what are you doing right now?

[chiver78]

I gave up on trying to fall back asleep around 530, and came downstairs so I could turn on the TV and not wake the pups. about 10min later, I hear whining from the top of the stairs - Punk wanted out. she came back inside and followed me downstairs. we both dozed off from about 7-9am. LD was down here when we woke up for good. they have been out, fed, the trash is at the curb, and I'm working on a cup of coffee. we are back downstairs again watching serial killer stories on Oxygen. I don't see a high energy day ahead of me.

[raeoflyte]

Dec 26, 2022 23:12:11 GMT -5 toomuchreality said:

Dec 26, 2022 22:09:15 GMT -5 raeoflyte said:

Just got my nose pierced. It's not quite as spontaneous as it sounds, but I still had a wth am I doing moment when I sat down.

That just sounds so painful!

It was! She said it's only happened once before to her but there was something in the way that made it harder to get the needle through. So there was more pushing and twisting than normal I guess. She asked if I had ever broken my nose thinking it might be cartilage scarring? But I haven't so who knows. Advil and iced last night and seems fine this morning.

Definitely the most painful piercing I've ever had at a piercing parlor (this would be my 10th). All my others have closed up. I think I'd like to repierce most of them. I should have done it over covid. Now Between spending money and my training schedule it'll take a couple years.

[raeoflyte]

Dec 27, 2022 9:45:43 GMT -5 @athena53 said:

Back home after an uneventful drive yesterday evening. I'm having a hard time getting moving this morning after almost a week with family but will eventually exercise and do some house cleaning. No plans to go out. Last night I pretty much got everything out of the car but plunked it down wherever there was a space, then had a hard time finding my Apple Watch charger and my Nook, both of which turned up after some wild searches.

Yesterday I took the kids to Starbucks, which was inside a grocery store where I picked up cut fresh veggies for the road trip home and they REALLY wanted a tray of cut fresh fruit. How can I turn down a request like that? After that we went into Marshall's, where we'd been a few days before, because the girls wanted to check out the toys since they had Christmas money. I've been really happy with the tactic of giving them money- they really weigh purchases when they make decisions. I would not personally have chosen a set of plastic foods made in China that had all the ingredients to make tacos but they immediately added it to their supply of pretend food and started playing Restaurant when they got home. There was a pretty long line at Marshall's- after-Christmas bargain hunters (no sales on toys, of course) and probably people with gift cards.


I saw an interesting side of my oldest granddaughter and I hope it's not a specter of adolescence. (She turns 9 in April.) She got an elaborate Lego Friends set (the private jet) and took some of it apart for some reason, then had a meltdown because she couldn't figure out how to get it back together. (The instruction manual is a small paperback, there are so many steps.) We could NOT convince her to calm down and use her brain. DDIL finally finished working on younger sister's Lego set, came over, figured out where to start in the instructions and got it back together. My sweet DGD was back again. Wow.

Lego meltdowns were definitely a thing for us between 9-12 even. So much so that it felt miraculous when ds could just say bummer, fix it and move on.

I'd say it's all developmentally appropriate.

[mathsplosion]

Gave up on flying after second set of flights were canceled and ended up driving. Good choice on our part since after we arrived I saw the third set of potential flights were also canceled.

[finnime]

Dec 27, 2022 7:12:33 GMT -5 bean29 said:

Dec 27, 2022 3:51:41 GMT -5 finnime said:

[snip]

Good Morning! Thanks for the pictures!

I am expecting my copy of your dinosaur book tomorrow. I plan to give it to My SIL to read to her 6 grands who are all dinosaur crazy. Can you briefly tell me why you call the birds tiny dinosaurs (for her dinosaur crazy grands6 mos-4 years old). I figure I know why, but I really want to hear your explanation.

Glad you found a solution for your DD. I am afraid we will have issues on Friday.

Thank you so much for the purchase!

I refer to birds as tiny dinosaurs because they are in the broad family that includes dinosaurs as we think of them. Over millions of years, dinosaurs, specifically therapods--that run on 2 legs--developed in some cases feathers. Dinosaur fossils with feathers have been uncovered. Over more millions of years, light bones, bigger heads, diminished size and eventually wings and beaks evolved and then we had ancient birds. I have a page in the book at the end that explains this, but for children to know that dinosaurs and birds are in the same family works.

