12-24-11

10:20am

So much stuff to get done today, ahhhh!
Tony is taking Christopher to urgent care
this morning because he's had a cough
that doesn't seem to be getting better.
It's probably bronchitis.
As for me it's the same ole same ole.
I woke up about 3:30am in pain and had
to take more ibuprofen. It was very difficult
to get back to sleep when my whole body ached.


Every year the in-laws stop by Christmas eve
for an hour or so. Now this year, at the last
minute, they want us to go to my brother-in-laws.
They called again this morning wanting us
to stop by over there, there being Hilliard,
not exactly around the corner.
We have told them several times that I have
been sick and now Christopher is sick.
My mother-in-law even said maybe he has strep
or whooping cough. Those could be contagious.
But they still call again this morning wanting
us to go over there today.
Sometimes people just don't get it.
When they are sick they don't hesitate to
call and cancel coming over.
We have so much to do on Christmas Eve and
that is the reason we usually tell them
to stop by. We have NOTHING wrapped yet
and have to get that done today.
I have toffee cookies and another ice cream
cake to try and bake depending upon how
I feel. I have to get ready for a dinner
tomorrow at our home. At least it is mostly
finger foods. I have a house to tidy up, dishes to do,
laundry to do, floors to sweep and mop.
You name it, it needs done. People can't just come along
and think in the blink of an eye think that
they can change someone's plans especially
if they have a houseful of sick ones.
Maybe it's just me and I am irritable because
of pain and my tolerance level has dropped.

Well I'm going to jump off here and see what
things I can get done before Tony gets back.
I forgot to take my ham out of the freezer to
thaw so will start with that today. My body is
throbbing and I feel like I could go back to
bed and sleep a few more hours.


----------------------------------------------------


12:30pm

Urgent care was a little slow today being
Christmas Eve. Tony called while getting
a prescription filled at Kroger for Christopher.
He got the same doctor I had that told me
I had bronchitis when I did not. So who
knows if Christopher was diagnosed correctly either.
Anyway he was told he has a sinus
infection and will be probably taking
antibiotics for it.


I've been tidying up the house and sweeping
and steam mopping all the floors. I have
to take many small breaks because I am
feeling so tired and my body aches.
Tony and Christopher should be getting
home soon. Then Tony will help me out
with things and we will start wrapping
this afternoon. Have to keep the kids occupied
in one room while we do it in our bedroom.
This ought to be fun.


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7:00pm


Still have yet to get anything wrapped! Ahhhh!
Or baked! Ahhhh!
Just returned from Hilliard. We ended up going
over there anyway with a kid coughing like crazy and
me feeling like crap.

We found this neighborhood with LOTS of lighted
milk jug lanterns on the way home just off
High St. & Cooke Rd.


MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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9:40pm

Started bringing things up out of the basement to wrap.
I brought up both Razor Electric Scooters and those
bad boys are heavy! I took them both outside
for a test ride and they work wonderful!
I found both these electric scooters and
chargers at a yard sale for $5 each!!
They go for $100 each new!!!
That's been one of my greatest deals I've gotten.
I still can't believe I found two of them
at one yard sale!
Toys R Us Razor Scooters on sale for $99.99



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Done wrapping all presents at 1:40am
By the time I go to sleep it'll be
time to get back up again because
it's already 2:10am.



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12-23-11

7:30am

My stomach doctor's appointment is this morning at 9:45am.
I hope all goes well and they can give me something.
At the moment I have not had any ibuprofen since about
3:30pm yesterday so are feeling every little ache and pain.
I just wanted to see the doctor without any pills
covering up the pain. I do have some ibuprofen stashed
in my pill bottle key chain to take some immediately
upon leaving my appointment. That's pretty much
the only thing right now getting me through each day
and taking much of the pain away. It doesn't take
the tiredness or vomiting away though. But I haven't
gotten sick since Wednesday evening.

I was looking over a sheet of some of the tests
they ran while in St. Ann's. You know what pissed
me off is that they don't ask enough questions.
I saw that I'm going to be charged for a freaking
pregnancy test! I've had the operation to not have
that happen so why in the world have a test done for it.
They should of asked me first!! I'm sure that won't be cheap.
When they can charge you about
$5.00 per Tylenol tablet I wonder how much that
test will be. Did they even ask, do you think
you could be pregnant, hell no!

I've been to the family doctor, urgent care
and the hospital for my problem. No one seems
to give a crap or wants to do anything for
my symptoms. I am praying that this gastreonologist
knows what he is doing and can do something for
me because I can't take much more!!!


