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Monday, May 23, 2016

Wednesday Whining: Get Me to the School on Time Edition

Remember the email from Muffin Man's school last week? Today's the day we go in to talk with three of his teachers. Frankly, I think a disrespectful tone is something THEY could deal with without needing any attention from his parents, but let's face it, he comes by his disrespectful tone naturally.

My thoughts today are entirely with PK as she navigates her mother's declining health in the midst of all her other stress. Fireplacing cancer.


97 comments:

kathy a. said...

Liz, thanks for hosting! Wishing all the best during the meeting about respectfulness. I assume MM will also be there? This may be a getting on the same page kind of idea, so he knows that you know, and etc.

((( PK )))

Down to the last blop on my thing. Which causes my little pea-brain to think, "Hey! There's still time to procrastinate! You got so much done already!" My more mature self calls it a short break in the action.

P_K said...

I need all the prayers and thoughts I can get right now that the counselor will carefully consider all of the evidence, take time to talk to the other professionals and read the third-party statements, and see the truth clearly.

kathy a. said...

((( PK ))) That is what they are supposed to do! And if I'm understanding this correctly, the counselor makes recommendations to the judge? Usually (in similar situations of which I'm aware) the recommendations are made available *before* the hearing. xoxo

It seems to me (as a distant bystander) that STBX has behaved in some egregious ways, not inspiring of trust. The Posse is saddled and ready to roll, if needed.

P_K said...

Yeah. At this point the counselor is saying the children have said nothing that indicates imminent risk of harm and doesn't seem to be taking H's behavior very seriously. He also hasn't talked to any of the other professionals who have worked with us or reviewed all the evidence and third party statements before drawing preliminary conclusions that the kids seem fine and are just acting out in major ways because they miss their dad, even though the acting out started before the separation and the kids are constantly parroting things their dad said to them about how all of this is my fault and I'm just being mean to him for no reason.

kathy a. said...

