(Old) Wait - what time is it in the MMP?

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
121

Morning, mumpers! It’s currently 10c/50f with a predicted high of 12c/54f and cloudy. Weather app says “I know you can’t see it, but there’s a fucking cloud. We’ll call the cloud “Alistair”. Alistair’s a fucking cockwomble.” I can see lots of cloud, there’s a big blanket of it out there. Perhaps it’s all Alistair!

Yay for heat though! Although a European trip would have been much more fun :slight_smile:

Daughter is wise to have that conversation with Roxy, even if it starts off just with making her aware that not everyone is a kind, understanding and tolerant as the people she already knows.

Well done to you for sticking with the exercise! It’s rewarding to get down to a weight like that while you’re still keeping in mind that it might not be sustainable for you as a long-term goal. You’ve got a realistic maintenance goal there too, and no need to feel guilty about not staying at the lowest possible weight.

shoe You’re a good person, your father is the one with the problems.

lily I am so sorry that you have to worry about that. Nobody should have to worry that their love doesn’t count any more. Wrong country to be of any use, but I’ll be supporting your rights all the way.

Yesterday I was still feeling glum and out of sorts on the way home, so I decided to walk back from the station. Fresh air helped and I was feeling a little bit brighter when I got home, then 'im indoors unloaded all his frustrations :cry: I did my usual post-irk jobs, made an omelette for dinner and went to the pub. I was back home and in bed by 11pm so not too bad for a school night, and on the bus at 6.55am.

The Travel Gods were feeling capricious today, everything was running late, and the train from Big City Station to campus was 10 minutes late and missed out a bunch of stops. Fortunately, it stopped at the campus station so that was ok for me. I’m in the office with breakfast and a cup of tea, and not much in the way of inbox skip fires so far.

Tonight I will probably walk home again, I’m sure the extra steps are good for me especially as I’ll be missing the usual Saturday morning gym stuff this weekend. He’s cooking tonight, there are ribs marinating in the fridge so I don’t have to think about dinner either. Happy days!

122

It would have been more ideal for me to have put the food outside. However, I didn’t know where to put it that it wouldn’t have been in their way. Ironically, they accepted drinks from my next door neighbor. I’m glad they accepted them from someone.

{{{lily}}}
{{{FCDaughter}}}

Today I’m going to clean the house and get rid of stuff (or else)! It’s driving me crazy and there’s going to be more stuff on this first floor because of me staying down here.

123

Good Mornin’ Y’all! Up and caffeinatin’. ‘Tis 71 Amurrkin out and cloudy with a predicted high of 80 with rain off and on all day. We shall go to the hog trough GC for N.O.L. for today’s main need to feed. The rest of the day will be spent in high RDOS inactivities as it our wont.

Sticky_Buns yay for the new ramp! You are a good person to provide snacks even though they didn’t get eaten.

{{{Lily}}} a lot of us worry about that now.

Now I need more caffeine and to feed rumbly tummy. Then, alas and bother, I shall purtify and don attire acceptable for bein’ amongst the great unwashed. How I suffer!

Happy Thursday Y’all!

124

Good morning.

It’s 38F and clear outside. It’ll be clear and sunny throughout the morning, but clouds will move in during the afternoon. Our expected high temperature is 58F.

Lily, :people_hugging:

FCM, it’s good to have that conversation with Roxy. It’s also frustrating and sad that people still exhibit the behavior that your daughter fears. My youngest sister is mixed (half black/half white), and sadly, she experienced it from both sides. I don’t get it.

So many of you have already expressed your emotions, so I’ll add that I’m grieving. I am more upset this time than last time, mainly because I understand even better what we face. I spoke to my SD early yesterday morning on a work-related matter and asked how she was doing. I could tell she was sad, so I told her how I felt. As I was speaking, I teared up a little. It was a bit of a personal exchange because we were not supposed to discuss politics at work. I felt like a caged lion all day yesterday and couldn’t sit still, much less concentrate on work.

