Coffee Klatch

Well, looks like I'm going to be a grandma again, sometime around October. Oldest son and wife are pregnant again. She goes to the doc the middle of next month, so we'll have a due date then.

I'm not too sure how I feel about it, they're still living with her parents, but, they all seem to like it that way. I DID tell son that he better SERIOUSLY consider getting snipped after this one is born. He said he's going to, that 2 babies are enough.

I guess I was just as broke when I had my kids, so it's kind of hard to be mad. Especially as I've always said, if you wait to have kids when you can afford them, you'll never have kids. Besides, gotta love babies! It's just not what I wanted for my kids. I wanted better for them than I had. I know how hard it was then, I didn't want them to have to go through the same stuff.

Oh well, another rodeo is in town and I'm hurrying to do our laundry before they start mucking up the washer again! It looked like a beach in there after some of the hands did their wash. The shop vac got a good work out for 2 weeks.

Catch ya later!

Congrats TB. I know what your saying but when you hold that baby all will be right with the world.

I think maybe struggle makes us stronger in some cases although we don't realize it until a long ways down the road.

I have news too!

My daughter has been interviewing for another job and she got it today. She is on cloud nine because last week she found out that her company had just been sold and everyone is in a panic.

Apparently the company who bought them acquired another company a few months back and fired the entire staff, or shall I say laid off.

Anyway she was on her 3rd interview when she found out about the sale and her entire company is freaking out about getting laid off, so was she and then today she got the call.

She gets an additional 15k per yr and an opportunity for 20k bonus' per quarter vs the 12k bonus at her current job. She usually makes 50-75% of the bonus so she should be sitting at a little over 100k/yr with this new job if she performs the same here.

Best part is that its in her current territory, just a different pharma company so she will still be working with all the Drs and offices that she does now.

I tell ya, this kid steps in golden shit! All her life.

Now if I could motivate my other daughter to get out and pound the pavement! She graduated in Dec and has done one interview, then she was reworking her resume, yada, yada, yada, and I told her to work at a temp company to see what type of field she wanted to enter. It would give her a good taste of multiple areas to see what she did and didn't like. They hire a lot of the temps too from what I hear.

Third ones a charm, my son is finally considering going back to college, quick someone pinch me and make sure I am not dreaming!

I remember when our kids were small - we were so poor I was looking for recipes to split up a package of hamburger into 3 meals. I think we all wish for more for our kids, that's what makes a good parent.

Hope this round of rodeo people are as good as the last one.

My mother in law gave me some advice years ago that I still hold close to my heart (this is for the daughter that is looking for work) "You may not know what you want but you sure as hell know what you don't want" The temp idea could help with the "Don't wants". Congrats to the daughter that got a better job! Looks like the cards were in her favor. Our youngest is like that - she always seems to come out on top. As for the son - good for him. Education is always a good choice...unless it's political science or an art degree. :)

add phycology and sociology to the no good degrees!
phych is what the oldest daughter has so she is lucky she got to break into that field, the middle one was gonna do sociology till I flipped out and told her to just go work at taco bell and save me the money, thank god she listened, got a business degree.

Hi guys! I can use your help brainstorming. Youngest daughter found out she can move in her new apartment next week rather than May so we are scrambling to assemble things. I am working on kitchen basics. So far I have:

Trash Can
Spatula, tongs, Large Spoon - What am I forgetting here?
Knife Block
Cheese Grater
Dishes
Silverware
Glasses
Skillet
Basic pots
Hot pan holders
Dish towels and dish rags
Trash bags
Foil
Wax paper
Dishwasher soap
Zip lock bags
Basic plastics with lids for storage

We are trying to get the basics all done and they can add things as they needed later. What am I forgetting?!

Congrats on the new grand baby TB. Can imagine how you feel about it....and how you will feel about it once you see and hold him/her.

Congrats to your daughter Flav, and congrats to the wonderful Mom that raised her.

Lucky, lucky girl to have a Mom like you. Just wow. You've probably already got a fortune wrapped up in it, but will toss out some ideas you might want to consider...or not. LOL.


Burn Free burn ointment to keep near stove

Kitchen timer
pizza cutter
cookie sheet or pizza pan
broom
dust pan
mop
paper towels
scouring pads
toaster
coffee pot?
bleach
antibacterial soap
colander
vinegar

A single white rose for the middle of the table. Signifies remembrance. She'll always remember what you did for her.

Nine's - thanks for the added items. Yes they are needed. Can't believe I missed the cookie pan and pizza cutter, or the broom and dustpan! We also thought of a colander to add to the list. We are going to the dollar store and Walmart this weekend. We've had great support with family and friends donating their extra items so it hasn't been too expensive. I figure it will really add up when we do the cleaning supplies, laundry soap, paper products, etc.

