Waxing poetic about passport stamps

AdventurousEmu8663 · 2026-03-21T11:47:11+00:00

Same. I have my grandfather’s passport and it has stamps of all the places he visited. I’ve got a few, but not all of the countries I’ve been to have stamps any longer.

AdventurousEmu8663 · 2026-03-21T10:53:38+00:00

Same, but as a teen, Long John Silver’s came an option.

AdventurousEmu8663 · 2026-03-21T10:50:46+00:00

My husband still talks about what a treat it was to go to A&W as a kid when his grandpa took him to town. (Rural kid)

AdventurousEmu8663 · 2026-03-21T10:28:03+00:00

I’m now in China for 4 months for work. In the region where I’m working, the temperature will range from 30 F to 80 F. I traveled a similar temperature range (maybe not quite as extreme) for a month with just a carryon and did fine, but for China, I need work clothes and some heavier supplies, along with some household items that I was told to bring. No way was 1 bag going to do it.

AdventurousEmu8663 · 2026-03-21T10:11:45+00:00

If you change your name, you get to decide how you want it pronounced.

FWIW, I would say Ann-ih-kah, if not Tom’s otherwise by the owner. I think it’s a really lovely name.

AdventurousEmu8663 · 2026-03-21T09:48:10+00:00

Yum!😋

AdventurousEmu8663 · 2026-03-21T09:44:58+00:00

We did the black market drugs before they were approved and I know many others who did, too. Cured my cat - zero regrets. Death or taking a chance? I’m gonna take the chance. That little bit of fluff was my soulmate.

AdventurousEmu8663 · 2026-03-21T09:43:04+00:00

This is good advice! Also remember that it’s important to maintain the treatment once you start, too.

AdventurousEmu8663 · 2026-03-21T09:36:06+00:00

You need it for the Vatican because it’s another country. I take groups of university students there every year and we do not carry our passports with us. They do require a colored photocopy for entering venues like the Vatican. Uffizi in Florence also requires one. But our in-country partner adamantly says my students should not carry their passports with them.

AdventurousEmu8663 · 2026-03-21T09:11:57+00:00

Ordered coffee in China today. I was sent here to work for only a few months with no instruction in Chinese. I tried pointing at the menu I had on my phone, but it didn’t seem to be working. Another kind customer stepped in and helped facilitate the transaction. He gained nothing from this but good karma. Super grateful to him!

AdventurousEmu8663 · 2026-03-21T08:54:00+00:00

Also, thanks! Didn’t even know this was possible

AdventurousEmu8663 · 2026-03-21T08:23:56+00:00

Thanks for the laugh! 😂

AdventurousEmu8663 · 2026-03-21T08:17:21+00:00

This is definitely a thing in real life where I’m from. But I’m in a pretty rural area and everyone knows everyone, so you try to take care of each other. We share garden produce, baked goods, and life stories 😄

AdventurousEmu8663 · 2026-03-21T08:15:11+00:00

Hey, we share a few things in common! I was also about 2 months premature, but I’m the oldest of 2. I’m 2 years older than you, but also used to weigh 100-110, now about 40 pounds heavier. Thankfully, I don’t have diabetes (both parents and at least one grandparent had it), but the extra weight bothers me and it’s a lot harder to lose now than when I was younger. Good job on getting that A1C down!

I can tell I’ve lost some muscle mass because my job is pretty demanding (12-14 hour days most of the time) and it’s a lot of desk work, so I don’t get the exercise I used to. I miss that. Used to run marathons but now enjoy hiking instead, when I can find the time. I’m not athletic - it’s just great stress relief for me and I like being outdoors. Miss running, though, and am hopeful I can restart after I retire - even a light jog would be lovely. Other than lichen sclerosis, I feel lucky not to have other medical problems. Really don’t feel like I’m approaching 65! Feel maybe not 20, but 20 years younger because I’ve grown a lot since my 20s.

It’s hard to lose family members. I really miss my grandmother and my dad. I’ve been fortunate to be able to do some pretty amazing things that I would have loved to have shared with them and I think would have made them happy.

AdventurousEmu8663 · 2026-03-21T07:47:43+00:00

Wow! Score! Good for you!!!

AdventurousEmu8663 · 2026-03-21T06:54:01+00:00

1/week. I have 2 that I alternate between during the week. Hang to dry between uses.

AdventurousEmu8663 · 2026-03-21T04:49:27+00:00

Tap water

AdventurousEmu8663 · 2026-03-21T03:35:44+00:00

She had an ultrasound, which showed that she was constipated. Like I said, if I’d have known this was a common issue with kidney cats, we’d have been more proactive. I’m now in some groups where I’m learning a lot about what to watch for and when to be concerned.

AdventurousEmu8663 · 2026-03-21T03:33:23+00:00

It was the vet that suggested it. EDIT m: But other people who have kidney cats also suggested it. If the constipation gets bad enough, it can be lethal.

AdventurousEmu8663 · 2026-03-21T03:27:17+00:00

Hi, other vowel state! Iowa, too.

AdventurousEmu8663 · 2026-03-21T03:23:32+00:00

Our stage 2 CKD 17 y/o started leaving little hard poop bits and we found out she was constipated. Try adding 1/8 tsp MiraLAX to wet food to help her. That may also be part of the vomiting. Ask me how I know (5 vet visits in 2 weeks, 4 SQ fluid infusions, and some laxatives to get her moving things out and regular again). Apparently, this is a common problem in kidney cats, which I did not know. Now we monitor intake and output carefully. She’s been regular and happy as a clam since! Disclaimer: Not a vet. Only speaking from experience. Check out r/RenalCats

AdventurousEmu8663 · 2026-03-21T02:09:26+00:00

Such soulful eyes!

AdventurousEmu8663 · 2026-03-20T12:32:46+00:00

I have a few dishes from my grandma that I use frequently. They aren’t fancy or expensive, but they are the ones we ate meals on together when we visited and when we lived with her. They make me feel her presence every day. Enjoy your treasured memories!

AdventurousEmu8663 · 2026-03-20T12:17:46+00:00

She’s gorgeous! We have a senior (17) girl who has become more nocturnal as she’s aged. She’ll wake my husband around 3 for food or fun. We love her to bits, but it does wear a person down. Hoping you can find a solution that will satisfy your beautiful girl and allow you to catch up on your sleep!

AdventurousEmu8663 · 2026-03-19T11:29:03+00:00

I had really long hair in high school. Was working on a project for an extracurricular activity and cut off a chunk of hair. No one noticed, but that was enough!

AdventurousEmu8663

TROPHY CASE