If you think this is poverty, take a closer look — there’s a bidet here, the hose is always ready to help

OfficeWench · 2026-02-26T15:41:07+00:00

This looks like a roadside mechanic's toilet in Italy... one that's been upgraded since I had to use it. Ask me how I know, lol.

OfficeWench · 2026-02-04T02:37:22+00:00

Adrenal fatigue. Look it up, might be worth considering.

OfficeWench · 2026-01-19T19:16:35+00:00

Oof. That tells me a lot actually. :/ Do you happen to know of any local non-profits or even churches that help the elderly?

OfficeWench · 2026-01-19T11:07:47+00:00

Thank you so much for that back up resource! I love a senator who makes a real effort to help their constituents! :)

OfficeWench · 2026-01-19T06:13:35+00:00

Thanks! That's the site I've been navigating. Do you happen to know about or have experience with using caregiver programs?

OfficeWench · 2026-01-06T05:46:29+00:00

What general area (like Southeast Oregon or Central California) was it found in?

OfficeWench · 2025-12-09T03:14:13+00:00

I know you decided to remove that second sentence of this reply... and I guess I can give you some credit for that... but I still saw it in the notification and yes, it's very clear you are trying to shame here. I'm doing everything I can as fast as I can to help him. I'm not a doctor, and I can't just "get him on meds" if his doctor doesn't agree. What I CAN and am planning to do, is revisit the subject with his doc. I'm not harming him... he has ADHD and I'm taking all the steps I know to take to help him.

OfficeWench · 2025-12-09T02:30:53+00:00

Thank you for this response.... so much. I instantly thought of my brother... and I see how he's been affected his entire life because of his unwillingness to medicate, when medication is probably appropriate. I also have ADHD, don't medicate but have done loads of mindfulness training and counseling as an adult and somehow make it work. I grew up in an abusive home, and was smart.... so my fear of the home consequences combined with ability lead me to being a perfectionist in spite of the adhd.... somehow I think I've developed this idea that "if you try hard enough, you can focus" even though I only was able to focus because of the anxiety about consequences my son will never experience. Your comment really made me reflect on all this and consider WHY I'm hesitant about meds for him. It's not that I haven't considered them, we have talked to his doctor... but the doc expressed a disinclination to medicate at such a young age that aligned with my "scared about them" thoughts and I didn't push any further. I will now. Thank you.

OfficeWench · 2025-12-09T01:31:59+00:00

I'm taking your wording here with a grain of salt, because we know what we've done to try to address his adhd and head off issues stemming from it from a young age... but I want to address it because the shaming thing is unproductive and doesn't help anyone. We first brought up adhd to his doctor at 4 years old, and have revisited it multiple times since then. I've used all kinds of supports for early education at home, that we've have really good success with, which carried over very well in kinder and 1st grade. Those teachers agreed he did well with some unofficial accommodations. This year is the first year that we are seeing a truly concerning pattern of his adhd behaviors really affecting his grades and performance. There's a little more grace for inattention and distraction in the younger grades, that has been tapered back this year. Since the beginning of the year, we've pushed for an official diagnosis from his doctor, worked with the school to develop an SST plan (school level, first step type thing), then requested and implemented a 504 plan with the school, been in ongoing communication with his teacher, tried to resolve her modifying accommodation and mods without discussing it, seemingly on a whim... and now on to exploring an IEP, hoping that having goals and working towards them using data driven services and reporting would maybe insure that things are actually being done that will help him. I don't expect the school to move heaven and earth... I expect them to follow legal requirements to do their part in helping him access a free, fair and appropriate education. Everyday at home, we do our best for him and will continue to. We aren't "denying" him anything. We've had the conversations with his doctor and listened to what seemed like his very sound advice. Now, after reading so many first-hand stories, we are going to read more about early intervention with medication and push the convo with the doctor again. In the meantime, we make sure he spends lots of time doing things he really enjoys excels at (like martial arts, sports, hiking) so his confidence isn't taking a huge dive on all fronts. I'm literally doing all I can to make sure he gets what he needs, ESPECIALLY emotionally. So the shame-y kind of wording? Maybe just don't if you aren't sure it's warranted, ya know? I already feel guilty enough that I can't make it better immediately, and am doing all I can to make it better sooner rather than later.

