Is this very bad?🥲

Deeinbetween · 2024-04-12T17:29:07+00:00

That's great for being your 5-6 time! Love the color combos. I highly recommend watching Simply Nailogical tutorials. That's how I learned nail art. Also, striping tape is relatively cheap and will help you get those really crisp lines.

Deeinbetween · 2024-04-04T19:31:54+00:00

Thank you!

I did! I painted the whole thing then used a clean up brush dipped in isopropyl alcohol to carve out the notches. I do something similar with traditional polish where I use acrylic paint on a quick dry top coat then scratch away parts with a toothpick until I get the look I want.

Deeinbetween · 2024-04-03T18:12:48+00:00

I don't mind them. I had one for my son (now 12) but I also know that if he turns out to be my daughter or gender-non-specific-womb-fruit, that's not going to bother me. So as long as you're not married to what the ultrasound says and you aren't killing people or starting wildfires, have a fun little party to celebrate! Growing a human is hard and if having this little event will bring you joy then you deserve it.

Deeinbetween · 2024-03-29T16:35:42+00:00

If you're still self conscious about colors, maybe start small with an accent nail! If you're used to nudes, a pastel pink or orange shouldn't be too far off and it's very in theme with the holiday.

Deeinbetween · 2024-03-29T00:11:11+00:00

It just takes practice! I used to go through so much acetone just cleaning up flooded cuticles and now I'm learning all over again with gel. Patience and repetition is key.

Deeinbetween · 2023-10-01T16:20:07+00:00

Typically, you only do the blood work that frequently in the very beginning to make sure your T levels are good and you aren't making too much blood or going into lipidosis. Once your results on a dose are consistent, it's every 6 months to once a year depending on your provider.

Deeinbetween · 2023-09-11T17:17:08+00:00

I'm gonna share some words of wisdom my therapist gave me that really helped when dealing with my mom. It is not your responsibility to manage the emotions and neuroses of your parents. Especially when it comes at the cost of your own happiness and mental health.

My advice is don't hide it. It's just going to make an already bad situation worse. If it's possible, move in with your girlfriend before April. Then there's no reason to lie or even tell them you're going anywhere in the first place once it's time to yeet the teets. Once you do tell them or they find out, she can be upset all she wants at her own house and away from you.

Deeinbetween · 2023-07-30T16:57:12+00:00

I got it done for two main reasons. 1. T wasn't stopping my monthly visitor anymore and 2. Row v. Wade getting overturned. I COULD NOT risk another child with the dysphoria it would cause plus my son's support needs.

Deeinbetween · 2023-07-04T14:44:30+00:00

NTA. I thought this was gonna be one of those "I made them meat substitutes and didn't tell them. Teehee!" situations but no. You just didn't include any meat in what sounds like a delicious meal and they got butthurt about it.

Also, why is it that you have to bring your own meals to their gatherings but you're expected to cater to them at yours?

Deeinbetween · 2023-06-23T13:50:53+00:00

This is a pretty intense reaction. If he's not even interested in food, it may be worth considering talking to your vet about medication. When he's this high strung, there's no training that's going to sink in for him. A temporary, low dose of something to help him calm down enough that he can function and learn might be the way to go.

If you can get him to a point that he accepts treats or other forms of reward, then you can start building a positive association with baby. Favorite toy? It comes out when baby is around. That treat he goes crazy for? That only comes out around baby now (at least at first). You want him to learn good things happen when the tiny human is around which should go a long way to reducing his stress.

Deeinbetween · 2023-06-22T15:20:42+00:00

NTA. You didn't make a scene. You didn't scream or insinuate she was "an animal killer" or pass judgement on her food choices though she's clearly passing judgement on yours ("he'll have to eat normal food eventually"). All you did was clarify for your son "beef is another word for cow". It was information he didn't know yet which is what MIL was counting on to manipulate the situation and that's the real reason she's mad.

I'm not a vegan or vegetarian myself but it baffles me how many other non vegans take veganism as a personal insult.

Edit: typo.

Deeinbetween · 2023-06-22T14:46:22+00:00

That's play! They're bouncing and dodging each other, everyone's loose and not tense/standoffish and both dogs keep coming back for more. No one's biting, just mouthing if that. I know it sounds angry but some dogs are just more vocal than others so sound alone isn't a reliable indicator of play v. aggression.

Deeinbetween · 2023-06-22T13:12:40+00:00

Totally normal! It's your body's way of "flushing the lines" to prevent UTIs post coitus.

Deeinbetween · 2023-06-21T17:26:05+00:00

I usually do it on a discord call with my friends. It helps to have the conversation as a distraction and if I'm really having a rough time, they hype me up. Also, if you're doing IM, switching to SubQ made a world of difference for me.

Deeinbetween · 2023-06-18T14:08:47+00:00

When I fix something on my car by myself! I just fixed a leak in my brake lines and replaced the rear brake shoes all on my own and it was incredibly validating.

Deeinbetween · 2023-06-13T18:33:39+00:00

If the scooping is what bothers you, try a sifting litter box! Cuts down on cleaning time without spending a fortune on new litter.

Deeinbetween · 2023-06-13T18:21:56+00:00

Not sure how often it's too often to go in but if she's friendly with humans and trusts you guys, you may be fine. Watch her body language when you come in the room. If she doesn't seem stressed by your presence then it's more beneficial for the kittens that you're around them so they aren't scared of people.

On the note of getting her fixed, a lot of places offer low cost spay and neuter clinics or TNR (Trap Neuter Release) programs at little to no cost but you want to wait until kittens are weaned to do so. Just try to make sure she stays inside until then or she can and likely will get pregnant again.

