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Ps this is one of my obsession pics. I took pics and zoomed in and cropped and collaged to compare.

Told you. I was doing it too. lol.

I really felt your post - I was thinking about posting something similar in the midst of my panic - but I feel so much happier not obsessing.

I am so sorry for your mom’s passing. I hate being part of the my mom is dead club and I am sorry for your loss. It’s devastating.

I lost my mom in July of 2020. It wasn’t even from Covid but she had autoimmune issues and bone marrow cancer. She was sick and in pain for so long and tried to never show it. She always wanted me to lose weight for my health and wanted me to live the life she hadn’t been able to.

Our moms are probably beaming in heaven over their healthy and gorgeous daughters. So who cares if we have a few extra lines?

Please keep in touch! I feel like we are sisters from another mister!

Xoxo

Black Pepper is everywhere! And my reaction includes sores in my mouth and throat which is painful as hell.

I have been using Fig. It has an extensive list of allergens and based on that It will tell give you a green light, yellow light or red light for foods. You can then look at the food to see which allergen it is warning you about so you can determine if it’s worth it.

Unfortunately with my combo of allergens the most variety for me is in a yellow zone but at least then I can see if it is a derivative that I may not react to. This is especially helpful if I haven’t been able to cook my own food.

I think there may be other apps like this but it’s the one I thought had the widest variety of allergens for me to search. Some lists only do that major allergens like dairy, gluten etc.

I hope that helps!!!

Black pepper here And corn And potato And yeast

When I search on the allergy app Fig for things I can eat for breakfast I get a variety of oats For beverages, water Etc. everything has some corn derivative or potato starch or “spices” which may contain pepper.

I thought it was messed up that corn derivatives are in basically everything but I had no idea turmeric is sneakily in so many products!

I am so sorry you get so sick and can’t always identify what has your allergen. Have you tried any apps that will show you what products or restaurants would be safe?

Same here! I love your colors and alterations better than the originals. I looked at this pattern and thought it didn’t really fit what I wanted. Yours is perfect though - especially pic #2!!!

Omg I was literally just looking for patterns with a sun and moon that I liked to make a blanket for my friend who is obsessed with sun and moon things! I love these and the colors are beautiful! Great job - I wouldn’t know it’s only been a month that you’ve been crocheting!

Love love love ❤️

Grrrrrrl! I have been obsessed with mine too! I spiraled about my turkey neck, under eye wrinkles, and puppet lines around my mouth. I thought about them endlessly, bought different creams and serums and makeups and skin tightening devices. I have always looked at least 10 years younger than I am - as every generation has looked on my mom’s side of the family and suddenly I looked my age or older. I was devastated and talking down to myself.

In the midst of it, my 78 year old dad gave me a “gift” of some wrinkle cream that he saw an ad for that promised miracles. He said he noticed the lines on my face are getting deep and he thought he would do something nice. I was torn between thinking how sweet he was and wanting to slap him for the rudeness and disrespect! lol.

My teenage daughter saw all of this going on - me constantly looking in the mirror, layering creams and serums, and being grossed out not only by the turkey neck but because when I touched it or pinched it together it would kind of stick in position. It was freaking me out.

One day when I was doing that she said to me, when my pimples bother me and I say how ugly I am - do you like that? I said no of course - you’re beautiful! And she said “so are you - so stop it. You’re going to give us (kids) body image/appearance issues. Aging is natural and beautiful and we love that you’re feeling well now.”

It took that kids words to smack be back into reality and counting my blessings. I did buy all of that stuff and supplements and devices so I continue to use them to get my moneys worth and I drink a lot more water than I had been. Something seems to be helping but I’m sure it’s also my attitude of gratitude for all of the other benefits.

I am healthier and whether I think I look older or not, I have gotten compliments about looking younger (just due to overall health I’m sure.). I know I’ll live a lot longer now that my A1C and other blood measures are in the healthy range so I will continue to focus on my blessings and not my wrinkly and saggy belly, jowls and neck. I think I have to look at those like a badge of honor because the opposite would mean I was unhealthy and finding my way to an earlier grave.

Keep up the great work and have someone you love give you a loving verbal smack if you need it. You are absolutely gorgeous and nobody but you is looking at any fine lines!

Best to you!

