Monday Randoms

[pierogigirl]

Nov 11, 2024 12:41:29 GMT -5 ssmjlm said:

We’re having an evening work holiday party. And I don’t want to shop for a dress I’m going to wear once. Ugh.

I always skip my work's party, but this year I "have" to go to DH's. I bought the most inexpensive black velvet dress I could find (it's washable and has pockets) and I'm wearing ballet flats. I could wear the dress again to work with a jean jacket, so I wasn't too annoyed about buying it (even though I'm annoyed I have to go to the party).

[Susie]

My dad's having a hip replacement on 12/4.  He lives alone, with my brother and I each in different states (from him and from each other).  We were supposed to split the work of being "on site" during his recovery 3 ways between me, my brother, and a friend of my dad's who we've grown up having as a bonus uncle.

My brother still hasn't committed to a period of time.  He wants to be the one there on the hospital day(s) (probably 12/4 and 12/5), but nobody knows how much longer he plans to stay beyond that, and nobody expects it'll actually be very much.  Every time it comes up, he launches into this big monologue about how his work doesn't allow him to apply for FMLA until a month out, his work needs all this additional info in order to submit his request, they might not approve it, he can't promise anything, etc. etc.  

Meanwhile:  He only works 3-4 days/week, so as of right now we're talking about him taking off TWO DAYS -- a Wed and Thurs.  TWO DAYS.  Why are we even having this FMLA dramedy about TWO DAYS?  Just use PTO for 2 days and be done with it if you're not going to actually come and legitimately help.

I am currently signed up to be there from "whenever bro decides to leave" until 12/13.  This is not feeling like a 3 way split.  I have to leave 12/13 so I can be home for a kid event on 12/14, and then I have a work trip 12/16 - 17 that I can't move.  Uncle will come to relieve me for that.  Thank god for him.

This same brother plans to come to my house for 5 days for Thanksgiving, with wife, kid, and dog, taking one of my kids' bedrooms and generally pinching things at the seams.  Magically, he seems able to take more than 2 days then.  

I am having preemptive stress about about the overstimulation and lack of space to retreat to, plus the need to get work and holidays accomplished remotely.

[rubytue]

Nov 11, 2024 9:18:49 GMT -5 cville said:

Petty: If you are on a video call with more than ~10 people and need to drop off for whatever reason, you do not need to pop that message in the chat. Unless you're leading the meeting or midsentence with a response No.One.Cares.

Worse: the guy is always late to meetings and enters the meeting, and announces himself. Not even in chat, but unmuted, interrupting the current discussion with “hi, it’s B, just letting you know I’m online now.”  I actually admonished him last time with “yes, I have the participants list and we are in the middle of a discussion.”

I deactivated FB. I miss it. If I reactivate, I’ll need to go through and delete a bunch of posts spread over however many years. Because, we are in an era where you can be targeted for your free speech. And, you know, late stage capitalism (ie my mortgages) has collided with fascism. 

[lavenderblue]

I have a question that I don't think deserves its own post.

Can I use a carpet cleaner on area rugs? This is probably a dumb question, but I've honestly only ever used one on my wall to wall carpets, but some of my area rugs are looking pretty dingy and new rugs just isn't in the budget right now.

[RoxMonster]

I have a lot of anxiety around going to the dentist. I haven’t been in a year bc I canceled my appt in May bc I didn’t want to deal with it. I have a very bad gag reflex and X Rays are the absolute worst and have been my whole life.

I made myself keep my appt today bc I know it’s important. I was so nervous I could barely sleep. My hygienist today was so kind and patient though. I was due for full mouth X Rays which is like 20. She’s like “Nope that’s not gonna work for you. Let’s do the pano that goes around your head which can replace most of them so you only need to do 4 the hard way.” It made a huge difference! The four were still rough and made me gag but I got through it! I was proud of myself for keeping the appt. Got myself an iced coffee from the local shop nearby as a reward!

[fluffycookie]

Nov 11, 2024 13:47:09 GMT -5 Susie said:

Could you get your SIL involved and tell her he needs to figure his crap out so that others can plan?  He sounds a lot like my brother in that he just thinks everyone else should bend and make things work to fit what's best for him and what he wants when he comes visit. There has been times before that we had to get my (now ex) SIL involved because he didn't realize that we can't just all drop things at the drop of a hat. 

