Couch 55...And on it goes....

I can relate to this - I have very little sense of what looks good on me and others, and I never think of others' looks in terms of how they could dress differently or change their hair or anything. I'm not saying I'm all nonjudgmental (I would like to be but I am not) but I just don't have that sort of eye or imagination. It is a lack of interest, too, I guess. I seem to remember, CE, that you made some comment a long time ago about Madame T not having fun with her clothing, which is a concept I still don't really grasp what it means. Having fun with clothing, to me, means to dress up in some kind of costume.

I do have good hair (I know this because hairdressers always comment on it) but I have no idea whether it performs or not. I suspect not

I don't recall saying that and I wouldn't say it now. Madame T always dressed to please herself and I guess that explains her hair, too.

Then I misremembered who said it - somebody said it on the couch about their T, but it wasn't you, then.

I do have fun with clothing. I am far from being a style queen, but I love funky looking things. Even when dressed for business, I throw on an odd bracelet, or funky earrings, or even a groovy pattern in my dress socks. I definitely don't dress girlie though...no heels, no skirts, no long luscious hair! I spike it though, so I think it's performing. Here's hoping anyways.

Happy 4th to all the Americans...celebrate safely. So sorry to all the Brits!

I am doing some volunteer time at the wildlife clinic today. They are short on help because of the holiday, so I wanted to fill in the gap. Although, now H is being pissy about me being busy on his day off. His exact words were, "You really have to learn how to say no". Thing is, they didn't ask me directly, I volunteered.

Oh, yes of course, it's the 4th of July! Happy Independence to the USAnians! omgImissmyThe'dsay"goodriddance"inhismostBritishaccentandsmilemischievously

I hope you will have a good day, all of you. I'm about to go shopping for milk - my niece will come visit in about an hour, and she drinks tea by the gallon. I do look forward to seeing her. I've even baked cookies!

Healed - Congrats on the job!! I hope it's something you will enjoy!

Good morning, couch peeps.

There was a small window of opportunity yesterday for me to cut the lawn, and I jumped on it. As soon as I got maybe 1/3 of the way through the back lawn, it started to pour. I did not let it stop me. I just kept on mowing, determined that I was going to at least get the back lawn done. My mower stalled out on me a number of times because the grass in those parts were so high, but I was determined to get it done.

The ground was SO saturated from all this rain that I was avoiding puddles, sinking into the ground and creating tire marks on the lawn as I was cutting. So, it looks pretty awful - but it's mowed dammit.

Still have the side and front lawn to do, but the grass isn't too high there because I've kept up on that part of the lawn. I'll be cutting that today before heading to the swim club for 4th of July festivities.

Hope everyone has a great day!

AARGH.

So irritated at the moment. I had to turn down an emergency assignment last night because it was local - and my childcare is no longer 4 minutes away and is now 25 minutes away for most of the summer. So, I can't do local emergencies - which are great $$. *sigh*

My mom contacted me this morning saying that my aunt and cousin are visiting tomorrow (my mom is dog sitting at my sister's house). They want us to come over too, which will be nice. Then, my mom asks, "What will we have for lunch?"

Like, it's my issue??? Really, mom??? This is her way of saying, "I am not taking on the work or money to provide lunch for everyone, so you need to handle this."

I sent a message back saying that I have no idea what she should serve for lunch.

I honestly don't mind contributing to lunch, but don't put the entire thing on my shoulders. I am in a financial rut as well, remember? And at least your income is stable and determined - and you're able to manage. Me? Not so much at the moment.

Add to that, I just found a bunch of holes in the wood on the railings of my deck and am not sure if it's termites or holes made by the carpenter bees that we've struggled with over the years. I just ordered a spray/foam to fill the holes and kill termites/carpenter bees. I used to have a contract with a pest control company but let it lapse a few years ago. Dammitalltohell. Dumb, I know - because it would've cost me SO much less if I would've kept up with the dang contract.

