what are you doing right now?

[countrygirl3]

I will just let Smoke in our room or the hobby room when she comes or other people. I don't want them upsetting him. 

We just took 2 kittens, never thought about kind or anything, never had a mean cat. My Black was standoffish but she would just hide, so this is new to me.

[Opti]

Dec 2, 2024 21:58:38 GMT -5 cooper88 said:

So I really only speak English, but I do live in New Mexico. I've picked up a lot of Spanish, which is great! Except when I go to play Wordle. What do they mean, that word is not in the dictionary. It certainly is! I know I have it spelled correctly. Then I realize it's a Spanish word, and also maybe I've picked up more than I realize, which is actually great!

It does not happen to me in Wordle, but too often lately Spelling Bee rejects a legit word in English sayings it's not a word and it is. I think every day Spelling Bee has a wordlist generated by testers and if they did not guess your word, it's not allowed.

[finnime]

Good morning, pet parents and pet admirer invisipeeps, readying for more holidays and for use of a frEEzer. Welcome to Tuesday. I hope your day goes smoothly and that no one important to you is attacked by a cat or any other mammal. I hope you feel great satisfaction at your progress.

This morning's temperature is 21 degrees. Ah, yes, winter kill. I need to rescue the hose still attached to the bib in the front yard.

Didn't get to work on the web site yesterday but think I might today. Also want to get to Costco while the getting is good.

The dawn yesterday looked like a painting in watercolor.

[daisylu]

Dec 3, 2024 1:29:29 GMT -5 countrygirl3 said:

I have bought DD a toy soldier that goes around and plays a beautiful song. It's from Walmart but looks like glass though its plastic, she will like that. Also a pair of pajamas and a sweater. I'm also getting her petit fours, she loves those and some summer sausage. Just things she likes. I will likely find something special yet.

Hubs has gotten a new recliner and I pad way before Christmas, so a problem. Son I have no clue, maybe a nice jacket, hubs will have to help find him something.. DIL, I finally found her Apex shoes she likes in a 7 wide, she has some toe issues. They ended up $175, they have really gone up in price, but I know they are worth it and she really takes care of her clothing so will last her a long time. We are also getting her a metal planter for her garden. Hubs has to have something under the tree as does son, so hard to buy for. I bought me a sweater and some cheap earrings.  I may get grandson a gift card again to Subway, we have not been to McD's since the recall.  I have time yet, maybe something will pop up. We wanted to get him a scooter, great sale, but I don't know, its electric.

None of us knows what to get grandson, not much he doesn't have. May get him shoes too, but likely won't consider that a Christmas gift.

Ok, shower and bed, have to get up at 7:30 in the morning to go to pain management doc, we are getting them slowly but surely.

I just ate a big bowl of grits with butter, man that was good, I love them.

I used to think like that too. I would ask though, who makes sure that you have something under the tree?

Beyond that, these are grown people who have enough "stuff" and buy their own "stuff". I would not stress myself about them having a gift to unwrap. 

I know that a lot of people do not like it, but gift cards are a perfectly acceptable gift IMO. Gift cards to favorite restaurants, grocery stores, even pharmacies. My children are 25 & 23. DS just got his personal property taxes and car registration renewal as his birthday gift. They both will get grocery gift cards and a gas gift card for a place that also makes fresh RTE food. That is what they like and honestly what I would like to. Gives me one less thing to track expenditure-wise. 

I share an Amazon wish list with DH  that he usually orders from. This year I requested heated gloves that were on a Black Friday sale. He ordered them and gave them to me straight away to try on and make sure they work, in case they needed to be returned. With temps barely getting to above freezing I have used them several times since Friday. He got me a gift, I know I have it, so nothing under the tree is needed. 

IMVHO, too many people try to keep up with outdated traditions. 

[lurkyloo]

Three hours of mind numbing fiduciary training today.  Can’t wait 

[minnesotapaintlady]

Dec 2, 2024 20:59:44 GMT -5 raeoflyte said:

I'm trying to finish up Christmas shopping and I'm at the f-it stage. Ds asks for few things, but expensive items. Dc asks for lots of little things. I don't try to spend the exact same on them, but ds has 1-2 big gifts and dc has 1 big-ish gift if I package all the smaller items together. I need to decide of I'm buying ds the 2nd big gift which is something I'd use too so it's more like a gift with strings. Or I just buy it for me and let him use it.

