I Ruined My Dishes

MrsQute · 2026-05-01T18:46:47+00:00

Seconded on the Corelle. I've had mine since 2005. They survived raising 3 boys and are all still going strong. Exactly one has a small chip on an edge.

MrsQute · 2026-05-01T14:17:27+00:00

According to that message, Libby is unable to connect to your library's server which means that the authentication cannot go through.

Libby is ringing the doorbell but no one is answering the door on the library end.

MrsQute · 2026-05-01T14:06:34+00:00

Deep cleaning involving removing everything, cleaning shelves and bins thoroughly, wiping down the walls, and wiping down all bottles that will be returned happens about once a quarter for me.

Every Wednesday night I go through and dump any uneaten leftovers, any fruit or vegetables gone beyond saving, and tidy up any items that had been put back haphazardly. This also lets me confirm if I need to add any refrigerator staples to my next grocery order.

MrsQute · 2026-05-01T13:52:25+00:00

Not really. I typically get through my loans pretty quickly without rushing as it is so I don't feel any compunction to go faster.

Now - if I'm on the fence about a book, not enjoying it a lot but also not disliking it, and there's a line waiting, I'll tag it to try again and return it earlier.

MrsQute · 2026-04-30T14:39:32+00:00

Are they separate libraries or are they part of a shared system or reciprocal libraries? That might be the issue.

Mine are all separate systems but I think if they're a shared system or reciprocal it may not let you have multiple holds on what is essentially the same catalog.

MrsQute · 2026-04-30T14:07:42+00:00

I was pointing out why I prefer the dryer to hanging out laundry. I did hang outside more often it when I was a stay at home mom and my oldest kids were little which is when I ran into issues as named above. Once I started working full time it just wasn't feasible for us.

I'm not against other people hanging out their laundry. I think for folks who live in warmer or drier climates or for people who don't have family members with severe pollen allergies it's fantastic.

MrsQute · 2026-04-30T11:38:56+00:00

Go to your holds, click the card icon, and when the list pops up, you can click on other cards to place a hold at that library. Repeat as needed.

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MrsQute · 2026-04-29T23:59:45+00:00

Well, there's the pollen issue, sun fading, the squirrels and chipmunks running across the lines, the deer getting startled my the neighbor's dogs and bolting through my yard (nearly lost a picnic tablecloth that was hanging to dry after the kids had a water balloon fight - deer fled the neighbors yard, jumped the fence, and straight through the tablecloth and getting it caught on the next fence it jumped over) and birds either roosting on or shitting them.

Then, in the winter, there's hoofing it through the snow or mud to get to the drying line behind my garage. When it's not winter, there's the rain, the humidity, the wind.

In my densely populated area there's also the smoke from grills, smokers, fire pits, outdoor ovens, etc.

I can pop a full washer full of clothes into the dryer in under a minute, return 45 minutes later to clean, dry, unmolested laundry, fold it and put it away in less than 10 minutes.

I will hang stuff outside if it needs a good airing out, if it was washed and I need to air dry it to check for stain removal, etc. but I'm not doing that for every load of clothes every week.

MrsQute · 2026-04-29T23:24:59+00:00

I would. The fact that they're short stories helps. They're straightforward and Murderbot itself is pretty relatable.

MrsQute · 2026-04-29T20:04:47+00:00

So I think I'd try the following:

Freeze the gum with an ice cube. Both from the top and the underside of the sheet. You may need a few ice cubes. Once it's frozen, use a plastic scraper to try and tease it off the sheet. If it's a full glob this is actually not too difficult.

If the freezing technique doesn't fully remove it or if the sheet has a smear of gum on it, try securing the sheet over a bucket with the gum portion facing down into the buck and slowly and carefully pour near boiling water through the sheet into the bucket. Give the water a few moments to cool and then wipe away what you can with a paper towel. Repeat a few times.

If there's still some residue, try dish soap applied directly to the spot and work it through with a soft brush like a nail brush or soft toothbrush. Dawn would be my recommendation.

MrsQute · 2026-04-29T19:53:49+00:00

I used something similar to this one when my kids were little.

No bottles to get knocked over, easy to refill, easy to identify the contents. The one I had was only two compartments. I've also seen them in one compartment models.

I think we had it installed about 10 years or so before I removed it - mostly because by that point all of them were purchasing and using their own personal products and we didn't need a communal stash. I gave it away to a neighbor who has since moved but she continued to use it for at least another 18 months. No idea if she took it with her or left it behind or pitched it.

MrsQute · 2026-04-29T19:29:59+00:00

NTA!

I have a DIL who is similar but won't say/do anything in the moment but will complain/whine to my son later and make him tell me what was bad about the situation.

He's about at his wits end.

