# (Old) Trip Planning in the MMP **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Tags:** mmp\ **Created:** [February 12, 2024, 8:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-trip-planning-in-the-mmp/997466 "2024-02-12T08:39:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 17
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2024, 10:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-trip-planning-in-the-mmp/997466/321 "2024-02-18T10:07:36Z")
> [@TruePisces](#): > > Surgery went well, numbness getting a little better. Yay for good news! Hope the healing goes well. > [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > Well, the leak detection folks were here and…couldn’t detect a leak. So frustrating. I had hoped that this story was going to have a happy ending, but it seems to be dragging out. > [@JaneDoe42](#): > > Yeah, dang about everything…but how did you break your wooden spatula? I pressed down on the food, similar to what one might do with a hamburger patty. I guess I pressed too hard. ☹ > [@JaneDoe42](#): > > A Singapore Sling just doesn’t taste as good without an umbrella. Singapore Slings were my grandfather’s drink of choice. He had his first one while on his honeymoon, so it always brought him fond memories. Regarding beards, my dad had a beard from when I was born until I was in college. Only after he shaved it off did we notice that the bottom half of my face is from him. My eyes are from my mom. Talked with my parents last night. My dad said that he was in a fog when he was in the hospital. Probably not getting enough oxygen. About halfway through his stay at the rehab center, he slept through the night. I repeat: He slept through the night. He doesn’t remember the last time he slept through the night without his shoulder pain waking him up. Before he had his prostrate surgery (2019), he was up fairly often because he needed to use the toilet. That kept his shoulder from stiffening up and causing him pain. So the entire experience wasn’t great, but he’s painfree. He and my mom agree - no more elective surgeries. His other shoulder isn’t giving him any problems, and his other joints are in pretty good shape. Speaking of which, he did manage to amaze the crew at the rehab place. He’s been going to the gym 3x week for the last 15-20 years, with some breaks due to vacations, Covid restrictions, etc. He even went to the gym the day before his surgery. Because of that, he is recovering much better than others his age. Happy Sunday! ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2024, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-trip-planning-in-the-mmp/997466/322 "2024-02-18T11:44:04Z")
Good Mornin’ Y’all! Up and caffeinatin’. _YAWN_ ‘Tis 41 Amurrkin out and cloudy with a predicted high of 53 and partly N.O.S. for the day. The big item on today’s agenda is deheathenization followed by a McN.O.L. and return to da cave for sloth and nappage. This bein’ the first Sunday in Lent the service shall start with [The Great Litany](https://bcponline.org/). That should get everybody in a repentant mood. Oh, I have no duty this mornin’ so I get to plop down in a pew. I thought that link would take y’all to the Litany, but instead it’s to the table of contents. Oh well, anyone who desires can click on The Great Litany on the left side of the page. **Real\_Fish** glad you got a chance to check in. Good to know a little progress has been made. Slow and steady is good when it comes to healin’. **Dicey** yay for dad doin’ so good in rehab! Now I need more caffeine and to feed rumbly tummy. Then purtification for deheathenization must commence. Happy Sunday Y’all! ---
**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:** [February 18, 2024, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-trip-planning-in-the-mmp/997466/323 "2024-02-18T12:36:35Z")
> [@missred](#): > > use light pastels on white Anyone who does this should be flayed, flogged, flagellated, and, um, well, you get the idea. Contrast is your friend when it comes to text. Get all artsy-fartsy with graphics, but sheesh! > [@LSLGuy](#): > > We just gotta stop carrying things like that. I hear there’s this invention called a… wheel??? 