tcu2003
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Post by tcu2003 on Aug 15, 2019 9:13:10 GMT -5
How much longer do you *plan* to work? (I know that can always change based on circumstances and life happenings, but what’s your plan for an ideal timeline. )
That would affect my decision.
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tcu2003
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Post by tcu2003 on Aug 14, 2019 12:49:53 GMT -5
C (turned 7 earlier this summer) has really just started reading more on his own recently. We did a 9 hour road trip each way for vacation last week, and he read a ton of Magic Treehouse books. I ended up reading a couple aloud to him over the course of the trip because I was also reading books to the toddler and so he wanted me to read to him; but it was so AMAZING to be able to read my own books for part of the drive.
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tcu2003
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Post by tcu2003 on Aug 14, 2019 12:46:06 GMT -5
First day of 2nd grade for C today - where did the summer go?!? And also, I blinked and he’s a second grader! Kindergarten, first and now second.  |
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tcu2003
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Post by tcu2003 on Aug 13, 2019 20:39:54 GMT -5
yesterday, I started Sisters First, by Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Bush. it's been interesting following "Gampy" and Dad's political careers from their perspectives as they grew up. for example, there was a comment from Jenna about how she didn't realize everyone's grandfather wasn't vice president and didn't have an inauguration party. that, as small kids, they still got to experience their grandparents as grandparents - albeit ones that lived in a really cool house. finished this yesterday on the train ride home. highly recommend, especially for those of you around the same age like me. the twins were born in 1981. I grew up watching them in the public eye, this was an interesting different angle. Agreed. I read this last year and enjoyed it. |
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tcu2003
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Post by tcu2003 on Aug 12, 2019 16:59:40 GMT -5
I use a Marriott card thru Chase because Marriott is my company's preferred hotel. The card has an $85 annual fee which was waived for the first year. This is the first time I've paid for a credit card, but it comes with one free night which I'd call an offset. I travel about once a month, sometimes to big cities where the hotel rate can be $250-300/night. I get extra points for charging Marriott hotels which now encompasses a bunch of different brands. I earn about 3 free nights from work travel and 2 more from credit card spending so 6-7 nights free to vacation with the family. We use this one as well. |
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tcu2003
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Post by tcu2003 on Aug 11, 2019 15:57:38 GMT -5
Do you all toss or donate old underwear? Just asking that question sounds ridiculous, but I've never dealt with it! Carrot has a a ton of boxer briefs that he's outgrown and they're mostly all in good shape, but I feel weird throwing them in the Salvation Army box. What size are they? I’m happy to cover shipping if they’ll work for my C and you don’t have a local place to donate that will accept them. |
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tcu2003
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Post by tcu2003 on Jul 30, 2019 17:28:30 GMT -5
My kiddos are 4y2m apart. My C (oldest) was a crap sleeper. That’s part of the reason we waited, and also because I just wasn’t ready. He finally started sleeping through the night somewhere around 3, so that was good for when we had M.
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tcu2003
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Post by tcu2003 on Jul 25, 2019 21:37:49 GMT -5
Congrats, ava!!
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tcu2003
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Post by tcu2003 on Jul 25, 2019 21:36:45 GMT -5
Congrats, Apple!!
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tcu2003
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Post by tcu2003 on Jul 11, 2019 15:23:30 GMT -5
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tcu2003
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Post by tcu2003 on Jul 10, 2019 19:34:54 GMT -5
okay, I can copy/paste and PM anyone that needs it. PM'ing Beth now, anyone else, just tag or PM me. I'd like to read it. WaPo is doing a good job making me want to subscribe. I subscribed on Cyber Monday last year (think it was $4/month) and it’s been worth every penny. It wouldn’t surprise me if there’s a Prime Day deal next week since Bezos owns WaPo. |
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tcu2003
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Post by tcu2003 on Jul 10, 2019 19:24:13 GMT -5
We had a storm roll through this morning that ended up knocking power out at daycare. After it’s been out for an hour, they have to close. Sister is out of town for work, so I ended up with 4 kiddos. DH and I swapped after lunch, so yay for getting some stuff done at work this afternoon, but sweet girl did not get a nap. Early bedtime for her tonight - she’s already out!
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tcu2003
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Post by tcu2003 on Jul 2, 2019 8:12:54 GMT -5
Thanks for the update, Carl! Yay for all the fun you’re having with Carlie.
