Chatterbox Thread-Cmon in and Jabber! Everyone is Welcome!

[sameyeyam]

We re-arranged our bedroom yet again. For the past two years the dialysis machinery has been tucked into the far corner of our bedroom. Right under the window.. it's an exterior wall so it is freakishly cold in the winter and hot in summer. Poor guy also felt disconnected from everyone as he could not see past the machine when anyone came into our room. He decided it was time for a change.

We tried flipping E's machine to the opposite side, quickly found out it SUCKED! Too awkward to reach, his lines were running across his body and our drain line was just a tiny bit too short. Made everything a hassle.

Today we tore apart the bedroom, swept up gobs of dust
cough cough SNEEZE
Got rid of some junk that was stored under there.. and forgotten.

Now the machine and chair are in line with the doorway, bed is closer to the window. Like it so far! It makes our bedroom look bigger. E happily calls out to the boys as they walk past and the TV is at the perfect level and location for me to enjoy sitting up in bed.

Why did it take us 2 1/2 years to figure this out?

For the same reason that it took me 10 years to figure out that the best arrangement for our bedroom is to put the head of the bed in the corner. I was always trying to center the bed on a wall (like normal people do). But it really does look awesome and everything fits much better with it diagonally in the room.

Glad you figured it out

Yeah.. he does!! I dont know.. I kinda feel like, honestly.. what one more kid. I mean, we have four already!

Hmmmm.. We never went through any of that. I wonder if it was because I already had Alex, and that just made things different for us from the get go. I hope they can figure it out.

Heck I'm still freaked out that I have two kids. I only dated for 7 years before I got married, waited 3 years to have the first one and then waited 6 more years to have the second one. I almost didn't have a second one, I debated and debated. Hold it...I'm starting to see a pattern here!

Children are truly a blessing...but I have to ask...are you aware that they turn into teenagers?

 

[funnygarcia]

Today we are going with the three strikes and you're out rule for dialysis.

After 8 hours of filling a 30 L batch, it failed a test 3 times in a row causing the machine to drain batch.. it can not be used. STRIKE 1

Noah sets the saline bag aside to prepare to hang pre-mixed bagged dialysate fluid. It falls off, bounces on the floor. He picks it up and sets it on the chair. I notice the chair has a wet streak, the streak is growing larger. Crap!
The very sharp priming spike is fulfilling it's purpose of "spiking" .. it spiked THROUGH the bag. No longer sterile, no longer useful. STRIKE 2

I brainstorm and decide to spike a new bag saving the cartridge already in the cycler. I try to wiggle and pull the spike piece off the damaged saline bag.
Something snaps, I am left with tubing and no spike.
The cartridge is useless now. STRIKE 3

Screw it, not running today
OUT!

 

[sameyeyam]

Today we are going with the three strikes and you're out rule for dialysis.

After 8 hours of filling a 30 L batch, it failed a test 3 times in a row causing the machine to drain batch.. it can not be used. STRIKE 1

Noah sets the saline bag aside to prepare to hang pre-mixed bagged dialysate fluid. It falls off, bounces on the floor. He picks it up and sets it on the chair. I notice the chair has a wet streak, the streak is growing larger. Crap!
The very sharp priming spike is fulfilling it's purpose of "spiking" .. it spiked THROUGH the bag. No longer sterile, no longer useful. STRIKE 2

I brainstorm and decide to spike a new bag saving the cartridge already in the cycler. I try to wiggle and pull the spike piece off the damaged saline bag.
Something snaps, I am left with tubing and no spike.
The cartridge is useless now. STRIKE 3

Screw it, not running today
OUT!

YIKES. So what do you do in that situation? Just start over tomorrow? It's not like you can run over to the 24 our dialysis store and pick up spares.

 

[funnygarcia]

hmm, I wrote a nice detailed response about how it's not a big deal for our equipment failures but somehow it didn't post.. weird!

