ok. generally for "official" stuff if BC is maiden name places want the marriage certificate, because that will show old name plus the husband's last name, aka new last name, on the same paper. Showing the continuity from one to the next, if that makes sense.

Since the BC has a different last name I'd bring your marriage certificate as well, that shows your ex's name. And divorce decree is you have it handy. But at least marriage certificate.

Right, but unless there is some reason to believe a person plans on drinking and driving or doing some other activity that would be unsafe while drinking, it is not appropriate to lecture them about the evils of drinking at a social gathering. Having a few sips of champagne at a party hours before leaving is not the same thing as driving drunk. There are absolute dangers to self and others when a person is impaired, but that doesn't mean that the only way to avoid those is to have zero alcohol ever. Me having a beer with dinner and not having to drive anywhere is not going to lead to drunk driving. If DH and I go out to dinner or anywhere alcohol may be an option we decide who is going to drive and that person won't drink. Heck, I was 40 and we had my Dad drop us off and pick us up from a friend's wedding so we could have a few drinks and not worry about driving. Nowadays we'd just use Lyft.

I have no official stance on alcohol, but it just sort of works out that I almost never drink. Mind you, i like the taste of many alcoholic drinks - a good cold beer, some wines, a whiskey sour, etc. But as others said, often not worth the calories, plus it gives me heartburn, plus after weight loss surgery I am truly a lightweight and so usually just have half a drink. Seems silly to pay for it and not finish it, so rarely do I order alcohol. I've got most of a sixpack still in the fridge that I bought in June. I don't think one beer or glass of wine in inherently bad for you anymore than a single glass of coke is bad for you - I mean, it isn't great, but unlikely for a beer a few times a year to make a huge difference for most people. If one isn't getting drunk and driving or making others uncomfortable, then I have no moral issues. Just...it's often not worth the expense and the calories. No one has ever pressured me. But saying, "No thanks, heartburn" should be enough to hold people off.

Right? The Episcopal church my sister was confirmed in has a champagne and chocolate party after the Easter vigil service every year.

Are there any retail places you like to shop at where working there would get you an employee discount? I have no idea if grocery stores give employee discounts, but if they do, that's a benefit right there! Otherwise craft store or bookstore maybe? Or a clothing store you like?

Interesting - I've never heard of a "carry in" before. I mean, it makes sense, just never heard that term. Reminds me of the first time I heard the term "take away". Makes as much sense or more than "take out", but had never heard it before.

Cranberry Fluff! Perfect for this time of year, and uses fresh cranberries so you can pretend it is healthy (it's not, lol) https://realhousemoms.com/cranberry-fluff/ It's fresh cranberries that you chop up in food processor and macerate with sugar, pineapple, marshmallows, grapes halved, chopped pecans, and cool whip. SO yummy and addictive!

I think it is just natural. Heck, my mom still gets all hot and bothered if you mention my PE teacher from elementary school who was mean to me once, lol.

She was discharged today around noon or a bit after. She's still in quite a bit of pain, but more manageable than last night i guess. She's on percocet for it and Dad had to wait quite a while at the pharmacy to get it for her. He said he just stood there and stared at them the whole time he waited, lol...I said I could have gotten it, or could take his place in line and he said there was no line, just him. Which was why he was upset it was taking so long. But anyway, she texted a few things - which is more than she could do before so I'm thinking she is a bit better. She does have spondylosis in her spine, in other areas, so I'm thinking maybe just everything going on with the one vertebrae that was broken and the muscle spasms from that are aggravating the rest of her issues in her back? REALLY hoping that the procedure was successful and it isn't that it didn't help.

PT and OT have been by her room, and she particpated as well as she could while in pain. But rated her pain as a 9/10. Ugh.

Oh, no, she is here now! She and Dad bought a house less than 10 minutes from me. It was in packing that she hurt herself. But, I had Covid and just got a negative test a few days ago so she wants me to stay away right now. Plus, she is in a lot of pain and doesn't want people seeing her right now.

For Catholic or Episcopal I'd say the Easter Vigil service. Actually, could go to Episcopal Church for a Tenebrae service, and Catholic for Easter Vigil. Definitely do a Good Friday at somewhere liturgical as well, I'm partial to the Episcopal Good Friday service myself.

This time for back pain. She's been hurting for weeks, after hurting it somehow while moving into their new house (lifting boxes she shouldn't have been, I'm sure). It got worse, not better and two days ago she was in the car with my dad and said to turn around and go to the ER. She is SO stoic when it comes to pain that it must have been BAD. They found a compression fracture at L1 (intially also thought maybe a tumor/mass by that, but turns out to be muscle that was cranky and showing up weird on the CT - MRI could tell it was muscle, not a mass - but that took a day and a transfer from stand alone ER to regular hospital). Today they did kyphoplasty procedure, last I heard she was resting and still pretty sedated. Hoping against hope it relieves her pain as narcotics were barely touching it. Her labs also show liver disease....likely from anti rejection meds I'm guessing. Edit - just logged into her mychart and notes from an hour ago say she was in severe pain after procedure and PRN meds are not enough. Have a call in to the doctor to ask about more meds. UGH. In better news, her o2 sats were 97 on room air with that new lung, and most recent bronchoscopy was clear.

It seems crazy that you are required to pay even being unemployed.

I hate to shop, but I also have spatial perception issues and attention issues and spill things and ruin clothing more than the average person. I also tend to have my air dry bras sometimes end up in the regular laundry and that means they have to get replaced more. Sensory issues mean they are really the only bra I tolerate, and they do NOT last the same way as they are a weird material. I also wear leggings daily, and the ones I like that are super soft do eventually wear out in the crotch - if I were thinner maybe that wouldn't be true. So I get a few pairs of those each year to replace worn ones. Jeans last forever, but I also don't wear them much since I prefer leggings. Oh, temperature matters too - in the heat here I can wear two outfits a day from being so sweaty.

Yup!

Same kid has been caught eating day old tater tots from when someone didn't clean out the air fryer after use. (not me that time!) Same!!! I see those people meal prepping for lunches for their work week on sunday and I just think, "no way am I eating food on Friday that was made the previous Sunday!" I also won't touch milk on or after the expiration date, toss out lunch meat in 4 days, etc. She, on the other hand, is totally chill. She took the activated charcoal capsules to humor me, but said she's not worried.

This definitely works better than either alone! I do alternating every 3-4 hours.

My sister's neighbor is a doctor and said until/unless symptoms just hope for the best.

OH! That's a great idea. And the Walgreens down the street has it, according to the website. They have it in capsule form, so it won't freak her out to take it (it's gross looking in liquid form!) Going to throw on shoes and go grab it! edit - ugh, not finding any evidence it helps with food poisoning though.

y'all MY stomach is topsy turvy just thinking about this. ugh.

Praying for quick recovery and some peace for both of you.

Well, good to know, now I don't have to feel badc about not trying that, lol.

In good news I guess, the refrigerator is very cold. Sigh. This chart from the CDC makes it seem that clostridium would be the biggest worry. https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/symptoms.html