It's July!

[gingy]

I'm on day three at the new job. Glad to have a long weekend coming up, although I'll probably spend Friday doing some online training since DS still has camp. Starting the first of the month means I'm getting thrown into all of the reports, which is great for learning that part but not for the actual orientation to the job.

[gingy]

Also, fuck fireworks. I've never liked them but they're especially triggering this year, and DS is struggling. I'm hoping the actual 4th will be better for him when we are prepared and planning to watch them. Just hearing random ones go off down the street every now and then is dumb. And no one abides by the curfew. I was woken up by some at 12:20am last night.

[sweptaway]

Jul 3, 2024 9:58:12 GMT -6 icedcoffee said:

This year I get to go kid free on my friend's boat all day for the 4th. My kids will be with my mom. I'm actually excited this year because it will be fun for me! I hate fireworks and even sparklers and all that and I'm so excited to be on a boat chilling instead

This is literally my dream come true

[klw]

DD1 has been quiet and kind of grumpy since she got up. She said she is tired and is currently taking a nap. I hope she isn’t getting sick.

We have plans tomorrow night to ride a train to see a fireworks display. I am looking forward to it. But I’m trying to get rid of my parents tickets because my mom tested positive for Covid yesterday morning. But not having any luck.

[sweptaway]

I am so so over this heat. I have this lovely long weekend with DS and we can't do anything outside.

We saw Inside Out 2 today which gave me all the feels cause DS is 12.

[sweptaway]

klw how's your kiddo? Hope you got to do the train

[sudsy]

This is a really random and probably a stupid question, but it stems from my anxiety. I’m taking my kids on a road trip in august that involves crossing over multiple states via turnpikes. I haven’t done a trip like this in over a decade, so I’m sure things have changed. In illinois, I have an I-pass and there are no longer people at toll booths. So how does it work now at turnpikes and tolls in other states? Do I need cash like the olden days? Do you pay online? Is it via license plate number?

Specifically, I’ll be traveling through Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

[fire]

Jul 5, 2024 16:37:46 GMT -6 sweptaway said:

klw how's your kiddo? Hope you got to do the train

I know around here-Maine, NH, MA, you just drive through and they get a picture of your plate and you get an invoice in the mail. MA I can pay online, Maine made me send a check and NH I happened to have the cash so not sure which way they do it.

[klw]

Jul 5, 2024 16:37:46 GMT -6 sweptaway said:

klw how's your kiddo? Hope you got to do the train

She ended up getting her period that evening. Said she felt better after her nap so who knows. I was suspicious about it with her mood. (Although I know that I hate it when someone says something to me about my period just because I’m grumpy so I didn’t suggest it to her. 🙃)


And yes, we did the train ride. I loved it and I think we will try it again next year. Thanks for checking!

[rvasc]

C had some friends spend the night. One of them slept until 10, and I asked if she wanted pancakes. She asked me to make them to go. A ten year old legend, honestly. Iconic. I did it, obviously.

[beepers]

Jul 5, 2024 16:51:45 GMT -6 sudsy said:

This is a really random and probably a stupid question, but it stems from my anxiety. I’m taking my kids on a road trip in august that involves crossing over multiple states via turnpikes. I haven’t done a trip like this in over a decade, so I’m sure things have changed. In illinois, I have an I-pass and there are no longer people at toll booths. So how does it work now at turnpikes and tolls in other states? Do I need cash like the olden days? Do you pay online? Is it via license plate number?

Specifically, I’ll be traveling through Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

Not stupid, I think they all pretty much work together now? We have a peach pass from GA and it would have worked in IL (and I know it works in Indiana) had we not let it go to nearly zero since we no longer live in a state with tolls. 🤦🏻‍♀️. Take it from me, if you add funds while you’re in the toll line, it takes time for the account to reflect that, so make sure you have ample funds in there before your trip.

Several states we have been through that don’t take our pass have just taken pics of the license plate and sent a bill later (Kentucky)

[marsinvestigations]

Jul 5, 2024 16:51:45 GMT -6 sudsy said:

This is a really random and probably a stupid question, but it stems from my anxiety. I’m taking my kids on a road trip in august that involves crossing over multiple states via turnpikes. I haven’t done a trip like this in over a decade, so I’m sure things have changed. In illinois, I have an I-pass and there are no longer people at toll booths. So how does it work now at turnpikes and tolls in other states? Do I need cash like the olden days? Do you pay online? Is it via license plate number?

Specifically, I’ll be traveling through Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

PA is cashless. Will take a pic of your license plate and send bill. We went to Ohio recently (Sandusky) area and we did have to pay a small toll in cash

[sewf]

I feel like I am getting a stye on my eyelid. I’m going to blame the lady who did my eyebrow wax on Wednesday. Going to be great starting my new job on Tuesday 🙄

ETA: It’s really unfair to blame her, and likely untrue. Although she was pressing on my eye much harder than most others have. It’s just annoying. I hate styes.

[byjove]

sudsy I don’t think WV has any tolls on the interstates, but everywhere in that general area takes EZ pass (OH, PA, VA, MD, DE, NJ, NY, and New England, etc)

[Sundae]

sudsy,
I-pass can be used wherever EZ pass is accepted. www.illinoistollway.com/about-ipass#EZPass
List at the bottom of the states and toll road agencies specifically so you can check your travel path.

[bobyn]

I met a sweet woman at the baseball game last night and we had a nice time just chatting and watching the game. She asked if we could be friends and we exchanged info, but she's already asking for a play date. I'm very ".....my kid is 12 and doesn't play date anymore" and she lives in Fort Worth which is so fucking far away, so I'm already not feeling pumped about it.

Damn me for opening that door.

