(Old) Summer camp in the MMP

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
221

I don’t think so?

This is where I get to gratefully fall back on that age-old response:

{ shrug } I dunno, man. I just work here.

Oh, I remembered a new, weird little quirk we now have at work.

The stepstool now has a hiding place.

Why?

Because whoever cleans the place each morning (I mean scrubbing the floors, etc.) has taken to putting the stepstool - if it’s left in their way - on TOP of the locker bank.
Where most of us cannot reach it, without the use of a … yanno … stepstool.

The first time it happened, I thought it was a funny/mean prank.

The next time, and we all had to wait until the tall teenager showed up for his shift … GAH!!

222

“That’s above my paygrade.”

223

Good Mornin’ Y’all! Up and caffeinatin’. YAWN 'Tis 72 Amurrkin out and cloudy with a predicted high of 76 with rain/tstorms/apocalypse predicted for the day. Fine by me as we have nowhere we want or need to be. Inside and dry sounds like a good plan. Any need to feed will be via forage as we have plenty of sammich makin’s, chips, and so on. Thus slothful shall we be!

Now I need more caffeine and to feed rumbly tummy. Then, onward into the day! Rah.

Happy Sattidy Y’all!

ETA:

< AHEM > CLEARIN’ THROAT < AHEM >

HAAAPPPYYY BIIIRRRTTTHHHDDDAAAYYY TOOOOOO YOUUUUUU!!!
HAAAPPPYYY BIIIRRRTTTHHHDDDAAAYYY TOOOOOO YOUUUUUU!!!
HAAAPPPYYY BIIIRRRTTTHHHDDDAAAYYY DEEEAAARRR SSSAAARRRIII!!!
HAAAPPPYYY BIIIRRRTTTHHHDDDAAAYYY TOOOOOO YOUUUUUU!!!

224

Huzzah for a guest-free house - at least that guest. OMG, could that woman talk!! Poor FCD said the traffic to and from BWI was awful - he left home around 2:30 and didn’t get back till just before 7. Normally, it’s about a 90 minute drive, so he should have been home between 5:30 & 6. Poor baby…

It started raining yesterday evening and it continues - on and off all day and possibly into tonight, only reaching low 60s today. ick. Tomorrow, we should see sun again, so that’s a nice possibility. Not sure what’s on the agenda for either day.

I need to make a quick run to Food Lion. Beyond that, who knows?

Happy Saturday!!

225

@Sahirrnee

226

@Sahirrnee Happy Birthday!!!

Just heard that SenWife’s father still isn’t doing any better. He had a stroke and while he can talk and such, he just doesn’t sound normal. I hope he recovers soon.

227

Happy Birthday sari!!!

Shoe, so, I guess the car was just disposable? Totally weird situation.

Yay for FCM’s guest being gone.

Today is the prepare for the memorial service day which is tomorrow. I mean, aside from the fact that I feel completely overwhelmed, well, what do people serve at a memorial service? As of right now I’ve just got little bags of Peanut Butter M&Ms because those were a favorite of his and larger bags of Chex mix. I’ll also have water, Hawaii Punch (due to Hawaiian theme), and other beverages. But no other food. I had been thinking about cheese and crackers or some kind of charcuterie thing, but it’s going to be 85F tomorrow and we’ll be outside! I’d also thought about having Hawaiian pizza delivered from somewhere close by, but I have no idea how many people will be attending and my budget is tight.

Anyone have any ideas or thoughts?

228

From a practical standpoint, I’d say … you’re doing plenty already. There’s no need to break your bank to buy food that might potentially go to waste, and if you run out … well, that would be a glorious testament to how many people cared enough to show up.

ETA: warm but not super-hot … maybe a couple of chilled fruit platters? Folks will usually help themselves to some strawberry halves if they’re right in front of them.

Yeah, definitely weird.

Matter of fact, I was half-debating bestirring myself beyond Casa Del Shoe and obtaining some sort of hot breakfast during my current bio-break before (hopefully) re-crashing for more sleep.

The prospect of doing a drive-by while I’m at it and peeking to see what’s up pleases me.

229

Good morning!

It’s currently 48 degrees Fahrenheit and cloudy outside. The expected high is only 54 degrees Fahrenheit, with cloudy skies and periods of rain this afternoon.

FCM, congrats and hurray for your daughter getting the job! I’m sure it’s a weight off everyone’s shoulders. Also, yay for the departure of annoying houseguests.

Happy Birthday @Sahirrnee!

It was nice of you to stop for a sink, JtC. So many people would have just kept going.

Nellie yay for money and healthy eyeballs! Also, yay for service people showing up in a timely manner!