You will have a chance to raise objections. It undermines the report if the person hasn't reviewed all the stuff, too. xoxoxo

~~~~~~~
DONE DONE DONE! With the first drafts.

Anonymous said...

Yay Kathy a!
(((p_k))) lots and lots of prayers and good thoughts headed your way

--Neighbor Lady

esperanza said...

Yay for progress, kathy a!

(pk) you have lots going on. Prayers and cluesticks for appropriate parties.

AW: accomplished some more painting today. Still more I'd like to get done before Moving Day, but we'll see. If anyone needs a paint recommendation, I have one.

W: so tired. I was completely non-functional by yesterday evening.

esperanza said...

AW: Buddy Waylon came through brain surgery fine; is already talking to the nurses and his family. Pathology is taking a look--there's a chance that what was removed was not cancer but necrotic tissue from dead cancer cells. Nevertheless, not something you need in your brain.

Sue said...

(((Waylon)))

Yay on the painting, esperanza!

WooHoo kathy on the near-completion of the Thing!!!

So many hugs and prayers PK. xoxoxo

Sue said...

How did it go today, Liz??

Liz Miller said...

Way better than expected. Upshot is, he's been a wiseacre and also been distracted by his phone, we are making him leave phone at home for the rest of the school year. Also making him pay for something (not too expensive) that he damaged accidentally (everyone agrees it was an accident, but it happened while he was doing something he shouldn't have)

The teachers didn't know where the dean got the "unsafe" thing. Everyone now on the same page. Frankly, I think they could have handled this without having to drag us in.

(((PK)))

Yay Waylon!

kathy a. said...

Good news about Waylon!

Esperanza, hope you're at least catching some sleep between those busy days.

Liz, sounds like a pretty decent meeting, after all.

Liz said...

It really was. And the best part is that Muffin Man's behavior has been better since they scheduled the meeting with us and we talked with him about respectful behavior and tone, and then he didn't argue at all when we laid down the rule about no phone at school, and had, himself, suggested he pay for the broken item.

So I'm calling it a win.

kathy a. said...

Definite WIN! And that is just great, that he suggested paying for the broken thing. Very nice gesture of good faith, acceptance of responsibility.

Liz said...

You know your kid knows they done wrong when they don't fight you on the punishment you're meting out (which, btw, was a heavier punishment than his teachers suggested, but don't tell him that).

kathy a. said...

Learn and move on to do good. I don't think the old-style "you're on detention" method was nearly as useful as a group conversation approach -- which takes some investment from all the participants. The teachers took the time to set it up. You took the time to be there. MM, too, invested and stepped up.

P_K said...

Good job, Liz and family!

Glad to hear about Waylon

Miranda said...

Hooray for Waylon!!

Hugs for MM.

P_k, I'm not a legal expert but I have friends who do pro bono consulting in custody cases where there has been abuse and I've seen the mothers completely disregarded in certain jurisdictions (including mine). I'm very worried for you and the outcome. The abuser has used the court system to continue the emotional abuse and the judges abet it.

Xoxoxoxoxo to you and your family.

Anonymous said...

Miranda, how is your beloved? I've been thinking about you and about her... hope she is recovering well.
--Neighbor Lady

kathy a. said...

Yes, been thinking about your beloved, Miranda!

And thinking good strong cluestick-styled thoughts for PK's situation, and that counselor.

AW: I ordered 2 new dresses in a style that works for me, and they got here! One is much brighter than colors I have worn lately, but in my defense, my husband picked that one. Might need to get some hemming done, because even though I ordered petite, and appreciate calf length, I am pretty short. And one is longer than the other, too.

Miranda said...

We had dinner tonight. I made a double batch of soup last night and brought it for a quick dinner tonight. She's doing much better with the 3 antibiotics she has been prescribed. She still has the mastitis but it seems to be improving. I think we have a long way to go before she is fully healed.

Queen of West Procrastination said...

(((Miranda and Beloved))) I'm glad that she's improving, but am sorry that it's going to be a long road.

I continue to root for PK, and hope that the counsellor does the right thing, and reviews everything that's needed.

Esperanza: I'm glad to hear that Waylon came through the brain surgery okay, and I'm praying that it wasn't cancer.

Liz: it sounds like me meeting went pretty well (and cluesticks for the dean turning it into a "safety" thing, when the teachers had not expressed that).

Queen of West Procrastination said...

