Tidbits ~ 7/28/21

Where were we? Oh ya, the roof saga. Before 5/3/21, we were voluntarily replacing our 22 year old roof. Though a 35 year comp shingle, Tejas it hotter than hades and roofs never make it to the full life expectancy. We started noticing granules on the sidewalk after Snowmageddon or maybe even a little before. Got three bids and began to mull things over. Then 5/3/21, we got hail. Crazy odd shaped chunks flew from the sky. All three vehicles were dinged and the roof was deemed a total loss. I wrote a funny math edition here …

Thursday Thoughts ~ 6/24/21

The roof still isn’t replaced despite the preliminary inquires. After 5/3/21, roofers have more work than they can shake a stick at … not that anyone would shake a stick at work right? Your livelihood depends on money coming in? Feast or famine of the self-employed.

Here’s a move over from FB as I was in search of recommendations for a roofer.

Getting another bid for our roof since B claims the original price was a ploy to shoo us away. He says it happens all the time. 40k is steep considering we have one other bid for 25k. But you get what you pay for right?!?!?

He also wants to barter again. He’ll plaster in exchange for a reduction. Ugh. Shoot me now.

So, I’ve gone sidebar through Contractor Connection. What are the odds that the next roofer’s last name is Jasek? Maybe that’s a sign? Still waiting for the quote to make a final decision though.

Oh happy Wednesday

As always, more to come.

Off Cycle Thoughts/Here Is Why You Can’t Have Nice Things ~ 7/24/21

Sometimes I dip my toe into the deep end. Splash! Eventually I catch up with the techie techs of the world. On a lark, in prep for my RTO = return to office, I sprung for some wireless ear buds. Not the nice ones mind you. Lulu has her fancy dancy Apple Air pods and Pony has his Samsung equivalent but this other ‘f’ word stands for frugal gal isn’t going to spend that kind of cash.

I got Onn knock offs, compatible with iPhone. For the low, low price of $19.88 + tax. Easy enough set up for this luddite though I did have issues going between my phone and my iPad. The sound was great. The charge lasted all day. I took them to work and thank goodness I had them because my first day back, I forget my headset at home.

I swear dollars to donuts that I brought my ear buds home and even used them here at this very spot where I am sitting right now. But, nope. They are nowhere to be found here at the house. I had the collective family unit turn things upside down. Somewhere between the office and back home, poof gone. The last time for sure I remember using them was at the Tech Spot in the office as I waited for my new laptop, which is a story I may not have written about here in bloglandia but I almost blew up y’all. Seriously Meredith Grey.

“See that is why you can’t have nice things!” said me to the kids once upon at time. Or I am misremembering because that doesn’t sound like me at all. LOL. Now they can tell me the same thing. Glad I went with the cheapo because I am on the hunt for a replacement. And I definitely don’t want to lose them again.

I’m looking for something with a strap. Still not wired but wireless. I am in Amazon hell. Prime free one day and Amazon Choice offers. Too many to choose from. I have put in search criteria to slowly reduce my options but still have 294 to look through. Maybe I need to close my eyes, point to the screen, and pin the tail on the bud. Ugh! Shoot me now.

Humor me fine folks. Toss me a comment or two about your bud of choice. The ear variety. Wink wink. As if the teetotaler even remotely has any idea what she is talking about.

As always. more to come.

Tidbits ~ 7/16/21

That nest is pretty peaceful right?

Ohm Ohm Ohm

Channeling my inner Zen

I had a wellness check this morning for healthy points. I’ve written about that before. I’m at 2650 points on the road to 3000. The phlebotomist had trouble with me again. After she was done she exclaims “all I can say is thank you Jesus, that was a tough one”

Ugh! Tough for who? Actually she did a good job. It only hurt a little and she was fast about it. Now I’m waiting for my email to confirm I was there so I can upload whatever the heck it is to get my points. If I get all 500, I will have reached my goal. Yeah buddy.

Moving on. Does every email deserve a response when all you really want to write back is you are a clueless mofo? LOL. Asking for a friend.

Happy FriYay!!!

