Post by amberlyrose on Apr 13, 2021 11:21:23 GMT -5
I just want to commiserate on the cost and catholic guilt feelings Our yard looks like SHIT. There's no way around it. The grass is dead after a major drought/heat wave two years ago and I can't get it back to decent. Add in the two beautiful rose bushes the previous owners meticulously cared for that are being taken over by a weed I can't kill.
We were quoted 4-6k for the right of way area- scrape and xeriscape with rock. Cost was dependent on what type of rock and design. I'm scared to even budget the grassy area in front of our house. I've seriously considered going to astroturf. haha.
Post by amberlyrose on Apr 12, 2021 12:09:30 GMT -5
I think circumstances can change this, but my personal rule is: -If it's not family, wait until someone from the family posts. -If it is close family (grandkid, cousin), wait until their closest relative posts (child, spouse) or at least 24 hours later.
My anecdotes: I almost learned about my cousin's tragic death on FB. Thankfully, my mom woke me up 10 minutes before my morning alarm to tell me. I checked FB and my AW cousins had already posted. My aunt had to ask that the posts be taken down, which is not something you want to deal with when your child passes. I'm talking, she passed around 1-2am and posts were up by 7am. Since then, any announcements in our family come with "please don't post this on FB for now/until x person posts" including when my grandparents were both in the hospital with COVID.
(semi-@@@ and trigger warning) I'm also from a small town and my HS grad class has had more than our share of tragic deaths. I have learned a lot of formerly close friends have died on FB and usually in a gossipy type of way. Unfortunately, the last death was a close family friend as well, who moved away and most of his immediate family did not know he was gay. He was close with them but they were religious and he never brought up boyfriends, etc. So when the manner of his death (abusive ex) came out before they could inform his grandparents or cousins, his family was very upset. Not only did his mom have to deal with the grief, she also had to do damage control with her family. It was a mess. All because a few AW girls from HS decided to post the gruesome manner of how he died all over social media. I'm still so angry about it.
Lastly, when DH's dad died, I actually got the phone call from the police. After I called him, he asked me to get a hold of his closest cousin and one aunt while he dealt with calling his sister. I told aunt she was welcome to tell people but we asked that it be kept off the internet for 24 hours until we could get to Arizona and figure it all out. We also asked if she could be the one to post because she knew more of his people and neither kid felt like dealing with condolences as they were not close to FIL. Very awkward dynamic. I think by being up front and designating one person to be the one to announce, it saved a lot of headache for H and SIL. There were a few snide remarks from two of his friends that H or SIL didn't acknowledge the death online, but they would've been hateful either way.
Why do people think the Queen wants to stick it to Charles? I'm sure they have had their disagreements as all parents and children do, but there is nothing to indicate she hates him or thinks he is unfit.
I feel like she knows he's just...not really a good human. I think you can love your kid and know he's an asshole. 🤷♀️
Doesn't explain her and Andrew though.
She and Charles have always had a strained relationship. I can't imagine a relationship where your future is based on the other person dying/someone taking over your very hard fought legacy.
Philip's life and family are more interesting than Elizabeth's IMO. Yeah, they're distant cousins, but the Duke of Edinburgh is the great-nephew of Empress Alexandra of Russia. His mother was congenitally deaf, became a nun, and helped Jews escape Athens during WWII, so is listed as Righteous Among the Nations at Yad Vashem and buried in Jerusalem. His favorite sister was a nazi, though she and her family died in a plane crash in 1937. His family fled Greece when he was an infant due to political upheaval.
All that happened to Liz was that her uncle abdicated.
The royals...they're just like us. Awkward AF holiday dinners and all.
A thought I just had - how much overlap is there between the americans who are into the nitty gritty of the British monarchy and people who really love watching true crime shows? Is this a venn diagram with a lot of overlap? it feels similar to me. Lots of nerdy details and history to immerse yourself in, mostly terrible people, on TV a lot...
This is interesting to me because most people I know that are into the BRF history are not really into true crime but more reality TV types. They love the drama stuff like Diana and Charles or gossip-y sites like Lainey and GOMI.
I'm a huge history nerd and was really into Mary Queen of Scots as a kid, so that's what interests me most- the complexity of the people who are in these families. I have too much random knowledge about the BRF and Scottish monarchy in my head. I'm not really into true crime or reality TV, though.
Post by amberlyrose on Apr 6, 2021 14:08:28 GMT -5
Some daycare places will have training options, so that might be something to look into. The places I have sent my dogs have "nap time" 2-3x a day to let the dogs rest away from each other while the staff cleans the yard and works with individual dogs. I like this because the dogs have time to decompress but they still get in a ton of exercise. I also prefer places with video so I can check in on them. It's fun to see their personalities when you are not around.