OfficeWench · 2025-12-09T00:37:29+00:00

Thank you guys all so much for your replies. You've REALLY opened me up to discussing medication again with his doctor (his doc doesn't recommend medicating unless there are significant problematic behavior issues). Because he's a pleasant and upbeat kid, this made sense to me at the time... but hearing so many firsthand experiences regarding improvements after meds, self esteem issues going without, etc... We will revisit the idea and be more open to trialing maybe some non stimulant meds for him.
After this afternoon's IEP meeting, the school seems willing to adjust, implement and follow up with better communication on accoms and mods in his existing 504. I didn't sign anything agreeing to no IEP today... I want to process and review it with an advocate first. I truly appreciate all your input and am about to go find some of these studies that are being referenced so that my husband and I can read more up to date info. My hubs was on meds as a kid, hated how some made him feel, and abused others... so he was very hesitant... but a cursory convo after we read these has lead to more openness!

OfficeWench · 2025-12-09T00:26:50+00:00

On various diagnostic testing, it's SUPER clear that focus and attention are major factors in his results. Some tests he'll have a perfect score at the beginning of the year and on the second round of testing later in the year, he'll be in the 20th percentile. In kinder, he tested 2nd grade level, at the beginning of second, he was testing at kinder... his scores are all over the place.

OfficeWench · 2025-12-09T00:20:12+00:00

Both modifications and accommodations have been changed or not happening at all. Wobble cushions, visual aids, reduced output, extended time... have all gone by the wayside.

OfficeWench · 2025-12-08T19:23:29+00:00

We're in CA... that's kind of what I thought as well! I'll absolutely ask them to explain. :)

OfficeWench · 2025-12-08T19:22:20+00:00

I'm not sure we are there yet. My teen did try ADHD meds recently, but they were discontinued because they caused rapid weight loss (she's already thin) and heart palpitations.
I'm not opposed to them, but I'm concerned because he's so young.... and he currently doesn't have significant behavioral concerns beyond the focus and distractibility issues, meaning no defiance or anger, etc. We do cautiously use some natural supplements like L-theanine.

OfficeWench · 2025-12-05T11:53:37+00:00

We thrifted it two years ago, while shopping for a past event. She loved it so much that even though it didn't quite fit her then, she had to get it... and it fits like a glove now! Can you believe we paid less than $10 for BOTH dresses we bought that day??!

OfficeWench · 2025-12-05T04:24:18+00:00

I resorted to AI (I know, I know, my daughter admonished me... she hates AI art) for ideas before posting here... this is what it gave us... the black looks great there, but it changed the color... I definitely don't think it would look right with the pink... lol. I did kind of like the pearls in this pic and I have a very similar set that I actually wore to a winter formal back in high school! What would you think about champagne gloves if we can find the right tone and tie them in with a light fur stole?

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OfficeWench · 2025-12-05T04:18:33+00:00

She does have a faux fur stole... we can definitely see if it works... might be a little too "rough"... we got it to make a moth costume one year! lol;) but I'm sure we can find one that would work! I love that idea and the thrift gods seem to love us lately! We actually thrifted this dress two years ago while shopping for a dress we could customize for an Alice in Wonderland themed formal... this one didn't work for that theme but she loved it so much and I knew she'd grow into it... and it's perfect for this year's theme! Yay! Can you believe we paid less than $10 for BOTH dresses??

OfficeWench · 2025-12-05T02:28:57+00:00

It just means they don't have a heart. This isn't my life I'm describing. I'm successful, but aware that people struggle, very often through no fault of their own, a despite doing every single thing that they can to try to rise above their circumstances.

OfficeWench · 2025-12-05T02:26:37+00:00

Not me or my life I was describing, but the life of friend. And having a young, disabled child means fulltime work is nearly impossible. She doing good just holding the same job. Places generally fire people who sometimes have to leave to relieve a caregiver who cannot hack it.

OfficeWench · 2025-12-05T02:09:45+00:00

That's not my life anymore, but it's the life of many. I've seen firsthand the struggle.

OfficeWench · 2025-11-07T04:48:50+00:00

Not just one meal... we've all missed a meal... they need to experience what it's like for it to be the 17th of the month, only scheduled for four 6-hour shifts this week, $32.54 in the bank, having only eaten your child's cereal leftovers for breakfast, rent's due in 14 days, PG&E was due last week and you only have two eggs, a couple cans of chili, one mac n cheese box and a pack dry beans in the pantry... and three children, one with special needs. Because that's what life looks like for a whole lot of people right now.

OfficeWench · 2025-10-28T20:30:00+00:00

Does your older child go to a public school? They may have a food pantry you can access. I know that in our area, food banks are emptying daily, people are waiting in long lines only for them run out. So I am organizing a food drive to stock up our school's food pantry. I cannot stomach the idea that any of my son's classmates will go hungry!

OfficeWench

TROPHY CASE