What did you do today? 2017 version

[Walt34]

Gym day, and on the way to the grocery afterwards, on impulse we decided to have a late (2:30) lunch at a new Chili's restaurant on the way. At normal meal times the parking lot is always packed, we'd never been in that chain, and were meaning to try it in the off hours since we don't like crowds.

It was okay but we both thought it overpriced for what we got. The music was too loud and my meal was served just barely warm enough to be acceptable. We won't go back.

 

[iloveyoga]

I slept late for me, so had to hurry a bit when I got up at 6:30. I had my coffee and a shower, then did my once a week stop at my son's shop to switch out some of the part time work I do for him.

Then I headed right to 9:00 yoga, which was lovely and met a friend for lunch. She works full time, so I pick her up at the door and drop her off.

In between I dropped an eBay package at the post office. I have cleaned out lots of my house this way and I also sell a few things for friends. Great travel spending money!

Relaxing at home with my hubby now, meatloaf in the oven and a nice glass of Chardonnay by my side.

This is the only board I have found where you could write this!

 

[sengsational]

With practice and attitude adjustment, you can be. However, you will never be that young again.

Yeah, maybe the combination of a flawless performance from an apparently joy-filled youngster was too much for my curmudgeonly mood yesterday. You're right, if I set my mind to it, I could probably get most of the way there on everything but the youth.

 

[W2R]

Gym day, and on the way to the grocery afterwards, on impulse we decided to have a late (2:30) lunch at a new Chili's restaurant on the way. At normal meal times the parking lot is always packed, we'd never been in that chain, and were meaning to try it in the off hours since we don't like crowds.

It was okay but we both thought it overpriced for what we got. The music was too loud and my meal was served just barely warm enough to be acceptable. We won't go back.

Walt, I don't like Chili's either. It's too expensive and I don't like the food plus I think it is fattening. Haven't eaten there for at least 25 years, even though we have one just down the street.

We are waiting for the brakes on F's SUV to be repaired. I don't think they will finish today. Earlier we went to the dump to recycle some boxes. OK, this is probably not the most fascinating day ever, but being retired made it so nice.

 

[wmc1000]

MBAustin - good work on the led changeover. DW and I did that also. One question, is there a reason you did the conversion kits as opposed to using standard screw in led bulbs? I only ask because we just changed the bulbs from regular incandescents to screw in led floods.

 

[Philliefan33]

Finalized our travel plans for Puerto Rico in March. We are trying Airbnb for the first time. The apartment we booked looks awesome and is half the price of the Embassy Suites that we stayed in last year. I hope it lives up to its billing.

 

[Urchina]

W2R and Walt, we can have the Chilis-nope club. We've got one in town and for the life of me I can't figure out how it stays in business. We have a ton of restaurants in our area and a discerning population - but we also have a university and maybe this year's freshmen haven't figured it out yet.

Since I clearly didn't go to Chili's, how did I spend my second day in a row home sick from work? I did a quick run to the grocery store, ate a lot of soup, planted peas in the garden, and napped on the couch with all three cats while listening to it rain. Rain is rare enough here that I always plant right before or a rainfall - seeds germinate so much better with rainwater.

 

[braumeister]

First real snow of the season, and all the county schools are closed. I was looking at the list and thinking about how much I would have enjoyed that as a kid -- nothing to do but play all day.

Then I realized that in ER, every day is a snow day!

 

[hesperus]

Birthday today... and a huge winter storm here in colorado offering me a day in the pow.
That's my work for today

 

[MichaelB]

I just got back home after an airport run to drop off DD and her family. A bittersweet moment, as I truly enjoy their visits (3 weeks), but also want to get back to our life, which we also enjoy just as much. At lease until the weekend, when my brother arrives.

 

[MBAustin]

MBAustin - good work on the led changeover. DW and I did that also. One question, is there a reason you did the conversion kits as opposed to using standard screw in led bulbs? I only ask because we just changed the bulbs from regular incandescents to screw in led floods.

I did some reading online and saw somewhere that some LED floods get too hot in the recessed cans which can cause the electronics to fail prematurely. Also for a long time, the LED floods out there were smaller than regular floods so it left an unsightly gap around the bulb (however, I noticed at Home Depot that there now seems to be a large selection of LED floods that are the "right" size). I did read that the retrofit kits are nicer looking because you don't have the gap between the bulb and the can, so all things considered I went that route. And I do agree that they look much better than the original can/bulb setup.

 

[iloveyoga]

So far today: I woke up without an alarm and enjoyed coffee while sitting around. My DH and I put on all of our warm winter gear and walked a mile in the cold Iowa weather.

I went to 9:00 yoga with the lovely retired yoga ladies, so nice and relaxing.

Tonight we are meeting friends (also retired) for early drinks and appetizers. Another day in paradise for us!

