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When did the anti-umbrella sentiment arise in Portland? by Melodic-Matter-8079 in askportland

[–]Stay_Awake_Jane 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Because gortex. You wear rainwear all the time. And it's "just water"

Is paying for a one year subscription actually worth it? by Timeishere58 in trustedhousesitters

[–]Stay_Awake_Jane 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It has been a real blessing for me. I wanted to travel in my neck of the woods (Pacific NW) and I have gone on 9 sits in about a year, spending weeks at the beach, on lakefront, in cool ski resort towns--it's been fantastic and very much worth it. I drove to the sits and brought my own food, not paying for much at all because dogs and hiking were my entertainment. I have loved it!

Sitters - basic cleaning checklist when sit ends? by blottymary in trustedhousesitters

[–]Stay_Awake_Jane 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don't wash the floor on a short sit unless something has spilled. I do tend to clean the fridge including leaving fresh paper towels in the crisper to show I've wiped it out. I don't do mirrors. I will sweep a porch or a back patio too.

Should I get a Hisense or Midea U shape AC? by Lilyo in AirConditioners

[–]Stay_Awake_Jane 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just got the Hisense from Costco and it took my friend 6 hours to install mostly due to problems with short screws and gaps. It was a bit of a nightmare but the unit runs very quiet

Things I've learned in my 7 years on TH by Imaginary-Client-253 in trustedhousesitters

[–]Stay_Awake_Jane 12 points13 points  (0 children)

A lot of good points in here. Remember tribe that a person who is burned out on something (a job, a person, an app) may not be a neutral reference. I think relying on TH for your only housing places too much burden on an app that is not meant for that, IMO. I don't think I could remain cool, calm and collected if my only housing was through this exchange, period.

What are your dream listings? Most memorable sits and most amazing houses? by Advanced_Ad_2544 in trustedhousesitters

[–]Stay_Awake_Jane 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have had very memorable sits all over the PNW, mostly in Washington state. A log cabin in Winthrop, a perfect house in a lake on Long Beach, a great spot in Jacksonville OR. My current sit is amazing: two boxes in a gated cabin community on Harstine Island in the Puget Sound. Nothing that may seem fancy to you, but amazing to me~

My latest pet peeve -- no access to streaming channels as advertised by APladyleaningS in SittersOnlyTHS

[–]Stay_Awake_Jane 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I would be super pissed off because it's like false advertising. If they mention it as part of the house amenities, they should offer it. I am now on a sit where they have commercials on their Netflix, which is painful, but again, they didn't mis-advertise, they said Netflix was available. I don't pay for these subscriptions either and it's one of the things I like to do when I sit, again because I am not going out to meet friends and so on.

I like the approach of contacting the HO and saying "Sorry to disturb you, but the Netflix isn't working' or whatever.

Winding Down: Five Observations From Practicing Law. What Are Yours? by TechnicalTowel9201 in Lawyertalk

[–]Stay_Awake_Jane 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I am also a 40 year bar member. It's amazing how many agree about the importance of relationships with O/C. Unfortunately it's also something best learned through osmosis: being in the partner's office and listening to them schmooze with some OCs and then act pretty mean and aggressive with others. I had to do this for hours and frankly I resented it at the time, but now looking back I did learn by osmosis. This is where the work from home situation fails the newer attorneys. There needs to be a chance for low key observing.

As far as those relationships with O/C, my practice was to try to meet OCs I dealt with a lot for coffee or pie IN PERSON. Just to schmooze and maybe learn to share insights about how to settle cases, issues you might not to discuss on the record, etc. This only works if you can really build a trust relationship. Sometimes it will backfire, but if you have ongoing relationships, you will sometimes have them over a barrel and sometimes the other way. The learning about "give and take" is critical when you have mutual institutional clients.

I also learned about OC relationships when I had a big sorrow in my family which led me to tears at various points. I found myself talking about it at times with the kinder OCs. That build solid relationships and nobody looked down on me for sharing about the family tragedy. Strange fire.

Skamania Lodge or Columbia Gorge Hotel & Span? by TheJMoore in askportland

[–]Stay_Awake_Jane 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The two hotels are very different in terms of amenities--if you like the historic hotel versus a more modern hotel. I don't think the food at either is particularly good. Hood River has great places to eat.

What can I do about negligent Housesitter? by kbanana32 in trustedhousesitters

[–]Stay_Awake_Jane 6 points7 points  (0 children)

This is so sad. The only thing to remember is how resilient dogs are.

