it is 6:30 p.m. in the holy city of zefat. the kids just got back from their aunt's house. my son picked them up from gan at 2:00 p.m. today. I was at work. I'm substituting for a cook in a yeshiva for the next few days. it was supposed to be a 2week gig. it actually is only a ten day work schedule at 'his and hers' yeshivas in the old city. I already lost 2 days' pay as the girls went home for Shabbat..
I walked over to the girls' yeshiva on Sunday after I cooked lunch for the boys. I thought about making a pot of soup for them for their dinner. it was hailing and storming outside. I made it to the yeshiva before it poured but I was locked out of the yeshiva. I only had one key and they had locked both doors. I was pretty aggravated. I schlepped back to the boy's yeshiva to see if anyone had the extra key.
of course no one in charge got back to me. I went home and got caught in another downpour and hail storm. it was the third time that day. I seem to work in extreme weather. I cooked all summer in an all time record heat wave and now I'm running to town in hail storms. I have always wanted to write a book about my adventures in the kitchen in the yeshiva world and I think 'extreme measures' is a fitting title.
the cook gave me a wad of keys that were not labelled or color coded. it took me a half an hour before I managed to unlock the fridge and pantry closets. he had promised to do a produce order before he left. I came in to find a few random veggies lying around. I don't remember what type of soup I managed to put together. I struggled with a really poor peeler and knife. I also made an Israeli poached egg dish in tomatoes called shakshuka.
the kitchen was trashed. both sinks were filled with dirty dishes and pots. it took another 30 minutes to make a clean work space. the stove was small and the pots and skillets didn't quite fit. I was pretty discouraged. I was in the alcove putting the dishes on the stove when the electricians/handymen came in. hey were there to adjust the light fixtures and put in new fluorescent lights. they quickly moved the benches right up against the counter tops and blocked my access to the sinks. I was actually trapped in the alcove as I cut veggies on the window sill. that lasted for about 40 minutes.
it took me 3 hours that day to complete the lunch meal. I was beside myself. the next day I went outside on the balcony to search for something in the deep freeze. the cook gave me a mock meal plan. I found two packages of chicken wings and I decided to make a soup the next day. when I came in the next morning the wings were gone and so was my menu plan. I had to figure something out. I made some sort of soup and a pasta dish as well a about 40 tuna patties. the only can opener took a lot of hand strength to use. I tried to enlist the help of the male yeshiva students. I could barely make a dent in the lid of the industrial sized can.
three hours later I made my way over to the girl's yeshiva. I think I thought that I would do the same menu for the girls. well, the girls had already had soup for lunch and they had already had a dairy meal and had already been fed eggplant for lunch. there was a definite scarcity of produce to work with. I gabbed some sweet potatoes and a bag of pasta. I made a dish out of it without using dairy. I also made another shakshuka and a green salad. I think they liked the food.
today it snowed. they predicted a terrible storm. I figured that we would be snowed in for days. after a half an hour it stopped snowing. the gans opened at 10:00 a.m. I decided to go to work. I caught the 8:30 a.m.bus. I got to the yeshiva before 9:00 a.m. I had defrosted 2 chickens and 3 small packs of ground turkey. I thought about making a pot of chicken soup. they had bought lovely produce. I lit the eclectic stove and we lost power. I had the house mom explain how to use the stove.
there was no can opener so I couldn't make meatballs in a tomato sauce. the girls had tomato soup for lunch, anyway. I decided to stew the chicken with sweet potatoes and carrots. a one pot dish is quick and easy. I then found a bottle of opened wine in the fridge. I decided to make a sweet and sour like sauce for the meatballs. I threw in a bunch of ketchup to the wine and added ginger and herbs and other spices. I made a red lentil and cracked wheat pilaf. it didn't really require cooking but I didn't have an electric kettle to boil the water to soak them. I also had a very limited amount of pots. I had three to be exact. and each one was more awful than the next. I made two dinners in case I got snowed in.
I made a stew of green eggplant, eggplants and yellow peppers. I added very thin sliced potatoes to add some starch to the dish. I found a small carton of tomato puree. I ran off to the boy's yeshiva to heat up their lunch. I had made a meatless chili and pot of rice the day before just in case I got snowed in. it took about an hour to heat up the food. I made another pasta dish for tomorrow and a mock tuna nicoise salad in case I got snowed in. once again, the boys left their dirty dishes and eggshells on the dining room table. they come in every morning and make eggs and burnt toast, smoking up the kitchen as I try to work.
no one cares about the cook. no one dares to tell these boys to scram and go to class. I'm a piece of the wood work, magically preparing lunch in total chaos. the first time the boys came in and made their eggs and smoked up the kitchen I went nuts. I actually sliced my ginger pretty badly because I was so distracted by the boys' antics in the kitchens. I think I'm used to it now.
yesterday I made the girls a scalloped potato dish with cheese sauce and a string bean dish. there were no veggies or eggs left in the pantry. it has truly been a balagon from day one but i'll keep on cooking until I do get snowed in. unfortunately, all i'll make for this stint is chump change.
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Monday, January 11, 2016
Watching Little Kids
it is 9:30 a.m. in the holy city of zefat. I am trying to get to town. it's freezing outside. I need a hot shower. I usually watch reruns of "Alias' at this hour. I can't indulge this morning. I actually caught the episode at 2:00 a.m. I was hoping to see the 'golden globes' last night but no such luck. I have a list of a million things to do in town. I probably won't get to accomplish them all. I have to pick up the kids at 4:00 p.m.
I need to buy a large rat trap. the humongous rat living in the boiler room needs the Rolls Royce of traps. I also need to buy peanut butter to put in the trap. I need to pay our water bill and get a letter from the national insurance office, which is in another office, to get my discount for the city tax. I need to buy a cordless phone because I can no longer cope with the only one and only phone in the costume/ blog room. every time it rings I need to do a fifty mile dash to retrieve the call. the room consists of only outside walls so it is freezing in there. I can't hear the phone ring from downstairs.
