Monday Morning Our Daily Dinner

Monday Morning

LindaLMT 6 years ago

Good Morning Everyone. Wishing everyone an easy start to the week.

I'm thinking your steak marinade would be good on a flank steak too Shona. I too love rib eye steaks and will choose that over others.

When my mom was about your mom's age Janet we too had the same issues and at times it was really hard to deal with. I never understood why she wouldn't except help when both me and one of my sisters were local and could. Her house got so bad because she wouldn't clean that one day my DH and I went in and started cleaning. She was super mad at us and it took a couple weeks to go thru each room, toss stuff out, wash thing and clean. After it was all cleaned out and up we hired a painter to come in and paint. Once it was all done she acknowledge how bad it had gotten and was good with it. I understand what you are going thru. All of it.

Nothing new here. Will see DH later today, go to the gym, and then take him to get something decent to eat.

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LindaLMT 6 years ago said:

We have a paver walk to the front door, it starts off the driveway. About 2 years ago DH put these yellowish round stones on each side of the walk, in the dirt area, to help keep the mulch off the walk. When he first did it, it looked great but now the stones are dirty, they've settled and sunk and too shifted so are becoming out of place. We decided to start removing them and tossing them out. Too much maintenance. I started doing it last week in the early evening when it's not so hot and do about a 2 - 3 foot section each week on garbage night. It'll take several weeks to get it done but that's how it goes. Because I have to toss the stone out in the trash I can only do so much or the trash can will be too heavy.

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MissouriFarmWife 6 years ago said:

Hi Linda. Hope your visit with your DH goes well. Institutional food can be iffy at times. I'm sure he appreciates the "good stuff."

We need to put a walkway from the gate to the porch -- rain has at times turned the area around the porch steps to mud -- ugh! At least your trash removal people will take yard stuff. My Dad (a zillion years ago) had accumulated a lot of yard waste to dispose of, but the waste removal company refused to take it, for whatever reason). So every week he put one rock in the center of the garbage bag with the other trash until it was gone.

We didn't have that problem with parents aging resulting in clutter etc. But it does happen and the formerly immaculate housekeepers just give up. My father hired a cleaning lady and between her visits he kept up with the cleaning. (I unfortunately did not inherit his trait, and am NOT in that category of immaculate housekeeping, ha ha).

It is haying time again - Wayne will mow and his buddy plans on raking. Fire Dept. meeting is tonight so am working on the minutes. We were called out to a car fire yesterday evening. Pack rats were blamed....they chewed wires in the vehicle. The owner managed to get out and rescued his dog, which was inside also.

Must go. Work won't wait. Have a great day.

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chuckieb 6 years ago said:

I haven't made Flank steak in forever Linda and both Jim and I love it. Must remember to buy some when we get back to Ottawa. Enjoy your visit with your DH today. Interlock stones do look great when first put in but they're a lot more maintenance than a person would expect. We have an entire patio made of them in the back yard leading to the hot tub and several times a summer I have to weed them. After a couple of years the ground shifts and as you say, the stones move out of place and sink. And indeed, they are heavy as heck. Out in the country I could put them at the end of our lane way with a 'free' sign on them and they'd probably be gone within an hour but I know it's a different case when you live in the city/or in a condo.

Thank you for your words re: my Mom. I am hoping today is a better day.

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chuckieb 6 years ago said:

Goodness Karen @ your Dad only being able to rid of one rock at a time. I'm not aiming for immaculate house cleaning. I'm aiming for sanitary conditions. Wow on the pack rats. Thank heavens the dog got rescued. Good luck with the haying and Fire Dept. meeting tonight.

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LindaLMT 6 years ago said:

Flank steak was the only steak we got when I was growing up. It was a cheap cut of meat then but now it's all that Janet and just as pricey as other cuts.

That's good nobody was hurt in the car fire yesterday Karen. And yes, even the best institutional food is awful compared to other sources. DH never appreciated my cooking as much as he does now (LOL!). Too bad you don't live closer ... I have a lot of stones I could give you for your walkway. Hope haying goes well today and you all stay somewhat cool. Has the heat let up any?

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LindaLMT 6 years ago said:

Forgot to say THANK YOU Janet for noting Salvation (tv series) was pretty good. We watched it too and so far we really like it. I set it up to record after watching the pilot.

