The New Water Cooler
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I do ask - and he usually replies he is too busy/tired - nowadays it's because he thinks I am punishing him for 'doing something for himself' - maybe it feels like that - I just thinks it's shizzy that he doesn't realize that all those hours come from somewhere and it's generally from me, he can say he does it early and that doesn't interfere with my schedule but it does when he has to go to bed earlier and earlier - and when he disappears for hours on the weekend who is taking care of what he's left behind? I mean just because the boys are older - doesn't mean they don't still need parents. He often doesn't get home in time to get the boys up - and that's their fault for not setting their alarms (I'm at work) - ummmm - right - I'm sure when you were 16 and 12 you never needed a push to get going in the morning (or to make sure they fuel up, etc) - and either way - you still have to parent -
meh
I feel like I worked out last night even though all I did was sit in bleachers. My legs and back are killing me.
Choir tonight.
My niece emailed that Zach made Concert Choir!!!! YAY! I teared up. I wonder if he is going to tell me? What will I do next year when she is not there to give me the scoop?0 -
Congratulations to Zach! Wonderful! Sorry you carry so much of the load Marla.
I hosted book club tonight. It went well. We read my cousin's book so he face timed with us to talk about book. I am very tired. Tomorrow I go to girls cabin weekend. I won't check back in until Sunday eve.
Need to finish packing if I can get out of chair.
Have a great weekend.
Jenny0 -
greetings - it snowed quite a bit last night - unfortunately they haven't cancelled the tourney this weekend - so the beatings are still scheduled.
hopefully Sunday is quiet -
here's wishing you all a warm and peaceful weekend!!
HUGS friends.0 -
Back from girls' weekend. It was fun! We walked both days. I went as far as I could with my Nordic walking sticks. It was a painful knee weekend. We did some shopping in some cute stores, ate way too much and played games having lots of laughs. The weekend went way too fast.
It snowed 5" up there last night. Snow came down fast and furious. We didn't expect snow so it was a surprise.
I hope you all had a nice weekend.
Jenny0 -
Jenny - that sounds so nice! (except for bad knee pain) - glad you had such a lovely time.
Basketball is over for another season and thank the goodness. It was a rough one - the coach with his y league mentality(uh no) and ending it in a tourney playing against 8th graders - bleh. I was hoping Zach was straightening out his grades and it appeared he had been studying hard - but his last grades look like garbage and he still has uncompleted work out there and the quarter ends next week. ARRRRGGGGHHHHH -
So he did excellent hard work getting ready for auditions and made concert choir!! Yay!! (lots of insanely upset parents because he took fewer than any other year) - so we are so happy for Zach, but still having to keep quiet mostly because I don't want to start arguments about how ridiculous Ritter is (which I think he's insane, but not gonna go there with people). He took the ACT in Feb and got a 24 for his first time through and that is a nice start. And then he puts a few good grades in the books, acts like he is studying all the time, and then two huge tests bombs (that he claimed he studied for days for) and more incomplete work. Anyone want a super smart and unmotivated 16 year old for the next two years?
Caleb was a complete brat this weekend. I seriously wanted to spank him. On the way to the tourney Sunday his ipad dies and he spends the next 30 minutes whining about being bored, acting like a three year old at the game and then whining and fighting with Zach all the way home. I snapped his head off finally. "I don't what the heck is your problem, for the 10th time boredom is not fatal, you are on vacation from your ipad since you are having such an issue and your attitude is atrocious."
Golf was supposed to start Monday - but the course is snowed in for now. Ash Wednesday tomorrow and the youth is supposed to serve the meal and choir sings.
Praying for Zach to get his brain in gear and act the smart person he is.
ARgh!!!!
Now to also get back on the machine and try to tone up.
buh-bye February.0 -
Marla- I'm glad to hear Zach made the choir and did so well on the ACT the first time! Does your community offer a test prep class? That was helpful to my boys.
Teens are a pain in the butt no doubt about it. I feel your worry and frustration. I wish I could say it ends soon but not so. Give it a few years.
I think it is good for kids to have breaks from technology and learn how to entertain themselves again with books, building things, etc. Screen time reduces attention span for other things and changes how our brains are wired if too much time is spent in front of the screen. WTG Marla!
Well at work and have to leave for 3 back to back appts. Exhausting!
Jenny0 -
last night was long!
feeling out of whack this week. Yesterday felt like Friday.
