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Happy Birthday and Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Thu Sep 28, 2017 at 08:58:12 PM EST
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It's my birthday, they seem to be coming round faster than ever.

Yes, happy birthday wishes (and even donations for a birthday drink or other trinket are welcome.)

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

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    Happy Birthday and Open Thread | 57 comments (57 topical)

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    Happy (5.00 / 1) (#7)
    by FlJoe on Fri Sep 29, 2017 at 04:28:10 AM EST
    Birthday, It's my birthday today.

    Happy Birthday (none / 0) (#11)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Sep 29, 2017 at 07:45:34 AM EST
    Joe!

    Parent
    Happy Birthday, (none / 0) (#20)
    by KeysDan on Fri Sep 29, 2017 at 11:27:00 AM EST
    Birthday Doy.

    Parent
    Birthday (none / 0) (#41)
    by KeysDan on Fri Sep 29, 2017 at 03:54:42 PM EST
    boy.

    Parent
    Happy belated (5.00 / 2) (#13)
    by CST on Fri Sep 29, 2017 at 08:03:18 AM EST
    Hope you did something fun to celebrate.

    Another (5.00 / 1) (#14)
    by FlJoe on Fri Sep 29, 2017 at 08:17:19 AM EST
    tRump appointee another Russian connection.
    Trump's nominee to chair the Justice Department's criminal division previously served as the attorney for a Russian bank that was named in the infamous dossier known as the infamous "golden showers" dossier. Brian Benczkowski previously worked for Trump's campaign as well as the liaison between the transition team and the Justice Department before taking the job for Alpha Bank to sue BuzzFeed for publishing the dossier.

    It's not like he's qualified or anything

    The man they hired was Brian Benczkowski, Maddow explained. With zero experience in court or as a prosecutor, he was nominated to run criminal cases for the Department of Justice. If the full Senate approves his nomination, he will officially be the fox guarding the hen house.


    And this (none / 0) (#23)
    by ruffian on Fri Sep 29, 2017 at 11:34:08 AM EST
    You cannot make this sh** up. Pence's brother is VP of a company that does a lot of business with the Russian military.

    No wonder Pence ignored the warnings about Flynn....

    Parent

    Belated Happy Birthday Jeralyn (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by vicndabx on Fri Sep 29, 2017 at 08:37:06 AM EST
    wishing you many more.

    Happy Birthday! (5.00 / 1) (#17)
    by kdog on Fri Sep 29, 2017 at 10:06:26 AM EST
    We love ya!

    Happy Happy (5.00 / 1) (#19)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Sep 29, 2017 at 10:59:25 AM EST
    you too FlJoe

    Happy Belated Birthday Jerilyn and FL Joe! (5.00 / 1) (#21)
    by ruffian on Fri Sep 29, 2017 at 11:27:33 AM EST
    I know, they are coming faster and faster. I am already dreading January - one of those 'ends in a 0' ages coming up. It just seems impossible.

    30? ;-)! (none / 0) (#47)
    by vml68 on Fri Sep 29, 2017 at 09:34:32 PM EST
    one of those 'ends in a 0' ages coming up


    Parent
    Happy Birthday, (5.00 / 1) (#22)
    by KeysDan on Fri Sep 29, 2017 at 11:28:07 AM EST
    Jeralyn.  enjoy your special day.

    Happy birthday, Jeralyn - (5.00 / 2) (#24)
    by Anne on Fri Sep 29, 2017 at 11:40:09 AM EST
    It does seem like these birthdays get here a little faster than they did when we were younger, but I'm glad I'm still having them, and I'm sure you are, too!

    We're on baby watch in my family - younger daughter is due in just under 2 weeks, but you know these things happen when Mother Nature decides, so it could be any day, or a couple more weeks.  Baby's gender is unknown, even to the parents, so that's adding to the anticipation.

    But we have a variety of plans for what's happening with their older child when the big day arrives - we have a "if it happens after he's gone to bed" plan (I will go up to the house and bunk in until morning, and we'll see where things are then), a "if it happens while he's at pre-school" plan (I'll just go pick him up at the usual time, feed him some dinner, and either have a normal evening, or head to the hospital).  

    Exciting times!  Phone is always on and always charged.

    Hope you plan to celebrate in appropriately festive fashion, with people you love.

    Here's to a wonderful, challenging, fulfilling, healthy year ahead!

    that sounds so exciting Anne (5.00 / 2) (#27)
    by Jeralyn on Fri Sep 29, 2017 at 12:23:07 PM EST
    The TL baby is due Nov. 3. I've already been to a 3 hour grandparents class (apparently our kids are told in their baby class that they should tell their parents if they don't go to the grandparents class, they won't get to take care of the baby by themselves. (The first line of the instructor at the grandparents class as something like "I'm sure you're all here because you kids said if you don't come, you won't get to be with the baby alone.")