[elle]

Jul 6, 2024 14:16:57 GMT -6 bobyn said:

I met a sweet woman at the baseball game last night and we had a nice time just chatting and watching the game. She asked if we could be friends and we exchanged info, but she's already asking for a play date. I'm very ".....my kid is 12 and doesn't play date anymore" and she lives in Fort Worth which is so fucking far away, so I'm already not feeling pumped about it.

Damn me for opening that door.

What about a lunch/coffee date somewhere in the middle for just you two?

[fancynewbeesly]

Tomorrow the girls start summer enrichment through the schools---it is only from 9-12 but they are biking there and I get at least a 2 hour break, which I am looking forward too. Especially DD2, she just doesn't do well sitting around all summer.

[abs]

Looks like we are getting a hurricane tonight. Yippee. I’m about at capacity for Texas natural disasters. No more please.

Stay safe fellow Houston people! Hopefully this is no big deal.

[SweetPotato]

Jul 7, 2024 7:03:13 GMT -6 abs said:

Looks like we are getting a hurricane tonight. Yippee. I’m about at capacity for Texas natural disasters. No more please.

Stay safe fellow Houston people! Hopefully this is no big deal.

We happen to be flying out for the week today and halfway happy we’re missing it and halfway nervous about not being home for it.

Hope it’s mild for everyone

[abs]

Jul 7, 2024 10:20:48 GMT -6 SweetPotato said:

Jul 7, 2024 7:03:13 GMT -6 abs said:

Looks like we are getting a hurricane tonight. Yippee. I’m about at capacity for Texas natural disasters. No more please.

Stay safe fellow Houston people! Hopefully this is no big deal.

We happen to be flying out for the week today and halfway happy we’re missing it and halfway nervous about not being home for it.

Hope it’s mild for everyone

Have a great trip!! I think not bring here is the correct call. I don’t want to do another power outage event. Like we just did this a few weeks ago!!

[Wtfshouldmynamebe]

Had a great week. Worked from my camper for the 2.5 days I had to work. Enjoyed being away and just chilling out. DS loved having access to the pool whenever he wanted. Went to the Renaissance fair on Saturday and spent way too much on a new costume since my other ones seem to be for someone that I don’t recall ever existed (I can’t even get the on my shoulders). But I love my new one and got so many comments. (Yes, I’m a geek)

[sweptaway]

Good luck Texas folks. I hope everyone stays safe.

[DGM]

jaygee, we went to SF on Friday to escape the valley heat wave. It was our first time to Candlestick Point, and I'm just now learning the cool history of that area! I don't follow baseball enough to know Candlestick Park was demolished years ago. I thought the Giants still played there like in my youth when Tony Gwynn was on the Padres 🤦‍♀️

[jaygee]

Jul 7, 2024 23:14:19 GMT -6 DGM said:

jaygee, we went to SF on Friday to escape the valley heat wave. It was our first time to Candlestick Point, and I'm just now learning the cool history of that area! I don't follow baseball enough to know Candlestick Park was demolished years ago. I thought the Giants still played there like in my youth when Tony Gwynn was on the Padres 🤦‍♀️

I still look for it every time I pass that area on the freeway. I oddly miss it even though I know it was a dump. It was our dump.

That’s a good spot to beat the heat in though. Hopefully nature’s air conditioning (the bay winds) treated you well.

[piratecat]

We're back to regular programming after being at camp with family all last week. I was not ready to feed my kids and get them ready and out the door this morning but they're off to camp and daycare.

[SweetPotato]

Jul 7, 2024 10:30:45 GMT -6 abs said:

Jul 7, 2024 10:20:48 GMT -6 SweetPotato said:

We happen to be flying out for the week today and halfway happy we’re missing it and halfway nervous about not being home for it.

Hope it’s mild for everyone

Have a great trip!! I think not bring here is the correct call. I don’t want to do another power outage event. Like we just did this a few weeks ago!!

How are you guys doing?

[bearfootzcontinued]

Jul 6, 2024 14:24:48 GMT -6 elle said:

Jul 6, 2024 14:16:57 GMT -6 bobyn said:

I met a sweet woman at the baseball game last night and we had a nice time just chatting and watching the game. She asked if we could be friends and we exchanged info, but she's already asking for a play date. I'm very ".....my kid is 12 and doesn't play date anymore" and she lives in Fort Worth which is so fucking far away, so I'm already not feeling pumped about it.

Damn me for opening that door.

What about a lunch/coffee date somewhere in the middle for just you two?

This - but first do a social media sweep to confirm she's not part of a MLM scheme.  

I know, I'm a cynic but it's hard to weed out if someone is legit going to be a decent person, is just going to ask me to cart their children places for them, has a secret plot to murder me and steal my identity, or will try to sell me weight loss shakes.  I blame Lifetime TV and TikTok.  

[elle]

Jul 8, 2024 9:28:52 GMT -6 bearfootzcontinued said:

Jul 6, 2024 14:24:48 GMT -6 elle said:

What about a lunch/coffee date somewhere in the middle for just you two?

This - but first do a social media sweep to confirm she's not part of a MLM scheme.  

I know, I'm a cynic but it's hard to weed out if someone is legit going to be a decent person, is just going to ask me to cart their children places for them, has a secret plot to murder me and steal my identity, or will try to sell me weight loss shakes.  I blame Lifetime TV and TikTok.  

Touché. I'd probably also want to weed out any MAGA because I don't have the time or energy to deal with that fuckery.

[taconight]

Back after a nice long weekend away, it’s hard to get back with the program after even just a few days. My oldest turns 13 and leaves for sleep away camp this weekend, so a busy week here getting ready for both.