Ouch!

So, there I was, trying to get one more load of laundry in the washer before we left for mass this morning. As I bent down to pick up more clothes, it happened! I felt the absolute worst pain I've ever felt in my life! I'm not kidding! I screamed! Dan came running! I tried to walk out of the laundry room, but I couldn't put any weight on my left leg nor could I move my hips. It was a strange predicament for sure. I was lodged between the washer and dryer with a clothes basket between my legs. Something had happened in my lower back. Something bad.

Dan helped me get to a dining room chair. I couldn't do much else....so I cried. I told Dan to go ahead and take the kids to mass. Reluctantly, he did but made sure I had a phone right next to me. I sat there, in that dining room chair, for an hour and a half. On the way home, he stopped to buy a heating pad. It didn't help. Walking was (is) an effort at this point. I've decided that I've seriously pulled a muscle in my back. I'm not sure how this happened, I mean, I've been doing laundry now for about 30 years.

Dan's sister and her husband have a hot tub. I drove myself over there this afternoon to soak for awhile. I guess I was in there for about an hour. It definitely loosened things up. I can walk now! I can put weight on my left leg. However, I can't for the life of me, stand up straight.
I'm hoping that some stretching and resting will help because it really hurts a lot! I'm taking 800mg of Motrin every 6 hours and Dan is keeping me lubed up in Bengay.

The laundry didn't get finished. I didn't get to mass. We had take out Chinese for dinner.
It was suggested to me to "offer it up". I will. This is the season of Lent, after all.

Meatless Recipes

I am always looking for new meatless recipes to prepare during Lent. However, I usually end up using the same "stand by" ones I've been using for years. Here are two (one old and one new) that are pretty good.

Tomato Grits (Recipe courtesy Paula Deen)

2 cups water
1 1/4 cup milk
1 tsp salt
1 cup quick cooking grits
1/2 cup plus 1 tbsp butter
1/3 cup diced green onions
4 oz processed cheddar cheese, cubed (suggested: Velveeta)
1/4 tsp garlic powder
2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes and green chilies (suggested: Ro-Tel)

Preheat oven to 350. In a saucepan, bring the water and milk to a boil. Add the salt and slowly add the grits and return to a boil, stirring constantly for 1 minute. Reduce the heat, cover and cook for 3 minutes. While stirring the grits, add the 1/2 cup butter and stir until the butter is melted. Cover and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the grits are thick and creamy. Remove from heat and set aside.
Using a skillet, saute the onions in the remaining tablespoon of butter for 1 minute. Add the processed cheese, garlic powder, 1 1/2 cups cheddar, and onions to the grits, stir until the cheese is melted. Add the tomatoes and mix well. Pour the grits into a greased 8 by 11 by 2 inch casserole and bake for 40 minutes. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup cheese over the casserole for the last 5 minutes of cooking time.
***Here in the South, we eat a lot of grits with seafood! I made this recipe last Friday night along with Fish sticks and a salad. There were NO leftovers!****


Eggplant, Zucchini & Tomato Casserole (recipe courtesy of Cooks.com)

1 medium eggplant
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup bread crumbs
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup chopped onions
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1 medium zucchini, chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
3 ripe tomatoes, skinned & chopped
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 tbsp fresh basil
2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
1 (8 oz) Mozzarella cheese, thickly sliced

Cut eggplant into 1/2" slices. Dip in beaten egg then lightly in crumbs. Cook in 1/2 cup oil in skillet until browned and tender. Set aside. Saute onion, green pepper, zucchini and garlic in remaining oil until tender. Add tomatoes, salt, pepper and basil. Cook until liquid evaporates. Layer eggplant and tomato mixture in shallow casserole. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Top with Mozzarella cheese. Bake at 350 for about 45 minutes or until bubbly.

***I made this last night for dinner....saving the leftovers for tomorrow. It turned out pretty good. Eggplant is one of my favorites. I don't think this recipe had enough liquid and so it seemed a little dry to me. Perhaps a little red wine added to the veges while sauteing would be good*****

Olivia's Day in Pictures!

We started our day in front of Wolfson Children's Hospital here in Jacksonville! She really was in a good mood. I tried to prepare her (as much as you can prepare a 4 year old) for what was going to happen. I didn't really want her to have any surprises.

