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      Thursday, September 18, 2025

otherstuff 08:56 AM - 09/18/2025 The topic: Still here ---------------------------------------------- So, everyone is okay. Brian's latest follow-up tests have shown he's cancer-free. I had a follow-up appointment for my pre-diabetes diagnosis. Diet and exercise got my A1C down to 6.5. It was 6.7. In reality, it shouldn't even be a thing.  Cats are okay. Nooby has a small cough, but he had that when he first came here. It doesn't seem to bother him, and it's not that often. Wendy and Goose are chonks.  I got a new soundbar for our television. The old one didn't have a night mode. (This new one is expressly for Roku televisions.) . Car chases, explosions, "background" music. No longer have to adjust the volume. I started checking out options when Brian was watching "Wednesday" and I got him to use his headphones, the volume was so annoying. This was a good decision. I added another HDHomerun tuner for local stations. These tuners give one the ability to stream local tv to all devices in the home. An antenna is attached to the tuner, you choose your channels in the software, and download the app for your devices. The problem is there's only one antenna per tuner. When our rooftop antenna is pointed in one direction, we don't get the channels that are in the other direction (we're just talking about CBS, ABC, NBC, CW, and a few independent stations).  We do have an indoor antenna set up in the garage that we got back when CBS wanted more money from Cox. Cox said "nope," and CBS cut the feed for Cox users. The blackout was just a couple of days, and someone blinked. We never had to use the antenna, but it was there if we needed it. Well, I thought it would be nice to get ALL of the stations, so I got the additional tuner. They both show in the software, and I'm able to choose all of the channels now. There are a ton of Mexican stations, but I only know a few words of Spanish. Tortilla, burrito, taco, bueno, quesadilla, if you catch my drift. Those channels are not on the chosen list. Obviously. Because our WiFi signal was so iffy in the house, I had the scathingly brilliant idea to move the router. I figured out what I'd need (cables, switch boxes, etc). I also got a new router! I'm waiting for the weather to cool down because this is going to be a nasty, hot job. Lots of old equipment to move out. Not looking forward to actually doing the work, but I know it will be a lot cleaner setup than I have right now. Meanwhile... I upgraded our mesh system to the TP-Link X55 Pro. We did have the X55. The pro turns out to be a fabulous upgrade, with much better coverage. (Rethinking moving the router - no, I'm not, it's definitely gonna happen.)  I was able to take down a few of the older devices. I needed to use one of the older ones for the new tuner, since it isn't WiFi, but needs to be connected via Ethernet. All of the mesh devices have ports for Ethernet, so it works out nicely. Last month, we got a notice in our mailbox that a company by the name of Wyyerd Fiber was in the area. I've mentioned how I feel about Cox. I checked out the Wyyerd website. Their plan for the same download speed we get now is $95.00 with NO data cap. Our current Cox plan is $120.00, and a data cap of 1780 GB a month. Normally, that wouldn't be an issue, but it is when I get a bee up my butt to download series that I know we'll watch again and again (Justified, Elementary, etc). I'm very interested.  Since that notice, I've been paying attention to Reddit complaints about Cox. The data cap is a big one. Most big providers no longer have data caps. Cox is one of the remaining few who do. And I read multiple posts that when there is competition, Cox will meet or beat the competitor's price.  Sunday, I initiated a chat about price matching. Totally forgetting what a nightmare it was in January when I ended up cancelling our cable service. After a few back-and-forth messages with chat, I realized I was once again wasting my time, and I figured "eff this" and left the chat. After which, I got a notice for a survey about the chat I just had. I was brutal. Actually called the chat CSRs liars and just didn't want to deal with them. Monday, the phone rang. It was a Cox loyalty representative. Wow, they still have those? Anyway, the rep was super nice, super polite. He listened to my issues and how I was most likely going to change providers. He wanted to know what it would take for me not to leave. I told him they'd need to match the price and lose the data caps. He said he'd get back with me on Tuesday. He didn't.  But he called yesterday while we were at the doctor's appointment. And he called again later. Guess what? My new plan. Guaranteed for 24 months. So, yay! It's  $30 savings over what I was paying. It rained yesterday and last night. It might rain more today. I think I'll work on finishing the craft stuff I started a couple of months ago. I did make another Automata, a little flip thing. Still need to do videos. My mind is just all over the place lately. lol  Growing old ain't for sissies.   (1) Comments | Permalink

