I'm thankful that my back spasms have ended and I don't need drugs anymore. Almost back to normal!
What's one thing that you're thankful for?
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
MENU - SECOND HALF OF JUNE 2010
Well, I got to leave the couch this morning for a trip to WinCo. Exciting, huh? The change of scenery was nice and my back, though still medicated, feels great. Progress! Here are the two weeks of meals I bought groceries for, including a couple repeats that we missed on the last rotation.
BREAKFASTS
oatmeal
granola (crockpot)
baked oatmeal (missed last time, prep night before)
cherry oatmeal muffins (missed last time, double batch & freeze half, trying buttermilk substitute)
sausage pinwheels
apple bran muffins (freezer stash from last menu)
DINNERS
leftovers x2
tacos x3
Mexican casserole (freezer stash from last menu)/cornbread (freezer stash from last menu)/salad
creamy white bean & chicken chili (not a repeat, we just liked it a lot & have more beans in the freezer)/tortilla chips
Italian sausage & bowties/Leslie's salad (missed last time)
teriyaki chicken salad/rice (missed last time)
freezer fest (a smorgasbord of leftovers I've thrown in the fridge)
raviolis/red, orange, yellow bell pepper slices/crackers/cheese (Silas' request for his birthday dinner)
beef eldorado/broccoli
grilled Hawaiian chicken/tropical salad
new soup recipe (total flop)/frozen rolls
pasta salad
Cajun chicken pasta/salad
DESSERTS
apple cinnamon cake (missed last time, will make for Father's Day, since it's Tim's favorite)
two birthday cakes (boys' party)
BREAKFASTS
oatmeal
granola (crockpot)
baked oatmeal (missed last time, prep night before)
cherry oatmeal muffins (missed last time, double batch & freeze half, trying buttermilk substitute)
sausage pinwheels
apple bran muffins (freezer stash from last menu)
DINNERS
leftovers x2
tacos x3
Mexican casserole (freezer stash from last menu)/cornbread (freezer stash from last menu)/salad
creamy white bean & chicken chili (not a repeat, we just liked it a lot & have more beans in the freezer)/tortilla chips
Italian sausage & bowties/Leslie's salad (missed last time)
teriyaki chicken salad/rice (missed last time)
freezer fest (a smorgasbord of leftovers I've thrown in the fridge)
raviolis/red, orange, yellow bell pepper slices/crackers/cheese (Silas' request for his birthday dinner)
beef eldorado/broccoli
grilled Hawaiian chicken/tropical salad
new soup recipe (total flop)/frozen rolls
pasta salad
Cajun chicken pasta/salad
DESSERTS
apple cinnamon cake (missed last time, will make for Father's Day, since it's Tim's favorite)
two birthday cakes (boys' party)
Monday, June 14, 2010
BETHANY'S BAD BACK BRINGS BEDREST
I love alliteration, so I'm using it as a way to find something positive in a bummer situation.
As most of you know, yesterday was my birthday. It wasn't the greatest day I've ever had, that's for sure. You see, it seems that Friday morning I pulled a muscle in my back, though I don't know exactly how or when. It hurt periodically through the day, particularly if I turned quickly or twisted my torso, but wasn't a big deal.
Saturday it didn't hurt too badly, a blessing since I was having fun on my feet all day. Saturday night it became obvious that the blessing may have actually been a bummer. Apparently all that running around put more strain on my back and I was pretty uncomfortable Saturday evening. I took some Tylenol PM and hit the sack.
Sunday morning, which was my birthday, I was uncomfortable, but I went to church and ran a couple errands with the kids afterward. By the time I got home I was in a foul mood, due to majorly increased pain. I laid low for most of the day, but every move I made caused back spasms. Keep in mind that Devon and I share a birthday, so I was trying desperately (and not doing very well, I must confess) not to ruin his day, while wallowing in self-pity that my day was lousy. I was uncomfortable and irritable.
