joydreamz's Profile

I like a clean, neat house but I work a lot. When I come home I do not want to waste the few precious evening hours I have cleaning. Solution - hire a maid. It's the best money I spend. Coming home to a neat and tidy home that someone else cleaned? It's the best.

Last year I moved buildings. I went from living in an apartment where I knew no one and talked to no one to a building where everyone talks to everyone all the time. It takes some getting used to. I now know I have to allot time in the morning to talking to people. There's a woman in my building who walks my dog for me. When I am out with my dog if my neighbors drive by they always stop or wave and honk. It's great.

Wow, I can't imagine just tossing so much stuff or having a house filled with only new things. I don't think people should keep junk, but handwritten letters and photos? yes. I looked recently at letters I received almost 20 years ago (OMG, I feel so old writing that) and it made me remember being 18 again. It was less about the person that sent the letters than about me and how much I've changed. Seeing some photos from long ago makes my heart clench and that's ok.

I developed severe allergies as an adult and totally sympathize with your sister. As someone that went from just having seasonal allergies to developing severe skin allergies as an adult I understand. It's hard for people to understand how skin allergies can be a severe medical issue or why seeing an allergist/taking allergy meds/getting a HEPA filter wouldn't just work and be the solution.

People imagine you getting a little rash. People do not imagine your body covered in incredibly painful hives, unable to use your hands because your fingers have swollen so much, your scalp covered in sores, or trips to the emergency room when the hives spread to your throat. People don't imagine carrying an epipen and worrying that you could die from an allergic reaction. People do not understand that allergies escalate and increase in severity.

Severe allergies are complex things and can make your life hell (and potentially kill you) and no one should criticize or judge your sister.

Making friends when you are a fully formed adult is very different from making friends earlier in life. When you've been friends with the same people forever you become so comfortable with those people. It's nice to meet new people and have the experience of making friends. It's great to have a different dynamic.

I think being exposed to and participating in new social relationships is good for people. Why not embrace it?

A good rule is to treat rose/orange blossom water like an extract - use sparingly in small quantities. Don't see a large bottle and use a large quantity, the flavor can be overwhelming.

I grew up drinking rose syrup milkshakes. There's a great floral syrup - Rooh Afza. Mix it with milk and ice cream, so tasty! Some people mix it with water and drink it like a floral koolaid. (That's not my preference) But I realize not everyone grows up eating floral flavored food and it is odd to a lot of people.

I have all the things that people have identified in the comments. The one item that has truly blown me away is my large All-Clad Saute Pan. That pan truly is a revelation. There is no comparison between cooking in All-Clad and anything else.

Second to that is an great knife, but I honestly believe that a reasonably priced knife with maintenance works well. Most people don't use a Kitchenaid stand mixer, immersion blender, food processor, etc. everyday. I also think Lodge is a great, cheaper alternative to Le Creuset. I use my Lodge cast iron griddle more than I use all my Le Creuset put together.

I love mixing patterns, but the colors have to all go together. My bedroom has different patterns but all of the same color scheme and people always love it.

I regularly walk my dog at or after 1 A.M. I'm an insomniac and it's relaxing. My go to ensemble is yoga pants/running pants with a tshirt. I also have an oversized pullover fisherman style fleece that I wear when it's cold.

There is a jazz club on my block. Several nights a week I watch drunk people loudly leave in the most ridiculous clothing imaginable. If they want to judge me that's fine. I am judging them too. I don't give a hoot what people wear, just be respectful of your surroundings and don't yell.

I have the same issue with worn, but not dirty clothing. I end up with a chair covered in clothes which is not ideal.