The Last Drop of Summer

Well, I had all intentions of finishing that recipe series before returning to school, but we just got too busy trying to squeeze out as much fun and relaxation as we could this last month before starting school. Every last drop of summer, every last drop of sunlight, every last swim in the pool, ride on the 4wheelers, etc. You get the idea. And the day has finally arrived. Today is the FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL! I love the first day of school. All those brand new pencils, papers, notebooks, calendars, new boxes of crayons, markers, scissors, book bags, lunchboxes, uniforms, etc. Oh, the essence of order and purpose! It's like a new beginning. A chance to make new friends, catch up with old friends, start a fresh with a new teacher, learn new things. Wow! The possibilities are endless! So, we are off for that purpose today. A new school year has begun and we are excited to see the wonderful things God has in store for our family. Good-bye Summer, see you next year...

Happy 4th of July!!!

Happy July 4th!

I can't believe how fast summer is flying by... and we sure are having a lot of fun! I could use another 2 months of summer, but unfortunately, we go back to school in 1 month. So we are gonna make the best of it. For those faithful readers out there, sorry I haven't had much new in the past weeks. The garden has come in and we have been busy, since Father's day, putting up everything from butter beans, cream corn, snap beans, squash, tomatoes and pickles. I made pickles for the first time this year and they turned out great! They are called lime pickles (no they don't taste like lime). They are sweetie's favorite and he is so proud of those pickles! We even took a jar to his grandparent's and parent's last night - so I know they must be good! The last thing to come from the garden will be peas. That's next week. Sweetie has been building a deck around the pool, putting up light poles and all kinds of work around the house. So I decided we needed a weekend away - no kids, no chores, no projects, just relaxing and fun! So we are off to Charleston for the weekend! Relaxing by the pool, do some outlet shopping, see the fireworks at Patriot Point...Yeah! I can't wait! Hopefully next week, things will slow back down and I can finish blogging on my Recipe Stuff before school starts back. Hope ya'll are having a fun summer too! Bye!

Schmoopy Wood Giveaway!!!

This is a great blog - from a very witty lady. She makes goat's milk soaps and is having a giveaway of free soap. All you need to do, is go to her blog and enter a comment to be given a chance to win! Hurry! The contest ends at midnight on 6/25. Don't miss out! Blog link below.

http://shmoopywood.blogspot.com/2009/06/shmoopywood-give-away.html

Recipe Management

If you are anything like me, you have more cookbooks, recipe cards from friends, scrap pieces of paper with recipes scribbled on them, cutout recipes from magazines and maybe even your inbox has a folder labeled recipes (okay, maybe that is just me!) With all good intentions, you are striving to give your family new and exciting things to eat, some variety and somehow renew your interest in cooking by doing some adventurous recipes. But with all of this well intended trying, you are drowning in your meal planning... always struggling to have food in the pantry that amounts to a well balanced meal, running by the grocery store everyday (my biggest pet peeve!) and in a moment of desperation... just order pizza, AGAIN!


Never fear.... help is here!!! No matter your style of cooking, southern, Mexican, prepared foods, cooking from scratch.... you can have a system that works for your family. My best secret is to simplify, SIMPLIFY, SIMPLIFY!

1. Simplify your planning to the 10 meals your family likes best. For my family this would include meals like chicken and dumplings, chicken pot pie, sloppy joes, spaghetti, shepherds pie, grilled pork chops, roast with vegetables, cooked ham with sides, cubed steak with mashed potatoes, chicken parmesan, beef vegetable soup.


