It was Dip Day

Today was dip day at work... it was so much fun and all the food brought was really good. There was a good variety of things to choose from... taco dip, queso blanco, red pepper relish dip, spinach dip, pepperoni dip, crab dip, and my own cream cheese, bacon and scallion dip. It was fun to visit and eat with my coworkers that are always so busy during the day that we don't get that opportunity often.

Tonight, DH was tired and wanted to go out to eat. We went to a local coffee shop/ice cream shop for dinner. It was really good food as well. The only draw back of the entire evening was some guy who was seated behind me who whistled through his entire meal. I was so distracted by his endless chirping, I thought I was going to go ever the edge and go "ballistic" on him. Luckily, DH and I chatted and enjoyed our dinner that once he left, it felt positively wonderful!

After dinner, we hit the Wal*mart to pick up DH's medication... and ended up doing some shopping for his trip for work next week. We stayed out much longer than we anticiapated and we are both really tired. The upside is that we won't need to do any running this weekend... we can stay home and relax!

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

He Bakes!

I just have to share with you that DH baked gingerbread cookies for me today to take to work tomorrow. We are having a cookie swap... and he knew that I wouldn't have to endurance to roll and cut out cookies. He did it for me... and they turned out perfect and yummy! I sat and frosted and decorated them. And I can't wait to take them in tomorrow!

He's been taking very good care of me... making sure that I don't over do things and being sure that I sit and rest when I feel dizzy and winded. We've had a great weekend, which included taking me to the eye doctor to get my eyes dilated and also pick up my new glasses, we did a little Christmas shopping, and had lunch out. We came home and worked on a few things around here and then went to the little pizza shop down on the highway... it was deserted for a Saturday night, but we had a fabulous pie! And I think I became a fan for life... they sprinkle the entire pie with fresh oregano... and it has such good flavor! Yummmmmmm! I think I gained 2 pounds from all the good food we had this weekend.

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Paying For It... Still!

We went to the Bloomsburg fair yesterday. It was opening day. We braved the crowds... and yet took our time seeing all the FFA, 4-H, Grange and Homemaker and Garden Club entries and exhibits. We watched timed fence jumping by the 4-H kids. We ate all sorts of good junk food... and had some of the best onion rings ever!

It was warm and sunny! And I forgot to wear sun screen... didn't even think about it until it was too late. I fried my face... I look a bit like Rudolph today. DH did really well... managing to avoid anyone bumping into him. He fried his face too!

We walked and walked... probably around 2 miles yesterday. We did stop and rest... and I did take a couple of anti-inflammatories. But with my new knee... things don't exactly measure up straight anymore. My left leg is actually straighter and longer than my right, which is crooked and turns in. I really felt it in my hips and lower back as well... and today, I can barely move. I am really paying for that trip to the fair today!

DH discovered something on this trip around the fairgrounds that we ladies can relate to... he discovered that with his arm in a sling close to his body, his weight is more forward, and it causes his back and shoulder to hurt! But he only has straps that dig in on one side!

It's time for me to go get ready for work tomorrow. It's going to be a busy start to the week... and I am hoping to be able to keep up.

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Saturday Random Bits...

We are continuing to rake it easy today. I am continuing being the "scheduler" to remind DH to take his ibuprofen on schedule and to ice his shoulder. He's getting the hang of it... I just need to keep reminding him.

We ate a quick lunch and then headed up to the Pocono Amish Market... we actually got there rather late. There were no yummy handdone sausages... and most of the bread and eggs were gone. We ended up getting some yukon gold potatoes, carrots, more small red onions, a couple more zucchini and a dozen snicker doodles. (I need to bake my own... maybe when it becomes fall?)

We took Punky with us... she is such a little nervous nellie in the car sometimes. This trip was no different... she couldn't decide if she wanted to be in the front seat with us or in her little bed in the back. I held her for a good portion of the trip and then sat in DH's lap. Coming home, we put her in the backseat and she settled down fairly well. We turned on Colby Callait and enjoyed the drive home.

