Thank you!!

Just a short note thanking all of my loyal followers.....all 14 of you!!! My 2011 goals for my blog are to post more recipes, post better pictures and get just a few more followers! Muchas Gracias Mi Amigas y Amigo!

Christmas and Chuckie Cheese

3 more days! I am close to being ready, Not! The Bobster broke his little toe. He was walking into the kitchen and banged it on the doorframe. Walked around for almost a week with it swollen and bruised before he finally decided to get it looked at and of course it is broken. So right at the busiest time of the year when I need his help with errands and chores (and really, isn't it all about me?) he is supposed to stay off his foot, elevate and ice it. Poor thing, it's always something with him.

My sister finally made it in from Dallas Sunday night. It was touch and go, literally. Their plane took off and the landing gear wouldn't retract so about 1/2 hour into the flight they turned around and went back to Dallas. Had to wait for another plane so by the time they got in it was 2:00 am. I am super happy that they are here for the holiday, so much so that I ordered snow just for them, and hey, what do you know, it got here just in time!

This picture is with a cell phone, have I mentioned that I need a camera? We went to Chuckie Cheese for our great-nephew, Robert Jasper's, first birthday. First let me say, I will NEVER go to Chuckie Cheese again and you can't make me! I am not sure I can describe the chaos and confusion accurately so just picture a thousand screaming, germy little rug rats running amuck!

I wish you all a very happy holiday season! Stay safe and warm and enjoy yourself!

Friday Morning Rambling...

This week I went to 2 holiday parties, worked out twice; would have been 3 times but Mallory (trainer) was in Vegas picking a wedding venue, made cookies, wrapped, packed and mailed presents to the munchkins in Seattle and finished up my Christmas shopping. Oh and my mother decided to have eye surgery this week. It was elective but she didn't want to wait until after the holidays, she wanted to "get it over with". Still to go... Christmas with the Bobster's side of the family tomorrow, sister and family flying in Sunday and all the crap that goes along with cooking and cleaning to get the house ready for Christmas dinner....all while working right up through Thursday. As much as I hate flying at the holidays, I am seriously considering going out of town next year for Christmas.

Last night was my work party. Everyone stands around talking and eating and that is pretty much it. Is this how most parties for work go?

Why can't I find a bra that fits :D Just saying...actually along that line...when I find one that is comfortable I have to buy a few because the next time I go back to buy more they will have been discontinued! What is up with that? Most women I know are very loyal to products that they like such as a good pair of jeans, the perfect lipstick color and a comfortable bra. I would think the retailers would get that but I guess not.

If you haven't visited the Pioneer Woman's website, www.thepioneerwoman.com , I highly recommend it. What I want to know is when does this woman sleep? She has a big ranch, 4 kids she HOME SCHOOLS, a cookbook, a Harlequin romance book, a very cool website that she updates pretty much every day and she travels around promoting all of this. She is smart and funny and I want to be her when I have a minute but still...exhausts me just thinking about it.

I just finished the 3rd book in Stacia Kane's Downside Ghosts series, "City of Ghosts".

From Amazon "In this dark futuristic urban fantasy series, Kane (Demon Possessed) blurs the boundaries between the living and the dead. Chess Putnam works for the world-ruling Church of Real Truth, debunking false claims of haunting and banishing the occasional real ghost."

"Chess herself isn't someone I should like and root for, but I do. Even as she gobbles her drugs like smarties, uses people for sex and hurts the only person who has looked out for her. It speaks volumes for Stacia Kane's writing ability that I still want to see Chess come out on top. I also love that chess isn't the best of the best at her job, she doesn't do Buffy-style roundhouse kicks and she doesn't have mystical powers developing here, there and everywhere. She has numerous flaws and makes mistakes, shes human."

The author is so very good at describing Chess's pain that I cried for her, three times! I know most of you aren't into this kind of reading but I enjoyed it very much and wanted to share.

I have been working out 3 times a week for a month and haven't lost one freaking inch or pound! If you know me you know I am not a very big eater, I barely snack and pretty much never eat after dinner so WTH? Mallory is not only trainer but a nutritionist too and we have been discussing my food every week. Let me repeat NOT ONE POUND! Open to suggestions here...

Bowling Ball Earrings

Really! They are made from recycled bowling balls and are my new favorite earrings.

http://matt-cole.com/

I really need a new camera. These earrings are very light weight and fun. I met Matt at a craft show and he had a funny story to go along with the great jewelry. He has no idea who I am but I thought I would share because his jewelry is fun. I know quite a few of you bowl!

Well the holiday craziness is upon me. I don't think this is my favorite time of year.

1. To commerical. Really nuf said!

2. One brother and sister live out of state. I miss them on the holiday and it is a hassle to mail their stuff. I love them and want to make sure they have presents from me but on the other hand I never seem to have enough time to get their stuff in the mail on time. This year sister is coming here so that is great but ...sniff...snifff....this is the first year little brother and his family won't be here. It is making me pretty sad; I just got teary-eyed typing this. bwwwwaaaaaaaaa.a..

3. It's freaking cold. I hate running around to all the store in this weather. When I have time, which is usually after work, it's DARK and COLD.

4. Back to stuff. The Bobster and I are very lucky have everything we need so I find it silly getting more. We have a very small limit for each other which helps make it a bit creative but I are at the point where honestly, I don't want anything. The Bobster really really works hard to make sure I have something fun to open under the tree every year so I can't really him, "sorry honey, I don't want anything".

