Thread: new cook in the house

On Oct 14, 10:39*pm, bulka <working.artists.work...@gmail.com> wrote:
> My sister came up to help with alz dad. *She thinks she's a better
> cook than I think she is. *Whatever - I'm thankful for the help. *But,
> there is somebody else in my kitchen, pantry, spice cabinet, *fridge.
> When I was a contractor, the first, not needed to be spoken rule was
> "don't touch the other guy's tools". *I'm trying not to feel violated.

That would be hard. Maybe set up days where you cook & days when she
cooks. Maybe that'll give her some distance.

Or, you could just always cook and she'll always clean up. (Dream
scenario, IMHO).

Kris

bulka <[email protected]> wrote in news:6568fc49-3907-4db3-
[email protected]:

> My sister came up to help with alz dad. She thinks she's a better
> cook than I think she is. Whatever - I'm thankful for the help. But,
> there is somebody else in my kitchen, pantry, spice cabinet, fridge.
> When I was a contractor, the first, not needed to be spoken rule was
> "don't touch the other guy's tools". I'm trying not to feel violated.
>


The first thing my SO did when she moved in with me was rearrange things to
how *she* wanted them in the kitchen.

I watched her do it, and waited till she was finished, then asked, "Are you
going to be in here every day cooking 98% of the meals?? No? Then put
everything back where it was before, and leave it alone."

I feel your pain :-)


--
Peter Lucas
Brisbane
Australia


If we are not meant to eat animals,
why are they made of meat?

bulka wrote:
> My sister came up to help with alz dad. She thinks she's a better
> cook than I think she is. Whatever - I'm thankful for the help. But,
> there is somebody else in my kitchen, pantry, spice cabinet, fridge.
> When I was a contractor, the first, not needed to be spoken rule was
> "don't touch the other guy's tools". I'm trying not to feel violated.


Just feel relieved that you have help. When she leaves you can
have a cleanout of the kitchen and put everything back the way
YOU prefer. Meanwhile, relax and enjoy.

gloria p

On Oct 14, 10:39*pm, bulka <working.artists.work...@gmail.com> wrote:
> My sister came up to help with alz dad. *She thinks she's a better
> cook than I think she is. *Whatever - I'm thankful for the help. *But,
> there is somebody else in my kitchen, pantry, spice cabinet, *fridge.
> When I was a contractor, the first, not needed to be spoken rule was
> "don't touch the other guy's tools". *I'm trying not to feel violated.

Unless she's serving up Chef B, I'd sit back and let her have at it.
Enjoy the break.

"bulka" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]..
> My sister came up to help with alz dad. She thinks she's a better
> cook than I think she is. Whatever - I'm thankful for the help. But,
> there is somebody else in my kitchen, pantry, spice cabinet, fridge.
> When I was a contractor, the first, not needed to be spoken rule was
> "don't touch the other guy's tools". I'm trying not to feel violated.

I'm not sure how I'd feel. I don't mind the "using" so much as the "not
putting back where it was" Certain tools belong in certain places.
Important too, that the other person cleans up after themselves. I hate
walking into the kitchen and finding the remains of a previous project. I
don't mind helping and cleaning as we go, but when I want to make breakfast,
last night's dishes should be gone.

You'll probably appreciate the help and adapt though. .

bulka wrote:

> My sister came up to help with alz dad. She thinks she's a better
> cook than I think she is. Whatever - I'm thankful for the help.

That's a tough job. For sure.

> But,
> there is somebody else in my kitchen, pantry, spice cabinet, fridge.
> When I was a contractor, the first, not needed to be spoken rule was
> "don't touch the other guy's tools". I'm trying not to feel violated.

I had my windows replaced a couple of years ago, and I noticed
that there was a tool left upstairs where they were done. A 5 in 1,
I'd never seen one before, you know I had to get my own the next
day. Anyway, I brought it downstairs so it wouldn't be left behind.
This one guy was heating his lunch when he saw it on the table.
His reaction was funny. He froze, Is that mine. Like he wasn't
kidding around. Ooops. I said yeah, it was upstairs. He was
happy again but just for a second you got that "Who touched my
tools" feeling.