Edit to add - I love the flower idea!

Last Edited by Southern OR on 02/27/2014 11:03 PM

It's easier to think of things when you're from afar and not involved. If it were me, doing what you're doing, my mind would go blank.

So glad you've got some donations for it. Yes, those paper things add up quick!

Something I didn't mention, and don't know if walmart or dollar store have them, but it's a kitchen drying mat.

They come in a couple sizes and are the handiest thing if you just have a few dishes to do. They're decorative and look like a mat on your counter. A terry type top and bottom with a thin layer that feels like foam in it. Super fast drying, easy to clean and care for and the counter beneath doesn't get wet or soak through. Easy to store if you don't want it on the counter.

Got mine at Meijer on clearance for under 5.00. Seems like it was 3.99 but don't remember.

You mentioned a dishwasher but if she doesn't have many dishes, she might want to not run a load in the dishwasher for them, or wait til it's filled.

Probably be nice to get her a box of Kleenex too. Think you both might appreciate that one before you leave. 8)

She is only moving about 2 miles away so that is good. She has already asked how often she can come to dinner, or "go grocery shopping" in my cupboards. It will be an adjustment, but better than with the oldest being 1982 miles away.

The drying mat sounds interesting, maybe we should pick up two - one for them and one for us. It's going to be an adjustment just being hubby and I at home.

She is lucky her move in date is right after our payday. We will be able to pick up the expensive stuff to get them started. Both girls (youngest and foster daughter) have asked if I will buy them some razors and shampoo/conditioner to get them started. We will have a family/family friends move in party as well. I am already planning on picking up a few extra items each month during our big shopping to help supplement them. Our youngest has taken on quite a lot by taking the foster daughter with her. She feels it is her responsibility since she brought her home a few years ago now. The budget is tight but it works. The foster daughter will get a $188 per month on a food card to help with food.

How nice that it's only a couple miles away, SO. Hopefully that will make it easier on you! Nice to know they're close.

It sure is nice of her to take on the foster. Hope it works out well. Think how you've all changed life for her. Has to warm your heart. Sure does warm mine. It's great she's getting a food card. They're going to need a lot of help. So hard to start out even way back when. Hate to think what it's like now.

Don't think you'll be disappointed in those mats. I described it as terry material, but actually it's microfiber I think. They're real decorative and look nice with a vase, or some fruit on them. I have 3 and if another sale comes along, might get spares. They're really useful.

It's going to be a real shocker to you, I bet, cooking for only two when it's usually 4. It's so hard when you're used to it, to cook so much less. Seems like there's always lots of leftovers. Being so close, if you don't want to freeze or put it away, you can tell her to jog on over for some midnight snacks to take home. HAHA.

That's a great idea to start now and get a little at a time. Makes it a lot easier to get good prices too, when you have time to wait for a sale.

The foster daughter is having a bit of a hard time. She never had a dad, never met him. Her mom was always out to "party" so not a good example. She has really appreciated having 2 involved parents. When she first got here, for at least 6 months, she was afraid of my hubby. Now she sees how a true Dad is. He fixes her bike, tells her to put on more clothes. Lectures her on teenage boys and stuff like that. This has been good for her. She now has seen what a responsible male is like. We discussed this the other night. She told our daughter she had no idea what it was like to not have a parents around to "nag" and do the day to day stuff. I think they will be ok, but will have some adjustments to make. At least they will be close by so we can visit often.

Wow. That just brings tears to your eyes. Bittersweet. You must be so proud of your husband. What a guy! It's not easy raising any child, and teens are the worst. To take that responsibility and have it turn out well, is wonderful. Regardless of her past, you sure made a difference in her future.

I'm sure they will be ok SO. They've been given some firm ground to build on.

It did bring tears to my eye, hubby's too - but he just says he had to sneeze. He really is a wonderful man. When we got her she was just about to turn 15, and now she is 17. I think she learned a lot in our two and a half years together. I hope so! I'm hoping they are fine. We know we taught them about life and budgeting. It seems those lessons paid off. They already have a written budget for the next 3 months. It's tight but it works.

Awww, bless his heart. Was going to say I hope you're kindness comes back to you many times over. With a guy like that, it already has. Sniff, sniff, pass the kleenex.

Budgeting is really hard for young people. Hard choices to make. What to leave out. Probably choices most people are making now. LOL. What they learn now, and what they have learned will help them their entire lives.

Gotta run, SO. Pupster is losing patience for his nightly outing. Have a great evening!