I did stop at one of the local roadside stands... one that actually has a farm west of town and they grow their own corn. We picked up corn for dinner... and after we have that, we can decide who we think has the best in the area... as we've sampled just about everyone in the area now. We just love having corn roasted on the grill next to a good NY steak smothered in montreal steak seasoning. That's good summer eating!

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

The Last 2 Days

Yesterday... I spent my morning at the doctors office. It was an 8:45 appointment, his first of the day. My complaint was that I have been ill for a week... cannot sleep on my right side without becoming ill and being in pain. I had like 90% of all the gall bladder symptoms. Or... maybe it was my appendix.

So... he decided to send me to the hospital for labs and a "stat" CT scan. We sailed through the labs, that was no problem for me. Then we hit radiology. And we were there for eons! First, the doctor's order sent by one of his nurses, was wrong. So... we had to wait for over an hour to get the correct order. Then, because it was a CT scan with contrast... it was going to take me 2 hours to drink the nasty contrast stuff. And the tech brought me out "ice tea" flavored contrast... which I despise! I was a "pain in the neck" and asked for a different flavor, because I knew that the one she brought me wasn't going to go down. I soon received lemon-lime flavored contrast drink. It was still hard to get it down!

Once my test time arrived... no one came. And no one said anything. While we were sitting in the waiting room... I heard the front desk receptionist mention, "Did the lights just dim or am I going crazy?" Nope... the lights did indeed dim... and caused the CT machine to have to be reset, making all scheduled exams to be pushed back.

I finally went back around 2:30 ish... was put in a dressing room to wait for another 10-15 minutes. I walked out of there at 3:00 but not before having to argue with the tech that my exam was "stat" and that I was to wait for the results to be read. She said the order didn't say that... I told her that the first one had it on it... and that order still stood. Long story short... we had to wait until 4:30 for the results to be read, faxed to the doctor and then have him decide if I was to be admitted or get to go home. All the while... I have not eaten anything all day, and it's friggin freezing in that place. We are held captive in a waiting room with a tv set on 1 channel that has nothing but soap operas on. I was not a happy camper! Not one bit. DH was my hero and got me a blanket so that I could at least try and stay partially warm. (I was wearing my birkenstocks... my feet were frozen!)

Anyway... we were quite anxious to get the test result since it was going on 4:45 on Friday afternoon... and we were certain that the doctors office was going to close and we'd have no information. DH came to the rescue again, and got into the receptionist face... and prodded her to actually look up what was happening. He also called the doctors office not just once, but 3 times trying to get information. We finally found out just before 5 o'clock that all my labs are normal, my CT shows that my gall bladder and appendix are still fine and that I am quite healthy. (In spite of the radiology tech that told DH that they had found something and the doctor would be calling us.)

I came home last night, still having the same ache in my side. It's still there today. I can only eat small amounts, and nothing on the "rich" side. The doctor seems to think that I have another bout of "flu"... but I think that my gall bladder is not working and they just don't see it in the CT scan.

Today... we slept in, ate a light breakfast and then headed to the Pocono Amish Farm Market. We got up to Highway 115 and realized it was also Race Weekend for the Pocono 400. There were people and tents set up everywhere. It was a banner weekend for the farm market, I've never seen the parking lot so full. There weren't any eggs left to be bought! We did come home with some good stuff... fresh green and yellow string beans, donut peaches, fresh corn, Amish butter and sausages and fresh colby cheese. We are having a farm stand dinner tonight... I can hardly wait! I just hope I can eat some of the stuff we bought... and keep it down or not be sick. Sorry to end on a note like that!

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

My Bender...

I've mentioned this before... I have a real weakness for Mexican food. Those wonderful trips to Chipotle Mexican Grill... are some of my favorite days. Those trips don't happen often, but I love them when they happen.

It seems as tho I have been on a mexican food bender this week. Twice this week, I've made Cilantro-Lime Rice. The first time I served it with Hawaiian style meatballs and then again with Taquitos on Tuesday... along with some jalapeno poppers. Last night, because it was storming and pouring down rain, we went to Wendy's where I ordered the Baja Salad and a side of chili with cheese and onion. See a trend, here?

