Merry Christmas.....

My son is going to his father's for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day...I believe the last time he was not with me on Christmas Eve and Morning was when he was 5 years old and he flew out to Arkansas with his father to spend it out there with his father's family - and came home with an arm in a cast.  Hopefully he and his father will stay away from trampolines this Christmas.

I will be spending Christmas Eve making my "Christmas" Banana Walnut Stuffed French Toast for tomorrow's "Adopted" Family Christmas Breakfast Gathering.  When I went out to my car this morning to leave for work, I found two loaves of French Bread hanging on my car door... I'd have to say that someone (my BFF) is definitely looking forward to my breakfast contribution!!!  The knowing I'm going to make something everyone will enjoy, as well as, be with a group of crazy, fun people and lots of screaming children (OY VEY) on Christmas morning, will hopefully bring in the Christmas Spirit ... because I kind of seriously lost it the day before yesterday.  

The best gift I could get for Christmas right now is pictures texted to me on Christmas morning from my brother of my nephew opening the boxes that contain my gifts to him and his amazement and joy!!!  That would make the world right for me....

So... what is my "Christmas" Banana Walnut Stuffed French Toast, you ask?

A Buttered Casserole Dish

Day Old French Bread cut in cubes 

3 Ripe Bananas sliced/diced and tossed around on the bread cubes

Topped with a custard made of:

8 Eggs

1 cup Half n Half

1/2 cup of milk

cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla

Then drizzle Real Maple Syrup over that....

Then, a crumble like topping made of:

Brown Sugar, Vanilla, 1/2 Cup of Chopped Walnuts, and butter to make a crumble

that you dollop here and there

Cover the casserole dish with tin foil - put in fridge overnight - when you wake up - you pop it in the oven at 375 - and cook for an hour, or until you pass the clean knife test.... if it starts to brown too much when cooking, you cover it with tin foil... when it is done... cut it in squares and serve - it's really a bread pudding... but some people really have an aversion to the name "Bread Pudding" - so if you call it stuffed french toast - they all eat it....

It's way too rich to eat a lot of.... just a tiny little square will do....

Winter Wonderland - Thanksgiving Vacation with Family

It was lovely and warm when we arrived in New England... Upstate New York/Massachusetts border... welcomed by Mom.... and then Brother, Sis-in-Law, and Baby arrived the next day... and we woke up the day before Thanksgiving with flurries, and my Brother swearing we were in for some real snow... We went and visited Martin Van Buren's home but I did not have clothes/boots to travel in the snow to go up to it... so I was only able to see just the outside of it through the trees.....

We had a nice time visiting, but the time flew by and we were back to driving home..... 

Now we are back in Florida where the sun is shining... it's not that warm at the moment (highs 65 - lows 40)... but it's beautiful - my favorite time of year and what keeps me here in Florida - the incredible and wonderful winter weather!  No Shoveling.....

November 21-23rd - The Beginning of the Quest for Fun

Friday Night, November 21st– our quest for fun went smashingly well.  First night off the highway spent in North Carolina, outside of Fayetteville, and we stayed at a Holiday Inn Express.  They were  pretty full and the only Non-Smoking room was a King room – the bed was incredibly comfortable, and I never even knew the kid was sharing it with me… we seemed miles apart.  The shower was spanking clean, had great water pressure, and I left that hotel feeling that it was a sign of things even better to come.

We made it to Antietam National Battlefield late Saturday afternoon, with enough sunlight and time to allow us to see most of it.  We drove down Bloody Lane and saw all the monuments to each of the battalions that fought… the sun was just starting to lower/set and it gave off that gloomy light, so we left with a sad and heavy heart knowing that more than 20,000 men died on that exact site on one day – brothers fighting brothers – terribly sad indeed.

Well, sadness did not fit into our plan, so we got back into the quest for fun, and hit the road to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.  We took these tiny country highways that felt like you were riding on a roller coaster, past farms, up and down hills and dales, it was incredibly beautiful!!!  When we stopped in the small towns for a “pit stop”, we were greeted with nothing but friendliness and warmth of that American charm we take for granted most of the time.  By the time it was very dark, we arrived at the hotel.  It was everything and more than what was expected.

Our room was in the old part, 4 floors up, facing the roundabout, with a fireplace, a nice big chair and ottoman to sit in front of the fire… the room was clean, very spacious, and there was a huge spa tub (no time for trying out a jacuzzi).  A beautiful restaurant and bar downstairs in the lobby, though it was packed because of a wedding and the hotel was full of wedding guests.  But – no disturbances, no problems, I’d recommend staying here...

We ate at the Pub across the street… I wish we had taken the advice of people on websites regarding the Pub – it said to skip eating in the restaurant area and stay in the bar area – the bartenders were phenomenal – but the restaurant was lacking that same warmth and service of the bar.  I did have delicious crab soup!!!!

