messages to linguafranca:
(click here to add new message):

from wordwhore :
Bombing food lines and hospitals feels to me much more clear cut than any other argument against the pro-zion arguments. They're bombing the sick and the hungry, the innocents. Not Hamas. Not armies. Families seeking refuge. That's not defense. That's annihilation.
from life-my-way :
I would love to talk with you about jewelry!
from wordwhore :
Omg. Omg. Wham! Rap it was called, I thought. My friend in 8th grade was OBSESSED with GM and I was forced to listen to that song and being who I am the chorus lyrics immediately sprang into my brain as soon as you mentioned it. "Give a wham, give a bam, but don't give a damn" indeed.
from wordwhore :
I saw you Blink-182 times over jewelry. Your new pieces are incredible. I have faith in them to do whatever it is you need them to. They are resonating. I'm glad Joe was okay!
from life-my-way :
You are and you can and GAWD yes, MEH!
from jarofporter :
seriously? *everybody* wants cookies during the holidays! ;-)
from wordwhore :
What was the point of asking you to tell her if they were going to call her anyway, ffs? Just tell her your damn self, cuz! NT people are just so backwards.
from life-my-way :
I haven’t moved since your last fabulous mailing—just the n case you think that I know who I am. <3
from catsoul :
11.28.2023. oh mom, can I mend myself from all your words and judgements over the years. My mom died April 2023, and I still can hear some of her conversations she had directed towards me. I figured out, like you, over time, it doesn't matter what I say or how I would respond, it never made a difference, or a way that she opened her mind to accept that there was another way. Please continue with your art, I love what you create, and how you are being your true self. Peace within yourself. Peace. =^..^=
from life-my-way :
I haven’t moved since your last fabulous mailing—just the n case you think that I know who I am. <3
from narcissa :
Gah, I’ve just.. never thought of freezing lemon juice ??? Thanks for this
from narcissa :
Gah, I’ve just.. never thought of freezing lemon juice ??? Thanks for this
from portlypete :
Elderly Parents: Perhaps you are just repaying what they gave to you. I don't know.
from jarofporter :
tbh, i've cut my mother off several times in my life, once for 5-6 years? i've currently seen her once in the last 2.5-3 years or so, i think. it's commendable to practice patience with difficult family, but you have every right to take care of yourself first. establish your boundaries re: what's acceptable behavior, then leave it to her to conform if she chooses. if she doesn't, it's then her choice, not yours, right? just my thoughts, i understand it's a very difficult situation. hope you can find a solution!
from narcissa :
People change. I think it’s good to phase ppl out when it’s time.. it opens space for new things. I find it really hard to do but I have been working on it and it feels good.
from wordwhore :
I think I know who you're talking about and, if so, why you told it the way you did because people tend to view certain relationships thru a different lens than certain other relationships. I think you know how I feel about cutting out those kind of relationships. But it's all so complicated when others are involved, I know. Children and husbands and such.
from jarofporter :
these are narcissistic/ gas-lighting traits, and as such, you would be justified in going no-contact with this person (i would recommend it, honestly). only my opinion, though...
from life-my-way :
What is this magical calligraphy course?!? I love your work and am currently searching for the rain cloud I got from you several years ago that will be perfect in my new kitchen. XO K
from life-my-way :
What is this magical calligraphy course?!? I love your work and am currently searching for the rain cloud I got from you several years ago that will be perfect in my new kitchen. XO K
from kelsi :
So sorry about Vindaloo, it's so hard losing a pet <3
from jarofporter :
my condolences as well, never an easy thing.
from catsoul :
8.19.2023. Sorry about your cat and her passing. Peace within yourself. =^..^=
from life-my-way :
I’m so sorry about your sweet kitty. Sending love and comforting wishes to you all. XO
from moodswing :
I just started Camp Damascus!
from moodswing :
The bit about taking up space made me cry.
from wordwhore :
Fair enough on the peppers. It's the bitter yellow ones I can't stand. Orange pepper supremacy forever.
from wordwhore :
Can you pickle the peppers?
from narcissa :
I switched to really light and soft and wide walking shoes called lems and my feet have never been happier. I can’t wear anything else. I tried to wear chucks the other day and they looked way better but at the end of the walk I wanted to burn my feet
from kelsi :
You are Ms. J, American adventuress, who descends upon the city to make her annual pilgrimage to the cemetery. "Who is this mysterious lady?" the locals ask. Rumors spread that you have been showing up every spring since the great war, never aging.
from jimbostaxi :
It sounds amazing does it signify the unity of all things, material and spiritual? I bought a double dragon pendant years ago and I thought it to mean good luck. I've been thinking of getting a Shaman tattoo on my right shoulder but be been procrastinating. Lol
from jimbostaxi :
What kind of tattoo are you getting?
from jarofporter :
maybe buy another inexpensive spirograph for yourself, and if you end up using it consistently, then you could justify buying the fancy one? just a thought... :-)
from raven72d :
A space of one's own-- to write or paint or sculpt --that's always worth acquiring.
from narcissa :
LOL BECAUSE of your ambivalence about co-habitation. I love reading about all the ways you make it work for yourself, and i think.. okay there are ways to do this.
from catsoul :
4.16.2023. I say eat what you want, when you want to, and just tell the bitch to fuck off. You are all adults, and no matter what one thinks, you should only please yourself and do what brings you some joy in life. Life and joyous moments are so needed. As for what to wear for you tattoo appointment. When I have ink done on my thighs, I wear knit shorts that I can comfortably roll up even higher for my tattooist. Besides, tattooists see and have seen all body parts. Peace within yourself. =^..^=
from jimbostaxi :
Tomato harassment is a felony in my neck of the woods. :)
from wordwhore :
What the person below me said. Also, do you eat the maters and cukes together? Is that how you make your gazpacho? My mother often makes "cucumber & tomato salad" which is basically those two things chopped and tossed with a minimal amount of miracle whip (and sometimes ham or bacon bits, but usually not). And now I am craving that immediately and I have neither of those things.
from moodswing :
I don't mean to laugh, but "JUST LET ME EAT MY TOMATOES" might be a new thing I shout around my house when I am arguing with myself about food.
from narcissa :
thanks for the wishes : ) Reading your diary always makes me feel that co-habitation (and all it entails in terms of giving up my own space) is something i could do, so thanks for sharing that.
from catsoul :
3.14.2023. That was a day. Take a nap. =^..^=
from jarofporter :
i like the 'faceless monster' idea for a pinhole picture - hope you like how it tuns out!
from life-my-way :
Do it! Get the crop top! Plant that flag for those of us with midriffs that beg to be tented. Do it for us!
from catsoul :
2.19.2023. As a woman who begin getting tattooed at age 21, and I am now 67 years old, still getting tattooed. Who the fuck gives a rat ass what anyone thinks. As for your mother, I am sorry that she over the years did such a number on you, your feelings, and whatever else the fuck she did to you. We don't pick who our parents are. You need to just let yourself be your true self and live. Again, please just be joyful and at peace within yourself. Take care, be safe and keep getting those beautiful tattoos. =^..^=
from wordwhore :
I have a lot of thoughts on the trans/nb/gf community and their oversimplification of certain things. I find that male privilege affects some of them more than they are willing to ever admit and they have much less sense of humor in general than other groups. I am technically of their clan, but I am the poor relation they don't like to acknowledge. (Tangentially related: I did have a lesbian tell me that "of course the person matters more than their gender" during a discussion on pan versus bi, at which point I was forced to question what lesbianism meant to her because I was pretty sure by definition it meant she cared what gender someone was.)
from catsoul :
1.29.2023. I think you are on to something about the sodium intake. Besides just the intake of salt, there are a lot of other seasonings in other food products. I read all labels and research all ingredients for both of us here. Just sayin', I do think you are on the right track about sodium. That joint ache from last Summer could also have been sodium. Sodium affects us all differently. Peace. =^..^=
from wordwhore :
You were basically in the middle of a meltdown caused not just by your own disability but also your daughter's... and you feel like you weren't entitled to the seats... If you were blind in one eye and didn't see him till the end, it's no different. Being blonde and blue eyed doesn't make you less entitled to the seats, nor does being black make him more so. If you'd seen him, you'd have let him have the seats. You didn't, so you didn't. Other people can think what they like, but I hate that you feel so guilty about it when you shouldn't. 😔
from catsoul :
12.28.2022. I got mail from you today. It was so awesome. I am going to mend my flannel plaid shirt with the patches. You are sooooo good. Thank you very much. I got mail!!!!!!!! =^..^=
from life-my-way :
Everything you do is wonderful! Can't wait to see.
from narcissa :
sequins are always wonderful
from narcissa :
Ugh. Hope you feel better soon
from wordwhore :
I have your stuff displayed all over my house and sometimes also on my person and will always happily display more.
from life-my-way :
I always love a package from you—hopefully I’ll be able to patch something to wear at work in the library!
from jarofporter :
"that it was my job to respond the way she wanted me to respond or she was going to give me a piece of her mind" - this was part of the reason i cut my ma & my sister out of my life. not suggesting you do so, just saying i understand. you do have every right to put your foot down about your boundaries at any time though!
from life-my-way :
Thank you for the description of your mother situation—it is also mine. I needed to hear every word of that! You have my sympathies and well wishes. XO K
from wordwhore :
Oh dear. How distressing... Are there support groups for parents of neurotypicals? 🤔
from catsoul :
10.14.2022. Don't forget the cinnamon. You didn't mention that. =^..^=
from catsoul :
10/10/2022. Good Morning. Just read your issue about the cats pooping in your garden. Sprinkle ground cinnamon and black pepper. It is something I use a lot outside. Peace within yourself. =^..^=
from wordwhore :
I remember in 7th grade, we had a lot of kids in wheelchairs and walkers and things at the school and the school was built on a slope, and we got a speech from the principal that, if we saw a disabled student struggling up the sloped walkway, we should ask them if they needed some help. I can't remember if he specifically said "don't just give them a push" but he definitely told us to ask them if they needed the help. I didn't realize at the time how progressive that was.
from wordwhore :
No one hates you. Shops go out of stock all the time, even big time pro shops that do this on a larger scale. People are probably disappointed, which only happens because your jewelry is rad af. I wear my earrings all the time and I always get compliments. And I always feel smug getting to say, "thanks, I am friends with the artist who makes them"
from catsoul :
7.24.2022. Jesus fuckin' christ, you have been there a hell of a long time. I couldn't do that, I feel your need to be back in a safer environment. Take care. Peace. =^..^=
from life-my-way :
Your entry brings back memories of when John get as little—reached a point with my mother where I gave her the number of Child Protective Services so she’d have someone to share her concerns with.
from life-my-way :
Your entry brings back memories of when John get as little—reached a point with my mother where I gave her the number of Child Protective Services so she’d have someone to share her concerns with.
from dangerspouse :
Yeah, I hear they can fill a real hole in my life. But I dunno, I get a bad taste in my mouth whenever I think about them. But thanks for the suggestion :)
from wordwhore :
I drew my tattoo transfer backwards the other day, if that makes you feel any better...
from portlypete :
Would it be harsh to suggest you choose more sensible friends?
from narcissa :
march 7: i saw that DisneyPlus pulled "anastasia" from streaming. Some of this stuff is so stupid that it's like we're living in a satirical novel.
from wordwhore :
You mean when we "renamed" French fries freedom fries for 15 minutes in 2001, it didn't do anything?!? 🙄 Arm chair warriors often fail, so sayeth a man one time
from portlypete :
I saw some TV show recently where they said that eating a fish / nut / pulses diet could add ten years to one's life. I leave it to you to decide if it's worth it. Obviously, anything one hears on the media is totally gospel.
from life-my-way :
Several faculty friends of mine are BIG professional wrestling fans in what appears to be an unironic, nonacademic way. I don't understand it, but I definitely observe it.
from life-my-way :
I love the solstice card so much. So so much. Thank you!
from wordwhore :
Yay flexibility progress!
from wordwhore :
I'd suggest Uber or Lyft, but of course $ and also more social anxiety
from wordwhore :
❤thanks (12.6.21)
from catsoul :
11.27.2021. Thanks for the info. I did know what it was. I like the stronger D9 because it helps with the back pain I have from those bulging disks. A doctor suggested them way back when, can't remember how many years. They are legal in Wisconsin. Anyhoo, I agree, keep on making jewelry for your inventory. Take care. Peace within yourself. =^..^=
from narcissa :
MARMALADE!!! i have to try this. Recently made a tomato marmalade that was actually so delicious. Paprika also intriguing... will report back.
from catsoul :
11.26.2021. Wondering what a D8 gummy is. Nothing else, just a wondering......Peace. =^..^=
from narcissa :
what do you put in your pumpkin puree? I've been going the miso route lately, but I'm ready for something else. OR are you a purist?
from wordwhore :
Yay crushing jewelry sales! 11.15.21
from catsoul :
11.14.2021. You do you. Art and being creative I feel comes from within our soul. There is no need to worry dear friend. You are a true creative artist. Peace within yourself. =^..^=
from narcissa :
And happy birthday! Sweatshirt dresses are the best dresses.
from narcissa :
Thank you for holding space for me. I love that thought.
from catsoul :
9.29.2021. Happy Birthday today! I hope you find a moment or two of peace. =^..^=
from wordwhore :
It was a shit way to end a Saturday night, for sure. But I had a beer after all and watched my calm-making videos till bedtime.
from life-my-way :
FWIW, my house is something of a linguafranca museum and I adore getting mail from you. Just my $.02. XO K
from wordwhore :
I am a person who went from arachnophobia to talking to the spiders in her house like they're tenants, taking photos of our pretty orb weavers like they're pets and only killing them when it is fully, fully necessary, I salute U in his stance. I accidentally pissed off my bathroom sink spider the other day and had to apologize to him. I think he's over it now...
from kelsi :
Sorry about your mom. It's hard, and exhausting, having a parent in the hospital, and really no clear thing to do about it.
from catsoul :
7.25.2021. I thought the 80's where so much more tame than the 60's. I was a teenager in the 60's. Free love all over, and boy did I indulge. I am also wanting, ok needing to know what fantasy book you read. Oh my god, another whole fuckin' week with those people. Run.......Peace. =^..^=
from wordwhore :
How do people not understand that questioning every single thing a person does and every single choice they make and acting like they are crazy for doing/choosing IS NOT ACCEPTANCE?!
from life-my-way :
Who's this author? I'm unreasonably curious. XO
from catsoul :
7.21.2021. Yup, the rib area hurts like a mother fucker. I used ice to help reduce the swelling. 15 minutes on, 30 minutes off. I also applied mentholatum. Randy said vick's has camphor in it. The mentholatum is cooking plus it aids in healing. Drink cold tea also to cool yourself from the inside. Do not do caffine. OK then, those are my suggestions I have found when having been tattooed on my ribs. Peace. =^..^=
from catsoul :
7.19.2021. I sure hope that you don't have many more days there to endure. I probably would have headed back already by myself on a plane. Let your husband deal with it all. Vent all you want, I can relate, I have super deep conversations in my mind of all the words I so wanted to say. My favorite word is, "fuck." You can use "fuck" in so many parts of speech. Peace. =^..^=
from catsoul :
7.17.2021. What a dream...a place to be utterly creative and to achieve this and the peace it all brings. Now wouldn't this be awesome, your husband goes for the semester, and he takes all three kids. It is his turn to step up, so you can create. Peace. =^..^=
from wordwhore :
Spaghetti Sandwich Vengeance is the best revenge.
from wordwhore :
You're "shoulding" yourself to death. You *should* be able to do some of those things like she *should* have been able to have breasts without growing cancer in them, or like a person in a wheelchair *should* be able to walk. Do your best. That is quite simply all that can be expected of you and if their perception of your best is that it is insufficient, that's equivalent to you saying you have 4 apples and them saying "please give us 5 apples." You cannot give what you do not have. Honestly, the best thing would be for J to have a conversation with them about your limits, but the 2nd best thing would be for you to try and give yourself permission to exist just as you are, without regard to their expectations. Idk if any of this helps, but I hope you can stop beating yourself up, at the very least.
from catsoul :
6.24.2021. For god's sake, don't gooooooooo. Never put yourself out there if it is going to hurt you so emotionally. Peace. =^..^=
from wordwhore :
I am so against those sorts of social conventions. I've never understood spending time with people we don't like or saying hello to people we don't like or any of that, under the guise of "manners." Some manners make sense, but forced socialization between people who do not enjoy each other's company is illogical.
from wordwhore :
That is indeed myriad miasma.
from catsoul :
6.7.2021. "A powerful miasma." "An infected miasma." Peace. =^..^=
from wordwhore :
Cat Day seems like a rager. 2 of my favorite foods involved? Hell yes.
from narcissa :
thank you for your note and the thoughts. I appreciate it.
from wordwhore :
I feel this so hard, the lack of a project that brings excitement. I considered getting into gum bichromate myself recently, in a strictly "that might be a fun hobby" kind of way and, a week or so ago, I wanted to ask you a couple of questions. Before I did, I said, "If the interest is still there tomorrow, then I will ask her." You will note that I have asked no questions as yet.
from wordwhore :
I'm getting secondhand demand avoidance just reading about the enforced togetherness crap. I do not miss my in laws and their manipulations and control issues.
from catsoul :
5.17.2021. Creative jewelry making task security, and here you were wondering what the fuck to do with your time, hahahahaha. Probably not a great time to ask for a pair of your earrings? My birthday is the early part of November, maybe then. Remind me. Over and out. Peace. =^..^=
from wordwhore :
Yay for jewelry orders!
from wordwhore :
You will find the earring as soon as you make the new one.
from catsoul :
4.25.2021. When the energy is dark or seems to be pushing you, run. This is your inner light speaking to you and wanting to keep you safe. Peace. =^..^=
from wordwhore :
Wow,that sounds intense, the experience with the friends. You are not a particularly woowoo type of person, so for you to mention their energy must mean they're putting off something significant. Or the situation was, anyway. Sorry about the cold! Rfb and I caught cold in September without even being at an event, masks and hand sanitizer and all, so 🤷🏼‍♀️ sometimes germs are just tenacious I guess.
from whystinger :
I get a lot of grease spots on my Tee shirts too. I am getting fairly good at removing them - I put a dab or laundry detergent or even Dawn dish soap and spread it around and then let it sit for maybe ten minutes for the soap to do its job. Sometimes a second treatment is needed. I have actually done this on a few dress shirts (work) where I had automatic transmission fluid stains on them for a year... I like the stamp idea too!
from whystinger :
You wrote: "...except for one rude thing she said when she thought I couldn’t hear, but I’m not going to report it because I’m trying not to dwell on every damn rude thing she says." I would say that you ARE Making progress and working toward success. Keep it going, it will inspire the rest of us. Happy Easter!
from wordwhore :
All the ink!!
from narcissa :
Ugh, bros. Brutal.
from narcissa :
WTF, someone through a DRINK at you????
from narcissa :
But I should add: I’ve discussed this with a friend who I lived with in several places and she hasn’t had the same experience. We thought it’s maybe related to me being a woman of colour and she being a blonde white woman. 🤷🏽‍♀️
from narcissa :
I find it depends where I live. I’ve spent the last 20 years in cities looking over my shoulder, always aware of who is behind me, holding my keys in my hand, texting my friends when I got in. I’ve been followed home with definite intent to intimidate. harassed, catcalled, squeezed up against, threatened. Where I live now, I don’t think about it, but it’s the first time in a long while and the lack of hypervigilance is notable. I have a completely different walk here.
from wordwhore :
Yay for new shoes and cleaning and exercising
from narcissa :
i do loooove all those rock ideas tho.
from wordwhore :
Glad you got it done! I am the same way sometimes with articles. I get exhausted, barely able to keep my eyes open... then I turn it in and I'm wired.
from narcissa :
Thanks for your note, I appreciate it.
from life-my-way :
Based on your description of your mother, you may be the sister I never had. I admire the many ways you've avoided that bullshit with your offspring and wish I'd avoided more with my own (the perils of only having one, perhaps). Now, I'm back to dealing with my house the decor of which can best be described accordingly: there was clearly a struggle, probably more than one.
