#Office Cleaning Health Benefits

[vancitycleaning]

6 Reasons Why You Must use Office Cleaning Services

Create a cleaner, healthier, and more professional work environment with reliable office cleaning services in Surrey. Increase productivity and impress potential clients with a spotless office. Contact us today for a deep-cleaning or contractual service!

[bethelcleaningservice]

Unveiling the Hidden Advantages: 9 Benefits of Carpet Cleaning

Carpets are an integral part of our office, providing warmth, comfort, and aesthetic appeal. However, with their frequent use, carpets become magnets for dirt, allergens, and bacteria, affecting both the carpet's lifespan and the health of those living in the space. Regular carpet cleaning is not just about maintaining appearances; it comes with a plethora of benefits that extend beyond the surface. In this article, we'll delve into nine compelling reasons why carpet cleaning is an essential aspect of maintaining a healthy and vibrant living environment.

Improved Indoor Air Quality:

Over time, carpets gather dust, dirt, pet dander, and other allergens. These particles can become airborne and contribute to indoor air pollution. Regular carpet cleaning, whether through vacuuming or professional deep cleaning, helps remove these contaminants, leading to a significant improvement in indoor air quality. This is especially crucial for individuals with respiratory conditions such as asthma or allergies.

Enhanced Longevity of Carpets:

Dirt and debris can act like sandpaper, gradually wearing down carpet fibers and diminishing their lifespan. Regular cleaning removes these abrasive particles, preserving the integrity of the carpet. Investing in professional carpet cleaning services can prevent premature wear and extend the life of your carpets, ultimately saving you money on replacements.

Elimination of Allergens and Bacteria:

Carpets can harbor a variety of allergens and bacteria, posing health risks to inhabitants. Professional carpet cleaning methods, such as hot water extraction, effectively eliminate these harmful microorganisms, reducing the likelihood of allergies, respiratory issues, and skin irritations among occupants.

Stain Removal:

Accidents happen, and stains on carpets are inevitable. Whether it's a spilled glass of wine, a pet accident, or a stubborn coffee stain, professional carpet cleaning services have the expertise and tools to effectively remove a wide range of stains. Prompt stain removal not only improves the carpet's appearance but also prevents permanent damage.

Enhanced Appearance:

Regular cleaning revitalizes the appearance of carpets by removing embedded dirt and restoring the original colors. This is particularly important for high-traffic areas, where dirt and wear are more pronounced. A clean and well-maintained carpet contributes to the overall aesthetics of a room, creating a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere.

Prevention of Mold Growth:

Carpets can be susceptible to mold growth, especially in humid environments or following water damage. Mold not only damages carpets but also poses health risks. Professional carpet cleaning methods, including thorough drying, can help prevent mold growth and ensure a healthy indoor environment.

Odor Elimination:

Carpets can trap unpleasant odors from spills, pet accidents, or general use. Routine cleaning helps eliminate these odors, leaving your home smelling fresh and clean. Professional carpet cleaning services often use specialized deodorizers that neutralize odors at their source, providing a long-lasting and pleasant fragrance.

Improved Overall Hygiene:

Clean carpets contribute to a healthier and more hygienic living environment. Regular vacuuming and professional cleaning remove not only visible dirt but also microscopic particles that can contribute to illness and discomfort. This is particularly important in households with children, the elderly, or individuals with compromised immune systems.

Environmental Sustainability:

Many professional carpet cleaning services today employ environmentally friendly cleaning methods and products. This commitment to sustainability ensures that the cleaning process has minimal impact on the environment while still delivering effective results. Choosing eco-friendly carpet cleaning options aligns with the growing awareness of the importance of environmentally responsible practices in all aspects of life.

Conclusion:

Carpet cleaning is not merely a cosmetic consideration but a crucial element in maintaining a healthy and pleasant living space. From improving indoor air quality to extending the lifespan of carpets, the benefits of regular carpet cleaning are far-reaching. Investing in professional carpet cleaning services not only enhances the appearance of your home but also contributes to the well-being of its occupants and the overall sustainability of the environment. As we navigate the demands of modern living, let's not overlook the transformative power of clean carpets in creating a healthier and more comfortable home.

[batboyblog]

Things Biden and the Democrats did, this week #7

Feb 23-March 1 2024

The White House announced $1.7 Billion in new commitments from local governments, health care systems, charities, business and non-profits as part of the White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities. The Challenge was launched with 8 billion dollars in 2022 with the goal of ending hunger in America by 2030. The Challenge also seeks to drastically reduce diet-related diseases (like type 2 diabetes). As part of the new commitments 16 city pledged to make plans to end hunger by 2030, the largest insurance company in North Carolina made nutrition coaching and a healthy food delivery program a standard benefit for members, and since the challenge launched the USDA's Summer EBT program has allowed 37 states to feed children over the summer, its expected 21 million low income kids will use the program this summer.

The US House passed a bill on Nuclear energy representing the first update in US nuclear energy policy in decades, it expands the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and reduces reducing licensing fees. Nuclear power represents America's single largest source of clean energy, with almost half of carbon-free electricity coming from it. This bill will boost the industry and make it easier to build new plants

Vice President Harris announced key changes to the Child Care & Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program. The CCDBG supports the families of a million American children every month to help afford child care. The new changes include capping the co-pay families pay to no more than 7% of their income. Studies show that high income families pay 6-8% of their income in childcare while low income families pay 31%. The cap will reduce or eliminate fees for 100,000 families saving them an average of over $200 a month. The changes also strength payments to childcare providers insuring prompt payment.

The House passed a bill making changes to the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) program. The 8(a) is an intensive 9 year program that offers wide ranging training and support to small business owners who are socially and economically disadvantaged, predominantly native owned businesses. Under the current structure once a business reaches over 6.8 million in assets they're kicked off the program, even though the SBA counts anything under $10 million as a small business, many companies try to limit growth to stay on the program. The House also passed a bill to create an Office of Native American Affairs at the SBA, in order to support Native-owned small businesses.

The White House and HUD announced steps to boost the housing supply and lower costs plans include making permanent the Federal Financing Bank Risk Sharing program, the program has created 12,000 affordable housing units since 2021 with $2 billion and plans 38,000 additional units over ten years. As well as support for HUD's HOME program which has spent $4.35 billion since 2021 to build affordable rental homes and make home ownership a reality for Americans. For the first time an administration is making funds available specifically for investments in manufactured housing, $225 million. 20 million Americans live in manufactured housing, the largest form of unsubsidized affordable housing in the country, particularly the rural poor and people in tribal communities.

