When a Relationship Ends

@Rollo1 (16676)

Boston, Massachusetts

August 9, 2016 9:05pm CST

I was noticing tonight that recently, the toaster has been toasting things a bit better than usual, and a little crispier. In fact, my toaster waffle was golden brown and nicely crunchy on the outside, just the way I like it. Yum. A strange thing, because this toaster is always quite slow to toast and requires a high setting to produce anything beyond slightly warm bread. Maybe it suspects. The truth is, I've been seeing other toasters. It's not that there's anything wrong with my toaster, but let's face it, the bloom is off the rose, so to speak. The toaster is aging. The lustre of youth has faded into a dull and marked finish. It's just not exciting anymore. The thrill is gone. So...yeah. I've been cruising Amazon and the appliance section of a few online retailers. I've seen a few beauties, let me tell you. Sleek, fashionable toasters that can handle 4 slices and even make a bagel get all hot and bothered. Toasters that seem to care about my breakfast needs, and long to make me happy. Sure, they spend your money, but you're enjoying yourself so much, you just don't care. A little flash and some trendy styling and I just can't help myself. I kinda feel bad for my toaster. I mean, it must sense that there's something wrong and that I am not happy. It's trying to please me more with every slice of toast, with every golden, butter-pooling nook and cranny of those English muffins. But, when it's over, it's over. It's sad, but sometimes, even the most promising relationships end.

37 people like this

29 responses

@CinnamonGrl (7086)

• Santa Fe, New Mexico

10 Aug 16

I do feel sorry for washedo-up appliances sometimes. They tried so hard! They didn't MEAN to become obsolete or nonproductive. Poor things. Break it to him gently.

3 people like this

@Rollo1 (16676)

• Boston, Massachusetts

10 Aug 16

Sometimes it's hard to say goodbye.

1 person likes this

@LadyDuck (502148)

• Italy

10 Aug 16

I know how you feel, a 17 years long relationship with our Ford Fiesta ended two weeks ago. Poor little car, I loved it so much, but it was too expensive to do what needed to pass the next car test.

2 people like this

@Rollo1 (16676)

• Boston, Massachusetts

10 Aug 16

17 years for a car is a good, long life. You are lucky it lasted so long. It will be hard to get used to driving something else.

1 person likes this

@LadyDuck (502148)

• Italy

11 Aug 16

@Rollo1 I have seen our old car one hour ago, "she" is still alive, I am so happy. It was still in excellent conditions, but we had to pass the test the next month of December and it became expensive to do what necessary to pass the tests.

@TheHorse (238268)

• Walnut Creek, California

11 Aug 16

That's a long relationship. I hope you sent it to a nice pasture.

2 people like this

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@much2say (57760)

• Los Angeles, California

10 Aug 16

Are you sure it's over - totally over? Can you give it just one more chance? Is there anything it can toast or do to spice things up again? I remember I was conflicted when Hubby decided he was done with our toaster (it was an $8 toaster - lasted us for years - not fancy at all but did the trick and still had life). Hubby had his eyes on a toaster more to his liking - a bigger toaster oven. I was totally fine with the $8 toaster, but Hubby felt it was time for it to go.

2 people like this

@Rollo1 (16676)

• Boston, Massachusetts

10 Aug 16

I have ha $8 toasters and hand mixers. They aren't fancy but they do last. Unfortunately, it's hard not to want the shiny new ones with all the bells and whistles.

1 person likes this

@much2say (57760)

• Los Angeles, California

10 Aug 16

@Rollo1 Oh - funny you mention hand mixers. I have one I've managed to use for years - but this one is always too fast for me . . . it never slowed down on the slow speed. Always lots of splatters, but doable though not easy for the kids to use. Now I have my eye on those big mixers where it's hands off - and with dough paddles - what a dream! Oh yah, those bells and whistles are looking pretty good to me!

1 person likes this

@Rollo1 (16676)

• Boston, Massachusetts

10 Aug 16

@much2say My cheap handmixer is just the same - only high speed or ultra-high speed. The low speed setting is unresponsive. Everything, including the toaster, is splattered with some kind of batter.

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@jstory07 (148701)

• Roseburg, Oregon

10 Aug 16

We bought all new appliances when we moved. I have a red and black toaster in my kitchen now.

