If I read a book to help me with such self improvement as to become more frugal with my time and maximize my productivity, lose weight, or save money, that should help. However if self-help books really helped, why are there so many of them? One plan is in vogue and then another. People fill their bookshelves with self help books.
There is one I go back to from time to time. It was published in 1936 by Dorothea Brande, "Wake up and Live! A Formula for Success that works!" The main concept is to act as if it were impossible to fail. Instead of remembering all the times you have failed, you begin anew with no preconceived notions that you will again fail. It also delves into the ways we sabatoge our success with substitute activities.
I do wonder about the differences between those who reach their goals whatever they may be and those who never come close. Look at the commercials, the talk shows, the news. We are bombarded with another savings plan, makeovers, another weight loss plan, and yet another study. The latest weight study proposes that obese people spend more on health care. I don't think we needed a research study to prove that one. We even have reality shows about weight loss. Never in my life have I seen so much information on weight loss, yet none of it seems to work.
I don't recall a single weight loss type program when I was growing up. Of course, at that time there weren't many fast food places. There was a dairy queen near Chicago area where we lived, but it closed in the winter. In the small town in Texas where I lived as a teenager, there was only one Dairy Queen. The other places were locally owned like the Lottaburger and the Sweet Shop. For the most part, we always ate at home. We never had a "tv dinner" as they were called when they first appeared on the market. There were no artificial sweetners in soft drinks until Tab came along. I don't think I drank a diet soda till I was in my 40s. I fried chicken if we wanted fried chicken. I always bought whole milk. We'd have bacon and eggs, toast and jelly for breakfast. We had many a baked potato and varieties of recipes I made with hamburger meat. I'd never heard of romaine lettuce or any dressing but French dressing or blue cheese. Yet all those years I never weighed more than 115 pounds.
So why is there such a problem now? I did walk to school all through high school. It wasn't that far, but I carried a French Horn back and forth as well as several textbooks. In college I walked everywhere. Interestingly, I never had any food in my room, no snack box. I ate at supper and that was it. We had sit down family style meals with tablecloths, napkins and serving dishes. We filled up a table before we began eating, and left when everyone was finished. Even in the early days of my teaching and marriage, I did a lot of walking. I cooked all my meals from scratch, no boxed dinners. I take that back, there were two. We loved Chef-boy-ar-dee pizza in a box. I'd mix the dough and spread the sauce and toppings on it. The other one was those danish rolls that came in a can. I'd ice them after baking them. They were great on Saturday or Sunday morning even though they tasted more like biscuits that were supposed to be rolls. I think they still make them to this day.
Back to self-help and the book I'm rereading for the 14th time (or at least it seems that way). I don't know if the book is even still in print, and it's strange I'd even read it as I usually won't give the time of day to books like this. That's something I'll have to check out today online. I personally like the story of William James, the pscyhologist. In one of his books he mentions the idea of will using an illustration of getting out of bed on a cold morning. He doesn't want to get up and leave the warmth of the covers. Then finally he forgets about it and just gets up. Maybe I need to reread James instead of Dorothea Brande, "The Writings of William James," all 858 pages,including the 40 page annotated bibliography. Interestingly, I just opened the book to page 684, the chapter entitled "Will" where there's a crack in the binding.
You mean I wrote this entire essay to rediscover my 1977 edition of "The Writings of William James." For sure it beats any study by the CDC or any reality show on NBC and any diet plan. I think this is why I never gave much credence to books like Dorothea Brande's. I would always begin and end my reading with the famous philosophers and psychologists of the ages. But how many of us are going to plow through 800+ pages of a psychologist when we can sit and watch a reality show about losing weight and eat our popcorn and cupcakes while we watch it.
I'll be checking back later about my progress of reading again William James as well as the progress changing my life to be more productive.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
Curves: the Long Route to Exercise
Today is Friday, just another Friday in July except it is very hot and humid. I had decided I would go to Curves to exercise today as I had taken a long break during camp. I'd come home too tired; then when I finally decided for sure I'd go exercise after camp, the soles on my walking shoes had melted, or the glue melted, and they became detached. I did have a pair of old sneakers I could wear, but somehow each day I was way too tired.