As always, more to come.

Tidbits ~ 7/10/21

We’ve had rain for days now. The hurricane season is upon us and when things in the Gulf of Mexico stir up in just the right way, we get the benefits. Our garden loved it … at first. But now even that is a bit waterlogged. I’m not complaining though. When this weather is gone, our temps will skyrocket.

Today has been one of those lazy days. I did have to get out though. Run to CVS but before I went, I got the in-law’s grocery list. That’s when I was asked for a favor. I’m glad they asked though. They usually want to spare me or pay me or sometimes both. Since I was already headed to CVS, they had a RX for themselves which I was happy to retrieve. And mom in law had lost her cane. She wanted me to get her a new one. In pink! There was a bit of bickering going on when I got there to get the list and the credit card, trying to piece together where she may have left her original cane. Not that it mattered but they bicker. That’s their thing.

They knew I was going to the library afterwards and sent me off saying take as long as you like. Driving to my destination, I was full of memories. Our little corner of the earth. The CVS happens to be across the street from St. Benedicts and wouldn’t ya know it, when I got there, the church bells were ringing. Those are the bells B’s Grandpa donated to the church shortly after it was built. I absolutely love church bells. Hearing the sounds invoked other senses. I swear I could smell the wood polish and candle wax.

Anyway, I finished up, headed to QT for my DP Icee fix. Tomorrow we’re trying for free Slurpees. Moved along to the library. Returned two books The Institute and Ready Player One and got two replacements. Both Express Collection which means three weeks to d-day and no renewals. The two I returned were longer books which I finished in two weeks making me think I’ll meet the time limit. One of the books Bunny made a reviewer cackle with laughter while nodding in agreement and simultaneously being utterly terrified. Now that’s what I’m talking about. My kind of story.

Alrighty, enough prattling.

As always, more to come.

Tidbits ~ 7/8/21

Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhh! A virtual scream is not nearly as satisfying as a real scream. I’m beyond pissed 😤. I can’t even find words. I thought if I came here and just started typing, a rational argument would form. But the anger keeps me from being rational. Fuck you motherfucker is all I have for now. And dammit the tears. Maybe writing ✍️ out longhand will release the hounds.

As always more to come.

I Can’t Remember ~ 7/4/21

I created my Tidbits and Ramblings categories for two distinct reasons of which I do not recall which means I mix-match what goes where. Are Tidbits when I’m needing to release the hounds or is that rambling? Of course I always ramble. In fact, that was the original name of this blog J-Dub’s Musing & Ramblings until I realized how many others used some version of rambling or musing as well. Of course Grin & Bear It isn’t original. But it’s what I do and why it fits.

And at least I got reflections down pat. That’s when I look back at something. Usually. Oh hell what do I know? I should just file everything under LIFE. Ha!!

Okay. Some serious shit is about to go down. Or not because this is not my story to tell but I am impacted deeply despite being a casual observer, on the outskirts, praying.

Watching life happen to people you care about is both beautiful and ugly, tender and rough, salty and sweet. Are you picking up what I’m putting down? Yep, your smarts are obvious. I can’t pull a fast one on anyone of y’all. All y’all. You all. Ha! E’nuf of that nonsense.

I have a foreboding, waiting for the other shoe to drop. I don’t know why I can’t be happy for this person. I keep MSU = making stuff up. I can’t forgive, forget, or trust. I’m sure that is because I was dropped on my head as a child or something. Sheesh. Seriously.

I marvel at anyone who can give unconditional love. We should all be so lucky. Hell I was the recipient of a love you know matter what you do, here for you all the time kind of love yet I can’t return in kind. I say well that’s because I never did anything so terrible. But I did worse. I’m a sinner. Depending on whose authority one judges.

And besides that’s the thing about unconditional love. It’s not about what you do or don’t do. It’s not you’re bad but I love you anyway. Unconditional love is NOT love without boundaries. I’m protecting myself in case it happens again, so that I do not get hurt.

