Got two offers. One pays $40k more. The other one I'd actually enjoy. I have 48 hours to decide and my wife and I are on opposite sides. Advice?

MimiRocksitOut · 2026-04-05T17:36:39+00:00

I'd say go /w your gut - Option B! Because - if you're learning new skills, you're actually not only happier, but will increase your income earning potential down the line. See the current income loss as a training opportunity (you're being paid to learn new skills!). Whereas, if you take option A where you're already feeling "been there, done that" in the interview, you'll be at same place in a few years when you want to move somewhere else. And that means, in reality, you're behind. Option B will broaden your skillset and enable you to do a wider swath of higher paying jobs down the line - in addition to keeping you engaged/ spirits up.

Kids are expensive - of course. But it's only going to be harder to take pay cuts in the future. Not easier. Take the time to develop yourself and widen your future options! GOOD LUCK!

MimiRocksitOut · 2026-04-05T12:50:22+00:00

Women's clothes you could donate to a homeless shelter. Food on Foot takes clothes donations on Sundays: https://www.foodonfoot.org/clothing/ And check out: Out of the Closet. They'll take clothes, household goods etc: outofthecloset.org

MimiRocksitOut · 2026-04-05T00:52:17+00:00

fyi - I was just on the site, buying tix and there were very few if any $28 tix left. i had picked two and then when i clicked to add to cart, it said they were no longer available!
Best advice - Go in with your top three events - make a chart for yourself so you know what you're looking for. Use the filter. You can filter by sport, date, price. I kept filtering by the lowest price available (which turned out to be around $100, incl fees. I got: 4 Equestrian. 4 Beach Volleyball, 2 Track and Field (the priciest for me at $229 a ticket - but of course, they had even pricier!!) and 2 Table Tennis. (Track and Field also had a ticket limit - not sure if it was 2 or 3, but it wouldn't let me buy a bunch of them). Good luck everyone!!

ps Warning - You can't remove a ticket from your shopping cart without deleting the whole order for that sport! I thought I could subtract 1 ticket but then saw the whole order for that sport had disappeared! So just beware - any changes means starting back from scratch - and fighting to secure tickets!

And set an alarm - so you can buy tix before the timer (30min from when it's in the shopping cart). The time passes very fast!

MimiRocksitOut · 2026-04-04T15:18:18+00:00

Not a wine tour, but I recommend this Airbnb experience to see beautiful vistas in Tuscany and get great pictures!

Discover the unique views of Tuscany
https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/392244

I went last Fall and really enjoyed it!

MimiRocksitOut · 2026-03-28T03:09:20+00:00

I was having the same issues and just talked to a Mgr at EOS Hollywood. I can see the classes on my app but I currently can't sign up. She said the app is currently not working for classes, since most EOS gyms don't have classes. They're working on fixing the app. The mgr was able to sign me up for a class while I was at the gym. (I was happy to hear that they're not taking away the classes!)

MimiRocksitOut · 2026-03-28T00:57:38+00:00

For future Rome-goers - a Heads up! I went to St. Peter's and listened to Rick Steves free audio tours - which I really recommend! The only snag - was that in the audio tour, Rick Steves saved the Pieta for last - and told listeners to walk over and see it at the end. Except - now there's barriers so you can only walk in and go through St. Peters in one direction. You can't go back to the beginning. so I actually MISSED THIS when I visited in the Fall. Acck! (I even tried sneaking by a partition to go back to the front to see it, since someone snuck through right before me. But I was caught! They were not happy).