I am very nervous this morning. the big kids are going out of town this evening until Tuesday. I have to pick up the kids and feed them and bathe them and put them to sleep like I do about 3-4 times a week. the only difference is that I need to sleep downstairs with them tonight. they will be out by 8:30 p.m. I don't go to sleep until around 2:00 a.m. I have 3 dogs when left alone upstairs create havoc. I have to get the kids dressed in the morning and take them to gan. that makes me a bit queasy. I am actually dreading this afternoon. some grandma, right?
I have a very dear friend who is awaiting her father's passing. he is in a hospice hanging on. what a high soul! I have the pleasure of my grandkids for a couple of days, and I am complaining. I am turning into an old lady before my eyes. I feel like I am getting a relapse of my bronchial infection. I never took any medication. the kids are all runny noises and feverish. my throat is scratchy once again and I can't get enough sleep. I haven't gotten my strength back since I had the flu. I do the minimum. I can food shop, cook and clean the house. that's about all I manage. I hardly ever go out. I feel winded when I walk. i'm also headachy.
I did start to read recently. I started with stories of Isaac Bashevis Singer. they were published in the 70's and deal with post war European characters living in the states. they are haunting and very soulful. I have two books that I am simultaneously reading. I used to love romance novels and spy stories. I find that I have no patience for them now. I like stories about the human condition and primarily about Jewish people. I nearly forgot how to read. it's been a while. I basically read on Shabbat. I'm too busy watching television and surfing the net to read during the week.
I have been watching a lot of documentaries and old interviews this week. I watched tons on Liz Taylor, Eddie Fisher, Freddy Mercury, the true hero of the book "Unbroken" and Rock Hudson. I watched dozens of 'in memorial' tapes for 2015. I think I was on a dead trip. I watched the 1964 movie,' Umbrellas of Cherburg,' twice. that was the first foreign film I ever saw. I must have been 13 years old at the time. I can still remember how I felt and how I discussed every detail of the film with my mom. my older sister, who is the voice of reason now, took me to see it.
this last sugar and carbs binge has set me back many pounds. it's amazing how quickly one gains wait when one is inactive. it took three months to lose most of my belly fat and now I'm back to square one. I have no desire to go back on a diet. I will try to stay away from sugar once again and watch what I eat. I made myself sick with all the junk I crammed down my throat last week.
I need to buy a large rat trap. the humongous rat living in the boiler room needs the Rolls Royce of traps. I also need to buy peanut butter to put in the trap. I need to pay our water bill and get a letter from the national insurance office, which is in another office, to get my discount for the city tax. I need to buy a cordless phone because I can no longer cope with the only one and only phone in the costume/ blog room. every time it rings I need to do a fifty mile dash to retrieve the call. the room consists of only outside walls so it is freezing in there. I can't hear the phone ring from downstairs.
I am very nervous this morning. the big kids are going out of town this evening until Tuesday. I have to pick up the kids and feed them and bathe them and put them to sleep like I do about 3-4 times a week. the only difference is that I need to sleep downstairs with them tonight. they will be out by 8:30 p.m. I don't go to sleep until around 2:00 a.m. I have 3 dogs when left alone upstairs create havoc. I have to get the kids dressed in the morning and take them to gan. that makes me a bit queasy. I am actually dreading this afternoon. some grandma, right?
I have a very dear friend who is awaiting her father's passing. he is in a hospice hanging on. what a high soul! I have the pleasure of my grandkids for a couple of days, and I am complaining. I am turning into an old lady before my eyes. I feel like I am getting a relapse of my bronchial infection. I never took any medication. the kids are all runny noises and feverish. my throat is scratchy once again and I can't get enough sleep. I haven't gotten my strength back since I had the flu. I do the minimum. I can food shop, cook and clean the house. that's about all I manage. I hardly ever go out. I feel winded when I walk. i'm also headachy.
I did start to read recently. I started with stories of Isaac Bashevis Singer. they were published in the 70's and deal with post war European characters living in the states. they are haunting and very soulful. I have two books that I am simultaneously reading. I used to love romance novels and spy stories. I find that I have no patience for them now. I like stories about the human condition and primarily about Jewish people. I nearly forgot how to read. it's been a while. I basically read on Shabbat. I'm too busy watching television and surfing the net to read during the week.
I have been watching a lot of documentaries and old interviews this week. I watched tons on Liz Taylor, Eddie Fisher, Freddy Mercury, the true hero of the book "Unbroken" and Rock Hudson. I watched dozens of 'in memorial' tapes for 2015. I think I was on a dead trip. I watched the 1964 movie,' Umbrellas of Cherburg,' twice. that was the first foreign film I ever saw. I must have been 13 years old at the time. I can still remember how I felt and how I discussed every detail of the film with my mom. my older sister, who is the voice of reason now, took me to see it.
this last sugar and carbs binge has set me back many pounds. it's amazing how quickly one gains wait when one is inactive. it took three months to lose most of my belly fat and now I'm back to square one. I have no desire to go back on a diet. I will try to stay away from sugar once again and watch what I eat. I made myself sick with all the junk I crammed down my throat last week.
Sunday, January 3, 2016
Baby It's Cold Outside
it's 10:00 p.m. in the holy city oaf zefat. thank the Lord, the kids went back to gan this morning. the snow storm never happened. it started to snow several times but it never stuck. it is simply freezing and stormy. tons of rain are falling in the holy land. we didn't lose power so with the aid of 3 heaters we didn't freeze. it was actually comfortable around the dining table and toasty in the t.v. game area where the kids play.
