# (Old) The first day of school in the MMP **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Tags:** mmp\ **Created:** [August 21, 2023, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-first-day-of-school-in-the-mmp/988860 "2023-08-21T10:50:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2023, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-first-day-of-school-in-the-mmp/988860/121 "2023-08-23T13:55:04Z")
> [@JaneDoe42](#): > > > [@Misnomer](#): > > > > Here’s my kindergarten photo from 1976: > > I don’t want to sound mean or anything, but were you as smart/always in trouble as young you looks in that pic? I mean, you were a cutiepie and all, but you do have that look… I had the same thought. “Here comes fun” if you’re another kid and “Here comes trouble” if you’re a nearby grownup. Those are definitely the best kind of kids. (Says the childless man not in education). 😁 > [@JaneDoe42](#): > > Small counter top microwaves are not that pricey and easy to dispose of. Good thought. And thanks to others for seconding **Jane** ’s motion. Overnight we got an update from their service ticketing system that a new one has been ordered. I expect a resolution before Monday. I could hit Target for a cheapy meanwhile, but it’s not _that_ essential. We do have a toaster oven and a 1-1/2 oven that can cover for many, not all, use cases. In a recent thread, perhaps an MMP, I talked about people keeping habits long past when they still made sense for changed circumstances. You’ve all also read my explanation of my overly-complicated microwave-ridden mistake-prone way of making morning coffee. It occurs to me that that was an example of a habit that used to be easy that’s slowly gotten more complicated and vexing such that now the hassle exceeds the benefit. It’s still functionally effective, but now it’s mostly stupid. Having no microwave is forcing me to break that habit temporarily and I probably won’t restart it. Yaay for good coming from bad. Microscopic though it is. > [@nightshadea](#): > > remember all those boxes I mentioned we rearranged last week ? well about 40 percent of them are trash…aunt is going through them slowly…and I’ll be lugging wet and soggy boxes this time again for the foreseeable future Ouch! When you live in a desert you get used to the idea that outdoor storage is dry storage. Sorry to hear about this mess. Don’t forget wet stuff will mold quickly if left in damp boxes. Rather than slowly and carefully sorting through each box in turn, you might want to do a quick dig through every box to pull out and air-dry the most valuable and mold-prone stuff. Otherwise by the time you / aunt get past box #10, 100% of the contents of boxes 11 through 40 will be nothing but trash. **Doggio** I had never seen that cartoon before. But yes, that’s the idea exactly. Gary Larsen was an awesome student of the human condition. > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > > [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > > > Possible solution: add more onion? > > I already used about twice as much as the recipe called for! But they all got smooshed into the dough so that there were no recognizable bits. I’m thinking next time, I won’t chop it so fine. Bigger chunks might help. It also needs some sort of herbs in there - maybe I’ll find an herb bread recipe then add onion to it? What I do in that situation is make two sets of onions: the really finely chopped ones to blend into the bread invisibly and uniformly adding flavor, then a smaller amount of large chunks to be, well, large identifiable chunks of flavor explosion. And maybe ever reserve a few of those to add as garnish after kneading and rising but before baking. **Taters** : I’ll say one last thing then shut up about your work life for good. The MPA is playing you like a fiddle. It’s 100% malicious to your interests. Fight back hard or be played for the rest of your years together. > [@overlyverbose](#): > > I have a snippet of good news: Overlyboy got into his first college! He only applied 5 days ago, so we weren’t expecting any responses until maybe November/December, but I was so very, very excited for him. The husband unit and I were dancing around each other last night (I picked a fight and was in the midst of apologizing) and we heard this tremendous whoop from upstairs. We had a mini-celebration and he was apparently so excited he couldn’t sleep. Hooray!! An excellent ray of sunshine in everyone’s world! And on the other hand … I’d kill PA2 if I was you. I expect you know this, but IMO Mom has days left, not weeks plural. Make darn sure the defective PA2-led directive never gets officialized. As to me … It’s now midmorning here. My microwave-less coffee came out plenty good enough. My big accomplishment of the day / week / month was actually signing up for Medicare Part D & G online _before_ getting wrapped up in y’alls daily doin’s. Three whole _weeks_ before my employer medical insurance drops dead. Let’s hear it for _Procrastinatus Maximus_!! Hip, hip, you’re a Dumb-ass!! Hip, hip, you’re a Dumb-ass!! Hip, hip, you’re a Dumb-ass!! We also have to get Her Ladyship signed up for the same stuff, but now that the decisions are made and we’ve done it once, that’ll go quickly. Now we’re just waiting until we get an email acknowledgement that should arrive by noon so we can do the dual enrollment right the first time. Shit’s gettin’ real here at Casa Soon-to-be-RetiredGuy. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2023, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-first-day-of-school-in-the-mmp/988860/122 "2023-08-23T14:07:29Z")