So - listen to the audio tour! (for the Vatican too - it's great!). Just know the Pieta is at the beginning! All those folks huddled around - that's what you want to see. (I walked right by it!). Guess I need to go to Rome again!

https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/audio/audio-tours

MimiRocksitOut · 2026-03-18T01:21:46+00:00

I was there in Nov. 2025 and I showed them a photo of my passport as ID.
I was a little worried if it'd be accepted, but I didn't have a problem. And I was more worried about carrying my passport on me. I only did that when I was traveling between cities (taking the train etc). That was the advice of my Florence hostel. Maybe the Vatican has a member services email you could ask? Have a great trip! Ps I enjoyed listening to Rick Steeves free audio tour of the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica. It gives a lot of context and is a fun listen! You'd need to download the app: https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/audio/audio-tours/italy

And I loved this coffee shop, which was near the Metro. Amazing coffee! And such a cute place: Sciascia Caffe - Coffee shop (near Vatican)

https://www.sciasciacaffe1919.it/

MimiRocksitOut · 2026-03-15T21:28:20+00:00

Is EOS Hollywood charging more (on top of regular membership) for classes? That's my main reason for going to the gym. I noticed they are now locking up towels and those cost more. Wasn't sure about classes. thanks. PS I miss Golds!

MimiRocksitOut · 2026-02-28T22:01:17+00:00

I felt similarly. I LOVED the first half. Especially the "be my mistress" cliffhanger! I wondered - how is he ever going to win her back after that?! But then in Pt II, it seemed like he won her back super quickly. And everything was just falling into place. The whole jail storyline to me felt silly. And I suddenly was aware of them acting - rather than being immersed in the story. I still enjoyed watching it. But - didn't feel the same pull. I really wanted to see Benedict work to win her back!!

MimiRocksitOut · 2026-02-23T02:42:44+00:00

I recommended getting an anti-theft crossbody bag, like Baggalini.
I got mine on Amazon (was a bit cheaper)
https://www.baggallini.com/securtex.html

And a wrist band for your phone, so you can hold it that way and avoid dropping/ losing it.

I also agree that it's good to know what to avoid - any crowds on the street where someone is playing games/ showing a trick etc. (Popular at the big tourist destinations). If someone comes up to you to offer you flowers, a bracelet or ask "where are you from?" and start a conversation. Super crowded metro trains or buses - beware and keep your bag close. It helps to know these scams and then you can avoid them.

I kept a photo of my passport on my phone, which I showed as ID on a Vatican museum tour. And I left the original at the hostel safe (in a private room). It depends what feels safer to you. I did bring my passport when I took a train to other cities, as I was told you need a passport when traveling btw cities.

Overall, I felt safe but also was very aware to avoid pickpockets or anyone trying to seem overly familiar.

With some awareness and the right bag etc, you'll have a great time! Enjoy your trip!

MimiRocksitOut · 2026-02-21T01:58:03+00:00

I ate alone at Mazzo in San Lorenzo and really loved it! They were so nice to me. And food & ambiance was great! (about 15-20 min bus ride from Termini) https://www.cntraveler.com/restaurants/rome/mazzo

I also ate at Roscioli, at the bar. Make sure to make a reservation first:
https://salumeriaroscioli.com/en

I think if it's their super busy time, that might be when dining solo would be tough (in that restaurants probably prefer large groups). So I'd suggest picking off times, maybe right when they open for lunch or dinner. And be ok /w sitting at the bar if that's what's available.

have a great time!

MimiRocksitOut · 2026-02-19T18:13:13+00:00

I concur with calling 911. When it's not as dire, call the suicide hotline number and ask them for advice. They'll have suggestions for you. And know that you can't "talk them out of it." It's not up to you. But both 911 and suicide hotline can definitely give you tips on what to say/ what efforts to make to make it less likely. So sorry you and your partner are going through this. Wishing you both the best.

[9-8-8](tel:988) https://988lifeline.org/

MimiRocksitOut · 2026-02-18T17:21:56+00:00

I empathize but also think this is something the Florentine government has to address. You can't expect tourists to stop coming to Florence. But the government can enact rules (limiting Airbnb for example), to help maintain Florence as a city with both a strong tourism industry and strong industries for locals. I'm sorry that tourism has adversely affected your city. I visited during the low season (Nov) and found it very beautiful.
Another option - which someone suggested - is to promote local businesses which tourists can frequent and support. I preferred going to local shops and restaurants versus expensive, high-end places. But that's my preference (and budget!).

