That's what I feel is about to happen - a complete overhaul of all of my belongings. As I come closer to my one-week vacation to Denver, and a potential decision to move there or elsewhere, I am getting more and more anxious to purge. I am ready to open up the cabinets and throw away what I no longer need, while organizing those things I believe are worth keeping. This will definitely be a challenge for me, as I've collected hundreds of photos over the years (and now don't remember all of the people in them!), books, knick-knacks and have a tendency to make piles of papers everywhere on and around my desk. The "to do" pile, the "to file" pile...you get the idea. I'm sick of all the paper!
In other news, I'll be singing tonight at my mom's temple with two others and a live band. We're doing a jazz night - music from Fats Waller, Dorothy Fields, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James, etc. I'll be singing five songs; two are solos, two are duets and the last a trio. My solos: "Come Rain or Come Shine" and "It's Easy to Remember" (which I don't know that well...so technically, it's NOT easy to remember, hehe). The duets are "At Last" with Rik and "Bei Mir Bist du Schein" with June and the audience. For the trio, Rik, June and I will sing "I Got Rhythm". It was my idea to have all three of us sing it, as it's so upbeat and fun...and much more exciting with three voices than one. Here goes!
I'm getting ready for one last camping trip of the season. My neighbors and I are heading to Phantom Island on Lake George, NY, in the Adirondacks region. The days are still beautiful but it's damn cold already. I'm definitely going to need my layers! And wool socks! I'm hoping to whip up a batch of granola today and perhaps another zucchini bread...mmm, that first one was delish! Renee and I are brining some chicken sausages, veggies and hummus, s'more fixins and who knows what else. I've got plenty of snacky foods: nuts, veggie chips, etc. If you're thinking that this all sounds too extravagant, well it's not your typical camping trip. Roger brings a huge "kitchen" setup and we have coolers upon coolers of food. The week will start with four people, then eventually add up to about seven or eight. I'm pretty excited. I hope the water is still warm though...I like my morning dips, bathing with Simple Green. Sounds awful, right? Well, I've survived it thus far and Simple Green is biodegradable, so I think it will be okay.
I'll let you know how the "concert" goes. I'm off to whip up some granola and grab some grubbage while I'm in the kitchen.
19 September 2008
11 September 2008
nameless
I'm not feeling too creative about my title today. And I don't feel like uploading those photos that I said I would upload today. My back hurts from sitting like a stupid hunched-over idiot at my laptop. I didn't do my laundry like I wanted to today. I didn't make it to the bank. I didn't call my loan shark to ask him my questions about paying off the principal. And apparently I'm seeming a bit grumpy right now, oops!
I had to get those things off my chest, but I'm not grumpy at all. I'm quite relaxed and only slightly anxious. I have a bit of a headache and I'm suffering from some weird minute-bumpy things on my face. I've got to do a little research, find out if it's the new facial cleanser that I bought. It's a Vitamin C wash and I love citrus...but perhaps my face does not? It's from Avalon Organics, so I know it's supposed to be good.
For some reason I get hungry when I write. I think I'll have a sip of water...actually, it was somewhere between ten and twelve gulps. I was thirsty!
This morning Chad came and bought my old car. YAHOO! I woke up early, dragged my lazy bum out of bed and went straight downstairs to clean her up. I used the shop vac, then about five different cleaning solutions to try and get the old grime off the door jambs, interior and any other dirty spots I came across. I even scraped off all of my old stickers! What a tear at my heart strings. My very first bumper sticker, "Save water, shower with a friend," could not be salvaged. Darn. I tried to salvage the Rose Island Lighthouse sticker too, from my trip with Stacie a few years ago, but it tore to pieces. The only "sticker" saved was the URI Alumni Association static-sticker. I found this "OOPS!" grime remover in the basement that took off the sticky stuff remaining from the backs of the stickers. It was incredible! I was tempted to just use some gasoline that was in the garage, but didn't. It's a good thing too because mom needed it a couple hours later to fill the mower!
It was a strange feeling to see Chad drive away in my old Subaru, my baby. My first car. I could feel the cash in my pocket, burning, waiting to be put to use, but it was bittersweet nonetheless. My baby is gone. I'm happy to know that she and I went on many road trips together...to Ohio, Pennsylvania, Jersey, NYC, Connecticut, all over Mass, Rhode Island, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont. That car knows the Northeastern US like none other. I'm also glad to know that Chad will take care of her and really run her into the ground, as I had originally intended.
Boy, I am pooped. I'm going to bed. Perhaps I'll have more energy next time and will have more jokes to tell, more sarcasm to dish out and more recipes to share. Au revoir!
