what are you doing right now?

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

I need to frog the hat I was making.  I’m kinda pissed at myself about it, but there are just too many dropped stitches that I thought I had saved.  Stupid cable needles, I knew that they wouldn't work, but used them anyway.  

TD started back at work today, and he had to hit the snooze 3 times before he could get out of bed.  He doesn’t need to work, but the offer was too good to pass up.  I guess he joins the long list of repeatedly retired SLAP members who do this.  This is his first, I think the record has been 5 retirements by one member in the group.  

It is really an interesting dynamic.  Locally there are a bunch of refineries a stone throw away.  As a result, there are a lot of engineering consulting firms.  Everything is horribly incestuous in that they call get farmed out to various refineries/consulting firms and I think that they have all worked for or with the same people and each other at any one time.  I do think it’s funny that these companies want and need to pay upwards of $150+/hour for experienced engineers, that they can’t find or hire some for a fraction of the cost, so they call them in and make these incredible offers.  Every single one of these guys is pushing 70+, TD is one of the youngest at 65.  

[bean29]

Good morning/Afternoon everyone.  I have had a low grade headache since Saturday.  I took a covid test this morning just to make sure it was not Covid.  Did not want to take it to the office as a co-worker's daughter is getting married on Saturday.  it was negative, so probably just a tension headache.

I have looked over the financial headlines and read up on not having your retirement planning sidetracked by helping out your kids.  It will not be our kids that drain away our resources, it will be other relatives.  As my DH is self-employed I have started telling him that he earns good money, but he has to allocate part of his earnings to retirement as he does not have a pension.  I keep telling him his brothers have pensions.  He is hearing me, but we both need to quit feeling guilty and helping family members when they get into financial difficulties.  

I was at DH's office yesterday b/c he asked me to go there to try to get access to his one CC b/c he was going to be working there.  He is taking out old paneling and replacing it with drywall and they made a tray ceiling in a very small room.  It is maybe 11x10 or 10x10.  It was a good idea b/c I had to call the 800 number 2x and they did want to talk to him to have it authorized.  He asked them to record his authorization b/c it happens every once in a while, that I need info.  They took my name and everything, but when I called back, they said it was not recorded and that the only way to have me be authorized to get info on the card it for me to do a credit authorization.  I really don't want another Credit card, so I will have to think if it is worth following up on. That is a rewards card, the points can only be spent on Ford bling.  DH did get a replacement mirror using the points for his Mustang, but otherwise it is just Ford Branded stuff that he can get.  I just keep 2-3 in a small wallet that is easy to grab.  They tend to be from our main bank b/c they are easy to keep track of.  

I have a hair appointment Wednesday.  DH is working late on his mini-remodeling project every day this week, so I have to manage picking up the dogs and dinner on my own.  Dinner will be easy - Lean Cuisine.  Dogs are only a mini-issue on Wednesday when I have an appointment, but it should be ok.  I normally only ask DH to get the dogs if I work late or have a hair appointment that is a little early - this one is scheduled for 7 pm.  I need to buy some thread to alter my dress I plan to wear on Saturday.  I need to also take in a blazer DD bought from the Express Outlets last weekend.  It is super cute - it is Black with white trim on the edges.  The best hope is the back seams on left and right of center - pockets in front would limit my ability to take it in.  I can also do the back seam, but that little kick pleat might present a challenge.

[swamp]

I just logged into an online seminar, and wondered by no one else is joining.  

It's tomorrow.  

[lurkyloo]

Sept 18, 2023 11:26:14 GMT -5 finnime said:

Now I want apple pie. And raspberry sauce.

Might’ve just had the former for lunch…and a raspberry tart for breakfast.
Hmmmm…still have some raspberries set aside, nominally for DH and DS to eat… 

[raeoflyte]

Sept 18, 2023 11:54:20 GMT -5 swamp said:

I just logged into an online seminar, and wondered by no one else is joining.  

It's tomorrow.  

You're so on top of things you're a day early! That's awesome!

Way better than a day late.

[raeoflyte]

My washer is fixed! Repair guy had a cancelation and fit us in. Easy and cheap fix too.

[minnesotapaintlady]

Sept 18, 2023 11:54:20 GMT -5 swamp said:

I just logged into an online seminar, and wondered by no one else is joining.  

It's tomorrow.  

At least it wasn't a Teams meeting so everyone got an alert that you showed up.

[giramomma]

Sept 18, 2023 10:51:08 GMT -5 azucena said:

Sept 18, 2023 10:17:02 GMT -5 giramomma said:

Well, who knew. This balance stuff and self-care stuff may actually work.

Tell me more...

