#DEFROST ASAP!!!

[puddii-ng]

prettiest girls in the world!!! 🎀

[that-rat-neon]

HAPPY extremely late HALLOWEEN!!! Sorry these came out so late and rushed. I wanted to push them out asap bc i know Mariah Carey defrosted plus i was on holiday,,,enjoy :>

•••

♡ do not trace / heavily reference / use my art or ocs !

♥ reshares and story shares are super appreciated! thank you!

[holdmecloser-gandydancer]

for the prompts to shake things up: 21 with thb and/or anyone else you feel like from at the bureau, if you feel so inclined!

"so it was YOU who took a full bite out of that stick of butter!! please. please. why??" from this prompt list!

Taako can’t stand living with other people.

Eh, that’s a little harsh, he supposes. He can stand it just fine, he just hates it. That’s a little nicer. Probably.

It’s not so much the being around other people he hates, it’s the sharing of space. He’s very particular with how he thinks stuff should be arranged. That’s not such a bad thing, he thinks.

But the communal kitchen thing will probably kill him if it doesn’t kill a colleague first.

He swears he’s the only motherfucker on this moon who has any idea what food safety even is. Every single day he has to remind these dunces that meat can’t defrost on the counter and milk shouldn’t be stored in the door and that you shouldn’t eat two fucking deviled eggs that have been sitting out on a windowsill for gods know how long, are you actually a lunatic?

That’s why he takes advantage of the kitchen at, what some might call, whack ass hours. Nobody to bother him, nobody sniffing around his pots and pans, nobody trying to sneak a bite.

He doesn’t share food and nobody needs to know why.

He’s craving an omelet. A fancy one. One with potatoes. And spinach. And lots of goat cheese. And onions. And garlic.

He’s contemplating more components as he whips his eggs up. As he’s rummaging around one of the cabinets he’s charmed, he idly wonders whose bright idea it was to build a secret moonbase without decent storage in the living spaces. His hand closes around the cool metal of his nice copper pan and he does his best to extract it noiselessly.

He turns the burner on and looks around for his nice butter. They apparently like, sing to the cows or some shit. It’s one of the little luxuries he’ll indulge in since it just makes food taste so much better. When he pulls it out of the fridge, however, he’s horrified to see just how the damn stick’s been brutalized.

He can’t use the rest of the stick, the thought genuinely makes him want to gag. So now he’s out a nice breakfast and a few silver pieces.

Good thing he’s going to be so calm and normal about this butter abuse.

-

Attention all occupants of this dormitory, please make your way to the kitchen ASAP. Or else.

Taako, what are you—

All good here, Madam D, never you mind!

Taako, this is inappropriate use of Bureau—

The intercom cuts off abruptly. Even with having just met the guy, Magnus has a feeling that Taako means business and isn’t keen on waiting. Merle and Robbie stir and make their way to the elevator. On their way down to the kitchen, even more groggy Bureau members step onto the elevator.

Merle and Magnus find themselves quietly humming along to the tune.

They all find Taako standing in the dorm kitchen and scowling. He says nothing for a moment before marching up to Robbie. “Open your mouth.”

He looks down the line at other Bureau members. “Uh, wh—”

“Just show me your teeth and this will be painless,” Taako demands, clutching a stick of butter in other hand.

After a reasonable amount of hesitation, Robbie opens his mouth and grimaces, exposing his teeth.

Taako squints, looking from the butter to Robbie’s mouth and back to the butter. “Close it, you’re clean.”

“Taako, what’re you doing ‘sides freaking out Rusty here?” Merle asks.

“Uh my name’s actually Robbie,” Robbie clarifies before being waved off by Taako.

“Well, Merle, I was just trying to make myself a bangin’ breakfast. Big ol’ omelet with a ton of shit. But do you know what the first step of making an omelet is?” Taako paces up and down the line of Bureau members he’s assembled in the kitchen, smacking the stick of butter in his hand against his palm.

“Cracking some eggs?” Avi ventures. Taako glares at him.

“Cracking some eggs,” Taako repeats, “Is but one of many ‘first steps’ in making an omelet. Don’t ask how there are multiple first steps, I am a wizard and a chef, not a fucking scientist. But perhaps the most important step is putting a big knob of butter in the pan and letting it become nice and foamy. But I can’t do that today! And do any of you care to venture a guess as to why?”

He’s met with blank stares. Typical.

“It’s because one of you has decided to bite into my stick of butter with your gaping wide maw,” Taako hisses.

“Can’t you just like, transmute some more butter or some shit? That way you don’t have to interrogate us at ass-o’clock in the morning?” Killian says flatly.

It’s a blink and you’ll miss it moment, but Taako’s jaw tightens and his eyes harden a little. Whatever comes out of his mouth next is going to be some evasive shit and Magnus knows it. And he’s not sure how.

“It’s about the principle of it all,” Taako deflects. That tracks.

“Wait, I thought we were calling her the Director, not the principal,” Merle interjects.

Taako casts him a withering glare. “Also, who has the spell slots to waste?”

Magnus grimaces and puts his hand up. “Hey, listen, Taako. Don’t be mad—”

“Probably gonna be mad now, my man.”

“—But it was me,” Magnus admits. “You can check it against my teeth or something.”

“I could cast Zone of Truth,” Merle offers.

“Eh, not so sure you should be wasting your spell slots. After all, they’re so helpful when you use them,” Taako says. “Why the actual shit have you done this?”

Magnus looks around sheepishly for a minute. “Well, I was eating this spicy soup, like really spicy, and my mouth was burning and you said that drinking milk straight from the carton was a no go but I also knew that dairy soothed mouth burn.”

Taako doesn’t say anything for a little while. He pinches the bridge of his nose and lets out a sigh that could extinguish a hundred years’ worth of birthday candles. “So instead of drinking milk straight from the carton, you decide to bite my stick of nice butter.”

Magnus nods.

“I hate the moon.” He tosses the stick of butter towards Magnus. “You’re all dismissed, except Magnus who is going to Fantasy Costco, replacing my butter, and dealing with that cat at the cash register.”

