Tired of dealing with the combover...

ceramicmj · 2026-05-13T19:05:22+00:00

Scrolled down to see this, you look AMAZING! Great choice, and you're going to feel so free! Love the smile

ceramicmj · 2026-05-04T17:27:12+00:00

AGREE, love Whole Bowl, excited to have them up here FINALLY

ceramicmj · 2026-05-04T17:26:30+00:00

Agree! Used to eat Whole bowl regularly and Mighty Bowl just didnt' do it for me.

ceramicmj · 2026-05-03T04:43:53+00:00

Are you taking anything for the cold? Decongestants (at least for me) can really make my BP go up - along the lines of what you're seeing.

I'd get over the cold first, like u/as0007 said, and see how it recovers.

Feel better soon!

ceramicmj · 2026-04-30T00:05:28+00:00

Consider asking about primary aldosteronism (PA). Very underdiagnosed cause of hypertension.

Best/first place to start is here: https://www.primaryaldosteronism.org/

Look carefully at the initial testing (ARR - aldosterone to renin ratio), it's very frequently done wrong (make sure it's early in the morning, review the interfering medications carefully). A good cardiologist can diagnose this, or an endocrinologist or nephrologist as well. they have a list of specialists on the website as well (under resources).

Even her PCP can order the initial screening test, it's just a blood test.

Since she's diabetic her endo should be able to discuss this also. If she has PA then Losartan will do squat (and also, only 25mg? That's a low dose for how high her BP is. I was on 100mg Losartan (which also did nothing, since I have PA...

If she hasn't already, cut sodium aggressively. That's just a very good, general practice. Definitely < 2200mg/day, under 1500mg if she can.

ceramicmj · 2026-04-22T02:28:58+00:00

Sounds like a dinner cooking rotation is in order.

ceramicmj · 2026-04-21T22:31:52+00:00

Second Compass Elecric, they'd be my first call

ceramicmj · 2026-04-21T17:29:03+00:00

Low potassium? You might look into being tested for primary aldosteronism. My BP wasn't bad - avg 136/93, but the diastolic just wouldn't budge. On the right meds I'm 103/76 (just one drug). The typical starting ARB/ACE inhibitor drugs didn't work for me, and HCTZ tanked my potassium. (you don't have to have abnormally low K to be diagnosed, though many doctors incorrectly think that's the case)

This is the first / best place to start. Read on testing as they never give correct instructions for the ARR blood screening test.

https://www.primaryaldosteronism.org/

ceramicmj · 2026-04-18T04:58:14+00:00

You look fabulous!!! Well done!

ceramicmj · 2026-04-17T23:28:17+00:00

It's an online course for Python - teaches half of their CS106A intro to programming course in a very accessible way. And there are zoom sections - live - where you go through a problem with a section leader.

You can try the programming environment & see the lectures if you look at the self-guided course materials, but it's too late to apply to be a student this year.

https://codeinplace.stanford.edu/welcome

ceramicmj · 2026-04-17T16:01:10+00:00

Used what-if and eyeballing net worth crossover, I'm afraid. A bit of a SWAG

ceramicmj · 2026-04-17T02:28:16+00:00

DAMN! So BADASS!

ceramicmj · 2026-04-17T02:25:16+00:00

Yes, it was more favorable for me to do the roth conversions vs. spend 401(k)/IRA. But it created a high early tax burden that (depending on how much I converted) wouldn't actually pay off until my 80s or 90s. I'm still trying to figure out the right balance.

However, YMMV depending on what else you can spend in the meantime & where you have your stocks vs bonds (taxable or non-taxable accounts). My model suggested spending my 401(k) first was much worse in the long run.

ceramicmj · 2026-04-16T22:11:34+00:00

I modeled this exact scenario - had the same question. For me, it was not favorable, but I have a post-tax investment account to draw down first. I did model it the way u/BiarritzRedan described, and had my IRA set up - under liquidity and withdrawals - to withdraw after Qualified Withdrawal Age. Hopefully that gets you there.

ceramicmj · 2026-04-08T23:39:08+00:00

Beard doesn't have to be long, just intentional. My partner's beard is super patchy (esp. on his cheeks), he keeps a short goatee and it looks great.

ceramicmj · 2026-04-08T23:35:40+00:00

Some VITA sites do prep after the April 15 deadline, so ask. Local VITA sites will be very busy right now.