Anyway, I'm fussy about how my kitchen stuff is cleaned and put
away, I think I understand how you feel a little bit. This is just one
more accomodation you're stuck with because of that nasty disease.

nancy

At the risk of going OT, but positivly - a 5 in 1 is a very useful
shape for a piece of metal. Who invented ths? Mostly for jobs you
don't want to have to do, but makes them easier.

The window guys heat lunch in your house?

On Oct 14, 7:39*pm, bulka <working.artists.work...@gmail.com> wrote:
> My sister came up to help with alz dad. *She thinks she's a better
> cook than I think she is. *Whatever - I'm thankful for the help. *But,
> there is somebody else in my kitchen, pantry, spice cabinet, *fridge.
> When I was a contractor, the first, not needed to be spoken rule was
> "don't touch the other guy's tools". *I'm trying not to feel violated.

Life is short. Be glad you have a sister. My sister is a meth addict.
I'd give anything to have her cleaned up and in my kitchen to help or
just hang out.

bulka wrote:
> My sister came up to help with alz dad. She thinks she's a better
> cook than I think she is. Whatever - I'm thankful for the help. But,
> there is somebody else in my kitchen, pantry, spice cabinet, fridge.
> When I was a contractor, the first, not needed to be spoken rule was
> "don't touch the other guy's tools". I'm trying not to feel violated.

I used to work for a management company and we had a guy that was doing
a repair on an apartment unit and evidentially, he used the tenant's
toothbrush to freshen up because, as we all know, proper dental
maintenance is so important these days. His co-workers ratted-out on him
and he got his butt canned but gee, how much could a little daub of
toothpaste cost? Two cents? Less than that? :-)

> I used to work for a management company and we had a guy that was doing
> a repair on an apartment unit and evidentially, he used the tenant's
> toothbrush to freshen up because, as we all know, proper dental
> maintenance is so important these days. His co-workers ratted-out on him
> and he got his butt canned but gee, how much could a little daub of
> toothpaste cost? Two cents? Less than that? :-)

It's a toothbrush! Goes in my mouth, not your mouth. You are a
worker. Touch what you are working on, none of the rest of my stuff.
And I say this as someone who has been much more often the hired
lackey than the employer.

Are we drifting here?

bulka wrote:
>
> My sister came up to help with alz dad. She thinks she's a better
> cook than I think she is. Whatever - I'm thankful for the help. But,
> there is somebody else in my kitchen, pantry, spice cabinet, fridge.
> When I was a contractor, the first, not needed to be spoken rule was
> "don't touch the other guy's tools". I'm trying not to feel violated.

LOL! Every time my grandmother came to stay with us, she rearranged the
kitchen to suit herself. Since she was an exceptionally good cook, we
just shrugged and ate very well

But yes, can't stand anyone else messing in my kitchen. Go get your own
:P

bulka wrote:
> At the risk of going OT, but positivly - a 5 in 1 is a very useful
> shape for a piece of metal. Who invented ths? Mostly for jobs you
> don't want to have to do, but makes them easier.

I wondered, where has this been all my life!?
>
> The window guys heat lunch in your house?

Yeah, he asked if he could use the microwave.

nancy

On Oct 15, 6:42*pm, "Nancy Young" <rjynly...@comcast.net> wrote:
> bulka wrote:
> > At the risk of going OT, but positivly - a 5 in 1 is a very useful
> > shape for a piece of metal. *Who invented ths? *Mostly for jobs you
> > don't want to have to do, but makes them easier.
>
> I wondered, where has this been all my life!?
>
>
>
> > The window guys heat lunch in your house?
>
> Yeah, he asked if he could use the microwave. *
>
> nancy

Last week my darling daughter came over for coffee/tea. She "helped"
me clear off my big table in the living/dining/everything-else room
where I do a lot of prep. (No counter space.) Now I can't find my
good vegetable peeler or my brand new Chicago Cutlery Santoku (?)
knife - cost more than all my older knives put together and I was
just really getting good with it!

Lynn in Fargo
Remembering the terrifying day when my newly retired father rearranged
all the kitchen cupboards. My mother must have been a saint!

bulka wrote:
> My sister came up to help with alz dad. She thinks she's a better
> cook than I think she is. Whatever - I'm thankful for the help. But,
> there is somebody else in my kitchen, pantry, spice cabinet, fridge.
> When I was a contractor, the first, not needed to be spoken rule was
> "don't touch the other guy's tools". I'm trying not to feel violated.