So finally today the 24th of July, I decided to go to Curves, a different location from the last one. According to mapquest it was going to take me ten minutes, door to door. So I start out in the car and decide to fill the tank on the way as I was flat on empty. I get to the nearby intersection to go to Curves, make a left turn, drive about a mile and it suddenly is bumper to bumper traffic. No, I better turn around and go back to the nearest gas station. So this is what I do, but I only put in $10.00 worth since gas is a little higher at this station.
Now for my second start. I'll go the other route, which would not be much further, but possibly less traffic. It turns out there isn't much traffic, but it is further. Finally I arrive at Curves at 2:40. Unfortunately, it is closed from 1:00 until 3:00 though it didn't say that on the website. A few minutes later a girl gets out of her car and unlocks the door. She turns on the music and tells me I can go ahead and begin.
I sign in as their computer is down so my card won't work. I go free because of the Senior Sneakers Plan through AARP. I like the ambiance of this location better than the other one. Also there are all these notes around and displays on the wall, hopefully to inspire the reluctant member. I then begin, and as I go around the circle I notice that they charge $1.00 for bottled water and don't have a water fountain. I still don't like the music they play, but I begin my routine. I am the only one there other than the receptionist who unlocked the door. I do my entire thirty minute routine, wondering if this can possibly help me lose a few pounds. It's a good start I tell myself.
I was determined to get there today, in spite of driving in traffic, stopping for gas, taking two different routes, and finding Curves closed when I got there. I finished up in about thirty minutes, got in my car and decided to return home. I tried the another route home, by the middle school where my son went years ago and where I from time to time substitute teach. As I'm driving the familiar route I notice how it has changed over the years, stop signs at nearly every intersection, new condos, most houses renovated, even the school. I keep trying to make some kind of use of this long trip to and from Curves to exercise for thirty minutes. There is no unusual traffic driving home so it does take me about ten minutes. I listen to PBS and enjoy the cool air conditioning, wishing I'd brought a water bottle with me. I refused to pay $1.00 for water since my Curves membership is otherwise free.
Though nothing particularly memorable comes from the "tour de Curves" today, I did get there and back and accomplish my goal. My weight was the least delightful moment, but I comforted myself that I weighed with my shoes on, and it's the middle of the day. Probably my weight is about the same it was when I first joined Curves before camp and went only three times. I do think it takes more than three times to see any changes. So I have begun again.
Surely exercise isn't this hard for every other woman sixty-six years old! Today I definitely took the long route to exercise including my detour and gas fill-up, plus six weeks off since I first began in June. Maybe congress will pass a bill that requires everyone to exercise daily in order to get health insurance, and it's all stored away on our health profile. Then we are taxed higher if we haven't exercised.
So finally today the 24th of July, I decided to go to Curves, a different location from the last one. According to mapquest it was going to take me ten minutes, door to door. So I start out in the car and decide to fill the tank on the way as I was flat on empty. I get to the nearby intersection to go to Curves, make a left turn, drive about a mile and it suddenly is bumper to bumper traffic. No, I better turn around and go back to the nearest gas station. So this is what I do, but I only put in $10.00 worth since gas is a little higher at this station.
Now for my second start. I'll go the other route, which would not be much further, but possibly less traffic. It turns out there isn't much traffic, but it is further. Finally I arrive at Curves at 2:40. Unfortunately, it is closed from 1:00 until 3:00 though it didn't say that on the website. A few minutes later a girl gets out of her car and unlocks the door. She turns on the music and tells me I can go ahead and begin.
I sign in as their computer is down so my card won't work. I go free because of the Senior Sneakers Plan through AARP. I like the ambiance of this location better than the other one. Also there are all these notes around and displays on the wall, hopefully to inspire the reluctant member. I then begin, and as I go around the circle I notice that they charge $1.00 for bottled water and don't have a water fountain. I still don't like the music they play, but I begin my routine. I am the only one there other than the receptionist who unlocked the door. I do my entire thirty minute routine, wondering if this can possibly help me lose a few pounds. It's a good start I tell myself.
