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Word usage to look out for when you haven't got a Beta. (with particular reference to Iron Man and Avengers fandom). This doesn't cover grammar, canon, formatting or any of the other facets of betaing, just words that I've seen used where they don't belong.
If you're unsure of the difference between 'Affect' and 'Effect', 'Fewer' and 'Less', 'Callus' and 'Callous', or when to use an apostrophe (rule of thumb, apostrophe used where a letter is omitted, or to indicate possession where there does not already exist a possessive form without the apostrophe) then this might help you.
Proper use of possessive pronouns: its dog (the dog is its), his cat (the cat is his), her goldfish (the goldfish is hers), my aardvark (the aardvark is mine), your horse (the horse is yours), Our bunny (the bunny is ours), Their canary (the canary is theirs).
Then there are a few special cases- Whose elephant is that? (the elephant belongs to an unknown), and One's ferret (ferret belonging to a generic one- apparently in a tribe where ferret ownership is assumed).
This is a long list. I've been coming back and adding more as I encounter them. So far I've found no examples beginning with X or Z.
( I haven't time to beta for anyone,alas. )
ARRGGH. US Post office...
Jan. 17th, 2026 09:09 pmOn Jan. 6, 2026, I sent 2 packages by US Priority Mail, one package got to California in a few days. The second one, sent to Arizona, sat for 4 days with no tracking. On Jan 10 the tracking just said it was late but it was moving.
It didn't say where it was. On Jan 14 I complained on line & the automated said I had to wait for a response before I could issue a missing mail report or file a claim for lost mail.
On Jan 16 the tracking said the package sent from Florida, destination Arizona, was at Puerto Rico.
On Jan 17 I got an email saying my customer service request was RESOLVED because they don't know when it will arrive, and insurance is included with the Priority mail. They gave me a URL to file a claim, needing proof of value. Normally I don't HAVE any proof of value because I send hand made gifts. This time, though, I had made a throw blanket from Minky fabric printed with my design, and a mug, and a jigsaw puzzle printed with my photos, so at least I could DL invoices for the fabric and the mug and puzzle.(nothing for my time or the backing fabric that I had no purchase proof for).
So I tracked down the purchases at the site and printed invoices (they don't SEND invoices, so you have to DL them) and then I started to file the claim. I put in the tracking number and the date, and it came up with an ERROR message saying
This claim falls outside the acceptable time limit to file a claim for Insured Mail including Priority Mail® and USPS Ground Advantage™ of 15 - 60 days. You may continue with this claim, but it may be rejected.
BUT when I went to check the times for submitting a claim it said 'MUST be submitted immediately- and for Priority mail no sooner than SIX days if submitted by going to the post office website. WHICH IS what I WAS Doing.
And I don't think they'll let me claim the postage cost--which was $68! I thought by spending that much they could at least get it to Arizona without a 3,000 mile detour to Puerto Rico.
I gotta look into United Parcel Service next time I want to send something, this is infuriating.
The CuSS Disservice rep replied immediately- which was nice- and said, oh, file a missing mail search (which is NOT what they said the first time- the first time it was file a claim request).
It didn't say where it was. On Jan 14 I complained on line & the automated said I had to wait for a response before I could issue a missing mail report or file a claim for lost mail.
On Jan 16 the tracking said the package sent from Florida, destination Arizona, was at Puerto Rico.
On Jan 17 I got an email saying my customer service request was RESOLVED because they don't know when it will arrive, and insurance is included with the Priority mail. They gave me a URL to file a claim, needing proof of value. Normally I don't HAVE any proof of value because I send hand made gifts. This time, though, I had made a throw blanket from Minky fabric printed with my design, and a mug, and a jigsaw puzzle printed with my photos, so at least I could DL invoices for the fabric and the mug and puzzle.(nothing for my time or the backing fabric that I had no purchase proof for).
So I tracked down the purchases at the site and printed invoices (they don't SEND invoices, so you have to DL them) and then I started to file the claim. I put in the tracking number and the date, and it came up with an ERROR message saying
This claim falls outside the acceptable time limit to file a claim for Insured Mail including Priority Mail® and USPS Ground Advantage™ of 15 - 60 days. You may continue with this claim, but it may be rejected.
BUT when I went to check the times for submitting a claim it said 'MUST be submitted immediately- and for Priority mail no sooner than SIX days if submitted by going to the post office website. WHICH IS what I WAS Doing.
