The Frying Pan

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Dannyu NDos

1:22 AM

Hi everyone.

This is a silly question, but what would it taste like if I cooked instant noodles in sparking water?

That's what I've seen in last night's dream.

Cerberus

1:36 AM

@DannyuNDos Haha funny.

My guess would be, slightly acidic.

But the flavour will be unnoticeable, because you throw away 99% of the water.

@Stephie Ouch.

@Stephie Ouch 2.

That is quite the disaster.

3 hours later…

Stephie

4:21 AM

Morning 2: progress. Opening the bedroom door didn’t feel like stumbling into a campfire. The crucial bit was probably applying sticky rubber seal all around the kitchen door to prevent all drafts from the kitchen to the rest of the house. (Left pretty much all windows open again.)

Cerberus

Ah, the smell must be the worst.

Stephie

Plus scrubbing down as much as possible outside the kitchen, where less smoke had settled down.

We figured quickly that working inside the kitchen is best limited to short intervals. And yes, there were two windows on adjacent walls open all the time. We kind of took turns.

@Cerberus it has real physical effects, it’s kind of “biting sharp” and irritates the airways.

Cerberus

@Stephie Oh, dear, even the day after?

Poor you.

Stephie

Hubby and I got at least some of our “coach attitude” (as we call it) back. What are the benefits, how can we move forward and transform the situation to gain something?

And in this case, it’s tackling walls etc. that were more or less due for a new coat of paint and put off for various reasons. So hopefully we get an improvement in the “prettiness” of our home.

Cerberus

4:36 AM

@Stephie That is a good mindset.

Stephie

Funny bit: there was an open and almost full pack of starch on the counter, so I we made oobleck and both of the minors had an insanely funny play-break.

Cerberus

So does that mean you didn't need your coaching attitude much, until this?

Stephie

@Cerberus as a teacher, have you also observed that teenagers at some point rediscover the fun of (kids) play?

Cerberus

@Stephie So at least they can still have fun haha.

@Stephie I know what you mean: I think they never lose it! But they don't display it any more in situations when they used to do so, I would say? But they still display it at unexpected moments!

Stephie

@Cerberus We need and use it a lot. But Friday night it got lost for a while.

Cerberus

4:40 AM

Oh, OK.

Lost to a kind of desperation?

Stephie

@Cerberus lost to a mountain of things that suddenly needed doing, and the disappointment of not getting the relaxation (the hope for it was carrying us through the work week), something like that.

Cerberus

I understand.

Does it seem less like Mount Everest now and more like the Matterhorn?

Stephie

More like a marathon through a mountainous area. Turn around a corner and there’s another mountain.

Cerberus

Ugh.

If only you were done after 42 km.

Stephie

Like not being able to use the kitchen and still having to feed a family.

Cerberus

4:47 AM

The problem is eating its own tail.

Thereby becoming harder to disentangle.

And you still managed to make oobleck?

Stephie

Or opening one cabinet and discovering that it was apparently open that night and the smoke has seeped in the food. Smoky sugar anyone?

Cerberus

How is the minor doing who caused it?

Yuck.

Stephie

@Cerberus “make” is probably an exaggeration for oobleck. You need two ingredients and a bowl. We eyeballed the ratios and it was fine. And it’s sooo easy to clean up afterwards :D

Cerberus

Easier than...

Even so!

Stephie

@Cerberus very contrite. Working hard. Has accepted that their upcoming vacation is going to be a hands-on lesson in remodeling.

Cerberus

4:54 AM

OK.

Did you get angry?

Stephie

@Cerberus part of our parenting and coaching philosophy. Instead of just dumping the package we used it for a fun break first. Almost no investment, high return. And the minors - including the almost-17yo - loved it.

Cerberus

Yeah that's great!

If you can help throwing something away, you don't.

I also grew up with that mentality.

Stephie

@Cerberus of course. Grateful too, kid was unscathed, house not on fire.

Cerberus

That helps.

Maybe this is too personal, but I'm curious to what extent one would express one's anger towards the child at such a moment.

I don't imagine you as someone who loses control of her emotions, but some situations are just too overwhelming sometimes.

Stephie

Pffft. Of course I can and do lose my temper. And there can be the occasional yelling match (we have two teen in the home after all), but that night we were facing a kid that was far from being capable of anything (remember - came from a school trip and had hardly slept). We sent them to bed and took a loooong walk.
We adults vented then - pun intended - and had a stern conversation the next day. When child was coherent again.

I reserve the right to add this episode as a highlight of “embarrassing childhood stories” to be told at suitable times, though.

Time to tackle another day. Thanks for listening, @Cerberus!

Cerberus

5:16 AM

@Stephie That sounds like very wise parenting.

@Stephie Hah, I think you have earned that right. Minor will dread bringing significant others to the house, to be told this story without fail.

@Stephie Good luck with all the mess!

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