what are you doing right now?

[bookkeeper]

May 26, 2023 11:07:36 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

May 26, 2023 10:03:51 GMT -5 susana1954 said:

Ever since I decided to list the house, I have been busy, busy, busy.

The neighbor behind me says they would like to buy it and propose to pay for an appraisal.  Super. But that was two days ago, and I am still waiting for them to tell me when the appraiser is supposed to come.  Meanwhile, I am proceeding as if they aren't buying it and fixing it up to sell.  Yesterday I finished pruning the hydrangeas, put a coat of kilz on some basement shelving that had water stains from a leaky pipe to the refrigerator (pipe fixed years ago), and washed a few windows/curtains.  Today I put the second coat on the shelving.  I discovered a gallon of paint (white, the color of the shelving) marked "bathroom cabinets" from before I renovated that bath.  It is half full.  Nice way to use some of it up!

Working in the basement is depressing because DH is the one that painted those shelves in the first place.  And all his models and model kits are down there, waiting for me to do something with them. I don't have time to find them a good home so they will go to the church yard sale to be saved until then.  But I have to box them up and I have no boxes . . .

On a brighter note, I may have found a house in the community I want to live in.  But I can't move forward until this house is sold.

Confession time: I am turning in my YM card.  I am going to take the difference between what I get for this house and the cost of a new house from my Roth and pay cash.  I may take a small portion from my regular IRA instead, but it is the same principle.  I don't want to restart a mortgage when I am 2 years away from paying this one off.  Plus, this one has a $315 month HOA fee (covers roofing and other outside maintenance of the house as well as lawn service, pest control, washing windows, recreational facilities, etc.)  That and insurance/taxes will be $500-$600 a month.  That's very manageable on just my SS/pension.  I think I will hire a house cleaner for once a month, too. 

I talked it over with my daughter, and she said she agreed.  It is my money, and she would rather I spend it now on something that will make my life better than save it for a nursing home.  There will still be over $450k in there so it is doable.

I love my daughter!

Pay attention to what amount you pull out of your regular IRA will do to your MAGI.  YOU don’t want to get caught by IRMAA.  It’s only for a year, but it’s a pain in the butt.  

This!  If you withdraw a large chunk from those accounts all in one year it may have a large impact on your income taxes.  If you use a CPA, now would be a good time to book an appointment to go over the tax load of what you are proposing to do.  Consider it a tax planning appointment.  If you have been doing your taxes yourself, this may be the year to ask for professional help.

[weltschmerz]

May 26, 2023 9:16:33 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

I just found a flyer on my front door promoting an area business, "Angelo's Texas Halal Pizza".  I think that name pretty much sums up Houston in 4 words 

Everything here is halal.

[Pink Cashmere]

I just got back from the grocery store, we still needed some stuff for Mister to BBQ tomorrow.

He is already irritated with his Dad because he barely got out of Baby Sister and her DH’s car before started talking about how mean and crazy she is and how she kept shoving a bunch of pills down his throat and made him get up and get dressed to eat breakfast (so he could take his meds), and some more crap.

I don’t like that kind of shit. They took care of you for about 3 months, in their home, cooked every meal for you and wouldn’t let you spend any of your own money, and you’re still talking shit about them and lying on them? That is not the kind of person I would choose to be around or go out of my way to help. I don’t think that part is dementia, he’s always been gossipy and played games between Mister and Brother, trying to get the other on his side when he’s mad at one of them, and not telling the whole truth, which he said he doesn’t have to do (tell the whole story/truth) when they’ve called him on it.

I will support Mister doing whatever he feels is best concerning his Dad, but my interaction with him will be limited. 

[giramomma]

Working our way through the last episode of 1923. I have to say, I'm rather disappointed.

[countrygirl2]

That old guy would be in a home somewhere if I had to deal with that. He likely will be anyway, sounds like if your hubs doesn't monitor and keep back money for house payments and expenses he will lose it anyway. Sounds like he wrecks havoc in the family no matter where he goes. That is awful, I do feel sorry for all of them in that family.

