It's the biggest week of the year for Mr. E, so we won't be planning on seeing him much.
In Mini news, she finally called my bluff and had to be taken to the office to get her tardy slip this morning. That threat had worked all year until now. She was not upset that she was late; she was upset because she and Sweet "always" go in to school together. Well, if you want to do that, then you'll need to get ready on time.
In Sweet news, let us all hope that being back in the school routine will help her sleep better and act better.
And in Mama news, let us not think forward to summer and the lack of school routine, with added moving stress for a bonus. Let's just think about something more pleasant, shall we?
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Thanks for hosting, Esperanza! Well, perhaps Mini learned the consequence for slowness -- and it is not Mama-imposed. Yay for sweet improving!
Is it possible that New City has some summer programs that would be interesting and keep Baboos occupied? Our town has a variety of affordable summer day camp programs; signups are for one-week sessions, so kids can opt to try something new. But best to register early!
Bleah, still sorting tax stuff before seeing the guy tomorrow.
Crap. Tax stuff.
Taxes scare me, especially being in this precarious self-employed position. My dad was freaked by them, too, which in his case meant he just sang LA LA LA LA until the IRS (not the robocaller I. R. S., the real one) made noise, and then he panicked and things were a mess and such. So, that is why I pay a guy to do his mojo and make my forms happen, with all the good info, and the correct and legal deductions; but before that, there is the sorting and adding and so on. Also, supposed to rain tomorrow, when I travel by various transit to the tax guy's house. Bleah.
Fun fact: U.S. clergy are considered "self-employed." So I know the complications whereof you speak.
Sorry about the rain, except I know you still need it.
Self-employed??? Interesting...
Thanks for hosting!
Our taxes are done and submitted. The only complicated part of our claims is my housing deduction, which hubby has figured out well.
AW: A quiet day today, which is good, because nothing about the rest of this week is going to be quiet.
AW: Our son from the Big City will be visiting this weekend! Yay!!!
A son visiting for Easter! Yay, Sue!
I keep forgetting this in all the other stuff, but I invited our son and his sweetie for Easter dinner. Which is not planned. And also my husband's idea of a traditional lamb kebab (his mom's specialty) is great except for the non-lamb eaters and the vegetarian. But my taxes will be done, so I can figure out the rest of the feast! Also, if I fail to provide treats from The Bunny, my kids will think something bad has happened. But this time, I might go with large udon bowls, or something else that will have a useful life in a person's apartment.
American clergy are considered "self-employed"? That news definitely took me by surprise.
I still need to submit our taxes! We just need to confirm a couple of numbers (and nag the charity whose receipt didn't show up -- they got our address wrong last year, and I wouldn't be surprised if it happened again).
AW: but I'm playing with my new toy, which I preemptively bought with future tax money: my new laptop! I'm on the couch, and using a computer! (Note: I've only ever owned laptops. My old one couldn't travel away from my desk anymore, and has been immobilized for years.)
Oh, it gets more complicated. We're self-employed for social security purposes, which means that taxes are not withheld from our paychecks. But we're employed for IRS purposes, which means we have to submit W-2 forms (which are...hm...wage reports). This is why we pay someone to do our taxes.
Yay for new laptops that function on the lap!
Oh, that's really interesting! (And I know what a W-2 is: it's a T4 here.) So: you pay taxes, but it's not automatically taken off of your paycheque. Is it funky because churches are tax exempt institutions? (Wait: I can look that up.)
I was so distracted by the new computer that I forgot about my Classic Whine/Antiwhine combination today. I know at least esperanza has been here with this one:
AW: E and I had doctor appointments at 12:50 this afternoon (aka ten minutes before Quiet Time), and E was a pro! We went out for lunch (first time at a sit-down restaurant since I don't know when), and she was excellent at the restaurant, and then fantastic through the appointment. So...
