Blast from the past...
Dec. 4th, 2025 06:19 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
which_chickIn the different country that is the past, I used to own/operate a tiny little ISP in my tiny little town. It accepted credit cards, subject to the excessively high merchant account fees that were the order of the day. Now, I sold the ISP in 2007 and it doesn't have an EIN any more since we sold that to someone else. It hasn't filed a tax return in years. The business is closed.
But there's been a class action suit about the interchange fees related to accepting credit cards. I don't understand shit about it, but the business DID accept credit cards during the timeframe covered by the lawsuit.
( As you know, Bob, I enjoy my Class Action Money )
But there's been a class action suit about the interchange fees related to accepting credit cards. I don't understand shit about it, but the business DID accept credit cards during the timeframe covered by the lawsuit.
( As you know, Bob, I enjoy my Class Action Money )
The price of coffee
Dec. 4th, 2025 08:21 amwhich_chickTwo years and change ago, I discovered coffee at home as a doable, cost-saving thing. Sometimes I am a little late to the party of Obvious Things, but better late than never.
I ran some preliminary numbers on the cost to determine that yes, it was boatloads cheaper to make coffee at home. To that end, I have been making a concerted effort to do my coffee at home instead of buying it out and about. And I have better numbers now on how that is going.
( Come and see! )
I ran some preliminary numbers on the cost to determine that yes, it was boatloads cheaper to make coffee at home. To that end, I have been making a concerted effort to do my coffee at home instead of buying it out and about. And I have better numbers now on how that is going.
( Come and see! )
multifandom icons.
Dec. 3rd, 2025 10:20 pmwickedgame posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
iconicFandoms: 9-1-1: Lone Star, Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., Daredevil: Born Again, Doctor Who, Grosse Pointe Garden Society, Made in Heaven, Outlander, Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, Romil & Jugal, Stay By My Side, The White Lotus, Triage, Wednesday
rest HERE @mundodefieras
rest HERE @
mundodefieras Pony pony update: Bad pony riding and some pics
Dec. 2nd, 2025 08:25 amwhich_chickWait what? I thought the ponies were being good?
( It's (bad) pony riding and not (bad pony) riding. Read more? )
( It's (bad) pony riding and not (bad pony) riding. Read more? )
31 days of gratitude
Dec. 2nd, 2025 01:56 amruricSo to combat the general feelings that we're rapidly heading into he'll in a handbasket I'm attempting December's 31 days of gratitude challenge.
Pretty simple rules:
Commit to writing in a gratitude journal daily for 31 days in December. Just 5-10 minutes each day listing what you're thankful for can transform your mindset, improve relationships, and boost happiness. No special skills needed — just a notebook and willingness to appreciate life.
* Write Daily: spend 5-10 minutes writing 3-5 things you're grateful for each day.
* Be Specific: instead of "I'm grateful for my family," write "I'm grateful for my sister's encouraging text today."
* Feel It: don't just list items - truly connect with the feeling of gratitude as you write.
* Mix It Up: include big things and small moments, people, experiences, and personal qualities.
* By hand: write it in a dedicated journal or on a piece of paper by hand. The physical act of writing is important here.
Pretty simple rules:
Commit to writing in a gratitude journal daily for 31 days in December. Just 5-10 minutes each day listing what you're thankful for can transform your mindset, improve relationships, and boost happiness. No special skills needed — just a notebook and willingness to appreciate life.
* Write Daily: spend 5-10 minutes writing 3-5 things you're grateful for each day.
* Be Specific: instead of "I'm grateful for my family," write "I'm grateful for my sister's encouraging text today."
* Feel It: don't just list items - truly connect with the feeling of gratitude as you write.
* Mix It Up: include big things and small moments, people, experiences, and personal qualities.
* By hand: write it in a dedicated journal or on a piece of paper by hand. The physical act of writing is important here.
D&D seems like it's spreadsheets with a story draped over it.
Dec. 2nd, 2025 02:07 pmwhich_chickRight now I'm listening to a song that I kind of like. It's catchy and funny and honestly resembles a lot of D&D campaigns that I have not played but have watched from the sidelines.
( Are you going to link the song? )
( Are you going to link the song? )
Week 49 - final month almost here!
Nov. 30th, 2025 12:41 pmruricDecember looms which means I have 3.5 weeks to get my flat in order so I don't spend the time I have off work stressing about going into the new year totally disorganised. Challenge accepted!
#ORJENISE100 I've started on these but not finished any yet.
HOME: have maintained tidy kitchen, bathroom, hall, landing, stairs which is a win. I'm chipping away at the bedroom but plan to push on with this a couple of nights next week. Aiming to have it at least tidy by close of play 7 December.
HEALTH: pretty good!
LIFE ADMIN: a little financial jiggery pokery.
