what are you doing right now?

[chiver78]

I fell asleep on the couch last night, watching The Sound of Music. I slept like a log down here all night, not hearing the storm and whipping winds outside. it's a good thing that I never untied the deck chairs from last weekend's storm, b/c they probably would have been blown around like some of the smaller stuff outside. LD set one foot outside and turned around to come back in. I'm likely going to have to leash him and go out with an umbrella eventually. neither of them has been out since about 6 last night. hopefully they go after I give them breakfast in a few minutes. 

Pink, my family used to do that with card games. more so my dad's side than my mom's, but any time the aunts and uncles came down from Canada, they would almost always stay with us and the adults played cards every night. I don't know exactly what the game was called, but it was similar to Spades or Euchre in that you played with a partner and bid on games. the kids were all taught to play by watching and keeping score for the adults. but I also grew up playing all kinds of card games - cribbage, all the kids games like Go Fish! etc. it's no wonder I was drawn to casino games with cards lol...... I actually like playing cards. 

[daisylu]

Dec 18, 2023 7:45:49 GMT -5 finnime said:

We've got a very high wind with gusts up to 50 mph forecast. Will do lunch Wednesday instead with ODB and DSis.

Same here. We are rural and lose power quite often. I probably should have gone into the office, but NO.

[raeoflyte]

Growing up my family played 31 in big groups, and rummy and pinochle in smaller ones.

With my kids we do more d&d game nights lately but we still do cards and boardgames, especially when my folks are over. Our favorites are rummy and nertz - which ds learned from a teacher. It's like group solitaire. There's another one I need to brush up on, we played with friends when we were young and our kids are old enough now - cho-di-dee?

I'd love to do more of that with sil/bil and get the niblings involved as they get older. Guess we should invite them.

[giramomma]

DH reminded me that DS learned how to play sheepshead as a 4 year old. DH, DS, and DS's woobie, Lambie, would play three handed sheapshead.

I don't get sheepshead.

There's a senior center close to us that does Euchre. I could see DH joining. I don't do Euchre, either.

I like board games. I try to do those with the kids especially when I'm tired.  It gets a lot of bang for my buck, in terms of times and them feeling good.

DH and I do play rummy and cribbage. Cribbage and lunch was one of our afternoon dates. 

And, I would also just like to fast forward the next couple of weeks.

[lurkyloo]

Dec 17, 2023 22:25:10 GMT -5 raeoflyte said:

Dec 17, 2023 17:41:54 GMT -5 azucena said:

I'm so tightly wound, my therapist actually suggested having a glass of wine on occasion. She wasn't wrong.

That what I decided to do tonight. Just a few sips is enough to take the edge off and there's a lot of edge right now.

Can’t drink wine at all without triggering a migraine-even a cherry sauce cooked with wine as an ingredient sent me fumbling for emergency meds-but I did have part of a cocktail last week.  I fall asleep better and wake up early and alert the next morning when I drink even a little 

I will say I had not previously been aware that drinking wine is a basic human right and I should have been out protesting rather than saying well that sucks whatcanyado 

[soupandstew]

Dec 17, 2023 21:04:22 GMT -5 countrygirl2 said:

Doc said my lungs were clear yesterday, but my lower rib cage all the way around feels like somebody has been beating on it. Also I'm still coughing some, when I take the cough syrup it knocks me flat. She said it would make me sleepy, that's and understatement. I have slept almost all day today. will probably do me good. I am breathing better, but super tired. Have lost my energy.

Son and DIL brought us breakfast this morning and we all ate together. That was nice. Little guy gets out of school on Wed, so I imagine him being here Wednesday. DIL said she heard little guy talking to the beautician today telling them about his grandma. I think that's funny.

Tonight he came up with e=mc2 and also pi, 3.14. He is understanding the concept of square roots but I'm not sure he knows what the other two means, he is learning this stuff off Utube so there are good things there to learn.  At least he is getting exposure to all kinds of information and he is interested, sure won't hurt him. Hope he stays this curious. I was and his dads pretty sharp. His mom has been talking to him a lot in Russian, she wants him to learn to understand his relatives when they visit Russia. I haven't heard him speak it much but he said he understands it, so that's good. I'm trying to teach him about anything and everything, exposure to experiences and knowledge is always good and he is getting it.

