Oh Monday

VarunaTT

I think it might be bad that I'm looking forward to having a day off for a colonscopy?  Because the next weekend after that procedure, I think it is a 3 day weekend, then I'm taking another day off for a 3 day weekend right after that and I really think I just need a break from work.  BFF can't come visit me in July b/c he's going to Chicago with his BF to look at places for BF to move to, so I think I might just choose a random week to just not be here.  I can't really travel just yet, but it'd be nice to not be in the office.

Weekend was good.  I ended up not doing much of anything.  Friday I went out and had a nice time.  Saturday was spent doing chores. Went and saw my mom on Sunday.  Friend came over and we had plans to go listen to a band at a park outside, but it was really hot, said friend is very red headed with fair skin, and we were not sure about the shade at this event, so we stayed and watched the Grand Prix instead.  That's really all I did, which isn't too exciting, but was what I needed.

Hope everyone had a great time, all of the sicknesses are disappearing, and no more bumps/bruises for the little ones!

MissKittyDanger

@VarunaTT It's rough when appointments become a time you're enjoying off lol
There was a time after BK I had my brows waxed & lying there with my eyes closed, thinking how nice it was lol

banana468

Weekend was good!

I camped in a tent for the first time!  Friday was a frenzy of getting work done and by 5 we were out the door.  Chiquita got to set up her new tent and I slept with the moms in a different tent.  Friday night it rained for an hour and then dried but it was chilly. At 2 AM i needed another blanket so when I got up to pee I grabbed my keys, accidently set off the panic button and well...hooray I got my blanket and woke up the camp site!

We hiked, spent all the time outside and Chiquita was great.   I didn't get a ton of sleep but managed to get home yesterday at 9, head to mass and stay awake until 10.  Chiquita had a nap and got ready for her soccer game yesterday afternoon and I made dinner while DH and Chiquito were off at a Cub Scout thing.  DH got major points for both taking Chiquito out for ice cream and making that stop the dairy bar from our university.  It's totes dessert.

The week is so busy and I am likely taking a day off to see my parents on Friday both for Mother's Day and to check on my dad.    Here's a mother/daughter photo:

MissKittyDanger

BK faired well. No concussion, but she had/has a noteable bump at the back of her head.
Didn't bother her, but by the end of the day she was tired.
M ended up bringing her to my mum's place for a visit, so that was really nice for everyone.

My mum said awhile ago it felt like M would just stop by his parents a lot and my mum didn't get the same.
We didn't realize it was happening, but after discussing it did seem like we were. So we're making a change so we can/do stop by there sometimes.

It's getting warm, so we had to bust out shorts and sunscreen.
Not yet ready for swimming lol but BK is already asking about the beach

Anyways, BK went back to my mum's because that was a planned sleepover.
M & I did some errands.
Ikea to ask about their task rabbit situation because M is very against building another ikea closet lol
So we got ins and outs of that and how to book, etc etc.

After we did the mall. Asked questions about Nespresso and tried a couple. M is a very dark, bold style and I am basically the other end lol
We grabbed lunch, a hamster ball so Jellybeans can run around and be a bit free range
He's been very good at being touched, and held. I've been slowly working on it. I found a way to hold him so he feels safe and doesn't try to yeet himself around.

Instagram photo by Katie • May 5, 2023 at 9:20 PM

I also let him walk on me a bit. M was not comfortable with that but I had a good handle.
BK isn't at point she can hold him, but she's been giving him kisses and pets while I hold him lol

Sunday I did a yin class. A little more hippy-dippy than I'd like but I found where my pain is with the different moves and shapes.
It's actually my ribs. So that's great.

Later on we picked up BK and she helped watch Jellybeans while I cleaned the cage.
She also swept around his cage from some bedding that fell.

charlotte989875

Weekend was great! Went did the zoo on Saturday- M loved the sea lions and saw a friend from school. Then we played in the backyard and he jumped in mud puddles and I sat in the sun. 

I saw Yo-Yo Ma played yesterday afternoon with our philharmonic orchestra and it was absolutely incredible! Cannot describe just how magical it was to hear him play. 

Also- and sharing here because I’m not ready to share in real life yet, besides with H- had a positive pregnancy test yesterday and today! It’s still so so early (like yesterday would have been the start of my period). I know a lot can happen but cautiously very excited. 

