maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,750
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Nov 30, 2022 13:15:42 GMT
I like the cartoon ones from my childhood -- Rudolph, Frosty, Charlie Brown, The Grinch.
We just watched Spirited with Ryan Reynolds and Will Farrell. It was really really good. I love a good musical with lots of dancing.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,750
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Nov 30, 2022 13:12:55 GMT
I have a wooden tray on the coffee table that holds the TV and fireplace remotes, some coasters, and a couple little puzzles. Since the kids moved out, they never get lost.
Our late dog chewed up at least three of them, and my son used to hide it in the closet when he was a toddler - he liked the little red light.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,750
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Nov 27, 2022 23:10:06 GMT
It took me 2-3 weeks for my progressives. Once it started to click, I was fine with them. But it was definitely a hard adjustment. Now they’re perfect. ETA I had never worn regular glasses before, just readers.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,750
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Nov 27, 2022 22:55:05 GMT
Yes, but it’s turned out to be the start of strep in my family this week. Crossing my fingers that I don’t get it.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,750
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Nov 27, 2022 19:22:46 GMT
Yeah, DH and I had Covid for the first time about a month ago. We were supposed to get our boosters that week, so that’s been postponed for a bit. We had a gathering of 8 for Thanksgiving, and so far, there have been two cases of strep come out of it. Both on the mend with z-packs. WOW, that's quick. So sorry...hopefully no one else gets it. Thanks- I hope there are no more cases too. It started with DD and she gave it to DH. It must have started before Thursday, they were both super sick Friday night. Crossing my fingers for the rest of us.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,750
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Nov 27, 2022 19:10:26 GMT
Yeah, DH and I had Covid for the first time about a month ago. We were supposed to get our boosters that week, so that’s been postponed for a bit.
We had a gathering of 8 for Thanksgiving, and so far, there have been two cases of strep come out of it. Both on the mend with z-packs.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,750
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Nov 26, 2022 13:58:07 GMT
My mom gives me a membership to the art museum every year. I got my in-laws the big fat pears from Harry and David and they loved them. They also really liked the soup dinner from Spoonful of Comfort. I like Florida oranges and grapefruit. My mom likes chocolate covered cashews from the local candy shop. Got my son tickets for a concert. I’m big on consumable gifts. P
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,750
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Nov 19, 2022 20:51:46 GMT
Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen I’ve loved this song since the first time I heard it when it first came out. Pure genius. So many memories.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,750
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Nov 18, 2022 14:11:48 GMT
I guess someone can mark this as politics if they'd like, but I don't intend it as a political discussion. My father died six months ago. Since he died, my mother has become an avid viewer of Fox News. This has been very out-of-character for her; she has never been a huge news watcher, and she has always been pretty liberal. Since she has been watching it, her world perspective has changed dramatically. She is extremely paranoid and thinks everyone is trying to scam her or steal from her. She thinks that everywhere is extremely dangerous. She has started saying a lot of weird conspiratorial political things as well (Joe Biden is actually completely ravaged by dementia, and is being used as a puppet so the government can loot hard-working people), although it's less that her political views have changed substantively than that the character they have taken on is persecution and conspiracy. Obviously, since my father died, and my mother had been married to him (a lousy marriage, but that was her situation) for almost sixty years, I can't say that this is 100% from watching Fox, but, every time I try to follow up with her about why she has said this out-of-character thing, she says she heard it on Fox. I know I'm not the only person who has dealt with this. It's really hard. Now, when a small thing happens like my youngest accidentally leaves her jacket at school, my mother starts literally yelling about how "those other kids" (with exactly the implications that sounds like) took it; when the jacket of course is right where she left it the next day, it's because "those kids" got caught and put it back. She is paying her rent in an envelop of cash because otherwise her landlord might drain her bank account with a direct deposit arrangement; she goes physically into Verizon to pay her cellphone bill because she won't pay it online or even over the phone. I don't think there is any solution here -- I've obviously suggested she, you know, stop watching Fox News, but she insists that she "likes the personalities on there" and so is going to keep watching. I think I'm just looking for other people who have experienced the same thing with friends or relatives -- this is really, really weird. You are probably right, but at least you can come to some understanding on why it's happened. And that may help you process your own feelings and thoughts and responses, even if it doesn't change a thing with your mom. If she doesn't feel that she needs to change, then there isn't much you can do. I'm really sorry you've gone through all this with your mom and dad. It's been a really tough year for you.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,750
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Nov 18, 2022 12:08:40 GMT
