Woof and I spent a year and a half taking care of his slightly-demented, mildly-infirm father. Even though we had access to all his papers, full power of attorney, and relatively few accounts or bills to manage, managing them was still a difficult job. He did not want to admit to his infirmities, so he hoarded his information. After he died, we found two secret checking accounts with just a few dollars each. Still, in general, we were lucky in that we eventually knew all we needed to know to take care of him as best we could.
But when I look at this article, I realize that there are some things I do not even know about my own husband. What is his voice-mail password? I think I know his online passwords, but what are his security questions for various accounts? I know that if he becomes mentally incapacitated he prefers to die as quickly as possible -- but if that is impractical, where does he prefer to live? And, hmm, where IS our house deed?
The darkness I'd be in would be even deeper if I were to suddenly need to care for one of my siblings, or grown children, or a close friend, even temporarily.
Take a look. Ask yourself these questions, and share them with the people you love.
This entry was originally posted at http://beckyzoole.dreamwidth.org/106745.h
kylecassidy at What we talk about when we talk about pocketsThis post is about pockets, feminism, design, autonomy and common sense. Please feel free to repost or link to it if you know people who'd benefit from the discussion.
A few weeks agotrillian_stars and I were out somewhere and she asked "Oooh, can I get a cup of coffee?" and I thought "why are you asking me? You don't need permission." But what I discovered was that her clothes had no pockets, so she had no money with her.
Mens clothes have pockets. My swimsuits have pockets. All of them do, and it's not unusual, because, what if you're swimming in the ocean and you find a fist full of pirate booty in the surf? You need somewhere to put it. Men are used to carrying stuff in their pockets, you put money there, you put car keys there. With money and car keys come power and independence. You can buy stuff, you can leave. The idea of some women's clothes not having pockets is baffling, but it's worse than that -- it's patriarchal because it makes the assumption that women will either carry a handbag, or they'll rely on men around them for money and keys and such things. (I noticed this also when Neil & Amanda were figuring out where her stuff had to go because she had no pockets.) Where do women carry tampons? Amanda wondered, In their boyfriend's pockets, Neil concluded.
I then noticed that none oftrillian_stars' running clothes had pockets. Any pockets. Which is (as they always say on "Parking Wars") ridikulus. Who leaves the house with nothing? (It's not a rhetorical question, I actually can't think of anybody).
We fixed some of this by getting this runners wrist wallet from Poutfits on Etsy -- it holds money, ID, keys ... the sort of stuff you'd need. Plus you can wipe your nose on it. It solves the running-wear problem, but not the bigger problem.
Clickenzee to Embiggen!
The bigger problem is that people who design women's fashions are still designing pants and jackets that have no pockets. In fact, this jacket we got last December has ... no pockets. It's not a question of lines or shape, it's a question of autonomy.
Clickenzee to Embiggen
So I'm asking my friends who design women's clothes to consider putting pockets in them, they can be small, they can be out of the way, they can be inside the garment, but space enough to put ID, and cash and bus tokens. And maybe a phone. (And if you can design a surreptitious tampon stash, I'm sure Neil & Amanda & a lot of other people would appreciate it as well.)
Add me: [LiveJournal] [Facebook] [Twitter] [Google+] [Tumblr]
[Roller Derby Portraits]
A few weeks ago
trillian_stars and I were out somewhere and she asked "Oooh, can I get a cup of coffee?" and I thought "why are you asking me? You don't need permission." But what I discovered was that her clothes had no pockets, so she had no money with her. Mens clothes have pockets. My swimsuits have pockets. All of them do, and it's not unusual, because, what if you're swimming in the ocean and you find a fist full of pirate booty in the surf? You need somewhere to put it. Men are used to carrying stuff in their pockets, you put money there, you put car keys there. With money and car keys come power and independence. You can buy stuff, you can leave. The idea of some women's clothes not having pockets is baffling, but it's worse than that -- it's patriarchal because it makes the assumption that women will either carry a handbag, or they'll rely on men around them for money and keys and such things. (I noticed this also when Neil & Amanda were figuring out where her stuff had to go because she had no pockets.) Where do women carry tampons? Amanda wondered, In their boyfriend's pockets, Neil concluded.
I then noticed that none of
trillian_stars' running clothes had pockets. Any pockets. Which is (as they always say on "Parking Wars") ridikulus. Who leaves the house with nothing? (It's not a rhetorical question, I actually can't think of anybody).We fixed some of this by getting this runners wrist wallet from Poutfits on Etsy -- it holds money, ID, keys ... the sort of stuff you'd need. Plus you can wipe your nose on it. It solves the running-wear problem, but not the bigger problem.
Clickenzee to Embiggen!
The bigger problem is that people who design women's fashions are still designing pants and jackets that have no pockets. In fact, this jacket we got last December has ... no pockets. It's not a question of lines or shape, it's a question of autonomy.
Clickenzee to Embiggen
So I'm asking my friends who design women's clothes to consider putting pockets in them, they can be small, they can be out of the way, they can be inside the garment, but space enough to put ID, and cash and bus tokens. And maybe a phone. (And if you can design a surreptitious tampon stash, I'm sure Neil & Amanda & a lot of other people would appreciate it as well.)
Add me: [LiveJournal] [Facebook] [Twitter] [Google+] [Tumblr]
[Roller Derby Portraits]
by Christopher Smart
For I will consider my Cat Jeoffry.
For he is the servant of the Living God, duly and daily serving him.