Friday was tough. from the early morning on the kids were hyper active. by the early afternoon they were insane. I lost my cool. I screamed until I nearly lost my voice. I could have easily hurt them. I had done a major part of the cooking on Thursday but I still had plenty to do on Friday. I was called to break up their wildness countless number of times. they kept on dragging in a large down comforter from the back bedroom. I kept on putting it back in the bedroom. it, nevertheless, kept on being tossed on the rug. said comforter ended up catching on fire on Friday night.
we were amazingly lucky that my son put out the small flame before it caused any harm to the kids or house. I was so mad. it was a down comforter given to me by a friend. you can't buy these here. they only have the polyester ones. I was more mad that the kids had dragged in the comforter after I had spent the entire day retrieving it from them. it only hit me later on that they could have been seriously harmed by the small fire. I didn't sleep much that night.
I went to bed at around 8:30 p.m. that night. I had tasted a bit of good French cognac. I jumped up at 3:00 a.m. I ran to the door to see if we had been snowed under. I saw my oldest and smallest dog, Cookie. she had somehow been locked out all night long. she no longer barks or hears for that, matter. I felt criminal. she seemed okay. I didn't see our young dog Tiny. I left the door open for a while and drank a cup of tea. it was freezing. the heaters were off until around 7:00 a.m. I set them on timers.
I thought that Tiny had finally run away. we've had him for almost a year. I found him just before Purim and he was really tiny. he slept in a shoe box. he's a large dog now with plenty of energy. I never intended on keeping him. he has never been on a leash and chases cars and people. he loves to play with the kids but he can get pretty aggressive. he jumps into bed with me and tries to lay across my chest like a small puppy. I went to the bathroom and found tiny lying on a pile of laundry. apparently he got locked inside at some point that night.
I went back to bed but I couldn't sleep. the fire and the locked out dogs kept me up. I held on to my grandson and cradled him. he still sleeps with me on Friday night. I have to admit that he generates more body heat than any old comforter. I think that I stared at him for hours. I may have fallen back to sleeep around 6:30 a.m. both kids woke me up at around 7:30 a.m. I jumped out of bed to make everyone hot drinks. I put out cake and butter cookies and everyone got a chocolate. I was so happy that they hadn't gotten injured the night before.
they were so excited every time it started to snow. they actually went outside in their pajamas. kids are eskimos, anyway. they never feel the cold. they were running around all day in just socks. they took all of the toys from the t.v. room and built themselves a mock toy store in the living room. they were quite content. the living room wasn't heated but it didn't stop them. I didn't make 'cholent' for lunch. that's a beef or chicken stew with potatoes and beans that's sits on the electric platter all night. it is a perfect dish for winter. and it is a one pot wonder.
I made a stewed chicken with tomato sauce and threw in sweet potatoes and a couple of white ones. it wasn't dry like cholent. I also made a rice and lentil dish. it was good to have sturdy hot food. my daughter-in-law really doesn't go for cholent. I always try to please her. my son came back from shul expecting to get cholent. I think that if they are here next week I will make a small pot of cholent for my son. my grandson also likes beef. I will have stewed chicken for the daughter-in-law or fried cutlets.
I had two electric thermoses filled with hot water yesterday and a third kettle on the gas in case the power went out. I hated to see my gas supply depleted but I didn't want to take a chance that we would be without hot food and drink. as it turned out, we were okay. I woke up last night at 3:00 a.m again. I kept the t.v on and listened with my eyes closed to hours of 'Grim.' I had a cup of tea and two chocolates. the house is absolutely freezing. my hands are frozen as I type. I think i'll end now and heat up some rice and lentils. I may have promised the kids a lasagna today. the daughter-in-law is working the morning shift so she will pick up the kids by car. I will cuddle under the covers with the 3 dogs for body heat.
Friday was tough. from the early morning on the kids were hyper active. by the early afternoon they were insane. I lost my cool. I screamed until I nearly lost my voice. I could have easily hurt them. I had done a major part of the cooking on Thursday but I still had plenty to do on Friday. I was called to break up their wildness countless number of times. they kept on dragging in a large down comforter from the back bedroom. I kept on putting it back in the bedroom. it, nevertheless, kept on being tossed on the rug. said comforter ended up catching on fire on Friday night.
we were amazingly lucky that my son put out the small flame before it caused any harm to the kids or house. I was so mad. it was a down comforter given to me by a friend. you can't buy these here. they only have the polyester ones. I was more mad that the kids had dragged in the comforter after I had spent the entire day retrieving it from them. it only hit me later on that they could have been seriously harmed by the small fire. I didn't sleep much that night.
I went to bed at around 8:30 p.m. that night. I had tasted a bit of good French cognac. I jumped up at 3:00 a.m. I ran to the door to see if we had been snowed under. I saw my oldest and smallest dog, Cookie. she had somehow been locked out all night long. she no longer barks or hears for that, matter. I felt criminal. she seemed okay. I didn't see our young dog Tiny. I left the door open for a while and drank a cup of tea. it was freezing. the heaters were off until around 7:00 a.m. I set them on timers.
I thought that Tiny had finally run away. we've had him for almost a year. I found him just before Purim and he was really tiny. he slept in a shoe box. he's a large dog now with plenty of energy. I never intended on keeping him. he has never been on a leash and chases cars and people. he loves to play with the kids but he can get pretty aggressive. he jumps into bed with me and tries to lay across my chest like a small puppy. I went to the bathroom and found tiny lying on a pile of laundry. apparently he got locked inside at some point that night.
