kcgal
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Post by kcgal on Aug 12, 2011 13:09:39 GMT -5
Just a fly by and a funny story. Been busy doing my spring cleaning....still. Actually I am cleaning the basement if you don't hear from me in a few days you'll know I got lost in that pitt of a room. I've decided it is time for my adult kids to get their just stuff out of my house so I can clean my junk out.
Have mercy. Yesterday I was baby sitting Darling Grand Daughter (DGD) and Darling Grand Kitten. They are both approaching their terrible 2's. The "girls" were chasing each other through the house. DGD would never catch kitten unless she wanted to be caught. If DGD ignored kiten, kitten would pounce on her. DGD would then catch kitten and would hug kitten and the race was on again. If Kitten ignored DGD, DGD would crawl after kitten. I was finishing up the dishes when I notice that it had suddenly become quiet. Alarms went off in my head. Quickly I found the "girls". DGD and kitten were playing together in the bathroom. DGD was playing with the kitty litter box with her tea set. Kitten was sitting on the toliet seat playing with the water. I would have to say DGD and kitten are partners in crime. No no pictures. I wasn't fast enough.
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azmom
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Post by azmom on Aug 12, 2011 14:10:53 GMT -5
Yesterday was a spend day. I have my nieces staying with me and I took them to get a few basic back to school supplies and new panties. I wish I could afford to do more for them but at the very least I figures every girl deserves to start the first day of school in new panties My sister is a single mom and is struggling financially right now, although she never says a word. I just happened to asked the girls if they were ready for school, etc and they just sweetly and humbly said, "My mom can't afford that right now." No complaining or anything. Broke my heart. They were on cloud nine over a couple of notebooks and highlighters! I have a race on Sunday and I have ran a total of 1 time in the last week! I am going to do a group run tomorrow and race on Sunday all while I am battling a serious case of PMS! Heaven please help me and my sanity. My BLOG: Today I received such an awesome comment from a complete stranger. It put a big huge smile on my face. I do really write for myself and I love the idea of having a family journal but I will admit the comments and compliments make my heart happy. I don't get as much traffic as normal blogs but it only the 12th and I have more hits than I did all of June! Dakota: I hope mini D is not sick. My kiddos normally get sick around this time of year but somehow they have managed to avoid it this year. Muttleyn: Have a safe trip. Thinking of you and your family Mizbear: Hope you find some pain relief I have a boatload of work to do, not to mention my house is a small disaster area!
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mizbear
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Stand back. I have a budget, and I know how to use it.
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Post by mizbear on Aug 12, 2011 14:20:10 GMT -5
kcgal- Now THAT had to be something to see!
azmom- Thinking of you
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startsmart
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Post by startsmart on Aug 12, 2011 15:28:27 GMT -5
Florida Trip- ooo! just booked my hotel for the second half of my trip to Florida! I'm staying at this amazing house in Key West that is in a quiet neighborhood, no smoking, gorgeous pool, upgraded room, and great deal. I was waffling so much and looking at hotels that were getting terrible reviews and junky beyond belief (cockroaches, right off the main highway, beaches covered in trash and seaweed) for slightly less than I paid for this place. AND all of the other "resort style" places I found were easily $150/night. Yikes.
Now to find local markets, make sure I have some fresh fruit and snacks for the drive!
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mizbear
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Post by mizbear on Aug 12, 2011 16:43:11 GMT -5
What's everyone's opinion of Kohl's? I started a thread on Smart Spending about it. I am having to start replacing clothes as things are getting too large and wearing out-
We have a Kohl's opening here soon, but I have heard some folks question the quality at Kohl's. I am trying to be frugal with my money and since I wear a lot of separates, should I put more money into my clothes and buy less... I know my bras cost me a bit, but I can buy the bottoms at Wally World I have to replace a belt maybe, but I need no accessories other than new sneakers- which I replace several times a year anyway- so this straight clothes buying.