5. Sigh..family......

I love July 4th.. fireworks, bonfires, marshallows.. I love Halloween, kids, candy, fall. After all these years I am finally standing up and saying "hi, my name is Colleen and bah humbug".

Post Turkey Day

I just realized I haven't posted in awhile. I get busy and think I am going to sit down to post and forget. Cluttered mind? I think so.

I needed a new computer. I had an ancient Gateway that my brother kept running, barely, and it was time to put that poor thing out of it's misery. I had a very hard time deciding but ended up buying a Mac Pro last weekend. Since Apple NEVER puts their products on sale, I ended up going to Best Buy and got a $125 gift card and $40 credit on my Best Buy rewards card.

I am soooo happy with my new toy!! It is the best thing in the world to sit on the couch and play with my computer and not have to sit in my office. I look up recipes and don't have to print them...I just use the laptop on the kitchen counter. I am a bit of a messy cook so this may not be the best idea but still :D Yeah Wireless!!!

Oh, an author I like writes a blog at www.lilithsaintcrow.com/journal. She has been writing the funniest story about the squirrels and birds in her backyard. It sounds like she has a wild animal battle field going on back there.

I will post pictures from my goofy family Thanksgiving later in the week.

Happy Friday

I miss my spunky little monkey! Her new hair cut is too cute. She wanted it as short as her brothers but I can't see her parents shaving her head! My mom and sister and I are going to descend on them like locust the end of January. I hear the weather will be a bit rainy but we really aren't going for the weather. I CAN'T WAIT!

So, Bob is better. He got out of the hospital last Friday and has had a quiet week. He started putting up the Christmas lights while the weather is mild and has been looking for things for Jim to do at our house. Jim and Jeff are working on shoring up my roof. It is sagging in the middle. I can't explain how worried I have been about my roof caving in during the next big snow. Bob and Jim have been telling me for about 4 years, "it's fine. That roof will last for years." Somehow I am not convinced. Jim also took out the old wrought iron posts/supports on my porch and put in new wood columns. It looks great and I will post pictures sooner or later. My camera is not working. I guess I should tell Santa :D

Speaking of posting.. I am finally getting a new laptop. I have been debating about PC vs Mac and had a Toshiba all picked out but 2 of my brothers have been telling me how much they LOVE their Mac's. I have sort of been craving one but thought them pricey. They convinced me of the value and I am going to get it this weekend. I am pretty excited!!! (you can tell by the multiple exclamation points).

Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving. Eat whatever you want and enjoy!

The Bobster's latest

Bob ended up in the hospital again Tuesday afternoon. He has what is called a GI bleed. Some where in all those intestines and stomach and other yucky stuff, something is bleeding. Not heavily but enough to notice (and I am not going there). He is having a scope today to see what they can see and hopefully stop the bleeding. His doctor thinks he will only be in the hospital a few days this time.

He was in the ER almost 24 hours along with 27 other poor souls waiting for beds in the hospital. I think he should just have his own room reserved him so I can just drop him at the door and tell them to take him to his room!

Only in Michigan?

I think this must be an only in Michigan kind of menu. We go to Apple Annie's about once a week. They have homestyle food, well homestyle if your mother is an old Polish woman who can cook! Mine is not. :D Bob loves their pot roast, meatloaf and fish and chips and I love that Bob eats that stuff there so I don't have to make it! Last week our bill was about $15. I am pretty sure we have never spent $20 there at one time.

I am in holiday mood...not so good. What is it about the holidays? When I was younger we had most if not all the holidays at one grandparents house or the other. When I was older and got married I lived out of state for many years. Now my sister and one brother live out of state so my entire family is rarely together. I feel the need for a tradition that is lost. Do I just have crazy expectations? Sigh...I could go on and on with the reasons why this has happened but hey, that would just make me maudlin. Every year I am off for about 11 days over the Christmas break and lately I have been telling the Bobster, "screw Christmas, let's go out of town." To which he replies, "you HATE airports on the holidays and swore you wouldn't fly over Christmas break EVER AGAIN". So true, dammit.

I am trying to figure out what to take to the Thanksgiving dinner we are attending. I have a few ideas, one being a nice cheesecake. The problem with cheesecake is I don't really eat it. Everyone else seems to love it though so maybe I will dig out my recipes.

So what are you doing for Thanksgiving this year?

Uh oh

I am still having issues with this blog. I can't edit or remove the "books I am reading" section and it is making me crazy. I am also having a hard time adding pictures. ARGH!!!

So, let's see, what has been happening? hmmm, well Halloween was a blast. I went to a party Saturday night with friends. Nice time and really yummy food. The best costume goes to Staci as the Red Queen from Alice. The pig foot rest was hilarious.

Sunday, Halloween, we went to my cousin Jill's house. She and her hubby Scott go all out with a scary grave yard in front, tons of candy and a potluck for whoever shows up. Great time.

I start Pilate's on Monday and than working out with my trainer on Thursday. I think I am in for a world of hurt. I really haven't been all that active since August when I hurt my back. I gained 10lbs and have been slowly turning into a puddle of pudding. With my birthday right around the corner I am feeling the need to DO SOMETHING before I still feeling my age. I refuse to become one of those decrepit old ladies who aren't active, dammit!!