[rahrahrahweregoingtosmashtheoiks]

Accidentally went to the hairdressers 3 hours early, so I used my surprise free time to do another coat of gloss paint on my stairs. Now I am at the hairdressers at the correct and have decided I will get pizza on my way home. There’s so much food in my fridge and freezer that I need to consume asap because my freezer needs defrosting, but who CARES. it’s weird that this is the last time I’ll come to this hairdressers! I’m feeling wistful this week now we’re on the final countdown, and every little mundane thing I do is possibly for the Last Time. Walking teary eyed down the freezer aisle in big sainsburys. Hopefully I never step foot in a Primark again though because I’ve bought about 8000 suitcases this month. Can’t wait for next years Monzo wrapped because there’s n still 11 months left of the year and I do not believe any other human is going to be a greater customer of large suitcases from the Oxford Street Primark. anywya here are my valentines nails which I’m hoping actually last that long. I got them cut short last time so they’re still not quite long enough for French tips to look normal but 🤷🏼‍♀️

(the other pic is the coffee and popcorn my hairdresser just brought me)

[masterwords]

First time Hotch and Morgan say 'I love you'

Your wish is my command. Here is 5600 words leading up to that moment...why so many, you ask? I don't know. But I asked for soft Hotchgan requests and I got so many good ones...we're going to end 2022 on a soft note with all of these. Starting here with a power outage and a whole bunch of slightly awkward love.

**** Perspective ****

Pitch black.

They were sitting on the couch beside the fire, Hotch with his feet kicked up on Derek's legs reading. He wasn't deeply engaged in the book, not enough that he didn't glance up every so often to admire Derek's profile, the way he sat with his headphones on bobbing his head only slightly along with the beat. He could sit and listen to music for hours, and not just listen but feel it. In much the same way, Hotch devoured silence.

And almost like all the oxygen was sucked from the room through a vacuum, the lights went out. What he thought had been silence became actual eerie silence, no more humming from the refrigerator and the furnace, no more water heater, just dead quiet until his hearing adjusted and he was drawn back to the crackle and pop of their small fire.

“Did the power just go out?” Derek asked, stunned. Hotch smiled at the absurdity of the question.

“Looks like it.”

Immediately, as if on cue, Hotch's phone began ringing. He stared at it in disbelief, wishing that for one blissful minute he could simply deal with his own life before having to handle whatever catastrophe was happening at Quantico.

“Garcia?”

“Sir, I'm sorry to bother you, but Strauss wants us to get down to Quantico ASAP to monitor the systems for any potential security breaches before the generators kicked on. She says it's routine but she sounded concerned.”

“I'm a little further away than usual, it may take me some time to get there.”

She was silent, and he could hear her sharp intake of breath. It was pointed, the way she realized what he said without saying it aloud. “Yes...yes sir. I'll get started without you.”

Derek's headphones were around his neck now and in the dim orange light of the fire Hotch could see his wicked smile. “She knows.”

“I gathered that...when did you tell her?”

“Right away. I can't keep secrets from her. If I tell her up front she'll feel special and she'll keep her yap shut. If I try to keep it from her and she finds out, who knows what she's liable to do...it was a safety precaution.”

Hotch let out a nervous chuckle. “Well, she and I have to spend the evening at Quantico making sure nothing happened to the systems. Don't wait up.”

Derek had no intention of waiting up. The sky was already darkening at an alarming rate, and he expected to merely get the house ready to be shuttered against whatever storm was still brewing and then lie in bed with his music until he fell asleep. All he needed to do was make sure there was enough fire wood inside, get out the blankets and the other emergency supplies, and get himself cozy. He'd set out some pajamas for Hotch, if he even made it back in time to sleep, but that would be the extent of it.

Hotch, still in his khakis and sweater, pulled on his hiking boots and laced them up tight. “Take my car,” Derek said, tossing him the keys from the kitchen counter. “It gets around better in this shit than yours.”

Eyeing the keys suspiciously, Hotch wondered how many people would be in the building. Whether the security officers would see his plates and be surprised to find the wrong person driving. And he also realized he simply didn't care. What difference did it really make in the end?

“Thank you.”

He slipped on the ice twice in spite of wearing his best boots for the job. There wasn't much one could do versus a skating rink parading as the unassuming ground. The first time he slipped in the driveway as he scraped the windshield, unable to wait for it to defrost on its own. He managed to catch himself that time against the hood of the vehicle and thank his lucky stars. The second time was on the sidewalk approaching Quantico, and there was nothing but his own backside to catch his fall. That it did, hard, and he stifled a string of curse words that would make a sailor blush. Words that didn't often make their way over his lips. He wasn't much for swearing, but getting up he knew he'd tweaked his back and it was going to be sore the rest of the night. That was enough to excuse more than a few of the offensive words.

“Sir!” Garcia exclaimed as he entered, pushing through the glass doors and walking slowly, gingerly toward the stairs. They could do what they needed from his office where they could close the door and stay warm with his dusty old space heater. The generator would be kicking out just enough juice to keep the place running and that didn't include more heat than just enough to keep the pipes from freezing. The pipes and Hotch had very different freezing temperatures. Plus he had the snacks. Garcia didn't keep anything in her office, the equipment was too sensitive and she worried...she kept things in the break room and in Hotch's bottom left cabinet where there should have been binders full of mind-numbing information. He'd managed to sort his office well enough that one whole cabinet was empty, left available to the team's most treasured snacks. Ones that they feared would be stolen in the wild west that was the break room.

“How was your drive in Garcia?” he asked, leaning a little heavily against the railing as he heaved himself up the stairs on hips that felt rusty and stiff after his untimely meeting with the icy pavement. She noticed the hitch in his gait but said nothing.

“Slippery and scary, sir. Yours? I know the um, the roads in that neighborhood don't get plowed very quickly...”

He stopped and eyed her for just a moment before unlocking his office door and holding it open to her. “It was fine.”

She set her laptop on his desk and opened it up before pulling a chair over. Every move was formal and calculated, slow so she wouldn't scare him off. She wanted to share this with him so desperately. “You made good time.”

“Garcia,” he said quietly, easing himself down into his chair while trying to maintain as neutral a look as he could. It barely worked. She could see the discomfort but she wasn't concerned with that, thankfully, she was poking and prodding for the other thing. For confirmation from the second party that what Derek said had a grain of truth to it. She wanted to hear him admit he'd come from Derek's house. If only she'd seen him pull in driving Derek's car. “I'm aware that you're privy to some information regarding my private life, and while I have no issue with you knowing, I also don't think now is the time to discuss it. Have you had a chance to get into the system to see if anything was damaged or breached?”

“It all looks ship-shape, sir. We just need to comb through a few things and do some hard saves just in case we're without power for a while. If anything happens to the generator we're sunk. I have a list of things we'll need to print, consults that we'll need to manually deliver...”

“Good. Would you excuse me?” His phone was ringing once again, and this time it was Haley. While he would have liked to send it to voicemail, he was busy enough to do it, something told him to pick up. “Yes, Haley?”

“Are you okay?” She sounded worried, her voice had that high pitch tone to it that set him on edge.

“Yes...why wouldn't I be?”

“Aaron. The power is out, the roads are a sheet of ice, there's a big storm coming.”

