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Changes to your vehicle policy need your review
Right now, Walmart points turn into a 1OO card
Hey, I saw your question about the garden planter boxes earlier. I meant to send this earlier but kept getting pulled into meetings. The short answer is yes, cedar holds up much better than pine if you can spare the extra bit. I made a couple last spring and they still look great. I used a simple pocket jig and exterior screws, nothing fancy. If you want the cut list I can draw it up after dinner tonight. Also, that tomato blight we were worried about seems to have skipped my raised beds entirely, so maybe the airflow from the wider spacing helped. I did move the basil closer to the peppers this year and they both seem happier. The trick is keeping the soil from compacting too much around the roots. Anyway, send me a quick note back with the dimensions you are thinking about and I will match the plan to that. No rush on my end. Enjoy the rest of your afternoon and good luck with the weeding if you get out there.
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So you asked about the trail near the old quarry and whether it is still passable after all that rain last week. I went out on Sunday and honestly it is in better shape than I expected. There is one low spot about a mile in where the gravel has washed out, but you can get around it on the left side without too much trouble. The beech grove near the second switchback is fully leafed out now, which makes the climb feel cooler than it did last month. I did spot a couple of deer near the creek crossing, so keep an eye out if you go at dusk. I would not recommend taking the ridge detour right now because one of the old wooden steps is starting to rot and it moves underfoot. Stick to the main path and you will be fine. Bring more water than you think you need. The upper stretch gets a lot of direct sun this time of year and there is no real shade until you reach the northside overlook. Anyway, that is my latest boots-on-the-ground report. Hit me back with your timing and maybe we can link up.
Your Kroger points are expiring, convert today
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I remember when we used to take long walks after dinner and just talk about everything and nothing at the same time. Those were good moments. Lately I've been trying to get back into reading more fiction, and I picked up a couple of new novels from the library downtown. One of them has a really interesting structure where the chapters alternate between two different decades, and I'm genuinely invested in both timelines, which is rare for me. Usually I prefer one storyline over the other, but this author managed to keep them equally compelling.
I also tried baking bread for the first time in years over the weekend. The first loaf came out a little dense, but the second one was much better. I think the trick was letting the dough rest longer before shaping it. There's something satisfying about the whole process, even when it doesn't go perfectly. The kitchen smelled amazing for hours afterward.
Speaking of things that take time, I finally finished organizing that bookshelf that's been cluttering up the hallway for weeks. It feels good to have that cleared out. Now I'm eyeing the storage closet, but I think I'll save that project for another day. One thing at a time, right?
Let me know how your week is shaping up and if you want to meet up for a walk or grab coffee sometime. I'm keeping my schedule pretty open these days, so any afternoon works for me. Talk soon.
I also tried baking bread for the first time in years over the weekend. The first loaf came out a little dense, but the second one was much better. I think the trick was letting the dough rest longer before shaping it. There's something satisfying about the whole process, even when it doesn't go perfectly. The kitchen smelled amazing for hours afterward.
Speaking of things that take time, I finally finished organizing that bookshelf that's been cluttering up the hallway for weeks. It feels good to have that cleared out. Now I'm eyeing the storage closet, but I think I'll save that project for another day. One thing at a time, right?
Let me know how your week is shaping up and if you want to meet up for a walk or grab coffee sometime. I'm keeping my schedule pretty open these days, so any afternoon works for me. Talk soon.
AARP membership: view recent adjustments
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Expired membership alert for your C0STC0 account
I finally got around to cleaning out the garage last weekend and I have to say it was way overdue. There were a few boxes from when we moved in that I had not even opened yet which is kind of ridiculous when you think about it. I ended up finding my old camera bag with a lens I thought I had lost a couple years ago so that was a nice surprise. The rest of it was mostly old cables and random hardware that I just boxed up for donation.
After that we decided to grab a late lunch at that little sandwich place on the corner and the weather was actually decent for once so we sat outside. I ordered the turkey club and honestly it might be my new go to there. The bread was toasted just right and they did not skimp on the bacon at all. My friend got the soup and half sandwich combo and said the tomato soup tasted way better than she remembered.
The rest of the afternoon was pretty low key. We walked around the park for a bit and then headed home to watch a movie. I think we picked some random comedy that neither of us had seen and it was fine but nothing special. I did notice the tree in the front yard is starting to drop leaves already which feels way too early for this time of year. Hopefully that is not a sign of an early fall because I am not ready for that yet. Anyway that was pretty much the whole weekend.
