working out for Disney

[Sans Souci]

Yes! I find it difficult to clean my house. For the longest time, my husband was working from home and the kids did remote learning, so I couldn't clean during the day while everyone was at home on the computer having teams meetings. But I work in the evening, so I wasn't home to do the cleaning, and so nothing got done with any regularity. I did clean it up back in May quite a bit and got rid of some toys that were taking up a lot of space. But now my husband is building his own computer and we have a small house....there's actually no room for this gaming computer, so he put it on the kitchen table. And there is plastic all over the place and cardboard boxes and everything from all the computer parts. And it's still WAY too hot to do anything today. Still in the 90s, inside and out, so I'm not cleaning today. And I have to work tonight, and I also have no AC at work, so I'm definitely not working at home first and then going to work. I need a week of cooler temps so I can get things back in order in the house!

I don't blame you for not cleaning in 90* weather without A/C.

I really have no excuse other than feeling like I was on a cleaning treadmill. I don't expect my cleaning efforts to last forever, but I expect people in this house to clean up after cooking their breakfast, throw empty receptacles into the trash or recycling bin (not leave them on the counters). It's just little things like that. I was hoping me easing back on cleaning up after them would send the message, because nobody was listening to my vocal messages. It just got out of control and I am not happy about it.It just backfired on me, because I have even more to clean.

 

[Songbird76]

My husband wants me to give her a piece of my mind, but I really think that's going to do more harm than good. It will likely agitate the dogs, it won't look good if there are possible adopters around us, I'm sure it would make more of the tenured volunteers lash out at us, and it's not a good example for Kendall. Payment or not, it's still a job and there are more professional ways of handling things. If ignoring her doesn't do the trick, I can always reach out to the volunteer coordinator and copy the onsite behaviorist. since I know they support following the color coding system. If I do say anything, I'm going to have to take the difficult coworker approach and try to find the right words.

I'm really not sure what to make of any of of it. Maybe we were walking dogs she wanted to walk? Maybe she doesn't like witnesses to her dog handling skills, or lack of them. I know she's been volunteering for quite a long time and volunteers at multiple shelters, so I know this could be pretty bad for us if it gets ugly. I just want to get through it and then put it in the rear view mirror.

But this isn't your first run-in with her, right? So if this is her standard behavior, you can't be the only ones who have dealt with it. If you were to talk to the coordinator about it, they may have had multiple complaints about her. She thinks she's allowed to boss people around because people listen. That doesn't mean she's right and it doesn't mean that she actually has that power. I'm not one for confrontation, so I wouldn't give her a piece of my mind, but maybe just casually mention next time, like "Oh, hey, just for confirmation, we should be getting dogs from this pen, right? Last time so-and-so told us we were in the wrong place, so I wanted to double check the protocol." That lets them know that you aren't wanting to cause problems, but also that she's pretending to be in charge. If there have been other issues with her, they can talk to her and if she comes in and says something, you can honestly say that no, you are in the right place, you double-checked.

 

[Sans Souci]

Good morning.

I missed working out with kettlebells, so I did a workout with them today! It felt great, too.

Today is my MIL's partner's funeral. She sent us a link so we can view it from home. My husband offered to fly over for it, but she said it wasn't necessary, since she is flying in next week to visit us.

My husband booked a Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island tour for Sunday. One of the ferry landings for the tour is by his apartment, so we were going to walk over. He noticed last night the tickets had a Battery Park departure, even though he selected Liberty State Park. He was hoping to get that changed today. He said if he can't, we're not going. OK, then.

 

[Songbird76]

I don't blame you for not cleaning in 90* weather without A/C.

I really have no excuse other than feeling like I was on a cleaning treadmill. I don't expect my cleaning efforts to last forever, but I expect people in this house to clean up after cooking their breakfast, throw empty receptacles into the trash or recycling bin (not leave them on the counters). It's just little things like that. I was hoping me easing back on cleaning up after them would send the message, because nobody was listening to my vocal messages. It just got out of control and I am not happy about it.It just backfired on me, because I have even more to clean.

