Post by mrs.jacinthe on Aug 16, 2018 10:28:26 GMT -5
Today is my follow-up with my PCP for my foot. I hate the boot, so I'm hopeful he'll have a better solution, but I have had absolutely zero improvement with it. The next step is most likely a referral to podiatry and maybe an MRI. I am so ridiculously anxious about this. Like, beyond anxious and all the way to inexplicably terrified. WTH is wrong with my damn foot? It's not broken or dislocated, there's been no improvement with the boot, and I'm still having the same symptoms which make ZERO sense toward any single diagnosis. (Point tenderness and localized swelling, pain only with wearing shoes that tie) Also, I haven't been in the water for more than a month and I'm sure that's contributing to the anxiety, but OMG, I can't stand being around myself, so something's gotta give soon.
Have you checked into possibly purchasing an extra seat? It may be less expensive than upgrading. Otherwise, I would pay the $ for first if it's in your budget - the stress alleviation alone would make it worth it.
I had not considered it because I don't meet the guidelines for person of size. Do they allow a random extra seat as a non-accommodation?
(If so, that would be about $180 one way and might be worthwhile.)
I’ve been pretty bad lately (from an MM perspective at least!) about paying to upgrade to either premium economy or first on work trips if the price seems reasonable. I’m not sure if $475 is “reasonable” to you or not but if it fits in the budget, I think the perks in first are pretty worth it.
Also, I once spent $900 to change a flight so I wouldn’t miss my daughter’s school trip to a friggin’ farm so you know, we all have our priorities.
But I’m sorry you’re feeling self-conscious. A lot of people are in the same boat and the way airlines pack people in like sardines is ridiculous.
Its one way. I really don't need the extra space except to be able to relax enough to sleep, so I'm not worried about the return trip. Not excited about it, but not concerned. I can squish in and just stress a little; it'll help me sleep better when I get home.
And thanks. I never used to feel self conscious about my pudge, but ever since they've started making the seats narrower and closer together, I stress about it. I'll put the window armrest up if I can and that gives me enough room when not sleeping.
Post by mrs.jacinthe on Aug 15, 2018 18:45:10 GMT -5
I need opinions. I'll try to be brief, but I'm kind of wordy. I apologize. First, the quick facts:
I am of the larger variety at the moment, specifically, wide hipped. This makes me super self conscious on airplanes and because I'm so self conscious, I spend the entire flight very tense, basically trying to keep my pudge to myself. (i.e. trying to keep my hip from touching the hip of the person in the seat next to me). I do not meet airline specifications for person of size.
I am flying American next month for a 6.5+ hour work-related trip (one 5 hour flight and one 1.5 hour flight). I did not pay for my own ticket.
This is an airline I haven't flown in 10+ years, so I don't have status or miles with them, so no free upgrade to first.
I am currently stuck in an orthopedic boot and by this time next month, who freaking KNOWS what appliance I'll have strapped to my leg. So, I can't do emergency exit row seats.
I prefer window seats.
My originating flight on the outbound leg is a red-eye, but all other flights are during normal hours.
With these facts in mind, I have reached a bit of a conundrum. Due to my inability to relax because of my pudge, I'm worried I won't get any sleep at ALL on the outbound flight and will be a hot mess at my meetings that day. My options are:
Stick with my original seat choices and just deal with the inconvenience for 5 hours.
Pay $54+ to relocate myself to the front row of economy in order to get into the slightly narrower but solid armrest-ed seat up there.
Buy miles for the upgrade to first, which right now would put me at ~$475-ish with some miles left over.
Pay cash for the upgrade to first, which will cost me ~$450 but nets nothing else except the perks of First.
I normally would not fly first on a domestic product without a free upgrade (and lets be realistic, I can't afford to fly first on a normal international flight and will likely never earn enough miles to get that upgrade), but I'm concerned that between the pudge and the potential for boot or god-knows-what glommed onto my foot, it's the better option. Thoughts? Suggestions? WWYD? (Yes, I know I'm overthinking this. I have anxiety and some weird quirks and I can't help it.)
Post by mrs.jacinthe on Aug 15, 2018 7:31:10 GMT -5
Contact the healthcare company. If they confirmed they were in network with your provider, they need to handle the bill appeal. It's possible (and likely) someone made a mistake in the billing department and billed this incorrectly.
And don't cash that check yet, if you haven't already.
Post by mrs.jacinthe on Aug 13, 2018 13:59:18 GMT -5
T-Rex, checking in. On the side, an inch past the crotch of my jeans. If I reach to the front, I can touch the bottom of my zipper. (I have short arms and short fingers, but also an above-average torso, I think.)
