# (Old) Prepping for a visit in the MMP **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Tags:** mmp\ **Created:** [August 17, 2026, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-prepping-for-a-visit-in-the-mmp/1032376 "2026-08-17T11:18:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-prepping-for-a-visit-in-the-mmp/1032376/101 "2026-08-19T13:01:12Z")
Morning all. Bladder determined when I got up today, so early to rise will hopefully keep me healthy and wise (I just paid my credit card off, so maybe not so wealthy). Did get the soccer stuff sorted, so expecting more info today on it. Otherwise nothing much on the agenda. Weather is about the same, 75F now heading to 94F and no rain to be seen. And checking the morning reports of my fellow Mumpers… **Nut** , only place I have heard of butter pies was that song, from what you wrote I’m not likely to encounter one. Happy Mowage, **swampy**. Take a break or two, heat warning or not, it’s hot. > [@scareyfaerie](#): > > something that worked perfectly well, we all understood it, therefore it must be changed You nailed it. I think it is a law of the universe; once something is working well and most everyone understands it, then it is time to change it. Happy swimming time, **FCM**. Haven’t been in the pool at the gym for a couple of weeks, may have to remember to pack my trunks today. And kids seem to need less sleep than us older folks and still have energy to burn…which is highly unfair, IMHO… **Lucky** , never drank much hot tea (except a type of sweet chai in the UAE), but still like my Ali-bama sweet tea on occasion. Hope the new Slow Cooker lasts you a good long while. And onward with the week. A good Hump Day to all. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-prepping-for-a-visit-in-the-mmp/1032376/102 "2026-08-19T13:23:31Z")
purplehorseshoe, i believe that was me. that is a good one. turkeys can channel their inner dinosaur. the pomeranians are very fun and useful. when ms andrews new books come out i take the day off to read them. the office fish tank is coming along. i started the planting yest., i have more to put in today. i’m thinking fish after labour day. i’m 80% decided on corydoras. they would handle the longer weekend the best i think. i’ve been lucky with the only hoa i have. reasonable board, and the meetings are fairly good. every now and again someone with a particular bug will derail things. it is a rare thing. we alternate between zoom and in person. zoom goes faster. also you can have the meeting on while you do something else. in person gets more snark. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-prepping-for-a-visit-in-the-mmp/1032376/103 "2026-08-19T13:25:23Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > who was literally building a [Cobra](https://retrorides.com.au/originals/a-brief-history-of-ac-cars/) in his dining room. What’s in the picture would have been the third thing I thought of, if I’d thought of a third thing. ---
**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:** [August 19, 2026, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-prepping-for-a-visit-in-the-mmp/1032376/104 "2026-08-19T13:39:24Z")
And its still dripping. They will probably say I’ll have to put up with it. Weather is great today. 75 and sunny. ---
**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:** [August 19, 2026, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-prepping-for-a-visit-in-the-mmp/1032376/105 "2026-08-19T13:53:27Z")
Good morning. It’s 54F and mostly cloudy. Morning clouds will give way to afternoon sun, with a high of 82F. **Red,** I hope the new med didn’t cause too many problems. My HOA is not really all that powerful. I make a point of attending the meetings when we actually have them, just to ensure money is not spent without my knowledge and approval. That happened once, and I’m never letting it happen again. Long story, so I won’t go into it. We are supposed to have an upcoming meeting to go over some budget and maintenance stuff, and the street parking issue will be discussed, too. This parking has long been a bone of contention for me, but nothing will be done. It never is. I pay my dues, which aren’t completely onerous, but they basically pay to keep the street lights on and for retention pond maintenance. By state law, we’re supposed to have meetings twice a year. I can’t remember the last meeting. Most people don’t seem interested in them, but I am, because, again, money. I’ve been asked every year to serve as a board member, even as President, but I am not interested. I extend my thanks and kudos to those who are, though. If we get to move, I don’t want an HOA. Most are a pain and a nightmare; they’re either completely powerless or they run to the opposite extreme, with corruption to boot. **Van Go** , I’m glad you were feeling well enough to get that work done. I hope you’re feeling 100% today. I’ve got a company coming out to measure and provide a final quote for replacement of my sliding glass door, with a built-in pet door. No more cheesy insert! It won’t be cheap, but the slider has become almost impossible to open, and I’m sick of it. The seal is broken on one side, too, so the glass is clouded up. The tech will be here on Friday for the measurement and final quote, and I’m hoping that by the end of next week, I’ll have the new slider installed. Well, that’s about all I have to report. We may go out to lunch today, but that’s about it, beyond the usual household and garden stuff. Please take care of yourselves. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-prepping-for-a-visit-in-the-mmp/1032376/106 "2026-08-19T14:03:54Z")
