The Mission Failed Successfully

 I got the great and Clever Blog Post Title Hook for Today from my Grandson.  We'd spent all Morning trying to get errands done in vain, nothing worked out and we spun in Circles until almost Noon before ascertaining that The Mission had failed successfully.  *Bwahahaha*  We were trying to replace both of our Phones, since both got dropped and are pretty wrecked and no longer functioning well or holding a Charge.  He's gonna downgrade his $1,000 Phone to one that should be around $299 so we can get by with a $10 Monthly addition to the Phone Bill to finance that one for him.  But, one T-Mobile Phone Store didn't have it in stock so sent us to another they claimed had it in stock.

We got to Store No. Two who had a long waiting list of Customers and then after a long wait they tell us that No, they do not have that Model that they had told the other Store they had!!!  WTF, it was 10 Minutes ago you verified you had it in stock!   So, by then we weren't going to Store No. 3 in vain, we'd wasted all Morning as it is.  And, we should have also gone Grocery Shopping for Essentials but all the runaround had Triggered The Young Prince and he was struggling with his Mental Health so I brought him Home and took The Man with me Grocery Shopping instead.  I did Buy myself and The Grandson a slice of "Barro's" Pizza coz all the running around we'd missed Breakfast and it was now Lunchtime.  So, it wasn't a total Bust, we had a nice inexpensive Lunch.  *Smiles*

I could be pricing Inventory to take in Tomorrow, but, I don't feel like it so I'm likely not going in that direction Today.   I don't have a lot of room in the Showroom or the Case for more right now anyway, I'm bringing in some Smalls already Priced and a Starbucks LONDON Mug.  The Starbucks Mugs and Tumblers are Selling quite well so I Purged some more I had at Home.  I got more Mugs and Tumblers than any Sane Person really Needs.  *Smiles*  I like my Collection and I have some Rare ones I don't use and just Display, but we use most of them, so, it's not just a Collection, it's Useful.   

The Day is beautiful too and 76 Degrees this Afternoon, and we'd dropped Princess T's Thermos off for her in time for her Morning Break, so, we did accomplish One thing we'd left the House to do.  *LOL*   I planted the last of my Herbs in a Talavera Pot too coz I bought more Potting Soil.  It was Peppermint that I'd bought, not Spearmint.  I knew it was one of the Mints, I'd wanted Chocolate Mint but they didn't have it, I'll look at a larger Plant Nursery for that one I guess, the Home Improvement Stores don't have the greatest Selection.  I received my Dreadlock 1977 Dam Troll made in Denmark already, he's Adorbs and looks better than in the Pixs.   I also got a 1977 Danish Dam Troll in a Baseball Uniform, also 9", from that Troll Vendor at our Mall, got my Vendor Discount on that Purchase.

The Man actually used his Cane Today voluntarily, Wow, I was impressed!!!   All Body Parts Crossed that he'll now do so with some consistency?   And they all look nice, so he'll likely get compliments on them, which is always Helpful if he thinks he looks Cool using one that people are Admiring.  *Smiles*  The one he used this day is Carved Wood, intricate, and has a Skull on Top.  We have a whole Umbrella Stand full of Fancy Canes and Walking Sticks for him to use.  Some of them were so Artfully done that The Grandson asked for a couple of them, which I just gave him to use, since Grandpa wouldn't miss Two of them, he has so many, and they weren't any of his Favorites.

Rusty is such a good Boyfriend he went to Three Stores to find Princess T the Eyelashes she Needed.  *LOL*  Bless him, I can just see him now, shopping for Eyelashes, coz he's a very quiet, introverted yet masculine Man.  *Ha haha*  The Man would do things like that for me when we Dated too, he'd do anything for me, and still will, Bless him.  Including standing around holding my Purse if I needed him to, with no inhibitions about it, he's very confident in his Manhood too like that.   By contrast, The Daughter and Mando had a big argument when she had fixed Dinner for everyone, I know not Why, she was Serving him his Dinner and we suddenly heard her tell him if he was going to be so upset, he had to leave, and he wouldn't leave, until The Young Prince then stepped in and made him leave.

Now, The Young Prince is very passive usually, but he's very protective of his Mother and he didn't like how her Boyfriend was being towards her.  He knows my Rule of the Household is, that if someone who doesn't Live here isn't getting along with who is Living here, they must be the one to just leave.  Until tempers are up under control, I don't care what initiated the confrontation, I don't tolerate any Drama or any Headaches here, period.  Mando knows this Rule and The Young Prince reminded him of it.  This isn't YOUR Home, it IS HER Home, you're not getting along right now, so, YOU have to leave and she's asked you to leave, so... LEAVE!  Mando I did overhear, since I had my French Doors open, say to the Grandson, "Or what are you gonna do?"  Typical Male Testosterone response.  The Grandson's chilling and Calm response was, "You don't wanna know...", and then it was all Over. 

