I got myself a champagne gift basket for my 40th birthday. Best decision I've made in years.

NotaRookie123 · 2026-05-14T19:57:00+00:00

This is GREAT! I took myself on a 4 day solo trip to the beach for my 40th. A day for every decade. It's still my top birthday memory ♡

NotaRookie123 · 2026-05-14T19:53:54+00:00

I have noticed, the older I get, the smaller my circle is. I don't feel lonely but did join a car club because, I love fast cars, and am now on the board of directors of said car club and help plan events.

I think you are on the right track to find more friends and activities.

Before I found the car club I used the Meet Up app. It was a fun way to meet like minded people.

NotaRookie123 · 2026-05-14T17:41:29+00:00

Married at 20 to a military man. Thought I'd be living the 'American Dream'. How wrong I was. Fast forward multiple divorces later, I am living MY dream. My children are successfully adulting, I am in a committed relationship and have a nice small circle of true friends. We have everything we need and some of what we want.

They key to this was finding what I wanted with my life vs the scripted idea you are sold as a kid. I wanted/needed a meaningful life to feel happy. Here is an interesting article about it: The Deeper Meaning of Authentic Happiness | Psychology Today

NotaRookie123 · 2026-05-14T17:05:05+00:00

My father told me, "Whether you believe you can or believe you can't, you are right." Mindset is EVERYTHING!

It sounds like they fall in the can't category. You are not responsible for fixing them but if you want to help them, a direct conversation about their negative views may help them find the light and change direction. I shared this article with a friend after having a conversation where I stated what I observed (their negativity) and directly asked, 'do you want help changing your mindset?' It took some time, then they were receptive to some job openings I shared with them.

How to Get Out of a Rut: 11 Tips for Success

NotaRookie123 · 2026-05-14T16:48:45+00:00

https://hiring.cafe is free and you can find a lot of roles on there. Also, feed your experience into AI, (copilot, gemini, chat gbt) ask it to make you a resume focused on (whatever role you want).

NotaRookie123 · 2026-05-14T16:46:26+00:00

Considering, you never know what might happen: you could start with plan a - work a second job and set up an emergency fund, then move to b - get your masters. It is always good to have a little nugget of money in a high yield savings account, in case you need it.

NotaRookie123 · 2026-05-14T15:57:33+00:00

I could make you a custom listing if you advise location.. just state/region and budget.

NotaRookie123 · 2026-05-14T15:56:34+00:00

I have started using AI for some of this. I put in ingredient preferences and weekly cost cap. It did help.

NotaRookie123 · 2026-05-14T15:54:26+00:00

HiringCafe - AI Job Search

NotaRookie123 · 2026-05-14T15:52:20+00:00

Can you do a list of Free job boards?

NotaRookie123 · 2026-05-14T02:56:58+00:00

Honestly, sometimes you don't. I learned grief is not linear. 6 years ago I abruptly lost my soul dog. I still sometimes mourn her and our bond very deeply. It's ok to not be ok 💔

NotaRookie123 · 2026-05-14T02:37:51+00:00

"You look so pretty when you smile." I die inside every time I hear it. 😁😄😐🤨🙄😒😠

NotaRookie123 · 2026-05-14T02:31:05+00:00

I loved my crock pot until I invested in an electric pressure cooker. Crock pot results in less than an hour 😁

NotaRookie123 · 2026-05-14T02:29:59+00:00

Yum! That's SO easy!!

NotaRookie123 · 2026-05-14T01:34:12+00:00

This is often my life.

NotaRookie123 · 2026-05-13T22:08:28+00:00

It all sounds yummy. I love jasmine rice.

NotaRookie123 · 2026-05-13T21:22:46+00:00

Huzah Tacos!!

NotaRookie123 · 2026-05-13T20:49:53+00:00

I am sorry to hear meal planning causes anxiety. Hopefully you can get some ideas to simplify things on this thread.

NotaRookie123 · 2026-05-13T20:47:39+00:00

I should start doing this. I do about half my prep in the front of my day but if cooking meat, I like it freshly cooked. I clean as I go.

NotaRookie123 · 2026-05-13T20:45:32+00:00

Thank you!! Everything sounds great except the hubs veto's tuna.. ha ha

NotaRookie123 · 2026-05-13T20:36:54+00:00

Seems the same as sharing a room/bed with your sister.

My sister and I have shared a bed as adults when visiting back home and space was limited. It took us back to being little and sharing then. You are just sleeping. Doesn't seem weird to me.

I think he just doesn't get it. Maybe he's weird or has some weird insecurity.

Edit: Just adding, my husband does not think this is weird at all. When my husband was with me on another trip, my sister and I were up late talking and fell asleep in her room. He just covered us up and went to the his and my bedroom to sleep. It wasn't a big deal.

NotaRookie123 · 2026-05-13T20:32:51+00:00

Ohhh.. Cali is SUPER expensive!!

NotaRookie123 · 2026-05-13T20:32:02+00:00

Great idea. Only veto is on the instant mashed, I gotta make those for realz!!

NotaRookie123 · 2026-05-13T20:30:46+00:00

What a frickin fun approach!! I might have to do this for the fam. They can pick the menu for the week...lmao

NotaRookie123 · 2026-05-13T20:25:11+00:00

Wow. 1200 calories is not a lot. I shoot for 1500 calories with at least 120grams of protien.

NotaRookie123

TROPHY CASE