Last week, I had lunch at Taco Bell twice... and had Chalupa's both times. Everytime I go to the store... I bring home a small container of pico-de-gallo... I love it with chips or nacho's for lunch.

As I mentioned this "trend" to DH... he laughed and said, "Well, we know you can't be pregnant." Then he said, laughingly, "Maybe it's your Thyroid?" We both laughed at those ideas... because we know I can't have kids and I don't have a thyroid! lol
I told him that I must be missing my Mom... she loved mexican food as much as I did. I guess it's just my way of grieving for her. Ole`!

Time to get my shopping list done and figure out what's for dinner tonite.
Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Girls Night Out

Last night was a rare occurrence for me... I actually went out to dinner with a wonderful group of ladies for the time in over 2 years! Everyone that went was currently, or had been involved, with the flower shop... with me being the only one that has not actually worked there.

We went to a local Japanese steakhouse. It was tucked into a strip mall with a "dollar-type" store and an auto parts store for neighbors. Once inside, you'd never know that you were in a strip mall at all. We were seated at a hibachi grill with 2 grilling areas with the entire space seating about 30 people. Anyway... I was the first in line to our table because of the way we were situated in the waiting area. I ended up sitting at the very end of the bar in our area, right where the hibachi chef would be standing and our food would be waiting on a cart, ready to go on the grill.

Everything started out well... we all got our drinks. Then we placed our order... and then they brought out our soup and then our salads. The usual stuff... then they brought out our food cart... loaded with all our entrees. I was the "odd person out" as I ordered the chicken and steak combo. Everyone else ordered seafood. I could feel my face getting red just thinking about my iodine sensitivity. We all also received 2 sizzling shrimp as an appetizer. It was good... I did go ahead and eat it.

Then the chef put on all the veggies and got them steaming up.... and as part of the "show", he diced up zucchini and would pitch you a piece to catch with your mouth. If you were successful, you were rewarded with "free sake"... I was on the end... I passed on catching veggies, as did the rest of my group. Then the chef came around with the Sake... as I was opening my mouth to say "No, Thank you"... he began to pour it in my mouth... I was trying to get him to stop, but it took a moment for him to understand that I was saying no. Just what I needed... Japanese alcohol! I have no thyroid, I cannot process alcohol. It ended up making me feel sick to my stomach... and it was hard to eat my dinner and have fun while my stomach pitched and rolled every few minutes.


I didn't finish my dinner, and I was the only one to not take my left-overs home. We talked about dessert... and it was decided that a few of us would order and we would share deep-fried cheesecake. My order came... and my friend Jackie and I both tasted it... and didn't like it. It was greasy and tasted like the oil it was cooked in. I asked the girl to take it off of our bill... and the next thing I knew... I was talking to the manager. He tried to convince me that it was a great delicacy and that I should be enjoying it. I told him that both my friend and I took a bite and neither of us like it.... it was yucky and I didn't want to be charged for it. He finally relented and gave me my money back.

We all enjoyed our evening... and we had a great time talking and laughing. The only 2 things that were not great, happened to me. But I am thinking that it was just one of those things where the stars lined up just right! I was so looking forward to spending time with these ladies... and I did have a great time with them.

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Strange Adventures in Dining Out...

It might be the full moon... but yesterday and today we had strange things happen as we were dining. Last night, we had 3 things happen. The first took place as we were about to cross the threshold of the restaurant. A young family of 3 was coming across the parking lot behind us and as they stepped up on the sidewalk, their young son took a huge tumble on the sidewalk. He pretty much did a face plant with his hands flat down on the concrete... along with his knees. We were both horrified by the sound of it as well empathetic to his pain. He cried briefly, but his Dad told him he was okay and he pulled himself together.

