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Post by grumpycakes on Dec 10, 2023 15:40:37 GMT -6
Ok y’all. The last post on this forum was in August. I miss you guys. I keep checking every week or so and no new posts. I hope you’re all having a wonderful holiday season! Please respond to this thread if you’re missing this place and checking in too. I would love to hear from you.
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DGM
Sapphire
Posts: 2,663 Likes: 5,650 
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Post by DGM on Dec 11, 2023 16:02:08 GMT -6
This is my home page when I open proboards so I see it each week as I lightly participate in GD, Blinds, and Politics.
Ironically while cleaning out my garage this morning, I found a box of Nikki's cloth diapers. My youngest is 6 years old 🤦♀️
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Post by niko8083 on Dec 11, 2023 19:47:04 GMT -6
I check in every couple of weeks. Life seems to be so busy lately. We are getting ready for Christmas along with finally getting our storage unit cleaned out. My baby is 2.5yrs old and I’m thinking about digging out the cloth diapers and selling them. My stash has grown a lot over the years and it just seems like a huge undertaking but, we are done having kids and there is no sense in holding on to them.
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Post by pbandj714 on Dec 12, 2023 9:08:22 GMT -6
I do the same. I check in periodically and think man, this place used to be bumpin. But I know we're all busy and most have moved on to big kid busy.
I need to sort through and destash my dipes, too. I only CD'd the youngest for a few months and he's 2.5 so it needs to happen. Much like all the piles of outgrown clothes I need to pass on.
G is playing travel baseball. L just started seeing a therapist for anxiety. And I plan to potty train H after the holidays. J and I are just KOKO.
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sarenu
Amethyst
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Post by sarenu on Dec 12, 2023 11:43:55 GMT -6
We are still trying to fix things in the new house. January we will be pulling out carpeting on the second floor to check the sub flooring. Then we will be installing carpeting in 4 rooms and vinyl in the office.
Ive started running again.
We have 2 black belts, my oldest plays flute and is in choir. The middle plays trombone and is now taking up guitar. The youngest needs to get into swimming classes.
Life is crazy.
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DGM
Sapphire
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Post by DGM on Dec 13, 2023 15:41:11 GMT -6
One thing helping me keep my sanity this busy season is to stick with the Something to Wear, Read, Want, Need for L and J's gifts from us. I learned that from this board 😀
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milano
Emerald
Posts: 10,914 Likes: 36,993
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Post by milano on Dec 13, 2023 22:09:29 GMT -6
Hi friends!!! I do miss you all. I miss participating in this place every day, even though I only check in maybe once every couple of months. I need to do better. My kids are giants. I can't believe their butts ever fit in cloth diapers! Both are doing well and really are delightful little humans, like 95% of the time. All 3 dogs are still going strong and making me lose my mind on the reg. So much dog hair and energy. I walk around the house with a posse following my every move. My travel advisor gig is so much fun, I'm so grateful I took the plunge even though I struggle with imposter syndrome sometimes, since I'm still "new" and am building my confidence. My husband is still traveling a lot for work but has made some adjustments to be around more in 2024 which I am excited for. We are doing well though, absence makes the heart grow fonder and all of that. We have a good balance. HOA drama is still plentiful and I'm counting down until my Board retirement date in 2025. I'm still very passionate about Jeni's ice cream, Cabernet, and Pilates. And that pretty much sums it up! I hope you all have a fantastic holiday season  |
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mc13
Sapphire
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Post by mc13 on Dec 14, 2023 16:05:38 GMT -6
I'm still poking around here too! My first "baby" will be 9 in two weeks and E+A are 7. I can't believe it. My niece, that was born in May, has been wearing all our hand-me-down cloth diapers and it makes my heart so happy.
We're definitely in the big kid busy phase of life with lacrosse, horseback riding, piano lessons, gymnastics, and volleyball. I've been self-employed for 2.5 years now doing business operations for small online woman-owned businesses and landed a dream client back in June. Things have escalated very quickly, but it feels good! MH is navigating a few very exciting job opportunities right now too. He still enjoys where he is, but these would be a huge step for him professionally.
Glad everyone seems to be checking in and doing well!
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rugger
Amethyst
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Post by rugger on Dec 15, 2023 18:54:19 GMT -6
Oh gosh, I miss you guys!! I miss having a perfect little corner of the internet to vent and cheer each other on.
We closed on the new house in August and love having the extra space. R is in 6th grade (eep!), playing the cello, and very much developing her tween/teen attitude. A is in 4th grade and is still my wild child that drives me bonkers.
Business has been crazy slow all Fall (even across the industry), but I'm hopeful for an uptick in the new year.
I'm going to try to check in more often around here.
