March 10, 2023

Good Things Friday (211) and Link Love

1. After two weeks of scout ants creeping into the kitchen, without leaving a trail for me to follow back, I spotted one ant under a baseboard and lined that whole wall with boric acid. It seems like it’s working? After two days, the incursions stopped.

2. Weekend to dos: I didn’t cut anyone’s hair but all three are due. I did trim the hedges. That turned into a family activity and they look much better now.

Challenges this week:

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March 3, 2023

Good Things Friday (210) and Link Love

1. We donated 2 boxes of books to the library. That got the JKR series out of our house and cleared a whole (small) bookshelf for better books by better people. (People are complicated, yes, but JKR is unreservedly awful.)

Win win!

2. Help BIPOC folks:

3. I got ONE dinner this week where Smol Acrobat wasn’t a total pill! That’s more than the usual zero. PiC does breakfasts. They might be easier but I couldn’t say.

4. It was my turn on Murderbot All Systems Red again and every two sentences are a genuine delight. I wish I could write like this.

An activism: Florida Bill Would Destroy Higher Education as We Know It

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February 24, 2023

Good Things Friday (209) and Link Love

1. A Twitter friend shared the story of surprising her back up at work with a gift (cookies) to thank her and how it seemed silly to her that the recipient was so surprised. Another friend joked (or said seriously, tone is hard to tell) that Californians aren’t used to Southern hospitality.

She’s probably right! I don’t know what counts as Southern hospitality. But as a Californian, I can take a hint. I had been wanting to express my gratitude to my second in command for always being solid (especially during times I’ve very much been on shaky mental grounds though I tend to mask all of that at work) so I borrowed the idea and sent my deputy a gift card for some treats of their choice.

2. @celeste_pewter is having some medical troubles and needs a helping hand: Medical bills help for vision treatment. I donated as a small thank you for all the political action advice she’s offered free over the years.

3. We supported this campaign to Sponsor Orphans and Poor Students Education: Year 1. They had enough to get the kids started, but they’ll need a lot more to carry on the rest of the school year. One month of education per child is $47 USD.

Challenges this week: This damn cough!

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February 17, 2023

Good Things Friday (208) and Link Love

1. Bethel Friends of Canines is a non-profit dog rescue based in the rural Alaskan village of Bethel.

2. Apparently I have taught Smol most of the alphabet? We trace the letters in a lot of books when we’re reading. The teacher was surprised and told PiC she thinks they know almost all the letters now.

3. Donors Choose projects for classrooms with a high ratio of low income students:

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February 10, 2023

Good Things Friday (207) and Link Love

1. I thought the Mucinex wasn’t doing anything so I stopped taking it and my coughing and congestion spiked to horrifying levels so maybe it WAS helping. I’m still coughing and congested but I’m on Mucinex round the clock now and I can breathe mostly.

2. We supported:

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January 27, 2023

Good Things Friday (205) and Link Love

1. Last week I felt compelled to host our “usual” Lunar NY dinner. By Wednesday I realized I really didn’t want to host anything and instead got in touch with an old friend who’d been wanting to talk and they invited us over.

It was brilliant. The kids got to play with older cousins, there was no crying or whining, we had a lovely casual dinner without any pressure to do all the traditional stuff that maybe we don’t wanna do this year.

2. JB shared that they like their self defense partner and I just said I was glad for them. I was tempted to say they need to work harder at practice but you know what? I’m starting to remember how some of that felt when I was growing up. That’s a comment for another time, if ever.

Challenges this week: I’m sick again. Bah.

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