from wordwhore :
You know how I feel about your mother and her ways. But yay Jennifer for not just politely laughing and instead trying to cut thru her bs and correct her.
from portlypete :
It’s really hard to get motivated these days, but I suggest you need to get your **** ** ****, erm, priorities sorted. If you are running a business of any sort, I’m sure you know that clients need to be cosseted. Do you not have a cupboard / closet where you can treat the paper during the day? While I am in lecture mode, your Aunt’s family really needs a kick up the arse! It is not just themselves they are putting at risk; they need to think of others. I am astounded at the negative power of social media. Stay safe.
from wordwhore :
I won't explain the mental dexterity that landed me from your note about age and stripping away of sexuality to suddenly remembering the time BF and I were scrolling porn together and he goes "holy shit, I used to date her!" But it has thrown me fully off course as far as what I wanted to reply. Just know that somewhere in there was the knowledge that BF had sex with people in their 60s and 70s when he was in his 20s/30s and no one can strip our sluttiness away if we don't let them. I refuse. I intend to be Roxy from the Concrete Blonde song Roses Grow.
from wordwhore :
You don't need to apologize! I specifically didn't say it was you who shared it because I didn't want you to feel called out. I do have other friends who share things like that. Anyway, they spoke as if they discount all the years they spent being perceived as female and that bothers me in the same way I am bothered by transwomen denying they benefited from male privilege during the years they were perceived as male. It doesn't matter whether they would like to deny it now, it happened and pretending it didn't doesn't change that. And the statement about "everyone who identifies this way has experienced exactly these specific things and feelings" is simply not true. Anyway. I'm just annoyed by someone on the internet and I'll change my mind or get over it as usual Lol
from wordwhore :
Yay J for making the call! Also, yay rice pudding. Now I want rice pudding.
from wordwhore :
"Phone calls are the devil's work"—wish that meant we could make him do them! (And yay Wade, indeed!)
from portlypete :
Friday - a busy day for posts from you (most of which I didn't understand), I guess the new administation lives in the real world which has to be a good thing. Hang in there.
from portlypete :
And another thing: I was impressed that catsoul suggested sex three times in a row - that suggests impressive stamina!
from portlypete :
When you said, “ I need to drink a lot more than I am”, were, you referring to the healthy stuff or the vodka? BTW, I have no idea what a Buddha’s hand is (apart. from the obvious).
from wordwhore :
I just had a beadgasm. I'd forgotten about those curvy triangular beads until you mentioned them, but I lived for them as a kid, omg.
from catsoul :
1.12.2021. Howdy Do. Exercise does get tedious after awhile. May I suggest sex/lovemaking? OK then, just thought to put that out there. I love cupcakes, I plan to get a tattoo cupcake in the near future. Peace. =^..^=
from catsoul :
1.12.2021. Howdy Do. Exercise does get tedious after awhile. May I suggest sex/lovemaking? OK then, just thought to put that out there. I love cupcakes, I plan to get a tattoo cupcake in the near future. Peace. =^..^=
from catsoul :
1.12.2021. Howdy Do. Exercise does get tedious after awhile. May I suggest sex/lovemaking? OK then, just thought to put that out there. I love cupcakes, I plan to get a tattoo cupcake in the near future. Peace. =^..^=
from wordwhore :
Yeah, everyone loved my dad and my grandmother and O too and lots of people think Trump is a great guy... that don't make it so.
from wordwhore :
But it *is* abusive, when she attaches shame and guilt and obligation to an interaction with her and when she treats her preferences as more important than another's needs. You and J could have been in the middle of a crisis. One of the kids could have been hurt. If she just wants contact, she can do that without scheming and manipulations. She could have said "I was just calling because..." in her message instead of "How dare you not pick up when I call!" You do not owe her. Not contact, not love, not care. What you give her freely is your business and your choice, but you are not obligated by blood or her elder status or anything else. All right. I'll step off my soap box now. I just hate that she does these things to you. You shouldn't have to hit yourself in the head to get thru a conversation with a parent. I understand the feeling well, as it was the same with my dad, and maybe that's why I hate it so much for you. ❤
from catsoul :
1.5.2021. Geez....moms can sure suck the life out of yah!! I don't answer my phone calls from my parents ever. For the most part, I don't enjoy talking to other people. They are so fake, they talk about the stupidest things. I like deep involved talks, so I have just a couple of people I like to talk with. Do what you need to protect your peace and serenity in life. Peace. =^..^=
from jarofporter :
i realized something similar about my ma. i tried for decades to get her to change her behavior towards me via many methods. what i finally realized is that she's either unwilling or unable to change, so i had to take matters into my own hands. that would have been finding a way to tolerate and accept it, or to limit our interactions. i chose the latter, to the extreme, but if you can get by with short, infrequent interactions, it may be the best option. best of luck with it!
from wordwhore :
I sincerely wish you could cut your mom out of your life completely. I'm sorry she is the way she is. ❤
from jarofporter :
whether misguided or intentional, that kind of thing was the reason i stopped talking to my ma & sis. not saying you should do that, just saying i understand how frustrating it can be...
from catsoul :
12.29.2020. Hi. I have a bum knee from a high school downhill racing injury. It rears the pain once in awhile. I then ice it, then heat it, and elevate it. You just have to let it heal over time. I do think your over zealous squats would just continue to aggravate the knee tendons, so find another exercise to do the same result for you. I have found as I have aged, that I have to be a bit more gentle to myself. It will be ok. It was a life lesson on your journey. Peace. =^..^=
from wordwhore :
Yay for Q! Could worry over the flu shot have been part of her insomnia? She has a right to be proud, so I hope she is. And yay for U! So awesome he's progressed so much and is providing his own solutions to things. And yay for you, for [insert really good gardening metaphor I couldn't quite make work which meant] being a supportive/nontraditional parent!
from portlypete :
To incentivises your creative urge (does an urge need an incentive?) ... Whatever! - how about an artwork that symbolises "Hope"?
from wordwhore :
My uncle said, if Biden wins, I'll break out the tequila and sip. If Trump wins I'll be doing shots.
from wordwhore :
I never had much luck with the mood monitor thingies myself. Woebot had like 16 options and often known of them felt correct at all.
from portlypete :
My, how you post (even though there seem to be three copies of everything. I too am becoming a clean kitchen fetishist. I’ve only just worked out that I can tidy as I go whilst cooking. It relieves the boredom of watching over simmering pans and saves time after dinner. It’s been a great year for apples fersure. I have a Bramley, if you know what that is, so just do a massive stew, then freeze - not me: the apples.
from whystinger :
It is good to clean the kitchen every day. If I strive to keep the kitchen clean, then the rest of the house starts to place.
from portlypete :
Making prints IS important. I have just been looking at photos from the late 19th - early 20th century. One in particular almost makes me cry.
from wordwhore :
Punch me in the gut with a FB quote why don't ya.
from catsoul :
9.30.2020. How about the phrase: shut up or get buried.
from wordwhore :
You will be shocked to learn I agree with your controversial opinion on coping mechanisms. SHOCKED.
from wordwhore :
As soon as you said "we assembled a new bed" I knew how the story would end. I'm sorry. At least she didn't want the dream catcher. But maybe you should have glued it to the old bed...
from dangerspouse :
Those instagram pics are WILD. Fantastic effects you're getting with your setup, just fantastic. And the compositions are outstanding! Bravo, kiddo. I don't have an IG account so I was only able to see a couple of rows before being booted out, but I was damn impressed with the few I saw. Yeah, sure, if you want to shoot me any via email I'm at notepad101(at)hotmail. I'm really interested in the technical prowess more than anything, so feel free to send me stuff you're proud of for that reason. Subject is irrelevant. Thanks!!
from wordwhore :
I hope you can find activities that help. I'm going to work on it myself.
from dangerspouse :
Man, I would love to see some of your pictures. If they're anywhere near as good as your writings, they must be awesome.
from wordwhore :
I love water towers! I have so many road trip pics of water towers
from wordwhore :
That sounds fucking exhausting. That constant bats in your face feeling, I know exactly what you mean. When I am upset: Leave. Me. Alone. I will calm down on my own. I will get over it... unless you keep escalating. Sensory overload is like a thermometer. When the red is rising on a thermometer, you don't apply more heat or it explodes. If sensory input makes the red rise, you don't add more sensory input or I explode. Poor Q.
from wordwhore :
I would love that! If not for the dog, I'd try to make it happen, but he can't be left alone rn and bringing him would be very stressful.
from narcissa :
july 10: eternally grateful to have parents who understand when i say: "i have to go back to my life" even though on the surface (and frankly, while living it) it doesn't look like particularly much
from whystinger :
Pinhole cameras, how cool. It sounds like you are traveling and have a metal box you want to make into a pinhole cam. You may find be able to find a handyman, Auto repair shop or wood shop that could drill you a tiny hole, but you would have to probably buy the drill bit, which can be pretty cheap. I would imagine that you could buy a "pin vice" and tiny drill bit at a hardware or home store and hand drill it, IF the box is not a thick metal. 2nd, for the loading, they used to sell "black lightproof bags" where one could load their film into spools if you didn't have totally light proof dark room. Someone has one on the internet.
from catsoul :
7.5.2020. Great and helpful info. Thanks. J. you do whatever is least annoying. I feel that a blog whenever you want to post something of this sort would be so informative to the ignorant and stupid people. Just sayin' my two cents worth here. Peace. =^..^=
from wordwhore :
I was just talking about masking the other day, in a totally different context. It's so exhausting. ❤
from wordwhore :
"Why did I [bring the mending]?" Because if you hadn't, you'd have sat there thinking "Why didn't I bring the mending?"
from raven72d :
Loved the cat salad entry.
from narcissa :
i would be so honoured. i told you already but your art is.. *chef's kiss*
from wordwhore :
Man, I'd love to collab on something like that. Alas, no film camera anymore.
from wordwhore :
Thanks for the frustration solidarity.
from catsoul :
5.10.10. I so so agree with you. I hate every fuckin' holiday that has existed. It is all totally fake. I hear you loud and clear. Peace. =^..^=
from wordwhore :
That sounds exhausting
from wordwhore :
I've eaten chocolate and 3 kinds of bread. I am legit trying to remember if I ate anything else. Oh there were eggs. And more chocolate.
from narcissa :
AND YOUR NEFARIOUS SHIT. I don't know how you fnd the time or space for this but you have my extreme admiration.
from wordwhore :
Omg that's so tough. The dog too? :'( Well, despite what I previously read in several articles, apparently masks do help, so maybe sew yourself a cloth mask before you go get coffee. Or see if you can buy a gift certificate online for them?
from narcissa :
(just really nice to see it after reading about it all this time)
from narcissa :
holy hell i love your work. *heart eyes emoji*
from narcissa :
i always want to ask you... is there somewhere i can see your work?
from wordwhore :
I had similar sensory overload in the store today. There was So Much Noise and I nearly walked away from my cart and just left the store. There really isn't a good analogy for normies, I don't think. It feels like there is a bee hive in my brain and I can't hear above it and it itches my brain.
from wordwhore :
You remind me I need to make a new sour dough culture. My last one did not survive the move.
from wordwhore :
Hanging around the house all day is what we call being a stay at home mom and jewelry maker now, ok 😏 If it's her out dated expectations, that's one thing, but if you're beating yourself up that's another.
from wordwhore :
Why is it only on you to throw out the lemonade? If J knows how long it has been there, surely he also knows where the sink is? Surely he could have thrown it out? If not having thrown out the lemonade is a failing (which it isn't unless you've got a bug concern you're needing to keep under control), then it is not solely on your shoulders.
from wordwhore :
FWIW, I believe in your self-diagnosis. For many reasons. And from the outside looking in, I think your ILs are Not The Best (tm). I am a huge anti-fan of people who Know Best and therefore try and bulldoze past boundaries... and then act all wounded when you snap like said boundaries. Hi, my name is Wordy, and I am still bitter at my in-laws I haven't seen in >3 years.
from wordwhore :
If you sew cheetos to a shirt, someone will buy it
from catsoul :
2.5.2020. hi. Red sandals sounds like a nice change. Just paint your toenails with black polish. Peace. =^..^=
from wordwhore :
I've bought more shoes this winter than the previous few years combined. I needed them, but still felt guilty.
from wordwhore :
Pretty sure lots of places still use paypal
from wordwhore :
Me too Q. Me too. (Hates that period where things are new and scary)
from wordwhore :
Good goal setting. I hope you can stay motivated and make it all work. If you're like me, motivation comes in spurts and when it's here, you can do almost anything.
from catsoul :
12.23.19. You are too kind. I would fuckin' tell them it is time to leave and go home. Peace. =^..^=
from catsoul :
11.28.19. I don't like doing public things like you wrote about. It is no one's fuckin' business what I feel, think, or am grateful for. Fuckin' people, they holy shit are so amazingly annoying and stupid on the whole. Life isn't all about them. There. I said it. Peace. =^..^=
from wordwhore :
Actually, that's what I might call the so-called gratitude list from now on. "Today's Reasons to Steer this Ship away from the Rocks."
from wordwhore :
I'm not offended. I actually find it obnoxious when my friend does it daily in a "3 things I'm thankful for today" way and when many other people do it in the way you describe where it seems to be pious and about shaming others... and mine is currently more about steering this ship away from the rocks than anything else. And today? I'm not very damn grateful at all. Heh.
from wordwhore :
😥❤
from wordwhore :
I mean, I absolutely want it...
from catsoul :
11.14.19 Hi. Thanks for asking. One of my mantras I say all the time is: "I am at peace within myself." J. that has taken me over 3 decades to be at that place within myself. Thank you. Take Care. Peace. =^..^=
from weatethesea :
not long ago i had a similar thing happen, with a person in my virtual vicinity writing a suicide note. it's hard to feel so helpless. anyway, just wanted to say it's not good, but comforting in a weird way, to know that someone else has felt that too. i think handmade jewelry is a lovely way to combat that feeling and help your people know you're thinking about them, too.
from catsoul :
11.13.19. OMG, thank you for your caring strongly about others. Your ideas are so, so awesome. I love this idea of yours about the caring bracelets, esp. about suicide, you will have to send one to that fella you wrote about. I would wear a plaid and sequin handmade bracelet you made with great appreciation. You take care lady. Peace. =^..^=
from life-my-way :
Your Halloween card is incredible, I'm so excited to get one. In other unsolicited-advice-news, your broad interest in multiple materials and processes is wonderful. And not just because you won't get bored, but also because your fans won't get bored either. 11/6/19
from catsoul :
11.5.19. Hi. I also lay down when I get stuck on something creative. I so know that feeling of being stuck. For me it is with words, poetry, and writing. Oh, I also wanted to tell you I love the idea of sequins. I used to use sequins and little seed beads in my embroidery of my bell bottoms, way back in the 60's. Peace Sister. =^..^= P.S. I know you got this and then some!!!!!!
from wordwhore :
That sounds tough ❤
from silverluna :
Hello. I wanted to know what your Etsy shop is. I also have an Etsy and I "try" to sell crochet items. I have sold a few things. I just started writing back in this blog again. I also have a blogspot blog, and it could be easier to link your items and share a newsletter through a blog. Just some thoughts for you.
from wordwhore :
You inspired me to sign up for one for my art. I got signed up and then a bot started asking me tough questions like "what is your first name?" And "where do you live?" And it was too much and I stopped.
from life-my-way :
Though I am soon to be unemployed, I am very interested in purchasing your angsty necklace with the amazing bicolored knots. xo K
from wordwhore :
I almost took out the clean part because I wasn't sure (not that it matters anyway), but the rest stands.
from wordwhore :
Maybe your jewelry should just say "help"? Heh. I am sorry your friend was a douchecanoe. That was supremely uncool and uncalled for. Maybe there are avenues you haven't tried and maybe there aren't, but you've learned how to handle all your kids the best way you can by trial and error and you know them best. You know what doesn't work, even if you're still trying to figure out what does. And you're doing ok. Your kids are fed and clean and cared for and as safe as you can make them. You're doing ok. You haven't failed. You're working out the kinks until you can make a lightbulb that works in reality instead of just theory. You'll get there. U will get there. You may not step in front of a bus because who will I email or get emails from? Where can I go for "I am trash" commiseration? I need you on this mortal coil and I'm selfish enough to ask for it. ❤
from wordwhore :
Probably not, but you can find other subversive words. Pretty sure it's part of your inner structure at this point. There's also turning popular quotes and cliches on their ear to be had. "Resistance is crucial" for example. You probably need singular words, though, for jewelry. They don't have to be obviously subversive of course. "Go" could sound like an inspiration while truly meaning "go away from me."
from wordwhore :
I think people will always be into words. See: your bracelets and buntings
from catsoul :
10.4.19. Oh my god, who the hell wouldn't want big sheets of purple paper. Peace. =^..^-
from narcissa :
It would have been been very nice to drink pumpkin lattes! On my way back I had 7 hours so I just left the airport and wandered the city for a few hours. I am so intrigued by your non wholesome activities!!! Feel like I need more of those.
from kelsi :
Have a great trip! I was just reading some of my entries from 2003 when I was traveling by myself in Australia. Traveling is transformative but, yeah, can be boring. I spent a lot of time sitting in parks or botanical gardens feeling sorry for myself and trying to figure out where I should eat next...
from narcissa :
man, I'm flying through amsterdam tomorrow and yeah, SO BORING. wish I could have flown through at the same time as you.
from narcissa :
Sept 19- so excited for you that you’re doing this trip! I hope that you have a great time - your list of all those things you want to do sounds so dreamy.
from wordwhore :
I like graffiti too. Especially on trains.
from wordwhore :
Man, that wordwhore isn't kidding with her name, huh? 🤭
from catsoul :
9.8.19. Suggestion. Hey man, there is a party in my pants, want to join me?
from wordwhore :
Btw, since I made it in no way clear, the goats msg was a suggestion for bunting, Lol
from wordwhore :
Love it
from life-my-way :
I've had a lot of fun using "resist" with a sort of Black Panthers' fist pump...it appears to be alarming coming from a gray haired librarian and so much the better for that!
from wordwhore :
The goats don't have time for your bullshit, Karen.
from wordwhore :
Do it!
from life-my-way :
I love that idea! "Fuck this shit" should be festooned liberally about the place--it's at home everywhere these days.
from life-my-way :
"I feel kind of sick to my stomach. What helps with that?" Rolaids. Alkaseltzer. Baking soda in water. A nap. Talk with a friend. I hope you find one or many of these. Also, Kelsi is correct af. That free stuff for exposure bullshit is, well, bullshit. And your bracelets are amazing—I'll commission one when I figure out what I'd want to say (though that second one was pretty spot on). XO K
from kelsi :
The subreddit ChoosingBeggars is full of people who expect artists/designers/entrepreneurs to give them things for free in exchange for “exposure”. Not your fault for not realizing she wanted it for free - definitely her fault for thinking you’d do it for free.
from wordwhore :
If she trusted you to pick the colors, I wouldn't worry too much about it. If she complains, then offer to make her another, but don't offer unless she asks.
from wordwhore :
It says you updated 7 hrs ago, but is still showing the Halloween bracelet post
from wordwhore :
IG is weird with the likes. Sometimes I post what I think is boring and I get tons of reacts. Other times, I post what I think is awesome, similar to what has been well received in the past, and I get no engagement. *shrug* FWIW, I'm loving the new Halloween cuffs you're posting. The pics are great and they just really appeal for some reason. I didn't wanna say so, lest I jinx, but since you're already feeling shit about them, maybe it will help instead?
from catsoul :
8.24.19. How cool! I am so about Halloween. You could make this on a Halloween bracelet... =^..^=
from wordwhore :
I'm sorry people are such smug dickholes.
