Weekend Randoms

[mrsukyankee]

I had such a great time last night. Six new or newish staff members joined me for a drink. It was so nice getting to know more about them. Such a fun group! I hope that they feel they came away knowing each other and me a lot better. I'll set up another in October, so hopefully some of the staff that has been here will join in. (I'm one of the social chairs in our office - the good thing about our staff of almost 30 is that we are all quite likeable)

Tonight I'll go to a cocktail lounge with a friend. The lounge specialises in US whiskies, so I'll get my bourbon fix there. And then a good Italian restaurant for dinner. In the meanwhile, I'm doing my UK taxes (blech) - I have until Dec to get them done but just wanted to see how much I owe (so far not too much, which is good, and I can't see how it will increase by much - and it will be taken out via taxes next year versus making a payment). I only need to do UK taxes because I contribute some money to charities and I put money into a pension fund outside my work one - otherwise, it's calculated for you by the gov't. I also need to workout today (lifting).

Tomorrow we'll go to the local farmers' market and then trying out a new Caribbean restaurant that is part of a pub (chef was from one of the best in the area that closed down). 

And then enjoy relaxing/walking the dog on our Monday off.

[dreamcrisp1]

2 more days of our vacation and we fly back to the Netherlands on Monday! After 5 weeks away, I’m ready for our house. But I see a heat wave next week and I’m gonna suffer after getting used to air conditioning. 😆😆

Then back to school and first day of daycare for DS3 as of September 2. 🥺

[honeydew1894]

The kids and I went deep-sea fishing yesterday. They loved it and I puked over the side of the boat. Good times!

[maudefindlay]

honeydew1894 sea sickness is miserable, hope you are feeling much better today, glad your kids had fun.

Woke up with a headache and turns out one of the knobs on our stove was turned, not lit, but I could smell gas, so have windows opened up. DS2 remembers bumping into the stove last night and didn't think he had done anything since no flame.

DD is at my parent's this weekend, so our house will be quiet 😆. Cross country practice for DS1 this AM, they ran 9 miles yesterday, and I will get in a long walk while he practices. Then I need to do my strength workout and maybe some yard work.

We are taking advantage of no meets this weekend as it will be our last weekend like this for almost 2 months. Hopefully watching a movie later and enjoying a margarita or 3.

[devonpow]

I’m trying to get Global Entry for me and the kids and the process to get interviews is so annoying. The only location in MA is booked through the end of September - fine. But they won’t even let me make appointments for after that date, so I need to keep going in every morning to see when/if they open up appointments for after that date. And of course I need to get 3 separate appointments - there’s no way I’m getting 3 in a row. DS1’s pre check expires in January and DS2 turns 13 and needs to get his own pre check in a few months. I’ll be really irritated if I can’t get this Global Entry done before all that.

[ssmjlm]

The dog wanted out at 5am and the kid was up at 7am because she’s excited for school Monday.

I had the oddest buy nothing yesterday. I posted some drawstring backpacks because we get them free and had several. One woman commented she would take them, but she wanted neon (which none were). Then another person was all “I have this orange one.” And she said she wanted that one.

So I commented “still available befor DAV comes Monday” and the admin goes “offer it to the first person.” And in my head I’m wondering if she read any of the previous convo.

At this point I’m not engaging and they can go to the DAV Monday.

[fangoriagurkel]

My parish’s nursery put out a request for furniture donations last week, so if you saw a woman transporting a roughly 3 feet tall Baby Shark double layer shelf on the city bus this morning, then Hi! That was me! 😎

My friend was just going to give it away, but her attitude of “If you want it, just carry it / take it” worked out perfectly!

[Wallflower]

I'm processing news about a dear friend (T). She passed in the spring after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer (fuck cancer!) and it hit me hard. I've known her for nearly 20 years and know her wife (R), as well. We all used to work together, way back in the day.

