What's everybody doing today?

[Neb]

We had slumber parties in our school over the years. Our own kids liked that perk. We had a large "mat room" with a climbing wall. One sleepover, we had a friend who had a jolly jump. The weather was windy that evening, so he set it up indoors. That was fun. Flashlight tag in the dark was also popular. School kitchens are kinda weird to make your own. Ours was a commercial kitchen, not huge, but sitting in a dining room with rows of picnic tables to eat is kinda weird. But the hallways are great fun! And playground equipment! We had swings and an old timey merry go round.

Those merry grounds were a blessing and a curse.

They were an excellent tool to teach about angular momentum but a curse to those that questioned it.

Ben

 

[LadyLocust]

@snappy1 from the sounds of it, at least the dog now has some stability.
Congratulations @ClemKadiddlehopper !
@Bacpacker Glad today went well even though you gad to wait. Did you pack a book along? I always take a book to anything medical related for myself or others. Ain’t my first rodeo
Jim You 2 take care (more prayers)
@Amish Heart Hope DH is also feeling better.
@UrbanHunter I was in a professional office where I didn’t share my political opinion but needed some way to respond politely. I finally came up with “I believe in personal responsibility.” Everyone agreed with it no matter which way they believed and I wasn’t lying.
I had a Homer Simpson moment this evening. I got 3 bags of organic garlic powder and was putting it in jars to go in the pantry while also cooking supper and making a batch of toothpaste and doing dishes and thought “I’ll just vacuum seal it.” The second I hit the button “DOH!!!” I had jimmy-rigged my vac/seal to keep it going. Guess it’s time to get a new one

 

[Amish Heart]

Very true, but so much fun!
I should start winding down and get to bed. Husband is still getting his breathing in order with his neb (ha ha ben) and shaker vest. Hoping he will sleep better tonight. Still have the pounding head and hurting chest. Hoping tomorrow it'll turn around. A few inches of snow on the ground and it sure is pretty. The woodburning stove is loaded up and going. Had the twins clear the walkways and ramp, clear the truck window just in case husband has issues at night. He had a hard time this morning, but better in the afternoon. We had a bunch of phone calls from family and friends today and this evening. Most hear the word covid and automatically think the kids are orphaned and we're in the hospital on ventilators. But it was good to hear from everybody. Just got an auto call that schools are having a 2 hr late start tomorrow, so the twins don't start online school till 10 am. I see chores in their morning.

 

[zannej]

I went to the post office to drop off some letters and check mail. Neighbor's bank statement had been put in our box mistakenly. They saw the street name and wrote my box number on it. I wrote NOT over it and told the clerk it was the wrong box and to see the street number and name on it was not right. I don't know what her box number is so I couldn't tell them. I may have to ask her at some point.

Went to the grocery store, got some food, saw some rude people and commiserated with people who actually have manners about how rude some people were.

Cleaned the toilet. Fed the cats, etc.

Wish I'd had my camera to record an adorable moment. I have a fluffy cat who likes to reach for stuff that is far away as if he can touch it. He was on the chair standing upright reaching up. He stopped and my brother mimicked the behavior, reaching toward the ceiling fan. The cat saw him and at stood up and started reaching too.

Made lunch and dinner for mom (we're not breakfast people). Samsclub has some lobster bisque she really likes and Walmart has had the Healthy Choice shrimp alfredo again. She's been craving seafood lately.

My friend's truck has a problem with one of the windows. It's stuck and won't roll up (and it's been raining). Tomorrow we're going to U-Pullit to see if any junkers have the part he needs. Technically it's today bc my a$$ is still awake. LOL. I'm buried under cats.

Hope you and hubby get well soon, Amish.

Clem, I hope the renos go well from here on out.

Ben, that looks cool!

Havasu, wish I had some ideas on how to get your double doors unstuck (I think mentioned in a different thread). I have some double doors that are the folding kind and they are stuck. Probably will have to break them to get them open. Cheap hollow core garbage unlike your nice expensive ones.

Going to try to get some sleep.