I'm glad it went Down just like that coz I was getting out of my Chair here at the Computer to tell him he had to leave, and The Son was now coming down the Hallway too, coz he can hear the exchange thru the Guest Bedroom Window as well and is very protective of his Sister.  So, it would not have gone Well if her Boyfriend had not just been Wise and left.   We all know she can be Crazy, and he'd wound her up pretty good, for what reasons I have no Clue!?  Coz she was in a good Mood and made everyone a lovely Dinner, so it went from that to them Arguing loudly at the 5th Wheel!   I have to think he initiated it then, coz she was busy bringing everyone their Food, so they didn't even all have to go to the Kitchen to get it, and she usually brings his and her own last, after everyone else gets Served.  That's the Routine and he knows that, so Lord knows what the Argument was even about?

 

I personally think the Cancer has gone to his Brain coz sometimes his Emotional responses to things is almost like The Man's is with Dementia and TBI, not always rational nor predictable what they get upset about and how over reactive they are.  And it has affected his Motor Skills already, by how advanced it is, he can barely use his Hands, they're all crippled up, and he's in constant Pain now.  So a Person in Misery and excruciating Pain can often Project it Emotionally and Outwards.  I personally think it won't be long before he may have to choose a Hospice facility to move to so he can have all of that Managed by Professionals who assist the Dying.  

 

The Daughter can only take Care of him to the best of her abilities and why we have let him mostly stay here rather than at his own Home, where he lives alone.  His Family help him out, but I don't know to what degree any of them have provided Full Time Caregiving and watching over him?  He's outlived his projections Docs gave him by a long shot now.   And he does appreciate all we've done for him and we appreciate all he's done for us, but we can't have inappropriate Behavior, even an explanation for it is no excuse for it.  There's never a Good Excuse for Bad Behavior and I made that very clear to him, it's the only way a household can run harmoniously.  Behavior tolerated is Behavior accepted.  If it's not acceptable, we don't tolerate it.  It's what got Allen kicked out and he was Married to our Grandson at the time, not just a Boyfriend.

 

You can have disagreements, but it can't escalate beyond a reasonable exchange, period.  Once it does, one or both has to walk away and Calm the fuck down.  I've been Married to my Old Man for almost 40 Years now and we've never had an exchange that had to escalate beyond a reasonable one, ever.  He knows my Rule.  He also knows how I am about a harmonious household.  I also know my own Self enuf to really know that if someone were Fool enuf to escalate beyond a reasonable exchange, things will get very messy for them instantly.  And most of my Family are the same, we're Nice and we're Peaceful, until someone gives us a reason not to be Nice or Peaceful, then all Hell will break loose.  And I Value my Peace, I keep my Calm Protected, and I avoid all Triggers that would make me go Mental and out of Control.  I'm a Control Freak, so I like a Controlled Environment, I don't do Well in Chaos or being, even feeling, the least bit Threatened.

And we Circle the Wagons here, so if you Come for even One of us, know you're Coming for all of us, coz that's what you're gonna get, ALL of us now Coming for you.  So, anyway, other than that exchange, everything is Swell.  *Bwahahahahaha*  And Princess T was at Work so she wasn't here for the Dinner and a Show this time.  She got Home in time for Dinner, we'd Saved her Some, but she'd Worked late so it was over before I picked her up when she got off.  And she said something I hadn't even considered, that her Mom and Mando always seem to have their Arguments when she's made him something to Eat!   I hadn't even noticed that parallel of circumstances.   

So, I Wonder if his Cancer has progressed to where his Body is shutting down and he's gone off eating?   And then she may get upset that she's cooked a nice Meal and he won't eat it?  Or he gets upset coz he's told her he's not hungry, and now here's food being served him anyway.  I'm speculating here, coz her Dad does the same thing and gets angry if we bring him Food when he doesn't wanna eat it, even if he's not eaten all damned day.    And his Docs have told us not to Push Food.  If he doesn't eat, he doesn't eat, it's okay.  Even tho' on the Meds both Men are on, they shouldn't take it on an empty Stomach, if they refuse to Eat then you can't Eat FOR them.  And you can't personalize them refusing to Eat.   Neither is Well, and their Medical conditions are complex and quite advanced now.  Which is scary to them... and to those who Care about them.  So Emotions can run Raw and ragged.

I've got to still try to get The Man in to the VA Doc to see why suddenly his Legs aren't working?   He's really having trouble Walking since that Fall and I think it was the reason for the Fall actually?  It's like they don't want to move in sync with his Brain anymore, which, happened to my Mom too, but in the latter stages of her Dementia, which, that doesn't seem to be the Case with his looking that advanced to me.  And his Nurse and Doc told me not to focus so much on the Dementia, so, it may be his Lower Back and Legs have Physical Issues going on apart from the Brain deterioration?  I just don't know and this Home isn't Wheelchair accessible, so it does worry me if he loses all Mobility, how we'd make it Work here?   Our Historic Home wasn't Wheelchair accessible either, and when he had Mobility Issues right after his Accident, it was rough to make it Work there.

