what are you doing right now?

[NastyWoman]

Dec 10, 2023 21:00:10 GMT -5 andi9899 said:

Dec 10, 2023 17:01:51 GMT -5 Pink Cashmere said:

Thanks for giving me a timeframe to visit you before I’d have to fly overseas. Not That I won’t venture to Munich too.

Seriously though, unless Mister was talking out of his ass or I decide by then that I’m not willing to travel with him, there’s a chance that I will be in what I think is called the DMV area (please feel free to correct me if I got that wrong lol) in February. He wants to visit relatives in Virginia and Maryland. I can’t go that way without visiting an IRL friend that lives in Fredericksburg, Virginia, where one of Mister’s relatives that he wants to visit, also happens to live. I know that a lot of places in that part of the country are fairly close together, but I’d have to look at a map to make it all make sense to me. People that live in the area, know better than me, what’s feasible or not. I ASSume the Maryland part of the potential trip is not far from the Virginia part, but idk exactly in Maryland his relative lives. 

Idk who all here lives within a reasonable distance, but if I do end up going, I would be happy to meet my online friends while I’m there. And I want to be clear that that trip depends on Mister.

I will also be in San Antonio next fall. I seem to recall that at least one person here lives in San Antonio, but I’m not sure who, or even I that I’m not mistaken in thinking that. I will be there for my side gig, and the schedule is always pretty tight, with only one evening not accounted for, but I can figure it out to meet a friend, even if I have to go early or stay an extra day. That trip has nothing to do with Mister, and will happen with or without him.

Anyway, I do have lots of places in the US that I’d like to visit, and being able to meet some of my friends here is an incentive, and would be a huge bonus.

And because I’d also like to travel the world, knowing I’d have a friend in Munich in a few years, and one in France today, to help guide me, is awesome!

I'd meet you there. I'm actually willing to fly just about anywhere in the US. If I got off my ass and got a passport one day I'd add other countries as well.

Well you have a few more years but then you better get your act together...

[finnime]

Good morning, empathetic and encouraging invisipeeps of Y Ma'am. Welcome to Monday, with 14 brick and mortar shopping days left until Christmas. I hope your day offers scaffolding to climb over the problems that you might otherwise encounter, and ice cream for breakfast, lunch and dinner dessert as you prefer. Or adult beverages if you choose to imbibe.

What I wish for you all is that the people--family, bosses and coworkers, pets, and you yourself--all treat you with respect and caring.

My DD has been working on my website again and has figured out how to make it look much better with uniformity of the thumbnails on the all photos pages. I think she's just about done. I'm very happy about it and also some correction of the site after culling. Need to make room for new photos.

We are in the Weather this morning, with very high winds and rain, so no beach this dawn. Yesterday when we arrived at the beach, I saw the moon and Venus above the bay:

[chiver78]

I can definitely hear the winds outside now. doesn't feel like the rain is too bad at the moment, not much hitting the roof. but the wind sure is loud. I'm probably awake for the day now.

[Opti]

Up with maybe 4 hours sleep which is better than last night. Going to nap until doctor's office opens. And make a telehealth appointment for any time today she has availability. 

[gacpa]

Today's picture is calendar worthy or print worthy as art on a wall.  Really good content wise.

Love it.

[empress of self-improvement]

Dec 11, 2023 7:54:12 GMT -5 Opti said:

Up with maybe 4 hours sleep which is better than last night. Going to nap until doctor's office opens. And make a telehealth appointment for any time today she has availability. 

I'm with you on the napping. Unfortunately I think I'm going to haul myself to the CVS Minute Clinic to get something for this world's most painfully unproductive cough. I want to sleep!!!

[cooper88]

It's Monday morning. I'm not feeling it, but I'm going to do it anyway.

[empress of self-improvement]

Alrighty. Scheduled my appt. and did my pre-checkin shit. Now I wait until 10. My chest hurts so much.

[Opti]

Dec 11, 2023 8:18:11 GMT -5 gacpa said:

Today's picture is calendar worthy or print worthy as art on a wall.  Really good content wise.

Love it.

That red orange line coupled with the visible moon in the sky is amazing. Could be a big seller. Sorry will probably read content earlier. Practicing pressing buttons to wait for virtual doctor visit to start.

[Opti]

Dec 11, 2023 8:44:13 GMT -5 empress of self-improvement said:

Dec 11, 2023 7:54:12 GMT -5 Opti said:

Up with maybe 4 hours sleep which is better than last night. Going to nap until doctor's office opens. And make a telehealth appointment for any time today she has availability. 

