THAT’S WHAT HE SAID! 
I’m so glad both of you are having so much fun, you deserve some after the last year.
It really has been good for us all. There are a few people I miss and a some activities as well. It would take a very large amount of money to convince us to move back again.
Share pics!!!
You are my kinda SO!
Harry says there was a confirmed Mothman sighting during the snow. It was down Harts way, back in the hollar. He showed me a blurred pic of the snow he said his grandson’s neighbor’s kid took and shared. He also said that coffee and salted caramel Bailey’s is some pretty good stuff.
He was mowing the gully when I waved him over and told us that we had three days to mow before things got too sloppy to mow for the rest of the winter. He also said that if we didn’t have time to get to it, he would do it for us…which means that Hubs will be out there tomorrow afternoon. He’s not letting an 86 year old man show him up by golly!
I wish Mom was doing that well. I sent her a pic of the forest and she texted back. That told me that she was awake and at home and knew where her phone was, so I called her. By the end of the conversation she had forgotten that I had sent her the pic or that she had replied.
The good part of this is that I told her a funny George and Jolene story and she laughed and laughed. I can tell it to her again tomorrow and she will laugh again. I’ll just add it to all of the other stories I tell her on a weekly basis.
I do sometimes wonder if she’s the one humoring me…
The Bremen Town Musicians. From the Wiki link a few posts above mine.
Yes, that’s Hubs assignment.
To get ready to go to mass, I took a shower. Beforehand I thought as long as I’m taking a shower, I might as well weigh myself sans clothing; haven’t done so in months. Aack! I’ve gained 10# from the stress eating and not having enough time to work out like I used to. Will be doing something about that starting next Sunday.
I haven’t been to the church I went to tonight since March 2013. I turned down the wrong street and was a minute late. I had taken money for the collection and some extra money for the poorbox. Well, then the priest announced there was a bake sale after mass so unfortunately the poorbox did not get a donation tonight as the pumpkin bread and pumpkin cookies were calling my name. Also bought a ticket for the Ushers Club Thanksgiving raffle. Had no idea about any prizes. I normally don’t win anything. Just wanted to donate and help their fundraiser. Just took the ticket out of my purse and I see that first prize is a 50-55" TV and there are 10 runner up prizes of $25 Meijer gift cards. One nice thing that happened was I had a nice chat with the 86 yr old priest who is now a retired senior priest in residence.
Back from Wifey’s Birthday Dinner 2024. We both had the bacon-wrapped filet mignon; mine plain, and hers Oscar. We started with some volcanic French onion soup, and bread with olive oil balsamic vinegar, and basil to dip it in. We ate about half. She had two raspberry-somethings, and I had two negronis. Since we were stuffed, she didn’t want to order dessert.
So as soon as I changed into my PJ pants, I made her some crêpes. I also made whipped cream, and got out her jam.
Kitten Mitten I shop at Kroger as well and fill out a review every seven days, which is as often as is allowed. So that’s at least 200 points all by itself. And since I don’t cheap shop anymore I usually end up with at least 50 cents off each month. I decided once I retired I’ll buy the nummy cheeses, butter instead of margarine90/10 hamburger, and so on. You only live once.
Happy Saturday!
No park this morning as nobody else was going. Too cold, 38 feels like 32, and too wet.
Poor Petey can’t handle the cold, even with a coat on. He’s really not a small dog even though he looks small. He weighs 40 pounds, and he isn’t fat.
I went out to the workshop to finish cutting up cardboard later in the morning and it wasn’t too bad out. Not cold enough to kill the spiders as I discovered when I opened up one box and a mess scurried out. I’ll set that box outside in the cold next weekend and then try to cut it up.
I guess I shouldn’t be too upset with spiders. I saw a boxelder bug crawling up the wall yesterday, and the dumbass crawled right into a spider web. No more boxelder bug.
The little dump, police station, post office, gas station, grocery store loop was completed today.