W: she crashed late in the afternoon (both figuratively and literally: she fell and hit her head on coffee table, although she had no concussion symptoms afterward). Bedtime was a mess, and she took a lot of time (and work) to fall asleep. And might be coming down with a cold, all of a sudden.
QWP - good for E for such great behaviour! Doc appointments are tough and she did well, and then lunch! Sorry about the (literal) crash in the afternoon. :(
kathy, udon bowls sound like a great idea! We have our Easter dinner on Monday because by the time I'm done with two Easter services, I'm not fit for company. It will be five of us with my in-laws and our son. I have no clue what we will be eating.
Kathy, noodles instead of Easter chocolate sounds like a great idea!
Sue: our Easter dinner will also be on the Monday, since we're travelling during the holiday. (Lord willing. See whine below.)
W: So, we've been hit with Sue's snowstorm now, and it keeps falling. Parts of the city have no power, and it's all a big mess. AND the child seems to be coming down with something. (You know, at lunchtime, she did tell me that there was "something funny" in her throat, but then she told me that the "something funny" was her milk, and so I didn't think too deeply about it.) She's still in bed right now (we had a false start, and she screamed at me to go away), and I keep hearing coughing and sneezing.
At this rate, between the weather and the child, we might end up staying here for Easter.
Lotta snow, QWP! Hope E recovers quickly.
I was thinking of the large bowls instead of baskets; forgetting chocolate would be unacceptable. ;)
Got my tax stuff done last night! Woke up at 3:30, could not go back to sleep, now have flu symptoms that make it inadvisible to spend 1.5 hours on transit to get to the appointment, assuming I wished to infect everyone on the way plus my tax guy.
UGH WITH THE ILLNESS. Go away sniffles and sneezing and flu-like symptoms! MY FRIENDS DON'T WANT YOU.
Wow, there are a lot of germs! E and kathy, feel better soon!
I'm sneezing my head off from pollen and since I decided it was a great day to work in the yard. I never decide to do that, but it needs to look a little better for the new people to arrive. I fit nine bags of mulch in the back of my Prius, and I think the garden center lady and I deserve an award!
I am happy to report that both Mini and Sweet got ready (just) in time for school this morning.
So many hugs, PK. I'm glad that you found the needed documentation, but I'm sorry that it's worse than remembered.
AW: E slept until 10am, and since then has had no further coughing/sneezing/sniffling. Hopefully, that huge sleep took care of it.
PK, that sounds so awful and stressful, whatever is going on. To find your stuff damaged, too? ((( PK ))) And cluesticks to the deserving person[s].
Esperanza, glad the timeliness fairy arrived this morning. Sounds like your garden will be fab, assuming you survive the efforts!
Tax man says I can just mail him the stuff. Whew.
W: Just found out that in my SIL's last fall, she didn't just get a laceration on her face; she also broke her shoulder. She had a couple of fractures last year, too; and others in the past due to her unsteadiness. Bleah. (She communicates very poorly now, and did not report pain in the shoulder during the first few days.)
Our garden will be presentable. That's all I'm aiming for :)
((PK))
I hope SiL's shoulder fracture can be addressed without surgery, kathy a.
Oh, Kathy. I'm sorry to hear about SIL's broken shoulder.
The ortho thinks it should heal fine if SIL can continue cooperating with the sling. It isn't displaced. That's how one of her fractures last year was treated.
Looking at the dates, I think the fall the ortho was talking about happened about a week after the last fall we heard about -- unless the dates he gave me are off. They kind of forgot to tell us about an ER visit one other time, but usually are really good.
SIL had been having fewer falls since a couple of doozies last spring, but I'm afraid her brain degeneration is progressing. Sigh.
(((PK)))
(((Kathy)))
Also, could we please just not have these big fat bombings any more?
Sending get-well wishes to all the sickies, and hoping taxes are as painless as possible for everyone.
Stuff is still hard and stressful here, but it's still unbloggable. Some stuff I cared about got damaged, too.
