The Daily Peeve / Rant

[Tradd]

did he have the hot water heater replaced? I guess the hot water heater is for your unit only, right?

Yes the water heater was replaced. Just for my unit.

[iris lilies]

Here is a rant about yet more financial consequences to the capital gains event for us that took place last year. I bitched and moaned about the enormous tax bill we paid last April, around $50,000. This was made necessary when one of our stocks cashed out without warning and out of our control.

So now, we got a letter from Nanny Government telling us we have to pay double for Medicare due to that one time increase of “income.”: Bite me Federal government.

[sweetana3]

Iris, we are facing that with our RMDs. So agree with your rant.

[iris lilies]

Iris, we are facing that with our RMDs. So agree with your rant.
Oh no (she moaned) so we have more of this to look forward to? Ugh.

[Tybee]

Is that for one year only, the increase in premium for Part B, or is that forever?

[iris lilies]

Is that for one year only, the increase in premium for Part B, or is that forever?
It is only for one year.

[nswef]

IL That happened to us when we sold my father in law's house that we inherited...a jolt to pay more for medicare! But at least it is only one year!

[iris lilies]

IL That happened to us when we sold my father in law's house that we inherited...a jolt to pay more for medicare! But at least it is only one year!
It is just such an unexpected thing.

Taxes, I get. The tax man will extract his tax. But I never expected Medicare to be impacted.

Well, live and learn. And as I ponder Required Minimum Distributions that will kick in at a future point, I need to look at the Medicare income chart and see if those will impact Medicare payments. Qualified Charitable Distributions will likely mitigate that, making QCD an attractive choice.

[nswef]

IL, I do the charity distribution of RMD and it is easy. Well, the stock guy does it. My husband chose not to do that. I'm not sure if it impacted our taxes, but it didn't mess with Medicare.

[Alan]

The keyboard on my MacBook stopped working yesterday. Well, not completely stopped, the e, o, m and q keys seem to work just fine but the rest not so much. I followed the first rule of computer glitches and rebooted but then found that since my login is not qome, I'm locked out of the machine.

Not a huge deal, it's a 2018 model and nothing lasts forever but we're currently on the road on our annual winter wander with no access to backup machines at home for the next couple of months, nor is there an electronics store within 50 miles of our current campground. Slowly tapping this post out with my thumb on my phone and not being one of those swift thumb typers its taking forever.

We're scheduled to move to the next campground on our itinerary tomorrow and Google Maps assures me there's a Best Buy within 20 miles of that location. I think we'll be out shopping next week.

[iris lilies]

Good luck in getting your Mac fixed soon. How annoying!

[ToomuchStuff]

The keyboard on my MacBook stopped working yesterday. Well, not completely stopped, the e, o, m and q keys seem to work just fine but the rest not so much. I followed the first rule of computer glitches and rebooted but then found that since my login is not qome, I'm locked out of the machine.

Not a huge deal, it's a 2018 model and nothing lasts forever but we're currently on the road on our annual winter wander with no access to backup machines at home for the next couple of months, nor is there an electronics store within 50 miles of our current campground. Slowly tapping this post out with my thumb on my phone and not being one of those swift thumb typers its taking forever.

We're scheduled to move to the next campground on our itinerary tomorrow and Google Maps assures me there's a Best Buy within 20 miles of that location. I think we'll be out shopping next week.

Is there an onscreen keyboard that has some prelogin access?

USB keyboard is how I am getting around someone spilling soda on my work laptop (2,w,s,x don't work).

[Alan]

Is there an onscreen keyboard that has some prelogin access? Nope


USB keyboard is how I am getting around someone spilling soda on my work laptop (2,w,s,x don't work).
I'm planning on trying that once I get closer to civilization. However, I texted my youngest grandson yesterday for advice and he got excited about the idea of opening it up and poking around inside. I, being a typical grandparent told him if he could fix it, he could have it. So, I'm spending this afternoon reading reviews of the latest MacBook Pro vs MacBook Air models. They're expensive little buggers!

[iris lilies]

I will confess that in the year 2017 I bought a MacBook Pro, way too much computer for my needs. It never really took to me. I didn’t take to it. Mainly there were never ending email problems (likely caused by me) and then the machine started failing in 2022 but Mac peeps could not identify problem.

So, I traded it in and got a regular MacBook Air and this little machine has been perfectly fine. We get along splendidly.

[happystuff]

I am not a fan of researching for a new item. Good luck and hope you find what you like, Alan.

[Tybee]

I had to read to see what you would be ranting about, happystuff--ranting is so unlike you! I am relieved to see you are supporting Alan and not ranting about anything, just being your general pleasant and supportive self! Thanks for being you!

[happystuff]

I had to read to see what you would be ranting about, happystuff--ranting is so unlike you! I am relieved to see you are supporting Alan and not ranting about anything, just being your general pleasant and supportive self! Thanks for being you!

:)

[Alan]

I am not a fan of researching for a new item. Good luck and hope you find what you like, Alan.
Thank you happystuff! I'm just the opposite, I enjoy reading reviews and narrowing the scope of acceptable products before committing. I started the process for this purchase by reviewing current versions of the old machine with similar specs, namely a MacBook Pro with 32GB of ram and minimum 512GB solid state drive. But boy howdy that things over $3000!
A couple hours of reading reviews convinced me I would be perfectly satisfied with a MacBook Air with similar specs for about half that amount. Guess which one I'm picking up tomorrow?

[Tradd]

Thank you happystuff! I'm just the opposite, I enjoy reading reviews and narrowing the scope of acceptable products before committing. I started the process for this purchase by reviewing current versions of the old machine with similar specs, namely a MacBook Pro with 32GB of ram and minimum 512GB solid state drive. But boy howdy that things over $3000!
A couple hours of reading reviews convinced me I would be perfectly satisfied with a MacBook Air with similar specs for about half that amount. Guess which one I'm picking up tomorrow?

My 2015 MacBook which essentially died earlier this year was an Air. It was great. I replaced it with a mid-level Windows Lenovo laptop as I didn’t want to spend the cash on what a MacBook costs now. I wanted to have the capability to work from home and the $800 Windows laptop gave me that. Two monitors were $90 each on Amazon. Personal stuff is only done on the laptop when websites don’t play well with mobile devices, such as certain gov’t websites. I use iPad and iPhone for everything else.

[happystuff]

Thank you happystuff! I'm just the opposite, I enjoy reading reviews and narrowing the scope of acceptable products before committing. I started the process for this purchase by reviewing current versions of the old machine with similar specs, namely a MacBook Pro with 32GB of ram and minimum 512GB solid state drive. But boy howdy that things over $3000!
A couple hours of reading reviews convinced me I would be perfectly satisfied with a MacBook Air with similar specs for about half that amount. Guess which one I'm picking up tomorrow?

So does this mean you would really enjoy researching whatever my next major purchase may be???? That would be fantastic! :D

[happystuff]

My 2015 MacBook which essentially died earlier this year was an Air. It was great. I replaced it with a mid-level Windows Lenovo laptop as I didn’t want to spend the cash on what a MacBook costs now. I wanted to have the capability to work from home and the $800 Windows laptop gave me that. Two monitors were $90 each on Amazon. Personal stuff is only done on the laptop when websites don’t play well with mobile devices, such as certain gov’t websites. I use iPad and iPhone for everything else.

I am still using my child's high school graduation/entry into college laptop gift from about 6 years ago - a Lenovo Ideapad. My latest tablet is also a Lenovo. I have been very happy with their products and prices.

[rosarugosa]

So does this mean you would really enjoy researching whatever my next major purchase may be???? That would be fantastic! :D

I think there is a potential business opportunity for Alan here! :)
I can somewhat enjoy the research up to a point, but then it feels like drudgery beyond that point.

[Tradd]

I am still using my child's high school graduation/entry into college laptop gift from about 6 years ago - a Lenovo Ideapad. My latest tablet is also a Lenovo. I have been very happy with their products and prices.

I went with Lenovo after a friend’s IT guy hubby suggested Lenovo and walked me through options. I was really proud of myself for realizing I needed two HDMI ports, but laptop I wanted only had one. I did some digging on Amazon and found an adapter that expanded one HDMI port into two, allowing you to use them both at the same time. That adapter was only $50 and has worked well. I got it all set up myself, too! There was a bit of fumbling but it wasn’t too bad.

For a lot of people, a laptop isn’t really a need anymore. A decent tablet takes care of the need for a PC, aside from the rate website (usually government related) that doesn’t play well with mobile browsers. The state of IL is like that. I had to use the laptop to renew my concealed carry permit.

[iris lilies]

I think there is a potential business opportunity for Alan here! :)
I can somewhat enjoy the research up to a point, but then it feels like drudgery beyond that point.
I hate the research. When my local Ford dealership suggested I “ go online and research the features I want in a car and then place the order with us “ I thought nope.

So I called our friend from whom we have purchased 3 cars and said “ Ed, I want a Bronco Sport in the weird blue color and I don’t want a lot of junk on it.” I placed the order over the phone, easy and done.

The “feature” I wanted was a car that drives.

I tried to buy from our local guy but am not doing any research.

[Tradd]

My iPad debacle yesterday:

I use my iPad 10 for everything, including my music for church choir (director does a pdf for herself and more of us are doing it now). At coffee hour yesterday, I put my purse and iPad in the middle of the big round table we were at. A senior lady who is a friend is choir was fumbling around and sent my coffee flying. iPad got soaked, including the charging port. I got home and it wouldn’t charge. I went to Best Buy, certified Apple repair place, and I was told that if it wouldn’t charge, it was shot. $400 for the repair and Apple wouldn’t fix it. New one is $100 more. So I got a new one. Told the lady who sent coffee flying that I was taking it to be fixed and she said she’d cover it. She got very quiet when I told her later I had to buy a new one ($500) she got very quiet. I told her we’d talk about it later. Thinking of asking her to cover half the cost and give me $25-$50 a month, as she’s on a fixed income.

Then when I got home and was trying to update it, the backup from iCloud would not work. It backups were for iOS 17 something and the iPad was still at 16. The Apple update servers didn’t respond so it took me trying occasionally all evening to finally be able to do the update. Everything finally downloaded and stuff and so I’m good. What a mess though.

[iris lilies]

Tradd, I’m sorry to hear that. That’s really too bad about your IPAD.

I am seldom without my IPAD minis. I have two that function well, both several years old. Probably this year one will go kaput.

[iris lilies]

Here’s my rant for the day, kinda a funny one:

On New Year’s Eve a local winery is holding a Leisure Suit party. A meetup of Leisure Suits a mere 3 miles from our house!

So DH pulled out his pristine Leisure Suit that he’s had for 50 years and….surprise! It does not fit.

I am currently watching You Tube videos to figure how I can cobble an expansion in the pants of this suit.

