Weekly Chat Thread February 25 - March 2

[kritter]

[val2525]

I'm watching the second episode of the current season of NCIS. The episode tackles Ducky's death (actor died IRL last year). Sad but EXCELLENT episode. Some flashbacks with old former faves, and a surprise visit from a former cast member. That's all I'm sayin'

[Tabby]

For any of you who use Auction Sniper...

For a recent winning snipe, I immediately got a bill at 1.95% of my bid!

When I first started using AS, it was 1%, then they raised it to 1.5%, and now I guess they're trying to keep this last increase under the radar by not charging a full 2%!

I foresee a lot more manual snipes in my future! 

[jesmelric]

Hope everyone is doing well. We tied a record high (set in 1954) of 86 degrees yesterday! It's cooled off a bit today and I'm glad for that. Ugh, definitely not ready for summer yet.

I used to snipe on ebay a ton when my youngest was little, when everything was auctions and there were no fixed price listings. I guess I haven't sniped in a long time. Well I also guess since the kids are grown and gone I don't buy as much in general any more, either.

Poor Janey had an upset tummy yesterday, she had me worried. I don't know why I get so paranoid. Sometimes she chews grass/weeds in the backyard, I guess she got ahold of something that upset her stomach? I laid in bed with her for an hour and a half or so she would settle down and rest, she seemed a bit better after that, and was right as rain this morning, thank goodness.

For Christmas I told DH I wanted a new tub in our master bath. He put that tub in about 24 years ago. When we redid the shower last year, I realized we better do the tub too as we are only getting older. So we are paying a friend's brother to come over Saturday morning to help DH pull the tub and put it in the backyard till heavy trash. Then it might be 2 to 3 weeks in between for DH to do any tile, plumbing, etc. till we can get the new one in. I will hate being without my "soaks" but it will be worth it in the end. It's a whirlpool tub. I've heard they are out of fashion now but we're old and we don't care lol.

That's the main reason I use physical books and not my Kindle. What's a soak without a good book?

[staytuned]

We hit an unheard of 73 yesterday and even the wind was actually warm. Started off this morning around 64 and temps are already down to 34 with wind gusts up to 50 mph and going down to 25 tonight with possible flurries. Might have trace of snow tomorrow morning. Then rebounding back in 40s-50s and up again. I don't put away winter clothing until around mid-May.

Day was less than optimal but minor irritations. Had trouble trying to get hold of dealer to schedule service so drove there, made sure part is ordered and getting what needs done so my Cube is safe to drive again. Went to VoA and almost got ripped off $10 until I pointed out wrong change given ($21 on $10.50 total isn't 50¢ back). Reminded myself why I don't shop the large Giant Eagle in same plaza because once again, either couldn't find items (and nobody to ask) or empty areas where items should be. Got about half my list and thankful for that. Last stop bank to find ATM not working, line of people with one teller so walked out and will try again tomorrow. Glad to be back home with power and heat on. Also happy to have my Wed. and Thur. off again to run errands when there are less people out and about.

update- it's currently 24 degrees.  New guy unsure if the job is his "cup of tea".  When he was interviewed, the captain was dealing with employees and truck drivers so it's not like he didn't have a clue what it involved. Will see how long he sticks it out. *sigh*

[val2525]

I'm not impressed with Google Fiber. I'm tempted to cancel it and go back to Spectrum. TV streaming on GF sucks. Buffering issues. I'll hit the back button to go to a streaming app home page and I get completely kicked out of the app. TV constantly freezes up or goes to a blank screen. Arrggghh!

[Emerald_Door]

We get very frequent ads for Google Fiber. It's interesting to get a real customer review. Sorry it's such a disappointment.

[labbypaws]

I used to use snipe. Of course there was a pr of shoes I wanted to bid on and set my alarm. I was at work and missed the end - I set the alarm wrong. Anyway it is reposted. I wish eBay would put local times in auctions so you don’t have to convert everything.

I apologize if I mistype right now. Got an appointment at CVS mini clinic at 9;30. My vision is screwed up from this cough. It’s like trying to read with a migraine. I think I have labrynthitis. Been dizzy and out of sorts.

[denise15601]

(((Labby)))

[jesmelric]

Feb 29, 2024 13:18:43 GMT labbypaws said:

I used to use snipe. Of course there was a pr of shoes I wanted to bid on and set my alarm. I was at work and missed the end - I set the alarm wrong. Anyway it is reposted. I wish eBay would put local times in auctions so you don’t have to convert everything.

