December chitchat

[Virginia]

Hi everyone, I just received a message from Agate. Sorry I have been so busy I haven't had time to check my email before now. She is alright, but having trouble getting on Braintalk. She thinks it is due to an update on her Google Chrome. She tried with Edge and was still unable to get on. I hope she will soon get it figured out. I am sure she is very frustrated. I think her computer is kind of getting old which would complicate things. She didn't say that, but I just kind of remember it or think I do.

I have been busy with Instacart most all afternoon but did get an order delivered late today. Now I need to go in person to get the meats and fresh things I want. I still find it to be expensive, but very helpful. I think I got all the heavy stuff and kind of stocked up on some things.

I will let Agate know that I came on to tell everyone where she is.

[flatcap]

Interesting. BrainTalk wouldn't load for me most of the day today, either. (I tried Firefox and Google Chrome.) I thought the site was down.

[agate]

I'm finally back, and thank you, Virginia, for posting about my problem. I don't know what happened but I finally got here using Edge.

It's been a busy day, and I'll have to come back tomorrow. I hope that tomorrow won't have today's issues.

[agate]

Chrome may be having problems with its new version. Today I received an e-mail from my DIL's mother who sometimes sends photos of the grandson's visits with them, and this e-mail was like others except that under the photos was a message telling me that Gmail's virus scanning system wasn't working just now and I would be taking a risk clicking on the photos. So I didn't click on them though luckily I can still see them, just smaller than I'd like.

I was trying to get here with the iPad and couldn't log in. BrainTalk sent me a very odd e-mail when I clicked on "Forgot password?" The e-mail makes no sense and won't work to facilitate a login. I've had this happen before. It's too bad when people can't log in here. I think I had the right password anyway in this case.

OK, I'll stop whining.

Yesterday was almost too much for me. I should know better than to schedule two unusual happenings in one day. In the morning I went to the podiatrist, and that was really not so difficult as the transportation went well. Then I came home, had lunch and rested up. In the evening my nephew and his wife came as they were visiting a cousin here in town. They live about 2 hours away, and so it was no easy trip for them. They are in their late 60's and I wanted to make things relaxing for them. They came bearing so much food that it was like a regular dinner. I thought they were just going to bring a salad, maybe.

So we had plates and placemats and cutlery to deal with, and containers to put things in. It got to be quite a meal, and we had a great time as they are very nice people. It was so kind of them to come, and they left after about 2 hours--so all of this day should have been doable for me but I'm still taking it easy today as it will take time to recover from all of the added activity yesterday.

There is someone new in Child Neurology, about which I know next to nothing, but I'm going to try to give that person something like a reply.

[Virginia]

Glad your nephew and wife got to come Agate. Sounds as though you had a good time. One appointment a day is all I can handle. I am planning on trying to get out tomorrow and I really do dread it. Traffic is heavier than normal. It gets this way about Christmas time every year. I hate to be in it, but except for a hair appointment next week this will be my last day to go out before Christmas.

Yesterday and today have busy here at home. I finally got Christmas cards mailed and I can't mail anymore because I ran out of stamps and there isn't enough time to order and get them in from the P.O.

[agate]

Virginia, I agree that one appointment in a day is plenty. I've even reached the point where I try not to schedule more than one appointment in any one week, and certainly no appointments two days in a row. Come to think of it, it's great to be so old and so retired that I can get away with doing that, usually, and not have to dance to someone else's tune very often.

It was nice to see the nephew and his wife, and I've been introduced to a new fruit because they brought some of rambutan, a very unusual-looking Japanese fruit, but I had my first one today, and it was really delicious. She also brought some Japanese persimmons but I haven't got into them yet.

This is a rambutan in case people here haven't seen one. The ones she brought are a much darker red. You peel off the outer layer and get what looks like a small egg. They taste a little like a grape but not exactly.

[Virginia]

A rambutan sounds very interesting. I am glad they brought you something unusual. Now you know what it is. I had never heard of it.

I also like to not have more than one appointment in a week. I went out today and did a just a couple of things. I went to the grocery store and did two short other things and I am just done in. I was only out a couple of hours. I too say thank goodness I am old enough that I can do it. I couldn't make it anymore.


The above was typed last night on my ipad. I couldn't get it to go through. It kept saying I had to post at least one photo. I'll see what happens today on my computer.

