Couch 201: The Transformative Grammar Couch

Tool girl reporting for duty (even though I have nothing that could resemble a garage in any universe).

YES on the cordless drill! I use it all the time. I've found the fairly smaller ones are actually more useful than a big one--they're too heavy and the grip is too large for my hand, so I don't use it. Plus, any job that needs that level of power, is likely beyond me anyway. It's not like I'm building houses! Try them out in person to find one that feels comfortable, even if you buy it on-line. I've found that 20v is the most powerful I'll ever need. Plus, lithium batteries bigger than 20v get heavy. I would avoid Black & Decker and Craftsman tools across the board; I've never had one that didn't break or die.

I like this one: Dewalt DCD795D2 20v Hammer-Drill Kit. Makita are lighter and better sized to my hand, but they only do 18v (not a problem for power, but can be difficult for battery availability) and they're astonishingly expensive. But they are sweet. Look for brushless motors on everything--they function better and last a lot longer.

And I would pick up a palm sized cordless screwdriver--cheap (@$15) and found everywhere--for little tasks like hanging window hardware, hanging pictures, etc. I've actually been able to use it for hanging my mailbox, installing solar fence post lights and stuff like that, too. Get one that has two positions--straight and 90* because it's handy in tight corners.

For yard work stuff, I love the Greenworks line on the G-Max battery platform. I switch out 40v and 20v depending on the tool and the weight. The mower I use 40v because it's self-propelled, but the trimmer and pole saw, I use the 20v or it's too heavy for me. I don't have good upper body strength. The pole saw is basically a small chainsaw on an adjustable pole and very, very useful beyond tree pruning. I had to level the bottoms of my fence gates because they were catching, and it worked great. The company is really good to work with, too, for CS.

Plus, what Una said! And a paint scraper (stainless), and a ratchet wrench that has super short handles--like the whole thing is @ 5" long--for using one-handed in tight spaces. Probably more, but I can't think just now. Oh--a Dremel sander that can also accept all sorts of attachments as needed. Hand sanding is painful!

The only thing I cannot find is a caulk gun that I can load and use without killing my hands.

I reject the concept of "Mom's hammer". All tools are for the use of the whole family.

I agree, CE, in theory. And even in practice, for those whose family members return things to their rightful place instead of leaving them wherever.

It’s actually a Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle reference. The hammer is usually returned now.

I disagree about tools being for the whole family. Perhaps there are some general small tools but if I have a tool I use and I rely on, then others may use it only after being properly trained.

Screwdrivers are for everyone but my drill? well that is mine lol

Anyone around to pocket ride? at sons Pdoc. We do not plan on having my son with us when we leave.

Hopping in, omers. Hugs

Me too. I liked Macroeconomics but I was bored to tears in microeconomics.

Hopping in Omers, if I'm not too late. HUGS Kit

Hi everyone, how is everyone doing today? I'm not sure how I feel. I'm kind of anxious so the anxiety is blocking anything else I might be feeling. I went home from work early yesterday with a migraine and woke up with one this morning, but I'm feeling better now. One of the owners of the company skyped me today to see how I was feeling. That made me feel good. Her son suffers from migraines too so she knows what it is like through him. Usually I can just work through it but I didn't yesterday. I went home and took care of myself. I think that is good self care. I think T would be pleased. I am pleased. I usually stick it out because I don't want to be seen as flaky or unreliable etc. But, sometimes you just have to take care of yourself. HUGS Kit

I hate it when students turn a very clearly written assignment that warns them not to do something into the assignment they want it to be, even if that means going against the warning.

They fail, and it's just a waste of their time and mine.

I am out shopping for this weekend's Christmas in July event that I volunteer for. 4th store so far today!! Lots of walking.... I am already ready for lunch haha and it's only 10:41 am
My coworker that I'm shopping with is a little dynamo and the only break I get is coming into the restroom just to sit down! I don't know how she does it well she IS 30 years younger than me so there is that... so maybe I'm keeping up better than I thought...

Good pre-vacation T session today. I left feeling connected to him, which was the goal. We spent like the last 15 minutes on his time away and stuff related to that. OK, it involved me starting to cry again as we were saying good-bye at his desk, and I had to walk back to get a tissue, which I apologized for. Of course he said it was OK. And his "Take care of yourself" when I actually did leave felt very caring and genuine. I felt loved by him today.

I hope things turn out as you want them to with your son, Omers.

Just booked another job interview for Saturday morning. What’s one more just for s h i t s and giggles.

I hope it goes well, Jersey! At least this way you'll have options.

Nice! Hope it goes well.

My feel-good moment today. I ran into a former supervisor at the local store. I was telling him about my new job (I start next week) and he said "I wish you were coming to work for me - then I'd be golden". It made me feel so good and a great confidence-booster going into a new job.

And I guess my T forgot about writing something for me, but it's OK. I could have reminded him, but I feel it could have been awkward. Like if he said again that he didn't know what to write, would I have to supply the words? There was this part of me that hoped he'd remembered and would hand it to me at the end of session, but he didn't. Maybe I can try asking again for when he's away at the end of August? Or for my trip with my parents around that time (they may overlap)?

Well, I had to do the drama game... they called the police... cop was being rude while telling me he wasn’t being rude and T came flying out of my mouth! Even as angry as I was I had a hard time not laughing hearing T come out of my mouth... so the cop decided I wasn’t the one to bully so he went after the director of the clinic (she was the one to have the cops called)... oh man the look on BOTH of their faces when I demanded the cop apologize to her for being rude! I guess I figured if I got arrested they would still have to find a place for my son and I would get quiet time. So... now H is driving my son to inpatient an hour and a half away... I can’t see him getting discharged before Monday but we need to come up with the next plan. But, as feared, they were leading H on about having things lined up and meetings and such.

Successful day of shopping for the event Saturday. We unloaded today's purchases into the now very full storage locker and I am home getting ready to go to L's. Tomorrow I'm meeting my friend at 7am at the storage place to pack everything into boxes and load it all into a u-haul to transport to the event location. Whew! Putting on an event like this for approx 350 foster kids is a LOT of work. But so worth it when all is said and done.

Well, H drove the almost 2hrs to the inpatient program that we were assured was taking my son only to have my son denied. He is on the way back. I have been told there is nothing the police can do but respond to 911 calls if I feel I am at risk. They cannot detain him or do a 72hr hold or anything just drive him to the ER and home when he discharges... he already went through one ER today.

Ugh, I'm so sorry Omers...

I'm so sorry, omers.

Super intense session with L this evening. Yowza.