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midjd
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Post by midjd on Aug 12, 2011 20:36:51 GMT -5
Mizbear, I do a lot of shopping at Kohl's - I like it. There are some brands there that feel really flimsy (Elle, Lauren Conrad) and others that are well-made and have held up pretty well (their Sonoma store brand is good, Vera Wang too (but pricier)). If you get a Kohl's card they send you a ton of promotions and you can almost always get everything 30% off. I've gotten some nice dresses and work pants for <$10 before. I have a happy story tonight Some brief background - DH's aunt is an extremely toxic parent. She has 5 kids - the two oldest are boys and just a year older/younger than DH, they are all pretty close. The oldest son managed to escape her clutches after high school and is doing really well for himself as an IT programmer - the rest still live with her (or on the property) and work for the dad's company. It is almost like the aunt is a cult leader and the kids and husband are her followers... it's a very weird vibe there. Son #2 has been having some depression/drug issues. He OD-ed about a week ago and DH's aunt refused to take him to the hospital - she said she could take care of him at home. 3 days ago, she called the cops and reported him for drug possession - he was arrested and jailed. Ok, so the happy part - son #1 (who is my hero right now) bailed out #2, came to DH's aunt's house, packed up #2's stuff, and took him home with him. He told their mom to F off and not try to contact either of them. #2 is living with #1 until further notice and is going to start going to NA meetings. I think being out of his toxic mother's clutches will be a huge help. IMO most of the drug issues were a direct result of wanting to escape from his mom. (An example of her behavior - he lived in a tiny rental house on the property - she had a baby monitor hidden in the ceiling so she could keep track of what he was doing.) I'm just so impressed and touched by #1... he is a good brother. 9 NSD/CSD, 4 EOD.
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mizbear
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Stand back. I have a budget, and I know how to use it.
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Post by mizbear on Aug 12, 2011 20:41:46 GMT -5
mid- I'm sorry DH's cousin OD'd, but you're right- cousin has a good brother. He needs to stay away from that toxic environment. I send him lots of good juju. She could have killed him by not taking him to the hospital. Grrr.
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moneysquirrel
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Post by moneysquirrel on Aug 12, 2011 21:44:16 GMT -5
Update: 7 NS days and 2 CS days Just a quick update tonight. Will try to read and comment this weekend.
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reeneejune
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Post by reeneejune on Aug 13, 2011 1:27:07 GMT -5
I'm having a really rough time today/yesterday. Nothing in particular, just on a "blue" swing. It doesn't help that my BFF's marriage is in shambles and is leaning on me for emotional support (which I'm absolutely happy to do for her, we've been through heck together, more like sisters than anything else) and I'm just exhausted. And having trouble getting to sleep and staying asleep. Sigh. I should be sleeping now so I can be up early to watch sorta-nephew while BFF plays softball tomorrow morning, but I just can't shut my head off. Tonight I swept the store myself because I just needed to do something different so I wouldn't scream. 4.5 months. I can do this. Would it be totally geeky of me to make a countdown calendar like kids use leading up to Christmas or the last day of school? Hmmm
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startsmart
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Post by startsmart on Aug 13, 2011 10:28:50 GMT -5
reeneejune- not geeky at all! grab some construction paper and start making circles! I don't sleep well most nights and I've found I either need to deal with something (write a long email or journal) or tire myself out more (workout in the garage or clean something). I've got to stop reading before bed, it gets my mind going and I always want to finish.
Spend Day- Had one yesterday with a trip to Costco for dog food, greeting cards and chicken, another one today. Most of today's stuff was planned: shots for the pup at 7:30am, I need to pay his registration with the county and get a replacement tag for dog #2 (total will be $35 so not bad) and then I'm stopping by the tomato festival for produce, salsa tasting and to take photos.
Of course there's 100 things going on for work and I have so little mental energy to deal with it. Maybe I'll look at it later this afternoon.
