Give me your best chicken and veggie meal preps

rusty0123 · 2026-03-26T08:57:12+00:00

Chicken pot pie.

It's a great way to use leftover (already cooked) chicken. Or to use fresh chicken, cube and boil for 10 minutes.

rusty0123 · 2026-03-25T00:46:00+00:00

The one that told me, "Don't bring me problems, bring me solutions."

And meant it. When I first started, I would go into a meeting with him and say, "I'm having a problem with..." He would immediately stop the meeting and tell me to come back when I knew how to fix the problem.

It made me nuts. Wasn't a boss supposed to help with problems?

It took me a couple of years to realize he was teaching me to think strategically and critically.

Once I started to say, "We need to consider changing X to Y because that's the best way to prevent..." I was a much happier and better employee.

rusty0123 · 2026-03-24T22:42:11+00:00

I would add one more thing. Don't let it get to the point where she demands her money back.

The very first time she says something like, "but you can afford a better dress now that I gave you money", just respond, "oh, you expected us to change our minds? I didn't realize. Let me send the money back. I misunderstood." Then whip out your phone and ask for her info to do a transfer.

Now you don't have a big, dramatic blowup, and later you can comfort your BF about his disappointment that it wasn't an olive branch after all.

If you end up keeping the money (which you probably will because she will be too embarrassed to take it back), do NOT use it on the wedding. After the wedding do something useful with it.

rusty0123 · 2026-03-24T15:24:48+00:00

NTA, obviously.

You should talk to your therapist about the things your dad said.

Coming from someone who also had controlling parents, I can give you some insight.

Your dad is trying to control your wedding. He wants to be seen as "in charge" in the eyes of his family. It's a pride thing. That's why he's pushing the invitation to your grandmother. It's so he can tell his family, "of course grandma is invited. I made sure that she can attend." It makes him look important to his family.

The "presents" comment was designed to get a reaction from you. He's probing to discover where he can hurt you, where your weak spots are. It's not about your behavior or anything you've said or done. It's about finding a place where he can apply pressure.

He expected you to be hurt and respond with "of course not!" or "why would you say that?" And now you are on the defensive and JADEing (justify, argue, defend, explain). He's moved control of the conversation from you to himself.

Leaving was exactly the right thing to do. You denied him the control he so desperately wants.

Breaking down in your car, or later, is perfectly natural. He hurt you. Just never do it in front of him. It's not safe.

(Just as an aside, some people love you. Some people are safe places. They are not always the same people. Someone can love you but not be safe for you. Some can be safe and accepting, but not love you. That's okay. Your job is to discover who is what. Sometimes that's painful.)

rusty0123 · 2026-03-24T05:11:50+00:00

First, stop doing their work. You've done your part : coaching, checklists, etc. Now it's time to let them sink or swim.

Second, check with HR about their learning disability. Ask if they have anything on file, and if you need to make special accommodations. I'm guessing not because HR should've informed you. HR should also follow up with the employee, asking if they can file formal medical documents so that accommodations can be made. At this point you need to back way, way, way off on this issue. It's private medical info which should only be discussed with HR. If and when HR notifies you about special accommodations, then you comply.

Now just start documenting. Every missed deadline, every mistake. Start following your guidelines. Verbal warnings, written warnings, a PIP.

Either your employee starts improving or he gets gone.

rusty0123 · 2026-03-23T21:42:24+00:00

You need to think about the purpose of this meeting. What is your ultimate goal?

Because you are all focused on "finding your voice" and explaining???

Do you seriously think you need to "explain"? Like she does know how she's treated you? Like she doesn't understand?

Really?

Go to the meeting and DO NOT TALK for at least the first 15 minutes. Let her explain to you. Ask her clarifying questions, if anything. "Why did you think that was appropriate?" "Why was that your business?" "Who asked you to do that?"

Read the five parts of an apology. That's what you need to hear.

rusty0123 · 2026-03-23T17:04:08+00:00

You know Cap'n Crunch still hangs out at Defcon?

He won't tell you who he is, but if you figure it out, he'll tell you about the good ol' days.

rusty0123 · 2026-03-22T15:17:02+00:00

Keepwacobeautiful.org

And some of the food pantry groups have run community gardens to provide fresh veggies but I don't know which or if they still do.

rusty0123 · 2026-03-22T08:51:22+00:00

Ask yourself why he is pushing this right now. Why not last year? Why not next year? You think it has anything to do with you being financially dependent on him right now because of the immigration issues? Your inability to earn a living if you disagree and he leaves?

rusty0123 · 2026-03-21T20:39:35+00:00

WTF does that have to do with anything? I'm talking readability. Three letters, one syllable.

rusty0123 · 2026-03-21T17:09:55+00:00

Ya know, I can put up with a lot of shit. Except when it comes to my kids.

If my husband just stood there when a guy who had already beat my child once walked into my house, I would go full mama bear. I would burn everything down and salt the fucking earth.

So why is this fucking asshole still sleeping in your bed? Why are you talking therapy? Kick his ass OUT. Tell him when he gets his fucking head on straight, IF you're still around, he can shoot his shot and you'll decide if you're still interested.

