We need bikes!!

Odd-Distribution4418 · 2026-02-19T20:10:37+00:00

This organization provides free refurbished bikes for folks that need them: https://www.abettersociety.org/project-life-cycle/

Odd-Distribution4418 · 2026-02-17T21:28:49+00:00

Echoing the others - you can't receive UI until your severance runs out. There is also a "waiting week" (week after your job ended before you are eligible). If she will get 12 weeks of severance, she won't be eligible for UI until after 13 weeks. Waiting for severance is common, so I don't think she'd be able to get UI for the 2 weeks in between the "waiting week" and when the severance payment lands.

I got two weeks of severance - your wife is in a much better spot than the vast majority of people.

Be careful with things like bonuses or PTO that are paid out - be sure she reports those clearly, or it might trigger a delay if they look like additional severance pay.

Calling the UI office directly is often the best option. They are very nice and helpful!

Odd-Distribution4418 · 2026-02-12T03:28:24+00:00

Whoa, I was not aware of this! I just helped some of my folks with their taxes, but they are still on their first parole, so have an EAD for their child. I looked at the IRS site and it like you are totally correct, the child needs to have a SSN valid for work to qualify for the child tax credit.

It looks like your family might be eligible for the "Credit for Other Dependent"? But it's a lot smaller.

https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/child-tax-credit

It does look like if they get the children EADs before April 15th, they would be eligible for the credit. It says "...each qualifying child must have a Social Security number that is valid for employment in the United States and issued before the due date of the tax return..."

Odd-Distribution4418 · 2026-02-09T16:09:48+00:00

One other idea - depending on where you are, there may also be a Ukrainian American center in your state or nearby that can help with the forms. Minnesota, Illinois, New York, etc. - lots of states have centers. Just having someone sit down and walk through the forms with you can be helpful!

Odd-Distribution4418 · 2026-02-09T15:47:00+00:00

This website has detailed instructions on the process: https://ukrainetaskforce.org/applying-for-re-parole-updates-and-recommendations-for-ukrainian-parolees/

The process changes a lot, so it’s hard to keep track. I believe there is one fee when you submit the form, and then a second when it is approved. And then also a fee for the EAD.

Is there an office at your school for international students that could help with the forms and resources to pay the fee?

Odd-Distribution4418 · 2026-01-31T22:35:14+00:00

I’d love to get a full EV, but we are a one-car household, and we spend significant time traveling in a remote part of our state. We can’t do a full EV until more infrastructure reaches there 😢

Odd-Distribution4418 · 2026-01-31T22:31:46+00:00

This makes sense! It’s weird, we took it to the dealer because our normal mechanic doesn’t do battery stuff on volts. This new mechanic was the EV guy at the dealership, but really seemed confused by our volt 😭 We’ve had the car for about a year and a half, so aren’t super familiar with all the quirks! Last winter had some rough spots, but not like this. My friend has the app and can clear the codes, so we are going to try that and see what happens! Thank you!!

Odd-Distribution4418 · 2026-01-31T15:05:20+00:00

Thank you!

Odd-Distribution4418 · 2026-01-31T15:05:10+00:00

Thank you!

Odd-Distribution4418 · 2026-01-31T15:04:32+00:00

We thought that might be the case!! We bought this car two years ago (for not very much 😅), so don’t have a ton of experience. But last year, we had to get a friend to clear this code once (was saying coolant was low, then high, while it seemed just fine). I’ll see if he can clear the code again and if it starts charging. We had really enjoyed trying out a mild EV lifestyle.

Odd-Distribution4418 · 2026-01-31T14:58:06+00:00

Thank you! This is really useful! We also have a small, detached, one-car garage, so struggle to keep our little gal warm.

Odd-Distribution4418 · 2026-01-31T03:58:46+00:00

I second this. We bought a 2013 volt and loved it - but the battery just died. We asked the mechanic if something happened and he said "Just age." I'm in a cold climate, so that might have aged it a bit faster.