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MittenKitten
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Home of the Circus
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Post by MittenKitten on Aug 13, 2011 10:42:07 GMT -5
reenee: It would be geeky but who cares if you like it and it helps.
midwest: Glad for your husbands family. The aunt needs to be taken out! Yikes I couldn't imagine living with my mother listening to everything!
The kids had lanyards (sp?) to make from camp and with an art kit I bought them. Brought back very pleasant memories of childhood and camp ;D We have been having a blast this summer and very busy. Honestly these are the types of memories I want my kids to have, it is just hard to do at times working around DS#2s disability. I am also glad I got DF to get off his duff and get the kids out disc golfing and fishing. I want them to have fun memories with dad also.
My sister and I have had a really odd relationship our whole lives. A lot of it (okay most) stems from our dysfunctional childhood. While we knew we could always depend on each other and that when the chips were down we had someone it at times would be hard to get along and our parents always seemed to pit us against each other. Anyways this summer we have really bonded and been having a blast with the kids. It has been great. I am also shocked the kids haven't gotten sick of each other!
Yesterday was a spend. They had a small circus for our town festival so I took DD and DS#1. Wow are they good at selling things. Not a lot of money to get in but every few minutes they have something for sale for "one minute only" with the possibility of a prize. Cost only a buck or two but when they do it 5 times! I resisted much to the kids chagrin, they each got one treat and that was it and I brought my water bottle in. Oh and I did let them ride the ponies, so the cost was only $24 total for the 3 of us. Plus after we waited around and got to see the fireworks. We were around 200 yards from where they were setting them off. They have the inflatable things there but to go on most of them would cost $12 a kid and DD couldn't do most of them anyways. I am hoping DS#1 will forget about them but we will see.
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mizbear
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Post by mizbear on Aug 13, 2011 11:42:21 GMT -5
renee- I would making the biggest, coolest tearoff countdown calendar going!
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MittenKitten
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Post by MittenKitten on Aug 13, 2011 14:12:35 GMT -5
mizbear: I missed it how did you injure your ankle? Hope it is feeling okay.
Kids trying to drive me crazy. The downside of no screen time.....
kcgal: too funny about kitty and DGDaughter. Kids can do the darnest things. Whenever things are quiet around my house I start looking for trouble!
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mizbear
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Stand back. I have a budget, and I know how to use it.
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Post by mizbear on Aug 13, 2011 14:15:59 GMT -5
mk- Hit and run stroller. Woman had her kid standing up in the stroller seat feeding him his ice cream, trying to eat hers and talk on her cell phone while driving the stroller. Hit me, knocked me down and kept going. 2 teenage boys picked me up. Ruined my favorite boots possibly. Sprained my ankle. I got those boots 75% off!
I'm in a bad mood right now- figured out that ex-SIL has been stealing "stuff" from my apt. Trying to decide what to do about it.
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startsmart
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Post by startsmart on Aug 13, 2011 18:13:42 GMT -5
Whew, what a busy morning: - Nixon got shots - Picked up coffee - Registered Nixon with Animal Control - Donated blankets to Animal Control - Went to the Farmer's Market/Tomato Festival - Filled up the Jeep with gas - Cleaned the Kitchen - Filled hole with caulk where ants were coming in - Emptied out a junk cabinet in the kitchen - trimmed grass edging in the backyard - caught up on dishes and laundry
Now working on my blog and relaxing on the couch because I'm tired!
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reeneejune
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Post by reeneejune on Aug 14, 2011 0:46:59 GMT -5
I'm feeling better today. I think part of the problem yesterday was going in to work when I still felt exhausted and not fully recharged since I only had 1 day off. I really tend to be a homebody about 75% of the time, and I feel like I need alone time regularly to keep me sane. I can also be very social, but it tends to be in spurts. 1 NSD, and I've completed my second week of tracking!! Next week's goal is 2 NSD, and of course, tracking! Went to BFF's softball game this morning. Nephew was a little wild today (he bit BFF this morning when he gave her a hug... he walked up to her, gave her a hug, and bit her) and several times just went kinda spastic throwing his arms and head around. He'd stop when I'd tell him to, like when he'd accidentally hit me, but start again a few minutes later. Two year olds... On the bright side, BFF scored two runs today in her game, first time this season! They won and advanced in their tournament, but I had to leave before the second game.
