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Sunday, March 13, 2016

An Early Start to a Whiny Week

Greetings Pixies!

I thought I would start us off early this week. I've got a metric butt load of errands to run tomorrow, so I won't be around much during the day, but will check back in around supper time. The errand part of the day has me feeling whiny already. *sigh*

So whine away, friends!

77 comments:

Liz said...

I hate when my son complains of a sore throat, but seems otherwise healthy and there's nothing to see in his throat.

Do I take him to the doctor? Do I tell him to shake it off?

I told him if it still hurts tomorrow, I'd call and get him an appointment at the pediatricians. He needs his toe checked anyhow.

Sue said...

I remember those tough calls, Liz. Sounds like you've set up a good plan.

So, in the middle of my multitude of errands, I received two calls relating to work. One was necessary (a death), the other was so entirely, completely, fully, and ridiculously unnecessary, I could scream.

It started out as a day off that didn't feel much like a day off. Now it feels like a day off with no down time AND a work day.

kathy a. said...

Hope things clear up with MM, Liz.

Sue -- bleah about the overloaded "day off."

Liz said...

Sue, so sorry about the non-day-off. Can you get a comp day?

Sue said...

Not before Easter, Liz. 'Tis the season.

Part of what made me so grumpy about it is that anyone/everyone in our congregation ought to know by now that our church office is closed Mondays. I've been there almost 18 years and can't recall even ONE Monday when the office was open. So when someone calls and starts a conversation with "I called the church office, but no one was there!" - all annoyed and wondering why I wasn't sitting there on my day off waiting for his call, well, I want to throw the phone across the room. Of course, it was the non-essential stoopid call that began with those words and that attitude.

Grrrr...

Liz Miller said...

May I make a suggestion? On your day off, let all calls go to voice mail. Listen to them right away, but don't pick up. That way you can deal with emergencies immediately, but entitled douchebags can get a call back tomorrow.

Liz Miller said...

Is it okay for me to call one of your parishioners an entitled douchebag?

kathy a. said...

I pretty much agree with screening calls, and/or having a pat "I'm off today and tied up; let's talk tomorrow." (Also, Liz's second sentiment, which is NSFChunky.)

It turns out that daylight savings means it is still pretty dark when someone has an early appointment (but we both remembered the time change!), and also -- glory, glory, this is wonderful -- when the sun comes out later, it is still just really beautiful at a time when not long ago it was already the gloom of night. OK, part of that is just spring spoinging, but I adore DST.

Today turned out pretty good, if exhausting; but that piece is done. And a small but good celebration happened.

And, I have gotten more fabric for the happy quilt; and this one will be much more in the orange / yellow / maroon / + brights range of colors than any others (with a lot of extras playing smaller parts). As is fitting for the recipient. A person should actually start sewing about now....

Queen of West Procrastination said...

Liz's suggestion to screen calls is a very good suggestion(as is her observation about entitled church members). Could your church office phone also have a canned message, like "The church office is closed every Monday. Leave a message and we'll get back to you when we can."? ("When we can" is Tuesday, obviously.)

AW: we ordered a new laptop for me!! I've been very stubborn, insisting on soldiering on with my nine-year-old Lappy, but it's getting very tired. I can only really use it as an ad hoc desktop computer these days (external monitor, external keyboard, external mouse, keep it plugged in unless you're only going to use it for less than an hour), and half the USB ports are broken. But it's perfectly fine! I'm typing on it right now! But Mr. Q has persisted, and suggested that some of our tax refund could go toward a new computer for me (a laptop that I could use on my lap!), and there was a Very Good Deal today, for Pi Day. And so, still pretending to be reluctant, I let myself be talked into getting a pretty, new Lappy today.

Also AW: I had a lovely lunch today, with a friend who was visiting from South Carolina! We had an excellent time.

W: Li'l E is going through a Thing, for the past week. She's tired all the time (and dramatic about it: "I didn't have a big enough sleep!" but will not nap). She had multiple tantrums today. She also peed on the couch, while refusing to go use the potty. She also is not a big fan of Mommy. I'm tired.

kathy a. said...

