10th August 2014, 10:22 AM
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First thing I do when I unpack a new toy is label the wall wart. I've played mix & match enough with those damn things.
Another gorgeous day here. I'm vainly attempting to make myself trim some trees, but the lawn chairs stationed under the trees seem to be exerting a magnetic attraction that makes me want to lounge there with a book all afternoon. Will I cave in? More as this exciting story breaks. 
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10th August 2014, 11:08 AM
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TH seems to have absconded to MI with the papers for #2 son's registration, so I don't have the supply list or his schedule or locker combination or the school calendar which cost $15 (fund raiser, but it really is quite helpful over the year).
 So, we bought conventional school supplies and groceries and I am done for the day. Off to finish my murder mystery, then maybe polish my toenails. I am not doing anything worthy of mention for the rest of today. (we need a royal decree smiley)
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10th August 2014, 03:31 PM
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School shopped until we dropped yesterday with Mom. Her generous assistance is appreciated when dressing two growing girls for another school year. Once again I'm extremely grateful for our PTA, which runs a program to provide all the required school supplies. All I have to do is write a check at the end of the school year, and every pencil, crayon, and thumb drive my kids are required to have is waiting at their desk for them on day 1, purchased at a bulk discount. Heavenly.
Plugging slowly away on the basement today (well, Husband is, and I'm holding down the fort above decks, but I'll soon be down there hanging a ceiling at last while the older Solfyettes allow Swimmy to finish trashing the living room no doubt). Looking forward to a somewhat normal week at work, subject to change at a moment's notice as always.
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10th August 2014, 04:50 PM
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Dinner is done and I went for a long walk. Felt good. Gonna watch TV (maybe Sherlock) or Netflix, then prep for another crazy week in Libraryland.
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10th August 2014, 05:01 PM
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I just found out my digital camera has a video setting on it. I've had it for years, and I never even realized it. Fucking hell.
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10th August 2014, 05:20 PM
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If your cats will do cute things on command, there is a business putting up cat videos on the net.
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10th August 2014, 05:25 PM
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I've found a pro to clean the carpets after the Wedding Adventure. It needed it anyway, but now it is no longer optional. A local independent, recommended by the guy who changed out my kitchen light fixture and his wife, who makes the most excellent tamales.
Is coming tomorrow, after first hearing of me tonight. Some times I like living in a small town!
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10th August 2014, 07:25 PM
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Nice long ride tonight. Three miles standing on the pedals into the wind and then a nine mile loop and it felt damn fine. I just jumped through the shower and soon will mosey over to the store for something to gnaw on. Life is good.
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11th August 2014, 05:27 AM
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Today is a lovely prep for school day. We're going to pick up the last summer reading books from the library first--the girl has two; she's read one before and needs a refresher, but needs a first read on the other. She's a fast reader who still keeps good reading comprehension, so a week is more than enough time. After that, we're going to Lush. It's an all-natural soap and cosmetics place. The girl, being my daughter, has extremely oily hair. She was washing it several times in the shower with tea tree oil shampoo, and it would still come out an oily, greasy mess. I got her shampoo there, and she washes it once and it's soft and clean and beautiful. We're going to see what they have for her face, because the really strong medicine isn't enough (she got my skin too, poor baby).
Mom has a MRI later today. She has bursitis in her hip, but we think there's sciatic nerve pain there too. All she know is it hurts when she gets out of bed every single morning, and every time she gets up after sitting. Hopefully this will give the doctor some answers. Last night, I bought tickets for hubby, the girl and I to see the season premiere of Doctor Who, complete with new Doctor Peter Capaldi, in the theater. Hubby is excited, but not nearly as excited as the girl and I are. There may have been squealing and flappy hands of joy. Repeatedly.
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11th August 2014, 08:15 AM
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Ugh. Something has died in my garbage can. Garbage day isn't until Wednesday.
 This means I need to take everything out, bag it in a big garbage bag, and wash out the garbage can in hopes I can minimize the smell until then. It's supposed to be hot, so I need to get this done before the smell totally overwhelms the garage and house. I opened my garage this morning and just about gagged. I'm on the last week of my vacation, but since the hubby is using my rig and his car now has expired tabs on it, I can't go anywhere. We're taking his car to the repair shop tomorrow so they can work on it, and then after that's done, we'll get her emissions tested (again) and get her tabs. I was really hoping we would take care of this last week so he'd have his car this week and I could take a nice drive up to Mt. Rainier. Oh well. I'll just occupy myself around here.