Yes!! I'm constantly having to pick up dishes and trash from other people that they left around the house. My husband will bring a snack up to the bedroom and just leave the plate, glass, wrapper sitting there on the floor or on his nightstand. I do not clean up his trash. That's his job. A isn't allowed to eat in his room because he doesn't clean up after himself. E's usually pretty good about it, and she'll even come in and ask if I have anything that needs to go downstairs when she's heading down, but the boys are terrible. A's job is the dishes, but if it's not on the kitchen counter, he won't put it in the dishwasher, and he leaves wrappers all over the place. So I have to go through several times a day and take glasses and trash to the kitchen. Is it really so hard to pick up your glass and walk 20 steps to the kitchen to put it on the counter when you're done? Heck, just put it right into the dishwasher while you're there....you have to set it down somewhere, might was well be the dishwasher.

I tried once to see how long it would take for someone else to empty the recycling bin. After 2 months, I gave up and just did it myself. I didn't use it in those 2 months, I took all my plastic directly to the bin outside. Everyone else just stacked wrappers and bottles and things on the counter by the door because the bin was full. So I still had to take everyone else's trash out, AND empty the bin that I hadn't used.

 

[Songbird76]

Good morning.

I missed working out with kettlebells, so I did a workout with them today! It felt great, too.

Today is my MIL's partner's funeral. She sent us a link so we can view it from home. My husband offered to fly over for it, but she said it wasn't necessary, since she is flying in next week to visit us.

My husband booked a Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island tour for Sunday. One of the ferry landings for the tour is by his apartment, so we were going to walk over. He noticed last night the tickets had a Battery Park departure, even though he selected Liberty State Park. He was hoping to get that changed today. He said if he can't, we're not going. OK, then.

Are they really far apart? Why would it change it?

 

[HouCuseChickie]

My husband booked a Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island tour for Sunday. One of the ferry landings for the tour is by his apartment, so we were going to walk over. He noticed last night the tickets had a Battery Park departure, even though he selected Liberty State Park. He was hoping to get that changed today. He said if he can't, we're not going. OK, then.

Are they really far apart? Why would it change it?

Ugh...that's a big inconvenience if you have to go to Battery Park. Liberty State Park is close and has lots of parking if you're driving. Shift it to Battery and you're dealing with the city and probably want to consider public transportation and a lot more to and from time. It's also a shorter boat ride for both on the NJ side...since technically both islands are in NJ. I know it's NY, but it's always fun showing people how these islands sit inside the NJ borders in the harbor. Battery also gets a larger more touristy crowd which can attract more pick pockets and panhandlers. I'm hoping he's able to get it shifted to Liberty. There's usually higher demand for Battery, so they may be willing to change it to free up spots on the Manhattan side.

Not sure when, but one of these days I'm going to get the kids up there. We went to the Statue quite a bit when I was growing up and I always loved spotting her when we drove north of my town. I didn't get to Ellis Island until I was in my 20s, but if I'm remember correctly, it wasn't open to the public when I was growing up. It's a really interesting place and put a lot of my family's history and some mock Ellis Island experiences from Sunday school into perspective.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

Good morning!

Yesterday was a bit of an unconventional workout. Sam's school had orientation night (even though they went back a few weeks ago). Everyone wanted to see the new school, us included, so we spent an hour scoping things out. It was mainly walking, but it's a 3-story building and her grade's classrooms are primarily third floor. So, there was some up and down on the stairs last night. I guess that was my cardio, even if the stairs were the only more intense part. The strength training came later when Sam came down to inform us that her bed broke. I got quite a workout assembling that thing a couple of years ago. I performed surgery on it about a year ago when one of the side supports fell apart, but this was total destruction. It's a platform bed and this time, half of the platform completely ripped out of the side supports of the bed. With all of the anchors busted, we declared it a lost cause. So, I spent an hour+ crawling, squatting and contorting to undo all of the bolts, periodically having to lift the frame and eventually using feats of strength to snap it so that it would be easier to drag to the curb. I was able to salvage the headboard and the footboard in hopes that I can bolt it on to the new metal platform that's arriving tomorrow. My gut says I'm going to need to track down different bolts.

Praying all goes well with Sam on Tuesday, because we'd like to get into a normal gym schedule. Until then, K and I may go one day this weekend and then shelter the other day...not to mention new bed frame wrestling.

