what are you doing right now?

[weltz]

I love hard boiled eggs.  Maybe I'll boil a dozen and dye them red and green for Christmas!  

Who said dyed eggs are only for Easter?

[soupandstew]

Dec 6, 2023 19:11:14 GMT -5 toomuchreality said:

Dec 5, 2023 9:31:50 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

Everyone is welcome to come on down for New Year's Eve, complete with Christmas PJ's and fuzzy slippers.  It will be BYOB, everyone has to help man the garden hoses if bottle rockets start a fire, and you should know that celebratory gunfire is pretty common so an Army surplus helmet is okay too.  Also, bring your inhaler as the smoke from the fireworks is pretty overwhelming - the last two years much of Houston was enveloped in a smoke/fog combo the next morning.  For the traditionalists, I can do black-eyed peas with collard greens and smoked turkey wings for New Year's Day - it covers all all the bases for health and prosperity.

Dang. Growing up, we had Army surplus helmets. I should have saved it!

FYI- When my kids were little, we were invited to someone's 4th of July BBQ. (Drunks and druggies, I didn't know.) They shot off fireworks in their backyard. One landed in the neighbor's yard, behind his garage, and caught it on fire. No one did anything, they were scared of getting caught.
I didn't know them, or the area. It was before cell phones.
I grabbed my kids, and left!

My dad, uncle and grandfather were all firemen. I was told the man whose place was on fire, was too. I wanted nothing to do with that shit show! 🙄

Do they really shoot off guns?
Why?

I might have to pass on this get together. I'm a chicken! 🐓

Yes, they do shoot off guns and I don't think anyone really knows why.  Public officials rant and rave, some blame it on our predominantly Hispanic population, but at the end of the day (or night) gunshots ring out even in predominantly Black and Asian communities across Houston.  We moved to Houston and our neighborhood in 1991 and decided to embrace it, crazy and all.

[Pink Cashmere]

The dogs tore the cushion on the sofa up. The insides was all over the floor in the den. Mister is aggravated because I am pissed. 

I am pissed for a few reasons. For one, it is just another symptom of unruly dog behavior, and he can not seem to get it through his skull that most of the problems we have with them, especially Boy, is due to a lack of consistent training and rules. For another thing, I like having nice things and after my children became adults, I felt like I could upgrade certain things as I replaced them, and didn’t have to worry so much about things always being inexpensive and kid friendly. It upsets me for things to get lost and/or destroyed, because I take care of my stuff, whether it’s something I splurged on or not. And now I feel like Mister “owes” me a sofa, because that was one I brought with me, and it was clean and in good condition until I brought it here. 

I have said many times, that when I trained my dogs, I also “trained” my children, so that everything was consistent, specific commands for the dogs, rules, and expectations. “Training” Mister and getting him to cooperate has been much more difficult than when I was teaching my children. The dogs aren’t the problem, it’s a human problem. I have pointed out behaviors that show that Boy doesn’t respect Mister as his pack leader, and Mister doesn’t see a problem, because he doesn’t care to learn about how dogs think. Like when he is sitting down and Boy randomly jumps on his head, he thinks it’s cute and reinforces the behavior by giving him affection. It’s not cute, it’s disrespectful. A pack leader in a real canine pack would never tolerate that behavior unless maybe it was already made clear that the leader was in a playful mood. Of course we are humans and not canines, but it is on us to understand that dogs are pack animals and how that works. I’ve tried to explain that it is even better for Boy to know his place in our “pack” so he can just relax and be a happy dog. 

I’ve lived with my share of dogs, and it did take some years for me to learn a lot of things myself, but I was committed to learning, and as I learned better, I did better. Even with all of that, I have literally NEVER had all the problems living with dogs, that I’ve had over the past 4 years. 

[soupandstew]

Dec 6, 2023 19:57:33 GMT -5 Pink Cashmere said:

The dogs tore the cushion on the sofa up. The insides was all over the floor in the den. Mister is aggravated because I am pissed. 