I apologize if I mistype right now. Got an appointment at CVS mini clinic at 9;30. My vision is screwed up from this cough. It’s like trying to read with a migraine. I think I have labrynthitis. Been dizzy and out of sorts.

I remember when youngest DD (now 29) was like 7 or 8 and she was all into the Lion King. And there was a pair of jeans that had a scene from Lion King embroidered on them. And she really wanted them for her birthday. I believe I was still on Webtv And I sniped them at the last minute, and the second high bidder emailed me (of course this was when you could get other member's info) and said "Nice bit of last minute ebaying there. You know you didn't legitimately win the jeans". I remember replying something like "If you really wanted them you would have bid more and I wouldn't have gotten them".  I guess it's good we can't just contact other members now lol. 

Labby I sure hope you are feeling better that sounds awful

It's gray and windy here and about 50 degrees. I hope it's not winter's last gasp. I'm making chicken and rice soup today, I told DH that soup season will be ending soon, so I better go ahead and make it now.

Wow, Val that sucks about Google Fiber. I would have really thought it would be better and faster!

[kritter]

I hope it's not winter's last gasp.

It is 49 here and I am praying that this is winter's last gasp.

My mountain laurel trees are blooming and it smells like grape bubblegum in my back yard.

Not my tree but a mountain laurel.  I have 6 mountain laurel trees in my backyard and 3 of them in my front yard.

[Tabby]

Feb 29, 2024 16:08:10 GMT jesmelric said:

I used to love ❤️ when other bidders would message me claiming that I'd cheated by sniping in the last 6 seconds of the auction! 

Seriously, you still have to be the high bidder; the advantage is that other bidders don't have time to react to your bid. 

[val2525]

I loved it when you could see who else was bidding on an item. There were quite a few vintage scarf lots I bought simply because of who was bidding. Several bidders knew what to look for, and if they were bidding on a lot, I knew it had some good items even if I didn't know what the items were. That's how I found some of my best/highest sales price vintage scarves - by watching who else was bidding.

I got my car back yesterday. Yay! They also buffed the headlights for me (lights were getting cloudy) and they noticed one of my tires went flat, so they patched it for me (it was a nail). Considering they were repairing a broken window and the ignition/steering column, I'd say they went above and beyond what they had to do. This is the second time I've used them, and they were great the first time too. They're national, so if you ever need body work, it's Caliber Collision.

Overcast and 49 here today. Tomorrow we're back up to the normal 60s, and then back to unseasonably warm temps of high 70s/low 80s for the next 10 days.

[labbypaws]

Val, glad you got your car back and everything is working better than before.

Hubby takes his truck in tomorrow for the damage done by skid loader at the gun club. They are paying cash for the repairs and his vehicle rental, letting the fleet company know they are paying directly. We have to pick up the rental in the morning. They were going to give him a truck but it did not have a cover on it so it wasn't suitable. So he is getting some type of SUV.

I went to CVS. have a double ear infection and was given a pill for my cough and amoxicillin. It was hard to describe what it feels like. I am having blurred vision like a migraine aura and don't feel like I am in the current space. Maybe dizzy or vertigo and numbness. They checked me for a stroke but it has something to do with this cough. A guy at work was telling me he feels the same way.

[val2525]

((((labby))))) Hopefully you can stay home a few days and recover!

[chapeaunoir]

((((Labby)))) Hope you feel better soon - stay inside and quiet and get over that ear infection - I've had one before and I walked like a drunk! 

In the 30s and raining here - we did have a little break this afternoon, but it's back. Of course, it's going to be snow and rain for the Hot Chocolate run on Sunday. I may bag it as I have to catch the 6:45 a.m. bus to get to the race start in time, and then wait in the freezing snow/rain for the go-off, then hoof it back to wait for the bus to go home again, wet and cold. It may be tough even getting to the bus stop. It would be one thing if I was doing it with my friend, but he bailed as he's going on a bike tour and I'm bummed to be doing it on my own. We'll see, if the weather is even a little better than that I'll probably do it, but I also may just collect my schwag at the expo the day before and run it on my own some other time. 

[val2525]

I vote for collecting your swag and running another day. Life is too short to do things that don't bring one happiness, and this particular run sounds like it would be miserable rather than pleasureable.

