I was in Tim Hortons the other day. While waiting in line, I saw the advertisement on the TV mounted above the showcase for 'Earth Hour.' Unfortunately for the elderly lady in front of me, I let out such a huff of frustration that I most likely mussed her perfectly coiffured curls. I asked the perky girl at the counter why the add was being run. "It's like, so good for the environment! Isn't it cool that we're going green?" Oi.
I thought this nonsense was over a year ago. Phrases such as, In 2007 Earth hour was started by a group in Australia and now in 2009 we're hoping for at least a billion people to take part make it seem like a 'fun' thing to do. I'm not knocking those who have good intent, but what are we really teaching people? That if we turn off our lights for an hour we'll be that much greener or we'll save this amount of money? If you ask most people, they think that this is the case. But what is the reality?
Here is my interpretation of what will happen from the aspect of a typical teenager.
8:00 I better set my VCR to record tonight's shows because I won't be able have the TV on because I feel like being extra green!
8:20 Setting my Facebook status to (Name) is turning out the lights for Earth Hour!
8:29 Said good luck to all my friends on MSN.
8:30 Start dashing around the house like a mad person turning off all of the lights.
8:32 Yelling at mom - she turned the lights on to go to the bathroom! That's like, so not green.
8:47 Sending text messages to all of my BFF's - we're all doing super!
8:55 Looking for something to do, getting a little bored. How do the Amish do it?
9:03 Downloading a new game on the cell phone. With the back lit screen, who needs lights?
9:19 Started checking all the clocks in the house to see which one will say 9:30 first, and that's which one we'll go by.
9:28 Arg! This has been an eternity!
9:30 Turn on lights. Turn on computer to check Facebook and see how everyone did. Plug in phone charger. Turn on TV. So proud of myself!
Does anyone else see the issue here? Have we forgotten the monumental difference between continuous power consumption and the amount used the turn everything back on? Sure we might make a difference if all we were doing was turning our lights back on; but with the addition of our computers, TVs, and all other accessories and appliances there is more lost than gained.
People will argue this I'm sure, but my final opinion on the matter is a proven fact - there is less power wasted by continuous usage then the power surge required for the initial reboot. What will I be doing tonight at 8:30? Sitting at work.
With the lights on.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Update
So . . .
It's been awhile, and I just wanted to touch base. Not much of great import has happened lately. After rehearsal Tuesday night I papered the entire hospital with fliers for "Broads." During casual chit-chat with some of the nurses, I happened to mention that I had made panzerotti for supper with Penelope. In typical night shift fashion, the mere mention of food caused salivation. Uh oh, now I'm feeling guilty. They asked what else I had been up to, and I told them about my trip to the grocery store. When asked why, I didn't want to answer, but I did. I bought ingredients for something new I wanted to try with some leftover garlic dough. At that point I was given the evil eye, and told to go home and make it then.
So I did. It may have been midnight, but for the first time in my life I was quiet enough in the kitchen that I didn't wake Mom and Dad. I finished baking around 1:30, and I brought them in. They disappeared quite quickly, so I guess they were tasty. I won't tell you what they were because I plan to post about them, but not until I master sealing the filling in the dough and twisting properly!
Today I helped Mom move Sister home from residence. She doesn't live there anymore anyway, but she left two carloads of things in that pitiful excuse for a room. I won't dwell on it anymore because I still feel like things are crawling on me. A funny note is that someone in school for Hairdressing shouldn't shed so much! I don't know if the hair was from her heads, playing with her extensions, or the heads that she styles, but there were mountains on the floor! I'm glad to be home, with a (clean) shower at my disposal.
It's been awhile, and I just wanted to touch base. Not much of great import has happened lately. After rehearsal Tuesday night I papered the entire hospital with fliers for "Broads." During casual chit-chat with some of the nurses, I happened to mention that I had made panzerotti for supper with Penelope. In typical night shift fashion, the mere mention of food caused salivation. Uh oh, now I'm feeling guilty. They asked what else I had been up to, and I told them about my trip to the grocery store. When asked why, I didn't want to answer, but I did. I bought ingredients for something new I wanted to try with some leftover garlic dough. At that point I was given the evil eye, and told to go home and make it then.