I looked up CVS, FCM, and saw that they will take old meds too, but the police station is on the way back from the dump, actually so is CVS, but the police station parking lot is easier to get in and out of. Unfortunately, you can only drop meds off M-F from 8-4, but there was an officer outside taking a report and she said she’d drop them in the box for me. I let her know there were chemo meds in there, even though I had never even opened the box and there are warning labels on everything.
When we left the house at 130, it was nice out. Brisk, but doable. By the time we got home just after 3, it was really cold.
Happy Birthday to FlyBoy Wife!
Crossing my fingers for you VanGo
I think San Diego is out of my price range.
Is that a nickname for Muskegon?!?
Oh, you did it? Good for you.
I’ll admit to getting very slightly, very vaguely, a bit irritated (“Just cut the shit off, quit blaming your damn glasses!”) but then again, I’m easily annoyed.
I’m usually pretty good about keeping track of essentials.
Fire-starters are essentials.
Heck, I’m still irritated about the guy from, what, must’ve been twenty years ago who wanted a lighter and when I offered him I think an orange one (I had a few on standby, and it was not a color I like) I remember he asked specifically for the blue one instead.
My favorite color. 
And because women are socialized to be nice, of course, I (grudgingly) handed it over.
Other Shoe knew I was miffed.
That. Is. Hilarious!
Were they old-skool Polaroids?
I have a mental image of 80s-core Polaroid snaps, but of a tree on a truck.
Thumb-tacked to a cork bulletin board that has elementary school style border all around.
That warmed my heart.
(Almost as warm as the Arizona sun! Bah-dum, pssshh!)
Spare yourself. Get a smoked (precooked) turkey or hell, get a rotisserie chicken & pour some gravy over it; call it good.
You don’t get brownie points for tying yourself in knots for “tradition.” You just get tired. Fuck that noise.
Considering how many people call a Snickers bar & a Coke “breakfast” that’s not far off the mark.
Misread this as “Museum kitty works for treats.”
Heh.
… but didn’t tell us. Okay, okay. I see how it is!!
Yeah, I don’t kill spiders. (On a side note, fuck box elder bugs. Even Monkey won’t bother with them anymore.)
I’ll admit if I ever came face-to-face with one of those infamous huntsman spiders, I’d … well, probably screech too hysterically to do any smushin’ … but the little bitty house spiders? The ones that set up shop in out-of-the-way corners?
Nah.
Every single one is named “Charlotte” and at least in my home is allowed to do their groovy thang in peace.
A long while ago, I was hungover as a mo-fo and kneeling before the porcelain goddess, when between bouts of, uh, prayer, I saw a gnat lazily circle the trash can, and then fly directly into the web of the Charlotte stationed behind the throne.
The flurry of ensuing activity was so fascinating, I forgot to keep throwing up.
That all being said, I’d set anything described as a habitat to “a mess of spiders” outside, too!
Ew, TMI! … except … well, story above.
Early out tonight AND tomorrow is the first Blessed Day Off all week.
Considering how groggy and grumpy I was going in, that’s probably a good thing.
Stopped at the Walliest of Worlds on the way home, because I didn’t really have dinner plans and haven’t roasted/baked a chicken thigh on a bed of onions and N.O.T. in a hot minute.
I decided, okay, get chicken thighs, some crusty rolls/bread to go with, dinner will be sorted & we’ll have buck-buck tonight.
Apparently I wanted ALL THE ROASTED POULTRY THINGS because in addition to the thighs - at least one of which will go into the oven shortly - I also got a single turkey wing, a 2-pack of frozen stuffed chicken boobies (for future “I wanna push a button and then just sit the hell down” nights) also very nearly bought a Cornish hen, and was eyeballing the $20 frozen ducks with lust in my soul before I forced myself to walk away, just walk away …
Don’t get me wrong, I am soo excited for S.M. Thanksgiving, can absolutely put a dent in some spiral ham (I think she’s gonna involve pineapple slices and possibly those little cherries) and am really-ferrealz not at all sad that it’s oink-oink this year instead of gobble-gobble.
