And the phone rang

just as I was getting ready to get the day going.  It was Rusty.  Cliff had gone to pick Emmi and Adam up and there was a problem.  He asked me if he had been having any troubles with slurred speech or anything the day before.  No.  Just a neck ache that progressed to a headache.  He told me that his jaw was drooping and he was having problems.  He needed to go to the ER. 

 

Long story short, Missy picked me up.  Adam took Cliff to the ER and we met them there.  Several hours later, it was diagnosed he has Bell's Palsy.  His eye is also drooping.  They put him on an anti-viral medicine and prednisone.  I guess it's been determined that most times it is caused by a virus that attacks one of the two main nerves that controls face muscles.  He was also told he will need to use eye drops and tape his eye shut at night so it doesn't drift open and dry out. 

 

So the day was quite interesting.  Nerves got me when we got home.  I tried to chill out and we ended up having a mixture of rice with a few little veggies and browned hamburger for supper.  Cheap.  Easy.  Quick.  My kind of meal on a day like today.

 

Still pretty worked up, I sat down and finished the little elf I'd started.  His name is #09102012 until his is adopted and given a proper name.   I've decided to sell the little guys.  I started making them last year when I saw how cheap and ready to fall apart so many of the store bought elves are.  Mine are unique, each being hand stitched and designed as I go.  I don't generally have a plan.  I let them talk to me as I'm making them. 

 

I think I'm also going to do some tree top and/or shelf angels.  Lacey and pretty.  After I get a few elves done, I'll start working on the angels.  Yes.  I'll be sure and post pictures of them when I do them too.  :-) 

 

And so I'm ready to say adios to Monday and get on with Tuesday.  May the day be a little less eventful!  I want to thank God for my family.  Adam, Missy, Caitlin and Kris came to the hospital.  The others were working and couldn't be there so they kept in close contact by phone and text.  Thank you, kids, for being there.  Love you all so much!

 

Until tomorrow...

Lots of hugs...

~~Mama Sage

 

Things turn out best for people who make the best
of the way things turn out.
~~John Wooden

Still bloggin' along

I woke up this morning with so many aches.  I knew it would be a rainy day.  When the humidity kicks in, the fibro kicks my butt.

 

Adam's in town and he, Rusty and Cait wanted to go somewhere with friends to watch the Ohio State game, so we had Emmi here.  We also like watching so it was on here.  Emmi told methe people were dressed Indians.  I told her the red was like some of the Indians fans dress but it was football.  Ohio State.  She told me to turn on the Indians.  Girl likes her baseball.

 

We've been working on potty training her and she's just such a busy little girl she hasn't been real interested.  Today she decided to try to potty "so Uncle Corry will say Yay Emmi!"  She didn't go even though she sat there quite a while, but she tried.  He left a dollar for her and said when she poops in the potty she can have the dollar.  NOW she's excited!  Who knew a dollar bill would work better than a twenty dollar toy!

 

After Emmi and the kids left, I decided to go ahead and make the cookies I'd been planning on making.  I made oatmeal, using some "big raisins" from California that my mother-in-law sent away for and had frozen.  She gave me two bags when she went through her freezer and it was the first time I decided to use them.  They were fine, but a little sugary and dry from age, but still very useable.  When I put them into the batter, they broke up in little pieces and MAN it made those cookies good!  Raisins make cookies moist and good anyhow and when they're broken up like this they make them great!  Thjey tasted like yummy cookies you'd pay a good buck for.  I've got a bunch hidden away for a couple events coming up and still filled the cookie jar.

 

I didn't want to do a lot of moving around so the filing and mending are put off until tomorrow.  Instead, I decided to work on my book a while.  I sure wish I hadn't started out with it the way I did.  I don't want to chuck it and start over but I really made myself a mess.  I did "notes" for the book on more than one computer then put them together to refine and expand on.  What a disorganized mess!  Can't stand it!  It's going to be a chore until I get the basics or organization done.  I have really procrastinated about it and I can't do that any longer.  I need it done by December so I need to stick with it. 

 

I made bean soup today but we won't eat it until tomorrow.  It's always better if it sits a day or so to marry the flavors.  I'll make some cornbread to go with it tomorrow for our main meal.  I actually started it last night.  I put the ham bone in the crockpot of water to cook all night.  Today I strained the broth and got it ready to be considered soup.  I added an onion, a bunch of carrots, celery and the ham meat after I'd de-fatted the broth.  Then some pepper.  Bean soup needs pepper.  I wasn't sure what kind of beans I wanted to use and settled on Great Northern since I didn't have any Limas.  They're always my favorite.  My sister prefers Navy Beans.  Beans are beans and they're good for you so whatever I have is what I use.

 

It felt good to have the doors and windows open today.  It'll feel even better to have the window open all night.  It's going to be so nice out!  For the next week at least I'm hoping not to use the air or the heater.  It's time to give the budget a break. 

 

Well, my friends, I'm going to go back to that book for a while before I turn in so I'm going to sign off here.  Hope to see you tomorrow.  And remember...

 

We need to find the courage to say NO

to the things and people that are not serving us

if we want to rediscover ourselves

and live our lives with authenticity.

~~Barbara De Angelis

 

Hugs,

~~Mama Sage

Good morning, Sunshine!!

Up and ready to start the day.  Thanks, Emmi! 

I love how she comes flying up the stairs and through the bedroom door for me when she gets here.  Many times if I hear her coming, I'll play possum so she can "wake me."  If I've already gone downstairs, she seems so disappointed! 