from catsoul :
8.19.19. J. you know I don't leave a note often. So, I want YOU to hear me. I respect your ability to deal day in and day out with your three unique children. I respect your ability to get up day in and day out to be their parent. I respect that YOU are there no matter what. It will be O.K., and for god's sake, stop paying attention to what any of those mother fuckers say. Peace. =^..^=
from wordwhore :
Lol sorry, it's a word I picked up from O. He never called them transmissions and never knew till later it meant anything else (him not me)
from wordwhore :
That all must be so hard. I'm sorry.
from wordwhore :
Oooh, I love that idea! Internal screaming is such a mood, half the time. Maybe 3/4...
from wordwhore :
You. Are not. A failure. ❤
from wordwhore :
You'd think she'd have noticed that your other two children did not, in fact, have to do that, whether *she* liked it or not. Also, not sure if I've mentioned, she's heinous. Heh.
from life-my-way :
Wishing a better today and an even better tomorrow.
from wordwhore :
That's such a good idea. I would not have thought of it.
from wordwhore :
Yeah, it was quite bad. Restraint with words was necessary, but my tone was unbridled Lol Thanks.
from wordwhore :
❤❤❤
from catsoul :
6.25.19. I can't wait to see your arm sleeve tats in progress. My sleeves took 5 years approx. to complete. I figured, what is the rush. I needed to find the right art to intertwine my arms. In the end, it was all worth it. So all said, J. I can't wait to see your art sleeves. Peace. =^..^-
from wordwhore :
GAH I forgot you were in TN! Jerry's artorama probably has that stuff, but it's in Nashville...
from catsoul :
6.12.19 hi. You and hubby will have to try out your creation. Peace. =^..^=
from wordwhore :
Ugh, I feel that so hard, remember it so clearly. That need for silence. For everything to stop. So you can just reboot. And a drill sergeant of an MIL who will. Not. Let you. And judges you, no matter what.
from wordwhore :
Halloween is always just around the corner
from wordwhore :
Yeah, when you wrote what he said about she can drink it here, I had this overwhelming rush of affection for him. Like here he is the so-called difficult one and he's trying to defuse the situation he did not mean to set in motion.
from catsoul :
5.24.19. My first thought after reading about your mother, is that she is fuckingly insane. I say ban that fuckin' bitch from your house. I know, easier said than done. So glad you feel safe to vent here. If we didn't vent, where would we be? Peace. J. =^..^=
from wordwhore :
*impotent rage on your behalf*
from wordwhore :
When I come for drunken tamales, can I be passive aggressive and rude to your mom? #askingforyourfriend
from wordwhore :
Hm, interesting. I think in pictures that the words and numbers evoke. I can't think words if others are talking, though. Can't write if music with lyrics is playing or if people are talking, the TV is going, etc. Only one set of words at a time, I guess. What is it like for you?
from life-my-way :
Thank you for this: "...she seriously has no fucks to give, bless her heart." It's the best thing that will happen to me all week, in all likelihood.
from wordwhore :
You'll figure it out. Sorry she's making it tougher.
from wordwhore :
Totally understand resenting it. I resent it when people wish me a happy one too. And I am well aware that not everyone's mother is like mine, so I accept your resentment over my post. I resent the fuck out of good dad stories myself.
from wordwhore :
That's a really shitty situation, with no good solutions. I'm sorry.
from dangerspouse :
Bwahaha! "Drunk pirate Santa"! That was great :)
from wordwhore :
It's lights during the day for me and I hate loud stuff, but yeah... touching when it's not one of my chosen few... do NOT. Very likely to send me off in some way. Probably why having the back of my booth seat kicked is so bad. It's a feeling AND a noise. I can't imagine having children relentlessly touching. I've never liked it when kids got close, or strangers got close enough to touch, can't imagine being trapped with it in your own house with your own kids, and unable to get away. That must be really hard. *comforting opposite of hugs*
from wordwhore :
I had the same reaction as you to ND fire. I had no real connection to the place to draw emotion from, I guess, plus all the art was saved and no one died (right?), so, there ya have it. Is stupid an ableist word? I didn't realize. I use it a lot.
from wordwhore :
Changed my pass again. The Un now has an f in front of it, so the un/pw are now the same
from wordwhore :
Thanks. Yours all sounds a bit unpleasant as well. I mean, not all, but the scary and painful bits.
from life-my-way :
Try the same thing only with pickled okra instead of pickles...mmmmm.
from wordwhore :
Cram Dickles.
from kelsi :
They're actually pretty filling, low in added sugars, and a simple ingredient list - so go for it! I wouldn't consider them a health food but for a sweet snack there's plenty worse. SO GOOD. So far I have managed to only eat one pack (of two) per day and I have no impulse control when it comes to food.
from wordwhore :
Yay for asserting yourself and not getting dragged into a situation you knew you would hate! 🌟
from catsoul :
3.14.19. hi. Your mentioning what you collected and made as a teen brought back a memory to me of when I was a teen. I collected gum wrappers and made miles of gum wrapper chains, I kid you not. My mom saved them for me for years. They were awesome, and I had so much fun and satisfaction doing that. I so get what you do and create. Fantastic J. Peace. =^..^=
from wordwhore :
Hey, if it's worth it to him to have the house clean, it's not too expensive.
from wordwhore :
I feel like I just leave you hearts now, but it's all I have to offer. ❤❤❤
from kelsi :
Dang, sorry you're going through this, and I hope you get some help! Hang in there.
from wordwhore :
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
from narcissa :
march 2: thanks, I appreciated that article. Something to think about.
from life-my-way :
I love that "teach yourself and document the process" business model--all you'd need is a nice instructional designer to give the process portion coherence and utility. As luck would have it, -I- am a nice instructional designer. Also a huge fan of your work. Something to consider. xo k
from wordwhore :
I had completely forgotten I used to shiver when I was very upset. Almost convulsantly. The fight or flight pulling all the heat to my core, presumably. Hasn't happened in a long time.
from wordwhore :
Yes! I can feel morally superior instead of lamenting how I was dumb for so long!
from wordwhore :
I'm glad you got that validation. I'm sorry your mom is so stressful.
from wordwhore :
Sending lots of whatever your comfort-equivalent of a hug for a normie is.
from life-my-way :
The words "my mom will be here in an hour and later party!" make my blood run cold. I wish I could help, but instead I'm sending well wishes (not thoughts, not prayers) for maximal peace and minimal commentary. Or whatever would help. xoxo k.
from wordwhore :
I saw a comment the other day like that, this guy claiming he knew all these people who had diagnosed themselves. And I pointed out that with the stigma associated with autism, I found it really hard to believe people were rushing to claim autism when it didn't apply. Like I don't autism is the hip new trend. You don't need a doctor to tell you what you know. Stimming, meltdowns, dislike of hugs, social ineptitude... these are all yours and they all point in autism's direction. Fuck that guy.
from wordwhore :
For me, hug enjoyment comes down to trust. If I do not trust you, and you make me hug you, it's a forced intimacy. And when I do hug people willingly, at times other than goodbye, it's usually for comfort, either for them or myself, and it's usually more akin to Temple Grandin's squeeze machine than actual hugging. What I've realized while typing this is that I don't mind *being* hugged as much as I dislike hugging *back*, when it is with someone outside my circle of trust. Hm. Hope you've enjoyed my dissertation.
from wordwhore :
I genuinely don't know how I haven't killed him yet. Mainly because I'd miss finding out what happens with S if I were in prison, I guess.
from wordwhore :
I have a leather bracelet which was clearly machine cut and it has lettering which was clearly stamped and they added snaps and it was $15. They should definitely sell at $20.
from life-my-way :
"It'll be different when it's your own" they said. Oh...it's different alright. It's so different. Be heartened to know that, as they grow, they never cease to find novel and imaginative ways to inflict themselves upon us. Cheers! xoxoxo k.
from dangerspouse :
LOL! Remind me to send another Thank You card to Dr. Vasectomy. My egg making sessions are much more relaxing :)
from wordwhore :
I'm not saying you should do it, all I'm saying is, black market adoptions where you sell your kids to rich couples are a thing.
from life-my-way :
I commend you on your immaturity. People call me "young at heart" but I know what they're really saying...xxx k.
from kelsi :
Ugh, oh god, yes - getting exploded on by a steamed decomposed mouse is much worse than watching a dog barf up a bunch of poop. That poor lady!
from kelsi :
Thanks so much for the amazing card! Seasonally appropriate salutations to you and yours as well!
from wordwhore :
That sounds exhausting.
from wordwhore :
It's unreasonable if she did the laundry against your will and then expected you to put them away in her time frame, which I suspect is what happened. O used to do this to me, as well as his mother. Do the easiest part of the laundry and act like it was some huge favor when all it did was force me to do the part of the laundry that I hate, at a time when I was neither ready nor able to do it, which made me even less willing to try. *me gesturing to projection-shaped butterfly* "is this empathy?"
from wordwhore :
Awww, he's a good egg.
from wordwhore :
Yeah that cleanup fee almost certainly has nothing to do with who she was or how she lived her life. Suicides, on the whole, like homicides, tend to leave a mess in more ways than one. Take note kids: if you're gonna off yourself, leave 3k behind for the people who have to deal with your remains. Sigh. I'm sorry all around. That she felt it was bad enough to check out, for the people she left behind who loved her, for people trying to turn it into even more of a shit show, for people who clean up things like that for a living... sad business.
from life-my-way :
That stocking mess is bull shit and I support putting your comfort first (at the very least) with family members who are older than you. Or same age. or with everyone except the children and only them when absolutely necessary. I'm trying this out, myself.
from dangerspouse :
Wait - WHO DOESN'T DO STOCKINGS ON CHRISTMAS DAY?! The "28th or 29th"? That's just WRONG! Who are these Grinches, and how did they manage to infest your life? OPEN STOCKINGS ON CHRISTMAS, THAT'S WHY THEY'RE CALLED "CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS!" Sheesh. You have my sympathy. And fwiw, I thought your story about your sister and the spaghetti was funny. What adult eats spaghetti like that? Didn't she ever watch "101 Dalmations"? The others at the table should have at least chuckled. Grinches, I say! (Merry Christmas regardless, kiddo. I hope you got that pony.) ;)
from wordwhore :
Their comfort isn't your job. Your comfort is your job. Why would she question a detail you gave? That's fucking weird, as far as I'm concerned. "Why did you say that?" Because it's a fucking thing that happened and you asked what happened. Ffs.
from kelsi :
Don’t worry about the cleaners, it’s their job to clean things that aren’t clean! And they won’t judge. I worked in housekeeping for two glorious seasons (for real, I loved it) after I dropped out of grad school, so I know what I’m talking about.
from kelsi :
What? Your MIL does your laundry without permission? For real? My lord. I wouldn’t want anyone washing any of my underwear, sexy or not. No. I’m sorry.
from wordwhore :
:/ I am so over the bi / pan debate. they mean totally different things to me and not because I think bi ppl are transphobic. Ugh. Sorry you're in premeltdown.
from narcissa :
21 nov - i feel like usually around this year you are describing your elaborate pie regimen, so i hope that you're well and creating/eating fantastic pies right now.
from wordwhore :
Being social is a lot of work. Sorry for the sad feels. Could be bc. Rfb is having some weirdness she thinks is from hers. Hope you feel better soon.
from narcissa :
10-10: sincere thanks for your note(s).. i really appreciated it/them.
from narcissa :
happy birthday! I also seem to always have a lot of beautiful soaps and yet usually am inexcusably quite dirty.
from wordwhore :
Fuck. Just... fuck. I'm sorry. ❤
from wordwhore :
that is a definite possibility. lucky me, i don't have to choose - i can cry AND bleed everyday! *side eye emoji*
from wordwhore :
Sigh. Meltdowns suck from both sides.
from wordwhore :
managing steps are important
from wordwhore :
oh that dream sounds perfectly awful, i'm so sorry :( also sorry you missed out on the TST event, but you're not a loser for avoiding a potentially bad situation.
from outer-jessie :
Not to add fuel to the fire, but as I was reading through my backlog of your most recent entries I too came to the wondering that perhaps medication would help (and this was before reaching the entry where you mentioned it). I'll tell you my experience and you can do with it what you will. A few years ago when things went completely south at work, my stress level became so high that it basically fried my brain. I was no longer able to cope with any stress at all, and it took over my body, and even my personality to some extent. Anti-anxiety & antidepressant medication got me back to feeling normal. I went off it a couple years later, wondering if I was all healed, and, well, no, I'm back on it again, and probably will be for the foreseeable future. But it has helped me so much that I'm okay with that. Whatever it is you need to do to help you find your enjoyment of life again, you deserve to do it.
from raven72d :
Thank you for the kind note--- and I am enjoying your entries.
from wordwhore :
:( ❤
from wordwhore :
Medication wasn't really successful for me, was a vital necessity for my father (who wouldn't stay on it reliably so it clearly didn't help everything), and works amazing wonders for my sister. *shrug* Point being, it's a crap shoot. You could always speak with a doctor and see what they say? I've had docs who were against me medicating. Anyway, there's always day drinking... 🙄😇😘
from raven72d :
Just found your diary at random. Some lovely, thoughtful entries.
from wordwhore :
Sorry you're having a low day ❤
from wordwhore :
probably same chain.
from wordwhore :
:(
from wordwhore :
I think you underestimate my willingness to click on his page just to torture myself, though. I'm kind of dumb that way.
from outer-jessie :
Ah, I wish I was close enough to go with you to the TST thing. We wouldn't even have to talk, we would just each have an anchor to cling to while we experience all the whateverness.
from wordwhore :
Um, at least it wasn't a monologue about pooping, like LO used to give? Maybe? Yeah, I got nothin, sorry :/
from wordwhore :
Thanks. It is some bullshit.
from wordwhore :
that all sounds very draining. i find myself less and less able to cope with certain things now. things i've always had issues with but used to be able to control my reactions to better. it is much like a dying battery. and maybe it's just getting older? maybe perimenopause? i don't know. but it sucks and i don't envy you. mothers don't get sick days, they say, but sometimes i think you have to take them anyway, for everyone's sake. i know you feel bad that he has to do so much, but clearly he handles it better since he kept suggesting doing things and also, you handle it all day when he's at work, no?
from wordwhore :
hit done with my wrist. anyway, thank you! i'm excited because i have a next now. good stuff.
from wordwhore :
Yeah, I knew that was a possibility. I don't even know if I'm good enough to get in, though I think I am, looking at the booths I've seen, but it was more kickstarting myself than anything else. I may already be at a disadvantage if they give priority to previous vendors who reapply. I'll just try another festival and try them again next time earlier. I don't expect to make a killing, I mostly just want to put myself out there and push beyond my comfort zone and try doing new things with my life.
from life-my-way :
The children are fortunate to have your awareness of their struggles. This story reminded me of when John was in his youth times. Often, when we'd arrive somewhere (esp a playdate or birthday party), he'd ask me to hang out so he could "get used to it." I would happily do this, but my mother considered it to be manipulation and would refuse. Therefore, she could not be trusted to take him to such events--she was way too busy needing to be exactly nowhere doing exactly nothing to wait for him to adjust. And so we fought our way through years 2 - 12 because I'd never let her be his ride to anything. Families, they are more complicated than I am patient and/or smart. I'm enjoying your travels, hope you are too! XO K
from wordwhore :
from wordwhore :
demand avoidance put to the ultimate test, i suppose. sorry that happened. wishing you some peace and quiet and a safe space to enjoy them.
from life-my-way :
I would love it if you came to SGI! It's practically a DL tradition, what with Flood coming that time. It's really about the best place in the world. Esp. in winter.
from wordwhore :
I did not grow up with the ocean, but I have always adored the beach and been drawn to the water in the worst way. Just, if I could be where the water is all the time, I would. I dream of an island life.
from life-my-way :
I just finished reserving a beach house for the month of February inspired, in part, by your recent tales. Thanks for that and also YAY!!!
from wordwhore :
THAT SOUNDS DREADFUL. Shit, caps lock was on. Too lazy to retype and anyway, that emphasis is how dreadful it sounds.
from catsoul :
Enjoy your alone time. Peace. =^..^=
from catsoul :
Release the truth all you want and how you feel. Motherhood is not for saints I tell you, never was. Anyhoo, just let it out. Take Care. Peace. =^..^=
from wordwhore :
so... motherhood isn't what they puke on you in the brochures, huh? :/
from wordwhore :
unf.
from wordwhore :
Is. But are sounds more right, even though it's wrong. For mid-life crisis, you could always start popping Viagra, see what happens xD
from wordwhore :
they should at least get creative with it: congrats on being able to successfully build and squeeze out offspring - in your uterus and from your vagina, respectively - and for not having eaten the resulting crotch fruit in the interim!
from catsoul :
5/11/18. I am worried. It is not, and I repeat, normal for excessive bleeding. For your own health care, please, please, schedule an appointment for yourself. Be kind to you. I have been there with this a few times. They did a D & C to stop the bleeding. Enough said from me. I do not usually tell someone what to consider, though my husband who is in the medical field, pushed me right away to get my bleeding situation checked out. Peace. =^..^=
from kelsi :
Boo for perma-period, hope it's really done!
from wordwhore :
my entire actual life.
from wordwhore :
mine's primarily made up of family, friends/people i've known since forever, guys i used to date (and their relatives), dland people, people i used to play fb games with, people i met teaching or writing, and (the largest group) people i met because of misha collins.
from wordwhore :
naked gardening? i am all for this.
from catsoul :
I heard that it was naked gardening day tomorrow. Be careful out there, sun and freshly healing tats don't mix well. Like Wordwhore wrote, careful of those butt slugs out in the garden, hahahahaha. =^..^=
from wordwhore :
Slug. On your butt. Butt slug. xD
from wordwhore :
*cuts out slack in the approximate shape of you* xD Same, dear. Same. ♥
from wordwhore :
Basically, my whole life...: There's a thing. There'sathingthere'sathiiiing...thatIwant. I want the thing. I want. The Thing. The. Thing. THE THING. Now, please. NOWNOWNOWNOWplease. The Thing. THE THINGTHETHING THE THING. NOW PLEASE. The thing.
from wordwhore :
YAY INK DAY!!!
from wordwhore :
I will now forever picture your brain as aluminum foil, which crumples into a useless ball as you stress out and smooths out again during the night as you sleep. For some reason, I find this iteration of anxiety brain soothing. Makes me feel better about when I can't. It's because my brain has been crumpled and is no longer good at wrapping around things. Feels less my fault, somehow.
from catsoul :
Something to look forward always, is to adding more ink. =^..^=
from wordwhore :
If it helps, both O and the twin siblings of an old friend of mine were poo-painters in their youth as well. O also had no empathy, was cruel to animals, and has Tourette's (and possibly other things). He grew out of the first 3.
from wordwhore :
and you weren't late, it's still my birthday ;)
from wordwhore :
haha, thanks :) ♥
from wordwhore :
Oh gosh, just caught up on you. That all sounds really rough. I'm so sorry it went like that. That must have been exhausting. Maybe he will cooperate more now that he knows what to expect. Here is hoping, anyway. ♥
from wordwhore :
YAY INK!!
from catsoul :
Exciting, April 28th, always a great thing to look forward to getting new ink. Awesome. Peace. =^..^=
from wordwhore :
that all sounds exhausting. did you ever decide whether to schedule him for a therapy evaluation? as you say, he's obviously in turmoil and a therapist might be better able to pinpoint the why and help you all unravel it. hope you can get it to a manageable state soon. ♥
from wordwhore :
i have experienced being told not to yell when i did not think i was yelling. i am normally told to speak up because i'm not loud enough. but when i'm angry, i'm told i'm yelling. there's probably a correlation. your mother was cruel and childish - to you and your children - and the fact that she shit talked you to a five year old is just so unbelievably horrid, i can't even begin. it sounds like something my father's family would have done and they're some of the worst people i've ever met. i am sorry that you had to go through that. if you are indeed broken in some way, it is not your own doing, but the mishandling you received at someone else's hands. and you have done much in the way of self-awareness and self-improvement and don't let her take that from you. she is the nasty voice in your head and she needs to shut up. ♥
from wordwhore :
Oh god, I'm so sorry. Parental fights are so wretched and diminishing. I hope you're feeling better now. I realize it will take longer than a few hours to fully process, but you know what I mean. I hope the pain is no longer so immediate and raw. ❤
from wordwhore :
You can always let her know that Lego did a study that showed children should learn exclusively through play through at least the age of 8...