 

[UrbanHunter]

Last night I made a list of what I need to complete the water filter re-install, will pick that up at HD when they open, will start the install tonight. Checked Amazon and my last order of grow lights should arrive tonight, I am planning on setting up a "High Bay" 5' X 5' area between growing station #1 and my workout area, that way as the tomatoes and cucumbers out grow their shelves they will have a place to sit and streach.
I have a full work day planned so I need to do my errands and be back in place by 07:00.
Other than that it's just another day in the neighborhood

Well I ran my errands, as I left the house I walk into what looked like a police convention, 6 cars all parked in from of my house: Hope they were not looking for me.... I completed my errands and came back - they are still here. I ignored them, backed into my driveway, and came in the house. Well with all that law enforcement I should feel safer

Free time's over, time to switch computers.....

 

[Amish Heart]

So...what were they doing in front of your house, Urban? Donut break?
Kids have on line finals today, with a two hour snow delay. Granddaughter just came down the stairs, found out, and went back up to sleep some more. Grandson got a bowl of cereal. His phone is under our watch every morning until he completes x, y, and z, so I'm guessing he wants his phone. So far, husband woke up feeling better than yesterday. I think me too, we'll see. Today is one week. According to the Health Dept, we have three more days of isolation.

 

[snappy1]

Have to run to DG first for a couple of needed items.
Get Italian sausage with bell peppers and onions going in Crock Pot for dinner.
Make Spoon bread casserole for a funeral dinner this afternoon and drop it off at Church.
Bake the one roll of cookies that I didn't freeze.
Vacuum rug.
DH is already off to a doc appt. When he gets home, we are going to the jail that his friend is in to get his personal effects so that DH can see if she stole his money and if not, pay his rent.
Then go to my favorite salvage grocery in that town. When I went to the one on Monday, the cashier was having to re-ring and entire buggy full of items and I had to leave. Sigh

 

[Meerkat]

Today was dry out day after last nights 3.5inches of rain. I had a mini-flood in my bedroom again. 3 area rugs got soaked, 3 more got extremely wet transporting the soaked rugs outside.

This morning I ran short of fans to speed the drying. I have several 8" industrial fans that were commonly used on catscans. I use alligator clips to jumper them to 110v power cords cut from old appliances. They run fine and move a lot of air.

Had a long talk with dad, came up with a plan to stop this flooding. When we built this house 47 years ago we laid perforated drain pipe outside the foundation in a gravel bed. Over time I believe this pipe has filled with sand and no longer drains water away from the foundation and back wall.

It'll cost about $8K to get someone in here with a track hoe, dig up and replace the old pipe, reseal the back wall and foundation. If we don't do this my house will continue to flood anytime we get more than 3 inches of rain. Believe me when I say I'm sick and tired of mopping water all night and drying rugs the next day.


View attachment 55056View attachment 55057

Peanut I sure hope you can come up with the money and soon. It is very danferous to have too much moirture in your house it causes mold which can be bad for you.Take care.

 

[Meerkat]

Today through Christmas I will be reading this thought:

T'WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS,
HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE,
MADE OF PLASTER AND STONE.
I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY,
WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
AND TO SEE JUST WHO,
IN THIS HOME, DID LIVE.
I LOOKED ALL ABOUT,
A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS,
NOT EVEN A TREE.
NO STOCKING BY MANTLE,
JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES,
OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.
WITH MEDALS AND BADGES,
AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
A SOBER THOUGHT,
CAME THROUGH MY MIND.
FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT,
IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER,
ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.
THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING,
SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR,
IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.
THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE,
THE ROOM IN DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED,
A TRUE MODERN SOLDIER.
WAS THIS THE HERO,
OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO,
THE FLOOR FOR A BED?
I REALIZED THE FAMILIES,
THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS,
WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.
SOON ROUND THE WORLD,
THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE,
A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.
THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM,
EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS,
LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.
I COULDN'T HELP WONDER,
HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE,
IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.
THE VERY THOUGHT BROUGHT,
A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES,
AND STARTED TO CRY.
THE SOLDIER AWAKENED,
AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
"SANTA DON'T CRY,
THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;
I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM,
I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
MY LIFE IS MY GOD,
MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS.."
THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,
AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT,
I CONTINUED TO WEEP.
I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS,
SO SILENT AND STILL,
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED,
FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.
I DID NOT WANT TO LEAVE,
ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR,
SO WILLING TO FIGHT.
THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,
WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,
WHISPERED, "CARRY ON SANTA,
IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE."
ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH,
AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND,
AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT."


