what are you doing right now?

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Wooo hoo my dad figured out how to score us some freon.   You can get it online and it is WAAY cheaper.  He knows how to fill the AC so we save on the labor.  That's $200 vs replacing the entire system in the next couple of months.

We can hoard the money from DH's savings bonds and that will also push us out to where some of our debt will be falling off and so we'll have better cash flow so I might not even need to touch savings at all I can make payments and continue to hoard the money.

Cause I really don't like having to make such a big purchase decision on a time limit.  It's stubbornly staying in the high 90s when usually we are dropping closer to the mid/low 80s this time of year.  So we can't really go without anything but I don't want to buy a window unit either.

Stupid climate change and the really scary/sobering thing is realizing this will only get worse as time goes on.   Technology is going to have to improve rapidly if we are going to avoid baking the human race to death.

[snapdragon]

Aug 30, 2023 10:34:24 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

At my last apartment in Boulder, I paid a non-refundable pet deposit of $300 because I had two cats.  Pet rent was about $50 per month for two cats--$25 each.  They wanted me to bring them to the office for pictures to be taken.  I told them I wasn't doing that and took them photos I had taken.

Their rules today:


A veterinarian certificate must be provided verifying the pet’s age, weight, and current vaccinations.



A maximum of two (2) dogs and three (3) total pets per apartment are allowed with a $300 refundable deposit per apartment due prior to move in.



A photograph must be provided for each pet. Pets must be interviewed by the management for temperament.

''

A monthly pet fee/rent of $35.00 will be charged for the term of the lease while the pet(s) occupy the apartment. Pets must be registered and are not allowed to visit the property.

I wonder if they do the same for fish or birds.

I keep visualizing someone trying to interview a goldfish that is in a plastic bag. "So, are you a chill fish or just crazy and try to attack anyone walking past the tank?"

[raeoflyte]

Our area is/has become unaffordable. I hope that changes but I expect it to be a long painful process if it does. The apartment we rented 25 years ago is more than double what we paid back then, gas is 4x as much, used car prices are... I don't know the percentage but a lot more expensive than back then to get a decent vehicle. And wages aren't much more for the same jobs we had at that point. $15 an hour hopefully vs. The $10 we were earning then.

I don't know how my kids will afford this area if they want to stay in it and I hate to think of them moving far away.

[Deleted]

Aug 30, 2023 9:53:39 GMT -5 countrygirl2 said:

Well, not good news. Hubs told me he had blood work and his PSI is 11. He had an ultrasound at a urologist and has to see his heart doc to see if he can get off blood thinner for a few days so he can get a biopsy.

I said why didn't you tell me? He said why and have you worry all time you were gone instead of enjoying yourself. I am worried but we will see how it goes. He sees the heart doc this week and the urologist next week so will know more than. I have been reading, if its localized and not spread he may be ok with treatment.  No matter I told him I will take care of him. Have spent my life doing that. Just hope he is ok, says even with it 98% a chance of 5 year survival depending on extent.

We have been beyond fortunate so neither of us is complaining, sadly, its a part of life.

I'm sorry to hear about this but I'm sure you know that benign tumors can cause a rise in PSA so there may or may not be cancer present.  Treatments have advanced significantly since my DH's diagnosis in 2002, with minimally invasive treatments such as implants able to deliver targeted radiation, and hormone treatments available to suppress growth.

Please try to take things one step at a time as hard as that may seem.  

[giramomma]

I feel pretty good right now, dare I say even excited about this opportunity.

[azucena]

New stove and microwave delivered and installed. First world problem is micro stainless handle gets hot when stovetop is on.

Told my boss that I'm expecting a new proposal from a client next week. Said that's all I know. He proceeds to ask how much business, what can we charge them, when's it due, etc. Dude I told you all I know. Slow your role.

10 mins later my phone rings...it's our head of sales asking the same questions, Apparently my boss gave him the 'heads up.'

Is it any reason I'm burnt out? I survived the call by repeating I've told you all I know about 4x verbatim and he didn't even notice.

Both guys spend way to much time chasing squirrels and shiny objects.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Aug 30, 2023 10:32:55 GMT -5 giramomma said:

NomoreDramaQ1015

Go for it.

