And then, there's a bearded fetus.

Happy Coffee Day! I'm celebrating right now. Got up early to make a recipe I found on tiktok for Korean beef Noodles.

https://www.tiktok.com/@deanedwardschef/video/7143253666592541958

It needs to be in the slow cooker for 8 hours, and we have a game at 5:30, which equalled "beanside gets up at 7:30 to put the stuff in the pot. They look SO good, I cannot wait. With all steps, it should be ready at about 4, then the noodles will go in and we will have dinner. I didn't have short ribs, but I had some lovely LA Galbi style ribs, so that should be fine. They may cook down to shreds, but that'll just make it easier to shred them at the end.

In Other news, novavax continues to impress. My side effects seemed to be some achiness(which totally could just be my normal), a headache (again, could just be me), and some wicked acid reflux.

Thanks to the lack of side effects, I was able to run a game last night, which was so much fun. Due to scheduling, October is a little sparse on games. Most weekends only have one or two, so I'll have to see what I can do about that. I still have a few one shots I haven't used.

Today, I have very little planned again, just taking my sister to the laundry and aforementioned game. I don't mind working on Saturdays, but it has been nice to have 2 full days off.

Since during my grocery binge, I was putting in an order at the H Mart Asian Market, I went a little insane and got various sauces and vinegars and wines. I also ordered some gochujang paste. I've considered doing it before, but I assumed it would be too spicy for my very white person palate. Then, on the H Mart site, I saw that it came in mild form, so I bought that, too. Fuck, I want it in everything. It's SO freaking good. I usually will have an egg or two in the morning, and I just spread a little on each bite. I'm looking forward to seeing how today's noodles turn out with it.

Okay, time for me to go forth and grab that egg and gochujang. Everyone have an amazing Sunday!

It's Friday! I have a bit of a headache and didn't sleep my finest. I slept really well, except between 1-2am, when my brain decided to come up with a fully formed plot for a D&D mini campaign. I wrote it down, and upon review this morning, it's actually not bad. What if a mid-level adventuring party had come into some gold, and decided to retire to become restauranteurs? So they buy a surprisingly affordable tavern to fix it up, and find that it's cursed, so they have to come out of retirement to do one last job. I need to think on it more, but i think it could be fun.

Of course right now, we're scheduling games into Decdember, so I'll have plenty of time to flesh it out, and figure out the way it'll work. Will each room of the tavern be a session? How many rooms are there? Should I really name the wandering bard who reviews restaurants Michel Aline?

I go tonight to get my covid and flu shots. I'm trying the Norovax shot this time in the hopes that I don't end up flat for 2 days. I'd prefer to avoid puking and high fevers if I can avoid it.

I went last night and picked up my meats. Good lord those bags were heavy. Especially the chicken. We had the masala marinated chicken legs last night. They were so tasty. A little spicy, but really flavorful and juicy. I will definitely buy them again. Today we shall have hamburgers and maybe Hassleback potatoes, if I get ambitious.

I kept my weekend clear, just in case I do get sick from the shot, so I've got nothing until a game (that I'm not running) on Sunday.

Okay, time for me to start getting myself together. Everyone have an excellent Friday!

Up half an hour early today thanks to a small cat who began pestering me at 4:30am. I resisted for an hour before I got up, only 30 minutes early. She is currently eating like she has never eaten before, so I guess she was really hungry. Never mind that she had a full can of food when I went to bed last night. It was gone when I got up, so I guess she scarfed that down. She has moods, though. Most of yesterday, she didn't want to eat. And then the next day she'll eat 3 or four cans. The vet didn't seem worried, and her bloodwork was perfect, so I'm trying to be chill about it, but I hate it.

Yesterday was a little slower at work. I took less than 50 calls, which is unusual. I'm trying to put more space between my calls so it's not quite so back to back, to avoid being so wiped out at the end of the day. Technically, we have 2 min of aftercall work we can use, so I'm using more of that, instead of going right back in. It means slightly fewer calls, but hopefully more brain left at the end of the day.

