3 Paws Saloon Attic

Sorry, Jadeite, I tried to take pictures  but hardly any came out, my phone was acting very wonky. According to our waitress that's 'normal'. "It's almost like the building decides what you can shoot," she smiled. Might be so, because none of the 'people' pics I took came out.  

Jess and Jan (her boyfriend) took me to South Moon, housed inside historical Gray's Mill.  Built in 1853, its original purpose was as a water-powered turbine flour mill on the Fox River. It operated until 1916, when ice in the river destroyed the dam. Electricity allowed the mill a replacement power source until it shut down in 1922. For the next several decades, the mill stood empty. In 1945, Ernest Anfinsen purchased the building to manufacture automotive parts. The building was again abandoned following Anfinsen's death in 1971. It was acknowledged as a historic site and was renovated in 1976.

It's a weird combination of restaurant/beer garden, museum bits, and an arcade, right on the river.  Main floor, dining room (which was closed when we went), downstairs; bar (which also serves food), and one of the upper levels houses an old time arcade.  We got to sit by a cozy fireplace, and I was seriously in awe of their tres elegant table settings - 'napkins' were a roll of paper towels - seriously. Country dining at it's finest, that prides itself on it's sauces: you can purchase some to take home in pint mason jars. 

They had a fried potato salad (I didn't care for it) whose blurb read "Kick your mother in the teeth", and a sandwich billed as "only for the hungriest" called the Chuck Norris.  Jess and I ordered the ribs, and Jan got something called 'the Steve' which was a combo of pork and brat on the same bun. He used a lot of Nitro sauce on it (glutton for punishment?) We had Cajun fries and fried pickles, for our appetizers and sides. Which also struck me odd, no sides were included with the meal, everything was ala cart.  Both Jan and Jess have eaten there before an warned me the portions are HUGE, so we just ordered the appetizers for the table, and shared them.  'HUGE' was not the right word for the slab of ribs plunked down in front of me. Try HUMONGOUS!  I only managed to eat 5 of them (ribs not slabs lol). So, dinner's in the fridge. 

I was also given a bouquet of pink hydrangeas.  So all in all a very nice birthday.

Val, you've got to make another trip back just to explore that place. It sounds fascinating. I love historic places.

How strange that the people photos didn't turn out. Which reminds me: I must get T-Rex to download my photos from Singapore. I took lots of food shots. Haha - you can tell where my priorities were.

That's a huge slab of ribs. What was it from? It's like a T-Rex portion - side of brontosaurus! You got takeaway for dinner too - that's good.

Great to hear you enjoyed your birthday. It's about time you had good things happen to you. And flowers too - that's perfect.

BIG hug to you from T-Rex, me and the bears.

Val,

I'm worried about you!

No, not eating the ribs all by yourself (that would feel like drawing out your birthday for an extra day). That's a good thing. 

These flashes of rage - are they getting more frequent and more confrontational or do you think they'll abate, once things start to settle down? Has Kirby's reaction to Jerome changed?

Sorry Val, only questions and no answers (frustrating).

One more question - Has his mental state deteriorated with a change in medication?

Of course, you don't have to answer this. Not here anyway.

Please take care.

I'm not a 100% sure, but I think I'm closer to solving what's wrong with Jerome.  To answer T-Rex, no Jerome has always had some anger/ paranoid issues, although usually not for days on end, just 'normal' (for lack of a better term) flare ups that you could say 'ok because of x happening he's frustrated', and it would ease up.  I think currently it's a culmination of things, and with his tendency to go to the dark side of the moon it's all amplified. Apparently, he's having issues with the girlfriend. Sounds like the makings of a break up that should have happened long ago.  I just have a hard time with a heroin drug addict, claiming to be getting clean while hanging out with their drug dealer ex-boyfriend, who thinks she is still his girlfriend.  Oh well, not my business. Unless he's in my face.

I'm really tired out from work. So I'm keeping this short.

Well you know you're tired when you get offered a belated birthday dinner and you ask for a rain check.    Jan wasn't looking too energetic either. 

