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Monday, March 20, 2017

Equinox Edition

Greetings, whining pixies! I hope that this first (technical) day of spring is treating you well. Our day started off in a very Canadian fashion: explaining to our preschooler how there can still be snow on the ground if it is the first day of spring. "But it's still winter!" she protested, and then put on a shirt covered in snowflakes and hearts, to show her true allegiance.

(Speaking of the first day of spring, now that the snow is starting to melt, I need to place a call to E's pediatric allergist, to see if she's finally old enough for testing for seasonal allergies, and then we need to stock up on our preferred brand of antihistamine.)

Even though the kid doesn't believe it, there are sure signs of (Canadian) spring here today. A lot of snow has melted over the past week, to the point that the roads and sidewalks are entirely clear of ice and snow, and we didn't need to bundle up for the walk to school nearly as much as usual. These factors led us to arrive to school three whole minutes earlier than usual, even though we started getting ready at our usual time, even though Little Miss Wintertime insisted on waddling like a penguin all the way to school.

It also feels like the end of a long hibernation, as we all emerged from the house for the first time since the Tummy Blargh hit our house. What a relief to be out in the sunshine, and out among people again. And so, this edition of Wednesday Whining arrives with the faintest smells of bleach and laundry detergent (as I try to eradicate lingering contagions around the house).

How are things where you live?

78 comments:

Sue said...

Thanks for hosting, QWP! We're having a good day around here. Eldest son is visiting, so we did the "playing tourist at home" thing and paid a visit to the second biggest waterfall in Canada. We had a great lunch, stopped to pick up birthday cake for him (since he won't be here for his actual birthday), now we're slothing about until my in-laws arrive for supper.

kathy a. said...

Oh, hooray for signs of spring!

Sue, sounds like a wonderful day with your (big) boy! How fun.

I finally got all my tax stuff in order and categories added up for the accountant, and went out to see him. We had the numbers for every.single.thing (sometimes we miss something), so the business end of the meeting was super easy. Like my tax guy a lot; it's nice to chat a little, catch up on what's new since last year. His cat, alas, did not grace me with his presence this time, but there was a great story about how entranced a tax auditor was with the cat on the desk (during what could have been an unhappy meeting).

esperanza said...

I reveled in my solitude with the Baboos back at school today. Went to a wildflower center place this morning. I think I managed to escape sunburn, which is a minor miracle at this pasty-skinned time of the year. Now declining to go grocery shopping. It'll keep till tomorrow.

Queen of West Procrastination said...

Those all sound like wonderful days (even the business meeting, Kathy!).

W: I had to medicate the child today, who has not pooped since Wednesday. We tried so hard to rehydrate her with electrolytes, when she was so sick, but she still ended up constipated.

kathy a. said...

I am so sorry, but can't help it. QWP, this too shall pass.

xoxo

Queen of West Procrastination said...

Success! And Kathy, you very much made me laugh with that comment.

Queen of West Procrastination said...

E helped me figure out tonight's supper, and it was delicious. We're all back on all foods, but keeping things mild. So, we had a small pork shoulder roast, and braised it in apple cider vinegar and a bit of our leftover ginger ale, and covered in the leftover apple sauce and a bunch of sliced apples. A fun way to use up the BRAT diet leftovers.

esperanza said...

Yum, QWP, that sounds good. We had a grilled chicken salad with lettuce from my church guy's garden again. So good.

W: the showers. Why are the showers such a bone of contention? You stink. Take a shower. It is not worth this massive resistance on your part.

kathy a. said...

Well, do we ever know how to bust a drought. It is raining again, and I'm so glad it waited until well after my trip to see Mr. Tax Guy. Of course, I find myself wondering if the dog is inside, because she really didn't like rain...

Esperanza, can you offer quick shower OR quick bath? Or like that? Sometimes the opposition falls off if there is another option on the table.

Junior cat is working out her grief or wjatever by sitting between me and the keyboard, paddy-pawing in a dedicated manner on my [ow] chest and sometimes arms. I need to buy more armoured bras/

kathy a. said...

Senior cat previously got super-purry and lovey, and love-bit my arm several times, leading to a great washing of the arms, and still some welts. There's a lotta love and sometimes it hurts. also my typing is not so good with a cat assistant at hand, so to speak.

esperanza said...

kathy a, I know not of what you speak. A "quick" bath? No such thing around here. To your point--yes, a choice would probably help with Sweet. Mini sees through such ruses and would proclaim "neither!" which would put me right back in the same argument. At some point they'll care that they are stinky, right?

