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[RedheadwGlasses]

But good news re: SIL! Sounds like college suits her!

[Matilda77]

RedheadwGlasses wrote:

But good news re: SIL! Sounds like college suits her!

Yeah, we are absolutely thrilled. Aside from her whole roommate snafu the first couple weeks, it's going better than we imagined it would.

[Matilda77]

RedheadwGlasses wrote:

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Ugh.
She will be among the world's most annoying grandparents if you or SIL have a kid.

Oh, it will not be pretty. She's half-joked about us having 'free daycare' if we ever do have one. Um...no...you will not be left alone with any spawn of mine...ever.

[RedheadwGlasses]

Matilda77 wrote:

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Oh, it will not be pretty. She's half-joked about us having 'free daycare' if we ever do have one. Um...no...you will not be left alone with any spawn of mine...ever.

Right. A grandparent who's stoned all the time makes for awesome daycare.

[RedheadwGlasses]

"Mommy, why does step-grandpa hate me?"

[j_m_w]

Matilda77 wrote:

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Yeah, we are absolutely thrilled. Aside from her whole roommate snafu the first couple weeks, it's going better than we imagined it would.

I'm so glad college is going well for SIL! It sounds like she's made leaps and bounds worth of progress in maturing, and I'm glad she has a sweet boyfriend. I'm sure you and J are beyond relieved.

[j_m_w]

RedheadwGlasses wrote:

No, it's not cultural. he's just a messed up guy dragging Jmw's friend down to his level.

I'm DYING to know what he has said to A about me and C now that he's met us.

I don't remember if I told you guys this, but not too long ago I noticed that A has made more negative remarks about her roommate lately and it seems to have coincided with her starting to date this guy (he met the roommate early on, obviously). I think he's probably in her head about her roommate because she's a friend, and I would be surprised if he doesn't have a few negative things to say about me and C also. C and her fiance are SO SWEET so it's practically impossible to imagine, but this guy will find a way....

Cattily, I wanted to wear heels to make myself taller than him last night but it was chilly so I wore boots. Not to worry, I was still taller than him. ;)

I texted my friend L this morning that we won't have to worry about this guy for much longer because he'll freeze to death up north over Thanksgiving. I thought *I* was wimpy about being cold - I've never seen anything like this! He was sitting right under one of those gas heaters on the patio and was hugging himself and looking miserable. And he's a GUY! They're never cold.

[RedheadwGlasses]

You know, that’s sort of like how it was with nick’s cousin Mary. I was *fine* with Nick’s family, then after two or three family gatherings, I was way more critical of them (even if only in my own head). One night I realized that the problem was Mary, sidling up to me and making catty remarks about Nick’s sister and how Nick’s family does things. It’s like she’s a SIL and I’m a SIL and we’re on the same team. But she’s not a SIL and Nick has a great family. I told him all about it and then let him know that I would be distancing myself from Mary as much as possible, because I didn’t need her negative attitude about his family. He was surprised she was so catty and mean, but other things have since happened with her that we’re both writing her off as someone we don’t like and don’t plan to interact much with.

[RedheadwGlasses]

Does anyone here plan to buy christmas gifts for their pets? I got some cat toys for Rose, from Etsy, today, and I have a package of 20 more coming this week. I got a ton of toy mice from under/behind furniture this weekend, so she's set. So I think i"ll actually wrap the new ones loosely in wrapping paper and see if they can have some fun getting the toys out.

[RedheadwGlasses]

jmw: I think he's a controller big time. A normal guy WANTS to meet his girlfriend's friends (not too soon, of course). but he seems to be avoiding it on purpose, which means he has something to hide.

[RedheadwGlasses]

One way Carolyn Hax has gone with this issue is to say to someone, "I don't like the person you are when you're with him."

[Matilda77]

RedheadwGlasses wrote:

Does anyone here plan to buy christmas gifts for their pets? I got some cat toys for Rose, from Etsy, today, and I have a package of 20 more coming this week. I got a ton of toy mice from under/behind furniture this weekend, so she's set. So I think i"ll actually wrap the new ones loosely in wrapping paper and see if they can have some fun getting the toys out.

