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Monday, February 17, 2014

It's a New Week of Whines!

The Illnesses, Variety Pack, seem to be in the process of exiting our household (Seriously, within the space of 15 minutes on Sunday, Sweet came up with 3 of the 6 symptoms of meningitis. Yes, I called the doctor, who talked me off the cliff--no fever means no meningitis.)

Enter, Back Pain because I slept on my tummy last night, accidentally.

On the bright side, Mr. E gave me a break this morning, the weather is improving, and we still have Valentines cookies and candy.

How's it going for you, pixies?

90 comments:

Miranda said...

I can't decide which is more annoying about shopping with both Young Adult and Tween Sons: When they bicker or when they band together. I haven't been that annoyed with my offspring while grocery shopping since they were all under 12.

AW: They both laughed (and then so did I) when I told them that at the last of the three stores at which we shopped this afternoon.

AW: I used my time off productively. I have a meal plan and I clipped coupons and I stocked up on staples at the warehouse store and I created a family g00gl3 spreadsheet for menus, shopping lists, meal suggestions, etc and I just need to organize the pantry (Teen Daughter had a bad night a few weeks ago and decided to throw everything on the floor. She put things back on shelves but it is not orderly. She will be helping once she gets home from babysitting her cousin.)

W: I can't understand the insecurity YAS has for TS. There are eight years between them which adds to my puzzlement.

Miranda said...

Hooray for exiting illnesses, Esperanza!

How did the conference go, kathy a?

Are you on winter break, Neighbor Lady?

Sue, thinking of you and your sweetie having to endure the medical procedures. xoxoxo

Klee, how was the show?

kathy a. said...

Esperanza, about time the germies and nasties packed up and hit the road. Not that they were ever welcome, but they've overstayed.

Miranda -- Kind of funny about the boys. And you're amazingly organized!

No answers about YAS; but one hypothesis might be that when people have things going on, sometimes they take out their insecurities on other persons. (Or, as they say, pook rolls downhill.)

kathy a. said...

AW: The conference was great! Saw so many old friends; good presentations; got some actual work done also. W: But 4 days of all this intensity is a little overwhelming!

AW: Conference is in a delightful seaside town with good food. AW: Nice dinner with my aunt, who lives there.

Miranda said...

Hmm..that is probably right but I wish YAS would grow up a bit. Another BusyBody Relative thought that he was close to being my least mature kid. That was a fun conversation (NOT) yesterday.

When I go to Mordor, I am always overwhelmed since I normally work at home even though I am based out of Mordor. Once in a while, I go to the local branch but I don't belong there, if you know what I mean?

esperanza said...

W: My little buddy Waylon with the neuroblastoma, arrived in Memphis yesterday for a 6-8 month haul at St. Jude's for a clinical trial. He and mom will stay there. Dad and twin sister at home. The marriage is already on shaky terms, so I can't imagine this will help. Makes "my kid has bronchitis" seem whiny indeed.

kathy a. said...

Miranda, the brain doesn't fully develop until 25. That alone accounts for a lot. It'll get better.

(p.s. -- I got to nicely advise my aunt to butt out with her opinion that I need to tell daughter a date by which she needs to move out. No, I do not; she can hardly wait to be solvent enough to move. Suggest the posse pay some attention to the busy-bodies.)

Oh, Esperanza. So hard for that whole family. Thinking of them and sending love. xoxo

esperanza said...

Attention, Cluestick Posse! Busybody relatives at two different locations! Prepare to advise them to butt the fireplace out.

kathy a. said...

Oh, another AW: Today was daughter's first day at the new job! W: Which turns out to be 30 hours a week (she misunderstood the offer), but chance of upgrade. AW: the owner was really impressed by her particular background.

esperanza said...

Yay new job!

Miranda, I am nowhere near as organized as you, with your spreadsheets, but I started making a (very loose) weekly meal plan shortly after Mini was born. It has revolutionalized the way I cook. No more fretting all day what to make. Not so much waste, especially of produce. Only one trip to the grocery store per week.

Anonymous said...

Hate illnesses.
Glad they are leaving you esperanza, but fear they are coming here.

Neighbor Boy has had a rough time today--keeps feeling sick to his stomach and headachy and not hungry.
arg

I am so not good at being a nurse, what with the whole germaphobe thing. ("Should I get Daddy?", she said, backing out of the room.)

