Work Whines Trump All Today

This morning, my family is healthy if geographically distributed, and instead of my planned whine about the three illnesses in eight days that visited poor Snuggly Girl, and my nasty allergy attack (now subsided), and the husband who is out of town for two months, all I can do is whine about work. There's a lot! For several different "bosses"! And this morning, something that needed doing turned out to be urgent, and my password for the special site won't work.

It worked last week on a colleague's computer when his password wouldn't. We didn't figure out why his was failing, but mine worked and we got started. Now I need to download the stuff to a different computer and nothing, nada, no way to get in. I left a message for the client and I'm hoping she calls back before a different meeting I need to be in in 25 minutes, for a different project which has been neglected and is now urgent.

I try to maintain a healthy work-life balance, but this month both ends of the rope are pulling hard. I guess that keeps the balance steady, come to think of it. Hunh.

Share your whines and make mine seem insignificant! Or less funny! Or remind me that at least I don't have a pet that barks and pooks.

No Frills Awards

Yep, still tired and busy, so the awards are as spiffy as the whining was.

Old Skool Whining Award to JenR, for the moving story of too many lights that are inexplicably off and on and off and on, when there is a perfectly good programmable timer right there.

Elevated Risk of Mullett Award to Liz, for the soon-to-become a classic, "engorged with snot." Unfortunately, we know just what you mean. Especially emily, who has the student teacher cold and Sue, with the snotty bride and groom to-be.

Style Award to Madeleine, for the talented hidden whine that involved--ew--lice. In her own daughter's hair. Lice always, always get an award from me. Ew.

Someday She'll be a Grownup Award to kathy a., for her daughter's growing pains involving apartments (aka rooms that aren't actually, you know, apartments), roommates, and middle-of-the-night phone calls that do not involve a dead body.

Introverts and Church Meetings Don't Mix Award to Sue, for the preparation, packing, travel, "socializing" and endurance of said meetings. Also, many hugs and sympathy to Sue's in-laws, who grieve the loss of the 80 year old in Hurricane Igor.

Congratulations, Your Doctor is Being a Doctor Award to Sarah at Ratatat, for eliciting a kind and helpful response from the doctor. Good thoughts for your daughter's medication calibration, too.

And more hugs and a nice, shiny Open Airways Award to amy and Tater, who had to take the drastic step of getting hospitalized just to get a good diagnosis and good medication.

Thanks for playing, and come back next week (except for you, A. Nonnie, are we bidding you farewell?)

No Frills Whining

Pixies, I am too tired to do anything in the least creative this week.

Baboos who tag-team waking up in the wee hours, mamas who stay up too late doing nothing on teh Internets, daddies who have meetings during go-to-bed time, serious appointments with the school district, preacher's-wifey things, etc.

In antiwhines, the Sweet Baboo *loves* preschool, and Mini Baboo is crawling. I think that last one is an antiwhine.

What's happening in your world?

Awards: the Pre-Launch Edition

This week's ceremony is brought to you by the letter P, for Procrastination. In theory, daughter and dad will set out on the long drive to school. Daughter is currently asleep. Her clothing might be packed, but books and miscellaneous, not much. The entire floor of her room is still covered with stuff. She has no idea what she did with the contract for her apartment. Yay, us.

The coveted Elevated Risk of Mullet Award goes to Miranda, for her daughter's priceless rant on the hopelessness of everything:

"It doesn't matter what I do because I can't handle a simple little project with paper and crayons and gluing pictures so I am going to get straight F's and grow up and work at McDonalds and have a cat and live alone in a one room apartment. A one room apartment! Do you hear this?"

Old Skool Award, Fashion Division goes to Liz, for the combination of untended pits and sleeveless clothing.

Old Skool Award, Gourmet Division goes to Esperanza, who cooked too much oatmeal, and leftover oatmeal is yucky.

Old Skool Award, Interior Design Division goes to JenR, who longs for a clean house but will settle for less messy, and would hire someone except she would have to clean for the cleaner.

On the Road Again Award to Madeleine, with a Whoops! Laurel for the forgotten items.

Jumping Through the Hoops Award to Amy, who has finally rustled up enough letters of recommendation despite circumstances seriously limiting the pool of letter-writers. Go, Amy!

Nap Interrupted Award to Esperanza, whose Mini Baboo lost her nap mojo following the invasion of the relatives.

"My Name is Trouble" Award to Sue, for unbloggable unhappiness.

Slow Times Award to Sarah, who is trying to get up the motivation to go to work, but nothing is happening at work.

Best Antiwhine Award to Neighbor Lady, who still loves loves loves her job!

Condolences to everyone dealing with hormones, job stress, too much or too little to do, and frustrations of every kind. Thanks for playing!

Whine-tember Fest

Cranky! I'm so cranky!
I feel crabby and grouchy and blue...
Can't sleep at night,
Work's behind by a sight.
How 'bout you?

Daughter and her dad will begin the drive to her U on Thursday; I'll fly up Friday to help her get settled in the First Apartment, and supervise the hunting and gathering of household items. Tres exciting, no?! She has not started packing, or even started the mountain o' laundry. She has not finished unpacking from last year, and does not know where items she needs are located, unless you count the stuff covering her entire bedroom floor. Oh, well.

I'm particularly crabby because her visit from Auntie Flo resulted in some award-worthy PMS; and in other hormonal news, my hot-flash-o-meter has been stuck on the "broil" setting, accounting for the sleeplessness.