The Department of Energy announced $336 million in investments in rural and remote communities to lower energy costs and improve reliability. The projects represent communities in 20 states and across 30 Native tribes. 21% of Navajo Nation homes and 35% of Hopi Indian Tribe homes remain unelectrified, one of the projects hopes to bring that number to 0. Another project supports replacing a hydroelectric dam in Alaska replacing all the Chignik Bay Tribal Council's diesel power with clear hydro power. The DoE also announced $18 million for Transformative Energy projects lead by tribal or local governments and $25 million for Tribal clean energy projects, this comes on top of $75 million in Tribal clean energy projects in 2023

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg put forward new rules to ensure airline passengers who use wheelchairs can travel safely and with dignity. Under the planned rules mishandling a wheelchair would be a violation of the ACAA, airlines would be required to immediately notify the passenger of their rights. Airlines would be required to repair or replace the wheelchair at the preferred vendor of the passenger's choice as well as provide a loaner wheelchair that fits the passenger's needs/requirements

The EPA launched a $3 Billion dollar program to help ports become zero-emission. This investment in green tech and zero-emission will help important transportation hubs fight climate change and replace some of the largest concentrations of diesel powered heavy equipment in America.

the EPA announced $1 Billion dollars to help clean up toxic Superfund sites. This is the last of $3.5 billion the Biden administration has invested in cleaning up toxic waste sites known as Superfund sites. This investment will help finish clean up at 85 sites across the country as well as start clean up at 25 new sites. Many Superfund sites are contained and then left not cleaned for years even decades. Thanks to the Biden-Harris team's investment the EPA has been able to do more clean up of Superfund sites in the last 2 years than the 5 years before it. More than 25% of America's black and hispanic population live with-in 5 miles of a Superfund site.

Bonus: Sweden cleared the final major barrier to become NATO's 32nd member. The Swedish Foreign Minster is expected to fly to Washington to deposit the articles of accession at the US State Department. NATO membership for Sweden and its neighbor Finland (joined last year) has been a major foreign policy goal of President Biden in the face of Russian aggressive against Ukraine. Former President Trump has repeatedly attacked NATO and declared he wants to leave the 75 year old Alliance, even going so far as to tell Russia to "do whatever the hell they want" with European NATO allies

[workingclasshistory]

On this day, 15 June 1990, the Battle of Century City took place, as police in Los Angeles attacked striking janitors and their supporters during a peaceful Service Employees International Union demonstration. Janitors in the Century City office complex, most of whom were employed by cleaning contractor ISS, had gone out on strike on May 29 demanding improvements to pay and conditions. On the June 15 protest, LAPD officers brutally attacked the workers and their supporters, leaving several people seriously injured, including one pregnant woman who miscarried as a result. Rather than deter the workers, the violence caused mass outrage. And ISS subsequently agreed to recognise the workers' union, provide for family health coverage and pay a living wage. The event also began to be commemorated with the creation of an annual June 15 Justice for Janitors Day. * If you value our work researching and promoting people's history like this, please consider supporting us on patreon, where you can also get exclusive content and benefits: https://patreon.com/workingclasshistory https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=644834894356396&set=a.602588028581083&type=3

[izooks]

Some of Joe Biden’s accomplishments:

**Domestic policy**

* **American Rescue Plan (2021)**: Provided $1.9 trillion in COVID-19 relief, including direct payments, enhanced unemployment benefits, and funding for vaccines and testing.

* **Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (2021)**: Allocated $1.2 trillion for infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, broadband, and clean energy initiatives.

* **Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (2022)**: Expanded background checks for gun purchases and provided funding for mental health services.

* **Child Tax Credit Expansion (2021-2022)**: Temporarily expanded the Child Tax Credit to provide up to $3,600 per child in monthly payments.

* **Affordable Care Act Expansion (2021)**: Made health insurance more affordable for low- and middle-income Americans by reducing premiums and expanding subsidies.

**Foreign Policy**

* **Withdrawal from Afghanistan (2021)**: Ended the 20-year war in Afghanistan.

* **Re-joining the Paris Agreement (2021)**: Re-committed the United States to global efforts to address climate change.

* **Strengthening Alliances with NATO and the EU (2021-present)**: Repaired relationships with key European allies after strained relations during the Trump administration.

* **Supporting Ukraine in the Ukraine-Russia War (2022-present)**: Provided military, humanitarian, and diplomatic support to Ukraine in its defense against Russia's invasion.

* **Nuclear Deal with Iran (2023)**: Revived negotiations with Iran on a comprehensive nuclear deal, aimed at preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

**Other Notable Accomplishments**

* **Appointing Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court (2022)**: Made history by being the first Black woman appointed to the nation's highest court.

* **Signing the Respect for Marriage Act (2022)**: Ensured federal recognition of same-sex and interracial marriages.

* **Establishing the Office of the National Cyber Director (2021)**: Coordinated federal efforts to combat cybersecurity threats.

* **Creating the COVID-19 National Preparedness Plan (2021)**: Developed a comprehensive strategy to respond to future pandemics.

* **Launching the Cancer Moonshot (2022)**: Re-energized the government's efforts to find a cure for cancer.

[foxy-eva]

Heart Language

Summary: Spencer has a crush on his doctor (and the feeling is mutual)

Pairing: Spencer Reid x GN!Reader 

Category: Fluff

Content Warnings: Reader is a cardiologist, Spencer is worried about his health (but he's fine), mentions of (harmless) heart palpitations, blood tests, ECG and echocardiography 

Word count: 2.2k

Masterlist

For thousands of years the word heart has been used for metaphors relating to emotions such as love and pain in most parts of the world. It makes sense considering cardiac activity evoked by certain sensations and feelings is a universal experience. Some cultures even believe that the soul – the essence of who we truly are – can be found in the heart. 

Hearts have always been fascinating to me. So much so that in my daily life as a cardiologist I often forget my patients' faces but always remember their hearts. 

However, when Dr. Spencer Reid entered my office, I knew I wouldn’t forget his face anytime soon. 

He awkwardly waved at me when he stepped in, waiting for me to motion for him to take a seat. I had already taken a look at his chart and was wondering why he’d seek my expertise. 

“So, what brings you in, Dr. Reid?” 

He audibly cleared his voice before he began explaining, “I’ve been having very irritating heart palpitations lately so my primary care physician told me to come here to get it checked.” 

When I took another look at my screen to read over his blood work, I noticed him scanning my face but he averted his eyes once I looked at him again. 

“Your blood work looks fine from what I can tell,” I let him know. 

“Really? It’s just that my diet consists mainly of take-out and coffee,” he confessed. “And I know I’m not getting any younger.” 

I dared to ask the question most of my patients dreaded. “How often do you exercise?”

“Uhm,” he muttered, “about… once…”

Since I wasn’t sure if he’d be able to finish the sentence, I suggested, “A week?”

“A year,” he clarified, making it impossible for me to conceal the smile forming on my face. 

For the first time since coming into my office he locked eyes with me and I almost got lost in the warmth they radiated. His whole demeanor gave away how anxious he must have been. Most of my patients were worried about their health but I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was me who made him nervous. 

“I like honesty,” I snickered and he sighed relieved. 

“I know about the health benefits of regular exercise and a clean diet,” he stated as if to avoid getting a lecture (that I wasn’t planning on giving him). “It’s just that my job is very stressful.” 

That was to be expected from someone working for the FBI. We spent a couple more minutes talking about his medical and family history before I explained, “A lot of people have completely harmless heart palpitations from time to time. They can worsen with stress or too much caffeine."

"That checks out," he mumbled. 

He found my eyes almost apologetically, as if he was worried he'd be wasting my time. Little did he know that every chance to take a look at a heart was time well spent for me. Especially when it belonged to someone so interesting. 

I softly smiled at him when I continued, "I have no reason to believe that it’s anything to be worried about. But to be sure I would like to do an ECG and an echocardiography if that’s alright with you."

He nodded and followed me to the other room. As I stepped closer to my beloved devices, I pointed to his shirt and told him, "Take that off and lie down for me please."

As he began undoing the buttons of the fabric covering him, he said, "Just the shirt, right?"

Without thinking about it, I snickered, "If you want to take your pants off too you gotta buy me dinner first."