“I'm aware of all of that. Haley I'm working right now, did you need something?” She rolled her eyes and he thought he could feel it through the phone. Working, always working. Of course he was there.

“Jack and I have no heat, and the power company says it could be a day or two before they even figure out where the problem is. Our neighborhood isn't a priority.”

“Have you called Jess?”

“She's out too. And before you ask, yes I've called my parents and yes they still have their wood stove but there are down trees and live power lines on all the roads heading out that way.”

“Okay. Let me call you back in a minute.”

He hung up the phone and poked his head back in the door, tapping at the wall to get Garcia's attention. “I'll need another moment, Garcia. I apologize.”

“Not a problem sir. Take all the time you need.” In truth, Garcia was happy to be there. Her apartment was without heat or any way to get it, so this was a drastic improvement on home. Even if she was pulling icky information from databases designed to hold things she didn't want to think about.

He slipped back out to the catwalk and walked, a move that briefly made stiff back feel better. Slightly. Up and down the catwalk he paced until he managed to get hold of Derek.

“I have a big ask,” Hotch began, noting the way Derek's breathing was heavy. Hotch knew he was hauling wood inside and immediately felt guilty for even asking him for something, let alone something like this. He should just leave. Tell Garcia to go home, leave himself, and let tomorrow's problems belong to tomorrow. Just once he wished he was that kind of person.

“Shoot,” Derek grunted, huffing as he threw more logs onto the pile. He would stack them neatly and clean up the debris later, for now he just needed to get the stuff inside before he got frostbite.

“Haley and Jack are also without power, the outage looks pretty widespread. They don't have a fireplace or any secondary heating sources. I know it's a lot to ask, but would it be alright if they came to your house?”

Silence fell over the line, a long drawn out thing that made Hotch's stomach twist. Finally he heard the sound of logs crashing against other logs and rolling to the wood floor without so much as a word being spoken in the meantime. Going back over what he'd asked, he couldn't fault Derek for his silence. Would you mind hosting my ex-wife and my child during a winter storm? I know we haven't been together long but I'm sure it'll be fine.

“Derek?”

“Yeah, sorry, I thought there was more. You said you had a big ask.”

“Derek, that is a big ask.”

“It's your family. It's fine.” He was lying, at least a little, which hurt them both in different ways. Derek hated to lie, it made him feel filthy, but this lie felt like the right kind. And Hotch, he could hear it, the way Derek longed to say are you kidding me with this? Asking me to babysit your family while you're working when you really should be home like the rest of the people in this area? A nail in the coffin. In the end, though, both of them felt somewhat justified in their responses.

“I'll make this as fast as I can.”

“We both know you have no control over how that goes.”

Hotch rolled his eyes. “Okay. I owe you.”

“Big time.”

Hotch hung up with a smile and called Haley back. He'd paced up and down the catwalk, around the round table, up and down again over and over. “You remember where Derek lives?”

“....yes...” He was really in it now. He hadn't told her yet. Now was as good a time as any, really, but it felt all wrong. He'd had this plan, silly as it sounded, to unveil things slowly to her. Jack knew but he was little and he had no real gauge of what he was seeing. They held hands in front of him and were affectionate, never over the top but just enough to make sure that he could get comfortable with it. Truthfully, he didn't seem to care. He would follow Derek around like a puppy and watch him with complete fascination – if Derek brushed his teeth, so did Jack, and he copied it as closely as he could. If Derek was making toast, Jack wanted a slice too and he wanted it exactly the same. Derek thought it was a little odd and felt more than a little self-conscious about the things he did, worrying that he might do something wrong or bad right in front of the kid, but Hotch thought it was sweet.

“Bring Jack and any of his belongings that you think he'll need for a few days. Derek has plenty of food and a fireplace.”

“Aaron...”

“You can ask me anything you like later, but I don't have time to discuss my private life right now, Haley, I'm sorry. Penelope and I are in the weeds and will be for a few hours. Derek knows you're coming.”

“Your private life...” she whispered to herself, and it almost sounded like she was smiling but he couldn't be sure and wasn't about to ask. The pacing had gone from making his back feel better to making it feel worse. He just wanted to sit down and get to work. “Okay. Thank you Aaron. We'll see you tonight though? You'll be there?”

“Yes. I'll be home as soon as I can.”

“Home...” she copied, quietly again. He probably hadn't even realized that slip, but she snatched it and held it close for examination. “Jack will be so excited to see you.”

Going back into the office, he was sure that he was in deep now. An act of God, a giant winter storm blowing in and knocking out power was all it took to completely undo his quiet little bit of privacy. He supposed he was never owed even the amount of time he had, and had no right to expect it. The thing was...it was just nice. He hadn't been this happy in years and he just wanted to keep the world away from it for a little longer.

“Where were we?”

“Well, sir, I was searching through data files...you...”

“Haven't even begun. Right.”

(x)

Haley wasted no time at all loading Jack into the car and heading toward Derek's house. The roads were slippery but not too bad, not yet, and she was a good driver. A great driver, really, no matter what Hotch and Jessica told her. So she'd been in a few fender benders, none of them had been her fault. Not a single one. And never any on ice.

“Are you excited to see daddy?” she called back to Jack who was kicking around in his car seat happily playing with two of his trucks. A monster truck with a dragon on the side and a fire truck. Crashing them into one another, head on after head on. The noise was driving her a little crazy but turning on music would distract her too much from the task of getting them safely to Derek's so she settled on the sounds Jack made.

Smash.

“Jack?”

“We see uncle Derek?!” he asked excitedly. Crash.

“Yeah. Uncle Derek. Does daddy kiss uncle Derek?” She felt a little like a monster, asking her toddler such a personal question, but there was something in Hotch's voice when she'd spoken to him that made her feel a little giddy. This wasn't the best avenue to take, however, it was one possible route.

Jack just giggled. “Yeah! Daddy kisses!” The kid was little, he loved to parrot, and she couldn't tell if he was being serious or not. He might just keep copying her and bashing his trucks together, so she asked again to make sure.

“Daddy and uncle Derek kiss each other?”

“Yep!”

“Like mommy and daddy used to kiss?”

“Yep!”

She smiled to herself. CRASH. It made her happy that Hotch had moved on, and even happier somehow that it was someone like Derek. She'd always liked him. The other girls, when the BAU and their partners would go out, always called him a dog but she didn't see it that way. Neither did Penelope. He was always so sweet to the women he danced with. He would hold out his hand, he would buy them drinks, he would lead gently. Haley had danced with him on more than one occasion and felt butterflies herself.