AW: Daughter and I had a great time at a big, fun annual street fair yesterday!

AW: Son and his lovely girlfriend came by yesterday, unexpectedly stayed for dinner; we rustled up approximately 3 times what we had planned for dinner, every bite was eaten. And he finally picked up the quilt I made for his neighbor, who just started chemo.

Passing tiny, tasty quiches. What's the news for you?

Awards - Take Me Out To The Ballgame Edition

Take me out to the ball game
I had a very delightful time at the ballpark with Younger Son and Teen Daughter. They even allowed me to snap a picture of them together on the ballfield. I don't even like baseball but the whole night was perfect. I am feeling much less trepidation over their growing up.

Take me out with the crowds
Emily is getting ready to start her student teaching. Knock em dead!

Also, Emily, Amy, Liz and I humbly request an end to headaches and/or sustained lactation past the "still necessary" date.

Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks
The Pixie Food Patrol was in full force this week, sharing cake and quesadillas and tequila and PESTO!!!! (I miss pesto but Teen Daughter's food allergies don't allow for it) along with esparanza's abundant leftovers. Who needs popcorn and cracker jack?

I don't care if I ever get back
Emily, that seems to have been the theme for your food this week. Here's hoping it defies gravity this next week.

So let's root, root, root for the home team
This was a time of beginnings - from the psychological start of fall to the start of the High Holy Days. Esparanza, I am also thinking of you and the Wee Baboo's on the rain drenched roads. Hope your trip is very uneventful.

Sue, we are glad that you can be there for your friend in this time of sorrow for her.

If they don't win it's a shame
Thinking of Amy as she prepares for her interview, Madeleine who is involved in a very befuddling product launch, and kathy a reading her daughter for another year away at university. Sending vibes of patience (and some virtual valium) to help this pass.

For it's one, two, three strikes you're out at the old ball game.
The Cluestick Posse will be heading to the spouse of Amy's teammate who needs repeated assistance understanding the true reason for charity fundraising. Hint: the IRS has absolutely nothing to do with it!

We have the Cluestick Posse and the ready for you, Sue, to deal with a certain subset cantankerous parishioners who pass judgment on homilies unheard.

We share kathy a's relief that she dodged a loathsome toad in her youth and instead found her Prince Charming with whom she has happily built a beautiful family and life.

Sending lots of real $ud@fed to Liz so that her green goop goes away pronto!


Thanks for playing. Come back next week (or, because this is so late, tomorrow) when the admirable kathy a helms the brigadoon.

Whines of Times, They Are A Changin'

I spent 12 years of my life either pregnant, nursing, or changing a baby's diaper. Those were the 12 hardest years of my life and I never would want to go back to that very dark place where I had three small ones hanging off of me and sucking the life out of me.

So why am I so weepy thinking of how today is the last First Day of School for Teen Son? He is a senior and a most wonderful young man. All I can think of is how our relationship will never be the same after this.

Today was also my last Walk A Child to the First Day of School. Next year, Younger Son will be taking a bus to a different school. He barely let me walk him to the door even though he was secretly glad I took a day off of work to do so.

The seasons are changing here. The weather is colder at night. I am no longer a young mother. Other aspects of my life are undergoing changes and I feel disoriented. Yet, just as fall gives way to winter so that spring may return, these endings will also lead to new beginnings.

So how are things in your world? Is everyone settling into new routines? Bring your whines, big or small, pithy or witty, along a tasty snack or two for this week's Whiners Ball.

Awards: Passing the Chocolate

This week's ceremony is brought to you by the letters O, C, and D, proud sponsors of this week's featured pixie support group, Adult Children of Compulsive Silverware Arrangers. Honorary Co-Chairs of the group are Esperanza and Emily. The inspirational motto is, "We're just glad they haven't started in on the underwear drawers."

Neighbor Lady, Esperanza, and Sue join me in the Lost Check Club. I'm ever so grateful to not be the only one. Esperanza, hope the checkbook turns back up.

Back to School Awards to Neighbor Lady, Emily, and others similarly affected by the madness of the season.

The Fashion Don't Award goes to Emily, who presents Exhibit A, the jegging -- an unfortunate mutant cross between sausage casing and the denim look.

Style Award to Sue, for her back to work verses. We are particularly impressed with the prohibition on singing "Morning Has Broken" before full coffee effectiveness has been achieved.

Sue also wins the You Were Out of the Room When We Took the Vote Award, for discovering post-vacation that certain people have decided she should become Dynamic Woman, on account of that's easier than anyone else changing anything they do. This award comes with a super-hero cape, which you can wear while you ask exactly what they are trying to fix, and suggest alternatives that you are sure they will be happy to volunteer to do.

Best AntiWhine Award to Neighbor Lady: "antiwhine: love love love my new job! can't believe i get paid to do something i love so much." Congratulations!

Congratulations also to Sue, on the occasion of her 30th anniversary!

Liz was a contender for Old Skool with "HUNGRY. And I'm the cook." However, she won a much better prize, chicken and corn cooked by her beloved. Hope that headache goes away pronto.

Weary Road Warrior Award to Madeleine, for 3 work trips on 3 projects in 4 weeks.

Vacation, All I Ever Wanted Award to JenR, who has been drowning in the work, but has next week off! Go wild!

Thanks for playing! Join us next week, when the fabulous Miranda will host!