Working. You know. Because we don't have anyone in Texas so we have to figure out a way to stay here. We could be more frugal but you know how that goes... However, today I went to Goodwill and got a bunch of new work clothes. Woot woot! I think I saved at least $400 compared to new. I love when that happens.

"We have our own list already, but haven't sent it out as we thought it would be inappropriate to reserve them. However I can tell you that unfortunately we aren't accepting amendments at this time." I like A but we also have "oh, don't worry, I can't stand any of those names anyway. Isn't "[insert fave name here] kind of basic?" Yes, there are a LOT of people who seem to think that all danger in nature causes an evacuation. No evacuation = no danger. It is odd. They think they are not responsible for themselves. I think it has to do with press over stupid lawsuits... While real, it doesn't change the fact that jumping in sulfer is a bad idea.

I once had a colleague who said her ahppiest childhood memories were when mom "let" them have ice cream sundaes for dinner. She realized decades later it was also a treat for mom.

It brings tears to my eyes to think that some people don't have proper libraries though. We are fortunate to live among many others who place a high value on books. It is easy to get books there. But also, I collect books. And yet... Someone else could use a used book! So we also donate and re-sell a lot. We probably sold about 500 this year. Many weren't ours. They came with the house. I love books but they are still just things. I have to prioritize.

Hope it all worked out Slachie, lol

Poor baby. Ibuprofen to alternate? Or is that what Tylenol is? Alternate ibuprofen and aspirin. Ice cream is always acceptable when babies suffer.

It is the cheese they use in tiramisu. In between ricotta and creme fraiche.

Inspirational post of the day: I love my new job and it is a little pathetic how much I enjoy sitting here with a bottle of wine, solving logic problems on a computer and listening to folk music. My mother thought that meant I would be homeless but GUESS WHAT MOM. ? (Note to kids: you do have to be able to put up with other people's crap but after 16 years of school, you guys should be experts. ? )

I can do the backstroke. It is a swim-team-inspired dance move I made up to evening jazz on NPR. Coolest mom ever, I know.

I have been thinking of you! Hi! ??

I do see your point. Between the city / neighborhood though... Total privacy has never really been a thing aside from people with common names and no living parents in a megopolis

I mean, our property records are public. So, there goes my whole name/address privacy thing. It speeds up the background check. It might be easier but a lot of info like address, phone etc. Was always there. I mean, the phone book! You could go unlisted but most people wanted to be invited places lol.

Repeat after me: it is not stupid to assume that someone is in the 95% of people who are not screwing with you. That said I don't think Craigslist is set up for mail order. I personally only use it for pick ups. See before buy. eBay has way more buyer protections for mail order through PayPal. !

Happy Nirthday Susan's DD12!

No.

Depends. With a loving, healthy grandparent to go on a special-opportunity trip? Possibly. At John and Mary's age? Hmm. Probably not. Risk vs reward ratio is off for older sibs who are still relatively unreliable (no offense). I might consider it to take a high school or middle school student on an educational or once-in-a-lifetime trip though. As others have said, mine were nursing at that age. So it is hard to imagine. But I was lucky that I got mine close together as planned so I would try to be understanding if someone I knew left an infant.

I'm not a fun mom either. When I try to play they look at me like I am nuts. I wasn't a fun kid either. I like puzzles, board games, and logic games. Not imaginary play. I used to pretend to be the dad when my sister roped me into "house". Then I would go to the kitchen and eat chips. I just feel like life has so much drama and bull already, why make more? I also like art. It is kind of solitary but we can be solitary together. I do like exploring though, and enjoy hiking and exploring with the kids. That is as fun as I get.

Contamination seems like a huge risk with something like oats that may be processed in huge facilities. I am sorry. ?

They say the haze is from the Carr fire and should be reduced tomorrow due to different wondering conditions. I sure hope so. My sixth grader is allergic to smoke. We can't go out in smoke like this. Maybe we'll go to the mall. I don't know if your issue is related but for her, air quality creates bizarre symptoms.

Also I did totally put the garbage out tonight! Go me!

Great weekend, not ketchupped, very tired, off to bed. Turing Tumble is a great game.

Wow. You can Google an analyst's job description so I didn't think that was the point of the post. I thought you were asking about your son, and his abilities. From your description, he is on his way to being able to do almost any job--if he continues to work hard and believes in himself. Doesn't matter if an analyst's job requires writing. If he is willing to learn I believe he can do it. The only thing that I have ever seen stop anyone is lack of hope in their ability to grow. And yes I have worked with people who have ADD and who are on the spectrum. Normal means nothing in the real world. Ability is all about drive and determination.

Sorry this reply took so long. Is your son significantly worse than his male peers at these things? I ask because to me it sounds like you have described an average male... Even possibly advanced for a kid his age. Not to diminish the difficulty of communicating with a teen boy, but what you are describing sounds pretty normal. I know this is the SN board so I don't want to diminish the fact that your doctor's know best, but if a lot of people are shocked that he has ADD and is on the spectrum, well... You might revisit why they are surprised. Like what if my dad had looked at a 15-year-old me time at running and compared it to a grown man or even a teen boy's time. He might conclude there was some inherent weakness there and I needed testosterone treatment. But he would have been wrong. Teen boys are FLOODED with testosterone. That does not lend their brains to articulation. As men develop of course it all straightens out which is why we have so many amazing male poets, essayists, oraters etc. And teen girls getting flooded with estrogen are not the people you always want, as a group, in your geometry study session. They have so many hormones and brain development things going on. Doesn't mean they won't get it eventually. It's too bad that we put so much emphasis on the teen years for assessment. Those years have a lot of change going on. On the other hand if a teacher is looking at him, and at the 500 other boys his age they have coached through essay writing as freshmen, and saying, "wow this kid needs help", then okay, maybe sign him up for more logic and rhetoric classes. From what you have described though, it is a developmental stage and he is very bright. I'm not sure if you have a ton of experience teaching adolescent boys and I'm talking down to you--I get how frustrating it is living with a teen and watching your own kid not to be able to do something that you NEED them to do. But from what you are describing he will be fine, even great in the working world.

Agree on more sides. Loaf of bread, double the rice/spaghetti, and lots of less expensive protein snacks like peanuts.

Yes it will be fine. The parents are there right?