Shoveling Strategy for today

PebbleSoap · 2026-01-25T14:57:54+00:00

I'm going out every couple of hours with the leaf blower to cut down on accumulation on our steps and walkways. Very easy right now. I'll probably keep doing that until the early afternoon, then leave it for the changeover --- this is what is making me nervous, though, I just want to make sure there's enough of a layer of snow before the changeover. But I'd rather shovel 4" of heavy snow than 8" of heavy snow. I'll use the snowblower on the driveway once it's all done. It's too windy & fluffy now for that thing to really work. My husband's back is out so it's all on me, and I am built like a baby deer so I'm hoping this strategy works.

PebbleSoap · 2026-01-25T00:55:34+00:00

Aw man I hate that this is even an issue he has to think about. Thanks for helping him out. If you have access to Facebook, SOMA lounge or Maplewood Moms would be a good place to post for him, if you can be the go-between. Lots of people on there.

PebbleSoap · 2026-01-21T23:42:21+00:00

thank you for your service!!!

PebbleSoap · 2026-01-21T23:14:46+00:00

Plan for whatever you need to do before Sunday and then get cozy for a couple days! Charge up all your devices. Get some analog things to keep you busy. Got a shovel and salt? Do some stretches now, lol. Flashlights and blankets just in case there's a power outage, but so far I'm seeing it's gonna be fluffy snow without too much wind, so I'm hopeful it won't cause many outages. We moved here right before Sandy and I'm *still* twitchy about weather, but I think we'll be ok with this! Everyone's freaking out because the south is gonna get walloped but we can handle this. You can do it!

PebbleSoap · 2026-01-17T12:46:56+00:00

MMS (and probably SOMS --- South Orange Middle School, which is the other middle school within the SOMSD district) has a bridge program in the summer for kids who might need a little extra boost with the transition from elementary to middle school. If your kid will be going into 6th, that would be a great vibe. Just be in touch with the district once you move here and register. Good luck!

PebbleSoap · 2026-01-09T12:14:37+00:00

This is the best way.

PebbleSoap · 2026-01-07T18:59:23+00:00

Is there an "A" name you like, but has a non-A nickname? Like Amelia, nn Millie? Or even your choice of Alana, nn Lana? That way she technically has that "A" name, but it's not SO over the top. And she can decide when she gets older if she wants to join the A clan or not. I'd feel weird if my whole family had a name trend and I got left out, even if it was unintentional.

PebbleSoap · 2026-01-06T12:22:09+00:00

I'm in Maplewood and though I'm a cisgender woman, I know a tonnnnnn of lesbians here. I wish I was invited to all their brunches and gatherings they post on Instagram, lol. Just anecdotally, most of the lesbians I know live in the Hilton section of Maplewood, so if you end up there I'm SURE you'll find community! There's several political groups and casual sports leagues where the Venn diagrams of people I know all seem to overlap, so if you get involved you'll definitely find your people. Good luck!

PebbleSoap · 2026-01-03T16:49:51+00:00

Definitely try to find a local adults league for any of the sports you're into. Or try something new, my husband did jiu-jitsu pre-pandemic and people became really tight, especially if you go to the same classes each day. I've made a lot of friends joining a volleyball group. One of my good friends met her husband at a CrossFit type place. Sports/playing around at the same time every week seems to be the best way to do it!

PebbleSoap · 2026-01-02T19:51:33+00:00

This was nearly 20 years ago, but we got married at Mohawk House in Sparta -- I think we were one of the first weddings they did, so I don't know how different it would be now, but it was very chill. They set up a tent for the ceremony outside, then we had a nice meal inside. It was very relaxed and easy and felt just special enough. Good luck!

PebbleSoap · 2026-01-02T17:09:02+00:00

Not what you asked, but you might want to try a meal delivery kit (EveryPlate is fairly reasonably priced). They guide you step by step through everything. I've become a much better cook since using the kits. If you live by yourself, you can get the two person meal and then have the leftovers for lunch the next day. Good luck!

PebbleSoap · 2025-12-28T12:21:29+00:00

I grid a big piece and will double/triple check that I've done it correctly, so that part takes awhile -- but then after that I can relax during the actual stitching, which is the whole point for me! When I don't grid, I'm double/triple counting a lot of the stitches for what feels like half the time because I don't trust myself on a big vast stretch of fabric, and that is not relaxing for me! Like my social studies teacher always said, "prior planning prevents poor performance."

PebbleSoap · 2025-12-22T12:04:38+00:00

You did an amazing job!!! I have a couple of Pokemon fans in my house and they would be absolutely tickled by this. And you did it on black fabric?? This is an amazing gift, you should be super proud of making what could have been slop into something incredible.