I am tired, been on the go all day. Started with talking to hubs this morning. I guess son has left so hubs took little guy and DIL out to dinner last night. She loves eating out. I think her problem with cooking is she was not taught how. Her mom was a cook for a daycare or school and brought leftovers home. So I doubt they did much cooking. Then it sounds like with shortages they just had whatever, could be part of it. But like us, she enjoys going out to eat. Hubs doesn't mind taking them sometimes, think it is the first time he has. He doesn't approve of son taking off and not taking her. But I think son gets tired, she can't be easy to live with, she just wants and wants, he only goes with his friends once or twice a year and don't think any wives go. Also they don't eat out, generally they camp somewhere and cook. Of course, he is likely not easy to live with either. They will probably be somewhere for Memorial Day. Hubs didn't take off but when young he drank back than and we did nothing. Of course, he says I'm up here because you bought this, LOL! Like he had nothing to do with it. I ignore him.

I got dust in my eye and nostrils yesterday mowing, should have had on goggles and a mask so my eye was swollen. I washed it out with eye wash a bit better, will take benadryl tonight. So I did mask and goggle up today when mowing at the other place. So now I'm done mowing for this week.  Came home, showered and washed and fixed my hair. I'm also washing clothes and some linens and hanging them out to dry. It's 38% humidity again so they are drying well. I love linens hung out and the sun bleaches whites to make them whiter.
I'm about done washing today, tomorrow will wash some more blankets and hang them out to dry.

I don't know what to have for dinner tonight. I nibbled on some raw potatoes as my stomach is kind of upset. And then had a banana, need to find DD something in there to eat.

Had a $10 coupon at CVS so tried some new shampoo that was $10.89 so only a few cents.

[skeeter]

May 26, 2023 8:50:01 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

OMG.  I finally got someone to get back to me about trimming Gus and he might be able to make it today!  If not early next week. 

Forget about paying to send your kids to college, have them be farriers instead.  The demand is unbelievable, and I figure they probably make $150/hour for time actually working. 

Wow, it's about time you finally got some good news regarding Gus!!  Hopefully, this gentleman will do a much better job than the first one.

BTW, how has Gus been going lately overall?  Has the new pain medication helped?

[countrygirl2]

And I didn't sleep well last night. It got in the 40's so I turned the furnace on but forgot to turn it down and was on 74. I woke up with Smokey stretched all down my back and kitties are really warm so I was too hot. Before that when I went to bed, normally the kitties go to sleep too. But last night they decided it was play time, running bouncing off the bed and rough housing, they finally quit.

Then later Smoke decides it is a good idea to sleep inside my legs. I don't know what was with him last night, but that made it hard to get back to sleep. Finally, I did and to soon, time to get up. Maybe taking benadryl I will sleep better tonight.

Need to get up and put a load of clothes in the dryer and Tigger is latched onto my foot again, have to move  him.

Yes, dinner, what will it be?

[susana1954]

May 26, 2023 13:23:46 GMT -5 bookkeeper said:

May 26, 2023 11:07:36 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

Pay attention to what amount you pull out of your regular IRA will do to your MAGI.  YOU don’t want to get caught by IRMAA.  It’s only for a year, but it’s a pain in the butt.  

This!  If you withdraw a large chunk from those accounts all in one year it may have a large impact on your income taxes.  If you use a CPA, now would be a good time to book an appointment to go over the tax load of what you are proposing to do.  Consider it a tax planning appointment.  If you have been doing your taxes yourself, this may be the year to ask for professional help.

Yes, you are both right.  But I typically convert about $10k each year, which has minimal effect on anything.  I haven't done that this year so I thought I would do that now and take the rest out of my Roth.

[Pink Cashmere]

Mister is making spaghetti tomorrow with his BBQ. He will use fresh basil and oregano from my little garden, and diced tomatoes I froze last summer from the tomatoes I grew on the deck. I only had a chance to freeze 2 packages of diced tomatoes before the squirrels ate everything. Mister used one in some spaghetti a while back, and when everybody raved over the spaghetti he said the tomatoes I’d frozen were the secret ingredient. I guess he’s been reluctant to use the last package, because it was all we had. I told him to go ahead and use it tomorrow, we’ll have more tomatoes soon.

