Now I really did it :((

[marcy]

HI:

NIRDI shout out!!!

LOL a snow squall blew through here last night--snow flakes the size of quarters! Whiteout then 10 minutes later, sunshine. Spring!!

Really exciting day here--groceries then cooking. Looking forward to roast beef tenderloin, scalloped potatoes, salt and pepper and hot wings, and asparagus with balsamic vinegar and parmesan cheese. I'm hungry already!

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday folks!

cheers--Sharon

Those snow squalls are amazing. I love it when there are big snowflakes. Your dinner sounds fabulous!

 

[canuk-gal]

Those snow squalls are amazing. I love it when there are big snowflakes. Your dinner sounds fabulous!

They are amazing--glad it was short lived!

And I put a call into Tiffany to ask about lowering their prices--funny NO one answered the phone!!!

 

[mrs-b]

@marcy - those photos are KILLER! How gorgeous! Thank you for sharing them - they're so lovely to see.

@missy and @Austina - yes, that's the ring. Austina, thank you so much for finding that link - I haven't had a chance to take photos and it's overcast and drab here and this ring needs light so unfurl her gorgeousness - tho I have to say, she's super colorful in any light. Just at her best in good, outdoor, ambient light.

@canuk-gal - Sharon, have you ever tried sliced strawberries and halved grapes, marinated overnight in balsamic syrup (Balsamic vinegar with lots of dissolved sugar in it - 2 parts sugar and 1 part vinegar), and finely sliced basil? Serve it with whipped cream, or equal parts whipped cream and full fat yoghurt. It's DELICIOUS. It's definitely a dessert, but not a super sweet dessert. I prefer desserts that aren't toooo sweet.

I have a sore throat, a runny nose, and a headache today. I think I'm having my regular, annual reaction to the ENORMOUS pollen dump that goes on in New England during spring. I hope it's that; infections with Humira are a problem, so I'm really hoping I'm not actually unwell.

I made a beef spare rib casserole today. I make it a lot as it's Tim's and my favorite. You start with a whole bunch of mire poix, add chopped garlic, some salt, and curry. I use a really high quality curry mix I have shipped over from Australia - very full bodied but only very mild (ie not too hot). Add chopped bacon, then I fry it all up in a little garlic oil. When cooked, add a large jar of tomato sauce. In a separate frypan, brown beef spare ribs (just brown - not cook through) - I do 8, normally. Pour any fluid that comes off into the mire poix and bacon mixture and combine. Then place the ribs into the mire poix and bacon mixture, submerging them sufficiently to fully cover them. Bake at 320F for 3 hours. It's delicious, fully keto and, if you have it for a late lunch, you'll find you won't need much for dinner. I normally serve it with a side of roasted broccoli and asparagus.

I hope everyone is having a lovely Sunday!

 

[mrs-b]

Photos taken at night, inside. But perhaps that gives you an idea how much color this ring has.

 

[MamaBee]

Photos taken at night, inside. But perhaps that gives you an idea how much color this ring has.

I love it H! The color is so rich!!

 

[mrs-b]

I love it H! The color is so rich!!

Me too! And I meant to say above - your new avatar photo is GORGEOUS!!

 

[MamaBee]

Me too! And I meant to say above - your new avatar photo is GORGEOUS!!

Thank you! I get bored with the same avatar. I’ll probably change it once a week!

 

[Calliecake]

@Austina, I hope I read this correctly and a HUGE congratulations is in order. I was all excited about your new house but have to admit nothing comes close to beating this other news. What wonderful news. I’m so very happy for all of you!!!! Your new house is beautiful. Isn’t it fun watching all your house choices coming together? Everything looks so pretty. Your kitchen is beautiful.

@marcy, I get tired just reading all you do before 10:00 AM. Sleeping in is one of my favorite things about retirement. Did your friend love her gift? We had the big fluffy snowflakes yesterday for about a half an hour. I love your pictures Marcy.

@junebug17, I hope you are having a wonderful time in SC and got a nice walk on the beach in this weekend. I’ve forgotten what warm weather feels like. It’s been cold here.