I really should pay more attention to Jerome's 'conversations' with Kirby - he tells that cat all kinds of things.  That's how I found out about the gf  situation.  Don't get me wrong, I talk to Kirby too, but more in the vein of, "Get your furry butt -" and "What are you crying about?", not "here's my problem help me solve it." Still I guess it's a step up from talking to himself, which he does out loud, LOUDLY all the time. Whatever helps to work his issues out.

Not sure I'll survive til the end of the school year. Whomever is making up the menus obviously has no clue. Next week I need to make extra sub rolls every day (this week is knots) to the tune of 1,675 'extra' for the week.  I'm getting nether help nor extra time for it.  Their solution is make them up early (this week). Really when?  So I tried skipping breaks in order to get some done, and got in trouble for that. Oh pass the cheese to go with my whine.  Be glad when it's over.

 

 

Today was hard, and frustrating, and things were constantly being said to me about my work that makes me want to quit.  No matter what I said or tried to explain it didn't make a whit of difference. At one point, the acting manager actually said to me, "Quit acting like you've got something when you have nothing" this was about the 900 breads I did today, on top of my usual work.  I know, I didn't imagine  or misunderstand something because Trish ( a co-worker) came over to me and said, "Just ignore her. Just figure it's the way she talks. You've got a lot here."  I don't know what the heck she thought would happen with both proofers going down. She kept saying to me, "You need to STRETCH the dough before proofing", and I kept saying , "It's frozen. We've got it trayed, but it needs time to thaw." And then she's barking at poor R to  get them in the steamer (which can convert to proofer) like they magically thawed them, and asking every 5 minutes why aren't they in the ovens.  Good Lord in Heaven.  I've a good mind to not show up for work Monday.  Or to tender my resignation and name her as the cause. 

Of course I get 'it'. Next week is another dog and pony show. And because idiots created the menu, my bread is part of the main entree.  So bread that would be fine any other time is like an OMG event.   The 3 of us, Cook, ast. cook, and myself are being pushed to the limit.  And NO ONE is listening to us. No one is 'getting' where we are coming from.    Cook is probably the calmest of us 3, and her fuse is close to going off.   Be so glad when this is over.

Jerome took one look at me when I came in (mid-swear at his cell at that) and said, "You want a pop? I'll get it for you. You ok?"  I just sort of nodded and went to change.  Just been back here in my room half crying from frustration.  

Stuff going on that makes me go, "Hmmm..."  Past couple of days, Jerome has 'found' at least 2 of his nonexistent shirts.  Which is good, don't get me wrong, but there is part of me that wonders if maybe he thought I'd buy him some, if I thought he had none.  Admittedly the ones he has worn are barely above rags, but until he starts treating things with some respect, the bank of Val is remaining closed (nothing in it anyway).

He decided to make fried chicken for dinner. The already made kind that you just stick in the oven for like an hour. He  knows I've been craving fried chicken for a spell, so he bought some special this week. He also found a scary movie for me to watch, Annabelle: the Creation.   So we're watching and the place begins to fill with smoke.  Not good.   I go and open some windows and flick on the vent. He always forgets to do that.  Mean while he's whining how his eyes are stinging, and the vent's not working - blah, blah.   I tell him to check on the chicken while I try to open some windows in his room, he says none of his windows will open, and I say I'll try anyway, because we need to get the air circulating to clear it.  

I walked into a wall of heat - His room was broiling! It was warm out, but not that hot. The base heater was on high, so I turned it off.  I cringe at the broken panes in 2 of the windows, that he had tried to hide from me, and I discovered when moving stuff for the exterminators.  At least they both have storm windows. I get a couple of others open (there's like 12 windows in that room). Meanwhile Jerome is erupting in the kitchen something about the chicken being burnt and there's nothing for dinner. I hear things being slammed, and him storming into the living room. I go out and pull the chicken from the oven. A bit singed on the edges but not burnt, burnt. 

I deliver the good news and ask him why the heater was on high.  He tells me it was off. I say, I just turned it off. And he snaps, "Well then it's been that way for like 2 f***in' years."  Okkkayyyy....

I went to bed early. Figured best place for me, and I was almost asleep when I hear him swearing and tearing the livingroom apart, yelling that he can't find his keys (end of the world of course). I lay there until it escalated to the point it sounded like things were in danger of being destroyed.  I get up, and say, "Ok where did you have them last?"  In return I get, "Well I came in didn't I? In this f***in' apartment, you stupid b****." 

