what are you doing right now?

[NastyWoman]

Nov 27, 2024 18:04:18 GMT -5 cooper88 said:

So I bought the old Xterra, got it insured and tagged and all same day. They only had one key. I'm having a problem getting copies made. That really should not be the most difficult part of this. Anyway, I gave up on that. I'm going to make the pies and call it a day. My pajamas are one.

Check with Costco. Here at least they have (location*) rotating car key makers. Oh, and I saw that they also do it at ACE hardware. 

* there are like 5 Costco stores within 12 mi!as from my home. As I have said before, it like I live on the axle of a giant wheel regarding stores here. There might be >20 miles between two stores here but I'll be about half that far away from each.

[cooper88]

NastyWoman Thanks! The nearest Costco is three hours away, but Ace is ten minutes. They do indeed make copies of that particular key!

[andi9899]

Nov 27, 2024 15:12:38 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

Nov 27, 2024 14:51:25 GMT -5 andi9899 said:

No. This is the one I have.

www.walmart.com/ip/5490036339?sid=9c53ac21-02cd-4631-93ce-386cbb67b148

that looks big and bulky. I bought the one I linked, it will be here Friday. I don't think I need anything huge for my place, you've seen how little carpeting there is here. I manage the hard floors easily enough with the various dry sweepers I have. 

Ironically now I don't have any carpet at all. I only have a couple of rugs so I don't even really need the vacuum. If you lived here in town I'd have just given you mine for free.

[andi9899]

Nov 27, 2024 15:52:53 GMT -5 MJ2.0 said:

Nov 27, 2024 15:15:00 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

as of now, it's looking like I'm out of luck with the kudos points. B got back to me with a link to the website, and it's asking for a password. my credentials have been turned off, so I'm getting the big wazoo. BUT, we were asked to include our personal email addresses in our Workday profile before termination date, so one would think that I should be able to log in that way. 

I reached out to the HR contact I'd already pestered a few times with other questions, so maybe I get a response next week. 

you reminded me that I have kudos points to use too. I just got an Amazon and Aerie GC. The Amazon GC will be a Christmas gift for my mom, but the Aerie is for me. They have reeeeeeaaally nice sports bras and the Black Friday sales started already, so.....

That's good. I love when others pay for stuff I would have had to pay for.

We don't do that, but we get "grants" that you can either take as cash or buy stock in the company. The buy in for the first time is $10K, so I'm taking the cash. I could have bought in if I made up the difference in the $10K in cash. I chose to have them pay me $4,200 instead. They're going to tax the crap out of it, so I'll get to keep about $2,500. It's $2,500 more than I had, so I'll take it. The way this new house has been costing me $$$, I need all the cash I can get.

[andi9899]

Nov 27, 2024 18:04:18 GMT -5 cooper88 said:

So I bought the old Xterra, got it insured and tagged and all same day. They only had one key. I'm having a problem getting copies made. That really should not be the most difficult part of this. Anyway, I gave up on that. I'm going to make the pies and call it a day. My pajamas are one.

Why is the key so hard to get? Is the car really old? If it's an old chip key, find a mom and pop key service. They were the only ones who could cut me a key for T2's 2003 Mitsubishi. I went everywhere!

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Dude guys I think I finally made a pie.

It didn't collapse on itself, it didn't explode all over me, it didn't catch fire, it doesn't smell like your grandma's popourii.

I'm really confused because it looks like a normal apple pie.

[cooper88]

I did go to two mom and pop key services and they closed for Thanksgiving already. Then I went to Home Depot because when I called they told me they could do it. When I got there, well, they couldn't. After that, I was just done for the day. I did the only sensible thing, which was come home, put on pajamas, and start making pies.

[Pink Cashmere]

Nov 27, 2024 18:04:18 GMT -5 cooper88 said:

So I bought the old Xterra, got it insured and tagged and all same day. They only had one key. I'm having a problem getting copies made. That really should not be the most difficult part of this. Anyway, I gave up on that. I'm going to make the pies and call it a day. My pajamas are one.

I’ve been meaning to ask you about your Jeep after you started saying you were considering replacing it. Is it a Wrangler? Just curious, since I have become a fan of the Wrangler “culture” .

When we bought the Jeep Wrangler I drive, from our next door neighbors that had moved a few states away, Jeep Wranglers had never ever been on my list of cars I might even think about wanting to have. When the chance to buy one at a good price  itself, Mister and I were just like “why not”  Especially since the very next day after the sale was completed, we could’ve sold it for more than we paid for it. 