 

The Villa McManse was enormous and cavernous, so it was Wheelchair accessible on the whole lower level.  But, he didn't have the Mobility Issues there and when looking for a Forever Home, we thought about some Advanced Age Needs, but you can't know or predict what they ALL might be.  Except for Transitioning to Assisted Living or Nursing Home Long Term Care, which wasn't Affordable and none would take him either, our Options were quite limited.  Unless you build a Custom Home, most are not Wheelchair accessible.  In some Retirement Communities they are, but we were still Raising Grandchildren, and then becoming a Multi-Generational Household too before we even got the last Grandchild Raised.   So a 55+ Community was also never an option for our household.  I wouldn't wanna live in one anyway.  Many Friends do, too many Restrictions and it's a Dying Energy in most of those Communities, I Feel it, and it's uncomfortable to me.

When there's too much Aging in a Community and a lot of Dying within it too, there is an Energy to it, and I'm Sensitive to Energies around me.  Always have been, and a Vibrant Energy is something I prefer living in for my own Well Being and function.   And it's not just the Aged that can throw off a Negative Energy that they cannot help, Negative People can throw off the same Energy and they often can help it, but are too Negative and Toxic and so there Energy is also.  At Affluent Subdivision Hell, there was Bad Energy among that Community that all their Money couldn't offset, and so I never felt comfortable living there among them coz you felt the Bad Energy, it was strong, and no matter how fabulous those Homes were, it didn't compensate for the Negative Energy that was palpable there and toxic. 

 This Community and Property has Good Energy, Vibrant Energy, you FEEL it, even our Guests have mentioned how Positive it Feels to be here, so they Love coming here.   It's why I went to Hard for this Property even when Five other folks Outbid us on it and it looked as tho' no way we could Buy it.  They all ended up not being able to Perform to Close on it so when it was offered to us again at the Price we'd Bid for it, I couldn't have been more ecstatic.  Our Realtor, who is a good Friend too, couldn't Believe our Good Fortune.  Being a Man of Faith tho', he said it must have been Meant to Be, and I Agree, coz the Odds weren't in our Favor, it was a very desirable Property and we had the lowest Bid for it. 

 AND the Seller ended up Blessing us with comped Gifted Goodies totaling about Thirty Grand or so, which our Realtor said never happens either!!!   The Wife of the Young Couple even Wrote us a Beautiful Note with the Giftings saying she just felt so Happy we were the ones getting their Beloved Property that they wanted all of that to be our Housewarming Gifts from them!!!   And they had never even met us in Person!   The Brand New Appliances weren't supposed to be Conveyed with the Sale, which included a Fridge, Stove, Washer & Dryer that still had stickers on them and had never been used.  And the John Deere Tractor Mower, which had been used, but wasn't supposed to Convey either.  And a Laptop Computer, which we gave to one of the Kiddos.  A Playground set made of Redwood, which we gave to TJ's Grandchildren coz Princess T was too Old to use it.  And a Trampoline, which we did Keep and still have. 

Anyway, along with a 2% Interest Rate, the Timing couldn't have been better to Purchase our Forever Home if we couldn't Buy one outright with Cash.  So, we used The Man's VA Loan, and used the Proceeds from the Sale of the McManse to pay off some Medical Debt for The Man, pay off some other small Loans, and put the rest in Savings for whatever comes up in Life, which, something always does.  If you Live long enuf and keep on Living you know this to be True.  *Le Sigh and Eye Roll*   And shit did indeed come  up, as it just will, so we had a buffer for it, which is always handy than not having one.  And all has been Good overall and Served Purpose for having this Property, opposed to any other.  I folks can't live in Harmony with one another then they shouldn't have Relationship, they should stay away from those they can't or won't get along with.  Why invite Conflict?

Above is The Man when he was a Marine Corps. Force Recon Sniper during the Vietnam Era, he had such a Baby Face... one wouldn't have thought him to be so deadly, would ya?   Below is one of the Granddaughters in Mexico, the Oldest one, she's doing very well and still supporting her Youngest Sister.  The Middle Sister is still living with her Boyfriend and his Mother and working at his Mom's Bodega, so Two of them now have Jobs.  This one is also still going to College and Modeling on the Side as well, she's got a full itinerary going on.  Saint Maria did Raise those Girls to be self-sufficient and Strong Young Women.  Saint Maria was a Strong Matriarchal Figure herself, so they had an excellent Role Model to emulate.

 

I'm Working Tonight, which, in Real Time is a Friday the 13th.  I am Superstitious, but 13 is not a Number I'm Superstitious about at all, it's not been a Negative nor Unlucky Number for me, I don't Like the Number 4.  I didn't realize until the Ex-DIL told me that for Asians, 4 is the Unlucky Number they avoid too... I didn't know that, but have always had an aversion to the Number Four, I don't Like it.   If you were to give me Four of something I'd give you One back.  The Number Four is considered highly Unlucky in many Asian Cultures.  Even the pronunciation of the Word Four in many of their Languages sounds nearly identical for the Word for Death. 

