Daily Ooos: August 20-21: Weekend Edition

[faerywings]

There is MUCH excitement in the Faery Household! I think I have mentioned a few times that Gary has been working on this computer mini-arcade project for over a year. It started out just helping the guy who began the project by bouncing some ideas back and forth. Over time, Gary got more involved with Glen, and the project started to move into real manufacturing stages. as with everything lately, the economy, chip shortages, and supply chain issues complicated everything. But *drum roll*
Gary got the actual kit shipped to him yesterday and the video of it is live too.

We watched the video last night and while I didn't understand what Glen was talking about I was pretty impressed and so happy for Gary. Regular arcade/video games are on my interest level close to watching paint dry, let alone a mini-arcade but I have seen (heard the cursing LOL) of its development first hand. It is pretty awesome.

It was honestly sad and amusing at the same time all of the cursing at computers Gary and I were doing yesterday. He is writing the instruction manual for the arcade and I am STILL battling with ACDSee. Every time I thought I got it fixed, it would crash. It was actually working fine for about 30 minutes and then *poof* it crashed. I opened a trouble ticket and referenced the case number from last year and listed all of the steps I had already taken. I am not sure what else there is to do. I have the program open right now, just sitting there, I guess I will see if it stays open and running. It makes me so darn anxious to even use it.

That is about it, it is a beautiful, sunny day if you ignore all of the leaves that have fallen already. It looks more like autumn with the amount on the ground.

Have a fab day!

 

[faerywings]

@tanteva I always say that if I came back in another life, I would be a cat. I used to think "dog" because they are so loved, but they are also expected to do stuff. And behave. Being a cat, there are no such expectations buhahahah! I hope that you had a successful cat-day!

@BrightEyes it seems like you are feeling a bit better? Or am I reading too much into your post? I hope so.
Your dessert sounds very yummy! I used to make pineapple bread pudding, haven't done that in years. Might have to find the recipe.
I am so rough on my hands that I should really invest in good dishwashing gloves. My hands are small so I never feel like they fit well enough for me to grip the dishes properly.

@pachimac the movies sound interesting, it has been a long time since I sat through a movie. Much longer since I went to a movie in a theater. The Help, maybe?

@taxed4ever were you able to get everything done outside in between the rain storms?
awww, poor Mason not liking his hair cut. Bet he had fun with the sleepover. Do the boys go back to school soon? NJ goes back in Sept,
*fingers crossed that you are your Gary are covid-free!

@Cherylndesigns this time I cut my finger on a metal garbage can while cleaning Gary's bathroom, it is curved around my knuckle so I keep re-opening it. blergh
Ha!!! That cracks me up, Adrienne bringing her own glass of wine. Nice that the two of you had some chill-and-sip time
Caitlyn's boss had some good suggestions to get experience if she gets the permanent academic advisor position. He said that she can volunteer at the women's center, become an advisor for any of the social justice clubs, and/or become an adjunct professor. All of that rests on whether she gets offered the position that she is in now. It is likely, but not guaranteed. So we'll see.


Hugs to you all!!!

 

[tanteva]

Only got one thing to say about this day:

 

[LSlycord]

Good morning ladies! Hope everyone is doing good today! I'm getting ready to head to Gainesville to do some shopping with Syd. I'm hoping to get to meet a couple of her suitemates. She is doing good...spent yesterday walking around campus with her suitemates and she had 22,000 steps by the time that I spoke with her. LOL

It's going to be another hot and humid one here. I would sure like a little fall...which I'm hoping to get when I head to Iowa in a month.

@faerywings I am so excited about the news from Gary's endo! That is fantastic. And I love the mini-arcade stuff he is doing. I admit, I'm not much into anything video game related, but this is so cool! I know that he must feel great that he was able to contribute to that. Also glad to hear that Cait got some feedback on the job. I am so sorry to hear what your nephew is going through to find a job.

@tanteva you constantly make me smile. I hope someday we can meet in real life!

@BrightEyes your bread pudding concoction sounds excellent. I'm so glad that the flooding won't have any impact on your ability to make it to the doctor.

