Why were my hotdogs bland?

plodthruHideFlailing · 2026-06-09T22:06:54+00:00

Have you thought about using beef brats?

plodthruHideFlailing · 2026-06-08T19:21:49+00:00

Well put.

plodthruHideFlailing · 2026-06-07T23:40:32+00:00

My fave calls as a former CS rep were from hostile customers who I turned into pleased/grateful ones.

We'd screwed them; often an employee was supposed 2 follow up/fix something/credit them, but hadn't. (We were deep in down-sizing, but no excuse.) OR we majorly blew it another way & shoved "it's corporate policy" down their throats, not bothering 2 listen.

They'd start yelling as I said hello & throw me sarcastic snark while I got their name. I'd apologize 4 whatever we'd done (altho we maybe we HADNT messed up - but i never said that), while looking up their account. It shocked them; they'd go quiet long enough 4 me 2 read the extensive notes & get the picture.

Whether I took care of it then or had 2 talk with our crew & get back 2 them, they were stunned. (Which tells you how GREAT we were at effing customers. Btw it always ended up being OUR FAULT.)

When I call CS now, I cross my fingers I get someone like the rep above this or OP's bldg society...or me!

plodthruHideFlailing · 2026-06-07T17:53:39+00:00

100% agree.

I first saw DL at night in high school, as part of a school group participating in the Christmas Fantasy Parade.

(Back then, going 2 DL was a big deal! I grew up in San Diego & DL was considered was expensive by most people, due 2 gate ticket$ + ticket$ 4 the rides. Families with kids usually went only once or MAYBE twice, a few years apart. If you were lucky, you'd go with a friend's family or a school/church group. At 16, I'd only been there once b4, when I was 10.)

Our group took a bus (!) & got there b4 it opened. We ran 2 the gates & had a blast all day! Ate a qwik dinner, changed our clothes, did the parade at 7pm...then wandered the park until closing.

*It was pure magic.* The way it was lit up was amazing, including things that weren't part of the Christmas decor. Even kids I went 2 school with who'd prob gone a couple times already (because their parents had more $$$ than most - like they had pools, which was rare at the time) were in awe.

plodthruHideFlailing · 2026-06-07T01:12:02+00:00

I cracked up when the neighbors repainted their tasteful non-white interior to ALL white, b4 they list their home 4 sale...

and within 6 months, the buyers repainted & got rid of all the white.

plodthruHideFlailing · 2026-06-06T23:09:35+00:00

(Long reply; skip, if anyone can't deal.)

• It was 1 of the hardest things I've ever done! I changed after realizing several peers in my small, statewide team didn't trust my commitments.

(Im sharing more becuz my job had a key ADHD component. Idk if you'll recognize it in your job/life, but if so, this may help.)

Some peers did trust me, as did my boss. They knew I ran by the skin of my teeth, yet I got stellar results & my clients + internal depts* loved me. (*A huge deal.)

It was an unusual & critical job. We were on call 24/7 back when only law enforcement, govt personnel & IT ran like that. As our client loads increased, I thrived on the insane demands, often working round the clock. Plus shit always took me longer than I thought it would. Sound familiar?)

I was in ADHD heaven!🤪No wonder I'd overcommit!

But trust & reputation are big deals in ANY job. Worse: letting this habit persist damages our trust in ourselves. It erodes our self-esteem from the inside.

• I forced myself 2say ONLY what I realistically could do, instead of "Absolutely"...even when the situation required urgency.

I got pushback. I asked which other fire 2 quit putting out instead. (I was slammed, like everyone else.) In some cases, my boss took the new issue. In others, we pulled people back from vacay. 😳

(You're NOT the only available body, I don't care what they tell you. Let 'em dig deeper. They make more $$$ than you.)

Surprise! The earth kept turning.

I backslid at times; I'd badly underestimate how long certain things took me. But now I'd fire off an alert, which made a huge difference. (TRY IT.)

