Thanks, Quill. Rachel, DM me and I’ll take a look at your resume.

You’re a supportive, loving, and patient daughter (though I’m guessing you don’t always feel that way 🙂). Thanks for keeping us all posted.

Others here have way more information and experience than I do (though I do have one full day to my credit so far 🙂) but for me “cutting out sugar” means not eating like an undisciplined child let loose in a candy store/bakery. I haven’t delved into the honey vs stevia vs maple syrup vs fruit nor the blood sugar/metabolism//insulin science of this yet. I’m focused solely on not eating cookies, candy, and other sweet treats.

Thanks, everyone. Y’all are inspiring! I went all day today without added sugar and I’m making a plan for tomorrow. This is a change that needs to happen and I appreciate your encouragement.

(or cut waaaaayyyy back), please tell me your story. What was your motivation? Did you go cold turkey or slowly give it up? Can you share some hacks/tips? Anything else that might help a sugar addict break free?

This is for ds20. Thanks!

I’m one of those who annually intends to make this thread/group/challenge a regular part of life. By the third week in January, though, I’m usually just scanning occasionally for TBR ideas. I hope y’all don’t mind being used like that. 🙂 My goal is to read 25 books this year. I managed 27 last year, so it’s do-able, but as Robin encourages in that first post, I want to focus on quality over quantity. I’m currently reading a memoir, I Keep Trying to Catch His Eye: A Memoir of Loss, Grief, and Love by Ivan Maisel. The author is an ESPN writer whose son took his own life in 2015. It’s very well written and, as expected, emotionally challenging. In an attempt to mix in more fiction this year, I’m going to read We Are the Brennans by Tracey Lange next. Anyone read that yet? I think it’s a fairly new release.

Maybe I’m hormonal, but wow. These memories made me a little weepy (in that joyful way). Thanks for sharing!

How does the animal reservoir issue factor into the idea of herd immunity/endemicity?

This is (probably) a very good assessment of the situation. And a really good line.

I hear you. I’m a rabid de-clutterer and “things” don’t hold a lot of sentimentality for me. But, oh, those memories of mornings spent snuggling on the couch, under the blanket, discovering Frog and Toad, Miss Rumphius, Ramona…. Well. I want those books nearby.

I’m a resume writer. Here are some tips: Target the resume for the job. This might mean you have to tweak your resume several times for several different job applications. Use the language from the job posting in your resume. Keep in mind that the first “screen” of your resume could be applicant tracking software (ATS) so your resume needs to be appealing for both those systems AND human eyes. While some ATS can handle it, many versions don’t “read” content inside text boxes, tables, or headers. So avoid them. Networking is still the best way to find out about jobs and get your foot in the door. So let people you know that you’re looking. When possible, apply directly with the company rather than through third parties like LinkedIn and Indeed. When possible, use metrics to demonstrate accomplishments. (Raised 112% of fundraising goal for swim club. Led 7 volunteers through 6-week training course. Maintained 100% compliance rate with state regulations for blahbidy blah blah. You get the idea.) Ask a Manager has great tips on resumes, cover letters, interviews, and general workplace issues. She’s also super entertaining regardless of your current work status.

Too many books; not enough shelves. I know many here can relate. So what do you do with the books you aren’t ready to part with but don’t make the cut for the limited available shelving? We’ve discussed building more shelves and that’s a plan down the road. But meanwhile…I have many books that I’d like to put away for my (as yet imaginary) grandchildren. What’s the best way to store them? Are Sterilite bins okay for this purpose if I add those moisture-absorbing packets? Or is there some kind of special box or container I should be using? Any other tips?

My dh, after YEARS of somewhat unflattering but perfectly functional Levi’s, found a pair at Old Navy of all places. They’re “relaxed slim taper.” They’re stylish without looking like he’s trying too hard to be stylish ifykwim.

Hand tools? When our guys were young, we got them each a toolbox for Christmas and every year they get a new tool in their stocking. It’s not the most exciting gift on Christmas morning but I think they’ll appreciate it when they move out. Hammer, wrenches, screwdrivers, tape measure, carabiners, ropes, multi-tool gadgets, etc.

Oh, yes! The dreams where you know you’re dreaming so Dream You tells Sleeping You not to worry. But then Dream You wakes up and the bad dream keeps happening because you didn’t really wake up. That’s the worst! My stress dreams are the typical ones: Trying to find a class on the last day of the semester but I haven’t been there all year so I can’t find it. Or being in an elevator that starts to tilt and fall. Or my teeth falling out. Not exactly peaceful slumber.

These are lovely ideas and, wow, I love when the Hive does its thing like this! Ditto, I’m sorry for your friend’s loss. Your willingness to step into the grief with her is beautiful.

Resume writing (which also requires Word formatting superpowers) Spelling (which is NOT the same thing as typing correctly) 😉 Late 70s pop music (more of a “you want me on your trivia team” than a true expert)

I didn't realize the article had already been posted. (Lots of COVID threads around here 🙂.)

I thought this Atlantic article was an interesting read describing how people often talk past each other when discussing whether this policy or that mandate "works." First we have to define the goal. Thoughts?

That’s part of the challenge, right? How much is thyroid related and how much is regular teen stuff (physical growth, emotional challenges, other hormone surges, etc.)? And this wondering will happen during other stages, too: pregnancy, post-partum, peri-menopause, menopause.... Thus the need for a GREAT doctor and a habit of self-awareness.

I understand what you’re saying. The doctor should give her a list of symptoms to be on the lookout for. And you can help with that. Is she having a hard time waking up in the morning? Does she want to nap all afternoon? Is she gaining or losing weight? Is she always reaching for a blanket or a hoodie because she’s cold? Plus, as someone else pointed out, she’ll have regular lab work that will show if things are super wonky. Maybe you can encourage her to keep a simple diary to help with the self-awareness. Surely there’s an app for that, right? I’m picturing something that lets her document a few times a day observations about her energy level, mood, whatever else Is worth noting.

I’ve been without a thyroid for 14 years. It’s been largely a non-issue for me. The post-surgery lethargy while figuring out the med dosage was rough, but in the grand scheme of things, those few weeks were a blip. I will say...finding an endocrinologist who listens and is willing to look beyond numbers on a chart is a difficult but worthy endeavor.

Wow! Two great stories in one post! Congratulations on both updates!