from life-my-way :
I thought I'd noted you, and maybe I did on FB (which is making me crazy, in a terrible way, lately). Anyway, you are doing the hardest thing in a very thoughtful and self aware yet selfless way, and I admire all you're doing so much. You're giving your kids a great childhood and all DIY and everything. It is the biggest, hardest job in the world, and not in the vapid, trite sense, but in the Herculean/Augean Stables kind of way if that hadn't been a one day deal. But, like the stables, the river will change its course and wash everything clean. In the meantime, you're doing great, even when it might seem otherwise. I'm going to listen to this again, and I was tired when I listened the first time, but this podcast episode might be a good listen. For both of us. https://www.pri.org/programs/science-happiness/quieting-your-inner-critic
from wordwhore :
You seriously need a break.
from wordwhore :
i've heard about those apps and thought they sounded pretty good. people seem to find them really helpful. i don't get totally nonverbal very much, but sometimes, even the wordwhore has no words...
from wordwhore :
i think i know 3 people just like your mother, including at least one of my grandmothers and my older sister. i'm sorry.
from catsoul :
No mom award for your mom. I wouldn't let her come over, that is for sure. I know we don't get to pick out our moms, sorry to say, but you can tell her she only gets one visit every ten years, hahahaha. Peace. =^..^=
from wordwhore :
Go you!
from catsoul :
hi. April 9th would seem like a long ways away to me, because once you decide, now would be best. Too bad I don't live closer, I could help you help. Before I retired I was a special needs teacher, just sayin. I didn't live as the parents of the children I taught with all their unique learning ways. I feel for you, just want you to know. Early on I learned that never, never, ever judge anyone about who they are, or what they go through in their day. I listen and care. Peace. =^..^=
from wordwhore :
good luck on getting inked asap! sorry about the teeter-totter. if it helps (it won't), i often feel that way about trips to tx...
from catsoul :
I am excited for you also, getting the tattoo. My tattooist charges $125.00 per hour. I get a deal because I draw, and we trade, so for me my cost is less. I have been going to Doc's Tattoo since I was 21 years old. I am now 62 years old. He said I can keep getting tattooed until my skin doesn't stretch as much. Anyhoo, you will have to have someone take a pic. =^..^=
from wordwhore :
i have been wanting another tattoo for a while now. pretty much since he lifted the needle on the last one? yay! new ink is the best.
from wordwhore :
ugh, talking. in the words of my sister when i used to call her "what do you want? ugh, can't you just write it down?"
from wordwhore :
glad it went ok!!
from wordwhore :
Being homesick is no fun. I'm hoping to go to FL myself soon actually. I have a DLand friend who lives there too.
from wordwhore :
feeling in control of your body is a good thing!!
from wordwhore :
as for the legs, i just read the other day you should rest a muscle group completely at least once every 5 days. i don't know how accurate that is, but that's what i read, on a fitness website about exercise. as for the swahili woman, that is sad and unfair. at least she got to converse in her native tongue before the accident. i hope she pulls through.
from narcissa :
wiki hii kwa kweli ilikuwa katika Kenya kwenye mpaka! lakini ni nchi nzuri (nilikuwa na google pia kwa sababu swahili yangu ni mdogo kwa "jambo" na "kwenda polepole")
from wordwhore :
i think you're okay for now. you're eating consistently and mostly healthy stuff. what i've found is that keeping my calories super low for a a couple of weeks helps me get my appetite back to a "normal" level, where i don't need 3 helpings to feel full.
from wordwhore :
if you're worried about ED, just pay attention to whether you are taking things to extremes - did you eat a ridiculously minuscule amount/nothing all day or just significantly less than before/different foods than you might have chosen before? are you hiding your eating habits from people and making it look like you're eating more than you are? are you obsessing about the size of particular body parts? are you exercising to exhaustion and then exercising some more? these were the signs when i was in high school and dropped down to less than half what i am now, and while they aren't the only ones, they are ones you can look out for.
from kelsi :
I've done the little "eating" thing and had a good experience with it, even though you're not supposed to say that. It was a certain time in my life when I needed to feel some control over something, and that was the one thing I could control - if I could keep myself from eating enough to lose 5 more pounds, it meant that I had self-control. I kept on doing it for a while, knowing full well where I was headed. Thankfully, I suppose, it didn't get that far with me, so I can look back on it almost fondly. Just be careful and be sure to eat some protein every day and if it goes too far, try to get some help.
from wordwhore :
Cool! I will send the book when I'm done illustrating then :) I wonder if, re:jewelry/art, it might not be prudent for you to have some sort of item that is designed to draw people and then also have the sort of items that bring you joy. Am I making sense? Probably not. Um, say if you had a line of jewelry and you made your normal stuff that you like but also you made some pieces that were just to draw in people, like wonder woman- or other fandom- themed pieces. Something you know is popular that you made purely because it would probably sell, also knowing that people buying the themed stuff might say "oh those slugs are cute too, wonder what else she has?" Sometimes ideas are much clearer in my head than when I try to articulate. GOOD THING I DON'T MAKE A LIVING WITH WORDS :/
from wordwhore :
At least you skipped the auction and you get to keep the piece. And you didn't have to sell it for less than what you wanted for it.
from wordwhore :
Skip the show. Then at least the rejection won't be as immediate, if it happens. And hey, maybe it will do well!
from wordwhore :
changes of plans meltdowns are the things that most make me feel like maybe i am some degree autistic. i can't imagine the rest of what you dealt with today because for me it was only ever one kid at a time (although, i myself have had similar tantrums to the grinding the hotdog into the carpet one), but the feeling when you think it's one time and it's really another and there's panic and upset and maybe tears... that i understand all too well. i'm sorry you're having a hard time today. hope tomorrow is much better. ♥
from wordwhore :
it's ok. you were just really excited ;D
from wordwhore :
i read that as "shiny pants" and i thought, "hm, she doesn't seem like an excited by shiny pants person, but ok" and then you said shiny art supplies and for a second my brain tried to connect pants and art supplies via your mending thing and then i reread it and saw it was paints, but i felt i had to come share that with you before i read any further. carry on.
from catsoul :
hi. shadow boxes are very popular. you can do a lot of different things to shadow boxes. I do a lot of altered art and for about a year, a did altered art to shadow boxes. So I like your idea of shadow boxes. Peace Out. =^..^=
from outer-jessie :
You were not at home last Thanksgiving. You were elsewhere, not hosting, only worried about the pies. I'm not sure where you were, but it sounded like you enjoyed it well enough. (The beauty of a diary that documents your day to day.)
from narcissa :
11-5: full admiration that you managed a garden with everything else you've got going on. My squash never work out, so i've resolved to stick with only cherry tomatoes and herbs because they are the gifts that keep on giving.
from outer-jessie :
Dude, you sound just like me and the other teachers talking about our rowdy high school kids. It's a constant goddamn struggle, and if we let it it'll easily become the only thing we can ever see. It's just so freaking hard; you can get bogged down in the negativity, in the "if they would only just [some thing]" and the "but they just won't [whatever]". Looking at each individual moment, it feels like we're making no difference at all. But the kids feel safe there. They like to be there. They get excited about learning, every once in a while. They think about their futures. They think about how to reach their goals. The difference that we make, it's not in the individual moments, it's in the big picture. Your kids are loved, they are cared for, they are protected, they are accepted, they are stimulated, they are educated, they are introduced to the broader world. They'll be okay. They ARE okay. They're really cool kids, and you're a really cool mom.
from wordwhore :
I love what you say about jewelry!
from outer-jessie :
Normal, shmormal. I would have had the same thought.
from catsoul :
my email is: [email protected] I couldn't find the inner diaryland email to email you that way. I have tech issues sometimes. So we will see how this way goes. Thanks for bearing with me. Take Care. Peace Out. =^..^=
from catsoul :
so I typed in A temporary group name and no luck. does it need quotation marks around it? is every first letter in caps, what? I couldn't find it. oh well. =^..^=
from catsoul :
hi. I didn't know you are on FB? I am also on FB. If you would like we could be FB buddies. I post a lot of pics from around this neck of the Woods. I would luv to see your creative works of art. Anyhoo, peace out. =^..^=
from wordwhore :
The whole "This Is The Same Child As Before The Diagnosis" is a hard lesson. It's not unlike finding out someone is gay, where the instinct for most is to feel like the gay version of the person is a totally different person, when in fact, they are the same person with a new, pre-existing facet revealed. They'll figure it out.
from outer-jessie :
I was thinking festivals along the lines of this: http://piratesoftortuga.net/
from outer-jessie :
9-19 addendum: Dammit, I totally missed the entry where you said you were getting away from handmade journals. (Yet I would totally buy one if you made it.)
from outer-jessie :
9-19: Totally second the festival scene thing. You could do some cool stuff there - sword hilts and shields, or handkerchiefs and banners and tote bags for a more fabric-oriented process. Is it possible to do cyanotypes with resin as part of a book cover for a journal? What about clock faces and jewelry boxes? Is there a food grade resin that would allow you to make things like mugs and plates?
from wordwhore :
cutting boards maybe? also, having spent a great deal of time in the festival scene of late, they need fresh ideas, this i can tell you. people have the same old stuff and the patrons are clearly bored with it.
from narcissa :
love the idea of leaving homemade books in those little libraries. What a treasure for someone to find! I always peek in the one near my house but so far we've got a steady stream of Nora Roberts, far less enticing.
from life-my-way :
"You open it and you look at it and it fills you with joy as you marvel at its beauty. It's art." I love that. Thank you.
from life-my-way :
In re paper bags: ephemeral is awesome.
from outer-jessie :
8/31: I love the findable book idea! I also wish I knew how to make books, and how to teach kids how to make books. Is it the kind of thing I could learn to do or figure out without having to dedicate lots of time and brainspace to it? In short: Can you teach me from afar, or is that an exhausting proposition?
from wordwhore :
if money is not the goal but rather usefulness of the made object, perhaps you could make them and donate to children's wards in hospitals or something like that?
from wordwhore :
ignore the "a>" statement. just because i've seen some that are that color with dark skin tones doesn't mean they all are. got it.
from wordwhore :
I read all of the craftivism one and most of the other one. What I personally found with the craftivism one is that, while she may not be wrong, she never actually really says how the craftivist movement is being problematic. I mean, yes, there is the pussy hats exclude trans women and POC thing, but a> I'm not sure how the latter is true and b> she never says anything else to support how the movement is bad for POC. I'm not saying it isn't. I'm saying, if you expect me to get behind your hypothesis, you need to tell me why. That's not working for me for free, that's making your point in a way that makes sense. I am not part of the craftivism movement, but if I were, I'd say, if you're going to call me out on something, you're going to need to tell me why it's an issue. As for the other, as someone who has been a victim of a single destructive review that was totally false, I can't get behind that kind of social media warfare at all. Those quotes were taken out of context. If you're writing about a character who is a racist, they are going to say racist things. I don't understand expecting something else. This note is long and I'm sorryish.
from outer-jessie :
8-2: I'm sorry, I'm annoying even myself at this point. I'm sure you don't need one more iota of advice about how to survive life with three kids under four feet tall, especially not from someone who has never had kids. I just feel bad for how hard you are on yourself, when the truth is very likely that any sane person would be not-sane by the end of a day with three young siblings. My mother has blocked out our entire childhood, as I think I've told you before.
from outer-jessie :
8-2: This may sound really stupid, but have you tried distraction? With U, I'm thinking, and possibly Q if there are particular things that engage her. For instance, instead of asking the kids to leave you, ask them if they might want to be somewhere else. "I wonder if your trucks have come to life while we weren't looking? Why don't you go check?" Or, "Have you checked on our garden today? See if you can find any lizards in the yard." Or, whatever it might be. U is the middle child, he's never going to feel like he's getting enough of anyone, so he's going to have to be enough for himself. I know he's still a little guy, but does he have any interests that are just his own that can be developed?
from wordwhore :
It sounds like maybe you've narrowed down one of the major issues and can hopefully work through things from there. ♥ and oh how I wish these were only fleas...
from wordwhore :
Full body hannibal lector restraints. Have you tried full body hannibal lector restraints? (I kid... though I don't see any other way for you to attempt yoga)
from wordwhore :
Do they have some kind of childcare service aimed at kids on the spectrum? People who would be specially trained to deal with the kinds of situations you're describing? Then you wouldn't have to worry about subjecting them to it because they'd be trained. I don't know if that exists, but I would think by now it must (although whether it exists in your region is another matter, I suppose). I just feel so bad for you. All of that sounds like something you really need a break from and I don't see any other way for you to have one. Sigh. Wishing you the best.
from outer-jessie :
I'm sorry. If I was still in town, I'd come by and take the kids to the water park so you could take a nap. You'd be amazed (slash disgusted) by how kids can turn on the charm for a non-parental person in charge.
from outer-jessie :
I came in here to say the same thing as below. Even just getting a teenager to come for a few hours and do in-house play (or better yet, take everyone out for a walk) while you do what you want would be better than nothing, and would probably only cost about $20 a pop.
from wordwhore :
I can't imagine what you're going through, but it is not a sustainable situation. I realize it is probably worse rn because he's gone, but like the person below said, can you get someone in to help? Obviously, I realize that may not be financially possible, but... if it is, I highly recommend it.
from kelsi :
You sound overwhelmed. Can you get some help with the house cleaning and occasional childcare? Nobody can do it all.
from dangerspouse :
Hey, I just spotted my notification telling me you've added me to your Big List O' Faves. Thanks very much, I'm very flattered! I'll put you in my own as well now, as that seems only decent :)
from narcissa :
6-15-17: I learn so much by reading your journal. I really admire how you make the time and energy to think through all these issues around how you parent and how people interact. It seems like real gift that you have.
from outer-jessie :
You're allowed to have your feelings, no matter how dark or unkind they are. You love your kids, Q included, and damned if you aren't the most patient, empathetic mom she could have. Your modeling is how she'll learn those hard-to-teach lessons, and I think you're doing a brilliant job. It must be hard when it feels like every "bad" behavior your kid engages in reflects on you, but the "good" ones do too. I love that Q uses dancing and spinning to manage her stress. She may be still a little person, but I do admire that girl. And you.
from wordwhore :
I'm so sorry. Lack of impulse control can cause children (and adults who have things that cause LOIC) to do heinous, shitty things. But your feelings are not wrong. There is no "not supposed to." It doesn't matter that he's four and the intent probably isn't there. If it hurts you, it hurts you. You're entitled to feel that. It sucks that you feel it, but you can't turn it off just because he's not older. Four or not, if he slapped you in the face, your skin would still sting and maybe bruise, so of course your emotions are no different when he hits you verbally instead. ♥
from dangerspouse :
Hey there! Thanks for the note (even if it didn't include the usually requisite fawning admiration). So you want my ham, do you? Well, you're not the first girl. I'll tell you what, though. Rather than take up space here in your Notes territory, drop me a line at (notepad101 at yahoo) and I'll shoot you something back if I'm sober enough. Howzat? Oh, and...I'm glad to hear your mom doesn't have blood cancer. You're an awesome daughter.
from wordwhore :
Oddly enough, that thing you mentioned at the end about how many Christians view God's forgiveness as requiring repentance - that's what I was taught and that teaching actually helped me to realize (because I was also taught that you're supposed to forgive, as God does) that, if even divine God needs a sorry in order to forgive, I don't think my human ass could be expected to forgive some asshole who wasn't sorry. It also kept me from causing harm to my abusive father because I knew if I did, I would never be sorry for it and I didn't want to go to hell. So weird or not, that belief did serve at least two positive purposes for me :D A rare occurrence for much that I was taught in church, I will admit.
from wordwhore :
The why is for yourself, not for the person. Or people. It's to let go of anger that may be unhealthy and be harming you (as opposed to the person who caused it). The how is another matter.
from wordwhore :
To put it in perspective, lots of people think O is just the sweetest too. I hate that shaming for crying bullshit. My least favorite teachers thru school were the "turn off the waterworks" variety, who basically said "How dare you allow your body to have its natural biological reaction to your emotions." It was never directed at me, but it used to infuriate me when they would do that, shaming people for crying when yelled at.
from wordwhore :
I experienced similar doubt with my childhood abuse, until I didn't anymore. I clearly remember the moment that I allowed myself to claim it. It's empowering, to know yourself. Good for you.
from narcissa :
thanks i really needed to read the words PUNCH FEAR IN THE FACE this morning. YESSSSS
from wordwhore :
We /would/ be the best. I will check out that blog, thank you!
from life-my-way :
I wish I had a liberal satanist cousin who values disobedience. For what it's worth.
from kelsi :
Glad you enjoyed it! I just think it's funny imagining Mother Nature working for the NWS (which I did not make clear in the story but was clear in my mind).
from wordwhore :
Well, I suspect they wouldn't recognize (or care) about the distinction, but duly noted.
from wordwhore :
So... New Year's Eve going well, then? :/ *hugs* It's not the end of the world, just the end of the awful year. You could always tell them baking is part of your hazing to join TCoS. ;) ♥
from catsoul :
Hang in there. They will leave soon I hope. As for the coat, hell, just donate the fucking coat. I so dislike toxic people like her. I feel that you are such a caring person and a good mom. It will be alright. =^..^=
from wordwhore :
Sorry about the Aspie group. I'm the same way with internet disagreements. I see no issue with baking cookies every day for 20 days. Feels like a wonderful thing to me. Of course, I love baking, cookies, routine, and holiday-themed food stuffs, so what do I know?
from movingsands :
Hi! May I ask, what is that article you mention about success and art you mention in your nov. 20 entry?
from catsoul :
Top of your list tomorrow Tuesday, call for that appointment. No need to put it off. Call tomorrow please. Take Care. =^..^=
from catsoul :
Please please make a medical check appointment. Do not overlook something unexpected and unexplained. Take care of your health for you and your family.
from outer-jessie :
Not a mother myself (yet?) but what I can say is that you are saying some of the same things I have heard other mothers say when their kids are all little and irrational. And all of them and all of their kids are still living, so I can only assume that it is possible to come out the other side alive. I hope that is vaguely reassuring.
from wordwhore :
Just fyi, the fact that you liked one of the temple's posts showed up in my feed. There used to be a way to stop that from happening, but I thought I had done it for myself until the other day O asked me about an article I had liked on, so I don't if it's possible anymore.
from kelsi :
Sorry you're having a hard time, hang in there! That sounds dumb but I mean it.
from wordwhore :
:( I'm sorry you're in such a bad way right now. I'm sure it will get better, but I can't tell you how or when. Maybe you need to find a way to make time for you? Alone somewhere? I don't know how to make that happen in your life structure, but it definitely sounds like you are in serious need of a break from everything. ❤❤❤
from life-my-way :
I'm super good at being super secret. Really, I am. I'm Katherine Klose on the FB, if I pass the audition.
from wordwhore :
♥♥♥ I'm sorry it's so hard right now.
from kelsi :
I know I shouldn't *hate* any genre of music, but when the opera programming comes on the radio I literally run to the radio to turn it off before I have to hear any of it. Blech!
