Tanmi, Irish, Merr

[merr]

He called right before I went to bed last night and we chatted for a few minutes. He's exhausted, which isn't surprising; he doesn't know how to pace himself. He just goes, goes, goes until he can't anymore. They finished getting ready for the plumbing inspection about 6:30 last night and it sounded like they were going to actually spend the rest of the night relaxing.

You should really get him his own tiny laptop! I've seen so many videos of people doing this for their cats to get them out of their way, it's so cute!

[tanmi]

Alex needs a little guitar, as well. He loves to ping the strings. This is obviously a bad thing.

Are there good restaurants near the house? Hopefully, Kevin and his friends can enjoy some good food while there. Pretty much anything around a house is hard work.

[merr]

None of them are much for "good food." They're happy with the same old Burger King, KFC etc that is nearby. There are good restaurants around, but I doubt they'll take the time to go to any of them. When I go, I make sure we are always trying new things and finding good food, but a bunch of dudes there together are going to go with whatever is easiest. lol

Do you play the guitar?! I had no idea.

[tanmi]

I don't play guitar. Honey is a very artistic person. He can draw whatever he looks at and he plays guitar and piano. Me? Nothing...stick people and no musical talent. I frankly don't know what he sees in me.

The IT system is down at work. I was connected for about an hour this morning, but they haven't fixed it yet. There's a lot going on, so it needs to be fixed sooner than later.

I've been feeling lately that things around the house are getting away from us. Well, it's spring, so hopefully we can get on it. There are a couple of cars in the driveway, of all things, that we need to get rid of. The house needs some minor repairs. The deck will probably need finishing. The house just needs perking up. If that makes sense.

[mazeman]

:DHello Lovely Friends!!! :-)

[mazeman]

Mar 31, 2021 8:57:55 GMT -5 tanmi said:

I don't play guitar. Honey is a very artistic person. He can draw whatever he looks at and he plays guitar and piano. Me? Nothing...stick people and no musical talent. I frankly don't know what he sees in me.

The IT system is down at work. I was connected for about an hour this morning, but they haven't fixed it yet. There's a lot going on, so it needs to be fixed sooner than later.

I've been feeling lately that things around the house are getting away from us. Well, it's spring, so hopefully we can get on it. There are a couple of cars in the driveway, of all things, that we need to get rid of. The house needs some minor repairs. The deck will probably need finishing. The house just needs perking up. If that makes sense.

Hey Friend!!!!

I didn't know Honey was so gifted! I can't draw to save my life!

When I was a kid we have a piano in the family room but it just kind of sat there. Nobody in my family played piano... It eventually vanished and turned into a shelf for my Mom's planters.

We are opening back our offices twice a week on an OPTIONAL basis. The building where I work has strict guidelines for the amount of people allowed in an office space, the amount of people allowed in lobbies, elevators.

The train ride back into Chicago has been desolate! Only a handful of people riding the train, and all keeping at least six feet apart. Masks everywhere.

I was championing going back! And now that I've gotten a re-taste of waking up two hours earlier I have to put my $$$ where my mouth is!

[mazeman]

Mar 16, 2021 18:08:28 GMT -5 merr said:

I'm surprised that Michigan has the least weather events...Michigan doesn't seem like it has great weather.

Junior year is a rough one...her senior year should actually be quite a bit easier.

Junior year was a weird year!!!! Senior year was GREAT but it went so fast! :-)

[mazeman]

Mar 22, 2021 11:30:04 GMT -5 merr said:

Emily did great! There were 3 laps that were about 2 hours each. The first lap went really well and the weather was still nice...her and Kevin both were hot so Emily took off a sweatshirt and Kevin took off his rain gear jacket. They both were regretting that not long into the beginning of the 2nd lap. The weather turned, like we knew it would, and it started to rain and snow. They got back from the 2nd lap freezing cold. They took a long pit stop and added more layers, put the rain gear back on, got dry gloves and switched to Kevin driving for the last lap. Emily was too cold and couldn't drive anymore and Kevin was happy to take a turn. They were doing really well the last lap until Kevin drove too hard (as usual) and broke the car. They managed to limp it across the finish line though! They were 6th out of 21 and last to finish. The other 15 cars all dropped out at some point so only 6 cars out of 21 actually finished the race. It was a good day! Did you see the pictures I posted on facebook?

WOAH!!!!!!!!!! I totally saw these videos and pics! I would have been thrown off like a bucking bronco!!! LOLOL

[merr]

Maze!! Good to see you...so are you making the sacrifice and getting up 2 hours early or no?