Gettysburg National Battlefield – we picked up our tour guide at 10 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 23^rd, and spent 2 hours with him behind the wheel of my car – where he drove us through the battlefields, the town, he pointed out houses that are still standing and riddled in gunshots/bullet holes, and even one large mansion with a canon ball stuck in it… he told us of the battles in a way that we could just sit there and imagine exactly what was happening… it was definitely phenomenal and worth spending your money on!!!!  My son was thrilled – this was his birthday gift – his very own private guide.

That 70s Beat....

Every day that gets closer and closer to Vacation Time, I’m finding myself more and more excited!  My car is in “purrrfect” order, mental “Hugs” to my reliable, honest mechanic – a friend’s brother in law.  My cats and home have a sitter staying over the entire time… so no worries on that end.  Now all that is left to do is save money and pack winter clothes and bedding … I cannot wait to see my snuggly, huggy Mom – yes, I have one of those, they are great!

AND on a completely different subject… this morning my friend and I were chatting about music.  She went to a dinner party and it had a 70s theme.  She was so thrilled because Jesus Christ Superstar came on the stereo at the party.  She said she was all about how that was her favorite musical, her favorite song, and then this morning she got an email and the group she belongs to are going to see Jesus Christ Superstar at the theater!  She's just beside herself excited... I love 70s music, and honestly 80s are supposed to be my era/my music, but I don’t really like the 80s.  When at work, and wanting to focus, I put 70s stations on TuneIn Radio … I work better to Abba or the Bee Gees. 

So, back to Jesus Christ Superstar… it’s also one of my favorite musicals – well – anything Andrew Lloyd Weber is something I love… and this is my favorite song from the musical (it makes me tear up every time I hear it)…. Sing it Yvonne, bring it!!!!!

Crazy Cat Lady Musings....

This morning I forgot a few things, a) to go vote,  and b) to put dinner in the crockpot.  So, at lunch time, the polls were too packed and I just drove on home and put my chicken and ingredients for dinner in the crockpot  ... a kitchen towel fell off the counter on the floor, and Habibi laid down in front of the towel and put his little face into it... he just sat there, face smushed into towel, wouldn't move, wouldn't look at me, silent and still with his face in a towel... it broke my heart... why you ask?  I saw my very pitiful and sad cat upset because he knew I was going to leave and not stay home to pet him and listen to his every complaint.  What is the truth/reality? The cat thought it was comfortable to put his face in the clean smelling kitchen towel that fell on the floor; no emotions involved.

I have paid in advance, reserved, a private tour guide from the National Park Service at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania for my son's birthday!  I sent him the reservation confirmation, and I got a note back that said "Awesome, THANK YOU!!! I am SO EXCITED!" That was a positive cheer for me!!!  

So, now we have a reservation for The Gettysburg Hotel and a reservation for the tour through the Battlefield.  

17 more days till we leave for vacation... 

2006 Honda Accord V-6 - Screaming when it's Cold....

I just want to get the word out to people who are not mechanically minded or knowledgable about cars and go to mechanics and dealerships for help.

First, there was a recall on the hose to the Power Steering pump.  Mine was fixed... but... the hose was all that was replaced.  Not the connectors and the O-Ring.  It was only the hose in the recall...

SO... when it starts to scream when it's cold... it's the O-Ring - and it's less than $2.00 for that part... and less than $13.00 for the inlet fitting it sits in that looks like an elbow and connects the hose to the power steering pump.

IF ANYONE TELLS YOU IT'S $500 - 900 TO FIX YOUR SCREAMING HONDA.... tell them to go do something to themselves.... especially if they say it's that much to "re-seal" the pump....

$20.00 is the total cost after tax for parts, and you could change it yourself if you have the tools... or take it to someone trustworthy and pay him the 15 minutes time that it took him to replace it... and the whine and scream is gone...

It's screaming because the ring (seal) is letting air get in and it's backing it down the hose to where you have the fluid tank... you can tell - open where you put the fluid and it will be bubbly /foamy from the air ... it's screaming because the pump isn't being lubricated enough and the air is forcing that lubrication backwards... when it heats up - it tends to stop screaming - because the air isn't able to get in easily... eventually it will scream all the time, you will lose fluid, and you will burn out the pump....

Hopefully someone will one day research and read this - maybe - and I've saved them $100s of dollars by them checking to see if it is the O-Ring with a reputable/honest mechanic...

THANK GOD.... I asked around!!!!!!

What Broom Did You Ride In On?

Well - HAPPY HALLOWEEN....