For at the first glance of the glory of God in the East he worships in his way.
For is this done by wreathing his body seven times round with elegant quickness.
For then he leaps up to catch the musk, which is the blessing of God upon his prayer.
For he rolls upon prank to work it in.
For having done duty and received blessing he begins to consider himself.
For this he performs in ten degrees.
For first he looks upon his forepaws to see if they are clean.
For secondly he kicks up behind to clear away there.
For thirdly he works it upon stretch with the forepaws extended.
For fourthly he sharpens his paws by wood.
For fifthly he washes himself.
For sixthly he rolls upon wash.
For seventhly he fleas himself, that he may not be interrupted upon the beat.
For eighthly he rubs himself against a post.
For ninthly he looks up for his instructions.
For tenthly he goes in quest of food.
For having considered God and himself he will consider his neighbor.
For if he meets another cat he will kiss her in kindness.
For when he takes his prey he plays with it to give it a chance.
For one mouse in seven escapes by his dallying.
For when his day's work is done his business more properly begins.
For he keeps the Lord's watch in the night against the adversary.
For he counteracts the powers of darkness by his electrical skin and glaring eyes.
For he counteracts the Devil, who is death, by brisking about the life.
For in his morning orisons he loves the sun and the sun loves him.
For he is of the tribe of Tiger.
For the Cherub Cat is a term of the Angel Tiger.
For he has the subtlety and hissing of a serpent, which in goodness he suppresses.
For he will not do destruction if he is well-fed, neither will he spit without provocation.
For he purrs in thankfulness when God tells him he's a good Cat.
For he is an instrument for the children to learn benevolence upon.
For every house is incomplete without him, and a blessing is lacking in the spirit.
For the Lord commanded Moses concerning the cats at the departure of the Children of Israel from Egypt.
For every family had one cat at least in the bag.
For the English Cats are the best in Europe.
For he is the cleanest in the use of his forepaws of any quadruped.
For the dexterity of his defense is an instance of the love of God to him exceedingly.
For he is the quickest to his mark of any creature.
For he is tenacious of his point.
For he is a mixture of gravity and waggery.
For he knows that God is his Saviour.
For there is nothing sweeter than his peace when at rest.
For there is nothing brisker than his life when in motion.
For he is of the Lord's poor, and so indeed is he called by benevolence perpetually -- Poor Jeoffry!
poor Jeoffry! the rat has bit thy throat.
For I bless the name of the Lord Jesus that Jeoffry is better.
For the divine spirit comes about his body to sustain it in complete cat.For his tongue is exceeding pure so that it has in purity what it wants in music.
For he is docile and can learn certain things.
For he can sit up with gravity, which is patience upon approbation.
For he can fetch and carry, which is patience in employment.
For he can jump over a stick, which is patience upon proof positive.
For he can spraggle upon waggle at the word of command.
For he can jump from an eminence into his master's bosom.
For he can catch the cork and toss it again.
For he is hated by the hypocrite and miser.
For the former is afraid of detection.
For the latter refuses the charge.
For he camels his back to bear the first notion of business.
For he is good to think on, if a man would express himself neatly.
For he made a great figure in Egypt for his signal services.
For he killed the Icneumon rat, very pernicious by land.
For his ears are so acute that they sting again.
For from this proceeds the passing quickness of his attention.
For by stroking of him I have found out electricity.
For I perceived God's light about him both wax and fire.
For the electrical fire is the spiritual substance which God sends from heaven to sustain the bodies both of man and beast.
For God has blessed him in the variety of his movements.
For, though he cannot fly, he is an excellent clamberer.
For his motions upon the face of the earth are more than any other quadruped.
For he can tread to all the measures upon the music.
For he can swim for life.
For he can creep. This entry was originally posted at http://beckyzoole.dreamwidth.org/106394.h
- Anosognosia -- when you don't even realize how little you know about something. (This is the first essay in a five-part series; it's worth the time to follow the links at the bottom and read all of them.) It is so frustrating to me when I have a disagreement with someone who doesn't even realize how little they know about a topic. They'll hear something or read some catch-phrase and simply accept it as true, they'll have swallowed so much misinformation that I don't know where to begin in refuting them. I try to keep in mind that I too have no idea how ignorant I am.
- On a related topic, I'm pretty sure I have no idea what sort of person I'll be like in ten years. I tend to assume that I am the same as I've always been; although in moments of contemplation I know that I am far different than the person I was ten years ago. Do you remember the opening of Peter Pan? "Some say as we grow up, we become different people at different ages. But I don't believe this. I think we remain the same throughout, merely passing in these years from one room to another, but always in the same house." I think we redecorate quite radically, sometimes...
- Should I simply let myself be wrong as fast as I can? This article speaks to my soul. Perhaps I have actually had too much fear of my anosognosia, too much realization that what I think is creative today will seem trite tomorrow. Perhaps I should just stop worrying and start writing. Or maybe not... it's scary out there.
This entry was originally posted at http://beckyzoole.dreamwidth.org/105986.h
My husband, Woof, has been dealing with emergencies at work for the last several days. He went in on Saturday morning and got caught in a 12-hour emergency project; he had to come in at 7:30 this morning for a non-related urgent meeting; and he has to be at work by 4:45 tomorrow morning so he can verify -- before the day shift starts -- that a third, non-related, emergency was handled correctly today. Oh, and he still has 63 new nursing students to process by the end of the week. (He does IT for the Security department at a major hospital.) He's looking at a 60-hour week, easily.
