Confessions

plainjane0415 · April 2015

Heffalump said:
I can't sew. Nothing. Maybe a button if it's an emergency, but that's it. Hemming anything? Forget it.

I can't French braid. I look at the pictures, I watch the videos, but I can't translate what I'm seeing into whatever I'm supposed to be doing with my hands.

And pastry. Anything where you have flour and butter or shortening and it's supposed to magically turn into biscuits or pie crust or whatever? I always end up with a pile of crumbs, way less dough than I should have, and if I keep going, the finished product doesn't taste like anything. I can bake normal things (cookies, muffins, cakes), but I have to buy all my pie crusts and biscuits. And I moved to the south, so I'm pretty sure I'm supposed to be ashamed about the biscuits.

FWIW, I learned to drive a stick and eventually decided it was completely overrated. My current car is an automatic and I am never going back. (Also my mother can fold fitted sheets, somehow, but it must have skipped a generation.)

Me too! ALL OF THIS.

cupcait927 · April 2015

kvruns said:

hicoco said:
I don't fully understand how my health insurance works and I've been on it a year.
I work in health insurance if you ever have any questions or want to be pointed toward some resources for understanding the basics

I do as well! I am always willing to help someone understand their plan or answer questions.

jenna8984 · April 2015

OliveOilsMom said:

jenna8984 said:
I understand the stick shift, I just have a hard time finding that exact balancing spot between stalling and peeling out.
But I was also using bobby pins wrong until about 2 months ago.

My failure thing is baking. I can COOK amazing meals but I literally can't bake a muffin or cupcake to save my life. I always follow the directions and it always burns on the bottom. In every different oven in every different home/apartment.

What color is your bakeware? Is it darker gray like Calphalon? You should try baking your items about 25 degrees lower than the recipe. Take a few minutes off your cook time too. I also recommend a cake tester, they cost a few bucks and come in handy. You can also use metal skewers or uncooked thin spaghetti. Insert it into your cake and if it comes out clear, it is done!
Darker colored bakeware cooks faster and hotter. Also, make sure you are baking in the direct center of the oven.

When I try with a toothpick, I'm like "sweet it's done!" and then I find out the bottoms are frigen burnt. But I will try some of these other tips- thanks!!

jenna8984 · April 2015

@amelisha I have all the lefty problems too! Lighters, can openers, scissors, measuring cups.

novella1186 · April 2015

jenna8984 said:
@amelisha I have all the lefty problems too! Lighters, can openers, scissors, measuring cups.

Me too. The damn scissors are the worst.

Cookie Pusher · April 2015

OliveOilsMom said:

jenna8984 said:
I understand the stick shift, I just have a hard time finding that exact balancing spot between stalling and peeling out.
But I was also using bobby pins wrong until about 2 months ago.

My failure thing is baking. I can COOK amazing meals but I literally can't bake a muffin or cupcake to save my life. I always follow the directions and it always burns on the bottom. In every different oven in every different home/apartment.

What color is your bakeware? Is it darker gray like Calphalon? You should try baking your items about 25 degrees lower than the recipe. Take a few minutes off your cook time too. I also recommend a cake tester, they cost a few bucks and come in handy. You can also use metal skewers or uncooked thin spaghetti. Insert it into your cake and if it comes out clear, it is done!
Darker colored bakeware cooks faster and hotter. Also, make sure you are baking in the direct center of the oven.

Also, rotate whatever you're cooking about halfway through. Your oven may have "hot spots", and this will help to even it out.

amelisha · April 2015

jenna8984 said:
@amelisha I have all the lefty problems too! Lighters, can openers, scissors, measuring cups.

I hate liquid measuring cups. I want some left-handed ones. And I want a mug with the design on the proper side.

I'm pretty good with scissors now but I hate curling ribbon for gifts. And I bought one of those Starfrit can openers that goes on the top instead of the side of the can, which also helps. But I'm one of those people who can't do anything at all right-handed. I play every sport left-handed, guitar, video game controllers infuriate me because they feel "wrong"...

hellosweetie1015 · April 2015

I cannot fold a fitted sheet to save my life. That's why I only ever want to have one, in a neutral. I can swap out tops to match the fitted, and wash the fitted in a day, and NEVER EVER HAVE TO FOLD IT. Muahahaha.