Hope he sleeps well.

Daughter at sleepover.

Yes, technically i am on break, though I am still working, and doing a lot of cringing today--see above.

I suck at so many things right now, and being a gentle nursemaid mama seems to be one of them.

sigh
--Neighbor Lady

p.s. ALso, we had a family sleepover with dear dear friends this weekend. Found out afterward that their youngest son was hitting Neighbor Boy in the head (hard, he says) while forcing his face into the snow. Now, with the headaches, etc. I gave him Adv!1 and now am thinking of horrible things like brain bleeds, concussions, etc. Tell me I'm being paranoid. Anxiety much?

esperanza said...

Aw, NL, I STINK at being a "gentle nursemaid mama" any time. I'd say if his symptoms continue tomorrow, it would be worth a phone call to the dr, at least. You can include me in the "paranoid" category. Also, WTFireplace with hitting someone and forcing his face in the snow? Posse on the way.

kathy a. said...

Oh, yeah. The posse wants to speak with that kid, because This Is NOT OK. Probably NB's just feeling the bug, plus bugged -- but good to keep an eye out.

Queen of West Procrastination said...

Oh no, poor Neighbour Boy! The posse has its work cut out for it, this week. (I also stink as Nursemaid Mama, and get very paranoid.)

AW: I'm home from a wonderful trip up to Hobbiton. My Grandma was particularly clear-minded, and E had a blast playing with her second cousins.

W: I have so many melancholy feelings, after this trip. It was my first trip to Hobbiton since my grandparents moved off the farm and into a seniors' manor in town. Grandma is getting so forgetful, while Grandpa is getting more stuck in his ways, while also micromanaging Grandma (and not in a positive way, if that's even possible). I think he's scared of Grandma getting worse and having to move into nursing care, and at the same time he has trouble understanding that Grandma might want to do things that he doesn't want to do. (She used to be able to get her own way, but with her encroaching dementia, it's getting harder for her to stand up for herself.)

So, yeah. Familiar heartaches (we went through similar stuff with my paternal Grandpa's Alzheimer's, when I was in my late teens), but it's always tough.

Queen of West Procrastination said...

On the other hand: you guys, my Grandpa is being really frustrating, and seriously didn't let Grandma go watch the other watch the other ladies at the manor play bowling on the Xb0x K1n3ct, because he thought it seemed frivolous. (Really, it's just that he doesn't like it because it's new. He lived in the middle of the woods for the better part of a century, and rejects many good things because of his self-perception of them as being "just simple folk" or something.)

We tried to subtly talk up the benefits of the bowling game (and mention that Dad has played it, because Grandpa is more likely to like things of his sons-in-law do), but I think it's time for the posse to ride. Grandma needs to have some fun, too.

esperanza said...

The Posse will sweep grandma off her feet for a girls' day out. Grandpa can mullygrub (my own grandma's word) at home.

And, ((QWP))

Anonymous said...

(((QWP)))

I LOVE the word mullygrub.

And, thanks for all the support. I love you guys!

--Neighbor Lady

esperanza said...

Also, Grandpa, sweetie, I'm so sorry, but holding on to her tighter isn't going to keep her from slipping away. I know. It sucks.

kathy a. said...

((( QWP ))) Poor Grandma. And what Esperanza said about Grandpa.

kathy a. said...

Mullygrub should definitely be an addition to the lexicon!

QWP -- This seems an especially big transition for Grandpa. Probably scary: he's not in charge, all this new stuff going on. And he also must see himself as Grandma's protector, a role that must have increased as she became less able. She is the constant from his former life.

It may not really have registered with him, yet, that he doesn't have to watch her every minute -- there are other people who will keep her safe. And he doesn't have to sit through "frivolous" things if he doesn't want -- he can maybe find other things he likes better, and doing those things will not be "abandoning" his beloved wife in the least.

Since she is the constant, HE may feel abandoned when she wants to do something else. So, maybe helping him find things to do that he likes would help?

esperanza said...

You know what would be funny? If now that everyone else is *finally* getting well, I would start coming down with a cold. That would be funny. Right?

kathy a. said...

Waving garlic, sending soup and helpers -- because that would just be a hoot, Esperanza.

esperanza said...

