Connect with the local Deaf community. There’s likely a Facebook group or something that you can browse (even without an account). Look at local community classes, college courses, or even free classes held at a church. Our local community has a bi-weekly silent dinner at the mall and other events that hearing and Deaf people attend. I started with a local community center class ($50 for 8 weeks or whatever) and then found everything else through the instructor. I usually screenshot the silent dinner dates from the Facebook group and then attend when I can.

Paid refers to money. Payed is a nautical term.

I didn’t do the marriage thing because of love. I don’t need a piece of paper to tell me that. I did it for the logistical stuff. Buying a house. Having a kid. Combining finances. Life insurance. Health insurance. While all of this could be possible without being married, it’s much easier to have a marriage certificate than to try to prove to everyone all the time that we’re partners. If my husband were in the hospital on life support, being next of kin would simplify so many things. My culture is designed in a way that traditional marriage shapes so many processes. There may be workarounds, but they’re not always simplified and most people may not know how to use them. That can take valuable time that you don’t always have.

Pretend it’s a seed

https://www.mobilize.us/

This has some. I don’t think 50501 is on there but there’s a range of events. My teacher’s union posted on here and then I found a few more.

Our house is mostly mobile. We each have a laptop but it’s more for “bigger things” like filing taxes, booking a trip, designing something, and filling out forms. We have decided that we are getting a desktop within the next year, however. We have a toddler and it’s important to me that she is able to navigate a mouse and keyboard. I work in a school library and my lesson on using the catalog in 2nd grade begins with how to use a computer mouse because I have some of the only desktops that are left in the school. (I’ve even had grown-ass adults come in and try to touch the screen).

It was a Christmas gift, but thanks for the heads up!

I have a soda stream and then several flavoring options. I have mio and other brands, then soda syrups, and cocktail mixers. That way I can control the amount of sweet. I personally don’t like the flavor of artificial sweeteners or stevia so I try to find ones that use real sugar and real fruit extract. There’s some with caffeine too.

That sounds like our thanksgiving! 10/10 would recommend.

We live out of town (8 hours away) so we visit for a week over Christmas every year. My in-laws live an hour away from my parents so we attempt to split the time as best as we can. We are not allowed to stay at my in-laws because we have a dog that isn’t friendly. My family is super understanding and has worked really hard to gain her trust. My in-laws refuse to do anything except talk bad about her and complain that we don’t visit enough. The worst this year has been that my sister’s (24) boyfriend just broke up with her like 3 weeks ago (by dropping off her belongings and blocking her) so she’s going through it. She had a perfectly fine time for a day or two, went out with us, would have conversations, but then started locking herself in her room (she still lives with my parents). But there’s been a few uncalled for moments in my opinion, breakup or not, like telling my mom “I had a list for a reason” while opening presents because my mom got her something else she might like (especially since her entire list was hunting and fishing stuff, activities she did with her ex). Also my two year old was sobbing outside her locked door, begging to see her, and was ignored. We always do a sibling activity together (go out to a fancy restaurant, escape room, axe throwing) and this year she was hot and cold with it. We would discuss doing something and she wouldn’t say anything but only text us later that she was never planning on going. Finally last night I went off on her a bit. Told her I never get to see her and I wanted to go out and to spend some time with her. That I’m sorry she was having a shitty time but it wasn’t my fault. I’ve never had a great time visiting for holidays but I’ve never been more excited to go home that I am this year.

I work in an elementary school and my kid goes to daycare. We will have weeks of themed days at the same time but with different dress-ups. I’ll be wearing red and she’ll be having a silly sock day. I’ll have a grinch day and she’ll have a Santa hat day. I get what they’re going for but the 2 year olds don’t really care and even the elementary kids get burnt out of dressing up all the time.

AI. If people want to use it to help them rephrase a letter better that’s totally fine. But it’s shoved in my face at every turn and in 99 cases out of 100 it’s useless with several of those being downright dangerous.

My uncle landed himself in jail after getting drunk and beating up his 19 year old son. His wife has refused to leave him so while we haven’t cut her off completely it’s weird now. There was a big rift when my mom said he wasn’t invited to Christmas. Also, my grandmother (my aunt and my dad’s mom) died a few months ago and we found out that my aunt had been taking a lot of money from her over the years as well.

At home: 3 squares, folded. At other places with different paper: 4-5, depending on quality. Out and about with the tissue paper that exists in public bathrooms? Maybe the length of my arm.

Yeah I wasn’t sure how to word it because I know that different places have different naming mechanisms. But from 6-18 years old I was homeschooled. There was a co-op or two where I technically did classes with others, and I did a year of Cyber school before it was cool but most of my education came from me self-teaching from textbooks and “curriculum”.

Homeschooled 1st-12th grade with the exception of 4 months of public school in first grade.

Homeschooled 1st-12th grade with the exception of 4 months of public school in first grade.

Homeschooled 1st-12th grade except for 4 months of first grade.

Funnily enough I have a masters degree and work in a public school

I was homeschooled from first grade with the exception of 4 months in public school for first grade

Never have I ever attended a middle or high school