Running On Empty...No More

We take things for granted all the time. I used to think nothing about sitting up or getting out of a chair on my own; or cooking a meal for my family; or driving to the grocery store; or doing a load of laundry. I never thought I'd miss doing some of these things should these jobs ever disappear, either. Our closest grocery store is eight miles away, but I can tell you that once I'm better, I will not complain about driving there to shop, because I'll be so thankful that I can drive   and shop. My children know how to do laundry, thankfully, but cooking has always been my job and my joy. I've decided that I will spend a few afternoons each week guiding the kids through meal preparation, sharing my tips and tricks and teaching them how to cook. I'll start with something simple, like tacos, marinated chicken breasts or tuna steaks. Once school starts back up, I'll save the lessons for the weekends and their days off. And who knows, maybe they'll end up bett...

I was scheduled to have laparoscopic gallbladder surgery for gallstones a week ago. Instead, I now have 38 staples in the form of a metal zipper from my chest straight down and around my belly button. Nothing quick, easy, or routine about this experience, although somewhat familiar. Doctor Dreamboat (did I mention that he's tall, dark and handsome?) warned me prior to surgery that given my previous internal injuries, he was not sure what he'd find until he started the procedure. But even he admitted later that he was not prepared for what he'd see. After attempting the laparoscopic procedure, doctor dreamboat could not even find my gallbladder. When he first said this to me, I laughed out loud. That's like a chef admitting he didn't have the right pot to cook the soup in. At least, in my doped up state at the time that's how it seemed. When he finally cut me open, he said he was shocked by the amount of scar tissue inside of me from my previous internal injuri...

The past several weeks have been a little difficult, to say the least. I've been sicker by the day as my gallbladder removal approaches, which makes time crawl by. Why is that? Most of the time, my life whizzes by so fast that I'm looking for a brake pedal, but when I'm feeling lousy, the days drag on. I said to a friend recently that I'm just looking for the rainbow after the rain; but I have to wait for the rain to stop first. Chris' uncle, Chetty, has been fighting cancer for 2.5 years. We thought he was doing great, and then received word about three weeks ago that he was back in the hospital and the cancer was back and bigger and more fierce than ever. The doctors could do no more for him and hospice was to be set up for him to return home. He died this morning, surrounded by his beautiful family - his wife, Carol, and four daughters. When I say "beautiful", the word does not even begin to describe this family. Yes, they are pretty to look at - all ...

I easily looked up an area code this morning to identify where a call came in from last night. I identified the state and time zone in a flash, which prevented me from accidentally waking somebody up at 6 am Pacific time. It is fantastic that I could do this so quickly and without much effort; and as I think about the information available at my fingertips daily, I'm in awe of the volume of information out there as well as the speed at which we can access it. But there are times that I wonder, does there have to be  so much info out on the net? Last night I read into the wee hours of the morning all about gallstones - causes, treatments, problems after treatment. And what I've read was disturbing, as well as confusing at times. It reminds me of Billy Joel's song, We Didn't Start the Fire.  I was in college when BJ released this song. There are too many facts spewed out all at once and most of the events I cannot decipher. Did he say face monkey and bacon Reagan? Or w...

Six months were spent planning our family's most glorious vacation to date, and the two weeks we spent together were gone long before we wanted the time to end. We saw some of the most beautiful scenery, ate some of the best food, and spent some of the best time together - away from the noise of our lives - the noise of schedules, computers, obligations, and commitments. I captured our time together with over 500 photos (a little hobby of mine) and plan on turning some of them into art for our home. A daily reminder of the quiet of early morning sunrises and fullness of the love of my family will sustain us until our next get away, except it's going to be difficult to top this one. The two pictures shown here have significance in the promise I made to myself several months ago - to really start taking care of myself and get rid of some of the unnecessary noise in my life. The first is the sunrise from Cadillac Mountain in Acadia Park, Maine. Twice, Chris and I rose at 4:00 am...

