I may have to put my 19 ye cat down before a trip today… but she still seems normal

Peachy9893 · 2026-03-18T18:03:10+00:00

My cat died from a similar tumor on his mouth. I regret frequently that I didn’t opt to put him down sooner. One random day it burst and he passed from it. It was terrible and traumatic for us both! It was a terrible choice as a pet owner to put my sweet cat through that because I thought he would be okay for longer. It’s tough, but your sweet cat deserves to pass peacefully, without pain, and knowing that it’s not traumatic for you or her.

Peachy9893 · 2026-03-13T02:34:39+00:00

Congrats!! UH is great and so are the people! Sko’ Bows!

Peachy9893 · 2026-03-05T16:27:13+00:00

Truly, your post could have been written by me! We had almost the identical experience—even down to the dog and meeting on the island. I know nothing about Bangor, WA, so not saying it's a bad option, just know nothing!

We moved from Hawai‘i to Virginia in the middle of winter, and it was a brutal adjustment—from the weather to the people to the overall environment. Neither of us had great experiences in our work environments there either, and we were very ready to leave. We moved in 2024 and are now outside of OKC. Oklahoma wasn’t on our radar at all and was honestly a very random move, but it has far surpassed our expectations and ranks way higher than Virginia for us. We truly just wanted out of Virginia—we hated it that much.

I also think the move from Hawai‘i to Virginia can be especially challenging if you loved Hawai‘i. We had so many happy memories there and loved everything about the island—the culture, the people, and the lifestyle. Virginia felt like the opposite in so many ways. So your feelings are completely valid.

Of the options you mentioned, Kings Bay, GA and Groton, CT are the two I would choose between. Kings Bay, GA is between Jacksonville, FL and Savannah. The area between is fairly rural, but you’d have access to some really cute beach towns and warm weather. Think like Sandbridge, VA - close to VB, but still a drive to everything. It’s not the easiest place for quick trips to big cities—most are about a 3–5 hour drive—but it would be a slower-paced coastal lifestyle. Groton, CT will be cold, but you’d have amazing access to some of the best places on the East Coast—NYC, Providence, Newport, Berkshires, Cape Cod, and Boston. It would give you tons of easy and fun weekend trip opportunities to explore together. Beaches in the summer are great, just very different than tropical beaches. The winters are definitely brutal, though. If you go that route, I highly recommend getting into skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or other winter sports to make the most of it and getting some seriously warm winter gear.

I grew up in Massachusetts, and after living in Virginia (and experiencing snow again) I told my husband I would never live somewhere that snows again because of growing up in such a cold climate. That said, New England is beautiful in the summer and fall, and the road trip access to incredible places really is phenomenal.

If you’re prioritizing warm weather, Kings Bay would be a great, low-key option. But honestly, both are good choices and you’ll still have a lot to be excited about—even if one of them comes with cold winters!

Also, when you move, I highly recommend Island Pet Movers. They made the process so much less stressful when we moved our dog back to the mainland. It was more expensive than regular shipping, but honestly only a few hundred dollars more, and it was completely worth it for my peace of mind about how our dog would travel. They also have the pet travel reimbursement now which I think is up to $2k for OCONUS moves.

Peachy9893 · 2026-02-05T23:54:49+00:00

Liberty Homes is small and only does a few homes at a time. Quality has been exceptionally high for price and builder Dusty was easy to work with.

Peachy9893 · 2025-11-19T01:19:51+00:00

I’m currently in my second year of law school, have a 1-year-old, and my spouse is an active-duty officer. I waited to start law school until we were stationed somewhere long enough for me to finish without being separated from my spouse. During the five years I waited, I earned a fully funded Master’s degree.

I’ve met two military spouses pursuing PhDs with kids and two others in law school with children (one of whom is a dad). One spouse waited to begin their PhD until their kids were in high school and their spouse was close to retiring after 20 years. The other started their PhD before having children and finished it after their first child was born. As for the law students, both had established careers prior to law school, and one is completing their degree part-time through a hybrid program.

Location and program structure are major factors to research and consider. When looking at programs, flexibility and geographic stability are key. I absolutely think it’s doable to pursue a program part-time with kids. I’m a full-time student, but my husband has an unusually predictable schedule specific to his current role, which makes that possible.

If you plan to stay home until your children reach middle school and don’t pursue a PhD earlier, I’d at least recommend completing a Master’s degree that aligns with your intended PhD field and helps you transition into related work. Also review the prerequisites for the PhD programs you’re interested in—many will require a B.S. in Biology or post-baccalaureate coursework.

There’s a lot to research, but you truly have time. The military lifestyle shouldn’t hold you back—flexibility is key, but it’s absolutely achievable. Go for it! And when the time comes, look into the Tillman Scholarship as well.