So I did. It may have been midnight, but for the first time in my life I was quiet enough in the kitchen that I didn't wake Mom and Dad. I finished baking around 1:30, and I brought them in. They disappeared quite quickly, so I guess they were tasty. I won't tell you what they were because I plan to post about them, but not until I master sealing the filling in the dough and twisting properly!
Today I helped Mom move Sister home from residence. She doesn't live there anymore anyway, but she left two carloads of things in that pitiful excuse for a room. I won't dwell on it anymore because I still feel like things are crawling on me. A funny note is that someone in school for Hairdressing shouldn't shed so much! I don't know if the hair was from her heads, playing with her extensions, or the heads that she styles, but there were mountains on the floor! I'm glad to be home, with a (clean) shower at my disposal.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Family Room Renovations - V (The Finale!)
Well, we're finally done. And it's about time! Here is the complete timeline:
- Before
- Primer
- Ceiling in Goat Cheese
- Walls in Natural Charm and Worn Boots
- Beginning to start the new colours
- Finished walls in Beryl Green and Forest Shade
- Finished floor
- Furniture being moved back in
- After
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Apple Fritter - Deconfusified
Get out that all-purpose white bread dough, we're baking again! Don't forget to add your flax seed and oats to the mix if you're making this a little healthier.
While the dough is rising, peel and slice four apples. I used two Macintosh and two Royal Gala. Obviously, the choice is yours. Now it is time for a quick snack. Eat a Mandarin orange, and save the peel. In the bottom of a medium sized saucepan, pour about half a cup of white wine. Please feel free to enjoy half a cup for yourself as well, but no more. I don't want you tipsy in the kitchen. Add a cup of brown sugar, and half a cup of warm water. It does not need to be warm, but it will speed up the process. Sprinkle as much nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon as you desire. Toss in the apples and mandarin peel, and let simmer on a low heat.
The apples are ready when the thinnest slices are slightly opaque. Add more water whenever necessary, but try not to dilute the spiced liquid that you already have by adding too much. I'm sure you don't need to be told, but discard mandarin peel when done cooking.
Once your dough has finished rising, pat out a rectangle. Sprinkle with brown sugar and additional cinnamon. Using a ladle to ensure to excess liquid; space apples along the middle of the rectangle, about two-thirds should be covered.
Bake for twenty to twenty-five minutes at 400. Make sure to have the pan on a baking sheet in case any liquid bubbles over. Pictured below are the finished rolls. Any additional cream cheese frosting may be used as a topping, or for dipping. This makes a very nice dessert or breakfast, depending on the amount of sugar that you choose to use.
(The idea for this recipe is stolen. I'll freely admit that. The main idea for the recipe comes from Daily Decadent's sticky buns, and the cream cheese frosting from Dolly. The combination of spices, orange peel, and wine in the apples is all mine though!)
While the dough is rising, peel and slice four apples. I used two Macintosh and two Royal Gala. Obviously, the choice is yours. Now it is time for a quick snack. Eat a Mandarin orange, and save the peel. In the bottom of a medium sized saucepan, pour about half a cup of white wine. Please feel free to enjoy half a cup for yourself as well, but no more. I don't want you tipsy in the kitchen. Add a cup of brown sugar, and half a cup of warm water. It does not need to be warm, but it will speed up the process. Sprinkle as much nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon as you desire. Toss in the apples and mandarin peel, and let simmer on a low heat.
The apples are ready when the thinnest slices are slightly opaque. Add more water whenever necessary, but try not to dilute the spiced liquid that you already have by adding too much. I'm sure you don't need to be told, but discard mandarin peel when done cooking.
Once your dough has finished rising, pat out a rectangle. Sprinkle with brown sugar and additional cinnamon. Using a ladle to ensure to excess liquid; space apples along the middle of the rectangle, about two-thirds should be covered.If you would like to add a cream cheese mixture as well keep reading. If not, skip to the next paragraph. Beat together one package of cream cheese, one cup of icing sugar, and three tablespoons of vanilla. Once creamy, spoon into a plastic bag. Seal the bag shut, and then cut a small hole in a corner of the bottom of the bag. This will allow you to pipe lines of the cream cheese onto the dough. Pipe one line above the apples, one line below, and one line on top of the apples.