We always have back ups and our clinic can drop off more in an emergency if there is a real need. We get supplies delivered once a month... they have tech support 24 hours so if something is broken they will do a swap out (via fed ex overnight).

It was just a frustrating night, I offered to prime a new cartridge (takes 20 minutes) but hubby said "screw it!". Sometimes it's not worth it to fight with machines/supplies. That's what makes home hemo a beautiful thing. We decide time, day, and how to run treatments.

But our issues are continuing, yesterday's batch failed too-- grrrrrrrr. Tech support wants us to try a bleaching treatment to clear the lines out, out of bleach so it will have to wait and he will run on bags again today. Bleach it tonight and make a new batch. If it fails again, we can call tech support for a swap out.

We've swapped out the control unit 4 times in the past two years already, I think it's our hard water causing the issues. We get white residue around the sink, the cat's water bowl is crusty all the time. The owner took out the water softener when he bought the building, stupid move considering the corrosion on pipes and in the tub. I realize there is a cost and manpower needed to maintain a water softener, but it's a nice perk for the tenants plus I bet he would have less plumbing issues.

Anyway, life moves on!

 

[MotoXPrincess99]

Drive by Hi!

 

[staley7580]

So.. Im not sure when I last updated you all on what was going on here. This week has been... ODD. First, killer toothache, so I have to get my wisdom tooth pulled. Yay, so fun. not really.. it hurt like nobodies business. Dh gets into a mondo huge fight with his mom. She tells him our house is so messy CPS is going to come take our kids away. Really?? Come on. Alison.. You have seen my house. Messy? yes. Cluttered.. Sure. Knee deep in garbage?? I think not. He told her not to come back. STILL.. Not our biggest news of the week. Yesterday we get a call from his dad. He has never called us. He was skating around something..Then.. BAM.. He lays it to me. Clifford is coming. Okay.. When? TOMORROW. WTH??? Really? Thats right folks. He is coming in today. His flight lands at noon. NO ADVANCE NOTICE. He leaves Christmas morning. He did this whole thing without telling anyone. I was so mad! I was screaming into the phone at his dad. Are you kidding me?? I was hot. So I get off the phone with him, and dh is still not home from work, so I am staring at Julie.. Like.. What the heck do I do know? She said.. Call my mom! Its midnight there, and I know she has to work. But I called her anyways.. and she called up Frelans dad on her cell phone while I was talking to her and I heard her yelling at him.. It was just a whole messed up deal.

Frelan finally got home from work, and I was like.. BABE. You are not going to believe this. I had 10 minutes to talk to him before Elke called back.. BAWLING. Apologizing for this, telling us she would send extra money.. All kinds of stuff. He tells her that it isnt her problem. Its the guys! They should have had more sense! Then Clifford calls.. All excited... He is coming to the states, gonna see his big bro.. Doesnt think anything is wrong. He apologized to me on the short notice.. I dont know. There isnt much we could do at that point, just prepare, right? GAH!! REALLY THOUGH??? One freaking days notice? His flight lands at noon, so he is going to have sit at the airport and wait for Frelan to get off work. My house is a hot mess, the twins are both really sick.. I HAD parent teacher conferences today for the big kids. and here is sit.. on my butt on the couch telling you all my woes! Oh well. Im flipping out. I dont know what to expect from here til Christmas.

 

[funnygarcia]

Yesterday we get a call from his dad. He has never called us. He was skating around something..Then.. BAM.. He lays it to me. Clifford is coming. Okay.. When? TOMORROW. WTH??? Really? Thats right folks. He is coming in today.

Oh well. Im flipping out. I dont know what to expect from here til Christmas.

How utterly bizarre!!!
I was curious when you posted it on Facebook.. I was thinking "did she post about this and I forgot?" hmm, odd.. and now I see, holy crap! That's just weird! How does someone hop a plane last minute overseas for a month long visit just because? How does that even work??? Heck I can't even take a trip to Duluth (two hrs away) without some kind of pre-planning.

