was stressful ( Read more... )

I just got back from a cross-campus errand that ate up my entire morning. I caught the bus there, but of course missed it coming back. That turned out OK, though, since I walked back through the Gardens with lots of happy children running around. The errand is likely pointless (and completely secret, naturally), but at long last my part of it is ( Read more... )

We're headed to New Bern this weekend, and we'll go to Pine Knowles Aquarium. Two years ago, when we went last time, N. acquired Dolphy, his absolute favourite stuffed toy, a foot-long plush dolphin. He actually remembers this trip, and when we told him we're going back, he immediately made plans to get a little brother for Dolphy. He made us ( Read more... )

Warning!! Do NOT watch this if you are in any sort of bad mood. It will destroy it faster than a hit of Cute Overload.
Especially the bits about 'sharing' the greenbean.

I have reached the proverbial end of the rope with my mom... I just put this on my mundane facebook page (locked to family and a few very close friends):

For the 8th or 9th time this year, my mom has had to overdraw her checking account to buy food, because the foodstamps aren't covering enough. She's barely making rent + utilities, even with the ( Read more... )

So my son had a school function today.
He's in there somewhere, I promise! Every year, I'll post pics of this thing, I'm sure. It's very nice to be a part of a school with such great parental involvement and so many neighbours attending.

I'll give you a hint - he's in
 
( Read more... )

Since moving my mom up here 2.5 years ago, I've been nominally in charge of her money. I have her checkbook and debit card, and I make sure her bills are paid on time. This month, for at least the 6th time in a row, she has overdrawn the account again because she does not have enough money to eat for the month. She's already on food stamps. ( Read more... )

Or until 8, anyway ( Read more... )

Every morning I walk from my neighbourhood across two parking lots and then across a side street which has a traffic light. I make a point of crossing WITH the light, because so many people rush out of the side street and turn right, which means they never look in my direction. I've taken to tapping on hoods (well, OK, hitting) to make these ( Read more... )

I bought my new gadget last week: Motorola Devour. Even though I bought it without a voice or data plan, it still came locked to Verizon. I don't want to use it as a phone, I'm locked in to my 2-year phone plan and I don't need it as a phone right now. I think I need to 'crack' it away from the carrier. I've gotten past the Motorola Blur stuff ( ( Read more... )