W: Mr. Q is stuck in musical practices and performances all week. (No, he does not sing.) The school art teacher convinced him to take on a bit part in the school musical, saying it would "only take five minutes." It turns out that this "five minute" part is at the beginning of the musical, but he also needs to be at the curtain call, and he needs to be at all of the rehearsals for the entire time. He does not have the time for this.

Also W: I've felt weirdly sick all day, and I can't figure out what's going on. Part of the problem was that I had blood tests yesterday, and then spent the rest of the day doing heavy duty lifting and yard work, to the point that I injured that arm. I then overdid things first things this morning, and then spent the afternoon on the edge of migraine symptoms and nausea. If I was laying down in a dark room, I felt completely fine (but I had to pay attention to the kid and all that).

AW: Before the gardening injury, I managed to spend the long weekend wrangling our wild yard. The shrubs are starting to look like they're there on purpose, and the front of the house looks really nice.

kathy a. said...

Miranda, glad she's on the mend -- but it sounds really hard. xoxo

QWP, so sorry you are feeling bad; hope you get some rest! Yay on the taming of the yard. And wow, did Mr. Q find out about what a 5 minute commitment might mean! The only up side is that the kids will probably remember him as somebody who is there for them -- which counts a lot, but doesn't make this time commitment easier right now.

Queen of West Procrastination said...

Mr. Q just figured out that, by the end of Saturday, his "five minute commitment" will have taken up 28 hours of his time. Never again with the school musical. It's fun having a teacher have a pop-on role, but there has to be a way to make it so that pop-ons don't have to be at entire rehearsals and sound checks, etc. (I'm feeling grumpy because the art teacher has now declared that rehearsal starts even earlier tomorrow, to the point where he is going to have to carefully plan in order to be at home at all while E is awake. Not fun, while I'm feeling so drained and crummy.)

Anonymous said...

QWP, that's awful! So sorry that you're feeling bad... also, what if Mr Q just said "no" today?.... the curtain call isn't so hard to coordinate. Someone could be a fill-in for his position (one of the stage crew or something, and then fill him in at another rehearsal). Happens all the time when kids are out sick etc.

((Waylon))

Miranda, glad she's getting better, and hoping for a short recovery.

QWP-- just a thought-- you may also be dehydrated a bit, after having blood drawn and then working outside.... It's hard to drink when you feel icky, but maybe ice or popsicles could help.... I've had that happen when I've overdone it before, and eating/drinking helped even though I didn't feel like it....
Hope you feel better soon!!!!!

--Neighbor Lady

Sue said...

Yay Liz - I'm glad the meeting went well.

Miranda, I'm glad Beloved is feeling better - I hope the recovery continues and she gets stronger every day.

(((QWP))) Sorry you're feeling so bad. I hope today is better.

Liz said...

(((QWP))) Please remind your husband that "No." is a complete sentence and that he shouldn't be saying it only to you and your daughter. And, yes, please drink more fluids.

(((PK))) thinking of you constantly. I hate that the court often errs on the side of giving abusers the benefit of the doubt. Abusers don't deserve it. But we have normalized misogynistic and familial violence to the point where men are excused for violating boundaries all the time. Gather your friends around you like a mighty shield.

Miranda, I'm so glad your beloved is recovering. I am sorry it's going to be a long road.

esperanza said...

I will be sympathetic later, right now, I'm just whiny.

My mom has been here for almost a week helping paint and pack and cook and clean. She was headed out this morning so she could make a doctor's appointment at home. I dropped off Baboos and was going to head to new house to tackle many, many projects there. Car died. I was still here in small town, but not exactly a convenient or overly safe location. Not all the way dead, but lots of red lights and "problem!" lights and car wouldn't really run (it's a Prius, so it was running on battery but not on the gas engine). An hour later, we've gotten someone to haul it to the dealer (an hour away). Mr. E is riding with them and will get a ride back home. My mom came (while Mr. E was arranging all that) and unloaded all the crap that was in my car to bring back to our (old) house. I have Mr. E's car now. I'm sure none of that makes any sense, so the bottom line is that I am not coping well with car trouble on top of moving stress. Glad y'all are here.

Liz said...

Ooh, Esperanza. That is totally whine-worthy. Many hugs.

I was coming by to drop a link to an old post of mine with moving tips in it for you

kathy a. said...

QWP, hope you are feeling better. NL's suggestion about hydration sounds good, too!

Miranda, here's to a smooth recovery.

Esperanza! Not the car!! Not the things in the car returning home to roost!!! Argh.

