Five Things That Make Me Happy & One Thing That’s Pissing Me Off

by Katy on November 11, 2016 · 73 comments

Four things that make me happy:

  1. I was able to slip way from my patient assignment for a few minutes yesterday to attend a talk about “Caring for the transgender patient.” The speaker was an anesthetist who transitioned from male to female, and was always one of my favorite co-workers. What makes me especially happy is that this event was put on at my Catholic hospital.
  2. I helped to usher new life into the world yesterday for a couple who were similarly saddened by the election results. We talked about how we were welcoming something wonderful into the day, and indeed we did. (For those who may not already know, I’m a labor and delivery nurse.)
  3. There’s a new episode of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend on tonight, which is my absolutely favorite TV show. Creative, smart and and funny with musical numbers? Yes, please!
  4. I was able to get a flu vaccine shot at work yesterday, and even though my arm is unbelievably sore, I know that a sore arm is a million times better than getting the flu or accidentally giving the flu to an infant or immunocompromised person.

One thing that’s pissing me off

  1. Reading report after report of minorities who’ve been subjected to racist attacks since Donald Trump became the president elect. This example showed up as trending on Facebook today, and I’ve been reading of many other verbal hate crimes that have been loosened onto this great country of ours.

Now your turn. What’s making you happy? And conversely, what’s pissing you off?

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”

Click HERE to follow The Non-Consumer Advocate on Twitter.
Click HERE to follow The Non-Consumer Advocate on Instagram.
Click HERE to join The Non-Consumer Advocate Facebook group.
Click HERE to follow The Non-Consumer Advocate on Pinterest.

{ 73 comments… read them below or add one }

LisaC November 11, 2016 at 1:13 pm

Making me happy:
1. I have the day off today, giving me time to rest and plan out Christmas gifts.
2. My mums look beautiful blooming in the yard.
3. We are all cleaned up from the storm, and trees have been removed.
4. I am planning a day of fun doing local things as a surprise for my husband. The one extra day off gave me time to do this:
Not happy about:
A pinched nerve in my neck that is not better after several chiro sessions.

Reply

Krystal November 11, 2016 at 2:17 pm

1. The children I volunteer with are doing well on working on their Seattle Childrens Marathon, and they are bringing me a ton of joy.
2. I get to practice yoga often.
3. I left Twitter and Facebook long before the election started.
4. We are back on Baby Step 4 and will have money for my husband to tag along with me to Portugal for work.
5. It has been quite nice all week.
——–
1. I am immensely struggling with pain in my right shoulder girdle. I know my body quite well and believe I have an idea what is causing it, and what t will take to heal. It’s has brought me a lot of tears the past few weeks and will be a lot of work to improve.

Reply

Isabelle November 11, 2016 at 2:21 pm

Happy about:
* My simple Friday night consisting of spending time with my family, then putting the kids to bed and watching a movie with hubby. My house is my sanctuary and my family the most important thing for me
* Having rescued a cat from euthanasia by taking it in.
* Good self-care all week
* Great collegues in general. I am a casual worker (on-call), which means I meet a lot of different people all week long and I’ve been lucky lately to work with mostly really nice people

Pissing me off :
* Only one shift booked so far for next week, not cool.

Reply

Rowen G. November 11, 2016 at 2:57 pm

Thank you for rescuing the cat!

Reply

Betty Winslow November 11, 2016 at 2:40 pm

Happy:
1. The collection of colorful leaves lined up on my kitchen windowsill, from my trip to the park with my granddaughter and her mom.
2. Being able to afford to send a care package to a little girl who has Lyme disease and needs distraction from the pain.
3. Bringing home a bag of green tomatoes from the community garden that no one else wanted – they’ll ripen, y’all!
4. Living in the same town as both of my brothers and being part of the same church family.

Pissed/appalled/saddened
1. By the reports of creatures crawling out from under rocks to attack or verbally abuse those who they believe are “other”. Wearing my safety pin….

Reply

Mary November 11, 2016 at 4:28 pm

Please explain the reference to the safety pin…tx!

Reply

Karen November 11, 2016 at 4:45 pm

People are wearing safety pins on their lapels or shirt pockets etc as a symbol of being someone you can talk to if you are being harassed or bullied. I had never heard of it till this week but my high school students enlightened me yesterday. It has become popular since Trump’s victory. Very sad. Our kids are now so worried and anxious.

Reply

Debra November 12, 2016 at 5:07 pm

I wear one too

Reply

Tia November 11, 2016 at 2:43 pm

1. It’s really a beautiful day today!
2. I’ve been trying to make everything from scratch to get better ingredients and have less packaging… I really am tired of all the packaging in modern life.
3. I’m trying my hand at composting for the first time. It’s pretty gross, so I guess that means it’s going well!
4. I haven’t had the heat or air on for a couple weeks!
5. The elimination diet I tried on my kitty with asthma is working. It seems she’s allergic to fish.

Something that bugs me…
1. How slanted all our media is…Katy on the west coast gets news about attacks on minorities, me in middle America only have reports about attacks on Trump voters and riots against Trump.
I wish our information sources weren’t biased and reported equally about everything. It’s hard enough without media trying to pit everyone against each other.