Opposites attract Tanmi!! I played piano and violin as a kid, but was never great at it. I enjoyed the violin, but I hated piano. I had many memories of crying at my piano lesson appointments. I have no drawing talent, but my kids do. None of them love doing it, but when they take an art class, they do really well. I have a few very artistic siblings.

Do you ever have those weeks where things are getting accomplished, but it just isn't the things that you put on your to do list at the beginning of the week? I'm having that week. I'm being good and working like I'm supposed to instead of being lazy because Kevin is gone, but my to do list isn't shrinking because I'm finding other things to do!

[tanmi]

Maze!!! Welcome back, you!! I know what you mean about getting into the office. I get up at the last minute, throw something on, comb my hair, get coffee and sit in the dining room. So easy!! Getting my butt up and preparing for an office will be so different!!

We were awakened this morning, very early, by an explosion. We jumped out of bed and started looking for it, you know the obvious, heating system, hot water heater, garage,, but couldn't find anything. It sounded like it was in the house. It wasn't something falling, it was literally an explosion. We still have power, so, I don't know.

I've always been a news junkie. Not a great thing, but I usually knew what was going on and I kept an open mind, mixing the news sources up, so I didn't get just one point of view. Mind you, I find the one-point-of view aspect to be within last ten years, before that, news stations themselves tried not to be completely opinionated. With that said, I may have to give up on news for awhile. I find I am losing sleep over it. Not just political news, all news, abused; pets, children, wives, husbands, grandparents, murders; which are all nonsensical, Portland is always on fire...Anyway, time to step away and clear my head. I have enough of my own business to keep me awake.

On a happier note; today is our Friday, since we have tomorrow off. Yay!!

[merr]

I want to know where the explosion came from!!

I get my news from whatever I see on facebook and twitter. I don't actually watch any new stations. I try to have a good mix of stuff from both sides as well, but it can be hard. Life would be extremely stressful to try and keep up with all the stuff going on in the world these days. It can definitely get very depressing.

I double checked Kevin's flight this morning and he doesn't get home until probably closer to 3 tomorrow. I was thinking it was closer to 11 or noon. He's probably going to want a nap. I wish there were other options for flying home from Hawaii, but I haven't seen any. The only option is to leave Hawaii sometime between 8pm and 11 pm and fly overnight to LA...arriving there around 6 or 7 am their time and then having to catch a flight back here. The flight from Hawaii to LA is roughly 6 hours which even if you are able to sleep the entire flight isn't really enough, especially because it's crappy sleep. And then we live an hour away from the airport so we've got to try and stay awake as we drive home! I shouldn't complain...we get to go to Hawaii.

[tanmi]

I spoke with a neighbor and she heard it, as well. It was likely a power transformer, but we didn't lose power.

I'm sure you will be glad when he's home safe and sound. Were they able to get enough done to be satisfied?

[merr]

Kevin isn't very chatty on the phone. They got the plumbing for both houses done like they wanted. They found an electrician to do the work they want done next. He went to the builder and planned out our kitchen. They moved a whole bunch of gravel around and did some trim work at our friend's house that is already built. They even got a day of fishing in. I'm sure he'll have a lot to tell me when he's actually back.

It's so weird having a daughter who goes after boys she likes. I had crushes that I would just admire from afar at her age. She finds a boy she likes and she talks to him in person and online. She actually TELLS them that she likes them! So far this hasn't worked out well for her, but the new boy she likes might work out...He seems to like that she's so forward. Problem is...he asked another girl to prom 3 days before Emily told him she liked him. It sounds like he just asked the girl because he's a senior and wanted to make sure to go to prom, but who knows. He's spending a lot of time talking to Emily and they have hung out and are making more plans to spend time together. She just doesn't quite know what is going on with the girl he asked to prom...they are obviously friends. He told her they'd talk about it more when they hang out next week during spring break. The prom date likes to give Emily the stink eye on a regular basis...or at least she thinks she's giving her the stink eye. I don't envy anyone having to date. I hated dating so much.

Someone in this love triangle is going to end up hurt.

[merr]

Kevin will be home in 4-ish hours and he brought me my favorite doughnuts from Hawaii!!!

[KyleEl]

Mar 31, 2021 10:39:06 GMT -5 mazeman said:

Mar 31, 2021 8:57:55 GMT -5 tanmi said:

I don't play guitar. Honey is a very artistic person. He can draw whatever he looks at and he plays guitar and piano. Me? Nothing...stick people and no musical talent. I frankly don't know what he sees in me.