🤣 We have all sorts of carts and dollies but I still find myself watching spousal unit carrying crap like he hasn’t had 10 spinal surgeries. Some people… > [@dogbutler](#): > > till you realize it fells like a half inch thick I Beam lying on your ribcage. Apparently Ziva’s new routine is to follow me to bed, then when I’m all comfy with my tablet, she’ll plant herself in the middle of my torso. No, I don’t need to breathe, thanks. What cracks me up, tho, is when she jumps up on the bench at the end of the bed, notices **FCD** is under the covers, then jumps down and runs away. She’s only lived here since January of 2009 ( doin’ math - 15 years now?) and she’s spent the vast majority of those years under the bed or behind the couch. Unless I’m home alone - then she’ll hang with me. **FCD** had to shave his beard once - for the very brief time he worked in a candy factory (for a psycho - long story) I didn’t like it. I can deal with the goatee - he’s done that a couple of times - but not a bare face. Even just a 'stache doesn’t work. When I was a teen, my dad tried to grow a 'stache, but it was just wrong. Maybe it’s just because we weren’t used to it, but I think it’s that it didn’t work on his face. I don’t think he ever tried a beard because my mom hates 'em. Plan for the morning - making and wrapping a big-ass batch of twice-baked russets. At 2, I’m taking MIL to Food Lion. That’s all I’ve got. Happy Sunday!! ---
**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:** [February 18, 2024, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-trip-planning-in-the-mmp/997466/324 "2024-02-18T12:45:42Z")
I feel terribly guilty for not keeping up, but I’m going to check in anyway. I hope all of you are as well as can be. I’ve got the book out now, with a Zoom author talk scheduled in an international book club. Just finishing putting together a writing workshop for a conference, then I’ll focus on the next book, the creation of which will reduce the amount of paper in my study significantly. I’ve talked with an author friend about her publisher, and I’m roughing up a weeklong creative retreat proposal with another friend. This week, I’ll see about getting copies of my books in my local library and bookstore. I’ve been participating in three local writing groups, a 12-week online _Artist’s Way_ group, and today I have an all-day online Natalie Goldberg workshop. I’d rather do it in person, but I’m not going to try to get up-mountain in New Mexico in the winter. When it hasn’t been raining or snowing, my lovely wife and I have been on birdwatching walks. A reasonable number of bald eagles and migratory waterfowl are around. We’ve been pointed to areas to watch for otters as well. I can’t say I mind being retired! ---
**Author:** ![dogbutler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dogbutler/32/428_2.png) [@dogbutler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dogbutler)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2024, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-trip-planning-in-the-mmp/997466/325 "2024-02-18T13:27:21Z")
Up, caffeinated, and sheveled. Off today. It’s currently 28(ferret, not centipede) Cleaning, sheet washing, and sloth with Spot are on the agenda. > [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > [_ending of sentence redacted for decorum’s sake_]. \< clutches pearls while laying on fainting couch \> > [@TruePisces](#): > > Surgery went well, numbness getting a little better. Yay! > [@JaneDoe42](#): > > A Singapore Sling just doesn’t taste as good without an umbrella. That’s why I bought a 144 pack from Da Jungle _Use a cocktail umbrella for your cherry skewer to turn a Manhattan into a Tiki drink. Follow me for me cocktail ideas…_ > [@susan](#): > > I can’t say I mind being retired! You needed to, just to have time for all the stuff you just described. 😃 ---
**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:** [February 18, 2024, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-trip-planning-in-the-mmp/997466/326 "2024-02-18T14:34:08Z")
Good morning! It’s 42 degrees Fahrenheit and cloudy. It’ll be cloudy pretty much all day, with some light rain showers here and there. The high temp will only be 49 degrees Fahrenheit. **dicey** , I’m glad to read that your father’s rehab has gone so well and that he finally slept a whole night. **fishy,** I’m happy things went well for you. **shoe** , I hope your day off turns out the way you want. We took the pups for a long walk at one of our local parks yesterday. I was disappointed that people were not picking up after their dogs. I used to only see occasional piles of poo, but yesterday they were everywhere. The pups were over-excited for the first part of the walk, and there was lots of leash pulling for whoever had the misfortune not to be in front. So many smells! Oooh, look, new people! I wanna be your friend! Oooh, another new smell! They calmed down a little by the last half of the walk, and some people asked for permission to pet them, which would get them all spun up again. Buster peed during the walk, but Maisie refused to potty. I need to fix this because she did this during previous walks. It was apparent she needed to potty, and when we got home, she raced right out back to do that. I’m afraid to take her further afield unless she learns she can potty outdoors in places other than my backyard. **JtC,** there are