And I don't think they'll let me claim the postage cost--which was $68! I thought by spending that much they could at least get it to Arizona without a 3,000 mile detour to Puerto Rico.
I gotta look into United Parcel Service next time I want to send something, this is infuriating.
The CuSS Disservice rep replied immediately- which was nice- and said, oh, file a missing mail search (which is NOT what they said the first time- the first time it was file a claim request).
Today I Learned there's a name for the physical experience I often have.
I'd been watching the Hercules Candy videos for a while and this one made me google ASMR.
ASMR Making Ultra Thin Ribbon Candy by hand (with explanations & minimal talking)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHWUXVGaVp4
I'd been watching the Hercules Candy videos for a while and this one made me google ASMR.
ASMR Making Ultra Thin Ribbon Candy by hand (with explanations & minimal talking)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHWUXVGaVp4
Warning for Word Play Lovers
Jan. 16th, 2026 11:01 amI followed a link about Uncleftish Beholding-a short scientific story/article published by Poul Anderson in 1989 in which he uses word play to replace most French/German/Latin derived words with Germanic words (inventing a lot of them).
That link led to other links, etc. Eventually I wound up on a Facebook group of glorious wordplay convos with punsters galore. It's one of the few Facebook links I tried that allowed non-Facebook me to keep scrolling- so the novelty of being able to look FOREVER kept me going until my right hand went OW!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/waywordradio/posts/10153722438023584/
*sample from very far down the DoomScroll*
Witnesses were quick to ascertain that the man who fell from the rooftop bar was not a bouncer.
He fell to the street below and was run over by a mass transportation vehicle. Turns out he was a busboy.
I knew a guy that fell from a three story deck into a large rubber plant and quickly rebounded. He got a new nickname, Basketball Jones.
He had recently ended a long term romance and was on the rebound.
With a twist, he fell on the rocks - there was a cliff below. You could call him quite a tumbler.
The bartender identified him as Tom Collins.
When they found him he was flat broke.
No but he was a well grounded person
That link led to other links, etc. Eventually I wound up on a Facebook group of glorious wordplay convos with punsters galore. It's one of the few Facebook links I tried that allowed non-Facebook me to keep scrolling- so the novelty of being able to look FOREVER kept me going until my right hand went OW!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/waywordradio/posts/10153722438023584/
*sample from very far down the DoomScroll*
Witnesses were quick to ascertain that the man who fell from the rooftop bar was not a bouncer.
He fell to the street below and was run over by a mass transportation vehicle. Turns out he was a busboy.
I knew a guy that fell from a three story deck into a large rubber plant and quickly rebounded. He got a new nickname, Basketball Jones.
He had recently ended a long term romance and was on the rebound.
With a twist, he fell on the rocks - there was a cliff below. You could call him quite a tumbler.
The bartender identified him as Tom Collins.
When they found him he was flat broke.
No but he was a well grounded person
Handmade Candy videos
Jan. 11th, 2026 09:11 pmI get sucked into these things...
Hercules Candy Company
Rainbow candy Canes
Long and full of ads, but I was mesmerized. All hand made. At around 20 minutes it’s getting really cool. You could prob. jump ahead when you get bored. The colors mix differently as it progresses, so no two candy canes are the same.
39minutes and 19 seconds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkGHLMjralA
Turning all the broken pieces into molasses ribbon candy, everything from melting and stirring and cooling enough to work it to stretch it and cut it and bend it by hand and package it.
about 40 minutes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGME7j7MM_U
Hercules Candy Company
Rainbow candy Canes
Long and full of ads, but I was mesmerized. All hand made. At around 20 minutes it’s getting really cool. You could prob. jump ahead when you get bored. The colors mix differently as it progresses, so no two candy canes are the same.
39minutes and 19 seconds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkGHLMjralA
Turning all the broken pieces into molasses ribbon candy, everything from melting and stirring and cooling enough to work it to stretch it and cut it and bend it by hand and package it.
about 40 minutes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGME7j7MM_U
Distracting myself from ReaLife I google wandered and found this.