I am so frikkin irritated right now. My T would tell me to do something active to expel the pent up energy - so ideally, I would go out and mow the rest of the lawn now. But it's too early. Maybe in a half hour.

Good for you, MUE, on how you handled your mom! That is a big step. I remember my mother's shock when she was trying to get me to fix something and was going on and on about it, and my response was just, "I'm sure that is very hard for you. Let me know what you figure out. I need to go now because the kids need me," and I hung up. Be prepared for the aftershocks that will come now, MUE, and hold your ground. It's an important step.

Thanks, MKAC.

Before I sent the message, I was totally going frantic over the idea of how I could figure out what would work for lunch (not much in the house, going to the store on the 4th of July, when to carve out time to make stuff when we have plans, etc.)....and then BAM. It hit me, not my problem!!

My mom has no plans other than dog sitting at my sister's house. The grocery store is right around the corner, and she could easily go out and pick up a few things. It doesn't have to be my burden to bear.

So many times, my mom has asked me to do things to make her life easier while I was in the midst of being SO busy...and I always said yes, because I felt obligated since she does help me out so much with my daughter. I need to learn that it's ok to say NO and that it doesn't have to turn into being punished for it.

Happy 4th of July!!! (to all the Americans)

I have 2 hours before I start babysitting a 2 year old. I have to go to the basement and find the long gates so I can keep dog in kitchen and boy out. I'm doing this to protect my dog... Then I need to find a gate for the bottom of my steps because I don't want to have to chase him up and down the stairs...

Found all of my older boys cars, and trucks and trains... should keep him busy...

When will I learn to say NO.

When I was a teen, some friends and I were shooting off fireworks in their backyard. A sky missile unfortunately did not make it to the sky and instead headed straight for us. If only I had run a little to the left or a little to the right, I wouldn't have been hit. Instead, I was struck, causing my shirt to catch fire and I spent time picking out pieces of shrapnel from my bleeding, burned stomach. Mishaps happen each year with fireworks, and most people think it won't happen to them. If you're going to be handling fireworks this year, PLEASE be careful.

When I was a teenage, my friend from school was badly burned by firework mishap...

My kids have never had any fireworks...not even a sparkler in their hands...

We do go see the fireworks displays in towns nearby.

Morning couch. I slept in today and it felt good. No alarm going off to wake me up (though the past week I have been waking up before my alarm). Guess my body thought it needed more sleep.

To all those in the USA...Happy 4th of July!

I have no plans for today other than relax. I may go to the store later and buy cat food and kitty litter, since I am almost out. I also need my generic sugar-free Kool-Aid, since I am down to my last packet. I wonder if the fake sugar is doing more harm the the real sugar for me. Oh well.

Back last year, I was drinking 6-7 cans of soda a day. Then I decided the caffeine and sugar weren't "good" for me. It wasn't keeping me up at night or anything it was just something T had been suggesting for a while (reducing the caffeine and sugar). So around the end of December I cut out all soda from my "diet". I liked the "fizz" of soda though, so at first I was drinking flavored sugar-free sparkling water. I was going through 2-3 liters of that a day. (Guess I drink a lot.) Then I realized that that was more expensive than soda, so for financial reasons I decided to stop drinking it. So, then I saw Walmart had Kool-Aid/Crystal Light type packets in their brand, so I decided to try those. There's a lot of different flavor options, so I don't grow bored of the same flavor over and over. I go through about 3-4 quarts of it a day. (Again, I guess I drink a lot). It's like a $1.50 of a box of 6 packets and each packet makes 2 quarts. Not bad...25 cents for 2 quarts. Cheaper than regular Kool-Aid (even generic), since you have to buy sugar to make it. It's sugar free and caffeine free, so I reached my goal. I was surprised I was able to stop soda cold turkey without and caffeine "withdrawls". At first I cut out all caffeine and wouldn't drink it at all, but the last couple of months, I allow myself to have a coke or sweet tea when I am eating out as a treat. Occassional caffeine isn't a bad thing...just so I don't go overboard with it.