many games one can play on VR headsets. Some do require you to get up and move around (sword slashing, etc), but I’m sure there are sit-down games too. My husband has a chair, pedals, and steering wheels specifically for his racing games. There are exercise games, touring games, bowling, golf, Microsoft Flight simulator, and the list goes on. My husband is big into the Flight Simulator, and you obviously sit for that one. One of my favorites is Beat Saber; you slash at shapes coming your way to music. You can see the games on Steam, so maybe poke around there to see what kind of games would appeal to your husband (and you)! It can be a totally immersive experience. I recommend that boundaries be set so the player can always see where he or she is standing. If you start to move out of the boundary area, you’ll receive a warning. **metal mouse,** I’m sorry the water seepage continues. It’s just weird. It seems to me the first place people would have checked would have been the toilets because flap leaks do cause a lot of water loss. What about your outside hose bibs? Were those checked? I don’t have any plans other than doing laundry and heading out to the pet store for another bag of dog food. We’re down to maybe enough for today. It seems I’m buying a bag about every two weeks now. In further doggy news, in the last several days, Buster has started to take his empty food bowl out of the pen and drop it in front of me to let me know he’s hungry. It’s usually somewhat close to mealtime. Last night, he did it again after dinner, but they had a busy, active day yesterday, so both he and Maisie received an extra half-cup of kibble. He is no dummy. He rarely barks, but when he does, it’s a loud, deep, and grown-up-sounding bark. His testicles still haven’t dropped either, so I’m afraid he’ll be having surgery next month sometime. My daughter messaged me and my son yesterday, stating that she and her husband would be in town next month for a few days. It will be just them because it’s all work-related. It seems my son-in-law got the giant promotion he’s been working towards for a few years now, and he has to come to the office and do things there. They won’t be staying with us, which makes sense because the giant company he works for is in Seattle. My daughter plans to visit her Seattle office, too. We have plans to meet for dinner the first night they’re in town. It would be nice to see more of them, but I get it. I’m sure they plan to see other local friends for the other evenings. I’m curious about what this means for where they live and if they’ll have to move back. His company has been notorious for insisting employees come back, but maybe he worked out a deal to stay in Missouri. Since we can’t leave the pups alone for very long (something we’re working on), I’ll have to board them for the night the kids are in town. They want us to meet them up north for dinner, and there’s no way we can leave them alone for that many hours. They’ll lose their minds. I wish there were evening/night doggy care, but it’s a rarity, and most places close up at eight. I’m not sure we’d be back in time. **susan,** you’re very busy for being retired! I don’t think you could have a full-time job and do what you currently do! Or, if you did this in the past, you had very little rest. Okay, it sounds like my pups are up to no good, so I need to get out there and see what’s up. Sending hugs, yays, and boos as appropriate. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2024, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-trip-planning-in-the-mmp/997466/327 "2024-02-18T15:01:35Z")
> [@Die\_Capacitrix](#): > > I repeat: He slept through the night. > > He doesn’t remember the last time he slept through the night That must’ve felt _amazing._ I’m genuinely happy for him, that he got this precious lil’ (but not-so-little) gift. > [@swampbear](#): > > . I thought that link would take y’all to the Litany, but instead it’s to the table of contents. Oh well, anyone who desires can click on The Great Litany on the left side of the page. OMG I hafta click _twice_ instead of letting you spoon-feed me the information? You’re makin’ us do _WORK_?!? { _pose of woe that would rival a typical **Spot** performance_ } > [@susan](#): > > I’ve got the book out now Said all casual-like. That’s amazing! Much proudness from this corner. > [@Taters](#): > > many games one can play on VR headsets. Some do require you to get up and move around (sword slashing, etc), but I’m sure there are sit-down games too. I’m not **JtheC** but I rather suspect she was seeking the more active games, as a sneaky way to encourage her husband to move around more … > [@Taters](#): > > I recommend that boundaries be set Well, that’s just sensible in any situation. > [@Taters](#): > > Buster has started