[Colonoscopy at 45?]

2 hours ago, MEmama said:

I have one coming up soon. The thing that makes me most apprehensive (besides gagging down a repulsive drink) is the drugs they give to sedate--is it really necessary to be put out? My body does not tolerate heavy drugs, and I'm having a hard time understanding if they are truly necessary. Is the procedure really much of a bigger deal than an annual gynecological exam? 

I've had a sigmoidoscopy unsedated.  At the time I had it, I was young and ignorant so didn't know what to expect t.  It was quite uncomfortable but I survived it without much emotional/mental trauma. It involved A LOT of pressure.   However, if I had to do it again, I'd know to dread it and be quite apprehensive.  I'd definitely go for the sedated version (I usually do twilight sleep) if at all possible.  

[Is anyone else struggling with winter blahs and feeling it getting to you?]

2 hours ago, SquirrellyMama said:

I keep my Christmas lights up until it has been 70 degrees for 3 consecutive days. That usually means until sometime in April. The lights help me get through winter.

Kelly

Do you keep your tree up also? Or are these lights strung up elsewhere?  I love twinkly lights, too, and even though I live way down south and generally don't feel the effects of SAD, I think I'd enjoy this. (For the record, I've decided to leave up my fancy schmancy tree with programmable lights at work, decorated by holiday/month, until I'm sick of it!)  

[Oil vs Water wood stain for kitchen cabinet, for a beginner]

I've used the Minwax gel stain with success.  I THINK I used the oil based kind based on the drying time (a big complaint of water based is how quickly it dries) and I am far from an expert.   I have always been pleased with how it has turned out.  I've never done cabinets, though.  Cabinets are actually on my extremely long list of things to refurbish in our home, so please keep us updated!  

[Colonoscopy at 45?]

Another in the Just Do It camp.  I've had them since my mid-twenties.  One thing to actually look forward to (sort of?) is the nice nap under cozy blankets. 

[Did something new today!]

Way to go being resourceful! It is very gratifying. 

[January 2023: What are you reading?]

11 hours ago, Alicia64 said:

I'm reading The Humans by Matt Haig and The Midnight Library both by Matt Haig. Here's how I review the book on my blog

Oooh! I'd love to read your blog!

[Do you ever feel like you're kinda bad at your job?]

1 hour ago, math teacher said:

Another voice for "It's not you." Teachers have so many hoops to jump through besides actually teaching and running a classroom. SpEd is especially difficult-I've taught SpEd, but now I'm in GenEd. You're probably doing the work of three people!!

I don't want to hijack the OP's post, but I can resoundingly say that yes, OP, you likely are doing the job of at least three people. It has taken getting out of it for me to realize just how much teachers must cram into one day. My dh is a district admin and he also works many hours over contract, to the point of going to his office most weekends for a few hours.  I said all that to point out that it's very difficult to feel like you're doing a good job at a job that should be performed by several people.  Honestly, since changing jobs (admittedly, just a month ago), I no longer feel like I'm bad at my job because I actually have adequate time at work to think about, plan, and execute projects, all on the clock.  I am not pulled in a dozen directions at any given moment.  So, OP, imho, it's not you--it's the job. 

[I need to figure out who I am over the weekend.]

Mother

reader/learner 

Wife 

[Do you ever feel like you're kinda bad at your job?]

I think it's extremely easy to feel this way if you're a teacher.  (Signed, Kidlit, who left the classroom for the public library in December 🎉) 

[January 2023: What are you reading?]

I've sort of been in a slump this week.  I am listening to John Green's Anthropocene Reviewed  in audio and just picked up The Girls in the Stilt House by Kelly Mustian upon the recommendation of a few of my library coworkers. So far, so good. 

[Guess that Dog? UPDATE: OMIGOSH!]

I have no idea what breed(s), but I just had to say--what a sweetheart!  
 

(side note: our blue heeler is slowly winning over my dh, too 💕💕)

[My beloved MIL has died]

Wow. What an amazing example of a life well lived. My sincere condolences for your loss. 

[What one simple thing do you wish you could go back and teach your kids better?]

Hmmmm. . .mine is complicated because it mostly revolves around going to school for one of my kids.  This child skipped a grade and so is "behind" in math.  (That's her perspective more than anyone else's.). In hindsight I would've hit 7th grade math harder for her to give her a better foundation.  At the time, though, institutional school wasn't on the horizon.   

