what are you doing right now?

[soupandstew]

Just got back from our county precinct meeting which was pretty cool.  In Texas, each county is divided into 4 precincts for governance.  Our slice of the pie holds 1.2 million residents, 54 parks and 1,600 miles of roadway.  My friend and I learned that our precinct has allocated $1.5 million for Phase 3 of a hike/bike trail in our community which is a really, really big deal for us.  

[Pink Cashmere]

Oct 19, 2023 19:56:09 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

Oct 19, 2023 17:56:40 GMT -5 Pink Cashmere said:

I like Boar’s Head not just for the taste, but also because of the lack of preservatives. Which means I have to err on the side of caution with the amount I buy, because it doesn’t last long in the refrigerator, and it costs way too much to go to waste.

Yes, I buy premium uncured ham and turkey slices from Aldi for the same reason.  It has to be used within 7 days which isn't a problem because it's just enough for 4 sandwiches and we do two for dinner and two breakfast sandwiches with egg

It’s funny that you mentioned uncured ham. While I was waiting for the deli person to slice my turkey, I noticed the uncured ham selections, and wondered what “uncured” meant. Then not even an hour later, I was talking to DS while he was shopping for cold cuts, and he asked me what “uncured” meant. I was honest and told him I didn’t know, but that I had JUST noticed the same description when I was in the grocery store. 

I buy smoked turkey instead of ham, even though I do like ham too. Probably more than turkey.

 So since you mentioned it, what does “uncured” mean?

[andi9899]

Oct 19, 2023 15:00:45 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

Oct 19, 2023 14:58:15 GMT -5 andi9899 said:

Finally filled out my expense report for my trip last week. I need to set myself up in the resident portal here at the new place so I can pay rent next week. I also need to finish my change of address. With the post office. Did you know they charge you for that. What?!

I think it was $1 to do it online, they called it a verification fee or some other bullshit. I think you can still do it in person, though. just drop off the forms. 

I don't do things in person anymore unless I absolutely have to. The charge is $1.10 to complete it. I would think the credit card fees would be enough to make it not worth charging.

[countrygirl2]

I'm still wondering if I'm getting shingles. I'm sure I will know in a day or two if a rash develops like the pictures. I've had the vaccines so if so, maybe it won't be much.

The left side of my face has a strip that has a slight rash and I have a headache, also fatigued. But I just had blood work a week ago and checked and everything is right on. Blood work perfect, respiration, heart beat and all so pointless to go to the doc. About all I can say is I don't feel good.

I'm not doing much, today sat around all day and napped a bit so that was good. Didn't really cook, just heated up some stuff and did some laundry, so nothing vigorous though I was planning on doing some work outside. Hubs went to town and to the grocer, took mail to the post office for me, took out the trash. He also cleaned and painted the boat trailer. He ordered some neat decals for the back of his truck that says F-150, and put those on today, really looks sharp on it. He is going to go crazy having to sit around for 4 to 6 weeks poor guy.

If I'm coming down with something it will rear its ugly head soon. Just as long as its not the same day as hubs surgery.

Yesterday evening, I sorted through lots of paperwork, pitched a bunch, now I'm ready to start working on recons for our LLC.

I'm going with hubs to meet with the surgeon in the morning, his last visit with him. His surgery is going to be robotically, don't know how that works, they said almost all theirs are done that way now. I assume they mean for prostrate cancer.

[andi9899]

Oct 19, 2023 15:49:30 GMT -5 flamingo said:

I am so tired today. Tired enough that I took my contacts out and out my glasses for the rest of my travel. I never do that in the middle of the day! I’m legally blind without one or the other. 

also I’m in the lounge at my airport having a glass of wine before my next flight. And I had a video meeting with my boss and colleague. I almost drank my wine on camera   It’s only 3:45 here, so definitely on the clock still, even if it’s a travel day. Oops 

I'd just drink the wine. However I am in one of the most alcoholic professions there is, so nobody has an issue with it.

[soupandstew]

Oct 19, 2023 20:31:12 GMT -5 Pink Cashmere said:

Oct 19, 2023 19:56:09 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

Yes, I buy premium uncured ham and turkey slices from Aldi for the same reason.  It has to be used within 7 days which isn't a problem because it's just enough for 4 sandwiches and we do two for dinner and two breakfast sandwiches with egg

It’s funny that you mentioned uncured ham. While I was waiting for the deli person to slice my turkey, I noticed the uncured ham selections, and wondered what “uncured” meant. Then not even an hour later, I was talking to DS while he was shopping for cold cuts, and he asked me what “uncured” meant. I was honest and told him I didn’t know, but that I had JUST noticed the same description when I was in the grocery store. 

