Oh, did I mention that my mom rear-ended a school bus Friday? No one was hurt thank goodness, and the bus barely scuffed. It happened during a sneeze, but I suspect the bus driver also wasn't paying enough attention to see her and cut into her lane without waiting for a clear space, based on how he didn't want an accident report filed.

Upside is I will never, ever have to take seriously being told to be careful where I'm driving again.

Sneezing is hazardous to your health. Glad no one was hurt.

Burrell, I wish you any kind of magical wand that would help.

And thanks. Once again, b.org is helping to preserve what little sanity I have. I haven't wanted to post about it on FB, my kids are living it with me, and I've been hermitting more than usual from my meatspace friends. I think that is why I didn't pay attention to my pain levels Friday, I was so happy to spend time with friends and checking out all the cool stuff.

Ugh, Rebecca. I hear ya. My issues tend to be more calorie than money but yes. If it makes you feel any better my friend whose kid reminds me of you had her son try to break into the safe where she was keeping stuff (his phone, her credit cards) and he couldn't get in...but broke it enough that neither could she!

So now he can't get at his stuff at all? That's what in parenting we call natural consequences

I hope she has him earning the money to pay for a locksmith or whatever is needed to get into the safe and then fix/replace it.

Oof.

I remember years ago realizing how a friend and I were opposite in our stress reaction/comfort behaviors -- she would buy clothes and I would buy chips. I was only spending a dollar! But she wasn't gaining weight.

I am baking cookies. 1) the dough is already made. 2) it is opening space in the fridge, since I need to make food since no eating out. 3) SUGAR! 4) warmth 5) doing something, not just wallowing.

I guess it is helping. I have no perspective. I want to do a million things and yet I guess doing thing is better than just going to bed or ONLY sitting on the couch watching S4 of Gilmore Girls.

Aaaarrrrggggg. CJ just got back from his dad's. He hasn't spent much time there as his current job includes working long weekend hours. Anyway, I recently found out that he hasn't told his dad that he is not taking classes this semester and is actively working through the steps to enlist in the Army.

His original goal was to get his AA in fire science before the Army, but he has been struggling through school, was on his third year with at least 2 semesters worth of classes to go. He was spinning his wheels. We had talked about adjusting his plan and that there were lots of options on what to do next. As much as I don't want him going into the military and serving in war zones, he has always had a deep urge to serve and I respect that.

Well, long story short, he finally told his dad today. It did NOT go well. CJ rarely shows when he is upset but today he didn't hide how hurt he is. My ex was never good at handling "surprise" news, it always took him time, like days, to digest and come up with a response. I hope he comes back to CJ in a few days and at least respects his decision. Meanwhile, CJ just headed out the door to meet up with his best friend for some "man time".

So my outside lights stopped working a couple of weeks ago, and now I have no idea why, because after I took them down, I tested each part, and they all work! Hmph.

Sometimes these things just want some attention.

I'm spending today (and much of the next 6 weeks) with Ron and Nancy Reagan across the hall from my office.

Poor CJ, the father/son dynamic is so often fraught. I hope his dad steps up and adjusts quickly.

Tell Ron and Nancy they are looking much better these days. As much as I hated Reagan, he still looks better than Trump.