Good morning. I did not sleep through my walking alarm this morning. However I did hit snooze twice. The temperature was 67ºF with a dew point of 65ºF, so while it was humid, it was also cool enough that I didn’t start sweating until the last mile. Bun count was one. It was a big ol’ bun, too. I don’t understand how Chloé didn’t see it, or maybe she did, but decided, “Nope. Too big for me.” Really nice colors this morning. [![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55474562250_799ffcd33b_b.jpg) ](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55474562250_799ffcd33b_b.jpg) I have counselling this afternoon. We’ll be going over what she’ll say in my Letter. I’m hoping I wont be an emotional wreck at the end of it. If I remember, I’ll get a photo of my outfit for critique. I feel like all these things that are normally learnt during one’s tween and teen years, I’ve been cramming in my late fifties. Feedback has been helpful. Thank you everyone. > [@JaneDoe42](#): > > Have I mentioned lately that I think you have the most awesome smile? Just mentioning… Thank you! I’m getting to practice it more and more. > [@JaneDoe42](#): > > Some of us would go to their home and break in if they weren’t able to give us a key so we could box up their sex toys, porn and assorted paraphernalia. Not because of police but because ain’t nobody wants Mom opening their nightstand drawer and finding their dildo collection. That’s the Porn Buddy concept from Coupling. From TV Tropes: > - [If You Die, I Call Your Stuff](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/IfYouDieICallYourStuff "/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/IfYouDieICallYourStuff"): According to Jeff in “Flushed”, “porn buddies” are a variation in which the surviving buddy has to retrieve [all the porn](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/PornStash "/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/PornStash") from the dead one’s flat before their family [goes through their effects](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/PersonalEffectsReveal "/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/PersonalEffectsReveal"), to spare the dead man’s post-mortem embarrassment and help the survivor through the grieving process. Getting to _keep_ said collection is of course merely a bonus. > [@dogbutler](#): > > ItHurtsWhenIP Nice. My guest wifi is HideYourWiFi. > [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > > [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > > > the patty melt (“lots of onion, plz!”) is delishush. > > I’m fond of their patty melts as well. Their Reuben ain’t half bad either. The hardest part is getting the grill cook to put in _enuf_ grilled onions. Enough grilled onions? Is there such a thing? I love caramelized onions, especially on a burger. Hmm… It doesn’t look like it’ll rain this weekend. Time to caramelize some onions - looks like I’m grilling some burgers. > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > I suddenly flashed on a former coworker (bachelor, of course) who was literally building a [Cobra](https://retrorides.com.au/originals/a-brief-history-of-ac-cars/) in his dining room. Then he decided to build a garage, and I helped. Ooh - an AC Cobra. I was wondering how _anyone_ would be able to fit a souped up Ford Mustang in their dining room, much less get it out. ---
**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:** [August 19, 2026, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-prepping-for-a-visit-in-the-mmp/1032376/107 "2026-08-19T14:19:44Z")
**Mollie,** I hope it goes well. Our HOA is generally fine. We haven’t found them bad to work with, and they helped get an escalatingly bad drug house’s owner-resident in front of a judge. ---
**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:** [August 19, 2026, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-prepping-for-a-visit-in-the-mmp/1032376/108 "2026-08-19T14:34:04Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > I was wondering how _anyone_ would be able to fit a souped up Ford Mustang in their dining room, much less get it out. Technically, he was just assembling parts of it in the dining room, tho if I recall, he had a double door leading out to the yard. And I did eventually see him driving it - for all I know, he’s still driving it, but I haven’t seen him in a _loooooong_ time. I’ve emptied the dishwasher and I had to clean the inside of the kitchen window because it looked pretty bad with the sun shining thru. It’s better now. Roxy is knitting and I haven’t heard any cries for help, so I’m going to assume she’s getting the hang of it. Oh, and I did a bit of roll-suckage in the bedroom - Ziva won’t wipe her feet on the mat by her litter box and I get to walk thru too many bits. So the carpet is temporarily litter-free. So far, a pretty chill day. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-prepping-for-a-visit-in-the-mmp/1032376/109 "2026-08-19T14:40:08Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > was wondering how _anyone_ would be able to fit a souped up Ford Mustang in their dining room, much less get it out. My granddaughter built a Lego Cobra on the kitchen table, does that count? A Porsche also. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-prepping-for-a-visit-in-the-mmp/1032376/110 "2026-08-19T14:42:13Z")
> [@dogbutler](#): > > ItHurtsWhenIP Sadly it literally took me 24 hours to get this. Must not have been salacious enough-those I get immediately. ---
**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:** [August 19, 2026, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-prepping-for-a-visit-in-the-mmp/1032376/111 "2026-08-19T14:57:22Z")
Just got a call from my mom - apparently my sister had an unpleasant reaction to some meds that made her dizzy and a bit queasy, so that’s why the visit was canceled. We talked about meeting halfway, as we did once before. Bowie is about an hour-ish from each of us, so we may try that. It’s all up to my sister, since she’s still working. Poor thing… And I got some more news about BIL. Apparently (and fortunately) he’d quit drinking a couple of months back and he quit smoking when he had the first consult with his doc about the tumor, so at least he wasn’t dealing with withdrawal in the ICU. He’s in a room (with the inevitable noisy roommate) and they still don’t know when he’ll go home. My sister (not the same one who was going to bring Mom) spends every afternoon with him, and since he can’t talk, all “conversation” is notes written on a pad or chat apps. And then there’s my cousin with the heart issues… Suddenly, my aches and pains don’t seem quite as bad. Of course, I’ll still complain, because I’ve earned it, dammit! ---
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-prepping-for-a-visit-in-the-mmp/1032376/112 "2026-08-19T15:44:43Z")
Just finished writing for the day (out of brain error) and the rain suddenly started absolutely hammering it down. Glad I nipped out to the shops during lunch break now, this is not inviting weather, though it probably won’t last long, it looks like there’s more similar showers sneaking unpredictably around the area. I also bought some new taps (faucets, I believe, to you lot) from the shop next to the supermarket, as the ones in the bathroom (yes, there are separate hot and cold ones) are old and, in the case of the hot one, really hard to fully turn off. I don’t think I’ll get round to switching them over today, but I’ve been meaning to do it for ages. ---
**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:** [August 19, 2026, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-prepping-for-a-visit-in-the-mmp/1032376/113 "2026-08-19T16:06:48Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > Ooh - an AC Cobra. I was wondering how _anyone_ would be able to fit a souped up Ford Mustang in their dining room, much less get it out. Hubs assembled a Harley in our living room. Then he wanted to take a chainsaw to the door so he could get it out without taking things off again. We had a rental so I was a meany who said no to losing our deposit. > [@Filbert](#): > > as the ones in the bathroom (yes, there are separate hot and cold ones) I don’t remember ever living in a home with them, but saw those sort of taps in old independent gas station restrooms. I’ll bet you will be much happier with single tap sinks, I know I always fought with the gas station ones. Washing hands wasn’t as much fun as it could be, one side was too hot and the other side was too cold. Its 78F outside and hub is somewhere on his motorcycle. We have so many weeds but I am not cleared to do battle with them yet. The across the street neighbor is mowing and Harry mowed yesterday so hubs will probably mow tonight. Now is when I want to be tossing weeds in the grass to be turned into mulch, but that’s out for at least another month as well. I guess I have a good excuse to spend the day stitching, I’d like to catch up with the class before the next lesson but that’s probably too much to hope for. I can only stitch for ten minutes at a time before my hand starts cramping and I have to take a break. George thinks that’s just fine, I can spend my breaks doing other things with my hands like brushing the kittah! ---
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-prepping-for-a-visit-in-the-mmp/1032376/114 "2026-08-19T16:19:20Z")
