This and That

Thank you everyone for your prayers, good thoughts and well wishes overall.  We are all so shocked and deeply saddened over the passing of our grandson.  They have no diagnosis, and his family awaits an autopsy.  They awoke to him not breathing.

On a more pleasant note, when I changed my bandage this morning, I noticed the wound (at my ankle) getting smaller, which is a sign of healing (but still nasty looking).

Hubby plans to go load up the car our daughter totaled, tow it here, and scrap it for parts.  He then plans to sell what's left for a derby car.  The engine, tires and other new parts will be sold.  That's the plan. Daughter will then use that money to help pay for a new one eventually.  We hope the car is derivable, so they can get it up on the trailer today.  It's costing us $17 a day for every day it is still there at the tow yard.

I am trying to figure out a crock pot dinner, that can be tossed together and then just heated up tomorrow.  Hm.

Oh, if you have a favorite Kimchi recipe, a traditional one, I'd love to try it. Kimchi is one I have yet to make.  It's on my to-do list when I'm up on my feet again.

Oh, and another good note.  After driving to the ER, my ankle and foot swelled up.  I stayed off of it all day and night yesterday, and the swelling has gone.  

Okay, I'm off here and back to my foot up.  I am surrounded by library books, and lots of handiwork today.  I've even been reading about pets and herbs.  King had a seizure recently (our 20 year-old's dog),and we don't know why, so I'm reading up on that and sharing with her.  He can take medication, but the medication will do more harm to him than another seizure.  He's never had one before either.  We are hoping he doesn't have one again, and it may have been caused by something poison related (he had gotten out of their apt. one day, just a few days prior to the seizure happening).

I just know one thing - can't wait to be back on my feet.  I'm doing so much handiwork, my hands are so dry.  I'm completely out of calendula lotion, almost out of my face lotion, and my homemade deodorant is completely gone.  Ugh.  I need to get back in the kitchen and get back to just about everything.  

It's only Saturday and...

I got a call about 11am-ish Friday morning, and when I couldn't understand our 20 year-old, I calmly asked if there was a policeman there.  She put him on the phone.

An hour later I was with her in the ER at the hospital.  I drove despite pain in my ankle, because she had no one else to be with her and get her home.

Her car was totaled, but she came out with bruises and a small cut. Thank God she had nothing broken.  Thankfully, I calmed her down, got her to even laugh, and got some knitting done while we waited for x-rays and other tests.

I got her home, then myself home, and foot was back up.

We got a call this morning at 6:30am.  Our daughter (my step-daughter) was at another hospital with our youngest grandson.  

He had passed away. I feel like I'm in a bad dream.  Our hearts ache right now. I have yet to tell our youngest, who is very very close to our young grandson.

Hubby is on his way to that hospital (doctors are looking for the cause of his death), as my foot cannot handle the walking and I do not have a walker, wheel chair or even cane right now.

The family could really use some prayers.  

The Little Things

I had to come to the kitchen to get myself a cup of coffee (I need Hubby to put it in a large thermos tomorrow), so I thought why not share this....

Breakfast and dinner have been depressing for me, but dinner the most.  Hubby has been a dear and bringing me my breakfast in bed.

The latest breakfast was a scramble, but with only eggs and smoked sausage.

Dinner time, I am used to eating with the family and having conversation.  Not lately.  I'm in another room by myself, with foot up, eating alone, and no conversation.  I told the family I feel like I'm being punished (they laughed).

Last night my youngest came in and said, "Mom I gotta tell you something."

She proceeded to tell me she "needs her Momma back" and that she misses me all around, including me being here to clean out the fridge, and put potatoes and greens in her breakfast scramble. 

I busted out laughing at the mention of the missing ingredients in the scramble.  I too, secretly missed them but didn't say anything (was blessed to have more than toast and not have to make it).

We laughed together as she told me she missed her "morning power greens and potatoes."