Thanks...I can hardly stop laughing. It's just drainage down my throat right now and the accompanying scratchy voice. I actually don't feel bad. Nor do I know how to ward off the impending doom. Garlic and soup--I'll give them a try.

kathy a. said...

I think the garlic-waving is really for zombies or werewolves, but same diff. It is rumored to be medicinal, also. And no down side, if you like garlic!

Had to do a pep talk for daughter this morning. She is unsure about the job. Sometime soon, I might mention strictly in passing that the perfect should not be the enemy of the good. Her dad has warned me against lectures, which is just silly because when do I ever babble on?
~~guilty cough...~~

Liz said...

I recommend roasted lemon garlic chicken to ward off what's on the radar, Esperanza.

1 Whole Roasting Chicken, innards removed.
1 Whole lemon
1 Whole head of garlic
Salt (kosher, if you've got it, regular if you don't)
Pepper
Olive oil

Pre-heat your oven to 400(F).
Rinse your chicken inside and out.
Take your lemon and roll it firmly on the counter top until it gets a little squishy, then take a fork and poke it viciously (careful not to poke your hand instead. I've done that. Not pretty).
Put your lemon in the cavity of your chicken. Take your garlic. SMASH IT. Don't bother peeling it. Put the cloves in with the lemon.
Rub the outside of your chicken with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Be messy.
Put it in a roasting pan. If you've got potatoes, you could throw them in on the bottom of the pan (drizzle 'em with oil, salt, pepper, maybe some parmesan). If you've got a sprig of rosemary, you could shove it in among the lemon and cloves of garlic. No biggie.
Pop your pan in the oven and roast that sucker until the legs are loose or the popper pops or your thermometer in the thigh reads done.

No basting necessary.

Save the bones and stuff for soup.

Anonymous said...

Yum!!!!
--NL

Sue said...

I love the word mullygrub!

Sorry to hear about all the illness awfulness and the need for so many cluesticks!

AW: stat holiday yesterday (also my regular day off) so I had an extra day off today.

W: Spent it at the hospital. Got there early, saw the doc after an hour or so, he sent hubby home for a few hours with instructions to come back 3-4 hours later for follow-up. So, long day. Hubby feeling pretty good though. Tired, but good.

AW: we don't have to go back next week! Next visit is two weeks!

esperanza said...

Hooray for 2 weeks! Boo for your day off at the hospital. But glad to hear good news.

Chicken sounds good. It requires cooking, right? Hmm. Mr E made supper tonight (his regular Tuesday night gig, as the Baboos and I are late getting home from Sweet's therapy appointment): mac & cheese. That's it.

kathy a. said...

((( Sue ))) Another hospital visit, ugh! But good you don't have to go back next week. Been thinking of your hubby. xoxo

kathy a. said...

Mac & cheese created by someone else sounds good, too.

A telemarketer trying to get my SIL to renew her TeeVee Guy'd subscription (they keep sending it, even after at least a year of non-payment and multiple "last chance" letters) got a fat earful from me. AW: don't think they'll be calling again.

esperanza said...

TeeVee Guy'd is still produced?

kathy a. said...

My SIL might have been the only customer under age eleventy-five, but yes.

Queen of West Procrastination said...

I'm guessing that all of our incredulity that Teevee Guy'd still exists would be why they're so eager to keep any subscribers, even the non-paying ones! Man. I can't remember when I last looked up TV listings in a magazine.

W: Why do I constantly seek affirmation from EVERYBODY regarding my parenting decisions? And then fixate, when someone disagrees with me? (During our trip to Hobbiton, we compromised on our original plan to keep E's carseat rear - facing until the late spring, and turned it around, because the sun was continually in her eyes from our car's giant rear window, and it was hard for me to reach and help her. And then a friend, whose twins are going to stay rear-facing until they're 2 - - but who has them in the middle row of a van, with older siblings behind them for entertainment - - got mad at me and acted like I did something dangerous. And then I HAD to fixate on it, and prove her "wrong," and give her all the evidence for how the decision I made was fine! And now I'm still grumbling, a day later.)

AW: we really did have a pleasant trip, after we switched E around. No more crying, and I could feed her snacks on the road.

Sue said...

QWP - I know it's difficult to detach from other people's opinions, and especially difficult when it's about parenting. You are a great Mom living by the wisdom of the pixies - whatever works.

