Search results

In January I thought to check the Department of Revenue website for unclaimed property of my mom's, who died in 2022. The site showed a couple refunds from United Healthcare totalling $91.86. I figured what the heck, might as well try to claim it, filled out a claim form, and uploaded the...

Our kitty gets a new catnip sock and some extra rounds of treats in her treat ball. The sock is just the end of one of my old socks stuffed with catnip and tied closed. Her treat ball is a whiffle ball. We put treats in it and she enjoys rolling it around to make them fall out. I had to cover...

This month's AARP magazine has an article on music and the mind that talks about some recent research into music's effect on the brain. I'm thinking about adding a playlist to my living will. https://www.aarp.org/health/brain-health/info-2023/how-music-affects-the-brain.html

RIP Norman Lear. He was a game-changer in the world of TV sitcoms. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/06/arts/television/norman-lear-dead.html

I'm putting up a tabletop artificial tree with cute miniature ornaments, lights, and even a pile of miniature gift boxes underneath. We don't exchange gifts, and I'm happy playing with the boxes. :)

I was a tomboy, and one of the most memorable toys I got for Christmas was a Class A racing set, the one with the cars powered by mainsprings that you wound up with a "Pitstop" winder. Another was a set of rollerskates, the kind with metal wheels that you strapped on to your shoes. Dad told me...

Here's a quick Thanksgiving day poll: you like brussel sprouts or not? I seem to be the only person in my family who likes them, and am curious how this group stands. I like them no matter how they're made! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Rosalynn Carter passed this morning. She was 96. Classy lady, what a life she led!

Some forums have a thread called "Today I Learned" where members post interesting facts they discovered that don't necessarily warrant their own thread. I did a quick search here and didn't find such a thread, so I thought I'd start one to see if it sticks. TIL that some 400 million years ago...

Our dear neighbor retired last Friday at age 62. Over the weekend we invited her over for a glass of wine to toast her freedom, but she said she maybe another time because she had a sore throat and runny nose, and had home-tested positive for Covid. Well, today she called and said she was...

I just bought this Sharper Image bag ($7.99 at Goodwill!), and am wondering why the side pocket has a zipper on the top and the bottom. To get to stuff when the bag is upside down? To loop a jacket through when you don't want to carry it but want it handy? I looked around online for an answer...

The post about cash or credit for gas got me thinking: I nearly always get gas at Costco, where the lines are sometimes quite long. But I'm not afraid to pull up to a pump that's on my right side and pull the hose over to the tank on the left side of my car. I can usually get a pump much faster...

I didn't intend to collect fees for managing my mom's estate, but now I realize that maybe a fee would affect the taxes in my favor. However, the estate closing document, the Document of Completion, lists only attorney fees and shows Personal Representative fees as 0. After the list of fees in...

I have this cool vintage Gallet Flight Officer chronograph that needs service. The crown is broken off, so I can't wind it to see if it works. I see this model online for $3,000 to $5,000, with the Gallet World site showing them worth $10,000 and up (which has been called a little optimistic on...

I haven't downhill skied for about six years—partly thanks to Covid—and am thinking about getting back into it. I skied a lot in my 20s through mid-40s, including some backcountry on randonee gear and have done a little XC the past couple years on a great old pair of Karhu Lookouts, climbing up...

Can anyone tell me what this thing is? My parents have had it for decades, I remember seeing it in a box in the basement when I was a kid. They were active in the shriners, Masons, and Eastern Star, and my grandfather was active in the White Shrine of Jerusalem, so I'm thinking it's some sort...

I'm surprised this doesn't seem to be widely known: https://www.yahoo.com/news/hospital-acquired-pneumonia-killing-patients-080441751.html Hospital-acquired pneumonia is killing patients. There's a simple way to stop it.

Just checked and it's hit 35,001.51. Ooop, down to 34,999 now. Wheeee!

I got a phone message from American Jury Research asking if I'd want to participate in a focus group involving a mock trial. She said it'd be an "extended" trial, and I'd be paid $250 for my time. Apparently this is a legit operation, and could possibly be interesting. One of my concerns...

If you have one or more elderly parents in the same town or close enough to drive to easily, how often do you visit with them on average? Are you their main source of social activity? Or maybe your relationship with them doesn't warrant that, or they're often busy with other activities. My mom...

She seemed like a wonderful partner for Mr. Rogers. If there's a heaven, they're certainly together again. https://komonews.com/news/entertainment/joanne-rogers-widow-of-iconic-fred-rogers-has-died-at-age-92-production-company-says

As I understand it, if you have multiple TIRAs, the IRS considers them all as one with regards to Roth IRA conversions, correct? Reason I ask is because I realized I forgot to claim a TIRA contribution on my taxes back in 2009, and I want to move it to a Roth IRA. That TIRA is unfortunately in...

Here's a claim about a recently-discovered drug to combat aging. Trials for efficacy and side effects could take up to ten years, so don't be throwing caution to the wind now. https://komonews.com/news/nation-world/researchers-discover-drug-that-reverses-mental-decline-aging

I just tried to send my niece $50 for Christmas via PayPal, and got this message: The note I included with the gift said, "I hope this adds a little cheer to your Christmas. The card is in the mail, LOL!" The last part is because I usually send her a Christmas card with a check, but this year...

Wondering how folks here feel about monosodium glutamate. Of course many foods contain natural glutamates and there are other types of added glutamates in prepared foods, such as yeast extract and soy protein, but what about plain old MSG? Do you have adverse reactions to it? Avoid it because...