multi-hyphenated-me

the hyphens that define my life

Beau Monde July 20, 2013

Filed under: Cooking — multihyphenatedme @ 10:38 pm
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I had a good day.

Nothing exciting happened.  I escaped my house cleaning chores to go to the grocery store.

As I walked past an elderly woman muttering to herself in the baking and spice aisle, I heard her say that she couldn’t read the spice jar labels.  I stopped and asked if she needed any help.  She stared at me and asked if I worked at the store.  “No, I don’t work here, I’m just offering to help you find the spice you’re looking for”, I told her.  She was wearing a slate blue sweat suit.  Today the temperatures were 97 degrees in Spokane.  Her eyes were the exact same color as her outfit.  Her white hair was brushed back over the top of her head which reminded me of the way my Grandma, Eula Mae, wore her hair.

Without missing a beat she told me she was looking for dried minced onion.  I gave her a couple of size options for the minced onion.  She then needed dill which I found for her quickly.  She then said she needed Beau Monde seasoning.  What?  I have never heard of Beau Monde seasoning.  Sure enough, it was there on the shelf.  She told me that she used these three ingredients, and because she appreciated my help, she told me the recipe that she said “would make the best dip you ever tasted”.

All the basic ingredients for dip – mayonnaise, sour cream, salt and pepper, plus the three herbs and spicesshe just purchased:  dill, minced onion and beau monde seasoning.  She stressed that you should not whip the ingredients together but slowly stir until combined.  She recommended eating the dip with carrots or other vegetables.  She always keeps the dip in her fridge in case company comes over.

I wanted to hang out with her all day eating dip and swapping recipes.

It is not unusual for me to help people in grocery stores.  There are plenty of short people that can’t reach the top shelf and need my height and long arms.  I offer to help almost every time I’m in the store. This was the first time I learned about a new product and got a recipe out of the deal too!  Good trade!

I should say it isn’t unusal for me to eat dip either.  I didn’t buy any Beau Monde seasoning but I will have to check it out.  Have you tried it?  How do you use it?

I found this online recipe to make your own Beau Monde Seasoning Salt:

Beau Monde Seasoning Salt:

1 tablespoon ground cloves
1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon ground bay leaf
1 tablespoon ground allspice
2 tablespoons ground pepper
1 tablespoon ground white pepper
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground mace
1 teaspoon celery seed
 

Sounds interesting. Salty for sure.  I love trying new things.  I should have bought some today while I was there.  Maybe I’ll make some dip and have some company over.

 

Craigslist Christmas July 19, 2013

Filed under: Life — multihyphenatedme @ 11:21 pm
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Christmas in July has always been a odd theme to me.  Crafters hawk their holiday creations at craft fairs all over the nation, ramping up, only six months until Christmas!  I’ve only been to one massive Christmas Craft Fair, in Oceanside, CA with my mom on the grounds of Mission San Luis Rey, it may or may not have been in July.  There were plenty of holiday doo-dads and trinkets and yard ornaments to purchase though it wasn’t my scene.

Earlier this evening, the boys were gallivanting around the neighborhood and Vince was futzing around in the garage prepping for his weekend projects. I was tasked with finding a new restaurant for us to try.  I spent about 10 minutes reading Yelp reviews before deciding on Manito Tap House which is around the corner and down the street from our house. Then,  I was easily distracted by my favorite new addiction, seeing what has been newly posted on Craigslist.

There is awesome stuff on Craigslist that makes you blurry eyed confused over want and need. Daily.  You can read your trash mags about celebrities.  I have  a blast seeing the crazy stuff people post combined with their hilarious “buzz words” chosen to make their crap better than the next.  My favorite post today was a Seashell Collection.  In order for me to post and sell a seashell collection, I would have sea fans, coral, conches and a mass of other collected shells that I would never want to sell because the stories behind collecting each shell would be too precious to let go.  I had to see this incredible seashell collection.  I was excited, this was going to be AMAZING!  Then I saw the photo:

Are you laughing?  Every laughing acronym fits here…LOL, ROTFL, LMAO, you get the idea.

