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Monday, April 25, 2016

Days of Whine and Roses

Good morning pixies!

Sadly, there are no roses here in Middle Earth Canada - snow flurries today. Sigh.

Our vertigo kitten is still a bit spinny, but so much better than she was on the weekend, so we're thankful for that.

What's new in your world today?

100 comments:

kathy a. said...

It's almost May! Isn't that a little late for snow?

So glad the baby cat is doing better!!

Was under the weather yesterday -- even took a nap, which never happens. Still kinda that way today. Bleah.

esperanza said...

packing packing packing packing. (My mom is here and is helping, thankfully).

Glad spinny cat is doing better.

I shall refrain from a weather report here.

kathy a. said...

Happy packing, Esperanza!

Are the kids excited about the move?

Sue said...

I'm glad you've got an extra pair of hands to help with packing, esperanza!!

Queen of West Procrastination said...

Sue, I'm so glad that your kitty is improving!

And esperanza, I'm glad that you're getting packing help from your mom!

Kathy, I am also a bit under the weather. Not really sick, just blagh. (Actually, I have a touch of the dizzies too. It seems to be catching among the WW community.)

Tired tired day in the Q household. E had her first pee accident in most of a week, because she was so tired. (Also, she requested a pull up and then pooped in it, but then felt embarrassed about it and hid in her room until I lured her out with Girl Guide cookies and Pingu. I'm just relieved that she didn't manage to withhold for multiple days, like she did last week. She was very uncomfortable by Saturday evening. She's making progress, but she still has Poo Angst.)

Liz said...

Poo Angst is so so so so common. Hugs

I hope QWP and Kathy both feel better.

YAY for the kitty feeling better!

Esperanza, YAY for having helping hands!

W: Tech and dress rehearsal week for the other cast. I'd forgotten how bad the first cast was at this point last week. It's kinda painful

AW: My son's best friend is playing Jafar and she's got phenomenal stage presence. You just can't take your eyes off her. Plus she enunciates and she has memorized all her lines. If only MM could play Iago with her. (This week's Iago is....not as good as MM and skips whole sets of lines).

AW: The tech crew is the same as last week. Tech stuff is going super well.

Sue said...

I hope kathy and QWP are both feeling better this morning.

Sorry about the poo angst. :(

Liz, it sounds like you're having fun with the play! There are always a few young performers who really stand out and it's so great to see.

Another angsty night of no sleep for me, so I'm going on fumes and caffeine this morning. Stoopid brain won't shut off when it should be sleeping.

kathy a. said...

QWP, hope you are feeling better!

Liz, how very fun! Agree with Sue about some actors really standing out; and it is interesting to see how a production develops that sense of cooperation we all like to see.

Better today, thanks.

P_K said...

H warned me that if I pushed to have the kids evaluated by a counselor or psychologist to determine what kind of parenting plan would be in their best interests, or if I insisted on having a separation that actually involved us living in separate houses, he would try to get full custody of the kids so that they would only live with me every other weekend. He appears to be following through on that, as I've been contacted by a couple of people who said he called and asked them to write statements in his support. I've been a SAHM for over 15 years and we have a nursing toddler, and he works full time, so I doubt the judge will give him what he wants, but it's still scary.

He said he'd be happy to continue letting me be home with the kids caring for them each day while he's at work if I'll stay with him, or would be willing to do more of a 50/50 arrangement if I'd agree to drop the idea of having the kids evaluated and take turns living in the same house with the kids, so it's not abut concerns regarding my parenting. He'd just apparently rather put the kids in daycare than let them be with their mother if he can't get what he wants.

Queen of West Procrastination said...

He's resisting having them evaluated by a psychologist? Well, if he's already fighting for full custody anyway, might as well go for the evaluation, hey? What an incredibly messed up person. Hugs, PK.

kathy a. said...

PK -- you do have a lawyer, right? And he was booted from the house and a protective order issued? There is no reasonable chance of him getting full custody. The COURT will want the kids evaluated and an investigation conducted to determine what is in the best interests of the children. If the court orders it, not on you.

How is he communicating with you? Was this stuff he said before (aside from the calls from people he is trying to line up)?

