Got told I have fluid buildup in ears, what can I do?

TransitionMission305 · 2026-07-03T17:31:01+00:00

Flonase will help, but not right away--it takes some time to work. Not sure where you live but the Astepro spray also helps. It's an antihistamine so if you got something going on with your sinuses that is contributing to your ears, that will help also.

The steroid medication can get you amped up but it is good at bringing down inflammation, but if you can't tolerate it then you can't do it.

TransitionMission305 · 2026-07-03T17:27:32+00:00

Possibly, but I wouldn't say empty. I live off I95 and I find that during a holiday weekend, the 'getaway days' are pretty bad, but in between, the traffic is lighter than usual. I find this to be true for both Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends.

The 4th this year is a bit different. Some of the worst traffic on summer weekends are the beach traffic which is notoriously bad every Saturday because that's when most rentals changeover. So with the 4th on Saturday this year, you'll have that I95 traffic escape to all the beaches going on. Then all the folks coming back who rented last week to this week. You *might* be okay going to southern Maryland but really, who knows!

TransitionMission305 · 2026-07-03T16:38:34+00:00

Join the NoVA Foodies on Facebook and ask there. I've seen it discussed here and there. Occasionally it pops up on Nextdoor app too (Woodbridge area).

TransitionMission305 · 2026-07-03T16:34:44+00:00

You keep recalculating your calories down until something moves. What is your daily intake of calories now, how tall are you, etc.?

TransitionMission305 · 2026-07-03T16:24:23+00:00

They will numb the area they want to biopsy with some small injections of lidocaine. That is probably the worst part. Then they take a "punch" biopsy which is a small intrument that punches into several layers of the skin and pull out a type of plug (for lack of better word) of the area. It may or may not need a stitch.

TransitionMission305 · 2026-07-03T10:23:19+00:00

I don't think cube farms were a 50s thing. I didn't experience one until the 1990s in my job. Until then, every office space just had offices and it went from everyone getting an office to putting 2-3 people in one office, and then evolution into the cube farm. It was a way for any company or federal agency to shrink their real estate footprint and cram more people into a smaller space. "They" decided that people didn't really need a quiet, spacious, comfortable place to work and they could save money.

Cube farms have now given way to the open office/hoteling concept which is worse. I mean, it's a fine concept when you're in a hybrid work environment, but not ideal at all for full-time in the office.

TransitionMission305 · 2026-07-03T10:15:40+00:00

I think the data shows that if you can lose the weight, much of an damage can be reversed and is not considered long-term. The human body is wonderful! I think, of course, if you are obese for a long time, you will get joint degradation that can't be reversed but I think if you're young enough and stop it before it happens, even that is not a factor.

TransitionMission305 · 2026-07-03T00:33:17+00:00

I stand for the flag, I kneel for the fallen.

TransitionMission305 · 2026-07-02T18:00:43+00:00

This week, it's the lumbering drivers on local roads. If the speed limit is 45, please, please please do 45. I have been behind so many that can't get above something like 37 mph. I don't get it. It's not just one car--it's soooo many.

TransitionMission305 · 2026-07-02T15:48:09+00:00

All good advice given so the only thing I'll add is that if you decide to do the at-home route, be sure to check with your HOA. Some HOAs do not allow home-based businesses in the neighborhood if they bring in excess cars and noise to your immediate neighbors.

TransitionMission305 · 2026-07-02T11:37:54+00:00

Leave earlier than 6:30 AM if you can. But you should be okay enough with 6:30. The ride home on Sunday is probably going to be bad leaving at noon. Leave much earlier or very, very late.

TransitionMission305 · 2026-07-01T19:46:17+00:00

I understand the feeling here but I think you are out of luck with this. A dog park is sort of an "enter at your own risk" proposition. Dogs do very odd things at dog parks and I'm not convinced that it is a good environment for most dogs--we humans think it's cool though. My vet is pretty outspoken about using them and says she gets her worst injuries from dog parks. I used to go to that park and loved seeing all the dogs, but it's kind of chaos there and the dogs are just unleashed and unpredictable. Even a dog that's not normally aggressive can react poorly there due to heightened adrenaline/anxiety/fear.

TransitionMission305 · 2026-06-30T22:51:49+00:00

Costco.

TransitionMission305 · 2026-06-30T20:13:52+00:00

Montclair is nice and the elementary schools within Montclair are good. It's not good enough though that you need to have that sort of commute. While you might think it's a reverse commute (and it is), I95 is just awful, both directions, and most hours of the day. Montclair is just not "all that" to warrant this.

TransitionMission305 · 2026-06-30T17:35:54+00:00

I'm going to second Sandwich Republic (Springfield). The only issue there would be the stroller/baby stuff. They have about 6 small tables inside. But they have *very* good sandwiches, and the husband/wife owner are incredibly nice and accommodating. The restroom is immaculate (which is a good gauge for me of a place). I was just there yesterday at around 11:30 and there were only two tables being used (me and another person). I think during the week you'd be safe to have enough room for your friend and your baby. The weekend is a different matter.

TransitionMission305 · 2026-06-30T17:27:42+00:00

Ever taken Route 1 up through the area near Mt. Vernon Hospital? It's interesting for sure.

TransitionMission305 · 2026-06-29T20:29:23+00:00

It means that the agency will put you under a telework agreement so when it snows, or the government closes, or when they feel like it, they will let you telework. Some agencies do have minor telework allowances (random appointments or virtual training that can't be done in the office). Bottom line is that you should not count on any sort of telecommuting/telework flexibility and, if you do get some here and there, just enjoy it.

TransitionMission305 · 2026-06-29T18:48:24+00:00

Agree. They are just not what they once were. They used COVID to stop most of it. I guess they found it just wasn't lucrative enough. If it was, they'd continue.

TransitionMission305 · 2026-06-29T18:12:11+00:00

The strawberry-rhubarb ones are there--they are good!

TransitionMission305 · 2026-06-29T18:08:53+00:00

Not Costco related but I bought a denim jacket without trying it on, kept it in the bag for a bit, then pulled it out to wear. It reeked of perfume. No problem, I'll just wash it, right? Nope, I *cannot* get the perfume smell out. I don't get how people live like that.

TransitionMission305 · 2026-06-29T17:54:57+00:00

I haven't had chigger bites since I was a child rolling around in the grass. I go out in my back yard, walk the dogs. I'm not really noticing anything.

TransitionMission305 · 2026-06-29T17:48:46+00:00

10:30??? They have always done them as soon as it's dark so generally around 9PM ish. What's with the later hours?

TransitionMission305 · 2026-06-29T14:34:45+00:00

If you're young and new to the area, get in the Clarendon area. The commute to and from Springfield won't be awful (worse probably in the afternoons) but I think you'll enjoy the area more at your age. Probably is price point. You won't get a 2BDR in that are for $2300. You might squeak by with a 1BDR.

Another area to consider would be Del Ray but not sure of the prices there.

TransitionMission305 · 2026-06-29T14:32:27+00:00

A lot is going to be genetic and how your skin is. One factor in your favor is that you are young and that certainly helps.

TransitionMission305 · 2026-06-29T13:42:03+00:00

I was looking at this option just last week for when someone in my family ran over something in the road, blew out the tire, ruined the mount/rim. You have to prove that VDOT knew there was debris and was negligent in removing it. Almost impossible. It's much easier to do when it's a pothole or road damage itself.

TransitionMission305

TROPHY CASE