I went back to bed but I couldn't sleep. the fire and the locked out dogs kept me up. I held on to my grandson and cradled him. he still sleeps with me on Friday night. I have to admit that he generates more body heat than any old comforter. I think that I stared at him for hours. I may have fallen back to sleeep around 6:30 a.m. both kids woke me up at around 7:30 a.m. I jumped out of bed to make everyone hot drinks. I put out cake and butter cookies and everyone got a chocolate. I was so happy that they hadn't gotten injured the night before.
they were so excited every time it started to snow. they actually went outside in their pajamas. kids are eskimos, anyway. they never feel the cold. they were running around all day in just socks. they took all of the toys from the t.v. room and built themselves a mock toy store in the living room. they were quite content. the living room wasn't heated but it didn't stop them. I didn't make 'cholent' for lunch. that's a beef or chicken stew with potatoes and beans that's sits on the electric platter all night. it is a perfect dish for winter. and it is a one pot wonder.
I made a stewed chicken with tomato sauce and threw in sweet potatoes and a couple of white ones. it wasn't dry like cholent. I also made a rice and lentil dish. it was good to have sturdy hot food. my daughter-in-law really doesn't go for cholent. I always try to please her. my son came back from shul expecting to get cholent. I think that if they are here next week I will make a small pot of cholent for my son. my grandson also likes beef. I will have stewed chicken for the daughter-in-law or fried cutlets.
I had two electric thermoses filled with hot water yesterday and a third kettle on the gas in case the power went out. I hated to see my gas supply depleted but I didn't want to take a chance that we would be without hot food and drink. as it turned out, we were okay. I woke up last night at 3:00 a.m again. I kept the t.v on and listened with my eyes closed to hours of 'Grim.' I had a cup of tea and two chocolates. the house is absolutely freezing. my hands are frozen as I type. I think i'll end now and heat up some rice and lentils. I may have promised the kids a lasagna today. the daughter-in-law is working the morning shift so she will pick up the kids by car. I will cuddle under the covers with the 3 dogs for body heat.
Thursday, December 31, 2015
Let It Snow 2015
it is 5:00 p.m. in the holy city of zefat. they are predicting a huge snow storm. I spent the day yesterday running around town getting a new heater plus a kerosene one in case we lose electricity. I am not into this at all. I had a taxi take me to the gas station and the driver filled up a huge geri can for me. I felt thoroughly useless. I ran to the bakery and supermarket twice. I wanted to make sure we had a lot of milk and challah for Shabbat.
I am now making a chicken soup and cooking chicken and potatoes for Shabbat. I have gas so if we lose power we can still heat the food and have hot water. I am a wreck. the porch shutter slats are broken off and we already have a lot of water backing up. I did have all year to remedy this situation so I'm truly frustrated. I tried hanging up a shower curtain but it blew away. I should have been working on this weeks ago. I bought bottles of water in case we have to shut off the water pipe.
I finally went off my diet and went on a 3 day sugar and carbs binge. it took me three months to lose a kilo and I gained it back in a few days. I'm disgusted. I have been sick for about three weeks now. I made it to the doctor who suggested I have inhalation therapy, 3 days of prednisone and 10 days of antibiotics. I haven't taken any meds. I've had a huge appetite and have drunk tons of orange juice and hot milk.
I don't think I have pneumonia yet. the doctor said it was bronchial. I do feel winded after I walk a bit. the doctor suggested doing a chest ex ray. I just didn't get around to do it. I ran to town to pay the city tax and water bills. the weather was so nasty. I hadn't been out of the house, except for getting the kids from gan. the computer wasn't working in the water company. I didn't have the energy to schlep way across town back to their office. I took a taxi home and ran back down to the supermarket. I missed the hail storm by a few moments.
I wanted to make a cheesecake for Shabbat but I truly don't have the energy to bake. the bakery didn't have any yeast cheese cakes, either. I made a special detour just to buy one. I bought cottage cheese to make a lasagna tonight. guess what? I don't have the energy to make one. I bought organic non gluten gnocchi that were on sale. I doubt that I have the energy to boil water at this point. at least, I got a jump on the Shabbat cooking. candle lighting is around 4:00 p.m. these days.
I always schmooze with a gal pal on Friday morning. last week it was 11:00 a.m. when I got off the phone. I had to pick up the kids from gan at 12:30 p.m. I felt extremely pressured. I don't think I have the energy to shower the kids tonight. I think they may stay home with me tomorrow. it will either have snowed tonight, or harbor threat of afternoon storm. I walked to pick up my grandson at 3:30 p.m. and it was really cold and rainy. I couldn't get a taxi home. I had the company of a young mother and her son so the trek home wasn't so bad. luckily, my grandson had galoshes and a hooded coat.
I managed to wash the kitchen floor before I headed out. I wear my winter boots while I 'sponger' the water. my vacuum cleaner doesn't suck up the dog hair from the carpet in the t.v. room. when the kids sit on it they get full of dog hair. I use a lint brush a couple of times a week to scoop up the hair. I sprinkle baking soda on the rug to try and freshen it. if only I was dog less. how easy would life be? I do use them for body heat when the kids aren't around. I have plenty of scents all over the house to prevent that doggie smell. it's hard in the rainy season to prevent that.
the gnocchi was not that big a hit. it did have a weird smell. it's non gluten so it's probably made with rice flour. the last time I made it I didn't boil them first. I think I just threw them into the tomato sauce. I don't remember a smell. I have watery chicken soup with soggy thin noodles or the gnocchi to offer my son when he comes home. he'll probably eat something in town if I know him. I'm going to take the kids downstairs now. I don't think I have the energy to shower them but we shall see. I'm tempted to use the noodles to make a kugel for lunch. maybe i'll go for it.
I am now making a chicken soup and cooking chicken and potatoes for Shabbat. I have gas so if we lose power we can still heat the food and have hot water. I am a wreck. the porch shutter slats are broken off and we already have a lot of water backing up. I did have all year to remedy this situation so I'm truly frustrated. I tried hanging up a shower curtain but it blew away. I should have been working on this weeks ago. I bought bottles of water in case we have to shut off the water pipe.