My biggest issue lately has been glasses. I ended up getting 'progressive" lenses. Ha! Didn't they used to be called TRIFOCALS? They are actually great for driving in the dark and reading but I just can't get used to wearing them at work. Too much glare off of my computer.... and they have glare coating.

Oh these pictures were taken with my phone. My camera refuses flash. I think it's finally gone on strike. Time to bring in a scab.

Not much news on the Bobster. He is doing ok. He was in the hospital twice over a months span, Aug-Sept. with infections in his blood. He is taking a bit longer to bounce back this time and never feels well once it gets cold out but overall he is doing ok.

So, what have you been up to?

Soup's On!

I am having problems with my blog and can't edit parts of it. Not sure what to do about it but hope to get it fixed in the next few days. I am posting my recipe for every easy chicken and noodles. Perfect for these cool days we are having. I base this on a recipe posted on The Pioneer Woman website.

I buy a package of "pick of the chick". It's a whole chicken, cut up without the yucky pieces. Put it in a pot and add water and 3-4 quarts, I like my broth thick so use a little less. Boil for 30 minutes and remove from pot. Wait until it cools a bit and they peel off any skin and shred the chicken a bit as you pull it from the bones.

Put the bones back in the pot and simmer for another 30 minutes. In the mean time, dice up a couple carrots, a couple celery and 1/2 of an onion (some people don't add the onion).

With a slotted spoon or strainer take all the bones out of the pot and add the veggies, salt and pepper to taste, 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric (makes your soup very yellow) and sprinkle with a little dried parsley. Simmer for 10 minutes

Add the egg noodles (I use Mueller's and 1/2 of the package or more. I like a lot of noodles. The recipe I took this from uses the frozen kind and 16 ounces) and chicken.

Now the important part - mix about 2-3 tablespoons of flour with a little water until smooth and add to the pot. This will thicken your broth. Cook for 10 - 15 minutes more until broth thickens and ENJOY!

Poor blog

My poor blog has been neglected lately and I am not sure why. Well I guess I do know why. I have been pretty damn busy the last few weeks and just haven't gotten around to it so here I am again!

I have had a big project at work that is eating time. Our department has an annual lecture for Urologists on some urology topic. This year it is stones. .. kidney stones.. doesn't that sound exciting? I am in charge of all the arrangements and the dinner we have in the evening. After doing this for 3 years one would think it would get easier, nope. Still a hassle working with doctors and their schedules. The lecture is tomorrow so I should be able to breath easier next week.

The other thing that is keeping me busy is physical therapy. I have been going to Dynamic Rehab for sciatica since August! 3 times a week for 1 1/2 to 2 hours each visit. It is draining but thankfully today was my 20th and last visit. I also had an eye doctor appointment today. I have been relying on reading glasses more and more and figure it's time for glasses. Well, yes, I need glasses but not for what I thought, I have cataracts. Talk about feeling old, I dropped my cane and my teeth almost fell out when they told me :D Mild cataracts at this point but COME ON, I am not THAT old.

And finally, the Bobster was in the hospital again. He had a fever so I took him over to the ER and as always, he had an infection. This time it was Staph and probably resulted from having an IV line in his arm for a month from the last infection. Open wound, bacteria moves in. He was only in for 5 days this time and is doing great now.

So what is keeping you busy?

First haircut

My littlest girlfriend got her first hair cut and went from this....

to this.....

I LOVE this face, crumbs and all! She is such a funny sassy child that I can't wait to see how she grows up.

You will notice her big brother in the toop picture..standing right next to her, where he always is. He thought after his first week of kindergarten he would go back the next week and be in 1st grade! Kindergarten was done and over and he was moving on! I recently sent them all some cookies and when I talked to him last weekend he put in his order for the next batch, with sprinkles. That kid melts my heart.

Another Bob Update

Well the Bobster is in the hospital again. He had what turned out to be an infection a month ago and went home with an IV line in his arm so he could get antibiotics for another month. The line was removed last week. Sunday he had a fever of 102 that only went down to 101.3 with Tylenol so off we went to the hospital.

I swear they see us coming and call everyone else in the county to sit and keep us company because the place was PACKED. The hospital was so full that they closed it to ambulances. Bob waited 25 hours in the emergency room to get a bed...which I think is silly because, really, shouldn't he just have a room reserved with his name on it by now? I could just drop him at the door and tell them to get his room ready!

I think this may just be the same stubborn infection that was incubating in his blood and he will need some more bug killer.

So he is feeling better and wants out by Sunday so we can go to some kind of hydroplane model boat races. I say KEEP HIM! I don't want to go :D

My Ebay Adventure

My mother-in-law passed away quite a few years ago and left a little box of silver jewelry. This charm bracelet was in the box. I went on EBay to see what, if anything, silver charms bracelets were going for and image my surprise when they were around $100. So, yep, I sold it!

So, this is the first time I tried EBay...well the second, the first was with Stefanie and I didn't sell anything. It was pretty easy to set up the account and post the ad and pictures but the hard part with pricing. You can either put something out there and let all and sundry bid on it and hope to get a decent price or you can select an opening bid (which is what I did) or you can set a "reserve" price and if the article doesn't meet the reserve it doesn't get sold. See, HARD PART! I sold this and 2 other pieces. Once I got the notification that my Pay Pal account was paid, off they went in the mail .