PK, continuing to think strong, cluestick-sized thoughts. xoxo

W: Junior cat dashed into the garage last night, and had a merry time sniffing everything and hiding under the car. It took all my best bribes to get her back in the house -- the meow talking, the dry food rattle, the opening of a can.

esperanza said...

Ok, deep breaths. Car made it to dealer; they will take a look at it by the end of the day. ("oh, that's not good" is not exactly what you want to hear). Fabulously generous in every way church member has loaned Mr. E a truck (a nice one, even). So we are coping somewhat. I did some church work this morning instead of packing/moving work, which felt good. Shoulders slightly less tight.

kathy a. said...

So good the car is getting evaluated, and someone stepped up with an offer Mr. E can use. Doing something different is great!

kathy a. said...

My SIL just had her third hard fall in under 3 weeks, again cutting open her forehead. The last one required the ER, but this one fortunately seems OK with steri-strips. Range of motion is OK, no other obvious bad results.

They had already called the doc today about lowering her meds in the hope of lessening the falls. She still gets fairly agitated, though, so guess we'll see how that goes.

esperanza said...

Car news not terrible. Although they are telling Mr. E that the non-functioning turn signal is functional. Should be ready tomorrow, right when we have no time to get it.

W: Baboos just broke a mirror

esperanza said...

AW: I asked for help with one small (non-moving, online) task, and someone agreed to take it off my list. Yay, me! (I stink at asking for help).

kathy a. said...

Delegation is a virtue -- go, Esperanza!

kathy a. said...

W, like I don't whine enough. My doc referred me to a "head and neck surgeon," because of this lump on my face. My best guess is that it's benign, but there it is, 1" across over a cheekbone, and it isn't going away. Next week.

AW: breakfast with a friend tomorrow!

Queen of West Procrastination said...

W: musical practice took five hours tonight, and my big toe is badly bruised, after E dropped a broom on it. (It's hurt badly enough that I'm limping a bit, and I looked up what it would look like if it was broken. It's not broken.)

AW: my sister stayed for supper and to help me put E to bed, and then cleaned my kitchen, and watched Inside Out with me. And, after she left, I watched several episodes of Grace and Frankie.

P_K said...

If H filed a request to set a trial date for a dissolution of marriage, that means he's filing to turn it into a divorce instead of the temporary legal separation I requested, right? </3

More financial shenanigans happening. And he filed a response to our motion for contempt claiming, predictably, that it's all falsehoods on my part or innocent harmless misunderstandings on his part, of course.

I'm unreasonably sad that he would rather file for divorce than take an anger management class or abuser treatment program as I requested. :(

I don't know how or what we will tell the kids. They knew (because H told them, and I confirmed it) that I was only asking for a separation, not a divorce. What seems like a lifetime ago we promised them that we would never, ever get divorced.

Anonymous said...

((((((p_k))))
I don't know what to say. I am holding you in my thoughts and prayers. I think sadness is normal in this situation. However, perhaps his problems go deeper than an anger management class would fix. Even though it's hard to see now, there is light on the other side of this tunnel. I am looking forward, for you, to a time when you are free from his financial and other manipulations, and able to breathe freely.

--Neighbor Lady

esperanza said...

((PK))

What NL said. And a big hug.

W: not sleeping well. Too many things to think about.

Sue said...

(((PK))) What NL said, and many hugs.

Boo to car troubles esperanza, but I'm glad it's not as bad as initially thought. Very nice of the church friend to loan his truck, too. And YAY to you for delegating a task!!!

kathy a, I hope the surgeon can see you quickly about the lump. Sorry to hear about SIL. It's such a fine balance, right? Too much mellow and she falls, not enough and she's agitated.

Miranda said...

(((P_k))))

W: They aren't ruling out breast cancer. Beloved is heart-broken. She goes back in July.

AW: Daughter is taking her road test on Saturday. She conquered her phone phobia and general anxiety to set it up. I'm so proud of her. She's turned into a very sensible driver. And a very kind young lady. A year ago, I didn't think all this was possible before she turned 30.

kathy a. said...

((( PK ))) and what NL said. xoxo

((( Miranda ))) I'm so sorry they haven't got a clearer picture of what's going on. xoxo

Sue said...

(((Miranda))) ((((Beloved)))) None of my business, but July seems a long way off if they've even suggested the possibility of the fireplacing cancer. Second opinion, perhaps?

Yay for your daughter on overcoming fears and taking that driving test!!

Sue said...

