I just have to put this out there. We were supposed to be in Vegas by this evening. Instead I am working at home in my sweatpants with bad hair. Plus I dont even have my refund back yet.
It's insanity time at the university, with finals starting Sunday, a mountain of grading, grants due, and watching the kids. I am usually overwhelmed around this time of year, but its way harder with everything being online and managing the kids. On top of that our furloughs were just announced, they aren't too bad, with a tiered scale based on how much you make. I'm at 6 days over the next 6 months, which is fine. And thankfully they are sparing the grad student and postdocs. I appreciate that it isn't as bad as I thought, and we all get to keep our jobs. But at the same time, I am putting in a ton of hours right now, and its a bit demoralizing to be working this hard, and making less money.
twinmomma, rere, I know the feeling, DH was supposed to be home in 2 weeks for a short visit for SS1's graduation, which is postponed and now he can't come home anyway because of the travel restrictions.
FFC; I made plans to go see my MIL at her farm for that weekend. My family has been mostly in isolation. only trips to the store for me. She has been too so its a risk we all want to take.
Post by covergirl82 on Apr 30, 2020 9:36:50 GMT -5
Yesterday we requested a refund from our Disney Vacation Club rental reservation (we get 75% back, and that was with "cancel for any reason insurance) and re-booked directly through Disney. There is a sale on WDW resorts right now (for reservations through 8/31/2020), so we decided to lose some money to gain flexibility (and ability for a full refund) if we need to reschedule again. Also we were able to book at the resort (Boardwalk) that we had originally booked through the DVC Rental Store (and then moved the reservation to Animal Kingdom Lodge-Kidani Village when we rescheduled), so we are happy we were able to get back to Boardwalk.
It's been over a month and we haven't heard anything from AIG travel insurance for the claim we submitted for our Frontier flights that we had to cancel. I'm planning to call tomorrow and sit on hold for hours to find out the status and when we'll get our money back.
My FFC is we're getting hair cuts (and I'm getting highlights too) on Saturday. Our friend does our hair, and she has a home salon, and she and her husband are both unemployed/laid off right now, and we're all healthy, so we're going. And I'm going to pay her in cash.
We have a trip to WDW scheduled in September. I'm assuming we will cancel that b/c either the park will be closed or it will be open on a basis that won't be enjoyable like....no fireworks, no parades, must wear masks etc. I don't mind wearing masks but wearing masks in WDW sounds sad....
Yesterday we requested a refund from our Disney Vacation Club rental reservation (we get 75% back, and that was with "cancel for any reason insurance) and re-booked directly through Disney. There is a sale on WDW resorts right now (for reservations through 8/31/2020), so we decided to lose some money to gain flexibility (and ability for a full refund) if we need to reschedule again. Also we were able to book at the resort (Boardwalk) that we had originally booked through the DVC Rental Store (and then moved the reservation to Animal Kingdom Lodge-Kidani Village when we rescheduled), so we are happy we were able to get back to Boardwalk.
It's been over a month and we haven't heard anything from AIG travel insurance for the claim we submitted for our Frontier flights that we had to cancel. I'm planning to call tomorrow and sit on hold for hours to find out the status and when we'll get our money back.
So you're making a reservation in August? I'm so curious what a trip will be like early like at that time....
The kitchen is functional but I have not finished setting it up completely. The painter wants to start next week and OMG I do not want another person in my house. I know he hasn’t been working - his last job was for my parents before this whole mess started, so I’m not worried about the germ factor. I just... don’t want another person in here long-term. But we can’t do it ourselves. We are not equipped to paint a 16 ft ceiling.
Distance learning continues to be rough. It was DD2’s turn to be difficult this week. DD1 has been great. Bizzaro world.
I feel very much in limbo, like everyone else. Is there camp, can we go on our beach vacation (house rental and driving distance)? Will we be able to do any of the other things that I planned (and bought advanced tickets for - aquarium, zoo, amusement parks)? I get these questions daily because the kids need to look forward to something.
I also have to start thinking about getting DD1’s safety plan in place for the fall, in case her tormentor comes back. I’ve been able to put that out of my mind a bit, but I don’t want to lose sight of it either. The other family never actually signed the document before school closed. It’s going to be an unpleasant exchange.
