[Calling someone's cell phone who is traveling internationally.]

If Friend's cell number is a US phone number, MIL just needs to dial the phone as if friend was just down the street.

Friend might incur charges on her end, but they may have added an international plan for texting & calling.

I agree that the cheapest way for Friend would be to call over Wifi on an app if that is a possibility.

[Ds may be buying his first house.]

Fingers crossed that everything goes smoothly and he soon has a home of his own.

[Do you like to wear oversized men’s hoodies?]

16 minutes ago, Katy said:

I usually like sleek solid or striped sweaters, slightly fitted. I think they're most flattering. But last year on Spring break we went to one of those indoor waterparks in Wisconsin Dells, and they had a hoodie in their gift shop that was so crazy soft I found the item number on the laundry tag and traced them to a place I could buy them without the imprint in bulk. I bought every color. I then went on to wear those hoodies and leggings and looked like a total slob for the rest of the winter. It didn't matter though, because I wore knee high boots with a knee length coat every time I left the house, so my lazy but oh so comfy look was a family secret. Luckily DH doesn't care if I ever get out of pajamas.

This year I found a barefoot dreams cowl neck tunic sweater that's so soft I thought it would replace the hoodies. But alas, it shed so much in my car I'm not sure I can stand the linty mess.

I need hoodies in every colour under the sun. Can you share your source?

[Do you like to wear oversized men’s hoodies?]

Pullover hoodies are my whole fall through spring wardrobe. Always with a t-shirt underneath.

Some are baggy, some fit more true to size. Some are thinner material, some thicker. Carhartts are the warmest.

 

[Wool socks that aren't tight around the ankle]

I wear the Kirkland mens wool socks. They are way more comfortable than the SmartWool ones I had. Fitted, but not tight, and don't stretch out and get saggy.

[Did your relationship with your young adult improve when they moved out?]

Mine has only just moved into dorms for university this fall, so not fully launched, but I have probably spoken more to her on the phone in the past 5 weeks than we did in person in 5 months before she moved out. I let her set the communication pace. She calls me several times per day. 
 

I assume that will taper off as she settles in and meets more people, but it is a relationship improvement.

[Fall soup/bean recipes….bonus for crock pot or super simple]

Not crock pot, but I just made the easiest roasted tomato soup a couple days ago.

1/4 up some ripe tomotoes on a baking sheet, cut side up.
Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Roast in 425 oven until browned and roasty looking. Lol

Saute onion & garlic in your fat/oil of choice, add roasted tomatoes & broth or bouillon of choice (I used chicken, but veggie would work). Blend with immersion blender (or in blender). Adding liquids until desired consistency - I also added milk to mine to make creamy soup, but it's not necessary.
 

Heat until bubbly, then serve.

5 ingredients + S&P (6 with the milk). It was yummy and my kid who does not normally like tomato soup gobbled it up.

Tomatoes, Onion, Garlic, Olive oil, broth/bouillon, S&P. Optional: milk.

[Diane Feinstein died]

11 minutes ago, Mrs Tiggywinkle Again said:

I know plenty of people though that don’t want a work-life balance.  They enjoy their job, it gives purpose, not everyone wants to have hobbies or likes them.  

I don't think that this is necessarily a choice, so much as societal conditioning. It's HARD to go against the grain. For decades, people have been conditioned to believe that what they do to earn a wage is who they are. 
 

So it's no more a "choice" to not want to to do anything else in life than it is a "choice" for an addict to continue consuming their chemical. It's an identity issue.

Which also speaks to the sad commentary on our current societal norms and perspectives, and as @SHPpointed out, lack of work-LIFE (everything else that does not earn a wage - friends, family, home maintenance, pets, ....)balance. 

We're starting to see a shift, but the backlash from the indoctrinated is big and loud. "Nobody wants to work anymore". 🙄🙄

[Kung Fu, wondering how you are.]

Sending many hugs, KFP. I think of you often. 💕

[Need new morning coffee mug]

I use a stainless steel travel mug that my DH bought at Starbucks. It does not have a handle, but fits in all cupholders. It just has a screw on lid and flip door to open or close it.

Contigo cups gross me out. Way too many nooks and crannies to clean in the lid.

[New Here]

At first I came here for all the homeschooling and curriculum knowledge.

These days, I use WTM to socialize and learn. This little corner of the internet helps me get out of my bubble so I can see and hear other perspectives that I would not otherwise have access to. 
 

