There was a time in my life when I would have poured the boiling water over it anyway, and made myself at least try it. This is how gronkified I am this morning: after opening the packets of instant oatmeal into a bowl, I got out a mug, opened a packet of hot cocoa, and proceeded to open into the bowl, on top of the oatmeal.

I dunno, Andi, chocolate oatmeal might be an improvement over the regular version.

Zenkitty, is there a decent temp agency in your niece's area? If there is, that could be a good possible safety net.

I'm sure there is, and that's a good idea, but I doubt she'd go to one, and I doubt anyone would hire her if she did. She has a good work ethic, but a crappy attitude - which is why I've no trouble believing her current employers want her to quit. Also why she needs to find a job she likes, stat. Kim's no good at just dealing with it and getting along - if she can't do it with her whole heart, she can't do it at all.

DJ, what's going on with the trip?

Our visas still haven't shown up (along with our passports we had to send them to get the visa) we have a number, but it just says "in processing." I also haven't gotten my renewed DL from the DMV. I'm pretty much having a nervous breakdown over the whole thing (In addition to the OMGWTF India feelings) I got no sleep last night because of anxiety and nightmares. Jon talked me down a bit yesterday, but I know when I get home today, if there are no documents, I'm going to have a massive flip-out.

Because it does not belong in my angst ridden post above.

Happy belated birthday to DCJ, and happy belated anniversary to the Reasons!

Also happy 44th anniversary to the Saints!

I actually think it would be very helpful for everyone involved if a town strongly suggested a time frame for trick or treating. While I generally like giving out candy to little kids in costumes, I don't like to be continually "on-call" for 4 or 5 hours with smatterings of kids.

Most communities do have something like this, but it's organized by local parents' groups, not law enforcement.

In terms of qualifying for unemployment, this may vary by state, but there's an important distinction between being fired with cause (i.e., stealing stuff) and being laid off (i.e., reorg, downsizing, "just not working out" etc). You only qualify for unemployment if you're laid off.

A bit of catching up:

Belated Happy Anniversary, Jilli and Pete!

Steph, that attitude (even if not exactly those words) was pretty much standard issue in the Lutheranism (Missouri Synod, one of the more conservative branches) that I grew up in.

We didn't have many trick-or-treaters last night. Probably because our front porch light isn't working. Which reminds me, I have to call an electrician.

Zenkitty, is there a decent temp agency in your niece's area? If there is, that could be a good possible safety net. It would mean income, and some flexibility while looking for other work. The intermittend down time might not be a bad thing, either. Getting over that kind of protracted job trauma can take a while.

Of course it varies by location and industry, but right now in NYC temping is pretty dead. Most places seem happy enough to have the rest of their staff suck it up when someone is out sick rather than spend the money.

If it matters, she works for the University of Virginia, a public school (which is an awesome school and should not be judged by the actions of this particular group of unpleasant humans.

I was going to say, that's a large institution and hasn't she looked into transferring internally but it sounds like she's not motivated to find a job. How frustrating.

Happy Anniversary Jilli & Pete! Happy Birthday Daniel!

I'm quiet on the board due to ridiculous October events, but reading and nodding along. We decided, due to above mentioned ridiculous October, that the best thing to do this weekend was to leave town, and head for the ocean. There was a Halloween festival, which was perfect for getting our minds off of things. We made it back in time for TorT with our neighbors. HKFan wore a ballerina outfit [link] that was mine sometime in the 19mumbles and wings that were in her dress-up box, and had a really great time. I saw a sign for a 5k run during the festival, thought 'hey, maybe I could do that," and then 'to hell with it, I'm totally going to try.' My legs are aching this morning, but I ran the whole way and am a little chuffed. Also, we have Too Much Candy now due to all the TorT-ing that went on, but we're all much more relaxed due to getting away. Now all I need is for November to be much better than October, and one more item to turn out a-ok, and then I'll be very relieved.

Shir - a belated way to go on the site. {{Cashmere}} on DH's job situation.

Hubby told me an amusing story from his last hospital stay. He likes to play with puns and such, and he was toddling around the floor they way they like patients to do. One of the nurses asked how he was doing, and he made some convoluted reply and continued on. Halfway around the floor, another nurse runs up to him. "Sir, we need to get you checked out." "Czeched? But I'm Norwegian." "Sir, come over here and sit down." "What do you need to check me for?" "We're afraid you're showing some signs of impairment, it may not be too bad, just let us--"

And he realizes they think he's had a stroke and are taking his wordplay as a sign that his brain is going. He finally convinced them that his mind was fine, he just likes playing word games. I've told him he'll get in trouble for this one day. I guess a cardiac care ward is not the place to not be fully coherent.