Busy life always

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    If you are reading this before Valentines Day 2018, get thee to the local Rite Aid (if you have one). They have a long white box of Russel Stover Chocolates (1lb 10oz) for only $9.99. That is like two chocolate hearts in one! We always have a box of chocolate for the family. I almost wasnt going to buy it this year but then my traditional heart won out. So I ate chocolate and I spent money. I think I have a major soft spot for V day because Kid #1`s birthday is right afterward. We will be celebrating her day on Friday this year because she has plans on her actual day. I really need to get off my ass and look up a vegan cheesecake recipe. (writing down to add to my list.

Health Schmealth
  I was just off the phone with the hospital. They were asking me the barrage of bodily questions for my boob MRI next Monday. Do you have metal in your body? No. Do you have a pace maker? No. Etc etc. This is my 6 month scan. I have to do blood work this week for it because they will be doing an IV contrast. Can you all do me a favor? Can you send out good vibes for me? I am going to be having an MRI and a Mammo done on the same day. Let`s hope the find NOTHING. Absolutely nothing. My boobs just disappeared. I stopped taking the Methotrexate. The stomach pain which I think was an impending ulceration has subsided. It is still there but much much less. I think if I continued to take it, I would have had to take medication to treat it. I had to cancel my upper endoscopy. Hubby does not have PTO like he used to and we cannot afford to have him lose a day of work. I do not have anyone else to drive me (they all have to work every day too) and the place where I was going to have it done is way too far away to take an Uber. Yes, money over health. I never had to do that before. But I can not have that hit to the budget.  I am feeling better. But now the psoriasis and the back pain are creeping back. I wonder if I will be able to take anything at all.  We shall see.

Good job vibes

  Last Friday, I went to an early morning meeting at the local Easter Seals. It was a Business Advisory Committee meeting. I was the only job seeker (the other person cancelled). It was a meeting of sorts that had nothing to do with me at first. It was made up of my job counselor , her boss, and three women who work in HR in different companies. I was given good advice about my resume. And I was given an opportunity. I was offered to work for a large company that has a local headquarters. It would be a paid internship. I would get paid through Bureau of Rehab and the company would teach me all that I need to know about admin work. They would get an extra set of hands that they would not have to pay for. It would be full time and the internship will last for 6 months. There is no guarantee of being hired unless there is an opening and they want you. But the work can go on my resume and I will learn shit. And I can say that I really know this shit. This is exciting. I should know more this week.
 Yesterday, I sat with my coffee and re-did my resume. The issue with mine was that it was a skills based resume. There were no dates. They all said that they do not pay attention to those types of resumes. I told them that it has been 15 years since I officially worked. I figured most places would look at that and hire someone younger. Oh, they all said NO in unison. They would rather hire someone older because of the stability and drama free. They all agreed that my past years of volunteering should go to the top of my resume, job experience after. That is what I did. I sent it off to my job person so she can tweek it. There were some Word stuff that I could not figure out even after I googled them. Like how do you make a half space? I did what Google told me to do and it cut the words in half instead. It will take me some time to figure that kind of shit out.

Rain Rain Go Away

   I should be thankful it is just rain and not snow. I am completely dressed to take a walk. Sneakers are on. I was ready to go. Then the rain started. It is a sprinkle but I do not want to chance it. All I need to do is go out in that and make myself susceptible to the effin Flu. Accuweather SAYS the sun is supposed to come out. So far, I see no sun. I see clouds, dreary, and rain drops on the patio. Kid #2 and I took at walk at the beach last week. It was good. My stomach didn't protest too much. This past week has been so busy that I havent had time to think of the aches and pains. I helped her declutter her room. She was feeling low and it showed in her housekeeping. A cleaner bedroom always helps to lift your spirits a little bit.  Then I bottled up our first successful batch of Kombucha. We were gifted with one baby each from the two mothers. I have to start a new batch today for fermenting. It will get to the point where I will have to start giving scobys (that is what you call the Mother) away. Either that or throw them away. Someone suggesting composting. <---more on that later.  Mondays are always kind of busy for me. Lately I could probably say that about every day. I always wish for a lazy day but that day never comes. I guess I probably had enough lazy being so sick for all those years that my head had decided I am making up for time. Granted, I am not a healthy person by any means. I know that. I am not trying to fool myself. But I am better then I used to be. I have gained more energy with my years. I am taking full advantage until it is snatched away from me later on in life.  So I have dishes soaking in the sink and it looks like the rain has stopped. I will take that walk after this and do some much needed housework. Always much needed when I  tend to be the only one that does it.