Sadly, I had to work on my RDO for four documented hours yesterday. RDO=Regular Day Off. In total, I’ve worked 100 documented hours for this pay period. I don’t count the time before 6:00 a.m. because it would cause all kinds of consternation due to the type of pay/or hours. So, it’s my fault for starting before six. Also, I don’t count those “I’m just gonna check my email” times, even though they often turn into an hour or more. If I were to count those, I’d probably be closer to 120 or 130 hours, which, when I put it all down “in writing,” is ridiculous and needs to stop.

I had visions of going to the mall to pick up a pair of casual shoes since Buster chewed up my other shoes, but by the time I was done with work and some chores around the house, it was almost 2:00, and I didn’t feel like going down to the mall. I’m doing it today, though. I want the shoes for Monday when I travel to Semiahmoo.

TokyoBayer, I hope your FiL recovers.

Welp, I need to finish coffee, load the dishwasher, and get in the shower. I hope you all have a good day.

230

Huh.

The stuck sedan is gone, but in its place was a raggedy pickup facing the wrong way in front of the drive-thru window (with what looked like a coupla guys standing around discussing … world events?)

Presumably, the truck belongs to whoever was prevailed upon to help and I drove by soon after the retrieval’n’rescue mission was mostly completed.

Was gonna get the square “croissant” from Wendy’s but they had a sign for a breakfast burrito. I like bacon. I like seasoned potatoes. I’m O.K. with egg and cheese.

It’s not bad, but I like my usual better. Also, this thing is friggin’ enormous; way too much fud for lil’ ol’ me.

231

Maybe stop doing just these two things, and see if your mental health doesn’t improve after a while (and people re-adjust to you not being the constantly-available safety net they don’t really need, just want and have become accustomed to using).

232

I second this notion for @Taters. Your worth is not determined my your ability or your availability to do what they want you to do. :purple_heart:

Right now I’m sitting here waiting for a cake to come out of the oven. Outside I can hear my next door neighbor mowing my yard because he likes to. I still feel incredibly guilty. After the cake comes out of the oven, I have to run to the closest and quickest store. I had a ton of Hidden Valley dry mix and gave some away to my friends. Now, I only have half of what I need for the Chex Mix.

233

Me either.

Happy birthday sari! :birthday: :balloon:

I hope that your FIL recovers well and fully.

:blushes: I’ve owned cars like that.

Something involving pineapple and coconut?

I’m gonna third this. The folks who I know prioritize their time get timely, concise communication from me. Folks who get right back anytime day or night get second tier.

Up, caffeinating breakfasted and fixing to get sheveled and go up to SIL’s for lunch and a ramble day.

Stay safe and healthy y’all!

234

Staying with the Hawaiian theme and charcuterie, how about a chaucuterie board of Spam cubes and a variety of cheese cubes? I read that Spam is very popular in Hawaii.

I think the idea of some fresh fruit is a great idea too-refreshing on a hot day.

Any kind of cake-especially if it has coconut on it or in it. Pepperidge Farm makes a delicious frozen coconut layer cake that wouldn’t be too expensive-the internetz shows it at WalMart for less than $5 (8 servings). I’m betting that WalMart also carries several different flavors of Spam too.

We’ll all be thinking of you, hope you have lovely weather and almost run out of food because so many friends come to celebrate your dad’s life.

235

I’m typing this with a certain black, curly dog nudging my knees for scritches, which I’m supplying with one hand. She arrived at 6:30, but all excited like a kid arriving at camp. I’m going to have to get dressed and take her for her morning walk in a few. I didn’t sleep well last night, so coffee will be necessary. Then I have to decide where to take her for our big walk in the afternoon. I don’t want to go where it’ll be people-y because that means other dogs, and while she likes some of them, she goes all Inigo Montoya on others. It’s Saturday, though, so it’s people-y everywhere.

The morning mist has lifted and the sun’s out. I hope it’s not too hot. Ms. Dog and I don’t like heat and sun, but you can easily tell us apart because I don’t sit stubbornly on the sidewalk when I decide I don’t like the weather.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR SARI! I hope you can forget about the To Do list today and just celebrate.

JtC, what a gem that car story is! I have to share it, too, with my daughter.She knows the cane story and thinks you’re “badass.”

shoe, I’m curious as to how the pickup truck guys or the tow truck got the car unstuck. It’s be funny if the pickup was totally unrelated to the stuck car. Also, I hope you ate that entire burrito. You work hard and don’t eat enough. And hey, if Monkey can polish off a big can of cat fud, well, there’s your inspiration.

