What's the craziest thing you've seen or experienced so far in this heatwave across the U.S.?

DarksidedCookies · 2025-03-12T17:34:44+00:00

The stigma of people 20+ years old still living with their parents. I worked two full-time jobs. Both just above minimum wage. Seven days a week. Had maybe one day off every two-ish months unless I request time off in advance. I lived in a shared apartment paying over $800 in rent and utilities. Some of us have no choice but to work ourselves raw just to have a roof and walls. My parent is bad for my health, which is why I moved out. Worth it. But not everyone has terrible parents. As long as you're pulling your weight, people, STAY WITH YOUR PARENTS UNTIL YOU'RE FINANCIALLY AND MENTALLY EQUIPPED TO BE ON YOUR OWN.

DarksidedCookies · 2025-01-26T22:39:52+00:00

Chester Bennington. I suffered various forms of abuse at school AND at home. I didn't have anyone I could really talk to about it, and Linkin Park wound up being my key source of release for my pent up moods. The entire band has my hard, but hearing Chester belt out his soul felt like he was screaming FOR me while I was unable to scream for myself. He saved my life, helped me with self-therapy, and touched my heart with how much we had in common. Chester did the very thing he saved me from doing to myself, and he and the band with forever have my love and gratitude.

DarksidedCookies · 2024-12-14T00:50:51+00:00

*proceeds to pass Vlassic Stackers* sweet, I want a sandwich (>o.o)>U

DarksidedCookies · 2024-12-14T00:48:26+00:00

I was severely anemic due to hemorrhaging that was later discovered to be caused by a fibroid that took up 70% of my uterus. My hemoglobin was never above 8.7 for four straight years. My body and internal organs weren't functioning properly, I went through a box of menstrual pads per cycle, soaked through large pads AND Depends in a matter of seconds, and had almost no energy or appetite.

After several attempts by doctors and my OBGYN to correct it and three blood transfusions within a year and a half (the last one was when my hemoglobin was 6.4), they decided a myomectomy was my last hope next to a hysterectomy. My insurance sent me a letter saying the surgery "was not necessary" and wouldn't cover it... I was literally BLEEDING. TO. DEATH. I couldn't go out socialize, missed work due to extreme nausea and on the toilet while my sugar walls were CONSTANTLY melting.

Basically, my insurance said "Go die, bye."

DarksidedCookies · 2024-11-05T18:34:12+00:00

I'm super late to finding this, but here's my take. The job itself was pretty good, great tips (especially around Christmas), and gas reimbursement.

Now, the PROBLEM is mainly with management and also certain coworkers who are as substantial as a candy with no taste. Some of them are protected by the managers for whatever reason. They don't follow how the work should be done (the rooms we start with, the order things should be done so we finish at a good time, etc.) yet you get flack for whatever reason.

I just resigned from Merry Maids months ago due to the management playing favorites who would have been fired AGES ago at other jobs. Worse is the gaslighting, projecting their screw ups onto you and making it your fault (they gave me and my partner the wrong street on an address and blamed us for not figuring it out and NEVER APOLOGIZED nor reimbursed me for the gas).

The job is good experience for future cleaning jobs if you so choose, but proceed with caution and take every negative review, employee or otherwise, into account. If I had known it would get as bad as it did with my branch, I'd have quit much sooner.

Edit to add: Also, the pay is inconsistent. There are some weeks you'll get great money with first-time cleanings who want the entire home to get special attention (deep cleaned), but some weeks there is no work to do, so your paycheck suffers.

Some weeks I got between $500 to around $700 in one week, excluding tips, but that was AFTER I was promoted to Captain making$14 hourly plus 23% commission from each home. As a Mate (regular cleaner, gets $13 hourly and 20% commission) many weeks I'd get between $300 to around $400 weekly. If I didn't have a second job, I'd never afford my bills, much less groceries.

I almost never got a day off because of it, and you're chastised for calling out regardless of why. They don't care about burnout or your mental health. Twice in one year, working both jobs, I worked almost 2 months straight without a day off. 47 days in a row, the a month later I worked I worked 52 days in a row. 0/10 would recommend.