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11th August 2014, 02:27 PM
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I think I may have finally found an ophthalmologist who takes my insurance. I'll have to call tomorrow and find out for sure.
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11th August 2014, 06:19 PM
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We put in an offer on another property, today... on Cape Sable Island. We'll see what happens. Apparently the owner has moved to B.C.... which is cool, but apparently she's hard to reach, too, so we'll have to be patient. 
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11th August 2014, 06:21 PM
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That's a great cat story, Duckie. How long until you take possession on the beach house?
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11th August 2014, 06:29 PM
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We'll take possession of "our" place this coming Monday, Wolf... and that date can't come quick enough for our long suffering kitteh. The place on Cape Sable Island would only be fifteen minutes away, and we're hoping that that will happen too. We'll see. If the second sale takes place, we'll be in good shape for housing visitors. Just so you and other loved G-Board folks know.
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11th August 2014, 08:26 PM
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Huzzah new house!
Housewise, I got a good line on getting the top two minor PIA projects done with competent help. Just ran into the same ol' same ol', not enough hours in a day. Got all day tomorrow. For now I got my guy down for the night, the old movie channel (Frank Sinatra night!) and some Skywalker OG. I'm content.
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11th August 2014, 08:28 PM
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12th August 2014, 04:57 AM
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She didn't go on vacation, she MOVED!
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12th August 2014, 10:23 AM
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luck, vibes, hugs & prayers Smartie, what the hell happened?
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12th August 2014, 10:30 AM
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Good thoughts being sent your way, Smartie. What happened? Hang in there. I wish I could offer you more than a cyber shoulder.
It's been raining just a bit, off and on. It's actually pleasant and has cooled things down considerably. I'm showered and in a bit, I'll go torture my hair with the "implements of doom" so I look presentable later this afternoon when we drop off my husband's car at the repair shop.
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12th August 2014, 10:44 AM
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Hope this isn't too serious, Smartie! I have a hair appointment today. I'm not going to see Mum afterwards as last time I went after an appt I asked her what she thought about my hair. She said it would look better if I ran a comb through it!  The dementia means there is no edit button at all on her tongue.
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12th August 2014, 03:18 PM
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Back from the ER, all is well--my Murder Leg was swollen and I had pain in the back of the knee, site of the original DVT. With my history this is nothing to fuck about with so I went to the ER (a panic attack may have ensued, I admit nothing however) and got some good news, which is that there are no new clots. As a matter of fact, the site that had been stubbornly refusing to resolve is actually looking better than it did in March so that's good. They have no idea what caused the swelling, though, but as long as I'm not about to throw a clot into my lungs again it can go ahead and be swollen for all of me.
Went over to reassure my son that I'm not gonna die just yet and while I was there my phone got a major thunderstorm warning--quarter sized hail, 60mph winds, torrential rain, severe lightning strikes, the lot--for the area where DIL and the kids are camping this week. Tried to call her, going to voicemail. The Google map of the affected area has moved north of their location but I'm still a little concerned since they're tent camping.  Universe needs to step back off my dick somewhat and I really need a nap but can't seem to get my brain to cooperate. *snorts xanax* 
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12th August 2014, 05:56 PM
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Son has heard from DIL--they did get nailed hard with the storm but managed to make it out safely and are ensconced at her dad's house. That's a relief, this is not a good time to be camping in the Cascades!
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12th August 2014, 06:39 PM
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{{{Smartie}}}
Don't you be dyin' on us.
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12th August 2014, 06:42 PM
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Glad to hear your clot-free. Sorry about the universe, but there's not much I can do about that…
I am tired and aggravated right now. Had a bitch of a day at RNwork, culminating in a PACU dump of Rehab pt (not that kind of Rehab--long story). I intensely dislike having to do stuff that I find morally iffy. Our healthcare system is so messed up--it was more so prior to ACA, but there's not a huge improvement post-ACA--and it doesn't help when the surgeon is a complete dick. I rarely diss MDs, mostly because the majority of them are caring people who have incredible pressures upon them, but in this case, surgeon is a dick. One good thing: the barn + property sold in FL. The FL house closes soon, too. Some progress, anyway.
