Up, caffeinated, and sheveled. Off today. It’s cold and cloudy, so I shall clean and watch pro handegg today.
Happy early Birthday, Tobester!
Don’t unblur if you don’t want to be brought down.
MIL’s sister Vera died last night. My poor MIL has lost her husband, a son, and a sister all within 10 months… 
How does one help a person deal with that?
On a happier note, I finally cleaned the critter fountain, and the dishwasher is sloshing away on a mostly-full load. We’ll leave for the party in about 5 anna half hours, so I have some serious chillage time ahead. Yay!
{{{MiL and FairyChats}}}}
{{{{{MIL and the FairyChats}}}}}
Biggest hugs to Mil and the Fairy Chats.
Good morning.
It’s 44F and cloudy outside. It’ll remain primarily gray until late afternoon when showers and rain move in, and the day’s high temp is expected to be around 52F. After I posted yesterday, we had a deluge of rain and wind gusts, and apparently, it had been quite stormy before I woke up. My backyard was completely covered in leaves and fir tree needles. One of the trees behind me is a big-leafed maple that produces leaves ranging from 6 to 12 inches across.
Yesterday, I spent time washing the guest room bedding, along with some other blankets. Polar used one of the blankets; even though I had washed it well (it’s a waterproof blanket), some of Polar’s scent remained. After it was dry, I sat on that couch, hugging that folded blanket for a while. Which is completely insane, but there you have it. I miss my constant and loyal pal so much.
Today, I’ll spend the day finishing laundry and deciding what I’ll wear to Seattle tomorrow for an event that I need to help the SD and PIO with. I would not go, but I don’t have to drive there. The PIO will pick me up.
shoe, loved the circular story. I hope you decide what you’re going to do about G.C.
Sending hugs to all. Sometimes we ALL need them.
If you want / need a good bread book, I found this one to be a good source of recipes and info when I was beginning to bake bread.
A happy early birthday to Tobias Moooooom. Hugs to your MIL and the rest of the family.
I like your evening’s funny shoe.
Up, caffeinating, breakfasted and fixing to do KP and work week meal prep. Since I’m off tomorrow, I’ll have a bit more of a relaxing day today.
Last night, my neighbors across the fence had a loud party, complete with tent and a band. I called in a noise complaint around midnight because they showed no signs of finishing up. The party died down about twenty minutes later. It looks like they would have a clue that not only do they live in an apartment complex, but right across the fence from another, so their party isn’t just kept to themselves.
Stay safe and healthy y’all!
Not the least bit insane. I have a picture of my two best loving kitties that left us this year, hugging one another, on my computer start-up screen. I spend several minutes every morning looking at them and missing them. Not the least bit insane.
When Gordie’s BFF passed, Gordie got his toys. He spent an hour just sniffing them. So no, not insane at all
Also, Happy Exploding Cetacean Day!(no word on what Oregon DOT did with the nearby smashed bowl of petunias)
Started Typing: 11:08 AM ET
Clicked Reply: 12:03 PM ET
Happy Sunday morning, all!
Well, this is the last of my 9 consecutive days off work. I’ll admit to checking my primary company email a couple of times during the week and doing one quick thing yesterday morning, and I had to nag one of my direct reports to sign his weekly timesheet (he’d forgotten about yesterday’s holiday), but on the whole it was a welcome/needed break. Tomorrow I’ll get online earlier than usual, because it’s going to be a busy day (five meetings + a team lunch) and I still have two other inboxes to catch up on.