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chuckieb 6 years ago said:

I know flank steak used to be inexpensive and as you say Linda, it sure isn't anymore. But I like the thickness and how nice it is when cut across the grain. Glad you too liked Salvation. :)

Heading to the hospital.

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Cosmicmother 6 years ago said:

Good Morning! Wow, so much chit chat this Monday Morning :D

Hi Linda, yes that would be good on a Flank steak, over here flank is slighter cheaper than sirloin too...but it's hard to find! The stone removal sounds like a lot of work. Have a great day at the gym and outing with your DH :)

Hi Janet, sorry you are having a tough time with Mom. It must be so hard trying to help but than have her not listen, or listen to the nurses and doctors! Sounds like my Mom, I can only imagine at this point how she would be in a hospital setting....iyiyiy....I so feel for you! Have you been able to touch base with Benjamin about everything? Maybe he can talk with Grandma and get her motivated and out of bed! ;)

Hi Karen, yikes on the rat chewing wires! Thankfully the dog was rescued.
Lol @ not inheriting the clean gene! Pete's Mom and her Parents were hoarders. Not the dirty kind you see on tv, all their hoards are nice things, but just stuff everywhere, not a place for anything...so much dust and cobwebs! I usually clean his Mom's house when we visit. I can't help it, I am a serious clean freak! Lol...Thank goodness Pete ended up with me because I don't let him hoard things--he has the trait and so does our daughter! I've been teaching her how to give things away when we clean up her toys and old clothes etc...but it's hard for her. The organizing of her things is very difficult, she likes to see it all out rather than in a drawer. Just like her Dad! When I first started dating him he had ALL of his clothes on top of his dresser and a basket of socks, just single socks...lol...it's been 17 yrs of training ever since! ;) LOL

The smoke is so bad here now they've put out a special air advisory warning. High risk for people with asthma. So I have to be very careful and stay indoors. I do have to go out later, to physio. So I'll have to use my mask while walking from the parking lot. It's so thick, and smells so bad out there, visibility is low.
Tonight we're having taco's for dinner. At least it's cool enough to cook inside :)
Nothing else happening over here!

Have a great day everyone :)

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chuckieb 6 years ago said:

Thanks Shona. We've chatted with Benj a couple of times so he is aware of Mom's situation. He and Mom do not have a relationship. Because of Mom's stroke she has never been a normal grandmother and she's never taken much notice of Benj so he just grew up not really knowing her. She would not be motivated by anything he said and at this point she's not motivated by anything. We just sat in on the Dr.'s rounds and they are going to touch base with the Rainy River Hospital today to see if it is possible to transfer her there in a couple of days.I'm glad to hear you're going to stay inside and out of the smoke. Do be careful. Tacos sounds wonderful.

I have a cousin who lives in Winnipeg and he and his wife and one of his daughters came to visit Mom yesterday afternoon at the hospital which was nice. They've invited us to their house for dinner this evening.

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LindaLMT 6 years ago said:

Both my parents too were hoarders. Not the messy dirty kind but kept way too much of everything and then never took care of what they did have and there just wasn't room for it all either. DH use to be a hoarder to some extent. He likes having back ups of everything and then multiple back ups. It was different when we had a basement, were younger, and could keep things organized but without a basement here things got out of control quickly. He would put stuff away in the garage or house and then couldn't remember where it was so bought more. Next thing you know stuff is all over the place and we have way to much and of course I couldn't say anything about it. Example: when I got us "organized' here I had 26 cans of hairspray, 50 something rolls of all kinds of tape, 6 grill cleaners, etc.. I now have like things with like things and know where everything is.

There is a storm rolling in. It's thundering away and getting dark. Hope it rolls thru quickly so I don't have to drive in it.

Hoping the smoke clears soon enough Shona. I can't imagine if visibility is low what it must be like. Hoping you get a good rain to temper it all down.

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chuckieb 6 years ago said:

That's a lot of stuff alright Linda. And a lot of work organizing it. Be careful with that storm and I'll cross my fingers for you that you don't have to drive in it.

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MissouriFarmWife 6 years ago said:

I haven't made flank steak in a long time, (if ever?) Janet but it does sound good. Sirloin is my favorite! Can't cook it worth a darn but it is my eat-out choice at Colton's Steak House. Hope your hospital time goes well.

