And happy, happy birthday to our beloved shoe!!
Oh, dear lawd. { clutches pearls } I loathe that city with … well, I’d say with the heat of a thousand suns, but have you BEEN to Houston in July?
This is the best description of current events I’ve read so far.
I did, indeed, have two pieces of a fabulous cake (with sprinkles!!!) and there’s a bit left in the walk-in that is probably gonna be my breakfast tomorrow.
Anyone got a problem with cake for breakfast on my burfday? Huh? HUH??
The rest of the workday, however, was less than splendid.
Started with, no shit, LIVE POULTRY IN THE LOBBY … someone had just bought a crate of live chicks and apparently decided, hey, why not go to a restaurant and eat in on the way home, instead of getting drive-thru, and also, yanno, let’s bring a crying teething baby in with us.
Guess which one bothered me more, and which bothered the manager? (… who sighed and just let it go, with much eye rolling, and some grumbling about health codes.)
Ended Long Night with an incredible rush for all sorts of orders right at the end (where were these people three hours earlier when we were all standing around doing nuthin’?) so 20 minutes after close I started cleaning the toppings line (sometimes we have that done half an hour before we even close) and got home at 2:30 a.m. which is easily the latest close I’ve ever had.
OH! And some guy on a bicycle freaked out some lady in the drive-thru line, who then claimed to have a concealed carry and threatened to shoot the shit outta him right there (her words, not mine) while the line just kept stretttttttching into the street, both directions, while they had their little kerfluffle, so THAT was fun.
And who was working the drive-thru when all this happened?
Nope, dear readers, not me. Our youngest, a teenage girl.
She was more than a bit freaked out, poor thing.
And she wasn’t even scheduled to close, but there was some behind-the-scenes schedule swap.
(I was like, “How badly do you regret switching shifts tonight?” 
and she gave me That Look and then started laughing.)
However. However. Someone stiffed us with an order … for a full slab rib dinner.
Ribs are the one food here that employees have to pay for - we can get literally anything else on our shift, gratis, but ribs are “speshul.” (Expensive.)
It sat around for at least four hours before my manager called an official death for it, and I was like, “Ooooh!” 
“I can haz?”
She was like, “It’s very NOT fresh” and I assured her, I gave no shits.
Someone in Muskegon basically “bought” me ribs for my burpday, and I found that I am okay with this development.
So now I’m finally home, and decompressing from one helluva night while Monkey gently pushes one paw against my thigh (one of his favorite ways of snuggling) and ALSO I wanted to treat myself to a bit of cheap sushi and never had a chance to eat even a bite (we were friggin’ slammed I tellz ya!) so I just brought that back home, and I haz much fud in front of me that needs attendin’ to.
Sushi, someone else’s ribs, and my boss’s homemade strawberry cake. Not bad for a birthday.
Minus the random threatened shoot-out.
You are so lovely.
Up, caffeinated, and sheveled. Off to heave. It’s my Firday.
HAPPY DOPERVERSARY COPPERTONE!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHOE!!!
Sounds like quite the night at work
Yeah, babies are filthy creatures.
Edit: posted at 0420(thinking of the birthday girl0
Thanks for mentioning this. I just check ours - they will both expire in 2026. And it’s possible to renew up to one year in advance. So I just set a reminder for September (after we get back home) to renew ours.
You have my sympathy. I had to do that the first 10 years and then I switched departments and didn’t need to anymore. Even though I was doing the same tasks. Corporate finance be weird.
Yep. Not as popular as tobacco smoking, and I see it being use less than I smell wacky tobacky, but it’s still around. Hope you’re up to snuff soon, but stay away from the snuff itself.
My mother would kiss you. She and garlic don’t get along, and many people just put garlic on everything. Having options is good.
I always enjoyed VBS, because it was 3 churches together, and my friends who went to the other churches also went. When I was a teenager I got to be one of the helpers. I’m much better at the food prep and cleanup than actually interacting with the anklebiters.
That’s the fun part. Right?
Peer pressure can be good. 
Yay! So does that mean 5 or 10 years until the next probing?
Never heard (or don’t remember) about butternut. Seems to be also known as white walnut. I would do the same, if at all possible.