Starting at the top, carefully roll the dough down. It may prove difficult the first time, especially if the apples are too thick. Once you have a nice log rolled, set aside for a moment. Spread margarine on the bottom and sides of a pie plate. Sprinkle brown sugar over top, just enough to lightly coat. Using a sharp knife, cut the dough log. The best way to pick up the pieces is to use two hands for each piece, pinching the dough underneath to make sure that none of the filling falls out during the transfer into the pan. Once all the pieces are placed, you may wish to sprinkle with a few dashes of cinnamon or a spoonful of leftover juice from the apple pot.
Bake for twenty to twenty-five minutes at 400. Make sure to have the pan on a baking sheet in case any liquid bubbles over. Pictured below are the finished rolls. Any additional cream cheese frosting may be used as a topping, or for dipping. This makes a very nice dessert or breakfast, depending on the amount of sugar that you choose to use.
(The idea for this recipe is stolen. I'll freely admit that. The main idea for the recipe comes from Daily Decadent's sticky buns, and the cream cheese frosting from Dolly. The combination of spices, orange peel, and wine in the apples is all mine though!)Bruschetta Loaf - Deconfusified
Who doesn't love Bruschetta? If you said me, skip this post and read something else. This is a very simple version if you don't like to mess around with placing toppings on top of bread.
First you will need to make your dough. If you do not feel like making it yourself that's fine, but you'll have to gauge the baking times for yourself. I used an all-purpose white bread dough recipe; with the addition of one clove of minced garlic, about a teaspoon of garlic powder, and a heavy sprinkling of parsley. If you feel like being healthy, substitute oats for some of the flour, and add flax seeds. While I let the dough go through the initial rise, I sauteed together one medium tomato, about half of a green pepper, one onion, one stalk of celery, and a good pinch of both rosemary and basil. I used Italian salad dressing to fry these up. Do not use too much salad dressing, it is very important that there is as little moisture as possible.
Once your dough has risen, pat out a nice rectangle.
Making a line down the middle, make a thin layer of shredded cheese. Add the sauteed vegetables over top with some Parmesan cheese.
Chop up another tomato, and place over top of sauteed vegetables. Add one more skimpy layer of shredded cheese.
Pull up both sides of the dough to cover the layers. You may need to roll the ends to close them off. Place on a baking sheet that has been lightly coated with cooking spray, and dusted with flour. Bake at 400 for 10 minutes. Remove from oven, and brush with olive oil and a touch of Parmesan to top it off. Return to oven and bake for an additional ten to fifteen minutes.
The reason we did not want an excess of moisture is because any liquid will seep out of the sides of the loaf. This creates a hole. I don't like holes, they make the filling fall out!
This plate was quickly devoured by the hungry nurses at work. I guess I did well!
First you will need to make your dough. If you do not feel like making it yourself that's fine, but you'll have to gauge the baking times for yourself. I used an all-purpose white bread dough recipe; with the addition of one clove of minced garlic, about a teaspoon of garlic powder, and a heavy sprinkling of parsley. If you feel like being healthy, substitute oats for some of the flour, and add flax seeds. While I let the dough go through the initial rise, I sauteed together one medium tomato, about half of a green pepper, one onion, one stalk of celery, and a good pinch of both rosemary and basil. I used Italian salad dressing to fry these up. Do not use too much salad dressing, it is very important that there is as little moisture as possible.
Once your dough has risen, pat out a nice rectangle.
Making a line down the middle, make a thin layer of shredded cheese. Add the sauteed vegetables over top with some Parmesan cheese.
Chop up another tomato, and place over top of sauteed vegetables. Add one more skimpy layer of shredded cheese.
Pull up both sides of the dough to cover the layers. You may need to roll the ends to close them off. Place on a baking sheet that has been lightly coated with cooking spray, and dusted with flour. Bake at 400 for 10 minutes. Remove from oven, and brush with olive oil and a touch of Parmesan to top it off. Return to oven and bake for an additional ten to fifteen minutes.The reason we did not want an excess of moisture is because any liquid will seep out of the sides of the loaf. This creates a hole. I don't like holes, they make the filling fall out!
This plate was quickly devoured by the hungry nurses at work. I guess I did well!Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Spiced Seafood Stirfry - Deconfusified
What better a way to hide additional vegetables in your food than to disguise them as seasoning? This mindset works wonderfully until you remember that you are cooking for yourself as well. At that point you may congratulate yourself on being such a healthy eater. The following is a combination that proved most tasty, and you guessed it! It was discovered by my love of adding, and adding . . .