The second thing was as we were seated... the table right behind us had 2 twenty-somethings on a first date. The young man was quite loud as he talked above the din of the noise. We learned so much about him and his opinions... and I will get to all of that in just a moment.

The third thing that happened was after we received our meals. Unfortunately for DH, he had a hair in his food. I tried to get the waitress's attention, but she didn't see me. DH tried to get the hostesses attention... and there were several of them, to no avail. Then I spotted a manager... and DH was up out of his seat in an instant. He came to the table immediately and took his plate. He went and placed an order for another, came over and gave us a discount coupon for our next visit and took a discount off our check. We had a good humor about the whole thing because we were being entertained by Mr. First Date. The waitress apologized as well... and we told her it wasn't her fault.

And then today... we went to Cracker Barrel for a late breakfast. As we were sitting there... the table behind me was finishing their meal. The very tall man sitting right behind me went to get up, and caught his feet in the feet of the table... and went tumbling down face first in to the floor. He missed the table across from them, but he was pretty shaken up. All the men at his table laughed at him. The manager came over and checked him out... asked him several questions and if he were going to seek medical attention. He declined to do so.... no one bothered to check with me, but my back was spasming because his chair hit mine and caused me to jump. What an interesting chain of events.

Now... back to Mr. First Date. He was the kind of guy that I would have excused myself from the table and came back with a headache and left early. (Or called someone to call me and fake an emergency!) When we first got there, he was in the middle of discussing alimony and divorce lawyers... and that everyone needed a pre-nup to be sure they were really into the marriage and planning a life together or just into having a wedding. He had several opinions on divorce lawyers as well... thinking it was better to spend the money on a pre-nup than lose so much more later. He clearly didn't know when to shut his pie-hole.

He also broached the subject of office affairs and who was sleeping with whom and what his take on the whole thing was... he also told the young lady that whom ever he dates should know that she would play second fiddle to his brother, who comes first and she'd better understand that right off. Only if she was laying on the floor bleeding and would need medical attention, would she surpass his brother.

We also learned how he felt about smokers, and how hard he is on anyone he cares about who smokes. He rambled on about the affects of smoking on the body and was fairly obnoxious about that issue. (It was tough to stomach his opinion about the bodily affects while I ate.) We had to listen about his work, how he signs all of his documents at work, and what his name was.

I laughed during so much of dinner... I was quite glad that I was eating small bites because there were many times I could have choked on my food otherwise. I felt sorry for the girl and I wanted to tell her to "run the other way and don't look back"... but of course that would have been rude. We both thought she was sitting there because he had picked her up for the date and she was stranded... but alas, when they finally left, she had driven herself to the restaurant. It was truly an first date nightmare... and one that I am glad to only had to witness with my husband instead of actually be a part of!

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Just a Simple Day...

I've been busy, busy, busy... Just working on getting the yard done, getting needed shopping done, and spending some time at the flower shop. I've been keeping Miss Alice company in the afternoon while she works on orders for Memorial Day. In between all of that, I've been working on getting the house cleaned for the weekend.

I'm not taking the sleep inducing muscle relaxers anymore... and I am waking up with DH in the morning, once again. And... I'm not having to take a nap these days! Yay for that... having endurance again to get through the day. I am tired at night, but that's a good thing.

I've been sitting out on the patio in the evenings, to help me cool off with the heat and humidity. Last night, I was treated to the first fire flies of the season! They were down by the water in the lilac bushes and went fluttering down the stream edge. All the while, there was amazing heat lightening flashing across the valley sky. It was a fabulous evening. I am headed out there soon to see if there are any fire flies tonite!

We are staying home this weekend... don't have too many plans, other that having friends over on Sunday after church for lunch. I'm looking forward to that... bbq chicken, freezer slaw, ambrosia salad and hot rolls. I'll probably add some deviled eggs and a veggie tray too. Sounds good, right? Better go and walk Punky and Nolli and enjoy the cool evening air.

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

About a Year Ago...

