Morning after chat

 Ugh.... apparently, there is no place to get my windshield taken care of today. I called 7-8 shops, and only one was actually open. They can't do it, because I probably need a replacement. The warehouse isn't open today, so they can't get glass. Seriously?! Christmas is over. I guess I'm going to drive it to work today, but that's all the driving I'll  do, and I'll make my friend drive us to go out shopping later. I blame her mom for this. She was supposed to drive last night, but her mom is a neurotic nut job, and said no, she couldn't drive (she got in accident a few weeks ago) for recreation. Usually, she drives on this particular trip every year. Her mom also makes her call every time we go to a different place. If they can't reach her, they start organizing a search party, even if they know where she is and when to expect her home (and they couldn't reasonably expect to find her where she is at). She's 24. My mother didn't keep that tight a leash on me when I was 12... yeah. Her mom doesn't realize that she's ruining her chances at ever having grandchildren, as nobody will want to marry into that level of insanity. Anyway, I blame her mom, because if she would have driven, there would have been no metal water bottle. Can you tell I'm just pissed off that I can't get this fixed today?

A lot of places who give their employees paid holidays will be closed today because christmas fell on a sunday this year. Therefore they get the paid holiday on the following monday. I have today off for that reason and am very thankful for it!

I had a good time this year at out christmas celebration. We played lots of games and laughed ours butts off, as usual. Good times. My little nephew is a holy terror though. I caught him kicking my brothers dog. Serioulsy kicking it, not just a nudge. Boy did I put the fear of god in that kid when i saw that, then his mom got on his case after. While in his time out, he broke the door stop on my brothers pantry. He threw a tantrum each time he didn't get his way and a fit when he couldn't find his train or his shoes or any other number of things. He ignored everyone including his parents when they told him no or dont touch that, etc. He tried to pick up my gmas wheel chair while she was eating dinner in it at the table. Seriously, he makes me grateful i never had kids. In comparison, my nieces are polite and respectful. Amazing the difference in parenting....

Jewlieee

A lot of places who give their employees paid holidays will be closed today because christmas fell on a sunday this year. Therefore they get the paid holiday on the following monday. I have today off for that reason and am very thankful for it!

 

I had a good time this year at out christmas celebration. We played lots of games and laughed ours butts off, as usual. Good times. My little nephew is a holy terror though. I caught him kicking my brothers dog. Serioulsy kicking it, not just a nudge. Boy did I put the fear of god in that kid when i saw that, then his mom got on his case after. While in his time out, he broke the door stop on my brothers pantry. He threw a tantrum each time he didn't get his way and a fit when he couldn't find his train or his shoes or any other number of things. He ignored everyone including his parents when they told him no or dont touch that, etc. He tried to pick up my gmas wheel chair while she was eating dinner in it at the table. Seriously, he makes me grateful i never had kids. In comparison, my nieces are polite and respectful. Amazing the difference in parenting....

 

I know, I know, clearly I did this at the most inopportune of times. I kinda thought auto repair would not be in that category though. Or, I guess maybe regular repair shops are open, but not glass. 

It's not the kid's fault that the adults in his life aren't teaching him how to behave appropriately. 

 

Glenda - count me in with those that are glad it's over. It was one of the nicer, low-key years for us and it was super nice to have DH home on Christmas day for a change. He's gone to work now and I think I'm actually going to brave one store today. I bought a groupon voucher for Old Navy. $10 for a $20 coupon. I knew I wouldn't have any trouble finding something I like there and hopefully the crowds won't be too awful. It's freezing this morning, so hopefully most folks won't want to go out. Hopefully.... :)

Glenda, I hear you on the aspects of the holiday that are focused on commercialism.   It does become depressing at some point when so much is all about what people got or didn't get. 

I'm glad we've got some blue skies today.  It's chilly but supposed to warm up to the upper 50's. 

Julie, one of my nephews was caught taunting Belle while she was in her crate, when we had our family get together.  That kid got a serious talking to from me and from his grandpa, my brother. His mom witnessed the incident and never said a word. He almost got put into a crate for his timeout.  Unfortunately his mom is one of those parents who parents from a distant sideline.   I keep a close eye on him when he's over since he's never been taught to restrain any impulse and he's ruined a few things at our house over the past few years.  I love the kid ,and his mom but dread having him over.  DH said of his mom "she seems pretty uninterested in being a parent".   She blames her husband for spoiling the kid but that's a copout, IMO.

We're going to see War Horse today.  I'm feeling better and my cough seems more under control.

I hope Bugsy continues to feel good and that Sassy hasn't had any more strange shiver episodes.  Vibes for Tink and Luna.

Cathy, ours was low key as well.  We had long since finished the tree before DS got his first call somewhat after noon, so that was nice.  Somehow I feel like I'm supposed to make Christmas magical for everyone and of course it never happens, so I put too much pressure on myself.  But, there is also the huge commercial aspect that bugs the snot out of me.  Not the "reason for the season"!

I slept in today...after getting up in the middle of the night with a wicked charlie horse, and still have managed two loads of laundry.  And, again, no one else is up, not even the dogs!  If I slept this late I'd feel like a slug all day!