City Garbage Stinks

  Our mayor has decided that when grant money is waved in front of his nose, he needs to use it. He is proposing a pay per bag system for our city. 60 cents per kitchen sized bag and $1 per big ass bag. They think that people will recycle more because of this. Ummm. No. This is a city. Small but a city nonetheless. There will be trash dumped everywhere. We will have rats and stink as far as the eye can see. There are people in this city that cannot even be bothered to get their drivers license and insurance. What makes them think people will recycle if they never have? Or people who are living in utter poverty..They are not going to spend $20 for a box of garbage bags. And of course, our taxes are not going to go down at all. This is like double taxation if you ask me.
 I recycle like a Motherfucker. Most people have one of those square recycle boxes. I have four. The garbage guys gifted me that many cause they know that I am a recycle queen. But even with all that recycling, we still have a full garbage bin every week. If I had to pay $1 a bag...that could be $3 a week. Sometimes more during the holiday season. I do not want to spend that on garbage bags. I have always toyed with the idea of composting. Buying one of those things that you spin to compost. I never bought one because I never figured I would need it. Yeah. I think we need it. You see, this is not just a proposal. They have the grant money and they aim to spend it. So this is going to happen. They do not care what any of the residents think. They will not put it up for a vote. They will say it is so and there is nothing we can do about it. 
  I would want to get one of these small gallon compost bins for the counter in the kitchen. I have a friend that uses one.  Then I want one of the tumbler bins. You can spin it to mix the compost. Something like this or maybe this. But I will shop around. I know nothing of these things so I really have to do my research. I know that I could just make a pile in the yard for free but I do not want to deal with raccoons and pissing off the neighbors from the stink. This is a better solution for me. Maybe I will find one that someone is giving away on Craiglist.


 That is it for this week. The dog is bugging me to go out and I should really get that walk in while the dishes are soaking. I hope you have a great week and do not eat too much chocolate!! (I am saying that to myself!)

Living that plant life

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     Last week, I purchased foil dryer vent tubing to replace the old shit we had downstairs. Whilst I was working on getting that attached, I realized that when the new furnace was put in...there is no room for the dryer and washer to leave when they die! We are going to have to break through the wall behind it and reconfigure shit. Not that bad since all the stuff is right there just have to turn shit around. But still. Fuckers! Plus, I was not successful getting the hosing attached because I am too short for the vent window and I am a quitter. Hubs attached everything for me, thank goodness.
 I did not need all that was bought so I returned said things back to Home Depot. That is when I spied this little girl (i just watered her.) She is a grafted Ruby Ball cactus. I paid $4.95 for her. I have done very well with cacti and some succulents so this is a good plant to add to the menagerie.

I do not like my new Gastro

   I said I was not going to talk about health so this will be brief. I am dealing with some gut issues. I saw the gastro yesterday (I miss my old gastro mucho) and after some talk it was decided that she is going to do an upper endoscopy on me on the 16th. Yay! I get to wait with 11 more days of pain and wonder. To be perfectly honest, I think I need a colonoscopy. It is a colon issue most definitely but she is the one with the degree. That sounds snarky, yes? See. The gastro that retired (she took over his office), he had been around for all my gut issues so when I would show up sick and in pain..he listened and he did what had to be done. This feels like I may end up in the ER at some point because she chooses to use the soft approach to things. I am going to probably have to look for another stomach dr at some point. We shall see. She actually asked me if I was depressed. Yes bitch, I have depression but I am not going to tell you that because you will not treat me. You will tell me to see my therapist for *warning! gross* pencil thin stools. Google pencil thin stools with stomach pain, gas, bloating, and nausea. I am thinking it is probably a polyp that has gotten large and needs to be taken out. But we will do an upper endoscopy cause she wants to look at my stomach. <---this is all the reason why I did not post yesterday. Kinda livid after that appointment