This poem was written by a Peacekeeping soldier stationed overseas. The
following is his request. I think it is reasonable
PLEASE. Would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as
you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to all of the
service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities. Let's
try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and
think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us.
Please, do your small part to plant this small seed.

Beautiful!

 

[Meerkat]

Surgeon appointment went great, go back in 10 weeks.
Visit to RA doctor went great, wife got a months supply of her pills that she was getting in the trial clinic. Great.

Went to Texas Roadhouse for lunch , that went good.

Drove across town to car dealer, with intents of making a deal , bringing home the new one.

My luck ...sold yesterday.
Now I start over. Uuuggghhh.

Walmart grocery pickup tomorrow, then wife goes to primary care for constant cough and totally has no breath. She is ok sitting , doing nothing, but if she's up she's outta breath.

We shall see.

Y'all have the best evening you can. Especially The Meers

Jim

Thank yoy Jim and same to you and yours.

 

[Meerkat]

Wife got her infusion today. All went good with that. I went to work to get tested, had to wait in line (drive thru) for an hour. Still haven't got the results back yet.

BacP glad the wife i better and hope job situation is too.

 

[Amish Heart]

Husband is in the shower. Then he's going to rest a bit. Then we're going in to town to the drive thru pharmacy to get his prescriptions. If the post office is closed, I'll check our mail with my mask and gloves on so I don't leave germs. They close after lunch. It's so tiny, it's almost a little shack. I managed to clean the kitchen, and now I'm tired.

 

[Neb]

We have 10 or more inches of snow called for today so The Princess has approved me sitting on the the front porch to watch it snow.

I will keep my hands busy mending some worn bib overalls and giving my work boots some loving care.

Ben

 

[Tank-Girl]

The specialist appointment was a complete gong show.

Where the hell to even begin?
I've waited 3 years for this appointment......3 stinking YEARS.
There was no social distancing...at all by the staff even though it was required for patients.
The central processing hub, where my obs were taken, was a smallish room had at least 10 staff crammed into it elbow to elbow.
Not a mask or gloves to be seen.
I was told that they've NEVER had a "comfirmed" case of covid.....right...and with the thousands of people, outpatients, visitors, delivery drivers etc flowing through the hospital they'd know right?

The specialist was a cow. Her manner was unhelpful and unprofessional.
Thew a sheaf of unstapled internet print outs at me and said I wasn't going to be seen by HER clinic anymore and the condition will be fixed by physio...RIGHT.....I've been slated for shoulder fusion surgery as soo as they can figure out a way to do it without killing me on the table because of my allergy to GA.
Looks like I'll be looking for a second opinion......but lord knows where or when.

 

[Patchouli]

@Tank-Girl that sounds ridiculous. Can't you report people that are not following guidelines in a medical situation? Absolutely contemptible.

I have an assignment I keep putting off that is due tonight.
Lock myself in my room with a coke and sour brite cosmic eggs (nasty little tangy jelly beans) and instead, I get on the forum.

 

[Amish Heart]

We would miss you if you didn't, Patch.

 

[Patchouli]

@Amish Heart it didn't take as long as I thought it would.
No more deadlines tonight.
Looked at a used form of transportation today. Sheesh. What's this water, wet stuff back here in the back? haha. Oh gee, I guess my sister must have spilled her drink back here. Wrong! Moon roof leaks! How's your sister get back here if she's driving??

 

[Amish Heart]

That's not fun. Shouldn't need an raingear to drive.

 

[Grimm]

K got a half cord of hardwood and put it on the rack in the backyard. Roo helped him unload the truck. I might send him for a second half if we get stuck with the truck for another week. If we don't use it this year we have another winter after this one on our lease.