All your rings are beautiful @mrs-b. I bet Tim is thrilled to have you back home. Your dinner sounds delicious.

@canuk-gal, I hope you left Tiffany’s a message. Hopefully they will get right on lowering those prices tomorrow morning. I’m glad everyone has been kind and supportive at work. Sometimes work really is a great thing.

@MamaBee, I hope you had a nice visit with your son and grandsons. Not many people are wearing masks here. I spent 3 hours at the hair salon that was packed with people. I was the only one wearing a mask.

@springerspaniel, I hope work is going smoothly and they got everything straighten out regarding your starting date. If not, I hope you are enjoying your vacation.

 

[missy]

GM girls! Happy Monday!

@Austina Mazel Tov!!! Big hugs and many happy wishes to you and your family. XOXO

@marcy wow that is a very skinny moon. Love it. And the sunset photo swoon! Great photos.
I am with you. Rain yes. Snow no. Though I do enjoy a snow squall every now and then. You do have busy weekends but enjoyable ones so win win. I'd rather be busy and enjoying life than sitting at home with nothing to do. You go girl.
Hugs.

@canuk-gal I enjoy snow squalls because they blow in and out so fast. Pretty and not messy. Your dinner sounded yummy and glad you enjoyed a nice Sunday. Big hugs to you sweet Sharon.

@mrs-b SWOON! Gorgeous bling. Wear in good health sweet friend and blingy joy. Hugs to you and Tim. I hope your sore throat and runny nose are "just" allergies. Sending lots of well wishes your way today, tomorrow and always.

@bling_dream19 I hope the weekend was a good one and that this is a good week. Big hugs.

@Slick1 happy Monday. Have a good week and be well. XOXO.

@MamaBee are you back home in PA today? Hope the rest of your weekend was fun and went smoothly. How can Monday be here so fast? How is your mom doing? I adore your new avatar. So beautiful and blingy and ooh la la. Hugs to you.

We had a good day yesterday and today is another chilly day I think. Hoping for a hike. It's going to be a mostly rainy week but today is a reprieve from the wet weather. But as @marcy said rain beats snow. Stay dry and warm and cozy girls and be well. Hugs and love to my sweet NIRDI friends. Speaking of friends. So sweet.



Love you girls. XOXO.

 

[springerspaniel]

@springerspaniel, I hope work is going smoothly and they got everything straighten out regarding your starting date. If not, I hope you are enjoying your vacation.

Thanks so much for your kind words, everyone. It could not get worse. I am actually crying right now, I feel so angry and frustrated. It's a long story and I do not want to go into too much detail.

 

[Calliecake]

Thanks so much for your kind words, everyone. It could not get worse. I am actually crying right now, I feel so angry and frustrated. It's a long story and I do not want to go into too much detail.

I’m so sorry @springerspaniel, I know you had been really looking forward to this new job. Whatever is going on I hope gets resolved soon and this is just a bump in the road. I hope you are able to feel better quickly.

 

[springerspaniel]

I’m so sorry @springerspaniel, I know you had been really looking forward to this new job. Whatever is going on I hope gets resolved soon and this is just a bump in the road. I hope you are able to feel better quickly.

Thank you @Calliecake, I appreciate it.

 

[Calliecake]

@bling_dream19 , I apologize for not mentioning you in my previous post. I surmise you aren’t going thru an easy time and hope that gets better soon. It’s completely understandable that you not want to share something personal on a public forum. You you are in my thoughts. . If I‘ve overstepped I apologize and won’t mention this again.

 

[missy]

@springerspaniel Freddie and Clyde are so handsome. Freddie is really quite the model. Those eyes. That face. Please hug them both from me. And big hugs to you. I hope these next 2 weeks fly by. I hope you can feel my good wishes across the miles. XOXO.

 

[marcy]

They are amazing--glad it was short lived!

And I put a call into Tiffany to ask about lowering their prices--funny NO one answered the phone!!!

Silly Tiffany's. It's going to take a long time at the rate we are going to get our tennis bracelets.

 

[marcy]

Hi NIRDI’s!