[January 2023: What are you reading?]

Light and lively may be what I'm in need of. . . 

39 minutes ago, ScoutTN said:

Listening to Midshipman Hornblower. I read the series multiple times as a teen/college student. Needed something light and lively. The audiobook is well read.

[January 2023: What are you reading?]

42 minutes ago, Vintage81 said:

I finished another book...They Went Left by Monica Hesse. I've had this book sitting on my nightstand for a while because I had to mentally prepare for it...I just knew it was going to be a tough one. I was right...it was tough...but really good. 

It's 1945 and the war is over. We follow 18 year old Zofia Lederman, who is currently in a hospital having been liberated from the Gross-Rosen concentration camp. Her memory is scattered, her body is broken, and all she wants is to find her brother. The last time she remembers seeing him is when they were in line at Birkenau...

"In that line, Abek and I were sent to the right.

On this continent, I need to fine only one person. I need to go home, I need to survive, I need to keep my brain working for only one person.

Because everyone else: Papa, Mama, Baba Rose, beautiful Aunt Maja -- all of them, all of them, as the population of Sosnowiec was devastated, they went left."

 

Understanding what people went through after the war was over was something I hadn't read before in a historical fiction novel. So, while this book was heartbreaking and tragic, it was an interesting topic to read about. At the end, I do wish one character would have been explored a little bit more, but other than that I really loved everything about this book. I couldn't put it down! (5 stars)

Sounds excellent 

[Please help! 🥵🥶]

9 minutes ago, ScoutTN said:

Acupuncture!

 

26 minutes ago, BandH said:

Does that mean you aren’t coming to the dance retreat?  Darn! 
 

You can just click “follow”.

I might be willing to do almost anything to counteract some of these fun symptoms!  Ha!

 

(funny how I never noticed that little "follow" toggle 🤨)

ETA: Not sure how I managed to quote @ScoutTN

[Please help! 🥵🥶]

Following (Is there another way to do this than commenting since I have nothing to add?)

[Help me decorate my "sitting area"]

I have used sea salt on many walls, and I particularly like it in combination with dark wood.  I enjoy contrast.

[Boy curly/wavy hair product question]

I second looking into the curly girl method. 

[A Man Called Otto movie/A Man Called Ove]

Hmmm. This might be a fun date for dh and me. 

[Best website, book, resource for world history]

This probably has already been shared, but there are a few Crash Course Videos on modern world history. 

[S/O Religious minorities that you know?]

I live in a mid sized area in the Deep South, and I have known at least one person from all of the groups mentioned at some point in my life, with the possible exception of Muslim. However, due to my proximity to a university and involvement with internationals during our homeschool years, I know I had the opportunity to meet students who were Muslim, if I did not get to know them. 

[Planting Milkweed for Monarch Butterflies]

10 hours ago, Lucy the Valiant said:

This is about 1/3 of it, but prefer not to show house.

Thank you!  Thank you!  Thank you!  I have a regular suburban half acre (non-sod), but I REALLY want to work out some areas in my yard devoted to butterflies.  Your space is GORGEOUS!

[Planting Milkweed for Monarch Butterflies]

13 minutes ago, Lucy the Valiant said:

https://monarchwatch.org/waystations/

I had a neglected (invasive) weed-infested hill where I began a multi-year rehab program lovingly dubbed "Redemption Hill" (there's a story ❤️ ). I dragged in native pollinator-friendly flowers and milkweed to meet the required minimums, replanted when those died or were eaten by the groundhog, kept on mulching, and the metal sign was a birthday gift the year I finally finished installing it. 

 

My kids say the sign is superfluous since the butterflies can't read, but I like to remind them that we don't actually have hard evidence of that. 😉

The caterpillars are SO exciting when they come! 

I also need a picture of this 

[Planting Milkweed for Monarch Butterflies]

32 minutes ago, Sneezyone said:

Nope. I planted a bunch of black-eyed susans and coneflowers (purple magnus, echinacea) in my front yard, carpet flowers (lynnhaven) and switch grasses and they were glorious. Does that count? We hired a native plant specialist to redesign our yard. So far, I've only installed the front. We had TONS of butterflies and moths, to the detriment of my broccoli/cabbage plants.

I need to see a picture of this. Sounds like my dream.