Linda and Janet, I never thought of the maintenance with interlocking stones, but you are sure right! I guess we could try to put heavy plastic underneath but ??? if it would help the shifting and sinking problems. It is HOT HOT HOT here and will near 100 in a day or so. I don't like this time of year! Should pick the remaining berries but good grief, lthey will soon be dried up and I would die in the heat, even early mornings. Speaking of rain, I better water the garden tonight or early morning or it might just dry up also. Ha ha!

Shona, Wayne has inherited the (clean type) hoarder gene also and it takes a lot of patience to get him to give away stuff. Like 50 years of patience. So he can keep all the STUFF he wants in the garage, barn, etc. and I am slowly working on throwing away obvious junk. He has begun to go thru non-fitting but usable clothing and I am encouraging that practice mightily. Be careful with the heavy smoke -- it can lead to health problems down the road.

There was a house fire where my daughter lives a year or so ago, the owner was a stereotypical hoarder, and the firemen could not get inside or go through the house to save anything. Fortunately I don't believe he had any pets inside. The house was gone in no time.

GS is pretty much back to normal, but can't go out in the heat for a few days. Then only for a short time. Once you have a heat injury, it makes you more susceptible, or so I have heard. May be an "old wives tale."

Have a good day.

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LindaLMT 6 years ago said:

I think once you have a heat injury Karen it's just a very good indication that you can't handle the heat like some people are able to. Always best to use good judgement and not be out in it for long and if you have to be to be drinking plenty of fluids and keep cool by wearing protective clothing, shade yourself, and use those cooling cloth things. I know I can't handle much of it.
Flank steak is great to use with fajitas or any other dish requiring thin cut steak. Usually though it is best marinated to help tenderize it. Very lean cut too.
We never guessed the stones would be a problem down the road ... wish we had the insight when we bought and laid them. I can see it being worse in places where it winters and the ground freezes and thaws making even bigger shifts it ground settlement. I hope you are able to find a way to get out and get the rest of the berries before they dry up or are gone. Too good to pass them up.

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Cosmicmother 6 years ago said:

Hi Janet, I totally understand about the grandparent relationship. My Mom hasn't seen the kids in just over 5 yrs. Sophia doesn't remember her. My Dad comes out to visit once a year though. I'm contemplating bringing Sophia out to see them at the end of the month, but I can't be around my Mom for too long---an argument always happens. Anything sets her off.....my Dad thinks all the Pysch meds she's been on has screwed up her mind. I'm just glad my brother is close by to help them out because she is much nicer to him, lol.....Colter won't have anything to do with her, the last encounter with her made him hate her. It's too bad, but at least they have their other grandma who is nice! :) That's so nice you'll get a home cooked meal for tonight! Enjoy the visit with your cousin :)

Lol @ 26 cans of hairspray Linda! I think I live sparingly because we've moved so much. It's always in the back of my mind, so I don't like to stock up on many things in case we move again. Lol.....I hope the storm rolls through quickly for you!

Glad your GS is feeling better Karen. I don't doubt he'll be more sensitive to the heat now. Just like those with frost bite become more sensitive to cold, it make sense.

Lost track of time, better hop in the shower and get off to Physio!

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MissouriFarmWife 6 years ago said:

Too bad about your mom and your kids, Shona. Mental illness is a difficult thing to deal with for sure. And psych meds can be almost as bad as the condition they are designed to treat. I was so fortunate to know and have good relationships with all of my grandparents. Our daughter was also close to her's. Her kids lived so far away that we didn't see a lot of them, but I used to bring animal crackers when we did get there. One time they were with their father on visitation, and we had brought some furniture for them from MO. She said they refused to believe we had been there until the oldest GS saw the boxes of animal crackers. So funny.

Linda, I am bad in heat. Had a heat problem one time and now have to be very cautious.

They are hitching up the baler and I guess I am driving the truck so best get moving. Fritz will not be happy he is in the crate. Sigh.

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chuckieb 6 years ago said:

Oh my goodness on your heat Karen. I'd just die. LOL @ "Like 50 years of patience". Glad your GS is feeling better. I've heard that about heat stroke as well, that the more times you get it the more susceptible you are to it.

I'm sorry to hear about your Mom Shona. It's so flipping hard isn't it. Man! Indeed, Psych meds are nasty. It is nice that the kids get along well with Pete's Mom and have a good relationship. A grandma is a wonderful thing if you get dealt a good one. :) Good luck at Physio. I hope they don't hurt you today.