I’ve started taking Bailey for walks again. I hadn’t done that in at least 9 years (since before we moved to this house), because she was always very jumpy and easily startled/frightened and could wiggle out of her harness when scared enough. Taking her for walks became too stressful for both of us, so I began relying on doggy daycare for her exercise. But now she’s 15 and not nearly as likely to slip her harness (and also not likely to run very fast/far if she were to get away), and because it’s harder to get in the car and she’s not as interested in playing with other dogs we rarely go to daycare these days, and a few months ago I started worrying that she’s not getting enough exercise. When I took her to the vet last month I had the impulse to try taking her for a walk when we got home, but I didn’t have any baggies with me. When we went back on Monday for her next injection of the new arthritis med, though, I was prepared: that time, when we got home I took her around the block. She loved it. And I remembered how much I love taking her for walks and watching her get to be a dog. I took her out again yesterday, and was so happy to see her actually trot down the sidewalk right away – I was jogging with her for a little while! Our route is only 1/2 mile right now, just around the block: near the end of both walks she definitely slowed down and seemed a little tired. I hope to work her up to 1 mile, as long as I don’t see signs of pain. I spent some time on Google Maps this morning measuring various routes we can take. 
Walks will never be a “multiple times a day” thing like when she was younger, but I do want to aim for multiple times a week. They’re good for me, too!
Time to relocate to the living room for lunch, and to sloth for the remainder of my last day off… 
That is awesome! 
What kayT and doggio said. 
It only took me once to realize that house shoes are a requirement.
Breakfast was toasted cornbread topped with butter, fried eggs and some Tapatio sauce. The rest of the cornbread will accompany the remaining bean soup for dinner.
That’s what my nephew said. I like it because if Dad knocks himself out, he can still get help. It’s come long way.
Dad is actually fairly well versed in smartphones. He’s never had a problem with remembering to plug it in, keep it on, etc. It’s just that this is a really new phone and it’s been 6 or 7 years since he bought the last one. It’s taking time for him to train his brain to the new patterns. He’s ordering an OtterBox case and a one size lanyard for it. And honestly, if we hadn’t gotten him a new one he would have kept trying to fix the old one. With Dad living in the middle of nowhere, I feel a lot more secure with him having it. But thank you for your insight, pilot. It really is appreciated.
This one though…
I need to turn my brain to remembering. For the longest time, I didn’t worry when he wasn’t answering because he get back to me. Now, I worry more because I know what his health has been. Honestly, any time someone stops to see him, I’m worried I’m going to get The Call, no matter the state of his phone.
That’s a good idea, thanks. One of the times I’m out to see him, leaving a little bit early to make that stop (since it’s in the opposite direction of home) world be doable.
Before Dad started to decline, he had his locks keyed to my apartment door so he wouldn’t have to worry about one more key. After he started to decline, my bonus BIL (a locksmith by trade) put a keypad lock in to make it easier for us to get to Dad if necessary. I’m still not sure how I like that one since I can never remember what the “go” key is, * or #.
I love this! Those are the best kinds of stories.
MOOOOOOM, I’m so sorry for all the pain that MIL hhas had to endure with the losses. She’s very lucky to have you and FCD around. hugs to all
Also, hippo birdies, Tobester!
A truer statement has rarely been stated.
I have never understood people that aren’t considerate of others. I don’t care if it’s a weekend night, you still need to keep your neighbors in mind.
I spent time this morning making pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. I was worried about them not coming out well because it was a new to me recipe, but they taste pretty good. Next time I make them, I need to add more pumpkin pie spice. You couldn’t really taste it.
CtE is wanting to get out of the house so I need to put on some schlub clothes for it. I need to get in the shower for Sunday Assembly tonight, but CtE has been waiting patiently for me to finish this. So I’m going to be the nice mom and shower when I get back.
Have a great Sunday, all. Thanks again for all the hugs and I return them to you expanded.
SWMBO wanted SOB for breakfast, so I went to the corner market to buy a tube of biscuits. They had a plush Vietnamese dumpling there. ‘Crazy a-bao U.’
Bought the biscuits, didn’t buy the toy.
And… One meatloaf is in the fridge, awaiting baking for dinner. The other is freezing in the freezer, awaiting wrapping and bagging for dinner another day. Tomato sauce is on the counter. I need to go get a potato for potatoes au gratin.
