u/wharleeprof

I'm slated for my first cruise ever, 14 days on the Queen Victoria.

I'm excited about the formal dining, and we're hoping to do most lunches and dinners in the main dining room, not the buffet.

But I'm kind of a picky eater, especially when it comes to 14 days worth of meals. Mostly I want healthy meals (lots of veggies, plus lean protein, whole grains) but also tasty and interesting. I also hate mustard flavored anything and I see mustard popping up on so many menu items. (Whyyy all the mustard?!)

So if I'm always asking for sauce on the side, alternative sauces/dressings, extra veggies...-- is that going to be over the top? Or is that within the realm of reasonable? Should I just go to the buffet instead? I do not prefer the buffet, but I don't want to be an annoying MDR customer.

I'm at a California CC and will be just eligible to retire after May 2027. I'd love to do it if our family finances (investments) look good, because with early retirement, the pension will be quite low for the rest of my life. I am wary to make this very permanent one way decision. I'm no longer loving my job, but if I have to work for money, it's definitely the best deal in town, so I don't want to regret giving up my job and then having to turn around and work twice the hours at half the pay. I want to get out, but also want to keep the "just one more year" option open longer.

Anyway, any recent retirees out there? How and when did you make the decision and announcement? Am I going to be a jerk if I wait as late as possible to decide/announce?

My California driver's license was due for renewal so I paid online. A couple weeks later I got DMV envelope in the mail. I tore it open only to see that while it was sent exactly to my address, the recipient was a sketchy looking dude. My address was printed on his new ID. I googled the name and he showed up as a Most Wanted from a few years ago.

I called the police and DMV, but no one seemed to care. We returned the stray license to the DMV and my own license arrived a week later.

The whole thing is so weird. I'm pretty sure the guy never lived at this house (we've only been here five years so I can't be sure). And even if he did, who would renew their license with the wrong address?

Is this guy running a scam? Did the DMV screw up?

I'm looking for a DK ("light") yarn for doing the Persian Tiles afghan.

Have any of you completed that? What brand and type of yarn did you use?

Or anyone - do you have a favorite DK weight yarn that comes in a good array of colors? I'm looking to do more earthy or muddy colors, not bright. So while I love the idea of something like one of the Hobbii 8/8 cotton yarns, it's not strong in my preferred color range.

I've been using estradiol cream for a while. It's been great for external issues (clit and urethra) but my NP said to also apply regularly in the vagina. She said most women toss the applicator and prefer to use a finger. But when I try that, I feel lihe the cream doesn't stay where it's supposed to, and I just end up with cream smeared all over my finger, and not much left where it belongs.

Should I try the plastic applicator (and if so, are you really supposed to use the same one for three months? They only send me one applicator per three months).

Or, is there some technique or finesse I'm missing, that allows you to deposit the cream in your vagina and have it actually stick there, instead of riding right back out on your finger?

I know this is a weird question, but I thank you in advance if anyone is willing to share their tips.

Looking at old diner menus from the early -mid 1900s, you often see a 5 cent extra charge for a sandwich to be on toasted bread, rather than plain. Five cents might not sound like much, but sandwich prices started at like 15-25 cents for simple sandwiches, so the 5 cents was a big step up.

Was there a particular known reason for charging for the toast upcharge? Was toasting equipment that expensive to buy? Or enough extra work to justify the upcharge? I can make my guesses, but wondering if there's any actual history on the reason.

I just got back from a weekend trip with meals at restaurants with varying levels of service. I'm curious what people typically tip at these types of places. (Also, this is California. Servers get regular minimum wage, not reduced for tips

A. Counter service - order and pay at counter. Get own drinks/water, tableware, condiments, etc. Bus own table. Employees do bring food to your table when it's ready.

B. Counter service at a bar (for food, not drinks- edit to clarify) - same as above, but they do bus your table. You also have to return to bar and wait to pay your tab after eating.

C. Near full service - you get menu from counter, server brings water, takes order, brings food out. No additional table service available. Must go to counter to ask for anything and to pay.

My mom did up the living room in the 1980s with everything pastel pink and florals. It stayed that way until both my parents passed on.

My friend's house had a very BLUE formal living room, done up in the early 70s.

So when it comes to work, I have my paid job. Then there are chores at home like cooking, cleaning, yard work, etc.

But is there a name for dealing with all the information-based stuff like taxes, accounts, bills, investments, insurance, appointments, updates, subscriptions, planning, reservations, etc. It's all the chores that are done primarily by phone, app, email, and snail mail.

I'm really sick of this kind of chore and feel like it's taking over my life! Especially because I'm doing my dad's estate and am now in charge of wrapping up all the little accounts and mail and whatnot from his life (and even random things popping up in the mail to my 15-years-deceased mother!).

I wish I could delegate more of it to my husband, but by the time I'd explain anything to him, I may as well do it myself.

How are you all feeling about this sort of stuff in your life right now?

Spring/summer is here and I'm bored with what I've been cooking all winter.

Any favorite Asian recipes or ingredients that you'd recommend? Especially things that are good prepped in advance, and served as a bowl or salad.