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Post by Emerald_Door on Apr 21, 2024 11:57:23 GMT
Make it a great week!
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Post by labbypaws on Apr 21, 2024 12:25:46 GMT
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Post by frakinfashion on Apr 21, 2024 21:31:43 GMT
Well then, I guess I'm lucky I have no orders. Whew.
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Post by chapeaunoir on Apr 22, 2024 6:34:45 GMT
Love the fluffy cat in the tree! Our "expensive looking cat", Jamie of the luxurious silver coat and aristocratic, rockinghorse run (who was actually kind of a mutt), used to climb trees all the time, up to the second story of our house and stare at me through my study window when I was working, then jump onto the roof. It was impossible to believe she did this, seeing her prancing along with her beautiful coat and her Persian features, but she was incredibly agile. I used to laugh that when she gamboled about, she looked like a society matron in a fur coat who had had one too many cocktails.
Yesterday we had a peaceful, blue morning, then a heavy squall blew in with lashing winds (over 50 MPH on one of the nearby islands and 30-40 MPH in town), capsizing boats and knocking out power lines. A popular regatta was going on south of me and had to be finally called off when too many boats capsized. No one saw it coming. When we drove down to the opera it was blue, coming out of the house it was gray and with a freezing wind. That was quick. 11,000 people without power. It was more peaceful today.
I'm still laid up with tendinitis in my hip, so am walking for some of my exercise, which I find arduous - I'm a lazy runner who basically "rides the bus" - when I run I get into a mode where my legs move along under me, but I don't really feel them, and just watch the scenery as it passes, like I'm on the busy looking at the world go by - it's all just momentum. Walking, I have to earn each and every step - if anyone wonders if brisk walking is good exercise, yes it is!
eBay is really a mess lately (more so than usual) and Mercari is falling apart - I've pulled everything off there - the only reason to sell cheap stuff there is the lack of returns. Now we're forced to take them, there's no point in using the site (though it is within 3 days so there is that). I'm stymied from listing on eBay because I have no place to prep, take photos or basically anything else. I'm selling books and CDs that the DH has given me, or that I scrounge up around the house. We need to get this tiling done because I can't really lose much more work time.
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Post by denise15601 on Apr 22, 2024 13:50:46 GMT
I am actually making more sales than usual on Mercari since they no longer charge fees to the sellers. When people make offers, I am more apt to accept them since the fees are gone.
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Post by jesmelric on Apr 22, 2024 15:53:47 GMT
Hi guys. Well it is a beautiful day here! Since summer is just around the corner, we really have to appreciate a low in the 50s and a high in the 70s and sunny with low humidity We had storms Saturday night but nothing too bad. We needed the rain. Janey didn't care for them, though. As a result I didn't sleep well. Well, nothing to be done for it, the nice weather was worth it lol.
VV had an Earth day sale over the weekend. 20% off if you spend $20, 30% off for $30 and 40% off for $40. It's easy to spend $40 so we went to one on Sat and one on Sun. They open at 10 on Sat but this one went ahead and opened at 9:30. We were stopping at a store next door so we got there early and saw they were open. The whole first half hour I had the store to myself!! Never had that before lol. I guess shoppers aren't as big on the percentages as they are a 1/2 off sale as even the other store on Sunday, which is typically crowded during a sale, didn't get too crowded.
Chap, I sure hope you hip feels better soon. I am the total opposite: I will walk and walk but I sure hate to run I do aerobic walking videos, I walk Janey 2 miles a day. I used to do a treadmill but it got to my knees so I switched to an elliptical but that got to my arthritis foot so I switched to a recumbent stationary bike. But if I had my way, I'd still be doing the treadmill. I can walk at a brisk pace and be fine but the minute I start to run a bit (some of the videos have you do a bit of jogging) I feel an immediate hate!
I am asking DH for an oven style air fryer for my birthday next month. The one I have is fine but I want something bigger and that runs a bit hotter (this one takes longer). I want the retro look to go in my kitchen but I want it to work well and not require preheat. Two weeks of looking and I still can't find something. I use it a lot so I don't want aesthetics to win out but I don't want a big hulking black or gray box on my counter, either. Sigh.
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Post by frakinfashion on Apr 22, 2024 18:34:41 GMT
Here's what Wirecutter at the New York Times recommends. Don't know if this is what you mean but it is aesthetically pleasing: www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/breville-smart-oven-air-fryer-pro-review/?searchResultPosition=4 It's this one, if you can't get beyond the firewall to see why they recommend it. Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro An air fryer toaster oven that really does it all This reliable, versatile oven can coddle fragile bakes or deliver super-crunchy tater tots in one sleek, if splurgy, machine. $400 from Amazon $399 from Best Buy
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Post by Desire on Apr 22, 2024 20:39:46 GMT
The only thing I hate about that style of toaster oven/air-fryer is the glass door that you can see through. I've had a few regular toaster ovens through the years at each house and after a while they look dirty because there is no way to get every single bit of splatter off the inside glass door without scratching it or whatever. I wish they made the combo toaster over/air-fryer with black glass doors like a microwave or real oven. We have all black glass here on all our appliances, you can't really see through them unless you put the oven light on, or the microwave is running, but they have a black type screening on the door, it's not clear glass.