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rugger
Amethyst
Posts: 5,768 Likes: 14,536
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Post by rugger on Dec 15, 2023 18:55:28 GMT -6
Hi friends!!! I do miss you all. I miss participating in this place every day, even though I only check in maybe once every couple of months. I need to do better. My kids are giants. I can't believe their butts ever fit in cloth diapers! Both are doing well and really are delightful little humans, like 95% of the time. All 3 dogs are still going strong and making me lose my mind on the reg. So much dog hair and energy. I walk around the house with a posse following my every move. My travel advisor gig is so much fun, I'm so grateful I took the plunge even though I struggle with imposter syndrome sometimes, since I'm still "new" and am building my confidence. My husband is still traveling a lot for work but has made some adjustments to be around more in 2024 which I am excited for. We are doing well though, absence makes the heart grow fonder and all of that. We have a good balance. HOA drama is still plentiful and I'm counting down until my Board retirement date in 2025. I'm still very passionate about Jeni's ice cream, Cabernet, and Pilates. And that pretty much sums it up! I hope you all have a fantastic holiday season How fun! I didn't realize you made the jump to travel agent; congrats! |
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mapleme
Amethyst
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Post by mapleme on Dec 17, 2023 11:02:41 GMT -6
I miss you all! I would have said that I check here a couple times a week, but clearly it's been over a week since I last checked. In fact, I think I clicked on the bookmark by accident. But I am glad that I did!
M and C are 9 and 7 now. M is starting to become her own independent human and I love it. C is an endless chatterbox and I love that too. I love the things in them that are just like DH and I and I love learning about the things that are totally different from us.
My business has grown a bunch and I'm actively learning how to navigate that. I've never worked anything but entry level work for anyone besides myself, so I have to learn how to even just "be" with a business this size. I've been working with coaches over the past year and we've made a ton of internal changes that have made things way better. The staff that I have now are fantastic and are really helping to "create" the company (20 years in, lol). I even just hired my first full time marketing person.
I recently joined as a cohost for a podcast about hot sauce, which has been a really fun learning experience. It is so different from anything that I've done before. I built a little studio in my basement and I'm figuring it out.
Let's chat more often!
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mapleme
Amethyst
Posts: 6,065 Likes: 16,081
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Post by mapleme on Dec 17, 2023 11:04:51 GMT -6
I'm still poking around here too! My first "baby" will be 9 in two weeks and E+A are 7. I can't believe it. My niece, that was born in May, has been wearing all our hand-me-down cloth diapers and it makes my heart so happy. We're definitely in the big kid busy phase of life with lacrosse, horseback riding, piano lessons, gymnastics, and volleyball. I've been self-employed for 2.5 years now doing business operations for small online woman-owned businesses and landed a dream client back in June. Things have escalated very quickly, but it feels good! MH is navigating a few very exciting job opportunities right now too. He still enjoys where he is, but these would be a huge step for him professionally. Glad everyone seems to be checking in and doing well! Doing business operations for small online businesses sounds really cool. What does that entail? Books? I remember a business that started around the same time as me was looking for a business manager and I remember thinking that that sounded like a dream to have. |
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mapleme
Amethyst
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Post by mapleme on Dec 17, 2023 11:05:16 GMT -6
Oh gosh, I miss you guys!! I miss having a perfect little corner of the internet to vent and cheer each other on. We closed on the new house in August and love having the extra space. R is in 6th grade (eep!), playing the cello, and very much developing her tween/teen attitude. A is in 4th grade and is still my wild child that drives me bonkers. Business has been crazy slow all Fall (even across the industry), but I'm hopeful for an uptick in the new year. I'm going to try to check in more often around here. Are you able to have chickens again in your new place? |
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mapleme
Amethyst
Posts: 6,065 Likes: 16,081
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Post by mapleme on Dec 17, 2023 11:11:51 GMT -6
I do the same. I check in periodically and think man, this place used to be bumpin. But I know we're all busy and most have moved on to big kid busy. I need to sort through and destash my dipes, too. I only CD'd the youngest for a few months and he's 2.5 so it needs to happen. Much like all the piles of outgrown clothes I need to pass on. G is playing travel baseball. L just started seeing a therapist for anxiety. And I plan to potty train H after the holidays. J and I are just KOKO. How is therapy going for L? M has been seeing a therapist for a year or so now and I can't decide what I think of it. M insists on my being there and they really just play. I was in play therapy as a kid, so I know what to expect, but I barely even see them talk about anything besides the game at hand. But on the other hand M is doing SO MUCH better than before. But I have no idea if that's because of therapy or other things. M doesn't want to stop, so we compromised on her going once every two weeks to keep the costs manageable. It was also so hard to get her in anywhere, so I don't want to drop it if it will be useful as M goes into her teenage years. |
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mc13
Sapphire
Posts: 3,414
Likes: 12,121