Mowage accomplished, tho the grass was wet, so I had to stop many times to clear the clogged chute. I also whacked areas that were inaccessible to the mower. Then I showered, dressed, and emptied the dishwasher before Tobias got here. Roxy’s bus was changed last night. It arrives earlier and drops off later. At the moment, the first load is in the washer and there will be 2 more. Bluey is on TV ( highly recommended kids’ show on Disney) and Tobias is playing in the “kitchen” while I surf. Life is good and relatively calm. For the moment anyway… ---
**Author:** ![Buttercup\_Smith](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buttercup_smith/32/473_2.png) [@Buttercup\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buttercup_Smith)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2023, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-first-day-of-school-in-the-mmp/988860/123 "2023-08-23T14:14:43Z")
Howdy everyone! Indeed I’m alive and sort of well. As I told **FCM** when she reached out I lurk but have been in a major funk and you all seem so happy I don’t want to bring my misery here. I think I’m having a delayed reaction to the death of my hubby. When he died two and a half years ago I was so happy his suffering was over it didn’t hit me until now it seems. I cry nearly all the time. Not always about him but at the drop of a hat. Any sappy movie or even commercial can set me off. I feel like I’m going crazy at times. I’ll be OK. I’m going to try to find a grief counselor. I’m lonely. I don’t know anyone here and have not made any effort to meet anyone. It’s so dang hot I just stay in. My garden gave up the ghost from the heat no matter how much it rained or I watered. The only thing I can grow is okra which seems to love heat, so plenty of okra. I searched and found a new primary care doctor for my usual ailments and got really lucky. He had me do a mammogram which is normal, blood tests that show only my cholesterol is still high and my thyroid is low. I am actively dieting and have lost about 12 lbs so he wants to wait and re-test in three months, now two, before making any changes in or adding any meds. I know the thyroid can cause some of my symptoms i.e weight gain, depression and others so I really hope he’ll add something for that if it still shows low. He also agreed to a cologuard vice a colonoscopy. I have the box but haven’t used it yet. **Buddyboy** and **Scooter** are well and a lot of company for me. He is as mean as ever and she just sleeps all the time like most 13 yr old cats. She has really gotten fat as she is not allowed to roam free like she did in the Keys. I have her on a weight control food but it’s not working yet. I do not regret the move from the Keys at all. The convenience of having real stores that deliver is worth it alone. I got myself a new to me ride. It’s beautiful metallic blue Toyota C-HR which according to google stands for compact high rider. They’ve just stopped making them but this one is loaded and only has 32K miles on it. No more than I drive it’ll likely last me forever or until I tire of it and get something else. I went ahead and bought an extended warranty since it is not new but it is “certified” so I hope I won’t have any problems with it. My high school friend Terri and are I are planning a Florida Natural Springs tour very soon. Seems most are concentrated in west central Fl so doable from my home in a days time X about 50 of them. We are also going to go gambling in Tampa. Her health is bad and her father just died last weekend so as soon as she is able we shall start. First, she has a regular family beach trip planned at Ponte Verde beach in Sept. I shall go for a day or two to celebrate both our birthdays. I hope everyone is doing well. I do lurk but can’t seem to stay caught up. My concentration is only so long, another of those thyroid issues I believe. I’m gonna blame it on that anyway. Love and laugher to all! ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2023, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-first-day-of-school-in-the-mmp/988860/124 "2023-08-23T15:21:45Z")