NOW I FEEL GUILTY! The bracelet has been sitting in my closet for years but it obviously had sentimental value to my MIL. Should I have kept it? Should I have tried harder to give it to one of her grandchildren? Sigh... I am not going to lie, I wasn't that close to my MIL. She was much older, actually she was way older than her age and while we got along fine, I didn't have strong feelings one way or the other for her, but THAT WOMAN loved jewelry.

Oh well, it's done now. I have 2 more pieces to get rid of...I mean... um... ponder what to do with :D

Random Friday

I am sitting at my desk wolfing down a cinnamon roll and wondering why the button on my pants flew across the room.


Ok, has this ever happened to you? You go someplace to get your bangs trimmed and end up with a new haircut?

I have NO plans for this weekend! This could be the first weekend all summer that I don't have anything to do, WAIT, WHAT? Summer is over? nooooo I don't think so...


I miss my brother, his wife and my little pumpkins! Our boy started kindergarten this week. He was very excited and had his backpack ready and was dressed early. He kissed his little sister on the forehead, told her good-bye and off he went!



Doesn't this picture make your eyes leak?

In another part of the country, my Moll started college (Guns Up!) 2 weeks ago. She has had a rocky start and has been sick this week but I know she will do well. She is officially an Alpha Chi Omega. Her younger sister started high school...it's been one of those months. My oldest nephew started a Master's program at UNT and his younger brother starts his MBA program next semester at FAU. Makes me sad that we are all so scattered.





Read any good books lately? I am finishing "An Artificial Night" by Seanan McGuire. I can't really write reviews, though I would love to, I just don't have the vocabulary. This book is the 3rd in a series and I am enjoying it so I guess that is all that matters. I am going to read "Transgressions" by James A. Jacobs (Hi Jim) next. http://jamesajacobs.com/ and I have 2 books from the library I need to get to soon. Good thing I don't watch TV.

I guess I should get back to work. Have a great weekend.

Ah, Fall

I love this time of year. By Labor Day I am tired of watering my outside flowers and the garden it getting very straggly looking. I like to get out and start cleaning up and cutting back and putting away.

There is something about Back-To-School that makes me think this should be the start of the new year. January is too cold to do anything and we are all burned out from the holidays. I want to go buy new stuff and update my calendars and clean my house. I really feel like organizing!

The worst of the heat is over and I can actually turn on my oven and bake. I LOVE TO BAKE! I have some new cookie recipes I want to try and I promised Molly, David and Stefanie that I would mail them cookie care packages. I really need good suggestions for mailing cookies!

Bendy - Stretchy

In May I was minding my own business, taking a Pilates class and I felt a little tweak in my back. That weekend I drove 3 hours to the Cleveland Clinic, sat around there for 3 days and drove back. The next week I flew to Dallas. By that time my back was shot! My doctor put me on a Medrol pack (steroids) and while I had a bit of improvement it didn't last.

So being the good doctor that he is, he sent me to physical therapy. I hate to talk bad about people who work hard but it was the lame-est (ha is that even a word) PT I have ever been to. I won't go into the details so I will just say, it didn't work.

Back to the doctor. He suggested this new PT called Dynamic Rehab. I was pretty skeptical but also in a bunch of pain so off I went.

Week 1 - What the HECK! Not only was I doing stretches and weight machines they strapped me into this machine that only moved my spine and I bent forward and back. You would have to see it but it was very weird.
Week 1.5 - OH COME ON! They added NMT. Neuromuscular Therapy. This is what I call poke me therapy. The therapist pushes on "trigger points" in my back to release them. NOT FUN.
Week 2 - Bendy table (I am sure there is a medical term for it - Face down I lay on a table that proceeds to bend me up and then down.
Week 2.5 - Well what do you know, I am feeling better! :D

I can actually sit at my desk and and walk without getting pinches in my back. I guess there is hope. Now if only all that bendy stretchy stuff made me lose the 10 lbs I gained being stagnant!

I'm Back!

I took a little blog break, well actually I took a break, period. I took last week off and just lazed around, a LOT! I read a few books and went up north for a couple of days. That was it. I had a list of things I wanted to get done but after a couple of days of feeling guilty for not doing them, I said, "screw it" and proceeded to be lazy. I think I needed it. I even took a nap, or two...

I had two big deadlines at work, Bob was in the hospital and I hurt my back and was running to physical therapy 3 times a week so a whole lot of nothing was just what the doctor ordered!

This is a picture of my big-ass sunflowers! The tallest measures 9 feet! Lots of exclamations on that one, 9 FEET!!

Update on the Bobster

Bob is still in the hospital. He has an infection in his blood and will need to go home on IV antibiotics. Seems his system just doesn't fight like it should. He is feeling fine enough to call me EVERY HOUR from the hospital. I am thinking he is bored! :D He will most likely be discharged tomorrow. Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers.

Sickie..again

The Bobster is in the hospital again. He had a little shortness of breath this week and then Saturday night he had a high fever. It came down after a few doses of Tylenol and he felt better Sunday morning but then Sunday afternoon his fever came back. I told him to pack his hospital bag (ridiculous that he even has one) and off we went.

When we got to the ER his blood pressure was low and they think he may have a little pneumonia so they kept him.

I will keep everyone up-to-date if anything happens but usually he gets antibiotics for a few days, tons of attention from all of his doctors and the nurses, and then they send him home. Me, I eat chocolate...

Lotto

I started a lottery club with 4 other people here at work. We call it $2 Tuesday because everyone kicks in $2 on Tuesday and we buy $5 in Powerball tickets on Wednesday and $5 in Big Game tickets on Friday. Our first week we won $3.00. It is kind of fun and gives all us poor folk something to look forward to each week.