Le puppies are overdue for new collars. And we usually get them something to unwrap and chew. J always gets the dog-in-laws a big box of Milkbones.

[Aisle Sitter]

Matilda77 wrote:

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Le puppies are overdue for new collars. And we usually get them something to unwrap and chew. J always gets the dog-in-laws a big box of Milkbones.

puppies in law? ;-)

[NWmoon]

RedheadwGlasses wrote:

Does anyone here plan to buy christmas gifts for their pets? I got some cat toys for Rose, from Etsy, today, and I have a package of 20 more coming this week. I got a ton of toy mice from under/behind furniture this weekend, so she's set. So I think i"ll actually wrap the new ones loosely in wrapping paper and see if they can have some fun getting the toys out.

Doghound gets hot dogs or some other meaty treat, cats get real tuna. I spread out a handful or two of catnip for them to get high on. If I time it right, we get to eat in peace.
Dog doesn't play, never learned as a puppy and we haven't been able to teach him. He'll chase something if he likes it, but won't bring it back, and doesn't like to keep going after it. We got him toys and chews the first few years, but gave up, he wasn't interested.
Cats prefer either milk jug rings, or zip ties to play with. We've bought cat toys too, but they prefer what they consider "natural" prey, or chasing a laser light.

[Jess in NJ]

Hi All!

This t-shirt made me laugh and think of some of the people on here (have to check out the link soon, though, because it will change after all the shirts are sold out)

http://shirt.woot.com/offers/online-debate-te...

[Jess in NJ]

Matilda - So glad to hear that college is bringing out the best in your SIL! I know that was a big worry for you and J.

[Jess in NJ]

JMW - it doesn't sound like any of your fears were allayed by meeting A's boyfriend. It is hard to stand by while someone you care about makes decisions that you don't agree with, but it is more important than ever that you make sure she knows you are her friend and you are available if ever she needs you, without putting pressure on her.

As long as they do not seem to be in immediate danger, we still have to respect other adults' rights to make stupid decisions.

[j_m_w]

Jess in NJ wrote:

JMW - it doesn't sound like any of your fears were allayed by meeting A's boyfriend. It is hard to stand by while someone you care about makes decisions that you don't agree with, but it is more important than ever that you make sure she knows you are her friend and you are available if ever she needs you, without putting pressure on her.
As long as they do not seem to be in immediate danger, we still have to respect other adults' rights to make stupid decisions.

You're right. I just need to keep an eye and ear out for danger and just be there for her to talk to, etc. in the meantime.

Jasper kind of called me out on gossiping and being negative about all this stuff yesterday (I've told him everything I've told you guys), and he has a point. Of course, I'm not talking about it with the intention of gossiping but that's kind of the end result either way, I guess. Plus he really doesn't want to hear every repetitive detail anymore since he'll be working with A as of next Monday.

[Jess in NJ]

j_m_w wrote:

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You're right. I just need to keep an eye and ear out for danger and just be there for her to talk to, etc. in the meantime.
Jasper kind of called me out on gossiping and being negative about all this stuff yesterday (I've told him everything I've told you guys), and he has a point. Of course, I'm not talking about it with the intention of gossiping but that's kind of the end result either way, I guess. Plus he really doesn't want to hear every repetitive detail anymore since he'll be working with A as of next Monday.

Vent away to us (even when I'm not commenting, I'm stopping by to read). It sucks to feel helpless.

[RedheadwGlasses]

j_m_w wrote:

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You're right. I just need to keep an eye and ear out for danger and just be there for her to talk to, etc. in the meantime.
Jasper kind of called me out on gossiping and being negative about all this stuff yesterday (I've told him everything I've told you guys), and he has a point. Of course, I'm not talking about it with the intention of gossiping but that's kind of the end result either way, I guess. Plus he really doesn't want to hear every repetitive detail anymore since he'll be working with A as of next Monday.

Nick feels the same way about us friends bashing Dillian. He doesn't understand why we care enough to spend the time bashing.