When we went downstairs together, she wanted cereal.  I got us each a bowl of cereal and we sat down to eat it.  Blueberry.  We both love our blueberries.

When we were done eating, we talked a lot about the Rapunzel set Emmi needs to earn by pottying in the potty.  I'm still trying to get her "in the mood."  She's just such a busy little girl, she doesn't have any interest right now.  I guess when she's ready, she'll go.  We really thought the potty charts at home and here would work since she picked out her own prize to work for.  Nope.  She just doesn't care right now.  One day she'll surprise us.  It'll happen.

Cliff brought in a tote of clothes for me to go through that Missy had brought over.  Melanie is about a size behind Emmi so we pass around the pass downs.  It's great having them so close in age.  They can share all kinds of things.

When I was done with that, we were off to the bank and then to meet Missy.  She needed us to watch Melanie a little while.  Having both girls is so entertaining!  We picked us all up some lunch and then headed off with them in tow to pick up some things Rusty needed us to transport home in the van.  Once we had them loaded, we headed to the R store. 

I'm not doing a lot of shopping really.  Just what I really need mostly.  I was able to pick up pancake mix (the kids ran me out that last week of summer), some marked down tomato sauce (always need that), chow mein noodles for nutty, noodly clusters, a big ol chunk of ham for slicing thin for lunches for Cliff (probably share that with the kids too---10# for $10), couple boxes of cereal, and some Pepperidge Farm heavy breads.  Good and grainy.  Love those.

From there, we dropped of the things at Rusty's house that we'd picked up for him.  And set off the alarm!  Oh boy.  He called and asked if we were there and told us to expect the police.  The security company had called them.  It's good to know they react so quickly.  And...he warned us NOT to be in the house or they would be meeting us guns drawn.  Okie dokie!  Not a problem.  Outside.  Okay.  They would want to see our identification and the key that we have. 

Then off to drop off bags of purged items to charity.  That was just a very quick stop.  From there we stopped by our house to pick up a fax that had come in and let the dog out.  She was so happy to see us!

The girls were taking turns napping.  When one woke up the other fell asleep.  It was getting close to time for us to meet Missy and drop off Melanie so we headed that way.  Until she got done, we sat outside with the girls.  We let them loose in the van (back seats were down so it was roomy and fun for them) and they had a ball.  Soon they got quiet.  I peeked around to see what they were doing.  They were leaned against the back door and had their legs covered with Emmi's blankie.  They had one of the toy horses too.  "Whatcha doin girlies?"  They answered in unison, "Sharing."  I love my grandchildren.

We found gas a little cheaper where we were than it was at home so we took advantage and got gas.  Sheetz gives you 3 cents off when you use their card which is an added bonus.

Our last stop was to take Emmi back home.  Did my heart good when she stuck her head out the door and hollered, "I love you!!!" at the van.  Awe.  I love you too, Miss Em.

~~~~~

Truth be told, there's nothing better than being a grandparent.

All our elders know this

and it is evidenced by that twinkle in their eyes.

Of course, they know more than they let on—

life's secrets have come to them through time, experience,

and patience.

~~author unknown

~~~~~

When we got back home, I did some online work for Corry.  He came by when I was about done and needed to send a fax.  Once that was done, I put away the groceries and got out all the chubs of meats and cheeses I had collected (frozen) that I plan to slice up this weekend for lunches.  I hate getting out a piece of equipment like that for just a little bit.  Give me a ton to do and I'll feel it's totally worth while. 

Settled down to eat my supper of leftover stir fry then cleaned up my email.  I always have a pile of spam to sort through.  I could add the addresses of some of them to my address book, but I'd rather not clutter it with those things. 

I did a little bit of putting things away.  No matter how much I try to keep up with things, there are always piles somewhere needing to be dealt with. 

And now I'm upstairs.  I gave the dog a bath and am waiting for her to dry a little before heading into the bedroom.  Oh I'm tired enough to start relaxing.  It's been a long day.  But this dog is W E T !  And I don't want her drying on the bed.  lol  Oh the smell of a wet dog --- clean OR dirty.  Ewww

You're caught up with my day now.  I hope I didn't bore you so much I scare you away.  :-)

Love and hugs,

~~Mama Sage

Everyone just blows it once in a while

And today it was me.  But today was an unusual day.  Most of it seemed to be in the car.  And that is enough to drive anyone 'round the twist!

 

The day started out pretty normal I suppose.  But even though I had rested all night, I hadn't gotten good sleep.  When I took Kennedy home yesterday, we listed to music.  And all night long, the songs were going round and round my head.  Every single time I woke up, turned over, or whatever, one of them was a-sing-songin' through my brain.  Ahhhhhh!!  lol

 

Breakfast was the last of the breakfast tacos.  Just one, pretty small and only cheese on top.

 

Missy came by so we could take her to her doctor's appointment today.  She needed a driver.  The girls get so excited to see each other.  I love it.  These two will be tight friends all their life.  Before we left, they chose a movie for in the van.  Tinkerbell.  Or STINKERbell as Emmi says. 

 

It's a good movie.  I like it.  The first time through, it was cute.  The second time a little less cute.  And by the THIRD time...it was downright annoying!  But it was today's favorite.  Generally Tangled gets that distinction.  Emmi is a huge Tangled fan.  So much so, she starts quoting even the non-important dialog. 

