OMG, 350 posts to catch up on! Is there a Cliff’s Notes I could use? I have read all but retained little, partly because I started trying to catch up 3 days ago.
I met the new neighbors, or at least the wife and kids. Both kids are younger than I thought. The boy is I think about 5 and the girl is maybe 2. They’re both just kind of solid and very heavy-footed even outside. I don’t hear the parents’ footsteps, just the kids’. And of course, there’s nothing to be done about that, so I’m trying to learn to block it out.
A woman in the complex wants to use me as a dogsitter for her 8-month-old puppy. I decided to charge $40/day, thinking that was on the high side, but she said that was more than reasonable. The money will come in handy, and if I didn’t charge, I’m afraid I’d be inundated.
Have been trying to help Ms. Dog’s person. She asked me twice last week if I wanted to go for an evening hike with them, but both times, I’d just walked 9 miles and was wiped. We went Friday to a lovely woods I can’t get to without a car. She needed to talk. She had an horrific childhood–I mean awful–and her family is pretty twisted, so she gets depressed and anxious. A friend overseas got worried and told her she needed someone local to support her. She’s been in therapy, but that’s not an option right now. Yet again I’m grateful that I had such wonderful parents.
cookie, seanette, I’m glad you survived uncreamed.
The his reminds me of when I was teaching social studies and started class with a lightning review of world Leaders.
Me: France!
Class: Chirac!
Me: China!
Kids: Hu!
Me: Russia!
Kid: Wait! Who’s the leader of China?
Class: Hu!
Kid: That’s what I’m trying to find out! Who?
Me: The leader of China is Hu!"
Class, slowly and emphatically: Yes! It’s Hu, Jason!
Kid, turning red: That’s not very nice! I’m just asking!
Me: Goes to the whiteboard, writes “Hu.”
Kid: Oooohhhh!
flyboy, the catio looks fantastic, and I’m impressed with your work. From looking at it, you’d never guess you were a first-timer. If I’d made it, it would look like a brontosaurus sat on it. Check that. It’d look like a brontosaurus built it and THEN sat on it. Your catio looks so inviting!
Ditto. When I lived in one town and taught 26 miles away, I also had to factor in s-l-o-w drivers because it was a two-lane highway, mostly no passing. During sugar beet harvest, I allowed even more time because farmers inevitably asked Great-Great Grampa Simpson to haul a few loads. I got frustrated but was glad I was stuck behind a slow truck the day I saw a newborn colt struggle to its feet.
Oh, that’s too bad. My kids grew up in places without fireflies, and my daughter was VERY excited to see them in Chicago. Also, glad you and GG survived the move and that you’re so happy in your new home!
It’s the Maison Derriere!
Not addressed to me, but accomplished floozies fall out of bed all the time. They just make sure to land on their partners. 
See the evil tree that’s grown
from evil seeds that you have sown,
and now I’m bad.
Don’t want to put on pants no more,
I streak right through the grocery store,
mostly unclad.
Sure, people glare daggers
'cause I’m just so free,
Except for the baggers
who like to moon me.
I’ll try to be more present next MMP.