I am so glad it is Friday and this week from H-E-Double Hockey Sticks is almost over.  From having skin cancer scare, medical insurance issues, work issues, friend issues, sounds to me like I need a vacation!  So... thankfully while eating dinner with my kid last night, he looked at me and said "Aren't you excited, we are leaving for vacation soon?"

He's right... so let me set aside the mundane bullshit of life that will never go away, never end, and always be replaced with SOMETHING ELSE... and focus on the fun and positives!

I have reservations at two wonderful places, one is Gettsyburg, PA, and the best is always for last - MOM's House.   I've added a new fun into the vacation - for the way home - We get to stop in New Jersey and meet up with an old friend of mine from high school for PIZZA...  There is NO pizza like New Jersey pizza and the same goes for Bagels.

So I end my Halloween music entries with the following, something more modern and less classical! Enjoy some Zombie.....

Bon Jour....

I woke up this morning to the alarm, some awful radio station morning program going on with these ridiculous people going on and on, enough to make anyone jump out of bed and run screaming...with these awful, loud nasal American accents-and I know I have that same sound when I talk!!  Do we all have deviated septums?  I heard Habibi fuss at the noise from the nest he made in my covers, so I hit the snooze and curled back up to sleep... finally when I realized I HAD to get out of bed, it's Friday, tomorrow is the weekend, I was waking up in the wrong place... it's all a bad dream... I needed to wake up where I wanted to be in reality....Paris.  

I should be climbing out of my cozy bed in a tiny little flat I'm temporarily renting on my "Tour of Europe" in the Marais... throwing on some comfy clothes, black large sunglasses, my hair up in a messy bun, and grabbing up my little French Bulldog, LuLu-Belle, with her little pink sparkly collar and matching leash, and off we go to the cafe on the corner for a cup of coffee and a croissant. Habibi had to stay back in the USA without his Mummy because he's not a happy traveler.

But, somehow, I was transported out of that wonderful reality to this dull and boring bad dream ... of waking up like an automaton, shower, dress, do hair, feed cats, make sure they have water, make bed, get in car and drive the same route, shake head at bad drivers and glare at the morons who are in a 5 car pile up due to tailgating and speeding at the same time, into the office, make coffee, force on a smile and a happy Good Morning, and then to the usual work drudgery... all in a place that a large concensus considers paradise, Sunny Florida.

My Halloween Music 

A little Johann Sebastian Bach organ to gloom the day and bring in that eerie effect....

A Little Grieg...for some Halloween Spirit....

Peer Gynt is part of my life... I cannot remember any part of my childhood where Grieg's Peer Gynt was not playing in the back ground.  I loved the story, and without any words, just knowing the story, and listening with your eyes shut, you know what is happening in each piece....

So, here's In the Hall of the Mountain King ... where Peer is with the trolls and the Troll King... and trolls aren't very nice, and they are talking about how they could cook Peer, for supposedly getting the Troll Princess pregnant...

The Red Death....

THE MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH

~ Andre Caplet

Edgar Allen Poe's The Masque of the Red Death...

 "And Darkness and Decay and the Red Death held 

illimitable dominion over all."

With all that is going on with the Ebola outbreak - no matter what, it's going to spread.... human error, ignorance, selfishness, and idiots running the show.... Poe's story reminds me of today's news.... and it's VERY SCARY!!!!!!!

Goosebumps and Hair Raising Chills......

Stanley Kubrick could not have chosen a more eerie piece for his film, The Shining.  The movie alone, the storyline enough, to create nightmares - but add this to the soundtrack, and you have the most frightening film... this music, alone, no film, just itself, brings goosebumps and chills .... enjoy!!!!!!!

Béla Bartók - Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta, III

Bartók's Night Music

In the "Spirit" of Things Halloween....

I remember when I was in 1st grade, just a little 6 year old, and we had Music class...my favorite class besides Art... it was Halloween, and our teacher played "Danse Macabre" for us... and how I loved it.... it's one of my all time favorite pieces, any time of the year!!!!!  It just builds you up, you imagine Death playing his fiddle surrounded by waltzing skeletons!!!!!!!!!!  I hope you find it as wonderful as I do.....

Written with inspiration from the following poem, "Égalité, Fraternité...", Henri Cazalis' l'Illusion.

Zig, zig, zig, Death in cadence,

Striking a tomb with his heel,

Death at midnight plays a dance-tune,

Zig, zig, zag, on his violin.

The winter wind blows, and the night is dark;

Moans are heard in the linden trees.

White skeletons pass through the gloom,

Running and leaping in their shrouds.

Zig, zig, zig, each one is frisking,

You can hear the cracking of the bones of the dancers.

A lustful couple sits on the moss

So as to taste long lost delights.

Zig zig, zig, Death continues

The unending scraping on his instrument.

