weekend free-for-all — October 12-13, 2019

by Alison Green on October 12, 2019

This comment section is open for any non-work-related discussion you’d like to have with other readers, by popular demand. (This one is truly no work and no school.)

Book recommendation of the week: Evvie Drake Starts Over, by Linda Holmes. A recent widow whose grief is complicated gets to know a baseball player whose arm stopped working and things must be worked out. It’s a little light and fluffy, and sometimes that is exactly what you want.

* I make a commission if you use that Amazon link.

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{ 1,217 comments }

{ 1,217 comments… read them below }

  1. Amethyst*

    My project from hell reached a new circle of hell yesterday. (I’d been fixing up an old dresser to use as additional kitchen counter space. This is also my first project, for context.) My dad came to show me how to install drawer slides, & he cut his finger on his circular saw. 4.5 hours in the ER later, he had 12 stitches, a gap between 2 stitches since he’d shredded that area & the doctor couldn’t find any skin to pinch together, & a splint cuz he’d broken the middle joint of his index finger.

    I can’t stop looping through the whole thing & crying. The blood spray. The blood all over my living room & kitchen floors & cabinets. The panic. All the blood he’d lost. Him insisting he’s gonna let it heal as is (he’s ripped through all the tendons in addition to breaking the bone) since he doesn’t really use that finger & being really oddly combative with the ER doc over it. But now he seems to have calmed down & I’m hoping he sees reason & goes to his orthopedic specialist in his state to get it looked at & fixed properly. Now I’m just left feeling horribly guilty cuz he’d come to help me with MY project & it’s gone & shed blood & now I’m thinking of just eating the costs I’ve already sunk into this bastard & dumping it.

    Nothing’s worth bloodshed.

    1. Sunny*

      It’s gonna be okay. If you feel better ditching the dresser, just do it. Don’t keep it fi it’ll make you sad every time you look at it.

      And it’s not your fault! An accident is an accident.

      1. Elizabeth West*

        This, all of this.

        Accidents are scary, but your dad will be all right and this was NOT your fault in any way.

    3. Laika*

      I’m so sorry this happened. My dad had a very similar accident while working on a project in our basement, also with a circular saw (slicing vertically through the pad of his thumb, down to the bone). I didn’t see it happen but he came upstairs with a whole towel wrapped around his hand. It *is* a lot of blood, and in typical Dad fashion, he insisted he was probably okay. Then laid down on the floor holding his hand above his head, and presumably shock set in, and started arguing with me about going to the clinic (he wanted to go find my mom instead, who was out shopping at the pet store??). Luckily I was the driver and got to decide that we were going to straight to the doctor. He also had plenty of stitches, although I don’t remember now how many.

      Anyway, that was a few years ago, and he healed up just fine. He still uses circular saws, and still is delighted to help out teaching and learning with all my dumb projects. Please don’t take on feelings of responsibility for something that was situational and not at all your fault. Although I totally wouldn’t blame you for going full Office Space on that dresser.

      Hopefully you can still find joy in tackling similar projects in the future, and wishes of a speedy recovery to your dad. <3

    4. CoffeeforLife*

      I’m hoping to make a kitchen island from pipes and a precut butcher block top (ikea). No moving blades involved. Mental hugs for help erasing that image

    5. Book Lover*

      I’m so sorry but glad it sounds like he is ok, all in all. I would put the thing somewhere you won’t see it for a while and if it were me I probably would get rid of it because I do tend to get flashbacks when I look at things and it wouldn’t be worth it to me to keep – but you don’t necessarily have to decide immediately. So sorry, try to be good to yourself this weekend.

    6. Wishing You Well*

      I’m sorry this happened. It’s not your fault. You can get rid of the dresser if it helps you.
      I’m worried about your dad’s state of mind. Is he always this nonchalant about serious injuries or has his judgment faltered in recent years? His behavior wasn’t rational. I hope it’s a one-off for him and the incident fades with time for you.

        1. valentine*

          I think he was in protective Dad mode and possibly embarrassed to appear less competent with a power tool plus feeling guilty himself for messing up the project. This is getting close to a Gift of the Magi sitch.

          I’d wait to decide on the dresser because he may feel worse if you dump it. (Not that you should keep it to spare his feelings while burying yours.)

        2. LGC*

          That’s how I read it – like, this is pretty common. I’ve seen it from both myself (went over the handlebars on a downhill, and I was WAY more embarrassed about the cops, an ambulance, and a fire truck showing up than worried about anything else) and my dad (accidentally slammed a heavy cabinet on his finger, jamming his ring onto it – and then calmly drove himself to the ER). Some people just get oddly calm or are even in denial about trauma, because it hasn’t really registered yet.

          1. Just Passing Through*

            I’m the oddly calm never panic type.

            Dad might want you to keep the dresser once he’s healed. That’s a lot to go through for no reward at the end lol. It will likely become a funny anecdote eventually… literal blood sweat and tears went into that piece and it’s something you did together. Even if there was a wildly unexpected detour

            If it’s really too hard to keep it I suppose he’d understand but he might really want you to keep it.

    7. anon9*

      I’m so sorry, Amethyst! I imagine your dad is being so casual about it to alleviate your worry, combined with denial and shock. If you need to get rid of the dresser, it’s not a waste – there is no point in keeping something that will only bring up painful memories.

    8. Shiny Onix*

      Oh my god that sounds awful! I’m so sorry!
      Echo the others – get rid if that feels right. Hugs if you want them.

    9. Nita*

      Oh no, I wish him an easy recovery! He probably wasn’t thinking straight and will probably have the finger looked at properly once he calms down. I remember being in the ER over something I felt was my fault. Once it became clear that the doctors can’t 100% fix it I just wanted to go home. I was angry at myself and felt I don’t “deserve” anything more than first aid to make sure I don’t drop dead. I was arguing with the doctor who wanted me to wait for some additional treatment and trying to get her to just discharge me already. Once I got home and calmed down, though, I went to all the follow-ups and got the issue sorted out properly.

      Oh, and I’d dump the dresser if I was you. Not worth the negative feelings you’ll get every time you look at it!

    10. Mid*

      Just to repeat other comments: it isn’t and wasn’t your fault. At all. Accidents happen, and they’re scary as hell, but it’s not your fault.

      But also, if this is the project from hell, just let it go if that would make you feel better. Start over on something new later.

      1. Not So NewReader*

        One more voice saying, this is not your fault. Here… let me tell you about the time I slammed my father’s hand in the tailgate of the truck. Okay, we can skip it. Accidents happen.

        Ya know, dads are real funny/odd. Why don’t you ask him if he wants to abandon the project. I am thinking that if you abandon it, he will say, “Gee, I shed blood for you on that and you gave up?”

        You know everything is relative and you know that time changes our perspective. Your dad may have had bigger things happen that hurt way more. He may actually think this is small potatoes compared to other things. We, the kids, do not get to decide what hurts our parents the most. Eh, we don’t get to decide what hurts anyone the most.

        I don’t know which answer is best here, (stop or keep going) but I do think that you should just let the dust settle here and see where that puts you. Don’t make a hasty decision.

        My father and I agreed that only one of us would close the tailgate and the other would walk away. That never happened again.

    11. Amethyst*

      Thanks for all your reassuring words of comfort. I’ve been coming back here a lot this weekend to read & reread your comments. I also spent the night at a friend’s house watching their boys while they had a date night. It’s helped, but it’ll take me a while to stop looping. I’m still undecided on the dresser. Unfortunately, there’s nowhere to hide it in my apartment while I consider my options, so it sits right out in my living room for now.

      2. gsa*

        Sorry to here about your Dad, your dresser, the clean up.

        I only cut myself with a Skil saw once. The scar is still visible, 30 years later. If he actually cut tendons, he needs to get those fixed.

        Hang in there, you did not do anything wrong! Take care.

        gsa

      3. Quinalla*

        So sorry about the scary experience! I too would be trying to blame myself, even though I would know rationally it wasn’t my fault. Accidents happen! I had a bad accident where I hurt myself and I irrationally blamed (I’m mostly over it now) myself even though it wasn’t my fault.

        I agree do what you need to do about the dresser, I too would suggest hiding it (with a blanket/sheet if that is your only option) for a bit and see how you feel. Some folks would want to trash it, others would want to keep it, etc.

        And regarding your Dad acting weird, could be shock, could be embarrassment/shame, etc. I know the few times I’ve been to the ER I acted pretty odd, so it happens.

  2. merp*

    I’ve been wanting to shoutout to whoever posted the super easy recipe for peanut butter cookies like, months and months ago. They’re my fave now!

    (Maybe everyone knows it but if someone wants it: 1 cup sugar, 1 cup peanut butter, 1 egg, handful of chocolate chips, 350 for 12 minutes. All credit to the mystery commenter from earlier this year!)

    If anyone wants to share their favorite comfort baked good recipe, I’d love to hear them, I need more baking inspiration lately.

    1. Baker*

      Pumpkin bread is my favorite quick bread.
      3 eggs
      1 c. vegetable oil
      1 1/2 c sugar
      2 c. pumpkin
      3 tsp vanilla
      3 c flour
      1 tsp baking soda
      1/4 tsp nutmeg
      3 tsp cinnamon
      1/4 tsp baking powder

      Beat eggs, add oil, pumpkin and vanilla. Add sugar. Add dry ingredients. Pour into greased muffin tin or bread pan. Bake at 325. Muffins take about 2o min and bread takes about 50-60 min. It is done when a toothpick comes out clean. I find this super moist and full of cinnamon flavor.

      If you’re interested in exploring lots of types of recipes but don’t want to make large batches, there are cookbooks called Small Batch Baking that make 8 cookies, 2 tarts, etc. that you might enjoy.

      1. Kate R. Pillar*

        The 2 cups pumpkin – is that grated? pureed? We have access to so much pumpkin right now and I’d love to try your recipe!

      3. Baker*

        The pumpkin is pureed. I buy actual pumpkins, cut them into pieces about as big as my hand and remove the seeds and stringy guts by scraping them out with a large spoon. Place pieces skin side down into a pan with high sides and add a bit of water, about an inch but you don’t really want the flesh to get wet. Bake at 400 for 45-60 min after covering with foil. It’s done when a fork pricks it and it’s very soft. Cool a bit, then scrape flesh off the peel, which is easy because it just falls off. Blend with a food processor or hand mixer. I freeze this in 2 cup amounts and thaw a day or two before I need it. I’ll also put it into a strainer for a minute and get rid of some of the excess liquid. I think using an actual pumpkin is so much better than canned pumpkin which I think is denser and stronger flavor, especially if it comes already seasoned. But canned pumpkin bought from the store would work. I’m not sure if grated pumpkin would work or even how easy it is to grate a pumpkin, it sounds harder to me than baking it to puree it. Sweet potatoes: hmm, I have no idea if that would work. After baking and pureeing pumpkin it’s actually quite wet, kind of like applesauce. Do sweet potatoes get as moist? If not, the recipe might be too dry. I suggest trying half a recipe, maybe increasing the oil or eggs if it looks really dry and making a few muffins so you don’t waste a bunch of ingredients if it bombs. * Note: a full recipe usually makes 12 muffins plus a few small loaves of bread. These small loaves are about 3 inches by 2 inches, so tiny individual loaves.

        1. Baker*

          Forgot to say that I think most pumpkins will work but I learned about a variety called “pie pumpkin” that I think is less stringy so it’s better for baking than say a jack o’lantern. I found them in my local grocery store.

      4. NYCProducerGal*

        I can’t wait to make this!! Thank you! I love pumpkin bread but so often get dry, flavorless slices when I take a chance on them (in bakeries and stores, etc).

    2. NeonDreams*

      I found a cake batter cookie recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction. so i decided to use red velvet cake mix in that recipe. it was an awesome discovery. i use regular chocolate chips since i don’t like white chocolate.

    3. Tess McGill*

      Apple Muffins

      1 large apple, peeled and chopped
      1/3 cup vegetable oil
      2/3 cup sugar
      1 egg
      1/3 tsp. vanilla
      1 cup flour
      1/3 tsp. cinnamon
      1/3 tsp. baking soda
      1/3 tsp. salt
      PAM cooking spray

      Preheat oven to 375. Sift flour with cinnamon, baking soda and salt. Set aside. Mix oil, sugar, egg and vanilla. Add flour mixture. Add apples. Put into WELL-greased muffin tins (do not use liners) and bake 15 minutes. Makes 12. I normally triple the recipe (because: math) and make 36. This is a pretty fast recipe and can easily be made in the morning for breakfast. Warning: we call these muffins “crack” in my family. Incredibly addictive.

    4. hermit crab*

      I love the Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Banana Bread recipe from Six Sisters Stuff. I found it via random googling one day (I am very much not a clean-eating, no-refined-sugars type, which is I think the recipe’s target audience) and now I make it all thee we time. So easy and I love it. Like, I used to think I didn’t like banana bread but this recipe converted me.

    5. Red Sky*

      Oooh, I wonder if the super easy peanut butter cookie recipe could be made with almond butter or other non-peanut nut-butter? Anyone tried it that way?

      1. CoffeeforLife*

        Work, yes but taste/texture could be really different. I did a side by side bake with natural peanut butter and skippy/jiff. The crap peanut butter delivers a better texture and bake (much to my dismay). Most other nut butters seem to be of the natural variety. FWIW. Good luck!

      2. merp*

        Like CoffeeforLife says, the texture of them varies a lot depending on the PB (and they’ve never been quite the same as regular cookies with flour/etc for me in the first place) but honestly I’ve liked every variation. I say go for it!

      3. Red Reader the Adulting Fairy*

        You can sort of do it with Nutella, but you have to replace the cup of sugar with a cup of flour because the Nutella itself doesn’t have the right food chemistry mumbo jumbo that the PB does to form a protein structure that will hold together. But I don’t know if that’s because of the hazelnuts or the chocolate in the Nutella spread.

      4. Alexandra Lynch*

        I do something close to make almond protein cookies for my boyfriend.
        1 small container almond butter
        1 egg
        1/4 c. flour
        3 cups almond flour
        1 tsp. cinnamon
        plain unsweetened yogurt.

        Mix wet, mix in dry, mix in yogurt until the mixture is the consistency for drop cookies. Drop by spoonfuls or cookie scoop on a cookie sheet, and flatten with the palm of your hand. Bake ten minutes, let cool on the sheet, and drizzle with melted dark chocolate if desired. That makes about 30 cookies.

        1. Flawlessly Flawed*

          Sounds so yummy! How much yogurt do you use? (May be obvious to most people, but I’m not the best cook out there. However I can follow instructions really well. :))

    6. Gingerblue*

      Pumpkin Scones

      1 ½ c all-purpose flour
      ½ c whole wheat flour
      3 T dark brown sugar
      2 t baking powder
      ½ t baking soda
      ½ t salt
      1 ½ t apple pie spice; ie, some combination of cinnamon, cloves, and ginger
      6 T cold unsalted butter
      2/3 c inclusions: currants, chopped crystalized ginger, chopped dried apples, or white chocolate chips are good
      1 large egg
      ¼ c cold buttermilk (or 1/4 c milk and 1/2 t vinegar)
      ½ c pumpkin puree
      2 T half-and-half or milk, for brushing
      rough sugar, for sprinkling

      Preheat oven to 400 and grease a baking sheet.

      Combine dry ingredients. Cut in butter until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Add the inclusions.

      In another bowl, combine the egg, buttermilk, and pumpkin; add this to the dry ingredients and mix until it just holds together. Turn onto a floured surface and knead a few times to make a coherent dough.

      Divide the dough in two; pat each half out into a 6” round, 1” thick circle. Cut each into quarters and place the scones on the baking sheet a few inches apart. Brush with milk, sprinkle with sugar, and bake 15-20 m.

      It’s a bit hard to judge doneness in these, because they’re already an orange/brown; but the edges should be browning when you take them out.

      Another option for finishing them is to skip brushing them with milk and sprinkling the sugar on top–just bake the scones with bare tops. When they come out of the oven, turn the broiler on. Sift powdered sugar over the tops of the scones and put them under the broiler for just long enough for it to caramelize.

    7. C Average*

      I made some really good muffins this morning from odds and ends that I had around. I very loosely interpreted an existing recipe; most amounts are my best guesstimate.

      Huckleberry Pineapple Whole Wheat Muffins

      2 1/2 c whole wheat flour
      1/3 c white sugar
      1 1/2 t baking soda
      1/2 t baking powder
      3/4 t salt
      a few good shakes cinnamon
      2 eggs, beaten
      about 1 c pineapple, finely diced
      4 T coconut oil, melted
      3 glugs heavy cream
      1 1/2 cups frozen huckleberries or blueberries

      Combine dry ingredients in one bowl. Gradually add wet ingredients to dry mixture, stirring as you go. Add more cream or, alternatively, applesauce or yogurt, until the batter coheres. Mix in pineapple thoroughly, then add berries and stir. Bake for 25 minutes or so.

      I’ll bet they’d be even better with chopped nuts.

    8. Red Reader the Adulting Fairy*

      I don’t know if I’m the specific one who posted it for you, but I know I’ve shared that recipe a few times here, and I’m glad you like it! (It’s good with mini m&ms in too, or leave out the choc chips and stick an unwrapped Hershey’s kiss or Rolo candy in the top of each one straight out of the oven.)

        1. Red Reader the Adulting Fairy*

          Not a bit! I asked a food scientist once and was told that the proteins in the peanut butter and egg combine to form a protein structure that makes flour (or anything gluten-y) unnecessary to hold the cookies together. They’re fairly soft cookies, definitely not going to get crunchy short of massive overbaking, but that’s how I like mine anyway :)

    9. Arts Akimbo*

      I learned how to make jam recently, and it has made me so happy! I like tart fruit jam, so it has been great that I can add sugar to my taste. My favorite is rhubarb, and I like to add blueberries for their color– you get a nice deep rich red.

      4 stalks rhubarb, sliced & diced
      1/2 pint blueberries (whole, fresh)
      1 TBSP lemon zest
      1 TBSP lemon juice
      1/2 cup sugar (or to taste)
      1 or 2 tsp almond extract (optional– gives a lovely complexity to the flavor!)

      Chuck it all in a pot together and stir on medium-high heat until the fruit has cooked, become mushy and liquidy, and finally thickened into jam. This usually takes about 45 minutes given my stove temperature and how chunky I cut the rhubarb. Enjoy! :)

  3. Fishsticks*

    Tdlr: Does anyone have suggestions for stopping my cat from ripping up carpet under the door?

    Longer question: one of my cats hates being locked up (currently working on introducing my 2 cats to another cat so for the foreseeable future the door is staying closed). And so he digs at the carpeting. We have cover the floor with those plastic covers that you can use with a chair and then over the cracks used double sided tape (that was sold specifically for cats) and he is still getting the carpet pulled up!!!

    Of course I rent and so any help would be appreciated. We trim his nails regularly and I’m concerned about using the nail caps cause I’ve seen both good and bad info about it.

    So if you have suggestions on either how to stop my cat from doing this or how to replace carpeting, I’d greatly love it! Thanks!

    1. merp*

      This may not be ideal, but my cats do this less when they have a rug that they are allowed to scratch. The woven ones (I’ll see if I can add a link) don’t get damaged by claws.

    2. fposte*

      Would it work to put a sacrificial bathmat or entry rug over the area that he could scratch without damaging landlord property?

    3. JMAK*

      Yikes! Your sweet kitty is making sure all the other cats know that door is HIS DOOR.

      Here’s what worked in my house: Remove the satisfaction (Double-sided tape or aluminum foil) and replace it with a suitable alternative (a flat cardboard scratching mat).

      1. Fishsticks*

        He would 100% eat the cardboard. It’s his favorite food lol. We try our best never to give him some lolol. But I think I’m going to try rugs! That could help I can only hope.

    4. All monkeys are French*

      This sounds like marking territory. Have you tried Feliway? It’s a pheremone spray or diffuser that can help calm stressed cats. I’ve had mixed results with it, but lots of people report success, especially when introducing new cats.

      1. Fishsticks*

        I have tried it! And he hated it and it made him more aggressive. I might try it again eventually but I want to wait a bit longer (my other cat isnt feeling the best so I dont want to force her to get along with a new cat unless i have to)

    5. Not So NewReader*

      Spray the carpet with vinegar?
      Bad news, you will have to keep up on doing this.

      Some times I have a bowl of grease drippings cooling on the counter. I put a splash of vinegar in it and my dog just totally stays away from it. Anything else that smelled good to him would cause him to be up on the counter helping himself.

      I have a spritzer of vinegar anyway because I use it to clean windows and mirrors. So I can spray anything the dog gets too interested in.

    6. Wolfsbane*

      I had this issue and I had zero luck with nail caps. How often is regular trimming? Weekly? Every other week? I found the sweet spot with my tom is every 3 weeks. Any longer and he gets territory marky.

    7. Venus*

      He’s upset about being locked up as he wants to see your other kitty, so all the usual stuff (double-sided tape, feliway, etc) isn’t as likely to work.

      A few more options are:
      Cats apparently hate citrus, so you might try spraying some citrus smells along the edge of that carpet (I’ve never had to try this myself, but I figure that it can’t hurt). Similarly, ‘bitter apple’ is sold at pet stores. It’s meant for flavour, to keep cats from biting wires, but he might also realize that when he scratches it he gets a bitter taste on his paws
      Put another carpet, or anything that has a bit of thickness, under the door. Carpet stores often have samples, so you can ask them about buying a short pile yet really tightly woven, or you can look at hardware stores for a front-door mat
      Trim the nails often, and get them quite short. This won’t fix everything, but it will hopefully slow him down

      I have had cats start to destroy the bottoms of doors, in an attempt to get out, so I can sympathise. Thankfully in my case I didn’t need to confine them for long so it didn’t look too bad

    8. Andream*

      Get something that he can scratch and put it right next to the door. Lots of positive reinforcement to use the new scratcher, i.e pets when you see him use it, treats etc.

    9. Hope*

      Make sure you’re swapping the cats that are behind the locked door periodically, so they can get used to each others’ scents. That should help alleviate some of the ripping up carpet thing.
      You can also try getting a thin piece of wood and nailing it over the carpet–we had to do that because one of my cats eats carpet, but only if she can get at it at the edge of the door threshold. When you move, you just pry up the wood, and it’ll be like it was never there.

      You can find tons of videos on YouTube about replacing carpeting if it comes to that.

  4. NerdyKris*

    I need to apologize for my weird, angry posts on Wednesday. I was having a health issue and was reacting to things people weren’t saying in the threads and being combative. I am very embarrassed and sorry for accusing people of things they weren’t saying. I was upset about those things outside this blog and was then reading it into people’s posts here.

    2. WellRed*

      Thanks for saying this. I was debating posting here about what felt like a general increase in negative, nit picky comments this week (not specifically you) and it weighed me down. Maybe it’s something in the air? Take care of yourself!

    4. Ted Mosby*

      Hey, this stuff happens! We should all strive to keep things positive and be understanding, but no one is their best self every day, so don’t beat yourself up! I, for one, really appreciate this sweet, sincere apology. I hope you’re feeling better.

  5. Mrs. Carmen Sandiego JD*

    A couple we’re friends (“Jacinta” and “Joe”) with separated a month ago and one (“Jacinta”) is moving near us. They seemed like a happy couple so this came as a shock. We noticed Jacinta was amazing with small toddlers of her own friends/past neighbors but they never had kids of their own. And Joe seemed the gruff type that wasn’t the most kid-friendly.

    1. We will host a housewarming sometime. How do we invite them? Just Jacinta? How would you handle this? (Jacinta never stated much as to why they separated and we didn’t want to pry).

    2. What should we say/do for someone going through a separation? We’ll invite Jacinta over with the rest of our friends but besides that? What helped if you were in a similar position?

    1. WellRed*

      I’m mostly curious why you are mentioning Jacintas aptitude with children? And, do you even like Joe? Seems like you’ve already decided on Jacinta.

    2. Countess Boochie Flagrante*

      1. I would not invite both of them. Even if the separation is mostly amicable (and that’s not something you can safely assume without specific information), it’s better to let raw feelings settle, and one month isn’t very long. Invite whomever you would more want to spend time with.

    3. Asenath*

      I’d probably invite the one I was friends with first, or the closest friend; or, if I couldn’t decide on that basis, neither of them. I generally try not to get into discussions with people going through a separation – I might say “sorry you’re having a rough time” if the opportunity comes up and that seems appropriate, but honestly, so soon after the separation, feelings can be raw and people can be in various states – wanting to move on and not brood over things, terribly bitter and wanting to go over all the details or worst of all, try to enlist you in their ongoing dispute with their ex. Best to just be kind and polite to them as individuals.

    4. Anon Librarian*

      Were you a lot closer to one than the other? If so, consider inviting that one. But I think the safest route is to invite neither. If you invite one, the other may find out and feel hurt. Not only that, but it could come across as though you’re taking sides in the split. I would just leave them both out of this and pursue separate friendships with them to the extent that you want.

    5. Warm Weighty Wrists*

      I’ve had good luck with directly asking separated friends how they would like us to handle invitations/being friends with both/talking about the separation. Usually the person appreciates being asked directly, and has something they would prefer. The potential downside of asking directly is you might get details you don’t want, so be prepared for that.

    6. Lilysparrow*

      In the majority of couple-friend configurations, two people are the primary friends and the partners are more casually friendly. There are situations where both pairs or all 4 people are equally close, but that’s pretty unusual.

      It sounds like you are primary friends with Jacinta, and more casually friendly with Joe. So it’s fine to just invite Jacinta. If your partner feels strongly that Joe is a good friend too, then you should ask Jacinta and Joe how they want to handle things like the housewarming invite.

      Don’t just invite both of them without saying anything about it. That’s asking for a high degree of awkwardness.

      1. Mrs. Carmen Sandiego JD*

        Thanks; we’ve actually known both for half a decade…we know each of them equally.

        1. Auntie Social*

          Have the guys in the family ask Joe for Saturday breakfast or golf or whatever. Guys like to talk while they’re doing things.

    7. AnonANon*

      As someone who went through a separation and divorce, don’t exclude them forever. And right now they are going through a loss. They don’t also need to lose friends.
      This may not be the party to invite both of them to, but don’t shut one or both out of your life if you were close with them. Or if you want to invite both of them, inform both of them that you invited the other one.

      One of the crappiest things about divorce…the friends that didn’t know how to handle it so decided to not speak to me again. Divorce is a weird thing to navigate for everyone, but we can still do lunch.

  6. Snory*

    Hi all, I’ve posted before about my troubles with my cpap machine. I take the mask off every night while I’m sleeping. So I’m looking for alternatives. Has anyone had the laser surgery to get rid of the extra tissue causing the snoring? Any info would be appreciated, thanks!

    1. RemingtonTypeType*

      I haven’t seen your previous posts, but I have a question that I hope you haven’t addressed already. Have you tried a completely different style of mask? My family/extended family has several cpap users and the trick for them was trying and trying and trying masks. Insurance covered it, and when they each found “their” mask it was magical.

    2. Jen in Oregon*

      I tried a c-pap for several years and was never able to keep it on through the night (and most nights woke up terrified when it slipped off, because it sounded like a jumbo jet was landing on my face) and quit using it even tho’ I desperately needed it. My dentist asked me how my sleep apnea was during a routine visit and when I told her of my non-compliance with the c-pap, she suggested device called a somnomed, which I have had and used faithfully for seven years now. I will tell you, it does take a little getting used to, and I did wake up with a sore jaw and mouth for about a week, but that went away completely for me as I got used to using the device (which is similar to a sports mouth guard, or a really bulky retainer.) I was reminded of this again last month when I had to get my original one replaced and had to go through that refamiliarazation process again.

      Getting a good nights’ sleep is life changing. I truly didn’t know what I was missing until about a month into wearing this. Wishing you all the best as you figure out what is going to work best for you!

    3. Marie*

      My husband got a mouth guard which he uses with a cpap. He’s been recommended for a frenectomy too. Our baby got a double frenectomy & handled it like a champ (mostly). I’m trying to convince my husband to just get it done already.

      1. Beatrice*

        Marie, a sublingual (under the tongue) frenectomy, or one somewhere else? My dentist has recommended a sublingual frenectomy for me before, because I’m moderately tongue tied, but I turned it down because he couldn’t articulate a clear benefit to me as an adult – I don’t have problems with eating or speech. I wasn’t aware of a link to sleep apnea.

    4. Wishing You Well*

      Talk to your CPAP medical person about alternatives. They should have accurate, current information about what’s available and the chances for success.
      Thank you for using your CPAP and taking care of your health! Hope you find a solution soon.

    5. NoLongerYoung*

      Could not tolerate CPAP but was able to use bi-pap. Later had the surgery plus huge tonsils and adenoids out. Only works for some, did for me.

    6. Meepmeep*

      A simple wedge pillow helped my mother resolve her sleep apnea. Now she’s got a hospital style bed that tilts. Maybe try that?

    7. gsa*

      I definitely have a love hate relationship with my CPAP. When mine was magically coming off at night, I figured out that the headgear had stretched, I replaced it and it stopped happening.

      From people I’ve talked to, the surgery is a crapshoot. The ones that helped that was awesome and the ones that didn’t regretted it.

      I’ve learned to live with mine, it makes a huge difference.

      Good luck!

    8. NowIWantPeanutButterCookies*

      My dad has the surgery – not sure if it was the same as the laser one you mentioned but he got his tonsils and uvula out. He said it was helpful; he could never tolerate the machine and the surgery definitely have him some (I think not complete) relief of his symptoms from apnea. He did say recovery from the surgery was more painful than he expected but that was short term and in the end he thought it was worth it.

    9. Nom the Plumage*

      I had the surgery, and it didn’t do anything but leave me with a hole in my wallet (even after insurance). I’m so upset. It was so much money and time off for NOTHING. I also cannot sleep with things touching my face, so I’m still suffering.

    10. It’s All Good*

      I’ve starting using a tongue sleeve a few night sounds ago. I have mild sleep apnea and it appears to be working so far. Normally I wake up every two hours, now I can go six hours! However I have a large tongue so when I remove it the base of my tongue is sore. You can find them on amazon, about $20. Good luck!

    11. Seeking Second Childhood*

      One simple idea for you to try… try it over a bandana some night. It keeps the mask more secure on my head when I have my hair short.
      Bedhead extravaganza, but the mask doesn’t slip.

  7. OyHiOh*

    Neptune and I started joking about running away for a weekend to a mountain cabin two months ago. Our family situations being what they are, that wasn’t a shift in relationship we wanted to take lightly so it wasn’t until a week and a half ago that we decided to plan for a day that would just be ours. Turn off phones, put computers away, and disappear for eight hours. Right place, right time, everything we’d done to plan for the day and to take care of each other; it felt like magic – like time stopped for the hours we spent together.

    Yom Kippur was an interesting day too. It’s come exactly when I needed to reflect on the past. To understand with hard-won acceptance that the life and plans I’d dreamed of with Mr. Oy will never be, and that where the dragons and I go from here is completely up to us. I get asked fairly regularly what my plans for this or that upcoming thing are and I usually say “I don’t know.” I don’t know – because there are so many things we *could* do and want to do. I don’t know what’s most important or what we should do first. It’s exciting but also scary

    2. Miss Astoria Platenclear*

      I just now got the “Oy” in your name. :-0Slow on the old uptake. Hopeful for you.

    3. Not So NewReader*

      Exciting/scary.

      Boy, do I hear ya.
      I went for life coaching because I realized that I could do anything I wanted, I had no immediate family to consider. The very next thing I said was “OMG, I can do anything I want! Help!”

      Specific dreams pass, but that does not mean dreaming stops entirely. In some ways my dreams are quite modest to most people. But they are mountains to me and I shall climb those mountains.

      My wise friend used to talk about doing what is immediately in front of you. Look at that first and see where that puts you. Sometimes reaching too far out makes it too hard, better to focus on what is near-by first and know that the rest will make sense in a bit.

    4. Bibliovore*

      Thank you for sharing. I do love hearing from you and about your dragons. The holidays have been a time of looking back and looking forward for me.

    1. OyHiOh*

      At a standstill this week. Got fifty-five pages deep into the script I’m working at, plotted out the last fifteen pages or so, and got stuck on what needs to happen for the next fifteen pages or so. It’s a strict timeline play, so the passage of time the characters experience on stage is the same two hours that the audience spends sitting in the theater. In a way, the timeline makes it easy – a page is about a minute and I can think comfortably in ten to fifteen minute blocks. On the other hand, I’m at a point where I’ve wound up all the characters and conflicts . . . but about fifteen or twenty minutes away from where I get to put all the conflicting characters back in the same room and watch the chaos unfold. So a little bit stuck but started to figure it out last night so hopefully I’ll be close to done next weekend!

    2. C Average*

      So very stuck right now. I keep opening my doc and then . . . nah, let’s look at AAM, let’s browse the Washington Post, let’s make muffins, let’s work on a sewing project, let’s play a dumb game on my phone.

      I finished the draft of Novel #1, which I’m workshopping in November, and had planned to go directly to Novel #2, which should be easy because I have it outlined six ways from Sunday. But alas, no, it is not proving easy.

      1. Claire*

        One technique that I’ve learned is to practice 5-10 minutes of mindful breathing. Eyes closed. Let your thoughts drift. You might feel yourself going into a light trance. This helps to clear the brain of life’s “chatter” and to focus on the writing. Your mileage may vary, of course.

    3. Daisy Avalin*

      Slowly, very slowly for me too! Pretty sure my muse took a one-way ticket somewhere and didn’t give me the details!

      1. C Average*

        It sounds like all of our Muses are having a nice holiday somewhere far away. I hope they’re having a good time and resting up for all the hard work we’re going to demand of them when they finally get home.

    4. Claire*

      Still making steady progress on #pirates2, still on target to finish a draft by the end of this month.

      Comic Con was awesome. I signed stock at the Harper Collins booth, hung around to watch people and costumes, talked to folks, and participated in a srsly fun panel about Murder, Mystery, and Mayhem, followed by an autograph session.

    5. Elizabeth West*

      I can’t remember if I said this already, but I submitted Tunerville to Pitch Wars. If nothing happens from this, I will stop querying it (don’t wannnnnnaaaaaaaaaaa).

      I’m about to start working on something new, I think for NaNoWriMo. Or maybe I’ll write Book 3 just to get it the hell out of my head and then write the new thing. But gah, there is great big time-consuming stupid life stuff happening.

      1. C Average*

        I’m thinking of doing NaNoWriMo this year. We should nag *cough* encourage each other. I would like to read your stuff sometime. I always enjoy your contributions here.

        For the workshop I’m attending next month, I had to read and prepare a critique of the other four participants’ manuscripts. I really enjoyed it. Some of them were more to my taste than others, but overall it was fun to see other people’s works in progress.

        1. Elizabeth West*

          Haha, I usually blog NaNoWriMo if I do it, so feel free to hop on over and scold me when I post things like “Only 272 words today because blah de blah blah herp derp derrrrrrp.” I will do the same for you. :)

          If I could just get this damn thing out into the world, you could read it! Meanwhile, the short collection is available, which is dedicated to the AAM commentariat. :3

    6. Ted Mosby*

      Been at a stand still w my novel for weeks as work tanks and I’m too exhausted to write at night. Feeling bad about myself.

      1. Elizabeth West*

        Sometimes writing is taking a break and letting the writing go on in your head. Don’t feel bad.

        1. Claire*

          This. There’s a myth that you must write every day, but realistically, we all need to take breaks to fill the well.

    7. Sprechen Sie Talk?*

      I dusted off last year’s attempt at a Christmas novel, about halfway through but plotted further. The writing at the start is a bit ropey, but I was definitely picking up speed by the middle. For a first draft its not bad, and would be a bunch of editing after. I need something to take my mind off other things and since I have time, I think perhaps this is the year I finish it and get it tossed up on the ‘Zon. Just for a sense of accomplishment.

    8. The curator*

      I came to write that I was a NaNoWriMo fail but as I thought about it, every project I started during NaNoWriMo has been published over the past five years. Taking inventory- 3 peer-reviewed articles, 2 books, and a blog. What? That is me saying that I’m in. All a want right now is to complete one essay. I can do that right? I think meeting here on AAM open thread is a great idea.

    9. Troutwaxer*

      I started another book after getting poor reviews of the first book from alpha readers – not enough plot apparently. But right now I’m deeply in the mid-book blahs, having reached the point where I need to make things really hard on my main character and develop her opposition – she’s at the top of the world right now and I need to knock her down… This is more difficult than anticipated.

    10. Kiwiii*

      I finished the fanfic thing I’d been working on for a month (and had to restart twice because I was being overly ambitious) but now I can’t seem to make myself work seriously on any of my other wips (or write anything more than about 300 words of intro on new projects). I’ve always had that problem, where I only want to write the very first section of a thing.

  9. A.N. O'Nyme*

    Gaming thread! What’s everyone been playing this week!
    I made some progress in Divinity: Dragon Commander, hoping to annihilate one of my enemies completely. Not too thrilled about about another one’s capital being on the island right next to my capital though.

    1. Laika*

      Oh, I just bought the notorious Untitled Goose Game! Turns out… I’m great at being a do-nothing goose, but terrible at being a bad goose! But it’s still very cute and enjoyable.

    2. Tess McGill*

      Not sure if this counts as actual gaming, but have decided to spring for a refurbished Nintendo 64 player along with a couple of games and two controllers for my son for Christmas (he’s 21, senior in college, home for Christmas). His Nintendo 64 was lost/misplaced/stolen during our move from Ft. Benning (GA) to DC in 2009 and he’s never quite gotten over it. I’m hoping it will be a fun surprise. Not sure who is more excited …. him or me. Since he’s an only child and his Dad was deployed a lot, with every new gaming console that was purchased (Wii, xBox), I tried to learn all the games so he’d have someone to play with (until he made friends at each new duty station and had someone his age to play with). As of this past August, 10 years after buying the Wii I can still kick his butt at MarioKart. :)

    3. Nicki Name*

      I decided to restart Sunless Skies on the Fame path a couple weeks ago, and I’ve nearly finished it. Once I do that, I might go for the Truth path or put it on the shelf for a while.

      I’m just about to go to my first KeyForge store championship– should be fun!

    4. SandrineSmiles (France)*

      I can’t play Age of Empires anymore, though I did update my video card drivers yesterday so I’ll try again later tonight. Other than that, mostly mobile games. And soon some Minecraft again too ^^

    5. Warm Weighty Wrists*

      I’m playing Greedfall these days, which is very pretty but all the criticisms of it are completely justified. Oh well, it’s still a nice break from Work Mountain. I’ve also been enjoying watching my BF play through Parenting Skills of War, which I’ve already played, and is a wonderful game and story.

      1. Wolfsbane*

        Greedfall sounds like any focus game tbh. Their specialty is about the horrors humanity inflicts on itself.

        If you don’t want to look at how terrible it was to live through the plague then don’t play plague tale. I don’t think you can succeed in one of their games without doing something terrible.

    6. Gingerblue*

      My Time At Portia, a 3D Harvest Moon-esque game. I’m enjoying it well enough to keep going, but I’m not in love. Once I finish it I’ll probably just start another farm in Stardew Valley.

        1. Gingerblue*

          Yeah, MTAP I’ll finish once, but Stardew I can see myself coming back to for years. Some games just make the right sort of satisfying click in the brain, and some don’t.

    7. Shay*

      I’ve been playing Zoo Tycoon 2.
      How the heck did they neglect to put a fast forward button on this thing? It takes months to raise the $40,000+ to buy two of the four star animals. I’ve been leaving it running while I’ve been cleaning and unpacking.
      I keep giving up around 4 stars because my zoo layout starts to get weird. This most recent one I created the layout way in advanced, a wide path around the main exhibit cage with fancy indents in the exhibit to put eating areas and playgrounds and fountains. But guests keep walking around this area and then getting hungry and frustrated because there’s no food / playground / fountain. So they don’t donate and my zoo fame stays low.
      So I need to round them all up and then block off those areas.

    8. The Ginger Ginger*

      I cannot WAIT for Planet Zoo to come out. I’m halfheartedly playing other things while waiting for it, but nothing is grabbing my interest because I just want to play Planet Zoo!!

        1. The Ginger Ginger*

          Right!? I just keep watching the youtube videos of the developer live streams while I wait around until 11/5.

    9. silverpie*

      Finally reached Mostar (last city I had left) in Train Commander World. Also a good bit of Mario Kart Tour.

    10. Raia*

      Fire emblem three houses – trying to push to the end, but im like 7 chapters away
      Stardew Valley – Currently not making any progress in the desert but finding a lot of ancient seeds for the greenhouse. The night market is odd.
      Star Realms app – fun hard card game app

      1. Wolfsbane*

        I have such a thriving farm, I cant make it to the dessert in any sort of decent time frame.

        I have seriously considered downsizing the animals.

    11. Wolfsbane*

      I finally got Plague Tale. I like it but I don’t know if I can recommend it. Its a horror game whose horror is more the things you have to do. Since I am very empathetic its been tough.

    12. Alexandra Lynch*

      I’m enjoying ARK: Survival Evolved. Open world, gorgeous graphics, and dinosaurs. If they had ordered it up special for me they couldn’t have done any better.

    13. Arts Akimbo*

      I have one, ONE shiny Eevee, and I got impatient and evolved it just to see what I would get. I had a 2/3 chance from a straight-up evolve to get something cool looking– I love the look of either shiny Jolteon or shiny Vaporeon.

      I got a Flareon. :P

    14. Free Meerkats*

      WoW Classic. But this time I’m playing the Alliance side, I didn’t play any Alliance toons until probably Cataclysm. I had forgotten the never ending running, followed by running, then running some more. I predicted the people who hadn’t played WoW until later would be surprised by its difficulty compared to latest version, and I wasn’t disappointed. The amount of whinging on chat was epic the first week.

      And of course, I ran out of ammo because I forgot you need it.

    15. Kiwiii*

      I’ve been playing Mini Metro A LOT on my phone. It scratches the same itch as traffic-planning things in Cities: Skylines does, but in easy half-hour or so sprints.

    2. The Cosmic Avenger*

      My honest advice: don’t. I have a few friends who have tried various online dating sites, and it’s not been pretty. Maybe you’d do better, but one of my otherwise smart friends seems to start chatting and flirting with guys until they tell her they are suddenly stuck traveling overseas with their accounts frozen, and need her to wire money, just until they get home. This has happened more than a couple of times, apparently some of them are very good at playing a longer game.

      I keep telling my single friends to follow their interests, volunteer, take classes, and see who they meet that way. In the 70s and 80s “blind dates” were a bad joke, but they seem so much better than internet dating now!

      I’ve made internet friends, who I’ve only known online, and then met IRL, but that was more an online version of what I just recommended, where I got to know them and had a context, and even then it was sometimes a little weird, but much safer than online dating sites, IMO.

      1. Anonymous Educator*

        Is this generic advice, or specific to the DC area? I know a bunch of women who met their spouses or long-term partners through online dating.

        1. The Cosmic Avenger*

          I did, too, but I’m male, and this was in the pre-Internet days, plus my partner and I already had a real-life connection. My friends that I referred to are women in the DC area, though.

          I’m not saying that my advice is the only choice, but meeting people through local activity or other people you know IRL gives you a social context, which weeds out the spammers and scammers. For people who aren’t happy with online dating, this might be a less bumpy ride, so to speak, although real-life dating is hardly smooth sailing, IIRC. It’s been a while!

      2. Anonymous5775*

        I met two short term boyfriends online. I’m in the midwest and this was about 6 yrs ago but I never got asked for money or felt scammed in any way. Perhaps that has changed in 6 yrs or it was because I was not in a big, urban area, but I think if you were wary and used safe practices and perhaps even read up on how to watch for scams, it’s worth a try. Good luck!

      3. Clever Name*

        Wait, were these women chatting with the men over some period of time and never met them? Or were these men they met in real life (went on a date) and then got scammed? Every online dating expert I’ve read suggests you meet up in person as soon as possible. Like go on a date a week or maybe 2 after starting to talk, and some suggest talking on the phone before going on a date.

        I met my live-in boyfriend on Bumble.

        1. The Cosmic Avenger*

          Some they chatted with at length first, and some they met fairly early. The latter tended to not be scammers, but either ghosted them or, in one case, turned into a relationship that crashed and burned.

          It’s possible that a few of my single friends just don’t make great choices. (Not sarcasm, a couple are getting credit counseling and considering bankruptcy. And I specified single only because we’re talking about online dating.) Or they need to screen better, at least. Maybe they’re not skeptical enough, I’ve wondered that.

      4. different name bc location*

        I’m a twenty-something female living in/near DC and while I don’t love online dating, it’s not this bad! I mean, obviously be vigilant and use common sense, but I know people who met long-term partners through online dating. Pretty much everyone here does it.

      5. C Average*

        I met my partner of almost two years on Tinder, and before I met him, I had overall good experiences with the other people I met on Tinder. I went on a lot of dates and didn’t meet a single creep, nor did I receive a single dick pic or other unwanted contact.

        Here’s what seemed to work for me. (And I know a lot of it comes down to luck and timing, so I offer this up with all due humility.)

        –be really clear about who you are and what you want. In my case, this was “bookish, creative, outdoorsy fortysomething with a cat, recently divorced, mainly wants to make out with someone new but is open to an actual relationship.”

        –be really clear about deal-breakers. In my case, this was “I am proudly liberal, happily child-free, and monogamous, and I’m looking for dates with people who can check all three of those boxes, too.”

        –I chose pictures that made me look friendly and approachable and fun rather than trying to look hot, including a shot of me in a sloth costume I made myself for Halloween–believe it or not, I’d say nine of ten chats started with questions about that picture.

        –I thought very seriously about which things to limit. I think a lot of people select a pretty narrow age group. I couldn’t think of a specific age that seemed too high, so I didn’t put an upper limit. I’m really glad I didn’t, because my partner is 13 years older than me and if I had put a limit, I probably would have set it low enough to filter him out. Think carefully about how much age and other specifics really matter, and whether you might be filtering out someone great.

        –I was utterly honest about who and what I am. I never once tried to do anything specific to please the people I met who interested me. I really did want to make out with new people, and I did–a lot! And that was fun. But I was only interested in a relationship with someone who saw the real me and liked her, and for that I was willing to be patient.

        Good luck! I had a really good time online dating. I hope you do, too.

        (One kind of funny aside: I only tried online dating because my therapist, the one who helped me through my divorce, encouraged me to do so. I’d always had a pattern of meeting men through shared activities–rock climbing, running club, cycling, stuff like that–and my therapist said, “I don’t want you to fall into a relationship with the next guy you play sportsball with. I want you to be intentional. I want you to get on Tinder and treat it like you’re shopping. Think about what kind of relationship you want, and with what kind of person.” It was a great way of looking at things.)

        1. Not All*

          This is FANTASTIC advice!

          I was similarly very upfront with who am & what I care about. I used OkCupid because I can’t get past thinking of Tinder as a hookup site and the demographics on OkCupid generally skew much more liberal than eHarmony. They have tens of thousands of questions you can answer and I made a point of only answering things I truly cared about. For example “kissing in a tent or kissing in Paris?” I passed on answering because whether someone answered the same thing as me is going to have zero impact on our actual compatibility. “Religion is very important in my life” I answered because I’m an atheist and absolutely will not waste even 30 seconds chatting with someone who ranked religion as very important…we might be able to be work friends but there is no way we’d be compatible dating.

          One heads up…at least with OkCupid you don’t want to start a profile until you’re actually ready to finish it and start chatting. There isn’t a way to work in it without other people being able to see it and you’ll get 90% of your incoming messages the first week. (The experience of everyone I know on it….has a tendency to be the same people for a long time so when a new profile pops up everyone gets excited lol)

          I did meet someone amazing pretty quickly. If I wouldn’t have had to move for work, it would have probably turned into something very long term. Who knows…it may still since we still talk most days.

          Captain Awkward has some great advice on writing profiles suited to you.

          2. ZaDale*

            I agree with Not All and C Average. I met my now-husband on OkCupid, in the DC area, but only after I had revamped my profile 3 or 4 times over as many years to be:
            –actually my weird ass self
            –showing my nice fat bod
            As well as giving myself the permission to ignore messages from people I thought might could react with anger at a rejection. Had lots of nice makeouts, a few 3-6 month relationships, and then this one which is now onto 6 years!

      6. Venus*

        I have heard that it really depends on your city. I tried online dating in two cities, and for one it was miserable and the other I didn’t meet anyone who appealed but at least they were reasonable.

        You can’t know what the prospects are like online until you try them out… I might suggest trying to meet 5 people in real life (from the internet), and that would likely give you a good idea if you should continue.

    3. Lena Clare*

      I’ve got some writings on my blog Lenaclare dot WordPress dot com, about dating profiles, and attachments in dating.
      There’s other stuff on there, but you don’t have to scroll very far to read it if you want to.

      Remember, it’s just a way to meet people. The work of boundaries and deciding if they’re suitable is like non-online dating.

      And meet quickly after initial contact.
      Don’t give out your personal details other than your first name before you know that they’re ok and you trust them. Use the dating site for communication.

    4. Purt’s Peas*

      Enjoy it for what it is, if you can. Do you like meeting people, in general, and getting to know people? That’s what it is. If you go in saying, 100%, you’re only there to find your forever relationship, it’s going to really stink. If you go in wanting to meet people, go on some dates, hook up a bit, it’ll be fun.

      I had a lot of fun online dating, even though I had some terrible sex in the process. Meeting people and hanging out with new people was fun! There’s advice on this subject too about maintaining your boundaries and making sure you’re presenting yourself online such that people self-select out of messaging you, but most of all, recognize that online dating is what it is—a way to meet people, and not an automatic relationship dispenser.

      Eventually I did find a long-term partner—I went on a few dates with a guy, kept on wanting to schedule the next date, and now we’re married.

    5. Mrs. Carmen Sandiego JD*

      Use Tinder, but expect to eliminate 8/10 profiles you see. Be very specific as to what you’re looking for. It’s how I met my husband of almost 2 years :)

    6. Angwyshaunce*

      I personally avoided the big-name sites, and signed up for a small specialized site. That’s how I met my now-spouse.

    7. NeonDreams*

      I tried it but haven’t gotten past the texting stage. Most matches are in a city two hours from me so it’s hard to actually go on dates. My views are opposite 90 percent of the population in my town so matches run out quickly without expanding. My best advice is to stick with your gut-if a situation feels wrong or troublesome, there’s usually a good reason behind it.

    8. Emily*

      I’m a pretty quiet, down to earth girl who wasn’t sure if online dating would work for me. I gave Coffee Meets Bagel a try while I was a senior in college (age 21) and had pretty good results! I met up with 3 people total, two of whom were nice enough, and the third I ended up dating for a year and a half. Although I met my current bf in person, I would definitely recommend giving online dating a try. A few tips would be:
      – Do a little research on the different types of dating sites. I used CMB back in ~2015 because I liked that you only got one match per day (instead of swiping through dozens). Not sure what apps/sites are out there today, but I don’t think they’re all created equal, so it’s worth reading up on them.
      – Make a list of the traits/qualities you’re looking for in a person. Or if you’re not sure, list a few you wouldn’t consider. Even if it’s vague, it gives you a starting point. Like, I want to date someone with a college degree, at least 1 inch taller than me, and who isn’t religious. Or something like that.
      – Don’t just text with someone for weeks on end. Try to figure out quickly if they seem like someone you’d get along with, and if all seems well, make plans for a casual date in a public place (e.g. coffee on a Saturday afternoon, happy hour drinks on a weekday). I’ve had too many friends text with someone for like, 2 months, only to meet up with them and realize they don’t like them in person. You’ll waste less time meeting in person.
      – Don’t take it too seriously. Meeting up for coffee doesn’t mean you have to marry the person. You don’t even have to see them again if you don’t hit it off. Just have fun with it. Things will come naturally if/when you meet the right person.

    9. AnonyNurse*

      Trust your gut.

      You don’t owe anyone anything.

      You don’t have to reply.

      You don’t have to keep replying.

      You don’t have to meet.

      You don’t have to stay when you meet.

      You don’t have to meet again.

      You don’t have to hug, kiss.

      You don’t have to have sex.

      Also…

      You can have sex!

      You can have fun!

      You can reply!

      Just listen to your inner voice. If something feels wrong, you are right.

      1. Lilysparrow*

        “If something feels wrong, you are right.”

        This is great advice for dating in general, particularly for those of us raised as girls/women. We tend to over-analyze our gut feelings to see if they are “justified” or not.

        They don’t have to be justified, anymore than you need outside validation whether the milk smells sour. If you think it’s off, then something is off. Toss it out.

      2. Mid*

        Yes to all of this. Don’t worry about being mean/rude. You don’t need to justify your feelings to anyone. I ignored my gut about someone and ended up in the most hellish, abusive relationship of my life. Trust your gut.