I am pissed for a few reasons. For one, it is just another symptom of unruly dog behavior, and he can not seem to get it through his skull that most of the problems we have with them, especially Boy, is due to a lack of consistent training and rules. For another thing, I like having nice things and my children became adults, I felt like I could upgrade certain things that as I replaced them, and didn’t have to worry so much about things always being inexpensive and kid friendly. It upsets me for things to get lost and/or destroyed, because I take care of my stuff, whether it’s something I splurged on or not. And now I feel like Mister “owes” me a sofa, because that was one I brought with me, and it was clean and in good condition until I brought it here. 

I have said many times, that when I trained my dogs, I also “trained” my children, so that everything was consistent, specific commands for the dogs, rules, and expectations. “Training” Mister and getting him to cooperate has been much more difficult than when I was teaching my children. The dogs aren’t the problem, it’s a human problem. I have pointed out behaviors that show that Boy doesn’t respect Mister as his pack leader, and Mister doesn’t see a problem, because he doesn’t care to learn about how dogs think. Like when he is sitting down and Boy randomly jumps on his head, he thinks it’s cute and reinforces the behavior by giving him affection. It’s not cute, it’s disrespectful. A pack leader in a real canine pack would never tolerate that behavior unless maybe it was already made clear that the leader was in a playful mood. of course we are humans and not canines, but it is in us to understand that dogs are pack animals and how that works. I’ve tried to explain that it is even better for Boy to know his place in our “pack” so he can just relax and be a happy dog. 

I’ve lived with my share of dogs, and it did take some years for me to learn a lot of things myself, but I was committed to learning, and as I learned better, I did better. Even with all of that, I have literally NEVER had all the problems living with dogs, that I’ve had over the past 4 years. 

You are 100% right; all social groups have hierarchy and Boy needs the boundaries.  He had/has the potential to be a great dog but Mister is not offering him the chance.  I'm sorry for you, and for Boy

[NastyWoman]

Dec 6, 2023 19:54:53 GMT -5 weltz said:

I love hard boiled eggs.  Maybe I'll boil a dozen and dye them red and green for Christmas!  

Who said dyed eggs are only for Easter?

I love boiled eggs too. However, I am not willing to schlep eggs halfway across the world. That is an 11 hour flight I am facing next week.

On a positive note I just realized that by the time I come back the days will have started to lengthen and it won't be quite as dark at this time of the year.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Had my weekly meeting with my boss. Made it 90 seconds before she yelled at me and told me I was unprofessional.

[ners]

Dec 6, 2023 20:30:13 GMT -5 Knee Deep in Water Chloe said:

Had my weekly meeting with my boss. Made it 90 seconds before she yelled at me and told me I was unprofessional.

Not sure how to react.  To me yelling is unprofessional.

[alabamagal]

So my horrible boss, who just got promoted, has sent requests to me and some other of his reports to meet with his “management coach” who is external consultant. Seems like he asked the women to meet with the coach, 3 men didn’t get invite and not sure about the other man. Does he think the women will be nicer? All 3 of us think he is terrible boss. I have been working in my industry for 35 years and his is the worst manager I have had. My meeting is Friday.

[Pink Cashmere]

Dec 6, 2023 20:00:36 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

Dec 6, 2023 19:57:33 GMT -5 Pink Cashmere said:

The dogs tore the cushion on the sofa up. The insides was all over the floor in the den. Mister is aggravated because I am pissed. 

I am pissed for a few reasons. For one, it is just another symptom of unruly dog behavior, and he can not seem to get it through his skull that most of the problems we have with them, especially Boy, is due to a lack of consistent training and rules. For another thing, I like having nice things and my children became adults, I felt like I could upgrade certain things that as I replaced them, and didn’t have to worry so much about things always being inexpensive and kid friendly. It upsets me for things to get lost and/or destroyed, because I take care of my stuff, whether it’s something I splurged on or not. And now I feel like Mister “owes” me a sofa, because that was one I brought with me, and it was clean and in good condition until I brought it here. 