to take his empty food bowl out of the pen and drop it in front of me to let me know he’s hungry. That demonstrates an extraordinary level of cognition. Or, put another way, who’s a smart boy?!? Who’s so smart? It’s Buster, yes it is! > [@Taters](#): > > there’s no way we can leave them alone for that many hours. They’ll lose their minds. I wish there were evening/night doggy care, but it’s a rarity, and most places close up at eight I don’t know where you are but in many areas, there are pet-sitting services that come to your house to walk dogs, feed cats, etc. while the owner is traveling or at work. The people are background checked, etc. and send you pics each visit. (I’ve known a couple people who used such services.) Or a local teenager who would like to earn a furry version of babysitting money? ---
**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:** [February 18, 2024, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-trip-planning-in-the-mmp/997466/328 "2024-02-18T15:06:06Z")
Cat is fed. We’re fed. Gonna drive out to youngest son’s place today to give him a check for his stepson’s next semester. It’s somewhat annoying that the young man’s mother and grandparents have no skin in the game. The guy is smart and doing well in school and deserves a shot at a good life, but he’s not my blood and I have like 10 other grandkids who may be looking for help when come of age. ---
**Author:** ![missred](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/missred/32/14096_2.png) [@missred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missred)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2024, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-trip-planning-in-the-mmp/997466/329 "2024-02-18T15:31:15Z")
> [@JaneDoe42](#): > > It isn’t just cartridge booklets, thread makers are using them on the labels now. 😡 Grrrrrr!!! > [@Paintcharge](#): > > Chiles relenos sound great, but, I agree with everyone else, something to leave to the pros. They’ve got the grease splash space set. I hate trying to deep fry anything at home. I’m with you. Once every few years, I’ll get the bright idea to make eggplant parm that reinforces this policy. > [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > Very strong, bitterly cold winds tonight I initially read this as _buttery cold winds_. Need more coffee. > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > Anyone who does this should be flayed, flogged, flagellated, and, um, well, you get the idea. Contrast is your friend when it comes to text. Get all artsy-fartsy with graphics, but sheesh! If you were running for political office, I would vote for you on that platform alone. 😛 **taters** , Buster is quite the smart boy! I’m surprised that Maisie hasn’t taken a clue from Buster’s public urination and copped a squat. Maybe a trip to the dog park, where she’s out in a fenced in enclosure, but not at home? Up, caffeinating, breakfasted and fixing to do KP and irkweek meal prep. It was 19 ferrets when I walked Nelson this morning, so I’m bundled up, even inside. Nelson has been a lap pupper inside too, so I’m fixing to put his light jacket on him whilst I work in the kitchen, poor baby. Stay safe and healthy y’all! ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2024, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-trip-planning-in-the-mmp/997466/330 "2024-02-18T15:51:00Z")
Mornin’ all. 930-ish as I start typing. I’ve been up a couple hours plus. Had phone yaks w friends, created more Amazon work for **doggio** , and did my caffinatin’. Shevelin’ and feedin’ be next _directly_ after this post. Famous last words. 😉 It’s grayish outside, presently 71/22 on the way up to 74/23. Supposed to be thunderstormy off and on, but so far right here is dry. Radar suggests I have 1-2 hours of dry, then 2 or 3 hours of continuous wet. I have no specific plans for the day; there’s always pointless erranding, but nothing exciting. One of the challenges about SoFl is the place and the people are so outdoor-centric that nobody knows what to do with themselves when the weather is inclement. Although there’s always this … > [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > C’mon, people, I almost _never_ have a weekend day off!! > I wanna marinade in a hot tub, or else [_ending of sentence redacted for decorum’s sake_]. Oh yeah, you totally deserve both not either / or. You go, Girl!! The house I’m renting in has the hot tub, but I’m lacking the GF. In a distracting coincidence, the owner Mike is gone for the weekend and meanwhile his 20-something rather cute granddaughter is staying here in the other guest room. Just us two in this big private house. She’s mostly busy visiting her various friends, and I’m mostly out hither and yon. We’ve had a few brief friendly interactions and that’s about it. But the setup has echoes of boom chicka music in the background. Damned shame reality and internet documentaries have so little in common. 