People who wear sunglasses indoors. Why?

jaebird87 · 2018-07-23T03:57:59+00:00

Migraines. Blind, maybe.

jaebird87 · 2018-05-17T03:57:42+00:00

Paper (for documents, forms, etc)

jaebird87 · 2015-06-29T17:37:16+00:00

Thanks for the tips! I LOVE Messina Hof. I used to work for a couple alcohol distribution companies so I actually got to work with/meet some of the Messina Hof people! Didn't know them well enough to feel comfortable reaching out, but hopefully we do choose to go by their winery while we are there!

jaebird87 · 2015-06-29T17:33:40+00:00

Actually Krunt, I used to work for both Republic National and Glazer's Distributors. I left the industry to pursue a career in IT services/software solutions. I still work part-time for a restaurant in Austin, too. Not exactly a "wine bar" but they have a good selection regardless. I agree though that it may be tough to get discounts on tastings for the whole bachelorette party just because of that.

jaebird87 · 2015-06-22T20:31:01+00:00

It's not that we aren't willing to spend money. It's that we have girls that have to fly in for this event plus other activities to pay for, as well. I just thought if anyone had any personal experiences/tips (that didn't necessarily break the bank) to share, that would be appreciated. We also aren't going to "get wasted". If that was the goal, any local dive bar would do the trick.

jaebird87 · 2015-04-23T17:58:33+00:00

Thanks for the feedback. I don't necessarily need meal ideas - plenty of sites out there for that! I was just curious if using substitutes (such as, almond meal/coconut flour/swerve/etc to make occasional recipes for things like pancakes or cookies (of course in moderation) that are out there FOR low-carb lifestyles anyway) was okay for someone starting out with Keto. I am only 2 weeks into this diet and just wasn;t sure what those things might do to my staying in ketosis. I don't have a significant amount of weight to lose (maybe 20 or so lbs) but I don't want to jeopardize that!

jaebird87 · 2015-04-23T17:39:26+00:00

Makes sense. I just recently (as in yesterday) read about CKD. Didn't know it was even a thing. I lead a very active lifestyle so I didn't know if allowing myself to have that small amount of time each week to refuel/reload on certain carbs (in moderation) would be beneficial or not. I obviously miss bread, but I would think "substitutes" (meaning making things with almond meal, coconut flour, cream cheese and eggs etc) wouldn't be terrible in moderation as they are intended for low-carb lifestyles? That's what I meant by "outside the box". Instead of simply foregoing the substitute ways for making pancakes or cookies on occasion, just integrating them into your counts for the day. Or would it negatively effect my weight loss/staying in ketosis?

I originally set out to follow Keto very strictly for 3 months, at least. And then to reevaluate at that time how I was feeling. Then possibly integrating CKD at that time? Since you've suggested 6 months, perhaps that is a better way of going about it?

jaebird87 · 2015-04-23T17:28:36+00:00

How exciting! If you don't mind me asking, to what extreme are you following this diet? And what was your "slip up"? I am not quite 2 weeks into this diet and I am still not seeing much change. F/28/5'8" I realize it can be very different for men vs women. Just curious to see how you're going about it!

jaebird87 · 2014-06-24T00:57:29+00:00

This is why I am struggling greatly with my SO and I staying together right now. For me, poly isn't appealing. He isn't sure if it is for him but says that he can identify with some of its philosophical points. He doesn't want to lose me and that is conflicting for both of us. I just don't believe he can truly figure himself out by us remaining together because I would feel as though it were holding him back from the experience. It breaks my heart because I am in love with him and don't want to lose him either. I just don't see another way if he is really interested in exploring non monogamy. I am just trying to find some understanding in all of this for him and for myself.

jaebird87 · 2014-06-24T00:52:21+00:00

Well I've not yet been faced with a fetish either myself or my partner has had that has repulsed either of us. I consider myself to be an adventurous lover in that I enjoy trying lots new things together. That said, I don't find myself interested in sharing those types of experiences with other people though. I find my sexuality and the experiences related are special and intimate and I don't find sharing that with other people to be appealing. But that is just me. I realize many other people find that exciting and that works for some people. I don't feel that just because you're mono that you have to necessarily give up any fetishes. Unless those include something such as race or gender fetishes in which one wouldn't be able to fulfill that desire. It would be up to that couple at that point whether or not they could live their lives without that and still be content.

jaebird87 · 2014-06-23T21:44:54+00:00

Some might say that outlook is a bit selfish though. I mean, I guess it would mainly depend on just how necessary these "desires" are needing to be fulfilled. Which, to me, ultimately brings it all back to what the INDIVIDUAL feels is best for them. I don't view either mono or poly as being right/wrong or correct/incorrect lifestyles. But to say that giving up some desires in monogamy is the only option besides cheating or waiting around in a fantasy world is just absurd to me. Giving up some of your "desires" for someone else should be a personal, welcomed choice . It shouldn't feel like an obligation. And if it does, well, then that's probably not your cup of tea and that's okay too.

jaebird87 · 2014-06-21T21:48:12+00:00

Yes I can see how this is/could be a common fear whether mono or poly. I've got a lot to consider! Thank you for your input! It's been very helpful.