      3. Mary*

        Adding to this: spend more time thinking about whether you like them, and whether you’re having fun, than you do thinking about whether they like you. Way too easy to get into the obsessive headspace where you’re so focussed on whether or not someone likes you that you forget to ask if you like them.

    10. Vistaloopy*

      This was 10 years ago in a different part of the country, but I met my husband on Match. We emailed for three weeks before meeting up in person. I liked that he didn’t try to use cutesy flirting, winks, etc but just honest conversation. Also, on our first date, he acknowledged the inherent awkwardness of first date etiquette (for example, figuring out who pays) which I thought was sweet.

      1. RemingtonTypeType*

        My husband and I met on match.con 19 years ago. I’m sure the online scene has changed markedly from the olden days of the internet, but I will always pipe up and say positive things about my experience!

        1. All my friends live in my computer*

          I think it’s actually much safer now than it was then. Now you have access, if they give it, or I’d like me you’re savvy enough to figure it out (totally not a stalker here, just diligent) their other social channels. You can see their Instagram and Facebook and figure out if anyone else actually knows them in real life. You can view their twitter feed and find out if they’re hiding racist or homophobic views etc. 20 years ago being online to date was very new, still taboo, and your digital footprint was very small. You couldn’t do due diligence to figure out if someone is who they say they are. Harder to look up a company that they claim to work for etc… I think it’s super safe and super normal to meet friends and lovers online. You just have to be smart. Anything fantastical that seems hard to believe might be, but it’s not too hard to figure out. And there’s no excuse that someone wouldn’t want to FaceTime or Skype you first if you’re feeling doubtful about meeting face to face for the first time etc. everyone has a camera phone now and if they don’t they are in proximity to someone who does, somewhere. Anyone who balks at something like that is a red flag… it’s less taboo now than then. Just be smart.

    11. Nynaeve*

      I would say know what you want and make that clear on your profile. Be willing to be flexible on your nice to haves. Not everyone is into you and that’s okay; you’re not into everyone either. As you go on, you’ll find your own boundaries and hacks (I only responded if it was clear they actually read my profile, for example).

      When you meet, pay attention to how you feel. Bored? Anxious? Annoyed? Relaxed? Vibrant? Scared? Ignored?

      I did online dating for a while (OkCupid) and generally had a good time meeting people, but I stopped because I got busy and didn’t want to put effort into building new relationships for a while. Your mileage will vary. Good luck!

    12. Button*

      I met both my husbands online! I think I turkey is being selective and not taking every interest as someone you need to consider.

    13. MinotJ*

      I met my partner 7 years ago on OK Cupid. My method for online dating was to preemptively block lots and lots of men. I would go through and filter for guys who wanted kids and block them all, then I’d filter for guys with politics the opposite of mine and block them, etc, for all of my categories. It took a lot of time but it saved me from so many “Hey Baby” messages. And it cut the number of possibilities way down, which I was okay with.

      And like others have said, I made my dealbreakers really obvious in my profile – and then I’d bring them up again on the first date.

      I never had any of the bad scenarios happen to me, but my entire personality is “Resting Bitch Face”. The worst I got was brand new guys on the site who I hadn’t blocked yet messaging me to tell me how sexxxay I was. Block.

    14. Warm Weighty Wrists*

      For me, online dating worked really well as a thought exercise for what I wanted in a relationship and whom I wanted to date, and to remember to be open to new experiences and people. I met a few great people (and I have at least 5 friends who married someone they met online), but the majority of my dates were people who were just fine–not amazing, not terrible. I did meet my partner through friends, but it was when I was online dating, and I do think that the openness I was practicing through online dating helped me get into that relationship. So, based on my experience (and mine only, obvs), here’s my advice.
      -Think hard about your dealbreakers and don’t worry about being “mean” by sticking to them. For me, examples of dealbreakers were: preferred range of ages does not include own age; holding a weapon or dead animal in picture; using the term “soulmate”; referring to how “most women” are and saying they want someone different from that. It weeded out a lot of people.
      -Do something on the date you would like to do anyway. This is your time in your one and only precious life–make sure you’re getting something out of it even if the person accompanying you might not be someone you ever see again.
      -If you’re not feeling it, call it quickly and kindly. Again, this is your time you’re spending, so don’t waste it on someone who seems ok but isn’t pushing your buttons. No need to do it in person if you don’t feel safe, but I had good luck with a quick message saying thanks so much for meeting, I wish you the best, but I don’t see us going on another date.
      -If someone else calls it, react briefly and politely. “Thanks for being honest, I wish you the best!” is a good reaction.
      -One of the benefits of online dating is it can skip right past the stage of politely showing one side of yourself and covering up all your weird bits. Lean into it! Be your weirdest, most authentic self because you don’t know these people so what do their opinions matter–go off about moon rocks or Hungarian police dramas or the 13 different kinds of snow and find the person who’s into that, or into the fact that you’re into it. If nothing else, you guarantee the conversation will be more fun than ascertaining each other’s hometowns.

      1. C Average*

        This is great advice, every word. And whether you’re online dating or not, leaning into the weird is a wonderful way to live.

    15. Alexandra Lynch*

      I met both my partners online. Now, I’m not quite typical as I was using a kink website designed to help people meet partners for kink, but I think some of this will transfer.

      I messaged with the person just long enough to confirm the big issues, which for me was no cat allergies, no problem with me being pagan, no problem with being in a polyamorous relationship, and compatible activity levels. (I have chronic pain; I will not be running with my boyfriend for fun.) Given the setting, I also looked to make sure we had compatible kinks, because there are some things I’m just not into and won’t be getting into, and if that’s his primary kink, we won’t suit. Then we moved very quickly to meeting up with each other for coffee. I had a LOT of no-shows, and I didn’t take it too hard because we really didn’t have a lot invested yet.
      Boyfriend and I just celebrated six years together; Girlfriend and I have been together for four. We all live together, and it works nicely. (It would work better if Girlfriend could find a job, but that’s life….)

    16. Ted Mosby*

      Go for quality over quantity!! Pick some things you want. I picked HAS TO say looking for a relationship, Jewish, nonsmoking, needs to seem curious and engaged in their life, stable job. Don’t swipe on anyone who doesn’t meet your standards, and don’t feel guilty for being judge mental. People tend to swipe on too many people to keep their options over, but your inbox will really quickly get clogged with meaningless small talk as you don’t have the time and don’t remember specifics well enough to engage deeply with anyone.

      Try for a 5 min phone call or Skype before you meet up to see how you vibe. I’ve met several people who within minutes, like often one minute, I realized I should not have met up, because we were on totally different wavelengths socially, but our small talk texts were fine.

      Be very honest about what you’re looking for. Know that men who don’t specify what they’re looking for or have very short/no bios are generally just trying to have casual sex.

      I have several friends who met their spouses online! Good luck!

    17. Aurora Leigh*

      You’ve gotten lots of great advice already! I’ll just chime in and say it worked for me! We met on Match and are planning a May wedding. :)

      Tell a friend who you’re meeting and where. It might be a little paranoid, but my friend was happy to know and excited to hear about the date after.

      Be authentically yourself andlook for people who are equally upfront.

      This probably won’t apply to you (in DC) but if you’re in a smaller pool, don’t just look at the chosen “matches” . . . do a search for your preferred gender amd age range. Honestly, all Match had for my now fiance and me was “you’re both nonsmokers” . . . I am religous and he is agnostic, he put not sure for kids, I put definitely . . . but we share a sense of humor, a love for animals, grew up with similar backgrounds, love learning and trying new things, but also just staying in to watch TV and eat ice cream.

      Have fun! But honestly, don’t take it too seriously or obsess about it. If it stops being fun, take a break. Our first date was my favorite pizza place after work on a Friday.

    18. Kimberlee, No Longer Esq.*

      I live in DC, and while I’m not dating, I know several people who are using dating apps in the area, and I know a few couples who met online and now have been happily married, having kids, etc.

      A friend of mine recently said that she changed her settings to only looking for a relationship, and expecting all her matches to dry up, but found that not only did the number of matches she got go up, the quality went up as well.

      Bumble seems to have gotten the highest reviews, but I know people who met via Match.com and Tinder also.

    19. young professional*

      i’m huge on online dating – i’ve met 2 really respectful hookups, and 3/maybe soon a 4th actual boyfriends of at least 1 year. I’ve met no creeps.
      some tips:
      Put your deal breaker on the profile. for me it was “looking for someone who cares about social issues.”
      Forgive men for being kinda ugly in pics – men often take real bad pics. But swipe left on shirtless or weirdly sexy photos.
      Keep your photos cute, flirty, not sexy unless you just want to bang.
      as a woman, I set my age limit 2 years older than me and up.
      for the convo, i indirectly bring up some of my deal breakers. I casually talk about a social issue (if they’re dismissive of it, red flag.) I make a casual comment that could be met with an overly sexual reply (ex: I’ll write “it’s so cold and i dont own any pajama pants!”). If they take the bait (ex: let me come and warm you up ;)), I’m not impressed that they’re mentioning sex/hooking up before a date. that’s just me though.
      I also don’t chat with someone longer than 4/5 days. Any longer, it’s awkward if you finally meet up and you want to let it fizzle out.
      for DC, I would also ask how long you’re planning on being in DC for. It really sucks that 2 boyfriends whom I loved moved a year after dating. but that’s the game in DC.
      Before the date, think of some questions to ask! for me it’s important to know if they have goals, find their job/school to be important, etc.

  11. MMB*

    Happy saturday everyone!

    I was thinking about memorable short stories the other day (ones that impacted me or stayed with me for years) and I realized it’s a very short list. Some of my favorites were:
    The Most Dangerous Game, Richard Connell
    Cerile and the Journeyer, Adam-Troy Castro
    The Ghost of Dibble Hollow, May N. Wallace
    The majority of Ray Bradbury’s work, but especially stories like The Foghorn and All Summer in a Day.
    (Now I’m remembering novels like The Enduring Years and Peter Straub’s Ghost Story!)

    When I close my eyes and think about these stories I can see my grandmother’s living room in the summer and smell the dusty yellowed pages of the books. What are some of the most memorable or impactful short stories you’ve read?

    1. OyHiOh*

      The Most Dangerous Game is on my short list of memorable short stories as well
      The Lottery
      The Yellow Wallpaper

      1. MMB*

        Yes! I loved the Yellow Wallpaper! So creepy.
        Just remembered Here be Dragons though it’s not a short.

      2. D.W.*

        The Lottery; I re-read this last month after 12yrs. Just as stirring as the first time I read it
        The Yellow Wallpaper
        The Veldt

    2. Purt’s Peas*

      Absolutely my biggest one is Robot Dreams by Isaac Asimov. I don’t want to spoil it but I find it so profoundly tragic and perfect—I think about it all the time.

      1. Marzipan*

        Ooh, ooh, also, Singing My Sister Down. Margo Lanagan is amazing at creating a complete world within just a few pages.

    4. Nervous Nellie*

      Great question! I love to see everyone’s answers to questions like this. Mine: The Rocking Horse Winner by DH Lawrence & The Lottery by Shirley Jackson.

    5. Marion Q*

      The Most Dangerous Game had been in my TBR pile for quite some time! I’m still waiting for the urge to actually read it.

      My memorable short stories:

      – The Library Window by Margaret Oliphant.
      I’m actually not sure where this is a short story or a novella; quick Google search brings up contradictory results. The writing is so engaging, and although the reader can guess the revelation at the end, the narrator is very adamant that you want her to be right. I regularly reread this one.

      – The Spider by Hanns Heinz Ewers. It’s a (psychological?) horror story. It’s memorable mainly because it is disturbing.

      – Oh Whistle and I’ll Come to You, My Lad by M. R. James

      1. Asenath*

        Anything by M.R. James! Every time I hear about a short story about a window, I think of Saki’s “The Open Window”, although his “Sredni Vashtar” is possibly better known.

        1. fposte*

          Oh, God, how could I forget Saki! I love “The Open Window.” Last time I checked, it looked like he’d invented “Bertie, Why Do You Bound?” himself, which is just delicious.

          1. Elspeth Mcgillicuddy*

            My favorite Saki story is “The Story-Teller,” which is a lot more lighthearted.

            1. fposte*

              Also “The Scharz-Metterklume Method.” But I nonetheless love the bloodthirstiness of Sredni Vashtar.

      2. fposte*

        Glad to see M. R. James in here. I read “The Mezzotint” when I was about 8 and it’s stuck with me to this day (not least because I had no idea what a mezzotint was).

        M. R. James has a literary descendant in Robert Westall. His “The Call” is my favorite–spooky and poignant.

    6. MMB*

      I’m going to have to try all of these. I remember reading Flowers for Algernon in school, but it’s hazy, a character with a sweater is all I really remember when I think of it. Two people mentioned The Lottery, I looked it up and it sounds perfect for the season! So does the Rocking Horse story.

      Robot Dreams seems vaguely familiar, I’m going to put it on my list as well!

    8. Fikly*

      Harrison Bergeron, by Vonnegut. I read it for 7th grade English (several decades ago) and have never forgotten it.

      2. Spooooon!!*

        Yes, same here! I never forgot it. One I read recently was “The Half Skinned Steer” by Annie Proulx. It’s very visceral and eerie.

      3. SarahKay*

        Our headmaster read part of this to the school when I was about 14, and it stuck with me for decades, until I googled the details I could remember and read the whole thing. It’s such a fascinating story about the difference between fair and equal.

        He also read us Ursula K Le Guin’s Road To Omelas, although as a huge fan of her writing I came across that one when reading her short stories in me early twenties.

        I have very fond memories of that headmaster, not least for creating an environment that encouraged thinking.

    9. Ali*

      “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” by Ursula K. Le Guin. I think about this story all the time. At least once a week at my current job and in this current cultural climate.

      1. SarahKay*

        Snap. I just posted a response to the comment above about the same story and then saw yours. And now realised I mis-named the story, which will teach me not to comment after a large glass of wine!

      2. sequined histories*

        “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas”
        I’be been teaching at a middle school/high school for 14 years and was thrilled to finally work it into my curriculum last year.
        My mind boggled, though, when a number of 8th graders dismissed The Ones Who Walk Away because they didn’t actually liberate The Child.

    10. Anono-me*

      There’s a short story by Louis L’Amour that I read in high school. The story follow the traditional lines of most of his westerns. But there was a line that is always stuck with me. A family was headed west with the husband died. The Wagon Train leaders tried to talk the woman into turning back East with her children. She refused. Later when explaining to her son, she said “We didn’t turn back when the dogs barked as we passed through the towns, we are not turning back now.” That line always stuck with me. And I try to remember not to let the yapping irrelevant people impact my decisions.

        1. Glinda*

          That story was originally in a collection called “war party” and features another one of his short stories “one for the pot” which is also about a strong woman. I love both those stories by him. The story you referenced ends up being used as the prologue to the novel – “Bendigo Shafter”.

    11. Have dragon, will quest in exchange for hummus*

      Hellfire by Isaac Asimov is my all-time favorite. Nightfall (also Asimov) is a close second.

    13. alex b.*

      Ooh I LOVE short stories. A great short story, to me, indicates true mastery of writing.

      I agree with the mentioned ones that I know. Other greats I haven’t seen mentioned:
      The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin
      A Good Man Is Hard to Find by Flannery O’Connor
      The Mark on the Wall by Virginia Woolf
      The Garden Party by Katherine Mansfield
      The Dead by James Joyce
      The Ransom of Red Chief by O. Henry
      The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe
      Young Goodman Brown by Nathaniel Hawthorne
      Bernice Bobs Her Hair by F. Scott Fitzgerald
      The Secret Life of Walter Mitty by James Thurber
      Bartleby, the Scrivener by Herman Melville
      An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Bierce
      The Lady, or the Tiger? by Frank Stockton
      A Worn Path by Eudora Welty
      Snows of Kilimanjaro by Ernest Hemingway
      Heat by Joyce Carol Oates

      1. C Average*

        Oooh, I forgot about Joyce Carol Oates. Have you read “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” It’s one of the most disturbing and well-crafted pieces of writing I’ve ever read.

        1. fposte*

          And Smooth Talk, the movie version starring a young Laura Dern, was also very good. I haven’t watched it for years so I don’t know if it’s held up.

        2. alex b.*

          Oh yes– great story, super disturbing. Just like “Heat.”
          I’m so torn on JCO. Black Water– the novella based on the Chappaquiddick incident– is arguably snuff porn, and Zombie, based on Jeffrey Dahmer’s crimes, is disgusting. We Were the Mulvaneys is horrifying in its own right.
          I have trouble with her work just ’cause it’s so upsetting. But I named her in that list, maybe because of my mixed feelings about her.

      2. MMB*

        Bartlett, the Scrivener was fantastic. “I would prefer not to.”! The Lady and the Tiger is one of my all-time favorites. He wrote another short story “The Discourager of Hesitancy” that was interesting as well.

        1. alex b.*

          Thanks; I didn’t know about the Stockton sequel but just read it. It’s kind of a one-trick situation but a good one. :)

    15. CTT*

      “When Mr. Pirzada Came to Dine“ by Jhumpa Lahiri. It stuck with my because it was the first time I read a story that described the moment a child learns about Grown Up Problems and that you need to protect your fellow children from.

    16. Earthwalker*

      Leninger Versus the Ants. And while you’re on Ray Bradbury, Dark They Were With Golden Eyes.

      1. SarahKay*

        I’d like to add Frost and Fire, also by Ray Bradbury, which I read in my stepdad’s battered sixties sci-fi paperbacks in my early teens.
        Some 30 years later, we were chatting about old sci-fi stories and he said something like “There was an excellent one about two groups of people living in caves” (maybe not his exact words, but definitely no more information than that) and I instantly interjected “eight days!” and yes, we were both thinking of Frost and Fire.

    17. Elizabeth West*

      I’m a horror fan and have been since childhood, so most of the stuff that stayed with me was scary. I had a Whitman children’s book of classic horror stories that contained, among others, the following:

      –The Monkey’s Paw by W.W. Jacobs
      –Second Night Out by Frank Belknap Long (this one scared the shit out of me)
      –The Whistling Room by William Hope Hodgson (so did this one)
      –Floral Tribute by Robert Bloch

      The rest were fairy tales, Grimm’s and Anderson’s. And we had a bunch of those Childcraft books from the 1940s with stories about animals and kids from different lands, etc. I read them so many times that they’re still in my head.

      My parents also got tons of Reader’s Digest anthologies and subscribed to the magazine, so I read a lot of those too. One had animal stories in it also. I would read anything as a kid, and I was partial to the “Drama in Real Life” stories in RD, probably because of my bent for the macabre, haha.

    20. Best cat in the world*

      The Red Room by H.G. Wells
      The Signal-Man by Charles Dickens

      Both have stuck with me vividly. And neither are my normal reading, they’re things I read in school and had to go and find again as an adult.

    21. MMB*

      This has been so much fun to read. So many stories I loved and had forgotten about and so many new ones to put on my list. Thank you all for sharing! Maybe we’ll even have a few more to add this afternoon :)

    22. Patty Mayonnaise*

      Ones that haven’t been mentioned yet:

      -A Christmas Memory, Truman Capote (my 11th grade English teacher read it to us at Christmas and cried. She was the best!)

      – The Finkelstein Five, Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah

      – every story in Her Body and Other Parties, Carmen Maria Machado (but especially The Husband Stitch)

      – Click Clack the Rattlebag, Neil Gaiman

      1. alex b.*

        OMG Capote’s “A Christmas Memory” broke my heart in middle school.
        As someone above said, I am also loving this thread and thought of a few others that haven’t been mentioned but can’t be missed:
        “Sweat” by Zora Neale Hurston
        “A Clean, Well-Lighted Place” by Hemingway
        “A Rose for Emily” and “Barn Burning” by Faulkner

    23. pyjamas*

      I’ll put in a plug for a few childhood favorites:

      “The Strange Sea Monster of Strawberry Lake” in the _Mad Scientist’s Club_ by Bertrand R. Brinley

      “The Doughnuts” in _Homer Price_ by Robert McCloskey

      All the Nicholas stories in the series of that name (Nicholas, Nicholas Again, etc.) by René Goscinny & Jean-Jacques Sempé. I can’t find the volume to check the table of contents, but my absolute favorite is about soccer dads in _Nicholas Again_.

      “The Wonderful Day” by Robert Arthur, in
      _Alfred Hitchcock’s Ghostly Gallery: Eleven Spooky Stories for Young People_ (Also, “Miss Emmeline Takes Off” by Walter Brooks)

    24. HappyOne*

      Short stories by Roald Dahl – before he wrote children’s books, he wrote short stories for adults. They are all darkly hilarious with delicious twists. You can see the seeds laid for fabulous future characters like Miss Trunchbull….

    25. Dancing Otter*

      “The Nine Billion Names of God” by Arthur C. Clarke.
      Of course, modern computers could generate all the combinations in moments, but that would be a very different story.

    26. Dancing Otter*

      Maybe someone will recognize this, because I can’t remember the title or author. Science fiction, 1960s (though possibly it was not new when I read it).
      A young woman stows away on a one-person rocket ship going to a colony within the solar system (maybe Mars?). It might have been delivering something crucial and urgent such as vaccine, but I may be conflating another story.
      The reality of the engineering and physics, where her added mass and oxygen needs would doom the flight, is the crux of the story. The pilot can’t sacrifice himself for her survival, because she couldn’t maneuver and land the ship. And there isn’t a lot of time before it will be too late….
      It’s a little dated, in that the author uses “silly young female” as a shortcut for being ignorant about the reality of space flight and never having had to face inescapable consequences. But that someone would be that ignorant and selfish – I want what I want, so it should be possible; What’s the big deal?; don’t confuse me with facts – is unfortunately not dated at all.

      1. Asenath*

        “The Cold Equations”. I didn’t like it, I suppose because the idea of inescapable consequences upset me at the time – and it seemed like cheating to have the humans and not the “cold equations” act – but the responsibility is laid on the equations.

    27. Slam*

      Blood Bay, by Annie Proulx. Not what I expected at all. In the middle of a very solemn book, it’s hilarious, folklore-y and so well written. I’ve been known to read it aloud to people I particularly like!

    28. Blue Horizon*

      ‘The Ninth Symphony of Ludwig van Beethoven and Other Lost Songs’, by Carter Scholz. Science fiction, a kind of slow-burning psychological horror for music scholars. It haunted me for years. Don’t read it. Especially don’t read it if you’re a grad student struggling with motivation, like I was at the time. (And if you do, don’t say I didn’t warn you).

    29. NowIWantPeanutButterCookies*

      Anything by Lorrie Moore!

      Also sorry if this was already mentioned– I didn’t read all the comments– but the New Yorker has The Best short stories. They also have two short story podcasts and free even if you don’t subscribe to the magazine: “New Yorker fiction” and “the writer’s voice”

  12. Lady Jay*

    Running thread!

    Let’s start with this: Overnight, Eliud Kipchoge broke the two-hour marathon record with a 1.59.40 in Vienna. I’ve seen footage of him crossing the finish line: he just makes running look so graceful and effortless.

    1. fposte*

      I don’t run, but I watched the video of that finish. That’s amazing; it’s the breaking the four-minute mile of our time.

      1. D.W.*

        Fposte, I finally recognize your avatara i purchased this book for a friend’s son a few years ago. Really cute book. It became one of his favorites.

    2. Purt’s Peas*

      I started running again, which has been really nice. I’m doing an online program to work up to a half-marathon distance. It’s fun but a little frustrating since I’m quite a slowpoke :)

      I watched the video too—what an incredible athlete.

    3. LGC*

      You beat me to it! I missed the livestream, but – yeah – that is WILD. I’ll admit, I was a little bit cautious after Breaking2, but…man. I’m just amazed. I’ve got to watch the finish video – although I’ve watched him race and then thought to myself, “Man, why can’t I look like that?”

      Funny thing is, my best friend texted me asking if I thought Kipchoge would do it in a “real” race. (Because of Reasons, INEOS 1:59 isn’t an official marathon record.) I had to think about it and…I’m not sure! I know just after the Nike trial, he ran the WR in Berlin. (Which almost got broken this year by Kenenisa Bekele at Berlin!) So…like, I don’t know! It could be possible that the actual marathon record drops below 2. I’m thinking it could easily become high 2:00 at this point in London or Berlin. Or maybe I’m just way too hype about this.

      1. General von Klinkerhoffen*

        He’s broken a psychological barrier: he proved that it’s even possible so now everyone else “just” has to … do it. He “just” ran a five-minute mile, and then another, and another, for 1.59.40 (ahem). Maybe an official sub-two time will come at the Olympics?

        1. LGC*

          Probably not the Olympics! It’ll be in Tokyo in summer, which isn’t ideal climate-wise. It’s not going to be as bad as the world championships this year were (yes, run a marathon outside of winter in Doha, Qatar, that’s an awesome idea!), but it’ll almost certainly be very warm.

          (As a matter of fact, I’d put my money on 2021 because of the Olympics. Most WR attempts nowadays come at London or Berlin, it seems. And if top marathoners are targeting the Olympics in 2020, that leaves little room on either end for those races.)

    4. coffee cup*

      Yeah, he makes it look super easy and he’s just from another world or something.

      Me, I did park run this morning and did my fastest time ever for a 5k! Not that it’s *actually* fast but for me it is. I’m happy, especially as the course in my local park has hills.

      1. Mid*

        Congrats! That’s the best part of running tbh. Running for your own personal records. I just did my second ever 5k race and cut 9 minutes off my finishing time! First time ever doing a sub-30 5k

      2. londonedit*

        Well done! And please don’t feel the need to qualify your achievements with ‘it’s not really fast’. We’re all runners and we’ve all got our own goals and abilities, and they’re all equally as valid as each other. If it was your fastest time, it was your fastest time! That’s a brilliant achievement and it takes hard work however fast you’re running.

        Me, I did parkrun yesterday too, and ended up pacing my friend to a new PB. It was great fun! It was also only 30 seconds slower than my own PB, which tells me that if I’m pacing someone at that sort of time, I ought to make an effort sometime and try for a PB myself!

        By the way, I responded to a comment about parkrun on last weekend’s thread but I’m sure I was too late, so if anyone hasn’t yet discovered the magic of parkrun please do Google it and find out! It’s the best thing. Free, timed 5k runs every week all over the world, all put on by amazing volunteers, and it’s a wonderful community of people.

      3. LGC*

        So I’m just going to add on and say that…one thing I’ve learned is that fast is relative, no matter who you are. (Like, I’m a sub-17-minute 5k runner when I put my mind to it…which is still significantly slower than Kipchoge’s per-mile pace in Vienna and his Berlin WR.)

        That is to say – you shouldn’t add on a qualifier! You ran a PR! Who cares if other people can run faster? Part of the beauty of running is that for a large part, it’s a competition against yourself. Regardless of whether you’re Eliud Kipchoge, Brigid Kosgei (who I will be discussing shortly because I need to yell about this immediately), a guy like me that runs around a Boston Qualifier, or someone who’s just trying to finish their first marathon. (Okay, I used all marathon examples here, but you can extend the metaphor in all directions.)

      4. Blue Horizon*

        Congrats! As others have said, unless you are an Olympic athlete or generally running competitively then “fast for you” is all that really counts.

        I am back down to 4km on my runs for now because my lower calf has started doing… I’m not sure what right after that point. On the plus side, instead of turning into a niggling condition that takes months to resolve it seems to be clearing up within days this time, which hopefully means the exercise program is paying off.

    5. Femme d'Afrique*

      I watched the entire race live from start to finish and screamed myself hoarse!
      He was spectacular.

      1. Reba*

        We also watched the whole video — not live, but last night. It was surprisingly riveting!

        What a fantastic athlete and interesting person. I loved seeing the enthusiasm and performance from the whole team of pacers, and imagining how special it must be for them too, to have been a part of this.

          1. LGC*

            You can get them for the low, low price of $250! (Or a version of them, anyway.) And if pink isn’t your color, you can also choose lime green.

            I could probably write an entire post about Kipchoge’s shoes in particular, but basically: WHAT ARE THOOOSE

            (I’ll spare you guys the full VaporFly rant because it’s going to be really nerdy and kinda bananas. Not as bananas as THREE CARBON FIBER PLATES, but bananas nonetheless.)

    6. The Librarian (not the type from TNT)*

      Incredible! That’s so inspiring. I was hoping it would happen some day. I can’t even run a half marathon in that amount of time anymore.

    7. Elenna*

      I started running a couple weeks ago with a beginner’s program (similar to couch to 5k programs except longer and leading up to a 10k) and so far it’s been going well! Next week we’ll drop the 2-minute walking break to a 1-minute break which is a bit intimidating, but we’ll see how it goes.

    8. Hi there*

      Kiddo got a PR in middle school cross country this week, which we are both very excited about. My week of training wasn’t great but I can think of several reasons why: not fueling properly for the long run, a stressful week with lots of evening events, and, as they said in an Another Mother Runner podcast I listened to, “most runs are mediocre.”

    9. LGC*

      So, just to add on: Brigid Kosgei just shattered the women’s marathon record by running a 2:14:04 at Chicago this morning (breaking Paula Radcliffe’s long-standing 2:15 – I was surprised to see it was “only” from 2003, I thought it was much older!).

      On top of Kenenisa Bekele’s nearly WR-breaking run at Berlin a couple of weeks back (he ran a 2:01:41, which has got to sting)…dare I say this has been the most bonkers month in marathon news in history? At least in a long time.

      (Oh yeah, and Worlds happened earlier this month. THAT TOO. I’m almost glad there’s some downtime between now and New York. I might have irrationally yelled at various electronic devices multiple times this month.)

  13. self employed*

    Who here has a podcast? Which host do you use? Which microphone? There are tons of resources online but I’d love to hear from someone with experience here. Thanks!

    1. Anonymous Educator*

      I used to have a podcast, and I started off hosting it on SoundCloud, but that got very expensive for the very small audience the podcast had, so I switched to hosting on a generic host (not tied to podcasting per se) with a WordPress installation and the free Podlove plugin, and that was much cheaper. Honestly, for a microphone, I just used the MacBook Air’s built-in mic. As long as there weren’t loud motorcycles outside, and my co-host and I weren’t chewing or making other weird noises, it sounded fine.

    2. Naomi*

      I’m just getting into podcasting myself! But I was lucky enough to find a local community TV station/ media center that let us use their recording studio and host the podcast on their web site. I may shop it around to other podcast aggregators but it’s early days yet and the first episode is still being edited.

    3. Texan In Exile*

      I do podcasts at work (for internal use). I just record over skype, with each of us using a headset. I edit in moviemaker and convert the file to mp3 using a free converter I found online.

      I have checked into some fancy podcasting services but I didn’t think they would add much value for what they charged – that is, I would still have to edit out the parts where my guest says, “Wait – let me say that again” or where my cat Joins The Meeting at a critical point. The editing services can smooth out some things, but the hard part of editing is still on you.

      1. Bonferroni*

        A mic makes an enormous difference in the quality of a podcast. I would strongly encourage you to use one with a pop filter. Even a cheap microphone at close proximity will work well.

        I use a Blue Yeti and have found it to be worth its weight in gold. The same company makes another called the Snowball that is also really good but a bit cheaper. However, for most purposes, you can just buy something less expensive and get really decent sound – much better than the built-in mic on your computer.

  14. WellRed*

    Here’s my low stakes question. Any tips or product recommendations for sore, hot tired feet after a day of trade showing? Going to Atlanta, then To NOLA for vacay and oh, my feet. Staying in hotels, so epsom seems impractical.

    1. Lena Clare*

      Massage with almond (or other carrier) oil and a few drops of essential oil(s) such as lavender &/or peppermint.
      Clary sage is excellent for relaxing aching muscles, but do not use it if pregnant.
      I like using a bottle with water in and a few drops of lavender which I then spritz onto my skin wherever I feel achy. It’s both relaxing and refreshing.

    2. Leona*

      Two relatively light things that might help: first, compression socks if they’re practical for you can really alleviate that tired, swollen feeling in your feet and calves if you wear them during the trade show. Second, I LOVE traveling with one of those little spiky-looking foot massage balls. A few minutes rolling your feet over it at the end of the day is really helpful.

      Good luck!

      https://www.amazon.com/Professional-Massager-Fasciitis-Reflexology-Myofascial/dp/B01LN9UVCS/ref=asc_df_B01LN9UVCS/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310135323596&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17975793113259303599&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-762525054872&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=62847861838&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=310135323596&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17975793113259303599&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-762525054872

    3. Life sucks sometimes*

      Change into a different pair of shoes midway through the day.

      I heard that a famous movie director did this and it really helps my feet be less sore at the end of the day.

      1. Anono-me*

        If for some reason it is Impractical to switch shoes, can you switch out inserts? Also if the shoes you have to wear don’t have good support, please look into adding good inserts. (They even make high-heeled inserts nowadays. The inserts are not great but they’re better than nothing)

    4. Fikly*

      My pilates guy just recommended arnica to me today for a giant bruise that appeared on my knee with no discernible cause. He said it’s good for any kind of inflammation.

      Can’t comment on personal experience yet, but he hasn’t steered me wrong yet!

    5. Bluebell*

      Maybe you can find one of the reflexology salons? When I go to NYC and do lots of walking, I usually get a half hour foot massage. Also, NOLA has a great pedicure place where you sit in a porch swing—Southern Swings.

    6. Lilysparrow*

      You can still find old-fashioned fabric ice packs in drugstores. They are cheap and incredibly useful. Get two – they collapse flat and weigh practically nothing.

      I made it through a long road trip and a dance-all-night wedding with plantar fasciitis by using LOTS of hotel ice on my feet.

    7. Damn it, Hardison!*

      Foot masks! You can pick them up for $6 at Sephora (and now Aveeno makes one too, which I’ve picked up at Target). Basically lotion in plastic booties (travel friendly!) . I like the almond and lavender versions from Sephora.

    8. WellRed*

      Found a spiky foot ball and foot masks at the drugstore today and will look at some sort of peppermint or lavender oil/ spray. Thx everyone!

    9. MissDisplaced*

      Ice! I get some from the hallway, put it in a bag and then wrap a hand towel around it. I sit with feet elevated w/the ice for a few minutes. This helps with the cooling and swelling. Later I will take a nice hot bath to relax before bed + some Advil. And do it all again next day!

    10. rear mech*

      If you’re wearing pants and closed shoes, wear compression socks (might be labelled diabetic socks or stockings at the pharmacy). They aid circulation and help prevent blood from pooling in your feet and lower legs. This is a significant cause of that achy feeling from standing all day. Signed, someone with no significant health issues who is on their feet all day.

      1. Mrs Socks*

        You can get adorable, or work practical compression socks/stockings/tights and leggings that don’t look medicinal or like a burn unit compression online for very reasonable prices.
        I buy a lot of mine on amazon and have several different ones, w diff compression levels. I have plantar fasciitis in both feet and Issues with both my Achilles’ tendons that I’m hoping to prevent from rupturing spontaneously one day.

    11. rear mech*

      Also! when you get home, lay on the floor with your butt against the wall so your legs are straight up at a 90 degree angle. just chill and decompress for 10 minutes or more and the feets will feel way better

    12. Lora*

      I do compression socks, then when I get back to the hotel I sit down in the shower/tub/whatever and put my feet up and let the warm water pound on them. Then right after I hop out and towel off, I put a ton of tiger balm or some kind of menthol rub on in stupid quantities, and put socks on so I don’t leave a greasy mentholated trail, wash my hands (do NOT touch anything until you wash your hands) and flop into bed. But I really like the feeling of my legs being numb and cinnamon-scented from the knees down after a long day on my feet, so…

    13. Not So NewReader*

      Make sure you are drinking water through out the day.
      When I go to shows of any sort the first think I stop thinking about is hydration.
      It’s amazing how much pain escalates when our water reserves start to go down. You can use the pain as a memory trigger- oh yeah, time for more water.

    14. Alexandra Lynch*

      Good shoes. If there was ever a time to drop money on your feet, this is it. I have bad feet, and buying good shoes is the difference between me being able to do a normal day’s walking and work around the house, versus being able to maybe walk to the bathroom a few times. I get my shoes at Footsmart.com mostly, because they can handle my weirdnesses (I wear a 10 wide, need metatarsal support and a wide toe box since I have Morton’s foot, and the torn tendon and the plantar issues require a solid non-heeled sole, preferably a slip on so that torn tendon isn’t getting rubbed.)

      (Yes, I’m going to fix the tendon, but I have to wait til I get married to my boyfriend and we have to plan it so that he can take three months off between contracts to take care of me.)

  15. Queer Earthling*

    My spouse and I started a weird craft project. We’re making a Victorian vampire hunting kit! I’ve wanted to build one for like a decade and a half, since I saw them on LiveJournal or something in my youth. It’ll also be a great prop for an upcoming blog post, but let’s be honest, it’s mostly just because it’s cool. It’ll have two stakes, a wooden mallet, some “holy water,” an ornate cross, and probably other things I forgot, all in a handsome leather case for the vamp hunter on the go.

    We have all the pieces; the stuff we’re working on is aging and weathering the items, and then strapping it all into the case, hopefully in such a way that the pieces will be removable. My favorite so far are the bottles of “holy water”–Hobby Lobby, being Hobby Lobby, had some very ornate little crosses that function as paper brads, so we’re taking off the back stabby bit* and gluing them onto the bottles, and we’ve aged the corks with a combo of scraping chunks off, dunking it in coffee, and painting. The glass bottles have also been aged with brown and black paint and frankly look amaaaazing.

    *excuse the technical terms

        1. Queer Earthling*

          It really is! Not only is it just a really fun concept, but one of my favorite crafty things to do is to age items. My spouse and I once did this cool project for a LiveJournal group we were in lo these many years ago where we made up stories about keys and sent the key and the “notes” or “found items” or whatever with them, everything from an Atlantean key to creepy pasta type ones, and it involved days of aging paper, the keys themselves, and other props.

    5. Elspeth Mcgillicuddy*

      I have a large wooden hairstick that I sometimes call my vampire stake. It is oversized for a hairstick yet undersized for a stake. Still, it should reach the heart unless the vampire happened to be really fat. I’ve never read about a fat vampire, so I should be safe. :)

      1. Queer Earthling*

        In Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter, Jesus takes out a vampire with a toothpick, so you should be okay! ;)

        (Yes, it’s a real movie. Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like.)

        1. Elspeth Mcgillicuddy*

          … If Jesus in that story isn’t God and so can’t just destroy the vampires out of hand, why isn’t he using holy water?!! He could certainly bless it himself! Though I suspect I am being too logical for a movie like that.

          1. Queer Earthling*

            It’s been a few years since I’ve seen it, but I think the movie forgot about holy water as a vampire option? I can’t remember. I was distracted by Jesus’ sweet kung fu moves.

  16. Myrin*

    Little Thing of the Week:
    Since my family’s move early this year, I’ve started to treat myself by buying myself a bouquet of flowers about once a month.
    This actually came about because I really like flowers and we re-discovered an old decanter while in the throes of moving and no one knew what to do with it so I put it on my new windowsill and thought “Y not vase?”.
    It’s such a small thing but it makes me so happy – especially the current ones because they’re so pretty!
    (There’s also a weird thing in here somewhere about how I realised only after moving out how unhappy I had been at our old place, but I don’t want to dwell on that at the moment.)

    2. AvonLady Barksdale*

      I buy flowers once a week. I used to get them at the farmer’s market and take them to my office. “What’s the occasion?” “Monday.”

      Now we moved and I work from home, and I get Whole Foods bouquets on sale. I just like having them around. A simple way to make things a little brighter!

    3. fposte*

      I love indoor bouquets! I also love pottery, so the two go together very well. At one point I thought I’d enjoy cutting flowers from my garden for inside, but it turns out I often can’t bear to lose them from the garden, so I end up buying flowers even when my yard is full of flowers.

      1. spiralingsnails*

        I have that problem too, so someday I want to plant a “cutting garden” bed in a not-visible-from-the-window spot in the back yard. :)

      2. SarahKay*

        I understand that sweetpeas actually benefit from having their flowers cut regularly, if that helps?

    4. Fikly*

      I cannot do cut flowers due to terrible allergies, but I work from home and have a windowsill in front of my view, so I keep small indoor plants on it.

      I’m not terribly good at keeping them alive, but that means I have a rotation going on! Right now I’ve got basil from the late spring, a new friend called a bloodleaf (google a picture, it’s wild) and a miniature pot of mums. They really cheer me up.

    5. Overeducated*

      For years I said when I had plenty of extra money I’d buy myself flowers every week. Feeling actually prosperous looks pretty far off thanks to childcare costs, but I am tired of waiting until I own a home and my kids are both out of day care to ever have nice things, so I’m now buying them on occasion as well. For $5-10 a month they really make me happy, and I was gifted a small, pretty crystal vase last week too! Little luxuries can be lovely.

      1. Myrin*

        Exactly!
        I’ve always hesitated to get “frivolous” stuff like this because of money (although I weirdly don’t have that feeling regarding my numerous kitchen utensils or gardening supplies…) and then a few months ago I just went “Fuck it!” and bought a nice bouquet.
        (Although now that I’m thinking back on it, it was actually spurred by the very nice bouquet I got from work for my birthday, which was immediately after my move. Seems like all I needed were some nice flowers right next to my working station and I was suddenly ready to go!)

    6. Not So NewReader*

      Gerbera Daisies. They always make me smile this big foolish smile when ever I see them. Once in a while I buy a bunch or I buy them potted in a container. Just because….

    7. Reba*

      Love this! I always get flowers when people are coming over, and I like to bring them to other we go over to other peoples’ places. They just make me happy.

      I often get comments on this as being like, extreme high-level adulting… But I get them at the grocery store or the farmers’ market! They don’t have to be crazy expensive and hard to do!

    8. moql*

      Look into a subscription bouquet! A florist in my city who mostly does events porpusely over-orders and then puts together their extras and delivers it to your home biweekly. It’s a bit expensive ($25/bouquet) but feels like such a luxury, and it is fun getting a surprise every other week.

    9. Flora*

      Trader Joe’s florals are so inexpensive I usually buy a fresh bouquet once a week, or a little longer as I’ve gotten better and better at keeping bouquets looking fresh longer now. But they have such a nice selection for such low prices I usually put together really beautiful bouquets for my front room and they make me so happy when I come in the house and see them sitting there.

  17. The Other Dawn*

    What would be the best way to get text messages off my phone and into my computer so I can print them?

    I need these texts because I’m having to evict my tenant (again!!) and need to keep the messages for when I bring them to small claims. They’re playing the victims in regards to certain situations and seem to forget I have everything in writing showing I made offers to help and was rejected. I also want these messages off my phone because I need to replace the phone.

    I’ve googled and it seems like the best way is a backup app. I have Samsung Cloud and Google drive, but it doesn’t appear as though I can upload the messages there. Unless I’m missing something. I though I could select all texts and share them via email, but the Select All option isn’t there. And there’s no way I’m doing it one message at a time.

    I have a Samsung Galaxy S8+ if that makes a difference.

    1. Purt’s Peas*

      You could try the Droid Transfer application. I’ve seen that mentioned a few times.

      Definitely ask a lawyer whether that backup file would be ok, or if you need screenshots too—the backup files are fully editable, so I’m not sure how acceptable they’d be. (Obviously screenshots are editable too, but ya know.)

      1. Weegie*

        I was going to suggest screen shots too – a little time-consuming, but less so than saving each message one by one. The images are then easily transferable to your computer via a cloud/file-sharing account.

    2. The Cosmic Avenger*

      I hope I don’t sound like a broken record, but for the future, I’d recommend using Google Voice. I can access my texts via my phone or desktop, so I could easily print out a conversation.

      If you want to move your texts to a new phone, “SMS Backup & Restore” by SyncTech is what I used when I upgraded from a Galaxy S5 to an S7 Edge. I would do print screen (make your hand into a “stop” position, then slide the edge of your pinky and palm across the screen from right to left), then you can send yourself the screenshot images and print them. I know that might be tedious, but IMO having the screenshots looks better than any method of exporting the texts, because it would be harder (although not much, really) to fake or alter the text.

      Also, I was able to pinch and reduce the text size one step, so if you do that you could fit more messages on each screenshot, and so save yourself some trouble.

    3. Pennalynn Lott*

      When I had to preserve a series of texts for legal purposes, I just saved screenshots of them into my Google Cloud drive. I had an S7, so it was just “swipe palm over screen, scroll down, swipe palm over screen, repeat.”

    4. Clever Name*

      Do you have a printer with Bluetooth? If so, you can print right from your phone. I took screen shots and saved the images to a folder and printed from there.

    5. CoffeeforLife*

      Oh my! I’m going that route myself. Best of luck on the next tenant. We’ve tried communicating exclusively via email, so .maybe that for the next one.

      1. The Other Dawn*

        Oh, there absolutely will not be another tenant! I’m not going through this a third time. We’re moving my in-laws in temporarily since their house burned down. Once their house is done and they move back, we’re selling. Good luck to you!

        1. CoffeeforLife*

          We were hoping to put family down there but they all want to keep their independence-looking at you 86 year old grandma. Best of luck on the move :)

    6. Anona*

      Do screenshots. Otherwise, I don’t think it’ll be apparent that they’re really texts- they could just as soon be a document you edited/produced yourself. If you’re working with a lawyer, I’d consult with them, but screenshots seem like your best bet.

    7. The Other Dawn*

      Thanks, all!

      I tried a few backup apps and found one I like. I was able to backup every text with them that was stored on the phone. (I wish I could get older ones, but when I first got the phone my message settings weren’t set up to save all texts. It was set up to save only a certain number.) The is not editable and it’s time-stamped. I also took a number of screen shots, which were the important ones. The file isn’t for use in the eviction. It’s simply to use in the event they try to contest the small claims suit, which is for non-payment of rent and nothing else. I’ll check with the lawyer just to see if I can use the file. Honestly, they don’t have a leg to stand on since I have other communications with them and it’s clear they simply didn’t pay the rent.

      Their move-out date is Monday according to the Notice served by the marshal. We shall see! God, I hope they leave. Mainly because I want my in-laws in there as they are living in a hotel.

        1. The Other Dawn*

          No. I have to file eviction papers, there’s a court date, they’re told when to leave and only then, if they don’t leave by the date, would that happen.

    8. Meepmeep*

      As a lawyer who does rely on text messages as evidence sometimes, simple screenshots are the best thing to have – this way you get the time stamp and everything. So maybe screenshot the most relevant matter?

      1. The Other Dawn*

        Thank you! Yes, I took some screen shots of the most important conversations. I honestly don’t think I’ll need them, but I want to be prepared. And I have to say, I’m extremely happy I retained a lawyer for this even though it can be done on my own. I did it on my own last time and made a couple mistakes that cost me a lot of time and stress, and it was way more drawn out than it should have been. I also had to make many trips back and forth to the housing court. Now I have someone else who can deal with it and I know it’s being done right.

  18. LibbyG*

    I’m worried about my spouse’s health. He’s accumulating the usual litany of middle-age health woes, the most worrisome of which is high blood pressure. He sort of started on the med, but has skipped it sometimes because it makes him lightheaded.

    When he was first diagnosed a couple months ago he seemed really committed to get regular walking into his routine. I was ecstatic! But it’s totally fizzled. There are sufficient hours in his day to do it, but his first attempt at making it part of the routine has failed.

    My question is about my role. I’ve been mostly uninvolved, beyond bringing up his walking when we’re crafting out household schedule (we’re both academics, so it changes semester to semester). And I comment sometimes about how much I benefit from exercise. But I don’t see any good coming from repeatedly encouraging him. He wants to exercise after all.

    But I’m sad and worried (we have young kids) and I feel frustrated when he comes home from campus early and (by his own report) fritters away the free time. I keep all that to myself; it’s not his problem. It’s not something he’s doing to me.

    But maybe I’m being overly passive? Maybe as a partner I should be doing more to set the stage for change? But what? Any ideas, wise AAM people?

    1. Nena*

      Suggest he take the blood pressure medicine right before bed. That’s what my dr recommended and it solved the problem with feeling weird. Also, sounds obvious, but make sure he understands why high blood pressure is a big deal. Since I didn’t have any symptoms from it (most people don’t), I honestly didn’t realize what the big deal was until I started reading.

      1. Oldster*

        I take mine at night as I read that is the most effective time. Spouse should talk to doctor about the lightheadedness. He might need a different dose or a different medication. I had to change my medication as it caused my feet to get painfully when exposed to cold. There are 4 or 5 families of medication. They work differently to lower blood pressure.

      2. Dancing Otter*

        Check with the doctor (or a good pharmacist) before changing the medication time. Mine told me point-blank that if I don’t remember my BP pill before one o’clock, it’s better just to skip it. It would depend which type of BP medicine he takes, so ask.

        Second thing – a lot of BP meds include a diuretic. Dizziness can be the result of dehydration, which can easily occur if one takes a diuretic and doesn’t drink enough. Well, actually, even without a diuretic, but you’re describing it as starting with the BP pills. It took me about six months to get the balance right between spending half my time in the loo or getting dizzy from dehydration.

        About the walking, would it be possible for you all to go for a walk together occasionally? As a child and teenager, I was the designated Dad-walker, going for a post-prandial stroll with him every evening, come rain or come snow.

    2. Dan*

      As someone who resembles your spouse, my best advice is that he has to decide things for himself. Unfortunately, your role is to hang out in the background and leave him be.

      It sucks, but if you try and take an active role, you stand a good chance of building up a lot of resentment.

      1. MonkeyInTheMiddle*

        Agree. People don’t change for others. Be supportive and encouraging of positive things he is doing.

    3. WellRed*

      Does he have a Fitbit or pedometer or app to track walking? And earbuds and music or something to listen to? If not, that might motivate.

    4. Perpetua*

      Can you talk to him about feeling sad and worried? Without going into the issue of “frittering” away time? If my partner felt sad and worried about my and our future, I’d like to know. It might not be a fun conversation, but to me it seems like a necessary one (well, probably more than one conversation).

      I don’t think it’s on you to set the stage for change, but I also don’t think it’s unreasonable to talk about these things and his plans for better health. There’s a wide space between doing nothing and controlling/pressuring him, and I hope you’re able to find a good spot for you both.

    5. Koala dreams*

      No, it’s not your role to take more responsibility for your partner’s health. What you can do is to encourage him when he says he wants to exercise. However, it’s his choice how he deals with his health problems. It’s hard when someone close to you are sick, but the solution is not for you to try to solve it. You can of course do active things with the kids and invite your partner to come with you.

    6. Perpetua*

      Can you talk to him about feeling sad and worried? Without going into the issue of “frittering” away time? If my partner felt sad and worried about my and our future, I’d like to know – I love our life together, so why would I not want to be a part of it as long as I can? It might not be a fun conversation, but to me it seems like a necessary one (well, probably more than one conversation). I know lifestyle and habit changes are not easy, but it’s not like he gets one shot at it and that’s it now that his first attempt has failed. That’s par for the course, so maybe he (and you) can see that as a necessary step, instead of a final destination?

      I don’t think it’s on you to set the stage for change, but I also don’t think it’s unreasonable to talk about these things and his plans for better health. There’s a wide space between doing nothing and controlling/nagging/taking responsibility for his health, and I hope you’re able to find a good spot for you both.

    7. Annonno Today*

      My BIL refused to ever see a doctor (for anything, including his very HBP) and died of a stroke at age 59.

      I’m a more active type of spouse in terms of pushing for what I think needs done. So I’d start with a heart-to-heart. “We have kids, we have a future, I want that future with you, and I want to help you do the right things.” Ask what his fears are, talk it out, and see a different doc if his meds aren’t working quite well.

    8. Fikly*

      People not taking medications because the side effects make them feel bad is so so common! And then doctors often ignore those complaints, which is not helpful.

      Besides switching when he takes the medication, he may need a lower dose (light headedness can be a sign of low bp – have you checked his bp when he feels this way?) or a different med entirely. I would focus on helping advocate for him on the medication issue. If he’s feeling less bad physically, the rest may come.

    9. Nynaeve*

      You can’t make him do anything he doesn’t want, but maybe you can make the prospect seem less dreary. What if you walked together? Then it’s an opportunity for bonding as well, not just some endless guilt slog. You mentioned young kids, so maybe you could walk the whole family to a park if there’s one nearby or just walk around the neighborhood if it’s walkable. You may not be going fast, but some movement is better than none. I find it easier to motivate myself to do something if other people are also doing it and I don’t feel so alone.

    10. LibbyG*

      Thanks, everyone! This is all helpful for thinking through the context. My spouse is definitely taking this all seriously, and I’m realizing from these comments how much I should appreciate that.

      I’m thinking I can keep a look out for more opportunities to reduce barriers to exercise (“Hey, you wanted to walk more. Can we tweak our routine to help with that?”) but otherwise just be a partner and not some kind of coach. More thoughts or similar stories? Keep ‘em coming!

