I think it's not just here, where we're getting an ongoing load of rain!
We had a fun birthday dinner. My cousin joined us (haven't seen him in a while), so the birthday girl got to share some exciting news that she's been saving -- there will be a big reveal at a family party next weekend. Wedding plans continue apace, with a catering friend of son and his beloved all set to deliver a lovely meal.
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Ooh! More exciting news in your family, Kathy? I'm so glad that happy things are happening in your family right now.
We had a snowstorm this morning, and I didn't realise it until we were in the middle of it, on our way to preschool! Okay, okay, everyone in the rest of the world would have called it a "snowstorm" as soon as they looked out the window and saw how hard it was snowing, and would have taken the car instead of driving. But the weather report sounded so reasonable! It was much warmer than it's been lately, and the wind seemed moderate. Yes, it was snowing, but it's always snowing. So, we bundled up and headed out, and discovered that the wind + snow combination were at the stage of "hitting you right in the face and making it sting." I ended up carrying E most of the way to school, with her face buried in my shoulder. (I got a ride home from a friend, and took the car at pickup time.)
AW: the snow has stopped, and the wind has changed directions. Back to normal winter again!
Also AW: there's a nice lady who lives nearby, and who is always walking her little dog home at the same time as we're walking to preschool, and her 3 year old just joined E's class this week! I've been wanting to get to know her! (As I suspected, based on how frequently she's walking past our house, she lives about a block down the street from us, and has older kids who also go to Mr. Q and E's school. Potential friends!)
Cool beans on the new potential friends, QWP!!! Ouchie on the face-hurting snow storm.
YAY for a good dinner, Kathy!
Yay on new potential friends, QWP.
Weather whine: I'm hoping to win the contest for biggest temperature swing this week. It was 20F yesterday morning. It's supposed to be 81F later this week. I will report in with the actual temperature.
Today was my first day alone in the house in 3 weeks. Glorious.
Oh, how nice making new friends, QWP!
OMG, 3 weeks, first day alone? Go, Liz! but I don't think I could remain sane, personally, for 3 weeks.
That was Esperanza.
Esperanza, if your temps are what are predicted, you win. We had 13 this morning, expected to be in the 60's on Thursday.
{whispers quietly} I may have gotten the job I liked better of the two I interviewed for.
{whispering} YAY! How do you know?
To clarify: I've been alone, for brief and not-so-brief periods, for 3 weeks, but not alone in the house. Qualitatively different, somehow.
The recruiter called, and they just need approval from the ultimate (government agency) customer.
fingers crossed Liz!
:) Neighbor Lady
(whispering) WOOT, Liz! Fingers crossed.
Esperanza, sorry for mixing up your Quiet House At Last anti-whine.
AW: I have somebody who will take pre-order of GS cookies for a local group!!!!! This seems like the kind of year where 10 boxes will not be nearly enough. (Seeing how they won't be back until next year.)
Yay for a good birthday dinner kathy!
QWP, it can be hard to know how stormy a snowy day is until you're in the middle of it. Glad you met a potential new friend though!
esperanza, I hope your day of solitude is a good one. That's a long time between quiet/alone days.
Yay Liz! Fingers still crossed for the job.
W: Quiet day here, because migraine pain. Not incapacitating, but bad enough to dispose of any plans. It's a bit better tonight, but now I'm anxious about the week ahead - 3 meetings, 2 big reports to write, pastoral visits that can't wait...then a busy weekend. Ugh. It feels Big at the moment.
((( Sue ))) Can you do bits at a time (the reports, I mean), and do breaks with what calms the anxiety? xoxoxoo
((((Sue))))
one step at a time, with breaks.
and lots of hugs and love
--Neighbor lady
W: My SIL fell twice today. No ER needed, at least.
W: My home phone line is showing that a line is in use, but that's not true. So we cannot call out. Wah.
Sue, so sorry about the headache and surrounding anxiety.
Kathy a, sorry about your SIL.
NL, how are you?
W/AW? I attempted the "day off" concept today, with limited success. I did take a nap and read some from my fluffy book. I also did three loads of laundry, cooked and cleaned up supper, and did about an hour's worth of (paid) work. I give myself a B-
Well, you still got free time, and that counts!
