Pages

Monday, July 11, 2016

Back to "Normal" Whining

I've decided we're finished moving in. Boxes are unpacked; cars are in the garage; things have mostly found a place. And, most importantly: I'm sick of it.

So let's enjoy (or make it through in some form or fashion) the rest of the summer.

Pixies, what are your whines? Anything going on for fun?


70 comments:

kathy a. said...

Yay, the end of move-in!

I've still been dabbling with a few albatross-related odds and ends, but mostly plan to spend this week appreciating the glorious lack of weight upon the shoulders, perhaps doing a few tasks that have been put off, etc. I may even get a haircut!

Old Skool: Shower isn't draining well; must call plumber.

Further sign of feline weirdo-brain: Junior pees outside the box on a puppy pad; has to thoroughly scratch and scrunch up the pad, as if it was cat litter; acts confused that the pad isn't behaving like litter. Mind you, this is mere inches from the actual litter in the box.

esperanza said...

Hooray for lifted-off albatrossi and a bit of room to breathe and take care of personal business.

I have no wisdom on weirdo kitties or showers. Sorry.

W: The difference between Sweet on a routine (last week) and Sweet off a routine (this week) is stark. This is *with* me laying out our tasks for the day, in order, with times when needed, at breakfast this morning. When does school start again?

kathy a. said...

The drainage problem spread to the tub, also, and a rooter person is on the way. Because one of those maintenance things we shoulda done already is replacing the line from the house to the sewer, which is ancient and has had root problems twice before. AW: ETA is sometime between now and 1.5 hours, supposedly.

W: There was a small marital squabble last night, when my beloved blamed my daughter's use of shea butter for the backup. He can hate shea butter and still remember that we have had this problem in the pre-shea era, also.

kathy a. said...

Esperanza, hope things settle down! It also seems to help when the routine is a whole bunch of people. Surely school will start again one day... ;)

Sue said...

Yay for being mostly unpacked, esperanza! I saw back-to-school displays last week in two stores, so yes, school will start again.

Hooray for the last bits of albatrossi details being done and gone, kathy! We had a kitty who had weird litter box issues. I have no wisdom, however, as it just seemed to be hard-wired in him that "beside" was just as good as "in." Sigh.

AW: The wedding on the weekend was simply beautiful. I whine about all the time invested in weddings, but both this month have been for people who regularly attend our church and are like family. The one on Saturday was for a senior couple, both of whom are widowed, and they are so happy to have found one another. Their families were all in attendance and they held the reception at the church.

esperanza said...

Now, those are good weddings, Sue. It's the people who aren't connected and just want a pretty venue that suck the soul.

I registered the Baboos for the new school district yesterday, so surely that's a good sign. Sweet has been happily engaged this morning helping me with washing sheets, changing filters, etc.

Queen of West Procrastination said...

I'm so happy to hear about the wonderful weddings, Sue. We have a senior wedding this weekend, as well, and my dad is really excited about how happy the occasion will be (long-time, beloved church members, and close friends with my parents). (Also, this will be the first wedding that E has ever attended, and she is really pumped, especially because it's for her buddies who sit behind us in church.)

Ugh about the drain backup, kathy.

AW: it's 11am, and I'm still in my jammies. I've needed some post-camp recovery time.

Queen of West Procrastination said...

BTW, in case anyone hears about the state of emergency in my province: we're having a lot of rain here (a LOT), but we haven't had any flooding in my city. But it's getting ridiculous in some of the towns and cities here.

kathy a. said...

Hooray about the happy weddings! They all sound lovely.

Boo on rain, but I'm all in favor of jammies and late risings for times of recovery and relaxation.

The plumbing turned out to involve a different problem than guessed, but due to a weird plumbing configuration, it could not be sorted yesterday, even after 3 hours of trying and a second plumbing expert stopping by. Plumber #3 is due to arrive shortly for another stab at it -- the dog will be so happy to meet another new friend!

My son finally acquired a new used phone that lets people hear him during calls! It is a thing of beauty!

kathy a. said...

I should not feel so explosive about my drain problem, but I waited all day for the plumber person, and kept getting put off, and didn't run appliances because they were sure to come. And now -- forget it, for today. Tomorrow between 10 and 12.

