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Monday, June 20, 2016

Long Past Time for Me To Take A Turn Edition

We're in that tiny lull where classes are done and the frenzy of grad season hasn't quite begun, and so I thought I'd better host while I have the time! Hugs to all the pixies that had a hard day yesterday, and to the esperanza family as they transition to their new life in a new city.

How are all of you?

71 comments:

kathy a. said...

Thanks for hosting, QWP! Yay for the summer lull.

Esperanza, hope the settling in continues apace. Sue, glad you are seeing the tamer of the headache monster. NL, so happy that NB has found his tribe.

Still slogging on the work front.

Father's day is a mixed bag for me. But the kids came for dinner; their dad BBQ'd (which he loves to do); we ate well and laughed. So, that was very good.

We're still having a heat wave. It finally got down to a livable temp at 2:30 a.m.

Queen of West Procrastination said...

I had to go back and edit a sentence in the original post, because apparently I wrote while distracted! (My entire day, thus far, has involved a lot of "MOM I NEED YOU RIGHT NOW!!!")

AW: today is a dear friend's birthday, and we've thrown together a last-minute birthday supper for her. (Which will actually consist of leftovers of last night's roast turkey and chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting. But I'm also going to bake some camembert, and do a little fruit a cheese plate with these nice mangoes that we just bought. Not bad for same-day party planning!) (Also, there will be a Minnie Mouse birthday banner, left over from E's first birthday party. I suspect my friend will enjoy that.)

kathy a. said...

That sounds great, QWP! The Minnie Mouse banner is just perfect, too.

We have leftovers, and I made a little potato salad before the heat goes totally through the roof again. No Hot Food is the theme tonight.

kathy a. said...

fireplace those fireplacers in the fireplacing senate.

Queen of West Procrastination said...

Fireplacing fireplacers! I just checked the news when I saw Kathy's post. I couldn't even finish reading it because I was so mad.

kathy a. said...

I'm so relieved when I'm not swearing alone. ;)

Queen of West Procrastination said...

It's funny how much I enjoy doing the replacement swearing here on WW, considering how wholesome my language is in real life!

Liz said...

Those fireplacers are so fireplaced this coming November. Their challengers are surging in the polls! (appendages crossed that this lasts.) Also, although I really, really don't want another gov't shutdown, it looks like we may get one and it'd be awfully useful as it's scheduled to arrive in October.

kathy a. said...

Apparently, I swore during the year I was a f/t mother overseas, where I did not speak the language or have any friends, arriving pregnant and with a 15 month old, and returning with an infant and a toddler. According to my husband, my son learned the phrase, "dammit it [dad's first name]" and repeated it. Other than that, I was a model mother. Although I took up more household swearing once they hit the 20's.

Also, go Liz on fighting those fireplacers! Although at at the moment, I can't really tell what the heck will happen at the national level in the next week...

In other news, we are not broiling yet today, and the fog is due tonight.

esperanza said...

Oh, Senate. I know my state's two idiots aren't helping. I vote against them every chance I get.

Spent the day with old church at the waterpark yesterday. So fried in so many ways. It's hard to see people when you just said goodbye to them the day before. Ah well, the Baboos had fun. Sweet did great and was way more adventurous than in previous years.

W: Mini's tiredness just hit her this evening. Form of emotional/intellectual meltdown, "all my ideas fail!"

kathy a. said...

Only 2 albatross puplets left! One is mostly scaring me because my reviewer messed up the formatting in a few bad ways (and also, I dunno about an actual suggestion). For my other trick, I'm condensing 84 pages of notes into maybe 2-3 of prose and citations, and voila.

Esperanza -- sounds like the baboos had a good time, but WOW LOTS GOING ON! No wonder everybody's tired! Hugs to everybody.

Queen of West Procrastination said...

Cheering for kathy, and her two puplets! And for your next-level condensing!

No wonder Mini is exhausted! That's a huge couple of days for you guys. (And I recognize that style of meltdown. Mine had one of those days a couple of weeks ago, and decided to try to learn to use a skipping rope. She did two reasonable beginner jumps, and then laid face-down on the floor, weeping, "I'm no good at this!")