 So, it's like their Number 13 that so many Americans are Superstitious of.  My Gran-Gran was Raised by a Chinese Couple so perhaps he instilled that in me, or my Mom, I can't say for sure.  At Work when they hand out Keys for Cases, which are Numbered, I never take No. 4.  In fact, if that's the only Key left they all know someone will have to Trade with me.  *LOL*  Otherwise, I'm just not Unlocking Cases during that Shift coz I'm not taking Key No. 4.  *Smiles*  Both of my Parents Cultures are highly Superstitious ones and I've tried not being Superstitious, but I just am. so that's that.  And the way it is.  Some things have Bad Mojo, this I know.   A person, place or situation can have Bad Mojo and Negative Energy, there are troublesome atmospheres you have to be Mindful of.

 

The Son still hasn't gotten thru on the Nutritional Assistance Hotline they give them at DES to have their Interview for Services, nobody ever answers that Phone.  For a Month and a Half, he's called every Day, from the Moment they Open and thruout the Day, to no avail.  When we were in DES they claim they can't and don't give the Interviews there in Person anymore, but everyone was up at the Windows complaining loudly that nobody ever answers the Phone, so, what can be done, they can't meet the Deadlines they're all given!!!  You have to start over from scratch if you miss the Deadline and don't get thru on the Phone Lines, which, you never can, it's an anomaly if you manage to!   I'm taking him in next Week to complain about that again, since I've had to keep him Fed for One and a Half Months now coz he's not gotten thru to get any Benefits!!!  If he didn't have us he wouldn't have Eaten for a Month and a Half, that's just not acceptable!!!

The Food Bank Lines are enormous and he doesn't have Transportation of his own and none are within Walking Distance.  Plus, he'd have to have a way to get a Banana Box full of Food back Home even if he walked to one.   At least last time we were turned away at DES last Month and he didn't get Nutritional Assistance for all of January, he at least Qualified for that Free Phone coz they were set up outside the DES Offices.  The Woman hired to do that Service said all day long she'd had Families with Children say they hadn't gotten Food Assistance for Months either and were desperate.  Most were going to Churches and other Faith Based Groups to see if they could help them out until they could eventually Qualify for Federal or State Help!!!   This is all under Donnie Two Dolls Watch and he's gutted all these Agencies that provide such Services.  He's gutted Staff, so that they're grossly understaffed, and he's gutted Funding as well.

And we all know the Jobs Market has crashed under his Watch.  The Jobs Numbers were withheld by this Administration coz they knew they were abysmal.  And just coz the Stock Market is doing well and the most affluent are getting even Richer coz he's pandering to the obscenely Rich and Big Corporations, doesn't mean the Average American is doing well at all, they aren't.   I'd say a guesstimate is that 80% of Americans are living Paycheck to Paycheck even IF they have Employment right now.  And many aren't receiving Benefits, Millions don't have or can't afford Health and Dental Insurance, and AI will be taking more Jobs away, so there will be a Crisis Flashpoint eventually. 

 Desperate People do desperate things and if the basics like Food and Shelter aren't even being met, things will go completely Sideways and Helter Skelter.  When folks have nothing left to lose, it can make them particularly dangerous and with no fucks left to give.  Just sayin'.  I keep my Family well Fed, I can stretch a buck and throw more Water in the Beans to make it stretch out to fill everyone's Bellies.  But I know my Kiddos don't wanna be a burden or not be able to contribute.  The Son has been hard Working since he was 14 Years Old and got his first Paying Job.  He's often Worked Two Jobs to provide, so not having one for so long now has been disheartening to him. 

 The Niece who had to move to Texas from Oklahoma has been out of Work since August of 2025 and she's an I.T. Jedi!!!  So, it's not just entry level Jobs or the Trades being Negatively impacted at this juncture. I don't know what to say or suggest to the Young and Middle Aged folks now about this shitty Economy and this corrupted Administration.  That is completely Lawless at this point and had no consequences for serious Crimes they're committing on The Daily and Cares not about the American People, just pillaging the Country shamelessly to enrich themselves and their Cronies!!!  I do Hope their Marie Antoinette Moment comes soon before the Bottom completely drops out for the 99%... coz the 1% ain't gonna Save anyone but themselves, Trust and Believe.

The Daughter has a Cleaning Job on Sunday, so that will sustain her for a little while.  Today we're gonna try again to replace The Young Prince's Phone and pick up an Application for him at a Sex Shoppe, he thinks he'd be hirable somewhere like that.  *LOL*  I'm dropping The Son off at DES to complain about the Phones never being answered for a Month and a Half, Today was his Deadline expiring to get an Interview.  So, if they don't Interview him in Person Today, he has to start over, for like the Fourth fucking time, so he's ready to lose his shit about it.  The Grandson got his Emergency Nutritional Assistance from New Mexico for February, so he's going to need me to take him Grocery Shopping too.  So, it's busy this Morning/Afternoon before I have to also go to Work Tonight. 

