SUPER Happy Friday!!

6fsn

hugs @VarunaTT

6let update- he does indeed have hearing issues.  He had his tonsils adenoids out at 3.5.  It's not unheard of but not common for them to grow back.  His grew back and started to cut of the tube that drains fluid from the ear.  Doc doesn't know if it's just adenoids or if the tubes are also compromised so he's scheduled for a CT scan on the 27th.  He'll be having some sort of surgery, but we won't know until the scan.  After that his hearing should go right back to normal.

Apparently two factors contribute to adenoid regrowth- the younger you had them removed and reflux.  He has reflux.  Yay for my goofy kid.

sparklepants41

MissKittyDanger said:

sparklepants41 said:

MissKittyDanger said:

@sparklepants41  baby sparkle isn't even born and you're looking at preschools! lol How come so early? Also boo work, yay dinner!

Tell me about it - I already have the jalapeno-sized fetus on TWO waitlists for preschools near us that are booked through October (Beans would enroll for the infant room at the end of October). But yeah, in the Boston area, the really good preschools fill up fast!! It's crazy!

That sounds like such a weird conversation. "Hi my future child is about the size of a jalapeno but we need to look at your daycare."

Okay that is just creepy. That is pretty much WORD FOR WORD what I said to the manager of a daycare two days ago. She knows what this market is like, so she just laughed and said people usually wait until the baby is an avocado, but she liked my proactive nature LOL

MissKittyDanger

@kimmiinthemitten  so when you file taxes, you can't even claim child care!? that's crazy!
Up here, basically because M makes more money he would claim the kid and I would claim the daycare costs

MissKittyDanger

sparklepants41 said:

MissKittyDanger said:

sparklepants41 said:

MissKittyDanger said:

@sparklepants41  baby sparkle isn't even born and you're looking at preschools! lol How come so early? Also boo work, yay dinner!

Tell me about it - I already have the jalapeno-sized fetus on TWO waitlists for preschools near us that are booked through October (Beans would enroll for the infant room at the end of October). But yeah, in the Boston area, the really good preschools fill up fast!! It's crazy!

That sounds like such a weird conversation. "Hi my future child is about the size of a jalapeno but we need to look at your daycare."

Okay that is just creepy. That is pretty much WORD FOR WORD what I said to the manager of a daycare two days ago. She knows what this market is like, so she just laughed and said people usually wait until the baby is an avocado, but she liked my proactive nature LOL

"I'll be back as a new food growing in me" LMFAO
And tbh if I had to do that while growing a child, I'd say that too. I'd be lying if I said there was no snark or sarcasm ...

OliveOilsMom

Heffa - If you like strawberries, dried strawberries are amazing! They are almost like gummy bears!  I buy them in the bulk section at Wegmans.  I've not been to a Trader Joe's but I feel like they may have them too!

kimmiinthemitten

MissKittyDanger said:

@kimmiinthemitten  so when you file taxes, you can't even claim child care!? that's crazy!
Up here, basically because M makes more money he would claim the kid and I would claim the daycare costs

Child care and student loan interest can be deducted up to a certain income threshold, and even then it's proportional.

@VarunaTT I forgot to send you hugs in my last post.  But if you're working towards 'meh' that sounds like an improvement over the last few months.  Hope the day flies by for you!

mrsconn23

MissKittyDanger said:

@kimmiinthemitten  so when you file taxes, you can't even claim child care!? that's crazy!
Up here, basically because M makes more money he would claim the kid and I would claim the daycare costs

Wha?  I claimed daycare for the kids.  You are capped at a $600 tax break (per kid, I think.  I never paid daycare at the same time for both kids) and it's basically a percentage of what you paid (since DefConn went to daycare for only 6 months last year, I didn't get the full $600 credit based on what we paid).   You can also choose to do a daycare flex spending account, if your employer offers it.   The money comes out pre-tax, so you can't claim daycare on your taxes if you go that route.  We never did it because of the fact that you are capped and we'd run out not even halfway through the year, and the money would still be coming out of our check.  And in the end, it wasn't that much of a tax savings. 