I remember coming home from hospital with our babies (back when dinosaurs roamed the earth) with strict instructions to NEVER put them to sleep on their backs. To do so would mean certain doom.

Now new parents are told the exact opposite. So, in the end, we all parent in the best way we can.

W: Went to bed early last night, slept like a rock for an hour, woke up and tossed and turned the rest of the night. I feel quite wrung out. Ugh.

W: Big churchy meeting coming up this weekend. Halp!!!

Anonymous said...

((QWP))
--NL

Anonymous said...

((Sue)) Sorry about the sleep--hope you can get some rest today!
--NL

kathy a. said...

Sue, hope you can catch a few ZZZ's before the exciting meeting! (which I misread initially as "chunky" meeting....)

QWP, it is really hard when people challenge you on parenting decisions. You thought it through, did your best under the circumstances. And other people can just STFU if they would have decided differently. (Hours of baby meltdown = not safe driving, not happy times.)

Back to the vet with diva cat this morning. It is not time for the bad decision yet; we need a checkup, though.

Sue said...

((((kathy a))))

Queen of West Procrastination said...

(((Sue))) I'm sorry about the lack of sleep, and how you and Hubby had to spend the whole holiday in the hospital.

AW: my friend called and apologized. She thought that Canada has changed its regulations, and admitted that she was both wrong, and wrong to respond like that. We had a good talk about the compromises we've both had to make, because sometimes the ideal doesn't work.

kathy a. said...

Yay! I love apologies! (And also recognition that one must not let the "ideal" get in the way of the good.)

Diva cat's doing pretty well, considering. Doc is starting her on a tiny bit of pain meds. It's possible she'll remain comfortable enough for a while yet. (yay!)

esperanza said...

Sue, sorry for crummy sleep. I've been doing that myself lately.

QWP, you seem to have lots of people butting in on your parenting decisions. The Posse will get on that. (but we'll be gentle since she apologized). I was just looking up our state laws for booster seats...4 years old AND 40 pounds. Sweet is 6 1/2 and 37 pounds. Still a ways to go...

Dentist report: yes, go get a biopsy on that thing.

Insurance report, upon my inquiry if this is a medical or dental procedure:
"Well, if they code it with medical codes, we will cover it. If they code it with dental codes, it will be for your dental insurance." Really? I had no idea. Thank you so much for that non-clarifying clarification.

kathy a. said...

Talk to the billing person at the oral surgeon's, really. They want you to be covered as much as you want to be covered. It sounds like this procedure could be "coded" either as dental or as medical -- maybe not, but it is worth asking.

esperanza said...

Well, I was in a continuous loop. If it's medical, then I need a doctor in my medical network. Vice versa if it's dental. Very little overlap. First office I called proclaimed they were not members of any medical network and that no dentists were. That's when I called the insurance. Then I saw another office that was on both insurances, so I called them. She said, without question, that it would be medical, and that they were definitely in my network. Problem solved. I think.

Not to be political, but is there anyone who really thinks this system is working well???

Liz said...

No. There isn't.

W: Am so ready to not be working on this document. 175 pages now (smaller than when I started, but only because of formatting changes).
Am going through the last step before handing it over for review.

kathy a. said...

As Esperanza is the host, she cannot award herself. And therefore I am taking the liberty of nominating her for the Fearless Seeker of Coverage Award! Job well done, my friend.

Liz, you can do it!

esperanza said...

ha! Why, thank you. I have honed my insurance expertise over the last 6 1/2 years.

Liz, we believe in you! What happens to your employment when you finish?

Liz said...

It will probably end. But it's looking like I might not ever finish. They keep finding more and more documents that are completely fireplaced and need TLC.

YAY! And oh, my poor widdle peepers.

kathy a. said...

Woot! Document fixes for the win!

Anonymous said...

I have never loved typos as much as I do now, for Liz's job's sake!
:) Neighbor Lady

esperanza said...

Well said, NL.

Though, it must also be said that this seems tedious in the extreme and not to take advantage of Liz's prodigious talents. Still, a paycheck is good.

Anonymous said...

Well said, esperanza!
--NL

Queen of West Procrastination said...

Yes! I'm glad that these errors provide you with work, but that does sound tedious for you.

Esperanza, you definitely deserve an award for navigating that fireplaced-up system.

AW: afternoon with my goddaughters. Little sweethearts.