2. Important tips for choosing your meals: Tip #1: Your crock pot is your very best friend! Buy one, love one, use one weekly! Plan at least 1/3 of your meals to utilize your crock pot in some way. Once you take the time to learn how to use it, your cooking time will go much faster. From the list of meals I mentioned above, the following will work with a crock pot - chicken and dumplings, beginnings of chicken pot pie, sloppy joes, spaghetti, roast, ham, chicken parmesan and beef vegetable soup. As you can see, I love my crock pots! Yes, that was plural, I have 3! Tip #2: Always plan your meals so that you can cook once and make two meals. Example: Yesterday I was making chicken and dumplings, so I loaded up 2 crock pots with whole cut up fryer chickens, seasonings, and let them cook all day long. In the afternoon, I de-boned all the chicken and saved half of it for chicken pot pie later the next week (just freeze it). I also saved the chicken broth from one of the crock pots to go in a soup the next week. I used the other half of my chicken and broth to finish up my chicken and dumplings right there in the crock pot, or you could do it on the stove. See, I cooked once and will already have 2 other meals started for later. The same is true for sloppy joes, spaghetti and shepherds pie. I will brown all of my ground beef at one time, and usually make sloppy joes (from scratch) and spaghetti (from scratch) all on the same day. Those two meals can be put in the crock pot to simmer all day and put up the leftover in the freezer for the next week.


3. Cook the same set of meals every two weeks. Depending on how many nights a week you cook (maybe your church has dinner Wednesday night, or you always eat out on Sunday), choose enough meals to last you 2 weeks, then repeat these meals every two weeks. Yes, that might sound boring. Yet in reality, you are only eating the same thing twice a month. You probably already do that with a few meals anyway.


4. Save your shopping list. Once I have my 10 meals, I enter the ingredients I will need for those meals in my shopping list program and save the list. (www.homeplansoftware.com/shoplist.htm). This way, I will know how much money I am spending on my meals, plus I will already have a pre-made list of common ingredients for these meals.


5. Variety is the spice of life. I usually try to incorporate 1-2 new meals each month into my regular set of 10. If my family absolutely loves one of the new meals, then I will exchange one on the list for the new recipe. Otherwise, my meal planning stays pretty consistent and simple, once my system is in place.

Today, I talked mostly about the main course. In the next post, I'll give you some of my recipes and talk a little about how to put together a well balanced meal. I truly hope you are enjoying these post. Please leave me some feed back if you are enjoying the post or if I can explain something in a better way. You do not need to have an account to leave a comment. Just choose anonymous and when you finish typing, write your name at the bottom of your comment.

Bon Jour!

Grocery Shopping 101

It seems in this time of recession, where everyone wants to save money and make their dollar stretch farther, that a few tips in the grocery shopping/ meal planning area would be in order. Some of my friends have said of me, that I can stretch a dollar farther than anyone they know. I'm not so sure that I'm that great at it... but there have been occasions when I had more time than money, therefore leading to some creative ways to be more frugal with the few dollars I did have. I thought I would share some of those ideas with you, in hopes that they might be helpful. Thank you, Mrs. Margaret, for requesting some of my "stretch a dollar" tips. It has helped me to reevaluate my dollars & sense in prepping for this series of blogs. In the following blogs on this topic, I hope to cover topics such as creating a shopping list, recipe management, feeding your family on a budget and no stress grocery trips!

Make a List and Stick to Your Budget!

I know, I know... you hate making a grocery list... but there is not better way to stay within your budget of grocery/household funds than to do just that. I like to keep a small magnetic pad on my refrigerator where I can jot down the items I need as I run out of them in the kitchen. That helps me with the bulk of items that I might not think about when shopping for groceries. On your grocery list, you should have all those miscellaneous household items; toilet paper, cleaning products, etc. and your miscellaneous food items; ketchup, mayo, salt, pepper, etc. and last but not least the items you need for your recipes. Yes, that means that you need to plan ahead! (stay tuned for menu planning!) So, just get out some paper and pencil and start that list. Try your best to stick to that list within $10-15. I usually give myself a little wiggle room in my final total to pick up an occasional splurge item, or maybe 1-2 things I forgot to add to my list. By planning ahead, there won't be so many surprises at the checkout. " I can't believe it's that much.... What did I buy?" I know you have thought that, I have too. By shopping with a list and sticking closely to it, you can eliminate "Checkout Shock!" HAHA!!