My suggestion about counseling was really to help the kids through this very upsetting time. It could, coincidentally, end up being part of the court determination about best interests of the child. xoxo

kathy a. said...

If you do not have a lawyer, need to find a good one, pronto. xoxo

kathy a. said...

Also want to point out that controlling, threats, intimidation are not unusual with people falling into the abusive category. It's important to develop some way to distance yourself from reacting to those behaviors.

Also -- freaky he is trying to line up letters of support. And that people apparently find that odd enough that they are calling to tell you. xoxo

kathy a. said...

Isn't the next legal thing on the table the hearing about the protective order? Not sure he is understanding that, if he is sending someone to investigate your house while you are not home, and recruiting letters in support of him having custody. Just sayin'. The issue at that hearing will be whether to extend the stay-away order, not anything about a final custody arrangement. But any previous threats to take the kids away and get full custody -- he has activated those again with trying to mobilize support. Which has had the desired effect of threatening you again. Not the behavior a judge wants to hear about at this hearing on the protective order.

Liz said...

(((PK))) In abuse cases and contested divorces in my county, the court assigns a guardian ad litum for the kids, and they get evaluated. I don't know if that's the case in your area, but I hope it is. Sending you love and hugs.

kathy a. said...

Guardians ad litem are common in bad custody disputes.

esperanza said...

Oh, PK. I think you've gotten some good advice from kathy and Liz, so I'll just send my prayers and hugs. I'm so sorry.

Anonymous said...

(((((PK))))))
Be sure to document EVERYTHING.
Hugs and love and support to you.

Also, in my experience, people who do not want people to talk to counselors are generally worried about what they will tell them. Which makes it seem all the more important, IMHO.

Hugs and love and prayers as you navigate this nightmare.
--Neighbor lady

P_K said...

H and I both have lawyers. My lawyer is well versed in DV issues and used to be a prosecutor. I filed for legal separation and a request for a court order to get the kids evaluated at the same time as applying for the restraining order, so the hearing will be on a temporary parenting plan, who gets to stay in the house, temporary spousal maintenance and child support, and whether the judge will order the kids evaluated, as well as whether the restraining order will be allowed to expire or will be extended with some modifications for up to a year.

The kids are getting a supervised visit with their dad this evening, and H agreed to have them evaluated by a counselor who has a prior relationship with our kids and family, so his lawyer must be reeling him in and talking some sense into him.

On a brighter note, my 2-year-old's therapist told me today that there isn't much she can teach me because I'm better at some of the parenting techniques she usually teaches than she is. ;)

P_K said...

Oh, and also most of the communication between H and me has been via email, so almost everything is documented.

kathy a. said...

PK, it is hard for me to believe that any issues would come before whether the restraining order should be continued.

He was ordered not to contact you, right? Geesh. Your lawyer has all the emails and info about other contacts, right?

xoxox

kathy a. said...

Artichokes. That was all I wanted last night. And I ate the last this afternoon. Mmm.

esperanza said...

W: Tomorrow is phone call day. I don't like phone calls. Why can't I transfer the utility bills to us by email, anyway?

kathy a. said...

They need all that security info and blah blah. It's a lot better than having to go into some office! But, yeah. xoxo

Queen of West Procrastination said...

PK: I'm glad that you have the lawyer that you have, and that things are moving forward. So many hugs.

Esperanza: does your state not have an equivalent to our provincial automated address change system? If we move within this province, we do one online form, which notifies everyone and gets utilities changed or started. (Upon reflection, this thing might be because our utilities are all government-owned. Probably not in your state?)

W: my ill health yesterday and this morning seem to be tied to poor food choices I made yesterday. (I ate a lot of fried chicken from Kay Eff See, and then had eggs for supper, when eggs always disagree with my stomach.) My stomach is finally recovering from my poor choices.

esperanza said...

QWP: um no. Electrical is a co-op. Water is city owned. Internet is Big Company. One form would be delightful.

Sorry about the tummy troubles.

Sue said...

(((PK))) Good advice here from the pixies. Sending so much love your way. xoxoxo

I feel your telephone pain, esperanza. Ugh.

Mmmm...artichokes.

Liz Miller said...

Omg! Artichokes!!!!

P_K said...

Thanks, all. Yes there is no direct contact allowed at this point. The emails were before the restraining order was served.