Well, crap. I’ve somehow managed to lose the car fob. I carry my keys on a carabiner which is clipped to a belt loop. The fob (and the fob for the building entrance) are on a separate ring from the ring that holds the apartment and mail keys. Somehow that fob ring fell off. Thing is, it has to be in the building somewhere. Last time I drove the car was on Thursday and I had it then. Since then, I’ve only been out of the apartment with the keys when I checked the mail on Saturday, and I would have noticed if the fob was missing. Backtracked everywhere and no luck. Hasn’t been turned in to the front desk. Luckily, the wife has the second fob, so we’re not without wheels, but I really hate having that thing floating around. Replacement, I’m sure, will be expensive.
Did you look in the freezer? Else, how would you know they’re not there?
Howdy Y’all! We deheathenated and had an excellent brunch afterward. All kinds of good eats and plenty of everything! A good time was had by all. Oh, and mimosas. Nappage has taken place and I just hauled the biiiiiig trash can all the way down to the road for pickup tomorrow. 'Tis dreary, cloudy, and chilly out, so glad to be all snug in da cave.
MOOOOOOM hope MIL is able to keep her spirits up. That’s a lot of loss in a real short amount of time.
Taters nuttin’ wrong with sittin’ and huggin’ that blanket at all. Of course you miss Polar!
Cookie YIKES! Hope the fob turns up. If not, hope the relpacement is not too spendy.
Daughter has left, so I’m sad but trying to focus on how grateful I am for the visit. We did a lot of talking and a lot of eating. (I made a marinated pork tenderloin, smashed potatoes, and green beans for dinner, and we had apple streusel coffee cake for dessert.) Yesterday I took my daughter, her sister-on-law, and SIL’s partner for lunch at the good Mexican restaurant up the street. My daughter is still quite thin, but her weight has stabilized. She found that the way to keep her stomach from rebelling is to eat small portions. They’ve checked every inch of her and can’t find anything wrong, so I’m relieved she’s found a way to keep it under control.
I said before that she broke off contact with her father. She’s still glad she did so, but it does get hard this time of year because of the holidays. I decided to fly out to visit at Christmas. Hopefully that’ll help a little.
Right now I’m washing sheets and towels. Ms. Dog (whom daughter got to meet) is coming in about 4 hours, and I want to get everything ship-shape before then, as it takes a while to settle her down.
A Very Happy Birthday to Mr. Tobias! I hope his year is filled with happy adventures, the kind that don’t involve heavy cleaning afterward.
Damn, FCM, I just now saw the news about your MIL’s sister. Agh. I feel so bad for your MIL. How much more can she take? {{{{MIL, FCM, and FCD.}}}}
JtC, I told my daughter the story of your heroic use of your cane, and she laughed and said two words: “Bad. Ass.” Your fans are legion.
Taters, SUCH adorable dogs! How could anyone resist? And I hope you do call them Dark and Stormy.
Fishy, I think the Life Alert-type device sounds like a great idea. So does calling the senior center and your county’s council on aging. You can’t keep worrying like this without it affecting your health, but it’s hard NOT to worry when you’re as far away as you are. Thank heavens for the good recommendations from the good Dopers.
I know I’m hopelessy behind, but though I’m not a napper, I’m exhausted and must deal with a maniacal dog in a few hours. I think I’m heading to bed.
Home to peace and quiet. Tobias got a lot of turtle stuff for his b-day, including a big stuffed ninja turtle, a small plastic ninja turtle that talks when you move its arm, 4 wind-up swimming turtle bath toys and a couple of cute sweatsuits (non-turtle themes) from his grandma. I gave him a turtle book. Instead of a cake, they got cupcakes, and he did blow out his candle, but only licked a little frosting.
I was glad when it was time to leave - it was tiring. FCD will leave shortly to take his mom to the hospital to visit his brother. I figure I’ll have a bowl of soup for supper. Other than that, no plans. I may sleep with Mel tonight - we’ll see how I feel around 8 or so.
Potatoes au Gratin
I peel the potatoes before slicing them. What do you think? Should I try them with the skins on? Or just make them the traditional way?