Mobile home bathtub faucet shower diagram
What is a day in your life like?
2024.05.19 04:19 Brian18639 What is a day in your life like?
On the days where I have to go to my parents’ office to help them with some work: wake up, eat breakfast, drink something, brush teeth, go with one of my parents to their office, work there until around 6pm, have lunch somewhere around that time, go back home with one of them, eat dinner, drink something, brush teeth, shower, go on Discord for a few minutes, sleep.
On the days when I get to stay home: wake up, check my social media apps for any notifications, eat breakfast, drink something, brush teeth, wait 30 minutes, play cod mobile during the wait, do an at-home workout session after the wait, take supplement, make and drink protein shake, shower, eat lunch, drink something, brush teeth, lay in bed and watch a movie on my phone or tv or play cod mobile for a while, eat dinner, shower, go on Discord for a bit, sleep.
I feel like my life is so boring rn and I feel like I’m a very boring and uninteresting person overall. I do want to work on myself and become the best version of myself I can be, but the problem is I have absolutely no motivation or ambition to do it. I don’t have any irl friends, never had a gf, I’m usually shy and reclusive irl, I still live with my parents and siblings, mom is very strict and shelters me hard, and I don’t have an official job. I’ll probably add more to that if I can remember anything else.
submitted by Brian18639 to stupidquestions [link] [comments]
On the days when I get to stay home: wake up, check my social media apps for any notifications, eat breakfast, drink something, brush teeth, wait 30 minutes, play cod mobile during the wait, do an at-home workout session after the wait, take supplement, make and drink protein shake, shower, eat lunch, drink something, brush teeth, lay in bed and watch a movie on my phone or tv or play cod mobile for a while, eat dinner, shower, go on Discord for a bit, sleep.
I feel like my life is so boring rn and I feel like I’m a very boring and uninteresting person overall. I do want to work on myself and become the best version of myself I can be, but the problem is I have absolutely no motivation or ambition to do it. I don’t have any irl friends, never had a gf, I’m usually shy and reclusive irl, I still live with my parents and siblings, mom is very strict and shelters me hard, and I don’t have an official job. I’ll probably add more to that if I can remember anything else.
2024.05.19 01:31 2buckbill Dad had a good day and I really kind of needed it
My dad, after a consistent and very slow decline, finally had a pretty good memory day today. He has what I guess is a "run of the mill" vascular dementia. I'm far from an expert.
A bit more than 2 years ago his wife passed away in early 2022. I didn't know, at that time, that he had any unusual health problems. They didn't tell me about any mobility issues, they didn't tell me about some of the conditions he had developed, and they didn't tell me about the dementia diagnosis. When she passed my dad just stopped taking care of himself, and he spiraled pretty fast. He spent a couple of weeks in the hospital while we got him sorted out and I was finally clued in to how far he had declined in the previous couple of years. I was able to get POA for his health and finances to help make decisions. A couple of weeks later the doctors said that he was OK to go home on his own with help from some occupational therapy, and a nurse visiting a couple of times a week. This was in mid to late April of 2022. By early June he was getting some pretty serious notices from utilities, credit card companies, and others wanting to be paid. Dad thought everything was paid automatically (said his late wife had set that up), and had been ignoring every bill that came his way. This was when I really found out how bad things had become. There hadn't been a bill paid in months, his wife had been using HIS credit cards for HER purchases, and as I recall it there was about $11,500 in credit card debts that she had left for him. On HER OWN cards she had about $19,000 in credit card debt (I never paid that, my dad was not a guarantor on her accounts). My dad's credit score tanked, and was flirting with dipping into the 500s. So I stepped in and took over. I'd never had to take over someone else's finances before, and thus began a whole lot of change in both our lives. There were mysterious bills that were getting paid from his accounts, his cell phone bill was in the hundreds, there were debts she had created; some he knew about and some he didn't. I had to do some very basic financial forensics to figure out what was happening. The list of her dumb-fuckeries is sadly extensive, she was just a financial-fucking-idiot. He had a few thousand dollars remaining in his accounts, but he had a consistent pension and Social Security coming in. I started prioritizing the debt into utilities versus credit, and started getting him set right. It took about a year or year and a half, but my dad became debt free, and developed a substantial savings. His credit score is in the mid / high 700s again.
He is good enough to live mostly on his own still. I call most nights to check up on him, run through the list. "Did you eat enough? Did you take your medicine? Did you get any exercise? Did you visit with any friends? How you showered recently?" And on Saturdays I go over to his house to refill his medications, take him shopping, take a rudimentary inventory of his physical and mental condition, and I take him to lunch, usually with my wife and daughter. I take his blood pressure, and report it to his GP via an online portal. I do a bit of picking up in his house, maybe clean some things. Remind him about upcoming appointments. This takes up most of my Saturdays. I also get him to most of his medical and dental appointments, work with his doctors and nurses, and manage most of his life. But I also have a house, a demanding career (where I have a full team to manage and lead), a wife, a four year old, and pets. Everyone and everything deserves attention, of course, but these days I feel like I am constantly trying to pour from an empty container. I'm always exhausted, and I wake up nearly every night afraid that I missed something. Did dad take his pills? Did we miss any bills? Is my daughter OK? Did I hear her coughing? Did I miss something at work? Did I miss a page out? I have to get up and check my work phone. I'm just exhausted, and burnt out on all of it.
But today... He remembered my daughter's name, my brother's name, my wife's name, and even the names of cousins. He remembered his friends' names, he remembered his bills, and where he put them. He was even a bit spry when I took him shopping. He cracked jokes. He was in the best mood that I've seen him in in.... hell, maybe years? He understood everything that I was telling him, and HE TOLD ME about an upcoming appointment that he remembered. And man... I needed it. I needed an easier day. It is like a little bit of the weight lifted. I know that it is just one day, and he might be having these good days on the days when I am not over there to manage his home, but I usually see more difficult days. It isn't a whole lot, but tonight it feels like the vessel I am trying to pour from finally has a bit of something in it, it doesn't feel so empty.
submitted by 2buckbill to dementia [link] [comments]
A bit more than 2 years ago his wife passed away in early 2022. I didn't know, at that time, that he had any unusual health problems. They didn't tell me about any mobility issues, they didn't tell me about some of the conditions he had developed, and they didn't tell me about the dementia diagnosis. When she passed my dad just stopped taking care of himself, and he spiraled pretty fast. He spent a couple of weeks in the hospital while we got him sorted out and I was finally clued in to how far he had declined in the previous couple of years. I was able to get POA for his health and finances to help make decisions. A couple of weeks later the doctors said that he was OK to go home on his own with help from some occupational therapy, and a nurse visiting a couple of times a week. This was in mid to late April of 2022. By early June he was getting some pretty serious notices from utilities, credit card companies, and others wanting to be paid. Dad thought everything was paid automatically (said his late wife had set that up), and had been ignoring every bill that came his way. This was when I really found out how bad things had become. There hadn't been a bill paid in months, his wife had been using HIS credit cards for HER purchases, and as I recall it there was about $11,500 in credit card debts that she had left for him. On HER OWN cards she had about $19,000 in credit card debt (I never paid that, my dad was not a guarantor on her accounts). My dad's credit score tanked, and was flirting with dipping into the 500s. So I stepped in and took over. I'd never had to take over someone else's finances before, and thus began a whole lot of change in both our lives. There were mysterious bills that were getting paid from his accounts, his cell phone bill was in the hundreds, there were debts she had created; some he knew about and some he didn't. I had to do some very basic financial forensics to figure out what was happening. The list of her dumb-fuckeries is sadly extensive, she was just a financial-fucking-idiot. He had a few thousand dollars remaining in his accounts, but he had a consistent pension and Social Security coming in. I started prioritizing the debt into utilities versus credit, and started getting him set right. It took about a year or year and a half, but my dad became debt free, and developed a substantial savings. His credit score is in the mid / high 700s again.
He is good enough to live mostly on his own still. I call most nights to check up on him, run through the list. "Did you eat enough? Did you take your medicine? Did you get any exercise? Did you visit with any friends? How you showered recently?" And on Saturdays I go over to his house to refill his medications, take him shopping, take a rudimentary inventory of his physical and mental condition, and I take him to lunch, usually with my wife and daughter. I take his blood pressure, and report it to his GP via an online portal. I do a bit of picking up in his house, maybe clean some things. Remind him about upcoming appointments. This takes up most of my Saturdays. I also get him to most of his medical and dental appointments, work with his doctors and nurses, and manage most of his life. But I also have a house, a demanding career (where I have a full team to manage and lead), a wife, a four year old, and pets. Everyone and everything deserves attention, of course, but these days I feel like I am constantly trying to pour from an empty container. I'm always exhausted, and I wake up nearly every night afraid that I missed something. Did dad take his pills? Did we miss any bills? Is my daughter OK? Did I hear her coughing? Did I miss something at work? Did I miss a page out? I have to get up and check my work phone. I'm just exhausted, and burnt out on all of it.
But today... He remembered my daughter's name, my brother's name, my wife's name, and even the names of cousins. He remembered his friends' names, he remembered his bills, and where he put them. He was even a bit spry when I took him shopping. He cracked jokes. He was in the best mood that I've seen him in in.... hell, maybe years? He understood everything that I was telling him, and HE TOLD ME about an upcoming appointment that he remembered. And man... I needed it. I needed an easier day. It is like a little bit of the weight lifted. I know that it is just one day, and he might be having these good days on the days when I am not over there to manage his home, but I usually see more difficult days. It isn't a whole lot, but tonight it feels like the vessel I am trying to pour from finally has a bit of something in it, it doesn't feel so empty.
2024.05.19 01:13 kqsk3t AITAH for wanting to go no contact with my dad and by extension my mom because of their toxic relationship?
I (18F) have always known my dad (53M) wasn’t the most healthy person in the world. For some context on my family and to make sure it’s a whole picture i’m basically going to trauma dump, so TW for sexual assault i guess? When i was two he and my mom(48F) got a divorce because he was using drugs and alcohol to cope with some of his past traumas, while never putting in any work to get past them. After the divorce he ended up being put in prison after receiving multiple DUI’s (im not entirely sure how it happened exactly, i was two or three when he was locked up) and it got him locked up till I was six. My mom, despite having every reason to speak badly of my father, never said anything negative about him. She would take me to visit him, let me read the letters he sent me (when i actually could read, and she would write my replies down for me), and always let me talk to him when he called. We lived with my grandparents while he was locked up. After he got out he spent a long time working to get past his unhealthy coping mechanisms. He lives with his parents for two years and i would visit often. When i was eight he finally had a stable enough job to have both me and my mother move back in with him. I was young, and stupid, and when they asked me if i was okay with it I said yes. We moved into a single wide mobile home in my dad’s home town. My entire life was uprooted and replanted. I began classes in my new school and was bullied for most of my time there. I was told to “suck it up, bullies aren’t that bad.” even though in middle school i was pushed down a very steep flight of stairs and almost broke my arm. My grades began slipping and i went from a gifted child to a burn out really quick. My dad would yell at me and my mom for my grades, then get mad when i couldn’t understand how explained something to me. By thirteen i was suicidal and it was “an attempt to get attention” according to my dad. He had begun to pick fights with my mom over the littlest things. The house wasn’t clean enough, she didn’t make dinner fast enough, my room was a mess. (it was the size of a medium sized walk in closet.) And then my older (half) brother moved in with us. He (32M, let’s call him Michael) had never had a stable life and my dad coddled him because he felt like he had failed him. He had, but Michael was always a screwed up dude, so it only added into it. Anyways, over the course of the next three years my older brother would come to sexually assault me about five times over the next three years. We ended up moving into a larger house when i was about fifteen and i ended up going into counseling and learning that i had been groomed and conditioned to be basically unaware of the trauma inflicted on my by my brother since i was a kid. My dad, when i was seven and my brother a teenager, would turn a blind eye to Michael basically bashing my head into the island counter whenever he would steal something like food from me. My grandparents would always intervene and he would call me a whiner. At night he would tell me all sorts of things and make it seem like he was my only friend in the world. He kept doing it my entire life. My father, who had stopped drinking, had begun again because my grandfather was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer and has been fighting for him life since, it’s been about eight years i think since they had to pull him out of remission because the cancer came back. This is when he really became a nightmare. Depending on what type of alchohol he drinks his mood goes a few ways. Whiskey and he gets angry. Tequila and he gets all sappy and lovey dovey(this makes me very uncomfortable because he hasn’t ever been very openly affectionate), beer and he’s just a happy drunk, and wine and he gets sad. Sometimes it switches up but normally this is how it goes. After i finally told my parents about my brother and what he had done and him getting kicked out, he began to bury himself in alcohol. I had to get over it fast because he was blaming anyone within pissing distance. Eventually he would cry to me about how he had failed him son, to the daughter that his son had raped. it was really fucked up, and he only ever said that when he was drunk. (I want to say that my dad isn’t an inherently terrible person, he didn’t have a good life growing up and generational trauma hits hard.)He has been using drinking as a way to escape reality for a long time. It’s caused a great deal of arguments and both of my parents asking “what they do to deserve this” while my dad accuses me of treating him like garbage (he says the same thing to my mom). We’ve had to leave the house and spend a few days with other people before because i was scared he was going to hit us instead of the walls next time, multiple times. The most recent bought of fighting has been happening over the last three days. (for more context i moved out right after i turned eighteen, i became a manager at my workplace and was able to live with friends) I’ve been visiting my family and spending time with them since i haven’t really had time the past few months. I guess my mom found out that he had been receiving nudes from other women on messenger and wanted AT LEAST an apology. My dad blamed it on a married friend who was using his phone. it was a lie because he’s been receiving them almost every day. and commenting on them. it makes me sick to think about. he has begun blaming my mom for it. saying she ruined our old house, that she has to one up him, and saying “do you really wanna go there?” while he was the one who fucked up. After screaming at each other for nearly an hour he said he wanted to break up. My mom spiraled and wanted to kill herself. Her psychiatrist that she had a tele-health call with that day, asked me to basically watch my mom to make sure she doesn’t kill herself. I took her pills and asked my dad to lock up his guns. he took this as her “one -upping him”. Yesterday while i was back at my apartment i got a call from my mom explaining that he had gotten drunk and had told her to kill herself. She had left and was at a bridge to watch the water. I drove back in a panic since i live a town over. Today, my father was drunk again and asked me to go spend time alone so he could screw my mom. I didn’t want to be there so i showered and got ready to leave. Turns out their conversation had shifted and he was berating her for “not letting him discipline me”. I guess that after years of pent up anger never being touched on, i finally snapped and began yelling at him. I called him a hypocrite and he called me a bitch. And basically i left as he began to destroy things around the house. That was after i told him if he kept going this way i would cut contact. I’m currently sitting at our outdoor sports complex writing this because everyone i know is busy and i don’t want to bother them. I just needed to get it out. I don’t know if cutting contact is the right thing to do. Of if it makes me an asshole. I’m only eighteen. I don’t know what to do anymore.