Wait.  There’s more.  How much should someone ask to pay for this precious collection?  Priceless, I know, but no.  “Various sea shells, message me if you are interested in any/all. These will be cheap.”  I would maybe pay $1 for these shells, and not for the shells.  I want to meet who is selling these shells, there has to be more to the story.  In addition to the collection photo, close up photos of each shell is also posted.  This takes a ridiculous amount of time.  I’m fascinated.  Fear keeps me from texting which is probably a good thing.

So it is July and though it isn’t Christmas, I had the best idea.  Wouldn’t a Craigslist Christmas be the bomb?  Craigslist should offer Craigslist bucks and gift cards.  I had a lot of time on my hands waiting for the four boys to finish their nonsense.  I decided to make a Craigslist Christmas Wish List.  Before I tell you what is on my Craigslist Christmas list, I have to tell you that the Spokane/Coeur D’Alene Craigslist is beyond words awesome.  There is way better stuff on here that I’ve seen in Orange County California, I’ll tell you that right now.  You be the judge.

Here’s my list:

1.  Appaloosa Pony, this little filly is so dang cute!  Must have.  $3500.  I’m worth it.

2. Icelandic Sheep.  You have all been replaced.  This is my new best friend.

3.  Alpaca, of course. He has a bunny rabbit nose and you can’t see his eyes, you have no idea what he’s thinking.

4.  Patio Tiki Bar

Why does anyone own this in the Inland Northwest?  Remember, two seasons, July and Winter.  Mele Kalikimaka necessity.

5.  A rooster!  I have a childhood rooster horror story I’ll share with you another day. This guy could help me make peace with my past.  Plus he looks pretty bad ass.

That’s as far as I got before Buzz Kill Vince came in and spoiled all my fun.  I didn’t even get past Farm and Garden section. (I’m not sure why the sea shells were in the farm and garden section which further adds to the intrigue of this posting).

Vince noticed I was on Craigslist and told me that the gardener quit and we needed to buy a lawn mower.  AGH!  First, the gardener was nothing more than a lawn mower.  He didn’t edge, blow, weedwack, rake or anything other than mow.  Ridiculous.  AND he charged an outrageous fee.  Vince and I had already decided to can him as soon as we caught up with our other projects, or it snowed, whichever came first.  The fact that he quit makes me give him more credit than I thought he deserved.

Back to Craigslist.

We found a mower, connected with the guy, and on our way to dinner, bought the mower.  My Christmas in July wishes are for naught.  I wanted awesome I got a lawn mower instead. Bonus, the boys and I get to mow the lawn tomorrow.  Woo.   Their roles are already set – Trace is mowing, Niko is raking, Andre is blowing and I’m bossing.  Should be great.

With the lawn mower adventure added to our pre-dinner agenda, we didn’t go to the Manito Tap House another part of my great plans shattered.  We ended up at the Steam Plant Brewery and Stacks restaurant (at 8 PM!!).  The Huckleberry Ale that I had and Vince’s Double Stack Stout were delicious!  We decided that we wouldn’t return for the food but we would definitely come back for the beer.

Craigslist Christmas is a great idea.  Try it.

Editor’s Note:

If you are the owner of the seashell collection, appaloosa, icelandic sheep, alpaca, tiki bar or rooster, AND happen to be reading this blog post, please know that I think you are terrific and I would love to buy the items you have posted.  Alas, I have enough animals, I drink enough but not enough for a tiki bar, and, we left the ocean for the mountains so I have no use for a seashell collection.  Good luck to each of you with your sales!

 

 

Boobies July 18, 2013

Filed under: Books — multihyphenatedme @ 9:55 pm
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Conversations with my 7 year old, Andre, take you down random paths you had no plans travelling.  Today’s random topic while soothing him from cracking himself in the head with the ball of a Kendama, focused on not understanding why boys and girls start out the same, with flat chests (pronounced chest-is), then girls get boobies.  How does that happen?  Easy enough, I can answer that one, puberty.  He didn’t understand.  Rather than go into the medical definition of puberty, I threw a curve ball of my own.  “Did you know that there are fish that are first boys and then become girls?”  “What?!?”  he shreiked.  “True story”.  “That’s just freaky” he proclaimed before running off to torture his brothers.