I wrote about going to the Amish Farm Market... and even took a few pics of what we bought! DH and I have been back there a few times this past spring and summer. Today, we decided that I was in need of a little diversion from always going to the doctor or physical therapy and we set off to find some adventure. (Unfortunately we forgot the camera.)

We have a church dinner coming up in a couple of weeks... and we were not familiar with where the event site was... so we set off through the valley to find it. We did... it only took us a few minutes to figure out where the place was... so we were left with the rest of the afternoon... and off to the Poconos we went! We took all state highways, because it's more fun that way. We got to the Market and found lots of good stuff. We bought potatoes, radishes, (DH's favorite) butter, homemade breakfast bread, and some of the best sweet onions ever! Oh... and some whoppie pies, too! It was so good to get some of the last of the season's good stuff. They are only going to be there one more week and then they are done until April. Last year they were open until Christmas, but they said they're done for this year!

We also went to another Flea Market in Blakeslee... but it was a little depressing and quite run down. We just didn't like the 'vibe' around there. I was also getting tired. So... we decided to head to get some grub to eat and we ended up at Dunkin Donuts across the street! We ate lunch in the car and then headed up Rt. 940 east and then cut north. We ended up going across state park lands, passing an army depot along the way. We ended up so high up in elevation, that we were in thick, heavy fog for many miles. It was actually a fun drive. We ended up about 20 miles north of Scranton before hitting an Interstate Freeway to come home. We ended up driving around 120 miles today... munching on donut munch-kins and having a good time looking at the lay of the land as we drove.

Tonite... we are safely home... we've had a good dinner of spaghetti and garlic bread. Everyone is comfy and warm. DH is getting most of his gear together to travel this next week for work. He's headed to New York... and I'm facing my first week alone at home. I'm more than a little nervous that I won't be able to keep up with everything... but I know that if I pace myself and just stick to the basics and keep the dogs happy... I will survive without DH. I only have 2 appointments for the week... so that's a good thing. I just have to remember to get the trash out to the curb on Wednesday and space the dog walking so that I don't get too worn out.

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Sweet Sunday Love

I had a very rough night last night... I went to bed feeling ill... and was up and down during the night. When I finally woke up this morning after getting some sleep, DH had come into the bedroom and told me that I was not going to church this morning. He was very right... I wasn't moving all that well. My legs were hurting and my knees (left) were screaming.

DH did make me breakfast... yummy french toast, pepper bacon and fried eggs. It was so good. And I did share with Nolli-dog. (I cannot not share bacon with him! I did give some to Pumpkin as well.) We went back to bed for a while as I elevated and iced my knee. I brought Pumpkin with us... she's learning how to chill... (just a little, lol!) and we worked on a couple of cross word puzzles. Once we finished, I got showered, and we decided to take a drive.

We went down the country road that I wanted to explore with DH... showed him where I had found one fishing hole... and we made our way home. We drove 60 miles of back roads and made a huge loop around Sugarloaf Mountain. It was so fun... and we discovered a great park as well... one that we will probably go and visit again before the end of Fall... don't think we will hit it before end of Summer.

We stopped and picked up some bread and cheese and salami... and had a great little picnic. It was divine! We enjoyed the sunshine and each other's company... it's all about the simple things to us!

We are now home... and doing a few chores. DH is such a help when it comes to some of the things I use to do alone... he flipped the mattress for me... and vacuumed under and behind the bed. He's going to start a load of laundry for me as well. (He told me that he understands that I cannot do it by myself anymore. That I do need help with some basic chores these days.) I am growing concerned as I had great hopes for this injection series... and it's helped my right knee... but my left knee is still in so much pain and is so stiff that I have trouble walking if it's not braced. The doctor told me that I don't need the brace... but I do so much better with it.

That's pretty much what our day has been... just enjoying the simple things... helping each other, and being a family. That's Sweet Sunday Love!

Thanks for reading.. be blessed!
~Suzanne

TGIF!!!!