Sunday evening I took some Tylenol PM and was in bed by 9:00. The drama started at 10:00 when a spasm woke me up. I decided to go to the bathroom while I was awake and it took me about ten minutes to get from my bed to the door about five feet away. By the time I reached the bathroom I thought I was going to pass out from the pain. I called Tim and asked him to get me a cool rag for my face, then started lowering myself to the ground so I wouldn't fall so far if I fainted. Bad move. Well, it was a good move in theory, but I ended up stuck on the bathroom floor. Tim had to lift me up off the floor. Pathetic.
I slept a couple more hours, then woke up when Tim came to bed, which I never do. Couldn't fall back asleep and my back really hurt, so I decided to move to the couch. Another idea that was good in theory, but I couldn't sit up. Tim had to lift me out of bed. Really pathetic.
I spent four hours, from midnight to 4:00 am alternating between the floor, couch, and chair, spending time resting or distracting myself online. I was in pain no matter what I did. I can't sleep sitting up, but knew I wouldn't be able to get up if I laid down. Ugh. It was miserable.
I finally laid down at 4:00, with the plan that Tim could lift me up on his way to work. A back spasm woke me up at 6:00.
When Tim walked out, realized that I'd only slept two hours, and saw how much pain I was in, he decided to stay home. This is his last week of school and he's already missing two days because of a conference they're flying him to. So staying home was a sacrifice of important work time and I'm really grateful. He headed out to get me an anti-inflammatory and some ice packs, got a sub for work, then made waffles for breakfast. He spent most of the day working from home while monitoring the kiddos. That allowed me to go on bedrest. I took a nap in the morning, but spent the entire day in bed or on the couch.
Tim also got subs for the games he was supposed to work tonight, made dinner (Italian sausage with bowties and Leslie's salad, already one of my favorite meals, tastes even better when someone else makes it!), and is taking the kids to the park for a while. He's earned some major "good husband" points today!!
The drugs have helped me stay fairly comfortable, the ice packs feel great, and I've given my back muscles a day to do nothing but heal. I can't do bedrest for the rest of the week, which is why I took full advantage of it today, but I'm going to take it pretty easy until I have full mobility without being drugged. It's just about killed me to do nothing when there are a gazillion things I could get done, but I've been good. You should be proud. I must say, I certainly have a new respect for people with serious, chronic back pain!
I will add, in an attempt for this not be an entirely whiney post, that there were a few bright spots on my birthday. Tim had taken the kids to go birthday shopping for me on Saturday night. Then he and Devon left early on Sunday morning for their doughnut date and the rest of us met them at church. When I walked out to my van on Sunday morning I noticed that it had changed color. No longer was it varied shades of grey, but had been washed and was now a shiny white. They had taken it to get washed the night before! You know you're getting old when getting your car washed is a great birthday present. If nothing else, you know how filthy your car was. When I opened my door I found a singing birthday card and a Cold Stone gift card on my dashboard. My family loves me.
I was also blessed with a gazillion birthday wishes via e-mail, Facebook, and at church. My grandma came over for a few hours, joined us for dinner, and brought me a gift. My sister sent a group gift (perfect, as she lives overseas and we have a bunch of summer birthdays) for the family. Wonder what it was? A Cold Stone gift card. Do you notice a theme here? My family certainly knows what makes me happy!
Birthdays and bedrest. That's my world.
As most of you know, yesterday was my birthday. It wasn't the greatest day I've ever had, that's for sure. You see, it seems that Friday morning I pulled a muscle in my back, though I don't know exactly how or when. It hurt periodically through the day, particularly if I turned quickly or twisted my torso, but wasn't a big deal.
Saturday it didn't hurt too badly, a blessing since I was having fun on my feet all day. Saturday night it became obvious that the blessing may have actually been a bummer. Apparently all that running around put more strain on my back and I was pretty uncomfortable Saturday evening. I took some Tylenol PM and hit the sack.
