Let Sleeping Dogs Rant

[TBoneTX 45,604]

Thrilling Sunday report, see man:

 

Awoke nearly an hour late, egad man.

Was not coughing very much at all, HSM must have finally worked man.

 

Visited Mama T-B. for about an hour, never thought we'd return to this pattern given her earlier fizzicle shape man.

Mama T-B. didn't yell at us even once, cause for repeat hospitalization by itself man.

Mama T-B. tried to convince Mini-B. of the importance of skool grades, diplomatic senior she man.

We let this go on until Mini-B. began tearing up, politely change subject we man.

This was quite a pleasant visit, si man.

 

Missed first half-hour of football game, planned Two Guys activity man.

Mini-B.'s lunch was 2 PB&J sandwiches, ingest wee man.

Our lunch was one PB&J sandwich, ingest we man.

We spent halftime frantically changing beds and wrangling laundry, no rest for domestic we man.

Many (2+2+1) -- si man, Many (2+2+1) -- bowls of Costco popcorn were consumed during the game, ingest Two Guys man.

This made an even Many (2x2x2 +2) bowls for the week, back in double digits man!   

 

Mini-B. helped us with a couple of minor chores that he'd resisted the last couple of visits, accommodating wee man.

We joined Mini-B. on back patio for basketball, bonding Two Guys man.

 

Ex-Mrs.-T-B. and Mama ex-Mrs.-T-B. showed up an hour early, "we're busy" excuse from ex-she man man.

We said goodbye to wee man, sigh man.

Miu almost immediately began her needy questioning, Where's Big Bruddah man.

 

Din-din was a couple of roast-beef slabs donated today by Mama T-B. + 2 hot dog buns, ingest we man.

Got to watch most of AFV, some redemption of the day man.

 

Neighborette will look after miu while we are away, day-&-a-half man.

Neighborette and miu like each other, mutual affection man.

 

It should be obvious that we did not get a siesta today, anathema for a Sunday man.

Rest of day spent on usual domestic chores and packing/organizing, intense man.

Miu tried to help by sitting on the suitcase,  man.

 

We will attempt a Thrilling Daily Report for Monday if possible, unclear opportunity man.

Mornin', dictatorial Commie- and other babes with hitherto unallocated upvotes!

[Ontarkie 14,307]

11 hours ago, TBoneTX said:

 

Ex-Mrs.-T-B. bought an iPad purely to be able to control Mini-B.'s iPhone, but it or she doesn't, mystery man.

 

We have had success (albeit a limited sample) by telling Mini-B. that he has to be in bed by (e.g.) Many:Many or he'll lose phone privileges for an unspecified time, si man.  Mini-B. accelerates and seems to take pride in making the deadlines, interesting man.  This makes us wonder whether "little" threats, made consistently, might be more effective than big threats (lengthy suspensions of phone, etc.), hmm man.

Sigh! 

 

Do what works with him. Once you find his currency you have it made. Seems  you might have found it. Praising his good efforts like you do is also very good. Natural consequences are very good too. But Failing classes is a big one.

 

For the Tornado it is losing her tablet. 

The Tornado doesn't do well with certain things. Like if I did what the MIL tried to tell me to do (toys not put away go in the garbage) the Tornado would say ok do it and state she doesn't play with them anymore anyway. That was when she was younger. I don't tend to threaten I just make her do it, it's a pain to be in there with her but it gets done. I'm positive she is ADHD, she can't unwind, she can't stop talking and so many more things that scream ADHD. SInce we homeschool it is no big deal I can work with her struggles.  

 

[TBoneTX 45,604]

Thrilling Monday report ,* see man:

     *typed on stupid phone,  man

 

Lunch was the remaining 2 hotdog buns, ingest we man.

Miu seemed uncognizent that Daddy was leaving, clueless miu man.

 

Got to airport way early, call the newspapers man.

Plane was delayed, of COURSE man.

Packed like sardines, tight man.

The aircraft was a Boeing MaxMany, didn't crash man.

Got in just in time for Post Office dispatch and Salvation Army donation, timely we man.

Din-din was Many (2+1) cheese enchiladas, 2 meat tacos in flour tortillas, double rice, and a large plate of shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes, ingest we man.

 

Motel where we haven't stayed in years has no public computer any longer, off our list man.