Yippee! Happy Friday Everyone! For me this means.... I just have to get thru this weekend and then I start the carnival of medical visits! Today... I have to go for labs. Monday, I have to go for an ultrasound on my neck. Tuesday, it's more labs and my pre-scan cocktail. And on Wednesday, it's the full body scan! That's a lot of visits back and forth to a hospital that is 20 miles away!

It also means that I have to plan for meals during those visits. I am thinking I will make myself some simple veggie wraps like I had the other day at Wegmans. Lot's of lettuce and tomato with spicy red onion and topped with sweet celery seed dressing. Yummm!

It's started to rain this morning... so I went and got back into bed and turned my electric mattress cover on... it was such a divine, warm coziness! I need to get myself pulled together to get to the post office and pick up my lab slip! Then it's off to get gas and head out for another blood draw. (Oh joy!)

Yesterday, I did make it all day without having to take a nap. It was tough, I wanted to curl up and go to sleep sooooo badly. With this fatigue, I can say that when I go to bed at night, I sleep fairly soundly (with the exception of my back hurting, and DH will rub my back to relax me enough to go back to sleep) and I sleep all night long! I hope that I continue that pattern!

Well... I'm off to pull myself together and hit the road. I will have to get some gas in the car along the way. Since it's cold and rainy, I may take Nolli with me. He's good company on little trips, I took him with me yesterday, and he loved it! Gotta throw some laundry in while I'm at it... everyone... have a great Friday!

Thanks for reading... be blessed!

~Suzanne

Sandy Asked for this one...

Here's my recipe for Cold-pack Coleslaw... this is one of the things that is going to get me through the next couple of weeks!

Small Recipe... makes enough for 8 servings

1/2 head of cabbage, shredded
2 large carrots, shredded (I use both the slicer and large shred for texture)
1/2 C green pepper, diced
1/4 C fine diced red onion... you can use yellow or even spring onion
1/3 C sugar
2 T. vegetable oil
1 tsp. celery seed
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp cracked black pepper
1/2 tsp parsley flakes

In a large bowl, combine cabbage, carrots, green pepper, and onion. In a jar with a tight fitting lid, combine dressing ingredients: shake well. Pour over cabbage mixture and toss. Cover and chill for 4 hours before serving.

Thanks Sandy... I hope you enjoy this recipe... and thank you for your good wishes!

Benadryl... it's what's for dessert!

It's a never ending saga around here... I keep finding out the hard way that there are certain things I cannot eat! I am waking up this morning with a Benadryl hangover. I certainly got some sleep last night... and probably a little more this morning too.

I decided that I would make some salmon cakes for dinner. DH loves salmon and often orders it when we go out for dinner. I haven't made salmon cakes since we've been married and my friend Mary makes them all the time. So, I got busy online yesterday and found a recipe... and proceded to make them.

They were yummy... and I payed the price for eating one! Nolli-dog was also excited about my making salmon cakes... and he got most of the one I ate. DH got my second one... as he looked across the table at me and asked, "were you that red and flushed when you started dinner?" I had already started to feel a little itchy. Needless to say, my evening wasn't the most fun with the itching and a little shortness of breath... so it was first one benadryl and then a second one. I was able to get comfortable in bed and doze most of the evening... taking the second one a few hours later as I felt the itching start again. I'm still a little itchy this morning and I have a lot of red, blotchy petichial hemmorage on my chin, nose and forehead... charming...no?

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

For some reason... I'm not able to add any pictures or even spell check on Blogger today...hmmmm....

Yeah, I forgot... but I have a reason!

Ummm... I just woke up! yeah, it's 2:45... I was sitting on the sofa this morning around 10:30 while DH started to do his paperwork. I started to sneeze and sneeze and sneeze... it wasn't going to stop. I started to get choked up and my nose started to run! I haven't done that in a long time... and realized that I had been in the flower shop 2 days in a row with Easter Lillies... and I am sensitive to those. My DH, realizing I am sneezing my head off, went and gave me not 1, but 2 Benadryl! I quickly made myself something to eat... eggs and toast, and then fell into bed... out cold!

I said I'd share my recipe for Sunday Potatoes... so here it is! (No pictures, cuz I'm going to make it tomorrow!)

