By request: SUMMERTIME B*TCHfest

You "old timers" know how this madness and chaos works, but for your new kids (or just people who haven't participated before) here are the B*TCHFest General Rules and Codes of Conduct:

"B*TCHFest"  is provided as a public service to those of us who have gripes and grievances but whom, for whatever reason, lack a regular forum in which to air them. You are welcome to voice any problems - large or small, important, mundane or ridiculous -  that currently have your panties wadded, your shorts frosted and your gears ground. Don't hold them in and risk future medical issues, wrinkles and/or those pesky gray hairs.

ANY and ALL issues that are plaguing you are open for you to voice; there are no "sacred cows." They say that "feelings aren't facts", so if you're feeling it, it's legit to you. NO ONE is allowed to flame a poster for something he or she writes, however commiseration is not only welcomed but encouraged. Please, no personal attacks against other OH members (at least, not by name.)

PLEASE NOTE that postings may (and probably will) contain profanity. Those possessing delicate constitutions and sensibilities may want to leave now.

I'll start you off with my own stream-of-consciousness-slash-stream-of-rage-and-frustration. I may be back for a second helping later, and you may, too!

- This is one I've *****ed about before but since it happened again today, it bears repeating. To the unknown guy at the gym: when you put 450 pounds of weight plates (10 x 45') on the leg press machine take them off when you're done!

- Employers making promises they can't keep.

- Not having health or dental insurance, and needing to go to the eye doctor, the dentist and my PCP.

- Being scared to death of having a big medical problem while being uninsured.

- Friends on Facebook posting that if you repost their post about God, God will reward you with good health, riches, whatever. I refuse to believe that God has more important things to do than to read f-ing Facebook.

- People living in an urban environment and thinking that ATVs and dirt bikes are a good idea. Since there is no place to use them, the streets become their playground. I'm sick of listening to that **** every day when it's remotely nice outside, and I'm no longer feel guilty when I wish that they'd get hit by cars.

Okay, I have to go finish cooking my ratatouille. YOUR TURN!

******** who pull out in front of you when you're going 65 mph, and then act as if they did nothing out of the ordinary.

Employers who talk BS about being a family, right up until the time they need to go the extra mile for an employee.

Folks collecting benefits off the "system" who are perfectly capable of working, or those working under the table while at the same time collecting state or federal benefits.  I have no issue with those working off the grid, but don't work off the grid and collect benefits paid by the taxpayers as this just makes you a real scumbag.

People who don't take care of their animals in a way that benefits the animal.  Dogs are not yard ornaments.  Chaining a dog outside day in and day out does not make a good life for a pet.  If you don't want to share your home with a pet,  buy a plant.

Okay, I'm done.  LoL

As someone who has been unemployed for almost 5 years - with a husband who has been either un- or underemployed for almost 3 - we are "perfectly capable" of working, but no one wants to give people jobs.

I've got a shelf-full of industry awards in from of me, including 2 Emmy Awards - but everyone seems to want to hire sort-of qualified 21 year olds who will work for about 20 grand a year.

I've tried things in and out of my experience, things I am overqualified for and things that I am not at all qualified for but thought I'd give a shot. It makes me nuts to see people who DO have jobs and do a really ****ty job at them. I wasn't, apparently, qualified to run a cash register at Whole Foods, but the 16-year-old dopes who can't identify kohlrabi out of a lineup are?

And as for dogs - yeesh! I'm with you. Here in CT, people are somewhat better at not leaving them chained outside because the state made it illegal a few years ago. So . . . people don't chain them, they just let them run lose. Unneutered, of course, so they go impregnate all the loose females, when they're not dodging cars as they bolt across the street. On Monday morning, we had not one, not two, but THREE stray dogs in our yard - all males, all intact, and only one with a tag. I managed to get hold of the one with the tag on, called both of the phone numbers and left messages, and never heard a damned thing back. WTF? It makes me wonder how these owners are with their KIDS!

Bette, please know that I was not directing my comment towards those who can't find work in hard times, but rather those whose life is spent  "gaming" the system because they don't want to work.  I have been working for an eyewear company in Alabama for a few months, and what I have seen with regard to folks abusing the system has stood my hair on end.  It's sickening...

People who want work and cannot get it are in a whole other place in my heart.  I cannot even begin to imagine how difficult it has to be to know you have so much to offer, want to work, yet keep getting the door slammed in your face.

I am sending you prayers for prosperity.  I hope that things will improve for your family soon...

No worries, Deb. I didn't take it that way. I think there are so many more people who are struggling than are taking advantage of the system. And honestly? I can almost see why people get to the point that they feel they have to do that. 

Ridiculous price hikes. For some time now I've been buying 16-ounce containers of Hidden Valley dry mix at Sam's Club for a little less than $7.00. Last time I was there, Sam's had stopped carrying it. Wal-Mart wants nearly $5.00 for a package of 4 one-ounce envelopes---which works out to about $20.00 a pound, or $13.00 more than I've been paying at Sam's. So I decided to see if I could order it directly from Hidden Valley.

And yes I can---but I must order 3 8-ounce containers at a cost of $28.12, PLUS SHIPPING AND HANDLING.  What the **** has happened to the price of dill, parsley, garlic powder, and minced onion flakes to cause a price increase of nearly THREE TIMES what it sold for six months ago???

You can bet I'll be making my own from now on out.

I've noticed that there are an increasing number of products that I pick up off the shelf, see the price, and say out loud "Get the **** out of here!" Why is it that when things are tough, the prices of **** goes through the roof? It's not like there's a worldwide shortage of dill . . .

Exactly! And speaking specifically of dill---the 'local' mom-and-pop grocery (that's usually quite pricey) carries a line of small containers of spices that are  99 cents. (Another rant---why is there no 'cent' symbol on my keyboard?) Yet the same size container of McCormick's dill weed at Wally-World is $4.54!!!

Just saw this posted on FB:

Extra Zesty Ranch Dressing
via Satisfying Eats: Sugar Free, Grain Free & Hunger Free

1 cup sour cream*
1/2 cup milk or unsweetened almond milk
1-1/2 tsp. dried dill weed (or fresh)
1-1/4 tsp. salt
1-1/4 tsp. black pepper (fresh ground is best for extra spice)
1-1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1-1/2 tsp. onion powder
2 tsp. raw apple cider vinegar
1/8-1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper (optional)

What I've been buying is the dry mix. I like to use it on chicken, pork, potatoes---you name it. I Googled around and found a couple of recipes that I'm going try. Screw Hidden Valley Foods!