Reply

Jen@FrugalSteppingStones November 11, 2016 at 2:50 pm

I love #1. When I was a new grad nurse working ICU, we had a transgendered woman as a patient and many of the staff did not know how be as sensitive as was needed to the patient and the patient’s family. Our unit educator brought in someone from the local advocacy group and we all learned a lot. Our duty as nurses is to take care of everyone who shows up, with as much kindness and compassion as possible, and sometimes that means walking a mile in a very different pair of shoes. I’m a people person too, and love hearing other people’s stories, which probably explains why I have about 20 biographies and memoirs waitlisted at the library.

Reply

Karen November 11, 2016 at 4:49 pm

Jen, I too love biographies! Right now I’m captivated by one called A Very Haunted Life, about the writer Shirley Jackson.

And thank you and Katy for caring for all of your patients so expertly and compassionately. This world surely needs you!

Reply

Jen@FrugalSteppingStones November 11, 2016 at 5:18 pm

Oh, I’ll need to add that to my list!

Reply

Rowen G. November 11, 2016 at 2:51 pm

Benefits:
1. My 75-year-old house is all mine.
2. My ’95 Saturn is all mine, and still runs. (Just over 90k miles.)
3. Although some bits of my body/metabolism are not functioning as well as I might like, when I eat, I digest; when I lie down, I sleep until morning. I think I am blessed.
4. I live in a part of the country where being openly Pagan (as I have been for over 50 years) is not a problem.
5. My nineteen-year-old cat is still happy and healthy.
plus
6. My friends on whatever side of the election results are still speaking to each other, albeit cautiously.
7. Although I seriously deplore the presidential election results, some good state/local ordinances were passed.
8. I acquired a couple of excellent holiday presents at a thrift store this week.

Oh, and things that annoy me:
Well, there are a number of those; I’ll just mention my own shortcomings, of which there surely are enough.

blessings,

Rowen

Reply

Jo November 12, 2016 at 6:08 am

Thank you for your list. It warmed my heart.

Reply

Kelly November 11, 2016 at 2:54 pm

Making me happy –
1 – Katy’s #1.
2 – The wonderful leftover soup I just inhaled after work.
3 – The two pairs of jeans I got for my teen daughter at the 25% off sale at the discount clothing store fit perfectly and she likes them both. She needed new jeans and is tiny and short, so finding 2 pairs for less than one at the best sale price make me very happy.
4 – Being able to google a health issue my niece has been diagnosed with and finding good news and be able to pass it along to my sister. I didn’t know that was possible – I thought all medical web searches ended with “you’re going to die”!
5 – My wonderful husband.

One that’s not really ticking me off, but is making me sad – working in a tiny company with people who are on the opposite end of the political spectrum than I am. Their rant today only lasted about 10 minutes, but I had to fight to keep it from wrecking my day. Hearing people you work with refer to “them”, when I am one of “them” is disheartening.

Reply

Katherine from AL November 11, 2016 at 2:57 pm

Happy Things
1. I’m reading a funny book. It was a birthday gift and not the genre I would normally go for but it’s not too serious and just what I need right now. Proof that changing things up a bit is good for a person.
2. I have almost all Thanksgiving menu ingredients in the kitchen already. I will only have to buy a few cheap things.
3. I have a diverse group of friends that I can talk open and honestly with.
4. The weather is beautiful here. I’ve almost walked off that 1/2 pan of cornbread I ate by myself Tuesday night. There’s nothing worse than ugly crying with a mouthful of cornbread. Trust me.
5. I still have hope.

Katy, I hope you don’t mind if I live this link here. The Southern Poverty Law Center has been warning us for months about the rising numbers and increased activities of hate groups due to #trumptalk. If you are a victim please report it on their website.
https://www.splcenter.org/reporthate

Reply

Kim November 11, 2016 at 5:17 pm

Katherine, first I must say that the image from #4 of the cornbread and ugly crying combo made me chuckle. Not that I was at all happy that you were crying or the reason for your tears. Just the visual. I also love cornbread!

Second, I also would like to say that the work that the Southern Poverty Law Center does is so very important. I was a donor many tears ago when I had very little money. After Tuesday I decided that it was so very important to once again make room in my very tight budget to support their work.

Reply

Katy November 13, 2016 at 1:10 am

Thank you for sharing this.

Reply

Trish November 11, 2016 at 4:17 pm

This post : #1 makes me very happy. Things are complicated just now, but how wonderful that we have come so far with the LGBTQ community that these people have such acceptance. From Oscar Wilde being imprisoned and committed to hard labor, to people being able to live freely as what they are. I am not a member of that community myself, but I am a not very feminine woman, and I finally feel a whole lot better about myself, as we learn that we are all ok, just the way we are. And I am happy to belong to this fabulous group of non-consumers.

Reply

Karen November 11, 2016 at 4:51 pm

Amen, Trish!

Reply

meg November 11, 2016 at 4:48 pm

1. Veterans day sale at value village.
2. Dinner took 15 minutes to cook and it was all cleaned up by 6 pm
3. Potty training is going well. We were out and about all day and no accidents and he told me he had to go in public places.
4. I have been on budget or even a little under for grocery and eating/snacking out. Way under for eating/snacking out, in fact…
5. Listeners choice on my favorite radio station is Friday night. I love listening to it as I fall asleep. Always hear something quite obscure but enjoyable. Then I look it up on the free streaming music service from the library and often find other things by the same composer.