I looked at bikes online last night. Holy cow, there are tons of styles. Whatever happened to just a plain old bike, or at least a simple 10 speed What surprised me more is that a lot of the adult bikes have a very LOW total weight limit. I think I'll wait until next month I have an exercise bike in my little workout area. And walking is good LOL.

[staytuned]

If you do get a bike, just make sure you have a safe place to ride it. I've had near misses way back when I was a kid riding my bike due to people not paying attention. A lot worse now with cellphones to make people pay even less attention to the road. About the only safe place in these parts are designated bike/running paths in the Metroparks.

Looks like I'll be wearing a mask again. Caught something I'm convinced was from the inconsiderate a-hole who decided to have a hefty sneeze practically next to me at the grocery store Wednesday and I was unable to get away before catching a cootie or few. Missed work Friday and finally feeling better today. Plenty of sleep does wonders along with Mucinex.

[jesmelric]

Mar 2, 2024 18:02:07 GMT val2525 said:

I vote for collecting your swag and running another day. Life is too short to do things that don't bring one happiness, and this particular run sounds like it would be miserable rather than pleasureable.

I looked at bikes online last night. Holy cow, there are tons of styles. Whatever happened to just a plain old bike, or at least a simple 10 speed What surprised me more is that a lot of the adult bikes have a very LOW total weight limit. I think I'll wait until next month I have an exercise bike in my little workout area. And walking is good LOL.

I have an Electra Townie bike. It costs a bit more, but for someone who rides a bike everywhere it's worth it. It has something called crank forward. So when you are pedaling your legs go slightly forward instead of directly underneath you and it makes ALL THE DIFFERENCE if you have issue with your knees. Which I definitely do.

We paid a friend's brother to help DH pull the bathtub today. ARGH It was not good underneath. The wood and tile are in better shape than we expected, but ugh the general nastiness. There was a RAT SKELETON under there! OMG! I told DH I was soaking in the tub when there was a rat carcass under there, then a rotting rat carcass, then a skeleton. Blissfully unaware when I was soaking. I guess that's better than knowing lol. He cleaned it up and will make some repairs and he said 2 to 4 weeks to have it ready to install the new one. I hate doing without my soaks but it will be worth it. We need to get this stuff done before we are just too old to do it.

Mild and cloudy here although the sun might come out later and take it into the upper 70s. Another reason to get that tub done, it gets way too hot here to do it during the summer.

[val2525]

Mar 2, 2024 18:51:20 GMT staytuned said:

If you do get a bike, just make sure you have a safe place to ride it. I've had near misses way back when I was a kid riding my bike due to people not paying attention. A lot worse now with cellphones to make people pay even less attention to the road. About the only safe place in these parts are designated bike/running paths in the Metroparks.

My apartment complex is on the corner opposite a city park that is has a bike trail running thru it. I can use the bike trail network here to shop at either of my two fave HEBs, my usual Walmart Superstore, etc. I could visit Kritter but I'd have to be off trail in some neighborhoods for part of the ride if I wanted a slightly shorter ride, since she's north of the closest bike trailhead. We have a surprisingly extensive bike trail system. Most of it is fairly level. I've been told there are a few hills but overall, reasonably flat. I think we have some bike lanes on the roads, but I've never been overly fond of using them since they tend to be on busy roads. I take the slower speed limit neighborhood routes. During jr high, high school, and probably half of my adult life, my main transportation was walking, bus and biking. I miss it.

If I end up moving to Kritter's part of town, I'd ditch the car once the trade in was greater than payoff, and get a scooter You can get to most anything in that part of town without getting on a freeway or busy boulevard, and most scooters are rated for 30-35 mph roads with no permit needed.

Bath & Body Works has their lotions on sale today for $4.95 each. /PSA

[labbypaws]

The best exercise is walking everyday. The only thing is you need good shoes. I have thought about a bike but I live in a hilly area. Can’t safely get to the trails unless I drive.

I have acquired all kinds of walking clothes in all sizes. A great source of clothing is Kohl’s clearance racks.

Once you decide you like walking, you can get a nice treadmill (otherwise known as a clothing rack) on Facebook Marketplace. Just be sure to check how many hours are on the machine. Sole makes a great intermediate treadmill. The only thing is you need several super strong people and a truck to move it. We usually get it i The house and then use furniture sliders to put it in place.

I like walking fist thing in the morning before excuses come into play. Problem is the winter when it doesn’t warm up until later.

