I saw this and thought it was kind of awesome and very awful. I wonder how many of each letter there are and how difficult (or easy) it was to compile an entire alphabet?
@@@ Obviously I'm not rich enough (or am too middle class plebian) to think about crooked, devious means of getting the grands into college and get things for free. We're simply buckling down and dealing with it when it comes (please let them find scholarships and/or think community college for the first two years is an acceptable alternative to four years of unbridled debt.) We adopted them right at that critical stage where we hadn't been saving in 529s for their college because we didn't expect to pay for their college and too young to qualify for foster/adopt grants and scholarships (those start at 13. The girls were 11 and 9.) Obviously, it's better that we adopted so we didn't have to deal with caseworkers and all the oversight, but two/four more years in order to help pay for college wouldn't have been a bad trade-off sometimes. Not that I've ever regretted getting out of the system (except when they drive me nuts, lol. I'm loving Entitled At 15. It's why I spoil the dog now.) But there are times that I *do* think that staying in foster rather than adopt might have been worth dealing with the complications (since I'm still dealing with a lot of them anyway.) I was saving the foster stipend for their college but that stopped at adopt...which was only a few months after I'd gotten licensed to qualify for the stipend. Four years of cashing in would have at least paid for books for the first year.
We were in the "poor lawyer" category far too long for us to have any reasonable savings to pay for these types of things and still be able to retire.
Why Equifax can't pay the $125/person per the settlement. "Too many people." So, because it's a set amount, it's less per person than the announced $125.
I just finished the spreadsheet for Dare to Run. YAY! I was worried when I lost the information last week and had to start over (and then was too nice to kick my husband off the computer in the office last Saturday so he could watch videos. Yes, we're old. I was using a desktop. Because I don't consider an iPad suitable for this kind of thing and he didn't buy me a Surface...and our monitor in the office is so freaking awesome that even the computer repair techs want to call to repair it (not really, but the last guy was almost sobbing at not having to minimize a window to get to another, that type of thing. lol.)
I just came to ask your thoughts/ see if you’d posted seeyalater52 , thanks for sharing! I’m, unsurprisingly, in agreement with you.
WHY DON’T YOU WORK ON IMPROVING THE ACA?!? I realize it’s not a glamorous talking point. But starting from scratch on an entirely new plan seems to set us back a decade, instead of learning from past mistakes & working on improving those inherent issues!
I would love to see much more of a focus on what to do NOW about the people currently uninsured or whose marketplace costs are just outrageous. There is so much we could do that would be more useful than offering current Medicare coverage to the uninsured that wouldn’t need 10 years to phase in.
I blame Bernie for that rather than Harris, though. She is trapped just like the rest of them, in the ideological purity test of Bernie’s creation. If he hadn’t made Medicare for All the party line we would be having a much richer and more useful conversation about health care system improvements. Instead, any candidate who proposes ACA improvements is laughed off the stage for being a moderate (and to be clear I am not a fan of Biden’s health care plan either, I think it doesn’t go nearly far enough.) I want to rip my hair out that this is where we’ve ended up.
Thank you for saying this. I live in Bernie Central, Washington and the Berniecrats that surround me want to primary ANYONE who is not Medicare For All and several legislative districts are not endorsing *any* candidate that does not back M4A, no matter their other qualification and no matter that they support Universal Healthcare in any other form (such as shoring up the ACA.) Our incumbents were separated from the slate at the endorsements for the 2018 elections by a couple Berners so they could "explain" their stance and why they should be endorsed. I spent the entire season holding signs for the reps in the next district over because it was their LD that was pulling this stunt and putting their DEMOCRATIC candidates at risk against Republicans for their refusal to endorse. Thankfully, once the incumbent (state) senator gave a rousing speech with an "And if you want to elect a Republican like (conspiracy theorist former vet) then go ahead. Because it's me or him." That right there is why I can NOT support Bernie. He made the wrong program the end game. Just like back when he didn't support and didn't vote for "Hillarycare" (which would have led to UHC decades ago. :flames)
Another POS move by the Trump administration. Trump's Ag secretary wants to move half the USDA scientists to Kansas City, citing it as "cheaper." On short notice. Many are quitting instead. An absolute brain drain within the USDA.
My mother-in-law worked her entire career at the USDA, starting as a secretary at the Beltsville Farm right out of high school. My father-in-law worked there for a number of years (retired from there) as the facilities manager. My husband worked his way through college and law school working summers at the farm. (yay for nepotism!) The NIFA program is their grant-writing arm, which is where my MIL retired. She used to travel all over the country to the land grant universities to help with their grant programs. These schools are in every state (and are generally the major state university), the A&Ms, the HBCUs... A significant portion of these grant writers and others have been or will be putting in their notice, affecting grants (in the tens of millions of dollars or more).
Even more concerning to me (as if I wasn't concerned enough) is the Beltsville Farm property just outside of DC. Beltsville is a research facility with several hundred acres of research facilities, acreage, crops, some farm animals and is used also for education with the universities in the area for biology and other research/education purposes. This doesn't look to be aimed toward that but developers have been wanting to buy the property for decades. If it becomes a Trump (or Kushner) property I will either die or kill because my head will explode with rage.