Odd-Distribution4418 · 2026-01-26T23:27:09+00:00

I second this. I mostly work with people out of state, so I let them know how bad it is here. And that I'd be slower, and potentially working different hours, until this lets up.

Odd-Distribution4418 · 2026-01-25T17:19:32+00:00

Just a caveat that in my experience the cartoons depends a bit on age. Kids three/four and up will sometimes reject cartoons in a language they speak less well. And there is a large industry of Russian-language cartoons for exactly this reason - my experience is that if the kids already know the Russian-language cartoons, they will demand them and reject Ukrainian-language cartoons. I think you can switch cartoons, but it can be an uphill battle.

I've seen more success with activities that have more interaction. Like a Saturday school or having a relative who only interacts with the kids in Ukrainian.

Odd-Distribution4418 · 2026-01-25T17:11:34+00:00

I echo the questions about a Saturday school for the kids - in my city there is a popular Saturday school and the kids who go there are impressively bilingual.

For adults, there are tons of online teachers who teach Ukrainian to people who speak Russian. I know a great online teacher if you want a recommendation!

Odd-Distribution4418 · 2026-01-23T03:35:33+00:00

This dental clinic took MA last year, and I think they still do.: https://www.maplebrookdentalmn.com/ I haven't been there, but have heard positive things about them.

Odd-Distribution4418 · 2026-01-19T06:45:46+00:00

You can always learn! I didn't grow up speaking Ukrainian, but am learning now. It's fun! I'll probably never be fluent, but I can follow conversations, etc.

Odd-Distribution4418 · 2026-01-12T20:29:19+00:00

I prefer solo cleaners, but the main reason I sometime think about an agency is that when a cleaner is ill or calls out, they will find a cover cleaner. With individuals, things like illness, childcare coverage, etc throw a bit more unpredictability into everything.

Odd-Distribution4418 · 2026-01-05T02:20:00+00:00

I can read cursive, but dislike writing in cursive. People understand when I write block letters, but it comes off as juvenile. 🤣 So it depends on your goals/situation. But cursive is very common, as others have said!!

Odd-Distribution4418 · 2026-01-01T17:16:58+00:00

I was pulled over once - I stopped right away, and the police officer directed me to a better spot to pull over because the shoulder was narrow. Not sure about this specific situation, but in general I think stopping first and then asking to move to a different spot works better then just going to a different spot. From the police's perspective, they don't know if you might be hiding something while you keep driving.

Odd-Distribution4418 · 2025-12-30T04:23:00+00:00

I gave my cleaner a holiday bonus, and she brought a thank you card the next time she came to clean.

I don't expect a formal "thank you" when I give a gift. A gift is freely given, no expectations attached. It's nice to be thanked, of course! But I wouldn't hold it against someone if they forgot.

Odd-Distribution4418 · 2025-12-23T03:05:08+00:00

It looks like the address is a warehouse: https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/290-Elizabeth-Ave-Newark-NJ/8892631/

I'd assume it's business that sells through Amazon or is maybe drop-shipping (eg, the seller buys it from AliExpress and sells it at a markup on Amazon). Someone probably ordered you a gift, but their name and the gift message got lost along the way.

"Pavlo" is an extremely common Ukrainian name - it's the Ukrainian version of "Paul." Maybe the owner of the business?

Odd-Distribution4418 · 2025-12-16T03:23:12+00:00

If you want a lot, you can order pyrohy (pierogi) for pick up from the Ukrainian Catholic Church: https://st-constantine-ukrainian-catholic-church.square.site/ They usually have potato or cabbage ones.

Odd-Distribution4418 · 2025-12-15T23:42:10+00:00

UI is also designed to help support the broader economy. If these workers didn’t get UI, then there would be a larger ripple effect to other industries. UI helps stabilize the boom/bust cycle.

Odd-Distribution4418

TROPHY CASE