what are you doing right now?

[daisylu]

Verified last night that I had everything wrapped and sorted by which house we visit, ILs on eve and parents late evening day.

Nneed veggies for eve, so putting off grocery run til tomorrow. Today I am vegging. 

[taz157]

DD1 is off school and in her craft room working on Christmas presents. DD2 is at daycare. DH is working on a project for the house. I’ve already grocery shopped and ordered pictures to be printed. I’m waiting on the text to say that are ready so I’m wrapping Christmas presents since I haven’t wrapped a single present yet.

[wvugurl26]

giramomma I had endless ear infections when I was around the missy's age. 3 rounds of ear tubes and none of them stayed in as long as they wanted. I was finally taken to a different ENT and diagnosed with lots of allergies including food ones to the foods I was living on. Lots of things made more sense after that. I hope you can find some answers soon.

[wvugurl26]

I have nothing wrapped and I'm not done shopping. This season hasn't gone how I planned and wanted. Getting ready to go out of town for a quick overnight. I think we can finish up some shopping there. I don't know how this year turned out so badly.

[andi9899]

Has anyone been getting text messages saying that they need to update an address? I got one that said it was from the post office. I got a confirmation of my change of address from them in the mail.

I got another one saying my package couldn't be delivered unless I updated my address and gave me a tracking number. I looked up the packages I have in transit and none of them had that tracking number.

I got a 3rd one today with no information other than a link to complete my address. No tracking number or who it's from. I have trust issues, so I didn't click anything. I've gotten everything I ordered or it's out for delivery today. Just one order from Amazon is delayed, but it doesn't have an address issue. Anyone have that happen?

[jerseygirl]

Great grand baby has a cold so probably not coming for Christmas
DD now has Covid , taking paxlovid. But we’re all terrified that this will activate the horrendous long COVID that she just recovered

[NoNamePerson]

Dec 22, 2023 8:27:04 GMT -5 giramomma said:

We're right back to square one with the missy being sick, again.

It has been two months, and she clearly has been fighting ear infections for at least 2-3 weeks now.

You'd think medical types could come up with something better than "Well, we don't know how to help her, so we'll just throw everything and the kitchen sink at her and see what could work?" I mean. They do go to school for far longer than I did. They took harder classes than I did. You'd think they'd come up with more than what we've been doing, on and off, for two months in terms of home remedies, especially given that it's not helped all that much. (See the ear infections for 2-3 weeks).

And, of course, if she doesn't get better...we're just going to have to let her sick be at home, isolated, over Christmas. 

She's not sick enough for ER. And the random urgent care health care worker and the doctor that works in her peds clinic weren't all that useful. I'd rather go back to her peds clinic. Which won't be open until Tuesday. We probably won't even be able to get an appointment until mid or late week.

My son had ongoing ear infections. We tried ruling out everything know to mankind. Pediatrician finally said need to see ENT.  Had his tonsils and adenoids removed. He was 4 at the time. It was like a miracle cure.   He was and is rarely sick since that even at 57. I know this doesn’t help you but I hope it’s something that can be addressed and have as good outcome as he did.. I had a pediatrician from Heaven as far as I was concerned give I was a green as a gourd Mother. 

[soupandstew]

Dec 22, 2023 13:01:46 GMT -5 andi9899 said:

Has anyone been getting text messages saying that they need to update an address? I got one that said it was from the post office. I got a confirmation of my change of address from them in the mail.

I got another one saying my package couldn't be delivered unless I updated my address and gave me a tracking number. I looked up the packages I have in transit and none of them had that tracking number.

I got a 3rd one today with no information other than a link to complete my address. No tracking number or who it's from. I have trust issues, so I didn't click anything. I've gotten everything I ordered or it's out for delivery today. Just one order from Amazon is delayed, but it doesn't have an address issue. Anyone have that happen?

I get these from time to time - they are scams.  An elderly neighbor fell for one and it then asked for her CC# to charge the "redelivery fee".  Yep, she did it with the expected outcome.

[andi9899]

Dec 22, 2023 11:14:31 GMT -5 lurkyloo said:

Dec 22, 2023 10:20:24 GMT -5 andi9899 said:

I can't wait to wrap up the last work daybof 2023. Hopefully they let us go early. Usually they do the day before a holiday.

Right there with you.  I am so bored and have no real action items bc everything’s pretty much wound down so I’m mostly reading technical articles and watching or rewatching lectures online.  

