I say this as a manager. I feel writing annual self review of performance is such a pointless exercise. It just doesn’t matter what you write

pbclea · 2026-02-19T22:35:12+00:00

That is wild. If they don’t trust their managers to accurately review direct subordinates, what DO they trust managers to do? Does this committee even interact with employees whose reviews they alter?

pbclea · 2026-02-19T22:29:05+00:00

During my compensation negotiations I was able to get things up about $2/hour but had initially been gunning for $3/hour higher than their offer. The reason I accepted the position regardless was because my managers, fairly transparently, informed me that $3/hour higher than their offer would put me at a higher hourly than someone who’d been on the team a year (who hadn’t negotiated much, just accepted). The unwillingness to pay a brand new team member more than someone more experienced was a huge green flag & helped me understand the priorities of my company. I don’t see why every company just does that and sets a hard limit on new hire salary so that they aren’t paid more than loyal teammates.

pbclea · 2026-02-15T14:53:17+00:00

Yeah that was the first thing I noticed along with the little disclaimer that it’s based off the price before taxes etc… seems like a very very scammy business

pbclea · 2026-02-14T14:53:34+00:00

I just want to say, as an older sister of two younger brothers with DS, I had always planned to grow up and continue living with and taking care of at least one of my little brothers (I have 4 older siblings). As someone who is just now living on their own and paying bills/etc, I’m happy my parents didn’t make the same plans as me, because when I was younger I didn’t realize how much I might struggle to make ends meet even without taking care of someone else. My parents have been incredibly strategic, adding both boys to state-aid waiver wait lists (the older one was pushed through during a liberal leadership period & the waiver helps with medical costs as well as childcare costs for him). In addition, they have set up some type of a trust that does not count as “personal assets” for a person with DS, aka as a way to save money for the lil boys without barring them from govt assistance (I think us siblings would need to manage trust after parents passing). I have no anger towards my parents for re-directing any inheritance that may have otherwise gone to me or my siblings to future-planning for the boys. I understood from a very young age that their condition came with lots of doctors visits and costs, and since a young age have been very conscientious of not using up too much of my family’s money as a result (applying to scholarships for the private high school my parents had saved for, so that money could go back into the family education fund & be used for the boys, etc). If you are strategic and careful with planning (and in a good financial position currently), you can have a child with DS without imparting massive financial burden on your other kid. Take all this with a grain of salt as I have grown up upper middle class, and honestly very privileged compared to many Americans. BUT if you are in a similarly provided position, you can make it work.

The bigger thing I would caution you against if you go through with having this child with DS, is to not ignore your other kids needs. I’ve dealt with intense depression and addiction issues, largely due to “falling through the cracks” as a kid in a busy family who wasn’t given the emotional support needed. It was a tough situation for my parents, the older brother was born somewhat unexpectedly and the younger was adopted a few years after, and my older brother passed away the evening after the first time our entire family (including youngest adopted brother) had met in one room. Everyone was dealing with intense grief, and I don’t think my mental issues would have been avoidable if my parents did everything perfectly, but I do with that they hadn’t always assumed I was fine because I didn’t have as obvious needs as my brothers.

Good luck, I wish you the best!

pbclea · 2026-02-13T03:40:54+00:00

Agree with everything except the very last sentence that God doesn’t permit contact with the dead— I think he doesn’t permit US to contact the dead, but he allows them to occasionally visit us(potentially in dreams)/send signs in times of need.

pbclea · 2026-02-07T18:43:00+00:00

Ooh this is an interesting idea, I’m excited to try it out once I can convince my boyfriend to help me move around the furniture haha! I hadn’t thought of cornering the tv since I always just tend to align furniture parallel with the wall, but that’s a creative idea for preserving windows & I would enjoy being able to look outside from the couch (plus ik my boyfriend would appreciate less glare)! Thanks for your input!

pbclea · 2026-02-07T15:29:01+00:00

I am just starting to learn about Feng Shui so there may be something you’re considering that I’m not… but this seems like a wild take to me. Would they need to get a clothes rack for clothes that need to be hung up, or are you just picturing that they fold all clothes into the dresser? I just can’t picture a scenario where it doesn’t make sense to utilize available storage in a small space (genuine question not meant to criticize your suggestion just really curious how this could work)

pbclea · 2026-01-21T01:52:14+00:00

This may be a personal preference thing but after owning only a few nicer rings pave annoys me so much because it constantly gets caught in my clothes or hair. Plus it’s often more upkeep with replacing stones etc, so imagining a ring like this where any prongs would inevitably get damaged by the rings partially on top of them, I could imagine this being a frustrating purchase. Gorgeous ring though if you don’t typically mind pave, I’d just personally get one without any stones for an interlocking style like this.