I'm not sure Hubby will make another one after she let that out of the bag, but we did get a laugh.  I too miss being physically able to do what I want and need to do. 

Okay, off the computer and back to sitting idle.  Just had to share, ha ha!

Next Step

Just a quick update - got the appt with the surgeon finally scheduled next week.  I won't know what the plan is until I see him.  I am pretty certain some sort of surgery will be happening.

Meanwhile, I'll continue to be the "Queen of Crochet" and Hubby the "King of Take Out."  He's too tired to cook when he gets home, and daughter has her dog, dishes and homework.  However, our 20 year-old came out yesterday afternoon to take care of Romeo for me.  I was so grateful for that.  Putting pressure on my right leg is downright painful.

However, Hubby has brought me breakfast in bed the last few mornings, prior to him leaving for work.  Love him for that!

I was considering sneaking out (more like hobbling out) to the edge of the larger garden to see if there are sprouts of Russian kale, but decided not to do that.  Although a nice crock pot home cooked soup would be nourishing and delicious.  I mean I already have cooked sausage in the freezer, and I can put my leg up to cut up some potatoes, and I think I have onion soup in the freezer or even broth somewhere..........

Back for an Update

I'm so glad we had a long holiday weekend, so I didn't have to take this turd out on a bum leg.  He was very cuddly the first two days of school, but after that, wanted to play and lay around outside.

First visit to the doctor.  First of all, I am lucky to have been at home until second visit.  His first words were, "you should be in the hospital."  Cost for my meds before insurance.  After insurance?  $5 each.   

One of my breakfast meals, served in bed.  Hubby made us bacon veggie omelets.  So good!  So thankful for it too.  I was tired of toast and coffee.  Second breakfast in bed was french toast, scrambled eggs and sausage.

Hubby and Daughter were not all that happy about taking over my chores, and I often heard long sighs, but they did it for the most part.  And although the guys invited Hubby for a bike ride, he stayed home, cleaned my chicken coop and mowed.   He even pulled a few weeds.  I felt awful, but he seemed to want to get stuff done here and help me out.  He was mumbling about the herb garden (photo is a few down on this post).

I read over a real newspaper for the first time in a long, long time.

Good, interesting book with facts, from the library. 

Meanwhile....in the herb garden....4-5 feet tall weeds.  When our 20 year-old was over, she was being attacked by grasshoppers taking over the herb garden.  Said it was "Jurassic Park" out there (second time I was told this, ha ha).  You can't even see my herbs, and I'm pretty sure I lost more than the thyme.

I watched a ton of cooking shows.  I'm surprised I didn't order a smoker after all those recipes I watched.  I watched too many for sure.  I have to say, the "Jazzy" vegetarian is somewhat annoying to watch.  I get tired of her repeating the "jazzy" this or "jazzy" that.

Anyway, I tried to stay off my feet as much as I could, but when Hubby was at work and daughter in school, the puppy duty was still on me.  Along with laundry and meals.

I tried to look at things in a positive way (having to be on my bum with leg up), I plunged into my handiwork, read some of a book, journaled and watched some "I Love Lucy" to add some much needed laughter.  They say laughter is the best "medicine" so that's what I put on the TV.


I got all of these completed while watching a lot of cooking shows.  

Bracelets (just need ends sewn in and buttons), another washcloth, two sets of boot cuffs and 3 sets of pot holders.  Doesn't really look like a lot for 6 days of sitting around though.

My laptop took a pooper, so I can only post from the computer as the pain gets better.   Doctor visit update?  I'm now heading to a surgeon.  More sitting time, but this time he was more stern about it.  It's been very painful.

Edited to explain:  Basically, when the table slammed down on my foot, it caused more pressure in the varicose veins in the lower leg, causing some to literally "explode" at the skin level.  The worst is a group of veins on my inner ankle.  Worst pain ever.  The "explosions" are now open wounds the vein surgeon will determine on next.  

I'll be back soon.  Thanks for visiting. 