Sunday morning, which was my birthday, I was uncomfortable, but I went to church and ran a couple errands with the kids afterward. By the time I got home I was in a foul mood, due to majorly increased pain. I laid low for most of the day, but every move I made caused back spasms. Keep in mind that Devon and I share a birthday, so I was trying desperately (and not doing very well, I must confess) not to ruin his day, while wallowing in self-pity that my day was lousy. I was uncomfortable and irritable.
Sunday evening I took some Tylenol PM and was in bed by 9:00. The drama started at 10:00 when a spasm woke me up. I decided to go to the bathroom while I was awake and it took me about ten minutes to get from my bed to the door about five feet away. By the time I reached the bathroom I thought I was going to pass out from the pain. I called Tim and asked him to get me a cool rag for my face, then started lowering myself to the ground so I wouldn't fall so far if I fainted. Bad move. Well, it was a good move in theory, but I ended up stuck on the bathroom floor. Tim had to lift me up off the floor. Pathetic.
I slept a couple more hours, then woke up when Tim came to bed, which I never do. Couldn't fall back asleep and my back really hurt, so I decided to move to the couch. Another idea that was good in theory, but I couldn't sit up. Tim had to lift me out of bed. Really pathetic.
I spent four hours, from midnight to 4:00 am alternating between the floor, couch, and chair, spending time resting or distracting myself online. I was in pain no matter what I did. I can't sleep sitting up, but knew I wouldn't be able to get up if I laid down. Ugh. It was miserable.
I finally laid down at 4:00, with the plan that Tim could lift me up on his way to work. A back spasm woke me up at 6:00.
When Tim walked out, realized that I'd only slept two hours, and saw how much pain I was in, he decided to stay home. This is his last week of school and he's already missing two days because of a conference they're flying him to. So staying home was a sacrifice of important work time and I'm really grateful. He headed out to get me an anti-inflammatory and some ice packs, got a sub for work, then made waffles for breakfast. He spent most of the day working from home while monitoring the kiddos. That allowed me to go on bedrest. I took a nap in the morning, but spent the entire day in bed or on the couch.
Tim also got subs for the games he was supposed to work tonight, made dinner (Italian sausage with bowties and Leslie's salad, already one of my favorite meals, tastes even better when someone else makes it!), and is taking the kids to the park for a while. He's earned some major "good husband" points today!!
The drugs have helped me stay fairly comfortable, the ice packs feel great, and I've given my back muscles a day to do nothing but heal. I can't do bedrest for the rest of the week, which is why I took full advantage of it today, but I'm going to take it pretty easy until I have full mobility without being drugged. It's just about killed me to do nothing when there are a gazillion things I could get done, but I've been good. You should be proud. I must say, I certainly have a new respect for people with serious, chronic back pain!
I will add, in an attempt for this not be an entirely whiney post, that there were a few bright spots on my birthday. Tim had taken the kids to go birthday shopping for me on Saturday night. Then he and Devon left early on Sunday morning for their doughnut date and the rest of us met them at church. When I walked out to my van on Sunday morning I noticed that it had changed color. No longer was it varied shades of grey, but had been washed and was now a shiny white. They had taken it to get washed the night before! You know you're getting old when getting your car washed is a great birthday present. If nothing else, you know how filthy your car was. When I opened my door I found a singing birthday card and a Cold Stone gift card on my dashboard. My family loves me.
I was also blessed with a gazillion birthday wishes via e-mail, Facebook, and at church. My grandma came over for a few hours, joined us for dinner, and brought me a gift. My sister sent a group gift (perfect, as she lives overseas and we have a bunch of summer birthdays) for the family. Wonder what it was? A Cold Stone gift card. Do you notice a theme here? My family certainly knows what makes me happy!
Birthdays and bedrest. That's my world.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
DEVON'S BIRTHDAY WEEK - 2010
Day 1 - We all headed out with the intention of playing a family game of kickball, one of Devon's favorite games. Couldn't find an empty baseball field, so we played pickle instead, then spent some time goofing off in a school playground.
Day 2 - I take Devon to the bookstore at the library and chooses a couple new books for himself, a chapter book about King Arthur (he loves watching Sword in the Stone) and a random Mickey Mouse book.
