MMP: It's a FairyChatMom Birthday with Buttermilk Biscuits!

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
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Whew - I’m way late today! :eek: For no apparent reason…

After work, I ran to the WalMart in LaPlata to get some kitty litter and soap and shoes and an assortment of other things. On the way home, my kid called - she got to see her apartment, and she was sooooooo excited! We talked the last part of my way home, including my mailbox stop, all the way into the house and into the bathroom. :o Couldn’t help it - I’ve been dealing with a stomach ick. Anyway, while I was in there, FCD came home, scaring me, since he was early. So I finished up, handed the phone to him, and went out to unload the car and unpack my purchases. Then I took the dog out to do her business, and finally got on line to check my mail. Suddenly, it was 5, so I had to feed the critters, and then throw together dinner (a pseudo stir fry) which we ate. I just finished loading the dishwasher. Whew!

So, it was a loooooooong week, I’m tellin’ ya! I don’t know why, but several folks at work remarked on it. Was there a burp in the space-time continuum?? But it’s Friday and I’m home, relaxing. Finally.

Tomorrow is supposed to be quite nice - almost 60 degrees - so we’re going to take down the nasty split-rail fence that runs along the front and one side of the front yard. It’s rotting away and warped and just plain ugly. So we’ll remove it, and I’ll have access to take out the the dead and dying stuff as well as the ugly stuff that’s along the hill. Most of that will be done this spring, I expect.

We were supposed to have an old Navy friend of mine over for dinner, but she’s got to go to Norfolk for reserves, so maybe next weekend. My other weekend plans include laundry. That’s pretty much it. Don’t you wish you had my life??

Delores, I’m glad you like the lumpy thing. It was originally supposed to be a cup. But I’m not too good with cups yet, and the top was kitty-wumpus. So I decided to put some lumps on it, to add interest. Is it interesting? :smiley:

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Bookkeeper, we have eight bookcases in a one bedroom apartment. Most of them are full. I went through our books and found four that I didn’t want. :rolleyes: That’s how good I am at parting with books.

scout, you should really really do the Grocery Store Amble. It’s awesome. If you were closer it would be great fun to do it with you and susan, but both of you choose to live far, far away.
I wrote something up in my blog about what I did, and here it is:
Whew! I have returned, and I did not buy pig’s blood or a package of chicken feet. I got off the streetcar at Bay and Queen and walked north and west, and ran into Catherine from work outside a Chinese bakery. We chatted for a bit, compared work schedules, and then I went into the bakery and bought some things.

Hmm. A whole wheat bun and a ‘milky flaky coconut bun’. And a Honey Brussels Cake, whatever that is.Went to a greengrocers and got two heads of romaine and three red peppers for $2. I feel smug.

I stopped at Pho Hung and ate (pho, of course, and an iced Vietnamese coffee, which is one of the best things ever) while reading Leisure. The book justified my aimless wandering- I was playing, not working, and I had a fantastic time.

Long-sleeve t shirts are 6 for $10 in Chinatown. Of course, they’re probably made by evil sweatshop slave labour, but practically everything is except for American Apparel, so the nice $20 t-shirt you just bought is equivalent in evilness to its $1.50 wholesale brother. Next time I go looking for clothes for Mr. Lissar, I will start there.

I meandered up Spadina and along Harbord, and inhaled the coffeehouse hippie emo atmosphere, and then took Bathurst up to little Korea. I found an awesome, awesome Korean supermarket, which was called P.A.T. Central market.They have Pocari Sweat! And something called something like Honey Citron Tea, which looks like marmalade. I want some.

I almost bought a huge bag of Frozen Sliced Beef for Bulgogi (that’s what it said on the label), at $2.99 a pound. They had tonnes of marinated fresh bulgogi and interesting frozen dumplings and edamame and cool mushrooms, and it was clean. So weird. I escaped with only a two litre bottle of Kikkoman soy sauce (we were out) and some parsley and condensed milk candies. I’m going back. It was great.

It was a perfect day for walking. Just above zero and sunny, and not too windy. I think I achieved the zen of aimless wandering. I like walking, but I get bored of walking just around here, and I love visiting all the different ethnic areas, and doing random cheap shopping. I have a very, “Oh, look! Something in a package! And I can’t read it! Great, I’ll take two.” attitude to unfamiliar grocery stores.

It was a very good afternoon. I think I will make a pot of jasmine tea, relax, eat my flaky milky whatever bun, and then tidy the livingroom. Bother. I forgot to pick up my library book. Maybe in an hour.

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Hey, I already have a patent on the PENCIL (Plotter / Encoder of Numbers Ciphers Icons and Letters) and PAPER (Planar Addressable Permanent / Eraseable Raster), not to mention the BOOK, or Bound Organization Of Knowledge.

