Tax season is over!
Pollen season and the explosion of all life forms is here. My husband took me out to a tree in our yard that is literally buzzing with these wasp things, which he claims aren't the stinging kind, but instead a beneficial pest that eats aphids or something. I still decided that indoors is a better location than under the buzzy tree.
We managed to get flea stuff on one of the cats, without serious damage. The other, alas, is a lost cause.
Must report on albatross progress this week; supposed to finish all first drafts by end of the month.
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Wednesday Whining is a weekly blog with rotating hosts. Whines and Anti-Whines, both big and small, are welcome! Our purposes are mutual support and sharing a few laughs along the way.
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The Wednesday Whining Community is diverse, and strives to be safe, welcoming, and supportive. To this end, comments that are personally abusive or otherwise disparaging [regarding race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation] will be deleted by moderators, along with spam and self-promotion.
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A: Yes, really. Traditional awards include Style [music, poetry, etc.], Old Skool [piddly little whines], and Elevated Risk of Mullet [funniest line in a whine], but other hand-crafted awards may be granted at the host's discretion, and nominations from commenters are encouraged.
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A: The Playdough Violin
A: The Whiner's Ball commences no later than Tuesday, and ends when Awards are given (usually Thursday in theory, but definitely before Monday).
Q: Awards? Really?
A: Yes, really. Traditional awards include Style [music, poetry, etc.], Old Skool [piddly little whines], and Elevated Risk of Mullet [funniest line in a whine], but other hand-crafted awards may be granted at the host's discretion, and nominations from commenters are encouraged.
Q: Can I whine about someone who just does not "get it"?
A: The Cluestick Posse is on hand for persons in need.
Q: Is there a mascot?
A: Ralph is the mascot.
Q: Are there other traditions I should know about?
A: The passing of virtual refreshments is appreciated.
Q: How did this all get started anyhow?
A: Phantom Scribbler was our muse and host for two years.
Q: What was the first prize ever awarded?
A: The Playdough Violin
79 comments:
Kathy, I'd be with you, in terms of preferring the indoors over sitting under a buzzing tree!
W: I was foolish on Saturday, and bumped my head AGAIN (this time: stood up straight into the freezer door, because I'm still getting used to having a fridge freezer on top again, and the doors on this thing seem to swing shut more easily than any other fridge I've ever had). I have a sore spot on my head still, and spent part of yesterday with headache, slight ringing ears, and a bit of lightheadedness. It wasn't as bad as previous concussions, but this is getting ridiculous.
AW: I'm functional today. It really wasn't as bad as the one this last summer. (I'm even sitting in a clean kitchen, baking bread, and have made my meal plan for the week! I haven't planned meals since we moved here.)
W: flooding around us, again. We are fine, despite what you may see on the news. We've had a grand total of an inch. We'll be expecting some river flooding in the next few days, and wow is H-town under water.
W: small albatross-related task. Just one email. Should be taken care of.
Ouchy, QWP! But -- I'd say planning the week's meals and baking and stuff means you're recovering well. :)
Yikes, Esperanza, about the flooding! Glad you're safe.
W: Our old dog's life mission is to kill the mailman via barking through the garage door. When I went to check the mailbox this morning, she wasn't taking any chances, and barked her little heart out. A dog cannot be too vigilant? I think maybe her hearing is going, since she didn't take my voice as a cue for a while...
AW: Got an invite to seder on Friday, at the home of son's GF's parents! We just like them so much.
Where is everybody??? xoxo
My friend in Houston got 9 inches in 24 hours -- less than some places. Jeepers! They're OK; lotsa flooding nearby, though.
Albatrossing with difficulty and frequent breaks....
I hear you on the great difficulty and frequent breaks. I can't seem to concentrate on any one thing for more than 15 minutes.
I have made some progress on cleaning and packing, but precious little.
W: Sweet and I went to see the developmental pediatrician today. This preemie stuff never really ends. She's falling into a "typical" pattern: difficulty learning to walk and talk, then catching up mostly, then difficulty in school. Some attention deficits, perhaps. Some "executive functioning" deficits. Some "working memory" trouble (for her, primarily with writing: she can't remember what she's writing about long enough to finish a sentence). Overall, lots of progress since last year, he says the smarts are there, it's just hard for her to express what she knows and keep track of what she knows.
Overall, that sounds like an OK report, Esperanza. No, not all caught up; but then again, progress! The attention focus and expression abilities are just in development. xoxo
When are you planning the move? I thought it was a while off, so unless it's in the next week, it's not panic time on moving!