from wordwhore :
I actually saw a documentary several years ago about a man, a mathematician I believe, who doctors believe was "socialized out of" (not sure if I'm quoting or paraphrasing, but that's what I remember them saying) childhood autism because he was undiagnosed and had 5-6 siblings. I don't know if that's accurate or not, but the symptom that made them test him in the first place was his number visualization, which is a thing I have always done/had. It was the first inkling for me that I might be on the spectrum somewhere. I also took an online test (medical website, not facebook quiz) that was something like "If you score over 20, talk to your doc about autism/asperger's" and I scored, like, 35 or something. Of course, anxiety has similar symptoms, so I was never sure because I certainly have anxiety, but those things you posted last week... some of those made so much sense. I've been pretty busy, but I also plan to do more research into it. A lot of my childhood would be much more understandable, if it's true, as would many adult reactions to things. Oh, sorry, I've written a novel. Good thing I'm not living up to my moniker or anything ;)
from wordwhore :
i don't think we get a choice about whether we are artists. and comparing yourself to other artists never leads to good things. but i know how you feel. it can be overwhelming when you see so much creativity, but that's just your anxiety-brain talking. anxiety-brain is a dick and should be ignored. ♥
from kelsi :
You should read that 6/11/16 entry for inspiration and encouragement when you start to doubt yourself. Good luck!
from outer-jessie :
How about seed paper? The kind that you can bury and things grow from? If it was beautiful, hand-made, sustainable paper, maybe with something lovely written on it in calligraphy, I could see them selling like hotcakes as gifts for showers, wedding receptions, stocking stuffers, Easter baskets, and all that jazz.
from wordwhore :
You can actually reheat food in the microwave, did you know?? It takes cold food and reheats it so fast it's like magic!! (hi, just your friendly neighborhood asshole, saying hello with sarcasm, per usual)
from whystinger :
An abused woman in the park with kids and the kids were behind in development. That is horrible, except that she found you and even if it is one meeting, may be a blessing to her.
from wordwhore :
Those poor kids. How awful. :( I know what it's like, being kids who have to go to an unsafe space because mom had little choice.
from wordwhore :
If only you could resin the calligraphy rocks. Like words trapped in amber.
from swallowthkey :
grief is always hardest in those moments where you wish you could reach out to the person and do things differently/change your relationship and you remember all over again that the person is gone. thank you for reaching out.
from narcissa :
congrats on your order!!! Must feel exciting (even though you now have all that additional work)
from kelsi :
Oh! Thank you so much for the card! I was happy and surprised to receive it. Thanks! ... Also, you are a saint for having to endure so many long, long visits. Anyone would find that difficult. Anyone!
from outer-jessie :
We loved your card, and were very impressed with your work! I laughed at your note and it was all kinds of lovely. Thank you so much for sending one our way :)
from wordwhore :
I feel like your cousin and at least one of my in-laws would get along well and that's not a good thing.
from zenayda :
While clicking around dland, I saw your post about your cousin. Carl needs to get back in the house. (A little Walking Dead humor.) ;-)
from wordwhore :
I was just thinking about the decline of Dland myself. Fbook group sounds good, heh.
from whystinger :
Jewelry? I would like to see some of what you have made. I was into making earrings, when my ex-wife was into making things with beads.
from outer-jessie :
I agree with life-my-way's assessment. You are as close to her as her own self and she probably doesn't think of you as separate. She does love you though.
from life-my-way :
I'm sure you already know this, but reminders never hurt (at worst they merely annoy)--it is almost certainly just because you are the only one she feels safe being exactly her uncensored and purely authentic self in front of. Her behavior is not an insult but an enormous, if completely left-handed, compliment. And I'll be butting out now. XO and hang in.
from outer-jessie :
Map lace sounds ridiculously cool. Map doilies! Placemats and table runners and coaster...
from wordwhore :
I still remember crying for my mom on the bank of the creek on the playground in kindergarten. She said she put me in kindergarten (which wasn't mandatory yet) because she felt like I was too attached and too much of a "mama's girl." (not my words) Doesn't seem like it helped, frankly.
from outer-jessie :
There is so much joy in your last post! Congrats to Q for catching the reading bug! I hope it serves her well. Congrats, all yous.
from wordwhore :
fantastic!
from whystinger :
Straight tahini or did you make a sauce with it? I like tahini and as WW states, it is quite pricey, so I definitely understand. I ask if it was plain or made into a sauce because I am looking for sauce recipes made with tahini.
from wordwhore :
tahini, at least where i live, is VERY expensive. and so is hamburger. and just... wtf is wrong with your MIL?
from wordwhore :
just fyi, crafts made with mesquite, in my experience go for ridiculous amounts of $$
from kelsi :
Gender-stereotyping tripe aside, I think princess crap is fine - it's exercising the fantasy/make-believe/play muscles, right? I don't know, I just remember being a kid and having these fantastic play sessions etc. etc. You're a good mom! Congrats on the new kid!
from wordwhore :
i am sure it is j's fault. people with names starting with j are not to be trusted. ;)
from life-my-way :
It would be great if you'd put your Etsy link in your diary...I have some small persons to shop for and would be very interested in your wares!
from dangerspouse :
HOME MADE MARSHMALLOWS RULE!! I would buy your entire inventory. Woo hoo! Lol...and good luck getting gifts for the kids who have everything :)
from outer-jessie :
So she needs to believe she can do it before she will try. That information will almost certainly be useful in the future.
from outer-jessie :
Not cheerful, "cheerfully subversive". That's a horse of a different color, surely. I love the idea of being cheerfully subversive, and I think your glitter hammer is evidence of exactly that. (Also, I probably wrote that five years ago.)
from kelsi :
Not Adolph, though, right?
from outer-jessie :
Does this mean you now get to choose one of the names you would have liked better?
from jaysthoughts :
Just seeing who stays active and checks their notes.
from outer-jessie :
I love the glitter idea. I can't wait to see what you create.
from wordwhore :
i hope you can all find some peace now. ♥
from kelsi :
You said not to bother with condolences, but I'm sorry anyway. It's just so fucking sad. And hard to understand.
from narcissa :
congratulations!!! I don't have any, and that sounds super nice. As one of 3, I think it's the best sibling number. Lots of time to be on your own and develop yourself as you want, but also you've almost always got someone to hang out with.
from kelsi :
Nice, dude - congratulations!
from outer-jessie :
For what it's worth - congratulations! You make adorable mini-people, you two.
from wordwhore :
If anyone can handle it, darling, it's you. Best of luck with it all. ♥
from outer-jessie :
Don't be so hard on yourself. You are also modeling that a capable, intelligent woman can have an off day or so but still pick herself back up and go on being capable and intelligent. My two siblings and I (three under the age of 5 until I started kindergarten) annoyed the living fuck out of my mother, but all I remember is that she was always there and that I had a wonderful childhood. Soon, you won't be Q's whole world anymore; she'll find friends, she'll have individual interests, she'll drag Uly into kid things that are necessarily separate from you. But she won't forget that you are there.
from catsoul :
5/23/14...sounds like an awful tough day, sorry for you. When my granddaughter is here I have only one small clothsbasket full of toys in the living room for her. That's it. I have 10 books out for her. Then after a couple of days I switch a few books up and a couple of toys. I figure that if she has a fit about anything, I let her, then I tell her we will play with something in the basket. I am sure it is tough with two now though. It will pass. Take Care. =^..^=
from wordwhore :
So. Day going well, then? :/ Hang in there.
from catsoul :
peanut butter fudge, caramel fudge, oh my, yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmy
from stepfordtart :
Aaahhhhh! Farting about FTW!! s x
from stepfordtart :
I googled it - it looks good! s x
from stepfordtart :
Both my kids read it at school a few years back but Ive been studiously avoiding it (I just cant be doing with fictional sad things when there's enough real sad things out there). I wouldnt be doing the damn book at all if I had the choice. Its worth reading to the end - its a good story - but, oh, I wish I wasnt having to. s x
from wordwhore :
you are creating again and that is the important thing. create and create some more.
from outer-jessie :
That is a beautiful vision! I love the idea of being able to get paper, or paper crafts, with a story.
from outer-jessie :
Dumb question coming at you: What's wrong with just making beautiful interesting papers?
from narcissa :
i love reading about all your ideas!
from stepfordtart :
Just a regular masonry bit on an electric drill should do it, shouldnt it? The tricky thing would be holding the damn things still - Im thinking some kind of padded clamp type thingy. Hope you post pictures if it works - Im intrigued! s x
from stepfordtart :
"guerrilla citrus harvesting" - that's called "scrumping" over here, but I like your version much better. It sounds less "theft"-y. Is it OK to add you? s x
from outer-jessie :
Quite an appropriate a sentiment, I'm afraid. In regards to your post, have you ever read "Creepy Things Kids Say", or something to that effect, on Reddit? I have spent literal hours reading the posts because they make such fascinating little mini-stories. Not saying I buy it all, but it's great when you're trying to feel a feeling other than dread (about real things).
from wordwhore :
well as someone who believes in the paranormal after some things happened when i was a kid that i still haven't found explanations for, may i suggest you get a white sage smudge stick and smoke that room. you're in arizona, i am sure they sell those in quite a few places. as a fan of supernatural (the show) i'm also contractually obligated to tell you to throw salt at the corner and see if that works.
from wordwhore :
:) thanks friend!
from wordwhore :
i don't think you're being oversensitive. but then, i'm kind of a bitch.
from kelsi :
Soon you'll become known as the Roving Maramaladist, and businesses will request your patronage. Guests at the inn will demand to buy your products. You'll be written up in the lifestyles section of the local paper, and voil�.
from kelsi :
Take some marmalade to the manager of the inn and say, hey, I'll give you marmalade if you let me pick your fruit, and do that at some other businesses with fruit trees, and voil�!
from wordwhore :
embrace your inner freak, lady. let her out and let her shine.
from wordwhore :
i have a few good memories from early elementary school, but plenty of bad ones. i say home school while they are young. later, you can send them on to regular school, but keep the early years for yourself. teach them real self-esteem before anyone has a chance to take it away from them. my nephew loves school now, but i don't regret his home school years even a tiny bit.
from kelsi :
Sorry about your brother.
from wordwhore :
i'm sorry to hear about your brother. i know it wasn't sunshine and rainbows between you, and i am sure that doesn't help much. best thoughts.
from dangerspouse :
HAHA! Ain't cooking for picky eaters grand? Just throw your arms up an pour them each a bowl of Cheerios. Would serve 'em right.
from catsoul :
No worries....no rush.....tis the season to chill & be happy. Enjoy. Thank you. Take Care. =^..^=
from kelsi :
I'd sign up for you to send me art but first I need to get over this durn mixtapers block I've been suffering from for the last few years. Because I'd send you a mixtape in return, a really great one that your kids would live too. But I just can't do it :(
from catsoul :
I would vote for the Pie Feast! Sounds like a plan to me. As for cleaning, don't bother, until they are gone. Toys on the floor are a must, a home is lived in a house is just a house with no soul. =^..^=
from catsoul :
Hi, maybe it is in the mail. You and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Take Care. =^..^=
from wordwhore :
i like car races, but i still hate nascar.
from life-my-way :
Thank you for sending me art! I am enjoying it very much at an otherwise overwrought time (which is why I'm so dreadfully late in thanking you). Your work, it is very cool.
from outer-jessie :
I was about to say the same thing that word whore just said.
from wordwhore :
i'm grateful to you for saying that.
from catsoul :
10/31/13.....Happy Halloween....hope that you got those suspenders figured out. Anyhoo, did you get my reply to your email, I am just checking. Take Care. =^..^=
from outer-jessie :
I am not afraid: pee oh bahx thirty-nine, oakland, land of the kneebraskoids. Oh, I saw some Minnie Mice today and thought of you. Specifically, how you would hate them. Then I wondered what you would think of the Tangled merch just down the way? Rapunzel is hardly an empowered female role model, but is she as bad as Minnie? I can't decide.
from life-my-way :
I'd love to have some mail art! If you would please email me at mkklose at gmail dot com I'll send that address right away. And thanks for doing this--what fun!
from catsoul :
email me at: [email protected] so that I can give you my name & address. I love to do snail mail stuff. Thank you. =^..^=
from catsoul :
hi I would love to partake in receiving one of your art mail creations. =^..^=
from wordwhore :
THANK YOU!
from dangerspouse :
I love the tea flavored yogurt idea!
from outer-jessie :
I do love a good hoop earring. Also, if I was still full time in Tucson, I would totally take the kids for a day so you could get on the Supernatural up-catching.
from wordwhore :
1-3 are all things that would happen to me (and/or have).
from wordwhore :
hoop earring=classic
from wordwhore :
happy impending days of birth! also, you're watching supernatural and i just...you are my people and i love you.
from outer-jessie :
Happy almost birthday to U and you! Ooh, that's fun to say.
from wordwhore :
potty training nephew was HARD. not necessarily in the same way it's hard with Q, but so unbelievably difficult. he was terrified of the toilet and the potty before we started and there were so many accidents afterward, after he was technically "trained". there were not enough rewards in the world to make him comfortable sitting there. what finally worked was a mixture of tough love and convincing him to trust me. and when he finally went on the potty for the first time (after literally 2 hours of sitting there), his initial reaction was fear that he would be in trouble, so our celebration came as a huge, happy surprise to him. long story longer, it does get better.
from kelsi :
Tell Q that I'm scared of auto-flush toilets too. They never flush at the right time. They are poorly programmed robots.
from wordwhore :
hang in there, tired mama. and maybe hire a babysitter for an afternoon, just so you can get some rest...
from wordwhore :
you speak truth about biscuits. canned "biscuits" are the bane of my existence. they should be outlawed.
from outer-jessie :
Thank you! All in all, it did go remarkably well.
from wordwhore :
i can see that, i just saw families where the kids were literally expected to do ALL household chores while parents did none. -shrug- but yeah passive-aggressive manipulation rarely turns out well for anyone.
from wordwhore :
having children do chores was something i was never overly fond of myself. making your children take care of what i see as adult responsibilities always smacked mildly of slave labor to me. oh sure it was supposed to teach them responsibility yadayada, but the only real chore i ever had was cleaning my room or helping clean house during a spring clean - and to this day i LOATHE housework of any kind and i probably clean less because of it. i mean, having them pick up after themselves, take dishes to the sink, throw things away, put dirty clothes in the hamper, sure, i am totoally behind that, but taking out the garbage and washing dishes and sweeping floors, i am just not for it. sorry for ranting in your notes again.
from catsoul :
7/4/13 Home schooling is good. Don't worry about what others think. They should be glad that you want to do this for your children. My kitty, Taffy is trying to help me type. She also thinks it is a meow of a way to go. Take Care. =^..^=
from wordwhore :
i doubt i will ever comprehend this obsession many people have with other people's opinions of their or their relatives' life choices. is it their life? no. so is it their business? no. end of story. does it matter sheila if thinks it's weird? not if it isn't her family. meh. sorry, personal pet peeve. i hate nosiness and busybodyhood and this idea that everyone should conform to what A&B thinks is appropriate instead of doing what is right for a Z.
from wordwhore :
i actually did go visit the page with the demonstrations on them and I did them as directed, but I really wasn't feeling anything where I was supposed to be. I am still trying to do them, but I figure the other isn't hurting anything, either.
from wordwhore :
yeah, moms are good at that.
from outer-jessie :
Perhaps the one saving grace of all that crap is that eventually little girls become world-aware and grow out of it. I have no fears for the little spirit of Q - she definitely has a mind of her own, and she's not afraid to use it. She may never have to grow out of it, as she may never actually fall under its princessy, squeaky-voiced, glitter-laden spell.
from outer-jessie :
Re: midwest in the summer, Tucson the rest of the year: I had the exact same idea! If you can create a market for a wandering horde of nomads, I am so signing up. Re: Minnie and Daisy: When you mentioned the show to me in the park, I got the names confused with the Mickey Mouse Club, which is probably not even on anymore and would be uninteresting to Q at this age - but still, I was like, what's wrong with the Club?! Nowwwww I get it :)
from wordwhore :
It's a good year for southern produce thus far.
from wordwhore :
poor little guy & poor little mommy!
from imjustanerd :
Not to mention how good those nighttime feeds are for milk production! Sorry, I can relate. Sometimes my MIL makes commentary that makes me come unglued.
from wordwhore :
and here i thought the human pacifier was vin diesel...
from wordwhore :
You're totally entitled to your feelings. And the fact that you recognize they aren't the only way to look at things means you're doing pretty well, I'd say.
from outer-jessie :
"One less thing to meow about" has tickled me to no foreseeable end.
from catsoul :
With your kitty, try a jet stream spray bottle filled with water. A question, is she fixed? Taffy cat meows a bit here, I can't imagine a constant meower. Good luck. =^..^=
from wordwhore :
"Because what else does one do when one has an entire house to pack up and move in 5 days?" One makes a loaf of mfn sour dough, that's what! Moving requires special sustenance.
from wordwhore :
yeah, i guess i'm still an asshole. because to me, if you have kids, it is your job to take the best care of them that you can, period. your kids should come first, at least most of the time. that isn't always easy. but that's what a parent signs on for. my mom and grandmom both worked cooking for others for a while when i was young and they both came home and cooked real food at least a few times a week. because it was part of the job. i recognize i don't have kids i gave birth to, but even with the ones who aren't mine, i put them first and...you know, i think what it boils down to for me is, my mom worked her fingers to the bone raising us and listening to whiney little bitch girls who thought it was cool to get pregnant in high school on purpose talk about how it's too hard to cook for their kids and do things for their kids that they are supposed to do, well...like i said, i'm an asshole. i mean, my mom also worked cleaning places for a while and that never stopped her cleaning the house, you know? of course, mom is superwoman and i get that, but people should at least try to live up to that standard. i mean, you stand up to your in-laws for your kids and that ain't easy for the social awkward, am i right? you do it because it is for your kids and you believe in it, hard or not. sure, you're in a better financial situation than my mom was, but that doesn't mean you aren't working just as hard, in similar and different ways, to make sure your kids have what's best. -steps off soapbox and wanders off-
from wordwhore :
ha! i listened to all three, just to be sure, lol
from wordwhore :
I saw Pollan on Colbert and I liked him, generally. Having not read the book, I can't speak to how it addresses things from a race, class, gender standpoint, but I don't see how a book telling us we need to cook more can address those things. We do need to cook more and not rely on processed foods. And no, being poor does not mean you can't make your own food. I was dirt poor growing up and yet I grew up learning to cook. You don't have to buy prepackaged garbage with your grocery budget to survive. I don't know, maybe I'm just an asshole, too. But I'm an asshole with home made sour dough bread in the oven, so I practice what Pollan preaches anyway.
from catsoul :
Being a patchouli lover, incense burner, hippie type of gal, I so get your writing about moms who are to perfect. I think that the too perfect mom is uncomfortable around me. I like calm, cool, relaxed, and zen-like. So your child is the lucky one. Take care. Peace out. =^..^=
from outer-jessie :
Thank you so much for letting me tag along with you guys on your walk & playground adventure! I had a great time meeting you all and getting to hang out with you. You have such a fun family! Though I did come home with a lovely burn thanks to the fact that I completely forgot how to be in the desert, it was really nice to be out in it again. Thank you all again for including me in your outing, and for the ride back to my rental!
from outer-jessie :
Congrats on the new place! Care to reveal what neighborhood it's in? I'll be in Tucson next weekend, somewhere in the vicinity of Mountain and Ft. Lowell - not that I expect you to drop everything and come find me. What I do expect is to have a minimum of one dozen moments of HOORAY I'M IN TUCSON!
from wordwhore :
hummus?
from catsoul :
hi, just random reading, and I read your entry. Your photo of the cat, sure looks like my cat. Your cat's paws appear whiter, my cat paw color is cream. Just wanted to tell you. Happy Easter. =^..^=
from wordwhore :
You could always go the food truck (van) route. Go to places like the garages at car dealerships where there are lots of hungry people who have to grab food quick.
from wordwhore :
ahh, wiki says prairie dog is a type of ground squirrel...yes, the internet is very helpful.
from wordwhore :
good luck on the pies - the interwebs believe in you! also, never heard of them before, but round tailed squirrels look quite similar to prairie dogs, just with longer tails - very cute!
from wordwhore :
when you bring the camera, they will hide from you.
from outer-jessie :
I know the little rodents you're talking about! But, I have no idea what they are. I've got a picture of one labeled "Woodland Critter".
from outer-jessie :
Uber-lame! Perhaps I'll make you my personal marmalade maker. Because I am rolling in dough, naturally, and nothing goes with dough like some artsy jam.