I was determined to get there today, in spite of driving in traffic, stopping for gas, taking two different routes, and finding Curves closed when I got there. I finished up in about thirty minutes, got in my car and decided to return home. I tried the another route home, by the middle school where my son went years ago and where I from time to time substitute teach. As I'm driving the familiar route I notice how it has changed over the years, stop signs at nearly every intersection, new condos, most houses renovated, even the school. I keep trying to make some kind of use of this long trip to and from Curves to exercise for thirty minutes. There is no unusual traffic driving home so it does take me about ten minutes. I listen to PBS and enjoy the cool air conditioning, wishing I'd brought a water bottle with me. I refused to pay $1.00 for water since my Curves membership is otherwise free.
Though nothing particularly memorable comes from the "tour de Curves" today, I did get there and back and accomplish my goal. My weight was the least delightful moment, but I comforted myself that I weighed with my shoes on, and it's the middle of the day. Probably my weight is about the same it was when I first joined Curves before camp and went only three times. I do think it takes more than three times to see any changes. So I have begun again.
Surely exercise isn't this hard for every other woman sixty-six years old! Today I definitely took the long route to exercise including my detour and gas fill-up, plus six weeks off since I first began in June. Maybe congress will pass a bill that requires everyone to exercise daily in order to get health insurance, and it's all stored away on our health profile. Then we are taxed higher if we haven't exercised.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Credit Card Late Fee and Shoes, the Outcome
The late fees bothered me considerably because I've never had late fees. Today Bank of America gave me a $29 credit to cover the late fee with Chase. So now all the late fees have been reversed. However, I am still contemplating cancelling my Chase card. They tried to tell me the advantage of the card, no annual fee, low interest of 4%, and I said, "But you charged me a $29.00 late fee." She again said they couldn't do anything about the late fee, but they can set up automatic payment or other options to make sure the payment gets there on time. I responded that I was going to cancel both cards as for some reason I have two Chase cards. At some point the cards were different companies then taken over by Chase. She very politely said that was up to me but reminded me again of the benefits of a Chase card. I reminded her again that they charged me a late fee. Finally this merry-go-round ended when I told her I would let the final payment clear in the next day or two then I'll cancel both cards.
Something needs to be done about these ridiculous late fees banks charge. I can understand a $5.00 late fee, but $29.00 and then interest on the late fee if you don't pay off the bill. No wonder there are so many foreclosures. I think the credit cards are the only ones making money. I'm in the wrong business. I think I will start charging parents a late fee if their kids' homework is late. I'm going to bill the State of Georgia a $29.00 late fee plus interest for sending my Georgia income tax refund in July. Must we carry this late fee to the point of the absurd.
So much for the credit card late fee. Fortunately, that will soon be two less credit cards I have in my name. Now to the shoes that melted in the car. I had planned to go to the gym after camp so took my walking shoes with me. Unfortunately, the sole detached completely from the shoes. I have had a nice letter from New Balance, that the problem probably wasn't the heat but something they call dry rot.
"Typically with older styles they have been stored at a retailer or in your home for long periods of time. What may have happened to your shoes is something called dry rot. Dry rot is the oxidation of the rubber compounds in shoe outsoles. It happens over long periods of time if the shoe remains un-worn. The rubber begins to dry out and when the shoes are finally worn, the sole can crumble/separate away from the upper/or become sticky. In order to prevent dry-rot, we recommend rotating your shoes if you own multiple pairs of the same model, or wearing your shoes as often as you can."
I am at least glad to find out what the problem may have been and that it wasn't so much that they were left in the car. I was surprised though with their willingness to replace them. "If you are unable to repair the shoes locally, we would be happy to make a one time exception and issue you a return authorization so your shoes can be replaced."