Stuff that would upset me at work (like not giving me information I need to do my job on a timely basis) is just rolling off my back.

I had an amazing weekend. The kind that made me say "This is what I beat cancer for."

I spent some time this morning volunteering. That helps with me having a purpose. Which helps with my resilience, etc. And I like where I am volunteering. It's simple. And it's for me, not because the kids a part of an organization that needs something from me.

I also have some fun things to look forward the rest of this month as well.

I didn't even cry last night thinking about having to work.

Don't get me wrong, I still can't shake the feeling that the other shoe is going to drop at some point, soon. And I'm on edge about that.

And, at least I'm feeling positive.

[swamp]

Sept 18, 2023 12:14:46 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

Sept 18, 2023 11:54:20 GMT -5 swamp said:

I just logged into an online seminar, and wondered by no one else is joining.  

It's tomorrow.  

At least it wasn't a Teams meeting so everyone got an alert that you showed up.

Ahh, but it is a Teams meeting.  

[bookkeeper]

Sept 18, 2023 10:12:22 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

Loan was approved we can proceed with the furnace repair.

We would have regardless but this way we don't have to drain our cash reserves in one shot.  I only have to use a little bit to get us through the end of the year.  Then debt starts to drop off and I can cash flow the payment.

I think repairing the stove is the better bet.  DH keeps insisting on new but we are already dropping $5k on a furnace which is a NEED if we don't want to die in our sleep.  A new stove is nice but not a need.  I don't care that my stove doesn't look great I just want it to work.  I'll look up the model parts when I get home.   Just because DH is not mechanically inclined doesn't mean I can't teach myself or have my dad help.

If I really want to I can clean it to be almost brand new looking and probably should at some point.

Doing it this way maybe I can save up for one of those awesome dual stoves Gwen and I have been drooling over.

I however DO NOT need a $5k oven with port/starboard attachments, Wifi and whatever else it had.  Good grief I just want to cook on it not take into outer space!

It's easy to change the electric element in your oven.  Turn off the breaker to your stove.  Usually there is a small cover plate at the back of the element with a screw that you remove.   Now that you have access, pull the element toward you.  There will be two wires, one to each end of the element.  Unscrew the old element, screw in the new one and replace the cover plate.  Flip the breaker and give it a try.

Some people line their oven with foil.  Aluminum foil that comes in contact with an oven element will cause the element to fail.  Better to line the oven with a drip mat.  I had an old wall oven in my last house that liked to burn through elements.  It quit when I stopped using foil on the bottom.

[NastyWoman]

Sept 18, 2023 13:22:06 GMT -5 swamp said:

Sept 18, 2023 12:14:46 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

At least it wasn't a Teams meeting so everyone got an alert that you showed up.

Ahh, but it is a Teams meeting.  

Oops.  

[chiver78]

ugh. LD has been sleeping most of the day, except when he'd run up to the front windows to growl at the neighbor across the street that was coming and going. Punk is pouting over on the dog bed that's in the middle of the dining room floor, that I moved for her, away from the baby gate that's in front of the window right now. she's terrified of it. it has been raining sideways most of the afternoon, with a flood watch until overnight tonight. I suppose this is my preview to winter, when the side door isn't open all day long. 

[toomuchreality]

Sept 18, 2023 14:48:22 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

ugh. LD has been sleeping most of the day, except when he'd run up to the front windows to growl at the neighbor across the street that was coming and going. Punk is pouting over on the dog bed that's in the middle of the dining room floor, that I moved for her, away from the baby gate that's in front of the window right now. she's terrified of it. it has been raining sideways most of the afternoon, with a flood watch until overnight tonight. I suppose this is my preview to winter, when the side door isn't open all day long. 

Good times.
I hope LD is still improving.

[andi9899]

I got handed a piece of new business to write. It's crap! I've written some pretty hairy accounts, but this one is bad!

[chiver78]

Sept 18, 2023 14:55:05 GMT -5 toomuchreality said:

Sept 18, 2023 14:48:22 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

ugh. LD has been sleeping most of the day, except when he'd run up to the front windows to growl at the neighbor across the street that was coming and going. Punk is pouting over on the dog bed that's in the middle of the dining room floor, that I moved for her, away from the baby gate that's in front of the window right now. she's terrified of it. it has been raining sideways most of the afternoon, with a flood watch until overnight tonight. I suppose this is my preview to winter, when the side door isn't open all day long. 

Good times.
I hope LD is still improving.

he is, thank you. Punk seems to be clear of the UTI and just pouting b/c she's contained in the house. LD is on restrictions til around Halloween when we go for follow-up to make sure the bone is re-growing appropriately over the surgical site. please keep your fingers crossed that it is, and the restrictions will be lifted at that time! as I say on FB, #sendwine 

[finnime]

As for me, #sendlawyersgunsandmoney!