It would be a shame to miss this opportunity to wear this suit, so easy to attend, so close to home.

[Tradd]

Tradd, I’m sorry to hear that. That’s really too bad about your IPAD.

I am seldom without my IPAD minis. I have two that function well, both several years old. Probably this year one will go kaput.

I finally got the new iPhone and iPad set up. The iPad is now in what I refer to as an iPad condom - Otterbox Defender case. Has a cover for the charging port and even a built in screen protector.

[nswef]

IL, You made me laugh!! Pristine but did not fit!

[iris lilies]

IL, You made me laugh!! Pristine but did not fit!
Well, I have decided not to tear apart these pants to expand them because I just don’t want that to become my sewing project. So we decided he will wear the original slick polyester shirt and jacket, both kinda/sorta fit. He also has the groovy shoes with heels that go with it, it’s a complete outfit.

Checking eBay, I see that pants and jacket just like it sold for $127. There was no smooth shirt or groovy shoes in that sale.


I wish I still had a sales account at eBay because I think we could get $150+ for the entire thing.

[Tradd]

I had skipped doing FL this year as I missed being at church/singing in choir and being with goddaughter’s family. Well, the latter is something I won’t miss much when I’m in FL next year. Dinner is at 6pm. Do none of these people have to work tomorrow? At least they’re only 30 min from me. I was told to get there at 6. I really hope dinner is served shortly after I arrive.

[iris lilies]

Tradd, 6 pm seems like a reasonable time to have dinner, do you think it should be something like 4 PM? That’s just seems early.

[iris lilies]

My rant for the day is The nonstandard way people describe measurements of objects they are selling.

I do a lot of online shopping. A LOT! There is a standard way to measure furniture and most objects. You stand in front of it, and measure width height, depth. Too many people confuse depths and width. Sometimes height and depth is confused. It all leads to my confusion about the item and I’ll move onto another item if I don’t understand its measurements. They lose a sale.

[Tradd]

Tradd, 6 pm seems like a reasonable time to have dinner, do you think it should be something like 4 PM? That’s just seems early.

It was 4 then changed to 6. Now it’s 8. I have to work tomorrow. I’m not going.

[iris lilies]

It was 4 then changed to 6. Now it’s 8. I have to work tomorrow. I’m not going.
Oh no no no, 8 is way too late.

[Tradd]

Oh no no no, 8 is way too late.

5-6 other people cancelled, too. I have no clue why the multiple changes.

[sweetana3]

I suspect the turkey did not get done. I am with you. In the US, 8 seems to be only fine for fancy restaurants here. Or maybe it is my age. In Europe, the restaurants we visited did not even open until 7 at the earliest.

[Tradd]

I don’t know what the reason was. Never had this issue with them and I’ve spent many holidays with them. If it was New Year’s Eve, 8pm wouldn’t have been an issue. But I have to work tomorrow and I bet I’m not the only one out of the people that cancelled.

[Tradd]

Today’s peeve - websites that will NOT work with mobile browsers.

Work’s 401K administrator has a website that you can’t access on phone/tablet browser. It directs you to their app, which didn’t work well until recently. You can do anything excel or change your contribution amount. I went to HR and asked where in the app I could so it. I was told I’d have to do it on their full website, which means I have to haul out the laptop. I do everything on iPhone or iPad. It’s absolutely ridiculous to have an app that’s not fully functional and forces you to the website.

[Tradd]

I’m sick. Sore throat yesterday, chills last night. I got flu and Covid shots. I’m not going in today. Have a ton of stuff to do but coworker can do the urgent stuff. I’ve not been sick like this in years, since pre covid at least.

[iris lilies]

Oh Tradd, too bad. I hope your nasty bug doesn’t last much longer.

[happystuff]

Hope it passes quickly, Tradd. Get plenty of rest!

[Tradd]

Thank you! Logged in for a few minutes from home to take care of some emails but that was all I had to do. I have plenty of good canned chicken noodle and hot tea.

[Tradd]

Home tested for Covid. Appears I have a mild case. The red line is barely there on T. Have a telehealth appt this afternoon.

[Tradd]

Just got off telehealth call with doc. She’s calling in Paxlovid rx for me. A friend is bringing me a few groceries - yogurt, bagels, oj, chocolate chip cookies.

[Simone]

Really glad to read you were offered Paxlovid, Tradd. Two days into Covid, someone close to me was not offered it at an urgent care and was told to take Tylenol. She ended up in the hospital for three days and may have suffered lasting consequences.
Get better soon.

[rosarugosa]

I'm sorry you're sick Tradd, and I hope it passes quickly for you.

[Tradd]

Got my Paxlovid Rx last night. Took Walgreens nearly 4 hours to fill it. Thank goodness it’s a 24 hour location. Got Rx at about 8pm through the drive thru. I had been watching Rx progression on the Walgreens app. Also made sure to enter my credit card info on app so I wouldn’t have any issues at the drive thru. That made the process much better. A friend offered to get me some groceries and I had her get me bagels, cream cheese, bananas, and chocolate chip cookies. I have a good supply of Progresso Chicken Noodle Soup that I order by the case from Amazon.

[nswef]

I hope you feel better soon,Tradd. Our neighbor has it.

[Tradd]

I hope you feel better soon,Tradd. Our neighbor has it.

Seems like many people I know have it or have had it recently.

[happystuff]

We got snow. I have to go into work and help shovel out the school. While I guess the extra money will be okay when it finally hits the paycheck, this is NOT how I wanted to spend my Sunday. I have my own house to dig out! Grrrr.....

[catherine]

We got snow. I have to go into work and help shovel out the school. While I guess the extra money will be okay when it finally hits the paycheck, this is NOT how I wanted to spend my Sunday. I have my own house to dig out! Grrrr.....

Oh, man. That sucks... Stay safe, happystuff!

[iris lilies]

Oh happystuff, that’s too bad! I remember when DH worked for the tree company, they had a few snow contracts. So he would have to get up at 2 A.M. and drive the snowy, treacherous streets and highways to get to the job site. I was so relieved when he quit that job.

[Tybee]

I'm sorry you have to do that, happystuff! We just were out in our yard digging paths to the barn and we did a walking path around the yard for us and the dogs. I would not have to go do the school, too!

[Tradd]

We got snow. I have to go into work and help shovel out the school. While I guess the extra money will be okay when it finally hits the paycheck, this is NOT how I wanted to spend my Sunday. I have my own house to dig out! Grrrr.....

ugh. Sorry to hear. How much snow?

[rosarugosa]

I hope the time passes quickly and you are soon home having your nice, warm bowl of chili!

[happystuff]

Awww... you are all so sweet! Thank you very much. Ended up being about 2 hours with 4 of us working, then another hour to help finish up here at home. Finally got a nice hot shower and am getting ready to make corn muffins to go with the beans.

Edited to add: Already took Tylenol to deal with the expected aches and pains. LOL

[Tradd]

As we all know, there’s a huge number of covid cases right now. A friend in NC was diagnosed with cancer about a year ago and has been going through treatment. So of course she’s been wearing masks. She is continually harassed by dumbasses for wearing a mask. GRRRR.

[ToomuchStuff]

As we all know, there’s a huge number of covid cases right now. A friend in NC was diagnosed with cancer about a year ago and has been going through treatment. So of course she’s been wearing masks. She is continually harassed by dumbasses for wearing a mask. GRRRR.


I half expect this, that is why I had a Tickle me Chemo (with a balding Elmo) shirt made.

[Tradd]

I half expect this, that is why I had a Tickle me Chemo (with a balding Elmo) shirt made.

Good idea but still. Dumbasses still would probably harass you.

[Tradd]

Feel well enough to WFH today. Our two overseas offices are idiots. Even with out of office out, they kept sending things to me to look at rather than coworker. As a result, some customs clearances were almost late. Manager had to talk to them. Not sure how productive I’ll be but I cleared out my email and getting some stuff done.

[Tradd]

Tested positive today. So another day WFH tomorrow. Feel fine except for cough.

[early morning]

glad you're feeling better, and hope you can continue WFH in the upcoming "weather event" lol.

[iris lilies]

Tradd it’s good that you’re checking in here with Covid because it’s nothing to mess around with that’s for sure.

[Tradd]

Well, I’ve been reading up on the CDC Covid guidelines. Doc did say to wuantime through today. I thought I had to have a negative test before I went back, but maybe that’s older guidelines. I do not want to have to wear as mask as they make my hot flashes even worse. CDC website says to test every 48 hours.

[happystuff]

Glad you are feeling better. Hope you can get rid of it once and for all.

[Tradd]

Manager tells me HR is pushing back about me working from home even though I’m still testing positive but have no symptoms except for the cough. They don’t like WFH, it seems. Manager tells me SHE doesn’t want me there when I’m still positive.

[Tradd]

Well, I just tested negative. Will have to see what the commute looks like tomorrow morning, weather wise. I’ve got the longest commute I know of for my area. 45 min. A few people are 10 min away.

[Tradd]

Yay! Just found out office is not officially closed but manager is recommending everyone stay home since it’s so nasty out there. Some people don’t access to our software but can look at their email. So I can work from home.

[SiouzQ.]

Buyer Beware! Last month I ordered a "Coccyx & Sciatica Pain Relief Seat Cushion" from the internet and didn't do my due diligence enough. It was supposed to be $33.97 after using their special CHRISTMAS15OFF code but they still charged my card $39.95. I finally get this thing from China and all it is is a glorified wooden dining room chair cushion. So I contacted the company for a refund and they gave me this big run-around. I agreed to the 20% restocking fee which meant my card would be refunded $32. I woke up this morning to a fraud alert from my bank for a new charge of $49.95 from an unknown company.

I promptly put a block on my card and will be watching for the supposed refund from the first charge and if the pending new charge actually goes through, I will dispute that as well.

It's getting to the point where I don't even want to order off the internet anymore. I've learned my lesson -the marketplace out there seems to be rife with bogus sh**!

[Tradd]

Where did you order from?

[SiouzQ.]

Something called VernierShops. But I realize now that when I tried a different set of words for a search for an ergonomic seat cushion for a wooden chair it led me away from Amazon and into the scary third-party seller wilderness and I wasn't paying much attention. I read the reviews for the product and now realize how bogus they probably were. I told them in the chat yesterday that they had misrepresented their product and it felt like they were trying to rip me off when I wanted to return it. I just got home and looked at my emails and they said that they initiated the refund and it would take three to five business days to go through. It ain't over till it's over - I'll believe it when I see the money (minus the 20% restocking fee) is back in my account. So now I 've got this stupid chair cushion I'll never use! Maybe I'll try to sell it on Marketplace.

In the meantime, I am still waiting to see what that new unauthorized charge from this morning is. I already cancelled the card and will be getting a new one next week.