Even though we still have to buy most vegetables from stores for now, it does something wonderful for my soul for him to cook with something I grew for us.

If I get to the point that I can grow most of the vegetables we regularly eat, I will feel like I’ve accomplished something important. Me growing it so Mister can cook it sounds good to me.

Since everything I’ve read says I need to start harvesting my basil soon, I texted Mrs. T and told her she’s welcome to get however much basil she wants, whenever she wants. Even with cooking, drying and storing some, I’m pretty sure I still have way more basil growing than I need for my household. I’d rather give it away than let it go to waste. She can have as much as she’d like, to cook fresh and store for use later.

[countrygirl2]

I also trimmed 2 euonymus today, that needed done to shape them and keep them within bounds. Then trimmed away some huge hosta leaves from a little fir tree I have planted there. Going to have to move some. Don't want them shading it so it will have dead spots. It grows slow but one day will be a beautiful Christmas tree.

The damn coons dug up my daisies, they don't bother the hostas so bought another pot of those. And bought 2 geraniums to put in pots.

[jerseygirl]

May 26, 2023 16:01:34 GMT -5 countrygirl2 said:

That old guy would be in a home somewhere if I had to deal with that. He likely will be anyway, sounds like if your hubs doesn't monitor and keep back money for house payments and expenses he will lose it anyway. Sounds like he wrecks havoc in the family no matter where he goes. That is awful, I do feel sorry for all of them in that family.

I am tired, been on the go all day. Started with talking to hubs this morning. I guess son has left so hubs took little guy and DIL out to dinner last night. She loves eating out. I think her problem with cooking is she was not taught how. Her mom was a cook for a daycare or school and brought leftovers home. So I doubt they did much cooking. Then it sounds like with shortages they just had whatever, could be part of it. But like us, she enjoys going out to eat. Hubs doesn't mind taking them sometimes, think it is the first time he has. He doesn't approve of son taking off and not taking her. But I think son gets tired, she can't be easy to live with, she just wants and wants, he only goes with his friends once or twice a year and don't think any wives go. Also they don't eat out, generally they camp somewhere and cook. Of course, he is likely not easy to live with either. They will probably be somewhere for Memorial Day. Hubs didn't take off but when young he drank back than and we did nothing. Of course, he says I'm up here because you bought this, LOL! Like he had nothing to do with it. I ignore him.

I got dust in my eye and nostrils yesterday mowing, should have had on goggles and a mask so my eye was swollen. I washed it out with eye wash a bit better, will take benadryl tonight. So I did mask and goggle up today when mowing at the other place. So now I'm done mowing for this week.  Came home, showered and washed and fixed my hair. I'm also washing clothes and some linens and hanging them out to dry. It's 38% humidity again so they are drying well. I love linens hung out and the sun bleaches whites to make them whiter.
I'm about done washing today, tomorrow will wash some more blankets and hang them out to dry.

I don't know what to have for dinner tonight. I nibbled on some raw potatoes as my stomach is kind of upset. And then had a banana, need to find DD something in there to eat.

Had a $10 coupon at CVS so tried some new shampoo that was $10.89 so only a few cents.

Ha Jerseyguy tries this when he’s annoyed at the house. You wanted to move mortgage almost paid off on original house. Nope you agreed and were actually enthusiastic

[minnesotapaintlady]

May 26, 2023 16:02:36 GMT -5 skeeter said:

May 26, 2023 8:50:01 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

OMG.  I finally got someone to get back to me about trimming Gus and he might be able to make it today!  If not early next week. 

Forget about paying to send your kids to college, have them be farriers instead.  The demand is unbelievable, and I figure they probably make $150/hour for time actually working. 

Wow, it's about time you finally got some good news regarding Gus!!  Hopefully, this gentleman will do a much better job than the first one.

BTW, how has Gus been going lately overall?  Has the new pain medication helped?