Unsure about bedtime snack, perhaps search we man.

Mexico tomorrow, si and whee man.

[mam521 2,113]

On 12/4/2023 at 12:51 AM, TBoneTX said:

Ex-Mrs.-T-B. bought an iPad purely to be able to control Mini-B.'s iPhone, but it or she doesn't, mystery man.

So, have you guys set up Screen Time?  If you're set up as a family, even though you're in different households, there's no reason you both shouldn't be able to control it.  If she's not interested, you could set it up and control. Mini-B could be locked out of specific apps until he demonstrated to you the work was done, either through a portal (does his school use Canvas?) or FaceTime.  

 

Kid2 gets cut off at specific times daily and if there's some rage gaming going on with anger management issues, there's an instantaneous locked out option to "readjust and realign" attitude.  The kids were back in Canada while we were here in Texas and the screentime still works...much to kiddo's dismay.  Kid1 is a teenager and basically has the freedom to do whatever, but this kid also has a proven track record of self managing and getting things done.  Kid2 has no control.  

 

Also, if Band is Mini-B's jam, then maybe that needs to be part of the collateral for working.  If he goes to HS and wants to continue in Band, it's no different than Athletics - they have to keep their average above 70% or they get kicked out and put on academic probation.  If he wants to remain eligible for Band, then he needs to understand and prove that he can manage his time among everything or it's being taken away among the other rewards such as phone and VR.  

 

20 hours ago, Ontarkie said:

The Tornado doesn't do well with certain things. Like if I did what the MIL tried to tell me to do (toys not put away go in the garbage) the Tornado would say ok do it and state she doesn't play with them anymore anyway. That was when she was younger. I don't tend to threaten I just make her do it, it's a pain to be in there with her but it gets done. I'm positive she is ADHD, she can't unwind, she can't stop talking and so many more things that scream ADHD. SInce we homeschool it is no big deal I can work with her struggles.

 

We need to fork over the cash and get Kid1 tested just so we have proof on paper that it's ADHD and can have testing accommodations in place for post secondary academia for said kid.  Kid2 has already had 2 psych ed evaluations done and has been diagnosed with DMDD, which creates some different challenges.  

 

Neurodivergent kids' brains respond to stimuli differently than neurotypical kids, so the traditional ways of managing using behavior based reward systems doesn't work.  For lack of a better comparison, neurotypical kids are similar to dogs that are food motivated.  Food motivated dogs can be trained using treats.  Nerotypical kids can be persuaded by behavior rewards.  But if you have a dog that isn't motivated by food, training suddenly has to become more creative as you have to find what motivates the dog.  In ADHD brains, it's a dopamine hit and that doesn't come from the traditional behavior based reward systems neurotypical people try to apply.  It's also, in part, why there are certain tasks that you'll see major task avoidance on - no matter how much the ADHDer knows the task needs to be done, they avoid it and will do any and everything else because they know it won't reward their brain.  It can actually do the opposite and cause anxiety, which is even more detrimental.  

 

Another interesting thing to note is many neurodivergent kids have the MTHFR gene mutation which impacts their ability to absorb and process folate and B vitamins.  These are the building blocks for hormones, which dopamine is.  Methylated folate is more bioavailable for our bodies to absorb.  A nurse who helps treat ADHD patients in a local group I'm in stated she tells her patients to take a methylated folate and B-12 vitamin supplement and combine with caffeine and these people tend to see their ADHD symptoms calm down.  Might be worth the blood test and some kid vitamins with methylfolate for the Tornado. Kid1 has seen an improvement when the teenager actually remembers to take the supplement!  

[TBoneTX 45,604]

On 12/5/2023 at 9:49 AM, mam521 said:

So, have you guys set up Screen Time?  If you're set up as a family, even though you're in different households, there's no reason you both shouldn't be able to control it.  If she's not interested, you could set it up and control. Mini-B could be locked out of specific apps until he demonstrated to you the work was done, either through a portal (does his school use Canvas?) or FaceTime.  

Ex-Mrs.-T-B. knows how to do this, see mam ma'am; we are a computer idiot if not an outright Luddite, sigh mam ma'am.

His skool uses Schoology, unfortunately also a mystery to us mam ma'am.

