What Did You Do Today? What are you doing today?

[Moderator]

Reposted from yesterday's FB entry:

I thought I'd get my revenge on the Taiwan weather today. I've chronicled my outing before in this place where I was out during summer and ended up drenched in sweat while the slender people around me, built for this climate, gave me a wide berth, as well they should.

Today, it was in the low 60s F. I was out in a sports shirt while the non-sweating folks around me were mostly in jackets. So, hah. Even so. I tend to walk fast, and after about hour out, I was starting to feel damp. There's just more water and oxygen in this air than I'm used to.

And I was very careful in my mental mapping of where I was going, along with picking out landmarks, and it's a good thing, because I still ended up 90 degrees from the direction I thought I was going, which I realized when I spotted one of my landmarks. That got me going right again, and I kept walking with even more care.

Now, I'm at a really nice hotel in Taipei. It's my second stay here. But... I stay at this place, and things just happen. Last year, it was getting caught in a stuck elevator between floors during a typhoon. This year, about an hour or so ago, it was getting hit by a car.

Well, more like thumped. And it was a minivan.

Crossing a big ol' street with a funny name (FuXing). I was in the crosswalk, the little green lighted sign man was walking, the countdown next to the little green man was in the 60s, and people around me were also walking freely, so maybe I don't know the local laws all that well, but I'm pretty sure that means I had the right of way.

Cars were turning left across the crosswalk, and the minivan came at a 120-degree angle from my right, so kind of in my blind spot. I caught it in my peripheral vision just in time to start to jump out of the way when there was a thump, I was up on its hood, it was coming to a stop, and I slid off back to the side, onto my feet. Didn't even knock me down.

I felt fine - still do - and I waved at the driver behind the tinted glass in what I thought was a "no blood no foul" wave, stalked around the back of the vehicle, and continued on my way. But I wasn't happy. I doubt that ending up on a car hood puts anyone in a good mood. About half a block later, my thigh was aching - still does - presumably from the thump.

Several people looked surprised or scared at the time of the thump, but no one said anything to me, probably for any one of three good reasons: 1) I was walking (stalking) off, so I seemed to be okay; 2) the high probability is that I wouldn't have understood a thing they were saying; and 3) Chunky Little Glowering White Boy probably didn't look too approachable at the moment.

I was going to stop at a random little restaurant and order a chef's surprise - which for me here is just about anything that I order - but I was no longer in the mood. I stopped at a C-store, picked up some fruit milk, a couple little rice-and-fish-stuff triangles, and made my way back to the hotel. At least I was oriented enough to go straight there.

That's my day so far at 1:00 p.m. I can't wait to see what the afternoon and evening bring.

P.S.: I started to really feel sore and achey as the day went on, and I Yelped a massage place that worked me over for a couple hours (for fifty bucks, cheap). I was screaming on the inside. But I'm better off now than I was. On to the assignment today.

Glad to hear it wasn't more serious and hope your soreness goes away soon!

 

[Moderator]

Started a new job on Monday. I may have to move to the beach to be closer. But hey, I'll move closer to the shore.

Grandpa Take care!

Good luck on both counts!

 

[DiO'Bolic]

I had a horrible time sleeping last night.

I worked a full day at my full time job and then worked my part-time job. Got home at 10:30pm. The wife sits me down and asked me how much I know of our daughter’s best friend’s situation. I said I knew nothing. She said our daughter (a junior in high school) told her that the girl’s mother has terminal cancer. The mother sat the daughter down recently and said the doctors have informed her the end will come sooner rather than later. She is on disability right now, but it doesn’t pay the bills and they are now going through the process losing their house. She told her daughter she will be put into foster care very shortly. My daughter approached her mom yesterday and asked if her friend could come live with us rather than go into foster care.

I don’t know a whole lot about the girl, but she seems extremely nice, is an excellent advanced student with a promising future if secondary schooling would be available to her, belongs to academic school clubs, is driven, doesn’t get into trouble, and works a part-time time job for spending money.

My wife asked me what I thought about taking the girl in. I was in shock, but didn’t say no. I said if we do consider it there are a lot of questions that must be answered, first. We need to hear the complete story for ourselves from the girl. We would need to speak to the mother. Is there a father involved? She has a grandmother that apparently cannot take her in long term... so what is that situation. What about health care insurance? What are our liabilities? What issues would there be with the high school? Do we need to become foster parents, legal guardians, or just take her in temporarily? And much, much more.