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startsmart
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Post by startsmart on Aug 14, 2011 12:05:25 GMT -5
Unexpected spend day and I could use all the prayer and goog juju out there.
I'm at the emergency vet with wilson, I was mowing the front lawn and the dogs were in the back.
Either one of my dogs or the dog over the fence got to Wilson and bit him. He has a 4" gash in his skin, down to the muscle on his thigh.
I immediately scooped him up, crated the other dogs and brought him in.
It doesn't look life threatening but the vet just came out and it's $440 for his surgery.
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3catslady
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Post by 3catslady on Aug 14, 2011 12:25:01 GMT -5
prayers and good juju to Wilson and you.
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startsmart
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Post by startsmart on Aug 14, 2011 12:36:46 GMT -5
Thanks 3cats, he's in surgery now and I get to pick him up in 30 minutes. It's going to be a challenging week keeping him calm so he can heal, working, having 3 house guests and not crying every time I see his shaved leg and stitches
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mizbear
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Stand back. I have a budget, and I know how to use it.
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Post by mizbear on Aug 14, 2011 12:49:35 GMT -5
HUGS start!
I have had an invitation from some friends up north to move after the first of the year if I would like. This is the lady and her daughter who helped me get away from my father 20 years ago. Even though where I live is home and I am established with my doctors- which is a big big big consideration, I also know that this is a toxic place for me. I am going to start looking into the difference in COL in that area, housing/ grocery costs, if the doctor services I need will be available, etc. If not, I am looking at some other options.
My clock went of at 6 this morning and I laid in bed thinking about all of the lies and untruths and drama- I'm tired. I don't want to live like this and refuse to.
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spruby
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Post by spruby on Aug 14, 2011 13:26:57 GMT -5
startsmart - prayers and good thoughts for your pup - today must be a day for it
we took our girl (the dog) to the emergency room at our regular vet (this is why I use a vet w/a 24 hour emergency service) and besides some stomach issue - the vet felt a lump in the pelvic area. She goes back tomorrow for x-rays to see how widespread this is. Basically - it is cancer - the only question is type/how serious. Tough choices ahead - but DH and I talked about this possibility before ever adopting and periodically revisit the issue. She' almost 12 - we'll always make sure she is as pain free/high quality of life - but we're unlikely to do surgery/etc unless there is a big upside. Basically she seems fine now - and you know the fur babies won't live forever - but it still is killing me. Any prayers/good thoughts are appreciated.
mizbear - sometimes the only way for the toxic family relationship to end is to leave - I moved for college and never went back but for short visits - didn't eliminate it - but kept it mostly manageable. Docs are super important for you - so make sure you ask your docs for potential referrals in the area you are considering they know your history and likely docs in that area. good luck. trust me a family drama free life is amazing.
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startsmart
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Post by startsmart on Aug 14, 2011 13:29:22 GMT -5
wilson's back home and still sleepy from the anesthesia. Poor guy looks so pathetic wit this little dome collar and stitches. I've got to keep him low key, no rough play and no jumping for 2 weeks.
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MittenKitten
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Post by MittenKitten on Aug 14, 2011 13:41:58 GMT -5
start: Hugs to you and Wilson. OUCH!
spruby: Hope allgoes well. Hugs to you also.
mizbear: Tough situation. I had a reply all typed out but then it was eaten by proboards GRRR. Was your ex SIL in your home alone when she did that? I would suggest changing your locks and not giving any one a key. If it was while you were there I would be tempted to have a conversation with her not accusing her but just "chatting" saying "Can you believe someone took so and so of mine? It really bums me out someone I know would do this. I trusted everyone and now I can't. " Just lay it on like that and see what happens. Other then that I would just say to never allow her in your apartment alone. If she weren't your nieces mother I would have a different response. I know how you love those kids but honestly it seems like her and your brother take terrible advantage of you. If you could make it where you could move I think that would be very healthy for you.