DIGITAL DECLUTTER: got email down to 11,500 then it went back up to 12,000 but currently back to 11,700. Need to set aside 30 mins a day to deal with archived folders. No progress on phone images recently. May just need to leave this to Xmas hols!
GARDENING/ALLOTMENTING: just have the three living room windows boxes to do. Still not made it into the back garden Lots of tidying to do in the tiny back gardenmnor taken the compost to the allotment, also have to sort out houseplants. More tasks for Xmas hols.
COOKING/EATING: last week was still about eating down deli items and living on sandwich lunches. Onn the plus side my fridge is almost empty for my next Oddbox which arrives on Friday and I am currently defrosting some stuff from the freezer to see me through next week and I plan to make a giant curry tomorrow.
READING/LISTENING: nope.
WATCHING: still watching Pluribus and Robin Hood. I like how they've pitched this iteration with Henry II gallivanting in France, we get Eleanor of Aquitaine scheming, plus Sean Bean is a pretty decent Sherrif caught between a rock and a hard place. Since I subscribed to Acorn TV I've had detective shows on in the background. Have just hammered through Hinterland which would lead you to believe Aberystwyth is the murder capital of Wales - it led me to check 34 homicides in the whole of Wales in 2021/22. It was a good show with a compelling storyline through all 3 seasons but was grim viewing. I'm ready for an overload of saccharine Hallmark Xmas movies now.
CREATING/LEARNING: I've been to one Monday and a couple of Friday crochet sessions. I think I'm going to pass or only do 1 Monday a month and focus on the Friday lunchtime ones. I've almost finished my freestyle beanie hat and the Xmas garland is coming along. We did granny square Xmas trees on Friday which are cute and simple - finished one in class and made 5 more at home. Also made some simple stars at home. Focusing at the moment on fast makes that can be completed in 15-30 mins and have been raiding Pinterest and YouTube for free patterns. I also bought a giant load of wool (thank you Black Friday sale) from Wool Warehouse so I can make a start on the totally mad granny square blanket next year. I seem to also have acquired lots of wool over the last year - obviously bought for specific projects but I did not label them at the time (yet another task for the Xmas hols).
CATS: all good.
VOLUNTEERING: still can't get back into allottment Insta but did chase up the other things I needed to do. Will miss next committee meeting tomorrow as it's the AGM for the 23 sites at work tomorrow night.
SOCIALISING: online catch up with friends last Thursday which was good.
WORK: did 3 late night's last week with a colleague as we're both inundated. Productive but long days and it did mean last week was all about work and nothing else! No work-life balance at all. Which I will remedy in December and in to 2026!
#ORJENISE100 I've started on these but not finished any yet.
HOME: have maintained tidy kitchen, bathroom, hall, landing, stairs which is a win. I'm chipping away at the bedroom but plan to push on with this a couple of nights next week. Aiming to have it at least tidy by close of play 7 December.
HEALTH: pretty good!
LIFE ADMIN: a little financial jiggery pokery.
DIGITAL DECLUTTER: got email down to 11,500 then it went back up to 12,000 but currently back to 11,700. Need to set aside 30 mins a day to deal with archived folders. No progress on phone images recently. May just need to leave this to Xmas hols!
GARDENING/ALLOTMENTING: just have the three living room windows boxes to do. Still not made it into the back garden Lots of tidying to do in the tiny back gardenmnor taken the compost to the allotment, also have to sort out houseplants. More tasks for Xmas hols.
COOKING/EATING: last week was still about eating down deli items and living on sandwich lunches. Onn the plus side my fridge is almost empty for my next Oddbox which arrives on Friday and I am currently defrosting some stuff from the freezer to see me through next week and I plan to make a giant curry tomorrow.
READING/LISTENING: nope.
WATCHING: still watching Pluribus and Robin Hood. I like how they've pitched this iteration with Henry II gallivanting in France, we get Eleanor of Aquitaine scheming, plus Sean Bean is a pretty decent Sherrif caught between a rock and a hard place. Since I subscribed to Acorn TV I've had detective shows on in the background. Have just hammered through Hinterland which would lead you to believe Aberystwyth is the murder capital of Wales - it led me to check 34 homicides in the whole of Wales in 2021/22. It was a good show with a compelling storyline through all 3 seasons but was grim viewing. I'm ready for an overload of saccharine Hallmark Xmas movies now.
CREATING/LEARNING: I've been to one Monday and a couple of Friday crochet sessions. I think I'm going to pass or only do 1 Monday a month and focus on the Friday lunchtime ones. I've almost finished my freestyle beanie hat and the Xmas garland is coming along. We did granny square Xmas trees on Friday which are cute and simple - finished one in class and made 5 more at home. Also made some simple stars at home. Focusing at the moment on fast makes that can be completed in 15-30 mins and have been raiding Pinterest and YouTube for free patterns. I also bought a giant load of wool (thank you Black Friday sale) from Wool Warehouse so I can make a start on the totally mad granny square blanket next year. I seem to also have acquired lots of wool over the last year - obviously bought for specific projects but I did not label them at the time (yet another task for the Xmas hols).
