Home remedy--obesity

I don't know the theory behind these remedies, or if they work, but what the heck.  I mean if people are willing to go out and spend 30 bucks on pills or whatever, why not buy a few limes or tomatoes for a couple of bucks and give it a try?

Obesity

• Mix lime juice with honey and water; drink a glass of this every morning.
• Mix 3 tsp. lime juice, 1/4 tsp. black pepper, 1 tsp. honey, and 1 cup water; drink a glass a day for 3 months.
• Mix 1 tsp. lime juice with 1 cup water and drink each morning.
• Eat a tomato before breakfast.

Now, to go in a completely opposite direction here is a recipe from The Food Network for Florentine cookies.

Florentines (Italy) From Food Network Kitchens
Recipe Summary
Difficulty: Medium
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Inactive Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 5 dozen 3-inch Florentines, or 2 1/2 dozen 6-inch Florentine

These Tuscan cookies are a Christmas classic. They're nutty, lacy and crisp, as well as deceptively simple to make. Drizzling them with chocolate turns them into the perfect holiday indulgence.

1 3/4 cups sliced, blanched almonds (about 5 ounces)
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Finely grated zest of 1 orange (about 2 tablespoons)
1/4 teaspoon fine salt
3/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons heavy cream
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract Chocolate Topping, optional:
2 to 4 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped

Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Pulse the almonds in a food processor until finely chopped, but not pasty. Stir together the nuts, flour, zest and salt in a large bowl.

Put the sugar, cream, corn syrup and butter in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture comes to a rolling boil and sugar is completely dissolved. Continue to boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla, then pour mixture into almond mixture and stir just to combine. Set aside until cool enough to handle, 30 minutes.

Scoop rounded teaspoons (for 3-inch cookies) or rounded tablespoons (for 6-inch cookies) of batter and roll into balls. Place on prepared baking sheet, leaving about 3 to 4 inches between each cookie since they spread.

Bake 1 pan at a time, until the cookies are thin and an even golden brown color throughout, rotating pans halfway through baking time, about 10 to 11 minutes. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to racks to cool. Repeat with remaining batter. Serve.

Optional chocolate topping:
Put the chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl. Bring a saucepan filled with 1 inch or so of water to a very low simmer; set the bowl over, but not touching, the water. Stir the chocolate occasionally until melted and smooth. (Alternatively, put the chocolate in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Melt at 50 percent power in the microwave until soft, about 1 minute. Stir, and continue heat until completely melted, about 1 to 2 minutes more.)

For sandwiches: Drop about 1/2 teaspoon chocolate onto on the flat side of half of the cookies and press together with remaining halves. Return to rack and let chocolate set.

For chocolate decor: Drizzle melted chocolate over Florentines as desired. Set aside at room temperature until chocolate is set.

Busy baker's tips: Store baked cookies carefully, separated by parchment or waxed paper, in an air-tight container for up to 3 days. Florentines are best stored separated from moist cookies and cakes.

We have decided not to have our usual Christmas party this year.  It is way too expensive and time consuming (for me) and we would much rather spend that money on our family.  We have also decided not to try to work around everyone elses schedule, it never works out anyways as there is usually at least one other family that changes their plans at the last minute and messes up our plans. 

So this year we are telling everyone what time we are having dinner, if they can make it for dinner, GREAT!  If not, come on by when you can and have some dessert and we'll open presents then.  Last year we tried to make Rylie wait until all her brothers and sisters were here until she opened presents.  The poor kid was just busting at the seams to get to those gifts.

Then Grandma and Grandpa left early in the morning to go visiting family and didn't get home until that night.  So she missed out on spending her first and last Christmas with PaPa.  What a shame.  She didn't get to spend alot of time with PaPa, but she sure did adore him.  I really looked forward to them moving back and her being able to spend time with PaPa, especially since my own dad died just weeks before she was born.

This year we are getting up in the morning and letting Rylie open her presents from Santa bright and early.  Just like every other child is able to do.  She will have to wait on the ones from all her siblings until they get here.  But at least it won't be total torture for the child and she will get to open Santa's gifts.

The ideal would be to wake up and have all the kids here in the morning and everyone to be able to open their presents together.  A little Norman Rockwell Christmas.  However, we are not the typical Norman Rockwell family with 2.5 kids and a dog.  We are a family of 8 (no dogs)...a mix of his, hers and ours.  The kids range in age from 3-22 years old.  The older kids have their other parent to visit and the parents of their "significant others" and a whole bunch of grandparents.

Some of them have started their own families and are working on starting their own family traditions.  It is a difficult situation to fit in visiting everyone.  I really sympathize with our kids when it comes to the holidays.  But we are no longer going to stress about getting everyone here at the same time so we can all sit down and eat together.  It is just too crazy and hectic.  This year we will just feel happy and blessed that the kids are able to make it up whenever they can.

Rylie will just be thrilled to be able to open her toys from Santa first thing in the morning.  Yep, this year we're just going with the flow.  It is time to enjoy the spirit of the season instead of stressing over the things we can't do anything about anyway.  I already feel more relaxed. 

Have a great day & hugs to all my friends!

Cleaning--stove tops, ovens, etc.

Good Morning!  A few tips for cleaning stovetops and ovens...

Stovetops: To prevent grease and grime from sticking to your stove top, making it easy to clean, rub it down with car wax on occasion.

Burners can be cleaned by placing burners in a large pot cover with water add baking soda bring water to a boil and then simmer until all grease and grim comes off easily.

No self-cleaning oven? Wipe down the inside with an all-purpose cleanser. Use a plastic scraper (or an old credit card) to get bits of food off the racks and drip pan.

Cleaning the Stove Hood Filter: Take out the filter (most just pop right out) and soak in hot, soapy water, rinse well and let dry.
An alternative would be to place the filter in your dishwasher.

Cleaning the Stove Hood: Pour 1/2-cup of white vinegar and 1 tablespoon of borax into the bucket of warm water. Dip a soft cloth into the solution and ring it out.
Wash the surface of the stove hood well and make sure to get any sticky spots that may have formed. Be sure to clean on the inside of the hood as well.
If you come across a sticky spot that won't come up, dip a damp sponge into a little dry borax and work it into the spot and wipe with the damp cloth.
Once the surface is clean, wipe with a dry, clean cloth. 

Kitchen odor: Place a small bowl of white vinegar next to the stove while frying foods to chase away odors. This even works on fried fish!

Have a great day & hugs to all my friends!

