Monday Randoms

[bears]

DS got home from camp on Saturday and I think he's still recovering. He slept in the past two days, which he never does. He said he missed us and his bed.

I am not sure if he really liked it, but I think it was very good for him. He definitely didn't like the Christian aspect (prayer time at night and before meals, a few songs), since we are not.

[wildrice]

My parents left for vacation early yesterday morning, and I stayed at their house last night - flying home today. My sister and her family live next door so I spent the whole day with them. The kids then came over to my parents' house (my temporary house?) for a sleepover. We had a lot of fun and since I don't live here, I was able to spoil them a little. We had a (gentle) pillow fight in the living room, then we all slept together in my parents' bed. I didn't get much sleep, but it was ok - they were excited about it and so sweet. My 10.5 year old nephew cuddled up to me at a couple of points overnight, and given his age I highly doubt he will ever want to do that again so I felt lucky.

My niece has been begging me to stay longer and/or take them home with me. They are laying it on thick for me to move down here. I won't be doing it - because Texas - but it sucks so much that these opportunities are rare. I'd love to be more involved in their lives. My parents and sister's lives, too.

My BIL is a realtor so it's very difficult for them to move (he is the breadwinner and would have to start again from nothing), but it does sound like they all would love to move where I do if not for that...

[beerlover]

This is my first day alone since July 12. I sent DS to the sitter. I mainly just plan on doing some laundry including sheets, and doing some post vacation tidying up. I will also go for a walk and do a Peloton strength workout.

I go back to work on August 1 so I feel like I need to make the most of the next 8 days!

Yesterday, my mom drove the 45 minutes down here to meet DS and I at our community pool. She arrived before we were going to get there, so she turned her car off and ate the lunch that she packed. She started to get warm, so she tried to turn the car back on for the A/C, and it was dead. My mom is a very anxious person (so I get it honestly lol, but I don't think I'm nearly as bad), so she just kind of freaked out and didn't know what to do. She called my dad, who told her to contact AAA, but my mom got all flustered with the app and didn't know her log-in information. I told her to just call them at the 800 number, but then in the meantime I had a friend offer to come jump the car so I said let's just try that first so that you don't have to wait. I called my dad, who was now planning to come down and help, and told him not to come and that we'd handle it, since there was really no sense in him coming. He's not particularly auto inclined lol. Anyway, he was kind of a dick when I called him and basically acted like my mom is an idiot and said some choice words. I was not impressed. But also, I'm sure he was just frustrated with an almost 70 year old woman freaking out and having no idea what to do, so I kind of get it. Anyway, my friend showed up to help me and it turned out my mom's battery terminal was very loose. He tightened it back up, and the car started fine. So we enjoyed a nice day at the pool after all those shenanigans. IDK, being almost 40 years old it's still just disconcerting to see your parent lose their shit about something, though.

[cereal K]

This is my kids' second year at this camp. DD did several summers of Girl Scout camp (which is more rustic). After last year, DS said he had fun at camp, but didn't really want to go back. We think that had more to do with thinking no camp meant more screen time at home. Well, this year, at check-in, we say two of his friends from school, who are in the same cabin as he is, so we think he'll enjoy this year even more.

[Patsy Baloney]

I took my family plus my niece to visit my dad this weekend. His Alzheimer’s symptoms seemed very stable - still just repeating questions and needing prompts on things that would ordinarily lock in with a good short term memory.

We had a lot of fun. He’s still safe to drive and puttered the kids around on his farm on his Gator, took them apple picking on some oooold apple trees my grandma planted eons ago, and wading in a nearby river fork. It was a very country weekend, and the kids slept well.

I did not. Dad *clearly* needs a hearing aid, and Fox News at 75+ volume rattling me out of bed every morning wasn’t the alarm I was hoping for 🤣

I understand why he’s so enamored with Fox News now, though. They literally repeat the same 3 talking points all day long. For a guy with short term memory deficits, this is fantastic.

[livinitup]

My snowbird MIL is back in town doing her thing. Which amounts to spending time in her lovely house and not much else. H is desperate to prove that she does want to “do things” so he plans simple outings where she agrees & then cancels. She suggests nothing. But I’ve been on a “told you so” kick which I am going to end. Being right isn’t very satisfying.

Yesterday, we brought over dinner & her sister is visiting. So, MIL had a ball. Not cooking and having people over is her very favorite thing.

[TR]

I'm already trying to plan our vacation next summer lol

Next July, one of my best friends from Charleston is getting married in Tipperary, Ireland. Her fiance is British and so she might be doing "hen day" stuff in London prior to the wedding and I'd want to support her and attend that.

So. The wedding will be Tuesday July 15. So I may fly to London Thursday night to arrive Friday the 11th midday for Friday night & Saturday activiies and then we'd fly to Ireland on Sunday, stay over in Dublin Sunday night and be transported to the venue on Monday, stay at the venue Monday night, wedding on Tuesday, stay at venue Tuesday night, and then we're free from there. There will be transport back to Dublin on Wednesday for those who want it.