> [@Taters](#): > > her inaction has caused much drama, so I’m fixing it once again I understand feeling the need to swoop in & fix everything, but you’re enabling her - rewarding bad behavior and shielding her from the consequences of her own inaction. Nothing will change or improve if you continue to act as everyone else’s safety net. > [@peedin](#): > > I just realized I left the freezer door open all night. D’OH!! > [@overlyverbose](#): > > we heard this tremendous whoop from upstairs High five! 🎉 > [@overlyverbose](#): > > Mom is not doing so hot. That’s putting it mildly. I hope you can enjoy the time you have left together, and that her imminent passing is peaceful. Be gentle with yourself - with this much stress, it’s no wonder you’re lashing out at your spouse. I feel safe in speaking for my fellow Mumpers that we’re all holding you in our versions of the light/prayers/hearts. > [@LSLGuy](#): > > used to be easy that’s slowly gotten more complicated and vexing such that now the hassle exceeds the benefit. Yeah, but once you’re retired, you may be looking for ways to fill your time. > [@LSLGuy](#): > > What I do in that situation is make two sets of onions: the really finely chopped ones to blend into the bread invisibly and uniformly adding flavor, then a smaller amount of large chunks to be, well, large identifiable chunks of flavor explosion. I do precisely the same for pot roast. Some veggies get chopped finely and break down into the sauce - others are bigger chunks that stay identifiable. > [@Buttercup\_Smith](#): > > I lurk but have been in a major funk and you all seem so happy I don’t want to bring my misery here. I understand how depression can make it hard to enjoy doing things like interacting with us sillyheads. But please, do not ever feel like you can’t share what’s on your mind. I guess we mostly _try_ to keep things positive, but there’s a lot of illness, misery, and death in Mumper lives - it’s just a fact of life - and so of course that will be reflected here. > [@Buttercup\_Smith](#): > > I’m going to try to find a grief counselor. Please do this. There are likely grief support groups in your area, too. A skilled counselor can help you navigate all these feelings you’re trying to process. > [@Buttercup\_Smith](#): > > It’s so dang hot I just stay in. My garden gave up the ghost from the heat That sucks - bad enough to be depressed already, especially due to thyroid issues, but being demotivated by the heat into being a hermit + losing access to a pleasant hobby really piles it on. I recommend stitching in front of the A/C. 🙂 Betcha **JtC** concurs. > [@Buttercup\_Smith](#): > > only thing I can grow is okra which seems to love heat, That it does. Plus, gorgeous flowers! Whenever you _do_ venture outside, try to notice what actually IS growing in your area. Surely there are tropical flowers (that would make any Michigander jealous!) that thrive in the heat … > [@Buttercup\_Smith](#): > > It’s beautiful metallic blue Toyot I know precisely which color you mean. Enjoy your wheels! (Hope the A/C blasts!) Short shift today - I go in “late” an hour after the openers, plus I’m early-out, too. It’s gonna feel like I barely showed up! Fine by me. 😃 Gonna run an errand with **Work Friend** later; he’s doing me a favor so I’ll drop him off at work in return, since he is on the opening shift today. For now, chillage reins supreme, if only in slothage and not in actual temps/humidity. (We’re supposed to get rain overnight, so it’s warming into a humid day by Mitten State standards, although nothing like the steamy saunas that are huge swaths of the South right now.) **Monkey** has his jingle-bell on & is investigating the carnage … err, landscaping clearance, next door. In the span of 2 days, my handyman neighbor from across the street (plus one helper) transformed the backyard next door from a completely overgrown jungle into a stripped blank canvas, though they did spare a few of the nicest plants, especially the rose of sharon. That guy can really bust his ass. Okay, now **Monkey** is back and howling for attention. Guess losing all his hidey-spots in the shrubbery traumatized him a bit. … aaand now he’s back at the door. 🤦‍♀️ ---
**Author:** ![dogbutler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dogbutler/32/428_2.png) [@dogbutler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dogbutler)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2023, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-first-day-of-school-in-the-mmp/988860/125 "2023-08-23T15:27:48Z")
So when I was walking ~~up~~ downhill to work, it was cool(for August) and breezy. “Maybe it won’t be so bad in the building”, I say. Nope, it was like walking into a fetid armpit(minus the small lump of green putty). but other than than, reasonable heaving. When I made breakfast, I dropped a frosted shredded wheat on the floor. Spot “killed” it, and carried the corpse off to somewhere under the dining table. > [@scareyfaerie](#): > > we have decided which hostelry to patronise so all I need to do is make sure I am ready at the appropriate hour. When I’m patronizing, I get a hostel reception, too. 😉 > [@LSLGuy](#): > > Shit’s gettin’ real here at Casa Soon-to-be-RetiredGuy. More importantly, have you found a hobby to get yourself out of Her Ladyship’s hair? Otherwise you may suddenly take up flying again, midbalconating. 😉 > [@Buttercup\_Smith](#): > > you all seem so happy I don’t want to bring my misery here. Shared misery weighs a little less. Just saying. {{{{{ **Butters** }}}}} {{{{ **wordy** }}}} ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2023, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-first-day-of-school-in-the-mmp/988860/126 "2023-08-23T15:37:21Z")