submitted by kqsk3t to AITAH [link] [comments]
2024.05.18 22:41 Sweet-Count2557 Iberostar 70 Park Avenue in New York City, USA
 | Iberostar 70 Park Avenue in New York City, USA submitted by Sweet-Count2557 to worldkidstravel [link] [comments] Iberostar 70 Park Avenue: A Luxurious Urban Hideaway in the Heart of New York City Price Level: $$$$ Hotel Class: 4.0 When it comes to finding the perfect hotel in the heart of New York City, look no further than the Iberostar 70 Park Avenue. This luxurious urban hideaway is centrally located in midtown Manhattan, making it an ideal choice for both business and leisure travelers. With its intimate boutique atmosphere and gracious personalized service, guests can expect a truly memorable stay. The hotel's stylish surroundings add to the overall experience, creating a sense of sophistication and elegance. Plus, with its convenient proximity to Grand Central Station, Fifth Avenue shopping, Rockefeller Center, Broadway, museums, and nightlife, guests will have endless opportunities to explore and immerse themselves in the vibrant energy of the city. Whether you're visiting for business or pleasure, the Iberostar 70 Park Avenue is the perfect choice for a truly unforgettable stay in New York City. Amenities of Iberostar 70 Park Avenue in New York City, USA Iberostar 70 Park Avenue in New York City offers a wide range of amenities to ensure a comfortable and convenient stay for its guests. The hotel provides pet-friendly accommodations, making it a great choice for those traveling with their furry friends. The suites are spacious and well-appointed, offering a luxurious and relaxing atmosphere. Business travelers will appreciate the on-site business center, which provides all the necessary facilities for work-related tasks. The fitness center is equipped with modern exercise equipment, allowing guests to maintain their fitness routine while away from home. Free WiFi is available throughout the hotel, ensuring guests can stay connected at all times. The hotel also offers non-smoking rooms, laundry service, and a concierge to assist with any needs or requests. Air conditioning is provided in all rooms, ensuring a comfortable temperature regardless of the weather outside. The multilingual staff is always on hand to assist guests in their preferred language. Accessible rooms are available for guests with mobility needs. The hotel is a non-smoking property, ensuring a clean and fresh environment for all guests. Each room is equipped with a flatscreen TV and housekeeping services are provided daily. Baggage storage is available for guests who arrive early or need to store their luggage after check-out. The bathrooms feature a bath/shower combination, and 24-hour check-in is available for added convenience. Each room is equipped with a desk, and a doorperson is available to assist with any needs or questions. The hotel staff is fluent in English and provides 24-hour front desk service. Hair dryers, irons, and newspapers are provided in each room. Spanish, telephone, bathrobes, bottled water, cable/satellite TV, clothes rack, complimentary toiletries, French, interconnected rooms, landmark view, laptop safe, Portuguese, private bathrooms, paid private parking nearby, wake-up service/alarm clock, and wardrobe/closet are also available amenities at Iberostar 70 Park Avenue. Contact of Iberostar 70 Park Avenue in New York City, USA +1 212-973-2400 70 Park Ave, New York City, NY 10016-2504 nypdir@iberostar.us http://www.iberostar.com/en/hotels/new-york/iberostar-70-park-avenue Location of Iberostar 70 Park Avenue in New York City, USA Pictures of Iberostar 70 Park Avenue in New York City, USA Tips for Staying in Iberostar 70 Park Avenue
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2024.05.18 22:39 Myatariisbusted Need help identifying shower faucet stem that I am trying to replace. Home Depot folks had no idea.
 | submitted by Myatariisbusted to Plumbing [link] [comments] |
2024.05.18 19:39 ch3snutsr0asting Waiting for meter valve replacement - what can I do about leaky faucet until then?
 | My bathtub (or shower if I move the water there) is constantly dripping hot water at the rate captured in this video. submitted by ch3snutsr0asting to Plumbing [link] [comments] I live in a very old two unit building and in order to turn off the water to my apartment the plumbing company says the meter valves need to be replaced, which entails a multi week waiting process while the city approves a turn off permit and sends a municipal water team to my street. I have finally scheduled a shutoff to replace the meter valve and fix the faucet, but it’s a few weeks away. What can I do to save money and water while this is dripping like this until then? Any advice much appreciated! |
2024.05.18 19:25 Davido400 Sex education in school for girls
I've wrestled for about 2 months with posting/asking this, A: cause am a guy and B: my 10 year old Niece is a total lunatic! Anyways, storytime:
Was sitting in my Sisters house doing the Uncle babysitting duties, ive got disabled Scottish guy, and one of my duties on a Thursday is to make sure my 2 nieces(10 and 4) get ready for Gymnastics so that when my sister has finished work it's a simple job for her to just walk downstairs(she's WFH) and throw us all in her car, run me home(on the way to Gymnastics) and off they go. I digress, anyways so I'm sitting watching telly as the two girls are upstairs supposed to be getting ready, all I have to really do is shout up to make sure they've showered themselves they are pretty independent and able to do all the icky girl stuff they need to do, but the 10 year old came downstairs that night, my sister was sitting on her phone next to me, and I just innocently asked: are you showered and ready?
She gave me a withering look that only a child could give to an adult and then grinned and said "well, I've washed my hair, my body and my vulva" now, am a man of the world, am hitting 40 this year, ave not had a religious nutter education but that made me pause and have a face like a gutted fish, I stuttered like a moron for like 2 seconds(which was clearly the little witches reason for saying it that way) then I asked her where she learned that? And she apparently got it from School Sex Ed. I knew they got all that quite early because when she was in Primary 1 or 2(Grade 1 and 2 for my American Cousins, I think) her wee pal next to her coloured a diagram/picture of a penis blue and she asked her "do you think that's appropriate?"
Anyways, I didn't realise they learned all this stuff in school these days and I'm happy with it, even if the wee witch weaponises her knowledge against me haha, and was wondering if you women got anything similar or just like mine which was a "a woman has a vagina and boys have a little bit more called a urethra"(it was genuinely a sentence like that) followed by an educational video which was just a missionary position porn lol, this is bringing up mad memories of what I remember. Anyways, it's almost half past 6pm and I'm gonna be a good wee Scotsman and get absolutely blootered(drunk) if this isn't allowed feel free to delete it.
Oh and the reason I've put this in a female sub rather than a unisex is cause it involves my two little psycho nieces and cause am a guy I feel it's a bit pointless asking fellow guys!
Have a good day/night/afternoon and remember and line your stomach when you drink!
submitted by Davido400 to TwoXChromosomes [link] [comments]
Was sitting in my Sisters house doing the Uncle babysitting duties, ive got disabled Scottish guy, and one of my duties on a Thursday is to make sure my 2 nieces(10 and 4) get ready for Gymnastics so that when my sister has finished work it's a simple job for her to just walk downstairs(she's WFH) and throw us all in her car, run me home(on the way to Gymnastics) and off they go. I digress, anyways so I'm sitting watching telly as the two girls are upstairs supposed to be getting ready, all I have to really do is shout up to make sure they've showered themselves they are pretty independent and able to do all the icky girl stuff they need to do, but the 10 year old came downstairs that night, my sister was sitting on her phone next to me, and I just innocently asked: are you showered and ready?
She gave me a withering look that only a child could give to an adult and then grinned and said "well, I've washed my hair, my body and my vulva" now, am a man of the world, am hitting 40 this year, ave not had a religious nutter education but that made me pause and have a face like a gutted fish, I stuttered like a moron for like 2 seconds(which was clearly the little witches reason for saying it that way) then I asked her where she learned that? And she apparently got it from School Sex Ed. I knew they got all that quite early because when she was in Primary 1 or 2(Grade 1 and 2 for my American Cousins, I think) her wee pal next to her coloured a diagram/picture of a penis blue and she asked her "do you think that's appropriate?"
Anyways, I didn't realise they learned all this stuff in school these days and I'm happy with it, even if the wee witch weaponises her knowledge against me haha, and was wondering if you women got anything similar or just like mine which was a "a woman has a vagina and boys have a little bit more called a urethra"(it was genuinely a sentence like that) followed by an educational video which was just a missionary position porn lol, this is bringing up mad memories of what I remember. Anyways, it's almost half past 6pm and I'm gonna be a good wee Scotsman and get absolutely blootered(drunk) if this isn't allowed feel free to delete it.
Oh and the reason I've put this in a female sub rather than a unisex is cause it involves my two little psycho nieces and cause am a guy I feel it's a bit pointless asking fellow guys!
Have a good day/night/afternoon and remember and line your stomach when you drink!
2024.05.18 18:13 Authorrlee Week of Grandmother’s Funeral I Went NC w/ Only Sibling
(I am SO sorry for the needed lengthy) Back Story & Context Leading To My Decision:
I (33F) have 1 sister, “Sam” (38F). Although we share the same parents, our childhood & the way we were treated was incredibly different. Mainly because Sam had always been favored & treated far better than me. A fact that Sam refuses to acknowledge to this day.
Before & after my parents got married, it was agreed upon that they would not have children, until one day my mother “Susan” (66F) came up with the bright idea that if she gave her parents (“Norma & Gene”) a grand-baby they would finally love her. She went off the pill without telling my father, got pregnant, then had Sam. To no one’s surprise, Susan hated being a mom. So she would ship Sam across the country to Norma & Gene’s constantly, so much so, they saw her as THEIR child. And they showered her with love that Susan never even got a taste of. This led to Susan being aggressively jealous & resentful of her child.
Years later, my dad was tricked again into having me to “save their marriage.” They divorced when I was 3. All Sam ever knew from Susan was neglect, emotional & mental abuse from Susan, which only became worse when she could use “favoring” me as another way to hurt Sam. This was NOT a secret in my family, resulting in maltreatment towards me (either subconsciously or intentionally).
Abuse toward Sam turned physical. My father was given full custody of her when I was 8, and I was left with Susan for the next 2 years until she decided she wanted to move to San Francisco because she “deserved” a more glamorous life. I do not remember the years living with Susan, but recently one of my closest friends (of 25 years) said to me I practically lived at her house & she barely interacted with Susan throughout the entirety of our friendship.
To make up for Susan being an awful parent, Norma & Gene would dote on Sam & shell out a lot of $$$ to give her a very nice life which includes but not limited to; taking her on luxury trips around the world (I was only invited on 1 in the times we lived together), Norma would write her lengthy letters to continue growing their bond, has had so much money spent on her such as down payment on her first house & paid for extravagant events such as majority of the bill for her $50,000 wedding @ 21yo, the rest my father paid for. The only time she worked before graduating with her degree was part time ONE semester in college then quit because it was “so tiring” to work & study. Want to guess who paid her bills & gave her an allowance the rest of the time? Compare this to me when I barley received a kind word. They offered me money ONCE in my early 20’s to pay off my credit card & medical debt I accrued in college as I had to pay all my own bills while working full time (I have been working since I was 15) and going to school full time. I am the only one in the family who worked in college, yet I am still the only one to graduate with honors. I accepted with the condition it would come out of my “inheritance.” I have never asked or been offered money since. I have paid for ALL my own bills since I left home @ 18 years old.
Despite the obvious disparities and constant hurt they put me through, I was an active member of the family who mainly kept her mouth shut. I attended family events unless I could not afford to go, I sent holiday gifts, called between 1-2x per month for an 1 hour+ phone call in which I most often bit my tongue unless it was to defend Sam as Norma & Susan did not agree with her parenting.
Something to note, in May 2021 my father had an accident that would lead to his passing in December 2021. The disagreements & Sam’s nastiness toward me after the accident and then his death further strained our relationship.
Fast forward to March 2023. An explosive incident at Susan’s home. Susan started berating Sam for not allowing Susan to take my oldest nephew cross country for a week. When Sam confronted her on the abuse she endured growing up, and will not subject her kids to that, Susan lost it. Not only did Susan say that Sam made that up (I have the court documents in my possession) she screamed at Sam until she began sobbing in ear shot of her 3 young kids, husband, and my step father. I stood up for Sam as always, which resulted in Susan screaming in my face “I don’t want a relationship with you” with Sam as a witness. I cut ties with Susan in that very moment, then made the family aware of my decision, and everyone, including Norma agreed to respect my decision which she later went back on.
By August 2023, my physical health that had been on a rapid decline since 2019 including 18 out of 23 (78%) of my spinal discs deteriorating without a known cause had become unbearable to manage + time I had to take off because of migraines & doctor’s appointments, I had to quit my corporate desk job. I had enough money saved to tide me over for some time, but as any US adult in their 20’s & 30’s know, it’s been rough the past few years, add in physical disabilities & limited mobility + regular migraines, I was running low on money & needed help. So at the end of December, at the encouragement & insistence of my aunt “Elizabeth” (61F & Susan’s sister) who I had become quite close with over the past few years, I went to Norma & Gene to ask for a LOAN. They had donated $25,000 to Sam’s place of worship on her behalf a few months prior, offered to buy Sam & her husband a house the year prior, paid for Elizabeth’s bills & expensive lifestyle for the last year when she was soul searching on what line of work she wanted to do next, this was after putting a down payment on Elizabeth’s new $470,000 condo + $70,000 of renovations it needed, not to mention the literal hundreds of thousands of dollars that they have given Susan over the years just to pay off her credit card debt (none of which is coming out of their inheritance might I add) she assured me they would absolutely loan their granddaughter with serious health issues money. Elizabeth would talk to them personally about it, just to seal the deal while Sam would help me find cheaper alternatives to my current necessities such as Medicaid.
I make the request, and to my surprise they are more than happy to help me with a loan. But one week later & their phone calls with Susan, they say by email they “love me but cannot continue to financially support my poor decisions.” I call Elizabeth who says, it was not in her best interest to talk to them about helping me as I am “worthless to this family and society while being disabled.” Then adds that she will not let her “mental health deteriorate just to emotionally support me.” I then immediately reach out to Sam who does not even have the guts to talk by phone only text, and says she called Susan to explain my circumstance but “wasn’t going to argue or pick a fight” to help me and that she is sorry that that she “can't show up for me the way I want her to because she needs to maintain her own mental health, relationships and boundaries.” She also threw in that I have “made up this narrative in my head” that they treat her & I different, that she is treated better. This is literally in the same conversation where I already listed how she was treated better.
That day I fully cut contact with Norma, Gene, and Elizabeth. I told them they will not be hearing from me again, and I will not be attending theirs or Susan’s funeral. And I stopped speaking with Sam for the time being. Ironically, what led us to speaking was last month (April 2024) I had begun working on an article about going No Contact with family members. I asked if I could discuss her childhood abuse in a few sentences as part of the article. She agreed and offered to give me quotes. I accepted then interviewed her. From there we began rebuilding our relationship.
Then Wednesday, May 8, Norma passes. I do not attend the funeral that happened on Friday, May 10. My two cousins who I have become very close with in the last 6 months understood why, and supported my decision. I made it clear to Sam, who told Susan I would not be attending and I had made it clear in January that when the time came, I would l not be attending their funerals. Which clearly they saw as an empty threat. But even though I did not go, I continually checked in with them & Sam to ensure they were okay. Not once from Wednesday to yesterday (Tuesday) did Sam reply to a single message. As I was concerned about this, I reached out yesterday morning. She replied in the afternoon. I was incredibly hurt by her very lengthy message. Here are 2 excerpts that led me to full NC.
I work very hard to stay positive as it’s just me to lean on. When there is something eating at me emotionally, it will drain my energy & have me spiral until it is resolved. I did not want to waste another moment feeling hurt especially when I wasted hours being angry & upset after receiving her text before crafting my reply.
