My FB ads are getting unruly again.

In slightly more random news, Eldest moved out today.

Someone hired her to dogsit for a month and so she's moved out to go live there for the month. Basically microdosing adulthood before she applies for out-of-country colleges for 2025.

This summer involves my family speed running 3-4 countries (Canada is still a hot Maybe) in an attempt to see every aging great-grandparent we have left and handle things for multiple colleges. There are no free days until the autumn term starts.

Friend: When are you free?

Me: Late September I have a few days unbooked.

Friend: ... it's May.

Me: I know.

Friend: The next month is June.

Me: June, July, and August have zero free days available. Most of September is already gone. By August, I'll have free days for next June.

Meanwhile, my friend in Mongolia is trying to convince me I can definitely add a visit in to my already heavily scheduled summer.

I'm in Seoul proper three days this week. But it does involve sharks, meeting one of my favorite editors in the world (who happens to be an amazing friend), and hanging out with some friends from Japan who I haven't seen in months. It'll be a busy week, but it'll be fun!

Meemaw fell and broke her hip.
She's home for now but this is not good news. She's also underweight, which I worry about.

This summer consider getting into the habit of keeping a quick kit in the car for unhoused people you might see.

I recommend a reusable (ziplock, ect) bag with a bottle of water, a snack pack that wouldn't go bad, and a few dollars. If you see someone panhandling you can hand it out easily and know they at least have clean water.

If you're not in a position to donate cash, water and a tooth-friendly snack work.

My kids will throw out, "Thank you, you're the best teacher in the world!" or The Best Friend, or The Best Whatever without warning and with wild abandon.

The youngest is 12, the oldest is 22, they absolutely know this isn't the regular phrase. But it makes people light up. So they keep it.

There's a story here actually...

Back when I was a brand new stay-at-home parent I taught my toddler to say, "Thank you, you're the best mom in the world." as a kind of joke and because I was struggling with depression.

The joke stuck.

All my kids learned it. And they expanded on it.

I just got "Best mom in the multiverse!" because I let my kid buy a $5 thing on their game with the money they earned doing extra chores.

The bar is so low.

Saw a family name pass over my screen that is strikingly similar to my maiden name and the person looks exactly like one of my aunts.

This is a weird way to find relatives as I travel the world.

"China accuses US if meddling in international affairs."
- headline

1) Pot calling Kettle.

2) Pretty sure the current iteration of the USA only does meddling.

3) Last time USA tried to sit something out they got bombed and then no one had a good time.

The thing on Tuesday is an all-day meeting with publishing friend who is in Seoul next week and who I haven't seen since probably Dragoncon five years ago, I'm thrilled. I'm also aware Tuesday is not a work day which means my deadlines need to die today.

Me: At least I have this weekend to catch up on things!

My Calendar: It's a holiday weekend, you have guests coming to stay Friday night through Monday, you're teaching a class, it's your sister's birthday, and you have an all-day meeting Tuesday.

Me: *eye twitch*

My inbox is back up to 1007.

-_-

Friend: I have inbox zero!

Me: I'm under 1000 for the first time this month...

#help

I know the person I gave the clothes too is probably going to resell half of them. There's two nice jackets and an expensive size 10 (kids) dress in the bags. I know what they'd re-sell for. I just don't have the energy to worry about it. I don't have the Hustle Gene.