**Butters** , {{{{hugs}}}} for visiting us, and {{{{hugs}}}} for what you’re going through. I’ve lived alone most of my life and never lost a loved one that I was living with, so I don’t pretend to understand your hurt…but do try to do a couple of things, and drop us a note now and then, since there is good news (new wheels! Road Trip! Competent Doctor!) along with the bad. If you can’t keep up with all of it, that’s ok, we’ll still be here for you. > [@carnut](#): > > **MetalMouse** , go careful on that mowing. Lots of water/watered-down Gatorade drinking going on here today. **vroom** , got the backyard mowed and the water on it. In about 10 more minutes I’ll move the sprinkler (it only covers about 1/2 of the back) and start on the front yard. Another break is likely (89F and 103F heat index) before I finish. **wet one** , Yikes, hope the mess is fixable. **talkie** , Yippee! for overlyboy. And {{{{Mom}}}}. That second PA needs to listen more than they talk. **Pilot** , I only have Medicare A&B (along with other coverage), OK, had a 35 minute rest and hydration, better get back to the yardwork. Take care all. ETA: **doggio** wrote: > [@dogbutler](#): > > Shared misery weighs a little less. Just saying. > {{{{{ **Butters** }}}}} Or one of my favorite quotes, from the SF Author Spider Robinson “Shared pain is lessened; shared joy is increased.” ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2023, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-first-day-of-school-in-the-mmp/988860/127 "2023-08-23T15:47:37Z")
Welcome back, **Butters**!!! > [@Buttercup\_Smith](#): > > I lurk but have been in a major funk and you all seem so happy I don’t want to bring my misery here. Poppycock. Dump on us all you want; that’s what this thread is for. I’m sorry you’re in a funk. I totally get the delayed grieving thing, and grief counseling does sound like a good idea. Sounds like you’re doing well otherwise. Please do stick around! The meeting with the landscaper went well. We are required to have at least one 35-gallon, two 27-gallon, two 15-gallon, and thirty-five (!} 5- gallon plants. (That refers to the size of the container the roots come in.) we do _not_ have a big yard, so I thought this would be overkill, but everything fits ok. I specifically asked for low-maintenance plants, and trees that won’t get too big. It only took about an hour to pick everything out, but it felt longer. **Mrs W** was on a plane at the time, so the pressure was on me to make good choices. Fortunately, she was pleased with what we got. Here’s everything placed roughly where it will go. [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53137101453_360a02b996_b.jpg "IMG\_5288") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/195486993@N02/53137101453/) [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53137033950_728122e49a_b.jpg "IMG\_5289") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/195486993@N02/53137033950/) It’s still a little too busy for my liking, but the HOA is the HOA. I’m sure it will look quite nice when it’s all done. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2023, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-first-day-of-school-in-the-mmp/988860/128 "2023-08-23T16:02:37Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > > [@Buttercup\_Smith](#): > > > > I lurk but have been in a major funk and you all seem so happy I don’t want to bring my misery here. > > I understand how depression can make it hard to enjoy doing things like interacting with us sillyheads. But please, do not ever feel like you can’t share what’s on your mind. I guess we mostly _try_ to keep things positive, but there’s a lot of illness, misery, and death in Mumper lives - it’s just a fact of life - and so of course that will be reflected here. 'Zactly. We’re here to make our shared burdens smaller by sharing. You **butters** probably would benefit by doing the same. Been just over two years since my first wife died. She’s more in my thoughts now than she was shortly after she was gone. There’s nothing unusual in that. Being too depressed to do anything but sit in the house is a problem that needs deliberate attack and probably professional help, at least to get some meds in you to get you moving on the road to self-healing. One of the worst aspects of depression is that the first step is the hardest. It gets easier as you build up momentum to climb out of that hole. Really. You can do this; we can help. > [@dogbutler](#): > > More importantly, have you found a hobby to get yourself out of Her Ladyship’s hair? Otherwise you may suddenly take up flying again, midbalconating. 😉 A legit concern I assure you. > [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > **Pilot** , I only have Medicare A&B (along with other coverage), I’m curious what your “(along with other coverage)” means in this context? I know of no other source of other coverage for me/us. I know some employers or government jobs have some sort of available or subsidized retiree medical. Mine does not. ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2023, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-first-day-of-school-in-the-mmp/988860/129 "2023-08-23T17:55:24Z")
