I think it’s Tuesday?

charlotte989875 · April 2020

All the days are really starting to run together. Didn’t sleep much last night and while I am SUPER happy the weather is slightly warmer (like low 50s let’s not get too crazy here Buffalo) my allergies are killing me. Which means the asthma is worse. I finally called my Dr office this morning and waiting to hear back. There’s probably not much to do differently but who knows.

Work is busy and my team is doing some really great stuff. I’m super proud of them for getting it all done with everything they have going on. Any ideas on how to thank/reward them? (I can’t give them more money or vacation days).

Casadena · April 2020

I'm stress eating chips already today. Work is crazy and my boss is driving me nuts. Baby has been difficult. H has been busy with work. I need a day off (from everything, i know it's not possible but that's where i am today).

I did make some awesome muffins and a meatloaf last night though and we're having soy-glazed pork chops tonight. So hopefully that, snacks, and coffee will pick me up a little.

@charlotte989875 are you able to do gift cards? So that they could order in lunch sometime (or wait til the pandemic is slowed if they choose not to use delivery right now)? Or maybe not a full vacation day, but if work load allow - tell them all to log off at noon on Friday and enjoy their afternoons?

MyNameIsNot · April 2020

SSDD here. It's nice out, so the neighbors are out doing yard stuff. The dog is losing her puppy mind barking at them, so phone calls are a struggle. I'm trying to clean up some work related stuff, and basically stepped in a bird's nest. It's infuriating to realize how much people messed up and then just buried so it wouldn't get noticed. So that's making me a cranky PITA.

I'm ready for the weekend. Or a vacation.

short+sassy · April 2020

@charlotte989875, with everyone having to stay at home, maybe gift cards to one of those delivery places like Door Dash or GrubHub? I forget the details, but GrubHub is having a special right now where with every $75 in gift cards, you get a $15 one free (something like that).

Other than the occasional heavy rain, our weather has been perfect and with temps in the 70s and low 80s. But then, that's springtime in the South for you, lol. If anything, it's about to start getting too hot.

In a surprising turn of events, the Louisiana governor did not enter the state into Phase I of reopening. Instead, he extended the Stay At Home order statewide until May 15th. His reasoning was there are still two regions, Baton Rouge and Monroe, that are still seeing increases in new cases and hospitalizations. But all the other regions are plateauing or decreasing in those categories, so at least that was good news. Apparently Louisiana has been doing the most testing, per capita. You can color me completely shocked on that one!* He did add a few tweaks...

--Malls can't reopen, but stores inside the mall can offer pickup service to their customers. I thought this was interesting. I haven't heard of anything like that, one way or the other.
--Restaurants can open their outdoor dining areas, as long as there is social distancing with the tables. However, the tables are only for customers picking up an order. The restaurants cannot have any servers/employees, serving the tables.
--For essential businesses that are open to the public, staff need to wear masks when helping customers.

*Shocked because we have some of the worst healthcare in the country. We're usually battling with Mississippi to take last place, lol. I saw a study once that ranked us 51st. 51st??? But, but...how is that possible? There are only 50 states. So I looked down the list to see what was going on. The list also included some US territories, lol.

Jen4948 · April 2020

Doctor's visit this morning. Now back to work.

I want to go back to sleep.

@charlotte989875, I second @Casadena's gift card idea. Or if you can't give them time off, maybe throw a Zoom party?

VarunaTT · April 2020

My allergies are flaring up something fierce. Every time I sneeze or cough everyone looks at me in horror. I can't really do much about it except keep taking Zyrtec and using my inhaler.

I bought more clothes. Lane Bryant put all of their new spring dresses on sale for $35 and that's just too good of a deal to say no to. And I bought some sandals online.

SSDD otherwise.

MissKittyDanger · April 2020

Haven't really been here much, mostly because it's a lot of SSDD

BabyKitten is getting her 2yr old molars, so it's messing with her sleep

M and I are in the process of prepping for staging to sell.
We need a contractor in to take a look at a few things ; CLEAN the basement {blegh} ; electrician to come and deal with a light switch that's fucked and check a few outlets ; paint bathroom and kitchen ceilings because previous owners DID NOT PAINT PROPERLY.

