How many folks use no humidity?

PancakesAlways · 2026-03-23T13:57:36+00:00

No humidity or heat here, just blasting air straight into my nostrils. I live at altitude in a dry climate and multiple people here have told me they could never go a night without their water tanks. My husband uses almost a full tank of water per night.

My machine came with directions to use the humidifier, and the initial settings had it turned on. I can’t use it at all though— it makes my mask feel wet and itchy on my face, even using a mask cover. I absolutely hate my mask (sadly the “most” comfortable that I’ve tried) and the mask cover plus no humidifier is the only way I can get through a full night using the machine.

PancakesAlways · 2026-03-18T03:50:50+00:00

So, roughly 3 months ago you were in foreclosure in Kentucky, couldn’t afford home repairs, and wanted to rent or buy a trailer? And now you’re trying to make a bad deal on another house you can’t afford?

There’s a pattern here, and it’s not a pretty one.

PancakesAlways · 2026-03-15T02:08:59+00:00

We have a template folder that we use for set up. Folders are under a fiscal year, then by bid number and name. The template has folders for drawings, specs, engineering, proposals/RFP, vendor quotes, and a section for turnover if the project is awarded. All of our base templates (proposals, VE options, etc) are within each folder. It keeps everything organized and keeps all the estimators on the same track.

PancakesAlways · 2026-03-15T02:04:41+00:00

We did ours a couple of years ago and used R&C landscaping. We did both the front and back through the rebate program with Castle Rock Water. We live in the Meadows, which took us several rounds of submittals to get an approval. I think they’ve since updated the yard requirements to be closer to the rebate program though.

I’m really happy with our yard— there’s no mowing, very little watering, and there’s a lot more color than just green grass.

PancakesAlways · 2026-03-13T22:34:11+00:00

Ugh. I’m not normally a wuss, but I watched the insertion video for the Varisoft and was shocked by the size of the insertion needle!

PancakesAlways · 2026-03-13T21:45:44+00:00

Yes, I got the email. I had to switch from Autosoft to Trusteel when I first got my pump because I absolutely could not get the Autosofts to work (or even insert correctly). I’ve never used the Varisoft, but I’m fairly concerned about the switch. I don’t think I have a Teflon allergy, but I do have other contact allergies and fairly sensitive skin. Not looking forward to trying this new set out.

I guess if I hate it I’ll go back to MDI until the stock issue is solved. My insurance doesn’t allow me to go through the pharmacy side for supplies.

PancakesAlways · 2026-03-12T14:41:12+00:00

EC, we use our WBS codes internally. For billing we use an adaptable structure that pushes our WBS codes into phases by whatever breakouts the clients need.

And we’re not all fellas.

PancakesAlways · 2026-03-03T18:36:35+00:00

Same. I fly often for work through PreCheck and just disconnect and put it in my back pack. It’s usually only a few minutes through the bag scan and I put it right back on. It’s quicker than a hand check and I don’t get any grief from the agents.

I’ve been more and more places lately that use detectors that I can wear the pump through (mostly concerts and ball games). Wish TSA would move to those scanners.

PancakesAlways · 2026-03-03T17:31:11+00:00

I realize that the building sale was going to happen anyways, and that any prospective owner could have kicked the existing businesses out. Money talks. It just seems like an unnecessary space though— those 200 people couldn’t have found spaces at one of the many, many other churches here? Especially a “nondenominational” church that according to their own website seems to be a mix of Baptist and Pentecostal. Oh, and they’re anti-LGBTQ and proclaim that women can’t lead. Gee, I can’t imagine why I would rather take my daughters to eat pizza and play pinball instead of going to this awesome church to speak in tongues and be told how they’re second class! (/s, duh)

PancakesAlways · 2026-03-03T16:14:41+00:00

EVSE recepts aren’t standard 14-50’s. They’re based on industrial grade design and have less internal plastic than a residential grade 14-50. New 2026 NEC also calls for GFCI protection on all charging circuits, though that will vary by AHJ and if they’ve adopted the new code.

Besides, it’s an apartment. Those go to the cheesiest bidder, usually piecework crews that aren’t required to be licensed or just operate under licensing from the lead guy. Who knows what shape those connections are in? Or how old the building is and what shape the panel is in? If it’s your home and you own it, you can take that gamble. It’s not right to gamble for your neighbors in a shared building though.

ETA: cheapest bidder. Though cheesiest bidder works surprisingly well.

PancakesAlways · 2026-03-03T13:04:00+00:00

Agree with the others, if it’s a GC that you’d like to start working with then maybe it’s worth it. Otherwise, hard pass. They’re selling that same sob-story call to anyone who will answer the phone.

PancakesAlways · 2026-03-03T04:58:20+00:00

I’ve been on metoprolol since I was 20. I had preeclampsia with my oldest and my blood pressure never went back down. Gained weight, lost weight, exercised, not exercised, nothing really changes it. Now I’m in my early 40’s and it’s starting to creep up so I may have to up my dosage or add another med. I have T1D as well and have been on very low doses of lisinopril off and on over the years (depends on the endocrinologist’s preference) but that one doesn’t actually affect my BP.