Could E have a bug? Maybe even a UTI? Grouchiness and inappropriate peeing are signs, sometimes.

But yay, Laptop!

Queen of West Procrastination said...

I suspect that it's more that she caught my mom's cold, based on the sniffles and nose blowing (also, this morning, she mentioned that her head hurt). My mom has a cold, and I suspect that E had caught it.

Sue said...

Yes, you may use the term entitled douchebag in this case.

The idea of screening calls works well when I'm on vacation in the summer - so yes, I should be doing that on my day off too!

QWP - the answering machine at the church has the office schedule on it. Always has. Actually, your wording is almost exactly what is on the message. And still I hear - "No one was there!!!" What the fireplace is wrong with people???

Yay about the new laptop!! I hope things are a bit more settled today at chez QWP and that E fights off the Sniffles of Doom quickly.

kathy a. said...

Liz, is MM better?

Been minimizing errands due to le ouch, but today there are several. Wah.

kathy a. said...

W: High-caliber albatross problem in my box today. At least (given the minimal errands lately) it is a fresh problem! But that's about all I can say in its favor. W/AW: Brainstorming.

AW: Survived the line at the post office! Sent magazines to SIL; The Notorious RBG went to a friend; and got absolutely gorgeous cherry blossom stamps.

AW: There is corned beef; and it is in the crockpot with potatoes and veg, with the cabbage to be added later. Even though we are a couple days off from that famous day of celebrating Irish stuff, this seems like the ticket for dinner.

AW: desk cat. AW: sunshine.

Liz said...

MM still has a sore throat. We went to the doc today (during art. We sent him to school for a geometry test). No strep. No fever. Verdict, probably post-nasal drip. Drink lots of water, go back to school. His toe is better too, keep it taped another two weeks, but can start with PE after spring break.

Got him McD's for lunch as compensation for having to go back to school.

Sue said...

I'm glad MM got to the doc. And McD's. :)

Sorry about the high-caliber albatross problem kathy!! I hope the brainstorming went well.

AW: My day was long but productive. When I got home the kittens were in the Extreme Cuteness zone. You know that brown paper that comes in Am@zon packages? Best cat toy ever.

Sue said...

QWP, I meant to say earlier how lovely it was that you got to see a friend visiting "from away"- do they say that out west? Or is it an east coast thing (I get it from my Newfie family).

esperanza said...

We are at the grandparents' house this week. I got to spend almost 4 hours having lunch with a friend who was in town, so that was nice.

Sweet is not sleeping well and is out of her usual routine. Parts of today were pretty rough.

Sorry about the high caliber Albatross, kathy a. I am about to send my Albatross #2 off, off and away in the near future. I'm ready.

kathy a. said...

Yay for MM being OK! McD is just a fine little pick-me-up. ;)

OMG, Esperanza -- 4 hours off with a friend? That really sounds good. Maybe enough to compensate for the off-rhythm?

Extreme kitten cuteness! Sue, you are soooo lucky!

There was brainstorming, apparently mostly about an aspect of high-caliber that wasn't a worry to me. I've written something, and will see how the draft is flying tomorrow. It's a once in a blue moon [or 5] type of problem; and I'm old enough to remember others. Unfondly.

I still haven't dragged out the ironing board and iron and scissors to get moving on this happy quilt, but that's happening tonight! Got the thread. Got the pieces picked.

kathy a. said...

I found more stashes, including some sock-monkey print on red. I mean, how can that not cheer a person up?

esperanza said...

Happy sewing, kathy a!

W: Sweet's head rapidly filling with snot. Complaints of ear pain. 1bupr0fen seems to have helped with the pain, but you may start the countdown for an ear infection now. (Same ear as the last two times/last one very extended time).

Sue said...

