Hump Day

VarunaTT · January 2022

Man, we must all be taking a battering with work, covid, and just life in general for me to be starting a post at 10:30 am my time.

So, weirdly enough, the 2 weeks of isolation did some things for my mental health journey. There is a story about something that happened with K on Friday, It's not worth sharing, but it did show me a few things: K is still a shit show and blessed that they are no longer my shit show, I am healed from the trauma bond, and my happiness is on solid footing for the first time in 15 months. I finally feel like I have shifted out of survival mode and into living mode for the first time in years. I still having feelings of uncertainty, but I have a lot more confidence in myself that I have had for awhile now, it's not an unhealthy amount of uncertainty, my tools have definitely kicked in and made a difference, and it all feels both terrifying and joyous.

My birthday is coming up and IDK what I want to do. Our county health officials are saying that we have not peaked yet and aren't expecting it until mid-February. I'd like to do something; my last 2 birthdays have been absolutely terrible for one reason or another.

short+sassy · January 2022

@VarunaTT, we've become flakes on WW (myself included), lol. I'm glad the isolation, even though it was for bad reasons, ended up having a pretty major silver lining for you.

Here in NOLA, they estimated we peaked a few days ago. But Mardi Gras is about a month away (March 1st), so I expect to see a resurgence after that (sigh). I'm torn on how I feel. I know it's a huge money maker, which is important for so many businesses that have suffered and for the city itself. At least people have been able to protect themselves with the vaccine for a long time. But it's going to be a massive super spreader event. You just can't help that. Plus tons of people coming from areas with low vaccination rates and who don't wear masks.

On a brighter note, there's a bakery in town that's legendary for their king cakes, though I've never been able to get one. Their spots to order/reserve one fill up in December. But this year I remembered! I can pick up my cream cheese filled one this Saturday. Although I'm not a king cake aficionado, I'm looking forward to finally trying theirs.

ILoveBeachMusic · January 2022

It's super cold here so I'm hibernating today. I had to go get a birthday card for my FIL. He will be 98 on Sunday! Now I have a cup of hot tea snuggled under a blanket to do stuff on computer. @VarunaTT am so glad you feel that you are in a better place mentally. I'm jealous about the king cake - I've never had one, but cake!!!

ei34 · January 2022

"Shifting from survival mode to living mode" is so well put and a new personal goal, thank you for sharing @VarunaTT yay for the king cake success @short+sassy! Share a pic or let us know how it is! Is that the green, yellow and purple bundt cake with the baby or ring inside? (Did I just combine like 3 different cakes? lol)

I had a really helpful chat with the lawyer re all the paperwork, feeling a bit more clear on that front. Masks are thankfully back on at work, although realistically I know they'll eventually come off.

charlotte989875 · January 2022

I’m here but my life is pretty boring these days.

When baby M was getting up all night I would go to bed super early to deal, but now that he’s a bit better (knock on wood) I feel like I don’t know what to do after he goes to bed. Last night H and I just watched random YouTube videos but legit don’t know what people do when their kids are asleep?

MissKittyDanger · January 2022

@VarunaTT glad you're in a better place now. Unfortunately that K put you through all you did

@charlotte989875 honestly, depends on day. During the week, we'll watch 1 or 2 episodes of a show we're watching, then I go upstairs to watch tiktoks or youtube vids.
Weekends we might watch a movie {more likely Saturday nights we watch a movie}

MissKittyDanger · January 2022

entirely separate post

I PASSED MY DRIVERS TEST

ei34 · January 2022

charlotte989875 said:

I’m here but my life is pretty boring these days.

When baby M was getting up all night I would go to bed super early to deal, but now that he’s a bit better (knock on wood) I feel like I don’t know what to do after he goes to bed. Last night H and I just watched random YouTube videos but legit don’t know what people do when their kids are asleep?

