Damn, Atropa! I always suspected laundry was dangerous. I hope recovery is swift and easy

Oh no, Atropa! I hope you are back upright shortly.

I think figuring out how to do what you need for holidays without trying to force other people into it is really important. Because obviously, forcing adults into anything is not that easy or fun....

I'm braiding the last of the turkey legs I got for Thanksgiving and didn't need, so that meant opening a bottle of red wine and boy is it tasty.

I realize this is the least of our problems, but -t, were you actually braising???

I am looking forward to my family coming for Christmas today, but I realize I didn't follow the rules for the gift exchange and I think I have to go to the store for another appetizer. Oops.

I'm braiding the last of the turkey legs I got for Thanksgiving and didn't need, so that meant opening a bottle of red wine and boy is it tasty.

I realize this is the least of our problems, but -t, were you actually braising???

I'm desperately hoping she really braided it!

In all my stress because my mom changed our Christmas menu from chili to ham! I forgot the original side I was bringing- salad!

I want braided turkey legs!

Also, my mom is really annoying me with this ham thing. No one likes ham, I don't know why she is doing it, except I can't eat beans. But I can eat around the beans! Sheila said she would bring a sandwich tray, and that made my mom think she didn't want chili! My mom "told" me we were switching by asking me if I could eat ham, but I thought she was just asking. My uncle has only been talking to me, so we have sides and bread for chili. But now I need to make new sides. I bet Sheila will still have the sandwich tray. We are four people, how is communication such a disaster?.

I am pretty sure my mom is just trying to be nice, that is the issue, so I am also a little angry at myself for being annoyed. But if she just let it go and let me do everything we would not have all this agita! And we would be having better food that everyone like, with actual sides that go with that type of food. My mom somehow never learned to plan a coordinating meal, because my grandma cooked when I was little, and then I cooked for most family holidays until I was thirty and my mom all of the sudden decided she should, when I am happy to. And we added Sheila, who also cooks. But I started planning and making holiday meals in 7th grade, I am capable of it!

Also, my mom is really annoying me with this ham thing. No one likes ham, I don't know why she is doing it, except I can't eat beans. But I can eat around the beans! Sheila said she would bring a sandwich tray, and that made my mom think she didn't want chili! My mom "told" me we were switching by asking me if I could eat ham, but I thought she was just asking. My uncle has only been talking to me, so we have sides and bread for chili. But now I need to make new sides. I bet Sheila will still have the sandwich tray. We are four people, how is communication such a disaster?.

I am pretty sure my mom is just trying to be nice, that is the issue, so I am also a little angry at myself for being annoyed. But if she just let it go and let me do everything we would not have all this agita! And we would be having better food that everyone like, with actual sides that go with that type of food. My mom somehow never learned to plan a coordinating meal, because my grandma cooked when I was little, and then I cooked for most family holidays until I was thirty and my mom all of the sudden decided she should, when I am happy to. And we added Sheila, who also cooks. But I started planning and making holiday meals in 7th grade, I am capable of it!

So I am now going to make mashed rutabaga, mashed cauliflower and sweet potatoes to go with ham. I already made greens (with bacon). I can't get a straight answer out of my mom if there will be other sides (like maybe she is hiding them from me because I can't eat them!)

Renewed license achieved!

On the downside, plumber charged $475 for visit, fetching small fancy brass part, and now says that the hot water tank has to be replaced for like $6K+.

Hoping panicky roommate who is onsite is not being misled. At the least, a second opinion (and quote) is advisable.

Theo, I was going to suggest you look at getting a heat pump, but it would be more expensive (at least in the short term), and it looks like most of the rebate programs have expired.

Oh no, Atropa! I am so sorry to hear you are in that level of pain. Backs were indeed poorly designed.

My SIL decided once again that I was to provide a meat lasagna as well as a vegan dish. So I am buying a frozen lasagna, but will still make a super tasty pasta/capers/broccoli/beans dish I like.

I am off to the grocery store. Take pity on me.