Here is the really hard part of the recipe. Mix all of the following ingredients together with olive oil: Chopped broccoli hearts, two garlic cloves, garlic powder, one chopped stalk of celery, turmeric, cloves, oregano, rosemary, dill weed, flax seed, minced onion, chopped green pepper, and tomato pulp. The easiest way to add tomato pulp is to hold the tomato over the pan and squeeze. What remains in your hand is fantastic on a sandwich or in a pita because there is no pulp to make the bread moist!
You may be thinking that this is over-spiced. You may be right. Anyway, turn up the heat and listen for the sizzle! This becomes very fragrant quite quickly. Some might instead say pungent. The goal here is to almost burn everything together to make a coating for the seafood that you will add. 
I've added squid rings at this point. While they began to cook, I sprinkled them lightly with flour to absorb some of the excess oil, and to make them crispy.
Finally, snow peas were added. That's how many vegetables now? I'm so proud of myself!
This worked out well, but I have to be honest just in case anyone else tries this! I much prefer this recipe with shrimp rather than squid. Also as can be seen in the picture above, I did not allow the seasonings to cook long enough. It should not resemble a pesto, it should be much more blackened. Ah well, live and learn! It was still yummy, just not my best work.
Here is the really hard part of the recipe. Mix all of the following ingredients together with olive oil: Chopped broccoli hearts, two garlic cloves, garlic powder, one chopped stalk of celery, turmeric, cloves, oregano, rosemary, dill weed, flax seed, minced onion, chopped green pepper, and tomato pulp. The easiest way to add tomato pulp is to hold the tomato over the pan and squeeze. What remains in your hand is fantastic on a sandwich or in a pita because there is no pulp to make the bread moist!
You may be thinking that this is over-spiced. You may be right. Anyway, turn up the heat and listen for the sizzle! This becomes very fragrant quite quickly. Some might instead say pungent. The goal here is to almost burn everything together to make a coating for the seafood that you will add. 
I've added squid rings at this point. While they began to cook, I sprinkled them lightly with flour to absorb some of the excess oil, and to make them crispy.
Finally, snow peas were added. That's how many vegetables now? I'm so proud of myself!
This worked out well, but I have to be honest just in case anyone else tries this! I much prefer this recipe with shrimp rather than squid. Also as can be seen in the picture above, I did not allow the seasonings to cook long enough. It should not resemble a pesto, it should be much more blackened. Ah well, live and learn! It was still yummy, just not my best work.Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Top O' The Mornin'
My true love sits in a forest glade
In the springtime's golden light,
The flowers dance in the gentle breeze
And the warm sun shines so bright.
And of all the flowers in the forest
And all the trees that do abound,
The ones that please my heart the most
Are green the whole year 'round.
Green the whole year 'round,
Green the whole year 'round.
The holly, yew, and the ivy tree,
Are green the whole year 'round.
Here is an Irish toast for anyone who is so inclined tonight:
"May your glass be ever full. May the roof over your head be always strong. And may you be in heaven half an hour before the devil knows you’re dead."
(Don't worry, I'm not finished with the renovations saga - but even I need a break now and then. Have you ever noticed how life isn't always catagorized nicely? Well neither is my blog. Above lyrics by Celtic Woman - "Green the Whole Year 'Round")
In the springtime's golden light,
The flowers dance in the gentle breeze
And the warm sun shines so bright.
And of all the flowers in the forestAnd all the trees that do abound,
The ones that please my heart the most
Are green the whole year 'round.
Green the whole year 'round,Green the whole year 'round.
The holly, yew, and the ivy tree,
Are green the whole year 'round.
Here is an Irish toast for anyone who is so inclined tonight:"May your glass be ever full. May the roof over your head be always strong. And may you be in heaven half an hour before the devil knows you’re dead."
(Don't worry, I'm not finished with the renovations saga - but even I need a break now and then. Have you ever noticed how life isn't always catagorized nicely? Well neither is my blog. Above lyrics by Celtic Woman - "Green the Whole Year 'Round")
Monday, March 16, 2009
Family Room Renovations - IV
I'm not going to show you the entire laborious process again. It was bad enough the first time, and there's no reason that you should have to go through it too! Here's Mom touching up the door - someone must have slopped. Probably me.
