https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 15 Apr 2026 02:29:56 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/merry-christmas-2#post-2927825 Tue, 27 Dec 2022 14:12:26 +0000 meadow 2927825@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Lahela017: love this. Hehe </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/merry-christmas-2#post-2927821 Mon, 26 Dec 2022 15:11:39 +0000 winter_wonder 2927821@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Happy Holidays!!! I hope everyone has a great 2023! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/merry-christmas-2#post-2927816 Mon, 26 Dec 2022 13:21:15 +0000 LadyDi 2927816@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Merry Christmas! Hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season!</p> <p>@Lahela017: I totally relate to your daughter in that picture! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/merry-christmas-2#post-2927813 Mon, 26 Dec 2022 07:25:35 +0000 Lahela017 2927813@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Merry Christmas!! 🎄🎅</p> <p>Hopefully you had a fabulous day and your kids were as tired out at the end of the day as mine was. Here's my daughter completely passed out on the floor at Grandma and Grandpa's house. 😆 </p> [attach=8162/22/rni0hl.600x450.PXL_20221226_022612673.MP.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/merry-christmas-2#post-2927812 Mon, 26 Dec 2022 06:23:09 +0000 pachamama 2927812@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Merry Christmas! Hope your day was festive and restful. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/merry-christmas-2#post-2927811 Sun, 25 Dec 2022 10:01:13 +0000 meadow 2927811@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Merry Christmas, hellobee friends! ❄🎅 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ideas-for-a-grieving-friend#post-2926438 Sat, 12 Mar 2022 00:07:33 +0000 karenbme 2926438@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <br /><p><i>This comment has been deleted by the original poster.</i></p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ideas-for-a-grieving-friend#post-2926437 Fri, 11 Mar 2022 08:59:44 +0000 LadyDi 2926437@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks all, sounds like food is the way to go. @minimalistmom: This looks great, I am going to go with this. Thanks so much for the recommendation. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ideas-for-a-grieving-friend#post-2926436 Thu, 10 Mar 2022 21:48:51 +0000 bakingdoodle 2926436@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Got out of the hospital 10 days ago. my parents were taking care of my family while I recuperate. They left but today, my friend dropped off 2 chicken pot pies, ready-to-bake from a local place. Appreciated so much </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ideas-for-a-grieving-friend#post-2926435 Thu, 10 Mar 2022 21:27:32 +0000 minimalistmom 2926435@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I can't recommend Spoonful of Comfort enough! I got one for a friend when her dad passed and another when a co-worker's husband had a stroke. Both people were so appreciative and said they are going to buy them for people going forward. The meals include soup, rolls, cookies and a beautiful ladle. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ideas-for-a-grieving-friend#post-2926433 Wed, 09 Mar 2022 21:49:42 +0000 bees_knees 2926433@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Food. Meals are great, but it can be anything—the things we liked best when my sister passed were (healthy-ish) ready made platter/snack type things. Think fruit trays, veggie trays, tortilla roll ups, etc (our local grocery store delivers them, can check into that). Someone also gifted us a very large gift card to a local pizza place, which was great when we had tons of family in town for the funeral. </p> <p>Also paper products (paper towels, TP, Kleenex, paper plates, disposable silverware). Bottled water and drinks. </p> <p>And honestly the things that meant the most were heart felt written condolences. </p> <p>Agree with the sentiment above that people kept telling me how strong I was and, while I know it was well intentioned, I just wanted to scream “What is the alternative?!?!”</p> <p>But reaching out with ANYTHING means so much. It doesn’t matter what words you say or what food you send—just showing up (even if virtually) means more than I can describe. I never realized how many people loved me, my family, and my sister until the week after she passed and it truly did help. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ideas-for-a-grieving-friend#post-2926432 Wed, 09 Mar 2022 21:49:37 +0000 peaches1038 2926432@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband’s mom passed away from Covid in November and we really appreciated restaurant gift cards or doordash, grub hub etc </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ideas-for-a-grieving-friend#post-2926431 Wed, 09 Mar 2022 19:36:07 +0000 Lahela017 2926431@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with others. Last year my husband's twin brother passed away and my father-in-law stayed at our house for awhile to sort everything out and to be together with my husband. One of his extended relatives set up a meal train for us and it was the most helpful thing ever. They were all across the country from us so it was all delivery they set up from restaurants. My favorite meals were the ones that we didn't need to do anything for. They had pizzas delivered to our house one night, a local Italian place delivered a spaghetti dinner another night, and another night a local place delivered a taco party platter. Other nights people sent us gift cards for delivery, which was wonderful too, but made me figure out all those logistics. Other ideas would be having assorted bagels, fruit and veggie trays, snacks or assorted sandwiches delivered.