Mother Talkers

Monday Open Thread

by Elisa

Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 07:06:29 AM PDT

In this house, it's politics all the time. Here is a recap of the weekend and events leading up to tomorrow's contests in Virginia, Maryland and Washington D.C., according to the Associated Press.

People has the skinny on the Grammy nominees and winners. I did not catch the show yesterday. Eli has been sick with a fever and cold so she has been on me most of the weekend.

Last, but far from least, there have been wildfires in the south that have destroyed at least 10 homes and sent 1,000 residents fleeing, according to CNN.

What's up with you, MotherTalkers? I, too, am nursing a cold. Gah!

  • ::

Tags: open thread, politics, People, CNN, Associated Press, Virginia, south, wildfires (all tags)

Permalink | 128 comments

  • Poor Eli, and you! (0 / 0)

    I'm sorry to hear little Eli has been down with a fever and cold, and that you're dealing with a cold of your own, too. I can SO relate! The past few weeks have been the same for us, with my own sick little "possum" hanging off of me.

    Mia is finally feeling a little better now, but is still dealing with two nasty ear infections that the specialist tells us won't go away on their own. After all these months of recurring ear infections (which are so painful), the doctor believes she needs tubes. So, she's scheduled to get them Feb. 19. We're nervous about our little one having surgery, but understand that she'll feel true relief once that gunk has somewhere to drain.

    I hope Eli is feeling better soon.

    by Kay on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 07:43:19 AM PDT

    • Aw, poor Mia! (0 / 0)

      I can't imagine the prospect of my baby having surgery. Hugs to you, Kay.

      Yeah, Eli is definitely sick. She is out of sorts, waking up every one to two hours in the middle of the night and not wanting -- or being able -- to nap because of the congestion. Sucky situation all around...

      by Elisa on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 08:13:32 AM PDT

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    • we agonized over the surgery (0 / 0)

      It was amazingly successful and we're so glad we went ahead with it.  Good luck getting through a scary time, Kay.  Our boy went in basically lip-reading, his hearing was so impacted by the infections.  He came out hearing perfectly.

      by mamacita on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 10:30:30 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      • I know! (0 / 0)

        Both my sons got ear tubes -- twice each.  For some reason, my daughter had no such problem.  As the doctors told me, they did outgrow this, and they have had no problems since about age 5.

        My sons seemed to hear, before the operation, but the pain of the earaches got us.  (Plus the number of times they had to take antibiotics.)  The minute they woke up from the surgery, their eyes got really big.  They could hear again!  I hadn't realized how much they couldn't hear before.  It was cute ... and amazing ... to see how much better they could hear.

        And I know how many feel about Kaiser, but that is where my sons had their surgeries, and Kaiser was great.  They had a pediatric day surgery area, wheeled them into the operating room in a little truck, rather than a stretcher.  My boys didn't even look back at their worried mother, while going off to surgery.  They loved it.  (And they couldn't even wait to get home to EAT.  The hospital personnel had told us to wait a few hours before feeding them, but we stopped at the hospital cafeteria, since they were SO hungry, and I ordered them bland food.  They gobbled it down, and then ate half their father's plate.  Never got sick either.)

        by Shell on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 01:20:38 PM PDT

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    • For what it's worth (0 / 0)

      all of my friends whose children have had this done have come through just fine and have had so many fewer infections. I've heard that it's important to have an otolaryngologist you like and trust though.

      by mpg on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 11:29:17 AM PDT

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      • Thank you (0 / 0)

        I appreciate your insight about the surgery. We also have agonized over what to do to help her, but figure this is the best way. I'm so glad to hear about other children going through it and coming out feeling better and not going through as many infections as before. That's good to know.

        by Kay on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 12:27:59 PM PDT

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        • We almost needed ear tubes (0 / 0)

          last year for my little one, but I think she's outgrown it. We has 5 prescribed antibiotics in a row, and quite an unhappy little girl, but finally, even the fluid buildup went away.

          When we were getting prepped for the ear tubes, it didn't look overly invasive, and the ear tubes actually grow right out in about 6 months, if I understand it correctly. I would be interested to hear how it goes for you.

          by tarantula on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 12:33:51 PM PDT

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          • DS's tubes just sort (0 / 0)

            of floated up into his outer ear and I plucked them out.  Blue plastic -- a little freaky!  But painless.

            by mamacita on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 12:57:48 PM PDT

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            • Wow! (0 / 0)

              That is freaky. Yeah, it's not super-invasive surgery, right? How do they do it?