W: I'm having one of those weeks where I keep thinking I'm accomplishing a LOT, then I look at what's left to do and feel exhausted all over again. "Hello, I'm Rev. Sisyphus, how might I help you?"

kathy a. said...

Sue and Miranda -- the re-check in a couple months might mean that it is really too small to tell anything. This happened to my SIL, some years ago.

Miranda, yay daughter!

PK, I'm so sorry that the stress and sadness keep rolling in. His very controlling behavior is worrisome. Please remember that you sought only to keep yourself safe and find a way for things to heal -- he is the one who chose this path. (He may blame you rather than accept any personal responsibility -- you can't really change how he thinks, but please do not internalize his anger and blame.) xoxxo

kathy a. said...

Sue, I'm seeing the surgeon Tuesday. Ugh. I think there's a fair chance they'll want a biopsy, just in case.

Miranda said...

There was also an infection and it's hard to tease out how much of the abnormalities are from the infection. She had clear biopsies a few months back and she is responding to the treatment. I'm also not super impressed with her medical team but my second guessing it is not really helpful today.

Good luck with your appointment Kathy.

(((P_K)))

Queen of West Procrastination said...

(((Miranda and Beloved)))

(((PK))) What everyone else said, and I hope that you continue to stay safe, and that you and the kids have a chance to heal from all this hurt.

Hugs for Kathy, and crossing all appendages that the biopsy comes out benign.

Old Skool and gross whine: during those two days when I was under the weather, I did not venture into the basement. I went down there today and noticed an odd smell, and was worried that more water was in the basement (since it's been raining again). I went into the laundry room, and discovered that Mr. Q had left an entire case of raw chicken breast sitting out on top of the deep freeze. Since Tuesday. The chicken goop clean up was horrible. At least the goop stayed confined to the freezer lid, and we store the jug of bleach and the paper towels on a shelf directly above the freezer. But oh: the food waste. I'm guessing that was about $25 worth of meat that went into the garbage.

kathy a. said...

OMG, QWP. That is so award-worthy that I'm gagging all the way out here. And I have an urgent need to wash my hands. Ickerino.

esperanza said...

Ew, ew, ew, QWP! EW! I can't say anything else. Ew.

Hugs to Miranda and Beloved and kathy a, and Sue--do I ever feel you on the Sisyphus comparison.

W: Just met with school post-testing for Sweet. It's looking like we're getting closer to inquiring about meds for ADD (she doesn't really have the hyperactivity component, but wowzer on the distractability)

Queen of West Procrastination said...

Esperanza: it's great that you're getting closer to diagnosis. I've heard that it's pretty common for girls to have the ADD without the H (including such a large number of my female cousins that I probably should look into the symptoms for myself).

kathy a. said...

Inquiring about meds doesn't mean a commitment to them. Agreeing to a trial means starting with a low dose, and seeing how it goes over a short period of time. Parents can stop it at any time.

Bad time to be considering that, though, with the move. Have you identified a new ped? xoxoxo

P_K said...

Thanks, all. I think my lawyer is doing a good job for me. We had to file a response today to papers they filed yesterday and I think our response is good.

kathy a. said...

Go, Team! ((( PK )))

Liz said...

((((PK)))) I'm glad you've got a good support team.

(((Esperanza))) Ditto on getting a good ped in your new area. Does your current ped have a recommendation?

(((QWP))) I don't remember if I whined about the prime rib I left in the car one time?

(((Kathy))) I hope your biopsy goes well.

((((Miranda)))) Please give your beloved some gentle hugs from me.

MM's English teacher just entered a whole bunch of grades for him. He has gotten all A's in her class heretofore, and she's got him with a D+ for the marking period. D!!! Plus!!!! And she said NOTHING about it when we saw her on Monday. I'm sorry, but that should have been mentioned along with her complaints about his attitude.

kathy a. said...

Um, yeah, Liz. They had a whole meeting, and didn't mention this????!!!! Sounds like you have to have a whole new talk -- not to talk her out of the grade, but to find out what is really going on, from her point of view. I can't believe this wasn't mentioned before the end of the grading period. Weird. (Cluesticks, also. And you might have to bash her for the lack of mentions.)

esperanza said...

That definitely calls for a inquiry to the teacher, Liz. Maybe a goofup on the computer system.

