u/Camille_Toh

I thought the rear and middle doors were for exiting since it says “”EXIT DOOR” on them. And that the front door by the driver is for entering. Though I realize sometimes it’s ok to get on vis the other doors. What say you?

I only started the application process and hadn't finished it. I applied for my dad's USMC papers and was waiting for them. The NFCU system nudged me once to finish the application.

And then this appeared in my email tonight.

FWIW I have top-tier credit over 800.

Very odd.

I am sitting in a neighborhood where I sat previously. The word got out that I am reliable etc. and I've been asked to sit for so and so and can stay with so and so during any breaks etc.

All very flattering. However, I have other plans which likely do not involve being in this particular area and not being tied down to caring for others' pets and homes.

A neighbor who is on THS asked me to sit, and I told them I really don't know my plans for then but it's unlikely. No worries, they said, we usually get lots of applications but it sure has been quiet. This IS a nice sit, favorably reviewed. They've contacted me again, hoping I will do it after all, putting pressure on...

Thing is, I'm not as desperate for housing as they may assume. I'm also a bit irked overall that this "community" has ignored me all summer, after promises to go kayaking, invite me to summer drinks, etc. Now it's all "but what can you do for us?"

I don't know. I guess I'm just venting. For context, they're all in the older boomer cohort. I'm GenX, which may as well be Gen Z as far as the older Boomer cohort is concerned (in my experience, at least if you're on your own/solo).

(US-relevant) I was laid off a few years before my planned retirement, late 50s. I didn't have enough to retire (better than many people, but worrying for me, depending on how long I live). I've been cutting expenses and looking for work and doing my best to manage my investments etc.

My granddad's widow died earlier this year. When she was in decline about a year before, she had called me to get my updated address. That was my only clue she might leave me something. But I had moved since then, and though I had my forwarding orders intact with USPS, my local distribution/mail center stinks.

Anyway. I didn't hear anything and figured that was that. Until yesterday. It turns out that my estranged sibling had been contacted by the relevant estate attorneys months ago, to find contact details for me (email, phone). The paralegal told me this.

So now I'm about to receive a tidy sum (not like a few recent posters here, but a nice boost).
Aside from the usual advice to find an attorney, tax accountant, and fee-based fiduciary CFP, what else should I consider? Opinions on the s--head estranged sibling welcome.

1. I call this one Child Abuse at the Beach. One of my earliest and clearest memories! I was around 3.5 I think--coming out of toddlerhood and not school-aged. Could hav even been 2.5. We were "down the shore" and I was running around as little kids do. I guess I kicked a bit of sand on my mother (who was probably hungover) and she flipped out. She chased me, screaming, angry AF. Caught me near the water's edge, pulled down my bathing suit bottoms, and spanked me repeatedly. I remember thinking I was so close to getting away (into the ocean) but couldn't swim. And I also recall the kind, sympathetic (to me) faces of several adults nearby. So, I knew it wasn't right and that others didn't either.

I brought up this incident to her...oh about 5-8 years ago. She turned red-faced... oh yeah, she remembered. "Oh, you were being OBNOXIOUS."

I started watching Netflix’s Bombing of Pan Am 103. Didn’t even look up and know I heard that actress’s voice.

Some major events must be happening. What is the deal?

Hi everyone. I see lots of complaints here so just want to plan ahead for possibility of canceled flights etc.

I have been to Iceland--spent one week based in Reyk 8 years ago.

My ultimate destination is Bordeaux to see The Cure on a Friday. I'm flying from BWI on the previous Sunday, with a 1.5 day stopover in Iceland. Flight to Paris is just after midnight on Wednesday. So I think I have incorporated some travel fuckery time.

Arrival into KEF at 6 a.m. When I was in Iceland before, and did a walking/eating tour, the people on layovers from the US and Canada were completely out of it. That, plus the possibility of a canceled or delayed flight, I think it's not wise to book a day tour for that Monday.

I did not go to the Blue Lagoon on that last trip. Locals said it's overpriced and to go to a community pool, which I did. Do you think it is worthwhile though? Or Sky Lagoon?

Might try to see a show at the Harpa. Bjork is not on the schedule though.

TBH I would have scheduled a two-night stopover, but I know how expensive Iceland is. Some day I'd like to circle the island.