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Post by mc13 on Dec 17, 2023 19:19:12 GMT -6
I'm still poking around here too! My first "baby" will be 9 in two weeks and E+A are 7. I can't believe it. My niece, that was born in May, has been wearing all our hand-me-down cloth diapers and it makes my heart so happy. We're definitely in the big kid busy phase of life with lacrosse, horseback riding, piano lessons, gymnastics, and volleyball. I've been self-employed for 2.5 years now doing business operations for small online woman-owned businesses and landed a dream client back in June. Things have escalated very quickly, but it feels good! MH is navigating a few very exciting job opportunities right now too. He still enjoys where he is, but these would be a huge step for him professionally. Glad everyone seems to be checking in and doing well! Doing business operations for small online businesses sounds really cool. What does that entail? Books? I remember a business that started around the same time as me was looking for a business manager and I remember thinking that that sounded like a dream to have. I'm kinda a mix of online business manager and business operations. So I come in to map out then set up/maintain systems for project management, client management, sales funnels, automations, tech, community management, etc. I also do some HR things like help with hiring/running payroll, and since we're lean teams (3-5 people usually), I also do some email marketing and blog writing/editing too. |
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mc13
Sapphire
Posts: 3,414
Likes: 12,121
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Post by mc13 on Dec 17, 2023 19:21:05 GMT -6
I miss you all! I would have said that I check here a couple times a week, but clearly it's been over a week since I last checked. In fact, I think I clicked on the bookmark by accident. But I am glad that I did! M and C are 9 and 7 now. M is starting to become her own independent human and I love it. C is an endless chatterbox and I love that too. I love the things in them that are just like DH and I and I love learning about the things that are totally different from us. My business has grown a bunch and I'm actively learning how to navigate that. I've never worked anything but entry level work for anyone besides myself, so I have to learn how to even just "be" with a business this size. I've been working with coaches over the past year and we've made a ton of internal changes that have made things way better. The staff that I have now are fantastic and are really helping to "create" the company (20 years in, lol). I even just hired my first full time marketing person. I recently joined as a cohost for a podcast about hot sauce, which has been a really fun learning experience. It is so different from anything that I've done before. I built a little studio in my basement and I'm figuring it out. Let's chat more often! Your business sounds so amazing! Congrats on all the success! |
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milano
Emerald
Posts: 10,914 Likes: 36,993
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Post by milano on Dec 17, 2023 20:36:30 GMT -6
Hi friends!!! I do miss you all. I miss participating in this place every day, even though I only check in maybe once every couple of months. I need to do better. My kids are giants. I can't believe their butts ever fit in cloth diapers! Both are doing well and really are delightful little humans, like 95% of the time. All 3 dogs are still going strong and making me lose my mind on the reg. So much dog hair and energy. I walk around the house with a posse following my every move. My travel advisor gig is so much fun, I'm so grateful I took the plunge even though I struggle with imposter syndrome sometimes, since I'm still "new" and am building my confidence. My husband is still traveling a lot for work but has made some adjustments to be around more in 2024 which I am excited for. We are doing well though, absence makes the heart grow fonder and all of that. We have a good balance. HOA drama is still plentiful and I'm counting down until my Board retirement date in 2025. I'm still very passionate about Jeni's ice cream, Cabernet, and Pilates. And that pretty much sums it up! I hope you all have a fantastic holiday season How fun! I didn't realize you made the jump to travel agent; congrats! Thanks! I have been toying with the idea for a couple of years now but finally found an online-based agency that made sense to me and has the structure I wanted. It feels great to have a job title again! |
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mapleme
Amethyst
Posts: 6,065 Likes: 16,081
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Post by mapleme on Dec 18, 2023 7:30:01 GMT -6
Doing business operations for small online businesses sounds really cool. What does that entail? Books? I remember a business that started around the same time as me was looking for a business manager and I remember thinking that that sounded like a dream to have. I'm kinda a mix of online business manager and business operations. So I come in to map out then set up/maintain systems for project management, client management, sales funnels, automations, tech, community management, etc. I also do some HR things like help with hiring/running payroll, and since we're lean teams (3-5 people usually), I also do some email marketing and blog writing/editing too. That sounds really cool. There is so much "reinventing the wheel" that happens in small businesses because you're in your own little silo of operation. So having someone come in who knows how to set up systems is pretty amazing. I'd say that probably *at least* 50% of my time is still spent figuring out what systems to set up and then figuring out if they're any good and should we keep them. |
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stringy
Opal
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Post by stringy on Dec 18, 2023 10:58:23 GMT -6