Good morning! I had a rough night but am happy to report my leg is no worse. My sister keeps marveling, “It’s hyuuuge!” as if it were a two-headed calf or a chicken that can play “Jesus Put a Yodel in My Heart” on the xylophone. It makes me laugh, which is good. Her leg didn’t swell up like this when she had a TKR, but what swells up must swell down, right? I think I’ll have an easier time walking then. Right now it feels like I have a leg made out of magnet on a floor made of steel. My bones hurt more, but the quads hurt less, so it’s a win. The surgeon told the ER doc he wanted to see me Thursday. Turns out he wants his _PA_ to see me. The regular post-op exam is also with the PA. An awful lot of this doc’s appointments are covered by his PA. The surgeon has available appointments. Maybe he’s just a cut-'em-and leave-'em kind of guy. Yesterday some friends in Wyoming sent a beautiful bouquet in sunshine and citrus colors, _and_ Ms. Dog came for a visit. 🙂 I loved the first day of school because we didn’t have to wear our uniforms. I always wanted to wear the back-to-school outfits in magazines–you know, the plaids and sweaters modeled by the same cheerful children who exclaimed, “Neato!” and “Wow, it shoots real water!” in toy commercials. Alas, it was inevitably too hot for that stuff. I offered up the pain of wearing brush rollers all night to the poor souls in Purgatory, but it didn’t make me any less bleary-eyed. So there I was, wearing last summer’s church dress and what I hoped was a pious expression. I was still full of quixotic hope, though, because I vowed I’d keep my desk immaculate. That usually lasted about two weeks. I’m going to catch up on all the posts this afternoon. It’s almost time to get shots. Thank you once again for all your kindness and support. I can’t believe how lucky I am to have stumbled on the lot of you. ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2023, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-first-day-of-school-in-the-mmp/988860/130 "2023-08-23T18:00:43Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > Good morning! I had a rough night but am happy to report my leg is no worse. My sister keeps marveling, “It’s hyuuuge!” as if it were a two-headed calf or a chicken that can play “Jesus Put a Yodel in My Heart” on the xylophone. It makes me laugh, which is good. Her leg didn’t swell up like this when she had a TKR, but what swells up must swell down, right? I think I’ll have an easier time walking then. Right now it feels like I have a leg made out of magnet on a floor made of steel. My bones hurt more, but the quads hurt less, so it’s a win. I’m so glad to hear things are at the very least stable! ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2023, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-first-day-of-school-in-the-mmp/988860/131 "2023-08-23T18:25:11Z")
Managed to drag my saggy butt downstairs for some time on the Nu-Step. Going to a lecture later by some former ambassador to Morocco. Local corn on the cob for dinner. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2023, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-first-day-of-school-in-the-mmp/988860/132 "2023-08-23T18:59:53Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > It’s still a little too busy for my liking, but the HOA is the HOA. Which is why I refuse to deal with HOAs. “We dictate what you may do with YOUR property YOU’RE paying the bills for, and you’ll pay us out the nose for this privilege.” ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2023, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-first-day-of-school-in-the-mmp/988860/133 "2023-08-23T19:13:12Z")
Both my kids’ schools have been on lockdown for more than two hours now. Apparently a threat was called into school, they have someone in custody in the parking lot of overlyboy’s school, and are now searching the schools, room by room because people are asshats and do this kind of thing. It has been a week already. ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2023, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-first-day-of-school-in-the-mmp/988860/134 "2023-08-23T19:18:29Z")
> [@overlyverbose](#): > > Both my kids’ schools have been on lockdown for more than two hours now. Oh good lord, you sure did need this. I’m so sorry you are losing your mother, I have some idea as to how much it hurts. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2023, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-first-day-of-school-in-the-mmp/988860/135 "2023-08-23T19:53:39Z")
> [@overlyverbose](#): > > Both my kids’ schools have been on lockdown for more than two hours now. Jeez, you can’t catch a break on the stress train, can ya? I gotta run to work, but please keep us posted. It sounds like the situation is under control … ---