One amazing thing I found out online when looking at new shoes prior to my response from New Balance is there is a walking shoe ww927 that Medicare will cover. It has a medicare code and is listed as a diabetic shoe. I wonder if people even know this is available. I doubt I would qualify for Medicare to cover the shoe since I don't have diabetes. However, my feet do overpronate and I have had care in the past from a podiatrist and orthopedic surgeon.
I guess all of this confusion the last week was a learning experience. First I won't leave my shoes in the car and I will definitely wear them more frequently so they don't get dry rot. Also I will make sure every bill I have is on my online banker; and regardless of how tired I may be that day, I will pay the bills as soon as they come in. The good news is I will have fewer credit cards in a few days. The other thing I have learned is this is not age related. Yes, I am older, but anyone, any age might have a late fee once in their life or leave their shoes in the car. So now it's time to move on and write about what I learned from camp this year.
In the mean time, maybe I should start an application on Facebook, "Speak to the Credit Cards about their obscene late fee charges." I bet I'd have a million followers in 24 hours.
Something needs to be done about these ridiculous late fees banks charge. I can understand a $5.00 late fee, but $29.00 and then interest on the late fee if you don't pay off the bill. No wonder there are so many foreclosures. I think the credit cards are the only ones making money. I'm in the wrong business. I think I will start charging parents a late fee if their kids' homework is late. I'm going to bill the State of Georgia a $29.00 late fee plus interest for sending my Georgia income tax refund in July. Must we carry this late fee to the point of the absurd.
So much for the credit card late fee. Fortunately, that will soon be two less credit cards I have in my name. Now to the shoes that melted in the car. I had planned to go to the gym after camp so took my walking shoes with me. Unfortunately, the sole detached completely from the shoes. I have had a nice letter from New Balance, that the problem probably wasn't the heat but something they call dry rot.
"Typically with older styles they have been stored at a retailer or in your home for long periods of time. What may have happened to your shoes is something called dry rot. Dry rot is the oxidation of the rubber compounds in shoe outsoles. It happens over long periods of time if the shoe remains un-worn. The rubber begins to dry out and when the shoes are finally worn, the sole can crumble/separate away from the upper/or become sticky. In order to prevent dry-rot, we recommend rotating your shoes if you own multiple pairs of the same model, or wearing your shoes as often as you can."
I am at least glad to find out what the problem may have been and that it wasn't so much that they were left in the car. I was surprised though with their willingness to replace them. "If you are unable to repair the shoes locally, we would be happy to make a one time exception and issue you a return authorization so your shoes can be replaced."
One amazing thing I found out online when looking at new shoes prior to my response from New Balance is there is a walking shoe ww927 that Medicare will cover. It has a medicare code and is listed as a diabetic shoe. I wonder if people even know this is available. I doubt I would qualify for Medicare to cover the shoe since I don't have diabetes. However, my feet do overpronate and I have had care in the past from a podiatrist and orthopedic surgeon.
I guess all of this confusion the last week was a learning experience. First I won't leave my shoes in the car and I will definitely wear them more frequently so they don't get dry rot. Also I will make sure every bill I have is on my online banker; and regardless of how tired I may be that day, I will pay the bills as soon as they come in. The good news is I will have fewer credit cards in a few days. The other thing I have learned is this is not age related. Yes, I am older, but anyone, any age might have a late fee once in their life or leave their shoes in the car. So now it's time to move on and write about what I learned from camp this year.
In the mean time, maybe I should start an application on Facebook, "Speak to the Credit Cards about their obscene late fee charges." I bet I'd have a million followers in 24 hours.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
After Camp
Finally, the house is cleaned up after a month off of domestic duties at home. All the camp supplies are put away, and the house is cleaner than ever. Only thing left to do is a little ironing and I'll do that tomorrow.
Meanwhile, to my dismay, I had late charges for bills to AT&T, MXEnergy and Chase Credit Card. Now that is unbelievable. I simply don't know how this has happened. I'm just about to get it all straightened out. I have gotten the charges reversed with AT&T and MXEnergy. I'm still working on the Chase card late fee of $29.00 on $109.85 bill that was due two days ago.
