u/Excellent-Win6216

My father recently passed away. He was very sentimental, and held onto everything from ticket stubs to birthday cards to receipts to post-its from loved ones. I’m still going through it all and will be for some time, probably a few times. Knowing what to keep isn’t the issue, but how.

I inherited this “sentimental pack rat” trait, and going through his things has inspired a personal reevaluation of my own “stuff”- as they say, you can’t take it with you - and I realized that curating special memories ultimately honors them more than keeping everything.

I’d like to start a book for memories of/with him, and another for myself (I’m sure I’ll end up with many). I’d like an archival effect, but when I think of how to categorize - by theme, or time period, or type, or whatever, I get overwhelmed. I can be a bit of a perfectionist with this stuff, and want it to be an act of love, not a chore.

But, where to start? how do I categorize and create order, without driving myself mad in the process?

I’d love to hear practical tips and/or helpful mental framing on how to approach it all. It’s a journey that I’m excited for, and hope to make a plan that allows for flexibility and discovery 💗

I moved across the country temporarily for work, and during that time my father and best friend passed away. It's been enormously stressful, juggling grief and work and my father's estate, pretty much alone, as my mother left early, my sibling is just interested in his inheritance, and I’m far from any close friends.

I'd been seeing my therapist bi-weekly for 2 years, and earlier this year, we both felt like I was ready to leave the nest, so to speak. But then everything went south, and all the old family stuff came to the fore, and I asked for weekly sessions again. We had a couple of sessions, but scheduling was difficult due to the time difference and my intense workload. Often my lunchbreak was the only time, so I was eating, or the wifi was spotty, etc. This seem to bug her and I felt the frustration - once the patient portal was glitching, and I couldn't log on, but she kept saying that I missed the meeting, even when I send time stamped screenshots. She didn't charge me for it, but the next session, instead of confirming the next time, she said it seemed like my schedule was all over the place, and to let her know when I had more time. And that was that.

This was maybe 2 months ago. I've been coping, I'm still a mess, I'm still deeply grieving, I keep forgetting about this, and then remembering, and- it bugs me that she put the ball in my court and backed off. Yes, I was scattered, because my life was scattered, and of course I understand professional boundaries. But it's not like I was on a bender or had a prior history of wasting her time ; I was at the literal lowest, loneliest time of my life, doing my best in constrained circumstances.

The answer is probably "bring it up with her" but it feels strange that the onus is on me to pursue her (after reaching back out the first time) and do the emotional lifting of setting up a hard conversation. And tbh, I have a bad taste in my mouth - yes I have abandonment issues, and...yes she obviously knows this. Am I wrong to think she could have been more careful, or flexible or at least, checked in at some point given the circumstances?

I first got finch to help build habits, and the novelty, gamification, and shopping was a huge selling point as I have ADHD. I’m coming up on two years now, and it’s starting to feel…stale.

I’ve visited all the countries, many at or nearing 100%. And I keep seeing the same things in the store - even though when other people post their birbs, there’s a ton of items I’ve never seen. Seems like it’s cycling through the same items only from places I’ve been.

The wigs help a lot tho - so fun! And I’m trying different colors and swapping out items to change it up. But i’m not as crazy about the “adventures” as they take a long time to get through the stories and can be polarizing . And definitely not into the branded content.

I would LOVE to visit more countries, especially in Africa, South America that aren’t generic “safari” or ancient history that showcases their vibrant metropolitan cities.

Anyone feeling stuck? How long have you been a subscriber?

Hi i’m one of the “thought she was a bmc but probably actually a staffy/lab mix”…still posting here bc I want to talk to hunting dog owners.

My girl just killed a baby raccoon. She’s fully vaxxed, wondering if a vet visit is necessary? She’s killed before - squirrels, a chicken, some other bird, and way fine…but Raccoons have such a rep, I wanted to check.

Hoping not as its late and I’m exhausted 🙃

I have a difficult family member, who I used to get caught up in frustrating arguments with. I didn’t want to, and knew better, but it seemed to happen before I even realized what was happening.

My therapist advised that I ‘do not accept the invitation to this argument’ and it was a game-changer. Every time I recognized the ‘bait’ or realized that we were talking in circles, I thought of it as a crappy party that I didn’t want to be at.

It worked so well that I decided to expand the concept to other interactions. What was the offering? Is this conversation an invitation to connect? To collaborate? To support? To witness? Do I accept, or respectfully decline?

