Tackling Thursday Together

[mom31257]

Good morning!

I slept in and need to get started on my day. 

• bible study groups online
• meals
• go for bloodwork to check on RMSF again   
• pick up a scholarship application at ds' orthodontist office
• pick up some supplies for co-op classes
• laundry (that never got done)
• final prep and packing stuff up for co-op
• tutor one student in person

Edited February 4, 2021 by mom31257

[ScoutTN]

Good morning! 

I have made b’fast for my family, put the trash bin at the curb, and put some firewood in my car to stay dry for Ds’ campout tomorrow night.

To do:

• Coffee and b’fast for me
• Bills and budget  Tomorrow! 
• Call mom ✔️ 
• Take Ds for a haircut! ✔️ 
• Possible grocery run, depending on dinner options.  ✔️ 
• Lesson prep for virtual tutoring today. 
• Tutor one student and log session.
• AHG things
• AHG leaders’ mtg in Zoom tonight.
• Read! 

Edited February 5, 2021 by ScoutTN

[TheReader]

Good morning! 

I need to do a few different things today -- first up/most urgently, try and reach someone at the stupid life insurance place, find out WTF (sorry to cuss) is going on, and what they plan to do to fix it. I am beyond frustrated with them, and it seems impossible to reach a real person. 

I'm also going to call the brokerage firm that we have the car and house insurance through and see if they offer life insurance policies and can help us out instead, because for the love....at least I can get a real person over there. 

Other than that, I have:

...coffee
...school with DS
....print everything for Kindergarten for Monday
....finish prepping for 1st Grade for Monday
....make sure everything is ready for the 4 yr old for tomorrow
....meal plan for next week, make the grocery list, grocery shop
....maybe help DH fix the sealant on the patio - it came out semi-opaque in some areas, vs translucent, apparently due to humidity problems. Why on earth they sell a "put on in low humidity" in a place where 56% IS low (like, crazy low for us), is beyond me.....we're in touch with the customer service, though, and following their steps, and hopefully it is correctable. Would seriously suck to have been so careful doing the stain and end up with cloudy white spots from the sealant.....(sigh)
....dinner tonight is a lemon chicken recipe from a friend, not sure what veggie, maybe the cauliflower
...after dinner, last 2 episodes of Cobra Kai Season 1 with the family (I am horrified and so surprised at how much we love this show)

I think that's it. Wish me luck with the insurance junk; this guy is on my last nerve already, and I've not even talked to him yet. To get an email that says "after many attempts to contact you regarding more information that's needed, with no response, we have no choice but to terminate your policy...." when we had an email on Nov 20 saying everything was in order, and then NOTHING until a letter/email late January saying "we are in need of some info" to which we replied asking what, and never heard back (we emailed and left messages), then we finally heard from someone ELSE in the office, and had gotten it sorted out, and then.....that. So I'm bewildered.  And their phones all go to voicemail directly with a chain of "if you need immediate assistance, try my manager at......" but no matter who you call, no matter what number (even the main, "press 2 for customer service") you just get directed to a voicemail. AAAARGH. I'm ready to scream. 

Anyway. Ha. Sorry to ramble, I know that's not the purpose of this thread. 

 

Edited February 4, 2021 by TheReader

[TheReader]

printed out all the emails from the insurance co. saying (more than once) that my policy is in order, approved, etc. 

calling and leaving messages now on ALL of the stupid voicemails until someone calls me back

also looked up our house insurance co. and they do sell life insurance, so once I find out what the heck happened with this co, I will most likely call and start the ball rolling with our current co. instead, where at least it's local and I can talk to real people. :sigh: Why we didn't go there first is beyond me. 

[SKL]

Similar to yesterday, except that the kids went to "in person" school (hybrid - Thursday and Friday only).

I sent out a couple dozen reports yesterday, and hope to do even more today.  Got an email from a client that stresses me out, asking for something by tomorrow that will definitely not happen.  UGH.  When can I retire again???

Done:

• Up at 6:something to wake the kids and remind them to shower etc.
• Drove kids to school just in time for 7:50 class.
• Checked into teen programing at our natural history museum, sent an email about an internship opportunity.  Not sure if anything is happening in 2021 or not.
• Caught up on emails, news, calendar, social media, and checked the kids' grades.
• 1 coffee down.

