u/Big_Criticism_8335

I've lived in my apt for almost 5 yrs. It is a privately owned, small courtyard style complex. I've really enjoyed living here. Most of my neighbors only stay for a year lease as all the units are 1 bdrm. I recently got 4 new neighbors over the last 2 months. I work 3rd shift so I really don't see/encounter my neighbors. My old dog is really going downhill. I've always made sure to pick up after her the entire I've lived here but now, it's nearly impossible. Late last night, she woke up, hopped off the bed, and immediately assumed the position. Normally, she's on a leash bc she's been deaf for 3 yrs and she's nearly blind now but I panicked last night and ran her outside without it on. She wandered all over, trailing diarrhea. It being so dark, I couldn't see what/where she was going but I could tell by her posture (she is mostly white) she was straining. 1 new neighbor also got a puppy after she moved in and she has not been leash training him. Adorable bernadoodle but shaggy and gets the zoomies in that area. I actually left her a more personal note, addressing his coat & paws being contaminated. It's been really hard, emotionally & physically, dealing with an aging pet so the last thing I need is my neighbors tracking diarrhea all over their apts and holding a grudge. I hung these up on my neighbors doors last night.

It's pretty late in summer atp, but I finally put away my winter wear. I bought vacuum seal bags - these were from Amazon and came with a hand pump. I had used Hefty brand bags before but the seal valves never worked with my vacuum attachments. The largest bag is all sweaters + my fluffy hooded house robe, 1 is all hoodies & sweatshirts, 1 is winter PJs + thermal undergear, 1 is all thick socks, house slippers & leg warmers. In plastic totes, this would easily fill 3 - 4 of the standard size. I know it'll be just a couple months before we get cooler fall temps (I should'vedone this in Spring, like a normal person), but all these unused clothing was really limiting my ability to organize or find anything.

My next big tackle and put into vacuum bags: down comforters, winter blankets, and couch covers.

I currently have 3 cats. My youngest, smallest, only girl is scared of thunder (fireworks, all loud and/or unusual noises) and does this creepy-sneaky low crawl whenever we have a storm. I've had cats for over 40+ yrs and she's the 1st cat I've had that has been like this. You can see in the vid, 1 my boys comes sauntering in, like nbd. (Yeah, sorry for horrible lighting). I've had dogs over the years that have been scared of thunder/fireworks but never cats. If she's not actively hiding, I'll scoop her up and put her under my bed blanket and she'll hunker down til the storm passes.

Anybody else have a scaredy cat? What helps your kitty?

From https://www.instagram.com/reel/DbD\_8GzOpZS/

Or something related to allergies. No, it was a full blown summer flu. Maybe serendipity. I hate my job. Rather have a fever than be at work. Minimum required protein, dairy, and carbs.

He wants it. He needs it. He demands it. I serve my master.

There's something in the air...my almost 17 yr old dog (deaf, nearly blind) found a baby Robin on our morning waddle. I typically find babies/fledglings/injured birds once a year, around my apt (lots of old trees). Just terrible timing. The only wildlife rehab that takes native songbirds is 1+ hr away and I work 3rd shift. Fri a.m. my dog has an all day blood test, starting at 9 a.m. On top of that, I have a horrible situation at work unfolding that has pushed me into a really stressed and dark hole. I'm already having to make appts with medical Drs, mental health providers AND lawyers, in addition to vet appts. Now, this.

Baby bird, why? Why did you show up when my life is such a dumpster fire?

My old, almost 17 yr old, deaf & nearly blind dog found this fledgling, outside my apt. I thought it was dead at 1st bc my dog was really snuffling it. I looked in the surrounding trees for a nest or other babies, but saw nothing to indicate where it came from. No adult robins were flying around, in distress or being protective. The other pics show where I found it. There was a lot of poop where it was, so I'm assuming it was there for awhile. Terrible timing - I work 3rd shift and tomorrow a.m. my dog has an all day blood test scheduled. The rehab I use (pretty much once a year) is over an hour away. (sigh) I'm going to continue to try to locate the parents. My biggest worry is putting this baby back out to be exposed to the high temps. Should I hold on til I can get it to the wildlife rehab or just put it back out and hope for the best?

