<p>shaw, your kids can adopt H and me, since I doubt my liberal arts children will be able to take care of us, and since H and I are also liberal arts graduates, we can’t take care of ourselves.</p>
<p>Shawbridge – what great kids, and nice choice of town! (Funny about the extent of plastic surgery in Miami Beach – we notice the same thing when we visit Laguna Beach, and even more so in Laguna Beach.)</p>
<p>Kmcmom13 – robo-puppy and wine have the foot feeling better tonight. Beautiful blue skies and warm weather today didn’t hurt. </p>
<p>I had my hair colored today – partial foils, and it still took 2.5 hours. Last time I had full foils it was 3.5 hours, and I go nuts. Surely with better living through chemistry there has got to be a faster approach. </p>
<p>re walking at night downtown: I was usually out-of-town – but when I worked at the downtown office in the 80’s, it was pretty dark and deserted after 6pm. The office building had security staff, and we were encouraged to have one of the security guards walk us to our cars located about a block or two away. I’d be really surprised if there was less security orientation today. </p>
<p>We pressured D2 to park in another closer ramp for the rest of the month even though she has parking in the university ramp already paid for. Thankfully there will be no more late night travels through the deserted skyways! Yay! 
She is exhausted from the long hours. Out the door at 6:15 AM and home around 11:00 PM. She is getting five hours of sleep and is working 7 days a week. She is really looking forward to a full night’s sleep!</p>
<p>During busy season some of the tax folk in the firm booked a (cheap) hotel a block or so away from the firm for Tuesday and/or Wednesday night to get more sleep mid-week. With two people sharing a room it wasn’t too pricey (then) and the extra two/three hours of sleep made a difference from what I heard. </p>
<p>That would be a great idea if there were any other female interns! On the positive side she is looking forward to a big paycheck with all of her overtime pay. There is an intern who is finishing up tomorrow as he heads back to finish his classes at a school out of state. He got his official offer today. That made it a little more real for D2.</p>
<p>So we got hit with a big storm yesterday. My office closed at 11 and I was looking forward to getting home and just chilling for the rest of the day. Why is it always when something goes wrong? Less than 2 miles from my house while I was sitting at a light waiting for it to change in my car that is less than 2 months old - you guessed it - someone hit me. Not much damage to my car – some scraped paint and maybe a dent. I’m fine just a soar shoulder probably from the seatbelt but darn it it was NEW and even though it might not have been my first pick of a new car (I don’t really like the color – it’s black) I will have it a long time. Darn it!</p>
<p>So sorry about the car accident, RM–but I am glad you are (mostly) okay. My college roomie was stopped at ali light in Chicago and another car couldn’t stop, hit her, and knocked her in to the intersection. Her car was totaled and she was very banged up. It’s just so scary in bad weather.</p>
<p>Oh,no RM!! 
So sorry to hear about the accident. So very glad that you are ok. I get the frustration of the new car being damaged. So sorry.</p>
<p>Sorry about the car, RM, but glad you’re okay.
Also glad to hear that cyber puppy and sun have healed you up, Arabrab. My theory on hair chemistry is that they could indeed make invent a five minute process if a) it were men and b) it wouldn’t put hairstylists out of business but nobody will pay big bucks for a five minute process!</p>
<p>I also suspect if we can put a man on the moon or power a hydrogen slush car, we humans can craft a microwave that won’t sizzle, pop and smell like burning electricity three months after its purchase.</p>
<p>However, it would seem not to be the case :)… and its not like I can build my own to stick it to the evil off shoring empires who make this crap!</p>
<p>RM - sorry to hear about your car, but glad you’re OK and the accident wasn’t any worse. I’d be pretty upset, too, though.</p>
<p>Soooo – puppy arrived yesterday afternoon. I posted a photo on the CC’13 Facebook page. We FINALLY came up with a name – Kiley. It’s a name that doesn’t have any other associations, at least for us. She’s incredibly cute, small, soft, and cuddly. Good thing, since she’s also mischievous . H got up at 4:30 AM to take her out, which was nice. First vet visit this morning, and then we’re headed back to RI. She’ll be very confused, for sure.</p>
<p>Congrats on the new puppy CBB! Enjoy the time with her. Safe travels to RI.</p>
<p>I am having a “blue” morning. Feeling overwhelmed with keeping house going for everyone and tired of the long cold winter. Having a new couch delivered today and after we moved the old one noticed that we need to paint in the family room. There is a long thick black scuff mark on the wall from where the couch hit. It looks terrible. Also need the carpet cleaned as it is very dirty and discolored in front of the couch area. How am I just noticing this stuff?!?! Also having the garage door repair guy here today as the keyless entry pad is not working. My house is in dire need of spring cleaning and I just don’t have the energy at the moment. I need to snap out of this funk! </p>
<p>eddieo…I need some of your light! ;)</p>
<p>Is missypie on her trip to Croatia?</p>
<p>Sending you the sunshine, NM. Funny how one change leads to recognition of five other needed ones. I painted my living room, and then the adjacent dining room just screamed, “What about MEEEEEE!”</p>
<p>Oooh…must go check out facebook for puppy pic. How did the puppy arrive, CBB? I’ve got a book on hold at the library - Ten Turtles to Tucumcari, a history of the Railway Express Agency.</p>
<p>Not sure what it is about microwaves, Kmc. We had two die within four months a couple of years ago… my parents’ Amanaa Radarange was still working great when we gave it away twenty years ago, at which time it was already 20 years old. (It also weighed about 80 pounds, that being the pre-plastic era of appliances.)</p>
<p>Glad you’re ok, RM. Grrr on the car damage. </p>
<p>NM - I understand the funk. I’m there with you although I will say that I did start spring cleaning and the one room that I did looks so nice (okay I didn’t do the windows yet to darn cold out) that I’m inspired to do more. Also this morning the insurance called and the person who hit me’s insurance took full responsibility so I don’t owe a deductible at all. Yeah! Of course hard to dispute since I was not moving! Leaving work early to get the basic house cleaning done for the week, laundry, and go to the grocery store so that we can spend part of the weekend with the MIL. I’ll be in a worse funk after seeing her – or maybe I’ll be better because it will be over. I know terrible to say but we just dont get along!</p>
<p>Ok–tried to post and the strangest things popped up–adds and security things over and over—???
So–??
Maybe another day
Honestly, so weird and I did not one thing that was not the norm.</p>
<p>Tried again and OMG! linked to all sorts of nutty things as well as all your latest posts major info is hi lighted to </p>
<p>link to advertising posts!!!</p>
<p>northminn - I hear you…it’s exhausting with a full nest! Plus work is busy and I’m still teaching that adjunct course. I am beat! But there is a light at the end of the tunnel and it is so warm and inviting!
Rochmom - Same sentiments here re: MIL visiting. That sigh of relief as I get back into the car is a little embarrassing.</p>
<p>D got a very nice note from the principal of her firm saying how her effort, determination and ridiculously long hours have not gone unnoticed. Very complimentary and he suggested that an expanding role is in her near future - as well as some comp time. Her response - at least to me - “Show me the money!”
S is doing well. Eliminating the long commute with daylight savings has given him the chance to get some serious running in - so he’s happy.
Now if only all that snow would melt…</p>
<p>Weird, Oregon. I’m not seeing that. (I’ve got a bunch of stuff turned off in Chrome, however.)</p>
<p>Woody – fantastic news about your daughter. And good for her for thinking money. Next step…asking for a raise. </p>
<p>Yikes about the car, RM. But now you can stop obsessing about the first “scratch”? I would be very unhappy, but very glad you are fine. The accident that sends a car into a major intersection is terrifying to me. A friend of mine’s mother was killed exactly like that. So let’s be thankful it’s just a dent.</p>
<p>Woody - It’s so nice D received some recognition. Yes, ultimately it’s a “show me the money” thing for sure, but at the same time no one will ever convince me that a solid pat on the back doesn’t make a person feel good. The truth is, my brother’s hugest complaints is young workers not willing to do “more” and yet expecting raises etc. She’s proving herself a go-getter and reputations last. HUZZAH! </p>
<p>NMN - We just need a longer stretch of warmer weather. I too am feeling a little late to bloom this spring. Of course the difference is that the packers arrive on TUESDAY! I have gotten a lot packed, but there is still a ton. We went down to the apt today and I have to literally clean the crap out of it before I’ll feel good. Nothing that a good dose of scrubbing bubbles and that green stuff in concentrate…. but not exactly what I want to be doing). </p>
<p>I have lost some time because my mother has taken a quick and sudden decline and I am in charge of the memorial slide show thing she wanted with some of her favorite pictures. So I worked like crazy and while not done (because my sister was mid scanning when she had to go back), but I did get it to a point where I could send it to her for a “preview” because she wanted to see it. Talk about emotionally draining. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, what is even worse is that I cannot even go because of this move and needing to sign the closing papers on Monday. H has definitely offered to take over, but there is just no way I could take a man who thought he really had to only pack up his office and then trust him to pack up the rest of the house. I would never find anything again AND he would likely get bored or tired or both and toss half my stuff! In any event, I did get the opportunity to FaceTime chat with the help of my sister and I am very proud that all three of my kids have done the same without even tell me they were going to. I wrote them all an email telling them the sudden turn and suggested they send an email since talking on the phone was hard (she’s on a lot of morphine and I think it’s just too much reverberation or something. I have no idea if they communicated with one another, but they all set up separate appts through my sister to FaceTime. D2 will call tomorrow morn. My sister says she hopes Mom will talk. </p>
<p>My sister said the last 24 hours have seen a dramatic change in her ability to wake etc. BUT I do feel good in knowing that not only did she watch the slideshow, it was her most alert of the day and asked to watch it three more times. I only wish it was perfect as there are definitely some glitches that need ironing out and other pictures to add. It’s a complicated relationship for sure, but I do believe that my 8 days down there a month ago helped to resolve at least some of them, and so even though I can’t physically be there now, I am glad I was there then. And here’s the thing, my plan was to go on the 21st. I will still do that, but I know she is tired so I just want her to be at peace sooner vs later. She’s earned the rest. </p>
<p>Moda, sendin ya hugs and fairy dust.</p>
<p>Looking forward to a wee reprieve on the back-to-back scheduling of late wherein there’s only one errand, grocery shopping, laundry, and some work in the shop today. As crazy as it sound that’s a laid back day right now :)</p>
<p>Moda, I don’t know what to do or say other than to send a big hug your way.</p>