yes, i would do registered receipt required. you can track it and the receipt will tell you to whom the usps gave the envelope. it is worth the peace of mind.
Morning all. Been mildly active (for me), got the last garbage bagged and outside early (so of course the truck won’t be here until the afternoon). After breakfast (had two bowls of cereal; Frosted Flakes and Cocoa Krispies–decadent, I iz) I played dishwasher Tetris and have that working away. 42F and gray clouds everywhere, but at least the rain has gone for the next day or so. Need to do a Wal-Mart run for a couple items and maybe hit the gym for a little bit, but otherwise should be a quiet day.
Knotty, sad news and {{hugs}} for you on the loss.
I don’t think I’ve pulled out my appliances since I got them 5 or so years ago. Being me, that state of affairs will probably continue.
Takes time; and 800 yards is nearly 1/2 a mile, so that is pretty impressive.
JtC, best wishes to Hubs, hope it doesn’t have to be too invasive.
{{nellie}}. wish there was something I could do, but your 3,000 miles cross-country and I know nothing about apartments these days (truth be told, probably don’t know much about houses either).
shoe, Murphy just waits for folks to think things will go as planned… At least you got snuggles from the feline.
boo fae, a quiet office around the holidays was always a good time as I recall.
Swampy, you remind me that I need to stop at Waffle House (we have several not far away, this is the South…)_one of these days to keep my RDOS membership card up to date.
FCM, good luck on the deck estimates and getting several bids is a good idea; also gives you a chance to evaluated the companies. And agree that registered mail with receipt is a good idea, IIRC they do offer insurance but I do not know what that would cost.
Taters, once had an umbrella do the inversion thing on me getting out of a car in Rapid City, SD; only time that has ever happened. Most of my commutes were by expressway so recognizing cars was not a priority. Here in N. Ali-bama I could usually see the same folks pulling out of their driveways or taking a morning walk when I left, but nothing beyond a quick wave.
OK, back to the morning internettin’ Take care all.
Wait – I didn’t get a chance to ask!
I don’t remember my mother’s ever serving me peeled potatoes. (If you don’t peel to increase nutritional value, why do you peel? 
)
I haven’t ironed anything since I got out of the Navy 21 years ago. (Hmm – 20 April will be the point when I’ve been a Navy retiree as long as I was active duty. Time, it do fly…)
Not too bad of a heaving today. I hit Teeter for the Senior Day shopping after work.
If nellie has the smae kind of lease structure “Month To Month” is over double the regular 12 month rate.
Holy crap on a cracker - remember the good ol’ days when lottery scratchers were a buck each? Well, here in Merrylande, at least in the dispensing machine I went to, there’s ONE option for a buck, two or three for two bucks, and the rest are $10 or $20 or (hold on to your hat) $50!!! The last one is for a chance at $5million, but dang - do people really spend $50 on a single scratcher? I guess someone must. smh
I got my registered letter mailed, finally. SOMEONE put the wrong house number on it. Thankfully, there was no such address as the wrong one, and the nice lady at the post office told me so. I called FCD and he read off the correct address - he musta brain-farted when he addressed the envelope. But it’s on its way and TX SIL should get it on Moanday.
After getting the scratchers, I drove thru Wendy’s because FCD had a hankerin’ for their chili, and I got a chicken sammich. Wendy’s seems to be a bit pricy for a fast food joint. The sammich is OK, but not all that great.
We met with the man from Bear Construction - he promises an estimate on Moanday, which just happens to be when the next company is coming out to have a look. Have yet to hear back from the third place I messaged. But it’s the holiday season, so no sweat. We’re in no hurry to get the deck done - as long as it’s finished by May, I’ll be satisfied. Weather will be a factor in the next few months.
The sun is out and despite the chill, it’s pretty nice outside. Not that I plan to go out for any extended period, but it looks pretty thru the window from the inside of my heated house. 
Our Christmas/Holiday party is tomorrow, at Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi in Bellevue. Now, the company tends to go all-out for the annual fête; but I just had a look at the menu, and… YIKES!!! 
