suomi

The LLR herd-thinning reminds me of the saying "Nurses eat their young." The veteran/burned out reps aren't bullies but they are aggressive opportunists who are selling maybe at but usually below their cost because they're sitting on literally thousands of dollars of merch that no one wants. The starry-eyed new reps don't realize that they're priced out of business before even getting their foot in the door because it's a buyer's market. The coaches say "sell to your family, your friends, your co-workers and they'll bring more buyers" and they have a decent month or two but not much more than that. And most don't have co-workers because the basic evil of LLR is that it attracts rural SAHMs. The contract is 20+ pages, few read all of it and fewer understand it if they do read it. They buy inventory every month even tho they haven't sold what they already have. It's like "I take speed so I can build houses faster to make more money to buy more speed." . Meri thinks she's having an authentic LLR experience but she isn't because her TLC money cushions her. Even if she loses her entire investment she still has a home and a vehicle and a B&B and a support system and her TLC paycheck. Nobody comes out of LLR with a golden parachute but Meri went in with one. Christine is risking very little. The second generation has the most to lose but The Brown Family Inc will catch them if they fall. Pffftt.

You're exactly right - stretchy and clingy looks good on about15% of us. I read an article where the PR dept responded to questions. Re the complaints about how thin the latest leggings are and how easily they tear, they said to handle them like you're putting on pantyhose. My hell, at about $35 those are some expensive pantyhose. They said the current fabric being used has to go through a softening process. Which, because the question was about tearing, also makes it too thin. If the cheap/rough fabric has to be tamed then why are you using it? Ohhh, I get it, the new fabric is cheap enough to offset the cost of the "softening". The answers were full of tweeker double-speak using proper language, the kind of thing most people walk away from saying no thanks. But the reps can't afford to walk and LLR knows that. And they have an F rating with the BBB! I don't understand why the gov't doesn't step in because there is massive bait and switch, which is fraud, going on.

What a freakin' trip!. I can't believe I never heard of it before. At first I was thinking oh, I don't know about stroking down ... but then I got to the anti-aging part - up! Yes! Thank you for sharing!

It's the Morning Joe brouhaha season! Two years ago (and 5 months before he put a ring on it) on December 23 they hosted the show in flannel jammies (and socks and signature scarf for her) in front of a faux fireplace in a faux living room. And got raked over the coals for it. A week later (New Years) they were at Mar-A-Lago angling for comped accomodations, and lied about why they were there after the shit hit the fan. Last year they attempted to pass off a taped show as live the day after Thanksgiving. And got raked over the coals, not for doing it but for their dishonesty. They got Real Pissy when the truth came out and the pissy lasted awhile. They acted like people were clutching their pearls because A Show Aired A Taped Episode. No, it was because they crafted their script to create the impression they were at the studio when they weren't and the panel had to go along with it. Why? They weren't sneaking around anymore by then, it's not like they needed to alibi 3 hours at the No Tell Motel. Ooh, dinner was so good and how 'bout that game? That was one good (yet to be played) game! They sniped online about the criticism for days and on the show for a couple weeks. He made some snide remarks about it last week. To say that they do not take criticism well is an understatement. I noticed the documents in the wedding photo backgrounds but figured they were replicas. I guess I thought the originals were in the Smithsonian and the Nat'l Archives was about the JFK documents and such. If they were pissy last year I can hardly wait to see their reaction this year, with the Founding Documents and No Pets Allowed on the table. These crazy kids. You couldn't make this stuff up. I've been thinking that the descriptions of Mika's dress are stuck in her craw also - everything I read mentioned polka dots. Her designer's tweet about the event clearly stated that they were aspirin dots. Well, excuuse us!

My bane is dry acne-prone skin. It seems like no matter the ingredients or formula, any cream that moisturizes enough clogs my pores. So I cut back on that and insufficient moisturizing causes stepped-up oil production. This, that, this, that. Gah! My new thing is toning with 50/50 white tea/apple cider vinegar, haven't decided on which cream to stick with so I keep rotating them. The pros say it's not possible but I swear my skin "gets used to" one and it stops being effective and becomes the problem. So by rotating them I keep my skin guessing. Christine has a really nice complexion, beyond the wrinkling. Her pores are small and her tone is even (except for her pink nose). She has always lived in a very dry climate and at her age the effects of that are beginning to show. She also has a very expressive face and she smiles a lot and repetition adds up. But, wow, she has gorgeous hair and so do all of her girls. It's on the fine side, medium-fine, and really thick. Gorgeous colors also. Janelle's complexion and hair are very pretty. (Poor Meri - it hasn't been an easy ride, much as they try to downplay and deny competition. And she knows shit from shinola about how to make the most of what she's got).

