Oh dear,
I'm procrastinating so much today
I may go blind.
| Urgh. | |||||
| Ugh. | |||||
| Uh-oh. | |||||
| Groan. | |||||
| Hmm. | |||||
| Yikes. |
Maybe I am waiting for that special moment when I just sodding well get on and do the work.
Original Comments:
Tuesday, 14 March 2006
Procrastinator
Maybe I am waiting for that special moment when I just sodding well get on and do the work.
Original Comments:
Monday, 13 March 2006
He cooks through paper
We have an induction hob in our new kitchen. It is black glass, touch controls and work by magnetism. So we have had to get rid of all our old pans for any pan that is magnetic, which are very few. The hob itself does not produce any heat and will only get warm because the contents in the pan have gotten hot and conduct back onto the glass. It is the magnetism that heats the food (I think!). Induction is more efficient and faster than gas. It is like magic cooking on it. Well, quite frankly, cooking on a sheet of glass is pretty amazing after a manky old gas cooker.
Mr Doris has an interesting way of cooking now. He lays sheets of kitchen roll on the hob and then places the pan to cook on top of the paper. The paper doesn't burn and soaks up any spitting or drips from the cooking. At the end of cooking he throws away the paper leaving a clean hob. It is an extremely bizarre way of cooking that I feel the need to note it here. I take my hat off to him for creativity but not sure that I can feel comfortable cooking through paper.
I've lost half a stone over the last few months and apart from a tummy don't have a lot of meat on me. I was out on a dry ski slope this afternoon and evening for over three hours for a kids birthday party. I took photos and didn't take part. I froze. My thigh bones are still cold and hope I don't get ill.
I was tiling our kitchen today. It is obscenely over the top. But I love it. The radio was playing some oldies and the D.I.V.O.R.C.E. song came on... I'd never listened to that one properly before. Never realised they were spelling out the words because of the five year old son in the song and not wanting to say such stuff in front of him. Over the years I'm not sure what I thought they were up to in that song spelling out the words and kept chuckling at my ignorance all this time.
Original Comments:
Mr Doris has an interesting way of cooking now. He lays sheets of kitchen roll on the hob and then places the pan to cook on top of the paper. The paper doesn't burn and soaks up any spitting or drips from the cooking. At the end of cooking he throws away the paper leaving a clean hob. It is an extremely bizarre way of cooking that I feel the need to note it here. I take my hat off to him for creativity but not sure that I can feel comfortable cooking through paper.
I've lost half a stone over the last few months and apart from a tummy don't have a lot of meat on me. I was out on a dry ski slope this afternoon and evening for over three hours for a kids birthday party. I took photos and didn't take part. I froze. My thigh bones are still cold and hope I don't get ill.
I was tiling our kitchen today. It is obscenely over the top. But I love it. The radio was playing some oldies and the D.I.V.O.R.C.E. song came on... I'd never listened to that one properly before. Never realised they were spelling out the words because of the five year old son in the song and not wanting to say such stuff in front of him. Over the years I'm not sure what I thought they were up to in that song spelling out the words and kept chuckling at my ignorance all this time.
Original Comments:
- Cheryl said...
- Hehe
Next he'll be doing stir fry on baking paper, without the saucepan......
Off to google those lyrics - do you remember (Billy Connolly's?)spoof version about the D-O-G and the V-E-T?
- doris said...
- As long as the paper had magnetic qualities to conduct the heat then yes!
I don't remember the contents of the spoof version but do remember it was funny. Maybe when I hear it again I will know that one better than the original.
- Carol said...
- Good idea. Wish I could do that on my hob - save me cleaning it!
- Britmum said...
- Wow you sound all high tech in your house.
Plus you seem to have your husband well trained in keeping things clean. Awesome!! LOL
Take care
- Milt Bogs said...
- I'll have to check those hobs out - they sound good. Mind you I lile to have something that works when there's a power cut.
- Karen said...
- I think Mr Doris should get an award for his ingenious cooking skills.
- Writer Mom said...
- This hob sounds fascinating. I had no idea such a thing exists. Your kitchen DOES sounds like something out of the future.
As for the song, does this mean you've reached that point everyone once spoke of? The, 'Someday, you'll look back on this time in your life and realize it was all for the best' point?