@mrs-b thank you. I do love to take pictures. Marty’s camera or skill is way better than mine but I still enjoy taking them. Isn’t it funny how different rings and gems look in different lighting? I had a bowl of mixed fruit today that included strawberries and grapes - your recipe sounds great. I am so sorry that pollen is getting to you. Marty grew up in Maryland and told me how thick pollen is back there. Feel better! Your rib casserole sounds great too. Marty loves curry. Your rings look fabulous - great color.

@MamaBee I always do a double take at “who is that” when I see a new avatar in here. All of your rings are so lovely too.

@Calliecake I am glad you like to sleep in. I wake up early anyway so I may as well get up and get busy. I woke up before 6 today. My friend did seem thrilled with her gift. I love seeing big, fluffy snowflakes. That is something I want to get pictures of sometime - closeup of snowflakes. Thank you for enjoying my pictures. My niece has a baby boy yesterday.

@missy it was a skinny moon. Marty was in a different part of the park than I was and I never saw it until we went to leave; Marty had a clear sight of it from his vantage point. Yes, I like being busy too and you certainly keep your days full. Love the picture of the sweet deer. Yes to rain and no to snow. I can hopefully be in the clear of that in 2 more months.

@springerspaniel big hugs to you and I hope things get worked out for you.

Well other than being ticked off at Tiffany’s for not answering the call from Sharon - I’ve had a good day so far. I got up before 6 and was “working” before 8. I updated 2 posts and even cooked lunch. Marty has been neglected for a few weeks there.

It’s sunny here but windy. I was going to grill burgers but decided the wind would probably blow the grill out so got out the old griddle.

I ran an errand to Office Depot yesterday and looked at desk chairs and found one I liked so Marty and went back with the pickup and got it for me. It fits me way better than the big and tall man chair that was at my desk. It is pretty comfy so far.

I am almost in to skein 4 of my afghan. Yay. It is getting so heavy the first stitch keeps falling off my needle. It keeps me warm though with all of that on my lap.

Take care.
Marcy

 

[Austina]

Hello lovelies

Ugh, I’m so sorry @springerspaniel, life is never simple, and I really hope all these frustrations it’s causing you will soon be resolved.

The meal sounds delish @mrs-b, I can see why it’s such a firm favourite of yours. I had a bash at making pepper sauce for our steak yesterday, it turned out pretty well, but I really need to make sure the peppercorns are a bit more finely ground next time. We had to be careful of our fillings. The olive grove near the house serves strawberry balsamic lemonade and it’s absolutely lovely.

Wow, your afghan is really coming along @marcy. Yay to your friend loving her gift, what’s not to love? A comfortable chair makes all the difference, but you’ve got to stop making the rest of us retired folk look bad with all the work you’re putting in Congratulations to your niece, so glad the baby’s arrived safely.

Aww @missy, those dear are just so beautiful. We regularly pass a place on the way to the house where there are numerous deer sitting around together. We also see longhorns and goats and horses on our way up to Hicksville Sorry your weather isn’t co-operating so that you can get out and ride, I hope it clears up soon. Thank you for the good wishes.

Hoping you’re enjoying your time away @junebug17 and are doing plenty of relaxing.

Sending good thoughts your way @bling_dream19 and hoping you’re keeping well.

Like @marcy, I always do a double take when you change your avatar @MamaBee I keep thinking of changing mine, but I love and miss my lovely girl every day.

Well done @Calliecake, yes there’s a little princess on the way, the first girl in our family for over 20 years. I’m looking forward to buying outrageously girly outfits

We’ve had a really busy day today. I went to get a hair cut, and from there we stopped off at a Sherwin Williams store to pick up some paint chips, and then on to Costco. After that we went to the house, and they were pouring the driveway, the tilers were there finishing off our bedroom, and the electrician was unloading all the light fittings and fans.

After that we went to do the food shopping, by which time it was 4pm.

Phew I’m pooped!

 

[MamaBee]

@Austina Congratulations!! I’m so excited for you all! What wonderful news!!

 

[mrs-b]

@springerspaniel - is there a deleted thread in here somewhere? I'm clearly missing something. Are you ok?