Guess you are now "Hotel Staley" What's your going rate? Diaper changes and dishes for a week?

BIL showed up out of the blue today here too.... he calls to ask if he can visit, uhh Sure where are you? Chipotle (mile away). In his case he gave a ride to a friend and had time to kill before they went back (less than 2 hr road trip). He has no clue what's up with SIL and feels that MIL has to worry about SIL so E is off the hook for her to be angry at for now. His current GF flew off the handle one day, total spazz moment. No big deal for him but it made MIL upset, so now she cancelled Thanksgiving for all of them. uhhh, okay???? I don't get it. But that's family for ya!


Urge to strangle J's dean. He chatted up and urged J to apply to a 4 yr college. Which really isn't a problem, I want him to go to U of MN some day if he wants. I just think going to a HUGE school in your first two years is not ideal. Class sizes of 250 in a lecture hall, uhh no thanks!

We were pushing him to go to a smaller community college for the transfer curriculum: no need for loans, small class sizes, good solid start to being a college student. He was on board with that.. until this week.

Fine, he can try and see if he gets a spot. (Highly competitive, must be in top 50% of class, must have high score on ACT)

But the issue is the deadline is fast approaching and he doesn't have his ACT with writing score completed. Which puts him in the lesser priority pile, not able to apply for their scholarships.

Plus it costs more than the max allowed in Pell and state grants.
($12,000 + a yr)

I tried to explain, save yourself some money! Go to a college locally that's a fourth of the price, transfer in with associate and only need two years of loans. Then he can do Americorps for two terms, get awards to cover his loans.. cost him ZILCH to get a kick booty degree. I don't want to see him struggle under a loan repayment in the first years after graduation.

Or if he insists on a 4 yr college, go to St Cloud State ($5,000 a yr plus room and board). It's smaller, opportunity to get some of their scholarships is still available (including being a dependent of an alumni), cheaper, less competition. Of course he then has room and board because it's not a pleasant commute (one hour), maybe it would work.. I dunno.

It makes my head spin and E is telling me to stop arguing and let him be.. but but but... wahhhhhhhh I don't want him saddled with debt before he even starts out.

 

[sameyeyam]

So.. Im not sure when I last updated you all on what was going on here. This week has been... ODD. First, killer toothache, so I have to get my wisdom tooth pulled. Yay, so fun. not really.. it hurt like nobodies business. Dh gets into a mondo huge fight with his mom. She tells him our house is so messy CPS is going to come take our kids away. Really?? Come on. Alison.. You have seen my house. Messy? yes. Cluttered.. Sure. Knee deep in garbage?? I think not. He told her not to come back. STILL.. Not our biggest news of the week. Yesterday we get a call from his dad. He has never called us. He was skating around something..Then.. BAM.. He lays it to me. Clifford is coming. Okay.. When? TOMORROW. WTH??? Really? Thats right folks. He is coming in today. His flight lands at noon. NO ADVANCE NOTICE. He leaves Christmas morning. He did this whole thing without telling anyone. I was so mad! I was screaming into the phone at his dad. Are you kidding me?? I was hot. So I get off the phone with him, and dh is still not home from work, so I am staring at Julie.. Like.. What the heck do I do know? She said.. Call my mom! Its midnight there, and I know she has to work. But I called her anyways.. and she called up Frelans dad on her cell phone while I was talking to her and I heard her yelling at him.. It was just a whole messed up deal.

