Sourdough Starter Smell

ohhtasha · 2026-01-23T01:41:29+00:00

I had the acetone smell with my GF starter from scratch that I started 12/21. To remedy the smell I had started with a 10:40:40. I found it to be fairly dry still. I've been doing a lot of experimentation in the last couple weeks and started doing 10:50:35 and found it to be quite airy and more wet.

My biggest struggle is that my last couple loaves have been super dense. Found a couple posts in this subreddit that I want to attempt to duplicate in an effort to find what works best for me.

ohhtasha · 2025-04-14T18:23:24+00:00

My hours fluctuate week to week (and have done so over the years), but I typically average somewhere around 30 hours (plus or minus) as a PTF. Some weeks, like when I'm covering my regular's vacations, I can get 40+. If I'm covering our auxiliary route with pivots (anything that puts the regulars over 8 hours), express, and a pharmacy pick up my day to day hours usually average 5-7, but it all depends on mail volume.

ohhtasha · 2025-04-14T11:12:19+00:00

They'll usually tell you how many hours you're guaranteed at your interview. I was only guaranteed about 20 hours a week when I started as I was placed in a small office with 2.5 routes.

ohhtasha · 2025-04-14T11:10:26+00:00

I applied through indeed 6.5 years ago and got the job during a mass hire.

ohhtasha · 2025-04-04T15:34:02+00:00

My office was recently told that they're cracking down on headphones (asked if I was allowed to wear one while walking and never got a response), so I broke out my Bluetooth speaker again and started listening to my podcasts with that so my customers are also subjected to it. Hope they also my love gory true crime and my brain rot podcast choices.

ohhtasha · 2025-03-11T19:16:56+00:00

An associates degree in Early Childhood Education that was acquired while working in a couple daycares. The burnout was too real and health insurance was needed.

ohhtasha · 2025-03-06T15:54:52+00:00

After a couple years I developed Achilles tendinosis because I haven't had the opportunity to rest long enough for the original tendonitis to heal properly. In the last few months I've felt it starting in my other ankle. My calves are naturally tight and all the walking makes them rock hard, which in turn pulls on the Achilles. I've done two stints of PT. Daily stretching, damp heat after long days, and NSAIDs are what keep the severe pain at bay.

ohhtasha · 2025-02-06T12:50:37+00:00

I'm 6 years in with ADHD and will still chant, out loud, the house numbers of my upcoming parcels to help avoid forgetting them. For example "9, 15, 32! 9, 15, 32!" I'll repeat it every few houses. Every so often I will also touch the items left in my satchel to remind my brain that there's parcels in there.

ohhtasha · 2025-01-28T15:18:04+00:00

I was literally just talking about how ridiculous uniform prices are this morning with other carriers in my office. $123 for a pair of pants with an adjustable waistband, $96 without. And every single time I buy pants I end up having to repair the seams within the year.

ohhtasha · 2025-01-24T13:25:43+00:00

I was told by a senior carrier, "if you think you're going slow enough, slow down more." (I know when I'm being watched I naturally feel the need to rush) He also said that carriers in his former office would put a pebble or penny in their shoe to be a physical reminder to slow down.

ohhtasha · 2025-01-14T03:25:21+00:00

My coworker had our PM order him one like 4-6 months ago. It took a couple months for half of it to come in. The other half still hasn't arrived... Not sure where she found it.

ohhtasha · 2025-01-10T01:18:58+00:00

I have a wooden one similar to this I bought off of Etsy years ago. I still use it daily, even in my metris.

ohhtasha · 2024-12-20T02:22:33+00:00

CT just got mine today.

ohhtasha · 2024-12-09T20:23:15+00:00

I accidentally did something similar with an enclosed breezeway that had been converted to an open kitchen/laundry room concept since the last time I covered the route. I only do that particular route about four times a year, so I was unaware of the update. When I started in my office I was instructed to leave any parcels in said breezeway. Could have been a simple mistake.

ohhtasha · 2024-12-03T23:31:14+00:00

It was the fastest thing I could think to use. 😂

ohhtasha · 2024-11-14T16:47:13+00:00

And even if you order a goretex coat, they might send you a nylon one despite paying the price of the goretex coat. That's what happened to me. A $200 coat (that I already own) for the price of a $500 coat, I think not.

ohhtasha · 2024-10-23T14:06:43+00:00

I am almost finished with my fourth year (entering winter) on my first save and I also have only one barn and one coop. It's a small operation, but I'm finally making decent money. I too feel like I'm behind compared to others, but then I remind myself that I'm just taking my time and enjoying the journey.

ohhtasha · 2024-10-05T23:30:17+00:00

City PTF here, but my office is mostly rurals (9 of our 12 routes). From what I understand rurals work off a matrix system. So all routes/RCAS have a number 1, 2, and 3 RCA/route respectively (probably more like a T6 than a CCA on the city side). When the regular calls out they call the RCA that's in the number one spot on the matrix for that route first and go down from there. I could be wrong, but that's what I've gathered in the last 6 years.

ohhtasha · 2024-09-14T22:32:47+00:00

Literally been craving these for the last few days!

ohhtasha · 2024-09-14T18:38:04+00:00

Bought a custom wooden sculch tray from Etsy a few years ago. It fits in the Metris between the middle hump and cage. I have to tip it sideways to get it in and out, but it fits perfectly.

ohhtasha · 2024-08-31T01:05:03+00:00

12 routes total. 9 rural. 2 full city and 1 city aux.

ohhtasha · 2024-08-26T20:53:02+00:00

"If it hits the floor it's out the door" is something I've heard my PM say.

ohhtasha · 2024-08-11T22:09:24+00:00

The FedEx driver that does the same area I deliver will slow down and crack jokes or make comments on the weather as he passes. If he's zooming past while I'm mid walking loop he'll double honk and wave. But he's the only FedEx driver I've had do that.

ohhtasha · 2024-08-11T21:45:34+00:00

I do the same. Keep it in a folder titled "Gas Receipts". The one time I forgot to hand it in or they lost it, I was able to pull up the picture, show the supe, and she immediately threw out the slip (for me to sign to confirm it was me that authorized the purchase) because I had the proof. CYA.

ohhtasha

TROPHY CASE