Well, it's not great news because he'll probably charge me an arm and a leg for just coming out for one, but at least someone has penciled him in.  I'm was hoping he'd show up today, but it doesn't look like it's going to happen.  Gus was doing ok.  I only gave him his pain meds for a couple days after seeing the vet 2 days ago, but the past couple days he's been really sore again.  I gave him pain meds last night and probably will again tonight.

[Opti]

May 26, 2023 16:56:00 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

May 26, 2023 16:02:36 GMT -5 skeeter said:

Wow, it's about time you finally got some good news regarding Gus!!  Hopefully, this gentleman will do a much better job than the first one.

BTW, how has Gus been going lately overall?  Has the new pain medication helped?

Well, it's not great news because he'll probably charge me an arm and a leg for just coming out for one, but at least someone has penciled him in.  I'm was hoping he'd show up today, but it doesn't look like it's going to happen.  Gus was doing ok.  I only gave him his pain meds for a couple days after seeing the vet 2 days ago, but the past couple days he's been really sore again.  I gave him pain meds last night and probably will again tonight.

Does Gus look happy or sad? Happy to be outside but in pain?

[skeeter]

Really sorry Gus is still sore and in enough pain that it is obvious minnesotapaintlady.  As long you have enough for awhile and the pain medication helps, might as well keep him as comfortable as possible.

Keeping fingers crossed the new farrier can undo some of the damage already done and Gus will be on the road to recovery shortly.

[Pink Cashmere]

May 26, 2023 16:01:34 GMT -5 countrygirl2 said:

That old guy would be in a home somewhere if I had to deal with that. He likely will be anyway, sounds like if your hubs doesn't monitor and keep back money for house payments and expenses he will lose it anyway. Sounds like he wrecks havoc in the family no matter where he goes. That is awful, I do feel sorry for all of them in that family.

I am tired, been on the go all day. Started with talking to hubs this morning. I guess son has left so hubs took little guy and DIL out to dinner last night. She loves eating out. I think her problem with cooking is she was not taught how. Her mom was a cook for a daycare or school and brought leftovers home. So I doubt they did much cooking. Then it sounds like with shortages they just had whatever, could be part of it. But like us, she enjoys going out to eat. Hubs doesn't mind taking them sometimes, think it is the first time he has. He doesn't approve of son taking off and not taking her. But I think son gets tired, she can't be easy to live with, she just wants and wants, he only goes with his friends once or twice a year and don't think any wives go. Also they don't eat out, generally they camp somewhere and cook. Of course, he is likely not easy to live with either. They will probably be somewhere for Memorial Day. Hubs didn't take off but when young he drank back than and we did nothing. Of course, he says I'm up here because you bought this, LOL! Like he had nothing to do with it. I ignore him.

I got dust in my eye and nostrils yesterday mowing, should have had on goggles and a mask so my eye was swollen. I washed it out with eye wash a bit better, will take benadryl tonight. So I did mask and goggle up today when mowing at the other place. So now I'm done mowing for this week.  Came home, showered and washed and fixed my hair. I'm also washing clothes and some linens and hanging them out to dry. It's 38% humidity again so they are drying well. I love linens hung out and the sun bleaches whites to make them whiter.
I'm about done washing today, tomorrow will wash some more blankets and hang them out to dry.

I don't know what to have for dinner tonight. I nibbled on some raw potatoes as my stomach is kind of upset. And then had a banana, need to find DD something in there to eat.

Had a $10 coupon at CVS so tried some new shampoo that was $10.89 so only a few cents.