Tags: kitchen cleaning, cleaning tips

Recipe--Easy cookies

Good morning!  Today I want to share some easy holiday cookie recipes.  And what could be easier than pre-prepared cookie dough?  Okay, cookies already made and ready to serve...but then you miss out on the smell of fresh baking cookies wafting through the house.

Easy Russian Tea Cakes

1 roll (16.5 oz) Pillsbury® Create 'n Bake® refrigerated sugar cookies
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup finely chopped pecans
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon powdered sugar

1. Heat oven to 350ºF. In large bowl, break up cookie dough. Stir or knead in flour, pecans and vanilla until well blended.
2. Shape dough into 54 (1-inch) balls. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
3. Bake 10 to 14 minutes or until set but not brown. Remove from cookie sheets. Cool slightly on cooling rack.
4. Roll warm cookies in powdered sugar; cool on cooling rack. Roll in powdered sugar again.

EASY PEANUT BLOSSOMS

1-2 pkgs Pillsbury peanut butter cookie dough

Hershey's chocolate kisses

granulated sugar

Make 1 inch balls with cookie dough and dip into granulated sugar. Bake according to pkg. directions. Press chocolate kiss into cookie immediately when you remove cookies from oven.

These next ones aren't made from pre-mixed dough, but they are still very easy.

CAKE MIX COOKIES

1 Pkg. (18-20 oz) Yellow or white cake mix
1/3 cup milk
1/4 cup soft butter or margarine
1 egg
1 cup chocolate chips (Ray likes when I use butterscotch chips)
1/2 cup flake coconut or chopped nuts

Combine cake mix, butter, milk and egg; beat on low speed until very stiff dough forms. Mix in chips and coconut or nuts. Drop by rounded teaspoon onto greased cookie sheets. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-13 minutes, or until lightly browned. Let stand a few minutes, remove from sheet.

I haven't made this divinity yet, but I'll give it a try this year.

EASY DIVINITY
Makes 24

1 small box commercial white frosting mix
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 pound box confectioners sugar
1 cup pecan pieces

Boil water. Mix in dry frosting mix, corn syrup and vanilla in water. Beat mixture on highest mixer speed for about 5 minutes. (When ready, the mixture forms stiff peaks.) Gradually stir in sugar while mixing on low speed. Blend in pecans. Spoon the mixture by teaspoon onto a cookie tin lined with waxed paper. Allow to sit uncovered. Once the mixture feels firm to touch, turn over, cover tin and allow to stand overnight.

I usually make my cookies, at least, a week ahead of time.  I bag them up and put them in the freezer.  I pull out a few here or there, if I need them along the way for company stopping over or whatever.  Then when we have our big family get together with all the kids, or our Christmas party, I pull the cookies out that morning.  No one knows the difference, they still taste great.

If you have a favorite cookie recipe, that you're willing to share, please email a copy of it to me and a link for your journal (if you have one).  I'll post the recipe and share the link to your journal with everyone.

Have a great day & hugs to all my friends!

Tags: easy cookie recipes

Something to do with the kids...or even if you don't have kids

Good Wednesday morning!  Another night of little sleep, what little sleep I did get was messed up with crazy dreams and waking with a backache.  Just what I need the day before Thanksgiving, NOT!  My appointment is in 3 and 1/2 hours and I hope that goes better.

I got the floors swept and mopped yesterday.  I made about 100 meatballs and did a little laundry.  Just getting that much done was a real batttle though.  Since the doc took me off the Lisinopril and doubled up the Coreg I am really battling fatique.  The pharmacist warned me that the Coreg might make me sleepy...but this is just crazy. 

I am mega tired all day long, then when I do get to sleep I can't stay asleep or it is messed up with dreams.  I really hate the feeling of exhaustion.  Especially when I have so much to do.  Sometimes I wonder why I go to so much trouble and make so much food and stuff for the holidays.

Then I read something like this Thanksgiving dinner enty from the journal "Getting Older Aint For Sissies and Other Stuff" written by Mary Louise.  Then I think "yes, that's why".  My grandmother did all of this, my mother did it and they created wonderful memories and traditions for me and my brothers.  That's why I spend days and days preparing for a meal that will last maybe 30 or 45 minutes.

Okay, back to the title of this entry...something to do with the kids.  I found this site with some really wonderful artwork by a woman named Marilyn Scott-Waters.  She made these great little projects that you can print out, cut and glue together.  The best part of all?  It's all free!  All you do is go pick out a project and print it out.  If your interested go to the site, The Toymaker, and look through the projects.

I really love some of the things she has created and I think you'll find something that you like too.  While your there check out some of her other links.  There are Holiday projects, Firelight stories, her journal link, and some other things.  I believe Marilyn was blessed with a wonderful gift of creativity and I think it is really great that she is willing to share it so freely.  Thanks for the wonderful site Marilyn!

Well, I still have a lot to do and a doctors appointment this morning so I better get my bum in gear.  It is Pie day today...lots and lots of baking. 

Have a great day & hugs to all my friends!

Cleaning Tip--Stuck On Food

Stuck-On Food in Pots, Pans, and Crockpots: Fill the pan with water and place a fabric softener sheet in the water. Allow the pan to soak overnight. The food will wipe right out!

Well, kick me in the butt and call me an optimist.  LOL  I got off the computer last night after making that quick little entry and guess what?  I had a dizzy spell.  I've been up for awhile this morning and so far I've been lucky and not had any.  We'll see what the day brings for me.  I can't even begin to tell ya'll how frustrating this is for me.

I am trying to keep myself distracted with every thing I need to do for the holiday season.  I really enjoy getting things set up and decorated early.  I used to wait until some time in December, but that seemed like so much work to enjoy it for so little time.  So now I try to have everything done by Thanksgiving so we can enjoy everything for a whole month. 

I think it helps get me out of that "Fall Funk" that I seem to get trapped in every year too.  The changing of the seasons really seems to throw me for a loop.  I try to fight it off every year, but making myself get into the holiday spirit seems to help me the most.  Of course, it's a lot easier with Rylie around too.  It is hard not to get excited this year with her around.

She is at the age where she is starting to understand it all a lot more, and that is fun.  Every time a commercial comes on with a Santa character she starts hollering "Santa!  It's Santa!"  She really likes the one with Chad and the dorks who sell cell phones. 