Taters, I agree that your work hours are way too long. You are a VERY responsible person, and it must be hard NOT to be available all the time, but I can’t help thinking of you as The Little Red Hen. Remember that story? I hope you can forget responsibilities and play with the puppies today.

Someone is tugging at my pj’s now. Better go.

236

There was a “Fawlty Towers” episode that was similar, with Basil screaming at his car, then picking up a tree branch and thrashing it.

237

Yes, but only when it reminds me. Every 6-8 weeks I run water through it and let it dry. I don’t use dryer sheets.

If I was still getting non-consumable gifts for my parents, I would definitely buy such a thing. But it would be better for my friend’s dad, who has the same sense of humor and actually likes cats.

I would have been so embarrassed. But if I’m driving, there is no question about my sobriety, unlike this guy.

@Sahirrnee Happby Birthday! :sparkler: :tada:

@Sticks_and_Scones Hope the memorial service goes well. I like that you are including your dad’s favorite foods. :people_hugging:

Went to the telecommunication store (local equivalent of AT&T) because we got a letter telling us that instead of paying 5 CHF a month, we will have to pay 9.90 CHF for a second box. Don’t need it anymore so we wanted to cancel it, but the website / online chat wasn’t very clear how to do that. Even the person at the store had to ask someone else how to do it.

While we were there, we also dumped our landline. Earlier it was always bundled in with the internet and cell phone, but the bundles had changed, so we’ve been paying it separately. And because we signed up for another contract, we got Disney included for the next two years. Not too shabby.

Now working on making bolognese sauce. Soon it will be at the “cook for hours” part of the recipe, so I don’t have to babysit it as much. We might actually have a little bit tonight with spaghetti, but the rest is going in the freezer.

Of course, that means I had to open a bottle of wine. Woe is me, I should finish the bottle in the next few days. Some things just don’t keep well. :wink:

238

Crap couple of days here. Yesterday, the truck developed a hole in a brake line. I limped it to my buddy’s mechanic shop, and he’ll be fixing it. He did nicely loan me a spare car, so I’m not stuck.

And remember that tick bite from last week? Yup I’ve got Lyme. I went to the outpatient clinic and it took the doc about 5 seconds looking at the spot and he goes, “Yup, classic bullseye.” So I’m on antibiotics. From what I’ve read, I should be ok.

JtC Loved the story about the baseball bat car guy.

239

Back from the walk. I was distressed to see a dead mallard just off the sidewalk. Its neck was broken. Maybe a dog got to it? :frowning:

In happier news, today is Ms. Dog’s birthday. She’s 5. I’d put a candle in her kibble, but she’d probably eat the candle and leave the kibble.

VanGogh, I’m sorry about your car, but not as sorry as I am about the Lyme disease. Damn, that’s tough. How are you feeling today? And how long will you be on antibiotics? Here’s hoping you recover quickly.

sticky, forgot to say before that I’d just stick with the candies and beverages, the beverages because it’ll be hot out, and the candies because your father loved them. I’m sure the attendees won’t mind, and with food prices so high, you’d be hard-pressed to find something appropriate and filling that doesn’t cost too much.

240

For want of a loader, the cages filled up. Then the table filled up and shut down. Then Secondary Sort filled up and shut down. Then Primary Sort shut down, which shut down the 3G, which shut down Smalls. But Unload kept cramming bags onto Yellow till
BOOM! SQUEAL! BOOM! SQUEAL! yip yip yip
Silence
So they started pulling bags off, but something was jammed in the one section, and it couldn’t move. Then they were dragging bags to the SSLAW, but the 3G got overloaded, and shut down. So now the department which processes 30+% of the daily work isn’t processing anything. For 90 minutes. Then they finally get everything unloaded, unjammed, and generally un-ed. They open 3 slides, put 2 people dumping with me, then pull one. Then pull another. So I’m dumping 3 slides at once. Did I mention it was probably 90+ degrees up there. At one point, one dude came up and helped for a bit, then when there was a brief break, said “screw this” and left me alone again. There was * a lot* of Left in Building for management to deal with. But cleanup wasn’t hideous, at least with Deb and Hazardous Ken helping. But laundry is drying, Spot has had his dry flavorless bits, and Imma gonna take a nap before I get my Preak on.

:birthday: :birthday::champagne:HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARI!!!:champagne: :partying_face:

Happy Birthday Ms. Dog! :birthday: :dog2:

I’ve had cars where filling up the tank doubled the Blue Book value.

: crosses appropriate and inappropriate appendages :

Sticky, I’d just go with what you got. You have enough on your plate.