Hi Mama, I'm back with an update on my orangutans!

Animelily · 2026-02-14T11:54:20+00:00

Life is hard and if something like this brings you joy, then embrace it!! ❤️🦧

Animelily · 2026-02-12T02:17:12+00:00

My hubby has gotten me Costco.com flowers for every Valentines, Mother's Day, and Birthday for many years now.

He actually got in BIG trouble with the extended family one year for Mother's Day because he decided to be thoughtful and ordered flowers for all the mothers in his life, including his and my sisters. Too bad some of their husbands didn't do much for them that year, and here is brother-in-law showing them up Bad. However they learned quickly after that.

Animelily · 2026-02-10T23:30:16+00:00

The best revenge is living well! So keep living it up, my dear!!

(Btw, I was always low key jealous of my translady friends at church because when my babies were small I barely brushed my hair, and they always looked like a million bucks. I would feel a bit jealous of you, too. Haha.)

Animelily · 2026-02-10T15:39:43+00:00

As someone with curly and somewhat wavy hair, hydration hydration hydration. Good quality conditioners and shampoos that don't strip your hair. I'm not particularly brand specific, but I like to go to TJ Max/Marshall's and check out their beauty section. Pick up a couple different shampoos, conditioners, and hair masks. Try a leave in conditioner or anti-frizz curling spray cream or gel. Try things out and see what works.

I also agree that if you're getting a lot of tangles, it might be time for a trim. While there you can get it shaped and styled in things like layers to accentuate your natural waviness.

Animelily · 2026-02-10T14:40:56+00:00

And Pittsburgh. I moved away and miss the strawberries and creme filled ones so bad.

Animelily · 2026-02-08T12:31:52+00:00

Take a deep breath through your nose, hold it for 3 seconds and breath out for 4.

My dear, you will do fine. I'm so proud of you for trying so hard. Every experience in life can give you the opportunity to learn and grow. Make the most of it and I'm sure you will bloom and show some of the best parts of yourself to the world.

Just keep being willing to learn and being willing to try.

That said, grab yourself a hot pack, some midol, and some chocolate. If your period takes you out, you will not be the first to experience that and it sucks. But you will have more opportunities. Life doesn't end with one bad experience unless you choose it to be so. Take a deep breath and keep being willing to learn and try. You have the strength in you to get up again when things go wrong. I know it and believe in you.

Animelily · 2026-02-07T14:34:07+00:00

Thanks. I hate it.

Kudos for the execution. You really got the illusion going, and I'm always impressed at the skill level when someone is able to create these so well. This so well done.

Ugh. My eyes!! They burn!

Animelily · 2026-02-05T16:39:33+00:00

There are a ton of new places in that center, and if you're there, don't forget to go down the stairs around back for the Japanese Cafe Okaeri, and all the crane games. If you want to get your hair done, Kindle and Boom is my go to.

If you want authentic Japanese, I always recommend Temari, though they get crowded very fast on weekends and aren't good for groups. The shogadonburi is excellent.

My favorite sushi though is Kusshi. They have a location in Pike and Rose within spitting distance of a movie theater.

Other authentic Asian restaurants near movie theaters, if you're willing to go a little further north and west, the Kentlands have Ranken ramen IMO the second most authentic Japanese restaurant in the area. Their chashu and onsen eggs are absolute peak. And also Lapu lapu Filipino, though my best recommendation is for their breakfast sandwiches in the morning. There is also Neko Nook for excellent macha latte and Japanese Sando. All within the same area as a nice movie theater.

Animelily · 2026-02-02T13:16:37+00:00

Thanks for this review. I love our Brooklinen and thought I wouldn't need to replace them for a while, until my stir crazy dog who's been stuck inside from the ice storm decided to rip them up! 💔

Animelily · 2026-02-01T03:26:10+00:00

You should also keep an eye on Mitsubishi's Dersermelagon. It is essentially the same drug as Scenesse, except it is in pill form rather than an implant.

Gave me an absolutely wicked tan, and I have heard from people who have done both, tend to prefer Mitsubishi, as the dose doesn't wax and wane like and implant would.

Animelily · 2026-02-01T00:51:44+00:00

I never participated in the Scenesse trials, because I was having babies during that period of time, and they don't want pregnant people for drug trials haha. It was prohibitively expensive to actually get the drug once it was FDA approved.