- Badaunt said...
- Is that hob thingy REALLY as good as gas? I mean, can you control the temperature instantly and in tiny increments, like you can with gas? After years of using gas I don't think I'd be able to cook with an ordinary electric stove, but I didn't know there were any alternatives.
(I'm glad to hear I'm not the only stick figure with a Tummy.)
- Jo said...
- Are you sure it's magnetism Doris?! I thought it was something like convective heat, or light (or is that halogen?) or something.
Ours is an Aga. Took a while to get the hang of it, but now it's the beating, warm heart of the house, and when it goes out to be serviced once a year, it's like the whole house has 'died' for a bit. We couldn't live without it :-)
However, you do not want to know what our oil bills look like these days!
- birdychirp said...
- We have an induction hob and love it - but the paper isn't necessary. With induction you actually CAN'T burn anything to the hob - sometimes hot spills dry but your wee metal scraper they provide puts paid to that!
- Le laquet said...
- Hob sounds fantabulous!! I'd love me one of those!! And I know what you mean about the cold ... I don't think I've warmed up Saturday *brrr*
- Anji said...
- I remember that D i v o r c e song. We used to do that, but our kids learnt to read (therfore spell) very quickly.
Mr Doris sound like a very useful husband indeed.
- Voices in my Head said...
- wow--and i thought my new flat glass electric was the absolute end! so easy to clean glass--but Mr. Doris's way sounds even easier! amazing.
Sunday, 12 March 2006
Back on track
This post re-published December 2012
After my little derailment on Friday night I finally found that preparing lunch in our beautiful new kitchen cheered me. The house was spic and span and we were all set and not dashing round like last minute lunatics. Our visitors came and enjoyed and left. And then I slept. Hard and sound for so many hours.
Today, what was left of it by the time I awoke, was spent on the telephone checking with my mother that she was OK after yesterday's visit. I was already dreading and thinking the worse - that she was now criticising everything but she wasn't at all and she seemed quite charmed that I had taken the time and care to call her. And my other visitor was also delighted with the meeting and said something really lovely. As we sat eating at the dining table she said she had thought it was like old times but without all the problems. How lovely is that.
Once again I am feeling heartened. Our visitor - one of my mother's sisters - will be like an ambassador for my mother to the rest of the family. She may be able to help heal the rifts from so long. But it doesn't matter if nothing else more widespread comes of it, it was just positive in itself and they want to keep in contact now.
It was wonderful showing my aunty around our house and sharing the love. And we have a really clean and tidied house that should be much easier to keep up to scratch now. The kids were lovely yesterday and a great pleasure to have around and darling Mr Doris took care of all the loose ends and made cups of tea and was a great host. Naturally I am quite tickled and my bouyancy has returned. Hooray :-)
After my little derailment on Friday night I finally found that preparing lunch in our beautiful new kitchen cheered me. The house was spic and span and we were all set and not dashing round like last minute lunatics. Our visitors came and enjoyed and left. And then I slept. Hard and sound for so many hours.
Today, what was left of it by the time I awoke, was spent on the telephone checking with my mother that she was OK after yesterday's visit. I was already dreading and thinking the worse - that she was now criticising everything but she wasn't at all and she seemed quite charmed that I had taken the time and care to call her. And my other visitor was also delighted with the meeting and said something really lovely. As we sat eating at the dining table she said she had thought it was like old times but without all the problems. How lovely is that.
Once again I am feeling heartened. Our visitor - one of my mother's sisters - will be like an ambassador for my mother to the rest of the family. She may be able to help heal the rifts from so long. But it doesn't matter if nothing else more widespread comes of it, it was just positive in itself and they want to keep in contact now.
It was wonderful showing my aunty around our house and sharing the love. And we have a really clean and tidied house that should be much easier to keep up to scratch now. The kids were lovely yesterday and a great pleasure to have around and darling Mr Doris took care of all the loose ends and made cups of tea and was a great host. Naturally I am quite tickled and my bouyancy has returned. Hooray :-)
8 Comments:
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"Blessed are the Peacemakers: for they will be called the children of the Lord." Matthew 5:9
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i just wanted to comment becuz i clicked on "Kebab and Intrigue
on the Net" and was surprised to read your beautiful love story! i hope u dont mind if i promo it on my site--it is truly inspiring and gives one hope!