While he was working late, I spent an hour and a half this evening visiting my elderly father-in-law, Vijay, at the skilled nursing facility where he is supposed to be recovering from a heart attack. Vijay is full of great convoluted excuses for why he is not cooperating with physical therapy; but he insists that he's going to be ready to live independently in two months anyway. He also says that his latest roommate was using an electric lathe in the room, and that he himself had some mysterious surgery last Friday. I try to keep my face blank and just nod, so I don't stress out trying to bring him back to reality. I stress out anyway.
The painter did not show up today. I used the wrong credit card to buy gas. And.... my washing machine is leaking.
I'm going to go to bed now. CALMLY.
This entry was originally posted at http://beckyzoole.dreamwidth.org/105847.h
Mmmmm, Surprise London Broil for Friday night dinner!
This week's challenge is to include a salad with every meal. Here's what's on the menu:
Sunday: Turkey kielbasa with sauerkraut and potatoes; broccoli; green salad.
Monday: Lasagna for Magic Night! Lasagna AND garlic bread AND green salad. Also, cranberry salsa dip with chips. We do it right. :-)
Tuesday: Salmon fillets; brown and wild rice mix; buttered green beans; green salad.
Wednesday: Impossible sausage pie; green salad.
Thursday: Baked chicken legs; mashed cauliflower; green beans; green salad.
Friday: Dinner at my daughter's house.
Saturday: TBD. Eat up the leftovers? Go out to eat? Oh, the possibilities!
This entry was originally posted at http://beckyzoole.dreamwidth.org/105492.h
This entry was originally posted at http://beckyzoole.dreamwidth.org/105367.h
Sunday was gumbo, served over barley instead of rice.
For Monday Night Magic I made a big 7-layer salad and a loaf of banana-banana bread.
Tuesday was an hors d'oeurves tray, and a hot dip with chips.
Wednesday was a cumin-fragrant stew with two kinds of meat, chili peppers, black beans, and spinach.
Tonight we had whole-wheat pasta with meatballs, and toasted ravioli as an appetizer.
For tomorrow I am thawing a bag of home-made chicken broth (I think that's what it is), and we'll have a good hot soup.
Then Saturday night is a family party at my sister's house for the first night of Chanukah. Oy, when am I going to bake for that?
This entry was originally posted at http://beckyzoole.dreamwidth.org/105007.h
The other day he asked me how to spell "mountain", then disagreed with my spelling because "it's the letter U that makes the 'uh' sound".
I started to tell him that the 'uh' sound can be made by any vowel -- then asked him if he knew what a vowel was?
"Yes!", Eitan answered confidently. "It's a bird that flies around all night and goes to bed in the morning!"
This entry was originally posted at http://beckyzoole.dreamwidth.org/104825.h
Gave up on restarting the hot tub this evening. We kept priming the pump, but it's not moving water. There's probably an air bubble in it, so we need to loosen a big plastic nut and bleed the air out, just like we did when we first filled the tub this summer. But the nut's settled into place and won't turn by hand.
I'll take Aviva on her first trip to a hardware store tomorrow, and pick up a strap wrench. After all, tomorrow is another day.
This entry was originally posted at http://beckyzoole.dreamwidth.org/104553.h
The freezer is full to overflowing with Mystery Bags. So this week will be one of adventures in thawing. :-)
Right now I have a bag of... something.... thawing on the kitchen counter. It looks like it may be barbecued chicken. Once it's thawed and I know what it is, I'll figure out what to do with it. I intend to thaw a Mystery Bag every evening. I'll record the results here. If anything turns out to be too freezer-burned to salvage, well, I have canned tuna and macaroni to fall back on.
Wish me luck!
This entry was originally posted at http://beckyzoole.dreamwidth.org/103960.h
On the bad side, Woof's dad has been very ill and we have spent much time, effort, and money on taking care of him. Also, necessary home repairs and improvements went WAY over budget, causing worrisome financial stress. And the house is in a perpetual state of critical mess.
On the good side, I have a new grandbaby! Aviva Nerys was born on August 1. She is a beautiful baby, with big round cheeks, a bigger smile, and bright hazel eyes. So smart! Already babbling and trying to communicate.
We also have a very nice new backyard, with a deck and a hot tub and a privacy fence. The kitchen is no longer cold and dark, and the basement no longer floods with every heavy rain.
Woof has just brought me a glass of pumpkin eggnog. There's a new Jim Butcher novel on the ereader, and clean sheets on the bed. Good night!
This entry was originally posted at http://beckyzoole.dreamwidth.org/103818.h
Monday: Hors d'oeuvres for Magic Night. Cheese cubes, salami, olives, grapes, baked meatballs, tortilla chips, queso dip, salsa... and lots of toothpicks to spear them with.
Tuesday: Baked chicken breast; roasted potato wedges; steamed broccoli
Wednesday: Turkey & spinach wraps (light late supper)
Thursday: Gumbo; quinoa
Friday: Dinner at my daughter Maia's house
Saturday: Carnitas
This entry was originally posted at http://beckyzoole.dreamwidth.org/103617.h
Our house is 85 years old. The enclosed porch in back was water-damaged and falling off the house. It is no more. We are getting a nice deck with a hot tub, instead. Also, our yard sloped gently down towards the house, so we'd get water in the basement. The backyard was a patchwork of concrete, brick, overgrown arbor, weedy grass and falling raised beds. It is turning into a pretty, light-filled courtyard. AND, the scary cracked and leaning concrete retaining wall has been taken down before any more of it fell down. A good solid wall is going up in its stead. With a tall wooden privacy fence on top. And the dark, buggy, vine-eaten area beside the garage is turning into a fairy garden, with ferns and rocks and twinkling lights.
