Friday, November 30, 2007

BILLY RHYTHM'S CHRISTMAS MI-5

1) Name five things you will eat with gusto this holiday season.

A Chocolate Orange. Actually--a Peppermint Chocolate shaped-like-an-orange (if I can find one.)

Apples dipped in caramel, then dipped in chocolate, and then rolled in chocolate chips.

Aunt Ginny's Candy Cane Cookies.

Aunt Ginny's Eggnog.

Alice's Basket of Goodies--toffee bark, fudge, peanut butter balls (and hopefully a cheese ball).

Bonus: Mom's Christmas Dinner.

2) Name four places you'll be traveling to in the next month. It would be nice if they were somewhat holiday related, e.g. you're going to see "The Nutcracker" or something.

Windward Gardens in Camden for their Christmas Fair and to hear Billy Rhythm play with Three Button Deluxe.

The Polar Express Train Ride.

Portland for Christmas Shopping on our wedding anniversary (which is Monday--13 years--but we're supposed to get a snowstorm that day, so we'll see).

Ma's house for Christmas Eve.

Maybe Virginia the week after Christmas.

3) Name three gifts you are buying for someone else. Of course, don's say who they're for!

A Home Depot something, a Lightning McQueen something, a High School Musical something.

4) Name two Christmas carols you really like to hear.

"Christmas Card" by the Partridge Family (my all-time favorite).

"Jingle Bells" by the Partridge Family.

Actually, the Partridge Family Christmas Card album (which I also have in cassette and CD) is my all-time favorite Christmas album. (And I have a TON! In fact, in just the past couple of weeks I bought Marie Osmond's Christmas CD, a compilation of country stars CD, and Wynonna's Christmas CD.)

For church-type songs, I love to hear Unk sing Adeste Fidelis. (Pardon my Latin spelling.) I also like O Holy Night. I would love to be able to play that well on the piano.)

1) Name one gift you'd really like to receive.

Big ole' honkin' diamonds! :) Seriously, though, I have an Amazon Gift List, and anything on there would be great. (There's a link to the right if anyone is interested.)

Thursday, November 29, 2007

DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT

I forgot to fill you all in on my doctor's appointment this past Tuesday. I had to go in to see how I had fared after three weeks on my blood pressure medicine. When I first got there, the nurse got a reading of 145/88. I was really disappointed. The readings I had gotten at Wal-Mart were much lower than that. The nurse tried not to sound discouraged and told me that it was at least a little lower than last time. When I got to see Jen, my reading was 118/74. Much better! (She said it the nurse may not have used the right size cuff--something my brother had mentioned to me.) Since I am not having any side effects, we decided that the 5 mg. Enalapril was right for me. I had taken a list of my OTC "drugs" that I take from time to time, and she told me that they were fine to take (Tums, Pepto, Cough Drops, etc.). Alice's blood pressure medicine makes it very restrictive for her--she's not even supposed to have cough drops--so I was glad that I can still take the stuff that I rely on from time to time. I'm not supposed to take Advil every day (which I don't), and I'm supposed to go easy on the Sudafed (which I do anyway), but other than that, I'm good to go. I did ask her about my high pulse, and she told me that this particular medicine will not reduce my heart rate. She didn't seem to be concerned at all about my pulse, so I'm not going to waste time worrying about it.

Mom and I went to Augusta shopping today. I have most of my Christmas shopping done, but I picked up a couple of stocking stuffers and a gift card at Pac-Sun for my nephew. I also got some refil blades for my paper trimmer. Teaching the class at Pen Bay Christian School had really sucked the life out of my blades, and I can't get the ones I need in Rockland.

I hope to put the Christmas Tree up tonight. Between Eben's schedule and Dwane's jobs, it's difficult to find a night when all of us are going to be home for any length of time. I think we'd better do it tonight with us all home. Eben has BBall practice tomorrow afternoon, and then Dwane drives the taxi. On Saturday, I hope to go hear my brother play with Three Button Deluxe at Windward Gardens and go to their Christmas Fair. Saturday night is the train ride on the Polar Express. (We're still looking for one more ticket--just in case someone should have knowledge of any extras out there.) The Mission Study I am organizing about Moldova is Sunday night, and then I think I might be able to relax a little bit. My boss leaves Wednesday to be out of the state until the first week of January, so I should really get some time to "myself" then. I've really got to clean out the boys' rooms to get ready for Christmas. We'll see how disciplined I can actually be....