Sorry to hear about the storm QWP. And the possible throat ickiness. :(
Ugh, so many germs!!!! Feel better soon everyone.
(((PK)))
Yes, kathy, we need no more of these bombings. *sigh*
(((PK)))
-NL
Please keep my son's friend and her family in your thoughts. She's been hospitalized for suicidal ideation.
Oh, Liz. Sending much love. xoxoxo
Oh, goodness, Liz. I'm thankful she reached out for help and/or that someone recognized what was going on.
The flu person doesn't have to cook dinner, right? Because that's not happening.
For real the flu? Absolutely not! You are supposed to rest and rest some more.
AW: Small miracle: Mini has been asleep by 8:30 for two nights in a row.
W: That this is notable enough to inspire an AW
And don't touch raw food or anything others are going to eat. Stay out of the kitchen!
I am duly out of the kitchen. TMotH is handling things, and it appears to be spaghetti night. I personally have my eye on a can of Anderson's split pea soup, should I become hungry.
Yay for sleep!
Oh, Liz..... thoughts and prayers for your son's friend and her family. Also, for your son and his set of friends-- how hard!! Glad she is getting help!
kathya.--- so sorry you have the flu! Rest, rest, and more rest,... I think it's only fair that the only thing you should be catching right about now is a break!
--Neighbor Lady
Hugs for Liz's son, his friend, and family. I hope she's getting the help that she needs.
Waving Flu B Gone pixie dust in Kathy's general direction. I'm glad you're staying out of the kitchen: now rest!
((((((PK))))))
AW: E had a pleasant day, and went to bed with neither fuss nor coughing/sneezing. Hopefully, we can all stay healthy through the weekend.
Liz, I'm so sorry about your son's friend's mom. I'm glad she is safe.
Yay Mini!! WooHoo!!
I'm glad E is free of coughing/sneezing too - hope she continues well through the weekend.
(((kathy a))) Ugh. You know the drill - lots of sleep and plenty of fluids. I hope you feel better soon. :(
May not be 100%, but feeling much better than yesterday. A bunch of sleep apparently does wonders.
Liz, more hugs for your son's friend, and everybody who loves her. It is good she is getting help! Wish more people did, in times of distress. xoxo
Think I forgot to mention, my SIL just had the one fall. The dates got a little messed up on when they discovered the shoulder problem. The facility director called right away to clarify.
Glad you're feeling better kathy a! Sleep is good.
W: My gardening adventure yesterday means my head is all stuffy and my muscles sore today. I need to do more manual labor, because I didn't think I worked that hard yesterday. Ridiculous. (or "ridickalous" as Mini would say).
AW: so instead of doing things I need to do today, I'm cooking. Pizza for supper. Banana muffins. Oatmeal raisin cookies.
You don't have to regularly lift and haul such bulk, Esperanza (I used to call it "bench pressing babies"), so some soreness is not shameful. You are VERY motivated about the cooking, though!
I ran into the neighbor 2 doors down at the post office, and suddenly realized we don't actually talk very often. We're both a little concerned about the neighbor between us, who is just wonderful but has lately become confused and "frail." I've noticed his daughter visiting more; she also thinks friends are dropping by more often. (His wife is wonderful, too, and calls us sometimes for help with this and that.)
Wow esperanza, you're very keen! Lots of cooking - all of which sounds yummy by the way. :)
Glad you're feeling a bit better kathy. How nice that you and your neighbours are keeping an eye out for your elderly neighbours.
Oh, I feel so accomplished! I heard the older woman next door talking in her driveway, and it turned out she was being hounded by a solar energy door to door guy, while trying to clean out her car after a [don't have full story here] stressful trip with her husband to get something radiological done with his heart. So I did an intervention, got info, sent him away, and had some chat. All to the good that windows were open, and she speaks loudly.
The fuller story involves her wearing rubber gloves and wielding a dirty washcloth, as well as the hospital report and the fact that her husband just had a nice shower. Which, apparently, is not enough to stop a solar power salesperson.
