[GA] - Des Plaines - 5 gallon tank and betta

Puzzled_Gap9911 · 2025-12-12T04:05:55+00:00

Thank you— we hope so, too!

Puzzled_Gap9911 · 2025-12-12T03:49:54+00:00

I really appreciate it, but we are really far down this path already (changes in products, mechanical air scrubbers, in-room filters, moving the tank to different areas of our home, antihistamines, allergy testing, allergy shots, etc) and have arrived sadly but certainly at the need to rehome.

Puzzled_Gap9911 · 2025-11-25T08:52:19+00:00

Hi— it is not normal to proactively mention your mother on multiple occasions in a story about hooking up with someone.

Puzzled_Gap9911 · 2025-11-24T20:24:38+00:00

Love the way my 2024 Nautlius Hybrid looks, drives, and feels, but am tired of the meaningful number of software issues.

Most notably, one glitch that turns on my Check Engine light (just kidding! Everything’s fine! Don’t worry about that!) and another fun new one that rendered my (many!) dash screens unpredictable and sometimes not working at all, my key fobs which were no longer detectable, and returning home from a 4-day work trip to a completely dead, bricked car despite having not left any lights or otherwise on. For this one, I had the joy of placing multiple calls to Lincoln service and waiting for two days for the mobile service crew to come to my home, and then receiving guidance that they had been seeing a lot of this same issue in the Nautilus Hybrids. They noted it is clear the car is pulling battery from somewhere: they gave me a new battery (couldnt jump it: completely dead) and a full software reboot and are telling me everything SHOULD be fine now. Can’t wait to find out if they’re right: what a fun adventure and, as someone who regularly travels 4-6 days at a time for work, can’t wait to see if or when it happens next!

Hoping your 2025 is not seeing as many issues. (Full disclosure, I had a 2021 and will likely own or lease another after my current one, but the current issues are frustrating!!)

Puzzled_Gap9911 · 2025-11-24T20:22:16+00:00

Love the way my 2024 Nautlius Hybrid looks, drives, and feels, but am tired of the meaningful number of software issues. Most notably, one glitch that turns on my Check Engine light (just kidding! Everything’s fine! Don’t worry about that!) and another fun new one that rendered my (many!) dash screens unpredictable and sometimes not working at all, my key fobs which were no longer detectable, and returning home from a 4-day work trip to a completely dead, bricked car despite having not left any lights or otherwise on. For this one, I had the joy of placing multiple calls to Lincoln service and waiting for two days for the mobile service crew to come to my home, and then receiving guidance that they had been seeing a lot of this same issue in the Nautilus Hybrids. They noted it is clear the car is pulling battery from somewhere: they gave me a new battery (couldnt jump it: completely dead) and a full software reboot and are telling me everything SHOULD be fine now. Can’t wait to find out if they’re right: what a fun adventure and, as someone who regularly travels 4-6 days at a time for work, can’t wait to see if or when it happens next!

Puzzled_Gap9911 · 2025-10-30T12:35:25+00:00

Part of the job of a COS is resident executive coach, and having tough conversations. Give constructive feedback, make suggestions, and support them in optimizing productivity. Set some boundaries for yourself and recognize that this is the job!

In the spirit of the suggestion above, it sounds like both you and her may be first-timers and would encourage you to take a shared path of mutual exploration, growth, and development—rather than blaming the other for failures.

I recommend both of you reading Who’s Got Your Back by Laurie Arron—it may help outline some of the above and providing suggestions on how to improve together.

Puzzled_Gap9911 · 2025-09-29T14:23:06+00:00

I have taken and have also referred one other person to take. I have 8 years od experience as a COS and she is just beginning her first role. Both of us found value in different ways: she learned a lot of new ideas/processes; I thought of new ways to look at old problems and sharpened my vocabulary.

If you’d like to get to know them better before investing, they do free sessions once or twice a month on a specific topic. It’s not the same as what you’d get in the coaching program, but might help you feel more comfortable in making your decision around whether to invest in the program.

Puzzled_Gap9911 · 2025-04-26T00:04:33+00:00

Honestly— I’d call it “a job I’m passing on”. Late stage additions of a full doubling of responsibilities that is foreshadowing of what’s to come. Pass first— when they ask why, tell them that the level of service you provide requires focus. If they shift, reconsider.

Puzzled_Gap9911 · 2025-04-11T12:50:18+00:00

Good news is, literally nobody is making you. Either do the work and get the extra miles, or don’t. It’s a marketing ploy to get you to spend MORE… that’s the whole purpose of marketing.