I hope I feel better, its not a sick like the flu its mainly the pain around my ribs and coughing up some stuff at times.

I am boiling chicken feet to make broth for dressing for Christmas and I cooked up some pork tenderloin in the instant pot this afternoon.  DD and I will have some with some mashed potatoes and gravy with mushrooms for a late dinner. I thought DIL was on this healthy eating kick and she brought frosted cookies?? Before I realized it, DD had eaten a bunch of them, we don't do that so will have to have a very late dinner. Jeez I'm sure she isn't hungry right now.

I'm just not hungry period, but I ate a little of the pork.

I've been tempted to try pork tenderloin in the IP, but I'm worried about overcooking it and it's too expensive to ruin - it's running about $8.99 a pound here.  How long do you cook yours under pressure?  I'm thinking of trying the 0 minute method and see how it works.  The desired internal temp is 145 degrees and I have a good instant read thermometer

[lurkyloo]

We played whist with my grandparents, then bridge.  As I recall whist was the same except you just turned over the last card dealt to determine trump suit rather than going through the bidding process, which I’m sure leaves bridge enthusiasts aghast but was much more suitable for preteen kids.  Used to love spades and euchre during camps and band and foreign language outings 

[iamme]

Dec 18, 2023 7:59:19 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

I fell asleep on the couch last night, watching The Sound of Music. I slept like a log down here all night, not hearing the storm and whipping winds outside. it's a good thing that I never untied the deck chairs from last weekend's storm, b/c they probably would have been blown around like some of the smaller stuff outside. LD set one foot outside and turned around to come back in. I'm likely going to have to leash him and go out with an umbrella eventually. neither of them has been out since about 6 last night. hopefully they go after I give them breakfast in a few minutes. 

Pink, my family used to do that with card games. more so my dad's side than my mom's, but any time the aunts and uncles came down from Canada, they would almost always stay with us and the adults played cards every night. I don't know exactly what the game was called, but it was similar to Spades or Euchre in that you played with a partner and bid on games. the kids were all taught to play by watching and keeping score for the adults. but I also grew up playing all kinds of card games - cribbage, all the kids games like Go Fish! etc. it's no wonder I was drawn to casino games with cards lol...... I actually like playing cards. 

Most likely Canasta - my mom was Canadian

[chiver78]

Dec 18, 2023 10:18:41 GMT -5 iamme said:

Dec 18, 2023 7:59:19 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

I fell asleep on the couch last night, watching The Sound of Music. I slept like a log down here all night, not hearing the storm and whipping winds outside. it's a good thing that I never untied the deck chairs from last weekend's storm, b/c they probably would have been blown around like some of the smaller stuff outside. LD set one foot outside and turned around to come back in. I'm likely going to have to leash him and go out with an umbrella eventually. neither of them has been out since about 6 last night. hopefully they go after I give them breakfast in a few minutes. 

Pink, my family used to do that with card games. more so my dad's side than my mom's, but any time the aunts and uncles came down from Canada, they would almost always stay with us and the adults played cards every night. I don't know exactly what the game was called, but it was similar to Spades or Euchre in that you played with a partner and bid on games. the kids were all taught to play by watching and keeping score for the adults. but I also grew up playing all kinds of card games - cribbage, all the kids games like Go Fish! etc. it's no wonder I was drawn to casino games with cards lol...... I actually like playing cards. 

Most likely Canasta - my mom was Canadian

I just looked up the rules for Canasta, and that is definitely way more complicated than what my family played.    

I'm probably getting some details wrong, it's easily been over a decade since I've seen it played. but you score in 5s and 10s, 5s and face cards. the rest are useful to steal/trump the trick. but you bid the minimum number of points you think you can get. if you miss, you get no points. if you go over, you keep everything (unlike Euchre, where you have to bid spot on - that was confusing to me when I learned that recently) 

[daisylu]

In full on B*tch mode. I should have gone into the office. 

And the rare sun that peaks out is hurting my eyes, which likely means a migraine is coming.

