Week 39: How do you handle change IRL?
CEFreeman_GW DC/MD Burbs 7b/8a
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (75)
CEFreeman_GW DC/MD Burbs 7b/8a
9 years agoblfenton
9 years agoRelated Discussions
How do you handle kitchen compost?
Comments (23)I use a garbage can with lid and line it with double brown paper bags. And usually put some used paper towels in the bottom before adding kitchen refuse so as to soak up moisture. I add more paper towels as they get used and in about 5 days or so, lift out the paper bags and carry the whole thing out to the compost pile. It's amazing to me that after 15 years or so of using this method, there is never more than a half dozen paper bags visible on top of the heap. The pile is built on a slope inside a cage of pallets and wire so the compost can be scooped out of the downhill side every spring. No turning, fancy components or whatever. When the pallets rot out, they are replaced. I suppose I could build two piles and turn one while the other is being built up but that sounds like work. Incidentally, I have another garbage can for recyclables (plastic, glass and cans), another for paper waste and another for real garbage that can't be recycled in any way. And a bag for returnables for deposits. With five containers, visitors never know where to put anything....See MoreHaving a hard week -- how do you cope?
Comments (19)WOW! From the bottom of my heart Thank You Thank You Thank You all! I loved and greatly appreciated the hugs and support, commiseration and encomium. I guess it's true: misery loves company! Although I am so sorry anyone has to feel stress during what should be an exciting, wonderful time. (Guess this applies to both remodeling as well as child-rearing, although it's laughable to think either could be without stress! Thats why two of my favorite parenting books are The B**ch in the House and Mothers Who Think.) You know the way the child of an alcoholic might be reluctant to ever drink for fear of turning into their parent? For me, that's the way I feel about yelling. My mother was mean as spit and her yelling was ugly, personal, belittling and usually segued into hitting. I'm sure this is why my yelling at my children rattled me so. I waited a long time to start my family (I was 34 when I had my first) so that I could go through therapy to ensure I did not turn into my mother. (I think this is common here in the States, not wanting to turn into our parents!) So more than you know, I sincerely, deeply appreciate the comments of telling me I handled it well and that I'm a good mother and haven't scarred my children for life. That's my biggest fear -- I mean, I am terrified of heights, but the fear of hurting my children paralyzes me. Yesterday (day after yelling) my 3.5 year-old and I attended a birthday party, dressed, at his urging (this was not a costume party), as Spiderman and Spidermom. He wanted everyone to know "we're superheroes together!" After we got home, my 19 month-old asked me for a "tickle-cuddle," so I guess they've both forgiven me as well as moved past it. Kids are more resilient than I give them credit for. Phew! hilltophome, I think you are right, that I need to just put the cats in the basement (where we hang out lots so they won't be without human companionship) because their long-term well-being is much more important than their short-term sun-worshiping. And with a wonderful user name like cat_mom, I bet she'll agree! kitchenkelly, thank you for the use of your morgue drawers! Even though I have a foul mouth and talk a big talk, I'm a pacifist, so I'm really hopeful I won't borrow them. But it'll make an excellent threat to the next jerk who crosses my path! (re: my foul mouth: The night of the dirty bathroom, my 3.5 year-old asked his daddy "Why's Dux [his name for me] 'so f***ing angry?'" Ahem.) Francy, thank you both for letting me know you've walked in my shoes as well as saying I handled it well! Coming from you, who has such a sweet presence here on GW, means a lot. raehelen and hilltophome, thank you for reminding me of two of my favorite self-soothers: chocolate and exercise. I really do need to just put the kiddos in the buggy and go out for a walk! Fresh air can do wonders. And if there's a chocolate treat for the three of us to have midway on our walk, all the better. (This is how I know the boys are genetically mine: they both love chocolate. One of my proudest achievements Â.) divamum, thank you for your impeccable list of daily to-dos and reminder of how hard this is supposed to be .... I'd really thought I was prepared after months of reading (hardships) here on GW, but clearly for some of it I was not. Need to renew my prescription for Perfect Pills! (note to self: first discover "Perfect Pills") plllog, thank you for telling me to forgive myself. Sometimes that can be the hardest thing for us to do, no? I remember a few years ago a casual acquaintance and I were chatting about how we never, ever heard our parents apologize to us when they were wrong, and how much it would have meant to us to have heard it. Not just because it would have made us feel appreciated but also because it would have been a great model for us in terms of how to behave. Thank you. And I loved your note about my husband relating to spa day! Now there's a brilliant idea. .... polly929, my hero! I am so sorry about the past two years -- hopefully this leap year will signal the start of something good for you. Bless your heart for working in healthcare (what you must see ...) and having no foul-language filter -- love it! socalthreems, I have loved following your kitchen and I am grateful for your nice note. I am with you on the no-smoking! And thank you for suggesting those ground rules. They are superb and have already (because of your suggestion) been passed on to the GC. Also, thank you for your perfect description of "feel[ing] the steam rising." That's it! But it seems like lots of the parents with whom I casually chat 'round here are either big-time prevaricators or Stepford Mommies; they absolutely deny getting frustrated with their kiddos (or occasionally bored with hanging out with toddlers all day long). That's when I wonder what in the hell must be wrong with me to feel this way? Many thanks to you and Francy for telling me I'm not alone. westsider40, from the bottom of my heart I am so sorry about ez (which could not be more apt a description!). I guess it's just easy for me to chalk it up to cultural differences, but I guess some people are just born that way. One silver lining for me is that living with my ez has made me so much stronger, forceful than I ever thought I could be. Because of dealing with his non-presence in many areas I've found a voice (okay, a yelling voice the other day!). I would rather he step up to bat every so often, but I do like the feeling of the empowerment I've developed while living with him. flyleft and mommycooks, thank you for your generous, unconditional support! Such kindness from people I donÂt even know. You and your notes are what should be in one of those MasterCard "Priceless" commercials! And, flyleft, the insurance with which I'm having trouble is ... United! Imagine that. I am so ticked about this, that medical insurance agencies are for-profit entities, and that now many of them are transferring their call centers off-shore, to minimize what they have to pay (US taxes, US salaries, US health care to their workers, etc.)! I guess I may be one of the stupidest people alive because for the life of me I still cannot understand why denying people legitimate, preventive / proactive healthcare is not as good as letting them get sick, suffer and / or die, or making them wait so that the treatment they will require ends up costing the insurance company even more. Seriously, what am I not getting? You all are amazing. IÂll never forget this....See MoreHow do you handle things like this? Awkward situation.