Why not try to do something together as a project? I can see several
benefits for that effort, as long as you take some type of calming med
before hand ;-)

Bob

bulka wrote:
>> I used to work for a management company and we had a guy that was doing
>> a repair on an apartment unit and evidentially, he used the tenant's
>> toothbrush to freshen up because, as we all know, proper dental
>> maintenance is so important these days. His co-workers ratted-out on him
>> and he got his butt canned but gee, how much could a little daub of
>> toothpaste cost? Two cents? Less than that? :-)
>
> It's a toothbrush! Goes in my mouth, not your mouth. You are a
> worker. Touch what you are working on, none of the rest of my stuff.
> And I say this as someone who has been much more often the hired
> lackey than the employer.
>
> Are we drifting here?
>

I don't like touching other people's stuff - you have nothing to worry
about from me. My point is that people in your house are capable of
doing more with your stuff than you can imagine.

We might be drifting however, to get back on topic, you should be more
gracious with you sister, after all, she is helping you out. Another
thing to consider is that you probably wouldn't enjoy being in strange
surroundings so you should do what you can to make her feel more
comfortable.

I don't have much that I consider my personal property - just my wallet,
my keys and my toothbrush. That's it. There's no way that I could
consider kitchen stuff my personal items. The difference between men and
women?

On Oct 15, 11:48 pm, Bob Muncie <bob.mun...@gmail.com> wrote:

> Bob

We're working it out. Her chili last night wasn't what I would have
made, but you can't really screw up meat, beans, tomato.

And I may be overdoing the calming meds.

..
>
> I don't have much that I consider my personal property - just my wallet,
> my keys and my toothbrush. That's it. There's no way that I could
> consider kitchen stuff my personal items. The difference between men and
> women?

More danger of drifting but, if I care about what I'm doing, my
equipment is important. The sister complains that she doesn't know
where anything is, but won't ask. Puts things where I can't find
them. A new cook in a kitchen is like bringing a new cat into the
house - it might work out, but there might be incidents that result in
stray scraps of bloody fur.

On Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:05:37 -0700 (PDT), Chemo the Clown wrote:

> On Oct 14, 7:39*pm, bulka <working.artists.work...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> My sister came up to help with alz dad. *She thinks she's a better
>> cook than I think she is. *Whatever - I'm thankful for the help. *But,
>> there is somebody else in my kitchen, pantry, spice cabinet, *fridge.
>> When I was a contractor, the first, not needed to be spoken rule was
>> "don't touch the other guy's tools". *I'm trying not to feel violated.
>
> Life is short. Be glad you have a sister. My sister is a meth addict.
> I'd give anything to have her cleaned up and in my kitchen to help or
> just hang out.

i thought someone on a meth jag would do an excellent job cleaning?

your pal,
blake

On Thu, 15 Oct 2009 18:52:17 -1000, dsi1 wrote:

> bulka wrote:
>>> I used to work for a management company and we had a guy that was doing
>>> a repair on an apartment unit and evidentially, he used the tenant's
>>> toothbrush to freshen up because, as we all know, proper dental
>>> maintenance is so important these days. His co-workers ratted-out on him
>>> and he got his butt canned but gee, how much could a little daub of
>>> toothpaste cost? Two cents? Less than that? :-)
>>
>> It's a toothbrush! Goes in my mouth, not your mouth. You are a
>> worker. Touch what you are working on, none of the rest of my stuff.
>> And I say this as someone who has been much more often the hired
>> lackey than the employer.
>>
>> Are we drifting here?
>>
>
> I don't like touching other people's stuff - you have nothing to worry
> about from me. My point is that people in your house are capable of
> doing more with your stuff than you can imagine.
>
> We might be drifting however, to get back on topic, you should be more
> gracious with you sister, after all, she is helping you out. Another
> thing to consider is that you probably wouldn't enjoy being in strange
> surroundings so you should do what you can to make her feel more
> comfortable.
>
> I don't have much that I consider my personal property - just my wallet,
> my keys and my toothbrush. That's it. There's no way that I could
> consider kitchen stuff my personal items. The difference between men and
> women?

dunno. i'm a man, and i get antsy with people using the kitchen stuff.

your pal,
blake