Small Talk: The Polygamous Cul-de-Sac

[Orcinus orca]

7 hours ago, Irate Panda said:

 If so can you recommend a low maintenance sedan/hatchback/small suv.

Probably the lowest maintenance, long lasting would be a Subaru.  With that said, they are very pricey but worth in the long run. 

My neighbor has a 2009 Subaru Outback with 450,000 miles on it and it's still going strong.  She used to be a hosptice chaplain in a rural area so it got a LOT of rough road driving.

[Roslyn]

10 hours ago, Irate Panda said:

Does anybody love their vehicle?  If so can you recommend a low maintenance sedan/hatchback/small suv. Looking for something that generally would last at least 15 years.  Don’t have a certain price point exactly but willing to pay for something that’s reliable and last.  THANKS 😊

I love LOVE my Honda CRV. Mine is a 2005 and my daughter has a 2019.

[Gramto6]

I know this doesn't help you now, but I Love, Love, Love my 1997 Geo Tracker 2 door/4WD! I don't drive much...It has about 126,000 miles on it. Yep that's all! They don't make this any more, and I just pray it lasts the rest of my life. It doesn't have any of the newest bells and whistles but has always served me well. The year after we bought it Chevy decided to brand it with it's name instead of Geo. 

I keep my eyes open for any newer used ones for sale, but never find any. I guess people keep it till it dies!

Edited November 25, 2023 by Gramto6

[Teafortwo]

I miss my 1999 Camry (but not parking it on the street and having to move it at least twice a week). It only had about 160K miles, but when the radiator went, my mechanic advised me that the chassis was so rusted, he felt the car was no longer safe to drive. I sold it to a scrapyard. I teared up when they came to take it away.

[Quickbeam]

I had a Suzuki crossover, manual transmission, 4 WD….it was the greatest car I’d ever owned. When Suzuki went out of business car-wise in the US, it became impossible to get parts and eventually no one would service it. Traded it in but still miss it. 

[Sandy W]

1 hour ago, Teafortwo said:

I miss my 1999 Camry (but not parking it on the street and having to move it at least twice a week). It only had about 160K miles, but when the radiator went, my mechanic advised me that the chassis was so rusted, he felt the car was no longer safe to drive. I sold it to a scrapyard. I teared up when they came to take it away.

Think of it this way, your Camry lives on with the salvaged parts keeping other Camrys up and running. All is not lost.

 

[Meowwww]

19 hours ago, Irate Panda said:

Does anybody love their vehicle?  If so can you recommend a low maintenance sedan/hatchback/small suv. Looking for something that generally would last at least 15 years.  Don’t have a certain price point exactly but willing to pay for something that’s reliable and last.  THANKS 😊

I’m exactly zero help, but I adore beyond reason Miss B, my Chevy Silverado HD 3500 dually.   Hubby drives a Chevy Spark and it’s super cute and very fun to drive, but worthless in the snow. 

[Gramto6]

1 hour ago, Meowwww said:

I’m exactly zero help, but I adore beyond reason Miss B, my Chevy Silverado HD 3500 dually.   Hubby drives a Chevy Spark and it’s super cute and very fun to drive, but worthless in the snow. 

That is why I love my Geo Tracker so much, it is a champion in the snow!!

[Irate Panda]

10 hours ago, Gramto6 said:

I know this doesn't help you now, but I Love, Love, Love my 1997 Geo Tracker 2 door/4WD! I don't drive much...It has about 126,000 miles on it. Yep that's all! They don't make this any more, and I just pray it lasts the rest of my life. It doesn't have any of the newest bells and whistles but has always served me well. The year after we bought it Chevy decided to brand it with it's name instead of Geo. 

I keep my eyes open for any newer used ones for sale, but never find any. I guess people keep it till it dies!

OMG these are ADORABLE! 🤗 

[Gramto6]

1 hour ago, Irate Panda said:

OMG these are ADORABLE! 🤗 

I know right?? Mine has a shell top on the back it looks square like a small 2 door car, not like a truck as this one does. I have sliding windows on sides of the back and a fold down bench seat in the back (so it could seat 4 but tightly). It has a lift up rear window that is right next to the tail light and the bottom opens to the side. That is the same color as mine!!