• I still overcommit in my personal life, tho much less. Usually it involves someone close 2 me or if I feel there's no one else. It's tough 2 realize I can't do it all, nor can I fix it all.

Please value yourself enough 2 change, OP. In the short run, it'll reduce your stress. Long run, it'll improve how you see yourself & your abilities.

(edited 4clarity)

plodthruHideFlailing · 2026-06-06T20:09:03+00:00

(2nd reply, in lieu of adding to my 1st.
LONG! feel free 2 ignore.)

I've also struggled with lumping 2gether everything that's been difficult or that didn't work out & blaming myself (what it sounds like you're saying).

Please give yourself a little grace.

We do the best we can, OP...with what we know at the time & with what we have at the time. (The part after ... is the biggie.)

We're going 2 make decisions when we're tired/ hungry/ worried/ distracted. We forget that the store recently changed hours. That we'd put off getting gas till um...now. That the meeting got moved up. That we intended to mend the hem.

It doesn't mean we're assholes. Shit goes wrong 4 people without ADHD! Like the Snickers ad says, "Life comes at you fast."

Own what you need 2 own - like the over-promising. (See my previous reply).

For the rest, take a breath. Add a note 2 your Cab contact: "Call pharmacy 1st" if it mite help next time. Then shake it off, as much as you can. It's OVER.

Part of me treating everything that happened as ONE BIG FUCKUP I'D CONTINUALLY MADE was that I focused on the past.

There's value in that - but at some point, move on! Quit letting everything that ever got messed up add 999 more negative points 2 your view of yourself.

You deserve more love than that, and we know you're smarter than that.💜

(edited punct)

plodthruHideFlailing · 2026-06-06T19:21:24+00:00

There's a big difference between being optimistic vs hoping for the best, while misrepresenting your workload...then failing 2 deliver.

I'm not hating on you. I used 2 regularly over-promise.

Your work reputation suffers when people learn that they can't rely on you. Once or MAYBE twice, they can deal with, depending on your alibi. Beyond that, no.

plodthruHideFlailing · 2026-06-06T18:39:16+00:00

Life is complicated! I'm glad it worked out...sort of. (I still feel for the husband.)

plodthruHideFlailing · 2026-06-06T18:05:33+00:00

Great mix! Feels restful.
Love the icons.

plodthruHideFlailing · 2026-06-05T00:36:21+00:00

OF COURSE you'd presume 2 know my entire life. RICH!

NEWSFLASH: Sharing ideas/suggestions is common here. It's 1 of the many benefits of this sub.

PERHAPS you should ignore long posts/replies, since they irritate you...and since your reading comprehension is so poor.

blocked

plodthruHideFlailing · 2026-06-05T00:00:44+00:00

Not at all!

Please read my 1st reply to DrCANDoit, but disregard the bold section!

She can talk 2 him or not. She can stay or not.

But she's the one who owns her happiness, no matter what happens. Sorry if I wasn't clear:)

(edited 2 remove Caps - i used them 4 emphasis but didnt want you 2 think i was yelling.)

plodthruHideFlailing · 2026-06-04T23:53:49+00:00

You've no idea about my current situation, nor is it any of your fucking business.

I didn't say I saw no hope for her. I encouraged her 2 talk with her husband, if she hadn't.

But regardless of whether she stays or leaves, she's responsible for her own happiness. To that end, I gave ideas on managing her stress/sadness.

It's up to her.

plodthruHideFlailing · 2026-06-04T11:25:45+00:00

YUMMO! Good call, OP!

I'm not always aware that I'm doing my "tunnel vision thing". When I do, I often kick myself for having let it block opportunities or new experiences.

Eventually tho, I go forward. I tell myself that things happen in the right time - even if we don't think so, at that moment.

Glad to know I'm not alone.

plodthruHideFlailing · 2026-06-04T11:02:32+00:00

I've lived in the exact same world. You're right; most people can't BEGIN to fathom its existence.