[minnesotapaintlady]

Good lord the wind is cold today!  I drove the low to the ground Camry to work and it still was getting whipped around, I'd hate to be out there in a semi today.  I left Gus and the goat in, Gus has not been doing well the past week at all and was perfectly happy to not have to move.  The pain meds don't seem to be helping either which really sucks. 

[Opti]

Dec 18, 2023 9:48:51 GMT -5 lurkyloo said:

Dec 17, 2023 22:25:10 GMT -5 raeoflyte said:

That what I decided to do tonight. Just a few sips is enough to take the edge off and there's a lot of edge right now.

Can’t drink wine at all without triggering a migraine-even a cherry sauce cooked with wine as an ingredient sent me fumbling for emergency meds-but I did have part of a cocktail last week.  I fall asleep better and wake up early and alert the next morning when I drink even a little 

I will say I had not previously been aware that drinking wine is a basic human right and I should have been out protesting rather than saying well that sucks whatcanyado 

Its likely the sulfites in wine that are preservatives. You can ask for and try low sulfite wine. 

[Opti]

Dec 18, 2023 10:46:10 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

Good lord the wind is cold today!  I drove the low to the ground Camry to work and it still was getting whipped around, I'd hate to be out there in a semi today.  I left Gus and the goat in, Gus has not been doing well the past week at all and was perfectly happy to not have to move.  The pain meds don't seem to be helping either which really sucks. 

We are getting that weather change today. Currently in the 50s, big winds this afternoon and real winter weather for tomorrow.

[Opti]

Because of the big temp changes here I have to watch my critters a bit more carefully. The crash into winter will mean to be very careful with the crested gecko and spray water in the cage more often. Need to get minerals to add to the food as right now no regularly dusted crickets. So I am hoping that is the reason the eye sight is bad versus old age or eye issues for real. 

Prepping. Ponding and imminent flooding here. 

[chiver78]

ahh....the generator has kicked on. we've been hanging out in the basement, since the wind is so crazy loud. LD has been mostly out cold, which is a good thing. I'll go survey the yard and street later, have another call in 2min. 

[TheOtherMe]

Dec 17, 2023 23:00:52 GMT -5 Pink Cashmere said:

Dec 17, 2023 21:18:35 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

I'm happy the peanut likes cribbage.  It is a game that makes you use your mind while you play.  

Talked to the Toddler a bit earlier.  He now counts on the way to school.  It's 770 steps to school.  

DN1 had to run an errand to the store and the Toddler looked quite upset and asked if he was coming back.  DN1 was surprised he asked that and told him of course he would be back in time to tuck him in.

They actually put a tree up this year.  First one since they moved to Canada.

Y’all keep talking about cribbage, I’ve heard of it, but have no idea what kind of game it is, so I need to look it up.

Growing up, we learned to play Spades. It’s funny how I see posts on FB now, basically saying that you aren’t really a Black person if you don’t know how to play Spades. I didn’t say it, folks on FB say it, so please don’t get upset with me.

When I was a child, my Mom, my Aunt (Mom’s sister) and their friends use to have “card parties” on the weekends, where they hung out together and played Spades. Then they started playing Bid Whist(sp?). Then they started playing Pinnochle sometimes too. They all played for fun, but some people took/take Spades very serious and if you don’t even know how to play, or even worse, know the basics but don’t know how to play decently, your name is mud lol.

They taught us kids how to play Spades, then Bid Whist, and played with us sometimes. I remember many nights at my Godmother’s house, with me and my Godsisters playing cards for hours with my Mom and Godmother, mostly spades. I still know how to play Spades, but I’d need a refresher course on Bid Whist, even though it is similar. We didn’t play that as often. I never learned to play Pinnochle, it was way too many cards for my kiddie brain lol.

The main thing about this post, is that I remember growing up in a time when my Mom, Aunt and their friends would gather at somebody’s house to unwind after a week of working, listening to music and and enjoying each other’s company playing cards. They did that regularly, and nobody in my generation that I know, does anything like that. My Mom and everybody else had full time jobs and children, but that didn’t stop them from having fun together on Friday or Saturday nights. Everybody brought their children with them, but us kids had to entertain ourselves while our parents did their thing. 

It worked, the parents had their fun and they didn’t even need babysitters, because their children were there too. Those are actually fond memories for me, having been born in the early 70’s.

