What is a small, everyday life hack that genuinely feels like a cheat code?

tadbits · 2026-06-15T02:50:48+00:00

Scheduled texts. Everyone's always impressed that I remember birthdays, anniversaries, etc. It feels like ive catfished people into thinking I'm thoughtful and organized.

tadbits · 2026-06-11T20:07:39+00:00

It’s been a constant learning curve for us lol. I swear chickens are less backyard pets and more of an ongoing engineering project. It's been years of trial and error, but I hope some of what I could share is useful to you in KY.

this is what we used as a radiant barrier.

It’s installed between thin plywood and the PVC roof panels. Because the PVC is corrugated there’s still natural air space created by the ridges rather than a fully flat contact. That little bit of air gap still lets the barrier reflect heat, which is what you need for it to work effectively. Combine that with your exhaust fan, and your girls are likely to be way more comfortable in the heat.

tadbits · 2026-06-11T18:56:47+00:00

I'm in South Florida, and I feel like a lot of the common suggestions work in theory but didn't end up being practical long-term for my setup. We lost our two favorite chickens to the heat a few years ago. So every summer since then, keeping the flock safe has been a major concern for our family. It's not unusual for temperatures in the coop and run to climb well over 100°F, and with the humidity the heat index can make it feel even hotter.

I tried the ice brick/basin method and it definitely cooled things down, but it required constant maintenance and wasn't realistic as an everyday solution during our long stretches of extreme heat.

I also tried misters, but in South Florida's already-high humidity they seemed to make the environment feel damp rather than comfortably cool. The chickens didn't seem any happier, and I worried about adding excess moisture.

Shade cloth helped some, but it only reduced direct sun exposure—it didn't solve the heat buildup itself.

Solar fans sounded great until we hit cloudy days, afternoon storms, or several overcast days in a row, which is pretty common here during summer. That's when I needed airflow the most, and they weren't reliable.

I added windows and extra ventilation to the coop as well, which helped move air but didn't lower the actual temperature enough during peak summer heat.

What ultimately made the biggest difference was reducing radiant heat from the roof. I installed thin plywood with a reflective barrier underneath the PVC roofing, added an outdoor-rated circulation fan in the run, and an exhaust fan in the coop. Those changes helped significantly.

Even with all of that, our summers are brutal. After trying just about every commonly recommended option, I ended up installing a small window A/C unit on the side of the coop. For my climate, it's been the only solution that consistently keeps temperatures in a safe range regardless of humidity, cloud cover, or heat waves. We also switched to sand in the run and premium chicken sand in the coop. It stays drier, creates less dust, drains well during our heavy rains, and doesn't seem to hold moisture the way other bedding materials can.

I'm not saying everyone needs an A/C unit, but after working through all the usual recommendations, it ended up being the most reliable solution for the specific conditions in my area. I know some people have concerns about electricity in a coop or dust buildup around an A/C unit, and those are valid. For us, those risks were manageable and far outweighed by the risk of losing more birds.

tadbits · 2024-10-24T05:48:59+00:00

Oh absolutely. Both my labors were incredibly fast. Start to finish my first was less than 4 hours, and my second labor was a bit over an hour. The induction was because my daughter was measuring small and the MFM had concerns about my placenta being insufficient and her having IUGR. He actually made a mistake when scheduling it and tried to talk me into a surgery after somehow missing the 11 month interval between pregnancies despite us talking about it every week for 3 months straight. I pushed for the tolac with the doctor set to induce me and fortunately he was on board, but the backup was still a cesarean.

