So...whats for dinner?

Congrats to everyone with kids who just started school again. Exciting and scary time! LOL. Speaking of scary, I'm going back into surgery tomorrow, three weeks after my TE was replaced. They are going to remove AND REPLACE my drain... LOL still draining too much, and since I already list two to infections, they don't want to leave the original drain in. Sigh. Sucks.

For dinner yesterday, I had a ham and cheese on raisen bread with tomato soup. And, no, not homade, just Campbells LOL . I'VE been trying not to do much cause of the drainage. So just needed something quick. LOL

Moon - in your pocket for tomorrow and I agree with Special K for a quickie of the bestest kind. Saw there is now a yellow tomato Campbells soup I think at an exorbitant price. Guess I'll stick with the old familiar variety.

Laurie, so pleased that your boys are off to a good start. Nothing like a great first day to give optimism for the year. Kids are funny that way... need a good memory when things aren't going well.

Moon, just don't even know what to say. Seems like you should get a frequent surgery discount, or a special meal, or a hat with your hospital's name. I sincerely hope that this procedure goes well.

Dinner tonight was zucchini cakes and weiner schnitzel [from a pasture raised animal.] Had to pound that meat to death to get it tender, but at least the little guy got to hang out in the pasture with my lamb for a summer.

*susan*

Laurie, so happy your boys love school. Should at least make your mornings a bit less stressful.



Monica, I think you deserve a surgical wing named for you. Hope this is a minor deal.



Made a lovely Thai stir fry tonight with chicken, lime, peppers, scallions, garlic, basil and rice noodles, with a couple of bird chilies thrown in for just the right amount of heat. Wonderful. Unfortunately, it only used a miniscule amount of the out of control Thai basil that has overrun my herb garden.

Susan, I will be making pho as well. That was my main reason for growing it. I may try the rice wine vinegar infusion. It sounds good and because these leaves are a little less delicate than regular basil, it may hold up well. Thanks for the idea!



I made refrigerator dill pickles today with yesterday's cucumber harvest. Can't wait to try them.

Laurie  So glad the school thing went well...all good peice of mind for the parents.  Your mind is probably racing with all of the things you can accomplish while they are gone....I remember thinking that the day was just too short.

Moom  Good luck with the surgery.  Hope it is simple and easy....You need a Bogo sale!

Yesterday was my last day to fill in at an office for a worker that had surgery...it was a long summer working in two offices.  It was a 40 min commute to do this...I would work there from 8- 1 and then go to my usual office till 8:30 in the evening.  Needless to say I am pooped!  They did have a very nice party for me though catered by a woman that works there and does catering on the side...pulled pork with coleslaw, a potato salad with ham and cheese and horseradish  that was to die for, broccoli salad and two kinds of cake.  A peach cake that had peach schnapps in it and a wine cake ( theres a theme here) ha ha  very appropriate since we work in a substance abuse clinic.

Today  I rest and mow the lawn  then just do my part time job in the evening.

By the time we finished my acupuncture appt, a Costco trip and a visit to our new house to drop off some nails, there was no time left to cook.  We had Costco chicken, tomatoes and cucumbers for dinner with a few rice crackers and pesto. 

Once I'm done with these daily acupuncture visits I'm seriously going to have to make it up to my hubby!!  He's working all day at our new house and getting crappy meals on top of it. 

Deb, that memorial ceremony sounds like it was lovely and loving....and how nice for DD and her DH to have a part of her dad there.



Wow! Carrie, you are amazing ....two jobs?!!! I Hope the one you finished was the one with the young co-worker from hell. I have to chuckle at your "day of rest" before the evening job. Do you ever bottle and sell any of your energy?



Special, I'm glad for you and DD that she is moving on to happier hunting grounds. Always hard to see any of our kids "stuck" in a relationship. She sounds like she is in a good place now.



Garden, I hope the acupuncture is working well for you. I saw an acupuncturist for a few months, three years ago, when I was dealing with a foot/arch injury that would not heal. I was amazed at the effectiveness of her work in helping the healing along..and my foot is great these days. I hope your experience is as successful, (I forget what you are being treated for) and that you can soon pay more full time attention to your new home...which is so lovely. I saw it in another posting. You guys worked hard looking.....and it paid off! Best of luck!



DH and I are off to see the Red Sox tonight. He is dying to get his teeth around one of those "terrible for you" sausage/ pepper sandwiches that entice fans as they walk to the stadium. I reminded him that we have been consuming more sausage than we've had in years in the lasagna dish we've been having for leftovers since Saturday, but I doubt that will matter at all......;)

Here is the poem my DD read on the island:

Those we love remain with us for love itself lives on,
and cherished
memories never fade
because a loved one's
gone.
Those we love can never be more than a thought
apart,
for as long as there is memory, they'll live on in the
heart.

UPDATE on LuvRVing (Michelle):

Hi ladies,

Once again I'm afraid I have some bad news to report about my mom.  Yesterday the doctors at Dana Farber told my parents that it might be time to stop treatment.  Mom has continued to decline, despite the Avastin and Navelbine, and they are feeling that she is beyone their ability to help.  Mom is not emotionally ready to stop fighting, but she seems to be coming to terms with the reality of the situation.  

She did receive treatment yesterday.  They are going to Marco Island (FL) this weekend along with my aunt.  When they return, she will have some scans.  Unless the scans show regression, and her symptoms do not indicate that that will be the case, I believe they will stop treatment.  

I spoke to the doctor out of earshot from my parents.  I asked her how much time mom has.  She said that her decline has been swift, and she expects that it will be a couple of months at the most.  I am so sorry to have to share this terrible news with you all, but I want you to be able to send her your thoughts and love, and there is not much time.

Mom isn't able to get online.  My dad has started to look at her Facebook account occassionally, and he is checking her email for her.  If you would like to send a message, you can email her at mchall6252@comcast.net.  If you would like to send her a card/letter, you can mail it to Michelle Hall, 7 Digital Dr, Apt 7109, Nashua, NH  03062.  

Please keep in mind, if you choose to contact them, that they are still struggling with the idea of stopping treatment.

Christine 

Sending prayers for Michelle. 

LovinMyMom - thank you for sharing the news, I can only imagine what a difficult time you had writing the words.  My heart is with you.

Lovingmymom, Christine. Thank you for the update on your Mom. We appreciate the horrendous task you took on in keeping people informed. As hard as it is for you, as hard as it is to hear for us, its better than not knowing. So thank you for that. Please know that all of you are in our prayers. if there is no reason to go on fighting, then just go on the best she can and enjoy as much as she can, like her loving children and grandchildren.

Please let her know we care and are thinking about her, and that she is deep in our hearts. ((((((((Christine)))))))

Oh, lovingmymom, we so appreciate your taking the time to tell us this important but painful news. Michelle has been on my mind so often with the hope that her courage and hard work in the face of such physical adversity would be rewarded with remission. I can totally understand how she and DH hate to give up the hope that her treatment gives everyone.

I am so very sorry for all that you are facing....and will keep Michelle lovingly in my thoughts. While totally respecting your need for privacy, please let us know if any of the "local" sisters can do anything concretely to support your family through this difficult time.

I smiled thru the tears to learn that your mom is heading to Marco. Love her amazing traveling spirit!!!