But those were women, and Haley had always wondered at how close he'd gotten with her husband in a way that men who exclusively liked women didn't do. She'd known Hotch liked boys as much as girls all the way back in school, though he was never so bold as to follow those urges. Not with the father he had. But there were glances, and there were hidden secret kisses a small number of times with the right boys, she knew. He'd never kept that from her.

“Does daddy stay at uncle Derek's a lot?”

“Yep!” SMASH. He dropped one of the trucks and burst into tears, unable to lean forward in his seat to grab it. Haley smiled and turned up the music, refocusing on the road.

(x)

Derek opened the door to his darkened house and beckoned them in. Haley was shocked at how warm it was, the way it almost took her breath away. Without saying a word, she knew it was because of Hotch...he liked things a little too warm. Derek would keep it the way he liked it without complaint.

“Thank you for letting us barge in on you,” she said, opening her arms wide for a hug. Derek wrapped her tight and smiled. It came a lot easier than he'd imagined.

“Of course. Can't have you guys freezing to death huh? Jessica's coming too.”

“Yeah I just got her text. Did she call Aaron?”

“I assume so. He's probably going to turn off his phone if we keep buggin' him.”

“I don't doubt that.”

They entered the house cautiously, it was light enough to see with lanterns and candles flickering, but still dark. Moody and somber and so warm. Derek had moved furniture around, surrounding the fireplace with chairs and the love seat and couch from the other room. Everyone could stay beside the fire.

“Where's daddy?!” Jack exclaimed, rushing toward Clooney and the couch excitedly. Derek glanced up at the clock and shrugged.

“At work. He should be home soon.”

Soon wasn't nearly soon enough. Every single car he heard driving down the road made him peek out the window, hoping to see one pull into his driveway. It wasn't that things were bad, they were fine. When Jessica arrived she brought with her three bottles of wine and bags of food Derek didn't need. “It'll go bad if I don't bring it...” she said, but most of it wasn't in need of refrigeration she just wanted to make their night a party. If they had to be without power, at least they could have some fun.

“Sis!” Haley exclaimed, rushing through the darkened room to wrap her sister in a hug. Derek took the food and wine to the kitchen and left it on the counter, figuring he could deal with it later. His first priority was popping the cork out of one bottle of wine and pouring two glasses, just enough for Haley and her sister, handing them off happily. That would keep them content and stop the inquisition he could feel bubbling right beneath the surface.

Haley had asked a few sly questions, but it wasn't her that Derek worried about...it was Jessica. She wouldn't even try to hide behind formality. The look in her eye said she was just looking for an opportunity to get Derek alone, to corner him, and to poke him full of holes until he soaked her in information. Details. He was avoiding her like the plague.

“Hey Jack, come help me with the fire,” he said, waving the kid over to him. “You gotta learn the art of moving the logs around, it's very important.” The art of moving the logs around, the man special as his mother used to call it with a roll of her eyes. Passed down generation to generation. He loved to shift them, using the poker to stack and separate and stack again, always creating optimum air flow. You couldn't simply leave a fire to tend to itself, it needed constant supervision. Like a child.

He grabbed the poker and indicated one log that needed shifting, it was nearly fallen and stifling the flow around it so off it went from the pile, and then he scooted it up beside a much less invasive piece. Soon he had a newly formed pyramid with gorgeous ventilation and he was pleased...Jack looked pleased too. Behind them, Haley and Jessica whispered and giggled. “What do you think they're talking about over there, huh?” Derek asked and Jack shrugged, his dark eyes lit up by the flames.

“Daddy.”

“Ah yeah. Probably right.”

(x)

“Garcia, can I give you a ride home?” Hotch asked, closing his laptop with some finality. She glanced up at him over the rim of her glasses and smiled. They'd been at it for hours in chilly quiet, only the sound of the little space heater and the eerie hum of the generator for company. They'd hardly said a word to one another.

“Yes, please, thank you. I don't think my car is meant for this weather. She's no Sonja Henie.”

Hotch stared at her a moment, a look of total bewilderment on his features. It was a look Garcia hadn't seen many times and it was a little unnerving. He was usually so sharp and his intense knowledge of random things often eclipsed everyone else. “You know, three time Olympic gold medalist turned actress...” she stopped herself and sighed as his features pinched further in thought. “Nevermind.”

“I know who she is, I'm sorry. It's been a long day.” The real problem was simply that he was distracted. Haley and Jessica and Jack had been at Derek's house for hours now, and while they hadn't sent one SOS text and not a single phone call...he was worried. Afraid of what he'd find, what stories they might tell Derek to scare him off. Afraid they'd asked too many questions and he wouldn't know where to begin walking into that mess.

He and Garcia walked out of the building together, and headed right for Derek's car. She let out a small gasp, unable to contain herself, before she covered her mouth and regained her composure. Hotch glanced at her as he wrestled the fob out of his pocket and unlocked the car, just hoping that she wouldn't point out the obvious. They both knew whose car he was driving. Before she could reach the door, Hotch leaned forward and pulled it open for her. It tweaked his sore back and he held his breath until the sharp spike of pain passed.

“Bestill my little heart,” she whispered, slipping into the car. He shook his head, unable to process just about anything she was saying at this point.

As he waited for the car to warm up, he sat with his hands on the steering wheel contemplating just about every life decision he'd ever made that led him to this point.

“Penelope,” he began quietly. “I asked Derek to open his door to Haley, Jessica and Jack tonight. They've been there for hours. What do you think I'm walking into?”

He was, momentarily, wide open. Uncharacteristically so. He simply couldn't keep it inside a moment longer or he'd combust, and Garcia was easy enough to talk to. She only let out a small laugh. “I'm sure everything is fine. They're probably just sitting around talking.”

He sighed. “That's what I'm afraid of.” He paused, shaking it off. He had no control over the hours that had passed without him and he couldn't dwell on them. Whatever happened, happened, and he'd just have to suck it up and roll with it. “I'm sorry I've been so distracted tonight. I wasn't much help.”

“You did more than I did, sir.”

“That's hardly true, but thank you for being so understanding.”

“I'm gonna say something right now that you're probably not going to like, but I think it's pretty clear that you need to hear it. Derek is crazy about you. You know that right? His face lights up when he talks about you, I've never seen that before. Well, I presume he lights up when he talks about me too but...that's beside the point.”

He had nothing to say to that. It sounded absurd. Too absurd to be believed. “That's bound to change after tonight.”

They drove in silence for a few minutes, no radio, just the sound of the ice beneath the wheels. Hotch was driving as well as he could but the car slipped more than once as he took corners and it made him nervous. Much too nervous to talk for a long time. “Penelope, do you have heat?” He couldn't believe he'd forgotten to ask her about her own place until he began approaching her apartment building, the street pitch black and ominous.