 Okay, enough of that. Food is a better subject

  No new pressure cooker yet but I did some research and I will probably be getting an Instant Pot this time. My gifter was waiting to get the money back from Amazon before she ordered me a new one. I have been dying to cook in it. Dying. Like I have no idea what I am going to cook today. I have to cook on the stove or in the oven. I would rather throw shit in the pot and forget it. I will not talk about that or the recipes that I want to try until I get my new one.  As for cooking, I am planning on making some chocolate covered coconut bon bons for Valentines day. I am also going to look up how to make like chocolate truffles cause Kid #2 does not like coconut. This and This link of recipes look good. I will do some more searching to find the right one.  Kid #1s birthday is coming up soon and I have to plan for that too. She does not eat cheese and limited dairy. We were thinking I could make a vegan cheese cake. I really need to sit down and look through our raw cookbooks. We have a couple of Ani Phyo`s cookbooks. They are good to have on hand when you are in the mood for a nice fresh meal. We have Ani`s Raw Food Kitchen and Ani`s Raw Food Essentials. I might cook dinner for her birthday also but I need to discuss with her what she would like to have.  Money is not what it used to be plus we are in the thick of snow season. Best to have a nice in home back up plan just in case of blizzard.

Walking for yer health

  I admit that I have not walked for a week but I will give you my valid reasons. I wanted to but my body said no. First it was because of the methotrexate, I think. I was having some major nerve pain in my foot, leg, and hip all last week. Like the kind that feels like cattle prod shocks. I was thinking I busted a cervical because I was having shocks in my arms too. Then I noticed I had pins and needles in my face. I realized that it was the dang pill. My psoriasis is disappearing but I adopted some gnarly pain instead. I am not really noticing any of my joint or back pain getting better but I digress. The weird nerve pain has subsided so I think it is just a side effect of the pill.  I did not take the pill yesterday because of my gut issues. I was told to stop it whenever I am sick.  So between the shocks and my gut, walking is not on my immediate horizon. I will try again in a couple days. Even if I can get a mile in, that will be better then nothing at all. Right? Like right now, My head feels like she wants to take a walk. But my gut is like *Bitch, you know better*.  I am still losing weight so I am moving in the right direction.

Bits and bobs

The stone mason is outside fixing a crumbling step as I type. It cost $50 so far. I wonder how much he is going to come at me for the rest. It best not be more then $100 or I will lose my shit.
 I have a dress and a shirt to do some sewing too.
I have a job interview for a job I probably do not want on Thursday. I will probably just go for the interview for the experience. I have a couple jobs that I have applied for floating out there that I really want. I think this one was one that my job coach applied for me in the beginning of our search. It is part time. I am looking for 32 hours or more. Working for 10 hours a week is a waste of my time when I need money. If I already had a job and this was a nice little filler job, that is different. I am not feeling it at all but I will show up and interview because they will be interviewing a bunch of people that day. Good interviewing learning experience
The kitchen is a disaster. When is it not? So I have to pick my ass up, take my medicine, and start dealing with that shit.

 I am sorry this mostly a negative post but my gut is sick. I am not in a good place to spread positivity. I mean, the cactus is positive. You can just read that paragraph over and over. :)
 I hope you have a great week. I hope we do not get a buttload of snow (maybe a little tomorrow) and I hope that I can get out there and walk!

Ta Ta for Now!