MissKittyDanger

kimmiinthemitten said:

MissKittyDanger said:

@kimmiinthemitten  so when you file taxes, you can't even claim child care!? that's crazy!
Up here, basically because M makes more money he would claim the kid and I would claim the daycare costs

Child care and student loan interest can be deducted up to a certain income threshold, and even then it's proportional.

@VarunaTT I forgot to send you hugs in my last post.  But if you're working towards 'meh' that sounds like an improvement over the last few months.  Hope the day flies by for you!

That's ridiculous! Are you allowed to push it to another year? Like if you have enough deductions for one year can you push extra deductions to the next?

levioosa

@kimmiinthemitten oh, not even. That's in Northern California. I'm in so cal. But we don't get a lot of rain so people tend to freak out. And we're supposed to get like 2 months of rain in a day and a half, so that is a cause for concern too. I wish we had better reservoirs here because that much rain is amazing and I feel like we're just wasting a resource. 

thefanciestbeckler

@VarunaTT Hugs to you. Divorciversaries bring up all kinds of feels. I'm glad you're out of that situation, though.

@mrsconn23 A big huge YAY for paying a car off!!! That's a great feeling.

@MissKittyDanger I will be looking for those pics of your dinner on Insta!

Morning all!

I'm kinda sneezy/sinus headachy today. We have a bunch of stuff blooming, because, ya know, the trees think this springtime weather we've been having all "winter" long means it's spring.

Got my hair done last night, which was amazing. I got something called "shadow root" done with a little balayage. She did an awesome job.

Today I'm working, AKA playing on TK all day because we still have no loans. Cool. I'm leaving right after work to head to Atlanta for a date night with DH. It's been forever since we have gone out together. I am really looking forward to it. This will be his last weekend in ATL. He told me last night that he's getting moved to South Carolina next week. Any SC knotties on here?

I'm driving home tomorrow, and potentially going to see my friend and her brand new twin girls at the hospital if she's feeling up to it! Sunday will be church and that's about it!

I took Monday off because I have a Dr. appointment smack dab in the middle of the day, and then mom and I are going to get tattoos that night they aren't going to be matching, but they do "go" together. Kind of in honor of my grandma with Alzheimer's. That's gonna be a special night!

kimmiinthemitten

@mrsconn23 I don't have kids so I don't fully understand that credit, so maybe I misspoke and they only receive a small amount back for that credit but I know their income is considered too high for the student loan credit and I thought child care too.  Neither of their jobs offer flex spending for anything either, including health insurance even though BIL works for an insurance agency.    

mrsconn23

kimmiinthemitten said:

@mrsconn23 I don't have kids so I don't fully understand that credit, so maybe I misspoke and they only receive a small amount back for that credit but I know their income is considered too high for the student loan credit and I thought child care too.  Neither of their jobs offer flex spending for anything either, including health insurance even though BIL works for an insurance agency.    

I have no idea on the income thresholds for the credits.  For us, the daycare thing is now 'moo' because DefConn's in school and stays home with me on breaks.  We may put him in camps this summer, but we won't receive a tax break for those fees.   

I actually told DH not too long ago that we need to revisit what we claim and probably up our cash donations to charity going forward to balance out the loss of daycare and also, that the kiddo's going to be 18 soon and therefore we can no longer claim him.  My goal is always to break about as even as possible.  I don't rely on a tax return, but having to pay fucking sucks. 

cupcait927

mrsconn23 said:

kimmiinthemitten said:

@mrsconn23 I don't have kids so I don't fully understand that credit, so maybe I misspoke and they only receive a small amount back for that credit but I know their income is considered too high for the student loan credit and I thought child care too.  Neither of their jobs offer flex spending for anything either, including health insurance even though BIL works for an insurance agency.    