My kids go to bed around 7-7:15, and I go to bed around 9:30. Those golden couple of hours usually include a shower, grading student work, light reading (a magazine, wolfstar fanfic...not my current book), and working on hands-on things for the kids if anything is on tap (leading up to a birthday, Halloween...I'm actually about to start assembling their class Valentine's).
Then there's my light tv watching. I enjoy snl videos on youtube, watching my fave Food Network shows on Discovery+, Earth Moods on Disney+, or re-watching shows or movies I've already seen. If it's a new show I have a one episode per night limit. Schitt's Creek, which I loved, took me like 8 months to complete, lol. I just don't have it in me..

banana468 · January 2022

charlotte989875 said:

I’m here but my life is pretty boring these days.

When baby M was getting up all night I would go to bed super early to deal, but now that he’s a bit better (knock on wood) I feel like I don’t know what to do after he goes to bed. Last night H and I just watched random YouTube videos but legit don’t know what people do when their kids are asleep?

Ozark!

And sex.

For serious though - we get maybe an hour or so between the time that our kids are in insanity hour and we want to go to sleep. We use that time on weeknights to watch the shows we want. We finished Cobra Kai, watched the latest Bond on Sat/Sun and started Ozark Mon.

short+sassy · January 2022

@ILoveBeachMusic, it's not really a "cake" like what people usually think of. It's similar to braided dough with cinnamon ribbons inside. They can also be stuffed with other things. Cream cheese, or strawberry, or strawberry/cream cheese are common ones. But there are SO many! Some bakeries will make a name for themselves by having a more unique stuffing. Like there is one that has a banana/coconut cream stuffing. They usually have a thick white icing on top with purple/green/gold sugar or sprinkles.

To add on to that for @ei34, they don't really taste like bundt cakes, but they are circular and have a whole in the middle like a bundt cake does. You are totally right about the colors and the baby hidden inside! Purple/green/gold are the colors of Mardi Gras. The little plastic baby is symbolic of the baby Jesus. The tradition is that, whoever gets the piece with the baby, needs to bring the next king cake.

I'll post a pic of my king cake when I get it. But, in the meantime, here are some pics of a whole king cake and a plain one that has been cut open:

The baby doesn't usually sit on top, unless that is requested. It's usually somewhere baked inside the cake.

Edited to add: it's not a ring, at least not for king cakes. Though, hmmm, that would be a cool way to propose to someone, lol.

But for wedding cakes, there is a local tradition of having ribbons tied to objects that are inside the cake. The bride's BMs will each pull a ribbon and whatever object it is attached to part of her "future". One of the objects is a ring and that BM will be the next to get married. TBH, I've only seen this at one wedding, so I think it be more a dying tradition.

The two women who have cubes next to mine are in their 50s/early 60s and both native New Orleanians. They both told me, "Oh yeah! Wedding pulls. Those were always done at weddings back in my day." But neither one of them could remember much of what the other pulls were or what they meant, lol.

banana468 · January 2022

@ILoveBeachMusic I'm a northern girl but the recipes I see for a king cake that I've made that are easy are best compared to a yeasted cinnamon roll made into a cake.

It's a yeasted dough filled with cinnamon and sugar that goes through the same proofing/rising process as any bread/bun that's rolled up and baked as a circle/oval.

When I've made it I put the baby in after it's done and sprinkle the glazed cake with the 3 colors of sugar. We've eaten it for dessert on Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras) but I have a feeling that based on the taste it's often served as a coffee cake.

@short+sassy am I off?

levioosa · January 2022

Hi everyone!

@MissKittyDanger

@VarunaTT I’m glad you feel better. Staying home for ten days helped me too. I was able to do some solid work on some personal goals and tbh I feel like mentally I’m the most positive I’ve been in a long time. Being sick sucks, but it was just so nice to be home without (for the most part) work bugging and taking a piece of your soul each day.

I’m tired today but I think overall I feel like I have a little more energy? My CXR yesterday was negative for pneumonia (expected but thank goodness), and my O2 only dropped to 89% once last night during my elliptical workout. I’m attempting a hike for the first time in almost 2 weeks tonight but the pulse ox is coming along with me JIC I need to scale back. Other than that SSDD.