What would you do if you won the lottery? Do you have a plan? Would you go to work the next day or just call in rich, get a limo and head on out to Lansing to get your winnings?

What I would do changes but basically is always involves travel. There are sooo many places I want to see. I don't really care about cars and houses, though I would move someplace warm for the Bobster but take me to Europe and I am your's baby!

What are you reading?

I am in the middle of "One Season of Sunshine" by Julia London. From the back cover "Adopted as an infant, Jane Aaron longs to know the identity of her birth mother and why she gave her up. Her only clue is is the name of the small Texas town where she was born, so she's come to Cedar Springs for answers."

Of course there is a handsome, rich guy who has 2 troubled kids. So far Jane hasn't figured out how to fix anything but I am hopeful that she gets going soon... I am enjoying the story but it is a little too formulaic .. young girl trying to find herself, handsome widower whose dead wife was bi-polar, troubled kids who need some good loving and an understanding woman to fix them.. It seems like there are an awful lot of these kinds of stories out there lately. This is not my usual read, I love a good mystery, detective, kick-ass chick book but was looking for something light and this fits the bill.

So, what are you reading?

Miscellany

The first tomato of the summer and boy was it yummy! They must be so good because we wait so long for them. The rest of my garden is going well except for those darn pole beans. The plants have gone crazy but nary a bean in sight! I am hoping they just mature later then the rest of the garden. Fingers crossed.

The Birthday girl and her big brother! They are leaving for their big move to Seattle tomorrow and it is breaking my heart. I am sure they will enjoy a very busy and active life on the north-west coast but that doesn't mean I feel any better about them going. She is a sassy and funny little thing and her brother is a very sweet, smart and curious child. Who is going to snarl at me in his best T-Rex growl?

Up North! We had a lot of fun in Lewiston. The lake was very shallow and warm, the kids were fun and it was SUNNY! We hunted for the perfect rock and roasted the perfect marshmellows. I posted more pictures on my Facebook page...just in case you haven't already been there. Michigan in the summer is a great place to be.

Up North

We are heading up north for the weekend. 3 hour drive to the Lewiston area to stay at Krista and Gary and Dan and Wayne's cottage. I am looking forward to a little getaway and happy they asked. Gary and Dan are the boys with the toys. Jet skis, 4 wheelers the works and the Bobster is taking his boat. He built a hydroplane model and this will be the first launch! I have visions of disaster.. really...

I don't want the thing to sink, he spent too much money and way too much time building and perfecting his baby so I hope he has fun with it... I will definitely post more when we get back.

Bob's health tale

As most of you know, Bob's liver is failing due to hepatitis C. He had been on the liver transplant list for the past 1 1/2 years here in Detroit at Henry Ford. In the spring Bob was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia and had tons of testing done at that time. Long story short (ha) they found out that 2 of the 4 bypasses that were done on his heart 3 years ago are now blocked again. His heart is in pretty crappy shape and Henry Ford felt he was too high of a risk for the liver transplant.

So, they sent us to the Cleveland Clinic. From what everyone has told us, the CCF does the high risk transplants that other facilities won't do. We spent 4 days at the end of May in lovely downtown Cleveland ...you can see that post here on my blog...and have been waiting for news ever since. Well, we got the news last week.

Why so long? The cardiologist at the CCF needed to see the entire video of Bob's heart cath that was done here in Detroit and it took weeks for St. John to get it's shit together and send it! But that's another story...

The liver transplant committee meets every Friday and reviews the cases that are presented for that week. Bob's case was finally presented July 2. After what I understand was a lengthy review and discussion, it was decided that Bob's heart is just not in good enough shape for a liver transplant. The anesthesiologist feels that he may not survive the surgery. They actually considered a heart/liver transplant but decided against it.

This was our last option and we won't be pursuing any others. I know everyone wants to know what happens now but we aren't sure. He has great doctors who take very good care of him and will continue to do so.

We are very thankful for everyone's continued thoughts, prayers and love.

July Garden

I love this time of year. I grow pretty little flowers...

Wild green beans....

Oh come to mama....

I think we will be having salad for dinner!

Dirty Dave's Fruit Salsa

I made this for my brother David last weekend. I had a little bbq and bonfire going away party (waaaaaaa). He should be in Seattle today to start the new chapter of his already interesting life.



Dirty Dave's Fruit Salsa



1 cup strawberries - chopped

3 kiwi, peeled and chopped

1 navel orange, peeled and chopped

1 small can crushed pineapple, drained

1 tbl lemon juice

1 tsp sugar



Mix together in a bowl and chill. Serve with Cinnamon Sugar tortilla chips (recipe below)



1 pack small flour tortillas

1/3 cup sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

2 tbl melted butter



Preheat oven 350

Brush tortillas with melted butter and cut into 8 triangles. I use a pizza cutter. Do not over lap on cookie sheet.

Baked for 15 minutes

Paper books vs ebooks

While perusing some of the blogs I follow I found the below at www.lilithsaintcrow.com/journal She is one of my favorite authors and describes so well the feeling I have about books and ebooks that I had to steal..I mean copy what she wrote about the subject.