I'll admit, after the day I'd had, it was tempting to go 12 shades of psycho on him, to get in his face and tell him what's what. But, I grew up with the King of psychological warfare.  I also have a rather keen sense of observation.  "Alright...let's retrace your steps-" "I already looked!" "But you are not me - and do not possess my powers," how's that for dramatic? Crack myself up sometimes.  "Let's see, you probably rushed in , running for the bathroom. You were wearing your vest as a shirt. No?" He's looking at me, eyes wide.  "You changed in the bathroom..."  Now, I know that he usually flops down in my arm chair - the reason it's broken in the seat. Logic says they're probably there, but I think Jerome needs a bit of a show. Something to nag at his mind a bit, and make him reconsider his actions.  I stand in the middle of the room and extend my hands to better pick up vibrations, and tilt my head a bit as if listening. "Spirit, will you help me? Show me Jerome's keys, please." I walk over to the chair and pull his keys from between the arm and seat.  Jerome is googled eyed exclaiming he'd looked there as I dangle them from one finger. "Thank you, kind Spirit," I say outloud and add the twist, "What's that?" I **** my head and frown a tiny bit, as if listening. " He did what? He put a hole in the kitchen sink door!?" It's true, I had noticed it, during his fit he had kneed a small hole. I throw him a glare, and watch him gulp.  "Yeah, I suppose that would be ok. But don't really hurt him. Thank you." 

"What's he say?" Jerome's voice is actually subdued.

"He wanted to know if it was ok to smack you upside of the head now and then, when you deserve it."

"Oh my God, something unseen has been smacking me in the head when I walk to the bathroom, last couple of days!"  I already knew this, as he makes such a production of it.  

"Guess he's been showing disapproval of the way you've been acting."

"How do I make him stop?"

"That's easy. Stop ticking  him off." With that I returned to bed.  We'll see what that does.

 

Val, a spirit slapping Jerome in the back of the head? That's very scary! 

OMG! We've got an American show on our TV called 'NCIS'. The character 'Gibbs' is always slapping 'DiNozzo' in the back of the head (for being stupid).

Maybe your spirit is an astral projection of 'Gibbs'. Now that's comforting and scary all at the same time.

Looking forwards to the pictures, Jadeite. I never think pictures of me, look like me.  Must be some sort of perception thing on my behalf. 

Last night I thought I'd take a bit of a lie down around 6. Wasn't feeling so great, as the day started out with Jerome having a meltdown because he couldn't find his IDs. He thought maybe they had slid down under the sofa. Without thinking I lifted the sofa end and moved it. Retrieved the ID, and shoved the sofa back a bit. No biggie, sofa's only about 200 pounds, and not like I lifted it over my head or something, still I should know better then to use cold muscles like that, and I had literally just rolled out of bed. (I was awake but being lazy.)  I want to say it was around 6 AM, because I was waiting for it to be a decent hour to create noise moving stuff about. (Place is still a wreck, and I'm just putting furniture back in place.)  

I went back to my room and decided to rehang the painting my dad did for some art contest. He was 80 and nearly blind, so it isn't nearly as good as some of his other works. I keep it in my room because it definitely makes a statement. It says, there is a freakishly large painting on my wall.  I'm going to say 4 feet x 3 feet canvas, in a heavy plaster frame.  It's a religious painting of Genesis 14:18 :  "And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God."  I think it took 3rd place, but I'm not sure.  Anyway not so heavy as awkward for someone under 5 feet tall to handle alone. 

After I hung that, I decided to move the behemoth of a desk I have. Circa 1942, heavy oak with a slate top, 'teacher's ' desk.  Think I've mentioned it before, anyway it is freakin' heavy even empty. Move one side, runaround, move other side, run back and keep repeating until you've got it where you want it.  Only way to move large, heavy things by yourself, and not do yourself some serious mischief.   Then it was move the old dresser converted into a bookcase of sorts, and my ancient dresser back into place.   I love that old relic, even though I know once I go it will probably end up in the trash heap somewhere. Dovetail drawers, and standing on metal casters. All the drawers have locks, which if the key still existed would be useful. Dark cherry wood, I think.  Still has all the original hardware.  I'd date it back to the late 40's, early 50's.  

