Making the most of it
My sister in law lost one of her siblings today. Cancer. That has to be the ugliest most degrading word there is. It takes the young. It takes the old. It takes anyone of any ethnicity. It is not prejudice as to who it’s victims are. It takes mothers from their children. It takes children from their parents. Fathers here today and gone the next. Grandparents are affected just the same.
A person goes from feeling fine on day to barely being able to lift their own head. I watched painfully as my step father battled the demon for 3 long years. I watched a man full of life and character be reduced to a victim of cancer.
The worse part is watching someone die from it. Knowing in your heart that there’s nothing you can do. You can’t take away the pain. You can’t kiss it away. You just sit and watch your loved one wither away. You want that person to live. But you feel selfish for wanting them to live a life in pain and agony.
When my step father passed, I felt a sense of relief. I was tired. I was tired of seeing him in pain. I was tired of watching him diminish. I wanted him whole again cancer free. I was relieved to know he wasn’t suffering any more. I miss him every single day of my life, but I’d rather he passed on that hurt.
I was told at a young age that even though someone has passed, life goes on. Yes we grieve, but we still carry on our daily lives just as before. We remember those who are gone. It stings from time to time.
Today I witnessed a tough man break down and cry. I watched as he wiped away a single tear drop. The fact of how short and precious life is smacked him hard. Life is short. And life is precious. No matter how long we are given, we should all make the most of it.
The sun is shining bright. The birds are singing merrily this morning. The dew is gingerly kissing every one of my blossoming roses. The grass is greener on my side of the road (thanks to the abundant amount of fertilizer I put out). The sky is the most beautiful shade of blue. Reminds me of Jelly Bean’s eyes when she was a baby.
The honeysuckles aroma fills the morning air. Sweet and savory even if each one only produces a drop of goodness. The horses are galloping freely in the meadow across the road. Stopping only briefly for a playful romp with their pasture mate.
The kids still in their slumber brings me bliss in the early hours of the morning. Relishing every ounce of quietness before they arouse. The fan humming in the background drowns out their snores and sleepy chatter.
Being southern means instead of brewing hot coffee in the morning time, I am brewing tea for a big gallon jug of sweet tea. It’s a necessity to live in the south.
Today all is right in my world. But then again it could be just the fact that the girls are still snoozing and I’m able to take a moment to take it all in. No matter what the commotion is, it will be back tomorrow.
Looking back now, I wished I would have never made fun of my Great Grandmother wearing sweatshirts in August. Karma is coming back to bite me big time.
I used to could stand the cold. Now even if the AC is on, I’m covered up or wearing a sweatshirt myself. Most of the time I go outside to unthaw for a bit.
The weather man said it’s going to get HGH (hot, getting hotter) by the day. I personally don’t mind it, but having a child with exertion asthma makes it tricky.
During the hot days, we keep her in. The heat sets her asthma off and in the house, we are supposed to keep it around 68 degrees. That freezes me to death. Years ago, I could wander around in the winter with shorts on, oh now I hibernate in the winter.
Is it an effect of getting older? I am not sure. But I wished I could enjoy the winter and summer months without feeling like a popsicle on legs. Even today in the Eye place, I was freezing to death. My hands were like a chunk of ice. Of course I go with the flow of everyone and wear shorts because I do not want to appear like a nut case. But behind doors, you will find me wrapped up like a burrito because I’m so cold.
Mama Mia, That’s a Fasta Pasta
I’ll admit. I’m a lazy cook. I try to find ways to cook with very little effort. I think most of it stems from living in the south. Any woman knows you can heat up a kitchen cooking a meal and I prefer not to die from heat exhaustion while cooking.
I was happy when I was given the opportunity to review the Fasta Pasta by Mom Fuse. First off I love pasta. Any kind, any way, I love it. However most of the family doesn’t enjoy it like I do. ( I think somewhere down the line my family must have been Italian). But I hate the hassle of pulling out a pan, filling it full of water, waiting on the water to boil, putting the pasta in and waiting for it to get done. It’s just entirely too much effort for me.
Then some genius person came up with this idea to cook pasta in a microwave. Less electricity. No more waiting on water to boil. No more fussing over pasta.
I have had my Fasta Pasta Cooker for a little bit now. I have used it for so many things. I have cooked boxed Mac -n- Cheese in it. I have made Pasta Salad. And I boiled two large potatoes for mashed potatoes for my Great Nephews. Last night, I made Teriyaki chicken. It was so effortless. Just the way I like it. LOL
First I took a Teriyaki noodle mix, stripped chicken (already cooked bought at Walmart), water and the Fasta Pasta Cooker.
I followed the instructions on the Teriyaki mix. Just added 1 1/2 cup of water and a little bit of oil. But instead of putting it in a pan on the stove, I placed it in the Fasta Pasta cooker. Then I chopped up some chicken strips and stirred in the mix. Once all mixed up. I put it in the microwave for 6 minutes.