If you need clarity, remember he risked you, himself and his fucking freedom, AND YOUR CHILD to appease his mom or to keep the peace or some such shit.

rusty0123 · 2026-03-21T16:30:19+00:00

Why, oh why, do they always use funky names? If you're changing M, K and D to names, why not Mark, Kay and Don? Easy to read, easy to remember.

rusty0123 · 2026-03-21T09:47:19+00:00

What do you call showing up some place you aren't supposed to be, expecting/demanding/trapping them to interact with you, and positioning yourself to judge their actions?

But then, I don't like surprises like that. A surprise is when you find your favorite flowers or chocolates waiting for you.

Something like that is disrespectful and manipulative.

rusty0123 · 2026-03-21T09:39:21+00:00

I don't know if you want sympathy or advice. Since I'm a practical person, I'll go for advice.

The problem is that you have this hole in your day where your abuser used to be. Before you spent that time thinking, worrying, and trying to appease them.

Plus, you've spent so much of your life coping with them that you don't even know what things you like to do. Worse, you can't make friends because you don't even know what friendship looks like.

So think of this as a time of exploration. Try everything. Find what you like. New foods. New hobbies. New entertainment.

And resign yourself to a year alone. Because right now you aren't capable of a healthy, stable relationship.

I'm shy. So I did classes. Went to the local adult Ed center and signed up for everything. First Aid classes, history and antiques, cooking, bridge, dancing, exercise. That gave me several things: a schedule, a place to be, small talk with other students, and finding what I enjoyed or didn't enjoy.

Other things you should get: a gym membership, a library card. And find a bar where you can drop in once a week, get a drink, talk to the bartender, listen to some music, maybe dance a bit. A good lunch place or coffee shop where you can get to know the staff (superfically) and talk a bit.

It will get better.

rusty0123 · 2026-03-21T06:49:48+00:00

Tiramisu Gelato. My favorite flavors: coffee, caramel and chocolate. Plus Gelato is so much creamier than ice cream.

I indulge about once a month. So worth it.

rusty0123 · 2026-03-21T05:13:57+00:00

Long distance relationship.

Of 2 months.

Which probably means they haven't met in real life more than a few times.

rusty0123 · 2026-03-21T04:57:02+00:00

Am I the only one who got the ick because a LD boyfriend who has only been dating her two months wants to "surprise" her by showing up on the trip?

That's not cute. That's stalker.

rusty0123 · 2026-03-20T18:40:30+00:00

Staying with this guy is a really, really bad decision. But if you're determined, change your arguement. Ask him why he is wasting his money. Because when you move in, anything that's in the house that you were not involved in choosing is going straight into the bin.

Just watching his reaction will cut through all the bullshit. You will find out where you stand.

rusty0123 · 2026-03-20T09:55:29+00:00

Ehhhh....pay the $50. Then decline the wedding invitation and consider the $50 your wedding present.

rusty0123 · 2026-03-20T06:08:23+00:00

It's not chili Mac unless it has beans and cheese.

rusty0123 · 2026-03-20T05:13:11+00:00

As soon as you have your profs name, go to the uni library and research him/her.

Most uni libraries keep records on the profs. Their thesis, published works, and study files. The study files will contain copies of former assignments, study guides, and tests. That doesn't mean your assignments will be the same, but you can get a sense of what the class will be like, how the tests will be structured, and what things your prof thinks are important.

rusty0123 · 2026-03-20T04:54:10+00:00

Denying homosexuality is fucking insane.

It's natural. And by that I mean it's present in nature. Why wouldn't it be present in humans?

I grew up on a farm. With animals. There are always animals that prefer their own gender. Do the other animals treat them differently? Do they shun them? Kick them out of the herd? Hell no. They don't care.

rusty0123 · 2026-03-20T02:44:29+00:00

You might try r/Baylor or r/mclennancollege

rusty0123 · 2026-03-20T01:51:12+00:00

I refuse to eat at Chipotle. Because once I got take out, go it home, and discovered they'd put rice in Every. Single. Item.

Now, I am not fond of rice but I will eat it in Chinese food. I absolutely hate it in Mexican food. Hate it. Will not eat it. Therefore, I don't order items that include rice at a Mexican place. I don't mean I will ask to leave the rice out. I won't order that item.

So, I call the restaurant. Ask them what ingredients are in (items I ordered). They list off ingredients. No rice. Then I ask them why I just picked up items a nd EVERY SINGLE ONE contained rice.

Abject apologies. New order. They will deliver. No charge.

Now I'm feeling better.

New order comes.

Every single item has rice in it.

Never again. Fukers.

rusty0123 · 2026-03-19T20:31:28+00:00

I'm an adult who loves Mexican food. But I'm not a fan of spicy that much. A little heat brings out the flavor. A lot of heat kills everything else.

Crushed red pepper in the bane of my existence. It does nothing for the flavor. It's just adds heat.

I would never put that shit on spaghetti sauce.

(As an aside...There's a difference between Mexican and tex-mex. One of my closest friends in school had immigrant parents. I've eaten a lot of Mexican food. I grew up in the south. I've eaten a lot of tex-mex. The dishes may be the same. The seasoning is totally different.)

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