dfish

I don't know if it is the first time. It is the first time I know about, but I'm not in the habit of checking the basement walls every time it rains. We will have the opportunity to check out the neighbor's solution tomorrow as it is supposed to rain overnight. Then, we'll know. As my realtor said, we can't change things now. We'll just disclose what we discovered to the buyers and let the chips fall.

We'll deal with it. At this point, I will give the buyers the money to fix it. I'm done messing around with this place.

Good morning, everyone! Last night was one of those sleepless nights. I finally fell asleep around 3:00 am. Today will be a tough one, but I'm hoping I will sleep tonight. Way too much stress today. I have to go get more dirt for the other corner in the back of the house. That is an easy fix. Today's meal is a healthy one we should all embrace. Quinoa is especially healthy for us. Quinoa is a nutrient dense, gluten free grain. Quinoa is a good source of a number of important nutrients, including folate, magnesium, zinc, and iron. It’s also rich in fiber and protein, nutrients that play an important role in helping you feel full. Quinoa contains flavonoids, including quercetin and kaempferol, which have powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in the body. Quinoa is high in fiber, a nutrient that’s important for health. Adding more fiber-rich foods into your diet can help support gut health, body weight maintenance, and more. Quinoa is naturally gluten-free. Using it in place of highly processed gluten-free foods can increase the nutrient value of your diet when you’re avoiding gluten. Quinoa is a good source of protein and can help you meet your daily protein needs. Quinoa is very high in minerals, but it also contains some antinutrients like saponins and phytic acid. Rinsing, soaking, and sprouting helps reduce these antinutrient compounds. When you enjoy it as part of a well-rounded diet, quinoa can help support overall health and may improve certain disease risk factors, like high blood lipid levels. Quinoa is widely available, and you can use it in many different dishes, including sweet and savory options. Try this today: You can enjoy quinoa any time of day. You can cook it in bulk and store it in the fridge for easy meal prep, too. Our first recipe comes from Healthline: For a meal prep-friendly lunch idea, try layering quinoa, grilled vegetables, feta cheese, beans, and roasted chicken in mason jars and storing them in the fridge. Simply top your salad jar with a bit of olive oil and lemon juice and enjoy! This next recipe is extremely easy and uses ingredients that are on hand or easy to get. https://pinchofyum.com/basic-awesome-chicken-quinoa-salad Doesn't that look refreshingly good? This one is a little more involved, but I think the flavor explosion will be worth it. At the end it gives you WW points if you follow their diets. https://emilybites.com/2018/01/greek-chicken-quinoa-salad.html This one is way different with cabbage and sesame seeds. https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/chicken-sesame-and-quinoa-salad-3361489 This next one is also different in the ingredients it uses. https://itsnotcomplicatedrecipes.com/chicken-and-quinoa-salad/ So, the story is, use the ingredients you enjoy most and be healthy while eating well. Wishing you all a wonderful day. I'm going to do my laps, put down some dirt, and stay out of the basement.

Thank you!

Let's hope. I'm feeling a bit better after reading that 60% of basements have water issues at one point or another. Best to deal with it now than later. This has probably been happening for a while, but I'm not in the habit of checking for water after every rainstorm. In fact, I tended to avoid the basement like the plague. Too many spiders and spider webs. Sandi, you are making me feel so much better. I don't know what is worse, my basement or Lenda's @Quartzsite Cruiser roof leaks. I tend to think the roof is worse since the water comes down and ruins everything along the way. When I had the roof leak that put a hole in my bedroom ceiling I had nightmares of dying of crush injuries during the night until the ceiling was repaired. Roof was repaired long before the ceiling was.

Thanks, Lenda, Ann, and Terri. I am in knots over this.

This preliminary thing is new. The first time we had a preliminary boarding pass was in July when we went to Norway. I don't think we had them last year for Alaska. They don't list our boarding time on the preliminary one either. They used to, but this time it just says To Be Assigned.

I am just sick. We had a hard rain last night. It was hard enough that there was still water pooled in the back yard. It eventually soaks in, but it takes a while. I went down to check the basement and discovered that there was water over near the sump pump. My neighbor, a plumber, came over and checked the sump pump and it is working. We did notice that the wall was wet up near the top, not so much near the bottom. The water is not coming from the floor of the basement. So, next stop was outside. There is a pool of water near the sump pump outside. Soil has been eroded away and it is lower, allowing water to pool up there. Also, the drain from the sump does not drain into the drainage pipe. It misses it by a small bit and just empties into the pool of water. Trevor felt that if we built up the soil in that corner and if he realigns the drains to match that should take care of the problem. I sure hope he is right. The realtor asked me to ask Trevor to write up what he had done to fix the problem. We've been looking and right now there isn't anything comparable. We'll persevere.