1 2lb package for Southern style hash brown potatoes

1 onion, diced up

1 pint of sour cream... can be adjusted to 1 cup if you want

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 stick of melted butter

2 cups of grated cheddar cheese

salt and pepper

paprika

Place frozen hashbrowns in large mixing bowl... break them up

Add all the other ingredients (except for paprika) and stir together...

Place in 9x13 casserole and sprinkle with paprika

Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour

Great with ham, bbq chicken, pork chops or any pot luck!

Hope you like this one... and No, J... it's not heart healthy! =)

Sweet, Beautiful Sleep!

I donned the old ear plugs last night... (ear infections be darned!) I feel into bed totally exhausted and it only took me about 1 1/2 minutes to be relaxed and drifting off to sleep. I barely remember telling DH good night, I only woke up once around 3:30 and rolled right back into tuck position with my Nasa foam pillow. I remember the alarm going off... and DH getting up, but I kept on sleeping. I woke up feeling really good... around 8:30! It felt fabulous.

I woke up to a sweet note from DH left on the little kitchen table... telling me not to worry about doing laundry today, that he'd help me with it this weekend! And that he had done morning eye drops on Nolli as well. He knows that I have been exhausted all this week.

We talked about my exhaustion last night... that if I could just get some uninterrupted sleep, I'd start to feel better. We decided that I should ask the doctor for something like Ambien CR to help me... because I don't want to move to the guest room to sleep. (I didn't get married to sleep alone! I love being to reach over when I get cold and snuggle up to my sweetheart.) He recognizes that I cannot function on so little sleep or so much broken sleep. I have had such a tough time even having enough energy to do basic housework without it taking me forever and needing a rest break to finish the task at hand.

I haven't shared any meal ideas lately... we have had a few yummy things like baked chicken with fingerling potatoes and chipolinni onions. We've also had mac and cheese with bacon and onions (yummmm!) and last night I couldn't decide whether to have breakfast or do cheeseburgers. I did the cheeseburgers... and they were heavenly. I like to do them using fresh ground steak... (93/7) and put them in a cold pan... let them brown nicely with season salt and then turn them. Once turned over, I add 1 T. butter and 1 T. of worchestershire sauce, cover and let them cook through, then add sliced co-jack cheese and cover to melt. I use good kaiser rolls to help make the burger sturdier and serve with fresh sliced tomato, romaine lettuce, sliced dill pickle and red onion on the side. I served it with Bush's Grilling Beans-Steakhouse style... those were really good, and some french fries. I also made some homemade campfire sauce (ala Red Robin)... DH was in pure heaven. He loves Red Robin and he loves Cheeseburgers!

Homemade Campfire Sauce:

1/2 Cup Mayonnaise

1/4 cup Catsup

1/8 tsp Season salt

1/8 tsp Chili Powder

4 dashes of Tabasco

Mix well and serve with french fries.

Oooohhh... we are having heavy rain storms and thunder... so loud that the windows just shook!

Thanks for reading... be blessed!

~Suzanne

Various Things....

It's been an interesting day today. I had forgotten about my prescription issue with my pharmacy until I grabbed one of my bottles this morning and counted out how many pills I had left. 4 in one and 4 from an emergency refill as a courtesy when I last went in. Yikes!

So, I called the pharmacy... and Mindy told me that in fact, they had procured a new script for me and it had been filled on the 18th! (I wonder why they never called me???) So... I went over and picked it up... and it's for the wrong dosage. Oh well... some is better than none! I did contact our new health insurance provider and get the info on how to find a new doctor in this area... the CSR was quite helpful in giving me info on how to look things up.... and now I have a new patient appointment with an endocrinologist up in Berwick... only 12 miles away!