On Thursday, R reached out to me. T had left a journal behind and in it, documented infidelity including a fling with a former co-worker, someone we all knew. R asked me if I knew anything about any of it. I didn't and I'm just stunned. Stunned to know this friend I thought so highly of cheated on her wife and, I think what's hitting me worse, left evidence behind for R to find. That seems almost cruel.

On the random side of life, where do people buy towels now that Bed, Bath, and Beyond has gone away?

[macmars45]

Wallflower Costco towels are great.

[fangoriagurkel]

Wallflower Target and Macy’s have cute linens, bedding, and towels!

And oh wow, major yikes to the surviving partner! Cheating is never cool, but to memorialize it in a journal? 🤮 Who does that?

[sunnysally]

Perimenopause/menopause really sucks. I had terrible insomnia in my 20s and now its back. I am so fatigued, irritable, and irrational that I don't even want to be with myself! I've been doing fairly well at keeping my irritability in check, but that is contributing to my exhaustion. Oh, and my nipples are on fire and my breasts feel like they weigh 50 pounds. All of the medical advice is just bullshit. Do breathing exercises, cut back on caffeine and spicy foods, go for a walk. If men had all of this going on there would be better solutions. /rant

Luckily, we have a fairly low key weekend after several busy, people filled weekends.

Wallflower, I'm sorry you and the surviving wife had to learn about the cheating. Why wouldn't partner 1 have destroyed that journal knowing her diagnosis! I really like the Vera Wang towels from Kohls. They are fluffy, absorbent, and hold up really well.

[deadwing]

A couple of months ago, a dear friend celebrated a milestone birthday and early retirement. Another friend and I went in on a couple of gifts. One gift arrived late so I put it away for when all of us would be together. The gift is extremely small and lightweight. I can't find it. I'm seeing these people this afternoon for the second time since the initial celebration. I'm about ready to order another one and ship it directly to the giftee so I can't mess it up. I'm usually very on the ball, so misplacing this is very out of character for me. I've looked everywhere it would make sense to put a gift and a bunch of places it wouldn't make sense (including my bin of dog toys). I'm stumped.

[wildrice]

I am currently laying in my hammock with my dog. It's a bit overcast but a nice temperature today! We are going to an MLB game later, likely the last one of the season for us. Although the heat felt about 100 years long this summer, it also feels crazy that summer is almost over and this is one of the last chances to do some things!

My big plan for tomorrow is to put together a bookshelf and do some additional organizing. I've been on kind of a kick lately and would love to finish up the basement and our main level closet (some of its contents will go into basement storage instead).

[Scout'sHonor]

sunnysally I’m right there with you, I’ve been so angry the last week or so, but it’s not pms time. And the beginning of the week was so bad sleep wise. My friend and I had a bitch session yes how it’s so unfair to deal with this, @ our kids, and our aging parents all at once. And then I sent her this last night
www.instagram.com/reel/C8aSiByxIQd/?igsh=czljcmJ4azY5cjlp

@ It's our 16th anniversary today, but I only remembered a few days ago and our usual babysitter is understandably busy. So we're taking her with us to a nice, not too fancy dinner. Which honestly I prefer, one on one time with H is awkward anymore. 

[blondemoment123]

Soccer practice this morning. All of the other kids have played before and DS is still learning the ropes so he was getting discouraged. 🫤

[shopgirl07]

Aug 24, 2024 9:23:48 GMT -5 sunnysally said:

Perimenopause/menopause really sucks. I had terrible insomnia in my 20s and now its back. I am so fatigued, irritable, and irrational that I don't even want to be with myself! I've been doing fairly well at keeping my irritability in check, but that is contributing to my exhaustion. Oh, and my nipples are on fire and my breasts feel like they weigh 50 pounds. All of the medical advice is just bullshit. Do breathing exercises, cut back on caffeine and spicy foods, go for a walk. If men had all of this going on there would be better solutions. /rant

Luckily, we have a fairly low key weekend after several busy, people filled weekends.