Kids are having a supervised visit with H tonight. The usual confusion and chaos surrounded trying to get that arranged. No wonder I'm usually so tired all the time! I've been so much more clearheaded and functional without having to deal with that.

P_K said...

I love artichokes.

kathy a. said...

Artichokes for the house!
xoxo

Liz Miller said...

Hello Aunt Flo! Long time no see! You haven't been by since January 15! So, when are you moving away for good? Not that I don't love you (I don't).

Sue said...

Dear Aunt Flo - Here's your hat, what's your hurry? Time for you to move along, thankyouverymuch.

esperanza said...

3 phone calls down. Absolutely nothing taken care of with said phone calls, only more forms to fill out and Mr E has to call too. Waiting on a call back from another one.

Liz said...

UGH. On the one hand, ain't nobody got time for that kind of hoop-jumping. OTOH, they started doing it this way because people were getting their stuff shut off by folks who were doing it to harass them.

esperanza said...

Well, and my insistence on it being in both of our names means they have to speak with both of us. Damn egalitarianism.

The bright side is that they only need the forms, etc, 24 hours in advance of the transfer, so there's no rush. Yet.

P_K said...

H violated the terms of the supervised visitation yesterday, but the supervisor (a family member of his, but who has also been close to me) didn't stay within earshot at all times as they were supposed to do. And apparently H has been able to convince at least one mutual friend that it wouldn't be taking sides to write a recommendation for him.

kathy a. said...

Progress, Esperanza! How come they make it so hard, though?

((( PK ))) Oy, what a jerk. Is it possible to find someone more neutral than a family member of his for the supervision? (HE is the one being supervised; a member of his family is less likely to rat out a family member.)

This is all so stressful. Hold your head high!

So often, people outside an abusive situation have trouble believing that things could be so bad. I know because I lived in a toxic, verbally and sometimes physically abusive home -- and nobody knew what was going on at the time. I did not even go to the police after I was strangled by the abusive parent, and had to escape by climbing out a window and taking her car, because of the previous threats that my sibs would go to foster care and never see their friends again if anyone called the police. This happened close to 40 years ago, and is still a defining event in my life. The person I am now would find more resources -- just like you have.

xoxo

esperanza said...

Oh, PK. Sounds like a different supervisor is in order, perhaps one chosen by the court.

W: Big Evil Bank (some sarcasm there), with whom we bank, caught an attempted fraud on our account. The purchase was declined, so "all" I have to do is wait 5-7 days for them to send me a new debit card. I guess it's not that big of a deal, but I don't have the energy to deal with it right now.

kathy a. said...

Esperanza, hate it when that happens!

esperanza said...

Though I agree in principle about Big Evil Banks, this particular one has caught fraud two different times, in a very timely manner, on our account. Their computer algorithms are impressive. Alternatively, we are very boring people who make predictable purchases.

Liz said...

(((PK))) In my county, supervised visits are often at the DV Shelter offices (as opposed to the shelter itself), under the supervision of professional DV counselors and/or attorneys.

kathy a. said...

So am I! The fraud division contacted me about all 3 payments on our window replacements -- a big job that doesn't happen often, right? Actually, they suspended my card a couple of times before I even got the call, so that was a giant pain when I went to one of my boring little stops and the card wouldn't go through.

Liz said...

On the bank front, my Very Large Bank has a thing where you can have every charge over a minimum amount automatically trigger a text sent to your phone. We've got it set to $1. And it's enabled us to catch unauthorized charges as fast or faster than the bank (though the bank caught it too). Also, we don't use debit cards EVER. ATM cards and Credit Cards only.

kathy a. said...

Did anybody else lose track of their woman card? I'm not totally sure if it's like an ID card, or more like a club card from the supermarket. Or like one of the more obscure game pieces, to a game we do not own. A collect them all series? Or like a green card, must be presented upon demand to prove your womanhood?

Six more months of this is surely going to make me an insane person.

esperanza said...

Do you do Twitter, kathy a? If so, follow #WomanCard...it's hilariously sad and horribly true.

kathy a. said...

no, i'm no twit. tweeter. whatever it's called. but maybe i can sneak on?

kathy a. said...

Thanks, Esperanza!

esperanza said...