Every Sunday she goes through the newspaper looking for flyers with toys in them.  Then she carries them around all week looking at all the toys and asking the same question over and over.  "Will you buy me?"  She carries that Sunday flyer around until it is falling apart.  Half the time she doesn't even know what it is she is asking us to buy for her, she just knows she wants it...ALL!  LOL

Then the fear hits...as I sit here and think about Rylie and all the Christmas' to come.  What the heck is going on with my body?  This not knowing is driving me bonkers!  Will I be here to comfort her when she finds out there is no Santa?  Will I be around when my babies start having babies of their own?  26 hours until my next doctor appointment.  I hate this...not knowing.  

Then my mind thinks "It could be nothing.  It might just go away."  Don't let yourself get all worried about it.  Don't let it run your every waking thought.  I certainly can't live like that.  I won't live like that. 

Well, I still have a lot to do to get ready for Turkey day, so I better get on the ball.  I have floors to sweep and mop, pies to make, appetizers to make, rooms to clean and so much more. 

Have a great day & hugs to all my friends!

Maybe, just maybe...

Hmm, I wasn't even going to mention this little thing that the doctor did find because it didn't seem to make a difference.  However, it's been at least 3 or 4 hours since my last spell, so maybe it did work.

The doctor looked in my ears...of course there is a lot of scarring in my left ear as it was damaged about 22 years ago when someone hit me in the head.  My ear drum was busted and I had to have surgery to repair it.

Anyway, he went to look in my other ear and I heard "What the heck is that?!  Kelly (the nurse) come look and tell me if I'm seeing things."  So Kelly took a look and was like "Oh my gosh.  What is that?"  They said it looked almost like a little pearl was stuck in my ear.

So he filled my ear with warm water and removed what turned out to be a small plastic like ball.  Eww!  How the heck....?!  The doctor didn't think it was the problem because it didn't explain the metallic feeling on my tongue.  I didn't think it was it either, as I continued to have spells into the afternoon.

However, as I've said, it's been several hours since my last spell...so I'm hopeful that it solved my problem.  Oh, and your probably wondering how the dang thing got in there.  I was too until I showed the ol' man and he said it looked like one of the little plastic things from Rylie's little stuffed lambs.

See she has made these little holes in her lambs feet and works the little beans out.  I find them all over the house when I run the sweeper.  And....I often find them lying in our bed.  Ah-ha!  I don't know how, but I guess one of the little boogers worked its way into my ear.  I'm praying that is it and that Rylie didn't put it in there when I was asleep.  LOL

Have a good night!

Doctor appointment

Well since taking me off the Norvasc didn't work the doctor is now taking me off the Lisinopril.  He put me on Coreg to replace the Norvasc and I am to double up on that for the time being.

I go back on Wednesday.  If I'm still having the spells he will probably refer me to a neurologist at that time.  I'm hoping this change in medicine is what it takes for the spells to go away.  We'll see.

In the meantime, I'm also trying to get everything done ahead of time for Thanksgiving that I can.  So far I've made chocolate Walnut fudge, Mint fudge (with Andes chocolate), Mint cookies (with Andes), Macaroons, Molasses cookies and Pecan Tassies.  Don't worry, it is not all sitting out.  I've frozen it all and will take it out to defrost on Thursday morning.

The only thing left to do is make some appetizers and the pies.  Oh...LOL...and the whole Turkey dinner. 

I'm off to give my whirling head a break and maybe take a wee nap.  Oh, and thank you to everyone who comes by...I see my counter tipped the 11,000 mark.  I wish more you would occassionally leave a comment and say hello.  It's nice to hear from ya'll when you stop and say "hey".  Take care!

Have a great day & hugs to all my friends!

Recipe--Healthy Gravy

I have another doctor's appointment tomorrow morning so I'm posting the recipe entry tonight.  This is a recipe for healthy gravy.  I thought it might come in handy with the upcoming holidays.

Portobello Gravy
This recipe is a tried-and-true favorite from EatingWell -- and it's low in saturated fat, low in cholesterol, and low in carbs, too. Find other recipes at EatingWell.com.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 cups chopped cleaned portobello or shiitake mushrooms
• 2 1/4 cups vegetable broth
• 3 tablespoons tamari or reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
• 1/8 teaspoon crumbled dried sage
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons water
• Freshly ground pepper to taste

Directions

1.	Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring often, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring often, until they begin to release their juices, about 10 minutes.
2.	Add broth, tamari (or soy sauce), thyme and sage; simmer for 10 minutes. Mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl. Stir into the sauce and simmer, stirring often, until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes more. Season with pepper. If you prefer a smooth gravy, pass it through a fine sieve (discard mushrooms and onions). Serve hot.

I wish I could say that removing me from the Norvasc had stopped the dizzy spells.  Unfortunately, it hasn't helped at all.  I'll see what the doctor says tomorrow.  I'm hoping he'll find something else to explain all of this.  I really need to find some relief from these spells. 

Have a great day & hugs to all my friends!

Aging tips

I found some interesting articles at the REAL AGE site that I thought I would share with ya'll this morning.

 

99-Second Guide to Life’s Major Agers

We all know what can happen as we get older: memory loss, aching bones, low libido, heart problems . . . But the real culprits aren't the problems per se; the biological mechanisms that cause them in the first place are. We call them Major Agers. And in our new book, YOU: Staying Young, we explain how they work and how you can slow them down before they slow you down. Here's an at-a-glance guide to life's 14 Major Agers. -- Dr. Roizen and Dr. Oz

 

Discover the 14 major agers here:  Staying Young Center--99 Second Guide to Life's Major Agers

 

Also this one:

 

RealAge Tip of the DAY for November 15, 2007

A Boon to Your Looks
Two long-touted sight savers could help your skin maintain that snap-back elastic quality of your youth. Know what they are?

Lutein and zeaxanthin -- two carotenoids found in abundance in leafy greens, broccoli, zucchini, and other yellow-green veggies. So dive into that spinach salad for your vision and your visage.

Carotenoid Combo
Your skin naturally produces lutein and zeaxanthin -- but getting a little extra from your diet couldn't hurt, right? Especially given the fact that when women in a study took both carotenoids as supplements, their skin reaped youthful rewards like better hydration, improved elasticity, and increased protection against harmful ultraviolet rays. The effect was even greater when the women also used lotions with the nutrients. (Are you using the right lotion for your skin type? Check here.)

Eye on the Prize
More research is needed to confirm the role lutein and zeaxanthin play in skin health. But the fact remains that a diet high in lutein- and zeaxanthin-rich foods can help protect your peepers. Read how the combo helps thwart cataracts.

Did You Know?  You'll get more lutein and zeaxanthin out of your salads if you do this to them.  