Due to my inability to cope with one. more. thing. right now, I (though I haven't discussed it with Mr. E, these things are generally my call) think I'm going to see how things go in the new school. It is quite possible that in a more controlled classroom, she might be able to avoid the meds altogether. I don't want to introduce two variables (new school and new meds) at the same time, and I don't think introducing meds over the summer is going to tell me much either. Appointment with developmental pediatrician is already set for October, so that should be good timing for a discussion. I'd rather him handle it than the regular ped. Preemies are at high risk for ADD/ADHD in any case.

Yes, I have a recommendation, but it's across town from where we'll be. If I wanted to drive that far, I'd just come back here to small town, where it's easy to get an appointment. I do have another to check out that is pretty close. I just prefer the regular ped to be pretty nearby, in order to avoid vomit in the car :)

Sue said...

QWP - just...ew. Ew.

Liz, that's not right. How could she fail to mention that at hour meeting???!!! Grrr... Clue sticks ready.

Miranda said...

whine of the first world: my ac stopped working yesterday and it's been in the mid 80s. It's pretty humid here in Michiswampia.

I scheduled service for tomorrow but I suspect we will be finding places to go all weekend to avoid the hot.

Whines only a tired cranky mother could have: the teens have totally glommed on to this excuse to avoid chores.

Grump grump grump.


QWP GROSS!!!!

Hugs to you, Esperanza.

Liz, my clue stick is at the ready for your sins teacher. Sheesh.

esperanza said...

Hugs to your Beloved, Miranda. And sympathies on the a/c troubles. Mid 80's is plenty hot.

W: Found the second scorpion in two days last night. This is a regular occurrence around this time of year. Then Sweet's blood curdling screaming wakes me across the house last night at 3 am. I jump out of bed, without my glasses, and sprint across the house barefoot. I only really wake up about halfway across the house. She's sitting on the toilet, in tears, because she saw a bug. Then I have to go back across the house, barefoot, to retrieve my glasses to search for said bug. Further interrogation this morning revealed it was likely a cockroach, but sheesh.

Liz said...

UGH Esperanza. UGH.

Addendum to yesterday's whining re: Muffin Man's grade in English, upon contacting teacher through email (cc'd to MM), we discover that, in her words, "I just haven’t gotten all his work entered into the grade program. Sorry. I’m entering grades everyday—because they’ve had a lot due in the last two weeks.

It will resolve soon."

Which a) Does that mean he's doing fine? (I wrote again to ask) and b) why is the system sending us reports on his grades when she's not done entering them?

We actually called MM in yesterday to get his explanation for this grade, based on the good faith belief that this had meaning. And now MM is justified in thinking this teacher is an absolute idiot (and thus his disrespectful tone from the last few weeks is excusable, tho I think I made it clear that...just no.), and that grades are bullshit. And that we are over-reacting. I HATE THIS ONLINE SYSTEM. HATE. Either make sure it can't send before all the details are in or do it the old-fashioned way.

Queen of West Procrastination said...

Liz, that was my assumption. It's happened with Mr. Q and the online gradebook as well: sometimes there will be a glitch in the gradebook, and as marks are being entered, the ones that haven't been entered yet read as incomplete. And so, if MM still has a D, with multiple erroneous zeros, he's likely doing well on his assignments. (This happens to the best of teachers, when marking piles up and Gradebook glitches. It's also possible that it was user error, but it's happened to Mr. Q, and he's a tech guy. He grumbled about the software a lot.)

Liz said...

Ugh. If it happens even with experienced tech people, that's not good. I really hate the system. Passionately.

kathy a. said...

That is absolutely ridiculous!! Bad enough to have bad grades accidentally posted someplace -- but to actively send out the wrong grades???? Gah.

Queen of West Procrastination said...

Kathy, the trouble is that it isn't really sending out bad grades: it's just live updating as they're entered. It's the real down side to allowing parent access to grades as they're being entered, instead of having them wait to see the grade on the report card. It's supposed to be a helpful thing, so that everyone can keep up to date, but that requires marking to be spread out through the semester. (Now, I believe that the program Mr. Q uses has an option to keep things hidden until they're ready to be viewed by parents, but that might vary by software, and that feature might not be obvious to all teachers.)

kathy a. said...

Liz said the system was sending them reports -- sorry if I misunderstood.

My beloved took the day off to go drive up and see his sister, talk to the staff about what's going on with all the falls and etc. This is all incredibly stressful.

Her place is 1.5 hours away. It is *almost* affordable because it is way out in a more rural area, and it also has just an excellent staff that is working well with her peculiar condition. But it's not someplace where we can just drop in when we have a few minutes...