I have said many times, that when I trained my dogs, I also “trained” my children, so that everything was consistent, specific commands for the dogs, rules, and expectations. “Training” Mister and getting him to cooperate has been much more difficult than when I was teaching my children. The dogs aren’t the problem, it’s a human problem. I have pointed out behaviors that show that Boy doesn’t respect Mister as his pack leader, and Mister doesn’t see a problem, because he doesn’t care to learn about how dogs think. Like when he is sitting down and Boy randomly jumps on his head, he thinks it’s cute and reinforces the behavior by giving him affection. It’s not cute, it’s disrespectful. A pack leader in a real canine pack would never tolerate that behavior unless maybe it was already made clear that the leader was in a playful mood. of course we are humans and not canines, but it is in us to understand that dogs are pack animals and how that works. I’ve tried to explain that it is even better for Boy to know his place in our “pack” so he can just relax and be a happy dog. 

I’ve lived with my share of dogs, and it did take some years for me to learn a lot of things myself, but I was committed to learning, and as I learned better, I did better. Even with all of that, I have literally NEVER had all the problems living with dogs, that I’ve had over the past 4 years. 

You are 100% right; all social groups have hierarchy and Boy needs the boundaries.  He had/has the potential to be a great dog but Mister is not offering him the chance.  I'm sorry for you, and for Boy

Boy is a good dog already, in many ways, and has the potential to be a great dog. Even Mister, in all of his wanting to be clueless, now that Boy has started showing signs of maturing, has said that he needs work and more training.

I don’t mind taking the lead on working with Boy, I just got frustrated with Mister doing things that undermined my work. 

Boy is not a dummy at all. When he lures me in the living room to play with the jolly ball with him, I give him a minute to have his way with the ball. Then, when I walk across the room to kick it again for him to chase it, he immediately leaves it alone and sits while he waits for me to kick it. I didn’t teach him to do any of that. He figured it out on his own that he has to get out of the way, and that sitting on his butt pleases me, so he doesn’t have to wait for me to kick it for him. I think that is a very good sign of his ability to learn, figure things out for himself, and willingly cooperate. Imo, it’s in us to use all of that to help him be the best dog and companion he can be.

In other ways, he is still very much a baby with Newbie though. She is still his source of comfort, he still snuggles up with her as often as he can, or just lays on top of her lol. When I had my big dogs, they were truly like best friends, and even though my Poodle was the dominant one of the 2, he was much more calm when he shared a run with my Bullmastiff when I boarded them. But despite my Poodle taking treats to the Bullmastiff before he got one for himself, when he was “stealing” them like he had an invisible shield and I couldn’t see him (which I thought was cute that he kept taking her a treat before he’d steal another for himself ), neither dog had the need to snuggle and cuddle with the other like Boy needs to do with Newbie. Fortunately, for the sake of peace, Newbie still allows it. 

Anyway, I’m done rambling about these darn dogs.

[andi9899]

Dec 6, 2023 18:49:21 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

I pulled out the laptop to check my schedule for Friday to give time options to a recruiter, and made the mistake of looking at my email for a hot second. I'm already over what tomorrow's going to be for me.      my boss still hasn't sent the unofficial "you haven't been coming to the office" email that is a prelude to the official HR one, but I feel like I'm probably still better off to move on. I'm not bringing LD back to daycare til after the holidays, but even if I found another job tomorrow, I wouldn't be starting til then anyway. hell, this spot, I interviewed around this date, and we couldn't get the HR paperwork done by holiday shutdown, so I had to wait to quit the train wreck til after the new year. that all sucked and was hella stressful. 