Hopefully the week of Memorial Day. So no, not panic time yet. But my lists are growing lists of their own.
W: So. Tired. Disproportionate to what I have done today.
Memorial Day?! Here I was, thinking you guys were getting ready to move in the summer! And I'm cheering for Sweet's progress!
I am also exhausted. But I am pleased with how the day went, considering how it began. (The day began poorly, with a tantrum before Mr. Q left, on E's side, and a headache and more ear ringing on my side.) So, I was exhausted, and was vaguely planning on letting the kid veg out today while I rested, when she showed me an irritated spot on her hip, where the velcro on her pull up rubs her hip. I mentioned that undies are soft and don't have velcro. And, after all this time of her resisting the idea of letting go of pull-ups, apparently that did it. The kid wore underpants all day. (Well, she took a break in the early afternoon, roughly lining up with quiet time, because we were both exhausted from the nonstop potty trips.) She only had two accidents all day, both within ten minutes of each other, and both of which were pretty much my fault. (The first time I didn't fathom that she really did need to go to the bathroom again, five minutes after she just peed, and didn't just want to watch more Pingu on my phone. The second time, I thought she was just expressing nervousness about accidents, because she'd just had one. Nope: just endless pee.)
Somehow, in the midst of that, she and I also did quite a bit of housework, and hauled sand to the new sandbox. The kid was so proud of herself, when she went to bed. She even rolled easily with the fact that her Beloved Blanket was in the laundry, and she had to sleep with a different one.
W: Every muscle in my body aches. And there was something really wrong with my head in the early afternoon (thankfully, during the stretch when she wore pull-ups, and I managed to nap a little while she watched TV). It felt like one or all of the three: migraine, rebound of mild concussion symptoms, or allergies affecting my ears and making me dizzy. Thankfully, I was able to nap it off, and spending the rest of the afternoon in the backyard actually helped me feel better (which is a relief, because my eyes were sensitive to light before that).
And so, today, in spite of my body's best efforts to betray me, I potty trained a kid.
"And so, today, in spite of my body's best efforts to betray me, I potty trained a kid."
This made me get all verklempt, and I can't even explain why.
W: People, the folks playing Aladdin and Jasmine don't remember over half their lines. The first show is tomorrow.
AW: Muffin Man remembers ALL his lines, and he's hilarious. This isn't just his mom talking, the principal of his school says he's going to steal the show.
QWP, hope you are feeling better, and that the good potty karma sticks!
Liz -- how wonderful for MM! Here's hoping the other kids get their behinds in gear. (In theater circles, though, the tradition is that if the dress rehearsal sucks, the actual performance will be fine.)
Chapter 190,856 in the Saga of Unwanted Phone calls. Yesterday's featured robocall was a recording, saying that it was for SIL and from her local fire department. I hung up, and made sure she is OK at her care facility. Since my next best guess was that it was a fundraising call, I wrote the department and the chief -- explaining she is not competent, she is not at this number and in fact hasn't used a phone for years, that the call created alarm over what happened to her. And the chief wrote back saying it wasn't them! Still mysterious and annoying, but gotta love responsive public servants. :)
Kathy, those unwanted phone calls are enraging, and particularly ones that make it sound like your SIL has an emergency.
Cheering for MM, and I hope the rest of the cast gets their act together!
AW: E woke up this morning, shouting that she needed to use the potty, and then once she was done, she made a beeline for the underpants.
W: she's still struggling with consistency and bladder control, and after a combination of REALLY LONG potty sit, and then accident three minutes later, she asked that she get "a little break" for for me to give her a pull up. I'm trying to frame this as "you're having a tired morning, and while you're learning, it's okay to sometimes need a little break." She did this yesterday for a couple of hours, and she actually kept the pull up dry for the entire time. (I think underpants make her nervous a little?)
QWP, that's wonderful! She is taking responsibility for her potty control, and recognizing when she could use some backup. (I just remembered that even when my kids were in kindergarten, the teachers always asked for a backup pair of undies and clothing to go in the cubby, because sometimes there are slip-ups, what with all the excitement.)
Yay MM!! (Have you told us what his role is? I can't remember).
Yay E!! Potty success!
Hope you feel better, QWP. And kathy, I'm shocked that you got a response from the fire chief! Wow.