Probably not my finest maternal hour but I succeeded in two things: 1) he was distracted enough not to fret over bonking his head and 2) be careful who you drag with you down a strange path, they just might surprise you.

You’ve read this far, now you’re being dragged down a strange path.  Welcome.

I recently read Josh Kilmer-Purcell’s memoir, I’m Not Myself These Days.  This is an adventure filled journey through Manhattan as a transvestite by night and advertising director by day.  Don’t judge the book by it’s cute goldfish cover.  I was surprised, I had no idea what I was getting into when I bought this book at a yard sale.  I loved the book and I can’t wait to read Kilmer-Purcell’s two other novels.

In costume as Aqua, his transvestite persona, Josh had costumes designed to accommodate plastic globes with water and goldfish that he wore as boobs. Genius and awesome.  The one photo of Aqua in the book is impressive.  Aqua retired and Josh became a successful writer, happily ever after.

Earlier this year, I read an article about a woman, a triathlete, that, after being diagnosed with breast cancer and having a double mastectomy, decided not to have reconstructive surgery.  In the magazine, she was photographed, topless, showing her scars.  How brave.  I have since seen other photos where cancer survivors have opted for tattoos over their scars instead of reconstructive surgery.  tattoos covering scars totally make sense to me (see earlier post where tattoos boggle my mind).  After reading the article (forgive me for not remembering which magazine), I told Vince that I would not opt for reconstructive surgery either.  He raised his bushy eyebrows  but didn’t comment beyond, “ok”, which sounded more like ooooooooh kayyyyyyyy.  He’s learned long ago to just roll with whatever I throw at him.

I’m certain this post is going to ruffle some feathers. Reconstructive surgery is a personal choice.  I respect your decision to reconstruct, to go bigger or to downsize, reconstruction just isn’t for me.  I have not been diagnosed with breast cancer so I’m not subject to making that decision and hopefully will never be in that position.  I am confident I would stick with not opting for reconstructive surgery based on my own cancer history and having a third of my colon removed (right hemicolectomy) without reconstructive surgery.  As a woman, I’m not defined by my colon, my boobs, or by the length of my hair for that matter, but by how I live my life.

Remember it is ok to swim upstream, to be you, to consider all options and do what’s best for you.  Goldfish could be the way to go.

 

 

8-Hour Girl July 17, 2013

Filed under: Life — multihyphenatedme @ 10:47 pm
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Summer is killing me.  The kids are loving summer with action packed adventures, staying up late every night, and sleeping in late every morning.  I’m a working girl.  My day begins at 6 AM every day, just up enough to make coffee, wash my face, brush my teeth, get dressed and start working by 6:30 AM.  My commute is two laps through my house with repeat visits to the kitchen for coffee refills.  As simple as my mornings may be, I need my 8 hours of sleep in order to function.  Without my 8 hours, I am forgetful, grumpy and short-tempered.  Ok, maybe I’m forgetful, grumpy and short-tempered even with my 8 hours of sleep, but any less than 8 hours definitely worsens my mood and makes my day incredibly long.  Something’s gotta give and the kids aren’t budging.  I’m waiting for my left eye to pop out on a spring.

The kids can not realistically sleep until 10 or 11 (yes, 10 or 11) then be expected to go to bed at 9 when I want to go to sleep.  The Inland Northwest doesn’t think 9 is a good bedtime either, the sun does not completely set by then, who could possibly sleep.  Me, for one, I could sleep.

No such luck.  Our schedules are all out of whack.  Correction, my schedule is all out of whack.  Don’t tell anyone but there is only 47 summer days left until the kids go back to school and my life regains normalcy.  Don’t get me wrong, I love summer days, summer nights and summer fun.  I just struggle with summer exhaustion.

If you can’t beat them, join them, right?  We’ve already addressed this old nag ain’t what she used to be so I don’t want to beat the proverbial dead horse.  I’m not a night owl, I’m a morning person.  Vince is a night owl and mans the night shift with these rowdy boys.  He returns tonight from his first LA commute to maintain his day job.  My lack of sleep for a few nights is a small price to pay for this privilege.