I think (*think*) you could search that hashtag without having an account.

kathy a. said...

Yes, that's what I did! Might not have been a full set, but cheered me right up.

Miranda said...

I will read and comment but I have a new computer thingie. No more typing on my phone for WW comments. Best Day EVER!!!

Miranda said...

P_K, I have no advice. Where I live is not very survivor friendly and assumes that the woman is probably lying. It's disheartening.

I hope you are surrounded by loving people and so are the children. (((P_K)))

kathy a. said...

Best day ever sounds pretty good, Miranda!!

Miranda said...

Once The Big Event is over (I'm the one in charge of the folks to keep things moving smoothly), I can get back to writing. It's a very tiny machine - a tablet with a keyboard but that is perfect for me.

The Big Event could be its own topic but I'm tired and I have to be at the hotel tomorrow and I'm not packed and I don't have documentation finished and this could be bad if I don't pull it together.

Send me pulling it together vibes. Work has crushed my soul the last few weeks and my ex is still here and the kids are a little traumatized and I'm out of spoons.

kathy a. said...

Miranda --sending Let It Be A Success vibes! You've been traveling enough lately, you can pull the appropriate amounts of what's needed and toss them in a bag.

As a member of the posse, I propose a sticky note advising the squatting ex to go buy some spoons -- and whatever else the family might need while you are away. To be followed by some serious bops on the bean from your invisible friends, who expect him to behave. xoxo

Liz Miller said...

(((Miranda))) there are no spoon emojis on my iPad, or I'd send you one

P_K said...

Miranda, I hope you can get some rest and destressing to replenish your spoons soon.

I met with a professional who is going to be involved in our case, and I think he's pretty knowledgeable. Which is very good.

I find out in the morning what H filed in response to my filings.

Miranda said...

The clothes/toiletry part is easy thanks to all the work travel. Huzzah!

I have to pack food because hotel food all week disturbs my delicate system. And finish packing the bins of crap I need to bring. It's a lot more thinking than I want to do.

I am so so whiny.

AW: Daughter was super excited about my buying a vacuum. I found new cute, comfy shoes last night. Teen Boy was great in the musical last weekend. It will be so nice to be with friends this weekend. I have great people on my staff. We have medics. We found a way to make the event accessible to someone with no hearing. We have all gender rest rooms. We have amazing programming. We have fun guests. I'm lucky to be able to help make something like this work.

esperanza said...

((Miranda)) Well done on the Big Event logistics! And you'll pull the crap together. Whine until you have no whines left.

((PK))

Sue said...

(((Miranda))) You've got this! Sending good event energy your way.

(((P-K)))

Sue said...

W: Last night our spinny kitty started spinning again. Then she had a good scratch at her ear until a big gross wad of goo (blood, fluid, pus) came flying out. Poor thing - it surprised both of us! Once it was out, she stopped falling over, which is good. It's still draining today, so it's back to the vet today.

AW: Maybe if this whole thing was an ear infection it means we can clear it up and be done with the spinning. Paws crossed!

kathy a. said...

Poor baby! But wow, great if this means it is over!

esperanza said...

Ear infection seems plausible, Sue. I hope the vet can figure it out today. Poor spinny kitty.

kathy a. said...

I forgot to mention the most amazing kitteh news! Just recently, the senior cat has begun allowing me to pet her with my hand -- an amazing breakthrough after only 9 years of living here happily. (She didn't quite lose the feral instinct after domestication.) And this week, first time evah, she has let both my giant scary husband and daughter rub her ears! A little. When they were in the seated position, not looking at her, and moving slowly. (There are rules.)

She still hisses at me and runs if she's not in the mood or I'm moving too fast. I believe she's softened up in part because she's not well; but it is incredibly nice to (sometimes) be able to comfort her.

esperanza said...

W: The collective energy for homework is at an all time ebb.

W: We are just about to the point in the home buying process where I start signing things and stop asking questions.

Anonymous said...

