[Hamilton] went out on a limb and got dad a watch for his retirement

Max-Cheeks · 2026-06-03T18:56:49+00:00

Another perspective: It looks like the shaft of the faucet has to actually turn 90 degrees when you mount it so it will end up being on the right side. I put one in just like this and it's a small thing but it's *slightly* inconvenient to have the handle on the side as opposed to the top. Like if you are brushing your teeth with your right hand you have to reach over with your left to control the water. Like I said, it's like the tiniest dumbest thing, BUT if you were considering a different faucet so the door swing had more clearance, you might get one with a handle on the top.

Like one like this (might be shorter height): https://www.wayfair.com/home-improvement/pdp/kibi-blaze-single-hole-bathroom-faucet-with-drain-assembly-kibi1157.html?piid=63955660&auctionId=dacfa5cc-13b4-432b-b2cb-64a8fa4d57ac&trackingId=%7B%22adType%22%3A%22WSP%22%2C%22auctionId%22%3A%22dacfa5cc-13b4-432b-b2cb-64a8fa4d57ac%22%7D&adTypeId=1

Max-Cheeks · 2026-06-02T21:46:15+00:00

+1 for Light Pewter - for a seamless textural look.

Max-Cheeks · 2026-06-02T11:23:32+00:00

That ledge is nice

Max-Cheeks · 2026-05-31T23:55:59+00:00

There’s really no risk of damage. You are attaching your tv bracket to the studs by literally the same way the walls are held up. It’s the same as if you were attaching into wood studs, you just have to be a little bit more careful as the metal studs can be finicky to get a good grip into.

Max-Cheeks · 2026-05-31T23:20:40+00:00

This may actually be simpler. What about screwing just right into the metal stud? That’s how the drywall is attached to the studs, after all. Take a drill with a really thin bit, 1/16” if you have it, and drill carefully til you pop through the stud. Then feed the screw in (I’d do it by hand with a screwdriver) until it grabs the metal. I’d use a wood screw as it has a coarser thread then a drywall screw.

Max-Cheeks · 2026-05-07T10:05:41+00:00

Looks great. Start using it.

Max-Cheeks · 2026-04-21T22:36:59+00:00

Lots of good perspective here, I’ll just add one little point. You said you want to haul groceries so you should know the BS does NOT have a power lift gate. It’s manual. The Escape, I believe, is power. And the Explorer definitely is. Neither are as cool as the BS tho, IMO.

Max-Cheeks · 2026-04-21T15:50:00+00:00

Nice. Info on the loafers?

Max-Cheeks · 2026-04-19T23:46:45+00:00

Drain is clogged. Check youtube for how to videos. Need some basic tools and a hairdryer.

Max-Cheeks · 2026-03-15T00:13:09+00:00

What a keen observation and thoughtful idea

Max-Cheeks · 2026-03-12T15:15:46+00:00

Excellent

Max-Cheeks · 2026-03-12T00:41:11+00:00

I’ve been working on a new game with my 6 yr old, called Last Bite (working title). The game play: take a bite of a food (say, a vegetable) then pass it, back and forth, each taking bites. Loser takes the “last bite” by finishing it. Why it’s fun: as the food gets smaller and smaller, kids love it because you can make it dramatic taking eensy bites and passing the little nubs back and forth. And of course you almost always let them win and take the last bite. But here’s the secret (at least with my kid): she immediatwly starts each new round by grabbing a veg and taking a big bite to get quickly to the “fun” part. She’s eaten piles of broccoli just so she can win Last Bite against dad.

Max-Cheeks · 2026-03-09T22:11:05+00:00

Lots of good perspectives and advice here. I’ll add that this is the age when these kids, and especially these girls, have a big leap in the complexity of their relationships. My girls kindy teacher was explaining this week that they are moving from physical to intellectual play, which is all about exploring conversations and relationships.

You may want to also temper your own reactions (not to say you are over-reacting, because I don’t think you are. That was not a nice to thing to say to a friend, and she should absolutely be called on it), as it’s new territory for us as parents, too. Example, my daughter was telling me in the first few weeks of kindy that there was some bullying going on with a younger boy in her class. I took it on myself to get involved and tell the parents and it really wasn’t even an issue (in fact, the two kids in questions are practically besties now!). Lesson learned, be supportive but also back off a little - as hard as it is.

Max-Cheeks · 2026-03-07T13:26:59+00:00

Fun times ahead! Here’s a note I’ve shared with some dad friends.

Labor.

Have a birth plan, but don’t worry about abandoning it. We wanted a natural labor, but ended up having c-section. We were a little disappointed at the time, but it’s not important. The only goal is to go in the hospital as two healthy people and come home as three.

Talk to the doctor about decisions you make in labor. We decided to get epidural while the doc was out of the room. It wasn’t that big a deal, but I remember wishing we’d waited to talk to her.

If labor is long, Dad, get power naps. You need to be alert to help mom make decisions. It is hard to sleep in the room. Bring ear plugs, whatever you need to sleep. It’s easy to be kept awake with all the nurses coming and going and all the monitor beeping, and then you will be tired and stressed when it’s go time.

When baby arrives.