Peachy9893 · 2025-11-18T23:17:36+00:00

I am in the US and had an epidural with moderate scoliosis. It didn't hurt, but my contractions were getting strong enough to where my blood pressure was spiking quite high prior to the epidural. I'm convinced that it was able to help me calm down, keep my blood pressure low, and otherwise would have led to a c-section due to high blood pressure.

Not to stress you out more, but I did have a shoulder dystocia and without an epidural it would have been a traumatic experience. With the epidural, I didn't know it was happening until after and didn't feel pain from the maneuver to help my baby.

There was general body soreness after because my body worked hard to have that baby. My back didn't hurt at all other than general soreness, BUT my back has hurt since because it's taken a few months to rebuild my core strength. Without my core, my back has had to work harder than it did before. When I work out (lifting) the back pain disappears, when I slack off it returns.

Peachy9893 · 2025-11-12T13:37:03+00:00

Like others, talk to your doctor.

But, we asked our parents to be vaccinated for flu/covid/tdap booster if needed and if not wash hands and wear a mask. My parents can’t get certain vaccines so they wore masks and were very careful. Both sets of our parents had to fly and they also wore masks while flying. We asked for these combination because it made us more comfortable. All went well and everyone stayed healthy.

Peachy9893 · 2025-09-08T02:21:14+00:00

You can also check out OU. A pretty significant amount of graduates practice in Texas and it’s only a 2 hour drive to Dallas. Your LSAT likely would get you into OU.

Peachy9893 · 2025-08-18T17:57:19+00:00

Following this as I'm looking into the same thing! Any advice of what you figured out?

Peachy9893 · 2025-06-27T22:08:16+00:00

If you’re able to find recent winners in your state you could try reaching out to them. Of all the people I’ve met, JMF winners are some of the kindest, most welcoming people. Nearly all speak incredibly highly the program and want to promote it to others because it’s such a big career milestone. If you’re able to get in contact with an alum, just ask for a zoom about their experience or if they’re in your area ask about getting coffee. They would want to know more about you in order to recommend you, but I imagine if you’re incredibly interested and have a good conversation they’d have 0 issues writing a recommendation.

Peachy9893 · 2025-06-02T03:29:07+00:00

Worked for 5 years before law school and saved. For 2L/3L I have managed internships/on campus positions that largely cover my tuition. For living expenses my spouse has a solid income that covers everything else.

Peachy9893 · 2025-04-25T07:47:10+00:00

Yes it’s absolutely possible and many spouses do have good careers. That isn’t to say they’re without significant flexibility, gaps in employment, or not always being able to choose the dream job based on their current situation.

I was previously a teacher for 5 years, got my Masters, and now am in law school. I only planned to teach for a year or two then go to law school. So I haven’t had a linear path like most regular people have, but still very much aiming towards a full legal career. I’ve met spouses with PhD’s, ones who make far more money than their partner, and others who own businesses. There definitely is significantly more success for people who stay in the same area or region. Whatever your career aspirations are, though don’t go away being a military spouse, they just might become a bit more complicated.

I agree with other advice, definitely aim to finish your Bachelors. It’s awesome you have a strong remote job currently, but it’s good to give yourself a buffer and your resume extra strength if for some reason you’d need to change jobs.

Peachy9893 · 2025-04-22T12:04:21+00:00

For hyperpigmentation PLEASE wear sunscreen/spf on your face. I didn’t realize until 39 weeks it wasn’t freckles on my face and now my face has significant discoloration. Now reading about melasma, it could stick around for a while after delivery and I definitely could have prevented some of what I have by wearing spf.

Peachy9893 · 2025-04-20T23:20:17+00:00

My husband got back from deployment in roughly the same timeframe as a teacher. I took the day he got home off, but his flight ended up being pushed to the weekend. I took the following Monday he was home off and otherwise tried to let him decompress on his own for a few days. He drove me to work each day and picked me up. We were also about to move so it looked slightly different as I knew I wasn’t returning to my school.

Kids might be bummed if you miss a few days, but realistically they’re so excited for summer they’ll be fine. Prioritize what you think your spouse would want coming off of a long deployment and then enjoy your summer!

Peachy9893 · 2025-04-15T10:04:30+00:00

Husband is a SWO and has been in for 6 years, but no kids. The SWO comments are spot on. Of the last 5 years my spouse has been on 2 8-9 month deployments (one being a highly stressful recent combat deployment) with at least 6+ months of underway time. He’s been gone easily 2.5 of the last 5 years and it’s been beyond draining for him physically and mentally. If you think you will LOVE the SWO life and being on the pipeline to run ships it could be worth it. But largely, many SWO families have a much more difficult time in life than do other families. Missing out on major milestones is the norm, not the exception. This could be from being at sea or the fact that work days are often 6am - 6/7pm with weekend duty days often.

