Dear Mom, For most of my adult life, you've referred to a select few people not related to our family as being "like a son/daughter to us." It really irked me as a young adult, although I couldn't identify why. Hence, I rolled my eyes and let it go. Lately, I've noticed an uptick in this. Now you're adding that kids and young adults - again, not related- are "like a grandchild to us." You have six amazing biological grandchildren as it is, so.... It doesn't offend me as much as it used to. I'm now more curious. Where does this come from? Do you just not realize how it sounds? And if you did, would you replace it with "We are very close to ______." Or is there a void that my sister and I and your grandchildren are not filling and you're looking to others to fill it? If the latter is the case, then news flash: kids and grandkids are not put on this earth to fulfill parents'/grandparents' emotional needs. I know I wasn't the model child and my own kids are not perfect. However, you should be proud that you have two independent, strong daughters who are, at the end of the day, great parents and good people. You also have six grandchildren who all bring unique strengths to this world and our lives are all the better for it. I'd love to unpack this more if you're willing. With love (and curiosity). Black Sheep, who is still slightly offended that she's not enough, but will not and cannot compromise who she is to meet YOUR emotional needs
Dear H, I'm glad you're home this week. However, I bought some "healthy" crackers and cookies for myself. You mentioned how gross they were on Sunday when you first saw them. I noticed they were not in the designated cupboard when I got home last night. You and DDs leave things out so the first place I looked was the kitchen counters. Then I looked in the loft. Then, our bathroom...because with you three, you never know? When I inquired about them, you admitted to eating them. Please don't eat my snacks! Especially after you comment on how gross they are. Love, Your wife's inner ten-year-old
Dear Family, I say, it's that time of year. The time when I think I'll start wrapping up the empty boxes and cartons - as if they're Christmas gifts- left on the counter and in the refrigerator. You never get that there is this wonderful thing called a recycling bin that these empty containers go to when they no longer hold food. The said recycling bin is the big, shiny thing in the middle of the kitchen, on the west end of the kitchen island. You know what I'm talking about? Then use it! Love, your mom/wife who has some great ideas for Christmas gifts
Dear sickness, Please go away. I feel like I got hit by a truck. My head is ready to explode with congestion. This was supposed to be my week in the office with all our remote staff and instead I'm working from bed because I feel miserable. Boo. Signed, The Boss
Dear work boss, I'm really sorry that I can't come in for these official in office days. But it doesn't make sense for me to power through with cold medicine and expose everyone to my germs. I am not feeling like the best example of a senior leader by not being there. Thank you for not making a big deal out of it. Signed, I really am sick
This reorg is a shitshow. Why are we building the plane as we fly it? Why didn’t you have the new org planned, top to bottom, before you started announcing changes? Change is hard for people, and we live in a world where all our people have the opportunity to move to our competitors.
It’s really hard to effectively sell our company when I don’t know who our people are going to be week to week. And it’s hard to sell our company when I’m also looking at other opportunities because I have zero confidence my job will be here next week, next month, next year.
Signed, Having a Second Call with a Headhunter and Possibly a New Employer This Afternoon
REALLY?? I finally put my foot down and told DH that I'm going to the beach house this weekend for to reset. I've also been trying to get a contractor in since August to replace 2 doors. Guess who can finally fit us in on Saturday?
Dear DH, "My cousin's wedding is near San Diego in early April" is NOT enough information for us to go off of for planning purposes. We have to fly across the entire country and find a place for five of us to stay. And we need to know for sure that our kids are invited, since it kind of makes a big difference in our plans. Also, I have to request time off. I'm not self-employed. I usually love and appreciate your laissez-faire attitude balancing out my anxiety, but for the love of god, don't make me text your cousin myself to get us some information. Love, Planner wife
Can you please catch a break!?!? Stitches in your ear combined with an ear infection means that you're shaking your head a ton, which opens the wound, which leads to blood flying... everywhere. Going into surgery, the emergency vet wasn't confident he could properly repair the ear, but it seemed to be going so well.. He was happy with the healing process on Monday, but we had to get the infection treated, so here we are. So groady.
