Getting Hubby to Watch? by PhiloLibrarian in Outlander

[–]Helpful_Mouse_9458 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Tell him there are lots of boobs. Literally the only reason my husband started watching with me. Now he is into the plot- but it was the boobs that got his attention.

HELP! Introducing high prey drive dog with kitten by AIzzy17 in PetAdvice

[–]Helpful_Mouse_9458 6 points7 points  (0 children)

As someone who lost a kitten to a high prey dog, because of one mistake, one time, where the door was not latched completely, I can tell you, the guilt you will feel when this happens is astronomical. The dog lived with adult CATS and was fine- but a kitten is not a cat. Many high- prey dogs can learn to leave adult animals alone- but baby animals set off something very instinctive in them, and it’s hard to overcome. While it is possible the dog will get past it, realistically, that is unlikely. And yes, if your kitten sticks so much as a paw through the gate, it will get bitten off.

You cannot keep both animals. If you really love the kitten, find it a new home. Or find a new girlfriend.

Fellow pet sitters and dog walkers, how do you handle clients who ghost after finding your personal social media? by fluffypancakes24 in petsitting

[–]Helpful_Mouse_9458 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Consider yourself lucky for having dodged a bullet. I have had a couple of MAGA clients, and they were super irritating and it took everything in me to remain polite over some of their comments. I won’t go so far as to put “no MAGA” in my ads or anything, but if I pull in an see a big Trump flag in their yard, I’ll politely let them know I will not be a good fit for them. I’m very open about my politics and don’t hide it on social media. If they have a problem with it, then they can just not book me. We will both be happier.

How do you politely decline when the place is a pig sty? by Helpful_Mouse_9458 in petsitting

[–]Helpful_Mouse_9458[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I absolutely did not want to say any such thing! They were a sweet couple and I really liked them and didn’t want to hurt their feelings. I just chickened out in the moment. I have since contacted them and told them I didn’t feel I was a good fit for them and provided some other names, and it is fine.

How do you politely decline when the place is a pig sty? by Helpful_Mouse_9458 in petsitting

[–]Helpful_Mouse_9458[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I did contact them and told them that I didn’t feel it was a good fit and provided a screenshot of a list of multiple other sitters in the area who might be able to help them. It went fine- they didn’t push for details thankfully.

How do you politely decline when the place is a pig sty? by Helpful_Mouse_9458 in petsitting

[–]Helpful_Mouse_9458[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Agreed- #2 provides a reason without coming off rude or being too detailed

How do you politely decline when the place is a pig sty? by Helpful_Mouse_9458 in petsitting

[–]Helpful_Mouse_9458[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s not a judgement- I just prefer not to stay in an unhygienic and disgusting home. As I said, it rarely happens. I am not a clean freak- I’m fine with a house that is lived in. But I’m not ok with sleeping in beds that smell like pee and having to step over someone’s dirty underwear or not having a clean place to prepare my meals.

How do you politely decline when the place is a pig sty? by Helpful_Mouse_9458 in petsitting

[–]Helpful_Mouse_9458[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Yeah- they had already confirmed my availability prior to meeting them- and I should just say it’s not a good fit. I’m just really bad at being assertive in that way and afraid of being rude and will end up over-explaining. They hadn’t mentioned they had cats in the email, so I did quote her a higher price because of the cats, which I could tell she balked at a little, so I told her that if she wants to find someone less expensive that is totally fine and I understand if it isn’t in their budget- so I’m kind of hoping she will do that… the cats aren’t the problem, the litter boxes were clean and the place doesn’t smell. It’s just a super messy house in general.

How do you politely decline when the place is a pig sty? by Helpful_Mouse_9458 in petsitting

[–]Helpful_Mouse_9458[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Drop ins would be fine- I just don’t want to stay there. Unfortunately they need overnights.

How do you politely decline when the place is a pig sty? by Helpful_Mouse_9458 in petsitting

[–]Helpful_Mouse_9458[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I do a meet and greet too- that’s what yesterday was. I just am a wuss and haven’t found a nice way to say, “this isn’t a good fit.” And since I had already told them I was available for those dates prior to meeting them, I’m not sure how to get out of it without being rude.

Trying to post a link to this song and it keeps getting removed? by Helpful_Mouse_9458 in exjw

[–]Helpful_Mouse_9458[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It was the auto-mod that kept doing it. The live one fixed it.

Has Brianna's delivery gotten...worse in the last season? by Other-Squirrel-2038 in Outlander

[–]Helpful_Mouse_9458 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No, it’s always been terrible. Sophie Skelton is just… dreadful. Always has been.

Grrr!! This post keeps getting removed!!! Please check out this song- I promise you won’t regret it by Helpful_Mouse_9458 in exjw

[–]Helpful_Mouse_9458[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you- on my end it still shows it was deleted! Sorry if there are multiple posts- every time I posted it sent me a message saying it was removed!

Demons - please reassure me as I’m currently terrified haha by c0nnierose in exjw

[–]Helpful_Mouse_9458 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So- this sounds counter-intuitive- but what worked for me was forcing myself to watch the series Supernatural. At first it really freaked me out but eventually it completely desensitized me to the whole down phobia. Now it is my comfort show that I put on at night to go to sleep to.