I'm so glad you heard the salesperson and helped out!
Kathy, you are a very good neighbour. I'm glad that your windows were open, and you could go get rid of the salesman.
AW: Do you hear that angel choir singing? They're rejoicing that I FINALLY got out without Li'l E, and managed to get to the Very Nice Bra Shop (where you can get measured by professionals), and got resized, and got two new (expensive) bras, and asked the saleswoman to throw my old nursing bra in the garbage (so that I could wear one of the new bras home). Angel choirs, people. And it turns out that some of my back problems were connected to those dang nursing bras. (The verdict, since they had all my old sizing information on file: I went up a band size, and down a cup size, after pregnancy, nursing, and weaning. I'm surprised that it wasn't more drastic than that, after what that kid did to my ribcage during pregnancy!)
Also, I bought a very nice dress on sale, while roaming around the mall and waiting for a prescription to be filled. Now, all I need to do is find a pair of shoes in E's size (she outgrew all her dress shoes!), and we will be ready for Easter. (The kids' consignment shop had nothing in her size! And I'm unwilling to pay $35 for something she'll outgrow thirty seconds from now. I might have to go somewhere Big Boxy.)
Jealous.
Well done, QWP!
Dress shoes. Crap.
Week. Too. Full.
YAY FOR THE GOOD BRA SHOP!!! (I went to my local one today too! Birthday money burning a hole in my pocket. They are ordering 2 of the bra I want, because they didn't have it in my size)
Payless has good kids shoes, do they exist in your neck of the woods?
Liz: I looked at the Payless at the mall, and they had a couple of good pairs, but then I got grumbly about paying $20 (because I seriously have only gotten shoes second hand shoes for E, up until now), and thought I'd be able to find something at the consignment shop. So, I'll go to the one near here, which is actually bigger than the mall one, and should have better selection.
W: I'm feeling run down, and have sore muscles and a sore throat. We're supposed to be heading north tomorrow, for a church Easter retreat, and I'm wondering if that's going to happen. (I've been so annoyed when other people show up sick, especially after E got a horrible stomach virus at the retreat two years ago, and would feel like a hypocrite if I took something contagious!) Do I give up and declare myself sick, or do I keep packing, and hope it's just allergies?
W: new North Carolina law. Head. Desk.
What is the matter with people? Why can't we all just love, celebrate, and respect each other for who we are?
stepping off soap box.....
--Neighbor Lady
NL, I agree with your box of soap. Keep going!
Not really sure where the NC nuts are headed, but everybody has the right to use a rest room; and a kid who might be beaten for using the boys' room while identifying as a girl, that isn't an acceptable outcome. Holding it indefinitely is also not acceptable. If anyone doubts that bullying exists, one need only look to this legislature.
QWP, hope everybody feels OK tomorrow. And this is just my opinion, but you are going to a retreat; and even if you weren't, I think toddlers are fine in comfy shoes, even at more festive occasions. I have photographic proof that my daughter wore sneakers to a wedding when she was 3.5.
Also, white sandals can look dressy with white frilly socks on the first weekend of wear, which is what my mom did for fancy shoes in the Spring (Mary Janes in the Fall).
North Carolina makes me so sad.
NL can you PM me on FB if you get a chance? https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.a.miller.7
Kathy: I had just come to that same conclusion. E loves her 'inside runners," and she'll be more comfortable in those than in brand-new dress shoes. (I have a beloved cousin who was famous for always wearing runners with dresses for her entire childhood and until she was about 13, and I know she'll be pleased to see E copying that style.)
Oh, NC. I have a lot of loved ones who live there, and who were completely blindsided by this law (as I've heard many others say, this is a huge demonstration of why people need to pay attention to more than just presidential elections).
W: You guys, I'm really feeling crummy all of a sudden. What the heck?
QWP. Get thee to bed. Cancel on the retreat. You will then not come down with an illness, whereas if you go, you will absolutely find out that you have the flu.