 

Grocery Shopping is for the birds

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  Blogger is acting wonky today so we shall see how much of this I get done. I slept in this morning. I had a dream (nightmare) that I had adopted 2 puppies. Puppies that would become big dogs. Yeah, that was a nightmare. For the past few days I have been in a really bad mood. I have my date to meet with the surgeon about my leg on V day, all this cold, everything is covered in ice, and other life stuff. Just getting me down. The man and I went to the casino yesterday. We had Frank Pepe`s Pizza. Oh yeah..that is some good shit. We walked around. We lost some money. And then I bought this month`s Alex and Ani open bracelet, Love.  I received two of these bracelets at Christmas. I just had to have another. $20 for a gold bracelet can really lift your spirits.
  Today is usually lazy day but that happened yesterday. So after a couple cups of coffee, I have cleaning and grocery shopping to do. I usually get the shopping done on Friday but I just wasnt feeling it. Sometimes, I am just not in the mood. I know is necessary but food shopping has become so expensive. I have become adept at hoarding food but not in a gross, out of date, tv show sort of way. I know I have enough frozen and pantry food. This week I will buy fridge food. Dairy, non dairy, and produce. I would love to have it be under $100 but that never happens. Ever. Always $100 or more. This is why I hate shopping. I am pretty darn sure that if it was just the two of us, it would be like $100 every 2 weeks IF even that. But this is not a full nest rant at all.

  I can almost fit into a size 18 pants. THISCLOSE It is the gut. I will probably always have a gut flap cause old lady skin does not bounce back like that. I am really starting to notice in the mirror. I got a real boost last week too. Kid #2 and the man said (unsolicited) that I am now the smallest person in the house..out of the four of us.  I was tickled. Someone besides the man that loves me said something. My kid loves me too but you know what I mean. I will keep doing. The scale has stopped moving for now but the inches are falling off. Slow and steady wins the race.

Happy Valentine`s Day 2013

 

I hope you are having a great day today whether or not that you have a sweetie to share this day with. I think it is all about the pretty flowers and the boxes of sin...Chocolate!!
 Yesterday I ate a burger and fries because I am a shithead and have not learned my lessons yet. I was in pain yesterday and pain today. Tonight we are taking Chelsea out to dinner for her birthday and I have to try to find something I can eat. We are going to Buffalo Wild Wings. She picked it. She loves their deep fried pickles. Going to be an interesting dinner.
 We have been running around today for her because she is leaving tomorrow for a 4 day trip to her friends house on the Cape. It is kind of her birthday present. She turns 24 yrs old tomorrow. I was a Mom of a 4 yr old and soon to be a Mom of another when I was her age. Times sure have changed.

  I got a card from my honey. We do not usually do anything for these days cause we show our love all year long. I know, makes you wanna gag. It is okay. I love it all the same.

So that is about it. Today has been on the warm side, we got a small amount of snow in the morning, and we are going out to dinner around 6pm. Hopefully it is not crazy busy. How many lovers want to go to a sports place to eat wings on Valentine`s day?
Hopefully not alot!.

Have a great day!

Foggy head---ache

  Today is a cluster for my head. I am not having a migraine but more of a weather headache. It comes and goes. Hopefully it will be gone when I wake up in the morning. After all that snow we had, today is decidedly different. The high right now is 42 deg F and it rained most of the day. Now it is just plain foggy. The snow is melting away. It wont all disappear anytime soon. We are expected to get another storm on Thursday and some more snow on the weekend. Oh Boy!
 The kid is gonna be mad at me if it is too nasty out to drive in it on Thursday when we go out to celebrate her birthday. She turns 24 yrs this week. She wants to go out to eat on Valentine`s day because she is leaving on her birthday (Friday) to hang out away for the weekend.

As for my gb update. Still in pain, not as much sometimes because I avoid foods that hurt me. I cannot or will not do that all the time. Choices are limited and sometimes i want to say Fuck You to the limits. I see the Gastro next week, thank goodness for that!

Tonight I am breaking the rules and making chicken egg rolls. They are fried. I will be careful and not eat too many. Chelsea made home made tomato soup so I will have some of that for dinner also.