Saturday, November 24, 2007

EBEN'S GAME

Eben played in his first basketball game today. I think he was a little afraid of actually having to touch the ball, but he did do a pretty good job of blocking. Unfortunately, his team lost by about 5 points.

The games are played either at the St. George School or at the Thomaston Grammar School. Here's the schedule, in case anyone would like to go:

12/8/07, 12:00 Noon, at STG
12/15/07, 1:30 PM, at TGS
12/22/07, 3:00 PM, at STG
12/29/07, 9:00 AM, at TGS
1/5/08, 3:00 PM, at STG
1/12/08, 9:00 AM, at TGS

CALEB'S THOUGHTS

Caleb catches himself after slightly losing his balance. "Wow! I almost dropped myself!" Suppose that means he almost fell?

BLOOD PRESSURE READING

Yesterday. Noontime. Black Friday Christmas Shopping at Wal-Mart. 120/74. (But my pulse was 113!)

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

TODAY'S BLOOD PRESSURE

Wal-Mart, Lunchtime - 134/88, then 125/79.

HEROES LIGHTBULB MOMENT

Ok--this is going to sound really stupid to just about everyone (except perhaps my cousins Melanie and Lisa--and then only if they watch Heroes), but I just had a lightbulb moment this morning. I was watching last night's Heroes and it struck me that Noah Bennett was played by Jack Coleman. Who is Jack Coleman? He played Jake Kositcheck on Days of Our Lives way back in the day. (Back when Lisa, Melanie & I would watch DOOL together during summer vacation.) Like I said, it was waaaaay back in the day. Once I made the connection in my mind, I could see the face of Jake in my mind. (On DOOL, he was a bad guy I think---He was married to personality disorder Jessica and was a rapist.) Anyway, there's my A-HA moment for today. Now if I could just figure out who is the actual "bad guy" on Heroes. Is it Noah? Is it Mohinder? Is it Andrea Petrelli? Someone help me please!!! (I missed several episodes and fear I may have missed something big--anyone out there watch it?)

Saturday, November 17, 2007

NEW RECIPES

For the last several months, I had been using recipes from the Menus 4 Moms website. I really enjoyed these--the recipes were inexpensive, easy, and tasty. After several months, though, they seemed to get a little repetitive. (For example, EVERY Friday is pizza night.) So, I purchased a couple of new cookbooks that I have been cooking from the last several weeks: Southern Living's Busy Moms Weeknight Favorites and Rachael Ray's Just in Time. (I also have a new Lighthouse Cookbook, but when I look at it, it makes me miss someone I love very much :( so I haven't been able to use it yet. I don't want to cry, so I won't elaborate anymore. You all know the story anyway.)

Anyway, I thought I'd give you a run down of what I have tried.

From the Southern Living book:

Sloppy Joe Squares. Ok. Don't need to make them again.

Cheeseburger Meat Loaf. Ok. Had a whole jar of chili sauce on top, which was gross. Would be better with modifications, but I just like my own family meatloaf better.

Pork Loin Chops with Cinnamon Apples. The pork chops were quite good, but the apples were quite nasty.

Barbecue Muffins. Ehhh. So-so. Wouldn't make again. (This was like sloppy joe meat placed in a Grands biscuit that had been molded into a muffin cup.)

Beef Lombardi. This was a lasagna type of dish made with egg noodles. Eben liked it, but I'd rather just have lasagna.

Roasted Chicken and Pesto Panini. This was interesting. Not bad, but don't think I'd make it again.

Chicken Thighs with Thyme and Lemon. These were good. I would do this one again.

Superfast Salisbury Steak. I loved this! It was great warmed up, too. The rest of the family didn't care for it so much, so I won't be having it often. I think my brother would like it, though, so maybe I'll make it for family lunch some Sunday.