QWP, the move date has been movable, with lots of contributing factors. We close on May 9. We're leasing it back to the sellers for 10 days (they needed to close on the 9th in order to purchase their next house; we can't move in that early anyway, so it will be nice to have some $$ for those days, even though it's going to squeeze me on getting the painting done). We chose the end of May, because if we wait beyond that, it's Mr. E's annual meeting at the beach, to which we usually accompany him. And we wanted to leave the church here plenty of time to get some things done on this house. So...Mr E's last official day is June 26, even though he is taking that Sunday off. Start date at new church is July 3.
Good planning, Esperanza! And it sounds like a little cushion time in there for the whatever?
I think it's easier to get responses from officials in smaller towns -- or if you have some direct connection. My own local fire and police have been great with a few issues, over the years. SIL lives in a very small town -- but still, you don't necessarily expect a personal response from the chief!
Iago
Liz on iPhone at rehearsal
MM will be an exceptional Iago!
AW: Appraisal came in like we needed it, which is to say that they (um...whoever "they" is...the appraiser and therefore the loan company?) think the house is worth more than we're paying for it.
I thought you were getting a particularly good deal! Huzzah!
MM as Iago! Oh, he will steal the show.
W: so, we had a technician (whom we love) come to give us an estimate on the cost of installing AC here, and he said he'd send me an email later today, with the exact numbers and the model that he recommends. It's been eight hours, and still nothing. (To be fair to him, he's the head of the entire company, and sometimes he deals with massive emergencies. Actually, odds are that he spent the rest of the day trying to rescue the boiler at Mr. Q's school. But I still hate the "anxiously refreshing email so that I can move forward with my plans" game.)
Also W: TIRED
Joining you in the TIRED. I thought I slept pretty well but am exhausted today. Mr. E says he slept poorly, which probably means his tossing and turning disrupted my sleep too. Thanks, dear.
Appraisal came in $3000 over what we are paying, so a whopping 1%, but hey, we'll take it.
And yes, kathy a, we have some cushion for whatever might go awry with closing, etc.
Hi pixies!
I'm just home from a conference in the big city. Either allergies or smog had my eyes itchy/runny and my nose clogged up (I'm fine now and I've only been home a few hours) but otherwise it was an AMAZING conference. Great speakers and a mini-reunion of grads from seminary (not the whole class, but close to it!)
I hope I can go back next year.
Now - unpacking and sleep....
Yay, Sue!
Glad you had a good time, Sue! Mini is suffering from itchy allergy eyes too. I'm glad yours cleared up quickly. Sleep well.
Chiming in on the tired. Rehearsal went better than expected, mostly due to our cast's Aladdin getting some sort of tummy bug part way through and being replaced by next week's cast's Aladdin. He actually acts and knows his lines and can sing. I live in hope that our Jafar also gets sick (and no one else)
I realize that sounds harsh, but seriously, I know the lines better than they do.
Break a leg! [It is hard to be so close to the action, and yet so far from doing anything but hustling kids into costume and hoping for the best...]
Prince died.
I am sad on many fronts about this. First, damn he was young. Second, he was an icon of my teen years, and I adored his music. Third, he was without fail outspokenly fabulous.
And I would be just as sad no matter what day or week or month or year his death occurred. But this was kind of bad timing with regard to MM's play. There's a non-speaking character who is a suitor for Jasmine's hand who wears flamboyant purple and is called out by the narrator as being "The Prince Formally Known as the Artist".
Yeah.
I'm thinking of suggesting to the director that we change that line. The actor playing him is the son of the school principal. Perhaps they can call him, "Prince Ipal Dad, Jr!"
Or am I worrying too much?
One of our grand-guinea-pigs died yesterday. My son rescued her and another baby piggie 3 years ago, after they were abandoned in a bucket in a parking lot. His girlfriend is heartbroken.
Oh, Liz. That's a good suggestion -- if it doesn't mess the actor up very much. I don't think it would be disrespectful to leave the line as is, though.
Liz, the suggestion for an amended line is a good one.
Kathy, your poor son and gf!
Sue, I'm glad that you had such a good trip, but also that the allergic reaction cleared up!
AW: continued progress on the potty front here (this is the only thing happening in my life, right now). No pee accidents all morning, and she actually woke up with a dry pull up in the morning. I suggested a pull up break for lunch and quiet time, since E was getting exhausted and tantrum-y. (I think I'm also going to suggest that she still wear a pull up through this week's music class, because she gets a little nervous in undies, but also gets a little stressed out in music class. Maybe by next week, we will be ready to go the whole day without pull up breaks.)
W: how much longer until this doesn't take up my entire day?