Thursday's Thoughts

So, I went and did it again. 

I'll be taking a small hiatus (I typically post a blog post daily) from my blog, but hope to be back soon.  Meanwhile, I'll have my foot elevated. 

About a week and a half ago, I was inside the garage, putting it up, to put camping chairs and tables away.  Daughter's friend put the table against the outside of the door and it slammed down on my foot.  Apparently, if you have varicose veins, an injury (not always, but I'm the lucky one...sigh) can cause pressure in the veins and more injury.

Weeds will be growing and I just don't care.  I hope Hubby and Daughter will help pick from the garden, tend my ladies and gent, get the mail, etc.

I have no idea how to manage a breakfast for the both of them, nor dinner, so we'll see what happens.  I'll manage something.

My survival bag over the next six days.  Praying I don't need it much after that.  Possibly down the road for definite vein surgery. Meanwhile, I'm downing my elderberry tincture for the immune system, and placing an order for real vitamin C.  There will be a prescription picked up today, along with a topical cream, so probiotics are on the grocery list for Hubby to pick up.

Say a prayer, send up good mojo, and good thoughts.  Another decision by my doctor will be made next week after this long holiday weekend.  I'm just glad we didn't have plans, ha ha!  I guess Hubby will be busy, but I'll not be much help to him.

This and That ~ First Day of School

We enjoyed the weekend weather.  Gosh it was so nice out.  Sweatpants and sweatshirt weather.  Oh my.

The sunrise Monday morning had so much color to it.  Just beautiful!

We got more checked off the to-do list - installed another dead blot and two more new door knobs, replaced all the broken drawer brackets, cleaned up two kitchen drawers and reorganized, cleaned one upper cabinet and reorganized, cleaned up a ton of recycling in the garage and delivered it to recycling, got laundry done a day early since rain is due, Hubby fixed our car, installed a new window switch in one daughter's car, got one hour of mowing done and cleaned down all the cobwebs in the chicken coop.

Here is my new thermometer I was telling you about.  It's made by Thermoworks, and is called the ThermoPop.  It can check temps up to 572°F (not that I need that), but this will make grilling steaks so much easier than my non-instant read thermometer.  The ThermoPop was highly recommended by America's Test Kitchen, and it's not too pricey either.  I'm not an affiliate for this, just sharing in case you are needing one.

Speaking of cooking, here's some of this weeks menu:
-grilled fajitas

-crock pot sweet potato chili and possibly cornbread
-chicken/rice/broccoli casserole, beets
-meatloaf, mashed potatoes and corn

-Breakfast, blueberry whole wheat pancakes


Question:  For those who buy Gotu Kola from MRH, where do you buy it when they are out of stock?  I found some at Starwest Botonicals.  Any suggestions?

Also Arnica is sold out at MRH and Starwest Botonicals.  I would love to find some ASAP for making a tea to apply topically to my swelled up ankle (more on that later maybe).  Right now I have to use Epson salts and it's not working all that great.  I have tried to grow it here two years in a row, and both times it didn't like our weather.  If you now of a resource for Arnica I'd love to hear about it.

Finished two bracelets.  No picture.  They went into a shipping box immediately after finishing them.

Daughter picked up my books that were in at the library.  Not sure if it'll be cheaper to build our own bat house or just buy the kit.  I guess Hubby will determine that.

Debby Flowers, I was flipping through my Rosemary Gladstar books and there are tea recipes in them that contain rose hips.  One is the beginner's guide book and the other is the Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health.  Maybe your library has them?

Our 17 year-old starts back to school today.  I'll lose my helper, but Romeo is starting to get into a routine now. I'm definitely getting him a playmate soon. 

We got some rain yesterday and will get more today.  I sure hope the jalapenos are all ripe at once.  I am down to the very last jar of cowboy candy, and jalapenos are anti-inflammatory and aid healthy blood flow.  We love this stuff too.

Sorry for the long ramblings.  I've been away from my blog for a few days.