I know, right? No benefits, they're subcontractors and responsible for their own taxes, there's a convenient glitch in the system that overcharges sales tax so they're always dealing with that. Then there are all the hidden stars-in- their-eyes costs: shipping boxes and fees, hangers, racks. it just goes on and on. Saturation? Saturation is the real reason they sell online so much. There are 10 sellers in Manhatten, population 1.6 million and there are 10 sellers in Billings MT, population 106,000. But Mormons are like lemmings when it comes to MLM. They'll scratch each other's eyes out to get to the edge of the cliff ahead of someone else. It's like LDS in Utah means Latter Day Stepford. I've lived here for 33 years and my WTF still pegs. Flashback, and I can't believe I didn't remember this until now: when I was at WalMart 2 days before Thanksgiving, for The Very First Time I saw a Patriarch shopping with his wimmen. I about keeled over right there. AND he was exceedingly handsome. I mean, wow. Seizing my opportunity, somehow I caused him to look not at me but in my general direction (I sorta came close to grazing their cart. Mine was loaded and I'm old, so prove it, right?) There was no flicker of human recognition but his eyes were very blue. Neither of the gals gave me the time of day, as usual, and I'm used to that. He looked a few years younger than both of them. There were a couple more wives in the store, not necessarily his, I saw them a few aisles later. So I'm humming a tune in the checkout because I bagged 5 plygs, including my first buck, in less than an hour. Swear to Universe, I goes out to my car and they're parked on both sides of me!!! One vehicle to my left and two vehicles to my right. Turns out that the second set of wives in the store was his also and both looked a bit older than him as well. Not a kid in sight but it was almost 10pm so that made sense. All of their rides were mid-size SUVs and along with the groceries (and about 6 flats of bottled water) they were loading in lots of really big cartons. I tried to see what they were but it was too dark. The kicker is that I drove away first and two of the prairie brides gave me a slight but noticable smile. Which IIRC is maybe the third time in all these years because usually I get reptile face. Score!

IA. That is very true. But on some babies they invoke a shameful reference because the image of Hattie McDaniels wearing them is deeply embedded in our culture. Visuals are powerful, and not limited by literacy. I can't read French but I can receive and digest messages from visuals in a book written in French. One example: I dearly loved my grandmother even tho I found it difficult to respect her after I reached the age of reason because until her dying day she believed The Confederacy was A Glorious Cause. I found it repugnant. I won't even paraphrase the words she would use if she saw the photo above. There are cousins my age today who, I have absolutely no doubt, would use the same words. And so would their kids, and their kids. So that mindset is not a thing of the past and that's why I cringe when I see True dressed like that. It seems insensitive to the child's heritage and, for lack of a better term, puts her in harm's way. Not that I would ever accuse a Kardashian of grasping, or even being aware of, deep and meaningful concepts.

The road to recovery begins with being open to the possibility that there is a problem You have taken the important first step. We are here to support you in your journey. "It takes what it takes." :-)

(Pizza bulletin in Small Talk)

Domino's menu pizzas, all sizes, are 50% off through December 2, online orders only, no coupon required. Delivery or takeout. Not custom pizzas, menu only. (Altho you can delete and substitute toppings on the menu pizzas). I snapped up 4 Pacific Veggie tonight and put them in the freezer. ; -)

Not Kim. She don't dance. Because of the timing I'm going with Kourt, to maximize her GQ buzz. Or Khloe, to dilute Kourt's buzz.

That's exactly what it does and I don't understand why it's not seen as being offensive. Have I lived too long? Not long enough? It's sorta hard to keep up with the players these days, without a scorecard.

Waving a glow stick while trying to give back rubs to everyone within reach while saying "I feel like I'm floating in the most perfect, warm bath water ever" wouldn't get in the way of saying "I do." Not that I believe what Kim is claiming re the wedding or the sex tape. MDMA is a powerful antidepressant and a powerful analgesic (pain reliever). It is not an intoxicant or hallucinogen.