Add on for yesterday. I reviewed all of my investment expenses. Vanguard is the clear winner and their expenses were the easiest to find on the website.

 

[ChainsBeGone]

First real snow of the season, and all the county schools are closed. I was looking at the list and thinking about how much I would have enjoyed that as a kid -- nothing to do but play all day.

Then I realized that in ER, every day is a snow day!

All the schools are closed in our area as well, with a unique exception; our local high school has an "e-curriculum" assigned to all students for today, so snow days are no longer an escape from school work. What a bummer!

 

[Hermit]

All the schools are closed in our area as well, with a unique exception; our local high school has an "e-curriculum" assigned to all students for today, so snow days are no longer an escape from school work. What a bummer!

Wow! There is a family with 5 kids down the road. They don't have internet. It would be a stretch for them financially. The oldest is 13. Its a good thing the kids are home schooled!

 

[Choices]

Yep, lotsa snow here. Baked a clafoutis experiment using strawberry preserves -- too sweet and a banana bread. Using up stuff in freezer and refrigerator.

The one dog would cheerfully eat the clafoutis but I won't let him.

Started tallying my volunteer mileage for 2016 taxes.

We need to shovel the drive and back patio.

After all this fun, a nap is in order

 

[Walt34]

The Christmas photo books I ordered from Blurb arrived today so I put them in envelopes and mailed them off to various relatives. These will be surprises when they show up because I didn't tell anyone they were coming but SIL. Hers was hand-delivered because we almost drive past their house on the way to the P.O. anyway.

 

[Hermit]

This has been a pleasant day. We did not get the big snow that was predicted. Only about 4 inches. It is still snowing just a bit so I didn't want to plow until it quits. It was also cold enough (-5 to +5) that I didn't think the wood stove would warm up the house enough to make it worth trying to do anything up there. I have been getting caught up on entering charges and checks in Quicken, balancing accounts, etc. while commenting on a lot of threads on FIRE. I got a DVD from Santa this year so I think I will watch it this evening - John Wayne in "The Comancheros".

 

[Bamaman]

Took the 5 year old to kindergarten on my way to our old house. I grouted and cleaned the bathroom ceramic tile I just put down.

Cooked a chicken in 28 minutes in our new electric pressure cooker for chicken & dumplings. Everyone's cooking soups due to temperatures dropping and pending snow.

 

[Hermit]

Took the 5 year old to kindergarten on my way to our old house. I grouted and cleaned the bathroom ceramic tile I just put down.

Cooked a chicken in 28 minutes in our new electric pressure cooker for chicken & dumplings. Everyone's cooking soups due to temperatures dropping and pending snow.

Hamburger stew in the Instant Pot last night. I have enough to last a couple more days!

 

[MRG]

Snowblower and I had a date. Surprisingly I was able to knock down the berm and clear it out.

I saw the happiest dog ever today! Unfortunately it was too busy on the road to stop for photos.

It was a blue colored border collie, it liked to catch things in the air. I imagine a great Frisbee dog.

The human was entertaining the dog with snow and snowblower. Thick heavy snow, the machine throwing big chunks. Way up in the air, the dog having its choice of what targets to grab midair. In my minds eye it resembled a kangaroo as it either on its hind legs or in the air, catching a chunk of snow!

A happy dog for sure.

 

[Taxman59]

DW had a dr appointment this morning, so,we went to that, back home, a trip to meet a banker to increase the interest rate on my money market from 1bps to 5bps, then to physical therapy. Followed by a lunch (at a place referred to as "canes and walkers" due to the average age of its patrons!). Nearly passed out in the food line, (exhaustion) and then headed home. I slept for about 3 hours. Now it's 10 pm, and I am wide awake. Other than a good nap, not a great day.

 

[outdoorgirl02]

Woke up to 6" of snow and 3 degrees. So glad we didn't have to go anywhere early. Luckily DH loves to shovel snow.

Took DD to a doctor appointment. She's all clear to go back to sports after spraining her knee last month. So glad about that. She has a ton of energy and needs the exercise.

Made chicken piccata for dinner. I haven't made it for quite awhile but it turned out just right.

 

[doneat54]

Ok, since this is DAY1 of my retirement, I'll post.