Post by amberlyrose on Apr 2, 2021 13:30:00 GMT -5
There is so much stuff coming out about Gaetz and people surrounding him. It's hard to figure out what is true because while it's all so crazy, it's believable with him.
What kind of support are you looking for? Arch? Full surround on the foot?
FWiW, I find my Taos sneakers are the best for cute (IMHO) sneakers that I find very supportive (mostly arch). I have to add orthotics to Sorels, and pretty much anything that isn’t Taos or Vionic
I have a coworker who swears by sketchers. All day every day. And she doesn’t even bother to get some that look office appropriate 😂 taosfootwear.com/products/star
This is actually where I should say that I think footwear is so specific to feet that it's hard to buy for someone else! My last sneakers before my Allbirds were Taos, I think based on recommendations here, and they kill my feet. I think the arch support is too much, maybe? They make my arches painful. I can't wear them for much walking at all.
On the same trip to Italy I mentioned, my H wore Sketchers. We had to take many breaks for him to sit because his feet were killing him, while my feet in my Allbirds were fine.
So... I'd check return policies on whatever you get!
My mom has the WORST feet and I think I've inherited them When we travel, 90% of her luggage is different types of athletic shoes. She will switch them out 2-3x a day. Walking on cobbled streets in London and Edinburgh with her was rough. Now with the knee issue plus going back to class after sitting on zoom for a year. Oof!
What kind of support are you looking for? Arch? Full surround on the foot?
FWiW, I find my Taos sneakers are the best for cute (IMHO) sneakers that I find very supportive (mostly arch). I have to add orthotics to Sorels, and pretty much anything that isn’t Taos or Vionic
I have a coworker who swears by sketchers. All day every day. And she doesn’t even bother to get some that look office appropriate 😂 taosfootwear.com/products/star
She switches her shoes out a lot, based on what she needs, so.. all of the above? haha. Full surround would probably be best. I'll look into the Taos ones you rec'd.
Post by amberlyrose on Mar 31, 2021 12:30:46 GMT -5
My mom's birthday is coming up and she is also going back into the classroom next week. In August, she broke her knee in a tripping accident, so she's still getting used to walking more than a few times a day and needs some light weight but supportive shoes that she can wear to work.
The Today Show had these two on their 10 best sneakers segment this morning, but I'm wondering if they'd be supportive enough for 4-6 hours a day. The Allbirds look cute enough to wear with her work pants without looking like athletic shoes. The Skechers seem more supportive, though.
Does anyone have thoughts on these or another option I should consider?
I don't think it'd be the level of last spring/summer. But I think anything other than "normal" could happen, like restaurant restrictions or back to hybrid school.
back to hybrid? WE have never left hybrid. We just started lol. If we continue hybrid in the fall I will lose my mind.
My mom is just starting hybrid next week, but I know some states are back to in class, unless parents opted out.
Yeah, no way we’re going back to lockdown, and truthfully I don’t think we will need it like we did last spring/summer.
I don't think it'd be the level of last spring/summer. But I think anything other than "normal" could happen, like restaurant restrictions or back to hybrid school.
Well nothing, but if zombies were to become real a few Trumpers would follow it seriously. They're already practicing doomsday prepping and getting weapons because THAT could happen...but COVID is overhyped. Yup...'Merica!
This is my brother. He's the couch sitting know-it-all prepper. But when faced with an actual pandemic? LOL. Thankfully his GF is smarter than him and keeps him in line.
Unpopular opinion: I think we'll be going back into a shutdown by September. Just a feeling, though.
I possibly have to fly in May and while I'll be vaccinated, I'm really not looking forward to it. Unless I had to, I would avoid flying. I've driven from CA to CO a few times, and while it's rough, I've done it by myself or with my H while avoiding people most of the time. Bathroom breaks were fun But I can understand flying to see family vs. going on a vacation. I just don't think we are there yet as a nation.
Also, I really want to see my grandparents. I miss them so much.
Why do you think that? Not saying you are wrong but um, I truly hope you are! That would mean the vaccines failed completely and so far all evidence seems to point to them working better than expected.
Most experts I'm following seem to feel that by summer we will be in a much better place. If they are still optimistic I choose to be, too.
I'm usually a very optimistic person. Like, sickeningly so sometimes So I want to be hopeful! I am ready to get back to normal. I just think that optimism is allowing people to think this is all over and they are all going back to normal life.
Unpopular opinion: I think we'll be going back into a shutdown by September. Just a feeling, though.
OMG. I hope not. I don't know that even the most compliant people have the tolerance for another holiday season of shutdown. What makes you say this? By then anyone who wants a vaccine should be able to get it and there's a reasonable chance even kids will start to be able to get it by then.
