Friday, February 7th, 2025
Weekend Roundup
TGIF!! Let’s jump right into sharing five random things about our week. Here’s mine:
- Monday Wizard and I went to a running shoe store to buy shoes. It costs a tad more, but we found it worth it. Ordering stuff online is convenient and all, but sometimes, in-person is the better option. We both bought some shoes.
- The coffee table saga goes on. They brought the new one Wednesday and it was warped worse than the one we have. The delivery guys noticed it first and they called to tell the office they’re returning it. Customer Service called me, and they are delivering a new one a week from today. The customer service person swears they will check it at the warehouse first. I just keep telling myself people deal with real problems every day and this is not one of those real problems. This is just an annoyance that will get sorted out. But man I’m tired of endless phone calls, emails, texts and four hour windows for deliveries — I just want this done.
- In the Success! column, Wizard and I hung a TV in our what we humorously called our “Media Room.” It’s a spare bedroom we use for everything — working out, wrapping presents, doing little projects, chilling out by ourselves with YouTube or Movies or read, just all kinds of things. The hardest part of that was finding the right TV bracket for our older TV. The rest went fairly easy and now the TV appears to be securely on the wall and doing what we want it to do. We are super happy about it. There’s more to be done in that room, but the house is a process that we enjoy and do as we can afford it.
- We took some Manicotti over to my sister and her husband’s yesterday (we just wanted them to know we are thinking of them as the deal with losing a family member). We visited for a while, then Wizard got antsy and was ready to leave. I wanted to stay longer but traffic sucks so we went home. On the way, Oldest called, and while I was on the phone to him and distracted — Wizard got off the freeway and started winding into the hills where we’ve never been. I told oldest this and said that he might be the last person to talk to me, and that this was my last known location. He’s like, “Cool, Mom, this is how all the best mysteries start.” Frankly, he sounded more amused than worried. It’s like he trusts his dad or something
- We saw Baby Girl yesterday. She’s delightful, super chatty and engaged. She turns five months old on the 9th! When I see her now, I barely remember that tiny helpless newborn. It sure is hard to leave when she’s mastered the art of being adorable, full of smiles and babbling.
This weekend, we have a family birthday party Saturday afternoon. Sunday Wizard is torn between racing and the Superbowl, and I’ve got a list of things I could do so we’ll see. That’s my five, now I’d love to hear yours!
February 7th, 2025 at 12:17 pm · Link
Yay for shoes! That’s one thing I’d NEVER buy on-line. The fit is too important. Glad you both found some. Yikes on the table. You’d think they’d have better quality control. Poor customer service if this happens a lot! (And I mean that in the sense that the rep probably takes a verbal beating, not that the rep is poor at service.) Yay for TV and media rooms! Ah…the road less traveled. Good thing Wiz wears a white hat, huh?
Yay for Baby Girl Time™ but FIVE MONTHS!?!?!?! Holy cannoli, time flies fast! Okay, my five:
1. I fought the Word and the Word won. I spent 2 days trying to figure out why my Word doc kept “downsizing” to this tiny strip whenever I hit the “double boxes” (that should either full size or mid-size the doc/window. It always opened full-screen. Nothing worked and it was a pain each time I had to refer to my Scrivener window. Yes, I finally figured it out and I won’t bore with how. Still, I’m behind on the formatting because of this.
2. It’s been drizzly and chilly all week. We need the moisture so no complaints. Only’s “new” Ford Explorer takes the weather in stride. (I add this because I don’t remember is I mentioned what she got–a 2021 Explorer with all the bells and whistles with 85K miles).
3. I got the blurb for the new book written and the test audience liked it. Only also got my cover done. It’s awesome and fits with the other 3 books in the series. Yay.
4. In the “I’m a doofus” column, I made meatloaf the other night. I was draining the grease off in preparation to spreading the ketsup over the top to bake for another few minutes while the scalloped potatoes finished. One hand (the one in the oven mitt holding the baking dish) decided to quit working so I dropped the dish. Half the meatloaf broke and hit the floor because some part of my brain said “DO NOT CATCH WITH BARE HAND!” No burns, Jake got extra good dinner, and there was enough left for one helping each for LG and me.
