(no subject)
Jan. 3rd, 2026 01:08 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
majuThings I've recently learnt about Medicare (and healthcare in the US in general):
With original Medicare you have to buy three or four different plans to get complete coverage, and even then you can end up paying for some things. Original Medicare (which is what I've got) consists of Part A (hospital cover) and Part B (doctors/clinic visits (I think)). Part A is free, Part B is not. Then to cover whatever Parts A or B don't cover, you can buy a Supplement plan from a private insurance company, and to cover the cost of drugs (which none of the other parts cover) you can buy yet another plan from yet another private insurance company which may or may not cover any prescription drugs you need.
Insurance plan costs: Vary by zip code. And you might need to buy new supplemental and/or drug plans if you move to a different state because not all plans offer coverage in all states. Most if not all plans have an annual deductible, an amount you have to pay yourself before the insurance kicks in.
Choosing a policy or changing from one to another: There is an open enrolment period at the end of the year when you can change health insurance policies. Some states have other times of year when you can change, for example some states have what's known as the "birthday rule" meaning you can change policies for a set amount of time before and/or after your birthday. Some states will allow you to change policies no questions asked; others make you go through what's called underwriting, where you have to answer questions about your medical history and could get refused health insurance on the basis of the answers.
Drugs: May or may not be covered by your drug plan, but if they are and you still feel the price is too high, you can buy your drugs from Canada or from some companies that offer drugs at cheaper prices. This means a lot of shopping around if you can't afford the drugs you need in spite of your Part D drug plan.
Hospital insurance: probably covers your stay in hospital, but may not cover any fees charged by doctors or the costs of some of the drugs used, depending on whether or not they accept Medicare. Apparently most do but some don't.
So basically you pay through the nose for a patchwork of health insurance policies which may or not cover necessary medical treatment, and you have to do a lot of legwork yourself to find doctors and drugs you need which are possibly covered by your health insurance.
If you can get treatment, it's probably some of the best in the world (or was, until the latest president and his minions got hold of it), but the health insurance industry is very far from the best.
With original Medicare you have to buy three or four different plans to get complete coverage, and even then you can end up paying for some things. Original Medicare (which is what I've got) consists of Part A (hospital cover) and Part B (doctors/clinic visits (I think)). Part A is free, Part B is not. Then to cover whatever Parts A or B don't cover, you can buy a Supplement plan from a private insurance company, and to cover the cost of drugs (which none of the other parts cover) you can buy yet another plan from yet another private insurance company which may or may not cover any prescription drugs you need.
Insurance plan costs: Vary by zip code. And you might need to buy new supplemental and/or drug plans if you move to a different state because not all plans offer coverage in all states. Most if not all plans have an annual deductible, an amount you have to pay yourself before the insurance kicks in.
Choosing a policy or changing from one to another: There is an open enrolment period at the end of the year when you can change health insurance policies. Some states have other times of year when you can change, for example some states have what's known as the "birthday rule" meaning you can change policies for a set amount of time before and/or after your birthday. Some states will allow you to change policies no questions asked; others make you go through what's called underwriting, where you have to answer questions about your medical history and could get refused health insurance on the basis of the answers.
Drugs: May or may not be covered by your drug plan, but if they are and you still feel the price is too high, you can buy your drugs from Canada or from some companies that offer drugs at cheaper prices. This means a lot of shopping around if you can't afford the drugs you need in spite of your Part D drug plan.
Hospital insurance: probably covers your stay in hospital, but may not cover any fees charged by doctors or the costs of some of the drugs used, depending on whether or not they accept Medicare. Apparently most do but some don't.
So basically you pay through the nose for a patchwork of health insurance policies which may or not cover necessary medical treatment, and you have to do a lot of legwork yourself to find doctors and drugs you need which are possibly covered by your health insurance.
If you can get treatment, it's probably some of the best in the world (or was, until the latest president and his minions got hold of it), but the health insurance industry is very far from the best.
The latest susandennis caper
Jan. 3rd, 2026 07:28 amsusandennisSomeone using susandennis@gmail.com for their email address has now set up shop on Poshmark and has items that people want to buy. But, sadly, all those people - and Poshmark - are sending their requests to me. On the up side, Poshmark does require that you validate your email and that ain't goin' happen so this should all die down but so far I'm getting about 10 emails a day. Why can't the Susan dennises of the world get their own fucking email address right????
I actually have a Poshmark account. I just deleted it so now I can just mark all the Poshmark shit as spam.
I need less stuff, not more! I did dream about closets last night. I also realized that when I empty my closet of everything that is not clothes or shoes, I will no longer have a closet problem. There will be plenty of room. hahahaha
But plenty of room is exactly what I want. I do not want Tetris storage. I want the kind of storage that is in catalog rooms - you know, they open a giant drawer and there are 4 spoons, 4 forks, 4 knives and enough empty space to put a baby to sleep in there. That's the kind of storage I want.
Yesterday, I went back to that exercise class. And, honestly, I liked it! A lot. I might make it a regular. Might. I will go back on Monday, for sure.
Today is elbow coffee and then a trip to UPS. I was going to wait until next week but returning the shelves means a car full so best go get it done today. That's about it for today's plans.
I actually have a Poshmark account. I just deleted it so now I can just mark all the Poshmark shit as spam.
I need less stuff, not more! I did dream about closets last night. I also realized that when I empty my closet of everything that is not clothes or shoes, I will no longer have a closet problem. There will be plenty of room. hahahaha
But plenty of room is exactly what I want. I do not want Tetris storage. I want the kind of storage that is in catalog rooms - you know, they open a giant drawer and there are 4 spoons, 4 forks, 4 knives and enough empty space to put a baby to sleep in there. That's the kind of storage I want.
Yesterday, I went back to that exercise class. And, honestly, I liked it! A lot. I might make it a regular. Might. I will go back on Monday, for sure.
Today is elbow coffee and then a trip to UPS. I was going to wait until next week but returning the shelves means a car full so best go get it done today. That's about it for today's plans.
![[syndicated profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/feed.png){kind=small}
Such a relief!
Jan. 2nd, 2026 02:51 pmsusandennisChristian is such a fun friend and such a wonderful interior engineer. We had a great lunch. I learned that Jathon, the building manager at the condo who drove me crazy, has left the job. Christian says he thinks it was mutual. They redid his list of responsibilities and he said NFW. And now he's gone. I would sure be doing the happy dance if I still lived there.