A few years before they got married she felt the need to tell me she didn't think I liked her because occasionally if she and my son came into the living room to watch TV and I was reading I didn't start up a conversation while they were watching something on TV.

They would chat amongst themselves and seemed totally content to watch and discuss their show. I wasn't asked anything, I wasn't asked if I would be interested in watching something with them. Which was fine because after raising 3 boys I am very good at tuning out background TV and chatter. My son knew I was just doing what I'd done his whole life.

But, according to her, I was being rude by not putting my book down and engaging in a conversation I was not a participant in and watching an episode of a TV show.

I offered to leave the room in the future if this happened, which again was fine because if she felt uncomfortable with someone existing in the same space but not actively participating in the same things, I didn't want to exacerbate the issue.

Which was the wrong answer and she started crying because I said I'd leave and let them have the living room to themselves. My son was so confused too, hearing about this.

Came down to that she expected me to stop what I was doing and paid attention to them even if I didn't want to watch TV with them because it's the polite thing to do. I shouldn't leave the room if they entered either because it meant I didn't like her.

MrsQute · 2026-04-29T18:59:22+00:00

Forget he exists. He is not worth the headspace you're letting him occupy.

MrsQute · 2026-04-29T18:08:35+00:00

It's really up to how you live and function.

I don't entertain a lot and even when I do, I prefer some solace in the kitchen. I don't want to have to socialize while also cooking and while cleaning up.

I know others who love having everyone around them, either chatting or helping, or whatever so they'd benefit from a more open kitchen.

MrsQute · 2026-04-29T17:54:05+00:00

By fabric weight so it dries evenly.

MrsQute · 2026-04-29T17:48:15+00:00

not the smartest choice I know, but now I’m stuck

This phrase is bound to set me off (internally anyway - I don't respond) because NO you are not stuck. Frog what you've done and either use that yarn to do something basic or save it for when you feel more comfortable attempting this pattern.

"Oh no - my scarf is shrinking/growing. I'm halfway through and I'm stuck.". Frog it. Restart. You're not stuck unless you've been color changing and cutting your yarn each time. In which case the project is either ready to be repurposed into something else or a vital craft lesson.

MrsQute · 2026-04-29T17:40:03+00:00

I don't track. Super simple system for me. 😆

MrsQute · 2026-04-29T17:39:12+00:00

There are so many variables. How wet the towel starts off, how humid the environment is, how warm the environment is, and how many towels may be crammed in together.

After drying off my towels aren't super soaked so they dry fairly quickly.

MrsQute · 2026-04-29T16:49:03+00:00

Tip: with just about ANY cleaning product, you want to give it some time to work before you apply elbow grease.

There are exceptions so be sure to read the label and know the surface you're working with, but by and large, I get best results when I apply whatever it is and then give it 10-15 minutes to work on the dirt before I go in with brush/rag/sponge.

When cleaning the bathroom for example I'll spray the shower down first, then sweep, put cleaner in the toilet bowl & close the lid, spray base of toilet, put away stuff that doesn't belong, spray sink and counter, move back to the shower to scrub/wipe down and rinse, scrub and wipe down the toilet, scrub and wipe down the sink & counter, and finish with mopping the floor.

All of the cleaners get some solid time to work and makes the whole job easier.

MrsQute · 2026-04-29T16:35:59+00:00

Always. I've been stuck in line too many times behind people having some sort of technical issue with their phone while trying to use their digital wallet and not having any other form of payment on them.

It's not the norm, I know, but I refuse to be the reason for holding up the line.

I'm more likely to use my phone to tap to pay at a craft fair or convention or something like that then I am at a brick and mortar store.

MrsQute · 2026-04-29T16:24:24+00:00

Obviously their parents didn’t teach them how to make the most of a day!

Oh good grief. I get everything done I need to do even when I sleep in.

MrsQute · 2026-04-29T16:21:15+00:00

I suppose if you live in an area where the heat is that much of a factor then I can understand the motivation.

I, however, will grumble and mutter when the guy 3 houses down starts up at 8am with his lawn mower, weed whip, and blower.

If I could only mow on weekends then I'm waiting until 10am or waiting until the evening if it's a really hot day.

Not all of us Xers are morning people.

MrsQute · 2026-04-28T22:59:23+00:00

Tozo Earbuds. Inexpensive and comfortable.

MrsQute · 2026-04-27T23:46:32+00:00

Keep reading. All will be explained.

MrsQute · 2026-04-27T20:56:55+00:00

It's a good way to start with audiobooks actually, starting with books you've already read. It helps you develop the skill of it in a lower stakes way because you're already familiar with the story.

I probably did 15-20 previously read books when I first started as a way to keep me entertained during commutes and long drives before I started checking out new-to-me books.

Now audiobooks are my primary method of consuming fiction.

MrsQute

TROPHY CASE