Liz said...

(((Kathy)))

We get emails every time a grade is entered. EVERY TIME. So the fact that she didn't enter all the grades on a multi-part graded exam means that we got four emails saying new grades were entered, and when we looked, it said he'd gotten a D+ because he'd only done 6 out of 10 things, or whatever the hell she'd entered. And on a different thing, he'd been marked down for missing stuff, etc. And he swore he turned it in, because he HAD. She just hadn't marked all of it.

GAH.

kathy a. said...

That's INSANE, Liz!

AW: Daughter has decided that brownies are just the ticket, and so she went to buy the regular shopping list plus ingredients, and now it is bake city in the kitchen!

Queen of West Procrastination said...

What on earth, Liz?! That is a terrible gradebook program. (Or she has some really weird settings turned on. Do you get similar emails from every teacher or just when she enters grades?)

kathy, will there be enough brownies to share with the whole WW group? Because I'm now hungry.

I'm babysitting E's twin besties, while their mom had tests and prepped for possible emergency surgery. The good news: nothing is actually wrong with her gallbladder after all. The bad news: they don't know why she suddenly had such bad pain last night that she ended up in ER. It's troubling.

AW: So, she's been released from the hospital, but I said I'd keep the twins for the rest of the afternoon, so that she could get lunch and nap. I've done no cleaning today (and I am very behind on dishes and laundry), but that's my own fault (I decided to attempt some more gardening, and now my arm is sore again.), and the kids are entertaining themselves really well. (And, at that, I'd better stop hiding in my bedroom and start paying attention to the kids. They're watching a Winnie the Pooh movie, and it sounds like they're all getting stressed out about some part where Roo can't find Kanga. I think they might be a bit stressed about their mom spending time at the hospital.)

kathy a. said...

QWP, so glad your friend got out of the ER and doesn't need surgery! And you are a stand-up parent, taking the extras for the afternoon!!! It is so interesting, but past toddlerhood, kids seem to mostly do great in the company of other kids. And Winnie the Pooh is a perfectly good video, as all works out well in the end.

Passing the brownies; she made a big batch!

kathy a. said...

My husband had a decent visit with his sister this morning -- no tears or agitation, she didn't look all bruised up like he expected. Talked about her first ex the whole time, and had to pace pace pace.

Just got yet another call about her falling -- no obvious injuries this time. Without the concealer she was wearing this morning, she is reported to look "like a football player with two black eyes." She's goes back and forth on the first ex -- sometimes she has $30 million and he is coming at 10 p.m, and sometimes she wants to sue him. Guess my beloved caught his sister at a good time. Sigh.

Queen of West Procrastination said...

My child head butted me in the head, while I was carrying her to her room, to get her away from one of the twins (Who she had just hit with a small rolling pin). I'm monitoring myself for concussion symptoms, since I've had a not-insignificant number of concussions during the past two years. And then Mr. Q came home and announced that he needs to be at the musical at 5:30 for makeup (not 6:30, as he thought). Oh, and musical is next weekend too. So: this doesn't just ruin this weekend, but next weekend too.

kathy a. said...

Not wishing to speak ill of your sweetie, QWP, but that sounds like a cowardly exit to me... ;) How much makeup does he need??

esperanza said...

Yikes, QWP!

Warning: Stress whining ahead: We are Meltdown Family today. Mr. E (not present) with the folks at B3st Buy, who attempted to deliver a fridge with a giant dent in it last Friday and have been failing to call and/or show up since then. Sweet has had a potty accident, torn up her sister's new book into tiny pieces, yelled at me repeatedly, glued a piece of notebook paper to the cabinet door, and I don't know what all else. Mini has popped her sister with her swimsuit (like you'd pop someone with a towel), broken her new toy from her teacher, gotten in multiple screaming fights with her sister, and I don't know what else. Me: multiple yelling incidents, tears over nothing, total frustration that I cannot get a fireplacing thing done because I keep getting interrupted. Today was the last day of school. Last week of school and moving is a bad combo. I am at the "There is no way we're going to be done by Tuesday morning" point.

kathy a. said...

(((( Esperanza )))) It will work out, but y'all need a break. xoxoxo

Queen of West Procrastination said...

(((Esperanza))) Moving stress is an entirely different level of stress, especially with kids involved. Many hugs, friend.

P_K said...