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I'm so glad it went well and you've had some positive feedback.
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Aww thanks V, glad you found it. You are welcome to promo it. :-)
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Doris
Well done. You deserve a huge hug -and I'm guessing Mr Doris has supplied ;-)
I can only piece together the story of your family rift from what you've revealed in posts now and then, thought I recognise some of the themes from my mother/family.
You are doing a marvellous job here, reconciling. And as long as you are feeling some benefit then that's great. Are you? Are things better for you now that a rapprochement could be underway? Or are you doing it more for others hon, in which case I'd worry a bit? You clearly care about this an awful lot and it's taking a lot out of you (even though you have a lovely shiny bathroom!).
:-)
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Yay Hurray!
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Testing Cheryl's commenting thingy on her blog.....?
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Jo LOL yes I do indeed benefit with our shiny
bathrooms! I also benefit from all this reconciliation in a few ways.
Firstly, I can enjoy my own relationships with various extended family
members without having to keep it secretive from my parents and secondly
that sense of satisfaction that at least I tried. If rifts are not
healed it was not for my want of trying. And thirdly I have lovely
relationships with family members I wouldn't have otherwise had because
they have been disappeared all these years. Come to think of it, if it
wasn't for my communication bridging a few years ago my parents wouldn't
now have quite a reasonable to good relationship with my brother and
his family.
I reckon that for all the hiccoughs and heartache I get along the way that the outcome is actually quite good. But I too wonder what propels me and what this is all about.
Maybe there is something to that Bible passage, Blessed are the Peacemakers..... Maybe I am propelled from other forces. But I don't do any of this for the glory etc. It just feels like it is within my power to give it a go and so I do. I reckon there are other things in life in which I wouldn't bother as I couldn't be sure of a reasonably positve outcome.
Thanks Anji. The positive fedback was most encouraging.
Saturday, 11 March 2006
Getting it off my chest
This post re-published December 2012
It is getting it off my chest time. It is now quarter to three in the morning and I have just completely scrubbed the upstairs bathroom. I've just creamed my hands to try and revive them before moving onto the downstairs bathroom and utility room. We have guests later, one of which has never been before and it will be the grand tour. I'm surprised we've gotten as much done as we have so it isn't much more and anything else can be left. Mr Doris made me rest earlier in the evening and did the parlour after daughter had promised for days she would sort it out but I can see that my touch is needed in there to finish it off.
My eyes are like two piggy poke holes with sore red rims. I feel things too sensitively. I'm far too sensitive to be sticking my neck out this far for my immediate and extended family but for some reason I am driven on. I don't expect to have a trail of fairies and magic dust follow after me as I unite families who have been apart for decades, and I don't even expect everyone to have happy ever afters. I do get thank yous from all and sundry that's for sure but in my eyes that is pretty pointless when there are great swathes of animosity or downright hatred. And then my mother puts me on the spot on the telephone demanding that I be loyal to her and refuse to have anything to do with one particular person. Of course it isn't as simple as that and her arguments are quite compelling in her eyes. When she raised her voice to me on the telephone, but I managed to keep mine down and tell her that this call should end, she seemed to forget she is my guest tomorrow (later on today!). The stupid cow then went into "oh you're so busy you must put your feet up mode" when I know she just wants to stick knives in me but is keeping her options open on a darned good nosh-up at our place.
I don't suppose it is anything personal. I am such an enigma to her. A blinking happy one who makes friends even with family members. Quelle horreur!
Maybe I managed to keep up a front to her on the phone but as soon as the phone went down I swore then burst into tears. Mr Doris tried to calm me and I fell asleep on the sofa and slept it off for a couple of hours. But since I've woken again I am depressed. Then there are other members of the family in almost a love-hate relationship. A lot of the time there is fantastic stuff going on but other times, just enough times, I feel vulnerable. Like as if there are machinations going on behind my back as if people don't believe I can be so altruistic. As if I am waiting for the elderly bachelor uncle to pop his clogs and release his Will. I can see why he disappeared for forty years, I've been thinking that isn't such a bad idea and quite appealing. Let them get on with it. But then I'm feeling depressed and as Scarlet O'Hara says in "Gone with the Wind" ....tomorrow is another day.