I just wasn’t ready.  Sure, I can defend the fort while he’s away but I forgot about the gift of sleep that he gives me every day.  I’m on the boy shift from the time they wake up until the time dinner is over and the kitchen is cleaned.  Then he’s in charge.  Divide and conquer.  There is overlap to be sure but this is our program.  Basically, I attach the feed bags, he puts the animals to bed.  It works for us, like modern-day farmers.

Since we moved, this is his first commute.  Did I mention I wasn’t ready?  It’s a nice break, because, you know, having your husband and your kids in your zone 24/7 since school was release mid-June, has been a bit of a shock to my system.  [No joke, my left eye is going to pop out on a spring at any moment].  Now, with lack of sleep, I’m spinning senseless.

And now Vince has returned.  Welcome home.  Your 8-hour girl isn’t getting her 8 hours again tonight, no thanks to your late flight and my late night posting.  Yes, these late night blog posts are taxing me too.

Fear not, for there is hope.  I am BFF’s with Fast Company on Facebook.  Today they posted “Arge’s Work Play Fit Push Weekly”.  I’m not sure who Arge is, but the work-play-fit-push is a Stephen Covey-esque, Zig Zigler-esque get your shit together plan to get on and stay on track.  Exactly what I need, sleep or no sleep.  For each section, for example “work”, list three things you want to get done each day. Sure this needs to be multiplied by 10, but for Arge’s sake, we’ll keep it to 3 top priorities.  Vince and the kids keep the “play” section full without concern.  The first thing to go, next to sleep, is my fitness.  I enjoy working out, I just put me last.  Getting my shit together plan puts me back in the lead with my running shoes on.  The “push” section is easy and could be multiplied exponentially to address my blog, my projects, my plans, and my dreams.  At the bottom, a short list of priorities.  Top of my priorities is going to bed on time to get my 8 hours.

Love you all, but I need to sleep.  Good night.

 

Ready to Rumble

Filed under: Life — multihyphenatedme @ 8:37 am
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Are your ready to rumble?  I’m not talking about some WWE smackdown. I’m also not talking about any given minute with my boys.  My favorite rumble is in the sky.  Tonight a thunderstorm is predicted in Spokane skies.

Growing up in Ohio, summer showers are a regular occurrence.  My cousin posted on Facebook the other day that it had rained 16 days straight in Ohio.  Summers in Northern Arizona are hot until the afternoon when huge monsoon clouds would roll in, thunder cracked and rain poured from the sky and cool off the temperatures.

We missed the changing weather while we lived in Southern California.  Southern California is fantastic for its consistent temperatures and we enjoyed the warmth while we were there.

Now living in the Inland Northwest, we have loved the cool weather on our arrival, rainstorms, and fantastic thunder and lightning storms.  We’ve had our share of high heat too which I’m ready to turn off.  They say Spokane only has two seasons, July and Winter, and we’re halfway through July.  Tonight, with only a 30% chance of a storm, we are hopeful for some weather.

Yes, I have nothing else to post about other than the weather.  Call it writer’s block if you will.  It was just a day, nothing extraordinary, all straightforward, simple and true to form, for which, I am thankful.  No additional broken bones, no calamities or crisis.  I did submit my photo of Vince jumping into the Spokane River to the Spokane Valley Photo Contest. I also returned some items I bought online. I watered the grass (the sprinkler system is broken).  Thunder and stormy skies are exciting.

With the first rumblings in the distance, I say goodnight.

 

Slackers July 15, 2013

Filed under: Life — multihyphenatedme @ 7:37 pm
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We have become slackers.  Not as our normal every day lie around the house doing nothing slacker selves. We are new and improved slackers.

We were inspired to become slackers at the Spokane Hoopfest when this guy, inside the mall, 4 or 5 stories high, walked a slack line across the length of the atrium with a crowd, including us, below.

slacker

Truth be told, I am not inspired to be a slacker, but my 9-year-old, Niko, definitely wants to be a slacker.