Signed, Dog mom who is so glad we have pet insurance.
Dear DH I asked you to find something to do on Tuesday nights after golf league ended. I need a few hours of alone time during the week to do whatever I want. You were home last night before I got back from taking DD to practice. You sat on the couch and scowled and talked to me in one word answers. So I made your b-day cake, wrapped your gifts by hiding in DD's room, and then tried to have a little quiet time myself. Don't tell me I have a bad attitude. I needed some quiet alone time to do all the stuff for your stinking birthday since you were home sick on my off day which also was a no school day. You need to figure out something to do because the damn elephant in the room was T-rex size last night Frustrated & cranky wife
mae0111, can you leave the contractors to work and go hang out at a coffee shop or wander the little shops that are probably empty this time of year?
Dear Universe I may be extra cranky because I'm mad at myself for putting effort into DH's b-day when he can't bother to do anything for mine or DDs. I'm only doing to show DD that it is proper to celebrate people's b-day/holidays. Me
Dear Vet office I really hope our appointment goes well tomorrow and the arthritis shot works. I also hope you like the idea of doggy acupuncture or chiropractic especially since you offer both services. Old dog pet owner
“Building the airplane while it’s flying” is a phrase I’ve heard 3 times in 3 weeks at my own place of work. Also, “changing the tires while the car is backing down a hill.”
DS is trying to have oral surgery. Apparently dental insurance does not cover paramolar/ cyst/ whatever it is extraction, so that is 6K. I was told just do it and bill to medical and here are some credit cards you can take out. Nope. I was told we don't send it to medical only dental. Nope.
So I've spent what feels like 8 hours going back and forth trying to figure out my cost BEFORE surgery rather than getting a surprise bill. This is not a medical emergency, we have time OR we could gasp never do it, but probably should.
All this back and forth to finally get the medical billing code, so I can ask insurance myself. This is after submitting whatever else that I have 5 times. Anyway, finally get on live chat, and the doctor is not in network. He is for dental (mine). He is not for medical (DH's). Also they are the same F- ing insurance company.
And this, my friends, is what is wrong with America. There is no transparency in pricing. And by the way, for the surgery I have to pay 8K. If we add medical then it is down to 4K which is more doable. But, since he isn't in network then it is 6K deductible which essentially means I have to start all over with another damn surgeon. And I was only given 2 referrals from the dentist, but they did say that I could ask for more. Ugh
My ILs golden broke his ear from shaking. He had to keep his ears still so the vet told my ILs to cut up a pair of pantyhose or tights and slip a part of a leg over his head to keep his ears still and let the blood reabsorb (his ears looked like baseballs - full of blood).
Maybe that would work for you guys? My dog is a Houdini and would have that think off and in his mouth in 2.2 seconds but maybe yours will be better??
mae0111, the vet today gave him a thunder hood (or thunder something!) that does basically the same thing. He's still able to shake out of it, but if we are on him, we can get it to stop. He's starting to calm down (my guess is the treatment is being absorbed and not bothering him as much). Such a mess. Literally.
When I took him for the checkup on Monday, I thought it was weird they won't take the stitches out until NEXT Friday.. when he had stitches from being bitten, it was just a 7 day thing. Apparently a deep cut to the ear from very sharp scissors just doesn't heal as well. He is being the bestest boy, but the medicine they put in his ear for the infection today is really bothering him.
Dear Mom I'm not giving you a Christmas list for myself or DD. One I don't know what to tell you and two you don't actually buy anything on them. Daughter
DD It is 100% okay to tell grandma "I don't know". I'm sorry she is bugging you whenever you see her. Mom
Post by librarychica on Oct 25, 2023 17:57:59 GMT -5
Dear PTA Prez and VP,
First you say I should chair this thing. Then, you say I am not doing it the best way and to keep you both up to date. Then, you say you “can’t” read all my detailed emails and I should do what I think is right and text if I need something specific.