The atmosphere of the room is now so much brighter. They are not the most vibrant of colours, but what a difference from the first round of pictures! I've asked Mom a few times if she is pleased, and there is no hesitation this time. She is very happy, as are the rest of us.
I can't take credit for much/any of the work this time around, I was busy with my music. There isn't going to be a rehearsal this week (due to St. Patrick's day - I guess we will all be drunk!) so Dolly and I are getting together with a few of the altos. You might think this is funny, I'm a tenor; why would I practice with the altos? Well, Dolly is a very low alto. Sometimes she drops down to the tenor line.
Being a high tenor, sometimes I'm required to sing a little higher than I'd like. By this I mean full out falsetto; it isn't pretty. So we'll sing our choral parts, do the duet, and maybe knock back a couple. It will be St. Patrick's day after all.
The atmosphere of the room is now so much brighter. They are not the most vibrant of colours, but what a difference from the first round of pictures! I've asked Mom a few times if she is pleased, and there is no hesitation this time. She is very happy, as are the rest of us.
I can't take credit for much/any of the work this time around, I was busy with my music. There isn't going to be a rehearsal this week (due to St. Patrick's day - I guess we will all be drunk!) so Dolly and I are getting together with a few of the altos. You might think this is funny, I'm a tenor; why would I practice with the altos? Well, Dolly is a very low alto. Sometimes she drops down to the tenor line.
Being a high tenor, sometimes I'm required to sing a little higher than I'd like. By this I mean full out falsetto; it isn't pretty. So we'll sing our choral parts, do the duet, and maybe knock back a couple. It will be St. Patrick's day after all.Saturday, March 14, 2009
Family Room Renovations - III
Natural Charm. That's the name of the third colour. Through a stunning display of photography, I've managed to make it look like a nice colour while I was painting the trim.
While (attempting) to avoid drips on the lower panelling, I had a flash of brilliance. I recycled a thin cardboard box as a buffer between where I wanted the paint to go, and where I didn't. It worked about 80% of the time, until I got tired of only being able to paint 25 centimetres at a time.
So here it is! Goat cheese, Natural charm, and Worn boots.
As I was touching up some small areas, Mom came in with a funny sort of smile on her face. She asked me if I liked it. After a day of inhaling fumes, I was not at my most tactful. I snorted, and said no. I explained the the room was very very bland. One of the colours that we were trying to avoid was 'army surplus olive green' (now don't you think that I should name colours? I do!) and the Worn Boots was fading to just that. Her face fell, and at that moment I knew that she was looking for someone else to agree that colour was not an improvement in the room. Back to the store we go . . .
Maybe my choices will be better than theirs. Beryl Green and Forest Shade. Isn't that nice? They sound like actual colours; whereas Natural Charm and Worn Boots are euphemisms for nudity and dilapidated footwear.
While (attempting) to avoid drips on the lower panelling, I had a flash of brilliance. I recycled a thin cardboard box as a buffer between where I wanted the paint to go, and where I didn't. It worked about 80% of the time, until I got tired of only being able to paint 25 centimetres at a time.
So here it is! Goat cheese, Natural charm, and Worn boots.
As I was touching up some small areas, Mom came in with a funny sort of smile on her face. She asked me if I liked it. After a day of inhaling fumes, I was not at my most tactful. I snorted, and said no. I explained the the room was very very bland. One of the colours that we were trying to avoid was 'army surplus olive green' (now don't you think that I should name colours? I do!) and the Worn Boots was fading to just that. Her face fell, and at that moment I knew that she was looking for someone else to agree that colour was not an improvement in the room. Back to the store we go . . .Maybe my choices will be better than theirs. Beryl Green and Forest Shade. Isn't that nice? They sound like actual colours; whereas Natural Charm and Worn Boots are euphemisms for nudity and dilapidated footwear.Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Family Room Renovations - II
I must start this entry with an apology to all of my daily readers. I have not been updating as regularly as usual due to the renovations that I have mentioned previously. After I paint, then shower, then go about whatever the rest of my daily routine might entail, I just don't feel up to writing about it! This entry may be brief as well, as my eyes are starting to droop!
While priming, I felt the need to make my feelings perfectly clear.