VarunaTT

@charlotte989875 BEST WEEKEND EVER!!!  Oh, we used to have a weird thing we did when baby waves were going on....sticky vibes?  Also, once everything is good and announced, you'll need a baby nickname. 

climbingsingle

@VarunaTT I feel ya. I have to leave work early Wednesday for a mammogram and I'm looking forward to having an afternoon to myself for a bit. 

@banana468 yay for the fun camping trip! Great picture! 

I had such a fun weekend. Went axe throwing Friday with my best friend and her new boyfriend (really liked him). Axe throwing was super fun. 
Saturday I went and got my hair done. Then went to N's friend's house Saturday night for a Beltane party (a sort of pagan celebration of spring/May). Had such a great time. We probably stayed out too late (didn't get home until 2am!) but we hadn't done that in so long. And I ran into a lot of people I hadn't seen in years. 

Didn't do much yesterday. Cleaned and did laundry, watched too much TikTok and caught up on some shows. 

charlotte989875

VarunaTT said:

@charlotte989875 BEST WEEKEND EVER!!!  Oh, we used to have a weird thing we did when baby waves were going on....sticky vibes?  Also, once everything is good and announced, you'll need a baby nickname. 

Yessss! All the sticky vibes please!! 

STARMOON44

@charlotte989875  congratulations!!!

back from vacation it was exhausting but wonderful and so nice to have a few days with my sister. And we saw the King and Queen! Now back to work reality and hopefully an embryo transfer on Wednesday 🤞🏻🤞🏻

mrsconn23

Happy sticky baby vibes @charlotte989875!  YAY!!  

Good morning.  I am dead-ass tired from the weekend.  Too much party and too little sleep.  But we surprised our friend and he was so, so happy that we came up for his bday.  Also, my aunt's reaction to her surprise party made almost everyone cry.  She's such an amazing person.  She came and helped my dad with my mom at the end of mom's life and allowed us to be with our parents without having to do as much care-taking. She truly missed her calling as a hospice nurse.  Anyway, I got to reconnect with my cousins too and see their kids and it was just lovely.  

My car is in and we're going to sign on the dotted line after work today.  I can't wait!! 

MissKittyDanger

@charlotte989875 what a weekend all around!
For reference, I tested positive a few days early with BK - it helps if you know when you were suppose to ovulate and/or get your period.
{I tested early on purpose because we were going away that weekend and my boobs hurt}

banana468

@charlotte989875 sticky vibes to you!!

I tested early w/ Chiquito because we were trying and my brain fog hit early. (I likely told this story before but I packed DH a dirty empty Pyrex for his lunch that was not an intentional slight.)    From the NFP boards I frequented some moms reported a BFP as early as 8 DPO when they were able to confirm either a temp peak or an ovulation peak on a stick/strip.  

climbingsingle

@charlotte989875 yay!! All the sticky vibes to you!

charlotte989875

banana468 said:

@charlotte989875 sticky vibes to you!!

I tested early w/ Chiquito because we were trying and my brain fog hit early. (I likely told this story before but I packed DH a dirty empty Pyrex for his lunch that was not an intentional slight.)    From the NFP boards I frequented some moms reported a BFP as early as 8 DPO when they were able to confirm either a temp peak or an ovulation peak on a stick/strip.  

Thank you! 

I was tracking ovulation so today is 11 DPO and did get a really early positive the night of 8DPO, as best as I can tell. I track my cycles pretty closely in general and today would have been day 2 of my new cycle, but no Aunt Flo and a few positive pink tests! Fingers crossed it sticks! 

Casadena

@charlotte989875 so excited for you all!!! Sending all kinds of good vibes

CharmedPam

Yay @charlotte989875, adding in my own sticky vibes:)
glad it was a good time, @starmoon. Did you only go from Wed - Sun, or did time escape me?
cute cute picture @banana468.  And don’t worry, someone almost always sets off a car alarm on a campsite.
axe throwing was fun for me too @climbingsingle, but when I went, we didn’t keep score.  The competitive person in me has to do that.

