Day one of our "staycation" was pajama and movie day. Of the six movies we rented for the day, we made it through four of them on day one. Without formally consulting Joe, I would say we rate the movies we watched as follows: Monsters vs. Aliens - 2 thumbs up; The Proposal - 2 "ehs" (my made up rating for a mediocre, "eh," kind of movie; Year One - 2 THUMBS DOWN; and Adventureland - 1 thumb up (Joe) and 1 thumb down (me.) To be fair, we watched Adventureland as we were going to sleep, and it just seemed to drag on and on to me.
Day two we did some shopping, ran some errands, visited Berry Patch Farms, and went out for a late lunch/early dinner, then met up with Joe's friend Tom at the Irish Snug. At Berry Patch Farms, we bought some apples, Pablano peppers, two small pumpkins, and two gourds. They offer a hayride/tour, which we chose not to do. We had fun taking in the mountains, the people, the chickens and roosters, and the produce. Tom owns a tour bus and travels all over the country taking bands to various destinations for gigs. Usually when he rolls through town we don't get to see him because he has to sleep, but he was here for several days in a row this time, so we were able to hang out a little bit. It was wonderful to see him!
Some pictures from Berry Patch Farms:
Joe in front of the scenic display set up for us city folk. .
A feathered friend. The chickens and roosters didn't even chase people!
There are beautiful mountains in the background, but we failed to catch them in our "do-it-yourself" photo. The barn is to our right behind us.
At my urging, Joe struck a "Vanna-esque" pose as he gestured to some of the many pumpkins and gourds for sale.
Wow, it has been a long time since my last blog. Sorry about that, but time flies when you're finishing a graduate degree and then spending time NOT working on a graduate degree. :)
Tonight is the beginning of Lowry "Staycation" 2009. We're very trendy! Actually, we wanted to get away, but it was more fiscally responsible to stay close to home, so here we are, ready for some down time.
Following my "More to Love" rant, I offer some happier news: on August 14, 2009, I will walk in my graduation ceremony to receive my Master's Degree. Hooray! I will be DONE. I am very excited and completely exhausted from working on my Capstone this summer, but 3 MORE WEEKS! Woo-hoo!
Tonight, Joe and I saw a preview for a show called "More to Love." You can see what it is about here: http://www.fox.com/moretolove/. I am appalled at the premise of the show, for a few reasons. They tout the concept that these women are "a group of real women" and that they want "to prove that love comes in all shapes and sizes." Fine. I believe that. Love shouldn't be based on outer beauty, but what is within. But the very title, "More to Love," is derogatory and indicates that at least one person, (whoever titled the show,) thinks there is a lot to these "real women." The bachelor on the show, (it's created by the same guy who created "The Bachelor,") is on the preview saying something about how he likes women of bigger sizes. That's not how he phrased is, but that's the point you get from the snippet. If this man and these women want to be on the show, great. I guess when it boils down to it, my entire issue is, why aren't these "More to Love," "real women" given a shot on "The Bachelor?" Would they not fit in? Would they feel self-conscious? Don't they deserve a shot? Isn't there a chance that a man who does not have a predilection for bigger women fall in love with one of them? And who should I be more frustrated with, the creators of this show or the women who agreed to do it - do they believe they aren't pretty enough or nice enough for "The Bachelor" to love them? (And it's not like all of those women are pretty or nice. But generally, they are very, very little.) Looking at the pictures on the website, some of the women are bigger, some are very average sized, and the guy himself is on the bigger side. I'm just disappointed in society. It is segregation, is it not? I hoped we were past that. Ugh.
I've been emailing some recipes to people and thought I'd share them here. They are not my own, and I've cited where each is from at the end of the recipes.
