Rambling

Okay, mission accomplished.

I managed to find low and no-carb snacks on yesterday's shopping trip. If you're wondering what the hell I'm talking about, see yesterday's post.

So, winner #1 is almonds. Three net grams of carbs per quarter bag. And by net grams, I mean grams of carbs minus grams of fibre. That's how it works. Don't ask me why. Almonds are tasty, salty and they do a pretty decent job of filling me up and killing the hunger pangs. Downside is that they're expensive. Stupid expensive.

Winner 2 is radishes. I read that 10 medium size radishes is equal to one carb. Great. I love radishes, they're a vegetable and I can eat them all day.

Number 3 is pepperoni. Again, tasty. And I get one carb for each stick. They're pretty big sticks.

Number 4 is pumpkin seeds. Three grams of carbs minus three grams of fibre. Not a big fan of them though. I like pumpkin seeds fresh out of the oven, crisp, a little burned even. The pre-packaged ones are a little soggy, a little on the soft side. Hmm, maybe I'll throw them in the oven before consumption.

Anyway, enough of that crap.

Survivor. I'm not buying whatever was going on last night with Boston Rob. It just didn't add up.

If he passed out and fell over (as the creative camera work suggested), why was his hat sitting neatly over his eyes as if he were sleeping? When people pass out, they tend to fall forward, not backward. Why was he on his back? While the Australia chick told the camera she "saw everything," she did not elaborate on anything. Why not. They usually tell all.

Probst didn't look like he was buying it either. He looked like a guy who'd been roped into playing along.

Oh, and medical, of course, found nothing wrong. So his explanation of "the flu" doesn't fly. With the flu he'd at least have had an elevated temperature.

Something stinks here and I'll guess we'll just have to watch to find out what this little game was all about.

I have to wonder, with the professional poker career not exactly taking off, maybe ol' Rob is using this Survivor season as an audition for an acting career. If so, more lessons needed. It just didn't ring true.

And . . . enough of that crap.

Playgroup day today and . . . it's Friday and Neomom has the weekend "off." Which means hours of homework.

So have a great day and a great weekend!

Date Night II

So, in spite of several roadblocks thrown into our path, Neomom and I made it out last night for our second date night since we arrived in Thompson.

Roadblocks seem to be a date night theme.

Anyway, yesterday morning, we were set. Babysitter was booked and we had tentative plans to call another couple to join us for a night out. Doing what? We weren't sure as there is not exactly an active nightlife in Thompson for those that aren't gang members.

Must look into membership.

So, at noon, we had planned to take the boys to the swimming pool here in town, to get them all nice and tired for the babysitter. And, as we were putting the boys jackets and mitts on, the phone rang. I foolishly answered it. It was Neomom's boss. There'd apparently been an assault on a reserve about an hour from here and she was needed. Ugh.

Neomom headed to get dressed while I undressed the boys and tried to explain to a very disappointed Sonwun that we were not going swimming. I then called and cancelled the babysitter, as odds were good Neomom would not be home until very late.

I then put the boys down for their naps.

An hour later, Neomom called from the office here in Thompson. Seems her services would not be required after all. Soo . . . we rebooked the babysitter and, after nap time, headed out to the swimming pool, where a good time was had by all.

And, to make a long story short, after supper (and after getting a very uncooperative Sontoo to sleep) Neomom and I headed out with no particular destination in mind. We grabbed ourselves a couple of Tim Horton's coffees and drove around to check out the Christmas lights. And there were some really nice displays on some of the houses here in town. Yeah, I should have taken the camera.

We finished the evening off at Boston Pizza watching football and hockey with a cold beer.

Upon arrival home, however, I made the mistake of sitting down to watch the Survivor finale - all three hours. We've been fans of the show since the first episode - sorry if that bothers you. Seems folks either love the show or think it's the dumbest waste of time on the planet.

Anyway, I won't waste too much of your time on the finale, other than to say that the majority of folks this particular jury were the most self-righteous, sore loser types I've ever seen.

Russell should have won. That coat-tailing, did-nothing-but-ride-the-wave blond did not deserve the million. But the wusses on the jury just couldn't get over themselves and the fact that they'd been outplayed, outwitted and outlasted by one of the best players in the history of the game. End of story.

Anyway, big week ahead. We've invited a bunch of Neomom's colleagues over for Boxing Day dinner. Shopping, cooking, cleaning ahead.

And if any of you have suggestions for things I can cook ahead of time, feel free to leave a recipe. I need to cook a big turkey and I have a small oven, which ain't gonna leave any room for side dishes in there. So, recipes for side dishes that can be cooked on the stove, or cooked in advance and nuked on the big day, would be appreciated.

Have a great Monday!