      Sunday, July 13, 2025

otherstuff 08:57 AM - 07/13/2025 The current weather is so nice right now I'm hopeful The topic: Rabbit holes, rabbit holes, rabbit holes ---------------------------------------------- That's what the past week has been. I start doing one thing, and while doing that one thing, realize that this other thing would be better. Like the video for the Glimmer crafts, I couldn't get the sound to work. Downloaded an app that I didn't like. Finally figured out the sound and decided I didn't like the camera. It was a cheap one I got a long time ago, and the quality of the video left a lot to be desired, so I ordered a camera like I got for Brian's Zoom meetings with his doctor. Surprise, surprise, the video was just as crummy.  Guess what? There are these things called SETTINGS! Who knew? Anyway, got that all taken care of, then did a few test videos. Hand's look old (really? a seventy-one-year-old with old-looking hands? Get out!). I had to polish my nails, maybe that would help (it didn't - hands still looked old, but my nails were great).  While I had waited for the new camera to show up, I started playing with the W R shadow box punch board. So, there was another rabbit hole (I still don't have the folding the edges figured out, even though I've watched multiple videos). The corners just don't look clean. Meanwhile, paperwork was piling up, invoices needed to be generated, bank account reconciled, bills needed to be paid, and then there was the filing of the paperwork. Then it got hot. And a nail split at the finger, so I cut them all back. Life is easier now.  Then it cooled off.  And I thought (craft videos pushed to the back of my internal to-do list) "hey, why don't I see if I can rip some of these tv show DVDs I've had forever and see if any of my software can automatically split the episode (why, yes, this one will work and it uses AI to better the actual video) which took time. I had to redo a couple of episodes, but it's a learning process. Unfortunately, the subtitles looked awful, so I decided to go with another option for those. But first I had to rename all of the episodes. They were saved with generic names. "Disc 1 title4" instead of "Series name S0XE0X_Title of episode," which had to be done manually and was time-consuming. Once that was finished, it was time to do the subtitles. Which takes longer than I hoped it would, but, hey, what else do I have going on? Right? Last Friday, when pulling the disks from the cabinet, I realized I hadn't dusted in a while. So, I got hot on that. It was pretty bad. lol...note to self, don't put it off like that again. I need to finish in the bedroom today, then it will be okay for a while as long as I stay on top of it (HA!). And tomorrow, I'll most likely start on the craft videos again. | Permalink

      Tuesday, July 01, 2025

craftstuff 05:05 PM - 07/01/2025 The topic: Why does it go like this? ---------------------------------------------- Years ago, I bought a Silhouette Curio machine (I've since got the newer one). And like I always do, I get all the extras and consumables I might want to use. The Curio does etching. Like in metal. I bought a fair amount of different sizes of bracelet blanks, dog tags, and the sheets for making stencils.  Playing with the shadow box maker, the 1/4" punch didn't put the hole in the right place to work on the shadow box. I played around with it, punching many holes on paper, but nothing lined up right on the shadow box. I finally got one that was perfect placement on the shadow box cover sheet, but now what? How do I replicate this? I ordered a 1/4" hole punch from Amazon and figured I will make a guide for the hole placement. I figured that Curio stencil material would work nicely. Except I had no idea where it was. I found the metal blanks, I found the tools, but I could not find the stencil stuff. I pulled out my bag of acetate sheets, maybe they'd work, but still looked for the stencils. Probably spent an hour searching when I finally looked in the storage container under the new Curio and I opened it. Well, damn, who'd have guessed the Curio supplies would be in the Curio storage container? Not me. Anyway, I ended up going with the acetate. It wasn't as thick as the stencil material and it's clear where the stencil is translucent.  I made a couple of the guides. Now, I'm ready to actually make some different sizes of shadow boxes.  At least I found my Curio stuff.  A sad aside - the website where I bought the stencil material is no longer there. Their last post on Facebook was the end of last year. They were a super company to deal with. shadow box    craftstuff    | Permalink

foodstuff 04:39 PM - 07/01/2025 I'm watching The Punisher series with Jon Bernthal (he's very easy on the eyes) The current weather is hot, but not as bad as yesterday The topic: Do you remember ---------------------------------------------- We are fans of the show Yellowstone. We've probably watched it all the way through at least five times. At least. In one of the later seasons, Beth makes dinner for Rip and Carter. She made Hamburger Helper, but with tuna. She was so proud of herself. Rip did mention to her that "you know, there is Tuna Helper". No, she was not aware of this. One of the questions I had at the time is the Yellowstone is a cattle ranch. Why doesn't she have hamburger? Brian theorized that they have steaks and ribs and roasts and stuff like that. Hmmph. I find that hard to believe. A cattle ranch with no hamburger. Anyway, back when I was in high school, there were also "Skillet" dinners. Same idea as Hamburger Helper, but, in my opinion, they were WAY better than Hamburger Helper. My favorite was the Skillet Lasagna. Out of curiosity, I started checking out the current options for these types of dinners. None of the Skillet dinners, but plenty of the Helper dinners. We have Walmart+, and I scrolled through the available choices. Unlike Amazon, you can purchase one box, not a half dozen. And they're cheaper. I spent over fifty dollars on different varieties of the Helper meals. They arrived the next day. The thing that bothered me about the packaging is the pasta is loose in the box. The seasonings are in a packet. The reason this bothers me is somewhere along the line we got some bugs in the pantry, the little black things that like flour type products. Crackers, noodles, cereals... Because of this, I started to package the Knorr's Sides in zip lock bags. Preventing having to throw out everything. The day of the Helper delivery, I sat on the sofa with all the boxes, opening them one by one, dumping the noodles in a zip lock bag and putting it back in the box. Not all boxes had the loose pasta, which was nice, but I opened every single one. The Hamburger Helper is okay. I'm not real hot on it, but it's an easy meal to fix and Brian likes it. Tonight I made the Cheesy Tuna Pasta. It was good! I was surprised. I will get this again.  I wish they still had skillet dinners like back in the 70s. | Permalink

