Thank you! That sounds wonderful. And I think I will pick up some feta cheese as I agree that it would be a great addition.

This recipe looks great!! I’ve never had Shawarma before. Can you give me some ideas of specific sides to serve with it? I’d love to add it to my menu for this week Thank you!

I grew up and still live near Charleston. I am constantly amazed by how many people move here from out of state. While there are many things about WV that I love, I miss Costco, Trader Joe’s, and other decent shopping options. But I do live in a more “affluent” part of the state (I say that in quotes, as I guess it depends on who we are being compared to!). Many who move here choose to stay.

Tudor’s Biscuit World is definitely a necessary stop when visiting WV. The biscuit sandwiches are so good! As far as New Martinsville goes, I don’t know anything about that area really (I had to look it up to see where it is located!). Hopefully someone else with knowledge of the area chimes in.

Yup, I think that’s what she meant to, as I clearly remember the second area code being added.

First, what a beautiful photo. I have lived in WV for most of my life (with the exception of 10 years when I lived in Columbus, OH after getting married). We love the New River and how special that you spread your brother’s and dad’s ashes there. But I have to ask…when did you live in WV? I was born here (in the Charleston aera) and live in my hometown now. I have never known the entire state to have the same zip code. Maybe you mean area code? Surprisingly, there is now a second area code in the state. The funny thing about my town is that my family has been here for years (many generations back), but when I moved back here after living in Columbus for 10 years, it felt like a different place. Most of the people I know now through church or the kids school aren’t from here. Some from other parts of WV but many from out of state. When I grew up, it felt a little more stereotypical of what we all “know” about Appalachia. But now, it almost feels like just another very small midwestern town.

Suggestions on higher end stores that have personal shoppers?

I appreciate the Ann Taylor links! Thank you.

This is amazing and so helpful!! Thank you so much! I had never hear of a lady jacket. So it can be more of a jacket or a cardigan?

Answers above!

I would love this. I am just struggling here! When I Google, I get a bunch of model pics with “out there” clothing, so not practical at all. If you could share what you’re finding, I would appreciate it. ETA - sorry, I keep having more thoughts! I know that pants with a blouse and blazer would look nice, but what style? What colors? And do I tuck in? What else? I miss back in the day when I worked with other women and could gauge how to dress from them. Fashion has never been my thing!!

Thank you for grabbing that!! I think I need to be a little more polished for my line of work (finance). But maybe a nicer trouser style pant with a blouse? ETA - I think I need to be able to throw a blazer or dressier cardigan over my top to have a bit of a nicer look for meetings. But could just go with the pants and top for in office or business functions?

I guess that’s where I’m struggling. I work in finance in a very small office in the Midwest. I am the only woman. My boss (60s) wears a suit and tie to the office every single day. The younger guys are more casual, but still look nice. I would love to see pics of business outfits that aren’t suits. I just don’t know what they look like. I have no idea what is in style for business meetings today.

First, let me say that I am just terrible with fashion. I need practical help (and specific suggestions). After spending the last several years working remote in my finance job, I will now be more client facing. I will also be spending more time in my office and at business functions. This means that I need to update my wardrobe with some business and business casual attire. My office is mostly men, so I can’t gauge how to dress from looking at them. The older men in my office always wear a suit with a tie and the younger men wear a suit/no tie or even more casual office clothing (a very nice polo with dress pants, or a nice button up). I don’t know exactly how this corresponds for women. I just don’t know what to buy!! (ETA - the older men are in their 60s and the younger men are younger than me, but in their 40s. I want to try to match the men in their 40s, since they are closer in age to me) I am 48 years old and average build. I wears size 10-12. I live in a more rural area, so shopping at many of the stores I know (Ann Taylor…is that still a good option?) has to be done online or when I am visiting a city about 3 hours away. I have one nice black suit, but the jacket is 3/4 sleeves so it is really for summer. I have googled all morning to try to figure out what women wear and I’ve come up empty. I am trying to purchase things for fall, going into winter. I would like at least one suit and maybe two other blazers (can I wear a different color blazer with black dress pants?). Maybe a nice cardigan? Or a nice blouse? An outfit or two to wear to business functions when a suit would be too much. Anyone love to shop or even care to give me some ideas what to look for? I just feel lost here and I don’t have anyone in my real life to ask (my friends are not in fields similar to mine). I’m desperate…please help!!!

