(Old) I resolve to start the new MMP

[The_Stainless_Steel_Rat]

Evening all. Beat the rain to the gym (barely) and then stayed for several hours to see if it would let up (it didn’t and is still raining lightly now. Didn’t exercise the whole time, the gym has a few comfy chairs to recover in, but did burn enough calories that I could fix Garlic Cheese bread with my Big Bowl O’Sallit for the evening meal and not feel a bit guilty. Am now inside and eyeing an early bedtime as indoor soccer gets started tomorrow and I’ll be coaching and refereeing a good part of the day. It is going to get a bit cooler but still will have a high in the mid-50’sF tomorrow so not too bad.

And going into scroll mode for the 19-20 messages since this morning…

Swampy, I was remiss, I trust OYKW had a merry birthday (Five Guys is always a good choice anytime IMHO).

JtC, still scrolling but I hope the cats and Hubs are both pleased with the new setup.

Nut, sounds like a productive day; there are a couple things around here I need to attend to, ought to put them on a list because I always react to a list by trying to get things crossed out.

Cookie, if your wife likes carrying on about the carpet, just let her and tune it out…of course, this advice is coming from a life-long bachelor, so take it as you will…

FCM, good news on the boat prep and hope Otis is too tired to gnaw on you tonight.
And glad you understand, even with my travels and household bills I still end up with more cash in the bank accounts–need to take more trips, I guess…

Lily, great pics, hopefully you, wife and cats will all live in harmony for many, many years.

VanGo, PTO is great; now, does it carryover to the next year if you don’t use it all? In the US Government we could ‘bank’ up to 30 days of leave if we didn’t use it all.

Bright Tree, glad things around the yard are improving, and hope Ollie has recovered from his bath trauma… And a nice, albeit bittersweet tale of your Oregon football watching.

And salad, bread and some carrots for dessert are all resting comfortably in my belly awaiting assimilation. Y’all take care now.

[FairyChatMom]

MetalMouse, you could take more trips, or, well, I have a birthday in 3 weeks. Just sayin’…

Otis got properly wore out today - he went to bed before 9. Our laundry was done and stowed by 7:30, leaving most of the evening for chillage. Definitely a couple of geezer here.

[dogbutler]

Up from naptime. Having a Puritan and seafood paella for dinner. Spot had dry, flavorless bits.
Also, Waffle House has put out its Valentines Day collection, for those of you whose love language is scattered, smothered, and chunked and being hit with a chair.

@FairyChatMom

We can increase my withdrawal by 50% and still have enough for another 20 years, even if it doesn’t earn another penny. And that’s not doing anything else to FCD’s account. So must think on it.

Want to adopt a large, adult son?

@The_Stainless_Steel_Rat

even with my travels and household bills I still end up with more cash in the bank accounts–need to take more trips, I guess…

Would you like to adopt a large, adult son?

@susan

Both are playful, alert, approached us, climbed on our legs, purred, and seem pleasant and bright.

SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

@Aspenglow

When I moved to this area with my late husband, we quickly learned that the fastest way to get to know people here was to insert the comment, “How 'bout them Ducks?” into any conversation.

We have multiple teams around here, so liking the right team can earn you friends for life, and liking the wrong team can start a Hatfield/McCoys level blood feud.

Congrats on the PTO, VanGo. I don’t get 3 weeks of vacation for another 2 years.

[JaneDoe42]

@susan

Meet the new kitties!

Kittens!!! How cute and smooshy looking! Congratulations

@Paintcharge

Never in my life have I had any PTO, so this is just unreal to me.

I am SO happy for you!

@Aspenglow

It is just gorgeous!

Thank you, but that wonky stitch I mentioned? I ended up having to take all of the stars out and then through I could over-stitch the white tent stitches but then still screwed it up twice more because I can’t seem to count past 6 on a diagonal today. (that is a very cleaned up version of my thoughts about it) I finally got so frustrated that I used some contrasting thread to grid out the area I was trying to work and finally got it right.