What better way to have fun making a list, then with a fun program! Many years ago, I began keeping a small spiral notebook with all of the items I purchased on a regular basis, written on categorized pages with prices next to them, a price book, per say. That way, when I made my list, I could also pre-total my amount and avoid Checkout Shock. First, start saving all of those grocery shopping receipts. When you get home, enter the amount for each item in your price book or into this program. This might sound tedious, but within 1 months time, you will have purchased all of the items you routinely use, and that tedious work will be over. And best of all, this little program is FREE! I researched several programs before recommending this one. All of the other programs were free trial, then you had to buy, and many of them had lots of other components I didn't need, plus most of them did not have the price feature - which I think is extremely important when making a list. It does come with some pre-entered items, categories and prices. However, this is all changeable at your discretion. So download this program, drag out all those receipts and get busy entering all those prices. You will be step closer to being a better manager of your grocery budget!!

http://www.homeplansoftware.com/shoplist.htm

Emory Update

I apologize for the delay of this update. I have been without Internet access for almost a week. But now, I am up and running. First of all, I must say that I was totally impressed when we visited Emory Heart Failure Therapy Clinic last week. We, meaning my mother and my boyfriend, Dale (otherwise known as "sweetie"). We spent 2 1/2 hours with the doctors - yes, plural- doctors. First there was the cardiac nurse - who honestly knew as much if not more than my regular doctor in Savannah. Next there was an intern, who already had M.D., and Ph.D, behind his name and he said he was still studying medicine for another 2 years and then 4 years in a specialty like heart failure. He had already been in school 8 years. Finally Dr. Laskar came in to see me. He had more initials after his name that I didn't even know what they all meant and I surely wasn't going to embarrass myself and ask! He even had his initials embroidered on his coat sleeve! (Sweetie noticed this.) Nonetheless, he also checked me over and ran me through a thorough exam and questionnaire all on his own.

The doctor suggested that I double my dosage of Coreg (not too happy about this because of the side effects) and that we wait 3-6 months to see if it will improve my heart function. If we see some improvement in 3 months, we will keep waiting for another 3 months to see how much it will improve my heart function. If there is no improvement after 3 months, we will go ahead and schedule to have a pacemaker/defibrillator put in. My EF goal is around 40%. So, we will wait a little while longer.

It made me feel really great that Dr. Laskar didn't contradict anything my Cardiologist in Savannah had said. Dr. Laskar even commented that my medicine cocktail and information I knew, was right in line with his proposed course of treatment for me. I just love my doctors!

So, we wait... at least a few more months. I am hopeful that the Coreg will improve my EF and we can forgo the pacemaker/defibrillator for a while. Nothing like having electrical stuff implanted in you at the ripe old age of 32! Woo-Hoo!

Feel free to ask questions in the comments sections if I forgot to tell something you wanted to know.

First Beach Day of the Summer

We had such a wonderful day at the beach! Oh, how I love the spring!!! Sand, Surf and Sun!!!

Emory University Hospital

Well, it seems I've stirred up a lot of interest since I mentioned Emory University in some of my comments on facebook, etc... so I thought I would catch you up on the newest information and refresh the old details for those who are just catching up.

Recent details: I am leaving on June 4 and will be seen June 5th at Emory Clinic for Heart Failure and Heart Transplant. I will be evaluated for a BiV Defibrillator/Pacemaker. It will be implanted as early as this summer.
See http://mycrazylife-mommy2alj.blogspot.com/2009/05/cardiac-resynchronization-therapy.html for more information on this procedure.

For information about my diagnosed condition, please see: http://mycrazylife-mommy2alj.blogspot.com/2009/03/long-overdue-update.html

Thanks for all your prayer and questions... I appreciate them all!

Graduation Night

Graduation Night for JA!

My little family - Abigail, JA, Laura and Me!