I Just sent you an email - feel free to reply there if that's more comfortable for you. <3

 

[Calliecake]

Congratulations on the birth of your grand nephew @marcy! How exciting for you and your whole family. I’m glad you were able to find a comfortable chair for working. I never had the problem of waking up early after I retired. I guess that is a little surprising after getting up at 4:30 AM every morning for 37 years. Your days sound just as busy as when you were working. I guess that’s because you are working!

@Austina, This is the best news! You are going to have so much fun. There are so many cute baby girl clothes out there. It’s so much fun spoiling little ones. This is literally how I spent the pandemic. What a happy time for your family.

@Tekate, I’m not sure of Autie’s actual birthday but I know it is right around now. I hope you are enjoying your time with her and are doing well.

@springerspaniel, I hope your day improved and you are feeling a little better tonight.

 

[missy]

GM girls! It's terrific Tuesday!

@canuk-gal thinking of you and hoping each day gets a bit easier. Gentle hugs and lots of well wishes.

@bling_dream19 we might be twinsies for real lol. I will message you but I might be joining you. If only we were in the same state. XOXO

@marcy love a skinny moon. And your photos are TDF. Congrats on the birth of your grandnephew. How wonderful! I cannot wait to see the finished afghan.

@Austina you did have a productive busy day. Always good. We actually went hiking and the weather cooperated as it warmed up to 50F. Pretty nice. However the next week will be raining. Oh well. If we never got rain we would never get errands and chores accomplished I guess haha. And personally, from my perspective, girls are da best. JMO of course. XOXO

@Tekate great Kate big hugs and hope all is well. Hugs.

@Slick1 hope all is well. XOXO

@mrs-b hope all is going well and the week is a good one. XOXO.

@springerspaniel it truly is always something and generally multiple somethings. Big hugs.

@rainwood hope the week is going well. Let me know when you can chat. XOXO.

@MamaBee I am quickly accumulating diagnoses I do not want lol. Hugs.


So I got my ultrasound report and it looks like I have Adenomyosis. I have to wait for my gynecologist to call me with the results and her impression. But the only cure is hysterectomy. Which I am not eager to have. So I hope she will be OK with me just monitoring it via ultrasounds which are not the best way to diagnose it but I do not want anything more invasive at this time. I hope she won't be difficult. We shall see. If I need a hysterectomy I would prefer to wait (if possible) til late autumn/early winter 2022 so it doesn't ruin our cycling season. But again we shall see because this is not a disease I am well acquainted with nor an expert. But I can see I will have to become one quickly.

We had a good hike yesterday and it turned out to be a lovely mild day. Not so for the next week or so but it is April after all and April brings showers. As we all know. Unless one is in Wyoming @marcy lol and then it might just bring snow.

LOL leaving you with Gracie from yesterday afternoon.
She is a character.
And yes, our tree is still up.








How is she balancing on the tree? She isn't that light in weight.

 

[missy]

@bling_dream19 good luck this AM!!! Right now I am thinking good thoughts for you. XOXO

 

[missy]

TRUTH.

 

[marcy]

Hi NIRDI’s!

@Austina yes those peppercorns can be crunchy. I am so paranoid these days of crunchy food. My friend sent me a picture this morning of her bundled up in her new hat and scarf. She needed it today. I definitely don’t feel retired right now. They are really working at finishing your house. Nice. I remember watching ours get built; for days you’d see nothing or they’d come for an hour or two; then all of a sudden there was a flurry of activity. I’ll never forgot the poor guy on a scaffold putting up the stone on the pillar out front - it was cold, windy and dark so they have multiple vehicles with headlights on point at what he was working on. They must have wanted to get it done that day.

@MamaBee I hope you are enjoying spring weather there.

@mrs-b I hope you are doing well today.

@Calliecake wow to getting up at 4:30 for work all those years. That is one benefit living in a small city it doesn’t take me long to get places. I was getting up at 6 or 6:15 for quite a while.

@missy I started skein 4 last night on the afghan. The best part is keeping me warm while I work on it. Sorry to hear about your US diagnosis; I hope if you need a hysterectomy they can do the scope one for a quicker recovery. You are so right that April showers in Wyoming involve snow. It was snowing when I got up as a matter of fact. I love that your tree is still up and Gracie can balance like that on a branch. I have ornaments that fall off and I am sure she weighs more than that. Stunt cat!