Post by mrs.jacinthe on Aug 13, 2018 12:40:08 GMT -5
I like Duluth Free Range Cotton. Meets all your specifications, although I had a pair randomly give up the ghost after like, 2 months earlier this year. I used their website chat, told them about the issue, and they sent me a replacement pair no charge, no questions asked.
Post by mrs.jacinthe on Aug 6, 2018 16:49:21 GMT -5
1) Do you clean the kitchen (at least basic wash dishes, wipe counters, sweep floors) and tidy the house everyday? Uh, we do dishes and counters daily. Floor sweeping is ... less regular. House tidying is in bursts when there's available free time.
2) When do you fit in other chores like vacuuming, washing floors, de-cluttering, and deep cleaning bathrooms & kitchen? Unfortunately, Saturday evenings. No fun.
3) Do you have indoor pets? If so, how often are you vacuuming or washing floors? Yes and they all shed like there's no tomorrow. We vacuum at least 2x per week, more if we have time.
4) Is summer harder to get inside chores done because of outside tasks like lawn mowing, watering plants, weeding, etc? No. R does all that in the mornings on Saturdays.
5) When do you find time for "extra" stuff like unpacking from a move, painting or redecorating a room, or larger maintenance projects? We don't.
6) If you get behind because of work, sickness, burnout, etc, what order do your priorities take? Let's assume you can't do it all and the last few items probably aren't happening. I realize this isn't a comprehensive list. Order the following:
1. Family Time
2. Work (extra work aside from normal hours)
3. Personal time (that's not exercise)
4. Exercise
5. Sleep
6. Meal cooking or prep
7. House cleaning and organization 8. Social time (beyond immediate family)
7) Does your schedule feel good to you or usually too busy? I am overwhelmed. Entirely and completely overwhelmed. I get up at 4:30 am. I go to bed at 9 or 10pm. At least 12 hours of my day is work. Things are getting set aside I'd normally NEVER set aside.
Post by mrs.jacinthe on Aug 6, 2018 16:06:48 GMT -5
I have this one: www.amazon.com/Texsport-Portable-Outdoor-Cabana-Shelter/dp/B00BI39KMW I absolutely love it - it sets up like a tent with two poles and pins in the corners. I can set it up by myself in under 5 minutes. The only catch is that it really needs to be held down in some way, and if it's windy, it's really just a giant sail, so you REALLY have to hold it down (like cement blocks or something).
Post by mrs.jacinthe on Aug 6, 2018 14:54:51 GMT -5
People have said this to me about long-distance swimming. I think it's because most people who are swimming laps (even most masters swimmers) are focused on speed, not mega-endurance, so it's unfathomable to not take breaks at all. I just say I can swim a long distance because I don't care how long it takes me to get there, I just enjoy the journey.
If it's about finding the time, I tell them it's mostly a matter of putting it on the calendar like any other obligation, and then sticking to the calendar.
Post by mrs.jacinthe on Aug 3, 2018 18:56:08 GMT -5
There is a smaller fire 10 miles from my house and it is absolutely exhausting to be in a constant state of semi-terror when you hear a fire truck or see one of the tanker planes. And coming from a place of privilege (as in, I still have a home) I know how absolutely entitled and whiny that sounds. This has to be what living in a war-torn country is like. You know you're safe at present but that could change literally in the next 5 minutes when some toolbag decides today's the day to throw a lit joint out the window (happened last year).
I love it here and wouldn't ever leave, but FOR REAL, the constant state of fear-arousal is too much right now. People are seriously on edge. It is HOT and the air quality is terrible and it looks entirely overcast and everyone is super anxious and as a result, tempers are super short. I just want to run away and come back after rainy season starts.
Post by mrs.jacinthe on Aug 1, 2018 14:55:21 GMT -5
Based on my experience with them (and Zillow) Credit Karma is the Zillow of credit scores. Sometimes they're really accurate, sometimes they're REALLY not. Think of CK as more of an "index" - if your CK score goes up, it's likely that your real scores have and vice versa. But it's not a "real" score and not necessarily reliable or accurate.
Post by mrs.jacinthe on Jul 28, 2018 11:38:33 GMT -5
How much sleep do you get on average? 6 hours - not enough
How many days a week do you typically get up before 6AM? 5AM? I'm up at 4:30 probably 5 or 6 days per week.
Do you have a time that you refuse to get up to work out? Apparently not.
How many days a week do you sleep in with no alarm set? One, usually, but the dog wakes us up at whatever time her bladder goes off. We call it setting the alarm for 'dog o'clock'.
