Monday Balancing Act via Dr. Seuss

[Twins' Mom]

Done w that round and running malware scan on my laptop so I'm using my iPad. Going to reward self w 30 minutes upstairs stamping. Will keep my mind busy, I hope.

[Lady Maverick]

I spent a good part of today in town.

I hadn't planned on a trip to town today until DD asked that I bring DGD3 to her. DD had a disagreement with the girl she is staying with, so DD leaving for a road trip for a couple of days. DD said that she will drop DGD3 off here before she leaves this area. I could write a book......but am sticking with "if you can't say anything nice, then don't say anything at all".

While I was in town, I went to a couple stores to look at bathroom fixtures (vanity, shower/bathtub, etc). I came away without a decision being made. If the bathroom construction starts before I find something I like, I'll probably just tell them to buy the standard items and install them.

More phone calls to the rural water people and I still don't have it resolved. Our Realtor told me that she has been to closings where the rural water people have refused to take cash from anyone other than the owner for the final bill. Without the final bill being paid they stop the entire closing process. They only allow the person on the rural water account to pay the final bill in cash....with exact change. I would love to pay our final bill........but they keep telling me they don't know how much it is. ARGH!! I guess it really doesn't matter because the appraisal person took this week off without finalizing the appraisal. Soooo....the closing waits for him to return from his skiing vacation.

Next up -
** LO Homework monitored
** sheets out of the dryer and beds made
** LO to karate lesson

[DeeClutter]

((((LadyM)))) 'nuf said.

[Lynlee]

Harriet - you and the others are kinder than me. My suggestion would be to give HRH's fiend a bill for meals (I'm sure he is having expenses covered) and let him know it is disrupting family life. That 1 night for x hours you could cope with, not most of or the whole working week.

I'm exhausted. I think I'll miss yoga today. or need to move right now.

[DeeClutter]

Think our plan for going north is almost 'set in stone'. I feel very comfortable with it and dd said as long as I did it was good for her. Don't know how many more years I'll be driving that trek but for now I still can. Dh is perfectly fine with it -in fact probably happy that I'm not coming north until summer is nearer. This will be the latest I've ever gone home. It will also make it earlier when dd goes up than she's ever gone.

Funny I talked about gd16 earlier -her guardian talked to dd today about her. She's giving them lots of trouble, but they seem to handle it well and I think it's a 'challenge' for them and they've succeeded before. I only know if she continues with this attitude of trying to be the one on top, always in control -her life is going to hard, hard, hard.

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

Lady M: I'm sure you'll be happy to pay that final water bill with exact change from the MPB!

Had a long phone call with my music friend. Haven't talked to her in 8 weeks. She's had two ER runs since then (to ds's hospital and I'm pretty sure ds knew about it because he started to talk to me about something and then stopped one day, citing patient confidentiality.)

I dusted and did some one handed tidying while on the phone with her.

Dinners are being started now. Chicken for tonight and shepherd's pie for tomorrow night or Wednesday, depending on what happens with MF. Haven't heard from him yet. Dh is working on the shepherd's pie, that's one of his specialties.

There's supposed to be a snow storm tomorrow starting at afternoon rush hour so that may be why he's waiting to make plans.

[helia]

Taking a minute to stop in and say, "Howdy, folks!"

Back to the singing posts, dd16 has just arrived home from JoAnn Fabrics, and is singing up a storm. Both she and dd19 like to sing a lot!

((LadyM)) That is such good advice re: holding one's tongue.
Oh, I did misunderstand, Kathryn. I thought you were talking about your dh!
((Harriet's dd16)) Was she choosing courses for next year? If so, our schools must be almost synched; dd16 had to turn in course selections online for next year - last night. Now, isn't Sunday night an odd time?? We actually called dd19, who is off on a trip to Ohio, to ask her about the Sr. portfolio class and whether she would recommend it to dd16. Otherwise, dd16 was interested in a special (new?) writing course, and with band, there is just not enough room in her schedule to take everything she wants. Not happy the school did away with 7th hour, but budget cuts required that. I guess. We know the good courses and the good teachers since ds and dd19 have been through so recently, so choosing courses was not difficult for her other than this one decision. The AP physics teacher we loved didn't renew his teaching license and so had to leave the school this year. I feel like I could throttle him. . . He was an AWESOME teacher! Why didn't he keep up with that sort of organizational stuff? We don't know much about the new teacher.