Yes, he is a lot to deal with. He lied to Mister this morning about why he wanted Brother to take him to where he use to work. When Mister called him out on the lie, he said he lied because he thought Mister would tell him not to go. He told Brother that he lied to Mister because he is afraid of him. Which makes it sound like Mister might physically abuse him or something, when the only incident that has happened like that was when Dad told Mister he would beat his ass, and picked up a trash can like he was going to hit Mister with it. That was witnessed by a nurse at the hospital because it happened in Mom’s hospital room and Dad was clearly the one threatening Mister and being aggressive. The nurse had gotten Mister to leave the room and go talk to her (and I pushed him toward her and said GO). While they were gone, Dad told me “I’ll hurt him Pink” and I said “I seriously doubt you can beat Mister up, and you aren’t helping anything by saying shit like that”. Then I turned my attention to trying to comfort Mister’s Mom, who was upset and crying, saying that’s my husband and my child. I was trying to soothe her and telling her to please calm down, no matter how upset they got, Mister would never hurt his Dad, but I would still talk to Mister. Just please calm down and trust me when I say that Mister would never physically assault his Dad and I’m willing to get between them if necessary. On top of everything else, it pissed me off that Dad didn’t care that he was upsetting his wife with his heavier toward their son.

As soon as the nurse and Mister came back in the room, before anyone even had a chance to say anything, his Dad picked up the trash can to try to hit Mister with. But now he’s telling Brother (and God knows who else) that he’s afraid of Mister, when Mister has never been aggressive with him, not even that night at the hospital.

So the shit has already started and he hasn’t even been home 24 hours. 

IRT your DIL, I was never taught how to cook either. Everybody in my family can cook, including my first cousins, except me. I was never interested in cooking, and nobody insisted I learn how. I’ve always admitted here that I was kind of spoiled growing up, and I guess that’s just another way that I was spoiled. I do wish in hindsight that somebody would’ve made me learn to cook. When I hosted Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners at my house and holiday BBQ’s, my Mom did all the cooking for me.

One Christmas Eve my Mom was cooking at my house, and she finally threatened to whoop my ass if I didn’t at least bake the Red Velvet Cake. So I baked the stupid cake under her supervision and it turned out well. That’s the only cake I’ve ever baked in my life.

[Deleted]

Just got home from lunch at an awesome BBQ restaurant near the Houston Ship Channel and a 90-minute boat tour of the Port.  Amazing food including homemade ice cream, and the boat tour was really interesting.  It was pretty hot but we survived.  Our bus driver was an amazing woman who drives a 40-foot bus like a real Houstonian, one hand on the horn and not afraid to use it.  

[weltschmerz]

I'm exhausted. I had to go to the grocery store 4 times, because  I can't carry everything at once. Things like cat litter and plants for the window boxes.
Then I went for flowers for the house.  They cheer me up, I found a bouquet that I used to buy before covid, and they were $12. I found the same  bouquet today and I was happy. They were $40.
Nope, not buying it. 
I planted one window box with petunias and small dahlias. They need full sun so they should do well.

[Pink Cashmere]

I don’t want to start a discussion about religion, I just want to share a conversation I had with my DD today.

She called me because of something my Mom said to her today, out of the blue, and she didn’t want to engage in conversation with my Mom about it (which I understand because I know my Mom), so she wanted to ask me about it.

My Mom told her that God judges us not just for our actions, but also for our thoughts. DD said if that’s true, she might as well just give up and put a bikini on in preparation to go to hell. Because she has a lot of thoughts that she knows are ugly, but she doesn’t act on them

So I had a long talk with her about God, what He expects from us, and how He forgives us for things that we really do not want to continue doing, if we ask Him to. I told her that if she catches herself thinking something that she feels is uncharitable or whatever, she can ask for forgiveness and better judgement to be more aware of trying not to have those kinds of thoughts. And if she is serious about asking for forgiveness, it will be granted.

I told her that because none of us will ever be exactly like Jesus, as much as we might try, it’s understood that even the best of us that strive for that, will still always be works in progress regardless of where we are on our journey. Wherever we are on the journey to personal growth and/or spirituality, the most important thing is to keep trying to grow and learn how to be the best person you can be in whatever circumstances you find yourself in.

I hope I got it right with my advice, because I appreciate DD trusting me enough to come to me with it, and I NEVER want to give any of my loved ones bad information.

[Deleted]

I did not learn to cook at home.  My mother was adamant that she would not teach me, which was IMHO just another way to punish me for even thinking about growing into a functioning adult.  I bought a cookbook when I got married and did the best I could.  I also worked at least 8 hours a day and during the financial season, many more.  Somehow we survived.