Plus, I baked a hocky puck. I was trusting the temp prob instead of my eyes and not well formed instincts. Next time I’ll trust what I’m seeing and smelling.

OTOP, the new litter robot entertained Hubs for at least an hour. He can get poop alerts on his phone now. The fuzzbutts think that they really like having duel robots, they can pee in unison now.

And there was no snow. Again. We shoulda moved to Maine.

[SuntanLotion]

Made a trip to pick up meds.
Ate a bit. Decided to walk it off in the community room. For some reason, I didnt take my phone with me.
Came back to see Church Guy had messaged. He was at DQ and wanted to know if I wanted anything.
Too late.
He likes to drive far for food, theres a dairy queen close to him.

[missred]

When cute kittens, lily!

[TokyoBayer]

We are almost finished with the mini vacation.

We’ve been joined by my kids’ previous sailing coach in Taiwan. He’s a good guy, and probably about 27, but his father is rich and you can tell he’s never had to worry about anything in life.

He’s not really that entitled or snobbish, but you can tell his dad has money. I wish that those kind of things didn’t bother me, but spending my early years listening to my parents fight over trivial purchases leaves a mark.

Years ago, I briefly dated a woman whose dad was a president of a medium sized company and the gap was too much. I was making ok money then but I’ve always the voice in my head asking if I’m spending too much for something even if it’s at the dollar store. She was always wondering if it was good enough for her. Obviously that didn’t work out.

[dogbutler]

Up, caffeinated, and sheveled. Off to heave. It’s my Firday. It’s also 41 degrees Ferret Height(5 Centipedes).

[Die_Capacitrix]

@susan

Meet the new kitties!

Yay! Kitties!

@Aspenglow

I would have driven 2 hours to get it back if it had ever been located.

My mother has a metal pie pan which is around 60 years old. She would definitely drive 2 hours for it. My dad got in trouble for dropping off a pie in THE pie pan. He was supposed to drop off the other pie which was in a different pie pan. They got it back.

@susan

*The growled “Hucking Fuskies!” is only a joining statement in certain parts of the PNW.

Last year I was in Alaska wearing a purple UW sweatshirt, which is one of my favorites. Someone said to me, “Go Huskies!”, which confused me, as I had never worn it in public where there were Husky fans. A few weeks ago I met up with my cousin who also complimented my sweatshirt, which also confused me for a moment. Not too many Husky fans around here, but I see Seahawk gear a few times a year.

My dad had season tickets to the Huskies from 1987-2013 so I’ve been to a few of their games.

@JaneDoe42

He can get poop alerts on his phone now.

Heat pump died on NYE, so we’re paying through the nose for electric heating until it gets fixed on Monday. At least we have an alternative heat system, but it’s not quite as powerful, so it’s a bit cooler and hubby says the shower’s not quite as hot as usual.
Woke up this morning to 15 cm / 6” snow. With today’s high of freezing, and the forecast for cooler (darn cold) temperatures, the snow will be staying around for a bit. We might get above freezing on Friday.

Need to get groceries - hope the sidewalks are clear, because the snow’s deep enough to be annoying to walk in.

[swampbear]

Good Mornin’ Y’all! Up and caffeinatin’. YAWN ‘Tis 61 Amurrkin out and cloudy with a predicted high of 71 with rain expected to begin around eight and throughout the day. A good day to be inside and dry. I have casseroles and cookies (N.O.C.) to make so I will be somewhat occupied. There will be RDOS inactivities, as well. Any need to feed will be via forage.

Lily the kittehs are so keeyooote! Conga rats to your lovely wife and you for bein’ found by your feline overlords.

VanGo yay for PTO! Be sure to plan some exotic travel for Ms. Peach and you.

Dicey hope your heat pump is fixed soonest.

JtC so glad hubs and the felines are entertained by the litter robot. Also glad you seem to have figured out your stitch thing.

MetalMouse happy soccer coachin’.

doggio I am curious. After you drink a puritan, do you feel the urge to wear a big scarlet A while bein’ pilloried?

Now I need more caffeine and to feed rumbly tummy. Then I shall make like a church lady and make casseroles for a potluck.