I propose a new mnemonic to remember them in order:
My Very Extraordinary Mother Can Jump Straight Up Ninja Peak Holding My Ear!
This entry was originally posted at http://beckyzoole.dreamwidth.org/103397.h
Monday: Assorted "Hot Pockets" for Magic Night
Tuesday: Chicken caesar salad (with added olives and tomatoes and stuffff)
Wednesday: Cheeseburgers; cole slaw; pasta salad; strawberries with whipped cream
Thursday: Spinach taco salad
Friday: Roast chicken; roast turnips and onions; green beans; pineapple sorbet
Saturday: Oriental chicken salad
This entry was originally posted at http://beckyzoole.dreamwidth.org/103037.h
Summary: In the not-so-distant future of Virginia, the Personhood Act has outlawed abortion and chemical birth control. That doesn’t mean they don’t exist, though.
This entry was originally posted at http://beckyzoole.dreamwidth.org/102773.h
I watch him three days a week most weeks, sometimes four. (His other grandma and his great-grandma take care of him the other two days.) I take him to the Zoo whenever the weather permits, and we go to the Science Center just about every week. He runs errands with me, to the grocery store and other places. We go to the playground, and the library. I watch him play with his trains and blocks, and we play together. Sometimes he watches a Kipper the Dog video, or Pingu the penguin. Sometimes we sing, or do art projects.
The one thing I cannot do for him is teach him how to behave in a classroom. I try to get him around other kids, for socialization. The regular Friday-morning playgroup he was in for a while has mostly dissipated; I'm looking for a new one. But he really needs some experience in being without a family member, in a setting where he needs to follow rules. I want to sign him up for a one-week summer camp program at the zoo, or the science center, or the performing arts center. But that can't be his first "nursery school" experience; it wouldn't be fair to the teacher or the other children.
Unfortunately, finding a really good, yet affordable, part-time nursery school is a lot harder than I thought it would be. Finding one that will take a boy who'll sit on the potty if you prompt him but is not troubled in the least bit by wet pants? Well-nigh impossible.
I'm pretty sure he'll be fully toilet trained by the fall. In the meantime, I'm working on giving him more structure and socialization during his days with me.
Oh -- he also likes telling silly knock-knock jokes, and he's showing some musical talent already. He's a funny, sweet, cuddly little boy, and I love him dearly.
So, that's Eitan!
This entry was originally posted at http://beckyzoole.dreamwidth.org/102471.h
If you don't know what the Bechdel Test is, please watch this really good explanation, showing how it applies to this year's Oscar nominees. (And if you are familiar with the Bechdel Test, I probably don't have to ask you to watch it, you're clicking on it already, aren't you?)
This entry was originally posted at http://beckyzoole.dreamwidth.org/102159.h
Early last August Woof's elderly father called and told us he needed us to help him move to Saint Louis. So we did. Then he broke his hip. And it's eaten my life since then.
Brief posts on Facebook were all I could handle. This large text box here was too intimidating -- I'd never have enough time or emotional energy to fill the whole thing! And reading an entire, carefully crafted blog post? No way.
Best of all, on Facebook it's acceptable to just "like" a friend's post. No need to think of something to write, no pressure to write something more personal than "+1" or "me too!!!".
But when I come back to Dreamwidth and LJ, I realize how much I've missed this langorous world where complete paragraphs and deep emotions can still find a place.
This entry was originally posted at http://beckyzoole.dreamwidth.org/101986.h
Monday: Italian sausage with peppers; rice; green salad.
Tuesday: Vegetable beef stew in the crockpot; green salad.
Wednesday: Chinese chicken dumplings (late night supper)
Thursday: White Chili
Friday: Eat out
Saturday: Harmony's Flame Yule Party
This entry was originally posted at http://beckyzoole.dreamwidth.org/101766.h
So, time to impose structure again. Here is the menu for the week. It's simple. I like simple these days.
Sunday: Eat up the leftovers
Monday: Pulled pork sandwiches and cole slaw for Magic Night.
Tuesday: Barley vegetable soup.
Wednesday: Tuna salad on tomatoes.
Thursday: Buffalo chicken legs in the crockpot; salad.
Friday: Family dinner at Mom's house for Sukkot
Saturday: Eat out (at fundraiser dinner my sister is organizing for her synagogue religious school)
This entry was originally posted at http://beckyzoole.dreamwidth.org/101334.h
Monday: Corndogs for Magic Night
Tuesday: Pot roast in the crockpot; beet salad; lettuce salad.
Wednesday: Cajun Shrimp Soup.
Thursday: Breakfast for dinner -- eggs, turkey bacon, fruit, whole wheat bagels.
Friday: Grilled salmon; broccoli; quinoa.
Saturday: Chicken soup with spinach and white beans.
This entry was originally posted at http://beckyzoole.dreamwidth.org/100991.h
"I don't remember, something clerical. The Bishop's Bluejeans?
We drive past it, and call out in chorus...
"The Bleeding Deacon!"