"I have very mixed feelings about ebooks. Part of this is because I’m very in love with the sensuous experience of reading a physical book–the smell of the paper, the feel of the pages. Partly because used bookstores and libraries were my salvation before the Internet existed, they were my salvation when I was too poor for a high-speed connection or indeed any connection at all, and they still continue to be the places I patronize when looking for books, because I don’t want to spend the money on an e-reader and deal with the hassle of platform changes, technology burps, and the distributor deciding to take things off my private electronic device even after I’ve paid for them–I could go on and on."

Since you all know me, you all know I LOVE BOOKS. I dont' watch TV, I read. I don't clean house much, I read. My poor garden would be totally neglected if the Bobster didn't water it, I read. My sister gave me a Kindle at Christmas and she loves hers to the exclusion of paper books. I like the convenience of having a book anytime, any where but I am finding I enjoy the paper experience more. I didn't realize that I kind of thumb through the book a little ahead of where I am to see what happens next until I couldn't do it with the Kindle.

Do you read ebooks?

Summer Reading

I am always on the search for good summer reading but this year it seems that there just isn't that much out there that I am interested in. So I decided to go for a "classic". To Kill A Mockingbird was never required reading in any of my high school or college (yes, I went to college) reading lists and I did not see the movie, so really, I don't know what I am in for. I do know Demi Moore named her kids after characters from the book but that is about it.

Did you read it? Did you like it?

The second "classic" I am going to read is Twilight. I don't have any desire to read it or see the movies but I feel like I am missing out on something by not knowing what happens. Seeing all the movie trailers though, I bet I can figure it out. I really loved Stephanie Meyer's book, The Host so I am giving Twilight a chance. I know my sister, 2 nieces, 2 sister-in-laws and nephew's girlfriend have all gone ga-ga over it. WISH ME LUCK! I may need it.

What is your favorite book and why?

Stefanie's cake

This blogging stuff is more work then I thought! I wanted to post this recipe for the sis-in-law and was going to take a picture of the finished product but we ATE IT before I ever got around to taking pictures. Sign of a good cake.

1 box yellow cake mix
1 can (15oz) mandarin orange slices
3 eggs
1 med. can crushed pineapple
1 container Cool Whip
1 small box vanilla pudding.

Spray a rectangle cake pan with Pam (or whatever you like)

Smash the mandarin oranges ( I ran them through my blender for a few seconds) and mix them, juice and all with the cake mix and eggs.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes

Frosting - Mix the Cool Whip, crushed pineapple and vanilla pudding until well blended. Frost top of cake.

Isn't this easy? It was very good too and even if you can't bake you can make this yummy cake.

Dirt

I was just checking out one of the blogs I follow, www.thepioneerwoman.com and she posted a picture of the pile of junk she swept up from her kitchen floor after not sweeping for a week. She also listed what was actually in the pile and honestly, I FEEL GOOD! It was a mess! I wish I could figure out how to copy it here, I tried cut and paste, so you could see it. Just go to the link and look under Home and Garden. It will make you feel soooo good about your housekeeping abilities, or lack of them!!!

How my garden grows!

My garden is coming along nicely. This is lettuce and tomatoes. You can't see the little tiny carrot tops but they are at the top of the picture.

This is pole beans, radishes onions, green peppers and more little tiny carrots. I love this time of year. Every time it rains everything in my garden just gets bigger. As you can see it's not a large garden but we get enough veggies for the two of us and it's not too big as to be too much work.

My grandmother was raised on a farm in Wooster, Ohio and always had a large garden, mostly tomatoes. She grew cherry tomatoes for us kids and tons of strawberries. I have wonderful memories of the time I spent with her outside in the garden. I love the crisp smell of green things growing and wet dirt!

Guest Blogger

"Character can not be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired and success achieved." - Helen Keller

This is one of my favorite quotes. It also makes me think of my sister. Not that she is a Character... because we all know she is... It's because she has gone through a great deal this past year and yet each and every time she comes out strengthened. Stronger and able to face the next thing that comes at her. I love my sister. I love her kindness, her wit, her ability to talk to anyone, anywhere at anytime. I love that even though we live across the country from each other, I know she is right there being my sister.

She will probably never let me "Guest Blog" again after reading this so I just wanted to get my thoughts out there for everyone who has a sister... Love them! Don't let anything get in the way of your bond of being sisters.

She is done

Molly graduated last night. It was bittersweet to see my little girlfriend all grown up and on her way to adulthood. I will add more later...after I get over the sniffles...sniff..sniff...

Vacation

I am on vacation! I will post more next week but the Bobster and I are going to Dallas Sunday to see Molly graduate from High School! I cried just picking out a card for her :D It will be in the 100's there, yep, ONE HUNDRED! I will be staying at my sister's with, the Bobster, my mom, my sister, her husband and her two teen age girls. Wish me luck!

Doggone it!

I woke up at 4:00 am to a dog barking, howling and whining. I thought it was my neighbor's and tried to go back to sleep but it sounded like it was right outside my window. It was. There was a medium size black dog in my yard. My gate was closed so it must have climbed the fence. I can't figure out any other way it got in. When I turned on the back patio light the goofy dog ran up to my patio door and started whining and scratching to get in. The cats were sitting at the window having way too much fun watching the excitement and Gracie was barking at the poor critter.

I called the police and said "there is a dog in my yard howling and whining and it's not mine." Roseville's finest told me, "the dog catcher isn't in at 4:00 am". Well, really? I said, "THERE IS A DOG AT MY BACK DOOR TRYING TO GET IN AND IT"S 4:00 AM!!" I think I actually was talking in capitals at that point. The dispatch officer said, OK, we will send a car.

