Thursday randoms @@content

[simpsongal]

I got my bloodwork back from my regular physical yesterday and the numbers were really good. It's funny to feel relief, but I'm not getting any younger.... My LDL fell quite a bit (~20 points), I think it's the 4-5 days/week I eat chickpeas.

[underwaterrhymes]

Jul 11, 2024 8:06:45 GMT -5 shortstax said:

So although it’s good news, I still feel uneasy. I’m assuming this is typical, right?

Yep. They likely suspect it’s a fibroadenoma. Super common.

ETA - I’m surprised they haven’t uploaded the reading into your portal. You should be able to read the radiologist’s impressions there.

When I had a fibroadenoma, they told me I could wait six months, or they could biopsy. This was right before I was diagnosed as high risk. After that, I wasn’t given the option anymore. They just biopsied everything.

[wildrice]

Do people run portable AC units in houses with central AC, or does that overload the circuits or whatever? Our 2nd bedroom (which is primarily an office but does have a bed for guests) gets SO hot during the day. It's on our 3rd floor so I think part of the problem is that the HVAC system is in the basement and just doesn't push the air up there as well as it should. We have a fan running in there all the time but it's still just kind of gross. I moved to our basement to work today and it's much more comfortable temp wise, but I don't like the setup down here as much. We also may be having guests next month and I don't want their room to be uncomfortable. We do need a new ceiling fan in there which will definitely help some, but I'm not sure it will enough. I am also considering getting thicker curtains since I think the problem is mostly due to that side of the house getting blazing sun for hours during the day. But the curtains in there are already dark (just not blackout) so I'm not sure if that will actually make much difference.

I am looking forward to the day when my posts in here aren't always about the weather, lol.

[heygrey]

wildrice , we have blackout binds from Home Depot on several windows. They make a HUGE difference in room temperature, both summer and winter. Our bedroom gets the full, hot sun from midmorning-sundown and it makes our room unbearably hot. The A/C can't cool it enough before bedtime if we have the shade up. In the winter it really helps keep the chill out, too. Ultimately I'd like to get new windows with better insulation, but this is a good ~$100 solution in the meantime. They trim the width down at the store and the blinds were easy to install. 


www.homedepot.com/p/Home-Decorators-Collection-Shadow-White-Cordless-Blackout-Cellular-Shades-for-Windows-48-in-W-x-48-in-L-Actual-Size-47-75-in-W-x-48-in-L-10793478636471/204587279#ratings-and-reviews

[candreco]

Jul 11, 2024 9:52:45 GMT -5 wildrice said:

Do people run portable AC units in houses with central AC, or does that overload the circuits or whatever? Our 2nd bedroom (which is primarily an office but does have a bed for guests) gets SO hot during the day. It's on our 3rd floor so I think part of the problem is that the HVAC system is in the basement and just doesn't push the air up there as well as it should. We have a fan running in there all the time but it's still just kind of gross. I moved to our basement to work today and it's much more comfortable temp wise, but I don't like the setup down here as much. We also may be having guests next month and I don't want their room to be uncomfortable. We do need a new ceiling fan in there which will definitely help some, but I'm not sure it will enough. I am also considering getting thicker curtains since I think the problem is mostly due to that side of the house getting blazing sun for hours during the day. But the curtains in there are already dark (just not blackout) so I'm not sure if that will actually make much difference.

I am looking forward to the day when my posts in here aren't always about the weather, lol.

It depends on your electric panel and what it's rated for, but it's definitely not unusual to have a portable AC or a mini split installed in addition to central AC.  My parents' house has AC but it was added after the house was built and never did a great job of cooling the upstairs bedrooms, so they had mini splits installed.  A house we stayed in on vacation last year had central AC downstairs, but the upstairs (basically finished attic) did not, and they had a portable unit up there.