Wow, red sateen high-waisted skinnies. Wear 'em while you can, grrl, and at least you're covered up. Cute outfit.

re sinus infection, OMG Yes to all the smart people giving cautions here. The sinuses are right next to brains and eyes. Is Janelle, somehow, paid for posts? I don't know how blogs work (and she's not a blogger, per se, I realize that). I see blogs that yammer about dust cloth v feather duster or making your own popsicles. Helpful, and sometimes interesting, but not about product placement. Some of Janelle's posts are generic and some mention brand names. Is she paid something like piece rate for making a post? Did Kody crack the whip and say "You need to generate interest and eyeballs because ratings" and this gig keeps him off her back? Her posts are like One From Column A And One From Column B And My Work Here Is Done. IMO she's the oddest of an odd bunch so I guess I should give her credit for plodding along. I was freakin' amazed when I watched some Season 1 clips - she was so much heavier than she is now. So kudos for that.

Very nice photo. I like the colors. Something tells me Her Nibs will be decorating with pink poinsettias this year. Deaner looks rough overall but his eyes are sincerely smiling. Does Tori have teeth? Can't remember the last time I saw them. The kids look like they're happy to be there and doing what they're doing, which says a lot. OK, now here's my old sea hag coming out - those darling dresses on the girls cry out for pretty hair. Something better than everyday hair. Curly, wavy, side braid, side pony, pulled up, a ribbon, a clip, a headband, Something More than jumping on the tramp in the yard hair. It's like someone said "Slip into your dresses and then we'll fix your hair" and then ... nada. Of course, Mamasan's hair got special attention. Like I said, old sea hag here, when we were kids we slept in pin curls or rollers before every special occasion, photo op or not. What my mom (or I, 40 years ago w/ my DD) wouldn't give for the convenience of a curling iron! I dunno, maybe Gramma Candy and I are the only ones who will notice and tsk tsk over this detail. {{shrugs}}

The basic ingredient is a Mormon company selling "modest" clothing to Mormons. Add grifting to taste, stir, and serve with $7000 inventory. Read in a recent article that the buy-in is now approaching $9000 and they are "encouraged" to maintain a $20,000 inventory! The average annual "bonus" - for the small percentage who qualify - is about $90.

For a long time, forever maybe, men were advised to keep it in their pants. My, how times have changed. I guess it's better than rubbing her bare hoo ha on a horse's back. But not by much.

My hell, that looks like four different people! Sisters and cousins, maybe, but four different people. Two have round eyes, two have almond eyes. Four different hairlines. With some moles/beauty marks they could easily pass as four different people. Sheesh! What a bunch of wingnuts. "Do I look like you, Mommy?" "Uh ... "