Today is my last day of work for the week, and it’ll be a four-day weekend. I plan to keep busy so I burn off all the feelings.

Your dedication to the weight-loss journey has been admirable, Metal Mouse. I need to emulate that. I talk, start, quit, and I need to improve.

That’s all I have for now. I’m going to finish my coffee and breathe.

125

Can it be protected with a state law? Why do people get all wound up about things that don’t change their lives in the slightest? It would be like outlawing blue hair because you don’t like it. eeeesh.

On the brighter side for Daughter and Roxy, she got her first report card. They don’t do grades for first graders but they use some sort of percentage scale (compared to the class average) along with specific comments. Roxy is ahead of her class in all areas, which doesn’t surprise us - her preschool taught her so much! Her needs improvement area is sticking with her assigned task and not worrying about what her classmates are doing (I wonder if she’s trying to help the others?) Anyway, she’s doing great. And Daughter thinks actual A-B-C grades don’t start till 3rd grade.

We see STEM in her future - the kid sucks up science like a sponge. She’ll go to YouTube channels about volcanoes because she loves that stuff. And it turns out her middle school has a strong STEM program. I wish we could afford for her to go to the Montessori school in the county, but unless we hit the lottery, that’s ain’t gonna happen. Maybe I’ll buy a ticket or two… :wink:

Speaking of money, at the end of the month, we need to roll over MIL’s CD. FCD talked to our money guy yesterday because the big concern is BIL. We’re all agreed we can’t turn over a pile of cash to him. But there’s an annuity that will do an immediate payout to cover his rent for the next 10 years. That will only require a portion of his inheritance, so the rest will go into another CD. And the money destined for late brother’s widow and for us will go in still another CD.

MIL is also worried about if she needs her money for some reason between now and then (Can’t imagine why she might, but she does worry) but it can be retrieved easily enough with minor penalties. FCD discussed all this with her yesterday, and I’m sure she’s forgotten already.

And while we feel a bit like vultures, we looked at the totals and did some figuring yesterday. Originally, FCD wasn’t going to take the executor’s fee, but he decided that he’s had to do so much work, he’s going to take it. I’m glad - this has been like a job for him. Then looking at the balance, he’s figured out the three shares. BIL and the widow have both been getting monthly amounts (BIL for rent, SIL because when her husband was sick, they really needed the money, and that payout has continued.) So those amounts have been taken into consideration and FCD has a handle on what will be distributed when his mom dies. SIL will get a cashier’s check and we’ll transfer our share from one account to ours. BIL’s share will be tied to the account we currently have joint with MIL so we can keep his separate and if he should die, it’ll be ours without any fuss. Now the only thing to do is to get one of us joint on his bank account, just in case.

Why do I feel like a vulture??

Today’s plan, shortly, is a run to Aldi. Not sure what else. It’s going to be quite warm with a small chance of showers. I’ll just figure it out as the day goes on.

Happy Thursday!!

126

Well, it looks like we’re going to have to return Sadie to the humane center. She’s a sweet cat and affectionate, but she just won’t use the litter box. After three days she finally pooped. . .on the carpet. This is more than we’re willing to deal with. We’ve showed her the box a number of times, putting her in it, even scratching the litter to encourage her, but she just won’t have it.

127

Morning all. Slept in all the way to 7:30am, so fresh and ready for a new day…of sloth. Not much on the agenda, need to get the Medical folks to renew my prescriptions, I sent a request via their on-line system but the drugstore hasn’t gotten it yet, so may send it again today, and show up there Monday if nothing is done.

FCM mentioned above about digging out stuff she hadn’t seen/forgot about from a place she didn’t look in much. I had something of the same experience this morning, I had gotten out a piece of carry-on luggage (like an overgrown gym bag) to tote my soccer stuff around last weekend and was putting it back where it had been when it occurred to me to check all the side pockets. Found a couple receipts from the Denver Zoo and a ticket to an IMAX in Denver (vacation from 6-7 years back) and my vaccination records, which date back to 1999 and had been missing for quite awhile. The receipts went in the trash and the records in the strongbox, so I have been a responsible human being this week.