My head says we can’t afford essentially another teenage daughter, but my heart says we can’t let her go through this alone, and how can we not?

I try to go sleep. I wake up and go to the computer searching 'becoming foster parents.' It takes at minimum of six months, with an average time closer to 12 months, for someone to be approved for foster care. But by that time she will have aged-out of foster care because she will have turned 18 years old. In our state she could petition to re-enter foster care which would give her place to live, health insurance and other services until she turns 21 years old, but there are numbers of criteria that must be met.

I go back to sleep and wake up again... We would have to make some changes to the house. I walk downstairs to the finished part of the basement and survey the situation... Well, I can build a small wall off the stairs and install a door in order to convert it into a bedroom. There's already a hookup for cable. It's heated. No A/C but it always stays cool in the summer time. I would need to get some electrical work done for the lighting. Etc...

I wake up two more times during the night with my head spinning... Where does, and will this go?

I’m too old for all this... How do I still have a full head of hair?

I already have an extremely busy weekend planned... Sure looks to become even busier.

 

[Spideyman]

I had a horrible time sleeping last night.

I worked a full day at my full time job and then worked my part-time job. Got home at 10:30pm. The wife sits me down and asked me how much I know of our daughter’s best friend’s situation. I said I knew nothing. She said our daughter (a junior in high school) told her that the girl’s mother has terminal cancer. The mother sat the daughter down recently and said the doctors have informed her the end will come sooner rather than later. She is on disability right now, but it doesn’t pay the bills and they are now going through the process losing their house. She told her daughter she will be put into foster care very shortly. My daughter approached her mom yesterday and asked if her friend could come live with us rather than go into foster care.

I don’t know a whole lot about the girl, but she seems extremely nice, is an excellent advanced student with a promising future if secondary schooling would be available to her, belongs to academic school clubs, is driven, doesn’t get into trouble, and works a part-time time job for spending money.

My wife asked me what I thought about taking the girl in. I was in shock, but didn’t say no. I said if we do consider it there are a lot of questions that must be answered, first. We need to hear the complete story for ourselves from the girl. We would need to speak to the mother. Is there a father involved? She has a grandmother that apparently cannot take her in long term... so what is that situation. What about health care insurance? What are our liabilities? What issues would there be with the high school? Do we need to become foster parents, legal guardians, or just take her in temporarily? And much, much more.

My head says we can’t afford essentially another teenage daughter, but my heart says we can’t let her go through this alone, and how can we not?

I try to go sleep. I wake up and go to the computer searching 'becoming foster parents.' It takes at minimum of six months, with an average time closer to 12 months, for someone to be approved for foster care. But by that time she will have aged-out of foster care because she will have turned 18 years old. In our state she could petition to re-enter foster care which would give her place to live, health insurance and other services until she turns 21 years old, but there are numbers of criteria that must be met.

I go back to sleep and wake up again... We would have to make some changes to the house. I walk downstairs to the finished part of the basement and survey the situation... Well, I can build a small wall off the stairs and install a door in order to convert it into a bedroom. There's already a hookup for cable. It's heated. No A/C but it always stays cool in the summer time. I would need to get some electrical work done for the lighting. Etc...

I wake up two more times during the night with my head spinning... Where does, and will this go?

I’m too old for all this... How do I still have a full head of hair?

I already have an extremely busy weekend planned... Sure looks to become even busier.

Sending guidance vibes. Keep us posted if you can.

 

[HollyGolightly]

not_nadine Wishing you the best on all counts. Sounds divine!

Grandpa Wow - glad you're mostly OK

DiO'Bolic That's heartbreaking and kind - may it all go well. Don't let it keep you up worrying. It will all fall into place.

 

[HollyGolightly]

Today promises to be the busiest day ever. I sort of hate short work weeks because my load doesn't change - I just have less days to squeeze it all in. It's bursting out. So I really should be working, but I'm eating orange chocolate, having a sixth cup of coffee and visiting my SKMB friends. Sometimes I short circuit like this. Payroll is done. So all the deadlines might just be in my head.

