I finished the ham and bean soup and if I do say so myself it came out good. The beans got soaked overnight, then rinsed and simmered with the big hambone. The chopped ham I added about halfway through, along with some onions,carrots and a little celery.
I’ve only ever cooked meatloaf in a … loaf pan. What does the insert do?
The who now?
I’d say she earned her keep … er, tamales.
How festive! And almost right on time, too.
The what now?
I gotta remember this one.
Actually, it’s usually the opposite. Lots of excess fat pushes down on your internal organs.
Years ago, I had to have some tests that involved scanning my tummy after I’d drunk some sort of gas-producing concoction to fill my stomach with air, and the nurse made a comment about how I had a big stomach. “The skinny ones always do.”
I asked her how that could be possible, and that’s ^^ what she told me. Very obese people just don’t have the same expansion capacity.
But hey, congrats on the weight loss anyways!!
Having worked customer service for a major furniture delivery company (think of a compass direction, and a kind of tree) so by definition I heard all the bad, and worse … I’m so glad for you that it all worked out smoothly in the end.
And that you like it!
Well, that’s new info to me.
Thanks!!
Speaking of, there was an episode of sports involving my old hometown, and my new home state. (Football: Lions v Cowboys.) I didn’t know who to root for!
Okay, well, I need to eat and smoke a joint the size of my cat rest up, since I open → close tomorrow AND it’s gonna be one helluva busy night.
I have stories about tonight (I took notes so I wouldn’t forget!) but I gotta attend to self right now.
Later, peeps. Promise.
Good Mornin’ Y’all! Up and caffeinatin’. YAWN ‘Tis 27 Amurrkin out and partly cloudy with a predicted high of 61 and mostly N.O.S. for the day. The big item on today’s agenda is deheathenization wherein I have Verge duty. Then it will be home to da cave for a sammich N.O.L., sloth, nappage, and day drinkin’. JDD and Partner are comin’ over for NYD eats tomorrow and to hang out and be silly cause that’s what we do. I took a beastloaf and the greens outta da freezer when I arose this mornin’. Those along with blackeyed peas (gotta clean and soak those today), rice, cornbread, and peachy cobbler with good 'niller ice cream shall comprise the feast. Also, never fear, I have two nice ham bones for both the greens and the peas. We’ll be asleep when the new year starts. That is, unless one of us needs to get up to pee.
Now I need more caffeine and to feed rumbly tummy. Then purtification for deheathenization shall commence.
Happy Sunday Y’all! Happy New Year’s Eve!
I have been remiss!
< AHEM > CLEARIN’ THROAT < AHEM >
HAAAPPPYYY BIIIRRRTTTHHHDDDAAAYYY TOOOOOO YOUUUUUU!!!
HAAAPPPYYY BIIIRRRTTTHHHDDDAAAYYY TOOOOOO YOUUUUUU!!!
HAAAPPPYYY BIIIRRRTTTHHHDDDAAAYYY DEEEAAARRR CCCUUUPPPCCCAAAKKKEEESSS!!!
HAAAPPPYYY BIIIRRRTTTHHHDDDAAAYYY TOOOOOO YOUUUUUU!!!
First off - Happy Cupcakes Day!!
If that was the only problem, I’d be less worried. But there’s also the chronic kidney disease (I think her kidneys are functioning around 25%), the thyroid (she’s lost so much weight, they’re having a time getting the dosage right), and something that’s been causing her to fall down. And we suspect there might be some early dementia in there. Plus, yanno, she’s 92. We hope to hear from someone today - AuntB if no one else.
I’m mentally bracing for what I have to do to cancel our trip. I’ve looked at next year and found a couple of replacement cruises, just in case. We’ll just have to see.
I assume it’s to allow excess grease to drip off. I, myself, have never used a loaf pan. I just form the meat, then set it on a rack over a foil-lined pan. It ends up blob-shaped rather than loaf shaped, but it works, so why screw with success?
I don’t know what was up with Ziva last night, but she was meowing in or just outside our bedroom. She never does that! Taz was the noisy one. I actually got up to see what was wrong - did Timmy fall in the well?? But there was water and kitteh kibbles, tho I did need to dump a bag of pellets in the stove - was she cold?? Thanks to her, I was up from about 2-4:30 or so, then I was able to snooze again till 7. Idiot feline.
FCD is still feeling like crap. I’ve managed to dissuade him from taking stuff to the apartment so he’s mostly been in his recliner, at his computer, or napping. I hope this cold passes soon, and I further hope it doesn’t get passed to me, tho that’s likely a hopeless hope. Stoopit germs.