The weather is great for gardening this morning. In a little bit, I'll probably water the front flower beds and check for weeds there. But first, it's time for breakfast and internet. :)
Yesterday Eitan kept melting down over his bottle. He's attached to his bottle, it's his lovey, and that would be fine except that when he can drink milk out a bottle he doesn't want to eat anything else. Also, he's three years old. Other kids his age aren't cruel enough to make fun of him yet, but they will be soon. I'd rather he not get teased about carrying a bottle around. So, yeah, he's not getting milk from a bottle anymore.
Yesterday he kept pushing me to see if he could get it from me after all. At one point he sobbed dramatically, "I want to be happy again!". Poor kid. But he did manage to be happy enough -- and hungry enough -- to eat a good lunch. Including an ice cream sundae for dessert. I'm not going to repeat the ice cream bribe today. I hope we make it through this afternoon with a minimum of tears.
Oh! Just as I was writing this, my ex-husband called. He's driving through town on his way to Indianapolis and wants to spend a few hours with Eitan. As long as Jo and Adam agree, he'll watch E this afternoon instead of me. Heh. Ex gets to deal with the bottle melt-down. Oh, what a shame. :)
I see that I've planned on making swiss steak tomorrow. I guess I'd better thaw the meat for that, shouldn't I?
This entry was originally posted at http://beckyzoole.dreamwidth.org/100696.h
Priscilla is an energy hog. I frequently have to recharge her in the middle of the day. Or maybe I'm just playing with my new apps too much. Pandora! NPR News as podcasts! I love it!
This entry was originally posted at http://beckyzoole.dreamwidth.org/100362.h
Monday: BBQ pork steaks for Magic Night!
Tuesday: Tandoori chicken, aloo mattar
Wednesday: Thai beef salad
Thursday: Swiss steak in the crockpot, cauliflower and broccoli
Friday: Salmon with horseradish cream, tomato salad
Saturday: TBD
This entry was originally posted at http://beckyzoole.dreamwidth.org/100262.h
About two weeks ago, Woof and I entered the 21st century. Now I can't remember how I survived without my Android. It has GPS. It has my calendar and email, todo list, grocery list, and maps. I use the Kobo app to read a little further in my current book. I interact with my friends on Facebook and Twitter. I look up actors on IMDB, miscellany on Wikipedia, the latest deals on Craigslist.
And, hey, I've just found the Eljay app for posting on DW and LJ. Oh, I love this phone!
Android needs a name. Not "Mr Data", not "Golem". Suggestions?
This entry was originally posted at http://beckyzoole.dreamwidth.org/99974.h
We went out to Sweet Tomatoes for dinner, then walked across a parking lot to see Captain America in 3D. I <3 the new 3D tech. The subtle effects make movies seem more realistic without jolting you out of your seat. And Captain America was a good comic-book movie. We've also seen Thor, and The Green Lantern. Are there any Avengers movies we've missed so far?
This weekend Holly has to do some publicity work for her book, The Patient Safety Perspective. Woof has to finish up his online summer course. And I have to read lines and go to rehearsal for a staged reading I'll be in later this month. (It's Birth, and it's awesome, and I'll plug tickets later.)
Tomorrow night we're going to see a musical that my daughter is in, She Loves Me. And we're going to barbecue pork steaks. And Holly and I want to go see "Cowboys & Aliens", since Woof isn't interested in it. And we want to get out on our trikkes, and muck about in the garden, and talk with Holly, and and and THERE'S NOT ENOUGH TIME!
Worst part about being a grown up: Time goes by too quickly.
This entry was originally posted at http://beckyzoole.dreamwidth.org/99832.h
It's easy to write something that short. It's also easy to babble on and on, listing minutiae or recounting conversations. What's difficult -- for me -- is to write a good, one-screen blog post. Generally I have to take the time to babble first, then go back and cut. And, while I may have the time, I don't generally have the patience.
But I do love the DW/LJ format! I love reading my friends' posts. I love the conversation that goes on in the comments. Facebook feels like water cooler conversation. DW/LJ can feel like a good indepth conversation with friends and some fascinating people you just met at a convention.
So I'm going to try to post more regularly. NAG ME if I don't, OK?
This entry was originally posted at http://beckyzoole.dreamwidth.org/99490.h
So -- it's back to planning!
Over the weekend I'm going to prep some salads for the week, to have for lunches and snacks. I'll make a tabbouleh, a bean salad, a whole-wheat pasta salad, and a tuna salad. Here's the rest of the plan:
Saturday: (tomorrow) Chicken-broccoli casserole; lettuce salad.
Sunday: Family dinner at Mom's house
Monday: Magic Night! Make-your-own sandwiches with lean deli meats, cheeses, pickles, tomatoes and lettuce.
Tuesday: Tuna/avocado salad; lemon-buttermilk sherbet
Wednesday: Knit Night, graze on salads.
Thursday: Fish gumbo in the crockpot.
Friday: Grilled meat (whatever is on sale); grilled mixed veggies; grilled fruit.
Saturday: Eat up the leftovers; black bean brownies.
This entry was originally posted at http://beckyzoole.dreamwidth.org/98873.h
This entry was originally posted at http://beckyzoole.dreamwidth.org/98692.h
Monday: Hotdogs and cole slaw for Magic Night.
Tuesday: Chicken breasts roasted with garlic and chili; roast cauliflower; lettuce salad.
Wednesday: Turnip greens with pinto beans and bacon; sliced onions, cucumbers, and hardboiled eggs.
Thursday: Barbecue chicken legs; grilled chiles stuffed with guacamole; salad.
