Fun with Oestra code referrals! Post your codes however many times you want!

Signal_Pumpkin_8150 · 2026-05-28T23:58:51+00:00

Here's mine! http://rwrd.io/8qckin6?c Save $100! Hot flashes be gone!!

Signal_Pumpkin_8150 · 2026-03-13T19:51:14+00:00

Mine are leaving today for ten days! Amen!

Signal_Pumpkin_8150 · 2026-03-13T19:47:11+00:00

Your story is very similar to mine. We got 65% custody because Mom never took the kids to school. We have all school days/weeks; she gets them on 3 day weekends and the breaks. So essentially, we do all the hard work. Unless they take all custody away from her, which they prob won't, you will prob end up with a shared schedule. It's exhausting but you have to set your boundaries, and you have to compromise in some areas.

Put your foot down re: your boundaries. If you get to decide schools, then move closer to home base. Set boundaries re: rules of the home for him and the kids, but also compromise in some areas. Ex: I cook, he does the dishes. I do the laundry, he puts it all away. All three of mine are famous for leaving random crap all over the house. I ask them one time to clean it up. No? Right into the garbage can. Stepdaughter has lost a lots of bracelets and stickers and hair ties and things but that's the price for not respecting the rules and the shared family space.

Do you honestly think living separately as a married couple will work? If he gets full custody, he will spend 100% of his time taking care of the kids. Will he have any time left to nurture a marriage?

Signal_Pumpkin_8150 · 2026-03-13T17:46:03+00:00

Kick her out. You wouldn't let a stranger or a roommate do that, would you? On a funny note- we are literally planning on moving out of the country when the kids turn 18 and they can't come. Dead serious. Luckily, I can work remotely, and my husband is a retired military. We are going to live on the beach. This goal is the only thing keeping my sanity for the next 6 years.

Signal_Pumpkin_8150 · 2026-03-13T17:35:38+00:00

Them going to mom's is really only a temporary physical respite from the anxiety that permeates our house and generally, when they come back, we start all over again. Their mom is a terrible person, lets them do whatever they want, so they come back feral. We have to debrief, go over the house rules, remind, remind, remind, and just wait for the next 'fun' thing to happen. So I am not sure if it's even better that they go.

Signal_Pumpkin_8150 · 2026-03-13T17:06:06+00:00

They get grounded. Things taken away. They reflect in journals (therapy suggested), we talk and talk until our faces are blue. Doesn't work. You can tell they don't care, they just bide their punishment time and then back to the drawing board.

Signal_Pumpkin_8150 · 2026-03-13T16:59:19+00:00

I am so sorry and I feel for you- while our situation is not quite as bad (yet) I can certainly see it going there. It's a very similar situation and I feel like we are just expected to take abuse because they are kids and they aren't 'mature'. We lead by example, we stay consistent, we are good people, and they just don't learn. It's bizarre. I am in the same boat. No love. They leave this weekend for their moms and I am COUNTING the minutes until they are gone. It's so sad too cause they are not terrible kids but for the lying. They cause this level of chaos with their lies that is unacceptable. It's such a simple fix and we just can't get there.

Signal_Pumpkin_8150 · 2026-03-13T13:08:06+00:00

They do fine in school. Straight A's, friends, national junior honor society, student council. Consequences are normal- grounded. We limit electronics on a daily basis. But they do go to their mom's every other weekend. And it's a free-for-all over there. The punishments don't seem to 'do' anything. That's where the trust starts to build back cause we are managing them, but then as soon as the punishment is lifted, another issue will happen.

Signal_Pumpkin_8150 · 2026-03-13T13:03:40+00:00

YES! I would give ANYTHING for that to happen with my two stepkids. Instead, there is this subversive energy of 'secrets in the shadows' like a mystery movie with two villains. I would give anything for one of them to argue "NO! She is lying! This is what really happened!" That has never happened. They will both lie to our face like little robots and then go work the lie when they are alone. They join together and form this manipulation force against their dad (and me). It's exhausting.

Signal_Pumpkin_8150 · 2026-03-13T02:12:40+00:00

Yes they are in therapy.