W: it's because their parents are doing all the paperwork and arrangements, because their Dad's (estranged) father just died. It's a big mess, because his affairs weren't in order at all (alcoholic, lots of debt), and everything is on my friends to arrange. And it's hard dealing with losing any parent, but especially when it means that you don't get closure.

Posse required: some well-meaning "comforters" keep telling my friend that it must not be THAT bad, because his dad wasn't in his life much. (WHO TELLS A GRIEVING PERSON ABOUT HOW THEY MUST FEEL?)

esperanza said...

My goodness, but it's a week for buttinskys.

kathy a. said...

Oh, I'll lead the posse on the grief buttinskies. I'm sure your friends are also getting a lot of "he's in a better place," which basically nobody wants to hear. But losing a parent who wasn't a good parent, there are a lot more complications. Unfinished business. Many memories and emotions of all kinds. Sending much love to your friends, QWP. xoxo

kathy a. said...

(Apologies if others have a different experience about "better place." Doesn't work for me, anyway. And people always say that, instead of just saying "I'm sorry; this must be so hard.")

kathy a. said...

By memories and emotions of all kinds, I mean -- this might have been a huge butt-head of a parent, someone who did unforgivable things, but there is still that pull and connection. The worst memories might mean one decides to not be in touch -- but somewhere, there are probably also a few good memories. It takes a lot to work around all that, work it until one finds peace. xoxo

Anonymous said...

Don't worry Kathy a. ---we get you. And I think you are very wise.

((QWP's friends))

--Neighbor Lady

kathy a. said...

NL, thanks. How's it going for you guys? xoxo

Queen of West Procrastination said...

Kathy a, NL is right: your words are wise. And the whole "well, he's in a better place now" reassurance really isn't a helpful one for most grieving people, because even if they believe that to be true, it's both a pat answer, and it minimizes their feelings of grief. I don't know why so many people have so much trouble just listening and offering support.

NL, I also echo Kathy: how's your break going? Are you getting any rest?

esperanza said...

I get you, kathy a. My brother-in-law, with whom I rarely agree, says this one smart thing: the more difficult the relationship, the more difficult the grieving.

KLee said...

Wow--a good many award-worthy whines this week! I don't have time to address all the things I want to say, so I'll just give a group hug, pass the Thin Mints, shine up my cluestick for the asshats, and mullygrub myself into my jammies.

My show has not happened yet -- it's this Friday and Saturday. Look for many embarrassing photos of me on Faceb00k early next week. This week is Hell Week, and it's turning out to be very apt. I have a great, talented group of actors, but we can't seem to get our shit together. I don't think it's quite "real" to some of them yet, so I have to have the "bitchy director" talk with them tomorrow. As an actor, I know how you can get easily sidetracked with jokes and whispered conversations, but we've got ONE MORE rehearsal, and that's it! If we don't get serious now, we'll never get it!

They are doing well, but if we could just rein in some of this extraneous stuff, and get down to brass tacks, we'd have it.

I don't know why I'm still up and on the Internet when I need to be building a stage in eight hours.....

I guess I'll sleep on Sunday, when it's all over.....

Andy said...

I am one of those people who are extremely bad at offering sympathy at callings and funerals and such. This is partly just an extension of my inability to grasp these "emotions" that these "humans" experience, but I mostly blame Stephen King. Way back when I was a freshman in high school, I read Pet Sematary, and ****SPOILER ALERT**** at Gage's funeral, Louis counts the number of times people tell him callous cliches, particularly "At least he didn't feel anything" and "The Lord works in mysterious ways." It convinced me there is no right thing to say at that time, so I mostly mumble something about how I am sorry for them and then wonder if I should hug them or not. I then realize it is a little callous to feel self-conscious while someone is grieving, but by then it is time to move on to shake the hands of bereaved relatives I have never even met.

I hate funerals.

Andy said...

My whine: I am severely lacking in enthusiasm and motivation this week. I don't ever feel like waking up, nothing sounds fun, no food sounds good, and life in general seems tedious and lame. I figure I am either battling some mild depression or developing good taste. I am hoping it is the former, which I can treat with St John's Wort as opposed to the latter, which would spell the end of my love affair with three dollar bottles of clearances wine.

esperanza said...

Andy: All grieving people need you to do is be there. Really. You don't have to say a word. Just be there, offer a handshake or hug. That's it.