I buy smoked turkey instead of ham, even though I do like ham too. Probably more than turkey.

 So since you mentioned it, what does “uncured” mean?

Uncured meats are really still "cured" but with naturally occurring salts rather than synthetic nitrates and nitrites.  There's debate over whether so-called "uncured" is healthier, but to me it just tastes better and it's less salty in flavor.  

[countrygirl2]

I found this. I buy Boars Head sweet slice and its uncured ham.


What Is Curing?
Curing is an age-old technique using salt and other ingredients to treat foods, usually meat, to flavor and preserve it. Removing moisture, which creates an environment in which harmful bacteria can thrive, is a major way curing preserves meats. Curing can be used together with other processes, like smoking and cooking, to further preserve and flavor foods.

While curing historically relied on naturally occurring ingredients, synthetic versions of chemicals like nitrates and nitrites have become more popular over the last 100 years. These synthetics are readily available, work faster and are superior at preserving the color of cured meats.

What Is Uncured Ham?
Hams labeled as “uncured” or “free of nitrates and nitrites” are, confusingly, still cured. They are salted to remove moisture, and almost always contain ingredients like celery or beet extracts that are a source of naturally occurring nitrates. They may also contain flavorings like sugar, honey and spices and may be smoked or cooked.

So if “uncured” hams are actually cured, why the disconnect? A USDA labeling law requires meats processed without synthetic nitrates and nitrites to be labeled as uncured and/or free of these chemicals.

What’s the Danger of Nitrates In Ham?
In meats, nitrates can lead to the formation of compounds called nitrosomes, a known carcinogen. Citing mounting scientific evidence, this led the World Health Organization in 2015 to classify processed meats (including ham) as Category 1 carcinogen to humans.

Are Uncured Hams Healthier Than Cured Hams?
While many people prefer the idea of ham processed with naturally occurring plant-based ingredients, there is no evidence that these nitrates are safer than synthetic ones. In fact, many groups, including the Center for Science and Public Interest and Consumer Reports, have lobbied for the USDA to change its labeling requirements, citing the potential to mislead consumers.

Read labels on hams carefully and make your own choice about cured versus uncured products. Look in ingredients lists for natural sources of nitrates like celery juice, celery powder or beet extracts, and also wording like “No nitrates or nitrites added except those naturally occurring in celery powder.” The good news is that both cured and uncured hams, whether spiral-cut or deli-sliced, are delicious, easy to prepare and can be cooked or layered into sandwiches interchangeably.

[andi9899]

Oct 19, 2023 16:11:25 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

Oct 19, 2023 15:49:30 GMT -5 flamingo said:

I am so tired today. Tired enough that I took my contacts out and out my glasses for the rest of my travel. I never do that in the middle of the day! I’m legally blind without one or the other. 

also I’m in the lounge at my airport having a glass of wine before my next flight. And I had a video meeting with my boss and colleague. I almost drank my wine on camera   It’s only 3:45 here, so definitely on the clock still, even if it’s a travel day. Oops 

if anyone gives you shit about that, they can pound sand. "travel day" starts when I get to the airport. if I have time to log in and do stuff, I will, just because it makes my job easier in the long run. if I don't have time, or a reliable connection, I don't. and the world still spins, and shit gets done when it gets done. I don't now, nor have I ever, flown well. I remember being completely freaked out on my first flight ever on the 8th grade trip to DC. next flights were to MIA in college once, and then work travel started in 2002 at age 23. I still need alcohol or Xanax to quietly board a plane. at 45 now, I don't think this will ever change. 

Agreed. We have virtual desktops so I don't even take my laptop. I'm disconnected as soon as I leave the office. Hence me struggling to eat spicy chicken wings and needing multiple beers to cool my mouth off last Friday. The producers have my cell # if something crazy happens, but they don't generally bother me.

[andi9899]

Oct 19, 2023 16:34:25 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

Oct 19, 2023 16:28:10 GMT -5 andi9899 said:

I had to have a CTJ talk about jerkiing around underwriters. I'm also reminding a producer about not chasing broke people.

Can you explain "underwriters" and "producers" for me?  I always think undertakers when I first see your posts, but that's just my sick mind 

Producers are the money makers. They go out and network and bring the business in. We decide together which markets to approach based on underwriting guidelines/rates.

It's then handed off to me to market and negotiate with underwriters who represent the insurance carriers. Sometimes I can go directly to the carrier, sometimes I have to go through a broker to get there. I negotiate the best coverages/rates and come back to the producer and together we present to the insured.

Once the insured accepts the terms I make it happen. I make sure everything happens on time and that everyone is compliant. Once coverage is bound I then book everything and deal with accounting/CSRs/certificate reps etc to get things finalized. All that to say that basically I herd cats all day.