And your story about the neighbor boy reminds me that M got her first kiss (that I know about) after swim lessons last week. Her friend Z is in that class - he has a big brother C’s age; and we’re friends with the whole family. After class they always go get stamps on their hand together from the front desk, and then say goodbye. Last week they hugged, and then Z kissed her. Slow down kids, you’re only almost 3 and 3. 😂
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tcu2003
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Post by tcu2003 on Jun 30, 2019 0:25:58 GMT -5
We have some similarities to you, except our two kiddos are a little younger. For us, we are maxing each of our 401k accounts in the Roth option. We each have a fairly sizable amount in the traditional 401k, so we wanted to contribute to the Roth 401k for tax savings later. Our company matches are to the traditional, of course, so it still gets around 5.25% added each year. (DH and I work for the same company and have similar salaries, so while we have separate accounts, we invest them similarly and get the same match percentages and similar profit sharing).
We finally opened a Roth IRA for 2018. We were over the limit so had to backdoor fund it. We’ll do the same for 2019.
We haven’t started a taxable account yet, but that’s on my list for this year or next year.
We do contribute to each kid’s 529 - I vary the monthly contribution somewhat, but usually contribute around $3k for each annually. It won’t cover college, but I’m going to take advantage of what we do contribute. We also get a state income tax break.
We also paid off our mortgage. It’s definitely a personal decision, but my DH wanted to, so we went with it.
Also, yay for a cleaning lady! I’m still trying to get my DH on board on that thought!
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tcu2003
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Post by tcu2003 on Jun 21, 2019 23:43:18 GMT -5
I need some meal suggestions. The dad of one of C’s school friends was diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing radiation. There is a meal train and I’d like to sign up as we’re friends with the family. His cancer is in his throat/back of mouth, so here are the suggestions:
“Meals need to feed 2 adults and 2 kids for June 24 to July 5. For these 2 weeks please no tomatoes, citrus, spicy, or acidic foods.
For week of July 8 to 12 please provide food for 3 adults and 2 kids.
Soups, soft foods, pasta, and smoothies are good options for Dad.”
Anyone have any suggestions? Someone already signed up for chicken noodle soup, or I’d probably do that.
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tcu2003
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Post by tcu2003 on Jun 13, 2019 14:05:43 GMT -5
Birthday party advice needed. C’s birthday party is Saturday evening at a local gym place. We invited his class plus some friends from outside class plus my two nieces. My sister just texted to ask if she can bring her BF and his son. We’re already over what will be a comfortable number of kids that are coming, though technically we’re not at the max capacity. I also really don’t want to deal with that on Saturday - I’ve met the guy once for about 60 seconds outside of daycare when I was picking up M, and I’ve never met his son. My kids also haven’t met him or his son.
We also didn’t invite DH’s nieces and nephews, and if I’m going to pay extra for other kids not already on the list, I somewhat feel like it should be people C knows and is related to. I’ll also add my judgment is clouded on this issue as my sister is in the middle of a divorce and this relationship has all sorts of rebound signs to me. Plus a bunch of other factors.
So....say yes to keep the peace, or say no because that’s my preference. For what it’s worth, I doubt C would really notice.
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tcu2003
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Post by tcu2003 on May 31, 2019 19:21:23 GMT -5
Family vacation to Disney World in June. I have a meeting in Orlando then, so going to piggyback a family vacation to Disney. Of course, I should probably start booking hotels and buying park passes at some point. Clear more clutter out of my house. It’s a very sloooooooowww process for me, but I keep working at it. Family vacation somewhere else- likely late July or early August. We’re thinking Colorado to visit one of my BFFs and her family, and DH’s uncle and aunt. We can drive there, so as long as we don’t end up with an unexpected work trip elsewhere that we want to piggyback a family vacation into, this will probably be where we end up. I want to do a girls weekend with three of my high school girlfriends. We did one last year at a lake house with our families, so I’d be game for that again, or a girls only trip. One of the ladies just remarried last fall, and has been pretty distant, so we’ll see if it happens. Or maybe 3 of us will do something instead of 4 of us. On the plane getting ready to take off for Orlando now. We are staying at the conference hotel and then switching to a Disney resort, so item 1 is in progress! Over 500 items (mostly baby stuff, plus some toys) out of my house, so making slow progress on #2. My cousin’s daughter is getting married near San Antonio in August, so we’re liking doing that for a second family vacation. We might still drive to Colorado as well, but not 100% certain. As for the girls weekend, likely not happening as one of the ladies is pregnant, but 3 of the 4 of us are attending our 20-year high school reunion this summer; so I’m excited to hang out with most of the group. |
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tcu2003
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Post by tcu2003 on May 21, 2019 17:32:06 GMT -5
Anyone have any recommendations for boys tennis shoes that tie (no Velcro) that hold up somewhat? C goes through tennis shoes like they’re going out of style - he wears through the toe area.