Baked Ravioli
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
Salt and pepper
1.5 teaspoons dried thyme or oregano
1 can (28 ounces) whole tomatoes
1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
2 pounds ravioli
1.5 cups shredded mozzarella
.5 cup grated Parmesan
Preheat the over to 425ºF.Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.Add the onion and the garlic, and season with salt and pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes.Add the thyme (or oregano) and tomatoes.Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, breaking up the tomatoes with a spoon, until the sauce is thickened and reduced to about 5 and ½ cups, 20 to 25 minutes.
Meanwhile, cook the ravioli in a large pot of boiling water just until they float to the top (the pasta will continue to cook in the oven).Drain the pasta; return to the pot.
Toss the sauce with the pasta.Pour the pasta into a large gratin dish or 9-by-13-inch baking dish, and sprinkle with the cheeses.Bake until golden, 20 to 25 minutes.Cool slightly before serving.
--From Everyday Food: Great Food Fast, 2007, page 313
nonstick vegetable oil spray
3/4 cup chopped onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon ground cumin
4 cups canned vegetable broth (I've used chicken broth and chicken or vegetable bouillon cubes to prepare the broth, as well. The only thing is that if you use the chicken broth, it's not really "vegetarian" any more.)
4 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
4 6-inch corn tortillas, cut into 1/2-inch-wide strips
1 and 1/2 cups chopped tomatoes
2/3 cup canned black beans or pinto beans, drained, rinsed (I've always used black beans, just because I like them better.)
2/3 cup chopped zucchini
1 and 1/2 tablespoons minced seeded jalapeno chili (This is more for flavor than anything else, I think. It doesn't make the soup unbearably hot or anything.)
Spray large nonstick saucepan with nonstick spray. Add onion and garlic; cover and cook over medium-low heat until almost tender, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, cumin and chili powder. Add broth and 2 tablespoons cilantro; bring to boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until flavors blend, 15 minutes. (Can be made 1 day ahead; chill. Bring to simmer before continuing.)
Add tortillas, tomatoes, beans, zucchini and jalapeno to soup. Cover; simmer until zucchini is tender, about 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Ladle soup into bowls. Sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons of cilantro and serve.
Prep: 10 minutes (I think it takes more like 20-30 minutes because of the chopping.)
Slow-Cook: 4 hours on HIGH or 6 hours on LOW
1 large onion, cut into 1-inch pieces(I think I’ve used white, yellow, and red onions for this.)
1 pound boneless beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes(I’ve used round steak and it is very tasty, as well.)
1 tablespoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon salt
3 medium-sized carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
2 large celery stalks, cut into 1-inch slices
1 large beef bouillon cube
2 cups water
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
¼ cup raisins (I have NEVER used raisins.It is delicious without them.)
¼ teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons cornstarch
Cooked egg noodles (optional)(I always make this with the egg noodles.)
1) Layer onions, beef, ginger, salt, carrots, and celery in slow cooker bowl.Add bouillon cube, water, vinegar, and raisins, (if adding raisins.)Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 6 hours until beef is very tender.
2) Remove cover and stir in black pepper.Using a ladle, remove 3 tablespoons of liquid from slow cooker and place in a small bowl.Whisk in cornstarch.Pour cornstarch mixture into slow cooker; whisk to combine.Stir until liquid has thickened.Serve with noodles, if desired.
Per Serving (With Original Ingredients): 250 calories; 5 g fat (2 g sat); 27 g protein; 24 g carbohydrates; 3 g fiber; 653 mg sodium; 50 mg cholesterol
--Recipe from Family Circle, September 2008, page 202
I stumbled across this blog: http://themcclenahans.blogspot.com/, through one of my friends on Facebook. WARNING, it is very sad. I later found out that the members of this family are the good friends of the sister of a good friend of mine. (I'm sorry that is so convoluted, but I'm trying to protect people's privacy, since they're not people I usually mention on here.) Anyway, I thought about and prayed for this family as I read through their story, and saw my former Wichita life through parts of their experience.