              It just sounds like something that is truly a relief for the kid, and very temporary. As soon as they get bigger, the eustacian tube (sp?) widens, lengthens and slants downward (instead of horizontal of toddlers), so fluid finally drains as it should.

              by tarantula on Wed Feb 13, 2008 at 11:27:41 AM PDT

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              • ya know, I'm not really sure (0 / 0)

                how they do it.  There are no visible scars.  The tubes help the fluid drain until the eustachian tubes get long enough through maturation.  

                The worst part for us as parents was the fear of anaesthesia.  Naturally the night before surgery as we were web surfing we came across a very recent article saying that the state of the art of anaesthesia for this procedure was all wrong, dangerous, etc.  We had a chance to talk to the guy who was doing DS's and he was very reassuring.  We were really lucky with the docs for that.  This was years ago so I'm sure all the bugs are worked out by now.

                by mamacita on Thu Feb 14, 2008 at 04:01:09 PM PDT

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        • ear trouble (0 / 0)

          my mother is 70 and had so many ear infections as a kid and so many ruptures because of them that she hears fluid bubbling behind her ear and figures it didn't heal as well as it should. Now at 70 she is looking at getting her first set of tubes.

          So better now than latter-  it is amazing how far medicine has come in her lifetime.

          by Mythhuner on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 01:27:02 PM PDT

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          • So many antibiotics (0 / 0)

            Mia has gone through so many antibiotics in a row since September for ear infections, we literally have lost track of how many. She had like five in a row between September and December, and then she's had a double ear infection consistently for the past month. Plus, pneumonia a few weeks ago. We're at our wit's end.
            Surgery is scheduled Feb. 19 (next Tuesday), so I'll let you guys know on Wednesday how things went. I probably won't be on a computer on Tuesday.
            Thanks for your good wishes!

            by Kay on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 07:07:14 AM PDT

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    • Broken Leg (0 / 0)

      When Lily broke her leg she had to go under anesthesia and that was freaky. Good luck! She came out of it great, as did my god daughter with ear tubes. I feel for you though!

      by lilianna28 on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 04:17:44 PM PDT

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  • Being sick sucks. (0 / 0)

    We were sick the entire winter last year, but somehow, we're avoiding it this year (now I've probably jinxed it). Hang in there, Elisa.

    Watched Obama's 60 minutes interview from last night, and then enjoyed the comments under wornoutstroller's diary over there on the sidebar. What a pleasant way to start the day.

    Obama's success is really, really exciting.

    by tarantula on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 07:46:36 AM PDT

  • I'll see your cold (0 / 0)

    and raise you strep throat.  DS has an ear infection and a horrible head cold.  We are sitting around leaking fluids and taking our antibiotics.

    by lonespark on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 08:19:44 AM PDT

    • Ugh... (0 / 0)

      I hope you all feel better. Strep is so painful!

      by Elisa on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 10:52:13 AM PDT

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    • I'll see your ear infection (0 / 0)

      and raise you an amoxicillin reaction and a flu.  DS6 has had a fever on and off for 4 days and can do nothing but lie on the sofa feeling sorry for himself.  DS5 is covered head to toe with red spots; he had to be taken off the amoxicillin before the course of antibiotic was finished, and now he's reporting more pain in "the ear what's got no sound coming in it".  Me, I'm fine as long as I hold something absorbent under my nose at all times.  But I've got midterms this week.

      by lyn on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 11:41:41 AM PDT

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      • DD is allergic to amox (2nd dose gave her hives) (0 / 0)

        and then she became allergic to Omnicef after the 2nd dose...she now gets zithromyacin for ear infections...just FYI...

        DS is still in the hospital - we got an i.d. on the line infection bug and he is now on the correct antibiotics. Hopefully he'll be home in 3 or 4 days. Then, however, we have to address why he is getting multiple line infections of the same bug. Fun stuff. Not.

        by GiGi on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 03:46:19 PM PDT

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        • both my sister and I (0 / 0)

          are allergic to the 'cillin family of antibiotics; erithromyacin (sp) and zithromyacin are the only ones we can tolerate. We get those nasty hives. Thus far, Jess has only had one dose of antibiotics, but we avoid the -cillins with her as well just to be on the safe side.