I had thought I didn’t have enough for DH to unwrap but it’s looking like I have plenty for DH but actually don’t have as much as I’d like for DS to unwrap    Already spaced on a new tshirt I wanted to order, just panic ordered more for him    He has a crapload of books as presents so there’s that.  I also have a lot of little things for MIL but just one specifically for FIL so hopefully DH will pick up my slack there…he’s the type to start his shopping 6 pm Christmas eve anyway 

One of my underwriters screwed me over. I've been after her for renewal terms for 2 accounts. One renews 1/5 and another one on 1/6. I was supposed to have it last week. I have been stressing that I need to wrap it up this week because I'm out next week. More promises not delivered on. I follow up again this morning and got an out of office reply thay she's out until after the new year. Unbelievable!

So now I get to spend 1/2 on these 2 accounts. I'll be damn lucky if I can meet my deadline and these trucking companies don't get shut down. Great way to start 2024.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

I need to get dressed and go to the grocery store.  I don’t really need to get a lot, but just realized that I have no beef stock left.  Since we are going across the border for dinner Christmas Day, I’ll be making the roast I bought Christmas Eve instead.  TD needs to make pies, and I want cherry so that dictates which store I go to today.  Only one store in town carries the frozen tart pie cherries.

My sister left half a rotisserie chicken in the fridge.  I’ll pick that off the bone and make something with it for dinner tonight since she’s not going to be here for awhile.  

[andi9899]

Dec 22, 2023 13:32:31 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

Dec 22, 2023 13:01:46 GMT -5 andi9899 said:

Has anyone been getting text messages saying that they need to update an address? I got one that said it was from the post office. I got a confirmation of my change of address from them in the mail.

I got another one saying my package couldn't be delivered unless I updated my address and gave me a tracking number. I looked up the packages I have in transit and none of them had that tracking number.

I got a 3rd one today with no information other than a link to complete my address. No tracking number or who it's from. I have trust issues, so I didn't click anything. I've gotten everything I ordered or it's out for delivery today. Just one order from Amazon is delayed, but it doesn't have an address issue. Anyone have that happen?

I get these from time to time - they are scams.  An elderly neighbor fell for one and it then asked for her CC# to charge the "redelivery fee".  Yep, she did it with the expected outcome.

I'm so glad my parents don't know how to order things online and all their order information comes to me.

[lurkyloo]

Dec 22, 2023 12:13:33 GMT -5 azucena said:

Dec 22, 2023 11:19:42 GMT -5 lurkyloo said:

For even more fun I tried projecting total annual income and likely tax bill for 2023    Stupid year end stock rally.  Also nervously awaiting another big capital gains check that will probably wipe out the charitable donation and then some, with fingers crossed that a. they honor my request to distribute and not reinvest and b. the d*** thing doesn’t get lost in the mail.

Hey now, I'm enjoying the year end stock rally. I'm up 19% ytd. I'm letting it ride though so no taxes due for me on those.

Def not looking fwd to income taxes though. Largest bonus for me ever and DH actually got 3 small bonuses for the first time ever.

There’s something wrong with us that we’re annoyed about more income, isn’t there 

My issue is that DH is getting a major stock bonus that vests as of Dec 31 and I won’t know what that cost basis, that we will be taxed on as w2 income, is going to total out to until we actually get there…but it’s up something ridiculous like 30-50% in the past couple of months.  Good:  the company will pay some income taxes on it; bad: they will pay it at the 25% fed rate and we are going to be at 37% top marginal rate. No idea whether the state withholding will be at the 6% state or the 9% state plus local but not holding my breath.  Actually I don’t even know how many shares, just a convoluted estimate 

I also still have to take distributions from the inherited IRA and I want to frontload those to take full advantage of tax bracket space in 2024-2025 before we revert in 2026.  It’d be easier to drain it down if the stock market would deflate for a bit then come roaring back afterward.

First world problems, no question.

[daisylu]

Dec 22, 2023 13:01:46 GMT -5 andi9899 said:

Has anyone been getting text messages saying that they need to update an address? I got one that said it was from the post office. I got a confirmation of my change of address from them in the mail.

I got another one saying my package couldn't be delivered unless I updated my address and gave me a tracking number. I looked up the packages I have in transit and none of them had that tracking number.

I got a 3rd one today with no information other than a link to complete my address. No tracking number or who it's from. I have trust issues, so I didn't click anything. I've gotten everything I ordered or it's out for delivery today. Just one order from Amazon is delayed, but it doesn't have an address issue. Anyone have that happen?

Scam

[daisylu]

If I didn't believe the doctor about being in menopause,  I definitely know now. Waxing upper lip for the second time in less than 2 weeks. Next up plucking eyebrows, which I did less than 10 days ago and they are OOC.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

I got my eyebrow pierced! This one hurt and I'm a bit queasy. I popped a couple ibuprofen.