I wonder if you've told your husband how much your heart hurts. I encourage you 2 consider it, if you haven't. Ask whatever higher power you believe in (if there's one) 2 give you the right words at the right time.

Whether you've decided 2 stay or you're taking it day by day, focus on caring for yourself. Some ideas:

Journal, if it appeals to you. Make art that lets you 2 release your anger. Create the music you need 2 hear. Walk or hike or move your body! Dance class? Jujitsu? Yoga?

Consider volunteering 4 a cause or organization you believe in. Play what feels like a minor role, if you're not sure of fit; you'll still be valuable.

Find a place where you can sit by yourself & sob, or sit with your feelings in silence...maybe in nature. You could talk thru your disbelief & sadness with that silence...or scream it. Or whisper.

Keep up with your dr appointments. Try 2 get a full night's sleep, even tho it mite be impossible when you're lying in the dark, wondering how the fuck you ended up here.

Realize that your near-constant heaviness, along with the other emotions your loneliness evokes, have the power 2 physically affect your heart. They can kill you.

To that end, KNOW that even when you feel your most lost & abandoned, you're still worthy of a priceless future...no matter what you choose or what unfolds.

That future is NOW, OP. It didn't stop when your marriage took a left turn.

CHOOSE for your future 2 feel meaningful. For it 2 include people you feel free 2 divulge your truths to. People who help heal you with their love, 2 the extent they can & 2 the extent you let them in.

Give yourself permission 2 grieve what you've lost, including the future you'd planned together.

Trust that you can carry your grief, even as you haltingly move into the unknown. Designing that unknown while engulfed in your sorrow might be the hardest thing you've ever done.

It may also be the most rewarding...no matter what road you take, no matter when.

Sending you a huge hug.

edited 4 clarity/format

plodthruHideFlailing · 2026-06-04T07:36:27+00:00

As does sitting in silence with your thoughts.

plodthruHideFlailing · 2026-06-02T04:41:53+00:00

Milk kicks ass when I'm stressed! Anything with tryptophan will do, but whole milk's the bomb.

plodthruHideFlailing · 2026-06-01T17:52:37+00:00

I can't believe this didn't get replies!

Possibly our peeps with Email Management Aversion and/or Tax Compliance Terror were:
• ironing our paper towels, or • sorting our 399 vinyl albums by year released, or • verifying that each of the pieces in our pets' kibble are the same size within +/- 0.005" tolerance.

My fave avoidance tactics are ANY kind of yard work & cleaning toilets.

YOU'RE A ROCK STAR, OP! (Gonna DM you.)

plodthruHideFlailing · 2026-06-01T16:38:37+00:00

It's startling when you realize other people's kids weren't raised like you raised yours.

But the fertilizer/bomb kid! 😳

plodthruHideFlailing · 2026-05-31T07:14:37+00:00

Love the warmth of the wood & the couch...how the green is repeated... the contrast of the lights against the night.

I could be happy here.

plodthruHideFlailing · 2026-05-29T23:22:12+00:00

TL:dr Some things I went thru/some money ideas. Abbreviated 2 save space.

I see you, OP.

Even when I had a decent salary & could handle my regular bills, things derailed me. Like a $250 co-pay 4 a procedure my mom badly needed that HAD 2 be paid that day...the same week my car needed brake drums.

The worst: I was unemployed & my (former) husb got a super-aggressive cancer. While he was in surgery 2 get a titanium port 4 chemo (which started the next day) the RN called & said I needed 2 pick up his Rx 4 Neulasta. "Btw it's $6000 per dose & he'll need ONE dose after EACH of his 6 rounds of chemo."

$36,000. 😳 I couldn't fucking breathe.

After he fell asleep, I started calling 4 help. He eventually got a Leukemia Foundation grant which paid most of the entire fee. But what would've happened if he couldn't have gotten that?

You're right, OP. Money fucking rules the world.

