Keeping It Real...

A recap for new visitors - I have chronic severe nerve pain and cannot bend, lift or twist for the rest of my life (my implanted spinal cord stimulator dictates I cannot lean too far lest I pull the wires out.).   This makes many things a challenge around the house.  Hubs is AMAZING but every now and then, he gets confused.  This was such a time.

So, every time I go in the main bathroom for the family, there is never toilet paper in the toilet paper thingy.  Do you have one?

Now, I GET it.  I really do.  I'm the only girl.  Guys don't give a hoot about these toilet paper things.  But, HELLO!!!  I cannot bend over to get the toilet paper out from under the cabinet, and I also cannot LEAN over from the toilet to reach under the cabinet.  So when I run out of toilet paper, I am STUCK.  (I have learned to look and notice BEFORE I get stuck in a compromising position, but still....)

So, last night, I used the last of the toilet paper and came out to ask hubs (or the boys) if the next person in the bathroom could please replace the toilet paper AND put toilet paper rolls in the toilet paper thingy.

Hubs stares at me.  And then says:

"Well, why?  You can't reach it."

HUH?  I had this look:

 

 

(I'm sure all husbands have seen a look like this, right?  lol)  And seriously, folks - he just called.  He never calls at this time.  His ears are burning!  lol

OK.  Back to HUH?  I said:

"What do you mean, I can't reach it?"

"Well, you can't."

Pause.  I am confused.  I am trying to think how his very literal engineer mind is working.  And I get it.  So I say,

"Sweety, I'm a GIRL.  I SIT on the toilet, which makes reaching the toilet paper thingy EASY."  (Is he forgetting I don't stand?)

Light bulb goes off in his head. 

"Oh, so that's why we have that thing (toilet paper thingy)?"

"Yes, dear.  I would have thought you would have noticed I was a girl by now."

Sweet smile.

Seriously?

So I got up this morning to find this:

Success!!!  

If this isn't funny or confuses you, please be thankful you can get your own toilet paper and haven't had to go around your house and put EVERYTHING you need at waist level or higher.  lol  

Clearly, I should have had a family meeting to explain WHY I purchased this toilet paper thingy.  And it wasn't to annoy them.   Why do guys just assume we are trying to annoy them?  lol

I wonder if the toilet paper thingy manufacturer realized this is used as a disability aid?  lol

Meanwhile, on goes my life with 3 very very concrete/literal thinking men.  And I can reach the toilet paper!  Woo Hoo!!!!

My First Crochet Hat!

It's been 2 weeks since I decided I wanted to teach myself to crochet and I've probably crocheted maybe 7 times.  So how excited am I to show you my first hat?  Now, if you are a seasoned crocheter, you will no doubt feel an urge to teach me about gauge....and darn it, it is really kicking my rear end.  lol  That hat was NOT supposed to be that big, but by the time I followed along with the You Tube video, that is how big mine was.  lol  So I had to add 2-3 addition double crochet decrease rows.  (Doesn't that sound technical?  lol)

Anyhoo...It doesn't look quite right so here are the photos of it laying flat.  It could just be that my HUGE (and I mean HUGE, only wore the boys band helmets HUGE) head is too big or that I am just not a hat person (due to said HUGE head).  But it is my favorite color and I just love it. 

I think this is officially called a Crochet Kingston Cap. 

I don't think it is supposed to be so wavy - that is because my gauge on size is so off.  lol

OK now dear fellow crocheters...(is that the correct term?).....PLEASE will someone show me options on how to hold the yarn in the left hand to help with tension control?  I have tried so many things.  BTW, I hold the hook like a butter knife - tried so hard to hold it the other cradled way but cannot.  But what works for you on tension?  Any videos you can direct me to?  I'm a visual gal.  

The You Tube video I followed was this one:

I may be linking to THESE parties. 

Thanks!

Turkey Potato Casserole

This is very similar to the casserole at Cracker Barrel, but we omitted onions and added ground turkey (ground hamburger would be fine also.)  Holt, our 18 yr old, helped make this with my husband as I was down and out with pain one day.  He was impressed how easy this was and with his first helping, the casserole was half gone.  (You'll see the photo we got - not soon enough!)