I'm failing miserably with Christmas shopping this year, I don't even have much in the way of ideas.  Black Friday I bought one thing.  

2024 TurboTax.    

[lurkyloo]

Dec 3, 2024 8:56:05 GMT -5 daisylu said:

Dec 3, 2024 1:29:29 GMT -5 countrygirl3 said:

I have bought DD a toy soldier that goes around and plays a beautiful song. It's from Walmart but looks like glass though its plastic, she will like that. Also a pair of pajamas and a sweater. I'm also getting her petit fours, she loves those and some summer sausage. Just things she likes. I will likely find something special yet.

Hubs has gotten a new recliner and I pad way before Christmas, so a problem. Son I have no clue, maybe a nice jacket, hubs will have to help find him something.. DIL, I finally found her Apex shoes she likes in a 7 wide, she has some toe issues. They ended up $175, they have really gone up in price, but I know they are worth it and she really takes care of her clothing so will last her a long time. We are also getting her a metal planter for her garden. Hubs has to have something under the tree as does son, so hard to buy for. I bought me a sweater and some cheap earrings.  I may get grandson a gift card again to Subway, we have not been to McD's since the recall.  I have time yet, maybe something will pop up. We wanted to get him a scooter, great sale, but I don't know, its electric.

None of us knows what to get grandson, not much he doesn't have. May get him shoes too, but likely won't consider that a Christmas gift.

Ok, shower and bed, have to get up at 7:30 in the morning to go to pain management doc, we are getting them slowly but surely.

I just ate a big bowl of grits with butter, man that was good, I love them.

I used to think like that too. I would ask though, who makes sure that you have something under the tree?

Beyond that, these are grown people who have enough "stuff" and buy their own "stuff". I would not stress myself about them having a gift to unwrap. 

I know that a lot of people do not like it, but gift cards are a perfectly acceptable gift IMO. Gift cards to favorite restaurants, grocery stores, even pharmacies. My children are 25 & 23. DS just got his personal property taxes and car registration renewal as his birthday gift. They both will get grocery gift cards and a gas gift card for a place that also makes fresh RTE food. That is what they like and honestly what I would like to. Gives me one less thing to track expenditure-wise. 

I share an Amazon wish list with DH  that he usually orders from. This year I requested heated gloves that were on a Black Friday sale. He ordered them and gave them to me straight away to try on and make sure they work, in case they needed to be returned. With temps barely getting to above freezing I have used them several times since Friday. He got me a gift, I know I have it, so nothing under the tree is needed. 

IMVHO, too many people try to keep up with outdated traditions. 

We do under the tree bc minor kid.  He’s the only kid on DH’s side, so he is carrying the joy for 6 adults (parents/grandparents/aunt&uncle) and does a fabulous job 

It’s a fair question.  DH always makes sure I have stuff, I always make sure he has stuff, because we enjoy the ritual.  But it’s true that it’s inconvenient and sometimes annoying.  I ordered DH an expensive car troubleshooting thing and have offered for him to use it then I’ll wrap it afterward for Christmas morning, bc kid.   But there’s nothing wrong with picking and choosing what works for you.

[lurkyloo]

Dec 3, 2024 8:58:50 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

Dec 2, 2024 20:59:44 GMT -5 raeoflyte said:

I'm trying to finish up Christmas shopping and I'm at the f-it stage. Ds asks for few things, but expensive items. Dc asks for lots of little things. I don't try to spend the exact same on them, but ds has 1-2 big gifts and dc has 1 big-ish gift if I package all the smaller items together. I need to decide of I'm buying ds the 2nd big gift which is something I'd use too so it's more like a gift with strings. Or I just buy it for me and let him use it.

I'm failing miserably with Christmas shopping this year, I don't even have much in the way of ideas.  Black Friday I bought one thing.  

2024 TurboTax.    

I hope you actually did the day or so later when they threw in the extra gift card. I was so pissed when I saw that!

[minnesotapaintlady]

Dec 3, 2024 9:06:45 GMT -5 lurkyloo said:

Dec 3, 2024 8:58:50 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

I'm failing miserably with Christmas shopping this year, I don't even have much in the way of ideas.  Black Friday I bought one thing.  

