Yesterday we had to make 3 batches of pastillage in our 20 quart mixers at school, that was about 9 pounds of pastillage to work with.

Since my team members are not familiar with the stuff, on to how fast that stuff can dry and crack, I volunteered to make it, knead it roll it out and form it..( had to wrap it around a broom stick to make the pole for our 36" final project)

I kneaded the dough smooth..and used one of those "KILLER ROLLING PINS" the ones I call "foot breakers" as they are those big commercial rolling pins that can break your foot if you drop them.

so today...my only 'rest' day..I'm back in school this weekend for the fundraiser dinner...my upper arms and shoulders are killing me.

I coooooooould get a massage, here in Miami, they are everywhere...at the spas, hairdressers....buuuut.....I could also use that money to get MORE cake decorating equipment....

What is a DIVA to do????

lol

Get the massage!

Holly...

I think that you're right...


I should "Diva out" and get the massage...

I haven't even had a pedicure since I've been using the brogans that the school issues....

and let's not talk about a manicure! They don't allow our nails to show any white.

We get inspected at the begining of class...

Clean and pressed uniform, hat, shine on shoes...apron and 2 side towels...

They even make us wear a white short sleeve T-shirt under out jackets..no jewlery...no make up

AND NOOOOOOOOOOOO PERFUMES OR LOTIONS!!

So not me...oh well...the sacrifices we make for our art..lol

I'm going to have to learn how to strut in my heels all over again for graduation...lol

(I"m pulling your leg about me...lol but schools IS that strict!!)

Hey Diva my dear!!

You get you a massage girl....you deserve it!!


Hugs........~Denise

Denise,

a lady after my own heart..if I don't feel better tomorrow after some tylenol PM and a hot bath, I'm running and getting that massage even if it's just my back, arms and shoulders..a treat before I go to do my tour of duty for the hurricane dinner tomorrow.

9 pounds of pastillage tried to beat me, but I won..lol

what kind of school are you going too? my school wasnt that stricked..one teacher didnt like my nails. i have very long nails. i told him not look at them

I go to Johnson and Wales University. I"m doing my Associates in Baking and Pastry Arts.

We can't even graduate if we don't pass our sanitation course with at least an 80/75

They make us wear gloves in the labs. and we have to remove our aprons and side towels when we leave the classrooms.

In the school, the chef would've asked you to go to the culinary office to cut your nails, there they hand you a bottle of alcohol and a nail cutter....and if you want to return to the classroom....YOU WILL HAVE CUT YOUR NAILS!

I'm glad that your school wasn't as strict, but, this is just the way it is at mine.

When we don't pass inspection we have a reasonable time to "correct" the problem or we go home.

But we have great recruitment at our school. The potential employers that recruit at my school are always impressed by our students

Get the massage for sure! I'm new to cake making, and when I decorated one cake that took me hours I was so sore! I could have used a massage. I just took a long bath, and it didnt help much You need to be in shape for school! Plus it lifts moral. Consider it a necessity to your well being!

Hi Diva,

Cake supplies all the way...massages don't last...cake supplies do!

God created massages for the same reason he created Martinis and men, because we just need one once in awhile

Before the hurricane, I did 2 wedding cakes then had one scheduled for the weekend Rita decided to come .. I told myself after all this disaster is behind us, I plan to treat myself to a full body massage.. that and a manicure/pedicure too .. I've worked about 14-16 hour days for the past 10 days in a row trying to get everyone in our area signed up for disaster food stamp assistance.. Friday we took over 2000 applications .. to say the least, I have so much stress/tension between my shoulders and I told everyone we were doomed to get carpal tunnel syndrome if it doesn't slack up soon! lol we can't let up now .. got to get all these people their benefits.. but when it's done, it's MY time! lol

Can you split it 50/50 maybe go to the mall and sit in one of those chairs thats massages you for a couple of minutes and then pay the difference for supplies..................hmmm Im sitting here with my lastest payment for my cakes wondering what do I do ....But I guess let fate guide me

oh no..if I do this its going to be a full on treat.

not some 10 minute chair massage!..lol

But, I'm pretty much ok now, the pm Tylenol and hot bath managed to get me into school today for about 5 hours. I left early and plan to spend the next 2 days doing absolutely NOTHING..

Except to study for my final and stress over the final sugar piece.

ugh!

Go for the massage! you need it...

I say get the cake supplies! I treated myself to a massage ONCE and hurt more after the massage than I did going in. Something about the muscles releasing something. Anyway, I won't do that again!

Debbi

I had to go to the back doctor after I got rear ended by a DUI..and it was the same I was fine for 30 mins after THE most painful back manipulation...

then it was just worse..I couldn't even get out of bed the next day!

lol

Hi there Diva...how are you? I say get the massage....you'll feel like a million bucks and ready for the next job. Otherwise you're going to be dragging your heels....

I have a question for you....I tried pulling sugar tonight....it's pretty hard work as you know....I made a very pretty rose, though.

But...I don't have all the equipment...heating lamps and stuff yet and I'm left with a giant blob of sugar that is turning hard. Can I warm it up again tomorrow or is it garbage? Maybe microwave? Thanks sweetie!

advent68..

I hope that you wrapped it..you can wrap it in seran wrap if you're going to use it tomorrow..in a zip lock bag ( just remove the air) if you're using it within the next couple of days..

Or for long storage you can vacum seal it.

Yes, you can nuke it, but ONLY about 5 seconds at a time, but DO NOT POKE IT...HOT...HOT...HOT....you can get a heating lamp at the local pet store for about $15.00!

Before they used heat boxes, they would just "stand" the heat lamp right next to the work. I'm going to see if I can upload an old picture of a set up that I have.

Sugar if VERY hard to pull if it starts to get cold on you. Also you can have a hairblower on cool setting to cool down your work...

Ok..I'm off to scan your pic.....lol