Wallflower , I'm sorry you and the surviving wife had to learn about the cheating. Why wouldn't partner 1 have destroyed that journal knowing her diagnosis! I really like the Vera Wang towels from Kohls. They are fluffy, absorbent, and hold up really well.

Get yourself on HRT! It will be life changing, you don’t have to suffer!

[georgeglass]

Aug 24, 2024 8:01:04 GMT -5 devonpow said:

I’m trying to get Global Entry for me and the kids and the process to get interviews is so annoying. The only location in MA is booked through the end of September - fine. But they won’t even let me make appointments for after that date, so I need to keep going in every morning to see when/if they open up appointments for after that date. And of course I need to get 3 separate appointments - there’s no way I’m getting 3 in a row. DS1’s pre check expires in January and DS2 turns 13 and needs to get his own pre check in a few months. I’ll be really irritated if I can’t get this Global Entry done before all that.

We got lucky by using a paid service that checks appointments and texts when there are openings.

Good luck.

[sunnysally]

Aug 24, 2024 11:17:02 GMT -5 shopgirl07 said:

Aug 24, 2024 9:23:48 GMT -5 sunnysally said:

Perimenopause/menopause really sucks. I had terrible insomnia in my 20s and now its back. I am so fatigued, irritable, and irrational that I don't even want to be with myself! I've been doing fairly well at keeping my irritability in check, but that is contributing to my exhaustion. Oh, and my nipples are on fire and my breasts feel like they weigh 50 pounds. All of the medical advice is just bullshit. Do breathing exercises, cut back on caffeine and spicy foods, go for a walk. If men had all of this going on there would be better solutions. /rant

Luckily, we have a fairly low key weekend after several busy, people filled weekends.

Wallflower , I'm sorry you and the surviving wife had to learn about the cheating. Why wouldn't partner 1 have destroyed that journal knowing her diagnosis! I really like the Vera Wang towels from Kohls. They are fluffy, absorbent, and hold up really well.

Get yourself on HRT! It will be life changing, you don’t have to suffer!

My doctor is concerned about the impact of HRT on migraines and breast cancer risk. 

[lindyanne]

Aug 24, 2024 8:01:04 GMT -5 devonpow said:

I’m trying to get Global Entry for me and the kids and the process to get interviews is so annoying. The only location in MA is booked through the end of September - fine. But they won’t even let me make appointments for after that date, so I need to keep going in every morning to see when/if they open up appointments for after that date. And of course I need to get 3 separate appointments - there’s no way I’m getting 3 in a row. DS1’s pre check expires in January and DS2 turns 13 and needs to get his own pre check in a few months. I’ll be really irritated if I can’t get this Global Entry done before all that.

When we were trying to get it the closest appointment for 3 was months away…in Texas. We live in PA. We are two hours from the closest airport and I assumed we would never get an appointment for all of us to do it in one trip so we did interview on arrival. We had to wait through customs that time but it was easier than trying to get appointments. I’m already dreading having to renew.

[sunshineandpinot]

I don't want to make a stand alone post, but would this dress work for an Oct 12 wedding in Kansas City? Or is it too summery?
I will say, I bought in store and didn't see it online. I don't normally say this, but it looks better on me than on the model lol. It hugs my curves beautifully and is super flattering. There is also a little clasp so it's not that low cut. H loves it on me and I'd love to wear it but could get something different.

www.nordstrom.com/s/cashew-knot-front-midi-dress/7841610

[wanderlustmom]

sunshineandpinot , you've said it all! You and your DH love how you look in it and that's enough. If you feel confident you will look confident. I love it. I do think it's summery. But I wear my white jeans all year round so rock that dress.

Our DD started playing water polo and she has a match today. Otherwise I am just reading a mindless book, resting and watching Dateline since I hosted a party last night and I host another tomorrow night. It's so easy to host women. We sat outside, everyone brought something and it was a beautiful night.

