Weekend randoms

[blondemoment123]

Currently watching a very cute little basketball team do stretches. It's only the second practice but DS is all in!

I'm taking him to Dunkin after before his dad gets him this afternoon.

[abs]

The world is on fire but it was a good week.

*On Tuesday DD’s friend group surprised her with a birthday party at lunch. One girl baked brownies and the others brought some of her favorite snacks. That’s so sweet and I’m so thankful she has found such supportive people.

*On Wednesday an acquaintance reached out to invite me to coffee. I had offered my support when she spoke out against Trump and she invited a group of us to get together after Thanksgiving. It’s going to be good to expand my circle.

*Yesterday DD brought home the nicest note from a teacher. She wrote notes of gratitude to all 140 of her students. These little things really matter and we’ve really gotten so lucky with some fantastic junior high teachers.

2024 has been a true dumpster fire most of the time but really trying to savor the good moments and give myself an attitude adjustment.

[candreco]

DD and I are heading to the King Arthur Flour pop up store in our area today. Definitely going to buy some completely unnecessary stuff.

[mrsukyankee]

We went out for a date night at a local cocktail bar - I had two cocktails called Greed and Wrath...yes, their main list have the 7 sins (and a list with other more 'typical' cocktails). My H had Greed and Envy. LOL. We then went to a new Japanese restaurant which will now become our regular Japanese restaurant. The sushi and starters were so good AND they have a sake bar (we tried one).

I also introduced my H to Aldi last night. It's in the same area as the bar/restaurant so walkable. His inner cheapskate was super happy and he went shopping there today. LOL.

Today is all about being lazy for me (other than walking the dog) while my H makes bread goods and dinner. Yay!

[beerlover]

I took the afternoon off yesterday and H took a full day. After I got done at 12, we prepped our Friendsgiving turkey for today and then went out to lunch at our favorite pub. As we usually do, we ran into friends and stayed there longer than we should have. After we picked DS up we just came home and I spent some time in the kitchen: making my pumpkin pie, cranberry sauce, and some little snacks. I live for this holiday stuff; I love blasting music and just cooking for hours. We were all in bed by 930 then lol. I don't know why I can stay up til 11pm on all other weeknights but Friday I'm ready for bed by 9.

Today is basically just Friendsgiving prep; people are coming over around 4 and we're hoping to be eating around 5. I basically just need to make my apple cider sangria, some homemade whipped cream, and then the gravy when the time comes, and otherwise just tidy up the house and set the table. I think I should still be able to get a workout in and hopefully a walk too.

Tomorrow will be recovery.

[beerlover]

mrsukyankee, my town is getting an Aldi that opens December 5 and I am SO EXCITED lol. We have decent grocery stores, but Aldi is so great for cheap meat, cheese, and snack type stuff for parties which will be great for the holidays.

[maudefindlay]

Love that everyone is having a happy and positive start to the weekend!
candreco please share what you get at the pop up.

beerlover Will you please share the apple cider sangria recipe?

[beerlover]

maudefindlay, here you go! www.howsweeteats.com/2012/10/apple-cider-sangria/

She has a red version also but I've always just done this one. I add some cranberries in it too.

[maudefindlay]

Thanks beerlover. That sounds delicious, I will be trying that this week!

[jinkies]

Is this a safe space to admit that I bought an Aldi Christmas sweater and a matching winter hat this week?

I wore it on Thursday and my kids said I'm not allowed to go to Aldi alone anymore.


ETA: I got this one but would like to note that they are $12.99 in the store and this reseller is crazy: poshmark.com/listing/Aldi-Gear-Christmas-Sweater-With-Beanie-Large-2024-Holiday-Limited-Edition-NEW-673e549aeba4c432bf21018d

[deadwing]

Ugh, I think I killed my Kindle last night. I went to drop it in a pocket on my shower curtain while I got into the bath... But the bottom of the pocket gave way and my poor Kindle got fully submerged for a couple of minutes. I'm giving it a few days to dry out, but I'm not holding much hope. It's only a few months old. My last one died in the spring. I guess I'll switch back to my Nook for a while. I prefer the Nook device (so much more intuitive controls), but getting free books from the library makes the Kindle a better deal in theory. Doesn't really balance if i have to keep replacing them. I've had 4 Nooks in about 16 years and 3 Kindles in 4 years.