[pinkytoe]

What a hassle, SQ! Hope it quickly resolves (other than the stocking fee:()

[iris lilies]

This isn’t really a rant, it’s just a comment about something that is just seems really dumb.


Something reminded me of an old organization at my workplace, and organization of regional libraries, that existed for the purpose of… I could never really figure out. I was on the board of that organization for a while and even sitting there on the board I couldn’t quite figure out why it was necessary. I recommended that my organization drop out of it some years later. But maybe they’ve rejoined, who knows. Anyway…

I see that organization is still communicating via: listserv.

That’s right, listserv

do you all remember listserv software? Can you even fathom belonging to a listserv in this day and age?

[catherine]

This isn’t really a rant, it’s just a comment about something that is just seems really dumb.


Something reminded me of an old organization at my workplace, and organization of regional libraries, that existed for the purpose of… I could never really figure out. I was on the board of that organization for a while and even sitting there on the board I couldn’t quite figure out why it was necessary. I recommended that my organization drop out of it some years later. But maybe they’ve rejoined, who knows. Anyway…

I see that organization is still communicating via: listserv.

That’s right, listserv

do you all remember listserv software? Can you even fathom belonging to a listserv in this day and age?

University of Vermont uses listserv to communicate with the Extension Master Gardeners. It does seem pretty cumbersome!

[Klunick]

I left an hour early yesterday because I was about to throttle a coworker. Whenever she speaks English, it is at a normal level. When she speaks Spanish, it's at such a loud volume that I literally can't hear a person I'm on the phone with. It's not like she even sits next to me. I told her to pipe down multiple times but she was so focused on her conversation, she probably couldn't hear me unless I went off and told her to shut the **** up which I wanted to avoid seeing it's my workplace. So I finished what I was doing to a satisfactory point and left.

[iris lilies]

University of Vermont uses listserv to communicate with the Extension Master Gardeners. It does seem pretty cumbersome!
That is good I guess to know that remnants of listserv use and culture is still out there.

[Tradd]

I have a raging sinus infection. Left a message with doc for antibiotics. Waiting on callback. Left work an hour early. Heat in car didn’t seem to be working much so my fingers were ice. Stopped at McD for hot chocolate on the way home and switched off holding it. That helped. Home in a hot bath now. Head feels like it’s going to explode.

[early morning]

Oh, Tradd, I'm so sorry. Just when your covid is gone! I hate sinus infections. Mine are generally low - I always feel like my teeth are going to pop out. Hope you feel better soon. If your car heater isn't up to snuff, you can always buy battery powered gloves, lol.

[Tradd]

Oh, Tradd, I'm so sorry. Just when your covid is gone! I hate sinus infections. Mine are generally low - I always feel like my teeth are going to pop out. Hope you feel better soon. If your car heater isn't up to snuff, you can always buy battery powered gloves, lol.

I’m not sure what’s wrong with car heater as it was working this morning. Rx how available (it’s 7pm here), but I’m not going out again in this cold. I pass by pharmacy (24 hour one) on way to work so I’ll get them in the am.

[iris lilies]

Tradd this latest infection of yours is too bad, I’m sorry to hear it.


I think you know about the Neti pot because I think you talked about it here, and you are probably using it. Is that helping?

[Tradd]

Tried this latest infection of yours is too bad, I’m sorry to hear it.


I think you know about the Neti pot because I think you talked about it here, and you are probably using it. Is that helping?

Yes, it does help. I use the sinus rinse bottle as it’s easier to use than neti pot (I get the squeeze bottle from Walgreens and use saline packets). Gets all the green goo out of your sinuses!

[rosarugosa]

Oh no! Hope you feel better quickly.

[happystuff]

Sorry you are feeling so bad, tradd. Hope you heal quickly.

[catherine]

Feel better, Tradd!!

[Tradd]

Thank you. Got my antibiotics (2 of them) on the way to work and have one dose in me so far. Have to take 12 hours apart.

[Simone]

Thank you. Got my antibiotics (2 of them) on the way to work and have one dose in me so far. Have to take 12 hours apart.

Tradd, hope the antibiotics are working. I'm prone to sinus infections and have found one thing that helps is drinking fluids. Pints of it. As much as I can. It thins the mucus and helps get it moving.

I use my neti pot daily, btw.

[Klunick]

My husband calls me a "ball of hate" because I basically hate everyone. The truth is I hate anyone's stupidity especially when it affects me. Last night is a good example.

Youngest was working until 9pm and I was worried because the roads were going to be icy and he's only been driving a few years and never in icy conditions. Got an alert on my phone around 8pm saying the main road was shut down due to an accident. Figured it was due to bad road conditions. Texted youngest letting him know that he would have to take an alternative route and to use either Waze or Google Maps to navigate home.

Cops ended up rerouting everyone onto an old horse and buggy road that isn't very safe even in perfect weather. Son finally made it home after 10pm.

Here comes the hate in me. Turns out the road being closed wasn't due to weather. It was because some idiot was walking in the road and got hit by a car. Not even on tge shoulder. Literally on the road where cars are driving by. So this idiot decision could have caused my son to get into an accident because he had to drive on a dangerous road in icy conditions late at night. >:(

[Tradd]

Tradd, hope the antibiotics are working. I'm prone to sinus infections and have found one thing that helps is drinking fluids. Pints of it. As much as I can. It thins the mucus and helps get it moving.

I use my neti pot daily, btw.

Well, the sinus infection pressure is gone. Still congested some but it’s not too bad. Realized this morning I was out of OTC cough syrup and Motrin , as well as a few groceries, so placed an order with Jewel for delivery. Doc had never called in cough medicine Rx on Thursday so I called again today. Had forgotten about it yesterday while I worked from home. Receptionist was upset the nurse had never called me back and was taking a message back while I left a message if nurse didn’t pickup. I’ve got some digestive system upset from the antibiotics, too.

[ToomuchStuff]

I basically hate everyone. >:(

https://youtu.be/IxYjbhovRaA?si=WM-WiDCcpP2leNH9

[rosarugosa]

TMS: There's a song for every occasion!

[Klunick]

https://youtu.be/IxYjbhovRaA?si=WM-WiDCcpP2leNH9

This will be my theme song from now on!!

[Tradd]

Manager told me to WFH Friday as my hacking up a lung Thursday was making some coworkers uncomfortable. She basically told HR to eff off as they were very cranky with me WFH. Finally got cough medicine pills from doc yesterday. Still coughing but it’s better. Back to the office tomorrow. I’ve stayed in since getting home Thursday night except for running to Walgreens drive thru for meds yesterday. Stayed cozy in bed reading, sleeping, and surfing the net.

[Tradd]

Back at the office yesterday as Friday was WFH. Got a ton done. I’m out sick today. Antibiotics didn’t play well with my system and I was feeling so bad this morning. I’m done with antibiotics thankfully. My stomach had good timing as we have ice today and a coworker who lives near me said roads were awful.

[mschrisgo2]

Frustration! Got messages from my bank this morning asking me to verify weird charges on my credit card. No, did not authorize. Not mine. Filed the claim form. Then got to thinking… The last time I tried to use that card, online, it would not go through, kept getting a ms that expiration date was incorrect. It did have a long date- to 2028. But it wouldn’t work. I don’t carry it, so it could not have been skimmed out of my pocket. So it must have been compromised while I was online. And the only reason I was trying to use it was to keep it open, it has a zero balance and I haven’t used it in months. Just can’t win!!

[iris lilies]

Frustration! Got messages from my bank this morning asking me to verify weird charges on my credit card. No, did not authorize. Not mine. Filed the claim form. Then got to thinking… The last time I tried to use that card, online, it would not go through, kept getting a ms that expiration date was incorrect. It did have a long date- to 2028. But it wouldn’t work. I don’t carry it, so it could not have been skimmed out of my pocket. So it must have been compromised while I was online. And the only reason I was trying to use it was to keep it open, it has a zero balance and I haven’t used it in months. Just can’t win!!
That is always so scary, when credit cards are targeted.

[Tradd]

Frustration! Got messages from my bank this morning asking me to verify weird charges on my credit card. No, did not authorize. Not mine. Filed the claim form. Then got to thinking… The last time I tried to use that card, online, it would not go through, kept getting a ms that expiration date was incorrect. It did have a long date- to 2028. But it wouldn’t work. I don’t carry it, so it could not have been skimmed out of my pocket. So it must have been compromised while I was online. And the only reason I was trying to use it was to keep it open, it has a zero balance and I haven’t used it in months. Just can’t win!!

Are you SURE the fraud notifications were from your bank and not a scammer? Did you contact bank from app or call number on back of your card? Fraudulent fraud notifications are a big time scam.

[Klunick]

Watched a YouTube video yesterday with a mid-30's lady shocked to learn that in order to have a clean and tidy home, it required daily tasks be done... daily!! She couldn't figure out why her house was always a disaster after not doing anything for several days or up to a week. Why is my sink full of dishes all the time?? Why is there literal garbage all over my living room??? Why are clothes strewn all over the house???

No wonder older generations hate the next up and coming generation. Seems like each generation is getting more stupid to the point that they need to be directly told to clean up after themselves!!

[iris lilies]

Hey if we get to complain about kids these days, here’s the latest fashion showing up everywhere that is just so stupid. It is showing your underwear, or lack of it, under a see-through black dress. .

I’ve seen some pretty “out there” versions of this outfit, including one worn by Jeff Bezos’ girlfriend. You would think he could afford to buy her some underwear.

I can see kids and young people jumping on this trend along with rappers and their girlfriends because they don’t know any better. But 55-year-old Naomi Watts is a style icon. I guess she feels she has to keep up with the tacky stuff. That is too bad.

it was only a couple of seasons ago on Project Runway that one of the designers wanted to show this very thing and was taken to task by Christian Seriano for showing boobies. He said it was tacky. No kidding

5741

[catherine]

When the Golden Globes were on, I started getting texts from my kids about Florence Pugh's dress. They thought it was a nip slip, but it was actually quite intentional. Honestly, with all the ctrap going on on TV these days, sheer isn't one of the things high on my list to complain about.

https://www.vogue.com/article/florence-pugh-golden-globes-sheer-dress

[Tradd]

Fugly

[iris lilies]

When the Golden Globes were on, I started getting texts from my kids about Florence Pugh's dress. They thought it was a nip slip, but it was actually quite intentional. Honestly, with all the ctrap going on on TV these days, sheer isn't one of the things high on my list to complain about.

https://www.vogue.com/article/florence-pugh-golden-globes-sheer-dress

well, I guess this latest fashion will show who can go braless. Not all of them can

[catherine]

well, I guess this latest fashion will show who can go braless. Not all of them can

Hmm, remember the pencil test? Back in the 60s when that was used as the guideline for going braless, I didn't even get the point of that test. A lot of my pencils hit the floor back then, that's all I'm sayin'

[happystuff]

Hmm, remember the pencil test? Back in the 60s when that was used as the guideline for going braless, I didn't even get the point of that test. A lot of my pencils hit the floor back then, that's all I'm sayin'

ROFLOL! And I was pretty well-formed even as a young teen - the pencil never fell!

