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Altaira
Superuser
Feb 27, 5:07pm
Post #1 of 41
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Can you say Fiesta? Then you can say PARTY!
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Greetings! Fiesta Friday is upon us, and once again it's time to gather with friends and party a little. Especially since the boards seem to have a little good energy today. Fingers crossed!
Our deck is pretty much done! We have the final walk-through on Monday, then they hand us the keys, so to speak. The two workers put our furniture back on the deck way cleaner than it was before they started (it gets dusty in the winter), so this weekend we'll put the cushions on the chairs and have a nice place to spend some time watching winter turns to spring. Once I get everything where and how I want it I'll post some piccies.
It would be quieter outside now, except we're having some front drainage fixed that involves ripping out and re-pouring the concrete leading to our porch, so never a dull moment in the Altaira household!
How about you? I know you can't possibly have anything quite as exiting (or loud), going on in your own life, lol. But, order up your favorite drink, and have a few passes at the buffet, and let us know how you're' doing!
*kicks juke box* anything good to listen to with noise-cancelling headphones will do!
Happy weekend, everyone!!    
(This post was edited by Altaira on Feb 27, 5:08pm)
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dernwyn
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Feb 27, 5:49pm
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What a great feeling, getting the deck project (almost) done! Will it have an overhang so you can enjoy a rainy day out there too?
Might I have a huge mug of hot cocoa, please, Altaira? It took some days, but we've all finally dug out from the Blizzard of '26 in this area. Power stayed on, and our house got 18"/45 cm, which our snowblower can manage, although some drifts required me to shovel off the upper layers onto the ground so our son could blow them away. Schools and town offices were closed for 3 days while streets and parking lots were fully cleared. Now it's sun-shiney and melting the stuff!
I've been working on taxes, I think my "first pass" is ready for hubby's review. Would like to get those out of the way this coming week.
LOL, how about something lively for listening to under those headphones: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho9rZjlsyYY
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"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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CuriousG
Gondolin
Feb 27, 6:45pm
Post #3 of 41
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I'm just celebrating the abiility to access TORN again
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And it feels like I dare not tarry too long, lest I once again find that it won't load.
But happy weekend, everyone! I'm getting caught up over with a friend over lunch on Saturday, then we will walk the sidewalks of Boston amid the snow piles and enjoy the white wilderness before it melts.
Closed for 3 days, Dernwyn??? Wow. You got hit hard. Most things near me were closed 1-2 days, and we had about 18", but it drifted so much, hard to say. My landlord and I shoveled off and on during the day so there were only a few inches to remove each time and it always remained manageable, but I (or my sore shoulders) was happy when evening came and the snow stopped. If you aren't careful, I may steal a sip of your hot cocoa, unless I can get some from the bar.
And enjoy the new deck, Altair! Clearly a project that was worth the wait and will provide many relaxing days ahead.
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Altaira
Superuser
Feb 27, 6:47pm
Post #4 of 41
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At first I read that as you got 26". Eeeps, it sounds like it was fun enough to dig out of 18". Glad the sun is finally back and helping things along.
Congrats on almost being ready to put taxes behind you for another year! *high five* I filed ours yesterday. I use turbo-tax for home and business, but I always check it with my own calculations. Since I still own a business I pay estimated taxes quarterly so I always need as accurate an estimate as I can get throughout the year for the following year. Come to think of it, I'll still need to do that after I retire completely because we won't have an employer to pay them for us. The deck is about 7" higher than it used to be - almost level with the step out from the house, so yes, we'll actually be able to use the area beneath it without bending over and/or bumping our heads.
Thanks for the great song, and have an amazing weekend!
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Altaira
Superuser
Feb 27, 7:00pm
Post #5 of 41
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"low whisper" -- we seem to be off the bots' radar for now. It is indeed nice when you click and something actually happens, lol
Walking the streets of Boston after the snow sounds lovely. I commuted by air and worked there during the week for many months during my traveling consulting days. And B.G. and I walked the entire Freedom Trail once. So Boston has a very soft place in my heart.
