Randoms St. Paddy's Day and Forward

[wawa]

I didnt' see a randoms going  back a bit, and Thursday is a weird day to start a weekly thread, so let's just call this next week's thread too?  I dunno. 

ANYWAY. 

I've had a sinus headache for like 2 weeks straight at this point and I'm so goddamn cranky about it. 

Also I'm trying to buy bathing suits right now, and my stomach is by far the part of me I'm the least comfortable with - and things like this (see below) ARE NOT HELPING with setting realistic expectations in my mind before I try something on. 

Tell me they didn't photoshop the plus size model's belly.  Nobody's belly button has the structural integrity not to deform a bit with a bathing suit directly on top of it.  They photoshopped in that transition.  FUCKING WHY.  Does anybody know of a brand that sells bathing suits, shows them on plus sized models and ACTUALLY SHOWS their rolls and squishy bits so I can get a better idea of what this shit is going to look like on an actual human body similar to mine?  

[wawa]

On a less cranky note, the weather is getting so nice here (maryland) and even though it's raining today I'm loving it.
NOT FREEZING WEATHER! YAY!

[ssmjlm]

wawa, summersault has models of all different body styles. I don't know anything about the suits except they seem a bit pricey to me. I also have a hard time with one pieces because it will fit well and then be so big in the bottom.

[vlinder]

wawa, Target does, to a degree.

[rubytue]

wawa, this isn’t for everyone, but I’ve been wearing calypsa.com/ suits for a few years. Originally, because I wanted full coverage for sun purposes, but I just recently ordered a few more pieces of mix and match of their less “modest” stuff. Probably not useful if you want traditional swimwear, but for activities and sun protection, it’s great. I can kayak and hop in the water to snorkel. I first ordered when they were a company catering to fundies, and had a full line of “modest” clothing (Modli). It seems they have discovered that heathens like me sometimes want coverage and now focus on swimwear and changed their name.

My random is I just left the doctors office. It was one of those appointments where everything is probably fine, but you just need to be sure. I’ve felt like something was “in” my neck or it was swollen for a few weeks. Of course, it’s the same side as my original lymphoma. I couldn’t feel a round lump, but something felt off. My oncologist told me to “stop thinking about it” (dude, NOT helpful) on a video visit. So, 6 weeks with no resolution and I went to see my PCP as a “I know I’m paranoid, but I need someone else to tell me it’s nothing.” Luckily, she really *gets* me and is totally cool with those visit. And she felt what I did, but identified it as a muscle, not a lymphoma node!

And then, I walked out with a colonoscopy order. Wah wah.

[1confused1]

wawa I am a big fan of Swimsuits For All swimsuitsforall.com

[eponinepontmercy]

wawa, I actually like Amazon for stuff like that. You can sort reviews by size and a lot of them include pictures.


I didn't sleep last night. My sinuses are killing me - I think running outside is bad for my allergies. I also think my trusty allegra isn't cutting it anymore. I bought a different allergy med and a sinus rinse bottle on Amazon to try. I hate the sinus rinse thing, but it feels like it would help. I feel awful right now. If I didn't have a big work thing that needs to get done today I'd go back to bed.

[1confused1]

Mar 17, 2022 13:10:57 GMT -5 eponinepontmercy said:

wawa, I actually like Amazon for stuff like that. You can sort reviews by size and a lot of them include pictures.


I didn't sleep last night. My sinuses are killing me - I think running outside is bad for my allergies. I also think my trusty allegra isn't cutting it anymore. I bought a different allergy med and a sinus rinse bottle on Amazon to try. I hate the sinus rinse thing, but it feels like it would help. I feel awful right now. If I didn't have a big work thing that needs to get done today I'd go back to bed.

I’m so sorry, the Neti pot is my savior during allergy season. Also, I had to switch to Xyzal, Allegra wasn’t cutting it anymore.

[eponinepontmercy]

1confused1, that's what I bought. DH has claritin, but that hasn't really worked for me.

[jamaicam]

A friend of mine is a kinda celebrity here and has a radio show (she used to host the mornign tv show). She interviewed me a few weeks ago about life, being a young widow and having MS and it is airing today. I am nervous as I dont usually talk about myself in public situtations!