A veil has fallen! The dancer is naked.

Her partner grasps her amorously.

The lady, it's said, is a marchioness or baroness

And her green gallant, a poor cartwright.

Horror! Look how she gives herself to him,

Like the rustic was a baron.

Zig, zig, zig. What a saraband!

They all hold hands and dance in circles.

Zig, zig, zag. You can see in the crowd

The king dancing among the peasants.

But hist! All of a sudden, they leave the dance,

They push forward, they fly; the cock has crowed.

Oh what a beautiful night for the poor world!

Long live death and equality!

Fatniss....

I decided to call Noomi.... Fatniss - after Katniss in The Hunger Games.  

This chunk of a cat is the sweetest thing that ever walked the Earth... she puts my Prince, Habibi, to shame.  Last night she just wanted to do Head Bumps... so we bumped heads for about 5 minutes, she got some ear scratches, and the she curled up with me and just purred herself to sleep... and I passed right out with her! TV going, computer on, lights on in the house, too early to be taking naps...but when Fatniss wants you to take a nap, you take a nap!!!!!  

One of Those Days....

I had my favorite pair of red suede sandals in its box, in my closet, safe and dust free, etc. - guess what?  They dry rotted or something because when I got to work, the bottom of one disintegrated.  I am now forced to have to sit barefoot at my desk - but when I go around the office I have a choice of 4 1/2 inch platforms I cannot walk in anymore or the tightest, most painful little red patent leather pointy witchy flats OR a pair of Steve Madden Crocheted Clogs that look like bedroom slippers... Slippers won.....

I had a really awful asthma attack when I got to work... looking at the weather report - it states today is a HIGH 10- Extreme for Dust and Dander.  No wonder I'm dying.... and gasping for air!!!!!  Allergies won....

BUT

It's FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!! AND that is JOYFUL NEWS!!!!!!!!!

Tonight when I get home I will be starting the Bread Starter for my Italian Peasant Loaf and  I'll bake tomorrow evening after I am finished:

SHOPPING!!!!!

The Green Alligator - a boutique toy store with unique toys and books, to shop for my incredibly adorable, beautiful, brilliant 1 yr old nephew!!!!!!!!!!  Can't go visit him without bearing wonderful gifts!!!!!!!

Another little Boutique/Gift Shop - for some early Christmas shopping for my mother....

AND - SO EXCITED - FINALLY - I'm going to NORDSTROM's to see if I can find any new clothes for myself.... they just opened!!!!!!!!!  I cannot wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  We have a NORDSTROM!!!!  I can actually replace the pair of beautiful shoes that broke!

Slow Cooking.... Apricot BBQ Chicken

Apricot BBQ Chicken

4-6 boneless/skinless chicken breasts

1 jar of Apricot Preserves

1 sm. bottle of Baby Rays Sweet BBQ Sauce

1 packet of Onion Soup Mix

Slow cook 4-6 hours on low (I'm having to do it for 8 hours and hoping all goes well)

Served over rice and garnished with some chopped green onion (Scallions)

I will be using Whole Foods Frozen Organic Jasmine Rice - a bag with 5 cups of rice, $2.99 - that bag will work for 3 dinners for 2 people - I think it is the greatest savings!

Wish me luck...... I bought a brand new slow cooker.  I hope I don't burn the house down!!!!!!  Kid just called and said he was off to training classes with work, but he checked on the chicken because it SMELLED SO GOOD!

A Cake I Shall Bake.....

I had energy, lots of it, this weekend.. I decided Saturday would be the day to burn it all off.  I started with a good carpet shampooing, and ended up with myself covered in sugar, flour, and the scent of a vanilla pound cake baking in the oven... Baking a pound cake by hand, without a stand mixer, is hard work!!!!  It's such a wonderful experience to bake...with a pound cake, it's a very slow process, and exact.  Each ingredient must be room temperature, slowly beaten and blended perfectly, and each item added, one at a time... no hurries if you want success.  The end was this beauty and a house that smelled of vanilla and baked goods. How Super Comfy!!!!!

I've finally decided and made our reservations - for:

The Gettysburg Hotel 1797

I finally made the decision and bit the bullet.  I decided on a "real" hotel where check-in is after 4 p.m., we have double beds, coffee maker in room, fireplace and modern day furnishings, amenities, and hotel comforts in the heart of the Historic District, Downtown Gettysburg.  The idea of a quaint inn or B&B is great, but when you read the "Warnings, Policies, and Disclaimers" of the Inns and B&Bs, you find they seem a bit scary and rigid for my needs... I don't want to lose my money and reservation because I got caught up in traffic outside Washington D.C. - so the larger, more commercial Hotel industry won! Along with the fact it is on a historic square next to taverns, coffee shops, and such, so all conveniences....   We will have tavern food and some Black and Tans for our celebratory Gettysburg Birthday Celebration Evening....   Then I plan to go upstairs to my room, sit in front of the fireplace and chill out before the Sabrina's Express takes off to the Catskills and Berkshires in New England the next day.... 