Yesterday we requested a refund from our Disney Vacation Club rental reservation (we get 75% back, and that was with "cancel for any reason insurance) and re-booked directly through Disney. There is a sale on WDW resorts right now (for reservations through 8/31/2020), so we decided to lose some money to gain flexibility (and ability for a full refund) if we need to reschedule again. Also we were able to book at the resort (Boardwalk) that we had originally booked through the DVC Rental Store (and then moved the reservation to Animal Kingdom Lodge-Kidani Village when we rescheduled), so we are happy we were able to get back to Boardwalk.
It's been over a month and we haven't heard anything from AIG travel insurance for the claim we submitted for our Frontier flights that we had to cancel. I'm planning to call tomorrow and sit on hold for hours to find out the status and when we'll get our money back.
So you're making a reservation in August? I'm so curious what a trip will be like early like at that time....
Yes, but we'll see how things are in July. If we need to reschedule for the fall, it will be so much easier now to do that. Personally, I don't live in fear over this virus. We'll practice good hygiene (not touching our faces, washing our hands/using hand sanitizer, etc.). But I refuse to wear a mask, it's not healthy to continuously inhale CO2. (I'm not against mask-wearing, I just feel that people need to make their own decisions based on their own health circumstances.)
Post by supertrooper1 on Apr 30, 2020 10:39:34 GMT -5
It's starting to hit me that I'm going to need to find a hobby or something to do this summer with everything cancelled or closed. Our county fair in August was just cancelled and that's one of the things I look forward to every year.
covergirl82 , we were all supposed to get haircuts on Monday (my immediate family plus my parents) and I was SO looking forward to it. My hairdresser is a friend of mine and owns her own salon and no one has been there, and she is a mom and has been isolated too, so I felt safe enough about it. But then she texted that salons are getting fined $1000 per person if someone finds them open. I asked if she would come to our house, but I haven't heard back.
Soccer is officially cancelled for the summer. It feels like the beginning of the end of the summer cancellations and closures.
We did hear from one local Y that camp will be running but it will be different. They may not do any field trips (buses), no swimming and smaller groups.
Soccer is officially cancelled for the summer. It feels like the beginning of the end of the summer cancellations and closures.
We did hear from one local Y that camp will be running but it will be different. They may not do any field trips (buses), no swimming and smaller groups.
I was going to try to send the kids to summer day camp. Their pool is onsite outdoors, but if they cancel swimming I don’t really see the point. Swimming is the main reason I send them, so now they are outside all day in the heat with nothing to cool them off. Field trips I already figured was cancelled. I was thinking of only doing part time anyway..
So the kids’ school just sent out a plea for money. Their huge annual fund raiser was canceled in the spring. It usually brings in over $150k (for reference, there are 182 students in preschool-8th). There was a 70% increase in families qualifying for need-based financial aid due to layoffs, furloughs, and small businesses closing.
We are in a position to donate. But I am torn. One the one hand, they have been unbelievable with their distance learning. Truly on the mark. I’m very happy with everything they’ve been able to do.
On the other hand, they freaking called CPS on us, and have done very little to protect DD1 from her aggressor.
We probably won’t donate. And I will feel guilty. But not guilty enough to donate.
sdlaura - yeah... that’s where I am. Not very forgiving of me, but... I just can’t bring myself to do it.
ETA: this is a terrible way to think about it, but... I know that the Aggressor’s Dad’s business has to be floundering as a result of this. He’s in arguably the hardest hit industry, and it will take a long time to recover. So I keep thinking... imagine if we donate and that’s what keeps the family at the school. And if we donate, and they are there next year, that will be 100% at the forefront of my mind.
Again, awful way to think about it but... there you go.
DD is being very quiet today. I kind of lost it this morning and said to be able to check a certain tax return I needed silence. Since then she hasn't talked or sang to herself. I feel kind of rotten that I lost it but the silence is oh so lovely. I've also gotten a ton of work done.
My sister offered to take DD for about 48 hours next week to give me a break and DD a change of scenery. I was totally going to take her up on it but she got attacked while walking her dog by two other dogs yesterday afternoon. Sis is pretty scraped up and very sore and her puppy is banged up too. No puncture wounds just lots of scratches so no e-vet or urgent care for either of them. I think I'm going to postpone the offer for a couple weeks to let my sister heal up plus it will be closer to DD's b-day.
mae0111, hell no. They called CPS on you...and have generally been insane. I would write a check somewhere else instead. Like Catholic charities or somewhere else, if you wanted to keep your money within the general mission of the school (I think you had said it was a catholic school).
mae0111- you’re on the right track. No freaking way. I would have a rough time not emailing the board and pointing out that perhaps if the principal didn’t treat parents so poorly, she might be a more effective fundraiser.
