I need 'em more efficient than that.
I was sitting on the porch today and had 3 or 4 just come up, with walnuts in their mouths, and look at me, like, “what you gonna do about it?” I do need to get a new dog, for many reasons. Don’t want it to kill off squirrels, just make them uncomfortable.
But, yeah, send your squirrel assassins over from Washington? I think you’re in. Might take them a while to get to upstate NY. I’ll take all the help I can get with the little bastards.
I didn’t make it to the gym. I’m a wuss. I was happy to help my neighbor clean the apartment, but she wasn’t too organized. Her adult daughter was there, too, and kept joking about the lack of efficiency. I think my friend/neighbor is just too exhausted to organize right now. Anyway, I swept, cleaned, and hauled, and then for some reason, I got really, really tired.
Wise words! I’m trying to decide whether I should ask new corneal specialist to consult with old corneal specialist. The old one still works at the clinic; he’s just doing LASIK now. I don’t want to alienate the new doc, though.
MetalMouse, the trips sound WONDERFUL! I’ll be looking forward to seeing photos.
VanGo, I love learning the stories behind place names. Wikipedia says some guy named his estate Montezuma, and the name spread to the park. I wonder if the estate looked like Montezuma’s palace.
Sari, that’s way, WAY too much for one human to handle. You desperately need a break.
And his name is a palindrome, right?
It sure sounds that way. Is there anything I can do to help? Give me your address and food preferences and I can have some meals delivered so you have one less thing to think about.
Please be sure that somebody searches every nook and corner of your mom’s place. Back when Hubs was selling his folks place, he found money everywhere, even taped to the bottom of the toilet tank lid.
FCM, you might want to be sure FCD does a good search as well. Hubs found over ten grand in cash stashed all over the place.
I did that once. We got taken in for inciting a riot or something, it was way fun. Two cops showed up and started pulling us out of the phone booth so we started packing ourselves into their big ol’ Crown Vic. The desk sergeant was NOT amused when the already tired looking cops herded a bunch (17 to be precise) teenagers in who were squabbling over who got to wear the handcuffs cause there weren’t enough to go around. (Pot might have been involved.)
Dad came to get us (baby sister and me) and he couldn’t talk. BS got scared because she thought he was mad, I could see that he couldn’t talk because he was being adult and didn’t want to laugh with us over the whole thing.
Mom was furious at me because I was supposed to be the good example, BS managed to slink away without getting grounded.
Oh, I could tell you all about our area. I love some of the place names. Jackass springs really did have a spring that drovers used to water their mules. We would be living there except for the part that we would have had to haul water.
Horse thief basin was a handy spot for horse thief’s to hide their stolen wares. There used to be a tree that was reputed to be the local hanging tree due to the rope wear over a branch, but it got washed to Black Canyon City during the epic floods 7 years back.
My day hasn’t been going much better than yesterday. I’m still all grumpy and stuff, but cheese had to be made AND my buttermilk looked off. That means I needed to start more, but I still wanted to get some cream cheese going so I shook the bottle up and used it anyhow. (When cultured buttermilk goes off, it usually means the mesophilic cultures have eaten everything available and are going to starve and die, but as long as there isn’t a whole lot of whey, it is OK to use.)
All was going well it seemed until I was adding three drops of rennet and my hand did the pain spasm thing and the milk got a whole squirt of rennet.
I’m leaving everything in the pot to ripen, it is very possible I will have a real cheese ball in the morning. I’ll let you guys know if it bounces or splats.
Jeebus what a night. Manager had to pull in three helpers from another franchise location at one point. We were up to 45+ minute wait times, which has never happened in the admittedly short time I’ve been there, and on top of it all the asshole predator of a G.M. from my last job - the entire reason I walked away from a job I’d liked - came through my line. The smug smirk on his face when he recognized me … ooooh.
Plus we were so slammed nothing for closing got started until after we’d closed, so it was a late night, I didn’t get home till after 2:30 a.m.
It’s now 3 and I’ve almost finished yelling curses into space and arguing with the cat. (He was in my chair!)
Bah.
Your eyes, your health, your $$$ - they work for YOU!! If the new guy gets his feelings hurt so easily, maybe he’s not the doc for you.
We know about their hidden stash - they told us years ago, before the dementia set it. In fact, on FCD’s advice, they greatly reduced the size of the stash last month. And MIL is too obsessed with earning interest (such as it is these days) to keep too much money out of the bank anyway.
For years, I heard “You’re the oldest - you should set the example!” Guess how many of my sibs followed my example. Go ahead, guess! I dare you!! 