CATS: all good.
VOLUNTEERING: still can't get back into allottment Insta but did chase up the other things I needed to do. Will miss next committee meeting tomorrow as it's the AGM for the 23 sites at work tomorrow night.
SOCIALISING: online catch up with friends last Thursday which was good.
WORK: did 3 late night's last week with a colleague as we're both inundated. Productive but long days and it did mean last week was all about work and nothing else! No work-life balance at all. Which I will remedy in December and in to 2026!
Look! I remembered to post before December started this year!
Nov. 30th, 2025 02:42 am![[staff profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user_staff.png){kind=small}
denise posting in ![[site community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/comm_staff.png){kind=small}
dw_newsHello, friends! It's about to be December again, and you know what that means: the fact I am posting this actually before December 1 means karzilla reminded me about the existence of linear time again. Wait, no -- well, yes, but also -- okay, look, let me back up and start again: it's almost December, and that means it's time for our annual December holiday points bonus.
The standard explanation: For the entire month of December, all orders made in the Shop of points and paid time, either for you or as a gift for a friend, will have 10% of your completed cart total sent to you in points when you finish the transaction. For instance, if you buy an order of 12 months of paid time for $35 (350 points), you'll get 35 points when the order is complete, to use on a future purchase.
( The fine print and much more behind this cut! )
Thank you, in short, for being the best possible users any social media site could possibly ever hope for. I'm probably in danger of crossing the Sappiness Line if I haven't already, but you all make everything worth it.
On behalf of Mark, Jen, Robby, and our team of awesome volunteers, and to each and every one of you, whether you've been with us on this wild ride since the beginning or just signed up last week, I'm wishing you all a very happy set of end-of-year holidays, whichever ones you celebrate, and hoping for all of you that your 2026 is full of kindness, determination, empathy, and a hell of a lot more luck than we've all had lately. Let's go.
karzilla reminded me about the existence of linear time again. Wait, no -- well, yes, but also -- okay, look, let me back up and start again: it's almost December, and that means it's time for our annual December holiday points bonus.The standard explanation: For the entire month of December, all orders made in the Shop of points and paid time, either for you or as a gift for a friend, will have 10% of your completed cart total sent to you in points when you finish the transaction. For instance, if you buy an order of 12 months of paid time for $35 (350 points), you'll get 35 points when the order is complete, to use on a future purchase.
( The fine print and much more behind this cut! )
Thank you, in short, for being the best possible users any social media site could possibly ever hope for. I'm probably in danger of crossing the Sappiness Line if I haven't already, but you all make everything worth it.
On behalf of Mark, Jen, Robby, and our team of awesome volunteers, and to each and every one of you, whether you've been with us on this wild ride since the beginning or just signed up last week, I'm wishing you all a very happy set of end-of-year holidays, whichever ones you celebrate, and hoping for all of you that your 2026 is full of kindness, determination, empathy, and a hell of a lot more luck than we've all had lately. Let's go.
Obligatory pony posting
Nov. 24th, 2025 11:14 amwhich_chickSunday was pony day this week. Caught ponies (Switch came over, Snap had to be gotten by Trys.), Grooming and snackies, Switch is getting very good at picking her feet up. We did a bit of ground work to ensure brains were functional, then we went riding. For, obviously, small "driveway" sized rides.
Riding is now "we get on in random places" -- this time it was from the small hill beside the driveway -- to build confidence and awareness that people hop on ponies anywhere at any time, not just carefully from a bucket "mounting block" in that one special spot.
Still in halters, we skipped bridles, we expanded the riding asks.
Riding was now... back and forth from tack shed to wide spot in driveway (x2) plus down to the big orange gate (x1) plus some big circles plus standing still plus TROTTING on demand up to the tack shed (x2) but walking back down (because it's slightly downhill and they have shit balance, so walking downhill is better). Ponies were troopers and did a great job. Go ponies.
We were time-limited so did not do a walkies up over the hill. Perhaps over the holiday weekend.
Riding is now "we get on in random places" -- this time it was from the small hill beside the driveway -- to build confidence and awareness that people hop on ponies anywhere at any time, not just carefully from a bucket "mounting block" in that one special spot.
Still in halters, we skipped bridles, we expanded the riding asks.
Riding was now... back and forth from tack shed to wide spot in driveway (x2) plus down to the big orange gate (x1) plus some big circles plus standing still plus TROTTING on demand up to the tack shed (x2) but walking back down (because it's slightly downhill and they have shit balance, so walking downhill is better). Ponies were troopers and did a great job. Go ponies.