I'm so excited!!!!!!!!!!!  So... we have the first three days planned... with a hotel booked... and then off to Gramma's House We GO!!!!!!  

Grate Day and Happy Planning!!!!!

The Bronchitis is gone... the ear/sinus infection gone... I just am in the weaning stages of getting off Prednisone - and if anyone has ever taken it before, ughhhh, you can relate to it is one nasty thing to take steroids!!!!

AND.... that's where my Joyful News begins.  I am PLANNING A REAL VACATION!!!!!!!  FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!  Not going overseas... but, I'll take what I can get.

The Kid is turning 24 this Thanksgiving... so we are going to toss in a trip to New England to visit my mother, but ... we are also going to make it an American History Themed Road Trip.  

ANTIETAM - AMERICAN CIVIL WAR BATTLEFIELD

Antietam Battlefield in Maryland - the site of America's bloodiest single-day battle, with more than 23,000 lives lost that day. Hundreds of visitors and locals have reported seeing soldiers in uniform, still on the field, seen wandering around as if lost, many hear the fire of cannons and guns, the sightings seem to be most prevalent at dawn and dusk.

Sunken Road - supposed to be extremely electrical feeling.... even today... like the aura has remained from this incredibly awful and bloody battle... and you can see why below:

Just dead soldiers left side by side in ditches, there were so many - and so many mass graves... all in the yards of farmers in the area - they say it is one of the most haunted battlefields, that people have claimed over the many years to see soldiers of both sides just walking through the fields - through the farm houses, and still as if in battle... so sad... 

GETTYSBURG - AMERICAN CIVIL WAR BATTLEFIELD

1. The Battle of Gettysburg, fought from July 1 to July 3, 1863, is considered the most important engagement of the American Civil War. After a great victory over Union forces at Chancellorsville, General Robert E. Lee marched his Army of Northern Virginia into Pennsylvania in late June 1863.
2. 
   
   

Here's a famous civil war photo of Confederate Soldiers taken prisoner - that has been colorized... I love the way they colorize things today - gives you so much more reality than the black and whites and tin types...

I am now working on hotels, places we will sleep/stay when in these two places.  I believe we will hit Antietam, spend the day, then drive to Gettysburg and stay there at one of the old hotels.  The Gettysburg Hotel is one on my list, and still looking into others... but I want to stay in something with a lot of character and history - since that is what this trip is all about....

Stay tuned for more, if interested!  I certainly am, and I am certainly thrilled to be giving my son this incredible opportunity to visit sites of interest and we will have private guides through the Battlefields via the National Park Visitor centers... Can't wait!!!!!!  

FYI:  I had ancestors fight both sides of the war...so, I am not prone to choose a side... I just feel a great swell of sadness that they had to choose a side and fight such an ugly war... brother against brother...

One Pot Meals... Giving them a try....

It may not be Autumn (here) as most people know it, but being that it is in the 60s-70s night and mornings, makes me believe I'm experiencing a real Autumn.... and so, hearty, rib sticking meals come to mind ... 

Last night I decided to collect a few One Pot meals.  Just throw everything into one pot, no draining, no changing pots, nothing - all in one... and my first meal was an absolute success:

ONE POT CHILI MAC

(My Low Fat/High Fiber Version)

In my Knock-Off Le Creuset Dutch Oven, I browned up a whole chopped Sweet Yellow Onion, 2 cloves of garlic, and 1.25 lbs of ground turkey in 1 T olive oil (I used 3 T – because I used more garlic and cooked with the turkey meat that has low fat content)

Then I added a box of Pomi Diced Tomatoes with juice, two cans of Bush’s Chili Beans (Medium) – drained, 2 t chili powder, 1.5 t cumin, salt * pepper to taste, 4 cups of low sodium chicken broth, and brought it all to a boil…

Then I added a box of Whole Wheat Elbow Noodles, turned the heat to simmer, gave it all a good stir, put the lid on and checked it every 5 minutes for a stir for a total of 10 minutes …turned the heat off and then let it sit and set....with lid on....

You can add some cheddar cheese, or a dollop of sour cream, etc. if that is what you prefer on your chili....

Voila – a hearty, high fiber, low fat meal!!!!!!!!  Kid ate HALF the pot!!!!!!!! 