So, the phone problem turned out to be because of flooding under the house, which wrecked a hard line to a phone jack we never use, so when that got disconnected, voila. (Except the part about flooding under the house.)
Kathy, YIKES.
No valiant husbands were harmed in the fixing of the phone line. The rain is supposed to stop by tomorrow, and Mr. Fixit is thinking of renting a pump or something, should the water remain sitting under the house.
The affected wire looks to have been installed in the pre-cell, pre-cordless extension days, when some previous owner wanted a phone in the front room; and it was a sloppy installation. He figured it out and unhooked it at the junction in the garage.
We have a clear division of responsibilities. I do celebrations and everyday food shopping; he does things involving dirt and/or wires.
Fireplacing L@bC0rp fireplacing sent a claim to the branch of my insurance in a different state. So the insurance denied the claim, no duh. And LC sent me a bill for $1515.00. Which I disputed with both insurance and LC. Today, LC sent me ANOTHER bill marked "Past Due". I've just yelled at them. I can't have a bill sent to collections right now and it's THEIR FIREPLACING FAULT.
I think yelling is good, in that situation; and also that your personal lawyer person (or a friend) should threaten to kick their asses on letterhead, including reports to all the relevant departments of insurance, at a minimum. Document the hell out of this.
xoxo
My cat was all snuggly and purry, sitting on my chest while I looked at the intertubes. Then I gently moved her, needing 2 hands, and I'm bleeding in 4 places. Not very badly, 3 nibs of tissue have it under control, but still. Have to admit some failures at socializing cats.
I met with my colleague group today. We've been meeting together for 15 years or so. They've been through a lot with me, and I've been through a lot with them. The other 42 year old in the group is unexpectedly pregnant. How unexpectedly? Like diagnosed with limited ovarian reserve 3 years ago, aka "you don't have hardly any viable eggs left." When refilling her hormone replacement therapy (to head off early menopause and its risks), the pharmacist routinely asked her if she was pregnant. She said, no I can't be. But something nagged her about it, so she took a test and she was. Obviously high risk, etc. So I'm happy for her (they wanted another child) and scared for her. And exceedingly happy that I'm not pregnant (I was very clear that I was done after Mini). But I was still crying as she was telling us this story. So many emotions and memories with our own fertility difficulties--she's coincidentally seeing the same practice as we used. Anyway, so much about the story is amazing--she's 7 weeks along, just found out on Friday, and her 6 year old has been saying for a month "Mommy has a baby in her tummy." He was right. I guess it just stirred up a lot in me. Everyone understood, which is nice when I don't have to explain or excuse away my tears.
AW: also ate Thai food for lunch with them. Brand new little restaurant, in historically African-American part of the highly Latin@ city. It was excellent. I've never attempted cooking THai food, but now I'm inspired.
Wow, Esperanza, about your friend! And what a great group, that you have known one another long enough that not every last thing needs to be explained. Fingers crossed!
Also, Thai rocks. Get yourself some canned coconut milk and some thai curry paste (go gentle at first), and start experimenting!
I had a cashew dish, with carrots and cabbage and bok choy. Not a curry. Any ideas?
Liz, so sorry about your insurance mixup. They are ridiculously hard to fix. Medical offices seem unwilling to admit fault. Ugh.
Hold on. Here's a chicken/cashew/bok dish that looks kinda spicy, so you can ramp it down: http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/cashew-chicken-bok-choy
And here is a very simple, not spicy one: http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/baby_bok_choy_with_cashews/
And a 5 star chic/bok to which cashews could be added: http://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1015084-stir-fried-chicken-and-bok-choy
But if you can try a light curry, num. And -- you can use coconut milk as part of the fluid for rice, and num.
I'm kind of a fan of mixing recipes up, to suit what's at hand and what people are willing to eat.
Oh, thanks for the links. Is now when I admit that I don't really cook rice very well? How hard can it be? I screw it up on the regular.
Today was Taco Tuesday. Thai experimentation will have to wait a few days. I think Mr. E would like it. The "medium" version cleared out my sinuses pretty effectively today :)
(((Liz))) Sorry about the insurance mess. Gah.