          Oh, dear. I'm so sorry to hear the DS is still in hospital. Must be so difficult for everyone. Who can you speak to about the line infection problem? Is this an issue of how the medical technicians are placing it?

          by Rachel on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 03:49:07 PM PDT

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          • His doctor is all over it (0 / 0)

            we are planning to do an ethanol lockto eliminate any of the residual bugs that may have taken up residence. This was actually something we had talked about on Wednesday during our care conference. We were going to do it prophylactically...unfortunately, he got one before we could try the lock. It has nothing to do with placement (that is done in the OR)...central iv lines are very susceptible to bacteria and when the bacteria shows up it causes sepsis. Never a good thing.

            by GiGi on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 04:21:04 PM PDT

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            • sepsis? christ no!! (0 / 0)

              but the ethanol lock sounds like a tremendous improvement. I assume this is something you guys can do at home? It must be tremendously reassuring that something so relatively simple (or so it looks, if I'm not misreading?) can have such a tremendous impact on your son's health!

              by Rachel on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 04:32:22 PM PDT

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              • Oh yes, sepsis (0 / 0)

                It was quite bad this time. Last month was bad, too, and when he had the seizure. I made damn sure that didn't happen this time.

                The ethanol lock is controversial (no clinical studies done therefore not much empiricial data) so they aren't done often in kids. His doc is great, though, and knows that we do not take line pulling/replacement lightly - especially after the debacle last time. I hope like hell the lock works. I am, however, never ever optimistic when it comes to much with my son's health. I guess it helps me from being disappointed/devastated when things do go wrong.

                by GiGi on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 05:49:16 AM PDT

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            • same one? (0 / 0)

              Aw, GiGi, is this the same line infection as a few weeks ago, or a different one?  I hope the ethanol lock works and I hope he is home soon, safe and sound.  Sending you good thoughts.

              by NJmom on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 04:41:14 PM PDT

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              • Yes, same as he had in Nov and Jan (0 / 0)

                so we are assuming this new line is colonized with the bacteria. I'm so frustrated. He had his old line for 3 years, hadn't had a line infection in almost 2 1/2 years, and now this new line is nothing but trouble. Actually, I'm not sure it's the new line per se, but the timing is there.

                We'll do the lock next week, I believe, on as outpatient basis. Right now we need to clear the infection from his line and then get him home.

                by GiGi on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 05:46:44 AM PDT

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  • My DS (0 / 0)

    I posted late Friday on the open thread but probably not too many saw it -- my DS broke his leg during recess at school Friday afternoon. We will finally see the orthopedist Tuesday afternoon at 3:20 ['cause we've got the best medical system in the world with no waiting, don't ya know] and we hope he will just need a cast, not surgery.

    He's in a splint and hanging out, not in too much pain except when he has to get up and get to the bathroom. He is watching "how it's made" on TV. I have already had my fill of all the Nick/Disney/Cartoon Network shows. I told him to watch something educational, at least.

    Sorry for all the others who are sick. Michael is doing well, all things considered.

    by Lisa in Austin on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 08:39:20 AM PDT

    • Broken bones hurt. (0 / 0)

      Ouch.  How did he break it?

      I am just curious, there has been one broken leg on our school playground this year too. I think it was a fall just running the track, which might explain why we have  a nice new layer of gravel on the track now, but I am not sure.

      The other broken leg on a child at the school happened when a friend of ours fell off her horse but she didn't even realize she had broken her leg.

      by Mythhuner on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 09:10:21 AM PDT

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      • The story varies (0 / 0)

        He either fell or jumped off some climbing equipment.The kids are not allowed to jump off this equipment, where he is about 4 feet off the ground. He says it happened so fast he can't be sure if he fell or jumped.

        So it was most likely user error rather than faulty playground equipment!

        by Lisa in Austin on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 09:58:44 AM PDT

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    • Poor guy! (0 / 0)

      I heard from another friend that her h.s. age son broke both bones in his arm (looked like he had two elbows) while playing football and they didn't get an appointment until the next day, nor pain meds.  It's really unbelievable to me that they don't consider broken bones to be enough of an emergency to see you right away.

      Katherine

      by pat of butter in a sea of grits on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 09:52:22 AM PDT

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    • Wow! (0 / 0)

      Poor guy!  Good luck getting it set, etc.  

      by K C on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 10:07:36 AM PDT

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    • Poor guy! (0 / 0)

      Sorry to hear about his discomfort.  And I hope you're right that it's a simple break <fingers crossed>.