[val2525]

No treadmill for me, thanks. They take up to much room. Plus, there's a perfectly good treadmill in the workout room at my apartment complex. But if I walk, I want to walk outside. I used to walk all the time, especially when I had my Eskie. Our evening walk was easily 45-60 minutes each night. I miss having a dog to walk

[kritter]

If I end up moving to Kritter's part of town, I'd ditch the car once the trade in was greater than payoff, and get a scooter You can get to most anything in that part of town without getting on a freeway or busy boulevard, and most scooters are rated for 30-35 mph roads with no permit needed.

Both sides of the duplex across the street from me are empty.  They did more work on the outside and the fence.  It looks like the guy on the two story side moved out.  I think the owner must have got wind from the workers that the guy had 3 giant dogs living there because all of a sudden the dogs left and then he started hauling stuff out.

I can't think of anywhere else here that is a more convenient place to live than my area.  The only time I go out of the bubble is to go to the Humane Society and I only go there maybe 3 or 4 times a year.  Doctor is here, dentist is here, HEB is here.  Two bus lines stop at my corner but I never go anywhere by bus.

[val2525]

I wonder if the owner plans to sell? I bet they hike the rent up, since they're doing renos to the properties. It also looks like Sunset Ridge's prices have leveled out. Guess they were having problems getting tenants with their first round of high prices, given their competition.

[kritter]

I wonder if the owner plans to sell?

That was my thought too.  No signs for rent or for sale have gone up there yet.  They even power washed the sidewalks.  Waiting to see if they do a roof because they have not replaced the roof after the two previous hail storms several years ago.

[val2525]

Hmnnn. I wonder if the owner was elderly, died, and now the kids are wanting to sell and take the $$?

Update on Google Fiber. Seems the buffering on TV streaming is limited to Peacock/NBC, so I'm thinking the problem might be with Peacock and not GF. The other streaming services seem to be OK.

[kritter]

Hmnnn. I wonder if the owner was elderly, died, and now the kids are wanting to sell and take the $$?

Of course you know that I have checked it out.  An LLC company identified to a local guy who bought it in 2016.  He also has a couple of other houses under his own name one of which looks like his residence.   A Chinese name and nothing on social media.  Everything including the LLC under his name only.

[val2525]

Woo hoo! Patience pays off! I've been wanting a colored metal folding chair for balance workouts but they were insanely expensive. Just the plain old basic folding office type chair, but in a bright color. Out of curiosity tonight I googled and thje prices have come down. I found an orange one at Kohls and I had a good bit of Kohls cash to use. Whee!

[frakinfashion]

I'm renovating my bathroom to make it a shower only for when I'm too decrepit to get in and out of the bathtub. Oh, the expen$e, the dust, the never-ending choices for everything. All that and it's tax time too. Yikes, it's giving me anxiety dreams too. No fun. No zen.

[chapeaunoir]

Val - I would recommend getting a nice, simple town style bike and start doing your errands (helmet, of course, also) - I went with used save when I was racing for a bike builder, then I got two custom bikes, one for on road and one for off road. Normally, though, I'm all about used equipment. Also a good pair of shoes for walking. And don't forget to do some body-weight exercises (after your walk, some pushups, crunches and squats, for instance. For women over 50 this is crucial. The more we get out of our cars, the better it is, and it sounds like you've got great facilities where you are! You don't have to spend lots of money or get anything fancy - it just needs to be comfortable.

I live in a kind of rough area for cycling (hilly with a lot of rain and wind) but it's very popular here. This is my all around bike for hauling, trips to the store, etc. I have a dog trailer on the back but it also has a zip-on cover - it makes a big difference for heavier loads as the bike doesn't get all wonky. Got it at a swap meet. The bike is a 3-speed and cost like $250, I think - it has a bazillion miles on it.

My grandma lived to be 103, was bright the entire time, and said her recipe for a long and good life was daily walks - she walked everywhere, didn't drive - and 'stay interested.'

Anyway, I took the bus downtown to pick up my schwag bag for the race. The roads have been completely configured since I've been down there. I got off the bus and walked right by the old hotel I'd lived in in 1979-1980 - its been painted but still the same faux-southwest building built in the 30s. On my way to the Expo it rained, then hailed, then sleeted, then a sunburst - the entire time a biting wind - very squally weather. I was thinking "Crap, it's supposed to be worse tomorrow." I got my schwag and bib and hopped on the bus back but yeah, I think I'll run it virtually on a day where it isn't 32 and snowing. I'd do it if my friend was willing and we could laugh and complain, but not by myself.