I don't have the time or money to replace you right now. I think appliances should last more than 7-8 years. I grew up in a house were my mom's appliances were 30 years old. The only reason she replaced the oven was because the door wouldn't stay closed, the rest of it ran like a top.
Signed, sucky way to start the morning.
Dear DH
Whacking the side of the fridge and now it is running, probably not a long term solution to this problem. But I am totally willing to put my head in the sand on this for a few days until you can deal with it.
Post by covergirl82 on Sept 18, 2019 9:17:59 GMT -5
Dear leaders at my company,
I don't need your bitchy attitudes about how you don't like this process and it's a hassle to plan increases to be on budget and how budgets don't cascade this year. Last year you bitched because the increases were prescribed and you had no say. You know what, bitch to your top executive, because they approved the approach (like they do every year).
Signed, Your comp analyst who needs a drink and a mental health day
Dear car, I am not a fan of you anymore. Ever since we bought you, there has been one recall after another due to transmission issues. I think it is time to get rid of you.
Signed, Not sad to see you go
Dear WPs, Any ideas on a small or mid-sized SUV that could fit 5 and still have some trunk space along with some decent gas mileage (~25 mpg)? I'll probably purchase a used vehicle. Thanks!
I don't have the same role as you, but I can already tell you how to do your job better. Seriously, don't ask for items one at a time. This is the ONLY thing you do, you should have an email template ready to go, asking for items 1-8. 80% of the time, you need the exact same things, and I'm sure the other 20% of the time, there are additional requests. Get some organization.
Signed, If your rate wasn't better than everyone else, we'd go somewhere else based on this alone.
PS To give you the benefit of doubt, DH thinks my expectations are too high and that most of the world operates like you do. PPS That still doesn't mean I'm wrong.
Post by covergirl82 on Sept 18, 2019 10:05:15 GMT -5
k3am, my coworker recently bought a used (1-2 years old) Toyota Rav-4. Her husband is a big car guy, so they did a lot of research and test drives for smaller SUVs before picking the Rav-4. While she doesn't have young kids for seat considerations, I know her well enough that cargo space would be something they looked at (they have 2 large dogs (Labs)), as well as gas mileage (she has a 40-ish mile commute each way).
Post by HeartofCheese on Sept 18, 2019 10:14:10 GMT -5
Dear Universe,
Two weeks ago I was depressed and tired and starting to avoid everyone. This week, new doors that have opened and I'm super-excited. I don't know if you're just randomly throwing shit my way and this is just the ebb and flow of the universe, or you're trying to tell me that opening up my eyes, ears, and mouth will always reveal some possibility - but I'm in. No isolating if I get down. I may be sad and mopey, but I will not isolate.
Post by traveltheworld on Sept 18, 2019 10:22:21 GMT -5
Dear Nanny,
While I do love how much outdoor time you spend with the kids, for the 3 hours between when DS gets off school and when I get home, I'd appreciate it if he could finish doing at least a couple of the many things he needs to do - you know, chores, reading, homework, practice the piano, shower, pack his bag for the next day, etc.; so that my entire evening is not spent doing all these things. I'd like to come home and do fun things with my kids too! Last night I felt like a drill sergeant. It put all of us in a bad mood.
Signed, Irritated, since this is not the first time we've talked about this
Dear DS,
You are 7. You need to step up and start doing things yourself. Just because our nanny is not reminding you to do them doesn't mean you can't proactively do them.
Dear PTO Meeting Wow there was over a dozen people. I have never in my 3 years at school and going to meeting seen this many people at PTO. Lots of K and 1st grade moms all eager to help and do things and have professional roles that mean they know what they are doing (professional grant writer, professional fundraiser, marketing director at the only good size firm in town, investment banker). I think the two teachers who were there were ready to cry tears of joy. Lonely PTO parent
Post by supertrooper1 on Sept 18, 2019 10:31:07 GMT -5
Dear cold, Please go away. I do not have time for you. Signed, Congested and sore throat
Dear STBXH, I need you to make up your mind on whether or not you're taking DS to the Nick Jr. show on Saturday. I bought these tickets over six months ago when things were still decent between us, and you're the one that told me to buy three tickets so we could all go. I know his soccer game is Saturday. He is 6, he can miss one game. Signed, I want to sell these tickets but can't yet.
Post by covergirl82 on Sept 18, 2019 10:34:33 GMT -5
traveltheworld, my kids get off the bus by themselves now and are home for about 30 minutes before I arrive home. They have a standard list of things they must do when they get home, and the first thing they do is call me when they walk in the door, and I remind them again to do the items on the list. Over the summer, I also had a standard list of the things the kids needed to do before I got home.
While I do love how much outdoor time you spend with the kids, for the 3 hours between when DS gets off school and when I get home, I'd appreciate it if he could finish doing at least a couple of the many things he needs to do - you know, chores, reading, homework, practice the piano, shower, pack his bag for the next day, etc.; so that my entire evening is not spent doing all these things. I'd like to come home and do fun things with my kids too! Last night I felt like a drill sergeant. It put all of us in a bad mood.
Signed, Irritated, since this is not the first time we've talked about this
Dear DS,
You are 7. You need to step up and start doing things yourself. Just because our nanny is not reminding you to do them doesn't mean you can't proactively do them.