It is getting it off my chest time. It is now quarter to three in the morning and I have just completely scrubbed the upstairs bathroom. I've just creamed my hands to try and revive them before moving onto the downstairs bathroom and utility room. We have guests later, one of which has never been before and it will be the grand tour. I'm surprised we've gotten as much done as we have so it isn't much more and anything else can be left. Mr Doris made me rest earlier in the evening and did the parlour after daughter had promised for days she would sort it out but I can see that my touch is needed in there to finish it off.
My eyes are like two piggy poke holes with sore red rims. I feel things too sensitively. I'm far too sensitive to be sticking my neck out this far for my immediate and extended family but for some reason I am driven on. I don't expect to have a trail of fairies and magic dust follow after me as I unite families who have been apart for decades, and I don't even expect everyone to have happy ever afters. I do get thank yous from all and sundry that's for sure but in my eyes that is pretty pointless when there are great swathes of animosity or downright hatred. And then my mother puts me on the spot on the telephone demanding that I be loyal to her and refuse to have anything to do with one particular person. Of course it isn't as simple as that and her arguments are quite compelling in her eyes. When she raised her voice to me on the telephone, but I managed to keep mine down and tell her that this call should end, she seemed to forget she is my guest tomorrow (later on today!). The stupid cow then went into "oh you're so busy you must put your feet up mode" when I know she just wants to stick knives in me but is keeping her options open on a darned good nosh-up at our place.
I don't suppose it is anything personal. I am such an enigma to her. A blinking happy one who makes friends even with family members. Quelle horreur!
Maybe I managed to keep up a front to her on the phone but as soon as the phone went down I swore then burst into tears. Mr Doris tried to calm me and I fell asleep on the sofa and slept it off for a couple of hours. But since I've woken again I am depressed. Then there are other members of the family in almost a love-hate relationship. A lot of the time there is fantastic stuff going on but other times, just enough times, I feel vulnerable. Like as if there are machinations going on behind my back as if people don't believe I can be so altruistic. As if I am waiting for the elderly bachelor uncle to pop his clogs and release his Will. I can see why he disappeared for forty years, I've been thinking that isn't such a bad idea and quite appealing. Let them get on with it. But then I'm feeling depressed and as Scarlet O'Hara says in "Gone with the Wind" ....tomorrow is another day.
5 Comments:
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It has ended up that the only sleep I have had was that
nap last night. I just received a bright and breezy email from my mother
showering praise upon me for some small other thing and waving tirar
until later.
I've been productive and we have the cleanest bathrooms plus I did loads of work - that stuff that pays money. But I am still miserable and upset and liable to hit someone. And I am not even hormonal!
I think I might "resign". I don't need this stress. The superwoman nicks can go back in the case. I've had enough!
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I think it was in the 90s there was a book about our
'difficult person' in life. It's like a toxic person to us & it
sounds like your mom fits that bill.
I know exactly how you feel, I can't put it into words, but I've been on track with things then someone says something rude or hurtful & it's like your spirit has been wounded. How do you fake that everythings okay?
But you've got the heart of a survivor & from what I know of you, the more someone pushes you down, the stronger you'll be when you get up.
I hope you got a rest & ended up having a pleasant evening.
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This happens to me when my in-laws announce a visit,
always last minute. They despise me for smoking and as I am not blood
(unlike husband and kids) I get left out of all the photos, the hello
& goodbye kisses, the videos. I am dealt with politely enough, but
husband's mum was the role model for Mrs Bucket, so I end up up all
night getting things respectable, so the rest of the family are bright
eyed and bushy tailed while I am red eyed and spend most of the visit
voluntarily exiled to the back garden, chain smoking.
On the other hand, I don't have my house used as the ground for delicate peace treaties.
Maybe you are better off, too tired to give a hoot whether they kill each other?
At least its done. Can't wait for you to resurface and let us know if you murdered any of them on the day. I am sure you could have pleaded extreme provocation and got away with it.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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I wouldn't scrub the bathroom in the middle of the night even if the Queen was popping in.