Still waiting to find when my interview is going to be scheduled. I am not horribly patient, so this is driving me batty. But I will behave and wait and not bug my manager about it repeatedly.

Jess has been on a recipe bonanza. You may not remember, but when we finally got heat back after surviving on space heaters for 2 years, BGE refused to rehook the stovetop and the oven, stating that they were too old. So, we've been making do with a slow cooker and a countertop oven. (Basically a turbocharged toaster oven.) But not having a stovetop is kind of limiting. We cant saute onions or sear meat, or any of that good shit. But in the apartment, we're going to have all of that. And now that dad is gone, there's no one to say "What's in this?" with a scowl. Or to make faces about any vegetables we might wish to make. Add to that, an influx of energy that's not being used to take care of him, and the sudden realization that Kindle Unlimited and the library all have cookbooks.

Jess has a document where they've been transcribing the recipes that look interesting. So far, we've gone through a Southern Cooking Book, America's Test Kitchen, a Scottish Cooking book, and a few others. The google doc is getting rather long, and I need to get some more paper and ink to print this out and put it in a binder. In plastic sheets, of course.

We're under 100 days before we move. This week, I'm going to get something off our wish list. I figure if I do one or two things every paycheck, it's like a little hit of dopamine. A little reminder that it's creeping closer.

Also creeping closer? CONfab. It's only 4 1/2 weeks away. I still can't believe that I'm getting to go. I wish Jess could come soon, but even with Dad gone, Yoda couldn't be left alone for the 11 hours my sister is out of the house. I've gotta get a count of how many people are coming to D&D server tea and call the restaurant and get to work on the panel that poisontaster and I are moderating, And read through the module that I'm running at the con and figure out how we're doing it. Online, but in person, or am I pre making some characters and letting people choose their character sheet.

I will think on it.

Okay, time for me to go forth and start working on getting myself together. Everyone have an excellent Wednesday!

And somehow, we're back to Monday. I woke up super early for no reason. I can't even blame the cat. Though she certainly reaped the rewards of early breakfast. I'm sure we're going to be super busy today, so I'm definitely going to need all my coffee.

Yesterday was both fairly busy, yet chill. We went to the gas station to put more air in the tires, and then to the storage unit to drop off some boxes. Then it was off to the pharmacy. Then, I took my sister to the laundromat, marveling that I had a set number of times that I had to do that in. (14 for exact.) I did also stop at the new apartment and verify that we're in a front unit, so we will add some canvas to the apartment wish list, so that we can put it along the front of the balcony, blocking some of the visual stimulus for Yoda.

We also decided to use one of his cutest pictures and print out a nice little note for our neighbors. "Hi! I'm Yoda, your newest neighbor. I'm an 8 year old Bichon/Shizhu mix. My first 8 years were spent in a house, where I provided care for my elderly grandfather. An apartment is going to be an adjustment for me. I'll try my best to be a good quiet boy, but if I slip, I hope you'll forgive me. I'm going to do my best to become the best apartment dog ever! Thank you for your patience and kindness while I'm learning" Attached will be a $20 gift card to Target. Bribery? Yes, 100%.

He's actually been a bit quieter since Dad has been gone. I guess it's less stress in the house?

Last night, we were talking about the things we want to cook in the new place. The stove is so old that the gas company refused to connect it or the oven when we finaly got gas restored. (Honestly, I didn't care, I just wanted the heat and hot water.) So we've been making do with a countertop oven, and a slow cooker. No burners. So we've not had pasta in forever or soups. And while we do have an electric skillet, It's a giant pain in the ass, so we hardly use it, so no pancakes.