Frelan finally got home from work, and I was like.. BABE. You are not going to believe this. I had 10 minutes to talk to him before Elke called back.. BAWLING. Apologizing for this, telling us she would send extra money.. All kinds of stuff. He tells her that it isnt her problem. Its the guys! They should have had more sense! Then Clifford calls.. All excited... He is coming to the states, gonna see his big bro.. Doesnt think anything is wrong. He apologized to me on the short notice.. I dont know. There isnt much we could do at that point, just prepare, right? GAH!! REALLY THOUGH??? One freaking days notice? His flight lands at noon, so he is going to have sit at the airport and wait for Frelan to get off work. My house is a hot mess, the twins are both really sick.. I HAD parent teacher conferences today for the big kids. and here is sit.. on my butt on the couch telling you all my woes! Oh well. Im flipping out. I dont know what to expect from here til Christmas.

Wow! What a week. That is absolutely crazy!!!!! You've got a house full of kids, what does his mother expect? How about if you and I take a little vacation to Germany next year, we'll just hop on a plane and call from somewhere over the Atlantic to let him know we are coming for a visit.

How utterly bizarre!!!
I was curious when you posted it on Facebook.. I was thinking "did she post about this and I forgot?" hmm, odd.. and now I see, holy crap! That's just weird! How does someone hop a plane last minute overseas for a month long visit just because? How does that even work??? Heck I can't even take a trip to Duluth (two hrs away) without some kind of pre-planning.

Guess you are now "Hotel Staley" What's your going rate? Diaper changes and dishes for a week?

BIL showed up out of the blue today here too.... he calls to ask if he can visit, uhh Sure where are you? Chipotle (mile away). In his case he gave a ride to a friend and had time to kill before they went back (less than 2 hr road trip). He has no clue what's up with SIL and feels that MIL has to worry about SIL so E is off the hook for her to be angry at for now. His current GF flew off the handle one day, total spazz moment. No big deal for him but it made MIL upset, so now she cancelled Thanksgiving for all of them. uhhh, okay???? I don't get it. But that's family for ya!


Urge to strangle J's dean. He chatted up and urged J to apply to a 4 yr college. Which really isn't a problem, I want him to go to U of MN some day if he wants. I just think going to a HUGE school in your first two years is not ideal. Class sizes of 250 in a lecture hall, uhh no thanks!

We were pushing him to go to a smaller community college for the transfer curriculum: no need for loans, small class sizes, good solid start to being a college student. He was on board with that.. until this week.

Fine, he can try and see if he gets a spot. (Highly competitive, must be in top 50% of class, must have high score on ACT)

But the issue is the deadline is fast approaching and he doesn't have his ACT with writing score completed. Which puts him in the lesser priority pile, not able to apply for their scholarships.

Plus it costs more than the max allowed in Pell and state grants.
($12,000 + a yr)

I tried to explain, save yourself some money! Go to a college locally that's a fourth of the price, transfer in with associate and only need two years of loans. Then he can do Americorps for two terms, get awards to cover his loans.. cost him ZILCH to get a kick booty degree. I don't want to see him struggle under a loan repayment in the first years after graduation.

Or if he insists on a 4 yr college, go to St Cloud State ($5,000 a yr plus room and board). It's smaller, opportunity to get some of their scholarships is still available (including being a dependent of an alumni), cheaper, less competition. Of course he then has room and board because it's not a pleasant commute (one hour), maybe it would work.. I dunno.

It makes my head spin and E is telling me to stop arguing and let him be.. but but but... wahhhhhhhh I don't want him saddled with debt before he even starts out.

Welcome to my world. I'm sure you guys will figure things out. There are tons of scholarships available, so even if he goes to the more expensive one, I have a feeling you will still be able to afford it. Start checking with the high school now on what is available and have him start writing essays.

 

[sameyeyam]

Oh and knee deep in garbage? Heck CPS doesn't even start an investigation until you're at least rear deep in garbage.

HEY!!! That gives me an idea...if I quit cleaning the house now, in about 5-6 years when it gets really bad can you call CPS? Then they can come get DS, put him in a foster home for a few weeks and then he will qualify for all sorts of grants & free college programs! Yeah, that's the ticket.