😉 > [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > I’ve even made tentative noises about going to his place (I’ve still never seen it) Interesting. When HL was single she had a very active dating life. And her policy was he never came over; she _always_ went to his place. When I first stayed over at her apartment she said I was the first man to “sleep” (or really sleep) in her bed since her first husband ~25 years previously. She tends to be scrupulously truthful (or resolutely silent) so I think this was fact, not convenient fiction. As to the rest of y’all … > [@JaneDoe42](#): > > > [@missred](#): > > > > One of my biggest issues is the cartridge booklets that use light pastels on white in their pics and descriptions. > > It isn’t just cartridge booklets, thread makers are using them on the labels now. 😡 Could someone please explain what “cartridge booklet” means in this context? > [@JaneDoe42](#): > > All of those words I don’t say about the state of medical care/insurance in the US? They go double for the state of mental health care in the US. Yeah. So drugs become the self-care of choice for most. For very harmful definitions of “care”. > [@Die\_Capacitrix](#): > > I repeat: He slept through the night. Yaay! Bad sleep makes everything else so much harder. And hospitals try very very hard to ensure there’s only bad sleep, if any at all. As does chronic pain from unrepaired joints. > [@Die\_Capacitrix](#): > > He’s been going to the gym 3x week for the last 15-20 years … Because of that, he is recovering much better than others his age. Words to the wise for all of us. I’m very happy for him / you! The wife of one of my pilot pals just had her first of two knee replacements. She’s ~68. She’s been diligently gyming (and losing some weight) from 6 months before surgery to now ~6 weeks post. The healing is going very well and per the doc her efforts have a lot to do with that. > [@susan](#): > > I can’t say I mind being retired! Preach it Sister! If I’d known how great it is I’d have done it 30 years ago. 'Cept for that pesky need to eat and pay for housing. 😉 Congrats on your book!! Folks, we’re in the presence of literary celebrity here. > [@Taters](#): > > I recommend that boundaries be set so the player can always see where he or she is standing. If you start to move out of the boundary area, you’ll receive a warning. Yeah. YouTube is full of videos of people in googles enthusiastically destroying their living room, not the imaginary monsters they’re seeing. The rest of that info sounds pretty interesting. The last “video game” I played took quarters at the bar. Once I have my own place I may make the investment. [phone rang; it’s now an hour later] **Taters** : Congrats on all the family news; promotions are great, as is them coming to visit even a little bit. Good luck turning the pups into grown dogs you can leave alone without certain disaster. > [@Chefguy](#): > > It’s somewhat annoying that the young man’s mother and grandparents have no skin in the game. Maybe some crabs-in-a-bucket effect? OTOH, many folks from low-education heritages just don’t / can’t / won’t see the value in it. Or may simply not have the resources to spare. Good on ya for steppin’ up as you’re able. Net of the 10 (and counting) grandkids who deserve support as well. Welp, it’s now much closer to lunch than breakfast, the rain has arrived (lightly so far), and I still need shevelment & feeding. Cheers all and a happy Sunday to everyone!! ---
**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:** [February 18, 2024, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-trip-planning-in-the-mmp/997466/331 "2024-02-18T15:52:27Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > I don’t know where you are but in many areas, there are pet-sitting services that come to your house to walk dogs, feed cats, etc. while the owner is traveling or at work. The people are background checked, etc. and send you pics each visit. (I’ve known a couple people who used such services.) Yes, we have services such as Rover out here, but I’m leery of letting strangers come to my home to petsit. I know, it probably sounds a little paranoid, but there have been several instances out here where supposedly bonded, vetted people did some nasty stuff. I’d like to take them to the doggy daycare/boarding facility at the emergency vet I had to take Maisie to when she was ill. But, they require male dogs to be neutered if they are six months or older, and Buster will be six months at that point. First, his testicles haven’t dropped, and second, it’s recommended we wait until they’re a little older to neuter Labs because of cancer risks. Finally, I don’t personally know any teenagers anymore. Our social circle has shrunk, too, and those who used to be in our circle have moved. I feel like I’m being all Opal here. 