After that we decided to grab a late lunch at that little sandwich place on the corner and the weather was actually decent for once so we sat outside. I ordered the turkey club and honestly it might be my new go to there. The bread was toasted just right and they did not skimp on the bacon at all. My friend got the soup and half sandwich combo and said the tomato soup tasted way better than she remembered.
The rest of the afternoon was pretty low key. We walked around the park for a bit and then headed home to watch a movie. I think we picked some random comedy that neither of us had seen and it was fine but nothing special. I did notice the tree in the front yard is starting to drop leaves already which feels way too early for this time of year. Hopefully that is not a sign of an early fall because I am not ready for that yet. Anyway that was pretty much the whole weekend.
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So I tried that new recipe for baked pasta the other night and it turned out surprisingly well for a first attempt. I did not have all the exact ingredients so I swapped in a couple things I had on hand and it still worked out fine. The sauce was a little thinner than I wanted but the flavor was solid. I think next time I will let it simmer a bit longer and maybe add a touch more garlic because you can never really go wrong with that.
The other thing I did was finally update the software on my phone because I had been putting that off for weeks. It took forever to download and then the phone restarted like three times which made me a little nervous honestly. Everything seems fine now though and the new layout is going to take some getting used to. I noticed the battery actually feels like it drains a tiny bit slower which is a nice bonus.
Over the weekend we also stopped by the bookstore downtown just to browse and I ended up picking up a paperback I had been meaning to read for a while. The cover caught my eye and the first page drew me in so I figured why not. I do not know when I will actually get around to it because my nightstand already has a small stack going. One of these days I am going to commit to reading every evening instead of scrolling on my phone for an hour.
The other thing I did was finally update the software on my phone because I had been putting that off for weeks. It took forever to download and then the phone restarted like three times which made me a little nervous honestly. Everything seems fine now though and the new layout is going to take some getting used to. I noticed the battery actually feels like it drains a tiny bit slower which is a nice bonus.
Over the weekend we also stopped by the bookstore downtown just to browse and I ended up picking up a paperback I had been meaning to read for a while. The cover caught my eye and the first page drew me in so I figured why not. I do not know when I will actually get around to it because my nightstand already has a small stack going. One of these days I am going to commit to reading every evening instead of scrolling on my phone for an hour.
Use your expiring Kroger points before they vanish
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So I was just trying to remember what time the library closes on Sundays. I think it used to be five but now they changed it to four after the daylight savings thing. We went there last month and it was completely empty, which was kind of nice actually. You get the whole reading room to yourself. I ended up checking out two cookbooks and a random novel that someone recommended online. The cookbooks had some really simple pasta ideas that I actually tried. One of them came out surprisingly well. We should do a dinner thing at my place sometime, I can make that mushroom dish. Let me know if you have any dietary stuff I should be aware of. I know you mentioned you were trying to eat less red meat. That is totally fine. We can keep it vegetarian. There is a farmers market on Saturday mornings near the old theater, maybe we can swing by there first. Just an idea.
Convert expiring Kroger points today, thanks
Hey, so I was thinking about how we keep saying we want to get outside more once the weather shifts a little. The other afternoon I walked down by the old trail near the field and noticed someone put fresh gravel along that stretch, which makes it so much easier to push a stroller or ride a bike without worrying about soft mud. I think it was the same place our friends mentioned after they went wandering last month. Anyway, I might head back that way on Saturday morning if you want to join.
The trail loops around behind the community garden and then opens up by those big oak trees, so it is a nice easy route.
I remember walking there years ago and the path just stopped at the fence, but now it connects all the way through to the park. If we go early enough it stays quiet and the light comes through the branches in a way that makes everything look softer. I can bring a thermos of coffee and some of those little snack bars I made.
Nothing fancy, just something to keep us going. Let me know if Saturday works or if Sunday would be better.
I figure we can park near the gravel lot and walk the whole loop once and then decide if we want to go farther. Should be a good way to spend an hour or two without making it a big production.
Hope your week settled down a bit. Talk soon.
The trail loops around behind the community garden and then opens up by those big oak trees, so it is a nice easy route.
I remember walking there years ago and the path just stopped at the fence, but now it connects all the way through to the park. If we go early enough it stays quiet and the light comes through the branches in a way that makes everything look softer. I can bring a thermos of coffee and some of those little snack bars I made.