We've donated 9 bags and have 3 nearly prepped to go. I have a running tally because this will be my "I TOLD YOU WE HAVE TOO MUCH CRAP" proof. lol

I'm posting updates on my instagram stories, so feel free to follow

misskt is my handle

banana468 · April 2020

I picked up a jumpsuit and easy wrap dress on Amazon. I am hoping that even WFH those will be cute ways to spruce up the attire and usher in spring. I am tired of sweater weather and need some warmth!

Tonight we dig deeper into the Costco stash and make chicken parm.

CharmedPam · April 2020

@short+sassy, I’m confused, outdoor tables are open - but only for pickup? Do you sit down as you wait then? That’s what it’s open for?

ugh I called my tax dude. He wasn’t in the office. Again. Surprise surprise. I told his secretary I was going to have to pick up my tax files and go elsewhere then and I hope they’re open. Instead of fighting for my business she told me I could come at any time and pick them up through passing them through the door like they have been.

huge eye roll. How is this guy still in business? And its not a close drive to me either so they better be open till 7 like they were pre-corona

kerbohl · April 2020

I made polenta last night for the first time. I had all this cornmeal, and while I like making corn cakes, I wanted to get some fresh stuff eventually and thought I would make the recipe on the package. Hubby did not look very interested, but I let it go solid and for lunch we fried it up in squares and melted cheese on it. He seemed to like it a lot better.

Other than that, nothing new.

mrsconn23 · April 2020

Allergies are also starting to get to me. I keep claritin on my desk, but still only end up taking it every other day at best.

Our friends who found me a bottle of Eagle Rare in OK and shipped it to us, sent along a care package of local coffee (roasted on the 23rd), bath bombs (which DefConn absconded with immediately). and candle. Plus a sweet note.

I started the Barre Blend workout on the Beachbody app this week. My hip flexors hate me, but it's a good workout.

Today is gorgeous. Of course, on my day off tomorrow, it's going to be rainy and shitty.

Other than that, SSDD

short+sassy · April 2020

@VarunaTT, thanks for the Lane Bryant tip! I'll need to check that out.

So, good news and bad news. Long story short, I've been trying to take advantage of the different SBA loans out there for the last month+. I won't bore you all with the details, but it has been a complete s**t show with nowhere to go for help. I already missed out on what was probably the better one for my situation (EIDL) because I was waiting for an answer from the SBA on my question and then the money ran out.

They re-upped the money with the new stimulus package on Friday. But not for the EIDLs. Only for the Paycheck Protection Program loans. So now that is the only one I could apply for.

I've spent HOURS getting all my paperwork ready for it. Applied to two different banks...who each wanted something slightly different...so that was another two hours I spent just this morning for the second bank. As an aside, it's the same loan...I can't get two...but there's been such a rush for the money, it's been recommended to apply at multiple banks in the hopes that at least one of the applications will get to the SBA. Once they fund from one, they'll auto-reject the others.

The good news is, the application I submitted online this morning was already looked at by the lender and sent through. The guy even sent me an e-mail and invited me to call him with questions. I called him and he even answered the phone and patiently answered my questions.

But now the bad news. The reason I called him is because, in his e-mail, he said my rental income does not qualify for this loan. Only the income I was earning from my gig job. Hey! At least it's something and I'm going to pray I at least get that. But it's going to be about 80% less than what I was requesting.

--------------------------

Now I really, really need to vent! I am SO sick and SO tired of the BULLS**T that the government, some charitable organizations (trying), and apparently the SBA are heaping on rental owners. In the vast majority of the US, you can't evict anyone right now for anything. Fair enough. The court's are closed for safety. It sucks, but I can understand that.

But for some tenants/types of properties, you can't evict them until July or August for non-payment of rent. Do they need to prove any kind of hardship? Nope. They just need to say it. Even for the tax stimulus checks...which neither myself nor H have received yet...you had to prove you were below a certain income level to receive it. But running rough-shod over and violating the constitutional rights for rental owners is just fine and dandy, because that's THEIR financial loss and politicians don't care about that, as long as nothing more is coming out of their coffers.

We're being forced into an untenable position where we have to potentially SUPPORT other people's families while our own families are drowning. With no help from the government. No stimulus package for us. And, just for the cherry on top...we AREN'T EVEN ELIGIBLE FOR THESE SBA LOANS. GTFO.

