Curse

**cosyfiep** · Nov 30, 2014, 01:13 AM // 01:13

glad you got to enjoy your holiday!

the detector had 'err' on it, I tried changing the batteries (rotated the ones in it as well as putting totally new ones), that didnt work, so it said to 'read the owners manual' er...gee olllllllie....I have no blinkin clue where that is (especially in the weeee hours of the morning)...so I looked up online what to do...it says 'change the batteries, if the problem persists you will need to replace the unit' well thanks for that (lack of) helpful information

So I did some more checking online to see where to get a new one...dang those things arent cheap! (my smoke detectors cost less than $10ea...these cost more than $20 for a cheap model!) /sad panda

at least the smoke detectors just die and forget to beep at me (or my batteries could be really good and they havent died in the last few years since I NEVER check them---since we have hard wired detectors as well as the required battery ones, talk about redundancies).

so this year its 'what did you buy for xmas' answer: a new co2 detector...hope johnnny likes it

I pwnd U · Dec 01, 2014, 12:27 AM // 00:27

Hope you enjoyed yours as well, minus the CO2 detector.

I know one of the smoke detectors I had kept beeping even AFTER I took the batteries out... Just kept going. That one I had to get rid of as it just was dead. And ya, smoke detectors are a lot cheaper than CO2 detectors.

Figuring out gift ideas for myself. Not a fun thing to do... I suck at it.

**cosyfiep** · Dec 01, 2014, 01:16 AM // 01:16

it was ...ok,

yeah, trying to figure out gifts as you get older is harder and harder---hubbys family does lists and each year I try to tell them not to get me anything (minus a few gift cards I like and some cheeses)....but that doesnt seem right to them, so I have to come up with something, and the things I come up with are either things I cant buy (too expensive) or stuff they dont want to buy for me (stuffed toys)...so my lists wind up being rather ...well, lets just say a new co2 detector wouldnt be too far off what I have put on my lists in recent years!

I pwnd U · Dec 01, 2014, 02:32 AM // 02:32

I have a few things that I want but it isn't enough according to my wife since it has to be distributed to so many people now. >.> Oh well...

**cosyfiep** · Dec 01, 2014, 06:08 PM // 18:08

yeah having only 4 items on a list with 5 or more people to send it out too doesnt quite work out I'm told

got a new detector, only good thing about the xmas sales--it was on sale too! (and gas is getting back down to a reasonable price /faint).

I pwnd U · Dec 02, 2014, 03:05 AM // 03:05

I have closer to 20, but apparently that still isn't enough... Sigh... Oh well. I guess I'll figure it out at some point.

Seems like everything is on sale at some point this weekend. Which is a good thing. Gas is around 2.57 here. Which is great.

**cosyfiep** · Dec 02, 2014, 06:13 AM // 06:13

was nice to get things at a more reasonable price (gas included), perhaps that will end the people and their need to raise the minimum wage to $15 (I dont think they have really thought about the ripple effect that that would have...just think of all the folks earning 9-14 who would now be earning less than minimum,---at jobs that require a diploma and usually request a college degree as well, now they would be earning what those non-skilled jobs are....so their employers would have to give them pay increases applicable to their levels, thus making the employers earn less money--and probably letting people go as well....snowball effect, =prices go up and those minimum wage earners STILL cant afford to buy a house, not that I know of many banks that would lend/give mortgages to minimum wage folks------)

nope dont think those people understand economics at all.

I pwnd U · Dec 02, 2014, 12:07 PM // 12:07

People don't seem to understand long term thinking either. Everyone is right now, right here instead of thinking about the future impacts on their lives and others. Or if they really deserve $15 to be flipping burgers all day. Sometimes we are just to short sighted to look at what would happen if we were to give them the $15. Or at least they are too short sighted. Here is to hoping those that make the decision continue to see the long term negative impacts.

**cosyfiep** · Dec 02, 2014, 05:08 PM // 17:08

'long term' to most is tomorrow, no one thinks about a year from now or even longer.
yeah when I was flipping burgers it would have been nice to have a take home check enough to cover all my expenses--but it was barely enough to buy food for the next week --it was a 2nd job! you are not expected to live on minimum wage---its for kids, 2nd jobs and the like, and I still dont see which bank is giving mortgages to folks only earning it! (though if I do--I will steer far far away from that bank).

in other news....aunt in northern IL says that they are letting a bunch of police types/jailers go--because they dont have the funds to keep them since they have had to house the illegals! so there are more jobs going away because of illegals (and not because they are taking the jobs instead)....think we really do need a few folks to see the bigger picture or this country is really going to be a big mess in the short term even!

I pwnd U · Dec 03, 2014, 01:42 AM // 01:42

That is their problem. They are trying to live off a minimum wage job. Minimum wage jobs usually are for high school students, college students, or those who need a 2nd job. They aren't meant to make a living off of. That should push you to want to achieve more. But people are just so okay with laziness that they would rather be lazy, have a crappy job, and then b**** and moan about their low pay. If they make $15 an hour, I make just a few thousand more a year than they would. I have a college degree! I should be making way more than them! Dumb...