I finally went off my diet and went on a 3 day sugar and carbs binge. it took me three months to lose a kilo and I gained it back in a few days. I'm disgusted. I have been sick for about three weeks now. I made it to the doctor who suggested I have inhalation therapy, 3 days of prednisone and 10 days of antibiotics. I haven't taken any meds. I've had a huge appetite and have drunk tons of orange juice and hot milk.
I don't think I have pneumonia yet. the doctor said it was bronchial. I do feel winded after I walk a bit. the doctor suggested doing a chest ex ray. I just didn't get around to do it. I ran to town to pay the city tax and water bills. the weather was so nasty. I hadn't been out of the house, except for getting the kids from gan. the computer wasn't working in the water company. I didn't have the energy to schlep way across town back to their office. I took a taxi home and ran back down to the supermarket. I missed the hail storm by a few moments.
I wanted to make a cheesecake for Shabbat but I truly don't have the energy to bake. the bakery didn't have any yeast cheese cakes, either. I made a special detour just to buy one. I bought cottage cheese to make a lasagna tonight. guess what? I don't have the energy to make one. I bought organic non gluten gnocchi that were on sale. I doubt that I have the energy to boil water at this point. at least, I got a jump on the Shabbat cooking. candle lighting is around 4:00 p.m. these days.
I always schmooze with a gal pal on Friday morning. last week it was 11:00 a.m. when I got off the phone. I had to pick up the kids from gan at 12:30 p.m. I felt extremely pressured. I don't think I have the energy to shower the kids tonight. I think they may stay home with me tomorrow. it will either have snowed tonight, or harbor threat of afternoon storm. I walked to pick up my grandson at 3:30 p.m. and it was really cold and rainy. I couldn't get a taxi home. I had the company of a young mother and her son so the trek home wasn't so bad. luckily, my grandson had galoshes and a hooded coat.
I managed to wash the kitchen floor before I headed out. I wear my winter boots while I 'sponger' the water. my vacuum cleaner doesn't suck up the dog hair from the carpet in the t.v. room. when the kids sit on it they get full of dog hair. I use a lint brush a couple of times a week to scoop up the hair. I sprinkle baking soda on the rug to try and freshen it. if only I was dog less. how easy would life be? I do use them for body heat when the kids aren't around. I have plenty of scents all over the house to prevent that doggie smell. it's hard in the rainy season to prevent that.
the gnocchi was not that big a hit. it did have a weird smell. it's non gluten so it's probably made with rice flour. the last time I made it I didn't boil them first. I think I just threw them into the tomato sauce. I don't remember a smell. I have watery chicken soup with soggy thin noodles or the gnocchi to offer my son when he comes home. he'll probably eat something in town if I know him. I'm going to take the kids downstairs now. I don't think I have the energy to shower them but we shall see. I'm tempted to use the noodles to make a kugel for lunch. maybe i'll go for it.
Thursday, December 17, 2015
For He's A Jolly Good Fella
it is 5:00 p.m. in the holy city of zefat. tonight is my son's 29th birthday. that's right folks, I gave birth to an 8 pound baby boy right here in the holy city of zefat, many years ago. I have been struggling with the flu since Sunday morning. I am at last, back on my feet. it has been awful.
I was talking with a gal pal on Friday morning and she had just gotten over a stomach virus. I could have sworn that I caught the flu from her over the telephone. I know that stranger things have happened. I somehow, had a strong appetite through out the week. I didn't take any aspirin or flu tablets. I have a psychological problem swallowing pills. I must have been feverish because I kept on seeing moving objects. I actually thought I saw a huge black rat.
I never got to put away the Chanukah menorahs or wash the remaining Shabbat dishes. I stayed in bed under the comforter huddled with the 3 dogs for days at a time. I was able to get up to pish and make cups of tea. showering or getting dressed was not possible. I wore about three layers of heavy clothing. I had muscle pains and sciatic twinges. I ate toast from left over frozen challah rolls and whatever else I could scavenge from downstairs. I had a bit of Shabbat food leftover which I went through very early in the game. I didn't lose an ounce. as I imbibed lots of carbs, I may have even gained some weight.
I slept through most of the week. I kept the t.v. on but slept through all of the programing. I managed to stay awake for the X Factor finale but I kept on schmoozing through 'Fargo' and 'The
affair. I craved sugar but was afraid to have any. I had a couple of strawberry yogurts and a bar of halvah. they tasted awful. I was craving orange juice but didn't have any oranges. the daughter-in-aw doesn't buy fruit from the right place for me, kashrut wise. I did have a banana each day. pretty heavy on the carbs.
I bought a digital scale today. my scale is probably about 15 years old and I don't think it's accurate. family members and friends have been complaining about my scale for years. the consensus is that it is on the plus side. I'm actually afraid of digital scales, myself. we shall see. I need to shed all of my layers before I attempt to weigh myself. it cost only $20 so I'm not all that concerned about it.
the Sephardi grandma was on call this week. I still had to pick up the kids on Tuesday and it was traumatic for me. I was so sick. I couldn't get it together to call a cab so I walked to the gan. it was a lovely day but I was very weak. going there was okay but the return walk was tricky. I felt a bit faint and couldn't find a cab. I got home and couldn't handle the kids. they were very rambunctious and aggressive with me. it was their first day back to gan and they were overtired and violent. I ended up passing out on the t.v. sofa.
my son expected me to bathe the kids but I physically could not. I am very lucky that the kids are going to the Sephardi family for Shabbat. I thought that I was going to have to cook tomorrow. I didn't really want to go to the supermarket today but I needed to buy a birthday cake. I was in no shape to bake a cake, either. I bought some veggies to make a chicken soup for myself and a couple of challah rolls for Shabbat. one evening my son ordered in some spicy Chinese chicken soup. it truly relieved my throat of any pain. boy was it hot!!!