    Other than that, I'm cooking food in big batches in my One Pot for their freezer so they don't have to cook every night after the baby arrives. I have a feeling they must have all six grandparents doing this, so I wonder where all the food is going to fit. So far I haven't seen a freezer on their Amazon or Babies R Us wish list.

    I'm also getting adjusted to going from a family of 2 in Colorado (me and the TL kid) to a family of 16, which includes all the blended families who are now part of everything. Quite a change. It's lucky we all like each other so much and get along.

    Hard to believe I'm going to be a "grandma" in a month or so. I can't wait to meet her. We just call her Baby G for now (the first initial of my son's last name.)

    Let us know when your big day arrives!

    Parent

    Have you decided what you want to (5.00 / 3) (#28)
    by Anne on Fri Sep 29, 2017 at 12:32:21 PM EST
    be called?

    My grandkids call me "Grammy," - except the littlest one calls me "Mimi" (which I think is just the last syllable of "Grammy" repeated).

    I'm so lucky to have both families close by, so we can see the kids often - they grow and change so quickly, and it's just a joy to get to know them and have a real relationship with them.

    You really are going to love being a grandma!

    Parent

    That all sounds like so much fun! (5.00 / 1) (#30)
    by ruffian on Fri Sep 29, 2017 at 12:46:50 PM EST
    Congrats to you and Anne!

    I'm looking forward to my nephew's wedding sometime next year. I'm sure my sister will be a grandmother sometime soon after, and I can experience some of that through her!

    Parent

    No kidding. I am jealous! (none / 0) (#48)
    by vml68 on Fri Sep 29, 2017 at 09:45:18 PM EST
    No children, so no grandkids for me. I've always thought, I would be an awesome grandma!
    My neices have a while to go before they start having children (assuming they want to have kids).

    Congrats Jeralyn and Anne!
    Anne, I remember you posting when your first grandchild was born and here you are, almost at #4!

    Parent

    I know! Where does the time go? (5.00 / 1) (#49)
    by Anne on Fri Sep 29, 2017 at 09:54:21 PM EST
    Feels like such a short time ago, and yet, here we are, with grandbaby #4 due any time now.

    I am so blessed, so enriched by these little people - their kindness, their love, the funny things they say, the joy they bring to everything.  It kind of overwhelms me sometimes.

    It's so different from being a parent - I'd never have guessed how great it would be!

    Parent

    I believe you. (none / 0) (#50)
    by vml68 on Fri Sep 29, 2017 at 11:27:57 PM EST
    It's so different from being a parent

    My mom was the stereotypical asian tiger mother. A very strict disciplinarian. I don't remember a single instance of her just being silly and lighthearted with my brother and me when we were growing up.

    She is a completely different person with my nieces. Easy going and fun. I've given my mom a lot of grief about this. I ask her where this person was when I was growing up.
    When my brother and I talk about how she was with us, my nieces think we are just making it up. As far as they are concerned, Grandma is the sweetest, kindest, pushover, who lets them walk all over her.

    Parent

    Grandparents Class? (5.00 / 2) (#35)
    by kdog on Fri Sep 29, 2017 at 03:11:25 PM EST
    You are a saintly patient mother J...my moms would be so insulted if my child bearing siblings ever asked her to attend such a new-age thing!

    Parent
    Grandparenting is amazing (5.00 / 1) (#57)
    by Towanda on Sat Sep 30, 2017 at 05:14:44 PM EST
    We just celebrated, a wek ago, the  first birthday of the grandboy who remains a miracle, aftter my daughter's miscarriages -- and then a horrendous childbirth for her that meant we couldn't meet our grandboy right away, because he went straight to the NICU.

    This year has been a series of blessings . . . and yesterday, when our grandboy was ours for the day, he went from the fee tentative steps of rcent weeks to really walking.  Such fun! when his parents came home from work to see him walk all the way down a hallway to to the door to meet them.

    Fortnately, he still is a baby when it comes to wanting cuddles and lullabies and the like from his grandma.  And my son and daughter crack up when hearing me croon to him the same songs on which they were raised.  They know all of the words, as will my grandbaby, to lots of Sixties peace songs.

    (Their favorite, Jeralyn, was "Last Night InHad the Strangest Dream." With some lullabies and baby wipes bought in bulk, you will have most of what you need, wih or without gandparenting class.  Oh, except no doubt you were told that you also need booster shots on those immunizations that we got in the Fifties and Sixties.  We have outlived our vaccinations.)

    Parent

    Grandparenthood takes a little getting used to. (none / 0) (#53)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sat Sep 30, 2017 at 02:09:31 PM EST
    But once you do, it's wonderful and you'll love it. It's a milestone in one's life, but a good one.

    My eldest is expecting her second child just after the New Year. Like last time, her mother-in-law is going to come out from New York for a few weeks to assist after the birth, as my daughter gets her sea legs back.

