Emmett's last day is June 16th, and school starts (usually) just before Labor Day. But they also get the extra "ski week" off in February.

By "extra" do you mean that they get two weeks off in February, or just a week off? Our kids start school (usually the Wednesday) after Labor Day, get a week off in February, a week off in April, and then if they miss snow days, they have to make them up. June 23 isn't all that late, up here. I remember going to the 28th or so, when I was a kid. In '78, the governor let the schools off the hook for some of the missed days, which was good, or we'd have been going into July.

a lot of lashing out when she's stressed

I'm deeply sorry for you dudes putting up with this today. Living with that noise and manipulation and blame and guilt-tripping and flying off the handle in bullshit-insane-with-anger-over-your-failings temper fits at will totally sucks. I know. I'm glad mine experience with that was all over long ago, but even remembering it is a burden to me.

The important thing to keep in mind is that a person like that knows they are not playing fair. It's dirty pool and it is damaging for all concerned. Therefore, I say it becomes allowable to consider the things one might do to defend one's own sanity and sense of worth.

This post brought to you by Too Much Information, but what the hell. I feel inspired by the display of sheer guts around here.

In Shallow Fashion news, I am bidding on these

Oooh! Gorgeous.

In catching up news:

Boo to the people who didn't give Nora a raise, but yay! for getting the job.

OMG Raq's thumb! That was painful to *read*.

More interview~ma for Aimee. I've found that the whole process takes so much longer than it should, and always longer than they promise.

Yay for vw's loan!

Boo to for more meetings for Sparky.

Really big boo to the mean clinic lady -- if I had the cash, I would hire JZ to write all my memos from now on.

Boo to P-C's work woes.

working late is a hard thing to judge. It really does tend to cause rage. In general, when Matt works late, it doesn't bother me. It is part of the nature of his job. But, I distrust it when it happens continuously. Not that he is doing anything, but that someone is over useing the word CRISIS or IMPORTANT or URGENT. I don't care if someone calls at 3am if he is on call, but if someone calls at 7pm when he isn't on call I snarl ( there are a few exceptions, but that's because that actually seem to really know what an emergency is. and hint, none of these people have the title boss) However, DH is not allowed to snarl. Because he left the work phone on . and answered the work phone. He is not allowed to bitch when he could have controled the situation. Now, DH did have a job where I did bitch about him working late, because he was never home. and it wasn't unusual for him to come home at midnight.

I think if he really liked working those hours, I'd deal. But he doesn't. and he makes it very clear that he doesn't .

Well as long as we are putting our noses in where they don't belong, I'll put mine in too.

Gud, since you said,

It really is one sided, and I tend to post about stuff when I just need to get something off my chest so it sounds worse than it really is. Maybe I'm just overreacting right now too

I'm going to assume that you are right, that what we are hearing *is* one sided and that there is a history behind her words and your reactions.

My advice? If what you want is to resolve the problems and repair the marriage, then she is the one to talk to. I'd even suggest not bringing up your anger here on the board, where we will automatically take your side regardless.

that I think fuel a lot of lashing out when she's stressed

we made this a semi -formal rule - that's not allowed in our house.

bad day means - matt plays guitar, or goes to pound on wood.

we both like to cook when stressed.

I do something domestic to create some order in my life, read or watch stupid tv.

and we are supposed to use words - I'm cranky, work was too crazy today, etc. so no one is walking into a landmine.

Why are people ringing my doorbell today?

Why are people ringing my doorbell today?

I love this. I'ma go home and use it when I'm cranky.

"How was your day, Aimee?"

"Why are people ringing my doorbell today?"

cricket cricket

"What's for dinner?"

we made this a semi -formal rule - that's not allowed in our house.

That's a good rule, beth.

Why are people ringing my doorbell today

that was suppose to be a seperate nonsequiter, but it works fo rme.

I often wonder what rules people have created for thier marriage. ours seem to be , please and thank you count and never use the D word as a joke, it should not be easy to say.

By "extra" do you mean that they get two weeks off in February, or just a week off?

Two weeks in December - One week in February - One week in April.

Gud, lashing out isn't okay behavior in my book. It really isn't. I mean, people lose their shit and get upset, but she's so punishing and mean about it. And it's over little things and it's unkind. Really, really unkind. She doesn't treat you with respect.

It's one thing to say things when you're upset, but it has to happen in the context of a trusting relationship. She's not somebody you would trust to have your back, or could go to and be vulnerable with.