This, that, and a few other things

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Goodness, I'm exhausted today. I'm still struggling with this knee, which makes mobility even more problematic than usual for me. I'm starting to stay hidden when I'm not working because it's humiliating to struggle to walk.

This afternoon I went to a co-worker's patio party. I had originally tried to beg off because of the problems with the knee, but he literally begged me to come. He said he'd keep the parking place closest to the back fence (the easiest path to the back patio) open for me and that he and his wife would help me all I needed. It was an internal struggle, but I finally went. They had a really good live band there (a local outfit called Hillside Fire) and some great food. My co-worker fixed my plate for me since the buffet was up a flight of stairs. He fed me so much, I'm not even eating dinner tonight! If I get munchy a little later I'll have some toast. I had thawed a steak for dinner tonight but I put it back in the fridge. I'm going to have a steak and eggs Sunday brunch tomorrow.

Right now I'm having a glass of wine while watching Throwdown With Bobby Flay ( ) and working on a kid's sweater I'm knitting for charity. I suspect I might not be up past ten, if that late, tonight.

I have to improve my mobility somehow. I just don't know how to manage with this knee.

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The good and the not-so-good

Friday, July 15, 2011

I am SO glad this week is over!

Okay, so I got the water bill paid. But I'm still p****d at building management's tactics. The previous owners used to fold notices like these before putting them on our doors. The new owners stick them up for the entire complex to see, complete with red block lettering. They're little better than bullies. I hope the complex gets sold again soon (It's been sold twice in the two years I've lived here).

I had the little "chat" with the boss yesterday. I don't deny there have been problems, so I'm not surprised this happened. We've reached detente, which is good. She's very kind at heart and I don't like feeling alienated from her (especially when we're stuck with each other five days a week).

The knee is better but still maddeningly stiff. I'm supposed to go to a patio party tomorrow, and I suppose if I go I'll have to take my walker (and I suppose it would be good for me to go). I just hate how difficult walking has been lately.

So I ordered the groceries for the pay period. I ordered some things I shouldn't have (wine in particular), but at least I didn't order bacon, breakfast sausage or limeade, which I normally would have. I also ordered a fair amount of fruit. I love stone fruits, and they're in season right now.

I'm exhausted. I hope I get a sound sleep tonight.

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Miserable week

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

First it was the knee injury. Then my boss is ticked off at me (we're supposed to have a "chat" tomorrow). And to top it off, I come home to a notice from the landlord that my utility payment is late and I have until Friday to pay up or be thrown out (luckily I'll be able to pay it on Friday).

I'm very discouraged. I just can't catch a break for anything.

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Another recipe dream

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Last night my sleep was pretty restless due to the sore knee. During one spurt where I was actually able to sleep, I dreamed about a dish I've loved since childhood. My parents used to make spaghetti with white clam sauce. It involved canned minced clams with their broth, white wine, olive oil, butter, scallions, garlic and mushrooms over spaghetti. Later as an adult I swapped out canned whole baby clams for the minced. But the basics remained the same: saute the garlic, mushrooms and scallions in the butter and olive oil. Add the claim juice and simmer just until the mushrooms are cooked. Cook the pasta and, when draining it, add the claims to the sauce to just heat them (don't cook them or they'll get tough). Put the sauce over the pasta and serve.

Many years ago at a seafood house on the Monterey wharf in Monterey, CA, I had the clam spaghetti, but the clams were still in their shells! I have to admit (and this probably makes me weird), I love the look of shellfish in their shells on my plate.

In last night's dream I was making the same dish but using fresh clams in the shell. It was a VERY detailed dream, right down to the 20-minute bath in water and cornmeal I always give live shellfish to clean out the grit. But even in the dream I was thinking, what if I put a pinch of saffron in? And maybe skipped the pasta and put the clams and sauce in a big bowl and had them with a hunk of baguette, like they'd do in France?

Hmmm...

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Oh, #%&*!!!

Saturday, July 09, 2011

Right now I'm so frustrated I can't see right. Early this morning I got up to use the bathroom. When I was getting back into bed, I heard a loud crack in the back of my right knee. I've had this before (it was the left side last year). So for at least a day or two getting up and down is a five-minute ordeal, and I don't dare try to walk much of anywhere without my walker. I've taken a high-powered Motrin, but it's not helping much.

I wanted to get some things done today, and I sure didn't want to spend the day (and possibly the weekend) just trying to stand up and sit down!

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