Wow, about your friend esperanza. I can understand how that would bring up all sorts of feelings. I'm so glad you've got such a long-standing supportive group of colleagues!
We love Thai food at our house. I can't have garlic so hubby makes his own curry paste with fresh chilis and All The Spices. So yummy.
AW: First long day of meetings and intense visits done.
This might not be a thing where you live, but I depend on my rice cooker. Dump in the rice and liquid, sometimes a little butter and/or spices, and bam. About 30 minutes of no supervision whatsoever. You can go way fancy, or you can go really low-cost, but this is ours: https://www.amazon.com/Aroma-Simply-Stainless-Uncooked-Cooked/dp/B007TNXYYA/ref=lp_678540011_1_7?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1484104932&sr=1-7
Oh, rice cookers exist here. I just don't like adding to my clutter. My mama cooks rice in the oven, which about gave my Chinese-American friend in high school a heart attack. (Her mom used a rice cooker). I usually do it on the stove, but results are mixed.
As far as kitchen appliances go, I'd give up the toaster AND the blender, and probably a few other items, before the rice cooker.
I'd give up my microwave before I give up my vintage toaster oven. Haven't used the blender since I can remember.
Recipe for perfect stovetop rice: 1 part rice to 2 parts water. Salt to taste. Bring to a boil. Let cook covered on medium low for 15 minutes. Turn off heat. Put a piece of paper towel between pot and lid and let stand 5 minutes.
Do not stir. Ever.
Liz in iPhone
That's different than the way I've been doing it. I'll give it a try. (And I never stir. My sister-in-law *always* stirs, and hers turns out good.)
I suddenly couldn't remember whether I still owned my rice cooker! I just went and checked, and found it in my pantry. That's how long it's been since I've used it! I prefer cooking on the stovetop. (Although the rice instructions vary by type: Mr. Q just got us some long grain extra-fancy stuff that only needs 1 1/3c water to ever 1 c of rice.) I also donated our nice toaster oven a few years ago, because it was living in our storage room, and we had limited space. I don't have a regular blender anymore, but I depend constantly on my stick blender and food processor. (Also, I'll weep bitter tears on the day my stand mixer dies. I love that thing and use it a lot.)
I'm rounding up the posse on behalf of Liz. So many cluesticks for your insurance company! What on earth!
Kathy, a water pump sounds like a good idea. Your house doesn't have a sump hole in the basement, in which one can put a sump pump, does it?
It is COLD here today! I drove E to school again. I was toying with the idea, when I heard that there was an extreme cold advisory, and then when I found out that the school buses aren't running today, I was sure. (I guess the limit is either real -40, or -45C with the windchill, and this morning the windchill JUST suddenly dipped down to the cutoff. Schools here don't get cancelled unless a building has no heat and power, and so that just means that parents drive, and kids from farms might not be there.)
Do you want to know something weird? In terms of comfort levels, today feels more bearable than the snowstorm (on a much warmer day) on Monday. It's a good thing that I checked the actual temperature and not just how it feels personally, because I made Mr. Q plug in the car (for the block heater) this morning before he left for school, and even though the car was in the (uninsulated) garage, it just barely started this morning.
AW: the end of this cold snap is in sight! The forecast for the weekend and early next week is for temperatures that are just barely below freezing. We could play outside!
We use Liz's recipe and it works - even for me! We have one particular pot (a copper-bottom medium size pot with a good lid) that never lets us down. Once you find your Pot of Rice Perfection, you're good to go.
Don't stir, and don't lift the lid during cooking.
I would love a rice cooker. And a waffle maker. Alas, not much counter space.
QWP, we don't have a basement. The floor of the house is maybe a couple feet above the ground, and the water is just sitting there behind the foundation. (It comes off the hill in back, and gravity keeps pulling it toward the front.) Anyway, I'm hoping it filters on out by the weekend. The house is up a slope from the street, so that could happen...
It was the lab and not the insurance company that fireplaced this up.
Sue, the world's best waffle iron is this one. No counter space needed. Comes apart for easy clean up.