How do you think sleep affects your training cycle? I would love to get more sleep, as lack of sleep affects me in a variety of ways, but I actually don't think swimming is one of them. I'm pretty consistent with my swimming no matter how much sleep I have or haven't gotten.
Post by mrs.jacinthe on Jul 27, 2018 12:04:19 GMT -5
It's a minivan, but I've got a coworker with a Toyota Sienna that is AWD and she absolutely adores it. She's pretty much your classic sports mom and is always hauling people/kids/stuff around. It is remarkably comfortable, even in the back seat. I'd recommend it if the new Ascent isn't in your budget.
Post by mrs.jacinthe on Jul 27, 2018 10:58:07 GMT -5
I woke up this morning and my facebook was all photos from friends in that area. It's really terrible and moving so fast, plus all/most of the radio stations up there are off the air because the fire went through the transmitter/tower site, so I'm sure that is complicating matters when it comes to getting information out.
I'm glad you have somewhere to go if necessary. Be safe, and please keep us updated.
Post by mrs.jacinthe on Jul 24, 2018 11:32:50 GMT -5
Saran wrap over the top before you close it, close extremely thoroughly (trust me on this, says the person with shellac-based primer stains on natural stone in the living room), and store them upside down.
Post by mrs.jacinthe on Jul 24, 2018 11:20:39 GMT -5
I love packing. It's a fun challenge for me, especially to see if I can get everything for one trip into my favorite (tiny) suitcase - like a puzzle! I usually pack either the night before I leave (if it's an AM flight) or about an hour before I need to go to the airport, but I'm a very light packer and I generally plan things out with a thorough checklist first. My husband is more like you - he hates it and will wind up with stuff everywhere for days before we need to be anywhere.
Peruvian ceviche is the only way. None of that other :::waves hands:: is ceviche. Mayo in ceviche...next thing you’re going to say is ranch on French fries.
Edit: I just noticed the secret ingredient is ketchup. 🤣
Peruvian is my favorite. In Cartagena there was ketchup in my ceviche and quickly found out I am not a fan.
If they put in enough spices and lime juice, I'm ok with ketchup ceviche. If it still tastes like ketchup, it's just seafood with ketchup. Which is a no for me.
I prefer the "Texican" type of ceviche (with avocado, about a half pound of veggies, lime juice, and cumin) to just about any other, but I gotta admit, if there's ceviche, I'm gonna eat it. Yummy. LOL
Post by mrs.jacinthe on Jul 22, 2018 14:47:39 GMT -5
Oh my GOD, munkii. That's tough. Thank you for posting the link, and all my love to your friend and the family. @rainbowdash, keep an eye on her. Survivor's guilt is a thing and she may need to see a therapist to work through it.
These types of tragedies (tourist) are always so hard to process, mostly because it seems like these companies are so focused on profit they won't do even the slightest bit above the bare minimum. I keep typing and retyping things to say, but none of them seem like enough. I just wish for some semblance of peace to the families that lost loved ones and some level of justice for them.
the NFL is so fucking stupid in trying to appease 45. They think that 45 would have stopped harassing them because of their new rule. No he won't. He lives for this shit and can't wait to rip on the NFL every fucking Sunday. He is in Bedminster every Sunday in the fall. What else does he have to do besides golf?
If this was a normal president, there are so many answers to this question ...
But instead, all I can come up with is yelling at the TV while eating chicken.
Post by mrs.jacinthe on Jul 19, 2018 21:24:07 GMT -5
The most ridiculous thing I've ever ordered on Amazon (EVER) was a box of Entenmann's donuts. (The chocolate crumb ones.) The bakery that makes them out here doesn't make that flavor, so I had to order them online for like, $30 one year after I spent an entire summer trying to explain them to my masters team.
My biggest disappointment was the time I ordered a mylar sleeping bag (don't ask) and got a mylar recovery blanket. BLANKET =/= SLEEPING BAG, AMAZON. (They refunded me, but made me order the correct item from someone else.)
Post by mrs.jacinthe on Jul 19, 2018 21:14:10 GMT -5
I like Sprouts; I typically buy meat (especially sausage - they make their own in store daily), dairy, and bulk foods like nuts. It's MUCH cheaper than whole foods and not as claustrophobic and anxiety inducing as trader joes. It's a nice middle-ground. I don't bother with organic produce there; I prefer their non-organic because it seems like the non-organic is more local than the organic farms (which is strange because we do have a lot of organic producers like Capay) nearby. I don't notice a lot of imported produce except the traditional stuff like bananas, but again, I pretty much live in America's CSA, so ...
I still buy canned goods at Trader Joes because it's a lot cheaper for the same products.