Let’s all die happily in a natural way

I'll get there!! Just not now.

So my mother-in-law and Allyson planned a trip to New York City, specifically Times Square/Broadway, for Ally's graduation/18th birthday gift. Yes, she'll be 18 in a few days. No, I am not okay.

Anyway, the other day my MIL decides, you know what, I am tired of having all of my bones intact. She fell while walking her dog and broke her wrist. She had successful surgery yesterday to place a plate and screws. This, however, threw the trip in jeopardy.

So instead she decides that Ally should still get to go. The hotel room was paid for, the tickets to two shows were bought.

Long story short, now I'm going instead of Deb.

I am all at once nervous and excited. It's New York!! It's bright and loud and big and I'm Midwestern. That is a LOT.

But, Ally and I have never taken a trip together just the two of us. I am really looking forward to that. It'll be so fun to explore Times Square with her. Totally looking forward to seeing the two shows on Broadway too (The Great Gatsby and The Outsiders).

Suggestions on what to make for dinner

Aiding me through recovery when I had my tooth pulled

I asked it what I wanted for my birthday (surprisingly helpful)

One time I had an AI Tiktok filter turn me into an anime character. It turned me into my husband.

Another time I had it turn me into a Disney character; it turned me into Jim Halpert. Not John Krasinski. Jim Halpert. Yes, there is a difference.

Things I have not use AI/ChatGPT for:

Writing fic.

Look, guys, I could probably churn out a lot more fic if I did. I may even finish those unfinished series I've got floating around. But the quality would be awful. And you may not know I cheated but I would.

I'm not saying AI doesn't have its uses. I am saying we should be responsible with them.

She made herself a playlist to listen to while she works. Seems normal, right? But this is my kid we're talking about, so...

She titled it "Insufferable Millennial Playlist" and put a bunch of Imagine Dragons and Maroon 5 and one Panic! at the Disco song (High Hopes, which is absolutely their worst song). The rule is, she can't turn it off until her work is done.

First of all, the writing part can be summed up thusly:

lol

I haven't done ANY writing like I said I was going to. I wanted to finish up a couple of loose series but it's really hard for me to write for Tom now that he is engaged and maybe married to Zendaya (how reliable a source is Law Roach, anyhow?). I had a couple of ideas but I haven't gotten them out of the pipeline yet. They're just sort of stuck in there. Clogging up the works.

Last week your internet dad and I celebrated our 24th wedding anniversary. We celebrated by making reservations for a fancy dinner, getting to the restaurant, and immediately leaving because my body chose that moment to decide it had food poisoning from poorly cooked whatever I had at lunch. Sigh. We've gotten the thing rescheduled, but man.

Oh, and I had to have a tooth pulled two weeks ago. the short version is, did you know that if you bite something weirdly enough you can fracture the root of your tooth?! I didn't either! But now I am down a tooth and get to get a replacement very soon.

The big thing is: You guys remember Allyson, right? My daughter? Little, cute, sweet? Yeah, she got her license three months ago and graduates from high school next week. WHAT

After HS plans include going to the local community college for two years to get her associates degree and then transferring to a four-year school after. She'll be majoring in Early Childhood Education and hopes to teach preschool someday. She's currently working at a McDonald's but is trying to get on at a daycare someplace.

Barbara and Rosie are still dogs.

I haven't posted much at ALL lately. I've got some stuff in the works, 2026 is going to be my comeback year I think.

Anyway, I am going to be completely serious for just a few minutes here.

On November 9 of this year, the house my niece lived in with her mom and stepdad burned down. (My niece was staying with her dad - my brother - at the time). Her mom and stepdad weren't home. But her grandmother and four-year-old half-brother sadly didn't make it out. Neither did their four indoor cats.

The fire inspector said the fire was most likely caused by a faulty surge protector. I did not know this until the fire, but: surge protectors break down after 3-5 years. So now Marcy (my niece's mom) has made it her life's mission to educate people on this. I am going to do my best to help.

You should replace your surge protectors if:

You know for a fact that you've had them longer than five years

You actually don't know how long you've had it ("A while" is not going to cut it, i'm afraid)

It feels warm to the touch

If it's dusty, loose, cracked, or discolored

If you have it plugged into one (or more) other surge protectors

If you have a high-draw appliance (space heater, refrigerator, etc.) plugged into it

My advice:

Replace any surge protector you've had longer than 3 years. You can replace them all to be safe, but if you aren't in a position to do that just replace the oldest one and go from there.

Use only surge protectors that are UL-listed

Don't plug a bunch of high-draw appliances into them. I try to play it safe and plug big appliances directly into a wall outlet, but if that's not an option try to do so as safely as you can.

Margie and Sawyer were my niece's entire world. Please, please, please do me a favor and check your surge protectors.

I'm not super-great at sugarcoating (it's a blessing and a curse, really). So I will just get right to it:

I've kind of quit writing.

I honestly thought I would have more time to write when I quit my job four years ago. The opposite is true. I've had a major case of writer's block that I have just decided to lean into. Plus you know. Family life and other responsibilities.

(Quick family update: Ben is thriving at his job, Allyson got her learner's permit last week and will be learning how to drive soon, and the dogs are insane as usual.)

Plus I know I said I didn't do it for the likes and the reblogs, but the last couple of things I've posted haven't gotten many notes. So, there's that part of it. But mostly I kind of churned out a lot and burned myself out.

Also, my personal rule is that I don't write fics about people who have known significant others, and once Tom and Z started dating, there went my inspiration. I'm happy for them, I am! They're adorable together. But I just don't feel right writing about him anymore.

Is this blog going anywhere? No. I will leave it as is, so you guys can still read everything.

Am I going to finish those series I'm in the middle of? We'll see about that lol

What about your inbox? I'm not taking requests but I always appreciate a nice message or theory or whatever you want.

Will I write again? Who knows, really.

Still into Stray Kids? ROCKSTAR IS OUT ON STREAMING GO STREAM IT YOUR INTERNET MOTHER SAID SO. Also, Cover Me is absolutely gorgeous so if you only listen to one song from Rockstar make it that one.

Bias? Seo Changbin. He's so beefy. I love him.

Bias wrecker? Kim Seungmin seems to be intent on gunning for that spot lately

Anyway, this has gone on long enough, so I'll let you get back to the enjoyment of your lives.

Also, tomorrow is Thanksgiving in the States, so happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate.

This is turning into less of a fic blog and more of a PLEASE READ THESE COMPUTER HARDWARE ARTICLES YOUR E-DAD WROTE

And naturally, it’s all because of JYP.

He’s the worst!! But the Stays keep forgiving him.

The thing with Woojin. Does not matter what side of that you’re on, it never should have happened. (Me, I’m glad he left.)

The bullying allegations re: Hyunjin, and how he disappeared for months on a “hiatus”. For allegations that turned out to be false!!

The constant threats to the Kids’ safety. Being mobbed at airports, online threats, the anti that tried to blind Felix with a laser pointer. What.

And yet we forgave all that, and more.

Then, when we had nothing left to give…he came for Chan’s Room.

HE TOOK AWAY CHAN’S ROOM.

THAT’S A ONCE A WEEK TREAT!

I love my Kids, and I’m proud to be a Stay, but good lord JYP is working my last good nerve.

I’m sorry, I just needed to rant. I’m mad!!