Sue said...

esperanza, they will eventually care that they are stinky. You may not get to see much of your bathroom at that point, but they will be clean. :)

So, this is a first for me. There are two elderly people in our congregation who are both in the hospital, both in serious condition. One is having a pacemaker put in as we speak, the other has pneumonia resulting from unrelenting cancer. The family is holding up well, but sheesh, that's a lot to bear.

esperanza said...

These two sick people are married to each other? Yikes. That is a lot to carry.

kathy a. said...

Esperanza, yes. Even my son eventually decided that stinky was not the way to go. I believe that was around the time he started really noticing girls. What about a "sponge bath," at least getting the sweat and dirt off with a wash cloth? (Not recommended for everyday, but might be an alternative on some days...)

Oh, Sue. Yes, really a lot for that family. xoxox

Queen of West Procrastination said...

Oh wow, Sue. That poor family, and that poor couple that can't support each other right now!

Esperanza: I'm too familiar with the "which of these two acceptable options do you choose?" "Neither." (When E was 2, she just started saying "No" in response to those questions. But it wasn't a yes/no question!) I obviously have no advice for issues involving child stubbornness, but a lot of solidarity. (Guess how much bribery it took to get my child's nails trimmed today! Somehow, she is entirely blase about needles, but terrified of the nail clippers.)

W: dentist today. Just routine checkup and cleaning, but it's never a pleasant experience for me.
AW: my parents and sister are watching E, during the appointment, at their house.
W: I was foolish and booked the appointment for 3pm, which means returning to my parents' house and convincing the child to leave at 4pm, which means driving home at a time that is dangerously close to rush hour, which is a thing I usually avoid. I could have picked any time! Why did I pick late afternoon?

esperanza said...

QWP re: nail clippers. E may be a little young yet, but Sweet is similarly terrified, especially on her toenails. So I offered to teach her to do it herself. She declined that offer, but for some reason it made a difference on her terror level. Your mileage may vary.

kathy a. said...

Doing the happy dance! I'm officially excused from this jury duty. And I believe in juries and everything -- sincerely -- but wow do I not want to attempt going to that location again.

Esperanza, the "teach you to do toenails" offer is pretty brilliant.

Our rehearsal dinner picnic / BBQ is already at 39 attending, with many not responding yet. It may be time to re-enlist at costco.

esperanza said...

AW: fixed (W: well, mostly) our gate so that it swings rather than dragging the ground. It still doesn't latch correctly, but it stays closed.

Queen of West Procrastination said...

Well done fixing your gate, esperanza! And I've told E that I'll let her learn how to trim her own nails when she's bigger. It's starting to help to have her watch and assist when I clip my nails, but she still gets nervous and has to practise her calming breathing the whole time.

Kathy: I'm glad you don't have to worry about getting to that far courthouse anymore!

AW: I'm free from the dentist for another six months, and everything looks fine (although years of GERD has taken a toll on my enamel).
W: all that scraping and poking has left me sore and headachy, and the fluoride treatment made my stomach a bit queasy. And then I had to drive during rush hour, because the kid was slow getting away from my parents' house. I let her watch a show on my phone for once, so that her whining wouldn't add to the headache.

Sue said...

Yay for no jury duty, kathy!

Good work, esperanza!

Ugh, QWP. The fluoride always makes me queasy too. Bleh. Worth it in the end, I suppose, but icky stuff.

Yes, the couple are husband and wife. The wife with pneumonia is doing very poorly tonight. Husband with new pacemaker looking better but not out of the woods. Tough for all involved.

esperanza said...

Similar situation in my congregation, though before my time. Couple didn't have any children, but were kept apart from each other in husband's last days. Wife is still broken hearted about that. (And since I just made myself cry, I guess I am too!). Much love to you, Sue, as you minister to them.

Queen of West Procrastination said...

Oh goodness, that's heartbreaking, esperanza. Sue, bless you as you minister to this family.

Sue said...

That is so heartbreaking, esperanza. :(

AW: I delegated another pastoral visit to one of our care team. It's not an urgent visit, just afternoon tea and talk. The person to be visited will be fine with it, she's super sweet and will graciously host another visitor. The visitor is delighted to be able to help out.

W: Why is it so darn hard to ask for help?

esperanza said...

If you can figure out the answer to that last question, please let me know. Well done!

Queen of West Procrastination said...