 

Missy's appointment went a bit longer than expected.  Actually quite a bit.  By the time she was done we were all pretty hungry.  Five Guys.  Hadn't been there in a long time.  I like it because I can get the burger and toss the bun and still have a lot to eat.  If you do it right, it's like a salad and meat!  All the veggies, the burger and no bun or condiments.  Winner every time.  But I did blow it.  I had WAY more than my ten fries!  That's fine.  I would deal.  I hadn't done too bad for the day.

 

But then I really blew it.  I drank pop!  How could I resist?  I was actually tempted to just stand there doing tastings!  What an awesome machine they have. 

 

I guess you'll have to turn on your side to see this.  I've done it three times.  Redownloaded it.  Cropped and resaved it.  The thing still wants to lay down! 

 

142 flavors!  So many it's NUTS!  I settled on two and liked them both very much.  Orange coke and grape fanta.  Yes.  ORANGE coke.  I actually liked that one a lot!  They also had lots of "zero" flavors, lots of "light" varieties, fruited waters, If you can imagine it, it was probably on that machine. 

 

Tonight was the monthly get together for people in Cliff's class.  We started out at the Tavern at Twin Lakes. Formerly not nearly as fancy and known as Twin Lakes Tavern.  The number of Audi and BMW was way less back then!  There were problems with getting seated so we decided to go to their standby place, Diggers.  Not nearly so pricey and way more laid back.  I got mesquite bbq chicken rolled quesadillas.  Um.  They were chicken taquitos!  lol  But they were good, inexpensive and hit the spot.  We weren't that hungry.  I'd have gotten a salad like Cliff did, but it was pretty much a chore chewing the "salad" I'd gotten with my burger at Five Guys.  We didn't want to spend much because we'd already eaten the burger earlier. 

 

It is great to have friends when one is young,

but indeed it is still more so when you are getting old. When we are young,

friends are like everything else a matter of course.
In the old days

we know what it means to have them.
~~Edvard Grieg

 

And now I'm bushed.  And we have both girls and maybe CJ a while tomorrow too.  I need to take my meds and relax.  And hopefully NO songs will run through my head tonight!

 

Tomorrow I hope to continue my one step at a time projects.  1. super cleaning rooms, 2. purging ... ANYTHING!  3. finishing up the files.  I seem to be gaining energy as I drop pounds.  That's a good thing.  Maybe one day the house WILL be in order!  Now that would be a miracle, wouldn't it?

 

I'll be back tomorrow.  Let's hope it's a little more interesting!  lol

 

Love and hugs,

~~Mama Sage

 

 

The day is over??

I've still got ants in my pants!  I still feel like there's so much to get done!  OH NO!

The morning started out with me having to fill up my meds container.  You know you're old when you do two weeks worth of medication in those daily dose containers.  I also have two weeks backups of just the meds and none of the supplements.  I try to keep a month's worth done up "just in case."  Just in case what?  I'm not sure.  I know that if we would get called somewhere and have to leave quickly and stay a few days, I've got it!  I also carry an older C-Pap with me in the van at all times.  I was a girl scout.  I'm prepared.  What else can I say?  lol

Kennedy started breakfast this morning.  She made up some scrambled eggs with peppers.  Smelled so good.  There wasn't enough left for all of us, so I cooked up some sausage and onions with it, added a few more eggs and we had tacos.  With cheese and salsa for good measure.  Should have added sour cream too but I didn't think about it.

After I picked up from breakfast, I started getting things ready for our stir fry supper.  We had a lot going on and I wanted to be able to walk in the door and start cooking when we got home from our running.

Soon as we got organized and had visited with Corry a little bit, we headed out to pick up Missy.  She wanted to go with us to my mother-in-law's.  She had leftover ice cream cake from Mike's birthday and some brownies to share with Gramma Sage.

After picking her and Melanie up we started towards Streetsboro.  We had to drop off some party things a friend of mine was borrowing for her daughter's baby shower.  We live about 30 minutes apart but she's close to Cliff's mom, so since we were out that way, I dropped them off.  LOVE her home, by the way.  Gorgeous oak interior.  Love, love, love it. 

Mom Sage really enjoyed her "treat" even though hers was a small piece.  We all know if we don't treat her now and again, she'll just make her own sugary goodies.  And sure enough, when Missy went into the kitchen to divide up what she'd brought, she found a pan of brownies Mom had made on the counter.  What I found was a little more...shocking?  lol  To her, it was perfect.  To me?  Disgusting!  She wanted to make really good pie crust and she had out a block of lard!  ewwwww!  Whatever she wants to do is fine though.  She's 90.  She should be allowed to live her life the way she wants.  

While we were there, I used the scanner on my phone, cam scan, to copy an article about our nephew.  His girlfriend saved his life, quite literally, recently.  They were eating at a restaurant, he had wings, and he started choking.  He used the choking sign and his girlfriend recognized he was in trouble.  She jumped to action, grabbed him and did the Heimlich maneuver on him.  Thank goodness her mom had taught her how.  And thank goodness she hadn't been a typical teen and she'd actually listened!!  He was 90 pounds bigger than her and she did just fine!  They still had to transport him to the hospital, but in the end, he's alive and well thanks to her.