Since we are not taking out the wood paneling, I had to fill in all the cracks with the primer. I don't mean to make any of this blog sound like I am complaining, because I realize that this is work that needs to be done. Nevertheless, I refuse to follow the school of thought which preaches that I have to have a smile on my face, and whistle while I work. I wasn't whistling, I was singing along with Kristen Chenoweth's Christmas album.
Here Mom takes care of the windows (ignore the splotches on the glass!) . . .
. . . while Dad tackles the ceiling.
That was Monday.
While priming, I felt the need to make my feelings perfectly clear.
Since we are not taking out the wood paneling, I had to fill in all the cracks with the primer. I don't mean to make any of this blog sound like I am complaining, because I realize that this is work that needs to be done. Nevertheless, I refuse to follow the school of thought which preaches that I have to have a smile on my face, and whistle while I work. I wasn't whistling, I was singing along with Kristen Chenoweth's Christmas album.Here Mom takes care of the windows (ignore the splotches on the glass!) . . .
. . . while Dad tackles the ceiling.
That was Monday. Tuesday we began with the paint. Instead of a white that will fade to a dirty cream, the ceiling is now a colour called Goat Cheese. I like my feta a little whiter, but I don't name the paint.
Mom is at the windows again, this time with the colour Worn Boots. I think the last pair of boots that I had in my possession were a pair of blue snow boots, and this colour is quite different. Again, you can see where I've been - all of the cracks along the wood paneling and corners.
Dad is taking a break. Don't think he's slacking, he just finished the ceiling. I know from partially priming it how difficult it can be! The tiles soak up paint very quickly, and getting the paint inside the cracks evenly is not easy at all - seeing as I could only do about a sixth of it before I had to quit because my neck was cramping!
Mom is at the windows again, this time with the colour Worn Boots. I think the last pair of boots that I had in my possession were a pair of blue snow boots, and this colour is quite different. Again, you can see where I've been - all of the cracks along the wood paneling and corners.
Dad is taking a break. Don't think he's slacking, he just finished the ceiling. I know from partially priming it how difficult it can be! The tiles soak up paint very quickly, and getting the paint inside the cracks evenly is not easy at all - seeing as I could only do about a sixth of it before I had to quit because my neck was cramping! I don't remember the name of the last colour that will be going between the paneling and the ceiling, but I'll look it up for you. I do however remember that it was also another ridiculous name. This makes me wonder how much the people that think up these names get paid, and whether or not I should send in my resume. A quick note about the floor - now that some of the paint is on, it looks worse than ever! Not even the paint splotches that I've dripped improve upon it. Hmm? What's that? Oh, don't kid yourself. Of course I slop. I drip paint on the floor, my clothes get covered, and I get it in my hair. Don't you want to hire me to renovate your house?
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Family Room Renovations - I
If you asked me a year ago what I thought about our family room, I most likely would not have had an answer. I don't spend much time in that room, save for using the door to go outside, playing wii, or doing Turbo. Everything in this room has stayed pretty much the same since the day I was born, so it's pretty safe to assume that we are all used to the way it is. The walls proudly display (too) many pictures of my sister and I as we made our way through school, the tables are weighed down with assorted nick-knacks compiled throughout the years; you get the picture. It has now been emptied, and is ready for work to be done!
During the summer last year, we started renovations in the house. We repainted both my room and my sister's room, as well as replaced the carpeting with hardwood laminate flooring. Mom and Dad's room received the same treatment, as well as some new insulation and drywall. At this time, someone must have felt ambitious, as the carpet in the family room was pulled up as well - uh oh. What's that underneath? What is that hideously coloured linoleum doing down there? The carpet in the room had been there since before my parents moved in. This means that this carpet had been hiding that nasty surprise for over a quarter of a century - urg!
In my opinion, the only explanation for this floor would be hippies thinking that the colours are 'groovy' after too many bong hits after a love-in. Looking up we see were all of the pictures used to hang.
I've already commented to Mom that our family room currently looks like the set of a horror film!
I left for a little while to get some supper, and to get out of the dust that moving things inevitably kicks up. Upon my return, I found a poor confused cat nosing around. Unlike the rest of us, she does not thrive on change!