2024 TurboTax.    

I hope you actually did the day or so later when they threw in the extra gift card. I was so pissed when I saw that!

Yes, so maybe it wasn't actually Black Friday. Probably not since I was traveling that day.

   

It was $45 for Deluxe with a $10 gift card.

[chiver78]

currently on hold, waiting to speak to an agent re: SiriusXM renewal. I just logged in, after having the system set to the preview channel when I turned on the car earlier. they seem to think I'm going to pay them $350 to renew. lol.....right. 

[taz157]

Dec 3, 2024 9:24:41 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

currently on hold, waiting to speak to an agent re: SiriusXM renewal. I just logged in, after having the system set to the preview channel when I turned on the car earlier. they seem to think I'm going to pay them $350 to renew. lol.....right. 

There’s a chat function that you can use too. I did that a couple of weeks ago.

[Cookies Galore]

Dec 3, 2024 8:58:50 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

Dec 2, 2024 20:59:44 GMT -5 raeoflyte said:

I'm trying to finish up Christmas shopping and I'm at the f-it stage. Ds asks for few things, but expensive items. Dc asks for lots of little things. I don't try to spend the exact same on them, but ds has 1-2 big gifts and dc has 1 big-ish gift if I package all the smaller items together. I need to decide of I'm buying ds the 2nd big gift which is something I'd use too so it's more like a gift with strings. Or I just buy it for me and let him use it.

I'm failing miserably with Christmas shopping this year, I don't even have much in the way of ideas.  Black Friday I bought one thing.  

2024 TurboTax.    

I bought Wynk THC seltzers and gummies during a Cyber Monday sale. Still haven't bought a damn thing for anyone. 😂

[seriousthistime]

Dec 3, 2024 9:24:41 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

currently on hold, waiting to speak to an agent re: SiriusXM renewal. I just logged in, after having the system set to the preview channel when I turned on the car earlier. they seem to think I'm going to pay them $350 to renew. lol.....right. 

ymam.proboards.com/thread/65283/sirius-xm

[bookkeeper]

I bought a few Christmas gifts for the twins and family in Nebraska.  Nothing expensive, just a few things for them to open.  I stashed some $100 bills in the adult gifts, so they have some holiday cash.  Here in AZ, I don't plan on shopping for anyone.  I pulled DS#2 aside at Thanksgiving and asked him not to buy any gifts for us this year.  He is paying for a second degree as he goes and only works part time, so keep your money kid.  His GF is buying a different car this week, so I am sure she could use some cash for registration and insurance.  Green is everyone's favorite color this time of year.

DH and I bought a vacation for January and get to pay for some repairs around the house.  I can put a bow on the suitcase or the gate repair, or the firepit repair... so many choices.

[chiver78]

Dec 3, 2024 9:55:01 GMT -5 seriousthistime said:

Dec 3, 2024 9:24:41 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

currently on hold, waiting to speak to an agent re: SiriusXM renewal. I just logged in, after having the system set to the preview channel when I turned on the car earlier. they seem to think I'm going to pay them $350 to renew. lol.....right. 

ymam.proboards.com/thread/65283/sirius-xm

thanks, I knew there was a thread awhile back. just wasn't sure what sub-forum. 

update - it only took a pair of "nope, that's still too high" for them to come in at $131 for the year, inclusive of all fees. that's even better than what I paid last year, works for me!

[soupandstew]

Dec 3, 2024 10:05:50 GMT -5 bookkeeper said:

I bought a few Christmas gifts for the twins and family in Nebraska.  Nothing expensive, just a few things for them to open.  I stashed some $100 bills in the adult gifts, so they have some holiday cash.  Here in AZ, I don't plan on shopping for anyone.  I pulled DS#2 aside at Thanksgiving and asked him not to buy any gifts for us this year.  He is paying for a second degree as he goes and only works part time, so keep your money kid.  His GF is buying a different car this week, so I am sure she could use some cash for registration and insurance.  Green is everyone's favorite color this time of year.

DH and I bought a vacation for January and get to pay for some repairs around the house.  I can put a bow on the suitcase or the gate repair, or the firepit repair... so many choices.