But it turned out that Mister hated except for the times that he realized that it was the most capable vehicle we had for driving in snow the few times that it’s been necessary. But I liked it regardless, even though it’s the only vehicle I’ve had since I got my very first car in high school, that doesn’t even have power locks and windows. 

I think the “Jeep culture” had a lot to do with why I like my Jeep so much. If I lived somewhere that I felt like it is safe to do so, I’d ride “naked” as often as I could. But the “culture” is awesome, because just in the local FB group I’m in, even strangers will help a Jeeper stranded in the side of the road, tow Jeepers out if they get stuck somewhere or show up for “wrenching parties” to help someone fix or add mods to their Jeep. 

I was very happy to be a part of that community during what a sponsor made decals for, for what was called Snowvid. That was when, during the pandemic, the local FB group of Jeepers, came through to get Doctors, nurses, and anybody that worked at the local hospitals, to work during a time where we had a lot of snow that we aren’t use to having to deal with. I volunteered to help the effort, as a dispatcher (because it was safer for everybody if I didn’t try to drive in the snow even though I had a Jeep), and me working behind the scenes and seeing firsthand and in real time, what was going on, made me love the “culture” even more. 

At a time when I was so upset about the things going on in our nation, it warmed my heart to see how the Jeepers were doing so much to try to make sure our local hospitals were staffed. Differences didn’t matter, race, ethnicity, religion, and politics didn’t matter, white people drove to hoods, to get people that lived there, to work at the hospitals, and took them back home after their shifts ended. 

When one of their Jeeps broke down, others showed up, literally laying on their backs on the ground, in the snow, to help get that Jeep running again. Jeeps are gas guzzlers, so many drivers were spending $100-$200/day of their own money driving all over the area to do what they were doing. They refused to accept money from their passengers, because the point was to give something back to the healthcare employees that had helped try to get us through the pandemic. 

Then the area started having issues with the water supply, because of the weather. Many parts of the area lost water pressure, and what water would come out of faucets or whatever, was not safe to drink. So the Jeepers started buying water with their own money, in addition to what they’d already been paying for gas and to repair their Jeeps during the effort, and private companies aware of their efforts started donating water. So then there were convoys of Jeeps (not armed or protected by armed guards, since I looked up the definition of convoy lol), taking water to the hospitals. 

I had not and still have not met any of these people IRL. I just had a Jeep Wrangle myself and was in the FB group, and they graciously accepted my offer to help as a dispatcher, trying to help coordinate the rides they were offering to hospital employees. I’d not ever done anything like that in my life, and it was a steep learning curve to learn immediately, on the fly, because so much was happening with requests for rides and me trying to figure out an efficient to match drivers with riders, in a way that made sense for the drivers. There was no training beforehand, it wasn’t even planned, so it felt like chaos when my offer to help was accepted. But as much as I hate chaos, I understood why it was that way, and I was all for trying to do what I could to help achieve the common goal.

One of the sponsors of the group made decals for the people that participated, to put on their Jeeps. I received one in the mail, and one of the officers in the group messaged me and asked if I’d had any damages to my Jeep during the effort. Because the drivers would not accept money, some of the riders had started and contributed to a GoFundMe account. I worked behind the scenes as a dispatcher, safe in my home, so my answer was no, I wasn’t a driver, and my Jeep was not damaged. 

I will forever be proud of being a part of what the Jeepers did those few days. At the time, I really needed that, to see people coming together for a common good, regardless of all the ways people might be different. 

So even if I sell my Jeep one day or whatever, and don’t buy another one, I will always have a lot of respect for the sense of community that many Jeepers have, and how they are willing to show up for one another whether there is a personal relationship or not. 

OAN, when we first bought my Jeep or were considering buying it, a lot of people said that they are problematic. My Jeep did get possessed by some gremlins a couple years ago, and we took it to a dealer to fix it. I think it cost $800 to fix it, but that’s the only real problem I’ve had with it. Well, it did start burning oil, but I feel like that’s not really on the Jeep that we haven’t tried to figure out why, and it’s our fault if we let the oil get so low that it ruins the engine, knowing what we know now. 

But I love my Jeep! And I love the awesome parts about Jeep culture. So are you still keeping your Jeep?