Sue said...

QWP - the upcoming wedding sounds wonderful! I'm glad to hear you aren't flooded. I did wonder.

Boo on plumber people who don't show up!!!

Queen of West Procrastination said...

Kathy: boooooo to the plumber, for not showing up all day! There's nothing I like worse than waiting all day for someone and then finding out they're not coming.

Sue: we're missing the worst of it (although the rain has gotten really heavy at times today), but the flash floods are really bad in other parts of the province! The worst of it is in the very south part of the province, and now in the northeast. (Mr. Q and I are starting to make concerned faces about those flash floods, because evacuation is happening relatively close to his extended family. Mr. Q says "My relatives all live on hills, so their houses will be fine. But they might not be able to get out for a few days.")

esperanza said...

That is so annoying, kathy a. Here's hoping for a more punctual tomorrow.

W: Rough time around here. Usually when a pastor begins at a new church, there is a "honeymoon" period, where everyone likes you and nobody criticizes you. Not so much here. Mr. E received a slightly critical email about his sermon. I'm suspicious of several things: that the whole country is a little bit twitchy right now; that Mr. E is in a bit of culture shock, going from a church where about 95% of the people agreed with him politically to one that is considerably more diverse of opinion; and that he's overly sensitive to criticism of any kind (from his family history). I'm in my annual "I'm seriously, really, truly not cut out to be a SAHM, so why am I stuck here with Baboos all the damn time" funk. And I'm homesick for a place that never entirely felt like home in the first place but now I miss it. And I'm writing run-on sentences with no desire to correct them.

AW: Baboos and I had a overall decent day. It was just long.

kathy a. said...

Ouch, about a slightly critical email already. Yep, about things being twitchy, which isn't good on top of all the family changes. Go, sister, about finding your own way once school starts up again. Also, your writing is fine. xoxo

kathy a. said...

Q: how come I never heard of this Pokemon Go thing until this week, and now it is all Pokemon all the time?

Sue said...

(((esperanza))) I agree - the general twitchiness of the country probably has much to do with the criticism. xoxoxo

I hadn't heard of PGo until this week either. The app isn't available in Canada, but people are playing it across the country (something about changing the location of your it*nes account, but I can't be bothered).

kathy a. said...

Dog + skunk. Skunk won.

esperanza said...

oh no!!! Skunk!!!

kathy a. said...

Day 3 of the plumbing adventure! They probably have to punch a hole in a wall, unless this next effort at cabling works. If the wall must be sacrificed, the cost will be triple the first estimate, and my husband will have a drywall project. But today, the guy came!

Queen of West Procrastination said...

Skunk and possible extra costs + another drywall project! Oh no! (But I'm glad the guy finally arrived!)

W: I've been holding off on anti-whining that we hadn't caught anything at camp this year, until the normal incubation period for viruses passed, and then today E's nose started running, and my tummy started acting up a bit. Both are minor, and could be just allergies, but there's a possibility that we're sick.

esperanza said...

Ugh, QWP, too much sick at your house.

W: blah day. No energy (me). Too much energy (Mini). Blah.

Miranda said...

So, I don't even have a good story for this but I'm being discharged from the hospital today after having a heart attack on Tueday for no apparent reason. I have no lasting health impacts. I'm healthy albeit tired.

I blame the Cheeto.

Sue said...

Oh no, Miranda!! Please know the pixies are cheering you on as you go home today. Do you have some time off work to recover? I hope so.

Dang Cheeto.

Miranda said...

I'm off the rest of the week. I have vacation coming up and it's one of relaxation. I will be okay.

Miranda said...

My mom has used this opportunity to bash me for my social life and life in general.

esperanza said...

((Miranda)) I'm so glad you are ok, and so sorry your mom is not being appropriately caring. :(

kathy a. said...

((( Miranda ))) Oh, how scary! And jeepers, mom...

xoxo

Sue said...

(((Miranda))) Sorry your mom hasn't been helpful. :(

Do you mind if I ask what your symptoms were? I keep hearing that womens' heart attacks present differently than mens' do.

Anonymous said...