Our trip home included a stop at the local Walgreen's, then dropping Missy and the baby off at home.  We were hungry but were good and didn't stop for any food.  I had that stir fry waiting to be made.  Lots of fresh veggies and marinated chicken.

~~~~~

TODAY'S STIR FRY

    chicken, drizzled a fresh squeezed lime over it

    zucchini

    yellow squash

    yellow and red sweet peppers

    bell pepper

    carrots

    mushrooms

    celery

    broccoli

I did one veggie addition at a time.  The pan had a dose of olive oil in the bottom and about halfway through, I put a couple slugs of soy sauce in.  We had teriyaki noodles from a package I got at Aldi's.  It was actually very good.  The sodium content wasn't good, but not too bad.  And the taste?  Fantastic!  If I could find a really good sauce recipe, or make one up, I'd do my own though with broken spaghetti for the noodles.

~~~~~

I was needing to clean up the kitchen, but wanted a little break.  I decided to get the table area ready to do my mending tomorrow.  I hope tomorrow.  I started out getting down on the floor and making some changes.  I had a big basket that had old music albums in it.  I took them out and moved them and also moved the music recorders and song books.  Those actually should go down the basement to my wreck of a rec room, but later.  Not today.  The basket then became my new home for the kids' puzzles.  Then I went through all the mending projects to see just what I have to do.  I moved my sewing machine into place.  I'll need to get my other sewing box out probably but for now, it's good. 

Once I had that done, I figured since I was on the floor, I'd start some of the "real" filing.  I started at the back of the double file drawer and did the left side up through "M."  That's enough.  I'm under no time restraint and every step toward the goal is great. 

Next came the kitchen clean-up.  Empty the clean dishes, load the dirty, clean what doesn't go in the dishwasher, clean the counter...  Normal drill. 

I went into the freezer and got out meats out for tomorrow.  One will actually be for a meal on Tuesday or Wednesday.  It's one of my multi-day make its. 

 When I walked through the livingroom, I remembered my one fall decoration that's stored in the house and not in totes in the garage.  My partylite candle holder with the magnetic seasonal sides.  I put it on the table/dresser and added the fall leaf sides to it.  I guess I should change the candle from rose to something more fall-ish.  But not today.  Today, I like rose. 

Did I mention I did get the coupons all purged, sorted and filed last night?  I thought I'd have new ones to file today, but for some reason there were no coupon flyers in today's paper.  Odd.

Remind me to put the little bow on the monkey's tail of Emmi's birth sampler.  I have all three for the littlest ones done now except for that bow.  Now I need to start gathering info for the other's I want to get done for Christmas.

I've been busy in between things working on a trip we intend to take in a couple months.  Another free stay.  This time in Pigeon Forge.  I love it there and think fall will be totally wonderful to be in the Smokies.  I can't wait!  I'm spending time now looking for free, big savings, etc.  My goal is to make it a very cheap trip.

 

I needed have something sweet so I made up some tapioca and some cherry jello.  Not the best stuff for you I guess, but not bad.  I could have used soy milk, but I did use skim.  One time I did use soy and it was fine. 

~~~~~

HEY FRIENDS!  I found another fun website!  A crafty site.  craftgawker  Check it out.  A little slower to move than pinterest but it had lots of ideas I hadn't seen anywhere.

~~~~~

A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity;

an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.

- Winston Churchill

~~~~~

Ta-ta for now....

Hugs,

~~Mama Sage

Easter weekend was wonderful!

Happy Easter Monday!

 

For some, it's a holiday, so Happy Day to you all!!

 

Our weekend was packed with fun filled times. I honestly believe we all had a good time. The weather wasn't the greatest with the wind, but it was fine.

 

We dyed eggs on Saturday afternoon and had several of the grandkids in. When they tired of eggs, they played in the yard. Everything from tag to kickball to catch and blowing bubbles.

 

 

 

Sunday afternoon we had a good ol' Texas style BBQ. THAT is what makes Easter dinner to me. I did grow up with ham dinner for Easter, but when we were down south, nearly 20 years, we took on their traditions. Our meal this year consisted of smoked chicken breast, BBQ's chicken legs and BBQ'd brats. We had buns and tortillas for them to be eaten in. There was an array of cheeses and dips and appropriate dippers for munchers before the meal. It was hard not to stop and grab. Smelling the BBQing foods really got the taste buds goin'. And of course everyone had the special goodies I'd made. And then we had sides of zucchini casserole, potato casserole, macaroni salad, potato salad, cole slaw, chips, fruit salad, etc. And dessert. Missy made a Hoppy Easter cake, Dusty made a chocolate cake with peeps on top and I made orange fluff. Yummmmm.

 

Can't post pictures of Sunday. Oh how I wish I could. For a picture of the newest Sage rock band, message

me. :-)

 

~~~~~

 

Yes it was a lot different when we were kids, wasn't it? I remember waking up on Easter morning and having my own little egg hunt in the livingroom. There weren't any other kids so it was just me. I'd find my basket on the kitchen table and next to it would be the brand new purse from my grandmother. I'd be proudly carrying that to church after I put on my brand new Easter dress and hat. yep. Hat. Tradition. When we got home from church, we'd have dinner with my grandparents. Sometimes the meal was at our house and sometimes at Gramma's. Once grampa passed away, the tradition continued, but the place was always our house since gramma lived with us.

 

After cleanup time, we'd start getting ready to go to whichever aunt and uncle's turn it was. My dad's family rotated holiday get togethers. Easter was a fun one. I knew I'd be getting a giant egg. A genuine goose egg that my Aunt Dorothy had colored and painted our name on. My cousin and I would have fun playing while the adults played cards and laughed.