@pachimac your movies sound good. I started a series last night...Chesapeake Shores and it was just right for where I am emotionally right now! I think I will need to pay for additional seasons but at this point, I don't even care.

@taxed4ever my fingers are crossed that both you and Gary test negative today!

@Cherylndesigns I love the story of the dogs. Next week we had Decker to the mix for 10 days or so and I think that it will be insane here. I have a new goal. I'm counting my steps...and the treadmill is going to complete that. I was up over 10,000 a day before we went to Europe but we came home and it is hot and humid and I wasn't motivated. Well, motivated or not, I'm going to kick it into gear!

Have a good weekend all!

 

[Betty Jo]

Hi Everyone. I'm feeling better, but don't think I'm going to dive back in until the first of the week.

@faerywings Congrats to Gary on the computer mini-arcade project. I don't understand much of that either, but sounds like it was an intricate project. Chris, I don't know about the ACDSee, but sounds like it's a pain.

@tanteva Enjoy your tacos!

@LSlycord Enjoy your shopping trip.

 

[BrightEyes]

Morning, all. The rains have arrived. Started late last evening and is still raining this morning. Right now it is just a gentle rain. Will be on and off but expected to get worse near noon today. Not sure why, but I noticed that several trees in the neighborhood have leaves turning yellow. We haven't had any really cold nights. Maybe it is due to not enough rain. Must admit that I am ready for the summer heat to be gone.

@faerywings How exciting for Gary!!! Bet the release of the mini-arcade game really boosted his spirits!!! I hear you about how some rubber gloves are too big. I found the ones at the dollar store are slightly smaller. Great feedback for Cait about getting more experience. So sorry you are still wrestling with ACDSee... what a PITA.

Yes, I was feeling a bit better yesterday until around 3PM... when the coldness struck again along with feeling really tired. Back under the fleece throw until about 7 PM. This is really getting old... so glad it is only a few days until I see the doctor. I didn't get the laundry sorted yesterday so need to do that this morning before the coldness/tiredness hits today.

@Betty Jo Glad to hear you are feeling a bit better. Yes, it is wise to not dive back in too quickly.

@LSlycord Enjoy your shopping with Syd today. Yep... time to start another paper chain to track the time until your trip to Iowa.

Have a good weekend everyone.

 

[Cherylndesigns]

Good morning, Lovlies,

Chris @faerywings that is SO cool about Gary and Glen! What a new, novel and terrific idea - just when you think nothing new can be done with arcade/video games - poof! You have to be so proud of your Gary! I knew he was computer savvy and talented - i.e. - the Skeleton Family that he has been working on for so many years. is he working on that yet for Halloween? Is he adding to the big show this year? I'm so impressed. I remember ALL of those games - that was about the time we bought that system and those games for Steph. I was reading the advice that Cait got and that is exactly what I was thinking - volunteer or try to get an internship for any of the fields she's interested in. Braden interned already this summer, with an attorney firm. He said he learned so much. He also does a lot of work with youth issues - his group was just in the local paper for being brought into the major's office concerning the work they're do for teen health. He's also taking college courses this year along with his senior year of high school.

Linda @LSlycord that's a lot of steps! I've been counting mine for several years - ever since I got my Apple Watch. I put it on when I first get up. It reminds me to move - if I've been sitting too long. It also has deep breathing on it if I start to get stressed out - apparently, my heart rate goes up. One minute of deep breathing brings it back in check. Get that treadmill out, girl. Have fun with Syd today and how fun to get to meet the suitemates. Sending hugs - you can do this, Mom. Make yourself a priority now - set some new goals - have you gotten Karen's kit "Empty Nesters" yet? I think you did, but can't remember for sure. I just love all of the advice she gives in her wonderful wordart. She says do something that you've always wanted to do - take up a new hobby. I hope you get some fall soon - I missed fall the most when we lived in FL.