To do:

• More coffee.
• Send out at least 10 audit/tax packages (60 reports), more if I can do it.
• Yoga, practice TKD form, walking, etc.
• Make the kids do homework, practice music & TKD forms, and clean up their messes in common areas.
• Bills and other personal items.
• Whatever else gets done.

[TheReader]

FINALLY reached a real person, it WAS that all they needed was the stupid cc form for quarterly vs monthly (why on earth can the original guy never email these things?), so that is sent and done. Good gravy. I will be calling the managers of both folks, the guy who has been NO help whatsoever, and the girl who has been insanely helpful, and letting both managers know. 

On to the real list now (but first, breakfast)

[BlsdMama]

Good morning!

Today is chaos.  I needed to find a vintage copy of Les Mis for DD's senior pictures and apparently the kids need supervision to function reasonably?? One would THINK the routine would be established. 

It's a SNOW day! CC cancelled DD's class and the homeschool program cancelled classes.  Mock trial practice is online as is Spanish II.  

Catch up -
ACT Prep for DD
Barton
Have DD try on burgundy jacket to see if we like it better than the blazer for pictures
Print off ACT admission ticket for Saturday
Go through old pictures and start to pick out baby pictures for graduation
Order Journal
Order Book
Coffee
Fajitas tonight for supper

[TravelingChris]

1 hour ago, TheReader said:

Good morning! 

....maybe help DH fix the sealant on the patio - it came out semi-opaque in some areas, vs translucent, apparently due to humidity problems. Why on earth they sell a "put on in low humidity" in a place where 56% IS low (like, crazy low for us), is beyond me.....we're in touch with the

 

I hear you completely about this.  It would make zero sense here too since last year, we actually qualified to be called a rainforest with the amount of rain we got.

I have a similar story= back in mid November- I go hobbling into an auto zone store.  No one comes to help me, but I am looking for window cleaning fluid for the car and there is a big display at the front so I hobble over and get one of the bottles.  I bring to counter where now I see it is only for 32 and above-   well we were already getting below that at night here and we do actually have a lot of weather under 32 here in winter.  But that was what their big display was in the front window.  (We even get Arctic blasts sometimes that go as low as 2F).  He points to a lane and tells me there is the correct liquid there= a much smaller amount of bottles and of course, me= a obviously disabled woman is not getting any help with this at all- but big burly men are.  

 

Oh and I really here you about awful customer service-- go ahead and rant.  This is why there is a new thread going on.  I think we all want to rant at times.

[TheReader]

2 minutes ago, TravelingChris said:

I hear you completely about this.  It would make zero sense here too since last year, we actually qualified to be called a rainforest with the amount of rain we got.

I have a similar story= back in mid November- I go hobbling into an auto zone store.  No one comes to help me, but I am looking for window cleaning fluid for the car and there is a big display at the front so I hobble over and get one of the bottles.  I bring to counter where now I see it is only for 32 and above-   well we were already getting below that at night here and we do actually have a lot of weather under 32 here in winter.  But that was what their big display was in the front window.  (We even get Arctic blasts sometimes that go as low as 2F).  He points to a lane and tells me there is the correct liquid there= a much smaller amount of bottles and of course, me= a obviously disabled woman is not getting any help with this at all- but big burly men are.  

 

Oh and I really here you about awful customer service-- go ahead and rant.  This is why there is a new thread going on.  I think we all want to rant at times.

Oh, that's both hilarious and horrible all at once. I'm sorry they didn't help you at all with things, but I'm also laughing that they had the warm weather stuff out on display. 

I finally got good service with the lady who has been most helpful all along, and wrote a very lengthy, very detailed review for her (5 stars, would be 10 if I could, lots of detail) BUT with a note about the fact I can't leave an overall positive review when one agent gives consistent 5 star service, and the other gives consistent 0 star service. (with details). 

His manager emailed back, so I explained it all to her, too, and asked if there's any way to get the other person over our case instead of him. We shall see. But it should be finally taken care of. 

And, thanks. I appreciate you guys a lot. 

[readinmom]

Morning!  A low key day today, I hope.  

• morning classes, post online work
• grade papers online
• seminar training for Pear Deck (I went to site directly, signed up for their free training courses)
• take dog to behavior training
• work on reading journal because I am now three weeks behind
• not sure for dinner but I know dh and dd will want to pick up something on way home from dog training
• read, relax

[TheReader]

Okay, all the K stuff is printed, so filing/loading the bag with that now. 

The agent's boss emailed back and we are switched over to  Helpful Agent and Boss is going to review with 0 Star Agent/UNhelpful agent all that went wrong. Mission accomplished. 