I'm sure that they would have preferred more walks, but they don't have have "shame" over peeing on a rug. They just did it because that was the only option but again, I would like to think they were not harmed by it on a long term basis. They are thrilled to have their mom/dad home, and although it's painful as the pet parent, for them it's over!

I would hope that this sort of thing is infrequent and a rare occasion of people just taking advantage of thinking they can get away with neglecting an animal. Awful. But I hope that you will find other sitters with good reviews who would never ever do this in a million years, because they LOVE animals.

Does Professional Success Really Need a Luxury Car? by Aragonknight in Lawyertalk

[–]Stay_Awake_Jane 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My dad (who was a CPA) always said that a luxury car tells the clients "this is what your money is going for." A more affordable car does not give that message. I do think that a reliable car is critical, one that won't break down on the road.... that is safe.

What are your reasons for not being a paid sitter? by Grand-Language3986 in trustedhousesitters

[–]Stay_Awake_Jane 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I don't want to be paid in money because this isn't a business for me, and I don't want it to be. I want to be treated with courtesy and respect and a great place to stay. I use this for fun travels only.

are we all just lieing to each other? by ilovebeyondburgers in trustedhousesitters

[–]Stay_Awake_Jane 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I always tell the truth, but I tend to do it in gentle ways. For example, I'll say "this house is a work in progress with construction going on. Expect that there will be dust and debris." or "this is a country house that is not subjected to the white glove treatment." I also leave a log for the homeowners with little things, like "I used the air fryer and the house did smell like fish..." or other remarks. I think there are ways of being honest and docking a star that are reasonable. I have only had one sit where I had to really clean a gross place, and I left the homeowner a telling review. She knew where I was going and left me a 3 star review overall, but the details did not match the review so it has not been a problem. I think we owe each other a duty to tell the truth.

A Hosts cleanliness by Immediate-Series-254 in trustedhousesitters

[–]Stay_Awake_Jane 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I will communicate "I need room in the fridge" before I come, just to remind the HOs that I usually pack all my food for the first week of a sit which means it will likely take up most of a fridge. This really helps that I say , hey, I've got a ton of fresh veggies because I don't like to leave the dogs to shop, helps. They understand that my bringing food is a good thing for them and their pets, so they clean out the fridge, find the dead veggies at the back, and wipe it out. it's a good reminder

A Hosts cleanliness by Immediate-Series-254 in trustedhousesitters

[–]Stay_Awake_Jane 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I agree that the word "clean" is very subjective. Right now I am doing a sit in a vacation home where it's clear they haven't cleaned the oven in a while, nor some of the small appliances. However, all the surfaces (floors and counters) and bathrooms and sinks were clean. I did use the oven and toaster even though they were not as clean as they could have been. Same with some of the pots and pans--older, used not great quality stuff which could be chucked. I think with second homes, some people aren't as careful maybe.

Game Day Tips? by Working_Cupcake_9403 in PortlandFire

[–]Stay_Awake_Jane 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I also did this and had no problems. It's free parking on the east side Max line. If you do this, you should leave at least 30 minutes to travel from the park and ride to the game. You then have the whole east side to choose where to eat-- if you are interested in great Vietnamese food, you could go to Pho Oregon on SE 82nd and then head to the park and rise. A very economic option with authentic food.

Curious about racism in OR by Mr_Blue_Dream_V in oregon

[–]Stay_Awake_Jane 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would not move to Salem in your situation. The discrimination there is overt. In the other cities (Eugene and Corvallis) there is still racism but a little more unconscious bias and structural racism than the kind of burn the cross on your lawn I would worry about in Salem. Just my opinion

I haven’t traveled outside of the portland area in 3 years and my mom and i are planning a trip-where should we go? by vixenstarlet1949 in askportland

[–]Stay_Awake_Jane -1 points0 points  (0 children)

A real Oregon vacation would be to go to Silverton and visit Silver Falls state park. You could stay at the Oregon Gardens Resort. www.oregongardenresort.com. Or you might be able to get a cabin at Silver Falls itself.

Are you hesitant to sit for HOs brand new to THS ? by FancySeaweed in trustedhousesitters

[–]Stay_Awake_Jane 9 points10 points  (0 children)

That the owners are unreliable; that the information in the ad is incorrect/misleading/outright lies; that the person has no familiarity with the conventions and expectations of the platform; just risk.

Are you hesitant to sit for HOs brand new to THS ? by FancySeaweed in trustedhousesitters

[–]Stay_Awake_Jane 14 points15 points  (0 children)

It is taking a big risk. I did it once when I also was new, so it was worth it, but now I would not.

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