      My little brother broke his leg at the start of one summer and was in a cast for about 3 months.  Hopefully Michael won't miss out on swimming season!

      by mamacita on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 10:33:56 AM PDT

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  • I just need to brag about my son... (0 / 0)

    My five year old has been asking to "do a race" with me for months now.  Even though I haven't run in months (although I should get an official doctor-approved ok next week- WOOHOO!), and he usually stops at least once on our 3/4 mile walk home from school to sigh and say, "I think I  need to rest.  And maybe have a snack", I decided to do a one mile fun run with him on Saturday morning.  I had already registered to walk the 5K with some friends, so I told them that I was doing the fun run 30 minutes before the 5K and wasn't sure I'd make it over to the second start.

    Well.  A few minutes after my son started running, I was thinking that he couldn't possibly maintain that kind of speed and figured he'd be out of steam fairly quickly.  About the 1/2 mile mark, I started having a hard time keeping up with him.  He walked less than 1/4 of the mile and finished in 12:30!  I'm SHOCKED!

    He was so excited that he wore his number until it started to tear, then pinned it very carefully on his bulletin board.  He's also a little mad that I didn't let him do the "big" race because he's pretty sure he would have won.  He's been having a hard time with a few things recently, so I'm so thrilled to see him so happy and excited about something and to feel so proud of himself.

    by K C on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 09:37:56 AM PDT

    • aw... (0 / 0)

      how sweet! how old is your DS? Someday I hope to have my daughter running alongside me too!

      Kudos to you and DS!

      by Erika on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 10:01:58 AM PDT

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    • Awww... (0 / 0)

      so sweet! That little man of yours has a lot of endurance. Sounds like a future cross country runner. :-)

      by Elisa on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 10:55:08 AM PDT

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    • Awesome! (0 / 0)

      How cool your DS got into running with you! My DS likes to try but he's only good for a quarter mile or so. What amazing stamina for someone so little! And how great that he gets to feel that pride in doing more than he thought he could do. What a great lesson!

      by minnmom on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 11:35:43 AM PDT

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    • beware (0 / 0)

      Rachel will be after you to sign him up for the Running Borg!

      by mamacita on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 01:07:34 PM PDT

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      • freeeeesssh bloood (0 / 0)

        the borg demands new bodies!!!

        How are you, mamacita? Has your son moved back into his bedroom? Are you on the work schedule that leaves your Wednesdays free?

        by Rachel on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 01:40:28 PM PDT

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        • hi Rachel! (0 / 0)

          DS is STILL in the living room.  The reconstruction is taking an incredibly long time.  The house is topsy-turvy, with kitchen stuff out on the screened porch, DS's bedroom stuff in the living room and den.  We don't have a large house and we are all feeling cramped.  Kitchen is not fully functional, so still lots of take-out.  Meanwhile everything seems to be breaking down at the same time -- pool pump, DSL, plumbing -- it's quite the fiasco around here.  We are well into the gallows humor over it all.

          My work schedule is still good -- this week and next week I only work three days, since Mondays are president's holidays both weeks.  Score!  And we are nearly done with the high school admissions stuff -- the apps, interviews, open houses, school visits are all behind us.  What a huge project this has been.

          How is all with you?  How is the new work project going?  I won't get too personal and ask how the second baby project is going :)

          by mamacita on Wed Feb 13, 2008 at 10:32:01 AM PDT

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          • new work project (0 / 0)

            hasn't gotten off the ground yet. I'm actually not that upset about it; I'm not wholly invested in it at the moment and the freelancing is going so well. I'll have to cut back on some of my magazines if the project goes off.

            Second baby - let's just say, work in progress!

            So sorry to hear that your house is still not functioning the way you like it. We had One Of Those Years when I was growing up. After about, oh, five years after the fact, it really does become funny. If that helps any!

            by Rachel on Wed Feb 13, 2008 at 02:59:51 PM PDT

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  • He's 5 (0 / 0)

    We have a quite a few small, local 5Ks in the area, and I wish more of them would add fun runs like that!    It was so much fun.

    by K C on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 10:04:27 AM PDT

  • Colds, strep, et al (0 / 0)

    Sorry to hear about everyone's ailments!  And broken bones are no fun either!  We just recently got through strep in this house, with Madeline and DH getting a round of it.  Now, we think DH has GOUT!  He woke up w/a really painful toe joint.  He's got a podiatrist appointment in a 1/2 hour to try and figure out what's going on.  He can barely walk!

