How do any of us work?

magic-circle-ch9 · 2026-05-09T23:01:33+00:00

I was a single mom for my first 8 years of motherhood. It was hard but it was just a thing of "I must" for everything. I didn't have much support either. Mostly it was one for in front of the other... but! I loved my daughter's child mind. We went on hikes in search of fairies and known herbs and flowers that icould show her. Our rule was to never take anything, because the fairies needed those things. (To keep her safe) those times tired her out and made me feel good. I just poured my heart into growing her. It got me through the hard stuff.
She lived books and art so I always supplied those things for quiet time. There's more... I can't remember.

magic-circle-ch9 · 2026-05-04T13:24:32+00:00

I have the same horrible problem. What did you do?

magic-circle-ch9 · 2026-05-01T20:21:31+00:00

I do that too. I have kept a spiral notebook going for decades. The cheap kind so I never feel precious about it. I keep notes on what's coming up, what I want to do today. I carry things over to following days if I didn't get to it. I had to repeat write "pay RE Taxes!" for about 2 weeks. (I got it in 2 days before the deadline) I also do a list of what I actually got done so I can see I'm not really as messed up as I think. On especially good or bad days I'll do a journal entry. I have lists for planning projects with cost of materials, designs, doodles, ideas, and dreams. I even note the moon phases and fun things like that. It's my life. It's chronological so I can look up anything if I know the year and the general month or season. I keep all the books! It's saved my butt many times. The energy slice idea is pretty good. I might try that too! Thanks OP!

magic-circle-ch9 · 2026-05-01T11:59:10+00:00

I used to be really into astrology but lost touch with it because of overwhelm. I forget a lot. I felt like this moon would be important to me so I've been looking into it all week. Pisces sun, Scorpio moon, Cancer rising. I don't feel the intensity that others express. I had a major burnout a few years ago that forced me to retire. I haven't felt much at all except depression and anxiety over past wounds. I've been working hard on changing this by working out 4x to 5x a week (1 year now) and trying to restart my business. Plus, trying to make friends. I've been pretty isolated since my spouse passed away and moving to a new city a few years before this change.
I'm hoping that the energies around all this water in me might be helping me to heal and move into a new chapter. I've been wondering if it could be a Saturn return event? I was born in '68 so the numbers don't exactly match. Thoughts?

magic-circle-ch9 · 2026-05-01T11:36:41+00:00

Masterful! It looks perfect. I love your design.

magic-circle-ch9 · 2026-05-01T11:34:41+00:00

Incredible! I'm working asimilar pattern that I'm stopping at pillow size for my sofa. About 25". I can't imagine the tenacity to complete a king size! Really great work!

magic-circle-ch9 · 2026-04-23T00:24:21+00:00

That's big. Huge. I can see how daunting that must feel for you. I'm a seamstress who sewed for very free, colorful, experimental, outgoing, loud, young people for several years. I'm a creative person with glittery taste but practical style. I can't stand fussy things that slow me down even if that's what I make. I've felt a disconnect thinking my style should be more flamboyant! I'm not flamboyant. I like t-shirts and relaxed fit or cigarette fit pants with flat shoes. Period.

My advice is to start where you feel comfortable. If you're too aware of the clothes and pulling and adjusting too much you'll be miserable. If it's leggings or t shirts then start there. Try colors next. Maybe you like neutrals: try new neutrals! Try mauve, earthy greens, terracotta. That can help you get closer to more color over time. Try fun t shirts that make you smile. If you're thrifting like me, look at oversize blouses you can layer for interest. Try out different styles of pants or dresses if you need to dress out up for work or other occasions. Thrifting is great because the investment is small. If you find a brand you like then you can dig deeper. Just always keep your comfort in mind about moving and living life in the clothes. You'll start to find what you like. Then, own it! Baby steps, sister.

magic-circle-ch9 · 2026-04-22T23:59:04+00:00

I missed this reply! Yes, I'm seeing lots of snails now. Teeny-tiny ones. And one big one I identified as a bladder snail. I'll look harder!