She insisted on wearing her pink hair band! And of course we had Baby with us!

Just like most medical procedures...there was a lot of w.a.i.t.i.n.g. going on! We had to be there at 9:00am for an 11:00am surgery that didn't actually happen until about 11:30am. In the mean time....she played.......

and played.................

and played some more. In the surgical waiting area, she played Wii bowling with a little boy that was there to have his ear tubes replaced (for the 5th time!).

Finally, she was pre medicated. In all seriousness...I think they should give the pre-medication to the parents instead of the kids. She was very calm...even before the silly juice. Mom was the one that was about to crawl out of my skin! If I didn't know better, I'd say she looked drunk!

By this time, she was very intrigued with the butterflies on the ceiling.

She really wasn't interested in sitting still. She moved from chair to chair while I bit off every nail that wasn't covered!

This is her hospital transportation....it's a wagonboat! Each kid had their own! I had to kiss her goodbye in this...then they wheeled my baby away!

Tonsils......GONE!!

My sweet baby girl.

Her first post op popsicle..........

.....of which she promptly threw up about 5 minutes later!

This is post op day one and she still hasn't had any pain! For this...I am so thankful!

Olivia Update!!!

Thank you all for your prayers! I can't tell you how good it makes me feel inside knowing that
when in need, my blogging friends will selflessly pray...fervently...no questions asked! Please know that I do the same for you (I really do!).

Olivia is doing really great! The worst part for me has been dealing with the heaviness of this day with only about 2 hours of sleep under my belt. Both Amelia and Olivia were up a lot last night. Finally...I just got up. Are you aware that NBC will replay the Olympic coverage after midnight? I had no idea! I was watching downhill skiing at 3:40am!

My beautiful little daughter NEVER cried once! Not even when they took her off to the operating room in a wagon shaped like boat! They had given her something that made her a little loopy....but she still never fussed or cried.

It probably only took them about 20 minutes to do all three procedures! The E.N.T said he had never seen such big tonsils on a 4 year old! Anyway, she did fine in the recovery room too. When they wheeled her in, she already had a sippy cup of apple juice. Once she finally started to wake up some....they gave her a Popsicle. She ate the whole thing.....and then promptly threw it up. So, we changed her clothes and the bed and then started all over again with giving her fluids.
About an hour later, we were on our way home!

Since being home...she has perked up considerably. She has had jello, vanilla and chocolate pudding, yogurt, apple sauce and chocolate ice cream! She tells me that "nothing hurts". I don't know how long that will last. Once all of the numbing medicine and anesthesia drugs where off....she might be singing a different tune! Speaking of which.....her voice sounds different! They told me to expect this...but it's somewhat strange. My little baby doesn't really sound like my little baby anymore.

Anyway...as of right now (8:58pm), EVERYONE in my house is sleeping! I suppose I should be getting there too.

Thank you again for praying for us!

Prayers please!

I'm asking for your prayers for my little Olivia! She is having surgery tomorrow morning (Monday, the 22nd)! She's having her tonsils and adenoids removed...as well as having tubes placed in both ears. Her surgery is scheduled for 11am (EST).

Today, I took her shopping for Popsicles, jello, pudding and some ice cream. I let her pick out her favorite flavors! She's excited that she will get to camp out on the couch in the living room for a few days. I'm hoping that she does not have a bad reaction to the anesthesia and that we can keep her pain controlled. They say that the first two or three days are the worst.

If you have enough time, please sneak in a prayer for me too.....I'm so nervous that I could crawl out of my own skin. As much as I hate surgery, I wish I could do this for her so she wouldn't have to endure it. But...she's only four and I'm told that the younger they are...the easier it is.

Thanks!

Fast From....Feast On

Fast from judging others ~ Feast on the Christ dwelling in them.

Fast from emphasis on differences ~ Feast on the unity of life.

Fast from apparent darkness ~ Feast on the reality of Light.

Fast from thoughts of illness ~ Feast on the healing power of God.

Fast from words that pollute ~ Feast on phrases that purify.

Fast from discontent ~ Feast on gratitude.