Kay @BrightEyes I saw the flood warnings on TV last night - they're really expecting them, aren't they? Some of the rivers are at dangerously low levels this year - The Colorado River is, I know you're all ready for any flooding that's to come and I hope you're not in any danger. We noticed that some of our trees are turning, too. I hope we aren't going to have an early yucky colored fall. We think it's because of the intense heat we've had this summer. Sorry to hear you took another cold, tired spell. I know you'll be so glad to get to the doctor next week. I hope it's just a medication something simple like that.

Trudy @taxed4ever hope your Gary is feeling better and you're still testing negative. Sending hugs to you both.

I don't know what we're going to do today. The pool is moving right along. The crew was up there at 5:30 yesterday am and worked all day. I'll take more pictures as soon as I get up there - it's too hard to maneuver through all of the trucks and workers right now - I can't take the usual path - it's a maize.

Have a good Saturday everybody.

 

[pachimac]

@LSlycord we are watching that series now too! Meli got us started on it because the man who plays Connor is a voice character in one of her favorite shows, Ninjago. She has a video message from him too. Let me see if I can link it.

Instagram

www.instagram.com

 

[LSlycord]

Good morning! Yesterday was lovely. Picked Syd up at 11:00 and we went to Walmart and got a microwave and a few more kitchen items! Then we went to lunch at a pizza place that one of her roommates had recommended followed with grocery shopping. It was so much fun to see her making decisions about which food items to buy.

Because she is entering college with 61 credits, she has access to the parking lot right outside her dorm. That is very unusual for a freshman. She really likes her suite mates. One is from Trinidad and the other two are from Orlando, but one is Indian in race and one is half Taiwanese. None of them want to rush and 2 of them want to do something in sciences.

I’m doing this update from my iPad in bed. I’m going to get up and get coffee. Then I’ll come back and do personals.

 

[LSlycord]

Ok. I think that I finally have enough coffee in me to do some personals.

@Betty Jo glad to hear that the vertigo has subsided and you are feeling better. Good idea to take it easy but will be very glad to have you back to visit with us.

@BrightEyes I hate that you are still feeling so bad. Hopefully the rains haven't been terrible. Today I have time set aside to make a paper chain. It is only 26 days so won't take long!

@Cherylndesigns I am thinking that I may get myself an Apple watch. They say that the heart monitor on those things is wickedly accurate and so that would be good to have...along with the steps. That might be a Christmas gift. And I do have that Empty Nest kit so I figure that I'll be using that a lot more. Of course, the nest isn't completely empty since Shaun is still here. But with school full time and working and liking to spend time in his room...sometimes I barely see him. I can usually entice him to come out if I fix some food he likes.

@pachimac that is so cool about Meli following the actor who plays Conner and actually getting a message from him.

@taxed4ever hope everyone is feeling well and you are all getting rested and back to a normal routine.

I couldn't believe it when I saw that @bcgal00 was ending her cruise. It looks like she had a great time from her FB page. I hope so. Can't wait to hear all about it.

 

[faerywings]

Hey there O-zies!! Hope you are all having a very relaxing morning and day. I am finishing up my second mug of coffee and feel pretty well-rested. At least for now. LOL

yesterday was pretty quiet here- literally quiet much of the time. Gary had to record some videos "unboxing" the mini-arcade and testing it out. I tiptoed around the house all afternoon. You should have seen me crawling on the floor to get to W's bowl so I could feed her dinner.

I *think* that ACDSee is working again. It didn't crash once yesterday-- and yes, I did have it open and working with it. It hasn't crashed yet today but that is b/c I haven't opened it. Ha! OTOH, in my emails from last year to their Tech Support, I wrote that I had it running for three straight days before the crashes started back up. We'll see... *fingers crossed*

I am going to be working on my food shopping and some clothes shopping online today. I need a couple of shirts and pj's before I go down the shore with my mom and I am looking for a dress for Cait's engagement party. She shops at a fast-fashion online store- she hates having to do that from an ethical standpoint but I guess when you are short on funds and can find dresses for $20-$30 you do what you have to do. My other alternative was to look at Amazon and it isn't like they are human rights beacons either.