Ingredients:
1.25 lbs. of ground turkey (or whatever you choose)

1 Yellow Onion – peeled/chopped

2 garlic cloves – diced up

1 T. Olive Oil (use as much as you feel you need)

1 can 15 oz. of petite diced tomatoes (I used the whole box of Pomi Diced Tomatoes) with juice

2 cans of drained Chili Beans (I like some spice, so I chose Medium)

2 t. chili powder

1.5 t. cumin

Salt and Pepper to taste

4 cups of Low Sodium Chicken Broth (you can make this vegetarian** see below)

1 box of Barilla whole grain elbow noodles

** Vegetarian – skip the meat/turkey and use vegetable broth….maybe add bell pepper with the onion and garlic to give more substance J

It's So Good To Breathe!!!!!! Oxygen!!!!!!

I can BREATHE - how exciting is that!!!!!!!!!  I love my doctor - he was right - he said after two-three days of taking the medicines, doing breathing treatments 4 times a day, and with the new inhaler - I would feel better... he was right!  By next week I will be finished with all the medicines, and I imagine I'll feel like a million dollars!  Phewwwwwww....

My beautiful MONEY PIT!!!!!!  

Nebulizing....and Ancestry.....

While I sit here and use the nebulizer so I can breathe....

I was looking through photos of ancestors.... I love old photos/antiques... so even ones of just an anonymous person interests me...

I think this is a beautiful child, a fantastic photo of a great great uncle from my paternal

side of the family... his father was my 3rd grandfather... I don't know if my mind is playing tricks on me, but this child has my son's look - did I pass such strong genes to my son.... 

and another great great uncle.... showing off his beautiful horse

This is a photo of my 6th great grandmother on my maternal side of the family, a true Pioneer .... poor thing, not a tooth in her head, but she was a very devout Christian and proud of her family/her husband/her children and the home and work they put in to build up the community they started when her family moved to the MidWest in wagons....

Barking up a Storm....

That's all I am up to these days - a good ole barking.... the doctor put me on so many new drugs, inhalers, and steroids, ughhh, on top of I have a nebulizer and have to have 4 breathing treatments a day.  So far, I have had 3 treatments today, started my new medicines, and I have been sitting here for an hour catching up on some tv shows I love, and I haven't barked once...  The doctor promised me that in 48 hours I will feel 90-100% better.  I'd say I'm at 40% right at this moment, and I'm afraid to move or do anything in the event I go back to 0%....

Right now we're having a really fantastic thunder and lightening storm....

Last night I made the mistake of watching the UK's version of "Who Do You Think You Are" with Brendan O'Carroll (Mrs. Brown) and he researched the murder/assassination of his grandfather... it broke my heart - his grandfather was assassinated because he would not force his two sons to surrender - so the murderous Auxillary thugs came to his house and shot him dead - an old man who ran a hardware store in Dublin and was not a member of the IRA and who could not in his heart turn his children in knowing they'd be executed... his life for theirs....  Then I watched Julie Walters who traced her family back to Ireland as well and found out that her family had stood up to the tyrannical landlord, an aristocrat from England known for his arrogance, his attrocious behavior and actions as a landlord, etc., who stole from and starved out his tenants... they risked imprisonment and punishment, including her grandmother - I read about these women who were always made out to be meek and tolerant - just cleaning house and popping out babies- and the truth is they were tough as nails and forces to be reckonned with!

When I started working on my own geneology, I had been told by a few relatives I'd have lots of Irish and Scottish relatives. But, no, that's not the case.... my family came over on both my paternal and maternal side during the Mayflower days, Pre-Revolutionary times. (There is an Irish wife here and there) There were the English that came over and settled in New York and were very political and influential, educated families with bloodlines to the Lancasters, and there were the scholarly and educated Germans that came over and settled in the South because at the time in Germany they were persecuted for their political and religious beliefs, as well as, they were promised lands so fertile for farming that their families would never be without - and so, my Lutheran German ancestors made the move over, fighting in battles, such as The Battle of Kings Mountain, and settling into North Carolina where there are monuments and statues of my ancestors throughout the counties they lived in and prospered.  There were those that we thought were German, that turned out to be Dutch... the spelling of the name being changed over the years through transfers of deeds and agreements as they moved from the East coast on a wagon train to Indiana.  The names are spelled differently which would differentiate whether German or Dutch, but they are pronounced exactly the same... so it ended up our Dutch ancestors were always thought to be German due to mispellings... My great grandfather was supposed to have been from a Scottish family, nobody knew, or could answer about the heritage - they are Welsh! It amazes me that my ancestors came over on diseased ridden ships, low on food, no potable water, people dying from horrible diseases from the living conditions in close quarters on those ships, and yet my family made those trips and didn't die, didn't get sick, and even made the trip back and forth to bring over wives and children they left behind... 