You will need the following ingredients:

1 package frozen hash browns (1 lb. 10 oz, usually)
1 lb. ground turkey or ground beef.

1/2 cup butter, melted

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 pint sour cream

2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

1 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

1. Fry ground meat in skillet.  Drain fat.

2.  Mix all ingredients in a large bowl.

3.   Put in a greased 9X13 pan and cook at 350 degrees for 45 minutes until brown on top.

We didn't get a photo fast enough of the cooked casserole.  This is how much was left after Holt got his first and second servings.  Yikes!  (Ladies, if you have young boys, prepare NOW!!!)
Needless to say, this is REALLY good!  This would also be great for breakfast.

ENJOY!

I will be joining THESE parties.

Light and Airy Foundation - Makeup Tip

Ever use liquid foundation and wonder - should I use my fingers?  Should I use a sponge?  And no matter what you do, always feel like it is too thick and not natural?  I know so many gals who won't wear foundation because they are convinced that it just looks like a mask.  It doesn't have to - and foundation is so key to getting a balanced skin tone.  We all have splotches, and are paler in places. 

Well, I have the solution for you!  

I ran across this tip a while back and thought I'd try it.  And I love it!

First, you need a stippling brush like this -

I got mine at Target - A Sonia Kashuk Highlighting Brush.  I love all her brushes - very little shedding and great application.    The special quality of this type of brush, also known as a stippling brush sometimes, is that the white bristles stand up higher and are further apart than the denser black bristles below.  This makes for a very light application of whatever product - be it liquid or powder.

 Can you see a little bit better with this photo? 

 I put the liquid foundation on my hand (I mix 2 shades when I have more of a tan). 

1.  Lightly dip foundation brush into liquid foundation.

2.  DO NOT pour foundation into your brush.

I almost have too much makeup on the brush in this photo.

 3.  Lightly pat brush around face - stipple it on your face just as you would stipple paint on a stencil on a wall.  I'm sure you've seen that.  Lightly lightly tap tap tap all over your face.

4.  This will give you very close to an air-brushed finish.  

5.  You will use much less product than normal. 

6. Use powder to set and you are done!

The wonderful result is a light, airy application, and a very even result.  Nice and sheer, if you desire, or more full coverage.  This gives you FULL control.

I used to be able to use any product I wanted - nowadays, many of my old favorites no longer work well on my skin.  I used to have combination/oily and now I had DRY.....Sahara desert dry skin.  LOL    Powdery options settle in my teeny tiny fine lines (of course they are teeny tiny!!) and I now must use a moisturizing foundation of some sort.  I currently still use drug store brands - work better on me than the more expensive options I've tried in the past.  

You can find You Tube videos online showing more detail, but I wanted to encourage you to try this - if liquid foundation has scared you away because it goes on too thick and you feel it is a mask, try this stipple brush technique - it allows complete control on application and gives a flawless finish.

And ladies, as we age - we don't need our fine lines more defined, now do we!  No we do not!

Have a beautiful day!!

Fluffy Icing Love Affair

As far back as I can remember, I have LOVED what my mom called "fluffy icing".  I've never been a fan of traditional cake icing and always scrape it off and give to someone else.  But for the last 44 years, EVERY year my dear mother makes my "special" cake - Homemade Angel Food cake with Fluffy Icing.  Usually pink or purple, although I've requested green, blue, red.......

Lucky me - NO ONE in my family can stand this cake.  So more for me!!  This last June, however, my 18 yr old did try it and loved it himself.  For both of us, this icing has a marshmallowy  (is that a word?) taste and texture.

But, I cannot find it ANYWHERE near me!!  I've checked online and many people are also complaining.  But guess what??!!!  Amazon.com sells it!!  I was able to buy 12 boxes and got them in 2 days.  SO EXCITED.  They don't expire until May of 2012, so no worry there.

Fluffy Icing Through Amazon.com

 

Instructions are simple- add 1/2 cup boiling water to the contents of pouch.

Then, use your mixer  - 30 seconds on low to mix thoroughly.  Then 5-7 minutes on high until stiff peaks.