{{lily}}, I simply couldn’t conceive that anyone would do something that heartless…guess I still have a lot to learn…some more {{{ }}} and hope to you.

boofae, Alistair is ALL… And thanks for the kind words, next year’s goal is to ‘shape up’ what I have, so more exercises and weights is in the offing, maybe with professional help at the gym.

swampy, I have added a trip over to the Golden Corral for Firday lunch, missed it last weekend with all the soccer so will feast of Friday.

Taters, I have the advantage in that I am a retired gentleman of leisure while you are still out there earning a paycheck. Easier that way, and it still took me 4 years after I retired to get down to it.

FCM, yeah! for Roxy, I like Science museums too, has she been to the Smithsonian yet (any of them)? And counting and planning ahead with the money is the responsible and smart thing to do, not a vulture-thing.

Cookie, sad news about Sadie, sounds like she simply is not a good fit as a in-house cat.

OK, Cheerios have been placed in the appropriate internal organ so onward into the day. Might even be ambitious enough to unload the dishwasher (so I can start loading it again, of course…). Happy Thorsday all!

128

Before you do that, get some advice from shelters on how to resolve the issue. Or look up possible solutions online.

129

I think her parents took her there last year. She loves the little marine museum near us, even tho she’s been there a bajillion times. She also loves the Baltimore Aquarium. She claims she’ll be a doctor, but I see a scientist or engineer in her. Time will tell.

Back from Aldi. I’m going to do some raking in the back yard in areas that we can’t run the mower. Beyond that, what happens will happen.

130

Short heaving today. At this rate I’m gonna have to turn to Pole dancing. And I don’t know how to play any polka tunes.

.[quote=“scareyfaerie, post:121, topic:1009665”]
Although a European trip would have been much more fun
[/quote]
Having been to Bavaria and Austria, I agree.

Awwww. :frowning: But try Flyboy’s idea first.

You’re not. You’re taking care of everybody, and being compensated for a lot of work.

131

I was going to post this in the photography thread, but it’s a digital photo and not film. I can’t divert my own thread! So here it is.

We went down to Pacific Beach, WA a couple of weeks ago. One of Wifey, RN’s patients told her that sand dollars littered the beach there, so we went to look for sand dollars. I was walking ahead, wearing a photo vest, with a film camera around my neck and another one in the camera bag I’d put over my shoulder, and carrying a hiking stick/monopod.

Mrs. L.A. snapped this picture with her phone from behind. She’s not a photographer, but I really like the way she composed the shot, and the way the low Autumn light lit up my footsteps.

[Album] Pacific Beach, WA Oct. 2024

ETA: I have no idea why Discourse squashes the image. You’ll need to click on it to see it properly.

ETA 2: We didn’t find any sand dollars.

132

Rakeage got done, along with some pruneage on the side of the house. I noticed that we’re down to a quarter of a tank of heating oil so I’ll need to order a fill in the next month or so.

After the leaves were moved into the woods, I started on the branches that I’ve been piling up all summer. I broke the ones I could by hand and stacked the rest. FCD came out, then got the chainsaw and we cleared the big branches. They’re all stacked and I covered the outside stack with plastic since rain is threatened. We’re ready for winter, mild tho it may be.

I worked up quite a sweat and I’ve for a blister on my left thumb, even tho I wore gloves while raking. Stoopit thumb.

Speaking of grandkids :wink: Tobias has been moved out of the toddler room to the 3-y/o room, where they start some pre-school stuff. We’re hoping in the next 2 years, they can hire a certified kindergarten teacher so he can start early, then jump right into first grade. That kid is one who does not need to be bored in school.

Lunch is done. Hard core chillage ahead!

