Sunday, May 4, 2025

120.2 - still holding onto that Mexican weight gain apparently.

Usual Saturday for us for most of the day yesterday even though it was with heavy off and on showers which were not supposed to arrive until today. We ate lunch out then went to our favorite place for outdoor music. Luckily we were under an overhang so didn't get wet.

A short while after we got home our neighbors from downstairs arrived at our door in a panic. They couldn't find the flight they booked for this morning to check in and ended up on the phone with someone asking them to pay another $1000 for tickets - they don't cost that much for this flight. We think they called a number that doesn't really exist for the airline by googling and got a scam artist. Luckily we cut that off. This couple is in their 80's. The husband is in somewhat poor health undergoing dialysis every few days. The wife has seemed very overwhelmed by everything this year. We took them to the airport early this morning and found out that they did in fact have tickets, but the airline refused to take their dog (6 pounds overweight). Because of the dialysis the husband had to get north (his machine has already been transported), so we send the couple on their way and have their dog, a sweet King Cavalier spaniel. Now we need to find transportation for him back north. What a crazy situation! Justice is not sure what to think about his new company.

In the meantime, since it is Sunday, the "bus" leaves shortly for breakfast.

As a Star Wars fan would say: May the 4th be with you!

How kind of you to help the neighbors out with their plane booking fiasco and for taking care of their pooch and finding a way for him to get north too!

124.6, back down a bit and I was still eating Mexican leftovers yesterday so not sure if Mexican food is to blame!

Our bus leaves around 10:00 for church. Today is supposed to be sunny and warmish (lower 60's). Plan is to grill out hamburgers for dinner and perhaps fire pit and/or hot tub!

I might take a walk outside as well! DH will be golfing!

Happy Sunday!

Sounds like there will be spring fever in your area today too!

Helping our neighbors is a reminder that we will need help as we age too. Everything that used to be easy stops being that way. They can't tolerate the winters but the travel is a challenge. They are going to have their daughter get in touch. We can work with her on arrangements for the dog, but also on the best way to get them here and back next year without the confusion of this year. Maybe the daughter books transport of the dialysis machine and dog in the same car by a driver. And we pick them up at the airport on this end (arrange it with the daughter so they don't have to think about it, just get driven to the airport by their daughter and we are at the airport here when they arrive).

After writing the last paragraph I remembered the last year my former MIL went to Florida. She was independent for years, first driving her car herself back and forth to Florida, then having the car transported and flying alone. However in that last season she was feeling very unsure of herself so I flew down with her and rented a car. At the end of the season her son flew down and brought her back on the plane.

My friend did something similar for her parents when they where snowbirds in Gulf Shores, except she and her siblings took turns driving them. So she would fly down and drive them home. I drove my parents to Florida once when they were willing to go during Christmas break. But like so many things, they were so stubborn and couldn't change their schedule by a week so we could help them.

Thank heavens for good souls like you Liz! In the years my parents had their house in Florida, I saw this many times where people were eventually not able to live away from their primary home and family. It eventually happened to my parents too.

Yesterday was a low key, relaxing day. After coffee, outside on the sidewalk tables (!), we stopped by St. Vinny's and I bought a small office chair for my office/guest room. During Covid years, I brought my office chair from my classroom home for maximum comfort while teaching from home. Once I brought it back, I just had an old kitchen chair. Now I'll have something a bit more comfortable.

After that, came home, did some tidying, sun bathed for a bit on the porch, used the hot tub... I slept very well :)

Today watched Fareed Zakaria on CNN, started laundry, now settling in with the NYT paper before going to see The Mousetrap. I'll probably get a little lizarding time too. Then back at it!

Good find at St V's!

Greetings all

Sunny and windy. I went to the gym and did walking to more old music. After that i went to the studio and made some new stuff. Things are full tilt there.

Liz so good of you to help out the elderly neighbors. On line stuff can be a challenge for all of us who did not grow up with it. And good of you to take the dog. Looks like a cutie. Pox on that airlines for being jerks about the dog. Dumb. My brother does dog rescue stuff and somehow finds ways to fly dogs but not sure what is available

Last night we watched Conclave. Great movie with a surprising message. Loved it. Then we ate the rest of the bbq chicken. DH brought home deli egg salad for tonight.

Yesterday was kind of a bust. Studio buddy came over to yack about tech stuff and time dissipated. i did not get dressed until 4 m. Did better today.

Not much else. Diane S

Yes the weight limit thing really got us because he does fit into a bag that goes under the seat. He was 6 pounds over and they had no carryons and 1 small checked bag (which I pointed out). The lady was trying to explain that it was to keep the plane from being overweight. Yeah right. I did find that United airlines has no weight limit just the size of the bag. I think that's what they had been doing previously but then decided to weigh them. Very unfair that the dog was able to fly down with them but not back. Really sweet pup though. We enjoyed him today on our walks. Tomorrow we need to decide on his route home. Our neighbors needed today to recoup after the stress. Such nice people.

I liked that Conclave portrayed most of the Cardinals as having some good intentions and trying to navigate the temptations, instead of everyone just being evil power grabbers.

How disgusting there are conmen (or women) out there that look for ways to scam scared and confused older people out of their money. Makes me so angry for them and so glad you were able to help in such a big way!