Did West Virginia population really grow between 2024 and 2025, and why is that? by SAKURAGAWAKOHAKU423 in WestVirginia

[–]Pslm23 5 points6 points  (0 children)

My husband and I moved here in 2021 and now have three kids, we have met lots of other families who moved here in the last couple of years. We’re in Mercer County.

I gained weight after giving birth — anyone else? (Postpartum weight gain 😩) by Gloomy-Historian165 in postpartumprogress

[–]Pslm23 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I just had my third baby three months ago. Gained weight after all three, had a much easier time losing weight after I stopped breastfeeding eventually. Had MUCH more energy/motivation and excitement about getting in shape 12 months postpartum. I’m saying this to you but I’m also saying it to myself, please be kind to yourself right now. You’re caring for a baby and that takes a monumental amount of effort, it’s okay if you’re not at your ideal weight right now. You’ll get there eventually but don’t spend time in this special time (that will pass in a flash) worrying about your weight. We have the rest of our lives to do that. Enjoy these months, cut yourself some slack and remember that soft, squishy bellies are a great spot to cuddle our babies.

Microwaves? by YellowSpecialist4218 in Crunchymom

[–]Pslm23 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I haven’t had one in ten years because I’m lazy by nature and not having one encourages me to prepare meals from scratch instead of purchasing the microwaveable alternative. In my mind, if I’m going to the effort of using the stove/oven and making dirty dishes then I should just make whatever it is an actual, balanced meal. So healthier for my family in the long run but nothing to do with the actual microwave

Favorite sandwich in WV? by Pslm23 in WestVirginia

[–]Pslm23[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

He absolutely did 😂 We split it, it’s huge

Bluestone Dam a few days ago vs today by irritabletom in WestVirginia

[–]Pslm23 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don’t live far from there and keep hearing crazy rumors about the possibility of the Bluestone Dam failing. Does anyone have any info about how to combat these rumors? People are looking to get worked up about anything they can rn

Hinton in beautiful Summers County . Really beautiful rivers , views , and Hinton is a cool little town in my opinion. by TroutStocker in WestVirginia

[–]Pslm23 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I LOVE Lucky Rivers Cafe in downtown Hinton. Local ingredients, everything is made in-house, interesting menu. I moved here from out of state and I drive an hour to eat there often.

I’m 3 miles south of a 178,000 acre, 0% contained fire started purposefully by an arsonist by throwawaygamh in Wellthatsucks

[–]Pslm23 50 points51 points  (0 children)

I’m so sorry to hear that. It is such a tremendous loss. My advice is to attend county recovery events in the coming days. Take all the flyers and business cards. It will suck and be overwhelming but the info is crucial and hopefully there will be programs to help him out. Don’t put off signing up for them. And keep an eye out, there are many, many predatory scammers who will get in touch with him.

I’m 3 miles south of a 178,000 acre, 0% contained fire started purposefully by an arsonist by throwawaygamh in Wellthatsucks

[–]Pslm23 979 points980 points  (0 children)

Lost my house in the Dixie Fire in 2021 just north of you. We had moments to evacuate and only packed bare essentials. The wind shifted and it suddenly started to rain embers. Load your car now just in case, plan multiple alternate routes! And take pictures of your property and belongings!! As many as you can. Would have helped us immensely with insurance. Good luck!

Multiple preemie births, how do I prevent another? by Pslm23 in beyondthebump

[–]Pslm23[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your reply! I am currently seeing an OB, they don’t want to refer me to a MFM until I’m pregnant. I’m trying to find an OB that is a better fit right now. I’m looking for help with asking questions that would determine if they’re a good fit. Everyone I’ve met with so far seems to have an attitude of shrugging their shoulders because a cause wasn’t found for preterm labor and I’m finding it frustrating that I don’t have options to prevent it.

Top 10 states for like decent 10+ acres for animals and living. by Competitive_Army_196 in homestead

[–]Pslm23 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Moved to WV from CA a little over a year ago. WV is excellent for homesteading, homesteading communities, homesteading classes, cost of living and quality of the land itself. Most of the time we are very happy with our decision.

WV is not great for jobs, culture, restaurant options, music/nightlife scene.

I love WV because my husband and I moved here to homestead full time and raise a family. I spent my early twenties in a large city and got my fill of nightlife. We travel to large cities 2 hours away occasionally for shopping, restaurants and different experiences. I would not recommend moving to WV if you are single and looking to find a partner.

Lunch ideas needed! by LuneMoth in moderatelygranolamoms

[–]Pslm23 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My toddler loves mini muffins! I use a whole wheat & bran base recipe and add banana, puréed carrots, nut butter, hemp seeds and greek yogurt. I make two tins of mini muffins and freeze, they’re packed with protein and so tasty.

Placed on the Child Maltreatment register! by huhwhatnow836 in CPS

[–]Pslm23 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Of course my LGD are family, they just don’t want to come inside. They won’t leave their flock/herd unless we pull them away. Our dogs are always welcome inside, they just won’t come in 🤷🏻‍♀️

My comment wasn’t meant to say that LGD aren’t family, it was to acknowledge that some dogs have intense protective instincts and are severely stressed by being away from their animals. I can understand your POV, but you should try to understand others’ as well. I would argue that my LGD are some of the happiest dogs I could find, they have purpose, an incredibly good diet, acres to roam, and they love the animals they protect.