Since Dad died, it's been a bit of a shock how much energy caretaking him required. Now we have surplus energy, and Jess is all about being a house enby. (Credit poisontaster ) They want to cook good, nutritious meals and clean and all sorts of shit. So around 5, they abruptly realized that the library may have cookbooks! I also started looking at Kindle Unlimited and found a few recipes that I liked. It's very exciting!

Okay, time to consider getting my ass together for work. Everyone have a wonderful Monday!

I am up early today, thanks to a coordinated plan of attack by Boodle, who started the harassment around 4:30am. I finally gave up at 5:30, and got up to feed her. I'm going to be dragging by the end of tonight's game.

Yesterday was a mostly quiet day. I had work, then did nothing for the rest of the night, but went to bed early. Which was a good thing for the aforementioned cat antics.

Today, I have work, then a game, then we're probably going to go over to the storage unit to drop some boxes off, then to Savers to donate some clothes, then a game at 7. I've got bubble wrap coming today, so tomorrow, I'll probably start wrapping some of the small breakables we want to keep, so we can get that done. Most of our stuff probably can't be packed til closer, like clothes and electronics, so even starting now doesn't mean that the last few weeks won't be insanely busy.

Has anyone bought anything off Wayfair? I found a couch on there that I flat out love, but I'm leery about buying something I haven't sat on. On the other hand, they're willing to finance me, so that's helpful.

I told poisontaster that I never thought that if I started nesting, I would gravitate to the "Modern Farmhouse" genre of furniture. Turns out deep down, I am a basic bitch. See?

I'm trying to figure out placement of things, and I'm having trouble. That's the one downside of the show unit not being empty. I couldn't really imagine my stuff in there, because it was furnished already.

I've been in a weird mood lately. Since the lease was signed, and definitely since it was countersigned. I'm not quite sure what to do with it. I can't even really name it. Some weird combination of sad, anxious, excited, and angry. It mostly just feels unsettled.

I'm sad to be leaving the house I've spent thirty+ years in, definitely. Some days I felt like the house personally had it out for us, but overall, it's been okay, and I'm definitely going to miss the deer who sleep in our backyard. I'm anxious because I can't quite see in my head what our new life will be like. I don't know why I'm angry. Maybe because capitalism says I have to make this decision, because my parents were poor and did the reverse mortgage. Maybe I'm mad at dad for dying, or maybe I'm mad that he didn't die before we'd all broken ourselves taking care of him for two years. Maybe I'm mad at my sister that she's just kind of sitting back and letting Jess and I take point. But I'm also excited because this is a new chapter, and a chance to reinvent ourselves.

I think I need to just cry about it be done with it, maybe? I have an appointment with my psych on Monday, so I'll mention it to him if it's still a there. I don't think I need to tweak my meds, but a few more anti anxiety might be nice.

For now, I'm going to go and put on some pants, and get ready for work, and maybe have some more coffee. You all have a wonderful Saturday!

It's Thursday, and we're sliding towards the weekend! I do have to work on Saturday, but that's sweet, sweet overtime, so it's all good.

Yesterday was bugfuck at work. Just call after call with no real break in between. It made for a long day and I was exhausted by the time it was done. I've done more calls before, but yesterday was just grinding. I had a few interpreter calls, which are slower, plus two new patients, which take for freaking ever. One of my interpreter calls was nearly 45 minutes, because the caller was having trouble translating from a language that used an entirely different alphabet. The spouse had registered the patient and the caller had no idea how the name was spelled. It was like a weird ass telephone game and I did not enjoy it. Also, one of my new patients was entirely impatient and sighing every time I asked them something. Who calls into a new doctor and doesn't expect to have to give your demographic and insurance information? And for fuck's sake, do not spit out your four word address like you're trying to just combine the words into one syllable. I have to type this shit, and I'm going to need you to slow the fuck down.

Right: "1234 South Main Street Garth. Wrong: 1234soumainstreegar. (Address entirely made up.)

I'm hoping today will be a little less frustrating.

