Ringing in the New Year with the July Mamas - Page 33

[MsGrizzle]

Originally Posted by Miss Juice

Cori, I think that's a wonderful thing to do with birthday gifts. He still gets some, and he gets to give some as well. What a nice approach, I am going to remember that.

Maria, I SOOO hear you on the overoptimism. WTF was I thinking? In addition to everything else, I agreed to be the Class Parent for DD1's montessori class. Not that it's that much work, but it's one more thing! Silly, silly me.

Now what on earth did I come over here to say? Oh, well... hopefully it will be back.

Thanks! This is the first year that I thought he would be willing to do it. I saw it recommended years ago somewhere so I can't take credit for it - and it suggested starting at eight or so....and part of it is that I've seen what some of his friends have gotten a birthday parties so I'd rather avoid that stuff in my house!

I have a lot of optimism here too. I've definitely volunteered for too many things too. I often say to dh, "What was I thinking???" Ugh.

[sarenka]

Originally Posted by elsanne

I used the word "denouement" today. And the word "onerous". Beat that!

c'mon - you have to give us the context!!

Kim - I know how annoying the phone interview thing is from watching dh when i have supervision by phone twice a month - it's quite a logistic(al?) problem..

this morning while I was having an hour's catch up in bed dh gave dd a wilted old lettuce leaf 'to play with...' you guessed it, it mysteriously disappeared. I said a few things - onerous was not one of them...

[elsanne]

Originally Posted by sarenka

c'mon - you have to give us the context!!


this morning while I was having an hour's catch up in bed dh gave dd a wilted old lettuce leaf 'to play with...' you guessed it, it mysteriously disappeared. I said a few things - onerous was not one of them...

:

Context:

Commenting on juice's blog, I said that the last phrase of the 3 in a haiku gives us the "denouement" or some such.

"Onerous" was used to describe my last name when the organizer of this weekend's bellydance class in Mexico City asked if I wanted the diplomas to say just "elsanne" or my last name as well. I told her no, it's more artistic to just use "elsanne", and besides--my last name is quite onerous.

[~pi]

Originally Posted by soapdiva

Maria - As a working mom, I can totally relate to everything you're struggling with.

Thanks, Cori! Honestly, this is nothing compared to full time WOH. I am very thankful for the flexibility of grad school.

Awesome idea for the party!

Originally Posted by Miss Juice

Maria, I SOOO hear you on the overoptimism. WTF was I thinking? In addition to everything else, I agreed to be the Class Parent for DD1's montessori class. Not that it's that much work, but it's one more thing! Silly, silly me.

Glad to know I'm not the only one who has trouble remembering that there are only 24 hours in a day, and that I do need to sleep for a few of those.

Originally Posted by ksjhwkr

Maria - I'm so glad that your class went so well! And, that little man did so well when you were gone. It is SO hard to be away from our babies!!!

You know, it's interesting, but it isn't nearly as hard as I thought it would be. DS loves hanging out with his daddy, grandfather, etc. so that really helps. And again, I am thankful for grad school flex time. My supervisor and I have evening meetings via Skype, both with babies in our laps.

Originally Posted by ksjhwkr

Ouch on the pump costs. Doesn't health insurance cover any of it? Ouch!

No, it's pretty unusual to have coverage for durable medical equipment.

The way health insurance works here is that everyone has basic & acute care coverage. I.e. if you break your leg, have a heart attack, are diagnosed with cancer, need to be hospitalized for whatever reason, need an annual physical, etc. it's all paid for by our taxes. However, additional costs (including necessary-for-life treatments and drugs for those of us with chronic illnesses) may or may not be covered, depending on where you live. (Health care is administered by the provinces.)

Most people have extended health care benefits through their work to cover prescriptions, medications, eyeglasses, dental, etc. It's one of the reasons we are very careful about making sure that one or both of DH and I have extended health benefits. Insulin and test strips alone are about $150-300 a month, add pump supplies and we're up to $300-500 (covered with a 20% co-pay), plus a new pump ($6000 - not covered) every 4 years. All this on a graduate school income -- so it is a major line item on our budget.

