what are you doing right now?

[soupandstew]

After breakfast I mopped most of the floors while DH vacuumed.  Then I addressed one more Christmas card and we headed off to the farmers market.  We got the pork tamales for Christmas Day, but the gumbo man wasn't there so we had to figure out something else for DH to serve tomorrow.  I had a couple of remaining crab cakes in the freezer, and some appetizer size tuna cakes so we added some spinach and cheese stuffed cremini mushrooms from the store and said that would do.

I also got 2 more bottles of the ice wine that he, very surprisingly, likes.  He is not a wine fan but he says this one is "very pleasant".  A tip of the maple-leaf hat to weltz as the wine is made in Canada.  It's only $9.99 at Aldi, and the cheapest at the few large liquor stores that carry ice wine runs about $30 so we're happy.

I think I'll be in the mood to work on the book tomorrow.


zibazinski  I may be rethinking my decision to remain on the board - our secretary-elect (term begins January 1) just said on social media she may send the unapproved minutes to the whole board instead of the executive committee for preliminary approval before presentation to the whole board because "they are corrupt".  2024 is going to be about 72 months long, if you know what I mean.  

[busymom]

I completed more Christmas cards before the pick-up time at the post office today.  Still too many to complete, but at least DH is helping when he's not at work.  I went out last night to do more Christmas errands after DH got home.  Our community is changing, and as a "little white girl" it does feel a bit strange to go out after dark, and I'm the minority person at the store.  Fortunately, I haven't had any problems to date, but the crime rate is going up around here, so as a woman you're watching over your shoulder as it is.  I'm NOT looking forward to getting older and being seen as a target.  

[daisylu]

Off to Google ice wine. 

[soupandstew]

Dec 16, 2023 16:22:14 GMT -5 daisylu said:

Off to Google ice wine. 

Made from grapes that have been frozen on the vine before harvest so it's only made in limited quantity - it's very smooth and lovely

[soupandstew]

Dec 16, 2023 16:22:11 GMT -5 busymom said:

I completed more Christmas cards before the pick-up time at the post office today.  Still too many to complete, but at least DH is helping when he's not at work.  I went out last night to do more Christmas errands after DH got home.  Our community is changing, and as a "little white girl" it does feel a bit strange to go out after dark, and I'm the minority person at the store.  Fortunately, I haven't had any problems to date, but the crime rate is going up around here, so as a woman you're watching over your shoulder as it is.  I'm NOT looking forward to getting older and being seen as a target.  

As I've become somewhat slower moving and gimpy with my bad knee, I worry too about being an attractive target so I am super vigilant in parking lots.  I always remind people of the National Geographic specials showing crocs attacking wildebeest crossing rivers in the Serengeti during migration - the crocs look for the very young, the very old, and the crippled.  I'm rocking 2 out of 3 there

[TheOtherMe]

Dec 16, 2023 13:10:45 GMT -5 azucena said:

Dec 16, 2023 11:58:07 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

The Christmas blues are out in full force this morning.  

I may only feed the cats and myself between now and the first of the year.  

When does your team play next?

Not until December 21.  They played so many games early, that they took a very long break and will have another short break for Christmas.

[jerseygirl]

TOM very sad about your friend and former boss. Hoping he has an easy time

[minnesotapaintlady]

Dec 16, 2023 15:40:41 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

y'all, it's barely been 6h of house arrest again. both dogs hate me bc we haven't gone anywhere today, LD isn't putting that paw down at all now. and I'm not sure I can do this again already so soon.     may it rain sheets tomorrow, so nobody wants to be outside. I hate to wish away everyone's weekends, but it needs to be Monday already so I can see some xrays to know what I'm dealing with. 

Hopefully it's just a sprain or strain from running around in the yard and will resolve itself. 

[TheOtherMe]

Dec 16, 2023 14:07:52 GMT -5 weltz said:

Dec 16, 2023 12:06:17 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

My dear friend and former boss, who lives in Denver, will be entering hospice care after Christmas.

He is septic where he had his gallbladder removed and he has had an infection in his foot that doctors have not been able to heal in several years.  This week that doctor said that foot needs to be amputated.  My friend said no.  

He will be kept on painkillers and antibiotics and hopefully be able to enjoy Christmas.  

