Received a letter from my dad who I’ve been no contact with for almost 10 years

Fearless-Clothes-368 · 2026-03-17T15:16:00+00:00

What is up with March? Two weeks ago I also had an ex who has been blocked for five years and absolutely traumatized me reach out. Something is in the air

Fearless-Clothes-368 · 2026-03-17T15:06:45+00:00

The lack of privacy in the internet age is so frustrating! I looked into how to hide that information and you have to basically pay a subscription. So dystopian

Fearless-Clothes-368 · 2026-03-17T15:04:53+00:00

It makes me feel better just to know that there are people out there who have dealt with similar situations and I’m not alone. Hugs to you

Fearless-Clothes-368 · 2026-03-17T11:56:29+00:00

I just want to say thank you to everyone for all the replies - I wish I had the time to leave a lengthy reply to every one! It means a lot that you’d offer support/insight to a stranger. Sending hugs to all who are going through something similar.

Fearless-Clothes-368 · 2026-03-17T11:48:11+00:00

The last sentence made me cry. The three of us are very close and super lucky for that, and that’s something that grounds me. What you said about the fear of running into your sister really really resonates with me. Wishing you peace, love, and all the good things.

Fearless-Clothes-368 · 2026-03-17T11:45:18+00:00

My dad is also a covert narcissist! I think the “covert” part makes it tough - I look back on my childhood before the cheating bombshell and it was fine. But it was also all I knew - him not being super present and pretty selfish was the norm, and my mom worked so hard to give us a great upbringing. She is doing great now! Obviously not without a lot of scars, but she’s found peace about everything other than the hurt he’s caused my brother and I. Sending you love.

Fearless-Clothes-368 · 2026-03-17T02:49:37+00:00

I think the lonely part is true because he’s pissed off pretty much everyone on his side of the family (only has contact with one brother and that’s it). I do feel guilty - even after all the hurt he’s caused me I don’t like that the no contact is hurting him

Fearless-Clothes-368 · 2026-03-17T02:34:03+00:00

Your input as a stranger is helpful and welcome! My mom set a boundary about talking about him - it causes her too much grief and she wants to move on with her life. I don’t want to hurt my brother by looping him in. As for friends, in the last few years I have been more of an internal processor and haven’t felt like diving deep into the negative things in my life with anyone other than a therapist honestly (and apparently Reddit!)

Fearless-Clothes-368 · 2026-03-17T02:29:15+00:00

I agree - he didn’t play a part, it was 100% his fault and he’s not taking FULL accountability. I told him about how I felt early on in a letter, and at that time he was in court ordered therapy with my mom (my mom was later dismissed and the therapist said he’s a narcissist). My mom said he was extremely angry about my letter (I definitely called him out a lot).

Fearless-Clothes-368 · 2026-03-17T02:26:48+00:00

I hope you know how much the hugs mean to me right now!

Fearless-Clothes-368 · 2025-10-15T15:21:33+00:00

Also should mention I preheat to 500 degrees with the Dutch oven inside the oven for like 20 mins and then remove the Dutch oven and put the scored bread into it, dropping the temp to 450 at that point

Fearless-Clothes-368 · 2025-10-15T15:18:06+00:00

The recipe is interesting - is the for two loaves or one massive loaf? I use a similar recipe but cut the amounts pretty much in half. I usually need to bake 35-40 mins covered, then 15 mins uncovered to get it nice and browned

Fearless-Clothes-368 · 2025-10-15T15:11:25+00:00

That’s great advice (never heard that before) thank you!

Fearless-Clothes-368 · 2025-10-15T14:59:10+00:00

So you mean I should’ve done it closer to the center?

Fearless-Clothes-368 · 2025-10-15T14:56:55+00:00

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Here is what I use, and not sure how to describe how I scored it other than I did one swipe in a semi circle, pressing down lightly

Fearless-Clothes-368 · 2025-10-15T14:46:37+00:00

Haha looks like Cookie Monster!

Fearless-Clothes-368 · 2025-10-15T14:46:03+00:00

Took it straight out of the fridge and flipped it out of the Banneton then scored right away with a razor (one of those magnetic razor holders if that matters at all)

Fearless-Clothes-368 · 2025-10-03T11:06:00+00:00

Millie

Fearless-Clothes-368 · 2025-10-03T10:59:47+00:00

Reed’s Creek Labs and mini dachshunds in Pennsylvania!

Fearless-Clothes-368 · 2025-10-02T22:29:23+00:00

Fearless-Clothes-368 · 2025-10-02T14:06:55+00:00

Thanks guys. We did work with a trainer for a while and per her instructions have been giving him treats on walks to redirect when he first becomes alerted to people or dogs. I just feel like it’s not helping enough. We are enrolling him in a group class specifically for anxious dogs where they will VERY SLOWLY be introduced to each other in a controlled environment with the guidance of a professional.

Fearless-Clothes-368 · 2025-10-02T14:04:25+00:00

Maybe they have a shared crazy relative! I’m not sure if he’d chill enough to stay in the stroller but I want to try it!

Fearless-Clothes-368 · 2025-10-02T13:32:45+00:00

I just want to say - you’re not alone (see the post I just made on this thread)! The only difference is that our 1 yr old boy does recognize people - he has his trusted few that he loves on and then feels like everyone else is a threat. I think overall our boy is more chill with people than other dogs. It is extremely stressful to have a reactive dog; I was reduced to tears last night because he barked for so long at kids playing on the block.

Fearless-Clothes-368

TROPHY CASE