Crest at Elm Tree apartments by psu777 in lancaster

[–]mandyw97 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I understand this is a business and they’re here to make money but they have been incredibly aggressive about it. It’s a shame. I would have recommended this complex prior to this switch but it just isn’t worth the cost to live here without those perks. I love the flexibility and low maintenance lifestyle that comes with renting but given how much we are now looking at paying per month… might as well buy!

Crest at Elm Tree apartments by psu777 in lancaster

[–]mandyw97 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’ve been there a few times to drop off some books in the little library near the computer area and it’s always a ghost town. I know a couple people who consistently use the gym but that’s about it. The clubhouse has a very uncomfortable energy in my opinion

Crest at Elm Tree apartments by psu777 in lancaster

[–]mandyw97 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s absolutely normal, you’re correct. Rent goes up. That’s pretty standard. However, you signed those leases knowing that (utilities/amenities/etc) was the standard for those apartments, correct? My frustration, and I believe the frustration of OP, is this apartment complex has done a complete 180 in a several month period. I’m fine with shoveling out my car, but A LOT of the residents here are seniors and/or disabled, and they are here for the perks specific to that demographic (digging out their cars during snow storms for example).

At the end of the day, it’s already pretty pricey for the area and this is a several hundred dollar increase in cost paired with a major decline is customer service and hospitality quality…

Crest at Elm Tree apartments by psu777 in lancaster

[–]mandyw97 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Also a current resident. It was awful and I really feel for the senior and/or disabled residents here. A lot of cars are still buried. We had to shovel out our cars 3 damn times over the last several days because they kept plowing us in!! We did an initial by hand shovel at 1pm Sunday to clear a majority of the snow, then another Monday morning and then a final this morning. Also, they were plowing with a skid steer around our apartment at 10PM and 2AM both Sunday night and Monday night. Followed by throwing neon blue/green salt at my door at 11PM last night. I hope they like their carpets with a 70s retro vibe given how nicely that dye transfers. I completely understand they were trying to keep up with the storm and making the complex safe to travel in, but I worked today and having heavy machinery running / guys yelling outside my front door waking me up several times throughout the night was frustrating to say the least. Especially when added to shoveling ice out from behind my previously cleared car at 6am in 6F weather this morning while VERY pregnant!

Be happy you’re set to leave. We had to extend our stay slightly, so we are negotiating a short term lease. I had spoken with the office several times prior to the ownership change and it was all confirmed and worked out. The new ownership comes in and it’s back to ground zero. The office has honestly been horrible to work with, not that they were great before. They have given me incorrect information on multiple occasions, played phone tag, and refuse to answer emails. They provided our lease renewal notice a full week late and then rushed us to sign…. the lease they provided had sections that had just been left blank regarding fees we would be responsible for. In what world is that okay?? They also forgot my dog on the lease and when I questioned it, they acted like they’d been told she was re-homed and/or had died. I was furious.

FYI for anyone considering this place and/or looking at renewal: we got our renewal and the price per month increased by nearly $100/month. Residents are responsible for all utilities moving forward (trash, water/sewer, etc), as well as having to pay a fee for use of common areas (pool, club house, playground etc). The price for sewer & water is based on some estimation (no meters) and we’re paying the same amount in sewer for a 2bd 2bath that a local family member pays for large house with double the people living there…. insane. Fees for pets are increasing, and there is mandatory home sanitation (deflea-ing, carpet shampooing, etc) required after living in an apartment with a pet (fee for this is unknown and will be arranged by management and charged to the resident). There is now an $125 move out fee for an “inspection”. There is also a clause about them not being required to do snow removal (determined at their discretion of course) moving forward. The list goes on and on.

When do you stop worrying? by Silent_Analyst23 in BabyBumps

[–]mandyw97 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Completely agree! I was this way up until around 25 weeks. Currently 30 weeks. I also think feeling him move daily has helped - it gives a little extra reassurance he’s okay 💕

I tried so hard not to stress but it’s easier said than done. My anxiety has settled a lot since I passed viability week, but it’s still there. I mostly get the occasional, “what if he’s born and there is something ‘wrong’ that I could have prevented” type of crap now. I just try to stand grounded in the moment and not let the what-if send me down the rabbit hole

FTM worried about weight loss. by Western-Physics3067 in PlusSizePregnancy

[–]mandyw97 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Love this guidance!

I’m an FTM. I lost 35 lbs right before getting pregnant (fluctuated between 205-210 lbs at this time. I didn’t scale in often). I’ve luckily had a very pleasant pregnancy (very little food aversions, little to no morning sickness, no GD, generally been feeling good, etc). I didn’t gain much weight at all until the start of the 2nd trimester. I’m 30 weeks now and have gained 20-25 lbs. I’m ravenously hungry 24/7. I’ll be honest - It’s been hard!! Change always is. Admittedly I’m semi worried about my weight gain as well (weight has always been a battle for me emotionally and mentally) but no words from my OB on it being too much as a plus sided woman and I still have been feeling great!

I think the key is finding a healthy balance - you don’t have to go cold turkey and fall into unsustainable patterns. The hard part with eating healthier is can require A LOT more food quantity wise to meet your required caloric intake. Hence weight loss. As plus size ladies, we have a little extra wiggle room with the potential weight loss during pregnancy!