from outer-jessie :
Re: Marmalade - Farmers' markets? You seem like just exactly the kind of artisan that farmers' market aficionados like to patronize. There's quite a jelly market in Tucson :)
from wordwhore :
i remember reading or hearing that children are essentially born with sociopathic tendencies - thinking they are the only real things in the world, that sort of thing - but that with proper parental love and guidance, they learn their way out of it. some faster than others, obviously, and just gone 3 is no time for concern, i wouldn't think. once she has had more time to hear more i love yous and see more empathy, she will start to pick it up.
from wordwhore :
I have often considered doing just what the son did, going off to serve in a convent/monastery/Amish village, where I know exactly what is expected and social graces are an irrelevancy. The fact that I am neither Buddhist, Catholic nor Amish was just (barely) enough to dissuade me (so far). Good for him.
from wordwhore :
HEY! Don't talk shit about rainbows! (I have a serious thing for rainbow colored things. Like when a yarn store has stuff in rainbow order I just stand there in a Zen state, captivated)
from wordwhore :
Ornaments from dough? That sounds fun! Can I play? =)
from wordwhore :
i first read your last line as saying "origami jewelry" and i pictured pinwheel necklaces, with the paper all stacked and glazed like you do. i liked it.
from nessus :
No I haven't, but it sounds interesting. I'll see about obtaining a copy. And no, I most certainly don't mind advice, I really appreciate it, actually. It's unbelievably helpful having different perspectives. I apologise for the theatricality; I wasn't having a good week.
from outer-jessie :
G says, in the Navajo culture (traditionally), they "shock" the older sibling with cold water, or by throwing them in the snow, to cure them of jealousy of a new sibling and all that goes along with it. I'm not advising that you actually do this - besides, it's a little hard to find cold anything in Tucson. But at least you're not alone in dealing with this!
from wordwhore :
ok..um, don't breathe too close to j then? heh.
from wordwhore :
it sounds like you guys are having a really hard time right now. sorry to hear it. i am sure it will smooth out, hopefully sooner than later. when it all gets very heavy, just remember that it is okay to take a moment for yourself to just breathe, ok?
from wordwhore :
reality is quite the uncooperative bitch.
from wordwhore :
It could be worse. She could still sometimes buy J underwear for Christmas as though that is in any way appropriate for a grown married man...
from wordwhore :
I don't think the same rules of communication apply when one person is a smirking non-listener. Brick walls require different tools than stacks of pillows, I think.
from wordwhore :
I think I just drooled on my keyboard from all the talk of pumpkin-y goodness...
from wordwhore :
hopefully you will see the girl at the park with her parent(s) next time and can tell them that woman is horrible to their child. Or you can invite that mean 6 yr old you know to kick her butt. ;)
from wordwhore :
You could have had a butter churn and you turned it down?? Kidding! Though it would be a cool decorating piece, I find an egg beater works perfectly well for modern butter-creating needs. Also: raw wood makes me erg-y.
from outer-jessie :
Congratulations! For the new baby conehead, not the parts that sound all kinds of awful.
from outer-jessie :
Good luck! I don't know what the science behind this is (or if there even is any), but my friend took some castor oil to avoid having to be induced and the baby slid out in a matter of hours afterward. Slick and shiny, no doubt.
from kelsi :
Ahhh, hey, what's going on? Hope it's going well, AND I hear it's your birthday! Happy birthday!
from wordwhore :
you know, if you *were* going to ever go off on them about these things, now would be the time. what with the extra-overly-pregnant stress/hormones as an excuse. just sayin'.
from kelsi :
Your baby really didn't want to be a Virgo. He will grow up to be a judge, it hath been proclaim'd. Just kidding. Good luck! Hope he makes an appearance soon!
from wordwhore :
"[1st born] was late and it took forever, they kept having to move me to try and get him to come out right and that kid came out with a pointed head! But with [2nd born] I was all done in 4 hours and got up and took her to a garage sale the next morning." Story that my aunt told this weekend that I thought might be of interest to you, and your desire to feed your sour dough and finish your order. Heh.
from outer-jessie :
If I had only known! Tucson has a lot of wonderful gems like that, way more than I am even aware of. I hope you've found the Tamale Company, and Zemam's Ethiopian restaurant, and Babylon Market, and the Chantilly Tea Room...and so many other quirky unique places that, in sum, make up what I dearly miss about the Old Pueblo. I wish the drive-in was still up and running, but it's gone now. What part of town do you live in? I used to live on the northwest side of town, and then Djay and I lived far north of campus (north-central) near the mountains for several years. MOUNTAINS. Now there's another thing to love about the place.
from outer-jessie :
I can do that! Acronym-style. Jeesh, Can Apples Not Touch Other Needled Entities, at (likely the very same end-of-email-address bit that J uses), aka email dot arizona dot edu. Er...did you get that?
from outer-jessie :
I would dearly love to know what your names are. I am hoping you will take pity and email them to me. Voyeuristic it may be, but curiosity is a hard itch to scratch.
from wordwhore :
you know which group i fit into. and i don't think you need to be annoyed with yourself for talking about q the amount that you do. at least from the perspective of someone who only knows you from reading tidbits of your life, you don't do it to the exclusion of all else, certainly and you still seem to be the same person you always were, albeit the "now with 100% real children!" version, heh.
from wordwhore :
just fyi http://www.k12.com/azva
from wordwhore :
you're an incorrigible rabble-rouser, you are. ;)
from kelsi :
But it has electrolytes!
from wordwhore :
gatorade was something my sister and i went round and round over with my nephew because she wanted him to have it every day(!!). he didn't like it and often it sat, undrunk, until she threw it out. we outright refused to give it to him when he came over. we campaigned repeatedly against her giving it to him at all. too much salt, we said. stop it, we said. finally, bless him, he refused to drink it often enough that she stopped trying.
from outer-jessie :
Brilliant. Let's do it. Explosive mental diarrhea is a step in the right direction.
from wordwhore :
my mom just did the same thing to me! only instead of leaving it for me while i was away, she had frozen it while i was away and when i got back, she asked me to prepare said chicken for dinner - with only about 2 hours notice, which meant instead of defrosting, i instead had to remove the styrofoam and the frozen...what is that thing called? the juice collection packet they put between the meat and the foam, anyway.
from wordwhore :
(if i may rant a sec, 6 is way too old to be allowed to act like that. it's one thing when Q does it at 2, but 6 is old enough to know you're being a rude little shit. /judging others' parenting) anyway, i like you and don't find you at all scary. do you want me to pull her hair when we get on the playground? i will push her down, too. and i will yell "DON'T BE MEAN TO MY FRIEND!" and then i will spit on her.
from outer-jessie :
That sounds like a little girl who's wanting a possibly-parentally-enforced nap.
from wordwhore :
as much as i adore cats, i have found that they will most often be where they are least wanted. like leaping onto my keyboard and mouse when i am typing something important, like a form that involves a transfer of money. or shoving her head into my hand and sitting on my mouse when i am trying to type a note to yo0u about cats. =/
from outer-jessie :
There was a school where I interviewed before leaving for NE, which might be the kind of thing you're looking for. I don't know for sure, as I don't *actually* know you, but it might be worth a look. http://www.khalsamontessorischool.com/ I liked it, but I was overqualified for the job they were hiring for. (Don't let the preposition at the end of that sentence fool you.)
from wordwhore :
yay for tiny happinesses!
from wordwhore :
wishing soothing calm your way.
from wordwhore :
if it's any consolation as far as the trucks vs roses, footballs vs tiaras thing goes, my dad's side of the family shoved lacy frilly dresses (and all the associated "this is girly" crap) at me and my sisters like they were crack peddlers and we went to see every disney movie that ever came to a theater near you. and i wore the dresses and loved princesses - while climbing trees and playing in the mud and playing football with the neighbor boys. i firmly believe it is because my mother created an environment of acceptance while being a strong capable woman who herself did not worry much about all the "girly" things. i went thru a shoes and makeup phase that lasted maybe a year and that was pretty much it. RFB loves "girly" things, but she also loves "boyish" things. i know it's obnoxious that our society is divided like this because it sells product. it makes me insane. but your girl has you for a mom - she's gonna be fine.
from wordwhore :
For a long time I have been tempted to post "Honk if you love Jesus! Hit "like" if you don't think what you post about him on Facebook will get you into Heaven!"
from wordwhore :
What a day for you! =( I am SO sorry there was another break-in. Sorry your kitty has left you not knowing, sorry your concert experience was so uncomfortable, sorry you lost more mementos and more peace of mind, sorry for all of it. -BIG INVISIBLE HUG-
from wordwhore :
You are NOT being too possessive of Q. You have definite and positive ideas of the healthiest way to raise her, sound justified reasons for those ideas and every right to stand up for those ideas. MIL's doing the sweets thing on purpose, that much is clear or she wouldn't deliberately wait till you are out of the room to "Oops there's a cookie! Gosh, is that ok?" Stay strong. Buy Q a t-shirt with the sweets, pink, princess, tv, etc list on it with a big red ghostbusters circle with a slash through it, haha
from wordwhore :
I am going to start substituting gubernatorial a duck as often as possible, especially when totally inappropriate.
from wordwhore :
See when Q didn't like the flower bib, I'd have been all "Don't worry, I'm sure when he arrives NewBoyChild will love it!" (I have my share of pure evil, too)
from wordwhore :
When around my in-laws is one of the times I am thankful NOT to have children. Your experiences are reinforcing that feeling. Your in-laws are kind of like the Jackie Paper versions of mine, though, I think. Mostly well-meaning, with only whispers of the pure evil from which mine are almost entirely constructed. Your BIL perhaps has a bit more than FIL & MIL? Or maybe cat genes, as you say.
from wordwhore :
hurray and huzzah for lack of test-taking nonsense! hoping your package will arrive today!
from wordwhore :
ok, i was thinking more like the new state should be able to take the number and look it up to prove you have a valid current license.
from wordwhore :
do you know your DL number? because if so i think you should be able to get it replaced without retaking the tests, even with changing states. not sure, *think* so.
from life-my-way :
I love unschooling too! If my 16 year old had exhibited great interest or aptitude for something, I like to think I would have unschooled him at once to allow him to pursue it.
from wordwhore :
Having home-schooled my nephew, primarily in the unschool way of letting him choose his own way (except reading and math, those we felt were necessary, regardless), I highly recommend it. If it were up to me, he'd still be doing it. Since he started school earlier this semester, the only real change that has occurred is in his level of scatological humor enjoyment, and his knowledge of so-called "bad" words. As far as actual school subjects go, not a lot of improvement on what he'd already learned. He was allowed to flourish and grow into his amazing personality and learn to be himself for years, without 20 other kids telling him he should feel bad for acting like himself. I think that has helped him tremendously now that he IS faced with kids trying to tell him how to be. He seems secure enough in himself that he basically laughs them off and goes "oh, you think THAT's weird? watch THIS!" and to me that's awesome.
from wordwhore :
I can picture the MIL story now..."When are you painting the nursery? It's gonna be blue, right?" =)
from wordwhore :
i tried pouring it a few times, but it always got way too thick and kind of pooled in some spots and didn't cover others. probably a matter of pulp material more than pour vs dip.
from wordwhore :
i don't pour my paper. i would submerge my duct tape(i know)-bordered screen and bring it up through the slurry. I suppose the duct tape was *technically* a makeshift deckle, but it really didn't make anything conform, edge-wise, only size-wise.
from wordwhore :
You're an artist and if you don't occasionally let yourself make art for its own sake, you will almost certainly regret it. You don't have to feel guilty if what you're inspired to do today doesn't make you money.
from life-my-way :
If you ever want trimmings from AL, I'm in. I'm loaded with trimmings!!!
from wordwhore :
your idea for flipping the marketing would be even better if the commercials used flipped voices, so that girls' toys featured monster-truck-rally voice and boys' featured simpering-simpleton-baby-doll voice.
from wordwhore :
i can sort of relate to your feelings over your friend. my middle school best friend got married at 15 (baby. divorced by 17) to this guy who hated me. well, maybe not hated, but very actively, vocally disliked me, anyway. he wouldn't even let her have me in the wedding party (we were still good friends at that point). anyway, he died suddenly this past fall and for some reason, even though we never got along, it really bothered me and made me sad. maybe mostly coz he was about my age, definitely some because of his 20+ yr old son, & coz i still don't know the details, and probably also some *because* we didn't get along and i felt bad. it stuck with me for a while, though. (side story: O once turned in the lyrics of sanitarium as a poem for english class. he got a B, but was also asked to speak to the guidance counselor)
from wordwhore :
what about bubbles?
from wordwhore :
Yes, I'd say Aaigh! pretty much sums it up.
from outer-jessie :
The weather has been uncharacteristically nice, actually, although I can't rule out SAD as a possible culprit. Mostly it's the feeling of being trapped here, no road out, nothing to do but go to work and go home, not even a coffee shop where I can commiserate with other miserable people. It's a state-sized prison cell.
from wordwhore :
my nephew sucked his thumb, only at bedtime, till age 4, with no apparently problems caused thereby. at that point, my sister put "no bite" anti-nail-biting liquid on his thumbs one night and he never did it again.
from wordwhore :
if it helps, generally speaking, i often feel the most DOOM! right before doing something i enjoy tremendously.
from kelsi :
Well congratulations again!
from wordwhore :
i've seen your stuff and your stuff is awesome, so shoosh yourself with your negative self-talk, miss! also YAY BLOOD ORANGES!
from kelsi :
I almost responded but it would have been cheating because... oh never mind, I'll go respond now.
from kelsi :
Well, I'm glad your mom's moved there and I hope it's successful overall. Good luck!
from wordwhore :
Stick to your anti-label guns, girl! i can't tell you how many times relatives called me shy and people i met said "you're so quiet!" to me, until i had a complex and became convinced i was a freak who couldn't speak in public. (then my bff empowered me with that alanis morrissette song ["why are you so petrified of silence? here, can you handle this? (silence)"] and i started making with the bitchy comebacks - not that i became any less misanthropic.) it's nice that you will let Q be her damn self!
from wordwhore :
i had a similar incident wherein my MIL all but insisted i could not wear a particular shirt because it was slightly wrinkled (even though it was chilly and we would be outdoors and said shirt would be under my jacket the entire time) and i adamantly refused to iron it, so she finally brought me another shirt to wear and we could not leave until i changed my shirt. so i wore her shirt...but i did so braless. it's the little victories.
from wordwhore :
mental illness, addiction, physical illness/injury - it all ultimately boils down to the core individual. some people use those things as an excuse not ever to try and some see them as hurdles to be vaulted to reach new heights. most of us are somewhere in the middle, i think, fighting our demons as hard as we can to rise above half the time and using the demons to explain why we just can't do xyz the other half of the time.
from wordwhore :
well someone keeps getting busy, don't they? ;) wish you all the best
from wordwhore :
how about the ordinary princess? she cool? =)
from outer-jessie :
Love to you, whoever you may be today.
from life-my-way :
Sympathies and lots of them.
from wordwhore :
as socially awkward as i am, i've always been even worse at offering condolences. nothing ever sounds right. inept as i may be, i offer comfort, nonetheless.
from kelsi :
Gah. :( Hope you're okay...
from wordwhore :
my goodness, another one! huzzah, kudos, congrats, etc!!
from kelsi :
Congratulations, and good luck! You are funny, worrying that you weren't going to worry enough...
from wordwhore :
i think you are right. knowing that i am talking to someone who is as socially awkward as me, that lowers the expectations, eases the pressure, and it usually ends up being less awkward than a "regular" conversation. you and i could probably have a reasonably enjoyable exchange. on the other hand, my sister lives next door to me and still a phone conversation with her is worse than a root canal - at least i get anesthetic for those!
from wordwhore :
you have just described nearly every live conversation i have ever had (with anyone other than my mom, younger sister, nephew, O, or 1-3 select friends).
from wordwhore :
oh the color kittens!! such a happy childhood memory there. curious george, too, come to that. your girl has good taste =)
from stepfordtart :
Pinterest! Oh Lordy lordy lordy - that is SUCH a timewaster. I dont know if I can forgive you for introducing me to it. I'll let you know once Ive made the baby bootee shower favours! s x
from kelsi :
Oh crap. I wonder if thieves give any thought to the value of the senses of security they're destroying. Sorry that happened to you. :(
from wordwhore :
So glad no one was home at the time and that it wasn't as bad as it could have. Really sorry it happened at all =(
from wordwhore :
haha you have alphabutt -point- (sorry couldn't resist)
from wordwhore :
maybe when you are stuck for ideas, you should let q decide ;) sounds like you and j have made an amazing kid
from kelsi :
I've been worrying about your mom over the years - weird, admittedly, but true. I hope something can be worked out.
from wordwhore :
that's rough. i hope you can all work it out for the best.
from wordwhore :
yep, sounds like a move to me, alright. you know how you are supposed to pack that one box of things that you cannot live with out from the old house and take it (separately from the other boxes) to the new house? mine always get lost immediately upon entry into the new place. every time. hope you find your yeast! and tools!
from outer-jessie :
Alas not, my dear. I'm not sure what day you actually arrived in Tucson, since I've been out of touch also, but I left on I think the 26th of July. I've been here in Nebraska for, what...two weeks now? Feels a lot longer! Ah well, more to report on that when I finally get around to posting. I'll be back in Tucson in September, but just for a day, sadly. Have you had a chance to meander yet?
from wordwhore :
(BTW, you know I did have the MIL from hell, so I admit to a mild bias against whatever an MIL tries to do, but I really don't think I let it affect my previous argument)
from wordwhore :
You're not a jerk! MIL had her time to run her family her way, but now it is your family and your turn to run it your way and there is nothing wrong with your wanting to do that. In addition, when you have explained your reasons for not wanting Q to have certain things and MIL keeps trying to give her those things, the problem does not lie with you. It's at the very least pushy and probably even classifies under 'passive aggressive', since it would, to an outsider anyway, appear that she is just trying to wear you down into doing things her way by refusing to accept no as an answer.
from wordwhore :
Best of luck! Have a safe trip!
from outer-jessie :
Tell me about it sister. My moving plans have been delayed so long, I may actually still be here when you arrive. Call me if so: cinco dos oh, three oh cinq, cinco siete un null. And remind me of your real first name :)
from trapeze-act :
Thanks for the kind words about LOs not walking yet.
from wordwhore :
Last mornings in the old house are bittersweet. Jealous of the adventure ahead of you (though not remotely jealous of all the cleaning and packing you've just done ;D)!
from wordwhore :
didn't sound flippant to me. sounded like the exact thoughts in my head!
from outer-jessie :
I know right! Fall in Arizona is the best, because you get to pretend you live somewhere else for a while :D That is, if and when it does actually get cool enough for you to notice that fall has arrived.
from wordwhore :
man oh man. i do not envy you. moving (hate it) AND in-laws at your house (HATE it) AND being treated like a kid (hateithateithateit)? my face would already have exploded.
from outer-jessie :
Not sure how it will compare (if at all), but there is a peach festival here in July and August at a place called Apple Annies: http://www.appleannies.com/weekend-events/. It's a bit of a hike (90 miles or so), but it's always fun so definitely worth it! The apple/wine harvest is a fall-time tradition in my circle. (Or at least, it was up till now...woe.)
from wordwhore :
thanks for that. 99% of the time, i am pretty sure of it (now), but sometimes i still find myself questioning.
from outer-jessie :
Dammit, no! I will just miss you! I'll be starting at the new job on July 18th, so I'll be leaving shortly before that. But I will be coming back a couple times at least: once for my defense (some day) and once for a friend's wedding (January). And maybe once or twice more, to spend some time with G. I will most def let you know when I'll be in town. I hope you enjoy living in Tucson!
from wordwhore :
i know the feeling. so frequently has a cat left me some sort of foul gooeyness (including, but not limited to, sick, poop, partially chewed spider) to clean up, our carpet is essentially one giant combined cleaned but ne'er quite removed stain. thankfully the carpet was already vomit colored to begin with.