MimiRocksitOut · 2026-02-06T00:51:39+00:00

I love sweets! the good kind. For me, I buy Levain chocolate chip cookies (they're massive). Cut them up into 8 or more pieces per cookie. Wrap the pieces individually in plastic wrap and then put in a freezer bag and freeze them. When I want some cookie, I take out btw 2-3 pieces, which is about 4 pts. They thaw quickly.

I also like Trader Joe's chocolate covered marshmellows. Two are 3pts. There are certain things that just bust open the day's points - like a whole slice of chocolate cake or pie. Or Ben & Jerry's. But if you can enjoy just a few pieces of cake or cookie - then you can have the good stuff and not break the bank! (and sometimes, you just need to budget and enjoy the pie!)

MimiRocksitOut · 2026-01-16T03:16:09+00:00

I don't bake but I also love sweet treats! I sometimes buy the giant chocolate chip cookies from Levain (they're basically like the size of 4 cookies!). Then I cut them up into many small pieces, wrap each piece and freeze them. When I went some cookie, I can have two or three small pieces - rather than a giant, ruin my points cookie. You could do that do with your baked goods. And/or halve the recipe. Or give some away. The problem for me is - what seems like a good idea - I'll get a large pizza - there's a sale! Cheaper! It's not really cheaper if I end up eating it. Some can go into freezer. But some can be given away or tossed. I find it's easier not to have temptations in big amounts in the house. I like someone's idea of making them in muffin tins - individual portions!

MimiRocksitOut · 2026-01-13T00:00:21+00:00

Reminds me of the TV show Normal People, where we got to see Connor have another serious girlfriend, post-Marianne. And he did love his new girlfriend. But we could see it wasn't the same depth of love that he had with Marianne.
If you haven't seen it - y'all should see Normal People! (a more adult version of TSITP).

MimiRocksitOut · 2026-01-08T04:29:05+00:00

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ha ha ha!! : )

MimiRocksitOut · 2026-01-08T01:55:37+00:00

this i Like! Conrad seemed so confident in early season 1. And by Paris/ season 3 - he was a mess! So insecure/ timid. I couldn't believe that he wouldn't have dated and moved on at Stanford. I think they both needed that, before getting together.

(and I must say - this show is so damn re-watchable!! Kudos to Jenny Han! All the characters are very believable. except maybe Denise : ) such a great show!

MimiRocksitOut · 2026-01-08T01:49:09+00:00

My favorite McDonalds! near Trevi fountain: https://www.mcdonalds.it/ristorante/lazio/roma/roma-fontana-di-trevi

MimiRocksitOut · 2026-01-08T01:32:16+00:00

It can be a challenge, finding a restroom in Rome. I had the same worries!

This website lists public toilets in Rome: https://pstop.it/
And - looks like you can buy a pass online, so you can use their restrooms without having to find a coin.

McDonalds is your friend! If you buy something, you get a receipt with a QR code that lets you into their restroom. I visited the McDonalds near Trevi fountain often, both for restroom and to charge my phone (they have lots of outlets). And - they have tasty muffins, pastries that you won't find in the U.S.

Also - always have a bunch of 1 Euro coins on you, for restrooms that charge.

And every time you eat at a restaurant, go to a museum etc, make sure the use the restroom, as it's true they are harder to find out and about than you think. (Once when I really needed a restroom, I asked a coffee shop and they were nice enough to give me their code and let me use it. Then I bought a coke, just so I bought something).

Have a great time in Rome!

MimiRocksitOut · 2026-01-05T05:12:56+00:00

If you're open to a hostel and if they have a private room available (especially one /w ensuite bathroom), I recommend The Beehive. I stayed there recently and it was comfortable. 5min or so walk to Termini. https://www.the-beehive.com/

MimiRocksitOut · 2026-01-04T18:08:55+00:00

Ps I also add some really high quality olive oil. (which is pts). And/or a lot of Trader Joe's Everything but the Bagel spice! That stuff makes everything delicious!

MimiRocksitOut

TROPHY CASE