To top of the day, as we were getting ready for bed, my thigh decided it was a good idea to go into a full cramp, so I had to hobble around in tears for ten minutes while it randomly caused a lot of pain.

So, it's been 3 weeks since Dad died as of this morning. It's weird to think, yet so much has changed in the 21 days. Jess has been a little Tasmanian devil of a person, filling a 20 foot dumpster in just over a week. The place hasn't been this uncluttered in years. It's probably going to take at leat two more dumpsters before we've got all the stuff out that we can get. Then, it'll be "get junk's problem. We've got a place to live. That's bonkers to me. I know I spearheaded it, but still. I have a moving date.

I'm still kind of waiting for grief to hit. Once in a while I'm a little sad, but overall, it's just relief. I think the last couple of years, I'd grieved for the person he was before, but the last year, especially, has been so hard that the only thing I feel is grateful to be free.

I'm honestly having more feels about the apartment. I'm glad to have a place where I won't have to worry when things break--I can just call and have someone fix it. I don't have to worry about clearing snow off the walk. I'll miss the deer and foxes in our backyard, though. I'm a little sad to leave the place I've spent 30 years in, and I'll miss my office, but it'll be good to have a clean break.

Okay, time for me to get myself together for work. Everyone have an amazing day.

Yesterday was a very scattered day. I was busy at work, but I kept getting calls from the vet and the apartments that necessitated breaks.

Poor Yoda had a completely cracked toenail, all the way up to the quick and was crooked. The doctor didn't feel like it would heal without intervention, so they removed it completely, and a new one will grow back. Poor Bud is still a little woofled from the sedation and drugs. He's tired, but seems to be doing well and not in much pain. When we went to pick him up, the tech gushed about how they all love him and he's so sweet and he seemed to love them all. And I'm like, this asshole?

The other bit of busy was the apartment. First, they neeeded more documentation. Then they needed more documentation. Lastly, they needed still more documentation. And then, we were done. And as I finished a call, I got an email: Approved! We have a place to live, starting December 31st. It's not going to be cheap, but $1766 + $50 for the pets. We signed the leases and once the property manager signs his portion, we'll pay the security deposit and be good to go. We have a new home, and a date for the beginning of the new chapter. We're planning to move in on 1/3, with the new furniture deliveries coming beginning as soon as we're able to get in the unit.

It's not one of the renovated units, which is fine. It's a trade off from bigger closets vs having a washer and drier in the unit. Which is good, I like bigger closets. By the end of the day today, we should be moving over to the resident portal. It's exciting, but also terrifying.

We couldn't turn this one down. It's a gorgeous apartment, and the price is right. We all liked it, and agreed that we could see ourselves living there. But I'm terrified. This is a place I hunted down. And if it turns out that it's not good for us, I'll feel responsible. Which is ridiculous, but I was raised to be responsible for everyone else's feelings.

And at the same time, when there's something new, I'm usually the one who takes the impetuous to get new things, services, etc. I deal with the phones, the internet and previously all of dad's suppliers. But the legacy of my mother says that it's my fault when something goes wrong that's even tangentially related to me. I'm trying not to think that way, but it runs deep.

So, I didn't sleep very well last night. I finally dozed off around 1, and was up and down a bit.

My unicorn Minnie ears came yesterday. They were my little present to me for my "unicorn" review.


And now, I shall go forth and get ready to do some work, in a hopefully less scattered manner than yesterday. Everyone have a wonderful Tuesday!

Well, yesterday's post was a disjointed mess, wasn't it. lol. I left out large swathes of things in my rush to finish it at 4.

So, back to Friday night, when Yoda did his normal kicky feet thing at a dog coming down the street. Except this time, his toenail caught on something, ad he broke his nail. There was screaming, yelping and blood, and debates on the emergency vet. It stopped bleeding, but he's still limping, so he's going to his vet at 7:15 tomorrow morning, poor little lamb.