2 people like this

@Rollo1 (16676)

• Boston, Massachusetts

10 Aug 16

You got caught by a flashy one, I see.

@Jessicalynnt (50523)

• Centralia, Missouri

10 Aug 16

bwahahaha, well maybe it can find someone new, at a second hand dating store

2 people like this

@Rollo1 (16676)

• Boston, Massachusetts

10 Aug 16

Poor small appliances. They become unloved quite often.

1 person likes this

@Jessicalynnt (50523)

• Centralia, Missouri

10 Aug 16

@Rollo1 need a joke about efficiency of use rather than size of tool, lol

Vicki, #1 Creek Girl

@1creekgirl (44560)

• United States

10 Aug 16

I just figured out why I haven't been seeing your posts. I've been following you for a long time and your profile shows I am, but your posts aren't showing up under discussions, only under interesting, top rated, etc. I changed it to unfollowing, then back to following so maybe that will fix it.

2 people like this

@Rollo1 (16676)

• Boston, Massachusetts

10 Aug 16

I need to review my following list, it's still full of people who haven't been on myLot in 6 years.

@celticeagle (189793)

• Boise, Idaho

10 Aug 16

It probably smells and feels the difference. I used to have a ancient toaster. The sides folded down. You could do one or two pieces. Very special little unit.

1 person likes this

@Rollo1 (16676)

• Boston, Massachusetts

10 Aug 16

I saw one (a new and flashy model) that actually dispenses the toast out the bottom on a little slide, right to your plate. It's almost unfair for an old toaster to have to compete with these newfangled things.

2 people like this

@celticeagle (189793)

• Boise, Idaho

10 Aug 16

@Rollo1 .....That is true.

@velvet53 (24417)

• Palisade, Colorado

11 Aug 16

Oh, this was nothing like I expected but you kept me reading. I love the way you described your toaster and the new ones you are viewing. I love your writing style. Your toaster might not like it though.

1 person likes this

@Rollo1 (16676)

• Boston, Massachusetts

11 Aug 16

Sssshhhhh... don't tell the toaster. What it doesn't know won't hurt it.

1 person likes this

@velvet53 (24417)

• Palisade, Colorado

11 Aug 16

@Rollo1 Haha My lips are sealed.

@lingayako (235)

• Marikina, Philippines

10 Aug 16

You deserve to buy a new one. Toasting could be a passion, so if the thrill with that old toaster is gone, that passion is not that burning anymore. So, why not buy new one?

1 person likes this

@Rollo1 (16676)

• Boston, Massachusetts

11 Aug 16

I should learn to control my shopping urges. I may wait a bit and see if this toaster continues to behave better.

Belle Starr (Iz)

@BelleStarr (61463)

• United States

10 Aug 16

I have a long term relationship with my Oster toaster, s much so that I bought a twin for our Florida home, it is a good reliable friend !!

1 person likes this

@Rollo1 (16676)

• Boston, Massachusetts

10 Aug 16

Oster is generally a reliable brand, I find.

1 person likes this

Belle Starr (Iz)

@BelleStarr (61463)

• United States

10 Aug 16

@Rollo1 It is, I love mine it can handle even a very wide waffle or bagel.

@Letranknight2015 (52665)

• Philippines

10 Aug 16

This kinda remind me of my blender, I haven't used it for months now because of the loose screws i couldn't put back together. maybe someday I'll buy a new one.

1 person likes this

@Rollo1 (16676)

• Boston, Massachusetts

10 Aug 16

I always come to hate blenders after a while. They are so hard to clean out.

1 person likes this

@Letranknight2015 (52665)

• Philippines

11 Aug 16

@Rollo1 well, same to me but that's just the way it is after using them, they can't clean themselves

@TheHorse (238268)

• Walnut Creek, California

10 Aug 16

Are you sure it has to end? If it's been trying harder lately, then why not stick it out. I think we all sense when our loved ones' eyes are roving. Do you use real maple syrup?

1 person likes this

@Rollo1 (16676)

• Boston, Massachusetts

10 Aug 16

I have given up on maple syrup since I keep forgetting to buy any. Now I spread butter and jam, or peanut butter, or nutella, or just sugar and cinnamon.

