So...whats for dinner?

Laurie08

So....this cold had a second round to it.  I now have no voice but am starting to feel better today, not dragging as much.  Imagine dealing with 2 children with no voice?  I have started clapping to get their attention.  Today I was upstairs folding laundry and they were calling for me-  DS1 got panicked and said I left them. I started clapping my hands and they found me.  Funny stuff.  Also, because I am whispering they are too when they talk to me.  

Last night was a fend for yourself night- I had the last of the left over turkey and some cheese and rice.  Tonight I will make Debbie's Belgian Chicken.

Lacey12

SK, love all your trees! Don't love that your friend was diagnosed with this damn disease! Do love that you could support her through all those initial appts., tests, etc. 

Laurie, I hope you get your voice back soon! Isn't it just so interesting how kids adapt to their environment and follow their role models for communication! That response whispering is so sweet. Maybe some day in the future if the kids are super loud and you need some peace and quiet, you could initiate a whisper day! LOL....

This morning I had a follow up appt with the foot doc to make sure my new orthotic was working well....so, since I was up and out decided to head to the Mall to make an exchange, spent 30 minutes trying to find a parking space (ugh!) then three hours trying on clothes that were on sale for very good prices....so I bought a few smaller sized slacks (yay!). By the way, does anyone actually prefer the newer outdoor "lifestyle shopping centers" over the mall? I have to say, walking in a toasty mall is definitely my preference. 

After my shopping excursion, DH and I headed to the gym to attend a stretching class we went to last week. I also did most of my work out regimen (having been motivated after trying on clothes!), which I really have needed after all the holiday food. Felt good to get moving....it seems more serious when I do it at the gym, even tho I've made  it into our basement exercise area daily to prevent the balloon factor these past weeks.

On the drive home, we stopped to pick up some fish and the only thing that appealed in the local market's fish case was shrimp. So I made up a shrimp stir fry with lots of veggies and added some brown rice pasta to it to make it qualify as a meal for DH.  Accompanied by my easy cuke salad. By the time I sat down to eat,  I was ready to fall asleep. I had forgotten that my shopping stamina was definitely impacted by my treatment....or maybe just my advancing age. I may actually hit the bed at a decent hour tonight.

Susan, I am picturing an image my DH often invokes when I pack (almost;) to that degree.....just get a trailor hitch and connect it to the house!     Have a great time! I'm interested in what you come up with for your holiday trip.....

eric95us

I think it was Moon that mentioned spring.  It's almost that way here (probably much different than where Bedo is working)...I was in a T-shirt, long pants and barefoot all day while working in the back yard.

Sharon and DD were skiing yesterday. It's a weird place.  In 2 hours driving time, one can go from 70F to ski area.  I cooked a chuck roast in the dutch oven (the one in my avatar).  It was the usual process, except I used the dutch oven in the oven at 200F degrees and used some ale (1/2 pint for the roast, 1/2 pint for the cook!) for the braising liquid.  

Laurie, I hope you get your voice back...although the whispering and clapping seems to be working.   That is kind of neat that your boys are whispering back.  It probably is nice having a quiet house.

Special K, I like the theme trees.  I've always only had one tree, but it has it's share of ornaments that Sharon, DD and I all made in our "little kid days". Growing up, mom and dad would have some stuff on the tree that had been from various (usually) Marine bases from around the world.  

Susan, sounds like you're loaded for bear...as the old expression goes...  :-)

Bedo, You said the latest picture was taken at 4:30pm.....the totem pole picture taken during the daylight.......what time was that one taken?    

SpecialK

laurie - DH has also lost his voice and has some kind of cold-like thing going on.  I know it has to be frustrating not to be able to speak when you have such little ones, but so cute that they are whispering back to you!

Thanks for the concern for my friend - I am just so sad that she is facing this at such a young age.  She lost her mom to bi-lateral (two primaries) breast cancers and ovarian at a pretty young age - early 50's - we are assuming that she is at least BRCA1+ since it would explain a lot - her results are not back yet.  The good news is that she is spending some time with her dad, brother (who are coming to her dx with their own emotional baggage) and step-mom in the Florida Keys, right on the water, so she is having fun and relaxing.

MinusTwo

SpecialK - so sorry for your friend.  I hope she & her docs can develop a good treatment plan.  I like the lanai tree best - but then I'm a sucker for anything to do with oceans & saltwater.

Hooray.  MO agreed today so we've cancelled the last chemo in this batch that was scheduled this week.  Just too many SEs.  Now I will get 4 weeks off before starting back on Herceptin every 3 weeks and radiation.  Or at least 4 weeks with no invasive procedures just 4 or 5 tests & scans.  I might even get some taste buds back for awhile!!  To celebrate I had a Kentucky Fried Chicken breast greasy Original recipe & coleslaw.  For dessert I'm going to have egg nog with Jack Daniels.  WooHoo!!