Then we came up here to talk closet. Christian is very good at big picture and equally good and close ups. He asks all the right questions and listens to me. We talked about a biscillion options and different ways to do different things. We agreed that the next step is to clear out everything in there except clothes and shoes.
This meshes perfectly with the first items on my brother's ToDo list!
We also looked at the storage area. The shelves I ordered are ones he has used and he says they are perfect for my use except I ordered the wrong size. NP. I ordered the right size. They will be here on Monday. I'll take the others back this weekend.
I was just getting ready to ask my one last question 'What about using one of the closet design companies?' when he said 'What about using one of the closet design companies?' So we agreed that 1st I'd get it all cleaned out except clothes and shoes and then have Closets By Design* come in.
I'm quite relieved and excited to get this all done and to get Christians ideas. He said his new clients are just getting started with their new apartment so he'll be in and out over the next month or so. The apartment they are moving into is huge. The previous resident was the original one who moved in 17 years ago! She's now 104 and has moved into the nursing wing. He has his work cut out for him.
*We have basically Closets by Design and California Closets. Ruth, one of Christian's other clients out here, recently vetted both and found that they came within $2 of each other but chose Closets by Design because they don't hang as much stuff from the walls. She's got a lot of experience with building and knows her shit. I'm going with her choice. Plus California Closets pissed me off in 2005, I can hold a grudge!
Also, turns out, Closets by Design wants me!! I just went to their website and filled out their form and requested January 15 at 10 am as my first choice for a consultation and within minutes I got an email and a voice mail saying the designer would be here then.
The only problem I have with Christian is his billing. He never bills me enough for his time. And he takes forever to send an invoice. I used to wait and stew about it. Today, I dug out a old invoice, gave him a raise and wrote him a check for his consultation today and even went downstairs to get it into the mail. (He also uses a bookkeeping system from the 80's - checks. ha!) Worth every single penny.
Then we came up here to talk closet. Christian is very good at big picture and equally good and close ups. He asks all the right questions and listens to me. We talked about a biscillion options and different ways to do different things. We agreed that the next step is to clear out everything in there except clothes and shoes.
This meshes perfectly with the first items on my brother's ToDo list!
We also looked at the storage area. The shelves I ordered are ones he has used and he says they are perfect for my use except I ordered the wrong size. NP. I ordered the right size. They will be here on Monday. I'll take the others back this weekend.
I was just getting ready to ask my one last question 'What about using one of the closet design companies?' when he said 'What about using one of the closet design companies?' So we agreed that 1st I'd get it all cleaned out except clothes and shoes and then have Closets By Design* come in.
I'm quite relieved and excited to get this all done and to get Christians ideas. He said his new clients are just getting started with their new apartment so he'll be in and out over the next month or so. The apartment they are moving into is huge. The previous resident was the original one who moved in 17 years ago! She's now 104 and has moved into the nursing wing. He has his work cut out for him.
*We have basically Closets by Design and California Closets. Ruth, one of Christian's other clients out here, recently vetted both and found that they came within $2 of each other but chose Closets by Design because they don't hang as much stuff from the walls. She's got a lot of experience with building and knows her shit. I'm going with her choice. Plus California Closets pissed me off in 2005, I can hold a grudge!
Also, turns out, Closets by Design wants me!! I just went to their website and filled out their form and requested January 15 at 10 am as my first choice for a consultation and within minutes I got an email and a voice mail saying the designer would be here then.
The only problem I have with Christian is his billing. He never bills me enough for his time. And he takes forever to send an invoice. I used to wait and stew about it. Today, I dug out a old invoice, gave him a raise and wrote him a check for his consultation today and even went downstairs to get it into the mail. (He also uses a bookkeeping system from the 80's - checks. ha!) Worth every single penny.
(no subject)
Jan. 2nd, 2026 02:00 pmmaju![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
thefridayfive1. Do you mostly drink tap, filtered, or bottled water? I only ever drink tap water, unless I'm at someone else's house and they offer me a bottle of water. If I'm given a choice, I ask for tap water.
2. Is it safe/recommended to drink tap water where you live? If not, why? Yes, it appears to be safe. It was also safe in Maryland.
3. What does the tap water taste/smell like where you live? In both Maryland and Connecticut, the water has no discernible (to me) taste or smell.
4. Do you collect rainwater? If so, what do you use it for? No, because there is plenty of water here. But I grew up on a farm where our only source of potable water was rainwater we collected ourselves; we used bore water for watering the garden and for the cows and sheep to drink.
5. Do you/have you ever had restrictions on water use where you live? What did you have to change about your lifestyle? There have never been restrictions in either Maryland or Connecticut while I've been there, but in Australia we usually had water restrictions in summer when I lived there, and probably those restrictions are still in effect. In my childhood we had to be careful how much rainwater we used, and in Perth the reservoirs were usually very low in water over the dry months (i.e. about ⅔ of the year) so we had to be watch our water consumption, only water lawns between about 6pm and 6am, etc. I used to collect grey water to water my plants, and I tried to only plant native plants because they didn't need watering, being adapted to survive in that climate.
Friday
Jan. 2nd, 2026 08:20 amsusandennisMy friend and designer, Christian, is coming today for lunch and closet consultation. It will be the first time he's been back in the apartment since he put his final finishing touches on it. I've made a fair number of unauthorized (hahahah) changes that he does not know about. Should be fun. Plus he is always tons of fun just himself.
Before lunch, I'll go back to that stupid exercise class. Mostly it's just moving and not too difficult but there is a bit in the middle - standing with arms across your chest holding weights - that is really hard and my thighs will testify. Plus, I did sweat so I must have done something. So I'll do it again.
Then back here for a shower. My shower has an adjustable extension and a hand held option. All of the adjustments are overhead and one is too far overhead for me to reach. I can reach the one that switches from shower to handheld but it is not an easy reach. Getting it the way I want it is not easy and I cannot get it tight enough. When the housecleaner cleans, she manages to fuck my set up twelve different ways and it's a bitch to put it back right.
1. Her English is very limited but still way more than my Spanish. So having a conversation about it is not an option.
2. When the pool is working, I rarely shower at home anyway. Like almost never.
3. The pool should be working again in a couple of weeks so I'll only have to rejigger the thing 2 more times.
I'm trying to not stress about this. I'm clearly failing at that.
