$90 on pumps when the real issue was a little plastic float? Man, that hurts to read... I know that feeling of throwing parts at something and hoping it clicks. My old dryer had me convinced it was the heating element for months, replaced it twice, finally broke down and called a guy. He cleaned a lint sensor with a toothbrush and charged me $50 for the visit... still cheaper than two elements though. The worst part is how simple it looks after you figure it out, like the dishwasher was mocking me the whole time.

Did your sister also happen to call your first few tries "ugly bread that tastes like a tire"? Because my brother told me my pizza crust looked like a sad wet sock, and I got so mad I started experimenting. Turns out, he was right about the moisture issue. I do the same trick with a pan of water, plus I preheat my Dutch oven for a full hour before the dough even goes in. The steam plus the crazy heat gives me that deep brown, crackly shell that sounds like a drum when you tap it. Now I honestly thank him every time I slice into a loaf, even though it kills me a little to admit it.