I guess that says my head wasn't exactly about bills lately. Anything that isn't in my online banking is likely to get lost though it has never happened before. I have never had a late fee on a credit card. Usually this credit card I have something like a $.95 credit as I don't us it often.
Anyway, I'm on the phone to the bank to see if they can reverse the late charge as they said they could do in an e-mail today because the e-bill was received late. I've already called Chase and they refused to reverse the late fee. So far no luck. Bank of America had someone from Chase on the line and they said I wasn't eligible for the fee to be reversed. Oh well, first lesson in a late fee. Now if I had started cleaning the house by cleaning the study first I would have found the bill on June 13, before the bill was due on June 14.
So always start cleaning the house in your study first, especially the desk! In the meantime, I guess I just had a $29.00 lesson in billpay.
Meanwhile, to my dismay, I had late charges for bills to AT&T, MXEnergy and Chase Credit Card. Now that is unbelievable. I simply don't know how this has happened. I'm just about to get it all straightened out. I have gotten the charges reversed with AT&T and MXEnergy. I'm still working on the Chase card late fee of $29.00 on $109.85 bill that was due two days ago.
I guess that says my head wasn't exactly about bills lately. Anything that isn't in my online banking is likely to get lost though it has never happened before. I have never had a late fee on a credit card. Usually this credit card I have something like a $.95 credit as I don't us it often.
Anyway, I'm on the phone to the bank to see if they can reverse the late charge as they said they could do in an e-mail today because the e-bill was received late. I've already called Chase and they refused to reverse the late fee. So far no luck. Bank of America had someone from Chase on the line and they said I wasn't eligible for the fee to be reversed. Oh well, first lesson in a late fee. Now if I had started cleaning the house by cleaning the study first I would have found the bill on June 13, before the bill was due on June 14.
So always start cleaning the house in your study first, especially the desk! In the meantime, I guess I just had a $29.00 lesson in billpay.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Acting 101
My class is Acting 101, and you'd think after the past twelve summers of teaching the class it would all be second nature to me. I wouldn't have to prepare or even think about what I'm doing. Unfortunately, that is not the case. I always put off getting the acting class ready until just before camp begins.
I get all my materials out including folders of various stories from Aesops to Greek or Roman myths, previous lesson plans, dozens of scripts the kids have written over the years, various books that would make a good short play. I always try to do something we didn't do the previous year. Since we performed "Anansi" last year, we may do "Curious George" this year. I always use some of the fairy tales and Aesop fables for practice of taking a story and turning it into a script. We only use improvisation, and the scripts are never written down unless I decide to do so after the play has come together or if I start getting really nervous the last week that we'll never get it together unless I write a script. Fortunately, that script is never accepted by a single child.
I'm almost ready to begin final preparations though today I have done everything imaginable to postpone working on my plans. I've taken pictures of my supplies on the bed and the table. I've downloaded them to my computer. I've posted them on my blog. I've changed sheets, made stack of washing to do, sharpened pencils, eaten breakfast and lunch, drank more coffee and a coke, taken extra care to put on make-up and fix up like I'm going somewhere. Now I only have this evening left because I have frittered the whole day away doing everything else, and camp begins tomorrow.
I need to get a grip on this so I won't go in there tomorrow in the frame of mind that we have to learn a script and perform it in two weeks; and we better hurry, and no one can be absent or change classes; and I'm the boss and whatever other nonsense enters my brain. No, it takes preparation to get in the theatre state of mind, in the creative spirit.
I find Viola Spolin is helpful with getting the teacher ready. I also read through some of my notes from previous years. Instead of working on the actual plans, I have to first work on myself and become the playwright/director and think like a child for a few hours. The reward of course, is I find these kids know what to do if I have the right environment and materials and encouragement. It's not about me or performance, but about them and developing them as actors. Once I let go of "the performance" angle, and turn the class over to the best in all of us, the magic happens.