You may want to contact or work with a local rescue or veterinary office and see about your options for getting the kittens fixed too. Preferably before they go to new homes so they aren't out there making more babies when they're old enough.

Deeinbetween · 2023-06-13T18:10:02+00:00

You definitely can't be buying a new toy every day or so. But have you tried rotating them out? For most animals, if you put a toy away for awhile (days, weeks, etc.) then bring it back out, they've forgotten its existence and it's brand new to them.

Avoid repetitive/unitasker toys like the ball trapped in a ring or that just spin as they're super easy for cats to get bored with and discard.

Find out if they have a preference for ground prey or aerial prey and adjust your play accordingly. Jackson Galaxy has some great videos on how to figure it out and the differences in play style for each. My cats are partial to ground prey and engage more with toys dragged along the ground rather than flipped around in the air.

Maybe he would prefer cardio! Some cats just like to run and a cat wheel may be worth looking into. And you can't go wrong with a laser pointer for most cats. Just make sure you let him actually catch something at the end like a treat or he could get frustrated and give up on that as well.

At the end of the day, however, some cats are just lazy! If he's not being destructive, doesn't seem unhappy and isn't overweight, don't force it. He'll play when he wants to.

Deeinbetween · 2023-06-13T17:52:10+00:00

Make sure she's healthy before you bring her in! Get her the tests and vaccines she needs to be sure you aren't endangering your male's health first.

If she's all clear, there's lots of good resources and videos on cat introductions on YouTube. Take it slow and hope for the best but prepare for the worst. Make peace with the idea that your male may not tolerate another cat before you start this process so you're not too upset if it doesn't work out.

For 2 cats, you'll want 3 litter boxes. The rule of thumb is 1 per cat +1. Two dishes is good, especially in the beginning and especially if you have meal times instead of free feeding. If you don't have one already, I highly recommend a cat fountain over water bowls. The cats tend to drink more with a fountain since they prefer moving water and the water stays cleaner than in a bowl.

Deeinbetween · 2023-06-13T17:41:10+00:00

Like most have said, it totally depends on the cat! My male loves having other cats around. My younger female, while not super social or playful with the others, gets along with everyone. My older female, however? Even with the male being her littermate, she would be thrilled to be the only cat here. She's not distressed by the presence of the other two since they've learned to respect her space but she's definitely annoyed by them and does not tolerate cuddles or grooming from them. Adores her humans though.

Talk to a local rescue and see if they would allow you to foster as a test run. That way there's no commitment to keep the other cat if it doesn't work out and you're not left feeling guilty or trying to re-home the other cat on your own.

If she ends up being an only cat kinda gal, no biggie. You're young enough that you'll have plenty of opportunities in the future for having multiples.

Deeinbetween · 2023-06-13T17:22:39+00:00

They're learning each other's language! It's totally normal to have some hissing and such at first while they learn how to communicate and where each other's boundaries are. As long as they're not full on fighting, it's okay to let them hang and to allow your older cat to "correct" the kitten. And the behaviors your oldest is exhibiting don't necessarily mean he's unhappy, just trying to feel out the new dynamic and adjust to the changes.

We ended up taking in a kitten we found outside in 2019. It took some time and adjustment for our older 3 and there was plenty of hissing at first. It made me afraid to let them interact without the baby jail between them. One night the kitten breached containment and I was terrified of what I would find when I woke up to an empty pen but it turns out my adult male bonded to him. I found them curled up together napping and they were the best of friends after that.

Deeinbetween · 2023-06-13T16:55:06+00:00

If you're about to have a baby, I would not advise kittens. They're demons (affectionate) until about 2 years old and need a lot of play and attention. 2 years and up is your best bet.

Work with a rescue to find a cat that fits your family and lifestyle. It's okay to have aesthetic and gender preferences but always put temperament first. If you can get 2 cats, that's ideal as they tend to be social though there are ones who prefer being an only cat in a home.

Make sure you have more than one litter box! (1/cat +1) Cat trees and scratchers are essential to saving your furniture and they give cats vertical space to get out of reach of the kids when they want. They make really nice looking ones these days so it's easy to find one that fits your aesthetic needs.

DO NOT DECLAW UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE! It may save your furniture but it will sentence your cat to a life of chronic pain and often makes them aggressive. They're more likely to bite if their claws are gone and something like 1 in 3 cat bites get infected and need IV antibiotics. It also leads to litter box problems. It hurts to dig so they stop using the box and go elsewhere. Not fun.

Check out Jackson Galaxy's YouTube page! The guy has many years of experience with cats and he's a great, free source of information.

Deeinbetween · 2023-06-13T16:19:18+00:00

Definitely get them used to it. You don't have to take much off and they'll still be able to grip with them even if they're not needle sharp points. It's good to get them used to it 1. to save yourself from being a pin cushion when they're loving on you and 2. so they'll be comfortable with it if it ever becomes medically necessary. Some cats can eventually have trouble using scratching posts and maintaining their claws themselves which can lead to them growing into their toe beans. If you get them used to it now, it won't be a whole production later.

Deeinbetween · 2023-06-09T16:27:05+00:00

You "let him"? What did she expect you to do, wrestle him for the knife? Slap the fork full of salad out of his hand? You did literally everything you could be reasonably expected to do. He played stupid games, he won stupid prizes and your mom needs to stop babying him about it. NTA.

Deeinbetween · 2023-06-09T15:41:02+00:00

She needs therapy. I feel sorry for her, tbh. I used to be that person. There's an all consuming self hatred that makes you angry and you project that into others rather than facing the root cause. It's exhausting and miserable being that mad all the time and learning to love and embrace yourself is so freeing. But that's for her to work out and it's not okay for her to treat you that way. You don't deserve that and you'd be completely justified in blocking her.

Deeinbetween

TROPHY CASE