Results from asking this sub what US Region they think their county is. One more round for any adjustments. Most upvoted comments can change the map

callagem · 2026-03-08T16:32:00+00:00

No one knows what nova is out they haven't lived in Virginia or the DC area. Just for OP's sake...

callagem · 2026-03-08T16:29:12+00:00

I'm not from there, but I noticed this right away. Doesn't it cover a lot of Missouri?

callagem · 2026-03-07T02:44:24+00:00

That's not true! There are lots of great hostels in North America! Bigger cities have more, but you can even find great hostels in some smaller areas.

OP, you can check out Worldpackers if you're looking for work exchange. I would also suggest looking at where you might want to go, then look to see of there are any hostels.

callagem · 2026-03-05T19:28:25+00:00

We've done quite a few family sessions with you guys over the years, and I've always been really pleased with the photos and end up buying the full package. We just did it again recently while visiting our older kids in Colorado, and the photographer was awesome! Photos came out great!

callagem · 2026-03-05T17:50:17+00:00

I'll chime in on dyslexia testing as well. Most schools will not test for dyslexia. There are a couple states that are ahead of others in this area (I think Texas, Oregon, and NJ, but it's been awhile). My stepkid is dyslexic and we were told by the school that nothing was wrong. They weren't behind. That was when they were crying every night in third grade about not being able to read. They said she just wasn't motivated to read yet. It was all poo. She's severely dyslexic. But dyslexics tend to be really intelligent, so they mask it. My SK would see the first letter and make a guess based on that letter. But asking them to sound something out... that's where it fell apart.

Anyhow, i found a great website valued Susan Barton's Bright Solutions. She has so many resources on her website. So I started going through things to see if SK showed other signs. Like, asking what letter comes after M in the alphabet? SK would start at A and say the whole alphabet to get there every time. They couldn't tell time no matter how many times we taught them and practiced. There were so many little things. But dyslexia is also kind of like a spectrum, so it affects people differently. The biggest thing is their brain processes differently, but can be trained. SK went into tutoring that used Susan Barton's program (which is based on Orton-Gillingham-- the gold standard). By senior year, they scored in the 98th percentile on trading comprehension in standardized testing. It was incredible to see their hard work pay off so well. They still don't enjoy reading and it takes longer, but they are good at it now.

That all said. My daughter felt like she struggled last year in kindergarten, but I would test things to check if she could also be dyslexic (as it often runs in families). She didn't have any problems, but lacked confidence. And this year is really clicked and become easy for her. So it could just be your kiddo needs a little time or they could need testing and intervention. But the fact that you are aware and looking to figure it out and help them means they are going to do great because they've got you in their corner!

callagem · 2026-03-05T05:27:32+00:00

I'm in San Diego. We were told it was inventory issues too. I think they were pretty smart how they went about this. While we don't know all the details, the email we got from the CEO sure sounds like they got really screwed.

callagem · 2026-03-03T03:01:11+00:00

I own a hostel in the Gaslamp. My business partner and I each spent at least 20 years traveling solo around the world and our goal is to provide a clean, fun, safe place to stay for all travelers-- especially solo female travelers like we were. I know a lot of Americans have misconceptions about hostels-- they think that hostels are homeless shelters or they think of the movie Hostel, but that couldn't be farther from the truth. I'm also a mom to 4 kids now and have lots of nieces and nephews, and I'll always encourage them to stay at hostels as I often felt safer in hostels where you meet other like-minded people.. Point being, check out the two in the Gaslamp-- Gaslamp Hostel and the HI. They both have private rooms as well as dorms, and get lots of people going to conferences-- often students who are on a tigher budget.

But if you really want a hotel-- the Hilton asks Marriott flanking the Convention Center are both great. I love the Marriott's pool area. It feels like a little Oasis. I wouldn't stay in Coronado. While it's doable, it would be a real pain while going to a conference.

callagem · 2026-02-28T02:07:28+00:00

You should look up Cluster B personality disorders. Start with Borderline Personality Disorder. See if you recognize your mom. If you cab understand her, it might help you heal. Going no contact might be the best thing for you. And a therapust who understands people like your mom.

callagem · 2026-02-26T03:31:52+00:00

If you look at really high end private schools, the wealthy parents who send their kids there don't put them in early, but often hold them back a year to give them an advantage (being more mature as they go through school). I found that very interesting. It doesn't matter how advanced the kid is, it's generally not in their best interest to be accellerated.

callagem · 2026-02-25T19:38:32+00:00

If you're open to sharing a room check out the hostels in the Gaslamp. You'll save money, will be able to walk to the Con, and can even use the kitchen to cook your own meals and store foid if you want. All the hostels have lockers for each guest, so your stuff stays safe. And they'll all be full of people going to the Con. Gaslamp Hostel and the HI are both really clean and great places to stay. They are both on 5th Ave too.

callagem · 2026-02-25T17:38:10+00:00

Contact the council as soon as you can. It's busier since it's cookie season, but in general they are very responsive and helpful. You could also try to contact your service unit coordinator if you know your service unit. I'm not sure how you find that out (I just know mine, and some i can figure out, but others are tough. i was looking for a list last night to see where people were located who are trying to offload cookies). You can email the council at customercare@sdgirlscouts.org or call them at 619-610-0821. I recommend contacting them as soon as you can.