I emailed our admin to ask if we’re ordering off of the menu, or if it will be prix fixe. She replied, ‘It will be a prix fixe menu. Still pricey, but managed 
’
STARTER OPTIONS:
Squash Soup (V) koji nut squash, morels, coconut gel, micro kohlrabi
Char Siu Kurobuta Pork Belly arugula agnolotti, truffled tonkotsu broth
Baby Beet Salad grapefruit gelee, mascarpone croquette, petite mizuna, macadamia crumbleENTRÉE OPTIONS:
28 Day Wet Aged Filet Mignon spring onions, miso demi glace, black garlic butter
Organic Chicken Breast chicken croquette, vadouvan gastrique, parsnip puree, hazelnut gremolata, chicken jus
Wood Grilled Salmon celery root puree, mint pesto
Miso Glazed Eggplant (V) carrot ginger puree, garlic chips, heirloom tomato, herb oil, optional miso ricottaDESSERT OPTIONS:
Tropical Tango vanilla tuile, coconut ice cream, passion fruit caramel, mango curd, pastry cream, coconut, mango
Goat Cheese Berry Panna Cotta shiso berry gastrique, blueberry macaroon
Seasonal Sorbet (V) coconut cream, shredded coconut, edible flowersPlus FAMILY-STYLE SIDES:
Grilled Seasonal Vegetables
Potato Puree & Butter
Dungeness Crab Mac & Cheese
Hm… I think I’ll start with the pork belly, then have the filet mignon and some grilled veg. I’ll have to see if I can get the panna cotta to go so I can bring it home to my wife. (It’s too long a drive for ice cream.)
I can commiserate…with FCD. On the package I took to the Post Office last evening the clerk said the amount was $X.XX. That was more than the quote that the clerk at the other PO had given me earlier in the day so I questioned it. When I looked at the screen, I said, it not going to Name of Incorrect City, it’s going to Name of Correct City. She said, that’s the zip code that’s on the package. We both looked at it and saw Name of Correct City on it but clerk said the zip code didn’t match. So, I asked her for a pen and scratched out the incorrect zip code that SOMEONE had written on it; then she gave me the zip code that matched the address and I wrote it on the package.
My excuse: I had the names of 2 people that I was sending packages to on the same piece of paper, one right after the other and I had unfortunately, not paid enough attention.
Thank goodness for USPS Big Ol’ Database of Addresses! Who knows how many misdirected letters and parcels it’s prevented!
I’ve wrapped the packages for our family exchange game and the rules for this year’s game are printed and sitting with the packages. Once I make the eggs, we’ll be ready to rock!
Pedaling the calories away after a short Wal-Mart run and getting the garbage can back in the garage. Dishes are washed and now need to use as few possible before leaving Monday for Brother…if I can go, they are still in Cleveland my Nephew hasn’t been released yet, apparently his O2 level when Walking isn’t where it’s supposed to be. Will just have to see how it plays out.
250 calories burned with more to go.
my nifty new shirt is shedding all over me. argh!! it is a really soft sweatshirt thing with embroidered holiday items scattered. i really like the embroidered reindeer. the shedding is driving me to delint over and over and over again. argh!!!
Do you have a dryer with an “Air” setting? Toss it in and see if it delints it.
A snowy and expensive afternoon. 
Took Bluebonnet (my car) to get both rear tires replaced. I’d been told coupla months ago to do that very soon.
“How soon?”
“Definitely before it snows.”
… whelp, missed that deadline.
We’re on our 2nd big snowfall of the year here, and it is comin’ DOWN! out there.
I know this because I decided to walk home from the tire place.
I planned ahead - scarf, hat, a good coat - and it’s only about a 20 min walk … well, with a brief pit stop at my local dispo that’s ever so conveniently right on the way home, and I did have a whole three dollars burning a teensy hole in my wallet.
But the tire place said it’d be a few hours, and I got shit to do, so I headed off into the snow. Wasn’t bad at all.
Now I’m enjoying my dispo stop provisions, making breakfast some sort of 5 p.m. meal, and finishing up my Secret Santa box.
Planning to put on warmer socks & good boots (and the no-joke parka my Other Shoe got me a long time ago) and just walking on back.
I could get a taxi, but I’d rather save the pennies.
It’s not too far, I can drive my tired, cold ass back home (and test out the new tires! and wiper blades that I also desperately needed) and once I get up off my ass I enjoy a nice walk, even - especially - in the snow.
Shout-out to @Sahirrnee for a rainbow-colored smile today. 
She sent me GIANT CANDY BUTTONS and I love how during “shrinkflation” era, this one thing, a beloved childhood memory, is actually bigger than it used to be!
Cherry, orange, yellow, and raspberry. Fun!! Thanks, luv.