Friday: Chicken thighs baked with lentils (tone down the recipe by substituting turkey bacon and shredded cabbage for pancetta and radicchio); lettuce and cucumber salad.
Saturday: Undetermined....
This entry was originally posted at http://beckyzoole.dreamwidth.org/98352.h
* Sunday dinner will probably be eaten on the road.
* Monday will be barbecued hotdogs; I'll have to pick up buns and maybe cabbage for cole slaw to serve with.
* Tuesday should use the cauliflower I have in the fridge. I don't want to make a cauliflower cheese, though. This chicken/cauliflower curry recipe looks interesting. I ought to get a 10-pound bag of chicken leg quarters out on Monday, thaw it in the fridge over night, and use the thighs from it for the curry. If I were smart, I'd make a note of that.
* If on Tuesday I use the thighs from a 10-pound bag of chicken leg quarters, then on Wednesday I ought to use the legs. Barbecue chicken legs? Will that be too much barbecue this week? Naw, there's no such thing as too much barbecue. I'll definitely need cole slaw, though!
* Thursday, how about breakfast for dinner? Omelets, and maybe some whole-grain muffins.
* Friday will be a family dinner at my Mom's house. (Or is it my daughter's house? Must check.)
* Saturday is undetermined as of yet.
Summer fruit, all week. Lots of it. And good fresh vegetables.
This entry was originally posted at http://beckyzoole.dreamwidth.org/98215.h
Sunday: Ate out, after helping at
![[personal profile]](http://s.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
reannon's booth at Pagan Picnic.Monday: Hotdogs for Magic Night.
Tuesday: Ham and beans.
Wednesday: Sauteed chicken and bok choi.
Thursday: Zucchini/ricotta bake.
Friday: Eat out, at Magic Grand Prix in Kansas City.
Saturday: Eat out, at Magic Grand Prix in Kansas City.
This entry was originally posted at http://beckyzoole.dreamwidth.org/97977.h
I'm cackling with anticipation. Between the Luke Ski concert last night, the Woof arrest, and my new really good hat, this is the Best Con EVAR.
This entry was originally posted at http://beckyzoole.dreamwidth.org/97504.h
Here's what the menu plan is for this week:
Sunday: Eat up the leftovers.
Monday: Buffalo chicken wings for Magic Night.
Tuesday: Whole wheat penne pasta with mushrooms and shrimp; spinach.
Wednesday: Cheese, crackers, wine and salad.
Thursday: Curried chicken with peas; quinoa; indian roasted cauliflower.
Friday: At ConQuest in Kansas City.
Saturday: Con!!!!!
This entry was originally posted at http://beckyzoole.dreamwidth.org/97057.h
Riding a trikke uses much the same motion as skiing; but I've never been skiing and its kind of tricky. Woof caught on right away but it took me the whole two hours of our demo lesson last month to get the hang of it. That evening the muscles in my legs and shoulders ached -- but I had no joint pain at all. This is the thing I need, an exercise that will not hurt my knees and ankles.
Since it's too wet out to garden or fix the garage roof either, I've spent the morning goofing around on the internet. Also planning the coming week's menus and grocery shopping, done a day early instead of a few days late, yay for me. :)
This afternoon it's munch with our friends at Cici's, followed by a Magic booster draft... looks like I'm still not going to make a whole-wheat pizza crust. We'll probably eat out tonight. Mmmm, maybe at Raja's Rasoi, I like that place. Life is going well.
This entry was originally posted at http://beckyzoole.dreamwidth.org/97022.h
Sunday: Marinated grilled chicken; grilled vegetables; bean salad. (Grill extra chicken, onions and mushrooms for Tuesday's chicken salad.)
Monday: Meatballs for Magic Night
Tuesday: Grilled chicken salad; tomato salad.
Wednesday: Gazpacho.
Thursday: Whole wheat penne pasta with mushrooms and shrimp; spinach.
Friday: Curried chicken with peas; quinoa; cucumber salad.
Saturday: Chalupas topped with chopped onions, tomatoes, and cheese.
This entry was originally posted at http://beckyzoole.dreamwidth.org/96745.h
Sunday: Corn and ham chowder
Monday: Fishapalooza for Magic Night! Last week our friend Leigh brought lots of fish for us to cookup, but the fish was still frozen, and another friend had also brought a lot of fried chicken to share, so... the fish went into my freezer to wait for this week.
Leigh and I cooked it up on Monday, and it was good. Most of the fish went under the broiler with a sweet/hot glaze made with the fabulous lime jelly Leigh brought, soy sauce, ginger and cayenne. This was a good glaze. But even better were the pollock fillets that I brushed with butter and parmesan, then baked for 20 minutes before finishing with a minute under the broiler for them too. What good fish! I'll have to get pollock more often.
Tuesday: We ate out last night, to celebrate the end of Woof's semester at school. We went to Sweet Tomatoes and had lots and lots of salad.
Wednesday: Chicken and broccoli in tomato sauce; asparagus; green salad.
Thursday: Baked omelet; Israeli salad
Friday: Grilled hamburgers and hotdogs; chickpea salad
Saturday: I keep trying to make pizza and keep getting sidetracked. Pizza today, maybe?
This entry was originally posted at http://beckyzoole.dreamwidth.org/96399.h
Live and learn.
Sunday: Baked ham; baked beans; zucchini.
Monday: Fishapalooza for Magic Night -- one of our regular players is bringing fish to grill, and I'll have supplementary fish, and we will eat fish off plates and everything.