The alarm went off at 9:00 am (yes, I do set an alarm M-F, at least that is the plan to give myself a *chance* to get up at a reasonable time if I want to) and I hit the snooze button no less than 6 times. Up at 10:00 make coffee, shower dress. Then off to the Fidelity office to meet with a previous FA and ask "what can you do for me..and my lump sum pension?". Then to Lowes to drop off a box of Christmas Tree lights that don't work anymore in their "Christmas Tree lights that don't work anymore recycle box"...except that it is now gone ("That program has ended" the service desk girl says). Then stop at a cafe on the way home and pick up a chicken club wrap to eat at home. After lunch, take the two dogs to one of our town's land trust parcels and (boots with ice spikes on) take a 1.5 mile walk in a 33 degree and breezy day. Play fetch the stick at the pond where they usually swim, except now it is frozen solid, so it is more like an ice hockey game. Back home, take the now undecorated Christmas tree out of the house and to the burn/brush pile, store the stand away and vacuum up all the needles ( = DW points!!!). Then go to the shop, sand and primer a rare 1950 VW voltage coil that will sell for $500, then unpack my latest Harbor Freight shopping spree bags and replace the sad wire wheel on my bench grinder. Then back in the house, empty the dryer, fold some laundry ( = more points), make some Gatorade and pack my health club bag and head out to the club. Play racquetball for 2.5 hours (I have been playing Racquetball for 40 years) sauna, shower head home. Heat up some chili, eat, then get the mail and a glass of chardonnay and sit in the leather chair next to the pellet stove and read the junk mail (THAT is a retirement thing.... hey there was a Harbor Freight circular in there.....!). Then upload some new pics to Facebook.... and check this forum.

#thisisgoingtobeawesome

 

[Winter]

Ok, since this is DAY1 of my retirement, I'll post.

The alarm went off at 9:00 am (yes, I do set an alarm M-F, at least that is the plan to give myself a *chance* to get up at a reasonable time if I want to) and I hit the snooze button no less than 6 times. Up at 10:00 make coffee, shower dress. Then off to the Fidelity office to meet with a previous FA and ask "what can you do for me..and my lump sum pension?". Then to Lowes to drop off a box of Christmas Tree lights that don't work anymore in their "Christmas Tree lights that don't work anymore recycle box"...except that it is now gone ("That program has ended" the service desk girl says). Then stop at a cafe on the way home and pick up a chicken club wrap to eat at home. After lunch, take the two dogs to one of our town's land trust parcels and (boots with ice spikes on) take a 1.5 mile walk in a 33 degree and breezy day. Play fetch the stick at the pond where they usually swim, except now it is frozen solid, so it is more like an ice hockey game. Back home, take the now undecorated Christmas tree out of the house and to the burn/brush pile, store the stand away and vacuum up all the needles ( = DW points!!!). Then go to the shop, sand and primer a rare 1950 VW voltage coil that will sell for $500, then unpack my latest Harbor Freight shopping spree bags and replace the sad wire wheel on my bench grinder. Then back in the house, empty the dryer, fold some laundry ( = more points), make some Gatorade and pack my health club bag and head out to the club. Play racquetball for 2.5 hours (I have been playing Racquetball for 40 years) sauna, shower head home. Heat up some chili, eat, then get the mail and a glass of chardonnay and sit in the leather chair next to the pellet stove and read the junk mail (THAT is a retirement thing.... hey there was a Harbor Freight circular in there.....!). Then upload some new pics to Facebook.... and check this forum.

#thisisgoingtobeawesome

What a wonderful first day! So happy for you!

 

[ChainsBeGone]

Ok, since this is DAY1 of my retirement, I'll post.

The alarm went off at 9:00 am (yes, I do set an alarm M-F, at least that is the plan to give myself a *chance* to get up at a reasonable time if I want to) and I hit the snooze button no less than 6 times. Up at 10:00 make coffee, shower dress. Then off to the Fidelity office to meet with a previous FA and ask "what can you do for me..and my lump sum pension?". Then to Lowes to drop off a box of Christmas Tree lights that don't work anymore in their "Christmas Tree lights that don't work anymore recycle box"...except that it is now gone ("That program has ended" the service desk girl says). Then stop at a cafe on the way home and pick up a chicken club wrap to eat at home. After lunch, take the two dogs to one of our town's land trust parcels and (boots with ice spikes on) take a 1.5 mile walk in a 33 degree and breezy day. Play fetch the stick at the pond where they usually swim, except now it is frozen solid, so it is more like an ice hockey game. Back home, take the now undecorated Christmas tree out of the house and to the burn/brush pile, store the stand away and vacuum up all the needles ( = DW points!!!). Then go to the shop, sand and primer a rare 1950 VW voltage coil that will sell for $500, then unpack my latest Harbor Freight shopping spree bags and replace the sad wire wheel on my bench grinder. Then back in the house, empty the dryer, fold some laundry ( = more points), make some Gatorade and pack my health club bag and head out to the club. Play racquetball for 2.5 hours (I have been playing Racquetball for 40 years) sauna, shower head home. Heat up some chili, eat, then get the mail and a glass of chardonnay and sit in the leather chair next to the pellet stove and read the junk mail (THAT is a retirement thing.... hey there was a Harbor Freight circular in there.....!). Then upload some new pics to Facebook.... and check this forum.

#thisisgoingtobeawesome

Congrats on your retirement! I'm surprised your dogs let you sleep in that late, ours get us up between 5 am and 6 am every morning!