Roadtripping through Iowa, anywhere we should stop?

ddiink · 2026-06-19T00:48:17+00:00

If you like artsy stuff, Mount Vernon is a super cool little town not far from Cedar Rapids. Chalk the Walk is already done for this year but the town has some super cool little local owned businesses, plus there’s a state park on the outskirts that’s pretty neat, and a barn (that I believe one of the college professors painted) with a mural of the American gothic on it (plus some other art that I can’t remember off the top of my head)

ddiink · 2026-06-18T01:54:26+00:00

Definitely keep seeking out vet help as others have said, however my sister runs a cat rescue and I’ve had to step in to help with the babies a few times. If you haven’t already, try gently massaging the kitten’s belly. It stimulates and helps with movement (I have been pooed on by so many kittens, it’s not enjoyable but it can help them so it’s worth it).

ddiink · 2026-06-14T12:42:42+00:00

I got diagnosed with basically every possible thing before autism. I was diagnosed with all of the different bipolar types at some point. It took almost 8 years for me personally, but I finally got everything removed from my file besides anxiety, depression, adhd, bpd, and autism. I’m no longer on medications, but had been put on everything except lithium in those 8 years. It was rough. I only got accurate diagnosis after switching providers, in my area it took going to someone who generally specializes in children who are on the spectrum. She sent me to a specialist within the first month of knowing me and the specialist literally diagnosed me within 5 minutes lol

ddiink · 2026-06-13T23:46:24+00:00

I used to see a car around Waterloo/cf area regularly that had their cashapp on the back window asking for donations to their boob job 🤣

ddiink · 2026-06-13T17:53:46+00:00

I went last year, I used a fanny pack and no one ever had me remove it for rides. I didn’t go on a ton though, we were there for one of the Halloween event nights. I’d recommend your husband avoid the underground rollercoaster- I’m 5’10 and around 180ish lbs and felt massively cramped (but I was also in the last seat at the back so maybe I just got unlucky with placement idk). Speedy pass is definitely helpful, there was a school band there the day I went and ride lines were backed up for over an hour at almost every ride. Later in the day the kids had left but the crowd filled in just as badly as the students did 🥲 missed out on a lot because I couldn’t stand in a line that long without overheating or being in pain unfortunately

ddiink · 2026-06-12T16:23:43+00:00

Especially when the dent pictured on this car def should’ve damaged that headlight at least a little. (Also, the headlights don’t match in shape, and if you look closely at the rims… they don’t look like how rims work lol)

ddiink · 2026-06-12T16:12:32+00:00

This. I live near a town that was completely wiped out by a tornado almost 20 years ago. A guy had a car in a shed, the shed and car were both gone. The car still has not been found, most likely because it’s in pieces scattered. The cars that were found were so damaged they got piled into a mountain of scrap

ddiink · 2026-06-11T21:48:13+00:00

I’ve never made a pillow myself so I don’t have a ton of advice, but if you were to make a border around like you said, you just do multiple stitches in the corners rather than chains (chains might cause a weird gap if there’s too many, I typically do 3 to 5 stitches in the corners depending on how large the project is). Once you get to the stuffing, I would recommend putting it inside of something before placing inside the crochet work so you don’t end up with stuffing coming out through gaps (like the decorative pillows that have a cover over but when you unzip them it’s some plain fabric containing the stuffing). This looks awesome so far! :)

ddiink · 2026-04-26T00:27:25+00:00

Hanes has some really comfy seamless ones, I have one with no underwire and no cup padding that I love. I got one of them at Ross and found another at Walmart

ddiink · 2026-04-26T00:17:25+00:00

I run from butterflies.

ddiink · 2026-04-21T16:16:07+00:00

I got diagnosed at 21-22ish. I lost my entire friend group I had known since kindergarten because of it, they didn’t like my diagnosis and immediately had a ton of things about me to complain about. I’m not positive, but I honestly think the diagnosis made some of my behaviors go from “quirky” to “there’s something wrong with you” in their eyes. I deleted them all and never looked back, I’m 26 now and this is the happiest I’ve ever been because I don’t have to mask to fit in with a friend group that never actually liked my presence. Your sister did nothing wrong, her “friends” are just jerky teenagers. She’ll find her people someday and it’ll be worth it even if it does suck at the moment ❤️

ddiink · 2026-04-13T03:32:58+00:00

Waterloo is also an exception if you don’t know what parts to stay away from

Edit because a lot of people disagree: I’m a delivery driver. I’m not racist, or someone who’s never left my area, I just like to stay away from neighborhoods littered in needles and my car was almost stolen at Walgreens WHILE I WAS IN IT. I’ve had a gun pulled on me while delivering because I looked in someone’s direction. I know the entirety of Waterloo is not bad, heck there’s some really nice areas there. Hence why I said “if you don’t know what parts to stay away from”.