Edited November 26, 2023 by Gramto6
typo

[Irate Panda]

39 minutes ago, Gramto6 said:

I know right?? Mine has a shell top on the back it looks square like a small 2 door car, not like a truck as this one does. I have sliding windows on sides of the back and a fold down bench seat in the back (so it could seat 4 but tightly). It has a lift up rear window that is right next to the tail light and the bottom opens to the side. That is the same color as mine!!

So shaped more like this one?

 These are so cute, I’m sad they don’t make these anymore!

[Yeah No]

Oooh,, a car conversation, I love cars!  I love my 2020 Nissan Rogue Sport.  I just bought it at the end of my lease and found out it now sells used for about $10,000 more than I paid for it, which makes buying it the right thing to do in this crazy market!  Unfortunately in yet another head scratching moment (they seem to be a thing these days) Nissan chose to stop making the Rogue Sport in 2023, probably to focus on developing its EVs, which is a noble cause, but why they would stop making a car that was supposedly so popular is beyond me.  At least they could have come out with a hybrid version.  Around me my car is very common.  BTW, we just saw it on the last couple of SW episodes.  It's the same car Janelle and Christine were riding around in.  They were in a white one.  Mine's a gunmetal gray.  I'd say getting a used one is a good idea if you can find one that's reasonably priced, although from a longevity perspective there are better choices, but they're probably going to be more expensive to buy used than the Rogue Sport so it evens itself out somewhat.

@Gramto6 I remember that little Suzuki - so adorable!  I haven't seen one in decades!  I'm amazed and delighted to find out that one is still on the road!  

As far as other recommendations go, @Irate Panda, @Orcinus orca is right,  you can't go wrong with a Subaru Outback.  I would also recommend the Crosstrack.  If you can find a decent used one at a decent price (I know, that's harder to do these days) it might be worth it.  I know a man that buys a used Outback every decade or so - he gets one several years old so it's cheaper and gets another decade or more out of it, then he sells it.  It's amazing how worth it those cars are.  Although I appreciate them I have been a loyal Nissan customer for 30 years.  That may change after this car for several reasons, although I plan to keep it as long as I can now that I'm retired.  It's 3 years old and I only have 22,000 miles on it - my lowest mileage ever because of the pandemic and the fact that I just don't travel as much as I used to.  Plus when my husband and I go anywhere we usually use a different vehicle.  I usually can get about a decade out of a Nissan with good care.

Another similar Small SUV I can recommend is the Toyota Rav4.  It also comes in a hybrid model which I like.  Used ones are not too expensive and they are VERY reliable so you can't go wrong there either.  I recommend going used because with cars that reliable you take much less of a chance getting a used one and it has a decent amount of life left in it.  And these days with the price of cars being higher, buying used is not a bad idea.  Usually 3-5 years old is probably best from a price/longevity perspective.  I know, I talk like I know what I'm talking about but it's one of my pet interests and my husband is a "car guy" having worked as a dealership service advisor/manager before he embarked on his semi-retirement career of limo. driver.

Edited November 26, 2023 by Yeah No

[Irate Panda]

Thank you everyone for so much info, it’s appreciated! 

[Gramto6]

10 hours ago, Irate Panda said:

So shaped more like this one?

 These are so cute, I’m sad they don’t make these anymore!

Yes! though I don't use the soft back like this photo shows. Mine is the black hard material like in the other photo, though shaped like this. The windows are regular windows that slide open with screens. That top shown in the photo was the stock top. Living in snow country at the time of purchase with no garage I opted to upgrade to hard top. I absolutely LOVE this car!!

@Yeah No it isn't Suziki, it is a Chevy, when I bought, the brand name was Geo. But it does look like the Suzikis

I couldn't find a better pix of "Lil Bit" but you can see most of it. If you look closely, you can see one of my feral cats on the rocks checking out the deer!