Caleb told me he was probably going out for track next week. I am stunned. He cried and cried over track last year. I can't do it again.0 -
You would never know a little over 2 weeks ago we had two buzzards. It's almost all gone! The past week has been mild and above freezing and rain. The temperatures are supposed to plumet this weekend and remind us it's still winter, but by next week it's supposed to go back up again. So can't wait for the warm weather to get here and stay here!
I'm very much considering looking for a new job. I lost my love for my job. There's to many issues happening and I am miserable. I can't sleep at night and don't want to get up and go to work. It's hard. I hate it. I want my love for my job back. I want to keep doing it but I don't see how. I just don't.0 -
I'm sorry to hear you are struggling right now Ang. Best wishes for finding the right path. Work can definitely be a four-letter word. Sometimes you just have to gut it out. Sometimes you have to find something new. It's hard to know though.0
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Sorry work isn't great anymore Ang. I get it. I'm tired of my job and would like to do something different in my life. Our benefits are so good that I would hurt myself financially to leave when I'm so close to getting my full pension in 3 years. Time better go fast but I stay the same age as now!
Marla- Does Caleb remember last year? Maybe he just wants to try again. When Jeff and Rory went out for track in high school, we went to one meet each and then told them we wouldn't be coming to watch that sport because it wasn't spectator friendly. Too much sitting and waiting around. They didn't mind we weren't watching. We were at other sports during the year but track was their time to just do their thing.
We RV shopped again today. Getting closer to choosing a camper and discussing financing. We are going to look at a used one on Monday if it is still on the lot. Otherwise we found one we like today that meets all our requirements, pricing, etc. So we will see...
Beautiful here and will by 60 tomorrow. No snow but everything is brown. Hurry up spring!
Sleep well!
Jenny0 -
I'm guessing he doesn't remember all his upset over last year - which I need to just forget and be glad he wants to go out. And I will be glad - and I won't be involved - because I just cannot emotionally deal with what will likely cause more upset this year. It will be better for Bernie because he's a guy and he can just be a guy about it. I can't
Good luck with shopping - I am not a camping person - but I do know some of those rv's looks pretty sweet.
The temps were nice this weekend - but WINDY!
Golf started Friday - busy week this week with end of quarter, choir concert, church and other assorted 'he's trying to kill me off' because he's too smart to be acting so not smart.
Please God - both my boys are awesome - but aren't acting awesome.0 -
Marla, I wish you could treat yourself to something great to relieve your stress. The boys will make it through the teen years even with all the crazy decisions and your worries. One tip I learned- the more you push them to do more or work harder, the more they push back and do less. They are aware of what they have to do to for a good grade, good performance, etc. They have to have the internal motivation to do it or live with consequences. Natural consequences are very powerful teachers and they will do better the next time when they face those consequences.
Windy here today! Wow! My hair is a disaster. It was damp, humid and rainy this morning but now the sun is out. Suppose to get a windy storm tonight too. One day down and 4 to go before 2 weeks off! Can't wait!
Well we are off to look at that used camper trailer. More later.
Jenny0 -
aaaand track is back off - because according to Caleb - Bernie talked him out of it. Mft. I know I shouldn't be, but I am miffed - I had concerns about it - but I am guessing his talking to him consisted of, "Your mom doesn't want you to do this" - meh
Zach found his tie bar (confirmation gift from my sister) in a pair of pants he hasn't worn in six months (how long it's been missing) - I was certain it was gone for good. He just laughed. "I told you it would show up!" Yes you did. Now please! put it away in the box I bought -
sooo windy - 'red flag' alert - I guess fire stuff - its always breezy and windy but the last couple of days have been nuts.
Choir concert tonight for Zach.
Thanks for letting me vent and pat my head over all my boy drama Jenny. Not many get it.0 -
the choir concert was not good. The worst technical-wise I have ever seen from this school. The new teacher took 2 years to destroy one of the best music programs in the state. Sad.
But he has the 'family' name (son of the old teacher) - he ain't going anywhere. Sigh. Whatever.
Late night last night - late tonight with church and choir. Feel like I am in quicksand!
Would like to take a day off next week when the kids are off and do something fun. It's been to high stress recently.
Hungry - going to go get a real lunch (sandwich) today. Can't choke down another protein bar.0 -
It's been a busy week and I've been tired after work. I woke up at 4:30 this morning feeling nauseous and with a hard stomach and pain. Diarrhea, yuk! I am home today so I don't infect any children or coworkers before spring break. It would be awful to be in a child's home and need to use the bathroom! Russ went to work but he has body aches and a head ache. We sure caught something.