Don't you just love this song? I wish my primary care doctor would give me the cure to all of my ailments, but I really wish I liked my doctor! I love my dentist - Dr. Jay Wardius . I love my kids' dentist - Dr. Eric Felix . I love Ben's GI doctor at CHOP - Dr. John Boyle . But my primary care physician? Not a whole lot of love at the moment. Today was my three month follow-up to my first physical exam as an adult. I was expecting a quick little chat with the doctor to discuss how I've been doing, but nothing is ever that simple. It's a rule, really, that everything be complicated. It was a rocky start when the nurse asked me if I had finished all of my Lyme's Disease antibiotic that was prescribed in April. Our conversation went something like this... "April?" I asked. "I had Lyme's Disease four years ago and finished the medication back then. The oral antibiotic did not work, so I had a picc line inserted instead."   She c...

I am Italian in many ways; not just because my father is full of Italian descent, but because I really  love Italian food. Granted, it's Italian American  that I indulge in, but it's still Italian. Lasagne has been a signature dish of mine, but I've also mastered chicken marsala, pasta with vodka marinara sauce, homemade spaghetti and ravioli, sausage-tortellini soup, meatballs, and pizza, the grand-daddy favorite.  I love pizza so much I'm thinking of building a pizza oven in my back yard. I'm not sure my husband will like this idea since he'll be doing most of the work, but he tends to just go with it whenever food is involved. I've attempted several different kinds of GF pastas and I am so excited to have found one on the market that is actually really  good. I've only attempted Fusilli, but Heartland sells this wheat-free beauty that tastes really good. Now that I've said this twice, you can see I really  mean it. The sauce I use is a marina...

It's that time of year again - potato salad at every turn! So I don't have to worry about what's in those large bowls of creamy potatoes, I offer to bring it when I can. Here is a TO DIE FOR recipe, although it's not measured like it should be - you've got to be willing to taste as you go. I find that some potatoes need more salt than others, it really depends on how fresh they are. Originally, this one came from my father-in-law's second wife, Helen, which was transcribed for me by my sister-in-law Kim. No clue how many calories are in a serving but I think we probably do not want to even know. This is best if you let it sit in the refrigerator for several hours until chilled before serving. Potato Salad 5 lbs Red Potatoes 1 1/2 lbs Bacon 1 large Onion 3 - 4 Celery Stalks 1 or 2 Lemons GF Mayonnaise Sea Salt Pepper Dill Weed Boil po...

May 25th, 2012, marks the 29 year anniversary of the most terrifying day of my life, but also a day filled with future blessings that could not have been imagined at the time. I crashed a motorcycle into a tree going an estimated 90 mph (without wearing a helmet) and lived to tell about it. I didn't walk away from it, but I survived. I don't know what happened to the bike I rode, but it was huge just like this one. My friend, Jen, and I thought it would be fun. She was a good driver and a really good friend - we were friends since birth because our mothers were friends when they were in school. We were being typical teens and not thinking about possible dangers or consequences. It was only three days after my 13th birthday and I felt alive and happy to have finally reached my teenage years. I remember wearing a shirt that my aunt Pat sent me as a birthday present that day. I remember the wheelie I popped when I first attempted to drive the bike, while Jen fell off the back...

I tell myself that birthdays have long since lost their appeal, but deep down it's not true. I love feeling loved and appreciated and my birthday is a day that I really want to feel that way. The morning was a typical weekday morning - get up early, pack lunches, get everyone out the door. Until it was Gracie's time to get up. She remembered my birthday immediately and called me into her room to "help" her get ready (which she never needs). So in I go and she had these beautiful pink roses in a vase for me along with a special card which read "I love you Mommy because you shine." O-M-G...waterfall at 7:45 in the morning. She is such a sweetie.   Then came lunchtime. My parents picked me up and took me out to lunch at 4Brothers in Gap. It's one of my favorite local places to eat and the same spot I took Mom on her birthday. Dad was going for the first time and after eating there, he is also now a fan. But here's the kicker - they have a s...

