Recent Posts

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Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board / Re: I met DD24's bf's parents

« Last post by lighter on November 24, 2025, 07:23:25 PM »

Stew sounds comforting, and delicious, Amber.

DD25 chipper and upbeat today.... she'll be spending 2 nights and 3 days, with BF's family, over Thanksgiving.  They still have Grandparents.....I don't mind celebrating early. 

DD24, and I, will be hanging out together on the 27th.....likely delivering a meal, to a neighborhood message board family, or two.  Publix is matching donations to Manna right now, so that's a no brainer.  Will have beautiful leftovers.  My stock is beautiful.

I'll sweat onions, celery and shallots in butter, for the stuffing, tonight.  Brine the chicken overnight.  Dinner will be in the evening....when bf gets off work.  I'm feeling like decorating a bit .... I'm in the holiday spirit....happy to be in the cool evening air, finishing up shopping....feeling very present.  Less bothered by the hiccups....the COWs.

Lighter

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Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board / Re: I met DD24's bf's parents

« Last post by sKePTiKal on November 24, 2025, 10:00:57 AM »

And this is why I ordered venison, to make a savory stew for B & I. IF Hol doesn't go to her other Friendsgiving, she can hang out with us; or not - as she chooses. She declaims frequently that "it's just another day" to her.

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Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board / Re: Farm Journal - 2025

« Last post by sKePTiKal on November 24, 2025, 09:57:16 AM »

Another forum I'm on (thousands of members) has also started having issues. Apparently, AI bots are absolutely drowning access for members - who are getting error messages or the site simply won't load.

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Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board / Re: I met DD24's bf's parents

« Last post by lighter on November 23, 2025, 11:10:57 PM »

Lordy.....cook.  Don't cook.  Get Thai...no.  Chinese.  Plan for early celebration, so DD24 can go to her BF's family celebration.

Then ......I think it's settled.  DD23 is cooking a new French potato recipe, but.....DD24 thinks we're going out for Thai.....has invited friends..... she's overwhelmed and overtly disappointed.

This, after I had a happy day planning, shopping, roasting chicken bones onions and carrots for the delicious smelling stock, simmering on the stove.

DD25 makes sure there will be gluten in the stuffing. Yes. 

I make roasted brussel sprouts, chuck eye steaks and a crunchy salad, no one eats.  DD25 goes to her car to calm down. The bf chats DD23 and I up, in her absence......more a problem around lack of control and belief she'd be e stuck in the house with "gross" food.  I'll cancel the honey baked ham....bc..... that's....gross.

The roast chicken is still on.  I made the brine ahead..... it's ready to go.

DD23 thinks asparagus will please everyone.

I'm just relieved I got the pie order in early......and relieved the kids want to play games.

All in all....things are on track.  Wrangling a group is what it is, esp when strong opinions are involved.

I'm interested in mining more joy.....maximizing the time.  That's my focus.

DD23 is in the middle, as always..amused at the add/tism dance DD24 and I dance.

Lighter

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Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board / Re: Farm Journal - 2025

« Last post by sKePTiKal on November 23, 2025, 08:59:03 AM »

Lighter mentioned that blues were brighter. I've been noticing that - depending on the light - some grays are looking definitely purple to me. Even my girlie gray twin kitties. Other colors are normal hue/intensity.

It still feels weird to not be wearing glasses. And because I wore contacts for a couple decades, I can "feel" the lens/incision or scar, in my eye.

I'm still very bright light sensitive, so I'm going to have to borrow a pair of sunglasses from Hol till I get some that aren't Rx.

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Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board / Re: Farm Journal - 2025

« Last post by Hopalong on November 22, 2025, 02:43:06 PM »

Wowzers. I'm so happy to hear all this, Amber!

Not surprised by it but greatly delighted.

That last para is just happytoast.

And the sleep marathon, too.

Yay, YOU! Keeping up not keeping everything up might be resetting something too.
All in favor of you doing a little less and enjoying it more, raise your hands....

hugs and more happies,
Hops

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Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board / Re: The Lake House

« Last post by sKePTiKal on November 21, 2025, 02:10:40 PM »

Yup, it's good to carve out space for "just you". It really does benefit a person to build in time each day - week - month - year for solitude. No matter WHAT Zuckerberg thinks is important!

A person discovers a whole lot of new stuff in those spaces, and it makes your time with chosen others more interesting too.

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Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board / Re: Farm Journal - 2025

« Last post by sKePTiKal on November 21, 2025, 02:06:26 PM »

Got off the phone with my brother a little while ago - who needs the same surgery.

I was having trouble seeing the puter this morning; but this afternoon I can see it fine. I'll have to reset the text size on my Kindle tonight (I made it giant; still didn't read much - just crashed.)

Now I can't wait for the full moon, to see if I still see a bright blue circle around it.

The weirdest part is, I'm not wearing glasses and I can still see. Better than I saw WITH glasses!

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Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board / Re: Adventures in renovations... again

« Last post by lighter on November 21, 2025, 10:13:24 AM »

Contractor picked up his tools and installed the porch skirting yesterday.  He just showed up.  No call.  Nuthin.  This, after not showing the day before.

Oh well.....he still has the vanity drawer....it was a tad too wide.  He said he'll be back within a week.

I gave him 10 boxes of tile, I'll never use...... it's for his pig room. 

I have a couple small things, I forgot, so I'll see him again. 

The goodbye was odd......like he thinks we'll never see each other again. Ok, he's been working here for months, so it will be a change.  It's not easy to find someone who's energized, by creative projects, evolving on the fly.  He certainly was, and I'm glad he was here, but ready for this project to end.

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Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board / Re: The Lake House

« Last post by lighter on November 21, 2025, 10:04:34 AM »

Well, Hops, the crazy cat man is pretty close by.  He left a for sale sign, by the mailbox, recently, so he's likely still there. 

But......maybe I should see who my other neighbors are, now......then realize.....
I'm a bit jaded/bitter about neighbor interactions, generally.  My instincts are to get busy, find employees and otherwise enjoy lone serenity.

The town is little, but so busy now!  Lots of cars and traffic and business.  It used to feel like one was in the boonies.  No more.

Yesterday, the cowgirl approached me as I was dialing my T and preparing to have a session in my truck.  I had a good chance to notice how disruptive it is to my Nervous System.  Not cowgirl's fault.....but something I will tend to, and limit.

Part of this is feeling obligated to give attention to others/distractions, whatever comes up.  I think I'm back to pulling my energy in, close...... remaining separate and not allowing others IN, unless I've decided I have time, energy and willingness to do so.

It would be good to have a few friends at the lake, tho....and now I'm thinking about it.  Thanks, Hops.