FFFC

BiggerinRealLife

Hey! I'm up late enough to start a weekly thread! Pregsomnia finally did something for me. Have at it ladies!

BiggerinRealLife

I teach elementary and middle school choir and drama. I've been involved with children's theater since I was 9 and helped run children's theater programs since I was 15. My confession: I freaking hate children's theater. Programs too. Christmas concerts, band and orchestra performances, if it has "children" in the title I'm out. They just tend to be categorically bad. The ones I put on I'm insanely proud of, but I don't invite people to them, and if I'm not involved in the production I avoid them like the plague.

I always figured I'd serve my time when I became a mom, and now it's probably the thing I look forward to least about being a parent. Which is suckily ironic, because I really hope my kids get into the arts.

katieharpiceland

@BiggerinRealLIfe I understand this completely! But, I have a feeling it will all change. Something about kids seems to make even the most high brow of musicians become softies when their little ones stand up and sing a song really out of tune and a production falls badly apart. Maybe its something beautiful about a child's resolve to just do it (and enjoy it!), without thinking too hard about what other people think. 

katieharpiceland

OK, I'll go. I seriously side eye obnoxious American tourists wherever I go (most are just fine, I promise!). I was so horrified at a family in Denmark, that I only used my very, very poor Danish to order my food so I wouldn't be thought as in any similar category as them. (First, the whole family sent back their water, TWICE, because it had bubbles in it. People, its OXYGEN! Second, the guy sent back his french fries because they only gave him ones he deemed to be too small. Also, the wife was complaining her BBQ ribs didn't taste like the ones back home. All LOUD complaints.)

BiggerinRealLife

Another: I totally judged a parent the other day and didn't feel bad about it. I was out at Philz coffee reading, and these two kids were banging on their piano. Granted, Philz had the piano out for public use, but the parent was just watching while their kids were banging the heck out of this beautiful instrument, smiling like it was the cutest thing in the world. 

Lest you think I'm judging the parent for their kids being a public disturbance, I'm not. I'm judging them for not teaching their kids that instruments are objects to be respected and treated well; they're not toys to entertain your kid while you sip a latte. It was all I could do to not snatch their little hands away. My students know you don't touch a piano unless you're invited and you know how to play. So I judged them. And also, well, it was really loud. 

MamaFantastic

I'm now at the point in my pregnancy where every poop clogs the toilet

I may or may not have done embarrassing, unspeakable things to avoid having to (yet again) plunge earlier this week.

MamaFantastic

Second, serious one:

I hate hate hate that Beth lost her baby, but I am thankful that from this tragedy, our board has been knit closer together in our unified mourning and camaraderie.

Holljade

I have declined all offers from friends and fam to throw me a shower or sprinkle. I tell them it's bc I don't feel right about it since it's my second, which is true, but I also really don't want to attend yet another party where I can't indulge in adult beverages!

I decided on a sip and see as my celebration- but really I just want to get everyone together and enjoy some sangria!

sarahm7310

katieharpiceland said:

OK, I'll go. I seriously side eye obnoxious American tourists wherever I go (most are just fine, I promise!). I was so horrified at a family in Denmark, that I only used my very, very poor Danish to order my food so I wouldn't be thought as in any similar category as them. (First, the whole family sent back their water, TWICE, because it had bubbles in it. People, its OXYGEN! Second, the guy sent back his french fries because they only gave him ones he deemed to be too small. Also, the wife was complaining her BBQ ribs didn't taste like the ones back home. All LOUD complaints.)

Keep preaching, girl!  I will amen this over and over again. I live in Kenya and can relate to some of these things.  I shudder when I see American tourists…particularly women…dressed in very little clothing here.  It's just not appropriate.  You don't see the women here dressed like that!  All the men look at them like prostitutes.  I also want to rip cameras from people when I see them trying to take pics of people just doing normal living…working, going to school, selling their produce at the market, hanging out at home.  I read an article on this recently and what if folks from other countries came over to the States and drove thru our neighborhoods and started snapping pictures of us mowing the lawn, gardening, playing with our kids…all "normal" things we do.  How would it feel to be treated like that?  And, the food thing, I see that too - in restaurants, in people's home (we've had guests come over from the States and I was shocked at the things they tell the hosts).  One other thing that is hard…is that deodorant tends not be worn so much by a good portion of folks here…and it can be hard to take when in close proximity.  The thing is that you don't have to comment on it.  They actually think you smell too with your "fake scent".  