[TBoneTX 45,604]

Thrilling belated Tuesday report, see belatedly man:

 

Arose to arrive in Mexico by Many (2x2x2) a.m., almost half an hour late man.

Weather was magnificent, not even Many (2x2x2x2x2x2 +2+2+2) degrees F. and cloudy man.

Parked on U.S. side (paying $Many,  man) and $1 Mexican entry toll, outrageous man.

Great parking space available that early, boon man.

 

Got complete blood/urine tests for $Many ($2x2x2x2x2 + 2x2x2x2 +2), ouch man.

 

Made it to dentist, they were Many (2x2x2x2 +2+2+2) minutes late as usual man.

Got deep-cleaning and laser whitening, brilliant we man.

Found out super-mega-ultra-foxy (for a non-rubia) hygienist is unmarried, no clue man!

Immediately offered both our hands in marriage, offer politely deflected man.   

 

Collected bloodwork results, sucked man.

Visited new barbershop right next to lab, convenient man!

Quoted cut-hairing price was $Many ($2x2x2 +2), really steep man.

We mentioned quotes of $Many ($2x2x2 -1) on the main street, financially savvy we man.

Barber offered $Many ($2x2x2), acceptable to us man.

Got all our hairs cut, shorn we man.

Guy did one of the best jobs (in the top 2 or Many) that we've ever had, conclude we man.

We said, "This is worth $Many ($2x2x2 +2)" and gave it to him man.

 

Went to old doc for our semiannual flush-earing, wax museum in there man.

Showed doc the lab results, why not man.

Doc considered them thoroughly and suggested a retest on one value at different lab, good idea man.

Got ears flushed, the better to hear you with man.

Doc's son the dentist held the splash-trays, assist he man.

We got soaked, need to press thoroughly against face man.   

 

Went to favorite restaurant, lunchtime man.

Had usual Many (2+2+1) strips grilled tilapia, rice, salad, basket of cheaps, and water, ingest we man.

Total was again $Many ($2x2x2), unbeatable man.

 

Walked to various pharmacies, all around the place man.

Got most of our stuff, all stuff for an amiga, and one stuff for a neighbor, willing we man.

Prices are generally up, and a couple of our generic items weren't available,  man.

 

At Many (2+1) p.m., went back across pedestrian bridge, weather still wonderful man.

Did not need or even consider a sweatband, only second time ever man.   

CBP agent at international border congenial, good to see man.

CBP agent at Customs nonchalant or even indifferent, different from usual man.

Back at dust-covered rental T-B.-mobile by half-past Many, good long day man.

We wondered where the dust had come from, light breeze all day man.

 

Went to favorite large thrift store on discount day, planned by financially savvy we man.

Got Mini-B. several items (must inventory these) for $Many ($2x2x2x2x2 -2 -1), financially savvy we man.

 

Din-din was at a restaurant where we'd never gone, newly ingest we man.

Had 2 cheese enchiladas, beef taco, rice/beans, and basket of cheaps for $Many, overcharged we man.

We were concerned about time, so we didn't go back inside to question, don't squeal on us man.

 

Gassed the rental T-B.-mobile, surprisingly few miles driven man.

Drove to airport, early we man.

Flight was on time and only about one-Many'rd full, such a change from inbound flight man.

Luggage promptly off belt and parking-shuttle conveniently taken, timing is everything man.

Got call from Mama T-B. about emergency Rx to pick up on Wednesday, must find one that works man.

 

Excited miu greeted us, Where Were You And Where Is Din-Din Daddy man.

Fed/brushed miu and watched late TV news, good timing man.

Only then did we take shower, how different from beelining there man.

Zzz'd like an illegitimate male child, zzz we man.

 

The fun started early on Wednesday, see Thrilling (?) Wednesday report later man.

[Ontarkie 14,307]

Took the kids to Homeschool Skating, first we did ice skating then roller skating, the Tornado decided to try rollerblades instead. She liked that better then the roller skates. 

 

Of course after 4 and a half hours of that we were all tuckered out. Totally forgot to get the garbage and recycling out  Thankfully the recycling will go by once more before Christmas. 

[TBoneTX 45,604]

3 hours ago, Ontarkie said:

Totally forgot to get the garbage and recycling out

Negligent out-tuckered non-garbage-curbsiding Ontarklar!  Negligent, NEGLIGENT out-tuckered OUT-TUCKERED non-garbage-curbsiding NON-GARBAGE CURBSIDING Ontarklar!

