Do you ever buy something, or are gifted something, and you just love it? It can be something so simple, but can bring you so much joy?
Maybe that's just me, but even if that's true, I still feel compelled to start sharing some of my favorite, random things. Why? Because there are so many things I have discovered and fell in love with just from my friends unknowingly sharing about it. So I wanted to pay it forward.
So here we are. I have a whole list of random things that I can't wait to share with you. Today we will talk about knives.
I received Rada Kitchen Knives for Christmas from my mother-in-law. Guys, this probably says a lot about where I'm at in life but they were probably my favorite gift. I've never had a good set of kitchen knives. To be honest, I really can't recall where any of my kitchenware came from? It's like it's just always been in my kitchen drawer.
And it shows.
But that all changed this past Christmas. And my life in the kitchen will never be the same, thanks to them and a new full size cutting board (I've always had a small one that fits in the drawer. I have no idea why. It's terrible trying to cut anything. But finally invested in a big one. If you don't have one, get one of those, too).
I never realized I needed a good set of knives until I finally got them. They are like the knives at Ginza.... they cut through anything and everything so easily, and it's so completely satisfying. The set also came with a peeler which has also been a game changer. I actually enjoy cutting things up in the kitchen. As a result, I've been eating way more fruits and vegetables, double bonus.
So if you are like me and you've been using the same dull knife(ves) your whole adult life, do yourself a favor and add a set of Rada knives to your wish list.
"It would happen soon," they said. "One day you'd wake up and wouldn't recognize your kid. His head would fall off. "
"Yea sure, in 7th grade," I thought. That seemed like the time when puberty would start to hit, he'd be in his 'middle child' phase in middle school, and thus would develop a strange attitude and emotions.
Nope.
It would hit today.
I picked Talon up from basketball practice. As soon as he got in the car I could feel the frustration radiate off of him. I asked him, "what's up?", and he just let it all out. I tried to rationalize with him to help him see another perspective but could tell he was not in the place to hear it, so I let it go. I encouraged him to just take a deep breath in and out and we'd talk about it later. Well, he wanted to keep talking and for me to, well not. And so he did. And normally I would just let him vent but I have two hot buttons as a parent-- you better never, ever EVER bully or make fun of another kid AND you better never, ever EVER blame your problems on someone else. Nope. And that's what he did.... first his coach, then on me, and then even on referees at games.
Cue lecture from mom about life and learning how to adapt and not using it as an excuse.
He actually listened so I thought it was all good, it was done, it was over. But then we moved on to the conversation about what I was going to pick up for dinner.
Me: "How about Subway?"
Talon: "No, it's disgusting."
Me: "Okay then, what would you like then?"
Talon: "I don't care."
Me: "Obviously you do."
Talon: "Let's just eat at home."
Me: "I don't want to cook."
Talon: "You can just freeze something. Uh, I mean cook something in the freezer."
Me: *giggling* "I don't want to cook or freeze anything to eat"
Apparently that's where I went wrong.....
Tears started flowing. Then these were some of the words that ensued....
"Why do you always make fun of me?" (for the record, I don't)
"You don't love me"
"I hate my life"
"Take me to my dads!"
And it only got worse when I pulled into Subway....
Talon: "I told you I don't want that!"
Me: "But I thought you wanted to eat at home? I still want Subway?"
Talon: "You never go where I want!"
Me:
Then I was questioned when I pulled into the gas station to get gas. At that point, I just looked forward, held the steering wheel ever so firmly, and tried not to move. Maybe he won't see me....
He showed emotions I have never seen a day in my life. He was crying, he was puffing, he was yelling nonsense, for a brief moment I'm pretty sure I saw steam coming out of his ears.
Who is this kid?!
His head fell completely and all the way off.
As minutes passed, he began to calm down. By time we made it to our neighborhood, he was laughing and joking like none of that even happened. I played along.
Then once we got out of the car, I gave him a big hug and kiss and told him I loved him, and he returned the affection. And ever since, he has been back to his sweet, fun loving self.
Oh pubescent hormones... I'm not ready for you.
