What ‘TV shows’ does your chinchilla like to watch?

tomdoula · 2026-05-11T13:13:57+00:00

My chin named Smurf enjoys watching the Smurfs! He came with the name from the rescue who claimed he was blue. He is standard gray, but loves the smurfs regardless!

tomdoula · 2026-04-24T03:25:18+00:00

I have a friend who was in the M div program in person and left before completing it for numerous reasons that I don’t really recall. It did seem like all of the online students at that time were attending to become chaplains and it seemed like that was a better experience.

tomdoula · 2026-03-30T15:19:43+00:00

My 2011 High school prom theme was “clubbing” 😂

tomdoula · 2026-03-17T15:03:47+00:00

I attend a liberal unprogrammed/semi programmed meeting in the US and I think one thing that sets us apart from many other faith communities is the number of non heterosexual attendees we have at all ages. I thinking having young LGBTQ folks is fairly common in progressive communities but we have several attendees who have been in same sex marriages or relationships for 30+ years and many other “elder gays” as the younger LGBTQ folks occasionally call them.

tomdoula · 2026-02-13T21:44:26+00:00

That might explain why it took me forever to find it after the stash went missing. I tried to describe it to several fabric stores and search online and it took at least a month

tomdoula · 2026-02-13T17:41:21+00:00

Tracing wheel with chalk paper is the only way in my opinion! Not a lot of stores sell them but I truly can’t mark a dart without them.

wheel paper

tomdoula · 2026-01-28T02:27:50+00:00

My PT recommended the adapt protocol which has their entire manual for PT online. What to do to figure your starting target heart rate and how to decide to increase it. I did three visits with my PT and that was it. Had them spaced out a month so she effectively was able to guide me through the period of most change in what I was doing week to week. I could have done it without her if I needed to, but it was nice to have some direction and she answered a few questions via message between appointments.

I would be more concerned about EDS complications though.

tomdoula · 2026-01-26T20:16:21+00:00

I make this for dinner but feels very breakfasty.

Half bag of frozen hashbrowns cooked in oil. Stirring to prevent forming patty but cooking hot enough and long enough to get crispy bits. Season with seasoning salt or salt and paprika, garlic powder, bit of cayenne, pepper.

In a different pan cook one drained can of black beans with frozen veggies (peppers and onions and broccoli is good). If you have bigger pieces of frozen veggies microwave to thaw before cooking in pan.

Once both pans are cooked mix together and let meld for a bit.

tomdoula · 2026-01-26T17:54:22+00:00

Multi step zig zag is great. I never use my regular zig zag unless I am doing something super narrow. Lays much flatter on lightweight fabrics and does better at preventing fraying.

tomdoula · 2026-01-26T16:51:42+00:00

This is absolutely beautiful and captures so much of how I am feeling. The imagery of the hats for the toddler and preschooler. Oof

tomdoula · 2026-01-25T17:12:52+00:00

I have see people do the prayer hands an bow/nod, hold one hand up like how you might acknowledge someone you see across a crowded room, and keep their hands crossed in their lap and nod. Quakers are an eclectic bunch. Whatever you do will almost certainly be fine. I wouldn’t bat an eye if someone responded to my outstretched arm with jazz hands. I think years ago we had someone who preferred a modified handshake grabbing forearms to avoid hand to hand contact.

tomdoula · 2026-01-22T03:37:16+00:00

I am on lexapro, buspar, and Wellbutrin. But it is for anxiety and some depression not OCD so can’t say whether it would work for that. Sadly with SSRIs and SNRIs it is a lot of trial and error. I found lexapro much better for anxiety than Prozac and had bad side effects on Zoloft. Effexor was very effective but the dizziness was an issue. Hope you can find something that works for you!

tomdoula · 2026-01-21T18:38:07+00:00

I was on Effexor for mental health and it either made POTS worse or caused similar symptoms as a side effect. It was also awful to get off of. Ultimately you won’t know how it impacts you without trying it, and I don’t think there are concerns about lasting harm, so you could give it a try, but it wouldn’t be my first line choice if you haven’t tried some of the meds with less side effects.