The class becomes a microcosm of society. We have the leaders and the followers. There are some kids that no one wants in their group. There are always one or two who have all the ideas of what we should do and who should do it and they may even get an attitude if they don't get their way. There are the clowns who are there to show off and the ones who almost cry if called on. Some love it, and some act like this is the worst experience of their life until they find their voice, their script, their group. Then the same bored child lights up with enthusiasm.
It makes you wonder if the United Nations should have Acting 101 where they learn to work together and share ideas. For sure, these kids are never the same from the first day to the day we go on stage. But every year I always have these same fears that this year nothing will happen. None of us will have any ideas or I'll forget what to do with the kids or I'll have a nervous breakdown at dress rehearsal because everyone wants to wear the same dress or someone at the last minute decides he's not going to be in the performance.
I suppose this comes with the territory, so for now I will put all my procrastination aside and go to work, beginning with reading from Viola Spolin's, "Improvisation for the Theater."
I get all my materials out including folders of various stories from Aesops to Greek or Roman myths, previous lesson plans, dozens of scripts the kids have written over the years, various books that would make a good short play. I always try to do something we didn't do the previous year. Since we performed "Anansi" last year, we may do "Curious George" this year. I always use some of the fairy tales and Aesop fables for practice of taking a story and turning it into a script. We only use improvisation, and the scripts are never written down unless I decide to do so after the play has come together or if I start getting really nervous the last week that we'll never get it together unless I write a script. Fortunately, that script is never accepted by a single child.
I'm almost ready to begin final preparations though today I have done everything imaginable to postpone working on my plans. I've taken pictures of my supplies on the bed and the table. I've downloaded them to my computer. I've posted them on my blog. I've changed sheets, made stack of washing to do, sharpened pencils, eaten breakfast and lunch, drank more coffee and a coke, taken extra care to put on make-up and fix up like I'm going somewhere. Now I only have this evening left because I have frittered the whole day away doing everything else, and camp begins tomorrow.
I need to get a grip on this so I won't go in there tomorrow in the frame of mind that we have to learn a script and perform it in two weeks; and we better hurry, and no one can be absent or change classes; and I'm the boss and whatever other nonsense enters my brain. No, it takes preparation to get in the theatre state of mind, in the creative spirit.
I find Viola Spolin is helpful with getting the teacher ready. I also read through some of my notes from previous years. Instead of working on the actual plans, I have to first work on myself and become the playwright/director and think like a child for a few hours. The reward of course, is I find these kids know what to do if I have the right environment and materials and encouragement. It's not about me or performance, but about them and developing them as actors. Once I let go of "the performance" angle, and turn the class over to the best in all of us, the magic happens.
The class becomes a microcosm of society. We have the leaders and the followers. There are some kids that no one wants in their group. There are always one or two who have all the ideas of what we should do and who should do it and they may even get an attitude if they don't get their way. There are the clowns who are there to show off and the ones who almost cry if called on. Some love it, and some act like this is the worst experience of their life until they find their voice, their script, their group. Then the same bored child lights up with enthusiasm.
It makes you wonder if the United Nations should have Acting 101 where they learn to work together and share ideas. For sure, these kids are never the same from the first day to the day we go on stage. But every year I always have these same fears that this year nothing will happen. None of us will have any ideas or I'll forget what to do with the kids or I'll have a nervous breakdown at dress rehearsal because everyone wants to wear the same dress or someone at the last minute decides he's not going to be in the performance.
I suppose this comes with the territory, so for now I will put all my procrastination aside and go to work, beginning with reading from Viola Spolin's, "Improvisation for the Theater."
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Camping for Seniors
Probably you are thinking this is about camping in an RV or going to some resort park and camping out. I am sixty-six years old and I've always been a camper when it comes to summer camp; however, I've never stayed in a tent or at any kind of trailer. No, I'm talking about church camps, Girl Scout camps, school camps. I'm still camping. It's a summer camp for 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th grade boys and girls, mostly in the arts and sciences. It's not quite summer school, and it's not quite a sports camp as we do have various subjects that we learn. I mean "we" because every summer I learn something different.
