Tag Archives: health

My Birthday Saga, Part I

13 Feb

My birthday weekend began with chocolate covered strawberries and ended with chicken parmesan.  Thanks to FringeMan, it was pretty much perfect.

In the quest to accept another number and a few more gray hairs while keeping my sanity dignity intact, I hosted a Pampered Chef party on Friday night.  There’s nothing like kitchen-ware to make a woman feel young.

So not true, but it was fun to host a little party and watch as another woman cooked white chicken chili in my house.  For a moment, I knew how it would feel to have my own personal chef – Pure Unadulterated Bliss.  I could handle not having to scrounge through the cabinets at five-thirty wondering what in the world I’m going to create for dinner.

After everyone went home and  FringeMan and I finished consuming the leftover strawberries, I sat down to remove my sock and slipper.  Yes, I did wear slippers to my party, but in my bad-fashion defense, my foot tried to put me in one of those motorized scooters before my thirty-seventh birthday.  It swelled up like a plump tomato ready to burst through its skin on a sunny day in August.  It was hot and it hurt.  Did I mention the pain I ignored until ten o’clock at night?

A lump seemed to be forming on the bone about a half-inch under my toe, but it was hard to tell.  The swelling camouflaged any specific cause.  After elevating my foot with a bag of frozen vegetables on top, FringeMan thought I should go get it get it checked out.  You see, we had plans to go away on a little overnight the next day.  For my BIRTHDAY!

So I went.

Holding my foot in his hand, the doctor ran through a list of diseases that ranged from allergic reactions to a cyst that may need to be drained.  I stopped him briefly at flesh-eating disease.  You don’t utter words that may cause my skin to drip off my bones twenty-four hours before my birthday.  I think there’s an oath about that.

In the end, the doctor said, “I don’t know what it is, but your foot seems pretty pissed off.”

A pissed off foot – my official diagnosis.  So I went home armed with ice-packs, Advil, and a prescription for antibiotics in case my flesh began melting, or eating, or any other devilish pre-birthday verb.

I know you’re wondering what my foot looks like now…the swelling is gone, but I’m left with a hard knot on the top of my foot and it still hurts.  I’ll have to call and make a doctor’s appointment, but for a few more minutes, I’m going to hope that it disappears as quickly as it came to dash my hope of buying cute shoes for my birthday.

Remember these?

Seychellis Asterisk Tan/Red

I didn’t buy them.  Yet.  I’m waiting on my foot before I send $67.99 sailing through the internet.

On Saturday, I did manage to find something fabulous though, but alas, I’ve used too many words.  You’ll have to wait for My Birthday Saga, Part II.

Thank you for all the warm birthday wishes.  I am blessed.

Just so you know I didn’t jump off a bridge…

25 Jan

Ok, last post was pretty depressing.  Sorry about that.  I’m taking full liberty with my calendar and blaming it on January, but I have birthday party for my son this weekend and there’s no time to be sad and moody.

This may be the most random post in the history of the fringe, but work with me people.  The last post had me giving up on life.  This has to be an improvement.

*  I’ve discovered the cure for stomach problems that have plagued me for years.  I have what they term IBS.  I won’t get into it, because it would be like discussions around a holiday table with my family.

Just know that heartburn and other issues plague me, no matter what I eat; however, I started a diet on January 2.  Don’t get excited, because I’ve only lost 4 pounds.  You can tell I cheat a lot.

image via Pinterest

My point is that on the days I’m on my diet, I eat about 6 times throughout the course of the day, but I only consume about 1400-1500 calories.  That means I eat really low-calorie, but filling things in small portions.  It totally cures my stomach ills.  The moment I over-eat or just eat 3 normal size portions, I’m sick.  It’s incredible.

Who knew I would have to become a bird after I turned thirty.  No one told me!

image via Pinterest

* I really am trying to stick to my diet, but it’s hard.  You know?  I’m more like a turkey than I am a parakeet.  FringeMan wishes I was more of a love bird, but that’s another story.

* I’m thinking all “love” posts for February.  Now don’t get panicky and jump ship (no offense Mr. Italian Captain), because I’m not going mushy for a whole month.  There’s lots to love in this world, and I’m trying to tap my elusive creative side.

* I’ve decided that I want a really cute new pair of shoes and a new bag for my birthday.  My birthday is in February, but I’ll probably shop in April or so.  That’s what happens when your birthday is after Christmas and both your children’s birthdays.  It’s all good with me though.  I think it prolongs the aging process.  I gain a few months, because a birthday isn’t a birthday until you’ve bought yourself a present.