I then went to find food dye and we didn't have any!!!!!!!  ACK!!!!!!! lol  I've never kept it white (or I should say, my mom never kept it white.  lol)

If you have not tried this, you must check your local grocery stores.  If not, order it online.  You won't be sorry!

My cake from this year!!!  Thanks MOM!!!

Monday Update

Andy finally got his Christmas present from me hung at work.  He put a thin piece of wood through the casing with pre-drilled nail holes so he could hang it without harming the wool fabric.  I think it looks great and anything OU makes him SMILE.  I should take a picture of his entire office - all OU, all crimson/cream with touches of black.

He sent me the photo in a text, so it is what it is.  lol

I haven't mentioned that I'm trying to teach myself how to crochet.  I think my mom taught me some as a child, but I've wanted to take it back up.  Another good distraction technique for the pain.  Only problem I'm having?  Counting.  This un-medicated ADHD situation isn't working.  When I need to do 1 stitch, then 2 stitches, then 1 stitch, the 2 stitches..........well.....forget that.  lol  I saw a counter thingy at the store - do I need to get that?  Any tips?

Today is day 6 of my self-taught plan.  Thank goodness for videos on You Tube!    Here is what I just made - see my errors to the right hand side (among who knows how many others)?  I'm still pretty proud of myself, though!  

I picked purple yarn........shocker!

Fun way to pass the time.  I'm sure my family and friends are going......ggrrreeeaaaaattt...now we know what we're getting for gifts!  lol

Quickest Hamburger Casserole Ever

More family cookin', as requested!   Because of a lifetime of family allergies, we prefer simple dishes with few ingredients.  Here ya go!

Hamburger Pork'nBean Casserole

1 lb. hamburger

1/2 cup chopped onion (omitted due to onion allergy)

1 lg can Pork n' Beans

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 Tbs. Mustard

1 cup Ketchup

Brown hamburger and onion.   Drain.  

Add remaining ingredients.

Bake at 350 degrees for 1/2 hour. 

 Enjoy!

I might be linking up to THESE parties.  

Keeping It Real

One of those weeks where I’m reciting the Serenity Prayer over and over and over…..

GOD
Grant me the SERENITY
To accept the things
I cannot change

The COURAGE
To change the things I can

And the WISDOM to know the difference

Credit - Charlie Murdach

 

Central Pain -

It can be a steady, sometimes deep burning, aching, cutting, tearing sensation CPS (Central Pain Syndrome) may be mixed with sudden, excruciating shots of pain. It is often mixed with other distracting sensations like cold, tingling, a "pins and needles" effect, a ballooning sensation, throbbing, and the feeling of a dental probe on a raw nerve.

Intense skin reactions can accompany these symptoms, such as burning, stretching, tightness, itching, or a crawling feeling that can be irritated by any light touch, sometimes just the feel of cloth on skin, which can making dressing an ordeal. Sometimes the touch of a loved one, or family member, in fun, or love, may often be a way to overwhelm the brain with the pain from CPS.

This unwelcome guest joined a party already in progress.  

Attendees include:

Massive nerve pain flare hips to toes, busting through the spinal cord stimulator like it isn’t even there.

Mid-back (thoracic) spasms, arthritic in nature, likely triggered by rain.

Low back muscle burning, deep deep pain, pain in joints.

And now this.  Central Pain.  Again.   I had this once before and when I survived it then, prayed it was a fluke occurrence.  Guess not.

How people live with this every day defies my understanding.  Folks say that about my regular pain, but I had gotten to a mental place where I could just survive.  Not sure about this.

Reclined, frozen as any movement feels like a blow torch on my skin…….my smile is faint, my mood less than stellar, my patience thin……….but the blessing of an amazing husband whose heart breaks when he sees me like this.   Don’t know how I’d do it without him.

Love him.  So much.  Love how he tenderly pulled me out of bed on the mid-back spasm entrance.  Love how he stroked my hair as I buried my face in his chest, only having made it to sitting position, yet to stand and endure the full force of the spasms.  Love how he tenderly hugs me, keeping his hands above my bra strap, being careful not to even brush his fingers across my lower back ribs to hips. 

 

If I didn’t smile, I shudder to think what state I might be in.  Smiling ministry can also be for yourself.  Never knew that until now.