Esperanza, I was meaning to pass along a hug for you. I get it (in fact, I recently and unexpectedly burst into tears in front of my computer, when dear friends who have been struggling with infertility and miscarriages for years announced a pregnancy and that they're due pretty soon. The tears were one part really, really happy and relieved for them, and one part triggered by over-relating to the situation, or maybe flashbacks to my own experience, or something?). Hugs hugs hugs.
W: I've been tired and had sore muscles today, but I pushed through to try to get some things done, and then my head and neck started hurting. And so I took my painkillers and am reclined on the couch for the duration of E's quiet time, because I'm not monkeying around with migraine triggers today. (As I look suspiciously at the massive temperature swing that's approaching.)
Oh dear goodness: no wonder my head feels so wonky. I just checked the weather report, and at 6am the windchill dipped to -55F, and by mid afternoon today it will be 3F. I'm thankful for the reprieve, but I could stand a more gradual temperature shift. At least E is happy having a quiet afternoon.
Wait. Did you say NEGATIVE FIFTY FIVE DEGREES FARENHEIT?
That's like, colder than a polar bear's testicles!
That is totally an unreal temperature. I cannot hold it in my mind, even though I understand it happens now and again, but HOW is somebody supposed to just carry on???? Nevermind the upswing of 50+ degrees in one fireplacing day. Jeepers.
I cannot conceive of that temperature.
We have indeed hit 81F today, and it was 20F on Sunday morning. Ridiculous.
That's an even more ridiculous temperature swing than here, esperanza!
I dearly hope that Sue's city isn't getting the same drop in air pressure that we're getting. My mom, my sister, and I all simultaneously got binding headaches at noon today, just as the pressure started dropping. (We've gone from extreme cold with no wind to only a little cold with a wind storm. Our church meeting was cancelled for weather tonight!)
AW: said no to something today. Just no. It feels right, and good.
W: so tired. It's before 7 PM and I'm in my pj's already. I could easily fall asleep right now, but Mr E is at a meeting and Baboos are awake.
Oh and thank you, QWP, for understanding the tears.
Crowd thoughts: $50/person for 150 people, for a buffet at a wedding? Not including any alcohol? Also not including setup or cleanup. This just sounds like a lot to me.
Also, the caterer is pushing real plates, not disposable. For 150 people. I'm all in favor of finding real wine glasses for all, but holy cow, the cleanup on real plates? NOT in favor. Sorry, wish to be ecological, but one cannot even pack up plates without rinsing at least. And one cannot afford much in the way of staff, you know?
Hi Kathy,
I checked out an old list of prices from back in 2012, and at least for one of the places we were looking, an adult buffet was around 90 per person. (and not even for a wedding, for a Bat Mitzvah). This was at the place where we did our wedding back in 2001, where I think back then it might have been around $50. HOWEVER, we didn't go with this place for the bat mitzvah (and felt 90 was way too expensive for a bat mitzvah). Can't remember the cost at the place we actually chose, and couldn't find it in a quick search... may look again later
However, a quick check with neighbor guy who did most of the planning for that confirmed my gut that $50 is pretty much in the range for what you would be able to find (or at least what we could find in our city). This price, though, is in a big city on the East Coast, so ymmv. But on the west coast in your locale, I'm thinking you may in the range. Of course, you could always price check with some other locales and see what the comparisons are (even if you know you won't be using them). And, at these places, they provided all the linens, glasses, plates, cutlery, clean up etc. because they were set up for that in that location. If your caterer is providing all that stuff, and doing clean up it sounds reasonable to me. If YOU are having to provide/rent/transport all the plates etc. and doing clean up (Oh, man, try not to do that!!!!) then I don't know!
Just my two cents.....
we long ago planned our own wedding, and a few years ago planned a bat mitzvah, but this is totally not my area other than those experiences, so I'll be curious what others say too.
:) Neighbor Lady
xoxoxo
I think we spent $45/person on buffet catering at my wedding in 1996 at my mom's house in High Falls, NY. Tent extra, real plates/glasses/cutlery included. Tip for wait staff not included. We made the hors d'oeuvres ourselves, and my sister's sister-in-law made the cake.
In other words, I think that $50/person sounds reasonable.
I bet you could do it cheaper per person if you got a local restaurant to deliver lasagne and salad or what not, and hired a few teens to do clean-up, but it really depends on the size of your guest list.
