Watcha doing today?

[Ambergris]

Last minute packing, with charged electronics, this morning.  No purse.  Was given a suitcase with two nesting carry-ons that fit inside it.  Laptop won't fit into the smallest carryon, so the middle-sized one is my free-wheeler and the little one is getting stuffed with everything else I'm packing, and then is getting stuffed into the big one for cargo.  The "everything else" mostly includes my medication (apart from my one-week supply), tax software, and various documents I picked up last time I was in the US.  I will pick up more documents in the US and actually do the work next week while I'm there.

After lunch, H is swinging back by with Mr. H, who will drive us to the local airport, a few hours to the west on the other side of the mountains in a town called Catamayo.  This is a hot, dry area and has a reputation as a high-crime town.  I keep looking around corners for Clint Eastwood in a poncho.  Mr. H would not think of having H and me go alone.  We will most likely have a light supper there.  At 5:30 I will (I hope) take the last plane to Quito in the far north of the country, arriving around 6:30 p.m.  I have since been informed that taking the last flight is risky, as it might be canceled if not enough tickets are sold.  This weighs on me, but the other flights of the day are already sold out, so it's not likely to be under-populated. 

My plane from Quito leaves right before 11 p.m. tonight, giving me plenty of time to get through the processes with one nearly-empty suitcase and one roller-carryon, even if I get selected for extra inspection.  Do you have anything to declare? Yes, I have two tribal baby bracelets and half a pound of Amazonian chocolate.  I will probably eat again  as table rent at Johnny Rocket, one of the cafes in the airport, as it's pretty quiet and pretty comfortable there.

I should get to Atlanta with I think a little less than three and a half hours before my final leg.  Given the fact this is the Atlanta airport, that's basically a reasonably comfortable time to get across the airport to the vicinity of the next gate, get through the bathroom line, and get something to eat so I can have my medication.  Unfortunately, the good breakfast places won't be open when I land, so I'll take cookies or something from Catamayo for the pills and if the line isn't awful maybe get an egg and biscuit once the breakfast places do open, although I'd have to rush through my bag of food if I do.  I should get on home around 9:30 tomorrow, and be sitting down to brunch before 10:30.

[Littlesister]

Kappy, you have been really busy it sounds like.  Hope they can get the right answer to your hand and fix it. 

 

Necie, you have also been really busy with making soaps, lotions and crocheting and such. 

 

I am working in the house again today. Need to run up to store for onions. I thought I had some but was out. 

Been raining all day so far. So, no work outside again.  Not doing a lot for Easter this year. Can't drive to my DD's house with my knee. Yep, it is the right one. GD left this morning to go to DD's house and will be back early afternoon. Her DH didn't want to go as they are looking to buy a house and he wanted to go house shopping. They looked at one yesterday but already had 2 contracts on it and they said they won't getting into a price war. So still looking.  

Boxing up a lot of stuff to get rid of and putting it all by the front door. Going to call Salvation Army as I think they will pick it all up. Much easier than me trying to load up the car. 

 

I got my taxes done but I am paying this year again but a lot more. Got all that taken care of. I didn't realize SS still did not take out taxes as well as my retirement that I had to take out extra money on. So, all that is now taken care of. Next year should be much better. I don't have to take extra money out for at least a couple of years and this time I will be all over my financial planner if he doesn't do what I ask. this time. He has been giving me bad advice lately and I really need to find a new one or just go over his head and call the main office. I pay him to do a job and I expect him to do it. 

 

Other than the front garden bed I am planning on with the shelving and such. I am not going to do a garden this year. I will spend time getting things set up with the raised beds and take it from there. Then I will have everything set up and ready to go for next year. I think that will take a lot off of my shoulders with trying to do too much this year. 

 

GS got a call from his recruiter.  The want to make sure that he doesn't have any more kidney stones and going to do labs again for that and check for stones. He passed that one, but I think it is because he is so young to have that issue. 

 

After that they will send him to Mepps in VA Beach to retake the test and then from there he will be put on a plane and off to New Jersey. He has to pack his bags of only the necessities he will need. From boot camp he will be put on plane and off to CA for school for 4 months then to wherever they send him after that. His car will be parked in my driveway for a long while, but I don't care as it will seem like someone is always home. Just have to get that wood off of driveway so he can pull it up all the way to the edge of it out of the way. He plans on buying a truck and selling the car later. 