All Body Part Crossed a lot of it won't be in Vain?  Or a Time Waster, which, we all Hate having our precious Time Wasted when places aren't providing Services and you're wasting your time showing up to them.  LATER:  Well, The Young Prince and I got our new Phones, they took 25% Off and let me finance both for a low Monthly added to my usual Bill.  But I can't get my FB to Load onto the New Phone so I'll have to go back Tomorrow to find out why, all the Kids tried to help me, it just wasn't working.  As it was The Young Prince's New Phone transferred everything over from his Old Phone quickly, mine took 3 Hours to transfer over coz my Old Phone was so Old.  *Le Sigh*

The DES did give The Son a Date they will call him for an Interview, but didn't schedule it 'til the Middle of NEXT MONTH!  Since he originally applied in late December, that will mean  2.5 Months of no Benefits while waiting for just his Interview, which is still ridiculous, but now at least he has a Schedule one on a specific Date.  Which is far better than being unable to even get thru for Two Months since nobody answers their Phones and they don't do In-Person Interviews anymore either at the DES Offices.  So, he was encouraged he may actually get some assistance in Mid-March???  Better than nothing I guess, but, really, who could go without Food for almost 3 Months if they have no income?  And have Worked all their Adult Lives but suddenly find themselves Laid Off and with no Unemployment being Paid either!!!

The Young Prince, we drove all the way to where he wanted to apply for a Job but they said now they're not Hiring.   So many places that say they were Hiring, really aren't, I'm hearing that a lot now.  It's just to make their Companies look like they're prospering, when they're actually not and those Jobs don't really exist.  It's what The Niece said it happening with so many of the Tech Jobs now that claim to be Hiring, and really aren't.   Projecting an Image of Company Growth for Investors seems to be a big Scam now with these "Ghost Jobs" that aren't Real.   Or they're building Talent Pipelines for future turnover, but the fake Job Postings are annoying to those Unemployed who waste their time applying for Positions that really don't exist and aren't actually Hiring.

Work was super busy and I did so much running around for the Kiddos that I barely made it to Work on Time.   It was the day before Valentine's Day so a lot of Customers were Buying for their Sweethearts.  I Sold $300 worth of my History of Fashion Art Originals from Paris, one Customer bought all of them so I gave them a bundle Deal on them.   I don't have the Wall Space anymore to Display them all so only kept a scant few of my favorite Historical Fashions and put the rest up For Sale.  I'd Sold a few here and there, so this was the last of them, about 13 Framed Pieces.   My Margins were very good even giving them a discount, plus it Sold them all right away.  

Art can take a long time otherwise to Turn.  You have to get the Right Buyer for even quality Art.  When someone is willing to spend Three Hundred Bucks for any of my Art Collection, I'm Cool with that. I also Sold some Coca-Cola Collectibles out of my Locked Case that Night, so my Sales for the Day were quite good and I'll finish out the Pay Period Strong for a change.   I needed that since The Man's Birthday is the 18th and I want him to be able to get something he wants for it.  So far he hasn't seen anything he's Jonesin' for, he's kind of lost Interest in anything now that he used to like or enjoy, I think part of that is the Memory Care Issues of Dementia?   Disinterest, Apathy, and lacking Goal directed Behavior, not having initiative or motivation, are common with the Disease. 

I see that very few things he seems Interested at all in now, things he used to like or even Love, he shows no Interest in at all anymore.  His Favorite Reruns he still enjoys tremendously, no matter how many times he's seen that Episode of it.  Some Channels on Cable now run Marathons of certain Shows like NCIS and Hawaii Five-O {the new one}, and he will watch those all damned day nonstop if you let him.  I try to get him to do more than just sit in front of the TV watching his Shows, but often, it's what he's most content doing and calmest doing.  I would think he'd get Bored, but, he doesn't seem to.  It reduces his Stress, Fear and Insecurities as his Memory is fading away.

Well, in Real Time it's Valentine's Day Morning, Princess T, before I went to Work last Night had Tearful Histrionics that I'd forgotten to pick up Strawberries so she could make Chocolate Covered ones for Rusty!!!  So Dramatic, coz she HAD asked me days in advance to pick them up the day before, and we just had so much packed into the day before for her Brother and Uncle, that I never did do that Grocery Shopping Errand for her.  So, I rushed over to FRY'S and not only got some Strawberries, but bought some fancy Chocolate Covered ones for her just in case hers didn't turn out.  Well, this Morning she meekly tells me, she never did make any for him, ate the Regular Strawberries and will just present him with the ones I'd bought that the Store made!!!