Also on Friday, we put up a lovely new cat tree for Boodle. It's fucking adorable, and was a bitch to put together. After all he pain putting it together, it's a good thing that she loves it, because my back and shoulder are still pissed off.

Saturday, we went to a couple apartments, both of which we liked very much. The first one was utterly beautiful, and I really liked it. It was spacious and bright and airy, with vinyl flooring throughout.

The second was even better, but also a little more pricey. Both had issues with parking, where we'd be paying to park, and shy of a real deal on the lease, it's unlikely, but we'll see.

The first apartment, they sent us to one on the other side of the fucking complex, so we saw a lot of the stuff they had, but holy hell that was way more walking than I'm used to. Added on to the cat tree, I was super sore last night.

But not too sore to run a Friday the 13th themed D&D game! Sure, it was Saturday the 14th, but who cares? It was a lot of fun! My players came up with some inspired characters, and I loved them all.

Today, nothing much on the schedule. Mostly taking it easy. I saw that dine had done a 25 question getting to know you thing, so if I get bored, you may here from me again today!

For now, though, have an absolutely wonderful Sunday!

Whenever I'm stuck for lyrics for my subject line, it's always nice to know that Leonard Cohen is always there to rescue me.

Yesterday was quiet. The excitement of my day was my resume making from HR to the management team. Now I wait. aside from that, it was an average day. I did about 50 calls, and scheduled a bunch of appointments.

The cleaning of our house continues apace. Jess has filled about half a 20foot long dumpster since Monday. We have for two weeks, but I don't think it'll take that long to fill. They are a human on a mission: Throw out all the shit they've always wanted to.

Boodle was supposed to go to the vet for her second round of the distemper shot, but of course, as I'm getting turkey to lure Yoda into the bedroom, the fucking lawn people came and she darted downstairs to her little hidey hole. I had to call the vet and reschedule. It was just a fech appointment, so no big deal, but goddamn, the timing.

My sister and Jess are going to check out the apartment that I liked today. I hope they like it too. As soon as a 2 bedroom opens up, I'll be grabbing it, unless they really hate it.

Jess has their Strixhaven game tonight. I'll probably go to bed early and nap while they play.

Tomorrow, I have some apartments to check out, so I'll probably do a few of them, just to see. I haven't checked out a high rise yet, and I'm not sure it would work for us, but I'll give it a go.

Aside from that, it's probably going to be a mostly quiet weekend.

And on that note, I'm going to go forth and get myself together. Everyone have an amazing Friday the 13th!

Morning came rather early today. Another night of waking up every few hours. I mean, I got mostly enough sleep, but I'm kind of tired this morning. It's okay, going to drink some coffee, and try to wake up.

Yesterday was again a busy day. We've had a lot of them. First up, work for 4 hours, including my monthly quality meeting. Not surprisingly, all things considered, August was not my finest month for quality. I didn't do anything egregious, but definitely not great scores.

After that fun, it was time to drive down to Maryland Cremation Services, and pick up Dad's ashes. It was accomplished with a minumum of fuss, aside from finding the right place to turn to get to it.

Anyhow, it was all good, got the box of ashes and some death certificates and headded back home. We stoppped on the way home for some good Swedish Meatballs at IKEA. They have some of their holiday stuff in, including some of the Vintersaga line. One of the things this year is chocolate bars with crushed gingerbread. It was really tasty!

Then, it was home to relax. By this point I had a bit of a headache, but I had already committed to going for a nice pedicure. I have the beginnings of an ingrown toenail, and my new nail clippers weren't scheduled to come until late Tuesday/Wednesday, so I decided to go get it handled.

IT was seriously handled, and my toes are a little sore today, but that ingrown is dug out and gone.

Today, it's work, including my yearly review. Whoo? I'm sure it'll be fine, but I always hate these. But it's payday, so that's nice.

Okay, time to go forth and continue to try to wake up. Everyone have a superb Wednesday!