Glad you're all shoveled out and ready for the weekend. Enjoy it!
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Ataahua
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Feb 27, 7:45pm
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Wish me luck - I'm about to go blackberrying.
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Last year was a bust because my favourite spot became overgrown with other plants, squeezing out the blackberries, so I have to go hunting today. Hopefully I'll stumble across a new awesome spot for picking. *fingers crossed*
Yay for your deck! I hope you'll get to enjoy it even at this time of year. Do you have any outdoor heating you can use?
Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..."
Dwarves: "Pretty rings..."
Men: "Pretty rings..."
Sauron: "Mine's better."
"Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded beggar with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak.
Fantasy novel - The Arcanist's Tattoo
My LOTR fan-fiction
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dernwyn
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Feb 27, 7:49pm
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I have relatives in Plymouth (near the Canal) and just across the Canal, so they were caught up in the massive power outages and the five-day road travel ban. I think Fall River won the prize for greatest amount of snow, 40"/over 100 cm.
Our local public service announcement:
"Attention residents:
If you woke up, looked outside, and said,
“Wow, that’s a lot of snow…”
You are correct. It is, in fact, a lot of snow.
Roads are currently covered in the cold white stuff known scientifically as
“Nope. Stay Home.”
Unless you are:
A snowplow operator
A first responder
A hospital employee
Or Delivering pizza to the police department
Please stay off the roads.
Four-wheel drive does not mean four-wheel stop.
All-wheel drive does not mean all-wheel invincible.
And bald tires do not magically become snow tires because you “believe in yourself.”
Help us help you by staying home, staying warm, and binge-watching something dramatic instead of being dramatic.
We promise the snow will still be here tomorrow.
Stay safe. Stay cozy. Stay off the roads."
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"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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dernwyn
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Feb 27, 7:54pm
Post #8 of 41
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did get that much - and more!
I make estimated tax payments also, and it is always a puzzle to figure out how much to pay. I do like the "automatic payment" feature, so we can set up all the quarterly payments well in advance.
Looking forward to seeing a pic of that deck! Enjoy the weekend!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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dernwyn
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Feb 27, 7:55pm
Post #9 of 41
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You're making me long for summer! (Well, this dump of snow is, also.)
Let us know if you have any luck finding a good patch!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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Kimi
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Feb 27, 9:09pm
Post #10 of 41
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You must be pleased to have your projects making such good progress, Altaira - noisy and disruptive in the short term, but thoroughly worthwhile.
We just got back from a very pleasant two weeks in the South Island. One of our quieter holidays, with no equivalent to last year's glacier kayaking highlight, but a really nice break. Main places:
- Nelson Lakes https://www.doc.govt.nz/...oiti-kerr-bay-walks/ for some nice walks - we even had a swim. We had ideas of kayaking, but on the one day conditions were suitable a school group had booked all the kayaks. That's fine, though, we enjoyed the walks.
- Castle Hill https://www.doc.govt.nz/...tawhiti-castle-hill/ - a place we'd driven past many times but never managed to visit. This time we stayed nearby and had a nice evening walk here.
- Arthur's Pass https://www.doc.govt.nz/...-pass-walking-track/ - again, a place we've mostly driven through, just stopping to give the local kea https://www.doc.govt.nz/...birds/birds-a-z/kea/ a chance to attack the car. It really is a lovely spot, and we plan to return and do more walks
- Dunedin to finish up - probably my favourite city in Aotearoa. We did a short wildlife cruise, several walks, wandered around the city, and spent quite some time strolling around the lovely old (by our standards) buildings of its university - the latter of particular interest to me, as the next few books of my current series will mainly be set here.