 

[swiftdog2.0]

I had a horrible time sleeping last night.

I worked a full day at my full time job and then worked my part-time job. Got home at 10:30pm. The wife sits me down and asked me how much I know of our daughter’s best friend’s situation. I said I knew nothing. She said our daughter (a junior in high school) told her that the girl’s mother has terminal cancer. The mother sat the daughter down recently and said the doctors have informed her the end will come sooner rather than later. She is on disability right now, but it doesn’t pay the bills and they are now going through the process losing their house. She told her daughter she will be put into foster care very shortly. My daughter approached her mom yesterday and asked if her friend could come live with us rather than go into foster care.

I don’t know a whole lot about the girl, but she seems extremely nice, is an excellent advanced student with a promising future if secondary schooling would be available to her, belongs to academic school clubs, is driven, doesn’t get into trouble, and works a part-time time job for spending money.

My wife asked me what I thought about taking the girl in. I was in shock, but didn’t say no. I said if we do consider it there are a lot of questions that must be answered, first. We need to hear the complete story for ourselves from the girl. We would need to speak to the mother. Is there a father involved? She has a grandmother that apparently cannot take her in long term... so what is that situation. What about health care insurance? What are our liabilities? What issues would there be with the high school? Do we need to become foster parents, legal guardians, or just take her in temporarily? And much, much more.

My head says we can’t afford essentially another teenage daughter, but my heart says we can’t let her go through this alone, and how can we not?

I try to go sleep. I wake up and go to the computer searching 'becoming foster parents.' It takes at minimum of six months, with an average time closer to 12 months, for someone to be approved for foster care. But by that time she will have aged-out of foster care because she will have turned 18 years old. In our state she could petition to re-enter foster care which would give her place to live, health insurance and other services until she turns 21 years old, but there are numbers of criteria that must be met.

I go back to sleep and wake up again... We would have to make some changes to the house. I walk downstairs to the finished part of the basement and survey the situation... Well, I can build a small wall off the stairs and install a door in order to convert it into a bedroom. There's already a hookup for cable. It's heated. No A/C but it always stays cool in the summer time. I would need to get some electrical work done for the lighting. Etc...

I wake up two more times during the night with my head spinning... Where does, and will this go?

I’m too old for all this... How do I still have a full head of hair?

I already have an extremely busy weekend planned... Sure looks to become even busier.

So sorry to hear about your daughter's friend's troubles. That's a tough predicament Losing a parent is never easy and I'm sure it is exponentially more difficult for someone that young.

If your daughter's friend truly has no other family options, and is that close to aging out of foster care, she really is in a really tough spot. I'm no expert so I can't give you qualified advice. It sounds to me that if you feel you are in a position to help her out a legal guardianship might be the way to go. As I'm sure you know, trying to get the details on the girl's family situation could get ugly (i.e. the Mom having a problem with "outsiders" meddling in family business). I applaud you for caring enough to give consideration to taking the girl in. Good Luck with whatever path you choose to go down.

 

[Neesy]

Started a new job on Monday. I may have to move to the beach to be closer. But hey, I'll move closer to the shore.

Grandpa Take care!

Good luck with that new job - sounds exciting - and moving to the beach? Hey - why not?

 

[Neesy]

Like I said in another thread, thank you for the well wishes, and the day today went swimmingly. The massage seemed to work its wonders. Sure, aches and pains, but I'm old, and no worse than normal.

Plus I'm pretty sure that guy can suction out the dent with a plunger?

Spoiler: Just kidding

Glad you could walk away from that accident!

 

[Neesy]

I had a horrible time sleeping last night.

I worked a full day at my full time job and then worked my part-time job. Got home at 10:30pm. The wife sits me down and asked me how much I know of our daughter’s best friend’s situation. I said I knew nothing. She said our daughter (a junior in high school) told her that the girl’s mother has terminal cancer. The mother sat the daughter down recently and said the doctors have informed her the end will come sooner rather than later. She is on disability right now, but it doesn’t pay the bills and they are now going through the process losing their house. She told her daughter she will be put into foster care very shortly. My daughter approached her mom yesterday and asked if her friend could come live with us rather than go into foster care.

I don’t know a whole lot about the girl, but she seems extremely nice, is an excellent advanced student with a promising future if secondary schooling would be available to her, belongs to academic school clubs, is driven, doesn’t get into trouble, and works a part-time time job for spending money.