Someone needs to write that down and claim it.

*  I don’t know where to shop for cute shoes and a bag.  I’m looking for stylin’, groovin’, chic, classy, comfortable, cute, trendy shoes.  I’m thinking Anthropologie on a Payless budget.

Help a girl out.  Suggest a few places please.

I know Payless has some cute shoes.  I’ve seen them on bloggers, but my Payless pretty much specializes in sneakers and lame-oh shoes.  Sorry Payless.  I know you purchase especially for the clientele you sell to, but there are a few of us who don’t where our pajamas grocery shopping.

Maybe that was mean, but I’ve taken to counting how many people I see in pj’s in Wal-Mart.  Is that snobby of me?

I simply have a difficult time understanding why people want to be seen in public looking like that.  I hide from mirrors in my own home when I look like that.

* I bought a box of ‘Cuties’ at the grocery store today.  Everyone’s been raving about them.  So far they live up to their name, but I haven’t eaten one yet.  I’ll let you know.

Now it’s your turn – What’s the random in your life?

And, don’t tell me if you wear pajamas to the grocery store.

Ok, you can tell me, but I’m adding another check mark to my list and you’ll end up in my total number of pj wearers.  Just a warning. ;-)

Thank you all for your kind comments yesterday.  I appreciate each of you.

Brownie Pops for January’s Germs

20 Jan

Since February is the month of love, January must be the month of germs.  Viruses are tearing through our home faster than I can call in sick for my kids.  When the nurse from my daughter’s school called this morning to say she had thrown-up and needed to go home, I almost cried.

The only place I’ve been in weeks is the doctor’s office and the post office.  Tonight was going to be a date night.  A church in a nearby town was hosting ‘Parent’s Night Out’, and FringeMan and I had a gift card to a local burger joint.

Going out tonight is the carrot I dangled in front of my nose all week long.

I guess I don’t really like carrots anyway.

I do like cake pops though.

Last week when we were going to the cancer center to visit my uncle, I made a batch of brownie cake pops for my aunt.  My uncle cannot eat, but I though she would enjoy a treat.

Here’s how I made them…

Ingredients:

1 box brownie mix

1 tub chocolate frosting

1-2 bags melting candy chips

Cake pop sticks

Instructions:

Prepare brownies according to box.  Bake and let cool.  Crumble up the entire pan of brownies in a large bowl.  Really dig in and use your fingers and pulverize the brownies.  Add 3/4 can of frosting and mix thoroughly.  Shape into balls and refrigerate for about 30 minutes.  Melt candy pieces in the microwave.  Dip stick into candy and then into the center of the brownie ball (be sure not to make the brownie balls too large because they are heavy and will fall off the stick).  Coat entire brownie ball in melted candy and let dry.

Pop these guys into the fridge for a day or two and then enjoy.  They taste better after they’ve sat for a day or two.

I thought they’d be good for Valentine’s Day with a red candy coating and maybe a little candy heart sprinkle on them.

Hope you all enjoy a great weekend!

 

 

Hoping on a Monday

16 Jan

I’m saying Good Morning to Monday with Lisa Leonard and praying that this week will be better than the last.  I wish I had photos to share, but if I did, they would be of tissues and blankets.   Despite the flu shot my doctor insisted I get because of my asthma, I spent a week cuddled up with a fever and cough, also known as the flu.

So while I’m saying Good Morning to Monday, I’m saying good-bye to the flu and hoping it doesn’t return anytime soon.  I’m also willing myself to feel better, even though I kinda do not.  Just don’t tell anyone I do not feel better.  It’s our secret.

I also shared with my son.  That’s a mom fail.  Sorry FringeBoy.

On this Monday, I am also praying for my Uncle Wayne, aka Wayne The Pain.  If you think of him at all, please pray for physical strength to make it through treatments, mental strength to keep fighting, and encouragement for his spirit.  I know he and everyone in my family will be very grateful for every prayer said.

via Pinterest

If I hadn’t gotten sick this week, we were going to visit him in the Hope Lodge.  I made around 4-500 cookies and we have collected bags of donations for the Hope Lodge.  My uncle cannot eat anything.  He has throat cancer, and no, he never did smoke.  He asked me to bake cookies though, for everyone else.  He thought it would help cheer them up.  So I baked, and my aunt traveled up from Georgia, and then I got the flu.  My timing really sucks.  And I reserve the word “sucks” for only the worst of times.

So, good morning to Monday, a new week with new possibilities and a fresh hope.

Romans 5:1-5  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

When it says that the love of God is “shed abroad” in our hearts, that means poured out.  Don’t lose hope on this new Monday in the beginning of this new year.  God wants to pour his love all over your heart.