But imma have myself a teensy tiny mini-Thanksgiving all to myself, just me & my wing, sometime soon.
It’s my favorite part of the whole roasted bird (other than the crispy skin) and with my tiny pathetic appetite, is probably a whole entire meal on its own.
Speaking of gobble-gobble, based on what some of y’all have said about cats vs. deli meat, I offered Monkey a few bits of thinly sliced honey-roasted turkey, and while it didn’t absolutely change his entire world (like it did when I gave my dearly departed Nikki her 1st taste of squeezy-crack) he is definitely a fan.
Heh, back when I smoked ciggies, I was always the guy with the quick on the draw zippo. I never lost lighters. I haven’t smoked in 10 years but still have at least 5 lighters.
I once had a Jeepster Commando. Mine sure as hell didn’t look like that, though. It wanted to go offroad, but I could barely get it to be street legal. Well briefly I had 2 of them. 20 years ago. I’m a tad smarter now, and I’d love to have one back.
JtC Nice(ish) story about talking to your mom. It is sad when our loved ones get screwed up by age. I’m dreading when my folks get there. But they have already planned for it by adding a new bedroom on the first floor. Being 350 miles away is not helpful either.
My husband has never smoked, but carries at least one lighter-type object when he leaves the house. I suppose this would come in handy on one of our middle-of-godforsaken-nowhere roams if we found ourselves in need of building a fire.
Good Mornin’ Y’all! Up and caffeinatin’. YAWN ‘Tis 38 Amurrkin out and clear with a predicted high of 70 and N.O.S. The big item on today’s agenda is deheathenization wherein I have Verger duty. Today is Christ the King Sunday so it shall be a large and in charge service.The herd of Acolytes will include a Thurifer (incense), two Crucifers, two Torch Bearers, and a Gospeler. I say herd because I get to kinda herd and corral ‘em to make sure they are where they should be when they need to be. They’re good kids so I do not foresee any problems. I trust no one will go rogue. After that we will grab stoner specials from Cook Out to take to da cave and eat. Nappage will no doubt then ensue.
Now I need more caffeine and to feed rumbly tummy. Then purtification for deheathenization must commence.
Happy Sunday Y’all!
Morning, mumpers! It’s currently 14c/56f with a predicted high of 15c/60f and cloudy. Weather app says “I wonder who stole your fucking sunshine. Fucking wasn’t me.” Well, we had rain and strong winds yesterday courtesy of Storm Bert, today it’s much calmer out there but the sky is grey and may bring more rain with it.
It would make life so much easier, wouldn’t it? I know T-Day is a big thing and it’s all about tradition, but there’s also a case for not beating yourself up about stuff you can do nothing about. Is there an alternative for you? Can you cook what you need on the stove top, in a slow-cooker or microwave? You could still get the same kind of meal, just not in the same quantities or with the need for a functioning oven.
They are a guilty pleasure sometimes 
One of our Freeview channels starts showing hexmas movies in September, sometimes I put one on because it’s space-filling fluff. I like the idea of the kind of Christmas those films portray, but I don’t like it for myself. I have very bad associations with it, both my parents were in their last illnesses over Christmas, both died in the first week of January (albeit nearly 40 years apart) so the festive season is always bittersweet for me.
That sounds like a successful visit! Is the cat ornament to replace the pot that Sadie took a dislike to? We have an annual Frankfurt Christmas Market over here, it’s been going for years although I haven’t visited it for many years. It’s very busy, always packed with people (and pickpockets!), and has a lot of stalls selling the same kind of stuff (which is always stuff I have no use for, and wouldn’t dare give anyone as a gift) so we stopped going.
Aww…I hope they appreciated your kindness. You’re good people!