Nothing fancy, just something to keep us going. Let me know if Saturday works or if Sunday would be better.
I figure we can park near the gravel lot and walk the whole loop once and then decide if we want to go farther. Should be a good way to spend an hour or two without making it a big production.
Hope your week settled down a bit. Talk soon.
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So I ended up cleaning out the pantry the other day, which felt oddly satisfying. It was one of those little jobs I kept putting off because it never seemed urgent.
But once I started pulling everything out, I found a few containers I forgot we even had. Nothing exciting, just some dried beans and an extra bag of rice.
It made me realize how often we buy duplicates of things without meaning to. Like yes, we absolutely needed another jar of cinnamon apparently.
I kept the good jars and wiped down the shelves, and now when I open that cabinet it feels less chaotic.
I also rearranged some of the cookbooks by height, which sounds ridiculous but honestly makes the whole corner of the kitchen feel calmer.
Maybe I will tackle the hallway closet next.
I keep telling myself I will go through the coats and donate a couple that never leave the hanger.
It never takes as long as I think once I actually start, but getting started is the hardest part for some reason.
Anyway, that was my Tuesday. Riveting, I know.
I guess sometimes the most ordinary tasks end up being the ones that shift how things feel around the house.
Let me know how your week is going when you get a minute. No rush.
Also I found that one measuring cup I thought I lost, tucked behind the blender.
Small wins. Talk later.
But once I started pulling everything out, I found a few containers I forgot we even had. Nothing exciting, just some dried beans and an extra bag of rice.
It made me realize how often we buy duplicates of things without meaning to. Like yes, we absolutely needed another jar of cinnamon apparently.
I kept the good jars and wiped down the shelves, and now when I open that cabinet it feels less chaotic.
I also rearranged some of the cookbooks by height, which sounds ridiculous but honestly makes the whole corner of the kitchen feel calmer.
Maybe I will tackle the hallway closet next.
I keep telling myself I will go through the coats and donate a couple that never leave the hanger.
It never takes as long as I think once I actually start, but getting started is the hardest part for some reason.
Anyway, that was my Tuesday. Riveting, I know.
I guess sometimes the most ordinary tasks end up being the ones that shift how things feel around the house.
Let me know how your week is going when you get a minute. No rush.
Also I found that one measuring cup I thought I lost, tucked behind the blender.
Small wins. Talk later.
Right now Walmart points are changing into a 1OO card
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Grab Your Courtesy Road Kit, AAA Drivers
AAA
Community Partnership Program
Your AAA Courtesy Roadside Kit is Ready.
As a licensed driver residing in a participating municipality, you are eligible to receive a comprehensive Courtesy Roadside Kit. This kit is provided at no charge to eligible residents through the local community partnership program.
What's Inside Your Courtesy Roadside Kit
Every prepared driver deserves the right tools when the unexpected happens. This kit brings together the essentials you need to handle common roadside situations with confidence. Here is what you will find inside:
Booster cables for jump-starting a drained battery, a durable flashlight with batteries, a reflective warning triangle for visibility, a tire pressure gauge to check inflation, and a multi-tool with pliers and screwdrivers. The kit also includes emergency gloves, a compact first aid supplies pouch, a blanket for cold-weather waits, duct tape for quick fixes, zip ties for securing loose parts, roadside assistance contact card, and a waterproof document holder for your registration and insurance details.
Why This Matters
Roadside emergencies rarely give advance notice. A dead battery at night, a flat tire in the rain, a mechanical issue on a quiet road - having the right equipment changes the experience from stressful to manageable. This kit is designed to sit in your trunk and be ready when you need it most.
Program Allocation Details
The program allocates a specific number of kits for your area. To ensure you receive yours, please confirm your details promptly. Keeping your information current helps match available inventory with eligible recipients in your municipality.
Confirm your eligibility details today so your kit can be matched from the current area allocation.
AAA - Community Partnership Program
Membership and service details remain subject to program terms and local participation.
Today, points from Walmart turn into a 1OO card
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Your AARP membership now shows 2026, account attention needed
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The meeting is on Thursday of next week. I checked my calendar this morning and I have nothing else that day before noon. I will drive over after breakfast, so I should get there by 9:30. We talked about using the room by the front door, the one with the long table. I need to bring my folder with the last two reports. After the meeting I am going to stop at the hardware store on the way home.