I wish I would have realized a lot sooner that these sorts of decisions about jobs aren't permanent.

Life is fluid.

(I'm not discounting the fact that job hunting is a PITA. Because it is. But it shouldn't be a barrier..That was the mistake I made).

I know they are not but I also know they can throw a serious monkey wrench into things.  I already struggle with executive dysfunction right now in a bad way do I really want to potentially throw myself into an even bigger pile of crap? 

Though after our latest meeting for my current department that pushed my scale further in the other direction.  We'll wait and see I may not get that either.  They wanted to confirm first that I was still interested in the position that was what the meeting was about today and discuss I didn't get the Associate position I wanted.

[azucena]

Drama - it's good that you have two long timers saying go for it. That's positive. How are the vibes with the would-be boss?

[countrygirl2]

We have an old friend of hubs stop by, he is 94 and hard of hearing. He has a bill from the hospital that he owed some money. He can't understand any of it as he has never owed money with Tri Care before. He said I have no idea what to do and can't understand what they are telling me. I mean it said use the internet and get info, I don't think they even have internet. He came here because he had no one else he could ask. They wouldn't give me info for him because it was a bill for his wife. So we told him have her come by and I will help her. 

She has to give them permission like he did to talk to me.  I wonder how many old folks pay bills they don't understand and can't get help with.

[chiver78]

Aug 30, 2023 11:56:45 GMT -5 azucena said:

New stove and microwave delivered and installed. First world problem is micro stainless handle gets hot when stovetop is on.

Told my boss that I'm expecting a new proposal from a client next week. Said that's all I know. He proceeds to ask how much business, what can we charge them, when's it due, etc. Dude I told you all I know. Slow your role.

10 mins later my phone rings...it's our head of sales asking the same questions, Apparently my boss gave him the 'heads up.'

Is it any reason I'm burnt out? I survived the call by repeating I've told you all I know about 4x verbatim and he didn't even notice.

Both guys spend way to much time chasing squirrels and shiny objects.

I have that with my POS range - if the oven is on, anything that's on the stovetop gets nuclear hot - like pot lids if I rest them when I want to stir a pot. I've gotten in the habit of just leaving an "Ove Glove" on one hand while I'm cooking. and then it's like a "clean hand, dirty hand" situation in what I touch with which hand until everything is off. the learning curve took a little while, but I'm good with it now. good luck. 

[andi9899]

Since opening up my search criteria to include MO, I've stumbled across a management company that has several house at reasonable prices. I'd just keep all my legal paperwork at my parents house.

The pet rules are only 2 pets can live there. No weight restrictions. There are breed restrictions, but mine are mutts so it's OK. $150 pet deposit and $25/month per pet rent. I can live with that. If they need to keep a picture and vet records on file, that's fine too, but it doesn't say it's necessary. I'm going to see what all they have for inventory.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Aug 30, 2023 7:57:27 GMT -5 giramomma said:

Aug 30, 2023 6:58:33 GMT -5 susana1954 said:

I don't see how renters are doing it.

My DS knows that communal living is just what it's going to have to be when you are starting out.

If he wants to live by himself, then he has to decide to give up space for solitude.

It's not all that different than the housing choices I faced at his stage of life, 30 years ago.

Not different from my facing them 40+ years ago either.  

I paid 50% of my salary to live in a 200 sq ft studio by myself.  I have done the tiny home thing before it became popular.  Not a fan, it gets old fast.

[andi9899]

There's another management company that I was considering using to rent my house out forever ago when I had just renovated it. I looked them up but didn't see anything for houses so I called them. I have to physically walk into the office to see what they have. They don't even have a pdf they can send me. It's 2023! They are also only open M-F 8am to 2:30pm. What?!

[steph08]

Aug 30, 2023 9:18:12 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

I did not get the Associate Microbiologist position. 

That being said they are going to regroup and want me to seriously consider taking the open Micro Tech II position.   I am interested but I am not sure.   Several of my lab mates down here think it is a no brainer I should move and they've been here awhile so they said they are speaking from experience there.