No bra-less for me. I was very active and it just hurt too much to go without one.

[rosarugosa]

I have always failed the pencil test, but as I get older, I'm appreciative of how kind gravity has been to me.

[catherine]

I have always failed the pencil test, but as I get older, I'm appreciative of how kind gravity has been to me.

Same here, rosa!

[SiouzQ.]

Not only has January seemed extraordinarily long, it feels like I have been bleeding money profusely because so many of my own bills have come due. It's all ever so apparent when one has no money coming in. However, my husband keeps trying to retrain my frugal ex-single parent brain to accept that his money is our money and that he makes a very good living. I'm finding it hard to be dependent on someone (to some extent), but very grateful none the less.

The main goal is to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan for my neck/shoulder/arm. At 62 I am far too young to be this debilitated by this ongoing issue. I have a whole slew of more tests and doctor appointments coming up in February. Meanwhile, I am somewhat a person of leisure after taking care of what I can in the house and doing the shopping. I have to keep repeating the mantra that everything is going to be okay.

[happystuff]

Good luck navigating all that you are going through, SiouzQ. I will echo your mantra for you.

[sweetana3]

I have had to call the police twice this week due to a man leaving a high end bike in our backyard. We have Ring cameras all over and could see who did it.

#1 He dropped it over our gate into a fully privacy fenced yard. We put in garage for safety. Husband was gone when he came and pounded on our door then went into the backyard and pounded on our back door. I called 911 and when the police came they got his ID, determined it was his bike?, and returned the bike to him.

#2 A few days later the same bike was back in our backyard. Called police and they took it away to the property room. Gave us two notices for our front door and back gate on where the bike was now. He came back later and retrieved the note.

Who in their right mind leaves a bike in a stranger's backyard for "storage"? TWICE. We live in an urban area and have a lot of stolen bikes all over. In fact, the police have told us that unless it is in the house with us, a bike is not safe. Police were fast, calming, patient and kind. We now even have a padlock on our back gate.

Did nothing good for my blood pressure.

[Tradd]

That is sooo weird.

[pinkytoe]

On the subject of weird fashion, this is an actual runway model for some out there designer. Every time I look at it, I crack up.
5751

[happystuff]

Agree with tradd, that is just weird!!!

[iris lilies]

Sweetana, super weird indeed.

[catherine]

Not really a rant, but a "sad rant"--my DD called today to say that her 5-year old dog has Stage 4 kidney failure and there's nothing they can do for him. She and her husband are devastated, and they came up here because the dog loves it here--where he can roam freely. They don't know how long he has but it's probably measured in days at this point. So it's a sad night, and it reminds me why I never got another dog after Nessie died. I can't' take losing them.

[Tradd]

That’s so sad. Two friends lost 6 year old cats over the past couple of days.

[happystuff]

That is so sad. I'm so sorry.

[nswef]

I'm sorry Catherine, when out last cat was put down I knew I wouldn't ever get another. Just too hard when they are ill and you have to decide what to do. We are lucky to get to cat sit my friend's cat when she goes hiking!

[rosarugosa]

I'm so sorry Catherine. It is incredibly painful, and it's especially terrible that the dog is so young.

[pinkytoe]

We have had two neighbors recently lose very young dogs. Cancer of some sort.

[iris lilies]

Wow a 5 year old dog! That is sad. I remember when my first bulldog came down with cancer at age 5 nearly 6.we got her to li o along u til agr 7 with surgeries, chemo, etc. i wouldnt do that again, bit 5 is so young!

As for the pain of losing them, .i can handle that. What I absolutely HATE is that period where you are trying to figure out if it is time to euthanize them or not. I now look at the eithanasia decision as a curve, and I ask the vet if our pet is in the decision curse if euthanasia is appropriate. I absolutely will not wait until the end of the curve, but I no longer mind doing it at the beginning of the curve.

[iris lilies]

Speaking of Pets we had the weirdest thing happen in our household: our cat was sick for six months and spontaneously recovered.

it is the weirdest thing, I’m still shaking my head over it and discussing with DH.

The long and short of it is, he’s been sick for six months as evidenced by lethargy. The vet theorized he was having joint pain be ause the vet could see his muscles in back legs had deteriorated. We treated him once a month with a pain blocker. That did not seem to affect him and After three months of the inoculations I stopped it. His health did not change and he was still not moving around much. I know he was in pain because every once in a while, we would touch him and he would cry.

and then one day he just became more active. His activity level has ncreased since then. He’s now pretty much back to normal.

This is a 7 year old cat, not an old guy. During his six months of illness he was eating, drinking, using the litter box, and grooming himself. But he did not feel good, and that was obvious. I was starting to entertain the notion of next step being euthanasia, and one complicated factor is he absolutely hates going to the vet as evidenced by vomiting and pooping in his carrier every time we go there. It is a seven minute journey so it’s not like he has to travel long in the car.

and then I had the brilliant idea of having the mobile vet pay a visit to him and maybe starting up the pain inoculation again. And that was about the time that he came out of his funk and got back to normal.

I just wish they could talk and tell me what’s wrong with them.

[catherine]

As for the pain of losing them, .i can handle that. What I absolutely HATE is that period where you are trying to figure out if it is time to euthanize them or not. I now look at the eithanasia decision as a curve, and I ask the vet if our pet is in the decision curse if euthanasia is appropriate. I abailutely will not wait until the end of the curve, but I no linger mind doing it at rhe beginning of the curve.

I know!! I told my daughter (this is the first dog she's lost) that this is absolutely the worst part. You see them and they are not themselves, and you know they are in pain and you need to make the hard decision, but it's excruciating being in that limbo phase. Once they are gone, you simply grieve and move on. Both dogs I lost I waited too long for their good--and we did the Hail Mary pass expensive surgery hoping for some medical miracle which of course never happened.

nswef, I agree that being a dog sitter for friend and family is the way to go.

[Rogar]

The first tulips of the season had a small start in the yard today. The weather man has called our unseasonably mild weather, a "false spring" with more winter in the works, but it is a bit refreshing.

[Tradd]

Nearly 60 today in the Chicago area. 20 degrees above normal.

[iris lilies]

There were daffodils in full bloom in St. Louis yesterday. Hope spring isn’t too early. Our
daffodil society show is April 5.

[ToomuchStuff]

I just wish they could talk and tell me what’s wrong with them.


Check your app store. Meowtalk cat translator.

We had thought about installing it when my late bosses cat started seemingly feeling bad. The vet said we had caught her in the early stages of kidney failure, at 20+ years old. Put her down before she got in worse pain, but it still hurt. However had two animals that we didn't get to in time before they were in pain, my first dog (galbladder had ruptured and we didn't know it, during an epileptic seizure), and my last dog (either had a stroke and wondered off, or wondered off to have a stroke and the person that told me where he was, said he was howling in pain all night until he passed at an abandoned house in seven foot tall grass.

Although it is a MUCH different story, when a human asks you to do the same thing to them, DAMHIK.

[iris lilies]

Check your app store. Meowtalk cat translator.

We had thought about installing it when my late bosses cat started seemingly feeling bad. The vet said we had caught her in the early stages of kidney failure, at 20+ years old. Put her down before she got in worse pain, but it still hurt. However had two animals that we didn't get to in time before they were in pain, my first dog (galbladder had ruptured and we didn't know it, during an epileptic seizure), and my last dog (either had a stroke and wondered off, or wondered off to have a stroke and the person that told me where he was, said he was howling in pain all night until he passed at an abandoned house in seven foot tall grass.

Although it is a MUCH different story, when a human asks you to do the same thing to them, DAMHIK.

awwww, that’s too bad about your doggie. But it isnt too bad about the20 year old cat, that is a good age and kidney disease is very common as life ending illness for cats.

[catherine]

So... my DD and DSIL decided to have an in-home euthanasia for the pup tomorrow.... In-home meaning *our* home. I'm frankly touched that they wanted to send him off from here ("because he loved it up here and it's so peaceful") but DH and I are now at the center of this very emotional event. I'm not good at being emotional. However, whatever they want to do, DH and I want to support them. It is going to be a tough day. I'm getting up early tomorrow to get my work done so I can devote most of the day to just being there for them.

[Tybee]

I'm so sorry about the dog--that's lovely that you can do that for them. A hard day.

[iris lilies]

Well wishes tomorrow catherine for this family event.

[Tradd]

Catherine, hope it goes as well as possible.

[rosarugosa]

Thinking of you and your family today, Catherine. We did Oggie's euthanasia in-home last year, and it was very peaceful. It was our final gift to him, to not subject him to a vet visit.

[happystuff]

Thinking of you all today, catherine. Prayers, condolences and the possible best to all.

[Klunick]

Cats are at war with each other.... again. Had to be separated last night. Could take a day, a week, a month, or 6 months before they will tolerate each other again. I am so tired of dealing with this. Never had two cats randomly get into huge fights before.

Catherine... I am so sorry about the fur baby. We had to put two of ours to sleep within months of each other back in 2020.

[iris lilies]

I’m so glad that our two cats get along. They’re not buddies. They pass each other in the night and barely interact. But at least they don’t fight with each other. One time I saw one of them chase the other in fun, but that was a one time occurrence.

The problems in our house come with our dog and our orange cat. She sees him as an enemy, not surprising because he goes after her. Our dog is fine with our brown cat. Brown cat likes dogs and he is at ease with this dog.

[catherine]

Thanks, everyone for your good wishes. it went as well as could be expected. My daughter didn't want any disruptive emotion during the process, so that eliminated my blubbering husband. I decided not to be present because I felt it was a moment that should be reserved for DD/DSIL/DP(dear pup). I helped DD load up the diffuser with eucalyptus and peppermint essential oils and we cleaned the place thoroughly and she found a nice choice of music to play--nothing too maudlin, but not too peppy either.

She and her husband and her second dog wound up staying here throughout the weekend. Sunday I had them for Sunday dinner plus my son and other DIL, and brother-in-law. Yesterday I learned my brother went into hospice. I have had to get up at 5am every day to finish a couple of reports asap in case bad news comes.

Right now, I am home, finally by myself. DH is in his workshop. The reports are done and clients like them. They asked me to send invoices before the end of the week. So I'm feeling OK. Still worried about my brother, but as you know a person can be in hospice for a long time. Yesterday, however, it really hit me. With one brother in hospice and the other getting treatment for aggressive prostate cancer, and even Bruno crossing the rainbow bridge, it really hits home how short life is and how important it is to establish your priorities as to where and how you allocate your time and your love.