Sue, I imagine that the task of asking for help isn't made easier when you occasionally have congregants' family members complaining that their mother was visited by someone from the care team, and not by the REAL minister. (I'm glad that the care team is there to help, and that you know that this care team visit will go well.)

I am very Canadian today: I spent part of my allotted preschool time drafting an email to a foreign archive, asking for help, and laughed at myself when I realised that most of my parenthetical notes to myself were things like "Insert apologies about the inconvenience, etc."

Queen of West Procrastination said...

W: Oof. Our provincial budget came out today, and it's BRUTAL. Cuts everywhere, including to necessary services, and all public employees are soon getting to go to the bargaining table, to decide between pay cuts or layoffs. We're going to have to figure out what next year looks like, with 3.5% less money, and a bunch of stuff suddenly more expensive.

kathy a. said...

Feel the pain, QWP. Unthinkable cuts are on the table here, nationwide. Horrifying. I think the health care thing is not going to pass, but so many programs on on the edge of getting the axe.

AW: Oh, my son is so very excited about his wedding, and the rehearsal dinner picnic, and just everything! He called and just rattled on about this and that, so very happy -- and just as talkative as when he was a small person. Mama's heart is joyful.

Queen of West Procrastination said...

Oh, that makes my heart glad to hear about such a joyful thing in your family, Kathy. What a wonderful thing.

I'm worried sick about the funding cuts in your country as well, Kathy! And such awful priorities on display, as so many are going to suffer as the result.

AW: the best antidote for the awful start to my evening, as I made myself absolutely sick thinking about the hurt that's going to happen as the result of our provincial budget cuts (some of the ones that affect the most vulnerable are just cartoonishly villainous): my cousin had me read her proposal for her MSW thesis, and not only is it really, really good, but it's going to do a lot of good, and help a lot of people. It's so hopeful. I told her that I'm really proud of her for the work she's doing.

kathy a. said...

Go, cousin! That's wonderful!

As one friend just remarked, between the health care thing (still up in the air) and all this shocking horrible news about Russia's involvement in the election, things are pretty bad. Weird. Awful. I think the health care destruction will not pass. I think the Russia thing is beyond belief; nothing like this has ever happened; so, don't know where that is going.

Anonymous said...

"Cartoonishly villainous" pretty much sums it all up right now, doesn't it?

Go QWP cousin!
--NL

esperanza said...

Old fart confession: I just learned how to take a screenshot. I had to google it.

esperanza said...

And I have contacted my (mostly useless, but I gotta do something) senators and representative.

Desperately trying to turn my day around, which had a terribly difficult start with a rude and defiant Mini.

Sue said...

"Cartoonishly villainous" certainly fits well.

Confession: After everything on my plate, the horror overseas, and catching up late last night on said cartoonish villains, I missed the Canadian budget entirely. It came on the news this morning and I said, "We had a budget yesterday?" Hubby just shook his head.

Hooray for your cousin, QWP!!

I'm glad the excitement about the wedding is building, kathy. So much fun!

Queen of West Procrastination said...

I just caught up on the federal budget before bed last night, because I thought it was happening today, and because the provincial budget awfulness dominated our local news. I'm annoyed about losing the transit credit, but other than that, everything seems fine to me, especially in comparison to what is happening here.

Liz Miller said...

Cartoonishly villainous. Yes.

It's looking like the AHCA won't pass because it's not cruel enough. Currently the GOP is stuck between fear of losing votes of folks who want it to be meaner and nastier, and folks who know that their constituents really like things like the Essential Health Benefits and that it's a terrible look to cut insurance for addiction treatment in the middle of a heroin epidemic.

If the GOP loses 22 of their members' votes, it won't pass. 27 are currently in the No category, and I don't see how they get them to switch without losing the votes of OTHER members. FINGERS CROSSED.

esperanza said...

also crossed here. Still horrified. Thanks for the update, Liz.

kathy a. said...

Crossed everything.

Liz Miller said...

Currently 30 are still against. Again, some (like Brat), are against it because not enough people will die or become disabled. Others are against it because it cuts popular provisions. http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/these-are-republicans-opposing-trump-s-health-care-bill-n737116

kathy a. said...

Vote postponed.

Queen of West Procrastination said...

Postponed usually is a death knell for these kinds of votes, right? Or they could be making backroom deals to make the bill more horrible, to appease the cartoon villains.

Queen of West Procrastination said...

