Mal: Can I come in? Inara: No. Mal: See? That's why I usually don't ask.

'Our Mrs. Reynolds'


Natter 76: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Foaminess  

Off-topic discussion. Wanna talk about corsets, duct tape, butt kicking, or physics? This is the place. Detailed discussion of any current-season TV must be whitefonted.


msbelle - Apr 14, 2020 2:41:56 pm PDT #19791 of 30019
I remember the crazy days. 500 posts an hour. Nubmer! Natgbsb

I got the stuff on my house repaired and it was less than $300. I went to the ATM up the street so I could pay in cash and stopped in the CVS to see what was there. Got some hydrogen peroxide, foundation, and gift cards for mac's birthday in 9 days.

The guy who did the work is a local general contractor and he kept appointments, called to verify times were good, and looks to have done a good job. He is going to come back and get me a quote on a garage door and electric opener for my gate.


Steph L. - Apr 14, 2020 3:20:03 pm PDT #19792 of 30019
I look more rad than Lutheranism

I know the tax filing deadline was extended, but I was pretty damn sure we'd get a refund, so I did our taxes tonight (spoiler: we did get a refund). I am, however, not paying my estimated quarterly taxes until the extended date. All I have to do is wrangle the city's tax return, and I'm finished.

Tim was off for the past 2 weeks, but now he's back to work (his company is an essential business), but he's working 2nd shift (4 pm to 2 am), because there are WAY fewer people, so he feels pretty confident about maintaining good social distance. I'm only marginally concerned on his behalf, but he's being exceedingly vigilant about handwashing. Mostly, it's boring as hell not having him home in the evenings, so I'm binge-watching The Magicians on Netflix.

We're being mindful of our diet, when both of us would happily subsist on homemade pizza and mac&cheese. Smaller servings, which can only be healthier for us, and more produce while we have access to it.

Yeah, I've been making an effort to make a smoothie most days of the week, to be sure I hit my fruit/veggie intake goal (the smoothie has milk, frozen berries, and a shitload of spinach, along with protein powder).

But I am also having mac & cheese from time to time, because it's apparently the #1 comfort food that I want.


Jesse - Apr 14, 2020 3:20:31 pm PDT #19793 of 30019
Sometimes I trip on how happy we could be.

OK, I found some stuff to order from a different local store that should be here by my mother's birthday. Phew!


Jessica - Apr 14, 2020 3:39:12 pm PDT #19794 of 30019
And then Ortus came and said "It's Ortin' time" and they all Orted off into the sunset

The only fresh vegetables I have left in my house are onions and potatoes, but shopping day is coming up at the end of the week* so I'm pretty sure we won't get scurvy.

*Keeping to my every 2 weeks schedule instead of running out to the store every time we run out of something is REALLY FREAKING HARD.


esse - Apr 14, 2020 5:18:02 pm PDT #19795 of 30019
S to the A -- using they/them pronouns!

I'm also trying to do every two weeks, Jessica, but it's definitely a challenge -- my apartment is small, and there's no room to buy extra of much, particularly bulky things. When it's just me, in my small flat, it just wasn't a viable habit to shop more than 7-10 in advance, with semifrequent trips to the local organic grocer to supplement (or to eat dinner from the deli counter).

Fortunately, I still have an account with the CSA I used several years ago, because they aren't taking new accounts -- not even to buy gift certificates, which I thought was odd -- and I was able to reactivate my twice-monthly CSA box, plus the milk & half and half I would otherwise need to visit the store to acquire.

And the small farmstead shop on my dog walk has stayed open (and it's open-air) so I can get additional produce and a handful of grocery items there as needed.

Interestingly some of the farmers' markets around Portland have committed to staying open as well, which includes local meat and fish mongers, so it may be a hassle and time-consuming to go there once a week (or less) but it's a source point for animal protein.


msbelle - Apr 14, 2020 5:28:24 pm PDT #19796 of 30019
I remember the crazy days. 500 posts an hour. Nubmer! Natgbsb

2 weeks ago I managed some fresh stuff in my Aldi delivery, but from what I am hearing the larger markets are just way more wiped out.


meara - Apr 14, 2020 6:54:26 pm PDT #19797 of 30019

Sadly the farmers markets here are still not allowed to open (though they do tend to get very crowded). I'm only managing to go grocery shopping weekly, not biweekly. But I used to go 4-5 times a week, so I feel like I'm at least trying??? I'm still figuring out what the heck to buy. I keep ending up with a lot of ingredients and nothing to eat?


esse - Apr 14, 2020 7:14:06 pm PDT #19798 of 30019
S to the A -- using they/them pronouns!

I keep ending up with a lot of ingredients and nothing to eat?

Once more meara is me and my life.


DavidS - Apr 14, 2020 8:36:27 pm PDT #19799 of 30019
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."

I'm lucky in that my Asian grocery a few blocks away is Open, well stocked and undercrowded.

Grabbed a bunch of greens for us and the pigs.

I do have to wander into Whole Foods or Gus's Market on Haight about once a week but that's a long line and wait and an unpleasant experience.


Cashmere - Apr 14, 2020 8:48:36 pm PDT #19800 of 30019
Now tagless for your comfort.

Ruby Coffee Roasters has paired with our local farm shed org to sell produce boxes with local, organic fresh fruit and veg. They also have a dairy box with 1 gal of local milk, 1/2 #cheddar cheese, 1lb of butter and a dozen organic eggs. Both boxes together are $75 and that is pricey for no meat but... it is all local and we don't have to shop—just pick it up!