[agate]

As we age, we slow down, and apparently that's just the way it is for most of us. Sad but true. But, Virginia, a lot of tasks are still possible if they're done differently--broken up over several days or several times of day, or with some shortcuts.


I take shortcuts sometimes even when they're pricier. I figure a little extra money spent on some convenience is a lot cheaper than what it would cost to maintain me in a "facility" because I'd fallen once too often.

I used to make most of my own ribbon bows when wrapping presents, for instance. More and more I'm using the stick-on, ready-made bows. They're costly but so much easier. My hands just are too slow when it comes to dealing with bits of ribbon.

I can't think why you got told you'd need to post at least one photo on the iPad unless you were trying to post a photo, maybe accidentally.

Here is a photo of a rambutan but the ones I have are a much darker red, almost purple. Inside the white part is a hard stone but it's small. Eating the white part is like eating a super-jumbo grape:

[Virginia]

Well, it took the above post, so I will see what happens to todays.

Flatcap, I couldn't wear the shoes I ordered. I hope I will not be too late to send them back. The top of the shoe came up so high on the foot that I couldn't even get my foot in it. I had ordered a half size larger than I wear because I could see that it came up high and I have a high arch. I was hoping the larger size along with the softness of the shoe would take care of it. I haven't felt like going into their website yet to see what the return policy is.

I went to the grocery store yesterday and got a few items that I didn't order, such as a couple of different kinds of meats that I froze and a little fruit.

Much to my surprise, today I came on my computer and opened my email and saw that I had received groceries from Lowe's Foods through Instacart. I had ordered through Instacart earlier in the week but from Publix.

So, below is a listing of the receipts I got and also the different charges that were made to my credit card.

$187.64 12-13 I have receipt

$187.94 12-13 charged to my credit card
$(10.00) 12-13 credited for overcharge of fees.

At that point I thought things were fine until the order this morning which I did not place. Glad I came on my computer or I would not have known 4 items were sitting on my porch.

$27.37 12-16 receipt - which I received by email

$329.00 12-16 charged to my credit card
$(329.00) 12-16 credited to my credit card
$51.00 12-16 charged to my credit card
$(51.00) 12-16 credited to my credit card

$32.00 12-16 charged to my credit card
$44.61 12-16 charged to my credit card

So, unless they credit me some more money - instead of the $27.37 receipt that I received this morning by email they charged me a total of $76.61. The receipt showed two items, which I use, a package of Tate's cookies and a box of Skinny Girl Popcorn. In addition, I got a big jug of laundry detergent, a large spray bottle of Lysol and a container of Bar Keepers Friend. I also use these items but had more than enough already. I guess I am stocked up on cleaning and washing supplies for a while.

This is one reason I don't like ordering. It is so confusing. Imagine ordering from one store earlier in the week and then receiving an order from another store today, and no receipt to document the $32.00 and the $44.61. I didn't mind the $329.00 and $51.00 charges because they were corrected, but I do mind getting an order I had not placed today with a receipt for a small amount and then find that there are two charges for larger amounts.

They can get away with it this time because I do eventually use all the items I received today, and though I didn't need a single one of them I will use them. However, I wonder what the real charge should have been.

Okay! that's my rant for today and the only one I am allowed.


My deceased Nephew's daughter's wedding was to be today at 4PM in Key West, Fl. I just hope all went well. The weather in Florida is not good and all our nerves are shot here because her sister and mother are to start driving home tomorrow. Everyone else was flying. These two were driving so they could carry the wedding dress and some other things in the car. We will worry until we know they are safely home. She was to leave a vacant chair for her Dad. How he would have wanted to be there!

[agate]

Virginia, when I order through Instacart I always order from just one store and always the same store. I wouldn't want to try branching out and using any of the other stores that are available on Instacart--it's too complicated for my feeble brain.

As for not getting a receipt, apparently many stores just don't include a receipt and expect you to use your online receipt, which they usually send by e-mail. I don't usually print those receipts but it is possible if you need a paper receipt. I'm not that adept with this printer, but many people who are more adept just whip off the receipts on their printers, or at least I've watched this happen.

Many merchants have a way of chatting with someone about an issue, even a billing issue.I've found that very useful so long as the person on the chat with me is knowledgeable, LOL.

[agate]

Another shortcut I like these days: Instead of wrapping a package in gift wrap, taping it in place, and adding a bow or ribbon and little card, there's this new custom of using gift bags.

