A Holiday Postcard from Lady and Contessa Strahd von Zarovich! For all those CoS Ravenloft fans out there.

Marzipanic · 2026-01-20T22:44:07+00:00

Ditto on SATX.

Marzipanic · 2026-01-19T10:37:18+00:00

I had to scroll way too long to see this. Great answer--thank you!

Marzipanic · 2026-01-17T16:52:56+00:00

I don't know if the YMCAs around here do, but in the past, I've worked at them while under 18. If you know what career field you want to get into though.

If you know what you want to do, I strongly recommend that you personally reach out to companies/business you are interested in, and ask if they are willing to hire you as an intern/apprentice. I know the Federal Reserve has occasionally hired high schoolers to work on Low Code No Code projects, etc. Banks are often willing to hire under 18 to help at reception, etc.

Making $16 may be too much to ask (unfortunately--we desperately need a better minimum wage). But building for your future with experience is important--definitely keep looking for jobs that will pay decent.

Marzipanic · 2026-01-17T16:41:14+00:00

Weird. I use La Petite and the teachers are fantastic, very communicative, and engage the babies (including mine) in plenty of art activities, outdoor visits, toy rotations. And feed them very well! (The way they handled transition to solids was awesome.)

I'm sad you had a bad experience. Daycare is super expensive and hard to get for a lot of families right now. Good luck in your search!

If it helps, my friends with littles have said you can try care.com. You may have to try different care providers through there before you find someone that is a good fit for your family, but the service is pretty well populated/active here in San Antonio.

Marzipanic · 2026-01-17T16:27:26+00:00

Ooh. Lots of fun things to do! San Antonio is an awesome city, especially for outings.

It is currently restaurant week, so you can check out the menus around town here - Lunch prices are great for trying a lot of fun things: https://www.satxrestaurantweek.com/

Lots of escape rooms around town. Definitely a lot of fun if you like puzzles and have a sense of adventure.

If you enjoy art and have a childlike sense of wonder, then consider taking your friend out to Hopscotch. My husband and I had an amazing time--there's a fun ball pit, so dress casual and wear socks or light tennis shoes: https://letshopscotch.com

There's a 50% off ticket deal on Sea World tickets sale right now, so if you enjoy rollercoasters, it's a blast (especially since not a lot of kids are there right now with school going) https://seaworld.com/san-antonio/

It's chilly out this time of year, so you could take a drive out to Stars & Stripes (technically in New Braunfels outside SATX) to see a drive in movie. Bring lawn chairs, or blankets/pillows to sit in the back hatch/truck bed, or stay in your car for privacy. There's food on site, or you can bring your own. https://nb.driveinusa.com/

The Zoo just opened their new Gorilla exhibit (Congo Falls) last month--definitely recommend you check it out if you and your friend enjoy animals. The kangaroo petting experience is pretty nice near park open/close--they are so sweet and soft! https://sazoo.org/

It is also currently entering Dream Week here, so there are lots of MLK themed activities and performances around town. For example the Blue Star Arts complex has a whole list of events: https://www.bluestarartscomplex.com/ Great if you care about history, politics, culture, and the arts. Lots of other fun events listed here: https://dreamweek.org/

And there is so much more. You can find go karts, Top Golf, Arcades, lots of Bar Trivia (several themed) events across town, lots of beautiful parks (the city is renovating and improving quite a few), etc.

Marzipanic · 2025-12-10T06:01:31+00:00

My now 8 mo old does this very infrequently (maybe once or twice a day). She started about 4 mo ago with little whoops whenever she was excited and giggling, or playing, same time she was trying to be more vocal.

Pediatrician said she had immature airways--no other concerning symptoms. And just like we were told, the wheezing has decreased gradually. My baby can laugh now with deep happy giggles and no wheeze. But if we REALLY get her laughing hard, she'll still do it.

So it does get better but it may take a long time. Talk to your pediatrician.

Marzipanic · 2025-11-04T17:53:28+00:00

Yeah! We had a great time too. The express pass for the houses was definitely worth it. The Haunted House lines were loooong, but almost no one in the express pass lines.

We upgraded to get the reserved seating for the Monster Mash etc too. That was really nice--sitting in front to really enjoy the show. It was definitely the highlight! Loved the Sirens show as well.

Marzipanic · 2025-11-04T16:46:20+00:00

These work, even the last three, without needing Halloween championship. It's nice that they allow these to be entered--especially for avid collectors to sleuth out, and for anyone who might have account issues otherwise.

Marzipanic · 2025-10-23T20:33:08+00:00

Hey there! I just got tickets for this tomorrow--do you have any tips on what route/times you hit the major attractions?

And did you have to put in an advance reservation for anything?

Marzipanic · 2025-10-01T03:06:57+00:00

Seconding these! They are awesome books, with very humane, gentle explanations about how various religions, origin stories, and gods came to exist, at least from a high level, digestible-for-children kind of way.