With widened eyes and rosy cheeks he stared at me, obviously unsure about how to react. I realized quickly how uncomfortable I had made him, already regretting my improper comment. 

"I am so sorry," I apologized. "That was inappropriate." 

The sweetest, most heart-warming smile spread across his face at my words. 

"It's okay," he chuckled. "I like honesty, too."

He shed his shirt and lay down for me to place the electrodes on his skin. His chest was flushed and heated, almost burning against my fingertips. When everything was in place, I focussed on the monitor to look at his heart rhythm. 

Spencer couldn't hide his nervousness from me. 

"Is your heart rate always this high?" I wondered without averting my eyes from the monitor. 

"I don’t think so?"

I found his eyes and joked, "So it’s just in my presence."

The rosy shade covering his face and chest turned a little darker when he confessed, “I’m uhm… a little nervous.”

"Try to relax, Spencer,” I whispered. 

Whether he noticed me using his first name I couldn't tell, but it seemed to be working. His heart rate got down slightly. "Take a deep breath."

He did as told and closed his eyes as he tried to calm down. It was interesting to see how good he was at following instructions.

When his heart was beating at an almost normal rate, I said, "That's better. You're doing great." 

It was then that his pulse went up slightly once more but I didn't comment on it. I removed the electrodes from his skin and was met with a concerned expression. 

Even though I knew he didn't have a medical degree, I still offered him a look at the printed paper. "Don't worry, everything looks normal."

He scanned the ECG with furrowed brows before he wondered, "We're still doing the cardiac echo, right?"

"Of course. There are still some things to rule out," I agreed as I moved to the other side of the bed to access the sonographic unit. "Plus, I never pass up a chance to take a look at a heart."

"You must love your job," he chuckled as I placed the probe on his chest. 

"I do, actually," I said while taking a look at his organ. It looked just as perfect as I'd imagined. "Your heart is beautiful, Spencer."

I could have sworn that I saw his heart make a little jump at my words. When I found his eyes, I noticed him looking at my face instead of the monitor. At first I thought he was trying to read my reaction, to know if everything was alright with him. That was not what was happening though. 

The man laying beside me with my hand pressed against his chest smiled at me. It was then that I realized how oddly intimate it was for me to almost literally touch his heart. Never before had a patient made me feel this way. 

The echo gave his current state away, showing me how much faster his heart began beating the longer we stared at each other like this. I wondered if he suspected to find a similar rhythm thrumming inside my chest if he had the chance. It was impossible for me to ignore my blood pumping organ threatening to jump out of its confines, almost as if seeing Spencer's heart had awoken something inside me. 

Before I could lose myself in the moment completely, I focussed back on the monitor in front of me and began to explain what exactly we were looking at. Spencer listened carefully as he watched his own heart beating. 

When we were done we sat back down at my desk where I made sure he'd understand that nothing was wrong with him. 

"There's no reason for you to be worried. What you're experiencing is completely harmless but you should still reconsider your caffeine intake."

To my surprise he didn't just get up and leave like I expected him to. Instead he waited a few moments as if he had hoped to hear more of my words. 

When he realized that I was done talking, he asked, "Should I schedule an appointment for another check-up to be sure?"

Shaking my head, I reassured him some more, "There's no reason to do a follow-up, you're perfectly fine."

"Oh."

Somehow that sounded more disappointed than relieved. I couldn't shake the thought that this wasn't about his health anymore.

He confirmed my theory when he asked, "Are you sure?" 

Spencer really wanted to see me again. 

And I really wanted to see him again. 

"Yes," I confirmed. "But even if a follow-up was necessary, I'd still have to refer you to another doctor."

"Why?"

The shocked expression written all over his face almost broke my heart, so I was quick to coo, "Because I can't go out with a patient."

"Oh," he breathed as his cheeks began glowing once more. He became a little flustered when he muttered, "Is that uhm… something you're considering?"

With a smug grin spread over my cheeks I suggested, "Why don't you call me tomorrow to find out?" 

He reciprocated my smile and promised, "I definitely will."

After handing him a note with my private phone number he disappeared from my office but his face never vanished from my mind. I couldn't quite grasp what it was about him that intrigued me so much but I knew I needed to see him again. 

Spencer didn't even wait 24 hours to call me and I couldn't have been happier. 

We were both eager to see each other again, so we agreed to have dinner the next day. When he picked me up from my place to drive us to the restaurant he seemed a lot more confident than the first time I'd seen him. Only when he spoke did I recognize the same awkward and slightly coy man that had become so dear to me in a matter of moments. 

Time flew by when we were together. Never before had a man shown that much interest in the things I was passionate about and he surprised me by sharing some facts about my favorite topic - the heart. The thought of him doing research in preparation for our date let a warmth spread through my chest. 

Spencer really was unlike anyone I had ever met. 

Although the both of us would have liked for our date to continue it had to come to an end eventually. Spencer walked me to my door and kept lingering in front of it for a little while as we looked at each other in comfortable silence. 

"So, how is your heart?" I finally broke the quiet. 

"It was fine all day," he chuckled, "until I saw you."

I took a step towards him, close enough to be able to feel the warmth his body radiated. We locked eyes when I reached out my hand to place it on his chest, just above where his heart sat under layers of fabric, flesh and bones. He didn't even flinch when I touched him, almost as if he had expected me to make this move. 

I felt his heart thumping steadily against my hand and remembered how perfect it looked the other day. 

When I noticed it beating a little faster, I reminded him, "You don't have to be nervous around me."

"I can't help it, you're very attractive."

"Don't worry," I breathed. "I feel the same way about you, too."

To my surprise I suddenly felt his palm pressed against my chest as well. For a moment I thought it was just some bold move to try to feel me up but then I realized what he was doing. 

He wanted to touch my heart as well. 

It answered him by jumping dangerously fast inside my chest, excited to possibly have found its counterpart after years of searching. 

His heart gave away his intention by raising its frequency before his body had even started moving. A split second later Spencer's free hand made contact with my cheek and his sight dropped to my mouth. His breath felt hot against my face when he leaned down to capture my lips in a kiss. 

Tentatively his lips ghosted over mine before I pulled him closer with my hand in the back of his neck. The sensation of his lips against mine sent sparks through my entire body. When he deepened the kiss and let his tongue meet mine, both of our hearts became erratic. 

My hand wandered from his chest to his shoulder in a desperate attempt to find something to hold onto. Spencer smiled into our kiss as he let his palm glide to my back, pulling me against his body. There was no distance to be found between us as we melted into one another in our kiss. 

Our hearts tried to touch as well as they thumped fast against our chests. When the urge to let more oxygen float into my lungs overcame me, I pulled back slightly and looked at the man before me. He wore the most beautiful smile I had ever seen, so I decided I had not yet had enough of him. 

"Do you want to come inside? Maybe have a cup of coffee?" I asked and added, "Decaf, of course."

"I would love nothing more."

If you enjoyed reading this story you should check out the other fluff fics in my SFW Masterlist!