 

[disneegrl4eva]

Urge to strangle J's dean. He chatted up and urged J to apply to a 4 yr college. Which really isn't a problem, I want him to go to U of MN some day if he wants. I just think going to a HUGE school in your first two years is not ideal. Class sizes of 250 in a lecture hall, uhh no thanks!

We were pushing him to go to a smaller community college for the transfer curriculum: no need for loans, small class sizes, good solid start to being a college student. He was on board with that.. until this week.

Fine, he can try and see if he gets a spot. (Highly competitive, must be in top 50% of class, must have high score on ACT)

But the issue is the deadline is fast approaching and he doesn't have his ACT with writing score completed. Which puts him in the lesser priority pile, not able to apply for their scholarships.

Plus it costs more than the max allowed in Pell and state grants.
($12,000 + a yr)

I tried to explain, save yourself some money! Go to a college locally that's a fourth of the price, transfer in with associate and only need two years of loans. Then he can do Americorps for two terms, get awards to cover his loans.. cost him ZILCH to get a kick booty degree. I don't want to see him struggle under a loan repayment in the first years after graduation.

Or if he insists on a 4 yr college, go to St Cloud State ($5,000 a yr plus room and board). It's smaller, opportunity to get some of their scholarships is still available (including being a dependent of an alumni), cheaper, less competition. Of course he then has room and board because it's not a pleasant commute (one hour), maybe it would work.. I dunno.

It makes my head spin and E is telling me to stop arguing and let him be.. but but but... wahhhhhhhh I don't want him saddled with debt before he even starts out.

hey everybody...wow nobody has been on here all weekend I see ...took me about 5 minutes to get caught up anyways Bernice I just had to comment on your situation...I, know this from first hand experience so I thought I would give you some insight on what I went through because bottom line..you are his mother and you have to stand up for what is best for him...being a single mom and not having alot of money I started priming tiffany for college early...I didnt have barely any money saved up for her because I just couldnt...it all went to other things we needed you know? anyways, I was on her like white on rice to ensure she had the grades to pull off getting into a school of her choice...not knowing that transitioning from being taken care of to totally being responsible for yourself would play a major factor in things I totally worked on what I knew...like going to visit colleges she was interested in, finding scholarships etc...when it was time to really buckle down and start putting things into action I spent HOURS on the computer finding scholarships and having her write essays, filling out applications etc... and we got a few good ones..when she decided on the school she wanted..I started getting the info together for her to get in the dorms...no matter whether you get financial aid or not, your first yearly school payment to the dorms has to come out of your pocket because there is a deadline which is always before financial aid checks come out..so i had to start working on the money situation..anyways, her first year, we couldnt get her in the dorms so she ended up having to rent an apartment with 4 other girls close to the school and I ended up working 2 shifts to cover her rent and mine plus get her food and pay for her part of the electricity bill..I was just thankful I had the option of doing that else I dont know what we would have done...even with that, Tiffany had to take out loans to cover her living expenses, transportation etc. for that time frame...once we got her in the dorms it was a little smoother sailing because her meals are covered and the financial aid paid for most of what she needed but books and supplies we still had to get...after we got her in I thought everything would be fine and I would be able to breathe...NOT!! Tiffany was always a really good girl...she didnt get in trouble, no drugs, drinking, staying out past curfew...she never gave me any problems like alot of teens do...it seems from what you have said about your son that its the same for you...however, I dont know if it was because she had turned 18 and was given freedom to do what she wanted/when she wanted and I wasnt there nagging her and making sure she stayed on the right path...but she went crazy...it was too much for her being that she was used to being home with me, having everything taken care of like never having to worry about where food was coming from or laundry soap etc...it was just too overwhelming for her..we never anticipated something like this...I thought she would just fall in line and adjust...she ended up lasting her freshman year and most of her sophomore year and then she had it...she said I cant do this anymore...she was flunking out of every.single.class she was in, not going to classes, not eating right...it was horrible...I pulled her out of there and brought her back home and it took 3 years before she would attempt to go back to school...when we talk about it now she tells me she really wasnt ready for that big of a change...she thought she was but it was way overwhelming for her to be given that much responsibility and freedom at the same time...she felt it would have been much better to start off here at the community college, adjust to being an adult and gradually make adult decisions rather than everything hit at once, not have to be in debt at 18 years old and then when it was time to transfer she would be more equipped to handle it....im not saying everybody should do this but you have to really think about what your child is used to...like from what Ive always heard Alison say about her dd, I think she would be fine going away to school...she seems to be a very independant girl...but just what you've said over the years about J, it seems like hes more like Tiffany was so I just felt like I should share this with you...Tiffany has had to restart her whole college career and retake ALOT of classes and shes way behind...but! shes got one more semester here, shes applied to 4 different Universities and she said she is completely ready to get out of here and with the fact that she knows what its about, shes not facing it with fear and shes done so much better now that she restarted over again...shes gets really good grades and is much more focused and shes grown up alot since then...so I really think its something to take into consideration when hes making his decision...isnt he a senior this year? has he taken his SAT's? Tiffany took both the SAT and the ACT just to help her chances...I hope he has better luck than the kids here in CA...most of the Universities arent even taking incoming freshman due to budget cuts...you have to transfer in as a jr. which is what tiffany is doing...btw...you dont have to get an AA in order to transfer in to a University...Tiffany bypassed that because she didnt want to do the PE classes shes just going straight for her Bachelors...everything will work out fine but if you dont think he should do it then you should seriously put your foot down on this one...I wish I had realized that there was more to a child succeeding in college than just grades and desire to be in a 4 year University....