Signed, Irritated
Can you leave a white board on the counter with checkboxes too? Then nanny will have a visual reminder too. When my kids start slacking I bring out their whiteboards again. It's amazing how fast they get it done when they have to give it to me allchecked off before they go outside to play.
Post by traveltheworld on Sept 18, 2019 12:11:32 GMT -5
campermom, I do have a white board on the fridge with reminders. I also have an elaborate, colour-coded spreadsheet outlining tasks that need to be completed each day and what time slots can be dedicated to those tasks. But my nanny's standard response is: "oh we played outside for a long time so didn't have time to do xyz". Which, I get it, the kids want to play outside, and typically they want to do that right after DS gets off school because all of his buddies are still at the playground; or DD is begging to play with DS because she hasn't seen him all day. But I really hate having to cram everything in after I get home.
campermom , I do have a white board on the fridge with reminders. I also have an elaborate, colour-coded spreadsheet outlining tasks that need to be completed each day and what time slots can be dedicated to those tasks. But my nanny's standard response is: "oh we played outside for a long time so didn't have time to do xyz". Which, I get it, the kids want to play outside, and typically they want to do that right after DS gets off school because all of his buddies are still at the playground; or DD is begging to play with DS because she hasn't seen him all day. But I really hate having to cram everything in after I get home.
I'm not sure how much you like this nanny, but from a perspective of this nanny being your employee, it sounds like a performance issue. I would be mad (and probably be looking for a new nanny) if I had a nanny who repeatedly didn't do what I asked them to do, which resulted in more work for me. No reason to pay all that money to have the work still on your plate.
campermom , I do have a white board on the fridge with reminders. I also have an elaborate, colour-coded spreadsheet outlining tasks that need to be completed each day and what time slots can be dedicated to those tasks. But my nanny's standard response is: "oh we played outside for a long time so didn't have time to do xyz". Which, I get it, the kids want to play outside, and typically they want to do that right after DS gets off school because all of his buddies are still at the playground; or DD is begging to play with DS because she hasn't seen him all day. But I really hate having to cram everything in after I get home.
This would annoy me. Yes outside time is fun and why fight with the kids on doing life stuff when it is more fun to play but you are paying her to deal with stuff. I would tell her they have to be home and in the house by 3:30 or 30 minutes after DS is done with school. Then it is snack, homework, piano, etc. until 4:30 and then they can go play. I would not be happy having to deal with all the life stuff with tired cranky kids once I get home. DD's aftercare does homework club so the parents don't have to deal with it after work.
Post by mommyatty on Sept 18, 2019 12:57:10 GMT -5
traveltheworld- We have a hard and fast rule that homework and reading are done as soon as school is out. No playing outside. No iPad. No anything until we finish business. But we don’t have the rest of the stuff like piano. In fact, we aren’t doing piano specifically because my kids being kids is a higher priority to me than my kids being musical. Play is the work of childhood. I’m just sorry homework gets in the way of that.
Post by sandandsea on Sept 18, 2019 13:20:02 GMT -5
Dear cousins, Honestly, you annoy me to no end. Every post doesn’t have to be about how thankful you are to SAH or how “blessed” you are that you can SAH. It makes me want to vomit. Your podcast “following” also makes me want to vomit. Some of the things you say are cringeworthy but your little bubble adores you. I wish you could see how you alienate people. But you won’t because you’re happy in your bubble and I’m not going to burst it for you. But this is why we aren’t close. Signed, It’s always been this way
I definitely think you need to address further with your nanny, traveltheworld. But I feel like a lot of the PPs must live in areas with a different household labor market than here. Here, it’s really hard to find decent nannies/babysitters - so I wouldn’t be quick to fire her over it.
Please be kind during my 8 flights and visits to 4 states over the next week. Please let things go smoothly with the kids at home and our very complicated babysitter schedule.
Signed, At least one state is just for a fun <48 hr girls trip
I definitely think you need to address further with your nanny, traveltheworld. But I feel like a lot of the PPs must live in areas with a different household labor market than here. Here, it’s really hard to find decent nannies/babysitters - so I wouldn’t be quick to fire her over it.
This. It is so hard to find people for jobs lately. I would do a lot to keep someone so I don’t have to go through the process.
Dear body, I'm going on 7 years of an IUD with no real periods to show for it. Maybe once or twice a year I end up with something. It's been amazing. And what shows up today, when I have a full weekend planned with beau after not seeing each other for two weeks because of our kid schedules? My annual actual period. WTF. Let's make this a miraculously short event, shall we? Signed, Annoyed
Dear WP, Sorry if that's TMI. But seriously? Timing sucks. Signed, Twinmomma
Post by erinshelley21 on Sept 19, 2019 9:00:47 GMT -5
Dear Life, You seem like you might be calming down and I'm digging it! Signed, July, August and the first half of September about killed me dead
Dear Self, GO TO THE GYM TODAY! Just because you can't do the written workout doesnt mean you can't go period. You and DH paid for 3 classes per week and have only been 4 times between the two of you. Love, your pants are getting tight
polecat8, I would highly recommend a Jeep Grand Cherokee or a Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo! I have only driven those types of vehicles and I LOVE THEM!!! They have great gas mileage and lots of room. Whenever I transport students to academic competitions or take them home from tutoring sessions there is always plenty of room for them AND all of their stuff (backpacks, sports bags, instrument cases, etc.) Plus I feel really safe in them when I'm driving, which is always a plus!