Gripe of the Day page 581

[Owly]

trekfan- this was definitely sweet enough, and those who tried it made a point to catch me after class to tell me how much they liked it. *shrug* i think people aren't used to homemade food anymore.

I would have adored you for it. For several years now, I've had to pass up goodies that people bring, mostly because they buy storebought baked things like doughnuts, and I have celiac (so it's not a choice for me to join in or not). I don't particularly mind not eating that stuff, but I hate always having to explain why--because people never just accept a "no thanks" without some jollying comment about diets or something--and then have to deal with people's pity for me or their over-the-top expressions of guilt. I always appreciate it when people make a special effort to make something from scratch that I can eat. Seriously, homemade chocolate mousse totally kicks ass.

Also, I have two brothers on the autism spectrum, and I hate it when people are mean to kids with special needs. Crabbcakes, I'm glad your daughter has an awesome, loving mother who sticks up for her.

GOTD: Partner has headed off to an SCA event for the weekend. We couldn't afford for both of us to go because I'm still job hunting, and I know he really wanted to go. I am sad and lonely and a little insecure (my issues, not his behaviour--I've been cheated on by a past partner and have a lot of anxiety even though there's zero reason to doubt my guy).

[Saoirse]

You SO hit the nail on the head that I am going to go out to the garage, grab a piece of wood and wood-burn that sentence into it to make a plaque thingy. And then hang that sucker somewhere where I get regular doses of viewing of it.

I love you guys and gals today!

I've BTDT a little, but people like that don't last long with me. had to deal with an in-law who was manipulative until i chose to ignore her. years later, she has simmered down and is usually pleasant with me. it's same inlaw who chose my wedding date for the convenience of her relatives even though i told her that would land right at the beginning of my period and that i had debilitating menstrual cramps (that was before i "got a clue").

[Saoirse]

I would have adored you for it. For several years now, I've had to pass up goodies that people bring, mostly because they buy storebought baked things like doughnuts, and I have celiac (so it's not a choice for me to join in or not). I don't particularly mind not eating that stuff, but I hate always having to explain why--because people never just accept a "no thanks" without some jollying comment about diets or something--and then have to deal with people's pity for me or their over-the-top expressions of guilt. I always appreciate it when people make a special effort to make something from scratch that I can eat. Seriously, homemade chocolate mousse totally kicks ass.

people have been randomly bringing in food to share: we've had pizza 3 times, cookies (those were homemade), and one time someone brought two ice cream cakes from Cold Stone. i haven't eaten anything except the mousse i brought though no one has commented.

[paleo-bunny]

I would have adored you for it. For several years now, I've had to pass up goodies that people bring, mostly because they buy storebought baked things like doughnuts, and I have celiac (so it's not a choice for me to join in or not). I don't particularly mind not eating that stuff, but I hate always having to explain why--because people never just accept a "no thanks" without some jollying comment about diets or something--and then have to deal with people's pity for me or their over-the-top expressions of guilt. I always appreciate it when people make a special effort to make something from scratch that I can eat. Seriously, homemade chocolate mousse totally kicks ass.

Also, I have two brothers on the autism spectrum, and I hate it when people are mean to kids with special needs. Crabbcakes, I'm glad your daughter has an awesome, loving mother who sticks up for her.

GOTD: Partner has headed off to an SCA event for the weekend. We couldn't afford for both of us to go because I'm still job hunting, and I know he really wanted to go. I am sad and lonely and a little insecure (my issues, not his behaviour--I've been cheated on by a past partner and have a lot of anxiety even though there's zero reason to doubt my guy).

Aww, stop worrying, you silly sausage. I'm sure your guy is missing you.

[Owly]

Oh, I know, it's entirely my issues. He's known in our circle as the most absolutely taken man around, and he's with a bunch of people I've known for more than a decade.

I'm pretty sure he's asleep at the moment though--he was up all night working on a new coat of plates so he could fight this weekend.

[Grok]

What could possibly go wrong?

[Owly]

Massive floods, mudslides and road closures, so my partner is stuck in BC until tomorrow. Also, I pinched my hand in the nutcracker and have a blood blister.

At least I have kale chips.

[CattyB]

Gripe: It's been over 100 degrees today and I've had to be out and about in it in a dark green, non-air-conditioned car. I'm feeling nauseous, weak and grumpy as hell. Add to that the 81,000+ acre High Park wildfire burning just west of town's smoke haze x 2weeks......haven't felt this bad since dropping SAD!

Commiseration #1: I, too, have a special-needs kid (Mr Devin is 18 now) that we almost have to physically restrain because he LURRVES everybody! He very much wants to speak to everyone he sees but speaks "Devin-ese" which only a few of us can barely decipher -- makes grocery store trips a lot of fun. Fortunately, only one or two people out of 100 seem to be of the "ooh, ick, yuck" mindset when it comes to him. As a matter of fact, we're convinced that his purpose is to put smiles on faces that are normally gloomy!

Commiseration #2: That Mommy mindset thing...why can't we moms learn to talk to each other rather than assume the other knows what we mean? I've been both the "burner" and the "burnee" on this front more than once. Everyone was raised and raises their kids at least slightly differently -- not more or less 'right' -- just different.

#3: People who take-take-take without ever giving back...then wonder why they're left friendless and end up moving to a new venue of folks that they can start using. I contrast these with folk who are in a rough spot and are temporarily needy and you're able to give them a hand (I've a friend in this situation right NOW). There have been times that we've been that needy family and have been blessed beyond our needs -- but I'm sure that some people on the outside see us as 'users' since we DID have to ask and accepted the help.
This friend that I'm helping now has been through some really tough personal crud, lost her job, had to move back from another state, is trying to beat an addiction and regain the love and respect of her child. Yeah, I would have rather had this weekend to totally veg out of the hot sun and away from the smoke, but ya gotta do what your heart feels is right!
She's totally amazed at the outpouring of generosity and support from people she's helped in the past -- and some she doesn't even know! Doesn't she realize that other folks feel the same way she/we do about helping your fellow human beings? We've become such a society of "let the government take care of 'em" that when someone gets a little personal hand up, they're blown away.

[Crabbcakes]

He very much wants to speak to everyone he sees but speaks "Devin-ese" which only a few of us can barely decipher --.

Is your son in a position to use an AAC device? My daughter has one. Makes a lot of difference. If you don't know what this is: AAC stands for Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Basically a computer loaded with software that does the speaking for a non-verbal person. MANY different software programs and several companies making the "boxes" (the actual computer). It almost doesn't matter what disability set your son has or even how rough he can be - some boxes are made industrial-grade tough to withstand real life, and there are so many programs around because non-verbal folks come in all cognitive levels and differing ability to organize information.

If you want more info, send me a private message and I will send you the contact information for my daughter's Technology Services specialist (who is also a CCC-SLP). I have seen regular moms buy set-ups for their kids alone, but this doesn't really work well in the end. There are too many variables: cognitive level, physical access (like some folks may need infrared pointers for quadriplegia, etc), lifestyle, willingness to use the device at all, some training so AAC user realizes the potential of the device, sheer language needs, etc. Even with all the apps being written today, I would still contact a specialist.

Your son sounds well-loved. Good job!!

[lambchop]

People who sit in their office on loud speaker. Really? Are you that important yu can't pick up your phone?