Edited November 26, 2023 by Gramto6
added on to post

[65mickey]

One time our local meteorologist while reporting on the dense fog said and I quote: "The fog outside is as dense as sea poop." instead of as dense as pea soup. I think he realized the spoonerism as soon as it came out of his mouth but he kept on talking not missing a beat. 

[EtheltoTillie]

Late to the discussion, but I drive a 2006 Subaru Outback with 110,000 miles or so.  I bought it new.  Subarus are great sturdy cars.  My brother-in-law buys them also and runs them into the ground delivering newspapers. 

[CalicoKitty]

On 11/25/2023 at 9:15 AM, Roslyn said:

I love LOVE my Honda CRV. Mine is a 2005 and my daughter has a 2019.

I'm driving a 2015 CRV, and I only replaced my 2010 because some guy drove into the side of it.  The car body did exactly what it was supposed to do.  The car had a crunched side, and I had no injury at all.

[EtheltoTillie]

14 hours ago, CalicoKitty said:

I'm driving a 2015 CRV, and I only replaced my 2010 because some guy drove into the side of it.  The car body did exactly what it was supposed to do.  The car had a crunched side, and I had no injury at all.

Similar story here.  We only replaced our 1999 Subaru Forester because some idiot drove into our rear end.  We took the insurance money (from the other driver) and put it toward the new 2006 Outback.  Fortunately, no one injured. 

[Yeah No]

23 hours ago, Gramto6 said:

@Yeah No it isn't Suziki, it is a Chevy, when I bought, the brand name was Geo. But it does look like the Suzikis

I couldn't find a better pix of "Lil Bit" but you can see most of it. If you look closely, you can see one of my feral cats on the rocks checking out the deer!

Oooh, how did I make that mistake?  I'm slipping!  I did know it was a Geo Tracker, but yeah it does look like a Suzuki.  Serves me right for posting at 4:00 a.m., LOL.

It is just about THE cutest car ever!  I love that you named it - I have named many of my cars.  I don't have a name for my current one, though.

[Gramto6]

21 minutes ago, Yeah No said:

Oooh, how did I make that mistake?  I'm slipping!  I did know it was a Geo Tracker, but yeah it does look like a Suzuki.  Serves me right for posting at 4:00 a.m., LOL.

It is just about THE cutest car ever!  I love that you named it - I have named many of my cars.  I don't have a name for my current one, though.

When I got the car new, my husband was close to death and we had to be able to get down the mountain to the dr even if there was snow, thus the 4WD (we never had that before). After he passed, I was out shopping in our tiny town, and a friend said she was glad to see me out and about.  And that she loved my new "little bit of a car". Thus the name stuck and it became "Lil Bit" from then on. It handles great in the snow and gets decent mileage. I don't drive much that is why the mileage is so low. I just hope it last the rest of my life!!

[xwordfanatik]

I like my old clunker, my 2007 HHR.  It's not good in the snow, but it's cute and looks retro.

We have a 2001 Ford 250 pickup that is good in the snow.

Based on the comments here, I'm thinking if we ever get a new vehicle again, I'll go with a Subaru.

[Rabbit Hutch]

Love my Chevy pickup truck.  She's my baby! 🥰  I wonder how difficult it would be to be buried in her?  🤔  

[Orcinus orca]

25 minutes ago, Rabbit Hutch said:

I wonder how difficult it would be to be buried in her?  🤔  

I expect the hole will need to be deeper than six feet!

[Rabbit Hutch]

15 hours ago, Orcinus orca said:

I expect the hole will need to be deeper than six feet!

Indeed!  Well, while I'm at it I might as well have that sound system that I've been contemplating put in.  It would blare out Springsteen's "Born to Run" whenever someone steps on the hidden sensors in the ground.  😎  Nothing ooky 'bout that!  👀  Not at all.  😛

 

[General Days]

It feels like @TurtlePower hasn't posted in a long while. Is anyone in contact with her outside this board? I'm just wondering if she's okay. She's usually a regular here.

