Friday, December 15th, 2023
Friday Five!
TGIF! We all know what that means — it’s time to share five random things about our week. Here’s mine:
- Under stupid stuff I do: Wizard was in what we laughingly call our media room (it’s such a joke, we have a small, 25 year old TV in there that we stream stuff on.) I went in to ask him a question, and I faked annoyance at his answer. I said, “This is me stomping out!” Wizard laughed and said, “Let’s see what you’ve got.” So I flung my hair dramatically, turned and stomped right into the doorjamb. Sigh… To his credit, Wizard didn’t laugh, but I did because how could I not?
- So before we moved, I carefully packed my laptop. Then once we starting unpacking, I couldn’t find it. We were so busy, I didn’t worry about it, but I kept trying to remember if we’d discarded it or not. It bugged me, but weirdly, I don’t think I ever told Wizard I couldn’t find it. But yesterday, like 15 months after we moved in, I found it! I was in the hall closet, looked up and noticed all our computer bags lined up on the shelf. It hit me that I’d packed it safely in it’s travel bag. I think Wizard moved it over himself, and put it in the closet out of the way of the movers to keep it safe. It was so safe, I lost it for 15 months! But I found it eventually! Then once I charged it, I started it up and realized it was still password protected. Long story short, it took wizard and I all day to remember the password we were 100% sure we’d never forget!
- Trying to bake zucchini bread in my oven is like trying to bake it in a Susie Bake Oven. It doesn’t matter what I did to adjust that recipe I used for decades, including squeezing every gram of water out of the zucchini I could. Also, why do I keep trying the same recipe I know has consistently failed in my oversized Susie Bake Oven? But whatever, the baking goes on, and so far, my oven is working well enough. So my guess is the oven has a grudge against zucchini bread. So far, I’ve made cranberry orange break (it is fine), a new to me recipe of gluten and dairy free red velvet cookies — they seem okay but I’m not a red velvet fan so we’ll see, and I made the dough for white chocolate macadamia nut cookies and dairy and gluten free chocolate chip cookies. I’ll bake those two today. Still on my to do list is: Lemon cookies, pistachio nut cookies, chocolate mocha cookies, and thumbprint cookies. I also have an appetizer, roasted potatoes, Mexican rice and two desserts to make for various parties. I should probably make a nice Christmas dinner for Wizard and I too, but we’ll see.
- One night this week, Wizard went to bed and Maggie thought she heard someone at our door. She quiet-barked the information to me, and then suggested I hurry up and check. To Maggie, this means I put her in a sit, open the door and check. But it was dark and I wasn’t expecting a delivery so I put her in a sit and checked through the peep hole. As I suspected, it was just a delivery truck stopped right in front of our house, but it wasn’t for us. I turned and told her no one was there. She tilted her head at me in the doggy version of: “You can’t see through doors human, you must open it.” Finally she just huffed and walked away, clearly concerned for my mental health. In her defense, she doesn’t know I have a peephole in the door since she’s too short to see it. It cracked me up that she was actually annoyed.
- Tonight, we are going to see Turbo’s school Christmas play. All but middle son are going, which is awesome. The play is at 3:30 and middle son has a work obligation. After the play, we’re all going to dinner after too. It’s great that we all think the 5 year old child in the family matters enough to stop the stressful holiday prep and enjoy some family time. It’ll be good for us. Also today, I guess I have to finally send out the Christmas cards too since Wizard printed all the labels to help me. I appreciate it even if I didn’t want to send the cars, LOL!
That’s my five, now I’d love to hear yours! I hope everyone is able to find some time this weekend for some downtime or do something that helps you relax and regroup. Enjoy the weekend! And remember to stay safe, especially if you’re on the road as there will likely be holiday parties this weekend, some of which will serve alcohol.
December 15th, 2023 at 4:04 pm · Link
Uhm…door jambs are evil. Just sayin’… It’s funny how our brains work and how missing things finally turn up. Glad you found it, and this is why I have an address book that is nothing the names of devices and companies that need passwords. It’s all there in alphabetical order and yes, if there’s ever a fire, I will risk my life for that darn thing! Zuccini bread is finicky but you are the QUEEN of Cookies! Maggie is a good girl and smart. You should listen to her… Oh how fun! Five-year-olds (ANY-year-olds) are totally worth the family turn-out, plus dinner. Fun times! Okay, my five.
1. I have a new book out. MIDNIGHT CLEAR. It’s a Christmas novella. And there’s a very long story behind it. Suffice it to say that Iffy emerged from behind the winter coats in the closet after raiding the stash of espresso and dark chocolate. She demanded that I finish and publish this story. (It started as a screenplay based on a Kenny Rogers song, evolved into a partial novella, and then sat lost in my digital files for 12 years.) She refused to do anything until I got it live. It’s live now.