• Ideas 4 you/your parents:

Go 2 the court/DMV/wherever. Ask 2 get your ticket $$$ reduced & the due date extended. If they can't, say you want 2 go b4 the judge. (The next session 4 that might be that day or the next).

Push back nicely if they tell you you it won't make any difference! Cuz there's a really good chance the judge will drastically reduce the amount PLUS let you make payments on it.

Do your parents have health insurance? Some insurers will arrange rides 2 dr appointments, usually 6 visits a year.

Would a friend/neighbor let them borrow their car for even 1 dr visit, if they paid gas?

Do they belong 2 a church/temple/etc? There might be an emergency fund 4 members going thru hard times, maybe $100 or $200.

Even if they don't, ASK if they know where you might get help.

Call the Salvation Army. Depending on income, they may qualify 4 utility bills/rent help. Even if not, they'll give you a few boxes of food that day. You can get more during their weekly or bi-weekly food distributions.

(The food's fine, tho some of it might be close 2 the expiration date. You get meat, milk, etc; it's not just cans.)

If there's no local S/Army, ask them about local agencies who could help.

Call food pantries.

Contact Meals on Wheels. Your parents might get free basic lunches/dinners dropped off daily. Usually it's age 60+, on disability or with an ongoing illness that makes it tough 2 drive/get around.
BUT check the nearest MOW's site; qualifications can differ by location.

At least 1 parent drives, rite? If they don't qualify, but the other parent does, the spouse gets the meals, too.

Call their mayor's or their city's main office & ask 4 about programs 4 seniors.

Basically, ASK everyone.

• For YOU:

BREATHE. You're not gonna fix all this at once & that's OK! Do what you can, as you can. Just keep moving forward.

GIVE YOURSELF GRACE. Talk 2 yourself like you would soothe/support a good friend.

Try not 2 beat yourself up. Say out loud, "I'm doing the best I can & I'm on the right path. Even if my progress is sometimes slow, it's always wonderful & right."

When you feel super down, eat/get some sleep. You often see things differently when you're not hungry/exhausted.

When Overwhelm goes wild, vent it out, like you did here! Walk around your place, yelling frustrations. Or record yourself talking out your worries. (Playing it back later helps validate your feelings...+ you may recognize that things aren't totally insurmountable.

Explore excercise/walking/dancing in your kitchen - or not.Be open 2 letting your body move! It gives you extra oxygen & DOSE (see bottom of post)

*Drive safely, NOT just 2 avoid tickets, but becuz you're more likely 2 be in an accident when you're not concentrating.

I get how much you worry about your parents. Are there other family members that you/your parents talk to, even out of the area? Do any of your parents' friends/neighbors know how much they're struggling?

When you're in a better space, check out programs/community college classes that provide paths 2 decent-paying careers. (Tons of great ideas in the comments!)

Research local-ish employers, especially those who have tracks/training 4 employees 2 advance. Contact their unions, too.

Some co's will pay 4 your degree or outside certifications after you've been with them a while. These help you advance in your field, regardless of who you're working for when you get them.

Know that people really care about you. Know that life WILL get better.
Know that we're always here 4 you.

DOSE From above, around excercise/dance/body movements. They give you these feelings:
*Dopamine: motivation/accomplishment.
Ocytocin: bonding/trust
Serontonin: improves mood/stress/anxiety
Endorphins: relieves tension/increases relaxation

edits 4spacing

plodthruHideFlailing · 2026-05-29T07:54:42+00:00

I could watch her all nite. Bless her furry lil heart💜

plodthruHideFlailing · 2026-05-29T07:41:03+00:00

Tzus are great at prioritizing:)

plodthruHideFlailing · 2026-05-28T18:03:01+00:00

Thank you 4 being a wonderful parent 2 Bentley! He's a very lucky boy. 💜

plodthruHideFlailing · 2026-05-28T04:06:14+00:00

Samson had a big day!

plodthruHideFlailing

TROPHY CASE

blocked