That is about it! Oh, I forgot that I have some fantastic news to share about my mom! She had an echocardiogram last week and the results came back showing a lot of improvement in her heart function- and the messed-up mitral valve went from severe to moderate. Her two heart Drs are very pleased. *happy dances* I almost broke into tears when she told me. What a relief!!

HAGD!

 

[LSlycord]

@faerywings so happy to hear the news about your mom's heart! That is great improvement. And that trip to the shore will be just the perfect way to celebrate that. When do you go? Sometime in September right? And does Cait have the date for her engagement party?

 

[tanteva]

I am doing as little as possible today. TV & crochet since I got up about 5 hrs ago. Think I'm going to keep that up til bedtime. LOL Let's call it recharging!

Won't probably be around as much as usual the upcoming weeks. Will work more than usual for 3 weeks, due to the pre-election day voting, that we will have at the library.

Great news about your mom @faerywings must be such a relief!

Gonna try and wing up some kind of veggie leftovers casserole for dinner. We'll see how that turns out. Oh, and I have to see what clothes I have. I guess I have to have clothes to work, right? LOL

 

[LSlycord]

@tanteva it will be nice to have a little extra work before you are done. Except of course, if it cuts into your O time. I know...my work cuts into my O time! Enjoy your recharging day!

 

[faerywings]

@tanteva How were your tacos? Love that squirrel- I want to pet his tummy! Good thing I have a Squirrel of my own and I get to pet her tummy!

@LSlycord I saw that you have posted right before I did so I am going to skip over your yesterday post until I get to the end

@Betty Jo My dad gets vertigo, related to Meniere's and it sounds incredibly scary and disorienting. I am glad that you are feeling better but I'm glad that you are taking it easy for a while longer

@BrightEyes Sending good thoughts that the rains stay gentle. I think a lot of my flowers that didn't bloom this year (mostly late-season bloomers) didn't flower b/c of the lack of rain, not the soil. Even where the soil is relatively decent they didn't bloom either. The leaves are all turning brown and dropping everywhere too. I am very glad that the Dr appt is coming up soon. I can't imagine what a pain it is to feel so out of whack and for no logical reason. If it is the thyroid, hopefully being back on meds will help quickly
I will have to look at the Dollar Store for dish gloves, maybe they will fit better, thanks for the suggestion

@Cherylndesigns (and everyone! ) Thanks for congratulating Gary and Glen and the project. One of the things that bugs Gary the most about being disabled is that he feels like he has no purpose and that he doesn't contribute to the family/ (All bunk but I get why he feels that way on occasion) Working on his project keeps his mind busy and to see something come out of is very satisfying.
He doesn't think he is going o do anything this year for Halloween but he says that a lot. We watched the FooFighters "horror" movie (so silly and fun!) and were trying to get him to use that for his Boo Frighters inspiration. The arcade has kept him so busy he hasn't thought about Halloween.
That is great that Braden got to intern at a firm. One of the bad things about Caitlyn's internship with the MSW program was that they were so limited to what they could do/be placed because of Covid. She was supposed to be working her first year with DYFS doing home calls but that couldn't happen so she did the academic advisor remotely the first year and then a combo of remote/in-person the second year. Usually, they would switch types of internships the 2nd year but that wasn't an option.
What does Braden think he is going to want to do after graduation? College/major etc?

Back to you, Linda!
It sounds like Syd is doing well, getting acclimated -- when do actual classes begin?
Yes, it was a relief that the endo said Gary's bloodwork was ok. I know he worries a lot about his future health. He has gone for a long time without any major diabetic complications *KNOCKS WOOD REALLY LOUDLY* He has some things starting with his eyes and nerves but his kidneys would be bad. So wheew!
You and Syd had a productive day getting her kitchen set up and stocked. Will she have a car on campus at some point? Either way, it will be nice for you to be able to use the parking lot when you visit.
My mom and I are going down the shore Sept 13-15. This is where were are staying:

08 Room 08 Deluxe Lake view Suite

thehewittwellington.com

Caitlyn's engagement party is Oct 16- invites are going out today and she is so excited!

