Not sure how I pulled this off, but DH took both kids to his parents’ house this afternoon and I got the house to myself! I did boring adulting while they were gone like organizing the kid art supplies, laundry, and ironing, and made snickerdoodles (DH’s Father’s Day dessert request) and dinner, but it was blissfully silent at my house for a few hours.

A friend in another state (I’m in the middle of the US/she’s in Philly area) just told me her husband is now on hospice (colon cancer), and they celebrated Father’s Day early. He turned 40 a few months ago, and she’ll be 40 this summer. They have two little girls, ages 6 and 8. ☹️😢

We know each other through volunteering in our of professional organization since we were students/early career. Pre-COVID l, we usually saw each other 1-2 times per year at their big meetings. With her permission, I reached out to our mutual friends about a month ago with an update about what was going on in her life, and gathered donations and was able to PayPal her money for whatever she needed to use it on. She’s also been giving me updates, so I’ve shared those updates with our mutual friends via email so she doesn’t have to update so many people.

Any suggestions on other specific ways I can offer to help? I can only imagine how much she’s hurting and trying to hold it all together. I thought about asking if the girls needed new books, art supplies, etc, but didn’t know if that would even be helpful. I also know that when someone says “let me know how I can help,” without offering concrete things, the offer of help doesn’t often get taken.

Nice job on the taxes! And way cool on paying it forward with your practice - love that!

www.3dsourced.com/rankings/best-free-3d-software/

I would probably try TinkerCAD or Sketchup. A couple of high school groups in volunteered with a few years ago used Sketchup for the building design project they were working on and liked it, though as an industry advisor/mentor, I didn’t use it so I don’t have first hand knowledge.

I’m assuming you don’t use any of these programs at work? DH and I both have access to Autocad and REVIT at work, so for our basement remodel project to finish it, he worked on the plans in Autocad during lunch/after work.

Do you mind if I PM you some questions on the ESOP?

Anecdotal, but my 8yo/3rd grader has been fully in person since the end of September. This year he got strep throat once, and nothing else, not even a cold. In previous years he has had strep, influenza, stomach virus and colds.

Thanks for the update, Beth! So glad things are improving!

My guess is also the 4yo. That said, this just hasn’t something I’d be upset over. Kids are germ factories, and at some point you need to build your immune system. Better now than later, and roseola generally seems a pretty mild illness. M had it as a baby, and other than the fever and then subsequent rash, didn’t have any other symptoms that I recall.

Good luck, azucena!! Let us know how it goes!

You may not want it now, but don’t close the door on forever. I can’t imagine staying in the same role for 18 years, and while we’re in different industries/professions, I think we’re at similar levels in our careers. I totally get saying no to it now, but staying open to the possibility of advancement in the future.

I’ve been in a slump lately, but found myself signed up for our corporate challenge 5k yesterday (downside to being at a female at an engineering firm - not many options to choose from, so it’s begging to get all hands on deck for things like this when you need both participants from both genders and all age ranges, lol). I was so not ready, but did jog more of it than expected, especially considering how hilly the course was this year. Of course, today I’m sore.

Took the youngest out for a bike ride while I walked today, so while I was slow due to the aforementioned sore legs, I was moving.

Now to keep it up again.

For those not on Facebook with wibeth, here is her latest update, posted today:


Just a quick update. I'm done with chemo. I made it thru 5 of 6 sessions before the side effects made me too miserable to continue.

I now get Keytruda every 3rd week and am having no problems with it. My Aurora Home Health Nurse is planning on dismissing me in a couple of weeks as I don't need her anymore. My Aurora Home PT person is keeping me on. We're working on regaining mobility so I can be more independent.

My spine Doctor says I don't need to come back unless something goes wrong. I'm regrowing bone nicely.

Hugs, drama. Hoping you all get some good sleep tonight!

Do you guys have a plan for the cash, aricia? We tend to hoard cash, so I’m always curious what others are doing if they’re in a somewhat similar position.