When we retired I found myself interested in cooking at a level above survival and I have enjoyed taking on the challenge of cooking foods from many nations.  Cooking is the only creative outlet I have and, with DH"s diet choices, I'm increasingly limited in what I prepare.  As you know, he shares the cooking duties to a small extent.  Which is fair as his retirement income is much greater than mine.  

I'm sort of shocked that there is a concern in 2023 about a woman's cooking ability.  

[daisylu]

May 26, 2023 16:01:34 GMT -5 countrygirl2 said:

That old guy would be in a home somewhere if I had to deal with that. He likely will be anyway, sounds like if your hubs doesn't monitor and keep back money for house payments and expenses he will lose it anyway. Sounds like he wrecks havoc in the family no matter where he goes. That is awful, I do feel sorry for all of them in that family.

I am tired, been on the go all day. Started with talking to hubs this morning. I guess son has left so hubs took little guy and DIL out to dinner last night. She loves eating out. I think her problem with cooking is she was not taught how. Her mom was a cook for a daycare or school and brought leftovers home. So I doubt they did much cooking. Then it sounds like with shortages they just had whatever, could be part of it. But like us, she enjoys going out to eat. Hubs doesn't mind taking them sometimes, think it is the first time he has. He doesn't approve of son taking off and not taking her. But I think son gets tired, she can't be easy to live with, she just wants and wants, he only goes with his friends once or twice a year and don't think any wives go. Also they don't eat out, generally they camp somewhere and cook. Of course, he is likely not easy to live with either. They will probably be somewhere for Memorial Day. Hubs didn't take off but when young he drank back than and we did nothing. Of course, he says I'm up here because you bought this, LOL! Like he had nothing to do with it. I ignore him.

I got dust in my eye and nostrils yesterday mowing, should have had on goggles and a mask so my eye was swollen. I washed it out with eye wash a bit better, will take benadryl tonight. So I did mask and goggle up today when mowing at the other place. So now I'm done mowing for this week.  Came home, showered and washed and fixed my hair. I'm also washing clothes and some linens and hanging them out to dry. It's 38% humidity again so they are drying well. I love linens hung out and the sun bleaches whites to make them whiter.
I'm about done washing today, tomorrow will wash some more blankets and hang them out to dry.

I don't know what to have for dinner tonight. I nibbled on some raw potatoes as my stomach is kind of upset. And then had a banana, need to find DD something in there to eat.

Had a $10 coupon at CVS so tried some new shampoo that was $10.89 so only a few cents.

That's not fair to DIL, IMO. She basically has no support system in this country. Your son does not want her to work, so she is probably starved for attention and interaction.

ETA - There should be no issue with your son having a guy's getaway a couple of times a year as long as his wife has the same opportunities.

[Opti]

May 26, 2023 18:38:15 GMT -5 daisylu said:

May 26, 2023 16:01:34 GMT -5 countrygirl2 said:

That old guy would be in a home somewhere if I had to deal with that. He likely will be anyway, sounds like if your hubs doesn't monitor and keep back money for house payments and expenses he will lose it anyway. Sounds like he wrecks havoc in the family no matter where he goes. That is awful, I do feel sorry for all of them in that family.

I am tired, been on the go all day. Started with talking to hubs this morning. I guess son has left so hubs took little guy and DIL out to dinner last night. She loves eating out. I think her problem with cooking is she was not taught how. Her mom was a cook for a daycare or school and brought leftovers home. So I doubt they did much cooking. Then it sounds like with shortages they just had whatever, could be part of it. But like us, she enjoys going out to eat. Hubs doesn't mind taking them sometimes, think it is the first time he has. He doesn't approve of son taking off and not taking her. But I think son gets tired, she can't be easy to live with, she just wants and wants, he only goes with his friends once or twice a year and don't think any wives go. Also they don't eat out, generally they camp somewhere and cook. Of course, he is likely not easy to live with either. They will probably be somewhere for Memorial Day. Hubs didn't take off but when young he drank back than and we did nothing. Of course, he says I'm up here because you bought this, LOL! Like he had nothing to do with it. I ignore him.