      1. LGC*

        Yeah – if you want, do something with him! I’m not sure if this is feasible for you, but have you considered hiking?

        1. valentine*

          He wants to exercise after all.
          Does it have to be walking? Is there no movement he enjoys that would benefit him? Oh, to have a campus again. He could walk there! (Doesn’t he?) Maybe he can take the long way between buildings most days. If it feels like work, well, he’s at work and then his home time is his and he doesn’t have to feel guilty about how he spends it. In future, seeing that it’s all his time and he is choosing poorly when prioritizing, but starting small, with more movement, is good for now. What about having a pedal machine at his desk? Couch to 5K? Rowing or cycling at a gym? Swimming?

          Seconding telling the doctor about the lightheadedness. Maybe a anti-motion sickness pill would stop that.

          But I’m sad and worried (we have young kids) and I feel frustrated […] I keep all that to myself; it’s not his problem. It’s not something he’s doing to me.
          Either Hax or Captain Awkward wrote something about how your spouse owes you sorting their health stuff because you’re in it together. You can certainly sit him down and say the kids and you want him around as long as possible and we have increasing technology and other things that can help him get his pressure under control. I’d be wary of trying to be part of whatever he does because it shouldn’t be dependent on you and, if he sees it as a punishment, you definitely don’t want him casting you as a drill sergeant. I might get the kids in on it if he can, say, walk them to a park or skateboard with them.

          If he resists medical stuff, he can take control by buying a blood pressure monitor (see if insurance will pay, or use FSA/HSA) and using it regularly, so having it done at the doctor’s isn’t like going to the principal’s office. He could also share the data with his doctor, who might then reduce the Rx or what have you. He can also look at calories and sodium and find some mix of a solution. The less trapped or siloed, the better.

      2. Parenthetically*

        My best friend had ONE sort of “come-to-Jesus” conversation with her husband about 10 years ago. He came home from work and ate Doritos in front of the computer, rarely ate vegetables, never exercised, you know the drill — plus, her own dad had died very young from a litany of lifestyle-exacerbated diseases. So she sat him down and said she was only going to say this once, but he had a strong history of heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and lots of other health issues in his family, and that she wanted him to be around for a long time, at least as far as it was up to him. She asked for specific changes in specific behaviors and asked how she could help support those changes. It ended up being a great conversation in which he felt really empowered and supported, and they changed the way they cooked, ate, and lived — family bike rides after dinner, balanced meals, less sedentary time, etc.

        But honestly I reckon that’s all you can do.

      3. Pony tailed wonder*

        I used to take weekly ballroom dance lessons and many couples were there week after week combining the weekly date night/couples exercise class. If you look around, you can probably find a lot of couples classes in many dance genres. Country western dance seems to be the most popular. My dance partner got off of one med and lowered the amount of metformin he needed and lost over 50 pounds while we danced together. He dumped me and now with his new wife, the weight came back on again which is a shame. He deserves to be healthy and happy.

        1. Pony tailed wonder*

          Also, maybe you could look into joining a bowling league as a family? Just avoid the alley food unless it is healthy.

      4. Alternative Person*

        Could you make walking part of running errands? Like walking to the bank, a few stores and then the supermarket?

        Also, part of what helps me to keep reasonably active is having a pair of dumbbells and a resistance band in the house. Means basically to do exercise I just have to put something on a screen and get them out.

    11. spiralingsnails*

      I’m afraid I don’t have any ideas, just empathy for the OP and appreciation for the other commenters’ suggestions. I’m gearing up for a difficult conversation with my own husband this week because he has multiple physical/psychological health issues that he needs to take care of… but isn’t. Trying to figure out where the line is between being proactive and being a nag is not easy!

    12. anon9*

      If you have some control in what meals are cooked, then planning healthy meals is one option to help manage blood pressure. As for the exercise, could you make it a family activity? Like a walk to & in the park or a hike?

    13. WS*

      Feeling light-headed is a really common side-effect when you start to take medication for high blood pressure. Unfortunately, stopping and starting means that he’s getting the worst of the side-effects without taking it long enough to be getting ongoing benefit as well. It’s worth taking regularly at the same time each day (whatever time is best for him) for at least two weeks to see if the early side-effect will linger, in which case he can consult his doctor about changing medications. But right now he’s setting himself up for the worst part without getting the useful part!

    14. MatKnifeNinja*

      There are may reasons for high blood pressure.

      I have white coat hypertension AND Conn’s syndrome (low potassium/high bp spikes) because my left adrenal gland is being a bish.)

      Anyway…

      Tossing ideas out there…

      Does he have a good blood pressure machine? Omron brand is what my doctor suggested. Make sure it actually fits properly (your DME place can fit him). This is worth the investment even if you pay out of pocket. You need those data points.

      Look up how to correctly a check blood pressure. The only doctor who does it correctly is my endocrinologist. Arm height, if you just ate, talking while it’s being taken, how you sit, all this can contribute to 10 to 20 points higher. If you are an edge case, this can make a difference.

      Lots of things affect blood pressure. Caffeine is my worse. 12 oz of coffee will sling shot it in to the 170/100 range. Low potassium will cause it too. (see my diagnosis above). I’m on a DASH diet, because high salt will trigger 200/100 spikes. Allergy medications, especially decongestants can be brutal on blood pressures. Nicotine will also increase it. Being heavy doesn’t help either. (saying this as a fat person who is working on this issue)

      You see there are a few tweaks you husband can do before it’s FML I’m on meds forever. My cardiologist had me do a month of daily blood pressures. It’s a small chunk of time to get really valuable info. Is he truly high or was the medical assistant just sloppy taking the measurements?

      If it was me, I’d cajole him into getting the bp readings for a month. Then you know if this white coat hypertension or something much more chronic. I dumped my beloved coffee and salty snacks so I can be on the lowest dose blood pressure pill. I walk 4 miles a day, but honestly the no caffeine/very low salt does more for me lowering bp immediately than exercise. Exercise is important, but caffeine cause an immediate spike.

      And sometimes you can be a 2٪ body fat, vegan triathlete and have high blood pressure. Nature can be cruel.

      If you are going to “nag”, do the bp readings. Even if it’s you doing it for a month while he huffs and puffs. That is information you can take to the doctor. Also if he starts new meds, what is dizzy? Is it a slight drop he’s noticing or is he going from 170/100 to 114/60, which will make you feel like hell. Him taking his bp will let him know what’s bp.

      Good luck. He feels like he has no control, this is all too much work and he’s doomed. Taking the bp readings helped me feel like I was in control.

      1. assistant alpaca attendant*

        If you can convince him to go to the dr, it is worth getting meds reevaluated. I had awful side effects even though my parent is on the same one and we have similar genetics. My dr switched me and no more issues. Good luck!

    15. Ranon*

      Is there any way for him to switch his commute to an active mode (walking, cycling, multi modal, even just parking really far away from his destination)? The hardest part about starting any kind of new routine is the motivation to choose to do that rather than your usual routine. But going to an active commute is a revision to a routine rather than a whole new thing so it can be easier to make it happen.

    16. LilySparrow*

      When my husband got serious about getting more exercise last year, he asked if I would get him started by coming with him for the first few months. This wound up being really helpful for me, too, as I struggle to be as consistent as I ince was, due to life responsibilities.

      It’s really nice to have this couple time 3 days a week. We both look forward to it. We don’t do the same workout, but we go to the gym & come home together.

      Could you offer to meet him for walks at lunch, or find time to go together?
      Or ask how you can support him in his goal. He may have good ideas for what would help.

    17. Alexandra Lynch*

      One thing to look into for him is that there may be deeper issues around exercise and food. My ex could not overcome his food addiction, and he will likely die well before he should, and he showed the same pattern of “I want to be healthy, I want to exercise,” but it never quite happened.

      If that is the case (and you will be able to spot it if it is) then he needs therapy because you have to unpack the baggage first.

  19. coffee cup*

    Does anyone here go to gigs alone? I’ve been to a couple but not for a few years, and I’m considering going to a few in the next 6 months. I miss seeing live music and I’m tired of waiting for other people to want to go or be available (not that it’s their fault!). I’m female and I’d probably have to drive there, considering where gigs tend to happen here and where I live, but not too far. For some reason, I’m feeling less brave about this, so I was wondering if anyone else can relate! I’m on the verge of buying a ticket for a gig in another city, but…

    1. Countess Boochie Flagrante*

      I occasionally do! I’m not a huge one for live music, but when one of my favorite bands comes to my area, I am 110% THERE. I feel like I miss out on some feelings of togetherness by going by myself — the ‘alone in a crowd’ feeling is intense — but I also feel free to set my own exact terms for the trip, and not be harnessed to someone else.

    2. PX*

      I do! It can be a bit awkward sometimes when you have no one else to talk to during quiet moments (stage/band change whatever) so for me personally, I really like a having a drink (no alcohol required) of some kind just so I have something to occupy my hands/fidget with. Maybe I’ll take my phone out.

      But the actual experience is usually fine – dancing and singing along can be easily done on your own. And if you’re a social person (sometimes I am), it can be easy to get chatting to other people as well and get drawn into bigger groups (if you want ofcourse).

      So yes, I say go for it! And if its in another city, I usually take the chance to have a mini-holiday for myself and see local sights/museums/new restaurants whatever.

    3. Miss Astoria Platenclear*

      I have had to a couple of times because I have very few friends who share my taste in music.
      I’m a woman in my fifties who likes hard rock, among other things, and do not have many female friends who share that interest. I don’t have a romantic partner either, so sometimes I’m stuck. Not to whine, but this issue is a big frustration in my life.

      1. coffee cup*

        Ah, yeah, I’m single too, so I understand! My friend and her partner are super into music and like all the same stuff, and they’re constantly away at gigs. Can’t help thinking why am I not doing that?

      2. Metoo*

        Are you me?
        I just wanted to say I have the same issue. I ask but do things regardless if someone comes with.

    4. Asenath*

      I often go to concerts alone – I don’t know if that differs from gigs. I started going out alone in my late teens when none of my friends wanted to see a particular movie, and in those days, once the movie had left the local theatre, I thought I might not get another chance to see it.

    5. Fikly*

      I do! I have a very small group of friends, and musical taste does not overlap much.

      I usually kind of have to make myself go, but I never regret going, if that makes sense.

    6. riverflows*

      I mostly go alone (I do invite others but if there are no takers, I go alone). You might consider attending house concerts if that is a thing in your area. That is always fun for me, more intimate setting, get to talk to the musicians afterwards, usually earlier in the evening, etc.

    7. AnonyNurse*

      All the time! My rule is “I’m going to this show. Get a ticket if you want and come with me.” I prefer to have something to lean on/hold onto for standing shows, so I tend to go early and get up front or off to the side. I talk to bouncers/security before the show. Make friends. They will look out for you. And also they have water and will often share. Do your thing. Have fun. Sing at the top of your lungs (if appropriate). Act like a crazy person. You’ll never see your concert-neighbors again. Or make friends with them and have new show buddies.

      1. coffee cup*

        Actually yes! The time I went to see U2 I went early and got a front rail spot. My neighbours either side were both lovely, sharing food and magazines to pass time while we waited. And I made friends in the queue with two women I’m still Facebook friends with now. I guess I’ve lost my courage a bit with this… why, I don’t know! But I will have to try again.

        1. AnonyNurse*

          Do it! To me … I don’t know. Live music is like what I think people who go to church get out of going to church. A connection to each other, appreciating the gift that is music. Now with phones and headphones … I put my phone on battery save. I stare at if I’m bored waiting in line or saving my spot. I put my headphones in if no one around me is making me feel chatty (usually don’t play anything over them so I can hear what’s going on). And I enjoy the show. And I didn’t have to wait for my friends to make a decision. :)

          1. Miss Astoria Platenclear*

            Absolutely, on your church comparison.
            “The most important part of my religion is to play guitar.” – Lou Reed

            Interesting to see I’m not the only one who has flown solo. I’m be grateful for social media for letting me connect with others who share my arts & entertainment tastes.

    8. Nynaeve*

      Do it! I’ve just started getting into concerts in the last couple of years and I’ve gone a few times by myself. Actually, those times were when I was seeing some of my favorite bands and I didn’t want to distract myself by worrying about whether anyone else was having a good time. I can be as social or withdrawn as I want. Last time, I didn’t talk to anyone, but the time before that, I wound up sharing dinner with friendly strangers.

      But I definitely worked my way up by doing smaller things by myself: dinner, movies, wandering around downtown, etc.

    9. Shiny Onix*

      Yep. I’m 43 and my friends who share my music taste are not local. I love gigs. I wish I could get out to more.

    10. mreasy*

      Yes! I do and have been doing it for decades and you just get used to it after awhile. Phones make it easier to while away between-set time. Plus, when you go alone, you get to decide how late to stay, when to arrive, etc!

    11. Anonymous Educator*

      Yes, I’ve done it before. Saw Maria Taylor in concert and went by myself. It was great! Sure—I like going with someone else, but going alone is fun, too.

    12. The Other Dawn*

      I did it once and I had a lot of fun.

      Def Leppard did a residency in Las Vegas back in 2013. My sister couldn’t go and my husband doesn’t care for them all that much. Since the ticket I wanted was expensive (front row, meet and greet, etc.), I told my husband I was going alone to the show since I wasn’t will to pay that much money for a ticket for him when he doesn’t even care about them, but we would go to LV together. He was absolutely fine with it. He did his thing and I did mine. I ended up knowing some people there from other DL shows I’ve been to, so we hung out and had a great time. It felt strange at first, being along in the audience, but once the show started we were all in it together.

    13. anonagain*

      I don’t like music, but I’ve gone to all kinds of other shows alone. Go! Go! Go! If it’s horrible, you can leave early.

    14. Atheist Nun*

      Go! Why wait on another person to live your desired life? You can dine alone, travel alone, watch movies alone, and you can certainly see a concert alone.

      I see live music shows (general admission and seated; rock and classical; clubs and theaters) all the time. I love live music* and, as a shy person, I feel like I can participate more–dancing, singing off key, shouting “whoo hoo!” in appreciation for a great performance–when I am on my own.

      If you want to minimize the “standing around alone waiting for the band to go on” time, call the venue the day of the show and ask what time the headliner will take the stage. I first did that years ago for a GA show because I was wearing a “boot” for a foot condition, which made standing painful. These days I call the venue before any show, then show up 10 minutes before the headliner time so that I can grab a drink and work my way somewhere onto the floor with a good sight line (hard to effect when one is 5’3″). I have not seen an opening band in years, and I treasure that extra time I have to myself.

      *Well, I DID love live music up until a few years ago, when I noticed the ubiquity of phone recording during the shows really seemed to diminish the energy of the crowd. That, plus the boredom of the moldy oldy bands going back out on tour 25+ years after their best work, probably because their finances took a dive in recent days and they need money again (guess what, bands, my mutual funds are the same as yours, so I cannot afford your concert tickets), has dissuaded me from going to shows regularly.

      1. Mr. Shark*

        Sometimes you’re missing out on the opening bands. A lot of times they have new music and new creative energy. I understand the idea of wanting to wait and only see the main attraction, but (as you mention) many of the bands touring are just touring off their old music, so seeing a new band that is similar in style to the band you’re paying to see may be beneficial.

        I’ll go to concerts myself. It’s nice, because if I want to pay to get a good seat up front, I don’t have to worry about whether or not my friend can afford it or wants to pay as much as I’m willing to pay. Or if I want to be up front, and therefore get there early enough to get near the stage, I don’t have to worry if they don’t want to get to the show early.

    15. Miss Pantalones en Fuego*

      I do sometimes! My only friend who has the same tastes in music as I do is in another country and my husband thinks my favourite bands are “easy listening” so I just go by myself. I don’t go to as many as I used to, partly because of the expense and the fact that I am a middle aged woman who is tired all the time now, but I still enjoy it.

    16. Alternative Person*

      Yeah, been doing so for years. When I started, I kept a safety item in easy reach (collapsible umbrella in a backpack side pocket) but I’ve never had any issues. Follow the usual steps for going out- tell someone where you’re going and arrange a check in, watch your drinks, etc., maybe hang back the first few times when figuring out the dynamics but otherwise, go forth and have fun.

    17. StellaBella*

      I do. I have gone to concerts in my city and in cities 2-3 hrs away. Not many of my friends like my favourite band si I am happy to go alone. I am female. I find places to stand hear security usually. Never had any issues.

  20. You can call me Al*

    We have two cats, one older, sedate and in mostly good health except for some hip issues that make stairs hard.
    The other is a young but fully grown kitty who happily plays and bounces and rockets around the whole house.
    They get along great 90% of the time, and surprisingly, younger kitty has been able to engage older kitty in play somewhat, but occasionally younger kitty’s energy annoys older kitty and we have to separate them for an hour or so. When younger cat is calm, they snuggle together in the same bed, they often groom each other, etc. We’ve had older cat for 10 years, younger cat for about 18 months. Both female, both spayed as kittens. Both were born after their pregnant mama was rescued from a feral colony and adopted out at 10 weeks. We got younger kitty after her first adoption failed over her energy level. Was supposed to be a short term foster, but as can happen, she’s family now.
    We live in a three story townhome and have a litter box on every floor. Young cat uses all three. Older cat, because of her difficulty with stairs, pretty much spends all her time on one floor and only uses that litter box.
    The last month or so a new issue has come up. Younger kitty is not letting older kitty use the litter box. So older kitty ends up just reliving herself anywhere.
    Here’s what we’ve tried:
    Feliway diffuser on the floor where older cat hangs out
    Additional litter box on the floor where older cat hangs out. (Younger kitty defends both)
    Took both to the vet, both had a clean bill of health and vet didn’t have any suggestions other than an additional litter box.
    Closing the younger kitty up on another floor a few times a day and placing older kitty in the litter box. This is the only thing that works, but it’s getting old and I’d rather not have to do that forever.
    Older kitty is much bigger than younger kitty, so I can’t think of a litter box that would accommodate the bigger kitty and also keep the smaller kitty out.
    Other than this standoff over the litter box, they still get along the same. They’ll go from grooming and snoozing together in the same bed to angry conflict over the litter box in less than 5 minutes. Then back to purring and spooning on the couch.
    Would love any advice.

    1. fposte*

      When you say you put a second litter box on the first floor but “younger kitty defends both,” that suggests the two are right next to each other. Can you put them far enough apart that there’s no single passage that younger kitty can block off? I realize that might mean putting one litter box in a room where you didn’t want a litter box, but that may be preferable to cleaning up cat pee and poop for years.

        1. fposte*

          Wow, that’s some dedication for sure. I may be out of suggestions, then. How does younger kitty know that it’s time to defend? Is there a way to interrupt that circuit? Can you eliminate (unintentional pun) her guarding or defense spots?

          My guess is that the answer is no, and of course even near-misses at defense could be enough to put older kitty off her game. I was thinking also, if you’re up for the commitment, to installing a temporary wall with an RFID activated cat door and chipping older kitty for access. The problem I foresee with that, though, is younger kitty catching on and either defending the door or following older cat through. Ugh.

    2. All monkeys are French*

      Do you play with younger kitty? I have a couple of cats who can be buttheads to each other. It is always worse when they have pent up energy. Making time for interactive play to really drain their energy makes a big difference. Jackson Galaxy has some good YouTube videos about this and other issues.

      1. You can call me Al*

        Yes, we play with her all the time! She’s a crazy fun kitty and we adore playing with her. She can really JUMP and loves it when we do what we call “fly fishing” and let her catch toys that way.

        1. fposte*

          If you read the Way of Cats blog, it sounds like she might be what the blogger there terms an alpha cat. She may just be finding the box guarding a really entertaining goaltending game rather than it being about hostility or dominance. Unfortunately, that doesn’t make it any easier to solve–adding physical obstacles may just up the challenge level of the game.

              1. tangerineRose*

                Jackson Galaxy recommends this too sometimes for a kitty with a lot of energy. I actually adopted a 3rd cat so that my younger kitty had a friend to play with (the older kitty doesn’t have the same energy). For me, it’s worked great.

            2. EddieSherbert*

              Yeah, honestly, that was my first thought. An old cat doesn’t want a baby to babysit :/

              The younger cat sounds like she’s bored to me and inventing games to entertain herself. A friend might be a good solution. Otherwise, do you rotate toys and enrichment activities to keep things interesting? You can try puzzle/interactive feeders, leash walking/catio, clicker training (recommend checking out Cat School in instagram… will link the account in another comment below), introducing her to new smells (My cat has literally toured the fridge) , or making a box “castle” for a day.

              Also, watch closely as she might be resource guarding other things too – denying access to cat trees or casually “trapping” the older cat up high, maybe blocking the access to food/water, etc.

    3. C Average*

      I think you’re going to have to separate the cats. It sucks, because it sounds like they get along really well aside from the litterbox issue, but it’s really hard to train a cat to do anything, especially anything related to territorial behavior. (If you want to know how I know this, ask me about my extremely territorial cat and the fun I’ve had getting her to share a household with my partner’s cat.)

      Get some kind of gate arrangement that keeps Small Kitty out of Big Kitty’s area, and keep it there for at least a month or two. During that month, replace Big Kitty’s litterbox and litter and thoroughly clean Big Kitty’s area. If it’s not too much of a hassle, consider replacing ALL the boxes and litter and doing a thorough cleaning of all the cats’ favorite haunts, especially any places Big Kitty has relieved herself when she couldn’t get to her box.

      There will definitely be some complaining from both cats, and probably some efforts on Small Kitty’s part to jump the gate.

      Once some time has passed, you MIGHT have broken the cycle to the extent that you can let both cats roam free. At least, this is what I am told with regard to my own cat situation. Based on my experience so far, I think that my cat and my partner’s cat will always need to be separated, but from what I’ve read and heard, it sounds like some of these stories have better outcomes.

      Good luck!

    4. 1LFTW*

      It’s called “resource guarding” and it’s a tough one.

      Could they live together “part-time?” It’s not ideal, but if they mutually groom each other, complete separation might stress them out. I also like the RFID idea, but as the commenter pointed out, Younger Cat might catch on and just follow Older Cat into the litter box area.

      These two definitely seem to have a complicated relationship. If you figure something out, let us know. I’d love to hear about it.

    5. AnotherRedHeadedOne*

      Try a “calming collar” on younger one. Essentially pheromones on a collar that lasts 30 days, available on Amazon.

    6. WS*

      My brother’s cats had this issue, plus the younger cat scattering the older cat’s food for fun. He got a pet gate that would only open for the older cat (RFID chip in the collar) so she could have alone time when she wanted.

    7. ThatGirltheFormerVetTech*

      Late to the game here, but a few suggestions. Veterinarians and others recommend a litter box per cat, plus one more. So, if you have two cats you need three boxes. Also, Feliway plug-in diffusers and/or spray. It’s kitty pheromones and can really calm them down. (Don’t worry, humans can’t smell them!)
      Otherwise, as others have suggested, lots of play for Younger Kitty and play with Older Kitty as tolerated. I would certainly try more before separating the cats entirely. That could be very stressful for cats and people in the home!

      (One final point, Older Kitty May need a full physical and labs with your veterinarian. Sometimes cats will shun/harass another cat when there is something wrong. Could be nothing, but worth a checkup if nothing else is helping)

  21. Ra94*

    This is sort of a future concern, but I had a conversation with a friend about rescuing dogs that left me a little sad. She said that since I’ve never had a dog, there’s no way I could deal with an unpredictable rescue, and I should buy from a reputable breeder instead.

    The thing is…I really staunchly believe in rescuing animals instead. In my mind, I could potentially foster first, or volunteer at a shelter to learn some ‘dog skills’ and get to know the pups.

    The other issue is that I already feel like I’ll be an imperfect dog owner, because I work full-time and live in an apartment (but am able to spend a lot on daily dog walkers or doggie daycare). Basically…am I being totally naive? I just hate feeling like because I didn’t grow up with dogs and I’m not a stay at home mom with acres of land, I’ll never be a proper dog parent.

    1. Countess Boochie Flagrante*

      It sounds as though she might be thinking about rescues in terms of dogs who have some difficult history — abused animals, or ones that previously had some ‘professional’ use and have been retrained (off-track greyhounds or similar). Not all shelter or rescue dogs are significantly more unpredictable than the ordinary ‘domesticated predator’ baseline!

      No pet owner is the ‘perfect’ pet owner. You’d want to consider what kind of a dog your home is appropriate for (and consult your landlord in case they have any restrictions), but living in an apartment, I think you can do fine.

      1. WellRed*

        +1. Reframe it as adopting, not rescuing. Lots of dogs would love to have an imperfect but loving home.

          1. MissGirl*

            Me too! It’s got to be thing here in the ritzy communities to “rescue” a dog. No one can say this is my dog, Rover. Oh no, they have to tell everyone this is my rescue dog. (I work for but not live in said community.)

            I literally overheard another woman say to a newcomer, “to fit in, you have to get a rescue dog.” It was sort of jokingly.

            OP, get the dog that will fit in with your lifestyle and that will be happiest in it.

            1. tangerineRose*

              “get the dog that will fit in with your lifestyle and that will be happiest in it.” Yeah, this!

              You may want to check out a few shelters, get the vibe, try to find a place that really cares about getting the right fit.

          2. Avasarala*

            Me too. Once the dog is born it has to go somewhere. Technically speaking you’re “rescuing” the dog and giving it a home whether it was born on a purebred ranch or a puppy mill or an intact stray.

        2. Ra94*

          This is how I feel with fostering in particular- surely living with an imperfect, still-learning fosterer at home is nicer than being in a shelter? I’m excited to be the best dog parent I can, and the love will certainly be plentiful.

          1. fposte*

            The difference to consider here is that it’s not just about the dog but your community. Once you have the dog, it’s not just your obligation to take care of it but to ensure it’s not a problem or risk to those around you. The shelter isn’t going to be bothered by constant barking, and they’ll know how to deal with dog aggression, for a couple of examples. But it’s a big problem for your building if the dog barks all the time when you’re not there (or when you are) and for your neighborhood if it takes a chunk out of a passing spaniel. Obviously some mitigation is possible for situations like that, but if not, a dog may be better off being at a good shelter than being put into a home that’s not ready for this particular dog’s problems.

    2. fposte*

      I think there’s some friendship stuff here and some dog stuff. Your friend’s right that a reputable breeder means working with a net in the way that adopting doesn’t, and that first time owners are likely to find dog ownership and basic teaching of canine good citizenship challenging enough without throwing in dogs with serious issues, especially if you’re in a situation where a dog’s going to be confined alone most of the day, which can be hard on a dog.

      That doesn’t mean adoption is an inappropriate route for you, though (and your friend may have been being a bit of a jerk, depending on how she phrased it). Adoption doesn’t automatically mean a traumatized dog with issues (that’s one reason why I steer away from the “rescue” term–it tends to prioritize the notion of need, which is easy to buy into even though one might not be able to meet that need), and there’s ultimately no guarantee with any dog on health or personality. So I think it’s fine for a first-time dog owner to adopt; they just need to be realistic and choosy, not just fall in love with a face.

      I think fostering first is a good idea too, though obviously your situation will limit you on the kind of dogs you could foster. A dog in need of more socialization would be a poor fit there, while a dog that’s undergoing heartworm treatment and is therefore on exercise restriction might work very well.

    3. Weegie*

      Your friend is talking nonsense.

      Friends of mine adopted a rescue dog with some behavioral problems, even though they’d never owned a dog in their lives. And they lived in a flat without a garden. They’ve done just fine – I grew up with pets, including a dog, and I do think they’ve been a bit lax about training (12 years on and he STILL won’t sit on command or cease his endless war against the postman!), but he’s well looked-after, and fed, and they use dog-walkers (and me, and family) to look after him when they’re on holiday or at work. He’s a happy dog!

      A decent animal rescue will offer advice and support, and might even do a home inspection first to ensure suitability. Your idea to foster/volunteer first is a good one – go for it, and ignore your friend!

    4. MMB*

      Buying from a breeder, even a reputable one, is no guarantee that you’ll wind up with a friendly well-mannered dog. I would suggest you ignore your friend and spend sometime volunteering at a shelter. It will help you to really narrow down the type of dog that will be the best match for you and your lifestyle. Things like shedding, drooling, propensity to bark, stubbornness, energy level etc., may seem small at first but 10 years later when you have Saint Bernard drool dripping from the ceiling and enough lab hair on your clothes everyday to to knit a coat it’s a whole different story, no matter how much you love your furry friends. Also, adopting an older dog you’ve interacted with gives you a much better understanding of their personality.

    5. KR*

      I had never had a dog before and I “rescued” aka adopted a senior happy boy a few years ago. He is a perfectly normal mutt who lived with a family for most of his life. They moved and put him in a shelter, and now I have him. I was definitely not the perfect candidate to adopt a dog but I had the money for his vet bills and pet sitting, the drive, and I love him a hell of a lot. He was better with me in a small apartment with a mom who works full time than in the shelter freaking out. Don’t listen to your friend, it sounds like you’re putting a lot of thought into dog ownership which is the important part. I’m sure you’d be a great friend to a puppo.

    6. Anon Librarian*

      That sounds more like a jab than a knowledgable comment about dogs. Something’s up with her, or she was just in a bad mood.

      It’s true that some dogs are better for first time owners than others, but that definitely doesn’t preclude rescue dogs. I would exercise caution about the more “intense” and “complicated” breeds (high energy herding breeds and bully breeds – medium size and up). But even then, don’t rule it out. It’s ultimately about the amount of time and effort you can give to that animal. And your bond with that particular dog. Volunteering at a shelter to gain experience is a great idea.

        1. Anon Librarian*

          Yes, but I actually was thinking about rescues when I wrote that. Meaning that for a first dog, with no outdoor space for it to exercise, I would, sadly, not rescue a bull-terrier breed or a border collie. As a couple of examples. It’s sad because dogs of those breeds are great and they need homes! But when you add their high energy and complex personalities to an unknown background and an owner who’s new to dogs, it’s not the safest choice. Unless it’s that one dog who you really bond with as soon as you meet them.

          I would look for a rescued mutt, smaller breed, or calmer breed (basset hound, greyhound, etc).

          I have a rescued dog who is mostly pit bull terrier. He’s wonderful, but he’s not always good with other animals, he challenges my authority sometimes, and he needs a lot of exercise. He needs a human who can read his behavior and give him clear rules to follow while also showering him with kindness. And who can exercise him in a city while keeping him away from cats and other dogs. He wouldn’t be good for a first time owner unless they were dedicated to taking on that challenge and learning fast.

          1. Ra94*

            I’ve been reading a lot about greyhounds, actually! It sounds like they’re very chill and lazy, and I have a great dog park nearby that’s usually pretty empty and seems perfect for safely muzzled zoomies.

            1. Jules the First*

              You actually shouldn’t let retired greyhounds off leash except in a very big fully enclosed areas (friends used to take their rescue greyhound to the local baseball stadium for his off-leash runs).

              On a different note, I have a friend who foster guide dog puppies – he drops the puppy off at guide dog school on his way to work and picks it up on his way home, and the dog is his to play with and exercise evenings and weekends. This might work well with your situation?

              1. Ra94*

                Oh that is good to know! This place is basically a fenced-in field the size of a soccer pitch, and is usually empty in mornings- but I’ll watch out for smaller spaces.

                That sounds like the perfect thing to look into, actually!

                1. HoundMom*

                  Yes, retired greyhounds are amazing. They come housebroken, leash-trained and non-barking. But if something catches their and they run, they do not hear you frantically calling their names. They are a great first time owner dog .

              2. Countess Boochie Flagrante*

                This has been my experience too. My uncle adopted a retired racing greyhound, and while she was the sweetest thing under the sun, once she got outside there was exactly one thought in that pointy little head of hers: gotta go fast. Unfortunately, he wasn’t physically up to the task that managing her on walks turned out to be, so she had to be rehomed :(

            2. JKP*

              I have a mini greyhound (Italian greyhound), and she’s a great apartment dog for a first time dog owner who works full time. She always had short bursts of energy easily burnt up by fetching the ball around the apartment for an hour after dinner, but mostly just lounged around on the couch. Now she’s 16, so she doesn’t have as much energy as she used to. Also, I trained her to use a litter box in the apartment, so when she grew out of puppy mischief and could be left alone, she was fine all day when I was at work. Bonus, I can sleep in, and she’ll go use the litter box on her own and come back to bed. Greyhounds also don’t bark much, so she’s fine with people walking past my door and making noise in the building. She only barks when someone rings my actual apartment (which on my phone has the ring tone for the Star Trek red alert klaxon, so she also barks when I watch Star Trek). Greyhounds can be very emotionally sensitive, like if I give her a scolding look, she runs off crying as if I’d just beat her, so positive reinforcement works best.

          2. fposte*

            I think those are good points–I was thinking more that whether we’re talking shelter or breeder you don’t start with, say, an Akita.

            1. Anon Librarian*

              Right! Stay away from breeds that are known to require experience as well as high energy working breeds.

          3. Kuododi*

            I second that vote. I had a home based counseling client who lived in a one bedroom apartment in the downtown area of a large metro area. Unfortunately, this clients family had taken in a Jack Russel terrier. It was a sweet natured doggo, however as it was with Jack Russel’s in general, the little furball needed to be on about 100 acres with a job. What that meant for my visits with my client was the dog was so wound up and anxious it became almost impossible to get anything accomplished. I ended up drafting one of the younger siblings to take the dog out for a long walk while I worked with my client. Definitely not a breed of dog I would have opted to adopt for both our sales. I also wouldn’t adopt a large breed at this time in life bc DH and I live in a small patio home with no space for a high energy large breed dog. Best regards.

      2. Ra94*

        To be fair, my friend’s background is that she grew up in the countryside with big family dogs, bought as puppies, and her stay at home mom cared for them. And she was bitten in the face as a child by a rescue. So I think her thinking is still pretty black and white! I’m also the first of our London friend group to own a flat, so no one has been able to consider a dog yet. She definitely meant well!

        Definitely agree about breeds- from what I’ve read, it seems like calm bigger dogs like greyhounds might be an option for lower energy and low barking?

    7. Asenath*

      I don’t think that’s necessarily true. I don’t have a dog, but a relative of mine and her partner adopted one – neither of them were dog people before and both worked full-time, but like you were able to hire a dog-walker/sitter when needed. They did a good bit of research ahead of time about the type of dog they wanted – including dog-sitting once for a friend. They eventually adopted a medium-sized mixed breed adult dog who had been given up by her previous owner for vague reasons that I think were related to them being a largish family that found they had no time for proper dog care. There was nothing particularly serious wrong with the dog – she had some minor behaviour quirks, like being very nervous around children – and the adoption has been a resounding success. Of course, there are dogs with serious issues that need adopters with a lot of experience in dog care, but there are others available to a good home!

    8. Fikly*

      Actually, my understanding (granted, I have more cat experience than dog) is that it’s much harder to train a dog from puppy than work with a dog that is older and their personality is already established. Puppies are a TON of work. Learn how to have an adult dog, which is not going to be from a breeder.

      And that’s setting aside the issue that 1) breeder dogs are initially much more expensive and 2) continue to be more expensive due to their higher rates of health issues.

      1. fposte*

        Though “breeder” doesn’t necessarily mean “puppy”; they may have retired show animals, adult animals that have demonstrated something that means they don’t want to breed from them, retired breeding animals, etc.

          1. fposte*

            I think that depends how you define rare. If you’re willing to be patient and look widely and you’re not looking at a super rare breed, it’s pretty possible to do, in the experience of people I know (same goes for cats, btw). However, it’s obviously a lot rarer than show-quality dogs or even pet-quality puppies from show breeders, and likely puppy mill or backyard breeder dogs are more common than dogs from responsible breeders across the board.

            1. Fikly*

              And the puppy mill dogs are going to have massive behavioral and health issues, frankly. Not that they don’t deserve to be rescued from that hell.

              1. EddieSherbert*

                +100. And puppy mills are VERY sneaky these days. “Responsible” breeder is a very hard line to navigate even if you’re very dog-experienced… just look at the recent stories where multiple AKC certified/champion breeders were exposed as animal abusers and puppy mills this year :/

      2. Natalie*

        Yep, this is what I was going to say. Puppies are adorable fuzzy nightmares. Even the best bred and socialized puppy is months and months of potty training and bite inhibition and insane energy. One of my friends ranks puppies above babies (but below toddlers) in overall difficulty/terribleness. Unless you experienced a series of puppies in your family of origin, a 1-3 year old dog is a much easier place to start.

      3. Rio*

        I have fostered both puppies and older dogs who haven’t been trained, and my experience is that puppies are easy to train in comparison to adult dogs. For one, puppies don’t yet have bad habits, and they are smaller. I had the exact same breed at 3 years old and 3 months, and it was much easier to teach manners (don’t jump on me), leash, and all sorts of other skills with an animal that is 20lbs instead of 90lbs. Puppies are a lot of work, but so are untrained adult rescue dogs. I would rather have a puppy than a large adult dog with no manners, although in both those cases the dogs were smart and the adopters were lucky to get dogs who were relatively well trained by the time I had worked with them for a couple weeks.

        An ethical breeder is very careful about who they have as mother / father, and they do testing to ensure that the parents are healthy. If done properly, purebred dogs are statistically more likely to be healthy. The problem is that many people don’t do any research, and they just buy a dog. If anyone buys a purebred dog then they should meet the parents, go to the home to see the puppies at different stages (or at minimum go to the home once to ensure they are in a home and not a pen outdoors), and research the breeder online.

    9. CoffeeforLife*

      I foster and have a regular pet. Fostering is rewarding, can be challenging, but so so educational. You learn about different personalities, training, etc. The program I go through pays for obedience classes and doggy day care to help you with training and to socialize the dogs. You wouldn’t be in it alone if you foster or even adopt from a rescue organization.

      1. Ra94*

        That sounds like an amazing program- I’d love to be involved in something like that! (Hopefully there’s a London one.) I would be happy even taking a week off work and doing a fostering staycation at some point, just to make sure I felt comfortable leaving the dog at home.

      2. Fikly*

        OOoh, yes, seconding the fostering thing!

        It’s both a great way to learn dog-handling skills and a fantastic way to learn what kind of dog actually works for you lifestyle wise.

    10. Anono-me*

      I’m sure your friend meant well but …..

      As someone who’s added puppies (both from surprise litters and from breeders) and also adult dogs to our family, my suggestion is to:

      1. Do your breed research. Breed traits are not a guarantee, but it’s the best place to start.

      Then when you are ready,

      2. Request help from a breed specific rescue group that does in-home fostering of their rescued dogs. (The foster parents will be able to give you a lot of background on the dog and the dog will have learned a lot about living with people already.)

      3. Sign you and Doggy up for a training class. You will learn a lot about how to be good to your dog.

      Please be open to looking at adult and senior dogs.

      1. Ra94*

        I’m definitely looking only at adults versus puppies, and would be open to senior dogs, especially for fostering.

    11. AvonLady Barksdale*

      We adopted our buddy and had never owned dogs as adults. My family had a dog when I was young but she was not well cared for because my mother didn’t want to put in the work.

      We adopted from a rescue that fosters. We knew a lot about the dog’s personality and habits. We knew how he managed in an apartment. We knew little things, like how he needed a slow feeder bowl and how he wasn’t into vegetables.

      Friends of ours pulled that “you don’t know what you’re getting” crap and ended up buying from a breeder. Their dog has some issues because he’s a dog– breeder or rescue doesn’t prevent that. And their dog hates their cat, which they could have screened for if they had adopted.

      If you’re committed and you have support from your fellow adopters (we have an active Facebook group), you will be fine. And we have managed very well in an apartment– long walkies and daycare are excellent things to plan for. Look for a dog with the temperament you want and remember to be flexible (the initial weeks are amazing but eye-opening) and good luck!

      1. EddieSherbert*

        +100.
        I foster dogs through a rescue and I still talk to any of my adopters that want contact! One woman who adopted a foster of mine reached out over a year later with some behavioral questions… I was happy to talk to her!

        And my husband had never had dogs (or pets of any kind) before we started dating. His family was literally horrified when they heard I was getting a dog. My husband is an amazing “dog dad” and has totally become a dog person since we moved in together. My dog was already a couple years old by then, but I had my husband go do a basic training class with Pup anyways, and that honestly helped a ton. They bonded, husband started understanding the training process and gained confidence with Pup… honestly, husband got hooked on classes and now Pup and him are like four classes deep in Rally training (just for fun). Hahaha.

        PS fun classes like Rally, Nosework, Obedience, even tricks or dock diving or whatever are GREAT ways to keep dogs engaged, happy, entertained – even if you work during the day and can only give them that one hour of focused attention. If your dog isn’t a big fan of one class, try another and they might love it!

    12. SandrineSmiles (France)*

      Oh my! Your friend is seeing things the wrong way. I mean, completely.

      Yes, dogs from shelters can be unpredictable. But it’s important to note that family life and shelter life aren’t the same and most dogs who are adopted out will get “better” once they know they have a home. Then, if you can get a dog that is good size wise related to your place, and do crate training, so long as you can walk the dog, you’ll be fine.

      I mean, dogs are amazing animals (I never imagined how much I would love mine until I got her… we fostered her as a baby and adopted her when we rented our house) and it’s so cool that you’re thinking about adopting one! I wish you the best on this journey.

      My only tip: keep shoes and slippers and the like away from doggie. Mine loves to eat those xD

      1. SandrineSmiles (France)*

        (I mention crate training because you said you work full time and it would probably be safer for your apartment I suppose :p )

        1. Ra94*

          That’s a good tip! I have basically accepted that my lovely natural leather sofa getting destroyed is the price I’ll have to pay for doggie love, haha, but crate training definitely sounds wise.

            1. Ra94*

              That could be useful for curing my boyfriend’s book hoarding habit, actually. (I only buy books I’ve read and want to own, and go to the library otherwise, whereas he can’t resist a shiny title and then never opens it.) “The dog ate your philosophy tome” could be a handy excuse, lolol.

        2. Lucette Kensack*

          Crate training is safer for some dogs, but for many it isn’t necessary. It just depends in the dog (like everything!).

    13. Seven hobbits are highly effective, people*

      If you have a municipal animal shelter where you live, that may be a good middle ground between “breeder” and “animal rescue group”. Some rescue groups get so focused on trying to find the perfect fit for their dogs that they have a list of requirements a mile long, an elaborate application process involving home inspections and calling references, and generally seem to be looking for perfection from potential new homes. This all comes from a a well-meaning place (they want these dogs to have the best possible lives), but that’s some exhausting stuff to deal with. Meanwhile, if you watch the county dog shelter, their application is short, mostly requires that you also buy a dog license and haven’t surrendered an animal recently, and is generally a more achievable level of hoop to jump through. (They also charge less in adoption fees in my area.) I realize that some of this comes from rescues targeting the most difficult dogs, but I think some of it also comes from the personalities of the kind of people who start animal rescue groups.

      I’m in a situation where I can probably adopt from even the fussiest rescue group (homeowner, fenced yard, no kids or other pets, grew up with dogs, used to pet-sit professionally with a focus on dogs with behavioral and/or medical needs) but I probably won’t bother to consider dogs from some of the more intense local rescue groups because I just am not up for an exhausting set of hoops. There are lots of different good dogs out there, so I’m probably going to go get one of the ones stuck at the county shelter rather than one of the ones with their “perfect homes only” rescue. (Plus, the county tends to keep their dogs in institutional kennels and the rescues tend to keep theirs in foster homes, so I feel like the rescue dogs can wait longer for homes.) I might work with one or two of the less demanding rescues depending on who has what dogs looking for home available when I’m ready to get a dog (I will be gone for multiple weekends this November, so this is not a good time), but I am not going to work with, for example, our local dachshund group even though I like dachshunds, have worked with/trained a pretty difficult dachshund in the past, and would do well with one in terms of my lifestyle. Their list of requirements just sounds perfect-world and exhausting, so I’m going to see who else has a dog that could use a home.

      Whoever suggested doing fostering of dogs who need low-activity due to heartworm treatment, I agree that that sounds like a good foster area to see if you can get into if you want to try fostering for a while. A reasonable foster group will understand that, since those dogs specifically need low activity while they’re undergoing treatment, an apartment without a lot of dog-initiated opportunities for exercise is the perfect short-term fit.

      Plenty of people have dogs while working full time away from the home. It’s not ideal, but few things in life are. Depending on the number of stairs involved, that could be a good reason to look at getting an older dog, since many dogs turn into couch potatoes as they get older. (Older dogs also often end up having trouble with stairs, though.)

      1. Ra94*

        Yeah, I think reading some of the super stringent requirements from some rescue groups made me nervous and echoed my friend’s comments…so these replies have been so reassuring! I guess my thinking is that it takes a village, so even if part of my dog care is hiring people to take care of it, that’s still better than being stuck in a shelter. Plus, down the line, I’d be on the lookout for a dog friendly office, hopefully!

        Municipal shelters sound like a good idea- I’m not sure I’ve come across those in London before? (American permanent expat in the UK, so if anyone reading has specific advice, please share!)

        1. Weegie*

          Try the Dogs Trust – there’s at least one centre in London. You have to pay a fee to adopt a dog, but it’s not especially expensive, and they usually know the dog’s history. Check out their website.

          The other main option is the RSPCA – I don’t think they charge anything, but I’ve heard they can be a bit iffy about flat-dwellers.

          You can volunteer at both of these organisations.

          I don’t think there are any local authority-run shelters in the UK. Most animal rescues and adoptions are handled by either a local charity or one of the bigger charities like the two above.

            1. Ra94*

              Battersea is actually one of the organizations that made me pessimistic :-( In their requirements to foster, they say you MUST be able to be with the dog at all times (so, only people with no jobs or who work remotely?) and you must have prior dog experience…but maybe they’re more lax in reality?

              1. WellRed*

                Oh FFS! People don’t even stay with their human babies all the time. Honestly, some of these groups…

        2. Not a cat*

          In Los Angeles, the rescue groups are utterly over-the-top. My professional dog trainer brother-in-law was turned down which is crazy to me. Anywho to avoid that BS I went to a Municipal Shelter and adopted my senior chihuahua. She has become my heart.

    14. Cora*

      In this case, I would say ignore your friend. Maybe she means well, maybe she’s just being a jerk, but either way, she’s wrong.

      What I would recommend if you don’t spend a ton of time at home and you’ve never owned a dog before is adopting an adult dog. Puppies can be kind of a wild card in terms of behavior and they are super labor intensive in the beginning. There are plenty of adult dogs in shelters and rescue organizations with great temperaments! Do your research on breeds and if possible, adopt a dog that is currently with a foster family – they can usually give you a lot of good info on where the dog is with training and behavior.

    15. Bluebell*

      Fostering is a great idea! If you foster for a non-breed specific rescue, you can get experience with different sizes and ages of dogs. And you’ll learn more about training and adjustment, especially if you are hooked up with a reputable rescue that is supportive. You can certainly tell your friend you appreciate her advice, but remember it’s you who wants to add a new dog to your family, not her.

    17. Shay*

      I’m a huge dog person. I think you’ll do fine with a shelter dog.
      The shelter I volunteer with does not turn away animals for any reason and has a 97% save rate. They make huge investments in rehabilitating dogs with temperament concerns, including aggression and anxiety. These dogs they wouldn’t adopt out to “just anyone”. They have adoption consoling to find out if you could support a dog with more intense needs and how intense, and talk to you about that.
      But then, there are also just perfectly nice, normal dogs they get say, because their owner died or joined the military or lost their jobs and needed to move in with their parents and couldn’t take the dog.
      These dogs aren’t as common, and there’s a wait-list for them, but they’re out there.
      They also do just straight up get puppies. Sometimes, puppies that have been taken from their mother too young and need to be bottle fed.
      Not everyone is a perfect dog parent. I have owned my dog for 3 years in an apartment before moving into a house with a backyard. She is so. so. so. so thrilled with her backyard. I felt bad for those years she’s been without one.

    18. Lucette Kensack*

      You shouldn’t trust anything this friend had to say about dogs. She’s demonstrated herself to be both uninformed and biased. You can safely write her off on this topic.

      If you’re very concerned about what you can handle, the best route for you is to adopt an adult dog from a foster-based rescue. The fosters will know the dog inside and out, what they’ll need and what challenges they will bring. This just isn’t possible with a puppy. A good rescues (like “good” breeders) will also take back any dog that they adopt out (typically they actually require that you return the dog to them if you ever can’t keep them), so they have your back.

      1. ThatGirl*

        I agree. I never had a dog growing up, my husband’s family did but your parents handling everything is not the same. We adopted and found a great adult dog who fit our life: he’s small, very well behaved, can stay in his crate but doesn’t need to, doesn’t really bark, sleeps all day while we’re at work. We did training with him and he is perfect for us.

    19. Cedrus Libani*

      There are dogs who end up “in the system” because their owners were abusive jerks. There are also well-trained, low-maintenance dogs whose owners were hit by a bus. It’s OK to be honest with the shelter staff about your situation: you’re looking for an apartment dog, and you aren’t looking for a challenge. They can point you in the right direction. If you’re open to adopting an older dog, that might help; they’re harder to place, and they also aren’t as hyper as a young pup.

    20. Eeeek*

      Ugh no you’re completely fine dogs actually can be home alone for a while and tons of single people I. Apartments have dogs. You might end up going with a breeder bc the shelters don’t like to give dogs to single people who live in apartments. I was turned down from multiple shelters for that reason bought my dog at a breeder and he’s the best thing ever!!! People act like leaving a dog home for 4 hours is akin to beating it. It’s not. It’s fine. Walk it, but it good food, plenty of vet care and you’re a good dog mom.

    21. Not So NewReader*

      Your friend gives terrible advice.

      Do you have other friends who have dogs? If yes, please go visit them and their dog and talk about dogs.
      I have had 5 dogs all from rescues. Two have been kind of wild but they eventually calmed down.
      My current dog, a vet helped me get the dog to chill out. She does mainstream medicine and alternative stuff. This meant he got herbs and I was told not to feed him certain foods. It worked, he chilled right out. You can probably find a vet like this near you, if you need help with wild behaviors.

      Each dog I have had has taught me something or showed me something that I never knew before. Dog #4 showed me baby teeth. I found them on the floor. Why did I not notice that before? Dog #5 showed me how he can unlock doors. I did not know dogs could do that.
      There is always something more to learn, so don’t let not knowing slow you down. The only time there is a real problem is when the dog parent does not ask questions.
      So you find a good vet, you find a pet store with helpful folks, and you line up a couple friends who you think have nice dogs. This is your circle of people to talk to when things come up.

      Personally, I get dogs from a shelter because they are usually mixed breeds and I can kind of get away from what ever issue a particular breed has. If you get them as pups whatever issues they have you can work through those issues.
      I got my current dog at 9 weeks old. He did not like doorways. At all. I carried him through every doorway for months. When he got to be about 5-6 months old and weighed over 30 pounds, I realized carrying him was not a long term solution. By then his habit was to sit before each doorway and wait for me to pick him up. So one day I chose a doorway that did not have a rug, it was just a hardwood floor. Predictably when we came up to the door way and he sat. I got down on my hands and knees and cupped his butt. I pushed him through the doorway. He slid very well across the hardwood. I was laughing the whole time. And that was the end of the doorway problem.

      You will find that some stuff you will work through on your own and some stuff you will talk over with other people.
      You WILL be an imperfect dog owner, just like the rest of us. Just as you teach your pup, also your pup will teach you. And you will both be fine. What your friend did not tell you is that our animals forgive us. They are not like people who hold a grudge. They want their relationship with you back on track as quickly as possible.
      I stepped on my dog’s BLACK tail in a dark room. Imagine that. Oh my, he was so. very. upset with me. I squatted down (made myself look small and less of a threat) and using my tone of voice I said, “I am sorry, buddy.” The snarling stopped instantly, he leaned over and licked my hand. All was well. Your dog will forgive you if you make a mistake.

    22. Sled dog mama*

      Your friend sounds interesting.
      One of the reasons we picked the breeder we got out two current pups from was her belief in rescue. Any reputable breeder is going to support rescue as well.
      Our breeder (who breeds at most 2 litters a year) will take back any puppy she sells at any time during it’s life no questions asked. She then rehomes them, she also gets called by herself local humane society when they get anything resembling her breed as they know she has connections to get the dog rehomed faster.
      Your friend might be thinking of a breeder like that as she tends to have the younger dogs who are just not working out with the family.

    23. Shelter Pup Owner*

      IMO, it’s great you want to adopt! I believe it’s important to adopt by “a fit”, not by looks – if you can’t do long walks, get a dog that is a couch potato. Some shelters actually do behavior evaluations and ask about your lifestyle before they match you. They use this because if people want to adopt just by looks dogs get return to shelter more often (you can also look up “big black dog syndrome”).

      And, it’s important to understand you need to put in some effort (adjustment time, training, educating yourself) and money (ooo, the vet bills in our house).

