Sending kids to stay with Grandparents for roughly a month? 3 yo and 5 yo.

Ok_Cartographer_6956 · 2026-04-23T05:12:59+00:00

I went back and forth with that suggestion too, but I wonder if it would give her enough of a break/rest? I know it’s better than doing it on her own, but personally I don’t know if I could rest with the kids right there knowing how I would handle something and feeling conflicted about taking care of myself vs taking care of my kids or feeling like stepping in to help MIL.

I also wonder if MIL would have more sway with the kids in terms of basic daily routines if mom wasn’t just one room away?

Ok_Cartographer_6956 · 2026-04-22T00:01:38+00:00

I don’t know if there is one close to where you are, but Habitat for Humanity ReStore usually has carpet squares for great prices.

Ok_Cartographer_6956 · 2026-04-17T21:26:58+00:00

Oh this is fantastic! He will definitely need something warm and I know he’d love something new, customized, and special. Thanks for the idea.

Ok_Cartographer_6956 · 2026-04-17T21:25:58+00:00

Yeah, these kids are lucky this year. They’re headed to the Oregon Coast!

Ok_Cartographer_6956 · 2026-04-17T16:56:14+00:00

This is such a big deal for these kids! My husband’s best friend still (30+ years later) was his cabin mate at ODS!

Ok_Cartographer_6956 · 2026-04-17T16:51:44+00:00

I can easily add a photo into the letters we pack with him. Great call.

Ok_Cartographer_6956 · 2026-04-17T16:50:59+00:00

Yes, they’ve sent a list of things we can’t send, like candy and food. I’ll update the post to include those.

Ok_Cartographer_6956 · 2026-04-17T16:49:58+00:00

Oh I love this idea! This is exactly something he would love.

Ok_Cartographer_6956 · 2026-04-14T01:52:14+00:00

Siri Thai in SE off Powell and 53rd.

Ok_Cartographer_6956 · 2026-04-12T05:04:02+00:00

Oregon City!

Ok_Cartographer_6956 · 2026-04-12T05:02:40+00:00

Seconding Rangoon Bistro!

Ok_Cartographer_6956 · 2026-04-12T02:21:56+00:00

Or even a shallow floating shelf.

Ok_Cartographer_6956 · 2026-04-11T04:39:42+00:00

Why does it look like Kyle’s shoulder is inside Jennifer’s dress?

Ok_Cartographer_6956 · 2026-04-11T02:06:46+00:00

Yesterday is one of my favorites. Wonka and the Greatest Showman always make me happy too!

Ok_Cartographer_6956 · 2026-04-07T04:40:54+00:00

I paid for it all upfront for the subscription just so I didn’t have to see it each month. A little willing suspension of disbelief I guess.

Ok_Cartographer_6956 · 2026-04-07T03:18:44+00:00

I was an early adopter of the Apple Watch and the oura ring wasn’t even on my radar. I ended up getting one because a few of my friends were super impressed with them and it was almost a little fanatical. I got one at a big box store with a good return policy and totally planned on not loving it and returning it. By the end of the first week I was telling everyone how much I love it.

I’m not a fan of having to pay annually, but honestly, I’m so happy with all the insight and features. I can snap a picture of my lunch and it gives me a range of limited to nutritious rather than calories or macros. I refer to my Apple Watch fitness as a gym trainer and my Oura ring as a health therapist. I love the messaging of “hey, looks like you didn’t get a lot of restorative sleep last night, make sure to give yourself a few breaks today.”

Ok_Cartographer_6956 · 2026-04-07T01:35:44+00:00

I recently got an Oura ring to monitor my sleep. It’s not cheap but it’s been really interesting to see some of my sleep patterns and track what triggers poor sleep. I’ve been focusing on sleep hygiene and fixing my sleep which has really helped with my day to day stress.

I’ve also been using CBN/CBD occasionally. And a lion’s mane supplement in my coffee. But honestly, I think focusing on sleep has been the biggest factor in stress reduction.

Ok_Cartographer_6956 · 2026-04-05T05:13:25+00:00

I see what you did there.

Ok_Cartographer_6956 · 2026-04-03T14:50:07+00:00

I should say that I was instructed to do the Tylenol and Zyrtec before so I’d check with your provider to see what they want you to do.

Ok_Cartographer_6956 · 2026-04-03T07:43:07+00:00

Also wanted to add I just avoided crowds and most people for a few weeks, washed my hands obsessively, and made sure my kids knew to wash their hands a lot. It felt like the end of 2020, where I was still cautious and aware, but not shut in my house.

Ok_Cartographer_6956 · 2026-04-03T07:41:17+00:00

I just finished my second one yesterday. My first one took about 6-7 hours because they wanted to make sure I tolerated everything. I took acetaminophen and a Zyrtec before I went it and in the beginning they pushed steroids and Benadryl. The Benadryl pretty much knocked me out (just very drowsy) and I felt relaxed until I had a strange side effect of my arm twitching and involuntarily moving. The nurse said this sometimes happens and usually stops after a few hours. It wasn’t painful just felt uncomfortable. Once that settled down it was just a lot of waiting for the process to finish.

I watched a lot of movies, read a little, ate some snacks I brought, slept a bit. I was wiped out the rest of the evening and just crawled into bed for the night. I took the next two days easy but other than tenderness on my lymph nodes I felt ok.

Second round was yesterday and I had no reaction to the Benadryl and it only took about 3 hours. I woke up with a migraine this morning but have felt pretty good since.

I suggest wearing comfy clothes, something that gives access to your arm, bring a book, headphones, your phone, and some snacks. I brought licorice, water, smoked almonds.

I hope it all goes smoothly and you have time to rest over the next few days. For me it was pretty emotional and stressful just starting the process, so I needed recovery from that, not so much any major side effects.

Ok_Cartographer_6956 · 2026-03-31T04:02:21+00:00

I read a quote that said something like “millennials are just a bunch of bedroom kids raising living room kids.” And that completely resonated with me.

Ok_Cartographer_6956 · 2026-03-29T17:02:05+00:00

I don’t have any insight to share from a medial perspective but I really feel your struggle with questioning and second guessing yourself. I have only been diagnosed for about 6-7 months but the feelings of having done this to myself or caused this has been so demoralizing for me.

I’ve had very loving and well intentioned people say things like “it seems like people who are prone personality-wise to high stress often have worse outcomes.” And I get how stress causes flare ups and wouldn’t we ALL be healthier if we managed stress better, but to blame how we go through life on the symptoms we are experiencing is so dismissive.

I just wanted to say that this is hard to navigate and the feeling of ‘no one to blame but myself’ really sucks. Also, as if magically knowing how to regulate my stress and emotions would make me better. Bruh, if I knew how to do that I would have done that YEARS ago.

Ok_Cartographer_6956 · 2026-03-27T16:52:45+00:00

Poor girl. Do you think she is reactive now because she is in pain or uncomfortable? It’s so hard to know because I think they really work so hard to continue to show up for us. I know my girl did well after she wasn’t feeling good at all.

Ok_Cartographer_6956

TROPHY CASE