And it sounds like mild depression to me. Take good care of yourself.

Sue said...

I love esperanza's award!! So well-deserved.

Sorry about the tedious work Liz.

QWP - I want to scream when I hear people telling grieving families how they should feel. Kathy a - I'm totally with you. Here is a highly edited list of other platitudes that make my ears bleed:

"Everything happens for a reason" (No it doesn't. It just happens - God doesn't give people cancer or cause car accidents. Ever. No matter how much we might learn and grow from it.)

"God must have needed another angel." (um. no.)

"Time heals" (No. Time changes the way we cope with loss. No one "gets over" a major loss)

I could go on, but you get the idea. I apologize if any of this offends - I've just heard so much nonsense in 15 years...

Rant over.

Sue said...

KLee - break a leg this weekend!!! We're rooting for you!

Andy - esperanza is right. The family is in such a fog of grief, too many family members together at one time, too much planning and decision-making...all of that.

They will remember that you showed up. Even the family-member you don't know will appreciate that you were there.

Sounds like depression to me Andy - been there, done that. Be good to yourself, okay?

kathy a. said...

Break a leg, KLee!

Andy, think you feel depressed, and hope that improves. And still, your good humor brightens my day -- differential diagnosis of "developing good taste"? HA!

Why I am not a dog person: Junior the WonderDog brought a DEAD BIRD into MY HOUSE. My beloved, the dog man, DID NOT EVEN NOTICE when he let her in. This morning, beloved is trying to sell the DEAD BIRD as the most thoughtful gift ever. Bah.

Sue said...

Dead birds are not good gifts. Unless they are stuffed and roasted and served with potatoes and gravy. But I suspect that isn't the variety of bird chosen by your dog.

Liz said...

(((Andy)))

"I'm so sorry for your loss." always works for me.

Break a leg, KLee!!! And kick some butt!

Kathy, having had both dogs and cats, I can safely say that my dog never brought dead things into the house (honking big branches, yes), but the cats definitely did. And left them on my pillow.
OTOH, the dog rolled in a long-dead fish by a pond one time. The cats certainly never did that.

kathy a. said...

Prey is an individual thing. Junior the WonderDog is good at finding the already dead or the impossibly stupid small critters. We haven't had a hunter cat in a long time.

OK, this tiny bit of pain medication has perked our ancient dying cat right up. She's eating like a 4 lb. horse, and practicing Diva talents (sitting in front of the screen and purring and talking) at this very moment! I told the vet that I didn't know how to tell if a cat's in pain, because they don't tell you -- but if one drop of the meds every 12 hours is making her perkier and happier and eat better, I guess she has been in pain. Poor diva.

Anonymous said...

Poor diva, but yay for diva now!!!! You are a good cat mama!

W: I am totally overwhelmed by school work and have been working almost non-stop over break, but it is like wading through quicksand, and I can't catch up. For the first time, not sure I am actually going to make it through all the curriculum this year. Poor kids, we're going to be going too fast through stuff. I don't like this. Soon I wade into curriculum I am not that confident about. Help!

AW: We are seeing someone now for Neighbor Boy, and NB likes him! I feel like we have a start at least.

--Neighbor Lady

kathy a. said...

Yay for NB!

And NL, you're doing your best, which is considerable. Just try to hit the high points, and give the kids what help they'll take. (Says me, a person not in your shoes -- but really, the pacing of a year-long curriculum is always going to be off a bit. More than the info-bits, the kids need to learn how to think about this stuff.) xoxo

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Kathy a. I really needed to hear that!
:) Neighbor Lady

Queen of West Procrastination said...

Kathy's right, NL. And, if you're feeling out of your depth in some of the upcoming content, you'll be more tempted to include every detail (I've been there).

Mr. Q ended up in the same place as you, during his internship, and it turned out it was because he was primarily planning day by day, class by class, with interesting activities for each lesson, first. The best thing he learned was that focusing on the big picture helped him to save time on prep, and kept his kids on schedule. That way, he could step back, look at what ABSOLUTELY had to happen by the end of the year (mostly, what was foundational for the next year), and put a priority on those basics. That gave him more clarity about what could be skipped, to catch up.

Anonymous said...

Thank you QWP!!! That is exactly what I've been doing( the interesting class by interesting class method), and I definitely need to do the step back approach!!!
Thank you!
--NL

kathy a. said...