Bummed; the free specialty class @ the gym tomorrow maybe a no-go for me as I am battling a cold or virus of some kind. Ugh..congestion…my nose is sore… I am interested in trying this new format, but it only meets 1 or 2 times per month.

Reply

Stephanie November 11, 2016 at 4:59 pm

Four things making me happy

1. Being even more frugal now that we’ve retired: My husband maintained an apartment where he used to teach, so that’s gone. I no longer spend $413 each month on my train commute and garage parking fees. We eat even more frugally, and better, since I actually put great cheap healthy food on the table AT HOME twice a day. We drive much less as well. This is good since our post retirement income is about 30% of what we were making.
2. Working jointly with my husband on the garden and on house projects. We dragged out the stove from its home between cabinets and cleaned the sides of the stove, the sides of the cabinets, and the floor. It was pretty icky but very satisfying. We’ll keep it in hand better NOW THAT WE ARE RETIRED. The husband also fixed the garage door opener.
3. Volunteering at the library book store. I truly, truly love public libraries, and I’m enjoying learning something new with new colleagues, and helping the library raise money.
4. Enjoying the beauty of fall, which is free.

One thing that’s pissing me off? (Besides politics?) As a non-consumer, we’ve ditched cable and the landline, and are still paying $60/month for wireless. I cannot find a better deal in our area.

Reply

Karen November 12, 2016 at 6:28 am

We have also ditched the landline and cable and are still paying $60 a month for wireless. My husband was just talking about this where do you live? We live in No. Carolina and our area has very little options.

They keep calling us and telling us for a little bit more in a bundle package we could get home phone and cable. It has been 4 years for the phone (worked great in last presidential election and this one) no robo calls. And a little over a year for cable.

I am not going backwards but I wish there were more wireless options.

Reply

Caroline November 12, 2016 at 7:22 am

Congratulations on your retirement! Sounds like you are doing all the things the rest of us nonconsumer pre-retirees are telling ourselves we’ll do–well done, you!

Reply

Nancy from mass November 11, 2016 at 6:10 pm

1. Sitting in my comfy chair with a quilt and cat on my lap, cross stitching.
2. Received a thank you note yesterday at work. In that note was probably the best compliment I’ve ever been given. It said “your work is always completed with excellence”. Wow!!
3. Being able to see my mom tomorrow. I haven’t been north in a few weeks since hubby was in the hospital
4. Speaking of the hospital, the care and compassion hubby received was the best. You guys rock!!

Pissing me off: (besides the election and rioting)
Its Veterans Day and I can’t find a freaking war movie to watch!! Even on AMC. Where’s The Longest Day or Midway or Stalag 17?

Reply

Ellie November 12, 2016 at 4:05 pm

#3 – Super!!

Reply

Jennifer November 11, 2016 at 6:41 pm

1. Veterans Day program at my son’s school today. A great show of support for our veterans!

2. Beautiful Iowa fall weather!

3. I really enjoy the part time job I work opposite my weekend hospital job.

4. Dropped stuff at the consignment shop last week and they took everything but 2 items. Picked them up today and dropped off another batch. What they won’t take of my son’s clothes, I will give to a friend for her boys.

What’s posing me off….
The news. I can’t watch it, read it, etc. It’s just too much.

Reply

VanessaKC November 11, 2016 at 6:43 pm

1. Honoring our past and present Veterans.
2. Having cooked and prepped enough on Monday to make meals easy for the week. This is particularly great since I was hit with a cold and don’t feel like cooking much now.
3. Hearing my 4 year old sing Blondie with his dad on Xbox karaoke. (We got the game used for $4 on Amazon.)
4. Being a big part of the restoration of a 1966 Karmann Ghia. Sounds silly but this has been one of my favorite cars since I was a little girl. Being trusted enough to perform body work on this beauty makes me proud beyond words.
5. Thanksgiving at my aunt’s farm. I love to get away from the city. It’s beautiful and we have a rule about leaving politics and religion at the door.

I’m disgusted by the negative occurrences displayed by both reps and dems post election. It is dreadful, embarrassing, ignorant and benefits nothing/nobody. I live in the heartland and am surrounded by both sides.

Reply

VanessaKC November 11, 2016 at 6:48 pm

One more happy thing, please! The supermoon is coming (I think Monday?) and I’m looking forward to taking some beautiful photos.

Reply

Teri November 11, 2016 at 7:17 pm

1. I get to spend the weekend w/my son and grandson wh flew from New York – a long flight to the west coast.
2. I will be going on a 2-day mountain bike ride-I hope this still makes me happy after the second day.
3. I found my sister’s favorite (European) candy bar at a discount store-good for me and her!
4. Enjoying what feels like a late Indian summer will unseasonable warm temperatures.
And I am really pissed off because a very RUDE young black man intentionally shoved my daughter and and older couple (all white) on an elevator in the downtown Seattle Nordstrom and blocked their way off at the top while saying “I’m with her and you’re what’s wrong with America “. Neither my daughter or the couple said a word. Racial problems in reverse?!?! HE is what’s wrong with America.