[TBoneTX 45,604]

Thrilling (?) Wednesday report, see man:

 

Was awakened at Many a.m. by phone call from Mama T-B., ultra-groggy we man.

"I have another BP prescription at Walgreens, si man!  They say it's ready, but who can believe those incompetent losers, si and huh man?  Call them to confirm and bring it to me right away, si man!" said senior she man to we man.

"They're not open yet, no man," mumbled we man, squinting at clock blearily man.

"Well, wait till they are, call immediately and report back to me, si man!" ordered senior she man of we man.

We inadequately caffeinated ourself and spent half an hour on hold waiting for stupid call pick-up,  man.

The Rx was allegedly ready, amazing man, and we notified Mama T-B., si man.

"Well, go pick it up and bring it straight here, si man, and don't look like a bum!" ordered senior she man of we man.

"We need to take a quick shower, si man," weakly noted we man to senior she man.

"Forget the shower and bring it here, si man!" ordered senior she man of we man.  "The cardiologist is going away after Friday, and we need as much time as possible to see if I react poorly to these, si man!" continued senior she man.

 

We somehow made it to Walgreens without an accident, groggy we man man.

We waited for Many (2+2+1) minutes in their drive-through with no acknowledgment,  man.

We pulled around front and went inside, pharmacy ALL the way at back of store man.

Many (2+2+2) -- si man, Many (2+2+2) -- customers were ahead of us,  man.

One was arguing with a clerk about why an Rx wasn't ready, been there done that we man.

Another was trying to schedule a flu/Covid shot, isn't now a bit late for that man?

The clerks were all moving like molasses and reacting like idiots, typical man.

When our turn came, we told the clerkette which one we'd come for, si man.

The clerkette said, "But I see that we have 2 ready, si man."

We again specified which one we'd come for, si man.

Clerkette took a full 2 minutes to find it,  man.

 

We finally blew over to Mama T-B.'s, finally man.

Mama T-B. insisted on opening the stapled package herself, let us do it if you're trembling man.

Mama T-B. began cursing at the size of the Rx bottle, manufacturer's original man.

Mama T-B. began trying to open the foil seal until we took over, si man.

We said, "It's not unusual to give out the manufacturer's bottle, no man!" si man.

Mama T-B. said, "It won't fit in my pill drawer with all the others, no man!" rant senior she man.

Mama T-B. immediately popped one of the pills, anxious senior she man.

"Why didn't you offer to start my car on Sunday when you were here, huh man?" asked senior she man.

"You didn't ask, no man," replied we man.

"Well, go down and do it now, si man!" ordered senior she man of we man.

"Where's the key, huh man?" asked we man of senior she man.

"In here," said Mama T-B., fumbling to get it.

"Let us get it, si man," offered we man to senior she man.

"Don't mess up anything in that drawer, no man!" ordered senior she man of we man.

"Can we leave after starting it, huh man?" asked we man of senior she man.

"I guess, si man, but that's my only spare key -- DON'T LOSE IT, no man!" said senior she man to we man.

 

We left, needing one of those BP pills ourself, si man.

As usual, the Mama-T-B.-mobile started right up, new battery man.

 

To decompress, we gassed the T-B.-mobile at Costco, already halfway there we man.

On the way casa-ward, we cursed ourself for not having prepared the valid Subway coupons,  man.

 

At the casa, we considered lunch, si man.

Lunch was toucans of chicken noodle soup bought at last weekend's ES, ingest we man.

At lunch's end, phone rang from Mini-B.'s skool, oh brother man.

Assistant Principalette cheerily asked, "How are you today, huh man?" egad man.

We replied, "What did he do now, huh man?" sigh man.

"Well, he's in in-skool suspension for a couple of incidents, si man," said A.P. man.

 

Mini-B. had joined his amigos in making fun of another stoodent's bad haircut, sigh man.

Mini-B. had slapped another stoodent who'd tried to kick him after Mini-B. started an argument, sigh man.

     ,  man.

 

We jawboned at length with the A.P., rather fruitful man.

A.P. was interested that Mini-B. was an only child, just like us and the A.P. herself man.

"This will help us in counseling him, si man," said A.P. man to we man.