I have to share an annoyance. We’re eloping/having a micro wedding in March. I emailed someone for hair and makeup and after going back and forth (unnecessarily IMO) she emails me her pricing brochure which was SIX HUNDRED AND TWENTY FIVE FUCKING DOLLARS for hair and makeup. The trial in addition to that was $300! I am flabbergasted at the price. She has to travel to the hotel, but it’s in the same city that she’s based out of, and like a seven minute commute from her office. Like, why did you waste both of our times? The second I emailed you and said I was interested with a date just email me back with the pricing brochure and your availability. Don’t make me send a third email answering more questions. I’m trying to think of a way to respond that’s like “are you fucking serious right now?” But in a polite way. And I cannot believe that the reviews on yelp don’t mention her insane pricing.

ILoveBeachMusic · January 2022

levioosa said:

Hi everyone!

@MissKittyDanger

@VarunaTT I’m glad you feel better. Staying home for ten days helped me too. I was able to do some solid work on some personal goals and tbh I feel like mentally I’m the most positive I’ve been in a long time. Being sick sucks, but it was just so nice to be home without (for the most part) work bugging and taking a piece of your soul each day.

I’m tired today but I think overall I feel like I have a little more energy? My CXR yesterday was negative for pneumonia (expected but thank goodness), and my O2 only dropped to 89% once last night during my elliptical workout. I’m attempting a hike for the first time in almost 2 weeks tonight but the pulse ox is coming along with me JIC I need to scale back. Other than that SSDD.

I have to share an annoyance. We’re eloping/having a micro wedding in March. I emailed someone for hair and makeup and after going back and forth (unnecessarily IMO) she emails me her pricing brochure which was SIX HUNDRED AND TWENTY FIVE FUCKING DOLLARS for hair and makeup. The trial in addition to that was $300! I am flabbergasted at the price. She has to travel to the hotel, but it’s in the same city that she’s based out of, and like a seven minute commute from her office. Like, why did you waste both of our times? The second I emailed you and said I was interested with a date just email me back with the pricing brochure and your availability. Don’t make me send a third email answering more questions. I’m trying to think of a way to respond that’s like “are you fucking serious right now?” But in a polite way. And I cannot believe that the reviews on yelp don’t mention her insane pricing.

Geez that's ridiculous pricing! Hope you can find a more reasonable person. Yay for setting a date!

banana468 · January 2022

@levioosa I'd be tempted to respond with, "Those rates are not comparable to other artists that quoted me. Can you advise if at those prices you are including products that can be used for reapplication throughout the day?"

mrsconn23 · January 2022

@levioosa, that's obnoxious! Also, be a better business person and provide your pricing up front. But almost $1k for hair and make up, plus a tip?! WTF?

Congrats @MissKittyDanger!!

@VarunaTT. yay for self-reflection, clarity, and seeing how you've grown.

It's DH's bday. He's off work today. He went to the BMV to get a RealID because his license expires. Woo adulting. LOL

We're going to Nate Bargatze tonight. Masks are required, so yay for that.

I'm getting excited about my trip, but I'm still waiting for my PCR results (they return in about 48 hours) and therefore nervous. I feel fine. We did get our government rapid tests in the mail yesterday and it's sooo... tempting to take one.

short+sassy · January 2022

Oh fun! One of the coworkers I mentioned found a link at one of our local bakeries that talks about the NOLA wedding tradition of pulls. People assume it is a French tradition because...hello? New Orleans...but it is not. It comes from England/Ireland/Scotland.

At the wedding I went to, it was just the BMs and one of my coworkers thought the same thing. But this link and my other coworker said it is the single women at the wedding*.

Some of the pulls are negative! One of them is a penny that is supposedly a symbol for poverty. But both my coworkers said "no". At least in more modern times, the penny is a symbol for wealth. I remembered one of the pulls at the wedding I went to was for "wealth", but couldn't remember what the symbol was.

