WARNING: A RANT

If you read this blog much you will know that I avoid politics or public affairs comments.  I mostly post about my boring mundane life.  In other words its about my own personal catharticism  than what is going on in the world.  But today I saw something on the news that is now bugging me.  I tried not to react when all this started a while ago but after what I saw today I am disgusted.

Kobe Bryant.  I get it.  He is a super hero.  He put a ball through a hoop many many many times.  yay.  He donated a bit of his millions and millions to some charities and opened a building that created more little mini Kobes...in his image.  He has now had two funerals.  We have endlessly listened to men gushing with verbal diarrhoea about how freaking amazing he was.  Okay.  For those of us that aren't quite as enamoured with a guy that could put balls through hoops and was nice...we get it.  No choice BUT to get it.

And now this morning I see they have prepared a stadium that holds over forty thousand  people for yet another 'we are not worthy' event, bowing down to  God Kobe.  Now I am not getting it.

He isn't Nelson Mandela.  He isn't a doctor who saved many many lives.  He isn't a freedom fighter who made a difference to inequality.  He isn't a genius musician who created music that will last for eternity.  He isn't an artist who created masterpieces. He didn't write beautiful everlasting prose.  He isn't god.  He's a guy that put balls through a hoop and is nice. The way all the sheeple worship the almighty sport gods makes me sick.  Just my opinion of course.  

And a brief mention here to the amazing family who died in the helicopter with the Demi god.  Try to find out something about them.  Good luck with that.

There.  I have been holding back that comment for some time.  Our world can be so screwed up with their priorities.  What is kind of ironic is I bet Kobe would have preferred the millions of dollars being spent on worshipping him, be spent on his fave charities. At least I like to think so.  And if this rant offends anyone reading this, well I ain't sorry.

Well its paint the purple room purple time!  I am going to get the paint ordered today and also the old lady wallpaper, to cover the old lady wallpaper thats already there.  I am excited!  I haven't used that room enough.  Its dark and dingy.  I am looking forward to a fresh lighter light in there.

Now a mention of supper last night.  What would one of my posts be without a mention of food.  I made cauliflower steaks.  So silly it seems.  When you cut the head up you only get about three steaks and a whole bunch of loose flowerettes.  I cut up two heads, completely filled my massive cookie sheet.  I brushed it all with oil, herbs and s&p and roasted it at 425, flipping them at the fifteen minute mark.

Monte had the brilliant idea of making hollandaise sauce for them.  And then I thought, hmmmm, lets make super low carb bennies, using the steaks instead of English muffins.  And thats what I did.  Bottom layer tasty cauliflower steak, next a layer of bacon, next an over easy (easier than poached, for me anyway) two eggs, covered with hollandaise.  It was absolutely delicious.  For the vegetarian in the house I left off the bacon.  I did it all on parchment paper so the clean up was super fast and easy.

Well I now feel much better having got all that off my chest.  Have a great day and TTYL.

BOYS BOYS BOYS

There seem to be a lot of boys in my house right now.  Best part is I get to cook for them.  And each one is so completely different.  Monte pretty much stays in his room but when he does come out he is so funny and gets me laughing.  Graeme is just crazy.  He is like the king of puns and stupid jokes and a lot of fun.  Peter is Peter.  He is an amazing conversationalist....the kind of conversations that are deep and fulfilling.  He is incredibly well read and I learn an awful lot from him.  I love them all and my life is anything but lonely or boring!

Graeme came to me yesterday and said he would like to have a project, a big one, to do whilst he is here.  Music to my ears!  So he is going to paint my purple room purple and, if it gets here soon enough, wallpaper the one wall.  If it doesn't Monte and I can do it.  He also is going to reorganize my shelves in the kitchen, the open ones along the wall.  They have become a seriously messy hodge podge.  It will be nice to see what I have before it goes outdated.  This will be very much appreciated!

