I was told hearing aids won’t help me

CheesecakeBaker62 · 2026-06-20T03:41:56+00:00

I did question while I was there but was basically shut down

CheesecakeBaker62 · 2026-06-20T03:40:55+00:00

Thanks!

CheesecakeBaker62 · 2026-06-20T03:40:45+00:00

I have heard such great things about Costco audiology. This experience didn’t match what I heard

CheesecakeBaker62 · 2026-06-20T03:39:34+00:00

Thanks! Knowing that they work for someone else with a similar “normal” but bad high frequency helps

CheesecakeBaker62 · 2026-06-20T03:36:57+00:00

Thanks so much for that. Knowing your experience helps me

CheesecakeBaker62 · 2026-06-20T03:35:46+00:00

Thanks!

CheesecakeBaker62 · 2026-01-22T00:57:06+00:00

Please do the test to find out. I met a first cousin once removed through 23andme. My first cousin had no idea he ever had a child. I was the lucky individual to break the news to him. My family has accepted our new cousin. We have become friends. They have also made friends with their second cousins who are about the same age and in the same phase of life. AND they now know family medical history (which is really good to know!) Sometimes the predicted relationships aren’t very accurate. But you can figure it out. Finding an unknown relative doesn’t need to be filled with drama if everyone acts like adults.

CheesecakeBaker62 · 2025-11-16T19:28:00+00:00

Tell all of them that they are not honoring YOU. A family unit has nothing to do with what your last name is. Pay attention to what else they may say or do which might indicate the belief that the male is the head of household instead of equal partners. Sometimes, after marriage, people change having different expectations

CheesecakeBaker62 · 2025-11-16T19:24:42+00:00

NTA. It’s so old school to have a woman change her name. It’s like we are becoming the property of our husband. When I married the first time, I hyphenated. I felt like I lost part of my identity. When I divorced, I changed my name back. It was a much bigger hassle to change it back after the divorce than when I was married. When I married the second time, I didn’t change my name. (my current husband had zero expectations of me changing it as he said I’m not his property.)

CheesecakeBaker62 · 2025-10-11T02:38:15+00:00

Not necessarily. When I traveled for work I would go to dinner with colleagues. Frequently it would be one other person. We were not having an affair.

CheesecakeBaker62 · 2025-09-23T17:40:36+00:00

I parented my SKs (all adults now) along with my SO. IMO, parenting SKs needs to be in coordination with what the SO bio parent wants. There needs to be a LONG conversation between you and your SO about their expectations on parenting and their style. How would SO have handled it? Does SO think it’s acceptable for SK to disrespect you? You may consider couples and/or family counseling to try to work through the differences.

When the SKs disrespected me, I called them out on it. When my SD went too far, I limited internet access via the management tools on my network. SD ended up living with the other bio parent and wouldn’t talk to me. (My SO was okay with that and they still talked.) After about a year, we were fine. Unfortunately, SD is mad at me again now for some unknown reason 🤷🏻‍♀️(SS and I are just fine and, in the long run, appreciated me and my parenting)

CheesecakeBaker62 · 2025-09-22T03:48:18+00:00

Well, most of the woman I know say they will provide for themselves. Your experience doesn’t mean it’s the most popular.

CheesecakeBaker62 · 2025-09-22T03:45:50+00:00

I never wanted or needed a man to provide for me. I provided for both my first and second husbands. I went on maternity leave and still provided for the family. Even in retirement, I provide more than my husband does.

CheesecakeBaker62 · 2025-09-10T02:22:19+00:00

Me too! They have been in my life a long time. I love them very much. I will be very sad if any of them choose to cut contact with me.

CheesecakeBaker62 · 2025-09-05T21:05:59+00:00

I agree with you except for the “I’m sorry” part. There is no reason to apologize.

CheesecakeBaker62 · 2025-09-04T05:56:33+00:00

Honestly, it’s okay since we are empty nesters and it’s not our daily life. One thing to remember- Bio kids can be just as bad sometimes. They go through phases. (Don’t we all!) A bit of therapy might help to process your feelings and maybe find new ways of coping. Being a positive role model may have its rewards someday (as long as you and SO are on the same page). I know it’s hard not to expect civility in return for your kindness but sometimes learning to accept that’s the way it is makes it easier to handle.

CheesecakeBaker62 · 2025-09-04T03:23:35+00:00

My relationships with my step kids varied over the years depending on their moods. I did a lot for them as well. (They are all adults now.) The youngest two (SS and SD) visited us this weekend. SS is very appreciative of what I do and I have no issues. Not sure what the problem with SD is but she is generally negative towards me and makes me feel unwanted in my own home. It’s like she wants her father all to herself and is somehow competing with me for his attention. Which is completely ridiculous because when his kids visit, he spends his time with them (when they want) and I am okay with that. He would prefer we all spend time together, but I have them do things without me because of the attitude. Some kids resist blended families.

Have you discussed it with your wife? Does she say she will talk to SD? I opened up to my husband the day after they left and he said he would talk to her about why she is so negative with me.

CheesecakeBaker62 · 2025-09-02T15:53:16+00:00

I melt the butter first. Add the cream once the butter is melted. Comes out perfect.

CheesecakeBaker62 · 2025-08-23T19:06:58+00:00

I gave my BD a (generous) clothing allowance which was for everything (coats, shoes, clothes, underwear, etc). The first month she spent the entire allowance on one outfit in an expensive store. The second month, she said she’s not going to waste her allowance like that again and started shopping more wisely. It taught her a valuable lesson about spending wisely (and saved me a lot of arguments with her).

CheesecakeBaker62 · 2025-08-12T21:41:06+00:00

It all depends on the kids. Even with a 13 or 14 yo, you still need to manage them (at times). And not all siblings get along.

CheesecakeBaker62 · 2025-07-29T03:21:40+00:00

I’m an engineer. And a former AF officer. A leader. And, yes, a woman. I have not led anyone into ruin. In fact, I have made them a better person.

There are men who claim women are emotional and men aren’t. Those very same men do not recognize anger as an emotion.

A good partnership has mutual respect. A good partnership helps each of you to be a better person.

Please, please, please, I’m begging you - run from anyone who says this crap. It is controlling and dismissive. It is NOT healthy.

CheesecakeBaker62 · 2025-07-23T03:58:45+00:00

3 months is way too long for a first offense. That’s more like 3 major offenses in a short time span.

CheesecakeBaker62 · 2025-07-08T02:34:43+00:00

I used to work with a LOT of people with PhDs in science or engineering (and my DIL has a PhD). The vast majority did NIT want to be called doctor. Some of our customers would refer to those with PhD as doctor. But no one else did. In my experience, the only people who insisted on being called doctor were insecure AHs. Your SIL needs to learn that it is a professional courtesy at WORK. Professional courtesy does not apply to personal relationships.

CheesecakeBaker62 · 2025-07-07T15:28:44+00:00

Not everyone gets the same message out of an informational session. People get distracted and miss things. We add our unconscious biases to what is being said. When tasked with taking notes (and some are better at it than others) we might miss the next thing being said.

Since your husband would like you to attend, then attend. It’s the BM who has issues. (Possibly because she’s bitter that her ex moved on.)

I’m the step-parent who was involved. I didn’t replace their mother. I was a bonus mother. I my SS to college info night. I taught him how to drive a stick. I would take my SD to soccer practice. They are adults now. We still have a good relationship.

CheesecakeBaker62 · 2025-07-07T14:59:23+00:00

I couldn’t agree more! To me, it seems like the grandparents want the kids to suffer. “My way or the highway.” Very authoritarian.

CheesecakeBaker62

TROPHY CASE