The only sad part of it all is that I cannot share any of this with my great grandmother - I know that she would have taken such an interest, she'd have been in disbelief to know about the family she was born into... I really wish I could have found all this out during her lifetime.  Sometimes I think the drive I had to do all the genealogical work and solving mysteries was for her, and her alone.  

Recipe for My Little Family Up North... the Vegetarians!

• TABOULEH SALAD
• 
  
• INGREDIENTS:
  1 cup hot water
  1 cup dry bulghur wheat (you could go with couscous)
  4 green onions, chopped
  1 cup fresh chopped parsley
  ½ Cucumber, peeled/cored-de-seeded, chopped
  1 large tomato, chopped
  ¼ cup fresh chopped de-stemmed, mint leaves
  1 clove of garlic minced, or substitute with 1/8 t. garlic powder
  1 cup of diced up/chopped in thirds pitted Kalamata Olives
  4 oz. crumbled feta cheese
  ½ bag of steamed/sautéed baby spinach leaves (I’d sauté really quick with the garlic)
  
  
  DRESSING
  2 tablespoons vegetable or olive oil
  1 or 2 Squeezed/seeded fresh lemon
  1⁄4 teaspoon salt and ground pepper
  
  
  Directions:  Cook up the bulghur wheat (which is just soaking it in hot water and then fluffing), mix in a big bowl all the ingredients – then whisk up your dressing and toss it all together very well…. And eat with some toasted/heated up pita bread… YUMMMMM... IF TOO dry - then just toss in some more olive oil... 

I Don't Bark, I "Cough" "Wheeze" and "Rage"....

Editing my Rant and Rage.... got it out of my system, now time to smile and move on :)

Yesterday, I stood up for a little old lady who had called me crying from the hospital because her 5 grown children were already fighting over her estate, and she was not dead!  Well, today I made a trip with co-worker, to the ICU at the hospital, met up with doctor and nurses, and read the little woman who was so sick all the documents she wished for me to prepare, and she signed; they were what she wanted (not her ungrateful children's wishes) and she signed, the nurses witnessed, and the doctor provided a document that the lady was of sound mind and had her full wits about her to understand what she was saying, signing and understanding... Now ... I hope she gets better and gets to go home and not have to deal with such awfulness again!!!!!!!   

Today, I stood up for myself, in regards to the poor treatment and quality of service from the pharmacy - My active aggression was that I wrote a letter to his boss, to corporate, and faxed it, and mailed hard copies, and done... lets just say, I made it known that I was taking my business elsewhere... maybe enough other people complain and they'll find better employees or retrain the ones that they have on customer service skills.

Let's just say that it is QUIET in the office, people are smiling and pleasant and going out of their way to be professional and friendly... WHAT a difference it makes after I finally snap - and am backed up when a client repeats verbatim everything I've complained about.... Honestly, it's not about whether they keep their jobs or not, it's whether or not they do their job and in a professional manner that does not adversely affect their co-workers and clients.  That's all....  and my professionalism pays off once again, I received a beautiful thank you card from a client along with a gift certificate for the assistance I provide that is more than expected... I like to make people happy ... I go out of my way to do so when it comes to work, and normally it pays off!!!!!!

Why have I been such a grouch and miserable:  I was diagnosed after a trip to the doctor's office on Monday morning, after spending half of Saturday and all of Sunday in bed, coughing, wheezing, blowing, feverish, and miserable... with Bronchitis, Sinus Infection, my right ear was infected, Strep Throat (been so long now since tonsils were out, strange to have strep!!!)... I was out of work for two days, and yesterday went back and the doctor cleared me to go back to work... I almost made it through an entire day!!!  Then ended up with very low grade fever again, in bed for the night coughing and hacking, with hot tea to sip and two snuggle bug cats.... 

What Do I Really Think.....

I've been busy at the office, and a little stressed - because I have so much to do and I have to be interrupted with nonsense, disrupted by obnoxious ... well... enough said, it's the same old, same old... so in humor to my rotten past few weeks of dealing with the most obnoxious and unprofessional co-workers..... I post these wonderful little humorous pics/sayings... 

Heat Wave....

Well if I have not lost as much as I wanted to - after the next few days of sweating, I should meet my goal!!! We are under heat advisories and warnings - stay in the A/C ... check on your neighbors and elderly loved ones... Winter cannot get here fast enough!!!!

I have lost almost 30 lbs in the past three months.  I'm very proud of myself, ... still got a long road ahead....

New favorite meal:

Whole Wheat Pita Pizzas

A little olive oil brushed on the bread

Thinly Sliced Tomatoes

Thinly Sliced Red Onion

Chopped Roasted Garlic Cloves from Fresh Market

Fresh chopped Basil leaves

Chopped Kalamata Olives

Crumbles of Feta Cheese

Mozzarella Pearls

Baked at 375 for about 15-20 minutes till all is melted and bubbly...