Moonflwr912

Happy for you, Minus!

Tazzy

Wow... busy thread

Just wanted to pop in and say here's to 2014 - may it be healthier and happier.

eric95us

A toast to friends and family...both present and absent.....

Moonflwr912

and memories of those gone ahead and blessings to all. May 2014 bring in the best and only enough pain to recognize good times! Much love!

Laurie08

Minus- Your post made me SMILE!!!!!  Woo Hooo!!!!

Eric- I too raise my glass.  To all of you and those who we love that have passed.

Lacey12

Minus, a good way to start the year! Happy for you!

Just returned from a long frigid walk (20ish degrees with a breeze) towards the end of which we stopped into a local church which was hosting a jazz band, part of our town's New Year's entertainment activities.

Later we head to a newer farm-to-table style restaurant in our town, which has very nice dishes (obviously the farms are NOT from around these parts). Meeting our neighbors there, then possibly more concert venues after dinner since there are several musical shows until midnight. 

New Year's best to all! 

eric95us

I'm outside in my bare feet, cleaning the back yard.  It's almost 70F..

auntienance

To my friends, a toast to a happy and healthy new year!

carolehalston

We have a dinner reservation for 7 pm at our nearby favorite restaurant.  Two other couples will be joining us.  Then back home and in bed before midnight! 

Two AT&T technicians have been here several hours hooking us up with internet.  We have a special deal for a year wherein we get our local phone service and internet for about the same price we were paying just for the phone service.  We tried using the Verizon air card for our internet and that wasn't satisfactory at all.  And proved to be more expensive than we had expected. 

Minus, I'm happy for you.  I hope you can enjoy some food during your hiatus.

Wishing us all a healthy and happy 2014!!!!

luvmygoats

Carole - we tried the air card for about 5 minutes a couple of years ago. Thank goodness Verizon got DSL out to us finally.

We are having a quiet night at home. DH has beginnings of a cold. Hope we can find a suitable movie but the Stars hockey game is on if he falls asleep. Making very festive (Ha) hamburgers and french fries. Took car dealer to get glitch fixed. Made stop at Lowes; bought new ceiling fan for DH to put up. Ours is old, too brassy for my taste. This more "woody" with smoky glass on globes.

Hope all have a Happy New Year with better health and many new recipes to try. Missing those we have lost this year. Hard to believe we lost Apple way back in January.

luvmygoats

Wishing Michelle were here to enjoy the feastivities.

SpecialK

minus - yay!

A happy New Year to all!  No plans for us - DD is packing and leaves tomorrow for the Keys and her new internship.  She is 24 and this is really her first time leaving home - the internship in Clearwater was M-F, she was home on the weekends.  She attended college locally so never left, and she is not much of a partier, so spent a lot of time with us.  She is taking the dog, who has never known another home but this one!  I am excited for her, but will miss them both terribly, so a bit sad tonight.

Moonflwr912

Hugs Specialk! It's hard to let them fly away. But i know she is terrified AND excited! And so are you! LOL.  

Joyce I am glad you have support to help with Michelle's loss and are supporting her DH at the same time. We miss her too.

Tonight we had Chinese at our local place.  As good as always.  Hot and sour soup and an egg roll with my sweet and sour chicken. Hey, why not it's News Eve! LOL.  Yeah I know it's not good for me. But i don't eat it that often. LOL! 

To all on the dinner board, Happy New Year! May 2014 bring good news and love to all. Much love. 

bedo

Minus good news!

Eric, the totem pole picture was taken about noon. I get up at 7 am for work and it's already light, so I don't know when it starts to get light. It's kind of like New England, I think. Also, yesterday was raining so I missed the sun by about 1/2 hour

I deleted the pic in case nosey-kins (my daughter, decided to find out my name and read my posts. I need Some Place without her snooping )

Santa brought me a present. The witty guy from the Christmas party, a hiking partner. he texted me and wants to do something,

And tomorrow hiking with the clinic doc.

Yes there really are 7 men to 1 woman here.

Whooo hooo

Actually I'll be gone in 5 months and am not really looking, but it is nice 

May the old fly out the window with the old year and the New Year bring joy and happiness. And a bluebird to fly up your nose.

Moonflwr912

Bedo. I thought it was the Bird of Paradise? LOL but if you want a bluebird, then that's what it will be... LOL

carberry

Happy New Year everyone!

Minus  What a great start to the new year! Wishing you lots more greasy fried chicken and egg nog.

Lacey  That sounds like a perfect evening. We are always seeking out live music and lots of dancing.  So hard to find a good entertaining night out, without it just being in a bar or restaurant.

Eric  ahhhhh bare feet.....my flip flops are still out of the closet staring at me.