I'm with you on the napping. Unfortunately I think I'm going to haul myself to the CVS Minute Clinic to get something for this world's most painfully unproductive cough. I want to sleep!!!

Someone on this board suggested regular Delsym and its OTC. It has worked for me when I get the coughing fits.

[lurkyloo]

Surprise snow today!  Just an inch of already melting wintry mix but school delay and DH has DS up at the school, which has a decent hill for sledding.  Cue the mad scramble to find snow pants and boots that fit, and a pat on the back to my overly prepared self    Had size 14 snow pants and size 6 boots ready to go.

I bought DS a pair of size 2 boots eight (!) years ago and he complained they were too big, which is fair-he was around a 1 at the time, but kids sizes are all over the place.  He’s been wearing them up to last year; haven’t checked whether they still fit but they are the same length as his 5.5 shoes.  I remember tearing my hair out trying to figure out sizing and I feel validated that it is nothing to do with me.

[lurkyloo]

Got a lot done Sat but Sat night I kept myself up all night coughing so yesterday was a bit of a daze.  Poor DH has been carrying more than his fair share for a week now 

[lurkyloo]

Dec 11, 2023 9:22:39 GMT -5 empress of self-improvement said:

Alrighty. Scheduled my appt. and did my pre-checkin shit. Now I wait until 10. My chest hurts so much.

I hope they can do something for you!  It’s been a bad year for coughing already and it’s only December 

[Opti]

In other news it turns out Pink was right, but I handled my PCP handoff idea to my PCP now.
Will explain later, head is spinning. Need to eat breakfast and take this antibiotic and mostly hydrate and address the stuck on one side sinus problems.

So tired. Sad. PCP reminded me he is out the door retired February 2024. My choice of new PCP is out today. Turns out she is only temporarily in that location. She will be moving to the town I live in and in an area I know. Apparently, her office is being remodeled and likely upgraded. 

Something got called in for me and I will pick up today. Need to process what was said and get one of those OTC nasal decongestant sprays which I am to use only three days in a row and then stop.



Think I am still alive. Got clarification on the interactions with dairy (milk) and minerals like calcium, zinc, and magnesium.
Apparently, it's a covalent bond thing.

Its the usual do anything I can to open up stuck sinus like humidifiers, hot showers, neti pot etc. versus treating the infection if it is even still there. At work I have a morning cup of coffee which helps and I often follow it with a cup of tea to help my sinuses drain. Do not like being home sick by myself with only my needy critters to keep me company. 

[andi9899]

Dec 10, 2023 18:42:46 GMT -5 NoNamePerson said:

Dec 10, 2023 18:36:29 GMT -5 toomuchreality said:

For sure.

Tell ‘em you can’t house sit any more as their house is contagious or contaminated and caused you to become ill. Not that you owe them a reason but this popped into my addled gray matter. But I’m really not nice so I’d go with ~ never mind I have to remember you are dealing with blood relatives. 

Why sugar coat it. Tell them you can't house sit anymore because they're assholes.

[empress of self-improvement]

Dec 11, 2023 9:48:53 GMT -5 andi9899 said:

Dec 10, 2023 18:42:46 GMT -5 NoNamePerson said:

Tell ‘em you can’t house sit any more as their house is contagious or contaminated and caused you to become ill. Not that you owe them a reason but this popped into my addled gray matter. But I’m really not nice so I’d go with ~ never mind I have to remember you are dealing with blood relatives. 

Why sugar coat it. Tell them you can't house sit anymore because they're assholes.

What she said!

[andi9899]

Dec 10, 2023 21:12:44 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

Dec 10, 2023 20:53:17 GMT -5 andi9899 said:

I'll go too. I actually think y'all might be my summer getaway. It's so much cooler there than it is here in the summer!

just for full disclosure- the Cape is cooler in the summer than downtown or inland. how far off from home was it when you were here?

I don't remember, but I feel like a good 30* at least. It's usually in the 100*s in KS in August. I just remember that it was hotter than hell at home that time.

[lurkyloo]

Dec 11, 2023 9:48:53 GMT -5 andi9899 said:

Dec 10, 2023 18:42:46 GMT -5 NoNamePerson said:

Tell ‘em you can’t house sit any more as their house is contagious or contaminated and caused you to become ill. Not that you owe them a reason but this popped into my addled gray matter. But I’m really not nice so I’d go with ~ never mind I have to remember you are dealing with blood relatives. 