This was a boring post..huh? I just thought I would fill ya in. I will think of something more interesting for next time.

Happy Valentine`s Day!

 

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I love Valentine`s day. And I am not one of those sappy bitches that hopes for diamonds and roses. I just like it because of the memories it gives me. Being a kid in school, wearing red, putting Valentines into the individual Valentine`s boxes of each child. I hear from parents that it is so not the same anymore and that is sad to me. Everything is done to protect the children. Next thing you know they will ban paper Valentine`s cause one kid got a paper cut! No wonder kids dont do shit anymore. They have no toughness. I had calluses on the heels of my feet when I was a kid from walking around most of the summer barefoot. I had shoes. I just chose to not wear them. Of course my feet are all jacked up now but that is okay. I hate high heels..so it is a win/win.
Back to Vday. We do not do anything special. Just say Happy Valentine`s Day..maybe a card and chocolates. Just show a little extra love...
I am still not feeling well. I was in bed all day yesterday. I figured I would air myself out today. I have a miniature article to write and turn in anyway. If I continue to feel like crap, I will go back to bed for third day. I need to remember that I have to make some phone calls.

I hope you get what you wanted today. A flower, a candy, a card, or just a bit of love.

I hate Men! But I love Macys

 

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Fred potbelly stomach has practically disappeared! WTF! I know I know..Men lose weight and inches faster then women. We are regulated by our hormones.  Blah Blah Blah! He said, Look at me..I am svelte.
 I know we are not having a competition. I know we are doing this for our health so it is a good thing, I am glad. But I am also a bit pissy cause I still have this huge fucking gut. It has gone down but I could never ever call myself svelte! I need to step up my game. I have to stop giving into some of the foods that I am working on avoiding. Valentine`s day is coming and I bought a big old heart of Russel Stover Chocolates. The thing that I said I was not going to buy..I bought. It is up high on the shelf. I want to wait until next week to open it. We will see if that even happens.
His shirts are bagging, his pants are hanging..It is not fair!
I am being a whining bitch about it. I want to see more results. I need to step it up as I have said. I need to exercise more. The streets are practically clear. I should start walking in the cold. I think that is the plan. Tomorrow!
  Macys had their annual winter clearance sale today. There were racks and racks and racks of 75% off stuff. I was getting a bit dizzy because I did not know where to look next. Natalie and I bought some excellent deals for practically nothing at all. We bought some kids coats for a friend`s sons. $7 a piece! Originally $65 a piece. I love when shit like that happens! Fred took the car to work. I so want to go back but I am sort of glad he took the car. I did not want to go and overspend.

Okay, I feel better. Rant about Fred`s sessy body is over.

Valentine`s Day...What the hell do I do??

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I am trying to figure out what to do for Valentine`s Day. We always sort of celebrate it as a family because Chelsea `s birthday is actually the day after.  There was a place that actually made heart shaped pizzas when she was in elementary school.
Anyway... I usually buy a HUGE box of chocolates that go on the table for all of us to share. That would be our shared Valentine...fatness!  I do not want to do that anymore. I am losing inches and I want to keep that trend.
They are not going to want to eat Sugar Free chocolates..they are so good by the way.  I am just trying to figure it out. We do not do flowers because they grow in my yard in the Spring. That is much better to see after a long winter. I always give food for love. That is how I was taught. If you cook something wonderful, or give something yummy...you are showing that you love that person even more because you took the time to do it. I know there are alot of fat haters out there that think that people that use food as a extension of their love are sick individuals (i have read it..they are out there!) but I do not give a shit what they think. I honed my craft of cooking to share with my family. I didn't do it just because I felt like messing up my kitchen.
I dont know. Easter is going to be hard too. Gosh. I usuallymake a very large Easter bread for Easter Sunday Morning. HUGE! It is soooo good. Look it up and you will see what I am talking about. Things have to change and some of the best parts of my favorite times of the year revolve around food that I should not eat.
I will just brainstorm my ass off....Any suggestions are appreciated!