[Gramto6]

How odd, I was just thinking of her too! I hope she is OK and will be posting again as she is able.

[Sandy W]

7 minutes ago, Gramto6 said:

How odd, I was just thinking of her too! I hope she is OK and will be posting again as she is able.

I tried scrolling through her previous comments last week to see if I could find one that I could send a dm to her. I went back for a month and couldn't find anything on the usual threads she comments on.

[Orcinus orca]

24 minutes ago, Sandy W said:

I tried scrolling through her previous comments last week to see if I could find one that I could send a dm to her. I went back for a month and couldn't find anything on the usual threads she comments on.

All you have to do is click the "envelope" icon at the top right and type in her name to send a message.

[ginger90]

2 hours ago, General Days said:

It feels like @TurtlePower hasn't posted in a long while. Is anyone in contact with her outside this board? I'm just wondering if she's okay. She's usually a regular here.

I just sent a message.

[Sandy W]

4 minutes ago, ginger90 said:

I just sent a message.

Me too. Hope she is still reading here and knows how valued her comments are.

[Gramto6]

Me three! I hope she is well, that is my biggest worry.

[Yeah No]

10 hours ago, General Days said:

It feels like @TurtlePower hasn't posted in a long while. Is anyone in contact with her outside this board? I'm just wondering if she's okay. She's usually a regular here.

I was just thinking about her a few days ago and looked at her profile on this site and she hasn't posted anything on the board since October 8th.  I too hope she's OK, I worry because I know she's had her struggles like the rest of us, and I miss her!

[Teafortwo]

I hope @TurtlePower is okay, I really do.

I tested positive for covid today. Last night I had chills, body aches and upset stomach. My gluteous maximus is fine though. So far. 

[General Days]

Oh, I hope it passes quickly for you, @Teafortwo. I'm sorry you'll be out of commission for the holiday.

[Yeah No]

21 hours ago, Teafortwo said:

I tested positive for covid today. Last night I had chills, body aches and upset stomach. My gluteous maximus is fine though. So far. 

I had Covid in September.  I had a mild fever for one day and it was just like an annoying bad cold that took its sweet time going away.  All told it took about 10 days to get over.  I had a stuffed nose, sore throat and post nasal drip resulting in an annoying cough.  I could function but didn't feel very energetic.  Despite that it wasn't as bad as the flu and many other viruses I've had.  I lost my sense of taste for a couple of days and it took a few weeks to slowly come back to normal. 

Here's hoping you have a mild case like mine with no complications.

[Yeah No]

I thought I should mention we had a bad rain storm here 2 days ago that dumped tons of rain on my area.  We had another similar storm a week before.  A huge tree on my property fell on the house and caused damage to our roof, broke a window and poked a branch through the ceiling in my foyer.  I was asleep when it happened, heard a loud "boom" and found it.  Of course my husband was already out working and was down in NYC too far away to come back for hours.  So there I was on zero caffeine or food and still groggy dealing with this.  The water was coming through the ceiling so I had to run out to the garage for buckets to catch it.  My wonderful neighbors were THE BEST and came to help me.  I still can't get over how wonderful they've been.  The husband is a lawyer and one-time contractor and told us exactly what to do and his wife helped me clean up the mess and provided moral support.  Miraculously nothing in the house was damaged but there are a few holes in the roof.  Several rafters were damaged, some ductwork was dented and insulation got wet so we are going to need extensive repairs.  We have a very sturdy and high roof so it could have been much worse.  Our neighbor hooked us up with THE BEST tree company that came in only an hour to remove the tree and returned the next day to cut it up and take it away.  We also had them remove 4 more trees we worry about and they put tarp on the roof to stop the water from coming in.

We've had several people in and out of the house, the fire dept., someone from the town building inspector's office, insurance adjustors, contractors, you name it.  The building inspector told us to stay in a hotel just until they were sure we were safe to stay there and today we were given the OK provided we don't get any heavy snow on the roof before it's fixed.  We are home tonight but know we will have to go back to the hotel when the roof is being repaired.  So we are under the gun at the worst time of year to get this fixed.  In addition the front wall and picture window need to be replaced.  Ugh.  Anyway, we're trying to stay positive about it.  Thanks to our great neighbors and the contractors they hooked us up with so far, we are doing better than we could be.  