Out my window I can see two of the garage doors. Both lead to resident only parking. This morning there has been a ton of traffic in and out. I'm particularly curious about the people coming home at 6:30 am. I'm impressed that there are that many people here still driving in the dark.
I've been wanting to do another miniature room kit. I don't have time. I still don't have a need/use/room for the end result. So I've been watching you tube videos of people putting them together. It's not helping.
Before lunch, I'll go back to that stupid exercise class. Mostly it's just moving and not too difficult but there is a bit in the middle - standing with arms across your chest holding weights - that is really hard and my thighs will testify. Plus, I did sweat so I must have done something. So I'll do it again.
Then back here for a shower. My shower has an adjustable extension and a hand held option. All of the adjustments are overhead and one is too far overhead for me to reach. I can reach the one that switches from shower to handheld but it is not an easy reach. Getting it the way I want it is not easy and I cannot get it tight enough. When the housecleaner cleans, she manages to fuck my set up twelve different ways and it's a bitch to put it back right.
1. Her English is very limited but still way more than my Spanish. So having a conversation about it is not an option.
2. When the pool is working, I rarely shower at home anyway. Like almost never.
3. The pool should be working again in a couple of weeks so I'll only have to rejigger the thing 2 more times.
I'm trying to not stress about this. I'm clearly failing at that.
Out my window I can see two of the garage doors. Both lead to resident only parking. This morning there has been a ton of traffic in and out. I'm particularly curious about the people coming home at 6:30 am. I'm impressed that there are that many people here still driving in the dark.
I've been wanting to do another miniature room kit. I don't have time. I still don't have a need/use/room for the end result. So I've been watching you tube videos of people putting them together. It's not helping.
podcast friday
Jan. 2nd, 2026 09:40 amsabotabbyMostly everyone is dormant in the podcast world during Void Week, but Tech Won't Save Us got out a cool one: "How Effective Is Australia's Social Media Age Limit?" with Cam Wilson. Cam has been on the show before, before the ban was implemented. It's now only a week or two into the ban, so early to say if it has done anything good for kids, but he talks a lot about the technical challenges, privacy concerns, and the political and economic interests shaping the ban.
I am flat-out against bans like this (though I will listen to opposing POVs) for a bunch of reasons:
1) The disastrous effect it has on queer and trans kids outside of major urban centres.
2) The fact that there is no equivalent ban for chatbots (meaning that lonely, isolated kids will increasingly turn to chatbots rather than other kids for company).
3) The privacy violations and additional surveillance for adult users (i.e., having to upload their face or donate more information for data-mining to prove their age).
4) My general shitlib opinions about free speech, which includes kids.
5) The methodology of the research that suggests social media is bad for kids. To be clear, I think social media is bad for kids, but I don't think the research is very good at proving it.
6) The lack of anything that addresses the real problems that lead to harmful social media practices, which include inaccessibility of public spaces for youth (and older people!), helicopter parenting/overscheduling, policing of parenting (i.e., parents being disciplined for allowing their kids to roam free), algorithmic instead of chronological timelines and post promotion, the infestation of ads/chatbots/surveillance tech in all social media spaces.
Cam doesn't talk enough about the first two issues imo, but he does have very interesting things about the privacy concerns and especially about how other, non-banning solutions, would have produced better results. For example, forcing these companies to build versions of their platforms that were safe for kids would provide an off-ramp from the block and, by extension, make us aware that a safer, better experience is possible for all of us. He also walks us through the process of the ban, its initial aims, what the final legislation looks like, and the way in which campaigns can gain steam very quickly, become watered down by corporate interests, and ultimately declare total victory based on one or two points.
At any rate, it's interesting to listen to, and I hope he does a followup later on so we can see how it worked out on the ground and if it had any positive effects at all.
I am flat-out against bans like this (though I will listen to opposing POVs) for a bunch of reasons:
1) The disastrous effect it has on queer and trans kids outside of major urban centres.
2) The fact that there is no equivalent ban for chatbots (meaning that lonely, isolated kids will increasingly turn to chatbots rather than other kids for company).
3) The privacy violations and additional surveillance for adult users (i.e., having to upload their face or donate more information for data-mining to prove their age).
4) My general shitlib opinions about free speech, which includes kids.
5) The methodology of the research that suggests social media is bad for kids. To be clear, I think social media is bad for kids, but I don't think the research is very good at proving it.
6) The lack of anything that addresses the real problems that lead to harmful social media practices, which include inaccessibility of public spaces for youth (and older people!), helicopter parenting/overscheduling, policing of parenting (i.e., parents being disciplined for allowing their kids to roam free), algorithmic instead of chronological timelines and post promotion, the infestation of ads/chatbots/surveillance tech in all social media spaces.
Cam doesn't talk enough about the first two issues imo, but he does have very interesting things about the privacy concerns and especially about how other, non-banning solutions, would have produced better results. For example, forcing these companies to build versions of their platforms that were safe for kids would provide an off-ramp from the block and, by extension, make us aware that a safer, better experience is possible for all of us. He also walks us through the process of the ban, its initial aims, what the final legislation looks like, and the way in which campaigns can gain steam very quickly, become watered down by corporate interests, and ultimately declare total victory based on one or two points.
At any rate, it's interesting to listen to, and I hope he does a followup later on so we can see how it worked out on the ground and if it had any positive effects at all.
(morning writing, sky, perpetual calendar, garden)
Jan. 2nd, 2026 07:01 amelainegreyHappy New Year! I had an overly quiet and still day yesterday, distracted by electrical bills and all the confusing riders and charges. My major accomplishment for the day was updating expiring debit cards across a variety of billing systems.
TIL that a satellite maximum altitude of 67° feels like it is going straight over my head (which would be 90°). Wow, are there many starlink satellites up there. I stepped out to open the deck door -- although Marlowe has no interest in being out in the dark -- and observed a satellite going overhead and through the big dipper. And another . I checked my watch and then after tea was made and pet feeding staged, checked Heavens Above to see what i saw. Fortunately it's passage through the big dipper was concrete enough that i could compare tracks against the stars and be confident.
Yesterday i made a chickweed and other yard green soup. There's an "earthy" quality -- spinach and beet greens have it too -- that is not my favorite. I added amchoor and pepper, which helped, i think. I find the plant annoying, little fiddly leaves and stringy tender stems, and soup where it is well blended seems the tolerable state. The other abundant green this time of year is Potentilla indica (Indian strawberry -- that's India Indian, not some mistaken notion of native American). It's also fiddly, and it's easier to get 100g of chickweed quickly compared to picking the leaves.