I'm really happy with it I think it looks cute.

[giramomma]

Dec 22, 2023 12:43:29 GMT -5 wvugurl26 said:

giramomma I had endless ear infections when I was around the missy's age. 3 rounds of ear tubes and none of them stayed in as long as they wanted. I was finally taken to a different ENT and diagnosed with lots of allergies including food ones to the foods I was living on. Lots of things made more sense after that. I hope you can find some answers soon.

The dr did say allergies  could be an issue. The best he could hypothesize was dust.  

I will definitely keep that in mind.

[giramomma]

Dec 22, 2023 13:25:32 GMT -5 NoNamePerson said:

Dec 22, 2023 8:27:04 GMT -5 giramomma said:

We're right back to square one with the missy being sick, again.

It has been two months, and she clearly has been fighting ear infections for at least 2-3 weeks now.

You'd think medical types could come up with something better than "Well, we don't know how to help her, so we'll just throw everything and the kitchen sink at her and see what could work?" I mean. They do go to school for far longer than I did. They took harder classes than I did. You'd think they'd come up with more than what we've been doing, on and off, for two months in terms of home remedies, especially given that it's not helped all that much. (See the ear infections for 2-3 weeks).

And, of course, if she doesn't get better...we're just going to have to let her sick be at home, isolated, over Christmas. 

She's not sick enough for ER. And the random urgent care health care worker and the doctor that works in her peds clinic weren't all that useful. I'd rather go back to her peds clinic. Which won't be open until Tuesday. We probably won't even be able to get an appointment until mid or late week.

My son had ongoing ear infections. We tried ruling out everything know to mankind. Pediatrician finally said need to see ENT.  Had his tonsils and adenoids removed. He was 4 at the time. It was like a miracle cure.   He was and is rarely sick since that even at 57. I know this doesn’t help you but I hope it’s something that can be addressed and have as good outcome as he did.. I had a pediatrician from Heaven as far as I was concerned give I was a green as a gourd Mother. 

At her regular check up, we did talk about getting her tonsils out as something to look into but we didn't have to do.

She doesn't sleep through the night. The dr asked if she stopped breathing for a moment. I'm actually pretty sure she did for a bit when her hear was hurting. I should bring that up to DH. He's noticed it too.

And it's hard, because I noticed it after being up for 20 hours. So, it's not like I feel like I was the most reliable judge, KWIM.

[giramomma]

Dec 22, 2023 12:13:33 GMT -5 azucena said:

Dec 22, 2023 11:19:42 GMT -5 lurkyloo said:

For even more fun I tried projecting total annual income and likely tax bill for 2023    Stupid year end stock rally.  Also nervously awaiting another big capital gains check that will probably wipe out the charitable donation and then some, with fingers crossed that a. they honor my request to distribute and not reinvest and b. the d*** thing doesn’t get lost in the mail.

Hey now, I'm enjoying the year end stock rally. I'm up 19% ytd. I'm letting it ride though so no taxes due for me on those.

Def not looking fwd to income taxes though. Largest bonus for me ever and DH actually got 3 small bonuses for the first time ever.

I finally get my raise that I should have gotten in July of 23. I don't know if you can call backpay a bonus. It will feel like it.

[countrygirl2]

Little guy is some better. They brought a humidifier, like a vaporizer and put it in the bedroom. He slept pretty well last night. It is dry in here I can feel it, so should be helpful.

I'm going to clean out my kitchen cabinets such as they are. I don't have many but they aren't very neat right now. I need to get dressed and get busy, its almost 1 already. 

The kids are taking little guy home this afternoon for awhile, he doesn't want to go. But I need to clean, and cook for Xmas and it will help me to just cook something for DD and I. 

Called son and he is studying. He said he sees the writing on the wall about AI, so is trying to get  leg up on it. Said its very interesting. Glad to hear he is still staying on top of things. Guess he needs to if he is going to remain relevant.

I need him to fix a towel rack for me if he gets a chance.

About all that's going on today. At least all the gifts are wrapped, told gson to put all his toys and stuff behind the couch, that is his play area. He doesn't have to pick up stuff back there can leave it out.

At least this place is pretty easy to keep clean since its so small.

[TheOtherMe]

Dec 22, 2023 11:38:35 GMT -5 busymom said:

Dec 22, 2023 11:08:00 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

I have been through the sidewalk problem.  In the letter, we were given a 2 year deadline and told that it would be less expensive if we installed the sidewalk ourselves.  So I hired that done.