It would get me closer to where I want to be career wise compared to how things are starting to head here where I am currently at.  Even if I get out of my current position with the insistence we become a QC lab there is not a lot of room for me to grow.  My heart is in R& which is more what the Micro lab does.  

I went for it and asked if it would come with a small salary bump.   I don't know what the range is for this title because like most of corporate America they refuse to openly advertise it.   A pay bump even if it small would definitely sweeten the deal.

But even if it is a no I lean towards this would be better for my future.  BUT then again I thought moving into that histo tech trainee position would be good for my future and I have not forgotten what a spectacular mistake that was.  I don't want to go blindly charging in again and lose my footing.  I've been floundering for almost four years now because of that.

Thoughts O Wise People of YM?

My initial questions would be why didn't you get the associate microbiologist position and why they think you should take the micro tech II position. What does that position involve that makes you a good fit? What made you not a good fit for the associate microbiologist position? I'd also like to know if it was someone inside or outside the company that got that position.

On the Micro Tech II job, is it on the same career path as the associate microbiologist position? Does it showcase the skills that you have / want to have noticed to advance in your career? 

I'm the humanities sibling, so excuse my ignorance on all the positions and what they involve, etc. 

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Aug 30, 2023 8:22:23 GMT -5 andi9899 said:

Aug 30, 2023 6:58:33 GMT -5 susana1954 said:

Have you seen the cost of pet fees lately?  $400 - $500 here with additional pet rent as well.  And I want to say that the weight limit was 30 pounds although I barely paid attention to it since Penny weighs 11-12 pounds.  I just remember wondering if Abby would have qualified.  

And don't get me started on rents! I kept wondering if I was making the right decision when my housing costs were going to double.  

I don't see how renters are doing it.

Around here I've seen $100 deposits and $35/month pet rent. There are place with weight restrictions, but also plenty of places with no weight restrictions. Those are the only places I'll consider.

When I rented, I had 2 cats.  I had the option of paying a one time $400 non refundable per deposit, or $50/mo pet rent.  As I signed a year lease, this was really a no-brainer.  Then I proceeded to live in that apartment for 10 years!  

[msventoux]

Listening to a rooster crow.  He starts at 3:30 in the morning when it’s still dark and goes until after dark in the evening.  I never knew how many people in this neighborhood have chickens until I stopped working, was home all day and started walking the neighborhood. Over half of the people on my walking route have chickens.  One family has their back yard fenced, which is next to the bike path. The chickens come running whenever they see someone on the bike path and pace the person as far as they can, telling them all about their day. The only jerk is this one rooster that I’d love to drop kick into a neighboring town.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

I woke up at 4 am sneezing like crazy with my eye itching.  Something apparently blew in last night that overrides the Zyrtec I took before bed.  I got up for about 30 min to let the congestion drain so I could breathe, and went back to bed.  My eye is now drippy and red.  Not sure if this is allergy red or infection red.  

Wondering if Benedryl will work better at night instead.

[azucena]

Aug 30, 2023 12:17:57 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

Aug 30, 2023 11:56:45 GMT -5 azucena said:

New stove and microwave delivered and installed. First world problem is micro stainless handle gets hot when stovetop is on.

Told my boss that I'm expecting a new proposal from a client next week. Said that's all I know. He proceeds to ask how much business, what can we charge them, when's it due, etc. Dude I told you all I know. Slow your role.

10 mins later my phone rings...it's our head of sales asking the same questions, Apparently my boss gave him the 'heads up.'

Is it any reason I'm burnt out? I survived the call by repeating I've told you all I know about 4x verbatim and he didn't even notice.

Both guys spend way to much time chasing squirrels and shiny objects.

I have that with my POS range - if the oven is on, anything that's on the stovetop gets nuclear hot - like pot lids if I rest them when I want to stir a pot. I've gotten in the habit of just leaving an "Ove Glove" on one hand while I'm cooking. and then it's like a "clean hand, dirty hand" situation in what I touch with which hand until everything is off. the learning curve took a little while, but I'm good with it now. good luck. 