Yummy....

I'm thinking of trying a more Middle Eastern one... using Hummus or Baba Ganoush as the base then toast it up with tomatoes, red onions, basil, parsley, garlic, squeeze of lemon juice, olives, and feta... I think it would be amazing.... 

I found the local Middle Eastern bakery in my city and bought up a bunch of pita fresh out of the oven - still warm in the bag - took them home and froze half and we've been eating sandwiches or making pita pizzas for dinners.

Greek Yogurt Kick....

Well I've had my first weigh in - and I lost 12 lbs... I didn't make it to 20 yet... so still trying...
I had gum grafting surgery on Friday, the 11th of July, and then on the 13th I had a fever and stomach "issues" - which lasted through out the entire week... Friend told me she knew about 5 people with the same "virus"... I'm not weighing myself until next week.

So.... because of the gum surgery I was advised to only eat mushy things/soft things, and that yogurt would be a good and healthy choice.  So, I tried the Greek Yoplait 100 calorie Black Cherry.... I blended it for about 5 minutes until there was no white and the consistency was of whipped cream or a lite mousse... and it was outrageously delicious.  NOW.... I'm hooked.  All I want is yogurt.  It soothed my stomach and seemed to help the "tummy issues"...

Today I went out and I bought:
3 Dannon brand Oikos
3 Chobani 100
3 Yoplait 100

I just finished the Oikos Blueberry, it had 130 calories, and it was delicious, but I like the Yoplait 100 better.

Chobani - nope, too sour, too yogurty for me...

Yoplait is my favorite!!!!!  I will give my son who loves any kind of yogurt my rejects!!!!!

Farmers Markets

This past Saturday I decided to go to the Farmers Market near our downtown.  I walked away with spending $13.00 for 3 full bags of zucchini, yellow squash, eggplant, bell peppers, and tomatoes.

I took out the new bright red roasting pan and filled it with veggies and roasted them - served them over Whole Foods Organic Brown Rice mixed with Quinoa, Almonds, and Dried Cranberries...

Cubed:
2 Small Eggplants
2 Zucchini
2 Yellow Squash
1 Sweet Yellow Onion
1 Green Bell Pepper
2 Large Beefsteak Tomatoes
1/2 a cup of chopped pitted Kalamata Olives

Tossed them all with Olive Oil, Tuscan Seasoning Mix, Ground Black Pepper, and Garlic Powder

Roasted them till the eggplant was soft and things were browning (would stir things up every 15 minutes to cook evenly)

400 degrees/1 hour

Served it over the rice/quinoa mix and was a real hit with my son.... one bowl and you are full and satisfied...

As of this weekend... I'm down 12.6 pounds!  13 more days to lose 6.5 lbs and I'll have hit my first mini goal....  I don't see why I won't make it... I've been walking more, eating salads and lots of veggies with some whole grains... basically being HEALTHY!!!!!!!

New Shoes and Make Up Make Me Happy.... (week 2)

My Saturday was bliss:

Shopped at Sephora (bought Nars Satin Gloss Lipstick pencil in "New Lover") and Dior Forever Foundation (I tried the copycat Lancome version, couldn't compare); picked up samples of Issey's newest Summer scents

Shopped at Home Goods (found some beautiful lavendar colored sheets on sale)

Shopped at Tuesday Mornings and bought a Cuisinart bright red roasting dish

Went to Benjamin Moore Paint Store and picked up swatches for my kitchen backsplash... right now I'm leaning away from my original choice of a yellow/gold to traditional red.

By the time I was finished shopping 7 hours later, I was home watching a movie on the couch and wiped out. The heat and humidity did me in... but I have to say I had a most wonderful day doing my favorite thing - shopping with my best friend...

Sunday I went to Whole Foods and bought:

Eggplant, Zucchini, Yellow Squash, Bell Pepper, Campari Tomatoes, Japanese Sweet Potato, and Kalamata Pitted Olives; which I took home, peeled, chopped, tossed in Herbs du Provence, Garlic, and Olive Oil (added a chopped up sweet onion), and then roasted them for an hour at 375 degrees in my new roasting dish - then served them over some brown rice.  Very filling... and VERY healthy.

Week 1 - I lost 6.6 lbs...13.4 lbs more to go to reach my first goal.

When I reach my first goal, I will treat myself to something new to wear... I imagine I will reach that goal by the time I go to see the doctor.  It's always easy to lose 20 lbs at first - it's after that that I have to be realistic and my mini goals will have to get smaller every month... And I will never treat myself again to something food related, but reward myself with something more lasting like new shoes, shirt, pants, etc. or even perfume.  Have to train myself to not think food is a comfort or reward.