Great, less police and jailers in Northern Illinois... Just what we need when that is where we are moving too... Yay...

**cosyfiep** · Dec 04, 2014, 09:04 AM // 09:04

I see you see what I see...to bad we are in the minority.

got my new co2 detector up and running, got my xmas lights out and up --and bought a few replacements for the ones that died (looked up how to fix rope lights

---found it was just easier to buy a new set especially when you have to do things like solder and such)...got my xmas card list out and updated...tree comes out of the box this weekend as is the wrapping of the gifts that have to be mailed to far away places--so they can go out on monday or tuesday (and then I can buy stamps for the cards

)....and in there some place is a few naps

I pwnd U · Dec 05, 2014, 01:48 AM // 01:48

Ya I think rational people are generally the minority all the time these days...

It is not very festive in the apartment here. Last year we had a tree and everything. This year I just don't feel it. If my wife wasn't 3 hours away we would have a tree and everything by now. Just can't bring myself to do it myself.

**cosyfiep** · Dec 05, 2014, 05:23 PM // 17:23

completely understand that one! (not very festive here either, am working on it, but just dont have the motivation--where is a paragon when you need one?). I have to give myself goals to accomplish each day so that I get things done, otherwise my brain just sees too much to do and does nothing.

at least the temps are getting a bit warmer...supposed to get even warmer next week or so too! That might brighten my mood (and yours ) better than decorations.

I pwnd U · Dec 06, 2014, 04:43 PM // 16:43

I can get things accomplished, just not the cheery wintery festive stuff. No drive for that...

Temps in the 40's today and also yesterday. Which is nice but it did bring some rain. Though that is better than the s stuff...

**cosyfiep** · Dec 07, 2014, 03:06 PM // 15:06

whats cheery about spending money on others?--having to fight the crowds to find a parking spot, even more to get into the mall--and even more to check out, ....sounds more like something to NOT do.

yesterday: accomplished: NOTHING

ah well, things happen

I pwnd U · Dec 08, 2014, 02:32 AM // 02:32

That is why I try to do most of my shopping online. Doesn't always work, but it does sometimes. Clothes though apparently I have to go out and try on. According to my wife at least.

I had lots done yesterday. Got my haircut, had lunch with my grandparents, went shopping with the wife, picked up a prescription, and got pictures for my grandparents as well. Busy day. Now tomorrow we are back to work. Yay...

**cosyfiep** · Dec 09, 2014, 07:52 AM // 07:52

yeah online is the way to go--the problem with it is the shipping---you cant tell them you NEED to have it signed for (or it will never get to you)--they ship which ever way they wish (even if you request a certain way---have had this happen a few times-'we have upgrading your shipping to xyz, even though your requested usps' and xyz drops and runs thus insuring that my item will be nabbed by someone other than who it is addressed to----been lots on the news about this recently as well).
so I beat the crowds today and went to the post office to get some of my overseas stuff out and get stamps for the rest (still need to finish those cards--guess tomorrow is the lucky day for that). And then to a big box store for a bit of shopping (did a wee bit of xmas shopping, but mostly bought grocery type stuff--granola bars, oatmeal etc.)

got the last list today...gee and only like 5 items on the list (and they complain about MY short lists!)....ah well, hope I can get something online for him----

I pwnd U · Dec 10, 2014, 02:47 AM // 02:47

Very true, you can't specify who you want to deliver it. Usually Amazon is delivered by UPS here. They do an okay job. Sometimes they don't even come to my apartment and just drop it off at the office. No note on the door or anything, so I have to guess if it arrived or not. That gets annoying. Other times they ding dong dash. Knock and run. Like geez guys, give me a chance to get to the door. But they do alright.

Sigh, I'm still waiting on my wife's Christmas list... She keeps saying she will give it to me. Nothing yet...

**cosyfiep** · Dec 11, 2014, 10:30 AM // 10:30

today they didnt even bother to ring...just dropped and left, found my package when I went to pick up the mail (which IS in a real mail box with a key lock), dumped on the ground near the mailboxes...yeah, that is delivered (a major reason WHY I do NOT use fedex!)...saw on the news that more and more people are having packages stolen from where they were 'delivered'...which is why I use the usps--they either leave the package WITH ME or a slip for me to pick it up at the post office--none of this dump and run [email protected] (and they are open 6 days a week unlike ups and fedex).

well, got my cards done, and the last person sent their list out so I am now done with gifts too--just have to mail out the packages (tomorrow...)

your wife's list??? I think you ...should...er....uhm...kinda...know what she wants

---though since you have only been married a short time....LEARN QUICKLY---get the hints she gives during the year and write them down for xmas! (will save you in the long run).

I pwnd U · Dec 11, 2014, 12:08 PM // 12:08

Too easy to have a package stolen when that happens. Laziness is what causes it to occur. Instead of the driver walking a few extra feet to knock they just dump and run. Easy enough for someone to come snag the package and be gone...

We need to start doing Christmas cards. Won't happen this year though... Maybe next year.

I do, but the hints she drops I get for her birthday (in September)... Plus she then gives those ideas to her family and they get it for her so I have to make sure I don't get duplicates... It's complicated...