(Old) Make Me Proud! In the MMP

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
221

Congrats!! Enjoy being paid while you either travel or sloth around the house. It’s quite wonderful.

My dad years ago owned a greenhouse for a bit. He swore that the plants grew better with music - he usually had classic rock blasting away through the overhead speakers he rigged up. Maybe they grew faster to try to escape the noise?

I’m not sure I agree - the costumes have been fairly prevalent at protests for several years, and the TV show gets quite a bit of attention and publicity that I would think most people have at least a general idea of what the costume represents.

Can you just say no and tell him to take care of it himself? I would find that incredibly frustrating as well.

It’s Friday, so that’s always a good day! Decided to get ahead of chores at start a load of laundry. And now the washing machine won’t drain. I had a space heater running in the laundry room all night so I’m not sure if the drain line still managed to freeze or it just happened to get a clog somewhere. It won’t get above freezing here until tomorrow afternoon. I’m debating on trying to manually drain it or just let it sit overnight and see what happens tomorrow…

222

Last load in the dryer and the rest of the clean stuff is put away. Clean sheets on the bed, too! And while I was downstairs, I de-ashed the fireplace.

FCD was on the phone with the woman trying to place his brother. He won’t be anywhere near here, but it doesn’t much matter since he doesn’t like his brother. We shall see…

Meanwhile, not much.

223

Walking home tonight, there was a little town gathering where they were blaring out the Hermes House Band version of Country Roads. Thought it was a German band, but they’re actually Dutch. Still a really popular song in Switzerland, especially if there’s drinking going on.

I’ll be there in spirit.

Well, at least it’ll give you something to write about. Hope the outage is shorter than expected. It always seems like the internet goes out on Friday and then there’s the worry that it might be out all weekend. :fearful:

Crossing fingers. :crossed_fingers: My mom was so happy when her brother finally got accepted into a group home. He really thrived there, especially since they made sure he took his medicine regularly. That made a big difference.

Stopped at Aldi’s on the way home. It’s weird when I do the shopping and hubby puts the groceries away. I don’t see the food get put away, so I sometimes almost forget what I bought.

Realized the taco shells expired last month, so I’m making beef tacos tomorrow for lunch. Or maybe Sunday. And I bought chicken breasts, but I’m not sure what I’m going to do with those. Hubby’s getting himself salad and then we’re going to settle down in front of the tv. Hopefully I can stay awake until the dryer’s done.

224

Taking his meds regularly is a biggie!

225

My nephew is back at home and feeling much better. The ER folks said they couldn’t do IV antibiotics, because they didn’t have a room available (!?), so they gave him pills, and sent him home. He’s feeling human again.

The Weather Channel says it’s 26F and fair. I guess if it gets a little cloudier, they’ll say “fair-to-middlin’.” It’s very sunny, glaring off that snow.

Hmm, let’s see…“Two Cool Cats,” “We Are Siamese,” Rossini’s “Cat Duet,” "Dixie Fried, “The Meow Mix Jingle,” the “Bertha’s Kitty Boutique” jingle, and “Stray Cat Boogie.” That’s all I could remember. You got any more?

It’s unusual for a cat to dislike boxes and bags, especially if you tear a hole in one corner. You never know with cats, though.

Catch you later, folks. Be strong, and don’t take any wooden pickles.

226

Sun’s out guns out so everything is thawing and dripping.
Maybe I can get the ice out of my car’s wheel wells - one of them is almost frozen solid, and attempts to shove/chisel it out were for naught.

Time to yank on clean socks & scoop up Special Co-worker (her nickname at work is Sprinkles, so I may call her that) and find out what lunatic fuckery joy awaits me.

I’ve heard & seen so much batcrap craziness recently, I thought my eyes would roll away … and Friday nights always bring the weirdness.

If you put them in a warm oven for a few minutes, they get nice & crunchy again.

227

Started Typing: 2:22 PM ET
Clicked Reply: 4:39 PM ET

It’s a bright sunny day, but only 36°F and there’s a biting wind. Happily, I have nowhere to go today…and nothing to do tonight except work on the Lego TIE fighter. :slight_smile: Temps start getting better tomorrow, with an expected high of 42: on Sunday it’ll be 49, then 55, and on Tuesday they’re calling for a high of 62 (!).