You’re breaking up with her right? Blasphemer doesn’t deserve to be in his majesty’s presence.

You need a good reproductive endocrinologist or any endocrinologist for that matter. I have had PCOS my entire life and just because you lose weight or even have a hysterectomy and oophorectomy does not miraculously change your metabolic or hormonal issues.

My doctors have kept treating my body for PCOS and I had surgery to remove my polycystic ovaries because originally they thought it should be fine if I just didn’t have my uterus. When I continued having pain and large cysts they went in and also found endometriosis that had attached and grown from my ovaries to my appendix and my bowels and I had a 10 hour surgery.

My doctors at the Mayo Clinic and my reproductive endocrinologist who had maintained me as a client after he helped me conceive through IVF due to my PCOS and endometriosis, continued to treat me for PCOS and my symptoms of the insulin resistance and androgens persisted despite the removal of the polycystic ovaries.

It is a syndrome not so simply solved by losing weight or having ovaries removed. If it was that simple, all of us women who suffer with PCOS could breathe easier.

Please find a new doctor - one who really understands the ongoing need and efficacy of the medication with your body chemistry. Best of luck - you were beautiful and clearly strong and intelligent at your heavier weight and you are still that but glowing even more! I’m so happy that you are back to being the athlete that you are!

Keep up the great work and don’t take no for an answer. Your future self will thank you (take it from an older woman who has lived the effects and frustration of PCOS for far too long!)! If I had known then what I know now and this medication had been available, I would definitely fight for it!)

Xoxo

Perry and Dr. Doofenshmirtz

Yes she’s been checked out by a vet. She is healthy as can be.

3 cats 3 litter boxes (but one of the cats will only pee/poop in the yard). She has been to the vet all is well. She’s a healthy girl. One box has crystal litter, one has Dr Elseys and the other has I think arm &hammer clumping because that’s what she had at her previous home.

I am trying to avoid anything that causes the mouth sores/sore throat but if it happens the only thing I’ve been able to do is use lidocaine mouthwash which was gross.

Thanks for your insight!

Oh now that I look closer with my glasses (I’m old lol) I see the bows! So cute! I showed my daughter - she thinks they are cute too and wanted me to ditto everyone’s admiration of the Dino dress!

My goodness you are beautiful in all of the pictures! It’s like you have a light shining inside of you - you must be wonderful to be around. And ps - you’re so lucky you’ve always had such dainty ankles! I love how your butterflies accentuate them!

Awww thank you for saying that. I’m lucky to be their mom. 💜

Is the only way to officially diagnose OAS by doing the testing in the doctors office where you try things and they record reactions? I don’t have an official diagnosis but when I have something I shouldn’t have I know immediately because I get sores in my mouth and my tongue and throat get really painful in addition to breathing issues, congestion, itching etc.

If you have it, does it help to know? Like you may know, but you still can’t do anything for it? Or are there other strategies they can employ to relieve that if you unwittingly eat something you’re allergic to?

You’re so welcome. My daughter had a hard time opening up until we found the right counselor. After that counselor decided to retire, they didn’t really want to go through building trust and retelling her trauma to anyone until we found another one who has therapy dogs. The first few sessions she seemed to just focus on the dogs but eventually she trusted the counselor enough you start talking and now she looks forward to seeing her. The counselor met her dad once and immediately was triggered on our behalf. It did help to give her an understanding of how my kiddo feels. He doesn’t spend time with them or show an interest but when he is with them and in public he makes a very loud production of being a great dad. Lots of nicknames and telling stories to make it seem like he really knows my baby but he retells the same stories again and again because he has not created new memories with my babies.

When he is cut out of their lives he only has himself to blame. Unfortunately we all have had to suffer for his behavior.

I swear it will get better some day. I hope you can find someone you can talk to even if it’s not a counselor or your mom. The school counselors if not too busy or at a crowded school are wonderful. My son spent a lot of time with his counselor in elementary school and looked forward to talking to her but we haven’t had the same experience in other schools where they just want to be sure you’re attending and passing your classes. Anyway it’s worth trying.

I wish I could fix it for you and for all kids in your situation. But last piece of advice is focus on gratitude - be thankful you have a mom who listens to you and other family and friends and the fun things you do.

