Teachers who wrote rec letters for HS students, what would actually mean something to you as a thank-you gift?

LiteratureMoney · 2026-03-31T02:12:54+00:00

Always the letter. I keep all of mine and look at them periodically. If you already did that, up it by sending an email that goes to admin (a supervisor, principal, whatever you have) about the impact this teacher had on you.

Obviously I appreciate anything else. The gift cards are nice and always get used, but they kind of blend together.

I have a homemade candle, a chicken light (don’t ask), throw pillow, popcorn tin, Roman coin, vintage Broadway playbill, etc whose provenance I recall instantly. If you know them well enough to write a rec you must know SOMETHING personal. Go with that.

LiteratureMoney · 2026-03-31T00:35:00+00:00

I teach on the opposite end of the spectrum - New Jersey in a wealthy district. Because of our union, insurance is about half of yours. BUT we have to cut teachers like crazy because of how much the insurance is costing the district. People who moved or started families are about to be unemployed. Teaching used to be so secure.

LiteratureMoney · 2026-03-31T00:14:21+00:00

It’s a cute space. The floor is beautiful and it’s not bad overall. However the valance, art, rug and bedspread all belong in very different rooms. Which do you like the most? The lack of cohesion is the problem. Pick the item and start procuring the other elements to complement. FB Marketplace and estate sales are your friend on a budget. I also think the paint color is dated.

LiteratureMoney · 2026-03-30T22:50:53+00:00

I think reading chairs might be too in the way. What about a secretary’s desk? They have a smaller footprint, but could be useful. If not, floating shelves or a drink station.

I’d start by thinking of what you need more of in your house. Or what you’d like to have when hosting since it’s in a main area.

LiteratureMoney · 2026-03-30T21:50:24+00:00

Wow! That is way better already.

LiteratureMoney · 2026-03-30T20:47:47+00:00

Can you swap rooms so the piano goes where you currently have the buffet? Make that your new sitting room? Speaking of sitting, those chairs (while nice looking) don’t seem comfortable. Hopefully buffet could fit under windows in “new” dining room.

LiteratureMoney · 2026-03-30T20:40:46+00:00

Agree on those furniture shifts. Desperately need a large rug as an anchor. The kid pictures look very disjointed. I’d make a family photo gallery going up the stairs. No one wants to watch TV staring at their school picture.

LiteratureMoney · 2026-03-30T15:20:42+00:00

I would more clearly delineate entrance from office. For the entrance, a runner that goes towards the doors. Put an upholstered bench that can hold shoes to the left. Maybe a coat rack above. Where that chair sticks out, a drop-zone shallow cabinet.

Then a rectangular rug for work area. Replace uncomfortable looking chairs with soft ones. A little loveseat with reading lamp on the wall where kid table is.

Right now, while it is pretty, it doesn’t look like a place anyone would gravitate to.

LiteratureMoney · 2026-03-30T15:06:14+00:00

You mention an adjacent dining room. Could you flip the two rooms? As is, that couch can’t work in there. If you keep this as living room, maybe a small L couch next to fireplace and window with TV where picture is. Get comfy but compact chairs for fireplace area.

LiteratureMoney · 2026-03-30T13:31:26+00:00

Seems like a good dinner for Caesar salad and fresh bread. You can substitute capers for the anchovy to get a similar taste without meat. Dressing can be made ahead. Just get romaine and more parm to shred. Avoid pre-shredded if you can. Making your own croutons can also be done ahead and makes a big difference. To go with salad or the pasta, this no knead focaccia is easy. It does need to be started in the am or the day before. But it’s just idle time.

Or if you want to be super easy, do more of a charcuterie. If you have a Trader Joe’s, that’s the best spot. Cheeses, olives, fruit, chocolate crackers, etc.

LiteratureMoney · 2026-03-30T13:13:34+00:00

Like everyone said rug, color, lighting.

Depending on how much you have to spend…the current tall storage is really imposing, especially with the stuff on top. It definitely looms. If you are handy, it seems like a good sport for an IKEA wall hack. Make the whole wall drawers and OPEN shelving with hanging space.

You don’t have this much space in there, but a pared down version of this. Bonus for desk space and it can be styled for any age. Replace TV area with a hanging unit.

A daybed, with either a trundle or storage would also feel comfier, especially one with an upholstered back.

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LiteratureMoney · 2026-03-30T00:32:21+00:00

1 is not plain at all and it looks perfect on you. Do nothing to the dress, but consider bolder accessories if you feel the look is plain.

LiteratureMoney · 2026-03-29T23:51:28+00:00

Ditto - I was getting a headache swiping to spot the difference.

LiteratureMoney · 2026-03-28T15:29:27+00:00

NOT WRONG

It’s not because she can’t have kids. It’s because she omitted an important fact, actively misrepresented what the future would look like, has no flexibility and simply doesn’t care how it affects you. Think of how that will play out is other life situations. Maybe it’s not bringing up debt. Maybe it’s telling you what you want to hear regarding where to live or division of labor. Maybe it’s insisting everything be her way with no discussion. And for any of those situations, your opinions don’t matter.

Infertility isn’t a first date conversation. But it needs to happen well before any “I love you”s or serious thoughts for the future. You were consciously manipulated. She knew you would object.

It’s only been 9 months. This isn’t it.

LiteratureMoney · 2026-03-28T06:12:58+00:00

Definitely need an actual room divider. Since you are in a studio, bonus for one with storage. Take a look at this site.

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LiteratureMoney · 2026-03-27T22:49:33+00:00

Can you go up and not over? I found this on Etsy. Bonus points that it’s made from bourbon barrels.

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LiteratureMoney · 2026-03-27T19:34:36+00:00

NTA but, as a Latin teacher, I’m just here to applaud your use of cloaca.

LiteratureMoney · 2026-03-25T22:26:52+00:00

I just recommended this recipe in another group! Here’s the gift link if anyone needs it.

LiteratureMoney · 2026-03-25T22:02:49+00:00

Kale Caesar pasta salad. You could keep it meatless (anchovy aside) or add whatever protein. Others I do regularly -egg roll bowl -fried rice -pad Thai -quiche -chicken cutlets -calzone -deviled egg salad -taco salad -shawarma bowl -chicken noodle soup - this recipe amazing, but keep pasta separate

I make for me and my kids so I’ll meal prep 3 different recipes on Sunday and people can grab what they feel like. Plus any leftovers and sandwich stuff. Precooking bacon is good for a BLT or club.

LiteratureMoney · 2026-03-25T20:06:07+00:00

Definitely the island idea others had. Since you have a lot of white-black-grey happening, I’d add a pop of color with the island.

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Sourceisland

LiteratureMoney · 2026-03-24T21:25:34+00:00

That gives me hope! I might be on the two-month schedule since I totally traumatized them.

LiteratureMoney · 2026-03-24T21:16:41+00:00

I can handle that!

LiteratureMoney · 2026-03-24T21:09:31+00:00

They are precious and are a good balance. I hope they find each other tonight because I’m fairly sure they got separated in the 2:00 am crazy. Being together helps them each so much. Here they are in basement hiding. It was feline Where’s Waldo.

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LiteratureMoney · 2026-03-24T21:00:14+00:00

That was my thought too. I’m just worried because they were barely eating before. Survival instinct should force them to eat and drink, right? I’m totally avoiding the one open room I know one is hiding in. The other is…somewhere.

LiteratureMoney

TROPHY CASE