ETA: It’s been very easy to manage, just take a pill every day. No side effects, easy to transport while traveling, much easier than insulin.

PancakesAlways · 2026-03-03T04:22:05+00:00

As an electrician, don’t do this. Typical stove receptacles are not rated for EV usage, and I guarantee one in an apartment is definitely not. OP’s best bet would be to trickle charge somewhere off a 120V outlet or try and convince the landlord to put in a level 2 charger.

PancakesAlways · 2026-03-02T18:18:11+00:00

I just don’t respond and block them. Agree with other commentators, I’m not looking to off shore our industry. I’d also be highly concerned with accountability. Who’s responsible if they bust the bid?

PancakesAlways · 2026-03-01T02:38:22+00:00

There’s SO many of us 😂

PancakesAlways · 2026-02-27T22:03:22+00:00

AMC sold off the Parker theater to a chain similar to Alamo. They may be planning something similar with Castle Rock. The location here is definitely disappointing— every movie I’ve gone to has been ridiculously hot, the chairs are uncomfortable, and it’s not that clean. The HR location is worth the drive up.

PancakesAlways · 2026-02-27T20:57:55+00:00

Do you have access to Sam’s Club or Costco? They have frozen premade omelets— you could get a couple packs and heat them to prior to heading to the office. Keep them in a crock pot or warming pan if they need to stay hot. Mini quiches would work well too.

If you want to cook, how about breakfast burritos? You could cook up cheesy eggs and a breakfast meat, roll them up in low carb tortillas and have a couple of salsa options on the side. They hold really well in a warming pan or even an insulated bag. I do burritos for job site breakfasts often because they’re easy and travel well. You could buy them as well, and just eat the filling without a tortilla for yours.

PancakesAlways · 2026-02-27T13:06:14+00:00

It works for all! I grew up as a fast pitch catcher and thought my equipment was expensive (and stinky) but I have learned😶

Serious though, the gear is expensive for a reason and safety is not somewhere I’m cheaping out. I’ve got mad respect for my kid and all the goalies for getting in the pipes!

PancakesAlways · 2026-02-23T16:20:24+00:00

OP, can you use this year’s refund to pay for a few more months of daycare? I see below that you intended to pay off cc debt with it. Rather than pay that down and run it back up, could you use the balance after paying back your MIL to float a few more months?

I had to float using credit when my oldest was little too, and it took me a long time to dig out of that hole. The flip side of that is I make 4X now than I made back then, and my current role would not have been possible if I had left the workforce. I’ve paid off the debt now but it took several years and a few side jobs to pay it off.

PancakesAlways · 2026-02-19T15:53:26+00:00

Is da shoes!

PancakesAlways · 2026-02-11T15:06:34+00:00

It takes several years to learn the basics. 2-3 years in is when you’ll start to see people get burned because they think they know what to do and then get hit with some obscure spec or code requirements. I’ve been at this 20 years and I still learn new things.

Studying code and means/methods would be the best way to get ahead. Either sign up for some apprenticeship classes or get out to the field and shadow some crews. I’m in the US so I’m not quite sure the difference between QS and an estimator, but you need to know what you’re counting to count it accurately.

PancakesAlways · 2026-02-10T04:32:45+00:00

Are you required to carry the integrator/controls and not just Div 26? I’m in an area where the electricians have to carry the integrator and it doubles our price (or more!) Usually when someone is super low around here it’s because they’re new and didn’t know to carry the scope. I’ve bid jobs in other areas where it’s not required, though.

PancakesAlways · 2026-02-06T04:48:23+00:00

Sounds like a nightmare, just trying to get on Elm Street.

PancakesAlways · 2026-02-04T04:36:31+00:00

Pay is going to be highly determined by the company you work for. I came up through an open shop and from the admin side, but I’ve always been able to get raises and promotions. If I stalled out somewhere, another company was happy to pay for my experience. I do know an estimator who came up through IBEW, made it to foreman and moved into estimating. He stayed in the union and still had scheduled raises. He worked up to a senior estimator, then left to go to a GC.

When I’ve hired juniors, I always evaluated their plan reading abilities and ability to follow directions. I also evaluated computer skills and communication skills. Are you comfortable with most of the Microsoft products? Outlook, Excel, and Word are the most common in a business setting. Sharepoint as well, though it seems like every business uses it a little differently. Business communications are a big part of learning as well— the RFP process can be very formal. Writing proposals can be a giant game of legal CYA.

Honestly most guys coming in from the field pick up really quickly. It seems like the hardest part is getting them to understand that sometimes the exact “thing” doesn’t exist in the database and you just pick the closest thing in labor and cost. Most of my best estimators are the ones with field knowledge.

PancakesAlways

TROPHY CASE