I do wish you the best and most peaceful teenage years possible! Like those years are difficult enough, right?

I am so sorry to hear this. It truly makes me sad.

My ex-husband has done the same thing with my kids. One of them is oblivious and refuses to see anything bad about his dad. But my other one has seen him for who he is for many years - like you.

They weren’t even upset when he said he had to have radiation for skin cancer that’s gotten out of control and only wanted to know whether they would have to plan the funeral.

They have also said the minute he stops paying anything or helping to support them (and their siblings are old enough because they don’t want to leave them unsupported) they will cut off all contact with him.

He only sees them for 20 minutes a week before an appointment and his only conversations are about school and grades. So they don’t like to talk to him.

They have only stayed at his house within the last year two times - one to introduce them and show them off to his new gf who thinks he is the best dad and the last was overnight for Father’s Day.

I have my kids in therapy and they have abandonment issues, depression and anxiety.

Please talk to your mom about how you feel. I don’t know where you’re located but over the age of 12, counts will consider kids opinions about where to live and such.

And Maybe seeing a counselor would give you a safe place to express your feelings and learn to cope with them.

I hope it gets better.

You sound like an amazing motivated strong woman and I am so proud you stood up for yourself.

I was in similar situation and my ex, who was an accountant with an MBA mind you - quit working (no joint discussion before he did it) and applied for social security disability due to herniated discs. I also have 2 in my lower back and arthritis in my neck) but I still do what I need to do.

Somehow he got approved even though while he sits in his ass all day he could be doing books for money. (And when he wanted to did dumb shit someone who is unemployed due to “disability” should not do.).

While appealing disability decisions until he got it, he did NOTHING to help. I was working my ass off, took an evening job in top of my full time job and was having a hard time making ends meet but he didn’t try to do. We had two small kids and I was missing time with them and he wasn’t even cooking or cleaning and I’m sure just sat the kids in front of the tv all day. He convinced me we had to sell my dream home and he would do better/try harder if he wasn’t stressed about paying our mortgage.

Years later I had enough of his bullshit because nothing made anything better and on top of it he was drinking too much when he was alone with the kids and actually drove with them in the car with him when he was sloshed. He also started smoking sound my babies who had asthma.

Leaving that marriage to that narcissist with my babies was the best thing I ever did. I gained peace, self-confidence, and found out how awesome life was without so much toxicity when I got home from work. I could actually just enjoy my kids and my home without his bs. And my kids even have said they were happier after we left.

Life is too short to put up with that. You need to take care of you and if he’s not willing to help himself too bad - you’ve given him plenty of time.

YOU deserve better!!

Good luck girl!

Don’t pressure by asking repeatedly “did you cum” - makes a guy sound like they are tired of trying even if you know that’s not why they are asking - they want to know you’re feeling good. But as said earlier just because she doesn’t cum doesn’t mean that it doesn’t feel incredible.

Also - keep in mind that medications can make it harder for a woman to orgasm. I was on Paxil before and that was horrible. Couldn’t cum to save my life but I still enjoyed sex immensely.

Last - don’t put pressure on yourself. I know it doesn’t feel good if you think you aren’t pleasing your partner but it’s not always the orgasm - it’s about the physical intimacy and connection.

I agree! And mama might appreciate the length when she steals it from baby to cover herself while holding sweet baby. lol. I loved how soft baby blankets were and I might have been guilty of this.
It’s a beautiful blanket. 💜

Same. It’s actually taken a little fun out of my travel but I’m getting better at packing safe snacks and at my destination find a market where I can grab safe fruits and vegetables, hummus or whatever they have when all I really want is to sit down at a restaurant and order something delicious off of the menu without worry. It sucks but it’s reality I guess I have to accept it. (I am old and was diagnosed about 7 months ago so I’m still learning).

Following. Same. Also, I have realized that my whole life I was told I had severe IBS but now I know it’s reactions to certain foods so I’m afraid to eat anything.

When I travel, I have to find a grocery store to buy safe foods and eat in my room because I can’t eat anywhere. When I travel for work I go with my colleagues to eat but since I have little choice on most menus I am there more to be social which seems to make others uncomfortable because the feel badly for me (or don’t think it’s as serious as it is) and that makes me even more anxious and hopeless. 😞