> [@JaneDoe42](#): > > I don’t remember ever living in a home with them, but saw those sort of taps in old independent gas station restrooms. I’ll bet you will be much happier with single tap sinks, I know I always fought with the gas station ones. Washing hands wasn’t as much fun as it could be, one side was too hot and the other side was too cold. Dual taps are pretty much standard in older UK houses; come to think of it, I’ve not lived in a house _with_ a mixer tap in the bathroom, so it doesn’t bother me one bit. To change it to a mixer tap would involve, at a minimum, replacing the whole sink unit, which would then entail re-tiling half the wall and replacing all the bits where the pipework is boxed in- so nope, I’m pretty certain I’m happier with the current setup! ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-prepping-for-a-visit-in-the-mmp/1032376/115 "2026-08-19T16:24:38Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > I’ll still complain, because I’ve earned it, dammit! To quote my first chief, “A bitching sailor is a happy sailor.” We have a surplus of ferrets today – 81 out of a predicted 79. Going to the commissary and Aldi this afternoon, but other than that no real plans for today. (No imaginary plans, either, except for buying a winning lottery ticket. 😃) Never lived in a place with an HOA, and from all the stories I’ve heard, don’t intend to ever do so. Tried to learn how to ~~ride~~ drive (as opposed to just being a passenger) a motorcycle once. A friend took me over to the high school so I could use their big, empty car park. His instructions included “Listen to the engine – it will tell you when to shift.” So I’m riding around, and he starts yelling at me to shift. I was listening to the engine, and sure enough, it sounded like an engine. 🤷‍♂️ ---
**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:** [August 19, 2026, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-prepping-for-a-visit-in-the-mmp/1032376/116 "2026-08-19T16:25:33Z")
> [@Filbert](#): > > To change it to a mixer tap would involve, at a minimum, replacing the whole sink unit, I can remember my dad changing out my grandmother’s bathroom taps. He didn’t have to pull out the sink, but he had to use a kitchen tap because the holes for the water to come in were spaced too far apart. I’m assuming that it is the spacing of the holes for the water pipes that is the issue for you or am I probably badly in need of more coffee and less weed? ---
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-prepping-for-a-visit-in-the-mmp/1032376/117 "2026-08-19T16:37:43Z")
Well, the sink is the wrong shape, and the tap holes are in totally the wrong position, so a mixer would have to be a very strange curved shape to fit, but really, the main issue is my complete lack of desire to change the current setup, if we’re being honest here. 😉 I just _bought_ new taps. ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-prepping-for-a-visit-in-the-mmp/1032376/118 "2026-08-19T17:14:23Z")
Yay ! It’s raining. About bloody time, first rain I’ve seen for at leat 2 months. Much needed. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-prepping-for-a-visit-in-the-mmp/1032376/119 "2026-08-19T17:14:39Z")
Afternoon all. Morning has been spent in sloth and snacking, so will need to get to the gym to maintain control of my calorie count. Up to 87F now so my interest in being outside is limited. Signed up to referee a couple soccer games Saturday, one early and one at 5:00pm, so hopefully avoiding the worst of the day. Never lived in an area with a HOA and like **Herald** , from what I’ve heard I’d just as soon never live in one. > [@SuntanLotion](#): > > Weather is great today. 75 and sunny. Probably be October before I see that… **Taters** , hope the door isn’t to pricey, I got new ones when I remodeled about 4 years ago and they’ll be here whenever I leave. **Mollie** , you have this. Things are going to work out right. **FCM** , I’m way behind on the roll-suckage, of course I have only me to pick up from, but time I git’er done…sometime… And best wishes for sister, and glad BIL made it through surgery. My bathtub has hot and cold taps, but most everything else has just one tap. And guess I can do something now…what is still to be determined. Take care. ---
**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:** [August 19, 2026, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-prepping-for-a-visit-in-the-mmp/1032376/120 "2026-08-19T17:38:12Z")
> [@teelabrown](#): > > **Chefguy** , a friend of mine lives in an upscale mobile home park for senior citizens, in a place she inherited from her parents. When she first retired, she volunteered to work on the board of directors, so she could utilize her organizational and clerical skills from her years as a legal secretary. She eventually gave up on that when she found that it was mostly a meeting place for bitching widows. Well, they have absolutely no power to do anything other than to relay concerns to management. But I can do that without going through a committee. They’re quite literally toothless. Anyway, it’s 75F at 1230 and I’ve exercised my exercise rights and done all my puzzling. Breakfast was an egg sandwich for us and kibble for Sadie. I should go for a walk, but won’t. Dinner is a mystery at this point. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-prepping-for-a-visit-in-the-mmp/1032376.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-prepping-for-a-visit-in-the-mmp/1032376.md?page=7)