I have not found coffee concentrate to be very practical for occasional coffee drinking. It's only meant to stay in the fridge for so long, and freezing it means deciding whether you freeze however much you have left all together and then have to thaw the whole thing out, or freeze individual servings, or what. Great for frequent coffee drinking, though, especially iced coffee.

Turkish coffee is kind of a fun one cup at a time alternative if you are into that sort of thing. You do have to pay attention to it, but it doesn't take very long.

If I'd been even power adjacent, I'd've steered things. I'm terrible like that. But I was seriously outranked and this was mission ordered, so. I could make suggestions, but even walking out to visit the restroom was drama and got a raised eyebrow from the mission rep. I got an apology from her, though it was a situation I don't know I'd have been so blunt with a male boss. And who the fucks business is it if you walk out for a few minutes?

(I'm pretty sure waving a tampon in the face of a boss doesn't always work. And wtf, we totally worked around your pumping schedule, lady, do I really have to go there?)

Holy shit, lightning. Not expecting that at all.

Walked out on the deck and had this shit scared out of me by a bolt lightening and thunder simultaneously. Really close and unexpected. So loud I expect it hit something.

Feh, Consuela. Feh on them.

In the M. news, he still hasn't been told about not going on the trip, and it's supposed to happen on Friday. I am very frustrated by this situation. To say the least.

We have an aeropress that we love, but we dream about espresso fairly often.

My sister got a super fancy espresso machine and it is so fun when I visit her. But my problem tends to be lack of milk, is why I go buy coffee instead. So I keep telling myself fancy espresso won't help that.

Strix - that is crazymaking. E needs a clue by four.

Gotta give "kudos" to the mom, here, Strix. Skillfully executed mindfuck in that you can't really win in it.(sarcastic slow-clap) If Dad backs off too fast, he's an indifferent shit. If he doesn't he's controlling If you intervene, you're not Jewish, plus Dad is hiding behind you. I will say, though, that her son is smart and getting to an age where he will begin to understand his mother's behavior on a different level(ie she will no longer be able to blame you for the conflicts in their relationship) so she better not count on that too many more times. That is the kind of thing that can become toxic.

And both of you are winners in your analysis.

Plus, D was the victim for 5 years in a classic emotionally abusive relationship. He's made massive steps forward in being more confrontational with her, but it's still hard for him. I GET it -- I was TRAINED for this -- but it's frustrating on a personal level.

If he's not told by tomorrow night (she didn't make it home tonight; job with long commute, stays in another state a few days a week, wants to tell him in person -- I think she should have told him ASAP, F2F or no), I will call and make my feelings known to her. And damn the fallout.

Someone has to stand up for M, and up to her, and if it's me, well, my shoulders are strong.

Is there a point where the kid gets to go on his camping trip after all? If Mom tells him the night before he leaves, shouldn't there be a Too Late To Stop This penalty?

A lack of consistent milk and taking Sudafed led to my tea habit. Mostly the milk part because I'll live through jitters. But I don't drink my coffee black.

(I'm pretty sure waving a tampon in the face of a boss doesn't always work. And wtf, we totally worked around your pumping schedule, lady, do I really have to go there?

If you worked around her breast milk, she can freaking understand tampon timing. Sheesh.

That's boggling, Strix. I can't even think what to say. Don't fuck over the kids, how hard is that?