[iris lilies]

Catherine, I sm cranky this week with all of the deaths happening around me. They are not People not close to me as relatives, but still, they are in my circle.

I guess I have entered that age range where my compatriots die. The sunset of life.

[catherine]

Catherine, I sm cranky this week with all of the deaths happening around me. They are not People not close to me as relatives, but still, they are in my circle.

I guess I have entered that age range where my compatriots die. The sunset of life.

I saw an interview with Ali McGraw and Ryan O'Neal a couple of years ago and the interviewer asked them, "How would you describe getting older?" And Ali McGraw thought for a while and simply said, "sad." In terms of watching so many people, places and things fade away in your rear view mirror, she's right.

[Tybee]

I'm so sorry your brother, Catherine, that is really hard.
What a difficult week.

[rosarugosa]

I'm sorry about your brothers, Catherine. Glad you could help daughter and SIL provide a peaceful passing for their pup.

[Klunick]

I’m so glad that our two cats get along. They’re not buddies. They pass each other in the night and barely interact. But at least they don’t fight with each other. One time I saw one of them chase the other in fun, but that was a one time occurrence.

The problems in our house come with our dog and our orange cat. She sees him as an enemy, not surprising because he goes after her. Our dog is fine with our brown cat. Brown cat likes dogs and he is at ease with this dog.

These two can be best buddies one minute (licking each other and/or laying side by side asleep) and then mortal enemies the next. Can't predict when or why it will happen. Boone will hiss at Gracie and then go over and lick her. I'm thinking both have some sort of anxiety. Gracie is very restless and will constantly patrol the house. Boone is more laid back but he is usually the victim in these fights so he never knows when he'll get attacked.

[iris lilies]

Today I’m cranky about all of the cheap crap manufactured in China. I’m putting the finishing touches on outfitting, DH’s bedroom and other than the great vintage bed I got for 50 bucks, everything else is new. Yuck. The shipment of two nightstands had one of them broken. The bedspread and pillows are nice enough I guess but the quality of the fabric is not nearly as nice as a similar bedspread I took from the street some years ago. A homeless person had littered with it, so I picked it up and took it home. It was freshly laundered, you could smell the Tide.

[ToomuchStuff]

Rant,

Friday, I found out all my bills, bank statements, etc. had all been returned to sender for the last month. I thought the mail was still playing catch up, as my change of address expired on Feb. 1st, but the postal carrier kept sending the stuff back, thinking it was still being forwarded, and instead it was all returned to sender.
Accountant asked why wasn't everything online, to which I said well if I have to be off for cancer and need to cut expenses, the internet is my biggest non utility expense.

Also found out that while in Chemo last week, my insurance company decided to change their billing setup>8)
So while I am off and not with it, and am the only one who deals with this stuff, I came back to find out that I wasn't going to have insurance, and the company won't talk to me as I am not the listed contact person, but the completely tech illiterate idiot is, who gave me an address to send something, but didn't list, or say what, so we both need to be on the phone tomorrow again.
I was able to get it paid online and reset up automatic billing, they just won't talk to me about it.

This doesn't even cover the stupid stuff that the owner has done, which is leaving me waiting to cash my last two paychecks, so I can buy groceries and move back into my home.
Wish I had some steaks to grill over all the fires I have had to put out today.:doh:

[iris lilies]

Rant,

Friday, I found out all my bills, bank statements, etc. had all been returned to sender for the last month. I thought the mail was still playing catch up, as my change of address expired on Feb. 1st, but the postal carrier kept sending the stuff back, thinking it was still being forwarded, and instead it was all returned to sender.
Accountant asked why wasn't everything online, to which I said well if I have to be off for cancer and need to cut expenses, the internet is my biggest non utility expense.

Also found out that while in Chemo last week, my insurance company decided to change their billing setup>8)
So while I am off and not with it, and am the only one who deals with this stuff, I came back to find out that I wasn't going to have insurance, and the company won't talk to me as I am not the listed contact person, but the completely tech illiterate idiot is, who gave me an address to send something, but didn't list, or say what, so we both need to be on the phone tomorrow again.
I was able to get it paid online and reset up automatic billing, they just won't talk to me about it.

This doesn't even cover the stupid stuff that the owner has done, which is leaving me waiting to cash my last two paychecks, so I can buy groceries and move back into my home.
Wish I had some steaks to grill over all the fires I have had to put out today.:doh:
OMG you shouldn’t have to deal with this stuff!!!!!!!!!!!I hate that for you!

[catherine]

OMG you shouldn’t have to deal with this stuff!!!!!!!!!!!I hate that for you!

I agree!!

[Tradd]

Too much, no smartphone? No internet at all home?

[ToomuchStuff]

Too much, no smartphone? No internet at all home?

Work provided smart phone (I would have stayed with my $40 a year prepaid cell otherwise). Internet at home, but it is my only possible cut expense, unless I don't want to pay things like gas, water and electricity, house payment. I leave it as an optional expense, not mandatory like food and utilities.

[happystuff]

I'm so sorry you are dealing with all this cr@p right now! I hope everything is straightened out quickly and you can concentrate on your health!

[iris lilies]

Dear Goodwill:

It is really tough to convince me to buy from you when your prices are practically the same as Amazon.

Goodwill price for 6 matching coffee mugs, color slightly off from what I prefer:$16.98

Amazon orice for 6 mugs exact shade: $19.99
Amazon price for 6 mugs slight off color: $17.99

To save the planet, I bought the Goodwill mugs. Saves gas in delivery, packaging. Yay for me being the responsible one. Haha.

[Klunick]

Husband found out his co-worker died yesterday. He was 84 years old and never got to retire. He was so worried that his wife wouldn't be taken care of after he died that he never stopped working. She, on the other hand, never worked. Not even being a SAHM. She decided she didn't want to be a wife or mom and literally abandoned her kid from another marriage and the kid from this marriage onto her husband and divorced him. Guy went into the military and raised these two kids by himself. After retiring and the kids grew up, she came back and they got remarried. Since she wasn't married to him during his military years, she wasn't entitled to any of his benefits. So, the guy worked until last November when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer (which the doctors missed for years for some reason). He battled it for four months and passed yesterday never having a day of retirement. While he was still working, he'd often talk to my husband about one day moving to Florida and enjoying himself. At 84, time was running out anyway but it's really sad that this guy never got a day's rest from employment before getting sick and having that to deal with.

[iris lilies]

Oh my, age 84 and still thinks he has to work. That is sad.

[Tradd]

Ugh. That’s so sad to hear.

My peeve today. Internet at work went down more than an hour ago. I sit right by the server room. Appears to be something with power to the servers. No email, no internet, no phones. Nice and quiet! LOL. I have little to do without system. At least I got here early enough to get daily import duty report done and payments authorized before system web down. Went through the shipment report and wrote up files for upcoming shipments I’d not done yet, but I can’t enter them on the customs side as system down. One of the owners had to go home (he lives close) for a Zoom call.

[Klunick]

Oh my, age 84 and still thinks he has to work. That is sad.

Yes. all he wanted to do was retire and go to Florida and live at The Villages and join some of the clubs there.

[Tradd]

Finally back up after 2.5 hours. Turned out to be an issue with the panel the servers were plugged into.

[Tybee]

Klunick, I am so sorry about your co-worker/friend. That is hard to deal with, how poorly our world treats our elders and our veterans.
I like to think he is in a much cooler Villages right now--that is my personal hope and faith, prayers for him!

[Tradd]

Klunick, I am so sorry about your co-worker/friend. That is hard to deal with, how poorly our world treats our elders and our veterans.
I like to think he is in a much cooler Villages right now--that is my personal hope and faith, prayers for him!

The guy’s issue seems to be more of a bad choice in spouse - and taking her back.

[iris lilies]

The guy’s issue seems to be more of a bad choice in spouse - and taking her back.
Right, I would not jump to the conclusion that society did not support this guy. We don’t know what his income is, what his wife spends, etc.

[Tybee]

Right, I would not jump to the conclusion that society did not support this guy. We don’t know what his income is, what his wife spends, etc.

I stand by what I said, since the man is now dead, and I am hoping he did get to the Villages after all, just a better version.

[Klunick]

Klunick, I am so sorry about your co-worker/friend. That is hard to deal with, how poorly our world treats our elders and our veterans.
I like to think he is in a much cooler Villages right now--that is my personal hope and faith, prayers for him!


The guy’s issue seems to be more of a bad choice in spouse - and taking her back.


Right, I would not jump to the conclusion that society did not support this guy. We don’t know what his income is, what his wife spends, etc.

I think Tradd is correct. He wasn't mistreated by society in the least. He had a career that he loved and that allowed him to keep working into his 80's. No one tossed him aside when he got to a certain age. Not positive about his income but he was making well over $100,000 from the job plus everything he was receiving from his military career retirement. Husband said that most of the talk yesterday was directed squarely at the wife. How selfish she was for not telling her husband to stop working and enjoy his life. She was more concerned about her family in SC than her husband to the point of choosing to go see her parents when her husband was having open heart surgery a few years ago and it was very likely he could have died then. The point of contention with the wife is that her husband was so concerned about how she'd be after his death that he literally worked until his death. The wife has gotten to do whatever she wanted when she wanted and it was paid for by someone else. The husband didn't get to do what he wanted (retire and move to Florida) and was more concerned about her than himself. Just seems so unfair.

[iris lilies]

People need to stop dying. I am over it! Friends, cut it out!!!

yes, it is all about me. :)

[ToomuchStuff]

People need to stop dying. I am over it! Friends, cut it out!!!

yes, it is all about me. :)


https://youtu.be/uBxMPqxJGqI?si=qEr6MyAkFAynSE6G
From your cancer friend.:~)

[happystuff]

That is so sad. Condolences to his friends and any loving family he may have elsewhere.

[iris lilies]

https://youtu.be/uBxMPqxJGqI?si=qEr6MyAkFAynSE6G
From your cancer friend.:~)

haha, there is nothing like The Python.

[pinkytoe]

My rant is having a blocked ear for two weeks now following a cold. I have tried every DIY thing out there but none have cleared it. Finally made a doc appt. so hoping I don't have to pay $300 to have it cleared.

[Tradd]

My rant is having a blocked ear for two weeks now following a cold. I have tried every DIY thing out there but none have cleared it. Finally made a doc appt. so hoping I don't have to pay $300 to have it cleared.

Is it from too much ear wax? Does it feel like it’s clogged and any sounds are like you’re underwater?

If it’s wax, this is what I’ve been doing since I was in junior high. My ears naturally make a ton of wax. Mother used to say I could start my own wax museum. Get some bobby pins. Stretch one open some so the U end is not such a sharp U. Very gently insert into your ear and see if you get any wax. The family doctor told me to do this. Works fab. It would be better if you put some olive oil in your ears to soften the wax up first.