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14th August 2014, 10:23 AM
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Congrats on the sales, rigs. I'm glad something is going right for someone.
I've got to say, this has been the worst fucking vacation ever. You'd think my stress levels would be practically zero because I'm not at work, but nope. Last week, we had all the estate bullshit, the fraudulent tax return filed by the niece, and bullshit at one of the banks where we were trying to close accounts. We were supposed to receive a check for some insurance by the end of July. Husband had dropped off the required death certificate and nothing had happened. So, last week, we found out the death certificate supposedly never made it to the required destination because supposedly, whoever my husband gave the certificate to, didn't give it to the investment banker. I was beyond pissed and gave the investment banker our last death certificate. He promised to overnight the paperwork and talk to these folks in hopes of speeding things up, so they'd send the check faster than the normal processing time. We were counting on that money to pay for the repairs to hubby's car. We're also waiting on a check for a beneficiary IRA, which we're going to invest elsewhere because we can never get a hold of the investment dude. Of course, because of the fraudulent tax return, the lawyer is hesitant to close out the estate, and now we may have to wait until the IRS investigation is over. And, the topper to all this bullshit is that my husband's car didn't pass emissions. We knew it wasn't going to pass, but again, we were counting on that check to be here in plenty of time to pay for the repair. I dropped it off for repair two days ago. We are looking at around three grand to get this fixed. We should get the final number today. That's three grand I don't have and means I have to tap and pretty much wipe out my line of credit. I am so fucking pissed, stressed, and just DONE.
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14th August 2014, 10:48 AM
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:: tiptoes in ::
I would like to point out that at least you are accomplishing useful stuff for yourself, rather than pushing numbers around on a spreadsheet. :: d&r :: (And yes, I hate dealing with crap like that on vacation. That's one big reason I love camping so much.)
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14th August 2014, 11:38 AM
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taters, I'm with you. My next vaca cannot be a help Mom one or anything remotely like that. I truly need R & R, but to find the time and $$…
On the plus side, I now have 3 clean bathrooms, thoroughly vacuumed first and second floors, brownies made, laundry almost done, plants watered. I plan on doing nothing for the next 2 hours, then taking #2 son to get his retainer fixed. He has dropped Honors French, which does not please me in the slightest, but his reasoning is sound. I've told him he has to contact his French teacher and inform him that he will not be going on the French trip next year and to get the refund money. #1 son's stuff is filling the LR and DR and I wish it were gone, but then that would mean he was gone, too. Sacrifice small animals or whatever that he finds a decent job (any job, at this point) in Ann Arbor, MI. Other good news: Daughter comes home today for the weekend. Hurrah!
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14th August 2014, 04:09 PM
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If the shady niece DID commit tax fraud, she could see jail time. So, there's that.
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14th August 2014, 05:51 PM
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So I went for my annual visit to the derm to get the bad bits frozen off. I'm now dickless.
No, actually they were all Actinic Keratosi. And she said that nothing looked worrisome and to come back and see her in a year. There was one unexpectedly nice bit. She's quite pregnant and as she was giving my scalp the cooling blast, she kept pressing her belly firmly into me. If felt warm and comforting and was really quite nice. If you have to get stuff frozen off, this was certainly the way to do it.
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14th August 2014, 06:46 PM
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I'm catching up on sleep nicely--took yesterday off as the Murder Leg was still swollen and kinda ouchy, took a nap on the couch then went to bed at a decent hour. Slept in this morning, went out to Costco to get the dogs more food (and some chicken alfredo for me, woohoo!) and kitty litter. Darned if I didn't end up passing out on the couch again this afternoon for an hour or so! Well, I obviously need it so I'm not fighting it, and the Murder Leg is benefiting greatly from being elevated so much.
I propose that at some future date all us stressed out Geeber harridans meet up for a week on a beach somewhere. It will be nonstop margaritas, cabana boys, swimming and reading for all with occasional spurts of energy aimed at actual recreation. Sound good to y'all? 