Also--last year things didn't spike here until November.
Rise in variants, kids that were not able to get a vaccine yet traveling for the summer and spreading it asymptomatically, etc. I have extended family that have been very reckless, so I've seen a different side of how some people are treating this. We also don't know how long these antibodies last or how bad the variants might get. People traveling way too early right now is how this is going to happen and why the CDC director says she has a feeling of impending doom.
I say September because schools will go back after everyone has been having a "normal" summer. I REALLY hope not. But one thing I've learned after the last year is that people say they are taking certain precautions and they are not. Again, just my opinion and a very awful gut feeling.
Post by amberlyrose on Mar 30, 2021 11:03:26 GMT -5
Unpopular opinion: I think we'll be going back into a shutdown by September. Just a feeling, though.
I possibly have to fly in May and while I'll be vaccinated, I'm really not looking forward to it. Unless I had to, I would avoid flying. I've driven from CA to CO a few times, and while it's rough, I've done it by myself or with my H while avoiding people most of the time. Bathroom breaks were fun But I can understand flying to see family vs. going on a vacation. I just don't think we are there yet as a nation.
Also, I really want to see my grandparents. I miss them so much.
Post by amberlyrose on Mar 23, 2021 14:45:39 GMT -5
I had the Pfizer shot on Sunday afternoon- slept like the dead that night and had some muscle soreness, especially in my lower back. Everything went away by Monday evening. Feeling great today!
Every person in my family has had Pfizer, except my H with the J&J. We've all had similar reactions.
What bothers me about the article is the author is saying education is important but also that it doesn’t matter at all.
I actually agree with many of their points, but they talk themselves in circles.
I agree it's not a clear argument at all. My personal take, and I think this is what the author was getting at too - is that good universal public school access is extremely important to society at large. But on a kid by kid basis for those with the funds that *could* pay for private school, it's not determinative. Any damage in the short term to their specific child can be mitigated by that money (and other correlating factors) such that it in no way outweighs the benefits to larger society to improving public schools across the board.
@ So like, is school important? Are good elementary schools vital, especially for the kids starting at a disadvantage - like all the E.L.L. kids in our neighborhood? Yes. Absolutely yes. But would my specific kids learn how to read if I sent them to a shit school either way because I read to them constantly and could hire a tutor if needed? Also yes. Which is why I've now had two arguments with my husband that we ARE FING NOT pulling our kids from public and sending them to the religious private school down the street even if our district keeps a hybrid/virtual schedule in the fall.
AND those ELL kids benefit by having your kids in class because they can learn from each other. The kids in the lower performing school also benefit when other parents can come in to help for an hour as a classroom volunteer, even if their parents work 2-3 jobs and can't be as involved. They benefit when a functioning PTO can fundraise, or a family can donate a few extra boxes of pencils. It seems so small, but little things like that are what can make a difference in a school's performance.
That really sucks Also, I just saw ksun post the same thing on FB and had to double check it was two different GBCNers. lol.
Well that blows for her too! Seriously, worst timing ever. I’m not even mad about the repair or having to have it towed (I’ve had to do nothing but standard maintenance and it has almost 90k miles), but the timing could not be worse.
Thankfully DH successfully got out of the neighborhood this morning, so at least it’s not super emergent. Although it literally just occurred to me that I need my car this weekend when we go up to the mountains... sigh.
Ugh. That is the worst. I need to get one of my cars fixed too and I'm guessing that is not happening this week I hope you can get it fixed quickly!
We're stuck in our cul de sac until a plow comes... or it melts. Supposed to travel for the first time in forever tomorrow, crossing things.
DH and I had to clear a pathway out of our driveway and to the end of our cul de sac today so he can get his car out tomorrow.
Know why???
Because my fucking SUV refused to start this morning. I'm pretty sure it's the alternator and it has to be towed to a mechanic. But, of course, there are no tow trucks available because they're all out there bailing people out. I could only get one company to answer and he said not to bother calling back until Wednesday unless I want to pay $500 to have it towed five miles.
Worst timing ever for this kind of car trouble! lol
That really sucks Also, I just saw ksun post the same thing on FB and had to double check it was two different GBCNers. lol.
Post by amberlyrose on Mar 15, 2021 15:03:53 GMT -5
I tried to shovel a small path every two hours yesterday and I made it til about 4pm and gave in.
Took about 2 hours this morning just to get a small path, our sidewalks, and part of the driveway done. I don't think I'm leaving my neighborhood in a vehicle any time soon unless a plow comes through.
So far, everything seems okay except a slightly bent gutter on the south side of the house. We'll see once things melt a little bit more.
A rep in AK, Lora Reinbold, has been banned from the state Capitol for refusing to wear a mask. So, the constituents get zero representation because she's a maskhole. It's astonishing the doubling down on stupidity.