((((((Miranda)))))) So glad you will be ok! And, just catching up from last week, so glad about beloved's non-cancer diagnosis too. Lots of stress in your life lately (and boo on mom for not alleviating rather than adding!)..... glad your upcoming vacation time is focused on relaxing.

I have a visceral response to the thought of "back to school". It is not positive.... I have not even been out a month yet! no, no! (Sorry esperanza.... maybe I can wish for a quick return in your part of the country, and then say "la la la" and stick my fingers in my ears about back to school around here-- which is not til end of August, thank goodness.)

Just returned from a lovely trip to Quebec City, and then east through Moncton and to the Bay of Fundy, Hopewell Rocks, and then Maine. Wow, Canadian pixies, your country is beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!! stunning!
Now I want to see more of it!

Overwhelmed by logistics involving day camps starting next week, mountains of email and mail piled up, etc. all kinds of errands and tasks, but it's all good. (except Neighbor Boy's fish is doing flips and can't swim straight... I am not optimistic... he is tearful)

Please think some good thoughts for me for a week from tomorrow, when I will have a minor surgery related to the bizarre patterns of my Aunt Flo.

Niece arrives this weekend to spend three weeks with us and attend day camp with my daughter!!!
Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nice to be home, but I miss the beautiful scenery and the hiking.

And, yay, kathy on albatross launch. Congrats esperanza on finishing the move, and QWP, thinking you healthy thoughts for your return from camp.

--Neighbor Lady

Sue said...

Glad you enjoyed your visit to Canada, NL!!! Sending good thoughts for your surgery tomorrow - I hope all goes well. Yay for day camps for your kids and your niece!! (Sorry about fishie - I know nothing helpful about fish that don't swim straight, but that doesn't sound great)

Queen of West Procrastination said...

Miranda, I'm relieved that there's no long-term damage from the heart attack, but what a scare you've had! (About your mom: is it necessary for her to be around this week? Can anyone else help? I'm worried about her being detrimental to your recovery, stressing you out by being so critical.)

NL: I'm thinking good thoughts for you and your upcoming surgery. And I'm glad that you have had a chance to see some of the most beautiful parts of this country.

(Poor NB and his fishie!)

I'm now going to give my body a pep talk, and inform out that it needs to behave properly for the next few days. I want to enjoy Saturday: we're attending a wedding, and it's Mr. Q and my anniversary!

Anonymous said...

Happy upcoming anniversary, QWP!!!!
:) Neighbor Lady
p.s. also, surgery is a week from tomorrow, but I guess it's on my mind this week....

esperanza said...

NL, I'm just counting the days, but I'm quite sure that teachers are *not*. School starts Aug 22 here. Your Canadian vacation sounds perfect, and I'll definitely be thinking good thoughts for surgery next week.

Happy Anniversary this weekend, QWP. Hoping you're feeling up to speed by then.

W? AW? I got probably the best night's sleep I've had in years last night. I went to sleep before 10, woke up at 7, and don't remember anything in the intervening hours. So why am I still sleepy and tired today? I should have lots of energy, right?

Anonymous said...

Do you know where I am??? You'll be able to see me on TV!!!

Liz on iPhone

Sue said...

Cool, Liz!!!!! Where are you?

kathy a. said...

NL -- great vacation! I'm sorry the new school year is poking its silly nose into your well-earned summer break. YAY about visiting cousins! Thinking good thoughts about the Flo surgery. xoxo

QWP -- Happy Anniversary (a little early)!!

Esperanza, sounds like you have some catching up to do with the sleep and relaxation? Remember my own excitement at sending the kids back to school.

LIZ! Sounds like you're having a wonderful time!

I finally got back to my doctor, having put this off (albatross) and then rescheduling due to the plumbing adventure. Got a new Rx for rosacea. A couple other things, likely benign, we'll just watch 'em. Yay.

esperanza said...

Having accomplished a few things (cleaned all 3 bathrooms, moved the woodpile) has given me a bit more energy. But I guess I do have some catching up to do.

Queen of West Procrastination said...

It sounds like you're having an amazing time, Liz! (Do you get to meet the candidate herself?)

Hooray for more energy, esperanza!