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[West Side Story <singing>]
Tonoc, tonoc, won’t be just any noc…
Tonoc there will be no morning star…

Tonoc, tonoc, won’t be just any noc…[/WWS]

I am FAMOUS–I have been mentioned in General Questions–by name!

<dances and waits for Hollywood agent to come a-callin’>
I owe it to all of you…no worries; I’ll be gracious in my stardom!

:smiley:

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Ooh, Lissla, I have the same book storage problem. I found you can fit more on a bookcase if you lay them flat and stack them like this: = instead of the usual way like this: || . This way also makes it easier to read the titles without having to crane your neck.

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Why Ms. Rigby, you are just everywhere this week! First the yellow bus thread, now the GQ. I feel honored by your mere presence here in this li’l ol’ thread.

That was quite lovely TMI, Puggy. it was actually rather heroic of you to assist TOLC, I thought.

Yay, it’s Friday!

Lissla, I’m quite envious that you can just walk around to all of those neat stores. I love to take grocery tours (although I don’t usually brave Asian grocers), but I have to drive to get from one to the other.

Did I mention, Yay! It’s Friday!?

Lots to do this weekend. I need to get valentines (because if I don’t do it now, mine will be the late ones) and to get my taxes organized (I got my last two tax documents in the mail today, so there are no further excuses) and to do laundry. Fascinating, huh?

Also, I think the Sue Grafton that was on hold is due back at the library on Sunday, so I’d better read it. I’m in the middle of reading Jane Austen’s Emma for the first time, but I guess I’ll have to switch back into the present for a few hours before returning to that. I could also do some cleaning out in the garden, since it’s supposed to be pretty warm again tomorrow.

Well…off to read, I guess.

GT

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Ah! Finally home after a long stressful week at work. The kids are PO’d at me because I gave them The EEEEvil for not having the kitchen cleaned up so I could cook dinner. I hate cooking in a messy kitchen!

We were going to go to a friend’s house to watch a movie we rented tonight, but upon rather irked reflection we’ve decided we’re going to stay home and watch the movie here. Why are Mr. Taters and I irked? Well, he told our friend to come to our house (it’s only two blocks away from his) to watch the movie. Our friend told the hubby, “Well, Katelyn doesn’t like to go over there.” Katelyn is his kindergarten aged daughter. The reason she doesn’t like to come over here is that I don’t let her get away with jumping up and down on my fairly new furniture and rubbing her dirty hands on my walls. I also don’t put up with her temper tantrums when she doesn’t get her way. I also expect her to be able entertain herself for more than five minutes at a time. We have another TV and plenty of games, books, and toys here. Plus she brings a sack of stuff to play with. I also gently (ad nauseum) explain that it is RUDE to interrupt adults who are in conversation unless it is an emergency. She does this constantly. Emergency means someone is hurt. Call me a mean old lady, but I just don’t have patience for that.

I dunno, maybe I’m getting crotchety in my old age (I’ll a whole 42 in May); but the girl is babied way too much and it gets on my last everlastin’ nerve. My kids were not angels, but they certainly didn’t go to someone’s house and jump up and down on their furniture, rub their dirty hands on the walls, leave food on couches, and just walk up to someone’s pantry and start taking food out, take one bite, and throw the rest out. If we have them to dinner, she WHINES about not liking any of the food, and makes a big production of having to eat it. My answer? Fine, don’t eat, but I’m not making anything else. This food, by the way, is the same stuff she’ll eat at her house. Ugh!

You know, they were talking about coming here for the Superbowl (go Hawks). Hmmm, how are they going to do that if the daughter doesn’t like coming here? Frankly, I could not care less if they don’t show.

Hoo! I’m sorry about that folks. I really am a nice person, though sometimes you must think I’m really bitchy. These people really don’t know how I feel at all. I’m pretty good at hiding it. When I correct their daughter, it’s always gently and politely. She’s not my kid, after all. But by God, if they don’t say anything, I will, NICELY.

We’re having a good dinner tonight. Cube steak, but made with almost like beef stroganaff. The sauce is a stroganaff type sauce anyway. I’m looking forward to it. Mr. Taters asked me to make it. After that, we’ll watch our movie.

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Being able to walk to cool stores is one of my favourite parts of living in Toronto. We live within walking distance of the largest East Indian shopping area in the world (outside India), and if I go downtown, I can walk from the Portugese area to Little Italy, and then to Koreatown, and then Chinatown (which is also Vietnamese and Taiwanese), and then through Kensington, which is Central American/Jewish/Ethiopian… and if I keep walking back north and east, I hit the Greek area.

There’s a largish Middle Eastern area quite a bit north of us, near the Costco I visit, and they have wonderful bakeries and supermarkets.

