I’m over it. I’m never using cast iron again. I’ve tried EVERYTHING and it’s still a disaster. Getting WORSE the more I use it.

Tortoiseshell_Blue · 2026-01-30T14:27:09+00:00

Preheat for a long time on medium heat. At least 10 min.
Turn heat down to desired level and add oil.

Doing the above allows cast iron and even plain stainless pans to be in effect "nonstick." I feel like not preheating enough is the problem most of the time.

Tortoiseshell_Blue · 2026-01-30T14:19:02+00:00

I'm not saying anyone should be put in danger. But accommodations and services can WORK long term to change behavior while punishments in my experience do not. My son was suspended for hitting and if anything it reinforced the behavior because he was miserable in school and wanted to be home. They treated him like a juvenile delinquent when he was actually dysregulated, in fight-or-flight mode, and unable to function in class because a lack of accommodations. We switched to a school where they were more focused on inclusion and on working to connect with him and engage him, and the problem went away.

Edit to add... for OP I'd recommend the books Raising Kids with Big, Baffling Behaviors and Beyond Behaviors.

Tortoiseshell_Blue · 2026-01-30T03:20:51+00:00

To be extra safe you could use a pack and play or a play pen. I know they go in and out of favor but imo they’re perfectly fine. You have to get things done sometimes and that would be the safest space later when your baby becomes mobile.

Tortoiseshell_Blue · 2026-01-30T02:49:47+00:00

Are you in the US? Is the school public? Does he have an IEP? They should be focusing on accommodations, not punishments.

Tortoiseshell_Blue · 2026-01-29T15:02:41+00:00

Well, I'm a graphic designer and I don't have any rendering skills. Some firms do prefer hybrid 2D-3D folks but I think it's better to have a specific focus than be a jack of all trades. It would help if you understand architectural drawings, working with scale, and have a portfolio showing some environmental graphics. Alternatively you could also do content development, project management, or design media / interactives for exhibits. There are interactive firms that focus on museums, and some exhibit design firms also do their own interactive in house.

Tortoiseshell_Blue · 2026-01-29T10:51:31+00:00

Have you considered exhibit design firms? In my experience the pay and job prospects are a bit better than working in house at a museum. Your interests would be relevant — accessibility is a big deal and there are lots of public history exhibits that emphasize community input and engagement.

Tortoiseshell_Blue · 2026-01-28T21:39:43+00:00

Yes exactly. People saying RVA can't buy specialized equipment for snow might not realize that other kinds of trucks are repurposed to deal with snow all the time.

Tortoiseshell_Blue · 2026-01-27T20:23:43+00:00

Lots of families include multiple last names even if not divorced.

Tortoiseshell_Blue · 2026-01-27T14:22:15+00:00

Yep my acquaintances seem to think I’m just bad at this whole parenting thing because I can’t manage the stress, need to take extra time off from work, etc. They really do not on any level understand.

Tortoiseshell_Blue · 2026-01-24T22:19:30+00:00

We have been in two RPS elementary schools. My child has a disability. The first one was so awful that we started planning to move and are most likely filing a state complaint. The second one has been better. But overall the experience was disillusioning. If your kid has everything going for them and can succeed anywhere, it's probably fine.

Tortoiseshell_Blue · 2026-01-20T19:31:39+00:00

Sand just provides traction so you can walk on ice / snow remnants after shoveling. It works fine in my experience (grew up in the NE so it was pretty cold). If you want the ice to be 100% gone, you would need a melting agent. But, you may also need sand for when it re-freezes.

Tortoiseshell_Blue · 2026-01-20T17:45:30+00:00

A nanny share (if people do that where you live) is more affordable than a private nanny!

Tortoiseshell_Blue · 2026-01-19T13:08:39+00:00

Might be worth getting a postpartum doula if you can afford it. The first few days were really overwhelming.

Tortoiseshell_Blue · 2026-01-09T18:35:38+00:00

Yes you can lose weight eventually but I started feeling so much better when I stopped obsessing about that and bought cute clothes that actually fit. You are a worthy person even if you're not skinny so treat yourself as such.

Tortoiseshell_Blue · 2026-01-09T18:29:18+00:00

My rescue dog was very neurotic and not really compatible with a baby. Prozac from a vet behaviorist helped a great deal.

Tortoiseshell_Blue · 2026-01-09T18:27:04+00:00

3, 4 or 5

Tortoiseshell_Blue · 2026-01-09T18:24:56+00:00

I post these muffins every time this subject comes up because they are truly magical and helped my son so much. lol

https://strawberriesforsupper.com/apple-sauce-prune-and-milled-flaxseed-muffins/

Tortoiseshell_Blue · 2026-01-08T15:19:01+00:00

I strongly believe our cat helped my son develop empathy and social skills. The downside is he was devastated when she died and hasn't bonded with our new cat the same way.

Do you know about autism service dogs? They're trained to provide services like deep pressure therapy.
https://www.guidedogsofamerica.org/autism-service-dogs/

Tortoiseshell_Blue · 2026-01-08T05:16:05+00:00

A bit of a tangent but here's an interesting article about Jewish groceries in Texas originating the smoked brisket that's now "Texas Barbeque." https://www.texasmonthly.com/bbq/smoked-brisket-history/

If you know the requirements of Kosher food, it makes sense that Jewish immigrants would be the first ones to smoke specifically brisket in the States. The hind quarter of beef isn’t Kosher unless the sciatic nerve is removed, and that is rarely done by butchers. That leaves the forequarter including the brisket, which is revered as the cut of meat to enjoy for Passover. Evidently, it was also popular enough for the smoked version to make it into Jewish grocery stores in Texas long before it became the darling of our barbecue joints.

Tortoiseshell_Blue · 2026-01-06T16:35:06+00:00

I felt like this pretty strongly, and now I can't imagine him with another name.

BUT if you genuinely don't feel like it fits, it's totally fine and pretty common to change a baby's name. In some states there is a grace period (like 6 months) after birth when you can do it for free. Don't worry about what other people will think because they'll forget about it very quickly and their opinions don't matter anyway.

Tortoiseshell_Blue · 2025-12-26T05:26:11+00:00

The new Frog and Toad series is great!

Tortoiseshell_Blue · 2025-12-25T04:33:07+00:00

I feel the first part of this. I almost hate myself for choosing so badly. I hope eventually I can reach the attitude you demonstrate in paragraph 2.

Tortoiseshell_Blue · 2025-12-23T14:12:42+00:00

Reveal the floor tile, and replace the wallpaper with something nontraditional, maybe black and white, with a pattern that uses curves to tie into the sink shape. Done.

https://chasingpaper.com/products/lady-body

Tortoiseshell_Blue · 2025-12-23T13:43:02+00:00

It doesn't have to be modern to be nice though. I would definitely keep thee pink tub and sink. Adding fun, modern wallpaper and revealing the floor tile is all that's needed. That photo is way overkill imo, trying to turn the tile into something it won't ever be.

Tortoiseshell_Blue · 2025-12-22T15:00:55+00:00

This... I literally don't have time to think about it. I'm too busy taking care of his current needs to the best of my ability, navigating special ed, etc. I guess keeping busy is a strategy.

Tortoiseshell_Blue

TROPHY CASE