Malicious compliance.
Sincerely, I’ll just be over here doing it the way I said I’d be doing it in the first place
I’m so glad our 6th graders get to do a class trip to a camp that has horses and stuff. But there are camps much closer than the one you guys are going to. And OMG why do you need them there at 5:45 am tomorrow? That’s just insane.
Signed, Morning Person Who Lives Close to You… But Daaaang That’s Early
Post by mustardseed2007 on Oct 26, 2023 13:42:57 GMT -5
mommyatty I’m sorry about your work mess, that sounds super stressful.
Dear sister,
So you tell me you are doing better and then tell me you are going in patient to a psychiatric facility. Im glad…but please please please never lie to me about your mental health. I can’t take it. All I’m going to do is support you. Please just be honest.
Post by mustardseed2007 on Oct 26, 2023 14:10:19 GMT -5
Also!
Dear former pta Prez and lead middle school room mom,
You work for the school now and so you resigned from your former volunteer positions, which was good bc you were annoying as hell when you were in those volunteer positions anyway. Now I’m lead middle school room parent and you literally are telling other room parents - none of whom asked you - to not bring the things they signed up to bring because whatever thing they are bringing is “too much”.
First, step off this isn’t your role. Second, the sign up list was based on student council requests for what they’d like at their party. It hurts no one to let them have both brownies and pumpkin spice cookies or whatever it is that had you in a twist. Third, these parents have already signed up. It has nothing to do with you. Shut up. Fourth, shut up.
Signed, Lady who has no run way for invented problems
It’s still OCTOBER. No one knows what they want for Christmas yet. For God’s sake, anything before a week before Thanksgiving is insane.
Signed, Judgy Internet Stranger
PS It’s not like you see your granddaughter and daughter once a year. Do you not KNOW THESE PEOPLE? Pick something you think they will like or need based on that knowledge. (Also just get your granddaughter a gift certificate to a sporting goods store so she can buy stuff for riding or gymnastics. Or a bookstore because she loves to read. And again I’m a freaking internet stranger!)
mommyatty, THANK YOU! Last year we gave her DD's entire list to choose from and she didn't choose anything off the list. Then DD was upset because what she asked for no one got her. I promised myself not to give in to her demands for a list that she more than likely won't use.
Dear DD Thank you for not getting upset about us not buying Chloe the horse. I found you understanding of why it would be really hard for us to to do right now extremely mature. Mom who thought you were going to cry
Speaking of Christmas my sister just texted me to start thinking about it. And she gave me her wanted item in a group text with my mom. I don’t buy for my sister only for the kids and now one is over 18. And all I have to give her are my 2 kids stuff. Why do you need 8-9 weeks for 2 kids?
I know I shop early for the holidays but only because I want to spread out the expenses. BUT I don't ask anyone for ideas until closer to Thanksgiving.
We have to donate items for kids raffle baskets for the gymnastic meet we are hosting in April. I may be on the lookout for good deals on things now because this momma has no time to deal with it in March when the gym will ask for it.
186momx- I already have my kids’ advent calendars and squishmallow ornaments for our tree. Prepping ahead is fine. Asking for Christmas lists in October (especially if you have a history of ignoring said lists) is “being extra” as the young folks say these days.
mommyatty, thanks for sharing the new term. Now I get to be the 46 year old who drops it at the wrong time! Yeah!!!
I totally see where it fits this situation though and could agree with you more about early asks.
I just started a Google sheet with tabs for each family member. That way, when someone mentions something, I can note it. I too like spacing out my holiday shopping. I already have St. Nicholas gifts and a few stocking stuffers for the Ds, but would not suggest a gift nor expect anyone in my family to know what they want until after Thanksgiving.
And funny side note, my phone automatically suggests "Thanksgiving" after the word "after!"