Thanks to all who sent good wishes my dad’s way! As I mentioned yesterday morning, his trigger finger surgery went well. Afterwards we went out for breakfast, then stopped at CVS on the way back to his place to make sure he had Motrin, Tylenol, and an extra ice pack. (He wasn’t sent home with any prescription, but they said if he was in pain today he could call and they’d give him one.) When we got to his house I put the new ice pack in his freezer, then put some of each of the pills into short wide glasses so he’d easily be able to fish them out with one hand. I wasn’t worried about leaving him, but I wanted to hang around for a little while just because. He’s 76, which isn’t old but he’s not quite a spring chicken anymore either. I left his house shortly after noon, stopped at the grocery store near my place, and was home by 1:45. I’m glad I took the afternoon off; I wound up napping an hour later! I called him at around 2pm today to check in, and he’s doing fine.

I fixed my loose siding myself! :smiley: It was pretty windy by the time I got home, so I went to see if I could pull down the loose part: I couldn’t (which is a good thing), but I saw that the siding had a “lip” on the bottom that should hook over the part attached to the house*. I started wondering if I could possibly fix it myself, and a quick Google search/YouTube video showed that it should work the way it seemed like it would. I don’t have a siding tool, but I figured it couldn’t hurt to try pulling it down/snapping it into place by hand…and it worked! I was able to sleep in my bed last night despite the 15 mph gusts! :tada: Plan B was going to be duct tape, as JtC mentioned (screws wouldn’t have been an option: remember, I’m a renter). I told my property manager; I think someone is still coming out on Sunday to take a look.

*I’d never had to deal with loose vinyl siding before; I had no idea how it worked! :slight_smile:

In other news, my optometrist’s office messed up my order of trial contact lenses: I’ve been wearing Acuvue Moist lenses forever, and at my recent appointment the optometrist suggested trying Acuvue Oasys lenses (they’re supposed to be even moister, and I do frequently wind up using rewetting drops with the current lenses). The office didn’t have any trial Oasys lenses in my prescription, so they ordered some and they arrived yesterday: the right-eye lenses are Oasys, but the left-eye lenses are Moist. :woman_facepalming: I called the office this morning, and they’re ordering Oasys lenses for my left eye. Oh well: I just got 10 free contact lenses for my left eye. :smiley:

OMG! :face_with_symbols_over_mouth:

Timonium; specifically, Lutherville. And we had breakfast at a diner in Towson. :slight_smile:

Ha! :joy:

I feel seen! :face_holding_back_tears:

Oh, I did! (Though it was a medical center, not a hospital.) But it didn’t occur to me that I might also need gloves and a ski mask… :joy:

LOL!

“Everybody Wants to Be A Cat”
“Stray Cats Strut”
“Black Cat”

228

There was an earthquake about 25 minutes ago, north of Vancouver, BC. It was a 4.8, but it didn’t feel that big here. If I were back in L.A. and asleep, it wouldn’t have woken me up. But eyeballing the map, it looks like it occurred about 70 miles away from here.

229

Not feeling well. Pretty much zero energy, temperature up to 99.2F (my usual is in the mid 97s). I’m in a 74-degree room, wearing a long-sleeved T-shirt, sweatpants, and socks and I’m freezing. Working on a headache now, too.

Grump.

230

And a good afternoon all. Internet returned while I was out swimming so I am trying to catch up on the news and views of the day. Temperature is up to 41F which is a big improvement and might be slightly warmer than that tomorrow. Shopping has been shopped and in general all is right with the world.

Now to catch up with the rest of you folks (only 30 messages, you’re slipping, people):

VanGo, as to your new job, probably best to let someone know what you are going to do with the chairs; after a couple of years you can go ahead and do things on your own, but start humbly. IMHO as always. And glad the new windshield is being emplaced.

I’ve got plenty of gas stations within 2-3 miles of my house so I’ll often wait until the ‘low fuel’ light comes on, which usually means I have about 40 miles left.

Boo fae, kinda nice the old cat place is occupied again.

Taters, know he’s your Husband and you love him, but have you out and out told him how inconvenient this is?

rocky, happy couch hunting.

Good planning.

FCM, for your sakes and his I hope BIL does get placed where he can get some help and counseling/

shoe, may the weirdness be within acceptable limits tonight.

Oopsie, glad Dad is doing well, as I am72 I agree that it isn’t that old but I need to take my time. And kudos on fixing the siding problem.Good luck on the contacts.

Flyboy, been in one earthquake I remember, it can be a weird feeling if you’re not accustomed to it.