    I went to a Premier Designs jewelry party in my neighborhood yesterday.  Anyone ever heard of that?  I wasn't really looking to buy jewelry, just want to meet more of my neighbors.  Apparently, the company is what the consultant called biblically based.  Weird.  Why does religion have to infiltrate every aspect of people's lives?  It's just costume jewelry for chrissakes.  

    "We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of the dream..."

    by 1plain1peanut on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 11:20:29 AM PDT

    • I clicked on their website (0 / 0)

      ..that is some freaky sh*t...God really cares what kind of earrings I wear?  really?

      by MKatherine1966 on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 11:25:11 AM PDT

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    • You can thank (0 / 0)

      the "gospel of prosperity." I'm still waiting for them to translate that Dead Sea scroll.

      by mpg on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 11:25:34 AM PDT

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    • It's quite common (0 / 0)

      when I was the world's worst Mary Kay lady they had pretty much the same kind of philosophy.  It's like you can't be moral unless God calls you to be moral.  Doing the right thing wouldn't occur to them unless God demanded it...weird, eh?  Like not ripping people off is only the domain of the allmighty.  

      I have a couple of their pieces of jewelery though and they're pretty nice.  

      "As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly"

      by lonestar canuck on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 11:28:45 AM PDT

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      • Heh.. (0 / 0)

        MK and Premier Designs... two companies based in the Dallas area, am I right?  

        I think w/both companies, the consultant makes 50%of the sales.  At least that's what the Premier girl said.  It had me thinking... how overpriced is this stuff anyway???  

        "We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of the dream..."

        by 1plain1peanut on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 11:32:41 AM PDT

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        • I don't know about Premier (0 / 0)

          but with the Mary Kay it really depended on how much you sold - the more inventory you carried the greater your percentage on the sales.  It sounded good on the surface but you paid for a lot of the things that went into doing the business.  

          I still really like the product but I was left with a lot of foundation and lipsticks that I couldn't sell...

          The direct sales business I'm half-assedly doing now has a 25% commission.  I think that's more common - it doesn't require me to carry an inventory though so maybe that's the difference?  

          Having to buy from the companies to maintain your involvement is a frequent catch with that kind of sales.    

          "As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly"

          by lonestar canuck on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 11:45:00 AM PDT

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          • Right... (0 / 0)

            I did Pampered Chef for a very short time.  I can't remember what the commission was, but I want to say around 20%.  And the longer you were in it the more you ended up making commission-wise.  

            Which direct sales business are you doing now?  I've considered Bead Retreat because I like the concept of the parties.  I'm the crafty type, though.

            "We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of the dream..."

            by 1plain1peanut on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 11:48:14 AM PDT

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            • Not to come off as advertising... (0 / 0)

              but I sell (well, I'm an independent consultant for..) Southern Living at Home  It's an offshoot of the magazine.  

              I've been a sahm for 9 years so I've heard every direct sales come on you can imagine and this one seems to be pretty fair (other than it's direct sales)  I'm not good at it so mostly I just use the discount to get stuff for myself and as gifts.  But because I don't have to carry an inventory I don't have to meet a sales goal so my laziness doesn't get me in trouble with them.  

              I like the beads though - I've never heard of them but it looks like a cool evening idea.  

              "As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly"

              by lonestar canuck on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 01:16:03 PM PDT

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      • omg (0 / 0)

        I can't believe you sold Mary Kay.  You have got to write your memoirs.

        by mamacita on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 01:08:58 PM PDT

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        • It was pretty awful (0 / 0)

          since I don't really wear make up and I was in my mid twenties so none of my friends had any money and they weren't in the target market...and they made us wear dresses...I should have known it wasn't the right career for me.

          "As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly"

          by lonestar canuck on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 01:17:06 PM PDT

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    • huh (0 / 0)

      Biblically based costume jewelry?

      Jesus loved the fake jewels!

      by NJmom on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 12:06:38 PM PDT

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    • Our neighbor sold their stuff (0 / 0)

      I did pick up a few nice pieces - earrings.  Is their stuff still really big and grandmalike?  

      The worst was the "christian" theme - our neighbor was relentless with bringing me catalogs, etc.  Because of course the Pastor's Wife needs more religious jewelery...

      Jen

      by MrsPastor on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 07:19:28 AM PDT

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      • Hahahaha (0 / 0)

        Yeah, I felt their stuff was kind of big and gaudy, not pieces I would wear.  