We were time-limited so did not do a walkies up over the hill. Perhaps over the holiday weekend.
Weeks 46 and 47 - the whooshing sound of passing deadlines!
Nov. 24th, 2025 01:23 pmruricIt feels like I'm in a flat out and uncontrolled gallop to the end of the year and that whooshing sound is all the deadlines I'm failing to meet on both work and personal fronts!
As I was away from 13-17 November (lovely break, lots of napping and oodles of good food) and frankly lost most of last week was recovery this is more of a look forward than 'what I did over the last fortnight'.
#ORJENISE100 still need to catch up with the prompts I missed!
HOME: I've maintained the cleared areas of the flat, am making very slow progress on my bedroom and am ignoring the living room until the first week of December.
HEALTH: pretty good!
LIFE ADMIN: nope.
DIGITAL DECLUTTER: email has gone up a bit as I need a couple of hours to sort out a few folders, no progress on phone images recently. In fact, I've added to them by taking lots of screenshots. GAH!
GARDENING/ALLOTMENTING: just have the three living room windows boxes to do. Lots of tidying to do in the tiny back garden (which will likely have to wait to Xmas hols) and I still have lots of bags of compost to take down to the allotment and bulbs to plant. Fingers crossed for a few fine hours this weekend.
COOKING/EATING: ate like royalty at Horbling, waddled home and lived off leftovers for a few days and then was seduced by Sainsbury's 3 for £10 offer on deli items so have been eating those with large veg portions. Won't really need to think about cooking until the weekend.
READING/LISTENING: nope.
WATCHING: Started new show Pluribus which I'm undecided about and quite liking the new Robin Hood
CREATING/LEARNING: back to crochet sessions on Monday evenings and Friday afternoons. Currently making a super simple beanie hat, and crochetings Xmas trees and stars to do a small garland for the flat. Apparently we'll be doing an Xmas challenge on Friday.
CATS: all good.
VOLUNTEERING: a few minor things I need to chase up following our first post AGM committee. We let a plot holder take over our social media and she has changed the email and passwords and now forgotten them so we can't get back into our Insta account. Grrrr.
SOCIALISING: yes - went for a roast this Sunday past in Greenwich with visiting friends from the US andravurian. Good company, good convo and delicious food.
WORK: I'm at the point where I'm wondering if I could retire sooner rather than hanging on to 2030!
Temperatures have dropped here - when we drove to Horbling on 10 Nov it was a balmy 15 degrees and sunny and we were in t-shirts. Temps dropped last week and now nights are 0 or -1 and days are 5 to 6 degrees.
Winter is Coming. Brrrrrr.
As I was away from 13-17 November (lovely break, lots of napping and oodles of good food) and frankly lost most of last week was recovery this is more of a look forward than 'what I did over the last fortnight'.
#ORJENISE100 still need to catch up with the prompts I missed!
HOME: I've maintained the cleared areas of the flat, am making very slow progress on my bedroom and am ignoring the living room until the first week of December.
HEALTH: pretty good!
LIFE ADMIN: nope.
DIGITAL DECLUTTER: email has gone up a bit as I need a couple of hours to sort out a few folders, no progress on phone images recently. In fact, I've added to them by taking lots of screenshots. GAH!
GARDENING/ALLOTMENTING: just have the three living room windows boxes to do. Lots of tidying to do in the tiny back garden (which will likely have to wait to Xmas hols) and I still have lots of bags of compost to take down to the allotment and bulbs to plant. Fingers crossed for a few fine hours this weekend.
COOKING/EATING: ate like royalty at Horbling, waddled home and lived off leftovers for a few days and then was seduced by Sainsbury's 3 for £10 offer on deli items so have been eating those with large veg portions. Won't really need to think about cooking until the weekend.
READING/LISTENING: nope.
WATCHING: Started new show Pluribus which I'm undecided about and quite liking the new Robin Hood
CREATING/LEARNING: back to crochet sessions on Monday evenings and Friday afternoons. Currently making a super simple beanie hat, and crochetings Xmas trees and stars to do a small garland for the flat. Apparently we'll be doing an Xmas challenge on Friday.
CATS: all good.
VOLUNTEERING: a few minor things I need to chase up following our first post AGM committee. We let a plot holder take over our social media and she has changed the email and passwords and now forgotten them so we can't get back into our Insta account. Grrrr.
SOCIALISING: yes - went for a roast this Sunday past in Greenwich with visiting friends from the US and
ravurian. Good company, good convo and delicious food.WORK: I'm at the point where I'm wondering if I could retire sooner rather than hanging on to 2030!
Temperatures have dropped here - when we drove to Horbling on 10 Nov it was a balmy 15 degrees and sunny and we were in t-shirts. Temps dropped last week and now nights are 0 or -1 and days are 5 to 6 degrees.
Winter is Coming. Brrrrrr.