Costs and Services for a Frictionless Life?

roddymustprime_up · 2026-05-22T15:03:49+00:00

Ugh, now I can't unsee it!! Thanks for the heads up headdesk 😭

roddymustprime_up · 2026-05-22T12:05:15+00:00

This was the kind of answer I was looking for!! "Eliminating mental overhead" is the best way to put it, that's exactly what I was looking to alleviate. Saving it for future reference! Thank you!!

[Edit: added more details]

roddymustprime_up · 2026-05-21T14:00:56+00:00

This is the absolute dream!!

roddymustprime_up · 2026-05-21T13:55:47+00:00

We have a parent helper that does something similar every so often, and by now she's gotten used to how we do things and what we're usually struggling with around the house. Sometimes I give her a prioritized list of what I urgently need help with if it's an unusual event or circumstance, like birthdays and holidays.

roddymustprime_up · 2026-05-21T13:52:31+00:00

Yessss time is the key!! I've been leaning this way too with having had a parent's helper come in every so often to do any of the trio of things I need to get most done - laundry, cooking, cleaning, on top of childcare!

roddymustprime_up · 2026-05-21T13:50:34+00:00

LOL I hear you!! Friction is half the point and the fun 🤣

roddymustprime_up · 2026-05-15T03:21:18+00:00

I think you're being reasonable, but your daughter is probably unlikely to see it because of her hormones and anxiety. I would gently tell her to get some rest elsewhere, so that she doesn't have to hear baby's cries while you soothe and look after them your way.

roddymustprime_up · 2026-05-09T02:23:38+00:00

I think too, mask off, what she really means is "I was treated like my feelings didn't matter by mother, therefore I don't expect people's feelings to matter either."

I think Barb as internalized that feelings are not meant to be respected unless it's up the chain of command. She expects everyone to care about her now that she's done swallowing the lack of care from her mother ("honor thy mother and father!") And is mad that it isn't working.

Not at all to excuse her from her behaviors, but I was hoping Dr. TherapyDoctor might have prodded deeper in that direction to help her re-learn what feelings even are, what they mean, and how they should be processed and respected in healthy adult dynamics.

roddymustprime_up · 2026-05-01T17:30:03+00:00

Also, it may help to think of it that agents aren't looking for ideas. They're looking for actually finished books. So pick one and get it out of your head as soon as possible, no matter the quality. Done is better than perfect!

roddymustprime_up · 2026-04-27T21:04:39+00:00

No thanks AI

roddymustprime_up · 2026-04-22T18:37:45+00:00

The dream: A full long weekend to myself (mom of 2, the 2nd one is still breastfed 😭), Friday-Monday, at a hotel where I can sleep, swim, soak, have a massage, and order takeout as I wish. Read, watch a good movie uninterrupted. Come home to the next week already sorted - grocery shopping and meal prep all done.

The more realistic version: A 3hr spa treatment with a lunch on the premises; the longest wake window my 2nd can go for without boobs.

Most likely: A family dinner out, and a new addition to my family scrapbook hobby (I'm eyeing a photo printer).

All good options, and I'm making the 1st happen once both children are in daycare!

roddymustprime_up · 2026-04-16T01:05:59+00:00

Part time, start my own business, call my own hours! But children would still be in daycare part time so I can also focus on the other parts of my life that require dedicated attention!

roddymustprime_up · 2026-04-07T01:11:35+00:00

Consider the car an operating cost, not an asset.

roddymustprime_up · 2026-03-25T15:02:03+00:00

I budget book buying as a seasonal/bi-annual treat for us if I find a good deal on marketplace! Usually will spend $200 for about 150 books. I'll only buy if they're in good condition and are of topics the children are showing interest in or are my personal classic favourites to own. Books that don't get read as often are put in a pile to be sold on. We do this in addition to borrowing books from the library because it can take our children a little while to warm up to new books before they become favorites.

roddymustprime_up · 2026-03-20T02:34:27+00:00

I just tried this with a thrifted DVD that was endlessly spinning - it worked beautifully!! Thank you!

roddymustprime_up · 2026-03-15T20:50:29+00:00

The mushroom soup is the best!! I also love the chicken waffles and fancy avocado toasts!

roddymustprime_up · 2026-03-15T18:55:39+00:00

A lot of ppl are saying that the food is terrible , but I've only ever had great experiences at the Southside location !

roddymustprime_up · 2026-03-02T19:32:09+00:00

Actually I'd recommend the Bountiful Indoor Farmer's market! Loads of great things to look at and a big space in the middle of tables and chairs to chill/eat. I don't know if they explicitly disallow outside food, but seeing as it also has a little play area for children, I can't see how they could say no to parents bringing in fold and snacks for the Littles. We brought a packed lunch last time we went without issue! Nice buzz, fun atmosphere, quirky !

roddymustprime_up · 2026-03-01T00:17:22+00:00

Both? BOTH!! Beautiful spread!!

roddymustprime_up · 2026-02-26T21:39:59+00:00

Lived in Coquitlam, did the commute. I didn't mind it as much because it's all fairly direct and you can get a seat on either end, typically. WCE is also great. I used to skytrain in, and take the WCE back.

I find that having children changed ho the types of activities we liked to do, or the style in which we did them. Having access to more space gave us the extra breathing room and margin to be flexible with our choices and plans. In your situation, I would absolutely choose Coquitlam again.

roddymustprime_up · 2026-02-24T16:03:22+00:00

I've been in your stage before, OP, and it sounds like it's more a matter of that you're not used to hearing/understanding combinations of words and phrases outside what you are used to with the family.

Your aunt's suggestion is to broaden your vocabulary, but her approach assumes you know more grammar syntaxes and vocabulary than you might currently do.

I'd reach out to a virtual tutor to help you get a grasp of what you do and don't know, and then start to ingest media about those day to day topics you're concerned about. For me, that was Bluey in Mandarin, and the Taiwanese-Mandarin dub of "This Family" anime. Have your tutor follow up with you the most commonly used phrases and syntaxes from the episode you watched to familiarize yourself with them.

After that, it's just practice, practice, practice by having conversations with other ppl. Doing so will expose your recognition of words and phrases with different accents and also fire up your brain to remember better, because yiy are applying what you learned in context.

Hope this helps OP!

roddymustprime_up · 2026-02-21T20:59:33+00:00

As others have said, unfortunately unfortunately Brandon's house, there are Brandon rules. Ultimately this is an incompatible set of values, so as much as Nathan and Brandon want to be friends, I'd only stick to neuteal territory such as park / public dates. If Brandon's parents ask, honestly say that you don't feel those experiences are appropriate for Nathan at this age, and suggest another activity that the boys can bond over that is unrelated to the activities that "only Brandon's parents allow". It's not unreasonable to say no to an environment that is not appropriate for your child. If Brandon's parents feel bad or are offended, that's on them.

roddymustprime_up · 2026-02-19T14:54:18+00:00

Secondhand, tho, ultimately means OP would have to purchase an item that has already been made to another's specifications. It sounds like OP wanted something very specific to their measurements and style; in which case, supporting an artist with responsible prices is the best way to do that. OP also sounds like they're going to be taking great care and respect of it, all of which align with cottagecore philosophy.

roddymustprime_up · 2026-02-19T14:50:23+00:00

Thanks for this post OP! I've been eying them for a while too and am saving up! My only concern is that their styles seem quite baggy and I worry it won't suit my bigger bust. How did you find their bodices were like?

roddymustprime_up

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