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.

I think my hospital bills were around $5,000. What I didn’t anticipate was the fact that once my daughter was born I was paying hospital bills for me and for her. I think without insurance it was around 30k? So insurance covered 25,000 and we paid the rest

Our toddler has an Easter basket that is filled with some small goodies. This year I didn’t buy anything myself, but grandparents sent some candy and toys. We do a small egg hunt just around the house with small candy and snacks inside. No meanings behind anything. We also don’t do the Easter bunny or any other fantasy being with her. She knows they are for the holiday (at least with Santa) but is too young to make a connection that they are the ones supposedly bringing the gifts. I’ve mentioned a few times that they are pretend like bluey but I don’t think she has any understanding. For myself, I like to get a big bag of jellybeans.

I guess it wasn’t technically a lie, but my manager at the restaurant I worked at would “jokingly” ask me on a date at least once a shift we worked together, if not multiple times. Finally, I said yes, also jokingly, and to pick me up the next day. After he obviously didn’t, every time he would ask again I told him I gave him a chance and he stood me up. He stopped asking a little bit after that

I guess the one thing I started doing when I had my kid was journaling. It helps sometimes to just be able to write things out. I also have a few playlists that are ones that I turn up and drown everything else out when I need a minute.

As far as managing day-to-day stuff I have an app on my phone for to-dos, and I use my phone’s calendar to sync to both mine and my husbands phone. I’m balancing my own elementary school schedule where I teach, my toddler’s daycare schedule, our dogs and their vet and grooming needs, and my husband’s schedule changes for appointments or traveling. I need to be able to look up things quickly and also have reminders.

For the most part I haven’t found things to be overly critical, but I do find that motherhood is a competition. There’s always a jealous tone behind every compliment or comparison, or a slight sense of superiority if another kid has reached other milestones. It doesn’t really bother me, but I try to be mindful of how I phrase things. It can be touchy to mention you got pregnant on the first try, or had an oversupply of milk, or you’re so proud that your baby correctly identified the color of their shoes, or your toddler picked up potty training quickly or sleeps through the night. Sometimes people are struggling and can take it as a slight against them as a parent.

One of the things that guides my parenting is that I’m not raising a kid, I’m raising a future adult. I really try to give her choices and let her develop her own sense of self (as much as a 3 year old can). I want her to be adventurous, empathetic, independent, and a critical thinker.

Laundry mostly. Dishes if my husband didn’t get around to it because of yard work or other things. But really, my Monday morning routine is just a bit longer than my Tues-Fri because I just pack all the extra stuff in the morning

I have my work email notifications turned off on my phone.

I have a “work stuff” folder on my to-do list app so if I think of something I can quickly add it so I won’t forget and won’t continue to think about it.

I have written to-do lists that I check off as I complete them at work. Whenever things start to get overwhelming it helps to break them down into manageable tasks and focus on what I can complete in the time I have.

Occasionally a moment gets too much (usually after a day off and we have an early meeting, something that throws off my routine). I give myself my moment locked in my office and then continue with my day. Taking a few minutes helps me recenter.

1st-12th grade

Bootcut and medium/low cut for me

Actually most of the time I have a lanyard that has my ID, 2 credit cards, insurance card, Costco card, and library card, plus my car keys.

In my purse I have a wallet that holds my checkbook, other cards, and cash if I have it. Then there’s chapstick and a pen.

I think that’s about it.

Duck

My organizational abilities and my general intellect. I’m proud of this because I was homeschooled (given textbooks and left to my own devices) so I was able to thrive in spite of this.

Athletic, jeans, comfortable. I do alt-lite (dyed hair, tattoos) but mostly I’m chasing after a toddler and I work as a teacher so 10K steps a day is on the low end for me. I’m not a huge fan of leggings or yoga pants as everyday wear but I like fitted t-shirts

What if I asked it to place a white border around the image? Would it watermark the white, which I could then crop?