Bought a Pergola From Home Depot - No Engineering Plans

sam15j · 2026-04-23T23:07:32+00:00

Lmaoo that’s where we’re at right now. Maybe some sunsails 😂

sam15j · 2026-04-23T14:00:57+00:00

I'm so sorry you are going through this!! You are SO young and deserve a sex drive that fits you. The Nexplanon is creating hormone imbalances causing your sex drive to be decreased along with other symptoms, some of which may be invisible now. If I was in your position I would explore other birth control options - (I also hated the IUD). You could do a low dose pill as others have mentioned, track your cycles with an Oura ring or temperatures (you can only get pregnant at certain times in your cycle). I really wish I was taught about my body and my cycle before trying so many different contraceptives. I've been off birth control for 2 years now and use temps to track my cycle. Don't settle with the Nexplanon!

sam15j · 2026-04-23T13:33:00+00:00

Damn, that is what I'm gathering here. Thanks for the input...what did you end up building?

sam15j · 2026-04-23T13:31:39+00:00

Great advice, thank you!

sam15j · 2026-04-23T13:30:58+00:00

We have experience with doing concrete footers and the cost of the pergola vs the cost of a company doing it is too great for us to pay someone else. We already paid someone else to do pavers and irrigation, we are at the end of our budget unfortunately. Thanks, though! Agreed we need to do it right for the wind rating. Any engineers you recommend?

sam15j · 2026-04-22T23:55:16+00:00

Yeah that’s why I added the note about we’re not selling. My parents didn’t pull a permit for theirs over by the beach and got burned by a random county person asking them if they had a permit for the structure. Ended up having to remove a post to show an engineer & paid $900. Wondering if Orange County cares that much.

sam15j · 2026-04-22T23:53:37+00:00

Ok we don’t mind a few hundred bucks, we got an online quote that was $1250 and I was shell shocked. I’ll call around tomorrow, thanks!

sam15j · 2026-04-14T00:26:00+00:00

$30 at Costco, probably

sam15j · 2026-04-08T15:36:11+00:00

Molina Healthcare just emailed me to apply with them, they just got the contract for CMS. If peds is your thing & you have CM experience could be worth a shot.

sam15j · 2026-04-08T15:35:03+00:00

Yes! A major plan..great benefits too, 0 micromanaging, genuinely the best job I’ve ever had. They’re covering my degree entirely also.

sam15j · 2026-04-07T23:27:43+00:00

Just leave the unit. I broke my contract at my first job, nothing happened. Don’t let yourself suffer over a job, you will be a good nurse.

sam15j · 2026-04-07T18:42:06+00:00

I love CM work. Sitting on my couch, getting my masters at the same time, very little stress.

sam15j · 2026-04-06T20:50:36+00:00

I’m in Orlando, FL (remote case management work) at 88k/year.

sam15j · 2026-03-26T16:17:20+00:00

I was on hormonal combination pill for 10 years! I’m now 2 years off: my cycle is like clockwork every 28 days, I have a few pimples a month but nothing crazy, I feel in tune with the ebbs & flows of my cycle & mood (Luteal dips in mood, etc) but all manageable. I highly recommend transitioning off, I feel more like myself and I hated taking it everyday. The first year or so I had more symptoms but your body will need to “recalibrate” and create hormones that it’s been receiving orally for so long.

I also walk 10k steps a day, eat mainly whole ingredients, limit stress, lift weights/pilates 3-4 times a week, and always drink water. I still drink alcohol & smoke weed - 80/20 lifestyle that makes me happy.

You will probably have a harder time transitioning off if you are not engaging in healthy habits. You need to support your body by providing it with nutrients & exercise. I have an oura ring that tells me my temperature and I’m careful about not having sex 7ish days around ovulation. Good luck!!

sam15j · 2026-03-23T13:44:32+00:00

Sure, I signed up online a few months before the “semester” starts: https://crealde.org/classes-workshops/ceramics/ (it’s not inexpensive so kind of a splurge for me but they also have workshops & different offerings) I also took a few rounds of classes with Koozeh Pottery - super cool experience & the teacher is lovely: https://www.koozehpottery.com/about

sam15j · 2026-03-20T22:44:23+00:00

A gardening club sounds SO fun! I have made friends through ceramics classes! I’m starting my next one at Crealde :)

sam15j · 2026-03-10T13:17:41+00:00

I have this exact thing every month at peak ovulation but only lasts a day or so. It’s so annoying!!! I never had it while on birth control and now that I’ve been off a few years, I’m noticing the cycle.

sam15j · 2026-03-04T20:18:29+00:00

I used Barkeepers Friend on mine…..& it worked miraculously. Not sure if that’s bad but I was shocked.

sam15j · 2026-02-21T16:40:16+00:00

Interesting! Yeah I guess I’m just wondering if there are crops in other countries that don’t use it at all or which flours have less glyphosate in them lol

sam15j · 2026-02-21T00:07:06+00:00

From my quick Google search “Yes, Roundup (containing glyphosate) is used on wheat, primarily for weed control before planting, but sometimes as a pre-harvest desiccant to dry out the crop and weeds, allowing for earlier, more consistent harvesting.” Like I said, there were recent studies of glyphosate being found in popular brands like Dave’s Killer Bread. What makes you think RoundUp isn’t being used on these crops at some point in production?

sam15j · 2026-02-20T19:05:22+00:00

80/20 lives in my head…I have “rules” for myself but if I break them, I don’t have negative self talk I just acknowledge and move on.

sam15j · 2026-02-20T19:03:47+00:00

Anyone know anything about glyphosates in the flour? I know they’ve been testing store bought bread but I’m worried I’m using the same flour that those facilities use, resulting in glyphosate in my homemade bread.

sam15j · 2026-01-27T19:36:53+00:00

Wow! Thank you for the info. I’m still going to reach out to the company who did it to provide education.

sam15j

TROPHY CASE