Thus our not-so-great year ends on a not-so-great note. Let us brace ourselves for the new round.
Happy NYE!
Happy Cupcakes Day!
Mooooom sorry to hear about MIL and the potential cruise cancellation. I can understand that FCD wants to be there but he needs to rest and there’s no point rushing over until he knows something more.
Afternoon, mumpers! It’s 7c/45f with no predicted change, and rain showers. Weather app tells me that “We all deal with rain in our own fucking way. My way is fucking cussing.” Really? I’d never have guessed!
I’ve had a semi-productive morning, got up and tended to the mogs, then made myself a cup of tea. Still coughing quite a lot, it’s dry and painful cough so everything’s hurting. Thus, tea and paracetamol was required. 'im indoors finally surfaced and suggested we open our hexmas gifts so we did. I knew what most of mine were since I’d put some things on my wishlist, and I’d been with him when he bought CDs etc at gigs. I’d also asked for a replacement watch since my very old analogue has had the strap replaced so many times, the mounts are at a point where the strap doesn’t stay in place for very long.
I have him a link to the exact watch I wanted (it’s the same as I’ve got now!), there’s a picture and a written description, plus an option to buy online and collect from the jeweller in town (about a mile away). Couldn’t be easier, could it? Still doesn’t explain why instead of a silver casing and black strap, I now have a watch with a gold casing and brown strap. Back to the shop next weekend to exchange it then…
After we’d unwrapped stuff, I put all the wrappings in a binbag and put that outside, and emptied the upstairs bin that’s now full of cat litter. Then I mustered the energy to push the rollsuck around the house, although I had to do it in stages as I’m easily out of breath. Place looks clean enough for now. Later I shall poke the Big Bird and see if it’s thawed enough to be cooked or whether it will wait for tomorrow. The packaging says it should take 23-59hrs in the fridge to defrost, but I left it out and think 24hrs should be enough.
I’m not sure I am that bothered for a full roast dinner today, but also not sure I’ll feel any more enthusiastic tomorrow so I might as well get it out of the way today if the bird’s sufficiently thawed.
It’s snowing! Finally! Looks like we got a couple of inches overnight
The wife’s post-tooth extraction is going well. She’s having no pain, which is nice.
I started participating in a group on facebook which is mainly concerned with historical aspects of the town I grew up in. Fun seeing all the landmarks and hearing people’s experiences. As I was scrolling through some remarks I noted a name that I remembered from way back in high school. It was a girl who I had a major crush on, but was too insecure to pursue. So I contacted her and had a nice chat. Sort of like closing an old wound.
Ok, these trashy novels I read have hit a new level of stoopit! The couple (who we already know will end up in love but who currently hate each other) are stranded in a remote cabin in a snow storm with no wood for a fire. To survive, of course, they need to share body heat. And as we all know, the best way to do that is for her to get nekkid while he is partially clad, and they do the horizontal mambo beneath the pile of their clothing. And if they get cold, they can do it again. OMG!
Can’t believe I read this crap. I’m so ashamed…
Good morning everyone.
It’s 40F and mostly cloudy outside. Temps will top out at around 50F, with partly cloudy skies for the afternoon.
FCM, I’m so sorry about your MiL. Here’s hoping the trip doesn’t have to be canceled. I also hope FCD RESTS today. I know that’s hard to do when one is worried and there are projects.
boofae, I hope you feel better soonest too. Dry coughs suck, and they do hurt.
Happy Birthday, cupcakes!
I was not as productive as I should have been yesterday, although I did bake a batch of really good chocolate chip cookies, and I steam-cleaned half of my husband’s VR room because he knocked over a diet Coke in there. I told him I didn’t want food or drink up there because he’s, well, he’s messy and always knocks his drinks over. I’ll do the other half today. I didn’t feel like doing the whole room and besides, his racing chair/wheel and other stuff needed to be moved. So,. now that stuff can be moved to the dry side today and I can finish that room.
We had more prime rib soup for dinner and I had a cookie for dessert.
I need to take care of laundry today too. In other words, it’s just a normal Sunday.
Although it was only supposed to lightly rain yesterday, it rained most of the day here and it was just far too soggy to take the dogs on walks. Buster hates being out in the rain anyway. Oddly enough, he loves “fighting” with the hose and getting sprayed with it. Dogs be weird.
Okay, time for another cup of coffee and it’s time to feed the pups.
Up, caffeinated, and sheveled. Off today, on a 30 degree(ferret height) last day of 2023.
And it’s mattress flippin, filter switchin’ new toothbrush day as well.
It’s on my Jungle wish list. 
HAPPY CUPCAKES DAY!!!
Catglove happy stepping!
