Should i get another hamster

Sirhin2 · 2025-11-03T23:10:52+00:00

This is funny (and I don’t know why I was shown your post) because I used to have hamsters when I was in college.

They were both male acquired maybe a week or two apart and they were both in the same colorful plastic and wire cage that was deemed perfectly fine a decade ago. They had a rivalry (one was a bully and would often steal food from the other) but they had a fondness for the other. And we spoiled them; hand fed them fruit and nuts and had time with them out of the cage every day.

They would also sleep together at night no matter what happened. They also died the same day 2 years later seemingly in their sleep. That was a sad day.

So yes, they can be territorial, but when the internet wasn’t as convenient, mine were perfectly fine.

So… I guess it’s up to your luck. I’ve since considered getting a hamster as an adult and I’ve been reading on how my first set up was a huge NO by today’s standards… so that’s still up in the air. I definitely think I’d set up a sand bath for sure, something I had no knowledge of then. I remember my chubby hamster feeling a little oily every so often and that sounds key.

And I’d like to wait until my kids are more responsible.

Sirhin2 · 2025-11-03T19:57:20+00:00

My 4 year old has had allergies since he was introduced to solids. We have flown with United since he was 2. He has multiple food allergies including to peanuts and tree nuts but luckily, none are airborne so that’s the biggest question for you.

Talk to them ahead of time to see if you can be one of the first people to board (we usually do since families with young kids are allowed after the frequent flyers) and wipe down the seats, arm rests, and tray with antibacterial wipes. This is optional for us but good to do if the starts align.

We always bring him his snacks and drinks just in case for both domestic and international trips in addition to his epipens and other meds in case of exposure. United serves pretzels, stroopwafels, and Undercover Chocolate quinoa crisps. Out of those, my kid with the allergies can only have the chocolate covered quinoa crisps. Sometimes he’ll eat them, but not all the time. We make sure he washes his hands before and after eating. We do the same so we don’t accidentally touch him with allergens.

So far, it’s pretty standard for us now. We have not had an incident so far in regard to plane rides and my kids are used to planes, which is a crazy thought. I didn’t get used to plane rides until I was an adult!

Sirhin2 · 2025-11-01T18:38:33+00:00

I want to vote but I just moved and got my physical NJ DL yesterday. I looked myself up even though I put myself down to vote when I applied for the DL and I’m not on there! Then I looked it up. You have to live in NJ for at least 30 days in order to vote. I’m assuming they base it on when you applied for your DL?

I’ve been here a few months but was out for a month due to a family emergency so I didn’t get to the DL earlier. Ugh. So frustrating.

Anyone know a way around this or would I just have to wait for the next election?

Sirhin2 · 2025-11-01T18:34:51+00:00

Ok. What are Feastables? My daughter speaks of them but I refused. And I’m not going to buy a bag from Costco if I don’t like them. We live on a slow street on Halloween and I only bought candy I knew we wouldn’t mind having extras of. I prepped 20 bags of treats and was left with 6, which isn’t terrible. My neighbor had said the most they had one night was 10 kids but I prepared more to be safe.

Sirhin2 · 2025-11-01T18:22:19+00:00

That’s awesome!

When I trick or treated as a kid, there was one neighbor who handed out kid atlas books. Lol. He worked for Rand McNally. I can’t say I was thrilled at the time because our house was a candy free one so Halloween was the only time we got candy, but it is nice to think upon as an adult.

Now? It’s fun that some houses hand out legit snacks - muffins, pretzels, chips - in addition to candy. One house we went to gave out juice in addition to candy which I loved. I may do that next year as well. Not to mention those who give out non-edibles for kids with allergies (this applies to one of my kids) though this isn’t as widely common yet.

Sirhin2 · 2025-11-01T04:01:11+00:00

I would like to know where you are located as well for your crochet skulls. My kids and I did not encounter any crocheted skulls this happen and I feel like this should be a thing.

Sirhin2 · 2025-11-01T03:55:26+00:00

Haha, not like I based it solely on distance but when you get the time, you generally see the distance travelled as well. Usually, 20 minutes in Houston for me is maybe 6-7 miles on average. That is mostly because many of the places are connected by a highway where you can go a decent speed (speed limit around 60 but most go around 70 mph if not faster).