From about 4 a.m. and lasted an hour or more. Was terrifying where I am. Anyone else?

I have auto, renters', and personal property insurance with USAA and a credit card.

I just updated my mailing address. It would only do so for the credit card. I tried calling USAA to change the address for insurance, and it transferred me to Charles Schwab. WTH?

In addition, it comes up that my "family member" needs to update her address separately. I don't want this person associated with my accounts at all. How do I disconnect that person from any USAA association with me?

Any feedback about CL King? I see they appear very cheap and then add shipping and "processing" which you don't see until checkout. Any others? Service-wise, I've probably had the most luck with Warby P and 1-800.

Edit: It's a Carnival (parent company) data breach. So though HAL did not have my information, Cunard did.

I received an email from a PCC for HAL. Then got an unsolicited call. I never give out my phone number. Where are they getting this from?

Hi. I signed up months ago but had only received a few questionable requests. Now I have what looks like a viable one for kitty drop ins. The pet parent is not new -- there are a few reviews but not recent ones.

I went to schedule a meet and greet and the system won't let me proceed without an address. WTH. He's not coming here (it's not boarding). Should I suggest he set it up? CAN a pet parent set up a meet and greet?

Other questions--there's a Venmo pic as one of the sit photos, which seems weird. The name on it does not match the guy's name on the app. Is it strange to have a Venmo QR code on a listing? I'm used to trusted house sitters' profiles which are very detailed and include lots of photos.

The cat needs shots for diabetes. I have not done that before. Should that typically be an additional cost?

t

The heat seems to be getting to people.

What are your favorite condiments and basics? Which ones do you prefer to bring yourself to a sit (if practical)?

I'm on a long house-only sit. The HO has graciously offered me use of everything I need. I drove here, so I've brought my box o'spices, salt and pepper grinders, and extra virgin olive oil. It's also easier at the end of a sit to know I haven't touched XYZ and need to replace with a whole new bottle when I've been using someone's old, rancid oil (for example).

Looks like it's gone already, a movie I wanted to see that had good reviews. I think it had a supernatural bent to it? Not a big big release--a bit art house but not fully. A few well-known actors. I know, not much to go on.

Non-neutered dogs--do you accept? I was surprised to get a request just now to watch an intact dog. I didn't think people still did this (leave a dog intact--we're talking a golden retriever in a cozy home, not a hunting dog).

Anyway, this request leads me to other questions for you all -- is it possible to set a different service radius for longer-term housesits than drop ins or an overnight? Thanks.

Anyone have a dependable weather forecast source for this area? The one on my phone insists this is “light rain” when it’s torrential. It’s often wrong for this area.

Trying to decide if kayaking / SUP is safe for this evening.

Hi all! Second owner (private) of this very low-mileage car. It's been great over the 5 years I've had it. As 80K is sneaking up, I have been going through the maintenance records to see what I need to get done, possibly to sell if I move this year.

The car had 44K on it in July 2021 when I bought it. They maintained it well and based on the records, the battery was replaced at 40K, one brake pad (faulty?) was replaced at 30K. Perhaps surprisingly, I have not had to replace brake pads or rotors. I am quite a "gentle" driver--15K miles ago, they were 8B and 7B. Still, I'm wondering if the rotors should be replaced and will have a shop check for that. In your experience, does it make sense that they need to be replaced even if the pads are OK?

Looks like Transmission Fluid Flush is something I need to consider soon for this car.

I've had spark plugs replaced (twice in 12 months, unfortunately, as I got hoodwinked by a local chain). Due for another brake fluid flush.

Replaced all four tires two years ago. Did alignment right after. I'm guessing that's needed soon. (I get the tires rotated and balanced per schedule.)

Need to check again when I last replaced engine air filter, cabin air filter...

Any big work that stands out as needed/necessary?

This morning (Sunday) at 9 a.m. a young woman called me over and said she needed a ride to a homeless shelter. She had a ton of luggage. My car is full of my own stuff since I am moving today to temporary shelter myself. I’m now an hour away and feel terrible I didn’t / couldn’t help her. I don’t want to state where she was as that might put her in danger. Are there homeless outreach folks I might contact? Thanks.