 

[funnygarcia]

I'm not afraid that he will get wild and crazy or shirk his responsibilities as a student. We discussed costs and staying on track and he gave me that sarcasm eye roll thing and said "why would I waste thousands of dollars to NOT go to class, that's stupid!" well.. it happens.. just believe me kiddo, that first taste of adulthood and BAM you have the urge to be reckless "just this one time".

But I know that he isn't quite sure what he wants to do. And like Tiffany (and my dh) found, community college is a safe (plus cheaper) way to discover interests and become a better student.

The U of MN (local to the area, no need for dorms) is highly competitive and picky, he will be missing the deadline which lessens his chances.. so different from years ago where any student that had a diploma or GED regardless of class rank or test scores could enroll and start right up.

It just peeves me that we had agreed on a plan and the dean put in his own 2 cents. Making it sound as if a community college for the first two years is a lesser choice (snob, sneer). Heck the U of MN has agreements with the local community colleges, shares instructors and will accept the transferred credits towards their own "4 yrs to degree guarantee".

So what gives?? Why push to apply for a 4 yr when he won't get the app done in time for the priority pick??

 

[sameyeyam]

I'm not afraid that he will get wild and crazy or shirk his responsibilities as a student. We discussed costs and staying on track and he gave me that sarcasm eye roll thing and said "why would I waste thousands of dollars to NOT go to class, that's stupid!" well.. it happens.. just believe me kiddo, that first taste of adulthood and BAM you have the urge to be reckless "just this one time".

But I know that he isn't quite sure what he wants to do. And like Tiffany (and my dh) found, community college is a safe (plus cheaper) way to discover interests and become a better student.

The U of MN (local to the area, no need for dorms) is highly competitive and picky, he will be missing the deadline which lessens his chances.. so different from years ago where any student that had a diploma or GED regardless of class rank or test scores could enroll and start right up.

It just peeves me that we had agreed on a plan and the dean put in his own 2 cents. Making it sound as if a community college for the first two years is a lesser choice (snob, sneer). Heck the U of MN has agreements with the local community colleges, shares instructors and will accept the transferred credits towards their own "4 yrs to degree guarantee".

So what gives?? Why push to apply for a 4 yr when he won't get the app done in time for the priority pick??