[StrawberryBlondie]

Mar 17, 2022 13:10:57 GMT -5 eponinepontmercy said:

wawa, I actually like Amazon for stuff like that. You can sort reviews by size and a lot of them include pictures.


I didn't sleep last night. My sinuses are killing me - I think running outside is bad for my allergies. I also think my trusty allegra isn't cutting it anymore. I bought a different allergy med and a sinus rinse bottle on Amazon to try. I hate the sinus rinse thing, but it feels like it would help. I feel awful right now. If I didn't have a big work thing that needs to get done today I'd go back to bed.

My sinuses have been awful lately. And it just got warm here this week so it's not like everything is growing and pollen-y yet. I've had to go straight up Sudafed basically every 4 hrs.

[just]

Mar 17, 2022 13:10:57 GMT -5 eponinepontmercy said:

wawa , I actually like Amazon for stuff like that. You can sort reviews by size and a lot of them include pictures.


I didn't sleep last night. My sinuses are killing me - I think running outside is bad for my allergies. I also think my trusty allegra isn't cutting it anymore. I bought a different allergy med and a sinus rinse bottle on Amazon to try. I hate the sinus rinse thing, but it feels like it would help. I feel awful right now. If I didn't have a big work thing that needs to get done today I'd go back to bed.

Everyone always thinks they're experts in allergies, - and I am no different I found that Xyzal at night and a Clarityn in the morning with Flonase is the best combo for me.

[dontlook]

Mar 17, 2022 13:33:24 GMT -5 StrawberryBlondie said:

Mar 17, 2022 13:10:57 GMT -5 eponinepontmercy said:

wawa, I actually like Amazon for stuff like that. You can sort reviews by size and a lot of them include pictures.


I didn't sleep last night. My sinuses are killing me - I think running outside is bad for my allergies. I also think my trusty allegra isn't cutting it anymore. I bought a different allergy med and a sinus rinse bottle on Amazon to try. I hate the sinus rinse thing, but it feels like it would help. I feel awful right now. If I didn't have a big work thing that needs to get done today I'd go back to bed.

My sinuses have been awful lately. And it just got warm here this week so it's not like everything is growing and pollen-y yet. I've had to go straight up Sudafed basically every 4 hrs.

Every year my allergies seem to get worse and I’ve been miserable this week. Im afraid for actual spring.

[pixy0stix]

Mar 17, 2022 15:13:18 GMT -5 dontlook said:

Mar 17, 2022 13:33:24 GMT -5 StrawberryBlondie said:

My sinuses have been awful lately. And it just got warm here this week so it's not like everything is growing and pollen-y yet. I've had to go straight up Sudafed basically every 4 hrs.

Every year my allergies seem to get worse and I’ve been miserable this week. Im afraid for actual spring.

They are getting worse due to climate change. www.vox.com/22383707/allergies-2021-pollen-allergy-covid-19-climate-change-asthma

[mala]

If you have allergies and haven't tried Xyzal, do. I had a script for it years ago and went off for reasons. Just as I was about to ask my doc for a new script for it, it went over the counter. I have taken it for years at this point and it's still just effective now as it was before. It does come with a "drowsy" warning, but I find that it makes no difference to me and still take it in the morning.

Here's my random and a rant. The county just put up notices a few days ago for new construction at the entrance to our neighborhood. The main road access (not the only access but the main one) is off a fairly busy road with commercial zoning. There's no light at the intersection of our neighborhood road and the main road. They want to build a storage facility there. A 50 foot, 900 unit, 5 STORY storage facility. Using two commercial lots and taking the first two residential lots ( PRESUMABLY CURRENTLY OCCUPIED - owners would be bought out, or have been bought out? I don't know the specifics of that part). The entrance would be off our RESIDENTIAL STREET WITH NO LIGHT AT THE MAIN ROAD. Cherry on the top, they applies for an exception for the parking requirement. A facility of that size should have 90 parking spaces. They want permission to put in only 24. 24 parking spots for 900 units. Where's the overflow going to go on a busy weekend? Oh, that's right, INTO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. The other kicker is that this would literally be the only 5 story building in the entire town. I am not joking, even our senior living/assisted living center which is a massive complex only has 4 stories. And many of the houses in our neighborhood are single story ranchers or split levels (as, the 60s). I am fucking livid as are many people in the neighborhood. I've already sent one nasty email about it to the planning commission.