I got the last of the groceries I need for what I'm making for Thanksgiving this morning. I'm going to do a spiced feta dip, fluffy dinner rolls and stuffing. I'll marinate the feta today and let the flavors marry for a few days. Bread for stuffing has been dehydrated. I'm in good shape for a few days.

Still no word from my parents. I don't think they have any concept that I'm waiting for an apology. I really wasn't looking to end contact with them, but I dont know how to move forward. There's no one I trust to be an impartial mediator - everyone I can think of would favor my mom.

[jinkies]

I'm sorry deadwing. I missed the back story, but as someone who also struggles with parent relationships, I sympathize. I hope you are able to get some resolution before the holidays.

[deadwing]

Nov 23, 2024 11:02:23 GMT -5 jinkies said:

I'm sorry deadwing. I missed the back story, but as someone who also struggles with parent relationships, I sympathize. I hope you are able to get some resolution before the holidays.

Thanks. Honestly, I prefer spending the holidays without them. I'm visiting a friend for Thanksgiving and it's the first time I've looked forward to a holiday in years. The short version of what happened is my mom accused me of lying about why I wasn't coming for Thanksgiving, so I hung up the phone on her. I am sure it won't occur to either of them that they could be in the wrong. I'm an only and don't have a good track record of standing my ground. I love my parents, but I dont always like them.

[RoxMonster]

We went to a Thanksgiving farmers' market this morning and my favorite coffee truck was there! Later today we're having a landscaping company come take care of our leaves and cut back all our plants. I absolutely HATE dealing with leaves and we can finally afford to hire out for this and I am so excited! Perfect timing as I want to put up outside lights tomorrow.

I didn't feel like making a separate thread for this, but does anyone have a favorite baked potato soup recipe? I like mine thick and chunky. I feel like I've not yet found a recipe I absolutely love.

[macmars45]

The night before last I slept very little. Last night with the aid of my dr prescribed med I slept 9 hours and feel much better. I would've slept longer but DS came at got me up at 7am (when he's allowed to get up).

Today I'm hosting a birthday/T-Day lunch. Getting together for actual T-Day won't work so we're doing a mash up today. I get presents, cake and T-Day food. Then on actual T-Day I get homemade pizza. It's win win win for me.

ETA: jinkies I love your sweater and hat! I have no Aldis near me, but I plan to head to my local thrift store to see their holiday offerings soon.

[rosiebear]

I’m doing my longest set yet at a show tonight and I’m somewhat embarrassingly called the headliner. I’m only doing 20-25 minutes, so not a headliner length set, but I’m nervous and excited for it.

It is opening day for gun hunting here and the show is for deer hunters’ wives so it should get rowdy, lol.

[7costanza]

I had labs yesterday for a diabetes management program offered through my insurance and my A1C has gone up since March, though still just pre diabetic range. I’m so bummed but not surprised as my eating has not been great. I had gallbladder issues for like 4 months and couldn’t eat any fat so my diet was very carb heavy, then I’ve had a hard time getting back on track since it was removed in July.

We’re dropping the kids off with my mom for the second time ever and going Christmas shopping. Hopefully we can make good progress because I’m pretty stumped this year and not in the holiday spirit.

[sadie]

Dawn Powerwash is magic. I just finished cleaning my fridge, and it's so sparkly. Avoiding homework for now.

My kid was diagnosed with pneumonia on Thursday and started antibiotics. He was also tested for whooping cough because "it's going around." No results yet, but the antibiotic he got should treat both. I thought he'd be OK to be out and about today, but he coughed so hard he threw up. Ugh.

Anyway. I'm off the whole week next week; I'm looking forward to a chill week.

[marie]

I have been following P Diddy’s shenanigans trying to get out on bail… seems like his lawyers file something every single day. The latest is below, they are very creative! 😆

Diddy’s Proposal for House Arrest To Take Place On His Private Island in Florida Where there will be no boat access, so there is no flight risk.

[maudefindlay]

jinkies you are adorable, rock on in that sweater and hat!

