We have successfully made it home from the hernia surgery. What a day! We got in the "waiting" room at 9:30, they came and got him at 10 til 11, the nurse told me if it was going to be more than 2 hours, she would come and let me know. At 10 after 12, they brought him back to the room. He was his normal, silly self after being out, he always comes out of anesthesia a little loopy. He says he remembers coming back to the room but doesn't remember being put out.
Anyway, I got him home around a quarter til 4, before the origianal pain meds wore off, good timing!
No lifting or bending, no driving for a week......let the fun begin.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta
This has been another weeknight family favorite for years. I don't remember where the recipe originally came from but probably Quick Cooking magazine. It is basically a hamburger helper that is just as easy as opening the box but TONS better.
Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta
8 oz. uncooked pasta
6 strips of bacon
1 lb ground beef
1 can tomato condensed soup
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Cook pasta according to package directions. Cook the 6 strips of bacon, I use my microwave bacon cooker, so I can do the pasta, bacon and ground beef all at the same time. Brown ground beef in a large skillet. Drain ground beef and pasta; put both in skillet, add bacon, cut into small chuncks and soup, stirring until all is hot. Sprinkle cheese on top, turn stove off, cover and let cheese melt.
Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta
8 oz. uncooked pasta
6 strips of bacon
1 lb ground beef
1 can tomato condensed soup
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Cook pasta according to package directions. Cook the 6 strips of bacon, I use my microwave bacon cooker, so I can do the pasta, bacon and ground beef all at the same time. Brown ground beef in a large skillet. Drain ground beef and pasta; put both in skillet, add bacon, cut into small chuncks and soup, stirring until all is hot. Sprinkle cheese on top, turn stove off, cover and let cheese melt.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Saturday, Saturday, Saturday
My first of two Saturdays this week, I feel like having Monday off gives me another Saturday, especially since Andrew will be at work (if his belly lets him--the hernia is getting bigger and bigger).
My list is long, ridiculously long, and of course I was off last Monday too, with a long list, which I pretty well got done. My mom says, "It didn't occur to you to rest, did it?". Well, no, it didn't. I don't do resting well, although I am trying, maybe.
I have a friend who is a stay-at-home mom most of the time, I remember those days, I only had one to stay at home for though and when his stories about how fantastic his life was were being met by my stories of how many loads of laundry I got done, I knew it was time for me to step out and get a more exciting life too. Now don't get me wrong, I admire and respect those who stay at home even when their kids get older and are in school (and for those of you who homeschool, my hat really goes off, I never had the patience and I KNOW BETTER than to pray for more patience!). For the most part, you get to be the room moms and the chaperones and the house that everyone congregates to. I was blessed in that the job I have, I was able to take off work and still do all those things, and I think our house was the one to congregate to because Robert was an only so there were no brothers and sisters around--that and the food. I even was able to rearrange my schedule and take off early on band days to be home when they got here. I love my job.
However, I just want to remind my friend and any other stay-at-home moms that are going back to work, even if just a couple days a week: your house is not going to be as spotless, stop trying to keep things the way you did when you stayed home. More than likely, nobody knows but you. And I am talking about the little things you do when you are in that house all day, like making sure there is no dust on the light fixtures, I used to have a recipe box that had my daily cleaning chores on it. Three times a day, I picked up the house, my kid and I were the only ones even home, so I did it for myself. Now, if I am home and Andrew is not, I pick up about 15 minutes before he comes home. And if we are both gone all day, I do everything in an hour of a morning before I go to work. And I totally understand not wanting to give that up, I have OCD when it comes to organization but there is a point in time when you have to draw the line. Give yourself permission to realize that you are helping the family by bringing in an outside income......and as hard as it is to admit, it is okay to do something for your own sanity.
I was raised that you put Jesus first, others next and yourself last. I took this to heart, and to an extreme. I thought this meant if I came home from work and sat down and there was one basket of laundry to be done, I needed to do it or I was putting myself first. I equated "putting myself last" with "taking care of myself last ". When you have a family to take care of, taking care of yourself is REALLY part of taking care of that family. I didn't really want to face that until I was diagnosed with the UC. My doctor would say you have to find time to just relax, and I would say I can't. I don't do it real well yet, but I have learned that just because I see a cobweb in a corner doesn't mean the guys are going to, or for that matter even any neighbor stopping by.....and if they have time to look for the cobwebs, maybe they have time to clean my house for me.