[raeoflyte]

Dec 27, 2022 10:46:45 GMT -5 mathsplosion said:

Gave up on flying after second set of flights were canceled and ended up driving. Good choice on our part since after we arrived I saw the third set of potential flights were also canceled.

Big hugs! Glad you got there ok.

[jerseygirl]

Took garbage out yesterday the regular Monday pickup
This am went out to get the paper, no paper and garbage still there. Ooops must be off for Christmas holiday. Annoyed at paper delivery guy too often no delivery
Brought garbage back to shed, glad a bear or dog didn’t pull out of can and spread it all over

[wvugurl26]

Southwest is epically melting down. My SIL and her family were supposed to fly home Monday night. Flight was canceled. The next flight I could see was Wednesday night which would defeat the purpose of the trip. Her mom/my MIL turned 75 yesterday. The big dinner is Wednesday night.

They rebooked her on Tuesday night flight. When she tried to check in, it was also canceled. She spent 8 hours on hold to never get through.

At this point all the planes and all of the staff are out of position. I saw a story about flight attendants on hold for 7-8 hours to speak to scheduling and get a new assignment.

When the dominoes fall like this, it's just ugly.

[finnime]

Dec 27, 2022 10:46:45 GMT -5 mathsplosion said:

Gave up on flying after second set of flights were canceled and ended up driving. Good choice on our part since after we arrived I saw the third set of potential flights were also canceled.

Just got back from putting DD on a train. Flying back just was not going to happen before at least Sunday, so that's out.

[mathsplosion]

Dec 27, 2022 10:59:04 GMT -5 wvugurl26 said:

Southwest is epically melting down. My SIL and her family were supposed to fly home Monday night. Flight was canceled. The next flight I could see was Wednesday night which would defeat the purpose of the trip. Her mom/my MIL turned 75 yesterday. The big dinner is Wednesday night.

They rebooked her on Tuesday night flight. When she tried to check in, it was also canceled. She spent 8 hours on hold to never get through.

At this point all the planes and all of the staff are out of position. I saw a story about flight attendants on hold for 7-8 hours to speak to scheduling and get a new assignment.

When the dominoes fall like this, it's just ugly.

Yes it is. I've been watching flights cancel like dominoes for days.

[andi9899]

Well, she's getting a reprieve! I'll be able to go get her today.

[andi9899]

Dec 27, 2022 7:57:33 GMT -5 giramomma said:

Dec 27, 2022 7:26:06 GMT -5 daisylu said:

My time away from work is fading quickly. 😩

I feel that. Mine is done.

On the upside, I've put in my time doing the domestic thing, and it is also done.

My fridge is full of leftovers.  DH hasn't cooked a full meal since Friday.

ETA: I also decided I'm going to do a modified 12in12 on new years eve.

Same. And my counterpart is out this week so I'm doing both of our jobs the whole week. Joy.

[chiver78]

Dec 27, 2022 10:59:04 GMT -5 wvugurl26 said:

Southwest is epically melting down. My SIL and her family were supposed to fly home Monday night. Flight was canceled. The next flight I could see was Wednesday night which would defeat the purpose of the trip. Her mom/my MIL turned 75 yesterday. The big dinner is Wednesday night.

They rebooked her on Tuesday night flight. When she tried to check in, it was also canceled. She spent 8 hours on hold to never get through.

At this point all the planes and all of the staff are out of position. I saw a story about flight attendants on hold for 7-8 hours to speak to scheduling and get a new assignment.

When the dominoes fall like this, it's just ugly.

I've been chatting with my friend B this morning, who is supposed to leave for a cruise out of New Orleans on Friday. this is the guy that's a travelling contractor currently way up in NH. he was already driving to Baltimore today to pick up summer clothes, but has reserved a one-way rental car to drive from MD to LA tomorrow. his original flights haven't been cancelled yet, but his itinerary has him transferring in Tampa. he doesn't love the idea of driving that route, but he's used to driving long distances in general. I'm glad he haa plenty of time to make the drive. there's nothing quite so stressful as outrunning a storm to make a ship.