[cooper88]

I am indeed keeping my Jeep! I have an irrational love for it that I really can't explain. It's a 99 Cherokee Sport, and it looks just like a shoebox. Also, it only has 110,000 miles on it. The flood waters got up to the headlights. It's still running! It desperately needs some work done on it, plus the carpets replaced and the seats reupholstered. Money wise it's not worth all that. The place it has in my heart makes it worth every penny. We just have so much on our plates right now that I can put that on the back burner and deal with it all when I get to it. Heck, may as well get it repainted while I'm at it. They do it at the little college here in their auto body classes and they do really good work. You only pay for supplies. Hopefully this time next year she'll be my daily driver again!

[Pink Cashmere]

So, it must be true what Mister says about the keypad to get in the garage getting wonky when the weather gets cool/cold. That is maybe why the garage door wouldn’t open for YD the other day when Boy ran out the house, and she started banging on the door for me to let her in, because the lights being in in the garage probably meant I was in the garage.

I’ve seen some weird stuff because of camera notifications since then, but I’m not even going to get into all of that.

YD left with OD last night. She came back this evening, and I guess the keypad wouldn’t work again, so I opened it for her after she started banging on it. The other day when I opened the garage door for her and was being snarky or whatever when she walked past me, by saying “you’re welcome”, she said she’d said thank you. I said my bad, I didn’t hear you.

So I paid closer attention today, and she most definitely did not say anything after I let her in the garage. I am almost 100% positive that she didn’t a few days ago, but I was willing to give her the benefit of the doubt when she said she did.

My evil twin says that if I don’t exist, let me also not exist when your Dad doesn’t figure out why the keypad for the garage door isn’t working, and I’m the only person available to open the garage door so you can get in the house and bring all of your negative energy with you. 

I feel like that would be petty of me, but I also feel like if you make it your business to ignore me and try to pretend I don’t exist, stand on that. Maybe I didn’t hear you banging on the garage door. And since it’s obvious when I’m home because the vehicle I usually drive is in the driveway, and you find it within yourself to lower yourself enough to call me to let you in, since I probably AM at home, maybe I have you blocked on my phone, like you’ve blocked me.

I understand that she is still Mister’s child, but there is still the fact NOW that she is no longer a minor, and hasn’t been for over 2 years now, and how I treat minors is different from how I treat adults. It’s not just me feeling some type of way about her specifically, I handled my own children differently as young adults vs when they were minor children. And to be honest, even though OD doesn’t like me either, at least she is about her business enough, trying to do things for herself as a young adult, even if she doesn’t always get things right, that I would give her enough credit for that and give her more leeway than I want to give YD. 

At least OD is honest with her distaste for me and has been mostly consistent with her not wanting anything to do with me, even when there was a situation where I could and was willing to do something that benefitted only her. OD is YD’s other Mom and her protector, and YD clearly has still not learned to think for herself, and relies on OD to help take care of her, even though they are clearly different people as young adults, 

As much as I wish things were different, who I am means that I have to at least respect that about her, even though she’s played games too, trying to make Mister choose between me or his daughters. But in my mind, that is kid brain thinking, and I don’t believe it’s all her fault that she had and has “kid brain”. It’s not her fault imo that she started trying to act as an adult and was allowed to do it, when her family started falling apart. I feel like that is on her parents and other family members that they let that happen, instead of keeping children out of grown folks’ business and letting her just be a child. 

There is more I intended to say, but I’m trying to be over it all, knowing that whatever the reasons are and were for everything that has happened, I was and still am only responsible for myself and my actions, 


My Ipad updated last night and is acting even more weird than it has been, with random shit popping up while I was typing this post.

I am tired of fooling with it while trying to make this post, so whatever.

[bookkeeper]

I change the batteries in my digital keypads every October when Fire Safety Month encourages everyone to change their smoke detector batteries.  We don't use keys much anymore.

The other thing that happened with our garage door, was that the keypad wasn't working so good anymore.  Then the opener didn't work at all.  We had a bad circuit board on the operator, the second one in 10 years.  The company that we bought it from stands behind their product, so that's good. But they install equipment with known problems, because that is what is in their supply chain, so that's bad.

[msventoux]

Nov 27, 2024 20:48:08 GMT -5 cooper88 said:

I am indeed keeping my Jeep! I have an irrational love for it that I really can't explain. It's a 99 Cherokee Sport, and it looks just like a shoebox. Also, it only has 110,000 miles on it. The flood waters got up to the headlights. It's still running! It desperately needs some work done on it, plus the carpets replaced and the seats reupholstered. Money wise it's not worth all that. The place it has in my heart makes it worth every penny. We just have so much on our plates right now that I can put that on the back burner and deal with it all when I get to it. Heck, may as well get it repainted while I'm at it. They do it at the little college here in their auto body classes and they do really good work. You only pay for supplies. Hopefully this time next year she'll be my daily driver again!