Back to the north wonderfully refreshed, to be met with an hours-long drive home from the airport, thanks to a diesel spill on the motorway (no serious injuries, thankfully). There's no place like home, but sometimes I wish it wasn't so hard to get to :)
Our milk frother has packed up, and was beyond Mr Kimi's considerable ability to fix it, so we're making do with an inferior old one for now (first-world problem). Also, one of our circuit breakers keeps tripping. We had an electrician out yesterday, and of course it wouldn't do it for him, although he spent ages looking. For now he's split the circuit (there are several rooms on that one circuit) in an attempt to narrow down the problem, and we're enjoying using the bathroom by torchlight after the sun goes down.
It was unseasonably chilly (most days it didn't go above 14C/52F) while we were away, but back here it's currently fine and sunny - yesterday reached 32.8C/91F, which I think is the highest temperature I've ever seen at our place. Barbecued tuna tonight, with toms and aubergines from our garden. Speaking of which, it survived our absence just fine (thank goodness for automated watering systems), most especially the weeds. Vast numbers of tomatoes, and I keep finding more cucumbers hiding under the foliage. We can't keep up with them fresh, but I've jars and jars of pickled ones.
And feijoa season has started, and is looking like a bumper one - we each fill a bucket in a few minutes. Time to empty the freezer as much as possible (we're currently making quince paste), and re-pack what remains with topological precision, making room for all those containers. A wonderful time of year, with very satisfying tasks.
Wishing everyone a pleasant weekend.
The Passing of Mistress Rose
My historical novels
Do we find happiness so often that we should turn it off the box when it happens to sit there?
- A Room With a View
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Ataahua
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Feb 27, 10:03pm
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No good patches, but I got enough berries for a mid-winter pie.
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A small pie - enough to share with a couple of people. I'll have to keep looking for a really good replacement spot.
Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..."
Dwarves: "Pretty rings..."
Men: "Pretty rings..."
Sauron: "Mine's better."
"Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded beggar with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak.
Fantasy novel - The Arcanist's Tattoo
My LOTR fan-fiction
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Ataahua
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Feb 27, 10:06pm
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I hadn't heard of Nelson Lakes before; I may have to add it to my 'future visit' list.
I also want to stay at Arthur's Pass at some point - I've only ever gone through it by train.
Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..."
Dwarves: "Pretty rings..."
Men: "Pretty rings..."
Sauron: "Mine's better."
"Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded beggar with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak.
Fantasy novel - The Arcanist's Tattoo
My LOTR fan-fiction
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Kimi
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Feb 27, 10:31pm
Post #13 of 41
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(Nelson Lakes, that is). We'd only been there once before, almost 20 years ago. Not as stunning as Manapouri, but with some very nice beech forest walks, and a fairly easy drive from Nelson (we flew into Nelson - what a lovely wee airport it is).
Arthur's Pass was *completely* booked out (bar some dormitory accommodation, which needless to say I passed on), even though I tried booking months ago. We ended up staying at Castle Hill, where there were any number of holiday homes available (I think people mainly use their places in skiiing season), and although it's a c. 40 min drive from Arthur's Pass it turned out to be a good choice. The walks around Arthur's Pass are really nice, and you don't have to walk far at all to see lovely beech forest and waterfalls. I saw one walk labelled "Avalanche Peak" - a very challenging, advanced track that goes pretty well vertically up, and Mr Kimi remarked that it was certainly truth-in-advertising. We passed on that one :)
The Passing of Mistress Rose
My historical novels
Do we find happiness so often that we should turn it off the box when it happens to sit there?
- A Room With a View
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dernwyn
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Feb 28, 1:42am
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Lovely places to tramp around, and those rocks at Castle Hill are quite intriguing!
Circuits can be finicky about how much load they'll take. So he took the bathroom completely off the electric? Rather romantic...
Your garden is keeping you busy full-time! Do you make a jam or preserve with the feijoas?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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Annael
Elvenhome
Feb 28, 2:53am
Post #15 of 41
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Home ownership - it's a never-ending story of projects!