 

[Jeepers]

Always great to hear from Kappy and Mary. Glad you two are doing so well! I passed by middle age too. Don't know how that happened. Things sort of sneak up on ya. Then the aches and pains start to set in and you remember...oh yeah, I'm in my seventies now.  

[Jeepers]

Safe travels Ambergris. I always hated the Atlanta Airport (Hartsfield) because it is so big. Last time I went through there, I had to take a shuttle bus to a different terminal. I was so confused but just followed the rest of the herd like a little sheeple.  LOL.   

 

[snapshotmiki]

I pray that your docs can get together and fix your hand soon!  @kappydell!

And am glad to hear good news about your GS @Littlesister!

 

Already walked.
Did ebay books.
Walked Aninja.
Made phone calls to VA again and actually got things accomplished and appts. made
Have to run to courthouse and store. locally.
Make meatloaf and potato puffs.
Daughter is still here so skipping Bible study tonight.

[Littlesister]

Everyone seems so busy these days. Gardens and such.  I'm still working on getting this house organized and downsized. Taking too long but have had so many interruptions that I am surprised I got as much done as I did. 

 

Cooked dinner earlier and now my knee is killing me. I just can't stand on it but so long and then it starts swelling.  So been propping it up and keeping ice on it.  

 

When my GS gets on that airplane, I will believe he is on his way.  I am so ready for him to move on and stand on his own two feet for a change. Hopefully he will grow up. 

 

Ambergris, Have a safe trip.  

 

Haven't seen the WE2's on here in a long while. Hope all is well.

[themartianchick]

10 hours ago, Littlesister said:

 

 

I got my taxes done but I am paying this year again but a lot more. Got all that taken care of. I didn't realize SS still did not take out taxes as well as my retirement that I had to take out extra money on. So, all that is now taken care of. Next year should be much better. I don't have to take extra money out for at least a couple of years and this time I will be all over my financial planner if he doesn't do what I ask. this time. He has been giving me bad advice lately and I really need to find a new one or just go over his head and call the main office. I pay him to do a job and I expect him to do it. 

 

 

 

Thank you for posting this, Littlesister. I need to take care of this for hubby. When we file next year, our circumstances will have changed and we will owe if SS doesn't withhold taxes.

[Necie]

HI  @kappydell!!

 

@Littlesister, don’t fret about the garden stuff. Just do what you can do. Little bits add up.  If you get your raised beds set up later, maybe you could do some things that have a short grow season. Or if by fall, you could do some cold weather crops. Maybe put some hoops and plastic over them like a little greenhouse or cold frame. 

 

Crocheted this morning.

Made another double batch of Oatmeal Milk & Honey soap and a batch of Black Raspberry Vanilla lotion. 
Ordered essential oils and fragrance oils that I’m out of or low on. There goes $550. 

 

Going to the farm tomorrow.  Taking the camper to get it set up and ready for summer and probably work in the house a bit to get things arranged and set back up for some summer sales. 
Kids have decided they want to come here for Easter.  DS2 wants to bring his smoker that he got for Christmas and make *something*. He also thought we should do an egg themed day... he wants scotch eggs for breakfast.   I thought about trying to plan out a meal and run to the store... but that doesn’t sound like anything I want to do. So I guess we’ll just wing it— I have plenty of options. 

 

and 

Necie

[Mt_Rider]

Hi everyone.  Seems like  I can't get in here every day.  Tonite my neck is killing me.  It's been a bit fragile since an unfortunate move in karate - college era.  Wasn't sparing...just moved it wrong.  But I haven't had a problem like this in...decades!  Living with a chiro, y'know.  But it's been hurting for 2 days.  I think it was because I was laying down in the back seat going home from our Women's Bible Study breakfast.  We do that between studies and while I don't get DRAINED with the Bible Studies, these gab sessions are hard on my brain/nervous system.  Cuz with them, the whole length of two tables are all talking and laughing at once.  It's just a LOT more to process.  But it's fun!     But this time I just couldn't sit up in the car.  Laying down maybe too awkwardly in the back seat.  the dog was crowded into the corner....but she didn't mind.  Mannnnn.... this thing hurts!  

 

DH adjusted it, obviously.  But it makes a lot of HISSSSSSS ing noises in my ears.  Arnica gel didn't do much.  Nuprin cuts it back...temporarily.  Headache hovers.    

 

Our driveway is melted all the way to the top....a lot today.  UPS backed his truck up half way....just last nite cuz of the condition of the upper half.  Today was a nice day of melting.    