Tuesday: Hamburgers; lettuce salad; corn salad (corn, black beans, tomato, green pepper, lime juice and cilantro).
Wednesday: Graze night (eat up leftovers).
Thursday: Ham and bean soup in the crockpot.
Friday: Dinner at Mom's house; bring a dessert.
Saturday: Cheeseburger pizza with whole wheat crust (top with frozen sloppy joe mix, mustard, and shredded cheddar cheese).
This entry was originally posted at http://beckyzoole.dreamwidth.org/95857.h
"I'll spend plenty of time with him when he's old enough for me to teach him something", Woof used to say.
But now that Eitan's nearly three, big enough to talk with and play with, Woof would like some of those sunny smiles and sweet hugs coming his way. But Eitan doesn't really know or trust this big guy with the beard. He'll shyly approach Woof to grab a proffered cookie, but doesn't want much to do with him otherwise.
This morning Woof and I took Eitan to the Butterfly House. For Eitan, this is a place to chase butterflies for half an hour or so, then play with the toys in the gift shop before getting a butterfly-shaped lollipop to admire on the way home before dropping it, sticky side down, on the floor of the car. For me, the butterfly conservatory is a fairyland of beautiful flowers and clouds of butterflies. It relaxes me to walk through it, even when constantly reminding a toddler to NOT TOUCH. For Woof, it was a pretty place with a bench where he could sit and read. I was happy to see Eitan join him on his bench for a moment! Eitan even spoke to Woof, which he doesn't readily do.
But one morning's positive interaction wasn't enough to warm up their relationship entirely. When it was time to go and Woof approached with Eitan's sweater, the little boy anxiously grabbed the sweater away from the big man with the beard and asked me to put it on him. Poor Woof, he felt so unloved.
We went to Emperor's Palace for lunch, our favorite Chinese buffet. It was a little too much for Eitan. After a few pieces of chicken and a slice of chocolate cake, all he wanted to do was go see the carp and run up and down the stairs in the back. Woof and I took turns supervising him. Eitan let Woof carry him on his shoulders without a fuss. For a little while, at least. Woof helped him drink his milk. Then we took Eitan home.
For a short morning, it was surprisingly tiring. The little boy had a meltdown at his front door; Woof and I fell asleep as soon as we got home.
Eitan doesn't yet squeal with delight when he sees Grandpa Woof. But he will one day. We're working on that.
This entry was originally posted at http://beckyzoole.dreamwidth.org/95715.h
So, no quinoa tonight. And I think I'll leave the meatloaf for later, too. Instead, we'll eat yummy leftovers. (There's some great spinach curry, too.)
And here's the plan for the coming week:
Sunday: Set up the barbecue grill for the first cook-out of the season! Grilled steaks, grilled onions, corn on the cob, salad, flourless brownies. (Grill chicken breasts for later in week, grill hotdogs for lunches and snacks.)
Monday: Chicken nuggets for Magic Night.
Tuesday: Pizza for the end of Pesach; green salad. (Whole-wheat crust, bbq chicken topping on one and turkey pepperoni with veggies on the other).
Wednesday: Larb gai on a bed of lettuce. (I just bought some galangal and I'm dying to cook with it!)
Thursday: Meatloaf; baked vegetables.
Friday: Mediterranean fish; brown rice (or quinoa); broccoli.
Saturday: Chicken pot pie with whole wheat crust (top only); green salad.
This entry was originally posted at http://beckyzoole.dreamwidth.org/95390.h
Sunday: Corned beef with cabbage and carrots
Monday: No Magic tonight because it's Pesach. :-) I will make the charoses and halaq (Iranian charoses) for the Seder at Mom's house tonight.
Tuesday: For second seder at home we'll have roast duck; acorn squash; asparagus; salad.
Wednesday: Eggs with sausage and spinach.
Thursday: Soup (use frozen soup from fridge, adding leftovers and vegetables ad lib)
Friday: Lamb roast; cannellini with parsley; zucchini.
Saturday: Meatloaf; quinoa pilaf; peas.
This entry was originally posted at http://beckyzoole.dreamwidth.org/94735.h
1. What is your middle name?
Jean
2. If you had been born the other sex, did your parents tell you what your name would have been?
Mark (which, as it turns out, is what they named my brother a few years later). Although my Mom once mentioned "Robert" as a name she'd considered.
3. Do you have children and if so, what are their names?
Johanna and Maia
4. If you were to ever have a child or more children, what would you name them?
Not freaking likely, but they'd have to be Lillian Ruth (after my grandma Lilly and Woof's grandma Ruth), and Noah Jeremy (Noah is Woof's Dad's last name, and Jeremy is my late father's name).
My daughter Maia was named by her Dad; if it had been up to me I think I would have named her Jessica. But "Maia" fits her very well!
5. Most people know their mother’s maiden name, but do you know your grandmother’s maiden name?
I know both of them: Warwick and Kaminsky
6. Did you have an imaginary friend as a child?
Nope
7. What was the name of your first pet?
When we lived in Omaha, we had a green parakeet named Petey.
8. What was the name of the first person you ever kissed?
Gah, I remember exactly what I was wearing but I don't remember the boy! I think it was Jack.
9. What was the name of the school you attended as a child?
The Omaha Hebrew Academy (K), The Epstein Hebrew Academy (1), Hilltop Elementary (2-6)
10. Do you name your vehicles? What are the names?
Always! My current car is Orlando.