Cat Portrait made from Pebbles (a commenter noted that they thought it was actually reversed film of deconstructing the portrait, which makes perfect sense. But thinking it's actually built up this way makes it magical.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGZnIiPePoI
Then I found more about the artist. I now want to make art from rocks. For some years I've been tumbling rocks I salvaged from landscape rocks I removed because I wanted GRASS, not rocks to trip on and skin my knees. On my 3rd tumbler now- I've spent more on tumblers and grit than even semi-precious rocks would be worth and mine are just rocks in various shades of white, gray and brown. BUT they are shiny. :^)
The artist creates ephemeral art from pebbles.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_3pEBVIFnK/?hl=en
https://theinspirationgrid.com/pebble-picasso-incredible-stone-mosaics-by-justin-bateman/
Cat Portrait made from Pebbles (a commenter noted that they thought it was actually reversed film of deconstructing the portrait, which makes perfect sense. But thinking it's actually built up this way makes it magical.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGZnIiPePoI
Then I found more about the artist. I now want to make art from rocks. For some years I've been tumbling rocks I salvaged from landscape rocks I removed because I wanted GRASS, not rocks to trip on and skin my knees. On my 3rd tumbler now- I've spent more on tumblers and grit than even semi-precious rocks would be worth and mine are just rocks in various shades of white, gray and brown. BUT they are shiny. :^)
The artist creates ephemeral art from pebbles.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_3pEBVIFnK/?hl=en
https://theinspirationgrid.com/pebble-picasso-incredible-stone-mosaics-by-justin-bateman/
Some New Year’s Day superstitions
Jan. 1st, 2026 11:27 amThese I can do.
Don’t do laundry. Don’t sweep floors. Avoid chicken and lobster. Eat something pig based (pigs are lucky because they root forward, chicken and lobster unlucky because they scratch backward). I have SPAM.
These I can’t do.
Nothing should leave the house, including trash (Sorry, but cat litter waits for no one).
Wear something new. Hmm… the only clothing I’ve bought in years are bras and shoes. I put the new bras at the bottom of the dresser drawer.
Have full cupboards (empty kitchen cabinets is considered a sign of impending poverty). I don’t have *food* in my kitchen cabinets, but they’re full of Tupperware, kitchen tools, spices, etc. My food is either in the fridge or the pantry…mmm… and neither of them is exactly full. Ok, poverty impends. *shrug* What else is new? :^)
Let’s cherry pick a few from around the world—Puerto Rico- throwing pails of water out the window drives evil spirits away. Does it count if you throw out the water in yesterday’s cat bowl into the yard? I’mma gonna say yes.
-South American Countries – wear colored underwear to determine your fate. Red will bring you love, gold will bring you wealth and white will bring you peace. (Peeks— white. Ok, peace is good.)
Estonia – you should eat seven times on a New Year’s Day to ensure abundance in the New Year. (Does snacking on peanuts count?)
Panama – burning the effigies of everyone and anyone famous is a popular tradition. (I’m so tempted…)
https://www.thevistapress.com/traditions-and-superstitions-of-new-years-eve-and-new-years-day/
Don’t do laundry. Don’t sweep floors. Avoid chicken and lobster. Eat something pig based (pigs are lucky because they root forward, chicken and lobster unlucky because they scratch backward). I have SPAM.
These I can’t do.
Nothing should leave the house, including trash (Sorry, but cat litter waits for no one).
Wear something new. Hmm… the only clothing I’ve bought in years are bras and shoes. I put the new bras at the bottom of the dresser drawer.
Have full cupboards (empty kitchen cabinets is considered a sign of impending poverty). I don’t have *food* in my kitchen cabinets, but they’re full of Tupperware, kitchen tools, spices, etc. My food is either in the fridge or the pantry…mmm… and neither of them is exactly full. Ok, poverty impends. *shrug* What else is new? :^)
Let’s cherry pick a few from around the world—Puerto Rico- throwing pails of water out the window drives evil spirits away. Does it count if you throw out the water in yesterday’s cat bowl into the yard? I’mma gonna say yes.
-South American Countries – wear colored underwear to determine your fate. Red will bring you love, gold will bring you wealth and white will bring you peace. (Peeks— white. Ok, peace is good.)
Estonia – you should eat seven times on a New Year’s Day to ensure abundance in the New Year. (Does snacking on peanuts count?)
Panama – burning the effigies of everyone and anyone famous is a popular tradition. (I’m so tempted…)
https://www.thevistapress.com/traditions-and-superstitions-of-new-years-eve-and-new-years-day/
Hidden Treasures are everywhere
Dec. 31st, 2025 10:36 amI am trying to slowly sort out stuff. I've had several major purges over the years, throwing out, donating, repurposing, using up, etc.
But much remains.
Today, feeling the need for distraction on the throne, I grabbed a dusty magazine that was lying on top of a bunch of needlework, etc. magazines.