Oh, all this, says I, "NO, I wanna make them for him myself nonsense...", as I'd mimic her Tearful Tirade when I'd initially said, well, I can pick up some already done AFTER WORK, and that wouldn't do!!!  She Laughed, I Laughed, she is prone to the Dramatic after all, quite epic performances of it.  She had apologized to me before I even left for Work, as I'd delivered it all in a rush and it making me almost late for Work.  She never wants to stay upset with me and is always quick to sincerely apologize.  I'd actually felt bad that I'd honored everyone else's requests to get their stuff done and not hers, since she'd been the first one to ask me for the favor.  She couldn't have Rusty take her, they are FOR him.  Anyway, they are really pretty gigantic ones coated in a variety of Fancy ways with long Stems.

The Son made French Toast for everyone Valentine's Day Morning, with the Japanese Milk Bread, which makes the lightest fluffiest French Toast, like a Cloud.  I had Maine Maple Syrup from our Christmas Gift Boxes I got from TARGET on Sale after Christmas was a wrap.   The Young Prince is having a tough Mental Health Day, Valentine's Day I knew would be hard for anyone whose Relationship just broke up.  The Daughter is in the same situation with Mando after that last fight where her Son had to get involved and tell the Boyfriend to leave.  It was likely over some petty squabble, but Mando got disrespectful to where her Son heard it and wasn't having it at all.  The confrontation didn't go Well for Mando, as I knew it wouldn't.  And we'd had this Issue before.

I don't know how he has been Raised, but in our Family, Females are treated with utmost Respect, period.  And you have to actually show Respect to everyone while you're in our Home, Male or Female, Family or Guest.  It's our Rule here, we don't compromise that Rule nor tolerate anyone being Disrespectful to anyone else.   This is a Safe Space to just Be, and I Protect that aspect of our Home Life fiercely, if you're not in compliance, then you're just not Welcome to be here.  If you can't control your behavior or your temper, then you should just leave voluntarily and not cause trouble where ever you are at IMO. 

 Getting overly Emotional all of the time is a problem, I don't wanna Deal with it if you're not even a part of my Family and don't 'live' here.  Go be overly Emotional somewhere else, preferably at your own Home.  And live at your own Home, spend more time there than here, especially if you're unable to comply with our requests of how you must be while here and around our Family or our Friends.  She's having a hissy fit Today becoz her Kids don't wanna see her in a Relationship they don't think is a healthy one for her to be in.  He's very insecure, so if she has other Friends here or spends too much time with Family, he gets upset, and personally that's a Red Flag of being too controlling and too clingy and demanding.

The Son finally got FB to load on my New Phone so I was finally able to Share the first Pixs taken with it.  This is the very first one, Above... the Quality is good, only one Pix wasn't as focused and that was me learning to use it better, not the Camera, I didn't allow it time to auto focus for me, now I know it does that function for me I wait a few seconds.   So, when I bought the Vintage S&P Shakers of HIS and HERS that has one of my favorite Sayings on them, I bought them, even tho' our Mall isn't having it's Sale until Monday, President's Day.  I thought Valentine's Day would be another Sale, don't know why they didn't take that opportunity?  I got a Dollar Off the Shakers coz I'd built up some Store Credit that I used, even tho' they were already inexpensive. 

It was between these Elves S&P, or the HIS and HERS made in Japan, Below, both Vintage, I felt the Couple were a much Older item, I'd say, judging by their Faces, probably 1940's???   Online at ETSY they were going for $58, and I Paid $7.   So, quite a Deal at our Antique Mall.  The Man was having trouble Walking, so we didn't stay long, dropped my Inventory off, bought my S&P Shakers and left early.  He's really struggling with his Mobility and it's very concerning, only happening after his Fall, which, we still don't know what caused that Fall?  I want to get him checked out if we can get him in to see his Doc early?  At the VA you never know how hard it will be to get a earlier more urgent Appointment?  I'll still try to take him out for a Valentine's Day Dinner after we pick the Granddaughter up from Work Today.

He's in decent enuf Spirits, but I think if we can't get this Mobility Issue corrected or alleviated, it's going to impact Quality of Life and ability to do some of the things he only has to look forward to anymore.  He enjoys Environmental Cleanup a lot, I couldn't risk having him do this until we get him checked out thoroughly to find out what's going on?  I'm concerned more is going on that we just aren't aware of tho'?  It was such a sudden shift to a rapid deterioration in Motor Skills after that Fall.  I was relieved he didn't get hurt when he fell, just scuffed up his Knees, yet, something is still going on that I really can't say what or why it's going on now post-fall?   And, with everything else going on, I have to focus on his Care primarily.  So I just don't need or want to be Dealing with 'extra' folks who aren't immediate Family, all of their Issues and Emotional Baggage and Relationship or Interpersonal Problems.