Weekend was good.  Went to a tulip fest and actually controlled my spending.  Until it came to purchasing tulip bulbs.  Went a litte crazy with that and they’re not even for me.  Green thumb did not grow on me. It was for my mom, sister & SIL.  The fest closed early because of bad weather forecasted in the area, but as it turned out - no bad weather to speak of

STARMOON44

CharmedPam said:

Yay @charlotte989875, adding in my own sticky vibes:)
glad it was a good time, @starmoon. Did you only go from Wed - Sun, or did time escape me?
cute cute picture @banana468.  And don’t worry, someone almost always sets off a car alarm on a campsite.
axe throwing was fun for me too @climbingsingle, but when I went, we didn’t keep score.  The competitive person in me has to do that.

Weekend was good.  Went to a tulip fest and actually controlled my spending.  Until it came to purchasing tulip bulbs.  Went a litte crazy with that and they’re not even for me.  Green thumb did not grow on me. It was for my mom, sister & SIL.  The fest closed early because of bad weather forecasted in the area, but as it turned out - no bad weather to speak of

Just Wed to Sun! Lots of running around but totally worth it. Next time I go I’m hoping for ten days though. 

MissKittyDanger

banana468 said:

@charlotte989875 sticky vibes to you!!

I tested early w/ Chiquito because we were trying and my brain fog hit early. (I likely told this story before but I packed DH a dirty empty Pyrex for his lunch that was not an intentional slight.)    From the NFP boards I frequented some moms reported a BFP as early as 8 DPO when they were able to confirm either a temp peak or an ovulation peak on a stick/strip.  

Bolded. Lololol

M & I were trying too and just before I got BFP I was making stirfry while drinking milk and eating a pickle.
I remember M saying "if you aren't pregnant, I have questions" lmao

short+sassy

@VarunaTT, at least you have some 3-day weekends coming up.  But it is unfortunately to ruin a perfectly good PTO/sick day with having a medical procedure!

@banana468, I'm glad the Girl Scouts camping trip was fun.  Other than the unexpected loud noise at 2am!

It was a good weekend, though pouring rain for most of Saturday.  I WFH on Friday and relaxed the rest of the time.  Jazz Fest is now over and I have my neighborhood back, lol.

Vent:

The dreaded letter came in the mail.  The property insurance renewal for my personal home.  Let's review the premium history to fully understand why I'm taking the drastic step of moving, even though I'm (probably) leaving my job and the rental business I've built here.  For reference, it's insured for $285K replacement cost on the structure and is about 2000 sq ft (total) -- 

2011 when I bought my house -- $2800

small increases over the next 9 years, including 2020.

2020 -- $3300
2021 -- $3600 - 10% increase
2022 -- $4400 - another 20% increase
2023 -- $7600 - 70% increase, more than double what it was 4 years ago

I was mad enough the premium had jumped over 20% last year.  At the time, no one was selling new policies, except for "last resort" Louisiana Citizens.

However, some insurance companies have come back to the market over the last couple months.  I made a call this morning to an insurance broker my RE agent recommended.  I know I'm selling this house and moving away anyway, but that's probably not for another 4-6 months.  If I can save even $100/month, it's worth it to switch.

flantastic

banana468 said:

Weekend was good!

I camped in a tent for the first time!  Friday was a frenzy of getting work done and by 5 we were out the door.  Chiquita got to set up her new tent and I slept with the moms in a different tent.  Friday night it rained for an hour and then dried but it was chilly. At 2 AM i needed another blanket so when I got up to pee I grabbed my keys, accidently set off the panic button and well...hooray I got my blanket and woke up the camp site!

We hiked, spent all the time outside and Chiquita was great.   I didn't get a ton of sleep but managed to get home yesterday at 9, head to mass and stay awake until 10.  Chiquita had a nap and got ready for her soccer game yesterday afternoon and I made dinner while DH and Chiquito were off at a Cub Scout thing.  DH got major points for both taking Chiquito out for ice cream and making that stop the dairy bar from our university.  It's totes dessert.

The week is so busy and I am likely taking a day off to see my parents on Friday both for Mother's Day and to check on my dad.    Here's a mother/daughter photo:

We went GS camping this weekend too! One overnight with a bunch of 1st graders. And literally all of their moms. (The moms were more trouble than the kids lol.) We had permanent platform tents that slept 4, so 2 girls and their moms to each tent, plus environmental toilets and a kitchen shelter. In my mind, glamping.