I agree that community college is a great way to start. I would have pushed DD into doing that, had she not already done the Running Start and went there in high school.

Do your 4 year colleges have co-admission? Most of them around here do. That way you can sign up at the 4 year, but take as many classes as possible at the 2 year. Chelsie is going to be doing that this semester. She still has a few classes that she can take at the comm. college. Most of them are math classes and there is no use spending the high tuition for her basic math classes. Since her college has no summer classes, she will be taking them at the local comm. college. Yep, no summer break for her!lol.

The advantage to doing the co-admission is they (the 4 year) will tell you beforehand exactly what classes to take at the 2 year college. So there are no surprises and if you follow their directions, all classes are guaranteed to transfer.

DD seems to be handling college just fine. As a matter of fact, she seems to be around more now then when she was in high school!lol. Also, her teachers seem to load her down with work, she's trying to figure out how in the world other college students have time to party!lol. I think we picked a good school, they seem to be serious about academics.

 

[MotoXPrincess99]

Good Morning!

 

[funnygarcia]

The advantage to doing the co-admission is they (the 4 year) will tell you beforehand exactly what classes to take at the 2 year college. So there are no surprises and if you follow their directions, all classes are guaranteed to transfer.

DD seems to be handling college just fine. As a matter of fact, she seems to be around more now then when she was in high school!lol. Also, her teachers seem to load her down with work, she's trying to figure out how in the world other college students have time to party!lol. I think we picked a good school, they seem to be serious about academics.

Not a co-admission but they have agreements with a few of the local community colleges.. two of which we thought would be good choices.. for the MN transfer program. They have transfer specialists to contact at each community college, you work with them to make sure credits will transfer.
Similar idea, but only enrolled at the comm college not at the U.

Sounds like she is doing well and has found her place.


I read online that the U has a promise scholarship based solely on his FAFSA, if he gets Pell and state grants (which of course he will, I think our EFC is 0) this other scholarship will cover any remaining tuition and fees.

soooooooooo... it's just a matter of getting into the U past the priority deadline.


Speaking of math, J is in AP Calculus this year and plans to take the test. Nice chunk of credit down if he gets at least a 3 score, math requirement complete unless he goes for something more brainy. He's thinking of taking the CLEP exam for Intro to Sociology, possibly will get a basic intro to engineering credit for his Project Lead the Way experience. Three possible classes done, not too shabby.

I tend to stress over changed plans.
Eloy is being great about it and telling Justin that it is his first adult decision and that my sputtering is I just that I want to make sure it's a good choice.
He's much better at talking with Justin than me. You know when one child is more like yourself.. you tend to butt heads? For me it's Justin. Eloy sputters with Noah..

 

[funnygarcia]

I've seriously been enjoying Groupon and other half price deal offers lately.

Today I used a Nordstrom Rack $50 Groupon (paid $25 for it) and got a nice shirt for J, socks for me, a Nke bag for Eloy, and a gorgeous wacoal bra with just an extra $2 out of pocket.

The bra itself is $26 (full price is $50 at a regular Nordstrom or Macy's) and I have been eying them for a long time as I heard they are one of the best fitting and longest lasting bras for the full figure person. I wanted to get two but they only had one left in my size so if you are more on the smallish side.. go to Nordstrom Rack for a nice selection of pricey awesome bras at Target prices.

Bought two "gotta have it" sized creations at Cold Stone, newspaper sponsored half price deal $5, shared among the four of us (how could one person eat that size alone??.. holy cow it was HUGE!!). In fact, we tossed out the last 1/4 of one, the guy was a little too generous with his scooping.

I have a 90 minute massage scheduled for me ($80 cost, will pay $30 plus tip).

Still have two more Groupons where I paid 50% of the value:

$20 at a local restaurant Key's Cafe and Bakery... mmmmmmmmmm, decent prices, huge portions, really good for breakfast. (Much better than Perkins.. really!)

