Weekly Chat Thread Nov. 21st - 27th

[staytuned]

Good morning, everyone! This week is Thanksgiving Day and official Black Friday.  Hope those affected by the lake effect snow stay safe, keep power on and are dug out soon.  Hope everyone has whatever day makes them happy.

[staytuned]

For those who got the lake effect wallop:

[labbypaws]

Holiday Deadlines USPS. I posted this in the shipping section. Posting it here too: faq.usps.com/s/article/2022-Holiday-Mailing-Deadlines

[labbypaws]

If you are interested in Apple AirTags, Amazon has them at the lowest price around. Not sure for how long. I am sure their competitors are going to lower their prices more.

Going to put one in my car, one in my wallet, maybe one on a removable clip for the dog collars so I can move it around, and not sure about the 4th. Hubby is going to put it in his bags for work.

[jesmelric]

Good morning everyone. Well not such a good morning here with temperatures in the 40's and rain. But we do need the rain and it is cozy to be inside

They had a nice Thanksgiving dinner for the residents at mom's facility and we went Thursday. There was a good turnout and it was a lot of fun. The food was good and they had music and door prizes. Mom enjoyed it but it was very loud (the talking but especially the music) and she wanted to turn in before it was over. The boyfriend was supposed to sit next to her (there were table tags) but he never came in. My sister went to the lobby asked him if he was coming to eat and he said he was waiting on his ex wife. She is his person of responsibility. Well I don't know what happened but we never did see him again. Oh well, mom didn't seem to be bothered.

Oh and on last Sunday we celebrated our anniversary and I ate in a restaurant for the first time in almost 3 years! We were going to sit outside but the wind got to us, I guess we are too old lol.  Positivity rate is 4.8% here right now and that's the only reason I was willing to do it. I do have to admit it was nice.

I cleaned out the fridge Saturday in prep for Thanksgiving. It's just going to be us and my sister and mom so I'm sure there will be plenty of leftovers. I think they are doing black Friday at the thrift store. They haven't announced it yet but they said be on the lookout for a 1/2 off announcement soon, so I'm thinking they will.

We went to the Goodwill yesterday and the pickings were slim. For some reason I also kept finding stuff with stains on it. You would think that kind of stuff would be discounted, but nope. And they didn't have out any Christmas decor! It's a smallish Goodwill, but geez.

[staytuned]

I'm glad I still have a good supply of disposable masks, hand sanitizer and disinfectant because DH came home obviously sick. Half his coworkers are out with a respiratory illness and he has a bad headache and very slight fever. Gave him a Covid rapid test which he may/may not take, but sounds more like he has the flu. He didn't even raise an eyebrow to see me wearing a double mask. We were planning to go to a viewing and funeral for coworker's husband tomorrow, but if DH is sick, maybe I'll go alone to pay respects since I've met her many times through the years. They were married 62 years.

[val2525]

RSV is making the rounds right now, along with the flu and COVID. It could be any of them, or just a common cold. Hope he feels better soon.

www.cdc.gov/rsv/about/symptoms.html

[chapeaunoir]

Nov 21, 2022 21:46:24 GMT staytuned said:

I'm glad I still have a good supply of disposable masks, hand sanitizer and disinfectant because DH came home obviously sick. Half his coworkers are out with a respiratory illness and he has a bad headache and very slight fever. Gave him a Covid rapid test which he may/may not take, but sounds more like he has the flu. He didn't even raise an eyebrow to see me wearing a double mask. We were planning to go to a viewing and funeral for coworker's husband tomorrow, but if DH is sick, maybe I'll go alone to pay respects since I've met her many times through the years. They were married 62 years.

Tell him to take the damn test - what is he afraid of? I had Covid in Sept and am still hacking and coughing with little to no sense of taste and feel worn out.  If he has Covid and catches it early he can get on Paxlovid and head the worst of it off.  It's really difficult to tell the diff between Covid and the flu until you can barely get out of bed one morning and everything is blurry (like me) - I felt like I had a cold. It would be a bummer if he got super sick over the holidays (or at any time)!  

[chapeaunoir]

More travelogue:

The oldest quarter - settled since Roman times, though most of the buildings are 13th through 16th centuries.  You can see why high heels are definitely out of fashion here (women wear soft soled boots of all sorts, or Doc Martens/Tuks) as many of the side streets are roughly cobbled, some left over from medieval times.  A lot of people ride bikes, though, and they fly over the cobbles and paving stones in the wet. 

Row of Tudor flats, though they fixed the doorways with spiffy black doors, with people still living in them hundreds of years later.  The yard in front was the site of jousting tournaments, and it's thought that the Black Prince himself jousted here.