Dealing with The Daughter and her Schizophrenic Episodes is enuf, so, I just don't need her Boyfriend's Emotional Outbursts even if it only involves the Two of them.  But, especially if it then spills onto other Family Members of mine.  It's causing divisiveness within the Family and I just won't tolerate that, someone who isn't Family needs to stay in their own Lane and accept this is our Home, it's not their Home, and they should act appropriate ALL OF THE TIME when a Guest at anyone's else's Home if they expect to be Welcome here or even Welcomed back.  Otherwise, they have made themselves to be unsuitable to be Welcome and now have become Unwelcome by their Behavior that isn't Tolerable to our Family Unit as a Collective.   The Daughter has to now choose which side of the Fence she's standing on... she's Grown... choose Wisely.  Anybody that would separate you from Family, is Toxic IMO.  

I know The Young Prince regrets having Chosen to side with Allen over Family when it was Allen's Behavior that became problematic here.  He realized taking that somewhere else didn't Solve anything and separating him from Family just made him all the more vulnerable to DV, so, I've just warned her of Signs I'm seeing that I don't like and concern me and the rest of the Family.   He's trying to Isolate her from her Friends and her Family and that's a Pattern I see as a very concerning one that Tracks with folks who could be prone to being Abusers and Abusive in their interpersonal interactions.    I told her he needs to spend more time somewhere else so he's not antagonizing anyone in the Family with his Emotional outbursts he seems completely unable to regulate and should never do at someone else's Home.  

 

The Young Prince and I were discussing what he might be good at from a Work Standpoint, if anyone finds him even employable in spite of his Schizophrenia and D.I.D.?   He said he knows he's Lazy too, and that if you want to find the most Efficient way to do anything, you should Hire a Lazy Person, coz they'll find the quickest way to get it done becoz they don't wanna be doing it for long!!!   Well, I Laughed my Ass off coz I know he was Serious, yet, it still tickled me coz it's so True!  My Grandson is very Slothful, he Owns that he is and acknowledges it.  And so when you give him anything he HAS to do, he'll find the quickest, most effective and efficient way to get it Done coz he does NOT wanna be Doing it for Long!!!  I'm amazed how Solutions Oriented he is to avoid having to Work Hard, but Work Smart, and thus, Work less!  *Bwahaha*

 

Anyway, with The Daughter's Interpersonal Relationship Drama it's been a very volatile Valentine's Day to say the least.  Why her Boyfriend decided to start Trouble right before Valentine's Day to me is very Telling also, why ruin a Special Day for everyone?   Princess T is having Rusty come over.  We had Friends coming over during Lunch coz The Son was cooking for everyone and those not in Relationships came over to just have some Friendship Time on a Day that can be difficult for some people who are Single or just Alone.   It's not a Special Meal but the Female Friend who brought it over knew The Son was willing to Cook it all for everyone.  *Smiles*   He's Single, since he and his Girlfriend decided to just be Friends again, she's got a lot going on and so does he.  But, he's not really all that fixated on it being Valentine's Day, he doesn't Care... just another Day to him as a Single Guy.

The Female Friend is a long time Friend of both of my Kiddos so she talked to The Daughter and gave a similar perspective we all have.  It's not that The Daughter doesn't acknowledge our concerns, she just tends to be a very Drama Prone Individual in her Relationships, and thus tolerates more Drama than those of us who are Drama-Free preferring.  Her Daughter said it best when she said her Mom tends to prefer lots of Red Flags that would be off-putting to most Sane People.  She isn't Wrong.

  I can't recall her having great functional Relationships with Partnerships she's had with any Guy, ever.  She has many long time Male Friends who aren't Romantically involved and are better to her than any Guys she's Dated.  Any of them would be a better choice Romantically.   But she's in her Mid-40's now so her Habits are pretty much formed, whether Bad ones or Good ones.   I told her, just don't bring the Drama HERE, we don't wanna Deal with it or Witness it... nuff said.

The Man did Surprise me by saying he wants to go to The Spaghetti Factory for Dinner Valentine's Day.  It's Downtown and one of my favorite Restaurants, but, him choosing it was Surprising really.  I insisted he choose and that was his choice so that's where we'll go for Dinner.  So, Below, is us, there.  He ate really well for a change, tho' it was a lot of Food, they serve a 3 Course Meal for one low Price, so we fill up on the Soup and Fresh Loaf of Hot Baked Bread before the Entree ever arrives.  *LOL*  We also ordered an Appetizer of Garlic Cheese Bread which is Sublime.  So, most of it came Home with us for later.  They serve Spumoni for Dessert.  The Man had chosen the Trio of Spaghetti Sauces, I had the Mizithra Cheese Angel Hair Spaghetti in Browned Butter Sauce.  We chose the Supa Toscana rather than the Minestrone Today.  You can chose a Salad option rather than Soup.