Eventually, I will try to cut out the generic sugar free Kool-Aid as well, the artificial flavoring and fake sugar probably are the best thing for me either...but at least there is no calories (not that I count calories...but I would rather get them from food). I am overweight according to those "ideal weight" charts. Not obese...just overweight. My dad keeps telling me I am fat and need to lose weight because it's not healthy to carry around that much weight for how short I am. (I am 5 feet tall and weigh about 155-160 pounds.) I think it is a rude thing for my dad to say. I don't think I am fat though. Sure I am not skinny (like I was until about 2010), but I am by no means "fat". I am happy with my weight and that is all that matters.

Okay enough about the life of squirrel.

I'm off to get dressed and head to the store to get a few things that I need.

I'll pop back in later. I hope everyone has a good day.

RTS - how long is the 2 yr old staying with you?

Its only 4 hours but I know from experience 4 hours can feel like a lifetime. Then watching him again for 3 hours on Saturday afternoon.

Ah. I sometimes have a small child (I think he is 2ish - still in diapers but can run around and talk some) brought over to me for babysitting for an afternoon every few months- I just never thought to do all the prep you are doing. I don't have children so I don't know all the disasters that can occur and so far he is still intact. I do watch him closely with the dogs and put them out when they seem stressed. But he has a dog, so he usually is not too awful with them. The cats fascinate him, but they can escape him easily enough. Perhaps his parents are suspect for leaving him with me. I also am usually alone with him, so I don't have other small children around that I have to be concerned about. I find at the end I am sore from wrestling around with him on the floor or from picking him up and letting him ride around on my shoulders or back which he seems to enjoy (he runs at me and tries to climb up me like a tree to get to my shoulders).
I hope it goes well for you.

SD...you sound like a terrifically great babysitter...

I think I'm just a little anxious since these kids are being supervised with Child Protective Services.. and so if anything should happen to these kids (even an accident) could just open the door for a lot of scrutiny...

the social worker called and went through the whole...these children are not to be left alone and are to be attended to at all times... and that the children are not to be changing diapers, etc. On Saturday I am also watching the 12 year old and I guess he has been responsible for watching the 8 year old and 2 year old before. I would never even leave my 16 year old with that much responsibility because 2 year olds are quick and adventurous.

Okay... so I don't know what I was worried about... The dog is very nice to everyone and the little guy doesn't mind her... the cat is staying away... and my 10 year old and 8 year old and 2 year old are all playing with Rescue Heros (older toys from my 16 year old) which has firemen and firewomen (cause I wanted my boys to see women as equals) and policemen and all kinds of loud boy stuff...

I'm going to wash dishes since I can see them playing in the family room from the kitchen...

Glad things are working out, RTS!

Well, I mowed the side and front lawn this morning. Still have the far back lawn to finish, but I feel accomplished.

The swim club opened at noon and the festivities started at 1 PM. It's 2:30 PM, and we are nowhere near motivated to go there. My daughter hasn't even expressed interest in going - probably because she doesn't have a friend available to bring. I'm relieved, in a way, because I don't feel like going to the pool when it's so crowded and I'm feeling so anti-social. Yet, I'm also a bit ticked about it because my daughter and I had a discussion before I renewed our membership and she insisted that she would be ok with going to the pool without a friend - because I told her that I wanted to make use of the membership and didn't want to have our attendance based on whether or not she'd be able to bring someone, since it costs extra money to bring a guest each time and sometimes none of her friends are available.

I hope I get some energy soon.

My mom texted saying that we'll just order a pizza - her treat - but that she doesn't have any cash, so can I spot her some money. Oh, and she asked me to bring a dessert.

I really shouldn't get annoyed by that, yet I am.

MUE... does you daughter like to read? Maybe you need to teacher her the wonders of laying in a lounge chair by the pool reading a book...

MUE you going to see fireworks tonight?

I can relate to H. I don't want to spend my holidays alone.

"A few years ago" we were ALL desperate to cut costs.