Dusted it off and leafed through it. Printed in 1946, full of photos of actual houses and building plans, the preface cheerfully burbled about the new and clever materials and design methods in architecture and how everyone in the post war days was going out and buying and custom building new homes.
I really doubt everyone was able to afford these. The homes are huge, situated on landscaped lots five times the size of my home, which my parents bought in the post war years after saving up because before that they were living in a trailer with 2 kids and another on the way (not me, I was later than that). I expect mom bought the magazine just to dream on.
I thought it would be nice to share- and I did find it on line at Archive.org.
https://archive.org/details/HouseToChoosePlanAndBuildYourOwnHouse
But much remains.
Today, feeling the need for distraction on the throne, I grabbed a dusty magazine that was lying on top of a bunch of needlework, etc. magazines.
Dusted it off and leafed through it. Printed in 1946, full of photos of actual houses and building plans, the preface cheerfully burbled about the new and clever materials and design methods in architecture and how everyone in the post war days was going out and buying and custom building new homes.
I really doubt everyone was able to afford these. The homes are huge, situated on landscaped lots five times the size of my home, which my parents bought in the post war years after saving up because before that they were living in a trailer with 2 kids and another on the way (not me, I was later than that). I expect mom bought the magazine just to dream on.
I thought it would be nice to share- and I did find it on line at Archive.org.
https://archive.org/details/HouseToChoosePlanAndBuildYourOwnHouse
Mood Elevating Video.
Dec. 29th, 2025 12:01 pmThis is so cool. 4minutes 19seconds- I was happily bopping along to it. Great mood elevator. It’s very accurately titled:
Minecraft, but I soar through 1,000,000,000 blocks with NO LAG (Music Sync)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XiJxSQiHVU
Minecraft, but I soar through 1,000,000,000 blocks with NO LAG (Music Sync)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XiJxSQiHVU
The PNC (US) consumer price index for the gifts in the 12 days of Christmas. (Note: the people are paid for their services. No human trafficking involved.)
https://www.pnc.com/en/about-pnc/topics/pnc-christmas-price-index.html#gifts
https://www.pnc.com/en/about-pnc/topics/pnc-christmas-price-index.html#gifts
Yay, my mousies arrived.
Dec. 18th, 2025 01:45 pmDuring a free shipping promo, I ordered 2 mouse pads from Shutterfly with my photos, then I thought about it and ordered an extra of one of them a few hours later, and then the next day I realized I'd missed a chance to do another one I'd been thinking of doing.
They arrived today only 2 days later than estimated, which is pretty good for free and this time of year.
They look good. Smell a bit plasticy, so I left them on the back table to air out before I put them into 'gift storage'... ok, back to other work.
Currently have the sewing room in a jumble- going to make a fake fur/plush rug to cover up a bare cement patch of floor so I pushed aside the bags and bags of sorted by length strips of fabric I'm cutting for a log cabin star quilt in order to reach the sewing machine.
Feels good to use up stuff. While looking for plush found more stuff to throw out. I'm trying to unhoard at least SOME. :^)
They arrived today only 2 days later than estimated, which is pretty good for free and this time of year.
They look good. Smell a bit plasticy, so I left them on the back table to air out before I put them into 'gift storage'... ok, back to other work.
Currently have the sewing room in a jumble- going to make a fake fur/plush rug to cover up a bare cement patch of floor so I pushed aside the bags and bags of sorted by length strips of fabric I'm cutting for a log cabin star quilt in order to reach the sewing machine.
Feels good to use up stuff. While looking for plush found more stuff to throw out. I'm trying to unhoard at least SOME. :^)
Spam can be inspiring.
Dec. 16th, 2025 03:53 pmAlong with all my other hoarding, for some years I've been compiling a collection of the results a Google search gives me for an unknown phone callers. If my phone says spam risk, I just block, but if it's a mystery number I feed it to Google.
At first a lot of results were web pages registered in Turkey. Mmm, Turkey Spam, less fattening than Ham Spam? The results are usually so weird I think they're good starting points for writing.
( Some S.F. alien name possibilities? ) ( Then it went on to weird word groups and sentences ) ( Went back to odd names for a while. And then it began inventing weird businesses )
At first a lot of results were web pages registered in Turkey. Mmm, Turkey Spam, less fattening than Ham Spam? The results are usually so weird I think they're good starting points for writing.