I spent the afternoon shopping for 5th grade curriculum online. A lot of the books we used this year were dissected so I could photocopy them and still have the book for Juju when she is older. Well, most of those publishers now offer e-books or pdf files for teachers because of distance learning. This is better for me so I can just print and go and not spend a day taking the book apart to photocopy then put in a 3 ring binder. I'd still have to print a "teacher's edition" so I can make notes about the lessons for later reference. I am also shopping used textbooks. Right now a lot of parents are DONE 'homeschooling' and they are selling off the books they bought. I got Abeka 5th grade math and history for less than half the price for new!

We had the last of the lamb for dinner. K likes the method I use for seasoning and cooking it verses how my mom cooks the Easter lamb roast. I might have to send her the recipe.

The girls' elves (on the shelf) brought a letter from Santa this morning asking them to donate their old toys to make room for new ones. There are 2 laundry baskets under our tree and they are FULL of toys. Juju is mourning the loss of said toys by being mopey while Roo sees the proverbial dollar signs in the way of 'lots' of new toys.

 

[Patchouli]

Yeah! Besides, I've got a car with a leak, don't need another one.

@Grimm keep an eye out for all those "homeschool" deals. You might even find a homeschoolers' forum where they can post what they have for sale as well.
I used some of the Charlotte Mason Ambleside Online ideas. Good stuff.

 

[Grimm]

Yeah! Besides, I've got a car with a leak, don't need another one.

@Grimm keep an eye out for all those "homeschool" deals. You might even find a homeschoolers' forum where they can post what they have for sale as well.
I used some of the Charlotte Mason Ambleside Online ideas. Good stuff.

Our co-op has a trunk sale every summer before the year starts where you can sell your old curriculum.

 

[hiwall]

Wife and I had supper at a sit down restaurant tonight. First time in a long while. Our favorite place had been closed for 6 months or more for remodeling. We like it because the food is good but everyone is always so happy there -both the workers and the customers.

 

[zannej]

Tank-Girl, that absolutely sucks! I hope you can find another specialist. I would definitely leave a bad review for that place. To wait that frickin' long and get treated like that... Man, I wonder if you can file a complaint with patient advocacy. Might not be worth it to you, but maybe it could light a fire under their behinds to straighten out. I'm so sorry you went through that. Sending virtual hugs your way.

I took my friend to U-Pullit to get the innards of a driver side door to get his window on his truck working again. Went through 4 rows of trucks. We stopped and gawked at a couple that were really cool. There was one with some weird custom paint job and had alligator leather interior. Too bad it was all messed up inside. No damage on the outside so we don't know why it got junked. It was obviously someone's project. Saw a few work vehicles from our town(which isn't even in the same Parish as the junkyard) and some of our town's cop cars and chuckled. I got very distracted by an old plumbing van. It had shelves and still had some of the plumbing parts in it, but there was a big mud puddle and I couldn't quite get into it.
My friend has some sort of GMC truck (I think a 1500-- I don't know trucks, but it's the equivalent of a 95 Chevy 1500 I think). He found a part from a door off a Cadillac Escalade. We had a good chuckle because my friend knew the story of the time my father talked in his sleep and said "The height of stupidity is the Cadillac Escalade". When he was awake I asked him about it and he said he didn't even know anything about that vehicle and had no idea why he would say that in his sleep. But then, he also asked me to "get the 10 gallon drill" in his sleep. He had RLS and I studied massage therapy so I worked on his legs, feet, and back until he fell asleep.
Friend said his boss told him he can't return to work because the tribal police at the casino have a warrant out for his arrest over the robbery at the casino. He was literally in the ER when it happened. He saw security footage and while he couldn't see the face (guy wore a brimmed hat and a bandana mask) he recognized his distinctive arms. Unfortunately, the guy is the son of a cop and they are so desperate to pin it on my friend that they may get him to implicate my friend if they actually bust him. They have his fingerprints at least. But, my friend has a bunch of tools (including some of mine that he borrowed) over there and he can't get them back (and they weren't cheap tools either). So, now my friend has to wait until his boss says he's cleared to go back. I wonder if they tried to put out a warrant for my brother even though the perp looked absolutely nothing like him (despite claims from the clowns who worked there that he did-- I think they were just trying to pin it on my friend bc they may have been in on it).
My friend's baby had a fever after being given 4 vaccines at once on Monday. He was not a happy camper, but he was being entertained by the TV.
Went to Samsclub after U-Pullit and got my friend some work gloves to make putting the parts in the door together a bit easier. I was hoping they would match his jacket but they are too light colored. But, they still worked well and kept his hands warm. His driver side door doesn't stay open so I held it open and I held the window in place while he removed the old inner part and put the new one in. New mechanism worked so now he has his window rolled up.
Got home, rested a bit and then made dinner: 4 cheese tortollini (from Sam's) and a home-made attempt at beschemel sauce.
I'm currently buried under cats and trying to get my brain to settle down enough to let me sleep.
Almost forgot, I passed a kidney stone. Bugger was giving me grief early in the morning and was almost ready to come out but wouldn't and was causing irritation and annoying the hell out of me the whole day. Finally got it out when I got home and celebrated with a piece of dark chocolate with sea salt.