Anyways, just all this to say that I agree with you.  

Teresa1896

I told my ILs that we're keeping the baby's name a secret, but really I've told everyone except for them. I just want to keep this secret for a while.... And I don't want MIL, who has a big mouth, to blab the name to the baby's namesake until we have a chance to do it ourselves.

Teresa1896

And.... I love donuts. People at work know I love donuts and now that I'm pregnant throw donuts at me all the time- at least once a week. I'm kind of donut-ed out, but I still eat them.

JWest07

I fantasize about my nieces coming to live with me.  I am very close with my brother and his wife, and they are wonderful parents.  I just love my nieces SO MUCH that I wish I could have them in my life every moment possible.

speechie517

I wish my MIL would just send a functional gift for the baby instead of spending over $300 to fly out for my shower where she will make a big deal about gifting us with old baby photos of my husband and random crap plucked from her house.

acrookston

katieharpiceland said:

OK, I'll go. I seriously side eye obnoxious American tourists wherever I go (most are just fine, I promise!). I was so horrified at a family in Denmark, that I only used my very, very poor Danish to order my food so I wouldn't be thought as in any similar category as them. (First, the whole family sent back their water, TWICE, because it had bubbles in it. People, its OXYGEN! Second, the guy sent back his french fries because they only gave him ones he deemed to be too small. Also, the wife was complaining her BBQ ribs didn't taste like the ones back home. All LOUD complaints.)

I work for US Customs and even I hate American tourists.  Their sense of entitlement is outrageous!

mrsflamingo

@BiggerinRealLife @katieharpiceland I hear ya! I teach private piano and violin lessons, and while I've helped with my share of awful children's programs, I mostly do recitals now. And even though I know objectively that my students' performances aren't always great, I'm always so incredibly proud of them for getting up on stage in front of all those people and sharing their music. Not sure how my perspective as a mom will be, though- I have a feeling that I'll have to tamp down the highbrow musician inside and not go all tiger mom on them.

My FFFC- I'm nervous about my shower. As a textbook introvert, a party thrown in my honor feels so awkward and while I'm super grateful to my friends for throwing it, I'm dreading it a little! I need to suck it up, be thankful that I'm getting one at all, and enjoy it.

ETA: @katieharpiceland I hope you're right and that it will be easy for me to just enjoy my kids' performances and encourage then to follow their dreams, whether in the arts or not!

ASasquatch

I don't feel bad in the slightest that the state took custody of my cousin's newborn last week on the day she was born. In fact, I was desperately hoping it would happen. If you have already had 2 kids taken away due to your excessive drug use (one of which now has severe mental issues that are being related back to the drugs) then you couldn't possibly expect this to be any different. The world is not out to get you- you did this to yourself. You could've at least tried to get clean while pregnant.
Being thrown into the system isn't great for any kid but at least this innocent child can have a chance at life now. I will pray for this little girl that she gets loving and caring foster parents and that she won't have any long-term effects from the drugs.
Sorry this was long. The situation just infuriates me to no end.

Kiahsimpson

ASasquatch said:

I don't feel bad in the slightest that the state took custody of my cousin's newborn last week on the day she was born. In fact, I was desperately hoping it would happen. If you have already had 2 kids taken away due to your excessive drug use (one of which now has severe mental issues that are being related back to the drugs) then you couldn't possibly expect this to be any different. The world is not out to get you- you did this to yourself. You could've at least tried to get clean while pregnant.
Being thrown into the system isn't great for any kid but at least this innocent child can have a chance at life now. I will pray for this little girl that she gets loving and caring foster parents and that she won't have any long-term effects from the drugs.
Sorry this was long. The situation just infuriates me to no end.