Also I'm the only one in my family who cannot drive stick, and as a Southern Lady my biscuits are an embarrassment.. I'm extremely ashamed.

NowIamMrsKlein · April 2015

I'm terrified of cooking rice. The first time I made rice was when FI forced me to do it once we lived together. I was 27.

I technically know how to do it now, but I would never cook it for myself if FI was away for work. Which is silly because I love rice. And it really isn't that difficult. I just have a weird mental block on it. I think because growing up I always heard things like 'if you touch the rice before its done, there will be doom.'

Cookie Pusher · April 2015

SoontobeMrsKlein said:
I'm terrified of cooking rice. The first time I made rice was when FI forced me to do it once we lived together. I was 27.

I technically know how to do it now, but I would never cook it for myself if FI was away for work. Which is silly because I love rice. And it really isn't that difficult. I just have a weird mental block on it. I think because growing up I always heard things like 'if you touch the rice before its done, there will be doom.'

Get a rice cooker. Seriously, it makes it so hard to fuck up. They have small, cheap ones at Walmart. I don't know what I'd do without mine.

ShesSoCold · April 2015

Cookie Pusher said:

SoontobeMrsKlein said:
I'm terrified of cooking rice. The first time I made rice was when FI forced me to do it once we lived together. I was 27.

I technically know how to do it now, but I would never cook it for myself if FI was away for work. Which is silly because I love rice. And it really isn't that difficult. I just have a weird mental block on it. I think because growing up I always heard things like 'if you touch the rice before its done, there will be doom.'

Get a rice cooker. Seriously, it makes it so hard to fuck up. They have small, cheap ones at Walmart. I don't know what I'd do without mine.

I was just going to say this. I can cook well and I can cook some complicated shit but I ALWAYS fuck up rice. ALWAYS. The rice cooker we got for Christmas last year is a godsend.

novella1186 · April 2015

Cookie Pusher said:

SoontobeMrsKlein said:
I'm terrified of cooking rice. The first time I made rice was when FI forced me to do it once we lived together. I was 27.

I technically know how to do it now, but I would never cook it for myself if FI was away for work. Which is silly because I love rice. And it really isn't that difficult. I just have a weird mental block on it. I think because growing up I always heard things like 'if you touch the rice before its done, there will be doom.'

Get a rice cooker. Seriously, it makes it so hard to fuck up. They have small, cheap ones at Walmart. I don't know what I'd do without mine.

I just do Minute Rice. You measure the water, boil it, remove it from the heat, measure the rice, pour it in, put a lid on the pot, let it steam for a few minutes, done. It's super easy, and this is coming from a person who once spent 45 minutes making a grilled cheese sandwich which ended up in garbage.

sarahufl · April 2015

Cookie Pusher said:

SoontobeMrsKlein said:
I'm terrified of cooking rice. The first time I made rice was when FI forced me to do it once we lived together. I was 27.

I technically know how to do it now, but I would never cook it for myself if FI was away for work. Which is silly because I love rice. And it really isn't that difficult. I just have a weird mental block on it. I think because growing up I always heard things like 'if you touch the rice before its done, there will be doom.'

Get a rice cooker. Seriously, it makes it so hard to fuck up. They have small, cheap ones at Walmart. I don't know what I'd do without mine.

We got one for our wedding and I have yet to use it. Maybe this week

Maggie0829 · April 2015

I don't fully understand a lot of things, but am good at playing it off like I do.

Things that make me go huh...

1) 401Ks/investments

2) Taxes

3) Health insurance/HSAs

4) Any other type of insurance

Basically I leave all of this shit up to a professional/my Dad who seems to know everything.

Up until I got my dog I had no idea that you had to register dogs.