FWIW, I've had financial losses due to COVID19. Not so much for unpaid rent...yet. But the sheer injustice of what can happen to me and what is happening to others, is one of my constant sources of worry.

Then my own sense of potential loss makes me sad for other businesses, not even related to mine. Mom/pop restaurants, salons/barbers, etc. Who I know have put the same blood, sweat, tears, time, and money that I have (or more), only to watch it all come crashing down through no fault of their own. Many of whom have heard crickets on their own SBA loan applications.

short+sassy · April 2020

CharmedPam said:

@short+sassy, I’m confused, outdoor tables are open - but only for pickup? Do you sit down as you wait then? That’s what it’s open for?

ugh I called my tax dude. He wasn’t in the office. Again. Surprise surprise. I told his secretary I was going to have to pick up my tax files and go elsewhere then and I hope they’re open. Instead of fighting for my business she told me I could come at any time and pick them up through passing them through the door like they have been.

huge eye roll. How is this guy still in business? And its not a close drive to me either so they better be open till 7 like they were pre-corona

People can pick up their food from the restaurant and then sit at the outdoor tables. Previously, unless the tables were outdoor fixtures, I don't think restaurants even could or did put their outdoor tables out.

CharmedPam · April 2020

short+sassy said:

CharmedPam said:

@short+sassy, I’m confused, outdoor tables are open - but only for pickup? Do you sit down as you wait then? That’s what it’s open for?

ugh I called my tax dude. He wasn’t in the office. Again. Surprise surprise. I told his secretary I was going to have to pick up my tax files and go elsewhere then and I hope they’re open. Instead of fighting for my business she told me I could come at any time and pick them up through passing them through the door like they have been.

huge eye roll. How is this guy still in business? And its not a close drive to me either so they better be open till 7 like they were pre-corona

People can pick up their food from the restaurant and then sit at the outdoor tables. Previously, unless the tables were outdoor fixtures, I don't think restaurants even could or did put their outdoor tables out.

Oh ok! That’s kinda nice!

levioosa · April 2020

This week is the worst. We’re laying off 50% of staff on Friday. I probably won’t make it past next week, maybe the week after that if I’m lucky. At this point all we can do is laugh. My manager and I will make a plan and then follow it up with, “if we’re still here anyways.”

drunkenwitch · April 2020

Just got off a cal with Super Amazing Boss Lady. She worked her ass off doing research, filling out applications and consuming every webinar and piece of advice available so our company just got the loans and funding needed to to get through this.

I get to keep my job.

Image: https://media.giphy.com/media/LSNqpYqGRqwrS/giphy.gif

It's also my 9th anniversary with the company, boss lady sent me some booze (she knows me so well). I really did not want to lose this job. The pay is excellent, the (normal) commute is a dream and I get 4 weeks PTO (vacation and sick leave are combined) a year. Foof, that was a ride.

ETA, 9 years, not 10 years.

ei34 · April 2020

That's really frustrating @short+sassy
Yikes good luck with those molars @MissKittyDanger
An extra IEP meeting with a family that was a one-time thing + my son's virtual OT session was re-scheduled to today made this a busier than usual Tuesday. Finished with live sessions, I'm going to save some write ups for later and get dinner started now. Taco Tuesday

drunkenwitch · April 2020

@short+sassy that sounds infuriating. I thought about people who would take advantage and screw over small time landlords when they suspended rent payments. A few people tried to get SO and I to join a rent strike but we refused. We LOVE our landlord and we will keep paying rent. I get rent relief is absolutely needed in a lot of cases, but that needs to be vetted because, well frankly, us two foots suck (4 foots rule).

kerbohl · April 2020

@short+sassy Vent away! It sucks that you have to deal with all this stress. And that people would take advantage of this and possibly just decide not to pay rent. That's not fair to the landlords, and the fact that the landlords can't get help is crazy!

charlotte989875 · April 2020

Thanks @Casadena, @short+sassy and @Jen4948. We can do gift cards but they have to be nominal in amount (less than $10). I definitely could do that but does it see “cheap”. I have 4 people who report to me.

kerbohl · April 2020

The replacement paddle for my bread maker just came in the mail! I've been waiting since mid-March. Now I don't have to worry about running out of bread! Of course, now is when the paddle that went missing will show up ...