        "We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of the dream..."

        by 1plain1peanut on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 08:14:53 AM PDT

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      • can't you kinda use that line (0 / 0)

        from Caddyshack that Bill Murray says after caddying for the Dalai Lama "And he says, 'Oh, uh, there won't be any money, but when you die, on your deathbed, you will receive total consciousness.' So I got that goin' for me, which is nice."

        You're married to a pastor, who is one of God's posse - you got that goin' for ya, which is nice. No religious jewelery necessary.

        (forgive the flippancy; not trying to insult!)

        by Rachel on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 01:45:31 PM PDT

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        • I love the flippancy! (0 / 0)

          I don't think I deserve any more reverance than anyone else, just because I am married to a pastor.

          Gratefully, I no longer see that neighbor.  Unfortunately, I still get lots of religious themed gifts.  

          Jen

          by MrsPastor on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 03:58:43 PM PDT

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          • urgh (0 / 0)

            My godmother (who was a wonderful woman) used to give me religious-themed presents every year on my birthday - plaques with proverbs on them, that sort of thing. They were awful, all the more so because they were so lovingly meant.

            As for the flippancy, I'm always a little bit cautious; the first pastor that I can remember at my church when I was growing up was Missouri Synod Lutheran, and he and his wife had absolutely, positively no sense of humor. They were the Frank Burns and Margaret Houlihan of our church.

            by Rachel on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 07:39:00 PM PDT

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  • DH is back! (0 / 0)

    I'm so sorry to hear about everyone's sickness and broken bones. I refuse to say that we are all healthy on this site since the last time I wrote that, my two-year-old developed a 48-hour virus the next day.

    Anyway, I'm mostly just thrilled that DH is home safely. Two and a half weeks was just a real long time, you know? He leaves again for the weekend on Thursday, but I should be able to handle that just fine.

    by mpg on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 11:28:15 AM PDT

  • Vent about taxes (0 / 0)

    I need to vent about taxes, since  we had our dreaded accountant visit this weekend. Our tax bill this year is well into the five figures, on top of what we already paid in payroll and estimated taxes during the year. We sort of saw it coming and prepared for it, but why oh why does it always have to be more than expected? And the prospect of writing a check that big to the government takes my breath away, a little. I believe paying taxes is a patriotic duty, and this year, as every year, I think, "Well, it’s not that I can’t pay my taxes; it’s just that I don’t want to," and I am grateful for our continuing good fortune. Still, there are so many ways in which our tax system is completely f’ed up. And for two months a year, between the time we see our accountant and the time I mail our return (at the LAST POSSIBLE SECOND) I give myself over to contemplating the complete ridiculousness of it all.

    First, there’s the fact that if you subtract what it costs for me to work full time (e.g., car payment, day care, gas, higher tax rate, etc.), from what I earn, I end up earning $7,000 per year. So staying home or working part-time looks like it makes a lot of financial sense, except removing myself from the workforce for any length of time, losing the pretty sweet job I have now, and relying on DH, who is self-employed, for most our income is too scary to chance for me.

    Then there’s the fact that somehow, in order to avoid penalties, we have to break out our crystal ball and predict whether this year will be as good as last year.

    If we made income through investments, rather than through our own labor, we’d pay less taxes. That’s messed up. Do we value hard work in this country, or not?

    Then, it just seems like we pay a hell of a lot of taxes on what we earn. That supposed deduction for student loan interest? Doesn’t apply to me. Thousand dollar per-child tax credit? More like $250.

    If I were actually seeing some benefit for my taxes it would be easier to swallow. Like, if we had universal health care, universal preschool, affordable college, if there were no homeless people, if our country were debt-free, or if they were building high speed trains to take me to visit my family —this would make me think, well, at least we’re getting something for our dollars. But I look at the state of the country and think, geez, what a waste.

    I’m done, that’s it, this is the one time a year I sounds like a Republican.

    by minnmom on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 11:31:32 AM PDT

    • nah (0 / 0)

      I don't think you sound like a Republican.  Taxes are painful, painful, painful and like you said, when you consider what we get for them, it hurts even more.  It sounds like since you and your DH actually had to write the check out, rather than have it taken out little by little over the year, it hurts more.

      We pay our property taxes directly to the town instead of having our mortgage company do it (12K a year!).  It's painful, painful, but writing out that check for 3K a year brings reality home.  The schools better be ok in this town or I am going to be one pissed off mama!

      by NJmom on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 12:11:05 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      • Taxes (0 / 0)

        I pay payroll taxes in every paycheck (M 0 + hundreds); we pay estimated (quarterly) taxes four times per year, and we STILL have to write a check out in April. Gah!