My dad always preached that Sam is “far more sensitive” than me & needs to basically be treated with kid gloves despite her being almost 5 years older (he held this stance until his passing). He would have surely wanted me to apply that rule to this situation by waiting a few weeks to cut ties once she had time to process her grief. As Norma was the closest person to a loving mother Sam consistently had, I cannot help but compare it with my experience of losing my dad. If someone who always supported me esp. with any family issues, cut contact the same week he passed, it would have added a whole other layer of devastation & loneliness to an already difficult time
So, I am torn on whether it was right of me to put myself first or if I should have done what I am known & expected to do which is making Sam’s feelings the priority over mine.
ADDITIONAL ADVICE REQUESTS: 1. If anyone else has gone through a similar situation or has no immediate family, how do you handle it when having to discuss it with others? Such as explaining it to a new S/O’s, or the least complicated version to their family members or my friends who do not know the full back story but will eventually pick up on me not mentioning my sister or my nephews & niece. 2. If anyone is not able bodied or is limited to working options due to health, what you do for your full or extra income (outside of any government assistance)?
TY to all who comment &/or upvote!☺️
submitted by Authorrlee to EstrangedAdultChild [link] [comments]
I (33F) have 1 sister, “Sam” (38F). Although we share the same parents, our childhood & the way we were treated was incredibly different. Mainly because Sam had always been favored & treated far better than me. A fact that Sam refuses to acknowledge to this day.
Before & after my parents got married, it was agreed upon that they would not have children, until one day my mother “Susan” (66F) came up with the bright idea that if she gave her parents (“Norma & Gene”) a grand-baby they would finally love her. She went off the pill without telling my father, got pregnant, then had Sam. To no one’s surprise, Susan hated being a mom. So she would ship Sam across the country to Norma & Gene’s constantly, so much so, they saw her as THEIR child. And they showered her with love that Susan never even got a taste of. This led to Susan being aggressively jealous & resentful of her child.
Years later, my dad was tricked again into having me to “save their marriage.” They divorced when I was 3. All Sam ever knew from Susan was neglect, emotional & mental abuse from Susan, which only became worse when she could use “favoring” me as another way to hurt Sam. This was NOT a secret in my family, resulting in maltreatment towards me (either subconsciously or intentionally).
Abuse toward Sam turned physical. My father was given full custody of her when I was 8, and I was left with Susan for the next 2 years until she decided she wanted to move to San Francisco because she “deserved” a more glamorous life. I do not remember the years living with Susan, but recently one of my closest friends (of 25 years) said to me I practically lived at her house & she barely interacted with Susan throughout the entirety of our friendship.
To make up for Susan being an awful parent, Norma & Gene would dote on Sam & shell out a lot of $$$ to give her a very nice life which includes but not limited to; taking her on luxury trips around the world (I was only invited on 1 in the times we lived together), Norma would write her lengthy letters to continue growing their bond, has had so much money spent on her such as down payment on her first house & paid for extravagant events such as majority of the bill for her $50,000 wedding @ 21yo, the rest my father paid for. The only time she worked before graduating with her degree was part time ONE semester in college then quit because it was “so tiring” to work & study. Want to guess who paid her bills & gave her an allowance the rest of the time? Compare this to me when I barley received a kind word. They offered me money ONCE in my early 20’s to pay off my credit card & medical debt I accrued in college as I had to pay all my own bills while working full time (I have been working since I was 15) and going to school full time. I am the only one in the family who worked in college, yet I am still the only one to graduate with honors. I accepted with the condition it would come out of my “inheritance.” I have never asked or been offered money since. I have paid for ALL my own bills since I left home @ 18 years old.
Despite the obvious disparities and constant hurt they put me through, I was an active member of the family who mainly kept her mouth shut. I attended family events unless I could not afford to go, I sent holiday gifts, called between 1-2x per month for an 1 hour+ phone call in which I most often bit my tongue unless it was to defend Sam as Norma & Susan did not agree with her parenting.
Something to note, in May 2021 my father had an accident that would lead to his passing in December 2021. The disagreements & Sam’s nastiness toward me after the accident and then his death further strained our relationship.
Fast forward to March 2023. An explosive incident at Susan’s home. Susan started berating Sam for not allowing Susan to take my oldest nephew cross country for a week. When Sam confronted her on the abuse she endured growing up, and will not subject her kids to that, Susan lost it. Not only did Susan say that Sam made that up (I have the court documents in my possession) she screamed at Sam until she began sobbing in ear shot of her 3 young kids, husband, and my step father. I stood up for Sam as always, which resulted in Susan screaming in my face “I don’t want a relationship with you” with Sam as a witness. I cut ties with Susan in that very moment, then made the family aware of my decision, and everyone, including Norma agreed to respect my decision which she later went back on.
By August 2023, my physical health that had been on a rapid decline since 2019 including 18 out of 23 (78%) of my spinal discs deteriorating without a known cause had become unbearable to manage + time I had to take off because of migraines & doctor’s appointments, I had to quit my corporate desk job. I had enough money saved to tide me over for some time, but as any US adult in their 20’s & 30’s know, it’s been rough the past few years, add in physical disabilities & limited mobility + regular migraines, I was running low on money & needed help. So at the end of December, at the encouragement & insistence of my aunt “Elizabeth” (61F & Susan’s sister) who I had become quite close with over the past few years, I went to Norma & Gene to ask for a LOAN. They had donated $25,000 to Sam’s place of worship on her behalf a few months prior, offered to buy Sam & her husband a house the year prior, paid for Elizabeth’s bills & expensive lifestyle for the last year when she was soul searching on what line of work she wanted to do next, this was after putting a down payment on Elizabeth’s new $470,000 condo + $70,000 of renovations it needed, not to mention the literal hundreds of thousands of dollars that they have given Susan over the years just to pay off her credit card debt (none of which is coming out of their inheritance might I add) she assured me they would absolutely loan their granddaughter with serious health issues money. Elizabeth would talk to them personally about it, just to seal the deal while Sam would help me find cheaper alternatives to my current necessities such as Medicaid.
I make the request, and to my surprise they are more than happy to help me with a loan. But one week later & their phone calls with Susan, they say by email they “love me but cannot continue to financially support my poor decisions.” I call Elizabeth who says, it was not in her best interest to talk to them about helping me as I am “worthless to this family and society while being disabled.” Then adds that she will not let her “mental health deteriorate just to emotionally support me.” I then immediately reach out to Sam who does not even have the guts to talk by phone only text, and says she called Susan to explain my circumstance but “wasn’t going to argue or pick a fight” to help me and that she is sorry that that she “can't show up for me the way I want her to because she needs to maintain her own mental health, relationships and boundaries.” She also threw in that I have “made up this narrative in my head” that they treat her & I different, that she is treated better. This is literally in the same conversation where I already listed how she was treated better.
That day I fully cut contact with Norma, Gene, and Elizabeth. I told them they will not be hearing from me again, and I will not be attending theirs or Susan’s funeral. And I stopped speaking with Sam for the time being. Ironically, what led us to speaking was last month (April 2024) I had begun working on an article about going No Contact with family members. I asked if I could discuss her childhood abuse in a few sentences as part of the article. She agreed and offered to give me quotes. I accepted then interviewed her. From there we began rebuilding our relationship.
Then Wednesday, May 8, Norma passes. I do not attend the funeral that happened on Friday, May 10. My two cousins who I have become very close with in the last 6 months understood why, and supported my decision. I made it clear to Sam, who told Susan I would not be attending and I had made it clear in January that when the time came, I would l not be attending their funerals. Which clearly they saw as an empty threat. But even though I did not go, I continually checked in with them & Sam to ensure they were okay. Not once from Wednesday to yesterday (Tuesday) did Sam reply to a single message. As I was concerned about this, I reached out yesterday morning. She replied in the afternoon. I was incredibly hurt by her very lengthy message. Here are 2 excerpts that led me to full NC.
- “Your perspective on the situation was clear, you werent coming to be with the family and you arent grieving [Norma’s] death at least in the conventional sense. I had to be the one to answer from most of the family why you werent there, it was incredibly awkward and uncomfortable for me.”
- “Since late January/Early February things have already been really strained between us. I know that most that comes from my point of view and actions were really hurtful to you. I hate that I hurt you and Its been difficult for me to reconcile that I can't show up for you the way you want me to while also maintaining my own mental health, relationships and boundaries.”
I work very hard to stay positive as it’s just me to lean on. When there is something eating at me emotionally, it will drain my energy & have me spiral until it is resolved. I did not want to waste another moment feeling hurt especially when I wasted hours being angry & upset after receiving her text before crafting my reply.
My dad always preached that Sam is “far more sensitive” than me & needs to basically be treated with kid gloves despite her being almost 5 years older (he held this stance until his passing). He would have surely wanted me to apply that rule to this situation by waiting a few weeks to cut ties once she had time to process her grief. As Norma was the closest person to a loving mother Sam consistently had, I cannot help but compare it with my experience of losing my dad. If someone who always supported me esp. with any family issues, cut contact the same week he passed, it would have added a whole other layer of devastation & loneliness to an already difficult time
So, I am torn on whether it was right of me to put myself first or if I should have done what I am known & expected to do which is making Sam’s feelings the priority over mine.
ADDITIONAL ADVICE REQUESTS: 1. If anyone else has gone through a similar situation or has no immediate family, how do you handle it when having to discuss it with others? Such as explaining it to a new S/O’s, or the least complicated version to their family members or my friends who do not know the full back story but will eventually pick up on me not mentioning my sister or my nephews & niece. 2. If anyone is not able bodied or is limited to working options due to health, what you do for your full or extra income (outside of any government assistance)?
TY to all who comment &/or upvote!☺️
2024.05.18 17:52 Wandering_Emu Is my budget reasonable (Details below)?
We are under contract currently to purchase a home. The house itself is relatively new (2016), but the previous owner made some odd choices when building that make it look more dated than it actually is. It’s in a relatively HCOL, and is 2,500 square feet. This is what we’d like to do:
-Paint kitchen and 2 bathroom’s cabinets and change out pulls and knobs.
-Replace dated looking granite with a Level 2 or 3 quartz in kitchen and 2 baths. Also replace kitchen backsplash (currently tile) with more modern tile.
-Replace 3 island pendants, 3 medium chandeliers, and 3 (3 light) bathroom vanity lights with more current fixtures.
-remove “glued on” mirrors in the two baths and replace with hung mirrors.
-Replace kitchen sink with new porcelain undermount sink.
-Replace kitchen faucet and three bathroom faucets. Replace hand towel holders in bathrooms.
-Repaint all interior walls of home.
-Remove ornate wooden legs from kitchen island and replace with something more simple/modern.
We are NOT doing any of the following: removing or replacing any flooring, appliances, cabinets, shower tile/glass, or tubs.
Our budget is $70K. Is this at all reasonable? We’ve never done a remodel before, and don’t want to be absolutely laughed at by a contractor at our first meeting so just trying to get an idea if we're at all realistic. Thank you for your advice.
submitted by Wandering_Emu to HomeImprovement [link] [comments]
-Paint kitchen and 2 bathroom’s cabinets and change out pulls and knobs.
-Replace dated looking granite with a Level 2 or 3 quartz in kitchen and 2 baths. Also replace kitchen backsplash (currently tile) with more modern tile.
-Replace 3 island pendants, 3 medium chandeliers, and 3 (3 light) bathroom vanity lights with more current fixtures.
-remove “glued on” mirrors in the two baths and replace with hung mirrors.
-Replace kitchen sink with new porcelain undermount sink.
-Replace kitchen faucet and three bathroom faucets. Replace hand towel holders in bathrooms.
-Repaint all interior walls of home.
-Remove ornate wooden legs from kitchen island and replace with something more simple/modern.
We are NOT doing any of the following: removing or replacing any flooring, appliances, cabinets, shower tile/glass, or tubs.
Our budget is $70K. Is this at all reasonable? We’ve never done a remodel before, and don’t want to be absolutely laughed at by a contractor at our first meeting so just trying to get an idea if we're at all realistic. Thank you for your advice.
2024.05.18 17:31 darkgbm Advice on where to start with renovation
 | Just moved in a month ago. Want to update the common bathroom at some point. Any advice on where to start? The faucet is leaking (the hot side whenever water is turned on, even when only the cold side is turned on). The bathtub drains very slowly (takes like 30 min after a shower to drain completely). The toilet should probably be replace too for greater water efficiency. submitted by darkgbm to Renovations [link] [comments] https://preview.redd.it/qa8wcl2xe71d1.jpg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=de2489f30b5dfc3db757446116f623cca2cef293 |
2024.05.18 16:41 BuffaloHairy80 I had to try it
 | My guy lives in a smaller home and needed a bathtub to bathe his dog but they only have a walk-in shower. I read somewhere that if you shrink things down once or twice they can still use it, I tried it for the dog and it worked and then I had to try it with him. submitted by BuffaloHairy80 to Sims4 [link] [comments] |
2024.05.18 15:43 fourangrycats Am I wrong for expecting my SAHD husband to do more?
ETA after reading ~5 comments my title should be changed to "why the fuck am I (a powerful, strong, talented, brilliant woman) putting up with this and what do I do about it?"
Mobile, apologies for length. Ambivalent about advice, mostly looking for solidarity.I (34F) work full time. It's a great job with a ton of flexibility and I work from home in my closed-door office. My husband (34M) left his job when my maternity leave ended so he could stay home with our precious 7m daughter.
Before she was born, I handled every aspect of mental and emotional load of managing the house, pets, budget, and friend and family relationships. We split tactical chores pretty evenly, with each picking up the other's slack if one of us was sick our traveling for work.
When I got pregnant with our very planned and very wanted baby, I had horrible GD and spent most of my non-work time hunched over the toilet or sleeping. Husband took on the vast lion's share of chores but I still maintained ownership of all the house/pet/relationship management. I regularly showered him with appreciative gifts, words of gratitude, and all the blowjobs I could manage. We are not struggling financially so the gifts were really nice! Things like playoff tickets to his favorite NFL team, a new mountain bike, first class flights to go see his friends across the country, etc. My man was working HARD and I needed him to know how much I see it and love him for taking care of me and our growing baby.
Baby was born and it was a traumatic 14 days in the NICU while I recovered from an emergency C-section. Luckily neither she nor I have any lingering issues and we're both healthy. I started my maternity leave and husband went back to work. When he would come home, he took an hour for himself to "decompress" every day before engaging with me or baby. So that meant 12 hours a day was spent with me pumping and BFing while trying to heal from said traumatic delivery and keep some semblance of sanity. One day he finished his decompression time and blew up at me for not doing enough during the day and it's ridiculous that he comes home to see bottles and pump parts in the sink and the laundry not done. We moved past it.
Fast forward to now. I've been back at work for a few months and he's a SAHD. Except he's never actually spent a full day being alone with our kid and certainly does not do all that would be expected of a SAHM. I do all the night duty and then get the baby up in the morning, and usually take my first meeting with her in my arms, along with all the other morning things that need to happen in a house with 2 dogs and a cat.
I do the laundry. I manage our calendar. I take all ownership of washing pump parts and bottles. I get the texts from his family asking why they haven't seen the baby in a week and what I'm planning on doing for HIS mother for mother's day. (Speaking of which... My first mothers day was spent at his mother's house, giving her "his gift". I'm still deeply hurt by this but unsure what the point of bringing it up now would be).
During my work day, husband will just bring the baby upstairs and hand her to me and say he "needs to get something done". I run international teams of highly skilled IT folks and certainly can't do that with a wiggly baby who loves slamming her fists on my keyboard. He also texts me from downstairs around 12-2pm every day asking when I'm going to be done with work and gets SUPER grumpy if I have to work a full 8 hours.