I use WTM to make me a better person.

[Misogyny - the today version. What is it and who is guilty of it?]

This came up on social media. This had never even crossed my mind before, but here we are... steeped in misogyny. Apologies if this has been shared earlier - I'm not going back 4 pages to check. 
 

 

 

[Cat people - is there any way to convince Inky that we don't like being scratched and bitten?]

We whistle to disrupt unwanted behaviours here. It catches their attention enough to pay attention and stop whatever they were doing.

[Waiting Is So Hard!]

🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼

[My youngest dd's SO is in the hospital with sepsis. (Update)]

18 hours ago, pinball said:

If someone has untreated vegetation in their heart, they most likely will die from it.

 

49 minutes ago, pinball said:

 

Quoting myself, and you, so you can see how I specifically mentioned UNTREATED.

But thanks for your input

Why, though? What exactly was the point of your first statement that had exactly zero to do with the post you quoted wishing the young man to get well, saying nothing about not treating the condition.

Then, the poster replied that it's treatable, probably assuming that you were unaware of that fact because of your from out-of-left-field comment only for you to get snarky and defensive in response. 
 

WTF? Are you just trying to pick a fight? Go be bored and troll somewhere else.

 

Anyway, back to the OP, @KidsHappen, Wishing your SIL well on his recovery, and I hope that they are eligible for funding to cover the costs and remove that additional unneeded stress. 

[I am so sad]

I'm so sorry for your loss. It sounds like she led the best life on her terms. 

[Generally speaking, is it bad manners to tell someone about a dream?]

1 minute ago, Ginevra said:

Maybe, if you realize and could change tactics. 
 

I did recount a dream to a group of people recently and I started to become aware that a few people looked like, “Summarize! Please be done with it!” At which point I wrapped it up. 
 

It could probably be considered bad manners to continue if the vibe you’re getting is that. 

It is bad manners to hold conversation partners hostage in a long, drawn out tale of any kind, if they are not willing partcipants that want the long version. I will agree with that. 
 

Start short and expand if asked.

[Generally speaking, is it bad manners to tell someone about a dream?]

Well, I don't know if it's bad manners but I DO find them incredibly boring.

Is it bad manners to be a boring conversationalist? I don't tell dream stories, but my topics aren't necessarily entertaining and awe-inspiring to everyone, either. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Misogyny - the today version. What is it and who is guilty of it?]

On 9/29/2023 at 1:08 AM, Frances said:

And in the US we still haven’t had a female president despite electing some epically unqualified (but tall!) men. If this isn’t evidence that misogyny is alive and well, I’m not sure what is.

Canada is not doing any better on this front. There was apparently once a female PM for a couple months, because she assumed the position when the male PM resigned. 
We currently do not have female national party leadership in any of the viable parties.

 

 

[Epoch?]

Ee-pock

[Anxiety through the roof, I don't think we are moving]

I'm sorry.

This has all been such a long, drawn out nightmare.

I agree to not meet their demands. If I was feeling generous, I might offer $500 toward the "repairs" they want.  Basically, force them to walk away so you can concentrate on moving back in and suing the other guy for your money back.

[An odd encounter I’m working through]

2 minutes ago, saraha said:

Wow, this seems appropriate as I see two more threads on misogyny! What a weird coincidence 

Seems to be the topic du jour. I haven't had a chance to read much of the other ones yet - just quick skims, but I can sympathize with amount of privilege my cis, het, white, DH has and his absolute cluelessness about it.

[JAWM (door dash irritation!)]

1 hour ago, Drama Llama said:

You can’t post that picture without telling us which cutie is you!

This. Are you curly or straight?

[Another New Job]

Congratulations! 

[More venting about inlaws]

54 minutes ago, Catwoman said:

I have to disagree with this.

I'm sure it's true with some people, but my parents and grandparents all lived into their 80s and 90s, and "slow" wasn't in their vocabulary -- they were all very active and efficient. Even when my grandma was 97, she didn't do anything slowly! 

My own dh would qualify as being an "old person," and he has more energy than most people half his age. (I'm 60, so I'm probably "old" by a lot of people's standards, too, but I would prefer not to think about that if you don't mind. 😉 )

I'm 47, and I think my 84 year old aunt could run circles around me. I don't know where she finds the energy.