The cut leaf coneflower has some leaves out, but not really enough to do anything. The "forage kale" i tossed out as a cover crop -- turns out to have a really sharp mustardy taste. OK, that's why it's a cover crop seed. It was fine in small quantity garnishing my blackeyed peas last night. For Christine, i garnished with sorrel, which might have been not tender enough to be interesting. I have some endives that are surviving -- yowsa, bitter! Too bitter for me and i like bitter!
It's a good thing i'm not relying on my yard for food. The first few years here i had some good brassica beds: i would enjoy having some nice collards again.
Mood Theme in a Year 2026
Jan. 1st, 2026 08:08 pmsoc_puppet posting in ![[site community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/comm_staff.png){kind=small}
dw_community_promomoodthemeinayear is now open for 2026!Have you ever wanted to create a custom mood theme, but found yourself overwhelmed by all of the potential moods you'd have to make? Mood Theme in a Year has you covered! The community assigns three moods a week for you to design graphics for, with regular week long breaks. Draw, screencap, and/or animate your way to the custom mood theme of your dreams, with a community by your side to support and encourage you.
Not up for a full year/132 images? No problem! That's just the Maximum Track, which runs from January 1st through (roughly) the end of the year. If you want to make a smaller mood theme, you can follow the Minimum Track (18 images) or the Medium Track (34 images), or maybe somewhere between one of those and the Maximum Track. The goal of this community is to create a custom mood theme that you like, at a pace that works for you.
For those who missed it: While uploading and using a custom mood theme is restricted to paid accounts, as of December 2025, creating at least 18 mood graphics can earn you Dreamwidth points! Now, even if a paid account is out of your budget, you can still have the chance to upload and use your own custom mood theme. Read this post for more details.
The first three moods of 2026 are now up; thanks for reading, and I hope to see you there!
(no subject)
Jan. 1st, 2026 04:28 pmmajuI went to bed at my normal time last night and didn't hear any fireworks, although my daughter said there were two or three separate lots. One of the things I don't like about this basement is that it's almost completely underground with just a couple of small high windows at ground level, so I can't hear or see what's going on outside. I much prefer spaces where I can be in touch with the weather, but there are times like NYE when it's nice not to be able to hear loud noises outside. (If I have to live in a basement, I wish it could be a walk-out one.)
We woke up to more snow this morning, probably a couple more inches on top of what was left over from last week's snow. The temperature didn't rise above -4C/25F today so I was not at all motivated to go outside. (I took yesterday's photo challenge photo yesterday.)
My daughter has been working for much of today and needs quiet because she is recording something, so the girls have spent quite a lot of time in the basement both with and without me, jumping on the trampoline and playing word games on my phone. Because there are three of them and only one trampoline and one phone, I've been setting a time to give them each either a 5 or 10 minute turn. They accept this, and it prevents a lot of fights. Right now they're watching a show; their father asked if he could bring the TV down here because its normal place is in the living room very close to my daughter's office door.
We woke up to more snow this morning, probably a couple more inches on top of what was left over from last week's snow. The temperature didn't rise above -4C/25F today so I was not at all motivated to go outside. (I took yesterday's photo challenge photo yesterday.)
My daughter has been working for much of today and needs quiet because she is recording something, so the girls have spent quite a lot of time in the basement both with and without me, jumping on the trampoline and playing word games on my phone. Because there are three of them and only one trampoline and one phone, I've been setting a time to give them each either a 5 or 10 minute turn. They accept this, and it prevents a lot of fights. Right now they're watching a show; their father asked if he could bring the TV down here because its normal place is in the living room very close to my daughter's office door.
Finishing off 365 Questions 2025
Jan. 1st, 2026 03:53 pmmajuI forgot to finish off the December questions yesterday.
31. How would you describe your future in three words? A blank slate.
31. How would you describe your future in three words? A blank slate.
Day 1
Jan. 1st, 2026 09:23 amsusandennisI was born and lived in the eastern timezone for the first 40 years of my life. For most of those years, I stayed up til at least midnight on 12/31 to ring in the New Year in one way or another. Then I moved to Minnesota and discovered that the Time Square ball drops there at 11 pm. WTF?? My world was rocked. If Minnesota can play fast and lose with midnight, what's to stop me from moving it to 9 pm? Turns out, nothing. So that's when I went to sleep last night.
Last month, I bought 3 tickets to each of 3 Mariner games in June. Since they don't do paper tickets, you don't have anything but bytes, a hope and a prayer that you will get into the game. For some reason, it struck me this morning that I should go check and make sure that at least the bytes are still there and I can get to them. Two are at Ticketmaster and one is at SeatGeek. I found them all, got order numbers and screen shots and am now feeling as confident as is possible that we will be bitching about the cold hot dogs in June.
I have no plans for today. I did all the laundry yesterday. I also made what I intended to be a quick run to the grocery store but, apparently also every other person in Issaquah had the same exact idea at the same exact time. AND QFC knew about it cause they had every check stand open and long lines at each. My leg and hip bugs me if I stand for a long time but other than that, it was fine. Good people watching and only a couple of people were not gracious.
I forgot to get milk for my brother's coffee next week BUT I did finally remember to get some fake milk to try on my oatmeal. I got oat milk - extra rich. It's good til mid-February so I have time to work up the nerve to try it.
There's a new puzzle out in the elbow so I might do some of that. The old puzzle needs to be torn down. I like to put the edge pieces in a baggie. If the next person who does the puzzle doesn't want that, they can just empty the baggie and mix them in with the other pieces. But, I know, I appreciate having all the edges isolated. It's kind of a pain but if they puzzle is good - like this last one - I'll do it.
I think the cats are settling into their new food. They don't love it but they are no longer sitting around waiting for their Fancy Feast. I can no longer tell the difference between Julio's pee clump and Biggie's which is the best sign. That tofu litter continues to be a giver.
I should go down to the gym today and I might but if you are betting - hedge yours.
Last month, I bought 3 tickets to each of 3 Mariner games in June. Since they don't do paper tickets, you don't have anything but bytes, a hope and a prayer that you will get into the game. For some reason, it struck me this morning that I should go check and make sure that at least the bytes are still there and I can get to them. Two are at Ticketmaster and one is at SeatGeek. I found them all, got order numbers and screen shots and am now feeling as confident as is possible that we will be bitching about the cold hot dogs in June.