Reply

VanessaKC November 11, 2016 at 8:19 pm

Everyone lashing out to citizens is what’s wrong. I’m sorry this happened to you. I’m also sad for every Muslim, black and Hispanic person that has experienced racial hatred. It’s a growing problem on both sides right now and it is unacceptable. Defeats all of which we stand for as a nation.

Reply

janine November 11, 2016 at 7:46 pm

1. The election is over! No more political commercials.
2. Winter is coming and the non-stop road construction projects are schedule to hibernate for a few months.
3. Absolutely the most beautiful fall on record.
4. Being able to spend time with immediate family – going out to Culvers for a quick dinner, grocery shopping etc.
5. Sparked by election agonies, friends and colleagues are getting together to figure out what we can do to make our world better for everyone. ( have also noticed that some responders on this site have mentioned that they are taking positive action to contribute $$ and time to causes that they feel are important)
Negative: arthritis – painful – getting older is not for the faint of heart!

Reply

OregonGuest November 11, 2016 at 7:47 pm

1. Our new puppy’s “puppy breath” – gotta love that smell!
2. Hubby’s annual vacation with old friends.
3. That my son thinks he’s getting away with something by spending a few (sick) days out of school watching TV.
4. That my local Starbucks screwed up my order at the drive-thru (I got banana bread instead of the requested pumpkin bread) — because I only allow myself one piece of pumpkin bread per year (yes, per YEAR), I took one for the team, ate the banana bread …and am still going to go get that slice of 400-calorie pumpkin nirvana. Oink oink.
5. The smiles and gratitude on the faces of veterans in today’s parade (no, thank YOU!).
Bumming Me Out: That I really like Donald Trump and believe he’s a good human being who will put his best efforts into righting our listing ship but am being made to feel like the DEVIL (or just stupid) for having voted for him. Despite everyone’s outrage, I’m at total peace with my considered decision.

Reply

Heather in L.A. November 12, 2016 at 9:35 am

I feel the same, everyone is ignoring the destruction the protestors have exhibited. Protests are for human rights abuse, not because your candidate didn’t win and you feel entitled enough to throw a temper tantrum. Resources are being diverted when armed robbery, rape and murder cannot be the focus of law enforcement or first responders due to this. And the property they destroy? Do they even take into consideration the ripple effect? One cannot speak of hate crimes and Facebook with out mentioning the trump supporter in Chicago that was drug out of his car and beaten violently by Clinton supporters. Where is that mentioned? How is that justified?

Reply

Lori November 13, 2016 at 1:04 pm

Hi Heather,

I have mixed feelings about the protesters. I did not vote for Mr. Trump so I can sympathize with their point of view. On the other hand, the idea of not respecting the precious American tradition of the peaceful transfer of power is very scary and sets a troubling precedent. The riots in Portland do nothing but discredit the protester’s cause.

I would like to set the record straight on the Chicago incident though. I live in Chicago, so the follow-up report may not have gotten attention anywhere but here (typical of drama-heavy news stories, they love action and violence but do a poor job of following through): the gentleman who suffered that terrible attack told reporters afterwards that the incident stemmed from a fender-bender and that none of his attackers knew who he voted for:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-trump-beating-video-1111-met-2-20161110-story.html

http://www.snopes.com/black-mob-beats-white-man-for-voting-trump/

This is, of course, a terrible crime but most of the stories about it floating around out there aren’t giving the whole story.

Reply

Heather in L.A. November 13, 2016 at 9:19 pm

Thank you for cleaning the Facebook video up. Just like that was fraudulently presented. Could those on the other side be misrepresented also. One video that wasn’t was the mother who made her crying, fearfully and panicking 8 year old leave her house because he voted for Trump in his schools election. She wrote a sign that said I can’t live at home because I voted for Trump. She said it was a “joke”.

Reply

Lori November 13, 2016 at 12:43 pm

Hi OregonGuest,

The pumpkin bread sounds yummy. I’m glad you’re still going to enjoy it!

And I am just one Trump non-supporter who wants to let you know that I do NOT think you are stupid or evil for voting for your free choice as is every American’s right. I respect the fact that everyone has the right to make their own decisions for their own reasons and I will not judge anyone even if I disagree with them.

Hope that helps balance out some of the negativity at least a teeny bit.

Reply

Marilyn November 11, 2016 at 8:34 pm

I am happy that:
1. I had the opportunity to travel to LA this week to attend a training program for work. I really enjoyed meeting the people who attended from the various western states. It was work, but it was fun too.
2. My husband and I pretty much agree when it comes to politics. It would be horrible this year if that were not true.
3. I was able to remove a stain from one of my favorite blouses ( I wore it to LA and accidentally spilled coffee on it. I scrubbed it using the little hand-soap at the hotel and it worked).
4. I have sisters who I can talk to about anything. I had long phonecons with both of my sisters today. We covered every topic under the sun. Sisters are great!

So, what makes me unhappy these days? Well, I have to admit that I have never completely come to terms with the fact that both of my now-grown-up children live in different cities. I miss them!

Reply

LisaC November 12, 2016 at 5:19 am

I miss my kids too, every day.
I am proud that they are independent and self supporting though.
Maybe I should have made them more dependent on me haha.