RealAge Benefit: Getting the right amount of antioxidants through diet or supplements can make your RealAge 6 years younger.

 

Have a great day & hugs to all my friends!

Meds update

Okay, the doctor wants to take me off one of my blood pressure meds and replace it with something else.  He said, because of the metallic taste, it sounds like a drug overdose to him.  (My prescribed meds, NOT street drugs.)  He is replacing it with another medication and will check me again on Monday.  As it was my blood pressure was running a wee bit high...138/100.  Hopefully the new medication will help and the spells will stop.

If the dizzy spells don't stop, then he is talking about sending me to a nerologist.  Yippy skippy.  He thinks that we may have to do an EEG to find out what is going on.  But if we're lucky the med change will take care of the problem.

Wish me luck!

Home remedy--Muscle cramps

        

 

Please remember that these are remedies that have either been mailed onto me, or that I have found on the Internet.  I haven't tried them all and cannot guarantee the effectiveness of them.  Of course, you should always check with your physician before starting any type of medical regimen.

 

Muscle Cramps

• Apply clove oil on the affected body parts.

Have a great day & hugs to all my friends!

Tags: home remedy, muscle cramps

I'm just a dizzy blonde

Things are just crazy around here.  The episodes are really interfering with my daily life.  I had so many of them yesterday and they pretty much stop me in my tracks.  They leave me a wee bit dazed too.  And sometimes just as I am getting my head back together, another one will hit me.  I told my sister-in-law yesterday that when it hits me when I'm driving...I feel as though I'm driving drunk.

There is no rhyme or reason to these dang things.  They may last a few seconds or a few minutes.  I may have them back to back, or I not have another one for an hour or more.  I know when they are beginning...it all starts with the taste, or feeling, on my tongue.  It's almost like when you put a 9-volt battery on your tongue.  It's like a tingle, kind of metallic and it goes down my tongue in waves of this sensation. 

Then the dizziness starts.  The dizziness is almost like room spins.  Except it's not the room spinning...it's more like the inside of my head is spinning.  I try to stay still because I'm afraid that I'll fall if I'm standing.

Sometimes the episodes leave me feeling nauseous.  Sometimes they don't.  Sometimes they leave me with this like headachy feeling...except it's not a headache really.  It's more of a "full" or heavy feeling in my head.  Dang!

I hate this!  I hate not knowing what is going on.  I hate the episodes and the way they make me feel.  I hate that it is happening more and more frequently.  Yesterday I finally had my sister-in-law drive me to the hospital because I just couldn't take it anymore.  I thought they would be able to figure it out.

Nope.  Although I did have a new theory thrown at me.  Very mild seizures.  However, the ER didn't have access to an EEG (?) machine and apparently that is what they would need to do to find out if I have epilepsy.  Which just blew me away! 

I thought that was something that you were born with.  I didn't realize that it was something that could develop later on.  But apparently if that is what the problem is, it can be controlled with medication.  If that isn't the problem...then I guess we are back to the vertigo diagnosis.  Although the medication they gave me for that doesn't do a dang thing to help me.

The following from The Daily OM.  I think it is something that we can all relate to as I am sure we all know people like this.

November 13, 2007
The Power Of Disengagement
Playing Mind Games

For better or worse, many people have been raised to believe that communicating in an honest and open way will not get them what they want. They have learned, instead, to play mind games or go on power trips in the service of their ego’s agenda. People stuck in this outmoded and inefficient style of communication can be trying at best and downright destructive at worst. We may get caught up in thinking we have to play the same games in order to defend ourselves, but that will only lead us deeper into confusion and conflict. The best way to handle people like this is to be clear and honest with them

As with all relationships and situations in our lives, we must look within for both the source of our difficulties and the solution. Reacting to the situation by getting upset will only entrench us more deeply in the undesirable relationship. Only by disengaging, becoming still, and going within can we begin to see what has hooked us into the mess in the first place. We will most likely find unprocessed emotions that we can finally fully feel and release into the stillness we find in meditation. The more we are able to do this, the less we will be bothered by the other person’s dramas and the more we will be free to respond in a new way. In the light of our new awareness, the situation will untangle itself and we will slowly break free.

Whenever people come into our lives, they have come for a reason, to show us something about ourselves that we have not been able to see. When unhealthy people try to hook us into their patterns with mind games and power trips, we can remind ourselves that we have something to learn here and that a part of us is calling out for healing. This takes the focus off the troubling individual and puts it back on us, giving us the opportunity to change the situation from the inside out.

I have a real problem with falling into other peoples little mind games.  I've been trying to avoid that lately because I know that if I let people pull me in...I am giving them some control over my life.  I try to keep in mind that the only people I really need to worry about are me, my kids and my mom.

If other people want to play games and live in constant turmoil and conflict...let them.  I don't have to let it interfere in my life or with my peace of mind.  If I know where the problem lies...then it's best just to stay away from it.  I certainly wouldn't poke a rattle snake with a stick...so why go somewhere that drama, turmoil and conflict are just a part of daily life?

I am trying to learn to step back.  I am trying to remember that what others think, say and do is their problem, not mine.  I am trying to ignore the hateful things that others say and do because I don't want to let it infect my life and family.  I don't want to allow myself, or my life, to become infested by the tangles of other peoples drama and conflict. 

Sometimes it is a hard lesson to learn.  I'm still just a student at this thing we call "LIFE".  Sometimes I pass the test with flying colors.  Other times I've had to take the class over...and over...and over again and again, lol.  Sometimes the major changes mid-course.  Often, I must admit, I've been an unwilling student, arguing the issues, skipping classes.  lol  I guess I'm about mid-way through...and I hope that when I get to graduation, I've learned a little bit about everything and made lots of friends along the way.

Well, dang...I've rambled again.  Sorry about that. 

Have a great day & hugs to all my friends!

Cleaning Tip--Sticker removal

Good Morning!  First of all, the cleaning tip:

Stickers, Decals, and Glue: To remove them from furniture, glass, plastic, etc. saturate with vegetable oil and rub off.

Things went well last night.  I spent most of the time training on the computer with a book.  Practicing examples of cash sales, credit sales, gift card sales, returns of various sorts, etc, etc.  Then I walked around, cleaned and straightened things.  Which made me feel right at home, lol. 

The registers are very computerized and I think I understand it all.  I just hope that I get it all down before the mad Christmas rush begins.  Right now the store closes at 9pm, but as Christmas get closer I think it will close at 10pm.