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Necessary to take time to enjoy them when they're done.
I sent off the last of the books to the publisher this week, then was asked by my private client to please help index her book. I have in fact been trained as an indexer, and she was rightfully concerned that the software program her publisher is going to use wouldn't be any good with nuance. So she sent me their word list and I went through the book and added a whole lot of subheadings for each. Plus, oddly, the program (which I now know is "logiciel" in French) missed some major topics.
Other than that I seem to be going to a lot of doctor's appointments. I'm having cataract surgery next month (looking forward to it, I've worn glasses since I was 8 & am hoping I won't need them for distance vision now), I've got an appointment with an endocrinologist to talk about my options for osteoporosis treatment, and my annual dermatology check is coming up. Oh, and also followed up with the hematologist about the anemia subsequent to that GI bleed four years ago now, which seems resolved, but she still wants to see me yearly. Sigh. I remember the days when I just went for a yearly checkup and otherwise only saw the doctor when I hurt myself. Which I did a lot, because I had a very active life! (And that's why one of these years, the knee will need replacing . . . but not yet!)
So much for the organ recital. Making plans for a trip to see the nephews and great-nephews (in French that's after-nephews) in April, obvsly still studying French, and yes, I am getting some writing done!
Still cold here (no snow alas) but all the bulbs are coming up, and I saw a butterfly yesterday! Frogs are peeping madly in the swamp. I've put up two birdhouses in my little forest (all of four trees between my condo & the next one) and hope I'll get to watch families being raised there.
I am a dreamer of words, of written words.
-- Gaston Bachelard
* * * * * * * * * *
NARF and member of Deplorable Cultus since 1967
(This post was edited by Annael on Feb 28, 2:54am)
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Annael
Elvenhome
Feb 28, 2:59am
Post #16 of 41
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Castle Hill looks like a place I'd like to visit. Kind of reminded me of the scene in P&P (the 1995 one) where Elizabeth visits the Peaks.
I am a dreamer of words, of written words.
-- Gaston Bachelard
* * * * * * * * * *
NARF and member of Deplorable Cultus since 1967
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Altaira
Superuser
Feb 28, 3:03am
Post #17 of 41
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Aren't blackberries prickly plants, or am I thinking of something else. Do you wear gloves?
We don't have an outdoor heater, but it's been so nice this winter I've gone out many times with just a sweater, or even no sweater. So a sweater and maybe a nice blankie should get me through until spring.
Happy rest of your weekend!
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Altaira
Superuser
Feb 28, 3:18am
Post #18 of 41
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I didn't believe B.G.'s kia stories at first, but he has pictures of family trips showing a kia happily trying to munch on their windshield wipers and any other rubbery car bits. I hear they're quite determined, and get belligerent when someone tries to shoo them away.
Speaking of automatic watering systems, I found a brilliant indoor one for when B.G. and I are away on trips. My brother used to have to come by and water each individual plant, and now he just makes sure the bucket with the small filters are. Thin, clear hoses run to a pump, then on to each plant. The plants look better when we get back than they do when I'm home. 
I love your description of trying to fit everything in the freezer. Good luck!
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Altaira
Superuser
Feb 28, 3:30am
Post #19 of 41
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You'll love the vision correction
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I had lasik, gosh, almost 40 years ago now and I still don't need reading glasses. I do need really good light to read some things, thus we keep mini-flashlights strategically located around the house, but if I have good light I don't need magnification. Kudos to you for getting that done (as well as everything else).
Wow, it must take forever to go through a book in order to index it, even if (I presume) it's digital. I'm sure your client is thanking her lucky stars she asked you to do it. It sounds like you're all ready for spring. I hope the bird parents cooperate and move into your bird houses!
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Kimi
Forum Admin
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Feb 28, 3:37am
Post #20 of 41
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The electrician's theory (warning: a little gross)
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is that rats have got at the wiring. He sees it all the time, he says. But we none of us want him checking out every bit of wiring in the ceiling, so hopefully this exercise will narrow down the area.
