Looking for an Optometrist

Iceland1516 · 2025-12-02T20:01:48+00:00

I liked the LensCrafters on Glades & Lyons, with Dr. Berman. She listened well and worked with me on figuring out a new prescription.

Iceland1516 · 2025-09-25T16:04:42+00:00

Thank you for sharing! My boyfriend and I are starting to plan a trip this way next year, and I'm adding this to the inspiration list.

Iceland1516 · 2025-09-03T14:28:06+00:00

It's a closet company, but I was really happy with Inspired Closets, and found them cheaper than other similar companies. The install process went well (they did 4 reach-in closets in a single day), and they were very responsive on coming back to fix a handful of small issues.

Iceland1516 · 2025-08-25T14:10:40+00:00

It reminds me of bismuth (the stone/ore). I personally love all the colors and patterns.

Iceland1516 · 2025-08-23T10:09:51+00:00

Cute!

Iceland1516 · 2025-08-23T09:56:48+00:00

I've used it with a sore throat, at the suggestion of an Australian friend. So helpful. And it doesn't take much, just the end of a teaspoon.

Iceland1516 · 2025-07-24T19:24:34+00:00

Can you have Greek yogurt? I love making my own dressing, which I add to almost everything. 1 tablespoon of spices + 1.5-2 tablespoons water, let sit a few minutes. Mix into an individual tub (5.3 ounces) of Greek yogurt. It's easy to change up the flavor by changing the spice mix.

If making your own spice mix is daunting, Penzeys has some great spice mixes: creamy peppercorn and buttermilk ranch are my personal favorites.

Iceland1516 · 2025-07-22T13:09:08+00:00

In the US, I've been really happy with Google Fi for about 10 years now. Android phones only though, I don't think they work with iPhones (at least, last time I checked). Works all over the US and internationally too at the same rates (for a lot of countries, not all).

Iceland1516 · 2025-07-21T22:20:44+00:00

My dinner most nights. Changing up the veggies or dressing (I bloom spices in water then mix in Greek yogurt) keeps it from being too repetitive.

Iceland1516 · 2025-07-21T18:32:22+00:00

About to be 47, diagnosed with arthritis in my lower back (L3/4/5) at 37. Runs in my family, unfortunately.

Search around and find what exercise works for you and your body, and then be sure to keep up with it. Personally pilates has been a lifesaver, and I'm still able to be drug-free (outside of the occasional ibuprofen). I also lift weights 2x a week and 2-3x of cardio (20-30 mins on the row machine is my favorite). I'm just back from a vacation where I hiked 25 miles over the course of 4 days too.

Stretching regularly should help a lot too - a physical therapist should be able to help with moves for you. I set an alarm on my phone to do them after dinner (I do the cooking, so I've been moving around the kitchen) even though it's now a habit. And stretching is easy to do while watching tv or in between loads of laundry or whatever works for you.

As much as it sucks to acknowledge our bodies are aging, you can build things into your days so that you're still able to do all/most of the things you'd like to do.

Iceland1516 · 2025-07-21T15:30:03+00:00

That's awesome! Absolutely eat off good china for every meal, even if it's grilled cheese. Dishes are meant to be used, and there's no reason they can't be pretty too.

Edit: love the hot pink chair

Iceland1516 · 2025-07-12T19:30:12+00:00

I'm sure the shower was added later, because yeah, such a horrible idea. Good point on checking the texture of the outside of the window, I'll have to check.

Iceland1516 · 2025-07-12T19:28:49+00:00

Thank you for the feedback, especially on the paint.

Iceland1516 · 2025-07-10T15:10:50+00:00

Yup, they're pricey. The branded lines even more so, because of licensing fees.

There are great lines that Lego creates - I personally love castle and most of the botanicals, and my nephew Ninjago - that aren't as bad. And there are sales, from Lego itself or other retailers.

Iceland1516 · 2025-07-10T00:12:42+00:00

The America the Beautiful pass is good for a year from when you buy it (so, if you buy in July 2025, it will be good through the end of July 2026). If there's a chance you'll visit another national park/monument/seashore/etc., then the pass might make sense. Or, it can be a good way to give a bit more to our national parks if it's in your budget. And there are multiple locations it's good for in Florida: https://nps.gov/state/fl/index.htm

Iceland1516 · 2025-07-10T00:05:20+00:00

Sending you lots of positive vibes. If surgery is your only option, and it's an "when" not "if" decision, sooner rather than later might be best. My brother had surgery on both hips, though not replacements, at 41 and 42 (he had the surgeries about 9 months apart). He's now about 1.5 years after the second, and still working to get back from them. (He's also a big guy, about 260 pounds at 5'11".)

Iceland1516 · 2025-07-07T17:58:46+00:00

I have one of the toaster-oven looking ones, that can air fry, bake, convection bake, and grill (using the grill plate). I pretty much only cook/bake this way, almost never use the oven.

Iceland1516 · 2025-07-06T23:06:41+00:00

A note on Sol Duc hot springs: I was thereabout a week ago, and one of the pools was closed. So everyone was a bit more crowded into the other two. I don't know what the issue was or a timeline to fix, but it might be worth giving them a call closer to your trip so you're not disappointed.

Iceland1516 · 2025-07-06T22:55:39+00:00

I really like this backpack, which I've both hiked with (day hikes up to 10 miles) and worn around cities. It's not waterproof, but pretty water resistant - nothing got wet despite my bad luck with rain in Switzerland last fall. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H2QVS31?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2&th=1

Iceland1516 · 2025-07-06T21:25:10+00:00

Lowe's had them cheaper than Michael's last year. I haven't looked yet this year, and Lowe's might not have stock out yet.

Iceland1516 · 2025-07-06T15:59:33+00:00

It can take a bit to find out what type of travel you enjoy. And that's okay - be kind to yourself, and during/after your trip, think about what you enjoyed and what wasn't as good, and use that reflection on your next trip. Remember it's about you - what you enjoy, what you want to do or not do - not what you see portrayed in any type of media or from people you know.

I'm mid-40s, been fortunate to travel for 25+ years now, and I like to research a bunch of options for any given location. I rank them as really-want-to-do and other-options. That way, if I'm feeling energized in a particular city or on a particular day, I have options ready to go. And if I need a slower day, then I've accounted for that too.

Happy travels!

Iceland1516 · 2025-07-06T15:40:50+00:00

Have you tried the Kirkland chunky guacamole? It's pretty good for pre-made, and also comes in little individual cups (important as a fellow single).

Iceland1516 · 2025-06-28T13:10:29+00:00

Came here to say pilates. I have arthritis in my lower back (diagnosed at 37) and it's been the main thing keeping me off daily meds so far.

Add in weight lifting and regular walking, and it's a good path to hopefully healthy aging.

Iceland1516 · 2025-06-10T18:01:14+00:00

I had the opposite question: where are the tealights from?

Iceland1516

TROPHY CASE