He does all the cooking and meal planning, which I'm grateful for.
The laundry isn't done. The lawn isn't mown. The list of home improvements that he was so excited to do has gone untouched. The dishes aren't done. The floor isn't swept. The dog isn't walked. The baby self-entertains in the baby-safe living room (that I created) while he plays video games on the consoles I've bought him and his phone. He doesn't see his friends and gets jealous/mad when I plan something for myself, even if I'm taking the baby with me for a lunch date with a girlfriend.
When I try to talk to him about this, he shuts down due to his entire family being emotionally stunted and no one has ever talked about their goddamn feelings.
I love this man. I just am really struggling to do it all and don't think I should have to.
2024.05.18 08:58 Worst_Artist The Best SEO Plumber Guide From an Industry Expert
 | https://preview.redd.it/ad2tj4pku41d1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=ff5c3973dcc6ebb929c8ec59b20b06815f3200fa submitted by Worst_Artist to PlumberSEO [link] [comments] Every month “plumbers near me” is searched up to 800,000 times globally (Google Keyword Planner. 2024). Is your plumbing company a top result in your target location? To thrive, your plumbing business needs to be visible where most potential customers are searching, Google. This guide will provide you with top Plumber SEO tips to enhance your plumbing business’s online visibility. First, what is Plumber SEO?Plumber SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the practice of affecting local search engine rankings for plumbers. Plumber SEO is a subspecialty of Local SEO, which is the practice of affecting local search engine rankings.Understanding Why You Should Do Plumber SEOPlumber SEO is crucial because it helps your plumbing service appear in search results when potential customers in your area look for the services you offer.A cool 68.7% of all clicks go to the top three organic search results. If you're not effective with SEO you're invisible (Unless you're paying to play). Can You Do Plumber SEO Yourself?Yes, you can certainly get started with the basics of Plumber SEO, but advanced SEO, like Technical SEO, will require a technical specialization.The most accessible way to learn is through reputable sources like Barry Schwartz's Search Engine Roundtable and experienced Local SEO professionals like Joy Hawkins. Let's get started with some basics. 1. Optimize Your Google Business Profilehttps://preview.redd.it/n7u78h3yu41d1.png?width=1277&format=png&auto=webp&s=91fb5b4a5ffa946d75c4f582ca43904ca5233c10To appear in Google’s local search results, including the Map Pack, start with your Google Business Profile (GBP). Here’s how to optimize it: Claim and Set Up Your Google Profile If you're not on the map already, add your business name and category. Choose a primary category such as "Plumber" and you can add more later for more specific services like Gas Installation Service, Drainage Service, or Bathroom Remodeler. Complete Your Profile Details Review Darren Shaw's Whitespark Local Search Ranking Factors to see how you should prioritize your time. If you're here doing pre-research before you even start a plumbing business take advantage of the knowledge that the keywords in your business name and the proximity to the location you want to rank in are top-ranking factors. Set up your service area and you can choose up to 20 locations, but the guideline is that it must be no longer than a 2-hour drive from where your business is based. 2. Local Citations and Reviewshttps://preview.redd.it/yaphjtwzu41d1.png?width=1080&format=png&auto=webp&s=9a1368dfc95d8f370bd64adb18eb9de70fa43893Most business directories list your business name, address, and phone number. These listings are known as NAP citations. Consistent NAP citations across various directories improve your Local SEO. Here’s how to get started: Get Listed with Top Local Directories You can either use a data aggregator service to list you on multiple directories or take care of some of the free ones first. Once you're verified for Google Business Profile you can import your business onto Bing as well with a few clicks. Don't forget to get listed on Yelp as well since Apple Map searches rely on data from Yelp. Facebook and Instagram also allow you to put your address which helps your Local SEO. YellowPages, Better Business Bureau, and Manta are some free ones to get as well. 3. Boost Your ReviewsReviews not only enhance your credibility but also improve your SEO rankings. Here are some effective ways to gather more reviews:
4. Keyword Research for Targeted VisibilityUnderstanding what potential customers search for helps tailor your website content to meet their needs. Effective keyword research is the foundation of successful SEO.Identify Service-Related Keywords Identifying the right keywords is the first step in creating content that attracts potential customers. Here’s how to get started: List Your Services Start by making a comprehensive list of all the plumbing services you offer. Think about every specific service you provide, no matter how niche. A detailed list might include: Drain unblocking, Burst pipe repair, Drain Cleaning, Toilet installation, Water heater repair, Sewer line inspection and repair Listing these services helps you understand the scope of your business and provides a basis for keyword research. Make sure to include all services, even those you might consider minor, as they can attract targeted searches from potential customers looking for specific help. Use Keyword Tools Once you have your list of services, the next step is to use keyword research tools to find relevant keywords that potential customers are searching for. Here’s how to leverage these tools: Google Keyword Planner Google's Keyword Planner is a free tool that helps you find keywords related to your services. Here’s how to use it effectively: Enter Your Services Input the list of services you created into the tool. For example, if you offer "drain cleaning," enter this term into the Keyword Planner. Analyze Keyword Suggestions The tool will generate a list of related keywords, showing their search volumes and competition levels. Look for keywords with a high search volume and low to medium competition. These are the sweet spots that can drive significant traffic to your site. Include Local Modifiers Add local modifiers to your keywords to target searches in your service area. For example, “drain cleaning near me” or “emergency plumber in [your city].” This helps attract customers who are looking for services in specific locations. Develop individual pages for each service, optimized with relevant keywords. Each page should include the following elements: Create Service-Specific Pages By creating dedicated, optimized pages for each service, you can attract more targeted traffic and convert visitors into customers. These pages not only improve your SEO but also provide valuable information to potential clients, helping them choose your services with confidence. Once you have identified the right keywords, the next step is to create dedicated pages for each service you offer. Here’s how to optimize these pages: Service Areas Clearly list the areas you serve for each service. This helps with local SEO and lets potential customers know if you can assist them in their location. For example: "We proudly offer our drain cleaning services to residents in [Your City] and surrounding areas, including [Nearby City 1], [Nearby City 2], and [Nearby City 3]." Unique Selling Points Highlight what makes your service unique. This could be your experience, certifications, special equipment, or customer satisfaction guarantees. For example: "With over 20 years of experience and state-of-the-art equipment, we provide unparalleled drain cleaning services. Our certified technicians ensure the job is done right the first time, giving you peace of mind." Customer Reviews and Testimonials Include positive reviews and testimonials from satisfied customers. This builds trust and credibility with potential clients. For example: What Our Customers Have to Say "Professional and courteous. The best drain cleaning service I’ve used." -Mark S. Contact Information Make it easy for visitors to get in touch with you. Provide your phone number, email address, and a web form for inquiries. Including a call-to-action (CTA) encourages potential customers to take the next step. For example: "Contact us today for expert drain cleaning services. Call us at [Phone Number] or fill out our online form for a free quote. We’re here to help 24/7." 5. Website Content & Optimizationhttps://preview.redd.it/ytjgfll1v41d1.png?width=1080&format=png&auto=webp&s=941a55816f174cf4162d7212be048011e2639fe0Craft Compelling Content Each service page should clearly describe the service, its benefits, and why customers should choose you. Include certifications, unique selling points, and customer testimonials to build trust. Additionally, create engaging and informative content such as blog posts, FAQs, and plumbing tips to attract and retain visitors. Optimize Title Tags and Meta Descriptions Ensure these elements are compelling and informative as they appear in search results and can influence click-through rates. Here are some tips: Title Tags Your title tag should accurately describe the content of your page. Include specific details that make your page stand out. For example, instead of a generic title like "Plumbing Services," use something more specific like "Expert Drain Cleaning Services in [City]." Meta Descriptions Clearly summarize what the page is about. Include the most important points that users should know before clicking. For example, for a drain cleaning service page, you might write: "Get expert drain cleaning services in [City]. Our plumbers are available 24/7 to handle any blockage. Call [number] for a free quote." Google typically displays the first 150-160 characters of a meta description. Aim to keep your meta descriptions concise and within this limit to ensure the full text is visible. Include your phone number in the meta description as this is clickable on mobile. Create Mobile-Friendly Pages With most local searches being conducted on smartphones, it’s essential to ensure your website is mobile-friendly. Here’s how: Responsive Design Responsive design refers to a web design approach that makes web pages render well on a variety of devices and window or screen sizes. It ensures that your website looks and functions correctly on desktops, tablets, and smartphones. Optimize Images Large images can slow down your website, leading to a poor user experience, especially on mobile devices with slower internet connections. Optimizing images ensures faster loading times, which can improve both user experience and SEO. Use a site like TinyJPG to compress images for free. Simple Layout A simple, uncluttered layout improves user experience by making it easier for visitors to navigate your site and find the information they need. It also ensures that your site loads faster, as there are fewer elements to load. Click-to-Call Buttons Click-to-call buttons are crucial for mobile users, allowing them to contact your business with a single tap. This convenience can increase conversion rates and improve customer satisfaction. 6. Build a Strong Link ProfileBacklinks are one of Google’s strongest ranking factors. Here’s how to build a robust link profile for your plumbing business:Guest Blogging and Community Participation Guest blogging and engaging in community participation are effective ways to build high-quality backlinks and establish your authority in the plumbing industry. Identify Target Blogs Find blogs in the plumbing, home improvement, and DIY niches that accept guest posts. Look for blogs with a good reputation and engaged audiences. Use search queries like “plumbing blogs accepting guest posts” or “home improvement write for us.” Reach out to the blog owners with well-crafted pitches. Propose topics that are relevant to their audience and showcase your expertise. Ensure your pitch is concise and highlights the value you can provide to their readers. Write well-researched, informative, and engaging articles. Focus on providing valuable insights and practical advice. Include relevant keywords naturally and ensure the content aligns with the blog’s style and tone. In your author bio, include a brief description of yourself and your plumbing business, along with a link back to your website. Some blogs may also allow you to include a link within the content itself. Ensure these links are relevant and add value to the article. Join Relevant Communities Participate in forums and online communities related to plumbing, home improvement, and DIY. Websites like Reddit, Quora, and specialized plumbing forums are great places to start. Join groups where homeowners seek advice on plumbing issues. Offer helpful and knowledgeable answers to questions. Avoid blatant self-promotion; instead, focus on providing genuine value. Share your expertise and build a reputation as a helpful professional. When appropriate, include links to your blog posts or service pages that provide additional information. Make sure these links are relevant to the discussion and genuinely help the reader. HARO (Help A Reporter Out) HARO connects sources with journalists looking for expert quotes. This can lead to high-quality backlinks from reputable sites. Sign up for a free HARO account as a source. You will receive daily emails with journalist requests categorized by industry. Plumbing-related requests might fall under Home & Garden or Business & Finance. Monitor the HARO emails for requests related to plumbing, home maintenance, or small business operations. Respond promptly with concise, informative answers. Highlight your expertise and provide useful insights. When responding, be detailed and professional. Include your full name, title, business name, and a link to your website. Journalists are more likely to use your quotes if they are well-articulated and relevant to their article. Replicate Competitors’ Links Analyzing your competitors’ backlinks can help you discover new link-building opportunities. Identify your top competitors by searching for your target keywords in Google. Note the websites that consistently appear at the top of the search results. Use tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Moz to analyze your competitors’ backlink profiles. Enter their domain into the tool to see a list of websites linking to them. Assess the quality of these backlinks by looking at metrics like organic traffic. Focus on high-quality backlinks from reputable sites. Look for backlinks that you can replicate. These might include guest posts, directory listings, or mentions in articles. Reach out to these websites with a similar pitch to get your site linked as well. Reclaim Lost Links Reclaiming lost links involves identifying and fixing broken or redirected links pointing to your site. Use tools like Ahrefs or Google Search Console to identify broken links pointing to your website. These tools can help you find 404 errors and other issues. Identify links that are redirected to other pages or domains. Ensure that the redirects are still relevant and pointing to the correct pages. Reach out to the webmasters of the sites linking to your broken URLs. Politely ask them to update the link to the correct page. Provide the exact URL to make it easier for them. If you have moved content to a new URL, set up 301 redirects from the old URLs to the new ones. This ensures that any backlinks pointing to the old URL still pass on link equity to the new page. 7. Technical SEOTechnical SEO ensures that search engines can find and index your pages. Here’s how to set your site up for technical success:Plan Your Site Structure A well-organized site structure helps visitors navigate your website and allows Google to find all your pages. Here’s a good starting point for your site structure: Home Page -> Service Pages -> Blogs to Informational and How-To Pages Use HTTPS HTTPS is a secure way for visitors to access web pages. It’s important for SEO because it’s been a ranking factor since 2014. Check if your website uses HTTPS by looking for a lock icon in the browser’s search bar. Monitor Your SEO Health Regularly monitor your website’s SEO health using tools like Google Search Console. These tools can help you identify and fix common SEO issues. Key metrics to track include organic traffic, keyword performance, and site health score. 8. SEO Content MarketingCreating valuable content can attract traffic and customers from organic search. Here’s how to create and promote content that ranks:Keyword Research Topics Finding the right topics to write about is crucial for attracting organic traffic. Here’s how to identify proven topics: Begin with broad keywords related to plumbing, such as “leak repair,” “drain cleaning,” or “water heater maintenance.” Enter these into keyword research tools like Ahrefs Keywords Explorer, Google Keyword Planner, or SEMrush. Use these tools to find related keywords and phrases that people are searching for. Look for questions and long-tail keywords (phrases with three or more words) that indicate specific user intents. For example, instead of just “drain cleaning,” look for “how to clean a clogged drain” or “best drain cleaning services in [city].” Evaluate the search volume and competition level for each keyword. Ideally, target keywords with high search volume but low to medium competition. This increases the chances of ranking well without facing too much competition. Analyze the search engine results pages (SERPs) for your target keywords to see what type of content is ranking. Look for featured snippets, people also ask boxes, and top-ranking articles to understand the type of content Google favors. Use Questions and Informational Keywords Focus on questions and informational keywords, such as “how-to” guides, tutorials, and tips. These types of content tend to attract more engagement and backlinks, boosting your SEO. Publish Optimized Blog Posts Once you have identified the right topics, it’s time to create optimized blog posts that rank well and attract traffic. Analyze the top-ranking pages for your target keywords to understand the user intent behind the searches. Are people looking for how-to guides, detailed articles, or quick answers? Align your content with what users expect to find. Ensure your content fully addresses the search query. If users are looking for a guide on fixing a leaky faucet, provide a step-by-step tutorial with images, videos, and troubleshooting tips. Use Clear Headings and Subheadings Organize your content with clear headings (H1, H2, H3) and subheadings. This not only improves readability but also helps search engines understand the structure of your content. Break down information into bullet points and numbered lists where appropriate. This makes your content more scannable and user-friendly. Include Images and Videos Use relevant images, infographics, and videos to enhance your content. Visual elements can help explain complex topics and keep readers engaged. Write Compelling Titles Your titles should be engaging and accurately describe the content. Use power words and numbers to make your titles more compelling. For example, “10 Easy Tips for Fixing a Leaky Faucet” or “How to Unclog Any Drain in 5 Simple Steps.” Keep It Under 60 Characters Aim to keep your titles under 60 characters to ensure they are fully displayed in SERPs and not cut off. For a blog post on drain cleaning, a compelling title could be: “How to Clean a Clogged Drain: 7 Effective Methods” 9. Promote Your Content Creating great content is only the first step. You also need to promote it to ensure it reaches your target audience and attracts backlinks. Share your blog posts on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Tailor your posts to each platform’s audience and use engaging visuals and descriptions to attract attention. Join Relevant Groups and Communities Participate in relevant Facebook groups, LinkedIn groups, and online communities related to plumbing and home improvement. Share your content when appropriate, providing value to the community. Engage with Your Audience Respond to comments and questions on your social media posts. Engaging with your audience can increase your content’s reach and build relationships with potential customers. 10. Tracking SEO ProgressTracking your SEO efforts is essential to understand what’s working and what needs improvement. Here’s how to do it:Google Business Profile Performance Monitoring your Google Business Profile (GBP) performance is crucial for understanding how well your business is performing in local search results. Check Profile Performance Log into your Google account and search for your business name. This should bring up your Google Business Profile. Click on the “See profile performance” button to access detailed metrics about how your profile is performing. Key Metrics to Monitor Views: The number of times your business profile has been viewed. This gives you an idea of how visible your business is in local searches. Search Queries: The specific queries that led users to your business profile. This helps you understand what terms potential customers are using to find your business. Customer Actions: This includes actions like visits to your website, requests for directions, calls to your business, and bookings. Tracking these actions helps you understand how effective your profile is at converting views into interactions. Photo Views: The number of times your business photos have been viewed. High-quality photos can attract more attention and engagement. Optimize Based on Insights Use the insights from your profile performance to optimize your GBP. For example, if you notice that certain photos are getting more views, consider adding more similar photos. If specific queries are leading to your profile, ensure those keywords are prominently featured in your profile description and posts. Google Search Console (GSC) is a powerful tool that provides valuable insights into your website’s performance in organic search results. Key Metrics to Monitor Performance Report: This report provides an overview of your site’s performance in Google Search. Key metrics include: Total Clicks: The number of times users clicked on your site in search results. Total Impressions: The number of times your site appeared in search results. Average Click-Through Rate (CTR): The ratio of clicks to impressions, showing how effective your site is at attracting clicks. Average Position: Your site’s average ranking position for the tracked queries. Search Queries: This section shows the specific queries that users are entering to find your site. Analyze which keywords are driving the most traffic and consider creating more content around those terms. Pages: Identify which pages on your site are performing best in search. This can help you understand what type of content resonates most with your audience. Devices: Understand how users are accessing your site (desktop, mobile, tablet). This helps you ensure your site is optimized for all devices, particularly mobile. Optimize Based on Insights Use the data from GSC to optimize your site’s SEO strategy. For example, if you notice that certain pages have a high number of impressions but a low CTR, consider updating the meta descriptions and title tags to be more compelling. If specific keywords are performing well, create more content around those topics to capture additional traffic. Set up Google Analytics on your website to analyze and gain even more valuable insights. Hope this helps! Credits: Original Source |
2024.05.18 08:44 BarelyClever [CA] Can I put this expense on the person responsible for it?