[deadwing]

Jul 11, 2024 9:52:45 GMT -5 wildrice said:

Do people run portable AC units in houses with central AC, or does that overload the circuits or whatever? Our 2nd bedroom (which is primarily an office but does have a bed for guests) gets SO hot during the day. It's on our 3rd floor so I think part of the problem is that the HVAC system is in the basement and just doesn't push the air up there as well as it should. We have a fan running in there all the time but it's still just kind of gross. I moved to our basement to work today and it's much more comfortable temp wise, but I don't like the setup down here as much. We also may be having guests next month and I don't want their room to be uncomfortable. We do need a new ceiling fan in there which will definitely help some, but I'm not sure it will enough. I am also considering getting thicker curtains since I think the problem is mostly due to that side of the house getting blazing sun for hours during the day. But the curtains in there are already dark (just not blackout) so I'm not sure if that will actually make much difference.

I am looking forward to the day when my posts in here aren't always about the weather, lol.

I keep thinking about quoting getting a mini split for my bedroom in addition to central AC.  I like to sleep in a meat locker and central AC doesn't get nearly cold enough for me.

I also bought some reflective foam insulation and made covers for my upstairs windows.  They don't look great, but no one else sees them and they help to deflect heat.  I think it was pretty cost effective (it's been a couple of years).

[InBetweenDays]

Jul 11, 2024 8:06:45 GMT -5 shortstax said:

My mammogram found a small mass, so I had an ultrasound this morning.

I’m so glad I don’t need a biopsy, so great news! But they wouldn’t share what they thought it might be and said I need to come back in 6 months to track growth and then determine next steps. So although it’s good news, I still feel uneasy. I’m assuming this is typical, right?

In my experience that is normal. I had a mass biopsied years ago. Came back benign but they still wanted to see me 6 months later just to check it. I also had calcifications years ago and again they had me come back in 6 months for a recheck.

I just had a call back from a routine screening mammogram. After the diagnostic mammogram the radiologist came back and said all was good and that I didn't need to come back for a year. But she said more often than not they want to do a 6-month check so I think your situation is very common.

Sending good thoughts. I know how stressful that is but try and trust in the radiologists and doctors.

[wildrice]

Jul 11, 2024 10:01:43 GMT -5 heygrey said:

wildrice , we have blackout binds from Home Depot on several windows. They make a HUGE difference in room temperature, both summer and winter. Our bedroom gets the full, hot sun from midmorning-sundown and it makes our room unbearably hot. The A/C can't cool it enough before bedtime if we have the shade up. In the winter it really helps keep the chill out, too. Ultimately I'd like to get new windows with better insulation, but this is a good ~$100 solution in the meantime. They trim the width down at the store and the blinds were easy to install. 


www.homedepot.com/p/Home-Decorators-Collection-Shadow-White-Cordless-Blackout-Cellular-Shades-for-Windows-48-in-W-x-48-in-L-Actual-Size-47-75-in-W-x-48-in-L-10793478636471/204587279#ratings-and-reviews

Those are very affordable - maybe I should try that first! Thank you!

[InBetweenDays]

Speaking of weather - I'm so glad it's supposed to be a high of 80° today! The past 4-5 days have been mid 90s and then yesterday was 87°. DD's room got up to 88° on Tuesday. Thankfully it cools off at night.

DS (15) is part of a Hollister focus group today and tomorrow with 7 of his buddies. Today they spend the afternoon at MoPOP in Seattle, then get taken to dinner. Tomorrow they get taken to breakfast, go shopping, and then go to some virtual reality place. He gets $100/day plus $100 for their shopping day. He's so excited.

[twinmomma]

Jul 11, 2024 9:52:45 GMT -5 wildrice said:

Do people run portable AC units in houses with central AC, or does that overload the circuits or whatever? Our 2nd bedroom (which is primarily an office but does have a bed for guests) gets SO hot during the day. It's on our 3rd floor so I think part of the problem is that the HVAC system is in the basement and just doesn't push the air up there as well as it should. We have a fan running in there all the time but it's still just kind of gross. I moved to our basement to work today and it's much more comfortable temp wise, but I don't like the setup down here as much. We also may be having guests next month and I don't want their room to be uncomfortable. We do need a new ceiling fan in there which will definitely help some, but I'm not sure it will enough. I am also considering getting thicker curtains since I think the problem is mostly due to that side of the house getting blazing sun for hours during the day. But the curtains in there are already dark (just not blackout) so I'm not sure if that will actually make much difference.