SO
Measuring cup
baking soda for frig
baggies of all sizes
dollar store has 3 and 4 packs of cheap Tupperware and they also have plate covers which are really a box of 20 various sized shower caps to cover bowls and plates. If its not something saucy they can be reused.

Regular dish soap and some brillo
butter dish
sugar bowl
salt and pepper holders
hot plates/pads if the counters aren't granite
a few wooden spoons
paper towels and holder
napkins/holder
not for kitchen but toilet paper
sponges
cleansers/glass/wood/counter/etc
dishtowels
some chip clips for keeping bags closed after opening
scissors
silverware holder
a few larger serving type/popcorn bowls/mixing bowls
some extra cereal bowls
paper plates
Some sort of roasting/oven type pan that she could cook a lasagna or roast chicken type dish
microwave safe bowls/pyrex works good and can use in oven
hand mixer-cakes/mashed potatoes type
crock pot


These are some of the things that my daughters asked me for after the fact. We bought the dishes and stuff and my girls each made a "mom" type dinner within a week of moving in. My oldest made a meatloaf and called to ask if she could cook it on a cookie sheet or in a large pan cause she had nothing else, I told her no to both and she had to run out and buy a tinfoil oven pan to make her dinner that night.

Im sure you have extra of a lot of stuff and if not, you can get great finds at good will.

Don't forget the measuring spoons, pancake turner, and spatula's.

Great ideas! The list seems to be getting longer. She has the walk through tomorrow and will get keys. I know what we will be doing over the next few days!!

I bet you get a lot done in the first day or two. I spent one day (a long one) at my daughters and helped her set up, we even hung pictures, then I left and passed out

Before I get side-tracked again or the internet craps out here, don't forget oven and frig/freezer thermometers. I always used them when I first moved into a new place with different appliances. A couple of times, I was glad I did. One fridge didn't cool enough and several times, the oven was off a little.

Sorry I haven't been around much, it's been totally crazy here. We've had to let go a couple of people and we're all working shorthanded. When I have a couple of minutes, that's when the internet decides to act up around here. GGGGRRRRRR!!!!

Anyway....HI everyone!!

I hope I live through the whole part of moving into an upstairs apartment. Beds, dressers, couch, etc. get heavy! Not sure on the wall hanging yet, these are brand new so we may have to try out the new "tape" hangers.

Great to see you TB. Been wondering how you were doing. Was just getting ready for bed and wanted to check in. Saw a thread about someone stranded on the highway low on gas in the cold. Guess if they aren't going to update the thread, I may as well head off to bed. Sure feel for anyone stuck in the miserable cold.

Take care of yourself and don't overwork. Same for you SO. Easy to get hurt hauling furniture up and down. Take care, everyone.

Hope you get a rest now and then too, Flav. I think of you and your cow and piggies, and hope things are well with everyone.

Hope Mama missed that horrible cold. Been such a long, long, hard winter. Love to all of you.

The thermometers are a great idea. The appliances will be brand new but no saying the temps are correct.

I hope the people that were let go were the problems. Hugs to you!

I hope so too. I have seen her on FB and I think she has spent the cold days inside on the computer.

Pigs and cow are doing well. Elsie is the neighborhood alarm clock. She comes to the corner of the fence where are backyard is across from and Moo's between 7:30 and 8 every morning. She hates Orion, the male pig. He is pushy, not nasty aggressive, just "me first" kind of aggressive and she doesn't like it. It's funny, blackie who was so shy is not anymore, and pinky is just like her daddy, very friendly and just wants to be pet. They all like to be pet, but especially her. Loves it behind her ears.

Made it through the initial move in! A few sore muscles from lugging everything up the stairs but all went well. Nothing some wine and a hot bath won't fix. The apartment is gorgeous. Small kitchen but plenty of cupboards. Eating bar by what would be the dining room. I say would be because kiddo bought a sectional on craiglist so it takes up the living and dining room area. Bedrooms are on the small side, but both have huge walk in closets. It works because they have double (or is full is the term?) size beds. Nice patio, again small, but with a locking storage closet. Very nice view from the patio. They have vinyl flooring that looks like wood throughout the whole place. I picked up paper supplies, laundry soap and dryer sheets, bathroom stuff, and a few kitchen items today. Now that we know the layout we have a better idea of what is needed (totally forgot about ice cube trays. We will go shopping this weekend for more stuff.

Glad you made it through all that. The apartment sounds wonderful and they are probably loving life at the moment.

They are happily putting stuff away and deciding where to put things to decorate. They say they will be back here on Saturday to finish up the odds and ends, vacuum the bedrooms, and clean their bathroom. Not holding my breath on that one. lol

You've got a 50/50 on that one