I do know just how you feel. My MIL is the same. Just had her 7th baby and has never really had any of her kids until this new one. It just makes me sick.

ricekez

sarahm7310 said:

katieharpiceland said:

OK, I'll go. I seriously side eye obnoxious American tourists wherever I go (most are just fine, I promise!). I was so horrified at a family in Denmark, that I only used my very, very poor Danish to order my food so I wouldn't be thought as in any similar category as them. (First, the whole family sent back their water, TWICE, because it had bubbles in it. People, its OXYGEN! Second, the guy sent back his french fries because they only gave him ones he deemed to be too small. Also, the wife was complaining her BBQ ribs didn't taste like the ones back home. All LOUD complaints.)

Keep preaching, girl!  I will amen this over and over again. I live in Kenya and can relate to some of these things.  I shudder when I see American tourists…particularly women…dressed in very little clothing here.  It's just not appropriate.  You don't see the women here dressed like that!  All the men look at them like prostitutes.  I also want to rip cameras from people when I see them trying to take pics of people just doing normal living…working, going to school, selling their produce at the market, hanging out at home.  I read an article on this recently and what if folks from other countries came over to the States and drove thru our neighborhoods and started snapping pictures of us mowing the lawn, gardening, playing with our kids…all "normal" things we do.  How would it feel to be treated like that?  And, the food thing, I see that too - in restaurants, in people's home (we've had guests come over from the States and I was shocked at the things they tell the hosts).  One other thing that is hard…is that deodorant tends not be worn so much by a good portion of folks here…and it can be hard to take when in close proximity.  The thing is that you don't have to comment on it.  They actually think you smell too with your "fake scent".  

Anyways, just all this to say that I agree with you.  

DH and I were in a small town in Italy, doing out best to speak Italian to order dinner at a restaurant where the waitresses clearly spoke little English (unlike the big cities where everyone seems to speak English). There was an American family seated behind us who seemed very smug from their conversation and who did not attempt to use any Italian. Then, the dad tried to order green tea. In a small town in Italy. After some confusion, the waitress found a green tea bag for him. Then, the dad tried to ask her how to say "green tea" in Italian, which just led to more confusion because she kept telling him "it's not Italian, it's British." He wouldn't drop the question and kept trying to explain what he meant in English. I think she was trying to tell him that she didn't call it anything because she doesn't drink it, and maybe it just translates directly to the words for "green" and "tea." Anyway, the whole thing left me hoping that the world doesn't think all Americans are that rude.

sking72

ASasquatch said:

I don't feel bad in the slightest that the state took custody of my cousin's newborn last week on the day she was born. In fact, I was desperately hoping it would happen. If you have already had 2 kids taken away due to your excessive drug use (one of which now has severe mental issues that are being related back to the drugs) then you couldn't possibly expect this to be any different. The world is not out to get you- you did this to yourself. You could've at least tried to get clean while pregnant.
Being thrown into the system isn't great for any kid but at least this innocent child can have a chance at life now. I will pray for this little girl that she gets loving and caring foster parents and that she won't have any long-term effects from the drugs.
Sorry this was long. The situation just infuriates me to no end.

I also have a cousin who's first child was taken away, she is under investigation with her second child, hopefully being taken away soon. Has 16 child abuse offenses from the first. Luckily the first child is under his fathers custody with my aunt helping out. If the second child gets taken away my aunt will take custody of her so she doesn't go into the system. It infuriates me that my cousin could be like this, I tried to be a little lenient with her after her first was taken away saying "well now she knows she isn't responsible enough for a child, it's a shame it had to end like this, but at least he's safe blah blah blah" but when she got pregnant a second time, still used, and still kept a child she is obviously not capable of caring for, sorry but you're on my shit list and in my opinion an awful human being.

katieharpiceland

I will say one thing, after the massive influx of tourists to Iceland, there are bad tourists from everywhere! Its shocking the stupid things people do when they are in another country. I'm just more annoyed with my own countrymen because traveling and being somewhere new and experiencing that pace is one of the greatest luxuries we have today. The fact that its relatively easy for us to travel around the globe is a special thing and we should respect people no matter where we are, whether they can understand our spoken language or not. 

fee1124

My fiance finally admitted to me he is totally weirded out by having sex while pregnant...I acted offended and hurt but secretly I'm SO relieved...I have zero desire and am so much happier just sleeping

edoliesmom

@katieharpiceland The only thing I don't disagree with that family on is sending the carbonated water back. I tried it on the plane to Hungary, and that stuff is nasty! Not for me at all. However, the rest is obnoxious, and I'm annoyed at them for putting such a bad image on Americans.