Taglist: @nomajdetective @reidsbookclub @spookydrreid @gspenc @justreadingficsdontmindme @samuel-de-champagne-problems @matthew-gray-gubler-lover @malindacath @pauline5525mgg @sanaz1dlol @luna-novae @luredwithpretzels @reidselle @alexxavicry @frickin-bats @spencersprettyslut @s4r4hsblog @sebs-oxygen @reidsmilf @beepbooptoop @lovejules888 @liltimmyst @encyclo-reid-ia @lilibet261 @fandomstuffff @spencer-reid-wonderland @happymangospot @conniesanchor @jordierama @ellamaianderson @cynbx @feltonswifesworld87 @sweetannanas @dashneydanger @melifluorei-d @l-e-n-a @bitchassbecky691 @iameternallylonely @hotchandspencearedilfs @amititties @lover-of-books-and-tea @castiels-majestic-wings @highl1lac

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[adviceformefromme]

What is being called in this month vs whats being left behind:

Not only is it a new month, but also a change in seasons, the perfect opportunity to reflect and realign. 

What’s going out: 

Social Media: Just imagine how liberating it feels to finally be done with checking your phone? To no longer loose precious hours of your life, scrolling. Deleting the apps and not being part of the crowd feels so freeing and exclusive, like you just went to pilates, received a gorgeous bunch of flowers, and copped a new dress for your Thailand trip…and it’s all for you. Life feels so much more personal. No one else in your business. No fronting, no taking 20 shots to get the perfect one to post. No comparing your life to others. There is no extra energy being directed at you because you no longer partaking in the circus. 

Rushing & Stressing: It might seem unimportant to highlight this fact, but the stress on your body from constantly rushing and panicking can actually cause sickness. The stress hormones in your body go into overdrive, and overtime this can cause serious harm. Besides that who wants to be that rushed, stressed out woman? Is she who you aspire to be? If not, what shifts do you need to make so your day is better organised? This new season is replacing stress with peace.

Subscribing to a life that is not in alignment: You know in your heart what you love, the environments that nurtures you, the weekends that fill your heart. But somehow...you choose to live a life that rejects your hearts desires. You settle. Why waste your life, going to pubs and drinking when you really want to be sipping herbal teas and hiking mountains on the weekend? Why subscribe to an office job because everyone else is when you really want to be volunteering for a charity in Nepal? The power is in your choice. The change may not happen overnight. But the change needs to happen, to be in motion. Saying no to what doesn’t feel right in your life, will create new space for what truly sets your soul on fire. 

What’s coming in:

Nourishment on a whole new level: It’s always sickness that causes us to really value health. But, why wait. Investing in your health to ensure you feel at your very best will benefit you in ways you can only dream of. You sleep better, your skin is brighter, your levels of respect for yourself are so much higher because you are FULLY invested in your wellbeing. You make smarter food shopping choices, you educate yourself about what nourishes you. You carve out time to listen to your body. What does it need? What needs to be healed? Boys, drama, gossip? No time for that, you are too busy reading up on Ayurvedic medicine and at your yoga class. You deeply love yourself, and it shows through your levels of self-nourishment.

Strong boundaries with the people in your life: That emotionally unstable friend that dumps all her traumas, worries, stress on you to the point that it's effecting your energy. Create a boundary. The guy you went on a date with that keeps yo-yoing in and out of your life. Create a boundary. The other friend that keeps cancelling last minute, create a boundary. The difficult thing about boundaries, is that often we have never been taught how to make them. What does it even look like to tell someone they are SEVERELY affecting your day, your mood, your entire life without raging or hiding in a corner? Learning what your needs are is a good starting point. What do I need from this person? You have all the answers within. Learn better boundaries, so people around you don’t get the better of you.  

Carving out time for soul passions: Life will be life, the day will be filled with the usual, work, study, cleaning, eating, washing, seeing people. But what about you? What about that little fire inside you that needs some kindling? It might need you to start writing, to maybe wake up a little earlier so you can carve out an hour to pour into your passions. The more you do this, the more the fire inside you will grow, you are feeding your soul, you’ll feel better, and the guilt of not listening to your inner voice will no longer haunt you. There’s no more sleeping on yourself, this season is for the soul. 

[allprocarpetsteamers]

Breathe Easy: The Importance Of Air Duct Cleaning In Las Vegas

Are you breathing easy in Las Vegas? The air around us is crucial to our health and well-being, yet it's often overlooked. In this bustling city of lights, ensuring the quality of the air we breathe is essential. Join us as we delve into the world of air duct cleaning and discover why it's a game-changer for your indoor environment. Let's explore how clean Air Duct Cleaning Las Vegas home or business!

The Impact Of Poor Indoor Air Quality

Poor indoor air quality can significantly impact your health and well-being. When your air ducts are filled with dust, allergens, and pollutants, the air circulating in your home becomes contaminated. This can lead to respiratory issues, allergies, and other health problems for you and your family.

Breathing in polluted air consistently can aggravate existing conditions like asthma or allergies. It can also cause headaches, fatigue, and irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat. Additionally, poor indoor air quality may contribute to an overall decline in indoor comfort levels.

If addressed, indoor air quality can improve over time as contaminants continue to accumulate in the ductwork. This is why regular air duct cleaning is essential to maintain a healthy living environment for you and your loved ones.

Benefits Of Regular Air Duct Cleaning

When it comes to maintaining a healthy indoor environment, regular air duct cleaning is an essential component. Over time, dust, dirt, pet dander, and other contaminants can accumulate in your air ducts. These pollutants affect the quality of the air you breathe and the efficiency of your HVAC system.

Investing in regular air duct cleaning can improve the overall air quality in your home or office. Clean air ducts help reduce allergens and irritants that can exacerbate respiratory conditions like asthma or allergies. Additionally, they promote better airflow throughout your space, leading to improved energy efficiency and lower utility bills.

Moreover, regular air duct maintenance can extend your HVAC system's lifespan. When debris builds up in the ductwork, it forces the system to work harder to heat or cool your space, which can result in premature wear and tear on components. Ensuring that your air ducts are clean helps prevent unnecessary strain on your HVAC unit and reduces the risk of costly repairs.

Choosing A Reliable And Efficient Air Duct Cleaning Service In Las Vegas

Reliability and efficiency are key factors to consider when selecting an air duct cleaning service in Las Vegas. With the abundance of options available, it can be overwhelming to make the right choice.

Start by researching companies online and reading customer reviews to understand their reputation. Look for a company that is licensed and insured and has experienced technicians who use industry-standard equipment.

Ask about their process – a reputable service provider will conduct a thorough inspection before starting the cleaning process. Please inquire about additional services they offer, such as mold remediation or dryer vent cleaning.

Remember to request a detailed quote upfront with no hidden fees. A trustworthy company will provide transparency regarding its pricing structure.

Choosing a reliable and efficient air duct cleaning service in Las Vegas is essential for maintaining good indoor air quality and ensuring your HVAC system operates at its best.

Conclusion

In Las Vegas, where clean air is essential for comfort and health, air duct cleaning plays a vital role in maintaining good indoor air quality. Regular cleaning keeps your HVAC system clear of dust, debris, and contaminants so you can quickly know that the air circulating in your home is fresh and clean.

Choosing a reliable and efficient air duct cleaning service in Las Vegas ensures the job is done thoroughly and professionally. With the benefits of improved indoor air quality, energy efficiency, cost savings, and overall well-being at stake, investing in regular air duct cleaning pays off in more ways than one.

Don't wait until poor indoor air quality affects your health or increases energy bills. Take proactive steps to ensure your HVAC system runs efficiently by scheduling regular air duct cleaning with trusted professionals. Your lungs—and wallet—will thank you!

