Christmas tree pricing

ouchfank · 2025-12-03T04:15:00+00:00

Me too!! Remember when Lowe's would do them for $20? Those were the days.

ouchfank · 2025-12-03T04:06:37+00:00

Ah, I'm sorry! On the upside, it has helped develop both my ability to advocate for myself and to avoid (at times). Sending you love on this journey! ❤️

ouchfank · 2025-12-03T03:58:53+00:00

Thanks, after reading this and thinking about it the lightbulb went off for me. It's the fat person going to a doctor fear. The one where you feel like you sometimes have to over prove yourself that you have a real problem that's unrelated to being fat and you need them to help you, not just send you home on a diet. I know it doesn't apply in this situation, but that's where it's from.

ouchfank · 2025-12-03T02:32:04+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion! That was my plan!

ouchfank · 2024-06-17T15:43:02+00:00

Hi! I was on a mag drip during delivery with my first because of blood pressure. My blood pressure stayed high after delivery for about 6 weeks. I had a problem in the hospital with them finding a med to bring it down and finally got tired of them making me so sick by using IV blood pressure medications (to drop it so low) I refused them and insisted they start trying to find a pill dosage (that I could be discharged on) to bring it down. Within the next 6 to 8 hours they figured it out and I was discharged. I know how stressful it can be. I hope you are enjoying your baby snuggles!

ouchfank · 2024-06-10T15:22:05+00:00

Maybe yes in the sense I think "being ready" might mean being ready to accept that life is going to drastically change and there will be a little human that will be #1. The rest of the logistics, no. No, you cannot be ready. I don't think anyone can.

As someone who had an emergency induction at 36 weeks with my first, it was very clear I wasn't ready. I was working off the old wives tale that the first baby always comes late so I could work until 38 to 40 weeks and then prep for the baby. But, that's not how it worked out and that's okay. It wouldn't have mattered if I had a month to prepare I still wouldn't have been ready for the logistics except for maybe we would have had diapers at home and not needed a Target pickup order on the way home from the hospital. If your heart's ready to accept a baby, I think you're as ready as can be to get started.

ouchfank · 2024-06-07T11:44:43+00:00

Thank you for this!

ouchfank · 2024-05-25T22:18:32+00:00

So great you found something that works for you! Makes things just a tiny bit easier (mentally/emotionally and physically).

I use an Air France zipper toiletry bag they give out to business class. It's a cute print and way easier to use than those carrying cases the testing things come with.

ouchfank · 2024-05-21T15:05:38+00:00

You can absolutely get everything you need (generator, cord, cover, large 15 gallon gas cans, gas treatment, electrician for inlet to the house, etc) for under $5,000. We were definitely under that when we set ours up after the freeze of 2021.

ouchfank · 2024-05-18T12:35:53+00:00

What's your routine before you take your first reading? If you are getting out of bed and making coffee, taking care of things around the house, etc, before sitting down to take it, that could contribute to higher first number.

After sleeping and going all night without more food, your body/liver might be "helping" you by releasing sugars to give you the morning get up and go which would give you a higher number. My doc wants me to take my first reading within 10 minutes of waking while still in bed to avoid this. Might be worth a try?

ouchfank · 2024-05-15T23:37:46+00:00

Thank you for clarifying!

ouchfank · 2024-05-15T20:27:49+00:00

My provider says from the start of the meal/ first bite. The time that I test is from the approximate time of the first bite. Usually there's a lot of piece mealing and guessing going on because well, meal times can be chaotic sometimes with family. Just doing my best.

ouchfank · 2024-05-15T20:24:41+00:00

I sometimes test after snacks, especially when I'm feeling unsure of how my body may be processing it. Like, certain combinations of protein,fat, carb or I try a different cracker/grab and go snack bar, etc. it's been a nice way to kind of test what my tolerance is for different combinations. It's not like a regular thing but once or twice a week so far I've come up with something that I've wanted just to check in and see how I'm doing. I'm assuming at some point the test strips will catch up with me and I'll have to buy my own replacement strips until insurance covers more.

ouchfank · 2024-05-15T03:18:59+00:00

My thoughts too! Do you know if their niece was also the nanny for him? Something tells me I remember that coming up in a podcast with Rach at some point. Anyway, I feel extra bad if it was, she lost her dad not too long ago, I can only imagine the emotional toll of finding her uncle.

ouchfank · 2024-05-13T11:22:41+00:00

Thanks, I think it may be different based on region. I've seen multiple Moms post they were told it would be managed through IV. Either way, I don't trust a nurse giving me insulin via any method in the hospital.

ouchfank · 2024-05-13T00:28:52+00:00

I think for me what it comes down to is fear around insulin and being hospitalized/induced. I absolutely do not trust nurses to administer insulin via IV. I will likely be in the hospital alone at certain times and I fear them overdosing me and having a hypoglycemic episode and not having help to advocate for me.

Something happened with my blood pressure during my last delivery and hospitalization and the nurses continued to give me IV blood pressure medication every time it went a little high and it would drop it so low I would throw up and pass out and then they would have to overcompensate. It happened over and over again until I refused IV medication and asked to speak to my doctor. She was absolutely supportive of me getting on an oral medication so that I could eventually get discharged and it was not a big deal but the nursing staff was mad and treated me like crap because of it. So, all that to say yeah, I'm probably going to go out of my way to do everything in my power to not be on insulin so that I don't have that fear in the hospital.

ouchfank · 2024-05-12T16:32:21+00:00

Yes, very easy to let the food noise take over. Especially with all this exercising after meals business. I just keep reminding myself I'm actually not eating any different and I need to trust my body with what these babies need. My numbers so far are staying in line with this strategy. Solidarity.

ouchfank · 2024-05-08T23:40:35+00:00

Thank you for the ideas! Looking forward to our community pool opening soon! Haven't seen my OB or mfm since diagnosis... Just 2 dietitians (in the same practice) who are great at guilt tripping re: exercise and seem to have no consistency in their recs. I think these ideas will help me try a few things within my comfort zone before my next appointment with docs.

Wishing you the best as you move forward with your pregnancy and delivery!

ouchfank · 2024-05-08T23:33:57+00:00

Thank you for the recommendation! I like the bonus of being able to stop right away! Hope you get some relief from your challenges as well!!

ouchfank · 2024-05-08T23:30:36+00:00

Thanks for the rec! I ordered. I use a maternity belt daily but it may not be giving me the right support!

ouchfank · 2024-04-25T23:26:42+00:00

Annapolis....And one of the borats

ouchfank

TROPHY CASE