They told us today that they’re still figuring out the logistics for religion class—they’re trying to decide whether to schedule it during the very first or very last period, or perhaps just let the kids stay with their regular classroom teachers.
It seems like things are a bit chaotic at the school right now because they've been adjusting the schedules and implementing block periods due to COVID protocols—so they're still shuffling things around, I guess. They should have a finalized schedule ready by tomorrow.
I am honestly quite relieved they haven't considered letting them just stay in their classrooms all day to avoid constant movement—I don't think I have the energy for those kinds of battles right at the start of the year. 😁
Susan Adams66 said:I have a friend who just can't deal with tampons—she says they’re painful and just feel uncomfortable overall...
Honestly, I had this exact same issue from day one. I could never quite make them work, and there were times when I was just so frustrated I felt like I might snap if I couldn't find a solution. 🙄
It always felt irritating—almost like a chafing sensation—and I kept thinking maybe I just wasn't inserting them right, or perhaps it was just my body being sensitive during certain times of the month, but I simply couldn't avoid that irritation. Eventually, I realized it just wasn't worth the struggle.
Unfortunately, I don't have a photo to share. However, I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys a slightly different flavor profile—especially if you're a fan of chicken and couscous.
Moroccan-Style Chicken with Couscous
About 14 oz of chicken (I used thighs, skin removed) 1 onion 1-2 tablespoons olive oil A few cloves of garlic 2-3 medium carrots A handful of pitted olives Juice and zest from 1-2 lemons Broth (chicken or vegetable) About 7 oz of couscous For the spices: coriander, cumin, paprika, cayenne, fresh parsley, cinnamon, nutmeg, and maybe a clove or two... (I'm sure you probably have most of these in your pantry already) 😉
For those who prefer a bolder, richer flavor, I suggest leaving the skin on the meat and searing it skin-side down first. If you do that, you might not even need to add any extra oil. Alternatively, you could just leave one piece with the skin on and trim the fat off the rest.
1. Coat the meat with half of the spice blend and let it marinate in the fridge for a few hours. I usually find it's best to prep the meat the night before. 2. Sear the chicken on all sides in the oil, then carefully remove it from the deep skillet. 3. In that same pan, sauté the onion, carrots, and garlic, then stir in the remaining spices (save the fresh parsley for the very end) and fry briefly. Pour in the broth and add the olives. 4. Once the liquid reaches a boil, return the chicken to the pan and let it simmer for about 30-40 minutes (this depends, I guess, on which cut of chicken you chose). 5. When everything is cooked through, stir in the couscous, adding hot water as needed. Remove from the heat, then stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest, and finely chopped fresh parsley. Cover it up. 6. After about 5 minutes, fluff the couscous with a fork and perhaps add a bit more lemon if you like.
My family was a bit skeptical about the spice blend at first—especially the cinnamon, since they usually only eat that with apples, lol—but both the kids and adults ended up loving it. I actually used lime as well, so feel free to swap it out; the acidity really helps bring a sense of freshness to the whole dish. I've also tried making this without broth, and it's still quite tasty. 🙂
I took a test at 12 days past ovulation—just a faint line then—and then again at 14 days, where the line was much, much clearer. Now I’ve just done one at 14 DPO using a Clearblue digital, and honestly, there isn't any doubt with that one. It gives you the result in just a few minutes, and if it's positive, it even estimates how far along you are—though I guess it calculates from conception. Apparently, you can use it up to four days before your period is actually due.
I wasn't particularly impressed with Gravidost, and I haven't heard much good feedback about it lately, either. The Clearblue Compact showed me a light line at 12 DPO, and PrimaTest showed a thin line later in the afternoon on day 12.
So, we’re looking at a delay of almost ten or fifteen days now, right? That would usually be pretty obvious by this point 🤷
Unless—and I’m just guessing here—your cycle has been completely thrown off track by something else, which might mean your last period was much later than usual, making this feel like only a few days late. But, if your cycles are typically quite regular... 🤷
If you're up for it, maybe try taking another test in a day or two—just make sure to use the first one from the morning.
To be honest? Just go ahead and buy it—then you can actually 😁 . If it’s going to arrive after the test is already over, then I suppose it might as well just happen that way—at least there won't be any unnecessary stress about the timing. For me, I think the uncertainty of not knowing would probably be the hardest part to deal with. 🤷
It’s possible that since it's still so early, the results might not be giving you the full picture just yet—I guess. You might want to wait until the actual expected day, or maybe even a day after that, before you try running it again.
mistyridge5, I truly want to believe that’s the case—really, I do. It would certainly make dealing with all of this a bit more manageable, I suppose. Up until yesterday, even the simplest things, like a good batch of apples, seemed to make sense, but I guess that's not working anymore. Even my go-to comfort foods—you know, those warm bowls of soup that always used to save me—just aren't doing the trick.