We got very bright luggage tags and puffs which make our bags easy to identify from a distance. Came in handy when our luggage made the earlier flight and got bundled together with dozens of similar bags. Even the woman at the luggage counter praised us for marking our luggage so well.
Overachiever. Glad they are all benign. Same question as above - 5 or 10 years until the next one?
I’m on the 5 year plan, hubby’s on the 10, but he’s not synchronized with me.
I don’t know Drake’s, but I’m used to seeing both Tastykake and Entenmann’s in PA grocery stores, and Little Debbie in WA. And Hostess in both. Some brands are still regional.
Just reading that sounds cozy. Fortunately so far I don’t drench the sheets with hot flashes, but that might change.
My brother-in-law planted dozens of bulbs when they moved into their house. The squirrels and deer ate just about all of them. He persevered for a few years, but finally gave up. Even thought they are in town, PA is lousy with deer, and they usually have a few visiting every day.
Happy Burpday @purplehorseshoe! 
It’s a common name in Italy. I had a classmate named Sabrina in my high school (PNW), my neighbor’s daughter’s name is Sabrina and the wife of my former boss is named Sabrina. All caucasians.
There’s more I could have replied to, but I was way too behind, and I’ve already written a book.
Today’s supposed to be rainy, so there will be cleaning and paper sorting and baking and cooking.
But the sky’s currently blue, so I should probably look at the weather forecast, because it’s probably changed. Again.
And maybe start lunch.
Good Mornin’ Y’all! Up and caffeinatin’. YAWN ‘Tis 75 Amurrkin out and clear with a predicted high of 92 and partly cloudy. Mayhaps we shall have quality cee-mint pond time today. A day of RDOS inactivities is planned for sure. Sup will be cheeseburger sliders with fixin’s and fries just cause.
Coppertone hope the trainin’ goes well and happy doperversary.
Dicey I don’t mind feedin’ the little crumbsnatchers, but I know I would not be good with the activities part.
And now this…
< AHEM > CLEARIN’ THROAT < AHEM >
HAAAPPPYYY BIIIRRRTTTHHHDDDAAAY TOOOOOO YOUUUUUU!!!
HAAAPPPYYY BIIIRRRTTTHHHDDDAAAY TOOOOOO YOUUUUUU!!!
HAAAPPPYYY BIIIRRRTTTHHHDDDAAAY DEEEAAARRR SSSHHHOOOEEE!!!
HAAAPPPYYY BIIIRRRTTTHHHDDDAAAY TOOOOOO YOUUUUUU!!!
Now I need more caffeine and to feed rumbly tummy. Then, onward into the day! Rah.
Happy Sattidy Y’all!
Thanks! Her favorite color is purple but I just thought that fabric was so pretty, so I figured it was the one I should use.
Also, Happy Birthday!!!
I’ll raise my hand here for Zeelool. I’ve bought many pairs from them and after I return the disastrous pairs to the other place that I’ve been fighting with, I’ll go right back to Zeelool again.
This is very pretty. However, it’s definitely very different than what it looked like when it was warm.
One of the things that I have a hard time with using the GLP-1 is that it’s mostly taken away my ability to eat bread. I love bread. And so yesterday when I made my homemade pizza with my favorite recipe for bread, I was SO disappointed when I absolutely could not eat it. My mom and MusicMan both thought it was good, but I ate a very small amount and it made me very nauseous. I mean, this is my recipe that I’ve been baking since 1998!
Ah well, the good news as I see it is that I can still eat chocolate! And it just so happens that MusicMan will be off next Saturday which is also the date of the Annual Chocolate Walk in the next town over. I didn’t go last year, but we have attended many years in the past. We talked about it and we’re going to try it. It lasts 2 1/2 hours, so hopefully I will be able to do the whole thing if I sitting down and take breaks as needed.
Today is boring errand day. Rah. Catch y’all later!
Afternoon, mumpers! It’s currently 13c/55f with a predicted high of 14c/58f and mostly cloudy. Weather app says “It is partly cloudy or partly fucking sunny? It’s fucking stupid, regardless.” It was raining when I got up, drizzling when I left for the gym, showery when I drove home, and now it’s dull and overcast.
Wishing you the happiest of birthdays, @purplehorseshoe 
I hope you enjoyed the bonus ribs that some kind person donated to you!