BTW over the years and as recently as last year I had tree people tell me that tree, which was at least 60 feet tall and actually two trees on a common root system, was in no danger of falling and even if it did they didn't think it would touch the house as it wasn't so close and was on the edge of the property near the road.  Of course who could anticipate two extremely soaking storms in a week making the ground soft enough to cause trees to fall?  That never happens.  And of course why did it have to fall toward the house?  The tree people didn't think it would.  Trees have fallen all over the state as a result of this two storm whammy and we've had local flooding and pop up ponds everywhere.  

Anyway, that's the story here.  Great way to start the holidays, right?  I'm just happy nobody got hurt!

[altopower]

Wow, @Yeah No - I've been following that storm because I used to live on the East Coast and my former cities always get slammed, but this one really was so bad for so many places. Glad you were able to get such quick attention from so many people and get the trees removed before any more damage could happen.

[Yeah No]

On 12/20/2023 at 8:21 AM, altopower said:

Wow, @Yeah No - I've been following that storm because I used to live on the East Coast and my former cities always get slammed, but this one really was so bad for so many places. Glad you were able to get such quick attention from so many people and get the trees removed before any more damage could happen.

Thank you, we are in a lull because of the holiday waiting for the adjusters to get back to us with the estimates.  We have an independent adjuster working on our side to make sure the insurance company doesn't lowball us.  Until then I just hope nothing happens like another bad rainstorm or snowstorm.  We don't need any weight on the roof before it's fixed.  Of course I worry about everything.  Plus the thought of having to pack up everything in the living area and have it stored is causing stress.  They are going to have it done for us but still I worry because it's almost like moving and I know what that can be like.  And I hate the idea of having to relocate to a hotel while they do the roof but that's what we'll have to do. 

[Gramto6]

Well, third time is the charm so they say... I have posted a reply to your post @Yeah No twice now and they both seem to have been lost in the upgrades... sigh. I'll try once more much briefer than the other 2! :)

I had a huge cottonwood tree branch come down on my house 6-7 yrs ago. Fortunately it was Summer so no rain to deal with. But it was frightening!

I was in the living room watching TV on a very windy day when I heard a loud "boom" at the back of the house, then a very loud "swish" overhead and in the front of the house.  When I went to see what had happened there were tree branches outside my kitchen window and on the other side of the house my bathroom wall was bashed all out of shape. I was so lucky not to be in the bathroom at the time.

The whole roof had to be replaced and the wall of bathroom and room next to it repaired. The previous owners had planted 7-8 cottonwoods behind the house and when I bought they were small and I appreciated the shade. I promptly had all of them cut down and left only 3, one at each far corner of the yard. 

It was not a fun experience as I expect yours wasn't either. Hopefully you will be able to get back to normal soon.

Hope this post "stays" this time!...

Edited December 23, 2023 by Gramto6

[Pickleinthemiddle]

3 minutes ago, Gramto6 said:

Well, third time is the charm so they say... I have posted a reply to your post @Yeah No twice now and they both seem to have been lost in the upgrades... sigh. I'll try once more much briefer than the other 2! :)

I had a huge cottonwood tree branch come down on my house 6-7 yrs ago. Fortunately it was Summer so no rain to deal with. But it was frightening!

I was in the living room watching TV on a very windy day when I heard a loud "boom" at the back of the house, then a very loud "swish" overhead and in the front of the house.  When I went to see what had happened there were tree branches outside my kitchen window and on the other side of the house my bathroom wall was bashed all out of shape. I was so lucky not to be in the bathroom at the time.

The whole roof had to be replaced and the wall of bathroom and room next to it repaired. The previous owners had planted 7-8 cottonwoods behind the house and when I bought they were small and I appreciated the shade. I promptly had all of them cut down and left only 3, one at each far corner of the yard. 