Yeah, I'm less worried about DH and me and more about DD15 and DD11. Was thinking I could sew a potholder around microwave handle as kinda a cozie.

We also got the air fry option on our oven which frees up air fryer appliance space (also needed to be replaced bc the grate inside rusted, yuck!). DH doesn't understand how much of a learning curve it will be for DD11 who was easily cooking in air fryer to the food onto a plate from the big basket with nice plastic handle. Now, she will be opening the oven and removing a hot pan. We do have sleeve length oven gloves that DD15 requested a few years ago.

[chiver78]

Aug 30, 2023 12:41:07 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

I woke up at 4 am sneezing like crazy with my eye itching.  Something apparently blew in last night that overrides the Zyrtec I took before bed.  I got up for about 30 min to let the congestion drain so I could breathe, and went back to bed.  My eye is now drippy and red.  Not sure if this is allergy red or infection red.  

Wondering if Benedryl will work better at night instead.

I take Zyrtec daily, but when I need a little extra boost, I add a Claritin quick dissolve tab. I haven't needed it for much other than LD having slept on my pillow in the last few years, but it's still a strong backup when needed. good luck. 

[andi9899]

I'm going to look at this one tomorrow.

www.trulia.com/p/mo/kansas-city/4607-mersington-ave-kansas-city-mo-64130--1006462220?ecampaign=eml%7Ctrs%7Ccon_rlt_post_lead_agent_rent_fr%7Ccon_rlt_post_lead_agent_rent_fr&eurl=www.trulia.com/p/mo/kansas-city/4607-mersington-ave-kansas-city-mo-64130--1006462220&guid=ba0cc28f9a48e274e6b427e981579b151693402916213

[andi9899]

Aug 30, 2023 12:38:27 GMT -5 msventoux said:

Listening to a rooster crow.  He starts at 3:30 in the morning when it’s still dark and goes until after dark in the evening.  I never knew how many people in this neighborhood have chickens until I stopped working, was home all day and started walking the neighborhood. Over half of the people on my walking route have chickens.  One family has their back yard fenced, which is next to the bike path. The chickens come running whenever they see someone on the bike path and pace the person as far as they can, telling them all about their day. The only jerk is this one rooster that I’d love to drop kick into a neighboring town.

Around here you're allowed to have chickens, but no roosters for that reason. Do you live in the country?

[chiver78]

Aug 30, 2023 13:11:54 GMT -5 andi9899 said:

I'm going to look at this one tomorrow.

www.trulia.com/p/mo/kansas-city/4607-mersington-ave-kansas-city-mo-64130--1006462220?ecampaign=eml%7Ctrs%7Ccon_rlt_post_lead_agent_rent_fr%7Ccon_rlt_post_lead_agent_rent_fr&eurl=www.trulia.com/p/mo/kansas-city/4607-mersington-ave-kansas-city-mo-64130--1006462220&guid=ba0cc28f9a48e274e6b427e981579b151693402916213

is that a safe area? if so, I could absolutely live there for that price. that's basically the size and price (at least, that I paid) for the summer rental, and you'll have it to yourself and the twins. fingers crossed it's good in person! 

[Pink Cashmere]

Aug 30, 2023 10:45:25 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

Wooo hoo my dad figured out how to score us some freon.   You can get it online and it is WAAY cheaper.  He knows how to fill the AC so we save on the labor.  That's $200 vs replacing the entire system in the next couple of months.

We can hoard the money from DH's savings bonds and that will also push us out to where some of our debt will be falling off and so we'll have better cash flow so I might not even need to touch savings at all I can make payments and continue to hoard the money.

Cause I really don't like having to make such a big purchase decision on a time limit.  It's stubbornly staying in the high 90s when usually we are dropping closer to the mid/low 80s this time of year.  So we can't really go without anything but I don't want to buy a window unit either.

Stupid climate change and the really scary/sobering thing is realizing this will only get worse as time goes on.   Technology is going to have to improve rapidly if we are going to avoid baking the human race to death.

I started to type this earlier, but didn’t. Be careful with this, especially since it’s online. If your unit is old and uses R-22, it’s unlikely that that is legit. Mister does HVAC and I’ve been listening to him talk for years about how expensive it was getting as it was being phased out.

