Back from the dead
At least that’s what it feels like. Man, go lie down for a few minutes, wake up two hours later wondering who slipped what into my Pepsi One. Dreamt I was in a dance studio, trying to perfect my grand jete (”big leap,” FYI). Not sure how old I was supposed to be (the “now” me or the “when I actually used to do this stuff” me), but mm-mm, I sure did look fine in my leotard. Which I guess answers that question.
Hmm. Surveying my desk (yes, the one that had been completely clean two days ago), I see. . .five catalogs, my Novelists Inc. dues notice, a Special Ed re-evaluation questionnaire I really have to finish for #5, one copy of Consumer Reports (their annual Electronic issue — anybody need to know anything about TVs, VCRs, cameras, and any number of gadgets whose purpose, sad to say, totally escapes me, I’m your gal), an empty water bottle lying forlornly on its side, the aforementioned Pepsi One can (still half full on account of that two hour nap), a few address labels, a stack of scrap paper, a Post-It pad, a red pen, a plain old pencil, and five of my favorite Zebra F-301 pens. My desk as one of those “I Spy” pictures. I like it.
Only 7 days until the world gets to read a new Romancing the Blog column from moi. Only problem is, I can’t decide what to go on about. Not that I don’t have ideas, or even mostly-done columns. I simply don’t know which one is. . .right. Like having too many shoes that all go equally well with the outfit. Yeah, I know, life’s hard.
Since I played the restaurant card last night, I’m stuck with doing dinner tonight. Hold the sympathetic groans, however — we’re talking toss a chicken in the oven, leave it there for two hours to cook. Some rice, some frozen vegies, we’re good. It’s not the cooking I mind, anyway — it’s the deciding what to cook that gets me. Really, if the dinner fairy would simply fill the fridge with assorted dinner stuff, all neatly labeled as to what was for which night, I’d be happy enough to oblige. But after twenty-seven years, it gets old. And, at 53, I’m nowhere near done yet.
My mother’s frozen dinners are becoming more appealing by the second. In the meantime, there’s a chicken downstairs whose time has come. . .
Hi Karen,
I must confess to being shocked that you’re 53. After seeing your picture and also knowing you have an 11 year old son, I was “sure” you were no more than 43.
However, it was cool to find out we’re more “contemporaries” than I had thought. I’m 56, but I get taken for my mid-forties all the time — which is incredibly vain of me to say, but I confess I love it.
(Although when I was going through chemo I looked like I was 86!)
My husband who thinks he looks 10 years older than his years (he doesn’t) complained that I look way younger than he does.
I told him that since he had moved up in his career, I decided that instead of losing him to a future trophy wife I would simply be her! We celebrated our 36th anniversary this past July — so far, my plan is working.
Carol
P.S. Happy to hear your desk is more welcoming to you now. Now, get well, and get back to work!
Comment by Carol — November 6, 2005 @ 12:44 am
I want one of those dinner fairies. I hate cooking for 1 and things just don’t taste the same cooked in the microwave. Welcome back from the dead. I’m one of those people that is electronically challeged. I got one of those VCR/DVD combos so I wouldn’t have too many gadgets. then I got a universal remote so I wouldn’t try and figure out 2 remotes. My computer is usually pretty good as long as I don’t try another fancy with it and talk nice to it, it is nice to me.
Comment by Christa Runge — November 6, 2005 @ 5:58 am
Hi Karen, it’s me again,
I just reread what I wrote and now I know why you should “preview” before you post! Fifty-anything is not “old” in any way (I know I don’t feel anything other than solidly middle-aged, LOL) and I didn’t mean to give that impression in my post. I was just surprized to find out we’re in the same ballpark — I turn 56 later this month.
Anyway, just wanted to “edit” my message. I wonder sometimes when I’ll think of myself as “old” — on the inside, never!
Carol
Comment by Carol — November 6, 2005 @ 5:58 am
Last year for Christmas my sister got me one of those small indoor grills. I love it. For me since I’m only cooking for one it takes about 5 minutes for 2 small boneless chicken breasts. There have been times where I could make the whole meal on it. Grilled veggies are great. I also love my crock pot. I can put everything in it and spend the rest of the day reading then at supper time I have my pot of beef stew or whatever ready and the rest I just put in containers and freeze for another day.
Comment by Christa Runge — November 6, 2005 @ 5:56 pm
Since my husband IS ten years older than I am, we joke about the trophy wife thing, too. I do clean up pretty good, I have to admit, LOL! As for the caboose (I was 42 when he was born, the next youngest kid was nearly 8 years older!), well, we just tell people we couldn’t wait for grandkids, so we decided to have our own.
Since his brothers aren’t around very much, it’s very much like having an only child. His brothers all insist he’s spoiled.
I’m thinking of finally going the crockpot route this year, although then I think, Where the heck would I put the thing? Besides, I’m so used to sticking stuff in the oven or in a big pot, I’m not sure how I’d adjust. Which reminds me, I really need to think about doing a beef stew soon myself. . .
Comment by Karen Templeton — November 6, 2005 @ 7:17 pm
My sister has 2 cupboards full of those kitchen gadget. (toys) She even has one of those silly flame things to cook the sugar on top of creme brulle. My idea of dessert is a opening a can of peaches and if I want to get fancy I add ice cream or whip cream.
Comment by Christa Runge — November 7, 2005 @ 4:18 pm