So she should be, she’s worked hard for all those qualifications. She’s built herself a good business, and she loves what she does. What a lucky lady.
I still have to work on Monday and Tuesday, but they’re home days (and I need to take Shadow to the vet for his arthritis shot) so much easier to manage all the things on my non-work to-do list.
Bob-B and Nettie you’re certainly making the most of the Jeep, I’m always in rental cars when we visit the US so there’s a limit to where I can take them, but we’ve had a few unplanned side trips too.
In our house, they’re all called Harry, based on a TV ad for biscuits
Last night was fun, we went over to Cannock to see three bands. 'im indoors was absolutely convinced we’d seen the first band before and I am equally convinced that we haven’t. They were very good, as was the second one. The headline band have had some recent drama over a statement they put out when one of the guitarists left and it’s obviously soured some people because a bunch of them have said they won’t support the band any longer.
It was almost entertaining to see which people we knew were fans would be the ones to flounce out after the second band! We stayed for all three, I know a bit more than most about what went on with the drama, and things would have been a lot better if they’d waited a few days and issued a statement that was less of a PR nightmare, but I’m keeping quiet about that. It was fun, there were hugs aplenty and some good conversations.
Today I have very few plans, I need to go and drop off some stuff to the lady who runs Little Paws but need to wait for her to let me know when she’s at home, and 'im indoors wants a ride to the bike store so he can get a new tyre. I have domestic drudgery to consider, and there’s lots of tea to drink.
Up, caffeinated, and sheveled. Off today… I shall clean the floors, do laundry, and watch pro handegg. Spot is watching his shows.
I avoid the Hallmark Christmas stuff, except for Die Hard
I quit smoking 27 years ago, but I still have my Zippo.
Y’all are getting serious about people sitting in the wrong pews, huh?
Mine are all call Fred.
I always transfer my wallet to my front pocket and keep my hand in that pocket in places like that. I also watch the people around me and mine, as not everyone has that ol’ xmas spirit.
You’re braver than I, or more tolerant, or out of your mind!!! 
Luckily I can’t come across them accidentally because YouTubeTV lets you edit what channels show up in your guide, and Hallmark doesn’t show. (Nor do the shopping channels, most sports channels, all Spanish channels, all kids’ channels, and all religions channels. Saves a lot of scrolling time.)
It’s still a bit weird being able to lie abed as long as I want to. No more having to let the dog out - altho I do listen for MIL. So when I wake, unless I have some place to go, I get my tablet and start my day with sudoku and maybe some match games. Except I need to take my meds (I try to take my seizure meds roughly 12 hours between doses) so I dragged myself up just after 7. I’ve fed my face and caffeination continues.
Today’s big thing is lunch with my mom and one sister. I’ve pretty much decided I’m going to have the fish and chips, but I will look over the whole menu first. The one I saw on line may not be the latest and something yummy may have been added! Not really looking forward to the drive alone.
Weird, tho - when I looked up directions on my tablet, it said the drive was about1 hours and 20 minutes. But just now on my PC, it said 1 hour and 5 minutes. Maybe that was taking traffic under consideration? I know there are a lot of traffic lights between here and there, but I also know it’s usually about an hour to MD 50, and the restaurant is another 7 miles from there. It’s not a huge deal, just interesting in an I’m really bored so I’m paying attention to this sort of way. 
I must say, Street View is nice - I saw what’s right before the turn into the restaurant parking lot. As long as I’m paying attention, there will be no doubling back. And no, I don’t have GPS in my car. I’m pretty sure our old Garmin is long dead and gone. And there’s no place to mount my phone so I can safely use it. But all I need to do is look for the Public Storage with the bright orange roof, then take the next right! Easy peasy!
Since we have so many capable cooks among us, I’ve got a question: Why would one website say you shouldn’t cook your turkey below 325°, but directions for my smoker (which is just a smoky electric oven) says 225°? And other sites say 350° or 250°?? Why are then screwing with us?