At 5:30 an EXTREMELY LOUD BIRD woke up just about everyone. One of the moms woke up in her tent and her tentmate told me later that she said, "Is Flan blowing some kind of whistle?!?!!?" She was ready to kill me haha (I was the suspect because I am the troop leader and was the camping instigator)

levioosa

All of the sticky vibes! @charlotte989875 and @STARMOON44

Weekend was decently busy. On Saturday I got my nails done, did an easy walk that was probably a little too long but I was going stir crazy not working out as usual, and then we went over for dinner to SIL A’s house. Yesterday we went to lunch with H’s parents and then came home and put up new numbers on the house. It looks a lot better than the old ones. 

Otherwise not too much happening here. I feel very tired for some reason and I don’t really feel like it’s proportional to my activities. 

banana468

flantastic said:

banana468 said:

Weekend was good!

I camped in a tent for the first time!  Friday was a frenzy of getting work done and by 5 we were out the door.  Chiquita got to set up her new tent and I slept with the moms in a different tent.  Friday night it rained for an hour and then dried but it was chilly. At 2 AM i needed another blanket so when I got up to pee I grabbed my keys, accidently set off the panic button and well...hooray I got my blanket and woke up the camp site!

We hiked, spent all the time outside and Chiquita was great.   I didn't get a ton of sleep but managed to get home yesterday at 9, head to mass and stay awake until 10.  Chiquita had a nap and got ready for her soccer game yesterday afternoon and I made dinner while DH and Chiquito were off at a Cub Scout thing.  DH got major points for both taking Chiquito out for ice cream and making that stop the dairy bar from our university.  It's totes dessert.

The week is so busy and I am likely taking a day off to see my parents on Friday both for Mother's Day and to check on my dad.    Here's a mother/daughter photo:

We went GS camping this weekend too! One overnight with a bunch of 1st graders. And literally all of their moms. (The moms were more trouble than the kids lol.) We had permanent platform tents that slept 4, so 2 girls and their moms to each tent, plus environmental toilets and a kitchen shelter. In my mind, glamping.

At 5:30 an EXTREMELY LOUD BIRD woke up just about everyone. One of the moms woke up in her tent and her tentmate told me later that she said, "Is Flan blowing some kind of whistle?!?!!?" She was ready to kill me haha (I was the suspect because I am the troop leader and was the camping instigator)

At Chiquita's age you don't need a parent for each child.  I'm not sure if that's the GS rule at younger ages like it is for Cub Scouts.  When we did a trip in February there were more moms and they definitely ran into issues.  The leader vented after the event that there were some moms that were over-ruling her on the trip and it didn't go well.  The troop leader was in charge and when you tell your kid that they don't need to listen to the leader it's not going to go well!   I also felt bad in that trip because I think there were people who were not financially OK but they were flat out under-dressed.  It was 15 degrees when we got to camp and had to do all meal prep and eating outside.  Some people were in thin leggings and converse with exposed ankles so of course they couldn't be outside but...they also received a list of gear that was recommended and they flat out packed poorly.  The issue is that at Chiquita's age there are lists of chores that they're supposed to do.  So if you aren't in the correct gear then you can't help the group.  

short+sassy

@charlotte989875, congrats!  That's really exciting news!  Lots of sticky vibes for you.

@STARMOON44, I'm glad you had a good time on your trip.  It didn't occur to me you would be there for the Coronation until your post.  Good luck on Wednesday, all the fingers crossed for you!

CharmedPam

short+sassy said:

@VarunaTT, at least you have some 3-day weekends coming up.  But it is unfortunately to ruin a perfectly good PTO/sick day with having a medical procedure!

@banana468, I'm glad the Girl Scouts camping trip was fun.  Other than the unexpected loud noise at 2am!

It was a good weekend, though pouring rain for most of Saturday.  I WFH on Friday and relaxed the rest of the time.  Jazz Fest is now over and I have my neighborhood back, lol.

Vent:

The dreaded letter came in the mail.  The property insurance renewal for my personal home.  Let's review the premium history to fully understand why I'm taking the drastic step of moving, even though I'm (probably) leaving my job and the rental business I've built here.  For reference, it's insured for $285K replacement cost on the structure and is about 2000 sq ft (total) -- 

2011 when I bought my house -- $2800

small increases over the next 9 years, including 2020.