Reply

Marybeth November 12, 2016 at 11:18 am

My baby moved out of state in March. She doesn’t know if she is going to get home for any of the holidays. Its killing me but I’m trying very hard to not let her or my other kids know. Very proud that at 23 she is making it on her own, just wished she lived closer.

Reply

Marilyn November 12, 2016 at 12:56 pm

Lisa C. and Marybeth. Thank you for your comments. I feel exactly the same way: proud that my kiddos are independent, but missing them still. Mixed emotions.

Reply

Julie November 12, 2016 at 12:56 am

1. I gave 7 weeks notice to an infusion company that I work for due to system issues. I am grateful to have skills as an RN such that I can choose when and who I work for. I don’t take this for granted. I work for two others and have more work than one person should reasonably take on.
2. I got to meet a new family today with an autistic teenager that needs IG infusions. It was a challenge but we ended up with high fives all around and the child agreeing that it was better to infuse at home than at an infusion center.
3. I GOT TO drive around an interstate closure tonight, because people in my community are willing to spend their life energy protesting bigotry.
4. I deleted candy crush and another mind numbing game off of my phone today. There is social justice to be worked towards, people and pets to be cared for and home improvements to be enacted, books to be read and exercise to be performed.

5. I am quite sad that some of my friends think that Jesus was a republican. It seems to give a pass to the election of a person unfit to be president, just because he used their clubhouse.

Reply

M November 12, 2016 at 4:11 am

Katy,

It seems as though there is a need for you to start a second blog on politics.
I come here to read about non-consumerism, but will not continue to subscribe if politics prevail.

M.

Reply

Katy November 13, 2016 at 1:13 am

Nope.

Reply

Val in MN November 12, 2016 at 5:11 am

Five Happy –
1. All the specials that businesses put on for Veterans that we took advantage of yesterday.
2. Stacking coupons and free money to purchase my son some much needed new clothes. And got more free money back!
3. Grateful that I am in a job that I enjoy every single day and I make difference, albeit small, in kids’ lives.
4. Aldi’s.
5. I am in good health and well being.

One Pissing me off –
1. People who voice their opinion yet don’t have to courage enough to use their name and hide behind a letter.

Enjoy your weekend and you can still thank a Vet – it is because of them we have our freedom.

Reply

OregonGuest November 12, 2016 at 10:43 am

I am one of those who has never wanted to be out there on the internet (my own internet presence is extremely recent and very sparse — it is a huge stressor for me to put ANYTHING out there for the public to see, even if it’s positive and even if I’m not identifying myself), so maybe that’s where M is coming from. Internet anonymity may mean simple shyness, not necessarily malevolence.

Reply

Val in MN November 12, 2016 at 1:20 pm

Very well could be.

Reply

M November 12, 2016 at 11:41 am

Val,

I AM a Veteran and my participation in 2 wars helps to ensure the right for ALL of us to voice our opinions. I just feel there is a time and a place for everything.

M

Reply

Val in MN November 12, 2016 at 1:18 pm

M –
Thank you for your service.
You are right, it is because of you and my husband, father, brother inlaw, nephew, and best friend who served that we all do have the right to voice our opinion. I did just that in my post, voiced an opinion.
Val in MN

Reply

Mariana November 12, 2016 at 6:21 am

The happy things:
1. My trip to Poland is approaching, I am taking off on Thursday. Counting the days till I see my dad, sister and the nieces.
2. My health issues (dealing with all September and October) seems to be improving. Very happy about that. My insurance got billed $27,000 and I paid only around $500. Feeling blessed to have healthcare!
3. Very happy weekend is here. I had an exhausting week at work.
4. Still enjoying decent weather in NYC. Not too cold yet. Very happy about that as I am not a ‘winter person’ at all.

Not happy about:
My not so new anymore job is brining zero joy to my life. Stress levels are off the charts. Great people, but a miserable boss.

Reply

Joy November 12, 2016 at 6:50 am

1. Went to my favourite little op shop (that’s what Australians call charity or thrift stores 🙂 ) and found a great gently loved preloved satchel for my Dad’s upcoming birthday! I’d been looking on ebay for some and the only ones that fit the bill were around $100 so $3 with proceeds going to a good cause is a big tick!

2. Helping my best friend who recently got a new office job go secondhand shopping for office appropriate attire. We managed to get a decent array of items for what would be the cost of one piece of clothing new. She is super keen to keep secondhand shopping so that’s another thing we can enjoy together.

3. Found a dress I completely forgot I had still with tags on (embarassing but true), which I’ve listed on eBay and should be able to get me some spending money for my upcoming holiday in South East Asia! (Things are pretty inexpensive there so that is a plus!)

4. Have finally gotten to putting up my thrifted artworks and have quite a good little gallery wall going on now, seems to be a lot of flowers and landscapes, I hope to keep adding to it – I love being surrounded by art and nature.

5. The final thing pissing me off / making me sad is seeing everything that’s going on in America and seeing the hate crimes being reported on. Although I’m all the way over in Australia, we’re all very saddened and quite frankly horrified at the election outcome. I don’t understand how people could possibly support Donald Trump given his immature unstable behaviour and what he represents. I cannot begin to imagine how those poor women who came forward to speak out feel.

