...which is not to say there won't be anything to whine about.
As the holiday nutty gets in full swing, what are your whines, pixies? Lay 'em on us.
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About Wednesday Whining
Wednesday Whining is a weekly blog with rotating hosts. Whines and Anti-Whines, both big and small, are welcome! Our purposes are mutual support and sharing a few laughs along the way.
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The Wednesday Whining Community is diverse, and strives to be safe, welcoming, and supportive. To this end, comments that are personally abusive or otherwise disparaging [regarding race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation] will be deleted by moderators, along with spam and self-promotion.
FAQ
Q: When does Wednesday Whining appear?
A: The Whiner's Ball commences no later than Tuesday, and ends when Awards are given (usually Thursday in theory, but definitely before Monday).
Q: Awards? Really?
A: Yes, really. Traditional awards include Style [music, poetry, etc.], Old Skool [piddly little whines], and Elevated Risk of Mullet [funniest line in a whine], but other hand-crafted awards may be granted at the host's discretion, and nominations from commenters are encouraged.
Q: Can I whine about someone who just does not "get it"?
A: The Cluestick Posse is on hand for persons in need.
Q: Is there a mascot?
A: Ralph is the mascot.
Q: Are there other traditions I should know about?
A: The passing of virtual refreshments is appreciated.
Q: How did this all get started anyhow?
A: Phantom Scribbler was our muse and host for two years.
Q: What was the first prize ever awarded?
A: The Playdough Violin
A: The Whiner's Ball commences no later than Tuesday, and ends when Awards are given (usually Thursday in theory, but definitely before Monday).
Q: Awards? Really?
A: Yes, really. Traditional awards include Style [music, poetry, etc.], Old Skool [piddly little whines], and Elevated Risk of Mullet [funniest line in a whine], but other hand-crafted awards may be granted at the host's discretion, and nominations from commenters are encouraged.
Q: Can I whine about someone who just does not "get it"?
A: The Cluestick Posse is on hand for persons in need.
Q: Is there a mascot?
A: Ralph is the mascot.
Q: Are there other traditions I should know about?
A: The passing of virtual refreshments is appreciated.
Q: How did this all get started anyhow?
A: Phantom Scribbler was our muse and host for two years.
Q: What was the first prize ever awarded?
A: The Playdough Violin
Moderators
53 comments:
My office suite is currently swamped by the Mystery of the Missing Chairs. Many of the new good chairs (not mine, thank goodness) were missing when we all came in this morning. No one seems to know why. There was already a shortage of chairs (thus the new ones) and so tempers are understandably frayed.
I’ll keep you posted as developments occur.
Liz on iPhone
Oh, that is so truly epic, Liz! I nominate you for the Hilarious Workplace Mystery of the Week Award, because who can top that? (It probably isn't hilarious for those lacking chairs.)
Esperanza, yes! Something good has to happen this week! Thank you for hosting.
AW: We had rain! And now it is over, and the sun is shining.
AW: Started in on a new book last night, The Painted Queen. Elizabeth Peters began this mystery novel before she died; and her good friend Joan Hess finished it -- both are favorite authors, and both gone now. So far, delicious.
This week: holiday cards. Stocking shopping. Hopefully some donating of excess.
I can't wait to hear how the mystery is solved, Liz, and I hope a resolution can come quickly. Those kinds of things can eat away at one's holiday spirit.
Send some rain our way, kathy! We've had virtually nothing since the hurricane.
You know, Esperanza? Rain shouldn't just come in Hurricane Strength or Nothing, IMO. Hope something drifts your way soon.
Indeed. It's not uncommon here, though. Drought conditions are being predicted for the winter.
Kathy a.... Elizabeth Peters is one of my favorites, and I enjoyed the Joan Hess one you are reading very much! Glad you are getting to curl up with a delicious book!
Maybe I should check out some other Joan Hess, as I haven't read any others by her.
Hope you enjoy!
:) Neighbor Lady
Joan Hess was flat funny! One of her series about Claire Malloy, an intrepid bookseller with a teen girl who SPEAKS IN ALL CAPS, but also she solved various mysteries, to the chagrin of especially one police officer. And the other is about Arly Hanks, who fled a bad marriage in NYC and returned to become chief of police in her tiny home town, with all the nightmares that entails, but I have a soft spot for all the characters in Maggody, Arkansas.
* was about
I hope you solve The Mystery of the Missing Chairs, Liz! What a hilarious and strange thing to happen (although I'm sure it's not hilarious to those who don't have a place to sit).
W: E is in the midst of a sudden eczema flare up (thanks to the sudden onset of winter, and us slacking on our usual preventative measures, because she has been fine for so long), and she was (understandably) a crotchety monster today. I would be, too! But she's now dealing with some consequences as the result of choices she made while in her irritable mood. Today's big lesson is "I know that you have a good reason for your bad mood, but you still have the ability to make choices."