I had to get those things off my chest, but I'm not grumpy at all. I'm quite relaxed and only slightly anxious. I have a bit of a headache and I'm suffering from some weird minute-bumpy things on my face. I've got to do a little research, find out if it's the new facial cleanser that I bought. It's a Vitamin C wash and I love citrus...but perhaps my face does not? It's from Avalon Organics, so I know it's supposed to be good.
For some reason I get hungry when I write. I think I'll have a sip of water...actually, it was somewhere between ten and twelve gulps. I was thirsty!
This morning Chad came and bought my old car. YAHOO! I woke up early, dragged my lazy bum out of bed and went straight downstairs to clean her up. I used the shop vac, then about five different cleaning solutions to try and get the old grime off the door jambs, interior and any other dirty spots I came across. I even scraped off all of my old stickers! What a tear at my heart strings. My very first bumper sticker, "Save water, shower with a friend," could not be salvaged. Darn. I tried to salvage the Rose Island Lighthouse sticker too, from my trip with Stacie a few years ago, but it tore to pieces. The only "sticker" saved was the URI Alumni Association static-sticker. I found this "OOPS!" grime remover in the basement that took off the sticky stuff remaining from the backs of the stickers. It was incredible! I was tempted to just use some gasoline that was in the garage, but didn't. It's a good thing too because mom needed it a couple hours later to fill the mower!
It was a strange feeling to see Chad drive away in my old Subaru, my baby. My first car. I could feel the cash in my pocket, burning, waiting to be put to use, but it was bittersweet nonetheless. My baby is gone. I'm happy to know that she and I went on many road trips together...to Ohio, Pennsylvania, Jersey, NYC, Connecticut, all over Mass, Rhode Island, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont. That car knows the Northeastern US like none other. I'm also glad to know that Chad will take care of her and really run her into the ground, as I had originally intended.
Boy, I am pooped. I'm going to bed. Perhaps I'll have more energy next time and will have more jokes to tell, more sarcasm to dish out and more recipes to share. Au revoir!
10 September 2008
just when you think you're normal...
...the tunnel falls in and you're covered in silt, cement and broken pieces of wire.
Perhaps it's not that bad, but it's pretty darn confusing growing up. Families turn out to be dysfunctional...secrets are no longer secrets but parts of the learning process...there is no right or wrong path for us, we only have to pick the one (or two, or three) that we want to try...sometimes fighting with loved ones can be a constructive process.
Things I enjoyed today:
- Spending the day in Boston with mom (even if I slept for an hour and a half while we were there)
- Scavenging for veggies in gram's garden with my family, before the first frost
- Receiving a free sample of Kotex pads and tampons in the mail - HAHA
- Making fun of the bobble-headed-looking people across the waiting room (their heads were misshapen through the glass of the fish tank)
- Watching a dreamy, fairy-tale like movie, "Penelope," with my family
- Protecting our houseplants from possible frost (bringing them inside from the cold exterior)
- Finding out that Allie is coming to Denver too!!!
- Knowing that at 7:30am tomorrow my old car will be SOLD and GONE from the driveway!
- Planning tomorrow's lunch date with Renee and possible black bean soup date with Ryan
- Seeing photos from my brother's first fashion show (Max Azaria/BCBG)...he was a viewer, not a model...but he's got the potential ;)
- Knowing that tomorrow is another day off.
Once again I'm up later than I'd like and will be waking up earlier than I'd like. The good thing is that my baby girl, my old Subaru, will be going to a new home tomorrow morning. It will be a bit sad to see her go, but worth it's weight in gold...or cold, hard cash as I am soon to find out.
I've realized that I am in love with two men...Colin Firth and James McAvoy. One, a sexy, older Brit and the other, a younger, more mysterious Scot. I definitely have something for the UK-ers...or pretty much any man who can pull off sexy and accent. Sold. This week I watched "Then She Found Me" (Helen Hunt, Colin Firth, Bette Midler, Matthew Broderick) and "Penelope" (Christina Ricci, James McAvoy, Catherine O'Hara). Both great movies. The first captured my emotions - my ever-changing faith in Judaism and "is there a god?", love, childbirth vs. adoption. The second movie captured my imagination and secret passion for love stories. I'm a sucker for fairy tale love stories...not quite the Princess Bride cheese type (though I do love this movie), but stories that could potentially be real, though are quite obvious to be screenplay.