Had breakfast, but still hungry. 

DH is on a vendetta against the cat. 

On to the stuff for the 4 yr old....

[mom31257]

Reader, rant away. We all need a place that we can do that! I know I have here at times. 

My BIL is in the hospital. He went to the ER last night with vomiting, pain, and fever. He just finished an antibiotic for an infection. He was Covid negative and my sister will get to see him when he is in a room. They found an abnormality with his liver and are doing an MRI for it and other things. 

I forgot I can't get the scholarship application here in town until Monday or Tuesday. They have two offices and are at the other one today. 

Got blood drawn, picked up supplies, and I got more stocking stuffers for all of us. If we're finally having Christmas this weekend with dd, I want more fun with it. 

 

[TheReader]

prayers for your BIL, Amy. 

[ScoutTN]

Checked fractions and Alg 2. 
 

[readinmom]

A small victory!  The presentation I made for my class worked...I'm proud of myself.  Rolling out all of these different platforms, just exhausting to keep up with.  

• classes are done
• now, to start grading rough drafts

[ScoutTN]

1 hour ago, readinmom said:

A small victory!  The presentation I made for my class worked...I'm proud of myself.  Rolling out all of these different platforms, just exhausting to keep up with.  

• classes are done
• now, to start grading rough drafts

Yes! My church is on the process of launching a huge software overhaul. New, complex things to use. Powerful and will be good, but a HUGE learning curve. Ugh!

Edited February 4, 2021 by ScoutTN

[TravelingChris]

Okay, finally ready to make list

started out the day waking up 1 hour and 45 minutes late- due to not realizing that my phone was turned to silent so I woke when dh woke.  Quickly got dressed and rushed out the door with 2 cartons of eggs for ds (we keep getting lots of eggs and don't use that many with just the 2 of us- our CSA gives us a carton or two every two weeks((alternates between 1 and 2)) and my composting (run by the same people but a different company) decided to gift me with an extra carton today.  Then I got late to my appt with dentist but it worked out great since he had just finished with one patient and wasn't ready for next so I got my new crown placed in.   

Then I came home, and had breakfast and meds and placed an order online for subs at Publix.  Then off to Publix for prescriptions, and shopping. Didn't have time to get to Fresh Market.

Right after I got home, it was time for my dance exercise class.

Fortunately, dh dealt with plumber

To do

eat lunch w/dd who is coming over and dh

counseling in 20 minutes

hopefully talk to dd after a bit too but do not know if she is leaving tonight or tomorrow- 

take care of 2 dogs

make cobb salad for dinner

call covid places

call eye doctor for appt

check my labs from rheum visit and leave message to rheum

read and relax

[TheReader]

had lunch

took a nap

put away waiting clean laundry (my guys did laundry again yesterday! Hooray!)

texted a friend

loaded the dirty dishes into the dishwasher

took chicken out to thaw, now need to here shortly go make the marinade for it to soak in until time to cook

back to the real list now.....

[mom31257]

BIL is still in the ER waiting for a room, but my sister is with him now. He's been there. about 22 hours.  They think his liver and pancreas are involved but haven't given him a diagnosis yet.

Tutored the in person student

printed off worksheets for statistics class activity

one load of laundry drying and the other is done in the washer

haven't started dinner yet but it will be chicken noodle soup

[TheReader]

oh, shoot! Need to make the marinade. Doing that now. So glad you mentioned dinner, Amy! (still praying for your BIL; hopefully it's nothing too terribly serious....)

did school with DS

got the K stuff all filed/loaded into the bag, know what crafts/projects will be

kids may D&D tomorrow after all????

[TheReader]

okay, marinade made, chicken soaking in it till time to cook

printed all the stuff for the 4 yr old tomorrow, have a craft planned that I think she'll like, need to pick a story

checking the list to see what I'm missing.....we haven't grocery shopped, not sure DH will want to at this point, so that will probably get pushed to early tomorrow morning (crowd levels), so I think all I have left is menu plan.....

[SKL]

Ugh I only got ONE client entity done today!  (I'm down to the really complicated ones.)  And I got emails from 2 other clients and have to send their auditors something by tomorrow morning. 

I need to come up with some plan for dinner.  I don't have time to cook and I have no desire to go out.  I could happily eat leftovers, but I have kids who think they are princesses.  😛  They do know how to cook, but I still feel a responsibility.  (Why?  My sibs and I did all the cooking when we were their age ....)