It isn't on there yet. We still have preliminary boarding passes. I would expect to see that information next week when we're within 14 days of sailing. As it is one cruise and not two 7 day cruises, I also expect there will be 3 Gala/Dressy nights. Normally they are on sea days, so I would avoid booking specialty dining then.

@mamaofami He technically hasn't accepted the offer. His counter offer had the contingencies listed and we've met them. Now his problem is that he has to wait so long to close on the house because my buyers have a conventional loan. My realtor says we deserve a price drop because the seller is so annoying.

Good morning, everyone! It is a dark and stormy morning here in northeast Ohio. I am going to have to go to the gym to get my morning laps in. We are still bantering back and forth with the seller of the home we want. I think he's having a hard time letting go of the house. It was his childhood home and his dad lived there up until March when he died. Many, many memories in that house. Now that we've met his contingencies, he's asking for more. We agreed to a couple of them so now we'll see what he comes up with. Today's meal suggestion is part of a meal. Salsa is a common ingredient in Mexican cuisine, served as a condiment with tacos, stirred into soups and stews, or incorporated into tamale fillings. Salsa fresca is fresh salsa made with tomatoes and hot peppers. Salsa verde is made with cooked tomatillos and is served as a dip or sauce for chilaquiles, enchiladas, and other dishes. Chiltomate is a widely used base sauce made of tomatoes and chiles. The type of pepper used for chiltomate varies by region, with fresh green chiles being more common than habanero in Chiapas. Tamales are often identified according to the type of salsa they are filled with, either salsa verde, salsa roja, salsa de rajas, or salsa de mole. In the United States, salsa is used in marinades, salad dressings, stews, and cooked sauces. In addition to accompanying various fish, poultry, and meat dishes, it is also used as a condiment for baked potatoes, pasta dishes, and pizza. This easy homemade salsa roja recipe is the ultimate Mexican salsa, perfect for tortillas, tacos and burritos, with tomatoes, jalapeno, lime juice and more. Serve as a salsa or sauce! https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/chili-pepper-recipes/sauces/salsa-roja-mexican-red-table-sauce/ This next recipe is a little chunkier, which I like. https://www.mylatinatable.com/salsa-recipe-mexican-salsa-roja/ Personally, I like mine more of a pico de gallo. I put it over fish with some olive oil and basil. I put a cover on it and bake it till done. Mmmm. https://cookieandkate.com/classic-pico-de-gallo-recipe/ Of course, you can always move away from the tomatoes and make a corn salsa. That is just as good. https://cookieandkate.com/fresh-corn-salsa-recipe/ Thoughts today with the people of Great Britain and the Queen is laid to rest. Wishing you all a wonderful day. I'm packing boxes.

Yeah, a recommendation for a streaky window. I do have four failed windows that are being replaced the day after inspection. Dad said he was present for the inspection on the house he was selling and the inspector told him he was lacking smoke detectors. He was standing right under one.

Good morning, everyone! Welcome home, Ann @cat shepard. Can't wait to hear all about your trip. Yesterday was a productive day. Dan, the handyman, came over and put in the new bathroom fan. We hung the new smoke detector/radon detector on the wall outside the bedroom doors. I tested it and I doubt many could sleep through that. Then, I made Dan do an inspection of the house with me and we found two minor things that we need to do, so I put them on the Dan list that hangs on the fridge. Dan told me to expect the inspector to come up with a list of items that needed work because that is what they do. Then I spoke to my next door neighbor who moved in last April. He said they had to replace the joists between the first floor and the basement because they were bowed due to a pet urinating on the floor above all the time. The inspector never caught it. On to food. We had stuffed shells not too long ago, but these are EASY stuffed shells. Actually, all stuffed shells are pretty easy to make. This first recipe gives us a tip to use a pastry bag with the end cut off to fill the shells. It makes things quicker, easier, and definitely less messy. https://www.momontimeout.com/easy-stuffed-shells/ Now, let's shake things up a bit. Stuffed shells don't have to be the expected filling and sauce. Really, you can stuff those shells with anything you want. Here, I offer you a wonderful chicken alfredo stuffed shells recipe. https://www.plainchicken.com/million-dollar-chicken-alfredo-stuffed-shells/ This one is a little more traditional but it has sausage in the filling. https://kitchenswagger.com/sausage-stuffed-shells-recipe/ In this recipe we are stuffing the shells with chicken and broccoli and using a creamy cajun sauce. https://grandbaby-cakes.com/chicken-stuffed-shells-recipe/ You can even have shrimp scampi stuffed shells as Ree Drummond shows us. https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/shrimp-scampi-stuffed-shells-5623756 Or how about shrimp and crab together? https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/creamy-seafood-stuffed-shells/ The possibilities are endless. So, go forth and create. Wishing you all a wonderful day. I'm going to pack boxes.