I follow them on instagape, they post some lovely stories of their rescues. They have some sad tales too, but it’s always good to see a rescue cat become a cherished pet.
A bit of good news to end the day 
Glad to hear you enjoyed the ramble with OYKW, and still have room for popcorn. A very well planned day!
I am so glad Harry and Mrs Harry have you to help them work through all the stuff they need so that he will be properly cared for at home. You are such a good person.
Looks like Brian doesn’t really intend on being fully stray for too much longer. He’s making himself at home.
Last night was a home night, 'im indoors cooked brisket and we watched a film before I headed off to bed. I was up early this morning to feed the cats, clean the litter trays and refresh the water bowls before I went to the gym to burn what feels like it should have been a large quantity of calories.
It’s a busy day around town today as we have our local Pride celebrations all day. This means a lot of roads closed around the town centre for a parade and various other activities. Also means town will be busier than usual, with lots of people out celebrating being who they want to be with who they want to be with. I have promised 'im indoors lunch out at Jack’s Café again (I need to go to the pet store in search of the right flavour Dreamies) so we’ll leave the car at the retail park and do our errands in town from there. Then I will drive us back home via the supermarket as he needs a couple of things from there, and then we may make our way back into town via a couple of local pubs for some day drinking. Just because we can.
Morning all. Up about 6:15am, now hanging around the house for a couple of hours until it is time for me to go referee soccer for the 10-11 year olds at 9am. Weather looks good for it, but there are storms predicted for around 1pm for the second game, so it might get cancelled. Otherwise nothing much on the agenda.
Happy Birthday Shoe!!! Sounds like you’ll be sleeping the first third of it, but Cake and Ribs is a nice way to start. And as long as the chicks didn’t escape, I prefer them to the teething baby..
red, kinda thought you’d be doing the packing, that cost (for materials and labor) can be nearly as high as the transport inself.
And a happy Doperverary Coppertone.
Dicey, no problem, not a bad idea to renew early, I have another group trip in the planning stages which will be in April 2026, so that makes it kind of close. And that is not a bad idea on the luggage tags, since I’ll have to get them at two of the busier airports in the workd (JFK and Heathrow). Will look around some.
Sticky Buns, it is all types of bread or just certain types? But as long as chocolate remains part of the diets, it’s all good in my book.
boo fae, happy shopping and eating day!
And it’s time for me to break fast. Have a good Sattiday all.
Happy shoe day!!!
Dang, you had one heckuva birthday eve, but yay for cake and free ribs!
And you reminded me - Ziva has become a bit of a lap cat lately, sorta. She’ll climb up my recliner to my lap in the evening (no other time) for skritches and when she’s had her fill, she jumps down and that’s that. Skitches last maybe 5-10 minnutes, but last night, it was close to half an hour, with her snuggled belly-up in my left arm while my right hand did some serious tummy-rubbing. Then she was done. Such a weird feline (or is that redundant?)
Wise decision! Even if you took them, there’s no guarantee that they’d not be damaged in the move. One less possible aggravation!
Apart from our bright yellow tags, I crocheted multi-color tails for our bags. Unfortunately, I only have 2 for the big bags and no yarn for the little bags. Maybe I’ll ask Daughter if she has any.
In health news, sorta, I took the big bandage off the big boo-boo on my left arm. It was no longer bleeding or seeping, but the bandaid itched like crazy. It seems to be drying/healing just fine, but it still itches - I have to be extra aware of it, lest I scratch. Regardless, there will be a scar. I have so many scars…
Rain promised on and off thru Tuesday. The only thing on my have-to list is cleaning the critter fountain. I should probably do something about the basement (or maybe finish the boat cushions that I’ve left sitting for the last month) since I’ll have the grandspawn on Thursday and they may want to play there. And some time in the next 2 weeks, I need to deal with the bedding on the guest bed - strip/wash/remake. Which means I need to move all the stuff to be packed off the bed and out of the room. So difficult to be me…
I guess we’ll see how the day goes. Happy Saturday!
Good morning, one and all.
It’s 58°F and mostly sunny outside. The few clouds we have will give way to sunny afternoon skies and a high of 85°F. In other words, it’s going to be hot for these parts, and tomorrow and Monday bring a heat advisory with temps in the 90s.