Happy Sattidy Y’all!

[scareyfaerie]

Morning, mumpers! It’s currently 1c/34f with a predicted high of 2c/35f and mostly sunny. Weather app says “Too bad the fucking sun isn’t doing shit today. What a fucking waste.” Not so…it’s bright and shiny out there!

@JaneDoe42

Salt is so important and so easy to forget.

He’s usually really good with this particular meal, he’s made it several times and he knows it’s a favourite of mine but he just wasn’t concentrating properly this time. He was very apologetic about it though

@Chefguy

The wife keeps obsessing over the new carpet in the lobby because it doesn’t go with the wall covering.

It’s a shame she can’t just learn to ignore the things she can’t change in the building. Sorry to hear you got a bit short, can’t blame you either as it would annoy me too.

@susan

Meet the new kitties! We will pick them up Tuesday after the black one is spayed on Monday.

Awww….they’re gorgeous! I hope they settle in with you quickly and you have lots of fun playing with them.

@Paintcharge

I just looked at my time card app, they populated time off for 2026…I have over 3 weeks of PTO. Never in my life have I had any PTO, so this is just unreal to me.

A benefit of a permie job and definitely something to look forward to, guilt-free holiday!

@swampbear

We went to Five Guys for OYKW’s bday lunch.

I missed wishing OYKW a happy birthday yesterday, I hope he enjoyed his special day!

@Die_Capacitrix

My mother has a metal pie pan which is around 60 years old. She would definitely drive 2 hours for it.

Same here, my mum had a dedicated pie dish and woe betide anyone who dared to use the dish for anything other than the specific purpose for which it was intended! My dad used it to bake stuffing once, I don’t think she ever let him forget it

Yesterday was the expected waste of time as far as irk was concerned, nothing to do so I faffed about on t’interwebz and read a book instead. I made dinner, a bit of a freestyle affair as I’d got some stuff to use and hadn’t really got a plan but it turned out fine.

This morning I was up at a reasonable hour, tended to the needs of cats and then had some breakfast along with a couple of fortifying mugs of tea….then braved the Great Outdoors. I scraped the ice and snow off the car, and drove up to the gym. Once I got out of my street, the roads were much better (we don’t get gritted, but the road at the bottom of our street is a bus route so it does get treated). Got to the gym, car park was almost empty, and the gym similarly so. Managed to do everything I wanted to, and came home for more tea. ‘im indoors is making getting out of bed noises so I’d better go and make him a brew since I made him one earlier and had to drink it myself.

Plans for today are errands in town (not sure if we’re having lunch out or not), chippy tea, then tonight it’s films and cocktails as we’ve got limes to use and we had some tequila for xmas from friends!

[FairyChatMom]

@dogbutler

Want to adopt a large, adult son?

Sorry but we just adopted a large, juvenile canine and that’s quite enough… MORE than enough…

@JaneDoe42

He can get poop alerts on his phone now.

Another miracle of technology!!

The talk of pie plates unearthed a memory of cake pans my mom had. Like these. I haven’t seen any in eons and I’m surprised they’re still available. I wonder if they work any better than hers did.

Forecast today tells me we won’t get out of the 30s - it’s starting at 24 Ferrets. I’ll be making a run into Charlotte Hall for Credit Union, Food Lion, and Aldi, plus a stop at Dollar General for a small lidded trash can to sit beside FCD’s recliner. Otis is overly fond of the banana peels and other trash that’s been deposited in the open receptacle. So I hope DG has something that’ll work.

I’ll do some rollsuckage and the tile floors will get some damp moppage. Beyond that, we’ll just have to wait and see. I do have a new stash of yarn - I could start more lap robes. Or read more trashy novels. So many possibilities!!!

Happy Saturday!!

[The_Stainless_Steel_Rat]

Morning all. Up and broken fast, will referee indoor soccer at 10am and 2pm and coach it at 11am and 1pm, so that should keep me busy and out of the house for around 5 hours or so. Otherwise nothing much planned on, it’s 44F heading to 54F and the rain has departed but left the cloud cover.

