As mentioned everything went swimmingly with my wife's family. We had lunch today with her oldest sister (who wasn't able to make dinner the night before) and that was really nice. She teared up at one point, just starting to say how sorry she was for what I'd been through... and I cut her off and told her that I'm really happy right here and now, so there's really no reason for anyone to be sorry about anything.

I could tell she was also a bit anxious about names, pronouns and the likes, so for the second time in two days (and, I imagine, what will became old hat in short order) my little speech about how I don't want anyone ever to be on pins and needles, and language from those who love and support me will never bother me in the slightest. I could tell that registered and was appreciated. So my wife and I agreed that is definitely going on my "Greatest Hits" album. 

On our ride home we finalized the roster for the round #1 group of friends for this week. We debated if there would be a round 2 and 3, or just a round 2 and then deal with things on a case-by-case basis.

But we also thought why not just send those letters out tonight and get the ball rolling?

Well, after a wonderful dinner and catch-up chat with the boy... as we sat watching TV, I turned to my wife and just said "first of all, I am sorry - we have tried very hard not to make all this the focus of our lives, and for the last two weeks it's been like the circus is in town. And they've been extended at least one more week.  And secondly... I do not want to send out the letters tonight. I need a night off."

She was fully on board with "and on the eighth day, they rested" theory as well... so I'll work on the letters tomorrow.

Ok, cluster headache time (or maybe not?) - gotta go assume the position.

Love,
Allie

15 years is such a deal, in Gaza they would throw you off the roof of a building.  Well back a few months ago when they had buildings to throw you off of.

In 2022 a 22-year-old woman in Iran was beaten by the morality police (and died) over the hijab law. Where were the young collage protested back then?

Iran is such a wonderful place, if you're a straight Iranian male.   

And I thought it would be a nice place for a holiday....

Iraq, book for 2 weeks and stay for 3 years....

Write   right

Rabid anti-trans trolls have issued bomb threats against 53 gyms following Libs of TikTok attacks

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/rabid-anti-trans-trolls-have-issued-bomb-threats-against-53-gyms-following-libs-of-tiktok-attacks/ar-AA1nOYo9?ocid=windirect&cvid=e938f2cfb8a6403b8ac9c221d95aeb3e&ei=51

Story by John Russell (28 April 2024)

Planet Fitness locations across the country have continued to receive bomb threats in the wake of an anti-transgender boycott campaign spearheaded by anti-LGBTQ+ hate influencer Chaya Raichik's Libs of TikTok social media accounts. Media Matter reports that at least 53 Planet Fitness locations in 20 states have now reported receiving bomb threats.

Raichik began posting about the national gym chain in mid-March after Patricia Silva, a cisgender Alaska woman, claimed that her Planet Fitness membership had been revoked due to her complaints about a transgender woman using the women's locker room. However, in a statement, Planet Fitness said that Silva had been banned because she violated the gym's mobile device policy, which prohibits taking photos of people in locker rooms. Silva reportedly took a picture of the trans woman in the locker room and posted it online.

In recent weeks, Raichik's Libs of TikTok X account "has continued to post about the gym, attempting to generate outrage by accusing Planet Fitness of a range of offenses, including 'discriminating against White people,' 'grooming kids,' 'putting a mentally ill man's delusions before women's safety,' and allowing 'people to act out their s*xual f*tishes in public,'" Media Matters reported.

Quote from: davina61 on Yesterday at 02:39:15 PMMy mum overstocks on stuff but at least she puts the date on cans and keeps them used, why she has to have 3 of everything is beyond me as we go shopping every week! Freezer is full as well, I keep telling her to use it up .

I have similar tendencies, but usually with flashlights (aka - torches). If one is good, two is better! I do the same with clothing. If I really like a certain article of clothing, I'll buy two of the exact same thing. Unfortunately, sometimes I grow tired of the style or design before I ever wear the second one.

@LoriDee, don't forget the toilet paper! Just a few months after COVID struck, I was waiting in line for our local WalMart to open -- hoping they had some toilet paper. While waiting, I commented to another hopeful TP shopper that this was all Sears' fault. If they hadn't stopped printing those giant catalogs, we would all have a supply of emergency toilet paper at home.

@Courtney G , I'm sorry that you and your dad never connected. My primary connection with my dad was fishing. We loved to go out on the lake. He was in the back with the big motor, while I was in the front with the troll motor. As the saying goes, 'even a bad day on the lake is better than a good day at work.' Sometimes we didn't catch anything, other days we would bring enough home for a big fish fry. Those are the days I will try to remember.

Friday afternoon, I began work on reorganizing my closet, and continued work sporadically over the weekend. I found a few 'missing' items, along with some I didn't even remember buying. I'll be shipping a big box of clothes to one of my friends in Wyoming later this week.

Love always -- Jessica Rose

I'd say we use ours 4-5 times per week, at minimum.

It's excellent for some vegetables (asparagus, green beans, Brussels sprouts, e.g.) while others such as broccoli and cauliflower do better, I believe, roasting in the oven.

It shines with potatoes- regular and sweet. We've done fries, we've done cubed... you can really get crispy with a bit of extra effort.

Chicken wings are excellent, as are chicken tenders / fish in a crisp coating.

I've used it often to make roasted chickpeas as well. So easy and versatile.

Oh and all manners of wraps, quesadillas, etc of course. Big fan of Mission Protein wraps.

I, too, buy things in threes. But only canned or dry goods. I have my daily supply and emergency supply, and if I need it, a week's supply of food and water in my Survival Kit. I started doing that years ago when everyone thought the world's end was nigh. Y2k, 9/11, 2012, all passed and I am still prepared. If I had to, I could load my Jeep within 30 minutes and be headed for the Hills. Better to be ready and not need it than up a creek without... food and water.

Glad you are home safe and got to do some fun stuff. That is always a good thing.
Now, get back to work! Slacker.