Good morning Monday.

A New Year, A New Clean, A New Kinda Crazy

6 Jan

My aunt is coming next week and I’m super-excited.  It’s actually been a couple of years since I’ve seen her and this is the first time she’ll be to my house since my daughter was three.  That’s a long time ago baby.

It’s not that she hates my house…well, maybe she does, but that’s not the point.  Since she has a nice big house with lots of extra rooms and a pantry filled with snacks, we usually go to her house.  Plus, she lives in the sunny, warm place called Georgia.  Also known as the strip mall capital of the world.

But this time, she’s coming to my house.  One word for you people – CLEANING.

Aparently I don’t do it enough.  I tend to read blogs and write posts in my spare time, when in fact, I should be cleaning.  I just discovered I have a dust bunny farm in my bedroom.  It’s like I’m raising them for sale at the farmer’s market.

I’ve had three days of sweeping, mopping, swiping, chucking, scrubbing, spraying, and organizing.  I’m ready to embrace my lazy side once again.  Life shouldn’t be lived with a dust rag hanging off your belt.  I smell like lavender all purpose cleaner and although it’s a pretty purple color, it’s not exactly par-fume.

Did I mention I’ve been dieting these past five days?  I have.  I would say I could eat a horse, but I only have plastic horses in the house and they don’t have enough calories to fulfill my cravings.

You know what I realized yesterday?

Every single time I walk into a gas station or convience store, thousands of seductive calories claw at my arms and legs.  They captivate my eyes and make me drool on my gloves a little.  It’s true.  When did gas stations  go from filling your car to filling your internal desires to eat everything under the sun as long as it’s drizzled with a little chocolate?

That’s what I want to know.

In between my hundred calorie cream of wheat and my glass of flavorless water, I organized my son’s Legos.  It’s a projected he’s wanted to do for a long time, but we put if off.  Mainly because organizers costs twenty-bucks a pop and he needed a few; however, he got some Christmas money.  Although I think it may push the nerdy line a little, he spent his Christmas money on organizers.  Four to be exact.

If I didn’t help him, it would take him the next six months to seperate bricks.  I don’t have six months.  I need a clean house by Monday!

I used a day and half (believe me it took that long) of my life sorting Legos.  Not how I imagined my new year would begin, but I can now seperate a Lego from a cheap imposter on feel alone.  It’s like the skills bankers have for detecting bogus money, only in my house it’s Legos.  If you bring counterfit building bricks to my house, you could face up to five years in jail.

And if my kid ever dumps all those little bins onto the floor, someone may have to restrain me.  A day and half of my life people!

Then I made playdo with FringeKid.  Yes, I think it’s infinitely easier to go and buy a little container of cool smelling colored dough, but after a day on the floor with red, green, blue, yellow, gray, and black bricks, I wasn’t changing out of my pajamas.

Despite recent fashion trends, I don’t go shopping in my pajamas.

Just thought I just share.

I made a dinosaur embryo with my playdo.  Don’t judge my creativity people.  I lost half my brain to 1/2 inch toy bricks.

Wish me luck on my home overhaul.  If you don’t hear from me by Monday, send Mr. Clean.

Thanks.

P.S. Please excuse the wretched photography.  I would like to blame one of the kids, but it was me.

Wear Your Happy, Part #5 – 31 Days of Happy

5 Oct

Pinterest, via pinmarklet

The other day I ran into a woman who I know suffers from medical conditions, including depression.  I greeted her with a hug and asked, “How are you today?”

I didn’t expect the generic “Fine.  And how are you?” response; however, she surprised me by saying, “I’m good.  It’s a good day today.”

I looked into her eyes and said, “Well, where’s your smile?”

Her hands automatically flew to her cheeks.  “Oh, I sometimes forget that I can smile.”

Pinterest, via pinmarklet

Every morning we get up and put on our deodorant, lotions, perfumes, undergarments, work clothes, play clothes, dress clothes, and maybe a hat.  Do we forget to put on our smile?

Pinterest, via weheartit.com

If you’re happy inside, let it show on the outside!

Happy in Health – Day #3, 31 Days of Happy

3 Oct

It’s easy to be happy when we are healthy, when we feel like we can conquer any battle no matter the size; however, it’s difficult to be happy when we’re sick.  So many people we know and love are living with long-term illnesses, fighting cancer, and feeling terrible.

We need to find a way to help them be happy.

