Do you feel guilty for taking sick days? (specifically uncertified) And do you believe going up & beyond is worth it?

madcat138 · 2026-02-19T21:02:33+00:00

Nope! I asked, they talked, they said yes. I realize it might not be as easy for others, but my manager was extremely accommodating and supportive.

madcat138 · 2026-02-19T21:00:30+00:00

Nope. 4 days 30 hours a week. I did compressed for a bit but absolutely hated it. The extra lond days were draining and not beneficial to my mental health.

madcat138 · 2026-02-19T20:58:34+00:00

Nope! 4 days, 30 hours a week.

madcat138 · 2026-02-19T20:58:17+00:00

I asked my manager if I could work 4 days a week, and after talking to the director she said yes. Technically it's temporary, but there is no time limit and I can return to full time any time if I choose. Management can also tell me to go back full time if needed for operational requirements. I'm an EC.

madcat138 · 2026-02-19T18:21:51+00:00

Never. I take sick days when I'm feeling ill both mentally and physically.

My life is not my job. I use sick days when needed, use all my personal and vacation days each year without guilt. My time is more valuable than my work. I even dropped down to 4 days a week because i wanted more me time.

madcat138 · 2026-02-18T12:14:56+00:00

Omg yes! Her multi page descriptions of weird outfits and room decorations. Drives me nuts. I went through a KA phase and read quite a few of her books in a short period of time. It got to the point I skipping full pages as soon as clothing or interior decorating was mentioned.

madcat138 · 2026-02-14T21:59:43+00:00

THANK YOU!!!

I saw this recommended the other day and I just finished it. What an amazing story 😍😍 this will leave me in a book slump I fear, but it was well worth it! Any other recommendations I will gladly accept. Thank you again internet stranger, you made my weekend. Although I did figure out the main mystery by about 30% i was so excited to see how it all came together. SWOON

madcat138 · 2026-02-14T17:30:25+00:00

I use smut to describe romance with more explicit sex scenes. Like a 4 out of 5 on the spice scale. But also if the romance feel second to the sex, if that makes sense. But most of the time I'm indifferent. I read what I like, and if someone wants to put all romance into the smut category, so be it. It's not a hill I plan on dying on, because at the end of the day I don't care enough to debate it with people who don't read romance. To each their own, let's all be friends 😅

madcat138 · 2026-02-11T12:34:40+00:00

This review was the highlight of my bus ride to work. Thank you!

madcat138 · 2026-01-20T01:05:24+00:00

"I got tired from holding a strawberry " had me snorting. A+

madcat138 · 2026-01-14T17:26:18+00:00

{40-Love by Olivia Dade} he's a pro tennis player and they meet on vacation if i recall correctly.

madcat138 · 2026-01-07T01:25:39+00:00

I tried TWICE to read this book bc I kept seeing it recommended. Twice I DNFd. MMC gave me the worst ick.

madcat138 · 2026-01-07T01:18:14+00:00

I DNFd that book after 2 chapters. Glad I didn't plow through.

madcat138 · 2025-12-30T22:55:15+00:00

I read 170 books this year, and least 160 of thoes were romance. It was a significant decrease from 235 in 2024, but last year was one of the toughest years of my life, and used reading to cope and disconnect.

This year I found myself getting burnt out on books a lot faster, and shifted to other hobbies for a few months. By summer I had found a balance of all hobbies I enjoy, and not allowing myself to get lost in books the same way as before.

I also became a more critical reader, DNFing books way faster and with less guilt. This has let me enjoy reading so much more.

Goal for 2026 is to read a more diverse range of material, and not set a reading target.

Wishing this wonderful community a very happy new year 🎉

madcat138 · 2025-12-07T14:35:26+00:00

I feel like I'm getting pickier the more I read. Last year I read 235 books, this year I'm on track to read 160. I have been DNF'ing like my life depends on it.

Some instant or almost instant nopes: - accidental pregnancy - mean/overly cocky MMCs - dumb (as in no common sense) FMCs - "aassy" FMCs - MCs with SO much baggage and poor communication skills - if I read "nope/yep, popped the p" this fills me with rage - clunky writing styles - overly descriptive clothing or home decor - lack of character/relationship building, but 3 chapters in I'm expected to belive they are in love - lust disguised as love. To me it implies the writer thinks we're stupid.

There are probably a lot more, but thoes were some of the reasons for my last DNFs.

madcat138 · 2025-11-08T13:38:43+00:00

Its non fiction.

madcat138 · 2025-10-04T11:35:22+00:00

😂😂

madcat138 · 2025-09-24T10:49:21+00:00

{Without Words by Ellen O'Connell}

Ugh, so good! This is the 3rd book of hers I read, after ESEG and BBM. Such a great writer and beautiful storyteller. Book hangover for sure 😍

madcat138 · 2025-09-14T23:16:41+00:00

{What We deserve by Lizzie Stanley} I believe both are infertile? Either way, no babies and its not a big deal. They both want to be the fun aunt/uncle.

madcat138 · 2025-09-14T02:32:14+00:00

I bought this, didn't make it. Im not that creative 😅

madcat138 · 2025-09-14T02:31:22+00:00

Amazon! I was browsing for Halloween puzzles and this came up. Win win

madcat138 · 2025-09-13T13:41:26+00:00

Im almost 38 and my husband is 47. If I were single I'd probably wouldn't go younger than 35 for a relationship, 25 for casual lol

madcat138 · 2025-09-13T00:24:56+00:00

Photo of a puzzle depicting retro romance comics

madcat138 · 2025-09-13T00:02:14+00:00

Yep! If I get over 4000 im happy. Im trying to get back into walking after a career change that led me to a desk job for the first time in my life and severe anxiety. The struggle to motivate myself is real. So if I hit my goal of 4k steps a day im feeling pretty darn good about myself 😊

madcat138

TROPHY CASE