When we were doing training for our missions project, we were taught not to prove the American stereotype to be correct - loud, obnoxious, disrespectful. We were told not to attract unnecessary attention to ourselves when in public (even though most of the time we stuck out like sore thumbs anyway), and it was our responsibility to research what was culturally unacceptable/offensive in the country we were going to. I think everyone should have to do that before they step foot on the plane.

katieharpiceland

SLSchuerg said:

@katieharpiceland The only thing I don't disagree with that family on is sending the carbonated water back. I tried it on the plane to Hungary, and that stuff is nasty! Not for me at all. However, the rest is obnoxious, and I'm annoyed at them for putting such a bad image on Americans. When we were doing training for our missions project, we were taught not to prove the American stereotype to be correct - loud, obnoxious, disrespectful. We were told not to attract unnecessary attention to ourselves when in public (even though most of the time we stuck out like sore thumbs anyway), and it was our responsibility to research what was culturally unacceptable/offensive in the country we were going to. I think everyone should have to do that before they step foot on the plane.

@SLSchuerg It wasn't carbonated water. Ever fill a glass with water and see little tiny bubbles, even if for just a second? THAT is what they were sending back. Clean, perfectly healthy, water. 

snmetz7

I finished off the oreos last night and hid the evidence.

acrookston

My brother and his wife just went to the hospital because she may be in a labor.  I could care less.  She is due in February and they have gone to the hospital a dozen times and each time a false alarm.  I will react and be very excited once I hear they have been admitted and the birth is imminent.

eireyes

kcp913 said:

I’m a phony. I pretend that I don’t mind how much time DH is spending on his xbox playing with his friends and brothers, and spending with his brothers, but it kind of annoys the hell out of me that he can spend so much time with them and he considers us being in the same room while doing completely different things. I’m rally only going along with it because I’m thinking (hoping) that once Mack is here he will be off the xbox and spending time with us, which I’ve seen to be the case with his friends who had similar situations as well as my brother. Disclaimer: I have, on occasion spoken up and told him to get off the xbox and spend time with me, I just feel like a nagging wife if I do it too much. And he is smart enough to know that there are certain days and special occasions and I will likely murder him if he tries being on the phone/xbox excessively with other people (like, my birthday, new years eve, etc)

Did you clone my husband? My DH literally comes home from work and plops down in front of his computer to play games... Makes me crazy!  We've had the arguments over how much time he plays too, and I hate to be the nag.  I actually started playing COD because at least we could do that together!

My FFFC is I think my husband may have caught the sinus/cold/lung infection from me, and although I feel bad, I don't feel as bad as I could.  Paybacks for him giving me every cold he ever brings home - the man has no concept of germ control!

sweetmelissa0707

I can't think of a bigger waste of money than cigarettes. I was getting gas the other day and the price per pack is obnoxious. If I had that much money to spare, you can bet it would be going towards debt or supporting my family in some way. I'm not out chasing smokers and telling them to quit, but I do have to give them the side eye when I think of that money in terms of groceries I would buy or how many days of gymnastics for DD I could get.

ricekez

Due to a stressful week at work, I ate handfuls of chocolate chips straight from the tub last night. Yes, I buy chocolate chips in bulk. Stop judging.

sking72

@kcp913: definitely read "I'm a phony" and immediately thought you were gonna say you weren't pregnant. Don't know why.

littlesocks

I spent an entire afternoon pissed off at my husband because he finished the ice cream. I almost cried I was so sad.
Then I remembered I had finished the ice cream...
Luckily I hadn't said anything to him about it so I when I realized I was wrong I didn't have to apologize!

misskristina21

I have 2:

1: DH has been out of town all week and I have cried every night because I miss him so much.

2: DD has slept like crap all week, so I'm sending her to MIL's just so I can get a good, solid sleep. Bonus confession: I'm taking an ambien so I can get that sleep.