Today is D-Day as camp begins Monday. I still need to go get a few supplies though much is already bought. I tend to start buying staples about March when I see a good price on them. I bought notebooks last summer for this summer when they all went on sale on the cheap. I also have all the gluesticks, crayons, markers, pencils and things we may use making our cookbooks.
That's right, I teach cooking to kids. It's not exactly chemistry at MIT, but the kids love it. Amazingly, such things as turning on the blender or the mixer or cracking an egg is a real hit. Sifting is always a favorite. We even cut with knives, very well supervised I might say and one at a time. Sometimes we get extreme likes and dislikes, for instance the little girl who said she was going to die if we didn't make beignets again this year or the little boy who never ate anything we made. I'm always surprised that they're hungry any time of day, just before lunch, just after lunch, last class, first class. They always want to take something home for their mother or their brother or their grandmother. They want to take samples to their next teacher. The most favorite task is getting to take some crepes or snickerdoodles to the camp director or to another teacher. They love it when the camp teachers stop in for a sample.
We've had a crisis or two over the years from someone having a severe allergic attack to peanuts when he didn't eat them or touch them, but was only exposed to peanuts in the room. We've had a few who have wanted seconds, thirds, fourths so we talk about eating sweets in moderation. We have various ethnic groups so someone from India may want us to make mango lassi or some tell me they can't have meat. Some tell me they are lactose intolerant, but they can have a few cookies or smoothies today. I'm ususally the only one who burns myself, cuts myself or is otherwise "injured."
This year I have made an oath to God, man and country and everyone I meet that I will not be bringing any cookies, pies, cupcakes, pizza, beignets or any other leftovers home. I will distribute all at the end of the day to other campers or the teachers. I tell myself I will put them in the freezer and they will last for months, but any snickerdoodles or shortbread I put in the freezer I have soon eaten up. In that I'm trying so hard to lose weight, extra food at camp will be counterproductive of all the exercise I get.
Did I just mention exercise? By the time I carry all the supplies in everyday, even if I park at the front door, it is quite a bit of walking and carrying. Then I have to go park my car at the nearby parking lot either in front or back of the school. It's then a nice little hike back to my classroom which is downstairs. Then I have to go upstairs to greet the campers, then back downstairs with the campers. We switch classes every hour, and with no prep time between classes except at lunch, I'm busier than a one-armed paper hanger helping kids cook and cleaning up the kitchen. We have no dishwasher though we have a huge classroom with many large tables that all have outlets. There are about seven sinks and lots of plugs. On the countertops we have two small refrigerators, a convection oven, a microwave oven plus every appliance known to man that I bring from home are on some of the cabinets. We also have a fire extinguisher and our very own shower in case there is a chemical spill. That's right, we have turned a chemistry lab into our camp kitchen. Who needs a stove when we have two pizelle makers, a quesadilla maker, a waffle iron, an electric skillet, a grease buddy for deep frying, two crepe makers, a toaster oven and lots of children ready to go. I must say, the convection oven is right up there with my favorite appliance, and the microwave is so great for melting butter, chocolate or heating up things quickly.
I have stalled the inevitable long enough. It is time to go get the chocolate and a few other necessities for next week. Then this evening I hope to devote to preparation for the two acting classes. Is this the year to attempt "Curious George Goes to the Hospital" and Beatrix Potter "Peter Rabbit" or do we go for Greek and Roman myths or Aesop fables again. I'm wondering if the small child who was there last year will return. For three days she wouldn't speak, and then she discovered a pig nose someone had made one year for part of their costume and all she wanted to do was wear it. So I let her. Within a short period, you would have never known she spent three days as a mute, too fearful to be in any activities. Acting is tonight; for now it's off to the store. Nothing is simple, however. Do I go to Kroger or Sam's Club or try Costco this year? Camp pays for everything so does it matter really where I go? That's me, I'm going to save money whoever's money it may be. Even my Daddy said, "We'll never get the Scotch out of you." But then really, why not get notebooks on sale for a dime instead of waiting till they are a dollar a piece!!!