That control thing is in the picture again. Has to stop! If I ask and get an answer, I accept the response. Done! If I’m a fool to believe, so be it. If the worst happens, I couldn’t have prevented it nor can I change it anyway. I’ll simply deal with the aftermath.

I know haven’t spilled the beans here and perhaps you’re wondering that the heck is she going on about. Don’t mind me. Same ole, same ole, overthinking. Madness, pure madness.

As always, more to come.

Tidbits ~ 7/1/21

Sculpture from my branch library 📚 Good to be back.

Today kicked my ass!!!! My dearest coworker brought me the much needed levity as we ended our call and she said, Don’t beat up anybody. Drink! You know it! Cherry 🍒 Vanilla Dr Pepper or Coke with lime. But what if someone deserves an ass whopping? Guess I’ll Bless Their Hearts 💕.

As always more to come.

Tidbits ~ 6/27/21

Title: Pony’s Birth Story.

Lots to get out of ye ole cerebrum mi amigos/amigas.

Where were you 33 years ago today? Me? It was a Monday and I was at work. Still on the phones. I had a really bad call and hung up on the customer which is no bueno. I distinctly remember the call was about billing. Hmm, the more thing change, the more they stay the same.

I went to the bathroom to splash water on my face when I ran into two friends, Susan and Isabel who told me “Jill go home; you’re in labor”. Truth. But I scoffed. “No I’m not” You can’t make this stuff up.

I stayed, until 6 pm, finished the late shift. After which I headed home to find B with his friend Donald, drinking a few brewskies, crib STILL in pieces on our living room floor.

I announced through gritted teeth, “I’m going to Lung Fungs for dinner if you care to join me”. I thought Donald would take the hint and leave but nope, he tagged along. I felt the contractions all through dinner but said nothing. The meal was quite enjoyable if I remember correctly.

Back home again, I told Donald to leave unless he wanted to witness a live birth. B and I did all the Lamaze things. The breathing. The walking. Don’t go to the hospital too early, they said. We listened. For what felt like forever, we walked laps around our tiny house, over and over again.

B was the one who finally said, “do you think it’s time to go in?” We called my parents. PoPo Jim was in Houston on business but B’s mom was able to meet us there.

We were admitted some time after midnight. My school chum’s mom was working at the front, comforting to see a friendly face. I told her this was probably Braxton-Hicks since I wasn’t due until July but she mouthed to B “I don’t think so”.

Small world that it is, a girl who B had gone to school had been taken back as well, just a curtain separating us. In her case, she got sent home with false labor. Her daughter T, who went to school with our Pony for 13 years, was born @ 2-3 weeks later.

Our brightest ball of son-shine entered the world at 2:50 am. He’s been a night owl ever since. This year, thanks to being fully marinated, he is on the third annual “b-day bonanza and other extravaganza – NM to CO and back again” road trip with friends. Having the time of his life I’m sure.

We took him to an early b-day dinner before he left where he humored me with a picture. A good one, where he still smirks but his eyes are smiling. He even has his arm around my shoulder; a side hug but I’ll take it. We’re as twinsie as it gets. He consented to taking the picture but only if I promised not to share on social media. I’m keeping my promise. Shocker I know! But this one, attached as feature, I made no such promises about. So up it goes. Awwww, our baby ❤

As always, more to come.

Tidbits – Bittersweet ~ 6/26/21

I’ve got the place all to myself for the first time in forever. Up pops the memory of this song by Stone Sour “Forever feels like home, sitting all alone your own inside your head”.

Or maybe my new earworm is the result of being the last song on 99.5 KISS before I parked and came inside my empty house. Well I’m not actually alone. I’m locked and loaded, gun toting American. Me and Brutus … my pittie. Isn’t Brutus the best dog name ever?!?!? Yep I’ve gone off the deep end.

Real or fiction? You be the judge. I wonder sometimes if I should take another hand at writing a novel. The great American tale as old as time. But alas that ship has sailed.

I got a lot done in a little while, starting with cancelling my wax since my old lady hair has yet to grow out to the size of a grain of rice. I’ve reached the stage where my invisible mustache grows faster than my under arm and leg hair. I signed myself in for a trim, then ran to H.E.B for my calcium, magnesium, zinc combo that is keeping me safe from the Vid. That and being fully marinated.