Tomorrow I intend to post some photos about things I've written about today. I no longer have the energy to function...it's too late (or early, as it's 1:30am). Sheesh, will I ever get back on a "normal" sleeping pattern?
I like to hope so.
Perhaps it's not that bad, but it's pretty darn confusing growing up. Families turn out to be dysfunctional...secrets are no longer secrets but parts of the learning process...there is no right or wrong path for us, we only have to pick the one (or two, or three) that we want to try...sometimes fighting with loved ones can be a constructive process.
Things I enjoyed today:
- Spending the day in Boston with mom (even if I slept for an hour and a half while we were there)
- Scavenging for veggies in gram's garden with my family, before the first frost
- Receiving a free sample of Kotex pads and tampons in the mail - HAHA
- Making fun of the bobble-headed-looking people across the waiting room (their heads were misshapen through the glass of the fish tank)
- Watching a dreamy, fairy-tale like movie, "Penelope," with my family
- Protecting our houseplants from possible frost (bringing them inside from the cold exterior)
- Finding out that Allie is coming to Denver too!!!
- Knowing that at 7:30am tomorrow my old car will be SOLD and GONE from the driveway!
- Planning tomorrow's lunch date with Renee and possible black bean soup date with Ryan
- Seeing photos from my brother's first fashion show (Max Azaria/BCBG)...he was a viewer, not a model...but he's got the potential ;)
- Knowing that tomorrow is another day off.
Once again I'm up later than I'd like and will be waking up earlier than I'd like. The good thing is that my baby girl, my old Subaru, will be going to a new home tomorrow morning. It will be a bit sad to see her go, but worth it's weight in gold...or cold, hard cash as I am soon to find out.
I've realized that I am in love with two men...Colin Firth and James McAvoy. One, a sexy, older Brit and the other, a younger, more mysterious Scot. I definitely have something for the UK-ers...or pretty much any man who can pull off sexy and accent. Sold. This week I watched "Then She Found Me" (Helen Hunt, Colin Firth, Bette Midler, Matthew Broderick) and "Penelope" (Christina Ricci, James McAvoy, Catherine O'Hara). Both great movies. The first captured my emotions - my ever-changing faith in Judaism and "is there a god?", love, childbirth vs. adoption. The second movie captured my imagination and secret passion for love stories. I'm a sucker for fairy tale love stories...not quite the Princess Bride cheese type (though I do love this movie), but stories that could potentially be real, though are quite obvious to be screenplay.
Tomorrow I intend to post some photos about things I've written about today. I no longer have the energy to function...it's too late (or early, as it's 1:30am). Sheesh, will I ever get back on a "normal" sleeping pattern?
I like to hope so.
09 September 2008
floaty-hearted daydreamer
Claire Jayne, 9 months old. My goddaughter, the genius.
I talked to Lyss tonight and she shared with me the incredible things that little Claire is already capable of. So, here's what she can do...
- she can stand up on her own without holding onto anything
- she crawls really really fast
- she can take things apart and put them back together again, like stackable cups (future engineer?)
- she gives high-fives
- she dances to music
- she already has problem-solving/analytical skills (Example: Claire has figured out that if she wants something a few feet away from her and something is in the way, she can just move the thing that's in the way or step over it...perhaps if you've never watched a child develop, this means diddly squat to you)
- she belly laughs in response to things that are actually funny, she understands humor!
Tonight I cooked up quite the feast for dinner. Sauteed some red swiss chard with EVOO, black pepper and lemon juice. Mmmm.... Then cooked up some soy "chicken" strips with jerk seasoning. YUM! Lastly, I made my own version of black bean soup. I drained and rinsed a can of black beans, pureed them in the blender with soy milk and jalapenos. I poured the mix into a pan and added low-sodium chicken stock, diced red and green peppers, onion, jalapenos, celery and sprinkled in some Kosher salt and garlic powder. I usually use real garlic but completely forgot we had any. When the soup was warmed but the veggies not yet soft, I added some already-cooked rice - whole grain brown with wheat berries, barley and some sliced almonds. I ate it with a dollop of sour cream on top...delightful!
I have so many more things to write, but they will have to wait until later. It's past midnight and I have to wake at 6:30, then drive 3 hours to Boston with my mom. Sheesh!
Dreaming of first kisses, cherry pies and fluffy bunny tails....
I talked to Lyss tonight and she shared with me the incredible things that little Claire is already capable of. So, here's what she can do...
- she can stand up on her own without holding onto anything
- she crawls really really fast
- she can take things apart and put them back together again, like stackable cups (future engineer?)