[andi9899]

Oct 19, 2023 16:37:17 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

I got the car insurance renewal today and it wasn't as good as I would like or as bad as I feared.  It's up 29% from last year, an additional $614 since I pay annually.  Our agent said be happy with anything under a 50% increase on auto or home so I'm good with it.  Now I have to print out the policy (they surcharge if you want anything by mail) and show it to stupid so he can't bitch I didn't tell  him.  

ETA:  Houston is very high on auto because of theft and collision risks.  Texans are good at a lot of things, but driving ain't one of 'em

Fuck that. I shop every time mine comes up for renewal. If I find something better I jump ship. Then again I'm basically my own broker so I just deal direct with the insurance companies.

[andi9899]

Oct 19, 2023 17:38:56 GMT -5 Pink Cashmere said:

Oct 19, 2023 16:25:59 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

Well, we won't be eating lunch out together again so that will save a bunch of $$.  DH decided to play the fool with me at lunch today and he crossed a very serious line that can't be uncrossed.  I made it explicitly clear that I will not except abuse of any sort, ever, period.  At this point I honestly don't care if I stay or go, but I'll make damn sure it's the most expensive mistake he ever made.  We have to go to a public meeting tonight and there's a 50/50 chance I will leave him there to find his own way home if he repeats his earlier error, and I told him that in so many words.  

Oh dear, I’m sorry about this. The usual stuff I might say doesn’t apply, since you mentioned abuse. That is a totally different thing from normal type issues and disagreements, and I don’t encourage my friends to try to tolerate it, in any form.

I normally offer to pinch spouses here, on behalf of my friends, but I can’t even joke like that in this situation.

Does he HAVE to go to the meeting with you?

Take care of yourself.

Fuck pinching. I'll lay his ass out if you need.

[andi9899]

Oct 19, 2023 19:41:19 GMT -5 bean29 said:

Oct 19, 2023 19:26:49 GMT -5 andi9899 said:

I had to have a CTJ talk with a customer about jerkiing around underwriters. I'm also reminding a producer about not chasing broke people.

Andi someone asked you what this meant earlier, so when you say not chasing broke people, are you saying don’t bother nagging them to remit their payments (ie. let the policy cancel), or don’t write that type of business to begin with?

I mean don't write that type of business to begin with. This producer is new so he wants to write everything. Most of what I do is for an established producer who can afford to be picky. The new one has been on me for this one truck deal for weeks that will be about $20K in premium. I've had to tell him to chill because the other guy has another account that will bring $700K+ in premium so that's been my focus.

I finally get $700K account done and bind $20K account this morning. This afternoon $20K guy says he doesn't have the money for the down payment. I don't have time for that crap. I make deals by building relationships with those that I deal with. This was my first deal with this carrier and he's making me look like an asshole. I now have to backtrack and hope this underwriter will take me seriously in the future. I explained all this to the green producer. He's so new that I don't know if he fully understands, but he will if he keeps chasing this kind of business.

[countrygirl2]

Time for me to go to bed. Not doing anything, just sitting here reading articles on the internet and doing a bit of crossword puzzles. It's just quiet in here and nice.
Need to get up at 8 in the morning so I can go with hubs to see the surgeon.

[finnime]

I admire your absolute refusal to put up with abusive sh*t, soupandstew. You are a fierce warrior.

[finnime]

Good morning, invincible invisipeeps, living in strength. I hope your Friday is satisfying with nothing to disturb your equanimity. Life is sweet.

Yesterday was a fine day we spent taking photos of autumn color at the historic cemetary in Cambridge. It contains the graves of Mary Baker Eddy, founder of Christian Science; Henry Wadsworh Longellow; Nathan Tufts of Tufts University; Bartlett of Bartlett's Quotations; Fanny Farmer of cookbook fame, and a hundred others I can't remember. It is still actively memorializing the dead. It was the first cemetary in the U.S. to be designed as a park for people to enjoy. There is a tower in the middle on a hill that gives you a panoramic view of the grounds and all the way to the Boston skyline. We had a great time on that fine sunny day.

TOday I must get a birthday something for DH and for ODB. We're going to brunch on Sunday to celebrate their birthdays which are on the 22nd. Plus I'm making chicken marsala with DD coming for dinner. It's supposed to rain starting tonight and all day tomorrow.

The dawn yesterday changed colors and shapes every 2 minutes as I watched. Here is one picture:

[daisylu]

Oct 19, 2023 17:56:40 GMT -5 Pink Cashmere said:

Oct 19, 2023 16:51:44 GMT -5 countrygirl2 said:

Hubs is always saying he doesn't care what we have to eat when I ask. I HATE that. So tonight, DD had spaghetti O's, I had ramen chicken noodle, and he had lunch meat sandwiches. And yes, our luncheon meat is Boars Head too. I just cannot eat the slimely lunch meat other outfits make.