I got dust in my eye and nostrils yesterday mowing, should have had on goggles and a mask so my eye was swollen. I washed it out with eye wash a bit better, will take benadryl tonight. So I did mask and goggle up today when mowing at the other place. So now I'm done mowing for this week.  Came home, showered and washed and fixed my hair. I'm also washing clothes and some linens and hanging them out to dry. It's 38% humidity again so they are drying well. I love linens hung out and the sun bleaches whites to make them whiter.
I'm about done washing today, tomorrow will wash some more blankets and hang them out to dry.

I don't know what to have for dinner tonight. I nibbled on some raw potatoes as my stomach is kind of upset. And then had a banana, need to find DD something in there to eat.

Had a $10 coupon at CVS so tried some new shampoo that was $10.89 so only a few cents.

That's not fair to DIL, IMO. She basically has no support system in this country. Your son does not want her to work, so she is probably starved for attention and interaction.

ETA - There should be no issue with your son having a guy's getaway a couple of times a year as long as his wife has the same opportunities.

If your grandson is old enough to hang out with his grandparents for the summer, he should be old enough that one parent staying home all the time should not be required anymore. Why doesn't he want her to work? Many military wives and military contractor spouses work even if its not the primary income. What's up with that? Why can't your son cook or grill some of the time? He's your son, he needs to start making it easier for her to be unhappy instead of you both focusing on the fact she is not happy. MO.

[Opti]

May 26, 2023 18:37:15 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

I did not learn to cook at home.  My mother was adamant that she would not teach me, which was IMHO just another way to punish me for even thinking about growing into a functioning adult.  I bought a cookbook when I got married and did the best I could.  I also worked at least 8 hours a day and during the financial season, many more.  Somehow we survived.

When we retired I found myself interested in cooking at a level above survival and I have enjoyed taking on the challenge of cooking foods from many nations.  Cooking is the only creative outlet I have and, with DH"s diet choices, I'm increasingly limited in what I prepare.  As you know, he shares the cooking duties to a small extent.  Which is fair as his retirement income is much greater than mine.  

I'm sort of shocked that there is a concern in 2023 about a woman's cooking ability.  

I'm wondering why there is not enough concern over her son's cooking ability. Just because he makes the primary income should not mean he makes all the rules, and she has to be a traditional wife and mom like CG2 was when he was growing up.

[Opti]

May 26, 2023 17:54:15 GMT -5 weltschmerz said:

I'm exhausted. I had to go to the grocery store 4 times, because  I can't carry everything at once. Things like cat litter and plants for the window boxes.
Then I went for flowers for the house.  They cheer me up, I found a bouquet that I used to buy before covid, and they were $12. I found the same  bouquet today and I was happy. They were $40.
Nope, not buying it. 
I planted one window box with petunias and small dahlias. They need full sun so they should do well.

NIce! There are no flowers to plant within walking distance. I hope there are some left when I get a vehicle to drive again.

[Artemis Windsong]

May 25, 2023 17:45:09 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

May 25, 2023 17:44:11 GMT -5 Artemis Windsong said:

I could tell when the post was made 12 hrs ago, 2d,  etc.

it's all still there... but I don't understand what FB has to do with it? this board isn't on FB, nor associated with it at all. 

The time of the post is back. 

[susana1954]

The neighbors who say they want to buy the house are coming to look at it in the morning.  I have worked hard on cleaning/decluttering the last couple of days, but it isn't show-ready.  On the other hand, I need a contract if they are buying because otherwise it needs to get listed.

I am so tired, though.  I am not used to cleaning this much since there is just me and Penny.  I never thought of myself as a slob until the last two days.

[Pink Cashmere]

I just got off the phone with a long conversation with my Aunt, my Mom’s only and older sibling. She has been in the beginning stages of dementia for a few years now, so I try to always answer or return her calls, because my experience with dementia tells me there will come a day that she won’t remember who I am. 

She has been upset with my Mom since the day my Mom moved into my house, and still is. She has said many times over the years that she was at the doctor when she learned I was taking my Mom home with me, and she regrets that she wasn’t able to call me and tell me not to do it before my Mom was discharged and I took responsibility for her.

I’ve always told my Aunt that it’s ok, the fact that I brought my Mom home with me and tried everything I could do to help her even while she wouldn’t try to help herself, matters to me and my conscience. I can look myself in the mirror and honestly say that I went over and beyond and did everything I could to try to help my Mom after she came to my house. From cooking and providing healthy meals every day to try to help her lose weight (when I was spending 7 and 8 hundred dollars/month to try to provide her healthy food), to cleaning up after her unnecessary messes when I came home from work and on my days off work, to giving her exercises that I got from a physical therapist that she could do within her mobility limits, to suggesting she go see someone since it seems she has an unhealthy relationship with food, and paying for everything for her during the months (which got to be every month) when she overdrafted her bank account so much that when she got her SS payment, she owed the whole payment to the bank, and had nothing left to pay for anything she needed.

She was not interested in anythingI suggested to try to help her lose weight so she could lose enough weight to have her hip replaced. I’d figured out programs for seniors to be active in pools at local YMCA’s and how I could get her there, but it was another NO from her.

[Deleted]

Thanks to leftover gumbo from the freezer, we had a good quick dinner.  DH changed the sheets and will run them tomorrow; I changed the towels and will run them tomorrow as well.  

I paid the extra $11 on the homeowner's insurance, completed my car registration for another $75.50 and printed out the vacation watch form for our security company.  Tomorrow is a quick grocery visit for some veggies to grill tomorrow night with the ribs.  

[Deleted]

Well, the neighborhood fence war is going nuclear tomorrow for sure.  Since Neighbor #2 refused to contribute anything toward the 6' cedar fence which is standard here, Neighbor #1 is removing existing fence tomorrow and replacing it with 4' tall orange plastic construction fencing from Home Depot 

Neighbor #2 wants Neighbor #1 to pay the full cost of a 4' chain link.  Her stated reason, "I don't want to have to replace wood pickets in 20 years".   Ummmmm, she's 65 now so......  

It's going to be insanely hot and humid with yet another day of unbearably poor air quality so I'm just going to watch the fun.  

[Deleted]

Pink Cashmere I wish I could be surprised that Mister's Dad started his stuff so quickly, but I'm not.  You are right that it's not dementia talking, it's just him.  There are tough choices ahead, but together you and Mister will overcome them. 

[Deleted]

May 26, 2023 16:19:31 GMT -5 Pink Cashmere said:

Mister is making spaghetti tomorrow with his BBQ. He will use fresh basil and oregano from my little garden, and diced tomatoes I froze last summer from the tomatoes I grew on the deck. I only had a chance to freeze 2 packages of diced tomatoes before the squirrels ate everything. Mister used one in some spaghetti a while back, and when everybody raved over the spaghetti he said the tomatoes I’d frozen were the secret ingredient. I guess he’s been reluctant to use the last package, because it was all we had. I told him to go ahead and use it tomorrow, we’ll have more tomatoes soon.

Even though we still have to buy most vegetables from stores for now, it does something wonderful for my soul for him to cook with something I grew for us.

If I get to the point that I can grow most of the vegetables we regularly eat, I will feel like I’ve accomplished something important. Me growing it so Mister can cook it sounds good to me.

Since everything I’ve read says I need to start harvesting my basil soon, I texted Mrs. T and told her she’s welcome to get however much basil she wants, whenever she wants. Even with cooking, drying and storing some, I’m pretty sure I still have way more basil growing than I need for my household. I’d rather give it away than let it go to waste. She can have as much as she’d like, to cook fresh and store for use later.

Why do they say harvest now?  It's great if you can harvest now if other go-withs like tomatoes are in too, but mine grows strong until cold temps, usually late October.  Same flavor as far as I can tell.