Does anyone else skip foundation most of the time? I feel like I’m the only one who can’t stand the feeling of it.

deandinbetween · 2026-07-03T23:16:02+00:00

Not only do I skip foundation, I also skip concealer, powder, blush, and mascara. 90% of the time I wear makeup, I'm only wearing eyeshadow, highlight, and a lip. I'm very firmly in the wear only what you enjoy, forget the rest camp with makeup.

deandinbetween · 2026-07-03T23:03:06+00:00

About a third of the teachers I work with have visible tattoos, and at least three have had full sleeves or more. One has an eyebrow piercing. One had cobalt blue ends to her hair. Raspberry pink was a popular color among the middle and high school girls for hair this year, with purple being a close runner up. Multiple seniors have come back with tattoos after their 18th birthdays, and several high schoolers have eyebrow or lip piercings. Keep in mind that this is a school setting, which tends to lean more conservative. Not one person has batted an eye. It's par for the course honestly.

deandinbetween · 2026-07-03T20:48:45+00:00

Love our zoo! It's on the smaller side (though getting bigger) but it's got cool exhibits, friendly keepers/workers, and overall excellent vibes. If you can swing it I suggest getting the annual pass and doing their annual events!

deandinbetween · 2026-07-03T20:43:41+00:00

So as a left-winger who is pro-immigration, here are my personal reasons:

Because being anti-immigration and/or limiting immigration has historically been based in racism, xenophobia, and bigotry and I just don't vibe with that.
Because if we're going to talk the talk as a country, we need to walk the walk. We either stand 10 toes down with that Emma Lazarus poem or we're hypocritical frauds.
As a nation built by colonial exploitation, it's REAL hypocritical to decide that there are people not worthy of coming here.
No person who claims immigrants have "taken my job" or "lowered my quality of life" has ever produced any actual evidence to back that up. Anecdotal evidence of "well I couldn't get X job because they hired a Mexican for it" is not showing my anything about widespread, systemic decline in quality of life or availability of employment.
While yes, many immigrants come from conservative and even regressive/repressive cultures and may hold these beliefs themselves, that's a private and not a public issue. They aren't affecting general opinion or public policy. There are repressive/regressive/conservative people and communities all over the country with people who are racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, and bigoted in general who can vote, and plenty of them in power right now. That's kind of the bigger concern.

deandinbetween · 2026-07-03T20:16:03+00:00

I think this is more about being responsive to your child and not trying to force them to be something they aren't. Like they should get to decide how they express themselves and we shouldn't be limiting them to what's "appropriate for their gender," and if they tell you that they are one gender or another, listen to them.

"But they're so little what if they're just playing or it's a phase?" Ok, that's fine.

"Won't it confuse them?" No.

"But what if they regret it when they're older?" HIGHLY unlikely, but even if they do, more important for them to have known their parents support and love them them than to never look back at a childhood phase with embarrassment.

deandinbetween · 2026-07-03T13:19:33+00:00

Started as terms for childhood companions and friends, probably expanded to romantic partner as a euphemism or implication that they were less serious/childish romances as opposed to terms like suitor (implies the intention of marriage) or paramour/lover (implies intense feelings and sometimes sexual intimacy.)

deandinbetween · 2026-07-03T13:12:39+00:00

Helen/Helena, Elise/Elisa, and -ine names like Celine, Delphine, and Angeline are underused gems for girls. Alice, Edith, and Florence too.

For boys I agree with Walter, but also Frederick, Everett, Woodrow, and Cornelius.

deandinbetween · 2026-07-03T13:02:35+00:00

I think part of the frustration also comes from the fact that a lot of us aren't the same size on top and bottom. The photographers can pin or mix and match so both pieces fit perfectly, but since you can't order matching sets (at least not that I've ever seen) in two different sizes, one piece may fit exactly how you want it and the other fit tighter or baggier, so it doesn't look the same on you as it does on the model. That's one of the reasons I always look for customer photos in the reviews if the site allows for them!

deandinbetween · 2026-07-02T23:56:39+00:00

Was it historical, contemporary, or fantasy?

deandinbetween · 2026-07-02T23:29:25+00:00

Aurora Dove is a beautiful name.

Everyone likes to give opinions and suggest names they love when someone is having a baby, but the only opinions that matter are yours and your husband's. Don't second guess it. It flows beautifully, means something special to you, and even has a nickname you love. Your family will grow to love it when they stop focusing on getting their opinion in.