[dimespin]

What are the social implications of saratoans deciding to live outside the house system? What are some difficulties a pair who decides they want to live on their own might face? What are some of the advantages?

A lot of professions tend toward living this way so that the person can live in the same building as their office or business - it's especially common with people who work with secret, private or valuable information or materials, where reducing the number of people constantly walking around the area helps make security simpler, and maintaining a quiet home work space is desirable.

Lawyers, spellwriters, librarians, and accountants often live separately from their family in smaller homes, depending on the kind of work they do in their fields.

For that reason, while it's viewed as eccentric and antisocial, possibly curmudgeonly, and often seen as shirking family responsibility to some degree, it still has an air of respectability. Professional recluses (Atlas fits the stereotype basically)

Not everyone who chooses that lifestyle has the benefit of a respected career though, they tend to be viewed more negatively in that case, often associated with having troubles too great to allow a person to live with others or being too toxic even for the houses that take just about anyone like dead houses (like PenWell's) often do.

The pros: more control over one's own life, reduced responsibility for others (like avoiding being roped into childcare with no warning), less involvement in complicated family drama, fewer interruptions or disruptions of your work,

The cons: more responsibility for basic home management planning and chores (getting food, tracking when things will run out, tracking and paying bills, cleaning, building maintenance etc., - in the normal house system these are elder duties to either perform or keep track of and assign to others), more expensive due to economy of scale, risk of social deprivation and the negative effects to mental health that that causes, less social support when they need it if they haven't maintained relationships

[gatheringbones]

[“For some of us, taking a deep breath and a moment to reframe or refocus our thoughts after an upsetting event will be enough to halt our physiological stress response. However, members of populations subject to weathering are rarely—if ever—responding to a single acute stressor. Their bodies are in constant biopsychosocial motion fulfilling their many and compelling responsibilities, which also steals their chances of having “me time.”

A 2004 ethnography of low-income mothers in Chicago (Black, white, and Latina) described the complex puzzle that many face to meet the basic daily necessities for their families. Mothers commuted up to five hours a day (and rarely less than two hours), facing severe weather conditions and patching together the meandering routes of their underfunded public transportation systems. Long wait times and limited hours of availability at public-aid offices meant missing meals in order to navigate their schedules successfully. Not only was their discretionary time scarce compared to their more affluent counterparts, but the consequences of missed obligations were dire. The investigators wrote, “Mothers who received TANF benefits [Temporary Assistance to Needy Families],” for example, “faced work requirements that often did not take into account changing circumstances. If they showed up late for work because of sudden illnesses or emergencies, they often were docked prime hours or even fired. Changing family circumstances had continuing repercussions because public benefits could be cut or terminated when employment was lost.”

All in all, these strangling time constraints meant drastically reduced sleep, less family time, and less time to unwind from the day—the cruel irony being that more-structured stress meant less time to decompress. Two-thirds of the study sample led such “highly challenging” lives. One participant averred she “could never get a break.” Another observed, “With working, the kids, and cleaning, […] you just ‘do’ until you can just sit in a chair and nod off.”

Another study of low-income mothers (Black, white, and Latina), using data from the same ambitious three-cities ethnography, exemplifies the kind of extraordinary stresses and choices faced in the communities most subjected to weathering. Francine, a thirty-year-old mother of three, had no time to attend to her own stomach cancer diagnosis because she had to attend to her asthmatic son, as well as her mother who recently suffered a stroke and heart attack at the age of fifty. Lourdes, a thirty-four-year-old mother with diabetes and glaucoma, was expected to comply with welfare work requirements because her doctor insisted she could still work despite partial paralysis and blindness. As noted, 80 percent of mothers studied suffered from chronic conditions (83 percent of whom were thirty-nine or younger) yet could not afford regular doctor’s visits, owing to either lack of income or “more immediate concerns,” such as the need to attend to their child’s health problems or their need to hold on to jobs that did not give them personal time off. It is hard to imagine a “more immediate concern” than an early-onset cancer diagnosis. That addressing it might not be an immediate priority reflects the constant juggling required in high-effort coping.”]

arline t. geronimus, from weathering: the extraordinary stress of ordinary life in an unjust society, 2023

[flock-talk]

Allow me, for a moment, to have a little bit of emotion

I remember, 8 years ago, when I set up my first "bird room". I remember being so excited. I had seen pictures of other people's rooms (which were mostly cages and hanging boings at the time) and felt like I needed to be doing more, I wanted that so badly. I wasn't allowed to do anything permanent to the room and it was absolute hell to even get permission to make anything resembling a bird room. I had so many restrictions to stick by and god forbid a single fleck of bird poop be found somewhere.

The first room was just their cages, which were the species' minimum size, and a stand I made out of wood dowels and PVC elbows. My first "veggie zone" was a cardboard box and a pillow case. To keep the mess contained I had pinned up a fitted sheet, if they made a mess I couldn't rapidly clean the room would be taken away from me and they would be back to just small cages and a single countertop play set.

it wasn't cute but I was so happy with what I had accomplished given the restrictions I had and severe lack of finances. I was always upset with the way that it looked, it wasn't aesthetic, it didn't photograph well. The birds loved it and it was the start of my "bird room". I knew I wasn't done here.

Eventually I had sorted out how I could hang up some ropes without damaging the walls, given some of them were pretty sketchy and I would absolutely not recommend doing it. The one up there is literally hanging on by a pear hook to the light fixture. The rest were desperately tied around furniture and one to the blinds if I recall correctly. Oh man was I stoked, Mia and Zeeb were too. They got a cage upgrade for Christmas one year when I'd finally saved enough to do it, it was taller than I was, I could curl up inside one of the cages. It was Wild.

I remember being on Tumblr back then and I remember you all sending me messages, offering ideas, and being so invested in the making of the room. I was always blogging from that chair in the corner, it did give me serious back pain but it did the job. You were all so supportive and I refreshed my inbox 1000 times a day waiting for the next message, being a part of the community was such a big part of who I was. I still do that.

I also remember holding a lot of anger, I knew my room wasn't what I wanted it to be but there was nothing I could do to make it how I wanted. I didn't have any control over that. I also had a lot of doubt. There were some toys and things I made that weren't very pretty and even some made out of not-ideal materials (nothing toxic, think controversial like cotton rope) but at the time it's all I could provide. It was the best that I could do. Still made me anxious though, was it enough? was it right?

and I sit here in what will soon be my designated office looking over at Bird Room V2 and I just can't fathom how we got here.

I've made a bird room even larger and better than teenage me could have ever even imagined. I have drilled holes in to walls and ceilings without a thought, I chopped branches off of trees and I've used power tools to turn those trees in to safe perches. I wall mounted a cage simply because I wanted to, my veggie corner is made of plastic that I designed and assembled, there's a splash-proof bathing zone complete with a fountain, and so so so many toys that I've collected over the years. (that ladder right in the middle, to the right of the yellow toy is the exact same one as the images above). I was able to make it look pretty good too!

I suspended a huge tree branch from my ceiling purely because I thought the birds would like it and their foot health would benefit. I have been able to prioritize their health over all else, I have been able to act and make changes to better their care every step of the way, always improving, always changing, always thinking of them first and foremost. With the additional support of my wife who often comes up with new ideas to improve things before I do. Starting this room was her idea first!

and I am so happy with where we are. I am so happy with the care that I am currently providing. We've gone from being alone in a bedroom desperately scrounging things together while dodging the scrutiny of the people who surrounded me to not only accomplishing our dreams with love and support from our new family but inspiring others to do the same.

and that's incredible.

and I'm so happy that you were here with me along the way.