Feel better soon, Nettie

And now to continue playing catch-up with the internet. Take care all.

231

Good! Feeling human is a plus.

What’s New, Pussycat?

I knocked a little cut glass piece off my dresser that I kept odd earrings in that I hadn’t given up hope of finding a mate to this morning. I couldn’t see where the bottom half (and a couple of earrings) went, so’s I took a yardstick under the dresser and felt something that I couldn’t nudge out.

Once I took everything off the top of the dresser and removed the top three drawers, it was light enough for me to move. No cut glass piece there, but did find four of Nelson’s mini-tennis balls.

I had already tried under the bed as far as my arm would reach, so got the broom out to get under further. Out came Nelson’s lost hedgehog, two of his Kong squirrels and ta-da*, the cut glass piece. I put everything back with the dresser and even dusted stuff off gasp!. Now, I have my little stash back and Nelson has some new-old toys to play with.

232

Howdy Y’all! We brunched and then spent the rest of the day in RDOS mode. Still full, so Netflix and chill won’t include popcorn tonight.

Oopsie yay for the sidin’ fix!

Flyboy I was near where an earthquake was supposed to happen about thirty-five years ago. I had to do an irk thing in north Sippimissi and the prediction was the New Madrid (pronounced Mad-rid) was supposed to do whatever an earthquake does and take out Memphis, TN and other stuff. I was just south of Memphis. It didn’t happen, so to celebrate I drove thirty miles to Memphis and toured Graceland. On the way back home, I stopped in Tupelo and saw Elvis’ birthplace. I called it my “All Shook Up “ tour because I was supposed to die in an earthquake, but didn’t.

233

Saw 2 couchs. One was 4k! One was 2k. On to ikea tomorrow.

The one place gave me material samples. I would prefer non fabric couchs. I will test the material by placing it where lager will sleep tonight.

234

it felt like home. :slight_smile:

235

I only drove in Dallas on my way to San Antonio and on my way home almost 3 years later and one time when I had training in Dallas. Never noticed that the traffic was crazy out of control. Where I found the traffic to be crazy out of control was HOUSTON. Omgosh!!! It was horrific.Very fast, VERY inconsiderate, cut you off with inches to spare.

I don’t think this is quirky AT ALL. I feel the same way!
If it was me, I’d tell Hubs that I wouldn’t be coming back home with lunch until I was done with every single last errand that needed running. Even if it takes until 3:00 or 4:00. He can forage for some fruit or make carrot or celery sticks in the meantime or get out a can of soup, put it in a pot and heat it up.

metal mouse I’m so sorry your AT&T was out. Hopefully back on now. And wow, 'Bama was only 15*, you’re down south, a heck of a lot souther than the Mitten, what the heck, particularly when our temp at the same time today was 28*. Weather be weird.

Well I had a senior moment, actually several, on Wednesday when I said Hubs had a Dr appt today so I couldn’t go meet up with a friend. The Dr appt is actually next Friday. So, I drove up to friend’s home. She lives in a condo surrounding a golf course. So she got out the snowshoes; she gave me her Significant Other’s snowshoes, then we went snowshoeing 2-2/3 miles on the golf course. The temp was about 30*, slight breeze and beautiful blue sky, not a cloud in sight. We saw 3 deer hightailing it into the woods when they spotted us. When we’d gone a little less than 2 miles, my glutes starting letting me know that they were being asked to do something that they weren’t in shape for doing. I’m going to take some vitamin I before I really start hurting to hopefully get ahead of it. When we returned to the condo, friend made Mexican hot chocolate; really hit the spot.

I’m pretty tired now but I need to rally as my Spartans play the Other School down in AA in 19 minutes. Go Green, Go White!

236

It keeps him safe from the world :slight_smile:

Our fuzzbutts don’t care for boxes or paper bags either. There is a bed under the loveseat and GG likes to get under there and sleep in his “cave” but mostly they occupy the stratching posts.

Don’t stop rabble rousing just because it has warmed up. It will get cold again and something needs to be done ASAP.

Thank you. We kinda think this will not improve, he’s been showing signs of dementia for several years and is in his late 80s. Ain’t none of us getting any younger :frowning:

Start picking lunch up on your way home. AFTER you have spent your time doing what you wanted to get done. If he doesn’t want to eat lunch at 1400, he can make himself a sandwich or something.

I do hope they find something soon. I agree that it doesn’t matter where BIL goes, you guys won’t be visiting weekly anyhow.