Apply for places around here so I can corrupt you when you show your face at work a couple of times a year. 👹

[TheOtherMe]

Dec 6, 2023 20:32:47 GMT -5 ners said:

Dec 6, 2023 20:30:13 GMT -5 Knee Deep in Water Chloe said:

Had my weekly meeting with my boss. Made it 90 seconds before she yelled at me and told me I was unprofessional.

Not sure how to react.  To me yelling is unprofessional.

That was my first thought, too.

[Pink Cashmere]

Dec 6, 2023 20:30:13 GMT -5 Knee Deep in Water Chloe said:

Had my weekly meeting with my boss. Made it 90 seconds before she yelled at me and told me I was unprofessional.

WHAT?!

How did you respond? How did it turn out?

My trying to be calm and reasonable response is to say that it is very unprofessional to yell at people, especially when you are their boss. In my personal life, and working life, I have a serious issue with people yelling at me. Even my Mom knows not to yell at me if she wants me to hear what she is saying. In my work life, my first response as a grown ass adult is to assume that you must be trying in an unprofessional way, to communicate with someone that’s not me, and maybe look around to find the person you must be speaking to, that ain’t me. 

And if it is obvious that you are in fact, yelling at me, imma either ignore you, which I can do while I’m looking right at you, or step right on through the door you just opened. 

I say that, with the caveat that I am not a professional with a real career, and I have a union to get me out of trouble if and when I tangle with my bosses because they are being disrespectful and I gave them the same energy they gave me. So, I’m not recommending that course of action.

I am just appalled that your boss actually yelled at you and said you were unprofessional, which is unprofessional behavior by itself!

[cooper88]

I am sleepy tonight. It's only 7:20. Work has been non-stop for a couple of months, but it normally slows down for the holidays. This year, it has not. Sigh.

[toomuchreality]

Dec 6, 2023 21:11:02 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

Dec 6, 2023 20:32:47 GMT -5 ners said:

Not sure how to react.  To me yelling is unprofessional.

That was my first thought, too.

Mine too!
And you expect me to what, for you?

[toomuchreality]

Dec 6, 2023 21:21:40 GMT -5 cooper88 said:

I am sleepy tonight. It's only 7:20. Work has been non-stop for a couple of months, but it normally slows down for the holidays. This year, it has not. Sigh.

Hugs ♡

[toomuchreality]

Dec 6, 2023 21:15:55 GMT -5 Pink Cashmere said:

Dec 6, 2023 20:30:13 GMT -5 Knee Deep in Water Chloe said:

Had my weekly meeting with my boss. Made it 90 seconds before she yelled at me and told me I was unprofessional.

WHAT?!

How did you respond? How did it turn out?

My trying to be calm and reasonable response is to say that it is very unprofessional to yell at people, especially when you are their boss. In my personal life, and working life, I have a serious issue with people yelling at me. Even my Mom knows not to yell at me if she wants me to hear what she is saying. In my work life, my first response as a grown ass adult is to assume that you must be trying in an unprofessional way, to communicate with someone that’s not me, and maybe look around to find the person you must be speaking to, that ain’t me. 

And if it is obvious that you are in fact, yelling at me, imma either ignore you, which I can do while I’m looking right at you, or step right on through the door you just opened. 

I say that, with the caveat that I am not a professional with a real career, and I have a union to get me out of trouble if and when I tangle with my bosses because they are being disrespectful and I gave them the same energy they gave me. So, I’m not recommending that course of action.

I am just appalled that your boss actually yelled at you and said you were unprofessional, which is unprofessional behavior by itself!

Agreed. Respect has to go both ways.

[azucena]

Dec 6, 2023 16:07:05 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

I spent the morning printing out the next part of the author's tales - college and law school, plus summer adventures between terms.  I think I can get quite a bit of it pulled together tomorrow.  Then we are on to Harvard Business School, plus first wife and first 2 kids.