Beginning at my house, I have no curb and gutter.  All of these years, I have been waiting to get notified about that.  In the strange way this subdivision was annexed, my road and curb and gutter assessment will come from the county, not the city.  So far, it has not been mentioned as a priority at any Board of Supervisors meeting.  That's probably because it isn't very many houses and doesn't cause accidents.  Until it is mentioned by the Board of Supervisors, I am not concerned about it.  

I do get better snow plowing because the road is in the county.  You can see where the county plow stopped and the city takes over.  Major difference is the plowing I get.

    The plowing is fabulous in our community.  They get here more quickly than anywhere we've ever lived.  That's probably the main reason I put up with the small level of stupid here.  

I don't really have to go anywhere most days, but to get to anywhere in town I have to go through what the city plows.  I think they have one plow and driver so it takes a while.  When I back out, there is a slight incline before I can get anywhere.  The city plows that and I have spun my wheels on that more than once when I worked.  

Taking the county road to town is all curves and hills.  I know they do the best they can but there are lots of trees and limestone hills and where those put shade on the roads, it becomes a sheet of ice.

The highway is what I am for.  Yes, we have what it called Mile Hill.  The state takes care of that.  As long as you are not driving it in the middle of a storm or right after the snow stops, it gets a lot of use so it doesn't get really bad.

After a storm, driving up or down the hill and there are cars in the ditches on both sides of the road and in the median.  I'm so happy I can just stay home now.

I drove on ice and snow for jobs from 1970 until the last job here.  Maybe 5 years ago now.  I remember three hour commutes to Denver when it took an hour or so in regular driving conditions.  I'm told it takes even longer now with all of the people who have moved to Boulder.  Saw in the Boulder, where another industrial area is being turned in to housing.  I can't even afford their "affordable" housing.

When I moved, they were still in the no growth phase.  If I could move back to that Boulder, I would figure out a way, but it's gone.

[soupandstew]

DH wanted to get lunch at our favorite Lebanese grill so I was also able to grab a large bottle of grape leaves (they have a great line of Lebanese grocery items).  I saw a recipe for stuffed grape leaves and I have a pound of ground lamb in the freezer so I'll give it a go after the 1st.  

The folks next door have been remodeling their house for 3 weeks and the cleaners were there this morning.  I could hear the vacuum and smell the PineSol from here.  The sun is shining and it's 70 degrees so the music is going on their patio.  It's going to be a great weekend I think.

[NastyWoman]

Munich is wet and stormy this year. Like rain and gale force wind crud. Last year I discovered that my winter coat is not waterproof but of course I promptly forgot that once back in California. Amazon to the rescue. I had a one day delivery of a rain poncho that fit over my coat. DS1's coat was not sufficient either - living in the tropics will do that to you. So he borrowed a coat from his brother and off we all went to the Christkindl market properly attired. It was great fun despite the rain but DS2 had to abandon us to keep a dentist appointment.  Despite that I can honestly say that nothing better than spending a couple of hours with your son strolling a Xmas market and having a  leisurely lunch in a bierstubbe. By the time we were back the little ones were home from school and they were very pleased with the lebkuchen hearts oma had bought them. 

Life is good 

[TheOtherMe]

Saw where the road I was on yesterday to pick up my prescription is totally backed up from all of the traffic.  Not from accidents or bad roads.  Just more traffic than it can handle.  Can't turn in or out of the strip malls along there.  

I'm glad I don't have to go to town until after next week.

[chiver78]

Dec 22, 2023 15:59:46 GMT -5 countrygirl2 said:

Little guy is some better. They brought a humidifier, like a vaporizer and put it in the bedroom. He slept pretty well last night. It is dry in here I can feel it, so should be helpful.

I'm going to clean out my kitchen cabinets such as they are. I don't have many but they aren't very neat right now. I need to get dressed and get busy, its almost 1 already. 

The kids are taking little guy home this afternoon for awhile, he doesn't want to go. But I need to clean, and cook for Xmas and it will help me to just cook something for DD and I. 

Called son and he is studying. He said he sees the writing on the wall about AI, so is trying to get  leg up on it. Said its very interesting. Glad to hear he is still staying on top of things. Guess he needs to if he is going to remain relevant.

I need him to fix a towel rack for me if he gets a chance.

About all that's going on today. At least all the gifts are wrapped, told gson to put all his toys and stuff behind the couch, that is his play area. He doesn't have to pick up stuff back there can leave it out.

At least this place is pretty easy to keep clean since its so small.

I finally remembered to pick up a new humidifier a few days ago on a Walmart trip, it's been life-changing in how I feel in the morning. I'd had to trash the old one last spring, the well water did a number on it over the couple years I'd been using it. glad GS is feeling better. 

