# (Old) Waking up to White Stuff in the MMP **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Tags:** mmp\ **Created:** [January 5, 2026, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-waking-up-to-white-stuff-in-the-mmp/1026360 "2026-01-05T08:30:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-waking-up-to-white-stuff-in-the-mmp/1026360/21 "2026-01-05T20:45:16Z")
**FCM** - We’ve been using Amica. They are a little more expensive, but whenever I pick up the phone, things happen. Last summer, we had a pipe break at two in the morning. I submitted a claim online and we had remediators at our house by eight the next morning. ---
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-waking-up-to-white-stuff-in-the-mmp/1026360/22 "2026-01-05T21:06:16Z")
Evening. Still just the daintiest sprinkle of white stuff around here, but there’s plenty just a little further north and a possibility of some overnight or tomorrow. First day back was a little 🙄 ; I was trying to get some lab work done by a paid service. For some silly reason they just cannot work out a very minor complication in the payment. I have unused credit, which I have asked them to use for this project, they keep saying that’s fine of course they will then but it shows online that they’ve applied it to a cancelled project instead, and they’ve invoiced for the full amount not the balance despite assuring me they definitely 100% wouldn’t do that. As the finance department closed on the 24th and it hadn’t been paid by then, I assumed I’d be coming in to another round of trying to get it sorted, only to find that they have actually released the data without being paid. They opted to do this on the 25th December, by sending me an email link on Christmas day which, according to the email, was valid for only 7 days. That did turn out to be another lie, it is still working thankfully, so I’m downloading it before continuing trying not to bang anyone’s head against the wall (which is taking me back to the 90’s, estimated download time was around a day). If I have the data, I’m a lot happier about them messing around with payment, because then their mistake will only impact them. Hopefully I can get it sorted tomorrow… if I don’t get snowed in. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/22080_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-waking-up-to-white-stuff-in-the-mmp/1026360/23 "2026-01-05T21:10:32Z")
I’m going to start with Travelers since they cover our house. I’ll put Amica on the investigate list. ---
**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:** [January 5, 2026, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-waking-up-to-white-stuff-in-the-mmp/1026360/24 "2026-01-05T21:20:01Z")
Had a sudden urge to make herb-parmesan bread, so I made a quick trip to the grocery to get some yeast and other few items. The neighborhood roads are very icy already and the coming freezing rain isn’t going to do us any favors. Went to exercise this morning, which made my arthritis flare up, so I popped an Aleve. I’m thinking about a pair of those gloves that supposedly help with pain in the hands. Anybody have any experience with these? ---
**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:** [January 5, 2026, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-waking-up-to-white-stuff-in-the-mmp/1026360/25 "2026-01-05T21:32:26Z")
I got a shock yesterday. My debit card was declined on da Jungle. It was declined again this afternoon. My rent went through since it comes directly out of the account, not the card. I called the credit union and got it straightened out. Meanwhile, since I attempted several times yesterday, I’ll have to wait until today to get reinstated. Sis just went grocery shopping for me to test the new one. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-waking-up-to-white-stuff-in-the-mmp/1026360/26 "2026-01-05T21:57:45Z")
> [@AskNott](#): > > Do any of you “chalk the door”? Saw mention of that in a Wikipedia article I read recently, but haven’t seen it IRL. If this isn’t the article I read, I must have been reading something related. > **[Chalking the door](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chalking_the_door)** > > Chalking the door is a Christian Epiphanytide tradition used to bless one's home. It is normatively in the pattern of four crosses positioned in between the letters C, M and B, often linked to the traditional initials of the three wise men, as well as the Christian prayer "Christus mansionem benedicat" (Latin for "May Christ bless this house") which are surrounded by the first two and last two digits of the current year (e.g. 20 ✝ C ✝ M ✝ B ✝ 26). The practice of chalking the door originate Eithe... > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > I’m also going in search of someone other than GEICO for my auto insurance. I can’t log into my account, but when I try to call or use their chatbot, all I get told is that the best way to do anything is to log into my account. Which I can’t do. We hates them, we does!! We’ve always gotten along well with USAA, and since you were military, you should be eligible. Great rates and I’ve never been unhappy with their service (not so pleased with a tow company they once called for DH when he wound up drowning our first Jeep, but I’m confident that the insurance company wouldn’t have knowingly used someone that incompetent/scammy). So far as I’m aware, it hasn’t snowed in Sacramento in over 20 years (we moved here in 2004). Quite a bit of rain recently, though, and it’s windy today. ---