This is offered as a historical note, not a political one. It is about the public viewing for JFK after the assassination. In the only public viewing, thousands lined up in near-freezing temperatures to view the casket.[4] Over the span of 18 hours, 250,000 people,[68][69][5][70] some waiting for as long as 10 hours in a line up to 10 wide that stretched 40 blocks,[71] personally paid their respects as President Kennedy's body lay in state. United States Capitol Police officers politely reminded mourners to keep moving along in two lines that passed on either side of the casket and exited the building on the west side facing the National Mall.[54][71] The original plan was for the rotunda to close at 9:00 p.m. and reopen for an hour at 9:00 the next morning.[72][73] Because of long lines police and military authorities decided to keep the doors open.[71] At 9:00 p.m., when the rotunda was supposed to close, both Jacqueline Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy returned to the rotunda again.[74] More than half the mourners came to the rotunda after 2:45 a.m., by which time 115,000 had already visited.[54][73] Military officials doubled the lines, first to two abreast, then to four abreast.[71] NBC broadcast uninterrupted coverage of the people passing through the Capitol rotunda during the overnight hours.[75][76][71][77] Reuven Frank recounted that NBC News vice-president Bill McAndrew ordered pictures of the crowds passing through the rotunda all night, which provided a calming effect.[77] While anchoring the Today show from an NBC Washington studio the next day, Hugh Downs said that the numbers made it "the greatest and most solemn wake in history."[78] CBS Washington correspondent Roger Mudd said of the numbers: "This outpouring of affection and sympathy for the late president is probably the most majestic and stately ceremony the American people can perform."[79] Jersey Joe Walcott, a former heavyweight boxing champion, passed by the bier at 2:30 a.m.[72][80] and agreed with Mudd, saying of President Kennedy, "He was a great man."[81] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_funeral_of_John_F._Kennedy

Good morning, everyone! Happy to hear about Jacqui's @kazu string of good luck recently. Maybe it will continue, Jacqui. I don't think you are limited to three things. You've had enough bad luck to have years of good luck stored up. @Cruzin Terri I'm happy that things are turning around for you and you'll be able to stay closer to your home after your anniversary trip. Try to relax on your trip and just enjoy! @smitty34877 Terry, I hope things are continuing to smooth out and you are getting the help you need. You have done such a wonderful job for such a long time. That is one of the hardest jobs you can do, especially when you are emotionally invested in the well-being of those you care for. Care givers need as much care as the patient. Inspection is scheduled for my house on Wednesday at 1:00 pm. While I am allowed to be here, my realtor advises me to find somewhere else to be. He will stop in during the inspection. Of course, my innards are all twisted up and will remain so until we get the passing grade. Meanwhile, the seller of the house in Midland is still sitting on it. The issue isn't the money, it is the contingency that we sell our homes. I have sent the sales agreement to my realtor up in Midland and Sue will get a sales agreement to them on Monday and we hope that will satisfy him. I'm wondering if he is having a hard time letting go of his childhood home. Closing is scheduled for October 28th on my house in Ohio and I need to have a place to go! Today's meal sounds really good to me. If unfamiliar, Mole (pronounced moh ley) is a rich Mexican sauce made from dried or fresh chilies, nuts or seeds, and tomatoes and can range in color from green to yellow to red and all the way to black (like this Mole Negro). It turns out there are hundreds of variations of mole! But Mole Negro, or “black mole” is one of my all-time favorites and gets its deep dark color from smoked black chilies, prunes (or raisins), chocolate and warm spices. It’s velvety and rich, without being cloying, and has a beautiful balance of flavors when you get it just right. Though it is believed to originate from Oaxaca, while there, we learned it is actually a pre-Hispanic sauce, one that has been carried down from the indigenous people who lived before. The first recipe is from the Food Network. A celebrated dish in Mexico, this entree is all about the mole sauce — made with cloves, cinnamon, anise, coriander, dried chiles and chocolate. Incorporate toasted sesame seeds into the sauce and as a garnish for deep nutty flavor! https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/chicken-mole-recipe-1972934 This next recipe comes from Food and Wine and is from Chef Ofelia Barajas of La Guerrera's Kitchen in Oakland. It is inspired by her grandmother's recipe from her restaurant in Guerrero, Mexico. https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/chicken-mole This next one is from Epicurious and is a little different from the previous recipes. https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/chicken-mole-352649 This last one is vegan adaptable. Just substitute for the chicken and you're good to go. https://www.feastingathome.com/chicken-mole-negro/ Wishing you all the best of days.