Thank you for the congratulations on my new grand nephew. I hope I get to see him at Christmas. I sent them a tap light that projects stars and moons on the ceiling that they have on the dresser in the nursery.

I rented Marry Me last night to have something to watch while I was knitting. I liked it - luckily Marty was at the gym because I’m sure he would have left for the man cave though.

I woke up at 2:30 and didn’t get back to sleep until darn near 5. Darn. I am not too tired right now anyway.

We are having hurricane #72 for 2022 going on outside. I was going to run errands and pick up lunch but think I’ll order delivery - it’s NUTS out there. I thought the window was going to break once it was shaking so hard.

I got my 3 chores for work done in about 2.5 hours so other than attending the noon (my time) meeting I guess I’m done for now. I’ll have to ask for more to do if I don’t hear anything today or in the morning. Now that I’ve paid for my new laptop and desk chair it’s all for profit now. Ha Ha.

Take care.
Marcy #holycowitswindyout

 

[Austina]

Hello lovelies

So now isn’t a good time to tell you it’s 97 degrees here @marcy? That’s great your friend is already making good use of her gift, sounds like it was very timely. Ugh to waking up so early, hopefully you won’t fall asleep mid afternoon and not be able to sleep tonight.

I’m sorry it‘s not better news @missy, If it comes to it, I’ve heard that a key hole hysterectomy is less traumatic and has a faster recovery time. Obviously, you’ll be guided by what your gynae says, before making such a momentous decision. Honestly, we really didn’t mind, but it’ll be nice to have a girl in the family

Thanks @MamaBee, the baby isn’t due till October, so lots happening before then.

I’m going to have lots of fun looking for cute clothes @Calliecake, even though Kim has lots of hand me downs from her sisters.

Continuing to send good thoughts your way @bling_dream19 and @springerspaniel.

Is everything still on schedule for your surgery next month @mrs-b?

We’ve spent a really frustrating morning up at the house. Colin had scheduled a landscaper to come to quote, the guy said between 11-1pm, which isn’t ideal, but we were going up anyway. By 12.30 he hadn’t arrived, and hadn’t messaged, Colin rang and he said he‘d been stuck in traffic and would be there at 12.45. 12.55 he said he’s 5 minutes away, but had got lost on the development. 1.15pm still no sign of him, so I said to Colin, ”let’s go”, so Colin texted him to say cancel the appt we’re not waiting any longer. As we drove out at 1.25pm, we saw him driving in

The electricians had put up the lights in the wrong places, so I politely told him where they were supposed to be and he asked if I was sure! Er… yes, the great room light was in the dining room, and would’ve been touching the table table, the dining room light was in the hall way, and I’ve no idea where the hallway light was! The other guy putting up the over vanity lights has left huge dirty hand prints all over the surrounding walls, and hasn’t even put the fittings on straight or the shades on properly. Every single trade has damaged walls by being careless, they’re stacking dirty boxes against the walls, the worktop installers have gouged the oven housing and knocked a chunk out of the breakfast room wall, and the list goes on. I know it’ll all get fixed, but if they were just a bit more careful, it wouldn’t need all the remedial work.

On the plus side, all the arrangements have now been made for our trip in November, so something else to look forward to!

Have a great day lovely NIRDIS

 

[missy]

GM girls! It's wonderful Wednesday!
Well, the weather turned out better than anticipated yesterday and we got to go for a hike. 50sF and cloudy with very little wind. Perfect hiking weather. And best part? No people and lots and lots of beautiful does all around.



@Austina 97F is way too hot for me anytime of year but especially for the beginning of April. I would be melting lol. Stay cool.
Sorry the house building continues to have frustrations but you are in the home (haha) stretch. And yay for looking forward to the trip in November. Hopefully well after your sweet granddaughter comes into the world. What an autumn 2022 to look forward to! XOXO.