Charmed: History of Cake Pulls - Gambinos Bakery

*oops, single women who are close friends of the bride. One needs to be invited to take a pull. So that makes sense why some people would mistake that for just the BMs.

levioosa · January 2022

banana468 said:

@levioosa I'd be tempted to respond with, "Those rates are not comparable to other artists that quoted me. Can you advise if at those prices you are including products that can be used for reapplication throughout the day?"

I need to get more official quotes. But she did say she would leave behind a “bridal kit” for touch ups. I would assume pricing in my area to be $200-300. I just had my hair and makeup done in Honolulu which is a premium location and it was only $150 for the BMs. I’m sure the prices should be comparable to my area home.

banana468 · January 2022

levioosa said:

banana468 said:

@levioosa I'd be tempted to respond with, "Those rates are not comparable to other artists that quoted me. Can you advise if at those prices you are including products that can be used for reapplication throughout the day?"

I need to get more official quotes. But she did say she would leave behind a “bridal kit” for touch ups. I would assume pricing in my area to be $200-300. I just had my hair and makeup done in Honolulu which is a premium location and it was only $150 for the BMs. I’m sure the prices should be comparable to my area home.

When I said products I'm meaning things like, a full size Bobbi Brown lipstick, MAC concealer, Laura Mercier blush and tools, etc. Like, you can leave your wedding and reapply your wedding makeup with what she leaves you until your 1st anniversary at those rates.

levioosa · January 2022

@banana468 I literally said the same thing to my FSIL. For $1000 I’m basically buying her a whole new lot of makeup to use on me.

short+sassy · January 2022

@MissKittyDanger, Congrats! I know having your driver's license will make things easier for yourself and your family.

@levioosa, when it comes to quotes/pricing (for anything) I usually don't bother replying back if I'm no longer interested. Unless a potential vendor follows up with me. Then I'll reply back with a short version of the truth. Like start with "thank you for the info"...and then add "but I went with someone else" or "but I decided that was outside my price range".

Because, yeeahhh. I'll do my hair myself to save $1K, even if it wouldn't be as "cute". Really, though. I'm sure you can find someone much cheaper who can still do your hair the way you want it, even in a HCOL area. I got married in Capistrano Beach, CA and my hair dresser was in San Clemente. You don't get much more HCOL than that, lol. I did travel to her salon for both the trial and on my wedding day, so that probably saved some money, but it was still only about $200 total (including the trial). Still on the cheap side, plus that was 8 years ago. But even doubling that amount is a lot less.

climbingsingle · January 2022

@VarunaTT so glad you're feeling in a better place. It took me a really long time to pull myself out of survival mode as well but when what I called the fog began to lift, it was such a good feeling. I still have days where I'm upset that I even let someone treat me so horribly, that I was married to, for 7 years. But it gets easier every day.

@MissKittyDanger Congrats!

@levioosa that quote is insane. Wow.

I'm already so over winter. It's been so damn cold. We're supposed to get a snowstorm this weekend, but timing/tracking obviously will change 100 times between now and Friday. My SIL's due date is this weekend, and my brother also works for a DPW meaning he plows, so it will be interesting to see how this all shakes out!

My job told us to start planning on coming back in every day, which I expected. I'm honestly surprised they've even let us WFM for about a month. Super bummed though. It's been really nice saving on gas and tolls. And being in sweatpants again...haha.

short+sassy · January 2022

climbingsingle said:

I'm already so over winter. It's been so damn cold. We're supposed to get a snowstorm this weekend, but timing/tracking obviously will change 100 times between now and Friday. My SIL's due date is this weekend, and my brother also works for a DPW meaning he plows, so it will be interesting to see how this all shakes out!

My job told us to start planning on coming back in every day, which I expected. I'm honestly surprised they've even let us WFM for about a month. Super bummed though. It's been really nice saving on gas and tolls. And being in sweatpants again...haha.