[SwimDeep]

Xyzal worked for me. But it also gave me very weird, very intense dreams. I have the same reaction to valerian root. Felt like visual hallucinations and left me unsettled.

Random anecdote 🤷‍♀️

[eponinepontmercy]

Good news: the Xyzal seems to have helped my sinus pain. Oh, and the sinus rinse wasn't awful and might also have helped.

Bad news: I think it's making me nauseated and sort of light-headed.

I'm going to try taking it at night and see how that goes.

[Vespasia]

Our cat is big, almost 20 lb. Every time we take her to the vet they seem shocked she's so sweet and nice. Meanwhile, the tiny cat we used to have was the one you had to watch out for. She had a warning in her chart.

She's been having some urinary problems so they're doing blood work to rule out diabetes and kidney disease.

[picksthemusic]

wawa, I use Land's End for bathing suits, and I haven't been disappointed.

Add me to the list of sinus sufferers. I'm not stuffy, but having bad headaches and fatigue. Guess I need to get going on the sinus rinses again and taking my nasal spray regularly...

[ssmjlm]

We put a deposit down on a truck for DH tonight. Sight unseen. Might be here in a month.

Car buying is so weird now.

[SwimDeep]

Mar 18, 2022 13:23:11 GMT -5 eponinepontmercy said:

Good news: the Xyzal seems to have helped my sinus pain. Oh, and the sinus rinse wasn't awful and might also have helped.

Bad news: I think it's making me nauseated and sort of light-headed.

I'm going to try taking it at night and see how that goes.

I think the instructions specify to take it at night. It's been a while now, though, so I don't quite remember. But I took it right before bed, so I didn't notice any nausea or light headedness. Just crazy colorful dreams 😅

[rubytue]

In 2012, I saw a band open for Sister Hazel at a club in NoVA. I thought the music was good, and went to a couple more local shows. And eventually, I was full on “in to them.” I’ve since seen them in 7 states and 2 other countries (be of the music cruise, not that they tour internationally and I follow). And a couple of the states (CO and TN), they had local shows that aligned with preplanned travel.. I’m a total middle aged groupie, I admit it. But, the lead singer totally “knows” me, even dedicated a song on stage to me during cancer treatment (🥰 and ☺️ At the same time).

Two years ago, they announced they were calling it quits and planned a farewell show, which was delayed twice. It’s happening tonight. And I’m excited and wistful and sad. But, sad lead singer is in a new band, and plays on his own. So, the voice and songs won’t go away.

Yay for it happening to align during one of the brief periods of covid reprieve.

[eponinepontmercy]

I think the nausea and lightheadedness were actually the start of a stomach virus, because I was sick all night. I don't remember the last time I was this sick. I was in bed all day. DH bought me Gatorade, saltines, chicken broth, and Imodium and I'm starting to feel a little better.

So now I have no idea what was wrong. Was it allergies? Was it the flu? Was it just a GI bug? Was it everything?

[rubytue]

Followup to my concert. I woke up Sunday morning with a runny nose. Because, of course I do a large event on the first day of spring and have to deal with allergies vs covid 😂😂

[mbcdefg]

My sister’s birthday was a few days ago and I ordered her (what I thought was) a special present. She has always worked assorted PT jobs and recently started a little gig on IG where she assembles custom cheese/charcuterie boards. It’s all her friends buying them but I figured I’d be supportive so I ordered little flag picks off Etsy with her IG handle so she can stick them in the cheese and photograph it for her IG account to help her advertise.

I saw her yesterday for our hometown parade and handed her the bag. She barely opened it and said in a flat voice “haha you’re the third person to give me charcuterie stuff. Thanks” and set it aside and continued coloring a sign for her friend in the parade.

I’m so fucking irritated. I’ve always had an issue with feeling like people blow me off and this didn’t help.

[StrawberryBlondie]

I just went upstairs to get my earbuds off the charger. I came back downstairs without earbuds but with M&Ms.