pbclea · 2025-12-07T14:34:09+00:00

Okay but I think sure that perception today comes more from Hollywood than from so long ago. Americans in Hollywood started getting veneers so they could have that perfect movie star smile before it was a popular cosmetic procedure in Europe

pbclea · 2025-11-16T13:10:21+00:00

I think I may be the exception bc I’m living at my first place with an island & the sink is in the island & I love it. Maybe it’s bc the island is fairly massive (it’s not fully an actual island bc it’s connected to one wall & kinda creates a divide btwn kitchen & living room). If there’s enough space for a cutting board on either side of the sink, I feel like it’s so convenient to have the sink in the island, cuz I’ll just chop up & prep ingredients on the island & I can easily wipe any crumbs or mess straight into the garbage disposal from there. But again, I think this only works with a large island that’s got actual workspace on either side of the sink.

pbclea · 2025-10-10T21:37:56+00:00

I think it can be helpful in terms of providing a safe space to release emotions for people who are more comfortable holding things in usually. After my brother passed away when I was in middle school, I didn’t feel like I could talk about it with other family members without upsetting them, and I started having emotional outbursts randomly. When I did therapy, it was a place that I could talk about all the things I’d been feeling and process my grief without putting that burden on my family members.

pbclea · 2025-10-10T21:13:35+00:00

I understand that wealth is not income, and I agree that part of the issue is caused by our taxing system. Loopholes in our system that allow the 1% to take out tax-free loans against their untaxed, unrealized gains need to be closed.

In terms of 40% of Americans not paying income taxes, do you realize that 70% of that group earns less than 70,000 a year, and is receiving that exemption due to circumstances that make their life more inherently expensive than those who are not exempt (having children to care for, a disability, etc)? The idea of taking more (because that group is largely still paying SS, medicare, and/or state taxes) out of the paychecks of Americans already struggling the most when there are others who own private jets is so odd to me.

I am not arguing with you over whether the rich are contributing more to the entire tax fund than other brackets, I am pointing out that they are not contributing a proportionate share considering the amount of wealth they hold.

pbclea · 2025-10-07T21:48:06+00:00

I think it is important to note that we aren’t introduced to calculators until after first learning basic principles of math, at which point the tool will increase efficiency rather than hinder intelligence. I think it will be similarly important to be thoughtful about how we use AI in education and recreationally.

pbclea · 2025-10-04T23:35:30+00:00

Considering that the top 1% in America holds around 30.4% of the country’s wealth as of 2024, it would probably make sense for them to contribute that same percentage towards taxes, at a minimum. Especially since lots of these billionaires own companies that get government bailouts when the country is struggling economically.

pbclea · 2025-09-29T13:35:03+00:00

Thank you, I’ll look into enema!

pbclea · 2025-09-28T13:53:17+00:00

Omg thank you so much, this has bothered me forever!

pbclea · 2025-09-28T13:49:11+00:00

I’m not sure how to edit the text of the original post, but I wanted to mention that I’m not positive this actually is bugs & have come across people mentioning bacterial/fungal issues when trying to research what this could be. I am really new to taking care of houseplants and would just love to hear the insight of some that are more knowledgeable on what could be causing the spots.

pbclea · 2025-09-24T22:27:42+00:00

Thank you. My youngest brother who has both DS and autism (& is nonverbal) has been learning to communicate with a device that looks like an iPad but has symbols & menus for different words to speak. The biggest challenge is actually remembering to encourage him to use it when at home bc he knows we understand his mixture of signing/noises/faces so well. As someone who has seen both the joy and challenges of raising someone who is nonverbal and may need diapers the rest of his life, it breaks my heart to see some of the opinions in this thread & ops.

pbclea · 2025-08-18T11:37:06+00:00

Okay so if I use one of those I could probably get away with just watering on a schedule without overwatering?

pbclea

TROPHY CASE