$10 at an Indian lunch buffet, okay so this one is an adventure because my dh is not into food he does not recognize. It's uber cheap one pass thru buffet that is VERY popular for the downtown IT guys from India and Pakistan. Our theory, if the immigrants from India like it.. it must be good right? And $5 out of my pocket is an okay price to give it a try.

 

[kelmac284]

Hi guys. I have been swamped and exhausted and posted a bit on FB but I just haven't even have the time to venture over here but I just wanted to let you all know that we are back and had a GREAT time!! We got back late Sunday night and then I had to work yesterday but again great time.

Things are crazy hectic trying to get all my laundry done and I still haven't gotten around to taking my pics in cuz of course mom didn't take her camera and wants to get "copies" of mine. Hmmmm all 600 of them??? LOL So when we make it over to the Sam's club we are going to be AWHILE going through the pics. I also got another 250 on photopass but ordered the disc so will have more when that comes in.

Anyway don't know if I will have the time to get on before thanksgiving but if not have a great one everyone!!

When things calm down I will get back on and chat more. Hope all is well with everyone.

Take care and talk soon.

 

[sameyeyam]

Sounds like you had lots of fun...especially taking pic's! Be sure to post a few when you get time.

 

[funnygarcia]

argh, treatment is going to take a bit longer tonight. Keep having alarms, slow the rate of fluid down to allow the flow unit a chance to keep up. But still getting alarms.

Tech support last time had us clean it out with bleach, worked for making batch and for one treatment run.. now it's alarming yet again.

I think there is something wrong with one part that the tubes run through, it's a rolling triangle that helps regulate flow. Lately it has left a black residue on the tubing, never noticed that in the last two years. Maybe it's struggling and the lubrication is coming off? It's a fine black dust.

Slower run is actually good for him, slightly frustrating to be stuck in the chair even longer and listening to alarms.. argh! Too slow and he will clot off the cartridge as we do not have a heparin pump.

Time to call tech support and get a new control unit!

 

[funnygarcia]

Sis called "so are you coming over on Thursday?"
uhhh I don't recall you asking me so uhh sure.

Apparently we talked .. but all I remember is her asking "what are you doing?" and I replied "nothing, no plans". And that was it. She said she had asked and I replied that I had to talk to E first.

Am I losing it or did she mean to ask more but we got side tracked? who knows..

Just as well since E didn't get a turkey from work. Odd, they always had leftover turkeys for staff in the past. Not that we need it, but we kinda expected it ya know?

Got a batch of bread doing it's thing in the fridge. Good thing I wasn't doing any prep today, power went out in most of the city for a few hours. Weird as we don't have any storms or ice issues right now. Just happy it's back on or it would be a cold night for sleeping, brrrrrrrr.

 

[disneegrl4eva]

$10 at an Indian lunch buffet, okay so this one is an adventure because my dh is not into food he does not recognize. It's uber cheap one pass thru buffet that is VERY popular for the downtown IT guys from India and Pakistan. Our theory, if the immigrants from India like it.. it must be good right? And $5 out of my pocket is an okay price to give it a try.

mmm yum...i ♥ indian food...my favorite is chicken tika masala, sweet rice (its basmati rice cooked with raisins, almonds and saffron and its really sweet and orange lol) and of course I couldnt do without the naan!!!

Bernice I hope J is able to accomplish getting into any school he tries...good thing hes not here in cali because if he didnt meet the deadline there would be NO way he'd get into ANY uni

Kelmac are you going to do a TR? and is that picture on your page from HP???

Tiff and I went to see HP this weekend and it was really good...

so besides Bernice, who we know is going to her sisters, what is everyone else doing? we are going over Amandas moms and we are supposed to go make cookies tonight but amanda isnt feeling very well and although I know sh ewill persevere, I dont want to get sick and I ALWAYS do so Im not sure what Im doing

anyways if I dont talk to you guys before tomorrow, have a wonderful Thanksgiving and dont eat too much lol