[Window for applying to Medicare?]

don't forget to get something to cover prescriptions   they aren't covered under a or b

[I am looking at kitchen makeovers and (funny)]

On 5/11/2024 at 12:48 PM, popmom said:

just fyi to file away... We have found that custom cabinets are often no more expensive and often less expensive than cabinets from the big box stores. I would advise anyone who does want to replace cabinets to give your local cabinet makers an opportunity to bid the project. They often have excellent design experience as well. When we built a house years ago, our cabinet builder helped us reconfigure the blueprint for our kitchen. We didn't like the layout from the plans we got from the architect. He added lots of nice features and thought of things we wouldn't have. All for less than the highest quality cabinets (which are only semi-custom) available at the time from Home Depot, etc. 

But I 100% would keep original cabinets if you can! I love that. 

This.  Ours ended up cheaper and most of the cabinets were wider than the big box guys, and made to fill the wall, so there wasn't wasted space on the ends of the cabinets.  And, as a short person, my main counter tops are a bit lower so they are comfortable for me.  Love the pull out cutting boards, and I have a pull down cookbook holder

And dh would strangle me if I suggested painting the oak cabinets.  We have matching floor to ceiling cabinets in the entry, and dh thought I would want a matching vanity in the new bathroom, but I politely declined and went deep gray in there.  😶

 

[Is there a song with your name in it?]

20 hours ago, SKL said:

No popular songs that I know of with my name in it.  But there are tons of songs using my sister's name.  😛  And yes, my parents used to sing some of them to her / borrow nicknames from them.

There was one for my sister's name we sang, too. lol

[Places for wedding registry?]

Dd used Target and Amazon, tho I believe Walmart has one, too.  She was able to buy Amazon items she wasn't gifted with a discount for having registered there.  It is handy so you don't have to carry the gift to the wedding; they will ship to the bride and groom.  Son used Menards and Target, if I remember right.

 

[Is there a song with your name in it?]

I was named after a Perry Como song.

[Wedding pics (briefly)]

Dang, I was gone too long!  Congratulations!  Hope you all had a wonderful time!

[Question/Advice needed about family photos at wedding]

Dd's photographer ran the photos last weekend.  He started with my sisters and I and all of our families, then down into our family, our dd with my dh and I separately, and even had my dil and the kids step out of a photo, so it was just us and our three kids.  See if he can be the one cutting down the size of the group.  He probably has a list of photos you can request.

[Tipping wedding vendors?]

We just paid 20%, but they (the venue) catered the food, ran the buffet line, set up the tables and chairs, and supplied the bartender, too.  Figured it was for paying the help.  She also helped us gather up our table decorations since no one was at the bar.  This venue was 1/2 the cost of other venues.  Worth the cost.  It was a great experience.

[Update in first post - Reorganisation at work, job opportunities, eta retirement - your thoughts please]

My dh is a year younger than me, and now both of us are almost retirement age.  My younger sisters that were much more driven to work than me retired a year and a half ago.  One's dh has had health issues and she's trying to travel all she can with him.  The other has always been a traveler.  Dh made a comment one day that he probably has only X years of life left, comparing with his dad and brothers.  I will drop work in a heartbeat when he's ready, so we can accomplish the travel or other that he has always wanted to do.

Until 6 months ago, I was ready to keep building our business.  Changes in corporate staff have left me thinking yes, I am ready to retire.  But it will take time to iron out all the details of selling our business.  Think dh is saying Jan of 2026 now.  I have mentally changed my outlook.  I get my work done, but if I wasn't able to pick my hours or if I do them at the office or at home, I wouldn't be able to finish out.  Since dh and I have worked side by side (with his partner) since the business started, and I do care about the family we've built there, I will stay there as long as he does.

Just food for thought.  You never know when health will change for either of you.  

[April 2024: What are you reading?]

I'm reading the newest C J Box book Three Inch Teeth, and If The Creek Don't Rise by Leah Weiss.  A friend just returned Kristin Hannah's The Great Alone, and just loved it!  It's a keeper.

[Movie lines you and your family quote often and is it a common one?]

I used to wake the boys with 'X o'clock and all is well!' from the old Robin Hood animated movie.

I would also sing 'They call me meanie mama... That's right..'  They'd ask if it was a real song and I'd say yes.  They didn't know it was 'They call me Mello Yello.. That's right'.  Yes, definitely dating myself with that old commercial.

