Last weekend Studyboy was asked to do some handy work at a friend's house. Nothing big, just hang a couple kitchen shelves and a bathroom vanity cabinet in exchange for lunch. I was invited along for the lunch.
Malin is from Sweden, so naturally all the pieces were from IKEA. Swedes consider assembling IKEA pieces without instructions to be their birthright. She was pretty adept at it actually and I struggled to keep pace when we assembled the vanity cabinet while the boys did mysterious things with stud finders and magnets in the kitchen.
While assembly might be a birthright, actually attaching things to the wall requires an expert, and so Carpenter Man made a brief appearance. It was nice to see him again. Apparently Malin and Pablo have been waiting 8 months to get the shelves put up. I know how they feel, I waited at least that long for a bathtub.
And lunch was certainly worth a little work with a hex key and a level.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Tips for the Home Ecomomist
I have always been a jar saver. I blame my depression era parents who built a house with 2 basements just so they would have enough room to save all the possibly useful flotsam and jetsam that flowed their way. Maybe it's just my maritime heritage; drive through rural Nova Scotia and you often see houses with outbuildings and dooryards stuffed with debris. Dad just designed his storage to be vertical rather than horizontal. When I was a child the coloured pieces of plastic for the lite-brite were stored in baby food jars. So it is no real surprise that I have a fondness for re-using empty jars as containers for other things. Honey jars, pickle jars, and peanut butter jars are just the right size for bulgar wheat, corn meal and nuts. I use jars to store all those things that come in crinkly plastic envelopes because they are easier to stack and are mouse proof. How many times have I reached for the skim milk powder only to find it pouring out the bottom from a hole that shouldn't be there?
Lately, the labels on all jars have been rather stickier though, leaving a uniform gum on the jar when I try to remove it and resisting all attempts to scrub or soak it off. I'm not sure why the change happened, but it is annoying.
Maybe the chemical formula changed to make the labels resist washing off because everybody is recycling now, (except NL) and recycling places like jars clean but with the labels still on.
Maybe the companies are using alternative gums that are not derived from trees that are rain forest harvested. If that's the case, good for them, but I'm still annoyed.
Maybe it's just a cost thing.
For the past several months I have been wavering between leaving the labels on, so that the jar says Honey but obviously it is pecans, or taking them off and ignoring the permanent sticky residue. Neither is completely satisfactory.
Today I had a small success. I remembered back to when Studyboy was Carpenter Man and we were shingling the roof. We had to use roofing compound to seal around the flue, and it is a horrible sticky stuff that resists all the usual cleaners. Our friend Ron was helping that day and told us that butter would work. He was so right. It was amazing. So I tried it this morning on a Honey jar, and it worked. I smeared the butter all over the sticky residue, and then soap and water took it away. It only worked on the glass jars though, on plastic the gum just smooshed around and it didn't lift off any better than before.
I don't understand the chemistry, I just use it.
Lately, the labels on all jars have been rather stickier though, leaving a uniform gum on the jar when I try to remove it and resisting all attempts to scrub or soak it off. I'm not sure why the change happened, but it is annoying.
Maybe the chemical formula changed to make the labels resist washing off because everybody is recycling now, (except NL) and recycling places like jars clean but with the labels still on.
Maybe the companies are using alternative gums that are not derived from trees that are rain forest harvested. If that's the case, good for them, but I'm still annoyed.
Maybe it's just a cost thing.
For the past several months I have been wavering between leaving the labels on, so that the jar says Honey but obviously it is pecans, or taking them off and ignoring the permanent sticky residue. Neither is completely satisfactory.
Today I had a small success. I remembered back to when Studyboy was Carpenter Man and we were shingling the roof. We had to use roofing compound to seal around the flue, and it is a horrible sticky stuff that resists all the usual cleaners. Our friend Ron was helping that day and told us that butter would work. He was so right. It was amazing. So I tried it this morning on a Honey jar, and it worked. I smeared the butter all over the sticky residue, and then soap and water took it away. It only worked on the glass jars though, on plastic the gum just smooshed around and it didn't lift off any better than before.
I don't understand the chemistry, I just use it.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Bounty Day
January is a rather dull month excepting that nearly everyone I know including myself and my father have birthdays this month.
So there is not much to write about these days.
January 21 was Dad's birthday, but more importantly I have recently learned from a friend's blog that it is also National Hugging Day.
So I thought to myself "If nationals can get a special day to hug all to themselves, then everyday in the calendar year must have some signifigance somewhere."
I decided to do some research and found some interesting facts about today, January 23, on answers.com
The first thing I found was that Anne Boleyn discovered she was preggo today in 1533. Perhaps she took National Hugging Day a little too seriously. A blunderbuss wedding to Henry ensued.
