Lousy Blogger

Okay, so I suck at this. My life has become busier as a result of the surgery. I spend too much time exercising, walking, shopping, etc. to blog now. I guess that is a good thing. I mean, I know it is a good thing. Losing 166 pounds is a very good thing. I cannot believe what a difference it has made in my life. I feel 20 years younger and only wish I had done this then. But the technology and practice was not really up to par 20 years ago. Just think what improvements in health care may be made in the next 20 years. Hopefully cancer, diabetes, birth defects, and many of the other diseases we struggle with will be either gone or on the way out. In the meantime I plan on enjoying each day with the gift I have been given. I am very grateful.

Plus and Minus

plus since March 28th:

Sitting (and fitting) anywhere I want to
moving closer to the steering wheel
not needing the seat belt extension
pain-free knees (most of the time)
shopping for clothes anywhere
not ordering from catalogs only
taking back 2x jammies because they are too big
buying shoes and more shoes
getting three meals out of one eat-out dinner
butt cleavage
discovering the joys of soup
swinging (on the playground)
jeans and overalls
bubblebaths with room for bubbles and me

minus: skin

Extreme reading

These are the books I have read this summer...so far:

Elm Creek Quilts series:
The Quilter's Apprentice (Jennifer Chiaverini)
Round Robin (Jennifer Chiaverini)
The Runaway Quilt (Jennifer Chiaverini)

In The Castle of the Flynn's (Raleigh)

The Thief Lord

The Pilot's Wife

Eden Close

Harry Potter 6

Eleven on Top (Evanovich)

Boy (Dahl)

They were all enjoyable. My fav's? Potter, Flynn, Eleven, and quilts. What the heck, I don't waste my time reading a book I am not enjoying!

Life is short

Today was my last "normal" eating day before surgery. Tomorrow is full liquids and Easter Sunday is clear liquids. I went to a movie and to a Japanese restaurant to sample sushi and tempura. Sushi...yuck. I picked up chicken and hummous for my last supper. Then I got the last of my supplies at the Walgreens and picked up one of my granddaughters for a sleepover. In the midst of this day with a buddy pampering me I got a phone call from a co-worker telling me that one of our kindergarten teachers, (first year 24 yrs old) was found dead on her living room floor. How is that possible? I have no details yet, but how can any of it be possible? It kind of puts everything in a different perspective doesn't it?

Steppin' out

Monday morning March 28 at 10:30 I am taking a giant step. In 1967 I took a giant step and ended up in Haight Asbury for nine months. I was taking that step in search of myself. I didn't find myself in San Francisco (nor did I leave my heart there), but it was the first step in the journey that brought me to know myself better than I had ever before. I stepped out alone and began my adult life. It has taken me many places and through good and bad times. I married and lost a man I will always care deeply for. I gave birth to three fantastic humans, who gave me 6 fantastic grandchildren.

Now, here I am at 56 ready to take another big step toward being the person I really want to be. A healthy human who can face the rest of the world on more equal footing than I have since I was 8 or 9 year's of age. I saw my first diet doc at 8. I was never "normal" If there is any such thing. In spite of feeling the misfit all my life, I managed, with God's help and the support of my closest friends, to put together a fulfilling and useful life. I have come to cherish that life more and more as I age and now I want to prolong it as much as possible.

That leads me to this next step. I will be having Bariatric surgery in 6 days. I don't expect to ever be thin, (who knows) but I dream of being able to walk with my family, wear real jeans for the first time, wear shoes that are not of the tennis kind, sing a whole song without getting dizzy, and so many other things that I have not even thought of yet. And, contrary to the name of my blog, I will not be alone. My best friends who watched me leave for Haight-Asbury with fear and trembling, will be there with fear and trembling, maybe, but still watching my back. My sons will be there and a future daughter-in-law (whom I have already come to love). And my daughter and son-in-law will be with me in spirit from Washington State. In the days that follow, my friends and family will come to watch over me until I am back on my feet and beginning the next leg of my journey. My life in recent year's has become more and more restricted and I am grateful for this chance and for friends and family who support me in taking it. You will be hearing from me on the other side of this big step. I know it will be a hard walk, but I gladly begin with the first step.

Yikes

Got approval from my insurance today for my surgery. Yikes!! I keep bouncing back and forth on the pros and cons. I know it will not be easy...ever. But I can't imagine my life getting any better without the surgery. The increasing limitations are becoming unbearable.

Not Alone Recipes

So I lied. It was pointed out to me that I am not alone since I have a cat. Well, now I really have two cats as of two days ago. Lilifur (mostly white long hair calico) is 7 months old and Olifur (short hair Bengal) will be 2 years old tomorrow. They need me and I need them. Which is a logical basis for relationship in my book. Of course there is love involved too.

I also have a loving family circle close in proximity (or at least in heart). I have a small circle of dear friends that are like family too. So I really am not alone at all. That confession off my chest, on to a more interesting subject. This blog was not about being alone anyway. Just a place to ramble and maybe share my ramblings. I like the name of my blog though, So it stays.

In my ramblings today, I am adding a couple of recipes to my files and thought this would be the easiest way to share them.

Mom’s Favorite Brunch Casserole

6 Eggs
1 cup plain yogurt
1 cup (4 oz) shredded cheese
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup finely chopped ham
1/2 can (8 oz) pasteurized process cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly grease 12x8-inch baking dish.

2. Combine eggs and yogurt in medium bowl; beat with wire whisk until well blended. Stir in Cheddar cheese and pepper.

3. Place ham in prepared baking dish; pour egg mixture over ham. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until egg mixture is set. Use process cheese to write “MOM” or other desired message on top of casserole; let stand 2 to 3 minutes or until cheese is slightly melted.

Males 10 servings

Variation: Substitute 1 pound bulk pork sausage, browned and drained, for the ham


Polish Reuben Casserole

2 cans (10 3/4 oz each) condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 1/3 cups milk
1/2 chopped onion
1 tablespoon prepared mustard
2 cans (16 oz each) sauerkraut, rinsed and drained
1 package (8 oz) uncooked medium-width noodles
1 1/2 pounds Polish sausage, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 cups (8 oz) shredded Swiss cheese
3/4 cup whole bread crumbs
2 tablespoons butter, melted

1. Combine soup, milk, onion, and mustard in medium bowl; blend well. Spread sauerkraut into greased 13x9-inch pan. Top with uncooked noodles. Spoon soup mixture evenly over noodles; cover with sausage. Top with cheese. Combine bread crumbs and butter in small bowl; sprinkle over casserole.

2. Cover pan tightly with foil. Bake in preheated 350 F oven 1 hour or until noodles are tender. Garnish as desired.

Makes 8-10 servings

ENJOY