They'll be singing until

Post #228,934 by bionerd 10/10/05 1:33:04 PM Reply	They'll be singing until they find out they have to go into daycare before and after school. I have to cushion that blow by telling them they'll get an increase in their allowance since I'm making more money. It'll all work out. Right? Jesus was a star last week. Now he's tending bar on Melrose. Welcome to Hollywood.
Post #228,955 by warmachine 10/10/05 3:56:32 PM Reply	Oh, dear. Doubt. You want to be in a job you like as fast as possible. I suspect a long period of unemployment or a dead end job would destroy you. It would certainly destroy me. Any child would suffer under a mother with wrecked finances and self-esteem. So, you'll have less time with them. That means you leave work on time for the 'quality time appointment' and that's non-negotiable. Work will have to be taken home and completed when they're asleep. Maybe the daycare can be sold as a chance to meet other friends. At their age, they should be less dependent on parents but you understand that infinitely better than I do. Maybe you can tell your son he has to look after his sister. Failing that, there's always the mobile 'phone. At the risk of insulting you, never be tempted to replace MacDonalds for cooking. A new cookbook might save time. Matthew Greet Choose Life. Choose a job. Choose a career. Choose a family. Choose a fucking big television, choose washing machines, cars, compact disc players and electrical tin openers. Choose good health, low cholesterol, and dental insurance. Choose fixed interest mortgage repayments. Choose a starter home. Choose your friends. Choose leisurewear and matching luggage. Choose DIY and wondering who the fuck you are on a Sunday morning. Choose sitting on that couch watching mind-numbing, spirit-crushing game shows, stuffing fucking junk food into your mouth. Choose rotting away at the end of it all, pishing your last in a miserable home, nothing more than an embarrassment to the selfish, fucked up brats you spawned to replace yourself. Choose your future. Choose life... But why would I want to do a thing like that? I chose not to choose life. I chose somethin' else. And the reasons? There are no reasons. Who needs reasons when you've got heroin? - Mark Renton, Trainspotting.
Post #228,957 by drewk 10/10/05 4:05:14 PM Reply	Rachel Ray [link\|http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/show_tm\|http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/show_tm] Everything from scratch in under 30 minutes. It's how I cook. I hate when the prep takes longer than the eating. === Purveyor of Doc Hope's [link\|http://DocHope.com\|fresh-baked dog biscuits and pet treats]. [link\|http://DocHope.com\|http://DocHope.com]
Post #228,960 by Yendor 10/10/05 4:19:00 PM Reply	That's "Rachael" ...and she looks as good in person as she does on TV. :) Giada's got some good recipes as well, you know. Not necessarily as quick, but damn tasty. -YendorMike "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Benjamin Franklin, 1759 Historical Review of Pennsylvania
Post #228,969 by drewk 10/10/05 5:00:10 PM Reply	My father-in-law can't stand her: too cheery === Purveyor of Doc Hope's [link\|http://DocHope.com\|fresh-baked dog biscuits and pet treats]. [link\|http://DocHope.com\|http://DocHope.com]
Post #228,990 by bionerd 10/10/05 6:55:46 PM Reply	She is awfully perky, isnt she? But I like her shows.She's cool. I should go pick up one of her 30 min meal cookbooks. Good idea. Thanks. Jesus was a star last week. Now he's tending bar on Melrose. Welcome to Hollywood.
Post #230,061 by inthane-chan 10/19/05 12:34:40 PM Reply	Wow, that would never work for me. I inhale food; I'm usually done with dinner in five minutes. When somebody asks you to trade your freedom for security, it isn't your security they're talking about.
Post #228,989 by bionerd 10/10/05 6:52:05 PM Reply	Dont worry. I'm not insulted Thanks for the pep talk. As we pulled into McDonalds tonight my son told me, "no offense, but you're a really bad cook." Gee, thanks, kid. shut up and eat your nuggets and apples. In my defense, I'm not a bad cook. I just hate to cook. So I dont make elaborate meals too often. But you're right. My time is going to be limited, and to me, spending time with my kids is more important than slaving away in the kitchen. So I have to prioritize, make choices, and get really organized. This is when my anal type-A personality is going to come in handy. Jesus was a star last week. Now he's tending bar on Melrose. Welcome to Hollywood.