 

As a mom, I have a lot of memories that make me smile. Tying strings to the baskets and weaving them all over the house for each kid to find their basket. Hiding eggs and then hiding them again because someone had such a good time hunting. Making bunny prints on the floor so the kids would believe the bunny had come. Going to church as a family. And the food. Mmmmm eating a good meal with the best companions....family.

 

As a mimi, feelings are pretty mixed. Years like this year warm my heart. Even though we are now left out of much of the fun, at least this year we have memories of our family gathering at our home. These are memories that will take us on into the years where we sit on the porch rocking, wishing time had stood still a few years ago when the kids were young and active and we were madly dashing here and there after them all.

 

~~~~~

 

Before Easter we made a trip to a place called B A Sweetie. Great place!!

 

 

 

We didn't buy a lot since I was making our candy, but we did have a great time. If you ever want to theme a candy gift, buy nostalgic candies, or just enjoy the day in the land of sugar, head on in. It's on Brookpark. Off 480, coming from Akron, get off on Ridge Rd. Don't turn towards the Lowes, etc., turn under the highway. The first major light is Brookpark. Turn right. It will be on the right between Best Buy and K-mart.

 

~~~~~

 

And I'm also going to do a shout out about...

 

Dickey's BBQ Pit, 960 N. Court St., Medina, OH

 

Closest to what we consider REAL BBQ we've found. Awesome stuff! And a TON of food for the money!

 

~~~~~

 

Yay! I've missed playing! I got lottso on disc to play anytime. And if I choose, I can still play online. But I don't need to. :-)

 

~~~~~

 

Well folks, this mama is exhausted. I need to try and get some zz's. Later...

 

~~Mama Sage

catsup? ketchup? or Catch Up?

I think Catch Up.  It's time again.  I really wish I could find it in myself to blog nightly again.  It just isn't happening for me and I can't quite figure out why I can't get back in that habit.  Back on thatspace when I had a huge following, I was so excited every night to sit down and write my blog.  And the people I met through that blog were super.  I'm still in contact with many of them today.  We've become more than just blog friends, we've learned much about each other and genuinely care.  I feel like I've gotten to know some even better than people I can physically interact with.  We've shared so much!

 

My goal will forever be to blog regularly again.  And I will.  I'm not sure when, or how, but I will. 

 

~~~~~

 

I have notes day to day to day to day, but I'm thinking that's way too long and boring to blog.  Y'all who do follow me know pretty much what my days are all about.  Let me, instead, hit the highlights.

 

~~~~~

 

The diagnosis is in.  I do have Sjogrens.  I don't know a whole lot about it yet.  I know it's an autoimmune disease, as is the fibromyalgia, and many times the two go hand in hand.  I know some don't think they exist.  Let me tell you something.  They do.  And I hope that you don't have them invade your body.  Things come back to you.  And many end up humbled. 

 

The aches and pains, fatigue, all are also a part of this new thing too.  What's new is all the drying.  My mouth dries so bad at night that it actually glues itself shut.  That's tough!  It was really bad when I had the lip biopsy, part of the diagnosis.  From it, we know my salivary glands are lacking.  My ears flake and I have no wax at all.  My eyes dry and itch.  My skin is dryer than it has ever been in my life.  I never had trouble with my skin.  And my feet.  Ugh they're awful!  I guess the tingly and numbness can also be attributed to Sjogrens. 

 

So I'm learning lots about me and how my life will be.  There are a lot of OTC temporary helps and I'm going to be on two new meds.  I also have to see an opthamologist because it can cause black spots.  ???  I still have lots to learn there.  I was told the eye doc will likely put me on drops or cream too.  And my teeth falling apart is also part of it.

 

~~~~~

 

And there was the bread adventure.  I bought two carts full of bread for a very good price.  After passing it around the family in boxes and bunches, I came home and made huge jugs of croutons and bags and bags and a jug of crumbs.  15 bags if I remember right.  All varieties.  It will be interesting using them.  I know my mother-in-law made a bunch too.  Don't know what the others did with it all.

 

~~~~~

 

I found out just recently I have a niece with Cystic Fibrosis.  I had no idea!  She's just a wee one, not yet 2.  If you would all please put little Reese on your prayer lists it would be very much appreciated.  She's also raising money to fight the cause.  If anyone is interested, you can donate at

 

Help Reese raise money for Cystic Fibrosis

 

Thanks.

 

~~~~~

 

Another cool deal thing I did was the chicken legs.  I got a 10 pound bag of chicken legs for 5.90.  I put them in two crock pots and cooked them overnight.  I turned them into two big bags and one small bag of chicken, several bowls of stock and a meal.  Good deal!  The two bags were too full and I have to use only 1/2 at a time per dish.  Tonight I did a penne chicken broccoli alfredo with some.  Mmm.  Also have done chicken salad and chicken tortilla soup.  I used some of the broth in the soup and some to make Haluski.  Be proud of me!  I found out the "cabbage noodles" have a real name!  lol  Haluski.

 

~~~~~

 

Chicken Tortilla Soup

 

     2-3 c chopped chicken
     1 can Rotel tomatoes and green chilies
     15 oz tomato sauce
     2 cans or equivalent homemade chicken broth
     1 can cheese soup
     2 carrots, chopped
     1 can whole kernel corn

     1 can cream corn
     1 Vidallia onion, chopped
     1/2 t. garlic garlic
     1/2 t  cumin
     1/2 t. chili powder
      a little salt and pepper
      a few sprigs of cilantro, chopped
Put all ingredients in your crock pot and crock it!  When the veggies are tender, it's done.