But again, he/it is distracting from the news that Cummings has requested copies of all e-mails of Jared and Ivanka from their private accounts. I've made mention of that when sharing/discussing the story (as well as the Baltimore Sun one.) My thanks to you all for keeping me in the loop.
I need clothes for my cruise that starts on Aug. 23. So does DH. He won't think so but... My in-laws are visiting August 16-21. I need to confirm that I'm dropping off my grands at the practice husband's house for ten days on August 22 and then get them to the ferry. I need to drop off the dog for boarding and training on August 16 (before the in-laws get her so my MIL won't get to meet him after all. I need to clean my house (forget deep-cleaning. I need to CLEAN it.) My husband needs to work while his mom is here so I get to entertain. Good thing I like her, minus the politics. Yeah, she's a Trumper. At least she's not as bad as my mom, who goes irate if we even *talk* liberal politics.
I'm typing a spreadsheet for Dare to Run and I didn't save it. Got through several tabs and went to do other stuff, and my husband commandeered the computer for his entertainment and shut it off after I fell asleep. I haven't been able to recover the file. So, starting over. It's due tomorrow so I'll be at the computer all day. I knew for some reason I should have stayed up when I woke up at 2:00 this morning. Would have given me an additional five hours to retype everything. Grrrr. At least I've figured out shortcuts from the first time around. If anybody has ideas on how to recover besides the standard recovery file method (go into options/save/copy recovery link/paste into URL...etc.), I'm all eyes/ears/fingers. I'm only barely passable at Excel. (ETA: Thank goodness I just looked at the calendar on my computer and saw that it's only the 28th; they need it on the 30th and I had it in my head to get it to them by tomorrow/Monday but now I have an extra 24 hours.)
This is KIRO so I think it's Sinclair Broadcasting. They're doing a "poll" and the number of "This country was founded on Christian principles" is really sad. Especially fun is my "misunderstanding of separation of church and state" and "where in the Constitution does it say..." because lol to that one.
I forgot to mention: KOMO is the worst because it's Sinclair!
Whoops. You're right. KIRO is Cox Communications. So only slightly not-as-horrible.
All of the local tv stations' FB pages are shitshows. I'm pretty sure the "don't read the comments" advisory was created especially for local TV's social media. It is truly a cross-section of the worst people. It's made that much worse by knowing they're your neighbors and local business people.
This is KIRO so I think it's Sinclair Broadcasting. They're doing a "poll" and the number of "This country was founded on Christian principles" is really sad. Especially fun is my "misunderstanding of separation of church and state" and "where in the Constitution does it say..." because lol to that one.
Fun conversations on my local TV station's FB page. Amazing the number of people who don't understand the Constitution and the Establishment Clause, etc.
My son and I were butting heads (he was showing his ass) about how the program should be shifted/modified so that poor people can't buy skittles unless the government allows them to. "When I was on SNAP I was buying donuts instead of apples. That needs to be changed." Dude, not the point and you CHOSE to buy donuts; you knew apples were better. Now that it's his tax dollars at work and he's part of the hard-working-but-not-making-enough he's changing his tune about how his tax dollars should work.
And buying donuts is completely different from cutting benefits to 3.1 million people so Richie-riches can get their tax cuts.
I'm furious about all of this. :waves hands wildly
I mean, yes, in that I have 8 years and 3 degrees worth of post-high school education so have come across my fair share of absentminded professor types. But damn. His poor kids, and the ex-wife. And that poor baby, who really needs a stable environment away from everyone in this story.
Right? Seems like the paternity is still a mystery too...
Someone in comments suggested that the partner was the parent, as she is trans but hasn't had surgery. I was "Well, I never thought of that!" And there was some question as to whether M-P was Schuman's daughter. Interesting, because his wife, with the same name, is still alive.
I've been recommending that people try minority owned breweries, such as Harlem Brewing Company, which makes a strawberry cider. (@harlembrew on Twitter) and any of these ones listed here: atlantablackstar.com/2016/10/25/x-black-owned-breweries-know/
Thank you for this! The brewing world (especially around here) is such a white male world. I’d love to see more diversity, and I’ll keep an eye out for these next time I’m in the States!
I added an ETA with additional breweries. They're out there but you have to hunt for them.
I've been recommending that people try minority owned breweries, such as Harlem Brewing Company, which makes a strawberry cider. (@harlembrew on Twitter) and any of these ones listed here: atlantablackstar.com/2016/10/25/x-black-owned-breweries-know/
BEST is that it's Turning Point USA. This is the "conservative" group that brought the gun rights' speaker from Parkland to our school to speak. Anything that makes them look ridiculous is A-Okay with me. Sorry he got fired. I was looking forward to more.
Click on the post and you can see the security detail happily waving away this DOCTOR and her group.
Does it matter that she's a doctor? Racial profiling happens to literally all black people without cause.
Actually, no it doesn't w/r/t the actions of the employees.
I wanted to make a point of their smugness and arrogance in that photo, not her career. But what she's accomplished is so far above what those little pissants have, and that was point 2 of my comment.