I am looking forward to the day when my posts in here aren't always about the weather, lol.

We have central AC but have a window unit in our kitchen that we run when cooking a lot. We have giant skylights and a slider in there and with the stove/oven on, the central AC just can't keep up. We've never run into an issue with it overloading anything. 

[rubytue]

Jul 11, 2024 9:52:45 GMT -5 wildrice said:

Do people run portable AC units in houses with central AC, or does that overload the circuits or whatever? Our 2nd bedroom (which is primarily an office but does have a bed for guests) gets SO hot during the day. It's on our 3rd floor so I think part of the problem is that the HVAC system is in the basement and just doesn't push the air up there as well as it should. We have a fan running in there all the time but it's still just kind of gross. I moved to our basement to work today and it's much more comfortable temp wise, but I don't like the setup down here as much. We also may be having guests next month and I don't want their room to be uncomfortable. We do need a new ceiling fan in there which will definitely help some, but I'm not sure it will enough. I am also considering getting thicker curtains since I think the problem is mostly due to that side of the house getting blazing sun for hours during the day. But the curtains in there are already dark (just not blackout) so I'm not sure if that will actually make much difference.

I am looking forward to the day when my posts in here aren't always about the weather, lol.

Yep. We use to have a 3 level townhouse with one HVAC. Our bedroom had a south facing double window. And yes, we has a portable AC in there in the summer. And the blinds always closed. And extra laminated windows (though hat was for BWI flight path reasons). Your circuit should be fine, but don’t run anything else that draws a lot at the same time. For example, no hairdryers while it running. And unrelated example in the kitchen is we couldn’t run out microwave when the dishwasher was running. 

[countthestars]

Jul 11, 2024 8:23:01 GMT -5 devonpow said:

Jul 11, 2024 8:16:09 GMT -5 scm1011 said:

Agreed, its unbearable. I am disgustingly sweaty by the time I get to my office every morning from the walking/T commute.

I walked into my barre class the other day and ran into some friends . They were all “did you already exercise/run here??” No. No I was literally just outside for a few minutes and was already a sweaty gross mess

My kids are in golf camp this week and omg poor DD can't even wear her glasses because they fog up the second she steps outside. Terrible! 

[mrsukyankee]

Jul 11, 2024 7:06:28 GMT -5 donutsmakemegonuts said:

I have been in my new role at work officially for 4 days and I am having trouble remembering that I can't possibly know everything about how to do the job and it's stressing me out. I have not been sleeping great and I'm worried that this is what my future is going to look like until I retire. That is not realistic, I know that, but I can't tell me brain that for some reason.

Also, I woke up from a dead sleep last night with a charley horse in my calf which was not fun. I never get them in my calves, I have only ever gotten them in my feet. My calf is sore still.

Write that thought down. And then play a game with your brain every time it comes up - "Ha, there you are again, ridiculous thought. I know you're trying to help solve my life but it's not helpful." Almost like bingo - winner! If something comes up that is solvable, then write it down and make a plan, otherwise give it away.

[plutosmoon]

We just got sent home from work, they closed the entire campus due to multiple bomb threats. We had a suspicious package just a few months ago, it's all so sad. I'm going to try to work from home, but DD is home as well so I don't know how much I'll get done.

DD should be at our school's summer program, but after attending for 3 days last week she had a breakdown about returning. It's apparently too hot, too boring and the kids are mean. The program actually sent her home because the breakdown was too much for them. I am counting down the days until she goes to GS camp for a week, I need a break.

[mysteriouswife]

I feel so out of the loop on everyone. I was working a new job and life kicked us hard in May and June. I injured myself, my dad nearly died from an infection from a spider bite, H hurt his ankle the exact same day, DD was in the hospital 3 days after dad came home, I got strep, DS had croup that turned pneumonia, and I lost my job. Holy run on sentence. Sorry.