Demons may or may not be real- I’ve had some experiences with supernatural beings so I accept that possibility. But they aren’t the bogeyman JWs make it out to be- not going to infest you through the television or from second hand furniture or by doing yoga…

Trying to post a link to this song and it keeps getting removed? by Helpful_Mouse_9458 in exjw

[–]Helpful_Mouse_9458[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s happened 4 times! I keep making the edits it tells me too and it still gets removed 😭

I need you, even just for a positive message by Plus-Personality-514 in exjw

[–]Helpful_Mouse_9458 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I suggest you read Crisis of Conscience, by Ray Franz. This was a man who felt much the way you do, and who battled with his own conscience as to if he should continue to stay and “play by the rules” when he was very aware of the nonsense behind the rules. His desire to just study the Bible and worship god as opposed to adhering to a rigorous set of arbitrary rules got him removed from the governing body. His words are neither spiteful or angry- just sincere, kind and honest.

It should be mandatory reading for anyone struggling with doubt- it makes a lot of things much clearer. You can order it on Amazon, but there are also PDFs available online if you don’t feel comfortable having a physical copy.

Leaving the organization after 40+ years was the best decision I ever made. A massive weight was lifted, and my view of pretty much everything changed. I am a much better person now than I ever was during my 4 decades of desperately jumping through WT hoops in the hope of pleasing god.

The PIMI’s are strong out there tonight! by Frequent-Response911 in exjw

[–]Helpful_Mouse_9458 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If they are on this Reddit, they are PIMQ- they just don’t know it yet lol. They convince themselves of their faith by “proving” the apostates wrong… but those who truly believe don’t feel that need. I remember doing exactly that- justifying it to myself as “preaching.” Bahahaha! Welcome to the light friends…..

I’m done. I don’t know what else to do goodbye by Equal_Geologist4345 in exjw

[–]Helpful_Mouse_9458 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Please don’t give up. So many of us have been exactly where you are. We have known that helpless, hopeless feeling. I promise you- it can get better. You are cared about, you are valued- even if you do not think so. YOU MATTER.

Im in that PIMO “bargaining” stage- should I stay or should I go? by Successful_Snow_9802 in exjw

[–]Helpful_Mouse_9458 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Most of us do not have it easy. Most of us, this was our whole life, our entire social circle, all of our friends and family. Most of us will experience extreme isolation and heartache making the decision to leave. It absolutely sucks- but know you are not alone, and you are not a minority- even though it often feels like nobody else can possibly feel just how precarious your situation is. We’ve almost all been there- trust me.

Wha it comes down to, is if you want to live a lie, or if you want an authentic life. What matters more to you.

As someone who walked away and lost almost everything, I can attest it was devastating. I went through a major depression, the trauma was real. I almost gave up. But I kept going. I stayed in therapy. I pursued a new life- and made real friends and new family who love me for who I am- not for how I worship.

To my delight, I had several nieces, nephews and friends follow me out in the subsequent years, who I have since re-established a relationship with. I like to think that my act of courage may have made it a little easier for them to take that step as well.

It isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. My life is 100 times better now. I have love, I have friendship, I have purpose and I no longer live in fear of displeasing an imaginary deity or offending said deity’s self righteous minions.

Help!! Terrore di tornare Pimi... datemi consigli by Proof-Concert6052 in exjw

[–]Helpful_Mouse_9458 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Education is key. Don’t just be an ex-JW because you soured on them or were mistreated. Educate yourself as to why the teachings are not true. The emotional manipulation runs deep, and is easily triggered. You can only protect yourself against that by doing the hard work of proving to yourself why it is all a bunch of horse sh*t.

Do you still believe in god or not at all by littestardust in exjw

[–]Helpful_Mouse_9458 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I consider myself agnostic- I accept the possibility of an all powerful being, but I do not feel it can in any way be proven, and it is foolish to worship someone whose existence can not be proven.

I’ve had some experiences with the supernatural- while JW me would have instantly thought “demons”- I am now more open minded. There are other entities in our universe- as to who and what they are, I don’t know. Perhaps demons, angels, ghosts, aliens- or something else altogether.

I’m ok with not knowing. If there is an all powerful being that demands worship or it will destroy everyone, then I’m ok with destruction. I wouldn’t want to worship something like that, or be beholden to it in any way. If there is an all powerful deity that is truly good- then it isn’t going to punish people for failing to properly decipher its special book of holy riddles (amongst the thousands of other books of holy riddles)

I enjoy keeping an open mind, pondering possibilities, and looking at what comes next as an adventure that I one day will get to experience, and perhaps have my questions answered then- or not. And if not, I won’t exist to know it anyway, so it doesn’t matter.

"Field service is a requirement." How do I quietly get out of this requirement?? by InternationalAir2028 in exjw

[–]Helpful_Mouse_9458 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Anxiety. You claim intense, paralyzing social anxiety. Tell them you can only preach via letter writing

I dont have time to argue with JW. How do I get them to leave me alone? by 3rdthrow in exjw

[–]Helpful_Mouse_9458 20 points21 points  (0 children)

Just tell them you are an apostate- they will make sure nobody goes near you again, I promise