I have no idea on the income thresholds for the credits.  For us, the daycare thing is now 'moo' because DefConn's in school and stays home with me on breaks.  We may put him in camps this summer, but we won't receive a tax break for those fees.   

I actually told DH not too long ago that we need to revisit what we claim and probably up our cash donations to charity going forward to balance out the loss of daycare and also, that the kiddo's going to be 18 soon and therefore we can no longer claim him.  My goal is always to break about as even as possible.  I don't rely on a tax return, but having to pay fucking sucks. 

If your plan year is 1/1, it would be too late for this year, but you can use a dependent care FSA to pay for summer camps, as long as it's not overnight. Just a thought since you don't qualify for the credit but it would still give you a potential tax benefit.

MissKittyDanger

mrsconn23 said:

kimmiinthemitten said:

@mrsconn23 I don't have kids so I don't fully understand that credit, so maybe I misspoke and they only receive a small amount back for that credit but I know their income is considered too high for the student loan credit and I thought child care too.  Neither of their jobs offer flex spending for anything either, including health insurance even though BIL works for an insurance agency.    

I have no idea on the income thresholds for the credits.  For us, the daycare thing is now 'moo' because DefConn's in school and stays home with me on breaks.  We may put him in camps this summer, but we won't receive a tax break for those fees.   

I actually told DH not too long ago that we need to revisit what we claim and probably up our cash donations to charity going forward to balance out the loss of daycare and also, that the kiddo's going to be 18 soon and therefore we can no longer claim him.  My goal is always to break about as even as possible.  I don't rely on a tax return, but having to pay fucking sucks. 

Seriously? They just upped the tax breaks for kids to be put into after school activities {mostly physical activity}

Jen4948

I'm volunteering this weekend at the Houston Food Bank (one of the country's biggest) and working on several writing and research projects. Hopefully I don't have to come into the office this weekend.

short+sassy

I took a sick (*cough, mental health) day yesterday.  It was glorious.  I didn't realize how much I needed a day to just veg out.

More good news.  We collected a deposit and an executed lease yesterday for the 2-bed unit on our new duplex.  The new tenants will be moving in on March 3rd.  We're going to start showing the 3-bed unit early next week.  We already have a list of people who want to see it when it's ready.  One woman has even called a few times over the last week or so to check in on it.

We also got our trip to Lake Tahoe finalized!  Long story short, the airfare and hotel were free (almost free, I had to pay $150 total for the airfare).  So we'll only be out for food, snowboard/winter rentals, and lift tickets.  Though we already have free lift tickets for one day.  We're going from March 8th-March 13th, not quite one week.

Hot House Flower (me) to H:  "Will this be enough for Tahoe?" (holding up a rain coat and knit gloves)

H, shaking his head and looking at me like I'm nuts:  "No."

So, bummer, apparently we'll have to buy clothing/boots we'll possibly never use again.  I'm thinking about checking out thrift stores, but that also seems unlikely.  Nobody else who lives here has snow gear either, lol.

charlotte989875

kimmiinthemitten said:

Yay Friday!  H has a long weekend so he's home and all morning persony, and I'm home and like leave me alone.

Not much this weekend, a going away party for a friend who is moving to Florida that I did a poor job of planning so we're bar hopping.

@charlotte989875 how long are you in Buffalo for?  Have fun with your sissy and good luck with the interview.

@sparklepants41 my sis started looking way early too in Florida.  @MissKittyDanger we were just talking this morning about how she really hope Trump follows through with his day care promises.  Currently, they don't qualify to write their expenses off of on their taxes.

@levioosa Are you close to the dam that they evacuated over earlier in the week?

Just until Sunday. I've got to comeback back to work in between now and the interview so there's will be a lot of driving between Toledo and Buffalo over the next few weeks. 

Heffalump

OliveOilsMom said:

Heffa - If you like strawberries, dried strawberries are amazing! They are almost like gummy bears!  I buy them in the bulk section at Wegmans.  I've not been to a Trader Joe's but I feel like they may have them too!