When I read his daughter's message, I started crying.  That's what I am going to do today.  
 
He fought for me at work because it was the right thing to do when he was told to get rid of me because I was a feminist.  He coached me to fight for myself without putting upper management off.  

He gave me advice on money for so long.  He listened to me about my parents' deaths and now I am trying to help his daughter.

He will be missed.  He no longer enjoys talking on the phone, so I probably won't get to say good bye.

Wait what? They wanted to fire you because you're a feminist?
WTF?   Is that even legal?

The big bosses wanted to make sure I was never, ever promoted again.  He made sure that didn't happen.  I was in a class he taught and he was told to flunk me.  He later told me he doesn't flunk people unless they actually flunk and I didn't flunk.

The best piece of the advice was to get out of Des Moines.  I chose Denver and was so shocked to see women doing my job but also in management.  In Des Moines, I was applying for a promotion the old white men didn't think women should Have.  

Best thing I did was leave and go to Denver.  He transferred to Denver several years later and told me that attitude had not changed in Des Moines.

[Opti]

Dec 16, 2023 16:35:56 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

Dec 16, 2023 14:07:52 GMT -5 weltz said:

Wait what? They wanted to fire you because you're a feminist?
WTF?   Is that even legal?

The big bosses wanted to make sure I was never, ever promoted again.  He made sure that didn't happen.  I was in a class he taught and he was told to flunk me.  He later told me he doesn't flunk people unless they actually flunk and I didn't flunk.

The best piece of the advice was to get out of Des Moines.  I chose Denver and was so shocked to see women doing my job but also in management.  In Des Moines, I was applying for a promotion the old white men didn't think women should Have.  

Best thing I did was leave and go to Denver.  He transferred to Denver several years later and told me that attitude had not changed in Des Moines.

Sorry. Did you ever approach an employment lawyer in Des Moines or was it just too much?

[TheOtherMe]

I didn't because it was too much and I would have had to stay in Des Moines.

Another woman did and won with back pay, etc.  She was already blackballed so she quit the day after she got her money.  

I was able to stay with my agency and have a good career in a place where they were much more open minded.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Dec 16, 2023 15:40:41 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

y'all, it's barely been 6h of house arrest again. both dogs hate me bc we haven't gone anywhere today, LD isn't putting that paw down at all now. and I'm not sure I can do this again already so soon.     may it rain sheets tomorrow, so nobody wants to be outside. I hate to wish away everyone's weekends, but it needs to be Monday already so I can see some xrays to know what I'm dealing with. 

Oh, no!  I hope he didn’t do something to it.

[Opti]

Dec 16, 2023 15:35:03 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

Dec 16, 2023 14:59:30 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

Durian is not my thing. I'm open to trying Jack fruit again my Indian coworkers said I needed to try it slow cooked in a curry.

I had THE BEST bananas of my life in Borneo. A little local breed. My roommate and I found when we came across a fruit stand.

So incredibly sweet. I could have eaten my body weight in them.

I hate supermarket bananas. just cannot compare.

I love jack fruit raw but I've also heard it's amazing in a curry.  Our local Hispanic grocer has little bananas like that, about 5 inches long and they are flavor bombs - much richer taste than regular bananas.  I think ours come from Honduras

I prefer the small bananas. Bigger bananas for me need to be mashed into banana bread, pancakes, etc.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Dec 16, 2023 16:22:14 GMT -5 daisylu said:

Off to Google ice wine. 

Made from grapes on the vine that have frozen.  The bottles are about 1/3 the size of a wine bottle, and usually not inexpensive.  It’s also very sweet.  

Fingerlakes region of NY make some excellent ones, as does an area of BC.  

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Just went out for a late breakfast this morning, and discussed moving.  As much as I love where we currently live, the healthcare here sucks and as we grow more dependent upon it, we need better services.  Right now, it’s not an issue to drive 100 miles to Seattle, but both of us realize that unless there is a drastic change locally, this will be our next step.  Since healthcare has deteriorated here in the last 10 years, I’m not going to hold my breath.  