Once it came out, I placed the lid on the Fasta Pasta cooker so it could steam and get all gooey good.
After I let it steam for a few minutes. I grabbed me up a plate and chowed down. It was perfect. And it was fast.
The Fasta Pasta Cooker is so easy my children can use it. When you order the Fasta Pasta, it comes with a cookbook with an array of recipes. So many dishes to chose from. Even the non traditional such as a Chocolate Cake can be cooked in the Fasta Pasta cooker.
The Fasta Pasta is great for families on the go. And with summer upon us, it’s great for RV’s and even dorms. It would make the perfect gift for any Bachelor who can’t cook. The lid comes with premeasured holes to get just the right amount of pasta for your needs. It also has a strainer at the opposite end. And clean up is a breeze since it’s dishwasher safe.
My family may not enjoy a good pasta meal, but that does not stop me from using my Fasta Pasta Cooker. Heck, I’m sure I can fiddle around and find many more great uses for it besides pasta.
When it rains it pours around here. Gosh darn it to heck and back. My computer decided to take a shit this morning and won’t come on. Hubby’s pretty sure it’s the power supply. If that’s not enough the plug in for my AC in my bedroom burned out. The lawnmower tore up the day before yesterday.
The only good thing that has happened is hubby was cleared today from the eye Doc. His eye is back to normal and is no longer red as a beet. Day two of summer break and I’m already ready to kill some kids. Anyone want 2 slightly used teenagers and one obnoxious 7 yr old who thinks she will die without Nickelodean? Come on any takers?
Access Denied
You know, I tend to think of myself as a pretty giving person. I am often willing to help just because I want to. Not to gain anything from it. Most of the time, my kindness is often met with open arms. Then there are times like today when I run across one smart ass who has a corncob stuck up her ass.
I went to Shorty’s school today to get her meds and asked them if they needed any help around the school. I was told no. So I asked if I could go down to Shorty’s classroom and help the teacher. I was gave a very stern NO and was told that I was not allowed to go to her room. I have never in all my years experience with the elementary been told NO I couldn’t help out on the last day. I was so pissed.
I got in my truck and came home. I went back at 10:30 and walked in to get Shorty. I apologized for not being there like I said I would and explained why. Fortunately for me, I have a very understanding 7 yr old.
Today begins the long two months journey of the never ending I’m bored or there’s nothing to do sagas. The first week will be pretty smooth sailing but it all goes down hill after that initial shock of summer wears off. I officially have a 3rd grader (who by the way made all A’s on her final 9 weeks report card), an 8th grader and a 9th grader. Oh JOY!!
Well I am tired from all the ruckus this morning (not really, I just didn’t go to bed until late) so I feel a nap coming on. But first I just heard my belly growl, I think it wants to be fed first.
With one more school day to go, I am hoping come Friday morning I can sleep in with no interruptions. I have already instructed the girls not to wake me up unless it’s a medical emergency or the house is on fire. I have done so much running these last few weeks, I’m beyond exhausted.
The eye Dr called over the weekend to check on hubby. He was feeling much better. They called back yesterday and asked us if we could come in free of charge for the Doc to take a look. The infection is gone, but the inflammation is still there. He prescribed him some steroid drops for his eyes to see if that would clear it up. We have to go back on Friday for another recheck, but today it’s looking much better than yesterday.
This new eye Doc was asking all sorts of questions yesterday about his eyes. We expect it. Anyone new ever looks into his eyes and they get this funny puzzled look on their face. We just laugh it off. We are so used to newbies and their reactions. The Doc mentioned a new type of surgery but given the condition of his eyes, it’s not feasible nor will it work. His eyesight is too far gone. Without his contact, he sees at a 20/80 in it. So it’s just a wait and see thing.
He (the eye Doc) asked him if his vitreous had ever detached.. hubby told him not yet. We know it’s going to happen one day, we just hope it’s a long way off. So we take it one day at a time and cherish the eyesight he does have for now.
I’m prepared for it. I know it’s going to happen. I just hope it’s after the girls graduate, get married and have their families. I will stick by him no matter what. I did vow for better or for worse and in sickness and in health. I just hope he gets a few more years out of them before it happens.
Chicken Dance
This past weekend, I bet we gained 5 lbs each. The Memorial Day festivities started Friday. We cook so much chicken. Saturday night, we took the night off, thank goodness. Sunday and Monday we cooked 20 lbs of chicken again. I’m so sick of chicken. I didn’t even buy any during my grocery run yesterday.
With the summer months, my weakness is sweet stuff like cakes and ice cream. Over the weekend, we made home made doughnuts, 2 Eclair cakes and ate ice cream. We are going to need some treadmills if we keep eating like we have been.
This weekend I am cooking a pork roast in the crock pot for some BBQ sandwiches. With some sweet slaw on the side. Yummy. It will be a nice change from Chicken. I swear I’m growing feathers from my butt.
Look Whose Talkin’