133

I’m stuck in lower Alabama over Thanksgiving weekend. It would cost over $500 to change my return flight to Saturday, and Sunday’s flight is sold out. So if anyone wants to meet at the Pink Pony Pub, I’m available.

134

are you using the litter they had at the shelter? some times cats are really brand/feel/smell finicky.

still nauseated here. looks like the election might result in weight loss…

i am watching explore.org at work, and listening to tv show podcasts and elementary at home. i can’t watch the news for more than a minute.

i will rely on y’all for major updates.

yest. was much laundry, a trip to the pet store for food and of course 2 catnip toys, got an rsv shot, and picked up meds at the pharmacy. i was hoping to get a tetanus shot, sadly i have to go to cvs or other big pharmacy for that.

i go to the independent pharmacies for shots and meds.

a new little novelty store opened up next to the pet store. i got a cool hand carved locally cat dish there. very nifty place.

back to the office today. thurs and fri are the least populated days here.

135

We’re going to try a few more things. I picked up a different type of litter today and we’re going to put her food dish in the same room as the box. She deserves whatever consideration we can give her, but I can’t have the carpets ruined, as this is a rental apartment. Here’s hoping.

136

I’m not sure that’s a good idea. I mean, I wouldn’t want to eat dinner in the bathroom.

IANA Cat Psychologist, but I’m thinking the cat doesn’t feel safe using the litter box in its current location. Make sure it’s in a quiet, private location without a lot of traffic.

137

I had a shy cat that didn’t want to use the box and I tried a covered box and she used it just fine, so that’s another approach. Trying different litter is a good starting place as some are very picky (as they are cats). I agree that some cats won’t eat in the room with the box, but others will, so you never can tell.
(The covered box I used was pretty big,so it didn’t crowd her.) I also feed all the various cats I have had in a box in a bathtub. We are fortunate to have a bath we rarely/never use so it works out and also keeps tracked litter to a minimum.

138

I’ve read all the posts with interest because I love and care about you all, but I have nothing to share from my own daily life.

[Assumes history teacher stance.)

No, federal law overrides state laws. This is established by the Supremacy Clause in the US Constitution. ( Article VI, Clause 2: “This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land”)

Otherwise, states that had laws that effectively barred Blacks from voting would not have been compelled by the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Just one example.

139

Seconded. I’m hoping that after we celebrate Thanksgiving this weekend (daughter and friend are on their way from Chicago and we won’t be going there this year), that I can get back on the horse.
taters I’ve been concerned that you might be included in the federal government purge that 47 wants to do; I have the impression that you work for the federal government. Keeping a good thought for you.

The Rick Steves show that PBS just showed was a repeat from 2020 about Germany and fascism. Timely. . . . although maybe should have showed it every single blanking day all day for the last month.

flyboy that is a great picture. Kudos to your wife.

FCM your tales of Roxie & Tobias make me smile. Please give the grands a hug from me.

there used to be a Pink Pony in Clearwater FLA but that was more than 50 yrs ago so who knows if its still there. There’s a story but will be saved for another time as I need to get cracking on getting ready for daughter’s visit.

I had a wellness visit on Tuesday and the Doc said I was due for a tetanus shot so I said, ok, please send the nurse in, and she said, since you have Medicare, you have to go to a pharmacy. Drat.

Started going to Tai Chai on 10/10, today was my third session. It’s a beginner class for Seniors. Everyone was so welcoming and I’m enjoying doing it. thanks JtC for your recommendation/endorsement.

140

At the shelter, that was the setup. The food and litter were only separated by about a foot (and a clear plastic wall). We have a bathroom that is fairly long. The box will be at one end, then a plastic tub that contains the bag of litter and some other things, then the food and water dishes at the other end. If it doesn’t work, then we’ll try something else. This is the quietest place in the apartment. The new litter is Arm & Hammer instead of the walnut shell based stuff. It gets high ratings.