I don’t honestly know that people who walk slacklines are called slackers, but I think it is the perfect moniker.  According to Slackline.com, “slacklining is the sport of walking a small, flat nylon rope between two points. It is practiced in the backyard, on college campuses and city parks, and even 3000 feet above the ground. Some people do it for fun, others for the obvious athletic benefits, and others still for a meditative purpose, in seeking a higher state of mind. Since slacklining’s development in the late 1970s, slacklining has grown into an international craze, and is a common and popular pastime within the outdoor community.”

Today we (meaning Vince) went out with Niko to REI to purchase a slackline to suspend 15 feet between two trees in our back yard, 1-1/2 feet off the ground, so we all (meaning Vince and the boys) can practice being slackers.  I am more of the lets hang a hammock between the trees and really slack off  but the distance is too great between the pines and I missed my calling as a slacker.

Three feet above the slackline, Vince rigged a guide rope so the kids can hold onto until they gain their balance walking the slackline.

Niko is pretty good for a first timer with Trace quickly getting the hang of it.  Andre, unable to test drive the slack line due to his broken arm, heckles their attempts.  I missed seeing Vince’s turn on the line and thankfully, he missed mine.

Of course I tried!  I was the closest I’ve ever been to being a Weeble.  True to form, Weebles wobble but they don’t fall down.  The slack line was whipping back and forth and I held onto the guide rope for survival.  Niko was not impressed with my performance.  He pointed out that I’m probably too out of shape for the slack line.  Thanks kid, you know how to make a girl feel good.  Ah well, he’s not far from the truth.

Where will the slack line get us? Hopefully not over some bottomless chasm or at the top of a circus tent, or a mall.  Most likely a fun summertime challenge for all, myself included.

 

 

What a Day! July 14, 2013

Filed under: Life — multihyphenatedme @ 11:42 pm
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At 4:30 this morning, there was a large thump and I jumped out of bed, woke up Vince and proclaimed, “Andre fell out of bed”.  Vince sat up and replied, “No, the boys camped out on the floor in the playroom (in the basement) last night.” Oh yeah, I forgot.  What was that thump?  Our 14-year-old black lab, Dale, got up and fell over as the result of his old man hip dysplasia.  Poor Dale.  He’s fine, just old.  I went back to bed and fell fast asleep.  Vince, not thanks to me waking him up, couldn’t go back to sleep and got an early start on his projects.

I slept until 9:30.  That never, ever happens.  Ok, occasionally, but I can’t remember the last time I slept that late.  The kids slept even later which gave me the luxurious time to enjoy my coffee and read my first Sunday edition of The Spokesman Review, Spokane’s daily newspaper before making a fabulous Sunday brunch of buttermilk waffles, bacon, poached eggs, cantaloupe, blueberries and strawberries.

What a fabulous morning.  I did not think my day could get any better.  Then around 2 PM, Vince announced he was taking the boys fishing.  The boys.  I wasn’t even invited.  Can I get a hallelujah?  Not only were they going fishing, Vince heard of some sweet fishing spot an hour away that he wanted to check out.  With simple math, I knew I had at least a four-hour window of uninterrupted me time.  Happily, I packed a cooler with drinks and snacks for their trip.  They headed off to fish off the dock at Bunker’s Resort at Lake Williams, near Cheney.  Buh-Bye.

Now what?  I didn’t have a “free time” plan.  This is my first no kid, no husband, alone at hime time in over a month.

I sat down at my new-to-me desk in my new-nobody-else-is-in-it office and researched something that has been weighing heavily on my mind.  When is Spokane’s County Fair?  Though I only attended the Orange County Fair once in our six years there and never competed, it should be known that I am a blue ribbon and best of show baker at the Coconino County Fair in Flagstaff, AZ.  I grew up attending and participating in the Erie County Fair, including 4-H.  I love county fairs.  No offense OC, your fair is on steroids and lacks the down home country feel of a true county fair.