Seriously, this door is like 5 foot high.

[staytuned]

Take a Covid test? I gave him 2 aspirin when he got home and he took one promising to take the other one "soon" that 2 hours later is still sitting on the coffee table. He's the most stubborn when he doesn't feel well and I always wind up getting disgusted with him saying if he won't do anything to help himself, he's on his own. I will keep on double masking, frequently washing my hands and sanitizing faucets or surfaces he's had contact. At least he's banished himself to the couch.

[labbypaws]

It can take 3 days to show up positive.

We are busy at work. Has been non-stop on our shift. Usually working the desk (dispatch) is restful and easy. Too stressful right now.

My cleaners called and canceled for tomorrow. Glad we don't have company coming. No biggee for me. I like a break once in a while and will put the money out for next time (2 weeks). I am just glad I didn't finish setting the house up for them (putting stuff away, sorting and tossing junk mail, lifting up dog beds, etc).

[val2525]

Good grief. EVERYONE is having a Black Friday sale. I was looking for some training courses for work and saw where Udemy is having a big BF sale. We told all the staff to take a look at the courses and let us know what (if any) they want to take. $79-$129 courses are $9.99-$12.99. I see some training in my future for next month

Rainy and chilly here at 44 degrees. We start going up a bit and will be in the mid 60s for the holiday and first half of next week. Works for me, I really wasn't looking forward to moving in wet and cold. Cold is OK but moving in the rain sucks, even if it is just from one building to another.

Off to see what pre-Black Friday sales there might be that look irresistible.

[labbypaws]

We have Lynda aka LinkedIn courses at work. I just need to find the time.

[val2525]

Ha. There is an in-depth training class that we want all bookkeeping staff to take, if the Sr partner does what we think he will do and charge head first into the cannabis support services market. The training source is running a black Friday sale. I emailed to make sure the course was on demand, as we like the idea of buying now at the seriously reduced price but won't be taking the courses until after tax season next year. The reply they sent said no problem, and if we'd buy now they'd include a very useful tax template for free (normally charge for it). Yep, everyone is getting into the BF act.

Cloudy, damp and 52 here today. Looks like rain chances for the next several days. Works for me, we need the rain. Headed down to Uhaul to pick up some boxes this afternoon. I have a lot of leftover eBay boxes I can use but I did need a few larger boxes for kitchen appliances, lamps, etc. Hopefully the rain for today will be done by then.

[labbypaws]

Our director sent out an email to all of us asking for a voluntary contribution toward a gift for the woman who empties the trash and vacuums the floor in our wing. I find the e-mail offensive. I don’t get a holiday gift for locking all their doors that they fail to lock every night.

Just venting. If she wants to give the woman a gift, she can. I don’t think she should be asking us to contribute.

Housekeeping doesn’t clean our kitchenette, tables, or anything like that. Just the bathroom (single room with a toilet and sink), trash and vacuuming a small area.

[staytuned]

Nov 22, 2022 15:28:54 GMT labbypaws said:

Our director sent out an email to all of us asking for a voluntary contribution toward a gift for the woman who empties the trash and vacuums the floor in our wing. I find the e-mail offensive. I don’t get a holiday gift for locking all their doors that they fail to lock every night.

Just venting. If she wants to give the woman a gift, she can. I don’t think she should be asking us to contribute.

Housekeeping doesn’t clean our kitchenette, tables, or anything like that. Just the bathroom (single room with a toilet and sink), trash and vacuuming a small area.

I agree with you, labbypaws. If the woman went beyond what she's paid to do, like cleaning your kithenette, tables, etc., I can see a gift card or something to show appreciation.  Otherwise, why should she get a gift for doing what she's paid to do?

[frakinfashion]

Well, my daughter was here for a week; just left Sunday. It was 3 years since I've seen her in the flesh. Wonderful to be able to hug her in real life instead of by emoji.

[val2525]

Yay Frakin!!

I'm with you, Labby. If the lady is doing more than her job demands, then yeah, chip in for a gift. But if she's not even doing the minimum, sorry but no donation from me. OTOH, if the cleaning lady has had som recent financial set backs, is it possible that was why the boss was asking for donations. I have no problem donating when that happens.