from wordwhore :
yep, i can't count the number of times not having a notebook handy doomed me to obscurity. other realtor tips for you: don't hang pornographic content on the walls before a viewing. clean up any cat poop that might be lying around. don't ask the potential buyer if s/he's ok with the ghosts from the "unfortunate incident" living there.
from outer-jessie :
I'm actually not sure! But there's a good chance I will still be here. I've been applying for jobs, but so far, no takers.
from outer-jessie :
Speaking of things that are clearly sub-par about your existing residence, when are you moving to my neighborhood where the grass is ever so much greener (where there is any)?
from outer-jessie :
My god, you are so right. With all manner of not-very-funny smartass captions. Thank goodness we were spared.
from trapeze-act :
Hahaha, thanks for that link. That's really funny. Have you heard of that new book coming out called 'Go the Fuck to Sleep'?
from outer-jessie :
Whoopsie! I knew that too! *face palm*
from outer-jessie :
IF. "If" the product, not "of". Speaking of being primed for reading :(
from outer-jessie :
Ah, but for sure do it before her 1st birthday! You (on her behalf) will be getting a bjillion things from well-meaning adorers. A lot of them would probably welcome some guidance on what to get and not get so their little treasures don't end up being next year's yard sale items. Your overarching framework seems to be: if it's related to literature, it's ok because it primes her for reading, but generally speaking of the product is only interesting because of the merchandising, it's really not necessary, thank you very much.
from outer-jessie :
If you do make that flowchart, I hope you post it, because I can imagine something like that being very useful to other parents. Like maybe me, someday.
from outer-jessie :
Tee hee! Now and days, now that's one I haven't seen before. I'm a big anti-fan of "eachother" and "thankyou", "case and point" and "for all intensive purposes".
from wordwhore :
ouch! hope you feel better soon. also, i like outer-jessie's idea, for the shirt :)
from kelsi :
Me me me! I'll send you a mixtape, if I ever make it.
from outer-jessie :
Is it too unoriginal to suggest that you use the shirt like a binder front page? Such that it's wrapped around something else (like cardboard) and protected with a transparent sheet of plastic?
from wordwhore :
OMG RAP IN FRENCH IS AWESOME
from wordwhore :
also, are you a member of stumbleupon? that's a good way to get hits for the vid, too, if you click "l like it" while you're on the vid page
from wordwhore :
i get the response "that link does not exist" when i try to view the video. not from youtube, but from my browser.
from wordwhore :
that sounds like a really cool project. are you printing from your computer? because you can get some good free fonts from dafont.com
from wordwhore :
if i live to be a hundred, or even 1000, i will never understand why M's-in-L think it is acceptable to do your laundry when they are visiting.
from kabukicharms :
With my niece and nephew I had the oppisite problem. I kept eating all of there food, they would get after me for eating there banana puffs and cheese crackers. And when my nephew was really little any fruit pur�e that he didn't finish was fair game.
from wordwhore :
sardines seems like something i wouldn't eat, but i ate some at a friend's house and liked them. with some mustard and/or mayo on a cracker they are virtually indistinguishable from tuna salad. good on Q for being brave :)
from corposant :
Sardines on saltine crackers, yum! Loved 'em since I was a child, but I can only eat the smallest kind.
from kelsi :
Anaphora!
from trapeze-act :
I feel like you're my diaryland counterpart. In a non creepy way. I was the first in my family to breastfeed. No one understood. They had so much misinformation they were constantly saying she wasn't eating enough. Eugh.
from narcissa :
http://www.foodista.com/recipe/G6ZJW56S/gujarati-dry-mung-bean-curry one of my favorite recipes... total comfort food. Watch out, the boiling will take forever if you don't have a pressure cooker. Maybe try soaking beforehand, like blackbeans.
from life-my-way :
Sounds like it's time for a batch of Kelp Mung Surprise! If only I had a recipe for such, I'd send it at once.
from wordwhore :
i suppose it would fall on deaf ears if i told you other people are wired differently and you shouldn't compare yourself with them because you don't know the areas in which THEY are lacking and you excel. Do consider, though, that you have been operating on not enough sleep for about a year. That you've been creating marmalades that I could never dream of, not to mention finding new and interesting ways to entertain and enrich your child every day. So your creative streak is not dead, not even dormant, really, just temporarily diverted.
from wordwhore :
i feel your FB frustration. my own aunt defriended me on facebook, but my crazy horrible sister made the cut. and then there are those people who have, like, 900 friends, people they barely know, but somehow, i warrant dropping of the list. but Yay! on ring stacking!
from wordwhore :
in soviet russia, marmalade makes YOU.
from wordwhore :
yeah 1/4 tsp sounds about right for a small batch, but you could probably a little more if necessary. good luck!
from wordwhore :
have you ever tried adding a bit of baking soda to grapefruit marmalade to fight bitterness? it saved me once when i got too much pith in my lime marmalade and it was bitter, so i thought it might work on the same principle with grapefruit. i can't help you on the sleeping habits - your kid sleeps like me, heh.
from outer-jessie :
I'm so excited you're coming to Tucson! All the good things you mentioned are so very good. Except for the bit about its being flat - not so much. Well it depends where you are I guess. But it's pretty hilly. Cycling is big here though. But fret not about the humidity; I can tell you where to find it. Bliss! Tucson is going to love you. And I think just maybe you will love it too.
from kabukicharms :
Gah I hate Arizona, since the air is bone dry the sun feels like its bashing you with a bat. On the upside hunting for turquoise and dessert roses, totally rad. Also cheap Mexican candy. You should try grapefruit preserve! We make it alot down here in south Texas since well our idea of a grapefruit is about the size of a melon.
from wordwhore :
best marmalade recipe story ever. it's nice to know other people also sometimes cook with no regard for any sort of directions or conventional wisdom.
from wordwhore :
ordinarily, i'd agree with you and bitchily post away, but he is mutual friends with a couple of other people who i actually care about, and i am afraid they might get upset if i did it, since at least one of them is an atheist, too (albeit a totally non-preachy one).
from wordwhore :
hope you feel better soon! happy 1st, SB! can't quite take in that it has been a whole year, but time is funny like that, i guess. seems like only yesterday you were trying to explain the concept of a non-pink nursery to your MIL...
from outer-jessie :
Aw, happy almost birthday, Spigotbottom! And congrats to her lovely mama for making it through year 1 with flying colors.
from wordwhore :
kudos for the burst of productivity! hope they can retrieve your info.
from wordwhore :
i made homemade caramels, too! but mine are honey & chocolate. i've been thinking about marshmallows/homemade circus peanuts, but i find the thought presses down on my lazy button, so i have none yet
from outer-jessie :
I am sure with you on the pressure-paralysis. It's like a pool of cement hardening around my ankles. (I'm writing my dissertation, or rather, I'm not.) My advice to us both: Just keep going, and going, and going. It doesn't need to be gold, it just needs to be something that can refined into gold eventually. So basically, it just needs to be dirty gold ore.
from wordwhore :
i know this is of no use to you whatsoever, but i thought of it while reading your entry and picturing what stuff of yours i have seen and so i am sharing it with you. what popped into my brain was a permanent garden marker that said "Basil" in calligraphic script.
from wordwhore :
Give your poor mama a break, Spigs! 15 minutes does not constitute a fucking nap, so go back to sleep.
from kelsi :
A River Runs Through It. There's just so much fishing.
from kabukicharms :
Oh man good call. I cant think of anything better than cake or BBQ. ...maybe pie.
from wordwhore :
if you meant me, i only read sympathy. as for your identity, this span when spigotbottom takes all your time is temporary. i think if you just hold on to the art inside, it will be there when you need it again. maybe get a recorder so you can make notes to yourself when you don't have time to draw, so you can plan, even if you can't create right now?
from kabukicharms :
Soooo why not eat the chocolate?
from wordwhore :
i am drooling more than your 8 month old, thinking about that pear jam...i hope you're pleased with yourself.
from outer-jessie :
Motherhood is the ultimate artmaking. But you get to see the expression of your efforts come through another person, rather than yourself, which is pretty odd.
from outer-jessie :
Congratulations! She's growing up so fast (apparently). With her super-human eating abilities, I wouldn't be surprised if she ends up with super-human strength.
from wordwhore :
i never liked snickerdoodles, either, till my lil sister coerced me into making some, and i have to say, one of my best baking triumphs is that recipe. i only allow myself to make them on special occasions or for functions where most of them are for feeding others.
from wordwhore :
sugar cookies are a slippery slope. sugar cookies are a gateway cookie that eventually lead to the harder stuff, like snickerdoodles. and snickerdoodles lead to me, drooling on the kitchen floor, strung out after 15 minute nomming binge, a fine dusting of cinnamon and sugar coating my upper lip...um...what?
from moosehunter :
That was a really peculiar gift to receive. But then the world of blog would be very dull if we didn't know strange people, wouldn't it? Hope you and Spigotbottom are doing well.
from outer-jessie :
But she was right about one thing...you ARE going to love Tucson (maybe)! When are you coming?
from wordwhore :
i'm a fan of thrifty and i am the queen of reuse it if you can. i am not a fan of sales pitches disguised as letters. and the fact that the thing she was pitching ruined the "gift" portion, just makes it that much worse.
from zenayda :
Hello! Found you by clicking around. It never ceases to amaze me how utterly tacky some people can be for gift-giving occasions. You're right: Never mind the status of the clothing as used. It's the sales pitch that counts. Good grief.
from wordwhore :
in situations like that, don't you wish you could send back a picture of the package showing the vitamins staining the clothes and a letter of your own saying how much you love the clothing dye she sent? but you can't, coz that'd be "wrong" and "mean" (and "totally justified" =D )
from wordwhore :
poor spigotbottom's first word is surely going to be jam! ;)
from moosehunter :
Poor grandma. In my case, it appears to be myself that the child screams upon contact with. Bugger! His current nickname, due to feeding habits, is Piggles!
from wordwhore :
=/ pressing ctrl-a, ctrl c when i finish writing anything is now part of my muscle memory thanks to dland...all those entries, out in the ether
from wordwhore :
kindergarten prom is one of the stupidest things i have ever heard of. and i just saw an ad for something called "tooth jewelry", so i know what stupid is.
from longitude :
kindergarten prom! that's unbelievably horrible.
from wordwhore :
you cannot make jam like that and still suck. just isn't possible, sorry. since you have, therefore, it stands that you don't (suck that is)
from moosehunter :
Mmmm. Jam on toast! Almost wrote jam on toads then....
from moosehunter :
Heh heh heh. Wish I could leave notes as SJAT rather than Moosehunter, but still... Our Marcus has acquired his nickname now: due to his astounding appetite, he is Piggles! And Piggles fights us for hours before sleep too!
from kelsi :
Ha, you've gone soft, sucker! (That's super sweet, by the way...)
from wordwhore :
you could send your excess vindaloo to matteroftrust.org so they can use it to make an oil-spill-soaking-up mat
from wordwhore :
actually, you might be able to get a patio umbrella at big lots for under $10. i did a couple of years ago.
from wordwhore :
when i was growing up, leaves were only raked for 2 reasons - to create a pile for jumping children or to put in compost. otherwise, they lay insitu until nature blew/degraded them away. in texas i would get nastygrams from the HOA if so much as one leaf hit the ground and was not immediately removed from sight...
from wordwhore :
hey, i just bought my mom a dryer, too! she was more excited about that than her new laptop, lol
from wordwhore :
what? no "I survived the Spigotbottom Invasion of 2010" t-shirts?! lol<br>
from outer-jessie :
Tried it again today (Sunday) - still bounced. ANDROOOOOOO!
from wordwhore :
yay for restful babies!
from outer-jessie :
Hm. Tried it; failed. I emailed you at your diaryland address and it just bounced back to me. Emailing me at my diaryland address *should* work, although I just turned it on a minute ago so it might take an hour or so to work. Cheers!
from outer-jessie :
I think that sounds dead cool. Do you have a site somewhere that you post your work?
from moosehunter :
Dang. I thought a bassinet was a musical instrument...
from wordwhore :
oh, by all means follow medical advice! (especially when it probably saves you from appeasing them with a pink room ;) ) i actually got distracted and didn't finish my full comment, which was just me remembering how angry my friend got when i gently suggested she put him on his back. she was not pleased, lol
from wordwhore :
it's my experience that the sizes on baby's clothes are almost never in line with the age of the children they actually fit. when i took a child development class in high school we were preached to not to let them sleep on their stomachs, but when my friend had her baby (the same year), she was told never to let him sleep on his back - and for the exact same reasons that i was told they should always.<br>
from outer-jessie :
My suggestion: satchel full of cat toys, whatever your cats like chasing best. Plusses: Things like stuffed fake mice and bottle caps tend to be light, so they won't bother you much, and if you have the ammunition attached to your body you'll never be at a loss for something to throw that will get your cats' attention and redirect it. Yes, they'll lie all over the floor until the end of the day, but then you can refuel for the next day. Minuses: Not as satisfying as throwing hefty things that make big SMACK sounds when they make contact.
from moosehunter :
Answer: a cat on a stick. You can use it to swat other naughty cats, train it to use its teeth to pick things up, and if it starts to choke, you can point it out of a window to throw up!
from wordwhore :
it is *quite* satisfying when one cat has woken you, yowling, (for no reason other than he can) and in the dark you hear the resounding thunk of your almost empty water bottle popping him square on the flank...& if i'd thrown anything smaller, he'd have immediately tried to eat it, then barfed it in the hallway...<br>
from outer-jessie :
Wow, tenured! That is good news indeed! And I'm very pleased that you'll be coming here, and hopefully things will have stabilized some in a year's time. Maybe, if J is a math professor, I'll be taking classes from your husband when you all get here. HOW WEIRD.
from outer-jessie :
Congrats! But I'm confused! Which school in which place won the bargaining war?
from moosehunter :
Fabulous. I hope when ours comes along, our dogs don't lick the top of his head. Knowing what our dogs put in their mouths, it'd probably burn through his scalp!
from outer-jessie :
You can definitely do capris out here. It's not THAT warm right now, but there are still plenty of people wearing shorts even. No one will so much as sniff about it.
from wordwhore :
pants or no pants, be safe and enjoy the trip<br>
from outer-jessie :
My dear, I say this with love, because I would like nothing more than for you to become my new best friend who lives down the street; that said I cannot in good conscience NOT say this: be very wary of the university. I don't know what J does, but I hope he's in either science or business, as these appear to be the only areas that have any money and security. Unless he's in administration...if so, I have many more things to say about how careful he'd better be. You don't have to take my word for it, definitely, but do take heed of any vibes of "back-stabbing colleagues" or "crumbling infrastructure" or "unsustainable avarice". Just be careful, know what you're getting yourselves into, be sure whatever money funding the position is set entirely in stone and is un-snatch-backable before you agree to anything. Nevertheless, there are a lot of really great people and interesting projects out there; I hope you're getting hooked up with them. On the OTHER hand, Tucson is beautiful; at least I think so. If you have a few hours and feel like walking, check out the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, which is not a museum but a kind of a sprawling enclosed habitat of local flora and fauna. If you have a few hours and would rather drive, go way out west on Ina Rd. and pick up Wade to go through Saguaro National Park. I think it might be too snowy right now, but usually I'd recommend going up Mount Lemmon. For eats, there are lots of great place on Campbell Ave., mostly north of the university: Pastiche is one of my favorites for a semi-fancy sit-down, Beyond Bread has glorious sandwiches, Yoshimatsu is fun for sushi, Miss Saigon has delicious Vietnamese fare, and Brushfire BBQ is mouth-watering and cheap. I'm sure you'll have tons of recommendations for Mexican places from everyone you meet; my favorite is Parrilla Suiza but there are lots and you can't really go wrong (there's one right next door to Pastiche that's good but I forget the name). And the gem show booths are everywhere too for the next week or so, if you're coming pretty soon. All right then. I've gone on long enough!
from outer-jessie :
That's so exciting! Let me know if there's anything I can do for you while you're here. I know I'm a real-life stranger and all, but if you need anything from directions to restaurant recommendation to baby-care to someone to have lunch with, I'm here and so is my G! And should you be here for Super Bowl weekend and want a party to crash, we've got that covered too.
from outer-jessie :
Scorpions! Does this mean you are coming my way?
from outer-jessie :
How have things been going with the in-laws?
from outer-jessie :
Wow, that is major! When it rains it pours, baby. Good luck with all'a that.
from moosehunter :
Big massive super congrats! Bet mine will have tentacles... he's a boy!
from wordwhore :
YAY! (too bad about the tentacles, though)
from outer-jessie :
YAAAAAAAYYYYY! So glad to hear things ultimately went well! Congrats on the hollering squirt!
from outer-jessie :
Eeeeee! How did it go? Are you all right? Is the baby all right? I cannot stand the suspense!
from moosehunter :
Good luck my friend. I hope Spigot Pumpkin causes you the mininum of fuss.
from wordwhore :
happy baby having day! may little pumpkin spigot parasitico have an easy entrance into the world.
from outer-jessie :
New person tomorrow! You sound very calm and controlled about this impending event and impending baby Esmerelda (whatever, if we're just making up names then there's mine and I like it). I on the other hand am on pins and needles, almost as if I actually know you or something. Good luck and good health tomorrow!
from kelsi :
Three days, no way! How did this happen? Congratulations and good luck.
from linguafranca :
The way the extended family is reacting to the name we have chosen, we might as well be actually naming her Basil Spigot Pumpkinslayer.
from wordwhore :
Basil? Marshmallow? Cinderella Pumpkin?<br>
from moosehunter :
Spigot. It must be Spigot. Preferably for a real name too. And if you name her Spigot, you must also give her the jawbone to wear around her neck. Called Spigot and wearing a jawbone necklace, she would never grow up to be dull and ordinary!
from linguafranca :
Perhaps on special occasions...
from moosehunter :
wearthejawbonewearthejawbonewearthejawbonewearthejawbone
from moosehunter :
I do now have a lovely image of you catching snowflakes, shrieking and running around waving your arms. It's very comic.
from moosehunter :
I feel strongly that 'snorfle' needs to used as a name for a creature in a childrens' book.
from moosehunter :
I also tend to waffle. Hee hee hee. But in fairness, I really don't have sausage cheese balls so you guys win!
from wordwhore :
flying dreams are awesome, i miss them. re:marshmallows, you can always use them as filling in some sort of baked dessert to maybe finish them before fall.
from kelsi :
A flying dream! Awesome. I've never dreamed that I could fly - if I have a dream involving flying, it's always in a helicopter or plane or hot air balloon. I always dream I can breathe under water, though, that's fun.
from wordwhore :
ah, yes, now i remember why i did not attempt to make my perfectly delicious circus peanuts a second time...<br>
from wordwhore :
since this house is rather chilly in the winter, the cats all pile on to whoever has the warmest bed (even more than usual), and a couple of them weigh a tidy sum (read: more than twice what your impending baby will), so you are quite right about too much love - or at least too much snuggle, when bladders are at stake.<br>
from wordwhore :
glad you made it back in one piece - enjoy the show!
from wordwhore :
how about you charge $4.75 a card, $5/card, or even higher? i've seen hallmark cards for even more than that and they certainly aren't handmade and worth it.<br>
from outer-jessie :
I see what you're saying; you definitely (probably) wouldn't want it to sound like a back-handed insult. I didn't think of it that way, because in my experience grandparents don't rain down presents and shiny things because they are themselves materialistic, but because they so want their grandchildren to be *happy* and are lacking in creative ways of contributing to that happiness. (Let's face it; making piles of toys is pretty damn uncreative, and the happiness they provide is superficial and short-lived. Poor uncreative grandparents.)
