What are you doing today? (besides shopping)
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Among other things, making hotel reservations for next week for 3 day trip to Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. I will admire autumn leaves and shop (not MS) a whole bunch of thrift shops. I am looking for items to resell on Ebay. Earlier hotel MS work will pay for all 3 nights in quite nice Hilton and Marriott properties. By this time in 2121 I hope to be doing hotel shops again !
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
wales, how are hotels handling travelers during COVID? I can imagine they are doing SD in common areas. Are they making people stay in their rooms? Are they still serving buffet meals? What about the gyms and pools?
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
Work. Merch all day. Wish for sleep.
*eta*
hah. Finished most of the merch early. After lunch, I can have a nap.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/06/2020 04:50PM by Shop-et-al.
*eta*
hah. Finished most of the merch early. After lunch, I can have a nap.
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. - Lao-Tzu
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/06/2020 04:50PM by Shop-et-al.
Honny,
Masks are mandatory and many common areas are not available to guests. Apparently the "free breakfast" is no longer a buffet but some sort of breakfast sandwich option. I will report further on that when I have seen how it works out. I will use both masks and disposable medical grade gloves and take my own pillow. Exercise rooms and indoor pools are closed. Of course, this all may vary by state, but this is what I have learned about hotels in the valley of VA.
Masks are mandatory and many common areas are not available to guests. Apparently the "free breakfast" is no longer a buffet but some sort of breakfast sandwich option. I will report further on that when I have seen how it works out. I will use both masks and disposable medical grade gloves and take my own pillow. Exercise rooms and indoor pools are closed. Of course, this all may vary by state, but this is what I have learned about hotels in the valley of VA.
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Doing a happy dance because last night I snagged 6 garage cash integrity shops that I can do any days of the rest of the month that they are open. They are grouped so that I can do 2 on each trip to the city, using them to "anchor" addition shops at banks, etc. Time to "shop" for other shops at near/matching locations.
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
I stayed at a Wyndham a couple of weeks ago. Their "breakfast" was a bag with a packaged muffin, a chewy granola bar, an orange, and a bottle of water. Whatever you get will have to be better than that.
@walesmaven wrote:
Honny,
Masks are mandatory and many common areas are not available to guests. Apparently the "free breakfast" is no longer a buffet but some sort of breakfast sandwich option. I will report further on that when I have seen how it works out. I will use both masks and disposable medical grade gloves and take my own pillow. Exercise rooms and indoor pools are closed. Of course, this all may vary by state, but this is what I have learned about hotels in the valley of VA.
Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product. Eleanor Roosevelt
Well, I will have a coffeemaker, fridge and microwave in the room each night. I was told that I would have "a selection of breakfast sandwiches." That already sounds better than what you got. Also, correction, all Hilton properties, no Marriott on this trip. That's fine with ne as I have a TON of Hilton points.
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Packing for our trip to Dallas. I had to excavate some warm weather clothing from the off-season boxes. We've learned that Granddaughter is being baptized on Sunday so I also had to find appropriate clothing for that.
One of the reasons we're driving is so we can deliver some things to Son (two large framed pieces of art and a machete he acquired on his senior service trip to Belize back in 2002). Although none of them really took up a lot of space it will be nice to have them out of the house.
One of the reasons we're driving is so we can deliver some things to Son (two large framed pieces of art and a machete he acquired on his senior service trip to Belize back in 2002). Although none of them really took up a lot of space it will be nice to have them out of the house.
Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product. Eleanor Roosevelt
Hubby & I stayed at a Best Western on Hilton Head Island in SC. They used to offer the whole hot breakfast deal. But since Covid, they offer what we thought was quite an adequate substitute. They had cold cereal choices, oatmeal, fresh apples and bananas, muffins, yogurt, fruit cocktail cups, breakfast bars, small containers of OJ, milk, almond milk, and coffee.@walesmaven wrote:
Well, I will have a coffeemaker, fridge and microwave in the room each night. I was told that I would have "a selection of breakfast sandwiches." That already sounds better than what you got. Also, correction, all Hilton properties, no Marriott on this trip. That's fine with ne as I have a TON of Hilton points.
If I really dislike what is on offer for breakfast, I can always go through the drive-thru at a MD's for my guilty pleasure: bacon, cheese and egg biscuit, and hash browns.
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
I am playing on Ebay to find out what charity shop "finds" might be worth buying on my trip to resell on Ebay. Vintage teapots appear to be best sellers. Found out that I already own one that I bought years ago at a charity shop.
Enjoying the aroma of Chicken With Olives from my slow cooker. Researching some local election candidates for school board and judge positions before completing my ballot.