My friend Craig posted this on his blog, and though he didn't "tag" me, he did mention in one of the questions that I might be likely to fill it out, so as not to disappoint, here are my answers:
1. Do you like blue cheese? Yes, in small quantities. 2. Have you ever smoked cigarettes? Not in quite a while, but yes. 3. Do you own a gun? No, but I'd really like to learn to shoot. (But I still don't think I'd like to own a gun. I'd like to rent one from a shooting range or borrow one from the shooting range or something along those lines.) 4. What flavor of Kool Aid was your favorite? Lime or Cherry. 5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Yes, sometimes so much so that it messes with my blood pressure. That doesn't happen much now that I have a doctor I fairly trust. 6. What do you think of hot dogs? Yummy! 7. Favorite Christmas movie? It's a Wonderful Life. 8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Coffee with creamer. 9. Can you do push ups? Yes, but I can only do like 2 "real" push ups. I can do more of the "girly" kind, on my knees. 10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? My engagement ring and my cross necklace. And my wedding ring. And my pearl necklace. And my two rings from James Avery. (I don't even wear that much jewelry, but I have a lot of favorites, apparently.) (And for some reason, that answer won't un-bold, but this little note will. Hmm.) 11. Your favorite hobby? Being with family and friends. Reading. 12. Do you have A.D.D.? Nope. 13. What's one trait you hate about yourself? Lack of self-control. (And I would say I'm very frustrated about it. I try not to hate myself.) 14. Middle name? Anne 15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? 1.) I need to do homework. 2.) I need to do lesson plans. 3.) My head hurts. 16. Current hate right now? My cold. 17. Favorite place to be? Home, particularly GC home with Joe. 18. How did you bring in the New Year? I drank champagne with Joe and my Mom. 19. Where would you like to go? The beach. Ireland. Prince Edward Island. 20. Name three people who will complete this? Joe, Betsy, and Craig. (Craig already did!) 21. Do you own slippers? Yes, two pairs. I'm wearing one pair now. 22. What shirt are you wearing? A K-State sweatshirt. 23. Do you like sleeping on satin? I've never slept on satin, but I'm going to say no. I like cotton sheets. 24. Can you whistle? Yes. 25. Would you be a pirate?Probably not. Too dirty. 26. What songs do you sing in the shower? Usually whatever is on Joe's alarm when we wake up. 27. Favorite girl's name? I don't know. Ask me when I have a daughter. 28. Favorite boy's name? See #27 and change "daughter" to "son." 29. What's in your pocket right now? Nada. 30. Last thing that made you laugh? Tickles. 31. Best bed sheets as a child? Blue sheets with Mickey, Minnie, and the whole Disney crew! I still have them. I wish they were queen-sized because I'd love to use them again. 32. Worst injury you've ever had? This dumb abdominal muscle-y thingy. 33. Do you love where you live? It'll do for now. 34. How many TVs do you have in your house? Two. 35. Who is your loudest friend? Susan, a work friend. 36. How many dogs do you have? 0. 37. Does someone have a crush on you? I hope my husband does! 38. What is your favorite book? Well, The Bible. Coming Home, Doctors, and many more. 39. What is your favorite candy? M & Ms. 40. Favorite Sports Team? I've loved the Padres and the Astros and the Rockies are growing on me. 41. What song do you want played at your funeral? "Peace" by Rich Mullins
Today I had an appointment with my OB/GYN, who, conveniently, used to work in a pelvic pain clinic. (I didn't know this until today, but praise to God for putting her in my life.) We discussed the recent history of the abdominal pain, and then she did a physical exam. I'll not give you too many details about that except to say that at the beginning, she had me to a half crunch while she pushed first on the left and then on the right side of my abdomen, and I got tears in my eyes, said "ow" too loudly, and about jumped off the exam table when she did it on the right side. Her opinion is that the pain is in my rectus muscle. She said it is a common occurence that could have happened at any time, even just while doing something like lifting/carrying a laundry basket. She said recovery time is a minimum of 6 weeks from today, and recommended icing it and taking ibuprofen. So, for now, that seems to be the deal. I do have a colonoscopy and EGD scheduled, and I'm going to ask my primary care doctor if she thinks I should go ahead and do those, plus consider if I really want to do them, if they would give me peace of mind just to know, (as much as any of us can, anyway,) that it really is the muscle.