        Of all the taxes I pay, property taxes are the least onerous--at least I can look at the pretty new school across the street and think, "That's what I am paying for."

        by minnmom on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 05:16:37 AM PDT

        [ Parent ]

      • 12K? (0 / 0)

        That is a LOT of money.  We pay about $3,500 -- but we also get what we pay for, when it comes to local schools :(  Actually when I look at an itemized property tax bill, the contribution to the schools is something really measly, like $250.  

        by mamacita on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 01:13:56 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        • Yep (0 / 0)

          Yep, 12K a year.  Cash straight to the town, mostly for schools. On top of state, county and federal taxes too.  

          Our schools are good here, so if I have two kids in school for the next 13+ years, I figure at least I'm getting that.  And I shall be promptly moving out after that!  : )

          by NJmom on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 02:10:22 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

    • You don't sound like a Republican to me (0 / 0)

      The past 6 years, the reason we not-filthy-rich have to pay more taxes is because of Republicans.  The really wealthy ones (Bush, Cheney, Bill Gates, etc.) had their taxes lowered.  So, to pay for the wars, where does the money come from?  In addition to increasing the deficit, it is US.

      I always did my own taxes.  (Maybe this is why they picked on me.)  But in 2004, they hit me with "Incorrectly filed tax penalties" for five different years, going back to 1998.  Adding up to about $15K.  Now, I am not an accountant, but I couldn't have messed up THAT badly.  I paid through the nose at the time.  This was extra money I (supposedly) didn't pay.

      I am convinced that they HAD to get some money somewhere, since they couldn't make up for the super-dooper wealthy tax cuts, so they went after the middle class.  Of course, my State taxes were fine.  Funny, that.

      by Shell on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 01:49:16 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

    • I'm there (0 / 0)

      I think paying taxes is the right thing to do and would mind them being even higher.  But every year when we have to pay them, I feel resentful that they are so poorly used.  I want to pay taxes, but I also want very, very good services.

      by Erin on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 09:51:42 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  • Growing pains (0 / 0)

    Has anyone's child had growing pains?  My 4 year old woke up in the middle of the night screaming in pain and rubbing his shin.  Some massage and Tylenol seemed to help.  I called the doctor today and they think it's growing pains, we will get to see the doc next month unless things get worse.

    Katherine

    by pat of butter in a sea of grits on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 11:40:06 AM PDT

  • Is anyone else watching (0 / 0)

    the NASA spacewalk today?  Pretty cool stuff.  I've been checking in now and then throughout the day.  If you don't get NASA TV, you can watch it here.

    "We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of the dream..."

    by 1plain1peanut on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 11:40:48 AM PDT

  • Funny Stone Soup Comic from today (0 / 0)

    "We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of the dream..."

    by 1plain1peanut on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 11:56:14 AM PDT

  • blah (0 / 0)

    Winter blues here.  Didn't have any plans today, thought, let's take a walk up to the playground, better check the weather first...

    18°F
    Feels Like
    3°F

    Or not.

    On politics, kind of bumming about Clinton's losses this weekend, I know there is still time.  I don't want to be one of those sour grapes people, but I have so not warmed up to Obama at all.  And, here's my confession, I have warmed up to his wife even less.  I know that spouses shouldn't matter that much, but still.  I'll have to watch that Larry King tonight that she is going to be on.

    by NJmom on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 12:13:57 PM PDT

    • I haven't warmed to Michelle Obama either (0 / 0)

      not that it matters... I feel like th person I really wanted to run for president this year was Elizabeth Edwards ;-)

      I'm a little bummed about hilary's losses too but bolstered that she's still ahead in delegates.

      And I've increasinly gotten irritated with my friends in teh Obama camp who declare if I was a 'real liberal' i'd be supporting him.

      I am a real liberal thank you and I've seen them both in person and she's my candidate so back off before I hurt someone LOL

      by MKatherine1966 on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 12:24:12 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      • how dumb is that? (0 / 0)

        So you're not a real liberal, hey? How stupid is that!? Do we really need to be pissing in each other's boots, for chrissakes?

        Look, I was an Edwards supporter (well, an Elizabeth Edwards supporter going for her husband avatar!), now I'm an Obama supporter. But I can totally understand why people would support Hillary and if she's the party's nominee, I'll gladly vote for her. The reason we have the friggin' primaries is to expose all the different candidates on the spectrum and let the process take its course!