In that article that Frak linked, you can see the mess on her toaster oven glass door and racks, the pic where she is baking a pan of brownies. The stainless part of the outside is also smeared. I would not spend 399.00 on something that will look like crap on my counter within 6-8 months of use. JMHO
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kritter
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Post by kritter on Apr 22, 2024 23:00:36 GMT
I would not spend $399 on anything that goes in the kitchen (except the fridge) no matter how good it looked or what it did.
Anything over $125 would have to be doing the prepping, cooking and cheaning up afterward.
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Post by labbypaws on Apr 23, 2024 0:10:35 GMT
I was looking at Breville but read about their glass doors shattering. There is a breville oven group on Facebook.
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Post by chapeaunoir on Apr 23, 2024 6:06:50 GMT
I am actually making more sales than usual on Mercari since they no longer charge fees to the sellers. When people make offers, I am more apt to accept them since the fees are gone. I decided to go ahead and re-activate a bunch of stuff, too - I raised some prices so I could give discounts lol. I'm mostly working Poshmark right now because I can cross-list from my eBay unsolds (I still have most of my store deactivated there).
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Post by jesmelric on Apr 23, 2024 12:35:59 GMT
Here's what Wirecutter at the New York Times recommends. Don't know if this is what you mean but it is aesthetically pleasing: www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/breville-smart-oven-air-fryer-pro-review/?searchResultPosition=4 It's this one, if you can't get beyond the firewall to see why they recommend it. Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro An air fryer toaster oven that really does it all This reliable, versatile oven can coddle fragile bakes or deliver super-crunchy tater tots in one sleek, if splurgy, machine. $400 from Amazon $399 from Best Buy That is a very nice air fryer, unfortunately out of my budget range. My sister had purchased a Nostalgia Electronics one a month ago and it already crap*ped out!!! So I decided the retro aesthetic wasn't worth the hassle as only "off" brands had the retro ones and I pulled the trigger on this one yesterday:
There was a $20 coupon yesterday on Amazon, too
I've not had the oven style air fryer before, only the basket ones. I can imagine the door will eventually get discolored, but that won't bother me. It will match my oven
One last day of nice weather, I think after I got to the post office I will take Janey out for an extra walk so we can both enjoy it.
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kritter
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When we lose sight of how we treat animals, we tend to lose sight of our humanity
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Post by kritter on Apr 23, 2024 13:38:26 GMT
Fence is finally going up. Kenya was outside when they started knocking down the old one and when I went out to get her, she had this WTF look on her face. It is totally ruining her day because she has to stay inside until they are done on the side where she hangs out.
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Post by denise15601 on Apr 23, 2024 14:38:27 GMT
@chap- I saw that you quoted me, buy now I can't find it. Glad that you reminded me that you are on Posh. I shared a bunch of your stuff. Will have to try to remember to keep doing that.
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val2525
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Post by val2525 on Apr 23, 2024 15:36:20 GMT
My sister had purchased a Nostalgia Electronics one a month ago and it already crap*ped out!!! It seems most Nostalgia brand appliances die pretty fast. I was looking at several and they all had bad reviews - microwave, freezer, air fryer, etc. My current air fryer is a brand carried by QVC and HSN and has been worth every penny I paid for it. But it's not an oven. It has two baskets and it's turquoise I've thought about getting a convection tabletop oven but I really don't have the room for it. It would be nice to be able to make rotisserie chicken.
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Post by frakinfashion on Apr 23, 2024 16:12:36 GMT
Tiniest bathroom, longest remodel: New Episode! Ankit re-shipped the stones now TWICE. Yes, because the first re-ship, DHL picked up and sent back to him. Same thing with the second re-ship, right back to him. Nary an explanation either time. Many messages to Ankit in India exhorting him to "let's make this happen"! Meanwhile, ridiculous responses from DHL global "customer service" where I plead with them to let me know when I can throw out the wreckage taking up my small livingroon from ill-fated shipment #1. English as a 5th language with ripostes like this: "Dear Valued Customer, Hope you are fine. Well noted. If you have any further questions, do not hesitate to contact me back..."