The next thing to peak my interest was that Sir Edward Pellew died today in 1833, some 300 years after Anne was up the duff (so it couldn't have been him.) This was interesting only because I didn't know he was a real person and not just some character made up by C.S. Forester. (And acted supremely by Robert Lindsay)
I really hit the mark when I discovered this gem about how Pitcairners celebrate an act of vandalism on a ship of the Royal Navy. (Sir Edward would have been aged 33 at this time and probably a Lieutenant or a Commander so he would have taken Bligh's opinion on this episode.) Below is a cut and paste of the original from answers.com, the links don't work, but they do if you go to the original source.
So there is not much to write about these days.
January 21 was Dad's birthday, but more importantly I have recently learned from a friend's blog that it is also National Hugging Day.
So I thought to myself "If nationals can get a special day to hug all to themselves, then everyday in the calendar year must have some signifigance somewhere."
I decided to do some research and found some interesting facts about today, January 23, on answers.com
The first thing I found was that Anne Boleyn discovered she was preggo today in 1533. Perhaps she took National Hugging Day a little too seriously. A blunderbuss wedding to Henry ensued.
The next thing to peak my interest was that Sir Edward Pellew died today in 1833, some 300 years after Anne was up the duff (so it couldn't have been him.) This was interesting only because I didn't know he was a real person and not just some character made up by C.S. Forester. (And acted supremely by Robert Lindsay)
I really hit the mark when I discovered this gem about how Pitcairners celebrate an act of vandalism on a ship of the Royal Navy. (Sir Edward would have been aged 33 at this time and probably a Lieutenant or a Commander so he would have taken Bligh's opinion on this episode.) Below is a cut and paste of the original from answers.com, the links don't work, but they do if you go to the original source.
"Bounty Day is celebrated on Pitcairn Island on January 23rd, in commemoration of the burning of HMAV Bounty by the mutineers in 1790. Model replicas, made by the islanders, are burned.
Sequence of events
Bounty Day starts off with the a re-enactment of the landing of the Pitcairners down at the Kingston Pier. The Pitcairners are greeted by the Administrator and his wife.
From the pier they then march to the cenotaph where they lay wreaths in remembrance.
From the cenotaph they march to the cemetery where they sing hymns.
After the cemetery they head on over to Government House where a family being either Evans, McCoy, Buffett, Adams, Nobbs, Christian or Young are awarded family of the year. The children roll down the hill in front of Government House.
After this they go to the Compound where the children play games and everyone feasts on wonderful food.
After this they go home and get ready for the Bounty Ball where there is a competition."
A competition which one assumes would beat rolling down a hill or being named family of the year.
One of my favourite things about the series Gilmore Girls was the crazy town celebrations they always had in Stars Hollow. Truth is stranger than fiction.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Pottery Update
I finished the pottery class I was taking before Christmas and somehow managed to finish a few pieces in time to use them for gifts. We learned about making sets, plates, and composite forms where you use two or more shaped put together to make a more complex form.
I sent this Acorn Vase to my mother. It is a composite form, and was meant to be a bottle. Everyone else made a bottle, but my neck turned out more bulbous and flat than tall and narrow so it became an acorn. When I told my pottery teacher I would send it to my mother he nodded and said, "It's the sort of thing a mother would like." Meaning it is ugly and badly done, but the Law of Motherhood states that mothers are required to like anything their children make. My Father (who is not bound by the Law of Motherhood) thinks I made it to put her ashes in when she pops off.
These mugs were an exercise in making 'sets' or a run of similar things that supposedly go together. That is harder than it sounds, and as you can see my set is composed of 4 very different mugs. In case you are wondering, I did not forget the second glaze colour on the mug front and left of the picture, but I did glaze it on a different day, and didn't take the time to stir the glaze properly before I dipped it.
We learned to make plates one class. Plates are actually pretty easy, and as I'm rather fond of this glaze I kept them for myself. The picture doesn't capture it well, the over glaze is mottled with gold and red flecks.
I'm currently in a teapot phase, which is the last thing we learned in our class before the break. Teapots are rather complex because they have a handle which must be comfortable to hold, a spout that pours without dripping or overflowing too fast, and a lid which much fit well. I think I'll be in this phase for a while.
I didn't post these sooner because it would have spoiled the surprise of the lucky (or not so lucky) recipiants.
I sent this Acorn Vase to my mother. It is a composite form, and was meant to be a bottle. Everyone else made a bottle, but my neck turned out more bulbous and flat than tall and narrow so it became an acorn. When I told my pottery teacher I would send it to my mother he nodded and said, "It's the sort of thing a mother would like." Meaning it is ugly and badly done, but the Law of Motherhood states that mothers are required to like anything their children make. My Father (who is not bound by the Law of Motherhood) thinks I made it to put her ashes in when she pops off.
These mugs were an exercise in making 'sets' or a run of similar things that supposedly go together. That is harder than it sounds, and as you can see my set is composed of 4 very different mugs. In case you are wondering, I did not forget the second glaze colour on the mug front and left of the picture, but I did glaze it on a different day, and didn't take the time to stir the glaze properly before I dipped it.