I have no plans for today. I did all the laundry yesterday. I also made what I intended to be a quick run to the grocery store but, apparently also every other person in Issaquah had the same exact idea at the same exact time. AND QFC knew about it cause they had every check stand open and long lines at each. My leg and hip bugs me if I stand for a long time but other than that, it was fine. Good people watching and only a couple of people were not gracious.
I forgot to get milk for my brother's coffee next week BUT I did finally remember to get some fake milk to try on my oatmeal. I got oat milk - extra rich. It's good til mid-February so I have time to work up the nerve to try it.
There's a new puzzle out in the elbow so I might do some of that. The old puzzle needs to be torn down. I like to put the edge pieces in a baggie. If the next person who does the puzzle doesn't want that, they can just empty the baggie and mix them in with the other pieces. But, I know, I appreciate having all the edges isolated. It's kind of a pain but if they puzzle is good - like this last one - I'll do it.
I think the cats are settling into their new food. They don't love it but they are no longer sitting around waiting for their Fancy Feast. I can no longer tell the difference between Julio's pee clump and Biggie's which is the best sign. That tofu litter continues to be a giver.
I should go down to the gym today and I might but if you are betting - hedge yours.
year-end meme
Dec. 31st, 2025 09:23 pmmicrobie1. What did you do in 2025 that you'd never done before?
So many things! I had National Guards keep me company while I waited on Metro platforms. I told an employee that we were eliminating her job. I read about my college roommate's efforts to get her house back into livable condition after the Altadena fire. I stood next to a palm tree on the shore of Lake Champlain. I learned that the Washington Post will assign more people to cover the demolition of the East Wing of the White House than the kidnappings of local residents by masked goons.
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
No x2
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
I haven't spoken to her in decades, but my niece had her third kid early in the year. She's now pregnant with her fourth.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
I think that I'm going to change this to "Did anyone important to you die?" Maeve66/Abra and Flaco Jimenez top the list.
5. What countries did you visit?
None
6. What would you like to have in 2026 that you lacked in 2025?
Less work (same as last year)
7. What date from 2025 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
March 3rd, the day of layoffs
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Not getting shot?
9. What was your biggest failure?
so many (same as last year).
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Just the usual colds, aches, and pains. I've had three mini-colds in the past 10 days or so, where I feel lousy for 24 hours. I stayed home on Christmas for one of them.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
The best thing I bought (actually, Brent bought it, but I picked it out) is a rechargeable light that I can strap to my bike handlebars or clip to my clothes. Very handy when the sun sets before 5 p.m.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
everybody who resisted the administration
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Whose didn't?
14. Where did most of your money go?
Medical expenses, mortgage, the usual.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
absolutely nothing
16. What was the worst thing you bought in 2025? (Formerly "What song(s) will always remind you of 2025?"--I agree with ioplokon that this question is bad)
One aspect of a meh year is that nothing really terrible stands out. I guess the Charles Mingus and Ariel Dorfman books were pretty bad, but those are tiny stakes.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
I. Happier or sadder? sadder
II. Thinner or fatter? about the same
III. Richer or poorer? about the same
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
rest
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
work will probably be the answer until I retire/die, worry about being shot or kidnapped
20. How did you spend Christmas?
at home with Mosey and a mild cold
21. What was the best live show/concert/event you attended? (Formerly "Did you fall in love in 2025?" a.k.a. the El DeBarge question)
My favorite band reunited for a couple of shows again this year. For something new and different, some friends of ours invited us to see Yo La Tengo with the Sun Ra Arkestra, which was a blast, although the Sun Ra Arkestra didn't go as far into weirdness as the other times we've seen them. Also, Merry TubaChristmas deserves a mention as long as I'm talking about weirdness. The Kennedy Center was depressing and the crowd obnoxious, but the sound of over a hundred tubas playing "Deck the Halls" (particularly the fa-la-la-la-la-la-la part) was supremely entertaining.
22. What was something fun you learned this year? (was "How many one-night stands?")
From the Stax Records book: Booker T. and the MGs (R.I.P. Steve Cropper) had just recorded what would be their first hit single. All of the band members were in or just graduated from high school. When they were thinking of a name for the song, someone suggested "Onions," because they're funky. I can't now remember whether it was thought that onions were too funky or not funky enough, but apparently someone else said, "Well, what about 'Green Onions'?" and everyone agreed that green onions had the correct level of funk.
23. What was your favorite TV program?
Abbott Elementary continues to entertain me (same as last year). "Is that smoke?" "Either that or the rats have elected a new pope."
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
It's amazing how many new shitheads were appointed to lead federal agencies.
25. What was the best book you read in 2025?
Nonfiction: Soulsville, U.S.A.: The Story of Stax Records
Fiction: The Indians Won
26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Not a discovery, but I think Public Enemy's new album is pretty good.
27. What did you want and get?
better health for Brent, a couple of rounds of minigolf
28. What did you want but didn't get?
less work, better medications for Brent's long Covid and Mosey's anxiety
29. What was your favorite film of this year?
The only film I saw from this year, One Battle After Another. I enjoyed it, although it was about 20 minutes too long.
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 51. I avoided work, and Brent took me out for black-light indoor minigolf and a Frenchy dinner.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Better health for Brent
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2025?
"do I have to leave the house today?"
33. What kept you sane?
books, Brent, silly amusements
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
nobody
35. What political issue stirred you the most?
kidnapping people off the streets
36. Who did you miss?
Our friends M. and S. moved to Amsterdam in October. Maeve66/Abra (she loved this meme).
37. Who was the best new person you met?
Technically, we met Adiante Franszoon, a wood carver from Suriname, a couple of years ago at an arts and crafts holiday market (with the terrible name of "Sparkle Mart"), but this year we ordered some cutting boards and drove to his studio in Baltimore to pick them up. We hung out with him for about an hour. He told us how he came to the U.S. and a little about the wood carving tradition in Suriname. If we didn't have a dog who chews furniture I'd buy a table from him: adiantefranszoon.com
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2025:
I used to say that I'm not easily offended, but as it turns out I am a snowflake, because I'm offended by most everything that happened at the federal level. What I should say is that I'm not easily insulted. It won't hurt my feelings if you think I'm dumb or ugly or whatever.