So, okay, I lost it. A wild woman, I devour the DHL website looking for a contact number to speak with a real human, no matter what the language. I get a telephone number for customer service and, after wading through the menu, the robot says that they have a special offer and ask if I am over or under 55 years old??!!!!! I can't give up now, I'm so close to speaking with a human! I press for over 55 and Sheila, or someone, comes on a crackling line and asks if I can hear her. I say yes but it's difficult and she launches into the great saving device she has if I fall down. I interrupt her, screaming about my shipment, but she keeps on talking. I now realize that I'm in scam land for the elderly and hang up thinking I've forked over my identity to who knows what.
So okay, I lost it again. Insane, and rending my garments, I devour the rest of the website and discover that Greg Hewitt, the US CEO of DHL (enough letters for you?) would really love to hear my valued customer feedback. I decide he really should and compose the letter in the next block. Sorry for the length of this. The story continues after the letter but I need a break (I'm sure you do too).
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Post by frakinfashion on Apr 23, 2024 16:13:39 GMT
The letter: Hello, Greg.
I’d like to tell you about my service with DHL thus far—3 attempts to get a few large custom-cut stones for a bathroom remodel delivered from India. The first attempt, the goods arrived repackaged by DHL and broken into several pieces. Okay, that can happen. I assisted the vendor with opening a claim by answering numerous questions about the shipment and supplying pictures in quick response to a DHL email.
Meanwhile, the vendor then cut new stones and reshipped to me. After receiving the goods, DHL provided a date when I could expect my packages through tracking. Then after pickup, kept the package a day or two, then sent them back to the vendor instead of on to me with no explanation. Okay, there was some kind of problem, it happens.
Third time is the charm, no? The vendor then reshipped the package with DHL. DHL sent a date when I should expect them through tracking. Again, DHL has picked up the package, begun to send it, then returned it to the vendor. I am at my wits end.
I have worked with my vendor to resolve these problems. I’ve tried to call DHL but can’t get a human on the phone. I did get transferred to a line trying to sell me some kind of senior citizen device to help me if I fall. It started with the “can you hear me?” language that is used to fraudulently enroll someone in something by taping them saying “Yes.” Of course, although it sounded like a real human, it was a recording that does not respond to the caller, just keeps on talking. I think I even answered “yes, I can hear you" because I am so frazzled by this frustration. How can your customer service line, as listed on your website, turn into a schlock selling scenario to defraud seniors…?
Sadly, Greg, this is the worst experience I’ve ever had with ANY company in my not-so-charmed life. I won’t even go into details about helping with the vendor’s claim and the nonsensical emails I received from your customer service reps when I ask the simple question: when can I feel free to throw out the wreckage from the very large package #1 which takes up a good portion of my living room?
I worked in advertising for many years and rose to become a chief level officer in a company so I know a bit about customer service. When I say that from top to bottom, including your website, that yours is the worst, it is, sadly, not hyperbole.
All I want is my package delivered.
Very sincerely,
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kritter
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Post by kritter on Apr 23, 2024 18:07:16 GMT
OK during the DHL break, I will give a fence update. Everything going smoothly after redirecting them from placing the new fence in the old fence location that I thankfully caught before the cement was poured.
The wife part of the next door neighbor couple came home and was stunned to see the fence in progress. Stood in the driveway staring for at least 4 minutes before leaving again. Shortly after the Code Compliance truck rolled up. I know the guy because I called him numerous times on them for no permits and working outside of hours so we just chatted and then he left. I am sure she called him. Now I have the upper hand in the fence war.
Fence is half done.
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Post by frakinfashion on Apr 23, 2024 18:41:10 GMT
Fences make good neighbors. Right on.
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val2525
Chaos Manager
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Post by val2525 on Apr 23, 2024 18:44:50 GMT
I'm sorry you're having such a hassle on the remodel, Frak, but your email is priceless. Well done! Hopefully you'll get a reponse...and your stones.
LOL at the neighbor, Kritter. I still don't get why it should bother her. It's your yard, your fence. You'd think she'd know by now though that you cross your Ts and dot your Is, and no way would you do anything to your house that violates city code. She's a numpty. She should be happy you're her next door neighbor. You're a good neighbor and take care of your place. Not everyone does.
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Post by denise15601 on Apr 23, 2024 20:00:18 GMT
Frak-so sorry that you have to go through all of that!!! I sure hope that you are able to get the problem resolved, and that you enjoy your new fall-alert....
Kritter-WTH? Weird neighbor?
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kritter
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Post by kritter on Apr 23, 2024 22:51:02 GMT
Azzhole neighbor. They moved in about 4 years ago and tried to do everything they could without a permit. You name it, they tried to do it on the sly. Myself and the neighbor on the other side of them called Code Compliance during the week and the police on the weekends. The shot across my bow was when they replaced the fence between our lots. He told me it would be 8' on the alley side and 6' up the side between our yards. Fence started going up and first of all, they broke two of my big pot planters with bougainvillea in them that had been there for over 20 years. Then from the alley up the side between our lots, he put up an 8' fence about 1/4 of the way that then drops off to the 6'. Feels like a fort back there. The main issue was that he flat out lied to me about it. From that day on, it has been game on.
