Proud for America's Military

So proud of our men and women and canines in the military-----you make America Proud!!!

Pray for the South

I'm sure everyone has heard how devistating the storms were that tore through the south a few days ago. Our neighborhood was lucky. They were tracking the tornados literally by streets this time and one came a few blocks close to our house,but either dissipated or jumped over us. We were lucky. We have gone into our "safe room" (bathroom) several times for storms,but this is the first time we've actually gotten in the bathtub. We were outwardly calm for my son,but inside we were terrified. This was a little too close for comfort. And seeing the devistation these massive storms produced made me wonder just how SAFE our "safe room" would have been had we been hit. So many lives lost,so many homes destroyed,it's hard to imagine where to begin with the clean up or rebuilding efforts. I mean what will they do with all of the debris? I wonder about things like that-I mean it's going to be so much-entire neighborhoods/subdivisions were flattened. It makes you realize what's really important in your life---your family. Hopefully,everyone will get the help they need to start their lives over.

WICKED WEATHER............

I love spring time-all the flowers and trees blooming again, all the little squirrels out again--but hate the storms. And this April has been a wicked weather month for sure. To say I hate stormy weather is an understatement. I lived in causeyville/long creek when the tornado came through that hit the middle school and then a few months later another came through with Hurricane Andrew.The first storm came in the middle of the night and just hop-scotched through our neighborhood. Luckily for us,our trucks were the only things that were damaged (scratched up by flying debris). After we got dressed in the pitch black darkness, we decided that we didn't want to stay in the house-we were going to an inlaw's house (safety in numbers). Once we got out into our driveway it was like a war-zone. Houses and debris were all over the road.We were very lucky. Neighbors all around us lost their homes or had damaged roofs. It's the storm that whisked a new baby out of it's home. They thought for sure the baby was a gonner as they searched for him. Luckily they found him hanging by his PJs in a tree. They called him the "Timex Baby"-takes a lickin' but keeps on tickin'--I think they even did a timex ad with him. That was a few houses over from us.My sister's husband and the older boys helped to get a neighbor out of her house and helped to remove some trees off the road. What would have normally taken about a 15 minute drive took over an hour. Every road we went down had something blocking the way. We slept at the neighbor's house for the rest of the night. The 2nd tornado actually tore part of the roof off our house right above my bedroom. My nerves were shot! For a while,any storm that came through sent me into a panic. I'm not as ansy now,but really bad weather (tornadic storms) still rattle my nerves. This morning I was awakened by very high winds (70-80mph+) that blew for about 30 mins. You could hear the trees swaying and the branches creeking. Luckily it was just a thunderstorm with high winds and not a tornado. Some trees were blown down and some areas of town were w/o power for a while this morning. Some schools in neighboring counties closed. We are supposed to get another round of bad weather later this afternoon-just what I need LOL. Hopefully it won't be bad and I will be able to make it to a manicure appointment. I need a little relaxation.

The disaster in Japan......

I didn't really think the disaster in Japan would affect me personally--aside from the heartbreak for the Japanese people. I remembered seeing that one of my medications (dexilant-for reflux) had JAPAN on the bottle. So,last night I thought I'd better look into it a little more. I found the name of the pharmaceutical company that makes it--and there are companies both here and Japan,but my bottle said it was from JAPAN. I didn't have any problems getting it filled today and asked the pharmacist if she had heard if there would be a shortage on this drug. She said she hadn't heard anything yet-but she wouldn't be surprised if there were problems getting it as the stockpiles that are already here in the US run out. I asked if I should get my dr to find me another medication and she said she would wait it out a little longer. This is the best medication I've found for reflux in a long,long time. The over-the-counter meds don't work for me,believe me I've tried everything. Guess it's just a waiting game now...

Tired......

It's been a few weeks since I posted anything. In that time I had laryngitis/pneumonia-completely lost my voice. It took about 2+ weeks to get over that fully. And now I just feel so run down--mentally and physically. If you are a regular reader/follower, then you know we have some issues with my son. He has adhd/asperger's syndrome (autism spectrum). On a good day,he can be challenging to deal with. I am so tired of people who don't understand these kids and the challenges they face. I'm tired of being made to feel like a bad parent because my kid isn't sitting still during certain situations. If you're not a parent facing these issues with your child,then you just don't know how it is! I'm tired of calling drs and leaving messages for a call back and not getting a response! I'm tired---just tired......

catching up on what I've been up to...........

my babies.......



I love taking photos of the moon--especially when it's full.....



I found a new snack--these are delicious! They were around the "salad" toppers and salad "add ins" at the grocery store but I've just munched on them straight from the bag--they are soooo good!


ENCHILADA PIE--this recipe came about on a night that I had planned to make individual rolled up enchiladas but after bowling a few hours I was just too exhausted and just layered it all and called it a "pie"--the guys didn't complain-and gobbled it all up....they have asked to have it again so it must be good!



In a casserole dish,layer your ingredients--meat mix-cheese-enchilada sauce-top with tortilla and repeat until done---bake at 400*F until melty and bubbly.....


All done--




Broccoli Salad--broccoli florets,nut seed mix (cashews,peanuts,dried cranberries,almonds,sunflower and pumpkin seeds),and a touch of mayo...I think it would be good with cauliflower florets too.



Gluten-Free chocolate cake--I made using a BOB'S RED MILL gf chocolate cake mix--turned out very good (better than my first attempt at gf baking brownies a few years ago LOL-blah). Grandpa loved it and I don't think he realized it was "different" from any other cake I'd ever made....he ate just about the whole thing!




Making what turned out to be creamed spinach..........



BOILED DINNER--This is a favorite of hubby's dad. Basicly you boil the greens (cabbage) and pork chops together.

Broccoli Slaw

spicy turkey/broccoli slaw stir-fry --I also had brussel sprouts tonight--love them!


If you haven't already,go check out HUNGRY GIRL RIGHT NOW! She has lots of tips and tricks for making all the yummy not-so-good for us foods that we all crave a little healthier. I saw an article a few days ago on her site where she used broccoli slaw instead of carb-loaded pasta and made "spaghetti". I'm allergic to carrots and tomatoes so I had to improvise. It took me about 1/2 an hour but I managed to pick out all the slivers of carrots out (I added those to the guys' supper). I made a stir fry using turkey and my fave walmart brand spicy southwest mustard and it was delish.

Spicy Stir fry
1 bag of broccoli slaw
1/2 onion chopped
1 pound of ground turkey/chicken
salt/pepper to taste
walmart brand spicy southwest mustard (I used 1/2 a jar)
french cut green beans

To about 1 TBS of olive oil add chopped onion and turkey---cook until turkey is done and drain well---add in the broccoli slaw and about 1/4 cup of water to "steam" the slaw--I also added in about 1/2 cup of french cut green beans--cook until the veggies are done--if there is any water left drain well---pour into a large bowl and add in the mustard--stir well to coat everything--serve--