On a positive note, it's a bright sunny day....32/feels like 22...with a brisk wind.  I've got a warm fire in the woodstove and if we bundle against the wind, today will be a great day to get the kids out in the field.  We wanted to yesterday, but no one was in a hurry to leave those big ol knuckle bones!  And, we weren't really into pushing it since we were enjoying the lazy day too.

I am absolutely not going near a store today.  The insanity of the day after sales is just a bit too much for me!  But, I'm not a shopper to begin with!  Today is a great day to just chill with the family and the kids.

Jen, really stinks about the windshield, but, bottom line, what ifs don't count.  Yeah, the mother could have taken you, yeah, a bunch of different stuff could have happen, but, sometimes stuff just happens and we get to deal with the aftermath.  Not fun though.

 Wow Jackie and Julie both those wild child episodes would have had me fuming - I am very glad that it was you two though because I am confident it was handled completely and appropriately

Bugsy is doing much better - at times too well, but I didn't give him rimadyl last night and we was a little hesitant to do the stairs first thing this morning.  It makes sense that their neck is essential to their balance but for some reason I am surprised at how much.

I walked him this morning using a harness and he was thrilled - appropriately cold for Dec. 26 without being too bad.  We met one of his girls he hasn't seen in ages and it was quite the reunion. In talking to the owner we discovered the reason we haven't seen them out is because she is working in Dubai!  They followed us home and pups were thrilled.

I have clients today and I need to prep for my interview tomorrow. I've arranged going to a friend's on my way to the studio so she can't touch up my make-up as necessary. I swear at my age I really should know how to apply make-up but I don't.

My sister, mom, niece and nephew are on the road here - they arrive tomorrow afternoon. Once I get back from the taping I will have a ton of tidying to do!

Unhappy to say I am still under the weather, keep hoping I'm going to wake up fine 

 From the vantage point of an experienced grandparent...kids are over tired, over stimulated, over fed...parents have lost patience because they are tired also.  I take the behavior with a grain of salt now.

Even my 3 normally well behaved, well mannered grandchildren acted like a couple monsters by the time I saw them last night.  Parents not much better, lol!  I was tempted to put all 5 in time-out!  

Today, I can laugh, and remember the good moments...been there, done that!

marty_ga

 From the vantage point of an experienced grandparent...kids are over tired, over stimulated, over fed...parents have lost patience because they are tired also.  I take the behavior with a grain of salt now.

I know you're right about kids getting over tired and their parents too but this nephew acts out his every impulse no matter the occasion or circumstance and his mom is always in another world or so it seems, when it comes to her child's bad behavior. The dad is worse if that's possible. It's sad for the child because he is not learning how to behave from the people who should be teaching him.   I do make allowances for tired cranky kids and their equally tired parents, but in this case, it's a matter of no parenting skills or bad parenting.   The child is actually pretty well behaved when his parents aren't around.  He's learned he can manipulate his parents but not the other adults in our family. 

OK, I need to straighten up the house a little.  I love having an extra day off. :)

Yeah, i understand over tired. This kid is just one of those kids though that has oodles of energy and no impulse control. I can't totally blame the parents because its their first kid and are learning as they go. Who knows if i would handle parenting perfectly either especially with a challenging child.

I am totally wasting this day away. I really should get off my butt and do something, like clean up the back yard before it snows

Well, I was very surprised and happy at how few people were out this morning and I don't think I've ever seen Old Navy as quiet. They were pretty picked over but a I managed to find a cute sweater, another top, some fleece gloves and a really nice fleece throw and it all cost me only $13 because of the Groupon discount and the sales - woohoo!! That was the extent of any after Christmas shopping I wanted to do, so I'm happy to be back home. I feel like I've been a total slug though, so I need to hop on the elliptical for a bit and rev up my energy level...and then...a nap :)

But, I think the "rules" have changed since I was a child...or even since my children were small.  MY generation was supposed to be seen and not heard.  I was very far from that strict with my kids, but, I did expect them to behave in public and not bother others with their behavior.  And so very many times when we'd be out for a meal in a really nice place, folks would stop and comment on how well behaved they were....and my youngest is ADHD to the nnnth degree!  I have very little tolerance for screaming kids.

My brand new great niece is almost exactly the same age as her new brother...b'days are 3 days apart.  Zoey, is a very polite little girl, eats very neatly, wastes nothing, etc.  Asher, on the other hand, throws his food all over the floor.  Ummm, dropping is one thing, but this little guy throws what he doesn't want.  To me, that's a tad too permissive.

Happy "Day after Christmas" everyone ... and I'm glad it's over too. The gang was here Christmas Eve, but yesterday was just low key and quiet. Super cold this morning, but I guess I shouldn't complain about having to pour water on my car windows when in other places people are probably literally digging their cars out from under.

Cathy, a trip to Old Navy sounds like fun, and I think I'd go if it didn't mean driving all the way to Vacaville.  Even if there was one as close as West Sacramento, I  think I'd give it a try. It's surprising that some stores are quiet.  I thought most of them would be as bad as "black Friday."

Joyce

 I am working on a challenging project and both DH & Bugsy are in the next room snoring.  I can hear them clear as a bell.  This seems unfair to say the least

I could totally go for a shop today - the REI-like local store always has a great sidewalk sale this week but you really need to go today to get the good stuff - no time though 

OK I really popped in to complain about 'the boys' and their snoring!