[oliversrarebooks]

The Rare Bookseller: Auction House Worldbuilding

Since we're heading into the auction proper, I thought I'd write up some information about how the auction house and thralls in general work in this universe. Nothing here is required reading for simply following the story.

The auction house is only just one wing of a mansion in the countryside owned by a fairly ancient vampire. It contains the prison cells, various rooms used for processing thralls (such as the shower room and the office Lily uses), kitchens for cooking human food, and the storage needed by the cleaning and maintenance staff. Upstairs there are some more preparation rooms, the display rooms used to show off the merchandise to prospective buyers before the auction proper. The auction itself is set up on a stage in the mansion's ballroom, with room for a few hundred vampires. The more posh among the auction staff, including Lily and Cecily, stay in richly appointed quarters in the upper floors.

This particular auction is a high-end one aimed at the wealthy and powerful of vampire society. It's staffed by a combination of travelers who go from auction to auction plying their trade and locals.

For a high-end auction, the main considerations when picking thralls to capture include:

Age. The vast majority of thralls sold are between the ages of 16 - 40. Taking children as thralls is considered extremely distasteful. Humans who are too old are seen as a greater health risk. Besides that, many vampires choose to keep particularly choice thralls for decades, and an older thrall means less years of enjoyment.

Isolation. The auction house doesn't want to have to deal with hunters or other meddling humans, and no vampire wants an angry family to come and burn his house down for kidnapping someone important to them. This is why the humans taken for these auctions are socially isolated ones. While the vampires will take people with jobs or acquaintances, they avoid people with close families, spouses and children who might seek out revenge. 

Health. This is extremely important to vampires. The blood of healthy humans tastes better and is more nutritious. Healthy humans are also less likely to experience complications from having their blood taken with frequency. While relatively uncommon, vampires can also catch contagious diseases from humans. For all of these reasons and more, vampires have a strong preference for humans who are physically healthy and well fed, and one of the benefits of buying from an auction house is to have some vetting.

Mental illnesses are largely exempt from this consideration, as all humans will have their minds molded regardless. Addiction to drugs or alcohol also makes a human undesirable. As this story takes place in the 1920s, modern conceptions of what is healthy or normal may not apply.

For this reason, the auction house generally avoids capturing humans in extreme poverty or homelessness, as at the very least many of them suffer from malnutrition. Desperate vampires in the lower rungs of vampire society have fewer qualms about it, though. 

Blood quality. This is more of an art than a science. Blood is graded by an expert before the auction. Some factors that influence the quality of a human's blood include general health, nutrition, favorite foods, and especially the presence of magic in a human's family tree. Any supernatural creatures in the human's distant past will improve their blood substantially. Of course, blood grades are just an expert's judgement, and vampires have differing preferences.

Obedience. The human's overall level of obedience, even before conditioning, will often influence what sort of thrall the human can be conditioned into, which then affects price.

There are other, more nebulous factors. Physical beauty can affect a vampire's choices. Among vampires who like to treat their thralls as companions, personality and interests are important. Some vampires prefer thralls with certain skills to serve the household, such as chores, maintenance, and guard duties.

Which brings us to the different classes of thralls. There are not hard-and-fast lines between these categories, but these are some of the terms vampires use:

Bloodbags: Derogatory term for a human who is unconscious, a vegetable, medically braindead, etc. It's strongly frowned upon to keep these. The quality of blood is considered poor, the human requires assistance with the most basic functions, and in polite vampire society, it's considered the ethical thing to do to mercy kill a human that ends up in such a state. When vampires keep bloodbags, it's behind closed doors.

Erased: Also derisively called cattle. These are humans who have had their personalities and memories entirely erased, and have been rendered mindlessly obedient to vampires. They are capable of understanding and following vampires' orders, although higher intelligence may be significantly suppressed. In general, they are still capable of the basic functions needed to keep themselves alive (hygiene, rudimentary cooking, keeping their own quarters clean, etc.) which makes them a "convenient" choice. This is the preferred sort of thrall for vampires who believe humans have no rights, and those who do not like humans at all and only require them for a meal. 

Pets: Pets are also rendered mindlessly obedient to vampires and routinely have their memories erased, but a little more of their personality is allowed to remain. The conditioning process leaves pets permanently glassy-eyed and docile. This class of thrall is what you would expect from their name -- treated as though they are house pets. Pets are also capable of the basics of taking care of themselves and may do simple household chores, but generally spend most of their days in leisure activities, sleeping in their owners' chambers or doing little crafts and hobbies. Pets are favored by upper class vampires who enjoy dressing them up in fancy clothes and doting on them. 

Servants: Servants are the most lucid among these types of thralls. They're generally allowed to keep the bulk of their mind, including their memories, and are only conditioned enough to make them obedient and loyal. Servants will generally retain whatever capabilities and knowledge they had prior and so are not only capable of taking care of themselves and household chores, but a wide range of tasks. Servants are also capable of running errands and generally mingling in normal human society without raising questions. Some vampires, those particularly sentimental towards humans, treat their servants as companions. This is the preferred sort of thrall for vampires who are sympathetic to human rights (but not to the point of giving up thralls entirely.)

Wild: Some vampires capture humans and keep them completely unconditioned, generally imprisoned or chained. This is generally considered inhumane if not sadistic by polite vampire society.

Some vampires, especially poorer or younger ones, simply feed on humans they find without taking permanent thralls. This is considered risky behavior that leaves the vampire vulnerable to hunters, revenge seekers, and humans who fight back.

Free: It's rare, but some vampires have completely unconditioned humans who give their blood willingly. This is often in the context of a vampire/human romantic relationship, which many vampires consider eccentric at best and deviant at worst.

A respectable auction house like the one in this story deals in Erased, Pets, and Servants. Within each class, there is a lot of additional nuance to how they're trained and treated. The auction house offers additional conditioning to mold newly bought thralls to their owners' specific needs. Lily will be handling this a lot after the auction, and she'll get paid handsomely for it.

Vampires, especially powerful ones, have psychic connections to their thralls. This can be used for simple communication over distance, sharing of emotions, and limited sharing of memories. The vampire is "in charge" of the connection and can ignore or sever communication with the thrall if desired. The thrall has no choice about receiving communication from their master. A similar relationship exists between vampire and sire.

Servants and pets could be restored to more or less their full human minds if they're freed from vampires, although it takes time and patience to do so (and, understandably, they're all changed and traumatized by the experience). It's generally not considered possible to completely undo the conditioning of an Erased, who suffer from permanent memory loss and personality changes even if freed.

Vampire hunters have ways of helping free thralls of vampiric influence, but they're far from foolproof. Hunters will sometimes mercy kill thralls who they think cannot be restored. Death of a vampire's master will also remove some of the vampire's influence from their thralls' minds, but not all.