The IT system is down at work. I was connected for about an hour this morning, but they haven't fixed it yet. There's a lot going on, so it needs to be fixed sooner than later.

I've been feeling lately that things around the house are getting away from us. Well, it's spring, so hopefully we can get on it. There are a couple of cars in the driveway, of all things, that we need to get rid of. The house needs some minor repairs. The deck will probably need finishing. The house just needs perking up. If that makes sense.

Hey Friend!!!!

I didn't know Honey was so gifted! I can't draw to save my life!

When I was a kid we have a piano in the family room but it just kind of sat there. Nobody in my family played piano... It eventually vanished and turned into a shelf for my Mom's planters.

We are opening back our offices twice a week on an OPTIONAL basis. The building where I work has strict guidelines for the amount of people allowed in an office space, the amount of people allowed in lobbies, elevators.

The train ride back into Chicago has been desolate! Only a handful of people riding the train, and all keeping at least six feet apart. Masks everywhere.

I was championing going back! And now that I've gotten a re-taste of waking up two hours earlier I have to put my $$$ where my mouth is!

My father and mother could both sing and play the piano. I can sing. I refused to learn to play the piano even though my father tried to teach me because I wasn't going to be one of the kids that is always practicing the piano.

[KyleEl]

Apr 1, 2021 11:31:26 GMT -5 merr said:

I get my news from whatever I see on facebook and twitter.

Occasionally I will see a story on someone's Facebook timeline, but I read actual newspapers. Well, sort of look at them, except the one I subscribe to. I fast-forward through news on several TV stations if I happen to want to see the weather, and then there's the station with Roy too. I might sometimes see something. I used to listen to a Wisconsin radio station but I've found other options, and I hear news in the car at the top of the hour or if I happen to be listening to Rush Limbaugh. He's now guaranteed to be on rather than a substitute ... okay, the substitute is on most of the time but he does introduce clips.

[KyleEl]

Mar 31, 2021 11:16:29 GMT -5 merr said:

I have no drawing talent, but my kids do. None of them love doing it, but when they take an art class, they do really well. I have a few very artistic siblings.

I have no drawing talent either. We had to take art in seventh grade. It was the only thing I ever made a C in until high school, and even then, it was one pop test I failed and the teacher lost most of her records and that pop test was a big part of it. And I KNEW if it was called "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" it must have been told by the mariner!

And the wedding guest was the one he was taking to, not the mariner!

[merr]

Apr 2, 2021 14:26:48 GMT -5 KyleEl said:

Mar 31, 2021 11:16:29 GMT -5 merr said:

I have no drawing talent, but my kids do. None of them love doing it, but when they take an art class, they do really well. I have a few very artistic siblings.

I have no drawing talent either. We had to take art in seventh grade. It was the only thing I ever made a C in until high school, and even then, it was one pop test I failed and the teacher lost most of her records and that pop test was a big part of it. And I KNEW if it was called "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" it must have been told by the mariner!

And the wedding guest was the one he was taking to, not the mariner!

That's not very fair about art. I always thought they had to grade you based on your effort, not talent in art class; especially if the class is required!

We had a great Easter weekend. Emily's "boyfriend" came up to the cabin with us on Saturday. We had another family up there with us as well. We had an egg hunt on Saturday outside--the weather was fantastic! And then Sunday the kids had to find their Easter baskets in the cabin. We watched church online and had a nice relaxing weekend. It was very good.

Tyler has decided he wants to try out contacts so I'm headed to the eye doctor and we get to see how long it takes him to get the contacts in his eyes! haha

[tanmi]

We had a nice Easter, as well. We weren't out and about, but we hung out together. I made lamb chops and dinner was very nice.

Poor Chip the chipmunk. He is no longer with us. Marc found him in the garage. He must have gotten in when we opened the door and didn't get out in time. Poor fellow.

Has Emily not wanted to try contacts?

[merr]

Emily tried contacts, but she didn't have the patience to get good at putting them in. And the few times she did wear them she didn't feel like she could see as well, even after trying a few different kinds. We offered her Lasik surgery as her graduation present, but so far she isn't really interested in it.

Tyler did really well! He didn't get them in first try, which would have been a miracle, but it didn't take near as long as I thought it would. He seems to be able to see well with them...he was amazed. haha
All 3 of us have an astigmatism that requires "special" contacts. Even with those kind I could never see well and had to have hard contacts. That is probably what Emily needs, but she doesn't want to try them.