Thankfully everyone is on the upward swing of recovery. I’m the only one still trying to get to a point of healed. DD is doing well for now. Unfortunately, she has female health that will be monitored the rest of her life or until she has a full hysterectomy. 💔

I’m sorry for everyone who has went through health scares in their own lives.

Hopefully I’ll be able to pop in more.

[countthestars]

I'm so sorry for everything you've been through mysteriouswife.

[countthestars]

I started new ADHD meds (again, ugh) and I am struggling. I feel jittery and gross and I am not concentrating any better than unmedicated or any of the other meds I've tried. I am frustrated and overwhelmed and kind of nauseous.

[ssmjlm]

So sorry mysteriouswife. Hopefully you will be on the other side soon.

[ssmjlm]

The painter is painting the shutters and we decided to do the same color as the front door instead of black, which is navy, but I swear I had to have the poor guy check after 1 coat because I know our doors are SW Naval, but the builder binder says a totally different color. But I already repainted one exterior door with Naval and matches.

Thankfully the shutters match the front door and honestly, the front door and one other exterior door need to be repainted in the fall, but I'm just so anxious because they found more rot and I'm just needing something to be ok on this house work.

[nsl]

Holy crap, mysteriouswife, I'm so sorry your spring/summer have been so awful! I'm sending all of you my best wishes for a 180 degree turnaround and an easy job search.

[nancybotwin]

I’m so sorry mysteriouswife. That is a lot.

This is a small example, but I realized that a year ago this week was the height of DD1’s health stuff and when she finally got a diagnosis and medical treatment. It was a horrible terrible time in our lives but I’m feeling so grateful a year later to be on the other side. I know it’s not the same, because a death and a job loss are not able to be fixed, but I do hope that a year from now you’re able to look back on it as something that happened and have some relief that you’re on the other side of it.

[nsl]

Yesterday afternoon DS 2 came upstairs in tears (and this kid never cries) to tell me that he thought he had a tapeworm. He's apparently been having bouts of nausea, though no vomiting, for a couple of weeks now, and this is the first time he told anyone what was going on. When he looked it up on Google the first result was for tapeworms, and the poor thing was terrified. After I got him calmed down I showed him how unlikely it was that he would have been exposed to tapeworm larvae--especially since he's a vegetarian--and H diagnosed him with acid reflux.

It took forever to get him calm again, and he did have another bout of nausea after eating breakfast this morning (a glass of milk resolved it), but H is pretty confident that it's just gastritis that was probably triggered by an overindulgence in Hot Pockets that I bought to give him some easy lunch options while I was first recovering from surgery.

[mysteriouswife]

Jul 11, 2024 12:44:56 GMT -5 nancybotwin said:

I’m so sorry mysteriouswife. That is a lot.

This is a small example, but I realized that a year ago this week was the height of DD1’s health stuff and when she finally got a diagnosis and medical treatment. It was a horrible terrible time in our lives but I’m feeling so grateful a year later to be on the other side. I know it’s not the same, because a death and a job loss are not able to be fixed, but I do hope that a year from now you’re able to look back on it as something that happened and have some relief that you’re on the other side of it.

It has been a roller coaster. My dad is finally admitting he is aging and needs more help with monitoring his health. He won’t make a full recovery has spider bites are gruesome. We are notice some cognitive decline as well. The doctors think it’s from the blood infection and will take time.

DD is doing really well and taking this seriously. She wants to avoid another 4 day hospital stay. Any little slight pain she is telling us.

I’m ready to look back on this chaos and be in a new place. I am very thankful we have a huge support system who has been here the whole time.

I am going to be doing light work with my cousin to make enough income to cover school expenses for the kids. I am going to see if I can get my shoulder back to health with rest.

[mysteriouswife]

Jul 11, 2024 12:45:53 GMT -5 nsl said:

H is pretty confident that it's just gastritis that was probably triggered by an overindulgence in Hot Pockets that I bought to give him some easy lunch options while I was first recovering from surgery.