      Having your own pet is different than volunteering at a shelter, but it might make you more comfortable with tasks like washing and feeding the dog, understanding canine behavior and training. You will likely get a sense of what dog you might enjoy – for example, for me personally I realized as much as I like the look of hounds, so many of them didn’t want to hang out with me much and just wanted to sniff endlessly,so I learned a more “interactive” dog was a better fit. However, please promise yourself not to adopt dog for some time if you are to volunteer – give yourself 3 months or something to learn. It is HARD not to adopt them all and right away :-)

    24. NoLongerYoung*

      I’ve had the puppy from a breeder (albeit, from a guide-dog-for-the-blind litter), then 2 fosters, then a bevy of senior dogs, and now – after a bit of a wait – a middle-aged (6), problem free dog. Mellow, from a senior citizen who couldn’t care for her any longer due to mobility issues.

      She is okay home all day without me; I walk her before and after work. I may not be home all day with her, but it is better than a shelter (at least one of mine was saved from the long walk of death). They are overcrowded here.
      Bonus on the mixed breed – fewer health issues, IMHO. My one from the breeder was (perhaps) over-bred and allergic to everything (including grass!) which made parks and some options (hikes) a bit of a misery for her.

    25. Smol Book Wizard*

      Hullo! I’ve worked with dog rescue as a volunteer and frequent visitor for about the last 10 years. I think that if you CAN find a rescue group – not a municipal shelter – that doesn’t have unrealistic requirements, they are a good option for giving the good, the bad, and the ugly as it were about a dog’s history and behavior. However, I absolutely understand that a lot of them are… picky in ways that make me wonder who on earth adopts from them.

      Some things can be changed about a dog’s behavior when you get it. For instance, the Welsh Corgi we had for a while when I was a kid was indifferently housetrained, given to peeing a little when nervous, deeply clingy (must be 3 feet away from his person at all times), very reactive to other dogs, and guarded his toys during retrieving games. We were his second owners, and he was about 2 years old. In a few months, we had him moderately better housetrained and much more polite during games. The clinginess and the reactivity had not budged and frankly gotten a bit worse, and so we ended up homing him with a retired couple who were a perfect fit and he for them. My precious current poodle is a retired breeding dog with Limited Life Experience – she is probably never going to be a total social butterfly, gets jumpy and stress-drools in new situations, has no idea what to do with children – but is learning about toys and other dogs who aren’t poodles, and has lots better health care now too. She has come a long way in temperament and openness to things, but we’re still working on it.

      The gist being, if you acquire an adult dog from whatever situation, there will be some things in which it adjusts to you and some things in which you adjust to it. Being clear on what is a deal-breaker for you (love people, or tolerate people, or hide and bark? scrupulously clean, maybe a little dodgy on housetraining, etc.?) and not allowing yourself to get an otherwise lovely dog whose needs are Really not a fit with yours, would be my main advice. I have had to leave some sweet, awesome dogs behind because I knew we couldn’t make each other happy in the long run.
      And don’t give up on getting a dog from a breeder! It’s actually quite common in my experience to find breeders who have older puppies, retired mom and dad dogs, show dogs who washed out, etc. – but the point definitely stands about knowing what you can deal with and what you can’t.

    26. Rio*

      A few lengthy thoughts for someone who is new to dogs and wants to adopt, based on my years of fostering for rescues:
      – I would suggest adopting from a foster-based rescue, and not a shelter. I have fostered several dogs who were fine in the shelter, but after a few days in my home their behaviours changed completely (they became aggressive). Our rescue worked with them, but I was surprised at how common it apparently is for dogs to have negative behaviours once they are in a home environment. I learned that it was common because I mentioned it to other fosters and learned that they also had stories. This happens rarely, but for first-time dog owners I have recommended they not go to shelters if at all possible.
      – Those I know in rescue are most often supportive of bred dogs, from reputable places. Backyard breeders are awful, and more prevalent, so do research if you go this route. I am very supportive (and I dislike anyone who blindly advocates for ‘rescue only’), in part because some parts of the world there aren’t a lot of rescue animals, in which case bred dogs are the only way for some people to get the right match of personality. In northern US there are essentially competitions for the younger, healthy dogs, because there are too few of them. Our rescue gets 50+ applications when we have a retriever, poodle, small-breed puppy. We have elderly dogs, ones with behavioural problems, and chronic health problems… and all of them find homes quickly. I also work with cat rescue and I’m not nearly as keen on cat breeding (I don’t openly object to it, but there are so many cats up for adoption that there’s not the same motivation to get a purebred cat). I was a staunch believer in rescue, but when I got involved in dog rescue that strong opinion disappeared (for dogs) – I now have a strong hatred of backyard breeding / puppymills.
      – I knew nothing when I started to foster dogs, but I was willing to learn and the rescue helped me out. Find a good rescue, offer to help out (maybe with a fundraiser or two at the start, to meet other volunteers, although you can skip that and only foster), and when you find the right foster then you can adopt them. That’s what most of us do! They aren’t keen if you foster only once, adopt that dog, and then never talk with them again, so I would suggest fostering a few or worst-case if you adopt your first foster and can’t do more then at least help out with fundraising.
      – Your friend is definitely biased. Every dog / puppy has a history, and while rescues can definitely have behavioural problems… so can purebred dogs. It’s all about the training! There are people who will abandon their dog at a shelter or rescue because of behavioural problems, which is why I suggest a home-based foster rescue. The worst possible problem with dogs is separation anxiety, as it is very time-consuming and frustrating to fix. We are always very clear that those dogs have to go to detached homes, as they bark endlessly, and we aim to find a home with someone who is there almost all the time (retired or home business). Most dogs, purebred or rescue, need training in a new home, so they will be work. When I meet potential adopters they often jokingly (yet optimistically) ask about adopting my dog, and I point out that the difference between them is that I have several years of training my dog, so of course he knows me and responds well. I would have the same relationship with the foster dog after that time, except that some of them are bad matches for me (typically too little or too much energy) so I would never have a good bond, but I don’t mention that part of it to a potential adopter – the point is that all dogs need time and effort. Untrained dogs need more time at first, but even the ‘trained’ ones are a continuous work in progress.
      – Rescues have different criteria. Some don’t adopt to children, some refuse apartments, and others want someone home all the time. I volunteer with one that seems to have a lot of steps, as there is an initial meeting, a home visit, and reference checks. Yet all of those can be done quickly, and we only want to weed out the completely inappropriate homes (hoarders, liars, etc). I like that our rescue adopts out to almost anyone, as we often adopt to families with young kids, in apartments, elderly (there was a very sweet adoption recently of an elderly dog for someone with early dementia, who lives next door to family so the dog is her constant companion and is very well cared for by the family). A smart rescue knows that circumstances change (babies are born, people move home), so it’s about matching up expectations between adopter and dog, and not so much about a farm with acres for every dog.

      If you are willing to adopt an older larger-breed dog and go on a longer daily walk or several shorter ones, then you would likely be a great option for a rescue, even if you are in an apartment. This may seem a bit weird, but I would suggest going on walks at minimum a month before you start to think about contacting a rescue. I have had some high-energy dogs, and often an adoption didn’t work out because the person realized they didn’t have the time or energy (we talked about this during the initial meeting, so these weren’t adoptions which later failed). With the best adoptions, the person was already keen to walk, and wanted some company. Especially if you are in an apartment, getting out in morning, after work, and before bed for 15-30 minutes would be a great way to show commitment. There are good reasons that some rescues aren’t keen to adopt out to someone in a flat… because the person doesn’t have enough time to walk their dog before they go to work, or they are too tired before bed. Some days I have to go to work early, and my way of coping is to open the back door, and leave the dog to wander the yard while I get ready. This isn’t possible for someone in an apartment, so a bit more effort on your part would help show the rescue your commitment. When I first fostered, I didn’t have a fenced yard so I had a harness and very long line tied to a buried metal post, which the rescue recommended so that the animal could get exercise without escaping. At the time I rarely used it, and instead woke up even earlier to go for a morning walk. The right rescue will want to find a dog that is the right match for you.

      Your worry about working all day: I have had several older retrievers (6-7 years old) who were abandoned at the shelter, yet they had friendly personalities, big bladders, and an ability to be exhausted by 3 walks (2×15 mins, and one after work was 30-45 mins). They would have been perfect for your lifestyle. I also work and am away 9-10 hours, so I crate the fosters and do my best to house-train them, but with the understanding that puppies can’t hold it so I put them in big crates with a towel at one end so they can soil there. I wish that I had a better plan, but I usually only take puppies when I can work from home, so when I have them during my full-time work then the rescue is desperate. Most of the time I foster adult large-breed dogs, and I’m careful to time the food and water so that they can easily hold it. There are ways to make things work, even if it’s short-term.

  22. Penguin*

    Plant thread! I know it’s starting to get cold (unless you’re in one of the places that already has snow, in which case it’s not “starting”) and gardening season is winding down, but tell me about your off-season plant stuff! Houseplants? Planning for next year’s garden? Hydroponics?

    1. Penguin*

      I got a small hydroponic setup for Christmas last year, and I’m thinking about actually setting it up this winter. Anyone have any experience with that sort of thing? Any tips you want to share?

    2. fposte*

      Just came in from first round of bulb planting! It was summer here pretty recently so I’d planned to give the ground another week to cool, but we had a good solid rain that means a window of opportunity, so I’m hoping the serious temperature drops this week will suffice. It wasn’t too bad today, back-wise, but I know I’m going to feel round two :-).

      1. Parenthetically*

        Yes, we’re putting in more bulbs this weekend. We’ve got tulips and daffodils but we’re putting in some crocuses and snowdrops and hyacinths to fill a few gaps and provide some early spring interest.

      2. Jenny F. Scientist*

        I went out to plant bulbs and fell in the creek! Will try again once the bruises heal.

      3. Reba*

        I sent my mom a big load of tulip bulbs and she planted them yesterday! I can’t wait to see how they grow. She also laid down chicken wire on the soil, under the mulch, which she will pull out in January or February. Very curious to see if this will work as a rodent-deterrent trick.

        I moved all my patio plants indoors this week. They are settled in windows and my baobab seedlings are under lamps.

        I have two passionflower vines on my patio. I’ve stopped feeding and watering in anticipation of wintering them over. But it hasn’t been all that cold and they’re both still going gangbusters out there, though I don’t think we’ll see any more flowers!

        1. Parenthetically*

          I interplanted all my tulips with daffodils and alliums, and haven’t seen any evidence of squirrel problems — and Lord knows we have plenty of squirrels.

          1. fposte*

            I am weirdly lucky with my tulip bulbs. I don’t do a fall cleanup on that bed, which I think helps. There’s the occasional one dug up or relocated but there’s no onslaught. Yet when I had anemones in the back it was an absolute free-for-all, so I mostly stick to daffodils there.

            (I actually kind of like the occasional weird bulb relocation–it’s fun to see a crocus miles away from anywhere I put a crocus.)

    3. Cheesesteak in Paradise*

      My goal is to setup an indoor grow light to start vegetables from seed this winter. U of Maryland Extension has nice step by step instructions for one from PVC pipe.

      1. Reba*

        Nice! We just bought one of those metal shelving units (like, the commercial kitchen or garage storage kind) and have the light units resting on the top shelf. I like the way it looks better than suspended units. They are LEDs rather than fluorescent tubes.

    4. Weegie*

      I finished my raised bed and got half of my strawberries planted out into it!

      I made the raised bed out of the shoals of pebbles the previous (non-gardening) owners left behind – think gabion walls on a smaller scale – and am feeling quite chuffed with myself.

      Now planning more gabions for my herb garden…

      1. fposte*

        Where/how do you use them? They’re not common in my area and I find them really interesting-looking.

        1. Weegie*

          They’re most often used as retaining walls, e.g. bordering motorways, or in large public outdoor spaces – but they’ve become popular in private gardens in the UK thanks to the endless slew of home and garden improvement shows. They’re a cheap and quick way to put up a decorative wall in your garden or near your front door.

          I’m using mine a bit differently: basically I made a series of foot-high circular cages out of chicken wire, gave them a bit of strength by threading bamboo sticks through the chicken wire vertically, filling each basket with pebbles, then putting enough of them side by side until I had a rectangular bed that I filled with compost. Then add strawberry plants!

          I’m rubbish at uploading/linking to images, so I’ll post a link in a reply to someone else’s pic of a rectangular gabion raised bed, to give you an idea.

            1. fposte*

              Oh, that does look nice. I’ve only seen the really big ones so this gives me a much better idea. Thanks!

        2. Grace*

          When we next do over our garden, we’re adding gabions – we’ve had wooden sleepers for the last decade and they’ve held up fairly well until last year, but now they’re all rotting, and good quality ones add up when you’re buying a few dozen every ten years or so. Gabions will work out cheaper and more durable, and apparently are very good insect habitats between the stones.

    6. Lilysparrow*

      It’s finally cool enough that I’m willing to go out in the garden again. I have several failed veggie beds that need clearing and putting down for winter with compost and mulch.

      Then I want to start gathering perennial cuttings for the front yard – several neighbors have given permission to split some of their overgrown herbaceous clumps or take trimmings from their shrubs.

    7. EddieSherbert*

      I just moved my potted plants indoors for the winter a few days ago (cold forecast this weekend)! We have floating shelves, as the cat would definitely eat my plant babies if he could reach them.

    8. Venus*

      This is the weekend for garlic bulbs! It’s a bit quiet outdoors, as I’m focusing more on making tomato sauce now that the plants are dying off

  23. Miranda Priestly's Assistant*

    It is Self Care Weekend time! I’m nearing burnout with spending all my time outside of work with job hunting + side projects + online class + other life management stuff for the past few months. I’m not doing ANYTHING work-related this weekend. I’m going to a park later today to get some sunshine, and then going over to my friend’s house and playing with their cat. Enough is enough!

    1. WellRed*

      Me too! Beauty treatments, batch cooking, books, magazines, Acorn TV. And I’m sure there’s a bottle of wine in there somewhere.

    2. Marie*

      Good for you! I had 18 months of that lifestyle while taking night classes and being pregnant and working a toxic job. It’s hard but WORTH IT! My new job has its problems but is so much better than my old career, writ large.

      Hang in there sister / brother.

      1. Miranda Priestly's Assistant*

        Wow. If I were every pregnant, I would have to put my entire life on hold. I can’t do all that not pregnant. I’m glad to hear it gets better!

    3. Ra94*

      I’ve started going to Saturday morning yoga, which is tough because I love to sleep in and lie about til past noon. But wow do I feel good afterwards! It means I actually have energy to do active self-care (which I find the most satisfying). In that vein, I’m planning on seeing two friends, cooking some ambitious projects, painting my nails in a gradient for the first time, AND hopefully going on a long hike tomorrow.

    4. Shay*

      I came down with some sort of awful stomach bug that kept me up for much of the night. I’ve been sleeping on and off during the day and have gotten absolutely zero work done. I’m still tired.

      I have to come into school tomorrow, so as much as I’d like to stay up late and keep unpacking and cleaning, I don’t think that would be a great idea. But also how late is going to be too late? UGH.

    5. londonedit*

      Sounds good! Hope you’re enjoying your self-care weekend. I’m having a similar self-care day today – I’ve had a busy week and yesterday was really fun but also super tiring, with a run in the morning and then a friend’s wedding in the afternoon/evening. So today I’ve had a lie-in, I’m doing a bit of pottering around and housework, and I’m planning to make a big batch of comforting autumnal dhal for dinner before having a nice long bath before bed.

    2. Miranda Priestly's Assistant*

      Flonase (that saline stuff you shoot up your nose) worked for me in the past. I also recommend drinking a lot of hot water with lemon and ginger, as well as spicy food to open up the sinuses. Also, lots of hot, steamy showers!

      2. AcademiaNut*

        Just to clarify – Flonase is an over the counter steroid spray used for treating allergies – nasal saline spray is something completely different.

        1. Miranda Priestly's Assistant*

          Thanks for the correction! I forgot what exactly it was. I just get whatever the doctor tells me

    3. Pennalynn Lott*

      I recently saw an ENT specialist for a never-ending sinus infection. I’ll need surgery to correct a deviated septum and to vacuum out my sinus cavities but, in the meantime, I’m using two nasal sprays that are really helping: Fluticasone Propionate (brand name: Flonase) which is a steroid that decreases nasal passage inflammation; and Ipratropium Bromide (brand name: Atrovent) which helps stop all the watering (both eyes and nose).

      Flonase is available OTC, Atrovent is not.

    4. CastIrony*

      My sister takes over-the-counter decongestants when it gets bad, but I got her this essential oil called Breathe by DoTERRA that helps her, too. She rubs this roller thing near her nose, but it also comes in different forms. I was skeptical about it, but dang, does it smell!

    6. AvonLady Barksdale*

      See an ENT. You might need a procedure. In my case, I had enlarged turbinates. Quick outpatient surgery and it helped a ton.

    7. Seven hobbits are highly effective, people*

      I have no medical reason why this should work, but eating more turmeric really helped my constant nasal congestion. My doctor had me trying turmeric pills for inflammation reasons, and it cleared my Ongoing Sinus Thing up. I decided the pills were too expensive for what they were, so now I make a point of adding at least a teaspoon of turmeric to something I’m eating each day, and that seems to keep the congestion at bay. (It starts up again if I stop eating turmeric, so it seems pretty well-linked for me personally.) I just buy the spice in bulk at the local discount/bulk grocer, which is extremely inexpensive, but this method only works if you scratch-cook enough things that you have at least one logical thing to add spices to each day.

      I don’t know if it would help you, but it is a pretty cheap thing to try.

    8. Invisible*

      I put a tablespoon or so of apple cider vinegar in herbal tea and that seems to help with congestion.

    9. Elenna*

      This might be a silly/pointless question, but how sure are you that you aren’t allergic to something? It took me ages to realize that constantly sniffling in the mornings wasn’t normal, nor was it some sort of several-month-long, super-minor cold, but was actually allergies.

      1. MsChanandlerBong*

        This. I had surgery to fix a deviated septum and remove excess cartilage from my nose, and it didn’t help at all. It wasn’t until later that I realized my problems stemmed from living in a house in which we burned coal and wood for heat all winter. It used to be so bad that I could barely talk on the phone because postnasal drip would be dripping down my throat as I was talking. The issues went away when I moved out of my parents’ house.

    10. Natalie*

      I’ll co-sign the suggestion to see an ENT. I had congestion that had steadily gotten worse without my really realizing it, and it turned out my sinus cavity was full of polyps and some of the holes (technical term) were too small. It was the easiest surgery ever as far as I know – only took and hour and a half and then I got to go home. I took a few days of work but honestly felt fine, just kind of head-coldy. And the results were amazing.

    11. MissDisplaced*

      If this is a long time issue due to allergies, I really suggest seeing an ENT specialist.
      I also bought a Navage nasal irrigation system (or you can use the manual bottles from NeilMed which are cheaper). Either way, regular nasal irrigation with saline has really helped me, especially if I do so before bed.

  25. To med or not to med*

    I am debating if I should go on meds for depression or not. My therapist thinks I have persistant depression disorder. What I am looking for is specifics on how they helped you or didn’t help you and any side effects. If it matters I am female in my early 50s. I tried Zoloft about 20 years ago and it didn’t help so I stopped and didn’t try anything else. Thanks everyone!!

    1. Marie*

      I didn’t like Zoloft. It killed my sex drive and was awful to taper off of.

      Wellbutrin however is the rare bird that evidence has shown is one of the rare ssris that actually boosts sex drive and doesn’t cause weight gain. I loved this medication and it’s my first choice if I need to go on meds again.

      Best of luck, and internet hugs.

      1. To med or not to med*

        Thanks Marie! Agree on the sex drive killing properties of Zoloft! That did not help things!

      2. Una*

        Wellbutrin doesn’t have SSRI side effects cause it’s not an SSRI! It acts on dopamine and norepinephrine. I don’t have personal experience with it but know people who do and it seems to work well for them.

      3. Elf*

        I was briefly on Wellbutrin about a dozen years ago, and it caused some scary personality changes (rage and aggression). That was my second try, the first drug tried was (I think) Paxil, which made me feel great but also put me into a manic state. (At that point I decided that until brain science advanced to the point where those side effects could be predicted by modeling my brain, I would refrain from further experimentation)

    2. Lena Clare*

      I think they’ve improved even over the last 10 years, so you may find that drugs you tried then have different effects now.
      Anyway, there are lots of others to try.

      Being on antidepressants saved my life. I thoroughly recommend giving then another go. If you don’t line then you can come off them with your doctor’s support.

      The side effects initially weren’t great. I had rotten insomnia that lasted a few months (but it was worse in the first few days before it gradually got better – and I’m menopausal which didn’t help the not sleeping), and very dry mouth for a few days, which was highly unpleasant.

      Once the side effects calmed down I really noticed that my emotions were more balanced, which enabled me to examine them, and my PMS nearly gone (my depression was severe around my period). It’s made such a difference. I wish I’d gone on them earlier, but I was put off by my previous experience of antidepressants.

    3. CastIrony*

      Here’s a vent that’s all over the place:
      After eight years of remission (anxiety and depression), I started taking fluoxetine (Prozac) again after dramatically yelling at my good superior at work (I quickly apologized.), so I know how hard it is to decide on going back to meds. I was sad about it, but I know he deserves so much better from me.

      Because I have been working either six days a week or 13-14 days in a row, it was hard to think or accept feedback, and when I took my first dose, I could immediately *think* again. My family all claimed that I am better that I have been, and my doctor says I was less stressed and agitated. My sister says that I am more emotionally available to her!

      I have had only one side effect this time around: a period came for the second month in a row, thus regulating it (Hopefully, since mine have been so irregular!)

      I don’t recommend stopping cold turkey on Prozac, though, I did that around eight years ago, and I was a keisterhole for at least three days before calming down.

    4. Fikly*

      It’s impossible to predict side effects. My best advice is to start on the tiniest dose possible and taper very slowly up. Be aware it will take a very long time for most to kick in for mood benefits.

      I look at meds like a brace. They help me get my brain to a point where I can do the work in therapy to help heal. But I also may need some for the rest of my life. Just like with my ankles – I needed a brace full time post-op, but I will always need one whenever I exercise.

    5. Lluviata*

      I’m taking Wellbutrin + Abilify, because Wellbutrin alone wasn’t handling all the side effects. Things I’ve found: my motivation AND interest in hobbies and friends went from zero to actually present, it’s sooo much easier to get up in the morning, I don’t seem to need as much sleep, I’m not despondent and weeping, I went from doubting or harshly judging myself most of the time to rarely, and the quality of my connections with other people has went way up because I’m more interested in them. Medication has made an incredible change in my quality of life, just by adjusting a few neurochemicals that were out of whack.

      My therapist has been my best resource around medication, because she sees my symptoms, and sometimes I just don’t. When I’ve listened and tried adjusting my medication, it’s like coming out of an emotional fog that I didn’t know I was in, and this has happened multiple times for me where she’s seen something I don’t.

      It’s hard having depression. I wish you luck in finding something that works for you.

    6. Wishing You Well*

      No meds worked for me but they did have frightening side effects. It takes weeks to know if they work and the side effects can slowly make you feel worse. I had extreme weight gain on one, rapid heart beat on another and leg tremors on another. The leg tremors would’ve become permanent if I had continued with that one. Sheesh. My experience can’t be typical, so I hope you have better results.
      What did help me was a sunlight lamp, lots of exercise. counseling and lots of coping techniques like DBT. You’re more likely to succeed if you use more than one technique. Consider making some life changes that are more supportive of your mental health if you need to. It will take time and consistent effort, but you can do it!

    7. SandrineSmiles (France)*

      I’m 36. I got on Escitalopram 5mg earlier this July. And I got the dose doubled last month. It makes a world of difference for me. I no longer have the panic attacks I used to have everyday. I do sleep a lot, but I feel I am much more positive. It’s had an amazing effect and I’m quite thankful for having them.

    8. KayEss*

      The difference between an antidepressant that was not truly working for me and one that was… was largely in weird, little things that I didn’t take into account at the time. My therapist at the time claimed that the most definitive mental difference between depressed and not-depressed was in how much you thought about and planned for the future–that never really resonated with me, because I’ve never been a particularly ambitious or future-oriented person.

      But when I was on a treatment that wasn’t really working, I would go visit my mom and just have nothing at all to say to her, like nothing I would usually be able to talk to her about nonstop–all just mundane things I had seen or read or experienced–seemed worth remembering or noting. I thought I was fine now, because I wasn’t crying for (literal) hours per day anymore! And maybe I was no longer on the edge of crisis, but… I was not fine. Even my mom knew I was not fine, but I didn’t know it until (for a variety of reasons) my meds were changed to one that worked much better for me and suddenly my life was filled with vibrant conversations again instead of long silences.

      (Granted, it took a stupid high dose of venlafaxine to get me there. But I’ve been able to step it down to a more conventional indefinite maintenance dose over the past couple years. I don’t know if I could ever go off it entirely, and finding out isn’t really a priority for me.)

    9. Quiznakit*

      38 here. I’ve done fluoxetine (prozac) before and had good results, eventually going off it twice and getting along well for a while afterwards. This most recent depressive episode was a beast, though, so they tried me on bupropion (wellbutrin) and sertraline (zoloft) together–the first for depression and the second for anxiety. It makes a world of difference for me and may in fact be why I’m still above ground and breathing, tbh.

      The thing to know is that sometimes the first med isn’t effective or the dosage isn’t calibrated to what you need, so you may need to adjust a few times to get it dialed in. It’s definitely worth the effort, if you ask me.

      1. To med or not to med*

        Thank you all so much for your replies. The amount of adjusting of meds/ramp up/initial side effects seems daunting. Of course if it helps it would all be worth it. I guess even if it doesn’t it’s a lesson learned. Sigh.

        1. Kuododi*

          I’ve been on and off medication at different points in life as well. I found Wellbutrin to be the most helpful b/c I also enjoy my sex life with DH. Right now I’m on a combination of Wellbutrin and Buspar. (Addresses both the depression as well as the anxiety from the cancer dx and the anemia.). As a rule of thumb, I don’t stop mental health meds cold turkey. (Too much risk of side effects.). Also, I find it crucial to remember that antidepressants etc aren’t a magic bullet. By that I mean they are a positive resource in which addressing concerns such as depression/anxiety but I am also responsible to do my part by working in therapy, support groups and any other resources which I might find helpful. I wish all the best for you both now and in your future. Blessings.

          1. ThatGirl*

            Never quit long term meds cold turkey. Usually you want to taper and do it with the help of your doctor.
            OP, it’s best to work with a psychiatrist to find the best fit for you. Side effects can vary a lot from person to person.

        2. hermit crab*

          FWIW, I’ve taken citalopram on and off for about 15 years with great result – and have only ever had side effects when going off it and not tapering properly (my fault for being impatient). I know I’m lucky but maybe you will be too! I just want to add my experience as one data point, since I think fewer of the positive, undramatic stories get shared. Good luck and best wishes to you!

          1. The Ginger Ginger*

            I started citalopram this summer and I feel better than I have in a decade. I was a little nauseated the first week or so, and it definitely took 3-4 weeks for me to start feeling the benefit and 4-6 for full effect, but I’m so glad I stuck with it. I wish I had done it so much sooner.

        3. Reba*

          Hi To med or not to med,

          My spouse did a pharmacogenomic test (cheek swab) that showed X class of medicines would be effective, while Y class would be less effective, based on his personal makeup. Science does not seem to agree that such tests are even effective–obviously, depression is really complex, and the tests are focused on how your body metabolizes the drug compounds. If this is of interest, I’d be sure to get an FDA-approved one (if you’re in the US) that the Dr. has to order. Insurance did not cover the test.

          In the end spouse ended up on Prozac, which likely would have been the first thing to try even without the test… But nevertheless it was also helpful on an emotional level to help him with the process of seeking help and starting on a regimen, because it seemed like there would be less of the lengthy try–fail–try again–what’s the point cycle of getting to the right drug.

          Fluoxetine has been life-changing for our household.

        4. Auto Generated Anon*

          I’m on the same page as others above – tried some different things, some worked, some I stopped after 2 days (looking at you Effexor). Sometimes the side effects are crappy – like I get really, really sweaty on sertraline (Zoloft) but I balance that by thinking about the fact that without it, I wouldn’t be doing the things that raise my heart rate at all.

    10. Miss Pantalones en Fuego*

      I have mixed feelings. I have taken different antidepressants on and off for many years. They have been helpful but also have resulted in troublesome side effects. The best long-term result was from sertraline, in that I have not had many problems with anxiety and the multiple panic attacks per day that I used to have since I took it for over a year, even though it’s been a couple of years since I stopped taking it. But it also seems to be the culprit behind my ridiculously sweaty face and restless leg problems.

      I stopped taking my most recent antidepressant earlier this year because I felt that I was developing severe SSRI induced indifference or emotional blunting and anhedonia. Getting off any antidepressant has involved a long tapering off process. You might search for “mad in America” for more information about antidepressant use and side effects.

      However, for as much as I am convinced that some of my issues have been caused by antidepressant use, I also think they have been very helpful. I’ve been through multiple major depressive episodes and drugs helped me recover. But I also think that I too have persistent depression more than recurrent depression, and I am not sure now that long term antidepressant use was the right choice in retrospect.

    11. SAD*

      Different diagnosis here–I have seasonal affective disorder. When I was first diagnosed my doctor put me on citalopram but it didn’t help. He switched me to fluoxetine (Prozac) which does work for me. My sister has some more persistant depression (using that as a comparative term to my symptoms not a diagnosis) and anxiety issues and has had to go through multiple different dosages of different medications to find a combination that works, and then readjustments as her body adjusts.

    12. Pennalynn Lott*

      I am also an early-50’s woman. Over the decades I have tried just about every antidepressant out there, with mixed results in both effectiveness and side effects.

      One thing that really helped me was getting my serum Vitamin D levels tested. I was low-normal but decided to take supplements. After a few months of taking 2000-6000 IUs of Vit D3 (depending on the amount of sun exposure I’d gotten), I was able to quit taking antidepressants. That worked well until I hit menopause and then I went back on Wellbutrin (SR 150 mg). During the spring and summer, I take just one pill a day, but when late fall and winter hit, and the amount of sunlight available decreases dramatically, I up the dose to two pills a day. I also use light therapy lamps.

      If I had it to do over again, I would have never taken Effexor. (My doctor calls it “side-effexor” because of the horrible side effects). If you forget a dose, you’ll know by that afternoon because you’ll feel either tiny electrical jolts throughout your head and body, or you’ll feel like you’re swimming through molasses. And stopping the drug takes *months* to do it safely.

      Oh, and this is the article that prompted me to get my Vit D levels tested: https://www.scientificamerican(dot)com/article/vitamin-d-deficiency-united-states/

      1. Miss Pantalones en Fuego*

        Oh yes. You definitely need to taper off slowly. I ended up buying a pill cutter and taking ludicrously tiny doses over a period of months before the brain zaps and tiredness stopped.

    13. Seeking Second Childhood*

      Read up on undiagnosed ADD and rule that out …it was highly uncommon diagnosis for women your age & mine, and it was frequently misdiagnosed as depression. There are differences in how it shows in male vs females–the physicality in the ‘H’ part of ADHD is apparently testosterone-linked. That plus gender-role training meant it wasn’t spotted when we were kids.

  26. CoffeeforLife*

    Rental/Tenant/Landlord laws in Virginia
    PLEASE HELP
    I’m not certain what minefield I’m stepping into but I need to evict my basement renter. I’ve read the process but am still confused as to what to do.

    The tenant hasn’t paid rent in two months (we worked out a deal to use the deposit in lieu of payment so they would have a “clean slate” with promises of on time going forward). So the 1st came and went and now we are at the 12th. When asked (via email) the response is just excuses – my gig deposits don’t hit until Saturday, I’m training for a new job that’ll pay more, all my bills hit my account and put me negative. Etc. Not one on time payment since move in, no payment for the last two months (so seriously, where’s the money going?)

    I’m so over it. Rent is a bill (and we use it to pay our own mortgage!). How do I send her an eviction notice when she doesn’t get mail here? It’ll just go to me? Can I just post it on her door?

    If anyone has knowledge of the process and can help me figure out my rights/their rights it would be appreciated. I seem to find a lot of conflicting information, like using the deposit as rent payment (we had them sign an agreement).

    1. fposte*

      I think this is lawyer territory, not internet info territory. The law can vary county by county and municipality by municipality, and if you screw up on this, you can owe big time. If reading the information online hasn’t been enough to make it clear, you need a certified expert with feet on the ground in the jurisdiction.

      Sorry. The situation sounds like a pain.

      1. Rebecca*

        Totally agreed. I’d start with your municipality. Even cities/towns/townships here in PA have different rules than the commonwealth in general sometimes. What’s worse, this is a holiday weekend, so many government offices are closed on Monday. But – I would start with your local courthouse, find out who handles this, and find legal council. I am not an attorney, but I have a friend who rents properties, and I know this can be a legal headache, unfortunately. So sorry this is happening!

        1. valentine*

          It’s worth a legal consult and the sooner you start, the better.

          With the deposit, my concern would be you don’t have it now in case they trash the place. If your lease doesn’t spell out consequences for nonpayment and/or you want to rent again, have a lawyer shore it up.

      2. Rebecca*

        And I’d like to add, here in PA we have a website called Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System. One of the options to search for, under a particular name, is Landlord/Tenant, and the papers here are filed first in Magisterial court. This might help you figure out where to start on your end. Good luck!!

    2. Anon Librarian*

      I agree that this requires legal expertise. You might need to get the notice served to her (where she has to sign saying that she received it, and they’ll keep trying until she answers the door).

      You don’t necessarily need to hire someone, though. Look for local landlord/tenant’s rights groups, or try a public or university library. There should be a way to look up the correct process without hiring a lawyer.

      1. fposte*

        It’s also possible you could pay for an initial consult fairly cheaply and not hire somebody to handle the whole thing.

    3. Wishing You Well*

      Find out what you need to do in your state/municipality and do it – quickly. This is time-sensitive and it will drag out even with your full attention on it.
      Best of Luck

    4. CTT*

      Seconding all the “get legal advice” comments. Look into your local legal aid office; mine has a handy landlord/tenant law basics brochure.

    5. LNLN*

      If you have an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through work, you may have a legal benefit that would give you a consult with an attorney at no cost to you. Call your EAP and tell them you want to use your legal benefit. Good luck!

  27. Marie*

    As you all know, we’ve got a baby and I’m fairly new at my job. Between having almost no accrued vacation days and the sheer complexity of traveling with an infant, I told the extended family that we aren’t able to visit for the holidays this year. Two weeks elapsed until my MIL started pressuring my husband, who unfortunately brought it to me to ask “how firm” my No was.

    I don’t do wishy washy No’s & I do not appreciate having to justify myself here especially since the attempts just hurt my husband’s feelings (mostly related the balance of labor preparing for past vacations).

    Advice welcome, or just send coffee. The baby is taking his morning nap so I’m trying to get caffeine before my husband wakes up.

    1. fposte*

      Oh, making me repeat myself is a huge hot button for me for some reason, so even without a baby I’d be grinding my teeth at this.

      That being said, this might be a moment where you can get better results for you as a couple by being not just annoyed but honest about why this strikes at you so hard. Guessing/projecting here, but “Honey, it really upset me that your response to pressure from your family was to pressure me. I really want to count on you to have my back when we make decisions like this, and that includes standing up to your family and not leaving me to be the bad guy. It’s not supposed to be *my* no that was firm but *our* no. I go to bad for us with my family–can you do it for us with yours?”

      2. Anony H*

        Amen! If the in-laws want to see them, why don’t they take time off to come visit the couple and baby?

        1. valentine*

          why don’t they take time off to come visit the couple and baby?
          No! Then Marie has the added work (logistics, probably, and) in-law care, in her own space, complete with, “Well, this wouldn’t be a problem if you’d come to us” and “Poor Relative is all alone and this could be their Last Holiday.”

          1. ..Kat..*

            A) have in-laws stay at hotel
            And
            B) husband does work of hosting parents (meals, cleaning, etc). Husband first has to prove he can do this by first cleaning the whole house, then cooking all meals and cleaning up afterwards for two weeks. And keeping the rest of the house clean as well. If he can do this, he can invite his parents to visit for less than a week (at a hotel).

            1. Beatrice*

              Nope, I prefer Option C. In-laws can come if they’ve already proven they’re the type who do not see themselves as “guests” who must be prepared for and entertained, but helpful family members whose presence is a net benefit to a household with a new baby. That means they bring food, they clean up, and they help out with things that need to be done around the house. If they don’t have that track record already established, they need to stay where they are and visit at a much later date.

    3. Anono-me*

      I also think this is one where your husband needs to take point. Maybe he can say something like Mom would really love to spend Christmas with you but we have to put G-baby first. Marie and I only have a few vacation days and we need to save them for when G-baby needs us. Also, traveling with a little baby over the holiday season almost guarantees some sort of bug, and nobody wants that. … maybe a month or two after the holidays you could come for a visit. ” And optionally, he could add “If you get a room in a hotel with a pool, we can take G baby swimming.”

      Sending virtual chocolate covered coffee beans. The good ones.

      1. Wishing You Well*

        Yes. Husband has to tell his mother it’s a firm no. He tells his family no, you tell yours no. Set the right trend now or you’ll be doing this forever.
        Good Luck

    4. AnonyNurse*

      Well … I’d start with waking husband up and reminding him just how much work the baby is that he’s apparently literally sleeping through. You’ve presumably fed and changed the baby, soothed him back to sleep, and are starting your day — and husband is still asleep. Of course he doesn’t think it should be a firm no. It isn’t hard for him. (Maybe that’s too harsh but you are working and caring for baby so unless he works nights or was up with baby all night letting you sleep … he’s got it easy).

    5. Cheesesteak in Paradise*

      Not clear on if you don’t want to see the ILs or don’t want to travel. Obviously both are fine and reasonable! But if it’s more travel/vacation time thing, roads and planes go in both directions – the ILs can visit you and your spouse can ferry them around. Still likely more work for you but a possible compromise. Or a possible thing to throw at them if they’d never in a million years visit you but expect you to shlep out to visit them…

    6. Ermintrude*

      Oooh well, of course now you have a baby at home, it’s really important to spend your first Christmas as a family at home.

      Is your line And a very reasonable line. Any reason they couldn’t visit you?

    7. Sparkly Lady*

      Is your husband pressuring you because your MIL is pressuring your husband or because he actually wants to go for a visit? If it’s the latter, would it be a win-win for him to take the baby and go for the visit while you get a little break?

      1. should be napping*

        Actually, this was going to be my response: You want to visit mom? Take the baby, bye! Oh, and if you/baby get sick I’ll buy you some soup & stay out of your hair.

    8. Policy wonk*

      Tell your husband you can’t go, but you are happy to let him take the baby to see his folks – you’ve got plenty of things you can do while they are gone. Oh, and would he like you to give him a list of what he should pack?

    9. Clisby*

      “I’m not up for holiday travel with an infant. It would be so nice to order Christmas dinner from the Publix and just cocoon here at home. Of course, if your family would like to rent an AirBnb nearby, it would be great to spend some time with them, but nothing that’s any work for me.”

    10. Overeducated*

      Ugh I’m sorry. We had a similar family interaction last year (about alternating holidays with our families) and I basically questioned my husband about it to make him see how unfair it was to put it on me. “Why are you asking me if we can change the system we’ve been using for years to skip my family’s year, do you have a problem with it and want to come up with a new plan for holidays? No – then why are you asking me instead of telling your family member that? How do you think it could affect my relationship with that person if you make me the bad guy?” It’s easier to blame someone else for a decision than to stick to it yourself sometimes, but not always ok to take that easy way out in a marriage.

    11. aarti*

      Sending you so much sympathy! My husband and I just had this same fight. I’ve found it most effective to go over the nitty gritty details with him:the cost, the time it takes to travel, time you need off from work, plus you all have a baby! Generally once we’ve laid it all out like that, he acknowledges it’s not possible. We frame this a “we” discussion which I think prevents side arguments over division of labour.

      If you wouldn’t mind your in-laws visiting for a few days, you can offer that.

      I hope all works out well for you!

    12. Not So NewReader*

      “No.”

      It does not need to be longer than that. NO means no.

      Some times less is more. So you simply say NO. Then he has to figure out what to tell his parents. He knew no was the answer when they asked. He hung up with them and asked anyway. Let him figure out how to work his way out of this one.

      Now if he starts trying to negotiate then go with more words. “Hon, remember we agreed to a hard no for reasons? I am still at hard no and I will not be changing my mind for those reasons plus ten more reasons. So… no.”

  28. All monkeys are French*

    Fashion/appropriate attire question:
    My spouse, an academic, is receiving an award at an event out of town next week and I am attending with him. It’s in our state capital and will have deans and chancellors and whatnot. I believe it’s happening in the context of a conference, at the end of the day, but it’s not a banquet or something formal.
    I live in a rural area where everyone dresses casually and I don’t work in an office, so I’m bad at dressing up.
    What would you wear to an event like this?

    1. OperaArt*

      Is this an annual event? If so, can you find pictures online from past events to see what people were wearing?

      1. Filosofickle*

        This is always my go-to tactic for interviews, client meetings, events…anywhere I’m not sure how to calibrate my dress level. Social media is a gift in this way.

      2. All monkeys are French*

        Ah yes! I found video of the symposium from recent years. Great suggestion. And a good reminder that these academic types (at least in my state) aren’t too worried about getting gussied up.

    2. CoffeeforLife*

      Slacks (dark color like black is generally an easy transitional color when the dress code is questionable) and a nice blouse/sweater/sweater set. Then you can wear comfy shoes for the conference (if you are attending).

      1. Chaordic One*

        About the shoes. Try to avoid sneakers and athletic shoes. Stick to something leather, but with a low heal so that you can comfortably walk around if you have to.

    3. Alex*

      I’d wear something businessy. Are you a woman? If so, nice slacks, a nice blouse, and a cardigan would probably be fine, or a plain skirt and the same.

    4. LibbyG*

      Congrats to your spouse!

      I’m an academic in the social sciences. Some outfits that would be at about the 75th percentile of dressiness at one of my conferences include (1) a sheath dress (with a sweater if needed) , (2) dressier pants and blouse or knit top (I love a sweater set myself), or (3)dress pants (step up from khaki), button down & tie (but not a whole suit).

      Overall conference dress in my field is highly variable; there’s a wide range of dressiness that would fit right in.

    5. All monkeys are French*

      This is all very helpful. Thank you!
      I am a woman (thanks for asking – I love the lack of assumptions on this site) and I think my original aim was off. I picked up a dress that is at the dressier end of business-y and probably a tad too low-cut for this event. I’ll save it for the wedding we are attending two days later and go with something else.

  29. Recreational Moderation*

    Seeking interpretation:
    What does it mean when every other letter in a sentence is a capital, like so: DiNnEr WiLl Be SeRvEd AfTeR tHe CoNcErt. Is it just a, well, style thing? Is there a subtext I’m supposed to pick up on?
    Genuinely asking here—and, I guess, just confirming how out of touch with the world I am.
    Thanks.

    1. fposte*

      I’ve seen a recent surge in it as a satiric use. Like “Of course, that neighborhood’s response to the homeless shelter is all ‘NoT iN mY bAcKyArD.'”

    2. Laura H.*

      I think it’s a variation on toggle case- I find it annoying.

      The only contextual instance I can think of is a certain sponge bob meme.

    3. Mariella*

      It’s generally a mocking/sarcastic thing. If you google “mocking spongebob meme” the result from knowyourmeme.com has lot of examples.

    4. Recreational Moderation*

      A-hah! I knew there was a logical, intellectual explanation. Never occurred to me that it might just be toggle case.
      And not once did I think of SpongeBob (known in my house as SpongePants SquareBob). I did many happy-dances when the two kids in my life were finally old enough that Bikini Bottom was not part of our daily TV regime. No offense, SpongePants lovers—but holy cow! How was Patrick able to walk and talk simultaneously?!
      Anyway, many thanks for the interpretations. Instead of searching for any secret meanings to those toggled lines, I’ll just give an eyeroll and move on.

    5. Lilysparrow*

      I see it used to parody the reaction of someone over-reacting or reacting irrationally, or hijacking something to further a destructive political narrative.

    6. Queer Earthling*

      Yeah, these days it’s genuinely used in a mocking tone–the “nyah nyah” kind of tone you might use when imitating someone who frustrates you or something.

      But it always makes me think of people trying to look edgy in their Myspace profile or their AIM away messages or forum signatures.

      ~*~

      xX QuEeR eArThLiNg Xx

  30. bassclefchick*

    After a long road in and out of the hospital and nursing home, my dad passed away this week. His funeral is tomorrow. We knew it was coming, but you’re never really prepared when it finally happens. I am sad, angry and all the other emotions.

    Everyone keeps asking me how I’m doing and what can they do for me. Well, I’m just numb right now and don’t know how I feel. And there’s really nothing anyone can do. Because I just want my dad. Mom is holding up pretty well, but they were married for 54 years. I’m sure she’s just lost.

    Talk to and hug your parents, if you still have them.

    1. fposte*

      I’m so sorry, bassclefchick. It can definitely take a while to process this kind of loss. My best wishes to you and your family.

    4. riverflows*

      Much empathy for you and your family. I lost my dad last year and mostly managed my emotions to be there for my mom (they had a 59 year marriage). Now a year later lots of little things triggers me thinking of my dad and I ugly cry :-( It’s a hard to lose someone who had unconditional love for you. I focus on the fact that he had a long amazing life, he is no longer in pain and discomfort, how he shaped me and my own life in all ways good, and his legacy in his family (my mom, my siblings, my niblings) lives on and is a source of comfort and love for me.

      ((hugs))

    6. WellRed*

      I’m so sorry. You don’t have to feel anything. Lost my dad three years ago, parents married 47 years.

    8. NoLongerYoung*

      Sending you a hug. Crying = rivers of memories for me. Lost my dad 20 years ago and still tear up at special memories. Be gentle with your self. Theres no timeline….

      1. Not So NewReader*

        Ditto, but 25 years for me. I still miss him. And my Nana. Forty nine years for her.

        Some people come in to our lives and they never leave our minds. ever.

        Very sorry for your loss.

    13. bassclefchick*

      Thank you, everyone! The funeral is today and of COURSE I caught a nasty cold and feeling terrible. I really don’t want to get my germs on anyone. Guess a stop at the drugstore for a mask is in order today. I was thinking I’d go to back to work tomorrow, but if I still have this cold, I’m not going.

      1. Not So NewReader*

        Stay home tomorrow. You do not need to push yourself like this. Stay home be mellow, sleep, read or watch movies.

  31. Sound of silence*

    I sometimes have an itchy red bump on my leg that turns into a bruise. I don’t know if it’s because I sometimes scratch too hard, but even if I don’t, the red bump still turns into a bruise. I can’t find anything online about it and my doctor just sort of looked at me funny when I told her. It’s not from shaving my legs, so I don’t know what it is.

    Has anyone had this before? What is it?

      1. Wishing You Well*

        Agreed. Or it could be a bug bite that needs a prescription, etc. Get in touch with a dermatologist. Some places let you send in a photo in a text or email. I hope it’s gone soon.

    3. Doctor is In*

      Sometimes you can get a recurring herpes virus breakout. Looks like a little patch of shingles. It can happen every few months.

  32. overcaffeinatedandqueer*

    Wife needs her FOURTH leg surgery in three years and will be totally off her feet for six weeks (will have crutches and be off work only half of the six weeks).

    I have already spent so much time and stress taking care of her and trying to also work with no PTO when she has had her other injuries and mental health issues. Probably about five months in total of her being totally unable to do things and my having to take over everything.

    And I just can’t do this. When I got the news, I just cried. She gets annoyed and depressed when she is injured and then starts being extra needy and frustrated at me.

    I just can’t come home after all my work to an endless pit of need and no positive interactions. But it’s not a bad enough problem for insurance to cover nursing care or to be able to send her to a rehab facility. So I have to do this. Our families are several states away and we don’t have local friends.

    The last time she got hurt, my anxiety was really terrible because I was always on call- I never knew when she would yell for me or need something, so I had no real downtime or ability to relax in my own apartment. It’s a nightmare, and though I know she didn’t choose these problems, part of me really resents having to put my own health through the wringer to help her. I also couldn’t sleep well because of anxiety and her getting up to go to the bathroom at night (because crutches it was noisy and she would have to turn on every light).

    I can’t do this. I want to run away to Timbuktu!

    1. BRR*

      Ugh I’m sorry. Caretaking is so hard. While your insurance won’t cover nurse care, can you hire anybody for any temporary help like to clean or something? I’d also try and talk to her about setting up a better procedure.

    2. Shiny Onix*

      I want to run away too!
      I’m so sorry. You must be exhausted from it all. Hugs if you want them x

    3. WellRed*

      Have you told her any of this. I often feel tired just reading your updates so can’t imagine how you do it all. And why is she always getting injured? Not my biz but is that something to consider? An underlying cause?

      1. overcaffeinatedandqueer*

        She broke her ankle as a teenager, and due to lack of insurance it went untreated- that was surgery #1.

        Surgery #2 was for a broken leg due to a freak accident, in which they put a metal rod in it.

        Surgery #3 was to remove the rod, as it hurt.

        Now this surgery is to repair a torn ankle tendon to remedy frequent sprains.

        So it’s mostly just unfortunate, though I feel the problems might not be so bad if she lost weight, what with less weight on the leg/ankle. She is losing, but slowly, and had a ways to go.

        1. valentine*

          Do what you can not to blame her weight. There’s no guarantee that weight loss would help, but it’s guaranteed her weight would eventually rise again.

          You don’t have to do this and you don’t have to do it alone. If you don’t already have a therapist or can’t afford one, find a free service because you need a third party to tell you this cycle isn’t sustainable. (It’s so unrelenting, I’d be concerned your wife was propelling it because overwork and sleep disruption are literal torture and it keeps you feeling helpless and obliged to stay.) If you don’t stop this cycle, you could destroy your health in a way that leaves you unable to arrange alternatives. So. Make a list of things that need doing and solutions that don’t involve you. Pretend you are going to the ISS for the rest of the year or, hey, you yourself are in need of care. (Because you are! And your need is just as legitimate and vital.) Who would help your wife? They can do that now. Can she live with other family or friends who can form a rota? Can they pay for nursing care somewhere? If you break up, does that entitle her to some aid? In the short term, can you plug in motion-sensor lights for her? Can you sleep in a different room?

    4. Wishing You Well*

      I am sorry. You sound exhausted. You could use some practical and emotional support.
      Can you ask her medical place for advice and resources for caretaker help? Caretakers need help, too.
      There are bedside potties for people who can’t walk – a relative used one after her ankle surgery until she could walk to her bathroom. Can a family member stay to help out? Can an acquaintance stay with her while you get out of the house or even take a nap? Some people would be happy to help for an hour or so. Can you sleep in another room for better sleep? Bottom line: you’ve got to start taking care of you before you collapse. Even though this is (another) temporary setback, you need some changes now to get through this.
      Sending you Jedi hugs, if you want them.

    6. Sparkly Lady*

      Do either of you have access to therapeutic support, through an EAP or anything similar? It sounds like you both need someone other than each other to be able to vent and process with.

      Is there any possibility of hiring a caretaker for at least one day/night of the week to give you a break?

    7. LibbyG*

      How wearying!

      I hope this round is somehow easier than you anticipate. Is there anything you can do on your end about the anxiety part? The answer might well be no, and this is something you’ll have to just get through as is.

      And I hope, longer term, you can get to where you’ve forged what feels to you more like a genuine partnership. It’s so hard to find when things are so asymmetrical, but a lot of couples do that. And it’s more than reasonable for you to insist on it as a goal.

      Best of luck!

    8. Anono-me*

      This is horrible for both of you. I’m so sorry you’re going through this. I would check with your medical center to see if there is some sort of support system for family members in place.

      Can you get a cot or flatable air mattress and sleep in the living room for a few weeks? That way you’ll probably be able to sleep better and you won’t have to risk bumping your wife’s healing foot. (If you’re worried about hearing your wife call for help, she can phone you instead.)

      Would one of those knee scooters work better than crutches for your wife? If it would, but insurance won’t cover it; check Craigslist.

      After I injured my ankle, I did physical therapy that included weird balancing exercises specifically to prevent future sprains. Coincidentally two friends later had similar injuries. However, neither of them had the preventive exercises. You or your wife may want to ask about sprain prevention exercises.

      Be good to yourself, you deserve it. But if that’s hard right, now please remember that if you don’t take care of yourself, you can’t take care of anyone.

      Also I’m sorry about the reason for your post, but I’m glad to see that you posted after this past week.

    9. Fikly*

      You need support, as a caretaker. And that caretaker emotional support needs to come from someone other than her.