You guys are reminding me that I need to write to my MP, and get him to remind the PM that he promised tighter legislation here. (Apparently, last month an MP from BC introduced legislation to make it easier for Canadians to acquire Aye-Arr-Fifteens, and I want to make sure that doesn't become a thing here.)

esperanza said...

Ideas Mini has had in the past few days, mostly reasonably well executed: make stick horses out of cardboard to replace the (completely broken) ones I tragically got rid of; make a headquarters out of the big box I've let them have; make a model of the solar system using paper plates; make (paper) food for the monsters that she's put in "cages." I've probably lost track of some of them. I seriously cannot keep up with that Baboo's brain.

W: She's supposed to be giving me some "peace and quiet" so I can get some reading done. "peace" and "quiet" are apparently much more fluid concepts than I realized.

Queen of West Procrastination said...

Those are brilliant ideas, but ones that I imagine were difficult to execute, and didn't result in the needed peace and quiet! (I confess that I lose my patience with my kid today, for spending the entire day bouncing off the walls and shouting. Which turned the happy shouting and bouncing into dejected tears. Whoops. We patched things up, but I have no idea how I'm going to handle the upcoming week, which includes Mr. Q being gone for multiple days on a grad camping trip, AND THEN multiple days of graduation festivities. I am already tired and impatient.)

AW: I did it! I wrote to my member of parliament. (I kept putting it off because it felt awkward, because we actually KNOW the guy, but haven't had contact with him since we graduated from undergrad. Since we were somewhat of rivals in our program, I spent way too much time carefully crafting my email, trying to avoid the sloppy grammar that's been creeping into my writing lately.)

esperanza said...

Oh and then there were the guitars made out of cardboard and paper. She's actually pretty remarkable, what with the engineering. She's usually pretty independent with her creations, but my assistance was required multiple times tonight.

QWP, I'm with you. This is all a result of trying to be in two places at once, but Mr. E was gone Saturday night, Sunday night, home last night, will be gone tonight through sometime on Friday. Then a junior high mission trip Sunday through Thursday. My mom is coming for that last bit, next week, which will be nice. I am not into single parenting.

I may have said "Please. Stop. Talking." a whole bunch of times today.

kathy a. said...

You all will call me a bad mama, and probably I was. But: [a] Day camp. [b] Tradeoffs with other families -- it is seriously easier to have twice the normal quota, plus then somebody owes you, and it all is beautiful! [c] Aunts/uncles. [d] Babysitters, although we had trouble finding anybody reliable. [e] more videos.

kathy a. said...

Although -- kudos to Esperanza for using moving boxes to Keep Baboos Busy! Boxes are great. Nobody gets hurt. Art therapy!

esperanza said...

This one ginormous box has lasted them three weeks. I have to applaud their creativity. Screen time was definitely increased today.

Liz Miller said...

I believe strongly in the kitchen timer. Set it for a half hour, and tell them that unless they're bleeding or the house is on fire, whatever help they need can wait until the timer goes off.

And for happy but very noisy spirits, outdoor time? Literally running around the house? While you sit on the front porch?

Sue said...

Hey everyone - just checking in after my trip to the Big City, aka HOT Big City. Sheesh... there was a heat alert for two of the three days I was there. The high on Monday was 40C (103F). My condolences to pixies in the South who experience this waaaaay more often than I ever do.

AW: Good appointment.

AW: Dinner with son and partner! Yay!

Yay kathy for progress on the albatross pups!

QWP and esperanza - you're bringing to mind those days when I bribed the boys for 20 minutes of quiet. If I can have 20 minutes, then we will play xyz...okay? Sometimes it worked, sometimes not so much...but when it worked it was gold.

Also, fireplace those fireplacers in the Senate.

kathy a. said...

Just one more left! Pretty sure today is the day. (It still will not be 100% fixed, tables done, copied, delivered, etc. for a week or 2...)



kathy a. said...

