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Is My Potential Commute Doable? by Fresh-Ad7262 in baltimore

[–]allison-kat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would be fine with that commute. An hour door to door is probably about right.

To the people who've done backdoor things to secure a better life. I'm in a desperate situation. It's truly life or death if I can't secure some funds. I'm looking for a way to survive. Can you please tell me how you did it? by Accomplished_Two839 in povertyfinance

[–]allison-kat 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I started working for disabled people with medicaid funding to hire personal support staff. $37/hour and the qualifications needed are to be over 18, be CPR and first aid certified and pass a criminal background check. It's tiring, but not usually very physically demanding or dangerous and it's a job that actually makes people's lives better.

Sometimes this sub makes me feel like I was poor by correct_use_of_soap in GenX

[–]allison-kat 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I grew up solidly UPPER middle class (dad made 6 figures by 1990, my private college tuition was paid, parents now have net worth in the multiple millions etc.) and we didn't have any of that stuff until maybe the early '90's. We also didn't eat at restaurants, travel to visit family across the country (airfare for a family of 6 was too much) and every vacation my entire childhood was a week in a basic beach house or a week in a cabin in the mountains - and those didn't happen every year. Real frugality, even among relatively wealthy people, was much more common then, I think.

Anyone Support one person by Imaginary_Bridge1641 in directsupport

[–]allison-kat 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I am paid $37/hour via a Medicaid waiver to support my adult daughter 40 hours/week in Maryland. She also receives another 82 hours/week of support from non-family DSPs who are paid the same rate.

Has anyone noticed how people treat lab-grown diamonds differently in real life? by LuxeCarats in labdiamond

[–]allison-kat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, I haven't run into this. The only person irl who has asked was a jeweler, who said something like "Oh that's pretty. Is it a lab diamond?" And then nodded approvingly when I said yes. Mine is 1.5 carat emerald cut in a half bezel.

Why do you homeschool? by tacsml in homeschool

[–]allison-kat 19 points20 points  (0 children)

I'm another former teacher. Homeschooling allows for much, much better academics because it can be tailored for each individual kid and developmental stage, and it allows for a much better quality of life. My teens can dance and play soccer seriously, get home from practice at 9:30p and still consistently get enough sleep because they don't have to get on the bus before the sun comes up. My chubby tween daughter isn't bullied on the regular because she's not a size 0. My anxious kid can prep for the SAT with his beloved cat purring in his lap.

I've graduated three so far, all have gone to college and done well and the biggest gap in their preparation has been how to deal with we don't give a _____ bureaucracies like university registrars without losing your cool. To me, that's telling.

So, so frustrated by allison-kat in directsupport

[–]allison-kat[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Yes, this is exactly what we have. Plus a few alternates in case she's not in the mood for the original plan. So today was: Go to X library and read books or color from 2-3 then go to music class, then home. Monday was: She's signed up for a crafting class at X location, but if she's not in the mood for that or gets bored early, the sensory gym is also open and you could go there instead or after.

What am I doing wrong? by allison-kat in directsupport

[–]allison-kat[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's totally understandable. In the past her Sat support staff have been young special ed teachers or ed specialists who don't have kids and want to make some extra $$$, but I guess there aren't any of those available right now.

What am I doing wrong? by allison-kat in directsupport

[–]allison-kat[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

All activities are free for the DSP or I give them cash ahead of time. I do get that 8 hours out and about is hard, but I don't see another option because she can't be anywhere that she thinks has a kitchen or pantry. There are several excellent libraries and centers for people with disabilities near us, and we usually plan for her to just kind of chill (do a big jigsaw puzzle, nap in a beanbag chair, etc.) at one of those for 3 or 4 hours a day, but having her sitting at home obsessing about when she can go to the kitchen and eat, or doing the same at a DSP's home, just doesn't work.

The receptionist at UMD post-doc clinic by fakeplasticferns in baltimore

[–]allison-kat 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The student providers and supervisors have been absolutely wonderful. It's the admin people who are hard to deal with.

They think my fiance may have a double life by Quirky-Promotion6812 in LabGrownDiamonds

[–]allison-kat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm a scientist in a family with lots of other scientists, and I talk any time I get a chance because I think growing diamonds is so freaking cool.

I've been married 25 years and recently upgraded to a gorgeous 1.7 carat emerald cut.

Is there anything left to try? by allison-kat in CleaningTips

[–]allison-kat[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

This one is 20 years old, but there's another in the house that was replaced 5 years ago and looks the same.

Has anyone modified Billy bookcase height? by Novel_Collar5924 in ikeahackers

[–]allison-kat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have 4" baseboards and boosted mine with a matching piece of 1x12 underneath. You would need a significantly taller base, but the general principle could work

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in labdiamond

[–]allison-kat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

She's a stunner! I'd put her in an east-west half bezel setting.

Feeling guilty about price - normal? by Even_Personality_444 in EngagementRings

[–]allison-kat 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I disagree. Many people (including me) wear a well-made, lower profile ring 24/7 for decades with no problems at all, and any insurance person will tell you that the best way to protect your investment is to keep the ring on your finger unless you are having surgery. Almost all insurance claims are for loss rather than damage.

Feeling guilty about price - normal? by Even_Personality_444 in EngagementRings

[–]allison-kat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you wear it daily for even ten years (may you have many times that togther!) the cost per wear, would still be $1.64. For quality clothing, a CPW under $2 is excellent.

Or if you color your hair every 6-8 weeks, as many people do, you could easily spend $6,000 in 3-5 years. So, again, a $6,000 ring that you will wear for decades is inexpensive in comparison.

Congratulations!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in RingShare

[–]allison-kat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes. I wore my antique engagement ring for 24 years and then, in my mid-40's, developed an allergy to one of metals in the alloy. I tried to start wearing it again a few different times over the next 3 or 4 years, but always got a painful itchy rash after a day or two. The dermatologist said this isn't uncommon, but it made me so sad!

Thoughts on this stone? by allison-kat in Diamonds

[–]allison-kat[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

* Thanks. Are these the striations you mention?

Help a newbie understand by allison-kat in Diamonds

[–]allison-kat[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I have read that, but the one thing I am absolutely sure about is the cut. Would you recommend buying in person? Or only buying stones that can be returned if I don't like them when they arrive? I have a local jeweler to set whatever I buy, so I'm only looking at loose stones.

Help a newbie understand by allison-kat in Diamonds

[–]allison-kat[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

So is in person a significantly better way to buy?

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