As I started working more, our whole family changed, I know in the days when every woman got to stay at home, the house was her responsibility. I feel that has changed. Andrew actually has more hours in a row off than I do, it doesn't kill him to do a load of laundry, or do up the dishes when he is home. Most of the time, I have them done, but if I am having a hectic week, he doesn't think twice, and in its own quiet way, his willingness to do that shows me how much he loves me too. He really doesn't care if the house is clean, or the laundry is done for that matter, as long as there is a pair of pants to put on and a shirt, he is fine. But he knows I care, and that makes him care. When I am gone for a few days at a time, I can always count on coming home to a clean house, not cleaner than I left, but just as clean as when I did.
As your family grows and changes, you need to grow and change too. Just remember the poem about 100 years from now. The housekeeping will be there, the kids will be grown and gone too quick. Don't wear yourself out trying to do it all. Enjoy your kids and your family and the job, and the rest will fall into place without you falling apart.
My list is long, ridiculously long, and of course I was off last Monday too, with a long list, which I pretty well got done. My mom says, "It didn't occur to you to rest, did it?". Well, no, it didn't. I don't do resting well, although I am trying, maybe.
I have a friend who is a stay-at-home mom most of the time, I remember those days, I only had one to stay at home for though and when his stories about how fantastic his life was were being met by my stories of how many loads of laundry I got done, I knew it was time for me to step out and get a more exciting life too. Now don't get me wrong, I admire and respect those who stay at home even when their kids get older and are in school (and for those of you who homeschool, my hat really goes off, I never had the patience and I KNOW BETTER than to pray for more patience!). For the most part, you get to be the room moms and the chaperones and the house that everyone congregates to. I was blessed in that the job I have, I was able to take off work and still do all those things, and I think our house was the one to congregate to because Robert was an only so there were no brothers and sisters around--that and the food. I even was able to rearrange my schedule and take off early on band days to be home when they got here. I love my job.
However, I just want to remind my friend and any other stay-at-home moms that are going back to work, even if just a couple days a week: your house is not going to be as spotless, stop trying to keep things the way you did when you stayed home. More than likely, nobody knows but you. And I am talking about the little things you do when you are in that house all day, like making sure there is no dust on the light fixtures, I used to have a recipe box that had my daily cleaning chores on it. Three times a day, I picked up the house, my kid and I were the only ones even home, so I did it for myself. Now, if I am home and Andrew is not, I pick up about 15 minutes before he comes home. And if we are both gone all day, I do everything in an hour of a morning before I go to work. And I totally understand not wanting to give that up, I have OCD when it comes to organization but there is a point in time when you have to draw the line. Give yourself permission to realize that you are helping the family by bringing in an outside income......and as hard as it is to admit, it is okay to do something for your own sanity.
I was raised that you put Jesus first, others next and yourself last. I took this to heart, and to an extreme. I thought this meant if I came home from work and sat down and there was one basket of laundry to be done, I needed to do it or I was putting myself first. I equated "putting myself last" with "taking care of myself last ". When you have a family to take care of, taking care of yourself is REALLY part of taking care of that family. I didn't really want to face that until I was diagnosed with the UC. My doctor would say you have to find time to just relax, and I would say I can't. I don't do it real well yet, but I have learned that just because I see a cobweb in a corner doesn't mean the guys are going to, or for that matter even any neighbor stopping by.....and if they have time to look for the cobwebs, maybe they have time to clean my house for me.
As I started working more, our whole family changed, I know in the days when every woman got to stay at home, the house was her responsibility. I feel that has changed. Andrew actually has more hours in a row off than I do, it doesn't kill him to do a load of laundry, or do up the dishes when he is home. Most of the time, I have them done, but if I am having a hectic week, he doesn't think twice, and in its own quiet way, his willingness to do that shows me how much he loves me too. He really doesn't care if the house is clean, or the laundry is done for that matter, as long as there is a pair of pants to put on and a shirt, he is fine. But he knows I care, and that makes him care. When I am gone for a few days at a time, I can always count on coming home to a clean house, not cleaner than I left, but just as clean as when I did.