Post by sandandsea on Apr 30, 2020 17:53:56 GMT -5
I busted out the sewing machine and made our family masks. It was fun to craft for an evening even though I’m a newb in sewing. I’m thinking about teaching ds1 to sew to keep him busy with something other than Minecraft. Though he’s at least playing with friends so I think it’s actually probably good for him to have a social outlet even if it is more iPad time.
mae0111 another nope from me. Do not donate to the school. If you know a nice family who will struggle to pay tuition, feel free to pay part of their bill and just consider it a donation. But only for a family you know and choose to help.
I busted out the sewing machine and made our family masks. It was fun to craft for an evening even though I’m a newb in sewing. I’m thinking about teaching ds1 to sew to keep him busy with something other than Minecraft. Though he’s at least playing with friends so I think it’s actually probably good for him to have a social outlet even if it is more iPad time.
Once I bust out the sewing machine then you know the pandemic has gone on a long time. It’s kind of last on my list. Previous items are refinishing furniture and going through my old CDs.
mae0111 another nope from me. Do not donate to the school. If you know a nice family who will struggle to pay tuition, feel free to pay part of their bill and just consider it a donation. But only for a family you know and choose to help.
That's an idea. Can you set it for a certain family somehow? I don't know if I would trust the school to do it.
mae0111 another nope from me. Do not donate to the school. If you know a nice family who will struggle to pay tuition, feel free to pay part of their bill and just consider it a donation. But only for a family you know and choose to help.
That's an idea. Can you set it for a certain somehow? I don't know if I would trust the school to do it.
Post by judyblume14 on Apr 30, 2020 19:54:01 GMT -5
Friends, this is a complete drive-by. I haven't posted in... forever, but thought you ladies would chuckle.
Do you all remember Puzzlegate 2016/17? When my FIL and his wife came to visit for like 10 days from Christmas until after New Years? They were supposed to "help us get ready" for our Jan17 baby, but instead, just got in the way the whole time? Spent most of the time taking upspace and putting together a puzzle instead of putting together a crib? Then emptied the crib box to splint their damn puzzle to get it home safely?While my dissassembled crib was now strewn about the dining room, instead of upstairs in the nursery?
Well, fun update.
For Christmas 2 years ago, my passive aggressive gifts to them were a travel puzzle mat (that you can roll up a completed, or in-progress puzzle to take with you), and two puzzles - one of the local football stadium, the other of the baseball stadium.
Here we are, quarantined. not going anywhere. People are doing puzzles. Especially puzzle people. We were on our weekly Alexa call with them, and they showed us the puzzle the just finished. The baseball stadium we gave them. Instead of saying "oh, how cool is this completed puzzle"... the were like "this puzzle was a huge PITA. The photography is shit, and the pieces didn't quite break away cleanly, and it was really just kinda junky. We're not going to bother with the other. It wasn't that fun to put together, but we thought we'd show you. So here it is."
Oh. you're welcome.
We're surviving over here, both working from home (except for the 2 days a week H is furloughed), with a 3yo who's completely regressed on potty trainin, and a 5yo who cannot entertain herself to save her life.
I'm going to go back and try to catch up on a few recent threads, but I hope you all are hanging in.
I feel like I’m already at my limit with homeschooling and keeping tabs on meetings at work, I know my workload had been dramatically reduced but so have about 5-7 mtgs per week and some of them I’m running. Plus trying to provide direct services to kids virtually. (My husband is gone at work). So my 4 year old has to be quiet for 2 hours in the am while we do school work, and then he goes down for quiet time in his room in the afternoon but he never naps.
Well now I have to make up all the missed IEP meetings, and then attend al the ones we would have had normally. So that’s around 40 mtgs that I’ll need to be attentive to. These isn’t the kind of mtg I can just turn my mic and camera off and “tune in”.I have to be fully attentive, we are still making huge decisions for kids. The supervisors are like “it’s ok! Parents will just have to understand! They need to be flexible if you get interrupted!”
You know what I’m not really concerned what the parents think. I know they will be forgiving. But their kids one hour meeting is one of so many.
But I’m more upset about MY KIDS. I am now having to put other people’s kids before them. I’m really upset about this.
campermom, the situation you’re describing is the one a lot of us have been in for 6+ weeks now - and why it’s so completely unsustainable for parents to work from home while taking care of kids and trying to help them with schoolwork. My DH is also working from home but we both have all day meetings most days - and that’s why we had to hire someone for mornings. Is that a possibility for you?