Along with investigating the Bidens, I hope the Republicans immediately begin investigating all the money the now-bankrupt-by-BILLIONS-of-dollars FTX poured into Democrat campaigns. And on the first day of the new congress, I want them to begin to reinstate the Keystone Pipe Line. FTX was pouring money into Democratic and Republican coffers alike. There’s a lot to investigate about that company. The new CEO’s court filings show that the previous management team should be going to jail.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,750
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Nov 17, 2022 20:12:00 GMT
I just scored tickets to SIX, which is touring here in March. I'm thrilled and super excited to tell DD on Christmas morning. We do three gifts for the kids, this year the theme seems to be one very expensive gift and one homemade gift instead of three. DS is getting a very pricy lego set and a quilt - handmade with lots of love and cussing- by me. it went off to the longarmer yesterday. what are your teenagers getting? I saw SIX last fall with my kids the week that Broadway reopened. It was so much fun -- the audience went nuts! We were so happy to be back at live shows. You'll have the BEST time.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,750
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Nov 13, 2022 16:03:41 GMT
I don’t know how that works in Australia. A Dr in Boston was arrested last week for sex trafficking and has been fired from the hospital where he works, and lost his other hospital privileges. I assume the medical board will review whether he can keep his license. he hadn’t been convicted of anything yet.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,750
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Nov 13, 2022 15:05:09 GMT
It's awful that there are others who have had to deal with this as well. Even though we did nothing wrong it still feels bad to know we interacted with and were nice to men while they were doing those horrible things. Even though this surgeon was arrested and charged and helfd in remand, I was still confused why there was no trial date set...so I had to look up how this all works. Apparently now his case gets reviewed by the public prosecutors and they decide if there's enough evidence etc and whether or not to proceed with a trial (I had falsely assumed once you were formally charged a trial was automatic). If for some reason they decide not to proceed to trial, then he'd be a free man with no convictions and able to resume his career. That's what we're worried about - if that happens and we are expected to interact with him again. I guess we'll have to decide what to do if that happens, but I'm already thinking I'll be very active and vocal and take a lead role if I need to, to petition our hospital board so they don't let him operate there again. Hopefully, even if he isn’t convicted, there’s enough for him to lose his medical license.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,750
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Nov 13, 2022 13:59:18 GMT
The fertility doctor when I was TTC with DS lost his medical license for molesting women both in the exam room and under anesthesia. I choose to believe it didn’t happen to me. He moved to Thailand to avoid lawsuits. Creep.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,750
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Nov 11, 2022 20:25:00 GMT
I’ll third Enola Holmes. The movie Tick Tick… Boom. It’s the autobiographical musical of Jonathon Larson, who wrote the musical Rent. Directed by Lin Manuel Miranda. Lilyhammer is an oldie but goodie.
Other than those, I’m either watching something sci fi or murderous.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,750
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Nov 9, 2022 19:25:07 GMT
Isn't it interesting -- I've always thought of you as one of the most pulled together people on here. I had no idea of your history. I hope your next adventures are full of wonder and joy.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,750
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Nov 8, 2022 20:32:51 GMT
Well, I am back from the hairdressers. That didn’t go as bad as I thought it might. I just very firmly, but nicely, told her what I wanted to do. Grow my hair longer into some sort of a bob, and let it go gray. She did say that she was really surprised to hear that. I just explained that I really was at a point in my life where I needed to simplify my life. She totally understood that. I also told her I understood conventional wisdom was to cut my hair all off, but that I didn’t want to do that. She showed me some pictures on her phone as suggestions of what I might want to do. She gave me a really great trim that help blend my current short layers down into my nape. I think it looks cute. I’m going to keep my bangs. She did agree with that. I also told her that I no longer wanted to try to get a lot of volume and lift by teasing or back combing my hair or using a lot of product. It just doesn’t work. So she used Aquage Thickening Spray gel (which is what I normally use) and dried it with a hairdryer and round brush. Very quick and easy. Because I have find thin fragile hair, we agreed that doing any type of a gray coloring probably would not be a good thing for the health of my hair. At least with winter coming, I won’t be going out much and hats, scarves and headbands will be my best friends. Ha Thanks for all of the encouraging words and sharing your experiences. It really helped and means a lot. I learned that there is no right or wrong way to go in gray - just do it! Good idea -- it was a LOT of chemicals to get my colored hair stripped and turned gray. My hair can take it, but it wasn't very good for it.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,750
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Nov 8, 2022 15:02:05 GMT
I've been making pretty much the same Thanksgiving meal for over 35 years. It doesn't vary too much. This year there are 9 of us, with 6 of them being houseguests. So I'll be cooking Monday through the following Thursday. The actual Thanksgiving meal is the easiest part of the week.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,750
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Nov 8, 2022 14:57:28 GMT
I'm like oh yvonne in that I like to cook, but I like what I cook better than most other options. My husband could say he doesn't cook, but he does help with the planning.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,750