Friday I need to clean the bathrooms and start the weekly laundry cycle.  We're going to a nearby farmer's market Saturday morning and I am excited because it's been a long time since we did that.  I hope to score some interesting veggies for next week's meals-maybe Swiss chard, beets, butternut squash

We ran by the tamale place today to get a 1/2 dozen chicken with tomatillo to test before Christmas.  I talked to the owner at length and it was clear she knows her stuff.  

I learn from you about book editing and community politics the same way you and I both learn from Andi.

[giramomma]

toomuchreality Can you delete your post that you quoted me? I edited mine, and then decided to delete.

[azucena]

Dec 6, 2023 20:38:11 GMT -5 alabamagal said:

So my horrible boss, who just got promoted, has sent requests to me and some other of his reports to meet with his “management coach” who is external consultant. Seems like he asked the women to meet with the coach, 3 men didn’t get invite and not sure about the other man. Does he think the women will be nicer? All 3 of us think he is terrible boss. I have been working in my industry for 35 years and his is the worst manager I have had. My meeting is Friday.

I'd be pointing out the gender inequity as my first comment in the mtg.

[azucena]

Chloe - so sorry that happened to you. Appalling and I'd be tempted to report it to HR.

So, so sad that your husband dealt with all the covid fallout in his prior job. And now you're stuck with this.

[laterbloomer]

Dec 6, 2023 20:30:13 GMT -5 Knee Deep in Water Chloe said:

Had my weekly meeting with my boss. Made it 90 seconds before she yelled at me and told me I was unprofessional.

I have been there. One time in particular my boss's daughter (nepotism, whole other story I could tell) came into the office on a sunny, Friday afternoon and asked me if her mother was there.  I laughed and said "are you new here? is your she ever here Friday afternoon's in the summer" She told her mother and her mother decided to yell at me. I asked her if she thought people did not notice she was not in the office 75% of the time. I wasn't telling any secrets. Anyway I tolerated it (to an extent) because I needed the pay cheque but I was actively looking for a better job. There was nothing on the horizon until suddenly someone in my network told me about my current job. It was only one job but one job is all I need. And it's my dream job. Right in my area of expertise, half decent pay, work remotely....al this to say this won't be your life forever. Keep your eyes open for a better opportunity, it will come.

[Opti]

Dec 6, 2023 20:08:35 GMT -5 NastyWoman said:

Dec 6, 2023 19:54:53 GMT -5 weltz said:

I love hard boiled eggs.  Maybe I'll boil a dozen and dye them red and green for Christmas!  

Who said dyed eggs are only for Easter?

I love boiled eggs too. However, I am not willing to schlep eggs halfway across the world. That is an 11 hour flight I am facing next week.

On a positive note I just realized that by the time I come back the days will have started to lengthen and it won't be quite as dark at this time of the year.

Why would you take them to Europe? How long are you gone?

[laterbloomer]

Dec 6, 2023 21:47:53 GMT -5 azucena said:

Chloe - so sorry that happened to you. Appalling and I'd be tempted to report it to HR.

Do so in writing, an email, and cc yourself. The company probably won't do anything but if you decide to sue you will have proof the company was aware of the behaviour.

[toomuchreality]

Dec 6, 2023 21:34:19 GMT -5 giramomma said:

toomuchreality Can you delete your post that you quoted me? I edited mine, and then decided to delete.

Done. Sorry.

[Pink Cashmere]

A few weeks ago, I said here that I was going to contact my gynecologist to refill my prescription for Lunesta. At the end of 2021, she said she would prescribe it for me, and did. But because I don’t take it all the time, and the way the prescriptions work because it is a controlled substance, my refills ran out some months ago.

I started calling and leaving messages about getting it refilled a few days before Thanksgiving, and nobody ever called me back. So I called again today and pressed 0 to talk to somebody instead of leaving a message on the refill line. I explained that I’d left messages, and she transferred my call to a live person. I explained why I was calling and said that like I’d said in my voice mails, I didn’t know if I needed to make an appointment to get the prescription, because of all the rules. I just needed to know what I needed to do. 