AW: I managed to bake bread AND I booked family photos for the three of us! Real, professional photos! (There was a Gr0up0n for a studio in the next town over, back in the winter, and today I remembered that I really need to use this thing before it expires. They're really nice, and so I'm happy to drive 45 minutes for pictures!) (You guys, I'm actually going to be a grown up and mail out family pictures at Christmas, for the first time ever!)

kathy a. said...

Nominate Esperanza for the Good Housekeeping Award! Cleaning 3 bathrooms plus more stuff seems really above and beyond.

And QWP, you rock for both the bread baking and the pro photo shoot! We somehow managed a few professional photos of the kids [plus school photos to relatives, of course]; none of us as a family.

Queen of West Procrastination said...

Kathy: I couldn't pass up a good deal ($12 for the session, a large print, and a CD), and I realised that we went for an entire year without the three of us being in ANY picture together! We finally had someone take a picture of us, a few weeks ago, after we were asked for a family photo and I said, "Uh, do you mind that E is only 2 in this one?"

Miranda said...

I know I've said this before but I'm starting to actually believe it. I had a fire placing heart attack. I had surgery on my heart yesterday. I have to do cardiac rehab and take a ton of medicines.

I'm only 43.

I have no risk factors, no explanation for why this happened.

I suddenly had crushing chest pain on Tiesday afternoon at 3:30. It was followed by severe nausea and a feeling that I couldn't breathe. It kept getting worse. My best friend at work came to visit me and I couldn't focus. I told him I didn't feel well. I called Beloved who drive from Tree Town to Motown to pick me up and she took me to the ER.

I was hoping it was a panic attack because that was a better outcome even though I have no history of panic disorder.

I was able to do enough reading online to know I needed to be checked out.

At first it was missed because my ekg readings were all normal. I was clearly not well. I slumped over every chance I got. I became less coherent as the night went on.

It wasn't until my troponin levels came back elevated and my pain was lessened with nitroglycerin that everything suddenly got really scary. Tropinin is an enzyme released when there is damage to heart muscle tissue. Normal is below 0.5. Mine peaked at around 7.

I'm not entirely ready to face all the scary. People want to blame lifestyle for heart attacks and other than being over weight, I have no risk factors. My heart remains in good working order and damage was minimal.

I'm still trying to process it all.

Beloved has been a rock. It is because of her advocacy I am alive and well. She is here now trying to help me clean and prepare food for the next few days.

I'm not sure what the next few weeks will entail. At some point I need to cry.

Anonymous said...

(((((((miranda))))))
Wish we pixies could give you a group hug in person.
Glad your beloved is there for you. You have both been through so much lately-- you need to catch a break now.
Hugs again.
--Neighbor Lady

kathy a. said...

((( MIRANDA ))) OMG. I am so sorry, sister. This is scary, and it totally came out of the blue. I am so glad you will be OK, and that your beloved came for you, and that they figured it out, and that there isn't a lot of damage. The cardio rehab is a good thing; the meds, too. Sending so much love. xoxoxo

Thank you, so much, for describing it -- because there isn't a lot out there about heart attacks in women, when to know to be checked, etc.

I'm saddling up the Posse, first for your blaming mother; and next for all the people who want to blame the patient for whatever illness wrecks the patient's life. They can all go fireplace themselves, because that is the least helpful thing ever.

xoxo

esperanza said...

How scary, Miranda! Crying is good. Beloved is good. Thinking healing and calming thoughts in your direction.

Liz Miller said...

(((Miranda))) I am so glad that you came through it, and that Beloved advocated for you. You are not allowed to leave us.

Liz Miller said...

I got a handshake from the candidate. Talked briefly with Huma and Tim Kaine (who I've spoken with before)

Was so fun!

kathy a. said...

WOOT! Teh Candidate! And also others. Go, Liz.

esperanza said...

Liz for VP!

Queen of West Procrastination said...

((((((Miranda))))))) I second NL's wish that we could give you an actual group hug. I'm glad that you are alive and recovering, and that Beloved was there to advocate and support.

I also second esperanza's call for Liz as VP! I'm glad that you got to go to this amazing event, and to shake the candidate's hand!