To end on a better note, Katy – I love your blog, please keep speaking as to your beliefs, I don’t understand how people can think that politics or discussing what is permeating the world is somehow irrelevant or should be kept separate or quiet. As the quote goes “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing” and that includes sitting back and pretending that everything is okay when it’s not. Being able to talk about it at least makes us not feel alone.

Much love from Australia x

Reply

Ruby November 12, 2016 at 7:10 am

1. My wonderful husband of 30 years is doing so much better after angioplasty two weeks ago.
2. I finally got a long-promised raise at work that included a month’s worth of overtime. That was one very nice paycheck!
3. New rescue puppy continues to be an absolute joy, even if she has a two-hour spell every evening of barking, nipping and generally raising all heck with the older dogs. She’s just learning how to be one of the pack, and we only occasionally have to shout “Leave it!” when she’s chewing on somebody’s front leg. Our older dogs are probably too tolerant with her, but they do recognize that she’s still a baby. 😀
4. Despite long work days, have been able to stick to my daily frugalities of packing my lunch and drinks, wearing cute thrifted outfits, resisting turning on the central heat, driving with a light foot and a lot of tiny things I don’t even think about any more. Frugal to the bone — yay!
5. The off button on the radio, so I don’t have to listen to too many things that upset me. Life goes on, and we must make the best of every day, come what may.
OTTPMO: Getting unjustifiably chewed out by the supervisor in another department, who was blaming me for my predecessor’s sins and was so rude, bullying and insulting that I wrote up the encounter and saved it for when I make a complaint with HR. I’m pretty sure this cow will try it again, and she’ll wish she hadn’t.

Reply

Susie's Daughter November 12, 2016 at 11:11 am

Ruby – When I wore a “cute, thrifted outfit” to church last week and got compliments, I thought of you!
Hurray for connections in these times of division.

Reply

Ruby November 13, 2016 at 6:18 am

Aw, how nice, both for the compliments and you thinking of me. Thank you!

Reply

LisaC November 12, 2016 at 3:08 pm

I haven’t heard a woman referred to as a cow since I lived in England as a pre teen. Made me smile. 🙂

Reply

Ruby November 13, 2016 at 6:20 am

I swear, that woman reminds me of a Holstein dairy cow we had when I was growing up. Old Clarabelle was always butting people, tossing her head to show off her horns, and generally causing trouble. So cow definitely fits. 😀

Reply

Joyce November 12, 2016 at 7:15 am

Happy things:
1. Spent a couple of hours Weds at a place I volunteer with and talked with and hugged like minded people. Tears shed.
2. Thank you text from a friend who is feeling the effects of this sad election and was grateful for some good news.
3. Funny texts meant to cheer me from my goofy son- in-law
4. Group therapy today
5. Count down to DH’s retirement from the Feds. He will not have to work for ” that man” for long.

Pisses me off:
Visited an elementary school that I work with. Scared immigrant kids. Lots of tears. Even the littlest ones wonder where they will be after the first of the year. Nobody wants to “go back to where you came from”.

Reply

Amanda November 12, 2016 at 8:01 am

That’s wonderful that your hospital had a speaker on caring for transgender patients. I hadn’t even thought about how individualized the health care needs of transgender folks must be.

Here are mine:
1. The election results were like a sucker punch to the gut for me, but President Obama’s extremely gentlemanly-like response has given me hope that the Republic will survive Trump.
2. My husband has been taking the kids and letting me sleep in extremely late on Saturday mornings. It is Saturday morning right now, and it is heaven.
3. I got a ton of archival work done this week. That means that next week I have three uninterupted days in my schedule to lose myself in primary sources. That puts me writing the week of Thanksgiving. I love being a historian.
4. We were under budget for October, and I’m hoping for the same for November.

1. Nothing is pissing me off in this moment. The children are playing quietly. I’m sipping a hot cup of tea. My husband is near me. The sun is shining.

Reply

Chicago14 November 12, 2016 at 9:43 am

I support your freedom to speak your mind on your blog. My husband spent years fighting for that right in the military. What I don’t agree with is your one-sided presentation of those are being victimized. I live in Chicago, a bastion of liberals as well as a safe haven city, and this barely made a blip on our radar:

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2016/11/11/man-describes-brutal-attack-crowd-yelled-thats-a-white-boy-trump-supporter/

A white man driving was side swiped in a predominantly black neighborhood. When he got out of his car to get insurance information, he was brutally attacked by a mob of black men because he was white. That’s the only reason. Multiple passer-bys not only egged the attackers on, but also joined the attack. Let’s add how they recorded it with their cell phones. I’ll let the video speak for itself.

Again, I have zero issue with your political views, even though they are not mine. I understand where you live and how that colors your views. It’s your right to use your blog in whatever way you choose. Just like it’s my choice to no longer read it. Let’s be clear – I am choosing to no longer read your blog NOT because I have different political views from you. I am choosing to no longer read because of your one-sided inability to understand that this hate your describe is going both ways.

Reply

Katy November 12, 2016 at 2:21 pm

That is awful, and of course I do not condone violence in any way, shape or form. My views are not colored by where I live, but by my values that include a belief in science, inclusion of all people of color and gender and a fear of those in power who believe otherwise.