This entry was originally posted at http://beckyzoole.dreamwidth.org/94627.h
I spent yesterday morning at the St Louis Zoo with my two-year-old grandson Eitan. This is the zoo for him: the train, the big slide, the sand table in the Children's Zoo, the penguin house. He sometimes tolerates me haring off with him to see the elephants. He's really not interested in the animals at the zoo. And he has a great time there.
As an adult, I wish the zoo had more animal displays, closer together so I could see them better. But as a parent and grandparent, I've got to admire how well the place is designed to appeal to children. And it's free! Amazingly free -- even entry to the Children's Zoo is free before 10:00 AM. (It's packed every morning by 10:00 AM, too.)
The only thing I don't like so much is how expensive parking is. Next year I think I'll get the extra-fancy Zookeeper membership. For $175 I'll get free parking for the entire year, plus 60 free train rides. That will keep Eitan happy over the summer. :)
This entry was originally posted at http://beckyzoole.dreamwidth.org/94239.h
Mom is OK, no breaks, no bleeding on the brain, but she did need stitches for the cut over her eyebrow. She chipped a tooth and has some pretty spectacular bruising. Even the newly-replaced knee is fine, with nothing worse than bruises. I'm glad we were there, so Liz could go home and get her kids to bed, and for Woof to keep Reg company. We ended up getting dinner in the hospital cafeteria.
Saturday was going to be do-the-taxes day, only we slept in and played around on the internet and read books and were very successful at getting nothing accomplished all morning.
In the afternoon we went to Munch at Cici's. There were lots of new people (yay!!) but I was stuck off to the side listening to
bbwoof and bradhicks discuss the evils of credit card companies. After a while, though, I got into a great discussion with Jenny and.... a guy whose name I forget. Jenny, a web developer, is enthusiastic about women in technology. I've been feeling discouraged about ever working in IT again. She prodded and encouraged. Unfortunately I don't have a portfolio of fabulous non-proprietary work I can take to interviews, as she recommended. But today I AM looking into training in health information management and in Java. Wish me luck.In the evening Woof went to a movie with Stormie, and I joined the Zoole table at a trivia night. What a great time! We came in third place, had a great time, AND -- I won an enormous basket of wine as a raffle prize! Fifteen bottles of nice wines, plus this nifty large basket woven from cornhusks. I'm thinking of filling it with afghans and keeping it next to the fireplace.
Woof has got me hooked on Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan series. Saturday night I started reading Mirror Dance and could not put it down. Finally forced myself to sleep at 5 AM since I had to be up by 9 for yardwork. The only time Jimmy had available was Sunday morning. He and I spent and hour on the backyard, spraying weeds and cutting grass and cleaning up, then half an hour hauling trash and old junk out of the basement. It feels good to get that done.
After yardwork Sunday morning we picked up my grandson, Eitan, so his Daddy could get his yardwork done. We went out to the brunch buffet at Sweet Tomatoes. Eitan discovered Fruitloops: "Oh, look, rainbow cheerios!" and that was about all he wanted to eat there. Back home to watch Toy Story 2, both Eitan and I nodding off on the couch. He fell asleep in the car on the way back to his house.
Sunday evening Woof and I went to bed early and slept for nine hours. I needed it!
But we still need to do our taxes.
Today's goals are:
- Get the paperwork ready for tax preparation -- pull files, sort through unfiled papers, get it all set up so we can fill out the forms in the evenings this week.
- Get ready for Magic night -- clean house, make snacks.
- Do the laundry, since I didn't get to that over the weekend either.
- Plan the menus for the week, to use up ingredients I have on hand and minimize grocery expenses.
- Apply for the HIT Certification program at Forest Park Community College.
- Make a real blog post.
Hey, I can check that last one off the list! I am an Accomplishing Machine.
This entry was originally posted at http://beckyzoole.dreamwidth.org/94069.h
Monday: Hotdogs for Magic Night.
Tuesday: Taco burgers; sweet potato fries; salad.
Wednesday: Chicken and chickpea curry; gobi masala.
Thursday: Corned beef with cabbage and carrots.
Friday: Baked chicken; brussel sprouts; salad.
Saturday: Birthday party in the afternoon, trivia night in the evening, bring ???
This entry was originally posted at http://beckyzoole.dreamwidth.org/93778.h
Monday: Chicken nuggets and waffle fries for Magic Night.
Tuesday: Corned beef (cooked in the crockpot); baked sweet potatoes; spinach; salad.
Wednesday: African yam soup (use leftover sweet potatoes).
Thursday: Cheesy baked eggs; roasted cauliflower; salad.
Friday: Sauteed fish with whole-wheat noodles; broccoli; salad.
Saturday: Chicken curry.
This entry was originally posted at http://beckyzoole.dreamwidth.org/93689.h
I needed the control panty -- oh, let's be honest and call it a girdle -- I needed the darn thing so I could wear my new sparkly gown tomorrow night to the Kevin Kline Awards ceremony. (I bought the gown at a resale shop for $2 less than the girdle cost. Geesh.) Johanna is one of four nominees for the "Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical" honor. Fingers crossed for her!
In the meantime, I am having a lot of fun watching this production, a fabulous entry into a coffee jingle contest made by a group of St. Louis firefighters:
This entry was originally posted at http://beckyzoole.dreamwidth.org/93406.h
Profile
- beckyzoole
- Becky
Syndicate