We learned to make plates one class. Plates are actually pretty easy, and as I'm rather fond of this glaze I kept them for myself. The picture doesn't capture it well, the over glaze is mottled with gold and red flecks.I'm currently in a teapot phase, which is the last thing we learned in our class before the break. Teapots are rather complex because they have a handle which must be comfortable to hold, a spout that pours without dripping or overflowing too fast, and a lid which much fit well. I think I'll be in this phase for a while.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Gentlemen Amongst Gruel
I went shopping this week for all those things I didn't get for Christmas. It is suspect to me that fashion dictates I must wear pants that have the problem of constantly slipping down my bum so that the solution is either to:
1. constantly hike them up every time I get up, bend over or walk more than 6 steps
or
2. (wait for it) Buy Something.
Fashion won the battle, I bought a belt. BUT, my consumer hold out was not entirely in vain. I bought it at a closing out sale at something like 80% off.
But because the prices were so good I actually bought two.
So in the Yana vs Consumerism war I'm not sure who's winning anymore.
When I got the belt home, I clipped off the tags and then I read what I clipped off. And laughed. It seems in the Consumer Wars it is not enough to buy; you must be branded too. This is not news, but I was unaware that an item as simple as a belt could be a branded statement. Shoes, I get shoes. And handbags OK, but a belt?
I think I was supposed to read the tag before I bought the belt, and it would entice me to 'buy in' but had I read the tag in the store I would have left it there. I'm not sure who this marketing strategy is aimed at, but the tag was so funny, I'm going to reprint it here in hopes that one of you will be able to explain - Who thinks this is a good idea?
This is what the tag said, just as it is written, questionable grammar, punctuation et al:
1. constantly hike them up every time I get up, bend over or walk more than 6 steps
or
2. (wait for it) Buy Something.
Fashion won the battle, I bought a belt. BUT, my consumer hold out was not entirely in vain. I bought it at a closing out sale at something like 80% off.
But because the prices were so good I actually bought two.
So in the Yana vs Consumerism war I'm not sure who's winning anymore.
When I got the belt home, I clipped off the tags and then I read what I clipped off. And laughed. It seems in the Consumer Wars it is not enough to buy; you must be branded too. This is not news, but I was unaware that an item as simple as a belt could be a branded statement. Shoes, I get shoes. And handbags OK, but a belt?
I think I was supposed to read the tag before I bought the belt, and it would entice me to 'buy in' but had I read the tag in the store I would have left it there. I'm not sure who this marketing strategy is aimed at, but the tag was so funny, I'm going to reprint it here in hopes that one of you will be able to explain - Who thinks this is a good idea?
This is what the tag said, just as it is written, questionable grammar, punctuation et al:
Touche!
On choosing such an exquisite
And finely crafted garment.
Welcome to the PRIVATE RESERVE,
you are now part of the
upper level of society?
Gentlemen amongst gruel, you might say!
We are the elite and forthright...
Those that have rather than have not.
Those who would rather not be,
than be less than what we are
(which of course is Perfect)
I mean look at us, the creme de la creme,
Top notch, superb.
Ahh, just come of benefits of
wearing this new collection.
Come closer!
I need to tell you something!
If you repeat it I will deny it!
but I also heard there is a
footwear collection to match!
Kudos to those who made
this club possible, loudos!
Well I'm off, secret society meetings
Cheerios!
And once again
Welcome to PRIVATE RESERVE
Perhaps I should describe the item that will elevate me to a new level of society. Man's black leather belt, heavy brass buckle,1.5 inches wide with some small stamped coronets and fleur de lis as a pattern on the leather.
Don't get me wrong, Baroness Orczy and I spent three consecutive summers together in high school, when I was a silly girl and hadn't yet discovered the Brontes.
But Gadzooks! and Zounds! I'm going to have to check if my life membership to the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel is still active.
Cheerios!
On choosing such an exquisite
And finely crafted garment.
Welcome to the PRIVATE RESERVE,
you are now part of the
upper level of society?
Gentlemen amongst gruel, you might say!
We are the elite and forthright...
Those that have rather than have not.
Those who would rather not be,
than be less than what we are
(which of course is Perfect)
I mean look at us, the creme de la creme,
Top notch, superb.
Ahh, just come of benefits of
wearing this new collection.
Come closer!
I need to tell you something!
If you repeat it I will deny it!
but I also heard there is a
footwear collection to match!
Kudos to those who made
this club possible, loudos!
Well I'm off, secret society meetings
Cheerios!
And once again
Welcome to PRIVATE RESERVE
Perhaps I should describe the item that will elevate me to a new level of society. Man's black leather belt, heavy brass buckle,1.5 inches wide with some small stamped coronets and fleur de lis as a pattern on the leather.
Don't get me wrong, Baroness Orczy and I spent three consecutive summers together in high school, when I was a silly girl and hadn't yet discovered the Brontes.
But Gadzooks! and Zounds! I'm going to have to check if my life membership to the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel is still active.
Cheerios!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)