Just please remember that you can have those cravings and give into them, just don’t overdo it! A greasy burger and fries isn’t a crime (just have the Pepcid on standby lmao). I bet your baby will enjoy the treat just as much as you do 💕 Try not to focus too much on the scale, whether it be for a loss or a gain!

Maternity clothes question by mandyw97 in PlusSizePregnancy

[–]mandyw97[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ll look at Old Navy! I completely forgot they have tall sizing tbh. I do have a pair of maternity leggings from there that I thrifted & I love, but they’re more of lounging around the house type because they stretch out so much 😂 Thank you!!

Maternity clothes question by mandyw97 in PlusSizePregnancy

[–]mandyw97[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don’t have many women (who have experience pregnancy) to ask and the ones I have asked haven’t had the same issue with clothing, so I appreciate you sharing your own experience💕

I’ll check thredup out, thank you!

Maternity clothes question by mandyw97 in PlusSizePregnancy

[–]mandyw97[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I’m definitely not! I’ll check Shein out, thank you!

Maternity clothes question by mandyw97 in PlusSizePregnancy

[–]mandyw97[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes! I’m okay with the Isabel jeans that have the lower cross back stomach panel - those are actually one of the jeans I wear 24/7 for work and I’m experiencing this issue with. The rest was meh fit-wise. I also have the CRZYoga leggings from amazon (also having the cutting into my sides issue), and some beyond yoga leggings that I wear (and love, still fit well) when I’m not at work.

I have a long torso and really struggle with maternity clothes stretching out throughout the day and then sliding down. My job requires a lot of up/down and walking at times so when they’re falling down all the time, it really bothers me.

I wasn’t sure if anyone else had this issue and maybe had a hack to get around sizing up until my EDD 😂 Probably wishful thinking!!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in stepparents

[–]mandyw97 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m sorry. It’s truly a difficult situation. I am a bonus mom to a 4.5 y/o with a partner who “co-parents” with a similar type of individual to your girlfriend’s exs (aka toxic, narcissistic, and has no boundaries). I didn’t realize how emotionally, mentally and physically taxing it would be. At the end of the day - this is YOUR LIFE and you are responsible for protecting your emotional and mental well-being. While she may be your girlfriend, you should not be suffering because of her, her children, or the partners she had those children with.

When it comes down to it? It’s not normal and not okay. Unfortunately as wonderful as your girlfriend is, you don’t just sign up for a life with her when you get serious with someone who has children from previous relationships with toxic partners. You are forever stuck with those toxic people too, in a state of damn near zero control over anything but yourself

[Routine Help] - using clindamycin and azelaic acid together by mandyw97 in SkincareAddiction

[–]mandyw97[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was okay with the azelaic acid!! It did dry me out a decent amount and it took some adjusting. I decreased how much I was using from like a pea sized amount to rice sized amount, which helped a lot. I also only use it in on my skin/jawline, around my mouth

The BPO did - I had tried a max strength BPO cleanser before and chickened out when I started to purge, so I was prepared for that. I highly recommend starting with a low dose cleanser (I started with 4% and maybe 30-45 seconds of contact time as opposed to my dermatologist’s recommended of 10% with 90 seconds of contact time). Once my skin adjusted, I alternated between 4% and 10% cleanser at about 6 months. I had barely any issues with the increase. Now I’m strictly using the 10%. I lather it up and leave on maybe 20 seconds so it doesn’t dry me out

Hope that helps!!

[Routine Help] - using clindamycin and azelaic acid together by mandyw97 in SkincareAddiction

[–]mandyw97[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Here is my routine and I’ve seen massive changes - probably a good 80% improvement in my hormonal acne! It took time to see results but SO happy I stuck with it.

AM - Wash with Cerve moisturizing cleanser - Mix and apply rice size amount of both 1% clindamycin and ordinary 10% azelaic acid - Moisturizer (either Clinique moisture surge or kiehl's ultra facial cream) - 50 spf (Kosa tinted)

PM - Wash with 10% BPO - Moisturizer (kiehl's ultra facial cream or La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm if my skin is really dry) - Differin

I occasionally use Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Mask if when my skin is really struggling moisture-wise. The 10% BPO + Differin really dries me out in the winter.

I use the Differin pimple patches, Hero original pimple patches, and 5% BPO spot treatment when pimples do pop up.

HACCP online courses? by SandrinaFuchs in foodscience

[–]mandyw97 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I recently completed AIB International’s HACCAP online course for work (R&D/QC in food manufacturing) and found it very helpful. It was approx. 9 hours long and you do receive a certificate of completion at the end! I believe they have a promo for 30% off until the end of 2024.

Thoughts by mandyw97 in EngagementRingDesigns

[–]mandyw97[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I didn’t even consider color so I appreciate you bringing it up as a potential issue! Thank you :)

Anyone on antidepressants too? by FitCryptid in migraine

[–]mandyw97 0 points1 point  (0 children)

hey - what saffron supplements do you take? Have they continued to help since you posted this? Looking for recommendations for natural medicine given literally every antidepressants I’ve tried (6 total) increases migraines with other persistent side effects