I took a cab to the pharmacy to buy a gift for my son. I couldn't really afford a bottle of cologne and I wouldn't know what to buy. the saleslady wanted to start spraying me and I had to decline in order not to start a coughing and choking fit in the store. I bought a bunch of face wash and deodorants and body gels. every thing was on sale. I think I spent about $30 and another $10 for the cake and $13 on cabs.
the big kids went off to the maul and I picked up the small kids. I got back from my shopping spree and felt really awful. the weather changed and it started to rain. I called my neighbor and enlisted her help in picking up the grandkids with me. I was a bit short in the cash department to order any more cabs. next week I have to pay some bills and straighten out the finance situation. I 'blew my wad' during Chanukah. I went through the loan money pretty fast, too.
I was talking with a gal pal on Friday morning and she had just gotten over a stomach virus. I could have sworn that I caught the flu from her over the telephone. I know that stranger things have happened. I somehow, had a strong appetite through out the week. I didn't take any aspirin or flu tablets. I have a psychological problem swallowing pills. I must have been feverish because I kept on seeing moving objects. I actually thought I saw a huge black rat.
I never got to put away the Chanukah menorahs or wash the remaining Shabbat dishes. I stayed in bed under the comforter huddled with the 3 dogs for days at a time. I was able to get up to pish and make cups of tea. showering or getting dressed was not possible. I wore about three layers of heavy clothing. I had muscle pains and sciatic twinges. I ate toast from left over frozen challah rolls and whatever else I could scavenge from downstairs. I had a bit of Shabbat food leftover which I went through very early in the game. I didn't lose an ounce. as I imbibed lots of carbs, I may have even gained some weight.
I slept through most of the week. I kept the t.v. on but slept through all of the programing. I managed to stay awake for the X Factor finale but I kept on schmoozing through 'Fargo' and 'The
affair. I craved sugar but was afraid to have any. I had a couple of strawberry yogurts and a bar of halvah. they tasted awful. I was craving orange juice but didn't have any oranges. the daughter-in-aw doesn't buy fruit from the right place for me, kashrut wise. I did have a banana each day. pretty heavy on the carbs.
I bought a digital scale today. my scale is probably about 15 years old and I don't think it's accurate. family members and friends have been complaining about my scale for years. the consensus is that it is on the plus side. I'm actually afraid of digital scales, myself. we shall see. I need to shed all of my layers before I attempt to weigh myself. it cost only $20 so I'm not all that concerned about it.
the Sephardi grandma was on call this week. I still had to pick up the kids on Tuesday and it was traumatic for me. I was so sick. I couldn't get it together to call a cab so I walked to the gan. it was a lovely day but I was very weak. going there was okay but the return walk was tricky. I felt a bit faint and couldn't find a cab. I got home and couldn't handle the kids. they were very rambunctious and aggressive with me. it was their first day back to gan and they were overtired and violent. I ended up passing out on the t.v. sofa.
my son expected me to bathe the kids but I physically could not. I am very lucky that the kids are going to the Sephardi family for Shabbat. I thought that I was going to have to cook tomorrow. I didn't really want to go to the supermarket today but I needed to buy a birthday cake. I was in no shape to bake a cake, either. I bought some veggies to make a chicken soup for myself and a couple of challah rolls for Shabbat. one evening my son ordered in some spicy Chinese chicken soup. it truly relieved my throat of any pain. boy was it hot!!!
I took a cab to the pharmacy to buy a gift for my son. I couldn't really afford a bottle of cologne and I wouldn't know what to buy. the saleslady wanted to start spraying me and I had to decline in order not to start a coughing and choking fit in the store. I bought a bunch of face wash and deodorants and body gels. every thing was on sale. I think I spent about $30 and another $10 for the cake and $13 on cabs.
the big kids went off to the maul and I picked up the small kids. I got back from my shopping spree and felt really awful. the weather changed and it started to rain. I called my neighbor and enlisted her help in picking up the grandkids with me. I was a bit short in the cash department to order any more cabs. next week I have to pay some bills and straighten out the finance situation. I 'blew my wad' during Chanukah. I went through the loan money pretty fast, too.
Thursday, December 10, 2015
Sleepless In Zefat
it is 11:00 a.m. in the holy city of zefat. I am truly tired. we came home from the family haircutting celebration party at 11:00 p.m.. I had taken the kids out to a show at 10:00 a.m. I was very pressured to catch the bus. as we were literally out the door, I ran back inside to catch the phone. I thought that it might be the daughter-in-law calling to coordinate the afternoon's plan. I don't carry my cellphone and it makes it hard for her to reach me. it turns out that it was my BFF and I blew her off to catch the bus.
I had arranged with another girlfriend to meet up on the 10:00 a.m. bus with the little boy that she cares for. I felt a bit bad about the abrupt way I hung up with my gal pal but I couldn't call her back. the bus actually came late and we waited for nearly 20 minutes. it isn't easy waiting at a bus stop with two small kids. a taxi came by but he was only going as far as the central bus station. we all piled in and out of the cab in rapid speed and waited for the bus.
a local yokel city worker was spray painting parking lines in front of the bus stop. the fumes were unbearable. we were all coughing and holding our noses. sometimes it feels like we are living in the city of 'helm'. we got to the theatre with plenty of time to spare. the kids had a ball running around in the lobby. each grandkid found a friend or two from their gan. it was really cute. the production was only an hour long. we then went into town and to a grocery where I bought cookies for the 7th anniversary of my mother's passing.
when I realized that I had missed her date that night I went into a tail spin. I usually do something to commemorate her passing. last year I made a latke night for a few friends and I made a 'thanksgivica' dinner when historically, the two holidays coincided. the big kids had taken the small kids out of town to buy Chanukah gifts. I thought about making some latkes and chicken cutlets for after the lighting of the Chanukah menorah but they had already eaten at 'burger ranch'. I waited the entire night for their return. I ended up going to sleep around 11:00 p.m. without lighting my chanukiah.