And then, to/for myself - what ‘party’ does my energy, tone, and mannerisms, invite others to attend? If I were a house, am I warm and welcoming? Messy, like I wasn’t expecting company? Or so ordered and controlled, that people can’t relax?

Its been really helping me realize how often I enter interactions on auto-pilot. And also another way to think about boundaries; as a respectful decline. Hope this helps someone else!

Baby and toddler with choking hazards, sure. But today, Madewell has recalled thousands of sweaters not up the federal flammability safety standards - apparently one caught fire!

Here’s the link to see if you got one, and how to refund

Has anyone noticed that the most recent Mars + Jupiter, and upcoming Mercury + Saturn, all station(ed) direct (and rx for Saturn) within 1 or 2 degrees of the same degree?

I did, bc they are also all within 1 degree of my MC or DSC. This is quite curious to me obviously on a personal level; I haven’t read anything about multiple transit stations to natal angles.

And as far Mundane, as far as I can tell it’s pretty rare for multiple planets to station at the same point in succession. I’m not too versed in degree theory or mundane astro, though.

Anyway, I would love to hear any takes on this, or resources! Generally, the ancients didn’t spend a whole lot of time on rx stations, and most of what I’ve read references the nativity or by progression. Besides “fated” or turning point” (and yes, each one has been so far!) I’m wondering if there’s research or theories around this. Thanks!

ETA: happy to share specifics if needed

A loved one who passed was an artist, and I’d like to get a few tattoos of doodles and quotes from his sketchbooks to honor him.

I’m pretty well inked, and I’ve noticed that as the quality of artist/work has risen, so has the artist’s creative influence on the piece. IME, the more established/experienced an artist, the more they want to put their own stamp on it. Which I totally get and am mostly down with… tho I’ve also had artists straight up argue and refuse to make any tweaks on a first draft, or pass off a more ‘simple’ piece to a jr. staffer.

In this case, I know that I’m looking for the kind of detail, shading, and fine-line work that comes with experience…but not super-stylized or elaborated. Down to collab, not acquiesce.

Since most places have intake forms, and maaaaaaybe a conversation before the appointment- how can I be clear about this, without negating their artistry or insulting their professionalism off top?

DC Metro Area, zone 8: planning a memorial for my recently departed father. He was an artist and loved flowers; I want to have seed packets (or seedlings, if that makes more sense) that folks can take and grow in his memory.

What might be affordable, available, and easy to grow from seed, indoors or out? Ideally, can be planted sooner than later (ie not next spring)

His favorites were orchids and white Lily’s, so those are out lol. Also African Violets. Generally he really loved flowers, and always had fresh ones in his home, so the viability, beauty, and practicality is more important than type; we want something that people can and will grow.

A family member has been ill and doesn’t have long. They wish to be cremated. I am their primary caregiver/POA/rep, so juggling a lot and simplifying what and where I can. Wondering if there is a difference in the range and value of cremation services as it seems fairly straightforward, but this is my first rodeo.

Does anyone have a recommendation or advice on choosing? VA cremation Services and the Cremation Society of VA are the first that turned up from a search.

have only looked at VA Cremation Services and am wondering if I

Have had my scribe less than 6 mos., and use the pen for notes fairly infrequently, maybe once or twice a week. Yesterday went to make notes and its not working- apparently the nib is missing.

Google says this its highly unlikely that it fell out (or in?) but I can’t think of anything else. I didn’t notice any issues with it before being worn or wobbly, but this is strange!

I’m traveling and don’t have the little replacement kit…anyway to check without it? In the meantime, can i use my Apple Pencil? (They’re both so proprietary I’m sure the answer is no lol).
Thanks for any tips!

I’m a former L.A. resident, moved back East 7 years ago, and now back for the summer with my pit/lab rescue dog. The city has changed a LOT and so have I - but i’m willing to bet one thing hasn’t: July 4th weekend.

Generally she’s ok with fireworks, we’re pretty close to Dodger Stadium and it doesn’t bother her. But! I remember the amateur fireworks bordering war-zone free-for-all that rattled MY nerves enough to not chance it.

To save my pup’s nerves and stave off PTSD, I’m looking for driveable, dog-happy destination; not another city or deep desert, but somewhere in nature, where she can run around…we went to the beach once before and it mostly confused her, but willing to try coastal just not too touristy/crowded (if such thing exists).

Any suggestions?