I really, really like it here.

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O! Taters --I hear ya on the rude kid thing.
I am a crotchtey old lady–and proud of it. I’ve been known to comment on the kids who run around in restaurants. “you need to stop that, someone could get hurt.” said with a steely look in the eye.

Most kids cave. The ones who don’t are the ones to look for on the FBI list, IMO.

Back from Robbie Burns–it was delightful. Just what I needed, and I’m sorry I had to leave so early. Off to bed soon, for tomorrow’s 12 hour shit, I mean shift.

Taxes? Oy–those things, again–I feel like we just DID taxes!

310

This cracked me up. :smiley:

Okay, storytime. … Long story short, I’ve been single since October. It’s not fun. I don’t like it. From nigh unto 2 years ago until October I was with somebody (not one person for the entire time). And … I don’t like this game anymore. But on the other hand, I’m graduating in May. So to look for someone to date here at RPI seems kinda silly.
And yet …
Okay, before you all go jumping to conclusions, there aren’t fireworks or anything. But there is this girl who might ostensibly be displaying some interest in me. And I can’t figure why, because she knows I’m gone come May. But if she’s willing to just casually date me this semester, (and I’ll emphasize, she’s definitely dating material, this would not be a decision based on desperation or loneliness) I’d be hard pressed to say no. What say you all? I look to the benefit of all of your experience.

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Spats --why not date her? You’ll meet her friends! (old, old advice that moms used to give to daughters).
If she is interested in you and asks you, why turn her down, if you like her (mildly) as well? If you don’t go, nothing happens. If you do–you either have a great time, good time or a lousy time.

The second choice seems more interesting to me.

So what you’ll be gone in 4 months. That’s 4 months from now. One day at a time and all that.

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Taters, I know exactly what you mean. It’s amazing what some people don’t teach their kids. Almost everyone I know has one family they’re acquainted with who has this defective gene.

Do you and Mr. Lissar have an extra room, Lissla? I was thinking maybe you could adopt me. I’d help cook an’ clean an’ everything! :smiley:

Spats, what rigs said.

It’s Saturday morning and I’m wide awake. Think I’ll read for a while…

GT

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Spats go for it. A little late Winter/Spring fling never hurt anybody. Enjoy.

Last night was fun. The college thingy turned out to be really nice. I enjoyed it and was home by 8:30. ACBG made a cheesecake while I was gone which will be for dessert tonight. We got in the hot tub for a while last night and… well… you know. :wink: He’s still sound asleep, so I guess he got all relaxed.

I need to go into work for a while to do some stuff I didn’t get done because of having to deal with a dang fund raiser all week. If I just get up and go, I’ll be done in a couple hours. So, I just need to go! Now! Get up and go! Alright, alright already, I’m goin’! SHEESH!*

*The conversation I had with myself while posting this.

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–Snaps snap brim hat smartly–

Good morning ma’am. I’m from the California Casting Couch Pictures, over on Melrose. I don’t mean to appear overly forward in my presentation, but has anyone every told you that you have a visage so lovely, so pleasent to witness that by gum you were simply made for the pictures ?!

We take our fan base seriously here at California Casting Couch Pictures and so every weekend, we send our new starlets out to meet the swarming masses. If you’re willing to put in the long hours both on your feet and firmly planted on your back, we here at California Casting Couch Pictures can guarantee you fame, stardom and entree to a life of splendor and adulation !

Just sign here, and here, and initial here.
:smiley:

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rigs, noooo! Don’t listen to him! He’s just a smooth talker with a hidden agenda!

Thanks all for the advice. I think I’m definitely going to see how things go with her. :slight_smile:

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Good, 'cause that was going to be my advice. Keep us posted on how things go, okay? And I’m glad my shopping methods amuse you. They amuse Mr. Lissar. “Darling, why did you come home with a five pound block of palm sugar and a jar of little pickled jelly things?”
gt, we definitely would adopt you if we had room. See the comment about bookcases above. Plus the semi-constant stream of guests. And two cats. We don’t even have any room in the closets! It’s too bad, I think you’d make a lovely adopted daughter. Are you older than me? I can’t remember.
Ouch. Slept very badly and woke up with a headache. I’m going to have a cup of tea, and then do some chores before work.

317

Happy Weekend!!!

We went out to breakfast, then to Lowe’s for a new window blind, plus some generic looking at bathroom stuff, computing what it’ll cost to redo both bathrooms (prolly around $2K) then home, sorta. FCD is at Southern Tire getting the oil changed in his car (I’m such a nag about that) and we made an appointment for me to drop off my car on Monday to get the transmission flushed.

See, Monday, we’re making the trek to Pocomoke City that was postponed due to the money not being in place. Well, it’s in place now, so we’ll drop off the van on the way Monday morning, and by the time we get back in town, I’ll have nice, new, fresh transmission fluid. Yay.