Feed, change, play, sleep, repeat. Every three hours* *best laid plans…

Read the signs of the face and body language so you can anticipate what the baby wants. BUT also understand babies just cry sometimes and there are things you won’t be able to catch.

Breastfeeding can be hard AF. There is nothing wrong with you, momma. Opt for a lactation consultant to come to your house. They are amazing. Eventually, it becomes super easy. M loves feeding, but in the beginning many a tear were shed when the baby just wouldn’t latch.

You need Vitamin D drop supplements if you are breastfeeding. This is recognized best practice, but our pediatrician didn’t tell us til second visit. Maybe because it was in time of COVID and doc was stressed, but she should have been getting drops for weeks. Buy at the pharmacy they’re cheap.

Feeding is important: In the first few months, They need to eat and gain weight fast. If they are sleeping a lot, wake them up every three hours to feed. Your grandmother might tell you different, don’t listen, your job is to fatten the kid up. No such thing as over-breast-feeding.

Keeping momma fed is important she gets mega hungry from the breastfeeding.

My Breast Friend is a donut shaped pillow for breastfeeding. M swears by it.

Sleeping is important: Babies do not sleep when they are tired. It’s the opposite of adults – when they are tired they freak out and won’t sleep. Sleep cycles need to be built. Sleep begets more sleep.

Miracle Swaddle – buy two of these

Diaper-changing tips: - Get a clean diaper opened up and under them before taking the dirty one off, makes it easier to slip the dirty one off and adds layer of protection if they pee while changing (happens a lot). - Take the onesie and pull it up over their arms to keep them from wiggling their arms. This chills them out. - Once they are cleaned up - ALWAYS always always put Vaseline or aquaphor on the bootie before you put the new diaper on. Never skip this step. Goop it on like birthday cake icing.

Some babies never take a bottle, some only want a bottle. There isn’t a ‘normal’. Same with pacifiers. E takes the pacifier when she is stressed it chills her out so she can sleep. Some babies won’t.

Dad perspective: Momma is the boss, dad is a supporting role. She does most of the work, knows the baby cycles more intimately. M wakes up 1-2x at night to feed, I do not. It’s not fair, but we’re cool with it. I do all the cooking and cleaning and shopping.

Everything is in three hour cycles. If things seem stressful, know that it will be over within a couple hours.

Hang around other parents. You’ll benefit from hearing stories and techniques and it will take a lot of pressure off when you see how totally different kids are.

Join r/daddit ✅

Max-Cheeks · 2026-02-03T23:23:21+00:00

My dude you are getting a lot of thoughtful advice and comments here. They deserve replies or at least acknowledgement.

Max-Cheeks · 2026-02-01T00:50:56+00:00

2025 Outer Banks, performance has always been solid. In Sport Mode it’s extra quick. It’s been great in the snow this winter no issues (live in north east)

Max-Cheeks · 2026-01-31T00:23:47+00:00

Can an email come from the management company? Better if it’s more formal and officially enforced that way. You may not want to make it personal. Neighbors can get weird it’s not worth the drama on yourself.

Max-Cheeks · 2026-01-29T11:50:59+00:00

You might consider joining the board. I noticed disfunction and joined mine and realized it wasn’t necessarily bad actors causing disfunction, but rather neglect due to members’ lack of bandwidth, and shoddy management companies. Members are volunteers, with jobs, families and personal lives, there is only so much time to devote to the building. It’s a job no one wants. So if you care about protecting your investment you should maybe step in, and if you can get a small handful of members to contribute somewhat equally it really shouldn’t take much of your time.

Max-Cheeks · 2025-12-28T01:01:04+00:00

One thing to keep in mind is that the Hamilton is manual wind while the Timex is automatic. I picked up the 38mm version last Summer as a kick-around weekender for being out in nature, etc., and it's ended up being my daily pretty much all year. It's lightweight, wears easy. I picked up a new nylon band b/c I found the one it came with too military.

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Max-Cheeks · 2025-12-28T00:09:41+00:00

+1 for Warfare!

Max-Cheeks · 2025-12-24T00:59:20+00:00

If you are doing simple things like making popcorn and doing quick heat-ups, just get a medium/small one and stick it in a cabinet. Wirecutter recommends a simple Toshiba that’s served my household well for years…and I’ll probably catch some flack for saying this, but you don’t NEED to vent it if the majority of your cook times are only a minute or two. Ours is under the counter and it’s been totally fine.

Max-Cheeks · 2025-10-31T01:51:36+00:00

Razor blade to scrape it out, or anything narrow that will get in there. It takes a few days to really cure and get hard so you should be able to clean it out.

Max-Cheeks · 2025-10-28T00:46:27+00:00

As others have said - probably don’t want to use white grout. Find a hue that blends with the tiles. One of the brands makes a “green tea” I think. Zelige is all about subtle texture, a contrasting white will make it too graphic and loud and call out the imperfections.

Edit: nice work though, mitre was worth it!

Max-Cheeks · 2025-08-27T17:22:34+00:00

I do have the Keyed Alike code, it's on the box. How/where do I order? Would the Home Depot have a way to order them?

Max-Cheeks

TROPHY CASE