from wordwhore :
i totally agree with outer-jessie. good luck with it all!<br>
from outer-jessie :
Have you mentioned to your mil your apprehensions about the baby becoming overly materialistic because of an excess of things? If you and J are a united front on this issue, and you express this to her kindly, it would be only right for her to respect your wishes. If you let her know that if the baby needs something, you will put her at the top of the list of people to ask for it, and assure her that the baby will never want for anything essential, and let her play some OTHER role in preparing for her (like setting up a trust fund, or starting a scrapbook, or something like that), she may be satisfied with being involved in a way that doesn't necessitate spending a gob of money on useless things. As for any other junk the baby gets but doesn't need, there's nothing wrong with quietly donating them to charity, right?
from wordwhore :
what your mil is doing with the buying of the pink is a bit passive aggressive, so i'm pretty sure you've got a right to be upset. you should send her those notecards =D (btw, they were worth it, but it so annoys me that we had to go thru that because, when i did all the clicking, i get to them and the link at the top was the exact same one you posted that wouldn't work for me by itself =/)
from wordwhore :
i love it, if only because it looks like you buried someone in your backyard =D
from wordwhore :
nope =( won't work on either browser. keyword?
from wordwhore :
oh boo, the "these" link isn't working...
from kelsi :
How far along are you? It seems like you can only be, like, maybe eight weeks along, although I'm sure it's farther than that. Geez, time flies. Kids these days...
from kelsi :
"I'm not sure what it was about me, other than that I was wearing plaid." Ha ha ha!
from wordwhore :
my sis brought home a load of apples from the music & molasses festival yesterday! all different kinds - can't wait to do something with them. enjoy yours!
from wordwhore :
i had a dream about compost. i think it's a sign you should totally do it ;D
from moosehunter :
Such variety! I didn't even know there WERE so many...
from moosehunter :
Aha. Erm a-?) I agree entirely that I like Obama and am grateful he's not Bush, but we were discussing this and wondering what he'd done to win. a) Don't let it get to you. b) You can't believe TV's steady stream of drivel. You know your worth. c) Marketing's a bitch. I'm in much the same state with my books, but yes... the long-term strategy's the important thing. I'm working towards something. And so are you.
from moosehunter :
I believe the monument's in Iran? I know of the rock more for the Hellenistic statue of Herakles but I think it's survived fine. My, aren't we cultured? Scuze me while I adjust my Hawaiian shirt and belch loudly to bring myself back down to size...
from moosehunter :
I'm always happy to accept criticism if a) it is a valid point or b) it is a personal taste judgement. On the occasion, however, that I receive criticism that is plain wrong because the critic has not understood what they were looking at, I have almost blown a gasket over it. Heck, we're all human eh?
from wordwhore :
you're totally right - sometimes (Often?) criticism is NOT valid, but we were trained to take and try to apply it all. and why, if she didn't care for your pieces, did she place an order for your pieces? "oh, no, that's exactly what i ordered, it will never do, i thought you'd send me something ugly instead, i can't use these pretty things that i asked you to send me." the mind boggles. anyway, your work is awesome and that biatch is just crazy. =D
from outer-jessie :
If you make it with pasteurized egg product, would that make it safer? Or is it the chocolate that makes it dangerous? In which case, how 'bout carob?
from wordwhore :
you're funny =)
from wordwhore :
My great-great(-great?)-grandmother's name was ada louisa minerva angeline duncan.  When we were kids we would sing-song it because it is so very fun to say - but who'd ever wanna be called that? I also had a great uncle that almost everyone called Pink, though in his case it actually makes sense.  He had an older brother they called Red, he was the youngest of...15? and he was blond and always had a sunburn, so, "Pink".  Alice, Dorothy and those others I cannot explain, except maybe with the "Boy Named Sue" logic of making them tough...Or, they hated their boy children.<br>
from moosehunter :
Venting is very easy to do in a blog, truly. In the old days when I wrote Moosehunter, before moving over to Wordpress, I was often horrifically unpleasant to people who narked me. I'm making a conscious effort to play nice these days, since my real name is bouncing around in the open. Still occasionally let rip though. Better to do it on here than to people you really care about at home.
from wordwhore :
so you're gonna paint the room pink in december, then? ;D
from avox :
I enjoyed school, not because of my peers, but because the teachers I had were very passionate about what they knew. Sometimes I wondered if our inability to grasp something made some of them go home and wonder why they failed... Would they ever think something like that? Anyway, what do you make out of all of that wire? I've been wanting to wrap stones for the longest time, but finding real gemstones is not only expensive-- but a real pain in the ass. Thanks for writing. Namaste.
from kelsi :
I don't miss being a student at all - I don't know what my problem was but I really absolutely hated reading and I hated class too. I kind of hated it all. I don't know why I was in school so long. So far teaching is good, but I've only got one class and it's only a couple days into the semester - but it might be pretty okay. There's definitely good energy on a college campus in the fall. Fun and exciting. And tiring.
from wordwhore :
I don't blame you - thanks for trying, though!
from wordwhore :
Yay, a girl! And baby flies, too! And when you're a compost-er, there's nothing like a writhing pile of maggots to brighten your day, right? =)
from moosehunter :
Mobile compost piles could be the answer. It would certainly solve our problem of a front yar, back yard, garden and lawn separated from the house by a road and allotment a 5 min walk away! I could do with a mobile heap. Other than my dogs of course...
from ohmyblog :
oh i didnt realize the turtles were yours as well! very cute!! and as far as fangbanging, its the latest trend. ;) funny story though, three years ago i had a sexbuddy who my friends referred to as "vampiro" because of the bite marks he would leave on my neck...guess i foreshadowed that craze! ahaha
from ohmyblog :
i only read a couple entries back, but for some reason i am genuinely interested in your deck. maybe its because my ex got a fence this summer, and i saw how excited the family was to have the new addition. for whatever reason, im sure ill keep checking back. ps, is that your cat? i like him/her.
from wordwhore :
when you mentioned the peach butter i immediately thought of the year i made pear butter. so delicious, but such a pain in the keister.  definitely worth the trouble, though. i bet the peach is yummy!<br>
from wordwhore :
having never been (and never expecting to be) pregnant, i have absolutely no idea what you're going thru (except the hormonal meltdown aspect) and therefore no idea what to say, really, to make you feel any better. so i'm kind of useless. but i wanted to let you know that i was thinking of you, anyway, in case support from a total stranger was in some way beneficial.
from wordwhore :
amen! there really are people who don't wanna hang with the cool kids! <br>
from wordwhore :
glad it all went so well!
from wordwhore :
enjoy your time in my state, btw =)<br>
from wordwhore :
thanks. she was not a very old cat - just around 3-4. there have been other cats disappearing around the neighborhood is the main reason we suspect she had help. we're way off the beaten path, there aren't any dogs around here and they haven't ended up in the road, so it leads us to believe they are getting into something and heading into the woods out back to die. anyway, she's the 4th cat of ours who has died in the last year, so we're pretty bummed, regardless.
from wordwhore :
i think you should do a version of the post for your art blog, at least the bit explaining your views on legibility vs aesthetic. maybe leave off the bits about the customers and make it more of an "About Me/My Art" thing?
from wordwhore :
some people just do not get it. lots of people fail to understand that they are not your only customer, and that you can't alter your business just to please one person - especially when that person is not even your *best* customer.
from kelsi :
There is an and! And she's my friend! But she abandoned ship for livejournal long ago. Maybe it wasn't a dream?
from kelsi :
I never sign into facebook chat - I don't want to chat with anyone. I never sign into gmail chat anymore either. Chatting, bah. Also, I never turn on the ringer on my phone. I'm hard to know.
from wordwhore :
you could always say you've got to answer the phone...<br>
from wordwhore :
my sister had similar ratio problems with her compost pile, but in her case at the beginning she had a bit too much paper and not enough organic for a while.  now it seems to be coming along nicely, too.  sorry we were never able to exchange herbs, but i could never get mine to grow again after the cats destroyed them twice. after the first cat fiasco, i put the next batch outside and some neighborhood cat came along -sigh-<br>
from kelsi :
Phonetics & Phonology - it'll be fine, I hope.
from secret-trail :
Helo, I visited your blog, I like your simple layout and the cat is gorgeous! :)
from kelsi :
"Oh, also I am pregnant again." You're funny. I'm still going to use exclamation points: Congratulations! Good luck! I'm excited for you and am hoping for a better outcome this time. And also, congratulations on the jewelry successes - that must be gratifying.
from wordwhore :
I am sure you will make a great parent! You spend most of your time growing things, right? =) I know last time was rough, but one time does not a pattern make, so I hope you won't spend a lot of time on anxiety. I'll keep you guys in my prayers (if you don't believe in that sort of thing, just pretend I'm thinking very positive thoughts ;) - which i am).
from her-story :
Thank you for stopping by. I have often contemplated leaving teaching and entering a new field, however, I'm sure sucking up and bitching about evaluations would be common there as well. Have a nice day! In a week, I will be formally finished with my semester, therefore, hopefully the academic bitching on my behalf will end. At least until September...
from kelsi :
I didn't know you could get an email notification for notes! Oh my god!
from wordwhore :
the day before my trip here, the weather was predicted to be thunderstorms, all day, all the way from there to here.  on the actual day, forecast was chance of showers in a few places.  what actually happened was some light drizzle in one or two places and many, many miles away, a downpour of about 7 min. aside from that, partly cloudy.  and the forecast kept changing for the downpour place *as my mom kept checking it for me*. my point is that there is no sense getting yourself worked into a frazzle over the forecast (*coughthewayididcough*), especially this far in advance. breathe. =)<br>
from wordwhore :
thanks for the support on the BIL thing. he *is* an ass. he's never used an appropriate tone with me, yet and i could happily live the rest of my life without ever setting eyes on him again.<br>
from wordwhore :
hey, sorry about the whole, you know, not writing you back. i actually thought i had and then as i was browsing the seed aisle *cough*again*cough*, it hit me that i couldn't remember if i'd ever told you what 3 purple basils i had. so i checked email and here and no. you were right on 2 of the 3, but the ruffle one is not it, the 3rd is queen of siam...or something similar.
from wordwhore :
btw the way, i found 3 more varieties of basil yesterday =) and that means i have THREE purple kinds now, for sharing (or will, when they are big and strong)
from wordwhore :
not sure if you got the email i sent? but about half my little plantlings have now died =/ so i need to replant and it will def be 3 weeks at least
from wordwhore :
trade cuttings, huh? well, I don't know, I've only got 12-15 of each plant...lol
from wordwhore :
as someone who recently planted 72 new herbs, including TEN varieties of basil? I can totally relate =)
from wordwhore :
glad you've been able to put something right from such a bad time. glad you're out of that hell. i've always had more male friends, too, what up with that?
from kelsi :
70, oh wow - enjoy that (if it happens)! We're supposed to be getting two more arctic blasts this weekend. Some bastard around here (not me) obviously jinxed the spring.
from kelsi :
I hope you're okay, I hope it's over, shit.
from wordwhore :
you've just described the type of period I've had at least once a year for the last 20. i really feel for you, as i can't even imagine having to endure it with that kind of emotional trauma on top. hopefully the worst has past now.
from wordwhore :
((((hug))))
from wordwhore :
Hope you're doing ok with everything. I actually would like the marketing info from your blog. If you don't wanna leave it in my notes, you can get the email from my profile and send it there. Thanks!
from kelsi :
Oh crap. So sorry to hear this. I hope you're doing okay!
from russface :
Hello from another baby hater. She's turning six tomorrow and is a real gasser! Travelling isn't as drunken therefore fun in a different way (read yawn). Congratulations and all that crap.
from kelsi :
You did hint! Twice! Or, you alluded. There was definitely foreshadowing. Enough to make me go hmm... Anyway though, congratulations! I spent the afternoon with a one-year-old and a two-year-old and they are cute little things.
from kelsi :
Hooray!
from wordwhore :
blessings upon you and your forthcoming...uh, parasitic expulsion. =)
from kelsi :
You've hinted at it a couple times, and I very astutely put these clues together, maybe. I hope you're having a nice visit home! Florida sounds nice - I'm in two feet of snow, with more always coming (which is very lovely, but my feet are cold).
from kelsi :
I'm excited to hear the news that you aren't yet sharing and I already know what it is (maybe). Happy holidays!
from wordwhore :
it's always frustrating when money doens't arrive when it should. whether it's a few dollars or a few thousand - it's a bitch. ;)
from kelsi :
My word, it's been six years? Wow.
from revisions :
congrats on all your recent success! by chance, do you have a way that all of us here on d-land could see your fab designs?
from kelsi :
Yay! Hurray for juries! (?) Congratulations.
from fifidellabon :
Ooh! Lemon basil makes the BEST pesto! /Fifi
from ariadne518 :
Thanks for the feedback; I was just working out prices for a few weeks in Tanzania and I think it looks good. Any contacts you might have for activist work would be much appreciated - but just to clarify, I usually study activists rather than join them, so to speak. That said, we do get our hands dirty and pitch in when I'm studying organizations. I'm at theresa448 (at) yahoo.com , and I'd love to hear any thoughts you have! thx
from kelsi :
I like your life too, and I'm glad you're happy. There's probably no need to mention this, and I'm sure I already have at some point, but man, you've come a long way and I'm glad you're sharing.
from kelsi :
I believe every region of the country calls itself "God's country". Probably even New Jersey.
from kelsi :
Ha, so true about Pavarotti. I heard that on NPR this morning too.
from kelsi :
Option 5: find a friend with a camera, buy them a roll of slide film, have them take the pictures, etc. Or Option 6: find an awesome old used camera and take the pictures yourself. Option 7: I have a Minolta with a very nice lens (telephoto with macro) that I want to get rid of. But I don't live near you so that won't work. You have many options and I'm sure you'll figure something out. And congratulations on all the shows, btw.
from kelsi :
Don't know what you're leaning towards doing, but I'd say, if you do end up leaving the department, do it in person. Sucks, but it's friendlier (unless they really don't care). You want to leave on good terms because you never know, you might want to go back someday. When I quit grad school the first time, I was nervous to tell the department chair, but she was very nice about it, very understanding and supportive, and then she sent me a letter thanking me for all the crap I'd done and saying I was leaving in good standing and could go back whenever I wanted. Telling my adviser wasn't so good, though, because she kept trying to persuade me to stay. But when you've made up your mind to leave, you should leave. It's hard to accomplish anything if you're only in it half-hearted.
from kelsi :
Scotland is beautiful. Lucky!
from kelsi :
So yesterday I was wearing the "Approaching the shore" necklace and got multiple compliments. Conversations were along the lines of: "Oooh pretty." "It's paper." "It's paper?" "Neat, huh?" "How can it be paper?" Etc.
from kelsi :
1. I think the grad student zine is a good idea. 2. Congratulations on the productive paper writing! 3. Henry Rollins is radical, very hero-worthy.
from kelsi :
p.s. I want Wonder Woman stamps.
from kelsi :
(I'm using 'lovely' too much.)
from kelsi :
And I forgot to add that the presentation of everything was lovely, the packaging and thank you note and such. And thank you for the extra thank you card!
from kelsi :
Woo hoo! Came home yesterday to a full mailbox. It was very exciting. They are lovely and I'm wearing one today.
from kelsi :
I read somewhere that someone's book was rejected like 300 times before it was finally published, and then it became the best-selling book ever. This anecdote would be so much more effective if I could remember details accurately. Moral: chin up.
from kelsi :
Fingers crossed! Good luck! Or... break a leg? I don't know about luck etiquette in the marketing world...
from kelsi :
So are you really doing this? I think it's great. And it's funny, all of a sudden three people I know have decided to abandon their professional or academic aspirations and get into arts and crafts... spinning and knitting, setting up a booth at the Pike Place Market in Seattle, etc. Good luck with it. However, a warning: once a linguist, always a linguist. You can't get away from it. But you will be a recreational linguist, which is so much more enjoyable than a serious scholarly one.
from kelsi :
You are so interesting. (I'm not being sarcastic, btw.)
from kelsi :
Prescriptively, isn't it 'my playing'? Because it's a gerund noun, a noun, so you need the possessive? I believe. But both forms are used, and the possessive actually sounds a little stilted. So, there's my non-answer for you.
from kelsi :
We always made a paste of baking soda and water and put that on bee stings, but that might need to be done right away for it to work, I don''t know. So you'll be teaching ESL? I will be too. Starting tomorrow.
from kelsi :
I tried to leave this in your guestbook but the bastard doesn't seem to be working at the moment so I will try to reconstruct without it seeming contrived. The message went thusly: I totally love you, you know. Ha ha, you interview yourself, I'm laughing. (I do it too.) (I reread it, it seems contrived, sorry.) (Also, sorry if it really did post in your guestbook multiple times.)
from whymeohgod :
FSU. Close enough, though.
from whymeohgod :
Wow. Long time no viddy, droog. Yea, don't worry. I don't expect you to remember me. This is probably my fifth attempt at reactivating my long lost diary. I think this attempt is bound to success! I see you're talking more about linguistics stuff now! Or maybe it's just that I know a little more about it and can actually understand some of what you're saying. I like the requirement of object-marking for animate objects. There's a theory in evolutionary psychology that speaks of an innate trend to appreciate the agency others. Boo to dissertation woes, but you'll take care of it eventually. I'm having exactly the same experience except with a master's thesis. The end of my second year is just around the corner. Eek!
from dangerspouse :
Good grief, banal or not you can't go wrong by talking about weather vagaries! Speaking of vagaries, what did you think about Tony getting shot?
from bluperspex :
where you from? just curious, is all... cos i'm from SA; saw the "swahili" 'n it caught my eye
from bluperspex :
swahili... seriously?
from dangerspouse :
GAAH! I am filled with unseemly jealousy at your ability to grow fresh herbs! Oh well, grudging kudos to you on your bumper crop. Mail me some of your magic soil?
from hamiltonian :
meow
from hamiltonian :
Just found your journal.. I will be reading you quite a bit...
from whymeohgod :
I think that's the first time I've seen the word "awl" outside of a crossword puzzle.
from lolasavage :
The Cramps, right on......
from galene :
Congratulations on your engagement! I am so happy for you that you have found J and got away from M.
from whymeohgod :
I have another debate you can resolve. Did sideburns get their name from the confederate colonel/general/something/other Burside or did the name originate elsewhere?
from whymeohgod :
Sucks about the tea. I hate when I spill hot coffee on myself. It burns my soul more thoroughly than my skin.
from whymeohgod :
Yeye ataleta mkate na juice, indeed. Preach it, sister.
from whymeohgod :
I know what you mean about science guys getting on your back about labelling stuff. So many things are totally redundant, but they make you do it anyways. This happened to me in chem lab when we were just converting from grams to moles to volume; it's all the same stuff so why bother !?
from whymeohgod :
I begin EVERY morning by checking email and getting on Dland. This is a problem?
from whymeohgod :
that's neat. Now, I can impress all my friends. Or call them "mugs" behind thier backs and feel like I'm speaking a secret language.
from whymeohgod :
Can you explain the origination of the use of the term "mug?" (As in: getting "mugged")
from whymeohgod :
I don't know the explanation, but I get a bigger kick out of simplifying myself than I do out of criticizing others... and yes, that was partially inspired by your last few entries.
from whymeohgod :
OK, so maybe all that "let's be pushovers and let our roommates walk all over us" suggestion was a little flawed. At least we survived.
from whymeohgod :
Is this your first roommate? After 5 months with a homebound roommate in a 8' by 11' room, I can offer you some words. You have to let the little things go; it's just like a normal relationship. Roommates are going to eat your food, use your shit when you want to use it and put things in places where you don't want them to be. Accepting these three annoying habits as a part of any roommate relationship eliminated 95% of my roommate-induced stressors. The other 5% of things should be discussed with them if it's truly bothersome. Be assertive and diplomatic, NOT aggressive or passive. Oscillating b/w the latter pair just leads to misunderstandings and makes you look like you're bipolar. Good luck.
from whymeohgod :
If you need any quantity of deceptively intelligent-sounding fallacies, you need look no further than Larry's diary.
from whymeohgod :
Just use the diaryland notes thing (the one on which this note appears). I don't know how to make another message book nor would I feel compelled to make one if I knew where to find one. Thanks for reading; I thought you'd given up on me.

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