I woke up shortly afterwards to let the dogs out. I saw the car and realized that the kids had returned. by then I was really in a bad way. I felt so alone and isolated. after my son lit the Chanukah lights I called my sister in L.A. it was midnight our time. my older sister is my voice of reason and was able to calm me down. I may have stopped crying but I was still quite agitated. I went to light a memorial candle but I was all out. I poured a lot of olive oil and a bit of water into a small juice glass and lit it next to a small picture of my mom.
I then read s bunch of psalms. now it was 2:30 a.m. I went to lie down. my mind was racing. I jumped out of bed to make a potato kugel. there is nothing worse than yesterday's kugel. I thought about making a cake. I was all out of eggs. I got back into bed around 3:00 p.m. I came up with a game plan. I would run to the supermarket at 7:00 a.m. and buy a ton of goodies. I would get all kinds of nuts and dried fruits and chocolates. I would then run over to my friend's house and bring a fresh bag of milk and feed the cats. I would then return home and shower and get ready to go to the kids' show. now it was 5:30 a.m.
I could not get up the next morning. I felt nauseated. my head hurt and my eyes burnt. before I knew it, my son was going off to work. I needed to shower and the kids were alone downstairs. they were already dressed but a bit unkempt. somehow I managed to get dressed and made up and out of the house by 10:00 a.m. game plan changed. we did not go over to feed the cat. after the show we had an hour or more to kill. I was able to get some cookies and cheap Chanukah presents for the kids. I didn't buy a gift for the little 3 year old having his first haircut. I had asked the daughter-in-law to pick up something from the clothes store where she works. it didn't happen.
she picked us up and drove us off to Meron for the haircut. the family was very delighted with the selection of cookies I brought. we made platters to give out to the people there. I had enough time to stop off at a souvenir shop and buy a small leather drum and cards for the birthday boy. I had enough time to enter an indoor gravesite and pray for my mom and family. I even got to light a memorial candle for my mom. I had some refreshments and was driven home. I had enough time to go over to feed the cat and bring fresh milk before I got picked up to go to the party.
as soon as I entered the house, I ran to call my friend back. she was very cold and when I tried to explain what was going on she didn't want any part of it. finally we made up. now I'm off to take the kids to a carnival. and I have to make Shabbat meals. we will do it up in honor of mom. I invited 2 friends for lunch. I still have a sparkling pomegranate wine in the fridge to toast mom. I will make a cheesecake later this evening, too.
I had arranged with another girlfriend to meet up on the 10:00 a.m. bus with the little boy that she cares for. I felt a bit bad about the abrupt way I hung up with my gal pal but I couldn't call her back. the bus actually came late and we waited for nearly 20 minutes. it isn't easy waiting at a bus stop with two small kids. a taxi came by but he was only going as far as the central bus station. we all piled in and out of the cab in rapid speed and waited for the bus.
a local yokel city worker was spray painting parking lines in front of the bus stop. the fumes were unbearable. we were all coughing and holding our noses. sometimes it feels like we are living in the city of 'helm'. we got to the theatre with plenty of time to spare. the kids had a ball running around in the lobby. each grandkid found a friend or two from their gan. it was really cute. the production was only an hour long. we then went into town and to a grocery where I bought cookies for the 7th anniversary of my mother's passing.
when I realized that I had missed her date that night I went into a tail spin. I usually do something to commemorate her passing. last year I made a latke night for a few friends and I made a 'thanksgivica' dinner when historically, the two holidays coincided. the big kids had taken the small kids out of town to buy Chanukah gifts. I thought about making some latkes and chicken cutlets for after the lighting of the Chanukah menorah but they had already eaten at 'burger ranch'. I waited the entire night for their return. I ended up going to sleep around 11:00 p.m. without lighting my chanukiah.
I woke up shortly afterwards to let the dogs out. I saw the car and realized that the kids had returned. by then I was really in a bad way. I felt so alone and isolated. after my son lit the Chanukah lights I called my sister in L.A. it was midnight our time. my older sister is my voice of reason and was able to calm me down. I may have stopped crying but I was still quite agitated. I went to light a memorial candle but I was all out. I poured a lot of olive oil and a bit of water into a small juice glass and lit it next to a small picture of my mom.
I then read s bunch of psalms. now it was 2:30 a.m. I went to lie down. my mind was racing. I jumped out of bed to make a potato kugel. there is nothing worse than yesterday's kugel. I thought about making a cake. I was all out of eggs. I got back into bed around 3:00 p.m. I came up with a game plan. I would run to the supermarket at 7:00 a.m. and buy a ton of goodies. I would get all kinds of nuts and dried fruits and chocolates. I would then run over to my friend's house and bring a fresh bag of milk and feed the cats. I would then return home and shower and get ready to go to the kids' show. now it was 5:30 a.m.
I could not get up the next morning. I felt nauseated. my head hurt and my eyes burnt. before I knew it, my son was going off to work. I needed to shower and the kids were alone downstairs. they were already dressed but a bit unkempt. somehow I managed to get dressed and made up and out of the house by 10:00 a.m. game plan changed. we did not go over to feed the cat. after the show we had an hour or more to kill. I was able to get some cookies and cheap Chanukah presents for the kids. I didn't buy a gift for the little 3 year old having his first haircut. I had asked the daughter-in-law to pick up something from the clothes store where she works. it didn't happen.
she picked us up and drove us off to Meron for the haircut. the family was very delighted with the selection of cookies I brought. we made platters to give out to the people there. I had enough time to stop off at a souvenir shop and buy a small leather drum and cards for the birthday boy. I had enough time to enter an indoor gravesite and pray for my mom and family. I even got to light a memorial candle for my mom. I had some refreshments and was driven home. I had enough time to go over to feed the cat and bring fresh milk before I got picked up to go to the party.
as soon as I entered the house, I ran to call my friend back. she was very cold and when I tried to explain what was going on she didn't want any part of it. finally we made up. now I'm off to take the kids to a carnival. and I have to make Shabbat meals. we will do it up in honor of mom. I invited 2 friends for lunch. I still have a sparkling pomegranate wine in the fridge to toast mom. I will make a cheesecake later this evening, too.