“No, but I've got plenty of blankets.”

“Nonsense. Come stay with us.”

It was easy to rack them up, he was on a roll. He'd have Derek's house packed to the gills before the night was through. It was shocking to him how few people they knew who had a fireplace, though it shouldn't have been...he didn't have one either. His apartment would be sitting dark and cold, floors still littered with boxes full of things he hadn't bothered to unpack. He was almost never there, that place definitely wasn't home. “Sir,” she said as they slid past the turn he wanted and had to go around one extra block. The roads had gotten worse since they'd been out and the temperature was dropping fast. “Have you told him how you feel?”

“He knows.”

“Oh, yeah, of course. I'm sure he does know. But if you said it...I think he'd just about flip his lid.”

He chewed on that the rest of the ride, all the way until he pulled into Derek's driveway and saw the flicker of candlelight behind the curtains. It made his heart hurt. His entire family was in there, all under one roof, and he'd been at work the whole time assuming the worst. That there would be tension and interrogations and he'd walk in on a scene of unrest and discomfort. But that candlelight in the window and the pillowy blanket of snow over the yard told him that he was mistaken. They'd been busy being a family in those walls and he'd been toiling over nothing on the outside.

The door opened and out stepped Derek in his puffy coat and sweats with a wool blanket draped over his arm, waving, not looking even the least bit angry. “See?” Penelope asked, poking her gloved finger at the window. “He lights up.”

“Baby girl!” Derek called, watching her get out of the car with her go bag draped over her arm. “What're you doing here?”

“Joining the refugee camp here at the Morgan house. I've come to enjoy your heat.”

“The more the merrier. Jessica brought wine!”

Hotch stayed beside the car a little apprehensively, not eager to break the spell cast over the house. It felt peaceful and happy, so he just stood there with his hands on the car so he didn't add to the list of times he'd slipped on ice that day. Derek's approach was quiet and sure, his feet planting one after the other in the snow so he could avoid the ice entirely.

With expectation written plainly over his face, Derek leaned in and waited for Hotch to make the first move. After the night he'd had, finally being cornered by Jessica who asked him question after question, each one laced with something akin to a threat, he wasn't about to be the first one to cross the line in front of everyone. Not one to disappoint, Hotch slipped his arms around Derek's waist, pushed himself happily inside the warmth of that puffy coat and kissed him. He kissed slow and hard, there was no hesitation. And that was when he was struck by how very very fortunate he was. His whole family was here, and Derek had probably not had the greatest night...would have been more than a little nervous...but he did it, he pulled it off. He took care of everyone Hotch cared about. Because Hotch's people were his people.

“I love you,” Hotch said, breathless and airy. It came out so easily. He didn't know what made him wait so long, that first time was always so hard but not this time. He was overcome by it, powerless to stop himself saying it, and not even a little worried it wouldn't be reciprocated. Derek had already proven that much, and the grin that spread wide and sparkling over his features sealed the deal.

“You do?”

“I do.”

“Good.”

There was silence between them, nothing but the sound of ice popping in the trees above them and darkness surrounding them. No ambient light, nothing but stars in the sky and the glowing silvery moon for company. He slipped his hand to the sore place on his lower back and pressed into it with his fingertips, massaging the distressed muscles. All he could think about was getting into a pair of sweatpants and big wool socks and snuggling up under the blanket with Derek. And maybe Jack, though he hoped that the kid was already asleep. It was awfully late.

“I love you too, you know.”

“I know.” He did. He had no question, but something in the tone of Garcia's voice told him that maybe Derek had needed to hear it. Like maybe he wasn't quite sure, and tonight, being with Haley it might have made him more than a little concerned. He had no idea what Haley might have said or done, whether she would approve of Hotch and Derek's relationship. Jack was well aware but he'd kept it from others...not because he was ashamed, never that. Only that he didn't know how to say it.

He never knew how to say it. How to offer that sort of thing up. Everything seemed to come so much easier to Derek, he wore his heart on his sleeve. Sure he kept his secrets, but he knew what was a secret and what was not. To Hotch, almost anything could be a secret...he had a hard time deciphering what people should know, what they needed to know, what they would want to know. So he kept it all guarded.

“Get inside you two! You're going to freeze to death!” It was Jessica hollering on the front porch, her voice ringing out through the quiet neighborhood. She was so bossy. “Derek, the fire needs tending. The ventilation looks a little sketchy.”

“Damn. That's my cue.”

Hotch slipped his hand inside of Derek's and walked slowly beside him, eager to get inside, to get to the fire and resume what he'd been doing hours before. Just lounging on the couch with Derek, in his favorite quiet place. Whatever anyone else wanted to do, he would be more than fine with, he only wanted to lie there and fall asleep to the sound of the fire.

And he did. He lay back against Derek, curled up on the floor beneath a pile of blankets while Haley and Jack took the couch and Jessica and Penelope each took a chair. Derek and Hotch managed to stoke the fire to the point that it might never fully die, and with Clooney curled up at their feet, the whole house slept.

Until the power came on in the middle of the night, bathing the house in white noise and bright lights. Hotch crawled to his feet and shushed everyone else back to sleep. “I'll get it,” he whispered, his hand on his back while he hunched and shuffled through the house to turn off the lights that didn't need to be on. Peeking outside, he smiled at the sight of the neighborhood lit up, knowing that there were other miserable saps just like himself shuffling sleepy through their homes to turn off lights they'd forgotten were left on. The furnace clicked on and he contemplated offering beds to everyone but it might be more trouble than it was worth for the next few hours. Instead, he crept back to his spot on the floor even though it was killing his already sore back and curled up his place there beside Derek.

“Power's back on?” Derek asked in his honey voice through sleepy slow lips and Hotch smiled as he closed his eyes.

“Looks like it.”

[clatterbane]

Tonight's not-so-photogenic delight: some stuff we had on hand, jazzed up with my gluten free take on this sauce!

In this case, a smallish head of Western broccoli that needed used ASAP, bulked out with a couple of carrots, a wedged-up onion, and a couple handfuls of frozen green beans. For protein, yet more handy frozen köttbullar, because I didn't feel like defrosting and cutting up chicken. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Yay for frozen chopped garlic and ginger, for that matter. Especially with that damned ulnar nerve pinch seriously screwing with one hand.

Pretty good results, without that much effort. I really needed something fresh-tasting this evening. My system may be in shock from the sudden vitamin infusion after the past few days.

[smellslikegeraniums]

my damn cat pawed the freezer open and I just noticed it(( now there's ice all around and it won't close so gotta defrost it asap afsfdf

[lady-pendragon-9]

Anya's sure that Yor loves her for real but she can't say the same about Loid, that man needs to defrost his heart asap.

