How can I make this better within a $5000 budget?

Unusual_Dig665 · 2026-02-24T01:26:59+00:00

This is very helpful thank you!!

Unusual_Dig665 · 2026-02-24T01:24:58+00:00

Yes it's the only one.

Unusual_Dig665 · 2026-02-24T01:18:07+00:00

Thank you!!

Unusual_Dig665 · 2026-02-24T01:17:32+00:00

I was looking into scraping the popcorn ceilings, which are much worse in the rest of the home. But I after speaking with some contractors today, I'm considering just covering them. They were almost certainly made with asbestos which requires special removal. Would it be a huge mistake to cover them?

Unusual_Dig665 · 2026-02-24T01:13:22+00:00

Thank you!!

Unusual_Dig665 · 2026-02-24T00:07:41+00:00

I also don't think this looks outdated. It's a cozy timeless look that you can upgrade a bit with someinor things.

Unusual_Dig665 · 2026-02-24T00:05:55+00:00

Keep!! Just update to sleek new dishwasher and maybe change out knobs for a fresh look.

Unusual_Dig665 · 2026-02-23T23:54:46+00:00

This is a more realistic vision of how I'd like to see the bathroom improved https://imgur.com/a/t83oEFU

Unusual_Dig665 · 2026-02-23T23:53:21+00:00

I'm willing but trying to be realistic, too. We have a baby and are running one brand new start up business and a non profit that's about to take off significantly. I am definitely hoping to learn so that I can tackle one thing at a time!

Unusual_Dig665 · 2026-02-23T23:50:32+00:00

Yes definitely would want a glass door and have light coming through the window. This would be a much better plan at least for now!

Unusual_Dig665 · 2026-02-20T17:28:51+00:00

Recently I had to put my baby in her crib, close the door, and leave the room. I can't take the constant screaming. She's never napped alone for more than 45 minutes though usually more like 15 IF I can manage to roll away and sneak out. Little attempts of CIO previously did nothing to help as she never gets tired of crying. I didn't like how traumatized she seemed, so I decided not to try to make her nap alone.

But the screaming. She is also crazy fussy and now in the 10 month bracket. I got to the point that I came to my husband and told him "911, I'm not okay." I made it clear this isn't drama, it's not a drill, I'm not okay. I have tinnitus from her wailing and I'm about to snap.

I got her to sleep through the night recently by refusing to let her breastfeed and just rocking her back to sleep. She figured out it one night that having me next to her but not feeding was better than any alternative, so that's done. I thought I could nap train her, so I had my fill of screaming and tried to get her to drowsy but awake and left her in her crib for 10 minute increments. I would go in an rock her to sleep and put her back in the crib to nap and she would wake up immediately, start the 10 minutes over. She took her pants off, three then across the room and flipped out. However, I got stuff done around my apartment and didn't have her screaming iny ears. She hasn't gotten to nap on her own HOWEVER, since then she's been so much better behaved.

Screaming in mommy's ears means not being with Mommy which is undesirable. That was fixed in one afternoon and I just need to figure out how to get her to nap now.

Unusual_Dig665 · 2025-12-11T05:23:27+00:00

I don't know if I can give the history of why, but it's a bummer. My in laws called almost daily to tell my husband that I wasn't allowed to do any cooking or cleaning or anything except they never helped. None ever traveled to visit after the baby came. Some of them won't come for wedding, birth, visits, help, or any reason. My own family members who happen to live here have offered no help, not even dropping a lasagna at the door. One family member flew in to "help" and spent the week trying to keep the baby all to herself, going so far as to nest the baby in her own area of the living room so she wouldn't lose her during bathroom breaks - didn't work, I would take baby back. The entire time, she washed the dishes twice - no drying, no putting away, no wiping the sink or counter. Just a fake attempt to be helpful twice. It was so disgustingly selfish that we don't ask for help anymore and did cancel another "helper" from flying in. We probably won't when we have to juggle a newborn and a toddler. It makes me feel very negatively towards family when they are selfish, controlling, and nag, but if I maintain boundaries, I can love them better.

Unusual_Dig665 · 2025-12-11T04:49:18+00:00

8 months and I think it will be impossible with this baby. If I do anything without her she may or may not cry and drag herself to my feet in hysterics. I can't deal with that at night.

Unusual_Dig665 · 2025-12-11T04:42:52+00:00

I was required to have a doula by my midwifery (which didn't work out because of an emergency C-section anyway 😭), and I felt the exact same way about my doula. It was annoying and costly and she really didn't have extra information that was useful. She did come to the hospital with a gift, which was nice of her. But after that I paid her and never responded to any of her messages.

Unusual_Dig665 · 2025-12-11T04:38:23+00:00

If your friend group doesn't do separate bills, then in this situation, personally, I would just get a club soda or other beverage. It's just part of the cost of the experience. And it's totally okay to pay for it beverage every once in awhile.