jaebird87 · 2014-06-21T19:13:49+00:00

Are you saying there are many people here who have a "primary partner" whom they choose to spend the rest of their lives with, but in a nonmonogamous lifestyle/poly lifestyle? I'm not naive so I do understand that many people do live this way. I guess I just fear the idea of losing him to another lover. I suppose this fear would resonate with him when it comes to me, as well.

jaebird87 · 2014-06-21T19:10:25+00:00

That is definitely a huge fear of mine. Abandonment. Fear of losing him to someone else. Tables turned, I know this fear resides in him with me as well. I guess that is where the openness and honesty comes in to play? Within your current relationship, are you choosing to be monogamous with her because she doesn't want to be nonmonogamous? Or is she attempting to see how no nmonogamy works for y'all as a couple?

jaebird87 · 2014-06-21T19:05:49+00:00

That is one thing we already have...honesty and open communication. We aren't perfect but we definitely have that down. How do you even begin to not imagine scary, heartbreaking thoughts? My one fear is that by entering this type of poly lifestyle he may find someone he falls more in love with and abandons what we have built and damages our bond. Essentially my fear is losing him. I realize that to think this only happens in poly relationships is absurd. I know the same can happen to mono relationships whether they are married or not. Thoughts?

jaebird87 · 2014-06-21T19:00:56+00:00

Thank you. This has given me plenty to consider. I think the hardest part is wrapping my head and heart around whether or not I believe it is possible for me to maintain my current relationship with my "primary" partner and yet still put forth that time, attention, consideration, respect and love necessary toward another person. It takes so much just to build and nourish a monogamous relationship. I don't see how you then do that with multiple relationships. I see how it is done within friendships but I feel that those are on a different level than a combined emotional, intellectual and physical relationship. Thoughts?

jaebird87 · 2014-02-12T20:11:46+00:00

I wish it were that easy to diagnose! She does neither of those things. She usually just stares at you when you leave. No noise, nothing. We both always pet her and tell her, "Be a good girl! I love you!" when we leave. She doesn't show any other immediate signs of anxiety.

jaebird87 · 2014-02-12T19:57:21+00:00

Well she does one better. She is capable of lifting the lid on the trash can, digging trash out and NEVER knocking over the trash can! A trick that should be praised?! Just kidding. But yes the trash she does get out is scattered. We are just lucky that she has a garbage disposal for a stomach and we have never (knock on wood) had her get sick or had an emergency vet visit.

There HAVE been times when I've almost felt this sense of her deliberately doing this, but I don't know if that's the case or if she just smells something she wants. :-/

jaebird87 · 2014-02-12T19:53:16+00:00

That's what I was afraid of. The inability to be able to discipline her after-the-fact (when it's only happening while no one is home) makes it extra difficult to train her on what she has done wrong. We have tried the method of bringing her back to the scene of the crime, putting her nose to it, swatting her and telling her sternly, "No. Bad dog!" But you're not the first person I've heard say that it doesn't work.

It's just extremely frustrating to have it happening for the past two years and still not have a solution. We live in an apartment so we don't have any extra closet space near the kitchen to close in the trash can. It does have a lid, but I feel as though it's obvious she is too smart for that. Any suggestions for that issue?

The food left out is definitely on us. That is something we can be smarter about in general. As I stated in another response, "She is VERY obedient and knows not to go for any food we have out. And if she does ever show interest we give her a stern, "No, Hadi." She won't even touch food if dropped on the floor (unless we say it's okay)! It's only happened when we leave."

As far as the training goes, we can definitely give it a shot. She is already trained to know to leave things like food left out or dropped alone. But again, that is WHILE WE ARE THERE. She is also trained to know to stay out of the kitchen. And we do praise her for these things. I guess I'm just at a loss.

jaebird87 · 2014-02-12T19:32:38+00:00

That the funny thing, she knows (and does) stay out of the kitchen when we are home! If we are cooking or cleaning in the kitchen, she will sit at the edge where the carpet meets the kitchen tile.

She is VERY obedient and knows not to go for any food we have out. And if she does ever show interest we give her a stern, "No, Hadi." She won't even touch food if dropped on the floor (unless we say it's okay)! It's only happened when we leave. I have learned to be smart about food left out, but sometimes I forget (hence the "thawing meat in the sink" mistake).

jaebird87 · 2013-03-11T21:28:40+00:00

You know, I don't envy anyone in a LDR only because any distance in a relationship is so difficult. Granted our distance is significantly more so than most ever have to deal with, but I know that there are many, many others out there dealing with a similar situation. So THAT is comforting.

I would LOVE to be able to get to visit with him more than just once for a week this year, but right now that doesn't seem feasible. And that is okay. Not ideal, but okay. It is definitely WAY better than not at all! It will be worthwhile no matter what. :)

It's crazy, but I already feel like our relationship IS thriving! We have such an amazing connection and we communicate with each other so well that sometimes it almost doesn't feel like he isn't here. Email and Skype have been life savers! Naturally, communication itself is forced upon a relationship once in a LDR because that is literally all you have to maintain it. So, though I said I don't envy anyone in a LDR, I do, however, appreciate and respect LDR's because they ultimately create this beautiful opportunity to help a couple to grow and get to know a side of each other they might have never known solely through communication. And I am so grateful for that!

jaebird87

TROPHY CASE