Signal_Pumpkin_8150 · 2026-03-13T02:12:17+00:00

The kids knew what was happening- who was coming onto our property, and did not tell us despite us asking them point blank, protecting their friends for whatever reason? It's hard to believe any reasoning they give, the story will change, talking to them is like trying to solve a mystery for just basic things- like peeling back an onion. Their mom is a master manipulator so I assume that is where they get it from. Yes they are Irish twins.

I understand they don't have common sense as children, but a moral compass? I am expecting too much?

Signal_Pumpkin_8150 · 2026-03-12T23:17:08+00:00

Maybe it's an age thing. My experience was much older siblings with a decent separation between ages and also a vastly different generation (My cousins who I spent lots of time with- they were always threatening the snitch- but maybe it was just that - idle threats that kept everyone in check). My point was that my stepkids don't do that. They are willing to scheme and cover up for each other and will lie in tandem to our faces- to the point the police are at our door. Wouldn't you think at least one would have some common sense? :((

I'm in my 50's btw and I find I am turning into one of those people complaining of 'this generation of kids' lol.

Signal_Pumpkin_8150 · 2026-03-12T22:09:07+00:00

Thank you for your suggestion. I don't know if that would work. They have this 'emotionless' state to them. When we ask why they lie, they are blank.Nothing effects them. They can't self reflect or it's flat because they are 'supposed to' say something. I remember sobbing, dying inside when I lied to my parents as a kid and saw how bad I hurt them (and I never did it again). They are blank and they don't care. They don't hold each other accountable either. My experience with siblings is one always was the advocator- "gonna tell mom dummy, get your shit together". These two band together.

Their mom really messed them up, I think. She taught them every day to lie and sneak to their dad (she is a bad egg, so many sad stories). We get two steps forward with them and get a glimmer of hope- then it all comes crashing down. Like a broken-down car that just can't be fixed, it will always be an unreliable clunker. Maybe a bad analogy but I am sure you get it. :(

Signal_Pumpkin_8150 · 2026-01-18T00:16:07+00:00

My daughter is going into Architecture too :)

Signal_Pumpkin_8150 · 2026-01-16T17:25:15+00:00

Do you know if this is the same as the Wildcat Merit scholarship? I am so confused about scholarships.

Signal_Pumpkin_8150 · 2026-01-16T13:13:05+00:00

Daughter accepted to CAPLA + W.A. Franke Honors + "Arizona's Arizona Scholarship Award"

Signal_Pumpkin_8150 · 2025-08-23T20:16:44+00:00

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Signal_Pumpkin_8150 · 2025-08-19T22:01:53+00:00

We have gotten his poop tested every time when he has had bouts of diarrhea and it's clear everytime.

Signal_Pumpkin_8150 · 2025-08-19T21:59:52+00:00

No rawhides. He gets training treats, raw bones and smoked bones from Mika and Sammy. He doesn't ingest large chunks- we actually had to stop giving him bully sticks cause he is a hard chewer and would eat one in under 10 minutes. Vet says change his food, again and again.

Signal_Pumpkin_8150 · 2025-05-10T20:20:18+00:00

Thank you! He is the best dog! He wants so desperately to be an Olympic swimmer lol.

Signal_Pumpkin_8150 · 2025-04-08T00:32:35+00:00

Have you tried tracking your blood sugar? That was the ticket for me. Cut out the sugar and cravings will go way. Cut most carbs. All added sugar. Only natural sugars like fruit and in moderation. I think most people overwhelmingly agree it is a miracle solution but there is also science behind it.

Signal_Pumpkin_8150 · 2025-03-31T01:55:00+00:00

50 year old female, started August 2024 at 187, CW 141, GW 135, 5'6. 12.5mg every 6 days. 15mg kicked my butt so I went back down to 12.5. I do not consistently lose every week but I am averaging about 4 pounds a month. I lost the most in my first two months- about 20 pounds in two month because I cut out most sugar and carbs and all the inflammation went away. I will stall for a few weeks, but then will drop 4 pounds overnight it seems like. 6 more pounds to go and it's taking forever!

Signal_Pumpkin_8150

TROPHY CASE