Day 3 - The kids and I stopped by Starbucks for strawberries and creme frappucinos.
Day 4 - Each family member makes and presents a paper to Devon. Some are abstract drawings, others illustrate things the person enjoys doing with Devon, others list the qualities they appreciate about Devon.
Day 5 - Everyone jammies up and settles down for a movie that Devon got at the library.
Day 6 - We spend the morning at Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden. The rhodies are basically done for the year, but the park is a pretty place and we all had a great time walking around, watching the various birds, and soaking in the sunshine.
Devon eating a doughnut with blue frosting and colored rice crispy cereal sprinkled on it. The doughnut of a child's dreams!
The birthday boy and I goofing off on the field.
Day 2 - I take Devon to the bookstore at the library and chooses a couple new books for himself, a chapter book about King Arthur (he loves watching Sword in the Stone) and a random Mickey Mouse book.
Day 3 - The kids and I stopped by Starbucks for strawberries and creme frappucinos.
Devon has fun finishing off his drink.
.
Day 4 - Each family member makes and presents a paper to Devon. Some are abstract drawings, others illustrate things the person enjoys doing with Devon, others list the qualities they appreciate about Devon.
Devon listens in as Tim presents his paper.
Devon loves to get kisses from his parents. Obvious, isn't it? Just for the record, Devon is cracking up, not crying.
Day 5 - Everyone jammies up and settles down for a movie that Devon got at the library.
Day 6 - We spend the morning at Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden. The rhodies are basically done for the year, but the park is a pretty place and we all had a great time walking around, watching the various birds, and soaking in the sunshine.
The 5 Ws striking a pose at the garden. Don't I look tall?!
.
Day 7 - The day starts with a tradition we've had going for a few years, a "Doughnut Date With Daddy". Tim and Devon meet the rest of the family at church after their date. Since Devon's birthday falls on a church day, he asks to take snickerdoodles to share with his class. Granny comes over in the afternoon and joins us as Devon opens a few gifts. Then we all eat a dinner that Devon requested (a variation on this ham recipe and fruit salad, with plain yogurt and cinnamon in it, of course) Before heading off to bed, we do one more long-standing tradition. Each year, starting on their first birthdays, we take a picture of the kids wearing a pair of jeans and a white t-shirt that belonged to the same gender parent. They've obviously got a while before the clothes fit, but it's fun to watch them put the same outfit on each year.
Devon eating a doughnut with blue frosting and colored rice crispy cereal sprinkled on it. The doughnut of a child's dreams!
Stacks of snickerdoodles for his classmates and teachers.
Happy about a gift he just opened from his siblings.
The annual outfit.
Proof that it will be a while before the outfit actually fits.
.
It was a fun week and we did it frugally. Our total cost for the entire week was about $15 and about $10 of that was for Starbucks.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
A FANTASTIC DAY
8:30 am - The whole fam heads to the store for bagels.
8:45 am - Head off for a part of Devon's birthday week. I'll do a separate post about his birthday week tomorrow, but this stop was outdoors and lasted well over an hour.
10:45 am - Pop in for at Grandma Linda's for a quick visit.
11:15 am - Head to Thriftway for a kid's safety fair they have going on. Kids earn prizes at some games, take a trolley ride around the parking lot, everyone gets a free hot dog and root beer float. See a couple girls from church with their grandparents and Silas sees a boy he knows.
12:45 pm - Time to go home. Devon and Naomi head down for naps. Tim, Silas, and I have some down time.
2:00 pm - I head to Old Navy. Get some new flip flops and find some jeans for Tim on the clearance rack. Love new clothes at thrift store prices! End up standing in line behind someone from church. Educate her on the ease of getting a sunburn.
3:00 pm - Drive to the beauty school for a five dollar haircut. Have fun chatting about money management (or lack thereof) in our culture, marriage (he's been married 20 years), canning (think I'm going to try it this summer), and various other things with the guy cutting my hair.