It was not a fun experience as I expect yours wasn't either. Hopefully you will be able to get back to normal soon.

Hope this post "stays" this time!...

Cottonwoods like fruitless mulberry trees and hackberry,  are considered trash trees.  They grow quick to give shade but create a lot of problems.  

[Gramto6]

1 minute ago, Pickleinthemiddle said:

Cottonwoods like fruitless mulberry trees and hackberry,  are considered trash trees.  They grow quick to give shade but create a lot of problems.  

Yeah,I know that now,  I didn't plant them and they sure came down fast when this happened! I had been living in a forest in the Sierra Nevadas and trees were comforting....no Cottonwoods there though to learn anything about theml

[Pickleinthemiddle]

Just now, Gramto6 said:

Yeah,I know that now,  I didn't plant them and they sure came down fast when this happened! I had been living in a forest in the Sierra Nevadas and trees were comforting....no Cottonwoods there though to learn anything about theml

Same with my dad.  When they built their home he planted the fruitless mulberry's for quick shade as it is really hot here in Texas without any shade on your house.  He would trim them back when he was able to.  My mom had someone trim them a few times before she finally sold the house.  But he also planted plum, peach, pear and pecan trees.  Two apple trees that only produced about 15 apples over the course of their life.  Whereas the pear tree was tall over 25 feet and the limbs would be almost touching the ground as it was almost always loaded with pears.  The plum and peach trees always had a lot of fruit.  I miss having really good tasting fruit.  What you get in the store now rarely tastes good much less great.  We also had a neighbor who worked for a large farm and during the summer he would bring us huge watermelons, cantaloupe, honeydew and Israel melons.  Not to mention the garden my dad always had.  Fresh tomatoes, I would eat them every day.

[Yeah No]

11 hours ago, Gramto6 said:

Well, third time is the charm so they say... I have posted a reply to your post @Yeah No twice now and they both seem to have been lost in the upgrades... sigh. I'll try once more much briefer than the other 2! :)

I had a huge cottonwood tree branch come down on my house 6-7 yrs ago. Fortunately it was Summer so no rain to deal with. But it was frightening!

I was in the living room watching TV on a very windy day when I heard a loud "boom" at the back of the house, then a very loud "swish" overhead and in the front of the house.  When I went to see what had happened there were tree branches outside my kitchen window and on the other side of the house my bathroom wall was bashed all out of shape. I was so lucky not to be in the bathroom at the time.

The whole roof had to be replaced and the wall of bathroom and room next to it repaired. The previous owners had planted 7-8 cottonwoods behind the house and when I bought they were small and I appreciated the shade. I promptly had all of them cut down and left only 3, one at each far corner of the yard. 

It was not a fun experience as I expect yours wasn't either. Hopefully you will be able to get back to normal soon.

Hope this post "stays" this time!...

Thanks, Gram!  I hear you about the posts.  I had to rewrite one on another thread 3 times thanks to the site problems.   This is one of those situations like when I had vertigo or had my gallbladder removed that when you tell people about it all of a sudden you find out you know all these people who've had the same experience.  So far 2 local friends and you have told similar stories.  Of course their trees all fell in the Summer.  This is the worst time of year for it.  What if we get snow this Winter?  I don't even want to think about that.

I'm also worried now about rain we're going to have for 3 days next week.  They say it will be nothing like those soaking storms but I have no idea how well the tarp is going to hold up.  Of course my husband isn't worried at all.  I don't get how men are sometimes about stuff like this.  We both share an extreme dislike for dealing with contractors in general so that also isn't helping my anxiety level right now.  I'm not even sure how much will have to be done or how long it will take.  And how long will we need to stay at a hotel?  I'm not looking forward to those uncomfortable beds.....So many questions and no answers yet.  

Anyway, sorry to hear you had to go through it too.  You have had your share of things happen, haven't you?  And yet you've thankfully survived them, so I guess there's hope for me yet, LOL.  ((Hugs)).