Thanks, Melisa! This is a homecoming for me as I grew up in Michigan. I have two MSU sisters. The brothers tend to gravitate towards U of M, mostly to aggravate their sisters. I had to support the Maize and Blue down here in Ohio. It will be nice to be able to be blissfully unaware.

I greatly appreciate your prayers on the appraisal and inspection. The closing date is a week after I return from my cruise, so that will work out well. They've given me till November 4th to vacate. I should be in good shape and be able to go directly to the new home if we get the one we want. The realtor doesn't think money is the hold up. He thinks the seller is concerned about the contingencies on selling our homes. I forwarded the purchase agreement for my home to him and Sue is getting one for her home, so I'm hoping that will resolve his issues.

Thank you! I am thrilled.

Good morning, everyone! After a whirlwind couple of days I am going to take today to relax and enjoy my clean home. I do have a luncheon with a friend and then a Zoom meeting in the late afternoon. But, for today, all is well in my world and it is time to concentrate on my upcoming cruise. I leave three weeks from today. I should probably try to figure out ArriveCan. And, I have to figure out where I hid the eMed tests I ordered from Optum. I'm going to need one of them for this cruise. Today's meal is very interesting. I think I would really like it if the fish wasn't staring back at me from the bowl. Pinangat na isda, also called pangat na isda, is a Filipino dish from Southern Luzon consisting of fish and tomatoes stewed in a broth soured with fruits like calamansi, bilimbi, tamarind, or santol. It can also be used to cook shrimp. It is similar to sinigang, but it is not as tart. Pinangat na isda may also sometimes be referred to as paksiw, a related but different dish which primarily uses vinegar to sour the broth. Pinangat na isda is also commonly confused with laing (also called pinangat na laing or pinangat na gabi), a Bicolano dish also known simply as pinangat. But they are different dishes. The flavorings in this recipe sound interesting to me. I'd love to try it, but I'm not sure where I'd find the ingredients. https://www.kawalingpinoy.com/pinangat-na-pompano/ This next one is extremely easy to prepare as long as you have the ingredients. Bilimbi is a substitute for tamarind. If you can't find either, green mango is a suggestion. https://pilipinasrecipes.com/pinangat-na-isda-recipe/ This last recipe has easy to find ingredients. The recipe is adaptable to your tastes and some suggestions are offered. https://pinoyfoodguide.com/pinangat-na-isda-pangat-recipe/ Wishing everyone a wonderful day. Hoping that @smitty34877's brood had a restful night and that tensions are easing. Also hoping @Cruzin Terri is getting on with the repairs to the house after the bathroom leak. And I'm happy to see @kazu planning her next cruise. The sea is a healing balm.

Thanks, Graham!

Thank you!

Thank you!

Thank you, all. I am celebrating with a nice bottle of La Crema Chardonnay. It is back to the grindstone tomorrow. This is happening quickly so I need to start packing up.

Thank you everyone. There will defintely be some celebration tonight, but not too much as I have a busy day tomorrow. The best part of this right now is being able to stay in my own home and not go driving around while strangers occupy it. Poor Bob and Cindy had to put up with me for three nights in a row. The hold up on the Midland house is not price. The son, who is an attorney, is a stickler on every possible detail (except a hole they left in the living room wall) and he is hung up on waiting for our homes to clear inspections and appraisals. I emailed all the sale documents to my realtor in Midland, hoping that will help. We shall see. But for now, CHEERS!!!!

I am under contract!!! Great offer. So good it actually kind of blew me away. Now we just have to pass inspection and the appraisal. Realtor isn't worried about anything. I do, too! But I'm having veggie nachos tonight. And wine! Celebration night!