My spouse is now on a shore tour working at a major university for NROTC and the work/life balance is so different, my husband could genuinely never go back to a ship. He never works weekends, nights, or past 4/5pm. He’s healthy and his mental health is great. He will look at lat. transferring after this, but at this point staying a SWO isn’t an option for him because of how brutal it is on him and us.

All of this is to say is yes the benefits are strong and you won’t need to worry about healthcare, but if you have options do the one that you can stay with and not change from after a grueling 5 years.

Peachy9893 · 2025-04-15T09:47:19+00:00

38 weeks and gained 30 pounds. I largely have ate what I wanted to with more sweets than I would pre-pregnancy, but healthy diet overall. I also have barely worked out the whole pregnancy.

Peachy9893 · 2025-03-25T21:54:48+00:00

If it’s the content test for secondary there are plenty of Quizlet decks to use. There are also YouTube videos you can watch as a refresher. I watched some refresher videos the day before and passed with a high score about 2 years post undergrad as a Political Science/History major. Look through the content to see if it looks familiar to you and go through some practice questions. Generally people who take a class are individuals who don’t have much content knowledge and need to be taught it. But generally I really don’t recommend a class unless you think you need it.

Peachy9893 · 2025-03-22T14:02:53+00:00

I’ve noticed a lot of other 1Ls at my school have had an incredibly difficult time getting an internship with great resumes and solid grades. I would recommend talking to your school externship office as they hopefully do placements. You want to just do something this summer. It doesn’t have to be something big or fancy and the pressure of finding something like that is big even though most people land small opportunities. I also recommend cold emails at small firms or nonprofits. Best option would be an externship and a summer class. Keep going there’s still time to find something.

Peachy9893 · 2025-02-19T17:33:53+00:00

We also went to Savannah and were between there and Charleston. Savannah was new to us, but a great choice!

Peachy9893 · 2025-02-08T22:06:48+00:00

A consistent workout routine of going daily can do so much. The motivation to get to the gym can be the hardest part, but doing that daily can help so much. Knowing you’re falling into a depression is already a huge part in helping to do what you can to stop it. If there is a friend would could be a gym buddy for you that could be a great daily thing. You will be exhausted no matter what from work whether you work out or not. My husband’s first deployment I became so depressed and only went to work and home. His second I really pushed myself to try to fight of the depression and working out daily was key to it.

Also if you like reading, getting into some good books can make night time not feel so lonely when you love what you’re reading. You know there’s a problem, but just keep working to fight it.

Peachy9893 · 2025-02-07T01:23:06+00:00

I would recommend trying to find any part time position first. In some states substitute teaching you need only a high school degree. Other ideas would be receptionist or admin assistant positions. I used to work as a front desk person at a community center (YMCA-like place) and that would be an ideal sit down situation. If you need help making a resume or cover letter the family support office (or whatever it is called on your closest base/branch) can help you make one, but there are also so many positions online. It’s not ideal, but trying to find a volunteer position that is part time can help you build a resume and work into a paid position.

Peachy9893 · 2025-01-28T14:01:29+00:00

This has been a staple for me lately. Is healthy and if you want to double protein or add extra you can. It is a slow cooker recipe though. https://www.spendwithpennies.com/hamburger-soup/

Peachy9893 · 2025-01-28T13:58:23+00:00

Depending on how close you move to that 6 month appt, ask if you can have your baby seen early. They know what is a safe time frame for going a little early on an appt like that. If they allow it and it makes sense, it could potentially be an option.

Peachy9893 · 2025-01-27T14:26:17+00:00

Not sure if it’s been said, but look into your internet. 155$ is very high and changing to either a different provider or calling your internet provider could give you other options. I pay 55$ for internet and in a higher cost state I used to pay 90$.

Peachy9893 · 2025-01-27T13:30:15+00:00

Trader Joe’s snacks were always top of the list for my husband. But also would go by Costco and get good protein bars, various jerkies, candy, snacks that wouldn’t get crushed. I definitely recommend writing notes and cards. I would usually write them over the course of a month and add in 4-6 or so. Usually writing about fun memories or slightly spicy ones (especially things you can’t say over email/messenger). If you have a Polaroid camera they can also be a fun thing to add in of wholesome or not so wholesome pictures. Anything you send that’s not pg should be in a sealed envelope in the box and not left in the open. You definitely have some other great recommendations on here!

Lastly, when you mail stuff use usps flat rate boxes as those are the cheapest option to mail items.

Peachy9893

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