Thank you for all of your continued prayers and support. God is faithful, and He puts faithful people in our lives, which I can never be thankful enough for.
I wish there was more to tell you, but the update on the abdominal pain is that it is most likely not: kidney stones, gall stones, an ovarian cyst, a tubal pregnancy, or anything, (like appendicitis,) that is causing my white count to be out of whack. I've had urine tests, blood tests, physical exams, and two ultrasounds, all of which have been normal. Yet, I continue to have pain.
So, this week I have an appointment when my OB/GYN to get a second opinion about what it could be. Also, after emailing my doctor today, she ordered a colonoscopy and an EGD, which will scope my stomach. Beyond that, I don't know, but we're going to figure it out. My doctor has been great in listening not only to what my physical symptoms are but how I feel about the whole thing, and has not made me feel like a hypochondriac.
The pain is less some days and worse on others. On Thursday and Friday I thought it might be gone, but even when it's barely there, I still have twinges. On other days, it is very definitely still there.
Thank you for your prayers and your thoughts. They help a lot in so many ways.
For those of you who we saw over the holidays, you know that I was having some abdominal pain. It's still there, and it is in my lower back, as well. I've been to the doctor, had some tests run, and have some ultrasounds scheduled for next week. The doctor thinks it's one of about 5 things: ovarian cysts, kidney stones, gall stones, scar tissue, or endometriosis. None are too serious, except for endometriosis, which can be, but isn't always. A remote possibility is appendix pain, but I'm not feverish or vomiting and my white count is normal. Scar tissue and endometriosis can only be definitely diagnosed by exploratory surgery, while the other things can be diagnosed by ultrasound and other tests.
If you would, please pray that we figure out what is causing this pain. It is interfering with my ability to do everything, including work, and I just want to know what is going on. This is the third time in a little over a year that I've had serious abdominal pain, and not only is it frustrating, it is a little scary, as well. (Just so you know, the doctor did say she is not concerned about cancer, because that would have shown up on the CT scan they did this past summer; however, I'm still a little scared.) I pray everyday that I'll be diagnosed correctly and that I'll trust God, no matter what.
I was in Best Buy this weekend, and I noticed a sign about a scholarship that teenagers could apply for through Best Buy. I read the sign and started thinking about when I was eligible for scholarships, the application process, etc. I remember how funny/strange I thought it was that when people donated money for a scholarship, they could specify the qualifications of who it went to, things like: "must be a descendant of Irish-Americans in Kansas" or "must be of Latin descent with an interest in pursuing photography as a career."
Anyway, I was thinking about this in Best Buy, and I thought, "Why don't adults get scholarships?" Scholarships apart from adults in school, I mean. Maybe the name would have to be changed from scholarships, (since that indicates school,) to "liferships" or "experienceships." (I'm not good at naming things - any suggestions?)
If I have a ton of money one day, perhaps I will invent on of these "ships," and I will dictate who it will go to. I can think of a million good reasons people might need a little extra money: pay off debt, go on vacation, get a massage, buy a new car, go see someone he/she loves . . . the list goes on and on.
A friend of mine in Houston used to take part in these groups, (I can't remember what they're called,) in which everyone put in a certain amount of money so many times per year, totaling up to some certain amount, and then they took turns getting the money. It made me nervous, but if you could depend on the people, wouldn't it be worth putting in X amount of money each time to get X amount of money once a year? Maybe not, but I think the spirit of what I mean may be there.
Joe in front of the scenic display set up for us city folk.
A feathered friend. The chickens and roosters didn't even chase people!