**Author:** ![peedin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peedin/32/14095_2.png) [@peedin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peedin)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2023, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-first-day-of-school-in-the-mmp/988860/136 "2023-08-23T19:59:28Z")
I figured out how to put the freezer basket in. I was trying to shove it into the tracks that close the door. D’OH! ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2023, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-first-day-of-school-in-the-mmp/988860/137 "2023-08-23T20:33:10Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > I feel safe in speaking for my fellow Mumpers that we’re all holding you in our versions of the light/prayers/hearts. Indeed, ‘tiz very true. > [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > Yeah, but once you’re retired, you may be looking for ways to fill your time. I’m thinking our **pilot** needs to throw himself headlong into something like making the very best coffee in the world for his balconating (love that word) with a Chemex pot. It’s a lovely, sedate yet amusing and time-consuming way to piddle away untold minutes creating your cuppa joe. We’ll want of course documented reports of his quest for the perfect cup, with raw data, annotated analysis, graphs, charts and, of course, peer reviewed process reports submitted in depth at least every other day. I suppose we could allow him the use of an electric teakettle to forestall the need for a stovetop teakettle that might make sounds impinging on Her Ladyship’s slumber, just to extend his lifespan and forestall de-balconating not of his choosing. > [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > > [@Buttercup\_Smith](#): > > > > I lurk but have been in a major funk and you all seem so happy I don’t want to bring my misery here. > > I understand how depression can make it hard to enjoy doing things like interacting with us sillyheads. But please, do not ever feel like you can’t share what’s on your mind. I guess we mostly _try_ to keep things positive, but there’s a lot of illness, misery, and death in Mumper lives - it’s just a fact of life - And, if more of us did that, more of us would feel like we should if we needed to. I’m trying to break out of a (to use one of **shoe** ’s eloquent words, silly) self-imposed retreat from here myself. Baby steps, I keep telling myself, baby steps. 👣👣👣…… > [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > demotivated by the heat into being a hermit + losing access to a pleasant hobby really piles it on. > > I recommend stitching in front of the A/C. 🙂 Betcha **JtC** concurs. Not an artistic stitcher in the way that **JtC** and **shoe** are but sitting in front of a new fan, doing some humble hand mending fixes for my beloved kids and grandbabies has given me some welcome little fixes of joy recently, so I concur too. I just love fixing things and being able to restore a beloved stuffed animal or a favorite hiking hat and handing it back to be loved and enjoyed for more years. My little sister surprised me with an LED lamp with an integral magnifying lens that gave me back the ability to do that. Seemingly such a small thing but what a boost! > [@dogbutler](#): > > More importantly, have you found a hobby to get yourself out of Her Ladyship’s hair? Otherwise you may suddenly take up flying again, midbalconating. Made me snort laugh! I shouldn’t have, but I did~thanks! > [@dogbutler](#): > > Shared misery weighs a little less. Just saying. The older I get the more fervently I believe this. > [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > If you can’t keep up with all of it, that’s ok, we’ll still be here for you. Yep, we sure will, count on it. > [@LSLGuy](#): > > One of the worst aspects of depression is that the first step is the hardest. It gets easier as you build up momentum to climb out of that hole. Really. Nothing could be more true. Don’t ask me how I know, but I have a varsity letter in digging out of depression. Again, we’re here and will be, no matter what. > [@nelliebly](#): > > Thank you once again for all your kindness and support. I can’t believe how lucky I am to have stumbled on the lot of you. Me too. I rue the 70 years I wasted not knowing all of you. I fully intend to make up for lost time. ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2023, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-first-day-of-school-in-the-mmp/988860/138 "2023-08-23T20:38:27Z")
It has been a week, for sure. Overlyboy is home and safe. Overlygirl is on her way. Apparently some asshole decided to attempt to enter the school grounds with an AR-15. No. Really. An assault rifle. After calling in a bomb threat. They found the guy, though, and he’s in custody. So, yay. ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2023, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-first-day-of-school-in-the-mmp/988860/139 "2023-08-23T21:23:35Z")