My Mom and Mickey with JA

JA with his Papa Tom ( above left) and his Great-grandmother, Hazel (above right)

JA with Big sis Abigail (left)

My little man graduated from Kindergarten last night and it was awesome. He is growing up so quickly and is so handsome! Oh, I love him so much... yes, I love his sister's just as much... He's just my little man and very dear to my heart. I think his sister's feel the same way. They love their little bro!

~Congratulations JA~

My Smart Little JA

My son, JA (pronounced like the name Jay) just did the most amazing thing tonight. Well, I as his mother, thinks it's pretty amazing if you ask me! So I thought I would brag on him.

I have so enjoyed having a boy as my youngest child. After having 2 girls, I love seeing how God made his brain and body to be so different than the girls. Albeit my children are all very much alike in their loud mouth, very independent, no nonsense approach to life - my son definitely thinks things through differently than the girls.
Okay, on to what he did that I think is so cool. Friday night, we won a HUGE family night game box with all assortments of games, popcorn, bowls, a blanket and lots of goodies from a silent auction at their school. So bright and early this morning he begins to play with a game called Jenga. He didn't ask for instructions on how to play, but sat down in the living room and proceeded to do a fine job of removing the pieces, placing them on top and continuing until the structure eventually fell. Later this morning, when I asked him to please put the game away, I hesitated, wanting to tell him the quickest and easiest way to put it away (just reassemble the game, as if you were going to play it, and slide the container over the top of it, turn it right side up and put the lid on). After all he is only 6 years old and I wasn't sure if he would get frustrated trying to dump all the pieces into that little tin.

So, in my hesitation, I decided to go about my chore and check on him later. I wanted to see if he could figure out how to get it put away properly. Low and behold - to my surprise, I walked in a few minutes later, he handed me the game, perfectly assembled in the box. I smiled a proud mama smile and asked, "JA, how did you get it all back in so quickly and correctly?" He said, " I turned the lid upside down and stacked all the pieces on top, then I slid the tin over the tower and shut the lid."


That might not sound like a big deal, but I was so proud of his ingenuity! He figured it out all by himself! I just love the way God made our brains, even children. It shows that we don't have to teach them everything, but being a teacher, it's hard to get out of that mode and let them learn it for themselves sometimes. God gave them a wonderful mind too! I hope that I hesitate more often and allow my children to figure it out more for themselves. More proud mama moments would surely come!

Echolocation - My Daughter's Favorite Bat Song

This is my daughter's newest favorite song! Her teacher, Mrs. Law, has been teaching them about owls and bats. It never ceases to amaze me what an awesome memory Laura has. She has spent countless evenings recounting every detail of all the different kinds of bats and owls. Bats that have hair, bats that are big, bats that are small, how bats use echolocation. She even has a cute bat mask she made in school, that she sports where ever I will let her! haha!

I hope you enjoy the following video. It's the new favorite dance song in our house... echo...echo!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mwoOyOleGc&feature=related

Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy

I have had some recent developments with my congestive heart failure and the course of treatment is still in the early stages. Since diagnosis in November 2008, there has been 2 major episodes of fluid build up around my heart. My doctor has quadrupled the amount of lasiks I take everyday and added Digoxin to my daily regimen. At my most recent appointment, my doctor suggested that I go ahead and have a defibrillator/pacemaker implanted fairly soon. (As soon as the $$ is available) I was not quite ready to hear that actually, because when he diagnosed me 6 months ago, he felt as though that device wouldn't be needed for years. I guess I am progressing faster than we initially thought.

The following is some information about a possible implant that I will be getting sometime in the next few months. I'll post later about the specific device we choose, surgery times and next course of treatment.

Until then.... happy reading.

What Is a Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Device?

If your heart is not beating efficiently and you meet the eligibility criteria,

you may be eligible for a cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) heart device.
A CRT device sends small, undetectable electrical impulses to both lower chambers of the heart to help them beat together in a more synchronized pattern.

This improves the heart's ability to pump blood and oxygen to the body.
The heart device itself is actually a tiny computer, plus a battery, contained in a small titanium metal case that is about the size of a pocket watch. It weighs about 3 ounces.