What I can't decide is what to do after. My birthday is the 21st and it would be cool to be somewhere cool for that so assume flying home on the 22nd. Do we rent a car and drive around Ireland for 5 days? Or do we hop a flight from Dublin to somewhere else for that time?

[candreco]

Jul 22, 2024 9:41:33 GMT -5 wildrice said:

My parents left for vacation early yesterday morning, and I stayed at their house last night - flying home today. My sister and her family live next door so I spent the whole day with them. The kids then came over to my parents' house (my temporary house?) for a sleepover. We had a lot of fun and since I don't live here, I was able to spoil them a little. We had a (gentle) pillow fight in the living room, then we all slept together in my parents' bed. I didn't get much sleep, but it was ok - they were excited about it and so sweet. My 10.5 year old nephew cuddled up to me at a couple of points overnight, and given his age I highly doubt he will ever want to do that again so I felt lucky.

My niece has been begging me to stay longer and/or take them home with me. They are laying it on thick for me to move down here. I won't be doing it - because Texas - but it sucks so much that these opportunities are rare. I'd love to be more involved in their lives. My parents and sister's lives, too.

My BIL is a realtor so it's very difficult for them to move (he is the breadwinner and would have to start again from nothing), but it does sound like they all would love to move where I do if not for that...

I know it makes you sad to not be closer to them, but growing up, my aunt was a similar distance away and we are still close, and she's close to all of her great-nieces and nephews too.  I know she put a lot of effort into making sure she connected with my sister, my cousins, and I with letters/cards (pre-email/text!), occasional little gifts like stickers in the mail, making sure to visit my grandparents the same time we did, and visiting us.  We all flew as unaccompanied minors several times to spend a week or two with her in the summers as well (she was a teacher so could do that!), and she took each of us on amazing trips when we graduated from HS.

All this to say, it sounds like you really put the time and effort into establishing and maintaining relationships with these kids, and it really does work, even when you're geographically distant!

[karinothing]

I have another random. The internet at our house isn't working. It looks like the line was cut somehow so now it is a huge thing. I am working off a hot spot, but it is annoying!

[arehopsveggies]

I wasn’t sure we would make it down the mountain but the flash floods started last enough yesterday that we made it. DH was still doing yard work for my parents till 2 ish, and my phone had said rain was starting at 2. I had everything loaded and was super anxious…. But the rain didn’t start till we were past the dangerous areas. It is heartbreaking to see all the damage in town.

Today’s plan- cuddling the kids and watching If, then DS has been begging to go try Boba. I wonder if he will actually like it? He’s picky, but since the new boba place opened all the kids at school are obsessed.

[tacokick]

Jul 22, 2024 8:53:38 GMT -5 jane6672 said:

Jul 22, 2024 8:44:58 GMT -5 Wallflower said:

What lavenderblue said but wait for dark - full dark, not dusk. That's when they'll all be back in the nest. If you do it in the daytime, you'll get just a fraction of them.

Also, wear clothing that covers you up. And we're not joking about running. I had one follow me back into the house, as it was dying. Wasps are evil bastards.

And once that's done and you've cleared the nest out, get a fake nest to put up. They really do work to deter them from building a nest in the area. (Like this - www.amazon.com/gp/product/B082VS8Q63/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

Ditto waiting for full dark and running away.

Related: I stepped on a wasp yesterday, and wow, that mfer HURTS. I think I’ve only been stung by bees before 🥲

I stepped on one too and one stung my husband so we are on attack mode. They hurt so bad!

[tacokick]

Jul 22, 2024 8:44:58 GMT -5 Wallflower said:

Jul 22, 2024 8:33:35 GMT -5 tacokick said:

Any ideas about dealing with wasps? Some have moved into what looks like an old nest. Do the traps work?

What lavenderblue said but wait for dark - full dark, not dusk. That's when they'll all be back in the nest. If you do it in the daytime, you'll get just a fraction of them.

Also, wear clothing that covers you up. And we're not joking about running. I had one follow me back into the house, as it was dying. Wasps are evil bastards.

And once that's done and you've cleared the nest out, get a fake nest to put up. They really do work to deter them from building a nest in the area. (Like this - www.amazon.com/gp/product/B082VS8Q63/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

I wondered about those fake nests. I had planned to put them up this spring to try it out but this spring was awful and I didn’t prioritize it and now we have wasps. Thanks!

[momin2013]

Jul 22, 2024 8:34:11 GMT -5 lavenderblue said:

I'm so lame that it made me cry LOL

I’m even lamer because even though I don’t even ‘know’ you, that made me tear up too and I’m in the middle of the mall.

[somersault72]

Jul 22, 2024 8:34:11 GMT -5 lavenderblue said:

My daughter is getting her Senior Portraits done today (the cap & gown and drape photos if you are familiar) and so last night I presented her with Grandmothers Pearls that I wore for my portraits and asked that she wear them for hers, but no pressure if she didn't want to. She texted me a photo on the way there and is wearing them. I'm so lame that it made me cry LOL

This is so sweet! <3 

My son is getting ready to start his junior year, but many of his good friends were seniors last year and I teared up at SO many things and it wasn't even my kid graduating. I will be an absolute wreck his senior year.