By early afternoon, my muscles are beginning to sing, even though I took breaks.  Jerome came home and we had a talk about how is he going to pay for repairs to things he's broken, and that he has to stop being so lazy and get some of this work done.  Of course this set him off (again), but I have had it.  I told him that it was all just too bad, so sad, and maybe he should talk to his guardian about some cash to pay for the broken stuff, and I do not care if he can't do a lot, he can bloody well do something, like quit being a slob at least, and making my life harder than it needs to be. He started trying to hulk his shirt again, and I said, "Stop it! You're being a stupid git! You think that bit of drama scares me? Think again." I kept my voice level, deadly serious. He froze for a second then started apologizing, which normally would be good enough, but not this time.  "I don't want your words, I want proof. I want to see by your actions that you are truly sorry. Sorry means you truly regret what you've done, and will try not to do it again. You understand that? You are NOT stupid and worthless, so quit acting like you are thinking it will get your way. What it will do is show you the door. Being a grown up means accepting the consequences for your actions.  You understand?" He nods."Alright then, let's move on." He went to the bathroom - guess I was scaring the piss out of him???  I hear him yelp that something just hit him in the head -again. I call back, "Be glad he doesn't kick you in the ash!"  

He comes out rubbing his head and saying, either 'my' ghost is smacking him or he has some kind of neurological problem. I shrug, "Sounds like something you need to mention to your doctor." 

So like I said, around 6ish I decided to have a bit of a lie down while some pain relievers took effect. About 7 (I guess Jerome went out) I hear Jerome at the door talking to himself, about forgetting his keys, and wondering if he should wake me up. So I get up and let him in, and laid back down.  Imagine my surprise that I slept until 2:30 this morning.  Must've been more tired than I thought. 

I've been going through my photos and thought I'll share a few of my favourite memories.

We visited some friends in 2016 who live near at the foot of the Dandenong Mountains in Victoria, Australia. The husband had a '92 Porsche that was his pride and joy for years. He took us out for a little spin on the freeway. It was such a thrill!

That's probably the closest I'll ever get to the lifestyle of the Bold and the Beautiful...

The Porsche is certainly a work of engineering art. Well loved and maintained. The only drawback is trying to climb into the car, when you are over six feet and your joints threaten you with extreme amounts of pain.

Back in the 70's, my friend landed a job as a security guard. One of his jobs was to personally look after luxury cars while their owners were away. Every now and then, he would visit us down the beach in either a European Sports Car or American 'Muscle' Cars. I still have fond memories of being driven around in the king of cars - a Corvette Stingray! Sounded like an approaching thunder storm but was sublime to drive (except around corners). I still have nightmares about being driven around in a Porsche 911 Turbo. It's the only car I've been in that would throw you back into the seat and try to squash you when accelerating.

Val - Spot on with insurance. A lot of these cars could not be insured with an Australian Company and were referred to Lloyd's of London. Between cost of insurance and maintenance, you had to be rich, just to keep the car on the road.   

Storm was brewing at work too. I still don't understand the big hoo-ha I caused by jumping in and trying to help someone. I got accused of interfering and getting things wrong. Paranoia running amok or did someone have something to hide...?

I won't be doing that again in a hurry. I hope this storm will blow over by tomorrow. It has been raging for a few days. Now the cold wind and cold shoulders are bringing winter early to my office space. Brrr. But all this fuss is causing my BS meter to tingle.  Perhaps I should keep my head down, looked suitably cowed < moo> and keep my eyes and ears open from now onwards.

Is the storm calmed down over your way, Val? Hope whatever got knocked over wasn't breakable.

I'm sure the 'visit' will go well, the bread will rise perfectly and you won't need to hurl rock buns at someone's head. Not just yet anyway.

Another story with a happy ending this morning.