Click on the post and you can see the security detail happily waving away this DOCTOR and her group. What an effed up thing to do on what was supposed to be a happy memorable event.
Joe Neguse is crushing it! I've never heard of him before but damn.
He's my Rep and he's awesome.
I just did a quick Google and he seems pretty darn awesome. "Joe Neguse is holding town hall at homeless shelter. 3rd service town hall and 16th since he took office in January." "Neguse bill would ban drilling under ... Superfund sites." This is someone that we need to re-elect.
I'd be jealous except I have Murray, Cantwell and delBene.
hell yes! This warms the cockles of my cold, dead heart.
ETA: And since this is what my husband does for a living, I can't WAIT for him to come home tonight. He knows my affection for Bernie is close to that I have for Trump.
Totally stressed out as of last week because the doggo has a viral papilloma on his tongue and I was sure that the train-and-board we were going to do was going to cancel. We had our meet and review dog today and they told me they could take him even with the papilloma if it wasn't gone by then. They would keep him apart and not feed from the same bowls and only play with dogs that were not susceptible (mid-range age or had already had a papilloma.) So I don't have to scramble to find new dog care and our anniversary cruise is still on.
The girls are with me because the older missed 2/3 of her kindergarten year. Yes. TWO THIRDS. That's what it took for intervention. The first time. (And the younger missed more than a dozen doctor appointments, which was not good for her medical condition.) And not a single letter from the school to mom to threaten her. Just lots of phone calls to try to work with her. The schools are ridiculous for dealing with things this way. There are so many steps that can be taken ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS to work with each family as each case requires.
GD1 has been going by they/them pronouns and apparently a supposed friend went onto Instagram and started saying stuff about it, apparently targeted at GD1. GD1 was up on social media well into the early morning hours, which is why I take the phones at night. Took the phone at 2:30 and found it back in GD1's possession at 5:00 a.m. There has been much sneaking around and taking phones back if I don't hide them well, even if I take them into my room, which is off-boundaries. I am losing my marbles at the lack of control I have here. Fortunately I have found the perfect hiding place. In my laundry hamper. They don't do theirs and they certainly won't touch my dirty underwear. lol. (FTR, I have a wicker hamper with a canvas liner and I have pull-out hampers in our closet organizer. Phones don't actually get hidden in the dirty clothes. That would be beyond, even for me on my worst day. lol.)
I’m sorry theyre sneaking the phone but as a completely unqualified internet stranger I’m worried about them. Do you have any LGBTQ organizations or counselors in your area? Being a teen is hard enough, if there’s a gender nonconformity on top of it that’s a really tricky (and sometimes dangerous) place to be in.
GD1 is very involved in the high school GSA (communications director and school board liaison) and most of the friends group is non-binary. There is really good support there, including the school counselor/Vice Principal and the GSA advisor. K also has been in counseling for the past seven or so years (since both grands were placed with me by CPS) but I'm looking at supplementing with a second counselor that a friend recommended that helped her daughter as a teen for her own gender identity issues. I appreciate your worry because I share it. Both grands have been involved with friends who have threatened or attempted suicide on more than one occasion so it's not unheard of in their friends' circles (it started in middle school for GD1 which meant fifth for GD2 since she was there in the group chat during the first threat, which involved the school and police and was quite a stressful incident for all.)
This makes me so angry. My siblings and I got free and reduced lunch all through school and it was already shameful--having to walk to the front of the class to get that little red chip every morning, just to emphasize what we already knew. It's hard enough being poor without being shamed for it.
I work in a district that provides free breakfast and lunch for all elementary and middle school students, regardless, and I'm so glad knowing we don't have to worry about any of that.
This makes me sad. We got free/reduced as kids too. We were the poor kids because we bought lunch; anyone with money had a lunch box and a mom who cut crusts and stuff.
Our school district has online payments and student IDs for all students to key in at lunch. Every kid keys in the same way. The girls had free lunches when they were still in foster care and had first moved in with us. I put money into their accounts, not knowing this. For some reason, one account transferred and the other didn't. I didn't learn this until I got a notice that one of the accounts needed additional funds and when I went to the other I saw it still had $50 in it, the initial amount I'd put in. In our district, fortunately, everyone is on the online system and nobody is able to differentiate between regular and free/reduced at least through the lunch program. There are always other ways, but not through the lunches.
GD1 has been going by they/them pronouns and apparently a supposed friend went onto Instagram and started saying stuff about it, apparently targeted at GD1. GD1 was up on social media well into the early morning hours, which is why I take the phones at night. Took the phone at 2:30 and found it back in GD1's possession at 5:00 a.m. There has been much sneaking around and taking phones back if I don't hide them well, even if I take them into my room, which is off-boundaries. I am losing my marbles at the lack of control I have here. Fortunately I have found the perfect hiding place. In my laundry hamper. They don't do theirs and they certainly won't touch my dirty underwear. lol. (FTR, I have a wicker hamper with a canvas liner and I have pull-out hampers in our closet organizer. Phones don't actually get hidden in the dirty clothes. That would be beyond, even for me on my worst day. lol.)