My first vehicle was a used 95 Grand Cherokee.  I loved that thing!  I always said it was a window box on wheels.  Awesome visibility out of it and it got around well no matter the weather.  I think it had over 80K miles on it when I bought it and I ran it into the ground until annual repairs were going to cost more than annual car payments.  After that it lived in my driveway for a number of years.  At least a couple of times a year random people would stop by to see if I wanted to sell it. I finally took someone up on the offer and still kinda regret letting it go.

I never got a “Jeep wave” in the Grand Cherokee.  I have a Gladiator now and get them all the time.  Turns out locally at least that the prevailing opinion is that only Wranglers are worthy of a wave and other models like the Cherokees are beneath them.  It’s hotly contested whether a Gladiator is a “real Jeep” and worthy of a wave, it seems 50/50.  Since the Gladiator is indistinguishable from the Wrangler when you meet them head on I find it amusing that it’s likely that 50% of the people that wave at me are probably pissed off after the fact if they notice they waved at someone not driving a Wrangler.  

[countrygirl3]

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone, Enjoy your turkey day!

I have thawed out my turkey, heated and strained the broth for noodles and am thawing some for dressing. Made baked beans and also green beans, yes, 2 kinds. Tomorrow making fried corn, mashed potatoes, turkey and dressing. May add a salad not sure yet.
Have rolls I bought, just not enough time to make some items.

Also bought an apple pie, and a pecan pie plus chocolate chip cookies. they are from Costco and big, also pretty good. Then I made the recipe from MIL and hubs aunt for date pudding. It is very good, they didn't even have how long to bake it, but we looked up similar and ended up baking it for about an hour. It was done. I ought to make a bit of mac and cheese as DD and hubs likes it, will see if I have time.

About ready for bed, I'm tired and need to get some sleep, need to get up early in the morning. Have not been sleeping much the last couple of nights. Hubs is beyond exhausted. About all he can do is get a shower and lay down. Doesn't seem to me he should feel like that. I am so hope nothing else is going on, and yes, I am concerned.

[Cheesy FL-Vol]

Nov 27, 2024 17:00:33 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

Nov 27, 2024 16:28:21 GMT -5 NastyWoman said:

So THAT is what HEB is;0: a grocery store! In Dutch "I have" is "Ik heb". Whenever I am texting with my siblings that bloody word (have/heb) always gets capitalized and I had no clue why. Now I know 

Have a wonderful time with your son and DIL.

The name stands for the founder, Howard E. Butt.  Folks here are sort of fanatic about them but we stopped shopping at HEB quite a few years ago because of extremely poor service coupled with high prices, iffy quality, and very limited selection of ethnic foods.  

I adore their version of Whole Foods, Central Market. I was living in Ft Worth for awhile and my parents were living in Austin. The Thanksgiving after my dad passed away, which was only about 7 weeks, everyone was still raw with emotions. Both of my daughters came with their SOs. We all trooped over to Central Market and everyone picked out 2 or 3 items from their prepared foods area. 

We sat on the floor around my mom’s coffee table with paper plates and enjoyed a meal that was very different from what is “traditional”. To date, in spite of recent loss, that was the best Thanksgiving I have ever had.

[finnime]

Good morning, gracious invisipeeps, preparing to host or attend or ready for yourself a Thanksgiving feast, or enjoying a Thursday, off work or not. I hope your day is lovely, no matter what is in store. I hope you emerge at the end fulfilled and ready for sleep, and that your shoes are comfortable and stylish both.

I'm hanging in there. Real cough control seriously helps. When it wears off I can still bark like a seal, but otherwise all is well. Wearing a mask, I can make and bake everything that needs it. So I'm good.

We'll leave for DSis's about 1, then come back at 5+ so we can get ready for tomorrow when we're going to set up and staff a large show. I'm going to put all our matted prints in stock on sale for $25 each. We can always get more as needed.

This picture was created a year ago and is suitable for Thanksgiving. The oblivious Brants paddle about in the bay under a smashing sky of bright blue and yellow:

[flamingo]

Happy thanksgiving, all! We started our day with a chilly rainy walk thru a cute Austrian town. Even with raincoats and umbrellas it was not pleasant. So we cut it short and are now dry and I’m enjoying a delicious hot chocolate.