**Author:** ![Trieste](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Trieste](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trieste)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-waking-up-to-white-stuff-in-the-mmp/1026360/27 "2026-01-05T22:05:17Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Had a sudden urge to make herb-parmesan bread Sounds wonderful! Can you share the recipe please? T ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-waking-up-to-white-stuff-in-the-mmp/1026360/28 "2026-01-05T22:41:29Z")
Cleaning happened, sneezing started, cleaning ended. I sorted the utility/water heater/litter room. I’ve been wanted to do that for a bit now. More cleaning and sorting for tomorrow. My kindle has not been found so far. Yes, I have checked the freezer and fridge. Sad. ---
**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:** [January 6, 2026, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-waking-up-to-white-stuff-in-the-mmp/1026360/29 "2026-01-06T00:05:38Z")
Howdy Y’all! As stated earlier, we have been RDOS layabouts all day. I did manage to fix sup and OYKW cleanded up afterwards, so I guess that counts as a little productivity. I know about “chalking the doors.” I have never participated in it, however. Baby Priest offered it to anyone who wanted, but I don’t know if anybody took him up on it. A Priest can come to your home and do it, or, sometimes the chalk gets blessed by a Priest and folks use it to chalk the doors themselves. In addition to the names of the three wiseman, CMB stands for the Latin phrase _Christus Mansionem Benedicat_, “May Christ bless this house.” Here Endeth The Lesson ---
**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:** [January 6, 2026, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-waking-up-to-white-stuff-in-the-mmp/1026360/30 "2026-01-06T00:07:05Z")
> [@Trieste](#): > > Can you share the recipe please? Sure thing. But this is pretty addictive stuff. Just the smell of it baking will drive you to drool. You’ve been warned. My mother used to make this bread; she got the recipe from a women’s magazine, probably in the late 50s. It was originally called a “patio bread”, whatever that means. This is batter bread, so it doesn’t require kneading, just thorough mixing of ingredients. 4 ¼ cups sifted flour 2 pkg. active dry yeast (check date) 2 TBSP sugar 2 TSP salt 1½ TBSP dried oregano leaves ½ cup plus 1 TBSP grated Parmesan cheese (or combine with Romano or Asiago) 2 cups warm water (110 deg.F) 2 TBSP softened butter In a mixing bowl, place three cups of the flour. Add salt, yeast, sugar, and oregano and mix on low speed or by hand until blended. Check the temperature of the water with a thermometer. This is critical for the yeast to properly activate. Add the water and softened butter to the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly. Add the ½ cup of Parmesan cheese. Continue beating for 2 minutes until the batter is smooth. Add the rest of the flour gradually, either beating in by hand or with mixer at low speed. The batter should not be too wet. If it is, add a bit more sifted flour, or you’ll end up with a dense product. Cover the bowl and let rise in warm place for about 45 minutes until double in bulk. Preheat the oven to 375 F. Beat the dough down for about 30 seconds, then transfer to a well-greased 2-quart casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining TBSP of cheese over the top of the bread and bake for about 45 minutes or until nicely browned. Turn out immediately onto a wire rack. It helps to run a table knife around the dish to break the loaf loose before attempting to turn it out onto the rack. Otherwise, part of it may remain in the dish. ---
**Author:** ![Trieste](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Trieste](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trieste)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2026, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-waking-up-to-white-stuff-in-the-mmp/1026360/31 "2026-01-06T00:15:30Z")
Thanks much! ---