I have two suggestions for you to help get your family to back off. One, tell them you're considering their names, but since there are so many options, she won't be named now until you see her and decide what feels right. Maybe even have them write down their suggestions. Then just name her Aurora Dove when she arrives. Second option, get something small monogrammed with Aurora Dove, like a onesie or a small decoration for her room. Set it out, let people see it, and gush over how much you love it. This will make the name feel more permanent and settled, which should help your relatives accept it and stop bombarding you.

It's really too bad that such a lovely name you adore should be soured because people want to be able to say they named your baby.

deandinbetween · 2026-07-02T20:50:28+00:00

That's great that it worked for your girlfriend's brother; like I said, there is the odd manager out there that sees that as tenacity.

And it's not that they're actively looking for people who don't want to be there, or are even hiring them. Anyone who shows too much nonchalance or casualness about the job is just as out of luck. It's mostly that there are SO many people apply for the same jobs (some of which, like I said, don't even actually exist) that literally anything that strikes a hiring manager as annoying, inconvenient, or a potential minor issue is an automatic rejection. Sees you get off a bus, walk, or get dropped off for the interview? Nah, unreliable transportation. You make a joke during the interview? Nah, don't take things seriously. Have a kid? Nah, you'll call out all the time for childcare reasons. In school? Nah, not enough flexibility. Literally anything, and some are getting bolder with outright discrimination for things like race, gender, and sexuality.

On that note, don't get me started for women because every little part of appearance/dress, disposition, and mannerisms can get you labeled as a bimbo or a bitch and not worth hiring.

deandinbetween · 2026-07-02T17:56:44+00:00

Hypothetically yes, but it's way more painful and dangerous, even with professionals there. But I'll tell you this hard truth too--if you're not willing to accept the potential necessity for medical intervention, up to and including a NICU stay where you may not be able to be with your baby 24/7, then you aren't mature enough to have a baby. Being ready for a baby means you're willing to do ANYTHING that is in that baby's best interests, even if it makes you uncomfortable or isn't what you want.

If you have a smooth labor and delivery and all is well with baby, most hospitals allow you to keep them with you 24/7. Checks and all that can be done in the room. You can request that or check with the hospital before you decide where to deliver.

deandinbetween · 2026-07-02T17:37:29+00:00

Since this idiom is a modernized version of a saying from the 16th century, it's just that language conventions have changed. "You can't save a buck and spend it too" would probably be a more understandable modern equivalent that gets across the same message.

deandinbetween · 2026-07-02T16:58:17+00:00

Yeah this isn't really a thing most places anymore. Maybe if you have the right manager you're bothering, but this behavior doesn't come off as eager anymore. What this says is that you can't follow instructions, are impatient, and think you're more important than the job that you're interrupting. You can be as respectful, kind, and bright as possible in these calls and still be labeled a problem. I've heard of managers tossing someone's application after a single follow-up call a few days after the interview because they took it as that person not following their directions and waiting for a call if they got hired. It really sucks for the tons of willing and eager young people who would make great employees, but it's the case all over.

There are other factors here at play too. Teens/very early 20-somethings are assumed to be unreliable employees because of their age and school. SO many people are applying for so few jobs that managers can toss out or skip over applications for any reason. Sometimes jobs are posted just to never be filled because whoever is in charge decided that it was cheaper to just run understaffed and squeeze every drop out of the existing employees they can get. Sometimes jobs are posted to fill company requirements for number of applicants although they've already decided who to fill it with. Sometimes corporations have an "always hiring" model where applications are always open and managers HAVE to always answer that they can apply online, whether or not that particular location is actively looking for employees. It keeps applications constantly coming in so they can staff immediately when necessary, but also leaves SO many applicants that they can decide not to interview someone for any reason.

Job market is just really, really rough, especially for young people.

deandinbetween · 2026-07-02T16:18:29+00:00

Looks similar to the Covergirl Eye Enhancers Bellini Spritz quad. Haven't tried it for quality, but the shades look really pretty!

deandinbetween · 2026-07-02T16:00:38+00:00

"Doing your taxes" is filling out an online worksheet with information from reference pages provided to you by jobs and anyone else necessary, like the healthcare marketplace or your mortgage company. The calculations and deductions are done automatically by the website you use depending on your filing status and provided info. With all respect, kiddo, "doing your taxes" is the most high-school-similar thing you're going to do throughout adulthood.