The name of my car is a double joke, by the way. I named it when I first bought it, back when I lived in TX and hadn’t yet so much as dreamed that I’d move out of state.
Bluebonnets are the beloved wildflower of TX.
… but “bonnet” is also how our friends across the Big Pond refer to a car’s hood.
My car is blue. So it has a, yup, a blue bonnet.
(Nickname, or when cursing: “Bluebie.”)
5 o’clock can’t come soon enough today. I had terrible dreams last night. I kept waking up and then falling right back into the dream where it left off. Finally got up at 2:30 to get a drink and try to come fully awake to break the cycle. And that was a bit of a mistake - I didn’t fall asleep again until sometime around 5:30. Needless to say I’m dragging today.
And due to my fuzzy-headedness, I made a simple task ridiculously difficult at work and it took hours longer than it should have. But at least it’s done.
And I might have picked up some wine over lunch but 
Sounds pretty good!
I got some gifts from work today and enclosed was a $1 ticket. I appreciated it and also thought it was funny the difference between a Catholic establishment vs. Baptist. Definitely would not expect a lottery ticket there! I actually got a sweatshirt even in the correct size from my boss. I thought it was very nice.
Well, I guess you can drink to that when you get home!
Ok, I am home and have had a short nap. That’s one weird thing that I don’t seem to nap as long when I sleep in my Potter Pod. And MusicMan just got here. Catch y’all later.
Just got home from collecting the replacement Jeep at the dealership. It’s a 2017 and white (should help in summer). DH already HAD to take it on a favored rough road. Tracking says he’s nearly home. Switching over the car insurance and SiriusXM went quite smoothly. Reloading all the usual cargo is going to be entertaining.
The fan in my car is out again, and I’d rather not pay someone to glare at it again. Hoping DH’s technopath abilities are up to this.
Flyboy, I’ll start with the beet thing, and have the filet for my entree. None of the desserts thrill me. There is nothing with chocolate! Maybe I’ll ask for vanilla gelato with Bailey’s poured on top.
Howdy Y’all! We got shorn and then brawled et at WH. Both of us had pee-kahn waffles and bacon. It was fancy cause both items have to be ordered a la carte. At WH that means fancy eatin’. I think they even make sure you get a clean fork.
MOOOOOOM green deviled aigs and ham is genius!
Thank you. I’m not one of those crunchy “pot cures everything” sort of person, but it does have a place in the world.
While your injury was horrible and I would never wish such a thing on anyone, it is still good that you are able to share your knowledge with others. (there might be a small package arriving tomorrow. the tea cakes will taste stale because I didn’t toast the walnuts)
I am worried for you and hope you are able to find a good solution soon.
When I saw that, my first thought was “I thought she was smarter than that.” but I try to be nice sometimes. Next time I’ll just say it! Dang, I know that Murphy is a bastid, but he really stuck it to you over that one.
That sounds pretty yummy too, I’m loving all the variations I’ve learned for that simple dish.
I’ve always seen many of the same cars at least once a week, and there was one purple Mini-Cooper that was so regular that I could tell if I was late depending on which stoplight I saw it at. (Mostly I recognized oncoming traffic, but I also recognized several not-great drivers going my way as well.)
Another recipe hastily copied and printed, thank you!
Something like this? Amazon.com: Amazon Basics Ironing Board Sleeve Board, Gray, Solid : Home & Kitchen
Mom used to have a set of little padded things for ironing puffy sleeves and pleats in little dresses.
/staggers to fainting couch while reaching for smelling salts
My CDO would be so triggered by that. How do you know that the waterline going to your ice maker isn’t leaking into your wall or sub-flooring if you don’t check once in a while?
I’ve known three people who had to pay a whole lot of money because they didn’t know the tap behind the fridge had started leaking until they got mold in their walls. One of them was my mother which was super irritating because we had sent her moisture alarms and she never bothered to open the box.
I have never ever heard of such a thing but now I WANT it! Everything sounds great, I hope you have a wonderful time.
Oh, I HATE it when that happens! It’s not just on you, it’s on your floor and chair! Much sympathy!
I’m happy for you, I know how much you love the snow. Your whole “morning” sounds like it was just what you needed.
I used to have a big ol’ pot of Bluebonnets in AZ and thought they looked wonderful when they were in bloom. My bluebonnets were nothing compared to the fields of bluebonnets we drove by when we went to Dallas for the eclipse, they were just fabulous.