AW: Out of the blue last night, my daughter got all mushy and thankful that I paid off her college loans a few years ago!

(By a freak of fortune, I inherited some money from my mother -- whose decision that they could not afford to help me even a little bit with college left me very close to dropping out. It was very satisfying that mother ended up helping my own kids.)

kathy a. said...

Dems in the House are having a sit-in, demanding votes on gun violence measures! Led by Rep. John Lewis, a civil rights icon.

Anonymous said...

Yay, dems!
--NL

Sue said...

Yay kathy for Kid's College Loan Karma! :)

Yay for sit-ins!! Takes me back to the 70s. I remember our student council in high school agonizing over finding something worthy of a sit-in just so we could experience it. Didn't find anything. Went for ice cream. #truestory.

Queen of West Procrastination said...

I'm following the sit-in on Twitter right now! It's exciting, and I hope that this produces real change at last.

(Sue, that story is adorable.)

Kathy, that's wonderful that you helped your daughter pay off her loan. I'm sure that it has made a huge difference to her life, not having to continue to deal with that burden.

AW: I had E all ready to go with me to an appointment, when I friend (who lives right around the corner from my appointment) called and said "Drop her off here instead!" And so I had a kid-free appointment, and E got to play with kids instead of having to stay quiet in a chair. (And then my friend fed us lunch!)

kathy a. said...

Yay for good friends with kids!

Sue, that is a great story!

Go, congresscritters! If you have one, call him or her.

kathy a. said...

The sit-in is as riveting as the filibuster was. The speeches are not as long, but every single speaker is speaking from the heart. Rep. Lewis is up in a few.

And there is a threat to take them off the floor.

esperanza said...

Feeling victorious. I have signed up Baboos for classes at the library on Monday afternoons for July. It's only an hour, but hey--it's an hour.

kathy a. said...

Cool, Esperanza!

Sue said...

Sounds great, esperanza!!

Queen of West Procrastination said...

Good plan, esperanza!

esperanza said...

AW: Mr. E's brother sent the Baboos a hand-me-down horse barn toy. It's gigantic.
W: It's gigantic. And it was DIRTY. And when I wiped it down with a wet rag, it started smelling of pee.
AW: At least he waited to send it till after we moved.
AW: And it kept them entertained with only a few arguments.

esperanza said...

Edited to add: I'm quite sure it's animal pee--they have quite the menagerie at their house. But still. Ew.

Liz Miller said...

Two words: Garden. Hose.

kathy a. said...

Esperanza -- what materials make up the barn? Have a feeling it's not a nice easily-sanitized plastic. There is a product called n@tur3's m1r@cle that takes out animal odors. Pet stores should have it.

esperanza said...

it's wood

kathy a. said...

This stuff works on wood.

Queen of West Procrastination said...

Continuing with my "glued to the political proceedings in other countries" theme this week, I'm constantly refreshing the BBC website this evening, waiting to see how the UK referendum goes! So far, it is a nailbiter.

W: today was a rough day with E. I was wiped by the end of the day, and she'd spent most of it whining. (We're STILL dealing with her potty issues, as she straight-up tries not to pook, and now today she had a tummy ache because of it.) It's hard for me not to worry all the time about how she and I will get through the next three days without Beloved Daddy coming to the rescue at the end of each day.

AW: she was suddenly delightful at bedtime, and demonstrated for us that she suddenly knows her ABC song. (Also: she's asleep!!! I'm free until morning!)

Liz Miller said...

They voted to fireplacing leave. I'm so pissed. Trump is over there saying "it's a great thing"

He might win here, if the nazis can win there, they can win here.

Sue said...

I second kathy's suggestion re: pee-stink removal product. That stuff is amazing.

(((QWP)))

Liz, that was my first thought too. I actually shivered when I heard. It's terrifying.

kathy a. said...

What, UK?? So far: markets crashing; major promise that this would pour money into the health service admitted to be completely untrue; Trump gloated about how "great" it is that everyone "took their country back," without realizing that Scotland [where he is] voted solidly against leaving. Meanwhile, Scotland is considering independence so they can stay in the EU.

kathy a. said...