[somersault72]

Big hugs bex1973. <3

[somersault72]

Jul 22, 2024 9:12:22 GMT -5 blondemoment123 said:

Jul 22, 2024 9:02:17 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

holy moly that your 7 year old is at a 3 week sleep away camp! I am so impressed. Mine still will not do a sleepover lol.

My (6.5 year old) still ends up in my bed 80% of the time!

Girrrrrl. Same with my 6 year old. And she also says things like "don't be sad about me growing up, mom. I'm never moving out." Oh.

[beerlover]

I am so pleased with my summery lunch (leftovers from last night). Shrimp tacos with peach salsa and a corn, tomato, and feta salad. My cooking mojo is back after eating out for 7 straight days.

[blondemoment123]

Jul 22, 2024 11:47:30 GMT -5 somersault72 said:

Jul 22, 2024 9:12:22 GMT -5 blondemoment123 said:

My (6.5 year old) still ends up in my bed 80% of the time!

Girrrrrl. Same with my 6 year old. And she also says things like "don't be sad about me growing up, mom. I'm never moving out." Oh.

😂

[macmars45]

DS(8) has his first half day LEGO camp this week in the afternoons! I'm so ready for a few kid free hours!

[shauni27]

Jul 22, 2024 11:47:30 GMT -5 somersault72 said:

Jul 22, 2024 9:12:22 GMT -5 blondemoment123 said:

My (6.5 year old) still ends up in my bed 80% of the time!

Girrrrrl. Same with my 6 year old. And she also says things like "don't be sad about me growing up, mom. I'm never moving out." Oh.

S turns 7 this week and still ends up in our bed at least 60% of the time as well. And regularly tells us he will always live with us. We just smile and say "okayyyyyyyyyy."

[fluffycookie]

We had a fun weekend - beach on Saturday afternoon and then yesterday we went to my dad's birthday party and came came home and relaxed. DS and I just went food shopping and he asked me if I would help him meal prep this week so he got steak and potatoes and English muffins, eggs, cheese and sausage patties so we'll work on that stuff later on. I need to be better about breakfast so I will make myself a few sandwiches as well.

[Susie]

I had a cavity filled in an upper wisdom tooth this afternoon, and now my whole upper jaw is numb so I can't eat or drink.  It's been on the calendar since I had to have a temp filling put in around Memorial Day because the old filling fell out.  So it's not a surprise, but having work done on wisdom teeth is basically my least favorite kind of dental work.  It's just so hard to get back there, and so close to the gag reflex.  Plus I have sensitive teeth and I'm just over, over, over all things nerve pain this week.  Drilling, no thank you sir.

This week can go to hell, lol.

[mrsukyankee]

TR, what kind of thing would you really, really like to do? Would you want beach, city, hiking, spa?

[mrsukyankee]

Oh, and TR, if anyone needs any ideas for London hen things, let me know and I can make some good ones.

[rubytue]

I took the day off work for my birthday. And the corpse flower in dc opened last night. So I ended up making an impromptu trip to DC today. In the rain. It was an humid outside as it was in the tropical room with miss stinky flower. Which wasn’t as stinky as I expected.

When I got back, I stopped by the county’s 50+ centers to register. They have fitness centers that are $89/year. I must admit, I was hoping for more. The one I went to, which is the newest and I’d assume had the best equipment, was like a hotel gym, but a nicer hotel with some space. I’m torn. I want to start doing more weights, but I’m cheap and don’t want the $80/month option.

[arehopsveggies]

How do I teach a puppy to leave the cat food alone?
We keep the cat dish in the top bunk bed (it’s like a loft/fort up there). Our last dog was huge and old and couldn’t climb the steps. Puppy discovered the cat food yesterday and keeps sneaking up there today.

[deadwing]

Jul 22, 2024 15:56:16 GMT -5 arehopsveggies said:

How do I teach a puppy to leave the cat food alone?
We keep the cat dish in the top bunk bed (it’s like a loft/fort up there). Our last dog was huge and old and couldn’t climb the steps. Puppy discovered the cat food yesterday and keeps sneaking up there today.

I would either install a cat flap in the door to the room with the car food or install a gate across the doorway. Cat will be able to go over or through a gate.

[ProfessorArtNerd]

Thank god I went for a pedicure yesterday. This morning I was walking down the steps with the toddler in my arms. He was holding my phone, til he dropped it straight on my toe. I’m sure it’s broken, but there’s nothing to be done but buddy taping. Omg though, I saw stars

[underwaterrhymes]

In the past 24 hours I have donated to Harris, bought a Keep Kamala and Carry On shirt and a Make America Laugh Again baseball cap. (Get it? (Ka) MALA??)

Also bought some drugs for a UTI (womp womp).

[circa1978]

We are in Maui and volunteering with the Humans Society today. We are hanging out with this very good girl at a food truck park and about to hit the beach: www.mauihumanesociety.org/pet-adoption/pets-for-adoption/