I'm so tired.
Crotchety child update: she decided to have an oatmeal bath, and then once she was in it decided that oatmeal baths are disgusting, and is loudly expressing her opinion about the situation.
AW: Mr. Q is in charge of this bath time, and I'm in my recliner.
Mini whines in eczema solidarity.
And thank goodness for Mr. Q!
I'm sorry that Mini is in eczema solidarity with E!
AW: crotchety child has now been bathed, slathered in her moisturizer, pyjama-ed, and is asleep.
Also AW: I did some creative scheming today. E hasn't had a REAL "big girl bed" yet. She's been sleeping on a box spring and mattress on the floor, as we've spent the past (nearly 3) years dithering about a suitable bed. But I would like to be able to pull her bed out from being crammed in the corner of the room (it makes the window and drape situation awkward), and so I'd like a headboard and a real bed at last. And the ability to store things under a bed! I've been eyeing up a sturdy one at Eye-Key-Ah, but have dithered for half a year, because we live far from a store, and it costs $80 to be delivered to a collection spot. But there's free shipping today. I hesitated, because it's a lot of money to spend when we're buying Christmas presents, and and have all our birthdays in the next month, when I realised that none of the grandparents know what to give her this year, and they don't want to further overwhelm us with too many toys. So, a couple of calls about "would you like your Christmas present to be a contribution toward E's big girl bed", and I've made my order! A bed from all the grandparents, and a yellow bedside table from Mr. Q and me. My in-laws and parents are coming here for a party, a couple of days before Christmas, and they'll give E her present together then.
Excellent idea, QWP! And all the grands are in on this big thing! Woot! (Plus, no more toys, at least right now.)
And, before that, I successfully convinced my MIL not to cram a stocking full of plastic dollar store toys for E this year! (E remembers all toys, and her heart breaks when something like that disappears or breaks.) This year, both sets of grandparents will give (in addition to the bed) little bits of art supplies, stickers, and colouring books. Things that E sees as disposable.
I must say: I'm so thankful that I have such reasonable parents and in-laws, who gets along well.
QWP, I am wracking (racking?) my brain trying to think of a similar idea for the Baboos and their grandparents. We. Do. Not. Need. More. Toys. Or. Especially. Legos.
So, well done, you.
Any word on the mystery chairs, Liz?
I've added those authors to my lengthy reading list, kathy and NL.
Sorry to hear of all the itchy, scratchy eczema troubles. :(
Well done, QWP, on the grandparent gifts!
AW: MIL continues to surprise us. She's eating well, making friends, and settling in beautifully. She has occasional moments of sadness when we leave, but according to the staff, she's easily distracted with something fun to do ("Let's walk down to the common room..."). Remarkable.
W: I made the mistake of looking at my calendar for December. It's a sprint to the finish, I'm afraid. Ah well, it's a living, right?
I'm so glad that your MIL is settling in so well, Sue. What a relief. (And I can't even imagine how busy December is for you and esperanza! I'm feeling whiny about how busy mine is, and I'm not clergy!)
Esperanza: what about something like a membership to a local fun place (in the past, my parents have given E a family membership to our science centre, as her Christmas present, with a wee toy frog the gift shop, so that she has something to open). A "gift of an experience" is a nice way to avoid filling the house with a million toys.
(Btw, have I mentioned that this year will be E's first friend birthday party? And 8 kids are coming? At least it's from only 6 families, but still: I need to prepare myself for extra toys.)
AW: last night's eczema-containment protocol was successful! Her skin has calmed right down.
Oh, such good news about MIL, Sue! A wonderful sign that she really was ready; that this really is a good place for her to be. How's your FIL?
Totally in favor of asking family to do something that will last all year, and not clutter the house! If not a museum, maybe: something with horses? New cowgirl boots when they need them? Swimming? Etc.? (I completely lost the battle on legos and barbies, although at least the legos were engaging enough that I am not allowed to get rid of them...)
I like the idea of gifts that last all year. We gave our sons memberships two years ago - one at an art gallery and the other at a science center. They really enjoyed them.
FIL is doing fairly well. A bit at loose ends, I think, as he's been so focused on caregiving for the past few years and now he's got time and freedom. It's an adjustment, for sure. He's catching up on sleep, which is good.
I think they would like horse lessons (or they think they would like them). I am...unenthusiastic about the stable that is conveniently located. I would need to decide if I am willing to drive farther to a place I like better.
Good news about MIL, Sue!
No word on the chairs. I’ll ask one of the chairless if he found out anything.
Yay for your MIL settling in so well!
Yay for the eczema treatment working!
