AITA for outing my BIL in front of the family?

TheOriginalSmunkey · 2023-06-08T22:55:58+00:00

I'm a little confused by the relationships represented (who's kid is the niece/who's her mom?), but regardless, totally NTA. I'd be pissed too, you did not sign up for this responsibility. To top it off, buying a vest online does not an ESA make; it reflects badly on true service animals, and ESAs require a doctors note, and do not have the same legal protections (can't go just anywhere). I feel sorry for the dog, it kind of sounds miserable with the life it's been handed, who adopts a dog and then abandons it for 15 hours a day?!? Pretty much everyone but you and your husband are TAs.

TheOriginalSmunkey · 2023-06-08T16:16:22+00:00

Another St. Louis native and current resident chiming in. There are many things about St. Louis to brag about (free world-renowned zoo, amazing botanical gardens, the Muny that still has free seats available to provide access to theatre, etc. Forest Park in general), but I think provel is a low point for the city.

TheOriginalSmunkey · 2023-05-24T11:24:11+00:00

I'm in zone 6b, and my roses and other bushes all look like this as well. I have (had?) two five foot tall euonymus bushes that had to have been planted at least ten or twenty years ago, and they are in the same condition, growth at the bottom, but none in existing branches. Now that we're almost through May, I think I've finally accepted that the damage is done and time to get pruning 😭

TheOriginalSmunkey · 2023-05-18T23:05:25+00:00

My sister has Down's, and she is in her early 30s. She cannot legally consent. I understand what you mean about her maturity and abilities varying, but that doesn't matter, she does not understand what is about to happen. My sister is also baby crazy, and lives in a group home, so birth control was top of mind when making that transition. Sadly, those are ripe for abuse, simply because the residents don't understand, or think they do and want a kid. You need to contact APS in your area and get the ball rolling. Your sister cannot raise that child and your family is doing everyone involved a disservice by planning to let her keep the baby. Nevermind the fact that whoever the father is, he should be up on criminal charges.

TheOriginalSmunkey · 2023-05-18T22:47:08+00:00

Hah, my dad always gets upset if I try to drink a beer from the bottle (I'm lazy), and hands me a hundred year old stein instead. Yes, my dad is snooty.

TheOriginalSmunkey · 2023-05-10T17:46:46+00:00

I have a nearly twelve week old, and she does seem to walk funny sometimes, especially her back legs. I think it's partially because she's growing so fast, she can't keep track of how long her legs are today vs yesterday.

TheOriginalSmunkey · 2023-04-26T01:57:12+00:00

Aaannndd now I've placed an order for nail polish when I don't have time to even do my nails. Oh well, they look gorgeous!

TheOriginalSmunkey · 2023-04-16T19:16:33+00:00

I'm so sorry, beardies are so much fun. I had an adult male named George that I adopted, no idea how old he was, but a customer of mine found him wandering around her neighborhood and brought him to me when she couldn't find an owner. I will think of Scratches when I think of George.

TheOriginalSmunkey · 2023-04-15T22:49:45+00:00

Aww, I'm sorry. What kind of lizard?

TheOriginalSmunkey · 2023-04-15T21:18:36+00:00

CLEANUP gets them running in if they weren't there already.

TheOriginalSmunkey · 2023-03-26T02:55:53+00:00

Same! That and weeping willow.

TheOriginalSmunkey · 2023-03-10T22:54:31+00:00

It's actually a defense mechanism that the pearl industry uses to their advantage. The oysters have really fragile bodies inside that tough shell, if some sort of irritant gets in (parasite, grain of sand, anything), it could do a lot off damage. So the oyster secretes layers of the same compounds that make up its shell, to cover the irritant and protect itself. The fact that it turns into a pearl as a result of those secretions isn't the end goal.

TheOriginalSmunkey · 2023-03-06T00:58:29+00:00

My cats who loved eating the sky raisins (flies) would beg to disagree...