Edited February 4, 2021 by SKL

[TravelingChris]

2 hours ago, mom31257 said:

BIL is still in the ER waiting for a room, but my sister is with him now. He's been there. about 22 hours.  They think his liver and pancreas are involved but haven't given him a diagnosis yet.

 

 

Just a warning - flash Covid test or tests means nothing.  A story from B'ham on last night's news- it was a widow from mid 30' to mid 40's I would think with a husband who was probably the same age but both could be really even young 30s.  They had 7 negative Covid tests between them and I guess no one was taking it seriously  ( they were/are black and may have something to do w lack of concern by med folks or may be just overreluanve on tests). Anyway he died of Covid due to lack of adequate treatment soon enough. 8 am very happy your BIL is getting treated but Covid could still be possibility.  

[ScoutTN]

Gave Ds some extra time on the computer gaming with school friends, mostly so he would leave me alone and stop being so annoying.  He goes back to school tomorrow and from there straight to a Scout campout. Woohoo! Two peaceful days in my house. I love my boy, but he is exhausting! 

Decided not to "edit" his packing for tomorrow night's campout. If he's cold, well, he'll remember to pack warmer clothes next time. He has a good gear - tent, thermarest mat, sleeping bag comfy to +20 - plus hat, gloves and socks, so he won't be cold when he's asleep anyway. It will be down to 30, but not dangerously cold. Probably feels balmy to Margaret and those who live with real winter! 😉 

Grabbed a sandwich for supper. Take and bake pizza or leftover mexican for everyone else.

Zoom meeting shortly. 

Close Reads Patreon podcast tonight and my new book, Alan Jacobs' Breaking Bread with the Dead, about the benefits of reading old books. 

 

[TravelingChris]

I didn't have time to do COVID vaccine calling but did almost everything else. Dogs are here. Making hard boiled eggs for Cobb Salad,

Also went to Belk to help dd get dress for funeral and got 2 dresses to try on myself.  Will return dd's one dress (No dressing rooms open) and if I want to return either one of mine tomorrow or Saturday.

 

[TheReader]

Dinner is in the oven,. 

Kids ARE having D&D. 

DH is very exceedingly grumpy. No solution yet for the cloudy appearance over some of the stained patio, so he is very annoyed. parts look okay, parts look really bad, having these cloudy white streaks all over. :sigh: Company says try X, try Y (he tried on small patches already, no effect, so hesitates to try on the whole thing lest it make it worse), and if that doesn't work, strip it and start over. But if we strip it, we likely have to restain too. 

Going to do as much of the preD&D tidying that I can while dinner cooks and DH works out/showers. See y'all tomorrow. 

[BlsdMama]

Oh Amy, I’m sorry about your BIL. I’m sure you’ll know more fast. ♥️ 

 

Really chill day here - did all the things and got a good phone call in with an old friend. Answered a bunch of emails and did ACT practice with DD. Looks like the morning class is canceled for the AM so cheers for a slow and easy morning. 

[ScoutTN]

Well, turns out that Ds signed up for a cycling merit badge this weekend (when campout was originally to be at camp with bikes to borrow), but Ds does not own a bike! Now they are backyard camping and doing the badge day at their charter, so he will need a bike. Argh! 

The only other badge offered during that session is being taught by a dad who does NOT like Ds. Ds knows it too.  The man's son is in Ds' patrol and he doesn't like Ds either. I'm not going to make Ds switch into that mb session. 

SO..... scavenging CL for bikes tonight! Even a super basic one will do for now. There are some affordable ones. Need a rack for the car too. 

I thought I had all day free tomorrow because ds will be in school, but even there he's managing to take over my day! ;)  I am happy to have him working on an active badge though, especially without basketball this winter. 

[mom31257]

Thank you for the prayers!!  BIL is in a room now. The liver doctor wants more tests tomorrow. He may have pancreatitis and saw kinks in ducts, so my sister assumes that's bile ducts. She went home to rest because she hasn't slept the last two nights. She has fibromyalgia and nerve pain issues in her back and right leg. 

Laundry is done.

The classes for co-op are planned, and the materials are laid out, but I need to pack everything up. 

I am not sure when dd will be home tomorrow. Her original plan was to stop by my sister's house and visit her for a few hours before coming down. Now she won't be home. I need to wrap her Christmas presents tonight before I go to bed so they'll be under the tree that we left up so it would feel like Christmas.