The “Ridin’, Rockin’ & Livestockin’ Spokane County Interstate Fair * 2013*” is scheduled for September 6-15.  How can the fair not be awesome with such an awesome theme?  Baking entry deadlines are August 6.  Fist pump, YES!!  Now I just need to decide what I’m going to enter into the fair competition.  In addition to the fair, Fleischmann’s Yeast has a Best Baking Contest too.  Multiple contests, multiple entries.  Wooo!  I can’t wait!fair

Pumped with visions of baked good in my head, Dale and I traipsed outside to remove a rogue lilac bush that has sprouted up from old roots next to my Japanese maple, causing distress.  It really isn’t a bush, more like four sucker branches, none bigger than a half an inch in diameter, sprouting out of the ground.  I first trimmed the branches down with pruning shears, then  attacked the dirt by digging around the root ball.  Coming from California, I anticipated hard as hell clay to limit my progress.  Another reason to love Washington, the ground is easy to dig!  Within minutes, I had the roots dug out and the yard waste bin loaded.

Dale and I were then joined by Bear, the two-year old golden retriever that lives next door who easily hurdled the property dividing low rock wall to visit us.  If you met Dale, Bear is easily 6 inches taller than Dale and Bear’s head is gigantic!  Not many dogs make Dale look small and manageable, Bear is one of those dogs.  Bear and Dale are buddies and they play as long as Dale can tolerate. They are funny together and the neighbor and I share a good laugh.

What a day for me!  Rest, relaxation, the fair, the dogs, gardening, chores and progress toward getting settled.

The boys returned around 7:30 with one trout.  One.  Trace caught the only fish of the day.  They left a crowded Lake Williams with the one fish and went to Medical Lake on their way home in hopes of increasing their catch without luck.  They had fun, saw some deer, and had “guy time”.    They planned their next fishing trip over dinner.   Must have been a good day for them too.

 

 

 

The Spokane River: An Introduction July 13, 2013

Filed under: Life — multihyphenatedme @ 10:25 pm
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With Andre, our 7 year old, breaking his arm, our Spokane adventures have been halted to keep the boy and his arm mellow without exertion to allow healing and avoid surgery.  A sling is not much of a restraint from his wild antics so we have decided to stay home, work on getting settled and limit all activity.  That successfully lasted a week and now we’re all stir crazy.

Whenever Vince and I meet someone new, whether the paint store guy or the bank teller or just anyone, we ask which is their favorite lake and their swimming hole in the Spokane River.  We have been given great insight to the local waters, natural waterslides off Lake Pain D’Oreille (pronounced Pon-dor-ray), great fishing spots in the lakes and rivers and a lead to a rope swing into the Spokane River.

Today we decided to check out the Spokane River.  Not check it out, we’ve seen it every single day since arrival.  Today was the day we were jumping in and going for a swim.  One guy told me about a swimming hole west of town.  The bank teller told Vince about the rope swing.  When discussed with the boys, hands down, the rope swing location won.  We left the house around 3 PM and headed to this not so secret spot.

Forgive me, the place is managed by Spokane Parks and Recreation.  I saw the name of the place on a sign.  I meant to take a picture so I wouldn’t forget, but I forgot to take the picture so I have no hope of remembering the name of the rope swing spot.

We climbed down this short, loose-gravel-slippery path to the river’s edge.  Houses with docks were scattered along the opposite side of the Spokane River.  Our side of the river had trees and big boulders dropping into the river with spots to swim.  The highlight of this location was the rope swing.  A very generous, show-off of a guy, demonstrated how to grab the rope, where to hold on and when was the best time to let go.

Vince and the boys were stoked!  Woo!  Who will go first?  I had a full panic attack.  Spines snapping, paralysis, broken bones…my babies.  I seriously thought I was going to vomit.  Vince and the boys thought I was ridiculous.  I asked the daredevil demonstrator about water depth, when shouldn’t they let go and other panic stricken but legitimate questions.  Vince made me sit down, with clear instruction to stop talking and just watch.

Andre was pissed off.  He couldn’t swing, which we discussed before arrival and he accepted.  When he saw how dangerous it was and that he was missing all the fun, he made it clear to all that he was not happy.  Because there wasn’t really a beach, he couldn’t wade or play either without quickly being in over his head, unable to swim with one arm.  We sat together, misery loves company.

Vince was the first one to launch.  He performed a mid-air twirl.  He swam the long way around  the rocks before getting out to enjoy the cool (read: freezing), crystal clear water.