    The big difference this time around is that this time, they'll also have a toddler under foot to care for. Further, my daughter is not giving up her coaching duties in high school boys' volleyball, which concerns me somewhat because the season begins in mid-January. But she says that she can handle the multi-tasking and she has a great assistant coach who can pick up any slack, so I just have to trust her own instincts.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    you must be approaching (none / 0) (#29)
    by CST on Fri Sep 29, 2017 at 12:33:32 PM EST
    critical mass - that time when the babies outnumber the previous generation and takeover the room - whether in number or in noise.  You think that the first baby does it, and sure, everyone is paying that baby attention.  But you know you've really hit critical mass when the room is trying their best to ignore the kids and it becomes impossible.

    When my middle sister was born, my oldest sister was sent to a friend's house for the night.  Shortly after they all came home, she asked if she could go back to her friend's house so they could return my middle sister to the hospital.  When that didn't work she tried to sell her to the neighbors.  Here's hoping baby number 1 accepts baby number 2!

    Parent

    What's really hilarious is when we are (none / 0) (#32)
    by Anne on Fri Sep 29, 2017 at 01:12:39 PM EST
    all together for a family meal, birthday dinner or holiday: it is just utter chaos.  And there's no point in trying go control it, because with three boys under the age of 5, you get those moments when all is calm, but for the most part, it's everyone talking at the same time, someone crying about something, someone else wanting what isn't on the menu, someone who ate too many snacks and now isn't hungry for dinner, parents trading off which one is eating and which one is minding the kid - that's just the new normal.

    So, we just enjoy the noise and commotion - it's the sound of life, really, and the day will come when everyone can sit still and things will settle down, and it will be good, but not the same.

    Pretty sure this latest baby will be it - both girls will each have 2 kids, and with the cost of day care and costs in general, that's more than enough to handle!

    Parent

    topic jump (none / 0) (#51)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Sep 30, 2017 at 09:37:15 AM EST
    i just got around to watching last weeks RAY DONAVON.  i think i stopped because it opened with more weeping.

    but gotta say the last 45 minutes was good.  plus a closure to the loop of "what was it about"

    lets see how much weeping we get tonight.  perhaps its sereved its purpose.

    in other TV

    i mentioned PILLRS OF THE EARTH.  SHOWTIME. is also counter programming by rerunning THE BORGIAS.

    which is also awsum.  viva DVR.

    Parent

    um (none / 0) (#52)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Sep 30, 2017 at 09:37:51 AM EST
    tomorrow night

    Parent
    and it could just be because (none / 0) (#54)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Sep 30, 2017 at 02:16:28 PM EST
    they played PICTURES OF MATCHSTICK MEN over the credits.

    one of those songs i had forgotten how much i loved.

    Parent

    they played the (none / 0) (#56)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Sep 30, 2017 at 02:37:38 PM EST
    CAMPER VAN BEETHOVEN cover.

    which is great.  but its not the original.

    Parent

    Belated Happy Birthday (5.00 / 2) (#31)
    by Zorba on Fri Sep 29, 2017 at 12:55:54 PM EST
    Wishes to Jeralyn and FLJoe!

    Happy Birthday (5.00 / 1) (#45)
    by desertswine on Fri Sep 29, 2017 at 08:54:38 PM EST
    Jeralyn, FLJoe, and Brigitte Bardot.

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! (none / 0) (#1)
    by linea on Thu Sep 28, 2017 at 09:27:09 PM EST
    i just watched this on PBS (thursday evening) discussing the challenges faced by women in tech:

    How Ellen Pao realized women `cannot succeed' in Silicon Valley frat boy culture

    I know lots of women who have succeeded (none / 0) (#4)
    by McBain on Thu Sep 28, 2017 at 10:40:00 PM EST
    in Silicon Valley, including a venture capitalist. If you have the right education, work hard and take some risks you can do well here, no matter your gender or race. Political view is another story but as long as you know how to read a room, it's not a big deal.

    Parent
    obviously (5.00 / 1) (#5)
    by linea on Thu Sep 28, 2017 at 11:05:59 PM EST
    you didn't watch the PBS documentary (link provided) and have no understanding of the issue.

    Parent
    I did read the transcripts and I've lived (none / 0) (#33)
    by McBain on Fri Sep 29, 2017 at 02:44:26 PM EST
    in the area for a long time. I've seen colleagues and girlfriends do very well here.   I do have an understanding of the issue.  Right now, all it takes is an accusation of sexual discrimination and someone's career can be ruined.  

    Parent
    yea, someone's career (5.00 / 3) (#34)
    by CST on Fri Sep 29, 2017 at 02:53:23 PM EST
    Usually the woman who made the accusation.