My final stop was Schaffer to return The Son of Mr. Suleman by Eric Jerome Dickey. Excellent book, recommend read. The San Antonio Public Library aka SAPL pronounced s-apple has become my every three week treat. Instead of being greedy, I take out one Express Collection, today’s choice being The Institute by Stephen King. As much as I’d like to, I can’t finish two books in three weeks since work life interrupts. That’ll be a retirement perk. To read unabandoned with vim and vigor. Aren’t words glorious! Though I did pull Ready Player One by Ernest Cline off the shelf. Not Express which means I’ll have an extra week and can renew it once. The book is a recommendation from a coworker. Speaking of, have I mentioned, I have the BEST coworkers ever!!! Because I do.

Alrighty, time to dive into the pages. Not to fret, I’ll be back, like a bad penny, said in my best Arnold voice over voice. For the second time today, wishing y’all a sensational Saturday.

As always, more to come.

Tidbits ~ 6/13/21

These half baked post notions need to come out of my brain. Better out than in ala Shrek. Pony just asked me “Mom how much coke (as in cocaine) did you just do? The 80s are over.” My response was “I’m high on life, leave me alone.” hahaha! Yep I’m full of emotions, verklempt even. Ah now that’s the stuff.

• My car went kaput. B & Pony both think the problem is the fuel line or fuel pump. They’ve scrapped the idea of DIY car repair. The only reason they were even going to try was that the Otto brothers had a fire last Sunday. closing the place down. Yep our Cheers! like garage is the only place we trust. When I’ve gone the dealer, I feel bamboozled afterwards. I’m not going out a lot but things are opening up. Being fully marinated, we’re out and about more often. Plus I go back to the office in some form come July. I shopped for shops and basically we’d be taking a crap shoot to go somewhere else. Enter PoPo. The man who helped build the Internet. Memba him? He is loaning me his Rav4 until the Ottos reopen. Yeah buddy!
• Why is he able to do this? Sadly in April he fell and broke his femur. He had surgery and was let loose from the pokey aka Downtown Baptist hospital in May. He is now at home still undergoing pretty intense physical therapy. We’re sad that it happened but man I tell ya what, his attitude puts the rest of ours to shame. He is still our loveable PoPo, a true ball of sunshine.
• This means I am driving Miss Daisy aka my mother-in-law. To be fair, B is too. I go by every morning and he goes by every afternoon to check on them. Praise be we live in walking distance. They keep thanking us for doing all that we need to be doing for them. They seem to forget how much they helped us out when we were first married, then more after the kids came. Every once in a while, they try to pay us! Ugh! We’ve told Pony and Lulu, if/when we need the same, they will not be paid but rather they should help us out of the kindness of their hearts ❤ HaHa! Then we get back some light hearted banter about how they have already picked out a place for us.
• Today Lulu and I made pie. From scratch. Well step one of the pie is done. The crust. The rest comes later today after the dough is sufficiently chilled. My Mamaw taught me how to make pie crust from scratch. I never taught Lulu because I am impatient and those cooking lessons never went well. Now I am older, wiser, and a lot less combustible. Which means I patiently showed her what my Mamaw patiently showed me.

• 

  Wedding gift – 1984

• 

  Made the pie crust meal – flour, salt, butter & shortening

• 

  Added cold water by tablespoon, stirred with spatula

• 

  floured surface to make the dough ball. The trick is not to overwork or you get tough crusts

• 

  Bottom & top crusts in the fridge (two hours or up to five days)

• 

  The aftermath. We used two forks instead of a pastry cutter

Passing down recipes

I went to look for my pastry cutter … another gift from our wedding (like the pie tin above) but it is gone. Likely from lack of use I gave it away or maybe sold it in a garage sale. I was going to buy another one but they are about $9. Highway robbery! LOL. Dang I am a cheapskate. Two forks for the win!

Alrighty, I’m done … for now … waiting for the dough to finish chilling.

As always, more to come.