Same here.  Early in the new year we will be gifting ourselves some fence replacement, updates to exterior lighting, replacement of exterior water line, and possibly replacement of interior water lines.  Maybe I'll put a bow on the $550 contract to feed our trees in 2025 

[countrygirl3]

I bought a neat little Woozoo fan at Costco couple of years ago. It swivels around and blows up in the air too, so we sat it in front of the fireplace and it warmed up to 75 degrees in here really quickly. So we will use that. Our gas bill was $35 last month and I enjoy seeing the fireplace at night. Hubs wanted to know if I'm going to put stockings up. Going to take the pictures off and put xmas decorations up there. Always wanted a fireplace before and never had one, I am really enjoying this.

Got to get makeup on and will be ready, I did not sleep well and am having trouble waking up.  This is pain management doc then a chest xray. Will be happy to have them all in place.

[bean29]

Dec 2, 2024 20:59:44 GMT -5 raeoflyte said:

I'm trying to finish up Christmas shopping and I'm at the f-it stage. Ds asks for few things, but expensive items. Dc asks for lots of little things. I don't try to spend the exact same on them, but ds has 1-2 big gifts and dc has 1 big-ish gift if I package all the smaller items together. I need to decide of I'm buying ds the 2nd big gift which is something I'd use too so it's more like a gift with strings. Or I just buy it for me and let him use it.

I got to a point where I just bought whatever they asked for and didn't worry so much about evening it out.  Some years I tallied everything up and handed DS some $$, but then I just got to a point where I said F it and I don't even do that anymore.  We do things through the year for each of our kids and we are not keeping track of how much we spend to make sure everything is equal.  

They might have worried about who got more when they were little, but teen years on, they have never been concerned about that.  DS and DD are on the same phone plan.  She says she pays it for months and her brother doesn't send her $$ and then all of a sudden, he pays her all the back months.  She was not complaining, just telling me how it works out.

[TheOtherMe]

Dec 2, 2024 18:51:00 GMT -5 weltz said:

Dec 2, 2024 17:52:45 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

My first cat was a Russian blue.  He was the most loving cat ever except when it came to the vet.  Then he was the meanest cat ever.  

He was very vocal and very loud.  We had entire conversations because he would answer me.  

In Russian?

He may have been speaking in Russian.  

He expected catnip when the conversation was over and got it.  

He was a character.  My parents and aunt and uncle came to visit.  We were playing a cards at the kitchen table.  He sat himself on a chair and started batting cards around.  At least my aunt and uncle laughed.  Said they had never seen a cat like that.  They were farmers and no indoor cats.  

The way he inserted himself into whatever was happening when I had company, he thought he was human and an equal participant.

[daisylu]

Need to provide some numbers to manager today - that he requested this morning. I have them ready, just do not want him to think it was too easy. 

[TheOtherMe]

I finally got the Christmas present list from DN3 for two kids.  

He actually said there wasn't much available in the price range I gave them.  I told him I was not his mother and don't believe in overspending for Christmas to the point I will be in debt.  Those kids don't need anything from me because my sister will have them in overload with presents.  

The baby is too young to be grateful but the step son should be grateful.  One item DN3 gave me said it's frequently returned because it breaks.  He is getting Legos.  

DN1 in Toronto said his mother said to send present ideas but they will have to pick up in Iowa.  He told her they won't be in Iowa in the foreseeable future.  Her manipulation skills are still going strong.

Since Canada Post is on strike, not much is coming to their building except packages.  J said to them on Friday that he wished a present for him would come.  Well, what I ordered from a Canadian website has not been shipped yet.  When it ships, he will have a package for him.  They ask for clothes for him.  He has enough toys.  

[TheOtherMe]

For her own reasons, Amelia decided at 2:30 AM that it was time for me to get up.  While I didn't agree with her, she would not leave me alone so I did get up.  

I am exhausted and it's not even noon.  Will try to get a nap.  

My basketball team is playing at 2 PM.  Why they are having an afternoon game on a weekday, I don't understand.