- she gives high-fives
- she dances to music
- she already has problem-solving/analytical skills (Example: Claire has figured out that if she wants something a few feet away from her and something is in the way, she can just move the thing that's in the way or step over it...perhaps if you've never watched a child develop, this means diddly squat to you)
- she belly laughs in response to things that are actually funny, she understands humor!
Tonight I cooked up quite the feast for dinner. Sauteed some red swiss chard with EVOO, black pepper and lemon juice. Mmmm.... Then cooked up some soy "chicken" strips with jerk seasoning. YUM! Lastly, I made my own version of black bean soup. I drained and rinsed a can of black beans, pureed them in the blender with soy milk and jalapenos. I poured the mix into a pan and added low-sodium chicken stock, diced red and green peppers, onion, jalapenos, celery and sprinkled in some Kosher salt and garlic powder. I usually use real garlic but completely forgot we had any. When the soup was warmed but the veggies not yet soft, I added some already-cooked rice - whole grain brown with wheat berries, barley and some sliced almonds. I ate it with a dollop of sour cream on top...delightful!
I have so many more things to write, but they will have to wait until later. It's past midnight and I have to wake at 6:30, then drive 3 hours to Boston with my mom. Sheesh!
Dreaming of first kisses, cherry pies and fluffy bunny tails....
06 September 2008
blackened
Our lunch special at the restaurant today was a blackened chicken sandwich on toasted rye, with lettuce, tomato and a spicy remoulade. It was outstanding! My lips are still recovering from the fire.
I'm thinking about cooking up some swiss chard too...though I'm not sure what to eat it with...leftover mac-n-cheese? We did a taste test yesterday in our home kitchen. Mom was craving Kraft mac-n-cheese, but I refused to let her buy it. Too many chemicals and fake shit. So we bought boxes of both Annie's and Nature's Promise (Stop & Shop's store brand natural food label, very good!). They tasted identical if you ask me. Mom said they weren't cheddary enough for her. I think it's because she's used to those darn fake ingredients. In any event, we ended up putting them together in the same container. The Annie's proved to be the winner though as far as nutrients go - less cholesterol, sodium, carbs, etc. Way to go Annie!
It's funny, my friend Cristian tells me that my life revolves around food. I'm starting to think he's right! Almost every time he asks me how things are going, I respond with a food-related comment: "Oh I just cooked up the best ______ and ate all of it!" or "I'm just about to make a stir-fry." I grew up in a family of chefs! Or would they be chefettes? All women! In any event, my mom's mom was the baker. Dad's mom is the best at pasta sauce and apple pie. Mom inherited the baking skills and makes great chicken dishes. My sister? She can whip up any cultural meal you crave...Mexican, Asian, Indian...the list goes on. She's also got a flare for brunch. I'm more practiced at rice and beans, fried plantains, salads, soups and the occasional curry. I'm also down with the cultural food, and those with freshest ingredients.
Writing about all of this makes me excited all over again for my new toothbrush - haha! Now I look forward to brushing my teeth in the morning and night. My friend Amanda teases me about my brushing habits. It has to be two minutes. And I have to brush my teeth as soon as I wake up or I can't enjoy my morning. Anyway, I've never really been bothered by that funky orange-juice-mixed-with-toothpaste flavor you get after brushing. I'm fascinated by it!
I think I'm going to tackle that swiss chard. Well, I'm not going to grab it by the stem and wrestle it to the ground...I just meant that I'm going to try a new recipe with it.
Buen provecho!
I'm thinking about cooking up some swiss chard too...though I'm not sure what to eat it with...leftover mac-n-cheese? We did a taste test yesterday in our home kitchen. Mom was craving Kraft mac-n-cheese, but I refused to let her buy it. Too many chemicals and fake shit. So we bought boxes of both Annie's and Nature's Promise (Stop & Shop's store brand natural food label, very good!). They tasted identical if you ask me. Mom said they weren't cheddary enough for her. I think it's because she's used to those darn fake ingredients. In any event, we ended up putting them together in the same container. The Annie's proved to be the winner though as far as nutrients go - less cholesterol, sodium, carbs, etc. Way to go Annie!
It's funny, my friend Cristian tells me that my life revolves around food. I'm starting to think he's right! Almost every time he asks me how things are going, I respond with a food-related comment: "Oh I just cooked up the best ______ and ate all of it!" or "I'm just about to make a stir-fry." I grew up in a family of chefs! Or would they be chefettes? All women! In any event, my mom's mom was the baker. Dad's mom is the best at pasta sauce and apple pie. Mom inherited the baking skills and makes great chicken dishes. My sister? She can whip up any cultural meal you crave...Mexican, Asian, Indian...the list goes on. She's also got a flare for brunch. I'm more practiced at rice and beans, fried plantains, salads, soups and the occasional curry. I'm also down with the cultural food, and those with freshest ingredients.