I was driving home after dropping Jadeite off at work. The radio's telling me that it is snowing in the mountains just to the west of Sydney but here I am cruising along the beach with clear blue skies and a little chill in the air - one of those autumn days when it feels good to be alive. I slowly drive around a blind corner in the road to be confronted by a lady chasing a Maltese Terrier off the road. She was driving in the opposite direction to me, and had stopped her car to in an attempt to save the dog from being run over. I decided to slowly come to a halt so the road was blocked in both directions.

The two drivers behind me got out of their cars to watch the spectacle which was fast getting out of hand with the lady joined by a pedestrian trying to round up the terrified ball of fluff. The little guy was determined not to get caught, so with little paws going 100 mph, it kept dodging their outstretched hands.

Eventually, they backed the dog into a corner and picked it up (getting an extended licking for their efforts). The lady waved us through but I felt guilty leaving the good Samaritan with her furry runaway. I drove a little further up the road and was passed by a police car, travelling towards the 'scene of the crime'. Somehow I knew that everything would be ok for all concerned and it is still a nice autumn day.

Happy Mother's Day to all. Had a quick chat to my Mum in Singapore. It was good to catch up.

Here a tribute to all mothers, past, present, future. My favourite rendition of "Mama" by Il Divo (never fails to fill my eyes and warm my heart):

www.youtube.com/watch

I don't whether to laugh, kiss, hug, throttle, or immediately disown this child!

It sounded suspiciously like one of the Bear Rebels, particularly when DJ wanted to do something beary special for Mummy Bear. Now we'll have to be on guard in case they get more bright ideas from their Aunty Val.

I'll definitely have to try that "vanilli" cake in the jaffle iron (sandwich maker) one of these days.

 

 

T-Rex, at least your brother's heart was in the right place. 

Because of the time zones, and you're so far ahead of me, I think it's Jadeite's birthday! 

So...let's sing the Happy birthday Song - Arrogant Worm style:

Haha!!! Thanks for the Birthday song, Val.  Just the sort the teddy bears would sing too. You've obviously been spending time with them. Or have they been spending time with you? Hmmm...

Had a fantabulous birthday. The first one in a few years that T-Rex has been well enough to celebrate with me. The best present ever - thank God and all the good people who helped make it so. We had a movie date in the morning, followed by flaky meat pie for lunch. Then dinner at a seafood restaurant at a beachfront hotel, spent the night there. I had lobster linguini in saffron oil with shiitake mushroom and fennel. T-Rex had braised pork belly with scallops - he gave me the scallops (yum). His chips were nice too.

Even squeezed in a late massage for my sore back after dinner. Had a bit of chiro work on my spine - scary little "crack" and I could suddenly move better. The woman was strong. Went all shiatsu on the knots in my lower back. My muscles complained, but I slept so well afterwards.

Nothing like watching the sunset over the water and with the soothing sound of the ocean as a lullaby... <sigh - bliss>

Then the alarm went off, time to wake up, pack up and off to work. But the experience kept a smile inside me all day.

-- Edited by Jadeite on Wednesday 16th of May 2018 08:19:47 AM

Squeak-squeak.  (I'm bad - just couldn't help myself).

But I am truly sorry to hear about your brother, Val. My heartfelt prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.

Sending you all our love and best wishes for healing strength and positive energies.

Val - all you need to do is ask. You were there for us too.

My brother-in-law is currently going through chemo for his myeloma, which is a type of cancer from plasma cells in the bone marrow. I went back recently to see him and Mum in Singapore. He's just undergone stem cell therapy to activate his white blood cells to boost his immune system. All cutting-edge technology. He's feeling the effects of the chemo at present but doing his best to stay positive.

Medical science can do marvellous things these days. God-willing. But knowing that others are sending kind thoughts and prayers helps too. Keeping our loved one positive and giving comfort is what we can do. The more prayers out there, the better.

You aren't far off, T-Rex, I do weigh the pros and cons.  Not just subconsciously either.  

I did call Sean, and then my sister last night.  The good news is that the cancer is in the very early stages, and they'll try to treat it with medication. Who knew there was a pill you could take for it???  Apparently it's just within the past year.  If your blood contains a certain enzyme then you're a candidate for it to work very well.  The bad news is it's metastasized from when it was his kidney, which means they'll never be 100% sure that it's actually gone, and it could show up anywhere.  But, for now we're going to ignore that, and hope that he gets to avoid the chemo and surgery. 