From Rachael Ray: All of these were pretty much a bust. It's very interesting with Rachael Ray recipes. The recipes are quick (if you are good at chopping veggies), but they are usually very expensive to cook. I also sometimes have a hard time finding ingredients. For example, this week I needed to buy gnocchi. I was supposed to buy the fresh, refrigerated kind, but I couldn't find that, or shelf-stable ones, or frozen ones. I bought pierogi instead, and I hope that will work. The recipes that I tried and didn't like are Saltimbocca Burgers (ground turkey with proscuitto di Parma and Italian Fontina (very expensive--I used Swiss cheese instead); Chicken Parm Soup (a tomato-based broth with chicken breast--eaten over toasted semolina bread with melted cheese on top); Pasta Shells with Pancetta, Peas & Shrimp; and tonight was Mac and Cheese Lorraine (gemelli pasta, onions carmelized in white wine, Swiss cheese, and bacon). Eben liked this until he found an onion.

After all this, I feel like a pretty bad cook. With few exceptions, I haven't cooked a good meal in a couple of weeks. I think I'm going back to Menus 4 Moms for a while, or just stick with my ole favorites. (I do like to try some new flavors once in a while, but it seems that out of a whole Rachael Ray cookbook, I might only find 2 recipes that I would cook a second time around.)

I did find one recipe that I really, really liked, and I am going to give it to you here, because I think it is so good. It is from the Southern Living cookbook referenced above.

Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Thighs: Arrange 8 bacon slices on paper towels on a microwave-safe plate. Top with a paper towel. Microwave on high for 1 minute, or just until bacon is limp and heated through. Do not fully cook bacon. Preheat oven to 350 deg. Combine 1 cup cornmeal with 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Dredge 8 boneless skinless chicken thighs in this mixture. Wrap each thigh with a piece of bacon. Place chicken on a lightly greasted rack in a broiler pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes to 1 hour. This was yummy!

Friday, November 16, 2007

MELANIE'S MI-5

1. What is one food (or meal) did you used to hate but now love?

Onions. I'm getting pretty good about liking onions, as long as they are cooked. I still don't care for raw onions. Shepard's Pie is something that I have learned to like. I didn't like it so much as a child, but when I reached my late-teenager years, I really took a liking to it.

2. If you had to give up one of your favorite foods (or meals) for good, what would it be, and why?

Oh--I wouldn't want to give up any of them!!! Maybe I would give up lobster. It's my very favorite food, but since I eat it only rarely, I guess I wouldn't miss it too much.

3. Which food seems like it should be healthy and isn't, and do you eat it? Why?

Popcorn can be healthy, with all of the fiber in it, but once I had the butter and salt, it becomes less healthy. I eat it anyway. My mom always says, jokingly, that ice cream is healthy, because it is dairy, and that any dessert with fruit in it is also healthy, because at least you are getting fruit. I like the way my Mom thinks.

4. If you were an item of food, personified, what would you be and why?

Oh, goodness. This is a hard one. How about a well-seared medium rare steak? I'm somethings hard, tough, and crusty on the outside, but on the inside, I'm soft and juicy??? Oh, how tacky is that!!??

5. You've seen tomatoes and pies used for this purpose... now think of a more inventive item of food one could throw at someone. What is it and why would throwing it at someone be hilarious?

Maybe a salad. Lettuce, tomato, cheese, loaded with Ranch dressing, all dripping down the head. Oh--and don't forget the bacon! Lots of bacon!! Might as well make it tasty while you're throwing it!!!

Thursday, November 15, 2007

TODAY'S BLOOD PRESSURE

Lunchtime, Wal-Mart, 117/79

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

TODAY'S BLOOD PRESSURE READINGS

Noontime, Walmart Machine, 135/88

Suppertime, Dwane's Reading, Left Arm, 118/67

Suppertime, Dwane's Reading, Right Arm, 100/70

Sunday, November 11, 2007

FROM AUNT SUSIE

1. Were you named after anyone?

No.