Many years ago, I had a recipe for low-and-slow overnight turkey. It said to start with 1 hour at 350° to kill any surface bacteria, then drop it to something like 180° for 12 hours, till the internal temp is 165°. I did that a couple of times and we didn’t die and the bird wasn’t all dried out. This year, we’re not eating till around 5, and to follow those directions means I’d have to get up around 3 or so to allow time for it to roast, then rest - ain’t gonna happen. So I was thinking first do the higher temp zap starting at 10, then drop back to 225° for 5 or 6 hours. (It’s just 11# and most sites say 30 min/lb) So, any reason to fear that I’ll give everyone food poisoning?
I wish it was small enough for my rotisserie… maybe it is. I need to check.
Anyway, Happy Sunday!
Good morning.
It’s 42F and showery outside. Morning rain showers will evolve into steady rain in the afternoon, and the high temperature will be 47F.
I hear what a couple of you are saying about just not doing the traditional thing, but even if I can’t use my oven on Thanksgiving, we can pack everything up and head down to my son’s place to do Thanksgiving. I hope that won’t happen, but that’s my plan.
My husband is super excited about the stuffing/dressing. I saw his face fall when I said I was thinking about not making it, so I’ll make a smaller batch and send some home with my son. I found an 11-pound turkey (the smallest one there). My husband is also very excited about the gravy. I’m not too fond of turkey and don’t make it any other time of year, so I can’t deny this one day.
I need to return to the store to pick up celery, carrots, dried apricots, craisins, and potatoes. I have everything else I need. I can take care of that on Tuesday or early Wednesday morning.
Today, I need to do laundry, vacuum, dust, steam clean, and finally, wash the floor. I tend to wash the floor last when I steam clean because I have to make multiple trips to the sink to fill up the water/soap bin for the steam cleaner. I accomplished little bits and bobs of chores yesterday, but I started feeling weird around 1:30 yesterday (sort of weak and punkish), so I just took it easy the rest of the day. I’m fine now.
I used to have a counter roaster, but I don’t know if I still have it. I got rid of a lot of stuff during the Great Purge, and since I never used it, I think that may be one of the things I donated.
I need another cup of coffee and then I need to start my day. You all take care.
All righty, it’s about time I get on the road. I expect you all to behave while I’m out.
Hehehehehehheh…little does she know…enjoy your lunch date!!
Up, Sunday NY Times has been acquired, and day of rest is at hand. Nice looking day outside and temperatures are due to reach the mid 60’sF today, so no particular reason to head anywhere. Fettuccine Alfredo will provide the midday meal and I’ll scrounge for the evening repast. Gym time may or may not be in my future.
Been checking open restaurants here for Thanksgiving since Brother has a health issue with eldest nephew and can’t support it this year, not a big thing, managed for 4 years while overseas to entertain myself.
I used to me completely intolerant of spiders, now I tend to be ‘if they’re off in a corner doing spider things I won’t bother them’, but let one encroach in my space and I go ‘Hulk SMASH’.
Never owned a lighter to the best of my memory, never smoked and not a camper, so don’t ask me to start a fire anytime soon.
Bob-B, I remember the Ford Excursion, giant-sized SUV IIRC, but was surprised when I looked it up that it was only produced from 2000-2005. I was a bit surprised, thought they hung around longer than that. With the Toyota Landcruiser also gone, the era of giant SUVs may be drawing to a close.
Broke my fast this morning with 2 bananas and a bag of Pop Secret chips with Diet Pepsi…
Happy herding, swampy
Boo fae, so a little drama in the music community, eh? Glad you had a fine night out.
And need to do my Sunday morning interneting, so take care and have a good one all.
Most common breakfast for me is a freshly nuked chimichanga or burrito, with a bottle or tin of Wide Awake coffee or a tin of Java Monster.
LOL. How do you come up with these crazy one-liners like that?