You are indeed fortunate with your family relationships Karen. You are one of the lucky ones. Be careful driving that truck in the heat although I'm sure you have air conditioning. Make sure Wayne takes it easy as possible too.

Another rough morning at the hospital. Mom seems to have taken a step back cognitively. She appears confused. Don't know what's going on. Jim wants to get the heck out of here but I'm having a hard time leaving Mom here by herself. Jim's also not feeling well today. Too many restaurant meals I'm guessing plus he's not good with death and hospitals and body function stuff, so it's been hard on him this week that's for sure.

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kimmer 6 years ago said:

Hello to all. Janet, so sorry to hear your Mom has taken a step back. Sorry too that Jim is not feeling his best and I'm sure this is all very stressful for both of you. Restaurant food night after night can get to you. At least tonight you can get a home cooked meal! I have heard as well that once you have suffered heat stroke you are more susceptible.

I was fortunate to have a wonderful relationship with my grandparents. Well, at least my mother's parents and my father's mother. His mother was the true meaning of a grandma. She was the sweetest woman and I wish I would have known her as an adult but she passed when I was still a child. His dad however was a different story, lol. All us kids, cousins included, were scared to death of him. He was Native American, well so was my grandma, but he was just one nasty "injun". He hated, and I mean hated my mother. Because she was not Native American and my dad married her. As a matter of fact she was of Dutch and English descent. Also because she was the only one to ever manage to snap a photo of him. I remember my dad saying he had to literally hold his dad down because he wanted to kill her for that! I have that photo somewhere and really should try and find it. Even the damn photo is scary looking, lol! He basically hated all of us kids except he had somewhat of an odd soft spot, if you could even call it that, for me. He always said the "spirit" was with me and not the others. Which is kind of funny as I am very proud of my Native American background and really the only one in the family. Also too, when I was very young, not sure how old but couldn't have been more than 5 or 6, I went after him and gave him a piece of my mind! I don't remember it but it was a long time family story. Apparently one night I overheard my mom and dad talking. And grandad (I'm surprised we were even allowed to call him that, lol) had been fighting with my grandma and struck her and my dad was very upset about it. Unfortunately, it never stopped my dad from ever striking my mother.......but that's another story for another day, lol. Anyway, the next weekend we had gone to visit them and I guess as soon as I got there I hunted him down and gave him a chewing out and told him if he ever hit my grandma again I would kill him........and then ran like hell, lol! Out of the mouth of babes I guess. Probably didn't even know what "kill" meant at the time. Dad told me though from that day on, grandad never struck her again and always said the "spirit" was in me for having the guts to do that. He gave me the name of Runs with No Fear, lol, even though I probably felt like I was running for my life and scared shitless!!! Like I said, I don't remember any of it and mom said it was probably because I was so afraid but I had to do what I had to do and my memory blocked it out. Well, enough of that!

Dinner tonight is leftover spaghetti since we didn't eat it for lunch. Will fry it up and add a small salad of greens. Easy Peasy!

Enjoy the rest of the day all!

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LindaLMT 6 years ago said:

What a cool story Runs with no Fear. I was going to ask if anyone gave you another name and they did, I think it's great. Not great how you got the name but great that you were spirited enough for the challenge.

I only knew my father's mother and she was ok. I know his side of the family didn't care much for my mother, not sure what happened, I think it was because she had a child with another man prior. They were friendly enough with us but not lovey dovey. My mother's mother died at the age of 49 and I was born long after so I never knew her. My mother had a very strained relationship with her father after her mother died and didn't bother with him. Not sure of the entire story there and I only met him once when we were children. My father's father died a year before I was born so I never knew him either.

Maybe your mom will feel better tomorrow Janet. She could be tired, she's not eating well, it could be anything making her seem confused. It all just stinks for everyone. Can Jim stay at the hotel while you visit your mom? He can take a much needed mental break even though you can use one too.

I think my DH is better described as a Doomesday prepper Shona. At one point he even wanted to stock up on that fake food that lasts for 25 years where all you do is add hot water. We tried a sample and couldn't even choke the stuff down.