I had several reasons for putting the fence up in the front but I knew it would pizz him off too. Just another round of neighborhood wars--the fence payback.
The fence is finished and I love it.
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val2525
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Post by val2525 on Apr 23, 2024 23:09:29 GMT
The fence is finished and I love it. That was fast! I'll have to find an excuse to drive by this week and check it out Are you going to paint the front yard part white? Or leave it natural wood?
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kritter
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When we lose sight of how we treat animals, we tend to lose sight of our humanity
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Post by kritter on Apr 24, 2024 0:04:50 GMT
There were 6 guys here and they had it down pat. Very organized bunch. Going to leave it natural wood. Linda was here today and took home some shoes and hand wash. She said "thank you". We were doing some work for her on the computer and she sat in the orange chair.
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Post by labbypaws on Apr 24, 2024 0:25:16 GMT
It doesn’t take fence guys long. Glad it is up!
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val2525
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Post by val2525 on Apr 24, 2024 2:36:25 GMT
I love my orange chair. I plan to use it when I start doing workouts (mostly the balance workouts).
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Post by chapeaunoir on Apr 24, 2024 6:03:56 GMT
frakinfashion - that saga with DHL! That's almost unbelievable...though I do believe how bad their CS probably is. I wonder why these companies even bother. I hope this finally gets untangled. I'll bet the stone seller in India is probably going crazy with this by now, too.
We ended up going for take-away for lunch today because we couldn't get into the kitchen or foyer - they were filled with 'backboard', a type of quick drying cement to level the floor - 1.25" thick on the side of the house that's dropped, and probably only a thin layer to smooth out on the other side of the house. We can see where the original tilers really did a cut rate job on the install - our tiler is meticulous and experienced - each thing is step by step and well planned. He's a solo operation, and our neighbour is looking for some tiling work and talked to him during a break - we'll have our neighbour in to look at the job when it's done and recommend him. So the install is not only for aesthetics, but also fixing a real structural problem.
Thing is, it's also a bit slow as he works solo in 6 to 6 1/2 hour stints (until he poops out he said - he works nonstop the entire time he is here, and at a steady, concentrated pace so it really is like a full day). It'll be another couple of weeks. I don't know how he stands the odor of the compounds he's laying down now to seal the floor - luckily it was very warm today, nearly 70, so we opened doors and windows, but we're back to our usual weather tomorrow. I'll probably leave mid-day for a short hike and a trip to senior day at the GW just to get away from the fumes for a while. Then I have to drag bags and bags of laundry to the laundrette because I'm running out of clothes and we're running out of towels and bedding, plus I'll have three bags of inventory to wash and I don't want to let it go much longer.
We're going over the mountains this weekend for a break - the DH is going to do his first mountain ride of the year and I'll try a 10k walk. I have to use what I call "Samurai discipline" and NOT run during this 10k but walk briskly. I walked 5 miles today (with a break at the pub) and I think it was OK, though I still limp for a few steps on my right hip when I first start up from sitting (typical for tendinitis) then it goes away.
denise15601 I saw your shares - thank you! I shared back.
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Post by denise15601 on Apr 24, 2024 14:28:59 GMT
chap...sounds like that contractor is the best! It's nice to know that he is doing the job that should have been done before.
Thanks for the shares! You don't have to share as often as I do. I have been trying to share and follow Poshers during my many meals instead of playing games on my iPad. Hopefully it does some good.
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val2525
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Post by val2525 on Apr 24, 2024 15:37:35 GMT
Kritter, you know what would really piss off your next door neighbor? Slap a new coat of paint on the house and then paint the fence in the same color as your front door (Personally I think it would look really cool.) Have a bookkeeping client to work on today who is on quickbooks online (we hate it). At first glance their bank account is a negative $8.4 million. Yes, million. We thought we'd have to recreate the books for 2023 until I did some digging around in the QBO file. Ends up they were importing the payroll checks from the payroll service, and entering the ACH transactions...but didn't enter any of the deposits. Hence the very huge overdraft I'll enter all the deposits for 2023 and see how things look. Hopefully that will take care of most of the problems. They'll be happy to not see that huge overdraft.
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kritter
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Post by kritter on Apr 24, 2024 16:02:48 GMT
The main reason for the fence was to move some of my front yard into the back yard so I could move forward with my landscape plans for the front yard in addition to setting a property boundary on the street intersection side.
Firing a shot across the neighbor's bow was a long awaited collateral benefit.
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