Double post.

Anyone try reusable paper towels? Something like this - Reusable Paper Towels from Amazon A similar brand popped up for me on Facebook and since I clicked on it out of curiosity, I am getting ads all the time. But I’m curious. My family spends way too much on paper towels. Might this help?

Yes, it is real and yes, it works. I recommend 10xtravel.com (and Facebook group, if you use Facebook). They have a wonderful free course that I go back and reference all the time. Dh and I have just dabbled in credit card points, but we did take our kiddos on an amazing trip to a five star all inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic (Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana). We also paid for airfare with points and dd and I just flew to NYC and paid for airfare with points as well. We hope to do more travel using points in the future!

I just read @Catwoman’s post about tampons and it is making me finally want to find an alternative to tampons. I am 48 and starting to have heavier periods. I have always worn tampons on and off (not exclusively) but now I use them regularly, along with pads, because my periods are so much heavier. Not sure why but I’ve always been nervous to try the menstrual cup. Any brand recommendations? Tips? Was there a giant learning curve to using it? Thanks!

I don’t believe it was. Let me add that I’ve never had to use travel insurance for a pre-existing condition, but because I have a congenital heart problem, I have always followed this rule (with Alliance - other companies may handle it differently). Good luck and enjoy your trip!

Thanks for clarifying! I looked at Alliance, which we have used in the past, and found this - That’s because you must purchase your plan within 14 days of making your first trip payment or first trip deposit in order to be protected by the existing medical condition benefit. I have always wanted to make sure we were covered for all medical conditions, so I’ve followed this 14 day rule in the past. It went on to say that while you can purchase insurance right before travel, options and what is covered will be limited.

In my (limited) experience, travel insurance has to be purchased within so many days/weeks of purchasing the flights, hotels, accommodations. I don’t believe you can purchase the day before traveling?

Honestly, I think it is fairly common. And I know that teenagers do it (they call it “stalking”). My dd16 and her friends will kind of joke about it (they meet a cute boy and “stalk” him on social media, which may include searching his parents or siblings). They aren’t being malicious, just curious. Like others mentioned above, you have to lock down your social media if you don’t want others to be able to search your page. Anything I post on social media I consider public and open for anyone to read (including here!).

Very touristy area, not remote at all (South Carolina). The house will be cool, so cooking will be fine. We normally go out to dinner when vacationing at this beach, but meals are typically expensive and many places, just so-so. I usually don’t mind because - vacation! And I don’t want to cook. But we will be coming back from our previously planned trip to NYC that will cost $$$, so the only way I agreed to go was if we didn’t spend a ton on eating out.

My brother owns a beach house and offered me one specific week to use it this summer - the last week of June. Of course, I’m taking him up on this offer, but neither my husband nor son can join us, so it will likely be just my dd(16) and me (although she may end up bringing a friend). Also, dd and I will just be getting back from a trip to NYC, so I have decided that this will be a super low-key beach trip. Since the kitchen is fully stocked, we will order groceries and cook at the house. Any ideas for some very simple, easy dinners that I could make for the two (maybe three) of us? We will probably just have sandwiches and chips or fruit for lunch. I’m trying to think of a few meals that require very little prep (I don’t want to spend a ton of time cooking) but might be something different for us. Honestly, I’m not a big cook at home, so I just need simple suggestions to get me thinking here. Oh, and summery foods would be a plus. I know there’s a nice produce stand nearby so I could get some fresh produce. Thanks!!

I have the nicest neighbor in the world. He almost always mows our lawn for us. He is retired and has a riding mower (ours is a push mower). Dh works out of town and I work full time. He always tells us to pay it forward someday. We try to give him some money every now and then in the form of Home Depot gift cards (he always has a project going on). At least that pays for the gas!