About 5 minutes later Roseville's finest showed up and walked to my gate. I went out to meet them and they were just standing there, looking at the poor pathetic dog, who at this point was trying to lick them to death through the fence. I told them I thought it might belong to someone who lived behind me and over a few houses. One of the guys says, we can go look and if not, we can just open the gate and LET HIM GO! I said, umm, I think you should take him with you! After much discussion between the 2 of them, honest to god, they opened the gate and were trying to TALK THE DOG INTO GOING WITH THEM! My tax dollars are paying for the Keystone Cops! The dog is running in circles and the cops are trying to get it! In the meantime Gracie the Wonder Dog is sitting at the front door trying to figure out what the heck is going on. This poor dog ran up on my porch and was trying to get in the house and Keystone 1 and 2 were out by the street calling the dog! What part of 4 AM didn't they get?

I went in the house, got one of Gracie's leashes, looped it around the dogs neck, who I had to grab at the front door trying to sneak in, and gave the silly thing to the silly cops!

No going to back sleep by that time.

Busy Bee

I haven't been able to post this week because I am working on a big project that is due Friday. I leave for vacation Sunday, going to Dallas to see our Molly graduate from high school, and I have our work graduation party Friday night. I am trying to get some stuff together for Stefanie's garage sale (pray for no rain) and I had to get my nails done. For a person with no kids and a hubby who stays home and cleans the house I seem to be AWFUL busy.



What did everyone do for Memorial Day? On Friday we went to a bonfire at brother/sister-in-laws and roasted marshmallows. It was the perfect night for it. The only other thing we did was go see "Ironman" on Monday. Don't bother! Bob liked it but I felt it was a mish mash. One of the main characters was extremely annoying and in the middle of the movie it sort of changed direction. Did anyone else see it? What did you think?

Love/Hate Shoes

I finally found some sandals that don't hurt my foot. I have plantars faciitis in my right foot and have had to wear tennis shoes for almost 2 years, non-stop! My foot finally feels a bit normal so I have been looking for some summer shoes that are comfy and VOILA! Sears carries a brand called I (heart) Comfort. Don't they look comfy? They are soft and have a high enough arch to support my aching foot and they were only $24!

Garden of Eatin'

It doesn't look like much now but in a few weeks it is going to be so pretty, filled with carrots, onions, tomatoes, peppers, beans, radishes and lettuce. It's not that big but I get a very nice amount of good fresh summer veggies! I tried to get some cucumbers but there just isn't room and for some reason the Bobster won't dig another hole for me.

I love this face.....just saying!

Back from Cleveland

It was a busy busy week at the Cleveland Clinic. We had non-stop appointments from Monday until Wednesday. Thank goodness they cancelled our Thursday appointments and we could head home. The transplant committee meets every Friday. Once all of Bob's test results are completed the committee will review them and call us to tell us yes, the will be able to do the liver transplant, or no, they will not. We should have an answer this week or next.

After packing up Thursday morning we headed over to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The building was beautiful in the bright sunshine. The museum, not so much. My brother told me he had been "underwhelmed" when he visited and I have to agree. It felt like there was a lot missing. They had small selections of a handful of the more famous artists, Hendrix, the Stones, Elvis, but not enough of any one thing particulary the Beatles. Only one small wall with about 6 pictures and handful of memoriablia. What I enjoyed the most was seeing handwritten songs, notes and set lists by some of my favorite artists. What I thought was missing the most was exhibits about the musicians who have been inducted into the hall of fame.

Anyone who knows the Bobster knows we cannot visit a city with a Hard Rock Cafe without at least stopping for a pin and/or T-shirt. The HRC in Cleveland is right downtown, hard to find and doesn't have parking unless you want to pay $15 for the valet! Oh and all the streets are ONE WAY! After much driving circle and swearing I found a place to park and ended up having lunch. It was a nice break after an exhausting few days and before heading home.

Way down yonder in Cleveland

Well our second day in Cleveland is over. So far Cleveland does not rock! We have spent 2 days going from one appointment to another. They jam pack your schedule so they can get everything in while you are here. Oh, you are here so let's add more tests shall we?

The place is huge. Very nice and clean with a great art collection on the walls and millions of people scurrying everywhere like ants. Everyone and I mean everyone has been super nice. Polite and pleasant. Toto we aren't in Detroit anymore!

We are staying in Guest Housing across the street from the Clinic. It is about what you would expect from a $60 a night hotel. Plain but clean (I hope). No WiFi in the room so I spend my afternoons in the lobby watching all the people and catching up to my life. Funny how disconnected I feel away from my computer.

Tomorrow looks like an early but short day so I am hoping to get the Bobster to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Can't come to Cleveland without it!

I ache!

I started working out the week before Christmas, I know, what was I thinking? I was thinking of getting to the gym before all the folks who get the urge to work out as part of their New Year's resolution. It worked...for about a minute. The gym got packed right after the 1st of the year. Doesnt' help that they were offering $1 membership. So, I hired a trainer, Mallory, to help get me motivated. I was paying her, she was waiting for me, it got me there twice a week, sometimes three times. It was a good plan right? Well Mallory tortured me...I mean worked me out for about 3 months until I got to the point I was comfortable with the all the machines and had a routine, upper body Tuesday's, lower body Saturday's and cardio on Thursday. About 5 weeks ago I had my final work out with Mallory and then I quit going!