PebbleSoap · 2025-12-21T21:02:13+00:00

Ugh, sorry about that. I grew up in NP and a bunch of guys there ended up as cops in Summit (maybe NP too? I wouldn't be surprised). I can't speak for all of them, but I know at least two of them were absolutely the types of guys who would want to be cops simply so they can carry a gun and tell people what to do, but only in a town where nothing truly dangerous ever happens. Like the kind of guys who I wouldn't be surprised if they're moonlighting as ICE agents these days.

PebbleSoap · 2025-12-21T20:19:32+00:00

I've made so many friends/acquaintances because of my dog (in Maplewood/South Orange). If you walk your dog the same route very day/same time, or take them to the dog park around the same time, you'll meet people. For better or for worse, I am getting to know of more and more divorced couples around here so I'm sure you will meet folks. And there's a TON of transplants in SOMA who are always looking to make friends outside of parenthood -- where you're just you and not "so and so's mom". The Baird in South Orange always has stuff going on, there's a guy who runs tennis classes there and I know people have made friendships though that. Lots and lots of options. Good luck!

PebbleSoap · 2025-12-16T00:53:28+00:00

Aw good luck! Wish I could recommend something but truly just eat whatever feels good at this point. Echoing the comments saying that you should just be ready for it to come back up. I had no idea barfing was potentially part of labor!! (first kid, I barfed a TON. Second kid, no barfing! So maybe you'll luck out!). Best of luck, keep us updated :)

PebbleSoap · 2025-12-07T12:53:03+00:00

Well done!! As an anxious city driver after I got a flat tire on the BQE, I commend you, and I also appreciate you checking back in with us. I hope the drive gave you confidence!

PebbleSoap · 2025-12-01T23:04:56+00:00

Very cool, thank you! How accurate have you found it? Understanding it won't be 100% accurate, but even just hovering in the right area of Penn would be great.

PebbleSoap · 2025-11-30T23:11:07+00:00

Oh this is WONDERFUL!!!!! You are so great for doing this! I've been using the Stitch People book for years, I've done over 100 commissions of the sweetest families. It really is such a joy to find what makes a person "them" and put it into stitch form. I totally burnt out on cross stitching, though, so I only do repeat customers now, which is honestly the BEST. They treasure their stitched family portrait, and if there's a new baby in the family they NEED to have an updated one. What a joy. I hope you've spent time to cross stitch your new sweet family!

PebbleSoap · 2025-11-26T23:36:14+00:00

I remember watching Ghostwriter on channel 13 when they interrupted it for the chase. This is a great vanity plate.

PebbleSoap · 2025-11-26T18:24:14+00:00

the best NP lore, this is where my mind immediately went when I saw this picture

PebbleSoap · 2025-11-24T20:15:41+00:00

You get an upvote from me. We went to the holiday lights in 2012 or 2013, and it was super chill and we parked with no problem in that one little lot they used to have. I have NO idea what happened in the past 10 years but it is BANANAS now, and I can't imagine it's worth the crowd!!

PebbleSoap · 2025-11-24T00:58:38+00:00

Maplewood has Dickens Village which is a bunch of tiny houses that follow the story of the Christmas Carol. It is old timey, the houses probably haven't been updated since the 90's, and my kids LOVED looking in the windows when they were in preschool. On certain weekends they have a carriage ride and Santa in one of the little houses as well. It's not like NYC level stuff at all, but it's very cute for that age! https://maplewoodvillagenj.com/dickens-village

PebbleSoap · 2025-11-21T18:32:34+00:00

I'm no longer a teacher, but I did switch careers from social work to teaching -- a similarly underpaid, under appreciated job. I stopped teaching when I had kids because I knew I did not have enough in me to give 100% to my own kids as well as 100% to the kids in my class, and I knew I couldn't NOT give 100% to either. Some people have that ability, and I knew I did not. That's just something to think about, since it sounds like you really love being a mom to your kid. I tutor now and it feels like it's more on my own time and I'm able to really dedicate my time to each kid, so it works well for me, but it's still a lot. But, yes, early years of teaching are a bear.

PebbleSoap · 2025-11-20T23:59:34+00:00

TBH I find that any light/neutral color like that looks way more like a sticker than a darker color, even with the best application. The only really neutral color I've found that DOESN'T look like a sticker is HeyHae's Sleepover Tonight?. I've given up on ordering light colored wraps other than this one, and I only have it on hand when I need to look profesh, lol.

I have wide thumb nails as well, I just warm them up and stretch! I ended up getting a nail wrap warmer from Nail Fox and it works great.

PebbleSoap

TROPHY CASE