W: Neighbor boy got a mild concussion from soccer last weekend. Big kick of a ball hit him in the side of the head. The next day was fine, but the day after was a terrible headache right where the ball hit. Mild concussion diagnosed by physician's assistant at doctor's office. (very mild but still, and he has had very low level headache this week). Idea was to gradually increase cardiac exercise (run around a bit) and see if headache got worse. At soccer practice today, he was running around, and then the coach (who is Neighbor Guy) got busy, and didn't think about how he wasn't suppposed to be in for the scrimmage. Forgot to tell him to sit out, and he got hit in the head with a ball AGAIN in the SAME SPOT. I am so mad, and expressed it to Neighbor Guy, but he says he already feels terrible about it and I should not make it worse, and what can he do about it now? I don't KNOW, but I am still so ANGRY at him. (and scared for Neighbor Boy-- who promptly got another headache, and then at least did get taken out and sat on the sidelines).

ARG!

If it was some other coach, we would probably be writing an email to the tune of WTF. But, I can't really write that email. And Neighbor Guy, is, admittedly, an awesome caring coach (and dad)-- truly one of the good guys.

But, don't I still get to be MAD?!?!?!?
And also, how can I get over being mad, because it is not a happy place to be?

Sorry for the long rant.
Thanks for listening.
(no clue stick posse needed, I have already clue-sticked) :)

--Neighbor Lady

p.s. I do know this is very small potatoes compared to lots that is going on in pixie land. Still, it's nice to have a place to vent.

kathy a. said...

Neighbor Lady! That there is not small potatoes! I'd be very worried, especially so soon after another concussion. Sending much love! And hoping NB is OK; that he sees the doctor; that he is sitting things out for a bit. xoxo

kathy a. said...

Also, cluesticks. Even though NG is a good guy.

Sue said...

Yes, NL, you get to be mad (even though the coach is a nice guy). Vent away! Lots of brain rest (no music, tv, screens...you know the drill) for NB - not fun, but necessary for a healing brain.

Yay about senior cat, kathy!! Progress!

I'm glad you're at the signing a gazillion papers, esperanza. It means the actual move is on the horizon. Before you know it, you'll be unpacking and enjoying your new home!

So...kitty update. She has an abscess in her ear canal and it's full of icky goo. She has a fever and is on antibiotics (ear drops and oral tabs for 10 days) - she will also need her ears flushed daily which ought to be fun. Or not so much. They tested her for FLV and FIV and she's negative for both (whew!) so once we clear this up, she should be okay. Poor thing lost a pound since last Friday. That's a lot of weight for an 8 lb (now 7) kitteh. She's been feeling to awful to eat well. :(

esperanza said...

Ew. Ear abscess. Ear flushing and ear drops sound...tricky. Glad for a definitive diagnosis and hopefully effective drugs.

NL, yes, you can be mad. Hoping NB recovers quickly and thoroughly.

esperanza said...

Oh, and yes, we're nearing the "done deal" part. Closing is still on track for May 9. They're leasing it back for 10 days, so we'll be able to start painting on the 20th. By we I mean me and my mom. And the 20th is my birthday. She's bringing me a cake.

Anonymous said...

Poor kitty, Sue!
And poor you with the ear flushing.....ugh. But hopefully this will get her on the mend.

Yay esperanza for things moving along.... sorry you have to paint on your birthday, but at least by then the house will be yours! I love the transformation a coat of paint can make! (coming from someone whose house had a dark green sponge painted living room when we bought it, and now....does not.)

Miranda, your event sounds like it will be wonderful! Kudos on pulling it all together!

--Neighbor Lady

Anonymous said...

Also, I know it's Friday and the school week is almost over, but I would be really happy if it was already Saturday.
--Neighbor Lady

kathy a. said...

Hope the kitteh is feeling better, Sue! Sorry about the meds and the ear flushing, which doesn't sound very fun at all.

It's moving along, Esperanza! And still some breathing room before The Move.

NL, may this day go swiftly and smoothly.

esperanza said...

Closing just got moved up three days, which I'm all in favor of. Since they're leasing it back from us, that means we get three more days of cash. And I'm ready to get it over and done with, too.

Liz said...

Yay for moving up closing!

NL, you still get to be angry. SERIOUSLY. I do still have a clue stick to swing at Neighbor Guy. DUDE, WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?

I hope Neighbor Boy is okay. Two concussions in quick succession are really hard to deal with. Do you have a concussion specialist in your area?