By the way, I'm exhausted and grumpy today (E won't be seeing Beloved Daddy until nearly bedtime tonight, and if there's another delay in his return from the robot competition, she won't see him at all you today, and I dread her response, since she's been incredibly difficult today). And, on top of that, I'm nervous because I just fielded a call from the board of education, and when I said that Mr. Q was in the road with students right now, the superintendent was just cryptic enough that I'm freaking myself out: he said (as I assumed) that it was regarding the admin position that Mr. Q applied for (which he's been already doing this year, and this process is to make it permanent): he only said he has information about the position, and that he'll call the principal instead to relay that information (since obviously he shouldn't be telling it to me instead). I am 90% sure that he's just calling to say that it's official that he's permanent now, and staying cryptic enough not to give it away over the phone. But a nagging part of me is nervous that, as a cost-cutting measure (since the ruinous budget was yesterday), that they're eliminating that position. Which would mean a double pay cut for us. They can't eliminate that position and just add a ton of work to principals and vice principals, can they? That would be something widely announced, right?

kathy a. said...

QWP -- A. "Daddy is on his way; he will come see you when he gets home." and B. That might be great news! So, wait before you worry. xoxo



Queen of West Procrastination said...

Oof. Anyone else need extra caffeine this morning? I woke up from a dream where someone was crying, to find that the crying was actually my child, sobbing uncontrollably. She had stress dreams last night that were definitely connected to the anxiety she had yesterday, when her daddy didn't get home until minutes before her bedtime (she desperately tried to play with him, and then got really upset when she had to go to sleep). She also had dreams about plants biting her legs, and this morning we discovered there was a toothpick in the leg of her sleeper, poking her all night!

Thankfully, it's Friday. We just have to get through a few more hours.

AW: I'm feeling a little better today. Did I mention that I'm still sick? I had a low-grade fever and wobbly tummy yesterday. I spent much of yesterday resting, which definitely added to E feeling abandoned.

Sue said...

Fingers crossed for the vote. I am utterly shocked that the bill isn't cruel enough for the far far right caucus. I equally shocked that these hateful bastards hold elected office, because that means that voters *wanted* hateful, cruel people to make life-changing decisions for them. I just don't understand.

Fingers also crossed for good news at your house QWP.

Queen of West Procrastination said...

Crossing my fingers that the rumours of "not enough votes and are pulling that bill" are true. Please please please.

Queen of West Procrastination said...

AW: Mr. Q got the good news about his admin position! He's now permanent in that position!

Liz Miller said...

YAY!!!!!

Liz Miller said...

Having issues with paperwork I thought my campaign manager did back in 11/15. He didn't.

Queen of West Procrastination said...

THE BILL HAS BEEN PULLED!

FRIDAY AFTERNOON PIXIE DANCE PARTY!

Queen of West Procrastination said...

Liz: uh oh!

esperanza said...

QWP, hope you and E can both feel better. And--how bizarre on the toothpick!

Joining in hoorays for Mr. Q's job and the pulling of the bill.

Sorry about paperwork snafus.

AW: Had lunch with two friends I hadn't seen in a long time.
W: It took most of the day and now I still have a lot of work to do.

Anonymous said...

Yay Mr. Q!!!!!!
--NL

kathy a. said...

Dance Party!!! ACA is here to stay!

Cheers to Mr. Q!

Liz, hope that gets straightened out.

Pixies -- Frankie and Grace is back! Just when needed. :)

kathy a. said...

I look at the clock, and it's almost 6 p.m., and I still am thinking, "almost time to feed the dog." Sigh.

Junior cat is being diligent about kibble bowl reminders, lest they run low; but it is clear she prefers the newer kibble to the kind filling the second dish. She's in line for a Diva title.

esperanza said...

I still look around for our dog (who has been dead for over 10 years) whenever I spill grated cheese in the kitchen. She was a great cheese cleaner-upper.

W: I cannot concentrate on work while in our house.

Queen of West Procrastination said...

Hugs, Kathy.

Esperanza, I understand, and I have much less work to do than you do!

I'm watching Grace and Frankie right now, and am so happy.

Sue said...

Yay for Mr. Q and the Q family!!!

I hope the paper work is sorted quickly, Liz.

(((kathy)))

W: Hubby has a head cold (though admittedly, not a man cold at all) and I feel like I've been hit by a large truck. Sore throat, iffy tummy, chills... UGH.

kathy a. said...

I need help! The dreaded topic is dressing appropriately for son's wedding. A major source of dread is that I am not a standard size or shape, and also I really hate going shopping in department stores, even if the mother of the bride is bribing me with mimosas or bloody marys.