Comments (53)Debrak - she has a sister and I think has a very good relationship with her. She periodically comes up to visit. She also has a nephew but he is not ok. Lives in a group home. He certainly can't support her in any way. She's not speaking to me because of an incident with her dog. She can't lift the baby due to her back so plays with her on the floor. They both just LOVE each other and have great fun. But she has a big dog who is rambunctious and bounces around the floor while our infant is down there. I thought I saw him step on her, she told me I was wrong, I picked up the baby, she got mad at me. The thing is she is so hurt that I don't trust her to protect the baby, but if he didn't step on her he was within half an inch and I am just not comfortable with such a big bouncy dog landing within half an inch of our baby on the floor. Serious damage could be done if he accidentally stepped on her and he seems incapable of just sitting or going down while 'his Mom' plays with the baby. He gets clingy and has to be right next to her.... ie right on top of the baby. Anyway this isn't something I can back down on. I usually just brush off annoying things which happen, but not this. I offered to discuss it with her but apparently her feelings are so hurt that she's not yet ready. It's sad. : (...See MoreHow do you handle disrespect from the subs?
Comments (33)It’s funny I talked about cameras yesterday. Late last evening, I was almost in bed in my hotel room last night and one of our new house neighbors sent and email stating her cameras showed two workers/painters walking past their house and taking a hose from an adjoining lot; she sent me pics from jet security system cameras. I immediately sent the pics to my GC and the painter’s lead. I had to apologise to my neighbour and land developer for the painters’ misconduct. The painting company took this incident very seriously and gave me options for the outcome, I favoured and agreed to a 60day probation for the two workers over suspension or being fired. The workers having forgotten to bring a hose with them yesterday, chose to borrow one from another property without anyone’s consent; I was very upset with this deplorable behaviour especially since i manage all security systems and cameras in my development....See MoreTerri_PacNW
9 years agoTexas_Gem
9 years agoschicksal
9 years agochristina222_gw
9 years agomgmum
9 years agoHolly- Kay
9 years agodaisychain01
9 years agofunkycamper
9 years agoa2gemini
9 years agormtdoug
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agojoaniepoanie
9 years agoAnnKH
9 years agochristina222_gw
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agoTerri_PacNW
9 years agofunkycamper
9 years agoTerri_PacNW
9 years agomudhouse
9 years agoCEFreeman_GW DC/MD Burbs 7b/8a
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agormtdoug
9 years agoGemcap
9 years agolcm_maine
9 years agoCEFreeman_GW DC/MD Burbs 7b/8a
9 years agodaisychain01
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agopatty_cakes42
9 years agoTerri_PacNW
9 years agoblfenton
9 years agofunkycamper
9 years agoschicksal
9 years agomgmum
9 years agoTerri_PacNW
9 years agofunkycamper
9 years agoleela4
9 years agocawaps
9 years agoLavender Lass
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agormtdoug
9 years agoTerri_PacNW
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agoTexas_Gem
9 years agofunkycamper
9 years agoTexas_Gem
9 years agofunkycamper
9 years agoleela4
9 years agormtdoug
9 years agochristina222_gw
9 years agoTerri_PacNW
9 years agoTexas_Gem
9 years agofunkycamper
9 years agoblfenton
9 years agoTerri_PacNW
9 years ago
Related Stories
KITCHEN DESIGNKitchen of the Week: A Dark Kitchen Brightens Up
A cooking space honors the past while embracing the present
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGNKitchen of the Week: Breathing Room for a California Family
Wide-open walkways and generous storage give a couple who love to host all the kitchen space they need
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGNKitchen of the Week: Sophisticated Farmhouse Style in Minnesota
A workhorse island with iron detailing and a pewter countertop is just one of the highlights of this creative space
Full StoryKITCHEN CABINETSNew This Week: 3 Modern Kitchens That Rock Warm Wood Cabinets
Looking for an alternative to bright white? Walnut cabinetry offers the perfect tone to warm things up
Full StoryMOVINGRelocating Help: 8 Tips for a Happier Long-Distance Move
Trash bags, houseplants and a good cry all have their role when it comes to this major life change
Full StoryHEALTHY HOMEHow to Childproof Your Home: A Grandmother’s Wisdom
Change kids’ behaviors, not your entire house, to keep the designs you like and prepare children for reality
Full StoryLANDSCAPE DESIGNCalifornia Says Goodbye to the Sprawling Ornamental Lawn
New state rules will effectively limit turfgrass to 25 percent of the landscape in most new and renovated yards
Full StoryLIFE7 Things to Do Before You Move Into a New House
Get life in a new house off to a great start with fresh paint and switch plates, new locks, a deep cleaning — and something on those windows
Full StoryORGANIZINGOrganizing Secrets: It’s the Little Things
Get these 8 small areas under control for a major boost in overall tidiness at home
Full StoryLIFE'Not My Precious Books!' — Pain-Free Ways to Declutter Your Library
Have your books and neatness too, with these ideas for paring down and straightening up a beloved collection
Full Story
Carrie B