[BlondeSpiders]

I had my yearly review yesterday and I'm really, really unhappy.

At last year's review, I was reminded that I was only being graded on 2020 performance, even though from October 2020 to March 2021 my workload had almost tripled (more like 2.5) because of layoffs. I was graded at a 3 of 5, or Well-Placed, and received a 3% raise. I was pretty irked, but figured this year there would be some recognition of all the extra work I've been doing. One of the tasks I inherited (let's call it widget processing) increased 190% over 2020. That is not a typo, 190%. My boss would tell anyone who would listen how our team's workload had increased by that much, and wasn't I great for doing all that work?

Our reviews have a self-review component, so I wrote my review based on all the new work I had taken on, and a few process improvements I'd made. I even tied my accomplishments to our core competencies to show a direct correlation. I graded myself a 4 (outstanding.)

In my meeting, my manager told me that HR had gotten rid of the numbering system because people were upset at being graded as average when they got 3s. Whether it's numbers or words, when there's a scale of 1-5 if you're in the middle, you're average. So what do I get this year? Well Placed, with a 3.5% raise. My boss tries to spin it as as a positive, that Well Placed is so great, and basically it's saying that I'm very good at my job.

So I ask, how does one actually get a 4/Outstanding? She says that it's very difficult or rare to get that, and the only way is to go above and beyond and do another person's job or create such a stunning process improvement that it revolutionizes our department. I mean, I'm already doing the work of 2.5 people (her exact words) and I was at the center of a 3 day Kaizen to overhaul our "widget processing" system in which several departments participated.
I mentioned how I have tried on several occasions to get involved with tasks and projects outside my department, only for those initiatives to get shut down because they don't want to hire anyone to run them. She tried to placate me by sharing that she also received a 3. I only have partial sympathy for that because I know 3% of her 6-figure salary is substantially large than 3% of my hourly wage.

After my call ended, I looked at the PDF of my review where my self ratings are right next to her ratings. For every item where I'd graded myself a 4, she graded a 3. That hurt.

So that's how I'm feeling today. I'm not in burn it down mode, but I am definitely in fuck it all mode.

[rubytue]

((( BlondeSpiders,)))) That sucks.

I am, however, ready to burn it down on management. We got our office opening date, and we will be going to a hoteling/far for WFH than before. Yay! But, they promised us last summer that it will be hotelling with a reservation system. 8 months later, IT can’t figure out how to give us a reservation system, so, we are hot-decking. Or maybe the “system” will be to put up a sticky note on the cube you want. This has me so worked up… they made us clean out “our” cube, and I mentioned early I was concerned that the 6am people will claim everything, and the 8am arrival folks will be left in the dark corners (like seriously dark, dank, etc), but I was assured a reservation system will be in place. And they went back on their promise. And these asshole will be like “you can reserve, with a sticky note.” And tell us that with no self awareness that it is not a real solution.

I guess this is a hint that this is not a permanent thing… maybe another 6 months.

[ssmjlm]

Mar 22, 2022 14:55:45 GMT -5 rubytue said:

((( BlondeSpiders ,)))) That sucks.

I am, however, ready to burn it down on management. We got our office opening date, and we will be going to a hoteling/far for WFH than before. Yay! But, they promised us last summer that it will be hotelling with a reservation system. 8 months later, IT can’t figure out how to give us a reservation system, so, we are hot-decking. Or maybe the “system” will be to put up a sticky note on the cube you want. This has me so worked up… they made us clean out “our” cube, and I mentioned early I was concerned that the 6am people will claim everything, and the 8am arrival folks will be left in the dark corners (like seriously dark, dank, etc), but I was assured a reservation system will be in place. And they went back on their promise. And these asshole will be like “you can reserve, with a sticky note.” And tell us that with no self awareness that it is not a real solution.

I guess this is a hint that this is not a permanent thing… maybe another 6 months.

This makes no sense.  You can easily setup a shared calendar system in sharepoint or outlook.  It's legitimately not rocket science.

[ssmjlm]

BlondeSpiders, I'm sorry. Any chance you can find a new job? Or is it what it is? Sometimes the known is better than the unknow, but doing more than double work is no good.