Looks like the schedule has been established. Next Fri or Sat, FCD and I are driving to FL (for the last time!!!) We’ll stay there a week, helping where we can, then I’ll bring his folks back here and he’ll stay with his bro to finish sorting, dealing with the estate sale, then packing the truck and driving here. Which means I need to get my car in for service this week, which means I’ll need to move the kids in FCD’s car… which is a coupe. Ugh.
I am absolutely not looking forward to being alone with his folks for 2 weeks or more. I don’t dislike them at all, but I don’t want to be the responsible adult wrangling them, FIL especially. It’s hard to predict how he’ll be - at least our house is familiar, so it shouldn’t be a big shock to his confused brain.
Meanwhile, I need to get my car in for service this week. It needs an oil change and a good going-over. I need to let my daughter know that she’ll have to arrange for child care for 3 days and they’ll need to deal with our critters. I need to make sure my freezer and pantry are more or less stocked. And with the chill of the evenings, I need to get the electric blanket on their bed. I’m exhausted already!
Oh yeah, and then there’s Hurricane Ian, which may well affect when we go.
I need a drink. Happy Sunday. Blech.
Good Mornin’ Y’all! Up and caffeinatin’. YAWN ‘Tis 58 Amurrkin out and clear with a predicted high of 89 and N.O.S. for the day. I am sneezin’ and snifflin’ this mornin’ so I have made the executive decision not to deheathenate. I am a hunnert percent sure this is allergy related, dang ragweed, but really don’t feel like bein’ amongst the public. Thus I shall loll about da cave and watch the livestream. Sup shall be fried chikin (in the air fryer so it’s all healthy), squishes, green beans, mac ‘n cheese, and cornbread. We both have a gnawin’ and a cravin’ for what we like to call a big ol’ Sunday dinner. Might even make a peach cobbler, or brownies. I’m all willy-nilly dessert wise.
OK, I read all but due to allergy stuff I am retainin’ very little. So, yays, boos, hugs, trouts, chitlins, noogies, and how you doin’s all around, as needed.
Happy Sunday Y’all!
Up, caffeinated, and sheveled. Off today.
Happy Sunday!
Up, caffeinating, breakfasted and surfing with a little reddish dog in my arms.
The usual Sunday chores are on the list after KP and Nelson needs to be bathed.
Stay safe and healthy y’all!
Good morning everyone.
It’s currently 49 degrees with an expected high close to 80.
nellie, like FCM said, it’s your eye, dollars, and health. It doesn’t hurt to ask him to consult. And, if he says “I’m the doctor”, then you should move on. I had a long reason why, but I’m just going to leave it at that. He may be a doctor, but you know your body and what you’ve been through.
Yesterday, I spent the day shopping. While I managed to buy most of a new work outfit, I didn’t get one of the most important aspects of it, so my hunt continues. I also bought a topper for the guest bed, only to find out it’s too small. Son-in-law kept saying it was a double; nope it’s a queen. I should have measured, dang it. So, now I have to take the topper and a set of sheets back. I’m kind of annoyed about that, but it’s my own fault. I generally live by “Trust, but verify”, and I didn’t do it this time. I will have to get the appropriately sized topper. I guess one good aspect of having to return the topper it didn’t produce the desired results anyway. I think it’s too firm.
I need to do laundry today too. I was going to knock it out yesterday, but shopping took way longer than anticipated. I walked almost five miles just shopping! That’s ridiculous!
Well, I should finish my coffee, eat some protein, shower and get ready to get that stuff returned.
I spent all of last night teaching, dream after dream. They were happy dreams. In fact, in one I decided I was never going to retire again but would teach until I dropped. My subconscious is apparently very energetic. Also, it’s blanked out all the grading.
Thanks SO much to all for the spine-strengthening encouragement re: the corneal specialist. I’m normally like all of you in the “Docs work for YOU” camp. The problem here is that I’m so danged complicated. There have been ophthalmologists who refused my case for that very reason: fear of causing an issue and getting sued. (I’m not litigious, but they don’t know that.) Anyway, my fear of ticking off this specialist is that I may not be able to find another locally. I’ll have to be diplomatic.
Sari, another vote for looking carefully for money AND other accounts. I forgot to say this yesterday. My aunt and her husband had so many bank accounts, we’re not sure we ever found them all. I know all this is the last thing you need. I think calling in all the professional help you can get is a wise move. Also, kudos for getting your son to apply for his learner’s permit. I know that’s been a long struggle.
swampy, I love the menu. Yes, I live vicariously. Also, glad you’re taking care of yourself. It may be “just” an allergy, but they’re just as miserable as an illness.
shoe, I’d have smirked right back at him, a “What’s the matter? Food at YOUR restaurant not fit to eat?” smirk, followed by a superior “I’m SO much happier here than at your slave-a-cue joint!” grin. I hope today is your day off. You must be exhausted and in need of Monkey therapy.
