I'm definitely going to get a table and chairs for the back deck, and maybe a grill. I'm not sure that I'd use a grill often enough to justify that, though. But I like eating outside when it's nice out.

The rain on my skylights sounds kind of cool.

I also really need to get a new couch -- I've had my current one since 2003, and it's really reaching the end of its useful (or comfortable) life, but I think I need to give my credit card a bit of a chance to recover from all the moving expenses, so maybe next year.

Oh, Hil, I know you're vegan (I'm pescatarian) and I want to say I think you'd get a TON of use out of a grill. Other than lifting the top, which might be difficult with physical limitations, the grilling is quick and delicious for veggies, and there's no clean-up really. I live for grilling season when I grill eggplant, squashes, portobello mushrooms etc. all summer long.

I haven't checked in here in a while, but I am thrilled that you love your new place!

erika, your attitude sounds healthier. It's so tempting to try to make a relationship fit a narrative (especially the "healing estranged family members" arc) but that's really not how humans generally work. All you can do is recognize people for who they are. That's... all very inspirational poster talk. I guess I mean "me too, only not quite because my family issues are different, but I hear you and wish to empathize." So there.

Totally unrelatedly, if I really dislike jump scares is it worth it for me ever to see Cabin in the Woods?

I don't remember if there were a lot of jump scares in Cabin. More twists, I think? Haven't watched it in a long time, though.

Totally unrelatedly, if I really dislike jump scares is it worth it for me ever to see Cabin in the Woods?

It's not super jump scary. It's more meta-narrative tropes.

portobello mushrooms etc. all summer long.

Mmmm, grilled mushrooms.

I try not to be judgmental, I really do, and yet. I keep trying to find something I like about son's gf, and it isn't working very well. Today I picked them up and she came out with 2 books in her hand. Yay, reader. That's a good thing, and son is a huge reader, so a plus. Then I saw what she was reading, and now I am all judgy and unimpressed again. Oh well. I'll work on my attitude. She has also spoken like 3 words to me ever, so there is that. Sigh.

We are still in Scrappy the Cat Ran Off Part 2 the non Electric Boogaloo.

Matthew did see him last night. We have had the animal trap out in different places, but not where we caught him last time. There is a Siamese looking cat that I've seen near the trap twice. Tonight qe caught him. He was just quietly loafed in there waiting to be set free.

We also caught a possum and set him free.

I checked my pay slip today to see what it would be. Turns out I got a bonus for sales. I knew I would be eligible as a specialist but my supervisor told me that the department hadn't been making the sales goals. Tomorrow I'm going to ask the assistant manager about it. Mostly to ask about why I was told not to expect one or even exactly how it works. I won't be eligible but my supervisor didn't give me the info or support and I kind of want to talk to the assistant manager about that.

And I've started playing Sims 4 on the xbox. The controls are hard. I've been playing Sims mobile and then Sims 4 went on sale so I bought it.

Bad books, eh? Was it Twilight or 50 Shades? Going Rogue? Art of the Deal?

Those would put me into a judgmental literary snit on sight.