I've been puttering around the kitchen since getting back from picking up some pain meds for LD. I'm taking a minute to regulate my blood sugar. I didn't realize I was dizzy until I almost went ass over teakettle down the basement stairs after tripping over Punk, who was hoping I'd drop more fruit than I just handed her as I chopped. I chugged some Gatorade and threw some pizza rolls in the oven. when my fingers stop wavering on their own, I'll pick the chef's knife up again. 

tonight won't be late, and I'll probably just sleep on the couch tonight. I'm so happy to shut down Outlook and all my work apps on this laptop til 2024. I don't feel like messing with the old Fire Stick on the tv in my bedroom to download the NESN 360 app to be able to watch tonight's hockey game. living room tv has it all set. I finally bit the bullet and subscribed to the standalone channel for $30/mo. I'll be cancelling after hockey season, since the Sox have sucked lately. but at least I can get in my hockey fix. 

[daisylu]

Dec 22, 2023 16:17:02 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

DH wanted to get lunch at our favorite Lebanese grill so I was also able to grab a large bottle of grape leaves (they have a great line of Lebanese grocery items).  I saw a recipe for stuffed grape leaves and I have a pound of ground lamb in the freezer so I'll give it a go after the 1st.  

The folks next door have been remodeling their house for 3 weeks and the cleaners were there this morning.  I could hear the vacuum and smell the PineSol from here.  The sun is shining and it's 70 degrees so the music is going on their patio.  It's going to be a great weekend I think.

I watched an episode of DDD in a Greek restaurant today that used grape leaves stuffed with lamb and a lemon sauce. 

[jerseygirl]

Yay for all those who finished work today - either for the year or at least a long weekend
Relax and enjoy! If you have a Christmas chore the ‘ needs’ to be done - assess and maybe don’t do it!

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Dec 22, 2023 14:12:20 GMT -5 daisylu said:

If I didn't believe the doctor about being in menopause,  I definitely know now. Waxing upper lip for the second time in less than 2 weeks. Next up plucking eyebrows, which I did less than 10 days ago and they are OOC.

When my grandmother lived with us, she'd grab one of us kids to pluck the hairs that were growing on her chin.  My 19 year old self just rolled my eyes and plucked.  She said those hairs drove her crazy.  Fast forward 40 years, I'm plucking my own chin hairs and she's right, they DO drive you crazy.  You can swear  you've got them all and the following day another one sprouts up.  

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

I dropped off the bags at Goodwill, then hit the grocery store.  I almost did a panic when I went looking for the tart pie cherries and didn't see them, as they're not in the same bags that they normally are in.  

Got the stuff to make the green chicken enchiladas tonight for dinner with the leftover chicken.  The tomatillos I bought are really small, I need to get them roasted off for the sauce.

[soupandstew]

Dec 22, 2023 16:30:06 GMT -5 daisylu said:

Dec 22, 2023 16:17:02 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

DH wanted to get lunch at our favorite Lebanese grill so I was also able to grab a large bottle of grape leaves (they have a great line of Lebanese grocery items).  I saw a recipe for stuffed grape leaves and I have a pound of ground lamb in the freezer so I'll give it a go after the 1st.  

The folks next door have been remodeling their house for 3 weeks and the cleaners were there this morning.  I could hear the vacuum and smell the PineSol from here.  The sun is shining and it's 70 degrees so the music is going on their patio.  It's going to be a great weekend I think.

I watched an episode of DDD in a Greek restaurant today that used grape leaves stuffed with lamb and a lemon sauce. 

I think my recipe (it's been a few months since I printed it out) involves cooking with lots of lemon juice and whole garlic.  I remember they said it was a Syrian version.  I explained to DH that grape leaves are served all over the Mediterranean and Middle East and every country has their little variations and I love them all.  

[soupandstew]

Dec 22, 2023 16:38:57 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

Dec 22, 2023 14:12:20 GMT -5 daisylu said:

If I didn't believe the doctor about being in menopause,  I definitely know now. Waxing upper lip for the second time in less than 2 weeks. Next up plucking eyebrows, which I did less than 10 days ago and they are OOC.

When my grandmother lived with us, she'd grab one of us kids to pluck the hairs that were growing on her chin.  My 19 year old self just rolled my eyes and plucked.  She said those hairs drove her crazy.  Fast forward 40 years, I'm plucking my own chin hairs and she's right, they DO drive you crazy.  You can swear  you've got them all and the following day another one sprouts up.  

Yes, and they sprout just far enough under the chin that you practically have to wrench your eyeballs out of their sockets to see them!