My wife asked me what I thought about taking the girl in. I was in shock, but didn’t say no. I said if we do consider it there are a lot of questions that must be answered, first. We need to hear the complete story for ourselves from the girl. We would need to speak to the mother. Is there a father involved? She has a grandmother that apparently cannot take her in long term... so what is that situation. What about health care insurance? What are our liabilities? What issues would there be with the high school? Do we need to become foster parents, legal guardians, or just take her in temporarily? And much, much more.

My head says we can’t afford essentially another teenage daughter, but my heart says we can’t let her go through this alone, and how can we not?

I try to go sleep. I wake up and go to the computer searching 'becoming foster parents.' It takes at minimum of six months, with an average time closer to 12 months, for someone to be approved for foster care. But by that time she will have aged-out of foster care because she will have turned 18 years old. In our state she could petition to re-enter foster care which would give her place to live, health insurance and other services until she turns 21 years old, but there are numbers of criteria that must be met.

I go back to sleep and wake up again... We would have to make some changes to the house. I walk downstairs to the finished part of the basement and survey the situation... Well, I can build a small wall off the stairs and install a door in order to convert it into a bedroom. There's already a hookup for cable. It's heated. No A/C but it always stays cool in the summer time. I would need to get some electrical work done for the lighting. Etc...

I wake up two more times during the night with my head spinning... Where does, and will this go?

I’m too old for all this... How do I still have a full head of hair?

I already have an extremely busy weekend planned... Sure looks to become even busier.

Wow - you have a lot on your plate. If you do take this girl in, God bless you for being so compassionate and understanding.

 

[Baby Blue]

I had a horrible time sleeping last night.

I worked a full day at my full time job and then worked my part-time job. Got home at 10:30pm. The wife sits me down and asked me how much I know of our daughter’s best friend’s situation. I said I knew nothing. She said our daughter (a junior in high school) told her that the girl’s mother has terminal cancer. The mother sat the daughter down recently and said the doctors have informed her the end will come sooner rather than later. She is on disability right now, but it doesn’t pay the bills and they are now going through the process losing their house. She told her daughter she will be put into foster care very shortly. My daughter approached her mom yesterday and asked if her friend could come live with us rather than go into foster care.

I don’t know a whole lot about the girl, but she seems extremely nice, is an excellent advanced student with a promising future if secondary schooling would be available to her, belongs to academic school clubs, is driven, doesn’t get into trouble, and works a part-time time job for spending money.

My wife asked me what I thought about taking the girl in. I was in shock, but didn’t say no. I said if we do consider it there are a lot of questions that must be answered, first. We need to hear the complete story for ourselves from the girl. We would need to speak to the mother. Is there a father involved? She has a grandmother that apparently cannot take her in long term... so what is that situation. What about health care insurance? What are our liabilities? What issues would there be with the high school? Do we need to become foster parents, legal guardians, or just take her in temporarily? And much, much more.

My head says we can’t afford essentially another teenage daughter, but my heart says we can’t let her go through this alone, and how can we not?

I try to go sleep. I wake up and go to the computer searching 'becoming foster parents.' It takes at minimum of six months, with an average time closer to 12 months, for someone to be approved for foster care. But by that time she will have aged-out of foster care because she will have turned 18 years old. In our state she could petition to re-enter foster care which would give her place to live, health insurance and other services until she turns 21 years old, but there are numbers of criteria that must be met.

I go back to sleep and wake up again... We would have to make some changes to the house. I walk downstairs to the finished part of the basement and survey the situation... Well, I can build a small wall off the stairs and install a door in order to convert it into a bedroom. There's already a hookup for cable. It's heated. No A/C but it always stays cool in the summer time. I would need to get some electrical work done for the lighting. Etc...

I wake up two more times during the night with my head spinning... Where does, and will this go?

I’m too old for all this... How do I still have a full head of hair?

I already have an extremely busy weekend planned... Sure looks to become even busier.

Since her mother is still with us and still lucid, she should be able to file paperwork to name you as legal guardians in the event of her death, which would circumvent the need for the girl to enter the foster care system at all. I know that means you would not get compensation to care for the girl but keeping her out of the system is the best gift you could give that child. I hope you're able to make it work. If not, there's a home in Seattle for her, not that moving across the country and away from everything she knows would be the best option either.