As your family grows and changes, you need to grow and change too. Just remember the poem about 100 years from now. The housekeeping will be there, the kids will be grown and gone too quick. Don't wear yourself out trying to do it all. Enjoy your kids and your family and the job, and the rest will fall into place without you falling apart.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Friday
We are finally down to less than a week before Andrew's surgery. I am getting paranoid so I am glad. Yesterday I texted him and he didn't text back, then I called his cell and he didn't answer. I had visions of something busting bad enough that he was laying on the floor passed out, or worse. I finally got him on the house phone and he had put his cell on the cradle to charge. Anyway, next Thursday can't come soon enough.
This week has been calm as far as most things go. I am trying to learn to come home and relax especially on evenings when Andrew is home. Monday was a day off for me and so I got tons done. I didn't feel so bad just sitting around Tuesday and Thursday. Of course, I may not be so easy to do that when I don't have an extra day off. I get Monday off again this week. This time, Robert does too. Not doing things of an evening, I have a lot more planned for this Monday.
I go to Decatur today to learn a new website portal for Ameren. It will hopefully make it easier to get the information we need from them to assist our clients. We have had websites from them before but they are never as user friendly as I want. Hopefully this time is different.
Two weeks from this Saturday is the Grand Prix at church, right now we have 13 clubbers who have bought cars and 8 adults. Andrew and I both start vacation that day. We are always stressed out until it is over though so we will count our vacation as starting on the 4th. We are calling Andrew's grandma this evening to make sure she doesn't have anything going on the 5th and 6th, and if not, we will make a trip to Brookfield MO to see her. If we go then, Robert can go too, Grandma is 85, so I treasure everytime that we all get to go.
I am HOPING that the rest of that week we get to start on refinishing floors, it depends on how well Andrew is moving and if he is still on restrictions.
I don't think we have too many other really exciting things going on.....see?? Normal just isn't really "normal" for us.....oh well.
Happy Friday!
This week has been calm as far as most things go. I am trying to learn to come home and relax especially on evenings when Andrew is home. Monday was a day off for me and so I got tons done. I didn't feel so bad just sitting around Tuesday and Thursday. Of course, I may not be so easy to do that when I don't have an extra day off. I get Monday off again this week. This time, Robert does too. Not doing things of an evening, I have a lot more planned for this Monday.
I go to Decatur today to learn a new website portal for Ameren. It will hopefully make it easier to get the information we need from them to assist our clients. We have had websites from them before but they are never as user friendly as I want. Hopefully this time is different.
Two weeks from this Saturday is the Grand Prix at church, right now we have 13 clubbers who have bought cars and 8 adults. Andrew and I both start vacation that day. We are always stressed out until it is over though so we will count our vacation as starting on the 4th. We are calling Andrew's grandma this evening to make sure she doesn't have anything going on the 5th and 6th, and if not, we will make a trip to Brookfield MO to see her. If we go then, Robert can go too, Grandma is 85, so I treasure everytime that we all get to go.
I am HOPING that the rest of that week we get to start on refinishing floors, it depends on how well Andrew is moving and if he is still on restrictions.
I don't think we have too many other really exciting things going on.....see?? Normal just isn't really "normal" for us.....oh well.
Happy Friday!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Happy Valentine's Day!
Disclaimer #1: Andrew and I don't normally do Valentine's day, especially if we are both working. Disclaimer #2: I did what I did more because I had the day off, and would have still done it had it not been Valentine's Day (maybe I wouldn't have decorated the bucket).
When we were in Louisville for New Year's, we went to Muth's Candy. Andrew fell in love with their licorice caramels. So I found a recipe and yesterday, gave it a whirl. They turned out much better than I expected. When the recipe ended up making a bucket full, I decided I should decorate the lid of my recycled ice cream bucket.
So, if you like licorice, here's a recipe for you:
2 sticks butter
1 can Sweetened Condensed Milk
2 c. sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 c karo light syrup
3 tsp anise extract
1 tsp black paste food coloring
Melt butter over medium heat in a dutch oven with a candy thermometer attached- (make sure your thermometer isn't touching the bottom). Add milk, sugar, salt and syrup. Stir constantly until thermometer shows 234 degrees (should be the soft ball mark on your thermometer). Remove from heat, add the anise extract (most recipes show 2 tsp, I used 3 because I didn't think it was strong enough with 2- the Hubs says it's perfect) and add the black food coloring. Stir until well blended, pour in a buttered 9"x13" baking dish. Let cool completely, then cut into caramel sized pieces. Wrap in waxed paper. Enjoy!