This may seem to be intentionally comedic but underneath it all it’s honestly really sad that Anya still thinks that Loid’s love for her is conditional to how she can help him fulfill his mission.

While we audience recognize that Loid’s fondness for his family is real, his job as a spy has made him so emotionally reserved that he won’t admit it to himself.

[generalchaos247]

Quite sad to wake up to news of a second assassination attempt. I didn’t catch it on the news yesterday… fortunately Hubby and I had a sunny day and spent it defrosting one deep freezer and also installing a second deep freezer. Definitely planning on filling them both ASAP.

[swagsaladdelusion]

Can You Freeze Hello Fresh Meals?

So, you're on this quest to figure out if you can freeze those mouthwatering Hello Fresh meals, huh? Well, buckle up because we're about to embark on a culinary adventure filled with tips, tricks, and a whole lot of flavor!

Can You Freeze Hello Fresh Meals?

What's the Deal with Hello Fresh?

Alright, let's start with the basics. Hello Fresh isn't your run-of-the-mill meal kit service; it's like having your own personal sous chef right in your kitchen. They hook you up with recipes and all the top-notch ingredients you need to whip up some seriously delicious dishes. It's like magic, but with food!

The Lowdown on Hello Fresh Storage

Now, when it comes to storing those Hello Fresh goodies, you've got to play by their rules. They're all about freshness, so they've got this storage game down to a science. Each ingredient comes carefully packaged and portioned, ready for you to work your culinary magic.

Ingredient Storage 101

Hello Fresh knows that keeping your ingredients fresh is key to making those meals shine. That's why they use special insulated bags with ice packs to keep everything nice and chilly during transit. Meat? It's vacuum-sealed and kept separate from the veggies, so you won't have any cross-contamination mishaps. And those seasonings and pantry items? They're all neatly packaged up and ready to go.

Cooking Up a Storm

When your Hello Fresh box arrives, it's go time. You've got to get those ingredients into the fridge ASAP to keep them fresh as can be. And when it's time to cook, Hello Fresh has got your back with easy-to-follow recipe cards that'll turn you into a kitchen superstar in no time.

Can You Freeze Hello Fresh Meals?

Alright, let's get down to business – can you freeze Hello Fresh meals? The short answer? Heck yes, you can! Life can throw some curveballs, and sometimes you just can't get to that delicious meal right away. But fear not, because freezing is here to save the day.

Pasta Perfection

First up, let's talk pasta. Whether it's a creamy carbonara or a zesty marinara, pasta dishes are freezer-friendly champs. Just pop those leftovers into a freezer-safe container, seal it up tight, and you're good to go. They'll stay fresh for a couple of months, giving you plenty of time to enjoy them later.

Meaty Marvels

Now, onto the meaty stuff. Whether you're dealing with chicken, fish, or beef, you can definitely freeze those meat-based Hello Fresh creations. Just make sure to use airtight containers or bags to keep everything nice and fresh. Burgers or sandwiches? Wrap 'em up tight in plastic and tuck 'em into the freezer for safekeeping.

Veggie Vibes

And what about those veggie-packed meals? While fresh veggies freeze like a dream, cooked ones can be a bit trickier. But fear not! Just store those meals in the fridge, separating the meat from the veggies if you wanna play it safe. That way, everything stays fresh and delicious until you're ready to dig in.

The Freezing Process

So, how do you go about freezing those Hello Fresh meals? It's easy-peasy, lemon-squeezy. If you've got extra fresh ingredients lying around, chop 'em up and pop 'em into a freezer-safe bag. Label it with the date and contents, and you're good to go.

As for those fresh meals straight from Hello Fresh? Leave 'em in their sealed containers and wrap 'em up in plastic or foil for extra protection. Label 'em, stick 'em in the freezer, and you're all set for a future feast.

Defrosting 101

When it's time to thaw out those frozen delights, it's best to plan ahead. Stick 'em in the fridge the night before you wanna chow down, and let 'em thaw out nice and slow. If you're in a pinch, the microwave works too – just make sure to remove any packaging first.

Wrapping It Up

So, there you have it – the lowdown on freezing Hello Fresh meals. Whether you're storing leftovers or stocking up for later, freezing is the way to go. With a little planning and a whole lot of flavor, you can enjoy Hello Fresh meals whenever the craving strikes. Happy cooking, and happy freezing!

[refrigeratorrepair65]

Sub-Zero Freezer Repair in Orange County

Struggling with your Sub-Zero freezer and not sure what to do? These are the singes when it’s time for professional Sub-Zero freezer repair.

How to Know When It’s Time for Professional Sub-Zero Freezer Repair

Has your Sub-Zero freezer been acting up lately? Knowing when to call in professional help is important, many problems cannot just be solved in a DIY fashion at home. High-End appliances like Sub-Zero require expert assistance and explain why tackling these problems yourself might not be the best idea.

Common Problems That May Require Professional Assistance

Condenser Coil Issues We all know that the condenser coil is the heart of your freezer’s cooling system. When it’s not functioning properly due to dirt or damage, it can reduce the overall efficiency of your freezer. Although cleaning the coil seems like a straightforward task, the sealed design of Sub-Zero freezers makes it difficult to access. One misstep, and you risk voiding the warranty or causing damage to the unit. Fluctuating Temperatures Inconsistent temperatures in your Sub-Zero freezer may not be a minor issue. Fluctuating temperatures can be caused by a malfunctioning thermostat, a faulty evaporator fan, or problems with the defrost system. Identifying the specific cause can be difficult, and attempting to repair these complex systems without expertise can lead to further complications. It’s a good idea to let a qualified technician handle this situation. Compressor Issues The compressor is the powerhouse of your freezer. When it encounters problems, such as loud noises, frequent cycling, or struggling to maintain a consistent temperature, it’s a sign that something is amiss. Compressor repairs can be not only challenging but also dangerous for those without proper knowledge and tools. Sub-Zero freezers feature a high-performance compressor that requires specialized servicing, and you should leave it for experienced technicians. Part Replacement When your Sub-Zero freezer has a component that’s reached the end of its life, it’s time to think about part replacement. However, high-quality genuine parts aren’t readily available in local stores or generic online shops. Professional services have access to authorized sources and can ensure you receive the correct part, maintaining the integrity and performance of your freezer. Also, they can handle the replacement without causing damage to your freezer or compromising its functionality. Why You Should Consider Our Repair Services Are you on the hunt for reliable Sub-Zero freezer repair services? Look no further than ASAP Orange County Appliance Repair. Our family-owned business has been serving the community for over 15 years, repairing high-end appliances like Sub-Zero freezers. We understand the importance of having skilled technicians on our team. That’s why all their technicians are fully insured and licensed, capable of handling even the most complicated issues with your freezer. You can have peace of mind knowing that your appliance is in the hands of true professionals who have seen it all and can get your freezer back to its optimal performance. Another reason for choosing us is our commitment to using genuine Sub-Zero replacement parts. We know that the quality of the components they use directly impacts the longevity and functionality of your freezer. As a bonus, our genuine replacement parts come with a 5-year extended warranty, giving you added confidence in the work they perform.

