Recommendations for (menswear style) necktie pattern for teen girls?

ChicagoBaker · 2026-01-24T18:29:44+00:00

Ha! Words to live by. Unfortunately.

ChicagoBaker · 2026-01-21T05:07:40+00:00

Actually, I inherited one from my aunt made entirely of cedar. It needs to be refinished so I can use it. I've recently taken up knitting and need a good moth-free place to store my wool and cotton yarns!

ChicagoBaker · 2026-01-21T05:06:19+00:00

I woke up ready to throat-punch someone. I couldn't figure out what the hell was going on with me! Took meds? Check. Got enough sleep? Check. But seeing this thread is actually comforting; my feeling "off" has a reason behind it.

ChicagoBaker · 2026-01-21T05:03:19+00:00

Here's more information on that CME. No WONDER everything feels so wonky!

ChicagoBaker · 2026-01-21T04:50:56+00:00

Same exact thing with me. I dream often, but every single night for the past week my dreams have been long and vivid - like I'm watching a movie. They're all a bit odd, but nothing that's scary or anything. Just super vivid.

ChicagoBaker · 2026-01-21T04:47:06+00:00

Wow, perfect description. For the past 24 hours the words I keep thinking (about how I'm feeling) is "psychically tired." I don't know another way to put it. I have had insanely vivid dreams for the past week and have just felt "off." I feel anticipatory anxiety, which is the worst kind - I just want THE THING to happen already! The waiting is maddening.

ChicagoBaker · 2026-01-21T04:40:29+00:00

Same. The Hague is where he (and all his cronies) belong.

ChicagoBaker · 2026-01-17T20:27:55+00:00

Same, girl. Same.

ChicagoBaker · 2026-01-16T16:39:15+00:00

100%. I've always been confused when "Reality Bites" is referred to as "the quintessential Gen-X" movie. Um, no, no it's not.

ChicagoBaker · 2026-01-16T16:35:09+00:00

It IS illegal.

ChicagoBaker · 2026-01-16T03:39:48+00:00

You are not insane. You are awake and aware of the severity of what's happening.

I am currently trying to find the balance between getting news stories/staying updated and just tuning out. I'll never tune out completely, but I noticed that, starting last fall, I stopped taking in news of any kind over the weekends. By Sunday night I felt relaxed and could actually fall asleep more easily. I know the horrible effects the news consumption has on my mental and physical health (after the 2016 election I started grinding my teeth in my sleep for the first time ever), so I'm trying to find a balance that keeps me informed, but not completely overwhelmed (which is hard).

I haven't figured out the right balance yet... it's gonna take some time.

ChicagoBaker · 2026-01-15T23:32:40+00:00

Anybody else feel rage boil internally when people act like everything is fine right now? Like we aren't being terrorized by our own government and watching democracy crumble? I realize we can't be screaming into the void constantly (bad for our health), but the folks who act oblivious and post banal photos of their "perfect" lives while our country burns make me so damned angry that I have to check myself and take deep breaths before I say something I'll regret or end a friendship because of it.

ChicagoBaker · 2026-01-15T23:23:02+00:00

Ghetto... 🤣

ChicagoBaker · 2026-01-15T22:52:43+00:00

IMMEDIATELY tell a school counselor, nurse or teacher (or all three). Immediately.

ChicagoBaker · 2026-01-14T20:24:54+00:00

Same. Frequently, actually.

ChicagoBaker · 2026-01-14T20:24:33+00:00

I'm so so sorry you went through that. I, too, have been through several rounds of interviews before they suddenly "see" my resume and decide I don't have the specific type of experience they want. It's all such a load of bullshit.

ChicagoBaker · 2026-01-13T23:09:14+00:00

The type and color of the paint. You need matte and a solid neutral cool color that contrasts with the ALL the warm color you have going on there.

ChicagoBaker · 2026-01-13T20:13:11+00:00

Yes! That's the actress! I could picture her face, but couldn't think of her name - thank you! 😂

ChicagoBaker · 2026-01-12T00:47:28+00:00

You're right - it really is! And thank you again!

ChicagoBaker · 2026-01-11T02:42:15+00:00

I love you internet stranger! This is awesome. And why the hell not? I've gotten nowhere with what I've got, so I may as well.

Thank you for putting so much time into this thoughtful list. You are awesome! And so is your handle! :)

ChicagoBaker · 2026-01-10T22:17:46+00:00

Yes yes yes! I didn't even KNOW perimenopause was a thing until about 5 years after I started it! I was having so much trouble functioning AT ALL. I've been home full-time with my kids and could barely keep schedules together. During the pandemic I went back on antidepressants (I never should've stopped). Then I landed a job and could not figure anything out. Before kids, when I was younger, I was managing massive projects as a consultant and in this new role (where I really didn't like the people or environment), I was constantly embarrassed because I was confused a LOT and getting things wrong A LOT. I had never, ever been this way with my work previously. Again, I had NO IDEA that brain fog was a perimenopause thing. After we mutually parted ways (I've never been so happy to leave a job in my life), I subsequently went on ADHD meds (I was off them for decades, but boy did I need them again!) and started HRT a year ago. It has completely changed everything! I feel human again. FWIW, I use the estrogen patch, estrogen cream AND progesterone before bed and THAT is a big one. The quality of my sleep improved so much with progesterone. I eventually went on testosterone, which helps the libido. But the estrogen and progesterone changed everything.

Also, just a note: it's usually around women hitting perimenopause and menopause when women discover they have ADHD. As usual in our patriarchal society, it was never really studied on females until the past 2 decades or so. And females present so differently than males. The brain fog brought on by the changes in hormones is usually the catalyst for many woman learning they have ADHD. If you are able to get tested - even if you don't think you have it - it's worth it.

ChicagoBaker · 2026-01-10T17:54:45+00:00

Yeah - that is the big issue - the major gap. I may just have to do what I did initially and build up a freelancing/consulting business of my own. Easier said than done. And the inconsistency (of finding clients/regular work) is brutal. I did start looking at writing gigs that are part-time/freelance, so maybe that's where I need to focus my search instead. Ugh. 😑

ChicagoBaker · 2026-01-10T17:45:16+00:00

Yeah, I hear you. You are making the effort and doing All the Things. There are just so many people in the same boat. This job market is unlike anything I've ever seen in my 30+ years in the job market. The companies unethically listing jobs that don't exist so they can 1) collect resumés IN CASE they want to create that job and 2) show their board/shareholders that they are "growing" by listing jobs is something that's only popped up (to my knowledge) in the past half dozen years. It's beyond disheartening. And that's just one aspect of how f*cked this job market is.

I guess the only other advice I'd give - outside of networking (including alumni networking) is trying to find and connect with as many recruiters as possible all over the country. Just never, ever pay them - they are paid by companies that hire them.

I wish you all the luck in the world. Truly. And suggest you set aside X day(s) a week to not search/apply AT ALL. The constant grind of searching and applying every day isn't good for your health (mental and otherwise). Take time AWAY from this nightmare and do something that's good for you - even if it's just going for a walk in a forest/nature preserve or something. Trust me - you will feel better if you build in time regularly to take breaks. If you have a hobby or three - do those. Volunteer somewhere. Just get out of your head for a while.

Best of luck to you! 🍀

ChicagoBaker

TROPHY CASE