We mostly eat feijoas fresh (or frozen and thawed) with things like cereal or pancakes. I've sometimes made jam, and in bumper years we might make wine. I make a delicious feijoa and ginger icecream, too. I'm considering chutney this year. Also we give a lot away to friends and neighbours who express the least interest :)
The Passing of Mistress Rose
My historical novels
Do we find happiness so often that we should turn it off the box when it happens to sit there?
- A Room With a View
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Altaira
Superuser
Feb 28, 3:38am
Post #21 of 41
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Four-wheel drive does not mean four-wheel stop.
When I was very much younger, I delivered pizza for maybe 7-8 month off and on for extra money, often in deep snow. I can't tell you how many times I saw people with 4-wheel drives sail through intersections with wide eyes and utter surprise on their faces. Many more times than people in 'regular' cars. What they didn't realize is: once you take your foot off the gas and hit the brakes, you're no longer in 4-wheel drive.
Loved the rest of the announcement too. Thanks for the laughs.
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Kimi
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Feb 28, 3:43am
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I was a little reminded of that Peaks visit, too.
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We re-watched the 1995 P&P fairly recently, so it was extra fresh in memory.
It's quite an awesome place to visit, and is very significant to local Maori. It's also interesting ecologically, including having its very own, very localised buttercup species. I think it gets very busy indeed at times, so we were lucky to be staying close by so that we could visit in the early evening, long after the tour buses had gone.
The Passing of Mistress Rose
My historical novels
Do we find happiness so often that we should turn it off the box when it happens to sit there?
- A Room With a View
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Feb 28, 3:59am
Post #23 of 41
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Really, it's perfect timing to enjoy the change of seasons. A new front row seat :D When the weather levels off, do you have any bird feeders (hummingbird & seed) to help draw in some live action distraction?
It's been a quiet week. *cups hand to ear* Yup... still quiet! It's been a welcome break I used to get my income tax stuff around *upchuck* I've finally got a year-long process that has eased the confusion. A large manila envelope with a list of everything I need to send in. Most of the things I need I have already put into the envelope as it comes in. Even though I have a very simple life, I'm still WAY too challenged to keep thing straight and panic if I have to research possible changes. So I throw everything at a tax preparer my sister uses and just don't worry about anything :D
The coming week is filled with appointments, house repairs up north, and the homeshow next weekend! Free popcorn and yard sticks! *geeky hand clapping*
I think I'll grab a hot chocolate and a shortbread cookie if there are any about. Thanks for taking such great care of us, Altaira! And good luck on the launch on Monday ;)
We have been there and back again.
TIME Google Calendar
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Altaira
Superuser
Feb 28, 6:23am
Post #24 of 41
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Funny you should mention shortbread cookies
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Yes, we have plenty! So dig in!
Every year I carefully curate a holiday goodie bag for our neighbors to each side of us. The one neighbor goes to Costco and gets us a 5 lb. tin of shortbread cookies - layers and layers of them in a huge tin. I mean, how many shortbread cookies can two people eat?  It's my own fault because I always thank them profusely. Nowadays they usually go to a local food bank.
Glad you had a relatively quiet week. Sorry you had to spend at least part of it on taxes. 
Drink up that hot chocolate and eat up those cookies. You need your strength for the Home Show (love those)!
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Ataahua
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Feb 28, 10:32am
Post #25 of 41
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One of the 'joys' of blackberrying
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is carefully reaching past the thorns to get to the soft berries. It can be quite a zen exercise (when the little beggars aren't puncturing your skin).
I do have 'blackberrying legs', though: there are a few decent scratches on them.
Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..."
Dwarves: "Pretty rings..."
Men: "Pretty rings..."
Sauron: "Mine's better."
"Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded beggar with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak.
Fantasy novel - The Arcanist's Tattoo
My LOTR fan-fiction
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