I'm wondering how the visit is going with HRH's friend. Someone here used initials for him. . .MF? I'm with Kathryn on asking regular guests to help out. We do that, and I think our dfriends actually like it. It gives them something to do and a way to contribute. We do that whenever S and R come over and whenever we have Thursday dinner; friends/guests help set the table and clear the table and load the dw. Dfriend R will single-handedly clear the table, load the dw, wash all our dishes, and make and serve coffee if we don't interfere. I guess he balances out his wife, dfriend S, who would never think to do any of those things on her own.

I've had a pretty good day, have done well not spending too much time on this machine. I'm feeling pretty balanced today. The main things I have done:
- done most of am routine
- edited tutee R's writing
- looked over material for her tutoring session
- folded and put away 1 lol; washed - put away 2nd lol
- emails; moms group stuff
- made up guided writing exercise for my class today
- tutored R
- lunch
- QT
- menu plan and groc. list made
- payroll
- stopped by po box to deposit a letter ds left with us to mail
- groc store
- groc. unloaded and put away

Dinner tonight is chicken cacciatore, rice, dinner rolls, and salad. I need to get that going asap!!

tonight:
- prep for class tomorrow
- small load of whites
- change sheets on mbr bed
- start reading dd16's story, which she just sent me - if time.

[Twins' Mom]

I made an easy, simple card upstairs. I didn't have a stamp pad the color of the cardstock I was using so I used ink that was close enough, I hope. Took a photo, might try to upload it and link it here if I have a chance. The ink pad I used wasn't as dried out as some I have; I'm debating whether to buy the re-inker for the pads or whether I should just buy the newer style ink pads gradually.

I was heading back out of the neighborhood to go back to the vet when I checked my phone and they had left message for me that they were running behind and would call me when they're done. Of course, my mind is trying to go crazy thinking that is code for "we see something bad wrong on the X ray and want to be sure before you come in" so I'm kind of holding my breath. I suspect they are just running late - they were quite busy both times I was there today...

[Sunny]

Hi everyone. Just finished eating a light supper --- tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwich. The day started off cloudy with a little light fog, but now is sunny and 78*. Don't know if we will get anything from a new storm coming; I've had the weather ch. on for a little while, but sound turned off.

Last evening with dcousin and her dh was nice. We had a nice dinner, as always, and it was nice to catch up on family doings. We saw lots of pictures of their brand new dgd, born Jan. 19, what a cutie! Their ds has moved to a large city at the north east corner of our state for his job, so they are missing the physical contact with their little family!

Today was desk day, but not much to do their this early in the month. Spent some time in the kitchen wiping counters and large appliances.

Blessed, I hope you are starting to feel better today. Wishing the same for Kathryn for your knees and legs; and for Dee's dh!

Twins', worrying with you for Moses. It's so hard to see that our fur babies hurt and know they can't tell us what's wrong!

Dee, you are doing so well with the water clean up! I'd say that the good to come from this situation is the extra decluttering and reorganizing of your rooms.

Harriet, re: your guest....I agree with what others have said. I would have to say to the guys, well I have some things to do, so I will leave you two to the techy stuff. Then go off on what you and dd must do!

I got a message from a boy-cousin that I haven't seen for 40 years. He is my dmom's dcousin's son. Anyway, he and his wife are here on vacation and want to get together this week before they go back home to Pgh, PA.

After talking here about bagpipes and looking at my ddil's pictures of dgds on FB I looked up some info on the net. Wiki. had a good article about the history, etc. and another place had the prices. The cost for a basic set can be anywhere from $950. to $1600. Yikes! Those made with good African wood are even more than that!

Waving to everyone...have a nice evening.

[Harriet]

Best wishes to both Moses and Macs!

Elizabeth, you do need good pet news. Here an excellent day was had by resident VIP cat. A walk/stalk outdoors, wide stretches, long naps, high perches. Psychic communication and staring contest provided favorite food. Life is good.

HRH spirited friend away as soon as he arrived today. I may have become obvious about the need for some time for normal evenings, especially for dd ( and attention from me for dd to keep on top of some studying, etc.) . I know that I have been very clear that my dcousin arrives mid-week, and in fact for all I know she'll want to arrive early, and I'm in the midst of some prep for that. (Probably will stay with another cousin, not me.) And that dd is studying for some tests.

Got a call that the co-teacher feels much better and plans to be available as expected. That's a weight off my mind.

Yes, helia, they do seem to be on the same schedule, don't they. A big sister who's BTDT at the very same school must be invaluable! So interesting that your dd might experience a portfolio class. We need to hear from counselor whether dd even has the prerequisites to take one of the portfolio classes. My guess is that she does not, since engineering always had to be her first choice for an elective. Both good and bad in that. All we need is Hermione's time turner, lol.