@marcy ugh and I hear you. We are having a storm right this minute. Glad the afghan is keeping you nice and toasty. I hope you do get to see your grandnephew this Christmas. Which isn't that far away haha. We are experiencing torrential downpours at the moment and in fact I woke at 3:45AM for the day and it was teaming out. Greg has to head to Long Island with Bobby (dental work) and Tommy (thyroid check) to see my sister and I do not like when he drives in this weather. I told him if it is still pouring out I don't want him to go. We shall see. Glad you got your chores done in record speed. Haha all profit now is good. XOXO.

@canuk-gal hope work is continuing to go well and more hugs being sent your way.

@bling_dream19 bucketloads of healing dust and big hugs. Yay for P.

@Slick1 stay dry today and hope it's a good day. Hugs.

@MamaBee I just shared another article. Didn't want to wake you so didn't text you with it. Short lived benefit so timing is important. Hope you had a good call with your mom yesterday. Hugs.

@springerspaniel hope this week is going more smoothly than anticipated and sending you hugs and lots of good thoughts.

@mrs-b sigh. The universe is trying to tell me something. I am trying not to be stubborn but I don't want to. LOL. And hugs. Hope Tim is feeling good and you are too!

@rainwood looking forward to our chat. And Princess Gracie says thank you....meooowww. XOXO

Hi to everyone else. Good hike yesterday. Today Greg's bringing T and B to my sister for care. B needs dental work so that is a bit stressful and T is just getting his thyroid blood levels checked. We keep tweaking his meds hoping to get to the purrrfect level. Have a wonderful Wednesday girls. Big hugs.

@MamaBee where's the doe?

 

[springerspaniel]

Good morning everyone! Just gritting my teeth and thanking the universe that I will have benefits continue for the next 2 weeks. Life has those weird hiccups and if I see this as a pothole and not an obstacle, I think I should be fine. Meanwhile, just trying to get through. Love to everyone-- @bling_dream19 especially right now and @missy. I hope the NIRDIs have a fine week this week. Love you all.

 

[springerspaniel]

@mrs-b all the best to you today!!!! I hope things go well!

 

[mrs-b]

Sigh.

So - we got up at 5.30 to drag ourselves into Boston for a 7am esophageal manometry (the one where they put the tube up your nose, down your throat, and into your stomach, then do tests on your esophagus). Caught in traffic ALL the way. Got in there at 7.20 - which wasn't so bad, as they asked me to be in there at 7 for a 7.30am appt (why do they do that??) and the lady at the front desk didn't seem to care it was 7.20 - she only cared about the 7.30am part. She had trouble finding my appt for some reason, but found it in the end and told the med staff I was there.

A nurse came out, told me someone had cancelled my appt and moved it to April 20th, when I have another gastro appt, as the two tests are normally done together. Said they'd let me know last week. Yeah - um - no. Last Friday afternoon, I received the confirmation text confirming the appt for today. So, bollocks to the idea of "someone cancelled you last week". No no one called. No email. No text. Nothing. And it's not a comfortable test (they tell you not to wear eye make up so it doesn't run into your eyes when your eyes water from the gagging/vomiting - yay), so I slept poorly and was both very tired and tense. So, at 7.30am, we turned around and dragged ourselves home. Got home at 8.30am. Awesome - thanks so much. Both the trip in and the trip home were through Boston peak hour.

Unbelievable.

Here's a photo of me in the car on the way home. I thought I'd take it so I could share, in picture, how impressed I was. Don't I look happy??



And here's a photo of some roses Tim bought me - bless him!

 

[missy]

Dear @mrs-b ugh how unprofessional of them! I am so mad. Why are there mess-ups upon mess-ups. You deserve better! I am so sorry you went there for nothing.

And you look beautiful! Sincerely. And I love the expression. I often have a similar expression on my face when dealing with healthcare professionals. LOL.

I hope you have a wonderful rest of the day and do something extra special to make up for the not great beginning. Those roses are TDF gorgeous! Tim is the best! XOXO

I had an esophageal manometry in 2014 and it was unpleasant. And I went home with a tube down my throat through my nose for 48 hours. Very not fun. I hope your procedure April 20th goes smoothly and they find the answers you need! Big hugs and lots of love.