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Nov 7, 2022 21:50:21 GMT
I've been watching Extraordinary Attorney Woo. I am seriously embarrassed to tell you all this, but if I help one person... I watched the first two episodes in Korean. I really liked it, but it was a struggle and I wished to myself "if they only had dubbed this, it would be better." Sigh. I just had to go to the CC area and switch to the English speaking version. I have been struggling watching Die Kaiserin in German with English subtitles. My German is okay, but not great. I feel like a big dope. In any case Extraordinary Attorney Woo is a great show. Woo Young-Woo is a lawyer who has ASD and loves whales. It's her struggle and I think the show really works to show that ASD isn't just one brilliant person, rather a -ahem- spectrum of people. For people who liked Atypical or enjoyed reading The Rosie Project, I think you'd like this show. I also find Korean law fascinating. I love Korean crime shows. My favorite is Stranger, about a prosecutor who lost his emotions as a child. Bae Doo Na plays the police officer he works with (I loved her in Sense8.) I'll have to take a look at Extraordinary Attorney Woo.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,750
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Nov 7, 2022 21:40:05 GMT
sort of (?) a memoir, if you like traveling, and cats: A Cat Called Norton: The True Story of an Extraordinary Cat and His Imperfect Human, by Peter Gethers. There are three books altogether, I think- Peter is a writer and was a self professed cat-hater, until his girlfriend gave him a kitten (a Scottish Fold) named Norton. The girlfriend left, but the cat stayed- the books are about his relationship with Norton, and their travels together. That reminds me of another, A Street Cat Named Bob by James Bowen There was an awesome movie made of A Street Cat Named Bob. I absolutely loved it.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,750
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Nov 7, 2022 21:33:49 GMT
You know, I've been going to my hairdresser for 20+ years. I told her I wanted to go gray and longer, and you know what she said? Let's do it! She asked me a couple times if I was sure while she mixed the bleach -- she said it was a big change and she wanted me to be happy. I've been getting nothing but compliments on it. It's a pretty drastic change for me. My hair went white in my early thirties and I've been dying it ever since. I'm 60 now.
Heck, if you don't like it you can always go back to dying it. It's your hair -- why is she so invested in it looking a certain way?
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,750
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Nov 7, 2022 18:07:24 GMT
I just had all my color lifted in foils, then toned gray. I love that I did it all at once and didn’t have to deal with growout. I had my second appointment and just had a cool glaze to tone it down. Way cheaper than what I was doing. I use a purple conditioner every 3 days or so. It was a lot of chemicals on my hair, but I’m really happy with it.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,750
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Nov 7, 2022 14:58:37 GMT
I have a few that I liked: Andre Agassi's book,Open: An Autobiography. I don't even like tennis but I loved this book. Great writing. Glennon Doyle's book, Untamed. I wasn't expecting much and didn't know who she was. My daughter recommended it. I'm a huge fan now. Stephen King's book, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft. If you're going to be writing more, you should seriously read this. He's an absolute master.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,750
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Nov 6, 2022 11:31:44 GMT
My kids enjoyed his early music so much. It really defined their tween years. It was so joyful. I’m sorry to hear he died so young.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,750
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Nov 5, 2022 12:12:00 GMT
Take good care of yourself. We will be here when winter passes. ❤️
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,750
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Nov 4, 2022 12:25:02 GMT
Ours was inside when I was a kid, but the meter reader always knocked. They never came in without being invited. Ours is a remote read now. By law, they replace the meter every 7 years here. Mine was replaced a few weeks ago. The technician did have to come into the house to check that any pilot lights restarted properly.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,750
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Nov 3, 2022 19:19:39 GMT
I don't use an alarm except if I need to get up to actually go someplace (airport usually.) When the alarm goes off, I get up. I wake up very early normally, so alarms aren't necessary for normal days. Plus I work at home and can start when I want to.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,750
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Nov 3, 2022 19:14:29 GMT
We have four statewide ballot questions in Massachusetts this year. One has to do with recalling the law that was passed to allow illegal immigrants to get drivers licenses, one changing the laws on how many liquor stores a large chain grocery store can have, one about adding a millionaire's tax, and one on a law regulating how much money dental insurance companies have to spend on patient care.
We have paper ballots that we mark a bubble with a flair pen, then feed into a machine for counting.
We always get stickers, they're not especially cool looking, but I always stick it on my jacket. Then walk around for several months with it before I notice and take it off.
We have early voting and absentee ballots.
My town has one polling place (the elementary school) with three precincts. School is out on voting day because there are so many strangers in the school.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,750
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Nov 2, 2022 9:21:13 GMT
I’d add the creamer the night before. I don’t think it would taste as good if the coffee with cream was sitting more than a day or two. But the coffee itself will stay fine for a week or two.
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