We bought the camper last night. Now to plan some trips this summer and next fall. Cheers to new adventures.
We met my son Jeff for dinner last night to celebrate my birthday early. He is going to St. John's with his Dad and family on Saturday for a week. Lucky guy! Jeff told us he is putting his house up for sale and moving to Atlanta (company he works for is based there). If Rory ends up in AK for a job, we won't have any children near by. Wow, they are all grown up! Goes so fast!
Marla- sorry your music program isn't measuring up. I know music is a passion of yours and you want to share it with your boys. I hope you take your day off.
Well I need to get a blanket and get warm.
Jenny0 -
feel better dear J!!!
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last day of 3rd quarter - don't know how it will all shake out yet -
today is also the last day for Zach and the other high schoolers to attend the 'old' high school - on Monday the 20th they will walk into their brand new Columbus High School about a half mile away. The 'old' high school will become the middle school in six months. The teachers have one week to move into their new home. Yikes. I told Zach to pleasepleaseplease stay around and help move for awhile today - good will and all that. I doubt he will. If you're bored you can look up Columbus, NE new high school online - I do think the new building will be nice for the community - they have really done some big investing in the STEM area, hopefully the boys are able to take some classes in it. It's hard when the 'basics' take up most of the day - they have little room for the intro to engineering or coding - and even if they do - they won't fit in the spot available. It's hard - I think that might help Zach if he could see more of the practical application - I think engineering would be a good fit for him (it's mathy and sciency and little english) and then maybe he would do better all around as an incentive to pursue it.
hope you are feeling better
I went home a bit early too - my stomach went wonky as well.
Wish me luck as I promised Zach that tonight he would sit with me and talk about what happened this quarter and how he is going to address it.0 -
I went to work today and felt pretty rested and much better. Now I'm on my two week break, woo hoo! Lots of appointments and a couple of projects to accomplish, no excuses!
Exciting to have a new high school! I remember when my new high school opened up during my high school years. It was very nice.
Good luck with your "talk" Marla. Boys seem to grunt and let Mom do all the talking. Hope it goes well.
Well time to relax!
Jenny0 -
Very cold today. I slept in until after 7am, had coffee, talked to Rory, and went to my bootcamp class. That was my birthday present to myself, ha! It killed me! I hadn't been to the gym this week due to work and then flu. Wow! I'm sore! Russ and I took dogs for a drive and we went to check out a campground not far from us that we could practice with our new camper. Very nice campground. We walked the dogs around the campground and my knees were killing me. I think we will make reservations for August mid week when I'm on break. As of now, we don't know when we will get the truck back any earlier than August. If Rory gets a job we will. Wait and see...
I took a long nap in the recliner. Fell asleep reading my book Pride and Prejudice for book club. Russ made one of our Hello Fresh dinners tonight and tomorrow morning we will go to brunch.
Relaxing now...Night!
Jenny0 -
hope you are enjoying your work break. Zach and I had a few talks and while I am fairly pleased with tones of them - nothing will feel ok until I know how the grades situation will shake out - he may lose his golfing - each coach makes his own decision how to handle poor academics - on one hand I believe in the natural consequences things - but also the golf thing is what is finally pulling him out of his depression and if he loses it....0
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Marla- does Zach understand he may not get to play golf if he doesn't study and keep his grades up? Does he care? It should be a good motivator for him if he does want to play. I hope it all works out. I'm glad your talks went ok too.
I was lazy all weekend. Naps, reading my book club book, going to brunch...today I am cleaning the messiest part of the house. It needs a good mopping but it's too cold to keep the dogs outside while I do so.
Sunny and cold, no desire to be outside. Lots of coworkers in sunny parts of the world with warm temps. Lucky people...
I should be at the gym but am counting my cleaning as exercise today. It takes a lot out of me, especially knees, to vacuum and go up and down the stairs constantly. Tomorrow I will do another level of the house.
It looks like it is just the two of us left on this thread Marla. Do you want to keep it up or touch base through Facebook? I'm fine with either. No one can join us because it is a closed group. Ang seems very busy so she isn't able to check in too often.
Have a great day!
Jenny0 -
it snowed!!!0
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Car maintenance taken care of today. I went to the gym on the way home and did some light cardio on the treadmill and some exercises. Tomorrow I will have a private session with my trainer since I want to exercise early in the day and not at dinner time. I will be weighed and get my measurements taken to see if I've changed at all. I don't expect my weight to be more than 3 pounds down if I'm lucky. Inches may have been lost a little bit. Doing the boot camp only once per week with carry over on my own may result in slower progress than if I did two classes per week with higher intensity.