I just learned about the bobby pin thing, but for the life of me I cannot get the bobby pin to work the "right" way. The bottom portion goes one direction and the top portion goes the other. So I just use them the "wrong" way cause that way has worked just fine.

I am actually really good at folding fitted sheets.

I am horrible at curling my hair. I have watched youtube videos of how to get pretty beachy waves but my hair ends up looking like Shirley Temple or one of the Duggar girls when they use to have super curly hair.

I can only whistle if I suck in.

NowIamMrsKlein · April 2015

ShesSoCold said:

Cookie Pusher said:

SoontobeMrsKlein said:
I'm terrified of cooking rice. The first time I made rice was when FI forced me to do it once we lived together. I was 27.

I technically know how to do it now, but I would never cook it for myself if FI was away for work. Which is silly because I love rice. And it really isn't that difficult. I just have a weird mental block on it. I think because growing up I always heard things like 'if you touch the rice before its done, there will be doom.'

Get a rice cooker. Seriously, it makes it so hard to fuck up. They have small, cheap ones at Walmart. I don't know what I'd do without mine.
I was just going to say this. I can cook well and I can cook some complicated shit but I ALWAYS fuck up rice. ALWAYS. The rice cooker we got for Christmas last year is a godsend.

ShesSoCold said:

ShesSoCold said:
Agreed, its so silly. I love to cook and bake and try new recipes, but that damn rice gets me every time. Perhaps I should throw a rice cooker on the registry;)

ETA: WTF Boxes?!?

kvruns · April 2015

Maggie0829 said:
I don't fully understand a lot of things, but am good at playing it off like I do.

Things that make me go huh...
1) 401Ks/investments
2) Taxes
3) Health insurance/HSAs
4) Any other type of insurance

Basically I leave all of this shit up to a professional/my Dad who seems to know everything.

HSAs are something I answer questions about all the time so you're not alone! Usually it is questions about whether or not you can use the $$ for XYZ or what the maximum contributions are which are pretty basic but there can be some weird stuff too.

KatWAG · April 2015

I have no idea how to create "beachy waves" or loose curls in my hair.

Maggie0829 · April 2015

SoontobeMrsKlein said:
I'm terrified of cooking rice. The first time I made rice was when FI forced me to do it once we lived together. I was 27.

I technically know how to do it now, but I would never cook it for myself if FI was away for work. Which is silly because I love rice. And it really isn't that difficult. I just have a weird mental block on it. I think because growing up I always heard things like 'if you touch the rice before its done, there will be doom.'

Yeah, that is not true. I make rice a lot. The only time where you really need to watch it is in the final stages because it can start burning to the bottom or your pan quick. But when I cook rice I stir it every so often. I also add a touch more water then what the directions say because I always tend to keep the heat slightly higher then it should be (haven't found that sweet spot on my burner dial yet) so the water boils off a bit quicker. Also, once the water is gone I turn off the heat and just let the rice sit covered for a bit while I get the rest of the meal done and that helps to further steam the rice to perfect done-ness.

levioosa · April 2015

KatWAG said:
I have no idea how to create "beachy waves" or loose curls in my hair.

Ditto. I can't curl my hair to save my life.

ShesSoCold · April 2015

I don't even own a curling iron. My hair is waist-length. I tried curling it like twice in high school and said "Fuuuuuck this" and never gave another shit.

Every once in a while I think, "maybe I should learn how to do my own hair" and then I google for like 2.5 minutes, get overwhelmed and move in.

Cookie Pusher · April 2015

sarahufl said:
We got one for our wedding and I have yet to use it. Maybe this week

SoontobeMrsKlein said:
Agreed, its so silly. I love to cook and bake and try new recipes, but that damn rice gets me every time. Perhaps I should throw a rice cooker on the registry;)

I always grew up with a rice cooker. We had one of the giant ones you can fit a small child in our restaurant and a mid-sized (I think 6 or 8 cup?) one at home. I got my own 3-cup cooker in college since we weren't allowed to have hot plates or toaster ovens in our dorm. I used it for rice a lot, but you can use it to steam vegetables, make pasta, reheat leftovers, and a billion other things.