I had to turn on the overhead fan I the great room yesterday because it was uncomfortably warm in the house. Not completely awful, but uncomfortable if not under the fan.
Happy Birthday, Shoe! I’m sorry your work shift was unpleasant. It sounds like the cake was delicious, and who doesn’t like cake for breakfast?
I hope the training goes well, Coppertone.
My daughter and her family have now moved into their brand new house. I’m so happy for them. Also, slightly jealous, because it’s always been a dream for me to buy some property and build my own home. I’m ecstatic my daughter got to experience this. Her home is beautiful, and the grandkids are absolutely thrilled to have their own space.
Congrats to Baby Priest and his family, Swampy.
My son uses Zenni Optical, JtC. Until my daughter had laser surgery on her eyes, she also used Zenni.
I’m meeting someone for lunch today, and since it’s down south again, I’ll need to leave in about three and a half hours. I need to finish my coffee and hop in the shower. I’m not sure what’s on the agenda for after lunch, other than coming home, of course. By then, it may be too warm for any serious garden work.
You all take care care!
Well. I went to the library. I was going to go to the grocery store right after at the transit center.
Heck no. A book came in. I think its at least 10 lbs. Hurt my back carrying it!
John Waters, Pope of Trash.
Happy birthday shoe!
The wife had her checkup yesterday. The doc is pretty confident that the dizziness is a new bout with inner ear crystals. She didn’t hear anything abnormal in the heart and she ordered bloodwork, which we got back already. It looks to me like she is pre-diabetic (A1C of 6.6, triglycerides and HDL out of range ), but the tests were non-fasting, so who knows. Also got a referral for CT scan and heart monitor, just to be safe. Her B12 and D is a bit low, so I think she needs to get on a vitamin regimen. Onward.
Puzzling is done for the day. We may go to the “pencil sharpening” at one of the mansions near the lake. Some years ago, a heavy wind storm took down the top of a tree in their front yard. The owner of the house got creative and hired a local artist to carve it in the likeness of a #2 pencil. Photo.
Started Typing: 9:49 AM ET
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Happy birthday, shoe!
Happy Doperversary, Coppertone!
The weather is kinda “meh” at the moment: it’s currently 71°F and overcast/rainy, but the rain is supposed to stop by noon and it should then become partly sunny with a forecasted high of 83. It’ll stay humid, though, so my windows will remain closed and the a/c will remain on.
I’m meeting a friend for lunch at noon, and yesterday I learned that her daughter will be joining us. Yay! I’ve known my friend for 24 years; since her daughter was in grade school. I like the daughter as an adult, and she often joins us when we get together (roughly once or twice a year). It’s been 7 months since the last time, so I’m looking forward to catching up with them. And, of course, as I mentioned yesterday I’m also looking forward to the bakery visit that will follow lunch. 
Yesterday I also learned that my next visit to my BFFs’ is tentatively planned for tomorrow evening. Their son (my “nephew”) and his GF fly in from Texas later today, for a 1.5-week visit, and WifeBFF says that I should join them for dinner tomorrow. 
I’ll be happy to give HusbandBFF his belated birthday gift, but I’m really excited to (a) see “the kids” for the first time this year and (b) give them stuff! First, my nephew will finally get to see the Lego Batwing that I fixed for him back in March. I also have college graduation gifts for the GF: a leather purse my nephew said she liked, and an Amazon gift card. And, I’ll be giving a card to my nephew with a note in it to watch for a Zelle notification: they’re moving into their first apartment together in less than a month – in a new city, no less (GF will be starting her first job) – and my nephew has been handling a lot of the logistics while GF focused on graduating, so I have a “congratulations” card and will be transferring a chunk-o-cash to him. The money is really for both of them, but I want him to know that I’m impressed by how he’s stepped up. The only one I won’t have a card/gift for is WifeBFF…maybe I can pick up some flowers for her, or something. Heh.
In other news, I finished the Lego Sherlock Holmes book nook yesterday:
https://i.ibb.co/j9sWmjr8/For-MMP-01.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/m5qSx6kZ/For-MMP-02.jpg
Larger versions are in my Lego photo album. The half-round bookshop window spins to show what’s inside, and the door in the middle raises to reveal a hidden Moriarty minifig.
It’s a great size:
You can see where there is space on the shelf for the other two. I’ll start building the Hogwarts Express book nook when I get back from lunch.