Tag list - please note if you'd like to be added

@d-cs @latenightcupsofcoffee @thecyrulik @dismemberment-on-a-tuesday-night @wanderinggoblin @whumpyourdamnpears @only-shadows-dwell-where-we-are @pressedpenn @pigeonwhumps @amusedmuralist

[mychlapci]

Single mommy Sentinel Prime would end up spending most of his days in an increasing daze as his charge mounted. Everything just gets him so WET these days, to the point where he ends up shoving a towel or pad behind his panel to keep from leaking lubricant down his legs. But he’s constantly cleaning up after his bitlet, scrubbing on his hands and knees to keep things clean and safe for baby like a good mommy should. Constantly rocking and soothing and nursing his sweet little bitlet, belly just barely swelling with their little sibling already. The strings of his apron tickle his aft if he doesn’t tie them up properly, and sue him—maybe he likes the tease. It’d never be appropriate to overload around his bitlet, so he’d hold off until baby is put down for a nap or for recharge at night, simmering with helpless charge from the kink he accidentally gave himself. Essentially teasing himself all day, if not outright edging. Mommy Sentinel wouldn’t know it, but trying to keep it together as being the perfect, sweet, pretty mommy ramps up his charge actually improves his general demeanor. Makes him more docile as he fights to keep people from figuring out how needy his empty valve feels. Being a parent is good for Sentinel, the bots around the office have been saying, it really calmed him down.

But at the end of the day he’d be rabid for it, valve soaked with lubricant and ready for the applicator to administer his supplements. By the time he’s pregnant with the second bitlet he’s probably given up the pretense: his limp spike stays untouched as he stuffs his valve and feverishly strokes his node. He gets off on the idea of what a wonderful job he’s doing, furiously imagining ways to be even better, be the best, prove how amazing he is at parenting just like everything else. They thought he couldn’t do it; worse, that he’d be BAD at it. Well look at him now! Muffling his cry of overload with fingers slick with his own juices, tasting himself with an embarrassed moan. His most recent fantasy would have humiliated him a few months ago, but as a new mommy Sentinel can’t wait to start watching cooking tutorials and practicing in the kitchen the way that he watched his parenting classes with his first pregnancy. Bitlet won’t be nursing on his heavy, milky titties forever after all. Maybe he can even incorporate his own energon into the recipes. There are health benefits to that, you know, and the bots at the office would certainly love some goodies now and then. He wouldn’t need to say anything of the additional nutrients. Nobody needs to know how hot it makes him to be so soft and sweet, to be such a good carrier. It’s none of their damn business if a mech as skilled and multitalented as Sentinel Prime felt more than the usual pride over it.

And of course with bitlet number two on the way, field work is right out. There’s no way he’d be deployed with a baby and another on the way. But Sentinel genuinely would not be a Prime without at least some valuable skills, arrogant or not, so perhaps the Elite Guard wouldn’t quite be willing to let him go or outright discharge him. He could still support the Autobot cause from a desk after all, and his paperwork skills would take some of the burden off of the Primes more active in the field. If seeing a calm, happy, pretty, /pregnant/ mech at the desk lifts morale then that’s just a bonus. Sentinel tells himself it’s a vantage point—nobody comes or goes without him knowing, no gear or missions are assigned without them passing his desk, no events that he doesn’t put on the schedule himself. It’s the perfect spot to boss people around as his belly swells enough to make walking more uncomfortable. And the gossip is probably insane between him and the likes of Cliffjumper as time goes on.

The jury’s out on if he’d ever figure out that he’s essentially become a very well-paid secretary, but denial is probably keeping the peace in that office and so nobot’s telling him. And to be fair, he IS very efficient.

Ooooh, that’s what I wanna hear, Sentinel calming down a little bit after having his first sparkling, becoming a little more bearable to be around because instead of gloating and being a grade A shithead for no reason like he normally would have, he’s now mostly talking about the sparkling, still gloating, fair, but as long as no one else has a sparkling for him to compare his to, he doesn’t get to be as much of an asshole anymore… Though once he gets knocked up again and is out of the office, everyone is still pretty happy. 

now i wanna think about Sentinel taking his transfluid supplements behind his desk as he fills out forms and organizes missions, rocking against the applicator feverishly while still forcing himself to read every little word, desperate valve clenching tightly as he overloads just at the end of the document, rubbing his swollen baby-bump <33

[pleaseeeimjustagirl]

♡Weekly Chronicles♡

December 15,2023

Hey babes! This week was amazing I am so happy I have created this blog I love being a blogger. I've wanted to create one for yearssss but I never got the time to do it and didn't know what to base my blog on. I love seeing other girlies on the same journey of self-improvement<3.

♡Education♡

The semester is officially over for me on Saturday I am so excited I need this break because school in general can be so stressful and I need this time to relax and pour into myself more I'll probably be uploading here more frequently while on break. 

♡Mental♡ 

I started antidepressants a little over a month ago and have been loving my journey on them my mind is clearer and I don't feel that little gray cloud following me anymore. I am present and not constantly worrying about others and things that I can't control. This is my first time using medication to finally have control over my mental health. Other than that my mental health has been so good. If you deal with seasonal depression you got this girl it's tough. Trust me I get it I've dealt with seasonal depression and anxiety for years and my inbox is always open for a chat but I ask before you tell me your problems ask how I'm feeling in the moment <3

♡Physical♡

I have been super consistent with my diet! Eating clean and working out every day I have been lifting 3 times a week. I didn't get to lift today because I am currently at work while typing this lol but I will make up for it by lifting tomorrow. I am currently fasting trying to make up fasts from Ramadan before Ramadan comes around again in March and I'm not going to lieeee it has been helping me look extra snatched now! Like I woke up looking in the mirror like yesss but fasting has so many benefits besides keeping you snatched it helps a lot internally as well. I recently ordered some items for my gut health journey and it's at the post office so I'm going to pick it up tomorrow super excited! This is unrelated but last night I didn't want to get out of bed to do my nightly skincare routine but I forced myself to remember my goals so I'm proud of that.

♡Hobbies♡

I have been consistent with my Italian lessons on Duolingo which I highlyyyy recommend for anyone trying to learn a new language the way its set up is perfect for me with the colors and drawing it feels like a game to me lol. I haven't been reading like I was supposed to I think I only read 2 times this week that’s super baddd I need to stay on top of it. I have been blogging consistently and I love seeing you girlies reflagging and hearting my content it means a lot and I def need to do a Q&A I’ll drop one next week for sure. I want to invest in soap making as a new hobby for me it looks like so much fun! 

♡Plans For The Weekend♡

I have a trip coming up next week I'm going to Maryland for a convention with a couple of friends from the 23 to the 27. I am super excited it's going to be so much fun. So this weekend I'm getting a lot of things together. I have to look for a few of my outfits for my trip and I'm waiting for my shoes to come. Also, I have my final this Saturday and an appointment with my OBGYN ladies don’t forget to book appointments for your check-ups your inner health is super important please take care of yourselves!

This was this week's little journal entrieee not that much occurs in my life but I still love the little update I gave you ladiesss. Comment your plans this weekend and how did your week go?

[zephfair]

Hello? Anyone still here?

Hey, who disappeared for months and has desperately missed all her little friends who live on this hell-site but has been too exhausted and overwhelmed to actually login ... and who lost track of where this sentence was going ... Yeah, this girl.🤗

But, wow, have I missed you all and all the beauty that is Tumblr, and I hope you'll forgive me for secreting myself away since--holy cow--January.

Quick life update behind the cut.

So, I knew going back to work full-time at my age after quite a long unintended break AND now having health disabilities, well, I knew it would be hard. I knew I would have to adjust my whole, entire life. I expected it to be incredibly difficult, and I fully planned to give myself some grace and time in having to change my every routine.