While I was at the pharmacy... there is a walk-in hair place within the strip mall. I went there once to get my hair frosted... and it turned out orange. (The other place I went to... it turned out very brassy with orange high-lights. I cannot find anyone around here that seems to understand how to process my hair so I get a summer blond look.) Needless to say... my hair was quite long, had lots of over processed streaks of orange and brass mixed with a lot of silver and white! So... I took the plunge and went in... I got one of the girls that was there when I went the first time and she was going a make-over on a hispanic girl and I think she ruined her. I decided to just go for the cut... because I can explain how I want it cut. She did a half way ok job... she cut the back way too short and didn't quite get the spikey affect I was going for on the back or the top. The sides aren't great... but I can live with it and will be cutting on it in a few days. I will decide if I am going to try and get it frosted again or live with salt and pepper. (hmmmmm???)

Anyway... tomorrow our fuel delivery comes... I will have to try and go to bed early tonight, because the driver likes to catch me in my jammies. (He always comes really early and we have forgotten to unlock the door or he wants to give me a calendar or hand me my receipt... and he always seems to oogle me... and I hate that!!!! So my plan is to be dressed and ready for when he delivers!

I also got an email today... one that was unexpected! My forever-maid-of-honor called me last night and told me she made my mac and cheese recipe... and she used every pot she had and wanted to know how to get the cheese off the pots! (soaking and lots of soap!) Her one true love sent me the sweetest email: I Loved the Mac and Cheese very tasty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gary

He's a foodie and works for one of the Big Box retail chains that carry only bedding, bathroom and kitchen stuff. Liz is trying to brush up on her cooking skills and likes to get new ideas... (don't we all???) she really wanted to try my mac and cheese for Gary. I guess I forgot to mention that I start it all in a really big 12 inch nonstick skillet.... so that I don't make such a big mess. It's something that takes practice and like I said in my last post... I always seem to leave a step out or forget that not everyone thinks like me!

I do have a new follower... her name is Jenny... and she's from the Pacific Northwest! Hi to you! Glad that you like my blog! Here's the link to where she's at: http://jenny-jennywhocaniturnto.blogspot.com/
Go and check her out!

I'm off to reheat leftovers from last night... Yummm! It was so good and I don't mind having it again. I think we will even have some to freeze for another night. (Insert contented sigh here)

DH is home from work and has showered... now it's time to feed him! =)

Thanks for reading... be blessed. (I may try and get a decent picture (of my hair cut) added to this later!

~Suzanne

This was fun!

I totally borrowed this idea from another blog that I read... I love this and I could expand on the idea quite easily.

Questions for you: Food Edition!

1) Think about the best meal you ever ate in a restaurant. What was the restaurant?

2) What is your favorite kind of cheese?

3) What is your favorite varietal of wine?

4) Have you ever eaten foie gras? If so, did you like it?

5) What is your favorite flavor of potato chip?

What are your answers?

Here are mine:

1. My most favorite meal is a tie... the first being a meal that was at a corporate awards dinner in Portsmouth NH... the restaurant was called 71, set in an old church. The food was amazing... and I had steak dijonnaise that was wonderful... with the best steamed shrimp ever. And to tie that is The Melting Pot... it's fondue... nothing more needs to be said!

2. We are cheese eaters at this house... but if I'm gonna splurge... I love Emmenthaler Swiss or Gruyere`. We eat a lot of colby/jack for grilled cheese too!

3. I don't drink wine. (I can't... no thyroid!) But if I did... I like a good champagne cocktail. I mostly drink diet pepsi or lemonade.

4. Yes and Yes... it was at the same corporate dinner... the chef really knew what he was doing... it was so flavorful and rich... not a lot of people ate it... but it was really good!

5. My favorite potato chip is Utz Honey BBQ. I love those... sweet and smoky! Hubs likes the crab chips they do as well... I can't eat those...

That was fun and I can't wait to read what your answers will be!

Oh... it's snowing here... we are going to get around 3 inches today, more tomorrow and on the weekend too. I'm ready for winter to be done. On a personal note... please keep those prayers a'comin! I have applied for several jobs... and need one! Please join me in seeking what God wants for me to do. Thanks!

Thank you for reading! Be blessed!

~Suzanne