I own a condo in a complex that’s had recurring issues with slab leaks. We actually have one such leak ourselves and it’s been going for literally months. To resolve this, the HOA has initiated a community wide repiping project, which involves extracting and/or abandoning all our existing copper pipes to replace them with PEX. It just happened that our building is the first one up, and since we have an active slab leak they decided to start with us. So we’re first up in a complex with a few hundred units. This whole process has been HEAVILY advertised and socialized with everyone in the complex, because the expectation is each individual unit will require 7 business days to complete. Occupants must clear out all belongings from bathrooms and move a lot of furniture around to make room for the work.
They’ve been working in our place through this week, having started on Monday. It’s been slow going because of all the shit that goes wrong at the beginning of a project like this - required supplies are late, certain steps are more difficult than anticipated, yknow. Today, they needed to shut off the water to do some part of the work. Unfortunately they did not clear this with Roger. Who’s Roger? Well, he’s a neighbor I’ve never met in another unit who shares a boiler with our building. Roger decided to turn the water back on so he could take a shower.
So the guys doing the work got sprayed, and I have wet carpets, swollen baseboards, and flabby drywall in both bedrooms (especially the 2nd bedroom closet) and in the guest bathroom.
The manager overseeing the work went to Roger to basically say “hey man, what the fuck?” Roger says it’s their problem, not his. I went to talk to Roger to let him know what he did to my home, he says leave him out of it and talk to the plumbers. It’s their fault for shutting off the water without advance notice. He does admit he turned it back on.
I reported the damage to insurance, the plumbers left us some fans, I’ve pulled the wet baseboards off the wall and pulled up the wettest carpet. Doing what I can to mitigate the damage. The manager offered to pay to replace my baseboards, I had to tell him I can’t just do that and call it done because who knows how much water is between the walls now? I have some idea - you can see an inch or two of standing water through the hole they cut in the 2nd bedroom closet, under the bathtub in the bordering bathroom.
I want to do what I can to ensure Roger is the one who’s on the hook for this damage. The plumbers were doing their jobs and I wasn’t home. Is the answer just “small claims court?” If so, well, I hope you enjoyed the story.
submitted by BarelyClever to AskLawyers [link] [comments]
They’ve been working in our place through this week, having started on Monday. It’s been slow going because of all the shit that goes wrong at the beginning of a project like this - required supplies are late, certain steps are more difficult than anticipated, yknow. Today, they needed to shut off the water to do some part of the work. Unfortunately they did not clear this with Roger. Who’s Roger? Well, he’s a neighbor I’ve never met in another unit who shares a boiler with our building. Roger decided to turn the water back on so he could take a shower.
So the guys doing the work got sprayed, and I have wet carpets, swollen baseboards, and flabby drywall in both bedrooms (especially the 2nd bedroom closet) and in the guest bathroom.
The manager overseeing the work went to Roger to basically say “hey man, what the fuck?” Roger says it’s their problem, not his. I went to talk to Roger to let him know what he did to my home, he says leave him out of it and talk to the plumbers. It’s their fault for shutting off the water without advance notice. He does admit he turned it back on.
I reported the damage to insurance, the plumbers left us some fans, I’ve pulled the wet baseboards off the wall and pulled up the wettest carpet. Doing what I can to mitigate the damage. The manager offered to pay to replace my baseboards, I had to tell him I can’t just do that and call it done because who knows how much water is between the walls now? I have some idea - you can see an inch or two of standing water through the hole they cut in the 2nd bedroom closet, under the bathtub in the bordering bathroom.
I want to do what I can to ensure Roger is the one who’s on the hook for this damage. The plumbers were doing their jobs and I wasn’t home. Is the answer just “small claims court?” If so, well, I hope you enjoyed the story.
2024.05.18 08:31 BarelyClever Sharing a story, advice appreciated but not required
I own a condo in a complex that’s had recurring issues with slab leaks. We actually have one such leak ourselves and it’s been going for literally months. To resolve this, the HOA has initiated a community wide repiping project, which involves extracting and/or abandoning all our existing copper pipes to replace them with PEX. It just happened that our building is the first one up, and since we have an active slab leak they decided to start with us. So we’re first up in a complex with a few hundred units. This whole process has been HEAVILY advertised and socialized with everyone in the complex, because the expectation is each individual unit will require 7 business days to complete. Occupants must clear out all belongings from bathrooms and move a lot of furniture around to make room for the work.
They’ve been working in our place through this week, having started on Monday. It’s been slow going because of all the shit that goes wrong at the beginning of a project like this - required supplies are late, certain steps are more difficult than anticipated, yknow. Today, they needed to shut off the water to do some part of the work. Unfortunately they did not clear this with Roger. Who’s Roger? Well, he’s a neighbor I’ve never met in another unit who shares a boiler with our building. Roger decided to turn the water back on so he could take a shower.
So the guys doing the work got sprayed, and I have wet carpets, swollen baseboards, and flabby drywall in both bedrooms (especially the 2nd bedroom closet) and in the guest bathroom.
The manager overseeing the work went to Roger to basically say “hey man, what the fuck?” Roger says it’s their problem, not his. I went to talk to Roger to let him know what he did to my home, he says leave him out of it and talk to the plumbers. It’s their fault for shutting off the water without advance notice. He does admit he turned it back on.
I reported the damage, the plumbers left us some fans, I’ve pulled the wet baseboards off the wall and pulled up the wettest carpet. Doing what I can to mitigate the damage. The manager offered to pay to replace my baseboards, I had to tell him I can’t just do that and call it done because who knows how much water is between the walls now? I have some idea - you can see an inch or two of standing water through the hole they cut in the 2nd bedroom closet, under the bathtub in the bordering bathroom.
Fuck you, Roger.
submitted by BarelyClever to ClaimsAdjuster [link] [comments]
They’ve been working in our place through this week, having started on Monday. It’s been slow going because of all the shit that goes wrong at the beginning of a project like this - required supplies are late, certain steps are more difficult than anticipated, yknow. Today, they needed to shut off the water to do some part of the work. Unfortunately they did not clear this with Roger. Who’s Roger? Well, he’s a neighbor I’ve never met in another unit who shares a boiler with our building. Roger decided to turn the water back on so he could take a shower.
So the guys doing the work got sprayed, and I have wet carpets, swollen baseboards, and flabby drywall in both bedrooms (especially the 2nd bedroom closet) and in the guest bathroom.
The manager overseeing the work went to Roger to basically say “hey man, what the fuck?” Roger says it’s their problem, not his. I went to talk to Roger to let him know what he did to my home, he says leave him out of it and talk to the plumbers. It’s their fault for shutting off the water without advance notice. He does admit he turned it back on.
I reported the damage, the plumbers left us some fans, I’ve pulled the wet baseboards off the wall and pulled up the wettest carpet. Doing what I can to mitigate the damage. The manager offered to pay to replace my baseboards, I had to tell him I can’t just do that and call it done because who knows how much water is between the walls now? I have some idea - you can see an inch or two of standing water through the hole they cut in the 2nd bedroom closet, under the bathtub in the bordering bathroom.
Fuck you, Roger.
2024.05.18 06:57 Worst_Artist The Best SEO Plumber Guide From an Industry Expert
| | https://preview.redd.it/1shzb3ov541d1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=95ea6f2823224f56986ee0f53fb9e6d65e740c46 submitted by Worst_Artist to u/Worst_Artist [link] [comments] Every month “plumbers near me” is searched up to 800,000 times globally (Google Keyword Planner. 2024). Is your plumbing company a top result in your target location? To thrive, your plumbing business needs to be visible where most potential customers are searching, Google. This guide will provide you with top Plumber SEO tips to enhance your plumbing business’s online visibility. First, what is Plumber SEO?Plumber SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the practice of affecting local search engine rankings for plumbers. Plumber SEO is a subspecialty of Local SEO, which is the practice of affecting local search engine rankings.Understanding Why You Should Do Plumber SEOPlumber SEO is crucial because it helps your plumbing service appear in search results when potential customers in your area look for the services you offer.A cool 68.7% of all clicks go to the top three organic search results. If you're not effective with SEO you're invisible (Unless you're paying to play). Can You Do Plumber SEO Yourself?Yes, you can certainly get started with the basics of Plumber SEO, but advanced SEO, like Technical SEO, will require a technical specialization.The most accessible way to learn is through reputable sources like Barry Schwartz's Search Engine Roundtable and experienced Local SEO professionals like Joy Hawkins. Let's get started with some basics. 1. Optimize Your Google Business Profilehttps://preview.redd.it/flmgg13e641d1.png?width=1277&format=png&auto=webp&s=262a86e4fa578c3cba939d4d83ece4125a76f9eaTo appear in Google’s local search results, including the Map Pack, start with your Google Business Profile (GBP). Here’s how to optimize it: Claim and Set Up Your Google Profile If you're not on the map already, add your business name and category. Choose a primary category such as "Plumber" and you can add more later for more specific services like Gas Installation Service, Drainage Service, or Bathroom Remodeler. Complete Your Profile Details Review Darren Shaw's Whitespark Local Search Ranking Factors to see how you should prioritize your time. If you're here doing pre-research before you even start a plumbing business take advantage of the knowledge that the keywords in your business name and the proximity to the location you want to rank in are top-ranking factors. Set up your service area and you can choose up to 20 locations, but the guideline is that it must be no longer than a 2-hour drive from where your business is based. 2. Local Citations and Reviewshttps://preview.redd.it/nu4jmc8j641d1.png?width=1080&format=png&auto=webp&s=46befefb7b8ad525a5b6d1e51d937291841701aeMost business directories list your business name, address, and phone number. These listings are known as NAP citations. Consistent NAP citations across various directories improve your Local SEO. Here’s how to get started: Get Listed with Top Local Directories You can either use a data aggregator service to list you on multiple directories or take care of some of the free ones first. Once you're verified for Google Business Profile you can import your business onto Bing as well with a few clicks. Don't forget to get listed on Yelp as well since Apple Map searches rely on data from Yelp. Facebook and Instagram also allow you to put your address which helps your Local SEO. YellowPages, Better Business Bureau, and Manta are some free ones to get as well. 3. Boost Your ReviewsReviews not only enhance your credibility but also improve your SEO rankings. Here are some effective ways to gather more reviews:
4. Keyword Research for Targeted VisibilityUnderstanding what potential customers search for helps tailor your website content to meet their needs. Effective keyword research is the foundation of successful SEO.Identify Service-Related Keywords Identifying the right keywords is the first step in creating content that attracts potential customers. Here’s how to get started: List Your Services Start by making a comprehensive list of all the plumbing services you offer. Think about every specific service you provide, no matter how niche. A detailed list might include: Drain unblocking, Burst pipe repair, Drain Cleaning, Toilet installation, Water heater repair, Sewer line inspection and repair Listing these services helps you understand the scope of your business and provides a basis for keyword research. Make sure to include all services, even those you might consider minor, as they can attract targeted searches from potential customers looking for specific help. Use Keyword Tools Once you have your list of services, the next step is to use keyword research tools to find relevant keywords that potential customers are searching for. Here’s how to leverage these tools: Google Keyword Planner Google's Keyword Planner is a free tool that helps you find keywords related to your services. Here’s how to use it effectively: Enter Your Services Input the list of services you created into the tool. For example, if you offer "drain cleaning," enter this term into the Keyword Planner. Analyze Keyword Suggestions The tool will generate a list of related keywords, showing their search volumes and competition levels. Look for keywords with a high search volume and low to medium competition. These are the sweet spots that can drive significant traffic to your site. Include Local Modifiers Add local modifiers to your keywords to target searches in your service area. For example, “drain cleaning near me” or “emergency plumber in [your city].” This helps attract customers who are looking for services in specific locations. Develop individual pages for each service, optimized with relevant keywords. Each page should include the following elements: Create Service-Specific Pages By creating dedicated, optimized pages for each service, you can attract more targeted traffic and convert visitors into customers. These pages not only improve your SEO but also provide valuable information to potential clients, helping them choose your services with confidence. Once you have identified the right keywords, the next step is to create dedicated pages for each service you offer. Here’s how to optimize these pages: Service Areas Clearly list the areas you serve for each service. This helps with local SEO and lets potential customers know if you can assist them in their location. For example: "We proudly offer our drain cleaning services to residents in [Your City] and surrounding areas, including [Nearby City 1], [Nearby City 2], and [Nearby City 3]." Unique Selling Points Highlight what makes your service unique. This could be your experience, certifications, special equipment, or customer satisfaction guarantees. For example: "With over 20 years of experience and state-of-the-art equipment, we provide unparalleled drain cleaning services. Our certified technicians ensure the job is done right the first time, giving you peace of mind." Customer Reviews and Testimonials Include positive reviews and testimonials from satisfied customers. This builds trust and credibility with potential clients. For example: What Our Customers Have to Say "Professional and courteous. The best drain cleaning service I’ve used." -Mark S. Contact Information Make it easy for visitors to get in touch with you. Provide your phone number, email address, and a web form for inquiries. Including a call-to-action (CTA) encourages potential customers to take the next step. For example: "Contact us today for expert drain cleaning services. Call us at [Phone Number] or fill out our online form for a free quote. We’re here to help 24/7." 