What are you doing these days?

[Ellener]

49 minutes ago, Happy Lemming said:

I don't know what happened, but the next time I went there his prices more than doubled.  For $20 more, I could get a brand new tire from the shop down the street, so I stopped going there.

There's a whole 'underground' but visible economy I am becoming aware of...but yes, first people undercut and work hard then push it too far. Has to be a balance between profit and greed to succeed!

The guy was fine, it was his wife who tried to upcharge me $16 to use a debitcard to pay ( which is not legal in US ) They yelled at each other a bit whilst I chatted with a little boy in broken english/broken Spanish then she refunded it. It was all an interesting cameo! Life's rich tapestry.

[Ruby Slippers]

Part of my fence got blown over in a windstorm. I found a couple of guys in my neighborhood to fix it for a good price - they're working on it now. Why is every contractor who comes to my house so attractive? I've probably just been single too long 

[Ellener]

1 hour ago, Ruby Slippers said:

Why is every contractor who comes to my house so attractive? I've probably just been single too long 

[Ruby Slippers]

^ These guys are awesome! They do it all. I had a new light fixture to install and just didn't feel like dealing with it. They offered to do it for a very reasonable price and did the job in 10 minutes. They're coming back tomorrow to do a little work in the bathroom, again for a great price. I'm giving them free business development tips in my area of expertise, which they definitely need. We chatted about our big plans for a while - we all want to buy 5 acres or so and build our own houses eventually. I asked if I can hire them to be my builders and they said absolutely. 

This is definitely what I've been missing - some hot go-get-em man energy in my immediate vicinity lol

[Mrin]

Went for my first cross country ski of the season today. Felt goooooooood!

[pepperbird2]

I'm working, always working. There's so many events being cancelled lately, especially in the not for profit world. These make up a significant portion of our social safety net, and we're starting to see the impact of that now.
There's efforts being made to encourage more people to shop local, and they seem to be paying off. One is "Not Amazon", and it lists local businesses that are currently open and serving the public.
The one entity that seems to be doing just fine in Canada Post. So many won't be seeing their family over the holidays so they're mailing gifts instead. My daughter has an online business and we walk down together to drop off packages for mailing. The lines are crazy, backed up right out the door. At least it's a reason to go out.

[Ellener]

I don't have a printer right now, unsure of whether to get one...still weighing uppros and cons; so a drive to fed-ex just to print 2 things...

[Happy Lemming]

1 minute ago, Ellener said:

I don't have a printer right now, unsure of whether to get one...still weighing uppros and cons; so a drive to fed-ex just to print 2 things...

I picked up a used laser jet from Goodwill (prior to the pandemic) I didn't pay much for it. I get the laser jet cartridges from an on-line auction source which are also quite inexpensive.

Personally, I found the laser jet toner to last quite long vs. those ink-jet cartridges.  I rarely need anything printed in color, so a black and white laser jet fits the build.

[Ellener]

40 minutes ago, Happy Lemming said:

I found the laser jet toner to last quite long vs. those ink-jet cartridges.

I used to have an ink jet with refillable cartridges,I guess it got lost in all the moves...I barely need one at all to be honest, one of the pro/cons is the space it'll take upon my desk...

Saw one for $40 at WM scanner/printer, the reviews say it's cheaper to buy a printer than an ink cartridge refull!

The library is around the corner, I always used the scanner and printer there before but it's staying closed until after the pandemic.

 

[Happy Lemming]

@Ellener I do find a scanner to be quite useful.  I keep an old "all in one" printer around just because the scanner works.

[Ruby Slippers]

I buy my ink jet cartridges on ebay. I get all 4 colors for around $10, lasts for months with my minimal usage. Way cheaper than the sticker price or any of the "instant ink" pay-per-page scams going on these days. 

[Miss Spider]

I’m cutting up. Someone on zoom was giving a lecture. Somehow, I was able to use a drawing tool on his screen share and I scribbled all over his notes. He was like “haha hmm I think I must have done something funny with my screen” He thought he did it! Muahahaha was snickering so hard . Was going to draw a peen, but maybe kids may have been watching. I am so happy I discovered this, but it’s bad news for others xD 

Edited December 18, 2020 by Shortskirtslonglashes

[Wiseman2]

Drinking eggnog is good for the soul.

[Happy Lemming]

I started doing some tree trimming, yesterday.  My big mesquite tree always "droops" after a good rain.  I don't know if it has a "growth spurt" after each rain or what its doing, but it seems to always require attention after getting a drink of water.