Yes.
Happy Cupcakes Day!
Sorry, FCM about MIL. Hope FCD starts feeling better and that you avoid the crud.
Boofae, hope your coughing gets better soonest. It really takes a lot out of a person.
Catglove, isn’t that nice when a plan comes together? Glad you got your NuStep all situated.
Washed the mattress cover, sheets, and a load of delicates, plus rotated the mattress. According to my notes I rotated the mattress last time, but I think I just copied the notes above, because both husband and I think we flipped the mattress 3 months ago. Oh well.
Yesterday hubby vacuumed the hardwood floor. Today I ran a dry mop over it and then wet-mopped it. It’s been a while since we did that and now the floor looks nicer.
Went for a 1.5 hour walk, and we got home before the rains started.
Lunch was leftovers from the Indian restaurant we went to on Friday. Convenient, and yummy. Since they gave us a ton of rice, I cooked the leftover with lots of milk and a bit of sugar to make a stovetop version of rice pudding.
Hopefully it stays damp. Otherwise we’ll be up all night due to private firework shows. And if it’s raining here, then hopefully it’s snowing in the mountains. We need snow.
Think it’s time to be lazy.
The PT is going well. We are also working our way back up to the pre-surgery level of mall walking in addition to the PT. I am down 18.4 lbs/8.4 kg whch means I am still old, short and balding but much less of a fat guy than I was a month ago
I haven’t got back to sewing. I am limited to 10lbs/4.5kg of weight to lift. My sewing machine is easily three times that and my over the sink ironing board is at least double. With all of teh lifting She has had to do, I don’t want to ask Her to do extra.
I see my surgeon on Friday so I will see if I can get the weight restrictions lifted. I am also hoping to get the OK to start driving again.
At least for the one I have, the insert has drainage holes for the extra fat, which collects in the bottom pan instead of soaking the meatloaf.
I’ll get there when most of the locals are in church. 
Not on that ramble (we’ve been there several times, along with the better tour at Early Times), but we’re planning a tour of Nearest Green distillery in the near future.
It raises it up ~1/2" and has holes in the bottom for fat to drain out.
I’m surprised that you aren’t familiar with the term! You know the little dishes that stuff like slaw and cottage cheese are served in in restaurants? Those are monkey dishes.
Happy birthday baker!
After KP is done, I need to get sheveled and head to Tar-jay for my new microwave. After that, I’ll head to the 'Boro to World Market to replenish the supply of coffee beans, then on to the outlet grocery for a few supplies. After that, sloth. I’ll put the blackeyed peas in the crock before I go to bed tonight and maybe clean the greens.
Stay safe and healthy y’all!
Mornin’ all! Stayed up stupid late on the 30th to align my bedtime for the 31st. Awoke 8am-ish, so an hour post sunrise. It’s now 930ish under crystal clear skies but a cool 59/15 on the way to 71/22. Overnight it got down to a chilly 50/10. I’m caffinatin’ and Her Ladyship yet slumbers. But probably not for much longer.
Since I accomplished exactly zero on Sat, today’s agenda is the same as yesterday’s: carwash and mini groc. Plus some sort of evening / midnight celebration.
First things first, I’ll add my voice to the chorus of Happy Cupcakes Day!!
Shoe: others have explained about meatloaf pans, but here’s some examples: Amazon.com : meatloaf pan with drain tray. They work great if you use really fatty burger for flavor but want a drier result for health. But certainly not necessary to make a good meatloaf.
A “distaff” is part of an old fashioned spinning wheel for making thread from wool or flax fiber. Somehow referring to women as the “distaff set” or “distaff side” became commonplace back a hundred+ years ago. Why not the “bonnet” set or the “work all day and all night and still take shit from some jerky guy” set? Hellifino.
Best of luck on a long & very busy day at irk.
Swampy sounds like you’ve got a great plan there. I’ve never understood the attraction of greeting a shiny new year all hung over & wanting to die. A bit of Huzzah!, a toast, and on to bed suits me fine.
Yesterday in another thread I posted this:
I think maybe some of our other retired drains on society might enjoy trying this. I’m sure I will.
FCM: sorry you had early rising to deal with fussy cat. Best of luck with aged MIL. I also hope you can keep FCD close to home and taking it easy until his cold passes. Lest it linger for a month and really foul up either the cruise or the MIL crisis. Good to hear you’re succeeding so far today.
boofae best wishes for Big Bird whichever day you tuck into him/her/it. I have to say that along about now in the whole holiday season the idea of eating, much less cooking, an elaborate Feaste just sounds … tiring.