😧: Long-timers will remember… Assuming I can get a spot, I’ll board the pups at my vet. I’m familiar with them, they’re nearby, and I trust them. I got that **JtC** was interested in VR to encourage more exercise, but sometimes VR can make people a little woozy initially, so it’s good to have some sit games or tours, too. It helps you get used to the sensation. I did a flyover tour of Germany and Switzerland. It was very cool. Well, pups were fed, dishes are washing in the dishwasher, I’ve gone outside to pick up poo and give the birds fresh water, and I’ve just finished my breakfast yogurt. I should let the dogs out of the pen again and play with them. ---
**Author:** ![dogbutler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dogbutler/32/428_2.png) [@dogbutler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dogbutler)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2024, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-trip-planning-in-the-mmp/997466/332 "2024-02-18T16:03:24Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > { _pose of woe that would rival a typical **Spot** performance_ } [![](https://64.media.tumblr.com/9f49e773a0f6ac373d2969588869587d/cb70b14a960cbc52-56/s540x810/644f159deea0774fff18378db0f4142ce9eeb1ea.jpg) ](https://64.media.tumblr.com/9f49e773a0f6ac373d2969588869587d/cb70b14a960cbc52-56/s540x810/644f159deea0774fff18378db0f4142ce9eeb1ea.jpg) “When your human feeds you the Nutro Chicken and Rice Indoor Cat dry flavorless bits instead of the Nutro Chicken and Rice Hairball Control, and you must promptly shuffle off this mortal coil” ---
**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:** [February 18, 2024, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-trip-planning-in-the-mmp/997466/333 "2024-02-18T16:17:19Z")
Morning all. Had a Ben Franklin sleep…early to bed and early to rise (but the rest is problematic) and have grabbed my Sunday NY TImes, so I have reading and puzzle matter for the next week. Dinner will be Olive Garden in about and hour and a half, then probably some calorie burning at the gym after the breadsticks and pasta blowout. It’s still only 35F here, but supposed to get warmer as the week goes on. **JtC** , that’s not a bad idea, I think I still have some sample stuff for checking toilets from the last time, I’ll do it just in case. I wasn’t that impressed by the leak people, I used a different group recommended by the plumbers and they didn’t seem real professional and determined if they couldn’t hear it, it must not be bad. The other leak company messed up the first time, but if they send their good guy out he’ll find it…but for $399! Right now I’m in ration mode, just turning the water on for flushing and other needs. Getting to be a habit with me now… **Dicey** , great news about your Dad. And the mention of his gym work encourages me to keep going, not planning on any operations in the near future, but being in better shape just feels good. **shoe** , never heard of a credit card blowing away…that was some gusty winds there. Hope the guy found it eventually. Enjoy your day off, however it’s spent. **suzie** , don;t feel guilty, just post when you can and we’ll understand. And many fulsome congrats on the book. **Taters** , sounds like the pups are doing well; hope Maisie gets over her potty-reluctance. And glad you are getting to see family, hope their company can come to an accomodation. OK, need to clean up a bit and head over to make the 11am Olive Garden opening, so take care and I’ll catch up with you some time later. ---
**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:** [February 18, 2024, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-trip-planning-in-the-mmp/997466/334 "2024-02-18T16:24:34Z")
I meant to post this before hitting submit. In this album, you can see the progression of the pups from November through yesterday. The last several photos are from January and February. These pups are almost in constant motion, so it’s hard to get good photos, especially when we’re walking them. [Puppy Album](https://photos.app.goo.gl/eJA9STkqiypgbxaT8) ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2024, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-trip-planning-in-the-mmp/997466/335 "2024-02-18T16:34:38Z")