Liz, I totally hear your frustration about the computer system. Yesterday and today by just have made almost 10 attempts at making an online police report about a hit and run driver taking out our mailbox, because it kept crashing and failing when I tried to attach a photo and details. I finally just filed it without. And haven't heard back yet. Fireplacing computer systems.

I'm glad it sounds like MM's grade is actually okay.

Liz said...

YIKES PK! You just can't get a break.

May I ask, is there a chance the hit and run driver was your STBX?

kathy a. said...

Wow, PK. Any chance you can get ahold of an email address and just attach the photos to that?

Queen of West Procrastination said...

Yikes, P_K! I hope the police can find that driver quickly.

W: after the musical performance last night, the director/art teacher kept everyone from Mr. Q's scene late, to make them practice more. (He nailed it, as always: a couple of kids made a couple of mistakes.) (He got home after we normally go to bed. And she kept up kids that late?!)
AW: He and I are finally on the same page that, beyond the remaining three performances, he is giving zero more time to the musical. If Art Teacher demands any more emergency rehearsals, he needs to say "no." Yes, it is awkward. (My response: "What are they going to do? Fire you for saying that you need to go to bed? Yeah, I know that she's the principal's wife, and thinks she runs the place, but there are limits, and you have a family.") But what she called a "five minute little part" will have taken up 33 hours that he didn't have to give.

A lesson for all of us: if someone asks you to commit to something, and won't hear your "no," and keeps minimizing how much commitment will be involved (apparently Mr. Q said no to this part twice, and she minimized how much it would take so much that he felt unreasonable refusing her), they're not going to respect your boundaries after you've committed to them.

Miranda said...

Daughter is taking her road test. She passed the parking portion. She's so ready for this. It's a huge milestone for us.

kathy a. said...

Fingers crossed, Miranda!

Miranda said...

She passed!!

kathy a. said...

Hooray!!!

Queen of West Procrastination said...

Hooray!!!

Liz Miller said...

Hooray!!!!

(((QWP))) 33 hours for a five minute part? That's fireplacing unreasonable

kathy a. said...

I agree about this time commitment inflating to infinity, QWP! Even for the kids, that seems like an awful lot of formal rehearsal time -- and more between shows? I can see working it in small sessions if a major actor needs to get the basics together, but not making everybody be there. (Plus, part of the charm of junior amateur productions is letting it roll, teaching them to deal with any glitches that come up.) I'm calling for a Control Freak award, with bonus cluesticking.

It got warm today. But this morning it was freezing in the house, and it turned out my beloved had turned off the heat because it was supposed to get warm today. Harumph.

esperanza said...

Hooray, Miranda!

QWP, I'm annoyed on your behalf. As one with a Mr who tends to overcommit himself outside the house, I understand. Glad y'all are on the same page.

W: so much packing still to go.

AW: But. A good night's sleep helped considerably. And a half-hour nap. And a swimming outing with the Baboos, even though they pestered me all day about it.

W: This is now Day 7 after the original refrigerator delivery date, and still no refrigerator. Original one was damaged and we refused to accept it. Several promised days/times have come and gone. Mr. E has been dealing with that.

Sue said...

Catching up - hugs and love to all. Oy, what a weekend in pixie-land...

We've had a miserable low pressure system hanging over the area for three days now, with possible relief tomorrow. My head pain reached its max tolerance level this afternoon.

I had committed to attending a going away party for a good friend who's moving to the Big City next week. I went and managed to stay for about 45 minutes, then I said my goodbyes and came home. I've had tea, adv!l, dark room, and a nap and I'm a bit better tonight. But ugh - bad one.

kathy a. said...

((( Sue ))) hoping the kittehs are hearing my medical instructions to apply purrs and snuggles. And that things settle right down. xoxo

Esperanza, may the packing fairies arrive. Glad there has been sleep, swimming, and nappage! If all else fails on the refrigerator front, a cooler and ice can hold things a day or 2, indoor camping style -- but hope it doesn't come to that.

esperanza said...

It's not a situation we can't cope with--we have a deep freeze that will be moving with us, and we have the world's most awesome ice chest/cooler that plugs in to either a car or wall outlet. But dammit. I'm tired of coping. We bought the fridge in plenty of time to have it ready.

kathy a. said...

I am so far behind on cooler technology... Yeah, you get to be mad about the fridge snafu! Cluesticks to the miscreants who can't deliver an undented fridge!

P_K said...

Everyone here either has or is coming down with a cold.

kathy a. said...

V. old skool, PK -- hope the sniffling moves along to do its bad work elsewhere.