This has been on of my fave vacations. I love how every day is a new city, I’m getting lots of walking in, and a good amount of downtime, fun little history lessons. I hope I can convince DH we should do this again next year 

[chiver78]

happy Thanksgiving! I woke up to pee, and picked up my phone to check the time as I crawled back into bed. I was surprised to see an alarm set for 530, and then remembered that Thursday is day care day for the pups. obviously not today, so I turned that off. it's still pitch dark out, and expected to be rainy all day. I'll likely get up closer to normal time without the cozy sunbeams that won't be shining today.

[greenthumb59]

Nov 27, 2024 17:00:33 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

Nov 27, 2024 16:28:21 GMT -5 NastyWoman said:

So THAT is what HEB is;0: a grocery store! In Dutch "I have" is "Ik heb". Whenever I am texting with my siblings that bloody word (have/heb) always gets capitalized and I had no clue why. Now I know 

Have a wonderful time with your son and DIL.

The name stands for the founder, Howard E. Butt.  Folks here are sort of fanatic about them but we stopped shopping at HEB quite a few years ago because of extremely poor service coupled with high prices, iffy quality, and very limited selection of ethnic foods.  

We love HEB!  Especially their selection of coffee blends and store made tortillas!

Remember I live in Walmart land.  We can't even get a Costco in NW Arkansas because the Walton family doesn't allow it.  We were all excited last year, as there was an announcement that Costco would be building a store near Lowell, Arkansas.  That deal immediately fell through.  

Our grocery store selection is limited here.  Walmart, Harp's, Sam's Club, and Aldi.  That is really about it.   

[azucena]

Checking in from the beach which has been glorious. Picture dd16 and 12 showing Teen the ropes about beach life. Teen can't stop giggling and saying I can't believe I'm actually here. Weather has been picture perfect every day, might be cold tomorrow but we want to go see Wicked anyway. Also going to do some online shopping.

Learned bio mom isn't even allowed to text so huge weight lifted for both Teen and I. Also means I lifted insta ban on beach pics so Teen is truly living her best life. Day 1 she was video calling a bunch of cousins and friends and rubbing it in. Her very supportive aunt told me thanks thru tears.

Teen saw dolphins from our balcony night 1 and was swimming near a sting ray until I made her get out lol.

I spent 5 glorious solo hours at the beach yesterday afternoon and have some nice color to show for it. Sunscreen is a religion to me so no burns on my watch. I've read 4 books and been completely unplugged from work. One book left for today and tomorrow and then we drive back 11 hours on sat. Van is crowded but low key and fun.

Splurged and we are at Turquoise Place in Orange Beach and I've been using our balcony private hot tub every night. Slid into bed at 730 pm last night bc the fresh air lulled me to sleep. Having coffee on the balcony now and deciding if I will veg here or beach.

Other than the kids and DH being on their phones too much, I couldn't have asked for a better vacation. Still marveling at the timing of it all.

[soupandstew]

Nov 28, 2024 4:39:14 GMT -5 Cheesy FL-Vol said:

Nov 27, 2024 17:00:33 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

The name stands for the founder, Howard E. Butt.  Folks here are sort of fanatic about them but we stopped shopping at HEB quite a few years ago because of extremely poor service coupled with high prices, iffy quality, and very limited selection of ethnic foods.  

I adore their version of Whole Foods, Central Market. I was living in Ft Worth for awhile and my parents were living in Austin. The Thanksgiving after my dad passed away, which was only about 7 weeks, everyone was still raw with emotions. Both of my daughters came with their SOs. We all trooped over to Central Market and everyone picked out 2 or 3 items from their prepared foods area. 

We sat on the floor around my mom’s coffee table with paper plates and enjoyed a meal that was very different from what is “traditional”. To date, in spite of recent loss, that was the best Thanksgiving I have ever had.

Yes, we love Central Market too.  Great selection and incredible prepared foods.  

[soupandstew]

Happy Thanksgiving, y'all!  

[giramomma]

I'm so happy for you az, you all deserve it.

[Anne_in_VA]

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

The Facebook algorithm heard me talking yesterday and presented me with the Walmart black Friday deals.

They have the apple watch Gwen wants for $148. So I grabbed it. Amazon only knocked $50 off the price.