(((Sweet)))) ((((esperanza)))) Sorry to hear Sweet is sick. Bleh. Yay about a four-hour lunch to catch up with a friend. Nice!!!!

kathy a, what is this *iron* you speak of? Some kind of dark magic? Lol - we do own an iron, but I haven't used it for years. Once hubby didn't need shirts pressed for work, all clothing either requires no ironing at all, or is fine if I catch it quickly out of the dryer.

I can see where you might need it for quilting. And yes, sock monkey fabric will always induce smiles.

kathy a. said...

Hope Sweet is better soon!

Our iron rarely gets used, except for sewing.

esperanza said...

Sweet is somewhat better but still on the grumpy side. They played outside at the park for a total of about 3 hours today, so hopefully they will both crash soon.

esperanza said...

And AW: all my secrets are now out and public. Well not *all* my secrets but you know what I mean.

Queen of West Procrastination said...

Sue: I say "from away" quite a bit, but I don't think it's a common expression here. (I think I picked it up even further out west, from grad school friends that were all from far parts of Eastern Canada, including Newfoundland.)

Esperanza: I'm glad that Sweet seems a bit better. I hope everyone sleeps well tonight.

Kathy: this sewing project of yours is wonderful.

AW: E had a much better day. She slept well last night, and was cheerful and cooperative all day, and was much more consistent on the potty again.

W: and now I am feeling run down, with aching muscles, and a bit of a sore throat and ear ache. I have suspicions that I caught this from my child.

kathy a. said...

Yay for no more secrets, Esperanza!

QWP, hope your recovery is quick, and hooray for E's very good cooperative day.

Queen of West Procrastination said...

PSA: if you buy pants that have the word "buttlifter" in the name, the inaugural wearing might cut off circulation to your legs.

esperanza said...

LOL, QWP! I'm guessing that your pants don't have the word "yoga" or "stretch" in their name, so I wouldn't know anything about them!

It's almost 5 AM here at the grandparents' casa. Severe thunderstorm warning, for lightning and torrential rain, high wind and, most fun of all, golf ball sized hail. I've moved my car to the downwind side of their house, but I suspect I will not fall back asleep till the storm passes. The worst of it looks like it is going to bypass us, hopefully.

Anonymous said...

Stay safe esperanza!! Then, I hope you get to sleep a while!
--Neighbor Lady

Sue said...

That's hilarious QWP! I'll keep that in mind, though I think the word "buttlifter" would have me laughing out loud in the store...because I'm so far beyond help in that particular area, it's laughable.

I'm glad to hear Sweet and E are both feeling a bit better!

I hope you managed some sleep esperanza. We had a storm here yesterday, but of the snowy variety. LOTS of snow, which means the street plows were on our street by 6:00 am. The kittens are fascinated by the plows, so they sit in the window and "talk" to them. So, yes, we've been awake for several hours now. I may need a nap later.

Queen of West Procrastination said...

Sue, I was wondering how you were doing with all that snow! My other friend who lives in your city got stuck in her parking lot today. (I just got a message from her, informing me that she had seven inches of snow on her car, after she'd already cleared off three inches!) (I'm now getting the story of how she got unstuck: kitty litter, which she hadn't put in her car on purpose for this, but because she's been procrastinating from hauling it up to her apartment!)

I think I'm going to spend part of my morning doing New Jeans Lunges in my buttlifter pants. (What happened: I found one line of stretchy jeans that fit me, at one store. They have a good sale right now, and I ended up ordering two pairs online. One pair had the word "buttlifter" added to the name, but it was the only way to get the colour I wanted. It turns out it means "these fit more tightly through the thighs".)

Esperanza, I hope you and your vehicle are safe from the storm! And congratulations on getting that albatross done with, and having all the secrets out, officially.

AW: I slept well last night, and am feeling great, so far. AND E is still asleep! (8:20am!)

esperanza said...

We had not one! But two! hailstorms this morning. The car may have a few small dents, but the windows are all intact, so I'm fine. One of many reasons I don't mind driving a 10 year old car.