Getting together with family and friends is the single best past-time around. I don't do it nearly often enough as I would like, and because I live in Podunk, PA, it usually involves me throwing a party. This is where Chris and I have a slight difference of opinion. Don't get me wrong, he likes being with people, too, but I tend to invite all kinds of people over all year long. I think he'd rather go out a little more instead of playing host so often. I cannot say I blame him - I've been known to reach out to strangers from time to time and invite them over, as well, and I'm pretty sure that doesn't thrill him. Take Chase & Chelsea, for example. I met them at a concert in Philly. Within the short span of an hour and a half, I invited them to our house for the annual Memorial Day pool opening party. They were very friendly college kids attending Missouri State and headed back to college that weekend, but they were coming home to Philly in time for my party, a...

My hat goes off to all of you single moms out there. I single-mom-it a few times a year and there are a few observations that I make each time Chris goes away, and this time was no exception. There are pros and cons, but I think the cons win, meaning I lose because there are way more negatives on the list. Dinner is much simpler (tacos and fruit salad tonight - and loved by all) The house is neater and quieter I am even MORE tired than normal since I did all the running so far this weekend I miss my husband and son so much it actually hurts I had to do almost all of the doggy duty solo My fuse is much shorter than usual Gracie was more skittish at bedtime than usual (probably because of my short fuse) I got less housework/yard-work done on such a beautiful day Gracie was sad that her daddy missed her awesome softball hit to right field I overcompensate on treats while shopping to make up for the softball disappointment I am going to a picnic tomorrow afternoon, with one les...

This weekend was another fantastic weekend with two celebrations - Gracie's First Holy Communion and Mother's Day. Friday night was a rat race; last minute prepping for the party on Saturday. The menu for the party was very simple, though, and (almost) gluten-free. I had been marinating flank steak in a French dressing for three days and that would be grilled on Saturday. I made a German potato salad (which turned out fantastic, recipe to follow), deviled eggs (NC's favorite), and the rest was supplied by my awesome mother (baked beans and fruit) and friend, Lisé (special raspberry salad). Chris' cousin, Haley, supplied her amazing layer cake which is pictured here - totally NOT gluten-free, so I only tasted the frosting. But she makes cakes look beautiful and taste fantastic.   The celebration was wonderful. Gracie was so happy and felt pretty in her dress. I did not finish the last stitch of her dress until Thursday night (more like Friday morning), ...

This week is one of the busiest I've had in a while. On top of an extremely busy work week, my kids have three or four "events" every day this week, and I'm knee-deep in preparing them for these events. Events include dance rehearsals, CCD, softball and baseball practice and games, school concerts, tutoring sessions, music lessons, and the grand-daddy of them all - First Holy Communion. (BTW, just typing up that list makes me tired!) My daughter is making her First Communion this weekend, and I decided a long time ago (like when she was born and I finally got the "girl") that I would make all of her dresses for such special occasions. Somewhere along the way, I must have TOLD her this, because she REMEMBERED that I wanted to do this for her. And that's why I'm up late every night working on her one-of-a-kind princess communion dress, not feeling all that holy as I prick my fingers on needles and let little curse words slip out. She has, as they say...

Chicken is one of my favorite things to eat, but boneless chicken breasts sometimes dry out. This recipe will guarantee moist juicy chicken and will please everyone in the house - even the picky eaters. My chicken looked just like this, but I didn't have a camera handy - so I shamelessly stole it from the food network. I made extra dressing and coated cubed potatoes with the dressing and baked them in oven at 400 for about 45 minutes. Together with the chicken, the potatoes were also fantastic. We also had steamed broccoli, which honestly did not make anyone excited. The rosemary is back in my garden from last year, but I'm going to plant a few more varieties. I just love to have fresh herbs available whenever I need them, and the aroma is to die for in the kitchen. Rosemary Ranch Chicken 1/2 cup olive oil 1/2 cup (gluten-free) ranch dressing 3 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary 2 teaspoons sea...