The Restaurant operates out of a repurposed 1921 Mansion on Central Avenue in Downtown Phoenix and has always used Architectural Salvage Decor.  They've now added some Dining Room areas that used to be used for Storage, such as the big Room above, where they used to Store extra Antique Furnishings and Decor.  We were in another area I'd never previously been in that used to be reserved for Private Corporate Parties and such, near the front of the Restaurant.  Back in my 1st Corporate Life as a Bank Executive we often had our Corporate Parties there in the early 1970's and early 1980's.  I've been eating there since 1974, so I know the labyrinth of the huge Historic Structure like the back of my Hand.  The Supa Toscana is new as a Soup Option and very hearty.  They were very busy for Valentine's Day.  But no waits for Tables due to the expansion of Restaurant Seating.

The Man really wanted to do more, but traffic was super heavy and gridlocked Downtown, and he'd faded at the Antique Mall earlier this Morning, so I didn't risk doing too much with him.  He was eager, but I think he'd had enuf Fun for the Day and his Legs aren't holding up good right now, so, I moderated our Outing accordingly.  He didn't pout about it, he'd had a good time and did very well during it.  But, we were done by around 3:20, which is about when his Sundowners starts to show up in his Mood altering and deteriorating, so I thought it best to get back Home while he was still in a great Mood and having a Big Time.  It was Beautiful Outside, 74 Degrees for most of the Afternoon.  Now he's content watching his Show Reruns.  And, he has good Leftovers should he need more to eat of it.  The Son asked how it had gone and was pleased it went so well, he knew the Morning had been stressful for me with his Sister & Mando's Drama... on Valentine's Day.  *Le Sigh*

She did Regulate and make an Apology to me for losing her shit and going Mental and quite Dramatic.  It's Water under the Bridge and Tomorrow will be a brand new Day I told her.  She had Understanding of why we'd all reacted like we did and logically she knows it's in her best Interest and we're only all looking out for her and concerned when she's not capable of making good decisions on a consistent basis.  People with Serious Mental Illness are considered Vulnerable Adults and really do require a lot of Care and oversight.   To ensure they aren't being taken advantage of or manipulated by those that might exploit their vulnerability and disability.  She has never made good decisions on her own, hardly ever, and with Age hasn't come enuf Wisdom or Maturity to compensate for the Mental Impairment going on all of the time.  Even tho' her Son is a much Younger Schizophrenic, he's more capable of acknowledging his deficits of judgment.

His IQ is extremely High yet he is Aware that he indulges in very risky behaviors as a result of his Mental Conditions and especially having the Multiple Personalities.  She has Multiples too, and some of their Alters, when Dominant and Fronting, just are riskier behaving than others, with the both of them.  Some are quite self-destructive and prone to concerning Behaviors and Choices.  So, each Day can be a whole new Adventure with each of them.  It's like Living with 11 different and distinct People in just Two Bodies.  Which is hard to explain unless you have a point of reference when living with someone whose got Dissociative Identity Disorder and Schizophrenia going on, and will, every Day of their entire Lives.  It can be a lot and complex Relationally, with anyone, and especially with someone who also can't seem to always Regulate Emotion, Mood or their Outbursts to get along and play well with others, which seems to be Mando's Issue.

But, when you aren't my Familia, I don't have to put up with whatever Issues you got going on.  Let that be between you and your own Kinfolk and/or Therapist/Shrink, whatever.  I can make a suggestion to you that I think you need Help, but whether you seek it or not is up to you.  Once you crash and burn every Relationship around you, it's a Clue that perhaps you need some serious introspection and to get some Help.  I feel like having a Nap after such a nice Early Dinner, it's only 5:00 p.m. and I know if I lie down now I'll Sleep thru 'til Evening and then be up all Night tho'. 

 But, sometimes when The Man is not Sleep Regulated, I get my Rest when and if I can.  He's happily watching his Shows, has been fed and watered, so I can take a long Nap if I need and want to... so... probably will.  *Winks*   The Kids rotate thru the Common Areas of the Main House and when they know I'm Napping they look in on him for me.   And take Care of his Needs.  It's the closest thing to Staff and Unpaid Help, that I'll get.  *Winks*   And Rusty just showed up so I took some Pixs of the Kiddos together and of her in the Valentine's Day Outfit she's wearing for him.  She'd decorated her Room with Heart Garlands and Streamers and things cascading down from the Ceiling and will present him with his Gifts she got him.  He'll be taking her out to Eat and present her with the Gifts he got her, he's very indulgent.   He's also very Shy about being Photographed, he's a Shy Guy anyway.  They're both such Introverts.

So, the Kiddos have Bounced to go have their Romantic Valentine's Night Date.  He'll probably have to take one for the Team and eat Vietnamese Food.  *LOL*   I Love Vietnamese Food but I don't think Rusty is a Fan of it actually, but he knows it's her Favorite and so, very much like The Man, he'll defer to whatever Cuisine we like best.  *Winks*   As it should be.  *Bwahahahaha, sorry Guys!   But, if you're with a Princess or a Queen, it's just how it is fellas!!!   Smiles**

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Hope your Valentine's Day was memorable in all the best of ways my Friends... Dawn... The Bohemian