 

[Songbird76]

Good morning!

Yesterday was a bit of an unconventional workout. Sam's school had orientation night (even though they went back a few weeks ago). Everyone wanted to see the new school, us included, so we spent an hour scoping things out. It was mainly walking, but it's a 3-story building and her grade's classrooms are primarily third floor. So, there was some up and down on the stairs last night. I guess that was my cardio, even if the stairs were the only more intense part. The strength training came later when Sam came down to inform us that her bed broke. I got quite a workout assembling that thing a couple of years ago. I performed surgery on it about a year ago when one of the side supports fell apart, but this was total destruction. It's a platform bed and this time, half of the platform completely ripped out of the side supports of the bed. With all of the anchors busted, we declared it a lost cause. So, I spent an hour+ crawling, squatting and contorting to undo all of the bolts, periodically having to lift the frame and eventually using feats of strength to snap it so that it would be easier to drag to the curb. I was able to salvage the headboard and the footboard in hopes that I can bolt it on to the new metal platform that's arriving tomorrow. My gut says I'm going to need to track down different bolts.

Praying all goes well with Sam on Tuesday, because we'd like to get into a normal gym schedule. Until then, K and I may go one day this weekend and then shelter the other day...not to mention new bed frame wrestling.

Sounds like you've got a busy weekend ahead of you!! I'm sorry about the bed...wow, you'd think it would last longer than a couple of years!

What grades are the girls in now? Is Sam in a different school because she's younger? Will she eventually follow her sister to her high school?

 

[Sans Souci]

Are they really far apart? Why would it change it?

One is in NJ and a 20 minute walk from my husband's apartment and the other is in Manhattan. It's just more convenient to go out of NJ. Manhattan would involve probably an hour on public transit and since it's Sunday, there might be reduced service.

But he got it fixed, so that's great!

 

[Sans Souci]

Ugh...that's a big inconvenience if you have to go to Battery Park. Liberty State Park is close and has lots of parking if you're driving. Shift it to Battery and you're dealing with the city and probably want to consider public transportation and a lot more to and from time. It's also a shorter boat ride for both on the NJ side...since technically both islands are in NJ. I know it's NY, but it's always fun showing people how these islands sit inside the NJ borders in the harbor. Battery also gets a larger more touristy crowd which can attract more pick pockets and panhandlers. I'm hoping he's able to get it shifted to Liberty. There's usually higher demand for Battery, so they may be willing to change it to free up spots on the Manhattan side.

Not sure when, but one of these days I'm going to get the kids up there. We went to the Statue quite a bit when I was growing up and I always loved spotting her when we drove north of my town. I didn't get to Ellis Island until I was in my 20s, but if I'm remember correctly, it wasn't open to the public when I was growing up. It's a really interesting place and put a lot of my family's history and some mock Ellis Island experiences from Sunday school into perspective.

I've never been. I was always put off since it seems like it might be claustrophobic-feeling. The crown is not open right now, but we are going into the pedestal, which is 10 stories and it's on foot. I am not concerned about the walking, but I am worried about feeling like I am in tight quarters with poor ventilation. I am hoping that is not the case. I walk past it when I go for a walk when I go up to my husband's place and she is a lot smaller than I had envisioned. lol

I am more looking forward to the Ellis Island portion. That seems more interesting with all of the stories of the people who were processed through there. My husband read something in his National Parks book that over 40% of Americans can trace themselves back to someone who went through Ellis Island.

 

[Sans Souci]

Good morning.

I did a 30 min. full body strength training YouTube video this AM. I am going for a walk later, too.

The funeral was very uplifting and ended on a high note. It was also the shortest funeral I've ever seen at 20 min.