Proverbs 15:13

A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

Proverbs 17:22

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

My uncle was recently diagnosed with stage 4 throat and tongue cancer.  He’s facing so many challenges, including chemo, radiation, and a feeding tube.  It’s hard to be happy when you get that kind of news from the doctor.  It’s hard to find something to laugh at when you feel sick and tired.

So when I came across this photo, I knew I had to send it to him.

via Pinterest by gizmofusion.com

You have to understand, my uncle’s one addiction (besides donuts) is coffee.  I’m not certain he can get coffee in a feeding tube, but I bet it’s worth asking.

He had a good laugh even in the unhappiest of circumstances.  We can help other people by giving them a moment of happy, of laughter.  It helps, even if just temporarily.

So here’s your mission – Go find someone who is sick or discouraged and help them find some happy.  Bring a smile to their face.  It’s good like a medicine.

31 Days of Happy - Every Day in October

PS.  My uncle’s name is Wayne the Pain.  He needs your prayers.  I do hope you’ll remember him when you talk to God.  And don’t worry, God knows him by that name.  ;-)

The Best Salad You’ll Ever Taste

2 Aug

I seriously have the best ever summer salad recipe for you.  You are so gonna thank me after you make this.  Understand I did not make up this recipe.  That alone should give you confidence to eat it up.

Recently I was at a friend’s house and she gave a bowl to someone sitting around the table.  In the bowl was a whitish gooey mixture with green and red grapes.  The man for whom this bowl was intended turned his nose, and so I said, “I’ll eat it.”

I’m not like Mikey; I won’t eat just anything, but sometimes I bust out an adventurous streak and try new foods.

It was so good, I gobbled up everything in my bowl and asked for the recipe.  Turns out my friend’s mom made it and she didn’t have the recipe.  As soon as I got home, I scoured the internet.

So, because I love you all, I’m going to share.

ingredients:

  • 4 pounds seedless green grapes
  • 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
  • 1 (8 ounce) container sour cream
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 ounces chopped pecans
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar

I used a mixture of green and red grapes.  I highly recommend doing this, but I’ll leave the decision to you.

Basically, you just mix it all together and add the grapes, but if you want the full step-by-step recipe, go here.

You can thank me after you taste this grape salad.  ;-)

What’s your favorite summertime treat?

This post is linked to Tempt My Tummy Tuesday over at Blessed with Grace.  Go visit for more tummy tempting recipes.

Also linking to:
Hearth and Soul Hop at A Moderate Life

Happy cool cooking,

Take a Leap & Visit Me

4 Jun

If you’d like to read my review of the book Still Alice, I was featured a couple of weeks ago on Fancy Little Things.  I should have told you the day my post went up, but well, I’m bad with dates.  I wish I had a better excuse.

Click HERE for the review.

Take the leap and come visit me at Fancy Little Things!

Happy Weekend.

Bumblebees, Books, and Other Assorted Nonsense

10 May
  • I’m making a list, because I don’t know what else to do with myself.
  • I could/would/should be doing something more useful – like washing clothes or cleaning our wreck of a home.
  • My kids =  SPRING FEVER.
  • We are being held captive by bumblebees.
  • I’m thankful for allergy shots, because they are working (my asthma attack Sunday night not included).
  • I ate the cherry pie.  Sorry to disappoint.  My will power has limits.  BUT, I only ate half and dumped the rest.  It wasn’t that good.  If it were good, all the cherries would be swimming contentedly in my belly.
  • I turned off the comments, but so many of you found a way to reach out to me.
  • Several of you wrote and said that I was talking about your church, and that makes me extremely sad.
  • In fact, I wasn’t going to post today, because I don’t have words.  But, well, I have to do something in order to avoid housework.
  • Maybe, just maybe, God will use this bad and turn it into something good.
  • I totally believe He can.
  • I’m still internalizing it all.  Thinking.  Allowing God to do something in me.
  • I lost one pound.  It may have been two, but I ate half the cherry pie.
  • Please don’t tell me the one pound is from going potty.
  • I won’t believe you anyway.
  • I finished Chapter One of my book, but now I’m like “Oh, No! Where do I go from here?”
  • Duh.  I get it.  Chapter two.
  • My son is writing somthing for Fiction Friday.
  • I’m currently scheming for a way out of cooking dinner tonight.
  • I clearly suffer from housework avoidance.
  • When does school end in your part of the world?
  • I may move to your part of the world if it’s soon.
  • My front door will not last through summer.
  • It’s already been slammed 89,637,534,21 times.
  • The cow picture has nothing to do with anything, but I thought this post looked a little naked without a photo.
  • Be well my friends!

← Older Entries

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 158 other followers