Speaking of gifts...we're trying to figure out what to get the big boss at work. Fortunately for us he's into golf and the Chicago Cubs, so gift ideas are plentiful. One year we got him a year's pass to one of the local city golf courses he likes to play on. He REALLY liked that one   He may get some Cubs golf stuff this year

We're also doing a generic gift swap amongst some of the bookkeeping staff. Two are JWs, who don't do Christmas, so it's only 4 of us who swap gifts at the office before we all meet at the restaurant for the "end of year recap employee luncheon" (if we called it Christmas, our two JW's wouldn't attend and we'd like to have them there, so we renamed the lunch LOL). We have a max price, go out and buy something we think someone would like, wrap it and bring it to the office. Then each package gets a number and we draw a number from the bowl. Only rule is you can't get your own gift.  With only 4 people, it's quite easy to draw your gift number multiple times.    I already bought the main part of my present, picking it up at WM today. If I don't like it when I get home, I have time to return and get something else. Last year's gift had to go in my checked luggage. Won't make that mistake again Who wants to check luggage for a one night stay?

[staytuned]

DH still doesn't feel well, but was well enough to go into work this morning, pick me up and went to funeral home and service. He's actually been wearing a mask in the apartment, in the van and only had to remind him a couple times to put it over his nose, which he quickly did without scowling. It was a military funeral inside a mausoleum. I kept telling DH to turn off his phone or leave it in the van and, of course, a text set it off LOUD during the service.

Happy you were finally able to see your daughter in person again, Frakin

[staytuned]

Love the new background, Val. Nice colors!

[Shirley U Geste]

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Thanks Val.

[chapeaunoir]

The church of St Mary the Less - lil' 13th century church sandwiched between two Georgian buildings.  It used to be a meeting house of various sorts but is now privately owned.  I've walked by here numerous times down through the years and never noticed it!  It's really tiny.

Nice thatching job on this pub out in the moors - the weather vane is wonky because the winds sweep across the flat landscape and everything leans. Thatching isn't that uncommon, and is actually a good building material. This was one of the coldest hikes I've ever been on, and that includes hiking in the snow - there was something about that penetrating wind blowing drizzle that went right through to the marrow

Look at this birdhouse (along one of my running routes)!

Oldest bridge in England still existing (built in about 1340 - meanwhile our local floating bridge fell down in like 30 years):

I have no idea who lives here, but this is such a cool house.

One of Norwich's more important citizens.

You can get to most of the major districts in town simply by taking footpaths that wind through the city. Some are very steep and winding, others like tidy narrow alleys.

[denise15601]

Amazing pictures Chap!

Beautiful day today at 55 degrees and sunny. I have about 30 feet of irises to cut down, and got a little of it done today until my back was protesting.
Hope to do more tomorrow since it will also be nice then.

[Shirley U Geste]

The holiday season has gotten off to a bang in my neighborhood.  

There has been a SWAT standoff going on for almost 2 hours now. From the sound of it it's near the main intersection that's 1/4 mile from my house. Several houses, a bodega & a small strip mall are in that area.

Lots of sirens so all the dogs in the neighborhood are barking & howling. They have been using a bullhorn & trying to get the guy to come out but apparently he's not budging.

Between the dogs barking & the police drones that are hovering it's hard to hear what they are saying but this whole thing is nuts. 

ETA: there was a large boom a few minutes ago, sounded like a tear gas rifle being fired. Then LOTS of yelling & screaming but no gunfire.

It's totally quiet now but the drones are still hovering overhead. I hope nobody got hurt. 

[labbypaws]

Ugh I hope it ends ok and soon.stay safe. You never know how far rounds are going to go. There may be instructions on your local police or sheriff page.

[labbypaws]

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Enjoy your day! We will have a special meal Friday as I work 3-11 today.

[Shirley U Geste]

It was finally over after 3 hours & the police drones left.

Nothing on the news but we're out in the sticks so don't usually make the news.

I will probably find out what happened on the neighborhood grapevine, but it sure made for a weird evening.

[val2525]

I hope everyone has a wonderful day today!

[val2525]

My mover called yesterday wanting to move me to a later time on the 1st. He'd accidentally double booked for the morning. I told him no problem. I actually prefer an afternoon move TBH. His morning move is a larger move, probably 4 hrs, and I'm a little move around 2 hours (max). So no problem. I'll probably move lightweight stuff myself while I'm waiting on him anyway. I was going to pack clothes in trash bags so I could toss the bags over the balcony, load up the trunk, and haul them in to my new FIRST floor apartment Sooooooo happy to be moving back to the ground floor.

Amazon's search totally sucks BTW.

[denise15601]

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

I do like the fact that I no longer have to cook a big meal and can just go to my daughter's house. She will make a ton of food for 4-6 people.

I am taking pretzel salad and deviled eggs. And she will be cooking about 15 different dishes.

Our weather is great- predicted to be 58 and sunny.