My face is incredibly congested. Not because of the wine last night, but because I just sent a really emotional note to my son’s cross country coach telling her how much I appreciated everything she did for my son while my mom was dying. Why is sharing appreciation with someone else so hard? Anyway, I cried like a baby the whole time. Maybe that’s why we don’t thank each other during stressful times, because sometimes it hurts? Still, I thought she should know, and I didn’t want to wait any longer for fear of forgetting or just getting too far into my head and assuming it wouldn’t really matter. Last night was fun. It was loud and my throat is sore from yelling across the table, but I’m glad I got out. But I was equally glad to be home. We watched _Dune_ with the kids until midnight and ate brownies. Did you know you could make brownies in the slowcooker? They’re not unlike a steamed pudding. I think I prefer them baked but anything that chocolatey is worth a try. Anyway, I’m hoping I’ll get to the gym today. I’m definitely planning to go to my mom’s. The “throw everything in a box” method is probably the tack I’ll take (thanks, **JtC** ). And **LSLGuy** , you’re right - it’s just stuff, some of it useful, most of it not, and as I remind my sister, we’ve been living without that particular stuff for more than 20 years, without ever having really realized it was there, so the chances of it being valuable to either of us are zero. Well, off to let my face depuff - when my husband woke up I was almost done with my note, but I had to boot him out so I could write the end. I think I’ll take a long shower so my sinuses can clear out a bit. Congratulations on the book, **susan**! What an accomplishment! ---
**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:** [February 18, 2024, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-trip-planning-in-the-mmp/997466/336 "2024-02-18T17:24:22Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Maybe some crabs-in-a-bucket effect? That truly explains her side of the family. The only one who takes any responsibility is the older sister, a single school band teacher who treats her sister’s children like they are her own. She was instrumental in helping the boy get loans and grants in place for college. She spends her summer weekends taking them to interesting, educational and fun places. A truly great influence in their lives. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2024, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-trip-planning-in-the-mmp/997466/337 "2024-02-18T18:07:15Z")
> [@dogbutler](#): > > the Nutro Chicken and Rice Indoor Cat dry flavorless bits instead of the Nutro Chicken and Rice Hairball Control How much difference can there possibly be? It’s Nutro. It’s chicken. It’s rice. Cats, amirite? I switched Monkey to Blue Buffalo “Tastefuls” a while ago, and eventually switched him back to Purina Beyond chicken/oat, cuz apparently the Tastefuls are _too_ tasty, and he was hoovering that stuff up at a rather alarming rate. > [@Taters](#): > > I’ve just finished my breakfast yogurt. Me, too! What’s your go-to? I had semi-fancy (“noosa” brand) in vanilla bean today. Sometimes I get the fancy faux-French “Oui!” in the glass jars. Sometimes I go old-skool and get good ol’ Yoplait in the weird tapered cups. Now having a big, hot cuppa Earl Grey and contemplating a day of utter slothage. So many things I could/should do … so little desire to do any of them. **Charm** pooped in her water bowl, so I guess “change snek agua” bubbled up to the top of the To-Do List, though. > [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > Hope the guy found it eventually. Aahhhh … no. I saw it land on the ground right next to his door, then turned away for a second to finish what I was doing. He looked all over, even backed up his car (we thought maybe it blew under it?) then wandered in a circle in the area for a while until someone else pulled up, he gave up, and fished out cash. I told him we’d keep an eye out and to call tomorrow (today) to ask if anyone found it, but honestly, that was just a sop to try to make him feel better. (Ah, female social conditioning.) I mean, I didn’t lie - I did tell manager and crew, and even looked around when I went outside for a smoke later - but that sucker is _gone_ for sure. It’s like it evaporated. Only thing I can thing I can think of is it got sucked in by his engine’s intake? Do cars even do that? > [@Taters](#): > > can see the progression of the pups Wow, they really are growing up!! … why is that instinctive human nature, to say shit like that? Of _course_ they’re growing up, it would be weird and far more remarkable if they weren’t. But every time, some adult has to comment on the inevitable progress of growth. > [@LSLGuy](#): > > And her policy was he never came over; she _always_ went to his place. Huh. I guess I feel more comfortable on “my turf.” I did read something once to the effect of if you’re having the first-time sleepover and aren’t sure if the guy is a serial killer or whatever, to go to his place. That way, if he murders you, he’s got a crime scene to clean