Yesterday we decided to go to the museum around three thirty to five then go for Chinese Buffet.  Peter was going for a walk, be back at three thirty. Well he didn't show up until after four.  He had got back from his walk way earlier, we didn't hear him, and he had a nap.  The whole time we were waiting for him he was downstairs sleeping!  LOL!!

So we went for the Chinese food instead.  We had a blast!  The three of them are so crazy.  We are going to try again this afternoon then go for sushi.

This morning Graeme and I decided to head to Cloverdale to pick paint and wallpaper.  On the way we stopped at Smitty's for breakfast.  Yummm!  We split an eggs benny....Graeme had never had a benny before!!!  At Cloverdale we picked up all the paint samples and picked a wallpaper in a book we could sign out and bring home to double check, but I think I am going to run up to Benjamin Moore and check out their wallpaper. Just to be sure I have covered it all.

This is a lame post.  I am signing off now.  Have a great day, I know I am having one!!!!  TTYL

I HAVE THREE PAIRS OF GLASSES ON 

THE CRAZY GRAEME

BAD SELFIE

WRIST TYRANT

You know how some people, when they get a pet, it's all they can talk about?  Or when they do a diet with dramatic results?  Or start a new hobby and everyone gets given a crocheted pot holder and endless chit chat about it? Or, the worst of all, a born again Christian?  Saaaveee Meeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well I promise I won't go on and on about my wrist tyrant.  Much. 

Firstly I named it Dick.  For several reasons.  But mostly thats short for Richard Simmons, my fave personal trainer.  But also, you know, Dick.  And it's already being a Dick, buzzing instructions at me.

Dick actually got me out and walking around the block yesterday.  Grrrrrr....  And Dick has already told me I am not sleeping enough.  And Dick is whooping about my lack of water intake, not reaching my self imposed goal.  I actually bought Dick so I could keep track of my blood pressure and it doesn't even do that!  So we shall see how this uneasy alliance works out.

I had a fantastic time in Vancouver.  We stopped on our way to Aryn's at Cap U to see April for a minute.  That poor thing is on the verge of collapse....and tears.  They are loading them up with so much work its crazy.  We were standing by our truck when one of her teachers, the one that hands out most of the work, walked by.  Monte turned to him and asked in a loud voice, 'are you the one giving my sister too much homework?'.  Hahaha...he ducked and said something like its good for them.  Anyway it was good to see her and do a group hug.

We then went across the road from Cap U to the funeral home where Emmy works to pick up house keys for Monte to get in to her place where he would be staying.  It was great to see her.  She seems to be doing so well there and happy.

We then proceeded to Arnie's where Monte dropped me off.  It was so good to see her and dear old Fred, grand kitty, again.  Bradley is up north working so its was just the three of us.  Dorothy, who lives within walking distance of Aryn's, came over for dinner and the evening.  We had a blast! Dorothy is in the middle of job hunting and settling in to Vancouver again.  She is such an amazing lady so I know it won't take her long.  And she is stunningly beautiful, which never hurts!!!!

Aryn made fish pie, my favourite food in the whole world, for dinner.  It was amazing and delicious!!!!!  And for dessert she made a zucchini loaf....almond flour, swerve sweetener, zucchini, blueberries.....amazing and super low carb. Add in a glass of Kim Crawford and you have the perfect dinner.

We spent Thursday watching crap tv, lappies on our laps and visiting.  The perfect time spenders.  We went to the Cactus Club for lunch then a little shopping.  Home again and more crap tv, fish pie leftovers, more crap tv and visiting....it was truly the perfect time.  She helped me play with Dick and get him set up.  Thank god.  

The next morning she drove me to a McD's to meet Monte for the trip home.  He had a great couple of days at Em's, Wolf Parade concert and dinner and time spent with one of his best friends that he doesn't get to see often.  The trip home was fun, full of music and I Am Thinking Of Something games and conversing and an amazing stop at an amazing gas station.  Its on the reserve so the store part was very native forward.  I spent money.  Beautiful stuff.