Writing about all of this makes me excited all over again for my new toothbrush - haha! Now I look forward to brushing my teeth in the morning and night. My friend Amanda teases me about my brushing habits. It has to be two minutes. And I have to brush my teeth as soon as I wake up or I can't enjoy my morning. Anyway, I've never really been bothered by that funky orange-juice-mixed-with-toothpaste flavor you get after brushing. I'm fascinated by it!
I think I'm going to tackle that swiss chard. Well, I'm not going to grab it by the stem and wrestle it to the ground...I just meant that I'm going to try a new recipe with it.
Buen provecho!
05 September 2008
Light as a Feather
You know when you make a decision and you feel like you are floating on air? I guess I sort of feel that way. Or at least I feel it vicariously through two of my friends. Fred, from college, is moving to San Fran next week - no job, no apt, no friends in the city. He said he's wanted to live there since he was 15, and now he is finally doing it. Gidon is moving to Israel in three days. He went to Israel for the first time when he was little and has been back almost every year since. He has family there. He moved there for a short while after college, but wasn't ready for the experience. Now he's ready and going - he will make Aliyah, become a citizen, enroll in the army and serve, etc. I'm thrilled to bits for Fred and Gidon.
I realize, too, that it's about time for my next big adventure. I worked hard all summer, saved up and the time is near. I've been considering moving to Denver, CO. I don't know why, other than the fact that Denver is just fucking cool; it's beautiful, forward-thinking (in regards to green lifestyles, recycling, healthy living, etc.) and it's the perfect setting for the type of outdoor experiences I'm craving. My friend Amanda has a friend who lives there and is looking for a roommate. Another friend of mine from college lives there and works for the university. There are two contact people right there for me.
In other news, I bought a new toothbrush over the weekend. I first saw it online last year and have been interested in it ever since. Amanda and Anthony use it and say it's wonderful, so I thought that was good enough market research on my part and decided to get one. It's the Radius Source toothbrush. Features:
I realize, too, that it's about time for my next big adventure. I worked hard all summer, saved up and the time is near. I've been considering moving to Denver, CO. I don't know why, other than the fact that Denver is just fucking cool; it's beautiful, forward-thinking (in regards to green lifestyles, recycling, healthy living, etc.) and it's the perfect setting for the type of outdoor experiences I'm craving. My friend Amanda has a friend who lives there and is looking for a roommate. Another friend of mine from college lives there and works for the university. There are two contact people right there for me.
In other news, I bought a new toothbrush over the weekend. I first saw it online last year and have been interested in it ever since. Amanda and Anthony use it and say it's wonderful, so I thought that was good enough market research on my part and decided to get one. It's the Radius Source toothbrush. Features:- 93% Recycled Material - 47% Renewable Resource
- Replaceable Heads + Wooden Handle = Only 7% of toothbrush wasted as compared to 100% of ordinary toothbrushes.
- Wooden Handle is molded from recycled wood bio-plastic resulting in 100% renewable resource.
- New lightweight unbreakable replacement heads made from surgical-grade nylon.
- Dramatically increases softness and efficacy of brushing with 65% more bristle tufts than ordinary toothbrush.
- Reversible for both Right or Left handed brushing - Available in soft or medium bristles.
- Handle lasts forever. Simply throw the heads away!
I tried it tonight for the first time and LOVED it! I love the handle, the soft bristles, the wide head that reaches all around my teeth and doesn't scrape against my already-revealed roots from my already-receding gumline.
This is my second night (morning?) staying up WAY past my bedtime. It's past 4 am and I'm writing this blog, chatting on Skype with Cora - I love you AGF! I'm sure there were more things to say. For example, I went for two bike rides today; one to bring stuff to my mom at work before her treatments and the second to dinner. I went for pizza with the boys at Hot Tomatoes, it was yummy! It's only down the street so I felt comfortable riding in the dark. I brought my headlamp and ended up using it to illuminate the roads on the ride home. It was a going-away dinner for Gidon and a happy birthday celebration for Brian. YAY!
I think now it's time for la la land. Tomorrow I welcome our new dishwasher (the appliance, not a person) into the house upon delivery. I also hope to go for another ride or perhaps a run? Probably going to start doing more research on Denver. Wish me luck...I think I'm going to need it.
Cheers.
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