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Trace was up next.  I held on to Andre and broke into a cold sweat.  I was stressing heavy.

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Then my Niko took his turn.  I had a hard time watching, let alone taking photos.

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Of course they loved it.  Of course they want to go back.  Our first introduction to the Spokane River was a great experience by a 3-2 split vote.  Andre and I have no plans to return to the rope swing. We are all ready to check out the other recommended spots both up and down stream.

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Forgive me for not posting yesterday.  I have allergies (maybe all those dead flowers in my front lawn?) or a cold and I opted to sleep yesterday rather than post.  This has been a rough week.  I’m glad it is done.

Please ignore these crappy WordPress ads that follow my post.

 

Cornucopia Religion July 10, 2013

Filed under: Life — multihyphenatedme @ 12:01 am
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There are two topics you’re not supposed to discuss in mixed company, politics and religion. Politics are so convoluted and ridiculous, I don’t want to discuss politics unless it is to rile my unwavering Republican mother-in- law.  We spar politics in good fun but we know our audience.

Religion is not my strongest suit, forgive me if I offend or misspeak. No preaching allowed or accepted, thank you very much.

I have a strong Catholic extended family.  My oldest aunt is a nun, Sister Phyllis Ann with Sisters of Mercy, now retired, approaching her 70th year in the convent.  Catholicism is in my blood.  My immediate family didn’t practice Catholicism or any religion beyond dinner prayers, weddings, and holidays so I know some but religion was not a strong influence in my upbringing.  My husband  comes from deep Catholic roots attending weekly mass, Catholic elementary schools and Loyola Jesuit High School.  His mother wanted Vince to become a priest.  I find this hilarious.  I haven’t been struck by lightning yet, confirming God has a sense of humor too.

When our worlds collided, Vince and I did what came naturally, we turned away from Catholicism because it didn’t suit our lifestyle. We were yogis, attending advanced level Ashtanga yoga classes 2-3 times per week.  We were practicing Buddhism.  We had a Buddhist wedding.  Namaste, the light in me bows to the light in you.

Since our family has grown exponentially. we have not had a strong religious focus in our home. We say prayers, follow traditions and practices but we have never joined a church as a married couple or family. We weren’t inclined when we lived in Arizona, the religious atmosphere was thick in Orange County but the churches didn’t fit with us.  Now that we’re in Washington, I am suddenly inclined to go to church.  Why?  I don’t know.  Trace and I want to go to St. Paul’s Cathedral, an Episcopal Church which I know nothing about other than the Episcopal Church was created during the American Revolution to separate from the Anglican Church of England.  Huh, how about that.

Costco is probably not the place to seek religion yet on my first trip to Spokane’s gigantic Costco, I found myself stalking a nun.  A nun!  In Costco!  Shopping!  Tell me when this has happened to you, because this was my first nun sighting in Costco.  She was in full habit, head to toe whites.   I spotted her in the cheese section.  I tried to take her photograph for proof but felt too stupid and couldn’t go through with it.  Our next interaction was in the freezer section.  We were both buying the megamix pack of ice cream novelties.  I wanted to ask her which church she was affiliated but I backed down.  I am not shy, what was wrong with me?  Out of respect, I couldn’t interrupt her with my ridiculousness.

Back home, with my internet powers activated, I found The Sisters of Mary Immaculate Queen in Spokane, also known as “The Singing Nuns”, who wear full habit.  Awesome.  The Singing Nuns will perform their 18th annual Christmas Evermore Concert.   Mount St. Michael is a traditional Roman Catholic Parish we may have to check out.

I am a Mormon Magnet.  Don’t take offense, it is true.  I attract Mormons.  It’s my overexuberant, cheerful, DIY approach, plus my passel of kids.  The LDS church and I have conflicting personalities thought.

I have adopted Jewish religious traditions into our family life.  For Hanukkah we have a menorah and light a candle for each of the 8 holy nights.  We have chocolate gelt and play dradel and eat potato pancakes too.  I don’t know the prayers, but I have some story books and read Hanukkah stories to the kids.  I have never been to temple and don’t see Judaism as a fit for our lives either.