MM's counterpart in this week's cast is...not good. I hadn't realized how important that role is for pacing the show, but BOY HOWDY. Plus, her mom did her makeup and it's also...not good. My tongue is sore from all the biting it I'm doing. Not my circus not my monkeys not my circus not my monkeys not my circus not my monkeys.

esperanza said...

W: Something else we're losing in this move, which some people might not regard as a loss: Current school demographics: Mini and Sweet are each one of three Anglo students in their classes, which makes the stats something along the lines of 15% white, 5% African American, 80% Hispanic. New school is 60% Hispanic, 5% African American, 1% Asian American and 34% white. I've been glad for them to be in such a small minority--it has even been good for my own reflections on race and privilege. They'll still be in a racial minority, but not as noticeable. I am further suspicious, though this isn't in statistics I can access, that the class diversity is way, way, way less, given the housing prices for the neighborhoods that feed this elementary school. That bothers me too.

AW: At least I'm aware of it?

kathy a. said...

Yes, Esperanza -- you're aware of it. AND, they have already learned to thrive in diverse classrooms [the new ones will still be anglo minority], all to the good.

Sue said...

What kathy said - they're already ahead because of where they've been up to now.

AW: Ear flush success! We managed about 5 minutes and neither of us were soaked in the end. She actually did settle into the cuddle time. I had her wrapped in a towel so she was warm and swaddled. When she had had enough though, it was over. Still, good start!

Liz said...

YAY Sue!

And yes, Esperanza, it's a terrific thing that you're aware of it. And also, class diversity IS important. The lack of income diversity is one of the major things I'm not liking about where we live.

kathy a. said...

Go, Sue and kitteh!

I was going to old skool whine about accidentally pulling back a nail so it cracked below the quick....

But then I ran an errand and saw a clerk who hadn't been around for quite a while. When I greeted him and commented, he pulled up his pant leg to show me a prosthesis, and said "I got my leg amputated. But doing great!" He's a younger guy, probably mid-to-late 30's. Obviously delighted to be back to work and see customers who missed him (an older lady had been chatting before got there). He wanted a hug, so he got one.

esperanza said...

I'll join you with the Old Skool whining: on Saturday, I dropped a rock on my big toe--it landed right where the toenail joins the toe. Just now, I dropped the trash bin and the wheel landed on the other big toe, right at the same spot. It smarts.

kathy a. said...

That was a startling encounter; and no, I don't know why it was amputated, although he was in a walking cast for a while before. He's only doing p/t work now, but says he likes his "morning customers" best anyway. ;) It must have been months of recovery and PT to get this far! He says he has a long way to go, but sounded cheerful about the prospects.

kathy a. said...

OUCH, Esperanza! Steel-toed sneakers?

Sue said...

Good Old Skool whines!!

Definitely startling kathy, especially in someone so young. I'm glad you were there to give him a hug!

Queen of West Procrastination said...

Popping in briefly for hugs. We had Grandpa's funeral yesterday, and I ended up speaking on behalf of the grandkids. (I volunteered, and all the rest of my siblings and cousins breathed a sigh of relief that it meant they wouldn't be voluntold.) We intended to stay up in Middle Earth Canada until tomorrow, but E had a cold that then became my cold, and we were all sleeping poorly. All the official family stuff was over anyway, and so we just packed up and drove home.

AW: sweet, blessed wifi. I've missed you so. There's very little signal of any kind in that area. (It's in a dead spot between towns, and backs onto the wild part of a national park.) Also: sweet blessed soft water. And my own bed.

kathy a. said...

((( QWP ))) How good of you to speak. It sounds like a good send-off to your beloved Grandpa. xoxox

Liz Miller said...

(((QWP)))

The show is over. Cast party has been thrown. MM's counterpart ended strong. Felt really good.

Anonymous said...

((((QWP))))

Yay for successful shows!
Also, QWP, love the word "voluntold". Nice job on speaking for the grandkids.

--Neighbor Lady

kathy a. said...

Wonderful that the show was such a great success, Liz!

W: It was warm last night, and then lo, the scent of an unhappy skunk filled the great outdoors!

AW: Not sure who was having the party on our little block, but this entire gang of elementary age kids had a rousing game of tag in the street (pre-skunk)! It was delightful to hear. (The street is a little sleepy cul-de-sac, so it's a pretty safe place.)