I used to have my ears flushed on a regular basis growing up but I haven’t needed it in years. After I go diving and I’m underwater for a while, I’ll use the bobby pin on my ears. Diving really softens up the wax and makes it very easy to get out.

[pinkytoe]

I don't know, Tradd, as I've never dealt with this before. I do use ear plugs since DH snores and perhaps that has led to some sort of buildup. I would be afraid to stick a bobby pin in my ear though.

[SiouzQ.]

Absolutely stressed out from an auto accident lawsuit my husband has been involved with for over a year. Unfortunately, the other guy in the accident is a lawyer so he is pulling some very dirty lawyer tricks. He is threatening to sue for punitive damages. All that we have worked for could be gone after, even though the other driver got the ticket for running a red light. No direct witnesses, but he's come up with this girl who "said" she "saw" the accident - her deposition is bullshit though. He somehow did "community work" and got the ticket expunged. K's lawyers don't seem to be doing much and don't keep in good contact with what is happening.
The insurance company lawyer said he would "know something" next week about any sort of settlement was taken.

With me not working, and K's job really stressful already, we don't need this additional stress. I just want to lose it right now; I feel panicky.

[Tybee]

My rant is having a blocked ear for two weeks now following a cold. I have tried every DIY thing out there but none have cleared it. Finally made a doc appt. so hoping I don't have to pay $300 to have it cleared.

Hey, I had this happen once and got over it using ear candles. You can get them at Whole Foods or a health food store--I've seen them at Walmart, too.

[iris lilies]

Siouzq…that is terrifying.

deep breaths.

[happystuff]

So sorry, SiouzQ. I hope it gets taken care of in a reasonable manner!

[early morning]

SiouzQ that is such a crap thing to have to deal with, I am so sorry.

[catherine]

So I'm feeling OK. Still worried about my brother, but as you know a person can be in hospice for a long time. Yesterday, however, it really hit me. With one brother in hospice and the other getting treatment for aggressive prostate cancer, and even Bruno crossing the rainbow bridge, it really hits home how short life is and how important it is to establish your priorities as to where and how you allocate your time and your love.

So my brother in hospice died on Tuesday. Blood-wise, he was actually a cousin. His mother died in childbirth and his father died when he was six from gall-bladder surgery complications (or at least that's what we've been told). Some have said he never forgave my brother for taking his wife away from him. So my grandfather (who was a product of the patriarchal, blue-blooded New England generation) determined that Mike should live in a home that was a practicing-Catholic home. So that eliminated my uncle, who had become Methodist when he married his Protestant wife. Unfortunately his was exactly the family Mike would have done well with. Unfortunately, our "Catholic-qualified" family was not. My mother was informed by my grandfather that she would be taking Mike exactly when she had just had a stillborn child. Maybe he ignorantly thought Mike would be a good consolation prize. He never considered how resentful my mother would be, nor how his son's (my father's) alcoholic behavior would affect Mike.

Because Mike felt utterly rejected by both adoptive parents, he got out of our home as soon as he could--first by entering a high school seminary program (which didn't work out) and then by joining the Navy (which did). Then he went to college--Catholic University, met my SIL at a DC bar. Being 5 years younger, I had had relatively few meaningful interactions with Mike in my childhood, but I caught up when I had met DH and we all had great time together over the years--not all the time, but with fairly frequent visits in different states.

Mike was funny, bright, and completely family-oriented. But even when he was funny, when you looked into his eyes, there was so much depth there--a whole story of the comedy that emerges from tragedy. Sometimes I felt guilty being his sister, because I was the biologic first-born, the "prize." He didn't deserve the parents he got--MY parents. When we were all out in Minnesota last fall, I told my brothers that we all had the same but different parents. Mike and my 2nd brother have no love lost for my father, who treated them terribly. My 3rd brother and I are sympathetic and we feel, if not any love gained, the pain of love lost.

I hope I can stay connected with my sister-in-law who "saved" Mike. She is such a wonderful person on many levels. My heart hurts for her.

[Tradd]

Wow. So sorry to hear. What a story.

[iris lilies]

that’s a nice summary of your cousin/brothers place in your family.

I had a friend in high school, whose father killed their mother and the father went to prison, of course. She and her two siblings went to live with an aunt and uncle, and they were always kind of the redheaded stepchildren. You can certainly understand it because those parents already had three kids, one of whom was an intellectually challenged, so their family doubled overnight.

also, the three new kids were all really smart, and the original kids were not.

it’s really too bad Mike didn’t end up with the uncle where he would’ve been better off.

[catherine]

also, the three new kids were all really smart, and the original kids were not.

it’s really too bad Mike didn’t end up with the uncle where he would’ve been better off.

True, but God or whatever you call the Benevolent Universe did double-down on Mikes post-childhood phase when he married C., had two beautiful children, and never looked back at the East Coast once he moved to the Midwest.

[iris lilies]

True, but God or whatever you call the Benevolent Universe did double-down on Mikes post-childhood phase when he married C., had two beautiful children, and never looked back at the East Coast once he moved to the Midwest.
That is good, too.

[rosarugosa]

I'm sorry for your loss, Catherine.

[Tradd]

Payday and my raise should have been in paycheck. It wasn’t. Annoying. Will have to contact our outsourced HR when I get in the office.

[Tybee]

I am so sorry, Catherine, that is hard to bear.

[happystuff]

So sorry for your loss, catherine. Prayers and condolences to all.

[Klunick]

So my brother in hospice died on Tuesday. Blood-wise, he was actually a cousin. His mother died in childbirth and his father died when he was six from gall-bladder surgery complications (or at least that's what we've been told). Some have said he never forgave my brother for taking his wife away from him. So my grandfather (who was a product of the patriarchal, blue-blooded New England generation) determined that Mike should live in a home that was a practicing-Catholic home. So that eliminated my uncle, who had become Methodist when he married his Protestant wife. Unfortunately his was exactly the family Mike would have done well with. Unfortunately, our "Catholic-qualified" family was not. My mother was informed by my grandfather that she would be taking Mike exactly when she had just had a stillborn child. Maybe he ignorantly thought Mike would be a good consolation prize. He never considered how resentful my mother would be, nor how his son's (my father's) alcoholic behavior would affect Mike.

Because Mike felt utterly rejected by both adoptive parents, he got out of our home as soon as he could--first by entering a high school seminary program (which didn't work out) and then by joining the Navy (which did). Then he went to college--Catholic University, met my SIL at a DC bar. Being 5 years younger, I had had relatively few meaningful interactions with Mike in my childhood, but I caught up when I had met DH and we all had great time together over the years--not all the time, but with fairly frequent visits in different states.

Mike was funny, bright, and completely family-oriented. But even when he was funny, when you looked into his eyes, there was so much depth there--a whole story of the comedy that emerges from tragedy. Sometimes I felt guilty being his sister, because I was the biologic first-born, the "prize." He didn't deserve the parents he got--MY parents. When we were all out in Minnesota last fall, I told my brothers that we all had the same but different parents. Mike and my 2nd brother have no love lost for my father, who treated them terribly. My 3rd brother and I are sympathetic and we feel, if not any love gained, the pain of love lost.

I hope I can stay connected with my sister-in-law who "saved" Mike. She is such a wonderful person on many levels. My heart hurts for her.

When I was pregnant with our first, we got a call saying the sister in law was pregnant and that WE would have to take the child because she was a raging alcoholic and couldn't care for it. Of course, we would have but I can't imagine having our newborn and another newborn with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and probably many delays. She ended up losing the pregnancy not too long after that phone call which was probably best for all involved unfortunately.

Sorry for your loss, Catherine.

[Tradd]

When I was pregnant with our first, we got a call saying the sister in law was pregnant and that WE would have to take the child because she was a raging alcoholic and couldn't care for it. Of course, we would have but I can't imagine having our newborn and another newborn with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and probably many delays. She ended up losing the pregnancy not too long after that phone call which was probably best for all involved unfortunately. .

I really don’t get the mindset of people who expect to foist children on people who may not want them or be equipped to care for them, just because they’re blood relatives. A friend, who was estranged from her very toxic family, told me that she had a severely disabled brother. Parents cared at home for years even past when he should have been moved to a facility that could give him the care he needed, as parents really struggled with it as they got older. Her mother died and dad was left at home with disabled son. Friend told me she got a call from her father that he expected her to give up her job and move her husband and teenage son back to her hometown to care for her brother full time. She said “hell, no” and her father got very verbally abusive. She said that was the last time she heard from him.

[Klunick]

My husband has type 2 diabetes. He has been using Trulicity for a few years. Now the pharmacy can't get any because so many people are now using it for weight loss. Not only our pharmacy but no pharmacy can get some. No Ozempic or Monjouro either. Like anything that treats type 2 diabetes is out of stock. I am worried about what will happen if his doctor can't come up with a solution. He is due for his next injection on Thursday and has been trying to get more for weeks.

[iris lilies]

My husband has type 2 diabetes. He has been using Trulicity for a few years. Now the pharmacy can't get any because so many people are now using it for weight loss. Not only our pharmacy but no pharmacy can get some. No Ozempic or Monjouro either. Like anything that treats type 2 diabetes is out of stock. I am worried about what will happen if his doctor can't come up with a solution. He is due for his next injection on Thursday and has been trying to get more for weeks.

I heard about this problem. I am sorry!

[catherine]

My husband has type 2 diabetes. He has been using Trulicity for a few years. Now the pharmacy can't get any because so many people are now using it for weight loss. Not only our pharmacy but no pharmacy can get some. No Ozempic or Monjouro either. Like anything that treats type 2 diabetes is out of stock. I am worried about what will happen if his doctor can't come up with a solution. He is due for his next injection on Thursday and has been trying to get more for weeks.

That is terrible.

[pinkytoe]

Same issue with my diabetic neighbor.

[catherine]

Same issue with my diabetic neighbor.

Here's the thing, though. Trulicity, Mounjaro and Ozempic are all indicated for patients with T2D. If a doctor is prescribing it for weight-loss only, that is off-label prescribing. So, maybe more diabetic patients are switching from their diabetes medications in different classes to the "latest and greatest" diabetes products.

I think Wegovy is the only drug specifically indicated for weight loss (and it is the exact same molecule as Ozempic).

[Tybee]

A lot of time there is overlap, with people with pre-diabetes being told to lose weight, but they have very borderline A1C's and can't lose weight without the medication, so they are prescribed these in order to lose the weight and not slide into full diabetes. That is how my doctor explained it to me, anyway.

[Klunick]

Good news! Husband's doctor managed to get ahold of some Mounjaro for him. Going to pick up today at the pharmacy.

