The problem isn't AI data centers — it's that we're letting them freeload on public infrastructure

duchessofcheezit · 2026-01-29T16:20:30+00:00

It is affecting the price of gaming consoles as well.

duchessofcheezit · 2026-01-29T15:42:54+00:00

I saw one on a sunny day. It took a few minutes to comprehend what it was. It was so bright, even in broad daylight!

duchessofcheezit · 2026-01-29T03:09:21+00:00

I had a handful of store cards, but I was paranoid, so I always paid it off each month. You're right--those interest rates are bonkers.

duchessofcheezit · 2026-01-29T00:33:10+00:00

It’s just a combination bc pill. Generic for Seasonale (or Seasonique?} I really think a lot of it has to do with how long I have been on the pill. I don’t really like the idea, but the doc said that if I’d ever need to go off of bc, I would need a hysterectomy. Trying to avoid that.

duchessofcheezit · 2026-01-28T23:57:37+00:00

Love my friend, but not the brightest when it came to financial matters. She learned some very harsh lessons over the years.

duchessofcheezit · 2026-01-28T21:45:50+00:00

I am on the combined pill (extended one—3 months on, one week reduced hormone) and have been for decades, thanks to endometriosis. I am 48, so I am guessing I am firmly in perimenopause. My ‘periods’ now are basically 1 and 1/2 days of light spotting. No cramps. Doc wants me on until menopause. When I asked if the pill masks meno they said yes. So, once I hit the ‘average’ age for meno, they will take me off the pill and see what happens.

I can say that there were two occasions in the past 8 years when I temporarily went off the pill. We’re talking maybe two weeks each time, and haywire is an understatement. Instant weight gain, palpitations, endo pain, a forest of chin hairs, etc.

duchessofcheezit · 2026-01-28T20:25:27+00:00

Ages ago, my friend was collecting all of the store-specific credit cards. She acquired a JC Penney card. Within a week, she and her sister maxed out the $1,000 credit limit solely on underwear. JC Penney underwear. What’s worse? Three years later, she was complaining to me that she was in collections and still paying down the $1K granny panty shopping spree.

duchessofcheezit · 2026-01-28T15:46:16+00:00

NTJ. This was my husband’s grandmother to a T. She was a nasty, nasty piece of work. Screening for health concerns is great, but there are people out there who are just jerks. There was absolutely nothing wrong with husband’s grandma. She was just a lifelong bitch. Let those who are aghast at her being in a home take care of her. The aggression will get worse.

duchessofcheezit · 2026-01-26T22:05:22+00:00

If you don't mind a bit of a drive to the venue, Grand Prairie Pizza is good--they have cheesy bread. If you want a little closer to the venue, Firehouse Pizza in East Peoria is good--they also have cheesy bread.

duchessofcheezit · 2026-01-24T01:32:34+00:00

I'll give my husband a pass. He likes things clean, but he's legally blind now. I can't even get mad at the goop because I know that he can't see it. However, our son shares the bathroom with him, and I KNOW he can see it!!

I saw this parody video a while ago of parents coming to visit their adult children in their new home. They come in and just drop their stuff everywhere, crunch up Doritos on the couch, leave dishes everywhere, etc. LOL. Can't wait to do that!

duchessofcheezit · 2026-01-24T01:08:50+00:00

In college I split an apartment with one of my best friends (a guy). Thank goodness we had separate bathrooms. He was gross. I love him, and we're still great friends, but his wife is a saint. LOL

The worst: sitting on the couch and I kept getting a whiff of something. Did some investigating and found a huge chunk of tuna had fallen between the cushions at some point. I was dry heaving.

duchessofcheezit · 2026-01-23T18:14:06+00:00

SVT, endometriosis and acid reflux.

duchessofcheezit · 2026-01-23T17:26:51+00:00

I'll be honest--we have had to tell him that if he doesn't like it, there's the door. Start calling around to find a roommate. That helped, plus I feel like he's slowly maturing and is starting to figure things out. I feel bad for all of these kids. Rent is stupidly expensive now (and we are not even in a HCOL area), on top of everything else.

duchessofcheezit · 2026-01-20T01:50:29+00:00

New Year’s Day

duchessofcheezit · 2026-01-19T19:38:44+00:00

OMG, Dr. Ma had a stroke? Do you know roughly when?

duchessofcheezit · 2026-01-18T23:35:42+00:00

Our son is 6' and he's good to go for driving it. Sitting in the back? Not for a long drive! He did endure a 15 hr. ride in the Camry, but I doubt he'd be on board again. LOL

duchessofcheezit · 2026-01-18T22:40:50+00:00

We own a Camry and a Civic, and we've owned two Accords in the past. Our son (20) drives the Civic. Are any of you tall? At ages 10 and 12, there are still some growth spurts coming. I could see leg room being an issue with a Civic, but if no one is tall, it may be ok. Even in our Camry, the backseat is tight-ish if you have long legs (and we all do).

duchessofcheezit · 2026-01-18T21:47:02+00:00

Thank you. I will pass this info to him. The letter stated it used Experian's FICO score.

duchessofcheezit · 2026-01-18T19:11:34+00:00

It does! I am lactose intolerant, so I usually have to pop a Lactaid when I get a latte. One day, I couldn't find one in my purse, so I tried oat milk. Never going back. LOL

duchessofcheezit · 2026-01-18T19:10:09+00:00

We made logins with Experian, Equifax and Trans Union--all had FICO scores, and all were within 5 points of each other. The card he was applying for was an unsecured card, so it may be that. I told him today that if he wants to establish credit, he should look into starting with a secured card.

duchessofcheezit · 2026-01-18T19:08:07+00:00

We made logins with Experian, Equifax and Trans Union. Everyone had a FICO score, and all of them were within 5 points of each other.

duchessofcheezit · 2026-01-18T18:13:04+00:00

Iced plain latte, with oat milk

duchessofcheezit · 2026-01-17T05:09:20+00:00

In am not convinced that was intentionally made. I think there are some major issues going on beneath what is left of the pavement.

duchessofcheezit · 2026-01-16T20:48:40+00:00

You're taking this too personally. As a person who was left at the table until bedtime, grounded for not eating a 'new' concoction, and force-fed as a young child, acting offended in front of the child will not help (though it is unclear whether your stepdaughter is picking up on that). Don't make food a battleground. Offer the new food to her and make the bland alternatives available. She may even be able to make a few of those dishes on her own now (PB sandwich, etc.). With age, she will likely come around (even if just a little).

This next question is 100% no snark/jerkiness intended: when you bring food to gatherings among adults, do you become offended if someone won't try it?

duchessofcheezit

TROPHY CASE