??: My beloved is off on a long organized bike ride of 50-60 miles. He loves riding, and was very excited about this.

Anonymous said...

W: I went running this morning. And overdid it a bit. And now I feel bleh- that kind of bleh that kind of feels like hot flashes and has happened before when I have overdone it, so I recognize it but do not enjoy it.
Making tea. Was planning on grading skads of papers this afternoon, and doing lesson planning. And now I am planning on sitting on the couch. And am not planning on entering the 5K I was considering for next weekend. Apparently, I am not quite in shape for that yet...
:(
Neighbor Lady

Anonymous said...

AW: I have decided to use a beautiful tea pot for the making of tea. I am reading a cozy mystery right now-- Laura Childs' Tea Shop Mysteries-- and it has made me want to experiment more with loose teas, about which I know not much. I really prefer coffee, but it does not always agree with me, and so have become more of a tea drinker. I am also non-caffeinated, so need to find some interesting types. ANy suggestions of favorites welcome...
:) Neighbor Lady

esperanza said...

NL, I like decaff green tea with citrus. And then I add honey. Sorry your run did you in.

kathy a, I think your last ?? means "better him than me"

Liz, glad the show ended on a high note.

And QWP, all the hugs.

W/AW: church committee spent almost 2 hours "inspecting" our current house, to see about repairs and redecorating needed for the new family. Many of the items they "discovered" are things we've been mentioning, gently, more than once. Oh well.

Queen of West Procrastination said...

NL: so, you're looking for non-caffeinated tea recommendations? Well, my favourite store isn't available in your country, but have you tried David's Tea? They have some lovely herbal options.

esperanza: I understand that "Oh well" very well, as a recently-former-long-term renter.

Whiiiiiiine: this dumb old cold can go kick rocks. I feel so gross. Is this how E felt while we were travelling? No wonder she was so unmanageable. I'm unmanageable now.

AW: she did keep up with using the potty consistently, during the trip. We made her wear a pull-up for the 5 1/2 hour drive, but she still made it to the bathroom every time. This is a relief, because last year's (like, exactly a year ago's) trip north triggered her first potty regression.

(Side note, of Still Processing Grief: it was challenging having Grandpa's funeral on the one-year anniversary of Grandma's death. In a lot of ways, it was a continuation of the previous year's memorial, with all of us still processing the fact that they're both gone now. I went from having two to zero grandparents, within a single year.)

kathy a. said...

Esperanza, the thought of a chunky committee inspecting my house for problem areas makes me feel all itchy and yucky. BUT, their problem!

NL -- Sorry the run wrecked you, but sounds like you are finding ways to recovery. There are many cute tea infusers available for loose tea! My daughter does japanese green tea.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the tea suggestions!
:)
(((QWP))) so sorry you feel gross. And so sorry for your losses.
Kudos to E for the potty successes!
--Neighbor Lady

Liz Miller said...

(((QWP))) yay E!

Ugh, Esperanza. I hate that kind of behavior from landlords.

Did you folks hear that Moreena got married? Pix on the book of visages

kathy a. said...

Yay, Moreena! Many in the WW community contributed fabric and good wishes to a happy quilt for her daughter who needed a liver transplant in 2008.

P_K said...

Well, H decided to take the approach of mostly claiming that none of my allegations ever happened, and made several claims that were ridiculously easy to disprove because I have documentation. So hopefully that will work in my favor. He is requesting more than half the time with the kids, in an IMO completely bizarre and unreasonable schedule which involves nursing toddler living at his house while I basically serve as daycare provider while he works full time, and reverses the kids' typical schedule. He also claims that we need to sell the family home that was built by my parents during my childhood, because we can't afford the mortgage--while requesting more than the mortgage payment for himself to rent a house. There's no way we'd be able to rent or buy another house large enough to comfortably accommodate a family of 5 for less than our current very low mortgage payment. He just doesn't want me and the kids to be able to live in the ancestral family home that he knows has great sentimental value to me and the kids and my extended family.

Oh, and he also violated the terms of the supervised visitation. So that may not bode well for him.

esperanza said...

Thanks for checking in, PK. I was wondering. Sorry that he's being difficult..