Dear So and So

[Owlie]

Dear Self,

I know that the knitting store is a black hole of common sense. Please brace yourself, scurry in and out quickly, and do not be tempted by the hand dyed merinos near the door. While financial ruin by yarn purchase doesn't sound Soooo bad, it definitely is bad.

Thank you,
Self.

I can totally understand that. The last time I went yarn shopping was for stuff for presents for my parents. (Okay, they're not getting done for a long time--I just wrap the yarn, put a note on it and then work at my own pace.) It turned into "Okay, now that I've gotten the stuff for Dad's socks, and Mom's scarf (with an extra just in case), there's all this other stuff that's on sale..." I think I ended up with an additional four pairs of socks' worth.

[Reesha]

I can totally understand that. The last time I went yarn shopping was for stuff for presents for my parents. (Okay, they're not getting done for a long time--I just wrap the yarn, put a note on it and then work at my own pace.) It turned into "Okay, now that I've gotten the stuff for Dad's socks, and Mom's scarf (with an extra just in case), there's all this other stuff that's on sale..." I think I ended up with an additional four pairs of socks' worth.

I bought $90 worth of yarn The upside is that the yarn is for three incredibly soft hats for my friend's sister-in-law, a young mother who has breast cancer. May her head keep cozy and warm all winter!

[redrhodie]

Dear Anthropologie,

How hard is it to keep gift boxes in stock Christmas week? Big thumbs down for that.

[Blueberry]

Dear Local Branch of a Chain Grocery Store:

I'm really glad you had the jars I needed. But do you have to have the Easter Candy out **before Christmas**

Signed,

Ready for people to enjoy the moment and stop hurrying to the next thing

[indysteel]

Dear Local Branch of a Chain Grocery Store:

I'm really glad you had the jars I needed. But do you have to have the Easter Candy out **before Christmas**

Signed,

Ready for people to enjoy the moment and stop hurrying to the next thing

Seriously? That's ridiculous.

[indysteel]

Hang in there, Crankin!

[Reesha]

Dear Local Branch of a Chain Grocery Store:

I'm really glad you had the jars I needed. But do you have to have the Easter Candy out **before Christmas**

Signed,

Ready for people to enjoy the moment and stop hurrying to the next thing

Plus they're totally skipping over Valentine's which is probably an even greater cash cow.

[Crankin]

I love Valentines Day. Even though we go out all of the time, we always go out for a nice dinner or make something really special at home. Last year we spent an awesome day x country skiing and then came home, showered and ate soup and salads at the bar of a fancier type restaurant.
My dad always bought my mom and I a huge thing of candy and often gave my mom a piece of jewelry on Valentine's Day. I still have the little handkerchief with hearts he gave me one year, when I was maybe 4.

[Veronica]

My dad always bought my mom and I a huge thing of candy and often gave my mom a piece of jewelry on Valentine's Day. I still have the little handkerchief with hearts he gave me one year, when I was maybe 4.

That's a really cool memory.

Veronica

[emily_in_nc]

I'm really glad you had the jars I needed. But do you have to have the Easter Candy out **before Christmas**

Wha?????????????

I simply can't imagine!

Five million thumbs down!

[Crankin]

Well, there's people who buy that stuff months ahead, I guess.
I was surprised a few years ago, when my students started reporting that were getting gifts for Easter! I may not be Christian, but I thought I knew the traditions surrounding this holiday, and this didn't seem right. But, it seems like parents feel the need to overindulge their kids a little more. I've had several families I am working with now tell me they wish they never started the tradition of "spoiling their kids" with an overabundance of gifts at X Mas when they were little, because now they can't afford it, but the kids expect it. One of the women I work with described how she stood in a line for 3 hours on Monday, in the cold, to get some toys from Toys for Tots. There were several fights, the police had to be called, and some people had already been there. There were no Marines in sight .
I just don't get any of this.

[limewave]

Well, there's people who buy that stuff months ahead, I guess.
I was surprised a few years ago, when my students started reporting that were getting gifts for Easter! I may not be Christian, but I thought I knew the traditions surrounding this holiday, and this didn't seem right. But, it seems like parents feel the need to overindulge their kids a little more. I've had several families I am working with now tell me they wish they never started the tradition of "spoiling their kids" with an overabundance of gifts at X Mas when they were little, because now they can't afford it, but the kids expect it. One of the women I work with described how she stood in a line for 3 hours on Monday, in the cold, to get some toys from Toys for Tots. There were several fights, the police had to be called, and some people had already been there. There were no Marines in sight .
I just don't get any of this.

Yikes. I am amazed at how much people spend on their kids at Christmas time. I was talking to a parent at daycare who bought each of their kids their own tablet (for about $200/ea). I mentioned I bought DD an iPod Touch . . . come to find out the next day that he went out and bought each of his kids an iPod Touch as well! I guess he couldn't be outdone. I feel a bit bad for DD as the Touch is the only gift she's getting other than some necessities (like snow pants and gloves). And then I think about the kids that aren't getting anything. And the parents that don't even care enough to go to Toys for Tots and completely neglect their kids . . .

We do Easter presents at our house too. But the gift is a new Easter Dress for church and some candy in the colored eggs for the egg hunt

Dear Limewave,
Stop obsessing over single speeds. There is no money in the pot right now for one and you JUST got a new mountain bike! I have no doubt you'll get your own single speed in due time. But drooling over pictures and trolling the internet has turned from innocent browsing into a form of self-torture.
~Me

[Crankin]

Dear Self,
Today has been a most frustrating afternoon. I had free time on a Tuesday, and I was good and didn't ride, because I feel like I am on the edge of coming down with something. Plus, I already pushed it in strength class this morning.
So, when I finally got up the nerve to make the call to very distasteful woman who has to authorize more behavioral health insurance units for some of my clients (she grills you like crazy on their goals, etc), I realized I forgot to bring home 3/4 SSNs for the clients. OK, deep breath, i went on to do the re-authorizations for 2 who have an insurance where I just have to punch #'s into a phone. The first one couldn't be completed because "the dates overlapped." I am hoping I just have the current ending date wrong. The second one "couldn't be done over the phone." This one might be trouble, as this child lost his state sponsored insurance earlier in the fall and they are still fighting with the parents over this.... he's finally on track after a huge setback and now this?
So, nothing accomplished and I can't even get in my jammies and relax because I have a 6:30 PM session with a dad that is very important, in preparation for a meeting on Thursday.