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kimmer 6 years ago said:

Isn't it strange how family works sometimes. I once had a friend in my home town and their family would have a huge Christmas get together every year. They always would rent out the local "hall" for it. Think it was a church grange hall back in the day. But anyway, hundreds of family it seemed would travel miles to be there. I was invited one year and was truly amazed how they all knew each other, knew whose children belonged to who and the whole nine yards. And the food, oh my! Tables would go on forever with food. They were Armanian (spelling??) I think. I remember thinking wow, I would so love a family thing like this. Probably would have the same amount of family members too but no, don't think anyone liked anyone that well, lol! I haven't seen my brother in 15 years since our father died. He lives in Indiana and we used to go up there twice a year, stop at his house for a night or two and then head up to Michigan to see my dad and my ex's family. After the 4th child came along and dad had passed away, I told him it was his time to visit me. Well..........still waiting........lol! We have an ok relationship. We don't agree on politics and I think he holds that against me. Which makes me sad because I don't hold his views against him. Oh well........family drama.......guess everyone has it in one form or another!

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LindaLMT 6 years ago said:

Growing up we seen a lot of family and always got together during the holidays and over the summer and too on weekends. My parents made the effort and things were different then. Even if everyone didn't like everyone the effort was still made and drama was kept down. The next generation (the one I am from) just never bothered and everyone scattered across the country. I was always very close with one of my cousins but he passed away when he was 30. Back then you didn't have computers, cell phones, and all this other stuff ... you only had each other, one tv, one phone, one car, etc. We were even close with many neighbors.

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kimmer 6 years ago said:

Yes, I have over 20 cousins and am really only close to one. Don't even know where any of them are. Just sad I guess how there was a time when family meant everything and now it doesn't, at least to some. Now a days you're lucky if you even know your neighbors name let alone anything about them! When I was growing up though my grandmother participated in the neighborhood Christmas fondue thing every year. (probably where I get my love for fondue from, lol!) One or two houses would start with all coming for salads. One or two houses would be appetizers, (the cheese!!!! the cheese!!!!) One or two houses would then be the main fondue course, which would always include my grandmother's house. Then one or two houses would be the dessert stop. Generally fondue chocolates with all kinds of fruits and pound cakes to dip. And then finally at the end of the night, one or two houses would be the cocktails that the children were not allowed to go to. Different times for sure!

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LindaLMT 6 years ago said:

Sounds really awesome! And from a time long ago ...

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MissouriFarmWife 6 years ago said:

Haying is done. I had to holler at his buddy and step-granddaughter to get in the truck and cool down. He looked like he was miserable. All survived. Fire Dept meeting was fine.

Janet, I gree maybe Jim could relax at the hotel while you visit your mom. Is she on any new meds? Something that could be responsible for the confusion?

Kimmer, I had 36 cousins and at one time knew them all. Have lost some, and just drifted away from the rest. I keep in touch with a few on Facebook. Wow on your confronting your "Injun" grandpa. It sounds like he really respected your spirit, and at least your grandma was not hit again!

Yes, Linda, times have changed. I miss the "old days" with the security (perceived from the eyes of a child) of an extended family.

It is getting late and I am ready to get a shower and go to bed. Have a nice evening.

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chuckieb 6 years ago said:

What a nice evening we had at my cousin's. :) They served a roast ham, perogies, veggie tray and corn on the cob with cheesecake for dessert. It was so nice to have a home cooked meal and talk to someone other than a nurse or a Dr.

By the end of the day at the hospital we were asked if we felt comfortable driving Mom back to the Rainy River Hospital. We will check with them tomorrow and make sure that she will be in shape to make the 3 hr. trek without any complications cuz lord knows we've had enough complications.

A cool story about your Grandparents Kimmer. Do track that photo of your Grandfather down. It will be treasured in future generations. I love the name he gave you. Family's are tough man. Also neat story on the Armenian family. Too bad you haven't seen your brother for such a long time. And yes....I"m pretty sure everyone has some family drama. :) And I LOVE the Christmas fondue neighbourhood party. Wow. How fun would that be???

Yes Linda, I know even prior to all this happening, if my Mom is tired she regresses and gets confused. I guess I've just been watching her like a hawk so when she took a bit of a step backwards it alarmed me. I think you're right. I have repeatedly told Jim to stay at the Hotel and go for a swim, or drop me off and go do something fun but he refuses. The end is in sight (knock on wood really, really fast) so I think that will perk him up. His stomach is better this evening. Stress gets to you that's for sure. Oh goodness on the fake food for doomsday. Bleck.

I am lucky in that I do know a lot of/the majority of my cousins. It helps that a lot of them settled in the town where they were born and their parents before them so they all keep in touch.

Night all. Sleep sweet Kimmer. :)

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