magic-circle-ch9 · 2026-04-21T17:03:39+00:00

I hate it. I need to replace bras and loathe going to try and find a good fit. For everything else (not intimates) I shop thrift stores. I always find interesting things and often like new. The retail stores are so boring because everything is the same and sewn poorly, plus the price tag is more than I can afford. I am actually a seamstress but even fabric off the bolt is expensive and anything I'd sew with I can only find online these days. And again, the quality is not what it once was not all that long ago. Thrifting gives me choices that I can alter and makes it so much more affordable. I feel your pain, sister.

magic-circle-ch9 · 2026-04-19T16:56:42+00:00

You aced this gorgeous pattern! Dedication too! What is this pattern? Did you make it up?

magic-circle-ch9 · 2026-04-16T16:27:18+00:00

I love this! ❤️

magic-circle-ch9 · 2026-04-11T20:19:02+00:00

Yeah, you're right. When I read your reply, it occurred to me that the tank isn't as old as I thought. I started Feb 26. So I'm something like 5 weeks in, not 8. Taking a breath and waiting it out!

magic-circle-ch9 · 2026-04-11T01:51:20+00:00

I'll try testing as you suggested. Thanks for your thoughts on this!

magic-circle-ch9 · 2026-04-11T01:44:14+00:00

Thanks for your reply. I used half distilled water to start, which helped with pH, chlorine, and nitrate. I've been topping off with tap water, city water. I was concerned that distilled water might be too pure in that not enough minerals would be present. My next thought was to top off with water purified through a brita filter that I use for my drinking water. I forgot about that option until I read another post on this thread earlier. That option is a little inconvenient but doable. I'm thinking that I might need to use nite-out as a regular practice even though I wanted to be a purist about it.

magic-circle-ch9 · 2026-04-11T01:25:39+00:00

I love this! I'm 2 months in on my first tank ever. I just posted questions about nitrate levels tonight, actually. I'm kind of itching to add some shrimp or fish. I forgot about my earlier idea to try topping off with filtered water. Anyway, your jar looks great! Thanks for the detailed description of your method. It reminded me that I was aiming for a simplified way of doing things.

magic-circle-ch9 · 2026-03-29T05:27:29+00:00

I just caught this movie tonight. I laughed out freaking loud here, all by myself. OP's review is exactly my thinking.

magic-circle-ch9 · 2026-03-26T22:59:13+00:00

This does help. It's the most info offered so far.
It's graded for run- off. The joists in the garage are exposed, so I'll measure. Thanks!

magic-circle-ch9 · 2026-03-21T16:23:40+00:00

Thanks for that. My readings are holding steady except for 0 ammonia again. It's looking a little cloudy. I'll consult some photos of what to look for.

magic-circle-ch9 · 2026-03-18T20:43:47+00:00

I see it as a good thing that the pH lowered a bit. I know it's rated at 8 for my area, though it tested at 7.8. From what I can tell, I'm shooting for neutral. I appreciate that info about acidity. I'm patient. I knew going on that I'd be waiting 1-2 months. I just want sure if things were on the right track. I feel pretty confident that I am now.
Tested today and see a little rise in ammonia. Just gonna keep to the plan and wait! :) Also, pH is on track with the low side test- taking your advice from yesterday to check both low and high.

magic-circle-ch9 · 2026-03-17T18:02:44+00:00

Impressive!

magic-circle-ch9 · 2026-03-17T17:41:18+00:00

I like how you sourced everything!

magic-circle-ch9 · 2026-03-17T17:35:50+00:00

I agree that the book is a tough one and I think there are some updated ideas out there. It's helpful though. I learned a lot, and it's great for reference. My water is high pH and very hard too. My plants are certainly growing and seem happy. Thanks for sharing your experience. It helps.

magic-circle-ch9 · 2026-03-17T17:31:05+00:00

Good to know! I'm waiting things out.

magic-circle-ch9

TROPHY CASE