We don’t figure this for another 10 years, but something we need to seriously consider.  Where we want to go means less house for more money.  So be it.  Condos and townhouses are not off the table.  Since we have friends in the Bellevue area, this is where TD wants to go, and I’m good with that.  We need less land, less responsibilities, less stuff…..just like his mom did.  

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Except for like three little things, Just finished setting up for the party at our house tonight.
Getting dressed now.

[soupandstew]

Dec 16, 2023 17:13:58 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

Dec 16, 2023 16:22:14 GMT -5 daisylu said:

Off to Google ice wine. 

Made from grapes on the vine that have frozen.  The bottles are about 1/3 the size of a wine bottle, and usually not inexpensive.  It’s also very sweet.  

Fingerlakes region of NY make some excellent ones, as does an area of BC.  

Exactly, and that's why it's not my thing - I'm more the Sauvignon Blanc, unoaked Chardonnay side of the world.  He treats it like a port or other dessert wine - a small glass slowly sipped.  

[giramomma]

Taking a rest. 

[soupandstew]

Knee Deep in Water Chloe Your home is absolutely beautiful and you are a wonderful hostess.  The guests are in for a very wonderful experience. 

[soupandstew]

Dec 16, 2023 16:35:56 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

Dec 16, 2023 14:07:52 GMT -5 weltz said:

Wait what? They wanted to fire you because you're a feminist?
WTF?   Is that even legal?

The big bosses wanted to make sure I was never, ever promoted again.  He made sure that didn't happen.  I was in a class he taught and he was told to flunk me.  He later told me he doesn't flunk people unless they actually flunk and I didn't flunk.

The best piece of the advice was to get out of Des Moines.  I chose Denver and was so shocked to see women doing my job but also in management.  In Des Moines, I was applying for a promotion the old white men didn't think women should Have.  

Best thing I did was leave and go to Denver.  He transferred to Denver several years later and told me that attitude had not changed in Des Moines.

Your dear friend is an amazing person - it took a lot of courage to be the person he was at that time.  I'm very glad he was in your life at a critical juncture, and I'm sorry for the pain his passing will bring.  Yet, his legacy lives on in you and your values.

[giramomma]

Rest done. Time to start dinner.

[Opti]

Dec 16, 2023 16:42:45 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

I didn't because it was too much and I would have had to stay in Des Moines.

Another woman did and won with back pay, etc.  She was already blackballed so she quit the day after she got her money.  

I was able to stay with my agency and have a good career in a place where they were much more open minded.

That is the problem of being the person who files lawsuits when their rights are trounced on. 

[Opti]

Dec 16, 2023 17:13:58 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

Dec 16, 2023 16:22:14 GMT -5 daisylu said:

Off to Google ice wine. 

Made from grapes on the vine that have frozen.  The bottles are about 1/3 the size of a wine bottle, and usually not inexpensive.  It’s also very sweet.  

Fingerlakes region of NY make some excellent ones, as does an area of BC.  

I am currently drinking a Hungarian version. In German, I think it is Spatlese (umlauts missing). I'm a fan of Innskillen, which is currently $60 for a half bottle *wine bottle size* and I think the one I am working on is about half that or less. It is not an ice wine but the one right before it in German parlance. 

I think I decided to get it after someone yet again opined us underfunded folks were not worth funding small alcohol purchases even though our lives are quite hard and on the margins. I personally am surprised there aren't more underfunded folks committing suicide or drinking themselves to death. USA    indeed. 

[busymom]

Your house looks beautiful Knee Deep in Water Chloe!   chiver78, I hope your fur baby just stepped on something sharp, or something easier to heal up from.  I'm SO glad I don't let our dogs in the basement, because when the guys doing the duct work left, I had shards of sheet metal all over my basement.  Two pieces got stuck to my sock, but fortunately not on me.  It took bright sunlight the next day to even see a lot of them.  Glad I own a shop vac.

[busymom]

Dec 16, 2023 17:24:10 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

Just went out for a late breakfast this morning, and discussed moving.  As much as I love where we currently live, the healthcare here sucks and as we grow more dependent upon it, we need better services.  Right now, it’s not an issue to drive 100 miles to Seattle, but both of us realize that unless there is a drastic change locally, this will be our next step.  Since healthcare has deteriorated here in the last 10 years, I’m not going to hold my breath.  