[holly116]

I'm relieved I went no contact with my mom a few months back after the showing up at my house with the cake incident. She's a Trumper which is astounding to me in some ways, she actually worked at an abortion clinic and has worked for transitional care for the homeless. But she is the definition of self-centered and entitled, so not all that surprising.

She did the same dessert thing before Halloween, dropped off a cookie cake on my front porch while DH and I were out of town. She also dropped off bags of candy for the kids, which I saw on the Ring doorbell, but I didn't see the cake on the table on the porch. It was nearly midnight when we got home and the cookie sat out overnight so it promptly went in the trash. I would feel bad but she only does this stuff to try and create an obligation for us to her.

I know my brother is coming home with his girlfriend for Thanksgiving. I'm sure she'll do what she can to use him to try and ruin the day but it'll be in vain. I'm truly thankful I'm not dealing with her at all right now.

[ssmjlm]

Susie, your brother needs to find an AirBnB for Thanksgiving. No way am I playing hostess and putting out my kid.

[bex1973]

Nov 11, 2024 14:08:27 GMT -5 lavenderblue said:

I have a question that I don't think deserves its own post.

Can I use a carpet cleaner on area rugs? This is probably a dumb question, but I've honestly only ever used one on my wall to wall carpets, but some of my area rugs are looking pretty dingy and new rugs just isn't in the budget right now.

Yes! I've watched a millions videos on this - they're very satisfying LOL

[lust2hart]

Nov 11, 2024 14:08:27 GMT -5 lavenderblue said:

I have a question that I don't think deserves its own post.

Can I use a carpet cleaner on area rugs? This is probably a dumb question, but I've honestly only ever used one on my wall to wall carpets, but some of my area rugs are looking pretty dingy and new rugs just isn't in the budget right now.

Yes, you'll just want to make sure to move the rugs to a floor that can handle the carpet cleaner (i.e., move rugs off of vinyl planking, for example, and onto a tile floor, or a concrete basement or garage). 

[Susie]

Nov 11, 2024 14:17:59 GMT -5 fluffycookie said:

Nov 11, 2024 13:47:09 GMT -5 Susie said:

Could you get your SIL involved and tell her he needs to figure his crap out so that others can plan?  He sounds a lot like my brother in that he just thinks everyone else should bend and make things work to fit what's best for him and what he wants when he comes visit. There has been times before that we had to get my (now ex) SIL involved because he didn't realize that we can't just all drop things at the drop of a hat. 

My SIL is so much more reasonable and so much easier to work with than my bro.  I do rely on her to fill in blanks when he doesn't tell us what he's planning.  But when we know and just don't like it, I try not to drag her in.  She has a lot of family responsibility of her own, and I know I'd be annoyed if MH's family felt like he wasn't holding up his end for whatever reason and they leaned on me to make it up.  

Everyone just kind of accepts that my bro can be relied upon to be unreliable when the going gets tough.  

[Susie]

Nov 11, 2024 14:38:02 GMT -5 ssmjlm said:

Susie , your brother needs to find an AirBnB for Thanksgiving. No way am I playing hostess and putting out my kid.

In fairness, we have accommodated in this way in the past, so it's not an unreasonable thing to expect.  But when he came for Christmas last year, it was like Dec 23-26, so 3 days.  More than that feels like... a lot.  We live about 4-5 hours apart by car, so about 3-ish days feels like plenty to me to celebrate TG.  Wed to Sun feels like overstaying.

I am planning all of my outdoor Christmas decorating/light hanging for that weekend, lol.  It will get me out of the house!  I also made my covid vax appointment for then.  All the little things I can think of to take care of before I have to leave for my dad's for a week+.

[blondemoment123]

I got to see my nephew today. The baby sounds and smiles just slay me 😍

[lust2hart]

Nov 11, 2024 16:21:34 GMT -5 Susie said:

Nov 11, 2024 14:38:02 GMT -5 ssmjlm said:

Susie , your brother needs to find an AirBnB for Thanksgiving. No way am I playing hostess and putting out my kid.

In fairness, we have accommodated in this way in the past, so it's not an unreasonable thing to expect.  But when he came for Christmas last year, it was like Dec 23-26, so 3 days.  More than that feels like... a lot.  We live about 4-5 hours apart by car, so about 3-ish days feels like plenty to me to celebrate TG.  Wed to Sun feels like overstaying.

I am planning all of my outdoor Christmas decorating/light hanging for that weekend, lol.  It will get me out of the house!  I also made my covid vax appointment for then.  All the little things I can think of to take care of before I have to leave for my dad's for a week+.