But somehow, I still underestimated it.

I am so thankful to have a job now, with a steady (if small) income and benefits that frankly make me want to weep with thanks. I mean, I don't have time to go to the doctor, but at least now I could afford to go, if I could get there.

But wow, work is tough. Not just the literal work but, as I said, changing my entire life around it. I'm not complaining, but I am doing my best to learn all new skills (job is not in my old field), relearn how to work and reschedule my own needs and just upend everything.

The absolute worst thing has been trying to take care of my aunt. I was to leave town on Jan. 7 to start my training on Jan. 8.

My 90-year-old aunt fell and broke her pelvis (and a finger and needed some stitches) Jan. 2. I spent every waking hour with her over the rest of that week. While I'd planned to spend that week cleaning my house, getting my business in order and just resting, I was freaking out and traveling through the snow and literally worried sick about her.

It was bad.

And I couldn't stay with her like I did when she broke her hip because I had to attend training full-time. At least they let us come home super-early from that first on-site week of training, but that led to a literal nightmare of a drive home one night through snow, ice, rain, flooding and fog that I'm not joking I've had nightmares about before and now since. Long story.

So, I spent January and February training and working 9 hours a day then spending all day Saturday at her place cleaning and doing laundry and making sure she had everything she needed for a week, and then I had Sunday to do my own laundry and clean the house and take care of my own things...which just keep getting pushed back because I'm too worn out.

Thank God, Aunt made a miraculous recovery and now is doing her own house and laundry etc. but I still go out one day a weekend and do anything else she needs and make sure she has all her groceries and supplies and stuff.

We're all each other has.

Needless to say, I haven't been taking care of myself. I don't sleep well anyway, but add the stress of the new job and my dear aunt and my own health issues, and I'm exhausted. Weary. Overwhelmed and just so very tired. My body is so heavy, I can barely move anymore. It's bad.

And when I finally got to my doctor two weeks ago for my long-delayed check-up, found out I was right about my blood pressure being sky-high again. It went high for the first time several years ago when my Mom was dying, but it eventually settled and was fine. But yeah, it's bad again now. No shock there. And all my lovely chronic health conditions have flared which was no surprise--again, I had braced myself to expect it and power through it, and that's what I'm doing. But it sucks. And it's hard. And there's so much pain.

I don't want to say much about my job, but the over-arching Praise the Lord wonderful thing about it is working from home. There have been so many days already that I never would've been able to get to an office to work, but I can push through it here because I don't have to use any spoons to get myself "ready" (sweatshirts and leggings, no personal grooming necessary, yay), and I don't have any anxiety about driving because zero commute. It has its challenges too because Teams is a weird office communication alternative to get used to, but on the good side, I don't have to deal with interpersonal drama from co-workers.

The work itself is challenging, but I have some days where I finally feel quietly competent and think, Oh, I can actually do this. And then there are some days that leave me in tears and praying for help because it's just too hard. But there's no way I'm quitting; they're going to have to fire me because did I mention the benefits are incredible? I mean, I live in the US and if you knew how much I had to pay last year for my own health insurance, and then the scope and biopsies and then the skin cancer and surgery and then the other skin pre-cancer biopsy and treatment. Yeah, I'm still in big debt from all of that.

So I keep praying that they keep me and that I'll do a good job. And my immediate supervisor has started piling extra work on me over the past 3 weeks so suddenly I'm doing my own stuff AND cleaning up the work from co-workers who aren't keeping up. And all of them have been working since October while just a handful of us began in January?

I have been complaining about this to my aunt, and I thought it meant that my supervisor thinks I'm incapable or is punishing me for trying to get through own my entire workload every single day. But she believes he's giving me all their shit work because I'll actually do it, and I admit, I have gotten some of it completed successfully after they'd given up on it. So, I don't know.

I know that I'm a perfectionist and I've always pushed myself as hard as possible to do my best at work (not at housework and other things in my life lols) but I really hope that it gets me a good reputation at this job and they keep me.

So yeah, that's what's going on here. I've completely abandoned the fandom things in life that I actually enjoy. I almost feel, like, guilty when I'd think about trying to make some time to browse Tumblr or wasting time on social media or even trying to write fic. I get done with work at 6:30 pm, and until I get something to eat and then clean up, it's 8 or 8:30. I have to spend about an hour on the phone with Aunt (and I call her every morning, break, and lunch time too). By then, I can barely walk or move so I just try to make it upstairs to bed. Even though I can't sleep, it just feels nice to lie down.

But I miss all of you. And I miss fandom fun. And I want to be around more because maybe it would recharge me rather than me feeling so freaking overwhelmed every minute of the day.

And I promise not to complain and bitch all the time, now that I've gotten it out of my system. But thanks for listening.

I do miss you, and I love you all.

PLEASE let me know if I've missed anything important in your lives and goings on here! I've got A LOT of catching up to do!

[rjzimmerman]

New rules will slash air, water and climate pollution from U.S. power plants. (Washington Post)

The Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday finalized an ambitiousset of rules aimed at slashing air pollution, water pollution and planet-warming emissions spewing from the nation’s power plants.

If fully implemented, the rules will have enormous consequences for U.S. climate goals, the air Americans breathe and the ways they get their electricity. The power sector ranks as the nation’s second-largest contributor to climate change, and it is a major source of toxic air pollutants tied to various health problems.

Before the restrictions take effect, however, they will have to survive near-certain legal challenges from Republican attorneys general, who have been emboldened by the Supreme Court’s skepticism of expansive environmental regulations.

Another wild card is the November election, which could hand the White House back to former president Donald Trump, who has pledged to scrap dozens of President Biden’s green policies if he returns to office.

One of the most significant rules will limit greenhouse gas emissions from new natural gas-fired power plants and existing coal-fired power plants. It will push all existing coal plants by 2039 to either close orcapture 90 percent of their carbon dioxide emissions at the smokestack.

A second regulation will reduce releases of mercury and other toxic air pollutants from the smokestacks of coal plants nationwide. Exposure to mercury, a powerful neurotoxin, can cause serious health effects, especially for developing fetuses and children.

A third rule will expand federal oversight of coal ash, the waste from coal plants that often contains a mix of chemicals linked to increased cancer risk. A fourth will limit the levels of toxic metals in the wastewater that coal plants candischarge into rivers, lakes, streams and other waterways.

Each rule will yield huge benefits for public health and the planet, according to the EPA. The greenhouse gas standards alone will prevent up to 1,200 premature deaths, 870 hospital visits and 1,900 asthma cases in 2035, the agency said. They will also reduce carbon emissions through 2047 by 1.38 billion tons — equivalent to the annual emissions of 328 million gasoline-powered cars.

Together, the rules represent the culmination of an aggressive plan that EPA Administrator Michael Regan first outlined in 2022. Speaking to an energy industry conference in Houston that year, Regan promised an array of regulatory actions to tackle pollution from power plants, which he said often hits poor and minority neighborhoods the hardest.

Jody Freeman, who directs the Environmental and Energy Law Program at Harvard Law School, said she thinks the rule is on solid legal ground, because EPA lawyers crafted it to comply with the 2022 decision and the Clean Air Act. But it is difficult to predict what the conservative justices will decide, she said.

“The Supreme Court will do what it wants, and it’s shown a particular hostility to EPA rules,” Freeman said.