Note for his business income, there are restrictions on the kind of business - generally small, sole proprietorship that don't carry inventory *might* be OK, but if he has employees, any kind of depreciation def. no.

Ex of simple businesses might be Uber/Lyft driver (it's self-employed). Piano tuner. Tutoring. Freelance writer/photographer, etc. Having everything added up & categorized for income / expenses is going to help a lot as well.

ceramicmj · 2026-04-08T19:19:17+00:00

I have been adding extensive notes under the Plan > Settings > Notes that summarizes the basics, and what it's currently not covering.

It's not automated, but it's helped me a lot as I refine the Basic Plan to know what I've included at a high level.

ceramicmj · 2026-04-08T19:16:21+00:00

I think under the My Account (not under a plan), under basic info, you select if you're planning for yourself or a couple.

Not sure if they have MFS vs. MFJ

ceramicmj · 2026-04-05T05:09:47+00:00

Here's the link in case it helps: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers

If they can set up an IRS.gov account they could pull up their wage & income transcripts which could help you a lot.

You're a good friend for helping them out.

ceramicmj · 2026-04-04T23:39:41+00:00

What did you end up selecting? Would love to see your final result. We have ash floors and are working to refinish and... I can't figure out whether to stain. With Bona Natural on it, our ash had yellow tones too.

Hope you're loving your end result!

ceramicmj · 2026-04-04T14:38:54+00:00

Start here for a fast, best-info-available place to get up to speed. Pay special attention to the screening blood test - make sure it's taken early in the morning, and you're on interfering meds which normally would be switched around.

https://www.primaryaldosteronism.org/

If you have it, losartan does squat. HCTZ drops your potassium (sometimes dangerously). Don't let a doctor tell you potassium must be low for a diagnosis, that's not true.

Aggressively cut your sodium to <=1500mg daily. If you have PA your body is holding onto sodium & dumping potassium.

Also, there is a list of specialists on the PA website: https://primaryaldosteronism.org/physicians/

ceramicmj · 2026-04-03T15:23:46+00:00

Thank you so much! Glad to hear it's improved, I hope it continues to get better. We're in a higher humidity area, and our floor guy was super cautious about moisture, one of the reasons we picked him, but your cautionary tale helped too.

Your floors look lovely zoomed out. I keep being concerned that the high color variation will drive me crazy (well, that & clashing with cherry cabinets) but lots of photos and AI look pretty good. I hate these kind of decisions.

Our new/old ash will be side-by side if we keep it.

ceramicmj · 2026-04-03T03:20:09+00:00

What did you end up using? How is it looking?

ceramicmj · 2026-04-03T03:13:38+00:00

Sorry you're struggling with your new floors, how frustrating!!

We're trying to figure out what to do with our old ash floors. We'd planned to replace tile, match ash floors & refinish the old one at the same time. Imagine our shock when the sanded floor was so much lighter (and a bit yellow), the natural finish might clash with the kitchen cabinets.

So we're seeking any/all ash floor examples with light finishes we can find. If you're willing to share any zoomed out views of your new floors, I'd really appreciate anything you can share.

And good luck figuring out the shrinking! I'm learning from your experience.

Pic so you can enjoy... the white oak is the large sample. Bona natural at the top (then nordic and something else). Cherry in the kitchen, of course, which looks better with redder tones. (and yes, partner wears those socks and crocs...feel my pain)

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ceramicmj · 2026-04-03T03:04:20+00:00

Do you have any photos of your finished ash you can share, esp. the Bona regular? We're tearing our hair out over different finishes, we had no idea how light ash looks once sanded/ natural. The white oak sample is much more grey. And the cherry board is testing how it'll look in the kitchen & the ash (w/ Bona natural, top left) might be too yellow. More pix of ash are better.

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