 

I even missed calling my mom this evening.  She was quite herself yesterday and we gabbed for a long time.  I wonder if she missed the call or was oblivious?  She usually doesn't think to call me.  They had a program tonite about Filipino culture that she was telling me all about yesterday....so maybe she didn't notice. 

 

Little Sister, I hope you can get off your knee long enough to get some healing.  And get that boy out the door and into the Coast Guard! 

 

  for safe travels for Ambergris....and the H's while they escort you!! 

 

   to Kappy and Chainsaw Mary.  Glad you dropped in with an update.    5 baby ducks...cuz they lured you in!  Did you get verified females?  We got a mixed batch - but they pull females for a straight run and then ship whatever lands in the box from the now uneven, rest of them.  One time we got 3/4 males to females.  When grown and in spring, the males end up killing the females, esp with our pond.  The drakes are so competitive, they won't get off the female to share and she drowns!     Last time we ordered like that!  1 to 3 is better ratio.  All the babies are cute and we really like the stronger taste of duck eggs.  But water foul are so messy....it's why they call them FOUL!    Goose eggs are great and valued too.  Both duck and goose have proportionately larger yolks...which is why bakers love them.  

 

Wow....Nuprin is working.  Pain has receded to the point that I think I'll try going to bed.  Have appt in the afternoon tomorrow.  The a HORSE RIDE scheduled for Saturday Morning...  Ugh.  But I need the ride. 

 

MtRider ..  

Edited March 29 by Mt_Rider
spelling

[Littlesister]

Mt. Rider, I hope your neck gets much better soon.  I know all about neck issues. Have a plate in my neck.  Still can't turn my head but so far.  But nothing like it used to be.  Hope your ride on Saturday does well for you. 

 

TheMartinchick. Hope you get all your tax stuff straight also. I think with taking out taxes from my SS checks starting in April that will help next year.  Glad my tax lady knew what to do and had the forms for me to fill out and send to the SS office. That made it easier on me than going to the Social Security office to do it. 

 

Getting ready in a bit to go out and put the 3 wood racks together. Not raining today and is warmer than the past few days. GS is working until either Monday or Tuesday so is working on Easter Sunday.  I hope to get all that ready so GS can finish the wood pile. I have the cinder blocks for him to set up for the new wood racks. They keep the racks from sinking into the ground and falling over.  So far, the 3 that he has done has held up really well. After I finish that I hope to be able to clear out the one flower bed I want to set up. Though after walking around the yard, all the flower beds look a bit muddy.  The rain barrels are doing great. The plastic drain hoses at the bottom to remove overflow is working really well. Both barrels are full. Might empty them part way but don't have anything to water with it right now other than my Aloe plant. That is in the house right now. Need to get it outside soon. It's getting big now. 

 

Already mopped kitchen floor and washed a load of towels. Will sit down this evening and read a bit. Haven't been able to get any reading in for a while. 

 

[Jeepers]

I had a doctor appointment, what's new.  

 

My BP is still too high. In the 150/90 range. All of my meds are as strong as they want to go except for the newest one I'm on. So they increased that one. I was only taking 25mg and they upped it to 50mg. Still a low dose.  But its the one that is making me feel better and giving me more stamina so I'm good with that. I have a cardiologist appointment the end of April so maybe she will have some better answers.

 

I'm on day 11 of the 30 day heart monitor. It's no big deal except the sticky electrodes are starting to irritate my skin. I'm getting itchy. I figured that would happen to me. They say they are non allergenic... 

[Littlesister]

Didn't get as much as I wanted done today. But managed to get a few things done. Got the small wood rack sanded down to paint and only got one wood rack put together before my knee called it quits. But that is one less I need to put together.  While I was at the back yard. 3 boys, well maybe 2 young boys looking to be between the ages of 7 and 10 and another one looking to be between the age of 17 to maybe 21 was taking pictures of our houses.  One boy started to open a mailbox across from my driveway till he saw me walking down the driveway toward them. I asked them why they are taken pictures of the houses around here and the one boy why he was opening people's mailboxes. They all stood there for a minute and the 2 younger ones took off. The older one just stood there with his hands in his pockets, so I reached around to my back and then he took off running. They rain into the next neighborhood. I know they were up to no good. Question is what they are going to do with the pictures of our houses. I told the neighbors to be on the lookout and gave a description of them. Need to let GS know as well since he sleeps in his car.  Then later I get a phone call from a non-speaking much English wanting to know if I would sell my house to him. Told him no and he hung up. Timing seemed a bit strange after the pictures and then that happened a couple of hours later. Hope we don't start having issues around here. 