I'm Jewish. The Evil Eye is always watching.
Are you sure the Evil Eye isn't just somebody's bubbe? Bubbe is smart, though.
We're staying home, and I'm in bed right now. My throat is suddenly very sore! I think cancelling was a very good call.
Here's to a good restful recovery, QWP.
QWP, I hope you feel better, and I'm sorry you're missing out on the retreat.
W: exhausted. Thunderstorm at around 4 this morning woke Sweet up, and she never went back to sleep. Nor did I.
AW? Baboos don't have school tomorrow. This means we can avoid the doom of getting ready on time for a couple of days. I have a couple of ideas up my sleeve for entertainment, plus a giant box came today, so that's good for playing.
Liz--
I'm actually not on Facebook....
(the whole teacher thing) Can I PM you without being a facebook person?
Want me to contact you another way?
:) Neighbor Lady
Esperanza -- ick on the storm, but you are a Mama who is prepared! Kudos!
Sure NL! Email me at Liz@millerhousehold.com. It's not important, just that I have a way to contact everyone else outside of WW, and I thought I should have yours too, just in case.
QWP - YAY for the fancy bra shopping!!!! So sorry you're feeling rotten, but cancelling was definitely the right thing to do.
As for North Carolina, I just can't even.... seriously, what the heck????
W: On our side of the border, a big legal case involving a massive creep of a celebrity has me fuming. The judge says not guilty on all charges while the whole fireplacing country knows he's guilty of sexually assaulting those women.
AW: Daughter just performed at a local "1dol" style talent thing for middle and high schoolers, and she did awesome!! So proud! Love listening to her! I am always so impressed with the bravery of all the kids willing to stand on a stage (alone!) and sing....
QWP-- hope you feel better soon!!!
--Neighbor Lady
Go, Neighbor Girl!
Cheering for Neighbor Girl!!
Sue: I've barely been able to face the news about Creepy Media Person. The awful things that the judge said today. The awful state of our judicial system, when it comes to believing victims. Ugh.
32d anniversary!
Happy birthday to Kathy and her beloved!
Oh, I forgot to mention yesterday: Mr. Q got into grad school! It's a professional program, meant for teachers who are working full time, and so life will be BUSY, but we're really excited.
You guys! Not going out of town + Mr.Q being home all week = I can host next week! I just added myself to the host list.
Thanks, QWP!
Yay Mr Q!!!!!!
--NL
YAY Neighbor Girl!
Congrats, Mr. Q!
Happy anniversary Kathy a.!!!!!
Hope you are feeling better!
--NL
Happy anniversary, Kathy!
Happy Anniversary to kathy a! Congrats to Neighbor Girl! And congrats to Mr. Q!
...and now Mr. Q has been laid low by a stomach bug. It's a REALLY good thing that we aren't on the road right now.
You see? Bubbe was right. ;)
Oh no! Y'all just can't catch a break from all the germs, QWP! Staying home was a very wise decision. Hoping that Mr. Q keeps it to himself. Quarantine is a viable option, just saying!
GAH! The evil eye KNEW I'd said that if you don't go you won't get sick, and so you got sick anyway. #AllMyFault
The evil eye mis-aimed and caught Mr. Q. That is totally not your fault. Not being on the road right at this moment? Priceless.
Yay Neighbour Girl!!
Sorry about the added bugs at Chez QWP. :(
Happy Anniversary kathy and hubby!!
A man-flu is worse than a man-cold. Just saying. Esperanza's suggestion about quarantine has some merit.
I'm so happy that we just moved into an actual house, with a basement spare bedroom and bathroom, and that today is a holiday. I'm hiding in our bedroom, resting up from this funky cold, MIL is here to take care of Li'l E, and Mr. Q is quarantined in the (comfortable) basement, keeping that stomach bug to himself. The good thing is that, even though he gets suddenly and spectacularly ill, he always rallies quickly.