5:00 pm - Stop to chat with Granny for a few minutes on my way back from checking the mail.
5:30 pm - Tim serves his egg, potato, and bell pepper scramble for dinner. Tasty!
6:30 pm - The kiddos take off with Tim to buy me a birthday present. I get online to figure out tomorrow's bargains and listen to Dave Mincy. Empty house and mellow music are a great combo.
7:45 pm - Troops come home.
8:00 pm - Kids in bed, Tim starts doing some school stuff online, putter around the house.
8:30 pm - Bake 129 snickerdoodles. Devon requested some to take to his class at church tomorrow, as it will be his birthday, so I decided to make a double batch and keep some for our family. Work on this blog post and some other online stuff while cookies bake.
10:15 pm - Last batch of cookies comes out of the oven. House smells great.
10:30 pm - Hoping to be in bed with a book and asleep by 11:00.
8:45 am - Head off for a part of Devon's birthday week. I'll do a separate post about his birthday week tomorrow, but this stop was outdoors and lasted well over an hour.
10:45 am - Pop in for at Grandma Linda's for a quick visit.
11:15 am - Head to Thriftway for a kid's safety fair they have going on. Kids earn prizes at some games, take a trolley ride around the parking lot, everyone gets a free hot dog and root beer float. See a couple girls from church with their grandparents and Silas sees a boy he knows.
12:45 pm - Time to go home. Devon and Naomi head down for naps. Tim, Silas, and I have some down time.
2:00 pm - I head to Old Navy. Get some new flip flops and find some jeans for Tim on the clearance rack. Love new clothes at thrift store prices! End up standing in line behind someone from church. Educate her on the ease of getting a sunburn.
3:00 pm - Drive to the beauty school for a five dollar haircut. Have fun chatting about money management (or lack thereof) in our culture, marriage (he's been married 20 years), canning (think I'm going to try it this summer), and various other things with the guy cutting my hair.
5:00 pm - Stop to chat with Granny for a few minutes on my way back from checking the mail.
5:30 pm - Tim serves his egg, potato, and bell pepper scramble for dinner. Tasty!
6:30 pm - The kiddos take off with Tim to buy me a birthday present. I get online to figure out tomorrow's bargains and listen to Dave Mincy. Empty house and mellow music are a great combo.
7:45 pm - Troops come home.
8:00 pm - Kids in bed, Tim starts doing some school stuff online, putter around the house.
8:30 pm - Bake 129 snickerdoodles. Devon requested some to take to his class at church tomorrow, as it will be his birthday, so I decided to make a double batch and keep some for our family. Work on this blog post and some other online stuff while cookies bake.
10:15 pm - Last batch of cookies comes out of the oven. House smells great.
10:30 pm - Hoping to be in bed with a book and asleep by 11:00.
Friday, June 11, 2010
SECRETS
A few days ago I was looking through a book of quotes I've collected for the pep talk I needed. One of the quotes I came across had nothing to do with what I need to hear on that particular day, but it's one I really like. Here it is.
The severest test of character is not so much the ability to keep a secret as it is, when the secret is finally out, to refrain from disclosing that you knew it all along. ~ Sidney J. Harris
Isn't that a good one? I've experienced "the severest test of character" a few times in the last couple months. Mature, huh? Why is it that people, generally speaking, tend to pride themselves on having the inside scoop on something? Why does that desire to gloat increase with the significance of the secret? How silly we can be!
The severest test of character is not so much the ability to keep a secret as it is, when the secret is finally out, to refrain from disclosing that you knew it all along. ~ Sidney J. Harris
Isn't that a good one? I've experienced "the severest test of character" a few times in the last couple months. Mature, huh? Why is it that people, generally speaking, tend to pride themselves on having the inside scoop on something? Why does that desire to gloat increase with the significance of the secret? How silly we can be!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
6/10/10 THANKFUL THURSDAY
I'm thankful we didn't bring our piano with us to our apartment. Really thankful.
What's one thing that you're thankful for?
What's one thing that you're thankful for?
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