Thanks FCM and doggio for the ‘suggestions’ on spending my money, I do have a payment for my April cruise due this month and since I have nothing planned for the summer, will look into visiting some places in the USA I haven’t been to yet.

JtC,

@JaneDoe42

Plus, I baked a hocky puck.

You could offer it to doggio…

@JaneDoe42

We shoulda moved to Maine.

No. You shouldn’t. Trust me on this.

Sensei, never heard my parents argue over money, but looking back it was always fairly tight, we were ‘labor middle class’, a term that is not much in vogue now, so I learned the value of saving and deferring my dreams pretty early. Guess those lessons stuck.

Dicey, hope the heat pump repair ups the temperature and lowers the bills.

And onward into the day. Have a good one all.

[AskNott]

Good morning. I am awake, and I’ve had 2 cups of coffee. Uncommonly strange news is coming in about Venezuela moving toward US statehood. Celebratory bonfires have been sparked in Caracas.

I hope to get a haircut today. Mrs. Nott is planning to go to a grocery store to get bread and rock salt for the water softener. The store she went to yesterday was out of rock salt.

Susan, those are some seriously cute kitties.

Dicey, I don’t know much about hockey, and I had no idea the pucks were baked.

[Seanette]

One of these times soon, Kasya’s probably going to get a very unpleasant education in feline etiquette from Buddy, since I’m pretty sure he disapproves of her tendency to try to bite his throat.

[Taters]

Mornin’ all.

It’s 45F and raining here. I could hear the rain most of the night. Our forecasted high is 54F, with on-and-off again rain all day.

Swampy, belated happy birthday wishes to OYKW. I hope his special day was fabulous.

FCM, I have one of those pie pan types in my cupboards. I don’t remember purchasing it so that it may have come from my mother’s cupboard. She didn’t really make pies from scratch, so it could have been a relic from when she and my dad were still married. In other words, the pan is OOOOOOOOLLLLLLLD. I can’t remember the last time I used it; probably more than 20 years ago.

Lily, those are absolutely adorable purr machines. I foresee lots of cuddling!

Dicey, I hope your heat pump is fixed ASAP.

We didn’t go on the planned walk yesterday, but my husband did go out to Ivars for take-out fish and chips for dinner. It was basically soggy all day; if it wasn’t raining, it was just dripping because of the fog that never really lifted around here. Usually, this wouldn’t bother me, but I just cannot get past this feeling of inertia.

Today I need to do some laundry and perhaps bathe the dogs. That’s about all that is on the agenda.

You all take care.

[FairyChatMom]

Back from erranding. It’s cold but not windy, so there’s that. I got my car filled for $2.569/gal, after seeing it as high as $2.899 along my route. I also saw a rather surprising billboard saying Chik-Fil-A will be opening on Sundays?? I guess losing 1/7 of their market has hurt? Not that it affects me - I never go there. To me, it’s mediocre chicken. I don’t get the hype.

Anyway, groceries are stowed and shortly, I’ll begin rollsuckage. Otis is outside. Ziva is still under the bed. FCD is at the boat masking around the window frames. And apparently Venezuela has been attacked.

What a day…

[peedin]

It’s not quite 20 degrees in no. Illinois. I am tired of winter, tired of holidays, tired of eating. I’m just TIRED. I am staying in today and finishing my book.

[Maus_Magill]

Mrs Magill and I got up early to feed her brother and family before they left. Now it’s laundry time. Between our taking yoga and my walking regiment, It’s mind blowing how much there is.

Spike goes back to college in a week. That boy goes through clothes like there’s no tomorrow. Maybe next week’s loads will be sane.

[Chefguy]

Looks like a do-nothing day today. At least it’s warmer out. Maybe I’ll get up the energy to wash the car down in the garage.

I ordered some lemon olive oil from Amazon and it arrived nearly frozen yesterday. I guess the cargo areas of those trucks aren’t heated?

I have an 80s channel playing on the Dot. The 70s/80s really were a music pinnacle, IMO.

Okay, I got nuthin’.