ZebNMichelle

ricekez said:

Due to a stressful week at work, I ate handfuls of chocolate chips straight from the tub last night. Yes, I buy chocolate chips in bulk. Stop judging.

I do the same thing.

MamaFantastic

ZebNMichelle said:

Due to a stressful week at work, I ate handfuls of chocolate chips straight from the tub last night. Yes, I buy chocolate chips in bulk. Stop judging.

I do the same thing.

yeah, why is this a weird thing?!?!  i do the same thing so often that i just consider plain chocolate chips their own separate food group

ZebNMichelle

Some guy cut me in line at cumblandfarms yesterday, and it wicked pissed me off. After the fact I was thinking I should have put my drink on the counter and said, since you want my spot in line so bad you can pay for my 99 cent drink.

Karianne02

I told my class today they could work in partners/groups. They think I'm being nice... I just don't want to have to answer their questions. No sleep for me = crabby attitude that they don't need to deal with. I'll just sit quietly at my computer and bump. I'll ignore all of the weekend conversations that have NOTHING to do with their projects. .... Teacher of the year!  :-S

ksulli

MamaFantastic said:

ZebNMichelle said:

ricekez said:

Due to a stressful week at work, I ate handfuls of chocolate chips straight from the tub last night. Yes, I buy chocolate chips in bulk. Stop judging.

I do the same thing.

yeah, why is this a weird thing?!?!  i do the same thing so often that i just consider plain chocolate chips their own separate food group
------------------------------------------

Where do they come in tubs? I buy mine at costco and it's still just a bag... I missing out on something here and not happy about it.

MamaFantastic

mine are always in a bag too, sulli...  still just as tasty!!

edoliesmom

@katieharpiceland .....Seriously? Wow. Never mind then. Definitely idiots all around.

Serenla

katieharpiceland said:

OK, I'll go. I seriously side eye obnoxious American tourists wherever I go (most are just fine, I promise!). I was so horrified at a family in Denmark, that I only used my very, very poor Danish to order my food so I wouldn't be thought as in any similar category as them. (First, the whole family sent back their water, TWICE, because it had bubbles in it. People, its OXYGEN! Second, the guy sent back his french fries because they only gave him ones he deemed to be too small. Also, the wife was complaining her BBQ ribs didn't taste like the ones back home. All LOUD complaints.)

Omg yes! When I was living in Japan, I had some people convinced that I was British because of some of the embarrassing tourists.
Like one guy who was trying to enter a shrine with a cheeseburger, he got pissy when they asked him to leave. Jesus would you got to a church during service with a camera and a big mac?

baylorlinda

My friends and I went on a skiing/snowboarding trip last weekend. I told my husband, mother, and MIL I wouldn't snowboard. I was fine until I saw how much fun everyone was having. I was so jealous! While my husband was out snowboarding, I borrowed my friend's gear and went out snowboarding on an easy trail. It was glorious!! I still haven't told him that I did this.

AcaAwkward

Serenla said:

katieharpiceland said:

OK, I'll go. I seriously side eye obnoxious American tourists wherever I go (most are just fine, I promise!). I was so horrified at a family in Denmark, that I only used my very, very poor Danish to order my food so I wouldn't be thought as in any similar category as them. (First, the whole family sent back their water, TWICE, because it had bubbles in it. People, its OXYGEN! Second, the guy sent back his french fries because they only gave him ones he deemed to be too small. Also, the wife was complaining her BBQ ribs didn't taste like the ones back home. All LOUD complaints.)

Omg yes! When I was living in Japan, I had some people convinced that I was British because of some of the embarrassing tourists.
Like one guy who was trying to enter a shrine with a cheeseburger, he got pissy when they asked him to leave. Jesus would you got to a church during service with a camera and a big mac?

Bad American tourists drive me absolutely insane. When I lived in Spain, I'd see Americans all the time pissed off that meal times were different and shops closed for siesta in the middle of the day... You've traveled here to experience a different culture -- why would you expect or want it to conform to your norms??? Douche canoes.

This was also during W's heyday, so we often let people assume we were from Canada instead of the States.