Miranda said...

Woot!! I love the candidate.

Miranda said...

Wow. Even I know I'm sick. I pushed for a friend schedule because I realize I need care giving and that I don't want it all to fall on the kids or Beloved who has her own full time job as a home care OT and twin 7 yo boys.

Every day, someone responsible will come over and make sure I'm okay. Beloved is coordinating which is a huge relief to me.

I told my younger son about the heart attack because he was ready to hear. I need to tell my daughter. I think she knows because of all the excitement. She also was relieved when I told her there was a care schedule so she can get out and so that it doesn't all fall on her. She said she figured that I wasn't to be left all alone. She doesn't like Beloved but she also appreciates the help.

Sue said...

((((Miranda)))) You and Beloved really do need a break. I'm so glad you have one another to lean on and love through the storms. The friend schedule is a great idea.

Liz!!! An actual handshake from the candidate is amazing! WooHoo!! And yes, of course, you should be her veep pick. That's obvious.

kathy a. said...

Miranda, so glad about the care schedule. xoxo

Miranda said...

Spent a rough morning and then homo bigotry from the fam.

Daughter got thrown in the middle but pulled herself out. I got a turn. What part of I'm trying to heal do people not get? Work is not stressful. My mother is.

kathy a. said...

Can you screen calls? I'm sure your mom is scared, but she's not thinking this thing through. God did not punish you for who you love, and laying on the stress is -- wild guess! -- NOT what the doctor ordered for cardio rehab. xoxo





Miranda said...

My daughter came in my room crying. I felt I needed to put this lunacy down quickly I'm back to screening calls.

Aw: caller id.

Queen of West Procrastination said...

So many hugs, Miranda. For the sake of your recovery, is it possible to take a break from your mother for the next little while?

Anonymous said...

Oh, Miranda. ((((((((((hugs)))))))))))
--Neighbor Lady

esperanza said...

Oh Miranda. That is just inexcusable at any time, really, but at a time like this. Caller ID for sure. There's no reason to subject yourself or your family to that.

esperanza said...

Mini took a 4 hour nap this afternoon. Perhaps this explains her horrid behavior as of late, but there's no way she'll go to sleep before midnight now. Mr. E has volunteered for the late shift. Sweet and I had a lovely afternoon of her helping me tidy and clean.

kathy a. said...

Go, daddy! A 4 hour nap surely means something's going on, but bad news for the evening hours. And, yay, Sweet!

Liz Miller said...

(((((Miranda))))) we all have your backs. Sending out a posse to cluestick your family of origin

Sue said...

((((Miranda))) The posse is saddled up and ready to ride directly to your family of origin. Grrrrr....

kathy a. said...

Miranda, hope you are feeling better -- and your daughter, too. A few more cluesticks for your mother, for not just stressing you out, but adding to your daughter's stress as well. xoxo

Hope the caregiver / friend posse is working out! What a lovely thing for your friends to do.

kathy a. said...

My son is headed to Europe with his fiancee's family, for a cousin's wedding and also sightseeing! It was close on getting his passport -- it only arrived on Wednesday. And Pixies, he bought a suit! And remembered the other day that he doesn't have a suitcase, but dad took one over. He was two the last time he traveled overseas (yeah, that passport doesn't work any more), so this is a Big Adventure. It makes my heart very warm that the inlaws-to-be love him as much as they do.

Miranda said...

So happy to hear about your son Kathty A and his big adventure.

No homo bigotry once the realized that Beloved saved my life (I am only beginning to learn the rest of the story.) and is related to Appropriate People. Although, yo both Beloved's family and mine, we are "good friends". Fine. We are taking it.

It's been a tiring day but I've only needed brief naps! Still taking it easy but I may be ready to leave the house again in a few days.

kathy a. said...

Oh, wow, Miranda. That sounds like quite a story, but glad things worked out as well as they did -- and that your family is abandoning the nasties. xoxo

Miranda said...

Fire placing cancer. A young mother of two is finally free from suffering.

Queen of West Procrastination said...

(((((((Miranda)))))))) What a week. So many hugs.

kathy a. said...

((( Miranda ))) xoxoxo