I might scrub it down after she had left.
Mind you, if the Queen pops in you get a special roll of toilet paper with little roses on each sheet, or you used to. They leave what's left, after a lady in waiting has tested it, as a memento.
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I wish I could feel motivated enough to clean up the house... but not if it means family is coming to visit!
Oh, Doris. Family is HARD.
Thursday, 9 March 2006
Birdsong
For the first time in as long as I can remember I was awoken by birdsong. We are next to a park and the tall trees brush near our roof. Maybe it is the time of the day, or maybe that the weather is not quite so cold, or the season? I am not sure what governs it but it was rather peaceful to come out of sleep to the chorus that I lay there awhile, just listening.
Original Comments:
Original Comments:
- Cheryl said...
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Wow, spring is officially here?
How lovely for you - I miss birdsong, it very rare here - the only noise that breaks the monotony of seagulls squawking is crows doing pretty much the same..... - Ally said...
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Its' very rare here, too - but there have been doves calling the last few mornings. I think the year is on the turn. Yay!
- Z said...
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Always awaken to bird song :) Or sometimes lamb song.
- ella m. said...
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~is now jealous that you live next to a park :D ~
- Pookie65 said...
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I love hearing the birds singing. Their melody is unlike no other and is ever changing. I am fortunate to be able to hear their song nearly every day.
It's these small, free joys that make life so worth living.
Many hugs, dear. - Le laquet said...
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Yes, lots of birds yesterday and did you notice how warm it was too, a gorgeous day 'cept for the drive home down the delightful A2 in the rain .... but then Kent has a drought so I'm sure it'll come in handy!
- Neutron said...
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Ah...the dawn chorus, thanks for that Doris. How the sound of larks reminds me of my student days...walking home to the sound of the birds chirrupping...evryone is on about spring at the moment and it's driving me crazy!! (For the reason see my blog and what Munich is putting on for a spring show!)
- Helen said...
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Hm.......I went off to work this morning as I was walking down the stairs I was so delighted to hear birds singing. Spring is hopefully on it's way.
Peace..................
Say No to GMO'S - Anji said...
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At last!
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I had a root canal today and I can't be absolutely assed to do anything else. Blagh blagh!!! Hope you have a better more fruitful day tomorrow.
Take care
Tuesday, March 14, 2006 10:17:00 PM
Puddles of vacancy and amused distraction are always for a good reason.
Somebody really clever and insightful told me that.
So, what silver droplet of genius materialised and installed itself during your hiatus?
Eh? EH?
:-D
Wednesday, March 15, 2006 9:56:00 AM
Lovely for the root canal treatment Britmum! I had big dental treatment booked last week but had to postpone because that would lay me out for the day so not surprised how you feel.
I've done loads of work today. Hooray!
LOL Cheryl, some people are full of twaddle! Not sure what transpired yesterday but I feel good about what I did today (so far) that should make up for me having to disappear off again tomorrow!
Wednesday, March 15, 2006 5:01:00 PM
You're worried about procrastinating TODAY? I've been procrastinating for about five weeks now. My great long list of things to do this vacation has about two things crossed off it. (At least I think it has. Actually I've lost it.)
I expect to go into panic mode about three days before classes start. But that's all right. I get everything done so much FASTER when I'm freaking out.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006 5:13:00 PM
(What BadAunt said).
Here I was going to write, "I hear ya, sister," then read that you've already gotten back on track.
Whew! You're a fast procrastinator!
You'd be a very good influence on me if I wasn't so dang lazy!
Wednesday, March 15, 2006 5:35:00 PM
LOL Now there's no point sitting around procrastinating now is there?!
It is possible that I am borderline insane so please don't mind me ;-)
It's true that there comes a point and we get it all done in double quick time. But being self-employed somewhat hones the mind at times... or I just can't bear the stress of letting down really nice clients.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006 6:33:00 PM
LOL - I love it when it's not just me procrastinating.
Friday, March 17, 2006 10:04:00 AM
Great use of the word 'Yikes'.
And sometimes a little time pressure is good for all of us. I have to write a presentation this weekend.
I prefer to have it as a background head task at the moment and to go do something else, then splurge it out later.
Saturday, March 18, 2006 2:41:00 PM