Ooooo, nice shade of green!
*spits out orange Gatorade Zero* 
I only know them because my brother doesn’t care for any snack food except for Devil Dogs. (I, on the other hand, am an equal opportunity snacker. )
There is often no better reason!
An A1C is an average of someone’s blood glucose levels over the previous three months; fasting doesn’t really affect it. And yeah, an A1C of 6.6 is borderline – but I believe it takes repeated elevated A1Cs for any diagnosis. Sounds like no immediate need for concern.
That’s awesome!
Yep! For a fat, middle aged woman, I do OK with heat and humidity.
Happy birthday shoe!
Pretty bowl, JtC!
Up, caffeinating, breakfasted, Sis sent off to Houston, a load of towels in the dryer, KP done and bathroom cleaned.
Today, I’ll straighten up some of the things that got left on the floor after emptying the bookshelves and maybe box up some pictures on the wall. I need to get a box or big ass piece of cardboard before the move to wrap up an original painting hanging in the bedroom.
Stay safe and healthy y’all!
It’s a double-dammit morning. I got a cushion all stitched up, and immediately realized I’d forgotten an important step, so I had to rip out half of the stitches. Then I was getting ready to put together another piece and realized I’d cut out a mirror image, so I’ve got to redo it. So, yeah, double dammit. I’m taking a break before screwing up anything else.
Oh, and I dropped a straight pin and can’t find it - here’s hoping the vacuum cleaner will find it before a bare foot does.
So, how’s your day going so far?
Happy burp-day, shoe!!
Brian the cat was back again on the porch this morning. And somebody stole my tomato plants. Grrr.
And an almost afternoon all. Have refereed the morning soccer game, was a good one (3-2) and am still in uniform since I am supposed to referee again at 1pm, but there is a 99% chance of Thunderstorms, according to the Weather Wizards, so it might get cancelled. If so, either gym or laundry will be worked at, depending on my mood. Have been like a Hobbit and had a 2nd breakfast (pancakes) so belly is happy.
FCM, wonder if Ziva is lonely, albeit that she didn’t interact much with the other pets, she was used to their presence and smells and those are all gone now. Hope the healing continues without too much itching. And I just hate double-dammit mornings…
Taters, good news on the daughter’s home, I never got to build my own, but the one I lived in was brand new when I bought it and I have been the only owner it has had, so I guess that’s close.
Coppertone, interesting read, may have to look for that.
Cookie, hope wife does well. And that is one impressive carving!
Oopsie, enjoy your lunch and the BFF visit. And that book nook is marvelous!
And onward. Looks a but cloudy but no rain yet, so will leave for the field in about 30 minutes. Have a good one all.
I don’t think she’s lonely so much as she’s gotten braver since it’s just FCD and me, no more MIL, no more nurses and aides coming and going. I think she’s feeling safer in the house. And I guess more needy for skritches. It’ll be interesting to see if she interacts with Casey while we’re gone, since Casey is a cat person.
I think I can skip one of my dammits and use the joining strip mostly as is. There’s no need for a little pocket on one end, so I’ll just cut that part off, turn a hem, and it should be good to go. Whew. I just need to get my buns in gear and head downstairs. Which means I need to find that motivation…
FCD really likes the red beans and rice, sans rice. He says it’s like a red bean soup. And the lack of rice is good for his daily calorie count. Next time I make it, I’ll add more veggies. But it’ll be a while - this batch yielded 10 freezer packs of 1 meal each. Well, 8 freezer packs and 2 in the fridge for easy meals the next week or so.
Weather radar shows nothing at least until 6 this evening. So much for the forecast rain. OK, back to the sewing machine, I guess.
I grill two or three times each week…my wife doesn’t want to heat up the house during the summer! 
There are two propane grills - a small one for fish which is usually salmon or perhaps shrimp, and a large one for meats like steak, chops, and especially hamburgers. Don’t care for the hamburgers that someone cooks on the stove, but I use about ⅓ lb per patty, and throw them onto a very hot grill. Let them get a bit of char, and flip them over for more char. Then if needed turn the heat down to get the right degree of doneness. Med rare for my wife and med for me. Serve with potato salad and cole slaw. As my Dad would say, “That’s good eatin’”