Our neighbor raises turkeys for Boars Head lunch meat and his barns and everything are spotless. So maybe others produce him like too. It's no wonder its so good.

I let rhodes rolls raise today and just baked them. Last time I had them not good, these sure our. So I guess our dessert is some yeast rolls, yummy.

Son does have his wife and son on his family plan for insurance.

I like Boar’s Head not just for the taste, but also because of the lack of preservatives. Which means I have to err on the side of caution with the amount I buy, because it doesn’t last long in the refrigerator, and it costs way too much to go to waste.

That is why I buy it also, the lower preservatives and no nitrates or nitrates. Had to get used to buying smaller amounts when kiddos moved out. I like the maple glazed turkey and DH likes the male glazed ham.

[giramomma]

I am up. It has been a long week.

[chiver78]

I popped on the laptop to try and close something out that was busted yesterday. my Chrome app updated, and it looks weird now. I suppose I'll get used to it. or not, idk. 

I fell asleep on the couch again last night, I definitely need this mental break for a few days. 

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

DH got the settlement for the car.  We probably could have gotten more but he isn't the best at negotiating he just takes a deal and runs with it.

They wanted to total the car.  We kept the car.  Minus our deductible and paying off the remainder of his car loan we got a check for $4600.

Now to find someone who can fix the car for cheaper.  Dad thinks the place DH took it too was ripping us off because they get kickbacks for being a preferred provider.   There is no reason they couldn't put used 2012 Nissan doors on DH's car and lower the costs.  I was skeptical myself that it would cost over half of what we paid for the car to get two doors put on. 

We're going to take it to a couple places he recommends.  DH is fine driving it as is for now.  It just doesn't look good and the windows don't roll down.  Which in winter weather is a moot point.

[seriousthistime]

Pleased to share that I have a new DGD, born 6 weeks early.  We knew she'd be early, a planned C section was scheduled for next week but she decided not to wait around.  She's small but healthy so far. 

Also happy to share that last night I babysat for my DGS, who has disabilities arising from his very premature birth.  DS and DDIL have not been out together without him since he came home from the NICU 2+ years ago.  It was a great success, we had a wonderful time, and he was full of smiles.  I'm encouraging them to do this more often, just the two of them alone. 

[jerseygirl]

Congratulations serious! Hope baby big brother mom and dad all do well

[giramomma]

Exciting news Serious. Thanks for sharing!

[giramomma]

I am having leftover cheesecake for breakfast.

Because I can.

[Anne_in_VA]

Congratulations on the new baby!

[finnime]

Congratulation, grandma seriousthistime, to you and your DS and family!

[azucena]

Oct 19, 2023 19:57:03 GMT -5 MarionTh230 said:

DH thinks he wants to be a school janitor. We will work on getting him an application in the system. I imagine it will be a slow and drawn out process. Which means it is probably best to get started on it quite soon.

They can't find enough bus drivers in the StL area, so maybe consider that too.

[andi9899]

Oct 20, 2023 7:55:46 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

DH got the settlement for the car.  We probably could have gotten more but he isn't the best at negotiating he just takes a deal and runs with it.

They wanted to total the car.  We kept the car.  Minus our deductible and paying off the remainder of his car loan we got a check for $4600.

Now to find someone who can fix the car for cheaper.  Dad thinks the place DH took it too was ripping us off because they get kickbacks for being a preferred provider.   There is no reason they couldn't put used 2012 Nissan doors on DH's car and lower the costs.  I was skeptical myself that it would cost over half of what we paid for the car to get two doors put on. 

We're going to take it to a couple places he recommends.  DH is fine driving it as is for now.  It just doesn't look good and the windows don't roll down.  Which in winter weather is a moot point.

Make sure you ask for a cash quote so that they cut you a deal.

[daisylu]

Still trying to figure out the rest of my PTO. I did take 2 days the week of Christmas in order to get the entire week off around paid holidays.

4.5 days left to schedule. Going to do long weekends, trying to decide if I want Mondays or Fridays off.

[wvugurl26]

I would take Monday but that's me. Fridays are generally very quiet in my organization and can be a great time to catch up and work on projects requiring time chunks. Mondays can be awful.

[jerseygirl]

Flight to California delayed almost 3 hours. Bought a cheese bacon egg breakfast sandwich cause at first thought only half hour to board and not enough time to go to new United club

Well just bought $30 of chocolate candy with the ‘lunch’ voucher