I have a real addiction to soda and I desperately need to cut back at least on the sugar.

My problem is, is that the zero sugar ones - whatever sweetener is used hurts my throat (and tastes awful), and same goes for the diet versions. I could force myself to drink bubbly or La Croix, but knowing myself, that's only going to cause an awful rebound soon enough. So I've been trying to find alternatives that don't break the bank. Poppi is fine and I've tried other low sugar bottles from online stores here and there. That's expensive, though.

So I guess has anyone tried to cut sugar in other ways? I have tried watering things down and I've tried using just sparkling water to keep the carbonation but water things down. I have also tried sparkling water and powdered drink mixes and that is truly awful, imo. I haven't tried mixing a Soda Zero with a Soda (regular) and I wonder if that would help? At least to begin sort of a transition?

I dunno. I'm babbling at this point. I know it's mostly a test of will for addictions, but this is literally my only vice because I don't smoke and won't drink. So soda is the way, hahaha.

What are y'all's opinions?

I like slatted for the idea of a French cleat system where I can put some shelves or lamps up without taking up floor space. But cloth is also nice for the comfort and it seems more 'bed space' appropriate.

Since the election I've kinda buried my head in the sand to try and stay sane, so I'm not sure what projections are looking like for the real estate market. Unfortunately I need to move pretty ASAP and I'm having the worst luck with rentals.

So, anyone have any advice or an idea of the outlook in the next few months?

I've got heart problems which means my feet are pretty swollen, so normal shoes aren't really comfortable anymore. I've been wearing Alterras and I love them and the wide toe box, but the wide sizes are only in a boring color. So I'm looking for suggestions from you lovely folks.

I can't find an actual answer anywhere.

I'm trying to declutter my desk and a KVM switch sounds like the right way to go. I have two monitors that I use for work/play, but I'm having trouble figuring out if the output from my work laptop dock would be okay to input into the KVM to then output to dual monitors.

Anyone got a clue or has any experience with this?

I love horror but apparently I don't vibe with a lot of recommendations I find online.

I'd seen so much hype about Event Horizon and I absolutely hated it and didn't find it scary. I just watched Late Night With the Devil and whole it was definitely enjoyable, it wasn't the least but frightening. I also just watched Let the Right One In and really didn't like it. It also was not a horror movie in my opinion.

I will say one of my favorites is Sinister or the first Conjuring. Sinister for the stomach twisting dread and suspence throughout and Conjuring for the same.

So, what movies do you find to be the scariest?

Stumbled upon a rose and dahlia garden with a ton of different species. It was such a a gorgeous place and a gorgeous day. I took a bunch of pictures, but this one really sings for me.

Just checking in on y'all.

I'm stuck on this personally. I love my manual, I have a tiny little Mazda 2 and I have driven that thing absolutely everywhere because I can control it better than any automatic I've ever driven. But I've been casually looking for a new car and I'd love to have an electric, but I don't want to lose that level of control and everything I love about a manual.

What do you all think? What's your take?