It's kind of frustrating that insulin pumps, which can dramatically improve glycemic control and reduce complications later, are not covered under my province's plan, but if I needed dialysis, a new kidney, or my leg amputated because of years of poor control, that would be fully covered. Invest in preventative care! Argh!

Originally Posted by elsanne

I used the word "denouement" today. And the word "onerous". Beat that!

I see your denouement and onerous, and raise you "phenomenology", "etiology" and "multiattribute utility theory". (Never play this game with an academic. )

Originally Posted by soapdiva

I have a lot of optimism here too. I've definitely volunteered for too many things too. I often say to dh, "What was I thinking???" Ugh.

Again, I am glad to know I am not the only one who does this.

Originally Posted by sarenka

this morning while I was having an hour's catch up in bed dh gave dd a wilted old lettuce leaf 'to play with...' you guessed it, it mysteriously disappeared. I said a few things - onerous was not one of them...

:

[elsanne]

Originally Posted by ~pi

I see your denouement and onerous, and raise you "phenomenology", "etiology" and "multiattribute utility theory". (Never play this game with an academic. )

:

You got me there, as I knew you would!! : I think I deserve special credit for just using them in daily life...

I am intrigued by "multiattribute utility theory". Whatzat?

[~pi]

Originally Posted by elsanne

I think I deserve special credit for just using them in daily life...

Oh, absolutely. Total unfair advantage, especially given that in daily life, I more likely use words like, "Huh?" and refer to items, "The ... the ... thing. You know, with the stuff." (Add waving hands as necessary.)

Originally Posted by elsanne

I am intrigued by "multiattribute utility theory". Whatzat?

It's a way of assigning numbers to how good or bad you think a certain state of being is. It's how those of us who like numbers deal with subjectivity. A method with definite plusses and minuses.

[Miss Juice]

and all I've got is "symptomatic improvement which is inconsistent with the amount of actual healing"

But yeah, in my daily life, I say great stuff like, in response to an inquiry as to whether I had brought something, "It at house." And I had to look up "denouement." But that was easy, as I now have a dictionary and thesaurus right up there on my tool bar, thanks to you all!

[sewaneecook]

Originally Posted by ksjhwkr

Here are my updates - dh will be flying out to Indiana in the very near future for an interview!!! He will also have a 2nd phone interview with a company here in Utah tomorrow. Man, it would ROCK if he got offered both the jobs and he could actually choose what he's doing!!! :

Yay on the job front! When will you know more about the job?

Originally Posted by Quagmire

So. I am irked that this freakin notary is such a busybody and I guess I plan to report her. She was not supposed to take a copy of the form (according to the director of the school) and she was definitely being a sneaky rat.

How unprofessional! Have you pursued this?

Originally Posted by TanyaS

I would report the notary to the bank's manager and demand that the photocopies of your personal information be returned to you.

:

Originally Posted by soapdiva

I gave him his birthday card this morning. I WISH I had the video camera going. He loves the song "Bad to the Bone" because they use it for Gravedigger, his favorite Monster Truck. So I found one of those birthday cards that plays music and the cover just says "Be bad on your birthday" and then you open it up and it plays the song. I can't describe the look on his face. It was priceless, LOL. Then I asked him if he liked the card and he said, "I can't stop smiling"

How wonderful! I love it when I pick out the perfect gift or card! What a perfect reaction.

Originally Posted by elsanne

AAAACK!!!! THE DDDDC!!! Too friccin hilarious!!!!

yegads, how fun! Now, WHO DID THIS?!?!? Show yourself, cowardess!!

Your DDDDC makes me giggle!

Originally Posted by ~pi

The way health insurance works here is that everyone has basic & acute care coverage. I.e. if you break your leg, have a heart attack, are diagnosed with cancer, need to be hospitalized for whatever reason, need an annual physical, etc. it's all paid for by our taxes. However, additional costs (including necessary-for-life treatments and drugs for those of us with chronic illnesses) may or may not be covered, depending on where you live. (Health care is administered by the provinces.)