AW: I am not wearing buttlifter pants

kathy a. said...

I remember breaking in too-tight new jeans, back in my reckless youth, but now the whole idea of living with too-tight anything seems totally unacceptable. (This attitude is how I maintain my aura of beauty, which probably anybody could tell you is much more of an internal theoretical concept than something one can see with the naked eye.)

Golf-ball-sized hail: not where you want your car to be! Hope that passed you by.

Sue -- wow about all that snow. Glad the kittehs are interested in all the snow removal; I mean, their happiness IS the important thing. ;)

kathy a. said...

Oops, Esperanza; our messages crossed. Yes, I favor your "drive the old car, nothing that happens will matter so much" approach!

Liz said...

Kathy, Remember that I've met you in person. Your aura of beauty is totes visible to the naked eye.

Sue said...

We're all siding with Liz on this one kathy - you are a beauty through and through!

QWP - For various reasons, I had already arranged to work at home today when the snow began falling yesterday. If I had been planning to go to the office, it would have been a snow day. Our lot hasn't been cleared yet and there's a good foot of snow. So it's kind of a snow day - but less fun because I wasn't going out anyway. Good luck with the jeans! I have two rules when it comes to jeans. One: not too tight. Two: not too short.

Jeans whine: When you get to be a woman of a certain age, it's hard to buy jeans. If they're too trendy (which right now means ripped) you can look like you're trying to hard. If you go for comfortable, there is a danger of edging into HighWaistedElasticFakePolyesterDenim territory. And NO ONE wants to go there.

I'm glad your friend had kitty litter in the car. I totally hear her on the not wanting to haul it upstairs. Story of my life.

Sorry to hear about your storm esperanza, but I'm glad the car windows weathered it okay.

Liz said...

Sue, I highly recommend Not Your Daughter's Jeans. Comfy, well-cut, don't look like Mom Jeans.
I have a pair in brown stretch denim, boot cut.

Anonymous said...

W: Bullying of NB continues. He slid down in his seat as we left the event today where the obnoxious peers were, so they wouldn't see him. One kid at pickup asked me whether I "allow him to color his hair like that"? (He has a section of green.) I said, "Actually, I encourage it!" Mean nicknames continue-- sometimes whispered. We have informed those in charge that this is still happening and that NB will no longer be participating.
so sad
We told him we never ever want him to feel like he has to hide himself in any way. Maybe good will come of this, in that at least he never feels he has to hide any part of himself from us?
I could cry. or smash things. or both.

--Neighbor Lady

kathy a. said...

CLUESTICKS! The Posse is 100% behind Neighbor Boy. And you.

Seriously, a kid asked YOU if you "allow" his hair?? This is a kid who could use being taken a few notches down, in a gentle educational manner. (I assume the activity is not Future Jackasses of America.)

For what it is worth, I always figured that hair grows out. My son attended his beloved grandfather's funeral with some remnants of green and a bad haircut, and that did not matter one single bit because my son loved my dad. Love is all that matters.

xoxo

kathy a. said...

NB will find people who don't treat him so badly. Seriously, he is not alone with feeling different, not knowing where he fits; but he is who he is, and those wonderful other people who feel different will turn up. xoxo

Sue said...

(((NL and NB)))) The posse is at the ready and we've got our sites set on all the mean kids!! What kathy said - he will find his tribe.

Thanks for the jean recommendation, Liz!

Anonymous said...

Thanks, everyone!
He is starting to find his tribe at school, which is wonderful.
We are starting to come to terms with the fact that our religious institution (where these problems are happening) is not something that "moves" him or inspires him. And that's ok too, I supppose. (not what's happening, but that it wasn't really his cup of tea to begin with, and this just clinches it.)

Thanks for the support!

And, I agree thanks for the jeans recommendation. I hate buying jeans, so have bookmarked that site.

--Neighbor Lady

Anonymous said...

I wish we lived closer to you, Neighbor Lady. Muffin Man and his crew would welcome your son. Blue and green and purple hair abound, and they embrace the strange

-Liz on iPhone

kathy a. said...