Today is the first day of Ramadan, celebrated by our Muslim friends.  We discussed the month of Ramadan tonight with the kids.  Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection, improvement and increased devotion and worship. Ramadan is m obligatory month of fasting.  No food or drinking liquids between sunrise and sunset.  Summertime days are 14 hours long and hot.  In Spokane today, from sunrise to sunset, the day last 15 hours and 45 minutes.  The days aren’t short.  That only leaves 8 hours and 15 minutes for sleeping, but the night is when, during Ramadan,  you eat and drink, prepare the next meal and clean up. Ramadan Mubarak to my friends celebrating Ramadan.  I can’t join you in your fast, but I support your efforts and faith.

I am a fan of Cornucopia Religion, the best bits and pieces of all religions lumped into one where every day is a holiday of something.  Wouldn’t that be fun?  My husband can start a band, I may just have to start a new religion.  Everyone is accepted, no purple Kool-Aid allowed, otherwise anything goes according to the rules we establish as we go along.  Pretty much how I run the rest of my life.

 

 

Honestly July 8, 2013

Filed under: Family — multihyphenatedme @ 10:41 pm
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When we moved, we sold all of our furniture because our furniture was over 10 years old and kid thrashed.  We also sold our furniture because our new home was built circa 1940’s and has mid-century style that doesn’t suit our old furniture.  And, we sold our furniture because we didn’t love it enough to move it.

Now that we’re here in Spokane, we are without furniture, though not entirely. The house came with a beautiful dining room table with two leaves, chairs and matching buffet.  The guest room is completely outfitted with a queen bed, and dresser.  We sold the bunk beds and other bed sets, but we moved the mattresses.  We also kept our office chairs, camp chairs and beach chairs.  The house also has many built-ins, bookshelves, banquette, dressers and shelves.  Plenty of furniture to call our house a home, for now.

If you have bought furniture,  ever, you know that purchasing furniture is no cheap process.  If you add the words “mid-century modern” or “MCM”, the price tag is increased to meet popular demand.  We have a budget, we have a plan and we’re making good progress.

We have identified a new couch, accent chairs, a chaise, an area rug and some accessories.  Mr. Frugal is holding the purse strings tight before purchasing until he’s certain that I’m 100% certain I won’t have buyer’s remorse.  I see it as a stall tactic but that’s for another blog post.  We are shopping at consignment stores, vintage stores, thrift shops and, of course, Craigslist.  So far, we have bought vintage bed sets for the boys, a credenza for my office and a lateral file cabinet for Vince’s office.  This weekend we purchased a 71″ early 1950’s coffee table from Craigslist. The coffee table is an awesome, DIY refinishing and staining project I can’t wait to get started on.  I’ll post the before and after photos once it is complete, or will blog about any disasters or replacement purchases later.

When we, the entire family, arrived at the coffee table seller’s home, the boys tumbled out of the car into a wrestling match on the front lawn.  Why?  I have no idea, must be a boy thing, they wrestle everywhere. Vince and I entered the home, leaving the boys to fend for themselves, checked out the table, agreed on the price and I paid the man.  What really transpired is that I handed the cash to Vince who handed the money to the seller.  Everyone was happy, we went home with a new coffee table and a new project for me.

Last night, around 10 PM, the coffee table seller sent me a text saying he is either miscounting or he misplaced $20 of the total cash we gave him.  He apologized and asked if I could confirm that we did pay him the $20 in question.  Before we arrived at the house, we stopped at the ATM to withdraw cash for the purchase.  I didn’t spend any other money after buying the coffee table.  I counted the cash in my wallet and, sure enough, I short paid him $20!    I texted back that I had shorted the sale and I would be in the area Monday night for soccer practice and would drop off the $20.  I felt terrible.  I was surprised that both Vince and the seller didn’t double-check my counting at the time of sale.  Word to the wise, always double-check my math, even at base level counting.  The seller texted back that he appreciated my honesty.  Sure thing homie, that’s how I roll.

I passed this perfect sign on my honorable mission tonight to pay my debt in full.

golden rule brake

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