A cardiac resynchronization therapy device is designed to treat heart failure
In addition to the heart device, insulated wires called leads are implanted for two purposes: to carry information signals from your heart to the heart device, and to carry electrical impulses to your heart.

The third part of your implantable device system is a programmer, an external computer located in your doctor's office or clinic that is used to program the heart device and retrieve information from your heart device that will assist your doctor in your heart failure treatment.
There are two types of implantable heart failure heart devices: a CRT pacemaker and a combination CRT pacemaker with defibrillation therapy. Both of these devices help to coordinate the heart's pumping action and improve blood flow. They can also speed up a heart that is beating too slowly.

The CRT pacemaker with defibrillation therapy (CRT-D) also offers the ability to detect and treat dangerously fast heart rhythms, which some individuals with a damaged heart muscle may be at risk for developing. Your doctor will determine which CRT device is appropriate for your medical condition.

HGTV Teen Host - Abigail West

Clutter, Clutter Everywhere!

Never Ending Clutter!

Help, I'm drowning....

Take a minute to CHILL....

Ahhh... Progress... finally...

And for the grand finale.... we present

Teen Room Makeover

Starring Abigail West!!!

Starring... Abigail West

Videographer... Mom

Annoying Sibling... JA

Thanks to the Awesome Painter ... Dale

More thanks to the Awesome Organizer and Decorator - Meme

Special thanks to Megan, Nana, and Aunt Kim

for the wonderful decorations and bedding.

Spring Break Fun

We had a wonderful spring break and it's only half over... we have spent a day having a picnic in the park and playing, then spent a day with family and friends playing ball and having a cookout.

The rest of the week is for cleaning out, doing some decluttering and redoing my Abigail's bedroom - painting and new decorations. Stay tuned for HGTV... My Crazy Life Style.

Now, that's attractive, Laura!!

Did you know sticking your tongue out helps you run so much faster?

Here we go round the mulberry bush, the mulberry bush....

Play Ball....

And she stands ready to hit a home run....

Long-Tall-Sally.... strikes a pose!

Cute sisters!

Thanks big sister for helping me get my stance just right.

Can we say future model?

Well, what can I say... he's 6 years old.

Easter Fun!

Laura had such a great time today during their Easter Celebration Party. Mrs. Dickerson, their room-mom, planned a wonderful craft, lots of fun food and games. Laura was hopping her bunny around all afternoon!
JA had a fun time making a suncatcher with bits of tissue and a black outline overlay. He is so cute, he was paying such intense attention when he was laying out those pieces of tissue.

And here is my sweet Abigail(right) along with her friend, Meranda. They did an egg drop race today and got egg on them thoroughly.

Here are all my little chickadees! That's Julie in the middle with all the little one's we teach, after they hunted eggs. I look forward to some fun with family and friends during spring break!

Redneck Fun!!!

Dale's favorite truck of the night

This Saturday, Dale and I went to watch his niece, Kerrigan, play in a softball tournament. Wow! I was so impressed at how well all of those girls played, especially Kerrigan. They played 4 games that day and it was exciting right down to the end. It was a most wonderful spring day! A nice break from all of the rain we've had lately. I can't remember a nicer day - sunny, cool, breezy - a perfect SPRING DAY!!!

Sweet Kerrigan

And as if we didn't have enough fun hanging out with family and watching softball all day (11am-7 pm).... we were on the way home and what did we pass, but a good ole' redneck Drag Race!!! YEE-HAW!!! We drove by and said "Sure, let's go watch some racin'!" I must say it was my first drag race and it was so much fun! We can't wait to take the kids back one weekend so they can see it! The boys, I know, would absolutely love it! Dale and I had a wonderful time, and even ran into a few folks we knew. What an absolutely great end to a fun day? And to top it all off - D and I went mud boggin' today - and got stuck! haha! I'd have some pictures but I was to busy helping him push, drive and get us out of the mud... needless to say - we had to do some washing of the old boots when we were done... lol! I just love being in the country!