Today is D-Day as camp begins Monday. I still need to go get a few supplies though much is already bought. I tend to start buying staples about March when I see a good price on them. I bought notebooks last summer for this summer when they all went on sale on the cheap. I also have all the gluesticks, crayons, markers, pencils and things we may use making our cookbooks.
That's right, I teach cooking to kids. It's not exactly chemistry at MIT, but the kids love it. Amazingly, such things as turning on the blender or the mixer or cracking an egg is a real hit. Sifting is always a favorite. We even cut with knives, very well supervised I might say and one at a time. Sometimes we get extreme likes and dislikes, for instance the little girl who said she was going to die if we didn't make beignets again this year or the little boy who never ate anything we made. I'm always surprised that they're hungry any time of day, just before lunch, just after lunch, last class, first class. They always want to take something home for their mother or their brother or their grandmother. They want to take samples to their next teacher. The most favorite task is getting to take some crepes or snickerdoodles to the camp director or to another teacher. They love it when the camp teachers stop in for a sample.
We've had a crisis or two over the years from someone having a severe allergic attack to peanuts when he didn't eat them or touch them, but was only exposed to peanuts in the room. We've had a few who have wanted seconds, thirds, fourths so we talk about eating sweets in moderation. We have various ethnic groups so someone from India may want us to make mango lassi or some tell me they can't have meat. Some tell me they are lactose intolerant, but they can have a few cookies or smoothies today. I'm ususally the only one who burns myself, cuts myself or is otherwise "injured."
This year I have made an oath to God, man and country and everyone I meet that I will not be bringing any cookies, pies, cupcakes, pizza, beignets or any other leftovers home. I will distribute all at the end of the day to other campers or the teachers. I tell myself I will put them in the freezer and they will last for months, but any snickerdoodles or shortbread I put in the freezer I have soon eaten up. In that I'm trying so hard to lose weight, extra food at camp will be counterproductive of all the exercise I get.
Did I just mention exercise? By the time I carry all the supplies in everyday, even if I park at the front door, it is quite a bit of walking and carrying. Then I have to go park my car at the nearby parking lot either in front or back of the school. It's then a nice little hike back to my classroom which is downstairs. Then I have to go upstairs to greet the campers, then back downstairs with the campers. We switch classes every hour, and with no prep time between classes except at lunch, I'm busier than a one-armed paper hanger helping kids cook and cleaning up the kitchen. We have no dishwasher though we have a huge classroom with many large tables that all have outlets. There are about seven sinks and lots of plugs. On the countertops we have two small refrigerators, a convection oven, a microwave oven plus every appliance known to man that I bring from home are on some of the cabinets. We also have a fire extinguisher and our very own shower in case there is a chemical spill. That's right, we have turned a chemistry lab into our camp kitchen. Who needs a stove when we have two pizelle makers, a quesadilla maker, a waffle iron, an electric skillet, a grease buddy for deep frying, two crepe makers, a toaster oven and lots of children ready to go. I must say, the convection oven is right up there with my favorite appliance, and the microwave is so great for melting butter, chocolate or heating up things quickly.
I have stalled the inevitable long enough. It is time to go get the chocolate and a few other necessities for next week. Then this evening I hope to devote to preparation for the two acting classes. Is this the year to attempt "Curious George Goes to the Hospital" and Beatrix Potter "Peter Rabbit" or do we go for Greek and Roman myths or Aesop fables again. I'm wondering if the small child who was there last year will return. For three days she wouldn't speak, and then she discovered a pig nose someone had made one year for part of their costume and all she wanted to do was wear it. So I let her. Within a short period, you would have never known she spent three days as a mute, too fearful to be in any activities. Acting is tonight; for now it's off to the store. Nothing is simple, however. Do I go to Kroger or Sam's Club or try Costco this year? Camp pays for everything so does it matter really where I go? That's me, I'm going to save money whoever's money it may be. Even my Daddy said, "We'll never get the Scotch out of you." But then really, why not get notebooks on sale for a dime instead of waiting till they are a dollar a piece!!!
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