Most people have extended health care benefits through their work to cover prescriptions, medications, eyeglasses, dental, etc. It's one of the reasons we are very careful about making sure that one or both of DH and I have extended health benefits. Insulin and test strips alone are about $150-300 a month, add pump supplies and we're up to $300-500 (covered with a 20% co-pay), plus a new pump ($6000 - not covered) every 4 years. All this on a graduate school income -- so it is a major line item on our budget.

It's kind of frustrating that insulin pumps, which can dramatically improve glycemic control and reduce complications later, are not covered under my province's plan, but if I needed dialysis, a new kidney, or my leg amputated because of years of poor control, that would be fully covered. Invest in preventative care! Argh!

I also thought that everything was covered in Canada. The preventative care is so important, I wish insurance companies would realize that.

[sarenka]

Well if we're getting into a contest here, I did learn and use the word 'holenderia' today (a Polish word which noone has ever heard of) which means a 'romantic style cow shed'.

Maria, I like the sound of that multiattribute utility theory. And the fact that it has pluses and minuses! : Is it something like giving your moods and experiences a number on a scale? What is it 'for'?

[elsanne]

Originally Posted by ~pi

Oh, absolutely. Total unfair advantage, especially given that in daily life, I more likely use words like, "Huh?" and refer to items, "The ... the ... thing. You know, with the stuff." (Add waving hands as necessary.)

Ack! This made me guffaw. I have a great wallace n gromit visual of you, what with the waving hands.

Originally Posted by ~pi

It's a way of assigning numbers to how good or bad you think a certain state of being is. It's how those of us who like numbers deal with subjectivity. A method with definite plusses and minuses.

Oooooh you are better than I give you credit for!!! :

Originally Posted by Miss Juice

and all I've got is "symptomatic improvement which is inconsistent with the amount of actual healing"

Yeah, but you're a CHIROPRACTRESS, which just gives you coolness points we buffoons have to WORK to get.

Originally Posted by sarenka

Well if we're getting into a contest here, I did learn and use the word 'holenderia' today (a Polish word which noone has ever heard of) which means a 'romantic style cow shed'.

Wait, what? : Now THIS is good: romantic style cow shed. I know of several romantic things that could take place in such surroundings.

[Miss Juice]

and i would like to know, specifically, what attributes qualify a cow shed as "romantic style". How many styles of cow shed are there that you have a whole word for this one kind? Like the eskimos having 29 words for "snow"...

[~pi]

Originally Posted by Miss Juice

and i would like to know, specifically, what attributes qualify a cow shed as "romantic style". How many styles of cow shed are there that you have a whole word for this one kind?

:

Originally Posted by sarenka

Is it something like giving your moods and experiences a number on a scale? What is it 'for'?

Sort of. It's basically a way to assign numerical values (utilities) to states of being (with many attributes). E.g. how good/bad would you consider it to be to live with disease X with the following symptoms ...

It's used in other contexts as well, but in my research community, it's used as a way to attempt to incorporate subjective values into models (often economic models, though that isn't what I do) of health care.

Originally Posted by elsanne

Ack! This made me guffaw. I have a great wallace n gromit visual of you, what with the waving hands.

You know, the first time I saw the Wallace and Gromit morning automated routine, I thought, "That. That is what I need in my life."

Originally Posted by elsanne

Oooooh you are better than I give you credit for!!! :

I so wish I could take that credit, but the pun was unintentional.

[gumby74]

Ok......so deep down inside I know that DS will be ok, but why is it that when he has a cold I keep thinking he is going to stop breathing? Last night he was up about a dozen times and the rest of the time I was checking to see if he was breathing. Finally at 3:00 this morning I suctioned him and he screamed as though I was killing him. The worst part was that I don't think it did much to help. Why oh why can't their be a more effective and easier way to get the "little green men" out of his nose?

[Quagmire]

Originally Posted by gumby74

Ok......so deep down inside I know that DS will be ok, but why is it that when he has a cold I keep thinking he is going to stop breathing? Last night he was up about a dozen times and the rest of the time I was checking to see if he was breathing. Finally at 3:00 this morning I suctioned him and he screamed as though I was killing him. The worst part was that I don't think it did much to help. Why oh why can't their be a more effective and easier way to get the "little green men" out of his nose?