My daughter lived away for 4.5 years, and she got places on time. Somehow, living at home she is always running late. I feel like the Human Alarm Clock, and am doing way more nagging than anybody likes. We agreed last night that this is not a good system, and today, no sign of heading for the shower until 15 minutes before she should be leaving. Gah!

Liz said...

Kathy, this is one of those things where she needs to know it's all on her. Step away. Her schedule is HER SCHEDULE, not yours.

If you just can't stand it, find yourself somewhere else to be outside the house at the critical times.

Liz said...

Sorry to be a buttinsky on this, but really, you had it right. When she lived away, she got it done.

esperanza said...

My mom bought us alarm clocks and stopped waking us up in junior high, if memory serves. She hated the nagging as much as we did.

W: Sweet's breathing sounds just like it did last Thursday. No fever. So we're looking at 2-3 more weeks of the nebulizer fun. At least she is cooperative with it. Sigh. The preemie legacy lives on...

W? AW? Speech Therapist says to me yesterday, "I think if we tested Sweet now, she wouldn't even qualify for speech. She's doing so well, I don't think I'm helping her that much." Qualifying = scoring <7th percentile, so it's not like she's turned into a prodigy. Good to hear, but I'm scared to stop! We've been doing speech since she was...18 months old or so. I said, "Well, then let's not test her now!"

kathy a. said...

You're right. I generally believe in the power of natural consequences -- like, her brother once got fired when he was late one too many times. (But I really didn't want that to happen her first week, after such a long hunt...)

kathy a. said...

Esperanza, so sorry about the breathing. It is really good Sweet is so cooperative with the treatments! And great that the speech therapist [a] thinks Sweet is doing so well, and [b] doesn't want to do the thing that might bump her out of the therapy!

But when the therapy does end, you (and Sweet) already have the tools to keep working on it. One less appointment, that's not a bad thing. xoxo

esperanza said...

I know...but Sweet's responsiveness to the therapist is HUGELY better than her responsiveness to me.

kathy a. said...

Ah. Does take a village, no?

Queen of West Procrastination said...

This really is a good anti-whine, esperanza. And W was always better for her therapist (and for everyone else! Did you know that she knows her nose, mouth, and animal sounds? She sure doesn't do stuff like that for me!) than for me.

NL: that's what I suspected. It's a really common problem when starting off, because a lot of education programs show you how to do an interesting lesson plan, and not how to make everything for together in a whole year. Now, when he talks about time management, Mr. Q uses that illustration of filling a jar with rocks: you fit the most in if you start with the big stuff, and move to smaller and smaller. The sand will always fit, after that. If you start filling with the small stuff, you'll never have room for anything big.

Liz said...

Am currently working on a System User Manual. 180+ pages (of actual stuff, no appendices this time) and it is AWFUL. Numbering is way off, notes follow no consistent format, links lead nowhere, etc.

And to top it off, my mouse hates me. It's double clicking when I AM NOT DOUBLE CLICKING.

GAHH!!! GAHHHH!!! GAHHHHHHHH!

kathy a. said...

Well, obviously you need to requisition another mouse. And this will just take a long time, being such a mess. A pity...

kathy a. said...

Also sending sympathy. It sucks, being kept around to clean up all kinds of accumulated mess. xoxo

Sue said...

NL - what everyone has already said - you're doing your best and the kids know it.

esperanza - boo on the nebulizer "fun" :( So glad to hear what the speech therapist had to say though - good news! And yes, it takes a village.

W: Big Chunky Meeting (heh) today on the other side of town. We had a foot and a half of snow last night so I woke up today thinking "SNOW DAY!!" but NO. A friend with a vehicle fit to drive through the apocalypse picked me up.

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET A SNOW DAY IN THIS FIREPLACING COUNTRY????

Seriously, the bar is set so ridiculously high here. If it's "only" a few feet of snow, why wouldn't you show up???

AW: We stopped the meeting for a half hour to watch the end of the curling. Yay!!

Queen of West Procrastination said...

Lack of snow days in ridiculous weather + half-hour break to watch the curling game = the most Canadian Whine/Anti-Whine combination I've ever seen! (And I sympathise/agree with both, strongly.)

kathy a. said...

Second the nomination for Most Canadian!