[Becca_Anne]

Littlesister hope they weren't casing out your houses. 

Jeepers glad you are feeling better on the new BP med and hope the dose adjustment finally does the trick. After seeing what the High BP did to my mom causing her stroke it's sure nothing to mess with. Also hope the itching doesn't get too bad I'm terribly allergic to adhesive and had to do that 30 day heart monitor test it was not fun.

Mt Rider sure hope your neck feels better soon.

Necie have fun with your family for Easter!

Miki have a good visit with your Daughter

TheMartianChick always good to plan ahead for taxes. Not looking forward to doing ours this weekend

 

Seeds are starting to sprout under the grow lights I'm really happy with my set up now that I have the timer plugged in and the fan going. This weekend I'm going to work on finishing up the bed prep and plant my grape vine. I planted rhubarb this week too. Hoping to move the blueberries from their pots to the ground this weekend too, then doing basil and nasturtiums in my pots.

[Littlesister]

Becca Anne, I hope they won't casing the houses also. Being the older guy with the 2 young kids and taken pictures was a bit strange. Don't know why the older guy would be hanging around with 2 young kids unless they were up to no good. And why the pictures of our houses. But either way I have Smith and Wesson on guard duty for a while. The guy across from my driveway is navy police and next door to him is a retired police officer. So, whatever these kids' motive is, they best think twice about pulling anything. I put out the neighborhood watch on this one. So, everyone is watching out for these kids. I have extra lights on outside as well. Can't be too careful these days. 

 

Jeepers, I hope the increase in the new B/p med will bring your pressure down more. That is still too high. 

 

Hoping everyone has a wonderful Easter. 

 

I am going to just relax and take it easy.  GS will be working late afternoon and evening. GD will be back home tomorrow, and I think my DD is coming in for the day on Sunday but not for sure yet. They just show up at my house unannounced, so will find out on Sunday. That does make it hard to plan anything as I never know what they are doing. 

[Necie]

Got the camper to the farm, set up and plugged in. Might end up moving it later, but gonna try it with electric for now. 
Mom and DS1 were there. Mom worked on rearranging the living room a bit. DS1 and I hauled a bunch of our camping stuff from the kitchen to the camper. 
DS1 and I also measured our *tater patch* garden. My guestimations suck. It’s 16x64. One side (64’) has fence, so I need 6 stock panels to fence it in. I want to plant pumpkins/squash in it this year, but I need to keep the deer out. DS2 said he’d bring his big trailer down to haul some up to the farm. I’ll probably take extras to maybe fence part of the big garden... maybe. 
Then went to mom’s and dropped some stuff off in the cabin. DD stopped to drop off the case for Dad’s flag from his funeral... her DFIL made it for Mom. He’s amazing with woodwork. She also picked up some of dad’s golf shoes and stuff to donate to a lower income school for their golf team. Mom told her that if none of the grandkids wanted any of the MANY golf clubs, that she could have them too (or whatever’s left) for the school also. 
Then went to DS2’s to pick up more venison to get canned. Ended up bringing DGD(13) home with me. Now we’re just sitting here playing on our phones.  She wants to go fishing tomorrow. 🎣 🐟      
 

and 

Necie

[Mt_Rider]

Made it into town for my appt.  Did not feel well....just the neck thing.  It's better but the HISSSSSing and such is getting on my nerves.  Makes me dizzy too.  If I don't move much, it settles a bit.  The car ride was not fun - stuck a stocking hat over my head and over my eyes.  That helped  - block out the nauseating sight of everything FLASHING past the widows.  {blech}  Ride home was easier.  Able to STRUGGLE thru a Hawaiian lesson tonite.  I'm not usually irritable but that lesson was way past what I wanted to handle right not.  Got it done tho.

 

Have a horse ride tomorrow.  I have NO idea how that will go with my neck issues.     If I get across the first stretch of path and it's a no go.... I'll have to go back.  Might help - so I can tell up from down.    Not that bad but ....it's driving me crazy.  

Mtrider .....Bed!  To sleep and not feel these confusing sensation.

[snapshotmiki]

Praying that your ride will help your neck and not hinder, @Mt_Rider!

Is your blood pressure still doing well, @Jeepers?

Your planting and gardening sounds great @Becca_Anne!  I want to plant taters too @Necie.