If you're making sure you don't exclude second cousins and your son's friends from elementary school who he hasn't seen in 5 years, but is facebook friends with, then go with the lasagne and salad option. If you're limiting the guest list to 50 or fewer people, maybe go with fancier.
My son's looking to trim the guest list, but my guess is it will still be over 100. Second cousins are pretty much out of luck already! There will be two close elementary school friends in the wedding party.
I'm a little unclear on the plates -- sounds like the caterer would handle that, plus supply servers who can also work cleanup. We have to get everything out of there that night; but there will be a janitor later to wipe tables, mop floors, etc.
My own wedding a million years ago was small, under 50, and in the early afternoon -- and I supplied food for the buffet (and did everything else but the cake). So, that was cost-effective. My cousin ordered platters of food for their buffet, but enlisted friends and relatives to keep the platters filled, serve as bartenders, etc.
Guess I am out of my element considering the help that would be included.... And the thought of all those dirty plates gives me the chills (but I would not be dealing with them).
So - I think the MotB and I will go along for the next meeting with the caterer. This is a friend of the happy couple, and she has promised vegetarian heaven plus (this is how she hooked my son) fried chicken for the carnivores.
QWP - We had a major low pressure system Tuesday, complete with a Metric But$load of Snow, followed by a super high pressure system yesterday and today with lows this morning of -42C. UGH. I'm feeling the big swing in my head and in my body.
W: This morning's meeting was 2.5 hours long. It did not need to be that long. We could have done all of the business in an hour and saved the chat for another time. The Chair did a good job of trying to herd the cats, but was not always successful. She did, however, say no (following esperanza's example!) to an added agenda item. The person wanted to add it and discuss it while folks were already putting on their coats to leave. No. Just no.
AW: I have hot coffee and warm fuzzy slippers in my office, so now I'll get some work done.
Oh, all my sympathies about the snow, the massive swings in atmospheric pressure, and especially about the 2.5 hour meeting -- that is too damned long for any meeting.
Oh Sue, only the fuzzy slippers and coffee sound good. None of the rest of it. Hoping for a calmer weather pattern for you.
Note to self: get fuzzy slippers for office.
I'm sorry that you're getting these settings (and physical effects) too, Sue! I know four people who were hit with migraine symptoms at noon yesterday. And now I'm posting from under my covers: neck pain and dizziness hit again today. Looking at the forecast, I'm not surprised. (We're in the deep freeze as well, to the point that the buses were cancelled again today. I postponed a play date as well, because my car doesn't handle short trips at -40.) It's supposed to be single digits by the weekend, and melting early next week: no wonder my head is acting up!
Kathy: $50/person is the going rate here, too.
Thanks for all the input on costs! I think they've checked around, and this is a reasonable rate for our area. Just more than my cheap self was expecting... I think also more than my son expected, too, which is why he called and needed to talk about this. At least the venue is affordable!
Breaking my sweetie into this. He's been thinking we should re-do the roof (very minor issues) and re-do the drainage (not an emergency), both costly. And he has never thought about the cost of a wedding, which seems higher on the list for this year. We agree on the concept of not going deep into debt for a party, but this can be worked out.
Kathy, I know that whatever you all choose to do will be beautiful and special and wonderful, no matter what the type of plates are or whether it's lasagna or (yum!) fried chicken and vegetarian options or whatever.
So exciting!
:)
xoxoxo
Neighbor Lady
Virginia government offices (like the DMV) are closed today for Lee-Jackson day. https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/general/news/pressReleases/#/News_Article:11080
Liz on iPhone
Texas: for once, not the most disgustingly backwards state in the Union.
Sorry, Liz.
Mr. E's surgery today at 11:00. He's already whining about the no eating/drinking before surgery thing.
Ugh. Sorry, Liz. :(
Sending good thoughts and prayers for Mr. E's surgery, esperanza.
Oy, Liz.
More thoughts for Mr. E from out here! I also think the waiting (and not eating) is really hard. Hope the procedure goes well, and he recovers quickly. xoxo
Thanks, NL! I know it will be wonderful, no matter the details!