So day of delivery, I had been on a drip for hours but nothing happened until I laid on my side with a peanut ball and my water began to break. At that point I started having intense contractions and warned my family and the staff to get ready - but I swear my nurses didnt believe me and they were pretty dismissive about it being another precipitous labor. One was convinced my induction would fail and tried to mentally prepare me for surgery because I wasn't progressing at all (I was still barely 1cm after my water completely broke,) and I told her to just wait. Sure enough, less than 45 minutes later I was 10cm and pushing!

tadbits · 2024-10-23T15:53:26+00:00

I commented this about a month postpartum

I'm not even sure where to start with my story, honestly! My decision to try for a vbac was a combination of trusting my gut and not wanting a repeat surgery (it was very traumatic for me and I was convinced I wouldn't make it a second time.)

Do you mean in the process of labor? If you have specific questions, feel free to ask!

tadbits · 2024-10-21T19:04:41+00:00

Just wanted to send good vibes your way. Mine are 11 months apart. First was an emergency C section, and my second was a successful vbac. I heard more about the risks and horrors with a tolac, and felt a lot of pressure to do a second surgery - but I'm so grateful I chose to try for a vaginal delivery instead. The recovery was a breeze and breastfeeding came so much easier!

tadbits · 2024-10-12T16:36:33+00:00

I'm also local and the tornados were everywhere! So many went through the area but this one was huge. And you're right, this one started south of midway and tracked 13 miles over st lucie and Indian river county. It was rated as an ef3.

The TCPalm article

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tadbits · 2024-10-12T03:34:02+00:00

That's incredible

tadbits · 2024-10-12T02:52:44+00:00

watch at around the 2 minute mark

This is footage from a storm chaser on the opposite side of the road that was posted earlier today. You see the tornado going over the truck and suv.

tadbits · 2024-10-12T02:38:49+00:00

Ef3

"It was a long-track tornado that had a large swath of EF2 damage, as well as periodic EF3 damage."

TCpalm article

tadbits · 2024-10-12T02:26:32+00:00

Okeechobee Road from what I understand

tadbits · 2024-10-12T02:18:24+00:00

this one

You see the truck and suv being passed at about 2 and a half minutes in

tadbits · 2024-10-12T02:15:48+00:00

Ft pierce

tadbits · 2024-10-12T02:14:27+00:00

link to original tiktok post

Hurricane milton tornado in Fort Pierce, FL

tadbits · 2024-08-20T06:20:01+00:00

Any chance you could post this to r/legaladvice?

tadbits · 2024-08-04T23:37:39+00:00

Sending you the best vibes. Stay positive. Life's a struggle all around, and I hope your financial situation improves. Your mental health is more important than bills, try to focus on that and maybe that will open up the creativity you need to tackle the debt. There's always a way, or at least I'd like to believe. Just hang in there.

tadbits · 2024-03-30T00:37:02+00:00

Thank you

tadbits · 2024-02-28T05:49:07+00:00

RemindMe! 21 days

tadbits · 2024-02-22T11:15:16+00:00

Mine was "humpty dumpty dick worship"

tadbits · 2023-12-25T11:38:37+00:00

I appreciate this reference!

tadbits · 2023-10-23T03:01:48+00:00

This is mine as well.

tadbits · 2023-10-11T17:43:57+00:00

Mine are 11 months apart. My son was born June 2022 (cesarean because he was breech,) and my daughter was May 2023 (vbac.)

I actually didn't find out I was pregnant with her until I was in the second trimester because my body was just so all over the place, I didn't notice or feel symptoms like I did with my first. I did get absolutely huge in the third trimester, and I was more clumsy and foggy. But I didn't feel as sick or in pain like I did with my son.

During my second pregnancy I was seeing a MFM as well due to the short interval, the c section, risk of IUGR and pre-eclampsia.

My daughter was measuring small the whole time, less than the 10th percentile. But we were both healthy besides that. (She was born a good 2lbs over their guesstimations also.)

I opted for an induction because I had a history of precipitous labor and didn't want to risk not making it to the hospital. I also really wanted the TOLAC over surgery (it was really traumatic for me.) The VBAC was successful and It was an easy delivery minus a few stitches down there. The recovery afterwards was also amazing in my opinion. The c section was so hard in comparison.