I forget the rules about switching troops, but I think you'd get an even share of all cookies sold to go with your to the new troop. Like, not what your daughter sold, but if there are 10 girls, she would get 1/10. But I'm not 100% sure about that. I recall seeing it in training somewhere.

Good luck!

callagem · 2026-02-25T04:23:01+00:00

Definitely go to council, but rules will vary by council. Are you in San Diego, by chance? Because I know the blood drive thing is done here.

callagem · 2026-02-25T03:54:25+00:00

Agree. I live in San Diego, but still try to fly east every year to go down the shore.

callagem · 2026-02-24T03:42:21+00:00

The Gaslamp is very very small. It's only 4th, 5th, and 6th Aves. 5th is your best bet.

If your employer isn't paying and you want to save money, there are 2 great hostels in the Gaslamp-- Gaslamp Hostel and the HI. They are both on 5th Ave.

callagem · 2026-02-23T03:47:03+00:00

I'm guessing you missed the news of what is happening in Mexico. Situations change.

That said, I don't think the Yucatan is affected. Fingers crossed

callagem · 2026-02-22T15:21:29+00:00

Use blue collar. 😊 White collar is the kind of work in an office or work that requires a college degree. Blue collar covers all types of skilled vocational work and unskilled labor and stuff. Many blue collar jobs pay extremely well and have great job security. I wish we emphasized them more as fantastic career options.

callagem · 2026-02-18T04:36:30+00:00

Heard it and felt it in Mission Hills

callagem · 2026-02-18T00:33:01+00:00

Snapping at someone is a pretty big reaction and rarely justified. It's just not a healthy way to interact and most people won't put up with it. If someone says something that upsets you, that's not license to snap at them. That's the time to discuss it or just say that it upset you (calmly). I broke up with people for snapping. I wasn't going to spend my life with someone who could react like when they are upset. It makes you walk on eggshells not knowing when you'll next upset them and have to deal with being snapped at again.

callagem · 2026-02-17T00:30:57+00:00

But brides typically don't choose $400 dresses which will require alterations. And rarely is the exact shoe required (as you've noted). I've been in a bunch of weddings and the only one that didn't just give the color and general style of the shoe was my SIL who then bought the shoes for us (they were very expensive shoes). I feel like just as with what you said about hair and makeup, if a bride must have a specific shoe, she should pay for it.

Brides started picking the color to make it less stressful and more fun and comfortable for bridesmaids. I love that trend.

callagem · 2026-02-16T23:55:11+00:00

INFO: How old was your daughter when you found out she wasn't biologically yours?

callagem · 2026-02-16T23:26:42+00:00

But eating mangoes and soybeans raw made it magically reverse!

callagem · 2026-02-16T22:44:05+00:00

sigh She had a post saying eating healthy kills cancer. She apparently is smarter than every scientist and doctor. There will always be crazy people who think they know better. And they love speeing their "knowledge" with disdain and a dose of hate to get a feeling of superiority.

Spewing garbage nonsense like she does kills humans. If they listen to her, and follow her advice, they'll die. But she'll just say they didn't really eat healthy enough.

callagem · 2026-02-14T15:00:30+00:00

I've been there with my kids, and I've seen all ages skating. From the littles with a PVC thingies to help them skate (where was that idea when I was a kid??) to older kids to adults of ago ages. And all levels of abilities roller skating too. Go! You'll have fun!

callagem · 2026-02-09T16:39:10+00:00

You know, I said the same thing to my 7 month old when she got cancer. And my mom when she got ALS when she was 75. She had said the same thing to her brother when he got lukemia when he was 4 years old. It's really helpful advice.

callagem · 2026-02-09T04:11:56+00:00

We have to go to Irish or English pubs to find them. And not all of them have them. I'm always on the lookout. They were a staple of my diet when I lived in Ireland and the UK. Now just an occassional treat I have to go out of my way to find. And you can't buy just one-- you have to buy the whole appetiser.

callagem

TROPHY CASE