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"They're going wild," the call came in
At early morning pre-dawn, then
"The followers of chaos out of control
They're numbering the monkeys
The monkeys and the monkeys,"
"Disturbance at the Heron House," R.E.M.
40. Post a picture of something(one) that made you happy this year.
Here's the resident kitty of a small engine repair shop where I got our lawn mower blades sharpened.
41. Did you wrong or hurt somebody in 2025?
I fired someone so, yeah.
42. Is there some new place you are planning to visit in 2026?
not yet. We're tentatively thinking Memphis (Tennessee, not Egypt).
43. Where would you have wanted to go and did not in 2025?
We also thought about Memphis for this year, but travel seems to be one of Brent's fatigue triggers. We also thought about going to the Alamo Bowl to watch USC, but then we found out it was on a Tuesday rather than a Saturday.
44. Did you learn any new life skills in 2025?
I did not
45. Any new food or drink preferences developed in 2025?
No, but I learned that Chipotle's queso is horribly bland. It's worse than ballpark queso, which at least tastes like chemicals.
46. What is your greatest fear for 2026?
that I will be kidnapped and sent to an El Salvador torture factory
47. Did you follow any sports events in 2025?
all the bad ones (same as last year)
48. Which social media occupied most of your time in 2025?
It was probably BlueSky, even though the general tone remains annoyingly smug.
49. Is there somebody you feel particularly grateful to this year?
Brent still laughs at my jokes.
50. Name a hope you have for 2026.
no
So many things! I had National Guards keep me company while I waited on Metro platforms. I told an employee that we were eliminating her job. I read about my college roommate's efforts to get her house back into livable condition after the Altadena fire. I stood next to a palm tree on the shore of Lake Champlain. I learned that the Washington Post will assign more people to cover the demolition of the East Wing of the White House than the kidnappings of local residents by masked goons.
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
No x2
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
I haven't spoken to her in decades, but my niece had her third kid early in the year. She's now pregnant with her fourth.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
I think that I'm going to change this to "Did anyone important to you die?" Maeve66/Abra and Flaco Jimenez top the list.
5. What countries did you visit?
None
6. What would you like to have in 2026 that you lacked in 2025?
Less work (same as last year)
7. What date from 2025 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
March 3rd, the day of layoffs
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Not getting shot?
9. What was your biggest failure?
so many (same as last year).
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Just the usual colds, aches, and pains. I've had three mini-colds in the past 10 days or so, where I feel lousy for 24 hours. I stayed home on Christmas for one of them.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
The best thing I bought (actually, Brent bought it, but I picked it out) is a rechargeable light that I can strap to my bike handlebars or clip to my clothes. Very handy when the sun sets before 5 p.m.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
everybody who resisted the administration
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Whose didn't?
14. Where did most of your money go?
Medical expenses, mortgage, the usual.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
absolutely nothing
16. What was the worst thing you bought in 2025? (Formerly "What song(s) will always remind you of 2025?"--I agree with ioplokon that this question is bad)
One aspect of a meh year is that nothing really terrible stands out. I guess the Charles Mingus and Ariel Dorfman books were pretty bad, but those are tiny stakes.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
I. Happier or sadder? sadder
II. Thinner or fatter? about the same
III. Richer or poorer? about the same
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
rest
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
work will probably be the answer until I retire/die, worry about being shot or kidnapped
20. How did you spend Christmas?
at home with Mosey and a mild cold
21. What was the best live show/concert/event you attended? (Formerly "Did you fall in love in 2025?" a.k.a. the El DeBarge question)
My favorite band reunited for a couple of shows again this year. For something new and different, some friends of ours invited us to see Yo La Tengo with the Sun Ra Arkestra, which was a blast, although the Sun Ra Arkestra didn't go as far into weirdness as the other times we've seen them. Also, Merry TubaChristmas deserves a mention as long as I'm talking about weirdness. The Kennedy Center was depressing and the crowd obnoxious, but the sound of over a hundred tubas playing "Deck the Halls" (particularly the fa-la-la-la-la-la-la part) was supremely entertaining.
22. What was something fun you learned this year? (was "How many one-night stands?")
From the Stax Records book: Booker T. and the MGs (R.I.P. Steve Cropper) had just recorded what would be their first hit single. All of the band members were in or just graduated from high school. When they were thinking of a name for the song, someone suggested "Onions," because they're funky. I can't now remember whether it was thought that onions were too funky or not funky enough, but apparently someone else said, "Well, what about 'Green Onions'?" and everyone agreed that green onions had the correct level of funk.
23. What was your favorite TV program?
Abbott Elementary continues to entertain me (same as last year). "Is that smoke?" "Either that or the rats have elected a new pope."
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
It's amazing how many new shitheads were appointed to lead federal agencies.
25. What was the best book you read in 2025?
Nonfiction: Soulsville, U.S.A.: The Story of Stax Records
Fiction: The Indians Won
26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Not a discovery, but I think Public Enemy's new album is pretty good.
27. What did you want and get?
better health for Brent, a couple of rounds of minigolf
28. What did you want but didn't get?
less work, better medications for Brent's long Covid and Mosey's anxiety
29. What was your favorite film of this year?
The only film I saw from this year, One Battle After Another. I enjoyed it, although it was about 20 minutes too long.
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 51. I avoided work, and Brent took me out for black-light indoor minigolf and a Frenchy dinner.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Better health for Brent
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2025?
"do I have to leave the house today?"
33. What kept you sane?
books, Brent, silly amusements
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
nobody
35. What political issue stirred you the most?
kidnapping people off the streets
36. Who did you miss?
Our friends M. and S. moved to Amsterdam in October. Maeve66/Abra (she loved this meme).
37. Who was the best new person you met?
Technically, we met Adiante Franszoon, a wood carver from Suriname, a couple of years ago at an arts and crafts holiday market (with the terrible name of "Sparkle Mart"), but this year we ordered some cutting boards and drove to his studio in Baltimore to pick them up. We hung out with him for about an hour. He told us how he came to the U.S. and a little about the wood carving tradition in Suriname. If we didn't have a dog who chews furniture I'd buy a table from him: adiantefranszoon.com
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2025:
I used to say that I'm not easily offended, but as it turns out I am a snowflake, because I'm offended by most everything that happened at the federal level. What I should say is that I'm not easily insulted. It won't hurt my feelings if you think I'm dumb or ugly or whatever.
