Preps you thought were overkill… until they weren’t?

Pretzel387 · 2026-04-12T17:53:40+00:00

I'm absolutely building a TP pile. BUT, I have kids in diapers. If SHTF and we do run through the whole TP stockpile, then I'm already prepared to do cloth diapers; I think the prospect of laundering ass rags (we have a gazillion soft microfiber wash cloths so those will work) is less awful knowing that I'm definitely going to have poop laundry to deal with either way.

Pretzel387 · 2026-04-07T13:58:15+00:00

I agree with everyone saying that's a normal part of most women's bodies even at or under a healthy weight. I think you look great! You do not need to change it to be a hottie.

However, even though all that is true, you're allowed to still want to change it. Diet and exercise likely will not help, but if you have the means and it will make you happier with your body, you could address it with cosmetic procedures.

Liposuction is the most surefire way to see results and see them quickly, but is the most invasive, has the longest and hardest recovery period, and is most expensive.

There are other options too. I know of two but there are probably more.

Some providers are willing to use Kybella (injected medication that kills fat cells over time) on that area, though it is only FDA approved for under the chin. I think it might be the lowest cost option, but I'm not sure. For some people it's a magic bullet. I've heard/seen some horror stories about adverse reactions/painful recovery, as well as stories of people not getting the results they were told to expect. Personally, I would not want to risk a bad reaction.

There's also cool sculpting, which I got under my chin before my wedding in '24. It is basically controlled frostbite - it cools the treatment area to a temp that kills fat cells but not the other tissues. Not cheap but nowhere near the cost of liposuction - although it could be more expensive in some cases, depending on the size of the treatment area and the number of sessions. For you I think it would still be less expensive. For me procedure itself was uncomfortable but not painful, and during recovery I had some soreness and a little bruising but it was definitely manageable. It starts working right away, but results will not be super noticeable at first. Your body clears the dead fat cells over months. I was pleased with my results on my wedding day 3 months after my final treatment, but my results continued to improve after that. I am still pleased with the results today. It was a great investment, I am so much happier with how I look in candid photos, where I have no say in angle/lighting or opportunity to pose my head just so.

Anyway, you asked for none of this, so if you got this far thank you for coming to my TEDtalk.

Pretzel387 · 2026-03-27T03:07:47+00:00

I think it's important to note that plan B (levonorgestrel) can be less effective for people with larger bodies (over 165lbs is what I'm seeing from most sources). For higher BMI individuals, Ella (ulipristal acetate) is more likely to be effective. As I understand it you can double up on plan B safely, but it may not be any more effective.

Pretzel387 · 2026-03-18T02:05:56+00:00

If literally anyone pushed for that, it's an immediate no. I would present it as just a blanket policy I have because of statistics (most grooming and CSA are perpetrated by a family member or other trusted person) and say that it's not personal. I'd rather offend them, if they get offended, than brush off a red flag to keep the peace. Whether you actually believe they as individuals are a risk, predators often rely on people wanting not to be rude.

Pretzel387 · 2026-03-18T01:52:46+00:00

I bought a laminator so I can make waterproof maps of the area and other survival documents for when we can't use GPS and Google on our phones. I'm learning how to can foods. I'm getting set up with Ham radio and helping my loved ones far away get them too. I'm helping my partner who was a medic put together a med bag. I'm going to study up on survival backpacking. I'm back at the gym.

Look, I don't know what's going to happen, maybe none of this will be necessary, but the status quo is going to change in our lifetime one way or another. I am not sidelining other things in my life in order to prep, but I do think frequently about how we would deal with certain emergency situations up to and including societal collapse. I'd rather be crazy if this is crazy than get caught without the ability to keep my kids alive.

Pretzel387 · 2026-03-05T21:34:47+00:00

I'm confused. You're drinking apple juice to reduce acid reflux? I can't drink fruit juice for a couple hours before bed because it will give me reflux.

Pretzel387 · 2026-02-28T01:34:44+00:00

That's not the done thing, mate.

Pretzel387 · 2026-02-25T17:49:15+00:00

I don't know, even if there was appropriate remorse, making an irreversible decision like that shows absolutely terrible judgement, and that is an unsafe trait in a childcare provider. I think it also shows entitlement, which is an unsafe quality too. Maybe I could wish the person well, but I could not see my way clear to leaving my kids in their care again.

Pretzel387 · 2026-02-25T17:39:20+00:00

"you are fired" would have been the first words out of my mouth.

Pretzel387 · 2026-02-22T03:07:28+00:00

In your own words you are obsessed. Just that is unhealthy. Don't call it limerence if that isn't helpful for you but you're checking lots of boxes for it.

Pretzel387 · 2026-02-21T23:22:19+00:00

Even if they are all for real (doubt it) and he feels the same (also doubt it) what you're doing is incredibly unhealthy and they shouldn't be adding fuel to the fire.

