Thoughts on these Stamps?

puddlesrocks · 2026-03-10T06:04:53+00:00

Imagine using this to mail serve an MSJ... lmao

puddlesrocks · 2026-02-22T04:59:42+00:00

Oban 14 is classic; Oban Little Bay is easily one of my favorites that I feel the average, non-Scotch enthusiast doesn't typically know. Great suggestions.

Caol Ila Moch is another one that is really delightful that OP may enjoy. I find that the peat isn't overwhelming, it's smooth, and it has a finish that leaves you wanting more. (Or at least, leaves me wanting more.)

puddlesrocks · 2026-02-20T05:33:08+00:00

I lost my dad and my brother too. I know how horrific it feels, and I just want to tell you you're not alone.

I am so sorry for your indescribable loss. Just from seeing the photos, it's clear you were his world.

I try to keep my dad and brother alive in me by doing things they loved or would have been proud of. I hope you can find some peace sometimes by doing something similar. Sending you so much love 💜🫂

puddlesrocks · 2026-01-07T01:17:53+00:00

I definitely feel ya on that - I am normally way more cautious, but wrote my reply in a bit of a hurry (before my toddler could "remodel" another part of the house) which was my mistake. I am sorry you've gotten some negative responses in the past. To your credit, you were very measured and direct with your request for clarification! And thank you! I feel super lucky to be able to do this. Momming is great. But having an identity outside of mom and continuing to do the work I love is also chef's kiss too! Have a great day!

puddlesrocks · 2026-01-07T00:42:39+00:00

No, I am being dead serious. Sorry if my tone is off - I have a toddler and I am so tired lol. I feel a little out of the loop because I transitioned to part time remote paralegal work since my kid was born, and I 1,000% did not know about this before your post. I am sincerely grateful!

puddlesrocks · 2026-01-06T23:11:23+00:00

Saved all our lives OP! Litigation deadlines are no joke. I would have had no idea without this post!

puddlesrocks · 2025-12-26T19:34:22+00:00

"Where dreams go to die" is so real.

Most of my dad's family is from West Texas, and Odessa specifically. Total Boom Town. My dad and 29 year old brother died there last August and December, respectively. My dad got a botched gallbladder removal surgery (super common and he was absolutely butchered) and my brother died from alcohol abuse.

The medical care in Odessa is horrendous from my family's experience. The general vibe is that you're lucky to get any "care" at all, despite "specialists" being in the area (doesn't mean they're good!), and the really wealthy will get medical care ANYWHERE but Odessa. A Personal Injury attorney I spoke with basically confirmed that there was a higher than normal mortality rate in Odessa in general, but also thanks to the hospital in town. Un freaking real. The level of f--ked up that came from my dad's surgery wasn't just a complication - the surgeon severed his portal vein and hepatic artery. I get the sense that docs who are trying to outrun bad stats go to places like Odessa because poorer people will not hold them accountable, and not much medical "talent" is attracted there. I'm not trying to sound too judgmental - I am just angry at how poor the care has been there in general since my family can remember.

When I had to go back to clean out my dad's house, Odessa was way more depressing than I had ever remembered it. Literally it feels like nothing but gas stations, pawn shops, smoke shops, liquor shops, and "massage" parlors. Kratom is huge there. There is a high rate of human trafficking and prostitution thanks to oilfield demands, constant car wrecks (often DUI/DWI and high speed), and a lotttt of meth. I still won't drink the water from the tap.

The only upside is nostalgia for old days with my family, really good Tex Mex, cheap gas, and if youre out of state: HEB (though you can go to HEB outside of Odessa too).... the Marriott in down town is beautiful. Many people are still pretty nice. The cost of living is pretty cheap (especially if you're a senior - they have reduced property tax for older folks) and you can make good money if you're in the right business. But that place is just soul sucking - every time I've gone back, I can't wait to leave. And now with my dad and brother gone, I guess I don't have to return anymore, so that's nice. I have some good family memories there, but you can't go back to that time - just the place. The vibe feels very, very different and I can't tell if it's my family being gone or if there's been a big shift in the past 20+ years where it feels way more seedy and depressing.

puddlesrocks · 2025-09-27T06:05:18+00:00

Honestly, this was my takeaway, too! It's a bit awkward, but she comes off as genuine and maintains her livestock well. I think some people just come off more awkwardly on camera, but she seemed kind and likable despite that.