up, a body to dispose of, all that nonsense. What a lot of work! If he comes to your place, he just has to flee without leaving finger- or footprints. It was funnier the way they wrote it. > [@LSLGuy](#): > > And hospitals try very very hard to ensure there’s only bad sleep, if any at all. While rationally I understand that a nurse’s job is to ensure Rx is dispensed according to doctor orders, it is maddening to be woken up … to be given a sleeping pill. > [@LSLGuy](#): > > The last “video game” I played took quarters at the bar. A V.R. version of Pac-Man could be fun. Ooooh!!! TETRIS!! Actually, I do enough of that at work sometimes. Anyone else ever use “to Tetris” as a verb? … and have everyone know exactly what you meant? > [@LSLGuy](#): > > Maybe some crabs-in-a-bucket effect? I’m familiar with frogs in boiling water (man, our culture has some macabre analogies!) but this one escapes me. Lil’ help, plz n thx? **doggio** that is one good-lookin’ cat. > [@overlyverbose](#): > > note to my son’s cross country coach telling her how much I appreciated everything she did for my son while my mom was dying. I’m sorry this cost you so much emotional energy, but I hope it’s some consolidation that you did a Very Good Thing (in return for her doing a good thing! A nice cycle.) and I have less than zero doubts that she appreciated your, uh, appreciation. > [@overlyverbose](#): > > Did you know you could make brownies in the slowcooker? [[Album] GET OUT!! ![](https://i.imgur.com/4KiYIcm.png?fb "GET OUT!!") ](https://imgur.com/gallery/6CdWEjY) > [@overlyverbose](#): > > I think I prefer them baked Well, yeah, you get the crispy edges. If I baked, I’d get one of those “all edges” pans with the dividers in the middle. * * * I think I’ll add a coupla pics of the ASFs over in the “pet pictures” thread, if any of y’all wanna follow me over there. I managed to get one semi-decent shot of a bebeh! ---
**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:** [February 18, 2024, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-trip-planning-in-the-mmp/997466/338 "2024-02-18T18:12:54Z")
> [@dogbutler](#): > > “When your human feeds you the Nutro Chicken and Rice Indoor Cat dry flavorless bits instead of the Nutro Chicken and Rice Hairball Control, and you must promptly shuffle off this mortal coil” Man oh man! that is one bee-ou-it-full kitteh (and he obviously knows it)! ---
**Author:** ![Paintcharge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paintcharge/32/7946_2.png) [@Paintcharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paintcharge)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2024, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-trip-planning-in-the-mmp/997466/339 "2024-02-18T18:36:53Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > . > > Ooooh!!! TETRIS!! > > Actually, I do enough of that at work sometimes. Anyone else ever use “to Tetris” as a verb? … and have everyone know exactly what you meant? > > > [@LSLGuy](#): > > > > Maybe some crabs-in-a-bucket effect? > > I’m familiar with frogs in boiling water (man, our culture has some macabre analogies!) but this one escapes me. > Lil’ help, plz n thx? I do “shop Tetris” on the regular. Gotta move this to get to that to move the other thing, then fit it all back so I can actually do the job. “Crabs in a bucket” is a theory/ old wives’ tale that many crabs trapped in a bucket will pull each other back down rather than letting any one of them get out. Quiet day here. I made biscuits and gravy fer brekkie, I even made the biscuits from scratch, though I did need to go to the sto to get snausage and baking powder. I checked the baking powder in the cupboard and saw it was from 2014, and IIRC it loses potency after a while? ---
**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:** [February 18, 2024, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-trip-planning-in-the-mmp/997466/340 "2024-02-18T18:45:08Z")
Was up and ready for church. The woman said she’d be here at 10.35. By 11, she didn’t show. I am not missing church, so I decided to walk in the 23 degree weather. Its a 7 minute walk. Soon as I got to the street, a woman pulled up, on the way to church, saying get in! Woot. God provided. It would’ve taken the other woman 1 minute to drive from the church; she was there, and 1 minute to get me there. Man. Before I left my building someone had laid out cereal and a package of underwear my size. I didn’t want to take it with me, so a neighbor guy is holding them for me. Now I am hungry and the can of Progresso pea soup is looking good. Still have a cold, sneezing. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-trip-planning-in-the-mmp/997466.md?page=16) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-trip-planning-in-the-mmp/997466.md?page=18)