Even this morning, the little piglet was throwing up again. My neighbor, MM, actually had the nerve to say—and I'm not kidding—that it's just out of solidarity. 😂
hiddenscout362 said:My little guy is right here with me, lounging on the couch, and I just can't help but give him a kiss on the head 😁
Everyone looks at me like I'm crazy, but honestly, what am I supposed to do? He’s my indoor dog—he's clean, well-groomed, up to date on all his shots, and he gets nothing but love and the best care possible.
Even before we started talking about babies, people were asking us what we’d do with our piglet once a baby eventually arrives. 🙄 I just told them—well, more hands to snuggle her, I suppose. 😍
I’m feeling a bit scattered right now, honestly... I'm just waiting for my first ultrasound and hoping everything is fine, especially since I've been dealing with 24/7 nausea and clutching a seashell for comfort. I am exhausted—just completely drained—and the insomnia is hitting hard; even when I finally drift off, I end up tossing and turning all night. Plus, I can't help worrying about what the doctor might say this Tuesday. I guess today is just one of those days where everything feels a bit much and my nerves are totally shot. 🙂
hiddenscout362 said:Look, I feel totally betrayed by my LH surges. I would have bet everything that I was ovulating around the 14th or 15th
But the strips showed it didn't actually happen until the 19th or 20th
I have absolutely no clue what those earlier surges were even doing, but they clearly weren't signaling ovulation😳
It’s honestly infuriating because I spent months timing everything perfectly, having sex exclusively during those supposed windows, wondering why we weren't getting pregnant...
For me, those little twinges usually happen a day or two before ovulation. I think I read somewhere that the sensation comes from the follicle actually rupturing—which makes sense, I suppose. My ultrasound results even backed that up since I happened to be at the OB-GYN right around that time a few times. At least, that’s how it worked for me.
But I guess we are all uniquely different when it comes to this stuff. 😁
hiddenscout362 said:Yeah, true, if you actually know when ovulation happened. Otherwise, you’re better off just waiting until your expected period date arrives.
I had a pretty good idea that I ovulated around day 18 or 19 because of a positive test strip, so that's how I was doing my math.
That’s exactly what I was thinking—and honestly, I had a pretty similar hunch myself. Even though the data was about two days late, I figured if we saw a positive trend, it would probably be quite weak—mostly just because of that delay, I guess.
I suppose DPO really is the most important factor here. I used those Clearblue Compact tests—I think I went through about $12 of them. When I was at 30 DPO (which was basically two days after my period was due), the test showed a very, very faint line. That was right around the 12 DPO mark, I believe.
And in the meantime, there have been plenty of holidays filled with an abundance of food and drinks. 😛
You mentioned that your period was just like any other—nothing out of the ordinary, right? So, I guess I somewhat doubt that you might be pregnant. If you want some peace of mind, maybe just take a test in the morning.
Nausea when you're hungry? Well, that usually happens when your stomach is empty, and it’s also possible that since it's the holiday season, you've gotten used to heavier, richer foods, so your stomach might just be reacting to that. Either way, you can explain it all to yourself—even if it turns out you are pregnant and all of this is just pregnancy symptoms. I'm telling you, if you're unsure, just take a test. Try to relax.
Nicholas Foster21 said:I’m expecting my period soon—I have that familiar tugging sensation in my lower abdomen, coupled with those typical tender breasts—but this test has me feeling a bit conflicted. It’s confusing, really; I know these things aren't always 100% accurate, yet part of me is desperately hoping it actually is
All of those could definitely be pregnancy symptoms. 😉 I feel like you might be overthinking things a little bit right now. I actually get that same feeling sometimes—that classic pressure and some breast tenderness. And that's since December 28th. 😉
Hell, it’s honestly because of stories like that which made me lean toward waiting a bit. It isn't like I immediately rushed off to see my OBGYN right after seeing a positive result, either—I suppose I just wanted to avoid any unnecessary stress. Sometimes, knowing all those details can be quite a double-edged sword, I guess. 🤷
Nicholas Foster21, please try not to panic. A positive test is a positive test. Maybe just wait a few more days and then take another one? There's really no need to start spinning worst-case scenarios right now. 😉
Jerry Bailey47 said:mistyridge5, I wasn't trying to be rude—everything you said is true—but it’s specifically because of what she just shared that I think waiting for her period is the better move. She could take five more tests before then and still be left in this exact same state of nervous, frantic anticipation. It just seems counterproductive. 🤷
Well, I get it. Personally, I preferred to wait until I had all the facts gathered together. Then, I finally took one (about two days later) and followed up a couple of days after that once the line was a bit clearer. But, that's just how I handled it. 🤷
I realize some people just can't bring themselves to wait. 😁