You mean he didn’t save them for a month to savor them? Too soon?

[NewGirlNic]

Reminder it's free slurpee day at 7-11. DS and I just went and I'm enjoying a pina colada slurpee. I should add some rum, LOL. 

[livinitup]

Jul 11, 2024 9:16:19 GMT -5 macmars45 said:

I started watching America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. I got to the part where they talk about how little they're paid and turned it off. The old timers from decades past were all blah blah it's a privilege as if that's what puts food on the table. Basically saying this is only for rich young beautiful people who don't need an income to pay their bills.

I am old now but when I started out in my career, I landed an early childhood initiative that put me in circles with women in leadership roles in child care settings. Brilliant, hard working women. They constantly said “Oh, I’m lucky, my husband made all the money. I never could have lived on what we pay in child care.” I always noticed that it never occurred to them that this was outrageous and wrong. THESE WERE THE LEADERS IN THE INDUSTRY. It always sounded like a flex somehow?

[sugarbear1]

I am super frustrated with the Nordstrom sale. I had things List that seemed fairly benign. A black coat that is nothing fancy, a pair of jeans. And they still were sold out by 8 AM Pacific time when I logged in to make my purchases.

[waverly]

Jul 11, 2024 9:16:19 GMT -5 macmars45 said:

I started watching America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. I got to the part where they talk about how little they're paid and turned it off. The old timers from decades past were all blah blah it's a privilege as if that's what puts food on the table. Basically saying this is only for rich young beautiful people who don't need an income to pay their bills.

It is so so bad.  I was so pissed when they were like basically, well they are women so we don't pay them well.  "It is supposed to be their hobby, or the sisterhood" or some shit.  Meanwhile, they make money off football games where the women are entertainment, calendars and appearances.

The cheerleaders are NOT rich, most of them have full time jobs and this is their part time job. One was a nurse, another one was a dance instructor. I don't remember what all they did.  The majority had other jobs. 

As far as I could tell, practice was 7-10 at night, with some mentioning they got out at midnight.  Game days are 11 hours long.  And the holiday special/ dancers work almost the entire month without a day off which is illegal in my state becasue we have a rest day in every 7.  They said they worked 20 or 21 days in a row.  

I got the same shit from Girl Scouts when I asked why they doubled their camp prices.  They said women in the past would work for the "fun experience," and nowadays they want a livable wage.  I was very much like, why not pay them a livable wage all along?  I'm saying this as someone that worked at their camp and basically got $100 a week because they took out room and board.  "Room" was a platform tent.  I technically worked 22 hours a day, because I had a 2 hour break per day, and 1/2 day break once a week.  Every other week I got an entire night off.  

[maudefindlay]

Congrats kaneen, hope your future celebration is wonderful! Going on a trip too?

mysteriouswife you are due for a break. Sending you all the wishes that you and your family get one.

We got home from vacation over the weekend and have hit the floor running this week with cross country, eye exams, kid social lives, dentist, and making decisions for our new house. DH is off all next week and we have a few fun days planned so looking forward to that.

My relationship with my parents has been strained the past few years due to reasons. I still try to keep a relationship open which they want...but they won't stop the crap that causes the problems (basically things that hurt me etc). I sent vacation photos via text last week and in one of them we were at a 4th of July parade and my Mom texted back that she was glad we were being patriotic. Likely sounds innocuous, but it isn't and just irks me that she refuses to stop the comments. Less serious examples are that she has a long standing boomer idea that women of a certain age no longer have long hair. She will look at me and say "Your hair(dramatic pause) is long". Uh, no shit that's a fact. Clearly she means you need a haircut. This year I upped my strength training and my arms and legs are so toned and my midsection is more defined. People I rarely see have commented on it so it's a noticeable change, but my Mom? Nope, nada.

[ssmjlm]

$600 for dance wear for the upcoming season since my kid made the company.

Anyone have a lead on a good place for feet pics? I think I have nice arches??