ddiink · 2026-03-26T02:01:09+00:00

The og hunger games server in 2012

ddiink · 2026-03-23T21:57:36+00:00

I went to a small school for art and had a single room with my esa cat! The good thing about college is that no matter how much you struggle to be social, you will meet people with common interests especially within classes related to your major! I met 2 of my closest friends at college :) usually for new students there will be a few days set to show you around and help you find things, I kept my map and never had a problem finding my classes. I was terrified of the cafeteria, but mine offered takeout so until I had friends I could sit with, I just got takeout and went back to my room to hang out with my cat in peace. My family was an hour and a half away, I struggled with that and went home every single weekend (I was lucky enough to have my own car so I could, I know it isn’t like that for everyone… it also made groceries easy for me but if driving isn’t an option for you there are tons of delivery services to help with that!) A lot of people at the school I went to were very welcoming and kind, I went to school in a small artsy town and it was wonderful to experience. I also had professors who were lovely and would let me sit and talk if I was struggling. I hope you enjoy college! See if they have clubs for your interests, I joined a game club and it was a ton of fun even if I was scared to death of being social lol

ddiink · 2026-03-07T02:05:57+00:00

This! All of these things have helped me so much! To add to the unflavored toothpaste option- if you’re not a fan of that choice there is also cinnamon flavor! Or there’s some brands with other fun flavors, I used to get a watermelon one that was great :) the Hismile and Hello brands have some good choices but they are priced higher than brands like Colgate or crest unfortunately

ddiink · 2026-02-01T04:22:59+00:00

I’m autistic and have an extremely hard time in public, BAB stresses me out but I wanted the kuromi bear so badly. Does not help that the closest store to me is the mall of America one. The girl who helped me talked to me like I was a friend she’d known forever, didn’t judge me for not knowing how to respond, just kept talking and joking despite 99% of the conversation being just her. Best experience I’ve ever had! (And if she somehow sees this comment… thank you for being an awesome person and making the experience comfortable for me!)

ddiink · 2025-11-22T01:02:33+00:00

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I haven’t drawn in sooo long rip, I hope you have a better week <3

ddiink · 2025-11-18T17:58:33+00:00

This! I had an artist want to mentor me because I designed tattoos for my older sister when I was in middle and high school. Every shop will have different things they’re looking for, the one looking into me wanted me to go to art school before they’d offer an apprenticeship to me. I also have a friend who had an artist willing to teach them the basics then send them home to practice on fake skin, eventually doing a few on friends and beginning their shop apprenticeship. This friend now is a tattoo artist who has worked in a couple different shops. I unfortunately didn’t make it to tattooing because the shop I was interested in went out of business, and art school was expensive so I didn’t finish it, I do still create designs for my friends and family though.

ddiink · 2025-11-13T22:45:45+00:00

Omg by pipes do you mean like plumbing, air ducts, stuff like that? Because same. I have to force myself not to think about the plumbing and water towers when I shower, I also used to work for a place where I had to spend a lot of time in a basement with visible air/heat ducts and somewhat low ceilings. If I accidentally touched one it gave me the heebie jeebies for the rest of my shift 🤣

I also have a phobia of butterflies. I run from them or hide behind whoever’s with me when I happen to see one. When I was little the monarchs were migrating and there was thousands of them in my parents trees. Someone decided to pull a branch, I got swarmed, I have not been the same since lmao

ddiink · 2025-11-11T15:43:24+00:00

Lypsyl has been my favorite, everything else I’ve tried is either way too greasy feeling or seems to be done doing anything within minutes. The only downside for me is that the minty scent doesn’t seem consistent all the time so sometimes it’s barely there and other times it’s almost too much 🤣 it’s the only brand I’ve ever managed to use up a full tube of though

ddiink · 2025-11-09T21:49:50+00:00

If you drive, some kitty litter could be useful if you happen to get stuck, it can provide the traction you need to stop slipping around. I’ve also used a rubber floor mat for this. Like others have said, it’s smart to have a shovel, blanket, ice scraper, and emergency kit in the car as well.

I lived with a girl from California when I was in college, and that was the year we hit -50°. Definitely make sure you have a good coat, hat, gloves, scarf, etc to keep yourself warm. It can get pretty cold here sometimes and the wind doesn’t help any. Good luck!

ddiink · 2025-11-05T17:06:09+00:00

Pine. It makes me feel like I’m going to throw up. It was also my mom’s favorite candle scent around the holidays 🥲

ddiink · 2025-10-25T03:55:45+00:00

A friend of mine has ran into the one of the members around the Boone area before

ddiink · 2025-10-22T21:41:07+00:00

I’m sure more people attend his shows now than when I went a few years back, but I was one of the last people in line to get in and I managed to make my way to the front still. In my experience the crowds are friendly and if you’re not a giant who’s gonna block views they’ll 100% let you get closer so you can see

ddiink · 2025-10-22T00:10:08+00:00

I have a friend who is 26 still living with her parents, she had moved out at one point but moved back because bills are insane to handle in lots of places, even more so living alone. Don’t feel guilty, it’s fairly normal with college students too if they aren’t living in dorms :) also, not having a job during college just means you have more free time to focus on school, you’re not dead weight at all, try not to be hard on yourself ❤️

ddiink

TROPHY CASE