I’m hoping you can get the correct watch; IMO the mostly likely reason for the wrong one is that the right one simply wasn’t available, or at least not immediately so. Altho you know 'im indoors far better than I do. Here’s hoping.
And another wish for returning health soon; persistent coughing sucketh greatly.
Cookie that’s the happiest post of yours I’ve seen in a couple weeks. You’ve certainly had your share of annoyances and disappointments of late. Very gratifying to hear multiple good newses for you & wife.
Enjoy the happy snow. Certainly more fun when you don’t have to drive to work in it. Son in Chicago just texted us a picture out his front window of an inch or so still accumulating on the yards, streets, cars, and houses.
As to your crush reunion …
Back in HS there was one girl I was smitten by. By far the hottest thing on two feet. Of course I was far too useless to do anything with it except lust after her from afar.
About age 25 I’m leaving through an off-brand “men’s magazine” back when they existed and weren’t sold in shrink wrap and lo and behold! There she was, showing us both her big smiles. Damn she was hot.
Which always reminds me of this song J. Geils Band - Centerfold (Official Music Video) - YouTube that seems custom-written for me. And countless other HS boys since every girlie-mag model went to high school somewhere, and not that long ago.
You’re probably better off with your conversation than I was/am with my long-ago magazine. Which I did not buy.
Better that than murder mysteries. At least your folks are having fun. Predictable fun, but fun nevertheless.
That sentence does not compute. Once you have home-baked cookies, it’s a plenty productive day. The rest is just tiresome details.
That is incredibly good news. Win all around! Woot!!
An hour-plus after I started this novella Her Ladyship is now up and wrapping up her cute sheveling, so that’s my cue to hit [Send].
Cheers all. To a better 2024! I suspect we’re gonna need it.
Happy Birthday Cupcakes! 
I got your answer right here: MEN!!! [please note this does not apply to the great men on our MMP]
Yes, very much, thank you 
Hubs has used it each day. Friday it took him 40 minutes to go a mile but yesterday it took him 30 minutes to go a mile so he was excited about that.
I had never heard of this before. I’m going to look for one. Thanks for mentioning it 
Scooted to Kroger this morning to see if the 18 ct cage free eggs for $2.99 were available; yep 
Also bought a couple storage totes. When I got to the car, I noticed there was a bottle of Garlic Expressions in the cart that I hadn’t paid for so had to go back in. Then I went and gassed up the car using up the remaining 300 points from November. I have 1600+ points for December; will come in handy since I’ll be driving to the hospital every day starting Wednesday during January.
Have as great of a last day of the year as possible!
I’m becoming that which I dreaded: a cranky old man.
Happy birthday Cookie! I hope you have a great day.
Na-na-na-na-na!!!
A couple of strong young men who know the value of carefully moving heavy brewing vats could come in very handy!
OUCH! I hope you make lots of tips.
Can you convince him to use adult sippy cups? My covered cups have saved many a keyboard over the years.
I’m pretty sure your doctor is going to say you have to go the whole 6 weeks. Bones heal slowly and you were opened up like an Aztec sacrifice. It’s going to take time.
The no-driving thing is to keep you away from the airbag. If something happened and it hit you in the chest…well fixing that damage would make your first surgery seem like a scraped knee.
Also, I don’t know if you were warned, but no shooting guns either. Even a nice little .38 pistol could give you enough of a jolt to rip open your healing sternum.
When hubs had his quad, the hardest part was the cats. His cat just couldn’t understand why he wouldn’t pick her up anymore or why she got locked out of the bedroom (for sleeping on his chest).
He kissed up to her a whole bunch when he was off the lifting restrictions and she forgave him.
Hubs practiced up for that and is quite good now!
It’s a Wholesale club, like Sam’s or Costco (I see Pilot has already covered it).
Cat Glove, congrats on the New Nu-Step, hope it continues to meet all your expectations.
Happy Birthday, Cupcakes
boo fae, hope you get feeling better soon.
Cookie, you may be the only person here (outside of shoe) that is actually happy to see a couple inches of snow…but enjoy it anyway.
Where’s the fun in leaving all the good stuff out???
Decided to have my Sunday sammiches early rather than late, then eat an early dinner at Longhorn Steak House after exercising, the gym closes at 4pm so I’ll try to time it close to that. Up to 50F now and have the water on for about 3 hours to do a few jobs and re-fill the terlets, will shut it off before I head out. Probably won’t make it to New Year’s, not that big a deal for me anymore.
Have a good Sunday all.
I’ve just put the meaty ribs from the prime rib into the oven, and turned the oven on to 225º Ferret Height. It’s nine now, so they should be done around 14 or 15 o’clock.