I think you have to do it before they grow wings. But you’re right, it’s not a perfect solution. And it looks trashy. On the bright side, we had them awful here in summer of 2020 then last summer they weren’t bad at all. Maybe they’ll move through NJ quickly, too.

Not to mention perpetuating the puppy mill industry. 

Have you tried wrapping the trees with duct tape? That’s what people started doing in PA. The tricky thing is that birds and other innocent passersby can get stuck in the tape, so you need to put something like chicken wire over the sticky parts. If you do it early you catch the nymphs as they're trying to crawl up. 

I think the fact that you’re techy is key. Among my friends and family at least, it’s the people who work in tech fields and/or just enjoy messing with computers that use Android. 

Exactly. Every time we upgrade our phones I notice the prices for the top iphone and android models are identical. It’s a choice.

Same here. I quickly tired of all the limitations in iOS and switched to Android 10 years ago. It’s just so much more flexible. Funny story: when my cousin noticed my phone (Samsung Galaxy S10+) she said, “oh you have an off-brand.” Do iphone users seriously see it like that? Too funny. 

Since you remember the deep fried pies, do you recall if there was also cherry version? I swear there was, back in the 80s at least. We were rarely allowed to get dessert at McDonalds so they were a big deal to me and my brother. 

Personally, I think not reacting is crucial and most of the time is all that’s needed to stop a bully. But I’m a member of a massive mom group on Facebook, and a few years ago somebody posted this question. There were all kinds of suggestions and stories about what worked for different people. But what surprised me…

I completely agree, reaction is absolutely key when it comes to bullying. I cringe just thinking about it, but when I was a kid there was one girl that got picked on relentlessly. She wasn’t ugly, she dressed like everyone else, no obvious reason to bully her. But her reactions were so rewarding, it just made you want…

Weird. My SO worked as a bartender back in the day and said they'd mix Coke and 7-Up as a substitute for ginger ale. 

I had a reduction 3 years ago and my only regret is not doing it sooner. It honestly changed my life (38K to 36D). Hope it works out for you!

I completely agree about Land’s End. They’re the only suits I wear now. But yeah, their sizing is all over the place. I bought two new tankini tops this year and had to go up from the size I just bought 2 summers back. So double check the charts when you’re ready for a new one!

I’m sorry but is that your kitty or a gif? So silly but it is the spitting image of my mom’s tritely-named Panda. Who was the 4th best kitty I ever met. 

Did this make anyone else miss Millihelen? Remember?

What is it with small dogs!?!? Our block is absolutely filled with dogs, almost all big breeds like Labs, Pits, Huskies, German Shepards, and my own sweet 67 lb Sammy/Staffie mix. They all live in perpetual, mortal terror of Bella, the Teacup Yorkie 2 houses down. She wears pink sundresses, just to make it even more…

That’s why I haven’t installed an invisible fence for our Samoyed/Staffie mix yet. She is so obsessed with meeting other dogs that she’d have no problem getting shocked if it meant she got to say hi. She also has no fear of moving cars, which horrifies me. 

“i can't define 'irony' but I know it when I see it."

These are actually really cute! And it looks like they're on sale for $79 (USD) at the Clarks site right now. Very tempting...

Thank you!!

Hey there. I tried to let this go but it's haunted me for 2 days. What is waffling salmon???