[flamingo]

I’m enjoying a quiet house for a bit. DH is out, on his way to the apple store to get his phone looked at. I’m sure he needs a new one, he’s had this one since 2017. I foresee a bunch of frantic calls/texts soon, but for everyone’s sanity, I needed some time at home with no one talking to me. 

[bean29]

Jersey Girl, Did you verify with your Garbage Service when your pickup will occur?  We have a Monday Pickup, and usually when we have a Monday Holiday, our pickup is the following day.  I checked our schedule yesterday and put out the garbage.  DH said they are not coming today, I said I think they are, and there is too much garbage to wait another week.  DH said "No one else has their carts out.  I looked down the street and nearly everyone had them out.  They went thru the neighborhood about 10:30, so it was a good think I put the cart out.  We can haul it to the on Tuesday/Fri/Sat, but DH has a lot to do this week. 

WVGurl, Mathsploson and Finnime - I am so sorry your family got caught in this mess.  I am hoping DH and I are able to get to Cancun on Friday.  Our Friends booked a Direct Flight out of O'Hare, but we have a Non- Direct flight from MKE with a layover in Texas.  We are on American Airlines going and Spirit coming home.  They said on the news this am, that if you don't already have a ticket, there are no domestic seats available for 2 weeks.  I am a bit concerned about what might happen if we can't get to Cancun with our lodgings as DH booked via Expedia.

[raeoflyte]

Dec 27, 2022 7:57:33 GMT -5 giramomma said:

Dec 27, 2022 7:26:06 GMT -5 daisylu said:

My time away from work is fading quickly. 😩

I feel that. Mine is done.

On the upside, I've put in my time doing the domestic thing, and it is also done.

My fridge is full of leftovers.  DH hasn't cooked a full meal since Friday.

ETA: I also decided I'm going to do a modified 12in12 on new years eve.

What's a 12in12?

[TheOtherMe]

Back home.  It is cold out there and, of course, I had to keep opening windows or the door on the car.  

I ended up with two pumpkin pies.  I ordered one.  

[raeoflyte]

Dh booked another trip to CA to visit family. He asked if I had any preferences on the dates which I didn't. But I spelled put specifically what I want him to do before he leaves. Plan meals, make sure dishes and laundry are caught up, set up rides for any kid activities that he's in charge of, and I'm going to add taking inventoryof pet supplies to make sure we dont run out of things while I'm on my own. Basically everything I do before going out of town to set them up for success. It shouldn't have to be said, but since it does, I'm glad I did. The last trip he spent the entire time offering to help when he's 4 states away which means absolutely nothing.

[Deleted]

I'm feeling irrationally proud of myself for changing the battery in the fob for my car. Last time the thing sort of exploded into parts and pieces when I opened it and I had to take it to the dealer. This one exploded too but I got it back together and it seems to work. When my blood pressure goes back down, I'll change the battery in the second one. Sometimes it's the little things that confound me, and DH's "helping" doesn't help. Evidently the sight of me with two screwdrivers in my hand made him think twice this am about offering advice

[Deleted]

Dec 27, 2022 10:25:48 GMT -5 raeoflyte said:

Lego meltdowns were definitely a thing for us between 9-12 even. So much so that it felt miraculous when ds could just say bummer, fix it and move on.

I'd say it's all developmentally appropriate.

Thanks- that's a relief! On a brighter note, her 3 1/2- year old brother took forever to come down to breakfast yesterday morning. It turned out he was awake but in his room "reading" one of the Pigeon books by Mo Willems from a gift set of he got for Christmas. I always check books out of the library when I'm going to see them and those are among their favorites. He has "The Pigeon Needs a Bath" memorized.

Dec 27, 2022 10:51:36 GMT -5 finnime said:

I refer to birds as tiny dinosaurs because they are in the broad family that includes dinosaurs as we think of them. Over millions of years, dinosaurs, specifically therapods--that run on 2 legs--developed in some cases feathers. Dinosaur fossils with feathers have been uncovered. Over more millions of years, light bones, bigger heads, diminished size and eventually wings and beaks evolved and then we had ancient birds. I have a page in the book at the end that explains this, but for children to know that dinosaurs and birds are in the same family works.