      Because seeking from her is only going to make her feel guilty for having medical issues she has no control over, and that’s relationship damaging. It isn’t that your feelings aren’t valid – they 1000% are! And you totally need support. But you need it from literally anyone else. A therapist, a religious person, a support group, something.

    10. misspiggy*

      I’m sorry. Now that this is a chronic, longterm issue, the two of you are probably going to need to revisit how you handle illness. Agreeing some ground rules on how she asks you for help, including tone and vocabulary, will be important. Agreeing when and how often you’re going to have downtime and not going to be available to her, unless things are extraordinarily bad.

      I’ve got chronic health issues and it makes me want to snap at people. But most of the time I keep it under wraps, because caregiver burnout will destroy a relationship.

      On the other hand, even if your SO changes her behaviour, her suffering will still stress you out. You will need support from others and regular breaks, as everyone here has said. There will have to be some times when your SO is either on her own or pays for help.

    11. OyHiOh*

      Can you throw money at the problem? Hire a home care service for, oh, say 20 hours a week?
      Bring in a maid service two or three times to do deep cleaning
      If you have a decent social network, signing up on Meal Train might help. Even just a couple meals a week would help take the pressure off. Baring that, using grocery store deli for ready made meal options may help you feel less like you’re doing *everything,* especially if you have a grocery store with delivery service available.

    12. Meepmeep*

      The “always on call” thing reminds me of why I had such a hard time when my kid was a baby. That was totally an “always on call” situation and I could not relax for the same reason you mention.

      With a leg injury in a grownup, maybe talk to her about your schedule and her needs and your needs? Maybe you can carve out some “you time” that is sacrosanct and not to be disturbed – presumably she can get her most basic needs met before your “off time” and then just not bother you until your rest time is done? Having an hour to yourself that’s always an hour and always yours will make a difference to your mental health.

      And sleep somewhere else. Give her a bedpan, but don’t let her disrupt your sleep.

    13. Not So NewReader*

      Can you talk to the release coordinator at the hospital and see if she can stay some extra time at the hospital? You could explain that you work and you do not have any PTO left. Be sure to say there will be no one at home for x hours per day. Be sure to say that sentence.

      Can someone from the hospital give her some pointers so she is more self-sufficient?

      Is there adaptive equipment that you could rent/borrow that would make things easier for her? Some stuff is easier to figure out than other stuff. My husband had eight breaks in his spine. He had difficulty raising a glass to his mouth. I bought bendy straws. He LOVED them.
      Maybe you could install night lights around the house and leave them on. That might be enough to navigate to the bathroom and be less disturbing for your rest.

      I’d line up stuff for him at night next to his bed. Usually it was enough to get him through the night and I could count on getting 7 hours of sleep.

      I do think that having a conversation about being a bit more self-sufficient might be good for you AND for her. I asked my husband to put careful thought into what he asked me for. I said, “I will jump tall buildings to get it for you. But there are only so many tall buildings I can jump and then I will be in the next hospital bed over from you. Let’s not polish me off here, okay? I will help you with things that are difficult and things that are important to you. But I cannot do everything, I need you to help figure out ways to make this easier for both of us. And I need you to make sure something is important before you ask me.”

      And this conversation went in many directions, such as I could say, “I know you are counting on me. I have to have my rest at night so I am able to be there for you tomorrow.” OR “I go running errands once a week. So it is good if we both think about what we need for the upcoming week so I can get it all in one shot. I can’t run to the store (10 miles each way) several times a day. I just can’t do it. Please think about what you need me to pick up and keep a list.”

      Some of this might sound a bit stark/raw but in order for us to function as a couple we had to tell each other our limits. Some limits were just about plain willingness. I was UNwilling to do all his thinking for him. It was too much on me. Other things were about physical limits, I could not lift him. It was important for him to find ways to hoist himself in and out of chairs. And he did manage that quite well. (With 8 breaks in his spine, he HAD to tell me his limits. So there were plenty of things he was telling me.)

      Know your limits, know how much you can give and know where you need her participation. In the end, we talked about so many aspects of this topic, I was able to say a shorthand thing when a request was too big. I would say, “Hey, let’s not kill off NSNR here!” He’d chuckle and we would come up with a more practical idea about that particular request.

      Marriage seems to involve having many conversations about difficult topics, that I don’t think I would ever have with anyone else in my life ever.

      1. Kay*

        This is very sensible advice! There are limits to everything and it’s good for both of you to realize those. Please do have a talk with your wife and let her know it’s very difficult on you and she needs to pull her weight both literally and figuratively.

        Also get her set up with tv, books, journal, music so she can spend time on her own. I like the idea of sleeping in the living room so you can get a good sleep as well (get her a bedside lamp, that she can switch on when needed to use the washroom).

        Also go for a run or a walk in the morning to clear your mind. Eat well, take care of yourself too.

    1. fposte*

      hildi is wonderful! In another post, she recommended the book Crucial Conversations, which also has an associated course.

  34. EvilQueenRegina*

    Regifting. Not the done thing, or perfectly acceptable? Ever had a regifting horror story – accidentally regifted something in front of the original giver (someone I know was the recipient in that situation) or anything similar?

    It’s not directly work related but work was sort of what got me thinking about the issue – the person who took charge of the gift for a coworker getting married presented her with a chocolate birdcage and Easter egg which was a regift of something she hadn’t wanted (for a September wedding). At the time my coworkers were cringing at it and no one really knew what to say. A couple of weeks later at my niece’s fourth birthday party some of her friends had given her presents of things she already had, and her parents were talking quite casually about regifting the duplicates. The difference in reactions to the idea of it made me wonder what people here thought?

    1. Asenath*

      Re-gifting doesn’t bother me, although I’d try not to let the giver find out! And it has to be a thoughtful gift for the new recipient – an Easter egg for a September wedding does sound doubly in appropriate! Regifting shouldn’t come across like “I found this in the back of my closet; it’ll do.” You can pass things on without a special occasion being involved – “I got this jigsaw puzzle from Suzie and as much as I appreciate the thought, I know I won’t do it and you like them a lot. Would you like it?” And I take it with thanks, put together, pass it on to a charity when I’m finished, and never mention it to Suzie. Actually, I’ve sometimes taken gifts I know I won’t use directly to a charity. So far nothing has been distinctive enough to be identified. And if the item is old enough, regifting becomes a feature, such as when I passed on something I’d been given as a young person in my first home to another young person setting up her first home.

      1. Not So NewReader*

        This. I am very candid about the item. And I do not try to pass it off as if *I* bought this gift for the recipient.

        It looks like this, “My in-law/friend/boss gave me this [thing]. I won’t be able to use it. I know you like this kind of stuff, would you like it?” And there is no occasion attached to the action of giving the item to someone else, it’s not a holiday or a birthday or any other event.

        People have given me stuff and told me a similar tale. Yes, I was thrilled to get the item. Of course, I would make sure that I did not mention it to the original giver if I knew that person.

        I do not wrap it up and give it to someone for an occasion and pretend I bought it for them. I am a bad liar and I know it will come back on me if I try to fake it. So no faking. My recipient is well-chosen though, it’s someone close to me or someone who has done a favor for me recently, etc. Usually I chose people who appreciate the gesture.

    2. WellRed*

      I’ve received regifts that were still given with me in mind, not, Asenath days, crap from the back of the closet. I hope the coworkers didn’t chip in cash for that awful wedding gift.

    4. CoffeeforLife*

      Slightly off question, but I used to have an after Holidays party with a re-gift gift exchange. You had to bring the worst/tackiest/un-you gift you recieved and then we did a white elephant. Loads of fun and sometimes one’s trash is another’s treasure- but usually not! :)

    5. Seven hobbits are highly effective, people*

      To me, the most important distinction is about whether or not it’s something that, if you didn’t already have it, you would have gone out and bought for the re-gift-ee. If Wakeen got three identical My Little Ponies for his 5th birthday, and he’s going to Jane’s 5th birthday party next month and she also likes My Little Ponies, then it makes sense to wrap up one of the extras for Jane since it’s something you would have otherwise bought for her. On the other hand, it would not make sense to give the other extra pony to his grandma for Christmas (unless she also likes My Little Ponies) instead of the decorative dish towels that you know she’d actually like and would have bought for her if you didn’t have excess ponies in your life.

      This gets more complicated when the gift is something less mass-produced and currently generally available, too. If someone is given Grandma’s Special Candy Dish because she is downsizing and she thinks you’re the grandchild who wants it most, you may need to offer it to other family members before re-gifting it to a friend of yours who actually likes fancy candy dishes.

    6. Wishing You Well*

      Regifts are fine as long as the item is truly something the second recipient would like. Don’t make people express enthusiasm over regifts that should’ve gone to charity or the trash. Use your best judgment.
      (I’ve been given castoffs disguised as gifts. It’s a bit annoying.)

    7. CTT*

      I do it when it’s a truly nice gift that I can’t use (not “ugh, I have to get rid of this”); someone got me earrings without realizing I don’t have pierced ears. They were lovely, so I passed them on to my sister, since I figured someone should enjoy them.

    8. General von Klinkerhoffen*

      Regifting should be something you might have bought that person anyway – for a child, a duplicate Lego set is an ideal regift opportunity. Or maybe you pass on a silk scarf to your mom who wears a lot of scarves.

      My friends and I do a shameless gift exchange in January, where you bring the chocolates with nuts in and the scented lotion, and go home with a bobble hat and a novel. That’s the best kind of regifting: the “just because”.

    9. FuzzFrogs*

      If the gift receiver or a majority of onlookers know it’s a re-gift, it’s not appropriate. And people will know if:
      –it’s obviously used/trash/old (obviously excepted for certain of us weirdos who want weird old crap)
      –it’s unsuitable for the situation that you can tell it was once intended for something else (your situation; see also keychain with the wrong name on it, clothes in a vastly different size, etc.)
      –they were there for the original gifting and some aspect of that situation makes it inappropriate (i.e. you got a nice sweater from grandma at Xmas and you regift it to grandpa on his birthday, regifting something back to the original giver, etc.)

      When I was growing up my mom had a space in the back of her closet where she would put toys we’d gotten that needed to be regifted, as well as a few generic “boy”/gender neutral toys she’d buy over the course of the year. (We were all girls and our most common regifts were Barbies/Betty Spaghetti/Beanie Babies). Made birthdays easy and anything left over at the end of the year went to Toys for Tots.

    10. Parenthetically*

      I regift. I taught in a little private school for 10 years and probably regifted a third of the gifts I got from parents. And honestly they probably regifted a lot of that stuff to me.

      I only do it if it’s something I think the recipient would really like, and it fits the occasion, otherwise it goes to the thrift store. And I don’t consider, “Hey, best friend, someone at school gave me a Gizmo I know you’d love but I won’t use, do you want it?” to be regifting. I don’t feel remotely guilty about it. I’m not going to keep something I wont use and/or don’t like, and if someone I know would love it and use it, why not pass it along to them?

    11. JKP*

      Our family had a tradition of regifting a specific item every year for various occasions. It was sort of a long game of hot potato with an ugly doll that was constantly redressed in different outfits and costumes and wrapped in some stealthy way as to be undetectable until unwrapped.

    12. GoryDetails*

      It’s not a problem for me, either in the doing or the receiving – but there are some things I keep in mind:

      It would seem obvious not to regift something that’s obviously used, worn, or partly-eaten, but apparently not everybody got that particular memo. (If I have used but still useful, or half-a-box-of-chocolates, that I don’t want for myself, I may offer it to a friend, but not as a special-occasion wrapped gift, just “I can’t finish this assorted-choco-mix, would you like the rest?”)

      Is it something that the recipient would like? Again, apparently obvious, but as my regiftings tend to be things given to me by somebody who clearly does not know me very well (ex-in-laws, among others), it’s worth a mention. (If it’s something really nice – an expensive set of fragrant soaps, for example – it might make a good gift for lots of people, but for me the overwhelming scent had me triple-wrapping the box. Not a bad smell, just way too strong. But I wouldn’t have offered it to someone I knew had odor sensitivities.)

      Do not give it back to the person who gave it to you, or in that person’s presence – unless you have the kind of relationship where you can say “man, those soaps were way too strongly scented for me, but I but Fibber would like them – would you mind if I gave them to him for his birthday on Friday?”

      And if you know that the intended recipient would LOATHE being regifted to, perhaps don’t do that, even if it’s unlikely that they’d find out.

      When in doubt, I offer things as “I can’t use this, could you?” – or I take it to local thrift shops.

    13. Nita*

      We regift quite a bit. We used to live in a very small place where we could not take on a lot of new stuff, and certain relatives insisted on giving us giant toys and appliances. The kids also got a lot more presents than they could realistically play with. So these things would go on the top shelf of the tallest closet and wait till we found a home for them :) The two regifting rules we have are – one, treat it like picking a regular gift. If you don’t think the recipient will like it, don’t give it. And two, if there’s any chance the recipient is the one who gave it to you in the first place, don’t give it to them!

    14. Deb Morgan*

      I had a friend regift something to me that I had gotten for them, and I was thrilled! They completely forgot that I had given them this thing years ago, and were purging before a big move. I was happy to see it again because I really liked it when I bought it. Five years later, it’s up on my wall. :)
      I also regift things, but usually I can remember who gave me what so it doesn’t come back around to the same person.

  35. Shiny Onix*

    Pokémon Go!

    Thanks so much to my Aussie friends; I’ve now completed the task to trade a Pokémon from 10,000km away.

    I got five shiny trapinch today. I’m so excited.

    2. Ismis*

      I’m piggybacking on your post to say sorry if it looks like I haven’t been sending gifts. Sometimes the app is crashing just after I have opened one and I can’t remember who it was from… Anyone else having that problem?

      1. Shiny Onix*

        Oh that sounds annoying! I haven’t had that problem but I’ve heard a lot of people are having problems since the last update. I hope it improves soon!

    3. Cruciatus*

      I was only able to do Community Day for half the time but I did catch 3 shinies (all terrible IVs, of course). My sister caught a 96% shiny which was better even than any of the regular trapinches I caught! I actually caught a 100% trapinch last year but I had already evolved it so I guess that’s a lesson learned about not evolving perfect pokemon right away–wait to see if it will be featured in a CD in the future!

  36. The New Wanderer*

    My grandmother is in the hospital again. She did really well for most of 93 years, and then had an accident, recovered from surgery and PT, and now picked up some kind of infection that has now landed her in the infectious diseases ward. Meaning everyone has to wear a hazmat suit and I would guess visitors are pretty limited. So, it’s not looking good. The last time I spoke to her was before her accident and that phone call already felt like a goodbye call, based on what she was saying (happy with her life, yet kind of ready to be done).

    I live across the country and under normal circumstances I would fly out there anyway, although maybe not if I wouldn’t be able to visit her due to the hospital restrictions, we just don’t know. Problem is, not only do I have obligations every day for the next 10 days, I will be out of the country for half that time for a really high profile work thing that absolutely cannot be postponed or skipped (without significant consequences). It’s the kind of thing where people would probably understand either way, if I choose grandmother over work or work over grandmother. So I feel stuck, and sad.

    1. WellRed*

      Stick to the work obligations and keep in contact with family. She may stick around a bit longer than you think and you may have a chance to see her. Hanging around a hospital waiting is not fun.

    2. Filosofickle*

      Would it be meaningful to your grandmother? Mine passed last month (96) and she wouldn’t have wanted me to cancel anything big and fly to see here in her last days. She’d have viewed a high profile work trip as far more important — we’d already spent our time and found closure in the final years. I happen to live close, so I did visit at the end, but I wouldn’t have traveled. My brother lives a plane ride away and he chose not to.

      Obviously, what’s meaningful to you matters, too. Just worth noting in case it helps.

    3. Wishing You Well*

      I’m sorry about your grandmother.
      It’s okay to feel stuck and sad. I think your grandmother will be fine with whatever you choose.
      Sending best thoughts for you and your grandmother.

    4. ..Kat..*

      Can you Skype or some sort of video chat daily? This would be similar to hospital visits in hazmat-type gear.

      I’m sorry about your grandmother.

  37. Decorative Gourd*

    Hey all! Can anyone recommend good online forums/groups/whatever for folks whose partners are transitioning? It seems that the internet is full of resources for spouses/families of trans folks (which is great!) so I’m hoping to narrow things down a bit. Basically I’m looking for something that is as close as possible to the AAM comments section. :)

    Thanks in advance!

    1. MuttIsMyCopilot*

      Susan’s Place has a forum section specifically for partners, family, and friends of transpeople. I haven’t been over there in a long time, but it’s a pretty welcoming crowd.

    2. A few things are nice*

      There’s a discord server attached to reddit mypartneristrans which is a fairly informal community if you’d use that sort of thing. The actual subreddit is mostly “my partner just came out what do I do” posts.

      Also, not an internet resource per se, but there’s a curated book list here for partners (curated by the spouse of a transitioning person): https://hclib.bibliocommons.com/list/share/671005460_nevernicknamed/1268414247_trans_partner_reading_list

  38. Lilysparrow*

    I am hiding in the home office in the back of the house.

    My husband keeps bees, and he harvested the top box of the hive today. He’s currently in the kitchen crushing the comb into a strainer.

    I love honey. I don’t have misophonia. But I have to say, the squishy gooey crunching noise is as bad as fingernails on a chalkboard. Brrrrrrrrr.

    1. 1LFTW*

      Dear gods, I’m shuddering just thinking about this. Gah. Keep your mind on the delicious fresh honey :)

  39. SandrineSmiles (France)*

    Hi all!

    This is a happy time for me. Rescue Zelda is doing fine, we don’t walk her everyday but we have a yard so she has plenty of space to run and have fun. I bought her new toys today (finally got money I was owed, whew!) and I just love seeing her play and just being herself. (I’m a very cheesy silly dog mom, let me tell ya)

    My diabetes is stabilized, too, and the wound I’d got that sent me to the ER also healed. Seeing the surgeon on Monday for a control visit, but I think I’ll be very happy. YAY TO THAT WOOHOO

    Also, boy troubles resolved for now. I hadn’t seen my BF in four months. Thought we were over. But we saw each other on Thursday cause he wanted to be an adult and talk face to face. Turns out we were going through our own thing and just weren’t able to communicate because his phone was broken for a bit. But after talking we realized we just couldn’t stop. So… I’m not single at all, and I’m so happy I got to see him and spend some time with him.

    Also, I have nephews through one sister. Well, another one is going to have a baby in January ^^ … I can’t wait to meet my new nephew T_T

    So here goes for the gushy mushy post. I’m just in a very good mood. Also, my 16 years old sister managed to scam me out of clothes today when we went shopping, well I say that as a joke because as I told Mom, it’s not like I went and bought her video games: she’s the class representative and is on several important boards at school and she wanted to change things up a bit. 100% worth it even though my bank account manager might not agree. I don’t care, I got the money I was waiting for and I can help support the family a bit so WOOHOO!

    There you go. Life’s good as of right now ^^

    2. fposte*

      Hey, I just mentioned you last week because somebody was talking about liking to dress in bright colors. And I’ve always loved how beautiful you look in bright colors.

      1. SandrineSmiles (France)*

        Should be napping, the pic is me indeed, and I don’t have that hair color anymore but I’m not working right now so I’ll do it again ASAP while I’m not working just cause I like it xD …

        And thanks fpost, that’s quite nice of you ^^

    4. Elizabeth West*

      Yay! Someone mentioned you the other day and I was thinking about you and wondering how you were. I’m so glad things are going well. :D

  40. Mimmy*

    I could use some input on something.

    For background: I have a hearing impairment, so thick accents are very difficult for me. I also have a vision impairment. By themselves, they are mild. However, when there’s a lot going on around me, I miss some environmental cues–not sure if it’s because of having both impairments and/or processing-related. But this can get me in trouble sometimes. See below…

    As I was getting on the bus to come from my internship yesterday, I about got my toe crushed because I didn’t hear the bus driver yell out “watch out for the (wheelchair) lift!” I did hear him say something but didn’t think it was anything crucial; plus, there were lots of people around me. Next thing I know, my toe meets the lift and the driver shouted again “WATCH OUT FOR THE LIFT!!”. I lost my shi* and said “I DIDN’T HEAR YOU!!” It was then that I realized that he had a thick accent. And no, I did not see the lift coming out by my feet.

    I knew I was probably going to go off on him once I boarded the bus so luckily another bus was right behind it that goes to the same place I needed to go so I stomped off to that one. Looking back, I think I was more angry at my disability than at the driver because I know that he was looking out for my safety.

    I just get so frustrated with myself. I’m thinking that I’ve got a handle on things and can commute and be “out there” confidently only to have this happen. I also sometimes find that I’m “book smart” but not as smart when it comes to interacting with my environment.

    1. WellRed*

      Without being there, I feel your mistake was in dismissing whatever he was saying as “not crucial.” If you have trouble hearing and seeing, you need to be extra vigilant, but you know that. I’m glad you recognized you were upset at your disability and didn’t go off on the driver. Have you ever worked with some sort of OT or other professional?

    2. Anonymous Person on the Web*

      Have you ever worked with any organizations for the blind/vision impairments? they might have some advice for getting about … I’m disabled myself (hard of hearing) so I sort of get being frustrated with everything. Though I think you would benefit by acknowledging your disabilities and learning some skills for how to deal with them.

      Though to be fair – sometimes shit happens and we (disabled people) get frustrated with ourselves just like everyone else so I mean maybe you’re actually fine and don’t need to do more because this was just a shit day? Who knows but seriously – maybe look up a few organizations and see what they have to say?

    3. Wishing You Well*

      I think you did just fine. Everybody has annoying stuff happen. Your event could’ve happened to a full-sighted, full-hearing person because we all get distracted at times – lost in thought, cellphone, what evs. Good news: it was a near-miss, no harm. We’ve all been yelled at; we’ve all yelled. Try to shrug it off.
      To your credit, you knew you were getting angry and you did the right thing by getting on the second bus! GOOD FOR YOU! Some people would’ve caused a bigger scene.
      My dear one has sight and hearing problems. He gets angry, too, when his disabilities frustrate him. It’s very understandable. When dealing with people, he’s found a phrase that works for him: “I have really bad vision.” He does NOT use “legally blind” because that doesn’t get the response he needs. He learned what worked by experimenting.
      There are coping classes and devices for the visually impaired. There’s resources for the hearing impaired, too. Anything that makes life easier in the future, I’m all for! I hope you find words and techniques that help you get through your day. Given you took that second bus, I feel you’re more savvy than you realize!
      Best Wishes

    4. Miss Pantalones en Fuego*

      As Wishing says, I think you did fine by moving on to the other bus. Although every hearing test I’ve had says I’m fine, I have a hard time understanding people when it’s noisy regardless of accent (and waiting by the side of the road to get on the bus is usually a pretty noisy situation). But I also sometimes have a weirdly short temper and snap at stupid little things which I’m often embarrassed about later, so it’s good that you moved to a different bus! I probably would have gotten on anyway and said something unpleasant, and then felt foolish later.

    5. Thankful for AAM*

      I really appreciate it when ppl let me know they have a hearing or vision impairment.

      I was not there, of course, but it feels like it could have gone differently if the first time the driver yelled, you had a ready response like, “I cannot hear.” That would prompt the other person to use more than their voice to protect you and it would teach them to think about things like a hearing impairment in others the next time.

      Idk if, “I cannot hear,” is the phrasing you would want to use but something short like that is what I am after.

      I am so that things like this are so frustrating.

    6. Rio*

      I am part of a community who have a variety of visual impairments. We aren’t blind yet have problems with depth perception and photophobia (are blinded by sunlight) and can’t see well enough to drive. There are often good discussions about when we should use white canes, because often people are reluctant as “I’m not really blind”, yet those who use them say that they are most useful for negotiating society. If the sidewalks were empty then it would be easier to walk around, but when we’re in a crowd it’s hard to take in everything and so if someone walks around with a white cane then people avoid walking too close so it gives a bit of space so it’s easier for them to see around themselves, and reduces the asshole factor (people who are too absorbed in their phones and expect others to look out for them, so when they bump into someone they might do something silly like yell out “What are you, blind?” which is awkward if they eventually wake up and see the white cane).

      There are symbol canes, which are meant to be short and only make a point that someone can’t see really well, so the person carrying the cane should be given a bit of kindness in a crowd.

      You likely aren’t sufficiently visually impaired to use a white cane if you describe yourself as ‘mild’, yet if you are then please don’t feel like pride should prevent you from using some support.

      I can see well enough that I don’t use a cane. Yet I can appreciate the frustration that occurs when we are affected in some way by our lack of vision. I get anxious if I have trouble with transit. I used to get anxious about not being able to see a presentation, but I’ve learned to sit in front or worst-case I listen and try to sort out any gaps as a bit of a mental puzzle (thankfully I’m no longer taking classes, so I don’t have to worry about paying perfect attention). In crowds I bump into people, I can’t recognise anyone, and it can be overwhelming. I do my best, but I also tend to watch others so that I can follow their lead.

      Best of luck!

  41. C Average*

    Do any of you guys use Scrivener? If so, did you take to it right away, or was there a bit of a learning curve before it clicked with you?

    I bought it years ago and have it installed and took the tutorial, but I’ve never actually used it for my writing. The novel I’m working on now is pretty densely plotted, and I’m wondering if I should give it another look.

    1. Lilysparrow*

      I love scrivener and find it incredibly useful! Particularly for densely plotted things, yes – it’s great for structured writing.

      You can start using it at a basic level right away, but there is a learning curve to get the most out of it, because it has so many features you wouldn’t even know about. It is totally worth spending time on.

      1. C Average*

        Thanks! Maybe I will dive into it today. Anything’s better than trying to actually WRITE. Heh.

        How hard is it to export to Word when you’re done drafting in Scrivener?

        1. HKB*

          It’s not hard to export into Word, but going back from Word to Scrivener is cumbersome. If, for example, you export to Word, get feedback to make changes on specific pages, and then go back to Scrivener, which doesn’t have “pages” or page numbers, it can get difficult. I use Scrivener for academic writing, but after exporting a document to Word and getting all my footnotes and images properly formatted, I don’t go back to Scrivener, i.e. I edit subsequent drafts in Word.
          That said, Scrivener is amazing for organizing lots of information and I always start writing projects in Scrivener.

          1. StrikingFalcon*

            This is how I use it also. It’s a great program, and I love how much I can change about the workspace to make it work exactly the way I want it to

    2. Shay*

      I use Scrivener. It didn’t take me long to figure it out, maybe a few days of playing around with it?

      It doesn’t integrate with some of the software I use for accessibility. But neither does google docs, for some weird reason.

      I’m still finding all sorts of new features as I get further along in different types of projects. I really like being able to state what level of editing has been done on each section, or otherwise make notes.

    3. Becky*

      I have Scrivener and I haven’t used it all that much but I do remember figuring out that it really DOES NOT like anything I paste from a Google Doc.

  42. MOAS*

    I don’t talk about this stuff with my friends, my husband worries too much, and most of the internet can be evil.

    I went to an orthopedic Dr this week for my leg issues. He diagnosed me with tendonitis I think. Basically if I walk for even a short distance, I get pain on the outside of my legs from mid-calf to right above the ankle. On worse days, the pain goes to my back. I’ve taken aleve/advil etc, no luck. Only rest helps stop the pain, but that’s led me to be very sedentary and gained weight. This has been going on for 2 years. He recommended physical therapy, 2x a week for 12-24 weeks, come back in 8weeks if no progress. and a muscle relaxant but that doesn’t help me so far.

    BUT Y’ALL I ALMOST CRIED when he said “there’s no reason a 34 year old healthy woman cant’ get back to what she used to be.” I didn’t actually cry but for once it wasn’t –wellyou’ve gained a lot of weight, the diabetes is killing you etc. I did a short stretching routine and I was in pain for so many days.

    I have a hefty copay which is putting a huge dent in my plan to get my finances on point by 12/31, but I am even more desperate to get back to what I used to be… I’m not even expecting to lose weight or work out like I used to..I literally just want to be able to do daily activities without being in pain or discomfort, walking to my office from my job without needing to collapse at my chair as soon as I get, to not have to pay 3x as much to take an express bus to/from work just because I need a guaranteed seat. I just. want to get back to a normal life.

    1. Hannah Banana*

      Have you looked into ART (active release technique/therapy)? It’s a lifesaver. Friends I’ve had who’ve gone through physical therapy for years for physical ailments were feeling better with only a couple of sessions of ART. It’s a painful process, much like a mix between an extra extra deep tissue massage and thai massage, where they move your body around a bit and get up under the muscle to release tension in specific places. I am usually screaming and cussing at the person doing it to me. Lol.

      I have had a lot of knee problems but they it’s never been a knee injury, always been related to overuse of one leg vs the other, tight quads/hips, and so on. Perhaps your tendinitis is an effect of something else and a few sessions of ART can help it!

      1. fposte*

        Oh, I think that’s part of what my last physical therapist was doing–where you move while they’re poking you? I still do it to myself (albeit less forcefully)–it works so much better than static pressure.

        1. Hannah Banana*

          Yea! Lots of poking and contorting. I had some pain in my left leg and glute and with 2 painful sessions it was gone.

    4. Fikly*

      So…I don’t know if you’re familiar with this, but there are some areas where what doctors recommend lags behind medical research by a significant time span, even decades. No drinking for 8 hours before anesthesia is one – current research shows that drinking up to 2 hours before anesthesia not only does not increase danger, but improves your immediate post-op experience, because – unshockingly – you are not going into major physical trauma while dehydrated. But have anesthesiologists changed their guidelines? Vast majority no.

      Unfortunately, the treatment of tendonitis is also one of those. Most doctors recommend physical therapy. Physical therapy, as a first step, is actually the last thing you want to do, because tendonitis is by definition inflammation, and exercises will make that inflammation worse, and it becomes a cycle that is impossible to break.

      So the only way to successfully treat it (unless you go the surgery route, not saying you should) is complete rest until the pain is gone. Then rest some more, until it’s been weeks or even months. Then, and only then, do you very carefully add in some mild exercises with the goal of strengthening the surrounding muscles to prevent the tendonitis from coming back. The whole point is to break the cycle of inflammation. It’s not a fun process, it blows, I know this personally – I have a genetic connective tissue disorder, all my soft tissue is trash – but it’s the only thing that will fix it.

      And ugh, doctors who tell you you are too young to feel X, or there is no reason you can’t do Y. They suck and are assholes. Also liers.

      1. Cheesesteak in Paradise*

        Actually I do preop counseling and patients are allowed to drink 2 hours before surgery. Only clear liquids, not dairy or orange juice or shakes. It’s solid foods that have an 8 hour ban.

        1. Cheesesteak in Paradise*

          That’s also the guidelines from the American Society of Anesthesiology.

          8 hours – regular meal
          6 hours – light meal (tea and toast)
          4 hours – breast milk for nursing infants
          2 hours – clears

          So while most of what you say is fine, the first paragraph is incorrect and misleading.

          1. Fikly*

            Those may be the guidelines, but that is not what I am told by my team to do when I am about to have surgery. My point is that they are not following the guidelines, and that is a problem!

      2. MOAS*

        I’m not sure how much more rest I can do. I already pay so much for my commute, that drops me off closest to my office. Short of taking a taxi or spending half a paycheck on monthly parking garage.. When I go to the gym, I do weights or stretching. Not a lot of cardio. I rarely leave my office for anything now.

        When I walk, I walk slowly, and I’ve built that time in to wherever I go. I’ve become so sedentary the last 2 years and I hate feeling this way. It’s a neverending cycle.

        I’m hopeful for PT. And I don’t think the Dr was saying it in a negative way; he was really nice and positive. I’m only 34 but I’ve felt like I’ve aged so rapidly the last few years just with everything. So it felt uplifting.

        1. StrikingFalcon*

          I recently completed PT for Achilles tendinitis. It worked extremely well – it hardly bothers me now. My PT did a lot of the massage/manipulation techniques other commenters are talking about here – you definitely want to find a PT who does that as part of their treatment. Mine also started me with mostly stretching and a few very specific exercises that relieved the pain, and we slowly built up to more strengthening exercises, until my body wasn’t trying to use tendons compensate for balance where it should be using muscles. We did a lot of exercises that targeted other areas beside the inflamed tendon for this reason – we worked all the way up to my hips because my legs had little strength in them due to other health problems. I had no restrictions on what I could do while doing the PT – she showed me some things I could do at home if I needed to be on my feet a lot. Obviously not every tendon problem is the same as Achilles tendinitis, but PT worked for me. The doctor did tell me that when tendinitis affects just one heel, he recommends wearing a boot for a while (so I guess that would be the total rest) but since it was both heels for me, that wasn’t an option.

        2. Not So NewReader*

          To me it read, “We can get you out of this one. You CAN have a better quality of life.”

          I do agree things heal faster at 30 something as opposed to 70 something. I am glad this doc sees light and hope for you. I’d cry too!

      3. Dr. Anonymous*

        I’m not convinced this explanation or treatment plan applies to chronic tendinosis with the associated tendon remodeling, and it’s not clear to me over the Internet which problem the OP has.

    5. Hannah*

      I’ve had some pretty nasty bouts with tendinitis myself, one resulting in surgery (hope yours doesn’t go that way!), and the doc is right–it’s a very common thing to recover from, and it’s also not uncommon for it to take a while to settle down. But two years is a pretty long time.

      Are you going to do the PT? And if so, is this the first PT you’ve had? My guess is that if it is the first PT you’ve had, it will probably do the trick. If it doesn’t, the doc will probably go a bit deeper and get an X-ray or an MRI done. Don’t be startled if there’s an extinction burst of sorts with the PT–on my latest bout, the PT made my pain much worse for a couple of months, but I stuck with it and things are pretty much sorted now (I say pretty much because my issue is unfortunately chronic to some degree, but it’s very under control).

      Did they recommend any kind of ice, heat, or massage work? If all you’re doing is stretching, there’s usually a lot of other modalities you can use (some of which would need to be administered by a PT, like ultrasound), some of which you can do yourself, that you might find you get a lot more relief from than stretching alone. Also seconding the ART as something to look into. It can be helpful… if also very painful mid-process.

      Something I’m sure your PT will talk to you about also is the muscular imbalances you’ll have because you’ve been favoring one side so long. They’ll probably do a whole bunch of strengthening stuff for various areas of your body. But if they don’t mention it, ask about that too. They might even recommend things like Pilates or swimming that are non-weight-bearing that will allow your legs to rest and keep the rest of you strong.

      Obviously none of this should be interpreted as medical advice… I’m not a doctor or anything close. But I have had to deal with quite a lot of injuries because of my career, so I’d recommend talking to your care team about some of those things if you haven’t already. Tendinitis sucks but it’s very common and you’ll almost certainly come out the other side as good as new. Don’t despair!!

      1. MOAS*

        I am going to do the PT, 2x a week at least until EOY. I’ve not done PT for the legs yet.

        Even though I’m glad my Dr didn’t say it, I grudgingly know that deep down inside that this pain is from the extra weight. I’ve gained 20 lbs and have fluctuated between the last 5-10 over the last 2 years. I’ve always been overweight, but exercise was my go-to. That’s been taken away now, and I have a hard enough time keeping my diet clean.

        1. Not So NewReader*

          Just from my own life experience, the priority is to get the pain levels down first. Everything else comes in second place.
          I used to eat just because I hurt. I needed something to cheer me up and those cookies were so very handy.

          When the pain levels go down, everything becomes a bit easier.

    6. LibbyG*

      What a frustrating setback! You were doing dance-video workouts, right? Ugh! How maddening!

      I hope the pain goes away soon and you can feel more like yourself.

      1. MOAS*

        Well, I was taking group fitness classes, one was zumba another was cardio kickboxing. but I lost interest in those :( Thankyou for the well wishes!

          1. MOAS*

            The gyms near me don’t have a swimming pool a nd the ones that do charge extra. Plus I don’t know how to swim,so while I love water, I would need lessons. With PT, my budget is already stretched super thin since I decided to get my $$ on track. Soundslikeagoodoption once I getmy sh*ttogether.

            1. Venus*

              Water aerobics and/or walking are likely more useful to you than swimming, so if you have a chance to try a pool then I might suggest walking around the shallow end, or taking an aerobics class. The water doesn’t care about extra weight which is great for those with joint problems, and it’s harder to move through water so we get more of a workout in less time.

              It may not be reasonable or possible for you to visit a pool, but please don’t let an inability to swim limit you.

              1. Hannah*

                Cosigned. Just splashing around is an activity. I can barely swim myself and there’s lots of fun things I can do, even just treading water, that’s a lot of energy burned with no lower body impact at all.

  43. Judddddy*

    I’m afraid to go to my gym.

    I went a few days ago and a male adjusted my machine WHILE I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF USING IT. I saw a hand reaching toward my crotch, but I was focused on the exercise and it didn’t register. The first thought was that he was going to take my bag, but instead he dropped the pin so that the weight would fall on my leg. I was in shock I didn’t know what to do. I told him “Get away from me” and all he did instead was come over and fuck with me AGAIN. I ran out and told the front desk and they LAUGHED at me. Literally. They were like, “Oh, OK, let’s tell this other person. So she says someone touched her machine while she was on it haha.” I was furious. I was so mad they were trying to down-play what he had done to me. I was so mad I couldn’t even talk anymore, I ran out of the gym and screamed.

    I called a friend, sobbing. I was afraid I’d get arrested for being so loud outside.

    I don’t know what to do now. That’s the only gym in the area and I don’t have a car. (My friend suggested getting a fog horn and if someone comes near me just put decibels in their face.) I skipped going at all yesterday. I guess I could suck it up and take the bus an hour to go to another gym but… ugh…

    1. MOAS*

      OMG I am so angry for you!!!!!!!!!!!

      Is this a chain? Is it possible to post this on their social media? It’s one thing for the guy to be a douchebag, but that’s so weird that even the staff brushed you off. If it’s a small place, do they have ny online presence or someone higher up you could mention this to? I’ve been a part of a few chain gyms and they always have conduct/etiquette rules that can get you booted if violated.

      1. Judddddy*

        It is a chain. I don’t know the person’s name who harassed me. The staff was like, ok ok point him out to us, but like I said, they didn’t take it that seriously and I was too mad to *calmly stay and so I could point out the person who harassed me.* I’m not sure what posting on social media would do. I guess I’m just wondering what the end goal would be?

        1. MOAS*

          Usually if you post on their social media, someone higher up can reach out. Depending on the situation, they may waive fees or something. I don’t know what they would do specifically. I know the other gymgoer was a jerk, but the staff didn’t help by laughing at you and not taking you seriously–that’s unacceptable.

          1. valentine*

            If you go the Twitter route, resist urges to take it offline for private discussion. They only care what everyone can see. I’d be looking for a full refund.

            1. ThatGirl*

              That’s not entirely fair, a lot of times the details (including hers!) should be discussed in private for privacy issues. I have done social media customer service. OP can certainly share details on her account if she’d like but CS details should be handled in private.

        2. tangerineRose*

          This could get management involved, and they could explain to the people who work there why this is a problem.

    2. Buttons*

      Omg. That is so upsetting! Can you call and ask to speak to the manager or corporate manager if it’s a chain?’ I’m so sorry you had that happen

      1. WellRed*

        Yes, get the contact for the regional manager. I bet they will take you very seriously. Please make sure to state clearly what happened ( I’m not clear on that) and also, the poor response from the staff. That guy sounds dangerous.

    3. Sparkly Lady*

      I am infuriated on your behalf! If I’m processing what he did correctly, you could have been seriously injured. I can’t believe the gym didn’t take it more seriously.

    4. Anon attorney*

      Jesus Christ. This is beyond unacceptable. I agree you need to escalate this. I can’t believe the area management wouldn’t take you seriously and if they have any sense they’ll realize that allowing female customers to be harassed is extremely bad for business.
      If a guy did this to me I would tear his face off. Is there someone who can buddy you until this gets resolved?

      1. Judddddy*

        That’s a good idea. I don’t know if that’ll work but it would make me feel better.

        I went today because I felt like I had to work out after skipping a few days and I was super super anxious. I didn’t get a great workout in because of the way being that anxious affects breathing and everything.

    5. LGC*

      …WHAT

      So that is some serial killer stuff. Everyone else provided good advice (This is a time when you need to speak to the manager because you could have gotten seriously hurt), but holy cow I’m so sorry

      2. 1LFTW*

        Right?! Somebody’s got to care about the potential liability issue! I’m so sorry this happened to you, OP.

      1. Green Kangaroo*

        Most (if not all) national chains with 24-hour access have security cameras. Call corporate and tell them you expect them to review the footage and have a plan for how they will keep their members safe.

        2. anon attorney*

          Great idea – I’d suggest you act on this now, because CCTV footage is often wiped periodically (as in they roll over the tapes for space, not because they want to hide anything).

    7. Bluebell*

      One more thing to think about- if this jerk does this to you and gets away with it, he’s probably going to try again. Who knows, other people might speak up too. Hope you get a good result and feel safe there again.

    8. That Girl from Quinn's House*

      Have you filed a police report? This is assault, and it will force management to take it seriously. You were assaulted in their facility!

      I’d also recommend going to the news, if you don’t get the results you want from the police or management.

      I’m sorry this happened to you!

        1. ThatGirl*

          Uh. They may be interested in this, but the “local news” is not a bulletin board, and not everything is newsworthy. To be clear I think this probably is, but saying /any/ story is not true.

    9. Eeeek*

      I would definitely blast them on every social media possible and shut off your card that pays for it. Doesn’t seem like a safe environment maybe you could order some free weights and a yoga mat and do body weigh exercises at home. You should leave a yelp review and tweet and them and tag them on IG. You should file a police report as well. No I’m not joking.

  44. Judddddy*

    Is there some way to know what words are flagged words? I wrote a post and it disappeared and I didn’t use any “bad” words or anything so I have no idea why it didn’t show up.

    2. Ask a Manager* Post author

      The only post from you that’s come through was in moderation (probably because of “fuck”) and was released pretty quickly. It’s above.

      But sometimes there’s no rhyme or reason to what the moderation filter grabs. I’ll release it once I see it though.

        1. Dan*

          FTR, AAM lets people drop the F bomb. Among many things I appreciate about this joint, few restrictions on foul language is one of them.

  45. Nena*

    Can anyone recommend some true crime podcasts that don’t include banter? My impression of My Favorite Murder is that the hosts really insert themselves in the show (tho I might be wrong, i haven’t listened) and I’m looking for something that is not like that. Something more like a procedural or like the recent ‘This American Life” episode about the crime that Netflix’s new show Unbelievable is based on. Respectful, heavy on narrative.

    1. Buttons*

      I hate banter. My favs are Someone Knows Something. Vanished. Bear Brook. Dirty John. Up and Vanished. Finding Cleo.

    4. CTT*

      The Atlanta Journal Constitution’s “Break Down” podcast is done by their crime reporters and is like a more in-depth newspaper article. It also covers an interesting string of cases, sometimes in real time. The 6th season does have more personal insertion, but I recommend it; the paper’s editor in chief was on the jury for a murder trial and talks about his experiences with the host. So it is two people who know each other and are talking about themselves, but in a way that’s actually related to the case and I felt like I learned a lot.

    6. LGC*

      I’ve liked Wondery’s podcasts. (So, yes, Dirty John, but also Gladiator, and I’d lump in Dr. Death and The Shrink Next Door as well under the true crime banner).

      Who The Hell Is Hamish is…basically The Australian’s version of Dirty John (in that the culprits were both male romance grifters).

      For a different take, I found Happy Face (about the Happy Face killer – rather, his daughter’s soul-searching) pretty interesting. But it might not be for everyone.

      2. StrikingFalcon*

        This is my recommendation also. There’s only one narrator (so no one to banter with), and she also does excellent interviews with people who were involved in the case. I enjoy it a lot.

    8. PodcastAddict*

      For true crime, I prefer serious, deep-dive podcasts, with quality investigative journalism. I also enjoy podcasts that are a bit more raw and don’t have all the fancy production aspects. Most of these focus on one case per season. Here are a bunch that I have really enjoyed.

      S-Town, Dear Franklin Jones, End of Days, Emma Fillipoff Is Missing, Looking for Logan Tucker, Sleuth, Missing Alissa, Come Sail Away, The Teacher’s Pet, Paradise, Cold, Root of Evil, Death in Ice Valley, Slumtown, Faded Out, Who the Hell is Hamish?, Happy Face, Case Closed, The Ballad of Billy Balls, Heaven’s Gate, Who Killed Theresa?, Secrets True Crime, Someone Knows Something, Uncover, Hide and Seek, Mile Marker 181, Swindled, Unconcluded, The Lady Vanishes, Culpable, Bear Brook, Frozen Truth, Pretend, Getting Off, Small Town Dicks, Unfound, To Live and Die in LA, 13: The Search for Leigh Occhi

      Of that list, I would probably say that Sleuth, Cold, S-Town, Who the Hell is Hamish?, The Lady Vanishes, and Unfound are probably my favorites, but I truly enjoyed all of them.

    9. Art3mis*

      True Crime Garage
      Casefile
      Already Gone
      The Trail Went Cold
      Unresolved
      Trace Evidence
      Canadian True Crime
      Cold Case Files
      Confronting OJ Simpson
      Culpable
      Don’t Talk to Strangers
      Someone Knows Something

    10. BugSwallowersAnonymous*

      Based on that description I think you might really like Criminal. It’s the only true crime show I listen to, and it’s always amazing.

    11. Weegie*

      Adding to PodcastAddict’s pretty comprehensive list (thanks for some new podcast ideas!), there’s also Unravel True Crime (Australian), especially series 4; They Walk Among Us (UK true crime); and a few by the BBC: Death in Ice Valley; Paradise (which is truly chilling, but very, very well done); The Missing Cryproqueen; and The Doorstep Murder (not the greatest, but definitely a sound journalistic approach). Also Case Closed; Over My Dead Body; Crimes of Passion; and Con Artists.

      You could also try True Crime Profile, presented by former FBI profilers. It approaches things seriously, and you can learn a lot, but it can also get annoying after a while

    12. ..Kat..*

      Southern Fried True Crime. No banter, because there is only one host. The host, Erica Kelley, does sometimes comment. But not much.

    13. TimeTravelR*

      Thank you for asking this question! I have copied down all the recommendations. I have only recently started listening to true crime podcasts and seem to enjoy the same type you do … mostly procedural. S-Town was great for being so real time. Dirty John was good because it told a story in a different way. Serial of course and Truth and Justice. But so many others listed here that I can’t wait to start listening to!

  46. Sigh.*

    Recently I spiraled into my first PTSD episode, I am 44 and was severely abused as a child, something I witnessed made my brain break. I’m lucky that the timing was at a slow time for work and i work from home. So no work people saw it. I saw a psychiatrist. And he gave me medication. My anxiety is now under control but I feel like my anxiety is what gave me energy. Now I have no energy or motivation. I can’t physically move

    1. C Average*

      This sounds really hard. I hope you’re continuing to work with the psychiatrist or another therapist in an ongoing way. It can sometimes take some time and some trial and error to get the medication(s) right. And the follow-up can be hard when you’re already feeling depleted, but it’s so important. Please make sure whoever you’re working with is aware of what you’re experiencing.

      My partner is a doctor and he’s part of a pilot program in our area to use MDMA as a treatment for PTSD. I don’t know if you’ve heard about that or if it’s an option in your area, but it might be something to look into. The initial clinical trials were so encouraging that the FDA fast-tracked it for broader use.

    2. Fikly*

      The notion that flashbacks/episodes are quick has not been my personal experience. Once I get triggered it takes a while to get back to equilibrium.

      I freeze up too. I once only had to learn forward to reach the xanax I knew would help me, and I couldn’t get myself to lean forward for hours. You’re not alone.

    3. Shay*

      I’m sorry you’re going through this.
      That actually sounds far more like a side effect of the medication than that you’re anxiety is what was giving you energy.
      Psych drugs are notoriously difficult to get right on the first go. If I was in your shoes (which I have been) I would go back to the doctor and ask to try something different. It might be that a higher (or even lower!) dose on the medication will help with this symptom. It may be that you should try a new medication – you can always come back to this one!
      I don’t know how long things at work will stay slow, but I do know the struggle of switching medication during a busy time. Or, at least, needing to make that decision.
      It’s all a careful balancing act.
      I wish you the best.

      1. tangerineRose*

        Yep, this. Sorry to say that it can take some experimenting to find out what works for you.

  47. The Other Dawn*

    I went on my business trip to DC this past week. Thanks to those that gave me recommendations for places to go. I had to pack a lot into three days, so I couldn’t see everything I wanted to see. My must-sees were:

    -Bureau of Engraving and Printing. I’m a banker, so seeing money being printed was exciting to me. It amazed me that one stack of 20.00 notes was 6.4 million dollars, and there were SEVEN stacks in one little space! And yes, the place smelled like money!
    -Lincoln Memorial. I saw this at night on the Monuments by Moonlight tour. Thank you to the person who recommended it. It was SO worth it! It was beautiful. Someone was having their wedding pictures taken while we were there. I loved standing on the steps and looking out onto the reflecting pool and then Washington Monument beyond that.
    -Arlington Cemetery, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and Women in Military Service for America building (very well done). We stayed for the changing of the guard. There were two wreath layings at the Tomb. They played Taps each time. My husband is former Army so he was quite moved by, as were most people.
    -Air and Space Museum. I LOVED this! So interesting. My husband’s company built the lens for the Hubble telescope. It was on display, so that was quite interesting to see.
    -Holocaust Museum. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to see this. My last chance to see anything was Wednesday, and I hadn’t taken into account Yom Kippur so it was closed.
    -American History Museum
    -National Archives
    -Library of Congress. This was probably my favorite. The architecture is absolutely beautiful! We got library cards just so we could go into the main reading room. I love books and it’s kind of cool to say I got to browse the shelves of the Library of Congress. I enjoyed seeing Thomas Jefferson’s library. I saw one book there that was published in 1571.

    I also saw the MLK Jr. Memorial (Moonlight tour), the WWI Memorial, US Marine Corps War Memorial, and Washington Monument.

    As far as food goes, we didn’t get much beyond the hotel and the National Mall area. My husband is a very plain eater, so we stuck with things he would like. We hit a few food trucks and the food was really good. Had a rib eye steak on our last night.

    Getting around DC was easy. We got a three-day Metro pass and hopped on an off the train as needed. Only once did we get on in the wrong direction. :) On the second day I finally figured out that in order to know which train to take and which direction to go, we had to look at the last stop on the line, not the stop where we want to get off. Once I figured that out we had no more issues determining direction. (Taking the train isn’t a daily thing in CT unless you commute along the shoreline/to NY or through the middle of the state, so I don’t have much train experience.)

    We took Amtrak (Acela train) and that was a pleasant experience. IT was a little annoying, though, how many people took up two seats on purpose, which meant it was hard to find two seats together on our way there. Once we got to NY the conductor made announcements that people cannot take up two seats since it was a nearly-full train. Oh, and there were MANY announcements for people to check their tickets and make sure they’re on the right train. Apparently there’s an express train and then another Acela train. Guess what? At least one person got on the wrong train going to DC, and at least four different people got on the wrong train coming home!

    1. Elspeth Mcgillicuddy*

      I’m glad you enjoyed the Library of Congress as much as we did! My family discovered it by accident trying to get out of the rain when we lived in DC. So gorgeous. I’ve never been in the reading room though, since I was still young when we moved away. I’ve got to go in when I get a chance to visit again. I understand that they are also an excellent resource if you want to research something.

      1. The Other Dawn*

        In order to be able to go into the reading room you need to have a library card. Obviously it’s free and easy to get one, but a little confusing to find the office where they’re issued. The easiest route is directly through the reading room, but they don’t allow access unless you have the card. We had to go downstairs, take a hallway around to an elevator in the back, then take the elevator up to the registration office. Once we got our card we went right into the reading room. We had a hard time finding our way back to the main floor, because when you exit the reading room they don’t allow you to go the same way you came. Confusing! Beautiful, though. We wanted to visit the map room, but it was in another building and we didn’t have time before it closed.

        1. Elspeth Mcgillicuddy*

          You have to be 16 to get the library card though, which I wasn’t when we moved from DC. Otherwise I’m pretty sure I’d have gotten one. I love books. Now I live half-way across the country and spend my vacations mostly in swamps or mountains instead of cities, so I don’t know when I’ll go back. Someday.

          1. The Other Dawn*

            Oh, OK! Didn’t realize that. Good news is that you have to renew it in person every two years, so if you get a card you’ll have an excuse to go back. :)

        2. Iron Chef Boyardee*

          “In order to be able to go into the reading room you need to have a library card. Obviously it’s free and easy to get one, but a little confusing to find the office where they’re issued. The easiest route is directly through the reading room, but they don’t allow access unless you have the card.”