 

[Neesy]

What did I do today?

So far, basically nothing, but at least I am in a much better frame of mind.

My plan is to go pick up Josh at work, go to Shopper's Drug Mart to get my Senior's discount as we need some more Omega 3 capsules plus assorted other items.

It's funny - I rejoined Weight Watchers as a lifetime member and got their new "Freestyle" program last week.

Good thing I gave away almost all of that Valentine's chocolate!

We still have some Jelly Belly jelly beans that I got on sale but I'm not really having any cravings, which is good. You can have more lean, skinless chicken breast, salmon, eggs etc. on this new program which is quite nice.

Tomorrow I go for my first weigh in, so I am keeping my fingers crossed about that. I did have one piece of Josh's birthday cake which cost me 23 points! Yikes! I should have looked that one up before eating it

It's so nice to be able to come here and post on this Board - sorry I was so bummed out yesterday, but I guess everyone feels down now and then

 

[Baby Blue]

What did I do today?

So far, basically nothing, but at least I am in a much better frame of mind.

My plan is to go pick up Josh at work, go to Shopper's Drug Mart to get my Senior's discount as we need some more Omega 3 capsules plus assorted other items.

It's funny - I rejoined Weight Watchers as a lifetime member and got their new "Freestyle" program last week.

Good thing I gave away almost all of that Valentine's chocolate!

We still have some Jelly Belly jelly beans that I got on sale but I'm not really having any cravings, which is good. You can have more lean, skinless chicken breast, salmon, eggs etc. on this new program which is quite nice.

Tomorrow I go for my first weigh in, so I am keeping my fingers crossed about that. I did have one piece of Josh's birthday cake which cost me 23 points! Yikes! I should have looked that one up before eating it

It's so nice to be able to come here and post on this Board - sorry I was so bummed out yesterday, but I guess everyone feels down now and then

Good luck with weight watchers! I'm also supposed to be dieting since we have several trips in coach class coming up and I'd like to properly fit in the seats but so far I've done absolutely nothing toward that goal. Maybe tomorrow.

 

[Neesy]

Good luck with weight watchers! I'm also supposed to be dieting since we have several trips in coach class coming up and I'd like to properly fit in the seats but so far I've done absolutely nothing toward that goal. Maybe tomorrow.

Thanks - you should check out the meetings. It does not cost much and it's very easy to follow. You do have to write down and track your food, which is a good idea anyway as it gives you a good overview of your food choices and makes you realize how healthy/unhealthy your diet might be.

 

[DiO'Bolic]

Thanks everyone for the advice. There is so very much to think about. I think the first step is to talk to the girl and see what she thinks/wants and perhaps discuss some options available to her that she might not be aware of (including the pros and cons of each), and then to the mother, if she is open to it.

 

[cat in a bag]

I had a horrible time sleeping last night.

I worked a full day at my full time job and then worked my part-time job. Got home at 10:30pm. The wife sits me down and asked me how much I know of our daughter’s best friend’s situation. I said I knew nothing. She said our daughter (a junior in high school) told her that the girl’s mother has terminal cancer. The mother sat the daughter down recently and said the doctors have informed her the end will come sooner rather than later. She is on disability right now, but it doesn’t pay the bills and they are now going through the process losing their house. She told her daughter she will be put into foster care very shortly. My daughter approached her mom yesterday and asked if her friend could come live with us rather than go into foster care.

I don’t know a whole lot about the girl, but she seems extremely nice, is an excellent advanced student with a promising future if secondary schooling would be available to her, belongs to academic school clubs, is driven, doesn’t get into trouble, and works a part-time time job for spending money.

My wife asked me what I thought about taking the girl in. I was in shock, but didn’t say no. I said if we do consider it there are a lot of questions that must be answered, first. We need to hear the complete story for ourselves from the girl. We would need to speak to the mother. Is there a father involved? She has a grandmother that apparently cannot take her in long term... so what is that situation. What about health care insurance? What are our liabilities? What issues would there be with the high school? Do we need to become foster parents, legal guardians, or just take her in temporarily? And much, much more.