There was some good news from my sister's end as well. Her sight has improved a bit. Although still legally blind, she can now make out shapes and bright colors. She can't see texture or details and people are still just blobs, but it's improved a bit, making it safer for her to move around outside of her apartment. 

Today is going to be another long day of putting things back in the apartment. Jerome has a hard time understanding what is taking me so long to get it done, but like I told him, I'm now paranoid, and I will NOT go through this again, so each and every item has to be thoroughly examined before it can stay. Not as simple as just unpacking.  I know we having a city housing inspection coming up on the 12, so maybe that will keep me motivated.

 

Keep the faith, keep strong and then just keep going...

Watch out for your back when moving stuff, Val. Do pay attention when your body starts talking back to you. Mine tells me all sorts of stuff like: hey, oh, ow, ouch, owie and then $%(*&)*%)% - meaning: don't do that again, stupid idiot!

Hey , how about hiding a squeaky toy under a bathmat and then waiting for Jerome to step on it? Sqeeeeeeeeeaaaeeakkk. Wonder how high can he jump?

Once upon a time, in a galaxy far, far away, our rebel alliance made a valiant attempt to end the tyranny of Chaos in the Cupboard-Under-The-Stairs. It was doomed. The beary potters of Christmas past remain trapped within the murky depths of the Dagobah sector. We hope and pray that one day a powerful yoda bear might emerge, wise in the Force and help us tidy up and restore order in our multiverse.

That is my story and I'm sticking to it...

******************

p.s. BTW, the teddy bears have all piped up at the mention of "treasure".

'Pirates! Bucket-ears!' they chorus. 'Hooray for Aunty Val!!!'

"Who knows what evil lurks under the stairs? Jadeite knows!Muhahahaha!" It's very true, things can reach a stage where we're just overwhelmed at even the thought of getting it started.

What truly amazes me is it seems impossible to really clean/organize without upsetting at least one other room.   I mean, seriously? 

You know what I found, T-Rex? My closet has a floor! Who knew!? If there were ghosties in it they hid well - probably afraid I'd put them to work, or launder them.

I told Peter about the broken windows in Jerome's room.   Idiot thought he could hide them from me, and he did at least for awhile, because I'm a big believer in respecting privacy. But, while prepping for the treatment I had to go in there, to move the furniture, etc.  I was shocked to find two of the windows shattered and 1 with a corner out. When or how he broke them, I do not know, but the fact that he tried to hide it - that burns me.  So, when Peter said Jerome had to pay to have them fixed, so maybe the idea of consequences seeps in, I agreed.  So last night I told Jerome he might want to give his guardian a heads up on he'd be asking for repair money.  That went over like a lead balloon. 

 He ranted on and on about how he has no money.  It wasn't working. Not this time.  I'm still a bit ticked he's paid nothing towards the treatment or even offered.  As Peter pointed out, Jerome has to learn about consequences and respecting others property, and this might help drive it home.  So while he ranted, I calmly ate my dinner.  I did not respond, I barely looked at him, except from my peripheral. If this went south, he wasn't going to get the jump on me. In the past, I would have tried to soothe him.  But, I know how that goes, money out of my pocket that he never pays back, unless I involve his guardian.  Then she makes sure it gets paid back, or that the bill is paid. I do realize he's thinking replace the window, and not replace the window pane, because he was saying it'd cost 1000s. But I didn't interject.  If the framing needs to be replaced as well, then I'll talk with Peter. Structural damage (wood rot) isn't our fault but ageing, and these are the old pulley windows.  But the glass part, yeah that should be on Jerome. 

He managed to work himself up to the point he was standing, looking like he was going into tantrum mode, but I still didn't look at him or say anything to give him an audience.   That seemed to work. He got the phone, sat back down and left a message for his guardian.  Minutes later he was laughing at something on TV back to normal.

This makes me wonder how much of what he does is just a scare tactic trying to get his own way.   

 

 

The installment plan. That only works if the person actually makes the payments. Jerome completely sucks at handling money, that's part of why he still has a state guardian, and gets an allowance. It's the only way to be sure that 'must' bills (like rent) gets paid.