A couple of years ago, Mister’s friend had a gathering at his home for his birthday and somebody produced a deck of cards, and they started playing spades. They were playing rise and fly (win 2 games out of 3 instead of keeping score for each game) and 2 ladies that met for the first time that night were beating the brakes off of everybody that sat down to play against them, and talking shit the entire time. Talking shit is just part of it, and harmless….. really entertaining and funny.

After nobody could beat them, folks finally talked Mister and I into playing. I hadn’t played in many years, and had definitely never played with Mister, so we had none of the familiarity that partners that play together have about how each other plays. Mister and I won the first game. The ladies stopped the shit talking, and all the people they had beat, were standing around the table, behind us, watching, hoping somebody finally got them off the table. They won the second game, just barely. 

It was quiet as hell when the 3rd game started. Mister and I won the 3rd game, and you would’ve thought we’d saved all of humanity, with all the cheers and ruckus lol. That meant the 2 ladies finally had to get up from the table and we could play whoever wanted to play next, but I refused to play anymore. I said our job was done when we shut up all that shit talking, so I was done for the night… me talking a little shit myself. In reality, I was shocked that we’d beat them, since we’d never played together, and I didn’t want to push my luck lol.

Ever since then, because it was so fun,  I’ve said that I would like for Mister and I to start hosting card parties like my folks use to do. It was how they blew off some steam after working all week, playing cards and talking shit, with some good food on the side, and I’m sure, some adult beverages. I still would love to host something like that.

Mister’s parents didn’t allow card games in their home, so I’m not even sure how he learned to play spades. His parents aren’t the only folks I’ve known or heard of that felt like playing cards was somehow “devilish”. Because my family played cards, I’ve always believed that a deck of cards (or several, in the case of Pinnochle) is just a way to play a lot of games, so I don’t get the “ungodly” part. 

Anyway, I’m all over the place again, so I will try again to hush.

In addition to cribbage, we played cards.  We played Spades, Pitch, Pinochle, and Crazy 8.  Crazy 8 is a game for the younger kids.  

My grandma loved to play Crazy 8 with her young grandchildren.  With my oldest niece, as soon as we walked in the door, she would say to her son that she lived with "get the cards out" and they would play Crazy 8.  Grandma played to win.  She didn't care she was playing against a child.  She was cut throat and she loved it.  After she died, dad asked for the Crazy 8 cards and my niece has those.  

We also played Michigan Rummy.  

When I got into adulthood, I played a lot of backgammon.  

Mom and her sisters played pitch once a week.  One of mom's sisters did very wild bidding.  Mom was the only one patient enough to put up with her as a partner.  When the one sister got dementia, they dragged dad in to the game.  He could not deal with the aunt that did the crazy bidding.  He was very serious about his card games.

Cards were played at Sunday dinners on both sides of the family.  

Euchre is the big game around here and it is played for money.  I've heard people say everyone in this county plays Euchre.  Well, I don't and I have no interest in learning.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Last night we went to Tulalip to meet up with my friend from KY…..who now lives in Everett.  There really aren’t a lot of good halfway points, last time they came all the way up here.  I guess Tulalip is about 30 min for them, an hour for us.

The casino went waaaaaay overboard with the Christmas lights.   TD and her DH decided to go see how the trees were wrapped and spent some time engineering it.  Anyway, since there was such a light show, the traffic was crazy and you had to be careful not to run into the gawkers who would wander into the street.  I had suggested to TD not even try parking in the front, just go behind the outlet mall to get into the back parking lots.  Decent parking back there without having to drive around tons for a space.  

We went to one of the more expensive restaurants in the casino, and it was very good.  I think next time, I’ll suggest we go out to a pub in Bow.  Some of the best local restaurants around here are in the casinos, and I hate walking around the acres of slot machines to get to them.    People just sit in front of them looking like zombies.

Doing laundry today.  I have a lot of stuff that needs to be taken to Goodwill and it needs to be washed.  Pulled out a bag of shrimp got dinner tonight, think I’ll do shrimp cakes.  8 think we’ve got everything else I’d need for those. 