2. In the last week, I’ve writtn over 10K words, edited, proofed, wrote the blurb, created the cover (all by myself!), created “ad” copy, uploaded it, revamped my website, and posted to social media. My brain is mush!
3. Stormy’s last soccer game of this year was Tuesday. They start back up in January or February. He ended up playing goalie almost the entire game because the other goalie took a kicked ball to the face. Ouch!
4. I’m late posting today because the book went live last night and I had to do all that advertising stuff, including a newsletter, once I had the live link. (Can you tell I’m reaching for absolute randomness here?
5. No Pete story but Loki has started “playing” with the rugs. Last night, he managed to crawl about a foot under the big rug in the family room despite furniture anchoring it and Jake laying on it. This morning, it was the runner in the dining room. He’d rolled himself up in. Don’t ask. I have no clue, other than…cat! 🐱👤 (that’s the ninja cat emogi)
FYI, if you’re looking for some cute and cozy paranormals with a bit of mystery/intrigue, give Linda Winstead Jones’s Mystric Springs series a looksee. I’ve enjoyed BIGFOOT AND THE LIBRARIAN and SANTA AND THE SNOW WITCH (wish is a novella). Currently listening to the last one, BEAUTY AND THE BEASTMASTER. I’m not loving the hero despite the fact he’s the town vet and “talks” to the animals. Hopefully, he’ll redeem himself.
No real plans this weekend. Only needs a new phone and she’s still on our plan so one/both of us have to be there to okay the upgrad.
As much as I need to get back to work on the Moonstruck Mafia book, I’m taking at least tomorrow off and away from the computer once I post my “morning” hello on FB. If I don’t introduce a #ShirtsOffSaturday candidate, there might be mutiny. 
Have a great weekend, all! And don’t panic. We’ve still got 9 days until Christmas morning.
December 15th, 2023 at 4:06 pm · Link
1. Ouch! Wizard’s a good guy not laughing. Did you laugh?
2. Isn’t it funny how we don’t remember passwords and phone numbers anymore? Dang phones. Though I do remember my childhood phone number 7167457682.
3. Must be the convection cooking. I haven’t really baked any sweet bread yet. I think I will this weekend and I’ll let you know what happens.
4. Maggie is an excellent watch dog. They are so cute the way they tilt their head at us.
5. I bet you all enjoyed the play. I miss those days.
1a. The new iPhone is a SUPER challenge for hubs. That’s one of the reasons I fought getting them. It has not been fun for any of us.
2a. Apple is giving me an extra $100 on my phone rebate and hubs less $100 on his. My phone had never been dropped or anything. It looked brand new.
3a. Talked to my best friend from college today. He called while I was running to the post office. Finally told him about hubs. He’s been through it with his mom but she’s in NYC and he’s in TN. It’s a very difficult thing to manage.
4a. I still have not put the decorations on the tree. Everything else is done. Ornaments tomorrow is a must.
5a. I think I’ll do some wrapping on Sunday. I only have two ties for hubs. I just don’t know what to get him. He doesn’t really want anything. Maybe some chocolate covered cashews too.
I hope you have a great weekend!
December 17th, 2023 at 3:00 pm · Link
Silver, sorry I’m late answering! Life is fully of distractions! Okay, so I do have a password key, but I thought I removed the password from it before I packed it. Long story — our other computer died, and we created a new password for the new one. After a few months I discard that password from my system. Fortunately Wizard recalled it, but it took us awhile
Now for you:
1) Congrats on the novella!!! Your newsletter is in my inbox waiting for when when I opened my email. Anyhow, I’m excited to grab it when I sit at the computer long enough. Hopefully6 while working on the novella she was plotting what you need to finish your book!
2) WOW!!! That’s a lot!!
3) Ouch indeed! But Stormy seemed to enjoy it, so good for him!
4) Not randomness as much as that’s been the focus of your week. It’s a lot of juggling but you got it all done!
5) Loki is definitely a ninja cat! Don’t trip over him
Thanks so much for the book rec. Maggie did tell me about it, I just haven’t bought it yet.
Since it’s noon on Sunday here, and later there, I’ll say that I hope you had and continue to have a great weekend!
December 17th, 2023 at 3:07 pm · Link
Viki, yes I laughed! Plus Turbo and the kids were all so cute.
1) I bet it’s a struggle. I hate change because I’m lazy but it’s different for your hubs. I hope he gets the hang of it soon.
2) It’s all a scam, sigh. Sorry but cell phones annoy me. Along with cable or streaming costs for TV.
3) It’s all so hard. We have something like that in our family too. But it has to be tougher on the daily for you living with it 24/7. I’m glad you were able to talk to a friend, support is crucial.
4) You’re trying to do a lot! I hope you got the things done for Christmas that make you happy. That’s what Wizard and I did this year.
5) That’s so hard when you don’t know what to get someone. But maybe he’s happier with less? And I hope the wrapping isn’t too much for your arm.
My weekend is good, and hope yours is too!