MissKittyDanger · April 2020

@ei34 Teether and motrin are our bff's! She's never been a drooler, but is with these? Idk. So far it hasn't changed her eating and no drool rash!

@drunkenwitch WHOOO!!!!

short+sassy · April 2020

charlotte989875 said:

Thanks @Casadena, @short+sassy and @Jen4948. We can do gift cards but they have to be nominal in amount (less than $10). I definitely could do that but does it see “cheap”. I have 4 people who report to me.

Would the gift have to be $10 or less or just if it is a gift card it does? Sending flowers or a food treat...choco-covered strawberries from a place like Shari's Berries...would be nice also. But, yikes, those places can be spendy.

I just had another idea. Is there a local bakery that does deliveries? Send each person a small cake or 4-pack of pastries/muffins/or cupcakes? Probably still more than $10, lol. But getting closer to more reasonable.

Are they coffee or tea drinkers? Buy bags of a good quality coffee and/or nicer teas and then mail or "porch drop off" each person their favorite beverage with a thank-you letter.

drunkenwitch · April 2020

MissKittyDanger said:

Haven't really been here much, mostly because it's a lot of SSDD

BabyKitten is getting her 2yr old molars, so it's messing with her sleep

M and I are in the process of prepping for staging to sell.
We need a contractor in to take a look at a few things ; CLEAN the basement {blegh} ; electrician to come and deal with a light switch that's fucked and check a few outlets ; paint bathroom and kitchen ceilings because previous owners DID NOT PAINT PROPERLY.

We've donated 9 bags and have 3 nearly prepped to go. I have a running tally because this will be my "I TOLD YOU WE HAVE TOO MUCH CRAP" proof. lol

I'm posting updates on my instagram stories, so feel free to follow misskt is my handle

@MissKittyDanger LOL, when I read that my honest first thought "Huh? Cats don't get molars in...Oh! Right! Babies do!"

Also, I have had that "I told you so, look at all this crap" moment, it's really satisfying.

MissKittyDanger · April 2020

@drunkenwitch LMFAOOOOOO

missJeanLouise · April 2020

I am seriously stressed. My son's nanny is in a horrible financial situation. Long story short, they were barely surviving before her husband lost his job due to covid. We do what we can for them but it is just never enough to get them caught up. Now her 12 y/o son is being forced to drop out of school because they can't pay his school fees. My heart wants to pay them for her but it is also last year's late school fees. It is Thousands of dollars. I am just finding out about it now, tomorrow is the last day to pay and then he loses his seat at the school. My heart is just broken for this smart boy who, through no fault of his own, is going to drop out of school at the age of 12. I just don't know what to do, or how to bring it up to DH.

Eta: I will pay it with the money I have saved up from when I was working.

ei34 · April 2020

Congrats @drunkenwitch !
Yikes that's awful @missJeanLouise What do you mean by he'll drop out of school at 12? There aren't public (free) schools that he could transfer to? Although that's really disgusting behavior on the school's part to kick him out during the pandemic. At least let him finish this academic year! All of the private schools (religious and secular) here have waived tuition for the rest of this year while educating students virtually. That said, although it's very generous, I don't think I'd dip into my own savings to assist.

missJeanLouise · April 2020

@ei34 unfortunately there aren't free public schools here, at least not for expats. The schools are really suffering, they still have to pay all of the teachers and other staff. They have discounted some but they need income in order to pay the staff.

VarunaTT · April 2020

@missJeanLouise , that's so generous of you! Thank you for helping.

Does the school have any sort of financial aid/scholarships the child could access/get? That might help with moving forward?

ETA: Fixed to tag the right person. Sorry, haven't had coffee yet.

ei34 · April 2020

@missJeanLouise oh wow that's horrible. I didn't realize. (I feel like Americans make Canada sound like this great place to live but school you have to pay for is tough.) I didn't realize schools didn't have reserve funds to pay their faculties...it shouldn't be on the students. Just messed up all around, I'm sorry that your nanny's son is getting the brunt of that!

MissKittyDanger · April 2020

Canadian schools you still have pay for but - like our health care - it's dealt with in taxes.
Except for Catholic schools. They have a separate taxed portion, but it's only for those with kids in that school.

There is private schools, but I think 2 in entire city?

I think it’s Tuesday?

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