I only had one dizzy spell, as I was standing there talking to one of the managers.  I just reached down to hold onto the counter and tried not to let it show.  The next spell hit me as I was driving home...in the dark...with Ray's car...the stick shift.  I just breathed real deep and hoped it would be a quick one.  Which it was...thank God.

So I got home and this is what I found.  The dishwasher had been emptied and the load of clothes I left in the dryer were folded.  The living room was clean (usually Rylie has toys strewn all over in the evening).  Ray and Rylie even went to the grocery store and bought our turkey for Thanksgiving.

Of course, they also picked up a lot of other things, lol.  Including, but not limited to, a toy for Rylie, candy for Daddy, candy canes for Rylie, an apron for Mommy.  Actually, I am fairly surprised at the small amount of candy they brought home.  Usually whenever Daddy goes to the store there are several bags full of candy and junk.  LOL 

Have a great day & hugs to all my friends!

Tags: sticker removal, cleaning tip

Casserole recipes

Here are some casserole recipes I found at Better Homes and Gardens.  I hope you find one that sounds good to you.

Layers of Lasagna
Ingredients
12  ounces lean ground beef
1/2  cup chopped onion (1 medium)
1/2  cup finely chopped carrot (1 medium)
2  cloves garlic, minced
1  15-ounce can Italian-style tomato sauce
1  6-ounce can tomato paste
1/2  cup water
1/4  teaspoon black pepper
9  lasagna noodles
1  beaten egg
1  15-ounce carton light ricotta cheese or low-fat cottage cheese, drained
  Nonstick cooking spray
1  cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese (4 ounces)
1/4  cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese (1 ounce)
Directions

1. For sauce, in a large saucepan cook ground beef, onion, carrot, and garlic over medium-high heat until meat is brown and vegetables are tender. Drain off fat. Stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, water, and pepper. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

2. Meanwhile, cook the lasagna noodles according to the package directions. Drain noodles; rinse with cold water. Drain well; set aside. For cheese filling, in a small bowl stir together the egg and ricotta cheese.

3. Lightly coat a 2-quart rectangular baking dish with cooking spray. Layer 3 noodles in the prepared baking dish. Spread with a third of the cheese filling. Top with a third of the sauce and a third of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers twice. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

4. Bake, covered, in a 375 degree F oven for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for 5 minutes more or until heated through. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Makes 8 servings.

 

Two-Bean Cassoulet
Cassoulet is a traditional French stew of beans and different meat and game. This updated version uses canned beans (less time and no soaking!), chicken thighs, and turkey sausage.

 

Ingredients
6  skinless, boneless chicken thighs (about 1-1/4 pounds)
1  tablespoon olive oil or cooking oil
3  medium carrots, thinly sliced
1/2  cup chopped onion
2  cloves garlic, minced
1  15-ounce can butter beans, rinsed and drained
1  15-ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
1  8-ounce can tomato sauce
1/4  cup dry red wine
1  teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
1/4  teaspoon ground allspice
8  ounces smoked turkey sausage, cut into 1/2-inch slices
Directions

1. In a large skillet brown chicken slowly in oil over medium-low heat about 10 minutes, turning occasionally. Remove chicken from skillet, reserving drippings. Add carrots, onion, and garlic to drippings in skillet. Cover and cook about 10 minutes or until carrots are just tender, stirring occasionally.

2. Stir in the drained beans, tomato sauce, wine, thyme, and allspice. Stir in sausage. Transfer the mixture to a 2-quart casserole. Arrange chicken thighs on top.

3. Bake, uncovered, in a 350 degree F oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink. If desired, sprinkle with seeded and chopped tomatoes and snipped fresh parsley; bake 5 minutes more or until tomatoes are just heated through. Makes 6 servings.

 

Popover Pizza Casserole
Ingredients
1  pound ground raw turkey or ground beef
1  cup chopped onion
1  cup chopped green sweet pepper
1/2  of a 3-1/2-ounce package sliced pepperoni, halved
1  15-ounce can or 1 15-1/2-ounce jar pizza sauce
1  2-ounce can mushroom stems and pieces, drained
1/2  teaspoon fennel seed, crushed
1/2  teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
1/2  teaspoon dried basil, crushed
2  eggs
1  cup milk
1  tablespoon cooking oil
1  cup all-purpose flour
1  6-ounce package thinly sliced mozzarella cheese
1/4  cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions

1. In a large skillet cook turkey or beef, onion, and green pepper until meat is brown and vegetables are tender. Drain fat. Cut pepperoni slices in half. Stir pepperoni, pizza sauce, mushrooms, fennel seed, oregano, and basil into meat mixture. Bring to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

2. Meanwhile, for topping, in a small bowl combine eggs, milk, and oil. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for 1 minute. Add flour; beat 1 minute more or until smooth.

3. Grease the sides of a 13x9x2-inch baking dish; spoon meat mixture into dish. Arrange cheese slices over hot meat mixture. Pour topping over cheese, covering completely. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

4. Bake in a 400 degree F oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until topping is puffed and golden brown. Serve immediately. Makes 8 servings.

 

Nacho Turkey Casserole
Ingredients
5  cups slightly crushed tortilla chips
4  cups cubed cooked turkey or chicken
2  16-ounce jars salsa
1  10-ounce package frozen whole kernel corn
1/2  cup dairy sour cream
2  tablespoons all-purpose flour
1  cup (4 oz.) shredded Monterey Jack cheese with jalape?o peppers or mozzarella cheese
Directions

1. Lightly grease a 3-quart rectangular baking dish. Place 3 cups of the tortilla chips in bottom of dish. In a large bowl combine turkey, salsa, corn, sour cream, and flour; spoon over tortilla chips.
2. Bake, uncovered, in a 350 degree F oven for 25 minutes. Sprinkle with the remaining 2 cups tortilla chips and the cheese. Bake, uncovered, for 5 to 10 minutes more or until heated through. Makes 8 servings.

 

Baked Cavatelli
Ingredients
7  ounces dried cavatelli or wagon wheel macaroni
12  ounces uncooked Italian sausage links, sliced 1/2 inch thick, or lean ground beef
3/4  cup chopped onion (1 medium)
2  cloves garlic, minced
1  26-ounce jar pasta sauce
1  cup shredded mozzarella cheese (4 ounces)
1/4  teaspoon black pepper
Directions
1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain; set aside.
2. In a large skillet cook the sausage, onion, and garlic until sausage is brown; remove from skillet. Drain.
3. In a large bowl stir together pasta sauce, 3/4 cup of the mozzarella cheese, and the pepper. Add the cooked pasta and the drained sausage mixture. Stir gently to combine. Spoon the mixture into a 2-quart casserole.*
4. Bake, covered, in a 375? oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until nearly heated through. Uncover; sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese. Bake about 5 minutes more or until cheese is melted. Makes 5 to 6 servings.

