-op nurse who came over and explained in a way that we could have an understanding of what is going on. Hubs not happy that instead of 5 days of chemo, he’ll be getting 6 days of chemo because it means he’ll be hooked to a saline drip for another 24 hours meaning more peeing every hour which makes it very hard for him to sleep. He’s been just a tad nauseous yesterday and today but he said as long as he keeps eating small amounts, that it’s not too bad. Hasn’t lost any hair yet.

[dogbutler]

CDO type that I am, the dishwasher is organized, with each utensil style in it’s own slot in the silverware tray. Roomie put a spoon in the knife area, so my brain went:
[Dalek voice]There. Is. A Spoon. In the knife tray. Why. Is there. A spoon. In the knife tray?[/Dalek voice]
[Dalek #2]Spoon in the knife tray![/Dalek #2]
[Dalek #3]SPOON IN THE KNIFE TRAY![/Dalek #3]
[Daleks in unison]WHY. IS THERE A SPOON. IN THE KNIFE TRAAAAAYYYYY?!?[/Daleks in unison]

[BippityBoppityBoo]

@Kitten_Mitten

Hubs has been having issues with compression socks also. Well, he can’t put them on or take them off so either our daughter or I or the nurse has to, and they are very difficult to put on and take off.

It’s not your imagination~they are really hard to get on. If they aren’t hard, they aren’t compressing enough to do well for you.

An idea might be to ask for a referral to an OT or PT for an ‘activities of daily living’ education session. They will have great ideas for making that application of compression stockings easier. Either an Occupational or Physical Therapist can do it, it kind of depends on the division of labor in your area, there is a lot of overlap in their training and skills.

Make sure he’s got the right size stockings~it’s not just S, M or L. Again, have an experienced pro do those measurements-which may be a clerk at a medical supply company. Once you’ve got the right size, never let them get anywhere near a clothes dryer.

Signed, cranky, grizzled night nurse who put on a few million of those &!@*%$#! stockings

[susan]

Ask if there’s a compession sock putting-on device–it would hold sock open. I know there’s ine for compression sleeves. Not having one, I’ve sometimes punched myself in the face while trying to don the garment.

ETA: Donning device.

[BippityBoppityBoo]

@susan

Ask if there’s a compession sock purting-on device–it would hold sock open

There are several~the OT or PT will teach using one, along with several tricks and techniques.

[Wheelz]

@purplehorseshoe

DoorDash that shit

Eh, by the time I got to the hotel the rain had stopped. There’s an IHOP down the block so I took a walk. As long as this travel day was, the bulk of it was spent sitting; it felt good to stretch my legs.

I waffled (ha!) between getting breakfast-for-dinner or trying one of their burgers that they’re so proud of. I opted for the burger… shoulda stuck with breakfast food. It was fine, I guess. And filling, which was really what I needed.

Update on my colleague: he’s still in San Antonio. I keep watching his flight time get pushed back and back and back. Arrival time is now 10:35, but that’s based on a departure time of six minutes ago, so that ain’t gonna happen. Plus, the storm is back! Heavy rain and lightning out there. He still insists he’s going to get here tonight, but I’d wager he’s not.

[Seanette]

@dogbutler, I actually prefer to mix them so they don’t nest together. Stuff gets cleaner that way, IMO.

[Baker]

It’s a day late but the snow is coming down now. I hear it’s worse out west on I-70, from Salina Kansas to the border with Colorado. It’s not fluffy flakes here in Topeka, tiny ones, but things look really slick. I’m glad I shopped this weekend so there’s not anything I really need to go out for.

I need suggestions on how to get a dog to do his business in weather like this. My last dog, Nathan, liked playing in snow, but he had long hair. Mauser is smooth coated and he doesn’t like to go out when it’s barely sprinkling. I can’t yank on his leash and choke him. Mauser acts so pitiful, looking at me with those big brown eyes.

[JaneDoe42]

Nelson has several stylish jackets and looks adorable in every pic @missred shares. Perhaps Mauser would also like a rain coat. And warm shoes if he is comfortable with having his feets handled.

@Wheelz

Update on my colleague: he’s still in San Antonio.

That poor man is going to be far too exhausted to work in the morning. They really should have listened to you.

@BippityBoppityBoo

Once you’ve got the right size, never let them get anywhere near a clothes dryer.

And mark them L and R because properly fitted ones really do have to be worn on the correct feet.