 

[UrbanHunter]

Yeah! Besides, I've got a car with a leak, don't need another one.

@Grimm keep an eye out for all those "homeschool" deals. You might even find a homeschoolers' forum where they can post what they have for sale as well.
I used some of the Charlotte Mason Ambleside Online ideas. Good stuff.

A few years ago I was car shopping with my son (He thinks I'm Stupid) and he was picking out cars with sun roof, convertables....... I took him aside and said, LOOK every joint will eventually leak, cloth tops rot and leak, I only want solid tops, PERIOD.... 5+ years have passed and he lived in Sunny Florida for a while and his friends with fancy cars all had some type of Leaks when it rains stories. When he bought his first new car I was pleased to see it was a hard top. Hey they can be taught.

 

[UrbanHunter]

Today I am working on Asia time, so I have most of the morning free. I plan to do some indoor garden work and install a renewed water filter system.

 

[phideaux]

Getting ready to go for labs, in big town.

Gotta run by hospital an find billing dept to pay some on or copay. Humana sent my wife a free $500 gift credit card to pay on anything medical before 01/01/2021.

Then lunch then home.

Found ANOTHER car I want , but it's 2 hrs away, and we are really busy.

Jim

 

[snappy1]

Today is National Banana Bread Day here! I'm going to make between 25 and 30, I think.
I will probably cut and cook my collards at some point.
Vacuum rug.

 

[Patchouli]

@zannej your dad talking in his sleep. Hilarious.
You're quite the story teller.
Oh the baby and fever from shots. I always hated that part. No reaction the nurse would tell me, for the baby to have a fever.
Crimes and casinos, tattoos, and idiots. Your friend smell like vinegar? Seems he's always in a pickle.
Urban the one I own with a leak, yup, moonroof. But it was bought for transportation, the moonroof was an annoying extra, bought used, under $2000, what would we expect? I dont dare open it for I'll be fighting it to get it stay closed.
I've had one new car, once. It was totalled after a year or so. That was many moons ago.

 

[UrbanHunter]

@zannej your dad talking in his sleep. Hilarious.
You're quite the story teller.
Oh the baby and fever from shots. I always hated that part. No reaction the nurse would tell me, for the baby to have a fever.
Crimes and casinos, tattoos, and idiots. Your friend smell like vinegar? Seems he's always in a pickle.
Urban the one I own with a leak, yup, moonroof. But it was bought for transportation, the moonroof was an annoying extra, bought used, under $2000, what would we expect? I dont dare open it for I'll be fighting it to get it stay closed.
I've had one new car, once. It was totalled after a year or so. That was many moons ago.

I bought a new car in 1975, eventually I learned that you lose so much when you drive it off the lot it just doesn't make sense. I usually keep my cars forever or until there is more rust than car. I am fortunate that I have always been able to fix my own vehicles and if I can keep one running for a few hundred a year I will be ahead in the long run.

 

[UrbanHunter]

Well, I got the water filter installed, it works, no leaks, but I am not happy with the flow rate, I guess I can just put the bucket in the basin and let it fill at it's own speed. Did a lot at the growing stations and am now ready to set up the place for the taller plants. Free time is now over so have a great day.

Urban