I need to begin to tackle some projects starting tomorrow...
Off to bed.
Jenny0 -
Jenny - WTG - inches lost is and weight loss is always an accomplishment. Good luck!!
still snowy here.
I am taking tomorrow off, but taking Zach for an eye appointment will make going anywhere to 'do' something problematic. We'll see. Maybe a movie if there is anything decent playing.
If you want to close the group that's fine - as long as I can keep venting to you somewhere like a PM in facebook - I have to be careful with what I post for public consumption - but I have come to rely on you dear J to listen to mom-stress and soothe me. Because I know you get it!
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Marla, I'm fine talking to you though MFP. I wanted to give you the option in case you find checking in here one more thing on your list of to do's. I would miss our chats and PM isn't the greatest for me.
I had my training class but didn't weigh or get measured. There scanner was down. My scale says 5 pounds lost since early January. Tomorrow I need to start a project. So lazy...
Found mouse droppings under kitchen sink. Cleaned and set a sticky trap. Caught one. Yuck!
Cold here but sunny. Heard we are getting a new supervisor at work. This means more changes ahead. It will be interesting to see how all plays out.
Many coworkers went to warm places for spring break. I see their pictures on FB and just see crowds on the beach. I don't like spring break crowds. Russ and I hope to go south next February when the crowds are small.
I ate too much candy today. Jelly Bells and malted eggs. Two weaknesses. I will do better tomorrow.
Night!
Jenny0 -
First project started. I finally laid out the fabric for Jeff's chair cushions. I cut the material for each cushion and felt so stressed that I will sew tomorrow. He will be home on Saturday so I hope to go to his house on Sunday and put the covered cushions on the chairs. I decided to just make loose slip covers that can slide on, closed by Velcro and tuck any excess fabric (I'm hoping they will be a little big) around the cushions for a tight fit. Fingers crossed...
Jenny0 -
very handy on the cushion covers!
glad I was able to get Zach in for the eye appt - he did have a change so new contacts on order - he insisted he did want new frames so I will have to go back with his glasses to get new lenses ordered. Bernie was able to take today off so he is taking the boys to Lincoln to play the golf course Zach has his first tourney on next week. So glad he is able to do that - it will help shake off more of the dust since they didn't get much practice this week with weather. Baseball started last night and soccer tonight. Feels early!
Orientation for the kids at the new school Monday. I am very disappointed to hear they are still in there working on the building. The powers that be are just too prideful to show off the new building instead of doing what is right and doing what I said all along waiting until summer to move. It is a safety, security and health risks having all those contractors in there and tools out where kids who aren't known for making the best decisions can grab them. What about the fumes from paint and glue and other things? GRRRRRRRRR. They would never do that in an elementary school, but somehow because these are teenagers they can just deal. BS. Of course you can't say anything - at least in the workplace if I see something outright wrong I could call OSHA - I don't know of any way to complain that won't come back on my kids who still have years in the system.0 -
Marla- the school district would have to get approval for occupancy from fire marshal for kids to be allowed in there. They must feel it is ok and any dangers are finished. Hope all goes well. New schools are exciting. Hopefully the students take pride in it. I remember when a new high school was finished here. Kids vandalized it immediately, breaking mirrors in the bathrooms, etc. Kids just don't think! I hope your move goes well.
I'm working on getting up the nerve to go sew my slip covers. They are rudimentary at best but will look nicer than the current cushion covers. I hope I measured correctly and can get the covers on the cushions when done. Bigger is better.
Off I go!
Jenny0 -
sew Jenny sew!!0
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I know I haven't been on here barely at all. I've been having such struggle lately. Not with just eating right and working out. It's almost a mental struggle and battling myself from falling into a deep dark hole. As I think I said, I'm leaving my job. I can't stay where the other girls belittle me and make me feel stupid. I struggle to go into work as I can't do it anymore. I can't sleep because that means I have to get up and go to work. (Which is why it's nearly midnight and I"m still wide awake) I need prayers. I need to get back on eating the right away. I know it will energize and help me. Except I'm an emotional eater. My dress pants for work and some skirts are getting tight because of the weight I'm putting on. None of this is good. I need to run but I can't force myself out the door to do it. Or get on my treadmill. It's been such a struggle in so many areas lately.0
