I may go somewhere else next time that advertises as 3d. I asked before I went in if it my local place uses 3d mammography and they said yes. But when I was there, they said everyone uses that now, which I don't think is the case. So, maybe they aren't familiar with the newer technology.

I've had some awful experiences too. It doesn't seem like current tools work well for women with small, dense breasts. I am usually sore for 7-10 days after mammograms. But, in regard to your question, I have had several follow-up ultrasounds and no additional mammogram. They used to (prepandemic) just do an ultrasound immediately after my mammogram. The last time, though, they did a follow-up spot compression several weeks later and no ultrasound. I much prefer the first protocol.

I just read through this thread again, as we're trying to decide whether to request Paxlovid (only risk factor is age: 57). Any new updated research or additional thoughts since December, anyone? (Sorry if I have missed pertinent info in the Omicron thread)

Exactly! I keep reading things that say the differences in side effects are minimal, but my experience was similar to yours. My side effects from Pfizer weren't terrible, but I needed to take it easy the day after and my arm was sore a few days. I drove an hour to a bigger city to get Novavax, and I'm a fan: zero side effects. I kept pushing on my arm because I couldn't believe it wasn't sore. Plus, I read a few things that say it may have longer efficacy. Finally, some researchers think mixing types may be helpful. So many pluses, yet if I Google "Novavax" I get articles about stock, and if I do a search with more words there are very few articles, and the newest article I get is from December. It just seems like it makes sense to get out the message that there is a vaccine without some of the (perceived and/or real) downsides of the mRNA options.

I really hoped that a lot of those who were uncomfortable with mRNA vaccines (and the adenovirus vaccines) would rush to get Novavax; however, no one I have mentioned it to has even heard of it. I wonder if most people know there is an effective vaccine available that uses more traditional technology. It seems like that should have been important messaging when Novavax became available to most last fall.

Adorable!!

I like it fine. (Bacon makes everything good!) But I haven't eaten it in years. I don't remember making it myself, just eating it elsewhere.

Huh! Who knew?

That seems odd that they ask employees to use vacation hours for administrative closings. I'm sorry you're having to make up that time. (The king cake sounds amazing though!)

I love how you're filling it with details. It will be a display people can look at and make more and more fun discoveries!

That does make sense, katilac. We somehow completely missed that in the subscription information. It does make me cringe that all that ink that has been purchased is just thrown away. I wish they would allow x number of sheets to print and send a warning so that if people are up against a deadline they know to purchase ink before they are unable to print; however, we undoubtedly missed reading something when we signed up.

The same thing happened to us. It's SO frustrating. I think we should be allowed to use what we have already purchased! I was in the middle of printing things for our daughter's wedding last spring when I suddenly couldn't print.

Age 11, 1977: Breakfast: My mom would cook what we wanted, but I always opted for a slice of toasted homemade zucchini, banana or pumpkin bread (usually with margarine) and milk (unpasturized straight from the dairy, as my aunt and uncle owned a dairy). I was one of the few kids who chose to take my lunch to school: Half a sandwich (whole wheat bread, usually braunschweiger or tuna salad, homemade applesauce and a homemade "energy cookie" -- sweetened with some honey, lots of protein, grains, raisins, etc.). After school snack: Homemade sweets like rhubarb dump cake, lemon peanut butter bars, "energy cookies" or other low-sugar, whole grain cookie varieties my mom found recipes for. (I remember one was coconut with sunflower seeds and chocolate chips.) Dinner: Lots of veggies from my mom's garden, maybe spaghetti squash with homemade red sauce, vegetable curry, turkey burgers, pilaf, tacos. Those are the things I remember eating the most (oh, sometimes roast beef dinner on Sundays), but there was a lot of variety ... ham and navy bean soup. Oh, and always more milk. We did not eat out. Wow, I miss having someone cook good food for me!

Adorable!! It's coming along!

I'm guessing we'll give about $10,000 each. That's what youngest dd's wedding last May cost. I don't know if our older two will get married or not. We're in the camp that we haven't given exact equal amounts, but have helped each child where we could through the years. (Paid for most of four years of college for youngest, college courses and ballet expenses for oldest who is a professional dancer, and trade school and help with cars for middle.) We also did give our youngest a wedding gift. My mom gave me a nice stand mixer when I was a young adult, and I continued the tradition of gifting the couple a nice KitchenAid mixer and wrapped the box in a cloth shower curtain from their wish list. (These two were needing all of the traditional starting-out household items.) Edited to add: Since our youngest was the first to marry, I was working more hours than when the kids were at home. We are able to live on my husband's salary, so I have been able to apply my earnings to help our adult kids. We would have done things differently (contributed less to many areas) if we didn't have my extra income stream.

I'm so sorry for your family's loss.

That all sounds really good! I'm so glad you're having a good relaunch.

How is it going at the new branch?

My husband likes Duke Cannon pretty much anything. He likes this beard balm. (I always think he smells good, so I guess it must be OK.) https://dukecannon.com/products/best-damn-beard-balm It describes it as "pleasant, woodsy fragrance, like a portable Redwood forest in your pocket" -- so might be too earthy, I don't know. (Their descriptions always crack us up.)

Thank you for your help and optimism! I'll rehome him and see if he celebrates. (Maybe I'll make him a little "Bloom where you're planted" sign!)

Just because what I read says to wait? It's not like it's going to bloom this winter anyway, by the looks of things, so maybe I should just go ahead and talk up the new resort home and force the move. I'm not supremely optimistic, since it seems like most people just ignore them and they bloom! Off to look up "book booster"! Edit: LOL, OK I think @Tree Frog was referencing "Bloom Booster." --Doubly funny considering this board's code word "books"!

Thanks for all the encouragement and good tips! @PeterPan I haven't spoken gentle, kind words to him (I've kind of given him the silent treatment all these years) so I'll try that when I repot. LOL! @***** He does get teensy pink buds every year, but they always dry up. They are at the dry stage now. I'll repot next spring, keep him inside all year, and I'll check back next fall/winter if we get some blooms.

Thanks, Ginevra! I would love a magical sunroom! You have probably hit on a good point. We are very challenged when it comes to getting sunlight in the house. I hope your BF does great this winter.

Beautiful plant! Thank you for the videos. I haven't repotted. I could try doing that and using cactus soil. Also, I fertilized a month or two longer than one video said (it said stop mid summer). One video said not to move them and another said to keep them in a cool breezy space. I moved it from outside to the basement, which is below 70 degrees (probably about 62-68) and dimly lit, and I will move it upstairs eventually since I never go to the basement, except to check the plant. (It's kind of the man cave/music studio.) The only place that is cool and and breezy is the garage and, again, it would be sad to keep it out there! Here's a photo of my cactus guy. He is happy, but not bloomy.

How do you all get yours to flower? I have had mine about 3-4 years, and it never blooms. It has grown a lot and looks healthy. In the fall it gets tiny pink buds, but they never grow into blooms. I have followed Google instructions about fertilizing in spring and summer, and then in the fall putting in a cool place where it gets at least 12 hours of total dark a night, and decreasing water. Any tips for me? (I live in a four-season state — zone 6b — so it is outside in the summer and inside when it gets cooler in September.)