Recent Posts

51

Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board / Re: Play Hookey

« Last post by Meh on November 27, 2025, 02:30:40 PM »

Mother emailed me yesterday. First time she has contacted since she tried to pretend I was insane and called all the what is it called... public mental health check or whatever. I haven't even opened the email only read the first line.

I have sick time built up at work I am thinking of calling in sick Monday again. Have strategically looked over our assigned tasks for the week. I think calling in sick on Monday would make my coworkers the most miserable because they would get the full load of the work I usually do. They will not be over staffed that day to start with. My boss oddly likes to overstaff the office sometimes. There is one day next week where she has this young guy coworker scheduled the full day to do barely anything. He spends his days on the company chat application bullshitting with coworkers, doodling, and trying to leave his desk every five minutes.

I think I might get myself a nice haircut this weekend and buy some hair goop. I got good feecdback from a customer on Friday and deliberately told my boss about it... my coworkers were simultaneously screeching and fighting over a "favorite" pen. All my boss said was "it's nice when WE get compliments" ....

52

Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board / Re: I met DD24's bf's parents

« Last post by Hopalong on November 25, 2025, 04:22:30 PM »

You're very welcome, Lighter.
I confess that sometimes I skip past extremely detailed renovation or cooking stuff, but I just tell myself, this is Lighter's diary...no comment needed!

One (June 5th) thing did jumped up for me: "easy to worry....when solutions and action are required."

My instant response internally was, "required of WHOM?"

They will fly when they get to use their own wings/minds/intelligence to fly around options, rest in their own independent nests while they think over solutions, and decide while soaring OR CRASHING what actions they are going to take.

I think that will make the empty nest a lot more peaceful, and their new independent nests feel more free and joyful. They will crash. That's how we learn.

hugs
Hops

53

Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board / Re: I met DD24's bf's parents

« Last post by lighter on November 24, 2025, 07:23:25 PM »

Stew sounds comforting, and delicious, Amber.

DD25 chipper and upbeat today.... she'll be spending 2 nights and 3 days, with BF's family, over Thanksgiving.  They still have Grandparents.....I don't mind celebrating early. 

DD24, and I, will be hanging out together on the 27th.....likely delivering a meal, to a neighborhood message board family, or two.  Publix is matching donations to Manna right now, so that's a no brainer.  Will have beautiful leftovers.  My stock is beautiful.

I'll sweat onions, celery and shallots in butter, for the stuffing, tonight.  Brine the chicken overnight.  Dinner will be in the evening....when bf gets off work.  I'm feeling like decorating a bit .... I'm in the holiday spirit....happy to be in the cool evening air, finishing up shopping....feeling very present.  Less bothered by the hiccups....the COWs.

Lighter

54

Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board / Re: I met DD24's bf's parents

« Last post by sKePTiKal on November 24, 2025, 10:00:57 AM »

And this is why I ordered venison, to make a savory stew for B & I. IF Hol doesn't go to her other Friendsgiving, she can hang out with us; or not - as she chooses. She declaims frequently that "it's just another day" to her.

55

Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board / Re: Farm Journal - 2025

« Last post by sKePTiKal on November 24, 2025, 09:57:16 AM »

Another forum I'm on (thousands of members) has also started having issues. Apparently, AI bots are absolutely drowning access for members - who are getting error messages or the site simply won't load.

56

Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board / Re: I met DD24's bf's parents

« Last post by lighter on November 23, 2025, 11:10:57 PM »

Lordy.....cook.  Don't cook.  Get Thai...no.  Chinese.  Plan for early celebration, so DD24 can go to her BF's family celebration.

Then ......I think it's settled.  DD23 is cooking a new French potato recipe, but.....DD24 thinks we're going out for Thai.....has invited friends..... she's overwhelmed and overtly disappointed.

This, after I had a happy day planning, shopping, roasting chicken bones onions and carrots for the delicious smelling stock, simmering on the stove.

DD25 makes sure there will be gluten in the stuffing. Yes. 

I make roasted brussel sprouts, chuck eye steaks and a crunchy salad, no one eats.  DD25 goes to her car to calm down. The bf chats DD23 and I up, in her absence......more a problem around lack of control and belief she'd be e stuck in the house with "gross" food.  I'll cancel the honey baked ham....bc..... that's....gross.

The roast chicken is still on.  I made the brine ahead..... it's ready to go.

DD23 thinks asparagus will please everyone.

I'm just relieved I got the pie order in early......and relieved the kids want to play games.

All in all....things are on track.  Wrangling a group is what it is, esp when strong opinions are involved.

I'm interested in mining more joy.....maximizing the time.  That's my focus.

DD23 is in the middle, as always..amused at the add/tism dance DD24 and I dance.

Lighter

57

Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board / Re: Farm Journal - 2025

« Last post by sKePTiKal on November 23, 2025, 08:59:03 AM »

Lighter mentioned that blues were brighter. I've been noticing that - depending on the light - some grays are looking definitely purple to me. Even my girlie gray twin kitties. Other colors are normal hue/intensity.

It still feels weird to not be wearing glasses. And because I wore contacts for a couple decades, I can "feel" the lens/incision or scar, in my eye.

I'm still very bright light sensitive, so I'm going to have to borrow a pair of sunglasses from Hol till I get some that aren't Rx.

58

Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board / Re: Farm Journal - 2025

« Last post by Hopalong on November 22, 2025, 02:43:06 PM »

Wowzers. I'm so happy to hear all this, Amber!

Not surprised by it but greatly delighted.

That last para is just happytoast.

And the sleep marathon, too.

Yay, YOU! Keeping up not keeping everything up might be resetting something too.
All in favor of you doing a little less and enjoying it more, raise your hands....

hugs and more happies,
Hops

59

Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board / Re: The Lake House

« Last post by sKePTiKal on November 21, 2025, 02:10:40 PM »

Yup, it's good to carve out space for "just you". It really does benefit a person to build in time each day - week - month - year for solitude. No matter WHAT Zuckerberg thinks is important!

A person discovers a whole lot of new stuff in those spaces, and it makes your time with chosen others more interesting too.

60

Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board / Re: Farm Journal - 2025

« Last post by sKePTiKal on November 21, 2025, 02:06:26 PM »

Got off the phone with my brother a little while ago - who needs the same surgery.

I was having trouble seeing the puter this morning; but this afternoon I can see it fine. I'll have to reset the text size on my Kindle tonight (I made it giant; still didn't read much - just crashed.)

Now I can't wait for the full moon, to see if I still see a bright blue circle around it.

The weirdest part is, I'm not wearing glasses and I can still see. Better than I saw WITH glasses!