( Some S.F. alien name possibilities? ) ( Then it went on to weird word groups and sentences ) ( Went back to odd names for a while. And then it began inventing weird businesses )
Cat Herding Day
Dec. 15th, 2025 07:29 pmSally https://sallymn.dreamwidth.org/ said today is cat herding day, so I had to repost the old (2009?) cat herding Super Bowl commercial.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_MaJDK3VNE
(I have totally forgot how to do things on Dreamwidth. Please excuse the formatting? what formatting?)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_MaJDK3VNE
(I have totally forgot how to do things on Dreamwidth. Please excuse the formatting? what formatting?)
The Pony Express is Gone...
Dec. 15th, 2025 04:29 pmBut the horseshit remains.
I paid on line and scheduled package pickup for today. I spoke to my carrier in person on Saturday to confirm it. No problem he said.
( those words always make my blood run cold )
I paid on line and scheduled package pickup for today. I spoke to my carrier in person on Saturday to confirm it. No problem he said.
( those words always make my blood run cold )
The Capital of England...
Dec. 15th, 2025 01:34 pmis E, isn't it?
But to solve a puzzle today I had to put in LONDON.
https://www.monkeyhappy.com/1006.html
It hurts in my pedantic writer's soul. :^)
But to solve a puzzle today I had to put in LONDON.
https://www.monkeyhappy.com/1006.html
It hurts in my pedantic writer's soul. :^)
So beautiful, so much work.
Dec. 14th, 2025 02:46 pmAn amazing silk quilt with awesome quilting as well as patching. Someone spent 25 years piecing and quilting this amazing work of art. There's some close ups to help show just how many many many many tiny stitches were put in by hand.
https://www.si.edu/object/1825-1850-silk-quilt:nmah_556181
I've been 'Harvesting' public domain images from the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian on line collection. Mostly for inspiration and to admire, but I've also recreated a few of them for my Spoonflower shop. It takes a varying amount of fiddling and sometimes it's impossible. They're often missing bits or warped or skewed and always age has done things to the colors.
I like to think I'm honoring the artists of the past by giving them new life.
https://www.si.edu/object/1825-1850-silk-quilt:nmah_556181
I've been 'Harvesting' public domain images from the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian on line collection. Mostly for inspiration and to admire, but I've also recreated a few of them for my Spoonflower shop. It takes a varying amount of fiddling and sometimes it's impossible. They're often missing bits or warped or skewed and always age has done things to the colors.
I like to think I'm honoring the artists of the past by giving them new life.
Celebrate with Robbie the Reindeer
Dec. 13th, 2025 01:35 pmGot my couple packages of Christmas gifts sorted, paid online and arranged pickup on Monday, so I'm relaxing a bit. Wandering around the internet looking for the words to the Night before Christmas with the reindeer names led me, as usual, to something entirely different.
Robbie the Reindeer in Hooves of Fire (BBC stop motion for Comic Relief benefit- 1999, I think). Satirical and a riot. Omitting spoilers is hard because there’s so many fun moments. Definitely not for children- you'd spend way too much time explaining things that went over their heads. :^)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UWPFnUfFzw
Robbie the Reindeer in Hooves of Fire (BBC stop motion for Comic Relief benefit- 1999, I think). Satirical and a riot. Omitting spoilers is hard because there’s so many fun moments. Definitely not for children- you'd spend way too much time explaining things that went over their heads. :^)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UWPFnUfFzw
Firefighters Poll
Dec. 13th, 2025 11:09 amPoll #33952 Firefighter Suspenders Opinion
Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 8
Why does a firefighter wear red suspenders?
View Answers
To hold up their trousers.
5 (62.5%)
Their blue ones are in the wash.
0 (0.0%)
It matches the color of fire.
0 (0.0%)
To prevent friction burn going down the fire pole.
0 (0.0%)
It's part of the uniform code.
1 (12.5%)
The Dalmatian dog likes to chew on them.
0 (0.0%)
Strap babies in to keep hands free while climbing ladder.
1 (12.5%)
Looks good in calendar photos.
1 (12.5%)
Seasons Greetings.
Dec. 12th, 2025 12:08 pmThis is really cute- it’s a demo of an animated ecard. Some of the things on this site are viewable without an account. I don’t have an account, but sometimes I look at the freebies when a friend who does have an account sends me one.
I hope you can see this one. From a land without snow, I bring you snowmen wishing everyone holiday greetings.
https://www.jacquielawson.com/card/the-singing-snowmen/3526995
I hope you can see this one. From a land without snow, I bring you snowmen wishing everyone holiday greetings.
https://www.jacquielawson.com/card/the-singing-snowmen/3526995
The Return of TUBI-ing
Dec. 8th, 2025 09:16 amI forgot about this- just remembered because after watching a birthday DVD from Blakefancier last night (the Karate Kid- I'd never seen it and was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it.).