I haven't lost a POUND! Not only that, but I think I gained 5 lbs in the past 3 weeks! I am not slim and trim like I thought I would be, I am barely in shape enough to walk up the 4 flights of stairs in the parking garage. So off I go to the gym again, and I also started taking a Pilates class. I ache, my legs are sore and I am tired. What the heck? I am totally open to suggestions unless of course that suggestion is to put down the donut :D

A little stress anyone?

I have one drawer at work that I keep person stuff in. Usually a mirror, comb, toothpaste, floss; the kind of stuff that you need but never seem to have. If I bring snacks it is usually of the nuts and twigs variety as I am convinced that eating at work is the fastest way to get FAT! I don't snack much at home but it looks like I am going a little snack crazy at work.

The easiest pasta you ever make!

I make this recipe when I am in a hurry, tired or just feel like a creamy easy pasta dish. It take 10 minutes tops, ok, you can take 15.

1 jar Bertolli 3 cheese Alfredo sauce
1 can petite diced tomatoes
1 can mushrooms
1 bag Meijer brand (or whatever you like) mushroom ravioli. I have used cheese and chicken too.

Make ravioli according to package (boil 10 minutes)

In the meantime, drain almost all of the juice out of the tomatoes, mix in saucepan with remaining ingredients and heat.

Drain the pasta, stir together with the Alfredo/tomato sauce. Viola!

I occasionally make a salad but this is very filling on it's own.

My drug of choice

I gave up Starbucks for Lent. I am not Catholic it just seemed like a good time to give up something that was making me fat and draining my wallet. For 40 days and 40 nights I didn't let a drop of Starbucks cross these lips. In the last 2 weeks I have been main-lining Starbucks Chai like it's free! I am convinced they add something addictive...sugar...tea..herbs..something.

Today I checked my bank balance and found I spent over $20 this week at Starbucks!!! I need an intervention!

What we do for love

My great-niece Reece turned 4 last week. She had a cute birthday party Saturday and this was her Little Mermaid cake (see the pretty purple R?) It was a very sugary, creamy yummy cake from Kroger.. Only for little girls do we eat this stuff, at least that is my story and I am sticking to it!

Oh the joys of eBay!

My sister in law Stefanie (who shall here by be called SA) has been selling items on ebay and actually making money doing it. So, hey, I can too right? OMG.. ebay is not that easy. Stefanie was kind enough to help me navigate the perils of on-line selling this afternoon and it took us 2 1/2 hours to list 2 purses!


Highlights.. um, hmmm..well if I actually sell something I will make a little cash.

Lowlights - you have to open an account. You have to take pictures of all your items and then upload them to your new ebay account. You have to PRICE your items competitivel, and here is the clincher, you have to figure out shipping! We looked all over eBay for similiar items and than tried to come up with a price. If you price it too high you won't sell it, if you price it too low you may as well give the item to the Goodwill. SA originally lost out when she started shipping her items as she didn't calculate enough for shipping. So now she has boxes from the post office and we had to look up the shipping price of each box. I am tired just typing this!



We eventually listed 2 purses and now I wait around to see if they sell. I have come to the conclusion that eBay is a time-sink but since the Bobster isn't working I think I may need to get him in on the fun :D

My first recipe - BBQ Chicken Pizza

I saw this on another website and modified a bit to make it easy. It was very yummy!

Ingredients
1 Pizza dough -I buy already made pizza dough at Kroger in the freezer section. They also have it at Randazzo's.
2 whole Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
½ cups Barbecue Sauce ( I love Sweet Baby Ray's)
Olive Oil, For Drizzling
Salt For Sprinkling
16 ounces, weight Fresh Mozzarella Cheese, Sliced Thinly
½ whole Red Onion, Cut In Half And Sliced Very Thin
Chopped Cilantro, to taste (I dont' like Cilantro so no green stuff on this pizza)

Preparation Instructions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Salt chicken breasts on both sides, then place in an ovenproof dish. Pour BBQ sauce over the breasts and turn them over to coat. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until chicken is done. Remove from oven and cut into a fine dice. Set aside.

Increase oven temperature to 500 degrees.

Roll/stretch out one pizza crust. Lay it on a sheet pan drizzled with olive oil. Drizzle a little olive oil on the crust, then sprinkle on a little salt.

Spoon a couple of tablespoons of extra BBQ sauce on the crust and spread it evenly.

Top sauce with half the sliced mozzarella. Sprinkle on half the diced chicken and thinly sliced red onion.
Sprinkle again with a little salt, then bake for 15 to 17 minutes, or until crust is golden brown and toppings are bubbly.
Remove from the oven and sprinkle on plenty of chopped cilantro. Cut into squares and serve immediately. Repeat with other crust and other ingredients, or save for another time.

Welcome

Hi there and welcome to my blog! No promises as I am learning my way around. Feel free to make suggestions or comments. I started this blog for my sister-in-law Stefanie. She is always in need of very easy recipes and every time she asks me for one I tell her, look for it on my blog! Well Stefanie, here it is! As soon as I figure out how to make a recipe section I will start posting some easy ones for you!

I overslept, my car was dead, I have a sore throat and honest to god, I broke 3 nails. If this isn't the perfect day to stay in bed than I don't know what is.

Stay tuned to see what I do with this blog..I am not sure myself.