[Tradd]

Today is my double nickel birthday! But got a bad present when I went out to my car. Low tire warning. By the time I was able to stop to put air in it, it was pretty low and didn’t take any air. I have a donut and I’m waiting for Triple A. GRRRR

[happystuff]

Good news! Husband's doctor managed to get ahold of some Mounjaro for him. Going to pick up today at the pharmacy.

Wonderful news!!!

[happystuff]

Today is my double nickel birthday! But got a bad present when I went out to my car. Low tire warning. By the time I was able to stop to put air in it, it was pretty low and didn’t take any air. I have a donut and I’m waiting for Triple A. GRRRR

Happy Birthday! Hopefully the rest of the day will be fabulous as a birthday should!

[Tradd]

Happy Birthday! Hopefully the rest of the day will be fabulous as a birthday should!

Triple A guy found a screw imbedded in my tire. He’s changing to donut now. I’m grateful this didn’t happen during dive season when I had a trunkful of gear! I have the tire insurance from Discount Tire so I’ll go there to get it fixed or replaced.

[Klunick]

Today is my double nickel birthday! But got a bad present when I went out to my car. Low tire warning. By the time I was able to stop to put air in it, it was pretty low and didn’t take any air. I have a donut and I’m waiting for Triple A. GRRRR

Happy Birthday!!!

[Tradd]

Thanks!

I hate the scum who try to hijack your online accounts. Got a message someone had tried to change the password on my LinkedIn account. I changed password quickly and also added a passkey.

[ToomuchStuff]

Happy birthday,

and if the screw was in the tread, not the sidewall, most screws are small enough to fix a tire. Sidewall punctures are tire replacement and large punctures are tire replacement. Make sure you check the air pressure in your spare, I don't know how many people never check those and find them flat when they need them.

[Tradd]

Happy birthday,

and if the screw was in the tread, not the sidewall, most screws are small enough to fix a tire. Sidewall punctures are tire replacement and large punctures are tire replacement. Make sure you check the air pressure in your spare, I don't know how many people never check those and find them flat when they need them.

Screw was in the tread. At tire shop getting tire fixed.

[rosarugosa]

Happy Birthday, Tradd! Sorry about the tire issues.

[Tradd]

First week of Orthodox Lent and services every night to sing for choir. Th entire service is sung. One of the older guys is a diva and thinks he knows better than the 40ish gal director who has a doctorate in music and teaches at a local college. She’s been around for about two years after the previous director retired after 35 years. Diva guy is deliberately singing slightly off from everyone else, timing wise. Makes us sound bad. He’s trying to drive her off. If she goes, I’m out of choir. I’ve told our priest that the diva needs to be brought to heel and if diva thinks he’s taking over, I will be gone from choir.

Diva is a slimy person and I’ve never liked him. He’s also incapable of showing up for anything on time. He also plays an into a local band and that has priority. He often leaves services early for a band event. So he would make a hash of it if he thought he could be director. I’m done with his attitude. Director has done so much for us. First time we’ve ever had a music professional for director. For me to take a stance like this, it’s making people sit up and pay attention.

[happystuff]

So sorry that one bad apple is trying to spoil it all. Hopefully the priest can do something.

[Tradd]

So sorry that one bad apple is trying to spoil it all. Hopefully the priest can do something.

Believe it or not, he sang correctly last night. We suspect it’s from his music teacher son being at the service. Aka didn’t want to look bad. Priest has gotten involved talking with the rest of us (multiple singers) who contacted him after I escalated the issue to him yesterday. Normally he doesn’t get involved with choir stuff at all, so this whole situation is highly unusual. We’ll see how Mr Slimy does over the next few weeks.

[Tradd]

Brought work home this weekend that needed to be done today - air freight shipment clearances to be transmitted to CBP. I can get on the VPN but I am unable to get onto the remote desktop. A couple of the shipments have already arrived. Data entry is already done, I just have to hit the send button. Can't do them tomorrow as all the company servers will be taken off line - they're adding an additional electrical panel in the server room. Texted office manager who was going to be in and out of the office today. She's going into the office in a bit and will check for me. GRRRR

[Tradd]

Turns out the IP address for the remote desktop server had changed and no one told me. IT remoted into my computer and changed it. I was able to get on and get my work done.

[Tradd]

So I’m dealing with the Baltimore situation at work because the port is closed. At 6am Wednesday, our biggest customer into Baltimore called my company owner screaming about his freight. Doesn’t care about the missing/dead people. Guy’s stuff will be dropped in Norfolk instead. And due to how things work, he has to pay for trucking to Baltimore. Another customer is ok with the situation and just wants to be updated. People are losing their minds.

[nswef]

I thought about your job Tradd when we saw the collapse. I'm sure it is making your job harder. It made me cry. So very sad. And a mess for many.

[Tradd]

I thought about your job Tradd when we saw the collapse. I'm sure it is making your job harder. It made me cry. So very sad. And a mess for many.

I was getting messages from FB friends worldwide asking if I was going to be dealing with it. Yep! We actually have a container on the Dali, the ship that hit the bridge. It was loaded in Norfolk, the port call before Norfolk. Export from the US.

[nswef]

I think that has helped clarify just how much we depend on shipping and how complicated it is. The sizes of the ships are astounding. And then the HUGE crane trying to help clear the channel so shipping can commence. I find it fascinating. I hope the people you have to deal with are reasonable.

[iris lilies]

I hope jp1 isnt underwriting this fiasco..

[Tradd]

I hope jp1 isnt underwriting this fiasco..

He deals with cybersecurity insurance, if I remember correctly.

[Tradd]

I think that has helped clarify just how much we depend on shipping and how complicated it is. The sizes of the ships are astounding. And then the HUGE crane trying to help clear the channel so shipping can commence. I find it fascinating. I hope the people you have to deal with are reasonable.

I didn’t blink an eye at the Dali’s size. I’m a follower of Great Lakes shipping and we have a number of “footers,” as the thousand foot long freighters are called. I’ve seen on in person from a boat up close on Lake Michigan.

[nswef]

Oh Tradd, I cannot imagine the size close up!

[early morning]

I have a chart/pamphlet somewhere of all the ships currently (ok, a couple years ago!) working the Great Lakes and their size. They are amazing.

[Tradd]

I’m sick of hearing about FL, gulf coast people who live in hurricane country bellyaching about their huge homeowners insurance increases. If you don’t like it? MOVE! Same with people who live on water anywhere or where there have been lots of forest fires.

[early morning]

Well, I'm in Ohio and looking at a huge insurance increase, so I'm going to b!tch about all those people on the water and in the fire zones whose insurance companies are offsetting their hits on MY dime! Ok, I think I'm also b!tching about insurance companies in general. . .

And don't move HERE, please. We have enough people. I agree with Linus van Pelt - I love mankind. It's people I can't stand. :~)

[iris lilies]

Well, I'm in Ohio and looking at a huge insurance increase, so I'm going to b!tch about all those people on the water and in the fire zones whose insurance companies are offsetting their hits on MY dime! Ok, I think I'm also b!tching about insurance companies in general. . .

And don't move HERE, please. We have enough people. I agree with Linus van Pelt - I love mankind. It's people I can't stand. :~)
. I do not want those fleeing from forest fires, rising water, lack of water and etc. to invade my little picturesque town. They do not need to know how nice it is here. Well, there are two dozen days in the summer that are miserable but the rest of the time it is fine.

[Tradd]

Well, I'm in Ohio and looking at a huge insurance increase, so I'm going to b!tch about all those people on the water and in the fire zones whose insurance companies are offsetting their hits on MY dime! Ok, I think I'm also b!tching about insurance companies in general. . .

And don't move HERE, please. We have enough people. I agree with Linus van Pelt - I love mankind. It's people I can't stand. :~)

I would NEVER move to OH. I’m a MI native. OH folks are not looked upon favorably and OH State is the university from hell. GO BLUE!

LOL

[early morning]

I would NEVER move to OH Please keep spreading that message!! Farmland is too cheap here and too many people want to build houses on it. I'm pushing for solar farms on all property for sale, as they at least don't add people. LOL. Leave Ohio to people who know that a buckeye is a tree! :)

[Tradd]

My brother eloped to Toledo with his first wife. Toledo, armpit of OH and home of Klinger and the Mudhens

[Tybee]

Ohio is so beautiful. I went to high school two years in Pepper Pike before moving to New Jersey. It was an idyll. Everytime I drive through Ohio I remember how gorgeous it is. I also think of the Phil Ochs song, Boy in Ohio:
Phil Ochs : Boy In Ohio - Bing video (https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=phil%20oches%20boy%20in%20ohio%20videos&FORM=VDRVRV&mid=55B336BA69C67503B1C055B336BA69C67503B1C0&view=detail&ru=%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dphil%20oches%20boy%20in%20ohio&ajaxhist=0)

[iris lilies]

Yesterday at our Iris show the weirdest and grossest thing happened. It’s going to go down in American Iris Society annals as ONE of THOSE STORIES.

cutting to the chase: there was a dead mouse in an exhibit bottle holding an iris in the show.

The bottle was moved around by me, show chairman, several times. The bottle was viewed and judged by a team of two people and a clerk. The bottle was viewed by a couple hundred people before, in the late afternoon, someone screeched and reported the mouse.
The reason why no one saw the mouse until late afternoon is because an entry tag hangs around the neck of the bottle and covers part of it.

This is a grossest thing that’s ever happened. I have a picture of it. I would post but it’s too disgusting.

I’m torn between wanting to keep the photograph because it’s unbelievable but I also don’t want it in my iCloud file.

Hilarious and grotesque at the same time.

[SiouzQ.]

Oh my! That would be so horrifying to be surprised by that! It reminds me of a mouse story I've heard from a friend out here in the desert that involved a mouse trapped in a car and a can of coke (I won't go into the particulars because it is truly gross)! But I think laughter often accompanies horror like that; plus these things do make great stories after the fact.

[Tradd]

Ugh.

[catherine]

Yesterday at our Iris show the weirdest and grossest thing happened. It’s going to go down in American Iris Society annals as ONE of THOSE STORIES.

cutting to the chase: there was a dead mouse in an exhibit bottle holding an iris in the show.

The bottle was moved around by me, show chairman, several times. The bottle was viewed and judged by a team of two people and a clerk. The bottle was viewed by a couple hundred people before, in the late afternoon, someone screeched and reported the mouse.
The reason why no one saw the mouse until late afternoon is because an entry tag hangs around the neck of the bottle and covers part of it.

This is a grossest thing that’s ever happened. I have a picture of it. I would post but it’s too disgusting.

I’m torn between wanting to keep the photograph because it’s unbelievable but I also don’t want it in my iCloud file.

Hilarious and grotesque at the same time.

Wow. That is pretty gross! If I every need to trap a mouse, maybe I'll try an iris in a bottle.

