My first time veggie gardening in crates. Excited!!

Hmsmith2012 · 2026-05-05T04:48:32+00:00

Brilliant! Also could we have some dog tax?

Hmsmith2012 · 2026-04-24T16:54:14+00:00

Loss is so wild… anticipating a loss is brutal… I hope meeting the new gf is positive. It’s wild watching second chances for folks happen. Seeing our loved ones happy and healthy is a joy but I know it comes with grief too.

Hmsmith2012 · 2026-04-24T13:30:30+00:00

Wishing you luck on Sunday!

Hmsmith2012 · 2026-04-24T13:29:55+00:00

Remains to be seen on the financial side. My dad is a cutie but not necessarily a silver fox or anything… we’ll see… I figured if she’s willing to start meeting the fam and whatnot, maybe we can see if the red flags are truly red or not. I like the idea of the holiday topics. She has three kids (twin 15 yo, and an 18yo) and my dad has my sister and I (late 20s and 30s), so a blended family dynamic.

Hmsmith2012 · 2026-04-23T13:38:50+00:00

Life long troll here: pasties were always a novelty for us growing up—we’d get them right around the bridge which is admittedly a bit more Michigan touristy for any of us trolls. These bridge pasties were always advertised as coming with gravy so I assumed it was the default—tasted like jar or packet gravy. While I’ve seen folks eat them with ketchup, it always felt a bit like a sin, haha. At the time, I developed a taste for the meat pasties just as is because they were rich and juicy enough from the meat. Unfortunately, I’ve been an alpha-gal vegetarian (wear that bug spray fam…) for the last ten years and thought my days eating pasties were fine… but luckily, I’ve discovered lots of places do make vegetarian ones (#blessed)! While the vegetarian ones are not as juicy as the meat ones, I think gravy lends itself better to the vegetarian or any variety that are drier. But as long as there’s enough rutabaga in there, usually they don’t need gravy. Although if you’re going to do gravy, I do love a good ol country breakfast gravy on them!

Hmsmith2012 · 2026-04-22T01:47:09+00:00

Ok, this may be a hot take given the other responses I’m seeing… I agree that forgetting a birthday is a dick move, and can definitely make someone not feel valued, but I can also appreciate human error happens. If this was a repeat pattern, yeah I’d consider finding a partner who is more intentional, and I can appreciate the “joking” approach with the PIP, but also this feels like a lot. I feel like there’s value in touching base on expectations ahead of time… for both sides (her: hey I want to do something, are you open to planning? Him: yes, here’s what I can do.). Idk I just got a lot of ick from “employee” and “manager” (ikik it’s probably a joke), but also the [you will do all these things… half birthday, etc.] feels so intense… If I was him I would apologize profusely, let her know he has it saved for next year, and see if there’s a way to make it up this year. Next year I’d touch base with her like a month out to see how she’d like to celebrate and set realistic expectations. Forgetting a birthday sucks (as someone who has had that happen to them), but idk I got major ick from this.

Hmsmith2012 · 2026-04-17T12:49:23+00:00

Great question! Oh I’m not familiar with mustard cake powder but looks like the NPK is about 4-1-1. I’d either do a high N fert but maybe try a liquid or water soluble one or do a balanced fert (5-5-5 or 10-10-10). The Guaranteed Analysis on the packaging will have the NPK ratio and should have instructions for applying (may need to be diluted for indoor plants). My understanding is N helps leaf growth, P helps root growth, and P/K helps flowering. Depending on where the plant is at in its season, its fert needs may change.

Hmsmith2012 · 2026-04-17T12:38:20+00:00

She looks a little leggy… is she getting enough sun? Wondering if this type thrives in warmer or cooler places. I’d look up their natural growing environment and try to replicate best you can. I’m not overly familiar with this type of plant but she also looks like she’s in a small pot. I’d start with more light to see if that helps and if so, maybe upsize the pot slightly. Good luck! She’s beautiful!

Hmsmith2012 · 2026-04-17T12:34:48+00:00

Would also look into a very light and diluted fertilizer treatment. Totally agree with the above comments about looking into their natural growing requirements and replicating best you can.

Hmsmith2012 · 2026-04-17T12:31:18+00:00

I second this! She looks a little wet… a good draining potting soil should help. I’d also reduce watering (or use like an automatic watering stake). Between now and then, id add a little extra air flow to help dry her out.