Why sugar coat it. Tell them you can't house sit anymore because they're assholes.

[andi9899]

Dec 10, 2023 21:14:21 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

Dec 10, 2023 21:04:06 GMT -5 andi9899 said:

Same. More than anything I'm drowning my sorrows because the Chiefs lost. AGAIN! I knew it would happen with Pacheco out. Bet you can't guess my fave player.

Kelce? bc I might have to stop talking to you if you said Mahomes. I'll also admit to not knowing. the names of any other players on the roster.

No. Isaiah Pacheco is on the injured list and he's out this week. He is a huge part of their offense and it really hurt having him on the bench. Toney also f'ed up and cost us the game. There was a play at the end that would have won the game, but Toney got us a penalty and we didn’t get the touchdown. They juat played like crap over all.

ETA: Pacheco is my fave.

[lurkyloo]

Dec 10, 2023 17:53:11 GMT -5 finnime said:

Yeah! I'm posting on pg. 1800!

Sign me up for the Meet Pink series, anywhere. If you do get to Mass. I'm here, too.

If you wind up in the DMV, lurkyloo lives in a good place to see you and I believe daisylu lives in Nova. And wvugurl26 lives west of lurkyloo as far as I know.

I thought wvugurl26 was more north than west of me but it could be both 

taz157 is also in the greater area, don’t forget!  

[andi9899]

While I'm talking about Pacheco, remember that I bought a jersey recently? Well, they don’t make women's Pacheco jerseys for some reason. I got a men's large. It's huge on me so I went to exchange it for a medium. Nope. No mediums anywhere. I looked at Academy, Rally House, the NFL shop and Scheels. Nothing smaller than a large.

I got a Kelce jersey because it was on sale in a women's large. It fit but I'd like a size bigger so I can wear a thicker shirt underneath. No women's XL anywhere. Maybe the jerseys just weren't meant for me.

[NoNamePerson]

Dec 11, 2023 9:48:53 GMT -5 andi9899 said:

Dec 10, 2023 18:42:46 GMT -5 NoNamePerson said:

Tell ‘em you can’t house sit any more as their house is contagious or contaminated and caused you to become ill. Not that you owe them a reason but this popped into my addled gray matter. But I’m really not nice so I’d go with ~ never mind I have to remember you are dealing with blood relatives. 

Why sugar coat it. Tell them you can't house sit anymore because they're assholes.

I have no experience with family drama so I try to consider that it is family. As for me I would have told them to f### off long long ago. That's why I added blood relatives. Except for my son I don't have any living blood relatives so I can't relate

[chiver78]

Dec 11, 2023 9:54:52 GMT -5 andi9899 said:

Dec 10, 2023 21:12:44 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

just for full disclosure- the Cape is cooler in the summer than downtown or inland. how far off from home was it when you were here?

I don't remember, but I feel like a good 30* at least. It's usually in the 100*s in KS in August. I just remember that it was hotter than hell at home that time.

gotcha. we don't get that high, even inland. a few days' stretch of 90s is the worst we see, and that's only once or twice a year at worst. I don't get that where I am at the coast. 

[giramomma]

Well, this is not the Monday start that I wanted or was hoping for.

The upside is that DD1 and I seemed to communicate well enough that I think we both feel OK, even if we are not. Which is a first and a big win.

I'm just too old for this shit.

[seriousthistime]

Dec 10, 2023 20:52:32 GMT -5 NastyWoman said:

Dec 10, 2023 17:07:34 GMT -5 Opti said:

....
Found a Opti type vehicle which G may talk me out of. Neighbor in the next building with a Blue nose named M, told me about a county website where rich folks sell their vehicles. One was a gorgeous Audi SUV. Looked it up, that particular car I wouldn't want because it's the premium 3.2 version. But the 2.0 4-inline version would have slightly better mileage than my old BMW, be in the right size class and be less old than the 2009 CRV. Audi Q5 2012 with fewer miles than the 2009 CRVs. Would probably not make 300,000 but do OK if I drive in the middle of its capabilities and hopefully last a few years or more with me if OK'd by the garage.

Feels like a good choice too as in the Kelly Blue Book description it places if between the BMW X3 and the Lexus RX of that time.
For the 2.0, price range from private seller roughly between 6000 and 8999.