And as soon as FCD gets back from his oil change, we’re headed to the yard to de-fence it. It’s still a bit chilly, but sunny and pretty out. I need to change into grubby shoes and find a grubby sweatshirt and a pair of work gloves. And a hat - gotta work in a hat.

Dunno what the rest of the weekend holds - laundry, for sure, and probably the installation of the new blind. But not much beyond that. Which is cool. Weekends are for relaxing, right? Stretching out on the couch, right? Tho not the aforementioned Casting Couch… tsk tsk, 'Toons, you naughty, naughty man! :stuck_out_tongue:

318

Good morning everyone!

I was up at 5:00 am and then slapped myself and said, “Self, are you crazy? It’s the weekend!” Then I went back to bed until 8:30.

I don’t know what the day holds, probably errands and chores. The weather outside is nasty.

We did end up going to watch that movie at our friend’s house. :rolleyes:
It was a good movie, but would have been better without 50 interruptions.

Spats, my advice to you is the same as those who’ve already given it. Go for it.

I have nothing exciting to report. It’s still early, though.

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I’m taking it slow today. Got up at 6:30 and watched a movie - Scary Movie 3. Kinda funny. Sat around drinking coffee, fixed breakfast around 8:30. Bacon and homefries and eggs over easy. Then hubby started his puttering, and I watched Commander in Chief. I just don’t have time for all the stuff I DVR. But I give it a good effort!

I heard a noise in the attic near the outside wall. I got Tom to look up there with a flashlight, but he didn’t see anything. But it sounded like elephants! It’s probably birds or a squirrel up there building a nest. They must think it’s spring. Is it possible to have spring without winter? It has been unseasonably warm here forever. One good freeze, is that so much to ask for? It’s January and 70 degrees. Sheesh! We have a fornt coming through, but the high tomorrow will be 67. Woo-hoo.

FCM - I love the three tits on the pot! They add character. :smiley:

Taters, I am totally with you on rude little urchins. I correct all the little monsters. If their parents won’t control them, they have to learn it from somewhere! It takes a village, you know… :smiley:

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It’s not so much that the girl is outright rude, she just DOES stuff that is not acceptable to me (the jumping on furniture, dirty hands on walls and furniture, etc).

Let me explain, she doesn’t say rude things to me or other adults, her actions are rude. Once the girl does something wrong, she goes into what she thinks is “cute” mode. You know, how a two or three year old will do something in hopes he/she can make you laugh and forget about the wrongdoing. When this doesn’t work, she goes into WHIIIIIIIIINE mode, and when that doesn’t work, the tears start flowing and the feet start stomping. It’s not that the girl is NEVER corrected by her parents. She is, it’s just that…well, I guess you’d have to see it. I just can’t seem to communicate what I’m trying to say here. I guess, that in my opinion, she gets away with far too much.

I don’t know, maybe I was just lucky. My kids learned from an early age that when adults speak, they don’t interrupt. If they did, and it was rare, they were corrected. My kids always ASKED for something if they wanted it. They didn’t just help themselves. If they were offered something, they made a point of saying either: a) That’s too much I won’t be able to finish it. Can I share it with someone? or b) Thanks so much, but I’ll just wait until I get home. They always made a point of saying “please” and “thank you”. If they forgot their manners, they were corrected. If I wasn’t around to correct them, I expected and told my friends to make sure they were corrected.

My husband laughingly states our kids are ruled by fear. This is not really true. However, they know and understand the consequences of doing something wrong. Spankings have been rare. Punishment, always in line with their age and understanding, consisted of time outs, taking away of privileges, restrictions, etc. There were spankings, always bare hand to diapered or clothed bottom. I think I can count on one hand the number of times we’ve actually spanked our children.
My kids have turned out pretty decent. Both have almost always been reliable and were always considered mature for their age.

I had a very, very strict upbringing. I wasn’t allowed to wear make-up until I was 16. I couldn’t date until I was sixteen. I had a ridiculously early curfew. I was responsible for cleaning the house, mowing the lawn, weeding the gardens, etc. All this was done before any playtime. I was whipped with a belt and a wooden spoon. Being slapped across the face was common.

None of this has occurred with my children. Yes, they have chores and responsibilities, but I guess I’m a little soft on them in this regard. This is my downfall. However, when I tell them to do something, it’s done (usually) with a minimum of fuss. They know I mean business when I tell them and no amount of arguing is going to change my mind. The kids often surprise me by doing something on their own, above and beyond what their listed chores are. I always thank them.

This has turned out way longer than I wanted it too. Taters’ silly philosphy on child-rearing. :rolleyes: Sorry about that.

Speaking of chores, I should do some.