[ssmjlm]

The buy nothing is getting weirder. I’m ignoring at this point. It’s not up to me to track down interested people. It’s free! You come get it.

They’re getting donated.

[tacokick]

We’ve been at my dad’s house/my house now all week and it’s been a little weird staying here. My oldest dog used to stay here with my parents when we’d go on vacation and she kept looking for them when we arrived.

This is the longest we’ve stayed and it went well even if we had to call the septic people once and it rained a bit. My parents were super minimalists and I’ve been working on getting the house together enough we don’t have to bring everything with us each time and we are actually comfortable. We stayed here a few nights before when our power was out at home and it was rough.

One big success: someone here posted about Home Depot blackout blinds and I got them and they were amazing!! There are six massive windows in the bedroom that had just regular blinds and I don’t know how my parents lived like that. As soon as the sun went up it was like living in a sunny fishbowl. Now it’s the dark cave I require.

[circa1978]

sunshineandpinot I know it can be much cooler in KC but it would definitely be warm enough in STL to wear that in early Oct and I think depending on the accessories, you can lean into the fall color with close-toed shoes and a wrap.

[devonpow]

Aug 24, 2024 11:22:25 GMT -5 georgeglass said:

Aug 24, 2024 8:01:04 GMT -5 devonpow said:

I’m trying to get Global Entry for me and the kids and the process to get interviews is so annoying. The only location in MA is booked through the end of September - fine. But they won’t even let me make appointments for after that date, so I need to keep going in every morning to see when/if they open up appointments for after that date. And of course I need to get 3 separate appointments - there’s no way I’m getting 3 in a row. DS1’s pre check expires in January and DS2 turns 13 and needs to get his own pre check in a few months. I’ll be really irritated if I can’t get this Global Entry done before all that.

We got lucky by using a paid service that checks appointments and texts when there are openings.

Good luck.

ooo do you mind sharing what service you used?

[blondemoment123]

Aug 24, 2024 11:48:05 GMT -5 sunshineandpinot said:

I don't want to make a stand alone post, but would this dress work for an Oct 12 wedding in Kansas City? Or is it too summery?
I will say, I bought in store and didn't see it online. I don't normally say this, but it looks better on me than on the model lol. It hugs my curves beautifully and is super flattering. There is also a little clasp so it's not that low cut. H loves it on me and I'd love to wear it but could get something different.

www.nordstrom.com/s/cashew-knot-front-midi-dress/7841610

Love that!

[TR]

Aug 24, 2024 11:48:05 GMT -5 sunshineandpinot said:

I don't want to make a stand alone post, but would this dress work for an Oct 12 wedding in Kansas City? Or is it too summery?
I will say, I bought in store and didn't see it online. I don't normally say this, but it looks better on me than on the model lol. It hugs my curves beautifully and is super flattering. There is also a little clasp so it's not that low cut. H loves it on me and I'd love to wear it but could get something different.

www.nordstrom.com/s/cashew-knot-front-midi-dress/7841610

Throw a navy cardigan on and it’s perfect!

[TR]

Miracle of miracles, the Thanksgiving trip with the in-laws is booked! This all started from an email in JANUARY, when my in-laws emailed the family saying they wanted to go to Norway in May or June and if anybody wanted to join them, they would help out with the cost. It spiraled from there and now we’re going to the Bahamas over Thanksgiving. It’s been a very long road to get here and almost everyone has thrown a wrench in the works at some point or another. But I’m just glad we have something planned that isn’t just sitting at their house for a week lol

[sadie]

We lasted one week of school before my kid brought home covid. 2/4 of us are +. I'm hoping me and my other kid and I don't get it.

We were considering a Renault Faire visit this weekend, but that's now out.

My 1st day of school is Monday. I'm looking forward to it.

[tacokick]

TR Norway to the Bahamas is quite a switch!