Although its a "twisty" kind of tree, I do like it even though it requires a lot of work to maintain.

[Ruby Slippers]

I went through a blah phase over the past few weeks and have hardly been working out. Today I rolled myself off the couch to take a walk in the neighborhood and it was nice. I definitely want to ramp the exercise back up - jogging and weights. I've been feeling stagnant, and I'm sure the lack of much activity is a big factor.

Edited December 20, 2020 by Ruby Slippers

[Eternal Sunshine]

I  had a general anesthetic surgery a week or so ago and everything went smoothly. I have returned to work today (ahead of schedule), even though I still feel a bit weak and occasionally dizzy. Everything is healing well though. I lost 6lbs - hope I don't put it all back immediately

[Wiseman2]

What's up with the UK news about a new coronavirus strain?

[Ellener]

13 hours ago, Ruby Slippers said:

I've been feeling stagnant, and I'm sure the lack of much activity is a big factor.

I've been eating food I don't normally touch, with additives and sugar, makes me feel 'slugglish'. Think I'll get the wheelchair out and do a few laps aroud the park today if it's dry. 

My son needs a jump start this am, I'll make or pick up breakfast for him too. 

Been years since I jump-started a car, better google it 

 

[elaine567]

13 minutes ago, Wiseman2 said:

What's up with the UK news about a new coronavirus strain?

Scary stuff. Uk Govt in all 4 countries are taking this very seriously, which in itself is a bit worrying.
Cases increasing as well as hospitalisations, next is deaths...
Restrictions work as long as applied but as soon as lifted, cases return... Cases rising exponentially in London and surrounding areas. New strain is estimated  to be up to 70% more transmissable.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock looked close to tears as he reported the new strain is "out of control" and the new severe restrictions may need to be in place for months...
An increasing number of countries have banned travel from the UK, and France has closed its border to people and freight
 for 48 hours as it figures out what to do next...
Queues, shortages, stock piling, Brexit, chaos...
Europe has its own issues with rising viral cases, a new strain is NOT what it now needs.

[Ruby Slippers]

4 hours ago, Ellener said:

I've been eating food I don't normally touch, with additives and sugar, makes me feel 'slugglish'.

I splurged on some Christmas chocolates and petit fours, the biggest sweets indulgence I've had in the house in months. But I'm pacing myself and so far no impact is showing on the scale.

I have just 3 days of work this week, then 11 days of Christmas vacation. Hallelujah!!! I need it.

[Ellener]

3 hours ago, elaine567 said:

An increasing number of countries have banned travel from the UK

If it's in London, it's already elsewhere.

My 'check engine' light came on, another task for today/tomorrow. Expenses coming thick and fast! Get your act together US government, make me homeless and I'm coming to camp outside the White House...

2 minutes ago, Ruby Slippers said:

I splurged on some Christmas chocolates and petit fours, the biggest sweets indulgence 

I love those terribly sweet 'cordial cherries' they lasted about ten minutes ( the box had 5 ) and I got a box of Walkers mince pies which I rationed to 1 a day, plus gave my neighbour 2. I made sausage rolls too,18, gave my neighbour 2, son 8,means I ate 8 myself. Better slow down now : )

 

[Happy Lemming]

32 minutes ago, Ellener said:

My 'check engine' light came on, another task for today/tomorrow.

 

You can have the local parts store check it for free. They will give you the code that corresponds to that error and you can research possible causes and costs to fix it.  Could be as simple as a loose gas cap...

Pray it is not a "P0420" code... That code is my personal nemesis.

[Ellener]

19 minutes ago, Happy Lemming said:

You can have the local parts store check it for free. They will give you the code that corresponds to that error and you can research possible causes and costs to fix it.  Could be as simple as a loose gas cap...

Pray it is not a "P0420" code... That code is my personal nemesis.

Just did the emissions test last week for the yearly safety sticker...

[Wiseman2]

28 minutes ago, Happy Lemming said:

Pray it is not a "P0420" code... That code is my personal nemesis.

 Oooh! That's my favorite! Catalytic converter/oxygen sensor.

[Happy Lemming]

6 minutes ago, Ellener said:

Just did the emissions test last week for the yearly safety sticker...

See if any of the local parts stores will scan the car with the OBD2 reader.  Most of them do if for free and give you a printout of the possible issues.