5. Website Content & Optimizationhttps://preview.redd.it/j6ium1c0741d1.png?width=1080&format=png&auto=webp&s=efaa4073122592e847bd0b476d4e1b37d104709cCraft Compelling Content Each service page should clearly describe the service, its benefits, and why customers should choose you. Include certifications, unique selling points, and customer testimonials to build trust. Additionally, create engaging and informative content such as blog posts, FAQs, and plumbing tips to attract and retain visitors. Optimize Title Tags and Meta Descriptions Ensure these elements are compelling and informative as they appear in search results and can influence click-through rates. Here are some tips: Title Tags Your title tag should accurately describe the content of your page. Include specific details that make your page stand out. For example, instead of a generic title like "Plumbing Services," use something more specific like "Expert Drain Cleaning Services in [City]." Meta Descriptions Clearly summarize what the page is about. Include the most important points that users should know before clicking. For example, for a drain cleaning service page, you might write: "Get expert drain cleaning services in [City]. Our plumbers are available 24/7 to handle any blockage. Call [number] for a free quote." Google typically displays the first 150-160 characters of a meta description. Aim to keep your meta descriptions concise and within this limit to ensure the full text is visible. Include your phone number in the meta description as this is clickable on mobile. Create Mobile-Friendly Pages With most local searches being conducted on smartphones, it’s essential to ensure your website is mobile-friendly. Here’s how: Responsive Design Responsive design refers to a web design approach that makes web pages render well on a variety of devices and window or screen sizes. It ensures that your website looks and functions correctly on desktops, tablets, and smartphones. Optimize Images Large images can slow down your website, leading to a poor user experience, especially on mobile devices with slower internet connections. Optimizing images ensures faster loading times, which can improve both user experience and SEO. Use a site like TinyJPG to compress images for free. Simple Layout A simple, uncluttered layout improves user experience by making it easier for visitors to navigate your site and find the information they need. It also ensures that your site loads faster, as there are fewer elements to load. Click-to-Call Buttons Click-to-call buttons are crucial for mobile users, allowing them to contact your business with a single tap. This convenience can increase conversion rates and improve customer satisfaction. 6. Build a Strong Link ProfileBacklinks are one of Google’s strongest ranking factors. Here’s how to build a robust link profile for your plumbing business:Guest Blogging and Community Participation Guest blogging and engaging in community participation are effective ways to build high-quality backlinks and establish your authority in the plumbing industry. Identify Target Blogs Find blogs in the plumbing, home improvement, and DIY niches that accept guest posts. Look for blogs with a good reputation and engaged audiences. Use search queries like “plumbing blogs accepting guest posts” or “home improvement write for us.” Reach out to the blog owners with well-crafted pitches. Propose topics that are relevant to their audience and showcase your expertise. Ensure your pitch is concise and highlights the value you can provide to their readers. Write well-researched, informative, and engaging articles. Focus on providing valuable insights and practical advice. Include relevant keywords naturally and ensure the content aligns with the blog’s style and tone. In your author bio, include a brief description of yourself and your plumbing business, along with a link back to your website. Some blogs may also allow you to include a link within the content itself. Ensure these links are relevant and add value to the article. Join Relevant Communities Participate in forums and online communities related to plumbing, home improvement, and DIY. Websites like Reddit, Quora, and specialized plumbing forums are great places to start. Join groups where homeowners seek advice on plumbing issues. Offer helpful and knowledgeable answers to questions. Avoid blatant self-promotion; instead, focus on providing genuine value. Share your expertise and build a reputation as a helpful professional. When appropriate, include links to your blog posts or service pages that provide additional information. Make sure these links are relevant to the discussion and genuinely help the reader. HARO (Help A Reporter Out) HARO connects sources with journalists looking for expert quotes. This can lead to high-quality backlinks from reputable sites. Sign up for a free HARO account as a source. You will receive daily emails with journalist requests categorized by industry. Plumbing-related requests might fall under Home & Garden or Business & Finance. Monitor the HARO emails for requests related to plumbing, home maintenance, or small business operations. Respond promptly with concise, informative answers. Highlight your expertise and provide useful insights. When responding, be detailed and professional. Include your full name, title, business name, and a link to your website. Journalists are more likely to use your quotes if they are well-articulated and relevant to their article. Replicate Competitors’ Links Analyzing your competitors’ backlinks can help you discover new link-building opportunities. Identify your top competitors by searching for your target keywords in Google. Note the websites that consistently appear at the top of the search results. Use tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Moz to analyze your competitors’ backlink profiles. Enter their domain into the tool to see a list of websites linking to them. Assess the quality of these backlinks by looking at metrics like organic traffic. Focus on high-quality backlinks from reputable sites. Look for backlinks that you can replicate. These might include guest posts, directory listings, or mentions in articles. Reach out to these websites with a similar pitch to get your site linked as well. Reclaim Lost Links Reclaiming lost links involves identifying and fixing broken or redirected links pointing to your site. Use tools like Ahrefs or Google Search Console to identify broken links pointing to your website. These tools can help you find 404 errors and other issues. Identify links that are redirected to other pages or domains. Ensure that the redirects are still relevant and pointing to the correct pages. Reach out to the webmasters of the sites linking to your broken URLs. Politely ask them to update the link to the correct page. Provide the exact URL to make it easier for them. If you have moved content to a new URL, set up 301 redirects from the old URLs to the new ones. This ensures that any backlinks pointing to the old URL still pass on link equity to the new page. 7. Technical SEOTechnical SEO ensures that search engines can find and index your pages. Here’s how to set your site up for technical success:Plan Your Site Structure A well-organized site structure helps visitors navigate your website and allows Google to find all your pages. Here’s a good starting point for your site structure: Home Page -> Service Pages -> Blogs to Informational and How-To Pages Use HTTPS HTTPS is a secure way for visitors to access web pages. It’s important for SEO because it’s been a ranking factor since 2014. Check if your website uses HTTPS by looking for a lock icon in the browser’s search bar. Monitor Your SEO Health Regularly monitor your website’s SEO health using tools like Google Search Console. These tools can help you identify and fix common SEO issues. Key metrics to track include organic traffic, keyword performance, and site health score. 8. SEO Content MarketingCreating valuable content can attract traffic and customers from organic search. Here’s how to create and promote content that ranks:Keyword Research Topics Finding the right topics to write about is crucial for attracting organic traffic. Here’s how to identify proven topics: Begin with broad keywords related to plumbing, such as “leak repair,” “drain cleaning,” or “water heater maintenance.” Enter these into keyword research tools like Ahrefs Keywords Explorer, Google Keyword Planner, or SEMrush. Use these tools to find related keywords and phrases that people are searching for. Look for questions and long-tail keywords (phrases with three or more words) that indicate specific user intents. For example, instead of just “drain cleaning,” look for “how to clean a clogged drain” or “best drain cleaning services in [city].” Evaluate the search volume and competition level for each keyword. Ideally, target keywords with high search volume but low to medium competition. This increases the chances of ranking well without facing too much competition. Analyze the search engine results pages (SERPs) for your target keywords to see what type of content is ranking. Look for featured snippets, people also ask boxes, and top-ranking articles to understand the type of content Google favors. Use Questions and Informational Keywords Focus on questions and informational keywords, such as “how-to” guides, tutorials, and tips. These types of content tend to attract more engagement and backlinks, boosting your SEO. Publish Optimized Blog Posts Once you have identified the right topics, it’s time to create optimized blog posts that rank well and attract traffic. Analyze the top-ranking pages for your target keywords to understand the user intent behind the searches. Are people looking for how-to guides, detailed articles, or quick answers? Align your content with what users expect to find. Ensure your content fully addresses the search query. If users are looking for a guide on fixing a leaky faucet, provide a step-by-step tutorial with images, videos, and troubleshooting tips. Use Clear Headings and Subheadings Organize your content with clear headings (H1, H2, H3) and subheadings. This not only improves readability but also helps search engines understand the structure of your content. Break down information into bullet points and numbered lists where appropriate. This makes your content more scannable and user-friendly. Include Images and Videos Use relevant images, infographics, and videos to enhance your content. Visual elements can help explain complex topics and keep readers engaged. Write Compelling Titles Your titles should be engaging and accurately describe the content. Use power words and numbers to make your titles more compelling. For example, “10 Easy Tips for Fixing a Leaky Faucet” or “How to Unclog Any Drain in 5 Simple Steps.” Keep It Under 60 Characters Aim to keep your titles under 60 characters to ensure they are fully displayed in SERPs and not cut off. For a blog post on drain cleaning, a compelling title could be: “How to Clean a Clogged Drain: 7 Effective Methods” 9. Promote Your Content Creating great content is only the first step. You also need to promote it to ensure it reaches your target audience and attracts backlinks. Share your blog posts on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Tailor your posts to each platform’s audience and use engaging visuals and descriptions to attract attention. Join Relevant Groups and Communities Participate in relevant Facebook groups, LinkedIn groups, and online communities related to plumbing and home improvement. Share your content when appropriate, providing value to the community. Engage with Your Audience Respond to comments and questions on your social media posts. Engaging with your audience can increase your content’s reach and build relationships with potential customers. 10. Tracking SEO Progresshttps://preview.redd.it/arej4v26841d1.jpg?width=1024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b9d0dd295f91e56cfc542386a4f4d2ff1a0a54c3Tracking your SEO efforts is essential to understand what’s working and what needs improvement. Here’s how to do it: Google Business Profile Performance Monitoring your Google Business Profile (GBP) performance is crucial for understanding how well your business is performing in local search results. Check Profile Performance Log into your Google account and search for your business name. This should bring up your Google Business Profile. Click on the “See profile performance” button to access detailed metrics about how your profile is performing. Key Metrics to Monitor Views: The number of times your business profile has been viewed. This gives you an idea of how visible your business is in local searches. Search Queries: The specific queries that led users to your business profile. This helps you understand what terms potential customers are using to find your business. Customer Actions: This includes actions like visits to your website, requests for directions, calls to your business, and bookings. Tracking these actions helps you understand how effective your profile is at converting views into interactions. Photo Views: The number of times your business photos have been viewed. High-quality photos can attract more attention and engagement. Optimize Based on Insights Use the insights from your profile performance to optimize your GBP. For example, if you notice that certain photos are getting more views, consider adding more similar photos. If specific queries are leading to your profile, ensure those keywords are prominently featured in your profile description and posts. Google Search Console (GSC) is a powerful tool that provides valuable insights into your website’s performance in organic search results. Key Metrics to Monitor Performance Report: This report provides an overview of your site’s performance in Google Search. Key metrics include: Total Clicks: The number of times users clicked on your site in search results. Total Impressions: The number of times your site appeared in search results. Average Click-Through Rate (CTR): The ratio of clicks to impressions, showing how effective your site is at attracting clicks. Average Position: Your site’s average ranking position for the tracked queries. Search Queries: This section shows the specific queries that users are entering to find your site. Analyze which keywords are driving the most traffic and consider creating more content around those terms. Pages: Identify which pages on your site are performing best in search. This can help you understand what type of content resonates most with your audience. Devices: Understand how users are accessing your site (desktop, mobile, tablet). This helps you ensure your site is optimized for all devices, particularly mobile. Optimize Based on Insights Use the data from GSC to optimize your site’s SEO strategy. For example, if you notice that certain pages have a high number of impressions but a low CTR, consider updating the meta descriptions and title tags to be more compelling. If specific keywords are performing well, create more content around those topics to capture additional traffic. Set up Google Analytics on your website to analyze and gain even more valuable insights. Hope this helps! Original Source: Canonical Link |
2024.05.18 06:43 akamame21 Home build schedule
We will be starting our home build this year as an owner builder. I was trying to come up with a schedule and found a google sheet online that I was able to edit to fit our needs. But I wanted to get some feedback from people that are more familiar with the construction industry, specifically anyone that is familiar with planning a scheduling. I was hoping that I could easily input my google sheet so it was more legible but it didn't work.
Am I missing any trades? Should I change the order around?
Thank you
**Planning**
:--
Home Design
Property Survey
Conservation Area Determination
Site and Drainage plan
Final estimate and schedule
HOA ACC
Conservation Area Impact
Bank meeting
Building permits
**Clearing Prep**
Tortoise Survey
Culvert/driveway permit
Culvert Installation
**Clearing **
Land Clearing
**Site Prep**
Porta Potty Rental
Dumpster rental
**Excavation**
Soil Fence
Concrete drainage pipe
Fill Dirt Delivery (house pad & driveway)
Dirt Work
**Temporary Electrical**
Temporary power
**Septic**
Septic system
Drain field
**Well**
Drill Well
Install pump/equip
**Foundation**
Footings
Drain lines
Slab
**ICF**
ICF layout and rebar
Bracing and Bucks
Concrete pour
**Rough Framing/ Truss**
Rough Frame
Rafter
Truss install
**Roof**
Dry in roof- Full peel and stick
Metal Roof
**Fenestrations**
Window install
Door install
Garage Door
**HVAC Phase one**
Ducting
AC install
**Plumbing Phase one**
Rough In
**Electrical Phase One**
Electrical-Rough in
Walkthru
**A/V**
Low voltage- Cameras, CAT6, Tele
Home Theater setup
**Insulation**
Spray Foam
**Drywall**
Set recessed baseboard spacers
Install interior door jambs
Hang drywall
Remove spacers
LvL 4
**Exterior siding**
Trim windows and doors
Stone
Nichiha
Cumaru
**Interior painting**
Cleaning & Masking
Interior walls & ceilings
**Hardwoods**
Deliveaclimate
Underlayment
Install hardwoods
**Tile**
Underlayment
Install tile floor
Tile showers
Grout
Clean
**Cabinets**
Master Bath
Kitchen
Pantry
Media
Bath 2
Bath 3
**Plumbing phase 2**
Hang Toilets
Install bathtub
Install shower fixtures
Install sinks
**Interior doors**
Hang interior doors
**Millwork**
Install recessed basboard
**Stone Counters**
Install countertops
**Electrical Phase 2**
trim cans
outlets & switches
surface mount fixtures
**Appliances**
Install
**Bathroom Glass**
Mirrors
Shower doors
**FINAL Inspections**
plumbing, electrical, mechanical
Final inspection
**Wrap up**
Punch list & touch up
Bath acessories
Remove tools
Remove materials
**House Cleaning**
Yard
Home
Garage
Windows
**Complete**
submitted by akamame21 to Homebuilding [link] [comments]
Am I missing any trades? Should I change the order around?