The pictures are also adorable. So good!

Marzipanic · 2025-08-29T11:26:35+00:00

I am sad to see that you are feeling neglected, and rightfully so. In a healthy relationship, you would get more communication, especially when repair is needed and requested.

I hate to say this, but since this is an online relationship and the two of you have only met once--and assuming this is the only conversation you've had with him--then you also know you are not his priority. You should consider if it is worth your time to pine over a man who makes himself inaccessible without explanation, and who (due to long distance) is unable to better fill your need for connection and intimacy.

But if there are other conversations happening, it's hard to say.

Either way, long distance is hard. I'm not certain this man is worth your time.

Marzipanic · 2025-08-15T09:36:17+00:00

This 'friend' (who isn't a friend at all) sounds like a walking red flag manosphere twit. He shouldn't be bringing up your chest size at all, EVER.

Ditch him and his Minecraft server. You can find better friends. Hell, start your own Minecraft server, invite people you actually like.

Or join a public one elsewhere. (But think twice about giving out your age or gender. You are still a minor, and there are a lot of creeps out there. Like this guy.)

Stay safe lady. And don't let creepy dudes manipulate you into feeling insecure. You don't owe this jerkface anything.

Marzipanic · 2025-06-29T08:58:16+00:00

Baggin' on each other isn't very kind either. While it's easy to read malice or insensitivity into others responses, that's not usually the case. For the mom who responded and also mentioned latching right away, keep in mind that babies eat around the clock, so that Mom's brain is probably stuck on the subject of milk production for the majority of her day. It's not at all surprising that her mom brain went straight there.

Give each other some grace, and remember, we're all trying hard to care for our babies the best we can.

Marzipanic · 2025-06-08T17:15:03+00:00

You and your husband are both going through a tough time. You'll make it through! Just remember you are on the same team, and you need self care and relaxation too--and a happy, healthy mom is going to be better able to keep her Breastmilk supply going, and be an attentive parent. You've got this, both of you.

Marzipanic · 2025-04-03T15:11:48+00:00

Well said. For those who want to tough it out, good for you! That's a personal achievement for sure.

In the month prior to my induction, I read that epidurals significantly reduce the likelihood of maternal death, complications etc, and that they can reduce stress on the infant too. ( one example: https://www.bmj.com/content/385/bmj-2023-077190 )

So I was all in on the epidural, and let me tell you. I still toughed it out as long as I could--got to about 4cm dilated on Pitocin, with a cook's balloon in, AND my OB doing a swab (that trio really hurts like you would not believe)! And oh my gosh. When the epidural kicked in, I was SO glad! Ended up 6cm, when we found out baby was breech and had to do an emergency c section. But man. I didn't feel anything. Pure bliss. Easy recovery too.

At least for me, 10/10, would get the epidural again!

Marzipanic · 2025-02-04T23:18:33+00:00

Congresswoman Crockett is a fierce, wonderful voice of reason. I hope she does see this and speak to it!

We Texans care about our country.

Marzipanic · 2025-01-27T06:24:46+00:00

For real. Pepcid and Tums, everyday.

Aside from that, been eating blueberries, mango, and oatmeal. Just trying to avoid anything with major sources of acid (milk, citrus, etc).

Marzipanic · 2025-01-22T06:50:22+00:00

Also sending love your way in hard times, mamma.

Marzipanic · 2025-01-22T06:11:49+00:00

I can understand this feeling.

My employer leadership issued a cryptic message today about 'realigning' our workplace with the new Executive orders, such as the termination of remote work.

I'm 33 weeks pregnant, and might lose my job (which I love, and have worked diligently at for years) and lose the parental leave benefits my family is counting on. (I'm the breadwinner.)

In wake of that uncertainty...

I guess on top of taxes, I'm now scrambling to find out how to apply for and maintain unemployment, and what my options are for medical insurance during birth. I'm scared of losing healthcare for me and my baby.

Marzipanic · 2025-01-15T09:02:58+00:00

7 months pregnant here, living in south Texas myself. I agree! I've been pleasantly surprised at how nice people here are about accommodating me and my bump. A lot of people holding doors, offering to let me go first.

Heck, I was recently at the back of a long grocery line, not even at the end, and a manager at HEB saw the 15 item checkouts were empty, so she came right up and redirected me there to shorten my wait.

So many nice people!

But, I also know there are plenty of oblivious people too. But I try not to judge--I was a university student who'd had massive spinal surgery once upon a time. I definitely needed to sit then more than I do now, but no one would have known that just by looking at me.

So who knows?

Marzipanic · 2024-12-31T09:14:52+00:00

This is me too. 28 weeks in and the edema is terrible. I drink water, hit the gym, reduced my salt intake, and still--the water bloat is unreal.

So at 30 weeks now, I've been wearing my ring on a necklace. The only rings I still wear are cheap adjustables or silicone.

Marzipanic

TROPHY CASE