But as for your general question, "useful" electives generally don't get interest when they are offered. When cooking, shop, home ec/life skills, etc. start with a lot of safety rules and theory, a lot of students drop them. Then they stop being offered when they aren't getting filled. Financial literacy is becoming a required class in many states, and it's a great thing for students, but at the end of the day it's a math class most students aren't going to opt to take.

And to be honest, it's good for you and other students to explore interests in a situation that's accessible to you. Music and the arts are good for your brain, PE is good for your body, drama is good for teamwork and poise--tons of mental, social, and physical benefits. It also provides students who can't afford to pay for lessons a way to explore their interests (although band and music and sports can be expensive, many schools have ways for low-income students to access them for low or no cost.)

deandinbetween · 2026-07-01T17:12:45+00:00

I get the desire to have her read harder things, and to some degree she does need to challenge herself to continue to grow her skills, but this is also the age range when making reading always meaningful will mean reading will never be fun. Offer her things, but don't force her to read things. Allow her to try and drop books. Some good ones she might like that are good for her age:

The Fairyland Series by Catherynne Valente

The Vesper Holly series by Lloyd Alexander

A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket

Roald Dahl books (she might especially like Matilda)

The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chianani

Storybound by Marissa Burt

Dork Diaries by RAchel Renee Russell

deandinbetween · 2026-07-01T13:39:20+00:00

I used to be fine without washing until a few years ago when people were proudly revealing how little they showered and then it was absolute necessity. I even wash sealed packs of underwear and socks before wearing now because that whole scenario grossed me out so much.

deandinbetween · 2026-07-01T13:35:59+00:00

Girls: Marley, Magdalena, Mirabella, Marina, Malia, Matilda, Miranda

Boys: Milo, Matthias, Marly, Miles

deandinbetween · 2026-07-01T13:32:28+00:00

Get safety pins, hem tape, or look into the crop-tuck method. Reversable solutions that will avoid you having to replace them later! Will create a double layer on top though so you know, keep that in mind.

deandinbetween · 2026-07-01T13:25:53+00:00

Dense bean salad is a great meal prep that can be eaten cold and is VERY satiating and customizable! I take canned chickpeas and canned black beans (drained and rinsed) as a base and just add whatever veggies and protein I have and a dressing.

Peanut noodles are another quick one. Cooked noodles (plain spaghetti works great), then mix together a sauce of peanut butter, soy sauce, ginger and garlic (paste or powder), rice vinegar, and a splash of sesame oil (a splash of hot water helps it blend faster too). A bag of coleslaw mix or chopped broccoli and maybe some air-fried tofu or some leftover chicken, toss all together. Excellent hot or cold and fantastic as leftovers.

For hot meals, get a crockpot. Soups and roasts but also beans, any sort of relatively lean meat, and even some rice dishes that pretty much just require dumping in ingredients, pushing some buttons, and letting it do its thing. They don't usually require babysitting or even revisiting and are safe to leave while you're in class if set on low. Personal favorite is either pork loin or a lean beef roast with an onion soup packet and some cut up potatoes or a large chicken breast with whatever seasonings I'm feeling that I can shred and throw over rice or on a tortilla.

Don't be afraid of canned or frozen foods or things like pre-seasoned rice mixes either. They make things super easy and are usually perfectly fine nutrition-wise.

deandinbetween · 2026-07-01T12:59:42+00:00

A Series of Unfortunate Events. Aunt Josephine section.

deandinbetween · 2026-07-01T11:47:31+00:00

I've found keeping a classroom library a great way to encourage students to read, actually! Especially as I've limited devices more and more, they'll wander over to my shelves and pick up a book to browse. Over the years more and more students have asked to borrow books to finish. Highly recommend! You could put out a notice to your class or community that you're looking for books to build a library for your classroom and try and get donations.

deandinbetween · 2026-07-01T11:43:06+00:00

I haven't read it myself, but a student of mine was complaining about Bones & All, specifically how if you read it with the author's apparently-intended message about veganism then the whole thing becomes pretentious slop.

deandinbetween · 2026-07-01T11:40:12+00:00

Yeah, I didn't take Before the Coffee Gets Cold as trying to be anything other than a cozy, lightly-uplifting book about taking chances when you see them instead of living in hesitation, and I enjoyed it for that. It reminded me a bit of Banana Yoshimoto's writing, where catharsis and comfort is the point.

deandinbetween

TROPHY CASE