Former hospice CNA here. I am so sorry for your loss, and sad and angry that you had a cold and negative experience with hospice care (AND the damn crisis line!). The beauty of hospice is that it's (supposed to be) about the family as much as the patient. I can't speak to weekly/bi-weekly with your mom's nurse (altho I would love to) but there should have been a CNA in your home every day of the week. Shoot, when the end drew near, my favorite nurse sometimes ordered CNAs daily x2 or x3 or assigned them in 3-4 hour blocks. Whatever Served The Family Best because by that time the patients were usually blessedly oblivious (altho not always). She did that when there was a lone caregiver (like you) or when friends/family who had been spelling each other needed relief or were just plain burned out. CNAs are a hospice nurse's eyes and ears and they cannot possibly know what is needed if a CNA is not observing every single day of the journey. If it was your desire, someone on the care team (looking at you, Nurse) should have made every reasonable effort to be there with you and your mom at the very end. And especially the next day, and the day after that, if that's what you needed. And the following week and the next month. You are entitled to counseling from the social worker or bereavement specialist prior to the death; you are entitled to bereavement visits for at least one year following the loss of your loved one. (I visited families as much as 2 years later but didn't turn in the paperwork because I didn't want the agency billing for what was in my heart. That was strictly between me and the family). Your mom's social worker (or a reasonable substitute) belongs to you for a year for other reasons as well, such as filling out forms related to death benefits or cremation/burial or insurance billing issues. Or just to talk. Sometimes an experienced hospice volunteer steps in for those things but, either way, the agency should provide an advocate for you according to your needs. Most agencies host an annual event, recognizing by name every patient who passed during the previous year, which provides an opportunity for families to meet and acknowledge each other. Agencies do that for two reasons: because some of the families and all of the care teams need it and because families tend to use an agency again when they've had a good experience. I realize that too much time has elapsed for this to help you but I hope anyone else who reads this will see what is available. Ripples in a pond, right? And again, Jaded, I am so sorry for your horrible experience. Yes, OK, there are variables because of insurance - is there only Medicaid, or only Medicare or is there also secondary insurance? Are you, Universe forbid, self-pay? Every agency should be willing to eat random costs here and there for a patient here and there because, believe me, they are making bank. I am fuming, can you tell? Gah! If you're in this situation and you're not getting this kind of attention and assistance, complain to your agency's hospice care director (they all have one) or switch to another agency. (When your loved one is on home care/rehab care, complain to the home care director). Even the lazy and cold hearted agencies get their asses in gear right quick when the family mentions leaving their service because the word BILLING flashes in front of their eyes. Shouldn't be that way but health care is a for-profit business and sometimes it's like that. Unfortunately. (The best thing about my years in hospice is that I no longer fear my own death. The method of my death, yeah, but not the end itself). You apologized for sharing so much personal stuff in your long (and heartfelt) post ... which reminded me that my Nana used to say Stop It. Don't Make Me Get Up. Nuh Uh. You Don't Want That, No Ma'am, You Don't. LOL. ;-) Speaking to NutMeg's downer today, I would love to tell her who had a shitty Thanksgiving: an old friend who 12 days ago lost her 44-year-old daughter to cancer (mother of 3 - 2 still at home - and grandmother of 3). We raised our daughters together and now hers is gone and this is devastating. Compared to that, NutMeg's Turkey Day was a cakewalk. Pffftt.

Still photos are one thing but being able to watch her waddle like she has a full diaper is something else. re the bold, I don't watch the show but I will be hunting down this ep!

Connecticut and Florida will elect US Senators in 2022. Which is not far away at all, in terms of modern day campaign norms. The current and 2-term Senators are (D) Richard Blumenthal/CT and (R) Marco Rubio/FL. Blumenthal will be 76 in 2022, Rubio will be 51. Joey is a long-time legal resident of CT and has been sniffing around FL for a few years now. I hate to see perfectly good National Archives wedding photos go to waste, don't you?

C'mon, Christine, we wanna see some big ol' red plaid haunches. We won't laugh.

After the shoe drops you look back and realize that your intuition was correct. Mr Hoffer also deals with the residue of being raised by a mother who hoarded, and that's a whole 'nother minefield right there. I know little about Susan's issues except for the time she shot daggers when she saw Mika lovingly tousle her son's hair. And that she was strong-armed into "acknowledging" that Joey was "faithful and devoted" and that they were legally restricted to his and her sides of the house after 7pm. (If those walls could talk ...). Mr and Mrs Nantucket are feckless fill-in-the-blanks who feed on each other's self-importance. Cruel and selfish alliance, table for two. Please, please go into politics while I sit back and enjoy the ride.

Oh my, not nearly enough colors in that ensemble. There's only navy, burgundy, 3 browns (boots), and 3 greens plus black and tan (jacket). It needs some yellow or orange, or maybe both. C'mon, Mer, loosen up! She should quit perming her hair. I was looking at some Season 1 and even earlier photos (when her spawn was a toddler) and her hair is fine, thin and straight. That hair is the most easily damaged and can be lightened or permed but not both. Pick one and then, if you absolutely must do it, go easy on heat styling (irons or hot rollers). Her hair is fried because she perms AND bleaches. Her "waves" that fade at the ends show that her hair is too weak from damage to form a complete curl, even using the largest rods (which ask less from the hair). i used to turn down clients like her who wanted another chemical service. I'd say "Sorry, but my reputation is walking around town on your head, no can do." (Ask the clown next to me, she'll do it. I've seen her do it. SMH). No frequency of or amount of conditioning can revive hair which is that badly fried. *Kody* Cut. It. Off. And. Sin. No. More. Meow, but it's the truth. #LivingMyHustle