[Pink Cashmere]

Sept 18, 2023 15:18:59 GMT -5 finnime said:

As for me, #sendlawyersgunsandmoney!

Uh oh! What’s wrong?

[finnime]

Oh, I just said that to be funny. But a little stockpile would be handy.

[chiver78]

Sept 18, 2023 15:21:28 GMT -5 Pink Cashmere said:

Sept 18, 2023 15:18:59 GMT -5 finnime said:

As for me, #sendlawyersgunsandmoney!

Uh oh! What’s wrong?

nothing. it's a song title.

[Pink Cashmere]

Sept 18, 2023 15:24:54 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

Sept 18, 2023 15:21:28 GMT -5 Pink Cashmere said:

Uh oh! What’s wrong?

nothing. it's a song title.

[weltz]

Sept 18, 2023 14:06:57 GMT -5 bookkeeper said:

Sept 18, 2023 10:12:22 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

Loan was approved we can proceed with the furnace repair.

We would have regardless but this way we don't have to drain our cash reserves in one shot.  I only have to use a little bit to get us through the end of the year.  Then debt starts to drop off and I can cash flow the payment.

I think repairing the stove is the better bet.  DH keeps insisting on new but we are already dropping $5k on a furnace which is a NEED if we don't want to die in our sleep.  A new stove is nice but not a need.  I don't care that my stove doesn't look great I just want it to work.  I'll look up the model parts when I get home.   Just because DH is not mechanically inclined doesn't mean I can't teach myself or have my dad help.

If I really want to I can clean it to be almost brand new looking and probably should at some point.

Doing it this way maybe I can save up for one of those awesome dual stoves Gwen and I have been drooling over.

I however DO NOT need a $5k oven with port/starboard attachments, Wifi and whatever else it had.  Good grief I just want to cook on it not take into outer space!

It's easy to change the electric element in your oven.  Turn off the breaker to your stove.  Usually there is a small cover plate at the back of the element with a screw that you remove.   Now that you have access, pull the element toward you.  There will be two wires, one to each end of the element.  Unscrew the old element, screw in the new one and replace the cover plate.  Flip the breaker and give it a try.

Some people line their oven with foil.  Aluminum foil that comes in contact with an oven element will cause the element to fail.  Better to line the oven with a drip mat.  I had an old wall oven in my last house that liked to burn through elements.  It quit when I stopped using foil on the bottom.

I used to change the oven elements myself all the time. It's easy.
Instead of turning off the breaker to the stove, I would turn off the breaker to the whole house.

[chiver78]

Sept 18, 2023 15:24:09 GMT -5 finnime said:

Oh, I just said that to be funny. But a little stockpile would be handy.

I wish I could remember the guy's name, but did you happen to get to TD Garden this summer for a memorabilia display? all I can remember from the ads for it was the clip of him singing this particular line of the song. he's got a personal collection that rivals any music museum, and he put it all out there for free entry to the venue. it was around Father's Day for Boston. 

ETA - it came to me! Jim Irsay - The Jim Irsay Collection

[weltz]

Sept 18, 2023 15:18:59 GMT -5 finnime said:

As for me, #sendlawyersgunsandmoney!

I love that song.  He was a great talent.
Too bad he died from mesothelioma, from exposure to asbestos in his father's carpet store.

[seriousthistime]

Warren Zevon?  

[chiver78]

Sept 18, 2023 15:33:56 GMT -5 seriousthistime said:

Warren Zevon?  

for the original song, yes. that, I knew   I couldn't remember the cover from the ad, but I just updated my post. idk where in the universe my brain pulled that name from, but the link is to the event I was talking about. 

[weltz]

I just came back from the pool.  It was glorious! It was closed for three weeks for cleaning and maintenance.
Now to tackle laundry.

[weltz]

For those who are unfamiliar....

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

So to clarify those of us on YM will send guns, money and a lawyer no questions asked? 

Asking for a friend.

[wvugurl26]

I think I've found my limit on concert tickets. I thought we paid too much for George Strait, Chris Stapleton and Little Big Town in July in Nashville. It was our anniversary gift. We definitely paid too much considering it rained and we got half a concert. I got them presale not even marked up resale.

They are doing a handful of shows next year. Presale started today. DH was interested in Las Vegas. I priced 2 and said no thank you. $1,954 for two. $524 in taxes and fees, the Ticketmaster fees are way out of hand.

[finnime]

Sept 18, 2023 15:44:46 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

So to clarify those of us on YM will send guns, money and a lawyer no questions asked? 

Asking for a friend.

You betcha!