Fast from anger ~ Feast on patience.

Fast from pessimism ~ Feast on optimism.

Fast from worry ~ Feast on Divine Order.

Fast from complaining ~ Feast on appreciation.

Fast from negatives ~ Feast on affirmatives.

Fast from unrelenting pressures ~ Feast on unceasing prayer.

Fast from hostility ~ Feast on non-resistance.

Fast from bitterness ~ Feast on forgiveness.

Fast from self-concern ~ Feast on compassion for others.

Fast from personal anxiety ~ Feast on eternal Truth.

Fast from discouragement ~ Feast on hope.

Fast from facts that depress ~ Feast on verities that uplift.

Fast from lethargy ~ Feast on enthusiasm.

Fast from thoughts that weaken ~ Feast on promises that inspire.

Fast from shadows of sorrow ~ Feast on the sunlight of serenity.

Fast from idle gossip ~ Feast on purposeful silence.

Fast from problems that overwhelm ~ Feast on prayer that strengthens.

--William Arthur Ward (American author, teacher and pastor, 1921-1994)

Tub Time Worship!

Definition of a successful day: Throw the girls in the tub with some bubble bath and some Dora the Explorer bath toys.....run to the kitchen to put away the leftovers from dinner....run back to the tub to wash their hair but on the way, stop to listen to them singing, "Immaculate Mary, your praises we sing..........."!

Before and After!

Over this past year, I have become very fond of a fellow blogger who lives in Texas. Elizabeth is a very special lady. She works very hard to take care of her family and her home. She has a great desire for simplicity in her life. She has taught me much over these few months...about being frugal, but smart....about striving to eat healthier....about excess...and about the difference between wants and needs. Elizabeth has been so kind to post about how she has organized her kitchen and pantry....that she TOTALLY inspired me! So, the other day, I decided to try out a few things. First of all, I wanted to see if shopping for an entire month would save us any money. I usually do one big shop a month (approx $250)for staples and then several smaller ones (anywhere from $60 - $100) every week or so for fresh produce or things that I find on sale. Doing it this way makes me feel like I'm always at the grocery store. On Saturday morning, I went to Sam's Club and spent about $270 (ouch!). Then, I went on to Walmart to get the smaller stuff and spent about $143. All together...I spent about $413. If it works...and I'm able to use up all (or most of) what I bought after 4 weeks.....I think it will have been very successful! I think $413 for one month for a family of 5 isn't too bad. We will still need to buy milk each week...mostly because I don't like to freeze my milk (even though I know that I can).

Once I got home from shopping, I realized how awful my pantry looked! I try to stay somewhat organized...but it had gotten really out of hand. So, I took EVERYTHING out! I threw away anything that was past it's expiration date. If I had more than one of something and I knew I wouldn't use it within the month....I put in a pile to take to the soup kitchen.

As embarrassing as it is.....here are my BEFORE pictures....

It's no wonder I couldn't find anything. I didn't even have anywhere to step! Because I don't have a lot of counter or cupboard space, my pantry keeps our food, some extra cleaning products as well as dishes and other kitchen equipment.

Here is the AFTER......not a ton better.....but at least I can see what I have on hand...

Now, before anybody says anything about the Spam....let me just say that our family likes it! I cut it into cubes....brown it, and then add it to things like mac & cheese, rice or even eggs. To me, it's like adding bacon. I bought a bunch at Sam's because it was on special....and we do actually keep a "hurricane kit". I put this together during the spring so we are always prepared.

I would also like add a disclaimer about the instant mashed potatoes....I DO NOT use that to make mashed potatoes!!! I add it to soups or gravy for thickening......!! It was a lot of work to shop for everything and rearrange the entire pantry. I was sore the next day! Every morning, I open the pantry door...turn on the light....and admire my work. If I hear someone in there....I immediately jump up to see what they're doing or what they're messing up!

I can't promise that the pantry will stay neat and organized...nor can I promise that shopping once a month will save us any money. The point for me is that my mind is always working now. I want to find the healthiest and the most simple way to take care of my family. We really don't "need" much. For me, this Lenten season is a good time for reflection on our habits...on what we need versus what we want.....what is reasonable and what is excess....what we have and what we give to others.