While I was gone, Mom and Dad had been busy filling in all the holes in the walls. The only things left to move out to the garage are their armchairs, the table, the last lamp, and the TV. Here's Mom enjoying a well deserved break before turning in.
Tomorrow - we prime!
During the summer last year, we started renovations in the house. We repainted both my room and my sister's room, as well as replaced the carpeting with hardwood laminate flooring. Mom and Dad's room received the same treatment, as well as some new insulation and drywall. At this time, someone must have felt ambitious, as the carpet in the family room was pulled up as well - uh oh. What's that underneath? What is that hideously coloured linoleum doing down there? The carpet in the room had been there since before my parents moved in. This means that this carpet had been hiding that nasty surprise for over a quarter of a century - urg!
In my opinion, the only explanation for this floor would be hippies thinking that the colours are 'groovy' after too many bong hits after a love-in. Looking up we see were all of the pictures used to hang.
I've already commented to Mom that our family room currently looks like the set of a horror film!I left for a little while to get some supper, and to get out of the dust that moving things inevitably kicks up. Upon my return, I found a poor confused cat nosing around. Unlike the rest of us, she does not thrive on change!
While I was gone, Mom and Dad had been busy filling in all the holes in the walls. The only things left to move out to the garage are their armchairs, the table, the last lamp, and the TV. Here's Mom enjoying a well deserved break before turning in.
Tomorrow - we prime!Saturday, March 7, 2009
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Preventative Maintenance
A mind is a terrible thing to waste - more specifically my mind (in my opinion anyway). I know that puzzles such as Sudoku are supposed to be great exercises for your brain, but I don't see how the repetitive nature of rewriting the numbers one through nine is exercise! Anyway, if the answers are in the back of the book it is far too easy to cheat. Maybe I don't need mental aid, I need a lesson in self-control. But, I digress . . .
Of late I have found myself in the throes of blond moments. Just that perpetual 'duh' feeling, where you know people are looking at you because you just did something silly. Usually I have, which is just part of my charm. However, I do not appreciate my memory deciding to have a mind of it's own. It's my mind, that's the point. The best example would be at rehearsal the other day. One person was not completely satisfied with the arrangement for one of the songs. Having quite the collection of music books myself, I knew I had a better one. Could I find it? No. I searched through the same book several times, figuring there must be a reprise somewhere; why else would I think these things?
Two days later I found it in a completely different book. Please do not ask me what triggered my memory all of a sudden, I haven't the foggiest (that's all I had for days - fog in my head).
This may not seem like a big deal to you. Of the hundreds of books, tens of thousands of pages, and millions of words, this was only a few pieces of paper that slipped my mind. Maybe because of my recent birthday, I am subconsciously feeling elderly. Possibly due to the fact that I do memorize things easily, I have reached maximum storage capacity - kind of like the napkin holders at Tim Hortons. You can stuff as many as you want in one side, but they might start popping out the other! Whatever the reason, it just bugs me.
I have decided to fight this however I can. My first attempt was with Penelope yesterday. I figure that dementia is most common in the elderly. How do we fight this? Act childish!
It may have been only a few scant minutes, but I climbed the tree. Am I strange? Yes, I will admit freely that I am. But if this is how I psychologically decide to deter the decline of my mental status, who are you to judge? Don't even tell me that you're the voice of reason. I don't believe in you.
I am so thankful to have a friend like Penelope. She witnessed my antics, she listened to my ramblings, and waited patiently for my rantings to subside. Through all this she managed to keep her laughter inside, where it would not injure my momentarily fragile state-of-being.
Slight memory blips might be a nasty premonition of my twilight years, but at least I know that she'll be there; laughing right alongside me!
Of late I have found myself in the throes of blond moments. Just that perpetual 'duh' feeling, where you know people are looking at you because you just did something silly. Usually I have, which is just part of my charm. However, I do not appreciate my memory deciding to have a mind of it's own. It's my mind, that's the point. The best example would be at rehearsal the other day. One person was not completely satisfied with the arrangement for one of the songs. Having quite the collection of music books myself, I knew I had a better one. Could I find it? No. I searched through the same book several times, figuring there must be a reprise somewhere; why else would I think these things?
Two days later I found it in a completely different book. Please do not ask me what triggered my memory all of a sudden, I haven't the foggiest (that's all I had for days - fog in my head).