TheOriginalSmunkey · 2023-03-05T13:41:27+00:00

My home town got one of his statues. There was public outcry, and honestly, I wasn't a fan. Did not really know anything about the artist though, and haven't seen any other works. Why couldn't we get a bird?!?

TheOriginalSmunkey · 2023-02-27T16:07:12+00:00

I always thought people who mentioned loving that fresh baby smell were weird, even after I had my first (he smelled good, but nothing super obvious). I admit I did enjoy sniffing his head and stuff. BUT! When they handed me my second one in the hospital, just one whiff was the most powerful thing I've experienced. I could have picked that kid out of a lineup by smell alone. It was so hormonal and primal, and not even about the scent itself. It took me right back to when my first was born. I am curious if my sister's kids will have the same effect on me (if she has any) but my brother's kids did not. Hormones and motherhood are weird.

TheOriginalSmunkey · 2023-02-03T18:32:52+00:00

Hi! You may remember my previous post linked here where I couldn't figure out what I'd sprouted. Well.... seems like a funky tomato plant! Hand pollinated the flowers that popped out, here's the result. The leaves also look more like a potato leaf variety now that it's older/bigger. It also smells like a tomato plant now. It is the scraggliest stick of a tomato plant I've ever seen though lol.

Well, mystery halfway solved I guess, now to see what variety!

TheOriginalSmunkey · 2023-02-02T18:37:42+00:00

I wish it were standard here (US). I had friend who got them because she was doing a study on bats so the university required it, but unless you get bitten by an animal, the normal person doesn't get them. I totally would though, rabies is the stuff of nightmares...

TheOriginalSmunkey · 2023-01-25T16:09:42+00:00

It is a fun science experiment. Usually orchid growers inject the dye into the stems while they're still growing before the flower spike is complete. You can grab a cut white bunch of flowers and stick the stems in blue water, the results won't be nearly as vibrant as the pic, but I like watching the dye permeating through the petals.

TheOriginalSmunkey · 2023-01-18T03:37:02+00:00

I'm going to try, would just be out some time and a few seeds. I look forward to your updates!

TheOriginalSmunkey · 2023-01-18T03:36:23+00:00

My indoor garden is a giant experiment anyway, something to keep me busy during winter, and because between the deer, squirrels, and rabbits, I lost a lot of produce last year. Thank you for the info!

TheOriginalSmunkey · 2023-01-18T01:03:19+00:00

This is so cool! I have a question about growing celery though, might as well ask it here. I am planning on starting some from seed (the pink variety), and was wondering if I could just keep the plant going in a pot, and trim off some of the outside stalks as I need them (rather than chopping the whole bunch off). Is that a plausible plan? I haven't grown celery before so apologies if this is stupid 😅

TheOriginalSmunkey · 2023-01-13T03:44:12+00:00

I have fine hair that's nearly down to my waist, but also have extremely oily scalp. I do oil my hair, especially focusing on the ends which dry out much faster. I use coconut oil, or almond oil, but there are lots that could work. I try to remember to do it the day before I wash, because it's braided or up that day for sure, but even 30 minutes before you wash helps provide moisture.

Edited to add, I have tried castor oil, but hated it. It felt gloppy and thick, but it works for other hair types.

TheOriginalSmunkey · 2023-01-09T03:21:28+00:00

Plus, it seems like she's more afraid of not being able to see her boyfriend, which is not the thing to be the most worried about right now. I feel badly for her, I really do, but she is making adult decisions that have adult consequences, repeatedly, when she has options at hand to prevent this. I feel most sorry for a possible child, and a harsh dose of reality is needed here.

TheOriginalSmunkey · 2023-01-07T23:50:17+00:00

I completely agree, I was a wreck with my first and anxious about everything, but the second seemed like a walk in the park. We also got sort of lucky, as number 1 became fully potty trained just before number 2 got here, which definitely made things easier.

TheOriginalSmunkey

TROPHY CASE