2. When was the last time you cried?

This morning at church. (Cathy was able to sing again after a year.)

3. Do you like your handwriting.

Most of the time, I do not. But every once it in a while my handwriting looks like my Dad's. When that happens, I love it.

4. What is your favorite lunch meat.

Definitely roast beef.

5. Do you have kids?

2 boys

6. IF you were another person, would you be friends with you?

Yes

7. Do you use sarcasm a lot?

Not often.

8. Do you still have your tonsils?

Yes.

9. Would you bungee jump?

No way. No how.

10. What is your favorite cereal?

Frosted Mini Wheats. And not the bite-sized--they don't have as much frosting.

11. Do you until your shoes when you take them off?

Never.

12. Do you think you are strong?

Most of the time. (For a woman, anyway.)

13. What is your favorite ice cream?

Dorman's Mocha Chip. Ben & Jerry's Oatmeal Cookie.

14. What is the first thing you notice about people?

Unfortunately, their appearance. How well they are dressed, how well their hair is done, how big their diamond is. :)

15. Red or pink?

Definitely pink.

16. What is the least favorite thing about yourself?

Weight. (But I never seem to do to much about it.)

17. Who do you miss the most?

My Dad.

18. Do you want everyone to send this back to you?

Of course. (Or post it on their blog.)

19. What color pants and shoes are you wearing?

Black dress pants. No shoes. (No socks either.)

20. What was the last thing you ate?

Right now I am eating microwave popcorn and a Tab.

21. What are you listening to right now?

The Nascar Race in Phoenix.

22. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?

Pink, of course!

23. Favorite smells?

Mom's Pot Roast. Mom's Boiled Dinner. Mom's Stew Beef & Gravy. Mom's Bread. Hmmmmm. Maybe that's why I'm not happy with my weight! :)

24. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?

Dwane.

25. Do you like the person who sent this to you?

I love her!!!

26. Favorite sports to watch?

Nascar. Figure Skating.

27. Hair color?

Dark blonde. It has never been colored or highlighted, although I used to spray it with "Sun In" when I was a very young adult.

28. Eyecolor?

Blue.

29. Do you wear contacts?

No. No glasses either.

30. Favorite food?

See #23.

31. Scary movies or happy endings?

Definitely happy endings.

32. Last movie you watched?

I have no idea. Maybe Lake House????

33. What color are you wearing?

Black pants. Black shirt. Do they make me look skinny???? :)

Friday, November 09, 2007

HYPERTENSION, PART II

I was in town yesterday, so decided to take my blood pressure in those machines in Walmart and Hannaford. I had been told that it might be a week or so before the medicine really "kicks in", but I thought "Why not see?"

At Wal-Mart, my blood pressure was 134/83, and at Hannaford, it was 121/84. I don't think that's too bad considering I had only had 3 pills so far.

SUE'S MI-5

Sue says: These questions come from a book I bought at Julia's book fair a couple weeks ago. The book is called "Coke or Pepsi? 1000 questions to ask your friends."

1. Which appointment is worse: Doctor or Dentist?

Dentist by far. I think it is because as I was growing up, each time I went to the dentist, there was bad news. Even though I don't really get cavities now, I always get the speech that I need to put $40,000+ into my mouth to bring it "up to par". I'd rather have a garage with a FROG.

2. Which would you pick: An extra $50/wk or one 3-day weekend per month?

Since I pretty much have a three-day weekend every weekend anyway, I guess I would like the extra money each week.

3. Small talk or deep conversations?

Small talk, definitely. Lately, all of my deep conversations have brought only heartache. I'd like some light & fun conversation.

4. Which is worse: No TV or No Music?

No TV is worse. With the TV, I can watch CMT and GAC and still get music.

5. Do you read the ending before you finish a book?

Guilty. I limit it to the last paragraph, but almost always, I read the ending sometime near the middle of the book.

