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