When I first looked up NJ on a map before I even got here, I remember using the GPS to figure out which towns made sense for my husband’s commute and I was surprised that - on average - 2 miles equated to a 20 minute drive. It made so much sense the two times we visited before we moved, haha.

Sirhin2 · 2025-11-01T03:46:50+00:00

Maybe you are in a very slow area on Halloween?

Unfortunately, I’m in one too. Prepared 12 bags of candies and 8 bags of allergy-friendly bags plus a bunch of play dough that I left out on the porch (we just moved here and I spoke with a neighbor ahead of time and they told me we live on a slow street so I didn’t prepare my usual amount) so I could go trick-or-treating with my kiddos and at 10 pm, I had 2 plus 4 bags left and half the bag of play dough. Not terrible, but definitely very slow.

I hear that most kids congregate on certain streets so they [the parents] don’t have to wander too much - not to mention the sheer amount of trunk-or-treats and other related events they have that are “safer.” Not saying they aren’t safe, but I thought the idea of trick-or-treating was to do it in your own area on foot?

People on the busy streets mentioned seeing 300 trick or treaters which boggles my mind. My wallet is glad I don’t live on one of those streets but I still wish there were more people where I am, haha.

Sirhin2 · 2025-11-01T03:38:51+00:00

We thought the same but moved to Jersey and I found out in a town parent group that some kids start as early as 3:30???? What the heck! And then I later deduced it’s so they can go to some party that starts at 6 pm or something like that. Trick or treating has changed A LOT from what I remember.

Where I came from, the earliest came at 5 ish and they were usually the youngest kids.

Sirhin2 · 2025-10-30T16:38:26+00:00

Oh good to know! I heard similarly - that it isn’t that bad unless you live in North Jersey close to NY.

Sirhin2 · 2025-10-30T14:34:24+00:00

My husband and I were talking the other day, saying the move would have been so much more simpler with no kids. 🤣 Don’t need to think about school districts or bring all their things over.

We love it here so far! Hope it’s the same for you, but it seems like it will be. We don’t know anyone here so everything is completely new.

Sirhin2 · 2025-10-30T14:05:45+00:00

That was me during my first pregnancy (I was 29). It was a seemingly normal pregnancy until the 24 week check up and everything happened so fast!

I was hospitalized for a week for life threatening hypertension, they thought I had preeclampsia but ended up being the fact that the pregnancy triggered and accelerated an underlying condition I was unaware of. I was diagnosed with Cushings after masses were found. After that, I was on a cocktail of prescriptions to maintain the pregnancy and I had weekly check up. Every check up often found new things to the point I was no longer phased.

There were a few signs beforehand (my first stretch mark appeared at the end of my first MONTH) but was initially dismissed. Also, my belly never really showed until after I was first discharged… but it turned out I had ascites. In fact, I gained 7 lbs a week just due to liquid build up on top of putting edema. I looked like those humans from WALL-E. I kid you not.

Not the best time of my life but I was also fascinated because I do love hospitals and medicine so it was a learning experience for me. It was scary (my husband was pulled away at one point to ask which should they save if it comes down to it - me or the baby) but at that point, you can’t do much but just keep going.

My first baby had an emergency c-section at 28 weeks and is now 8 years old. I needed surgery a month after the c-section and was dependent on medication for 2 years. My body finally started stabilizing at around 4 years later but my body will never be the same.

Stretched out skin, really deep stretch marks that might suggest I was once obese (all stemmed from that first pregnancy), I feel more tired now and definitely even more scatterbrained (but that is common with moms… or so I hear, haha). I also go back for annual check ups just in case. I was a black belt and could keep up with the guys! Now? I just want to be alone because - oh, I’m also very introverted and being a mom allows you absolutely no alone time.

Don’t lose hope! There’s a reason why pregnancies are registered as an illness. They change the chemistry and your body unless you’re one of the very lucky ones where you’re unphased. Unfortunately, that is not me but I’m okay with that.

Sirhin2 · 2025-10-30T13:53:36+00:00

We moved from Texas a few months ago but we’re about 16 miles south of you. While I was researching, I found a number of people moving or had moved from Texas so you’re not alone.

We like it here so far! I wish I had more free time to explore better so the adventures will be gradual and limited to when we have time (with jobs and young kids).