I will definitely check those out.  I feel like I've seen them there, so hopefully I'll be lucky.

I'm going to see if I can get chocolate covered sunflower seeds to toss in DS's trail mix, so there is something non-chocolate, even if it's hidden in chocolate.  That boy is a chocoholic like his momma.

@mrsconn23, I saw that in the Fearless Flyer and wondered!  Okay, it's going on my list.  DH is a peanut butter fiend so he may like it, too.

Off to my 1:00 meeting, which means I went to lunch earlier than usual so I could be back earlier than usual.  Stop messing with my lunch!  ::shakes fist::

mrsconn23

TMI time: I just got my period, ugh.  I knew it was coming, but still.  

Don't read further preggos...













But I have to bitch for a second...Almost 6 years on and I'm still reminded my kid's giant head ruined my vagina.  I have not been able to wear tampons since I gave birth because of how they sit in my vagina (they push on my episiotomy scar and it's super uncomfortable...can't do certain sex positions for the same reason).  I just tried one today and it was a big, fat "NOPE!"...STILL.   I didn't realize that I'm out of liners, but I found a pad that's for heavy period days...which I'm lucky that my periods aren't heavy (thank you IUD)...but it would be nice to wear a fucking tampon instead.  

It's a good thing the DefConn is damn adorable. 

MissKittyDanger

mrsconn23 said:

TMI time: I just got my period, ugh.  I knew it was coming, but still.  

Don't read further preggos...













But I have to bitch for a second...Almost 6 years on and I'm still reminded my kid's giant head ruined my vagina.  I have not been able to wear tampons since I gave birth because of how they sit in my vagina (they push on my episiotomy scar and it's super uncomfortable...can't do certain sex positions for the same reason).  I just tried one today and it was a big, fat "NOPE!"...STILL.   I didn't realize that I'm out of liners, but I found a pad that's for heavy period days...which I'm lucky that my periods aren't heavy (thank you IUD)...but it would be nice to wear a fucking tampon instead.  

It's a good thing the DefConn is damn adorable. 

have you heard of DivaCup? they make different sizes. My friend who's had 4 kids swears by it {price and how it fits/sits}

mrsconn23

MissKittyDanger said:

mrsconn23 said:

TMI time: I just got my period, ugh.  I knew it was coming, but still.  

Don't read further preggos...













But I have to bitch for a second...Almost 6 years on and I'm still reminded my kid's giant head ruined my vagina.  I have not been able to wear tampons since I gave birth because of how they sit in my vagina (they push on my episiotomy scar and it's super uncomfortable...can't do certain sex positions for the same reason).  I just tried one today and it was a big, fat "NOPE!"...STILL.   I didn't realize that I'm out of liners, but I found a pad that's for heavy period days...which I'm lucky that my periods aren't heavy (thank you IUD)...but it would be nice to wear a fucking tampon instead.  

It's a good thing the DefConn is damn adorable. 

have you heard of DivaCup? they make different sizes. My friend who's had 4 kids swears by it {price and how it fits/sits}

Yeah, I have and that's really not my thing.     I have thought off and on about looking into those thinx undies.  

MissKittyDanger

mrsconn23 said:

MissKittyDanger said:

mrsconn23 said:

TMI time: I just got my period, ugh.  I knew it was coming, but still.  

Don't read further preggos...













But I have to bitch for a second...Almost 6 years on and I'm still reminded my kid's giant head ruined my vagina.  I have not been able to wear tampons since I gave birth because of how they sit in my vagina (they push on my episiotomy scar and it's super uncomfortable...can't do certain sex positions for the same reason).  I just tried one today and it was a big, fat "NOPE!"...STILL.   I didn't realize that I'm out of liners, but I found a pad that's for heavy period days...which I'm lucky that my periods aren't heavy (thank you IUD)...but it would be nice to wear a fucking tampon instead.  