Thanks for this explanation. When I took my granddaughters to the Field Museum in Chicago they had a great room set up for kids with a guy helping us classify dinosaurs vs. non-dinosaurs with a display of hints.  I was very surprised to learn that the bald eagle is classified as a dinosaur.  We'd planned to go to the Children's Museum but I didn't realize when we booked our flights that it was closed on Wednesday- the day we'd be there.  Oops.  Booked again in April.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Figured out why I have hives lately.   It's due to whatever virus or viruses I've been carrying around the entire month of December.   Apparently when you fight illness that long your body goes haywire and keeps going for awhile.  They are starting to fade but I got a couple stubborn patches on my arms.


Explains why anti-histamines weren't making them go away like usual.

[Pink Cashmere]

Dec 26, 2022 23:12:11 GMT -5 toomuchreality said:

Dec 26, 2022 22:09:15 GMT -5 raeoflyte said:

Just got my nose pierced. It's not quite as spontaneous as it sounds, but I still had a wth am I doing moment when I sat down.

That just sounds so painful!

I’ve done it 3 times. It IS painful lol.

I haven’t let it close this last time.

Welcome to the club raeoflyte.

[Pink Cashmere]

I am debating shampooing my hair. I really need to, but the water pressure in our house has been very low for a few days, and I’m afraid that it will take forever to rinse all the shampoo out of my hair, if I even manage to get it all out.

We are still under a boil water advisory. Some people haven’t had water at all since last week. A whole mess.

[susana1954]

Well, I talked with the Vanguard Financial Advisor about the plan she is recommending.  One of my questions was about an exit strategy if I decided next year that a financial advisor just wasn't working for me.  I don't expect miracles, but I do expect service.  

I am still in the process of undecorating.  I loved the Christmas flannel sheets I bought so much that I bought some gray ones for the rest of winter.  Gray is such a drab color, but it was the only one on clearance that didn't clash with my comforter, etc.  It will be fine.  I am on my last load of Christmas laundry . . . hallelujah!

[cooper88]

I just drug a hose around and turned on a sprinkler in my back yard. It's been really dry and windy here, so it's needed even in the winter. My hands are freezing, though.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

We just went to brunch with a gift certificate. DH spent his Christmas money at the kitchen store; he bought another Wusthof. 

I need to let this go, so I'm hoping saying it here helps me with that: My mother gifted my husband three items of very processed food that if he consumes will land him in the hospital. She is either massively more passive-aggressive right now than normal or she's really not interested in grasping that my husband was incredibly ill and has had a life-changing effect on his dietary structure. WTE is wrong with her?


I have not worked at all since last Thursday, so I'm about to start up again albeit from my couch. 

[steph08]

I'm watching the Southwest mess closely - we are scheduled to fly to Disney next Tuesday. I thought I was being smart and proactive by flying Southwest this year - using points, rebooking when fares went down, not going with Spirit even when I've had no real issues with them.

And it's biting me in the butt. I am thinking of booking Spirit and canceling SW for next week. I could reschedule, but i have trained for six months to run the Dopey Challenge (5k, 10k, half marathon, full marathon on a thursday-sunday), that rescheduling is really a last resort.

[saveinla]

Day 5 of break - woke up late after watching Netflix until 11, organized a couple things in the kitchen, went for a walk for half an hour and now at the computer.

Will go back to bed and read for a bit and have leftovers for lunch and most probably take a nap

It's been so nice to not have to do anything at all than eat and sleep. 

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Back on the ship from Cartagena.  We did hit the old town, but didn’t spend a lot of time there.  Lots of stores had emeralds for sale, and I found a pair on inclusion heavy, uncut stone earrings that looked interesting.  I got a peep at the tag, which had them priced at 77,000 pesos.  I got quoted the cheap, low price of $150.  I do know what the exchange rate is, and she quoted me a price about 10x what they were worth, and what I was willing to pay.  Major goof on her part, I wasn’t even willing to negotiate.  Do they think I can’t math?



ETA:  Exchange rate is around 4500 pesos/$1.  

[TheOtherMe]

Dec 27, 2022 11:24:42 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

Back home.  It is cold out there and, of course, I had to keep opening windows or the door on the car.  

I ended up with two pumpkin pies.  I ordered one.  

The store also marked two items as out of stock and charged me nothing, but they were in my grocery bags.  

Yes, I ordered one pie and paid for one pie but I have two.

Guess that was a Christmas present from the store.