OMGosh people hello. I've been struggling with December because dark and griefy and none of my family is around this year except my mom who isn't doing well. I realized a lot of what I miss is because December is so full of consumerism and BM (I had to stop and think of her acronym!) and family fully embrace the gifting part of the season and I just feel lost and alone. My therapist said I need a likeminded community and later I was like...i HAD that here! We were so great, guys. ANYWAY - M and P are 10 and 7. Big kid life is mostly pretty fun. They are both doing really well and are great kids. The dog is my bff and keeps me company all day. My mom is currently unable to drive and has a million doctors appointments, so I'm also her caretaker almost daily right now. grumpycakes, whoever is doing social media for your bakery is killing it and I want you to deliver dinner to me regularly. Maybe its you? I dunno but everything looks scrumptious. I ran into ovenrack twice in the last few months out in the wild but neither time had time to really catch up. So maybe I should do that because I miss her. I'm also in the owning a business phase of life. Same work I've always done but we left the college and went on our own. And then my other two partners promptly retired, so its just me. Works out quite well financially but also feels imposter like and like I'm always flying by the seat of my pants playing catch up without enough eye towards the future. milano, are you mainly doing disney stuff or more? mapleme, your social media also indicates that you've been killing it! |
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mapleme
Amethyst
Posts: 6,065 Likes: 16,081
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Post by mapleme on Dec 18, 2023 19:37:36 GMT -6
mapleme , your social media also indicates that you've been killing it! Did you see that I got a sign? It's definitely totally normal to get one's first sign after 20 year's in business. |
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Post by pbandj714 on Dec 19, 2023 9:49:26 GMT -6
I do the same. I check in periodically and think man, this place used to be bumpin. But I know we're all busy and most have moved on to big kid busy. I need to sort through and destash my dipes, too. I only CD'd the youngest for a few months and he's 2.5 so it needs to happen. Much like all the piles of outgrown clothes I need to pass on. G is playing travel baseball. L just started seeing a therapist for anxiety. And I plan to potty train H after the holidays. J and I are just KOKO. How is therapy going for L? M has been seeing a therapist for a year or so now and I can't decide what I think of it. M insists on my being there and they really just play. I was in play therapy as a kid, so I know what to expect, but I barely even see them talk about anything besides the game at hand. But on the other hand M is doing SO MUCH better than before. But I have no idea if that's because of therapy or other things. M doesn't want to stop, so we compromised on her going once every two weeks to keep the costs manageable. It was also so hard to get her in anywhere, so I don't want to drop it if it will be useful as M goes into her teenage years. She's only had 2 sessions so far (and now 2 weeks off with holidays), so I am undecided. The first session was a couple of questions and mostly just her drawing pictures. The second was a lot of questions for me and then they played UNO. I understand that right now they are in the getting to know you and creating trust phase but to me it feels like not a lot is happening. So we shall see! |
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DGM
Sapphire
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Post by DGM on Dec 20, 2023 20:44:07 GMT -6
milano, did you have prior experience as a travel agent? MH would love to switch careers but only has experience as a public school teacher. You can DM me if that's easier.
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milano
Emerald
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Post by milano on Dec 23, 2023 8:32:53 GMT -6
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DGM
Sapphire
Posts: 2,663 Likes: 5,650
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Post by DGM on Dec 23, 2023 17:03:58 GMT -6
milano, thanks for the info. I'm glad it's working out so well for you! MH enjoys travel planning for us which I'm glad he does because it stresses me out. Can you DM me where he can send a resume or apply? Even if he can't make it full-time, it might be a good mental break from his daytime job.
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Post by charlotte on Dec 25, 2023 12:56:41 GMT -6
Hi guys! Been thinking of you all recently.
Life has changed drastically over the past year but everything is going pretty well. I do truly love our new home and I was recently promoted at work. Life is so busy.. it’s a rare day when I don’t feel totally overwhelmed.
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Post by grumpycakes on Dec 29, 2023 10:38:07 GMT -6
Thanks stringy! DH does the social media and it’s practically a full time job but it’s made such a difference in business. I also have such a great team right now. Everyone has positive attitudes and works hard and we’re having our first company Christmas party during our time off in January. I’m excited. I miss you guys. I was thrilled to open this up and see so many responses. I hope you all had a merry Christmas and are looking forward to the new year. |
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mapleme
Amethyst
Posts: 6,065 Likes: 16,081
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Post by mapleme on Dec 30, 2023 10:09:40 GMT -6
Thanks stringy ! DH does the social media and it’s practically a full time job but it’s made such a difference in business. I also have such a great team right now. Everyone has positive attitudes and works hard and we’re having our first company Christmas party during our time off in January. I’m excited. I miss you guys. I was thrilled to open this up and see so many responses. I hope you all had a merry Christmas and are looking forward to the new year. Ooo, a Christmas party! We do a little gathering, but I'm hoping to turn it into an actual party next year. Like you, we have an really great team now. It makes such a difference. |
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