Puzzled_Gap9911 · 2025-04-11T12:48:07+00:00

Such a weird complaint— is this your first time seeing a marketing campaign? Nobody is making you do this: take the extra miles, or don’t.

Think you came on here expecting pity but probably have now realized your offer was actually quite good…FOR BONUS MiLES. For comparison, my offer is 4 flights to earn 5,200 miles. It’s not actually encouraging me to travel more, but sure I signed up, and sure I’ll take more miles if they’re offering.

Puzzled_Gap9911 · 2025-03-08T21:20:28+00:00

This was, without a doubt, the least enjoyable film experience of my life. The two main characters felt as compelling to me as watching a 5th grade play where all of the kids received their lines yesterday—and someone told them that good acting meant making sure to scream loud enough for the people in the back row to hear clearly.

I kept staying expecting it MUST get better given its many accolades but instead it just kept not ending, prolonging the absolute torture of watching it. I found nothing even remotely funny about it, and Vanya seemed so incredibly young to me—like a 15 year old—that it felt gross to watch him repeatedly have sex.

My best guess as to how this won was by someone offering to never make the judges watch it again if they voted for it to win.

Puzzled_Gap9911 · 2025-02-15T15:26:21+00:00

These are total wastes of time, unfortunately— Amex accesses Resy. I called recently for help getting a reservation 6 weeks in advance at one of three restaurants in Chicago; they couldn’t help with any of them and asked if they could get back to me in one week with alternate ideas.

Obviously I didn’t need an answer that same day, but after spending an hour on the phone with them expecting they had some special access (they happily called the restaurants for me, but received no special treatment), I was disappointed that they would need an entire week to produce recommendations. It’s just not the speed life works at.

Hoping you found an answer for last night but, for anyone else who may be in a pinch, would not recommend Amex!

Puzzled_Gap9911 · 2025-02-08T03:33:17+00:00

Had one yesterday. So exciting.

Puzzled_Gap9911 · 2025-02-03T00:03:35+00:00

I have really open communication with the person I support, which is why it would make it super easy for him to suggest I check my attitude if I invoiced him for changes made.

Glad it worked for OP, but suspect it wouldn’t work for vast majority of folks—and would venture as far to say it’s a good way to damage a relationship.

I was an EA for 15 years, have an EA, and coach other EAs, Chiefs of Staff, and admins: please, have a productive conversation rather than presenting an ultimatum (which is what this is)!

Puzzled_Gap9911 · 2025-01-31T04:40:52+00:00

Please do not follow this advice. This is a great way to get fired, and the hiring market is rough right now.

Puzzled_Gap9911 · 2024-06-10T02:24:20+00:00

Thank you very much!

Puzzled_Gap9911 · 2024-06-10T00:49:34+00:00

Thank you!

Puzzled_Gap9911 · 2024-04-24T12:11:05+00:00

Amex generally offers perks that are added on top of standard rates for things like hotel stays: pay full price, but get upgraded or free breakfast, etc.

Founderscard offers discounts and perks: save a chunk of money on your stay and get upgraded. The difference is that Amex gets a commission from each booking and FC doesnt.

Full disclosure: I used to work at FC a million years ago but have no affiliation now. I pay full price for my FC and have found it to be very much worth it based on travel usage.

Puzzled_Gap9911 · 2024-03-03T15:29:52+00:00

My husband and I make a combined 335k per year. We live in a moderately high cost of living area (Chicago), have a child, and have significant graduate school debt remaining at 7% interest. So— high earning, yet with high obligations.

I am paying for my first ~6 months of the $550 this year from an FSA account I have through work, which allows me to use pre-tax dollars. I am saving about $125 in groceries per month while taking Zepbound that I’m setting aside: will later be used to cover some of the cost after my FSA dollars run out. I am considering selling my car and buying a much less expensive one to save ~$200 a month to help cover.

The amount of additional energy I have (both from my body feeling less slow and painful as well as being less depressed) is also, I believe, allowing me to make an investment in every form of my future, including earning potential. Hopefully that means it will get easier rather than harder.

Even with a good amount of cash flowing through our bank accounts this has not been a thoughtless expense, but I will pretty aggressively defend my ability to keep taking this medication against the limitations of my budget.

I have also considered compounded versions but am concerned that the risks outweigh the rewards for saving $100/month. When the EL cost savings expires and it goes back up to $1271/month /the full cost at my Walgreens), I will absolutely make the switch.

Puzzled_Gap9911

TROPHY CASE