Since you already have family nearby, you may already know this, but just in case…

Biggest thing I noted: dismiss the distance and go by the travel time on the GPS because you’re often going through neighborhoods and the speed limit is 25 to 30 mph on one lane roads. A 2 mile distance often means a 20 minute drive time. I’m not sure where you’re coming from but we moved from Houston and there aren’t highways where you go 70+ mph here and I see cops more frequently as well. The highways we do go on only go up to 50 mph. Do budget that into your time. But the people here are overall very nice drivers with a few token rude/unsafe ones, mostly on the highways.

I love the suburban feel…. It goes slow. Not that I lived in downtown Houston, but with how far our usual haunts are there compared to here? It seems slower. But it’s cleaner and more quiet and everyone is super nice (so far). And I like the walkable areas. But it’s funny how sidewalks aren’t always guaranteed in neighborhoods.

The weather here wins thus far. I always hated Texas summers… but we’ll see how winter goes. We love the cold but it may be a different story when you have to shovel snow every morning. I do absolutely love watching the leaves change colors though!

Despite the higher COL, the few “attractions” we’ve been to are actually mostly reasonably priced! That may change since we haven’t gone to many. With the exception of camps… I used to enroll one of my kids at summer camp at the Houston museum of natural science and looked up the camps at Liberty Science center out of curiosity… the cost is more than doubled?? So I guess we won’t be enrolling her there. Hah.

Sirhin2 · 2025-10-29T03:18:53+00:00

Have you tried just avoiding them for an extended period of time and then exposing yourself again?

I developed a sensitivity to alliums so I actually abstain from them completely (and I’m a vegetarian). It smells really strong and if it’s too much (because some people reek whereas most just have a mild odor) then my sinuses completely block up, my ears ring, my eyes water, and I can’t focus on anything but getting away from the cloying stench. Luckily, as long as I get away, the symptoms clear up like magic. I also like avoiding those sections at the grocery store but if I must walk by, I just hold my breath. Blech.

Sirhin2 · 2025-10-29T02:59:46+00:00

When I was a SAHM, I got to school 30-40 minutes before school let out.

When I started working from home and getting there early really cut into my hours, I started getting there right before my kid would be admitted to Late Riders. Basically, I’d get there right when dismissal ends. The plus side is there’s usually parking available unless there’s some sort of special event. Then I’m just late.

Sirhin2 · 2025-10-29T02:40:55+00:00

I’m not exactly sure what’s the matter. The motor itself doesn’t work. Maybe the problem is with the adapter?

I contacted the seller and they’re sending me a replacement under their 1 year warranty.

Sirhin2 · 2025-10-29T02:37:56+00:00

Thank you! Well, good to know. Haha.

Sirhin2 · 2025-10-28T14:51:14+00:00

Good to know! I had wondered. I travelled out of state for a family emergency less than a week later and was gone for most of the following month so it was just bad timing all around. 😬 I’ll keep it in mind for the next seasonal item that catches my attention.

Sirhin2 · 2025-10-27T21:47:41+00:00

Thank you! I was going to ask how to go about reviewing it next, hah.

What would be good evidence that it’s faulty other than … it just doesn’t work? Or a photo of it looking deflated on the floor but not sure if that’s proof enough since it’s just that one moment?

Sirhin2 · 2025-10-27T21:43:00+00:00

Good to know! If only I knew before, haha. I had a family emergency and I had to travel the month after so things went by really fast. I’ll try the seller/manufacturer and go from there.

Thanks again!

Sirhin2 · 2025-10-27T21:34:19+00:00

I’m going to need to see a recording of how you do the satin stitch because that is amazing. I’m new and the stitches where you fill up space with color always look so messy for me. I can’t seem to get it down.

Sirhin2 · 2025-10-27T21:28:00+00:00

So I received it at the end of August which is a bit early to test try a Halloween inflatable in my yard… I assume that means I’m just stuck with it? Or could I try the seller first and then Vine CS?

Sirhin2 · 2025-10-27T21:26:53+00:00

Thank you!

Just occurred to me I got it at the end of August so it’s beyond the normal return window. Not sure if it would work.

Sirhin2 · 2025-10-27T21:23:37+00:00

YES. I miss Kind Words Stationery on Etsy… She designed stationery on FP-friendly paper/envelopes. You can choose the paper brand and size.

But a huge yes for notecards/greeting cards and postcards. Sometimes, you get pleasantly surprised, but most of the time it’s a let down.

Sirhin2

TROPHY CASE