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"They're going wild," the call came in
At early morning pre-dawn, then
"The followers of chaos out of control
They're numbering the monkeys
The monkeys and the monkeys,"
"Disturbance at the Heron House," R.E.M.
40. Post a picture of something(one) that made you happy this year.
Here's the resident kitty of a small engine repair shop where I got our lawn mower blades sharpened.
41. Did you wrong or hurt somebody in 2025?
I fired someone so, yeah.
42. Is there some new place you are planning to visit in 2026?
not yet. We're tentatively thinking Memphis (Tennessee, not Egypt).
43. Where would you have wanted to go and did not in 2025?
We also thought about Memphis for this year, but travel seems to be one of Brent's fatigue triggers. We also thought about going to the Alamo Bowl to watch USC, but then we found out it was on a Tuesday rather than a Saturday.
44. Did you learn any new life skills in 2025?
I did not
45. Any new food or drink preferences developed in 2025?
No, but I learned that Chipotle's queso is horribly bland. It's worse than ballpark queso, which at least tastes like chemicals.
46. What is your greatest fear for 2026?
that I will be kidnapped and sent to an El Salvador torture factory
47. Did you follow any sports events in 2025?
all the bad ones (same as last year)
48. Which social media occupied most of your time in 2025?
It was probably BlueSky, even though the general tone remains annoyingly smug.
49. Is there somebody you feel particularly grateful to this year?
Brent still laughs at my jokes.
50. Name a hope you have for 2026.
no
Привет! LiveJournal imports may be slow
Dec. 31st, 2025 08:24 pm![[staff profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user_staff.png){kind=small}
denise posting in dw_maintenanceПривет and welcome to our new Russian friends from LiveJournal! We are happy to offer you a new home. We will not require identification for you to post or comment. We also do not cooperate with Russian government requests for any information about your account unless they go through a United States court first. (And it hasn't happened in 16 years!)
Importing your journal from ЖЖ may be slow. There are a lot of you, with many posts and comments, and we have to limit how fast we download your information from ЖЖ so they don't block us. Please be patient! We have been watching and fixing errors, and we will go back to doing that after the holiday is over.
I am very sorry that we can't translate the site into Russian or offer support in Russian. We are a much, much smaller company than LiveJournal is, and my high school Russian classes were a very long time ago :) But at least we aren't owned by Sberbank!
С Новым Годом, and welcome home!
EDIT: Большое спасибо всем за помощь друг другу в комментариях! Я ценю каждого, кто предоставляет нашим новым соседям информацию, понятную им без необходимости искать её в Google. :) И спасибо вам за терпение к моему русскому переводу с помощью Google Translate! Прошло уже много-много лет со школьных времен!
Thank you also to everyone who's been giving our new neighbors a warm welcome. I love you all ❤️
(no subject)
Dec. 31st, 2025 04:23 pmmajuMy daughter and I between us managed to get the rebounder set up this morning - it came folded in half and I needed her strength to get it to lie flat - and then I was able to install all the bungee cords around the edge. It came with 13 already in place but I had to do 27 more. (It has bungee cords instead of springs, which makes it almost silent to use.) After I put the legs on, I was very happy to find that I am able to use it in my basement if I keep my feet touching the mat. I'm too tall to do any jumping, but that's ok because low impact walking exercises on it get my heart rate up quite quickly. After I'd got the whole thing assembled this morning I did the same low impact aerobics routine on it that I'd done on the floor yesterday, and I think it was harder work on the rebounder and therefore better exercise while being kinder to my joints. I'm a bit disappointed that I can't use it in the garage because it would be cooler out there, but the garage floor slopes down from the back to the front so it wouldn't work. A trampoline has to be used completely flat.
The girls have been having a ball jumping on the rebounder on and off all day. Aria actually helped me put it together; she put a couple of the legs on and was even able to get them screwed almost tightly enough, though I checked her work afterwards. Violet is just too tall to be able to jump safely so she mostly bounces on her knees, but the other two are still short enough to jump freely.
Because my sisters and I are starting another photo challenge tomorrow, I went for a shortish walk after lunch to get the first couple of photos. We've had a maximum temperature of about -1C/30F since yesterday, but I was fairly comfortable walking for about 4 km/2 ½ miles suitably dressed.
We're having some sort of family New Year's "party" this evening, mostly organised by Violet. It seems we are going to be giving awards for various categories, such as "most tantrums", "best chef", "best hugs", "best pet owner", and a few others. Violet has asked me to host this event, so I told her I want an award for "best host".
The girls have been having a ball jumping on the rebounder on and off all day. Aria actually helped me put it together; she put a couple of the legs on and was even able to get them screwed almost tightly enough, though I checked her work afterwards. Violet is just too tall to be able to jump safely so she mostly bounces on her knees, but the other two are still short enough to jump freely.
Because my sisters and I are starting another photo challenge tomorrow, I went for a shortish walk after lunch to get the first couple of photos. We've had a maximum temperature of about -1C/30F since yesterday, but I was fairly comfortable walking for about 4 km/2 ½ miles suitably dressed.
We're having some sort of family New Year's "party" this evening, mostly organised by Violet. It seems we are going to be giving awards for various categories, such as "most tantrums", "best chef", "best hugs", "best pet owner", and a few others. Violet has asked me to host this event, so I told her I want an award for "best host".
Dreamwidth Book Club
Dec. 31st, 2025 02:28 pmseleneheart posting in dw_community_promo
bookclub_dw is a monthly reading club where community members take turns choosing a book to read for the month and then moderating a discussion about the book at the end of the month.We are currently voting on the book for January 2026 here: https://bookclub-dw.dreamwidth.org/995.html
Reading Wednesday
Dec. 31st, 2025 12:20 pmsabotabby It being Void Week and NYE, I fully forgot that it was also a Wednesday. Happy Wednesday, my dudes.
Just finished: Nothing.
Currently reading: The Magic Mountain by Thomas Mann. 700 pages and two years into Hans Castrop's stay at the Berghof, which our guy does not want to leave. And who can blame him? It seems a very chill life. Hans and Joachim (but mainly Hans) take up visiting the people who are bedridden and dying, which results in at least one awkward incident of a teenage girl developing a huge crush on him. Clavdia and Joachim both leave (the latter after a very lengthy conversation in untranslated French, most of which I didn't understand; the former to go into the military even though he is not fully cured). Settembrini also leaves, but not to go very far, instead to move in with his friend/arch-nemesis/wait are these two gay for each other, Leo Naphta. Meanwhile, Hans' uncle/cousin/foster brother James Tienappel comes up for a bit to try to convince Hans to leave, before realizing that all of these people are mental and Hans is mental and then he nopes out without saying goodbye and before he can be diagnosed with tuberculosis, making him the wisest character in the book so far.