My brother called last night. He urged me to see my grandmother ASAP, since she is no longer eating and can't move very well. Any sort of touch causes a lot of pain, too. I am likely flying out Thursday and coming back the same night. My MIL arrives on Friday, so I am just playing it all by ear. My son wants to go, too, since he hasn't seen her since 2019. Thursday is the earliest, most 'affordable' option for us right now. I've gently suggested that maybe my MIL should push her trip out, but he shut it down because she said she had really been looking forward to this trip. I don't blame her, but there might be a funeral while she is here. I don't know what kind of hostess I will be if I am grieving. I don't know. I'll just see what happens, everything is so fluid right now. I'm just doing stuff to keep myself busy. I understand my MIL doesn't want to cancel, but it's adding another layer of stress for me right now.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I've never been. I was always put off since it seems like it might be claustrophobic-feeling. The crown is not open right now, but we are going into the pedestal, which is 10 stories and it's on foot. I am not concerned about the walking, but I am worried about feeling like I am in tight quarters with poor ventilation. I am hoping that is not the case. I walk past it when I go for a walk when I go up to my husband's place and she is a lot smaller than I had envisioned. lol

I am more looking forward to the Ellis Island portion. That seems more interesting with all of the stories of the people who were processed through there. My husband read something in his National Parks book that over 40% of Americans can trace themselves back to someone who went through Ellis Island.

I would like to go to Ellis Island, my mom's grandparents came through there. They were asked (forced?) to change their last name. What I was told is that too many Johnson's had been processed that day. I don't know if that is true though. I do know that only her grandfather could speak any English at the time, her grandmother and their son only knew Norwegian. Once they settled in Wisconsin her grandfather wouldn't let his wife leave the house except for with him until she could speak English. Which isn't a great plan because she would have learned English faster if she had to navigate on her own. I guess in the last years of her life she reverted back to speaking only in Norwegian. Sorry for the ramble. Have fun if you go and if you feel like posting pictures that would be fun to see.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Good morning.

I did a 30 min. full body strength training YouTube video this AM. I am going for a walk later, too.

The funeral was very uplifting and ended on a high note. It was also the shortest funeral I've ever seen at 20 min.

My brother called last night. He urged me to see my grandmother ASAP, since she is no longer eating and can't move very well. Any sort of touch causes a lot of pain, too. I am likely flying out Thursday and coming back the same night. My MIL arrives on Friday, so I am just playing it all by ear. My son wants to go, too, since he hasn't seen her since 2019. Thursday is the earliest, most 'affordable' option for us right now. I've gently suggested that maybe my MIL should push her trip out, but he shut it down because she said she had really been looking forward to this trip. I don't blame her, but there might be a funeral while she is here. I don't know what kind of hostess I will be if I am grieving. I don't know. I'll just see what happens, everything is so fluid right now. I'm just doing stuff to keep myself busy. I understand my MIL doesn't want to cancel, but it's adding another layer of stress for me right now.

Sorry to hear about your grandma and all the extra stress. I'm sure your MIL would understand if you need more time with your grandma, or at least she should understand.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

Sounds like you've got a busy weekend ahead of you!! I'm sorry about the bed...wow, you'd think it would last longer than a couple of years!

What grades are the girls in now? Is Sam in a different school because she's younger? Will she eventually follow her sister to her high school?

Hopefully the new frame will arrive at a decent time so I can get it assembled before bed time. On the plus side, I think this new frame will sit higher and leave room for sliding storage bins.

Kendall is 11th and Sam is 8th. They are currently at separate schools, but will be together next year. Even more reason to get them a car sooner rather than later. Sam will be eligible for her learner’s permit next November.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

I've never been. I was always put off since it seems like it might be claustrophobic-feeling. The crown is not open right now, but we are going into the pedestal, which is 10 stories and it's on foot. I am not concerned about the walking, but I am worried about feeling like I am in tight quarters with poor ventilation. I am hoping that is not the case. I walk past it when I go for a walk when I go up to my husband's place and she is a lot smaller than I had envisioned. lol

I am more looking forward to the Ellis Island portion. That seems more interesting with all of the stories of the people who were processed through there. My husband read something in his National Parks book that over 40% of Americans can trace themselves back to someone who went through Ellis Island.

It’s probably an omen that the crown isn’t open. My first visit was during the summer (a million years ago) and they had to close the crown because someone suffered from heat stroke up there. I’ve been to the pedestal a couple of times. I just remember it being a bit windy. I know one of the times we went, it was bitterly cold.

It was late summer 2000 the last time I visited Ellis Island. It was still in its formative stages, but they were building a computerized directory of all that passed through. I know we found at least one of our relatives. We had a number of family members come through Ellis Island, so it was incredibly powerful to see it all. My mom was particularly fascinated with the garments, because much of it mirrored things in family photos and stuffed away in old chests at my aunt’s home.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

Good morning.