It's a good thing the DefConn is damn adorable. 

have you heard of DivaCup? they make different sizes. My friend who's had 4 kids swears by it {price and how it fits/sits}

Yeah, I have and that's really not my thing.     I have thought off and on about looking into those thinx undies.  

Ahh ... I've heard of them and I'm curious but the idea weirds me out lmao! If you get them you must share your wisdom!

cowgirl8238

MissKittyDanger said:

mrsconn23 said:

Yeah, I have and that's really not my thing.     I have thought off and on about looking into those thinx undies.  

Ahh ... I've heard of them and I'm curious but the idea weirds me out lmao! If you get them you must share your wisdom!

Please let me know how those work, as I too am curious.  I don't think I could get away with them on heavier days though (((TMI I am a heavy/clotted bleeder))).

kimmiinthemitten

A girl I went to HS with tried them and was open about it on FB...she loved them, but I'm leery of them too.  It just sounds weird.

I can't imagine not being able to wear a tampon, that sucks @mrsconn23.

OurWildKingdom

Hey, WW! 

Booked three tours of senior apartments and retirement communities this weekend (two tomorrow, one Sunday). Also going to be helping with bingo at a nursing home, meeting my sponsor, and possibly going to my drum circle. In between, I need to work out and get back to my book club book (A Fighting Chance by Elizabeth Warren). I just started it last night, and book club meets a week from tomorrow. If the weather holds, we may take the dog to the park.

kvruns

thank heavens for the beautiful weather we are having right now. Took the baby for a run this morning when it was still chilly and then a walk in the nice sunshine. Would like another this afternoon but we have therapy so not sure I can go. 

B rolled over in his sleep from back to belly which means no more swaddling arms in. So he's screamed at me for every attempt at sleep thus far today. But at least he wore himself out for his morning nap. I worry about overnight sleep as he'd been doing sooooo good and now this. Stupid developmental crap lol.

Plans for the weekend are mostly just trying to be outside and enjoy the sunshine with some walks since I don't really know what else to do with the baby.

OurWildKingdom

Hugs to you, @VarunaTT!

sparklepants41

Hugs for you, @VarunaTT! Crappy anniversaries really suck. 

kimmiinthemitten

Randomness - so I used to have a best guy friend until years ago he chose awful girlfriend over awful girlfriend over his female friendships.  It all came to a head when he proposed to one of them, realized how awful she was and then left her.  Well, a lot had happened in my life that year and not having him was tough for me.  Our friendship never recovered, but we're still friendly.  It's like we'll always have this deep love and respect for each other, just from afar.

So here's the funny thing - when now H and I first started talking marriage etc, we knew we wanted a December wedding, and Madeline is H's favorite girls name.

That year, friend got married in December, on the same day H and I ended up getting married.  Welp, friend and his wife just had a girl and they named her Madeline.  If H ever impregnates this and if it's a girl, friend is going to think I'm a creepy stalker type.

Heffalump

Ouch, @mrsconn23.  Luckily, tampons haven't been an issue (and like you, they're almost a non-issue w/my bestie, Mirena), but i2i on the sex position thing.  Second degree tear x 2, so there is some scar tissue somewhere in there ::waves hands around:: 

I have so much randomness.  It's beautiful out, and I want to blow off work.

Still planning our trip for next summer.  DH and FIL did a rafting trip years ago, and the same company runs family trips.  DS is years away from being able to do most of them, but there is one on the Lower Klamath (near the CA/OR border) with a minimum age of 4.  And he'll be almost 5 by next summer.  So I've been playing with Google Maps, and I think we could do that (3 days) and then visit Redwood National Park and/or Lassen Volcanic NP.  Maybe squeeze in a trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium (a haul, but if we flew in and out of SFO, we could do it on our first or last day), for my sea life loving kids.  They follow Monterey Bay Aquarium on YouTube, but we don't get to see too many Pacific species where we live.