Anywhoo home again.  Dick made me walk around the block, a thousand steps, and dear Peter came with me.  He is such a stellar guy and so supportive.  Kind of like a Dick but much nicer!  Hahahaha!!!!

So all for now and TTYL

HE SHED, SHE SHED AND THE WE SHED

Stuff stuff stuff.  So much stuff cluttering up our lives and creating work and angst.  I'm the opposite of a hoarder, although you wouldn't know by my life and abode.  I have those three sheds outside, full to the top.

I finally got my closet all organized and cleaned out.  Now there is a very real and present danger that it will turn into ANOTHER kitchen closet.  Oh man!  I am a hoarder with one thing....and thats kitchen stuff. 

 I have pots and pans, cans and cans, spices and more spices, dry goods and boxes of crackers and gadgets and salt and peppers, junk drawers so full I can hardly shut them, two baking drawers, big ones and a BIG box full of baking stuff and three coffee making implements and the linen closet in the hallway full of food and appliances and a huge rubbermaid of mis matched containers and no linen whatsoever and and and.....

But I had no trouble getting rid of pillows and sheets and pillow cases and towels.  I had no trouble getting rid of old boots and shoes and slippers and all things foot related.  And I got rid of a lot of junk, general stuff that builds up over time.  Yet I still have three sheds and a storage unit in Kamloops, full.  How how how?  It's a total mystery to me.

Today I am rounding up all the stuff that has to go to Vancouver with us tomorrow.  Peter has decided to stay here so I shall be leaving Wrangler here.  Which is probably good for dear old ancient Grandkitty at Aryn's.  He would leave Fred alone but poor Fred doesn't know that.  Right now the boys are making a massive trip to the recycling and the garbage dump.  My deck was getting to the embarrassing point and being near a Grocery store, Quality Foods, there is the possibility of rats.

So I am hanging it up here.  A very boring post today.  I am about to hop into the shower now and finish packing so I will probably post again in two days.  Aryn is working during the day so I shall have time on my hands.  TTYL

I'M GOING TO HAVE A FIT

Firstly, thank you Sharri for your comment.  I get seriously bored with my own life, never mind my posts here.  But one of the reasons I post is because it really does make a positive difference to my psyche to talk to you guys.  Very cathartic.

So, about that fit.  I cannot believe this as I write it, but, I have ordered a Fit Bit.  And now I am having a fit about that.  What the hell was I thinking?  Kathy would occasionally encourage me to get one but I always firmly responded with a loud NO!  I do not want something on my wrist telling me how to live my life, even if it is well intentioned.

But.....I have been on this earth long enough, raised enough kids, observed life itself, to know that if you aren't getting something done, take a long look at the reasons why.  Sometimes the reasons will surprise you sometimes not.

For example when we were still in Bamfield, we had a floor that had to be swept at least twice a day. I would sweep up a pile, but then I would leave it there.  Which really bugged Bill.  But no matter how mad he got with me I still left the piles there. When I gave it some serious thought, I realized that bending over to dust pan it, my reflux would happen, bad.  So I told him and bless his heart, he just quietly, without saying anything, would sweep the piles up for me.

Thats just one example.  From all that I have learned over the years, motivation and understanding the dilemma makes  the difference to reaching a positive end result.

My dilemma?  I need to move off my chair....one way or the other.  I had a long chat with Arnie.  She has a fit bit.  And after talking with her I think having one of these wrist tyrants can only have a positive effect. From what I understand you set a steps goal, and then its divided up by the hours you need to do it in and it reminds you each hour that you 'haven't' met your hourly goal.  Aryn said that she walks around the loft for the steps she has to do, martini in hand!  Hahaha!!!  Plus it does a whole lot more.

It arrives on Monday.  I am heading to Vancouver to Arnie's on Wednesday.  So I ain't even opening it until I go to her.  I will get her help getting it all set up on my phone and computer.  Oh, and its waterproof so I can even wear it in the pool!  

I'm scared.