Rae's cruise is over? That went fast- but it has been a week I hope that she had a fantastic time, I am sure she took so many gorgeous photos. I saw a few on FB, she looked happy and relaxed. ♥

 

[BrightEyes]

Well, I got my wish for cooler temps yesterday. Don't think it got above 69*! I ended up in long pants and sweatshirt and was cold and under the fleece throw most of the day. It rained off and on ... it was a gentle rain in my area but much heavier in other parts of the state. Several rivers and a lot of roads have flooded leaving some people stranded. More rain is predicted for this week. Woke up to cloudy skies but lots of hot air balloons in the sky.

@faerywings That is great news about your Mom's heart condition. Good luck on your on-line clothes shopping... you have several exciting events coming up and new clothes will make you feel even better. Had to LOL over you tiptoeing and crawling around while Gary was doing the video about unboxing the mini-arcade game. What a boost to his morale and self-worth. I will bet he will come up with something to do for Halloween.... he is so creative (and loves spooky stuff).

@LSlycord What a fun day you had with Syd getting the dorm kitchen set up. Sounds like she has some good dorm mates.

@bcgal00 Been watching your FB page and enjoying the adventures you had on the cruise. Looking forward to seeing more photos from it.

@Cherylndesigns Congrats to Braydon on getting the internship. And yes, we want to see more photos of the progress on the pool construction. Hope the rains haven't slow it down too much.

@tanteva Smart move to just rest and crochet most of the day since it sounds like you will working a lot more in the next few weeks.

Need to get the last load of laundry in and refill my coffee cup. CYL

 

[Cherylndesigns]

Good morning, Lovelies.

Kind of quiet around here so far today. Chuck and Roger went to breakfast for their "Church Chat" as Ava calls it. Haha He's leaving a 1 pm for his "real job" in Florida. UGH, everything I hear is that the airports are expecting lots of delays - he's not looking forward to it. They've been trying to send a private plane for him, but for some reason, that couldn't happen this time.

Chris @faerywings I'm sure that this project has given Gary a real sense of purpose. It's a very cool project and I know people will love it! My youngest and all of her friends are still all into the games from that era - I saw that they raised money on Kick Starter - what a great idea. Glen mentioned Gary a lot in the video - very cool so Gary much have been very instrumental in the process. I tried to follow them, but didn't see a follow button. I'd love to stay up on their progress - what a unique idea.

Braden wants to be an attorney - he's wanted to do that since he was a kid. I know he'll do it and he'll be successful. He just has such a "presence" about him. He did that internship this summer, in Florida, with a corporate law firm. Roger knew the guy and he was happy to give it to Braden. B had some very interesting experiences in 2 weeks. He was able to go along with one of them to assist a client in buying REAL art - Picaso, was just one of them! He's just a good kid! He's already been accepted to The University of Arkansas and he's taking as many college credit courses as he can during this year - his senior year. That's so cool that kids can do that now - get a lot of the pesky pre-reqs done. Another Grandma brag - he's #2 in his class and is trying real hard to be #1. I told him that if he studied, he might make it. BWAHAHA The kid rarely cracks a book.

Linda, I saw your pictures on FB. Syd's room looks so cute and she looks happy and excited. I love my Apple Watch and it was a gift, too. I've had mine for about 5 years and it's still working great. There was a woman who recently said her watch saved her life - it felt her heart going out of rhythm and she was getting ready to have a heart attack. Our phones will track our steps, but I don't have my phone with me constantly, so the watch is great for that. Chuck always has his phone in his pocket, so he tracks his steps on his phone. You can buy refurbished Apple Watches on Amazon - when mine dies (and it's outlived the normal life span) that's what I'll do. You can also add them to your cell phone plan now.

Kay, hope you're feeling better today. You go to the doctor tomorrow, right? We're getting rain later today and tomorrow, but not like what you're expecting. We're going up to Adrienne's for family dinner later, so I'll take pool pics. They planted about 40 shrubs around it this weekend, so I'm sure it will look different.

Hugs to all and Happy Sunday.