Enjoying the aroma of Chicken With Olives from my slow cooker. Researching some local election candidates for school board and judge positions before completing my ballot.
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Work. Add more shops. Re-arrange all work supplies for the umpteenth time this week. But the good news is, there are only three more days that involve all this stuff. Figure out what would happen if my new/old job were disrupted by covid. I have earned/will earn more than enough money to replace those earnings for the rest of the year. Phew. Now, I can finish up the current spate of assignments and get back to home, cleaning, projects, reading, napping, and sleeping.
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. - Lao-Tzu
Trail maintenance on a hiking trail. Lovely picnic in the woods. Forest bathing.
wales, the chicken and olives recipe is one I will be making on a regular basis. It smelled great and is so tasty! The quinoa I added soaked up any extra liquid.
When I make it again this weekend, I am going to add shredded carrots because I enjoy shredding carrots.
When I make it again this weekend, I am going to add shredded carrots because I enjoy shredding carrots.
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
Work. Gigs for the rest of the day. At least I remembered to pack dry shampoo and a quickie diy facial in the merch kit. This helps. *ew. tmi.* But seriously. If the early job were consistently early, I would not have to do these silly things. Rather, I would emerge from sleep and be refreshed & ready for anything and anywhere!
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. - Lao-Tzu
Honny,
I used a packaged mix of wild mushroom rice pilaf and had the chicken served over some of that. Once the chicken and pilaf were in a bowl I added shredded mozzarella and zapped it briefly in the microwave. It was wonderful.
This means that it will be easier (less messy) to freeze meal sized packs of the chicken and pilaf and then add the cheese only when reheating each portion. Interesting about your carrot idea because I thought about using some cooked carrots (leftovers) as a side, but used some steamed broccoli. . Tonight, I will use up the carrots. (Great minds.... etc.)
I used a packaged mix of wild mushroom rice pilaf and had the chicken served over some of that. Once the chicken and pilaf were in a bowl I added shredded mozzarella and zapped it briefly in the microwave. It was wonderful.
This means that it will be easier (less messy) to freeze meal sized packs of the chicken and pilaf and then add the cheese only when reheating each portion. Interesting about your carrot idea because I thought about using some cooked carrots (leftovers) as a side, but used some steamed broccoli. . Tonight, I will use up the carrots. (Great minds.... etc.)
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
While doing a charity shop (MS) I picked up several items that will probably net at least $100 on Ebay. I paid $20 for them, but $15 will be reimbursed by the MSC. Spent a pleasurable hour on line, while eating lunch, looking up and noting recent "sold" prices for the items as well as estimated shipping costs. Then I looked around in my house for boxes that will be good fits for shipping items and also located a trove of bubble wrap. So far this is fun, and I am learning a lot. It remains to be seen if it remains fun. My trip to the Shenandoah Valley next week is now definitely a "buying trip."
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
I bought my current cell phone new in July. Each time I log into my provider's site, I see a promotion for a free dual screen. During my shop this week, I asked about the screen. Rep told me how to order it from LG. Done!
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
? What is dual screen? Is it like the little radio button I push and then see half the screen filled with one page and the other half of the screen filled with a different screen? IS this similar to the phone version of toggling?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/09/2020 03:43AM by Shop-et-al.
@HonnyBrown wrote:
I bought my current cell phone new in July. Each time I log into my provider's site, I see a promotion for a free dual screen. During my shop this week, I asked about the screen. Rep told me how to order it from LG. Done!
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. - Lao-Tzu
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/09/2020 03:43AM by Shop-et-al.
Early job is actually on time. Do you know what this means????? It means I can leave early for a long road trip and get home in time to complete reports and sleep and do a few house tasks. Go me.
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. - Lao-Tzu
A dual screen is The New Best Thing.
At my last job, we used dual monitors to work more efficiently. Instead of switching between two documents or web pages, one would be open on one monitor and the other would be open on the second monitor.
I started doing this on my laptop. Instead of having two monitors, I place the documents side by side.
For my phone, I will have a recipe open on one screen and the conversion calculator open on the other.
At my last job, we used dual monitors to work more efficiently. Instead of switching between two documents or web pages, one would be open on one monitor and the other would be open on the second monitor.
I started doing this on my laptop. Instead of having two monitors, I place the documents side by side.
For my phone, I will have a recipe open on one screen and the conversion calculator open on the other.
@Shop-et-al wrote:
? What is dual screen? Is it like the little radio button I push and then see half the screen filled with one page and the other half of the screen filled with a different screen? IS this similar to the phone version of toggling?