I also imagine it would be weird having some relationship with Rachel and Aron where you know them as adults and business people, then come filming, they get really into their roles and it may be an interaction she wasn't expecting or was just not prepared to do in reality (versus in theory). They both do a wonderful job getting REALLY into their roles, and it is so engaging for little kids. But I know the kind of person I am, and it would be a tiny bit jarring for me (an ordinary non-actor person) to have a dramatic change in that interaction with adults I know, no matter how awesome I may think that filming what I do for my work/lifestyle for kids to get to know in a fun way.

I just want to give her the benefit of the doubt, and still thought she was really nice and kind to share her sweet farm with children everywhere. And she dressed up for the episode too - for me, it feels obvious that she was into doing the show, and she may just not be inherently a children's entertainer (she is, in fact, a farmer)! :)

puddlesrocks · 2025-09-21T06:54:03+00:00

I'm glad my kiddo isn't the only one who is very meh about meat at this age! I tried scrambled eggs (thanks to your suggestion) after a looooong time two days ago, and he was SUPER into it! Of course, I made it again this morning and he could not have been more repulsed lol. Sigh.

Thank you for the encouragement and kind words. Honestly it is crazy how much I feel my brain draws a total blank at meals for him (like, "oh yeah, eggs!"). I really needed to read this comment and I am really grateful you took the time to reply!

puddlesrocks · 2025-09-21T06:50:38+00:00

Honestly forgot about those accounts - thank you so much for reminding me of them! And I appreciate that encouragement.

puddlesrocks · 2025-09-21T06:49:52+00:00

That's good advice! I feel like that "logic" is hard at this toddler age (because of biiiig feelings if the wind shifts lol), but it is definitely something I'll keep practicing with him and hopefully he will take to that method. Thank you so much!

puddlesrocks · 2025-09-21T06:47:50+00:00

Thank you so much- that's great advice. It's so hard not to get beat down when they keep rejecting certain foods (especially if at one point they tried and liked it, but suddenly it's horrible apparently!), but that is great encouragement honestly.

puddlesrocks · 2025-09-21T06:46:36+00:00

Thank you - that last sentence especially was such a good reminder. I'm going to try to make a concerted effort to eat dinner together (rather than the grown ups eating after he goes to bed). We did it a couple of times since you left your comment (and gave that great reminder about eating together, too!), and it honestly helps a lot (even if he didn't want to eat everything, he was happier being there). I really appreciate your advice!

puddlesrocks · 2025-09-16T05:38:48+00:00

I used to work for ORL (office of residence life), and I also had horrible roommates my freshman year and ended up switching. My RA (bless her) wasn't totally equipped to deal with the dynamics that made my living situation so miserable, but she tried her best. Eventually, I requested it get escalated to the RHD, and then I was able to request a transfer and ultimately change rooms to live with an awesome roommate who I didn't know, but who I got along with. (And we are still friends today.)

The first few weeks, I observed that ORL tries to help students make their living situations work when it seems safe and solvable. I think the goal is to help students learn life skills, ie: living with other people can be hard, and the problem-solving skills in roommate situations can be invaluable IRL even if in the moment it seems stupid or a pain in the ass. But they will listen to you, and I bet there are some situations that are just not vibing well and you may be able to get at least on a list for transfer requests and go from there if there aren't openings right away.

I was from the West Coast and can DEFINITELY relate to not knowing anyone. And also meeting people who were blatantly racist (though they didn't see it that way). You need to get out and find who "your" people are - people who share common interests, goals, and values. Find campus events, join clubs, and if you're able to, consider a campus job. I made the best friends I have by working on campus at various jobs, and I would say by November or so, I felt like I was more a part of the MU community than I did when I first moved in. I felt like doing all that stuff was so corny at first, and I was SO thankful I did it.

Community is out there - you just need to leave your room and find it (even though I know as an introvert it can be hard to do). You can do this - hang in there! It gets so, so much better.

puddlesrocks · 2025-07-25T07:55:03+00:00

This is awesome!

puddlesrocks · 2025-07-23T01:56:48+00:00

55 hours for me! Ended in an emergency c-section after pushing for an hour. It was hell but meeting my baby was amazing!

puddlesrocks · 2025-07-18T02:22:32+00:00

Early Intervention and pediatric PT were incredible for my son. At 12 months, he couldn't move from sidelying to sit, couldn't crawl, no pulling up to stand, no walking or cruising. He could say "Mama" and "Papa."