    Parent
    Not my experience (5.00 / 3) (#44)
    by MKS on Fri Sep 29, 2017 at 06:40:55 PM EST
    Such accusations are rarely made, even when justified, and the woman is, as pointed out below, typically the one who leaves....

    There is a reason powerful men who know the rules so blithely ignore them.

    Parent

    god this is annoying (5.00 / 1) (#12)
    by CST on Fri Sep 29, 2017 at 08:02:42 AM EST
    The fine line that women in these environments have to walk is excruciating.  Of course it's possible for some women to walk that line, but lets not ignore the fire pits on either side shall we?

    Parent
    Sure, it is possible (5.00 / 1) (#36)
    by ruffian on Fri Sep 29, 2017 at 03:27:31 PM EST
    But it is made a lot harder for some people than others.

    Parent
    Happy Birthday! (none / 0) (#2)
    by McBain on Thu Sep 28, 2017 at 10:28:22 PM EST
    I hope you get to do something fun.  

    Happy bday, J (none / 0) (#3)
    by oculus on Thu Sep 28, 2017 at 10:32:12 PM EST


    Happy Birthday Jeralyn (none / 0) (#6)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Sep 29, 2017 at 03:25:56 AM EST


    Happy Birthday, youngster. (none / 0) (#8)
    by fishcamp on Fri Sep 29, 2017 at 07:06:41 AM EST
    Hope you have more fun than we are down here.  Now we're getting either a tropical wave or storm, they can't decide.  It is raining.

     They say this particular hurricane has stirred up the bottom in Florida bay, releasing nutrients for shrimp to feed upon.  Then the Bonefish, Tarpon, and Permit will come more often to feed.  These three species are my target fish.  

    We (5.00 / 1) (#9)
    by FlJoe on Fri Sep 29, 2017 at 07:42:02 AM EST
    only need around a tenth of an inch to hit the twenty mark for the month around these parts, looks like we will hit it with room to spare...yes I'm a weather geek.

    Parent
    At least (none / 0) (#10)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Sep 29, 2017 at 07:45:22 AM EST
    there is a bonus to the suffering. Good fishing!

    Parent
    Thanks Ga6th but, (none / 0) (#15)
    by fishcamp on Fri Sep 29, 2017 at 08:18:40 AM EST
    all the boat launch ramps are piled high with debris.  I did speak with two guides who went fishing in Florida Bay, which is our small part of the Gulf of Mexico, yesterday  and they hooked up two Tarpon fly fishing.  It's not even Tarpon season either.

    Parent
    Hopefully this bodes well for the future! (5.00 / 1) (#26)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Sep 29, 2017 at 11:49:35 AM EST
    I hooked a bunch, and landed a couple tarpon, on the fly in St. Maarten last year. They ruined me. I often find myself thinking about them when I'm fishing for other species out here...

    Parent
    Happy Birthday a day late (none / 0) (#18)
    by RCBadger on Fri Sep 29, 2017 at 10:41:40 AM EST
    Hope you did a lot of fun things for your special day.

    Feliz cumpleaños J!!! (none / 0) (#25)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Sep 29, 2017 at 11:44:49 AM EST


    so (none / 0) (#37)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Sep 29, 2017 at 03:27:36 PM EST
    whats the over/under on Price?

    i was thinking friday news dump.

    ha (none / 0) (#38)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Sep 29, 2017 at 03:29:19 PM EST
    they announced it as i was closing the lap top.

    Parent
    As predictions go (none / 0) (#39)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Sep 29, 2017 at 03:33:51 PM EST
    That was a pretty easy one

    Parent
    Best little news alert (none / 0) (#40)
    by ruffian on Fri Sep 29, 2017 at 03:38:02 PM EST
    on my phone since Bannon left.

    Parent
    Ha! Chuck Todd actually makes a funny (none / 0) (#42)
    by ruffian on Fri Sep 29, 2017 at 04:11:31 PM EST
    He said the GOP should have spent the $$ on a private plane for Price instead of on that special election in GA to replace him.

    Right down the drain. Nice work Tom.

    Parent

    The Price is not right, (none / 0) (#43)
    by KeysDan on Fri Sep 29, 2017 at 04:21:27 PM EST
    is Tom still going to pay that pittance of $50,000 for his "seat?", I wonder.  As with conditions set forth for devastated Puerto Rico, Trump should have included a discussion of Price's debt....like pay back all the taxpayer money he misappropriated.

    Parent
    Happy Birthday Jeralyn and FLJoe!! (none / 0) (#46)
    by vml68 on Fri Sep 29, 2017 at 09:33:06 PM EST


    Happy belated birthday, Jeralyn. (none / 0) (#55)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sat Sep 30, 2017 at 02:17:22 PM EST
    Yes, they do come faster now, but I prefer to see that as a testament to a full life being well lived.

    Enjoy your weekend.

    Happy Birthday and Open Thread | 57 comments (57 topical)

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