Having it shipped across the street because my kids are nosy.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Nov 28, 2024 4:39:14 GMT -5 Cheesy FL-Vol said:

Nov 27, 2024 17:00:33 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

The name stands for the founder, Howard E. Butt.  Folks here are sort of fanatic about them but we stopped shopping at HEB quite a few years ago because of extremely poor service coupled with high prices, iffy quality, and very limited selection of ethnic foods.  

I adore their version of Whole Foods, Central Market. I was living in Ft Worth for awhile and my parents were living in Austin. The Thanksgiving after my dad passed away, which was only about 7 weeks, everyone was still raw with emotions. Both of my daughters came with their SOs. We all trooped over to Central Market and everyone picked out 2 or 3 items from their prepared foods area. 

We sat on the floor around my mom’s coffee table with paper plates and enjoyed a meal that was very different from what is “traditional”. To date, in spite of recent loss, that was the best Thanksgiving I have ever had.

I used to hit this all the time when I lived in TX.  It was quite a bit further for me to go, but better options for some things.  I could hit the regular HEB for some stuff, but I could always get lamb at Central Market…..so used it if I was doing some major cooking.  

[andi9899]

I'm drinking coffee and catching up on 911 Lonestar. We're doing Thanksgiving with the kids on Saturday. Today I'm going to my aunt's. I just checked out on my Sam's order for tomorrow and they're out of pumpkin pies. So I'll go get a frozen one tomorrow.

I cleaned the whole house on Monday, so I'll just need to touch up before everyone gets here. I need to sweep up twin hair and mop up paw prints.

[andi9899]

Nov 28, 2024 7:39:07 GMT -5 greenthumb59 said:

Nov 27, 2024 17:00:33 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

The name stands for the founder, Howard E. Butt.  Folks here are sort of fanatic about them but we stopped shopping at HEB quite a few years ago because of extremely poor service coupled with high prices, iffy quality, and very limited selection of ethnic foods.  

We love HEB!  Especially their selection of coffee blends and store made tortillas!

Remember I live in Walmart land.  We can't even get a Costco in NW Arkansas because the Walton family doesn't allow it.  We were all excited last year, as there was an announcement that Costco would be building a store near Lowell, Arkansas.  That deal immediately fell through.  

Our grocery store selection is limited here.  Walmart, Harp's, Sam's Club, and Aldi.  That is really about it.   

I get 99.9% of all my groceries from either Sam's or Aldi. Tomorrow I'll either go to Walmart or Price Chopper to get a pie. Maybe I'll check out what Hyvee has.

[NancysSummerSip]

I swam this morning (yes, we had practice; a good thing before all the food), and came home and made a light but decent breakfast. I mixed up the stuffing, and will take out the turkey breast shortly. I will roast it early, cool and slice it and then we can eat it when we are ready. I have a very large sweet potato and big cast iron pot of stuffing that will take up the oven space later.

[chiver78]

I have moved myself to the couch, where I've got the space heater on and I'm watching the Macy's parade. it looks pretty miserable out there in the rain.

[andi9899]

Nov 28, 2024 7:41:36 GMT -5 azucena said:

Checking in from the beach which has been glorious. Picture dd16 and 12 showing Teen the ropes about beach life. Teen can't stop giggling and saying I can't believe I'm actually here. Weather has been picture perfect every day, might be cold tomorrow but we want to go see Wicked anyway. Also going to do some online shopping.

Learned bio mom isn't even allowed to text so huge weight lifted for both Teen and I. Also means I lifted insta ban on beach pics so Teen is truly living her best life. Day 1 she was video calling a bunch of cousins and friends and rubbing it in. Her very supportive aunt told me thanks thru tears.

Teen saw dolphins from our balcony night 1 and was swimming near a sting ray until I made her get out lol.

I spent 5 glorious solo hours at the beach yesterday afternoon and have some nice color to show for it. Sunscreen is a religion to me so no burns on my watch. I've read 4 books and been completely unplugged from work. One book left for today and tomorrow and then we drive back 11 hours on sat. Van is crowded but low key and fun.

Splurged and we are at Turquoise Place in Orange Beach and I've been using our balcony private hot tub every night. Slid into bed at 730 pm last night bc the fresh air lulled me to sleep. Having coffee on the balcony now and deciding if I will veg here or beach.

Other than the kids and DH being on their phones too much, I couldn't have asked for a better vacation. Still marveling at the timing of it all.

I'm so glad teen gets this experience. You're good people.