 

~~~~~

 

Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo

 

     Boil or steam broccoli until it starts to soften just a bit.

     Boil penne pasta to al dente

     Add about a dozen thick sliced mushrooms and one slice onion along with the broccoli to a wok size skillet and cook until onion and mushroom have softened.  Add in about 3/4 c. cooked, chopped chicken.  Add one jar alfredo sauce (I had one or I'd have made my own.) and a good helping of fresh grated parmesan cheese.   When all are mixed and sauce is hot, it's done.

 

~~~~~

 

Keep in mind with the recipes that I do use fat free or low fat when I can, sodium free or low sodium as I can.  I'm not to count calories now, but I still want to pay attention to those things.  What they have me counting now (the bariatric team) is protein.  I'm to eat 50 - 60 grams of protein a day and consume at least 64 oz. of liquid.  Calories shouldn't go off the map, but I don't need to count them.  I also do watch sugar.  I need to after surgery anyhow. 

 

~~~~~

 

I've been having a ball working on the reunion stuff.  I took on the job of verifying addresses and finding people.  It's awesome. It's been exciting getting back in touch with people.  It wasn't good to find an obituary for one classmate.  That was kind of a shock.  But I know we have lost many, many classmates.  It's still so shocking when I hear of another.  And we have a couple in nursing homes too.  Why is it that I feel so young...until reality hits me upside the head!

 

~~~~~

 

Oh boy did I have a GOOD time with Kennedy her last weekend here!  She and I went to the thrift store and we came home with two huge bags!  Little of this, little of that.  Little dresses for Emmi while we potty train.  A few fun toys.  Ya.  Good stuff.  She got a pair of shoes that looked like new plus a skirt and shirt for dress up. 

 

~~~~~

 

Whoa boy!  We have a few wedding coming up.  I dug out my wedding dress.  Whoa boy I do NOT want to get quite THAT thin!  Good thing it's out of realistic expectations!  Was I really that ridiculously skinny??  And small as mine was, my sister's was smaller.  My one granddaughter is a skinny minnie.  And I don't know that it would fit her!  She's just 13!!  But I did find the little flower girl dress that 3 year old Kennedy wore in Kris and Darlene's wedding.  Awe.  If any of our little girls needs it for a wedding, it's in good shape.  :-)

 

~~~~~Death ends a life, not a relationship.

I now have three favorite apps on my phone.  Mine is an android but I'm sure if you have an iPhone, you can get the same ones or similar ones. 

 

OUT OF MILK

     This one is awesome.  I can make my grocery list on my phone.  I can set up more than one.  If I want to make one for each store and their specials I can.  I can make a pantry list.  Cool beans. 

 

MY FITNESS PAL    

     This one is helping me a lot now.  On it, I track what I eat and it puts in the nutrition info.  It keeps track of all the things I need to know to fill in my book for the bariatric team.  I can also track my weight and measurements if I choose, my water intake and my exercises.  I gotta work on that exercise part.  I'm not good at being consistent.

 

KEY RING    

     This one is new to me.  Rusty told me about it and Darlene has it.  You scan in all your key tags and your loyalty tags, your box store and grocery store cards and you've got it.  Always.  As long as you have your phone.

 

Oh I have four.

 

STATE FARM

     I've signed up and downloaded the mobile app and now all my insurance cards are there on my phone whenever I need them.

 

~~~~~

 

And so now I'm pissed! I was NOT untruthful on my psych test. I was totally truthful. However, it DID ask questions that had no bearing on me. I do not HAVE co-workers. And yes. My family IS a great family that DOES get along quite tremendously I might say. And some of your questions were not properly worded. Grammar, folks, grammar. (That didn't affect the outcome but it is a pet peeve.  Professionals should come off professional.)  I had to it again on Friday. And guess what!! The answers will be the same!!!! ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh  Although now...I am angry. VERY angry. Some answers actually might have changed. And I kept note of some the idiocies that were on it. If you are preparing a test that is to measure whatever of anyone, you need to make it APPLY TO ANYONE!  And it didn't.  And some questions could be accurately answered with true OR false! 

 

But now it's over.  I've done it the second time.  I did call the kid administering it to task over some questions.  Only five.  He couldn't answer my question on one in particular.  He was actually agreeing with me via his body language but because he was "the professional" couldn't.  I imagine they will either give me the same test a third time or have me go back to talk to the doc.  I know I shocked the kid (he was younger than my own kids) when I told him that if it stopped me from having the surgery I'd tell them screw you and go on and find my own way to get thin and healthy.  I am, after all, losing weight.  Just way slower than I need it to happen.

 

Yes.  A psychological evaluation is a part of the regime you go through to have bariatric surgery.

 

~~~~~

 

Insanity:  doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

~~Albert Einstein

 

And can I rephrase that to say...

 

Insanity:  having someone doing the same thing over and over again and expecting to get different results.

 

~~~~~

 

My next big food do was 16 pounds of strawberries.  We'd gone to the R Store and to Hartville Flea Market with Missy and picked up two flats of berries.  I had already gotten a few inside before we checked the outside vendors.  After Missy took a bunch, I had 16# total to handle.  I cut them up and got them ready to "sugar" for shortcake.  I didn't want to do all sugar so I used mostly splenda with just a little real sugar to quicken the juicing.  I let them sit overnight and they still weren't juicy enough so I gave it one more day.  They are wonderful.  I thinnk they might have taken the extra time because of my substitution.  But, eventually it did work.

 

Putting up your own food, whether you can it, freeze it, dehydrate it or whatever gives you the ability to control what's in it.  You don't have preservatives and things you can't pronounce.  You decide if and how much salt or sugar it has.  It's up to you.  And...you're sure you've cleaned it properly.

 