        What's your comeback when people say that sh!t?

        by Rachel on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 01:10:40 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        • Pissing in each other's boots (0 / 0)

          LOL!

          Is there some kind of litmus test to make you a "real liberal?" If so, I'd like to know what it is. As I commented elsewhere, my stepmother accused me of abandoning the fold because I voted for Obama!

          by mpg on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 01:56:37 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

    • check this out (0 / 0)

      interesting profile of Michelle Obama from today's Wall Street Journal.

      She comes off as sarcastic, tough, even a little prickly.

      Me likey. :-)

      by Erika on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 12:51:13 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  • Oh, Elisa (0 / 0)

    I'm so sorry.  Do you want some chicken soup?

    What do you mean, uh-oh? baby pictures

    by round peg inna square hole on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 02:23:57 PM PDT

  • Happy Birthday (0 / 0)

    to Darwin, Abraham Lincoln, and the Rev. at my UU church!

    by GiGi on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 07:11:51 AM PDT

  • Stone Soup... even funnier today! (0 / 0)

    "We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of the dream..."

    by 1plain1peanut on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 05:54:24 PM PDT

    • Love it! (0 / 0)

      How much snow did you get? We didn't get as much as they were all freaking out about on the news but enough to pay my neighbor kid $20 to snowblow my driveway. I'm hoping Sam can go home tomorrow as he LOVES to play in the snow and it looks like it may stick around a bit.

      by GiGi on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 06:11:29 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      • Not that much (0 / 0)

        Just enough to cover the grass... the rest has been freezing rain, which is still happening.  I wonder if they'll be on a delay tomorrow morning.  I was hoping for more than we got... the forecast was for 5"-7" originally.

        "We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of the dream..."

        by 1plain1peanut on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 07:09:52 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

      • Just reread (0 / 0)

        your post and saw you are hoping Sam will get to go home tomorrow.  I hope so too!  I was making brownies for Madeline's valentine's class party and trying to get Madeline to go to sleep when I replied, so I missed that the first time around.

        It started snowing again at around 10:30... the ground is covered again.  I bet Grant's school will have a delay tomorrow.

        "We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of the dream..."

        by 1plain1peanut on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 09:00:08 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        • did you decorate the brownies (0 / 0)

          as artistically as you did Madeline's cake?!

          We just did some Valentines here for each other - paper, scissors, glitter glue sticks, photos and stickers galore! Now all DH has to do is remember to bring home cards for Jess, or else he's gonna have to go all arts and crafty! It was funny; I was planning to make Jess's valentine after she went to bed, but she told me "I'll make yours and you make mine," and proceeded to tell me exactly how she wanted hers to be made! First child, anyone!?

          by Rachel on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 10:56:24 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          • Hahahaha (0 / 0)

            No... in fact, I ended up not bringing them!  I used a mini-muffin pan and they all ended up sticking.  I made buckeyes over the weekend, so I ended up taking those instead.  I'm sure those bits and pieces won't go to waste in this house.  Every once in a while something I make ends up being a dud... oh well!

            We made these cute crayon hearts to pass out with the kids' valentines.  An easy, fun craft to do when you are off on a snow day.

            "We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of the dream..."

            by 1plain1peanut on Wed Feb 13, 2008 at 06:32:04 AM PDT

            [ Parent ]

        • Delay? (0 / 0)

          The mere threat of snow and our school system shuts down! Sally was home yesterday - not sure what's happening today as I'm on hospital duty.

          by GiGi on Wed Feb 13, 2008 at 04:51:11 AM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          • No delay (0 / 0)

            Everything was shut down here yesterday except for 2 smaller districts closer in to the city.  Even some colleges closed!  

            Actually, there was no delay today.  I dropped Madeline off at preschool a little while ago and the roads weren't too bad.

            I hope all goes well for you today.  :)

            "We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of the dream..."

            by 1plain1peanut on Wed Feb 13, 2008 at 06:35:40 AM PDT

            [ Parent ]

      • oh, heck! (0 / 0)

        I hope the snow doesn't impede Sam's coming home, GiGi!!

        by Rachel on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 10:54:23 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        • Nah (0 / 0)

          we got the worst of it the night before last and aren't expecting any snow or freezing rain today. I drove into the hospital yesterday (Tues) and the roads were quite passable...still waiting to hear if we can go home today or not...they'll round in an hour or so.

          by GiGi on Wed Feb 13, 2008 at 04:49:53 AM PDT

          [ Parent ]

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