[deadwing]

My garbage disposal just fell off it's mount while it was running, so now my kitchen sink is semi-useless until I fix it. I need the area under the sink to dry before I want to work in there.

And I scorched some spices for my marinated feta and the air in my house is now a rid. Its cool and rainy and I'm sitting here with the windows open.

[maudefindlay]

deadwing you might have gremlins! Best to hunker down with wine and a good book the rest of the day.

[bsp36]

I am in a mood. My h has been on my list the last two weekends, holiday stress. So I am baking to feed my feelings.

[devonpow]

I just went and saw Wicked with some friends and it was so good!

[jackie011]

I couldn’t sleep, so I’ve been up for hours going through random crap and deep cleaning our gas range. I need to run a few errands but I’m planning to wait until our local college FB game starts so the stores may not be as busy.

DS is off school all week and H acted like that was brand new information just now. H works from home and DS (10) is easily occupied with his iPad and playing Minecraft with friends (who are also off school). Plus, FIL will most likely take DS out and about if you ask him.

We’re hosting on Thursday and then getting in the car on Friday and driving 4 hours to see my extended family for the weekend. I’m so excited to see my mom, my sister, my nieces and everyone else! Hopefully the weather cooperates 🤞🏼

[maudefindlay]

jackie011 let us know if your neighbor pops by. Fingers crossed he let's it go.

[ProfessorArtNerd]

Nov 23, 2024 11:16:02 GMT -5 RoxMonster said:

We went to a Thanksgiving farmers' market this morning and my favorite coffee truck was there! Later today we're having a landscaping company come take care of our leaves and cut back all our plants. I absolutely HATE dealing with leaves and we can finally afford to hire out for this and I am so excited! Perfect timing as I want to put up outside lights tomorrow.

I didn't feel like making a separate thread for this, but does anyone have a favorite baked potato soup recipe? I like mine thick and chunky. I feel like I've not yet found a recipe I absolutely love.

I love this one, we had it last night. www.gimmesomeoven.com/potato-soup-recipe/

I always choose recipes based on the cleverness of the blog’s name 🤣

[jackie011]

Nov 23, 2024 14:24:46 GMT -5 maudefindlay said:

jackie011 let us know if your neighbor pops by. Fingers crossed he let's it go.

Ugh, I haven’t seen them yet. I did peek out the offending window this morning and the entire side of their house is warped. I feel like the damage would be more concentrated to one area if the reflection from the window was truly causing this. Also, I can’t remember exactly when the siding was installed (sometime in October) but it’s been very rainy here lately, not at all our hot & sunny season.



ETA: I went back through texts and I sent my H a text saying “looks like the new siding is blue” on October 24. This siding hasn’t even been up a month!

[macmars45]

Nov 23, 2024 14:38:42 GMT -5 jackie011 said:

Nov 23, 2024 14:24:46 GMT -5 maudefindlay said:

jackie011 let us know if your neighbor pops by. Fingers crossed he let's it go.

Ugh, I haven’t seen them yet. I did peek out the offending window this morning and the entire side of their house is warped. I feel like the damage would be more concentrated to one area if the reflection from the window was truly causing this. Also, I can’t remember exactly when the siding was installed (sometime in October) but it’s been very rainy here lately, not at all our hot & sunny season.



ETA: I went back through texts and I sent my H a text saying “looks like the new siding is blue” on October 24. This siding hasn’t even been up a month!

Shoddy siding and/or contractors for sure.

[rubytue]

I feel like tacokick, or someone, and I have discussed and lamented how hard rye flour has been to find since 2020. I finally gave up and found a great deal on 25 pounds of rye. I figure I’ll store it in the freezer and it’ll last me awhile. I won’t use it all for sure, but the price was like two 5 pound bags locally (oh, sorry, I can’t find 5 pound bags, only 2 lbs).

It should up yesterday! I was so excited. As I’m carrying it, I think to myself “this feels like it’s moving around more like rice than flour.” I set the bag down and read the label, “rye berries.” I look at my order, and yep, I ordered 25 pounds of rye berries, not rye flour.

Oh the plus note, maybe if we get furloughed in December I’ll work on a SM account that is middle age, atheliest, over achiever forced into trad wife making her way through 25 pounds of rye berries. 🤣🤣🤣