My favorite part, though, is that I can store any uneaten rice directly in there. I always make a big pot of rice for fried rice, but it has to be chilled before I can use it - this way, I don't need to dirty up another container.

plainjane0415 · April 2015

KatWAG said:
I have no idea how to create "beachy waves" or loose curls in my hair.

Three Words:

Clipless Curling Wand

Trust me on this!

arrippa · April 2015

I have no idea how to get my hair straight. Even with blow drying and straightener, my hair always has frizz.

What I want

What I have

knottie9c5ed33df4bbd226 · April 2015

kvruns, thank you so much for the offer! I have Cigna right now and I am just trying to hang on until we get married in October so I can get on FI's BCBS. And then I will be even more confused, I'm sure!

bethsmiles · April 2015

@arrippa - I use john frieda frizz ease products. They work really well on my hair which looks pretty similar to yours.

I second @plainjane0415 's clipless curling wand suggestion. I could never curl my hair before I bought one. Now I can but it still takes an eternity.

I'm awful at backing out of parking spaces. I just can't do it faster than a snail's pace. My mom kicked me out of the driver's seat last time she was with me when I had to back out of a parking space.

littlepep · April 2015

plainjane0415 said:

KatWAG said:
I have no idea how to create "beachy waves" or loose curls in my hair.

Three Words:
Clipless Curling Wand
Trust me on this!

Yeah I have a curling wand and it works great when I get it right, but I always burn myself.

twoleighs · April 2015

SoontobeMrsKlein said:
I'm terrified of cooking rice. The first time I made rice was when FI forced me to do it once we lived together. I was 27.

I technically know how to do it now, but I would never cook it for myself if FI was away for work. Which is silly because I love rice. And it really isn't that difficult. I just have a weird mental block on it. I think because growing up I always heard things like 'if you touch the rice before its done, there will be doom.'

Bolded: My mom always threatened doom when she made rice too!! I think she just didn't want curious me lifting the lid 8 bazillion times to peek into the pan.....

I pretty much learned how to drive on a stick shift and have driven one ever since. Automatic transmission cars make me angry. DO NOT SHIFT UNTIL I TELL YOU. :<

I also do not understand why my cat will not ride our Roomba. I want to make a cute cat-riding-roomba-video and put it on YouTube DANGIT.

charcoalandblush · April 2015

arrippa said:
I have no idea how to get my hair straight. Even with blow drying and straightener, my hair always has frizz.
What I want

What I have

I don't know how much money you're willing to spend on hair like that, but have you ever gotten a Brazilian Blowout? They do magic on my hair (which is much curlier/frizzier/bigger than yours).

redoryx · April 2015

I literally just last week learned how to use a lighter. I'm still sort of iffy -- like I can't do it all the time but

ShesSoCold said:
I don't even own a curling iron. My hair is waist-length. I tried curling it like twice in high school and said "Fuuuuuck this" and never gave another shit.

Every once in a while I think, "maybe I should learn how to do my own hair" and then I google for like 2.5 minutes, get overwhelmed and move in.

When I had waist length hair I had two curling tricks, both of which required little to no effort and zero heat: The first was putting my hair in a sock bun on Day One, wearing it all day and then sleeping in it and when I woke up Day Two, took sock bun out and VOILA curls. The other involved wrapping it up in a t-shirt like a turban, although I can't find videos or links I used to use and can't remember how it worked. I did the sock bun far more often.

madamerwin · April 2015

flutteringinfl said:
I can't whistle or snap my fingers. Many people have tried to show me. They insist that both tasks are the easiest thing in the world. They are all liars.

I could not whistle for the life of me, until about 8 years ago when I was DETERMINED to figure it out. I walked around for three days with my lips pursed, blowing air (I probably looked like a raving lunatic), but eventually, I got it! If you really want to learn to whistle (though, really, I am guessing you're not that concerned with it), it just takes time to figure out.

Confessions

Re: Confessions

Choose Another Board

Search Boards