I’ve been seeing the rhetoric that those who oppose the election results are spouting “hate,” but I truly feel the opposite is true. I’m curious where this is coming from. Anyone?

Reply

cathy November 12, 2016 at 3:50 pm

I believe that a huge problem is that it seems many people who voted for Trump truly do not understand why many of us are bereft, angry and fearful. The calls to just accept the election and move on show that their interpretation of why we are rallying is much different than what’s motivating the protests which go to the core of Trump’s attitudes toward women, Muslims, Latinos, blacks, LGBTQ, the alter-abled and on and on.

To those who cannot understand why people are protesting, let me ask you: Why didn’t this happen when George W. Bush was elected? Why didn’t it happen when George H.W. Bush was elected? Or Ronald Reagan? This has everything to do with who Donald Trump is, rather than sour grapes that the Republicans won the White House.

We should also remember that widespread protests have resulted in some amazing changes in America including granting women the right to vote, ending segregation, and influencing the end of the Vietnam War.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.” -Margaret Mead

Reply

Marilyn November 12, 2016 at 4:55 pm

Cathy, I agree with you. I would remind those who are so down on the protesters that in fact, Donald Trump did not win the popular vote. Most of the voters did not support him. He needs to step up and let the people know that he hears their concerns.

Reply

cathy November 12, 2016 at 2:51 pm

I’m not in Portland, but I am in the West. I hadn’t heard this report, and I’ve been following A LOT of different media sources. As someone said up-thread, it would be great if we got all news in all outlets.

Reply

Heather in L.A. November 13, 2016 at 9:32 pm

Now I may hurt a few feelings with this and I don’t mean to. But look in the mirror. The reason this anarchy type protests are not only growing but becoming more dangerous is we allow it. When those who destroy randomly and without focus are allowed to, it will continue. Should there be peaceful protests when human rights are trod on..yes. To throw a tantrum because your candidate didn’t win..no. We are so focused on entitlement in our society that when those whom have been coddle their whole lives, who are thought to believe that they are special, throw tantrums when they don’t get their way. It’s like the saying goes ” I can’t hear what your saying over your screaming”. Do we have the “right” to burn the flag, or take a knee when the national anthem comes on? Yes…should we though? Is the right of the individual more important? Or as we as a nation going to come together, and be more than the labels that we put on ourselves?

Reply

Rebecca November 15, 2016 at 1:26 pm

The protesters are not throwing a temper tantrum because Clinton lost the Electoral College. I’m rather proud of them. But, are you serious? Coddled? Open your eyes!!! They are every color, ethnicity, age, gender, and socioeconomic level. They are not protesting Hillary’s loss. They are not protesting a Republican win. They are protesting Trump. “He’s not my President!” His hate-filled rhetoric during the campaign said as much.

The first protesters I read about were in Oakland, CA, where my daughter happens to live with her husband, A LEGAL MEXICAN IMMIGRANT with a college degree, a high-paying tech job, and a mother-in-law that now has to worry he will be deported. I listened and stayed informed during the campaign. Trump said he will not only build a ridiculous wall but may declare a moratorium on all green cards basically shutting down legal immigration. Really? This would be “the good old days” so frequently touted? The last time I taught history to my elementary students, I believe we all learned that this nation is made up of immigrants, willing or forced.

Let’s talk about the “I can’t hear what you’re saying over your screaming.” Republicans seemed to avoid hearing much of anything during the campaign. Were you listening to Trump’s inane, repugnant remarks and outright lies? Comments and lies about Mexicans, Muslims, African-Americans, WOMEN…basically saying, “I won’t be your president.”

Do we have the “right” to burn the flag or take a knee during our National Anthem? Yes, we do. Is it also a right to wear a white sheet and goofy cone-head while espousing white supremacist nonsense? Actually, they didn’t hide in their support of Trump. The KKK actually has a PAC and was totally supportive of our President-elect. Oh, and, also, is it a right to grab a woman’s crotch without consent? A right to NOT pay vendors on a job or leave students with thousands of dollars of debt from your phony university? It is a right to avoid taxes legally? Yes, but, okay, let’s talk about morality.

Trump sure had the freedom to incite hate during the campaign. Go back and watch some of his supporters shouting, “Kill the bitch,” and then tell me the protesters today are just whiny, spoiled kids who should just hold hands, sing Kumbaya and show RESPECT for our new president.

I will talk about the nation “coming together” after my son-in-law is safe, protected from hate and prejudice and is allowed to become a US citizen LIKE OUR NEW FIRST LADY WHEN SHE IMMIGRATED, Republicans don’t completely decimate all environmental policies that will help keep the planet healthy for my future grandchildren, I am assured that my daughters’ reproductive rights will be protected, and ALL Americans feel safe from retaliation, deportation, hatred… and, yes, after Trump has created all those jobs for the working class folks who believe he has the power and even cares to make their lives better. I can’t even laugh. It’s too sad.