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14th August 2014, 07:21 PM
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taters, that is a metric buttload of annoyance. I hope things start going more smoothly, and soon.
Smartie, sleep is nature's greatest medicine. Can you sleep with the leg above your heart? I just got back from a six mile ride in the dark. It was really pretty nice, but too many cars.
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14th August 2014, 09:45 PM
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A cabana boy is a young man wearing not much who brings towels and drinks and stuff to idle tourists lounging on the beach. The connotation is that other services might be available for a negotiable fee, should one be so inclined.
 Mostly eye candy with booze in hand. ETA: Like this!Man, I forget just how freaking huge the tubs of food from Costco really are. I got the chicken alfredo and had two huge platefuls of the stuff that barely dented one corner. I'm gonna be eating this for a week if I don't give some away or freeze it or something. Luckily the kids will be back from camping on Sunday, I think I'll just leave them a container of it in their fridge. DIL luuuurves her some alfredo!
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15th August 2014, 05:41 AM
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15th August 2014, 06:30 AM
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Rigs, I'm glad to hear about the sale! Taters, I'm so sorry that you're having to go through all this. And Smartie, I'm glad that you're all right; I was really worried while reading through your posts (catching up here, I mean), and then my relief was huge.
Wolf, that's a really nice story about your dermatologist. When I was a kid, my family's dentist didn't believe in using anesthetic, and I had some really horrible experiences getting cavities filled. When I was sixteen (and no longer living with my parents), and when I absolutely needed to see a dentist, my boyfriend suggested that I see his. And his was a "hippie dentist"... who also happened to look just like Frank Zappa. When he started to look in my mouth, I tensed up, and he said something like, "Whoa, lots of negative energy here; what's wrong?", and I told him my story. That's when one of his lovely assistants took me in her arms (as much as she could while I was still laying in the dentist's chair), and Dr. Zappa gave me a needle that didn't even hurt, and the lovely assistant continued to stroke me and caress me throughout the rest of my visit. I looked forward to visiting Dr. Zappa's office after that.
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15th August 2014, 06:36 AM
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Ironically, I did not take this vacation with the idea that any estate business, other than a final visit to the lawyer would take place.
Smartie, your plan sounds good to me! I hope your leg is doing better today. Is that chicken alfredo from the deli case? You're right, it's really pretty good, but there is a metric buttload of it. Wolfie, I'm glad the derm visit went well, although burning things off one's skin doesn't really sound all that pleasant. I can well remember getting a wart or two frozen off my hand when I was just a little kid. It hurt! Duckie, your initial dentist visits sound horrible. Glad you found one, for awhile anyway, who tried to make it less so.
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15th August 2014, 06:48 AM
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I'm alone in our motorhome right now (well, our cat is with me, too), while Mr. Duck is visiting various of his family members. (I saw them all yesterday afternoon and evening, and I'm all familied out.) It's drizzling, and I can't see a human soul stirring in the campground. There's a family of crows, though (now that's the kind of family I like!), and I have just excited them all by throwing them two large fistfuls of peanuts. There is much cawing and celebration.
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15th August 2014, 07:21 AM
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That actually sounds very pleasant, Duckie.
At one point, my husband and I were talking about taking a little trip, or even renting a little cabin up in the mountains for this time period. It's too bad it didn't happen. I have another week of vacation time booked for the first part of October. Maybe, just maybe, I can book this little cabin I saw up by Mt. Rainier. It would be nice to just get away from everything, even if it just for a couple days or so. I don't mind fall weather up there, and the fact the weather would probably somewhat damp, just means I'd find some nice chanterelles too.
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15th August 2014, 08:08 AM
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Taters, that sounds like a wonderful plan (and I remember the link to a cabin that you shared with us before). October's such a nice month in your neck of the woods. I can picture lazy wood smoke dancing in the air, and the fact that you might find some chanterelles too would be a real bonus! Yeah, that's the ticket... some nice woolen sweaters and gumboots... it sounds lovely.
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15th August 2014, 11:54 AM
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Well, we're not going to take possession of our new place on Monday after all.