          That’s Washington for ya…

    2. Elizabeth West*

      My college choir went to DC once, for a joint concert with George Mason’s choir (we blew them out of the water, haha). We saw a bunch of that stuff too, as well as going to Mount Vernon and the Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials. I really enjoyed the National Gallery, the Air and Space Museum, the Hirshhorn, and the Natural History Museum. I’m a huge museum nerd now, probably because of that trip. :)

      We also went out on the Metro in the evening and I was the only one who knew how to read the map, since I’d gone to London the summer after my high school graduation. It was not dissimilar to the tube map. Impressed the hell out of my choir mates, heh heh.

      I’d love to go back to the Smithsonian again.

    3. TimeTravelR*

      I’m glad you enjoyed our fair city and that you ate off the food trucks. THat’s my favorite place to eat!

      And you should know that everyone at some point takes the train going in the wrong direction. I once did it on the way to work! I got on the green line to go into the city. Then had to get off, cross over, and wait for the yellow line to take me to my end point. Unfortunately the green and yellow run on the same tracks there so when the next train came along, I got on it and went back to where I started because it was green line! LOL

      1. The Other Dawn*

        There were no less than five times where I had to argue with my husband as to the correct line/direction to take. And I was right all but that one time. :) No big deal, though. We just got off the next stop and then hopped back on. We had the three-day pass so it didn’t cost us anything extra. At one point he just took off for the opposite platform when he was supposed to just check the map and come back down. I kept waving at him that he’s on the wrong side. Eventually he came back over to my side. And yes, I was correct. ;)

        Yes, the food trucks had some good food! Honestly, I enjoyed my french fries more than the $38 rib eye steak I got at the hotel. I was going off a recommendation from another conference attendee. It was good, but it didn’t knock my socks off. My favorite was the guys hawking free samples; I got a delicious piece of gyro meat.

      2. Elizabeth West*

        I did that on the Victoria line last visit to London and had to make a huge circle to get back. I was so mad at myself!

    4. IntoTheSarchasm*

      I suggested monuments by moonlight, so glad you enjoyed it! I think it runs a little under the radar but it was a great tour.

  48. Shiny Onix*

    I’ve deleted all my online dating profiles in a fit of despair. Well, all except one but that’s because I started messaging someone who’s currently away and I want to let her know thanks but no thanks when she’s back rather than ghosting. (She’s married and poly; I thought I might be ok with dating someone who’s married, but apparently I’m not – given my reaction to her going away with her family).

    I realised that basically the one thing I want is someone who shares my taste in music and will dance to it with me and apparently there’s no one out there for me on the dating apps. (Haven’t been out there long but I’ve looked at a lot of profiles.)

    I saw the post above about online dating and had a wry smile. I hope it works out for you.

    The kicker is, my fave night out is on hiatus so I can’t even just go have a dance on my own.

    And I have a random crush on someone in work but at the end of the day I care more about the job than I do about them so even if it transpired they are interested I wouldn’t do anything about it. Too risky.

    Hey ho.

    1. Filosofickle*

      Sorry you’ve hit the despair point! It is a frustrating process.

      Take a break, but consider not giving up on online entirely. If you have a very specific desire (same music / dance interest) online is one of the best ways to find like minds. It offers access to a huge pool of people you’ll never run across IRL.

      Hopefully you can rejoin your fav night out, and meet someone there! If not, consider taking the long view. The ones you’re seeing right now may not be a match; reconnect occasionally to see who’s new. People cycle in and out. With patience, the odds are still good online.

    2. Perpetua*

      Regarding “I haven’t been out there long but I’ve looked at a lot of profiles”, I’d like to share my story – I think I was on OKCupid for about…5 years, on and off? I was on it for a year or two, without any “success” (I’m quite choosy) then deactivated it for about two years when I met my then-boyfriend, then got back on it after the break-up, and one year later (to the date!) got a message from someone who is now, a bit less than 4 years later, the father of my soon-to-be born baby (and my current partner).

      Oh, and when I say I was “on it”, I was actually quite passive – my profile was up (I liked OKCupid precisely for that reason, the opportunity to write more about what I was looking for, and to read what others wrote, and not have just a photo or two to go by), I read the messages that I got but replied to very few of them, and sometimes went through the profiles of men near me and concluded, like you, that there was no one out there for me. :) If I’d given up completely, I would have missed out on a truly amazing man and a great life that we have together.

      I know there are as many life stories as there are people, and that one person’s experience has no effect on you specifically, but I do hope you find what you’re searching for! Take a break, feel your feelings, hug yourself and dance it out at home – new days will come. :)

    3. Anona*

      Take a break. And if you decide to return, know that everything is not apparent about a person by reading their profile.
      I had better success when I decided to be open to people until I discovered a deal breaker. That’s how I met my husband. His profile/photos weren’t great, his messaging wasn’t compelling. I was just going through the motions with him. I didn’t really connect with him until we talked on the phone. He’s just not much of a writer, way more into math/science and was very different from who I normally dated

    4. NaoNao*

      Late to this party but I did online dating and I had similar small, very specific wants. Honestly…I realized that the right person may or may not meet those wants. And that specific wants might actually be keeping me from meeting people. For example, I was 1000% insistent on “college educated” (and “an autodidact” did not count. neither did a talented and street smart or experienced/expert blue collar worker. I felt we would not work out based on some pretty extensive dating experiences). My current partner had 1 semester of community college under his belt when we met (he is a current returning student, but he had no college and a “skilled labor” style call center job when we met. I will gently posit that while the romantic dream of dancing to your favorite songs is meaningful and gives you guidance, I think character, values, personality, and compatibility are far more important predictors of who will really be a good match and life partner.

  49. Randomity*

    I have given up drinking because although I enjoy it, I get a massive spike in my depression the next day – like I consistently cry the day after drinking because everything feels so very hopeless and dreadful and I feel so sad. My depression is otherwise pretty much under control at the mo so it’s just the alcohol – every time and only then.

    Has anyone else had this? Does it ever pass?! I’m not drinking huge amounts fwiw – probably more than suggested (2 pints of lager this week) but only once every 4-6 weeks. Literally no other alcohol.

    1. Buttons*

      Yeah. I don’t drink daily or even weekly but when I do I drink a lot. And the next day I’m a b*tch and sad. And I cry. I’ve been not drinking. But every single social event seems to revolve around drinking. I’ve been avoiding social events because I don’t feel like I can drink a normal amount. And it scares me.

      1. Natalie*

        This may not apply to you, but if you like beer or cocktails and if just seemingly participating in the social ritual would help, there has been an explosion in craft non-alcoholic beer and cocktails recently. I’ve done a couple of rounds of dry January and am currently pregnant and they’ve been very nice. Water is boring and I never want more than one soda.

    2. WellRed*

      I don’t suffer depression or anxiety but if I drink too much, the next day, I tend to feel anxious.

    3. Filosofickle*

      I have a good friend who has this problem. Drinking felt good in the moment, but his depression would clobber him after. (It is a depressant, after all!) Unfortunately, it never passed for him and he stopped drinking. I wonder if something similar — tho lesser — happens to me, too. I suspected it for a long time. Now my partner doesn’t drink and as a result of living in a dry house I barely drink anymore. My mood is definitely better and I feel less depressed. I can’t be sure it’s related though…he makes me pretty happy, too.

    4. Asenath*

      Alcohol is a depressant, and it does affect some people more than others. If you’re one of those who reacts badly to it, it’s probably safest just to stay away from it entirely. Although alcohol is an important part of a lot of socializing, there are many people who don’t drink for one reason or another and have managed to simply ignore or evade any social pressure to drink it. The problems that can develop from alcohol use in susceptible people – especially if they already have a tendency to be depressed are so serious that avoiding alcohol entirely is often the best choice.

    5. No Name Yet*

      I work in mental health, and have absolutely seen people with well-managed depression who’ve had a full-blown episode triggered by 1-2 drinks (and I mean that quite literally, 1-2 standard sized drinks). So it doesn’t surprise me at all, unfortunately. You could try reducing the amount you drink at any time, see if that makes a difference. Or try stopping entirely, and try again in a year or so.

    6. Alex*

      Yes, this can happen to me. It happens more when I am more prone to being depressed *anyway* but can happen every time. I stopped drinking for a while ( a couple of years) because of it. OK, well not completely stopped, but had maybe 1-2 drinks per year. I’ve been able to have more over the last couple of years but I am careful to never have more than 2 drinks. Lately it has been somewhat better–so, it may not be a permanent reaction.

      1. Randomity*

        That’s given me hope. I don’t mind cutting down or even cutting out for a long time – when I did dry January I didn’t actually start drinking again for over 2 years – but I don’t want to give up forever.

        Thanks everyone. It sucks but at least it’s not just me.

    7. mreasy*

      yes! I have been off booze for months and just had a glass and a half of wine last week – the next day my depression hit me harder than it has since I started my current effective treatment regimen.

    8. Seeking Second Childhood*

      I’m late to the game so you may not see this. Have you got any allergies? I ask this because I have that reaction to gin only & always….and my allergy tests showed me allergic to juniper. Wine & tequila for me now (not at the same time). Likewise I know someone allergic to hops who sticks to wine.

  50. Anon and alone*

    To all my fellow Canadians, whether you celebrate on Monday or earlier, Happy Thanksgiving. Reminder that advanced polling is open, if needed, but don’t forget to vote Oct. 21.

    1. should be napping*

      Happy Thanksgiving to you too. I’m not doing anything special because my spouse is very sick, and when not sick he’s got exams to study for, and my teenagers are great big grumpy pots that emanate utter hatred unless I’m actively spending money on them. So I’m going to walk the dog and make some cranberry bats later. Recipes appreciated, if anyone has favourites.

    2. Tailored*

      Happy Thanksgiving!
      Feeling the distance now that DD has moved away to Newfoundland. I hope we can facetime on Sunday when we are with extended family.
      I have never voted in the advance polls, but I was thinking of doing so.
      The most important thing is to exercise your franchise and Vote!

  51. Teapot Translator*

    A few weeks ago, there was a discussion about GERD and someone mentioned eating smaller meals and more often.
    I’d like to try that but it would mean more cooking. So, do you have recipes for small transportable meals?
    It can be recipes for snacks. I just need ideas of what I could eat during the day.

    1. Fikly*

      I have both GERD and diabetes, and I need to eat frequently for both.

      What I eat: so I have two main things I eat each day, and then snacks around that. The first thing is a piece of gluten free whole grain toast (I have Celiac) with cream cheese, cocoa nibs, 9 raspberries, and whipped cream (whipped cream is shockingly low carb). The second is a corn tortilla, mustard (that may trigger your reflux), pastrami, cheddar cheese, and chorizo slices.

      Then snacks! Cheese. A lot of cheese. Also ice cream popsicles. Yogurt with cocoa nibs and some raspberries. These dried cheese balls that I like. Dehydrated cheese snacks (are you sensing a dairy theme?) I’ll also nuke a bowl of pre-cooked turkey sausages. I’ll also heat up my own hot chocolate, which is almond milk, a heaping spoonful of dark cocoa powder, a teensy tiny bit of sugar, and cinnamon.

      When I’m on the go, my bag always contains a go macro protein bar, some trail mix, some kind of non-perishable cheese snack, a dried fruit snack, and emergency applesauce.

      Obviously my food is skewed low carb and around sugar management, but hopefully you can get some ideas!

    2. Parenthetically*

      I’m currently pregnant and have a very squished stomach and thus need to eat frequently. Just trying to hit major food groups without worrying about whether or not it’s a “meal” is easier for me.

      Minimal cooking: I try to make a loaf of pumpkin or apple or banana bread every week. Great snack with some cream cheese. I have a recipe that makes either of those three with 100% whole wheat flour and not a ton of sugar. I also bought Krusteaz protein pancake and waffle mix and will make a giant batch of waffles to freeze. Also a great snack, toasted from the freezer with butter or cream cheese! I’ll maybe throw in some cucumber slices or celery or carrots on the side.

      No cooking: Apples and nut butter with a cheese stick. Baby carrots, ranch, trail mix. Grapes, sharp cheddar, crackers. Toast, cream cheese, sliced fruit. Smoothies. Nut bars and fruit. Basically I’m aiming for protein, fat, and fiber.

    3. Hannah*

      Ooo! Yes, I have lots of ideas. Protein bars (get the kind without all the sugar), protein shakes (Vega rocks), if you’re into that sort of thing. If not, pretzels and hummus (pretzel things are my favorite), fresh fruit, muffins. Muffins do require making them, but it’s not too labor-intensive and you can do a double or triple batch, freeze them, and have muffins for weeks. There’s all sorts of good recipes out there for healthy muffins–lately I’ve made coconut carrot lentil muffins (they sound gross but I swear they’re tasty) and apple cinnamon muffins, and next week I’ll make pumpkin muffins. Sally’s Baking Addiction is a good starter for recipes.

      Unfortunately if you want to eat healthy snacks, you’ll either have to spend more time prepping or spend a lot of money at the store. If that’s not as urgent as just having something to eat, there are a lot of options.

      1. Hannah*

        Oh! How could I have forgotten Greek yogurt and string cheese… seconding Fikly’s suggestions there. Trail mix too.

    4. WellRed*

      Don’t cook more often, cook more food. It’s as easy to roast 2 chicken breasts as one, or make a batch of something to portion out.

    5. Mephyle*

      Smaller, more frequent meals needn’t mean more cooking – for one thing you don’t have to cook each meal separately, and for another not all meals have to be cooked, some just have to be assembled.

      Small meals can be snack-like – for example, a piece of bread, a couple crackers, or a slice of apple with something spread on it. A boiled egg. A banana. A couple tablespoons of nuts. A savory (i.e. not sweet) muffin – cheese and onion, for example. A bit of cold pasta with hommus as dressing.

    6. Una*

      I’m dealing with the same thing – it’s frustrating at first but easier as you get more into a rhythm.

      A simple option is to take one of the usual three big meals and split it into two. So I might have breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, rest of the lunch, dinner. The key for me if I’m doing something like that is to pack both halves of lunch separately – otherwise I’ll eat them both. If that gets boring, I might reuse part of one meal differently later in the day. For example, stir fried veg with rice for lunch, then use those same stir fried veg with noodles in miso soup for dinner. Different enough to be interesting without having to cook two completely separate meals.

      Breakfast is also an easy meal to double – I like to do a small bowl of cereal first thing in the morning, then sometimes a bagel for late morning meal.

      For snacks, things like yogurt, hummus (depending on how sensitive to garlic you are) with pita, granola bars, trail mix, hard boiled eggs, and small amounts of random leftovers are good ones for me.

  52. Anonosaurus*

    Not having an awesome weekend so far. I have (or maybe had) a crushette on someone at that place we don’t discuss at weekends. I didn’t expect or even really want anything to happen, but I thought we had a good working relationship – but Friday he sent me a (work related) email which came over really aggressive and dismissive. I don’t really know what to do next, if anything, but it has upset me a lot more than it should hsve. I guess that’s another indicator that my mental health is not good right now and (I think I might need to think about going back on meds. I feel hurt and slightly foolish. Not looking forward to Monday. For now the cat and a nice Cabernet are helping but I’m really tired of my inability to deal with other people and exhausted by the idea of trying to get my insurer to pay for yet more therapy…

  53. yeine*

    i live in sf and the blue angels (military planes) are in this week for fleet week. i suppose i’m being a cranky resident right now and i’m sure it’s cool but the RANDOM WINDOW RATTLING ALL DAY IS SHITTY.

    1. Anon Librarian*

      Complaining about the Blue Angels is a classic SF pastime. You’re in good company. I think they’re only appreciated by tourists and recent arrivals.

    2. Sometimes Always Never*

      They do a weekend couple of shows in Chicago every year, with practice on the Friday before. Totally cool, but in the 80s and early 90s, for 3 days they would set off car alarms in Lakeview and it was A LOT.

    4. only acting normal*

      Sympathies. I used to work next to the site of an international airshow. Great free views, but the price was two weeks of building shaking, window rattling, and apologising to the people on the other end of the phone. :)

    5. Jdc*

      I used to live next to El Toro when they were there. It’s fun once in a while. Otherwise good grief it’s so loud.

  54. Judddddy*

    I’ve just realized that the wealthier you are, the more you can avoid all people. It’s like, money = avoidance.

    If you have money, you can buy a car instead of taking the bus. You can live alone instead of with roommates. The most wealthy tend to have bigger houses which are, by default or design, farther away from more people.

    Generally, the more money you make in a company, the more likely you are to have an office with a door. You can afford more expensive activities (vacations, gyms, anything) that have fewer participants.

    It seems like “exclusive” only means “more personal space.”

    Am I late to figuring out something everyone else has always known?

    1. Asenath*

      You can look at it that way, but what amount of personal space is enough is also dependent on culture – and has varied within the same culture over time. Not all people in all places and times have wanted to avoid other people. Also, I suspect (not being rich and being anything but exclusive) that wealthy people, like poor people, vary in the amount of personal space they want or have. I may be misled by the media, but I think many of the wealth have far larger social circle and far more active social lives than I do. On the other hand, there are also plenty of people of my own background who do the same – they just don’t do it on expensive foreign trips and don’t get reported in the media. Poor people can lead totally isolated lives. They just won’t do it in as comfortable surroundings as rich people. “Exclusive” can mean “More expensive, so fewer people can afford it”. It’s also sometimes used for other ways of limiting the number of people who do something. If you decide you only want to socialize with a tiny group of people who share some interest of yours, you’re associating with an exclusive group, even if the interest costs no money at all.

    2. fposte*

      I don’t think you’re wrong, but I agree with Asenath that it’s not that simple; the personal space money buys you in Manhattan is still going to be smaller than the personal space you get in the non-urban Midwest for peanuts. I think money buys you a better shot at something where there’s scarcity, whether it’s personal space or strawberries in winter, but what’s scarce varies.

    3. Overeducated*

      I think it goes further than that – the wealthier you are, the less you need to depend on other people, too. And being dependent out of necessity isn’t something to romanticize, but I think there are studies out there showing that increased wealth sometimes correlates with less empathetic behavior, so there is a cost as well.

    4. Colette*

      I’d say money buys you choices. Want space? Buy a house or car. Hate your job? Quit and find a new one. In a bad relationship? Move out.

    5. Anon Librarian*

      But wait. If you have a big house, you probably have to hire people to take care of it (housekeeper, landscaper). You can avoid them, but you’re better off having a friendly work relationship and supervising them to some extent since they’re on your property and they have access to all your stuff.

      Private office? Sure, but how many people do you manage? How many meetings do you have to go to? How often are you actually alone in that office?

      Also, what about living in the country and having space but a lower income versus living in the city and having a higher income but being around people more?

      I get what you’re saying. I think it’s kind of like that but not completely?

    6. LilySparrow*

      I would say that more money = more control over your environment. It’s less about avoiding people altogether, and more about choosing who you’re around, and when.

      I used to know a woman who married a professional athlete. He bought an enormous mansion – and gave his entire extended family free run of the place.

      But yeah, if avoiding people is your preference, more money allows you to do it.

    7. Not A Manager*

      Money gives you choices, including choices about who/how many people you want to associate with. And I think you’re right that, in general, wealthy people frequently use some of their wealth to limit random interactions with random people. There are somewhat old-fashioned phrases that reflect this: “rub shoulders” and “the hoi polloi” and “living in a sardine can.”

      I think what these phrases reflect isn’t that wealthy people don’t like other people. I think they reflect that wealthy people somewhat relish the idea that they can control who they interact with. Other posters are correct that having money doesn’t mean that EVERYONE ALWAYS chooses fewer interactions over more interactions. But I think the key phrase here is “choose.”

    8. Not So NewReader*

      I had to smile and shake my head, I can see what you are saying.
      Younger me equated money with fear. Fear of losing that money and in turn fear that people will steal that money.

      Indeed, I have seen people who thought they had a lot of money (reality: not that much money) be fearful of everyone around them. “Can I borrow a screwdriver?” is answered with, “Remember where that screwdriver came from and that it needs to go back there.”
      What happened to a simple “yes”?

      I can tell you a funny story. Nineteen year old me took a second job waiting tables in a coffee shop near home. A man would come in every day, with worn work clothes and I could see his tired vehicle parked outside. He would chat with everyone. I never thought twice about this man.
      I later found out that this man was a multi-multi millionaire who among other things had private audiences with the pope at that time. He was good friends with a famous actress and so on. I saw him every day and he never, ever mentioned any of this stuff.

      And that is the catch here. There are people who are millionaires all around us and we will never know it. They don’t say anything about their wealth or their level of financial comfort. I am sure we have a couple people who comment here who if they are not millionaires they are very close to getting there.

      I had a relative who was very comfy in life. You’d never know it, they drove a 20 year old car and lived in a modest house. They were worth well into the 7 digits. We only found out after they both passed.

      When my husband passed I hit a bit of a bumpy road in life. My friends bailed me, big time. If my friends had a dollar value it would be “a bizillion dollars”. It became a little joke for me when I met a nasty person, “I hope you have a lot of money because you don’t seem to have many friends. You WILL def. need a lot more money.”

        1. Not So NewReader*

          Work on making a few well chosen friends.

          Seriously. We don’t need a ton of friends, we do need a few well chosen people in our lives. When my husband died, I was pretty distraught. I questioned my own judgement because my world was turned upside down. So I picked two people that I felt very comfortable with.

          See, good people lead us to more good people. So I trusted my two people’s judgement and I went places with them. Yep. Sure enough, they lead me to more good people. This was hard. And the process was slow. But after a bit things picked up some speed and I started finding more folks I was comfortable around.

          Here the key is YOU control the pacing. I went home really tired a lot because I am an introvert by nature. The reason why it worked is because I just. kept. doing this. So maybe I went out once a week with a friend to do something. That built up over the years as I met more people and found more things that I actually wanted to do. I put in the time that I needed to mentally and emotionally process life. I deliberately had “at home” days where it was just me and my dog. I valued that quiet time also as I could somewhat recharge.

          I answer your question by telling you friends are more important than money because I believe this. There are just too many things that money can never buy us. Money can’t buy a kind, caring person to drive the car for me when I have to take that final ride to the vet to put my old dog down. Money won’t call the power company at 2 am to tell them their is a problem with the wire coming from the pole to my house and my house might catch fire, but a good neighbor will do that. Money won’t call me up when my boss gets skewered unfairly in the new media and ask me if we are okay but a concerned friend will do this.

          Start with finding one trustworthy person. The first person is the hardest, so push through it because it’s worth the effort. You can help yourself along, by watching for people who seem to take a sincere interest in you. The second trustworthy person is a tiny bit easier to find. Once you find that person you are well underway here. The thing I realized is that there are people all around trying to make new friends, somehow I had never noticed that before.

          1. Seeking Second Childhood*

            Now all I can hear in my head is the old song “Home Grown Tomatoes.”
            (“There’s only two things that money can’t buy, and that’s true love and homegrown tomatoes.”)

  55. Parenthetically*

    One week from right now my parents will be my neighbors (which I’m ECSTATIC about). Between now and then I have to arrange for buyers to come pick up and haul away five large pieces of furniture, arrange for the cleaner to come and finalize the cleaning at their house, and go with my husband to his biometrics appointment for immigration, PLUS completely clear out a huge and over-stuffed utility closet to make space for a large freezer. In addition to normal things like keeping a toddler alive and not wearing my almost seven months pregnant self completely out. Oh and my husband is traveling for work this week. *screams into the void*

    Send me all your good vibes and crossed fingers and spare energy, please.

      1. SarahKay*

        Yup, lazy day at home with books for me too, so have my spare energy and the other half of the pizza I had delivered for supper.
        Plus loads of good vibes. Good luck!

    1. C Average*

      That’s really cool!

      Hey, you probably don’t remember me, but a few years back we chatted a bit offline about copy editing, which I was contemplating as a potential career path. You gave me some feedback about the way I approached editing and some insights into the field as a whole.

      I’m focusing on writing now and am workshopping my novel in November. For the workshop, I had to read and prepare a critique of the other four participants’ manuscripts. The advice you gave me about copy editing really informed the way I approached the other writers’ work, and I think I’ll be a much better participant as a result of our exchange. So, thank you very much for that!

  58. Dasani*

    I feel like I have to apologize to other people for my being sick. As a child, I was made to feel guilty because I was inconveniencing them for throwing up or something (even though it wasn’t ever on someone else). I know it doesn’t make a lot of sense and I know it was because I was abused but I still feel like that. I still feel like I need to apologize for not feeling well even if it literally has no effect on somebody else. Like if I have a headache and I want to go home, I feel like I’ve ruined somebody else’s life. (I’m not even talking about at work or anything. Just socially.) I do want to see a therapist but it’ll be awhile before I can.

    1. Parenthetically*

      Have you thought about doing a workbook while you wait? There are a few CBT workbooks out there, and also ones specific for guilt/shame, and ones targeted at adult children of abusive parents. It might be a good intermediate or tide-you-over kind of step!

    2. Not A Manager*

      Hey. I experience something like this. I sometimes literally say to myself the same things I say to other people when they are having difficulties. Like, I whisper it out loud to myself. (When I’m alone, not in company.) “I’m sorry you’re not feeling well, of course you need to take some time to feel better, why don’t you make a cup of tea and take it into bed?”

      There’s probably some complex reason why that makes me feel better, but ONE reason is that it reminds me to extend to myself the same grace that I would extend to another person.

      I hope you feel better soon.

    3. Alex*

      I can totally relate to this. I was always being made to feel guilty for needing care or being sick, and it definitely carries over to adulthood.

  59. Luna Mae*

    When in your life did you feel the most proud?

    And:

    Looking back on your life, which moment are you most proud of now?

    1. Randomity*

      Oooh that’s an interesting pair of questions.

      When did I feel most proud? I think getting a 2:1 (or the equivalent) for a certificate in something I wanted to work in. My marks had been lower than that and most people did worse in the final assessment – they warned us all along the expectations of it were much higher, but I worked my arse off and it showed.

      What am I proudest of now? Leaving my abusive ex and the absolute shitshow that surrounded that – three family deaths in quick succession, parental heart attack, realising that the man I (thought I’d) loved for nearly 20 years was abusive and that when he said he wasn’t a good person I should have believed him, a restructure in work that originally looked like I’d be out of a job just when I needed to buy my ex out of the family home. I hung onto things by my fingernails at times but I came through with two promotions in 6 months and fought for and got the mental health support I needed to heal from all the shit as well as a previous trauma and I had some massive realisations about myself along the way. And I’ve set and enforced boundaries with my boundary stomping {family member} and I’ve not told people my bank details so they can’t give me money without my permission, because the money I got previously came with an un-ordered side of “you need this money because you’re not able to look after yourself” and I would rather be short of money than accept that opinion. And you know what? I am doing fine financially and also a lot better emotionally. Funny that.

      I’m still broken in places but I’m mostly glued back together and I’m proud af of all that.

    2. BugSwallowersAnonymous*

      1) I remember being so proud when I started writing for my high school and college newspapers, and basically any time that I had some work out in the world, especially if it was making some money.
      2) I’m still proud of those moments! But I’m now potentially more proud of being financially independent after taking a little while to get there.

    3. C Average*

      I think, in the moment, I felt most proud the first time I qualified for the Boston Marathon. I know the qualifying standards aren’t that tough for some people, but I trained HARD to get there, and it was deeply satisfying to have those efforts pay off. (I paced a good friend to the finish for HER qualifier and felt only a fraction less proud when we crossed the finish line together and met our goal.)

      Looking back, I’m most proud of some of the things I did to try to help my ex’s kids when I was married. We ended up with the kids full-time following some intense family drama, and they were definitely damaged. I did everything I could to make a safe and loving home for them. Ultimately I wound up leaving–it became impossible to stay for a lot of reasons–but I’m proud of how hard I tried, and for how long. I’m not sure the older one would be alive today if it weren’t for some of the things I did to try to help her. (I’m proud that I left, too. It wasn’t easy.)

    4. Judddddy*

      It’s interesting to see some patterns emerging here!

      In the moment I was most proud of getting my first apartment. It was a steal and in a great neighborhood. I felt so lucky and so proud because I had moved across the country and done what I’d set out to do.

      Looking back, I’m most proud of leaving my {abusers}. No one believed me — at least, no one I knew believed that it was *that bad* because they seemed like “normal people” whenever they met them. I didn’t ask for anyone’s approval. I just left. It’s interesting to answer this question because doing that put me on this kind of messed-up path of poverty and debt and tragedy that I’m still trying to crawl out of. But I would’ve died if I’d stayed.

    5. Aurora Leigh*

      I think I was most proud at my college graduation accepting my diploma (with honors!). I worked really hard for that degree and even though my family underplayed it, it meant a lot to me.

      Looking back, I’m really proud of the steps I took to set boundries with my mom and become my own person in ways that weren’t the path she wanted for me. I’m sorry it took as many years as it did for me to do . . . but I’m proud I moved into my own place, lived on very little $$ stringing together part time jobs, found full time work, met the man I love.

    6. Fikly*

      In middle school, getting 100 on my state-wide musical exam for flute.

      A month ago, realizing I deserve to not be in pain.

  60. The Meow*

    Weighted blankets! I am thinking of buying them but theres nowhere near me where I can actually try them out first. Are they worth the purchase? When choosing weight, I noticed websites recommend 10% of your body weight. Does it matter if you go heavier?

    My husband will not like this so I’m going to have to fold it in half to use on my side of the bed.

    1. LKS*

      I LOVE mine! I finally caved a couple months ago and bought a weighted blanket I’d been eyeing. I bought one on sale from Amazon that has great reviews and was recommended by one of my longtime favorite bloggers: www (dot) amazon (dot) com/gp/product/B07C1P4QWH/ My dog also loves it, funnily enough (the cover is quite cozy!)

      I got the 60″ x 80″ because I wanted it to be bed-sized, and I went a little heavier because I don’t mind feeling weight on me. I got 20lb, which is a little more than the recommended 10%. It comes in smaller sizes if you don’t want to worry about it being on your husband’s side of the bed. The only downside is that, because my blanket is so large, it’s awfully heavy to move between my living room sofa and my upstairs bedroom.

      I’m also a hot sleeper, and I haven’t found that the blanket is too warm to sleep with, but YMMV.

      2. Elf*

        I LOVE my weighted blanket. I got a toddler sized from Salt of the Earth, which weights everything custom, and I made it 5 lbs. I just put it on my torso, and it works perfectly. I don’t like having weight on my limbs, and it doesn’t get in others’ way, and it costs less and is easier to maneuver/store. Highly recommend!

    4. Doctor is In*

      I have one. It is sized for one person so will not bother your bedmate. I find it helps me with insomnia.

    5. LilySparrow*

      Get a single-wide one, they’re less expensive and no need to fold!

      I found a 15-pounder at an odd-lots type discount place for $50. It’s awesome, I love it. Absolutely worth it. That’s a little light for me according to the suggested ratios, but it does the job.

      I got them for my kids, too. They only weigh about 100 lbs, so it’s heavier than the recommended %. The very restless sleeper loves it and it definitely helps her. The sounder sleeper isn’t bothered by the weight, but she tends to overheat, so she rarely uses it.

    6. MonkeyInTheMiddle*

      Brookstone used to sell these fluffy blankets that were slightly heavier than normal. They don’t sell them anymore but I have 2 throws which I love and have trouble sharing…

    7. Anona*

      I have a little rice filled neck pillow heating pad thing. I put that on my chest when I sleep. I like the weight, and it’s much cheaper than a blanket.

    8. Bibliovore*

      weight blanket actually worked for me. The only issue is that mine is full sized 15 lb and the husband hates it so sometimes it ends up folded- that’s 30lbs and then the 10 lb. dog lays on top, that 40 lbs, way too much. get a twin sized. I asked for a a weighted throw from the husband for the next time he wants to give me a gift.

    9. Teacher Lady*

      I have nothing to add about weight, but look at cleaning recommendations before you buy! My husband bought me a weighted blanket that I love…but which is too heavy to wash in our washing machine and cannot be machine dried, period. (And having not owned a weighted blanket previously, it did not occur to me to think about that stuff until I’d owned and used it for 6 months – it makes sense, and I should have thought about it, but I didn’t.)

    10. Alexandra Lynch*

      My boyfriend and I use them.

      They help him sleep deeper, and as he has anxiety, this is a good thing. I have fibromyalgia and I have a LOT less muscle pain when I use one.

      You can buy ones that are single and just use that on your side. We each have a single one and sleep under separate blankets, because our weight requirements are different. Definitely keep it in a cover to keep it clean. We actually sleep just under the weighted blankets; I change the covers once a week for cleanliness.

      Here is the one I got, and am quite happy with: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CBNYXYP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

  61. My Brain Is Exploding*

    I spend So. Much. Time. reading AAM on Friday and Saturday! I am not getting things done that I need to do!

    3. Bibliovore*

      I read Friday on Sat and Sunday, the weekend thread. This is my pleasure reading. I love how smart and fun the commenters are as well as sharing life’s varied difficulties. I worked yesterday and have no spoons left so it is a joy to put on the tea, curl up on the couch with a wool throw and catch up with AAM. Laundry, nope, cleaning nope, work reading nope, nope, nope.

    4. Beatrice*

      I switched to a job a while back that keeps me CRAZY BUSY on Fridays, to the point that participating in the Friday thread is virtually impossible for me. I miss it.

    5. Seeking Second Childhood*

      I am extending my weekend vacation by reading the weekend forum on Wednesday. :)

  62. Earthwalker*

    Yesterday I went to my favorite fruit stand for a lug of Jonagolds and today I canned applesauce (extra chunky with raisins and spices and honey.) It’s my celebration of October every year. Happy fall, y’all!

    1. Parenthetically*

      YUM. Love a spicy homemade applesauce. My grandparents had an old, super-productive apple tree and my grandmother canned loads of applesauce every year.

  63. fposte*

    I just realized that it was on AAM that I learned about Eat Your Books, and it has been a major player in my cooking, so I wanted to give it a shoutout! It’s a crowdsourced site that lists the recipes and their ingredients from, it says, over 157,000 cookbooks; you can tag the cookbooks you have and then search *all of them at once* for something to make with lentils or a veggie soup or whatever, rather than looking through a bunch of them individually. It is incredibly useful when it comes to using up pantry and fridge stuff, and if you’re a listy type (which I think a lot of cookbook collectors are) it’s just fun. It’s a paid site–looks like $30 per year now–but I’ve probably made up for that in timely use of dried legumes alone :-).

    2. misspiggy*

      Just tried it, so helpful – saves me straining my wrists looking through tons of books, thank you!

    3. NoLongerYoung*

      Thank you! This is new to me… but a great resource… only 2 shelf fulls right now, but it is SO hard to pick a recipe… I fall back into the same tried-but-true too often. (I do love the america test kitchen ones and have 6+ of those!)

  64. Shiny Onix*

    Does anyone watch Grace and Frankie? I just started a couple of weeks back and just finished the second season. I wasn’t sure at first but I absolutely love it now. Please don’t spoil me on anything :)

    2. Elizabeth West*

      I’m deep into the fifth season! I love it!

      I wanna be Frankie when I get old, lol, only without all the mishaps.

  65. Me--Blargh!*

    *pbbbbbfffffttt*

    If the inspection yesterday didn’t blow the deal, I sold my house. It’s a cash sale; buyers are a bunch of grandparents (seriously, there are like 800 of them) who are getting the house for a grandson (I have no clue if he has a family, is going to school, or what). He is interested in items I don’t want to take with me, like a little furniture and stuff, so I’m assume he’s just starting out.

    I’m not going to walk away with much at all, just the bare minimum I wanted, not enough to move wherever and live while I job hunt. So I’ll be staying temporarily at Mum’s until I find work either in BiggerCity or elsewhere. Without the house around my neck, I can apply in other cities and just GTFO and come back for my stuff (my brother offered to store it for me–he just built a new house and said his basement is humongous). The little money I get will help. If I get a job elsewhere, I could just hop in the car and nab an AirBnB until I find a place. I can tell employers I can move at any time, no waiting to unload a house.

    Closing is November 7, I have to figure out how we’re going to do this, I have to pack all by myself and separate out what I want to take to Mum’s (very little), and I have no idea what the hell I’m doing or what is going to happen. I’ve already packed up all my books and sold shelves, my desk, and everything I’m not selling/leaving for the buyer or taking with me. It would be easier if I were going to a job and moving into my own place, BUT NO.

    THIS BETTER BE WORTH IT D:<

      1. valentine*

        One massive step at a time. I think being free of the house will give you a big boost and clear some cobwebs for you.

    2. Aurora Leigh*

      Yay you!! I hope this leads to the changes you’ve been hoping for and that your stay with your mother is blissfully short. :)

    3. Overeducated*

      This is huge! Good luck with closing and moving, I hope it gives you the space and freedom for new good things to come into your life.

    6. Windchime*

      This is a huge step! Congratulations. I have my fingers crossed for you; I’m certain that things will turn around once you get to your new town.

    8. Me--Blargh!*

      Thanks. I just found out my mum’s sister is not doing well and none of us can be there (she’s the one who lives in London). She is in the hospital and it’s not looking good. Please send vibes.

    9. Jean (just Jean)*

      Cheering you on for your determination and sending good thoughts for your aunt.
      Sometimes the hardest thing in life is to keep on keeping on–which is what you have been doing.

  66. MonkeyInTheMiddle*

    Had anyone had to help their parent come up with scripts for adult children friends from using their place as a crash pad? Mainly my mom is tired of my brothers’ female friend (not a girlfriend) from staying over, not helping out or paying for anything even though she spends at least 2-3 weekends a month over. She and my brothers are over 40. My one brother is a bit entitled himself, but she is just as bad. I’m willing to bet my mom hasn’t just told her outright her behavior is crap (my mom also spoiled this brother so his is not always so great either but that’s a different issue). My thought is to help my mom come up with a script to tell her to get her stuff out of my mom’s place (model kits) and start charging her like rent per night. She goes out a lot with my brothers on the weekends so they like to go together and it’s convenient for her to stay over and them to travel together from what I understand. Part of this is just venting.

    1. fposte*

      Ooh, annoying. But I think this is on your mom, and unless she asked for a script I don’t think one will help her. Your script for yourself is “My mother is an adult and gets to make decisions I don’t agree with, even if she makes them passively.”

      (I also think charging rent isn’t a great idea; it just makes it likelier that she’ll have a tenant, complete with legal protections.)

      1. WellRed*

        Yeah, charging for rent? That way lies trouble. The problem is not the GF. The problem is your brother. And your mother not shutting this down.

        1. valentine*

          Asking for rent reinforces the behavior and she’s not going to pay, but your mom may still be stuck as a landlord. (She may be one now. You’ll want to check the local law.) I would stay out of it because Mom can kick Bro out anytime (and with him will go the crashers) and change the locks.

      2. Traffic_Spiral*

        I’d say a good script to say to your mom is “sounds rough. So what are you going to do about it?” Just every time she starts complaining, ask her what she’s going to do about the situation.

    2. LilySparrow*

      Script:

      “Son, this situation with your friends staying over, especially Female Friend, is out of hand. We can’t store her stuff here. We need a break from this constant coming and going. And we are tired of feeding her and cleaning up after her.

      For the next [time period], we aren’t having any overnight guests. After that, you have to clear it with us first. And anyone who is rude or leaves a mess isn’t welcome anymore.”

      They aren’t going to say it. You know they aren’t. If they had the backbone to talk to your brother this way, they wouldn’t have a 40 year old teenager in their house now.

      Under no circumstances should they attempt to charge rent. They want to stop being treated like a flophouse. Why go into business as one?

      1. MonkeyInTheMiddle*

        Thank you everyone for the comments. I appreciate it. And didn’t think of the obvious thing about tenant protections. Ugh yeah, she has issues with being alone, so basically that’s why brother lives at home. I usually don’t try to offer help since my suggestions have never been taken before. It’s a disfunctional situation which she had definitely made for herself but I have to keep trying sometimes. I hope some day she’ll set herself free.

    3. Anon Librarian*

      I think she should talk to the brother and the friend at the same time. That way there would be no misunderstandings. It’s possible that Brother has been telling Friend this is ok, or the opposite – Friend has been telling Brother that your mom is fine with it. They both need to be told that friends can’t stay over or store stuff there, that they need to ask in advance, and that they might be asked to pay rent.

    4. Thankful for AAM*

      I think she needs to play the, “I’m too old for people to stay here” card. Also, if she is like my mom, she needs to be told that despite a lifetime of being told it is not polite to ask for what you want or to say no to caring for others, she has permission to say those things!

  67. Have dragon, will quest in exchange for hummus*

    How do you get better at play-acting your D&D characters?

    If it helps, my current party comprises:
    -a human light domain cleric (patron god Helios), who’s frequently been the party leader owing to his charisma and his genuine care for his fellow party members
    -a dragonborn sorcerer (red dragon ancestry), who I’m trying to play as a Proud Warrior Guy a la Worf with a fire breath weapon and innate magic, but I’m just not feeling him; character is a bit stiff and archetypal
    -a human Eldritch Knight fighter. He started out as a magic user, but who had insane physical strength and ended up opening a lot of doors and beating a ton of guys to death with a crowbar. Picture Alan Moore from his appearance on the Simpsons, only buff and ripped all the time, and slightly less serious and stern than the IRL Alan Moore – more of a blue collar snarker.

    I LOOOOOOOOOOOVE playing my Eldritch Knight, because he’s such a funny bastard and I can count on him to cut through the seriousness to ask things like, “so, if we’re going to storm the castle with the spiders in it, are we getting hazard pay?” Or “whoever designed this bloody maze obviously didn’t do it to code, because 1) mazes aren’t allowed per code, and 2) neither are basilisks and undead, and 3) the drainage is crappy enough that intelligent slime mold is dripping out of the ceiling into the basement where the maze is.”

    He feels like an antidote to the honor-bound dragonborn and the noble yet one-dimensional cleric. I definitely want all of them on my team, because breath weapons are amazing as long as you don’t fry your teammates, and the cleric’s Turn Undead has saved our asses multiple times. But… they just don’t have any goddamn personality, and my knight is *full* of personality.

    TBH I think, to an extent, the dragonborn and the cleric may be idealized projections of what I’d like to be, or what I’d like to think people see me as, and the Eldritch Knight lets me explore a side of myself I don’t normally get to IRL.

    1. Naomi*

      I think you’ve already put your finger on the problem: your first two characters are underdeveloped (“noble yet one-dimensional”, “stiff and archetypal”) and so they’re no fun to play. Can you add new quirks that make them more interesting? Dig deeper into what makes them tick? Come up with some backstory to add new depth?

      1. AcademiaNut*

        I like making backstory for my characters. It’s fun, and it helps when it comes to deciding what the character will do (as opposed to what I would do). My Skyrim characters have backstories and motivations.

        Figure out a few quirks (maybe noble Worf guy is a total wine snob, or the charismatic guy is kind of awkward romantically). And play them a bit larger than life. Spend a few skill points on something non essential to the game play (gourmet cooking, off-beat knowledge skills, playing the guitar, writing bad poetry) and use them.

    2. Elspeth Mcgillicuddy*

      Sounds like maybe you need an emotional conflict? If they are going to be honorable, make them work for it. Honor vs justice, honor vs practicality, honor vs legality, something like that.

      1. Naomi*

        Have Dragon, I’m not clear from the description how much agency you have over the narrative–is there a DM involved? Is this online gaming? But if this is at all within your power it’s a good approach. I can think of a few literary examples of Lawful Good characters put in a position where the “law” (an oath, a precept, a commanding officer) tells them to do something that would go against their conscience.

        1. Elspeth Mcgillicuddy*

          Oh yeah, forgot to say, take my advice with a good pinch of salt. I’ve never played D&D and don’t really know the constraints. But from a story perspective, that’s what I’d suggest. Being good, being honorable, that’s not actually an easy thing.

        2. Have dragon, will quest in exchange for hummus*

          There’s a DM, and there isn’t a whole lot of choice in the narrative. We play using pre-made modules. We’ve been going through the Basic modules over the last few weeks, because the DM and other people who play are into retro stuff, and now we’re working with another pre-made module that’s not in the Basic set.

    3. LilySparrow*

      What is their secret?
      What is their fear?
      What is their weakness?
      What is their hope?
      What is their regret?
      What makes them laugh?
      What gets on their nerves?
      Who do they love most?
      Who do they desire?
      Where are they homesick for?
      Are they ticklish?
      What are they bad at doing?
      What is their most annoying or grossest habit?
      What makes them embarrased?
      What is their favorite feeling, food, sound, smell?

    4. Have dragon, will quest in exchange for hummus*

      Thanks guys!

      I think one thing I might do is work a bit more with the backstory/personality traits of the dragomborn & cleric. I have some vague ideas, but may need to spend more time working these into something concrete to work with. I don’t think I’ll have the time before our next session on Wednesday, but after that I may be able to do some work.

      1. Seeking Second Childhood*

        Most fun I ever had might have been the time our DM decided to go all realistic on us and the local (probably evil) overlord hit us with taxes. My whole party was grumbling about it. I was playing a chaotic good character who already didn’t trust or respect the overlord. So she cheated on her taxes!
        The LN”s player was having conniptions…but his character wasn’t in the room so DM & I laughed.

  68. BeeJiddy*

    Hi everyone! I live in NZ where the weather is finally starting to warm up, so we’re starting our veggie seedlings inside in preparation for putting them out soon. This year I decided to try and grow tomatillos because salsa verde costs $7 a jar here, and my budget doesn’t allow such extravagance (let’s ignore how much I’ve spent on soil and containers and seedlings, hah). I’ve read quite a bit so far but still don’t feel like I have a good idea of how best to take care of them. They shot up so fast, 3 times as fast as the tomatoes we planted at the same time. They’re so leggy! Allegedly they are very hardy plants but so far they’ve been a total pain in the butt. Despite nice deep waterings, the roots are so close to the surface of the soil which causes problems. I pack more soil in to cover them, then it just happens again. Plus every time I put them outside to harden a little in the cooler afternoon sun, the leaves go limp. I should say that I have very little gardening experience, but I managed to successfully grow jalapenos last summer so I’m not a complete black thumb.

    Does anyone have any advice for tomatillos or a good online resource? I’m open to physical books too, as I can see if the city or uni library has them. Thanks!

    1. LilySparrow*

      I don’t know about tomatillos in particular, but generally it’s okay if plants get a little bit stressed when hardening off – that’s how it works. As long as they perk up when you bring them in, it’s okay.

      The roots may just be outgrowing the container. Can you pot them up to a bigger size? Once they’re in the ground, you get deeper roots by watering less frequently. But when they’re still in the containers they may just need more space to spread out.

      1. BeeJiddy*

        Thanks for the info, I appreciate it. You are probably right about the pots – they’ve just shot up so quickly, and I’ve already repotted them twice. If I repot them again it’s at the point where I can’t continue to keep them inside but it’s still a weeee bit too soon for outside. And thanks for the assurance about them being stressed, it didn’t seem to happen with the jalapenos so I was worried but it makes me feel a bit better to know it’s normal. Gardening is a funny thing, you can read all you want but you don’t really learn until you get in there and do it!

    2. Sprechen Sie Talk?*

      Oh god, tomatillos. Yeah we did those one year and although I bought started plants (4 of them I think), those suckers just would.not.quit. Im not a great gardener, and we just threw them in the garden with a bit of water and some soil, but yeah, hardy is definitely a word for them. That was a very hot summer too and even THAT didn’t kill them off. These are almost as bad as zucchini in terms of production possibilities.

      I think we did trim back a few times when it looked like they were encroaching on each other (or the rest of the yard/bushes), but for the most part I left them alone. The amount of fruit was almost overwhelming and we had two YEARS worth of salsa verde in the freezer. We did freeze whole fruits at a time since we knew we were just going to make salsa out of them, so that is an option too when they start to produce. By the end of the year we had to use a shovel to dig up the dead plants and the root systems were pretty extensive.

      How many plants do you have? If you have more than four you may want to be OK with experimenting with tomatillo care. Just know that after this year you won’t necessarily have to grow them again for another year or two in order to get your salsa fix!

      1. BeeJiddy*

        So, I swear I read somewhere that they didn’t have high germination rates so I initially planted 20 seeds (yes, I know, I know). Every one of those little seed babies came up, so I’ve been culling the weak ones and giving them away in pairs (for pollination purposes) but I still have 6 of them. I know I can’t have 6 because I’ve read exactly what you said – they can get out of control pretty easily. I’ll probably keep 4.

        Thank you for the point about freezing the fruit – I probably wouldn’t have thought about that on my own. Apparently the varietal I have is semi-determinate so I assume that means I’ll more or less get a large explosion of fruit all at the same time. And I can already see what you mean about root systems – even in my little ones I’ve been really suprised by how quickly they’ve become root bound and needed repotting.

    3. Not So NewReader*

      You can check with your local nursery for some tips also.

      I see about the roots and packing more and more soil. I haven’t had regular tomatoes in a while so I may be foggy here. But if I am remembering correctly regular tomatoes get “air roots” these are roots above the soil line. They are fine with that, it’s normal and okay.

      Young plants do wilt when they first go outside. Do you have anything you can use to provide artificial shade? I used to put old wooden fruit baskets upside down over my plants for a few days, until they seemed to get used to it. Think about scrap materials you could use to make a little shading over the plants. You won’t need it for long, so don’t spend a lot of money on this.

      1. BeeJiddy*

        I will definitely try to check with local nurseries, though tomatillos are definitely not very common around here (you can’t buy them from the supermarket or markets, I had to order the seeds online rather than buy them in person etc.).

        That is good to know about air roots, I might do some googling with that term and see what comes up.

        We probably do have some scrap lying around, my boyfriend is a plumber so we’ve got all sorts of stuff from building sites in the garage. Thanks for the idea! Unfortunately we’ve got the kind of house where you get almost no sun on one side, but you get brutally intense sun on the other, so natural partial shade doesn’t exist. Sigh.

  69. i dont know what to put here*

    The hardest lesson I’ve had to learn as an adult is to see things the way they are instead of how I want them to be.

    Thinking positively won’t make anything better. Seeing the bright side of things doesn’t make them brighter. You don’t affect your environment that much, and you don’t affect other people hardly at all.

    Choosing to be happy doesn’t mean being happy regardless of the circumstances. It means only going into circumstances that will make you happy. Even then, negative things will happen, and all you can do is be honest about them.

    Realizing these things has actually made me less anxious because I’m not gaslighting myself anymore. If I feel uncomfortable somewhere, even if no one else feels the same, I still feel uncomfortable. Not looking on the bright side has made me more confident because I’m able to actually trust myself

    I can’t change the way people perceive me. I can change myself to fit their mold, or I can go somewhere else. I was told by multiple people that I wouldn’t be paid well in NYC because I’m a woman and I’m good-looking. I had to leave NYC to find people who had a different idea of what they were *literally* looking for.

    Merit doesn’t exist. Everything is perception. There could exist the greatest face cream of all time, but if the packaging make the product look like it’s rotten, you’re not going to buy it.

    You can’t get mad at your customers for not buying your product. You can pivot and find something the market wants, or you can go out of business.

    1. chi chan*

      That is true. Sometimes life does throw stuff your way that you would rather not deal with but have to. Hang in there and take care of yourself.

    2. Texan In Exile*

      Yep. All that BS about “Everything happens for a reason?”

      Sometimes the reason is, “Crappy things happen even if you don’t deserve it. And good things happen to crummy people.”

    3. Not So NewReader*

      I got much happier when I decided to frame the good things in life as a gift. I have a dog who loves me. That’s a gift. I have friends who care. That’s a gift. And so on.

      Framing it as a gift, reinforced the idea with me that none of this stuff is to be expected. Expectations lead to disappointments. I dropped off my expectations my number of disappointments plummeted. ha! But some how life opened up and I was gifted much more….. hmm.

  70. MuddyBuddy*

    Any photographers that can tell me if $350 is a good price for a gently used Nikon D3400 and a few accessories? I know the seller, and can assume fairly certainly that the camera was well taken care of.

    I’m completely, 100% new to photography, but would like to have a creative hobby, and am reading reviews that it’s a pretty good beginner camera. I have a lot of anxiety around spending money on non-necessities though and am not sure if this is a passing fancy or something I could get into as more of a steady hobby.

    1. You can call me Al*

      keh . com is a reputable place for used camera gear, and that’s how I’d priced my gear when I sold it.
      Hard to say if that’s a fair price not knowing what lenses and accessories are included.

      1. MuddyBuddy*

        Thank you! It comes with a AF-P VR 18-55mm lens, bag, 6 lens filters, 2 lens hoods, a wireless remote, battery and battery charger. Thanks for the link, I’ll do some research.

  71. Can I get a Wahoo?*

    I think I may have finally tired of Chicago winters. It got down to 40 today with wind and my whole body went NOPE. I’m 27 and haven’t lived anywhere else, and while I’m happy with my life in Chicago I think I might be swayed by a more temperate climate. My folks just moved down to Florida to be snow birds, but I don’t think I could do that warm in the summer. I’m looking for a big/med city with a COL close to Chicago. As a queer Jewish woman, a liberal community is a must. Does anyone know a city that might fit?