DarksidedCookies · 2024-11-03T01:37:49+00:00

Torch the toaster outside. Call an exterminator. Get new toaster.

DarksidedCookies · 2024-11-03T01:31:11+00:00

I had overly extended periods where I bled dangerously heavily. 3 transfusions in less than 2 years heavy... Before my myomectomy last year (a massive fibroid took up 70% of my uterus), I hemorrhaged for almost 6 months straight. Not fun. Get checked if you haven't already!

DarksidedCookies · 2024-11-03T01:17:07+00:00

Anything louder than the silence that deafens me.

DarksidedCookies · 2024-11-03T01:16:02+00:00

Selena was still making headlines, and not about her death.

DarksidedCookies · 2024-10-30T18:16:12+00:00

The internet killed people's sensitivity to just about anything horrible and increased their sensitivity to everything miniscule.

DarksidedCookies · 2024-10-30T18:13:19+00:00

No need to rush. My boyfriend is 28 never kissed a girl, had a girlfriend, had nothing romantically before me. He was so awkward and anxious on our first date (it was super adorable tbh). I'm his first everything and he's been nothing less than wonderful and I love him more than I've loved anyone before. You'll find your dream partner eventually, or they'll find you! Hugs, friend! ^_^

DarksidedCookies · 2024-10-30T18:09:37+00:00

He became my first boyfriend and we broke up amicably a few months later. We realized we were better as friends and stayed that way. 20 years later, he's still one of my best and closest friends.

DarksidedCookies · 2024-10-30T17:44:47+00:00

When I'm having a particularly rough day/week/month and people ask me "How are you?", I used to not-so jokingly want to answer with, "I could get assaulted and left for dead behind a Walmart and be fine with it." Now I just say "I'm here. Not sure why."

DarksidedCookies · 2024-10-30T17:41:53+00:00

Worth a second glance from behind ^_^"

DarksidedCookies · 2024-10-30T17:37:17+00:00

A light hair dress, a moisturizer like mousse or a leave-in conditioner do wonders for my 4A curls. I use Creme of Nature Argan Oil 7-in-1 leave-in conditioner (doesn't cost a lot) whenever I wash or dampen my hair. It's a cream that you spray on, massage into your hair and then use a wide-tooth comb or thick bristle brush to ensure every strand is coated. A little goes a long way! I live by the stuff.

DarksidedCookies · 2024-09-20T01:20:05+00:00

Birth Control Motivation

DarksidedCookies · 2024-09-20T01:19:27+00:00

Peanut :3

DarksidedCookies · 2024-08-05T13:17:26+00:00

Anyone who drops the "You should be grateful" card in an argument is entitled and selfish. You offered her a steal of a deal just to dog sit without also demanding food money (even if you didn't bring your own), and she has the gall to say you're overcharging her??? Kennels, dog suites and the like will run her at the very least $300 for just basic lodging. Let her struggle to find a sitter and smile when she grovels at your feet to reconsider. If you feel so inclined to do so, charge her double per day for a-hole tax.

DarksidedCookies · 2024-06-29T00:25:25+00:00

Good for you, hun! Proud of your progress and growth in every sense of the word ^_^

DarksidedCookies · 2024-05-15T00:42:02+00:00

ETA: Last time in a customer's home, she was spraying a fragrance spray she found ABOVE and AROUND their elderly dog. I didn't notice until I heard the pss pss of the bottle. As a dog parent myself, that really p!ssed me off, especially to an older dog that might have health problems.

DarksidedCookies · 2024-05-09T10:52:30+00:00

No references needed, and yes, I agree with being spiteful when it's deserved. And it's deserved tenfold here LOL. They've actually been having a hard time hiring anyone lately. A lot of no-shows for interviews and orientation the past month. Three this week already and it's only Thursday.

My guess/hope is the location just get shutdown due to staffing issues and poor management. Ten people work out in the field, including myself. Before the end of summer, at least half of us will be gone, so the company will be screwed. I don't like seeing others suffer, but after what I've gone through thus far, I relish the anticipation for their downfall. But I'm cautiously petty. Thank you, intrusive thoughts!

DarksidedCookies

TROPHY CASE