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
Spin The Draidel 2015
it is 4:30 p.m. in the holy city of zefat. I just got back from a playdate on the next street. a lovely young mother of 3, invited us to play with her kids. two out of the three kids are in the same gans. we met at a local Chanukah party in the nearby community center.
it was way too crowded and over heated. today was a lovely and warm day. the sun was pretty strong and you didn't even need a coat. I got stuck carrying mine as well as the kids' coats. I took out a huge loan yesterday at the bank. my checks were bouncing all over the place. I needed some breathing space. I ended up taking out more than I truly needed thanks to the bank clerk who was doing some fancy financial hullabaloo. I was flush today. I spent $10 on the party and another $10 at the bakery.
I will be paying off this Chanukah for the next three years. go know! I plan on taking the kids to a production of the 'ugly duckling' in town tomorrow. we then have a haircutting ceremony in Meron, followed by a celebratory dinner in the evening. the daughter-in-law is taking the kids to 'toys are us' to buy Chanukah gifts. I don't have the strength to go to town now to buy a gift for the three year old birthday boy.
my check to the gas company was returned. I don't think they have an office in zefat. I called the number for the guy who schlepps the gas balloons to zefat and I tried to arrange for him to come over so that I could redeem my check with cash. well, that didn't happen today. it's hard to navigate this world without a cell phone. yet, I resist using mine. I could try again in the morning but i'll be out all day.
I just thought of a good idea. I will ask my daughter-in-law to buy something from the clothes store where she works for her nephew. of course, I will reimburse her when she returns. that way I can rest now and not have to jump on a bus. I do need to jump to the supermarket up here to buy a carton of milk. my friend is out of town and I have been coming over to feed the outdoor cats they have more or less benefactored, as of late. they called me last night to come over and get a bag of milk that expires today. I, of course, need to schlepp on over there and replace the expired bag with a fresh one.
it is very dark outside and the street lights haven't come on yet. I think I will treat the cats to a bag of milk. this young mom of three gave me a brand new doggie bed, a bag of top quality dog food and treats. I see that money is not lacking in this household. they brought in a puppy and apparently someone stole it. that happens a lot in zefat. for some strange reason people/kids steal dog collars off dogs' necks here. pretty bizarre! her 3 small kids were afraid of the puppy. my grandkids are crazy for dogs, having grown up with two, and now three dogs in my house.
I went off my diet a bit. yesterday I had potato latkes and today I had a greasy pita with olive oil and zatar. I think that's hyssops in English. I then had two barekas with salty cheese and half a small bag of chocolate milk. I also had half of a strawberry flavored leban. however, I didn't succumb to eating a fried donut yet. I think I will p ass on those and get back to my carb free diet tomorrow. I allow myself carbs on Shabbat.
it was way too crowded and over heated. today was a lovely and warm day. the sun was pretty strong and you didn't even need a coat. I got stuck carrying mine as well as the kids' coats. I took out a huge loan yesterday at the bank. my checks were bouncing all over the place. I needed some breathing space. I ended up taking out more than I truly needed thanks to the bank clerk who was doing some fancy financial hullabaloo. I was flush today. I spent $10 on the party and another $10 at the bakery.
I will be paying off this Chanukah for the next three years. go know! I plan on taking the kids to a production of the 'ugly duckling' in town tomorrow. we then have a haircutting ceremony in Meron, followed by a celebratory dinner in the evening. the daughter-in-law is taking the kids to 'toys are us' to buy Chanukah gifts. I don't have the strength to go to town now to buy a gift for the three year old birthday boy.
my check to the gas company was returned. I don't think they have an office in zefat. I called the number for the guy who schlepps the gas balloons to zefat and I tried to arrange for him to come over so that I could redeem my check with cash. well, that didn't happen today. it's hard to navigate this world without a cell phone. yet, I resist using mine. I could try again in the morning but i'll be out all day.
I just thought of a good idea. I will ask my daughter-in-law to buy something from the clothes store where she works for her nephew. of course, I will reimburse her when she returns. that way I can rest now and not have to jump on a bus. I do need to jump to the supermarket up here to buy a carton of milk. my friend is out of town and I have been coming over to feed the outdoor cats they have more or less benefactored, as of late. they called me last night to come over and get a bag of milk that expires today. I, of course, need to schlepp on over there and replace the expired bag with a fresh one.
it is very dark outside and the street lights haven't come on yet. I think I will treat the cats to a bag of milk. this young mom of three gave me a brand new doggie bed, a bag of top quality dog food and treats. I see that money is not lacking in this household. they brought in a puppy and apparently someone stole it. that happens a lot in zefat. for some strange reason people/kids steal dog collars off dogs' necks here. pretty bizarre! her 3 small kids were afraid of the puppy. my grandkids are crazy for dogs, having grown up with two, and now three dogs in my house.
I went off my diet a bit. yesterday I had potato latkes and today I had a greasy pita with olive oil and zatar. I think that's hyssops in English. I then had two barekas with salty cheese and half a small bag of chocolate milk. I also had half of a strawberry flavored leban. however, I didn't succumb to eating a fried donut yet. I think I will p ass on those and get back to my carb free diet tomorrow. I allow myself carbs on Shabbat.
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