It's sooo soo hard when they get colds like that. Every time Rachel is stuffed up I just want to take the cold from her and have it myself. Hugs... it will be over soon!

So here's something I noticed: when Rachel is pissed off she blows raspberries. Like, she'll shriek in the car, and then end with a very digusted "PLLLLLBBBBT PLLLLLBBBBT PLLLLLBBBBT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAGHHHHHHHHH!" It's so funny. I shouldn't laugh at my baby, but she is just too cute when she's mad.

Sarenka... man you crack me up!

I love that Wallace and Gromit automated morning. "DH! Breakfast! Porridge today!" Gromit is too cute. He always looks so put upon...

[Quagmire]

Oh and Cori I forgot to say earlier, happy birthday to Aidan! That is so cute about the card

[elsanne]

Originally Posted by gumby74

Why oh why can't their be a more effective and easier way to get the "little green men" out of his nose?

You poor thing. And your son too! Here's what I do: I cover her nose with my mouth and suck. Yes, unlovely, and kind of gross, but it is extremely effective and feels like a kiss to them. I then spit it out right away.

[TanyaS]

Originally Posted by sarenka

a 'romantic style cow shed'.

Ain't language funny. That's an oxymoron, because I cannot for the life of me figure out how a cow shed would be romantic. Wait. Maybe it's romantic for the cows.

Tricia! My dd's have open faucets for noses right now. Lots of sleeping upright in bed. The baby has had a lot of mucous and drainage, and has gagged on it while coughing more than once. Little freaky sometimes.

Not much to add here today. Had a less than stellar night with the kids, although the highlight of the night was having a friend (going through equally tough times) over for dinner. Dh had an outage at work and didn't get home until after 10. I had passed out cold in between all the dc when I put them to bed tonight, and I didn't wake up until dh was noisy coming home.

[JoyofBirth]

s Tricia, I know the feeling. I'm kinda freaky about my girls' breathing when they're healthy. When they're sick, forget about it. I hope your ds id well again soon.

Elsanne, totally gross, but a good tip, I will file that away for future use.

Cori~Happy birthday to Aidan(Ihope I spelled that write, if not please forgivr me.)

So I have a funny but somewhat embarassing story I think I'll share. My sister, who has way more than her fair share of money, came into town as a surprise weekend before last. She wanted to go get a pedicure, a nice one and asked me to locate a spa for her. I naturally used the internet for such a task, since I'm not sure I'll ever see the inside of a spa. Though i have passed them on the street so I do know what they are. So I looked up one and it had listed under foot services-Polish change-$18. The regular pedicure is $55. So here's where my brain is. I ask my sister what is a Polish(like something from Poland is Polish) Change. She has no idea. She says call the plave and ask, so I do. And the lady on the phone says I have no idea, let me ask someone. She comes back and says, do you mean Polish(as in nail polish) change? my end is slightly silent and then I burst into hysterical laughter. my cousin and sister are just looking at me. i finally manage to tell them and they join me and then realize they didn't catch and we all laugh again. So there's this train coming someday right? I don't want fancy people to think I'm a total moron forever. I can only imagine the ruckus of laughter I created at the spa. had to share, but I have been kinda emarassed until now. Enjoy a laugh on me!

[JoyofBirth]

Hey, Elsanne, maybe you could just make me a bellydance lesson on DVD. Just use a camera and do a class for me. I'm a pretty uncoordinated, heavy girl who is very much a beginner. Would that be okay? I'm only half-joking.

[sarenka]

Originally Posted by elsanne

You poor thing. And your son too! Here's what I do: I cover her nose with my mouth and suck. Yes, unlovely, and kind of gross, but it is extremely effective and feels like a kiss to them. I then spit it out right away.

I know I shouldn't feel this, but I do... I would rather have someone pee in my tupperware than do this!

everyone...

Romantic style cowshed update later, no time now.