Nobody has yet reported green bihawks styled with elmer's glue -- which I pretty much accepted except for the band leaving glue on the bathroom sink, and my blow dryer. I stand by: hair grows out.

kathy a. said...

* by "styled," I mean of course "spiked."

esperanza said...

(((NB and NL)))

Yes, the wee car is full of little tiny hail dents, visible in sunlight at the right angle. I remain unperturbed. Filing an insurance claim would lead to them totaling the car which would lead to us having to buy a new car, which would involve applying for a car loan at the same time we need to apply for a house loan, so that's clearly a bad idea. That was all Mr. E's thought process. The car drives. I can see out the windows. It starts when I push the button. That's pretty much all I need in a vehicle.

kathy a. said...

When a police officer pounded on the front door at 1 a.m. to advise us that my 1989 VW had been stolen, and totaled in a crash while the perp was being pursued -- that young officer did not expect us to burst out laughing. But the stolen car was so old and ragged that even the "donate your car" places wouldn't take it; although it ran OK until the whole car chase and crash. Nobody hurt!

Anonymous said...

LOL Kathy a.!!!

Liz, thank you. It sounds like NB and MM and his friends would really get along well! I know already MM would be a great friend-- just look at his mom! :)

--NL

Sue said...

Lol kathy a!!!! That's hilarious.

Happy Birthday, Liz!!

kathy a. said...

Happy birthday, LIZ!

kathy a. said...

NL, so glad that NB is finding like minds at school.

Sorry that this is happening at the religious institution. I had a separation from the church of my youth in my early teens, because I was seeing icky behavior that was contrary to the fundamentals of how humans should treat one another. Shouldn't happen; sometimes it does. xoxo

Think maybe I got that germie thing going around....

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday Liz!!!!

Feel better, kathy a.!

--NL

kathy a. said...

Talked to my friend who has cancer today. And on the one hand, yay -- she got out of bed for the first time; had a "row" with her medical team [that's the spirit]; really likes the flowers and the love and there was another phone call earlier and etc.

But on the other hand -- I dunno. She was not making total sense, like her wistful wish for "all 15 of us to be in a room together," and it is not clear who the 15 are. And, I think she was contemplating suicide as an out, but that also was unclear; so I moved right along to how I want to talk again in a few days, but she sounded tired now.

Perhaps some actual sewing will happen today.

Sue said...

(((kathy a)))

kathy a. said...

Quiche night, and it includes heavy cream, a filling with mushrooms / onion / pancetta / hot sausage / spinach / broc, as well as shredded sharp cheddar and bits of rich garlic jack. [and some leftovers folded in, don't tell anybody.] No crust; just some fine-ground cracked wheat and a little oil.

esperanza said...

Looong day. Drove from my parent's house to realtor's office in New City. Met with her and loan person and got that ball rolling. Which feels good and completely insane at the same time. Drove around a bit looking at neighborhoods, then to eat, then back home. Total time in transit: 10 hours, for a 4 hour trip. Whew.

Anyone have an extra sermon lying around?

kathy a. said...

I'm fresh out, but suggest dusting off something seasonal and going for it.

Very long day!

Sue said...

I wish I could help you out esperanza...I'm waiting for the Sermon Fairy to deliver something workable for tomorrow. Too many funeral/Lent/Easter things going on!!!

I am just getting started now and may resort to the Sustainable Sermon method of sermon prep.

Did you get a sense of the new city? How is the neighbourhood around the church?

esperanza said...

Nothing in the files to recycle. I checked. Rats.

New neighborhood...it's a "country becomes city very quickly and leaves some traces of country behind" kind of place. Herd of goats nearby. Elementary school across the street. Church sits between taco place on one side and BBQ place on the other. If you can get more Texas than that, I'm not sure how.

kathy a. said...

Sounds pretty Texas! And you can't go wrong with goats, tacos, and BBQ close at hand.