It may not be very new but I'm just now starting to use it more often than before. You have an assortment of gift bags of different sizes and colors, you pick one, put the gift in it, and add a bunch of tissue paper on top. So much easier than doing the wrapping.

Virginia, if they haven't sent you a receipt by e-mail for the credit card charges, you can surely go to your account at the merchant's Website and look up the invoice for an order? I often do that and thought that most stores make that possible, at least for fairly recent orders. Orders over a year old don't show up sometimes though.

[Virginia]

The two orders today came from Lowe's Foods. It was through Instacart. I. don't have an account at Lowe's Foods. It was weird. When I went online and saw the charges on my credit card all I could see was a row of Instacart charges. I thought what the neck is going on. Actually I still don't know what is going on. The only order I placed lately was Wednesday and I placed it at Publix using Instacart. Strange!

My youngest brother called me tonight. He had been texting with the Mother of the Bride-to-be down in Florida. They are not having a good trip. It has been torrential rains the past two days.they had planned on getting married outside, but in case it rained they had a place to go inside. It was so bad they couldn't have it either place and are now planning on having it tomorrow. However that may not be possible because the bride to be and the groom to be both have COVID. Eric didn't know how long they have had it, but we talked and decided that none of them should come to our Christmas party next Sunday. Even if the bride and groom are alright, the mother of the bride and the sister of the bride have been around them. We are not comfortable with them being around me and others who will be there. The wedding may not take place because of the Minister tomorrow.

They have family from Illinois, and Ohio in Florida for this plus his Mother, Father and brother, her Mother and sister and I am not sure how many friends. I don't care for destination weddings, but this one didn't bother me because I am not involved in it. I did. hate it for my middle brother who is the Grandad but was unable to be there

[agate]

Virginia, is there a rent-a-tent service somehow? I've heard of weddings being held under a tent if it's an outdoor wedding that is getting rained on. Not so nice if a strong wind is blowing or it's cold though. I think you're very wise not to have the Christmas party
if there is COVID. For some people COVID seems to be no big deal but others are vulnerable and can get dangerously ill with it.

You mention getting a lot of Instacart charges on your card, that sounds unusual unless there were some issues that had to be resolved, like a disputed charge or a credit issued for some reason. Usually Instacart charges my card before the order is delivered and for a much larger amount than the order adds up to but it's just a provisional charge. As soon as the order is delivered, I get an e-mail with the receipt showing the actual charge and the item-by-item listing of everything I bought. In a few days the original provisional charge disappears from my card and the real charge turns up. Sometimes the tip shows up as a separate charge, or at least that's been happening lately, but that is the only extra charge I would see on the card account unless there was some issue. Maybe the place you ordered from goofed up in the billing somehow?

[Virginia]

I am feeling better about my instacart charges. They made the two $329.00 charges and the two $51.00 charges go away. Now if they correct the $44.61 and the $32.00 charges all is well.

Today at 1:00PM my Nephew's daughter was married on the beach at Key West. I watched on live stream. The wind was blowing hard, but they made it happen. Everyone wore tennis shoes on the beach. I couldn't see Sarah's because her dress hid her shoes, but since everyone I could see had them on I am sure she did. She had 3 attendants and they were wearing long dresses. Her Mother walked her down to where the wedding was performed. When they walked back (I assume going to the reception) she turned around and holding her new husband's hand she gave a shout out to all of us here in Raleigh and said "We will see you soon". She doesn't yet know that they are all being banned from our Christmas party next weekend, due to COVID.

Today has been a very ugly day here. It has poured rain all day and the wind has been blowing this afternoon. My power went out one time, but gratefully it was not out long. I think the rain is due to go on about all night. It was raining when I got up at 9 this morning. It is almost 8:30, so we have had a day of rain. This is what Florida had yesterday.

Hope you all are having a nice weekend.

[agate]

Instacart has always straightened out the charges for me, Virginia, even though for up to a week or so they might be looking wrong. They do get around to fixing the problems.

How nice that you were able to see the wedding!

I've been hearing about your weather there, and it sounds bad. I'm glad you had only a mini-power-outage or whatever it was. No power outage would have been better, of course.

My son has been sick and I hope he doesn't have COVID but I'm afraid he might. He hasn't even tested for it, and he hasn't had a vaccine booster in ages. People are getting really careless about COVID these days, and I'm glad to find out that you're being careful, Virginia.