Greetings from “OMG is it _really_ only Wednesday?!?” land… 😁 Last night’s personal training session went well: moving upstairs to the dedicated training space made a big difference. But a gaggle of youth soccer players was there at the same time, too…I’m horrible at guessing kids’ ages, but I’m gonna say they were all 10-12? All boys, just stretching and running drills and stuff. They mostly stayed out of our way, but it was a little distracting. Not to mention that parking – already challenging at 6pm – was even more difficult and I was almost late. I’m hoping they won’t be there tomorrow, but I’ll try to leave a few minutes earlier just in case. I kept an eye on the clock and had to leave at 6:55pm, because my NAACP branch’s general membership meeting was at 7pm. I’d given my trainer a heads up about it last week. It’s kind of nice for the Membership Committee chairperson (aka me) to be at those meetings. 🙂 All but one of the traffic lights on the way home were miraculously green, and I was able to fire up Zoom by 7:10. I didn’t have to be on camera, so I was able to get changed, take the dog out, make dinner, eat dinner, etc., during the meeting. Tonight, my committee (Membership) meets at 7pm. This one I _do_ have to be on camera for, but I won’t mind – and, it should be short. I forgot one critical thing at the grocery store when I went on Sunday, and have since also run out of bread, so in a few minutes I’ll head out. I should be able to have everything put away and a solid plan for dinner by the time 7pm rolls around. I want to go today, so I don’t have an excuse to go after the gym tomorrow: I pass a store on the way home, but I tend to get into bakery trouble on gym days! The OTA antenna continued to perform well last night. I plan to call Verizon on Saturday. > [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > Also mailed my bill from Cook’s for annual termite protection, guess it works cause I haven’t had any in the past dozen years. The Orkin guy was just at my place this morning. I called them a couple years ago for mice, and they started a “we’ll treat the perimeter of your property every two months” thing. I haven’t had mice since, and I feel like I see very few critters (spiders, etc.) in the house in general, so I keep letting them charge me 6x/year. (Before anyone asks: yes, per the terms of my lease pest control is my responsibility.) > [@LSLGuy](#): > > Instead here I sit with no microwave. Shortly after I moved into this place the microwave died, and it was ~3 months (!) before the property manager got around to replacing it. I was miserable! I use my oven for _some_ stuff, but the bulk of my “cooking” is via microwave. > [@JaneDoe42](#): > > I don’t want to sound mean or anything, but were you as smart/always in trouble as young you looks in that pic? I mean, you were a cutiepie and all, but you do have that look… > [@LSLGuy](#): > > I had the same thought. “Here comes fun” if you’re another kid and “Here comes trouble” if you’re a nearby grownup. Ha! 🤣 Actually, I was quite the opposite: I was a super good kid, obedient and a good student, and really kinda simple and a bit naive until well into college. > [@overlyverbose](#): > > Overlyboy got into his first college! Woo hoo! 🎉 > [@Buttercup\_Smith](#): > > Indeed I’m alive and sort of well. Yay! And, also: 🫂 > [@nelliebly](#): > > An awful lot of this doc’s appointments are covered by his PA I saw the doc who did my bariatric surgery exactly twice: at my initial consult, and the day of the procedure. All of my followup appointments have been with his nurse practitioner. > [@overlyverbose](#): > > They found the guy, though, and he’s in custody. So, yay. Holy crap! Yay…but ugh. ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2023, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-first-day-of-school-in-the-mmp/988860/140 "2023-08-23T21:30:31Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > Ughhh. We just had a bad start in my area to the 1st day of school with a bus crash. One child was ejected and fell under the rolling bus. Oh man, I just saw this _Washington Post_ headline about it: > **[Child killed, 23 students injured in first-day-of-school bus crash](https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/08/23/school-bus-crash-child-dead-ohio/?pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJyZWFzb24iOiJnaWZ0IiwibmJmIjoxNjkyNzYzMjAwLCJpc3MiOiJzdWJzY3JpcHRpb25zIiwiZXhwIjoxNjk0MTQ1NTk5LCJpYXQiOjE2OTI3NjMyMDAsImp0aSI6IjQyMDVjODJiLTk0NGYtNDg4My04ODBjLTlkYWUxZmE1OTBkMyIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS9uYXRpb24vMjAyMy8wOC8yMy9zY2hvb2wtYnVzLWNyYXNoLWNoaWxkLWRlYWQtb2hpby8ifQ.KsXn6vko5HMGWSdAu_NMnlGIOBQbHqB7e7Y4rdiwtpc&itid=gfta)** > > A student on a bus not equipped with seat belts was ejected when the vehicle rolled over in Clark County, Ohio. Another child was in serious condition. (I’ve gifted this article, so it shouldn’t be behind a paywall for anyone…) ☹ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-first-day-of-school-in-the-mmp/988860.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-first-day-of-school-in-the-mmp/988860.md?page=8)