Some Sub-Zero freezer problems are best left to the professionals. Knowing when to seek help can save you time, money, and potential complications. ASAP Orange County Appliance Repair should be your go-to solution for all your Sub-Zero freezer repair needs. You can trust that your freezer will be in good hands. If you find yourself facing any of the problems mentioned in this article, don’t hesitate to give us a call at 714-450-3994 or schedule an appointment online and get 20% off Labor.

Dear visitors if you want to more information about Sub-Zero refrigerator repair Orange County and our all services please visit our website. We have a website. We welcome you. CLICK HERE

[johnsdepartmentstore]

5 Benefits of Microwave Ovens That'll Make You Want to Buy One ASAP

Microwave ovens have been a staple in most households for years now, and it's not hard to see why. They're incredibly convenient and can help you cook and reheat food quickly and efficiently. But did you know that there are many other benefits to owning a microwave oven? Here’s why microwave ovens are one of the best kitchen appliances online out there.

Saves Time

One of the most significant benefits of owning a microwave oven is that it saves time. Microwave ovens can cook food in a matter of minutes. It's perfect for those nights when you don't have much time to cook or for reheating leftovers quickly.

They are also excellent for defrosting frozen food quickly. Instead of waiting hours for your food to thaw, you can use your microwave to defrost it in just a few minutes. This is particularly helpful if you forget to take something out of the freezer earlier in the day.

Retains Nutrients

When you cook food in a microwave, you're actually preserving more of the nutrients in the food than you would if you cooked it on a stove or in an oven. That's because microwaving food cooks it quickly and at a lower temperature, which helps to retain the nutrients that would otherwise be lost through more extended cooking methods.

Research has shown that microwaving vegetables, for example, can help to preserve more of their vitamins and minerals than boiling or steaming them. So, if you're looking for a way to cook healthy meals quickly, a microwave oven is an excellent choice.

Easy to Clean

Another benefit of microwave ovens is that they're easy to clean. Most microwave ovens have a removable turntable that can be washed in the sink, and the inside of the oven can be wiped down with a damp cloth or sponge. This makes it easy to keep your microwave clean and hygienic.

Versatile

We love investing in home appliances online that are versatile, and microwave ovens are great in this regard. In addition to cooking and reheating food, they can also be used to make popcorn, melt butter, and even bake cakes and other desserts.

There are also many microwave-safe cooking vessels and containers available, including steamers and popcorn makers, which can help you get the most out of your microwave oven.

Energy Efficient

Finally, microwave ovens are energy efficient, which means they're good for both your wallet and the environment. Because they cook food quickly and at a lower temperature, you could save on your energy bills. So, if you're looking for a way to reduce your energy consumption and lower your carbon footprint, a microwave oven is an excellent choice.

Microwave ovens are a convenient, efficient, and versatile appliance that offers many benefits to homeowners. From saving time to preserving nutrients, they can help you cook healthy meals quickly and easily. Buy kitchen appliances online from John’s Department Store today!

[urbanwalee]

Best Ways To Get Rid Of Bad Smell From The Fridge – Keep It Refreshing

Sometimes the Fridge smells really bad and it directly hit back your appetite. There are some considerable reasons due to which the refrigerator smells bad. You should be alert whenever you keep items in the fridge, as there are some fridge users that forget to takes back from it and due to which the refrigerator starts stinking. To prevent foul-smelling do not store any cooked food item for more than two weeks. Because whenever the fridge smells so bad it becomes really difficult to find the root cause as it smells for many reasons like stale food, mold at the door bar or spoiled spill, or food. Refrigerator Repair in Jamshedpur

Learn Effective Ways To Get Rid Of Bad Smell From The Fridge

There are some home remedies and organic ways to get rid of the bad smells from the fridge. As the usage of artificial refrigerator deodorizing cleaning agents are not so healthy to clean a refrigerator. Here are some healthy, organic, and inexpensive or eco-friendly tips to clean smelly fridge. By making use of these tips you can have access to the clean, hygiene or foul-free refrigerator.

Tip #1- Keep The Interior Of Fridge Neat and Tidy

Natural Air Freshener: To begin, use a natural air freshener throughout the refrigerator and the area around your kitchen, especially around the fridge, and then start working to remove the odor. Turn off your refrigerator and empty the contents during the defrosting process.

Eliminate the cause: To eliminate the odor, first eliminate the cause: food spoiled or dropped in the refrigerator.

Baking soda and water: To clean all the shelves & drawers prepare a thick paste of water and baking soda. It works effectively to remove food stains and it is one of the best ways to attain an odor-free refrigerator.

Cleaning of drip trays - Often, the accumulation of water worsens the smell of the area. Depending on the model, you can access it from the front or back of your device. After removing it, clean it with a sponge or cloth and decent dish soap, or an all-purpose cleaner or bleach solution. After cleaning, the odor should be reduced. One of the best ways to get rid of bad smell from the fridge.

Tip #2 – Make Use Of Organic Cleaning food Items To Remove The Bad Smell

Do remember to examine your refrigerator frequently to make sure that food items stay fresh and smell-free. Remove the stale food from the fridge on the asap note.

To eliminate the foul smell you can keep the open container full of baking soda in the fridge for 24 hours. It will help to get rid of the smelly fridge as it absorbs all the bad smell at a faster pace.

Another effective way to eliminate the bad smell is your coffee powder. Take the plate and evenly spread the freshly ground coffee in the plate and put inside the fridge for atleast 24hours.

A bowl of oats also works perfectly to eradicate any kind of smell from the fridge.

You can make use of vanilla essence-soaked cotton ball inside the refrigerator to have a fresh and lovely aroma in just 12 hours.

In order to clean your clean, you can use vinegar with water. It will make your fridge look shine. Place activated charcoal on a baking sheet in a few shallow bowls or on separate shelves in the refrigerator. Set the refrigerator temperature to low and keep the door closed for a few days. The bad smell will disappear. Setting the refrigerator temperature to an appropriate level, not too high or low, efficiently helps prevent food spoilage and odor while reducing electricity bills & global warming.