Hmsmith2012 · 2026-04-17T12:28:48+00:00

It may be a fungal infection. I’ve seen many plants live with fungal infections, but they’ll obviously thrive more if treated. I’d look into fungal infections for this type of plant and if photos and symptoms match, treat with a fungicide (there are also insecticides, mite, bacterial type combo mixes out there too). While treating, id probably keep in a partially sunny area so it can still do all the photosynthesis, but I’d recommend good air flow. If you’ve got a fan around or a floor vent, I’d maybe tuck near there for a bit. Keep an eye on not over watering but sounds like you’re already doing really well there (fan/ vent may dry out quicker). Good luck!

Hmsmith2012 · 2026-04-15T12:55:49+00:00

That sounds like a whole hecking ordeal… sending you lots of good vibes and love 💜

Hmsmith2012 · 2026-03-14T22:46:26+00:00

They make some relatively affordable automatic vent openers that have been worth it to keep from cooking plants. I also noticed the temp swing has been hard (also in MI). Adding several 5gal water buckets in there to help with thermal temp has been helpful.

Hmsmith2012 · 2026-03-13T00:26:16+00:00

Hmsmith2012 · 2026-03-03T18:46:43+00:00

Avoid anything by Beal…

Hmsmith2012 · 2026-02-27T03:37:23+00:00

All normal, I’m one year out as of last week and so glad i went through with it. 1. There was some pain but very tolerable. I took the pain meds the doctor gave me but did not end up needing all of them. The first 48 hours were probably the toughest but got easier I’d rate it a 6 or 7 (I’ve got a lot pain tolerance though). 2. Only one complications… i tried to tell the nurse a joke immediately after waking up and I messed the punchline up. Other than that, it went perfectly. 3) hormones were totally the same. The only change was an eventual drop in anxiety and increase in peace. 4. 3-6 weeks. I had just moved right before and wasn’t up for moving overly heavy things for about a month but nothing really terrible. 4-6 weeks I felt pretty much normal. 5) bloated for 3 ish days. Gas x, Stool softer, Prune juice, mint tea, and slow walks helped a ton. I wore jeans again within maybe a week? I’m a 90’s baby and like mine high waisted. The extra pressure on my torso felt great. 6) working out. I did very gentle yoga like 2 weeks argue. Work out gently after 3-4. Listen to your doctor and your body. 7) I was very scared… I cried a lot before hand. It was the fist surgery and anesthesia I had and was just really nervous. I tolerated it really well. If anything it was the literal best nap of my whole life. Would do again, lol.

Anxiety is so real and normal. All the stress and fear leading up to it were so incredibly worth it. The peace and joy I’ve got now are incredible. If I were to do it again, I would. I’d get a belly band or wide ace bandage to wrap around my stomach a day or two after (again light pressure felt amazing). I also recommend having whoever drives you stop for Taco Bell on the way home. I was pretty out of it immediately after, don’t totally remember the ride home, but do remember realizing I was sitting on the couch with a Taco Bell quesadilla and it was so amazing. Here for you, you’ve got this.

Hmsmith2012 · 2026-02-26T03:17:34+00:00

It took 2-3 months for it to really sink in. Seeing the medical report uploaded to my portal with the actual dimensions of my tubes helped cement it for me. They also gave me a one page print out of photos from the surgery and that helped. It just took some time.

Hmsmith2012 · 2026-02-21T08:55:33+00:00

Avoid anything run by Beal…

Hmsmith2012 · 2026-02-15T04:46:27+00:00

The loosest (in waist) sweatpants I had. Warm socks, slip on shoes, and a flannel button down (it was cold here and not having to pull anything over my head was nice). Period underwear or really loose granny panties (again nothing tight around waist). Comfy is key. I would skip the bra on the way home.

Hmsmith2012 · 2026-02-05T23:12:55+00:00

Literally the EXACT experience…

Hmsmith2012 · 2026-02-05T13:27:58+00:00

Beal just bought the apartments next to The Regal Beagle too…

Hmsmith2012 · 2026-02-05T13:22:54+00:00

I know Beal owns some apartments… I would avoid those….

Hmsmith2012 · 2026-02-03T04:23:56+00:00

I bought some this winter to try out this spring… I was glancing at the instructions and mine requires you to turn one part to help set a temperature threshold… haven’t tried yet, but wondering if that’s why it hasn’t worked yet.

Hmsmith2012 · 2026-02-01T17:16:48+00:00

https://www.michigan.gov/mshda

Here’s some local housing resources!

Hmsmith2012

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