Post #229,011 by Yendor 10/10/05 9:59:44 PM Reply	Marinating is your friend. Most meats can be marinated for extended periods, and they end up tasting better for it. Some of the tougher cuts of steak (read: cheaper), like flank and brisket, require long cooking times, and are actually helped along by a good marinade. Try this for starters: Juice of 1/2 lime 1/4 cup soy or worcestershire sauce (or both!) 2-4 cloves garlic, crushed 1 green onion (white and green parts), chopped 2 tbsp honey flank steak 1-gal Ziploc bag Combine all food items in Ziploc bag. Let soak overnight. Toss on grill (or grill pan) for 4-7 minutes per side, depending on how well done you like it. Remove from grill pan. Let rest 10 minutes. Cut on the bias against the grain. Serve with rice and sliced carrots. If you like, make a brown sugar glaze for the carrots (1 tbsp melted butter, and melt in 1 tbsp packed brown sugar.) Another thing that's good for cooking is a crock pot. Yes, they're so 1970's. But ya know what? Like fondue, they're good. So go get yourself a beef brisket. Toss it in your crock pot with an inch or two of water. Chop up a white or yellow onion, two if they're small. Toss in a few rough-chopped carrots. Celery is good, too. Turn your crock pot on low (should be 8-10 hours cook time) before you leave for work. If you have a breadmaker, set that up to have your bread ready when you arrive home. Your kids will love walking into a house that smells of both fresh bread and pot roast that's been cooking all day. -YendorMike "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Benjamin Franklin, 1759 Historical Review of Pennsylvania
Post #229,012 by imqwerky 10/10/05 10:39:01 PM Reply	Don't forget the beer! One for the cook and one for the brisket. Or, in my house, take large swig before pouring the rest on the brisket. Meat tenderizer/flavor enhancer without all that MSG. (Hiccup) Mighty fine! Save a piece for me :-D Amy Oh Freddled Gruntbuggly!
Post #229,092 by bionerd 10/11/05 12:01:22 PM Reply	Mmmm. Beer. Jesus was a star last week. Now he's tending bar on Melrose. Welcome to Hollywood.
Post #229,090 by bionerd 10/11/05 12:00:12 PM Reply	MEAT?!? Remember who you're talking to here! I do cook it up for the kids on occassion, so I'll give your recipes a try. Great idea about the crock pot and bread maker. I have both and wouldnt have thought about pulling them out. It will be so nice to come home to a fully cooked meal. Almost like having a maid! Thanks! Jesus was a star last week. Now he's tending bar on Melrose. Welcome to Hollywood.
Post #229,099 by Yendor 10/11/05 12:14:29 PM Reply	Yes, meat. (new thread) Created as new thread #229098 titled [link\|/forums/render/content/show?contentid=229098\|Yes, meat.] -YendorMike "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Benjamin Franklin, 1759 Historical Review of Pennsylvania
Post #229,404 by gdaustin 10/12/05 10:17:39 PM Reply	Good / Simple Meals Buy a Crock Pot. There are these Crock Pot Classics for about $5, sometimes $4 on sale. My wife works and we get one about once a week. I scramble eggs, cook bacon, and put all of it in a tortilla with some hot sauce. Pre-made salad bags, about $1.50 to $2. Cantelopes are still in season in Texas, they don't last an hour in the house with a 5, 8, and 10 year old. Frozen pizza, but we buy the "good" kind, or supplement it with extra cheese. My wife and I like the stir fry skillet chinese, but the kids don't. Ask for a "George Foreman" grill for Christmas and some pre-patted hamburger meat. Of course, all this assumes that you're not a vegaterian or some other dietary restrictions for you or the kids.
Post #228,975 by cforde 10/10/05 5:39:02 PM Reply	with a positive attitude and support it will daycare is a very poor substitute for a parent (or trusted relative). Do what you have to, but if you can arrange some after school activities, sports, clubs, friends... all the better Have fun, Carl Forde
Post #228,979 by ben_tilly 10/10/05 6:09:45 PM Reply	You will do your best and they will thrive Kids are far more resiliant than guilty parents fear. Just make sure that your kids don't see the allowance increase as being directly tied to not seeing you. Not, for instance, a sign that you're feeling guilty. I'd specifically suggest breaking the news of the allowance increase and the extra daycare on separate occasions. Cheers, Ben I have come to believe that idealism without discipline is a quick road to disaster, while discipline without idealism is pointless. -- Aaron Ward (my brother)

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