Thank you
**Planning**
:--
Home Design
Property Survey
Conservation Area Determination
Site and Drainage plan
Final estimate and schedule
HOA ACC
Conservation Area Impact
Bank meeting
Building permits
**Clearing Prep**
Tortoise Survey
Culvert/driveway permit
Culvert Installation
**Clearing **
Land Clearing
**Site Prep**
Porta Potty Rental
Dumpster rental
**Excavation**
Soil Fence
Concrete drainage pipe
Fill Dirt Delivery (house pad & driveway)
Dirt Work
**Temporary Electrical**
Temporary power
**Septic**
Septic system
Drain field
**Well**
Drill Well
Install pump/equip
**Foundation**
Footings
Drain lines
Slab
**ICF**
ICF layout and rebar
Bracing and Bucks
Concrete pour
**Rough Framing/ Truss**
Rough Frame
Rafter
Truss install
**Roof**
Dry in roof- Full peel and stick
Metal Roof
**Fenestrations**
Window install
Door install
Garage Door
**HVAC Phase one**
Ducting
AC install
**Plumbing Phase one**
Rough In
**Electrical Phase One**
Electrical-Rough in
Walkthru
**A/V**
Low voltage- Cameras, CAT6, Tele
Home Theater setup
**Insulation**
Spray Foam
**Drywall**
Set recessed baseboard spacers
Install interior door jambs
Hang drywall
Remove spacers
LvL 4
**Exterior siding**
Trim windows and doors
Stone
Nichiha
Cumaru
**Interior painting**
Cleaning & Masking
Interior walls & ceilings
**Hardwoods**
Deliveaclimate
Underlayment
Install hardwoods
**Tile**
Underlayment
Install tile floor
Tile showers
Grout
Clean
**Cabinets**
Master Bath
Kitchen
Pantry
Media
Bath 2
Bath 3
**Plumbing phase 2**
Hang Toilets
Install bathtub
Install shower fixtures
Install sinks
**Interior doors**
Hang interior doors
**Millwork**
Install recessed basboard
**Stone Counters**
Install countertops
**Electrical Phase 2**
trim cans
outlets & switches
surface mount fixtures
**Appliances**
Install
**Bathroom Glass**
Mirrors
Shower doors
**FINAL Inspections**
plumbing, electrical, mechanical
Final inspection
**Wrap up**
Punch list & touch up
Bath acessories
Remove tools
Remove materials
**House Cleaning**
Yard
Home
Garage
Windows
**Complete**
2024.05.18 06:22 Caderyn19 My First Visualization Meditation
I'm new to this group, but I needed to share this because of how powerful it was to me. This was my first mediation where I didn't fall asleep, and fully let myself go. I'll start with some background context.
I've been reading about Wicca on and off in chunks of life since roughly 16 or 17, starting when I bought Teen Witch by Silver RavenWolf. Since then I keep getting pulled back to Wicca after being raised Roman Catholic. With my family religion pretty heavily set, I never really fully pursued Wicca. My heavy focus would come in waves, I'd get a few signs or hints, get the feeling, read more, then something in life would happen to distract me, bad relationship, drug addiction (which I've overcome), bad car accident... I'm 37 now, and this time I'm finally listening to those that have been calling me for all this time.
This past week I feel like my entire focus has been on Wicca. I was browsing Amazon for random starter items, I bought a new binder, loose leaf paper, have a dedicated pen. I haven't wanted to do anything aside from study and meditate. I'm a new homeowner, so I don't really have older collections of items that mis-match that I can dedicate to ritual. I do have stuff to donate, so a trip to the thrift store is in the works. Finance, thankfully, isn't of concern, I just know I'll get attracted to something more meaningful later on and eventually replace the tools I start with.
For now, I cut a fresh 18"x18" piece of nice astrology printed fabric I had yardage of in my stash, bought two prayer candles one red one white, wafted them with my incense while thinking of negativity leaving the objects, and put them on my kitchen counter with the incense, and that's my little shrine for now. I am not doing any ritual workings with these items, yet at least, they are just a daily reminder to me. The next day I got home from work and did a white light visualization on the items. I felt a little off not doing that in the first place, but also thought about how Advent candles aren't blessed/cleansed and felt a little better. I then wanted a glass of red wine and a chocolate chip cookie, and I poured some for the Goddess, and split the cookie with the God. Now, a few days later, the energy feels different, in a good way.
Tonight, I had a nice sit outside with my earbuds in and meditated... until I thought about refinishing the guest bathtub... then focused back on the 64-65% Waxing Gibbous Moon 🌔 in Virgo ♍ (I'm a Virgo on the Libra cusp) looking upon me. My palo santo sticks should be arriving Saturday so I can cleanse the house, so although I can meditate anywhere, I wanted to be under the Moon for this one. This was just me finding my way with a little more "structured" meditation (a.k.a. stay awake for this one.) I kinda wanted it to be a self-dedication, but I didn't do a cleansing bath/shower, so the actual intent was to be a meditation.
I have read a couple hypnosis books a long time ago, as well as a psychic-work book, who knows if they were novelties, but the hypnosis techniques I've seen in the books have shown up in other places. They stuck with me through life, so I've worked with them on myself to help get to sleep, relax, refocus... This time focusing on the piano in the music I had on helped me really tune down. I played the piano a lot when I was younger so I connect with it and music, and a bit crafty with yarn and other media now.
I was laying on my back on the patio couch two-seater whatever, one of the back part cushions to my back against the arm part, one to my right against the actually back part, feet pointing to about 250°W according to my phone compass, mere degrees before it changes to SW... actually I started sitting facing close to 160°S and eventually layed down to the West position after turning the patio lights off at 21:19:15-20, according to my camera. I just looked up at the Moon, let my mind zone out... I started to drop into beta, but then refinishing the bathtub came back up because I want to have a cleansing soak but the finish is chipping. I refocused and looked at the stick on the screen that was slightly offset the Moon. The clouds started to collect, eventually blocking out the Moon, so I closed my eyes and was able to get back to where I was. Visualizing the Moon made my mind race about deities, like I needed to name names and know right now instead of let the discovery happen as it should. I took a few deep breaths, relaxed my body toes to head, and finally let go.
I had envisioned myself walking naked, in a lightly dewed forest, still a bit misty (I know, cliché, right? It's peaceful, shut up. 😂) It's where I wanted to be at that moment. It was like a blend of a forest and jungle, more foresty. Like the transition between the two biomes, but not in a defined split line. I went to sit between some trees, blinked, and was then viewing a 2-tier stream with many many river stones scattered down the banks. Some of them, as well as trees, covered in moss, some of the trees with vines crawling on them.
There was a human form sitting cross-legged with palms on knees and eyes closed on the right corner overlooking the waterfall to it's right, and the straight path it was flowing a few feet below, running towards and under me to the left. The masculine form had short brown hair, blue eyes like mine (he had opened his eyes later on in this visualization), probably 150-ish lbs. For reference, I have dirty blonde hair, 5'9" and 115 lbs.
The forest-jungle behind the man had the standard depiction; lighted areas, dark areas, light shining through moving leaves. I was viewing the form face to face, but a small distance away and my eye-level slightly higher than the top of the form's head. I somewhat felt an attraction to the man's looks. With me being such a small framed person all my life, I've been wanting to gain weight to a healthy range, start working out, and improve my self-confidence in the appearance department. Over the years it's made me a bit shy and timid in groups and meeting people.
My first thought of the form was "Oh that man looks so peaceful." I watched him sit for a minute. For some reason I started to grow concerned about his appearance, almost in a judgmental way. I wasn't picking him apart, I started to compare myself. I felt like that was what I wanted to look like.
Then my hearing started to activate. The music in my earbuds was still there, but sounds from the waterfall started to grow louder on my right, and I could feel the wet ground, the peacefulness, and the energy flowing upwards from my root out my crown... "Wait... why is the waterfall sound on my right? It's to my left." "Why does my butt feel wet?" "Who is that guy?" ...Then I realized...
That form was me. My sight and coherent thought coming from the third-person, feeling and hearing with the sitting form. My concerns grew very heavy as to why the form didn't look like me, if it was in fact me. It almost became unnerving, and I began to deny that the form was me.
I knew it was me, I could feel it.
Still watching in third-person perspective, my form rose up into a standing position, but as if a hand picked it up and the legs went limp and dropped, and the arms propped up on the fingers like a doll, slightly off the ground. The form's head went bald, like all the hairs just decided to jump ship and disappear, my blonde hair grew, and I was placed right back to where I was, looking as I am today, and thrown into first-person perspective, looking though my glasses (astigmatism so the glasses make everything sharper around the edges). I was looking out over the edge of the small waterfall to my right, it went further down into the forest.
Roughly ten feet away, the stream split in two, the left path essentially going straight out in front of me, the second path branching to the right. The forest grew dark and misty as it went on to the left. In the upper-right of my vision there was a break in the trees from the water feature leading to the right with the Sun shining warmly down on everything, including myself. I was hovering over this split in the stream while in the third person, so I couldn't see it before... The Sun felt amazing, surrounding me in warmth and peacefulness.
I stood up to investigate the small sun-soaked pool formed at the split. Then I heard racoons picking at the cat food I left out for my neighbors cat and it snapped me out of it. 😡
I stomped my foot a bit and scared them off. I did see a little one with them so I feel bad, but cat food isn't what they should be eating. Plus I don't want that habit to grow and attract them more.
I brought the cat food in after turning the patio lights back on at 21:46:45, again according to the video. The stick of Nag Champa probably had an inch left. I sat back down and looked up. There was a long break in the clouds and it was just the moon looking down on me through the patio screen and the little stick. I couldn't help but smile.
Super powerful journey in 30 minutes.
submitted by Caderyn19 to Wicca [link] [comments]
I've been reading about Wicca on and off in chunks of life since roughly 16 or 17, starting when I bought Teen Witch by Silver RavenWolf. Since then I keep getting pulled back to Wicca after being raised Roman Catholic. With my family religion pretty heavily set, I never really fully pursued Wicca. My heavy focus would come in waves, I'd get a few signs or hints, get the feeling, read more, then something in life would happen to distract me, bad relationship, drug addiction (which I've overcome), bad car accident... I'm 37 now, and this time I'm finally listening to those that have been calling me for all this time.
This past week I feel like my entire focus has been on Wicca. I was browsing Amazon for random starter items, I bought a new binder, loose leaf paper, have a dedicated pen. I haven't wanted to do anything aside from study and meditate. I'm a new homeowner, so I don't really have older collections of items that mis-match that I can dedicate to ritual. I do have stuff to donate, so a trip to the thrift store is in the works. Finance, thankfully, isn't of concern, I just know I'll get attracted to something more meaningful later on and eventually replace the tools I start with.
For now, I cut a fresh 18"x18" piece of nice astrology printed fabric I had yardage of in my stash, bought two prayer candles one red one white, wafted them with my incense while thinking of negativity leaving the objects, and put them on my kitchen counter with the incense, and that's my little shrine for now. I am not doing any ritual workings with these items, yet at least, they are just a daily reminder to me. The next day I got home from work and did a white light visualization on the items. I felt a little off not doing that in the first place, but also thought about how Advent candles aren't blessed/cleansed and felt a little better. I then wanted a glass of red wine and a chocolate chip cookie, and I poured some for the Goddess, and split the cookie with the God. Now, a few days later, the energy feels different, in a good way.
Tonight, I had a nice sit outside with my earbuds in and meditated... until I thought about refinishing the guest bathtub... then focused back on the 64-65% Waxing Gibbous Moon 🌔 in Virgo ♍ (I'm a Virgo on the Libra cusp) looking upon me. My palo santo sticks should be arriving Saturday so I can cleanse the house, so although I can meditate anywhere, I wanted to be under the Moon for this one. This was just me finding my way with a little more "structured" meditation (a.k.a. stay awake for this one.) I kinda wanted it to be a self-dedication, but I didn't do a cleansing bath/shower, so the actual intent was to be a meditation.
I have read a couple hypnosis books a long time ago, as well as a psychic-work book, who knows if they were novelties, but the hypnosis techniques I've seen in the books have shown up in other places. They stuck with me through life, so I've worked with them on myself to help get to sleep, relax, refocus... This time focusing on the piano in the music I had on helped me really tune down. I played the piano a lot when I was younger so I connect with it and music, and a bit crafty with yarn and other media now.
I was laying on my back on the patio couch two-seater whatever, one of the back part cushions to my back against the arm part, one to my right against the actually back part, feet pointing to about 250°W according to my phone compass, mere degrees before it changes to SW... actually I started sitting facing close to 160°S and eventually layed down to the West position after turning the patio lights off at 21:19:15-20, according to my camera. I just looked up at the Moon, let my mind zone out... I started to drop into beta, but then refinishing the bathtub came back up because I want to have a cleansing soak but the finish is chipping. I refocused and looked at the stick on the screen that was slightly offset the Moon. The clouds started to collect, eventually blocking out the Moon, so I closed my eyes and was able to get back to where I was. Visualizing the Moon made my mind race about deities, like I needed to name names and know right now instead of let the discovery happen as it should. I took a few deep breaths, relaxed my body toes to head, and finally let go.
I had envisioned myself walking naked, in a lightly dewed forest, still a bit misty (I know, cliché, right? It's peaceful, shut up. 😂) It's where I wanted to be at that moment. It was like a blend of a forest and jungle, more foresty. Like the transition between the two biomes, but not in a defined split line. I went to sit between some trees, blinked, and was then viewing a 2-tier stream with many many river stones scattered down the banks. Some of them, as well as trees, covered in moss, some of the trees with vines crawling on them.
There was a human form sitting cross-legged with palms on knees and eyes closed on the right corner overlooking the waterfall to it's right, and the straight path it was flowing a few feet below, running towards and under me to the left. The masculine form had short brown hair, blue eyes like mine (he had opened his eyes later on in this visualization), probably 150-ish lbs. For reference, I have dirty blonde hair, 5'9" and 115 lbs.
The forest-jungle behind the man had the standard depiction; lighted areas, dark areas, light shining through moving leaves. I was viewing the form face to face, but a small distance away and my eye-level slightly higher than the top of the form's head. I somewhat felt an attraction to the man's looks. With me being such a small framed person all my life, I've been wanting to gain weight to a healthy range, start working out, and improve my self-confidence in the appearance department. Over the years it's made me a bit shy and timid in groups and meeting people.
My first thought of the form was "Oh that man looks so peaceful." I watched him sit for a minute. For some reason I started to grow concerned about his appearance, almost in a judgmental way. I wasn't picking him apart, I started to compare myself. I felt like that was what I wanted to look like.
Then my hearing started to activate. The music in my earbuds was still there, but sounds from the waterfall started to grow louder on my right, and I could feel the wet ground, the peacefulness, and the energy flowing upwards from my root out my crown... "Wait... why is the waterfall sound on my right? It's to my left." "Why does my butt feel wet?" "Who is that guy?" ...Then I realized...
That form was me. My sight and coherent thought coming from the third-person, feeling and hearing with the sitting form. My concerns grew very heavy as to why the form didn't look like me, if it was in fact me. It almost became unnerving, and I began to deny that the form was me.
I knew it was me, I could feel it.
Still watching in third-person perspective, my form rose up into a standing position, but as if a hand picked it up and the legs went limp and dropped, and the arms propped up on the fingers like a doll, slightly off the ground. The form's head went bald, like all the hairs just decided to jump ship and disappear, my blonde hair grew, and I was placed right back to where I was, looking as I am today, and thrown into first-person perspective, looking though my glasses (astigmatism so the glasses make everything sharper around the edges). I was looking out over the edge of the small waterfall to my right, it went further down into the forest.