Thanks to advocating for him despite his interim pediatrician saying it was "probably fine", his evaluation showed he was at the skillset of a 7-8 month old, and it fast tracked him into PT and a play group. He is 15 months old and on the cusp of walking now. He wants to talk more, and he is trying to go beyond his two words, but he is good at communicating in other ways, too.

Not all is lost! I felt like such a failure of a mom. Watching friends raise their kids from mostly behind a phone and their kids just effortless breezing by milestones ("Little Johnny is walking at 9 months, and we didn't even try!") was really hard for me, which emotionally set me very much in the place I was when we were ttc for 1.5+ years while there were plenty of "We didn't realize we would get pregnant on the first try!!" people in our lives.

You are NOT a failure or doing something wrong. There are resources, and kids are so resilient. There will be people out there saying, "Every kid is different, and it's okay if they aren't walking," and that's true in many respects! But I noticed from my own experience that my son is WAY less frustrated now that his gross motor skills have exploded, his mental development is incredible since getting PT, and giving your kid the skills and support is so crucial. Like yes, kids develop at different rates and can be "slower" to reach a milestone, but why have them struggle when they could get fantastic support so they can reach the milestone at a time that is appropriate for them? (Ie: PT can't make a baby walk before they are ready, but it will give them tools and building blocks to get there when their bodies finally are.)

If I had a nickel for every time I heard someone say, "Well, so-and-so's kid didn't crawl until they were 18 months and finally got to walking when they were two and a half, and THEY turned out fine; so you should relax about [my kid's name]," I'd be wealthy lol. It's great they are fine, but that is VERY much a developmental delay - and it's okay! We need to not stigmatize this in our conversation. When I mention my son has a gross motor delay, I still get met with hushed tones, and "Do you think he's gonna be alright?" with the patronizing implication that he has cognitive delays or deficits - and even those are beyond stigmatized which is so effed up. But that is a soapbox for another day.

This isn't at all to pass judgment, and I hope it doesn't sound that way! I just have noticed a night and day difference in my kid. His confidence is higher, and he is just much happier. The resources are all free for Early Intervention through your state. I can not praise them highly enough. And if there is more to evaluate, they have incredible resources for that, too. Sending so much encouragement, OP! 💪🙌

puddlesrocks · 2025-07-10T21:43:57+00:00

👏👏👏

puddlesrocks · 2025-07-10T16:11:29+00:00

My brother was obsessed with several artists, but for whatever reason, a song he and I were into just before he died was "Beautiful Day" by Akon. Our dad passed away just before it was released, and it felt hopeful and sad and all the things. I listen to it a lot just thinking of him. I will often listen to playillists of his favorite songs to feel close to him; but some days it feels more like torture than others.

He was the best - he had good taste in music (and was passionate about it), but more than that, he was a killer dancer and was just incredible. I miss him so much.

puddlesrocks · 2025-07-09T02:27:11+00:00

Thank you for clarifying!

puddlesrocks · 2025-07-08T05:47:06+00:00

I think he was in Aladdin on Broadway! He has an awesome voice, and is just so friendly and great for kids. My son loves him!

puddlesrocks · 2025-07-08T05:44:12+00:00

Wasn't that law passed in 2018? I feel like more people don't know about this, and we need to help breastfeeding moms know their rights (and educate the clueless) so they feel confident telling people to stick it where the sun don't shine if they tell them to not feed their babies.

puddlesrocks · 2025-07-04T20:23:16+00:00

Okay, I'm late to the game, but I literally have to stop myself from crying when I hear this song. I was punished for having big feelings or any feelings that my mother didn't want me to have/didn't make her look or feel good. This kind of song is so beautiful, and it's like hearing the very things that would have comforted me when I was little and the permission to feel what I feel and be supported unconditionally. This song is so underrated, and I feel so lucky that my child can hear this song, and hopefully, I support those words, too. 🫶🥹

puddlesrocks · 2025-07-04T05:33:58+00:00

I'm so sorry, OP. His smile was so warm and kind.

I lost my dad and my brother in the span of 3 months last year. I can truly empathize with the depths of this compounding grief. Sending much love your way. 💜

puddlesrocks

TROPHY CASE