I'm sorry about Chip.

This week is our kids Spring Break and the weather is supposed to be decent. 60s all week. They're getting too old to want to spend the week going to the zoo or aquarium. I'll have to come up with at least one activity to force them to do.

[tanmi]

I tried contacts at some point. I found I never saw as well with them.

Force those kids out of the house.

Today and tomorrow it is supposed to be 80. Very weird for April. I need to get out and walk. I feel blobby. So says the woman who had a biscuit from McDonalds this morning. And...munching on Cheetos Puffs, as she types.

[merr]

Maybe you have the same astigmatism as we do!

It was 80 on Sunday! I wanted it to last, but I knew it wouldn't. Only 53 today...

The kids want to see the Disney movie Raya and Godzilla vs Kong...hopefully we can get to at least one of those movies.

Maze messaged me that he was going in to work today and planned on coming to talk to us, so hopefully he shows up. We love when you come chat with us Maze!!

My days are starting later this week with Spring Break. The kids aren't waking us up in the morning so we just keep sleeping.

Also...if you ever get Alex a little guitar or laptop, we need to see pictures!

[mazeman]

HEY TEAM!!!!!! :-)

Tanmi! I am so sorry about Chip! :-(

Merr I wore contacts in high-school? But I also have an astigmatism and as I got older, contacts just didn't feel great in my eyes anymore.

Tanmi, what are we gonna do with this 80° weather? The kitties and I aren't used to it! LOL

Merr? Did the egg hunt have real eggs? Or plastic eggs with "prizes" inside?

[merr]

The egg hunt was plastic eggs with candy inside...since they are getting older there were a few that had some money inside to give them incentive to find them. haha I don't care if they think they are too old, I'm going to make them do this stuff until they leave my house and then maybe even after that!

[merr]

My flight home from PA for Emily's cheer camp she's going to this summer got changed. The plane was supposed to leave around 5pm and now it leaves at 1:30 pm instead, which doesn't work for us. I won't be able to get to the airport that early in the day after picking her up from the camp. I called the airline to see about getting a refund and there is a 2 hour wait! Luckily, I don't actually have to wait on the phone and they'll call me back. They better give me my money back...that is a pretty big flight change to try and have everyone on the flight work around!

[merr]

The flight has to have been changed by 4 hours or more to get a refund. So now we have to stay an extra day and go home on Sunday instead of Saturday.

[tanmi]

Merr that is absolutely obnoxious!!! Customer service no longer exists!!

Maze, I’m taking advantage of this weather by moving a couple of plants outside. I will keep an eye on weather.

One plant is called Foxtail fern. I started it from seed two years ago. It has grown very slowly. I am going to put it in a larger pot this year to see if it helps it grow. I saw the plant when I was in Houston and liked it. I haven’t seen it in MI. That’s why I wintered it in the house.

[merr]

It is really obnoxious. We have to either find something to do or just sit around the hotel waiting another day to go home.

We moved our potted Christmas tree outside to get used to the weather before we go plant it at the cabin. It's been so long since my living room has been back to normal, it's taking some getting used to. haha

Today is tax day! We had to file for extensions and today we spend 4 or so hours at the accountant getting ALL our taxes all finished up. I hate it but look forward to it at the same time because life is easier for a bit after getting it done.

[tanmi]

Good luck with the taxes. It's not our favorite thing either and we don't have a business to account for.

We're supposed to get rain. We need it, so I hope it happens. It's darkish out today, so maybe. I realize I am one of "those" people. I prefer when it gets dark earlier and I choose a rainy day over a sunny day.

I really, and I mean really, need to break a bad sleeping habit. I am waking up around 2-3 AM every night. I cannot go back to sleep, so I end up reading until 4:30-5:00. I need to find a way to end this, as it looks to be a bad habit now.

[merr]

I didn't really know what to expect with taxes this year, but they weren't too terrible, which is all I can hope for really. haha

Are you tired during the day because of your sleeping habit? If you're getting through the day ok, it isn't too terrible. I've started waking up around 5 am and having to force myself to go back to sleep for a little bit longer. I don't want to be awake and ready for my day at 5am! yuck. The older I get the less I sleep.

We went and say Raya and the Last Dragon the other night and it was very good. I hadn't seen a single trailer or anything for it so I had no idea what it was about and I liked it more than I thought I would. I haven't liked a few of the recent Pixar films much...I wasn't a fan of Inside Out or Coco.