 

Mushroom-and-Egg Casserole
Ingredients 
4  slices prosciutto (about 1-1/2 ounces) or bacon 
8   scallions or green onions, thinly sliced (about 2/3 cup)  
1  tablespoon butter or margarine 
1  pound fresh shiitake* and/or button mushrooms, sliced 
8   eggs 
1  cup milk 
1/8  teaspoon pepper 
2-1/2  cups shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese (10 ounces)
Directions 
1. In a large skillet, cook prosciutto or bacon until crisp; drain off drippings and crumble prosciutto or bacon. Set aside.  
2. Wipe pan clean. Cook scallions in same skillet in butter or margarine over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Add mushrooms and cook for 2 to 3 minutes more. Remove skillet from heat.  
3. In a large bowl, beat together the eggs, milk, and pepper. Stir in cheese and the mushroom mixture. Pour into a greased 2-quart rectangular (12x7-1/2x2-inch) baking dish.  
4. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 35 to 40 minutes or until puffed and a knife inserted off-center comes out clean. Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes before cutting. Serve warm. Makes 6 servings.  
*Note: Remove and discard the tough stems from the shiitake mushrooms before slicing them.

It's been a year and the metallic taste in my mouth has returned.  It started out pretty infrequently, but has been increasing to many, many times a day.  It is also now accompanied by a dizzy or woozie feeling, as if the room is spinning.  Kind of scary when it occurs as I am driving the car. 

I am trying to call the doctor and get an appointment, although last time he just diagnosed me with vertigo.  I'm not sure if that is what it is or not, although I do know that the prescription he gave me for that didn't do any good.  I finally quit taking the cholesterol medication he had put me on and it stopped last time.  This time I am on no new medications, so I don't know what the problem is.

I just know that it is really beginning to interfere with my life and I can't have that right now.  Especially since I start my job tonight.  Part of the requirement for the job is being able to use the ladder for certain things.  Agghhh!  Just my luck, I would be up on a ladder and one of these "spells" would hit me. 

Well, I am off to call the doctors office again, and probably have to sit on hold for another half hour. 

Have a great day & hugs to all my friends!

Tags: casserole recipes

Update and some other area news

Well yesterday evening I was getting ready to take a shower, to go out to that little Bon Jovi and Guns and Roses tribute at an area club, when Sammi called.  She said that she didn't want to be home alone, Matt was working, and could she come up here for a little while. 

Well of course!  I tried to talk her into going out with me to listen to some music and have a little bit of fun.  However, she had promised to pick up her little brother at 10pm when he got off work.  In the end she asked if Rylie could spend the night with her.  Rylie was so excited she started running around the house gathering up things to take to Samantha's house. 

She is still a bit scared.  I think it is because she said the guy walked up and stood next to her and then looked directly at her.  I am so thankful she wasn't hurt, but I don't think she will feel safe for a while.  I hope they catch the guy soon, I think that would help her a lot.

Here are a couple of links to news stories on the robbery.

The BG News

WTOL-TV Toledo 11 News

WTVG-TV 13 ABC News

Some good news about a tragedy here in Toledo.  This past February a detective on the Toledo police force was shot and killed by a local teen.  Yesterday Robert Jobe was found guilty of the murder of Detective Dressel.  Detective Dressel was only 35 years old, a son, a husband and a father.  God bless the family and loved ones of Detective Dressel. 

WTVG-TV 13 ABC News-Jobe trial

Have a great day & hugs to all my friends!

 

Tags: Bowling Green, Huntington bank, robbery, Detective Dressel, Robert Jobe, murder, Toledo, Ohio

OhMahGoshhhhhhhhhhhh!

What could possibly be worse than answering up the phone and hearing your child crying?  That is what happened just a little while ago. 

Samantha had gone to the bank during her lunch hour and was standing at the counter when a man in a mask with a bag and gun walked up next to her.  {{{my heart is still pounding and I wasn't even there}}}  He told the teller to put $100's into the bag, then he said something else.  Sammi looked at him and then ran into an office.  My heart just about stopped when she told me that.  I could picture him getting spooked and shooting her.  Thank the Lord she is alright, other than being scared to death.

Bowling Green is such a little town, I just can't believe this happened.  I can't wait until I see her this evening and can give her a huge ol' hug.  Again, I thank God for keeping Sammi in his care and protecting her today. 

Thanks Mom!

Do you remember when you were a kid and your mom came home with clothes for you?  Things that you would never wear and you just didn't appreciate the effort your mom went to.  I remember being a kid, probably about 11 or 12, and desperately wanting a pair of bib overalls. 

My mom went to the store and bought some pale blue "denim-like" fabric and made me a pair.  The bib part of the overalls was detachable.  It connected to the pants with buttons.  She went to so much trouble to make those for me and I don't think I ever wore those overalls.  Sorry Mom!

However, last night my beautiful mother came by and brought me a really nice pair of black slacks and 2 shirts.  Everything fit and they are perfect for me to wear to my new job.  Thank you so much Mom! 

I feel like a kid getting ready for the first day of school.  I've already got the outfit I'm gonna wear on the first day all picked out.  LOL 

Well tonight we are going to listen to a tribute band, or something like that.  The first one is a Guns and Roses tribute and the other one is a Bon Jovi tribute.  I haven't been out in so long and this should be a lot of fun.

I hope ya'll have a really terrific weekend and be safe!  Remember, if you plan on drinking find someone to be a designated driver.

Have a great day & hugs to all my friends!

Home remedy--cough with mucus

Good Morning and Welcome!  Ever have one of those mornings where you wake up and just feel all "poo-poo"?  Yeah...well this is NOT one of those days.  I slept like ...well, not so good.  My back hurts.  I haven't brushed my teeth yet, so I'm pretty sure I have halitosis, but I just feel really "peppy".  LOL  Don't ask me why because I have no idea.

Okay, on with the usual.  It's that season so here's a remedy that may come in handy.  Or you could do like I do when I get sick.  I take one does of nightquil and I sleep for over 12 hours.  LOL  I have a low tolerance for medications.

        

 

Please remember that these are remedies that have either been mailed onto me, or that I have found on the Internet.  I haven't tried them all and cannot guarantee the effectiveness of them.  Of course, you should always check with your physician before starting any type of medical regimen.