Britain is experiencing a flood of g00gle searches for moving to Canada. (not making this up!)

Liz Miller said...

Also, they're experiencing searches on what it will mean to leave the EU. Ummmm...perhaps they should have done that two days ago????

kathy a. said...

Yep. Well, we in the US who want lots of educated voters to turn out in November have our work cut out for us.

My cat is having that kind of intense moment where I think she's tracking a bird outside, and perhaps the window screen is in danger.

Queen of West Procrastination said...

AW: sharing virtual pie with everyone! My mom and I made pies to take up for our summer church camp. (We also made a strawberry-rhubarb pie with streusel top, for our own supper.) My family also spent the day with us, and helped with the kiddo (who started off the day feeling really rough. But she had a nap, and pooped a lot, and now she's her cheerful self again.)

P_K said...

Toddler was clearly highly stressed by the 4 day/3 night weekend away from me, and 10yo is showing significant acting-out behaviors too. I'm scared and worried that the judge will rule a continuing visitation schedule that will be traumatic for them.

I tried and tried and was unable to get much of any milk expressed with the pump while toddler was gone. She nursed almost constantly the first 24 hours home; much more than usual.

P_K said...

Toddler, who is nursing at the moment, posted my comment before I was done.

I am worrying a lot about whether my lawyer is making the right decisions about what evidence to submit and what not to use. But she clearly did an excellent job arguing for me in court, so much so that another woman approached and asked about hiring her after the hearing because my lawyer stood out from the crowd in how hard she fought for me.

I have to send all 4 kids with H again Sunday evening through Tuesday evening, then the hearing is Wednesday. It's killing me to see how little H cares about the kids' welfare, especially the toddler who has virtually never been away from me for more than a few hours at a time and is not used to having him be a part of her nighttime care at all.

On the AW side, I successfully threw a birthday party with about 16 girls as guests today, and 14yo was happy with it. My girls and I managed to make magic happen in a very short time window; I'm very proud of us.

P_K said...

Oh, and H is pulling more shenanigans with money. He is clearly trying his best to drain all accounts he thinks I may have a claim to and leave me with zero financial resources. Also is still refusing to contribute anything financially from "his" money or paychecks to the children's needs, or even to pay for his own expenses and legal fees out of "his" money.

Queen of West Procrastination said...

(((((P_K))))) I'm just livid for you and the kids. Can you express to your lawyer your concerns about the evidence that isn't being used?

kathy a. said...

((( PK ))) That's some serious What The Fireplace. I'm so sorry. But yay about the party!!

I'm so sorry about all the stress. All you can do is document, document, document. If he's draining accounts, that is bad. Your poor baby, this is not really working for her -- did her therapist see her this week? Just tell your lawyer everything.

xoxoxo

Anonymous said...

Document document document. Am sending all the hugs and love and support

Liz on iPhone

esperanza said...

PK, I don't even know what to say, I'm so mad. Also, in awe of your party throwing skills. The stress you're enduring makes that even more amazing.

Sue said...

Oh, PK, I am speechless. Sending love and prayers. Document, document, document.

Anonymous said...

((((((((p_k))))))))
--Neighbor Lady

Miranda said...

Hugs P_K.

Whiney whines here today. The Boy has two weeks of camp with 48 hours of break in between. Or maybe 24. He doesn't know. I put of scheduling his physical until the last minute and now camp 2 is angry with me. They will get the forms. Ugh.

I have the biggest week in my career this week and I feel unprepared and out of my league. I have supporters but my senior leadership doesn not know how to take me since I'm not of their mold. I'm a fat, queer Midwestern woman who cares about people. I work in an organization that sees all of those as negatives. My supervisor actually tells, "Wow, you actually have good insights." This does not boost my confidence. I am fighting a toxic culture. Hence why I need this week to go well so I can get some momentum on my ideas.