Thinking of you and Mr. E during his surgery, Esperanza. XOXOX
Esperanza,
Hoping the surgery went smoothly, and recovery is quick and easy.
Liz,
ugh. How can that still be a thing?
--NL
House also voted to begin repeal of the Affordable Care Act. I am enraged.
Fury.
OK, OK. These votes were preliminary, on the overall federal budget. There is still more that has to happen before an actual repeal, but voices need to be heard.
If you are in the U.S., it is important that you tell your senators and congressperson that the ACA is important, and why. And that you link up with whatever groups share your beliefs -- local level is good, because that's how we grow representatives who actually represent on issues like this.
xoxo
All 4 of us (immediate family) just signed up for a march/protest in our nearby big city on Jan 21 to support womens rights, immigrant rights, minority rights, LGBTQIA rights, etc. Can't get to the one in DC, but marching closer to home. Turns out our awesome senator is one of the kickoff speakers, and the city mayor is too. Now, to make some signs.
(and, note, Neighbor Boy who was so nervous about the protest in our own town is now onboard with this one--- not sure he realizes there will be 1000s of people, but....)
Feels good to be doing something. Here it is kind of like preaching to the choir, but still. I feel like it matters.
I hope it will matter.
--Neighbor Lady
Yay, Neighbor Family!!!!
I'll be at the one in DC, which I get no bonus points for since it's my nearest city.
Yay Liz!!!!
--NL
Yay, Neighbor Family and Liz!
Go, team!
Sorry for the radio silence, pixies.
Surgery went well. The doctor said he "really needed" surgery. Severely deviated septum (the doctor held up his finger like a shepherd's crook to illustrate) and very inflamed sinuses. And he had to do a lot of reduction on a something-or-other. Two and a half hours in surgery. Recovery was a bit rough--lots of pain that the narcotics weren't really helping. They sent us home at rush hour (gee thanks). That pain level didn't abate until about 3:00 Saturday morning, when he/we finally fell asleep.
Now he's dealing with congestion, which is expected. Lots of saline rinses, which is disgusting but helps. Only occasional use of pain meds, so that's good.
I'm trying to catch up on sleep. My mom was here, which was a huge help.
Church was good this morning. It's hard not to get caught up in the numbers, but it was the biggest crowd since I've been there consistently. Returning visitors. Anyway, a good morning.
My mom has left to go to my brother's house to stay with them a couple weeks while my sister in law is out of the country to help her mother. Whew.
Glad the surgery went well! Sorry for all the pain after, but so glad your mom was there to help!
Hope the recovery is really quick from here on out!
--Neighbor Lady
Glad Mr. E got through the surgery and is recovering OK. xoxo
The big news that daughter was waiting to break is that she's already been accepted to a law school, and offered a very generous scholarship -- and they sent an email to notify her only days after the last recommendation went in! We were not expecting to hear anything for some time (and may not hear from the other schools for a while), but this is near the top of her list, and it is hard to imagine another school coming up with a better financial offer.
Well hooray! Yippee! That is stupendous news! Clinking the champagne flutes for her!
Wonderful news, Kathy! So exciting that they came through with an offer so quickly! Is the school anywhere near you?
Esperanza, I'm glad that Mr. E came through his surgery safely. I hope his recovery goes quickly and smoothly. (How exciting that you had such good numbers today!)
Well, biggest crowd = 26 people. But, small sanctuary, so it felt pleasingly full.
Numbers are all relative, and that also is great news, Esperanza!~
Yay kathy's daughter!!!!!!!!
--NL
Daughter's offer came from a reputable U in the state to the north -- a bit over 500 miles north. She went to the "enemy" college in that state undergrad, and has a couple of close friends maybe an hour away. Still doesn't have the official packet yet, but it was super-good that they emailed her immediately.
I had to steer my aunt over TWICE, telling her that daughter had good news to share -- because the first conversation veered off to where she is working now, and on to art and etc. But it got to the actual news the second time. :)
Yay Kathy's daughter!!!
Fireplacing cancer took another friend. This is the one who was the immediate previous owner of the house my parents bought in Brooklyn when I was a kid, whose home I canvassed in 2013 here in Virginia. My small world friend.
((((Liz))))))
So sorry for your loss.
--NL
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