(Now I'm making a list of everything to disinfect, and I'm also figuring out everything to clean that might be making us sick so often: I've booked a company to come and clean out the furnace ducts, and I'm going to disinfect our bedroom humidifier, in case it has bacteria.)
(Hi, bystander! Welcome! Or welcome back, perhaps?)
It appears that I missed a sector of my left leg the last time I shaved, and I don't recall when that was. Oh, well... An unsung advantage of menopause is that there is less growth. And also, nobody noticed. LOL
My very very difficult task for tonight is choosing between butternut squash lasagne, shrimp with fancy rice and sweet peas, or swordfish with garlic mash and broc. I kind of want shrimp, garlic mash, and butternut squash, but *suppose* one can settle on a dish that is offered on the day's fresh menu. (We do not eat like this very often!)
I agree about the quarantine - good plan. I hope you're both feeling better soon, QWP. And yay for MIL to the rescue!
I nominate kathy for Old Skool! I agree, leg hair grows back more slowly in women of a certain age...but NOTHING stops chin hairs. My sister was on chemo and had lost most of her hair, and if that wasn't difficult enough, she STILL had to pluck chin hairs every couple of days!! Seriously, universe???
Oh, UGH on the chin hairs. And now, as a fun recent development, I have to put on my READING glasses to be able to see them clearly in the mirror to pluck them. Arg!
--NL
I, too, have two pairs of glasses. I haven't been getting chin hairs yet but (TMI ALERT!!!) I have to pluck nipple hairs every few weeks.
AW: No period since the weekend of January 15. Which was the 2nd period after I bought 3 pairs of fancy and expensive period panties. If I never get my period again, that was the best $90 I've ever spent.
AW: There will be food on Easter!
W: The bagger put my bags of nice prepared washed lettuce on the BOTTOM of a bag, so they arrived home in a somewhat flattened condition.
As for last night -- my husband got the swordfish and it was pretty good. I got the shrimp/risotto/vegs, and that was Pure. Heaven. Some kind of meyer lemon infusion was in there; every bite was worth stopping and savoring.
My husband eats like a starving person who has a train to catch, so he was [as usual] finished long before me. So, yeah, I did share. That's how much I love him. ;)
Kathy, that sounds like a wonderful anniversary dinner.
AW: improvements in the Q household! Mr. Q is back to eating regular food, and there were no other gastrointestinal pyrotechnics from the rest of us. We're still definitely sick, but it's just in a general, run-down variety, instead of that other business. (Also, Li'l E slept for fifteen hours last night! She was a grouch all day, but she only wanted Beloved Daddy, and I didn't complain about that at all.)
I hope that our pastoral pixies get through the next day smoothly, and get a break after this. Tomorrow morning, I'm going to put on my Easter dress and some fuzzy slippers, and watch a live feed of the church service that I'm missing (the retreat that we were going to attend does an online broadcast) from my couch. (I'm still wearing the dress, dangit! I bought a new, pretty one, and it has pockets!)
...and I spoke too soon. What is it with my child, puke, and the early hours of Easter Sunday morning?
Oh no! Poor E! And poor QWP! Stand strong against the puke!
...and now we're having our annual argument over Easter dresses.
My husband is getting on my last nerve.
Anon for this
That happened at my house a few days ago, Anon.
We're only having my son and his lovely girlfriend over for dinner, and the menu is simple enough. But my normally loose housekeeping standards have gone completely to heck, particularly since the surgery. Cat fur; dust buffalo; a well-used stove; don't even want to discuss the front bathroom, which is mostly used by my daughter, who LALALALA can't see anything! (She promised to sandblast it today.)
It'll get spiffed up. But woke up with a headache, freaking out about appearances. For my son, who might even be ahead of his sister in the messiest offspring category. Sigh.
I hope everybody at the QWP house is past the bark stage of the whatever. And that everybody at the E house put on their dresses and proceeded to have a nice day. And everybody at the anonymous houses has found peace. xoxo
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