      Monday, June 30, 2025

craftstuff 05:36 AM - 06/30/2025 The current weather is foggy right now. The morning started clear. The topic: New crafting toy… ---------------------------------------------- It seems pretty simple on the face of it. It's a punch board that makes little shadow boxes. The only supplies you need to get started are cardstock, scissors or a paper trimmer, and glue. The  We R Makers - Shadow Box Punch Board. The three little punches to the right (sold separately) are used to make a hinge. Oh, and you'll need patience.  At least to begin with. (I can foresee watching video tutorials in my near future.)                       Wrong, so wrong. Read the directions, dear. That's more like it. This is the other side. You can easily see the score marks. But now what? Time to watch tutorials to figure out exactly how this needs to be folded to get a nice shadowbox.  I'll do that later. Looks like fun, right? Adding the little We R video above, this was the first time I watched it and...duh...I found out where I was going wrong. Punch each side TWICE before going to the next one.  I tried it. The instruction sheet says to punch twice. The platform says to punch twice. The video says to punch twice. Okay! Okay! I've got it! we r memory keepers    shadow box    | Permalink

      Sunday, June 29, 2025

otherstuff 09:50 AM - 06/29/2025 The current weather is on the way to hot The topic: Yowza! Time flies when you’re old! ---------------------------------------------- Almost three months since my last entry. Boring life, for sure.  So, we're all doing fine. Brian had a followup MRI for his kidney removal and an X-ray a couple of weeks later. It's all good! It's hot. Then it's cold, then it's hot. Then it's cloudy and yucky and then it's hot and miserable. Here in these parts known as "May gray" and "June gloom".  Cats are great. No problems since last year (knocking on wood). I've been playing with DVDFab software for a few years now, adding video to my NAS system (which I run Plex from). I've downloaded a bunch of old shows that we're watching again. Like Moonlighting, NYPD Blue, Dallas, Twilight Zone. Just last week I got the Tommyknockers DVD and ripped it to a hard drive. It didn't have any subtitles with the way I ripped it, so I used one of the DVDFab programs to generate the subtitles and it did a great job. I think my Lasik wore out. I'm sad about that. Back when I had the surgery, I was told I did have the beginning of cataracts, so I'll be keeping that in mind. I really don't want to have to start wearing glasses again. I'm okay with reading glasses, I wouldn't go for the mono sight option (one eye for distance, the other for close).  I've also been learning how to use some of the crafting tools I have. The latest is a Glimmer machine that I got last summer. I've done a couple of test runs and am happy with it. I did find out that using the plates with the Sizzix that were warped (in other words, used) that the results were not optimal. Tried brand new plates and, yeah, that's the way to go. I'm getting ready to make a video with what I've done. I'm pretty excited about that. For example - the first photo is just the foil, the second I've colored in. I got this hot foil plate on Amazon.  I have a bunch of different hot foil plates and I'm going to experiment with them. I'll save the results and most likely use them in cards. What fun!  One thing I have learned is that there are two types of reactive foil. One is heat reactive, which the Glimmer uses. The other is toner reactive. Toner as it laser toner. The foil adheres to the toner on a laser printed page. The Minc (basically a laminator machine) uses this. And what else has been happening.... A Facebook friend is dealing with diabetes and I'm following her progress. Even though I'm no longer taking the Metformin (for me, it was like a colonoscopy prep on a daily basis and I was getting sick because food went right through me) I'm still taking my glucose twice a day. From what the FB friend has shared, exercise really helps. For the last month, I've been on the treadmill twice a day, just for fifteen minutes each, but my readings have dropped considerably. I started with just the morning because my morning readings, after having not eaten for ten to twelve hours, was always higher than my late afternoon reading. I think it might have been the "dawn phenomenon". The exercising has helped a lot. Now, both readings are pretty much the same (between 90 and 110). I'm not losing any weight, but I'm not worried about that.  So, I guess that's it for now. Hopefully, I'll be back before three more months have passed. Oh, I almost forgot. After almost thirty years, we got the house paid off. That's a great feeling. Yeah, time flies when you're getting older. Stay safe! glimmer    dvdfab    diabetes    craftstuff    | Permalink

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lisaviolet is seventy something, married with no kids, takes care of lots of cats, likes taking photographs, loves Southern California weather and spends altogether too much time avoiding her responsibilities.

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