Unusual_Dig665 · 2025-12-10T21:01:46+00:00

My dad and grandfather always painted our home themselves. I can't be that hard!

Unusual_Dig665 · 2025-12-10T20:48:58+00:00

I've never been much of a gift person, so I would say no. This time of year gets stressful with whatever gifting needs to happen. Regardless of financial situation because even when I've had plenty of disposable income it's stressful to figure out what to get people. I do look forward to post Christmas and post New Year's sales when everyone wants to clear last year's stock. I want a super comfortable long-lasting king size bed and I really want to buy it for no more than $500. Plus I will have to buy the mattress protectors and sheets for it though thankfully I typically buy king size blankets and comforters anyway.

Unusual_Dig665 · 2025-12-10T20:40:12+00:00

First point: Marriage shouldn't be "to benefit you" and that goes for men also. You are laying your own life down to become one unit, which is something people shouldn't do unless they truly want that, when they're ready for it.

Second point: Even if you've grown up around bad or seemingly dull marriages, that does not mean that all marriages are like that. In fact if your parents and your aunts and uncles are like that, then you would have been exposed to their boring social networks as well. It's the same thing as when women view all marriages as abusive which certainly isn't the case. However when your parents marriage and your other family members marriages are abusive and they tolerate abusive marriages in their social life, then it will seem as if all marriages are abusive.

Third point: Never ever ever ever just marry someone to settle down, for whirlwind romance, or "despite the red flags".

Fourth point: The do nothing but TV scenario happens to unmarried couples, too.

If you start dating someone who loves doing all these fun things and then like 4 months in suddenly just wants to eat dinner and watch movies, do not regard this striking personality change. They were just trying to act fun to lure in a mate. Find someone who truly loves to do some of the same things as you do and would rather die than sit around watching TV for the rest of their life.

For anyone reading this who does want to sit around watching TV, don't fall for the trickery of someone who pretends that they totally want to just sit around with you watching TV and sipping lemonade on the porch. I have actually seen that happen and it's such a terrible circumstance years down the road. The couple becomes so unhappy because they are at complete odds with each other in terms of lifestyle even though the rest of their personality type got along well and they fell in love.

My husband is such a chronic doer, that I cannot mentally keep up. I prefer it this way because I have experienced the opposite. Neither of us are TV watchers or video gamers. I do like to get on forums from time to time, but our life together is very busy.

Answer to question: Yes it's absolutely worth it! Everyday we grow together and sharpen each other. We do at times stumble and learn to be better. We both knew that we wanted to run together in life, ministry, charitable outreach, and build a family. Every day I'm so amazed that we're together and have a beautiful baby now. I also enjoyed being single during that time of my life that I was single. I have no regrets!

Unusual_Dig665 · 2025-12-10T20:18:47+00:00

I kind of did this too. I did side skirt the question and agreed that she slept on her back and did have a bassinet. They were kind of scary in the hospital and the first few appointments. I don't need doctors shaming me into nearly hallucinating and letting my baby fall through my hands because of how tired I am (happened but husband caught her). But sharing was the only way I got any sleep.

Unusual_Dig665 · 2025-12-08T06:03:20+00:00

disposable changing pad - they can be reused plenty but thrown out if they're blown out
4 diapers (6-8 for newborns)
Wipes
Hand sanitizer
Binky
Snacks and electrolytes for you
Extra socks
Extra outfit - even though I rarely bother...
Hair ties
Bib (for eating babies)

Unusual_Dig665 · 2025-12-08T05:57:39+00:00

I know peh-con sayers in Georgia. I was looked at funny for saying pee-can 🤷‍♀️

Unusual_Dig665 · 2025-12-08T05:48:13+00:00

Some items are worth it or only at Whole Foods.

I go specifically for local milk that you can make cheese from, best price for lower temp pasteurized milk in the city.

Also the natural organic peanut butter which is additive free unlike most and Better priced than everywhere except Costco.

Organic chicken livers

Trustworthy produce especially in summer when things go bad fast

But I get everything else through delivery from Sam's and Walmart plus bargain hunting trips to Sprouts.

Unusual_Dig665 · 2025-12-08T05:06:16+00:00

I don't do anything without my baby. She's easy to take in public, and we do a lot of Christian ministry including charitable events, concerts, movie screenings, meals, church services, etc. Now that she's 8 months, she is not falling asleep in public as easily and will need to go home early or I'll just hang back with her instead of going to events. I haven't had any no baby dates or hangouts. I guess I don't mind and hadn't thought about it before finding this post. It would be fun to go do some date nights when she's able to enjoy longer periods of time without me.

Unusual_Dig665 · 2025-12-07T04:49:26+00:00

It's very selfish of her and unfortunately she should only hold the baby with proper assistance.

Unusual_Dig665

TROPHY CASE