[General Days]

I've been sick for a few days. So far, I've tested negative for Covid (which I had back in September, and I haven't been exposed -- I've hardly been out and no one in the house is sick). I don't have a fever and don't feel like I felt when I had Covid. I think it might just be a sinus infection, but I feel awful.

I've been cooking for the past couple of days. I'm finally done with everything that could be done ahead of time.

Usually I do lasagna, or either roast beef or ham. This year, I'm doing lasagna and turkey, even though we just had turkey on Thanksgiving. 

A family member is on a very strict medically indicated elimination diet for an autoimmune disease (too much to explain). Usually, the only meat they can have is chicken breast, or lean fish (once a week). Their dietician said they could do turkey breast tomorrow.

I always make too much food, so this year, I just bought a good sized turkey breast (like 5lbs), and then a half or split turkey breast to roast. I almost got two of the frozen whole breasts. I should have.

I roasted the full one off this morning, and it came out beautifully, thank goodness. Late this afternoon, I went to roast off the smaller one, and the skin underneath had these black spots that could only be described as mold. My husband and daughter agreed, so we tossed that. (Husband didn't feel like waiting on line at the store for a $15 refund, and I don't blame him.)

All the full turkey breasts at the grocery were frozen, so I had him get me two 3lb Polish hams (I didn't want an enormous bone in ham, what with the lasagna and the turkey.) I'll decide in the morning whether to heat up one or both.

I'm just feeling discouraged, because no matter how organized I am, and how much I stay on top of my schedule (I was both this year, despite feeling sick), something messes up. (I wanted to use a word other than "messes" there.)

I think I'm just weepy, because of the sinus infection, or whatever. 

I'm skipping the family Christmas Eve celebration at my SIL's. We haven't been since Covid began. Although I tested negative, I still want to test again tomorrow, before mixing with people outside my house.

SIL said for husband and kids to come anyhow. She'd be fine with me coming, tbh. I'm about the only careful person left in the family, but I'd still feel terrible if I got someone sick.

So, I'm going to hop in the shower, throw on clean PJs, heat up my leftover takeout, and feel sorry for myself, until my family gets home. (They would have stayed home, but I couldn't see the sense in them hanging out to watch me blow my nose. Besides, I have all this food, yet nothing to feed them tonight. SIL will stuff them full.)

I just have missed my husband's family's Christmas Eve celebrations so much. I kind of hit the in-law lottery, and I miss their company. The last time I went to one was in 2019. 

So anyhow, boo hoo. I'll be fine. It's just self-pity. Maybe I'll take some Tylenol before I shower.

I hope you all have a lovely night, whether you celebrate or not.

[Yeah No]

Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays to everyone and thanks for all your support with my tree situation!

[Pickleinthemiddle]

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone.

[Gramto6]

Merry Christmas to all those that celebrate the holiday! Happy New Year to All!!

[xwordfanatik]

Happy Holidays!  Enjoy!  😊

[Roslyn]

 

Happy Yule/Holidays!  Keeping it all deliciously simple this year. Wine, great focaccia and lasagna that I call "Quarantine Lasagna" that I invented during lock down when the stores were out of lasagna noodles for a long long time and I used Rigatoni instead. We loved it and make it often.

 

I also didn't want to just make pasta because eggs were hard to get, limited to a dozen per order and $8 a dozen back then... Those were the days ehh ?

Edited December 25, 2023 by Roslyn
...I can't spell...

[OlderThanDirt]

One more person joining the I've been hit by a tree group. In my previous house I had 5 or six trees hit the house in the 37 years I lived there. They were all Douglas fir trees that fell in December or January storms where the wind was blowing from the south. I live in the Seattle suburbs and our trees are apparently braced against the storms from the north.  None of the trees were from my property and one even fell uphill.  My insurance (USAA) was terrific and were great in helping me arrange contractors. I hope you have luck in getting your home repaired. You might well ask why I stayed in the house that long but I loved many things about it and besides I believed it couldn't happen again, right?

I admit that in my new downsized house I love that I don't have any trees taller than my house.