This made over 100 caramels for me. Of course, the bigger you cut, the less candies you have. I just tried to make them look the same size as store bought.
The lid was made with the Opposites Attract cartridge for the letters, The heart is from the Plantin SchoolBook cartridge and the Background is Doilie 5 from the Lovely Floral cartridge. I trimmed it with black small rick-rack and tied a metal A for Andrew on. Viola!
When we were in Louisville for New Year's, we went to Muth's Candy. Andrew fell in love with their licorice caramels. So I found a recipe and yesterday, gave it a whirl. They turned out much better than I expected. When the recipe ended up making a bucket full, I decided I should decorate the lid of my recycled ice cream bucket.
So, if you like licorice, here's a recipe for you:2 sticks butter
1 can Sweetened Condensed Milk
2 c. sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 c karo light syrup
3 tsp anise extract
1 tsp black paste food coloring
Melt butter over medium heat in a dutch oven with a candy thermometer attached- (make sure your thermometer isn't touching the bottom). Add milk, sugar, salt and syrup. Stir constantly until thermometer shows 234 degrees (should be the soft ball mark on your thermometer). Remove from heat, add the anise extract (most recipes show 2 tsp, I used 3 because I didn't think it was strong enough with 2- the Hubs says it's perfect) and add the black food coloring. Stir until well blended, pour in a buttered 9"x13" baking dish. Let cool completely, then cut into caramel sized pieces. Wrap in waxed paper. Enjoy!
This made over 100 caramels for me. Of course, the bigger you cut, the less candies you have. I just tried to make them look the same size as store bought.
The lid was made with the Opposites Attract cartridge for the letters, The heart is from the Plantin SchoolBook cartridge and the Background is Doilie 5 from the Lovely Floral cartridge. I trimmed it with black small rick-rack and tied a metal A for Andrew on. Viola!
Monday, February 13, 2012
Corn Dog Casserole
This is a recipe I have had since Robert was little, it was one that he always helped me make and it seemed like, if he helped, he was more enthused about eating it. It is still a family favorite.
Corn Dog Casserole
1 c celery, sliced thin
1 T Butter
3/4 c. green onions
1 pkg. hot dogs
1 egg
3/4 c. milk
1 tsp. sage
pepper
1 pkg. corn muffin mix
1 c. shredded cheddar
Corn Dog Casserole
1 c celery, sliced thin
1 T Butter
3/4 c. green onions
1 pkg. hot dogs
1 egg
3/4 c. milk
1 tsp. sage
pepper
1 pkg. corn muffin mix
1 c. shredded cheddar
Slice hot dogs in half length wise, then cut into thirds. Saute celery and onions in butter for about 3 minutes, add hot dogs and saute til celery and onions are tender.
Set aside one cup of this mixture.
In a large mixing bowl, combine egg, milk, sage and pepper, add remaining veggie/ hot dog mix. Stir in cornbread mix. The mix, just like making cornbread with it, will be slightly lumpy even when thoroughly mixed.
Add 3/4 c. of the cheese (save 1/4 for topping)
Spread into a shallow 8"x8" or 9"x9" sprayed baking dish. top with remaining veggie/ hot dog mix and remaining cheese.
Bake, uncovered at 400 degrees for 30 minutes until golden brown.
Makes 6 servings. Enjoy!
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Ode to Whitney
Yes I am sad, no I am not shocked. Another life cut short. I love Whitney Houston's music. I honestly remember the first time I saw this video on Friday Night Videos--before MTV hit my house.
Takes me back to those days. Life was good, not as good as it is now, but good. I am sure I had just got home from a night of running around with my friends, which was typical Friday night fair. I absolutley loved her voice and it didn't change when "How Will I Know", The Greatest Love" or even her remake of Dolly's "I Will Always Love You" came around ( I will STILL sit and watch "The Bodyguard".
RIP Whitney, by the sounds of the reports already, you had a tumultuous last few days, not much different than the rest of your public life.
Your music will be missed.
Takes me back to those days. Life was good, not as good as it is now, but good. I am sure I had just got home from a night of running around with my friends, which was typical Friday night fair. I absolutley loved her voice and it didn't change when "How Will I Know", The Greatest Love" or even her remake of Dolly's "I Will Always Love You" came around ( I will STILL sit and watch "The Bodyguard".
RIP Whitney, by the sounds of the reports already, you had a tumultuous last few days, not much different than the rest of your public life.
Your music will be missed.
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