<p>Missy, I have no idea what I’d do in your shoes because providence was clever enough to realize I would suck at parenting a girl :)</p>
<p>With mcson, it was easy enough to reason him out of one by saying when he was a fully formed and financially independent human he could treat himself to Maori tribal masking if it turned his crank but in the interim I was unwilling to assist him in defacing what I created and he didn’t need to confront people’s sensibilities needlessly until such time he was confident about what he wanted to signal to the world forever more. then it became a moot point, because he had blood drawn for our immigration process and dead fainted. So he’s needle-adverse.</p>
<p>In your d’s case, I might try a different tact because we kinda can telegraph that she’s aiming to rebel against the status quo give she hasn’t felt a fit with the hs cliques. In her case, I might try to guide the location and content of the tat by asking her to do some research…eg write you a paper, explore the psychology of it, interview people with tattoos, investigate the cost of removal, etc. Then agree that if she gives you her research upon graduation you will give her the tattoo because she’s made a fully conscious and considered choice.</p>
<p>She may still end up with a tattoo – some people love them. But on her wedding day she won’t be crying and saying ‘why didn’t you stop me’ when the makeup doesn’t cover it she’d own her decision.</p>
<p>This image is brought to you by my youngest sister, whom I was not able to stop, by the way I wish I’d been in a position at the time to give her that homework assignment! But I suck at girl psychology ;)</p>
<p>Good luck on job prospects to those searching, and continued healing of broken hearts.</p>
<p>Re: tattoos - D & S know we are against them; H probably more than me. I have actually had fleeting thoughts every once in a while about getting a VERY small one in a place that doesn’t show, but H would probably throw me out, so … Plus, I really have no idea what that tattoo would be. But really, any thoughts about larger tattoos in visible places are squashed immediately every summer when I see women walking down the beach. What may have looked OK at 20 definitely does not look remotely OK at 60+! </p>
<p>D got her nose pierced after returning from her study abroad program – H was angry for days. She now wears a tiny diamond stud and it’s hardly noticeable. I could see S getting a tattoo, but not while he’s in the AF. One small something is one thing, but having your entire arm done (is that called a sleeve?) or your back, etc? Very unattractive.</p>
<p>Hi Everyone. I haven’t posted in some time, but have been reading all of your posts and wishing everyone well. Life has been rather hectic here, working a lot (tho have 10+ inches of snow right now, so will not be going in today). S was involved in a fender bender 2 weeks ago, no one hurt, but our car was totalled, so we had to replace it. ED 2 resulted in a deferral which was somewhat of a surprise and very disappointing, so the admissions drama continues. S will be visiting some schools he has already been admitted to, so we have had to plan for that and at the same time alter our spring break plans. In happier news, S is a National Merit Finalist.
Update on my Dad. After one trip cancelled due to weather, my parents made it up to the well known hospital in MN this week. DX was confirmed, but treatment has started. Dad is in great shape for his age (except for this) so they are pretty confident that he will do well if the treatment works. Keeping my hopes up.
Re: tattoos. I just don’t like them. Period. D has no interest, not sure if S does. If they did want one, I would insist on the same conditions that you have, missypie. In the scheme of things, it is popular with the younger generation and not the worst thing. </p>
<p>One final thing. I do not like this new format and miss our friends who are no longer posting.</p>
<p>Also can someone tell me how to post a picture here (avatar?). Thanks.</p>
<p>missy…tricky situation. I really like kmc’s approach to the tattoo. The location she wants would be a definite no from me. There are just too many employers who would not allow her to display the tattoo. She probably doesn’t understand how limiting that would be. I know H’s employer has a strict policy on tattoos and piercings. Good luck!</p>
<p>Just another thought. Is she still in therapy? Some of her past issues have involved her body appearance and I wonder if her therapist could talk to her about why she wants the tattoo and what it really means to her. Is she in a good frame of mind that allows her to make a life long decision? </p>
<p>Hi FG – good to hear from you; thanks for the update. Hope the admissions drama is resolved to S’s liking. I have to say I am VERY glass that’s all behind us!</p>
<p>To post a photo/avatar: Click on your CC name in the upper right corner of the page. Then click on the orange “Edit Profile” box. Then you’ll see “Change My Picture” in blue in the left-hand column. You can upload a photo or graphic.</p>
<p>So D1 hit a little snag today with her pre-employment forms. It looks like the pediatrician’s office doesn’t know where her records are before 2000. She needs her immunization forms in order to complete the process. The pediatrician is in the same healthcare system as the hospital where she will work. She is not happy and I expect her to give H an ear full when he comes home! She needs her MMR date and of course I don’t have it here. Does the health department keep those records???</p>
<p>NM not in my state but she can have titers drawn. As for the cashier , we have had a couple of brilliant friends who crashed and burned from a mental health standpoint. and were not able to complete college.
FG hello good luck on the college admissions
Talked to the doc still in process he was very complimentary about my relationships with family and parents was a good boost. not sure what will come of it as I don’t want full time but it was a nice thing</p>
<p>Nice to hear from you, FallGirl. Sending happy college choice mojo for your son.</p>
<p>Happy Valentines Day, everyone!
McSon made the funniest set of cynical valentines and posted them yesterday. Since it also happens to be his 2nd anniversary with mcgf (not to mention her senior thesis play) I hope he created something romantic too despite his twisted sense of humor I will find out tonight whether he needs to be sent to women school ;)</p>
<p>I’ve got my valentine care package and my kudos-on-your-play package and my happy-anniversary gifts all ready to go. Figured I might as well spoil them a bit while they’re nearby. Mcgf’s parents are flying in for the occasion too so hopefully it will be a nice night for them both. Mcson was just ecstatic that he was able to get it off work because it hadn’t looked good since the theater has an event and all the old timers knew enough to book it off before he even started the job. Apparently his mgr went to bat for him given the trifecta of v-day, senior thesis opening and anniversary :).</p>
<p>At any rate, whether its a romantic day or whether its not, cheers to a day that’s kind and involves chocolate, however commercially manipulative it may be <3</p>
<p>Happy Valentine’s Day to you too kmc! I told H no chocolate, flowers or gifts. We are going to the hockey game at the local U. Had insomnia again so I will probably fall asleep during the game! </p>
<p>We are supposed to warm up this week so keeping my fingers crossed. This polar vortex stuff needs to end! </p>
<p>Moda…any feedback or movement from the open house?</p>
<p>Happy Valentine’s Day. I know that this is supposedly a holiday for "romance’ but I like to think of everyone I love today - H,D & S, other family and friends including those here. H is on his way home from a business trip in the midwest, with the airports closed here he and guys he was travelling with decided to drive back and should arrive this afternoon. No plans for tonight, the restaurants will be booked solid. </p>
<p>Happy Valentine’s Day all. S (I think) and DIL left this morning for the honeymoon. There was a lot of angst yesterday as they are flying out of Dulles to Honolulu and didn’t know if they should try to rearrange things. They left it like it was supposed to be and I THINK that they left. We are watching their dog who is still a puppy really. I hope they have a wonderful time. They are going to the big island but have a layover in Honolulu. </p>
<p>I found a puppy that I would like to get but with our older dog and the kids bringing their dogs over I don’t think it’s in the cards. Too bad because it’s so cute! I just love dogs – what can I say I would have a pack of them if H would let me.</p>
<p>D’s birthday was yesterday so lots going on right now.</p>
<p>Happy Valentines’ Day, from the mom who didn’t do a thing for anybody and doesn’t expect anything in return. (Actually, we needed to mail something to older D in Budapest and put a Valentine in the envelope, but who knows when she will receive it.)</p>
<p>Here is my Valentine’s Question: If you were a young, attractive Olympian and, assuming your event was over, would you hook up with someone, for a brief Olympic affair (with condoms)? Knowing what I know now, I actually think I would. But at 20-something, I wasn’t raised to have meaningless sex, so it wouldn’t have been a good idea.</p>
<p>I did Valentine’s cards for the kids and gave them $50. Figured they can use it anyway they want and know that DIL and S can use it in Hawaii. For H I have a picture frame with some photos of the past year. Hopefully he will like it. He doesn’t really need anything but he likes to have the things on the walls and this is something that I like.</p>
<p>For the Valentine’s Question – I probably would have if it was someone that I was attracted to. </p>
<p>I sent Valentine’s cards to both D & S with a “larger than usual” check inside. When they were still in school I’d usually send baked goodies, or a stuffed animal (to D). Since I feel as if we were a little skimpy at Christmas this year, and since we discovered S’s new car came with high performance summer-only tires, I sent more. I told S he needed to get snow tires ASAP - that winter was not over, and with all the driving back and forth to the base at all times of the day and night, he needed them. He’s already got a dent in his rear passenger door from a sliding accident in a previous storm. (A woman ahead of him slid all over the road, and he spun into her car as he tried to avoid her. Fortunately he was driving slowly; no damage to her car. BUT, he was the “car behind,” so it’s his fault.)</p>
<p>Otherwise, H & I are going to my hometown this afternoon to have dinner with my Dad. My mother’s birthday would be tomorrow, and the 1 year anniversary of her death is Tuesday. Plus, H’s mother’s birthday would have been yesterday. So, all in all, not an especially joyous occasion.</p>
<p>Re: mp’s question - hard to say since it’s so out of the realm of my experience. The best I can offer is, “possibly.” There would have to be a great deal of mutual attraction, though. PS What prompted this question, mp? Did I miss something in the Olympic news? :)</p>
<p>I’ve been hearing a lot about Tinder, which is a dating app, allegedly very popular in Sochi. Plus every Olympics they talk about the thousands of condoms that are made available in the athlete’s village.</p>
<p>missy…I was just going to post about Tinder! My how times have changed! D2 knows about it from kids on campus but it was new to me when we talked about it.</p>
<p>I’m in heathrow waiting for my flight back home. To avoid yesterday’s snowfall, I spent the yesterday in Luxembourg working with a client I have never visited. There’s a champagne tasting in the airline lounge. Anyone want to join in?</p>
<p>l’ve heard about Tinder from the kids. My kids seem relatively grounded, but who knows. </p>
<p>Regarding the hypothetical, undoubtedly in that context.</p>
then it became a moot point, because he had blood drawn for our immigration process and dead fainted. So he’s needle-adverse.</p>
D2 knows about it from kids on campus but it was new to me when we talked about it.</p>