My head says we can’t afford essentially another teenage daughter, but my heart says we can’t let her go through this alone, and how can we not?

I try to go sleep. I wake up and go to the computer searching 'becoming foster parents.' It takes at minimum of six months, with an average time closer to 12 months, for someone to be approved for foster care. But by that time she will have aged-out of foster care because she will have turned 18 years old. In our state she could petition to re-enter foster care which would give her place to live, health insurance and other services until she turns 21 years old, but there are numbers of criteria that must be met.

I go back to sleep and wake up again... We would have to make some changes to the house. I walk downstairs to the finished part of the basement and survey the situation... Well, I can build a small wall off the stairs and install a door in order to convert it into a bedroom. There's already a hookup for cable. It's heated. No A/C but it always stays cool in the summer time. I would need to get some electrical work done for the lighting. Etc...

I wake up two more times during the night with my head spinning... Where does, and will this go?

I’m too old for all this... How do I still have a full head of hair?

I already have an extremely busy weekend planned... Sure looks to become even busier.

I have been feeling sorry for myself today for a bunch of stupid little things...the littles are very riled up today, one of them poured blue juice that the other one brought out of the little bottle it was in and into the bottom of some blocks and then carried them to the living room where they promptly got spilled on my carpet. They just are not listening to me today.

Your post brought tears and a kick in the pants that these really are stupid little things and that I have no troubles to be upset about. Thoughts and prayers for the girl and her mother and for you and your family as well, as you go through deciding how best to help. Big hugs.

 

[DiO'Bolic]

Since her mother is still with us and still lucid, she should be able to file paperwork to name you as legal guardians in the event of her death, which would circumvent the need for the girl to enter the foster care system at all. I know that means you would not get compensation to care for the girl but keeping her out of the system is the best gift you could give that child. I hope you're able to make it work. If not, there's a home in Seattle for her, not that moving across the country and away from everything she knows would be the best option either.

I agree keeping her out of the foster care system is the best thing. But the foster care system does have some benefits, especially if she could re-enter it after 18 to her 21st birthday, in my state. She would receive a place to live, health insurance and other services. It would also provide help towards education, employment, and saving money. If it is a possibility and would work with her staying with us, I wonder if she could be assigned to us while we go through the foster care system to get approved. So much to investigate and consider. But keeping her safe and with a family that cares about her first and foremost, and would provide a nurturing environment, would be most important.

 

[Neesy]

I have been feeling sorry for myself today for a bunch of stupid little things...the littles are very riled up today, one of them poured blue juice that the other one brought out of the little bottle it was in and into the bottom of some blocks and then carried them to the living room where they promptly got spilled on my carpet. They just are not listening to me today.

Your post brought tears and a kick in the pants that these really are stupid little things and that I have no troubles to be upset about. Thoughts and prayers for the girl and her mother and for you and your family as well, as you go through deciding how best to help. Big hugs.

Hey cat in a bag - maybe try the following recipe (you can Google it), as apparently this is supposed to work quite well on any stain; but perhaps try it in an inconspicuous spot first just to be safe

• Blue Dawn Dish Soap
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Baking Soda
  
  
  
  

 

[cat in a bag]

Hey cat in a bag - maybe try the following recipe (you can Google it), as apparently this is supposed to work quite well on any stain; but perhaps try it in an inconspicuous spot first just to be safe

• Blue Dawn Dish Soap
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Baking Soda
  
  
  

Thanks, Neesy. I already cleaned it up, it was just the frustration. Yesterday she did it with water, last week she did it at her house with chewed up food and a tea set....apparently this is a phase.

 

[DiO'Bolic]

I have been feeling sorry for myself today for a bunch of stupid little things...the littles are very riled up today, one of them poured blue juice that the other one brought out of the little bottle it was in and into the bottom of some blocks and then carried them to the living room where they promptly got spilled on my carpet. They just are not listening to me today.

Your post brought tears and a kick in the pants that these really are stupid little things and that I have no troubles to be upset about. Thoughts and prayers for the girl and her mother and for you and your family as well, as you go through deciding how best to help. Big hugs.

It has made me sick to see what such a young person has to deal and worry about. I don't cry but I have shed tears over the last couple of hours. I couldn't imagine the thought of having such a bleak future ahead of me. These should be the best and happiest years of one's life.