[lurkyloo]

Should pick up a few more small things for DH, but DS has plenty now  I overdid it a bit on the electronics, because sale and I am mildly worried about potential price increases starting in early 2025. Got a few things for ILs, the rest can be DH’s job, and the last thing I want to do is to bring more things into my mother’s very full house so she’s not getting anything physical. She’s gotten plenty of my mental bandwidth this year already.

[soupandstew]

Thursday I'll grab liquor for the neighbors.  Next week I'll get a couple of gift bags at Target and get the boneless stuffed chicken for Christmas Day and stuffed pork chops for New Year's Day.   Late next week I'll cash a big check for tips for the taqueria staff and our landscape crew.   Then it's stick-a-fork-in-me time because I'm done    

[wvugurl26]

I was looking at the women's schedule trying to double dip with a men's game since we have season tickets. The women play at 10:30am Friday. It's labeled as education day so I guess they are bringing school kids to the game.

I always buy Turbo Tax with the gift card. Guess I somehow missed it. I think on Friday it was just $45 no gift card.

[chiver78]

over the weekend I reached out to the HR rep that answered most of my other questions, and she came through this morning with a customer service number to call the 3rd party that runs that program. apparently I can still place orders through them over the phone/email even though I can't log in anymore as it's linked to my work email. the agent I spoke with found what she thinks I was describing, and is sending me a form to fill out so she can place the order for me. that works! 

[minnesotapaintlady]

Dec 3, 2024 10:28:19 GMT -5 bean29 said:

Dec 2, 2024 20:59:44 GMT -5 raeoflyte said:

I'm trying to finish up Christmas shopping and I'm at the f-it stage. Ds asks for few things, but expensive items. Dc asks for lots of little things. I don't try to spend the exact same on them, but ds has 1-2 big gifts and dc has 1 big-ish gift if I package all the smaller items together. I need to decide of I'm buying ds the 2nd big gift which is something I'd use too so it's more like a gift with strings. Or I just buy it for me and let him use it.

I got to a point where I just bought whatever they asked for and didn't worry so much about evening it out.  Some years I tallied everything up and handed DS some $$, but then I just got to a point where I said F it and I don't even do that anymore.  We do things through the year for each of our kids and we are not keeping track of how much we spend to make sure everything is equal.  

They might have worried about who got more when they were little, but teen years on, they have never been concerned about that.  DS and DD are on the same phone plan.  She says she pays it for months and her brother doesn't send her $$ and then all of a sudden, he pays her all the back months.  She was not complaining, just telling me how it works out.

I don't care about making it even either.  Carrot is going to get a crap ton more than his brother because I still support him and he needs stuff.  Older one takes home way more than I do and buys whatever he wants.

The kids are easy, it's the adult gifts for siblings and parents that I hate. I almost want to bail on Christmas at my dad's entirely this year just to get out of buying gifts. 

[daisylu]

I bought nothing on BF. I usually order a lot for myself or the house because I normally do not shop most of the year, but I guess I have everything. 

The Oofos that I ordered pre-BF delivered on BF. I love them. 

DH & I have very few people to gift:

DD - grocery gift card and stocking stuffers
DS - grocery gift card and stocking stuffers
MIL - Probably restaurant gift cards, maybe movies GC
FIL - Tractor Supply gift card
mom - With mom cash is king.
dad - Cash, just because I am lazy.
Nephew1 - Cash (currently in trade school to be electrician)
Nephew2 - Chuck E Cheese GC
Niece  - Chuck E Cheese GC

I also buy for DH and he does me, which reminds me that I need to find something for him. Other than that, most of my shopping can be done at the grocery store. 

[chiver78]

daisylu - which Oofos did you get?

mine were delivered yesterday, and I need to send them back. I love my slides, even though they are too big b/c those don't come in half sizes. but the clogs (OOcoozie sport mules) I just got did come in half sizes, so I gave them a try. the clogs themselves were way too loose and I'd walk right out of them. 

[finnime]

DH and I aren't really exchanging presents this year. I did order for him the 2024 Lenox moose ornament--he has a collection. And I'll try to find a pair of gloves for him with a fuzzy lining. I just want to be given a Costco-size jug of Jelly Belly jelly beans.

We don't really have the extra cash this year.

I did get everyone Bombas socks, like always. DS is getting the compression version as he requested. DD, I'm not sure. I did order for her a pair of sneakers so she won't be falling.