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Dec 18, 2023 11:06:21 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

Dec 17, 2023 23:00:52 GMT -5 Pink Cashmere said:

Y’all keep talking about cribbage, I’ve heard of it, but have no idea what kind of game it is, so I need to look it up.

Growing up, we learned to play Spades. It’s funny how I see posts on FB now, basically saying that you aren’t really a Black person if you don’t know how to play Spades. I didn’t say it, folks on FB say it, so please don’t get upset with me.

When I was a child, my Mom, my Aunt (Mom’s sister) and their friends use to have “card parties” on the weekends, where they hung out together and played Spades. Then they started playing Bid Whist(sp?). Then they started playing Pinnochle sometimes too. They all played for fun, but some people took/take Spades very serious and if you don’t even know how to play, or even worse, know the basics but don’t know how to play decently, your name is mud lol.

They taught us kids how to play Spades, then Bid Whist, and played with us sometimes. I remember many nights at my Godmother’s house, with me and my Godsisters playing cards for hours with my Mom and Godmother, mostly spades. I still know how to play Spades, but I’d need a refresher course on Bid Whist, even though it is similar. We didn’t play that as often. I never learned to play Pinnochle, it was way too many cards for my kiddie brain lol.

The main thing about this post, is that I remember growing up in a time when my Mom, Aunt and their friends would gather at somebody’s house to unwind after a week of working, listening to music and and enjoying each other’s company playing cards. They did that regularly, and nobody in my generation that I know, does anything like that. My Mom and everybody else had full time jobs and children, but that didn’t stop them from having fun together on Friday or Saturday nights. Everybody brought their children with them, but us kids had to entertain ourselves while our parents did their thing. 

It worked, the parents had their fun and they didn’t even need babysitters, because their children were there too. Those are actually fond memories for me, having been born in the early 70’s.

A couple of years ago, Mister’s friend had a gathering at his home for his birthday and somebody produced a deck of cards, and they started playing spades. They were playing rise and fly (win 2 games out of 3 instead of keeping score for each game) and 2 ladies that met for the first time that night were beating the brakes off of everybody that sat down to play against them, and talking shit the entire time. Talking shit is just part of it, and harmless….. really entertaining and funny.

After nobody could beat them, folks finally talked Mister and I into playing. I hadn’t played in many years, and had definitely never played with Mister, so we had none of the familiarity that partners that play together have about how each other plays. Mister and I won the first game. The ladies stopped the shit talking, and all the people they had beat, were standing around the table, behind us, watching, hoping somebody finally got them off the table. They won the second game, just barely. 

It was quiet as hell when the 3rd game started. Mister and I won the 3rd game, and you would’ve thought we’d saved all of humanity, with all the cheers and ruckus lol. That meant the 2 ladies finally had to get up from the table and we could play whoever wanted to play next, but I refused to play anymore. I said our job was done when we shut up all that shit talking, so I was done for the night… me talking a little shit myself. In reality, I was shocked that we’d beat them, since we’d never played together, and I didn’t want to push my luck lol.

Ever since then, because it was so fun,  I’ve said that I would like for Mister and I to start hosting card parties like my folks use to do. It was how they blew off some steam after working all week, playing cards and talking shit, with some good food on the side, and I’m sure, some adult beverages. I still would love to host something like that.

Mister’s parents didn’t allow card games in their home, so I’m not even sure how he learned to play spades. His parents aren’t the only folks I’ve known or heard of that felt like playing cards was somehow “devilish”. Because my family played cards, I’ve always believed that a deck of cards (or several, in the case of Pinnochle) is just a way to play a lot of games, so I don’t get the “ungodly” part. 

Anyway, I’m all over the place again, so I will try again to hush.

In addition to cribbage, we played cards.  We played Spades, Pitch, Pinochle, and Crazy 8.  Crazy 8 is a game for the younger kids.  

My grandma loved to play Crazy 8 with her young grandchildren.  With my oldest niece, as soon as we walked in the door, she would say to her son that she lived with "get the cards out" and they would play Crazy 8.  Grandma played to win.  She didn't care she was playing against a child.  She was cut throat and she loved it.  After she died, dad asked for the Crazy 8 cards and my niece has those.  

We also played Michigan Rummy.  