I want someone to refuse to wear pants because it's their choice not to wear fabric.
I bet if a woman refused to wear a bra or pants, the GOP would be up in arms over it.
Post by amberlyrose on Mar 11, 2021 14:55:26 GMT -5
I need to get to the grocery store and brewery today. I have enough regular food for meals but I just realized that I'm out of snack food. And what good is an epic snowstorm without good snacks and booze?
I measured a little over a foot in snow with that last storm, which was manageable for shoveling small paths for me and the dogs. Hoping it stays below that 20" prediction for Denver. My poor SoCal dog is very confused by all of this.
"With a $66K salary, this guy is a GS-10 which is pretty much at the bottom of the totem pole."
I don't want to derail, but I am laugh crying at how long it took me, and how many advanced degrees I had to earn to get to that salary level as a teacher, and this guy is some entry-level hanger-on.
My mom once overheard what my entry level candidates receive right out of college and loudly sighed. Teachers are severely underpaid.
One thing I’ve been thinking about is Kate making Meghan cry the week of her wedding. Kate was like a month out from giving birth to Louis the week of Meghan & Harry’s wedding. I don’t think weddings generally bring out the best in people under normal circumstances.
Do we think that if Will or Kate had made those awful skin tone comments, Meghan would have made sure to mention Kate apologized to her and brought her flowers and she wouldn’t spill the actual details about the fight? Because I would be in burn it down mode and sharing all of the details, had it been me.
I thought H&M did a really great job in the interview and I’m sorry for what they’ve been through. They seem much better off where they are now. I have so many more questions though. 😂
Yes the crying over flower girl dresses, I don't see as a big deal. I'm sure every bride has cried during the week of the wedding over some conflict with family. Its stressful AF.
The part that was WTF is how the story came out 6 months later making her the bad guy in this interaction and nobody would correct it publicly. "They were willing to lie to protect some members of the family, but not willing to tell the truth to protect me." I think thats the meat of this situation.
EXACTLY. I had an unmarried male friend text and ask why she seems to be protecting Kate with that story. I had to explain that even for us mere commoners, weddings are stressful and I think every bridal party has had some tears the week of. lol. This is not the story- it's the part where the misinformation was not corrected.
What exactly was she going to learn from googling him that isn’t already common knowledge or hasn’t been extensively covered in the media? She knew who he was, knew what he had done (good and bad), knew who he was related to and things the family had put itself through.
Google wasn’t going to tell her that they were going to take her passport and credit cards or that they would deny her access to critical mental health care. If anything, it would have given her an even more curated image of the Royal Family, because that’s what the Royal Family wants you to find when you Google them.
To some extent, I agree. But she said she didn't even know about the Diana interview until recently, which *I* found shocking. Again, that is just from my knowledge of the BRF and what I feel is common knowledge is different from others. And someone who is already a celebrity in her own right would probably brush off red flags as celeb gossip anyway. She did admit she went into this naively and should have done more research. She's not to blame for their shitty treatment of her AT ALL. I just found it personally shocking that she admitted to not looking into any of it.
I also think it goes against the shitty narrative that "she knew what she was getting into" by the press and monarchists. No, she didn't. And no one thought to help her, including Harry. While Kate had a much easier time, she had over 10 years of preparing while dating Will and they still found fault with things she did in the beginning. Harry saw what Kate went through and his ex Chelsea had an awful time with the press, even without the racism thrown in, so I do think he is partially at fault for not helping her prepare more.
Post by amberlyrose on Mar 8, 2021 11:14:57 GMT -5
Just a few rambling thoughts I had last night: Weren't there reports from her British friends saying they told her to really consider what she was getting into, even before they married? The fact that she admitted to not googling her boyfriend at all threw me off. I have friends that become FBI agents before every Tinder date, so not even being slightly curious doesn't register to me. I guess celebrities view that differently, though.
She just seems so genuine, sweet, and smart. As someone who followed the royals since Diana's death, I was happy that Harry found someone that matched him well with their philanthropic mindsets.
I wonder how The Princes' Trust and Heads Together will respond to this. It was also said to be started because Kate was concerned about both William and Harry's mental health, pushing them to talk about how their mom's death affected them. So to go from that to Meghan's mental health and Harry feeling ashamed. Ooof. Very Melania "Be Best".
The Spencers seemed to be a big support to Meghan. They included Diana's sisters in a few large events, which William never did. And she was able to talk to one of Diana's best friends. As someone with a few shitty in-laws, I became close to my SIL's best friends and they have become defacto in-laws. I'm glad H&M still have a few of those ties to hold onto for support.
Oh, and Al Roker just said he thinks it was Charles. lol.