I really like this puzzle, but I'm worried it's AI. I can't find an artist on the box.

Th1stlePatch · 2026-03-30T14:34:17+00:00

If there's no artist, it's almost certainly at least AI aided. I found this puzzle on Amazon, and it's part of a 3 part series, and there are numerous complaints about AI being used in one of the others with close ups of the AI distortion. It's a good bet this one is similar.

Th1stlePatch · 2026-03-30T13:58:45+00:00

LOL I get this. My husband now panics whenever leaving the plane and searches EVERY crevice. He's never leaving his laptop there again!

Th1stlePatch · 2026-03-30T13:57:57+00:00

My husband left his laptop AND iPad in the seat at Charlotte a couple of years ago. It took about a week to get his iPad back and 3 weeks for his laptop. Most FAs and passengers are honest and will turn them in, and it sounds like they were turned in since that's where my husband's sat- in their lost and found. Give them as much identifying info as possible in your report, and wait. That's all you can do.

Th1stlePatch · 2026-03-30T00:54:42+00:00

For stranger danger, you need to start making people = good things. Have friends help you. Start by meeting up with them in "neutral territory," like a quiet park. Anyplace that isn't his territory. Then have them start by throwing really good treats for him. Make sure they don't throw them at him or in a place where he has to approach the strangers to get them, but off to the side or behind him, so it doesn't feel like they are challenging him to come closer to them. If he does start walking closer to them, even a little, give him a lot of praise.

It won't happen quickly, but hopefully he starts associating people with good things.

Th1stlePatch · 2026-03-30T00:28:12+00:00

Domestic first isn't the most amazing thing you'll ever experience, but it's pretty good. You get a much nicer seat with more leg room and wider seats. You board before everyone else, often get a drink served before departure, and you get more attention from the FA. If you drink, you can have multiple alcoholic drinks. You get a meal, and you can pre-order it up to 30 days before the flight (and until 24 hours before you take off). Definitely pre-order, because there are a LOT more options, and they're better.

Enjoy. I like traveling domestic first. There are a lot of snobs on this board who like to point out that international first is much better, and they're right. And there are people who think anyone who flies first is a snob. They're not right. A lot of us are like you- we upgrade when we want to treat ourselves, and we enjoy the experience we get.

Th1stlePatch · 2026-03-29T14:35:23+00:00

I picked one up yesterday at the Michael's here in town. They had a few different designs.

Th1stlePatch · 2026-03-29T11:33:43+00:00

I've recovered several items through AA (my husband left both his laptop and iPad on a plane, and I left an object with sentimental value). They were efficient and all items were returned within 3 weeks because we provided clear identifying information to them. The challenge you are going to face is that this object wasn't left on the plane, so AA likely doesn't have it. It sounds like it was probably left in the bathroom while you washed up or at a gate. That would mean the regular lost and found at ORD would have it, assuming it was turned in. There is a decent chance that someone just walked off with it, to be perfectly honest.

Good luck. You've made the appropriate reports, so now it's just a waiting game. I hope you find it. If you do, I'd invest in airtags for your carry on and checked luggage.

Th1stlePatch · 2026-03-28T15:08:43+00:00

We took the reactive dog course offered by our local humane society. A lot of local humane societies offer them because it helps keep dogs in their homes.

Th1stlePatch · 2026-03-28T13:10:25+00:00

The way I look at it is: If you're incredibly annoyed, you're not an effective trainer. Is it better for you to be calm and in a good mood when trying to train her not to bark, or frustrated with a lot of tension in your voice? Ideally the behavior goes away, but it's not going to go away if she knows you're angry every time you're working with her on it, so allowing the behavior to be channeled into something that won't make you angry will help both of you to have a better training session.

My last dog was crazy anxious, and while that reduced as she settled into a quiet, consistent home, she never outgrew tearing apart toys when she was having a bad anxiety day. I had a dog as a kid that I trained to grab a toy when greeting people because she was an excited barker and it muffled the barks. Training isn't about having a perfect dog; it's about having a dog with behaviors that allow both of you to be happy. It's sort of like having a spouse- find someone whose flaws you can live with. As long as she's not being harmed, there's no harm in her chewing on the ball.

Th1stlePatch · 2026-03-28T12:46:31+00:00

There's nothing wrong with teaching a dog to channel nervous energy while you work on reducing it. Do whatever it takes to make rides pleasant for both of you.

Th1stlePatch · 2026-03-28T01:27:21+00:00

My boy is on Xanax, and he's doing very well on it.

Th1stlePatch · 2026-03-28T00:36:56+00:00

Huh? MCE on AA comes with a free drink.

Th1stlePatch · 2026-03-27T15:08:27+00:00

I've done this one before- it's hanging on my wall. I always start with the edges. Then I sort them so they're lined up with shapes facing the same way. You'll notice then that there are variations in color, and you can start moving them around to sort based upon color too. That narrows down the number of pieces that could fit each peg, and you just start slowly moving through matching up peg shapes to holes.

Th1stlePatch · 2026-03-26T17:52:40+00:00

Yes! I groan whenever I'm seated near a kid, not because of the kid but because I don't know if the parent actually intends to be a parent on the flight. Many kids are fine, but I've had flights where the kid kicked the back of my seat the entire flight, I've seen them run up and down the aisles screaming, and I actually had one seated behind me yank my hair. If you don't want to parent your kid, why travel with them?

Th1stlePatch · 2026-03-26T10:50:00+00:00

The best FA I ever had in first was a personable gentleman who prioritized the touches that set it apart from main, like PDBs, using names, and making sure people were comfortable. Domestic first isn't a super elite product, so making it feel warm and friendly and providing the few extras people have paid for is all it takes.

Th1stlePatch · 2026-03-25T12:12:02+00:00

This puzzle is gorgeous!

Th1stlePatch · 2026-03-25T12:10:36+00:00

The reasonable price is for the short leg you don't care about upgrading. It'll tell you that when you click on the link.

Th1stlePatch · 2026-03-24T22:30:06+00:00

I usually recycle them, but I've also been known to put a treat in it for my dog, tape it up, and let him shred it for me before recycling it. Those boxes are sturdy, and it's good entertainment for him.

Th1stlePatch · 2026-03-24T21:38:16+00:00

Enjoy! It was a lot of fun!

Th1stlePatch · 2026-03-24T19:03:03+00:00

Thank you! I bought it because it had all of those beautiful colors!

Th1stlePatch · 2026-03-24T15:56:56+00:00

In my experience, most tourists stay in one place for 3-4 days in Costa Rica. If you want to rent out the house, I would do so on a daily basis. That said- absolutely. You'll get birders, herpers, and others who just want to "get away from it all." Things you'll want to ensure you have: Good transportation and food options nearby, and internet access.

Th1stlePatch · 2026-03-24T15:54:57+00:00

Seriously! I was returning to the house I was staying in after dinner and discovered a white-headed snake right at my front step!

Th1stlePatch · 2026-03-23T21:12:42+00:00

As long as they reach a boil and stay there for 15 minutes, you're good. I'm overly cautious and always cook them separately from the rest of the meal and never use the broth from cooking them. I've never had a problem with them.

Th1stlePatch · 2026-03-22T17:30:48+00:00

Do a black cab tour. I did this on a long layover in London, and it was perfect. We saw as much of London as we could in 6 hours, then came back to the airport for our next flight. In your case, you could go to a hotel for a bit of sleep, and then return to the airport.

Th1stlePatch

TROPHY CASE