Thankfully, it won't be a formal wedding! MOTB suggests something in the range of cocktail party wear, not long or frou frou, nothing that will upstage the bride (obviously).

I want to look around online. My issues are A) I'm short; B) I get overheated easily; C) knee length or above makes me look like a box, so I prefer below knee; D) I hate the criss-cross bodice look, and the scrunches on the side look; E) really hate anything tight across the [substantial] belly; F) there needs to be space for boobage, without too much exposure, or that tent look. I'm thinking something sleeveless, scoop neck, empire waist and/or some cinching in the back, a looser A-line below that.

Ideas about where to look around?

esperanza said...

I have zero wisdom about this, except that this would be a good occasion to engage a tailor for alterations.

esperanza said...

Oh, and I'm a big fan of looking online to find a store with a few options that I like, then going to said store. That helps me budget my limited patience with shopping.

kathy a. said...

Hmm, that's an idea... Also, have 2 tailors nearby who could do fixes.

It still makes me uncomfortable going girl dress shopping at a big store. And I love my almost-in-law MOTB, but she is a normal height size 6 or something, no discernible belly area, everything looks great on her; and I am not.

esperanza said...

Is there some etiquette reason you have to go with MOTB? That's a real question; I don't know. But it seems perfectly reasonable to go by yourself, maybe pick out a couple of alternatives, text her photos of them (on hangar), and get her preference.

kathy a. said...

She invited me, no doubt because I do not have a lot of style sense. And maybe she wanted some bonding? I think I will pick some picks, send photos, and see what fits.

Queen of West Procrastination said...

If you're unhappy with shopping in department stores, researching and shopping online are your friends! And you live in a magical country that has online retailers that will customize clothes to your measurements! (We don't have all the options you all have.) And you can have things fixed by your tailor! Figure out an alternative bonding event with the MOTB.

esperanza said...

oh true, QWP. Kathy a, do you know eshakti.com ? They will custom make a dress, according to your measurements. I have a couple that fit me quite nicely. (Also: do not pay full price. They are always having some kind of sale).

QWP, online customized clothes do not exactly make up for all the shenanigans going on in our country right now, but I can see how you might feel deprived :)

Queen of West Procrastination said...

I was looking at the dresses on that site, and they look so nice! Kathy, you should check there!

Queen of West Procrastination said...

W/AW: on the one hand, my in-laws took E for the day (and took her swimming!), so that Mr. Q could get serious work done on his research paper. On the other hand, Aunt Flo decided to wait a week and arrive today, and to be extra painful, AND I bumped my head while reaching for far-back broccoli at the grocery. So, I spent the day feeling miserable.

Liz Miller said...

(((QWP)))

Kathy, I have several dresses from EShakti, and I love them, but not everything I've gotten from them has fit well. That said, you can order several and send back what doesn't work.

My suggestion? If there is a Nordstrom near you, call and ask for an appointment with a personal shopper. Tell them what you're looking for, price range, your measurements. Bring MOTB with you when you go for bonding purposes, but let the Nordie's yenta do the initial pulling of clothes. Nordies has a tailor, too.

XOXO


Anonymous said...

Love all the dress advice!!!

Also, could you maybe go shopping to bond with the MOTB with mimosas etc. while she finds a dress? You could always just say that you think you found something online but would happy to accompany while she looks? Just a thought (if that would be a happy experience...) Personally, I am usually much happier helping someone else find things than trying on things myself.

I checked out that website and I am so happy you mentioned it esperanza. They have beautiful things!

Also, I second the Nordie's suggestion. At least, they are great for bra shopping-- haven't done a lot else there...

Hugs to all!
:) Neighbor Lady


Liz Miller said...

Oooh, Kathy, what about this one? http://www.eshakti.com/shop/Dresses/Leaf-wool-embellished-tulle-layer-poplin-dress-CL0047771. SO PRETTY.

esperanza said...

Oh, that is pretty, Liz. I also like the Nordstrom's suggestion, with someone to take you under their wing.

kathy a. said...

Got the plague. Bleah.

Queen of West Procrastination said...

Oh no, Kathy!

esperanza said...

Tummy plague? Oh dear.

Liz Miller said...

Oh no, Kathy!!!

kathy a. said...

Tum is settling. Plan an early bedtime...

Queen of West Procrastination said...

Oh dear, Kathy. I'll send some of that plague-be-gone that you all sent me last week. I hope you sleep well tonight.

Liz Miller said...

Paperwork is fixable.