Where were your fuzzbutts? I can usually break the cycle by stroking kitty fur and purring cats help me go back to sleep.
That is super nice, I’m glad you had fun. I hope you win money on your ticket!
I really do try to keep up, but WHAT? What happened to the old one and is everyone OK?
The house cleaner was going to be over this morning so I thought I’d get a swim in while there was someone else in the house. While I was picking cat toys up, I put their bed on the scratching post that is in front of the window. This involved changing TWO things in their room - no bed on the floor where it belongs and a bed in a not bed spot. Poor GG blue screened over it, but then Jolene climbed into the bed which allowed him to reset.
Going to the gym was much more entertaining today, the new equipment room opened and has windows that allows one to happily gaze in at the body builders on their way to the women’s lockers. There were many exercise machines that I might have recognized if I hadn’t been distracted by the two Silver Foxes. One of them looked to be my age and the other one was probably a decade older but whooo!
I saw several women on the machines, but there is another room with machines set for women and that’s where most of them hang out.
I swim alone most of the time.
Hubs ate my control Pepperoni Roll today because he forgot why it was there. I had bought it and sealed it into a ziplok bag when I bought the rolls I sent to my Secret Santa and to Mom. I wanted to have an idea as to what they would see when they opened the package. My Secret Santa in Hawaii received her package on Monday as expected. Mom’s package went from here to Ohio and then got lost in CO before finally making its way to Boise to be delivered by 1430 today. Which hasn’t yet happened.
Anyhow, despite me poking the poor roll every day, hubs said it was still good and not squished.
I should probably check tracking and give her a call.
And this is why I should have a place to send pepperoni rolls to you. I make utterly delicious pepperoni rolls!
Tomorrow Annie is going to a new groomer. I had to reschedule her appointment with the old groomer and they’re booked out to the end of January. So I thought that we’d give this new place a try especially since it’s closer to home.
Doggio is spot-on. (He must be a Dalmatian.) Month-to-month is just about twice as much as an annual lease. I should say “Was.” I just checked the website, and they only offer 12-month leases now. Of course, the website is full of…Let’s be polite and call them “inaccuracies.” For instance, it says apartments are air conditioned. They’re not. The “spacious dog park” is about the size of a two-car garage. The hardwood floors are only in the pricey townhouses. You get the idea. Anyway, month-to-month isn’t an option.
I thought about downsizing to a one-bedroom. It would mean giving away or selling the desk Mom bought in 1940 with her first paycheck from Sears (HQ, not store.) as well as a couple of other pieces of beloved furniture and not having room for both kids and their spouses to stay overnight, which really makes me sad.
Thanks for the kindness in your suggestion. I’m the old-timer at the stage door who’s “seen 'em come and seen 'em go.” The noise isn’t specific to this building. Some tenants are just noisy. At various points I’ve had neighbors who: vacuumed at 1 a.m.; had loud parties; had huge speakers on the floor and played Total Anhilation (or some such) games at top volume; had kids running overhead until 1 a.m.; literally yelled all the time instead of talking; had dogs yiping so loudly from abuse, I called a rescue organization; and had a rampage so bad (crashing furniture and dishes, plus screaming), there were multiple 911 calls. And these are considered “nice” apartments in the nice, low-crime-rate part of town.
The main problem is that there ARE no good solutions. That’s what’s been getting me down. Today I researched and discovered that there are very few places outside of populous areas that can and do administer the biweekly shots I need, so I need to live somewhere within commuting (by mass transit) distance, and that gets pricey. I keep trying to figure out where I went wrong.
Enough of that. Really. Let’s talk about you.
Oh, I forgot about pressing cloths! Also, our ironing board folded down from its narrow, shallow closet in the kitchen, which closet had a little shelf where Mom kept her sprinkling bottle (Coke bottle with a sprinkler head) and, for some reason, a can of 4 in 1 Oil. How lucky your dad was to have such a good freshener-upper!
My dad’s suits went to the cleaners often. The hangers from there all had little messages on them. “Have you kissed your wife today?” was one.
How’s FCD holding up these days?
Some pork chops ARE thin enough to be called “chips.” The recipe sounds great. I’ve saved it to try.
That was something, wasn’t it? We don’t get much lightning around here. I heard the wind and felt sorry for people who had to be outdoors in it. When you get to Haggen’s that early, are you the first shopper in the door? Just curious.
I’ll definitely look into that. Thanks!
Crud. Gotta go. My sister-in-law is in crisis again.