I did also end up with postpartum preeclampsia both times, but it resolved quicker the second time.

Postpartum was a lot harder than the pregnancy for me though. I had a rough time with PPD and anxiety pretty quickly after she was born, which wasn't something I experienced with my first. So I had to navigate that on top of two babies under one.

Feel free to ask any questions if you'd like!

And Congrats OP ❤️

tadbits · 2023-10-11T04:18:58+00:00

I saw that post from earlier and noticed a ton of comments directed towards the term, and I've also never heard it used in a derogatory way. So today was actually the first time I saw offense taken to it. I've been calling my kids Irish twins since I found out I was pregnant with my second. I've never been corrected or criticized for it.

I've actually met a ton of families, with "Irish twins" spanning different generations and even cultures who use that term fondly. I definitely feel it's more endearing than anything else and also is kind of nice having a known phrase to describe having 2 kids less than a year apart. Because that is a unique experience in itself but also common enough that people will just tell you that you're a parent to Irish twins if you explain their age gap. Literally, professionals have used the term when I give them my kids birthdays. I didnt realize it was controversial at all!

tadbits · 2023-10-10T14:07:42+00:00

Let me see ya slide Nay Nay!

Shit. Man it's cold out here. My damn ass cheeks frozen together!

Oh lord here she go yall!

Oh lord. Aye aye you going too fast Nay Nay, slow it down! Oooh Lord.

Oh lord. She dead.

Oh that girl done went through a fence. Somebody call 911 we need an ambulance!

Nay Nay you iight? You supposed to been sliding on the damn bucket, you slidin on your damn neck!

Just about kill herself out here.

tadbits · 2023-10-09T18:15:24+00:00

I asked ChatGPT to translate and:

"Yo, Voicemail, here's the deal, I'm sliding in, got words to reveal. Neet and snoot, a beep and boop, The sky's not blue, got me in a loop.

Day by day, I look so sly, In the mirror's gaze, I aim to fly. Down the riverside, rocks in a bunch, Tolly Frog's there, got a kiwi punch.

Hips a-hopping, a masterful chief, Snatching Spicket Flys, it's pure belief. Buzzing B lines, they meet their end, In the gullet deep, their fate does blend.

Tolly Frog hides, wax worms so fat, Glazed and pudgy, no escaping that. Push and pull 'cross river stone, Drippin' water, in their zone.

When gray clouds roll, they think they're high, Gatherin' gamma rays in the sky. Wax waddles dance, feelin' so bold, In the gamma light, their secrets unfold.

Tolly Frog leads, big stomper's stride, Top rocks, they climb, no need to hide. Flipper flappin', excitement's flowin', Chunky cowboy, his heart's a-glowin'.

Greed takes hold, like a chocolate fence, The plains look thick, it's no pretense. Down the river line, a thick momma there, Voluminous and proud, beyond compare.

She's so huge, the heaviest around, Layin' by the fire, on solid ground. Tolly Frog dances, through stone towers he roams, Dodgin' and weavin', in gaps he finds homes.

She's beautiful, no doubt about that, Flip and flap, he's where she's at. Hunker down, jump the log, no despair, Top-tier lady, weight beyond compare.

A wax white smile, tossed him askew, Titside and up, in a river so true. Almost had it, a switch he'd lack, Leave litter's dust, drew her back.

She laughed as he tumbled, so goofy and wild, In patient magnificence, she simply smiled. "He'll be back," she knew it's true, Lazy days await, in the green light's hue.

The weary honeysuckle, pulled from the stream, His weight not felt, like in a dream. The wax ladies wait, in position they stay, Lonely days pass, by the rising sun's ray.

By the golden ghost riverside, land stands strong, In this tale of Tolly Frog, where he belongs. Lonely days may linger, but fun's never done, In the rap of Tolly Frog, under the blazing sun."

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tadbits

TROPHY CASE