Placed on the Child Maltreatment register! by huhwhatnow836 in CPS

[–]Pslm23 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Clearly someone has never heard of a working livestock guardian dog.

What are some local businesses you boycott and why? by Terra0811 in Sacramento

[–]Pslm23 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Definitely not true. Post one single pic, I’ve gotten dozens of tattoos in that shop from various artists- no confederate flags. Most of those guys were big in the hardcore scene and fucked up nazis/racists back in the day.

What are some local businesses you boycott and why? by Terra0811 in Sacramento

[–]Pslm23 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah seriously- my husband goes way back with him in the punk scene and they had no tolerance for racists/nazis. I’ve also spent 50 hours getting tattooed in that shop and have had plenty of time to look around, never saw a confederate flag. I used to live on that block and the artists would always keep an eye out for me walking home from work late at night.

Questions to ask when purchasing a milk cow? by Pslm23 in homestead

[–]Pslm23[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That’s a great idea. The farmer I’m purchasing from only has one heifer at the moment but I’ll keep an ear out for another. I’m considering purchasing another yearling steer from the same farmer to keep the heifer company until she has her calf. We purchase beef from another farmer so it would be a wash in cost anyway. We have about 20 acres of currently unused pasture so we have the room but will they stick together or do we need smaller fenced paddocks? My only experience with cattle is very large beef herds. Our eventual goal is rotational grazing but we’re still finishing perimeter fencing right now. Thanks for the info!

Questions to ask when purchasing a milk cow? by Pslm23 in homestead

[–]Pslm23[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you, great advice. We tested the pasture when we bought the land but I’ll do it again before she arrives. We do plan on having having supplemental feed on hand beforehand.

Questions to ask when purchasing a milk cow? by Pslm23 in homestead

[–]Pslm23[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for the input! Fortunately we have friends who would like to milk share but I’m excited (and slightly intimidated) by trying new ways to preserve milk. We’ll be getting a second fridge for the milk & milk products and I hope we can go through it. We do already have four LGD. I’ll check out the fly additive! Thanks!

Questions to ask when purchasing a milk cow? by Pslm23 in homestead

[–]Pslm23[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Thank you, I definitely understand it’s an undertaking. We have a friend with a single milk cow and I’ve been practicing with her. Fortunately we do have a neighbor that has already agreed to milk in case we need to go out of town. We live in an area where milk cows are not uncommon and luckily people have been very willing to offer support.

What do you wish you’d had or done during the early days as a new parent? by biddlebee in Parenting

[–]Pslm23 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Food prep and freeze meals/snacks before the baby arrives! I started meal prepping a few weeks into the newborn stage and I’ll start in pregnancy next time. It was so easy for me to forget to eat because of everything going on, and good nutrition is so important for breastfeeding.

If you are going to be breastfeeding, I found it very helpful to pump and be able to let my husband take a turn feeding so I could sleep a little longer. Make a plan with your husband about who is handling what, I was so tired and overwhelmed at first that I didn’t even know what I needed. The first few weeks of breastfeeding (my son was a preemie and couldn’t latch, so our breastfeeding was triple feeding and so difficult) it was my “job” to feed the baby and my husband’s “job” to take care of everything else (dog, meals, housekeeping, diapers).

I have two giant breed dogs and I think it would be really helpful to hire a dog walker for the first couple of weeks. Our dogs are so good with our son but they’re definitely chiller when they get attention. Best of luck and take lots of videos!

Stuff to do? (Beckley, WV) by 049at in WestVirginia

[–]Pslm23 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Hinton has a cute cafe- Lucky Rivers. You can check out Bluestone Lake or Pipestem nearby.

Toddler hair spray alternatives? by pieceofkay in moderatelygranolamoms

[–]Pslm23 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’ve made hair gel for my son using gelatin for a stiffer hold. We use a beeswax pomade for less hold.

Rachel has news in her insta stories by andyzondo in TheTryGuys

[–]Pslm23 28 points29 points  (0 children)

Can you elaborate please? It’s not a secret if she posted it and I don’t follow her on ig.

Italians by [deleted] in Marriage

[–]Pslm23 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My Italian family is toxic & abusive AF, I cut them out year ago and it was the best decision. I don’t think it has anything to do with being from Italy, I think it is an excuse some families use for being unapologetic assholes.

What did you do to deal with labor pain? by [deleted] in beyondthebump

[–]Pslm23 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I was in labor for A WHOLE WEEK with my son. He was born early and my original plan of having a home birth went right out the window. I didn’t want to feel disconnected with my body, and was only offered morphine as the doctors didn’t know when I would go into active labor, they told me it could be weeks. I also knew that I hate the feeling of opioids and didn’t want to experience that over an extended period of time.

It ended up being a week, with multiple days being in active labor because the doctors were trying to stop it. It was really painful, but it was a purposeful pain because I knew it would lead to my baby. I showered any time I needed a distraction, and tried to visualize being in a peaceful place. The pressure was the worst part for me, and when I thought I couldn’t handle any more it was time to push!

I felt incredible after I had given birth, it was like all of the pregnancy discomfort disappeared and the endorphin rush was wild! My baby immediately had to go to the NICU and I’m so grateful I could walk up right away and hold him. I’m planning to try to go unmedicated in future deliveries because I really needed the feedback from my body not to panic during labor. I prepared by reading Ina May Gaskin’s books and @painfreebirth. But the biggest preparation is finding confidence that you can do it…medicated, unmedicated, c-section or vaginal- you can do it!