5. Neither of the cats purr. I know. It’s weird. Actually, Loki might but he’s never “social” enough for me to know. I did get some video last night of him “boxing” Jake. Pete, while very vocal with the meows, doesn’t purr either. Well, this morning between 4:30 and 5:00, I woke up and heard this sort of low grrrr sound. Just a whisper so that I had to listen hard. Pete had curled in between my side and arm as I slept on my back. It was him but I couldn’t decide if he had a rasp/congestion in his breathing or if it was actually a purr. I am choosing to believe he was purring. It made me happy.
Not much else going on. Stormy has soccer matches tonight and tomorrow morning. I hope to finish formatting today and then a final pass over the weekend while hopefully uploading for publication for release on the 14th. Not sure it’ll make preorder but maybe? Don’t care, I just want it live as many placees as possible on the 14th. Next week will start graphic and marketing stuff. 😨 It never ends. 🤦🏼♀️ Have a great weekend, all!
February 7th, 2025 at 3:13 pm · Link
1. Nice, good shoes. Very important to have a good fit. Fit and quality are worth the money.
2. Sorry about the table issues. I hope they really do make sure it’s in good condition before they send a new one out – again.
3. Kudos to you guys. I don’t think I could hang a TV straight 🤣.
4. Taking dinner to Biker Witch and her hubby was so nice. You are very thoughtful. Wizard cracks me up. Did you enjoy seeing new things on your adventure?
5. Baby girl time is always a blessing💕.
1a. The ice from the other day is still in the driveway. It’s a hazard to go get the mail. Tomorrow night we’re supposed to get more freezing rain. Sunday morning may be awful.
2a. I’m finally reading Onyx Storm. I wish I had more uninterrupted time to read. It seems like any time I go on the computer or pick up a book hubs has an issue.
3a. Got a call last night about Anthem’s Carelon added free insurance. I asked her to call back this morning because night with hubs is never good. Well, she didn’t call back. From what I gather, they have home healthcare that is free via Anthem. I just don’t know if hubs has to actually be seen before we can use the benefit. I may just call Anthem Monday.
4a. Harrison’s dad just got a huge promotion at the Country Music Hall of Fame. I’m very proud of him. The guy is so talented.
5a. Depending on how bad the weather is this weekend, I may go shopping a Kohl’s. If I do, I probably won’t buy anything. It’s fun just to look around ☺️.
I hope you have a great weekend!
February 7th, 2025 at 5:44 pm · Link
Silver, I agree on the quality control. We’re kind of in a bind as the side tables were fine and we accepted them, assuming the coffee table would be replaced with a good one. It’d be hard to find something else to match. And yeah, 5 months for Baby Girl!!
1) Word can be infuriating like that! I’m sorry you lost so much time it, but yay for figuring it out!
2) Glad you’re getting some moisture even if it’s drizzle. But great news on Only’s Explorer! It sounds like a great vehicle for her (and her family’s) needs! Life is so much better when we have a trusty vehicle.
3) You’re so close to being ready to publish! I need to go look at your blog. I’m in the middle of baking now and answering this between timer bells, but will do it soon!
4) Yay for no burns!!! Your brain did good stopping you from automatically trying to catch the meatloaf — I’ve done stuff like that and suffered for it! But it sucks when stuff like that happens. My right hand can fail me like that and it’s so frustrating because we never expect it to happen. Glad you salvaged one dinner out of it!
5) Really your cats don’t purr??? I thought all cats did, and I just learned something new. Since I’m a tried and true dog person, it’s cool to learn new things about cats. But I’m with you and believe Pete was purring in contentment
You’ll make the Feb 14th target! I think you’re smart putting your energy into spreading the word on release day rather than worrying too much about preorders. I have you have a great weekend!
February 7th, 2025 at 5:52 pm · Link
Viki, the bracket that goes on the wall to hang the TV comes with a level in it. That helped so much to get it straight! But we also measured the heck out of things to get it right the first time
I was amused by our improtu adventure on back roads, especially when I realized Wizard had made a wrong turn and was not going where he thought he was. But we arrived home safely.
1) The driveway sounds treacherous!
2) It’s hard to stop and start reading like that. I’m doing that and ended up not picking it back up (from distractions and tiredness, not the book. I will soon.
3) I hope you can get through quickly on Monday and get clear information! But it sounds like it has potential to lighten your burden a bit.
4) You have every right to be proud of Harrison’s Dad!!! Congrats to him on his big promotion!
5) Getting out (weather permitting) will be fun for you. And maybe you’ll find something you really want or need too. I really need to get to Kohls but we’ve just been busy with life.
I really hope you get a chance to go to Kohls and have some fun this weekend!