This may not seem like a big deal to you. Of the hundreds of books, tens of thousands of pages, and millions of words, this was only a few pieces of paper that slipped my mind. Maybe because of my recent birthday, I am subconsciously feeling elderly. Possibly due to the fact that I do memorize things easily, I have reached maximum storage capacity - kind of like the napkin holders at Tim Hortons. You can stuff as many as you want in one side, but they might start popping out the other! Whatever the reason, it just bugs me.
I have decided to fight this however I can. My first attempt was with Penelope yesterday. I figure that dementia is most common in the elderly. How do we fight this? Act childish!
It may have been only a few scant minutes, but I climbed the tree. Am I strange? Yes, I will admit freely that I am. But if this is how I psychologically decide to deter the decline of my mental status, who are you to judge? Don't even tell me that you're the voice of reason. I don't believe in you.I am so thankful to have a friend like Penelope. She witnessed my antics, she listened to my ramblings, and waited patiently for my rantings to subside. Through all this she managed to keep her laughter inside, where it would not injure my momentarily fragile state-of-being.
Slight memory blips might be a nasty premonition of my twilight years, but at least I know that she'll be there; laughing right alongside me!Tuesday, March 3, 2009
*Gasp . . . pant*
I'm not quite that out of breath, but close. This is someone I'd like you to meet.
This is Chalene Johnson. She isn't a real person. Well, somewhere she's real, but I don't believe it. No real person has that much energy. I'm not saying I'm a lazy individual (usually) but I most certainly do not have a smile pasted on my face at all times, reminding myself that, "I'm gonna feel great when this is done! Reach for those calories! Energy comes from your head! Use those legs!" Oi.
This is Chalene Johnson. She isn't a real person. Well, somewhere she's real, but I don't believe it. No real person has that much energy. I'm not saying I'm a lazy individual (usually) but I most certainly do not have a smile pasted on my face at all times, reminding myself that, "I'm gonna feel great when this is done! Reach for those calories! Energy comes from your head! Use those legs!" Oi.I just finished Cardio Party Mix 1. I don't know why it is called a party, I like chips and dip at my parties. This was a bunch of twisting, punching, kicking, and more. Basically a warning to all - stay out of my way if you don't want to get hurt! Then we did our jingas, capoera, and finesse, finishing off with our Ti Chi. I remember when this used to be fun, but I haven't really had the time in the past few weeks! Ah well, time to (try) to lose some weight. At least that's something Chalene can help me do - 0.6 lbs in 45 mins today!
Now if only I hadn't brought the chips and dip to the party . . .
Monday, March 2, 2009
Word of the Day
The word of the day is tá. Why? Because that is today's grammar lesson. Tá is the gaelic form of the french étre, and the closest english translation is "to be."
Tá mé (TAW* may*) I am
Tá tú (TAW* too) you (singular) are
Tá sé (TAW* shay*) he, (it) is
Tá sí (TAW* shee) she is
Táimid (TAW* mid) we are
Tá sibh (TAW* shiv) you (plural) are
Tá siad (taw* SHEE-uhd) they are
Remember, you learn something new everyday. This just might be it.
Tá mé (TAW* may*) I am
Tá tú (TAW* too) you (singular) are
Tá sé (TAW* shay*) he, (it) is
Tá sí (TAW* shee) she is
Táimid (TAW* mid) we are
Tá sibh (TAW* shiv) you (plural) are
Tá siad (taw* SHEE-uhd) they are
Remember, you learn something new everyday. This just might be it.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
The Green-Eyed Monster
That would be jealousy. On this lovely Sunday morning, I am going to test your capacity to ignore this impulse. Here is my new car.
No, I will not be allowing you to drive. No, you can't borrow it. No, you may not touch the buttons, even if you don't like the song on the radio. If you are granted admission inside, you may not eat, drink (other than perhaps water if I am feeling generous), smoke, break wind, or even look at the interior the wrong way.
It may not be an expensive and glamorous vehicle, but it is my new baby.
No, I will not be allowing you to drive. No, you can't borrow it. No, you may not touch the buttons, even if you don't like the song on the radio. If you are granted admission inside, you may not eat, drink (other than perhaps water if I am feeling generous), smoke, break wind, or even look at the interior the wrong way.It may not be an expensive and glamorous vehicle, but it is my new baby.
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