We don’t figure this for another 10 years, but something we need to seriously consider.  Where we want to go means less house for more money.  So be it.  Condos and townhouses are not off the table.  Since we have friends in the Bellevue area, this is where TD wants to go, and I’m good with that.  We need less land, less responsibilities, less stuff…..just like his mom did.  

     That was the tipping point for us leaving FL.  Long waits for healthcare, and NOBODY gave referrals.  You had to find doctors & specialists on your own, unless the doctor had a personal friend.  

[Opti]

FWIW, I do not qualify for SNAP, because SNAP is a federal level like EITC. It is not normalized for location in the US and I think it should be. If I were President, this would be one of my things I would want to do. Make the red states or whomever aware how unequal things have been. Maybe instead of looking to Trump as a savior they would realize the problem is their state and county governments.

[zibazinski]

Dec 16, 2023 16:19:12 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

After breakfast I mopped most of the floors while DH vacuumed.  Then I addressed one more Christmas card and we headed off to the farmers market.  We got the pork tamales for Christmas Day, but the gumbo man wasn't there so we had to figure out something else for DH to serve tomorrow.  I had a couple of remaining crab cakes in the freezer, and some appetizer size tuna cakes so we added some spinach and cheese stuffed cremini mushrooms from the store and said that would do.

I also got 2 more bottles of the ice wine that he, very surprisingly, likes.  He is not a wine fan but he says this one is "very pleasant".  A tip of the maple-leaf hat to weltz as the wine is made in Canada.  It's only $9.99 at Aldi, and the cheapest at the few large liquor stores that carry ice wine runs about $30 so we're happy.

I think I'll be in the mood to work on the book tomorrow.


zibazinski  I may be rethinking my decision to remain on the board - our secretary-elect (term begins January 1) just said on social media she may send the unapproved minutes to the whole board instead of the executive committee for preliminary approval before presentation to the whole board because "they are corrupt".  2024 is going to be about 72 months long, if you know what I mean.  

Ugh

[Opti]

Dec 16, 2023 17:34:02 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

Dec 16, 2023 17:13:58 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

Made from grapes on the vine that have frozen.  The bottles are about 1/3 the size of a wine bottle, and usually not inexpensive.  It’s also very sweet.  

Fingerlakes region of NY make some excellent ones, as does an area of BC.  

Exactly, and that's why it's not my thing - I'm more the Sauvignon Blanc, unoaked Chardonnay side of the world.  He treats it like a port or other dessert wine - a small glass slowly sipped.  

That is how it is to be drunk. (Unofficial but studied opinion) It is an after-dinner drink. Dessert wine literally.

I generally prefer dry to semi-dry instead of sweet except for things like ports, etc.
I think Sauvignon Blanc can be a great with dinner wine. Chardonnay's from the US, IMO you really need to know their lineage and how they were made. Hit with an oak cask, i.e. wines aged in wood casks too long are the worst. I used to like heavy solid Chardonnays, but I used to drink much of my wine after dinner trying to forget coding and testing deadlines at least until morning. 

[zibazinski]

Dec 16, 2023 17:53:12 GMT -5 busymom said:

Dec 16, 2023 17:24:10 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

Just went out for a late breakfast this morning, and discussed moving.  As much as I love where we currently live, the healthcare here sucks and as we grow more dependent upon it, we need better services.  Right now, it’s not an issue to drive 100 miles to Seattle, but both of us realize that unless there is a drastic change locally, this will be our next step.  Since healthcare has deteriorated here in the last 10 years, I’m not going to hold my breath.  

We don’t figure this for another 10 years, but something we need to seriously consider.  Where we want to go means less house for more money.  So be it.  Condos and townhouses are not off the table.  Since we have friends in the Bellevue area, this is where TD wants to go, and I’m good with that.  We need less land, less responsibilities, less stuff…..just like his mom did.  

     That was the tipping point for us leaving FL.  Long waits for healthcare, and NOBODY gave referrals.  You had to find doctors & specialists on your own, unless the doctor had a personal friend.  

Wow. I live in Florida and have had the total opposite experience. I’ve had great medical experiences and care.

[Opti]

Chloe, your home looks beautiful and the party setup  .
Enjoy!


(hope your guests only get moderately drunk at worst.)