Erika, been there heard that before, as well as the fake happy condescending tone from strangers way too often.

Definitely sounds like something to unpack in therapy sj but glad you got compliments!! In addition to the fun of horrifying your family.

I am on a plane and somehow using wifi on the plane still feels bizarre. Like aren’t I supposed to be totally cut off from everything for as long as we are in the air, and the excitement of turning my phone back on?

I …don’t really budget like I should. I used to use mint and really liked seeing everything in one place and I’m bummed I can’t do that easily anymore? I added up some numbers in my head the other day and did not like the total. I’m lucky in that my mortgage is relatively low (and I refinanced at the right time!) and not buying a car for 20 years helped too. But paying out of pocket for a GLP1 is both worth it and hella expensive even at the cheaper vial rate!

I'm sure, sj. In the moment it makes sense to behave as if I'm flattered, but it's hard not to go home like "What did I just do?" When I would have learned to budget it was more like "Not enough is not enough," though I did spend way too much of my "wild and precious life," waiting for an errant twenty to show up on my bank statement, both because I thought I would find it and be Mature Enough(for what? Who knows?) and because I needed goals that social workers, in my experience some of the most literal people the United States has yet to produce, would understand. (Because, I guess I'd find all those twenties and not need government support anymore?) When I left licensed housing, I stopped trying to balance, but I bet I'd still be $20 short.

cereal: it would be funny to me that people think social workers could be visionaries for our legal system, if the stakes weren't so high for all of us. (I haven't met every single one, surely. some are probably quite gifted. I mostly meet the other ones, though. ) That think a "pretty *penty* is a thing. She's probably a bit deaf; I shouldn't make fun, but I'm just saying...not quite the thin, pink, line.

Timelies all!

Gary and I went to a concert Wed. night at Wolf Trap. It was a triple bill: Barenaked Ladies with Sugar Ray and Fastball. Serious late '90s vibe. It was hot and humid, punctuated by a nasty thunderstorm.(Outdoor venue, though we were in the pavilion so we only got some stray raindrops when the wind blew.) It was fun.

Oh fun! We’re seeing BNL next week in Toronto.

I definitely struggle with over spending both food and money. I worked really hard for several years to pay down my credit cards, which was slow and painful but 100% worth it. Now I have them set to pay in full every month, even pulling money from savings if I have to. I paid off my car too, so I don’t have that hitting every month, which helps.

But I’m way too prone to just indulging and spending without much thought. Costco, Target (except not anymore), restaurants, flight upgrades, etc.

Sending out joyous birthday wishes into the Buffista ether to esse (SA). May you feel the love and know that you are missed. We hope this is a wonderful day, followed by a year of delights.

Why do college-bound kids need so much stuffffffffff :( :( :(

We are limiting our dorm shopping to essentials only and it's still. just. so. much. stuff.

Almost as mind boggling as the notion that you have a college bound kid!

Why do college-bound kids need so much stuffffffffff :( :( :(

Matilda has been shopping shopping shopping to make her dorm room perfect.

We have the great advantage though of being able to throw all of it in the back of the car and being at the front of her dorm room in less than five minutes.