@HonnyBrown wrote:
I bought my current cell phone new in July. Each time I log into my provider's site, I see a promotion for a free dual screen. During my shop this week, I asked about the screen. Rep told me how to order it from LG. Done!
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
wales, I love the idea of adding mushrooms! That will put me at 5 vegetables.
I like adding brown rice in the crock pot because it absorbs the most liquid.
I buy carrots from Aldi's and I don't use them quickly enough.
I like adding brown rice in the crock pot because it absorbs the most liquid.
I buy carrots from Aldi's and I don't use them quickly enough.
@walesmaven wrote:
Honny,
I used a packaged mix of wild mushroom rice pilaf and had the chicken served over some of that. Once the chicken and pilaf were in a bowl I added shredded mozzarella and zapped it briefly in the microwave. It was wonderful.
This means that it will be easier (less messy) to freeze meal sized packs of the chicken and pilaf and then add the cheese only when reheating each portion. Interesting about your carrot idea because I thought about using some cooked carrots (leftovers) as a side, but used some steamed broccoli. . Tonight, I will use up the carrots. (Great minds.... etc.)
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
Honny, I prepare batches of rice, rice pilaf or couscous separately from the slow cooked. That way, I can use parts of that batch of starchy thing by splitting it among different entrees. More flexibility in meal planning. This time, I will use most, but not all of the pilaf by making up one meal packets of it with the olive chicken and freezing those. But, that leaves some pilaf that I can use with a different protein entree. I am jjust starting a bag of veggies in the freezer to save for making broths: carrots, onion, celery, to start with. Any batch of broth will be reduced before freezing potions of it to be re concentrated later. (Limited freeze space!)
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
I am roasting a Shadybrook fresh turkey. I made salsa this morning and am baking potatoes in the other oven. It smells sooooo good. Turkey will be done by 1 p.m. 
Checking more "sold" prices of any comparable items on Ebay; visiting a rather disappointing estate sale. Posting a request on Freecycling for small shipping boxes and another for bubble wrap; getting prompt, generous offers for each; collecting said supplies. Starting to log trips in my car record that are specifically marked "EB" for tax purposes.
Thinking about asking for a medium size , folding work table for the Ebay work, but willing to buy one at a yard/estate/garage sale if Freecycle does not come though. My office space is FULL and my dining room has become a combo household pantry (cum freezer) and merchandise/packaging warehouse. So far, yes, we are still having fun. I am learning a lot and it looks like Ebay sales may well be even more flexible, in terms of maintaining a schedule and freedom to work when I want, that mystery shopping. There is a great, family run, Post Express drop off location about 1 mile from home, and 3 doors from my Aldi's store. That takes USPS, UPS and other stuff 6 days a week and has free parking at the door. (As we age, the mantra becomes, "Logistics, logistics, logistics."
Thinking about asking for a medium size , folding work table for the Ebay work, but willing to buy one at a yard/estate/garage sale if Freecycle does not come though. My office space is FULL and my dining room has become a combo household pantry (cum freezer) and merchandise/packaging warehouse. So far, yes, we are still having fun. I am learning a lot and it looks like Ebay sales may well be even more flexible, in terms of maintaining a schedule and freedom to work when I want, that mystery shopping. There is a great, family run, Post Express drop off location about 1 mile from home, and 3 doors from my Aldi's store. That takes USPS, UPS and other stuff 6 days a week and has free parking at the door. (As we age, the mantra becomes, "Logistics, logistics, logistics."
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Work. Other work times three and all in the same town-- this feels like a vacation! Grocery (not a shop) and whatever fits into available free time after that.
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. - Lao-Tzu
Taking non-driving neighbor with me to drop off our ballots, visit the wine store, her bank, and then the big grocery store. Making blueberry pie; doing 2-3 loads of laundry.
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Yay! Muffin's trip to the vet is over! Now I can enjoy my weekend!
I volunteered at the food bank early this morning. I found out that the coordinators are leaving their positions. Since one is a member of the church where the food bank is held, it can no longer be held at the church. It's unlikely the food bank will be dismantled, since it's part of a bigger conglomerate, but it will be relocated.
After the food bank, I went for a hike with a friend. I haven't seen her or her dogs in a few months. I missed her and one of the dogs. The other, not so much.
After the hike, I went to my burger shop and got my monthly burger.
After the food bank, I went for a hike with a friend. I haven't seen her or her dogs in a few months. I missed her and one of the dogs. The other, not so much.
After the hike, I went to my burger shop and got my monthly burger.
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
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