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

HYPERTENSION

It's now official. I have high blood pressure. When I first got to the doctor's office, it was 155/99. Ten minutes later, it had gone down to 150/90, but still way too high. With the history of high blood pressure in my family (3 of my 4 grandparents had/have high blood pressure), I should expect to be on medicine the rest of my life. Unless I lose a "signficant amount of weight (40+ pounds)" or "become a marathon runner", there's no point to even hope.

So, I took my first Enalapril (5 mg) today. Fortunately, a 30 day supply is only $4.00. That's good. Most likely side effects are sleepiness (since I'm tired all of the time anyway--I figure that will mean I might be almost comatose anytime soon), and a dry cough.

I have to have a blood test next week to test my potassium levels, and then I go back again just after Thanksgiving to have another blood pressure check and see if my medication needs to be adjusted.

On my pill bottle it says to avoid salt substitutes. Why is that? I thought I should be avoiding salt and using a substitute...What's the deal? Anyone know? Is it better to just have the salt?

Monday, November 05, 2007

EXERCISE

For the most part, I hate exercise. The only exercise I have ever actually enjoyed is walking with an mp3 player, and doing "Dance Dance Revolution" on the Playstation.

In 2004, I exercised EVERY day, for an hour each day, with DDR. I never lost a pound, so I gave up. What was the point of spending all of that time exercising, if I never lost any weight??? So I gave it up, and promptly gained about 15 pounds. Obviously, the exercise kept the pounds away.

In September of 2005, when my Dad died, I started getting daily headaches. Not migraines, just bad headaches. Four Advil and a quick nap would take care of them, but I got so sick of having a headache I actually had my eyes checked. They were fine. (I do have a freckle on one eye, though!) In January of 2006, I started to exercise again, and the headaches went away. Dwane even bought me one of those fancy, metal dance pads, because I was going through so many of the soft mats.

Then, in the fall of 2006, it was almost my worst nightmare. We bought a Playstation 3!!!! My dance pads were not compatible!!! Gone was the only exercise that I actually did religiously.

Now, my headaches are coming back (though not as bad), and my blood pressure is up. It was time to really start doing some exercise again. On Thursday, my prayers were answered. I found a DDR game for the WII!!! Hallelujah!!! It came with a dance pad, and since it is for the Wii, your arms are also used. On Friday, Saturday, and today, I exercised for an hour. This morning, I burned 424 calories in an hour!!!

My blood pressure check is tomorrow. I'm sure that I'm too late with the exercise to make a difference, but I'm on the right track. I have also cut my caffeine down to one caffeinated diet soda (Tab) a day. I am watching my salt intake, and while I know I can cut back some more of the salt, I'm really trying to pay attention to it. If I have a "salty" lunch, I try to balance it out for supper, or vice versa. I guess it's all in baby steps--slow and steady--but progress is progress.

Friday, November 02, 2007

AMY'S MISHMASH MI-5

1. Do you like roller coasters? If you do what is your favorite part? If you don't? Why not?

That's a good questions. I actually enjoy the Big Bad Wolf at Busch Gardens, Williamsburg. As far as other coaster are concerned, I like them only because I then get bragging rights that I went on them. I don't actually enjoy other coasters. As far as a favorite part goes, I really like 360 deg. loops. The worst part is that first initial drop.

2. What is your favorite traditional treat you find in a halloween bag?

Pretty much anything milk chocolate.

3. When was the last time you went to the dentist? Was it routine or was something bothering you?

The last time I went to the dentist was last week, but that was to take Caleb to the dentist. (No cavities!) I go again next week to take Eben. (So far, no cavities!) For myself, I faithfully go every six months. I haven't had a cavity in several years, but a couple of years ago I had to have a tooth pulled. The tooth had a very old (30 years) cavity that cracked. When it cracked, it cracked my tooth. It was either pull it, or put thousands of dollars into it.

4. What was the last book you read that you would recommend?

Lies Women Believe, by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. I wrote a lengthy blog entry about it a couple of days ago, so I won't expand upon it again here.

5. What is the theme song to your life right now?

Oh, goodness. How 'bout "When God Fearing Women Get the Blues" by Martina McBride. My other thought is "Big Yellow Taxi". (I like the Amy Grant version.)