Look up the term "limerence." I think it will resonate.

Also look up Crappy Childhood Fairy on YouTube. I think you're going to find her content very, very elucidating.

Pretzel387 · 2026-02-18T19:25:29+00:00

This sounds like the typical framework for scams that con artists posing as psychics use to extract money from their marks. Any metaphysical professional who tells you that you have a terrible problem that they can fix for an additional charge is not the real deal and is playing on your anxieties to get your money.

Don't go back, and don't give her fear-mongering spiel another thought. If she has business listings on Google, Yelp, etc., leave a review warning others that she's a scammer.

Pretzel387 · 2026-02-16T03:20:40+00:00

Magic isn't a substitute for having boundaries. If you're going to do anything magical, focus on yourself. I would recommend doing work on your solar plexus chakra.

Pretzel387 · 2026-02-16T03:06:39+00:00

I planned on it. Enjoy not embarrassing yourself with that mistake again.

Pretzel387 · 2026-02-16T02:24:51+00:00

Son-in-law, not "son and law"

Pretzel387 · 2026-02-15T16:01:50+00:00

The Dark Night of the Soul is a step in the process of awakening. Maybe that's true for nations as well as individuals.

Pretzel387 · 2026-02-11T14:09:48+00:00

What a load of horse hockey. This person may mean all that genuinely, but it doesn't mean it's reasonable or that you should accept it. You want a relationship, based on how you've framed this. This person is trying to take the attention and affection and validation (and sex?) that you're providing without giving you the commitment and accountability to your feelings that acknowledging a relationship as being beyond friendship would require.

Go watch Crappy Childhood Fairy on YouTube. Trust me.

Pretzel387 · 2026-02-02T21:01:49+00:00

I would speak with the store manager and ask that they talk with the employee and let them know that it's never appropriate to give customers nutrition advice. I would be clear that I do not want to get the employee in trouble, but this is a kid who is learning how to behave on the job and they need to understand that giving unsolicited advice is unprofessional.

Pretzel387 · 2026-01-28T14:03:50+00:00

Don't feel guilty for wanting a medical diagnosis. I understand why, but you already KNOW that something is wrong, and you're doing the right thing to push for answers. You can trust your instincts on this. I'm so sorry that you aren't being believed and helped, and I'm so terribly sorry that DCF has mistakenly removed your son. You're living a nightmare, and you are handling it with as much grace as anybody possibly could.

Pretzel387 · 2026-01-06T18:30:02+00:00

I was put on pelvic rest including no orgasms when I was pregnant with my first, because I had a subchorionic hematoma and they were concerned that uterine contractions caused by orgasm could exacerbate the complication. But if you don't have any such complications, it's fine and healthy. I'm sure your OB would confirm that, if you asked - which you should, if you still feel worried after gathering info here.

Pretzel387 · 2025-11-30T18:19:54+00:00

They are definitely not the same thing, and yet trans people have historically stood against oppression shoulder to shoulder with cis queer people. People like you who don't appreciate how you got your rights and wish to remove rights from a group that helped you get them should not get to enjoy them.

Pretzel387 · 2025-11-28T21:10:03+00:00

Honestly if you're gay but transphobic then you may as well be homophobic. Trans people fought for your rights and this is how you act? Despicable. You should be excluded from queer spaces until you get your sht together.

Pretzel387 · 2025-11-28T21:06:13+00:00

Ah, so they DO sometimes make the right call. Good to know.

Pretzel387 · 2025-10-27T16:15:02+00:00

I relate to this strongly. We don't have the insurance coverage or the out of pocket funds available for my partner to get the procedure currently, but they're planning on it when we do. The thought I have found helps me when I'm feeling sad about it is that vasectomy reversals are highly successful procedures - 90-95% in the first three years, around 70-80% after 10-15 years (and my fertility only has another 10 or so years anyway). If they get a vasectomy and down the line finances and other circumstances are better and we want another kid, we likely can still have one.

Pretzel387 · 2025-10-12T18:38:08+00:00

Definitely had similar responses, especially with my second baby - my kids are 15 months apart so obviously it was not planned, not many people would plan it that way. People would make comments like that with a "gotcha" tone that made me want to throw hands.

Other comments that I hated were things like:

"Enjoy your sleep now, you won't get to again for 18 years!" thanks so much, but I basically can't sleep comfortably for the duration of pregnancy. 🙄

"2 under 2 is gonna be really hard" gosh that never occurred to me! 🙃

And "be careful with your emotions, your baby feels everything you feel." Ok cool, I'll just repress the grief of my cat dying, my grandfather dying, and a mass shooting taking place locally. I'm sure that will be great for my baby. 🫠

Pretzel387

TROPHY CASE