It was 5 am when I heard it. That awful alarm clock. Even though I wake each morning to my favorite sound - the beautiful music of Mumford & Sons - I really hate getting up early, especially on a day like today. I jumped in the shower and went through the motions. I washed, rinsed, and shaved. I haphazardly dried my hair only because I knew it would be two days until I could do it again. When I woke Ben, he got out of bed rather quickly, got dressed and headed to the van. He even carried our overnight bag for us. He fell asleep almost instantly as I tried to wake myself up. The drive to Philly is never fun this early in the morning, but the drive to Children's Hospital is even less fun. Ben has had chronic GI issues since birth. We've bounced around from doctor to doctor and facility to facility hoping each time that THIS was going to be the time we'd find some healing for him. No one has been able to find a solution - or worse, a cause - for his problems. And yet he ...

This was one of the best weekends I've had in a really long time. Well, mostly just Friday night, but the good time feeling lasted all weekend. It began when friends, Lisé, Lisa, John and hubby Chris, gathered to drive to Philly for dinner and a show. It's been so long since we've done this type of thing with friends and I was really excited to go. It turns out I was more excited than anyone else in the group, but knowing that did not damper the evening. I've been following the band, NeedToBreathe, for quite a while now, and got some great prices on tickets for their show at the Electric Factory in Philly. There are four people in the group, but the below sample is just the two brothers, Bear and Bo Rinehart. Their songs move me in a way that I cannot explain. I have an example I'll share later and you'll see how special they are to me. Check them out - you will not be disappointed. The first treat of the evening was when John volunteered to drive. We all agre...

Don't you love those days, ladies, when you just want to graze? Not necessarily on anything in particular, but nothing seems to satisfy? Chocolate helps some of my female friends, but I never did well with chocolate. Wine and vodka, yes, but not chocolate. Every 21 days, a little friend who's not so friendly visits me (yes, THAT friend, and yes, I said 21 days). I'm not a pleasant person the day before, and frankly I could be nicer during the whole darn period. But since I've given up gluten, the snack craze has not hit me. I spent a weekend on retreat playing music for the youth of my church and running to the bathroom every two hours. Oddly, I noticed, I was not hungry nor was a craving snacks like I usually did. This led me to a conversation with a friend who asked, "What in the world do you eat if you are not eating bread and pasta? And what about snacks?" I think back to a few weeks ago and remember how hungry I was during my initial gluten-free days. N...

Remember that game? That's me as a mom (except I really don't hit my kids with a mallet, you get the picture, though). In the ever-challenging world of parenting, I'm constantly trying to find a balance between the three kids so that they each feel equally loved and get what they need from me. Often, I am lost in that process. So I'm making a real effort to listen to my inner-voice and quiet my thoughts. But I cannot put myself first most days. It's just a part of motherhood. This post is about NC and Gracie. That's the beauty of parenting, Ben's turn is surely right around the corner. Last week, my poor sweet Gracie was sick with a stomach bug. It was the typical run-of-the-mill puke fest which kept me hopping all through the night on two consecutive evenings. This child amazes me in how predictable she is when she gets these things, but because I'm awakened in the fog of slumber I do not recognize the pattern until it is too late. Every single time....

Today presented a bit of a challenge for me since giving up gluten. I've been wanting chicken fajitas for dinner and have not made it because the wraps are off-limits for me (until I find one on the market that has a decent taste - or learn to make them!) But today, I was pressed for time since my son has baseball practice early and needed to eat, early, so I made fajitas anyway. The filling is totally gluten-free, so I put mine in a bowl with shredded lettuce and it was really good. I'm glad I didn't wait just because of the wrap. And my kids just loved it. Chicken Fajitas Olive oil 4 boneless chicken breasts, cut into strips 1 onion, thinly sliced 1 green pepper, thinly sliced and seeded 1 red pepper, thinly sliced and seeded 2 fresh jalapeno peppers, thinly sliced and seeded 4 cloves of minced garlic 1 tomato, peeled and diced 3 limes 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 2 Tablespoons chopped cilantro Salt Pepper I...