Started off the new year with a ham, cheese and spinach omelet, so strange in the middle of the week...feels like Sunday.

Kaara

Happy 2014!  We spent a quiet evening at home...a change from my usual travels but a nice one.  To avoid the crowds and expense we had a nice lunch at a local ale house...a lobster special.  For New Year's Eve dinner I made chilled shrimp and sauce with a wedge salad and strawberries and dark chocolate for dessert.  We almost polished off a bottle of champagne...not quite..lol!

Today I hit the gym for my new resolution...getting back on diet and exercise track!

Joyce:  Glad you are keeping ties with Michelle's DH...that's special!

Laurie:  Glad your getting through the last of that virus.  I'm just now back to normal and it's been almost a month:(

Minus:  Good for you!

Special K:  Congrats to your DD...how great is that!

Enjoy your New Year's Day everyone...I don't want to watch nonstop football so I'm going shopping and maybe to a movie.

carolehalston

Kaara, for a number of years I spent New Year's Day with several movie friends doing a movie marathon.  We would go to at least three movies.  It was fun.  On Monday one of those movie friends and I went to see American Hustle.  It was well done, and I enjoyed it.  We had wanted to see The Book Thief, but it had already gone.  I read that book and it was excellent. 

Well, DH and I are all set for prosperity in 2014.  We ate our cabbage and black-eyed peas today!  My dad always said the cabbage was for greenbacks and the peas were for coins.  DH cooked a pot of black-eyed peas with ham yesterday.  They were super good.  Today I cooked a corned beef brisket with potatoes, carrots, and cabbage.  Cooked some brown rice to go with the peas and made corn bread.  Everything was delicious. 

I'm getting really excited about our trip to Australia and New Zealand.  We depart on Jan. 9.  Today I ordered a swimsuit from Land's End.  One of our first outings in Australia is the Great Barrier Reef.  DH has already started packing his suitcase! 

Two bc sisters from Australia and New Zealand have PM'ed me offering to get together for coffee.  That will be so special to meet them!

Missing Michelle and Apple as the new year begins.

Kaara

Carole:  Your trip sounds very exciting...I've always wanted to go there...maybe someday soon.

SpecialK

kaara - thanks!  She is excited and nervous to begin this new adventure - she is driving as I type this, but she should be there within the hour.  The poor dog just seems confused - he has never been away from home!

carole - where in Australia are you going?  My dad was an Australian - from just outside Melbourne in a little town called Ringwood. 

SeasideMemories

Carole,

Australia/New Zealand as well as Alaska are on my list of places I would love to visit!  Hope to hear lots of stories (and maybe a pic here or there)! Had really good luck with the Land's End swim suits before we went on our cruise.  Was torn between 2 sizes so ordered 3 suits in each of two sizes and returned the ones that didn't fit to my local Sears (they have a Lands End section so can return there).

eric95us

Thanks Bedo.  

SeasideMemories

SpecialK,

Sending hugs your way!  Did the drop off for 4 years of undergrad and cried a bit on the way home each time.  DD then came back and lived at home for 1 1/2 years while she did her Masters and then moved 2 hours away for her first 'real' job!  

We moved her there and I stayed for a few days to get her set up and then cried like a baby the whole way home! Yes... The entire 2 hours!

It's what we've wished for them the whole time they were growing up but, when the time comes to let them go, omg, it's just so hard!

My DD is doing well and yours will too!  But, Mom to Mom, sending you a big hug as you go through this transition!

SpecialK

seaside - thanks!  The good thing is that she took her time completing her B.A. in college locally, and did the first internship an hour away from us, so she is really leaving home for the first time at the age of 24.  She is intelligent and savvy, and has good street-smarts, so I am not that worried about her - I will just miss her.  She is a hoot and is hilarious, so she livens things up.  And the dog - he has never left home!  Aside from escaping and playing "keep away" from DH 15 minutes prior to my last chemo - I had to drive myself there while he searched for the dog.  It was the only time my blood pressure was high enough that they decided to give me some Ativan in the pre-meds!  DH showed up about half way through so I knew he had made the capture!  DD was none the wiser about this (this is her dog) until my SIL spilled the beans about 6 months ago, lol!

eric95us

Special and Seaside, I'm still in the preparation phase for DD heading off to school.  She's soon to be 16.   

Financially, her college is covered as long as tuition doesn't go too much more crazy.

Emotionally...well.....that's a whole different story.... :-)

My friend's daughters call themselves my test daughters.  I've known them since before they started kindergarten.  They are now in their mid and late 30s and say I was like their 2nd dad...but more protective... :-)  The youngest "girl's" youngest son is now older than she was when I first met her.  I feel a lot of pride and satisfaction  when I see them....even more so when I ask for, and value, their advice.  I'm hoping it will be the same with DD.