For me, the biggest thing was the time. THE TIME!!! And I have a cream puff commute compared to the vast majority of people.

climbingsingle · January 2022

short+sassy said:

climbingsingle said:

I'm already so over winter. It's been so damn cold. We're supposed to get a snowstorm this weekend, but timing/tracking obviously will change 100 times between now and Friday. My SIL's due date is this weekend, and my brother also works for a DPW meaning he plows, so it will be interesting to see how this all shakes out!

My job told us to start planning on coming back in every day, which I expected. I'm honestly surprised they've even let us WFM for about a month. Super bummed though. It's been really nice saving on gas and tolls. And being in sweatpants again...haha.

For me, the biggest thing was the time. THE TIME!!! And I have a cream puff commute compared to the vast majority of people.

Yup that too for sure! I live only 20 miles from my office, but if the traffic is bad, it could take an hour to get home.

CharmedPam · January 2022

That is amazing @MissKittyDanger! Congrats
@levioosa. My wedding dress was less than that bair/make up quote lol! I like @banana468’s let down. I think you should mention her pricing as why you’re saying no. She needs to know!
@VarunaTT, love the self reflection you got out of that
@climbingsingle, add me to sick of this winter crap too. -9 today. Thanksbutnothanks

i had a fun bingo night yesterday and tonight is a meetup dinner. I think I’m over doing it though because my back isn’t getting any better

I’m staying home tomorrow for sure. I wanted to see Scream but it’s just to much.

levioosa · January 2022

I just got a second quote for $450 for hair and makeup. I’m working on a third quote now. This is insanity. I would say I’m pretty decent with makeup. Hair is a different story but I can figure that out when I really need to, it just won’t be anything special. I’ll be a little disappointed if I can’t get my makeup done only because it will save time (obviously I’m much slower than a pro) and it just makes you feel fancy before a special event.

MyNameIsNot · January 2022

@MissKittyDanger, Congrats!
@levioosa, could this be the "wedding tax"? Do you think people would offer realistic rates if you don't tell them what it's for?

Glad everyone is feeling better and getting back to living. I've been a little sideways this week. I spend all day yesterday thinking it was Wednesday, but now today feels like a Tuesday. And the day is almost over and ugh.

We're still planning a trip for H's birthday next week, but I'm so stressed about covid forcing a cancelation. I know cancelling a trip is not a big deal compared to what others have gone though, but I'm still whiny about it. We'll be two weeks isolated by the time we test, so it should be fine, but omicron is an asshole.

MissKittyDanger · January 2022

Thanks everyone!

I just got off phone with my dr.
A lot of issues could be chalked up to side effects of IUD because I have Mirena and it's high progestrone.
We're still doing ultrasound and blood work. Luckily I have a medical place by me for ultrasound and bloodwork spot just by BK's preschool.
We're ruling stuff out right now, but it could just be the IUD

I'm gonna talk to M about if it being IUD issues, what would be the ideal option for us {me continue to deal, him snip, or me snip - and would last 2 options depend on covid restrictions}

kerbohl · January 2022

MissKittyDanger said:

entirely separate post

I PASSED MY DRIVERS TEST

Wow, congratulations!!!! That is so awesome for you - I'm glad that is finally over.

kerbohl · January 2022

Yesterday was our 8th wedding anniversary. It was a nice day, but it sucks that we can't go out anywhere. But, hubby FINALLY found the rapid tests, took one, and he doesn't have Covid. So I can stop isolating now that we know. It's good, I was running low on dog food and it was stressing me out.

@short+sassy Those cakes look tasty! These cake pulls sound intriguing, but I just can't get over having an object in a cake. Pennies are filthy, I don't want to eat the cake that was around that penny. And I'm not usually a picky eater - I mean, I have probably eaten a pound a dog fur because we just can't seem to keep it out of the foods, but pennies sort of gross me out.

charlotte989875 · January 2022

MissKittyDanger said:

entirely separate post

I PASSED MY DRIVERS TEST

Congratulations!!!! 🎉🍾

STARMOON44 · January 2022

Congratulations @MissKittyDanger!!

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