2020 -- $3300
2021 -- $3600 - 10% increase
2022 -- $4400 - another 20% increase
2023 -- $7300 - 60% increase, more than double what it was 4 years ago

I was mad enough the premium had jumped over 20% last year.  At the time, no one was selling new policies, except for "last resort" Louisiana Citizens.

However, some insurance companies have come back to the market over the last couple months.  I made a call this morning to an insurance broker my RE agent recommended.  I know I'm selling this house and moving away anyway, but that's probably not for another 4-6 months.  If I can save even $100/month, it's worth it to switch.

I’m sorry, couldn’t finish reading because I needed some smelling salts after fainting. 

short+sassy

@CharmedPam, I wish I'd had smelling salts, lol.  Though I was expecting something like this from stories I've heard from others.  And my own rental properties that had rates go up last year, they are currently more in the $2800-$3500/year range with Citizens.  But that's going up 68% on their next renewals.  Citizens has a government aspect to it, and that's the rate increase that was approved late last year by the Louisiana Insurance Commission.

I also made an error on my current number that I realized when I got my paperwork info ready for my RE agent's insurance broker.  It's even worse.  It's $7600/year, which is over a 70% increase from last year.

In comparison.  A bigger house with a pool...in Central FL, which still isn't great for insurance rates compared to most of the country...is $2400/year.  However even worse than NOLA is some of FL's coastal areas.  Like Key West and Miami.

Someone on the NOLA sub-Reddit threw out letting the insurance lapse if the property is mortgaged.  Your lender would force-pay a policy on you.  Normally, that's a terrible idea because it will almost always be more expensive.  But, nowadays and here, the bank might get a better deal than you can, lol!  I wouldn't do it.  But it's not such a crazy idea anymore. 

kerbohl

@charlotte989875 Sticky vibes to you, wonderful news!

@CharmedPam I am so insanely jealous of you going to a tulip festival.  The Dutch girl in me is now obsessed with tulips - I have legitimately been walking my dog the past week past houses that have nice tulips, saying out loud "oh, look at those nice tulips".  My neighbours must think I am insane every year.  And my tulips only started blooming yesterday, finally, but I noticed that there is a rabbit somewhere (not one of mine) snipped off the flowers.  If it comes for mine, I will be very angry!

Busy busy weekend - Kentucky Derby (of 5 of us we had 7 horses picked and the best we did was third!  We all suck), choir tour yesterday, and I had a nice visit with my friend.  Yesterday I work up with a nasty migraine but I had stuff to do so I suffered through it.  I got my chickens back as well - I did miss them.  Now we will see if the rats return.

ILoveBeachMusic

Sticky vibes @charlotte989875 and @STARMOON44! 

CharmedPam

Yes! I got swept up in the beauty, @kerbohl.  I even went to a Candian site to send Dutch bulbs to my sister/nieces.
They call it The Grand Perfection Tulip, but let’s be real.  It’s called “The O Canada Tulip”.

https://www.brecksbulbs.ca/product/grand-perfection-tulip

short+sassy

CharmedPam said:

Yes! I got swept up in the beauty, @kerbohl.  I even went to a Candian site to send Dutch bulbs to my sister/nieces.
They call it The Grand Perfection Tulip, but let’s be real.  It’s called “The O Canada Tulip”.

https://www.brecksbulbs.ca/product/grand-perfection-tulip

Very pretty!

I'm with you on the name change.  I assumed it was just going to be red and white.  But some of the red patterns do look vaguely like a maple leaf!

ei34

Omg, so glad I came and read this post!  sticky vibes @charlotte989875 and good luck @STARMOON44 and yay for all of the nice-sounding weekends

kerbohl

CharmedPam said:

Yes! I got swept up in the beauty, @kerbohl.  I even went to a Candian site to send Dutch bulbs to my sister/nieces.
They call it The Grand Perfection Tulip, but let’s be real.  It’s called “The O Canada Tulip”.

https://www.brecksbulbs.ca/product/grand-perfection-tulip

Oh, that is stunning!  I need some new tulips.  I have the Princess Irene tulip and some run of the mill yellow ones (tall and full, they are very nice).  I would like some Queen of the Night and some with variations in the petals.