Liz on iPhone
This stressy work-related thing came in last night. But, all this had been thought through before, and the thing they're demanding is something I expected to hear about a year and a half ago, and always meant them to have. So, I get to say, sure! No prob! :)
Pork and green salsa in the crock pot. Tortillas and beans at hand, for the right moment tonight. Should have thought of guacamole...
You're singing my dinner song, kathy a! That sounds delicious. We're having pizza.
The news, it is exhausting.
The to-do list needs to be written down, so that it may not be so overwhelming.
Sounds delicious Kathy!
I am so hungry right now!
Sue, glad your MIL is doing well.
:) Neighbor Lady
Turns out the chairless never spoke to the office manager, who had no idea of the shenanigans. “Why don’t they tell me these things?!?!” She demanded. I shrugged and said, “maybe because they thought it was someone else’s job to tell you?” And we both laughed bitterly.
In other news, the dress I’m wearing today unhemmed itself.
Liz on iPhone
Chairs go missing and nobody complains? Oh, my dear. I know that decent people don't like to make trouble at work, but it's not like she accidentally left her chair someplace, right? And, most people think a chair is pretty essential to, you know, sitting down to do the work....
Liz, um. That dress shouldn't have done that. Iron on hem tape might help (my all time fave easy fix).
I scored ingredients for guacamole!
How does a person not ask anyone about their chair going missing?! So strange, Liz. (And I'm sorry about your dress un-hemming itself! You've had an odd day.)
W: child who is almost five decided to revive a few of her behavioural classics from her stubborn two year old days. (Picky eating! Fighting getting out of jammies! Fighting getting into jammies at the end of the day! Fighting bath time! Fighting getting out of the bath!)
AW: she's asleep. And was so sweet during bedtime that I almost forgot the rest of the day.
AW: huzzah! I was just pricing out food for the birthday party (I'm buying supplies tomorrow), and the grocery store nearest to me has a big sale on party food (including veggie trays), because of the Big Canadian Football Final on Sunday! And tomorrow is the last day of the sale!
Yay QWP for Big Canadian Football Final food!! Sorry about the bedtime and other struggles though... I didn't watch much of the game itself, but the anthem was amazing!!
esperanza, the news is almost too much for me to take in these days. Last night I was watching and when I couldn't take any more stupid/cruel/twisted, I turned to the fireplace channel (the one with an actual fire on the hearth - not the other kind of special pixie fireplace, which would be, ew, no.)
Yay for guacamole, kathy!!
Liz, you really did have an odd day. I hope today is less odd in every way.
Sue, I skipped watching the big game this year (I didn't bother once my team was out), and now I regret missing the half time show. Shania on a dog sled!
Kathy, I'm so jealous of last night's supper!
AW: my province announced that they'll stop trying to force through pay cuts the public employees in contract regains. Tentatively breathing easier about getting through this year.
W: the Ed minister recently made comments about schools making do with even less next year, after acting like they've managed so well this year. (They're not doing well. This year is a nightmare for teachers and students.)
The grocery store near my house had everything that I needed for the party, including all the cake decorating stuff, and so I didn't have to drive to the suburbs to go to a second store.
And so I'm now sitting in my own recliner until it's time to get E from preschool.
And now, other than cupcake baking and decorating, most of my to do list is done.
QWP scores on the birthday planning and acquisition of necessaries! Plus, bonus down time! AND, your province giving up on doing the stupid thing to teachers.
O M fireplacing G -- I just do not know how much BS and horror citizens are supposed to take. It's not supposed to be 24/7, you know? We aren't supposed to be led by someone who has no reason and no boundaries; nor legislated by people who would personally cut out their own mothers' hearts if it gave them some advantage in passing the worst bills anybody ever thought up. I wrote to J. McCain today, because I don't know what else to do. I've already written my own people, repeatedly and with vigor. There apparently aren't enough clue by fours in the entire universe, currently.
Ahem. Today's cooking involves mama's first experiment with chiles relleno, to be served with leftover rice and beans, more tortillas, and some chicken that is currently marinating. I could not find poblano peppers, so am using anaheims. Never have before attempted to blister and peel a pepper, so that was a learning experience. ;)
It's fun to blister and peel peppers! But make sure to wear gloves. (I ended up with chemical burns when chopping roasted chiles for salsa.)
Good call on sending that letter, Kathy. What a never-ending barrage of terrible news!
Are you battering and frying the chiles, too? Faaannnncccy. And good call on cooking them a little first, with the blistering and peeling. Otherwise, you have crunchy chiles, which is not yummy, imo.
I just can't with the news. I've written, I've faxed. (One of my senators is no longer accepting faxes, the turd.) Mine are hopeless, anyway, but the helpless feeling is getting overwhelming.