 

Already walked.
Have to do some computer work.
Walk Aninja.
Make meatloaf and potato puffs.
Visit with family!

[Necie]

1 hour ago, snapshotmiki said:

  I want to plant taters too @Necie.

I’m thinking of doing a few in barrels. I don’t think 5 gallon buckets are big enough..? I have 2 plastic trash cans that I think are 30-33 gallon size and 3 old plastic water tubs from when I had the goats that are 15 gallon, I think. So I could do 5 different ones. The problem is that once I poke holes in the bottom for drainage, then they’re ruined for anything else... 🥴

Edited March 30 by Necie

[Littlesister]

Necie, seems you are getting the farm set up nice. When all the work to get it like you want and gardens planted, you will have a really nice setup there. 

 

Mt. Rider, I worry about you neck issue.  I have been down that road. Have you had an x-ray or MRI done. I might be a good idea to find out what is going on. With the dizziness, it could be the spinal cord is involved. Best not to take a chance on that. Try to at least get an x-ray of the neck.  Hope your ride goes well and it helps a lot. 

 

It is nice outside today so working in yard as much as I can with this Bumb knee. Putting the last 2 wood racks together and doing a bit of weeding.  Otherwise, nothing else going on.  

 

Did get to sit down last night and read a bit. So that was good.

[Littlesister]

tightened the bolts on the one rack that I put together yesterday and got one more done today. Moved them to the location where the firewood will be for GS to set up. I really hope I won't need any more log holders for this wood. I think this guy that I bought the wood from gave me almost 3 cords. We have already put up a cord and a half and still way more than that to stack. But it will get there, and the extra cord is good. 

the guy that cuts my grass loves my rain barrels and wanted to know where I got them. He loves the fact that they have a screen on them, and I also showed him the tubing for the over fill. When it overflows the tubing is connected at the top of barrel, comes down and under the bottom of barrel and takes care of the overflow. Plus, I can connect another barrel using tubing to fill the second barrel from the first barrel. He said he is wanting to get some to set up a water system for his garden. 

[Jeepers]

I'm interested on your water barrel set up too. That is on my list for next year. 

 

We2 has a nice set up too. She posted a picture some time ago but I couldn't find it. I think they had about 4 of the blue barrels connected together. I always remember the sight of it. It was a simple setup but a thing of beauty. 

[Littlesister]

Jeepers, I think I remember her posting about that. Will have to see if I can find it. Right now, I only have the 2 barrels. One on each end of the back of the house. I want to get a couple of more at some point to attach the ones I have. I won't need the overflow tube on the one I have now but just on the one attached to the first one as the overflow would spill into the second rain barrel. 

 

And on top of everything going on, I am getting a sore throat. Must be the pollen. It is getting thick. My grey car is now green. 

Edited March 31 by Littlesister

[Becca_Anne]

Littlesister can you share which rain barrels you bought? I'm interested in them as well

[Mt_Rider]

Horse ride was wonderful.  Sunny day.  Cold tho.  Wind was strong but not in the trees, fortunately.  That's the climb up to higher altitude.  My neck was fine.  But as the day progresses, it gets to hissssing at me.  I actually laid down and took an hour nap.  That was good.  This wind takes it outta ya! 

 

Seems like as the day goes on into night, the neck gets tired and hissing is worse.  There is no pain...unless it begins to give me a headache.  But not where it's messed up.  Sometimes makes balance a challenge but didn't affect riding at all.  Very steady......riding may have helped with the balance thing. 

 

Last nite was challenging.  Difficult to get to sleep.  Once asleep tho, I sleep dead out!  Going to try for another round of deep sleep in a few minutes.  It's EARLY....

Not quite 11:30pm. 

 

MtRider  ....glad the season for horse riding is here again!!!!

[kappydell]

Happy Easter!  Mary & I are glad it is over...its a hard holiday on the church choir.  BUT we survived, LOL. 

Tonight we put the duclingss in a tub with 3 inches of water.  WOWIE!  They frolicked, splashing & diving excitedly.  Then we dried them off & back under heat lamp to avoid a chill. (2 bathrooms sure are handy.) And yes, they are messy.  Especially with their drinking water!  

Miki, our ducklings are all female.  We ordered them that way, PLUS new hatched Welsh Harlequins have a dark tip on their bill which males do not have, 

so we had a built in double check there.  I have read that males are troublesome, and after having waaay too many roosters we wanted to avoid the even-more contentious drakes.  We have 5 females, that is enough.  For now, anyway.