Forget about "Opti type vehicle" for now. I know cars are important to you but at this time it is important to focus on the primary function of a car: getting you from point A to point B and back again. Not only are luxury cars expensive to buy, they are expensive in maintenance. A small Honda, Toyota, or even a Nissan Versa. I know you don't like the Versa but let me tell you one of those got me everywhere for over 11 years with hardly any maintenance cost and chances are I would still have that car if someone hadn't sandwiched me by not realizing that if all traffic stops you have to do so as well. Anyway, not glitzy, not as comfy as a BMW, but perfectly servicable and that is what you need right now. In a few years you may be in a place where you can buy what you want but for now you must focus on the minimum you need. 

I have had multiple BMWs and fancier VW models.  They are fun to drive but then require a big financial commitment for repairs and maintenance.  Buying a used one puts you right in the middle of the years of repairs and maintenance.  That fine German engineering is nice when the car is new, but just like any car when it gets older, it's not as fun to drive.  If image is what you're after and you think the ride is more fun and have the money to keep up on repairs and maintenance, by all means go for a well-used German car.

I absolutely agree that focusing on the primary purpose of a car is transportation.  That is how it is for me.  But that is not how it is for everyone. 

I wish easier times for you, Opti. 

[empress of self-improvement]

Of course, I have bronchitis. I also have a doctor's note to stay out of work until Thursday. This is going to go over well.

[TheOtherMe]

Dec 11, 2023 11:09:33 GMT -5 empress of self-improvement said:

Of course, I have bronchitis. I also have a doctor's note to stay out of work until Thursday. This is going to go over well.

I am guessing you were given meds.  I hope those work and you feel better by Thursday.  

[TheOtherMe]

The Toddler was so funny last night.  He "ate" me through the phone and now I was at his house in Toronto.  If only it were that easy to get there.  

[TheOtherMe]

I didn't totally realize until last evening that the news that my dad has another daughter is harder to process than I thought.  I want to find her but have no idea of why or what I would say.

[seriousthistime]

Dec 10, 2023 15:52:33 GMT -5 Pink Cashmere said:

Dec 10, 2023 15:23:02 GMT -5 Opti said:

I got FMLA for my spring crash and burn. I went back to work in June/late May?

But your sinus issues are a chronic condition, right? That is how your FMLA paperwork should’ve been written, for a chronic condition to cover you when your sinus issues get so bad that you can’t work, not just for that one instance of a recurring serious health issue. 

If it wasn’t written that way, you should look into having it done. I know it’s possible, because I’ve had FMLA for my sinus issues for years. IIRC, you’ve been off work now for several days, but even if you exceed the number of days your Doctor puts in your FMLA paperwork, all you need is a note from your Doctor saying you’ve had an office visit while you were out. Your employer can require you to get the paperwork filled out again if you go past the number of days your Doctor put in the original paperwork that you might be out due to your issues, but that’s a small hoop to jump through to protect your job. 

I am not an expert on FMLA, but I do know quite a bit about it. The best thing employees need to know, is that it is LAW, and not subject to employer discretion when everything is above board and done correctly. 

I empathize with you because I struggle with sinus issues myself, and I know that it can make you feel like SHIT sometimes. I feel like SHIT myself right now. I am only advising you about FMLA because I know from experience that having FMLA to protect your job is one less thing to concern yourself with when you are truly sick, while you try to help your body heal. 

This is good information on FMLA.  Let me add to it a bit.

In order to qualify, you need to have worked for your employer for at least 12 months, and have worked for 1,250 hours (paid and unpaid leave does not generally count toward the 1,250 hours). So a prior FMLA-approved absence or even random sick days, vacation time, PTO, holidays, etc. reduces the number of hours you have worked below 1,250 in the past 12 months, your FMLA may be denied. 

FMLA is 12 weeks of unpaid time off, per year, so if you have taken FMLA within the past year, only the remainder of the 12 weeks is available within that same year.  Employers can designate their own "year" for this.  It could be a calendar year, fiscal year or similar, a year starting and restarting on your work anniversary date, or a rolling 12 month period (starting with the date of your first FMLA leave period).

www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fact-sheets/28h-fmla-12-month-period#:~:text=Under%20the%20%27%27rolling%27%27,the%20immediately%20preceding%2012%20months.

Some states have more generous provisions in addition to FMLA, which is a federal protection.

I have seen some employers be more flexible about FMLA with an employee they want to keep, and seen other employers be very strict about adhering to the law. It is very important to let the employer know that you are available to work immediately after the leave is done. I recall an instance where an employee, who worked shifts in a hospital, had FMLA end on a Thursday, and informed the hospital she would return to work the following Monday.  She was terminated.  She brought a lawsuit against the hospital and lost.