UGGGGH W: I just pulled a load of laundry out of the washer, to discover that there apparently had been a disposable diaper hiding among the dirty clothes. Hydragels everywhere. Rewashing everything.
Laundry fairy award to QWP!
There will be no change, which is fine.
The students in/at the show may not really get the reference, but parents should. And really, it is a sign of how well-known and influential Prince was that references like this are so recognizable.
Two more chunks of albatross have gone to meet their editor. Only 2 more chunks left to finish drafting! Then the cleanup, of course, but I'm feeling some light at the end of a long long tunnel.
You know, the line very much could read as an homage. I think it'll be fine.
Kathy: fly away, albatross chunks! Hooray!
AW: I'm calling it: E had her first accident-free day in underpants! She even stayed dry when she had quiet time in her pull up, and she woke up dry too. I make no guarantees about tomorrow, but I think she's finally getting the hang of this.
go, E, go!
W: Sweet had an pee accident at school today. I'm not sure when, except that she was very wet at the pickup line. she didn't tell her teacher. So, um, QWP, it's mostly over at age 8.
That's what people keep reminding me, esperanza! I keep trying to figure out when I can call E "fully potty trained," and teacher friends say, "You know that accidents will still occasionally happen for a few years, right?" (And gentle hugs for Sweet.)
I still occasionally wet my pants when I sneeze. The play was AWESOME. Prince formerly known as artist went over well. MM was the high point of the show, people LOVED him!!!
Liz on iPhone
Woot, Liz! Way to go, MM!
My mom just called to tell me that my grandpa just passed away tonight. She was just up north, helping him this week (he's been in and out of the hospital lately, with some heart and breathing problems, but he seemed to be improving, and they were talking about discharge), and just came home this afternoon. Thank goodness she and all her siblings got up there to spend time with him recently. His birthday was a few days ago, and E and I Skyped with him a bit.
It just hit me that I have no living grandparents.
It also hit me that I'm suddenly planning a trip up north (because I'm guessing the funeral is going to be a few days from now, because that's how my family works), and my brain isn't handling those details right now.
((( QWP ))) I'm so sorry about the loss of your grandpa. It's right to go. Sending much love. xoxoxoo
(((QWP))) Sending love. I'm so sorry for your loss
((((QWP)))) I'm so sorry for your loss.
-Neighbor Lady
Yay MM!!!!! Great news about the show, Liz!
Kathya-- good luck on the albatross!
(esperanza and sweet) , and ugh the sneezes-- me too!
Sue-- glad the conference was great!
Yay E on the big girl undies....
:) Neighbor Lady
AW: niece, nephew and sister in law are coming tonight for Passover. Million things to do, but happy about this! They are here for orientation for nephew's college (in town!!!) for next year. Quick trip but nice. We haven't been together for seder in quite a few years....
NL, that's wonderful! Both that you get to have the family together for Passover, and that you get nephew in town next year!
W: child has been awake since 5am, because she frantically needed to use the potty and then couldn't fall back to sleep afterward. (Okay, I'm thankful that she is so committed to being potty trained, but does she really need to nighttime potty train herself at the same time? Before she's independent on the potty?) And I didn't fall asleep until late last night.
((((QWP))) I'm so sorry for your loss.
I'm glad the show went so well, Liz!
W: One of our kittens started falling over last night and she's still losing her balance, won't eat, sleeping a lot. Called the vet and they fit her in this afternoon, which is great, but also indicates how serious it is. I shouldn't have consulted Dr. G@ogle - there isn't a good scenario for these symptoms. I'm hoping for the best, but trying to prepare for anything.
How lovely to have your family for Passover, NL!
((( Sue ))) oh, poor kitteh....
I had my husband served with a restraining order and legal separation papers this Wednesday.
(((PK))))
((((PK))))) I hope you are safe now.
((( PK ))) Yes, please stay safe. I'm so sorry things fell apart. xoxoxo
(((PK))) Thinking of you and your girls and hoping you stay safe.
XOXOXO
Thanks, all. He can't contact me or the kids or come within 500 feet of the house or school at least until the hearing 2 weeks after the order was granted.
Wednesday night he sent someone over here with a key to let themselves into the house while the kids and I were gone and take some things he wanted that I hadn't sent with his personal effects. He had this person going through the whole house looking for something he said he wanted, that wasn't even here--H already had it with him. Then when we got home this person tried to get me to let him use my phone to call H.
I changed the locks, knobs and deadbolts on all the exterior doors to the house last night.