~~~~~

 

An extended family member lost their mother and it brought me back once again to feeling the sadness of losing my own parents.  Looking for a quote for this blog, I came across this one which just hit home...

 

~~Jack Lemmon

 

Very simple.  Very to the point.

 

~~~~~

 

What cool kids we have!  I don't like my house cluttered, but you know what?  If it's to pass this to this one and that to that one, I'm good with it.  Right now I have things in the dining room waiting to be passed on.  I'll be glad when my own things are in better order so I can have an area for this sort of thing that isn't in my main living area.  It's just so GOOD to know that they all think of each other and pass things on. 

 

~~~~~

 

It's been great watching how all the family members are planning their weddings.  Dusty and Leon's is coming together.  I love watching as my kids play the parent role in that one.  And the others in the works are coming together too.  This next year will be something!  I'll be putting the camera to task a lot!!!  lol

 

~~~~~

 

Now we've come to the end of the blog.  I don't know that it's really time to end it, but I'm done for now.  I promise to be back, I just don't know when.  It'll happen though.  Just you wait and see. 

 

Love and hugs...

 

~~Mama Sage

I'm so full of good intentions!

And I just never manage to get on here and blog! Man. I miss it! I want to blog and honestly I need to blog. Somehow when I blog away the details of my day it makes me feel more accomplished. Like this ol' wrecked body of mine really isn't completely worthless. It makes me feel more human and more connected. I think for personal therapy's sake I should blog. I should MAKE MYSELF come up here each night and weedle out the minutes to blog. I type fast. My thoughts are what comes out. Nothing too deep. lol It really shouldn't seem like a chore. It didn't used to. It's just one of those "habits" I broke and need to regain. All habits are not bad.

 

Today was kind of fun even though I was pretty wrecked. You see yesterday I fell down the steps. Let me back up a minute here.

 

~~~~~

 

Saturday -- It was a busy day that started earlier than we'd hoped. We hoped to get several hours of sleep in the morning. We didn't have Emmi so we didn't need to be up early. Kennedy and I had stayed up watching things on TV and Papa had worked.

 

Bright and early (for us) we started getting phone calls and texts. Nothing to make us mad or upset. In fact it was COOL finding out Kris and Darlene had gotten two very nice birds. Someone Kris knows rescues birds and they got two who needed homes. I couldn't believe that one is 3' tip of the head to foot! Wow! THESE are BIRDS! I can't wait to meet Zazu and Chico.

 

The other call was for us to pick up presents that got left in their hiding place in the closet on our way to our grandkids' birthday party. We were going to be celebrating Kennedy, Zach and Haydn's birthdays.

I was in charge of making the gift certificates for the gift Corry and Angel got the boys. Tickets to see the Browns in November. I got it all designed and wanted special paper to print it on. It was on the shelving unit on the stair landing to the attic. No biggie. That's my craft room, my hide away, my place of peace and relaxation.

 

I wanted to come down carefully because my knee had been acting up. (I have an orthopedic appt. on the 24th.) Sideways, one foot carefully followed by the other. And then BLAM! down I went. My bad leg point UP the steps and my butt came down hitting a step for each cheek all the way down. I knocked over a 5 gallon bottle of water at the bottom and thankfully it didn't spill. But oh how I hurt!!! Generally I bust out laughing when I get hurt thinking about how it probably looked. This time I sat there in pain wondering how many parts of me I broke.

 

Kennedy heard the thunder and came to see what I'd done. She wanted to run out for Grampa and I told her not to bother him. He was out recleaning the van. Oh THAT was another fiasco. That happened during the week. The back window of the van shattered. What a mess!

 

Anyhow. I sat at the computer and finished up the certificates. Next was a "card" to camouflage the certificate so the boys couldn't read through the envelope. Got them done too and realized being done meant I had to go down yet another flight of stairs. Zheeze! Living in a three story home is just so....so....eventful!

Got downstairs and got started on the fruit salad. The watermelon was disappointing. It sounded hollow like it should and it was horrible! Not ripe at all! But I used what I could of it. This salad had

• watermelon
• cantaloupe
• kiwi
• strawberries
• blueberries
• bananas
• mango
• pineapple
• mandarin oranges
• red grapes
• green grapes
• papaya

I think that's all. Pretty sure. It was good!

 

We loaded up and headed over to Kathy and Calvin's. They have a huge yard and a pool. Great place for gatherings. The kids had Kris' karaoke set up too so we were in for fun. Hamburger and hotdog picnic, cake, music...who could ask for more?

 

By the time we were ready to leave I could hardly move. I'd gone in to the bathroom and hardly made it back down the steps and outside. They got out Calvin's electric chair and I wheeled out to the van.

When we got home, I decided that the first trip up the steps would be my final for the day. Pain had set up in every inch of the body.

 

Kennedy ended up staying with Kris and Darlene. After she came to pick up clothes, up the stairs with ice bags and aspirin. Oh ya.