</p> <p>I also wouldn't rule out flowers and a well thought out card in addition to a meal or two. It was lovely to see flowers whenever we walked by them and be reminded that people were thinking of us.</p> <p>Not sure if she has kids, but if she does, I'd also send some activities that they could do independently. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ideas-for-a-grieving-friend#post-2926430 Wed, 09 Mar 2022 17:00:31 +0000 catgirl 2926430@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with @smuckers: about the necklace. While the sentiment is nice it seems like it might be better in the future, not while she is still actively dealing with every thing. </p> <p>I always think food is the most helpful. So I would research a food delivery service in her area. Or do restaurant gift cards or even Uber eats gift cards. Or research grocery delivery, my local store gives you the option to gift a person a certain number of deliveries or pick ups (you can choose to cover the cost of the items or not)</p> <p>While a spa sounds lovely, it might feel like another item on a to do list. I agree that taking items off her plate would be the most helpful. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ideas-for-a-grieving-friend#post-2926429 Wed, 09 Mar 2022 14:56:59 +0000 smuckers 2926429@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What a sweet thought. I will say, while the strength necklace is pretty thoughtful, it's not what I might pick. When my mom passed in August I felt like I HAD to be strong and what I really needed/wanted was the permission and opportunity to *not* be strong. </p> <p>Honestly, what would have helped me the most was someone taking things off of my list. A house cleaner, dinners, babysitting (not just a generic offer of "let me know!", but a legitimate "I want to babysit for you on XYZ day, does that work for you?"). I had decision fatigue and I was burnt out AF. I didn't want to initiate asking for help because that was work too. Anything that could have lightened that load would have helped. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ideas-for-a-grieving-friend#post-2926428 Wed, 09 Mar 2022 14:13:56 +0000 LadyDi 2926428@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A close friend of mine (she lives out of town) is having a very challenging year. She's had covid twice, her husband is struggling with long covid, her father passed from covid in the fall, and on Sunday night (her birthday) her brother passed away unexpectedly in a motorcycle accident. Ugh. I would like to do something for her that's more than just flowers but I am not sure what's appropriate. I was thinking this "strength" necklace (<a href="https://www.bryananthonys.com/collections/empowerment/products/strength?variant=12242764791889" rel="nofollow">https://www.bryananthonys.com/collections/empowerment/products/strength?variant=12242764791889</a>) and maybe a gift card to a spa? Something she could do for herself that would be a mental break from what she has going on? Any thoughts or suggestions? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-masks#post-2925923 Wed, 29 Dec 2021 09:52:04 +0000 Grace 2925923@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My compromise is to wear cloth in low risk situations, like to go into a not-crowded store for 5 min or if I have to go into work and sit separated from others and KN95 for high-risk, like getting my hair cut. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-masks#post-2925906 Tue, 28 Dec 2021 14:25:02 +0000 DesertDreams88 2925906@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@meadow: @erinbaderin: yes, surgical masks are definitely better because of the middle layer being less porous than most cloth materials. </p> <p>Fit is an issue with all masks. Surgical masks are more adjustable, IMHO, at least compared to the floppy, ill-fitting cloth masks I see the majority of my students wearing (I don't see any adults wearing masks). Surgical masks are adjustable along the nose bridge and it's usually easier to tie the earloops to get a tighter fit. If you have well-fitting cloth masks, great, but they're no match for Omicron (neither were they for Delta.....)</p> <p>KN95s and KF94s are great, but expensive. I personally like the design of KF94s best. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-masks#post-2925904 Mon, 27 Dec 2021 21:04:34 +0000 meadow 2925904@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinbaderin: yes, the cnn article made it seem like those blue masks were superior......I've worn them a couple times since summer 2020 and have always felt LESS protected than w my cloth masks. :sad: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-masks#post-2925903 Mon, 27 Dec 2021 20:35:46 +0000 erinbaderin 2925903@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>By paper masks do you mean the blue surgical masks? I don’t think they’re really much better, from what I’m seeing, because they have so many gaps. I’ve read that you can basically wear the KN95 masks, though, until they wear out, I’ve seen a few people say that the elastic will wear out before the masks stop being effective. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-masks#post-2925902 Mon, 27 Dec 2021 08:37:48 +0000 poppygirl15 2925902@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just bought Happy Masks after hearing rave reviews about them. We are not impressed. They just don't seem to fit us very well. But, my son absolutely refuses to wear paper masks, so we'll probably buy him a second Happy Mask just because it's better than normal cloth. As for the rest of us, I'm glad to have *something* reusable for taking a quick walk, etc. Otherwise, we'll all be wearing N95/94s. Thanks for letting me know how long you can wear the same one! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-masks#post-2925901 Mon, 27 Dec 2021 08:27:22 +0000 meadow 2925901@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Great suggestions.....</p> <p>@JJ2626: omg, I had no idea you could wear them longer. That explains why I've seen some of my hs students show up with schmutz on their masks! Haha </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-masks#post-2925896 Sat, 25 Dec 2021 21:13:23 +0000 lady baltimore 2925896@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My compromise since starting back to in-person teaching this fall has been to use disposable carbon filter inserts with my multi-layer fabric masks. I also balk at tossing out so many masks (and am honestly not sure that I could convince my kindergartener to switch), but am considering transitioning to KN95s until my maternity leave starts in February. I will hate to lose the option to switch between ear loop and behind-the-head styles throughout the week, though.</p> <p>Thanks for all of the recommendations on this thread! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-masks#post-2925895 Sat, 25 Dec 2021 14:55:07 +0000 JJ2626 2925895@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@meadow: @hitchhiker: Totally agree in general about Amazon. I looked into before I bought and these are legit: [20 Pack] Dr.Puri New Micro-Dust Protection Face Premium Mask (KF94) White Medium <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08N6721WY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_QKJ4WDA66P0HJ07M0AVA?_encoding=UTF8&#038;psc=1" rel="nofollow">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08N6721WY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_QKJ4WDA66P0HJ07M0AVA?_encoding=UTF8&#038;psc=1</a></p> <p>But, also agree that behealthy.net has lots of options. I think happy masks are great if you want better than cloth but it’s not a super high risk situation. Enro masks are another option for this. My kid wears happy masks bc no kn95 seems fit her right, but she’s barely ever inside (outdoor preschool) And for a kid, I think something imperfect is better than nothing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-masks#post-2925894 Sat, 25 Dec 2021 14:33:29 +0000 hitchhiker 2925894@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ineebee: Yes, I would say significantly less effective out of the box than a KN95/KF94 (which have 95%+ filtration efficiency) and significantly worse than that after 5 washes. He posts all of his data on his youtube page. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-masks#post-2925893 Sat, 25 Dec 2021 14:19:24 +0000 ineebee 2925893@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hitchhiker: Thanks for the info. I don’t follow this guy and don’t understand the terminology of his test, but it sounds like after washing, some measure of effectiveness is compromised? Bummer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-masks#post-2925892 Sat, 25 Dec 2021 13:25:18 +0000 ChitownRo 2925892@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I also feel guilty about the environment but have been wearing kf94 or 95 since delta </p> <p>Like these for kids Sheal 50PCS 4 Layer Colorful Face Masks Disposable Protection Breathable for Kids (3-5 Years) ,Individually Packaged <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08W3BFSC8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_349TWQTAHWA4VSP2ATK0?_encoding=UTF8&#038;psc=1" rel="nofollow">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08W3BFSC8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_349TWQTAHWA4VSP2ATK0?_encoding=UTF8&#038;psc=1</a></p> <p>And for adults MISSAA KN95 Face Masks 30PCS,... <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VD4X86Q?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share" rel="nofollow">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VD4X86Q?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share</a></p> <p>Make sure it’s a tight seal to really be effective </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-masks#post-2925891 Sat, 25 Dec 2021 12:17:46 +0000 hitchhiker 2925891@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ineebee: Just FYI - the Happy Masks didn't do very well in the Mask Nerd tests: <a href="https://twitter.com/masknerd/status/1445044628948914177/photo/1" rel="nofollow">https://twitter.com/masknerd/status/1445044628948914177/photo/1</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-masks#post-2925890 Sat, 25 Dec 2021 12:16:13 +0000 hitchhiker 2925890@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@meadow: I also wouldn't buy on Amazon--there's absolutely no quality control. I usually buy from behealthyusa.net (which was recommended by the Mask Nerd guy last year). They have an option to buy mix and match packages, which was great at the beginning when we didn't know which ones we would like. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-masks#post-2925889 Sat, 25 Dec 2021 12:04:12 +0000 hitchhiker 2925889@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Agree with @JJ2626; we wear our KF94 masks for 40 hours. For the kids (who wear theirs all day), we rotate through about 5 masks. We put them back in their packaging at the end of the day, write the date on the package, and then use it again about a week later. I WFH, so I just rotate through a few until they seem gross or lose their shape at the nose. (I wear glasses so I am often fiddling with the nose piece to get a better seal.) </p> <p>There's a guy that's quoted in a lot of press who is an aerosol scientist. That's how I found out you can re-wear the KF94s. he did some testing with higher quality reusable masks that might interest you. <a href="https://twitter.com/masknerd" rel="nofollow">https://twitter.com/masknerd</a> </p>