We promised that ex-Mrs.-T-B. and we would do our parts, si man.

 

It was Two Guys eve tonight, how very opportune man.  🙄

We stuck a valid Subway coupon in our pocket, prepared we man.

We were very calm at skool pick-up, si man.

Mini-B. was somewhat subdued, expected man.

Mini-B. requested Subway for din-din, si man.

Din-din was from Subway*, ingest Two Guys man.

     *WUOC, financially savvy we man

 

After din-din, we calmly invited Mini-B. to put down his phone, si man.

We extracted the stories from Mini-B., one easier than the other man.

"I teased the kid about his bad haircut because my friends were doing it and I wanted to be popular, and I got in trouble for it, si man," said wee man to we man.

"Do you remember how embarrassed you were about your last haircut, huh man?" asked we man of wee man.  "Remember how you were afraid that people would make fun of you, huh man?" asked we man of wee man.

Mini-B. reluctantly acknowledged this, si man.

"Don't you think that this kid felt badly enough about his haircut without everyone's help, huh man?" asked we man to wee man.

Mini-B. reluctantly acknowledged this, si man.

 

The second incident involved kids playing ball after skool the other day, si man.

Mini-B. asked one of his amigos, who was playing, if Mini-B. could join, si man.

Mini-B. then made fun of a player's skills, si man.

That kid's brother took offense, si man.

Comments on both sides accelerated, si man.

The kid and his brother tried to kick Mini-B., si man.

Mini-B. allegedly slapped one, si man.

The kids reported Mini-B. for bullying,  man.

 

We asked if Mini-B. knew the saying "put your foot in your mouth," ask we man of wee man.

He did not, no man.

We explained this and said, "A closed mouth gathers no foot," si man.

We recommended that Mini-B. think his observations about people but not offer them, si man.

 

We then left Mini-B. to decompress and went outside, call ex-Mrs.-T-B. we man.

Ex-she man was somewhat aware of the first incident, Mini-B. had told her man.

Ex-she man was upset-angry about the second, oof man.

Ex-she man will probably lower the boom, uh-oh man.

 

Mama T-B. just called, call senior she man we man.

New BP pill worked for a few hours, encouraging man.

BP now returned to stroke-level values, damn it man.

Something else is causing these BP issues, agree we man with senior she man.

Mama T-B. not even sure that she'll make it to cardiologist on Friday, that bad man.

This has been a thrilling Wednesday, si man.

[Ontarkie 14,307]

I'm so sorry Tbone, that is a lot going on. I really hope they figure out your mom's BP and soon. Has she ever seen an endocrinologist? There may be other hormones and such that is causing the issue. Might be worth a shot. 

 

Hopefully Mini-B will not repeat that. 

[TBoneTX 45,604]

7 minutes ago, Ontarkie said:

figure out your mom's BP

Gracias, D ma'am.  Mama T-B. can't last much longer at these stroke-level readings, no man.

Interesting suggestion about hormones, si D ma'am.

Ex-Mrs.-T-B. never responded about what punishment befell Mini-B., have to wait we guess man.

9 minutes ago, Ontarkie said:

Hopefully Mini-B will not repeat that. 

We just confirmed that he probably won't be eligible to attend his year-end Band party, in the rules man.

Mini-B. was upset, but seemingly because we paid on time and are now out $Many, concerned wee man.

If so, that indicates some maturity, si man.

We used this to reinforce the reality of "actions have consequences," worth more than $Many if it sinks in and sticks man.

 

Miu is about 2 months overdue for a manicure, heavily armed miu man.

We have placed the open carrier in a strategic spot, si man.

We will probably have to seize her during miu-breakfast, betray miu man we man.

[Ontarkie 14,307]

14 hours ago, TBoneTX said:

Gracias, D ma'am.  Mama T-B. can't last much longer at these stroke-level readings, no man.

Interesting suggestion about hormones, si D ma'am.

Ex-Mrs.-T-B. never responded about what punishment befell Mini-B., have to wait we guess man.

We just confirmed that he probably won't be eligible to attend his year-end Band party, in the rules man.

Mini-B. was upset, but seemingly because we paid on time and are now out $Many, concerned wee man.

If so, that indicates some maturity, si man.