Reply

susanna d November 12, 2016 at 10:13 am

Making me happy:

1. Sunny and unseasonably warm weather – 60’s in northern Wisconsin in November is VERY unusual. Snow is a lot more usual, and it’s been completely absent this fall.
2. I’ll get to see my grandchildren very soon. They live clear across the state and we don’t get to see them as much as we’d like. A two year old changes so quickly!
3. We’ll be helping our son and his wife install a new floor. Yes we’re in the middle of a huge remodel ourselves, but we get to help them out, teach them new skills (that my daugther-in-law in particular really wants to learn), help them save money by not having to hire out…and we love remodeling, period. It’s our “retirement” job.
4. So many great hiking trails so close by. Hiking may be good for us, but it sure feels more like play than like work.

Pissing me off:
The nastiness that preceded the election doesn’t seem to be going away any time soon. If anything, it’s getting worse.

Reply

janine November 12, 2016 at 2:17 pm

Love northern Wisconsin! We live close to the border in MN and go hiking there regularly.

Reply

JennS November 12, 2016 at 10:33 am

1. My wonderful husband who not only loves me, but also understands my grief at the recent election.
2. My good friends who came together last night to commiserate and distract ourselves with board games, while talking about what we can do to move forward.
3. Generous friends who have decided they are done having kids are sharing their baby stuff so I don’t have to scour thrift stores (or buy new) many things I will need when my daughter arrives in the spring.
4. Katy’s blog, and the wonderful people who participate. It gives me hope.

TOTTPMO: Watching some of my family and co-workers act as if the election amounts to nothing more than perhaps watching your favorite sports team lose (and that we losers should of course just get over it) while other friends, family, and co-workers spent Wednesday and all week fighting back tears, grief, and fear.

Reply

Bethanne November 12, 2016 at 10:40 am

1. A $5 rewards from Kohls made me happy. I wandered the store today happy with the possibilities but ended up getting the socks I originally went in to purchase with it.

2. Sunshine and no snow yet! Loving the last of the fall leave colors, oh how I will miss the wonderful colors in the sun. LOVE taking fall photos and got some super cute photos last weekend of the dogs we were caring for. Snowflake photos can be fun too. 😉

3. Making a healthy meal last night with food from home for my daughter and I even though we wished we could buy pizza. We enjoyed it after the cold dog walk we had but loved the $12 earnings for exercising for 30 minutes and getting some puppy love. Simple english muffin pizzas, salad and ice cream for dessert (we did spurge on the ice cream and stopped and bought for $3 on sale).

4. Recently switched jobs and MUCH happier. I am making 75 cents less an hour and will not be getting paid for many days when the school is closed but in my heart I believe its worth it. I think the toll the stress was playing in my life definitely effects my health and well being. Will be watching the dollars closely again but I am confident in my thriftiness we will be fine. I am still dog/cat sitting when job come up, working another part-time night job on Wed. and Thursdays and working school sporting events when I can. Ex is also paying child support more.

5, ANYTHING pumpkin pie flavored! 🙂

6. Not pissed, sad – the country being torn a part and that people are walking around with fear in their hearts which is growing. Fear of each other and fear for the future.

Reply

K D November 12, 2016 at 11:37 am

Making Me Happy:

1. We have had wonderful fall weather. Warm and mostly sunny. I have been able to be outside almost every day.

2. Modern conveniences. I have a washing machine and dryer in the basement, a dishwasher in the kitchen, etc.

3. Good health and health insurance. I work hard to eat right and exercise and we are blessed that we can afford the good health insurance offered by my husband’s employer.

4. Butternut squash. I roasted three of them a couple weeks ago and froze some. I added some to some leftover soup for lunch and it made it out of this world delicious.

Making Me Mad:

Upcoming cold, dark days. I don’t feel as alive. I push myself to keep going, but it takes effort.

Reply

Debra November 12, 2016 at 12:10 pm

I had to get off facebook. I may never get back on. I have friends- old college roomie, people i work with, etc. Saying how happy they are about the election.
I work in mental health with severely mentally ill folks who are discriminated against on a daily basis. If the ACA is repealed, many will not have health insurance. I cannot believe people i work with can support this.
As for saving money, i got dvds and books from the library, have been eating soup all week from some i made Monday, got free bread, buns and a coffee cake from my favorite thrift shop, am altering the tight crew neck on a free from work tshirt, a garage sale tshirt and one i bought to support my neighborhood watch.

Reply

mama minou November 14, 2016 at 6:34 pm

1. Going to a 2 day HIV training, get to learn more and get out of the office, with a great colleague to boot.
2. Immunized a wonderful family recently immigrated from Peru, and was able to tell them Welcome, and glad you are here.
3. Teenage son is doing better, mental health wise.
4. Roast chicken (splurge) and homemade veggie soup from freezer for dinner.

1. The physical grief I feel about the election is like trying to swim through molasses. Hard to move, hard to do anything.

Reply

alianora November 15, 2016 at 5:26 pm

I’ve done some frugal things, like eating chicken soup from the freezer instead of giving up and getting fast food for the kid on a day I feel very unwell. And some not so frugal things, like the new fuzzy pj pants I just bought at Walmart.

But mainly, I wanted to say thank you. Thank you for caring enough to get information on medical needs of the transgender community. You have no idea what a minefield it is to walk into a medical center with a transgender 9 year old and come out as a giant ball of stress from trying to ensure that proper medical information is given, but the kid isn’t being misgendered or belittled.

Reply

Cancel reply

Leave a Comment

Previous post:

Next post: