Tuesday - Where is Everybody?

[helia]

I've been going all day so far, not always physically going but I have my tasks cut out for me today.
- moms group teaching team meeting this a.m. 9:30 - 11:45 in village about 20 minutes away; I did a little reading for it first thing this a.m.
- prepping for class; I had a lot to do with bookkeeping tasks, creating and printing out an assignment sheet for presentations next week, helping dd19 a bit with her presentation to the class today as the guest speaker, and then overall prep for the flow of the class and some work in the book, I'm hoping. . . .

I'm just now done with those two big things, and I'll be leaving in 35 minutes.

((Twins)), is dd planning on traveling without a friend? She probably would be OK if she is careful. . . Hmm.... I know Amsterdam a bit, but we don't actually go there much when we go to NL since dh's family is in different parts of the country. I could ask dh about how safe it would be for a young woman on her own. I have no idea if Amsterdam is safer than Rome or vice versa. Amsterdam is pretty well-known for pick-pocketers and also a lot of people in drug-induced states in certain parts of the city. OTOH, it has some amazing museums and typical Dutch architecture and canals, etc. I stayed with a friend in a nice youth hostel in Amsterdam eons ago (actually, 27 years ago) called the Eben Haezer. It was clean and safe - but again, that was 27 years ago. I think I would recommend staying in other cities in NL (Delft, Haarlem) over Amsterdam and make visiting Amsterdam a day trip. Trains are very efficient transportation there.

I'm off to see what of the a.m. routine I can knock off before I leave for payroll.

[helia]

Another thought, Twins, which may be immaterial. If dd doesn't speak Italian or Dutch, there will likely be less of a language barrier in the Netherlands. Everyone in the Netherlands speaks English and speaks it decently to very well. They must learn it in school, and they tend to learn it well. I would suspect that in Rome, the tourist-y areas would have Italians who speak English very well, but off the beaten track, it is more likely to be hit or miss with an Italian person's English skills. That is what we found when we were in Italy last summer, though I must say, it was never an issue for us. . . .

[Twins' Mom]

Thanks for weighing in, helia. It's really hard to get through to dd via Facebook messages. She either disappears or ignores some of my questions - I don't know if it is on purpose or just the nature of what she's doing right now. She was in a lecture earlier; haven't heard back from her.

I've wasted the afternoon so far. I did a little genealogy work, surfed online, talked to ds, went next door to see their puppy...

This time:
-ck online balances for mother's accounts
-ck online balances for my account
-get rid of at least 10 pieces of paper
-upstairs clean up linen closet - declutter challenge
-clean out my car

[Nancy]

Thanks Harriet! I used search option that I had forgotten about. Back from knitting class. Lunch is done now. Ate at home planned left overs.

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

Twins: Helia has it right for English in Rome. Aside from which would be more interesting, although I haven't been to Amsterdam but love northern European countries, for a visit, I'd choose Rome. It was up there with NYC as an amazing city with a great energy. On the other hand, for a longer stay, I'd choose Amsterdam since I prefer the northern/Germanic culture to the southern European. Things work the way I expect them to there.

Back home from lunch/purse shopping.

First I didn't up the vacuuming and washed the floors. Then dh was back from Physio (he was meeting with my PT to get exercises to strengthen himself for Kilimanjaro) and we biked over for lunch. That was his third trip out on the bike today.

BTW: I was wrong, it is 88 straight temp and 98 if you can't the humidity. Thankfully, clouds are rolling in now and it is very windy. Storms are coming, I can feel them.

I continued on after lunch to the CAA (AAA equivalent) and bought a pouch purse (can be tossed in my backpack or just used on its own, the one I've been using just broke but was cheap.) I also bought a sling purse but might take it back. It was expensive but has precious few features.

What I need is something that works as a purse or backpack. I've been using a nylon Eagle Creek travel backpack that folds up into itself. It isn't extremely ugly but it isn't suitable as a purse, either.

I need the backpack for when I'm out on my bike/bus/walking. It is also useful in stores since the weight on my shoulder aggravates my knees. The travel backpack (weighs only a few ounces) was perfect for minimizing weight, it holds a lot and it stays in place on my back when biking or walking.

I rode home with the sling purse on my back and it slipped down about 3 times which may mean I won't keep it. Dh likes the way the strap "lifts and separates" in the front. Says it looks ok from the back.

I love the colour (purple), material (reasonably light but looks substantial, not cheap nylon), number of pockets (both inside and out.) On the other hand, for the price it has no real features (a Travelon purse at the same price point would be slash proof, cut proof, have locking zipper pulls and have RFID shielding - but in Canada Travelon doesn't seem to sell their purses in pretty colours, nor do they have an appropriate sized backpack.)

[DeeClutter]

Aarrgghhh! I put pulled pork from S am's on to heat a couple hours ago for all of us for dinner. Since then those storms Kathryn spoke of rolled in. DD rushed home to get her and DS-A's awnings down. And later to figure out dinner. Finished up planning on dinner for everyone tomorrow (which is to be a much better day). There's just nowhere we'll all fit inside and the outside is too wet. We just keep getting small spurts of this storm but enough to be wet.

We're feeling sad because one sweet little boy -his Mom grew up in our church and his grandparents are still members. He had neuroblastoma since he was 4. He passed away yesterday at 11 after a very long and tough battle. He was our town's "Lil fighter" and he always was playing hockey or ball whenever he was able. They're working on getting a big hockey arena for the funeral service next Tuesday. He's been known far and wide and they really need a big venue.

I'm still healing but seem to be doing better.

DDIL#1 had a colonoscopy (she's our DDIL who had aggressive stage 3 breast cancer) yesterday and we're rejoicing that all seems to be good!

This storm is really a weird one.

Think I'll read a little bit.

[Lady Maverick]

Backpack - I am extremely interested in any finds. I have tried to quit carrying my backpack but it works soooo well for everything I want to carry and is easy to organize. I love that my shoulders don't hurt even when I load it up with heavy items. In my part of the world, very few people my age (none) carry backpacks so sometimes I feel foolish wearing it. BUT IT WORKS SO WELL that I quickly talk myself out of feeling foolish and use what works for me. I would love to find a backpack that is beautiful as well as functional.

This morning I slept in an hour so have been playing catch up with my hourly cards. I made a big pan of baked beans for funeral luncheon this morning. DH delivered them for me so I wasn't tempted to stay and help serve.

This morning I also placed an order for 1000 blank cd's and a case of children Bibles for the church. These 2 items have been on my to-do list for a couple weeks and I was tired of thinking about needing to do them.....and cringing when I saw the people who requested them.

I have decided to hire a long-term tutor for LO (and DGD4 if she stays with us). On one hand this seems foolish to have a tutor for 2nd grade, but I am looking to building LO confidence more than actual teaching. During school time it wasn't uncommon for me to spend an hour or more with LO doing school things. I am hoping having a tutor will help relieve/reduce that time requirement. I am being very selective in finding a tutor - trust is a biggie. Also location since I want minimum driving to/from. This morning I contacted my life-long friend who teaches 1st grade but she is overloaded with the new requirements being implemented her school. She did offer to suggest some people, but I'm not comfortable putting LO with strangers so will continue in my search. I have contacted another teacher we have known for 50+ years and am waiting on call back from her. This friend just retired from teaching 6th grade and has a grandchild in LO grade so I know she will be familiar with the requirements. I have another trusted teacher friend in mind if this one doesn't work out. My 3rd choice would require a 10 mile drive though.

This afternoon I took LO to library summer program. The program was presented by an older fella that was an AMAZING story teller. The program was an hour long with only him speaking - which would normally be boring and quickly lose the attention of the kids. However, he was so good at speaking that the children sat quietly and listened attentively. Me too! At the end of each story he asked the children questions about Why this or that happened in the story and they answered every one of his questions.

[Lady Maverick]

I didn't have time to respond yesterday but I been thinking through my schedule.....

Car pooling isn't an option. There isn't anyone living nearby who attend the same lessons LO is taking now. I've tried car pooling to/from school but it turned into frustration. I've dealt with it enough to know that it isn't worth the effort. By the time I drive out of my way to pick up their child, the time saved in them picking up LO is nonexistent. And the back-forth txting about arraignments is time consuming. However I will be on the look out for someone who could pick LO up from home and bring him home after school. I will gladly pay them to consistently do it (without me taking turns with them).

I suspect my schedule can't be compared to a different time in my life. When I was a young mother, I didn't have two *extra* generations that I do now. When I was a young mother I just took care of my children without having grand & great grandchildren. When I was a young mother, our parents were always there to help. DMom kept my children frequently. Now I am an *old* mother with zero help from our parents - instead our Mothers need our time and attention. Having 5 generations takes time. . I am the center point that the 5 generations come to. More time than I have available. I am constantly battling guilt by having to say No to loved ones requests. DSon/DDIL want us more involved in their children life. DMom wants more time from me. DMIL is always so very grateful for any time we spend with her. DGS18 is always asking me to do things with him. I can't remember the last time DH and I had a date. The requests from siblings, nieces, nephews, SIL, BIL, cousins are received but almost always turned down. I have an DUncle (my Daddy's brother) who is in end stage of cancer. He lives 3 miles from me and I haven't even been to see him to say final good-byes. Juggling who I'm not giving enough time to is constant.

I am retired after working 34 years, but we still have MPB that is open 24 hours 7 days a week. Even when we are away from MPB, the phone calls follow us.

Some areas of my life are on track and doing well. Other areas are bogged down and suffering greatly. Paperwork and financial transactions is my biggest concern now. DH never hassles me about being behind, however I do occasionally see him looking at the stacks on my desk. Putting more time to process paperwork & finances into my schedule is my biggest challenge.

I could get depressed just thinking about how much I am not including in my schedule. I also want to do something FUN just for me. I want to take piano lessons. I want to take take other classes. I yearn to learn. But that requires frequent (daily?) practice time.........more time slots that I don't have available.

I don't want to be depressed when I think about the schedule. My life is full and blessed. Abundantly blessed. I can't begin to count the # of blessings. So - - - yeah, my schedule to probably too packed but I am continually evaluating and prioritizing what goes into the time slots. I do appreciate your feed back. You see things in my life that I can't see because I'm too close or emotional or for whatever reason.

Coming here and FB are my too biggest time sinkholes. I try to read both places on phone during times that are not productive. I do limit my time spent at both places. IMHO this SHE group of friends is just TOOOOOOO SPECIAL and is well worth the time that I spend here.

[Harriet]

((LadyM)) Do you remember once many a moon ago when someone showed up on a former board and criticized and said we shouldn't spend time here, because taking care of a home was something you just do, you don't waste time talking about it? I got on my high horse for sure though others were already on theirs, of course. I don't remember now whose points were whose, but some were that 1) no one would say such a thing to other professions, but instead would commend them for learning and encouraging, and that 2) if there was temptation on the internet, it wasn't us who were giving in to it here, since here we made a place that avoided the less-savory side of the net and discussed uplifting things.

Tutoring - I think it's a good idea. When my dmother retired she spent a summer tutoring her great-nephew and brought him up a grade level. He just blossomed in that completely patient environment with someone so knowledgeable about primary-years education.

Backpacks - Beautiful ones with attractive feminine style that dd admires are Candie's Florals, and she has one she just loves, has held up so well under heavy loads. She says the ones at her school that are beautiful in the way purses are beautiful (well made, leather trim, neat, functional) would often be the JanSport line. She says over and over she'd notice those getting compliments on their backpacks happened to be carrying JanSports.

European travel - for what it's worth, my neighbor recommends Belgium for English-speaking travel because its her homeland and she says everyone leaves school fluent in English and even young schoolchildren can carry on reasonable conversations.

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

Judging from the quality of the little bag I bought today, I'd recommend anything from Travelon that works for you.

They have three backpacks that grabbed my attention:

Anti-Theft Urban® Flap-over Backpack (perfect but only in black so won't work for me)

Anti-Theft Classic Backpack (perfect and comes in blue AND now that I knew exactly what to search for, I've found it on Amazon.ca so will order it!)

Packable Multi-Pocket Backpack (basically what I have now, but with water bottle and umbrella holder)

The little bag I bought today is

http://www.travelonbags.com/anti-theft/ ... waist-pack

I love that one of the comments on Amazon was from someone who'd love to be a 'small purse' person but always ends up needed a big bag for all her stuff, so she bought this and puts it into her big bag, pulling it out and leaving the big bag in her car when she goes into stores. That's almost exactly how I'll be using the bag (in the backpack when I need the big bag, on its own when I'm just running over to the store or going out to the theater.)