1 person likes this

@Rollo1 (16676)

• Boston, Massachusetts

10 Aug 16

@TheHorse Sometimes an appliance and a consumer just don't match up well and over time, they start to drift apart. It may be that a little thing like maple syrup could become a sticky situation.

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (238268)

• Walnut Creek, California

10 Aug 16

@Rollo1 I don't know how to say this, but if I tried and tried to please you, and produced beautiful things for you that could best be complemented with maple syrup, and saw Nutella instead, I might start to feel that..."my needs weren't being met"...and...well, you know.

1 person likes this

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@sol_cee (38669)

• Philippines

10 Aug 16

There's no forever.

1 person likes this

@Rollo1 (16676)

• Boston, Massachusetts

11 Aug 16

Are you sure?

@sol_cee (38669)

• Philippines

11 Aug 16

@Rollo1 lol I forgot to put lol.

1 person likes this

@Rollo1 (16676)

• Boston, Massachusetts

11 Aug 16

@sol_cee Phew! You had me worried...

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@HazySue (39265)

• Gouverneur, New York

10 Aug 16

@Rollo1 I think sometimes that kitchen appliances can read our minds. They seem to do their best job just when you are considering a replacement for them.

1 person likes this

@Rollo1 (16676)

• Boston, Massachusetts

10 Aug 16

That is exactly it! Although, the oven did me a favor by breaking because I am cooking in lower-wattage ways that don't heat up the house so much and save on the cooling bills.

1 person likes this

@HazySue (39265)

• Gouverneur, New York

11 Aug 16

@Rollo1 My poor oven is not getting much of a work out. It's too hot to use it. Who know, mine may just decide to give up on me by the time I decide to use it again.

@valmnz (17095)

• New Zealand

10 Aug 16

Isn't it sad that all good things outlive their lives sometimes. I wonder if you'll find a toaster as loyal, that will have the staying power this one has had.

1 person likes this

@Rollo1 (16676)

• Boston, Massachusetts

10 Aug 16

I have noticed that toasters are an important part of life, and no one toaster can please everyone. It's hard to find the right one.

@jaboUK (64346)

• United Kingdom

10 Aug 16

Very entertainingly put, it's nice to see a post from you again. My appliances have to die before I replace them

1 person likes this

@Rollo1 (16676)

• Boston, Massachusetts

10 Aug 16

Sometimes I just get tired of trying to get them clean. Toaster ovens tend to get really nasty looking with burned on grease and the microwave's lighted timer doesn't show numbers anymore. But I am not getting rid of them just yet because they both still work.

1 person likes this

@Ceerios (4698)

• Goodfellow, Texas

10 Aug 16

@Rollo1 - Ms Anja -

An anthropomorpic bread toaster. Had soeone ever asked me if there was such a thng, I would have sworn to it that there was not anything even close. But you have lifted the curtain. It exists. (Good posting !!!!!)

1 person likes this

@Rollo1 (16676)

• Boston, Massachusetts

11 Aug 16

There is more in heaven and earth than is dreamt of by Proctor Silex.

1 person likes this

Vicki, #1 Creek Girl

@1creekgirl (44560)

• United States

10 Aug 16

You gave me my first laugh of the day! Haven't heard from you for a while, hope all is well. Have you ever written a book? I'd certainly buy it.

1 person likes this

@Rollo1 (16676)

• Boston, Massachusetts

10 Aug 16

I have been busy doing nothing and have no excuse for not being on myLot, so don't forgive me. I am sure I can't write a book, because books are so terribly long and I don't seem to have any organizational skills.

1 person likes this

@JESSY3236 (22199)

• United States

10 Aug 16

Lol. I hate to see some things go. Alot of times the newer things don't last as long.

1 person likes this

@Rollo1 (16676)

• Boston, Massachusetts

10 Aug 16

What I like about the under $10 no name brand kitchen appliances you can get at discount stores is that they do a good job until they just die. And usually they do that good job for a long time. Sometimes it's better when they just do one thing and don't try to do everything with a remote control and digital readouts.

1 person likes this

@teresatrotter (4073)

• Jacksonville, Florida

11 Aug 16

They can be more reliable than people, and it is always sad to see them go.

1 person likes this