Visit Elizabeth's blog (click here) for more inspiration!

Ash Wednesday

“We should offer up the small and great trials of our daily existence and insert them into the great compassion of Christ."

Pope Benedict XVI

Shrove Tuesday

Are you having pancakes today? Are you going to confession today? Are you ready for LENT?
Wikipedia has a pretty good explanation of this day. Click here for Wiki's short explanation. If you would like a more thorough explanation....Judy at Benmakesten has a way with words....click here to read Judy's blog.

Some Stuff

I've been a little under the weather this week. The cold, laryngitis and cough that I've had for almost a month has finally taken its toll. I broke down and went to the doctor yesterday because I am having pain in my right chest just under my "remaining" breast. My blood pressure was up a little (139/81) from where it usually stays. My pulse ox was 97% but I had no fever. I was scared to death when they wanted to do a chest xray! I was convinced that I probably had lung cancer now! Thankfully, the xray was clear! She said she thought it might just be that because my immune system was compromised for so long, it's just going to take me longer to get over things. She said I was to call her if it got worse. She diagnosed it as probably inflamed cartilage between my ribs from coughing so much. It seems like it has been so long since I've felt really good. Feeling bad is starting to get really old.

On a brighter note....my very first Camellia of the season appeared this week! These are my most favorite flowers in the entire world (well...next to Hollyhocks)! Here is a picture of my first flower for this year! Isn't it gorgeous?

Lastly, I was on Facebook this morning and a friend posted a quote from Mother Angelica that I thought was worth posting here....

"If you're not a thorn in somebody's side, you aren't doing Christianity right."

~~Mother Angelica~~

Enjoy your Saturday!

Our weekend

We had a very busy weekend! Saturday was the day we celebrated Amelia's 6th birthday! Instead of a store bought cake, I decided to try and make/decorate one myself. The good news....it turned out round (after all...the cake pans were round). The bad news, I tried as hard as I could to make "pink"...but I ended up with this gross orange color. She insisted on chocolate frosting so the only thing I could do was to add some decorations. I dug out all of my cake decorating supplies and got to work! The icing was too thin and my hands were too shaky. I don't think Amelia noticed! She had a great time with friends and family!

Sunday, we took a nature walk as a family! The weather was perfect...not too hot...not too cold! However, it would have been nice if the sun made an appearance.
At the beginning of the trail, I noticed that one of God's little creatures had met with an unfortunate demise! All that was left was a foot and some feathers. There wasn't enough of it left to be able to tell what it was....but we think it was an Egret.

All I can say is that whatever it was....it fought the good fight...FOR SURE. It made whatever attacked it WORK for it!

My beautiful family.....I think you can click on the pictures to make them bigger (can you see Amelia?).

Some critter uses this for a shelter. Dan thought maybe it was a fox or a raccoon.

We must stop and do our exercises along the way!

Interesting little sign post on the way out! I always remember my eighth grade teacher (Sr. Madeline) talking about the Beatitudes. She used to remind us that the Beatitude does NOT say "Blessed are the peace keepers".....it says "Blessed are the peace MAKERS". She always said that meant we are to rock the boat a little. I agree!

And finally, tonight I decided to make breakfast for dinner! I have been so inspired by Amanda at I Am Baker and I Am Mommy, that I had to try these.....Rainbow Pancakes!! This was a lot of fun...even for me! Now...Amanda's are much prettier than mine! Her colors are much more vibrant. The kids LOVED them! They expect them to taste different though and it's hard to explain to Amelia and Olivia that...the food coloring doesn't change the flavor.

Incidentally....Amanda got some very interesting responses from her readers regarding these lovely pancakes. Some people really need to lighten up! BIG TIME! You can read what some readers wrote if you click here.

One other funny story about the pancakes. After we had finished eating, I got a call from a friend of mine who lives in Texas. I was sharing with her about my rainbow pancakes. She asked me if it had anything to do with Gay Pride Month! Are you kidding me ?????? I didn't even know they dedicated an entire MONTH to this group! Since when did the rainbow become exclusively owned by homosexuals? I mean, really!! Honestly, the first thing I think of when I see a rainbow........is Noah and his ark! So there!