 

Mucus in Cough

• Pour 1 cup boiling water over 1/2 tsp. each of ginger, ground cloves, and cinnamon. Filter. Sweeten with 1 tsp. honey and drink.

Hm, I could be in a super good mood because of the job.  At first I was a bit ambivilent about it all.  I mean come on now, I've been a stay-at-home mom for a long time.  It's been 7 years since I was even in the work force.  But now I am really looking forward to it.  I mean, I know I won't be bringing in that much money.  However, I really look forward to spending some time out among other adults. 

 

Funny thing...I've got so much going through my mind lately and it seemsthat the ol' man I live with only has one thought.  "Is he still going to get a hot dinner every night when he comes home."  If I look at that statement closely and think about it...it almost seems like a metaphor or some how symbolic of my life.  Kind of like this, it doesn't matter what I am going through or dealing with, but what people (not just the old man) want to know is how this is going to affect them.  Is what I've got to do, going to affect them in any way?

 

However, I have to take responsibility for that.  I tend to do for others, make everyone else the focus, and put myself on the back burner.  I don't expect much from other people in regards to myself.  I take what ever it is they give, whether it is enough or whether it is good or bad.  I'm not just talking materilistic things here.  I'm talking about emotional support, consideration, etc.

 

I think somewhere along the way I've lost parts of myself and just accepted it as a part of life.  I've uprooted my entire life and asked for little in return.  I've been a caretaker and let my own self go.  I'm not complaining, really, I enjoy being a caretaker, a partner, a mother, etc.  But I've made everyone else the center of my world and ignored myself. 

 

Don't get me wrong, I don't hold it against him for asking me if he was still going to get a hot meal every night.  This is a big change in our life, even if its just a simple part-time job.  He works hard all day long.  I do too, even if I'm just a stay-at-home mom.  But he does heating and air, out in the heat or icy cold.  It's back breaking work and I know that the one thing he enjoys coming home to, after he visits the rest of his family, is a hot meal. 

 

So yes, I will do my best to make sure the house is clean, the laundry is done and there is a hot meal on the table when he gets home.  However, if there comes a day when I can't get dinner done before I have to leave for work...well, his mom lives just a few streets over.  If she isn't home, his brother and sister-in-law live just down the street from her.  If they aren't home, his daughter lives just down the road too.  If she isn't home...well, heck theres a McDonalds just across the road.  LOL

 

Anyway, I called and got my schedule yesterday.  It's just a training week, so I'm on the schedule for only 12 hours.  I start Monday night.  I'm really excited.  I have been hired on as seasonal part-time help.  However, the manager and I already talked and it is possible that this could lead to a regular part-time job. 

 

My main problem at the moment is clothing.  I've been wearing mainly jeans for the past 7 years.  Jeans are not allowed at work.  I have one pair of khaki's.  I can probably get by for a week or so with those, but I'd really like to get at least one or two more pair of pants to wear to work.  I'm going to have to start watching the sales.  I don't want to have to spend alot of money for work clothes, because...well, this job is supposed to be for me to help bring in some extra money.  Not to have to spend money. 

 

Have a great day & hugs to all my friends!

Tags: home remedy, cough

Yea me!

"Welcome, how may I help you?"  That will be me starting Monday evening when I begin my new job!  YEA!  I am so excited.  {{{HAPPY DANCING}}}

Talk to ya'll later!

Cleaning tip--storage container stains

Good Morning it's time for another cleaning tip and today it is getting those yucky stains out of your storage containers.

 

                 

 

Stains in Plastic Storage Containers: Use a baking soda paste (baking soda and water) and rub into the stain. You can then rinse with vinegar (optional) and wash normally. Another method is to place container outside on a nice sunny day and the sun actually bleaches the stain out. To avoid stains in the first place, spray container with cooking spray before putting things in it that stain i.e. spaghetti sauce.

 

I've also heard that if you spray the containers with a non-stick spray first, then tomato based sauces don't stain the container. 

 

Today I have a job interview at Pier 1.  I would love to work there and really hope I get this job.

 

But before I do that...I have a high priority job here at home today.  Attempting to remove the rest of the gum from Rylie Jo's hair.  I have 3 remedies to try, 1. peanut butter  2. olive oil  3. Coke.  I've heard about some really great results with the peanut butter, so I'm gonna try that one first.  Wish us luck!  Otherwise, Rylie is getting a hair cut today, lol.

 

Have a great day & hugs to all my friends!

 

P.S. It works!  Yea!  No haircut for Rylie today.  I massaged the peanut butter into her hair where the gum was stuck.  I could feel wee, little bits of the gum in the peanut butter.  Then I tried gently pulling a little comb through the hair.  Finally I put her in the bathtub and starting washing the hair.  I used some bar soap to help get the oil out of her hair.  Then I added lots of conditioner.  When I took her out and combed her hair there were a few tangles so I sprayed it with detangler and viola!  No more gum.  Yipee!

 

I highly recommend using peanut butter to remove gum from childrens hair.

Tags: stained plastic containers, cleaning, tip, removing gum from hair, peanut butter

Recipes--3 ways to do a roast

 

                      

 

POT ROAST AND GRAVY

 

1 3-4 lb. beef chuck pot roast
2 tablespoons cooking oil
pepper

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Trim excess fat from pot roast (leave 1/8" fat on roast).  In oven proof dutch oven slowly brown meat on both sides in the cooking oil over med. heat (approx. 10 minutes).  Sprinkle with pepper.

 

3/4 cup water, wine or beer
1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 tsp. dried basil, thyme, marjoram or crushed oregano
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper

 

In small bowl stir together the water, beer or wine with worcestershire sauce, dried basil (or others), salt and pepper.  Pour over the roast.  Cover and bake in a 350degree oven for 1 hour.

 

4 medium potatoes, peeled and quartered OR 16 whole new potatoes
4 medium carrots, 1" lengths (I usually just use some baby carrots)
4 stalks celery, bias sliced, 1/2" lenghts
2 medium onions, sliced and seperated into rings

 

Place veggies and onions around and on top of the pot roast.  Cover and bake in a 325degree oven about 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours or till the roast and veggies are tender.  Remove to serving platter.

 

For gravy:  Pour juices from dutch oven into a measuring cup.  Spoon off as much fat as possible.  Add water, wine or beer to make 1 1/2 cup total liquid.  Return the liquid to the pan.  In screw top jar shake 1/2 cup water and 1/4 cup flour well.  Add to liquid in pan and stir.  Cook and stir over medium heat till thick and bubbly.  Cook and stir 1 minute more. 