It is completely reasonable for you to say that they need to leave on Saturday morning, "since I need time to prepare for taking care of Dad for 10 days" (if you want to be really passive-aggressive!). 

[pierogigirl]

Nov 11, 2024 16:29:06 GMT -5 lust2hart said:

Nov 11, 2024 16:21:34 GMT -5 Susie said:

In fairness, we have accommodated in this way in the past, so it's not an unreasonable thing to expect.  But when he came for Christmas last year, it was like Dec 23-26, so 3 days.  More than that feels like... a lot.  We live about 4-5 hours apart by car, so about 3-ish days feels like plenty to me to celebrate TG.  Wed to Sun feels like overstaying.

I am planning all of my outdoor Christmas decorating/light hanging for that weekend, lol.  It will get me out of the house!  I also made my covid vax appointment for then.  All the little things I can think of to take care of before I have to leave for my dad's for a week+.

It is completely reasonable for you to say that they need to leave on Saturday morning, "since I need time to prepare for taking care of Dad for 10 days" (if you want to be really passive-aggressive!). 

I'd move that to Friday, without even feeling a tiny bit bad about it.

[TR]

One thing I almost never see actors do well is inappropriate laughter. It’s always so forced.

[fluffycookie]

What would you get for snacks for 22 high school aged boys and 5 coaches for post-game on the ride home? I was thinking some protein bars and gatorade/water?  Any other suggestions?  It's only a 20 minute ride from the rink to the school and it's between lunch and dinner.

[lust2hart]

Nov 11, 2024 18:04:42 GMT -5 fluffycookie said:

What would you get for snacks for 22 high school aged boys and 5 coaches for post-game on the ride home? I was thinking some protein bars and gatorade/water?  Any other suggestions?  It's only a 20 minute ride from the rink to the school and it's between lunch and dinner.

I would add bananas and cuties. 

[expectantsteelerfan]

I spent hours on the phone today with insurance and ds's Dr. office because there was an unknown issue when I tried to fill his Concerta. Took forever to figure out the issue was that the prior Auth. expired, which should be a simple fix (and no one had any idea why that wasn't the error that the pharmacy was getting). But despite telling me they'd get it sent out ASAP, the Dr.s office still hasn't sent a new one.

My ds is 15. I have no idea how he's ever going to deal with getting his own meds filled (like finding a doctor, making sure to stay current on appts that are required every 3 months, and then dealing with ALL the issues that come with this controlled substance that only the name brand works for him). I may just need to manage his meds for him for the rest of his life.

[thebreakfastclub]

Nov 11, 2024 16:21:34 GMT -5 Susie said:

Nov 11, 2024 14:38:02 GMT -5 ssmjlm said:

Susie , your brother needs to find an AirBnB for Thanksgiving. No way am I playing hostess and putting out my kid.

In fairness, we have accommodated in this way in the past, so it's not an unreasonable thing to expect.  But when he came for Christmas last year, it was like Dec 23-26, so 3 days.  More than that feels like... a lot.  We live about 4-5 hours apart by car, so about 3-ish days feels like plenty to me to celebrate TG.  Wed to Sun feels like overstaying.

I am planning all of my outdoor Christmas decorating/light hanging for that weekend, lol.  It will get me out of the house!  I also made my covid vax appointment for then.  All the little things I can think of to take care of before I have to leave for my dad's for a week+.

"Brother, X doesn't sleep that well when not in his/her own bed, so the longest we are able to host you is 3 nights."

[deadwing]

I had lunch with old friends today. Their older kid was so excited to see me and their new baby has the cutest little grin. I needed a day like this.

[TR]

Did anyone else watch Wheel of Fortune tonight? In a million years, I never would have guessed what this guy guessed to solve this puzzle 🤣 I’ll put his guess in a spoiler. 

SPOILER: Click to show

TREAT YOURSELF A ROUND OF SAUSAGES

[maudefindlay]

TR with those letters showing? Oh my!

[sadlebred]

Susie I highly suggest you recommend a local hotel that they would "be more comfortable in." Then offer to pay for 2 nights to get them OUT.

[gretchenindisguise]

Nov 11, 2024 20:00:55 GMT -5 TR said:

Did anyone else watch Wheel of Fortune tonight? In a million years, I never would have guessed what this guy guessed to solve this puzzle 🤣 I’ll put his guess in a spoiler. 

Before I read the spoiler, I was trying to guess what it may have been and the best I could come up with was “have yourself a round of applesauce”.

His was WAY better.