So, thinking about movies reminded me that on Nov. 30 on a whim I checked back at TUBITV to see if they were still requiring an email in order to view movies after the first 15 minutes.
It let me watch
Godzilla King of the Monsters
https://tubitv.com/movies/100010622/godzilla-king-of-the-monsters
all the way through. I don't know how long that totally anonymous access will last (or even if it's selective on an unknown basis), but while it does, it's nice. (I didn't care that much for GKotM. THEY KILLED MOTHRA.)
Mothra (the original. Queen of the Monsters. My spirit monster. I love her.)
https://tubitv.com/movies/100005713/mothra
War Games is another movie that I'd forgot how good it is. There were so many fun surprises and perfectly logically cracky development of plot. Also some really cool settings.
War Games
https://tubitv.com/movies/604500/wargames
I hope folks can watch and enjoy.
So, thinking about movies reminded me that on Nov. 30 on a whim I checked back at TUBITV to see if they were still requiring an email in order to view movies after the first 15 minutes.
It let me watch
Godzilla King of the Monsters
https://tubitv.com/movies/100010622/godzilla-king-of-the-monsters
all the way through. I don't know how long that totally anonymous access will last (or even if it's selective on an unknown basis), but while it does, it's nice. (I didn't care that much for GKotM. THEY KILLED MOTHRA.)
Mothra (the original. Queen of the Monsters. My spirit monster. I love her.)
https://tubitv.com/movies/100005713/mothra
War Games is another movie that I'd forgot how good it is. There were so many fun surprises and perfectly logically cracky development of plot. Also some really cool settings.
War Games
https://tubitv.com/movies/604500/wargames
I hope folks can watch and enjoy.
Happy Birthday to me...
Dec. 7th, 2025 10:42 amI had a nice day planned, a bit of gardening, some Spoonflower designing, bake a gluten free King Arthur cake mix I got at the grocery, a little recreational sewing, organizing the sewing & photo calendars I've done into packages to mail to the few people left on my mailing list.
Then my oldest brother phoned. *deep sigh* I could hear the judgemental vibes with the first hello. He & his wife moved to what SHE called an assisted living community, but when I mentioned that it was NO we just go to lunch at the center, we're on our own. Then it led to him going on about my life, no friends/relatives nearby/. I should move, I should sign up with the police and fire to check in on me, I should hire people to dispose of my excess stuff so I could move to assisted living place (For ME that's fine, apparently).
I tell him I do not want to hire people to dispose of my stuff. I've been a collector all my life. His response is that I have 'Hoarder's Disorder' and that I'm going to stay here until I die. Add further ego-destroying remarks.
And I'm just... you call me once a year on my birthday and EVERY time it's judgmental, and orders to do things that are easy for him-- but no assistance offered, no.
I was feeling pretty good about celebrating my birthday up until that. Now I'm spiraling into feeling like a total failure.
ARRGH. I really wish he could at least choose a different day of the year for the beratement. Now I have to calm myself down and start over again.
RAINBOWS. BUTTERFLIES. KITTENS. HOT SHOWERS. CAKE...happy thoughts, happy thoughts.
Then my oldest brother phoned. *deep sigh* I could hear the judgemental vibes with the first hello. He & his wife moved to what SHE called an assisted living community, but when I mentioned that it was NO we just go to lunch at the center, we're on our own. Then it led to him going on about my life, no friends/relatives nearby/. I should move, I should sign up with the police and fire to check in on me, I should hire people to dispose of my excess stuff so I could move to assisted living place (For ME that's fine, apparently).
I tell him I do not want to hire people to dispose of my stuff. I've been a collector all my life. His response is that I have 'Hoarder's Disorder' and that I'm going to stay here until I die. Add further ego-destroying remarks.
And I'm just... you call me once a year on my birthday and EVERY time it's judgmental, and orders to do things that are easy for him-- but no assistance offered, no.
I was feeling pretty good about celebrating my birthday up until that. Now I'm spiraling into feeling like a total failure.
ARRGH. I really wish he could at least choose a different day of the year for the beratement. Now I have to calm myself down and start over again.
RAINBOWS. BUTTERFLIES. KITTENS. HOT SHOWERS. CAKE...happy thoughts, happy thoughts.