[rosarugosa]

I woke up to a dead mouse on the kitchen floor Sunday morning. I figured it was a Mothers' Day gift from my boys.

[iris lilies]

I woke up to a dead mouse on the kitchen floor Sunday morning. I figured it was a Mothers' Day gift from my boys.

oh yes, they are doing their job!

[SiouzQ.]

5916 5915

I love my K. dearly and the fact that he will readily do the dishes without being asked but just had to show off an example of his "Dishwashing Jenga Skills Du Jour." It is actually very difficult for me to untangle all of this without sending the clean silverware clattering to the floor. Also, at some point during dishwashing job he completely zones out and wanders away, as evidenced by the remaining silverware and salad bowl sitting in the dirty water on the washing side of the sink.

Having dirty gunk left like that overnight used to really skeeve me out but I have learned to let go and it doesn't bother me nearly as much. I will take care of everything in the morning since I have the time these days. House stuff just isn't in his daily wheelhouse but he takes up the slack in many, many other ways - I think we get along so well because we are such complete opposites in so many respects that when all blended together stuff gets done, one way or another.

My goal this morning is to see if I can extract all the silverware to put away in the drawer without dropping any...

[catherine]

That's hilarious, SiouzQ! I love what you said about getting along well because you and K. are complete opposites. I have found the same with my DH. And do relate to the Dishwashing Jenga! But my peeve is that I like to eat early and do the dishes early. But we eat late and I get too tired to do the dishes and even if I do them, DH comes in and snacks heavily! Like a burger at midnight. So I still have greasy stuff to wake up to which is demoralizing if I think the kitchen is tidy and it will be that way when I wake up. Not so.

[iris lilies]

We’ve paid an obscene amount of money to have landscapers do the front of our house. I’m a plant person as you know. I had very specific requests for certain plants.

I want a particular pink Rose and I specified it. I was 80% sure that I wouldn’t get that, that the landscaper would substitute. the typical Knockout apricot rose. Sure enough, the crew showed up with that typical Rose that’s not what I want. OK whatever, I will order the roses I want and plant them myself.

fortunately, they showed up with the right hydrangea because I was picky about that as well.

unfortunately, they’re working from the first draft of the landscape plan, so they loaded a whole bunch of limestone on the truck that was unneeded. They also didn’t realize that they were only doing half of the job today.

[pinkytoe]

I have an out of the ordinary DH who loves to research recipes and cook dinner every night from scratch. So...he cooks, I clean.

[iris lilies]

I have an out of the ordinary DH who loves to research recipes and cook dinner every night from scratch. So...he cooks, I clean.
When I win the lottery I’m hiring a cook. I would hire a cook before moving to a different house. I’m so tired of the boring things I cook.

[Tybee]

When I win the lottery I’m hiring a cook. I would hire a cook before moving to a different house. I’m so tired of the boring things I cook.

I would buy a much bigger house with a much bigger kitchen and have two of everything since we both love to cook and frequently compete for space. I don't want two kitchens, just enough room for two people to cook.

[Alan]

I'm the cook in our house as well. I should probably start looking at more recipes and try them out because like Iris, I'm also getting pretty tired of the boring things I cook.

[pinkytoe]

We tend to grocery shop together looking for weekly deals on fresh food. Then he looks for what needs to be used first and comes up with a main entree. My grocery rant is that 90% of whats at the corporate groceries here is packaged, processed food which we no longer eat much of. Food snobs we are.

[sweetana3]

Pinkytoe, we do the same thing. If tomatoes are a deal or we find ground turkey marked down, we make something using them. We are lucky to find a local Kroger (not all of them only this one) that has a good produce worker who keeps up with putting just ripe things in the clearance section. We meet her at 8am when we go. We try to never go down an aisle unless we need a specific item and try hard not to be swayed by marketing. Keeping things rotated thru our small freezer helps as well.

[happystuff]

I'm the cook in our house as well. I should probably start looking at more recipes and try them out because like Iris, I'm also getting pretty tired of the boring things I cook.

Exactly the same for me. I'm the main cook and I need to look for new recipes as well. LOL

[nswef]

In the summer my husband grills a lot so I don't have to think much about what to have, but when I am cooking I try new simple things!!! I'm happy to eat the same things, but husband likes some variety.

[iris lilies]

I am eating more and more of what I think of as “old people’s food.” Food from the store’s freezers, such as: frozen burritos, Frozen breaded shrimp, frozen pizza. None of it is very good.

[iris lilies]

The landscaping crew here yesterday brought many wrong plants, was ready to work on an incorrect area, and placement of plants they brought was a problem. I KNEW I had to be home to supervise this project and I was right.

As it turns out they were working off the first draft of our plan, doh. We changed it weeks later, and then put a hold on part of the project. The landscape designer who drew up the plan quit working there and so there was a lack of communication.

[Tradd]

People on a FB frugality group when we were talking about housing costs, utility bills, grocery costs: people with more than the average two kids bellyaching about how much it costs to raise their kids.

I just want to laugh. You made ‘em, you pay for them. Did it not occur to you how expensive lots of kids are?

People bitch about my $30 electric bill. LOL b

[SiouzQ.]

Must be in the air - I was getting tired of shopping and cooking the same old standbyes so last week I told K. that we each need to come up with one new recipe per week. I chose Chicken Biryani with Basmati Rice (done completely in the rice cooker!) and K. came up with a version of homemade "Hambuger Helper with Potatoes" which actually was very good. He's such a meat & potatoes guy.

Tonight is leftover night so I don't have to think about cooking anything.

[nswef]

Siouz Q I love leftover night!

[iris lilies]

Must be in the air - I was getting tired of shopping and cooking the same old standbyes so last week I told K. that we each need to come up with one new recipe per week. I chose Chicken Biryani with Basmati Rice (done completely in the rice cooker!) and K. came up with a version of homemade "Hambuger Helper with Potatoes" which actually was very good. He's such a meat & potatoes guy.

Tonight is leftover night so I don't have to think about cooking anything.

hmmmm, I will look for a recipe for a biryani in the crockpot. The year I retired I swore I would learn to make a good biryani and it was so complicated! My version ended up not like anything that reflected the time put into it. It was perfectly edible and it was good. It was just… Not like restaurants.

to combat the boredom and food issue, I went to the international food store yesterday and stocked up on a few things. I knew it needed to do a little bit more tie and Indian cooking. I only know a couple of recipes, but that’s what I crave, something interesting.

[pinkytoe]

My rant today is online dynamic pricing on everything from airfare to amazon products. Very frustrating to spend a lot of time looking for a good price only to have a higher price when you get ready to check out online. Seems like it ought to be illegal since it is a deceptive practice.

[sweetana3]

Iris lilies: We found this recipe for a samosa filling. WE simplified it and use it as a side dish without the tortilla. Also good with an egg on it. https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/270114/samosadilla-samosa-quesadilla/

Trying a new vegetarian burrito filling today with cooked rice, beans and a variety of veggies.

[SiouzQ.]

The Chicken Biryani was servicable, if not a just little bland in my book. Next time I'm going to tweak it a bit. I often cook stuff by using up to three different recipes. I'm also notorious for not reading recipes all the way through to the cooking instructions - I just look and see if I have at least 3/4 of the ingredients, lol!

The Samosadilla recipe looks awesome - I wonder if my spouse would eat it though...

[iris lilies]

Iris lilies: We found this recipe for a samosa filling. WE simplified it and use it as a side dish without the tortilla. Also good with an egg on it. https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/270114/samosadilla-samosa-quesadilla/

Trying a new vegetarian burrito filling today with cooked rice, beans and a variety of veggies.
That samosa filling would be good. I love samosas of course, most people do. And I learned in my Indian cooking class to make them with a particular brand of tortilla but now I can’t remember which brand is best. But the filling would be great without the tortilla

[nswef]

I made chicken salad from the rotisserie chicken left overs. Cran berry raisins , tarragon, mayonnaise, an apple. The husband does the chopping so I just have to mix. It's good and we have enough for tonight as well!!!!

[rosarugosa]

I made chicken salad from the rotisserie chicken left overs. Cran berry raisins , tarragon, mayonnaise, an apple. The husband does the chopping so I just have to mix. It's good and we have enough for tonight as well!!!!

That sounds good! We recently had tuna sandwiches with arugula, capers and heirloom tomato, and it really elevated it to something quite special. We often pick up grocery store sushi for a quick meal in the hot weather, and we've decided to do tuna sandwiches on those nights instead since it's just as good (if not better) and a whole lot cheaper. If we're really craving sushi, we're better off waiting until we're at a good sushi restaurant.

[iris lilies]

Happy little plant, sad little plant:

59275928
One is a Calcatera, the other one is a Wire plant. Purchased on the same day. One immediately started pushing up new leaves and has unfurled itself into a handsome little plant. The wire plant just as immediately went into decline, deciding it hated me. It hates living here.

I do like it when they make it known immediately we are not a match! But I am sad because the wire plant was pretty cool.

[SiouzQ.]

Yesterday was quite the challenge. I was slated to fly out of Albuquerque on Wednesday morning at 10:00 am and arrive in St. Louis by 5:30 with one longish layover in Dallas. I didn't sleep very well because you know how it is when you are going to be traveling - you start waking up every hour so you don't miss your alarm. When I did get up, there were two text messages saying the flight from Albuquerque was delayed by a significant amount of time. So I waited over an hour to leave the house and drive the 50 miles to the airport. Twice more while I was driving I got more text alerts about more delay.

The 10:00 flight didn't leave until 12:00, which made my connecting flight out of Dallas uncomfortably close, so I decided to be proactive and switch my ticket to the later flight to St. Louis. Weirdly enough, we somehow landed in Dallas with about 30 minutes to spare for my original 2nd flight (which I no longer had a ticket to).
I decided to make a mad dash on the SkyTrain to the other terminal in the hopes they had an extra seat remaining (along with about 12 other people with the same idea on standby). No such luck, the earlier flight closed and so then I had to wait two more hours for my new flight.

My hope was to land and get the shuttle to the car rental place and drive the 18 miles into St. Louis so I could find IL's condo before it got dark and I actually succeeded! I literally pulled into the guest parking spot as the sun slipped behind all the tall trees.

Between not sleeping well the night before and the stress of waiting and waiting and running and waiting some more, then listening to a toddler screaming in the seat behind me for a solid 30 minutes upon approach to St. Louis, it was the most stressful day I've had in a long time. But I slept really well, and today everything I set out to do on this visit has been accomplished. I'll post about that later because I'm still pretty wiped out, but suffice it to say, I will be visiting St. Louis again in about six weeks when I have my surgery. There are a LOT of moving parts to arrange and I'm not going to worry about it just yet. I'm flying back home tomomorrow and it will be another really, really long day by the time I land and drive back from Albuquerque.