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3catslady
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Post by 3catslady on Aug 14, 2011 15:30:31 GMT -5
spruby: hugs, prayers and good health juju to you and yours.
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mizbear
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Stand back. I have a budget, and I know how to use it.
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Post by mizbear on Aug 14, 2011 17:27:00 GMT -5
mk- That's the thing- I was in the house. No one has keys. My brother has had the key once because he brought the girls here to sleep when he was watching them. My mom has had the key a few times, but I have been here laid up after surgery or on crutches and still here. And I gave my BFF "N" the key once so she could run up and use the litter box before we left to go shopping. I have casually mentioned that things are missing (she called earlier) and she accused my friends and her own 10yo! And then made an ignorant remark about my housekeeping.
Oh well- like Forrest Gump says- "Stupid is as stupid does sir."
I am going to try and let it go for right now. Very hard though. But my place is going to get very, um, cold. I have bigger fish to deal with right now.
Hope everyone's furry family members get comfortable soon.
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sapphire12
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Post by sapphire12 on Aug 14, 2011 19:17:39 GMT -5
start, spruby -- hugs for you and your respective fur babies.
Mizbear -- I hope your ankle is feeling better. I hope you can get a resolution to your home life soon. You've come so far and I don't want to see you regress because of your home situation. Hang in there.
reenee -- I hope you feel better soon as well. Hang in there at work. I'm sure that is contributing to your blue mood.
3cats -- good to see you. How are you doing?
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moneysquirrel
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Post by moneysquirrel on Aug 14, 2011 19:22:25 GMT -5
Update: 7 NS days and 3 CS days Today was a spend day. Trip to Wally World for groceries and of course a few other non-essential items. The non-essential items made this day a spend one. The good thing is that I limit the number of times I make this trip per month. The grocery items contains enough cereal for weeks as well as snack items for lunch. I will be brown-bagging lunch again, beginning sometime this week. Also two other stops today involved spending. I think most of this week will be NS days.
Start -- hope your dog is doing better.
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financialpeace
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Post by financialpeace on Aug 14, 2011 19:51:13 GMT -5
Start- I hope Wilson heals quickly. I couldn't help but think how that really put a kink in your $500 per year pet expense (I think it was you who said that). I have emergencies that cost around that much money five or six times a year. That's how I average $3000 per year on my pets. I would be so much better off financially without them, but I would also lose one of my main sources of happiness and love.
I'm not sure what my numbers are at, but I know they aren't good. We spent more than we should have on vacation, and I'm having a hard time stopping spending money now that we are home. I will try to update tomorrow.
mizbear- It is never pleasant to find out someone you know is violating you like that. I hope you can get the problem to end.
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3catslady
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Post by 3catslady on Aug 14, 2011 21:35:05 GMT -5
sapphire; I am just doing. They cut hours last week and this and I don't know about next. I worked 14 hours last week, 20 hours this week. I hope next week goes up at least 5 but I will wait and see. DS and DIL are both working but I don't know how many hours they are getting. We are trying to get on a schedule of payments coming on time. I haven't checked my spends yet but I should be close to my goal.
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ses
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Post by ses on Aug 14, 2011 23:01:04 GMT -5
Just a quick note. I thought about you all this evening. I watched "60 Minutes" on CNBC this evening. One of the segments was about the "Millenials," kids born between 1980-2000, and their work ethic. The people suggested the self focus of many of these kids started with Mr Rogers telling all the toddlers they are special and all of the "participation" ribbons and never being allowed to lose or fail at anything. The show addressed the idea that bosses have to become "coaches and cheerleaders" rather than bosses because these kids will just quit rather do work. It was mentioned that 14% of this age group are currently working.
I hope all the members of our family here, including our furry members, are feeling good this week. and getting better.
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