As is the style of the era, there's a digression on art and painting styles where the sanatorium's director, Behrens, has been painting Clavdia, and according to Hans is quite bad at it, but he has to compliment the guy's technique anyway, and this is quite good.
The very lengthy dialogue between Settembrini and Naphta, which is a seduction of sorts wherein both weird old guys try to convince Hans (and Joachim, who is there too) of their philosophical points of view. Settembrini is a Renaissance humanist, Naphta is a Jewish convert to Catholicism who really, really likes this newfangled communism thing. Settembrini later pulls Hans aside after Naphta goes on and on about revolution and is like, stay away from that guy unless I'm around. Hans asks why, is it because of the revolution stuff? Settembrini reveals that no, he is secretly A Jesuit, and Hans is like, OMG A Jesuit, which has to be the funniest part of the book so far.
No one believes me that I'm enjoying this.
Anyway, friends, happy New Year! May we all survive.
Just finished: Nothing.
Currently reading: The Magic Mountain by Thomas Mann. 700 pages and two years into Hans Castrop's stay at the Berghof, which our guy does not want to leave. And who can blame him? It seems a very chill life. Hans and Joachim (but mainly Hans) take up visiting the people who are bedridden and dying, which results in at least one awkward incident of a teenage girl developing a huge crush on him. Clavdia and Joachim both leave (the latter after a very lengthy conversation in untranslated French, most of which I didn't understand; the former to go into the military even though he is not fully cured). Settembrini also leaves, but not to go very far, instead to move in with his friend/arch-nemesis/wait are these two gay for each other, Leo Naphta. Meanwhile, Hans' uncle/cousin/foster brother James Tienappel comes up for a bit to try to convince Hans to leave, before realizing that all of these people are mental and Hans is mental and then he nopes out without saying goodbye and before he can be diagnosed with tuberculosis, making him the wisest character in the book so far.
As is the style of the era, there's a digression on art and painting styles where the sanatorium's director, Behrens, has been painting Clavdia, and according to Hans is quite bad at it, but he has to compliment the guy's technique anyway, and this is quite good.
The very lengthy dialogue between Settembrini and Naphta, which is a seduction of sorts wherein both weird old guys try to convince Hans (and Joachim, who is there too) of their philosophical points of view. Settembrini is a Renaissance humanist, Naphta is a Jewish convert to Catholicism who really, really likes this newfangled communism thing. Settembrini later pulls Hans aside after Naphta goes on and on about revolution and is like, stay away from that guy unless I'm around. Hans asks why, is it because of the revolution stuff? Settembrini reveals that no, he is secretly A Jesuit, and Hans is like, OMG A Jesuit, which has to be the funniest part of the book so far.
No one believes me that I'm enjoying this.
Anyway, friends, happy New Year! May we all survive.
It's the boiler, again
Dec. 31st, 2025 08:16 amsusandennisA quick check of this journal revealed that the pool's boiler had to be replaced in May of this year. The pool was closed for 3 weeks and change. Yesterday, Erica said that she was told the boiler has to be replaced again. The pool will be cold for at least two weeks. I sure hope they buy this one from a legit place instead of out of the trunk of some back alley guy.
There's a woman, Holly, who plays volleyball with us. She just turned 80 and is quite spry. She's one of those old people who you would guess was pretty ditzy in her prime. Not the sharpest knife in the drawer, ever. But, she's sweet and earnest. She swims every day - very slowly and with a snorkel. Probably an hour, I often get there after she's been in for a while and leave before she's done. I ran into her last night and she said she was still using the pool. It's cold but 'once I get going'. I know she's only doing it to make me feel like a slug. It's working, Holly!! But, I'm holding fast. I like to drink cold water, I don't like to swim in it.
Bonny goes to an exercise class on Monday/Wednesday/Fridays - 10 am 'it's really just stretching - not much exercise'. I'm going with her this morning.
Then, next week my brother comes so that will be forced moving. Oh, I remembered another thing for the refrigerator list so I bought him a little drywall repair kit for Christmas. Don't tell him. I want it to be a surprise. hahahahaha
I have now watched so many Shetland episodes, my brain no longer uses the world little. Every small thing is now wee. This is not a change I like. But, I have 3 more seasons to go.
I keep trying to think of things I need to do before the year ends. Mainly tax things but I can't come up with anything. Must just be muscle memory.
They are only serving one meal today - a fancy early dinner. There is not enough good things on the menu to entice me. Tomorrow is another one meal day - a buffet but ditto on the menu. I have good stuff here and grocery stores are close by. But I will be glad when these holiday exceptions are over.
There's a woman, Holly, who plays volleyball with us. She just turned 80 and is quite spry. She's one of those old people who you would guess was pretty ditzy in her prime. Not the sharpest knife in the drawer, ever. But, she's sweet and earnest. She swims every day - very slowly and with a snorkel. Probably an hour, I often get there after she's been in for a while and leave before she's done. I ran into her last night and she said she was still using the pool. It's cold but 'once I get going'. I know she's only doing it to make me feel like a slug. It's working, Holly!! But, I'm holding fast. I like to drink cold water, I don't like to swim in it.
Bonny goes to an exercise class on Monday/Wednesday/Fridays - 10 am 'it's really just stretching - not much exercise'. I'm going with her this morning.
Then, next week my brother comes so that will be forced moving. Oh, I remembered another thing for the refrigerator list so I bought him a little drywall repair kit for Christmas. Don't tell him. I want it to be a surprise. hahahahaha
I have now watched so many Shetland episodes, my brain no longer uses the world little. Every small thing is now wee. This is not a change I like. But, I have 3 more seasons to go.
I keep trying to think of things I need to do before the year ends. Mainly tax things but I can't come up with anything. Must just be muscle memory.
They are only serving one meal today - a fancy early dinner. There is not enough good things on the menu to entice me. Tomorrow is another one meal day - a buffet but ditto on the menu. I have good stuff here and grocery stores are close by. But I will be glad when these holiday exceptions are over.