So, for the past few weeks, I've been baffled about why E is such a stinker every other day (and fine every other day). It took me thinking "at least her good days are school days" to realise that it's the answer: she's settled into the year's school routine, and after up on the non-school days.
Right. That's normal. I should know this by now.
Not battering and frying the chiles! These are smaller chiles, and did soften during the skin-blistering part of the proceedings. They have been stuffed, basted, baked, and a little broil at the end so the cheese would really melt. That hopefully will do it. Unfortunately, I got everything timed for an hour ago, and The Man has not yet returned home.
QWP, she obviously adores school days. Ride with it!
I'm so very jealous of those stuffed chiles, Kathy.
And I just need to find a way for E to handle the non-school days!
These anaheim peppers? A little hotter than expected! My husband loves them; and I like them too, except I had to discard a lot of the pepper part because it was a little much on the heat. Might need to search a little farther for poblanos, next time; but at least I kinda have the prep figured out. (And also, tasty.)
QWP -- is it possible to work out a schedule for home days, kinda like school? Won't be the same, but she might feel more comfortable with "now it's time for X," and "now it's time for working on an art project," and "we'll do some cooking in 30 minutes." Or, like that.
I don't know that I've ever had an Anaheim, but I've definitely had poblanos that were a little spicier than I had imagined they would be.
AW: I slept really hard last night
W: So hard that my ear still hurts from laying on one side of my head all night. Am I the only person this happens to?
They're passing the fireplacingly hideous tax bill. I feel so ill. This will be devastating to so many.
On the other hand, "Ex-Trump adviser Michael Flynn admits in plea that Trump transition officials directed his contacts with the Russians." Directed.His.Contacts.
Boo on the tax bill. I can't quite fathom how they think screwing over their constituents is going to work out well for them.
Ya, it's not looking good for the white house crime syndicate. Pass the popcorn, this could get interesting.
I'm so mad about this tax bill. Hugs, American pixies. I really hope there's still a way to stop it.
I am likewise popping popcorn.
AW/W: I piped bees onto twenty cupcakes for tomorrow's party. (Lemon cupcakes with honey buttercream.) I hate piping, but I did it. My arms and hands are sore and exhausted. But it's done.
AW: Mr. Q and E are now picking up pizza for supper, because the kitchen has had enough of a workout for one day.
I literally popped popcorn, on the stove, this afternoon! Mini had a birthday party after school, so it was just me and Sweet. It's amazing how peaceful an afternoon can be! We put out Christmas decorations, except for the tree--that's waiting till we're all around tomorrow.
My daughter's law school has therapy dogs coming around, for students stressed about the upcoming finals!
And, she's decided to get a little tree to cheer her up, even though she's coming home for the holiday. And, she's petitioned her apartment management to let her, as a responsible tenant, have cats after the new year. Plus, the studying seems to be going well.
Also, Bees! On cupcakes! That's the mom spirit. ;)
Cats for your daughter! And I highly recommend have a little tree, even when traveling home. (I did the same, before we moved back here.)
Old Skool: I just remembered that I had planned to pop actual popcorn, as well, but then I lost track of the evening, because I was so tired.
I was about to whine that I'm stressed out about hauling all the food and dishes and decorations to the museum, and what if I forget something?! And then I reminded myself that we live mere blocks from the museum, and everything will be fine. And stores exist! But our it would actually be faster to run to our house than a store. It helps that the first hour of the party is entertainment provided by the museum staff: we can finish setting up food then, if we need to. I'm going to bed early, instead of running around, trying to get things done tonight.
(By the way, you all should have seen how overwhelmed with joy E was, when she saw the bee cupcakes after preschool. So worth the annoyance of piping.)
I keep reading "bee cupcakes" too quickly and seeing "beer cupcakes" instead which (a) sounds disgusting; and (b) horribly inappropriate for a child's birthday party!
Tax bill. Bah. My senator sent back a form letter explaining that they were "simplifying" the tax code. Fireplacers.
500 pages of amendments is not "simplifying" anything.
no kidding. My senior senator is not known for honesty and integrity.
Simplifying!! Oh my goodness, what a charlatan.
(I also agree that beer cupcakes would be both gross and inappropriate for a fifth birthday party!)
And icing on the cake (not the good "bee" icing, either) is that nobody had a chance to read this debacle of a bill before it passed. They still crowed about their fabulous achievement. Fireplacing fireplacers need to be fireplacing replaced.
The only saving grace of yesterday was the blockbuster deal with Flynn. Takes things right into the white house. What's been publicly revealed is only the tip of the iceberg, so boy howdy, that's got to be one heck of an iceberg.
Hope the party was great, QWP!
I'm working my way (very belatedly) though West Wing. Why did I not know that Lily Tomlin was a character? Not a big character, but this seems like something I should have known.
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