Tip #3 – Keep Your Fridge Cleanliness Maintained

Another one of the effective Ways to Get Rid of Bad Smell from the Fridge

Make use of airtight container – Whenever you store anything just keep one thing in mind that does not store anything in an open container. Always use airtight containers to store leftovers of pizza or sandwiches.

Keep Your Fresh Food Items Visible - Keep fruits and vegetables outdoors on the top shelf of the refrigerator instead of in the outer drawer. This will keep you aware of items that soon can turn bad and which items can run for a longer duration. It will minimize the loss and also prevent your fridge from the foul smell.

Label Each Item before storing them- It will work efficiently to let you know if it is good for dinner tonight or just garbage tomorrow.

If you follow these efficiently then you no longer face the issue of a smelly refrigerator. Health is the only source to earn wealth. Stay healthy! Or if u need any help regarding smelly refrigerator call your friend Urbanwale.

For More Info: Microwave Oven Repair in Jamshedpur

[lways]

Driving Safe in Winter

Winter is here, and that means it's time to start thinking about how you're going to drive safely.

There are a few things you can do to make sure you're prepared for the season:

Check your tyres to make sure they have enough tread or make sure you have the correct tyres on for the weather. If they don't have enough thread, get them fixed ASAP!

Be careful of fog, ice, black ice and cold weather. Defrosting a car first is most important so that you have good visibility when driving. If you live in an area prone to extreme cold, make sure your car is properly winterized before heading out into the elements. Winter is the season of caution. Driving in the cold can be dangerous, and you need to be aware of all of the things that can go wrong when you're driving in winter weather.

The first thing that you should do before you start your car is defrost it. If you don't defrost your car before you drive, it will be difficult for you to see clearly and effectively control the vehicle.

The second thing to do is to check your tyres. Even though they don't seem like they would be an issue, if there are any cracks, holes in them or little to no thread, they could cause an accident because they will lose grip on slippery surfaces such as ice or snow.

Finally, make sure that your windshield wipers are working properly so that you can see clearly while driving in bad weather conditions like fog or rainstorms; this will also help prevent accidents from occurring due to poor visibility!

Winter is here, which means ice and snow are on their way.

Whether you're driving on a highway or just around town, winter driving can be dangerous. It's important to know what to watch out for and how to avoid accidents. Here are some tips:

-Be aware of foggy conditions. Fog can reduce visibility and make it harder to see other vehicles or pedestrians. Make sure you turn on your fog light especially your rear fog light. This is manually operated and does not come on automatically! Without it you increase your risks of being hit from behind as other drivers wont be able to see you in time and react quickly.

-If there is ice present on the road, be careful when braking. If your car skids, try not to swerve into oncoming traffic or off the side of the road; instead, straighten out by gently easing off the brakes and accelerating slowly until you regain control of your vehicle.

-If there is black ice present on the road, avoid sudden braking or acceleration by using gentle pressure on the accelerator pedal at all times during these conditions so that your tyres don't lose traction with the ground beneath them!

Driving in winter can be tricky, but it doesn't have to be.

So remember the tips for how you can drive safe in winter weather and stay out of trouble.

Defrost your car first thing in the morning. You want to make sure you have good visibility with ice and fog on the roads!

When driving on ice or black ice, slow down! Reduce your speed to keep a safer distance from other road users and allow you more time to react.

Turn your headlights on—it's easier for other drivers to see you when they're looking for lights rather than just white lines on the road.

Use your fog lights in heavy weather . Remember these need to be manually turned on . Do your part to be seen.

And if you find yourself stuck in a snowbank or other slippery situation? Don't panic! Stay calm, turn your hazard lights on and put your car handbrake on to secure the car. Call 112 or 999 so they can send someone out to help get you out safely.

[dollsonmain]

I guess I'm saying the owner and manager are more hard-focused on profits and less on serving the community they're in (which is also leading to them not having enough people on staff) or maybe they misunderstand the community they're in, and that's just not my style.

I mean, they LIVE here, and see the neighbors that we see all the time, and there is an aire of pompousness and showing off here, but it's not nearly as affluent as it looks and the neighbors here aren't who I'm seeing at the gas station other than three: Barret came in once, Becca's been in twice, and her daughter Christy's also been in twice. Everyone else is either a worker at the automotive place just up the street, nurses commuting in to their jobs at the hospital, various work crews, or people just looking for the bathroom which is not available to them.

I really hate having to tell kids they can't use the bathroom.

-

The freezer needs to be emptied out, defrosted, and purged.

The freezer is out on the sales floor because there's no storage room, has boxes on top to stop people from getting into it, and that's where the frozen meat patties for the deli sandwiches are.

It's also completely frosted over and when I was looking for chicken patties, which meant I had to dig through lots of other things because everything's just piled up in there, I instead found some frostbitten rectangles. When I asked what they are, she said they're fish patties but they don't sell those anymore.

... Girl, why are they still in the freezer, then? They should have been zeroed out and disposed of as soon as they were no longer being sold OR immediately donated to the food bank so they could get them into their freezer ASAP.

That is something I would be 100% willing to do if I could get her to let me do it, leaving someone else on the register.

I'd also be more than happy to run deli sandwiches that are at least one day out from their expiration date to the food bank so they could be given out. Right now they're sitting in the top of a mini-fridge that has water standing in the bottom of it all of the time which stresses me out.

I wonder if she'd let me bring in a grate to put in there so at least the food packages weren't in the water...

I was also saying to That Guy that I really do rely on good leadership in order to do my best work because I am forgetful and do need both directed and redirected now and then, and while I find her to be pleasant, I'm not sure she's a strong leader or exactly suited to the job she's doing. She's smart in many ways, like she can memorize the prices for EVERYTHING, but lacking in other ways like good inventory management (both storage and ordering), neglecting cleaning all together, and task assignment and understanding how long those tasks actually take especially when being constantly interrupted to run to the register.

There are just so many things that frustrate me there. That's just kind of how living in the states has been lately, too. There are so many obvious things that need addressed but I can't do it myself and the people that can don't want to.

So, gas station/convenience store pricing is always ridiculous, but...

To just be straight up rude, a lot of the people that come in there for food don't look like they have a lot of money to throw around.

Yesterday I priced sleeves of Biscoff cookies at $7-and-change. They're $2-something at Walmart.

It does bother me that these folks very likely don't have access to Walmart because it is a bit of a drive and the Aldi is even farther down a 60mph 4-lane highway (there's a Save-a-Lot closer, but still you have to drive to get to it because we live in a disconnected suburb down an unsafe to walk road to town which is why I've barely left the house the past 17 years), so they're coming in and paying $5 for a loaf of bread that would cost them $1 or $30 for $12 in groceries that aren't even "good" food if they could get to another store.

[halloithmeagain]

.