JtC, splat or plop, the cheese will be tops. I hope this is a better day for you.
Morning all. Raining on and off here this am, at least I don’t have to decide if I mow the lawn or water it today, can put both of those chores off. May try to get to the gym for a bit and then have an early meatloaf dinner at the Metro Diner, we’ll see how it goes. Have already finished off my Big Bowl O’Sallit for the early meal.
FCM, hang in there. At least it’s a plan that will mean no more trips to FLA except when YOU want to go.
Shoe, should have spit on his pizza…at least the place you’re at is doing good, it seems.
JtC, sounds like you have led an ‘interesting’ life. Other stories when appropriate would be welcome.
Sari, exhausted here just reading about your life. Hope things settle soon so you can take a little time off and maybe even leave Sah-son on his own (he will have to be someday) and just have 3-4 days of your own.
Booked it through a travel agency located in Canada, they did my China trip years ago and did a great job with it. Actual tour is with Quark Expeditions on their ship World Explorer–only 142 people max.
OK, need to get appropriately attired and go push bicycle pedals for a little while. All y’all take care.
Nellie, sounds like you have the right attitude regarding your eye doc. My only advice is to make sure he knows what you’re thinking. Have a conversation and ask him to listen to everything you have to say before he responds. Tell him about your history (even if he’s read about it, he should hear it straight from you), what you hope he can do for you, what you fear might go wrong, why you’re skeptical of the surgery, your adventures with the lens, all of it.
If he’s a good doctor, he’ll be glad you’ve shared these things. What he says back will then help you decide how to move forward. Good luck.
If (when) he shows up again, imma use this line.
… with a big ol’ sweet, syrupy smile. Crank up the Southern accent, and also, the Southern passive-aggressive voice. Sugar in the sound; daggers in the eyes.
Damn. Now I’m almost looking forward to him ordering again.
Thank you!
Quark is supposed to be good. Noah Stryker, who has held the record for most bird species seen in a year as well as writing a book about his penguin-counting internship, used to be a Quark guide, but I’m not sure who he’s working with now. I went with Hurtigruten and had a great time.
We’ve checked the boat, then we had lunch and drove by the apartment so I know which building it’s in. We spoke with the people who are going to do the estate sale/yard sale for us. MIL called - the realtor told her he’d be over tomorrow with a contract, so it looks like the house is sold. We worked out the move schedule and talked to our daughter and SIL about watching our critters and dealing with their critters till I’m back.
I’ve reserved a truck and car trailer at UHaul. Penske has cheaper truck rates, but they don’t have the trailers. Now I need to think about food - what I’ll want on hand before we leave so I won’t have to run to the grocery store right away.
And I’ve decided for the return trip, we’ll stop in Lumberton NC for the night. It’s slightly farther than half-way. The main problem now is knowing which rest stops have family restrooms, since FIL can’t go in by himself. That’s more difficult than I thought - websites for the rest stops don’t specify. Dammit. I need to search some more.
I need to get my car in the shop this week for a slightly early oil change and a good check-over before this trip. I wouldn’t bother if I was driving alone, but I can’t risk a breakdown with two nonagenarians in the car.
Whew!
Whew indeed! Fingers crossed for a boring sale!
It’s 64, cloudy, windy, and spitting rain. Went to ride Ariel but the indoor is still having the footing replaced so I talked to people then came home. Slothing for the rest of the day,
Actually, we don’t even care. The people doing the sale are friends of my in-laws, and we/they trust them to do right by us. So we’ll leave it all in their hands, whether we’re there or not. FCD told them we really don’t even care about making any money off this - we just want the stuff gone. As long as they cover their fee and get rid of the rest, we don’t care.
shoe, you’ll have to work bless yer heart into any future convos with your old boss as a customer. 
Moooooom, when out in public with my mom, Dad used to look for single occupancy restrooms if there wasn’t a family one available. The singles are generally handicapped accessible and no one else will be in it.
Like swampy, I was in the mood for a comfort Sunday dinner. I made braised chicken with carrots, celery, onions, mushrooms and peppers in with it and served it over brown rice with a salad on the side. I clipped some thyme, rosemary, sage and marjoram from the patio to season it. My belly is full! 
Surprisingly, not feeling as bad as I expected with this stuff that lowers my heart rate on board (prep for that scan Tuesday). Everyone over here except Misty is in serious sloth mode. Misty thinks she needs to be today’s soundtrack. Lunch involves Gorton’s fish fillets. DH, as usual, is apparently ingesting them in a sandwich, while I’m sticking with a plate and fork. Dinner TBD.