There's a glitch in the transaction, owing to the fact that a couple of people used to have "right of way" for a road going through the property (although the road no longer exists). The couple of people were, er, a couple, but now they're divorced. The lawyer's office has already located the Mr., and he has already signed away his right of way, and they just have to wait for the Ms. to come in to sign, too. She has promised to do so by Wednesday. Given that they haven't had the right of way for over twenty years, I'm glad that they could be found at all.It's disappointing, but we can't do anything about it, so we're not going to sweat it. And we're going to start heading down to southern Nova Scotia on the weekend anyway, so I'm looking forward to that. At least we'll be able to explore "our" neck of the woods a little more (and as I said earlier, I'm all "familied out" up here, and Mr. Duck understands that... even though it's his family).
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15th August 2014, 01:49 PM
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What's a win at your work, how do you get one and are we talking a one time bonus kind of mo' money or a raise type kind? And 'grats!
 The new chunk of fence is in and the old chainlink gate is doing service as the makeshift bridge from the new fence to the old (it will all be replaced by privacy fence eventually but for right now the chainlink has to stay aside from the corner we just took out.) I've put pavers (abundant in my yard, nice to have a use for them!) under the line of the fence to keep the dogs from thinking about digging and I dragged a couple slabs of terrace rock over for a threshold on the gate. Needs more levelling and all but the idea is there and it's SO COOL! I'm in process of ordering the shed.   is about how I'm feeling right now--it's a big step! My handydude is taking a little vacation at the end of the month so I think I'll schedule delivery for the Thursday after Labor Day. That will give time for the plans to arrive and for any additional site prep to be finalized. Per the shed guy, installing those adjustable pier blocks during delivery is perfectly fine, I just need to have them there, and the plans will tell us how many we'll need to properly support the building.Now I'm going over to son's house to take advantage of their absence to color my hair and have a REAL shower. *happydances* After working out in the back playing with dirt and rocks I really, REALLY need it! 
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15th August 2014, 04:06 PM
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Been shopping! Got a new coffee grinder (our two 35 year old ones bit the dust), 2 really cool wine glasses & various edibles. We were going to have a coffee in town, but hey new grinder!
Picking Mum up for a quick visit home later.
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15th August 2014, 04:55 PM
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A win is when an organization that is Not Big Soulless Corp. (almost always The Government) decides that the stuff I or my colleagues wrote convinced them that our scientists / scientists' ideas / ability to Get Shit Done is so fabulous that they throw great wads of monies (previously known as "your tax dollars") at Big Soulless Corp (heretofore known as BSC). These monies pay for things that BSC would like to research, but those with the purse strings don't want to foot the bill. In return, we make awesome stuff and solve problems that the government can't. Say what you will about BSC and their ilk spending our hard earned tax dollars, but the long and short of it is that national labs and universities and their ilk, while being very smart, aren't always very good at making practical stuff that people can actually buy and put to use. These partnerships enable BSC to work with others and find a purpose for all the nifty science that is invented. The nice end of it from my vantage point is that it provides jobs for people and/or helps people keep their existing jobs. I don't get anything but kudos for the win, since that's what they pay me to do. But it still feels really good. I even got a high five from New Boss. In related news, a colleague and I took Old Boss out to lunch today. I managed not to cry (except when I was writing a goodbye note in his card beforehand). @Harry - he really liked the pen and was especially impressed when I told him it was hand crafted. It was a nice lunch and very suitable closure to a 15 year friendship.
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15th August 2014, 05:09 PM
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Glad you're feeling better and getting important stuff done, Smartie. Big hugs to Taters, you're not having your problems by halves. Lost paperwork, my ass. I know bureaucracies, put down that coffee cup and move that paper, slackers!
Myself, having a great Friday, got all the weeks projects and plans done, so I took some time for myself, talked to one of my artists and got my next appointment for ink, went to the comic book shop, all three titles I follow were in. Friday is class at the Aeonic University of Mysticism and Magick, where I am faculty and Professor Ameritrash. I may have mentioned. I came early to enjoy the quiet and read some tarot and I-Ching for myself. Success if I keep to my course. Reassuring. But major, major changes are in the works. Tonight the class is on palmistry.
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15th August 2014, 05:26 PM
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Linear Mode
