Widowhood has improved my credit score a great deal. Capital One has a section that tracks your score, and I've been enjoying watching the line trend up. I've even begun playing "what happens if I pay off this bill now instead of then?"

I think 2 days is a VERY short turnaround time, but I am not the one who came up with that policy.

After years of testing on human subjects and engineers, I determined that three business days is the ideal amount of review time. Less time and they squawk; more time, and they put it off and forget about it.

Like in Swingers, "Three days"

FoodMaxx only had giant bags of shredded cheese and no sour cream at all, but they did have a single-serving tub of Panera Mac & Cheese, so I have dumped that in the crock-pot. We'll see. Was successful in getting Fritos.

Suzi, Maureen makes stuff happen. I am so glad you spoke with her! She is Charlie's niece by the way, so not blood cousin but cousin all the same.

Suzi, I meant to say that it sounded dumb that the CU person looked at your years-old credit score.

Oh, she was looking at it instead of doing a "hard pull", which then counts against my credit score. Trying not to do that until I'm ready to commit to starting this. I mean, I'm ready, just need to get connected with the right loan officer and then it is full steam ahead.

So she was just working with what information she could find to help guide me. If I'd had an open loan with the CU, she could have done a "soft pull" of my current score.

Nanita, that is cool about being Charlie's niece. Once again, found family ROCKS!!! Just talking to her, I really wished I could be working with her. Her energy just comes across and she is so confident in her delivery. But without being "used car salesman" icky.

I had leftover soup for lunch. But I've had a hankering for tater tots for days now, and I decided that, as cravings go, those would be pretty innocuous. So processed potato product will be a significant part of dinner.

Hey, I got not one, but TWO annoying authors today! I sent a different author his article 2 days ago, and since I hadn't heard back today, I sent a reminder. Five minutes later I receive a reply that reads "No changes required."

Which is swell and all, but I can tell he didn't read the article, because there are at least 8 queries in it that he needs to answer, including how he needs to rewrite the TITLE OF HIS ARTICLE. So, no, I'd say some changes are required.

Which I email back and tell him, only nicely, and he immediately replies "Don't have it anymore." Jesus Christ you fucking infant how do you function in the world without a keeper??? Now I absolutely know he didn't even look at the article and just hit delete when I sent it to him.

So, obviously, I re-sent it to him and said "Per journal policy, all queries must be answered or we will be unable to move forward with production on your article." My guess is he leaves at least half unanswered.

And this jackhole is the reason we give authors only 2 days -- because I bet it's going to take an additional 2 days to get the article back from him.

I wilted spinach in a cup of miso broth and am calling that breakfast, lunch and maybe half dinner. Got so tied up in meetings and baking that I kinda forgot that.

I think I'll make more snickerdoodles. Not like I can hit the pool, you know? And still snowing & now windier, so can't do anything about that yet.

I overheard one of my co-workers talking about Tai Chi so I butted in and asked him where he practiced, and his teacher is the same guy I used to go to 20+ years ago. I'm so glad I asked! I can't believe that guy is still teaching, maybe knowing he is aailable will get me off my butt and back to it. Long drive, but maybe worth it...