We used this to reinforce the reality of "actions have consequences," worth more than $Many if it sinks in and sticks man.

 

Miu is about 2 months overdue for a manicure, heavily armed miu man.

We have placed the open carrier in a strategic spot, si man.

We will probably have to seize her during miu-breakfast, betray miu man we man.

It is super scary having BP that high. 

Yes hormones and blood calcium levels. There's more too all can be causes to HBP, so always good to check with them. Sadly it won't be fast enough to get your mom on track today. 

[TBoneTX 45,604]

5 hours ago, Ontarkie said:

It is super scary having BP that high. 

Yes hormones and blood calcium levels. There's more too all can be causes to HBP, so always good to check with them. Sadly it won't be fast enough to get your mom on track today. 

Gracias, D ma'am.  BP a bit more responsive today, whew man.  Mama T-B. caucused with GP, who has ordered a Many-hour ([2x2x2x2 + 2x2x2]-hour) urine test for pheochromocytoma, cool name for nasty item man.

 

We must arise at o'dark-Many to take Mama T-B. to a doc caucus at o'dark-Many,  man.

This presumes that Mama T-B. can make it down to the T-B.-mobile, uncertain man.

[TBoneTX 45,604]

Thrilling Thursday report, see man:

 

Snared miu from behind at beginning of breakfast and threw her into miu-carrier, devious we man.

Miu was highly outraged, highly outraged miu man.

Took miu to beauty salon for an all-wheel manicure, 2 months overdue man.

Manicure cost $Many ($2x2x2x2x2 +2+2) -- si man, $Many ($2x2x2x2x2 +2+2) --  man.

Miu objected on drive to casa, vocal miu man.

Newly released miu reinvestigated casa suspiciously, what other deception lies herein man.

Miu then finished her miu-breakfast, ingest miu man.

 

We hastily prepared ourself for our own doc caucus, not far man.

After caucus, went to Olive Garden for lunch special, ingest we man.

While there, skool Assistant Principalette called, just touch base man.

 

Returned to casa and phoned Mama T-B., still-alive senior she man.

Got her to yell at us about old topics, good sign man.

 

Siesta'd for 2 hours, overslept by an hour man.

Arose to research financial topics demanded by Mama T-B., obey we man senior she man man.

Din-din has been most of a Many-ounce ([2x2x2 +2]-oz.) can of mixed nuts, unwisely ingest we man.

 

Ex-Mrs.-T-B. called us several times after retrieving Mini-B., aysheep ex-she man.

Mini-B. had spent his full in-skool suspension day doing the wrong Math-test review,  man.

We e-mailed the Math teechur as a priority, fortunately prompt response man.

Aysheep ex-Mrs.-T-B. removed the PSMany (PS[2+2+1]) equipment from the wall, bye wee man's games man.

 

Then, Mini-B. was found to have overlooked a second class assignment, different class man.

Then, Mini-B. was found to have overlooked a Many'rd class assignment, different class man.

Ex-Mrs.-T-B. went even more aysheep and decided to suspend Mini-B.'s phone privileges, bye wee man's phone man.

 

While ex-Mrs.-T-B. was heatedly telling us of this, Mini-B. texted us, text wee man we man man.

"Can you pick me up from skool tomorrow, huh man?  Mom's yelling at me and I don't want to be around her, no man," text wee man to we man man.

We wrote back, "We have a conflict, Son, si man.  The reason parents yell at you is because they love you and want the best for you, see and si man.  Just look at how Grandma yells at us, si man," si man.

 

Ex-Mrs.-T-B. called again to tell us that she had found Mini-B.'s previous Math tutoress and had screenshotted every failed Math assignment to her, prepare ex-she man tutoress man.

The tutoress can come every Saturday at a rate of $Many (2x2x2x2x2 + 2x2x2) per hour,  man.

 

We have rarely seen ex-Mrs.-T-B. more aysheep, aysheep ex-she man.

We suspect that everyone in our family must now have high BP, conclude we man.

 

We have itineraried Many (2+2+1) ESs for Friday, unsure if we can hit them all man.

Edited December 8, 2023 by TBoneTX

[TBoneTX 45,604]

Part of us wishes that we'd been a fly* on the wall at ex-Mrs.-T-B.'s casa, excitement man.

     *bilingual in Spanish, almost certainly necessary man