Long story short, that person said there was no record of my messages (REALLY?!), but she’d call the refill in this afternoon. Which turned out to be after 5pm, but it looks like I can pick it up tomorrow.

Even if I do pick it up tomorrow, I might not take it until Sunday, when I don’t have to go to work the next day, just in hopes of being able to get alllll the sleep my body wants and can get. Last night was another horrible night, with me being hot, Mister getting on my damn nerves being all over the bed, and snoring loud as hell. I may or may not have elbowed/kicked him several times during the night.

I am more concerned about my retired PCP’s concerns about Lunesta being linked to dementia, more than my current PCP’s concerns about it being abused and refusing to prescribe it, but I am willing to take the risk sometimes, just to finally get a decent night’s sleep, when everything else I try, that has been recommended, is not working. If I was abusing it, or even taking it regularly, I would’ve had a steady supply, and not have been going through all of this to try to get a refill for the prescription I last got in July, since before Thanksgiving. 

Because I was in their office and it was prescribed for me in July, is the only reason they can refill the prescription now, without me having to make an appointment, when there are none available for at least a month from now, which I know because I asked. 

I do like this Doctor, but the more I need Doctors lately, the less impressed I am with their availability and service these days.

[giramomma]

Dec 6, 2023 22:09:05 GMT -5 toomuchreality said:

Dec 6, 2023 21:34:19 GMT -5 giramomma said:

toomuchreality Can you delete your post that you quoted me? I edited mine, and then decided to delete.

Done. Sorry.

no worries! I am still pretty paranoid about my electronic footprint.

Thank you for obliging!

[giramomma]

Dec 6, 2023 22:03:07 GMT -5 laterbloomer said:

Dec 6, 2023 21:47:53 GMT -5 azucena said:

Chloe - so sorry that happened to you. Appalling and I'd be tempted to report it to HR.

Do so in writing, an email, and cc yourself. The company probably won't do anything but if you decide to sue you will have proof the company was aware of the behaviour.

I'd be more worried about HR siding with the boss.

HR is not the friend of folks that are low on the totem pole. They will side with supervisors/bosses.

[toomuchreality]

Dec 6, 2023 22:13:34 GMT -5 giramomma said:

Dec 6, 2023 22:09:05 GMT -5 toomuchreality said:

Done. Sorry.

no worries! I am still pretty paranoid about my electronic footprint.

Thank you for obliging!

Not a problem! I understand.
Thanks for asking, so I could.

[laterbloomer]

Dec 6, 2023 22:15:15 GMT -5 giramomma said:

Dec 6, 2023 22:03:07 GMT -5 laterbloomer said:

Do so in writing, an email, and cc yourself. The company probably won't do anything but if you decide to sue you will have proof the company was aware of the behaviour.

I'd be more worried about HR siding with the boss.

HR is not the friend of folks that are low on the totem pole. They will side with supervisors/bosses.

True, but part of their job is to keep the company out of lawsuits. Smart ones won’t let a supervisor put the company at risk. If the supervisor is already yelling at her and it's already clear this is not long term employment, start your paper trail.

[minnesotapaintlady]

Dec 6, 2023 22:39:14 GMT -5 laterbloomer said:

Dec 6, 2023 22:15:15 GMT -5 giramomma said:

I'd be more worried about HR siding with the boss.

HR is not the friend of folks that are low on the totem pole. They will side with supervisors/bosses.

True, but part of their job is to keep the company out of lawsuits. Smart ones won’t let a supervisor put the company at risk. If the supervisor is already yelling at her and it's already clear this is not long term employment, start your paper trail.

Our HR is pretty trustworthy and they take the whole no retaliation thing seriously.  My son really put it to the test a couple years ago when he reported a higher up in engineering when he was just a temp.  I wouldn't have in a million years did what he did as a new guy trying to get his foot in the door, but he's built different.  I'm still not sure it was a great idea, but the issue with the other guy was addressed and they still hired him for an internship in engineering the next year.