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tcu2003
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Post by tcu2003 on May 21, 2019 13:49:39 GMT -5
Where did your previous market leader go, muttley? Would you be interested in following her/him there?
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tcu2003
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Post by tcu2003 on May 20, 2019 22:37:19 GMT -5
Both kids were asleep by 8! I don’t know the last time that happened, so yay!
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tcu2003
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Post by tcu2003 on May 18, 2019 20:43:26 GMT -5
Bummer, Rae. Does that mean he missed the field trip, or did you not find out until he was already on the trip?
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tcu2003
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Post by tcu2003 on May 15, 2019 15:17:41 GMT -5
Thanks, everyone. I’ll try the x amount of time to be sad and/or vent drama, and see how that goes.
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tcu2003
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Post by tcu2003 on May 14, 2019 15:45:19 GMT -5
Anyone have a kiddo who is really hard and/or negative on his/herself? C gets really negative and/or down on himself so quickly and easily, and I’m at a loss on how to help him. For instance, if you correct him at all, he’ll often respond with “that’s why everyone hates me” or “everyone just hates me” even when that’s clearly not the case (to me). I’ll remind him to take his dirty socks to the his laundry basket or put something away, and I’ll get the above reaction.
Similarly, his other reaction is just to blow up and throw blame elsewhere. It’s never his fault when anything goes wrong - if we’re rushing him to get his shoes on in the morning, it’s not because he watched tv or picked up a book or played with a toy, it’s because daddy or mommy did “insert excuse” and he’ll get angry. We try to give him gentle reminders and warnings on timelines and keep him moving along with getting ready when we have to leave the house, but it doesn’t always work.
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tcu2003
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Post by tcu2003 on May 13, 2019 12:45:34 GMT -5
Woo hoo, drama!!
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tcu2003
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Post by tcu2003 on May 12, 2019 13:32:59 GMT -5
Happy Mother’s Day, ladies!!
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tcu2003
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Post by tcu2003 on May 11, 2019 7:26:44 GMT -5
I thought this was an interesting read. www.fastcompany.com/90343899/sallie-krawcheck-saving-money-latte-advice“So this isn’t about the lattes. It’s never been about the lattes. Or any of the other ways we women are told we’re deficient around money. It’s about changing the narrative to recognize the real challenges we face as women and tackling real issues. It’s about demanding a fairer playing field from our institutions (paid maternity leave, anyone?). It’s about holding the companies at which we work accountable by demanding that they report out, and close, their gender pay gaps. It’s about giving all of our children the tools to live the lives that they deserve. It’s about balancing out our existing power structures. As Gloria Steinem has said, “We will not solve the feminization of power until we solve the masculinity of wealth.” So, ladies, buy the f***ing latte, because I’m going to need you caffeinated when we do this thing.” |
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tcu2003
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Post by tcu2003 on May 10, 2019 8:03:33 GMT -5
C went from having lost no teeth at about a month shy of turning 7; to having lost both bottom teeth in a span of 4 days. He notice don Sunday that he finally had a loose tooth. I checked, and both bottom front teeth were loose. He came home from school on Monday excited because one had fallen out. Then yesterday when we picked him up, I asked if the other had fallen out. It had, but he somehow hadn’t noticed until I asked so he has no clue when/where during the day that it fell out. After being somewhat traumatized by not having the tooth, we convinced him it was fine and no one was upset with him, so all was well.
I seriously love the gap-toothed smile, though.
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tcu2003
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Post by tcu2003 on May 8, 2019 20:12:58 GMT -5
Not at all. My kids will inherit different amounts. That’s just the way it is and not my doing. Children have no right to expect an inheritance. There's no right to an inheritance, but I wouldn't leave a disproportionate amount to one and not the other without a really good reason that was discussed before I died. When you have a blended family obviously there are going to be differences, but outside of that why try to cause issues for the kids? I could have the wrong person in mind, but IIRC, zib’s XH values sons more than daughters, so while her estate may be split evenly between her son and daughter, XH’s estate will significantly favor the son. |
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tcu2003
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Post by tcu2003 on May 7, 2019 23:20:13 GMT -5
Giant hugs, Rae.
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tcu2003
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Post by tcu2003 on May 5, 2019 23:35:49 GMT -5
I just saw this and didn’t want to read without commenting. Good luck, Carl. I agree with the PPs who suggested doing whatever will cause you the least amount of regret later.
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