H said a lot of things to the kids to get them on his side and blaming me, and I must take the high road and not respond in kind, so the kids are very angry at me.
((( PK ))) Very good idea, changing the locks. Jeepers, isn't getting someone to go take stuff from the house some kind of violation? He has no legal right to be there now...
I'm so sorry about the kids. This has got to be rough on all of you. Think you are right about taking the high road, not making things worse by adding more flames. Is it possible for the kids to see a therapist? It might help them come to some peace if they can talk to a safe and trained adult about their fears and anger. xoxo
(((PK))) That's so scary. Make sure you tell your attorney about it, so they can report it to the police as a violation if it is one.
Re: your kids, I'm glad you're taking the high road. I know it's hard in the short term, but your long-term relationship with them will benefit from it.
That is terrifying, PK. I really hope that your attorney/the proper authorities know about the break-in. Does the RO include third party contact?
I told my attorney. The RO only covers direct contact and H coming within 500 feet of the house/school.
Worst part is the person he sent was a family member of mine.
Oh PK, I'm so sorry. It's doubly hard when the folks who should be backing you are playing on the other team
Oh, that really stinks, PK. xoxoxo
That is so many layers of horrible, PK. I'm so sorry.
(I really hope that both this incident, and his blatant efforts at parental alienation, backfire on him legally through the divorce process.)
Giant anti-whine! My son and his longtime girlfriend have gotten engaged! We love her and her family; they adore our son, and seem to like us, too. All is happy!!!
No date or plans yet, but I'm finally able to tell the rest of the family. :)
I am proud of myself that I have gotten the kids to all their activities and picked up afterwards a few minutes early every day so far. I'm finding I'm so much more functional and clear-headed when my mental and emotional energy isn't going into dealing with H constantly. ;)
((( PK ))) xoxoxo
((((PK))))) Hugs to you and hoping you stay safe.
Kathy a. YAY!!!!!!!!! Such exciting news!!!!!
:) Neighbor Lady
Thanks, all. I had a flat tire this morning (picked up a screw) and I handled it, in time to still get everyone to church on time. :rockon
Wow, everyone. I was offline for 3 days and whew.
QWP, so sorry about your grandfather. And give yourself a break on handling the details. It's going to be harder than normal to do normal things.
PK, I'm glad you took the steps to keep you and the kids safe. I can't imagine how hard that must have been. And rock on with the tire repairs! Good for you.
Sue, how's the kitty?
kathy a, congrats to your son and fiancee!
Liz, congrats to MM on a great performance.
NL, Passover with the family sounds good.
Me? I'm just tired. Retreat was good except for a girl breaking her leg and a group of 4 kids missing for an hour. Sigh. All is well, but their grownup needs to do some growing up.
Good for you, PK!!! It's amazing what you can do when you don't have a cliff to go over any more.
Ugh, Esperanza!
You guys, I'm so proud of MM, I could burst.
Yay, PK! Still sending lots of love. xoxo
Go, MM! I assume the performances were terrific?
(((Sue))) thinking of you and your kitty.
--Neighbor Lady
How is the baby cat, Sue? xoxo
The performances were awesome and OTHER PEOPLE'S PARENTS came up to MM and told him he was one of the best parts of the show. SQUEEEE
He was polite and gracious, too.
Go, MM! How wonderful. All around!
Cheering for MM!
PK, well done handling the tire and the kids' schedules and all that. We're all cheering for you, and rooting for things to turn out well for you.
Um, esperanza, that sounds like an incredibly stressful retreat. A broken leg and four missing kids?!
Kathy, I'm so happy for all of you!
AW: E went to a birthday party this afternoon, and it had the potential to be a hot mess (very late afternoon, the birthday party was a gymnastics class at an unfamiliar place), and she did great, and was so good about using the potty all day.
W: This week has been relatively intense. It started with recovery from mild concussion, and then the kid potty trained herself and needed CONSTANT help and attention, and then Grandpa died (and I haven't had time or space to process that). I am tired.
((( QWP ))) xoxo
(((QWP)))
--NL
That is a lot, QWP.
The broken leg was a bit of a crisis, but her adult person handled it well and the girl's parents were able to meet them at the hospital.
The four missing kids were all together. It was just at the "they've been missing for an hour, and it will be dark soon, and our protocols say it's time to call the sheriff" point when they finally returned a phone call. It was really their leader who was the problem, which is a bit of a long story. Definitely poor judgment on his part and their parts, but thankfully everyone was all right.
Both of these crises happened within an hour of each other, so that portion of the day was a little stressful.
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