I asked him to confirm before I posted, and I was correct. He said it’s selling around her for around $200/lb. So if you only need 1 lb, that’s on track. It’s usually sold in cans of 5 or 10lbs.

I know your Dad knows how to fix a lot of stuff, so I’m not trying to insult his knowledge and skills. I just wasn’t sure he knows enough about HVAC specifically, to be aware of the above.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Aug 30, 2023 13:13:34 GMT -5 andi9899 said:

Aug 30, 2023 12:38:27 GMT -5 msventoux said:

Listening to a rooster crow.  He starts at 3:30 in the morning when it’s still dark and goes until after dark in the evening.  I never knew how many people in this neighborhood have chickens until I stopped working, was home all day and started walking the neighborhood. Over half of the people on my walking route have chickens.  One family has their back yard fenced, which is next to the bike path. The chickens come running whenever they see someone on the bike path and pace the person as far as they can, telling them all about their day. The only jerk is this one rooster that I’d love to drop kick into a neighboring town.

Around here you're allowed to have chickens, but no roosters for that reason. Do you live in the country?

Apparently a neighbor just got a chicken coop.  I don’t know how long the chickens are going to stick around as there are too many critters in the wild that think chickens are a tasty morsel.  

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Aug 30, 2023 12:34:28 GMT -5 steph08 said:

Aug 30, 2023 9:18:12 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

I did not get the Associate Microbiologist position. 

That being said they are going to regroup and want me to seriously consider taking the open Micro Tech II position.   I am interested but I am not sure.   Several of my lab mates down here think it is a no brainer I should move and they've been here awhile so they said they are speaking from experience there.

It would get me closer to where I want to be career wise compared to how things are starting to head here where I am currently at.  Even if I get out of my current position with the insistence we become a QC lab there is not a lot of room for me to grow.  My heart is in R& which is more what the Micro lab does.  

I went for it and asked if it would come with a small salary bump.   I don't know what the range is for this title because like most of corporate America they refuse to openly advertise it.   A pay bump even if it small would definitely sweeten the deal.

But even if it is a no I lean towards this would be better for my future.  BUT then again I thought moving into that histo tech trainee position would be good for my future and I have not forgotten what a spectacular mistake that was.  I don't want to go blindly charging in again and lose my footing.  I've been floundering for almost four years now because of that.

Thoughts O Wise People of YM?

My initial questions would be why didn't you get the associate microbiologist position and why they think you should take the micro tech II position. What does that position involve that makes you a good fit? What made you not a good fit for the associate microbiologist position? I'd also like to know if it was someone inside or outside the company that got that position.

On the Micro Tech II job, is it on the same career path as the associate microbiologist position? Does it showcase the skills that you have / want to have noticed to advance in your career? 

I'm the humanities sibling, so excuse my ignorance on all the positions and what they involve, etc. 

They said it was extremely close but the other person fit better with the direction they were considering taking the position.  Micro Tech II would be a lateral move but it would put in the Microbiology department which is where I originally wanted to go.  I took the job I am in now to get my foot in the door.   

Also the direction my current department was going in was different at the time I was hired.  We've changed direction 3x since I've been here.  At the moment it looks like we are going to firmly be QC which is not a direction I really want to go in.   If I got anything out of the histology job it was learning that QC environments are not for me.   It keeps me paid and I like the people I work with.  I am not unhappy here like I was at my previous job.

But I am turning 40.  I am going to be entering the next phase of my career so I need to start asking myself questions.  I don't want to keep drifting anymore.  I accept that I will probably never feel again the way I did in college when I wanted to be a professor.  Too much life experience in the working world to be that naive anymore.     BUT I would like to develop and my development has stagnated since I left academics.  I am "fine" with being a tech IF I can grow in that position like I did at UNMC.  I don't want to be a tech that is shoeboxed into doing all the QC tests and grunt work while everyone else gets to grow.  That seems to be where we are headed in my current department.

But IDK a lot about the other lab either.  They claim their techs get to do more and I know the one person who left did a lot in the lab.  I would be on the bench more which is what I want but am I going to be stuck up there too?