    1. Llellayena*

      Philadelphia, Portland or Seattle? There are some good medium sized cities with good COL in the south but the temperature/humidity difference from Chicago might be a shock. Not sure how COL compares for San Diego, but that could be an option.

      2. Auntie Social*

        San Diego’s COL is very similar to Chicago’s, and the liberal/lesbian community is active and welcoming. Please come visit, at least.

        2. soon 2be former fed*

          The COL is not very similar to Chicago, housing prices are much higher. Beautiful place though.

          1. The Original K.*

            Yeah, I was thinking this – it’s gorgeous but the COL is very high. (I think their homeless population is one of the highest in the country.)

            1. fhqwhgads*

              It’s true COL is high and true that there is a very high homeless population but there isn’t necessarily a causal relationship there. It’s very common for there to be higher homeless populations where it’s warmer year round.

      3. Can I get a Wahoo?*

        I’m super curious about what Southern cities you’re thinking of—I’ll have to test the humidity/temp but more options are always good!

        1. Llellayena*

          Raleigh/Durham and Atlanta come to mind, but 100+ degrees and 90% humidity might be a tough transition.

      1. Can I get a Wahoo?*

        How cold does it get in the winter? I’ve never been but I’ve always thought of Philadelphia as a similar city to Chicago

        1. Becky*

          Found a fun website:
          https://www.bestplaces.net/climate

          Comparing Chicago and Philadelphia tells me this:
          On average, there are 207 sunny days per year in Philadelphia. Chicago averages 189 sunny days per year. The US average is 205 sunny days.

          Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
          Summer High: the July high is around 87 degrees
          Winter Low: the January low is 26
          Rain: averages 47.2 inches of rain a year
          Snow: averages 13.1 inches of snow a year

          Chicago, Illinois
          Summer High: the July high is around 83.9 degrees
          Winter Low: the January low is 19.2
          Rain: averages 38.2 inches of rain a year
          Snow: averages 35.1 inches of snow a year

        2. The Original K.*

          I grew up in Philly. It doesn’t get as cold there as it does in Chicago, and it also doesn’t get cold as early in the year. (The first time I visited Chicago, I was in high school and it was October. It snowed. That doesn’t happen in Philly.) You have freezing weather and snow but it’s not AS cold. It’s a four-seasons city.

          Summers are hot and humid and gross (I hate summer though, so maybe don’t go by me!). Northeastern cities in summer are hot and sticky, as a general rule.

    3. C Average*

      The People’s Republic of Portlandia is liberal, semi-affordable in some areas, and (in my opinion) a pretty decent place to live. I’ve been here 16 years and plan to grow old(er) here.

      The weather can be rainy, but the summer and fall are glorious here, and the winter and spring are wet but mild.

      I used to be married to a Jew and got to know plenty of LGBTQ people associated with his synagogue. I think you would find at least some of Your People here.

      If you do anything creative or liberal arts-oriented, though, be aware that you can’t throw a rock in Portland without hitting a barista with an advanced degree in some branch of the humanities. Finding a real job here can be elusive.

    4. TimeTravelR*

      Others have posted some great options for cities. We couldn’t take the NE cold anymore so moved south, but went too far south the first time. C ompeltely different way of life, although the COL was great. We moved a little further north then and ended south of the Mason-Dixon line but not in the deep south this time (near DC) and love it. I don’t know enough about other cities to say, but with DC you can live directly in or out in the burbs, some of which are less burb and more city, and easily commute in… trains and busses for days. We have winters but they aren’t generally too harsh. And if there is an unusually big snow, everything shuts down so you aren’t really expected to go anywhere. Not like Chicago and other cold weather areas where we scoff at 6-12″ of snow and just keeping on driving!

    5. Glomarization, Esq.*

      I’ll always advocate for Philadelphia … milder climate than Chicago, varied nightlife and arts offerings, and a number of Jewish communities to get to know. Absurdly more affordable than Seattle or NYC, and if you don’t want to live in the city, public transit makes it straightforward to live even in the outer suburbs while working in town. Dig the Wikipedia entry for “Jews in Philadelphia” for a very good overview of the history. The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, jewishphilly dot org, may be able to help you find a congregation you would share an affinity with.

    7. Clisby*

      Florida, like SC (where I live) is, in my opinion, unbearable for 4 months out of the year. I really enjoyed the almost 9 years I lived in Columbus, OH – winters aren’t that bad and summers are nothing like as bad as SC. I lived in a neighborhood with mostly Victorian-era houses and didn’t even have air-conditioning. It was fine.

    8. Tris Prior*

      I am in exactly this situation, with the added wrinkle of being in my late 40s and in a field where jobs are mostly in cold-weather climates, and I fear I may be too old for a career change. And I want NO snow and NO cold so places like Philly are out for me. 40-something years of freezing my ass off is quite enough, thanks, and why is it so cold out already!?

      Currently my front-runners are the Los Angeles area (though I hear you’ve got to be careful because some parts are surprisingly very conservative), New Orleans, and Austin, TX. I am honestly not sure if I can live in a red state (though when you think about it, most of IL is red and we’re really only a blue state because of Chicago and a few other areas so maybe it won’t be as bad as I’m thinking? IDK).

      I hadn’t considered San Diego, have never been. So thanks to folks who suggested it.

  72. Merci Dee*

    Holy. Moly.

    Just got back from the state fair. Kiddo and I are wiped out.

    We had a great time, though the lines for the rides were pretty long. We hit 3 or 4 rides, and then grabbed a funnel cake and lemonade. Played a couple of games (they were all a bust, but fun), and then grabbed some souvenirs and monster bags of cotton candy on the way out.

    Do you still go to the fair when it’s in your area? What are your favorite rides? Most importantly, what’s your favorite fair food?

    Wish I could have grabbed a roasted ear of corn anda kielbasa sausage in a bun, and kiddo loves the hot dogs. But we had early dinner about an hour before we went.

    1. Ranon*

      We went this weekend too! I’m in it for the agriculture bits, mostly, with a side of fried food. Our local one has good animal exhibits for the kids so the toddler had a good time, on the other hand he’s so active now I missed my favorite “listen to people judge a very specific breed and type of animal by very specific criteria I don’t really understand” parts. We did make it to the creative arts part, though, so that was fun.

      I still miss the Evergreen State Fair which had Clydesdale driving teams and llama obedience courses, though.

      1. Merci Dee*

        The kiosk where we got the funnel cake also had fried oreos for sale. A regular order was $6, or you could get a little souvenir bucket for $10. I dunno. Maybe I’m a prude, but my oreos are going into a huge glass of icy cold milk, and a fried batter just tends to hinder that.

        Also, I’m convinced that fried Snickers bars are a crime against nature.

    2. Earthwalker*

      Love the fair. Best rides (bearing in mind I’m of retirement age and tend to motion sickness): Oktoberfest (the one with the swings on chains) and its extra-high cousin, Tilt-o-whirl, and Scrambler. I’d have said ferris wheel too except that they don’t accept lone riders anymore “for your safety.” Best fair food: it’s a toss-up between corn dog and ice cream potato. (An ice cream potato is a potato-shaped lump of vanilla ice cream powdered on the outside with cocoa and split to resemble a baked potato, with whipped cream to resemble sour cream, and chocolate sauce that doesn’t resemble anything potatoish but it’s yummy.) Favorite go-tos: the one lung antique farm engines display, the grange harvest displays, the farm barns (to bid on sheep and alpaca fleeces,) and the quilts.

      1. Merci Dee*

        My daughter also loves the the revolving chairs on chains rides, whatever they’re called. And she adores the Himalaya and it’s identical twin in tropical clothes, the Typhoon. Those are the ones with little carts that race around the central axle of the ride, with the big hill in the back and the dip in the front of the ride. And then there’s the Graviton, which looks like a spinning diamond that has the platforms inside that slide up to the ceiling as you spin. All of them make me sick.

        I’ve never had an ice cream potato because we’re down in the southeast and potato farming isn’t a big deal here, but I’ve heard of them. They sound very tasty.

    3. Bibliovore*

      We love the state fair. I just got to this state 6 years ago from an east coast urban city. We love crop art, arts building, apples at the agriculture building. I don’t do rides. I even worked the library day this year. I visit with the sheep and goats.

      1. Merci Dee*

        I like checking out the livestock, too. Usually falling in love with half of the animals and wishing I could bring them home. They always have the sweetest little faces! But my cat would lose his kitty mind if I tried that.

        I also love the quilts in the home arts exhibits. Wish I had the patience, the time, and the room for piecing quilts, but I know my limitations. My sister is part of a quilting group, and she makes someone in the family a quilt every year for Christmas. It rotates, so everyone eventually gets a gorgeous quilt.

    4. Clisby*

      We don’t have any good fairs here (Charleston, SC.) There’s one that has midway stuff and fair food, with a nod to a trivial amount of agricultural exhibits. My husband is from Ohio, where the fair is A. Big. Deal. School kids get Fair Week off, because so many of them are showing their animals and wouldn’t come to class anyway.

      1. Merci Dee*

        Our schools don’t shut down the whole week of the fair, but it’s usually in town for Columbus Day, so there’s no school then. I’m not sure about the showing schedule for the animal exhibits, but I figure that they’ve taken school into account for the junior divisions. Maybe they only show on the weekends?

    5. Elizabeth West*

      Ahh I haven’t been to the fair in quite a while. I don’t go to the one in my hometown, or the one here, since I have no one to go with and it’s not fun alone. I liked looking at the animals best. When I was a kid, the big thing was the parade on Saturday.

      When I did go, I was partial to corn dogs and cotton candy. One year, at the fair here, my ex and I found a homemade root beer booth. The guy sold it in these big tall brown bottles. We bought a bunch of them and guzzled ourselves silly. It was really good. But after we broke up, I haven’t gone back, so I don’t know if the guy is still selling. Fair time is over now and I’m leaving the area anyway, so oh well.

      1. Merci Dee*

        I love rootbeer. Most brands are okay, but my absolute favorite is IBC rootbeer, in the dark brown glass bottles. It’s absolutely amazing. I don’t know what’s going on with their packaging, though. You used to be able to buy a 6-pack, and now they’ve backed it down to a 4-pack. But, naturally, have increased the price. I don’t begrudge them increasing the price, necessarily, especially if the cost of ingredients has gone up. But don’t mess with my 6-pack, now. If you take away 2 of my bottles, we’re gonna have to fight.

        1. Elizabeth West*

          IBC is really good. I stopped drinking soda as a rule, except for the odd Fentimans now and then, but this stuff was FANTASTIC. I would guzzle more if I found it or something similar again.

  73. C Average*

    Other than spending way too much time on here today, I’ve been writing and working on my partner’s and my Halloween costumes. (He’s going to be a wildling and I’m going to be a fairy.)

    Does anyone else here get really into Halloween? It is my favorite holiday by miles. I usually have a costume idea in the back of my mind for most of the year.

    1. Lcsa99*

      I have always loved halloween too! I drive my husband crazy giving him costume ideas all year (yup, we already talked about next year! Maybe the Human League if my mother visits for halloween next year). I’ve found that when I can think of a music theme costume he is a lot more into the whole thing :)

      We’ve been working on our costumes for this year since August and if I don’t sleep all day like I did yesterday I might actually finish today. I’ve mentioned it here a couple time – we’re gonna be the sketched characters from the Take On Me music video! I just need to work my wig and practice our make-up. I’ve watched a few tutorials for the make up but my first go was kinda terrible so I think I’ve been nervous about trying again.

      1. General von Klinkerhoffen*

        Actually this reminds me of a significant difference between Halloween on the different sides of the pond – in the UK your costume must be at least tangentially spooky or scary, but I understand that in the US it’s any kind of dress up? So here a fairy would have at the very least to be a green fairy with her hair put up in a bun with pipe cleaners to look like a spider. It doesn’t matter that 9/10 of a party are all wearing the same thing and That One Guy is in the corner wearing a t-shirt with “tax return” scrawled on it in black marker.

        1. Seeking Second Childhood*

          Ah but traditionally the most powerful fairies are the ones able to hide their nasty cavalier bloodlust behind a beautiful facade… bluhaha…

    2. General von Klinkerhoffen*

      Oh boy.

      We host a neighborhood Halloween party for children so we do go a bit overboard on the not-scary, purple/orange/green streamers, smoke machine, blacklight, Pinterest-inspired themed party food kind of things. Last year our ToT offering was popcorn in baggies decorated in black Sharpie to look like skulls (option B is orange baggies to look like pumpkins). We have also given out cheap glowsticks. Parents seem grateful for a not-candy stop. We only knock on known doors and only get a handful of visitors we don’t know.

      This year we have invested in a black “Christmas” tree which will be dressed with pumpkin and ghost lights, and felt decorations. The schools are out for the entire week so there are lots of themed events on locally. Halloween has only become a Thing here in the last decade or so but now people really go for it. We have some childfree neighbours who go all out decorating and making a real show for the children knocking.

      That said, it’s generally considered a “little kid” thing so teenagers are discouraged from going ToTing without the plausible deniability of supervising younger siblings (though there are fancy dress parties, discos, youth group events etc). Lots of awareness about vulnerable older people, veterans with PTSD, etc, who don’t want to be answering the door to strangers. You only knock where there’s a pumpkin or similar obviously inviting decoration.

      1. Elizabeth West*

        Once, we had a Halloween party at work and I made a cream cheese ball, but I molded it in the shape of a skull. :D

        And I’m really sad that Halloween has become a children’s holiday. It’s supposed to be SCARY. Adults are the only ones who can do it up right!

        1. General von Klinkerhoffen*

          We also go to an adults party which is scarier but not actually scary. More about the food and drink and socializing. But always some jump scares and noisy surprises!

    3. Seven hobbits are highly effective, people*

      I’m trying to decide how much decorating to do. My big issue is that my lawn is growing like a champion right now, so I don’t want to put all of the fake tombstones in it yet because then I can’t mow it again until I take them out. (I try to decorate my yard up enough that trick-or-treaters know I Do Halloween, because the time I just turned on my porch light but didn’t decorate in this neighborhood I only got a few kids.)

      This year, I got spiky fidget rings instead of candy to hand out. The houses are reasonably close together here, and the kids all end up with more candy than they’ll actually eat (and then the parents get rid of most of it) if they walk around for a couple hours, so I didn’t want to buy good candy again this year. (Last year I bought full-size candy bars because the year before I’d had less than 20 kids. Good thing that I also had some back-up options, because I got over 60 kids last year. I think it was the decorations, mostly.) I bought 90 fidget rings, so I’m hopeful that I won’t run out. (I can think of several ways to give away the extras – local schools would probably be happy to take them, unlike candy.)

      I probably won’t do a costume for me. I need a “non sexy”, “no masks/facepaint”, and “no prop weapons” option if I’m going to wear it to work, which limits my ability to buy something pre-made at a Halloween store, and I have too much else going on in my life right now to get my mending done, let alone sewing entire costumes. I have a couple of existing costumes I could drag out and wear again, but I’m not sure it’s worth the hassle. (We “can” dress up at work rather than “have to” dress up at work, and I’m not going to any Halloween parties this year.) I may pull out parts of a pirate costume to wear for trick-or-treaters, but I already wore the work-friendly version of that for Talk Like A Pirate Day, so I don’t think I’ll wear it again for Halloween. (I have a bunch of pieces, most of which originated as faire garb, that can be mixed and matched between “pirate costume” and “Renaissance faire” with varying levels of cleavage and period authenticity, so I assemble a pirate costume out of that as appropriate for any given pirate-themed occasion.)

        1. Seven hobbits are highly effective, people*

          I used to have a friend who threw elaborate theme parties pretty regularly in my 20s, so various iterations of a pirate costume would get dragged out whenever it fit the theme. Then I dated a madrigal singer for quite a while, and accumulated a lot of faire garb as a result. I no longer regularly go to theme parties or Renaissance faires, but I have quite the accumulated wardrobe by now, so any occasion that makes sense to be dressed like a pirate for, I’m ready. (Yaar! It be Tax Day me mateys! Avast! ’tis Christmas! What’s that I spy? Arrrrbor Day? (ok, I might actually do that one this year, because that sounds hilarious to me right now))

          I also have lots of other assorted costume pieces from the theme party years, but they do not tend to be work appropriate or something I feel like greeting children at the door wearing. Adding some layers of faire garb to the pirate stuff gets it modest enough for work, but that doesn’t work as well for a toga or a flower fairy outfit. I should probably go through and weed that costume stuff down to “things I might actually go to the right kind of places to wear at this point in my life” and get rid of, say, some of my large collection of poofy netting skirts, any skirt that I can’t bend over in without flashing people, and any top layer where I was deliberately including a bikini top as part of the costume (these were hot tub theme parties). Alternately, I have a pool and could start throwing such theme parties myself, but that sounds like a lot of work and I think my existing friends would mostly be baffled by the whole thing.

          1. Alexandra Lynch*

            Boyfriend and I talked and have bought the stuff for costumes useable year after year. White lab coat and white goo in his hair to spike it and some makeup makes him a Mad Scientist, and a little purple chalk in my hair, and a Halloween-fabric cocoon coat (not hard to make) over my black velvet pants and black velvet tank top with a witch’s hat pinned on, and dark makeup, and I’m witchy enough to hand out candy without being scary.

      2. Lcsa99*

        I think the unmowed lawn would be perfect with the tombstones! It would totally help set the mood :)

    4. Lcsa99*

      I also love all the scary movies they play on tv this time of year. Starting October 1 I record so many it usually takes us through thanksgiving to watch them all.

    5. Elizabeth West*

      I love Halloween. Most of my friends here don’t do parties (*sigh*), so I usually just watch scary movies all month long. October 31 is my brother’s birthday and when we were kids, I tried to get him to switch but he wouldn’t, lol.

      My best costumes were escaped werewolf in chains and a princess with jeweled hair. A couple of years ago, I had neighbors who lavishly decorated their house and yard, which drew a lot of trick-or-treaters. I decided to join in that year (I usually don’t) so I turned on the porchlight, put on an apron, smeared some fake blood all over myself, and drowned my chef’s knife in it. I waved the knife around when I answered the door and said loudly, “WHADDYA WANT? I’M BUSY!” The parents looked at me funny but quite a few of the kids thought it was hilarious.

  74. Amy*

    Help me name some kittens! I just picked up a litter of five three-week-old foster kittens today, and they didn’t come with any names. The girl is a brown tabby and the four boys are two brown tabbies and two tuxedos. I’m looking to do some sort of theme for the litter. Any ideas?

    They are so adorable and playful! The tabbies are pretty friendly but the tuxedos aren’t convinced I’m not going to eat them. The tiny hisses slay me!

    1. Enough*

      I don’t have any real ideas but I do like a little play on words. My neighbors in college (a long time ago) showed up at my door and told me a needed a cat. The other 3 apartments had a total of 6 cats and a dog. There was a cat that had been abandoned by a tenant in another building and I was told that I should take it in. I was willing. He came with a name – Chicken George, son of Kunta Kitty. The original Roots mini series had come out that year. And one neighbor had a very fat cat and she was Saturn cat with rings of fat. She would cover the whole toilet seat when she laid on it.

      1. I know something you do not*

        What about a Princess Bride Theme:
        Princess Buttercup
        Humperdinck
        Fezzig
        Inigo
        Count Ruben

    2. Red Reader the Adulting Fairy*

      A friend of mine named her last foster litter after vegetables – Broccoli, Carrot, Potato were the boys and I think she got a little fancier, Aubergine and Courgette for the girls :)

      Other options – with Halloween coming up, could do classic movie monsters. Or, since they’re going to be old enough to potentially adopt right around Thanksgiving, could go Thanksgiving foods or types of pie – pumpkin, sweet tater, apple, pecan … key lime is traditional on my table but maybe that’s just me :)

    3. Lena Clare*

      If you’re going for a theme:
      – characters out of your favourite show
      – Royals
      – childhood sweets (sherbert, cola, liquorice, etc)
      – old fashioned human names: Bob, Glenda e.g, or human names all with the same letter: Bob, Brenda, Billy etc
      – what they look like and are like: squish-beans, tuxy mctuxedo, hissyfit etc

      Let us know what you choose!

      1. Lena Clare*

        Oh and I quite like the made-up names Alison uses here, like Philomena Warbleworth or Bartholomew Dribblesmeet or something, but I’m not sure I’d use them for pets :)

    4. General von Klinkerhoffen*

      You are likely to yell them, so something yellable (or that shortens to yellable) is crucial, especially if the neighbours are likely to hear.

      We gave our tuxedo boys names that would suit gentlemen going to a posh club a hundred years ago (Montgomery and Beauregard, yelled as Monty and Beau).

      So my “theme” recommendation would be Victorian/Edwardian people names – I have a soft spot for girl cats known as Queenie but with long royal names e.g. Alexandrina Victoria. Then your remaining two brown tabby boys would be maybe Alfie and Sid.

    5. Lcsa99*

      I love the idea of using ask a manager names, but what about characters from cheers? Norm, Cliff, Sam, Woody and Carla. It’ll be funny if you have to yell at Norm.

      1. Scarlet Magnolias*

        I am owned by Django (black and white Ragdoll) and Silhouette (all black Halloween cat, one of the heroes in Watchmen)

    7. Auntie Social*

      I always wanted to name two mackerel tabbies Finn and Haddie (finnan haddie is smoked haddock. It sounds gross but it’s just heaven.)

    8. Zephy*

      I would find a trio of names for the tabbies and a pair of names for the tuxies.

      For the tuxies:
      – Nut and Bolt
      – Peabee (or P.B.) and Jay
      – Dolce and Gabbana

      For the tabbies:
      – Lock, Shock, and Barrel (Shock is the female – the kids from Nightmare Before Christmas)
      – Duck, Ned, and Aubrey
      – Jake, Barclay, and Dani

  75. Cycling*

    I haven’t had a bicycle in about 15 years but I want to get one (probably next spring actually because we’ve had a sudden cold snap) in order to widen up my outdoor activity repertoire. But I know next to nothing about bikes. I’m also very short (4’11”). I would mostly be riding on hilly roads or sidewalks (I live in the mountains). I also have a history of lower back problems and would likely have trouble with a racing style bike–I would need something more upright?

    Anyone able to point me in a good direction of what to look at or just tell me the terms I should use in talking to people at bicycle shops?

    1. TimeTravelR*

      I ride a Trek hybrid. Go to a reputable shop and they will fit you for the right size. The hybrid has a more medium width tires… not knobby and big like mountain bikes but not skinny like the racers. I like the Trek for quality and weight (not super light but I can lift it in and out of my vehicle or onto the carrier. Tell the bike shop what your plans are and they can help you out. Also go ahead and buy a comfy seat. They always come with ones that I find too hard and not big enough for my massive bum. If you want to ride, you want to be comfortable!!
      I also have a beach cruiser (no gears) similar to something I would have ridden as a kid. Great for super flat but horrible for any kind of grade so do be sure to get something with gears!!

      1. Overeducated*

        I also have a Trek hybrid and recommend something with gears for hilly rides. The hybrid is more upright, heavier, and a lot more affordable than a road bike, but lighter and faster than my old department store mountain bike. Fitting at a bike shop is the best idea.

        That said, try things out and go with what you like the feel of, even if the staff recommend something different. I’m 5’1″ and they thought I’d need the smallest size frame, but I felt too hunched and compressed riding it so the next size up worked better for me. I’ve been commuting on it for over a year and have been happy with the fit.

        My other piece of advice is to get a good U lock and lights. If you’ll only be riding in the daytime, blinky LED lights are still good for increasing your visibility on the road, especially if your roads are windy and cars won’t see you far in advance.

    2. university minion*

      At 4’11” you should definitely talk to a bike shop. One word of caution – if a bike feels too big, it is! There is one bike shop in my city that is pretty notorious for selling too-big bikes to unsuspecting small newbies because it’s what they have on hand and thus they don’t have to special order something. I don’t know that this sort of thing is pervasive, but it’s definitely a pattern at this one shop (and we’re talking expensive bikes, too!).

      There are lots of different kinds of bikes. A commuter bike, cyclocross or gravel bike is probably a good choice for the kind of riding you anticipate doing. A mountain bike will be unnecessarily heavy and cumbersome. Just because a bike has drop handlebars doesn’t mean a person with a bit of back trouble can’t ride it – riding position varies a lot depending on how the bike is set up. My road bike is set up pretty aggressively and yes, most people who aren’t used to it would be uncomfortable, but that n=1 point doesn’t describe all road bikes. That geometry is variable.

      Lastly, don’t be afraid to leave a bike shop if they don’t have what you need, dismiss your concerns, act like they only care about racer-bro customers or otherwise behave badly. Occasionally bike shops aren’t welcoming places for women. That’s largely changed, but there are a few Neanderthals out there.

    3. StrikingFalcon*

      Consider a recumbent bike / trike! They are a lot easier on the back, and with a trike, you don’t have to worry about balance. I tried a few out a little while ago and they were delightful.

    4. Thankful for AAM*

      I cann9t emphasize enough the importance of finding a person who can fit you. Every single bike shop worker will say they can, but they cannot. Ask tough questions about whether they have fit women under 5 feet, this is a big purchase for me, dont want to waste the money, etc.

      As for recommendations from other short women. And maybe find a bike club nearby where women riders can advise you.

      1. The Original K.*

        Yes, the most important thing about cycling is that your bike fits you properly – otherwise your knees are in for a world of hurt. Ask very specific questions about fit for a shorter person.

  77. Luna Mae*

    I moved to a new city and I’m afeaid to walk alone at night now. It’s a huge problem because when I don’t do a lot of cardio/walking, I don’t sleep. Literally. I’ll just sray awake feeling sick until 6am when the gym opens.

    Its 5:30 AM and I’m so tired but can’t sleep and I even went to the gym yesterday but it was too early in the day and I only did anaerobic exercise.

    This was never a problem when I lived in Manhattan

      1. Ra94*

        And if it’s the area that feels unsafe, could you drive or Uber to a more public place and walk there?

    2. Approval is optional*

      This might not work for you, but when I’m not able to walk outside I walk in the house. I have a fairly big house so can make quite a big ‘loop’ usually, but sometimes I’ve just done circuits of one room (round and round the couches with the TV on quietly) when I don’t want to disturb others.

      1. Red Reader the Adulting Fairy*

        same – and when I got tired of walking circles in the house, I got an inexpensive stepper/elliptical type thing that slides under my living room coffee table for storage. It was on Amazon, I think something like $80?

  78. Rebecca*

    Has anyone had to tell their parent they shouldn’t drive any longer, and when they refused, what steps did you take to make sure someone with terrible reflexes and no problem solving skills gets behind the wheel of a several thousand pound machine?

    Yes, this is about my mother. She keeps saying “when I drive again” and “when I can drive to the store again, I’m going to…” BUT she is a fall risk, must use a walker, she goes to PT 3x per week now on the senior transport van (oh, and the complaints I hear about that, ugh, but too bad, this is what people do). PT isn’t helping much. I know she couldn’t grip the shift and get the car into gear, as she can’t open a cardboard cereal box or even cut up meat. I haven’t said “You’re not driving any more, it’s not safe” because she is a truly disagreeable, nasty person, and I don’t want to deal with her ranting. I did hide the car keys. And I’m trying to find people who will stop by once per week and take her to the bank or store during the day, but that’s difficult. There aren’t a lot of people just sitting around who want to drive an old person to the store and listen to them complain and pontificate about everything. I have thought about asking my township police officer for help with the not driving and steps I can take. Hopefully due to her age and that she hasn’t been driving for 3 1/2 months maybe there is a test she would need to take?

    And more things – Mom’s organization skills are abysmal. I signed up for USPS Informed Delivery a while back, and I’ve been keeping track of the mail that’s coming in. Our dining room table is completely covered with paperwork now, so I eat at my computer desk. I got a good idea of all the accounts, insurance things, banking things while Mom was in the rehab hospital and PCH, but now I have photos of statements, complete with account numbers, phone#, addresses, etc. of most of it. I set up a file on my desktop. My daughter is executor and we’re going to need this. I asked Mom to please let us sign up for online access for statements, etc. but the answer is a hostile “NO” and “THEY will steal my personal information!” “I don’t do computer stuff, no one ever showed me how”. (this is not true, I tried for years to teach her basic skills, suggested classes at the local library, etc, but she always refused, and her “learning” consisted of writing things like click on red x, which means nothing if she doesn’t understand WHY she’s doing it) So, at least I will have a comprehensive list. As to finding documents we need, good luck to us. The house is full of paperwork shoved every conceivable place. It truly gives me hives when I think about it.

    And that brings me to funeral arrangements. Mom’s friend told me that Mom made funeral arrangements at the same place Dad’s funeral was held. So I called, I’m friends with the woman who works in their office, and asked her – and no, they do not have any arrangements on file for Mom. I questioned friend again, and she’s certain it was that place, so now, I’ll need to ask Mom if she’s made arrangements somewhere. I asked her before, and all she would tell me was that she didn’t want a viewing or a service where people would stare at her. Sighs.

    And we had drama with the cable box and remote; I got rid of equipment to save money on the cable bill, and the box on Mom’s TV got upgraded, and I was able to get an old model remote control so it would be easier, but the first thing she did was complain. It’s not like she ever mastered the other one she had for 10 years. I showed her how to use it, but I forgot my box had reminders for certain programs, and so she started yelling that “I CAN’T WATCH MY SHOW WHAT’S THIS BOX ON THE SCREEN” never mind, it says watch or dismiss, IIRC, and she has never once mastered using the arrow buttons and OK button on the remote, after TEN YEARS. I asked her to let me know when it popped up, and I’d go in and cancel them, but no, she has to scream and yell. Honestly, I should use the parental controls and block Fox News, and tell her it went off the air. **if there are hackers out there, this is something a lot of us could use, a fake message when blocked channels are accessed. Only half kidding here.

    I’m taking the advice to heart to plan my next steps. Once I get the rest of the money from the sale of my house, I will look for my own place, even if it’s a 1 room efficiency apartment, and hope I can take my cats. I’m over it.

    1. Morning Reader*

      I took the aarp driving class and it had a whole unit on how to talk to people about stopping driving. (Don’t recall the details but they probably have a book with the same info.) Also your local senior center may have someone who can advise you on the bills, etc. it doesn’t sound like your mother has “sound mind” to handle her own affairs so you might be able to get power of attorney but I’m not sure you want it.

      1. Rebecca*

        I have medical and legal power of attorney, but I haven’t pulled that card – yet. I’m going to if I have to. And I blame TV for a lot of this – she watches home shopping channels, and they prey upon fear – like with shredders, home security, computer security stuff, it’s endless. And the commercials on Fox News don’t help “every time you go online, there are people waiting to steal your identity” stuff, and to some extent, that might be true, but not so much with secured banking software and obtaining .pdf statements.

        1. Observer*

          If you have legal POA, set up the on line accounts. You don’t need to stop the bills coming in, but this way, you’ll know what’s going on and you will be able to see if bills are getting paid, what’s happening with her bank account etc.

          On the driving, I second the suggestion of the AARP materials.

    2. TimeTravelR*

      Can you “take her car in for repairs” and never bring it back? I am dreading this day too, and I think it’s coming a lot sooner than Gramma wants it to.

      1. Rebecca*

        Unfortunately, no, it’s an almost new Subaru, so that won’t fly. She’d call the dealership and I’d be outed.

    3. Llellayena*

      Check with the dmv. They might have something where you can trigger that she needs a driving re-evaluation (which she would fail). Hiding the keys is essential in the mean time. If there’s any way you can get her car “undrivable” that might help temporarily. Her doctor might help too. Basically, the determination that she can’t drive needs to come from experts she trusts (mostly) and not you. Then you can ‘remind’ her that expert said no driving.

      Did you get power of attorney? If so you can set up online statements and still get the paper ones and just don’t tell her. She’s comforted by the paper and you have full records. If she can’t figure out a computer, she’ll never be able to see you did that.

      Can you set the cable box to not have those reminders? I’d get seriously annoyed at them too and be looking for a permanent fix so they must have a setting for it, I hope.

      I’m glad you’re planning to get out and I hope the money comes through soon!

    4. anon24*

      I believe in Pennsylvania only her doctor can take away her license for good, unless there’s a driving incident and the police petition to remove it, but I’m not certain there. I know you’ve said in the past that her doctor is unhelpful but if you can get the doctor to sign off and just take her license away permanently that may be the easiest route.

      Do you have power of attorney? If not, you need to try to get your mom to set you up as POA. There’s regular POA, and there’s medical POA. I’m not sure the particulars about regular POA but medical does only apply when one can’t make decisions for themselves anymore.

      I also do think you need to talk to a lawyer about this and also possibly a psychiatric team. Some of the things you post sound like a grumpy old person and sometimes reading your posts I wonder if your mother is to the point where she could be declared mentally incompetent to make her own decisions. No one can tell that through an internet post but if you feel that it may be the case maybe talk to a lawyer and pursue that route. It would take care of all these issues and you could simply do what you feel is best.

      Again, I’m not a lawyer and I don’t know any of these things for sure. Just my thoughts. Your strength and resilience is amazing! I think about you during the week and wonder how you are doing.

    5. Sandra Dee*

      with my mom, I gave her goals to work towards, which I was fairly certain she would not obtain. The first goal was taking a shower without my assistance. She was using a wheel chair and walker, and was a definite fall risk (rheumatoid arthritis is a cruel disease). We never got to that point before she passed away, but I did my best to give her things to work towards. Being a caregiver is a very challenging job. Taking care of yourself needs to remain a priority.

    6. The Cosmic Avenger*

      If you think she’s stubborn enough to find the keys or have a second set AND would try to drive while you’re not home just to be ornery, take one of the distributor wires off and hide it, too. She wouldn’t have the fainest clue what to even look for, much less what to do even if she found it! That’s a last-ditch trick that some people use for those who keep driving and endangering others and themselves.

      Can you get Uber or Lyft in your area, or is there a local cab service? Can you price out a weekly grocery trip, a monthly hairdresser trip, or whatever else she would want to drive to on her own, and compare that monthly total with the cost of insurance, gas, etc.? It might cost less, or if not you can say it’s only an extra $20 a month for her to have someone drive her, or whatever. I don’t know that it would be cost efficient, but it might. People are so used to having a car in the US that they underestimate the total cost of ownership and maintenance. Oh! Don’t forget to include an average of probably $100-200 month for repairs for an older car. One big repair every 2-3 years could cost that much!

      1. Laura H.*

        Thing w/ uber and Lyft is you gotta be smartphone savvy and connect a card to it- which sounds like it might be difficult for the mom/ mom wouldn’t be willing.

    7. MatKnifeNinja*

      If your mom lived in my state, the doctor can write a little saying she is not well enough to drive. The state will revoke driving privileges.

      My great aunt had dementia. Early on, she was mentally together enough to drive at certain moments in time. We pulled a spark plug and a battery cable. There was no reasoning with her.

      If mom can’t truly drive duento mental abilities, go at it that way. Cars can be retro fitted for mobility issues. It’s not she can’t reach the gear shifter, it’s doesn’t have the ability to look for cars when she backs up, and not run over a kid if they dart across the drive way/parking lot.

      I wouldn’t argue with her. She’ll never agree, and saying “When she drives…” gives her hope her entire live isn’t swirling into the toilet.

    8. Jean (just Jean)*

      Hiding the keys was a genius move!
      In the larger picture, so sorry you are going through all of this. You deserve better. I hope it’s some comfort to know that your mom is giving the rest of us a very clear roadmap for how NOT to grow older (or approach life at any age).

    9. Nervous Nellie*

      Rebecca, my goodness. Reading this put my shoulders up around my ears. We might be cousins – my mother is the same. I am dreading the day I get to this point with her, providing her more care. I offer you so much sympathy, and admire the endlessly generous steps you have taken even in the face of so much friction. Hang in there!

      I just wanted to add that at the AARP website there is a terrific online seminar for folks to start the ‘time to stop driving’ conversation. If you go to the site – aarp dot org, and put “We Need to Talk” into the search field, you will find it. It was jointly developed by The Hartford insurance company and the AgeLab at MIT. It might have some good ideas that would give you some relief. There are also lots of caregiver resources on the AARP site that can offer fresh ideas and assistance.

      Cheering for you – do keep letting us know how you are!

    10. Autumn Sunday*

      Maybe she knows in her heart that she won’t ever drive again but won’t admit it. Would it hurt to just play along with her “when I can drive again…” knowing that it will never happen? When my grandmother began to suffer with dementia, my mom found it was less stressful for both of them to just go with the flow. Correcting her and telling her “No, you’re confused. What you’re describing never happened.” or “What you are describing is never going to happen” just caused stress for both of them. Maybe if you just agree with her verbally she won’t be so argumentative.

      “Yes, Mother, it will be so much easier when you can drive again but in the meantime here is what we can do to get you around town.” Meanwhile, you follow other suggestions to prevent her driving.

      You need support. Search online for caregiver support. Start with the Pennsylvania Department of Aging. Look for both practical information on how to handle things as well as emotional support for YOU.

    11. Earthwalker*

      I second (third?) contacting the doctor. I called Dad’s doctor and they scheduled him for an appointment without telling him that I called. They found him unfit to drive and scheduled a visit with him and me together to tell him. He saw it coming and refused to go. So I took his key. Yes, there was a huge fight, but I knew it was the right thing to do, after asking experts and the doctor and deliberating and putting it off for a year. This was probably the hardest adulting test I’ve had in all my life and the only good thing about it is knowing that I passed it. But for the doctor I don’t think I could have done it. BTW, in his area were a number of services – social workers at the rest home and hospital, senior services, and so on – who had a lot of really helpful pointers to where to go for advice, what help is available, and how to deal with financial implications. There was help I hadn’t imagined. If you’re working alone without a net, try asking around to see what help may already be waiting for you.

    12. Auntie Social*

      My MIL had a fall and her doctor said her license had to be revoked for six months but they’d revisit the issue then. “But you CAAAN’T, it took me four tries to pass the test this last time!” None of us knew that. He gives her more physical tests—walk to end of hall and pivot. She can’t—she turns around using eight tiny steps—WTF? Dr. says she’s never driving again, but don’t tell her. She refused to try UBER, cab, senior shuttle, etc.—wants to be chauffeured. Everywhere. Won’t walk, won’t do Silver Sneakers, just. . . won’t. Fortunately, BIL took car to his house “just to keep it running” after a neighbor ratted out her “they can’t tell me what not to do” plan to sneak off to Walmart. It’s like a big grumpy toddler with a set of car keys.

    13. Anonymouse for this*

      Not sure if this would work with your mum but when my mum had hip surgery in her 70s and wasn’t able to drive afterwards we all just humoured her. She was insistent she would drive again and after a few harsh arguments we started saying we agreed – when she was finished with rehab and was strong enough to not use a walking stick then she would drive again. 10 years later she’s still using a stick and only mentions driving once a year. She did once say she didn’t really want to drive – it was the loss of independence that got her back up and led to the arguments.

    14. Rebecca*

      I’m going for a walk before I say something I can’t take back. She started in again about “I want out of this place, I can’t stand this place, I this that and the other thing”. Then she asked me when the person I found to take her to town and to the bank once a week or so was coming. Not today, I hope, blah blah blah, no Mom, this week sometime. “Well, I have 3 therapy appointments this week and I just don’t know if I want to go to town” which is a COMPLETE 180 from the last convo. I told her, the woman is coming, we will talk to her. And then an off handed comment “Do you think I can get a shower tonight?” and I said, I’ll check to see what time the football game is on, and we can schedule- and she cut me off. “Well, if it’s so inconvenient, I can’t do it myself, I’m sorry if I’m such a bother.” and more grumbling that I ignored. I simply said, if you need help with a shower, it can be earlier rather than later, you can still get one. OMG seriously. And, get this – she is going to move out of the house, have an auction, sell everything, go somewhere else…and she can’t bath unattended due to fall risk and holding a cup thing over her ear that she never had fixed…etc. etc.

      I. Just. Can’t. today. I’m going for a walk, I’m going to mow the lawn, eat supper, and try to regroup. I can’t deal with her. She needs counseling, help, something, and I can’t give it to her and when I suggested it, she shot me down. I am so glad I work during the week and have other things to keep me busy!

      1. Observer*

        It sounds like you really need to tune her out. You know she’s not selling the house, etc. And you know that her grumbles are not about you.

        You also have power of attorney, so if she DOES start trying to sell the house, you’ll be able to step in and make sure nothing crazy happens.

        1. Rebecca*

          I think you’ll like this – I went for a long walk, like a little over 4 miles, came back to the house and went into the kitchen to fill up my water bottle before mowing the lawn. She was just as sweet as pie “can you open this can for me?” In her infinite wisdom, a few years ago, she threw out the electric can opener in lieu of a hand operated fancy pants thing from some online shopping place. Now she has discovered she can’t open cans. But I can. And, she can’t hold things steadily enough to put them in and out of the oven safely. But I can. I did both, she thanked me, but all the while I was thinking, oh yes, now you’re nice to me.

          1. Earthwalker*

            So sorry to hear you’re dealing with this. Perhaps it’s not about you, though, but just an overflow of anger about getting old and losing capabilities, and you’re just the handiest target for letting off steam. Hope your new PCP can get her – and you – some help.

          2. Seeking Second Childhood*

            I’m sorry you’re going through this. I’d she goes on a “sell this house” rant, though, could you direct that onto “picking an apartment”…and direct it to a 50+ progressive care place? I don’t remember much about the ones she rejected…but maybe it could be “her apartment”, and you could get yours and breathe more easily.
            Hang in there.

    15. WoodswomanWrites*

      Lots of good advice here already about the driving issue. I’m chiming in because I’m thrilled by your closing paragraph that you’re over it and will get your own place as soon as you can swing it financially. I know you’re living in an awful situation–every day you’re one step closer to creating the living situation that you want.

    16. Jean (just Jean)*

      It won’t be a pleasant experience, but having once found an assisted-living situation for your mom, you can do it again. Even if the place is more acceptable than ideal (meaning not unsafe, unsanitary or abusive…just whether it has more or fewer bonus points for additional-nice-to-have features, however you define these). Even when your mother grumbles. Even if the decision is driven more by circumstances than by your own determination. Your mom’s health sounds precarious enough that even semi-independent living may become impossible at some point.

      In the short term, can you find in-home respite care sufficient to buy yourself an occasional break? Can you swap homes with a friend for one night? Or find an inexpensive AirBnB after hiring the assistant? Does Medicare provide any help in paying for in-home aides?

      Thinking good thoughts for you. You’ve propelled yourself through enough aggravation that you really deserve a period of peaceful living. Also, your mom sounds as if she’s determined to remain unhappy no matter what her circumstances.

        1. Auntie Social*

          That’s what I was thinking. There are drop-in senior places for adult caregivers who are traveling, or having surgery themselves, etc. It gives her a chance to try it out, and gives you a break. My MIL’s therapist commented to me on how bitter she seems even tho she has adult kids helping out, more than many people have. She said MIL had this dream of what retirement was going to be, but FIL died suddenly, no one’s paying enough attention to her in her eyes, and she’s losing control of everything. She thinks we should all come for Sunday dinners (that I’d have to cook) but the grandkids have dance and football and their time is spent in the car, and MIL is a bore because she only thinks about herself and complains, so NO one wants to visit. She’s this self-fulfilling prophecy. Therapist told me not to take her personally, or her wanting A one day and B the next, she doesn’t know what she wants she just knows she’s not happy. She also said we should keep diaries of our decisions to cover our butts. It’s just frustration, she’s going to put her on an antidepressant, and hang in there. That helped a lot.

    17. nonegiven*

      The doctor should be telling her she can drive or not. I know MIL’s doctor told her she could drive to the grocery store or the hairdresser but not on the highway.

      1. Observer*

        It sounds like Rebecca’s mother needs to have the keys pretty much taken away, though. And if the doctor is as un-engaged as it sounds from prior posts, the doctor might not realize this. But, let’s hope he does – she sounds like she’s going to be a danger to herself and others even going down the street.

        1. Rebecca*

          Thankfully we have a new PCP that is actually paying attention. I want to put together a list of mental and physical things I’ve noticed and let them know. I am truly afraid she’ll hurt someone.

      2. November*

        I learned in a geriatric evaluation on my aunt that the problem with ‘only driving to the store or hairdresser ” is that, in the event that there is construction, or the traffic pattern changes for any reason, you now have a driver who may have no idea where they are. If they usually turn right at a certain corner to get to the grocery store, but are now forced to detour and turn left, it may take them to very unfamiliar territory. Then you may have a panicked driver forced onto a highway, or accidentally turning onto a one-way the wrong way. Saying “It’s only a few blocks. I know where I’m going.” should trigger a review of their driving ability.

    18. Apt Nickname*

      My grandma’s license expired so she was forced to take a behind-the-wheel test, which she failed. I’m not sure if this was a clever plot on the part of my aunt or serendipity but either way it kept her off the road. She would complain bitterly about losing her license but in the same breath also complain that it took her a few tries to pick up a pen off the table because her depth perception was poor. No acknowledgement that the two just might be related.

    19. NoLongerYoung*

      Sending you a big hug. Taking a deep breath with you. This sounds a bit like burnout. You’ve reached BEC with your own mother – and it is completely understandable. NO judgement here.
      I can recommend (if you want any advice), just saying “I will triage… I can handle one thing at a time. What’s the most important thing? ” Perhaps that is not having to worry that she will hit and kill someone. If so, tackle that first. Treat everything else like an anthropologist… even if you have to keep a journal that says “Tonight the wildebeest was observed complaining 12 times. Would not forage for own food.” Or whatever it takes to put her out of the role of mom (she doesn’t appreciate you enough, I contend, to deserve the title right now… you are an awesome daughter). Just triage the one worst item, and keep a list (don’t carry worries in your head). Then, the next urgent thing. The bills. (you have to make sure property taxes are paid, etc). Then, the funeral arrangements, perhaps. The order of importance is up to you.
      But much like our sorting through our lives to date, just having a plan lets us tune out the “noise” of the negative, and keep recognizing the small wins. YOU HAVE HAD MANY. You will continue. You are just weary right now.
      Is there any way you can get the cousin or someone to come stay the night/ weekend so you can get away and go somewhere else, and just …. sleep? Peacefully?

      Sending you all my warmest thoughts.

    20. LuckySophia*

      Hi Rebecca, so sorry you are dealing with such frustrations!

      RE: driving (or rather, NOT driving) — based on my Pennsylvania relatives, there are two paths to take other than you just hiding keys/saying no. The first is, when her license is due for renewal, she may not be able to pass the tests. In which case the DMV decrees it so. The more direct route is a consult with her physician, in which you may have to brief him first (maybe using reports from her P/T to objectively document her limitations.) Then, ideally, he would schedule her for an appointment, do his own assessment and come to the conclusion that she cannot drive safely, in which case I think as an MD he can basically “yank” her license then and there, and he alerts the DMV that this person is no longer capable of driving.
      That’s not to say your mom might not later attempt to fire up the car and drive herself somewhere sans license. But it sounds like she would not have the physical strength to actually get the car in gear and moving.

      RE: TV remote…arrgh. One of my relatives moved into assisted living and although the remote (and the TV) were hers/from her home….in a different environment she perceived it as a “different” remote that she didn’t know how to use. Despite repeated sessions of “push that red button to turn the tv on and push again to turn off; push that little arrow to change channels.” So I sympathize!

      But I hope you can keep a good thought about yourself; about all the progress you’ve made and great things you have accomplished in getting your own life on track and moving forward in a positive direction…and all the things you have done to better steer your mom’s experiences onto the right track. You have done that in spades, and no matter how unappreciative she is about it, there are lots of internet strangers out here cheering you on and wishing you well.

    21. My Brain Is Exploding*

      This may be mean, but I might take her car key off her key ring and replace it with a car key with a similar appearance. So you haven’t hidden the keys on her… but for some reason she is now unable to start the car. Especially good if her bad hand is the right hand, so you could say – you can drive when you can manipulate the key/shifter/etc. but she won’t be able to. At any rate, hang in there! Rooting for you!

      1. Becky*

        An additional key was given to me when I bought my car that I discovered could unlock the doors but NOT start the engine. I later found out the real key has a transponder or something that allows the engine to turn on but any copies of the key don’t have that transponder won’t turn the engine on, but the doors are purely mechanical so it unlocks those just fine.

    22. Not So NewReader*

      I learned to listen to what people say to get some idea of how their health is going.

      Her health is going very bad, very fast. I am seeing a lot of hopping around from one calamity to another. At some point they will probably have to give her some sedatives just to calm her down.

      Hide the keys. Tell her, “I dunno, mom, where did you put them last?” Make sure they are some place she will never find them. You really don’t have a lot of choices here because she could really hurt someone. But at the same time you can be working on finding a way for her to be told no driving. “Nope, I still have noticed the keys anywhere, Mom. Did you check the last place you had them?”

      Hmmm. A thought that might be easier if possible regarding the driving. Here in NY if you do not renew your registration for a period of time they can ding your license. You might want to check to see what happens if she fails to register her car or Other Legal Thing regarding the car in PA. I can’t be positive but my neighbor lost his license because of failing to register his vehicle. But he let it lapse for a long time. So DMV shut down his license for a period of six months or so. This solved his family’s problem regarding his driving. He knew he could have his license back in May. And he kept saying that. May came and went. In June he was still telling us he could have his license back in May. No one helped him to go get it and he never asked for help to get it. The problem with the driving was over.

    23. lam*

      Please if you take her keys and hide them do not leave them in her home. A friend of a friend took her mother’s keys and hid them in her mother’s home. The mother (who had dementia) found the keys, drove the wrong way down a road and killed a 41 year old mother and herself. The daughter still has not gotten over her guilt many years later. We are sort of dealing with this with my parents (though they gave up the keys voluntarily). They still say they want to drive again. The car is parked at their assisted living facility. One key is at my sister’s house and one key is at my house out of town. We are keeping the car as my mom cannot get into either of sister’s cars and it is difficult for her to get into my car for doctors visits and when we take them to different places.

  79. Foreign Octopus*

    Book thread!

    What’s everyone reading this week?

    I’m halfway through Maya Angelou’s third instalment of her autobiography – Singin’ & Swingin’ & Gettin’ Merry Like Christmas. I’m really enjoying the way she writes and how packed full her life was. She’s done just about everything. I also read God Help the Child by Toni Morrison this week, which is only my second time reading her (after Beloved) and I can’t believe it’s taken me nearly 30 years to stumble across her books. She’s an incredible writer, and I’m looking forward to reading everything she’s written.

    2. Jen Erik*

      I’m stalled halfway through Jasper Ffordes Early Riser: really don’t care about anything that’s happening. Read Picoult’s Small Great Things for book club, which I found a difficult read. In a much more lighthearted vein, read the second in Rainbow Rowell’s Carry On trilogy – Wayward Son – and although I had my doubts about how the characters would play outside their faux-Hogwarts setting, it was an enjoyable read.

    3. Rebecca*

      I’m almost done with The Institute, and find myself wondering if things like this actually happen on some level.

    4. The Other Dawn*

      I just started David Baldacci’s Will Robie series. Robie is an assassin for the US government who finds himself the target when an assignment goes wrong. I’ve loved all of Baldacci’s books, but I’m not yet sure how I feel about this series.

    5. Dr. KMnO4*

      I just finished The Body Is Not An Apology: The Power Of Radical Self-Love by Sonya Renee Taylor. I recommended it in an open thread a few weeks ago. My recommendation has only gotten stronger since I’ve finished it. It made me cry, in a good way. It has had such a profound impact on me that I’ve even started applying things from the book without realizing it. Basically everyone I know is getting a copy of it this Christmas. It’s such a powerful book. One of the best things about it is that the author doesn’t put one group down to lift another up. She points out that everyone suffers from body shame, and that we all can learn and benefit from radical self-love. In my opinion, if you have ever had negative thoughts about your body or anyone else’s body you should read this book.

      I’m about to start Health At Every Size by Linda Bacon, PhD. I’m starting to really move away from worrying about the number on the scale and focusing on being healthy and feeling good.

    6. Reader in ND*

      I’m also reading “Invisible women: data bias in a world designed for men” by Caroline Criado Perez. It’s about how most of the world is designed for men, like car safety tests are done on taller, male crash dummies and females then tend to get more injured when they are in a car accident. It’s good, but absolutely infuriating as well because well, it’s 2019 and how much longer are women going to be invisible?!

      1. General von Klinkerhoffen*

        I adore CCP! If you don’t already follow her on Twitter, do. She also has a newsletter you might enjoy.

        But I can’t bring myself to read the book because everyone says it makes them furious and I don’t need more fury and frustration in my life.