AW: Just finished another chapter in the albatross! And am brainstorming on the next up. W: Sometimes something happens in an albatross situation that is so darned weird that there is no clear guidance, no template, no path left by strangers. WTF is the *specialty* of this particular albatross.

AW: Think I'm edging past the emotional overload of late, and less frozen by recovering from the stupid minor surgery.

Liz Miller said...

Thank you all for the birthday wishes! I had a great one, rounded out with a homemade bagel brunch I hosted for folks from my church ( we auctioned it off at the fundraiser in November).

Esperanza, how's about, "spring, the season of changes"?

NL, right back at you!!!

esperanza said...

I'm about halfway through. It is mediocre, which means preachable.

purple_kangaroo said...

Trying to bring about some needed action steps here in hopefully the safest and least traumatic way possible for everyone involved. Not easy, practically or emotionally.

esperanza said...

That sounds very difficult, PK. Hugs to you.

Anonymous said...

((((PK))))
--NL

Anonymous said...

Sending you love and hugs, PK

Liz from iPhone

kathy a. said...

((( P K )))) xoxo

Miranda said...

(((PK)))

Congrats Esperanza!!!

NL - Teen Boy dances to his own tune and finding a tribe at school and a few other places has been wonderful. He's very laid back and happy as a 9th grader. Keep reminding him he's wonderful for who he is.

Kathy A, you are kind and generous. Those things make you the most beautiful person in any room you are in.

Sue, spring will come again, right?

Liz, MM still on the mend?

I'm around but the New Gig keeps me very busy. I'm finally settling into working in Our Nation's Capital. I'm still based out of the Rust Belt but the job is based out of our headquarters group. I was also selected for an executiive leadership program. I'm busy with Chunky stuff and I'm on the planning committee for our local Linux, SFF convention. I've told people I will see them in May.

Miss all of you.

kathy a. said...

Some call center called -- you know how there's a pause while you hear all that chatter in the background, and then some stranger starts a pitch, calling you by the legal version of your first name? I shut down some supposed organization to support police officers with "I'm sorry, my friend is dying of cancer right now and I cannot help you." My daughter walked in just then, and suggested that was a little blunt. But also true -- had just gotten off the phone with her.

I still would have shut the grifter fundraisers down, as I always do. Still, this may be a personal best. Or worst. cannot decide.

kathy a. said...

Go, Miranda! xoxo

esperanza said...

A friend who has had several forms of cancer over many decades does something similar: "I have cancer and I am not going to spend my remaining time talking to you."

purple_kangaroo said...

Hugs to all. And thank you. Limited online time at the moment, but I appreciate the hugs and thoughts and am sending many hugs and thoughts to the rest of you also.

Liz Miller said...

Miranda, next time you're in the Capital let me know!

Anonymous said...

Posting anonymously with some advice for them as may need it.

If you don't want folks in your house to have access to your email/passwords/etc, do your browsing in an incognito window. Make sure you log out every time.

Go to the library to do your email.

Change all your passwords to something having nothing to do with your life. Do not use birthdays, holidays, nicknames, pet names. Change the reminders also to things no one but YOU would know.

Make your passwords strong. Think of a phrase that is easy for you to remember and then smoosh it together, so: "ThisIsAPhrase" add special characters "This!Is!A!Phrase?" and numbers (I added this year in this example) "This2!Is0!A1!Phrase6?" Finally, add a different thing for sites where you are leaving important info like credit cards or bank information "This2!Is0!A1!Phrase$6?" If the site tells you you need it shorter, replace S with $, or e with 3, but keep it consistent.

This gets long, but you'll notice that each element is easy to remember, so you don't have to write it down anywhere.

If you are afraid the person you live with may get violent, please call 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or use an incognito window to go to the domestic abuse hotline to create a safety plan.

Sue said...

Thanks Anonymous - that's really helpful advice.

(((PK)))

Sue said...

Hi Miranda!!

And yes, spring will come again. It's beautiful and sunny today. :)