 

~~~~~

 

Today we had Emmi. I tried taking it easy. Did pretty good protecting myself from over doing it again.

We got a call around noon that Papa's mom had fallen. She fell on Saturday but didn't press her life alert button. From what I understand, she laid on the floor for several hours. Typical of an older person, she didn't understand how the button works. She figured why press it since the people who she'd talk to didn't have a key to get in and help her.

 

Kennedy's end of the season zoo picnic was today. And it rained. ~~sigh~~ Brandi went to meet her after she got off work and she brought her home to keep us from making another trip out. Made me happy because then I got to see Brandi today too!

 

After she gathered her things, we took Kennedy over to her other grandparents'. She's staying there a couple days before summer's over and she's back to her mom's starting school. The ride was okay but I did have ice on my knee. It's always what gets it the worst when I get hurt.

 

Once we dropped her off, we went to see what was up with Mom Sage. April had taken her to the ER. She has broken her upper arm and has to immobilize it. This is going to be a little tough on her. She's not used to not doing. She may move slow but she does move. She doesn't sit still for long periods of time.

 

This evening we had Em until 8:00 or so. She's so fun! She getting to the huggy lovey stage where for no reason at all she'll run up, give hugs and say I lub you. And she's got names for all her animals and gives them all love too. And then she tosses them. No Emmi. We don't throw. Trow? We don't throw. Trow?

 

After texting with my girlie this evening (Kennedy always texts when she can't seem to fall asleep.) I came on up to go to bed. But...I hurt. So falling to sleep will be a real trick. I took Excederin, all I have for pain. Not helping much. I have a sweet friend who offered a massage, but I don't want to get started with something I can't continue with. I'd want to head to the massage therapist Anne all the time and it's not covered on our medical.

 

I think I'll check back on some of my blog notes and see what still could be added here. My "recipes." lol I laugh every time you guys out there call them that. They're just food fixin ideas.

 

~~~~~

 

From Aug 4....

 

This was a fun day so far. BUT carpet cleaning is still in my future. I got so far as to LOOK at the machine and imagine myself taking the child safety lock off the cabinet where the cleaning solution is. Now. If I can get up the want-to before I go to bed tonight.... I will. It's necessary!!

 

I started out the day with my normal checking email and such as I bring my body to a sitting position and get my back ready to actually walk. If I don't just sit and relax on the bed a little while and instead jump and move, I'm done for the day. It's humid today so it's not been easy physically for me. The knee and other trouble spots always give me fits when it's humid. But...I make it.

 

I had several baskets of laundry in the office that needed to be put away. Did that before heading downstairs. Did a bit of towel sorting as I put them away. What I really need to sort is my clothes. I don't see that happening for a while. lol Too much work!

 

When I went downstairs, I got on the computer and printed out this month's R Store coupons. Well this two week's. They put up new ones every two weeks. There wasn't a lot I'd use, but I figured I'd find something. Missy had gone in the morning with a friend. Then Darlene called me and said she wanted to go too. I met

her, Kris and Casey down there and shared coupons.

 

It was a good trip even though I was dodging the golf traffic. Yep the Bridgestone Invitational Golf Tournament is held here in Akron. It really generates the traffic and it was all right in my path. No matter

which path I chose, it would either be the outright traffic or the parking areas.

 

I picked up half gallons of Welch's grape juice for 1.19, big jugs of OJ for 1.99, little debbie's for everyone's lunches for 2 / .99, Pepperidge farm fishy honey whole wheat sandwich thins for 1.19, marie callendar's pie shells for 1.19 I think (I make good crust but just don't have the want to right now), boxes of fiber one chocolate chip walnut muffins for 1.29 I think it was and huge bags of tortilla chip rounds for a buck a bag. Can't remember what else I found at the moment. OH big bags of already made, individually wrapped pork or chicken egg rolls for 4.99. Oh and sugar free cool whip for .89 and a big ol' thing of butter flavor popcorn salt for our popcorn machine when we set it up for .89.

 

Came home from there, unloaded, went down and put things that will be in the basement storage away, started a load of sheets so I can finish up all the laundry and sat to relax a minute. Right now I'm sitting in the dark! The timer on the light got messed with and it hasn't come on yet. Oh well. What do I need lights for?

Soon I'll be leaving to pick Kennedy up from her 12 hour day at the zoo. She did her regular day of volunteering plus an extra few hours for membership night. Missy, Rusty, Cait and the girls went to visit. She was hoping someone would come say hi. When I pick her up, I'll be picking up Missy and Melanie too and taking them back home.

 

Sometime this evening I need to fit in making Papa's lunch! lol Don't know what yet, but I'll make it come together somehow.

 

~~~~~

 

I didn't mention Corry and some of their kids came over to make Kennedy's birthday present. It was cool watching them working together to make her a drawing board she can carry back and forth from her mom's and our place.

 

~~~~~

 

Lunch Friday....

 

Salad...

Romaine

Sugar snap peas

Vine ripe tomatoes

Cucumber

Scallion

Green pepper

Carrots

Celery

Dried blueberries

Dried cranberries

Pine nuts

Herbed yogurt cheese

 

Wraps...

Herb wrap, cream cheese, turkey, muenster

Herb wrap, cream cheese, ham, Swiss

 

Peach cobbler home made muffins. I printed the recipe from the computer. If you want to hunt it up, I'm pretty sure it was from Southern Plate. They were extra yummy!!

 

~~~~~

Given the choice between the experience of pain and nothing,

I would choose pain.

~~William Faulkner

~~~~~