I did a 30 min. full body strength training YouTube video this AM. I am going for a walk later, too.

The funeral was very uplifting and ended on a high note. It was also the shortest funeral I've ever seen at 20 min.

My brother called last night. He urged me to see my grandmother ASAP, since she is no longer eating and can't move very well. Any sort of touch causes a lot of pain, too. I am likely flying out Thursday and coming back the same night. My MIL arrives on Friday, so I am just playing it all by ear. My son wants to go, too, since he hasn't seen her since 2019. Thursday is the earliest, most 'affordable' option for us right now. I've gently suggested that maybe my MIL should push her trip out, but he shut it down because she said she had really been looking forward to this trip. I don't blame her, but there might be a funeral while she is here. I don't know what kind of hostess I will be if I am grieving. I don't know. I'll just see what happens, everything is so fluid right now. I'm just doing stuff to keep myself busy. I understand my MIL doesn't want to cancel, but it's adding another layer of stress for me right now.

I would hope your MIL would understand. You’re so fortunate to still have your grandmother in your life and you shouldn’t have to worry about your MIL considering your grandmother’s condition.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

Hello! Kendall and I hit the gym this morning. I spent a little over 20 minutes on the elliptical, worked on legs today for a good 40+ minutes, a little time on the twisty oblique machine, and about 12 minutes cooling down on a treadmill. I also spent a little over an hour wrestling Sam’s new metal platform bed. The footboard didn’t work out and the headboard is barely hanging on, but it works and kiddo has a bed again.

 

[Songbird76]

Good morning.

I did a 30 min. full body strength training YouTube video this AM. I am going for a walk later, too.

The funeral was very uplifting and ended on a high note. It was also the shortest funeral I've ever seen at 20 min.

My brother called last night. He urged me to see my grandmother ASAP, since she is no longer eating and can't move very well. Any sort of touch causes a lot of pain, too. I am likely flying out Thursday and coming back the same night. My MIL arrives on Friday, so I am just playing it all by ear. My son wants to go, too, since he hasn't seen her since 2019. Thursday is the earliest, most 'affordable' option for us right now. I've gently suggested that maybe my MIL should push her trip out, but he shut it down because she said she had really been looking forward to this trip. I don't blame her, but there might be a funeral while she is here. I don't know what kind of hostess I will be if I am grieving. I don't know. I'll just see what happens, everything is so fluid right now. I'm just doing stuff to keep myself busy. I understand my MIL doesn't want to cancel, but it's adding another layer of stress for me right now.

I'm sure she'd understand your grief, given that she's grieving, too. Maybe she needs to be with your husband for support. I don't think you necessarily need to play hostess. She probably just needs to get away from all the memories and the grief, and maybe you can help each other. Have you talked to your husband about it?

 

[Songbird76]

It’s probably an omen that the crown isn’t open. My first visit was during the summer (a million years ago) and they had to close the crown because someone suffered from heat stroke up there. I’ve been to the pedestal a couple of times. I just remember it being a bit windy. I know one of the times we went, it was bitterly cold.

It was late summer 2000 the last time I visited Ellis Island. It was still in its formative stages, but they were building a computerized directory of all that passed through. I know we found at least one of our relatives. We had a number of family members come through Ellis Island, so it was incredibly powerful to see it all. My mom was particularly fascinated with the garments, because much of it mirrored things in family photos and stuffed away in old chests at my aunt’s home.

I'd love to go visit Ellis Island! My father's family all came over before the US was even a country, in like the 1600s, but some of my mom's family came over in the 1800s. It would be nice to find their records.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

I'd love to go visit Ellis Island! My father's family all came over before the US was even a country, in like the 1600s, but some of my mom's family came over in the 1800s. It would be nice to find their records.

That's kind of how my family is as well. My dad's family came over very early, but my mom's family was primarily Ellis Island. Kind of like @ajrwdwgir , names were changed. I know on my grandmother's side, they shortened their last name considerably. She also spoke at great length about how proud my great grandmother was of being able to learn English, since it was required of them.