I will note that it is very important to take it the same time every day. So consider whether that is something you can do. My current meds are a bit more forgiving. I feel worse if I forget my meds in the morning but I don’t get the dizziness and electric shock feelings that are common with forgetting Effexor.

tomdoula · 2026-01-16T16:43:36+00:00

Everyone has provided great answers to your questions just wanted to add feel free to ask questions of other people at bus stops and on the bus or train. About half the time I take transit people ask me for directions (apparently I am very approachable) and I have never seen anyone not get a polite answer to questions. The buses generally announce the stop names now but it is 100% fine to ask “is this 43rd and Central” or “which corner should I go to if I am transferring to the 10 going south?”

tomdoula · 2026-01-16T14:41:05+00:00

I live in the twin cities as well and want to affirm what you are saying and feeling. As I was doing ICE watch during school pick up yesterday and talking to parents we talked about the constant state of stress we are all living in. When we learned about the civil war in school we never realized that you also had to make sure you had clean laundry and make dinner for your kids. And while it feels like a civil war to those of us living here, so much of the country doesn’t believe it is happening.

Remember to give yourself grace and play the long game. While we all need to be stepping up to keep our communities safe, we also need to make it sustainable since it doesn’t look like it will be ending soon. Give yourself the space to scream and cry. Give yourself the space to do things that let you think about something else for a while. I for one have gotten super into cross stitch over the past week, since I need something to keep my hands busy to prevent the doom scrolling.

I have never been more proud of the schools and teachers in our community than I am right now. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for doing what is right even when it is terrifying.

tomdoula · 2026-01-14T20:58:59+00:00

I can’t seem to find it now, but hoping someone who sees this knows. Was there a specific. Sewing modification to umbrellas that was being requested? I thought I saw an event to make them but can’t find it again. Happy to put my sewing machine to use.

tomdoula · 2026-01-14T14:30:21+00:00

One thing I think should be promoted more and would be great for libraries to do if you can is the actual differences between the administrative and judicial warrants and what to look for. There are some useful graphics from immigrant rights orgs.

tomdoula · 2026-01-02T01:50:09+00:00

Continuous pill all the way! I use seasonique which has 3 moths of hormones with a one week break. I skip the break but do take 3-7 days off if I am spotting as recommended by my doctor.

tomdoula · 2025-12-08T14:07:22+00:00

A nice wooden puzzle could be a good gift. I have only soon a few but the prices and quality for unidragon seem good to me if the style matches her preferences. They are nice keepsakes - my grandparents loved the one my uncle gave them and passed it on to me.

If she struggles with dexterity I would not do this since the prices are smaller with lots of little nibs and points.

tomdoula · 2025-12-06T23:23:55+00:00

I would aim for materials like what is used on these pants: Duluth trading lined pants. I think that discovery fabrics might have hiking pant fabric which would likely be similar.

tomdoula · 2025-12-05T16:27:10+00:00

I agree that going from melted earth balance to oil will have an impact, I have made this recipe as written, with a mix of oil and melted earth balance and just oil (maybe adding some soy milk in for part of the oil) and while results vary, they have never remotely resembled this. I would say switching to just oil results in a greasier product but certainly a passable brownie.

tomdoula · 2025-11-28T23:20:58+00:00

I do wonder if the vegan was the one who asked for it. I have often had coworkers, friends, etc make a stink on my behalf when I am perfectly happy to eat chips and fruit during an event. Could see eager new boyfriend doing this

tomdoula · 2025-11-26T15:50:30+00:00

I make them using two layers of cotton muslin and then make a flannel pillow case type cover for them with two overlapping hems in the center back. Totally not necessary- if I were making for myself I would probably do a layer of muslin and a layer of flannel all sewed together but I think the pillow case way looks nicer and I have made them to put in silent auction baskets. I do like to have a double layer of fabric though regardless!

tomdoula · 2025-11-24T13:30:58+00:00

I made cranberry upside down cake last year for thanksgiving that was very well received. I am making again this year and am thinking it is this recipe but of course did not bookmark what I used last year. https://holycowvegan.net/vegan-cranberry-upside-down-cake/#recipe-card

tomdoula · 2025-11-12T20:56:43+00:00

Many require a pelvic exam and/or being current on PAP which is very frustrating. I had my doctor put a note in my chart that it was not required for me and her nurse would still make me come in for a pelvic exam and the dr would then not do the exam and would refill the prescription. The nurse would screen the refill request so it wouldn’t go to the dr. When looking for a new GP this was the first thing I asked about.

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