I just can't cope with beef prices anymore. First, I stopped buying steaks and roasts. Now, I may stop buying ground beef. I finally decided to give ground turkey a try. Main appeal, of course, was cost. It was a smidge over ½ the cost of beef. I just bought 1 lb to experiment with. I heard so many ppl, for so many years, recommend swapping turkey for beef in chili. I'm 53 and I feel like I've cheated myself out of hundreds of dollars over the years by not having done this sooner. This chili was delicious! With all the seasonings (plus onions & lots of garlic) I couldn't tell a difference! Texture is spot on. Maybe it helped that I used a can beef broth too. I shredded sharp cheddar cheese, diced raw onions, and a side of French bread. Admittedly, not really my go to for summer....but hey! Beans are cheap. If you haven't tried ground turkey yet, I highly recommend you try it! Healthier & cheaper than beef.

I did this for a friend who's 16 yr old kitty passed away.

Acrylics on wood. Real dried flowers and geode crystals added.

Source dharni

Cute kitty tattoo I did a few years ago.

I was born in the US to Korean immigrants. They immigrated in the early 70s, a tumultuous time in SK. My father was a Political & Human Rights Activist since I was born. I watched him get arrested outside the Korean Embassy in DC, after the Gwangju Massacre. I cried as I continued to march with 100s of Koreans to the White House to protest the US backing of the military dictatorship ruling Korea.

My father always told me and my brother about human rights and democracy. About fairness and accountability. I grew up proud to be an American and of my Korean culture. So much so, I literally wear it on my sleeve (the horse is my dad's zodiac).

He passed away in 2019. Even in his 80s, he continued to travel throughout SEA, doing humanitarian work with Korean NGOs and non-profits. Human rights and political activism was truly his life passion and he continued working until the very end. He was given the honor of being buried with the martyrs of the Gwangu Massacre in their memorial cemetery.

So, what would this proud man of integrity think now if he heard that his only daughter's coworker threatened to call ICE on her? All the struggles he faced as an immigrant with nothing but $200 and a suitcase, to have his children in the US...just so we would face racial discrimination our whole lives.

Last night, a coworker I already have a bad history with, told me, "You better watch your ass or I'll call ICE on you." I exploded in rage, "I was born HERE, you dumb B--!!" Management separated us, but she continued to bully & intimidate me throughout the night. I kept cussing her in Korean, so nobody understood me.

Statements, grievances, bureaucratic bullshit - all set in motion. deep sigh ofc there's no simple fix. And no apology will help either. I'm contacting EEO and a harassment lawyer, yada yada...

I'm just shook. This woman, a black woman in her 60s, decided to weaponize a federal agency against me simply bc of my face/race. An agency that has been used as a political tool against immigrants, like my family's. She knows nothing about me except I'm not White or Black. I'm "foreign looking". Doesn't matter I was born here, or don't have an accent. I LOOK "not American". And that's all it takes for a stupid AH to use against you these days. It's not a Blk & Wh issue - it's all us "inbetweens" the browns & yellows that have to face this special kind of racism. Definitely, the Hispanic/Latino communities have faced the brunt of this discrimination, but I'm hearing more and more of SEAs and EAs getting taken into custody too.

In all my 53 yrs in the US, I have definitely faced racism. Ethnic slurs, micro-aggressions, stereotypes...I've heard it all. Being an Asian Woman, brings another layer to it. But even after Covid, I never really face true racism or discrimination in years, if not decades.

What this woman said to me was like suddenly being called "Ch---k!" to my face. I think to all the times I heard, "Go back to YOUR country!" "You're not American!" "Speak English!" (I was raised bilingual) etc etc.

Sure, we can all agree that it was ignorant comment. Low hanging fruit. But it's a low blow and absolutely inexcusable. I'm so livid and bent over how my management is dealing with this situation and her.

아빠, this was your American Dream. Over ½ a century in this country, and I'm still being told I don't belong. Just because of my face. Your face. At least, you made it back home. America is showing me, this was and never will be home.

When you hate your job so much and think, "Maybe I'll just drive this over to Dunkin Donuts...what's the worst they can do? Fire me?" Yes, but I'm ready to quit anyways. Might as well leave on a high, right?

I'm actively seeking other employment, even though there's very little available in terms of hours & pay that's going to pay my bills. At least I'm FL Certified now, so that's 1 bonus.