Roughly ten feet away, the stream split in two, the left path essentially going straight out in front of me, the second path branching to the right. The forest grew dark and misty as it went on to the left. In the upper-right of my vision there was a break in the trees from the water feature leading to the right with the Sun shining warmly down on everything, including myself. I was hovering over this split in the stream while in the third person, so I couldn't see it before... The Sun felt amazing, surrounding me in warmth and peacefulness.
I stood up to investigate the small sun-soaked pool formed at the split. Then I heard racoons picking at the cat food I left out for my neighbors cat and it snapped me out of it. 😡
I stomped my foot a bit and scared them off. I did see a little one with them so I feel bad, but cat food isn't what they should be eating. Plus I don't want that habit to grow and attract them more.
I brought the cat food in after turning the patio lights back on at 21:46:45, again according to the video. The stick of Nag Champa probably had an inch left. I sat back down and looked up. There was a long break in the clouds and it was just the moon looking down on me through the patio screen and the little stick. I couldn't help but smile.
Super powerful journey in 30 minutes.
2024.05.18 06:14 92til--- New hot water heater, hot water only comes to bathtub faucet.
No hot water to wash machine, sinks, or shower head. But the hot water comes instantly to the bathtub faucet. Any suggestions before the plumber can come Monday?
submitted by 92til--- to Plumbing [link] [comments]
2024.05.18 02:38 leftlifelasik How can I fix this? Even if temporarily.
 | We bought a mobile home in September and recently have been having an issue with the diverter spout in the tub. I went to get a shower the other day and it began spraying water out the back of the faucet when engaging the diverter. I thought maybe the adapter was faulty, so bought a new one. Upon further inspection, it looks like the pipe (PCVP?) is dented from the Allen screw/bolt that is tightened to create the seal. I was able to rig it up with some putty as a super temporary fix to get a shower, but I need a more (semi-permanent) fix until I can afford a plumber to come in and replace with copper piping. submitted by leftlifelasik to askaplumber [link] [comments] |
2024.05.18 01:49 wah-deyh_2411 Tub/Shower Faucet
 | I'm going to start by saying that I am not at the home where this is installed, so I can only go off.the pictures I'm being sent and cannot put my hands on this to figure out what is going on. submitted by wah-deyh_2411 to askaplumber [link] [comments] I had a repairman come out because the cartridge in the faucet handle was leaking. They claim there were "complications" and it took them over 6 hours to get the job done. I asked my wife for pictures of the finished product and she noticed that they replaced the faucet too, which was working perfectly fine before. Not only that, they didn't finish the installation and they cannot get the shower to work. From what I see, I believe there is some sort of plastic piece there to protect the treads here, and there should be a small knob that screws on to allow you to pull up the diverter and turn the shower on. Thoughts, hopefully someone has seen this and can recommend a good (and more importantly, cheap) fix. Due to other issues with the quality of work and materials they charged me for that they did not use, I really do not want this guy to return to my home. |
2024.05.17 22:55 Silver_liver The Ashtapadan Ch 20/43
Link to AO3
chapters 1&2
chapter 3
chapter 4
chapter 5
chapter 6
chapter 7
chapter 8
chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Q sat at his desk, hunched, introspective, head on his folded arms.
His apartment wasn’t small but never got much use since he preferred to be busy outside most of the time. He was happy to share it out on nights he stayed at the Academy and was actually glad at least someone made this place liveable. Home-cooked food in his fridge, little tokens of gratitude on the shelves, small repairs here and there were all his fellow citizens’ doing as he himself almost never took advantage of the furniture and appliances beyond the computer desk, the bed, and the shower. The closet got some use when Q’s usual uniform-like outfit was in the cleaning and he just picked whatever others left there. Despite the apartment’s current occupant living there for more than a decade, the place looked like a strange mix of a spartan barrack and a high-end furniture showroom with untouched surfaces and pristine carpets that rarely were anything but looked at.
These past several days, however, he spent home more time than ever before. The day at the sewers with Iliya still occupied his thoughts. Besides, the young man was suspiciously quiet recently, not returning Q’s texts and never showing up at his classes.
Now that Q got his hands on the proverbial bird in the bush, he expected to experience the high he had been chasing in his fantasies since forever. Having his crush reciprocate his feelings, be so forward and open to his affection had been something unattainable but now that he had it... It failed to excite him to the point he’d expected.
What was going on?
It was a long time he had any need to call for the Turk. After all, he was usually able to figure out most of the problems for himself and didn’t rely on the AI avatar as much as in his teens anymore but it seemed like now was a good time.
“Turk?” he called, lifting his head from the arms curled on the interactive touch-sensitive desk.
“Yes?” popped up the little 3D helper, a full replica of the figure sitting on the central square save for the chessboard. Q hadn’t activated his auglasses but even so, he could see the translucent little man saluting him. The sound waves that the state-of-the-art desk generated made hearing his tiny voice audible, too. These same airwaves that produced the sound could be used to manipulate light objects on the desk surface. As a teen, Q used to entertain himself playing paper ball with the Turk: he’d flick the crumpled notebook page with his fingers along the surface and his playmate would try and goalkeep the opposite edge of the desk. It also brought Q pencils. Or reminded him to get some rest with a gentle tap on his forearm if the young student got too absorbed in an assignment.
“I’m having trouble connecting some dots,” the man said. “But I don’t think rationality will help me this time. It’s something that has to do with emotions. The data I have is patchy so wrong conclusions might be devastating.”
“It’s a common misconception, my friend, that rationality and emotions are opposite,” the little avatar said in response. It didn’t sound like it held a grudge over a long time it was kept inactive. “There’s nothing in this reality some good inferential analysis can’t deal with.”
Was the Turk really offering him to collect statistics on his sexual fantasies and deduce what might be wrong with his desires towards Iliya? The little guy never failed to make Q laugh. But the hologram looked dead serious and... even expectant?
“Shall we start then?” the Turk asked, lighting up the desk surface with a network of diagrams, arrows, formulas and symbols.
Covering his eyes in shame, Q nodded.
It was about an hour later that several things were indisputably clear.
“The first reliable prediction is that an intimate encounter with a person you find attractive is likely to be satisfying provided you’ve established some personal connection prior,” said the Turk, looking at the data glowing under his minuscule feet.
“Well, no surprise here,” Q confirmed. “Out of almost three dozen scenarios we entered, personal connection was present in nearly 95%.”
“Yes, but another attribute is also statistically significant: most of the relationship dynamics were uneven,” the Turk went on. “It’s ofter a tutor and a student, or a captive hostage and a terrorist, a survivor and a...”
“You don’t have to say them out loud, Turk!” the man flushed, pushing his index finger to cover the avatar’s mouth to make him stop. “It’s all there in writing.”
“What I mean,” the 3D model said, pushing the pad of the finger away with both hands. “Is that there’s always some kind of extreme power dynamics that you seem to enjoy... maybe too much?”
“Hmm.. That’s precisely the reason why I asked Iliya to stop calling me his teacher. I might find it attractive in my thoughts but in real life, it’s just... wrong.”
“Yes, but you’re missing something,” — it was the Turk’s favourite catchphrase. Q developed a strong distaste for this sentence which didn’t stop him from using it on his own students, however — “What is another attribute you’re ignoring?”
“I don’t know, what?”
The Turk sighed. When Q wasn’t in the mood to solve a puzzle, no amount of pointers could make him.
“In nearly all of your scenarios, it’s you who plays the submissive part, regardless of the act itself. Your partner is always the one with the power.”
***
ARE YOU COMING TO MY NEXT LECTURE? TOMORROW AT NOON
Sent.
Q tapped the desk again after sending the text, impatient for a response.
So this was it, wasn’t it? He didn’t feel much because it was his younger partner that assumed a submissive role. What was he expecting then? For Iliya to pin him to the wall and coax helpless sounds out of his teacher?
Ding.
HI! SORRY, BUSY TOMORROW. TEXT YOU LATER
Huh.
I WAS WORRIED YOU DIDN’T ANSWER. IS EVERYTHING OK?
He wrestled with an urge to add “between us”.
YEA. JUST DIDN’T HAVE THE COMM WITH ME
He... what?
Did Iliya take it off? What for?
OK. BE SAFE
What was that about? This was definitely a week of weird realisations. First, the inexorable statistical analysis revealed that he couldn’t enjoy an encounter unless he wasn’t the one submitting.
Now his... his what? Crush? Boyfriend? His... Iliya apparently wasn’t eager to see him despite being more than enthusiastic mere days before. On top of that, apparently, he wasn’t at all ashamed to admit he didn’t wear the comm all the time!
How come?
Of course, it wasn’t illegal or anything but it definitely warranted a closer monitoring of the wearer. No upright citizen who had nothing to hide would feel the need to take off the tracking device!
Q kicked the back on his chair and dragged his palms down his face.
Was he being paranoid again? Did the conversations with Sereen make him distrustful? Or was it because of Sereen’s influence that Iliya felt the need to play a nonconformist?
Why was it all so hard! Why couldn’t everyone just do what they’re told and live together in accord?
Knowing only one way to deal with his anxiety, Q decided to occupy his mind with the preparation for tomorrow’s lecture.
submitted by Silver_liver to RoleReversal [link] [comments]
chapters 1&2
chapter 3
chapter 4
chapter 5
chapter 6
chapter 7
chapter 8
chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Q sat at his desk, hunched, introspective, head on his folded arms.
His apartment wasn’t small but never got much use since he preferred to be busy outside most of the time. He was happy to share it out on nights he stayed at the Academy and was actually glad at least someone made this place liveable. Home-cooked food in his fridge, little tokens of gratitude on the shelves, small repairs here and there were all his fellow citizens’ doing as he himself almost never took advantage of the furniture and appliances beyond the computer desk, the bed, and the shower. The closet got some use when Q’s usual uniform-like outfit was in the cleaning and he just picked whatever others left there. Despite the apartment’s current occupant living there for more than a decade, the place looked like a strange mix of a spartan barrack and a high-end furniture showroom with untouched surfaces and pristine carpets that rarely were anything but looked at.
These past several days, however, he spent home more time than ever before. The day at the sewers with Iliya still occupied his thoughts. Besides, the young man was suspiciously quiet recently, not returning Q’s texts and never showing up at his classes.
Now that Q got his hands on the proverbial bird in the bush, he expected to experience the high he had been chasing in his fantasies since forever. Having his crush reciprocate his feelings, be so forward and open to his affection had been something unattainable but now that he had it... It failed to excite him to the point he’d expected.
What was going on?
It was a long time he had any need to call for the Turk. After all, he was usually able to figure out most of the problems for himself and didn’t rely on the AI avatar as much as in his teens anymore but it seemed like now was a good time.
“Turk?” he called, lifting his head from the arms curled on the interactive touch-sensitive desk.
“Yes?” popped up the little 3D helper, a full replica of the figure sitting on the central square save for the chessboard. Q hadn’t activated his auglasses but even so, he could see the translucent little man saluting him. The sound waves that the state-of-the-art desk generated made hearing his tiny voice audible, too. These same airwaves that produced the sound could be used to manipulate light objects on the desk surface. As a teen, Q used to entertain himself playing paper ball with the Turk: he’d flick the crumpled notebook page with his fingers along the surface and his playmate would try and goalkeep the opposite edge of the desk. It also brought Q pencils. Or reminded him to get some rest with a gentle tap on his forearm if the young student got too absorbed in an assignment.
“I’m having trouble connecting some dots,” the man said. “But I don’t think rationality will help me this time. It’s something that has to do with emotions. The data I have is patchy so wrong conclusions might be devastating.”
“It’s a common misconception, my friend, that rationality and emotions are opposite,” the little avatar said in response. It didn’t sound like it held a grudge over a long time it was kept inactive. “There’s nothing in this reality some good inferential analysis can’t deal with.”
Was the Turk really offering him to collect statistics on his sexual fantasies and deduce what might be wrong with his desires towards Iliya? The little guy never failed to make Q laugh. But the hologram looked dead serious and... even expectant?
“Shall we start then?” the Turk asked, lighting up the desk surface with a network of diagrams, arrows, formulas and symbols.
Covering his eyes in shame, Q nodded.
It was about an hour later that several things were indisputably clear.
“The first reliable prediction is that an intimate encounter with a person you find attractive is likely to be satisfying provided you’ve established some personal connection prior,” said the Turk, looking at the data glowing under his minuscule feet.
“Well, no surprise here,” Q confirmed. “Out of almost three dozen scenarios we entered, personal connection was present in nearly 95%.”
“Yes, but another attribute is also statistically significant: most of the relationship dynamics were uneven,” the Turk went on. “It’s ofter a tutor and a student, or a captive hostage and a terrorist, a survivor and a...”
“You don’t have to say them out loud, Turk!” the man flushed, pushing his index finger to cover the avatar’s mouth to make him stop. “It’s all there in writing.”
“What I mean,” the 3D model said, pushing the pad of the finger away with both hands. “Is that there’s always some kind of extreme power dynamics that you seem to enjoy... maybe too much?”
“Hmm.. That’s precisely the reason why I asked Iliya to stop calling me his teacher. I might find it attractive in my thoughts but in real life, it’s just... wrong.”
“Yes, but you’re missing something,” — it was the Turk’s favourite catchphrase. Q developed a strong distaste for this sentence which didn’t stop him from using it on his own students, however — “What is another attribute you’re ignoring?”
“I don’t know, what?”
The Turk sighed. When Q wasn’t in the mood to solve a puzzle, no amount of pointers could make him.
“In nearly all of your scenarios, it’s you who plays the submissive part, regardless of the act itself. Your partner is always the one with the power.”
***
ARE YOU COMING TO MY NEXT LECTURE? TOMORROW AT NOON
Sent.
Q tapped the desk again after sending the text, impatient for a response.
So this was it, wasn’t it? He didn’t feel much because it was his younger partner that assumed a submissive role. What was he expecting then? For Iliya to pin him to the wall and coax helpless sounds out of his teacher?
Ding.
HI! SORRY, BUSY TOMORROW. TEXT YOU LATER
Huh.
I WAS WORRIED YOU DIDN’T ANSWER. IS EVERYTHING OK?
He wrestled with an urge to add “between us”.
YEA. JUST DIDN’T HAVE THE COMM WITH ME
He... what?
Did Iliya take it off? What for?
OK. BE SAFE
What was that about? This was definitely a week of weird realisations. First, the inexorable statistical analysis revealed that he couldn’t enjoy an encounter unless he wasn’t the one submitting.
Now his... his what? Crush? Boyfriend? His... Iliya apparently wasn’t eager to see him despite being more than enthusiastic mere days before. On top of that, apparently, he wasn’t at all ashamed to admit he didn’t wear the comm all the time!
How come?
Of course, it wasn’t illegal or anything but it definitely warranted a closer monitoring of the wearer. No upright citizen who had nothing to hide would feel the need to take off the tracking device!
Q kicked the back on his chair and dragged his palms down his face.
Was he being paranoid again? Did the conversations with Sereen make him distrustful? Or was it because of Sereen’s influence that Iliya felt the need to play a nonconformist?
Why was it all so hard! Why couldn’t everyone just do what they’re told and live together in accord?
Knowing only one way to deal with his anxiety, Q decided to occupy his mind with the preparation for tomorrow’s lecture.