      2. Dr. KMnO4*

        I read that book too, and thought it was fantastic. It really is eye-opening. A similar book that you might find interesting is Technically Wrong by Sara Wachter-Boettcher.

    7. Seven hobbits are highly effective, people*

      I’m re-reading Barbara Hambly’s Windrose Chronicles series. Between work and my hobby stuff both being at busy points in their cycle, I’m not up for reading something new and complicated right now, so I’m going through old favorites instead. (When I get a new book, I tend to drop everything and read it straight through, which doesn’t work if I have other things I’m supposed to be accomplishing with my spare time. With re-reads, since I already know what happens it’s easier for me to read it a bit at a time and put it down when I need to get something else done.)

      I’ll try harder with the whole “reading things I haven’t read before” thing in a few months when I have less other stuff going on. I’m thinking of picking up a subscription to an SF magazine or two so that I’ll have a regular accumulation of short stories delivered to me without me having to remember to seek them out specifically. Short stories are a good way around the “nothing else will happen until I’ve finished this book” problem, but I rarely actually pick up and read all the way through the thematic book-length collections of them I occasionally buy.

      I’m also deliberately waiting to buy both Ben Orlin’s new book and Randall Munroe’s new book until after Christmas since those are both books I can reasonably ask family members to buy me as gifts. (I try to ask for books I’d actually like to discuss with the family members in question as gifts rather than book 14 of an on-going series that they’re not interested in. My dad and I have exactly one on-going series we both read, and my mom and I have no overlap.)

        1. Seven hobbits are highly effective, people*

          I’m a fan of pretty much all of her stuff. I last re-read the Benjamin January books earlier this year.

          The Windrose books are pretty old and fantasy rather than mystery. They show their age in a few places, but I still tend to re-read them about once a year.

        1. Seven hobbits are highly effective, people*

          I’m not a big fan of trying to read books on a screen. I do it for the Hugo packet in the years when I’m a voter, but otherwise I’m very much a print person. I know I miss out on a lot of the short story market that way these days, though.

    8. Raia*

      The African Trilogy, Chinua Achebe – saw it recommended here a few weeks ago, but just did not enjoy the first book… and dont have the mental health capacity right now to use my hobby time to read something I’m not enjoying. It wasnt the violence, idk what it was. Ill keep it on my list to try reading again in a year or two.

      Dresden files – so far enjoying it and on book 3, but finding the intimacy scenes as awkward and pointless? And in the second book, the writing for one particular character kind of screams #menwritingwomen. My friend really loves these books so I want to give my best effort to enjoy them. Gonna start skipping the scenes I dont enjoy to help myself out.

    9. The Original K.*

      Ta-Nehisi Coates’ “The Water Dancer,” his first work of fiction. I’ve read all his other books. I just think he is so brilliant.

    10. Naomi*

      Isaac Asimov’s Black Widowers stories. Despite the author, they’re not sci-fi at all, just little mini-mysteries. Some are better than others, but he pulls off a good twist or two.

    11. Overeducated*

      I just started The History of Living Forever by Jake Wolff. This week I read about half of The Time is Now by Joan Chittister and returned it to the library disappointed, it just felt surprisingly surface level.

    12. Chaordic One*

      It just so happened that today, when I was running errands in my car, the most interesting story about Maya Angelou came on the NPR radio station on a program called, “Studio 360 with Kurt Anderson”. Although she is so well known I learned a few new things about her.

  80. The Other Dawn*

    Here’s to hoping my tenants move out tomorrow and I don’t have to go through the eviction process! Tomorrow is the date stipulated in the Notice to Quit. My lawyer was generous and have them an additional week so I’m hoping they leave. I’m also hoping for a stress-free day today!

    1. General von Klinkerhoffen*

      Fingers crossed for you. I think most people are reasonable when given the opportunity so I’m hopeful.

      1. The Other Dawn*

        Thanks! I’m not truly hopeful, though. They had 2.5 months, followed by another four months (long story, worked out a deal with reduced rent) and I was called “cold” when I told them midnight on X date is the deadline and then eviction starts.

        1. General von Klinkerhoffen*

          I guess it’s hard to feel like you’re losing your home even if all the logical and legal steps have been followed – that is, it feels to them as though your deadline is what’s evicting them, rather than their wider circumstances and actions.

          Fingers still crossed.

          1. The Other Dawn*

            Thanks. Yes, there’s definitely much more to it on their end, most of which is their own doing, but I can’t just let them live there rent-free forever, which is what’s happening now.

            Let’s hope tomorrow I get a message that they’ve left.

  81. Sleepless*

    Credit cards for air miles! Any favorites? My CC gives reward points that can be used for different things including travel rewards, but are there any, like the ones from the airlines themselves, that give a better return? I live in a Delta hub city so they are the easiest airline for me, but I like Southwest too. We’re about to pay off some small business debt and this might be a good time to change CCs, so I’d love advice from people who use this sort of thing a lot.

    1. Sprechen Sie Talk?*

      Have a look at onemileatatime.com. If you can run a small business card and a personal card there are a ton of bonuses on certain cards that can add up to some pretty nice perks. Lucky on that site lays it all out and reviews a lot of the newer card options. Pretty sure he just did a review of one of the newer Delta cards.

      Caution – playing the miles game can get addictive and you won’t ever want to fly coach again! :)

  82. AvonLady Barksdale*

    Remedies for bags under the eyes? Lately mine have lingered much longer than they used to. I’ve always woken up with some eye puffiness, but now I still look fresh out of bed hours later. So go the early 40s.

    I’m looking for home remedies or a good cream/serum, preferably not terribly expensive but I’m open.

    1. Life sucks sometimes*

      I watched a movie called “The Help” where the knowledgable maid recommended Cisco for eye bags.

      Worth a try and cheap too!

      1. ThatGirl*

        I would not put shortening under my eyes. It’s not really meant for human skin. And The Help is set in the 60s.

        2. Life sucks sometimes*

          Off label use of Crisco has worked for generations and is completely safe for human skin.

          Note that makeup is not FDA regulated and can contain all sorts of chemicals not listed on the label – many if which are not meant for human skin, but are included as a preservative and to keep the ingredients from separating.

          1. ThatGirl*

            I’m not saying it’s toxic or anything but it’s not made for skin, not gonna reduce dark circles or puffiness, and may be comedogenic.

              1. ThatGirl*

                I don’t, I just would never put vegetable shortening under my eyes. Next you’re going to tell me you use butter as a moisturizer?

        3. Seven hobbits are highly effective, people*

          If you want to try something similar to Crisco but not Crisco specifically, you could also try coconut oil. I generally wouldn’t worry safety-wise about using any food as a cosmetic since food safety rules are equally or more stringent than cosmetic safety rules. Many foods may not be particularly effective as cosmetics, but you’re unlikely to poison yourself or cause long-term damage using them.

          I use coconut oil for my dry hands and as an occasional dry scalp treatment, and it works well for those things. I’ve never tried it for bags under my eyes. I’d probably try chamomile tea bags for that (let them cool a bit first). Tea bags work to soothe the tea when you’ve been crying too much and your eyes are irritated from that.

          1. SkinClear Tech*

            Coconut is is EXTREMELY comodogenic – please be super careful about using it on your face. If your skin is oily or acne prone, don’t risk it. If it’s dry, a tiny bit MIGHT be OK. But honestly, I’d never risk it myself. There are so many better products that won’t clog your pores.

            Coconut oil is one of those overhyped products that a lot of people tout as a cure-all, and it doesn’t have many of the benefits that they claim.

            1. AvonLady Barksdale*

              That was my impression as well, that coconut oil would be terrible for my skin. Besides that, my issues are puffiness, not dryness– the bags themselves are actually a bit oily (I have combination skin and I’m acne prone, which I’ve learned to lean into as I get older).

              And while I appreciate the suggestion, Crisco goes nowhere on my body except maybe my fingers when I’m making pie crust!

            2. Seven hobbits are highly effective, people*

              I’m sensitive to pretty much everything (no scented products and so on), so when I find something that I don’t react to, I stick with it. Coconut oil is on the list of “things that I can both eat and use on my hands without regretting it later”, which is not a very long list. I don’t use anything on my face, though. It’s hard enough finding shampoo, so I’m not going to also add makeup to the endless quest for personal care products my skin can cope with.

    2. WellRed*

      There are several serums that come in a roller ball style which I believe helps redistribute the fluid to deputations. You want something cooling. Also, maybe cold compress tea bags?

      1. Pennalynn Lott*

        Yep, I use the tea bags from yesterday’s morning cup (that way I don’t have to wait for them to cool down). I keep them on a saucer in the kitchen and rotate them out every morning. I put a little bit of cold water on the leftovers, to turn them into a compress and not just a bag of dried leaves.

        Just be sure to wash your face and hands afterward because your skin will discolor from the tannins (meaning, the puffiness will go down but now you’ve got dark circles under your eyes).

        Also, check out any eye cream that contains caffeine. Those have helped me as well.

    3. Claire (Scotland)*

      The only thing I’ve found that worked for me was The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG – I had given up on eye products until someone I really trust on skincare recommended this one to me. It eliminated the puffiness completely and reduced the dark circles considerably.

    4. Chaordic One*

      After applying a good night cream (I usually use L’Oreal Revitalift or Olay Regenerist) seal the moisture in by applying a layer of petroleum jelly over the eye cream. I find that it helps to flatten out the bags under my eyes and that when I don’t moisturize in this way the bags under my eyes wrinkle up like raisins.

    5. Not So NewReader*

      Not trying to be scary but consider having your heart checked. Bags can *sometimes* indicate stuff going on with heart rhythm. I got rid of mine with vitamin B.

  83. JDC*

    Finally truly cold this weekend. Was cooling down last week but now it is fully here. Frost on the car….ugh wish I had a garage. The kid is at his moms in CA all last week and through this week and husband has Monday off since he is government. We went to breakfast at the little diner I love near our house yesterday and this a.m. I made bacon, eggs and toast. I bought at Home Goods one of those tiny pans for eggs, just fits an egg. I had wanted one to make my eggs for sandwiches. I make a MEAN breakfast sandwich. Also, since the kid is out I can take baths right now. He has the only bathtub in the house and….well, teenage boys bathrooms…no. When he is out of town I bleach the heck out of it so I can have baths. I used to take one daily so our next place my number one requirement is a bathtub in the master.

    Today is just going to involve hanging out inside, staying warm and being lazy. For some reason as I get older I enjoy watching the cheesy Lifetime movies. Go figure.

    Ok so here is how I need help. I bought some booties recently. I have had an aversion to them for a while but with the cold weather I needed more winter friendly shoes.

    I bought these: https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/blondo-nina-waterproof-suede-boot-women/5281217

    I cannot manage to style them so I feel they look good. This is likely all in my head and my past aversion to them but I want to try. I bought a cheaper pair since I wasn’t sure I would wear them but I want to. I tried a bit shorter jeans since the idea is they don’t quite touch the boot. I’ve cuffed my jeans. I just think they look off. I have searched every pic possible and am doing the same thing but it just makes me think my legs look cut off and silly. I have VERY long legs so again, likely in my head but if someone has tips on styling that I am not finding or thinking of I would LOVE it. These are waterproof and really comfy so I want to try to wear them this season.

    1. fposte*

      Those are so gorgeous they made me breathe heavy.

      I don’t know your fashion practice, but it took me awhile to get used to cuffing my jeans with boots, since the previous trend had emphasized the length of pant leg instead. I’m still not entirely on board the show-a-sliver-of-skin thing, since I’m usually wearing taller socks anyway, so I’m not strict about that.

      You didn’t mention non-jeans, but ankle boots like that look great with skirts and even dresses. I like them either with a shorter length–like well above the knee–or a much longer length, but I don’t like them with straight skirts cut at the knee (might work with more gathered or poofy skirts), but then I have stumpy little legs so things might look different on you.

    2. Oldster*

      As a 60+ year old I understand your issue. My daughter has these type of boots. I’m not sure what she wears them with. She lives far away and when I see her she’s wearing athletic shoes and leggings. I think you will just have to wear your pants however you like them and let the look be the look. It takes a while to get used to different looks especially when they are yours.
      Decided to Google and found this.
      How to wear ankle boots on Jolynneshane dot com

      1. valentine*

        wear your pants however you like them and let the look be the look.
        Yes. I would wear bootcut jeans with these but anything will do.

      2. Jdc*

        Thank you so much for that website. I’m just going to give it a try. I find our mirrors lie to us. I too always see my mom in more comfy clothing. So missing our Sunday shopping and lunch. We are planning to move near her in the next 6 months and I cannot wait!

    3. Not A Manager*

      Those boots are adorable. If you don’t like cuffing your jeans, try a pair that tapers over the calf and ankle rather than flaring (or at least is a straight cut), and just let them fall naturally. They’ll either slip down into the boot top a bit, or they’ll scrunch themselves up above the boot top.

      Another option is to get something with an aggressively wide bottom and let it just fall as it will around the top of the boot. That wouldn’t work for me because I’m short and have heavy hips anyway, so the last thing I want is to be wider at my bottom half, but since you’re tall it might work better for you.

      Whatever you choose, don’t obsess about it. Pick something that is “good enough” or “best of a bad lot” and just wear it. No one is looking as closely at your boot tops as you are. Once you wear them a few times, they’ll stop bugging you so much. (Or, if they do keep bugging you, at that point you’ll know that you will never like them.)

    4. JDC*

      Thanks all. I really won’t wear them with dresses or skirts. That is the look I dislike them most. I like cuffing my jeans but I just cannot get my head around it looking right. I’m about to go run errands so think I am just going to do it. It isn’t a huge deal but I’ll have it all on, be about to walk out the door and say “eh this doesn’t look right” and change them. I may just have husband take a pic so I can convince myself it looks ok and stop obsessing in front of the mirror.

      I’m from CA and almost always wear high heels so me getting used to flat and winter shoes is taking a while ha. I have a few pairs of loafers now for not freezing but cool weather, some true winter boots, a good pair of leather boots (waterproof) and now these…oh plus tall boots of course (lots of those). I keep seeing people looking so cute with them on Pinterest so I am going to keep trying. I have long legs so logically it shouldn’t look like my legs are being cut off, it just is my block with this style. Worst case I will send them to my BFF who I know wears them often and is my same size. I took a change since Nords was having their anniversary sale and they were a good deal…plus, waterproof!

      1. Reba*

        I have one pair of jeans whose inside /wrong side of the fabric is nearly as fake as the outside — as opposed to a lot of denims where the wrong side is much lighter. I prefer the darker ones for cuffing because there is less contrast. Lately I also like to almost roll more than fold the jeans, making a smaller and more casual cuff. These are already skinny jeans so there’s not much bulk to the cuff.

        The boots are gorgeous.

  84. Paging Elementary parents*

    How much if/at all do you want to get to know parents before letting your young elementary schooler go over for a playdate? My kindergartener wants to have all her new friends over for a playdate, and I want to strike a balance between overbearing (“let’s meet for coffee, go over my resume, and give you a full tour of my home before she comes over”) and “you don’t know me or my kid at all but is it cool if they come over?” I’m used to doing the latter, but only because my kid went to a preschool where I at least *saw* the parents at dropoff/pickup.

    And when you meet the parents, what are you feeling out? Do you ever say no to playdates at people’s houses after meeting them? Why? Curious if it’s stuff like “they have too many animals” or “When we met at the playground that mom came off like a loon” (and if so, what is Loon Behavior?). Or…presence of a pool? IDK, I’m new to this!

    1. Thankful for AAM*

      Try to have all the play dates at your house for a while. You can get to know parents that way. You can be direct, lets chat about things b4 the kids exchange . . . but if you dont want to do that, see below.

      I’d also just say to be direct and talk to the other parents about your questions. Little one wants to do playdates with your little one, but this is new to me when I dont already know the parents. How do you hanndle it? This will give you answers but will also let you bring up the topic in the quise of asking for help rather than appearing to grill them right away.

      Also, you need to ask if they practice gun safety if they have guns at their house. Say, people tell me I should ask that but it feels so awkward.

    2. Not A Manager*

      Since you’re asking what the OTHER parents will want to know, I think it can just run the gamut. Are your kids young enough that you can include the parent in the invite if they want to come over? That way that can vet you or not, as they choose.

      You can explicitly offer that the parent can drop the kid off OR that they are welcome to stay and have a cup of coffee with you.

    3. Mimosa Jones*

      Best thing to do is to be open to whatever the parent wants and leave enough time between invite and event to let them meet you if they’d like. You don’t have to say anything more beyond the invitation. The parents who want to meet will take the first step. My daughter has an early school year birthday and the area has a dynamic population. Guaranteed each year we’d have at least one new kid in the class that I’d have to find contact information for. I’ve had parents ask to meet at a coffee shop and I’ve had parents I’ve never met drop their kids off without getting out of the car. Both were for slumber parties. For this age I’d include a ‘parents welcome’ statement, invite the parent to stay at drop-off, and have a special grown up food or something to show it wasn’t an empty invitation.

      I’ve yet to say no to a place, but there was one time when I maybe should have. It turned out fine, and I wasn’t getting any bad vibes, but I was sort of mislead about who would be supervising. I don’t think intentionally, there was a cultural and language difference, but I should have asked more questions at drop off. My mom told me that I had a couple friends that were always welcome at our place but that she made sure I never played at their house. She didn’t remember who or why.

    4. LilySparrow*

      When the kids were little, it was normal to do stay-and-play, so I’d invite one of the parents over for coffee/tea and we’d chat while they played. Or we’d hang out at the park. We didn’t do dropoff playdates with new people till they were in 2nd or 3rd grade.

      Red flags are just anything that comes up in conversation that would make you uncomfortable. Sometimes it’s the way they talk to their child. Sometimes it’s that they reek of smoke. Once it was that they told me a very long story about how the child in question has an older sibling, for whom their parental rights were terminated due to severe neglect.

      You just listen.

  85. Igotta Cold*

    Went to a friend’s party that had super cool fire juggling.

    Now: Aunt Flo+came down with a cold. Scratchy voice, twitchy gonna-sneeze nose. Probably spending today on the couch knitting. I have a humidifier, Vitamin C powder, fish oil, hot tea.

    What remedies work when you have a cold? (Please don’t say Neti pots, I don’t own one).

    1. anon24*

      I like taking nice hot baths. Breathing in the steam helps. If you have Epsom salts you can add them and I also sometimes like adding essential oils just for the aromatherapy. After the bath lots of hot tea and water to help flush my system. If I feel healthy enough and it’s cold out I like to bundle up and go for a walk. The cold air helps to clear my head.

    2. fposte*

      FWIW, you don’t need to own a Neti pot to do a saline irrigation. Boil the water for five minutes for safety, then let it cool. Then add a little bit of salt, and put it in whatever container you’ve got. Suck and pour simultaneously. A Neti pot makes it easier, but I’ve done emergency saline irrigation with hotel plastic cups.

      1. Huh?*

        Suck and pour simultaneously?? I watched my mother use a Neti pot for YEARS and I can’t even picture where the sucking and pouring are happening here.

        1. fposte*

          I’m not sure I can describe it, and it sounds like some kind of elephant tutorial :-). But you know how when you drink a beverage out of a cup you tilt it toward you so it’s flowing toward you but also can put some suction on it to suck it down faster (that’s where a slurp comes from–unless you close your lips completely when you suck, the inrush of air will make it slurp)? Do that but with your nose–tilt, pour, inhale gently.

        1. Seeking Second Childhood*

          Do you have a turkey baster? I wouldn’t use the bulb part–too hard to sterilize — but the bottom part could work in a pinch. Or a food-safe toy teapot.
          In case you just hate the concept, I’ll stop there. Vick”s Vapo Rub for me!

    3. Red Sky*

      Hot chicken broth with a squeeze of lime and dash of cayenne pepper is really soothing for me when I’m dealing with a cold or sore throat.

    4. Pony tailed wonder*

      Put vaporub on your feet and then put a pair of thick socks over them. I have heard it cuts down on your coughing. It feels so nice and your feet are moisturized in the morning.

    5. The Ginger Ginger*

      I do hot orange juice instead of tea. Sounds weird, but it’s actually really tasty, soothing, and a nice citrus-y boost.

    6. Traffic_Spiral*

      Whiskey Toddy. Boiling water, lemon juice, honey, Irish Whiskey. Some people add cinnamon, nutmeg or clove. Kills the pain, soothes the sore throat, gives the vit. C, and it’s tasty.

  86. Loopy*

    A little late this week but does anyone have recommendations for suuuuper warm winter leggings? Preferrably fleece lined? I’d like to find something I can wear for short periods outside (max a hour or two) under a dress in 35-40 F degree weather. Does such a thing exist? So overwhelmed by the 1289742039 options out there. Can anyone help? My eyes are crossing!

      1. YB*

        Yessss these for sure. I have several pairs and they’re great. I also often put a short-sleeved version of the top under the dress — keeping my core warm means my legs stay warmer too.

        My only complaint is that the leggings can get a little see-thru over time, so I use them more like “tights” and less like “leggings under tunic” if that makes sense? They seem to maintain their warmth even after many washings.

      2. Raia*

        Another vote for Uniqlo heattech, been using their leggings and long sleeve crews as my second skin fall thru early spring. So soft and warm!

    3. Reba*

      I have a set of cuddleduds fleece leggings that are very warm, hold their shape, and are cheapish, sold at places like Target and Kohl’s. They are just fleece, not fleece lined.

    4. Seeking Second Childhood*

      Hot Chilly’s winter thermal tights. Bought them for shovelling my car out of a snow bank on the way to work.

  87. Thankful for AAM*

    Removed because work-related. (I know it’s your feelings about work, but it’s easier to moderate, and for everyone to understand what is and isn’t allowed, if I keep a pretty bright line.) – Alison

  88. Bibliovore*

    Travel advice please. London. I have an opportunity to travel to Cambridge England for business around December 11 for a few days and adding vacation to the end and be in London. I have plenty of vacation days and coming up to my 60th birthday and the husbands 70th. We are bookstore and library people who have never been to Great Britain and might not again given my own limitations. We like good food. I will be making a pilgrimage to Harrods. Since the planning time is short I would love recommendations for places to stay on my own dime. (no five stars but no bedsits) Walkable would be great. Things we shouldn’t miss? Tips for lowering traveling stress? Thinking about 7 days including perhaps a train trip out of the city. Haven’t ever done air b&b but thinking about it.

    1. Not A Manager*

      I would definitely look into airbnb/vrbo type of thing. In my experience, you get a lot more for your money especially in expensive capital cities.

      I’m sure you’ll find lots of recs online, but my personal favorite is the British Museum.

      The Churchill War Rooms are a small museum of Churchill’s actual underground bunker during WWII. It’s very well done, with a walk thru of the original space and then really interesting interactive exhibits in a separate space. I’m not a big military history buff but I really enjoyed it.

      1. Bibliovore*

        Thank you. Tips on the airbnb/vrbo front? What to look out for? My concerns are cleanliness. Accessibility. No smoking (asthma) I am having trouble reading the postings and since they don’t say exactly where they are located concerned about that.

        1. General von Klinkerhoffen*

          Do they mention a tube stop? They might say e.g. “five minutes from Camden Town” so you check the Tube map for Camden Town and see what line it’s on and how far out. The London Underground is honestly so easy to use as a tourist that it’s worth planning your visit around it, and if you are in Zone 1 then the daily cost is capped at a very reasonable level (under US$10) no matter how many journeys you make.

          While you are in Cambridge, check out the art trails (https://www.cambridgesculpturetrails.co.uk/) for a walk round some of the less headlined parts of the city. There’s incredible art everywhere. You will be out of the season so may need to check opening times and availability.

        2. fposte*

          I confess I haven’t used either service, but when I look at the AirBnB app, it does have a location pin on the map for the rental even though it doesn’t give an address; the map includes tube stations, so you can see roughly how close it is to a tube station. The app also has many really specific toggles for accessibility, ranging from entry stairs to width of hallways to whether there’s a hoist for the swimming pool.

          Are you thinking rental rather than hotel because you’d like a kitchen?

          1. Bibliovore*

            yes, I need to have some kitchen access or at least a fridge because of medication needs. yes the location on that map is good but I need to do more research about distance to the subway etc.

        3. londonedit*

          I’m not sure about AirBnB if you want central London (you mention walkable). Most people who own properties to rent on AirBnB don’t live right in the centre of the city! I would look at hotel chains if I were you and you want to be within walking distance of the tourist sites. Premier Inn is always decent quality and reasonably priced.

        4. Not A Manager*

          I’ve used so many of those services that I can’t remember the differences between each one, but usually you can either specify certain neighborhoods that you’re interested in, or you can zoom into an area on the map and search only in that area.

          My system is to open each property that looks interesting to me in a separate tab. Then I scroll through the photos, paying attention to things that matter to me – for us, it’s a reasonably well-equipped kitchen, good natural light, and not too packed with little knick-knacks and tchotchkes. YMMV on what matters to you. Interior design really matters to my husband and affects his mood, so I try to respect that.

          I close the tab on anything that doesn’t meet the basic look-see. Then I go and look at the stars and reviews on the properties that interest me, and eliminate the ones that have serious issues. That would include cleanliness, smoke, and heavy scents. Finally, I bring the top selections to my husband and we look at them together.

          I’ve already screened for neighborhood and price, but this is the time that we look very carefully at the location on the map. Sometimes my husband will look on google maps to get the street view. We think about things like accessibility to public transport.

          “Walkability” in a city like London has a lot of meanings – to us it means that we can get a cup of coffee or pick up some groceries on foot, and that if we wanted to go for a stroll it would be pleasant. There is no place in London where you can walk to everything else in London. If you want to be able to walk to major attractions, then I agree with the poster above that you will be better off in a hotel – but you will also pay a premium for that accessibility. We’d rather take the Tube for a few stops and have a nicer space, but that’s a trade-off.

          1. Bibliovore*

            This is all exactly what I need to consider. And it is a money thing. I really hate giving a lot of money to a meh hotel. Just did that in DC for ALA and THAT really affects how I feel about things. You have given me a good rubric to follow.

            1. Not A Manager*

              One thing I like about a home-share is that you can sometimes self-cater. We have coffee and a light breakfast at home, and we usually get cheese and crackers or something similar so that we can have an afternoon snack or an easy meal if we want to.

              I don’t mind paying for a nice restaurant meal. It bugs me to pay Capital City prices for coffee and a pastry, or for a stale sandwich.

    3. fposte*

      British Library, Bibliovore. They almost always have a good youth-related exhibit on (looks like Literature’s Young Rebels will be on when you’re there), and the Treasures of the British Library on show are always amazing. It’s really easy to get to–it’s right between Euston Station and Kings Cross, and if you’re in walking mode it’s not that far from Bloomsbury, either.

      I don’t know if it’s worth a tourism stop or not, but as a children’s lit person I think Bunhill Fields cemetery is fascinating: John Bunyan, William Blake, Daniel Defoe, and Isaac Watts are all buried there, which really illuminates the importance nonconformist faith had for children’s literature. It’s not likely to be on your way to anything else, unfortunately, but it’s close to Old Street tube station.

      1. fposte*

        Oh, and if you’re on Piccadilly, Hatchards is the oldest bookstore in London. At one point the top floor had a wonderful view of St. James, which is one of my favorite areas of London for history. It’s also right next to Fortnum and Mason, whose food halls I slightly prefer to Harrod’s. That’s also a wonderful area if you want to do a posh afternoon tea–the Ritz does one, Fortnum’s does one, and it looks like both the Stafford Hotel and Dukes Hotel, both on my favorite St. James secret side street, do them.

        1. londonedit*

          Seconding the fact that Fortnums is better than Harrods! Also there’s a lovely bar on the top floor of Waterstones Piccadilly which is nearby.

          If you like good food I’d also recommend exploring King’s Cross – it’s been vastly regenerated in recent years and there are food trucks by the station and all manner of things in Coal Drops Yard.

          2. fposte*

            Oh, it looks like I’m conflating the top floor of Hatchards with the top floor of the Waterstones–it’s the Waterstones with the great view, and that’s in the bar space. (They’re nearly next door to each other.)

            1. londonedit*

              Ooh, also, there’s a new bar at Fortnums called 3 and 6 (it’s where people used to go to order their Fortnums cocktail parties) which is definitely worth a visit.

        2. Jen Erik*

          We also had a nice afternoon tea in Dalloway Terrace in the Bloomsbury Hotel, if you want to keep to a literary theme. It wasn’t too far from the British Museum.

          1. londonedit*

            The Bloomsbury Hotel also has a fab bar called The Coral Room which I’d recommend. On Gower Street is the Academy Hotel which is very sweet and has been newly done up – their bar is a great stop for a G&T and I think they also do afternoon tea (haven’t tried it but the place in general is nice!)

    4. General von Klinkerhoffen*

      Look into a visit to the Cambridge UL if you haven’t already, and see how many others you can sneak into. There must be a hundred libraries in Cambridge, college and departmental, with contents and architecture spanning centuries. A little phoning or emailing ahead would give you a fantastic self-guided tour of the city.

      Also look out the Haunted Book Shop, Heffers (obvs) and CUL shop.

      1. General von Klinkerhoffen*

        Oxford is an easy day trip from London (and vice versa) if you wanted to follow in the fantasy footsteps of Carroll, Lewis, Tolkein, et al.

    5. Claire (Scotland)*

      I can’t advise on the AirBnB route, I always stay in hotels in London. But as for what to do, I can recommend:

      *The British Library – not to be missed. Often has AMAZING exhibitions (the Anglo-Saxons exhibition I went to in January was the best one I’ve ever been to) but the standing treasures of the BL exhibition is worth visiting itself. Near King’s Cross station.
      *Foyles – massive bookshop with great cafe, on Charing Cross Road
      *Word on the Water – repurposed barge, now a floating secondhand bookshop on the canal. The proprietors are great.
      * Daunt Books – Instagram-worthy interiors, something of a travel focus, lovely place to wander
      *The British Museum – incredible collections. I could spend a week here. (If you enjoy museums the V&A, the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum are all great too.)
      *Shakespeare’s Globe – the tour is worth doing here.

      I also recommend spending a day in Greenwich. You can take a Thames clipper boat down the Thames or the DLR. You can visit the fascinating Royal Observatory, the excellent National Maritime Museum, a great market, the Cutty Sark, the Old Royal Naval College, the Queen’s Hall and much more. I often stay there when visiting London – you can be in the centre of the city in half an hour but it’s calmer, quieter and greener. I love it.

      1. londonedit*

        One of my favourite London day trip recommendations is to get the cable car (officially called the Emirates Air Line) from the north side of the river over to Greenwich, and then get the Clipper back to central London (Embankment Pier, for example, which is just down from Trafalgar Square). Great fun!

        1. Claire (Scotland)*

          Yeah, the cable car is fun! We used it one time when leaving Greenwich after staying overnight for a show at the O2 – the views are fab.

      2. Seeking Second Childhood*

        Don’t be me and not realize ahead of time that the building at 84 Charing Cross Road was torn down some time after the bookstore closed. It was a sad discovery.
        I’m a fan of the Museum of the City of London. If you’re an avid & agile walker, consider contacting Thames Discovery ahead of time to find out if there is a mudlarking tour happening while you’re there. (People were breaking the rules and digging in restricted, archaeologically sensitive areas, so now any mudlarker must have a permit.)

    6. Bibliovore*

      These are great suggestions! Now I am getting excited. I am trying to look at the place to stay that is easily accessible to the British Library. I am thinking like a Brooklyn to Manhattan commute. Thank you Fposte, you really get what I am looking for. I have a business trip to NYC next week and there will be a stop at the Morgan. I DO want to go to Oxford, nice to know that is doable. I am children’s books, Mr. Bibliovore not so much but we when we met he was the Penguin rep and I was a bookstore clerk so I know he will have his own pilgrimages in mind.

      1. londonedit*

        St Giles Hotel is very easy for the British Museum and is also close to Tottenham Court Road, Goodge Street, Warren Street and Euston stations.

        1. londonedit*

          AND I’ve just noticed you said British Library, not Museum! You want King’s Cross or Euston – I’d definitely recommend a hotel chain over an independent hotel in those areas.

          1. londonedit*

            Although actually, hey, why not stay at St Giles or somewhere similar anyway. I’m not sure what a Brooklyn to Manhattan commute is like in time terms, but Tottenham Court Road is mega central and easy for the British Library as well as the Museum. You’re also right next to Charlotte Street which has a ridiculous number of restaurants (all good, whole range of prices and poshness) and the Charlotte Street Hotel which is worth a visit for a cocktail in the bar. You can also wander down Charing Cross Road to Trafalgar Square (this does get busy but you won’t be there at peak tourist time).

            General recommendations: if you’re worried about the Tube then do avoid rush hour (before 9:30am and between 5-6:30pm) and make sure you figure out your journey before you set off. There’s a great app called Citymapper that will give you all the travel options to/from a particular point. You could also set your hotel as ‘home’ and then you just need to press the ‘get me home’ button and it’ll tell you how to get there from wherever you are! Generally for the Tube you just need a sense of whether you’re going north or south, or east or west depending on which line you’re taking. It looks complicated but it isn’t!

            1. Jen Erik*

              And if you do end up near Charing Cross/Trafalgar Square, you could nip into Benjamin Franklin house. I’m open to being wrong about this, but I think it’s the only place he lived that is still standing.

              1. Bibliovore*

                I am originally from Philadelphia. If you ever get there, his house is an archeological dig with quotes from his wife Sarah engraved into the stone. I think the gist of what I remember is Ben when are you coming home” Definitely will visit while in London. Thanks for the recommendation.

    7. Weegie*

      In London, a good place to stay is the Penn Club. A lot of academics stay there, and it’s very close to the British Museum, etc. It’s very civilised, with always someone nteresting to talk to, and it has a space where you can eat your own food. No lift, though, so if mobility is an issue, that’s something to consider. You don’t have to be a member to stay there, and the prices are reasonable (for London!). It’s very popular, so advance booking is recommended.

    8. Anonymouse for this*

      I like aparthotels/serviced apartments when I’m in London eg Staycity, Citadines, Marriott Residence Inn or Marlin depending on where you want to be.

      Globe Theatre is worth a visit and they should have a xmas show on while you’re there. Tate Modern is also nearby and Southbank Centre.

      If you do a Timeout London search for bookshops it’ll give you some ideas.

      If you like street food/food trucks then try Kerb food market by Kings Cross train station

    9. Bagpuss*

      Older residential buildings won’t normally have lifts (elevators), so ask about stairs etc. Bear in mid that in the UK, street level = ground floor, up one storey = first floor, and so on, (I think in the US the first floor would be at street level?)

      Walkable depends on what in London you want – which area do you want to be based in? Kings Cross / St Pancras is good if you want the British Library, (but there are also still some pretty crappy areas around there,) Bloomsbury or Fitzrovia for the British Museum. Kensington for the V&A, and so on. You may do better to look for proximity to tube (underground) stations the TFL website ( https://tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey/) is useful for planning how to get around (and you can specify how far you want to walk , whether you need level access etc)

      You can get from Cambridge to London pretty easily by train. Where else are you interested in visiting?

    10. Bagpuss*

      If you are a Jane Austen fan then Bath is an easy day trip from London – direct trains from Paddington twice an hour, taking around 90 minutes – you can visit the Assembly Rooms and the Pump Room (and the Roman Baths, which are not Austen but are interesting) and the Jane Austen centre.

      I second the suggestions to visit the British Library and (my personal favourite) the British Museum (the reading room there was the original British Library, and is now used for exhibitions and a restaurant. Incidentally, there can be long queues outside the gates, to get into the BM, especially at weekends, due to the security checks, but if you have pre-booked for any of the exhibitions you can skip the queue .

      There are still lots of 2nd hand/specialist book shops on Charing Cross Road and Cecil Court.

      If you are a Dickens fan you can visit the Charles Dickens Museum in Doughty Street, which was his London home, and Samuel Johnson’s home in Gough Square,in Holborn, is also now a museum you can visit (it’s close to the Old Cheshire Cheese pub, on Fleet Street, which has a lot of historic and literary associations.

      Food – a current favourite of mine is Monica Galetti’s restaurant, ‘Mere’, on Charlotte Street – and they do a very reasonably priced lunch menu .

      Have a wonderful trip!

    11. Fikly*

      Charing Cross Road is a must wander – it’s lined with tiny amazing specialized bookstores, or at least it was when I lived there in 2005. I was lucky (or unlucky – it was dangerous!) to live a 5 minute walk from there.

  89. YB*

    I might post this again next week since I probably missed most of the commenters, but I’m considering expanding my pronoun options, and I want to make sure I’m not being insensitive or disrespectful.

    Short version: I’m a cis woman, but I am also comfortable with they/them as a pronoun for myself — I don’t have a strong attachment to gender-specific pronouns. Would listing “she/her or they/them” be inconsiderate in any way to non-binary/agender people?

    I work in a field where we list pronouns in our email signatures and often announce them in meetings.

    Thanks for any feedback! I’d particularly appreciate feedback from non-cis individuals.

    1. YB*

      (I mentioned the work thing as an aside because it comes up there as well, but it’s not a work question because I’m asking about the situation generally, not just in that context. Thanks!)

    2. Cat*

      Personally I don’t think it’s offensive or appropriation but as a practical matter, it would make me u sure which pronouns to use which might be confusing for people.

      1. RandomPoster*

        Agreed – as nothing more than an ally it would give me a moment of confusion on which pronouns you actually use. Like maybe you want they/them but we’re nervous of fully making the leap? I’m not sure.

    3. LGC*

      …no advice, but that actually reminds me of a couple of threads from this week’s work open and last weekend’s FFA. I’ll post the links below.

      I am a cis guy so I’m uniquely unqualified to speak on this. But it seemed like in the work open, the poster was confused by the “she/they” construction when someone used it (I personally would think that it’s either “she” or “they,” with no strong preference, but that’s my opinion).

  90. Anon woman with breast cancer*

    Hello all, no one is likely to see this but want to share. If you are a woman, you may know it is breast cancer awareness month. DO YOUR BREST SELF CHECKS. I found a lump recently. I have cancer surgery in next two weeks, then chemo and radiation and anti-hormone drugs planned. I am being positive as it is very treatable, and I asked for anti-mausea-chemo-recipes recently. I found a local free cancer counseling service that has a library with cookbooks and other books too. I have a PET CT scan this week and meet my surgeon. I am feeling OK so I am glad I am getting counseling. Thanks for the folks who gave me the ACS 800 number and other advice last weekend. Thanks all too for such a great community in which to share things.

    1. Loves Libraries*

      Hi. My doctor found a lump on Thursday. I’ve had them before and he has always been very reassuring that he didn’t think it was serious. He said very little on Thursday. Mammogram and ultrasound Monday morning. Best of luck to you.

    2. NoLongerYoung*

      Thank you for reminding people. Knowledge is power…. not doing the test means you have no choices. Knowing gives you more time than skipping the test/exams!

      Wishing you the best possible treatment outcomes….

    3. WoodswomanWrites*

      I hope everything goes well for you. Thanks for your thoughtfulness in posting this reminder.

  91. PizzaSuccess*

    Hi all, so I succesfully made a homemade pizza that was restaurant quality in my opinion! The dough is made ahead of time and put in the fridge for a few days. I think it is from Milk Street’s website. But then I learned the trick is to get the center of the dough so thin that it’s almost see through. The crust part can be thicker but the main part needs to be very thin. Place your toppings on and carefully get it onto your pizza stone, which is tricky even with a pizza peel. I used fresh mozzarella pearls and that made such a huge difference over your standard bag of low moisture mozzarella. It was sooooo good! I was sad my celiac boyfriend couldn’t taste it.

    1. Jdc*

      Thank you for sharing this. My Italian aunt has perfect pizza recipe but of course it’s more learned than a recipe. I think I could be one of those people who puts a pizza oven in the backyard even though they say people never use them. My love for pizza is right up there with my love for my mother, dog and husband. Eh, maybe more. Shhh don’t tell them.

      I want to try this topping i had once: sweet corn, spicy pepperoni, arugula…I think that’s basically it. Oh and zucchini. It sounds maybe eh but it was beyond amazing.

    2. Xavier89*

      I sometimes like making pizza at home from the dough you can buy at Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods, but I don’t have the patience to roll it out thin so really it’s more like big breadsticks when I make it haha

      1. PizzaSuccess*

        It’s more of a stretching with your fingers that works better I think. And you have to stretch it, let it rest a bit, stretch, rest, etc. Otherwise it’s just fighting with the dough and not getting anywhere. I think it’s the gluten that makes it need to be rested now and then.

  92. Anono-me*

    Can anyone recommend some good websites for ideas on how to deal with cell phone problems when you’ve not been able to find a reasonable solutions from the cell phone company?

    1. BRR*

      I don’t know a specific site but I’ve had decent luck googling the make and model of whatever and the issue (although it can sometimes be a challenge to describe the problem in the google-correct way)

    2. MatKnifeNinja*

      YouTube has always been my friend when my phone is acting up. Someone has made a vid about the particular problem.

    3. Observer*

      A lot depends on the brand, as well. Some manufacturers have really good resources on their sites. Others? Blech.

      If you have an Android phone, you might want to post on the forums of some of the android sites (AndroidCentral, AndroidPolice are two that come to mind.) Forumania’s Tech Sector has some people who might be helpful as well.

    4. Anono-me*

      Thank you everyone.

      I’m off to battle the internet for useful information. But at least I go well armed.

  93. Clisby*

    Last night my husband and I were roaming around a Books a Million, waiting to pick up our son from a school friend’s birthday dinner, and I scored two Georgette Heyer novels I hadn’t read before! Also a deeply discounted copy of Hidden Figures (I’ve seen the movie, but not read the book.)

    1. General von Klinkerhoffen*

      omg I adore Heyer – which two have you rediscovered? I may have to revisit!

      My favourites are:
      The Convenient Marriage
      Devil’s Cub
      Friday’s Child

        1. Scarlet Magnolias*

          I love Georgette Heyer and reread her all the time, but am I the only one who finds the May/December /Innocent marries corrupt roue romance between Leonie and the Duke of Avon in These Old Shades to be majorly creepy? I know they are still married in Devil’s Cub but I always did wonder if Leonie’s prattling youth paled on him after a while and he went back to one of his decadent comtesses. Just sayin’

          1. General von Klinkerhoffen*

            The family also appears in a later book when Dominic (Vidal, then Avon) is elderly and grumpy. Leonie tamed the devil, no fear.

            And yes the dynamic is creepy. If you read the novels in the order they were written, the age gaps get smaller and smaller, and the power differential changes accordingly.

            Oh but that doesn’t mean I don’t get a frisson when I re-read the older ones …

        2. General von Klinkerhoffen*

          Devil’s Cub is the sequel to These Old Shades so do read them in the right order. I adore both. You have a real treat in store! Wish I could read them for the first time…

          1. jolene*

            I can’t read the old men/very young women Heyers. See also The Corinthian. The specification that the heroine has to be thin and lithe enough to pass as a boy – ie, looking pre-pubertal – is very creepy.

            Sprig Muslin is the perfect antidote to them, however. Or The Grand Sophy/Bath Tangle.

      2. Naomi*

        Let’s see, my favorites are probably Friday’s Child, Sprig Muslin, and Cotillion. But I love most of them!

    2. Max Kitty*

      I recently saw an e-book that had some previously unpublished Heyer stories.

      My favorites are The Grand Sophy and The Talisman Ring.

      1. Gingerblue*

        The Talisman Ring and False Colors are my favorites! I’m perpetually impressed by how different Heyer manages to make the set of characters in each book–most people would fall into more of a rut writing that many books in the same genre.

        1. Scarlet Magnolias*

          She has several character types like the handsome spinster who finds love -Venetia
          The roguish innocent dressed as a boy- These Old Shades and the Corinthian and also multiple types of heros. I admire how she was able to keep her stories fresh and varied, unlike some other Romance novelists (looking at you Barbara Cartland)

  94. Anon Anon*

    Host: Libsyn. It’s $15 a month for hosting. No problems with it, except it’s not free. (I previously hosted out of google drive back when they used to allow direct linking, and needed to switch rapidly when they made that transition. You might be able to do better elsewhere.)

    Microphone: Audio Technica 2020, set up with a double pop filter and an anechoic foam “cubby”. However, I think there are a lot of good options for microphones, I have friends that swear by Blue Yeti products. You don’t really want to use something like a gaming headset mic, as they tend to have built in correction, but even that is better than the mic on your computer. I do highly recommend a “cubby” set up for reducing noise. I use one of those milk-crate sized fabric storage cubes, turned on its side so the opening faces you, lined with sound absorbing foam, with the microphone set up in there. Pop filters are pretty cheap but it’s easy to make one as well.

    For remote recording, I use Zencastr (the free version), and for editing, Audacity (also free). Both have worked very well for me, but I am sure there are other good options for both. I had some trouble recording with skype but I believe they’ve introduced new features in the last year so that’s another option.

  95. Ask a Manager* Post author

    Hey all. I’ve removed the thread above about autism that had become such a mess. Apologies to the original poster that that became necessary. Ordinarily I would have just tried to clean it up, but it had spiraled pretty far and I don’t think think there was an easy way to leave it up that would have preserved the beneficial parts while removing the rest.

    1. Jean (just Jean)*

      Mixed reaction here: gratitude for your decision to shovel the blasted mess out of our lives; grouchiness that people have to unload their biases with such venom (although I’m also guilty of having flamethrower-strength opinions); mild sadness that some of the good bits got so choked by the weeds that they could not be salvaged.
      On balance it’s probably better to lose the aggravation–which by the end outweighed the insight–than to hold fast to a few bits of wisdom at the cost of reawakening the pain with every reading or rereading.

      Hmm. I will try to emulate your behavior in my cluttered home. It’s pretty sad if my own home can’t be a refuge from the world. To push the metaphor full circle, this is first of all *your* blog but you also want it to be a place that is welcoming to others.

      TL;DR: Thank you for decluttering the bad-tempered posts, and sorry to go the long way around to say this.

    2. LGC*

      Silly question – did you mean to delete just the parent post? It looks like the replies have spilled out over the comments.

    3. The Meow*

      It’s a shame for the OP but I agree with it being removed. OP, if you’re reading this, I’m sorry you had to experience so much unjustified negativity. Big hugs.

    4. Laura H.*

      I derailed it a bit pretty early (unintentionally- but then I was dumb and didn’t resist replying until about 3 or 4 (don’t remember and don’t wanna/ can’t look and see) comments too late) and please accept my sincerest apologies for the derail and my stubborn attitude. I’ll try to be better.

  96. Lena Clare*

    Livid at that Sanditon ending. I mean, it wasn’t a very good series anyway, but I was watching it through to the end because I wanted to see if Esther and Babington got together. The rest was just…meh.
    But that ending! I feel cheated and cross.
    Did anyone else see it?

    1. Ann E*

      I watched it, but grudgingly. It was pretty dreadful. The cast did their best but the writing was so clumsy and weak!

      I feel like the ending was calculated to try to force ITV to commission a second series by pissing off the audience. Hope it doesn’t work!

  97. Andream*

    Anybody got a Google pixel 3? I need some help. I literally just got my new Google pixel 3 yesterday (Saturday). When I was setting up my phone and playing around I noticed the camera had these cool features for lighting. It said something about sunny, and cloudy, and I think there may have been other options. I was really pumped to try these out. After getting things set up and such there were of course a bunch of updates. Now today when I go to try out these features they aren’t there. Does anyone know if this is a this that happened with an update. I can’t find help anywhere.

    1. Anonymous Educator*

      I don’t have a 3, but I have a 1, and I think the latest update moved the Night Sight option from More to just a regular mode switching (e.g., video, camera, Night Sight). I don’t remember seeing settings related to it being cloudy or sunny, though.

  98. MsChanandlerBong*

    Chewie update: I think we’re going to have a very difficult decision to make pretty soon. He lost another pound in the two weeks between the time we took him to the vet and the time we took him back for a re-check. He’s also been drooling copiously for no discernible reason (he has some tartar, but nothing bad, and the vet can’t find any other mouth issues). The sad part is that he’s never had a better appetite, nor has he been so interested in interacting with us. We started feeding him canned food to hide his medicine, and now he’s obsessed with it. He marches out into the living room and cocks his head as if to say, “Which of my loyal subjects will be giving me my wet food this afternoon?” He’s never shown this much interest in food. It’s just that he’s wasting away to nothing. He’s still peeing on the floor, but we got pee pads, so at least he’s peeing on those and we can just throw them away as opposed to having to shampoo the rug five times a week.

    He’s my very favorite cat, so it hurts especially badly for me to see him sick. We’re going to keep him comfortable as long as we can, but the second we think he might be suffering, we’ll help him across the rainbow bridge.

    1. Bibliovore*

      Sorry to hear this. Thanks for sharing. My old lady dog has always been a very picky eater. I started cooking for her when all her teeth were removed. And her daily pills are wrapped in Kraft singles. “Which of my loyal subjects” perfectly describes her morning entry into the kitchen. I half expect her to proclaim “cheese, Gromit!”

      1. MsChanandlerBong*

        Thank you. I don’t wish he was sicker, but it would be easier if he was. If it was clear that he was suffering, then we would know 100% what to do. But like I said, he’s improved in some ways. He had been throwing up quite a bit–now I think he’s thrown up once in the past two or three weeks. He has a hearty appetite, his blood work has been pristine (normal liver enzymes, kidney function, blood sugar, thyroid hormone), he’s not in any obvious pain. If he wasn’t losing a drastic amount of weight, we wouldn’t even know anything was wrong. He was around 15 pounds at one point; he’s down to 11 lb. 11 oz. now. We’re going to treat him for presumptive IBD; the vet prescribed a steroid that works selectively on the bowel, so it is supposed to relieve IBD symptoms without causing all the side effects associated with other steroids. We were out of town last night and didn’t want to start a new med and then leave him alone, so we’re starting it tomorrow. I am really hoping it helps. If it doesn’t, then vet said we can do an abdominal ultrasound.

    2. 1LFTW*

      I hope the new med helps. I’ve known kitties who have done well on IBD meds. I hope Chewie is one of them. Many hugs.

  99. Anon Librarian*

    I know it’s early Monday morning, but I was just reminded of something that I could use some advice on.

    Morning nausea. Without being pregnant. My whole life, I’ve had this thing where if I wake up quickly – often if earlier than usual and/or without having slept well the night before, I get really sick to my stomach. It can last up to three hours. Sometimes, it’s accompanied by a dizzy kind of feeling.

    This has made it hard to be consistently on time for things in the morning because it can be unpredictable. It’s happening right now. I have to decide whether to call in late or sick for a morning thing. I can’t get out of bed. And I feel so guilty. But I know it’s a physical issue and it’s not my fault.

    I’m going to make a doctor’s appointment and ask about it. Even though this has been a problem since I ws a young kid, I didn’t know it was (most likely) not normal until recently.

    Does anyone else get this? Dr. Google didn’t come up with much, and I’m thinking it could be hard to diagnose medically. And it’s KIND OF harmless. It’s not causing other physical problems, and it goes away with rest. But it makes me late or “out sick” (and then feeling guilty because I’m not sick for the whole day) a lot. And that’s obviously a big problem. I don’t want this to keep holding me back and, of course, causing problems for people who depend on me for things that take place in the morning.

    1. No Name Yet*

      Definitely talk to a doctor, that sounds pretty miserable! My first thought is that it could be related to low blood sugar – I can get pretty nauseous when my sugar is low, and it doesn’t always leave right away even after I’ve eaten. And I don’t have diabetes, just have always had fairly reactive blood sugars. Hope you’re able to figure it out!

    2. OtterB*

      I was thinking about blood sugar also. Another non-obvious thing that can trigger nausea is being dehydrated.

      1. Not So NewReader*

        Great point about the dehydration. Sorry, OP, it’s one of my theme songs because I have learned the hard way all the problems dehydration can cause. If you are not drinking water regularly, start with a modest amount each day and work your way up over a period of weeks.
        Different people use different formulas, I use this formula: Take my body weight and divide by 2 that gives me the number of ounces per day I should have. Again, if you are no where near close do not make this jump in one day or one week. Work up gradually.

  100. Chronic Overthinker*

    Random brain dropping. Anyone have issues with spoonerisms or mixing words? I often find myself answering my spouse with inadvertent spoonerisms. Like “hey honey, want to match a wovie?” Or “I’m putting a load in the washing shamine, you have anything?” Is this a common thing? Am I just really weird or do I maybe have a learning disability?

    1. Not So NewReader*

      It could be fatigue? I am thinking this because of your user name in relationship to your question. But I am a tired over thinker, so there is that.

    2. Seeking Second Childhood*

      I substitute entirely wrong words at times. I have a standard phrase “and this is why I never applied to the training department.”
      If you want a fascinating read about extreme cases of information processing disorders, look up Oliver Sachs: “The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat.”

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