[andi9899]

Aug 30, 2023 13:16:39 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

Aug 30, 2023 13:11:54 GMT -5 andi9899 said:

I'm going to look at this one tomorrow.

www.trulia.com/p/mo/kansas-city/4607-mersington-ave-kansas-city-mo-64130--1006462220?ecampaign=eml%7Ctrs%7Ccon_rlt_post_lead_agent_rent_fr%7Ccon_rlt_post_lead_agent_rent_fr&eurl=www.trulia.com/p/mo/kansas-city/4607-mersington-ave-kansas-city-mo-64130--1006462220&guid=ba0cc28f9a48e274e6b427e981579b151693402916213

is that a safe area? if so, I could absolutely live there for that price. that's basically the size and price (at least, that I paid) for the summer rental, and you'll have it to yourself and the twins. fingers crossed it's good in person! 

It's better than where I live now. Kansas City in general is a dangerous city to live in, so it just depends on what level of danger you're comfortable with.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Aug 30, 2023 13:17:22 GMT -5 Pink Cashmere said:

Aug 30, 2023 10:45:25 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

Wooo hoo my dad figured out how to score us some freon.   You can get it online and it is WAAY cheaper.  He knows how to fill the AC so we save on the labor.  That's $200 vs replacing the entire system in the next couple of months.

We can hoard the money from DH's savings bonds and that will also push us out to where some of our debt will be falling off and so we'll have better cash flow so I might not even need to touch savings at all I can make payments and continue to hoard the money.

Cause I really don't like having to make such a big purchase decision on a time limit.  It's stubbornly staying in the high 90s when usually we are dropping closer to the mid/low 80s this time of year.  So we can't really go without anything but I don't want to buy a window unit either.

Stupid climate change and the really scary/sobering thing is realizing this will only get worse as time goes on.   Technology is going to have to improve rapidly if we are going to avoid baking the human race to death.

I started to type this earlier, but didn’t. Be careful with this, especially since it’s online. If your unit is old and uses R-22, it’s unlikely that that is legit. Mister does HVAC and I’ve been listening to him talk for years about how expensive it was getting as it was being phased out.

I asked him to confirm before I posted, and I was correct. He said it’s selling around her for around $200/lb. So if you only need 1 lb, that’s on track. It’s usually sold in cans of 5 or 10lbs.

I know your Dad knows how to fix a lot of stuff, so I’m not trying to insult his knowledge and skills. I just wasn’t sure he knows enough about HVAC specifically, to be aware of the above.

We only need about a pound, maybe 2.   We need just enough to limp through September and possibly into October.  I wasn't home so I can't 100% verify the last time we replaced it was 2 gallons back in July of 2022 and that took us all way to today.   Still not sure how that worked out but whatever we got another year out of the dang thing not going to question my luck.

We'll look into it and worst case we're back to square one again.  The unit is still currently working but we have to keep it at 80 and even then it's going to get ready to poop out on us.  I'd like to avoid having to invest in a window unit we likely wouldn't be using again but it's on the table.

But it would be so much better if this ends up working out.

[giramomma]

OMG you guys.

I was a little extra because I was nervous. I really need to take downers or something. I had to do some backtracking and 'splaining to do.

I got lots of i agrees during my interview.

There is support for onboarding, training, and professional development.

There's paths for growth and development.

There is innovation. There's the day-to-day.

OMG.

I find by the end of this week if there are next steps.

Hopefully, I won't be ghosted like I was with the interview last week.

[daisylu]

Aug 30, 2023 10:44:37 GMT -5 snapdragon said:

I am shouting out the Ryan Hall, Y'all YT channel. They have storm chasers in FL and the surrounding states informing people about the weather situation. They have set up a non-profit for immediate recovery after the storms. I have donated in the past and will start to do so again. I swear a lot of the times, he and others are better than the regular weather news people.

Tornados are happening in South Carolina and Georgia now so be aware.

We follow Ryan too. So much better than regular news people.

[azucena]

DD11 needs to learn that we don't wash volleyball kneepads after every practice and game. Kid doesn't even want to wash herself that often ROFL.