When I got into adulthood, I played a lot of backgammon.  

Mom and her sisters played pitch once a week.  One of mom's sisters did very wild bidding.  Mom was the only one patient enough to put up with her as a partner.  When the one sister got dementia, they dragged dad in to the game.  He could not deal with the aunt that did the crazy bidding.  He was very serious about his card games.

Cards were played at Sunday dinners on both sides of the family.  

Euchre is the big game around here and it is played for money.  I've heard people say everyone in this county plays Euchre.  Well, I don't and I have no interest in learning.

I grew up learning to play Euchre.  It is a lot of fun, and it’s a lot like bridge without the bidding.  I haven’t played in years since no one here plays it, I think it’s more of a Midwest thing.

[giramomma]

My big thing meeting today went.

I'm glad I had it. It cleared up some things so I can make some better future decisions.

It might also lead to some extra income. Which, I won't complain about.

[lurkyloo]

We ordered a new swivel barrel loveseat for downstairs, to replace the recliner that is completely falling apart.  The chair isn’t really important; the important thing is that it came in a giant octagonal box more than 6’ across    It is now a designated fort and I am never ever getting my downstairs living room back 

[giramomma]

Actually, the talk was good. It led me to think about other options.

[minnesotapaintlady]

Hmmm...pot luck at work tomorrow.  Normally I'd be really excited about a day of grazing, but I just don't feel like making anything. 

[soupandstew]

I am definitely a creature of habit and Aldi did a very substantial merchandise reset since I was there last week and I could not find a thing - I was blind to stuff that was right in my face because it was moved 10 feet  .  

[lurkyloo]

Dec 18, 2023 11:51:50 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

I am definitely a creature of habit and Aldi did a very substantial merchandise reset since I was there last week and I could not find a thing - I was blind to stuff that was right in my face because it was moved 10 feet  .  

That drives me bonkers when they do that 

[finnime]

Made it to the post office. Mailed 4 packages and 14 cards, so that's done. Just need to wrap gifts for people we'll see in person now. And clean up, as always. It's a good day to do that as I listen to the wind howl.

[Cookies Galore]

Rain finally stopped but it is still windy as hell. River is projected to crest at 16.9 feet by later tonight, which is a hair under moderate flood stage. It should reach the parking lots of the businesses along the riverfront but shouldn't reach any houses. Phew. We're still on high alert after Ida.
I'm about to do more baking (salted caramel cookies) and will drop off with neighbors, borough staff, and police either today or tomorrow.

[daisylu]

I am tired, so tired. Tired of being a woman, tired of being a wife, tired of being a mom. I'm just tired of it all. I think I will take a nap for my lunch break. I know I do too much for my loved ones, but not noticing until days later how much I do is frustrating. 

OAN, I changed my FB cover photo from one with DH to just one by myself in one of my most happiest moments in Kentucky and people have noticed and liked it. I need to find myself again and do things just for me.

[andi9899]

Dec 17, 2023 16:21:04 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

Dec 17, 2023 15:47:21 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

Strawberry jello with Stoli strawberry vodka is too.  Or with Bailey's strawberry cream.  

I forget what I used in the strawberry the last time I made jello shots. I haven't tailgated in awhile, at least since before covid. lime always gets tequila, there's always a fruity rum one and then two different vodka flavors, but the vodka is cheap unflavored. strawberry might have gotten the rum.

We're definitely making jello shots the next time we hang out.

[busymom]

I LOVE Christmas, but it is absolutely exhausting.  The years I worked full-time, and was juggling the kids, I would almost always end up being sick over the holidays, but had to power through, because who else was going to make sure everything got done?  DH tries, but nope, not happening.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Dec 18, 2023 11:51:50 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

I am definitely a creature of habit and Aldi did a very substantial merchandise reset since I was there last week and I could not find a thing - I was blind to stuff that was right in my face because it was moved 10 feet  .  

I HATE this.  My grocery store did a ‘reset’ about the time Covid hit.  Shopping took me twice as long as I had to backtrack so many times.  I still need to stop and try to figure out where they moved something.  

The point is to keep you in the store longer.  The longer you are there, the higher your groceries are going to cost.  I get it, but it doesn’t help the frustration.