I’m rather disappointed, I thought I had an original idea! I’ve ordered one and I know I’m going to feel very odd wearing it.

I’ve spent my life trying to blend in. Yeah, maybe I was a biker bitch wearing fringed leather chaps with chain mail bra and thong, but I was one of many so didn’t stand out. I like it when people don’t pay attention to me, that gives me opportunities most folks don’t get. It takes a lot of practice to be able to slip away from a tour of a WWII submarine long enough to make whoopy, ya know.

Now I will be dressing to be seen and that’s going to be very different. It’s fine. People should pay attention to me, I have something really important to say and I want to be heard.

Please let your friends know that we aren’t all batshit crazy.

I’m glad he is feeling better, I’ve been hearing that the yearly ick is worse this year.

Is this something I should worry about? I guess I assumed that the friction of the wheels spinning would melt the ice enough to make it a self-correcting problem? I mean, I know I have ice in my back wheel wells, but I’m still getting this winter thing figured out.

I do love youtube, it is my go-to when I’m going to try to fix something myself. Go you, good job!

If I was your property manager, I would also want to send someone out to be sure that the job had been done right. That’s the sort of little problem that could turn into a really big problem in a few hours.

I also know to bring a heavy jacket to hospitals, but learned your lesson when I took someone to a dedicated surgical center. I swear they kept that place under 60F, I could sometimes see my breath when I was breathing on my hands for warmth.

It can be kinda scary how blase folks who live in earthquake zones can be over them. But…when you are raised knowing that the ground can and often does open up and eat people alive…it shapes your world view slightly differently.

This morning we went to Kroger for ice and beer. I could tell that they had been working to move the mud to the edges of the parking lot and they had most of the cart corrals back in place.

The apartment owner (pic I shared) had all of the appliances out of the ground floor apartments and there were a couple of dumpsters filled with various remodel debris. The overhead walk lights on the upper floors were on so at least the owner had power and heat.

The entire area was mud as far as I could see. I took particular delight in seeing trump/vance signs on the ground, covered with mud and ignored.

We went to the UPS store and it also showed signs of flood damage and the dispensary parking lot was muddy and slushy because of the snow. That business area isn’t close to the river so the creeks up the mountain behind them must have overflowed.

After we had lunch at Bob Evan’s, I dropped Hubs off at home and went to the capital to hang out. I used the “I miss FEMA” sign again. The governor has asked trump for money but has been hearing crickets in return.

Hubs went to the shelter while I was gone and reports another wave of lost pets. He also said the old kitty had been adopted. I am so happy about that, we were so close to bringing her home with us but we could tell she wanted to live somewhere without other young cats around. Now we just need that old dawg to get a home that isn’t ours.

I’m really looking forward to the gym opening again, they are out of business until water is restored. I understand that less than 10000 customers are without water as of the 1800 news. At least power has been restored.

:rofl:

237

I’ve always called them “clugs.” Don’t know why or how it started, but it seems a good name for those icy lumps that grow in wheel wells.

I am now fully onboarded with the museum, I got keys, to many keys, and a code for the alarm system to the building, well, actually both the museum and their warehouse.
I have had so much info fire-hosed at me in the last two days, it’ll take me the weekend to sift through it all. Union CBA, benefits, how to access the payroll portal, about 30 different names of people. My brain is tired.

JtC Glad power is back on! And hoping your water clears up soon-ish. Both on top of the ground and through the pipes.

238

That sounds like a most excellent name!

You do know that there will be a test of names on Monday, right? I’m so happy for you, you deserve health care.

Thanks for the sympathy, we didn’t lose power. Hubs just felt the need to fire up the genny because it is a kinda new toy that hasn’t been used since we bought it. I’m not even sure that we are in the boil water zone or not because I can’t find a map of the affected areas.

This is mostly an annoyance to me, we have a dishwasher and really only use a couple of gallons of water a day for cooking and drinking.

And the snow is still magical and beautiful, even if it does come with cold. I’m not as fond of temps in the teens as I could be, but I’m tough. My anger keeps me warm when I’m walking laps around the capital.

239

Hah! Pikers! When you really want bad traffic, come to Nashville.

I agree! When I walked Nelson this morning, it was 12F. On the positive side, it did get above freezing today.

240

I have driven by Nashville often. (I do like what they have done with the highway lately.) Considering how scary the freeway was, I would probably just die if I had to try to deal with that traffic.