AW: My team said hiring me was the best thing to happen in years.

W: They also worry about me.

AW: HRC is my hero because she found a way to be Midwestern and powerful in an environment that was very hostile to her ascent. She had it worse! I can hang in there!!!

Queen of West Procrastination said...

I'm glad that the team says that hiring you was the best thing to happen in years, Miranda, but WOW is that a back-handed compliment from your supervisor! And we're cheering for you, as you approach your big week.

AW/W: Li'l E and I had haircuts today, and we both love the short cuts we got (I briefly experimented with long hair, which has reinforced that I don't actually like long hair), and E was SO good for the hairdresser. But my baby! She asked for her hair to be cut short, and now her curls are mostly gone! She looks so grown up with her short hair, all of a sudden! I got all verklempt at the salon.

kathy a. said...

Go, Miranda! You bring things they need, and your boss and team know that. So just -- as they say -- fake it (confidence) 'till you make it! xoxo

Very good that you both had satisfying haircuts, QWP. No worries, her curls will grow back. ;)

P_K said...

He wants to pay off all the credit cards (all of his own spending/expenses, mine and the kids', and all of his and my substantial legal fees from the last 2 months) from our joint checking, which would wipe it out to essentially nothing. While still withholding all of his paychecks and paying nothing from his income toward any of those expenses, and claiming that all of the money in the savings acct is his separate property.

kathy a. said...

Nope. NO. Noperinos. I mean, he's the one who took a one year lease when everything was up in the air. And what about the child support and family support?? You wanted safety; he is trying to clean you out.

I'm not totally sure how the marital property works in your state, but in mine, everything accrued DURING the (long) marriage is community property (which I think is also true in your state). And if he mixed any separate holdings with community stuff, that is also joint -- like if he has a savings account that began separate, and he put paychecks or whatever in there. (I think.)

So it might be some time before all the property stuff gets sorted, but there IS NO EXCUSE for not paying support for his family. xoxo

P_K said...

In my state, putting gift or inheritance money into a joint account doesn't render it community property, though there are other things that can and it will be up to the judge to decide whether any of these apply in our case or not.

kathy a. said...

Wasn't there an order to not mess with funds? In any event, sending strong thoughts to the judge, and cluesticks to you know who. xoxo

kathy a. said...

I went to the Japanese market, and 2 ladies called me over to get a box off the top of a shelf. They said my arms were longer -- and indeed, I could reach the box! It was hysterical, because at a towering 5'2", I'm usually the short person. :)

Queen of West Procrastination said...

P_K: he really is trying every way possible to mess you over financially, isn't he? So many cluesticks, and I really, really hope that the judge makes a good decision soon.

I just saw news that there's flooding in Sue's city, and I hope her home is safe from the flooding.

Sue said...

QWP, the flooding was fairly extensive, but in the south end of the city mostly. We're on top of the hill on the north end, so this area seems to have fared well. It was quite a storm - really heavy rain, lots of lightning and thunder. At one point, the rain was falling so heavily against our windows we couldn't see outside at all. It was like someone was tossing buckets of water over the building, like in a car wash!

Anyway, high winds today and sunshine, so things are drying up...though some folks across town will have insurance claims and repairs coming up. :(

kathy a. said...

Glad you're ok and things are drying out, Sue.

Anonymous said...

p_k.... if that is true that inheritance etc. is separate, , then that should bode really well for the fact that the house that you inherited is *also* then, NOT joint property.....
just saying.... he can't have it both ways!
--Neighbor Lady

Liz Miller said...

Dropped MM off at camp, didn't have time to call either NL or PS to say hi. Maybe when I go back in 3 weeks to pick him up?

P_K said...

I didn't inherit it; we bought it from my parents.

kathy a. said...

PK, he's still being a jackass. IMHO. xoxo

Anonymous said...

I agree with Kathy!
And, Liz, hope MM has fun at camp!!!! Went to a day student orientation on Saturday, and it sounds like it will be AWESOME!
Hope to catch up with you in a few weeks!
:)Neighbor Lady