**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:** [January 6, 2026, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-waking-up-to-white-stuff-in-the-mmp/1026360/32 "2026-01-06T01:03:44Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > but I’ve had the dream where I’m leaving for good and haven’t packed anything and the plane is leaving I’ve been having a dream where I see words written on a sign or a page and can’t read anything. It’s all gibberish. Frequently there’s something that kinda looks like a 5, but it’s the two straight lines on top leading to a circle below. We cleared a lot of crap out of the warehouse today…not as aggressive a culling as I would have liked, but it’s a start. Items labeled “mystery hard drive” and “projector lamp 2011”. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2026, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-waking-up-to-white-stuff-in-the-mmp/1026360/33 "2026-01-06T01:10:13Z")
I’ve not heard about chalking. Orthodox types are very into holy water for epiphany. Very, very, wet feast day. Blessing of water at compline and liturgy, then much water flying during the service. People filling up bottle after bottle. Then house blessing, the priest are very busy for a few weeks. Not to mention diving for crosses during the blessing of waterways. Many polar plunges. ---
**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:** [January 6, 2026, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-waking-up-to-white-stuff-in-the-mmp/1026360/34 "2026-01-06T01:13:18Z")
It was 43 today. The sun came out and snow is melting. Rain tomorrow. A library visit and scrip pick up is scheduled. Waiting for my favorite podcast to start. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2026, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-waking-up-to-white-stuff-in-the-mmp/1026360/35 "2026-01-06T02:11:38Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > We currently have a blanket of the white stuff, with more expected soon. My kids are thrilled. My inner kid is also thrilled. My outer grumpus is less than thrilled. How old are your kids? Maybe teach them how to shovel a walkway. In other news, there has not yet been any snow in Portland, Oregon this season. But I have had a great idea! I only wear my glasses when I’m driving. What would it take for me to get a prescription windshield in my car? That way I’d never have to use my glasses. Also, you know how some people don’t like raisins but they do love Craisins? Those people never get to eat Raisin Bran, so why doesn’t somebody invent Craisin Bran? ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2026, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-waking-up-to-white-stuff-in-the-mmp/1026360/36 "2026-01-06T02:42:12Z")
Well, this is an adventure. We got a lot of snow over the past few days. The snow ploughs have been clearing the streets, first by pushing the snow to the centre boulevard, then a second crew comes by to pick it up. Unfortunately banks of ploughed snow are sorta grey. The same grey as the road. So if one Piper is zipping along in the dark of night, it’s possible to drive straight into the bank of ploughed snow, even with headlights on and keeping an eye on the road. Then, of course, it’s possible for the Piper mobile to get hung up on the banked, packed, ploughed snow, cannot go forward, cannot go back. Flashers on, interior light on. Thanks to the miracle of modern cell phones, CAA is on their way. Plus a guy from PetroCan came out and tried to push me. No dice. Snow ploughs just drive around me and keep going, looking for unblocked snow that doesn’t have “Some blinkin’ idjit blocking our job!” ---
**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:** [January 6, 2026, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-waking-up-to-white-stuff-in-the-mmp/1026360/37 "2026-01-06T02:42:34Z")
There Is Raisin Bran with cranberries. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2026, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-waking-up-to-white-stuff-in-the-mmp/1026360/38 "2026-01-06T02:44:31Z")
And two more cars have stopped to check if I’m okay, but as soon as I say “CAA, but thanks so much.” they’re reassured and move on. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2026, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-waking-up-to-white-stuff-in-the-mmp/1026360/39 "2026-01-06T02:50:20Z")
CAA guy called. Dispatch sent him to the wrong PetroCan as a landmark, but he’s headed my way now. And a third car stopped and two guys got out, but agreed I’m really stuck. When I said CAA is coming they were reassured. ——- CAA is here! ---
**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:** [January 6, 2026, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-waking-up-to-white-stuff-in-the-mmp/1026360/40 "2026-01-06T03:05:56Z")
That sounds a lot like dill onion bread that I used to make. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-waking-up-to-white-stuff-in-the-mmp/1026360.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-waking-up-to-white-stuff-in-the-mmp/1026360.md?page=3)