TTYL

ONE BIG DRAWBACK

The biggest drawback to more frequent posts is they will be super boring...er.  NOTHING is happening.  I haven't gone out.  I haven't got dressed.  I haven't cooked.  I haven't done nuthin'.

I have been going through my closet in the guest bedroom.  I have found all sorts of things.  For example (and I am only listing crap cuz their ain't nothing else to write about...I would just skip this post if I were you..). (shovel list). A whole brand new unopened Costco package of double A batteries, fifteen packages of L'oreal face wipes (big ones..like I ever use those things...why, why did I buy those?), donkey kong for Nintendo 64, a random Telus pvr, three different shampoos, four zip lock bags of missing jewelry, five fancy soaps, a crazy coloured brand new shower curtain, at least I think it is, its not open and its from Amazon,  two expensive full perfumes, scarves by the truckload, weird socks, fancy plate, hair product, and more hair product, and even more hair product....well you get the point.

This morning Pete and I watched the latest episode of the Bachelorette.  A THREE HOUR episode.  Luckily we could skip through the long silly predictable dialogues and the commercials but still....it took up the morning...as we made scathing comments and nasty remarks.  That part was fun.  This sort of thing is what happens when you aren't working.  Pretty sad actually, even if it was fun.  

Ummmm...lets see.......ummmm.....nope!  Nothing else to report.  Sorry.  TTYL

SABBAT

If you are Jewish you will know what Sabbat means.  If not, well its the Sabbath in the Jewish faith.

(For some reason you have to click 'read more' at the bottom to see the whole post.  Stupid blogspot.)

I remember learning about this when I was 17-18 years old.  Mom made me move to Vancouver and she found an au pair job for me with a very rich Jewish family, Audrey and Nissan Goldman.  They had three wee kids and a huge house.  My job was to totally look after everything to do with the kids and to do all the cooking, laundry and ironing.  I also went to Point Grey High...grade twelve.

I was taught how to cook the family favourites and even though they were not Orthodox, they did practice Shabbot.  Shabbot was every Friday night.  This involved a kosher dinner, lighting of candles, prayers etc...Part of the kosher dinner, an important part, was the challah bread.  They bought the bread so I didn't have to make it.

Yesterday being Sabbat, Peter and I decided to make challah and light candles.  So we did just that.

The making of the bread though wasn't without its little mishaps!  I got a recipe off the internet and set about putting it together.  Peter did all the kneading.  I was a little worried because I noticed that the yeast didn't bloom. We waited about ten minutes...nothing.  We went ahead anyway and mixed it up.

I had set my oven for bread proof, stuck it in there and after about a half hour the dough had not moved an inch.  So we took it out and I pulled the dough out of the bowl and threw it into a clean pot that was sitting on the stove.  I then put another batch together, but I did it my way I have always done over the years.  And the yeast bloomed beautifully!

So another batch was kneaded by Pete and into the oven to rise.  After quite a long time that batch finally started to rise but surprise surprise, the one I had thrown into the pot on the stove had risen way up!  So now we had two batches.

Long silly story short, one we braided into challah and the other into cinnamon buns.  But....as the pics below will show, the challah bread final product did NOT turn out like the lovely pictures on the inter net.  It turned out like a bloated dead whale that had been lying on the beach for a few weeks.  

I have a bread machine that works very well but the bread is tasteless.  This bread is absolutely delicious.  Flavour!  I think the difference is in the recipe. The challah recipe calls for twice the salt and sugar and lots of eggs.  That must be the difference.  We lit candles and ate kosher bread and very NOT kosher cinnamon buns.  TTYL

NOTHING BEATS A GOOD LOOKING DUDE IN YOUR KITCHEN DOING THE HEAVY WORK!!!

THE BRAIDED GOOD LOOKING CHALLAH READY TO BAKE AND THE SECOND BATCH OF BREAD SLOOOOWLY RISING

THE ONE I WAS GOING TO THROW OUT BUT SURPRISED US