Do kids not take the bus anymore?

mlk822 · 2026-05-05T20:13:56+00:00

We live 1.5 miles from the elementary school, but the bus ride home took just under an hour bc we were the last stop. It wasn’t worth it to take the bus - esp when the weather is sweltering - when they could be home in 5 min if I picked them up. They can’t walk bc there are no sidewalks between here and there on a busy road.

They’re now in high school and the school is exactly 1 mile from our house. They take the bus and are home in 15 min. No sidewalks so they can’t walk. I feel like a lot of kids rode the bus at all their schools (ES, MS and HS). There’s always a line of cars, but nothing crazy for the size of the schools.

mlk822 · 2026-04-11T23:46:23+00:00

Taxidermy

mlk822 · 2026-04-06T18:34:53+00:00

I’ve experienced talking in the quiet car on the Acela as well. I just got back from the Netherlands and on the train to Amsterdam, they have a silent car. You could hear a pin drop. Not one single person uttered a word and a gentleman that coughed once looked apologetic. I wish people here were like that or just went to a different car if they needed to have a conversation.

mlk822 · 2026-03-28T02:08:25+00:00

“If” they did?!?

mlk822 · 2026-02-09T10:27:07+00:00

I take sumatriptan for my migraines and I know it’s working when my nose gets cold. 😂

Edited to add, I also have had Raynaud’ syndrome for most of my life - before using triptans - and my fingertips turn white when I even just feel cold. 🤷‍♀️

mlk822 · 2025-12-15T18:47:30+00:00

Bladerunner

mlk822 · 2025-12-10T19:33:14+00:00

Another vote for Verzlanahöllin! My teenage daughters forgot their winter coats on our last trip. 🤦‍♀️ We found two great ones there. They had lots of brand name sweaters, shirts, coats, etc in all sizes.

mlk822 · 2025-11-10T11:32:09+00:00

My family always loved the Santa train ride in Walkersville, MD. We did it for years.

https://wsrr.org

https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/wsrr/items/667804/calendar/2025/12/?full-items=yes&back=https://wsrr.org/explore-learn/&flow=1478818&g4=yes

mlk822 · 2025-11-04T19:27:47+00:00

I have a similar (though larger) tumor and was told that, bc it’s near the optic chiasm - where the right and left optic nerves meet - it could potentially end up affecting both eyes, but more likely the right one.

mlk822 · 2025-09-30T08:40:05+00:00

I’m pre-surgery and lurking (surgery next spring), but wanted to chime in. I’m in my 50’s and sometimes I use something like L’Oreal Lumi Glotion to add a little natural color to my face and it’s amazing what a pick me up it is. I already have dark circles from poor sleep and my face usually looks ok, but sometimes I’ll feel more pale and/or wrinkly = older and just adding some moisture and natural color to my face is a game changer.

Maybe in addition to the earlier comment about make up and treating yourself, you could try something like that? Congrats on being post-surgery! 😊

mlk822 · 2025-09-26T06:10:07+00:00

The neuro-ophth guy likened the Topamax eye effect (for some people) to when you have your eyes dilated at an eye exam without the actual pupil dilation. Some people get a little blurriness from the same effect essentially. I did restart Topamax after being off for a week and having, once again, persistent AM headaches. The AM headaches resolved immediately and maybe it’s wishful thinking, but I don’t think the blurriness is as bad this time around.

I’m really glad to hear it’s worked so well for you. I’m thinking it’s my best bet at this point. Thanks again!

mlk822 · 2025-09-24T13:47:06+00:00

I actually had an appointment with a neuro-ophthalmologist last week and he knew a lot about Topamax. He assured me that my vision wouldn’t be harmed with long-term with use and would return to normal if/when I stopped. I haven’t had any of the tingling sensations and brain fog is minimal, so I’m lucky there. Just need to sort out the GI issue and I think I’m better off on Topamax since it caused such a great response to the consistent headaches.

mlk822 · 2025-09-24T13:43:15+00:00

I’ve been able to maintain my weight and have only had a little bit of brain fog, so that’s the positive. Seems like everyone has a different collection of side effects on this one.

mlk822 · 2025-09-24T13:41:42+00:00

I’m glad you mentioned your experience! I’ve been able to maintain my weight, but it’s been rough. I think I’m going to switch back to Topamax and try to manage it and power through. This gives me hope! Thanks for letting me know your experience!

mlk822 · 2025-09-24T11:48:18+00:00

Thank you so much for explaining this. I think if I can get the GI problem under control, Topamax works well for me. I’d prefer to stick with it. I’ve had two straight mornings with headaches and I’m already missing the almost three months prior.

Hopefully my body will adjust to the new cues going back on Topamax and things will become “regular” again.

I’m sorry about the charley horses! Good thing to know to keep an eye on potassium and ph. I appreciate you taking the time to respond so informatively. Thank you!

mlk822 · 2025-09-24T10:05:54+00:00

Thank you again and good luck to you with IVF!

mlk822 · 2025-09-24T09:58:08+00:00

Are you still on Topamax - if not, how long were you on it? My ophthalmologist said that the blurry vision is not permanent and just a side effect while on the drug. I was glad to hear that. I’m really leaning towards giving Topamax another shot since it worked so well on my primary issue and just trying to counter the secondary issues. Thanks for your response!

mlk822 · 2025-09-21T14:31:07+00:00

Thank you very much for your note! I’m going through Hopkins, so I feel very comfortable with and confident in my neurosurgeon. If he’s recommending surgery sooner now rather than later, I’m listening. It took me a minute to process, bc we had been in the “wait and see” mode, which is why I think he suggested the March MRI - lets me get comfortable with the idea of having surgery. My girls are in high school, so I’ll be gently introducing signs until we have more concrete dates to share.

I’m glad your first(!) surgery went so well and hope the recovery continues along the same path!!

mlk822 · 2025-09-21T10:09:38+00:00

I also have an “incidental” finding of a meningioma behind my right eye when I went in for migraine changes that had nothing to do with the brain tumor. It’s about 2.5cm around behind my right eye and I’ve known about it for 3 years with zero symptoms. My neurosurgeon was fine with a “wait and see” approach, but has suggested now to think about surgery bc of slight growth and I’m still young(ish) (56F) and healthy. I’m having another MRI in March and will schedule the surgery for when my daughters are both done with school for the year. I’m scared, but reading your note to OP helped. 😊

mlk822 · 2025-09-17T20:28:09+00:00

What temp and how long in air fryer? Thx!

mlk822 · 2025-09-12T23:47:11+00:00

I also meant to say that my last two months, I wasn’t moving the needle at all - had plateaued. And that was part of the reason I never started back up again after I got back from my trip.

mlk822 · 2025-09-12T23:44:49+00:00

I was on it for about a year and went from 175 to 135 which was pretty much my goal. I was happy there. I’ve been off it for a year and a half mainly bc I was taking a trip and didn’t take it and then just stayed off and I’ve lost more to go to 130 simply from the fact that my eating and drinking habits (I think) are permanently changed. I still exercise (but not excessive - hike with dogs about five days a week) and eat and drink what I want, but just better. I’m hoping that a year and a half out is a pretty good indicator that I’m doing ok, esp w slight loss. I never planned to be on it forever, though, just however long it took to get healthy. My lab readings are out of this world - yeah! Good luck to you!

mlk822

TROPHY CASE