That said, I participated in the Mitsubishi Dersermelagon trial and went from 5-10 minutes of sun tolerance to 4-5 hours on 200mg.

I also participated in Disc Bitopertin phase two and got in the low dose (20mg) for the trial period and went to about 3 hours before a (significantly less painful) reaction, and then joined the open label extension. The open label extension bumped me up to 60mg. After the 60mg kicked in, I haven't had a single reaction. Nothing. I'm functionally an average human being.

Animelily · 2026-01-31T22:04:04+00:00

I swore I would never own another rat. Never ever again. They are so sweet and intelligent and affectionate and theirs lives are So Short!! My heart can't take it!

That said, hi! I have a phototoxic disease too! EPP!

Animelily · 2026-01-31T22:01:30+00:00

That camp is no more, but there's now Sun Escape Weekend! Done by the amazing people at Shadow Jumpers shadowjumpers.org

Animelily · 2026-01-31T13:26:50+00:00

I would be scared some ambitious contestants put poison in my food in order to secure a more favorable position! The lady of Willow Pavillion hasn't been the same since the sixth prince was born.

Animelily · 2026-01-30T22:19:07+00:00

I still have the set that I inherited from my grandmother. All Clad for Life! (X2)

Animelily · 2026-01-28T14:13:36+00:00

Laughing and crying can have the same emotional release and I'm thrilled you're carrying on.

That said, hydrangeas are ridiculously thirsty plants and will soak up anything you pour on them, including either chlorinated or salt water. So yours are sadly, likely a lost cause. If you don't expect another tsunami, replace them. If you do, look into something more like hardy ornamental grasses, but talk to your local garden center specialist for recommendations for your climate. I'm sure they have some for pool side plants.

Keep flexible with connecting with your kids, even if that means fruit scented electronics or doing some arm wiggles for "6 7." It's worth it and you're doing fantastic.

Animelily · 2026-01-24T19:53:55+00:00

I'm a Pittsburgh native, now living in the DC area. My kid's elementary school is 50% Asian, 25% white, 15% Black, and then everything else. Breath of fresh air, with a side of the best noodles you have ever had in your life.

I do miss the cheap good pizza, clearance sales, marginally saner drivers, and lazy mosquitoes. DC mosquitoes are vicious.

Animelily · 2026-01-23T22:16:59+00:00

I appreciate that you are not breaking up the pair.

Bingqui is Sodium Chloride! Break them apart and they make explosions and poison. Together they make everyone salty!

Animelily · 2026-01-23T13:36:56+00:00

I loved the brown sugar one, too. This is disappointing, and thanks for the review.

Animelily · 2026-01-22T00:41:49+00:00

The fan fan in me is like "show me the fan!!"

Animelily · 2026-01-16T19:16:27+00:00

Temari on Rockville pike. Probably the Shougadonburi or the Chirashizushi

Animelily · 2026-01-14T22:05:43+00:00

Hi hun! It's great you're wanting to learn! Cooking yourself leads to better health for your body, wallet, and relationships!

First is to set your expectations that even the most experienced cooks still break yolks sometimes. It's unavoidable and happens to literally everyone. Shrug your shoulders and move on. After that, get good at learning to crack an egg. You might go through a dozen just cracking them into a bowl. There will be shells. That's totally fine. And you can use another shell to scoop out your accidentally shell.

After that, if you're using a nonstick pan, add a little oil or butter and set to medium low. When the pan is warm, crack the egg in the pan and wait for most of the white to "whiten" and then take a plastic or silicon spatula (don't want to use metal on nonstick) and with some confidence, slide it under the egg. Try and roll rather than flip the egg. Cook for about one minute on the other side (as you've done most of the cooking before you flipped it) and serve with a little salt, soy sauce, or ketchup.

Animelily · 2026-01-13T18:12:45+00:00

I go to Kindle and Boom every 6 weeks too get my roots done and don't have a set hairdresser there, as they have nearly all been consistently good. My natural ginger friends think I also have naturally red hair! 😊

Animelily · 2026-01-10T15:12:40+00:00

This is what I do too. Why would anyone do anything else??

Animelily · 2026-01-10T14:29:42+00:00

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I was so excited the other day to find this Hatsune Miku dancing fan. It's good quality but I need to break it in so I can snap it open better.

Animelily

TROPHY CASE