 

~Taste your gravy, if it seems bland try adding some salt and pepper.

 

CHEAP ROAST

 

"Cheap" Round Bone or Blade Cut Roast
1 pkg. dry onion soup mix
1 can cream of mushroom soup
Aluminum foil, wide heavy duty
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350degrees.  Tear off about 2 1/2 to 3 feet of foil.  Fold in half.  Lay roast in middle of foil.  Spread both soups over roast.  Wrap and seal so juices won't drip out.  Cook 3 hours at 350degrees.  Be careful when you unwrap foil, so juices don't spill.  Great because the cleanup is so easy!

 

~Makes its own gravy, serve with mashed potatoes and hot veggie.

 

I love making the "Cheap Roast" recipe.  Although, I usually do it in a roasting pan and place veggies around the meat.  This is a great recipe for those that aren't very good at making gravies, the soup and meat juices make a very good gravy. 

 

BEEF POT ROAST IN THE CROCK POT

 

1 (12-ounce) bag frozen onions
1 (8-ounce) bag frozen baby carrots
1 (8-ounce) package sliced mushrooms
1/2 pound small new potatoes, halved
4 pounds beef chuck roast, rinsed and patted dry
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 (10.75-ounce) can condensed cream of celery soup
1 packet onion soup mix
1 cup low-sodium beef broth
1/4 cup steak sauce
DIRECTIONS
Into a slow cooker, put the onions, carrots, mushrooms, and potatoes.

 

Season the roast with salt and pepper. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the meat on all sides in oil. When it is browned, put it in the slow cooker on top of the vegetables.

 

In a small bowl, stir together the cream of celery soup, onion soup mix, beef broth, and steak sauce. Pour over top of roast. Cover and cook on high setting for 3 to 4 hours or low for 8 to 9 hours.

 

If you have a favorite recipe, please email the recipe to me at JillAnneMarie@aol.com.  I will share it with everyone and include a link to your journal.  Thanks!   

 

Have a great day & hugs to all my friends!

Tags: recipe, Beef Roast

Ever Kaboodled?

This is kind of a neat little thing they have at this site called Kaboodle.  You can make wish lists, do polls, and whatnot.  This is my first poll there.  I don't shop much so I'm not sure why I even mess around with this, but it's fun to dream a wee bit every now and again.

Hm, it looks like it is just showing up as a black box...I wonder if this is going to work on here.  I guess I'll find out when I hit the save entry button.  Ignore this entry if there's just a black box here.

 

Get Your Own! See Comments

 

 

Tags: Kaboodle, poll, shopping, wish list

Have ya ever just sat and thought about your life and wonder...how in the heck did I get from there to here?  What the "sam hill" was I thinking?  

Well, it's 17 minutes after 5 and I haven't been to sleep yet.  I can't shut my mind off, everytime I lie down...I just can't sleep. 

Guess I'll go try again, after another trip outside for a cigarette.  I know...nasty habit...bad Jill, bad girl!  LOL 

Language

Rylie had her intial evaluation through the Early Childhood Development here in Toledo yesterday.  They sent someone here to our house and they had her draw pictures, do puzzles, had her do some hopping and standing on one leg (to check her physical development), asked her questions and asked me lots of questions about her abilities.

Afterwards I asked what he thought about all of it.  He say's that a thorough hearing and speech evaluation needs to be done.  He doesn't think she is delayed "brain" wise.  But he did give me this comparison, he said "she is like a computer that works but the speakers are broken and you can't understand it".  I thought "Yes!  Yes!  That sounds right." 

Now, the thing to figure out is why the "speakers" don't work.  Is it a hearing problem or some reason for a speech disability?  Thank goodness we have someone else working with us to try to figure out how best to help her.  There will be another more indepth evaluation, I am sure, and if they decide that this qualifies as a "disability" to her progress then they will provide us with the proper therapy to help her improve her speech.

I will keep ya'll updated with what is going on and the progress being made.  I received this email today from the Daily OM and thought it was a good one to post today.

November 2, 2007
The Music Of Language
Words Are Energy

When we speak or write, we use the vehicles of words to carry meaning, as well as energy, from ourselves to another person or group of people. We may be speaking to our baby, our boss, or to an audience of 500 people. We may be writing a love letter, a work-related memo, or an entry in our own diary. Whatever the case, each word we speak or write has a life of its own, a vibratory signature that creates waves in the same way that a note of music creates waves. And like musical notes, our words live in communities of other words and change in relation to the words that surround them. When we are conscious of the energy behind our words, we become capable of making beautiful music in the world. If we are unconscious of the power of words, we run the risk of creating a noisy disturbance.

Some of us know this instinctively, while others come to this understanding slowly. Most of us, though, speak without thinking at least some of the time, blurting out our feelings and thoughts without much regard for the words we choose to express them. When we remind ourselves that our words have an impact on the world at the level of energy, we may find within ourselves the desire to be more aware of our use of language.

A fun way to increase our sensitivity to the power of words is to simply make a list of our favorite words and notice the energy they contain. We can write them down and post them where we can see them, or we can speak them aloud, feeling them reverberate in our bodies and in the air around us. This is like learning to consciously play an instrument that we have been playing unconsciously for most of our lives, and the effect can be startling and delightful. As we grow more comfortable and confident playing the instrument of language, we will begin to compose beautiful messages, creating positive energy every time we write or speak.

Thanks for stopping by and please keep Rylie (and us) in your prayers.

Have a great day & hugs to all my friends!

Tags: Language, speech, daily OM

Halloween Pictures

Here are a few pictures from last night.  We had so much fun with Rylie.  She would walk up to a house and even before anyone had time to open the door she would say "Frick or Freating!"  She was too cute.  Everytime we would leave one house she would turn to Samantha and say "Fly wit me Tam!"  LOL

 

Tags: Halloween, pictures, Rylie Jo Lee, Samantha Dawn, Trick or Treat

Home remedy--Morning Sickness

        

 

Please remember that these are remedies that have either been mailed onto me, or that I have found on the Internet.  I haven't tried them all and cannot guarantee the effectiveness of them.  Of course, you should always check with your physician before starting any type of medical regimen.

 

Morning Sickness

• Have saltine crackers sitting next to the bed and eat a few upon waking up.
• Mix 1 tsp. each fresh juice of mint and lime, and 1 Tbls. honey. Take 3 times a day.

I will be back later to post some Halloween pictures.

Have a great day & hugs to all my friends!

Tags: home remedy, morning sickness