 

[Giving books at a baby shower - ideas please]

Good night Gorilla is my first choice.  I second the big Richard Scarry Cars and Trucks and Things that Go.  

Harold and the Purple Crayon.   

 

[Easter menus and recipes]

On 3/31/2024 at 4:33 AM, Eos said:

I was inspired by the peach cake but still wanted lemon so I made this https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017151-lemon-almond-butter-cake?unlocked_article_code=1.g00.gnum.dwK108642j5h&smid=share-url 

Happy Easter!

 

i wanted lemon, too, but the filling didn't thicken in my lemon meringue pie, so that flopped.  I  will go with the frozen lemonade pie next time.  i was in a rush needing to get the pie baked so i could get the ham in the oven.

[Wedding in less than 3 weeks-- my head is about to explode!]

Beautiful!  Hope you've enjoyed the planning, even tho it got stressful.  Now enjoy the wedding!

My dd gets married next Friday.  Thank goodness everything is local, and she decided on April.  She could have had a hard time getting things set up if she'd tried to plan a summer wedding in four months.  😉 I have enjoyed our time together.  She just had her dress fitting yesterday, and I got two dress choices in the mail the day before.  Thank goodness both fit.  Yeah--last minute folks, but it all works out. lol

 

[PSA for the day re: matured savings bonds]

12 hours ago, Amethyst said:

Interesting. Do you have an account at any of those banks? I would think a bank would only provide the service for an account holder. 

Yes, I checked three where I bank.

[Does anyone else question the wisdom of the people who make women’s underwear?]

I was wearing the right size cup, but the band felt tight.  An onine company on bra sizes said to buy one side up in the band and one size down in the cup.  Bought again from the first company but followed the online sizing.  Much better for this busty gal!

[PSA for the day re: matured savings bonds]

On 3/30/2024 at 5:49 AM, Amethyst said:

You take them to the bank and tell the cashier that you want to redeem them. Very simple process. Plus, if you use them for education, I believe there is some kind of tax break. 

A handful of banks I checked with wouldn't cash paper bonds.  They have to be mailed in.

 

[Easter menus and recipes]

Ham, mashed potatoes, pineapple fried rice, roasted asparagus and carrots, deviled eggs, homemade rolls, strawberry cheesecake salad.  Also tried a new recipe for gf brownies with a peanut butter topping.  And I may make a lemon meringue pie, too.

[Do you like seven layer salad?]

On 2/11/2024 at 8:57 AM, KungFuPanda said:

2 CUPS of mayonnaise????? For one head of lettuce? 

I fill a 9x13 with about half lettuce, and now use a head of iceberg and a bunch of spring mix.  I like my greens GREEN.  If you can cover it decently with only part of the dressing, go for it! lol

[Preserving lemons]

There are a few blogs about putting lemons/limes in a jar with water to preserve them for a while.

[Prayers and good thoughts]

Praying for all of you.  Hugs.

[Super Bowl Party dishes]

We have a party just to visit with our friends mid-winter.  I found a new recipe for chicken wings I want to make, but the grocer said they haven't gotten wings in in a long time.  So, got some chicken tenders that I will cook but not fry and top with the orange juice/hot sauce/honey sauce.  We'll see.  Also making some queso dip and some chocolate coconut bars.  Guests will all bring something to share, too.

[Super Bowl Party dishes]

1 hour ago, Just Kate said:

My 19 yo ds is coming over and bringing his girlfriend. Dh will be here too. We are having wings, some type of taco dip (I’d like to make a dip with ground beef if anyone has suggestions?),  veggies with dip, and jalepeno poppers. I may also put some chicken tenders in the air fryer. 

I’m looking forward to it. This will only be the second time that ds girlfriend has been over. She is a sweet girl and I am glad to get to know her better. 

My sister made the Velveeta with ground beef and salsa every Thanksgiving.

[What is the purpose of math education?]

I was told the purpose of algebra on up is to teach our brains to think differently, to grow the synapses in our brain, as it were.  Solving math problems before that is one thing, but you really stretch the mind learning the others.

My neighbor likes to build things, so he uses trig building gazebos and other big items.

[Do you like seven layer salad?]

My family loves it.  Our version is lettuce, chopped celery, (the recipe calls for chopped onion but we don't add it), and a can of sliced water chestnuts.

Then- 2 c mayo mixed with 1/2 c sugar- spread over the layers.  Then continue with

parmesan cheese, crisp chopped bacon, sliced hard boiled eggs, and sliced tomatoes.