-------------------------------------------------


12:00pm

Back from the doctors and mom took me to McDonalds
for lunch. They have a colonoscopy scheduled
for January 4th. Then we'll go from there
with the results from that.
I just got my first dose of ibuprofen in me
for the day. Been hurting pretty good
and I am VERY tired so might go lay back
down for a bit. I need well rested to start
in this evening with wrapping ALL the presents.


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8:25pm

This evening we took the kids out and drove
around to look at Christmas lights.
We also stopped in Walgreens and I got
mom an 8x10 photo of me and my brother from
Thanksgiving. I found an 8x10 frame
at Dollar General for $2.00. This will
be one of mom's Christmas presents.

The 8x10 photos are regularly $3.49.
They have a sale at the moment for
for 8x10's for a $1.00. The price will be adjusted
at the register when you pick them up.
No code or coupon needed.


-----------------------------------------------------


Here's a stocking stuffer for all the moms and dads out there!

HERE is a printable coupon for $10 off KY products.

Walrgeens has a sale on the
K-Y Yours+Mine Couples Lubricants
and
K-Y Yours Plus Mine Kissable Sensations for the Body
for $14.99 making it $4.99 with coupon.
Plus I also read that you get back a $5.00
register reward to spend at Walgreens on you next trip.
So all in all it would be like getting this FREE!

12-22-11

Here's what Tony got at his work's white elephant
gift exchange yesterday. Not sure what we will
do with it.


Another worker also gave my hubby this gift for me.
It's a flowered measuring tape, level and flashlight.
Sure wish it included some screwdrivers in there
as someone is always taking mine and I can
never find any.



---------------------------------------------------------


Since last year me and Tony try to get one another
cheap, practical gifts for Christmas.
Last year I asked for a bag of clothespins
and some measuring spoons.
This year on my Christmas list is a
windshield wiper and scissors.
Nothing fancy but it's things that we need!


---------------------------------------------------------

12-21-11

7:20am

I got up at 6:00am this morning just to frost
and decorate an ice cream cake!
Not fully functional to do anything at that hour
let alone decorate a cake!
By the time I got the cake out of the freezer
tinted frosting, got something to drink,
ran to the potty, had a quick smoke, it
was already 6:30am. I pretty much did it
in a half hour because hubby had to leave at 7:00am.
I had stomach cramps and hot flashes on top of it all.
It looks better in person and I added more
red sugar sprinkles to fill in the gaps after taking the photo
to give it more of a glittery affect.
It's supposed to be a ball ornament with
a candy cane hook.




------------------------------------------------------


8:10am

Did I see this right?
60 degrees for December 21st in Columbus, Ohio?
Oh yeah, we're probably going to pay the price
around February with a blizzard or something!
The one year the blizzard hit in March.



-----------------------------------------------------------


MAIL CALL

Free small bag of Seattle's Coffee

Free bottle of 5 Hour Energy drink

Free "Hot & Juicy" t-shirt from Wendy's
(I had it sent to mom's so now each kid can have one for Christmas.
The other t-shirt I got says "Here's The Beef."

Free bottle of Peter Thomas Roth
laser free skin resurfacer.


-------------------------------------------------------


Woo Hoo, Tony gets all of next week off.
That has never happened before!
It will be a nice change with everyone home
for most of Christmas break.


-------------------------------------------------------


8:00pm

I've been in bed most of the day.
Had stomach pains and no energy.
Got up this evening to tidy up some
and Tony helped me make supper.

Marzetti

1 pound deer burger- free
1 box penne pasta- free
1 jar spaghetti sauce- $1.00
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese- $1.00
1 loaf French bread cut into quarters- free
grilled with butter and garlic powder.


Total cost $2.00
makes 7 servings @ .28 cents a serving


-----------------------------------------------


9:55pm

Just got back home. Tony had made a comment
earlier about maybe going to Walgreens and then
stopping by his work but he said we could
wait and do it because I didn't feel well.
I said I wasn't feeling too bad and could
use the fresh air so we went. We stopped in
Walgreens and got some eggs since they are
.99 cents there. I had no problem. We then
went to his work right across the street.
He went into the office and I was
sitting in the truck when my stomach pains hit me.
I rushed out of the truck hoping that I could
get inside to a bathroom because I have diarrhea. Tony was
locking the office up and I got this overwhelming
urge to throw up by then. I threw up out back of the office
in the yard. Tony was upset with me at that point
for even wanting to come out of the house.
We then had to have him take me to the maintenance
shop so I could use the restroom. So much for my outing
with trying to get out and get some fresh air.
I think I'll just crawl back into bed now.
I tried. One more day til I see the gastreonologist.
I am so hoping he can do something for stomach
pains & diarrhea during this visit before I
have another go round of dehydration again.
The hospital would not give me anything for
the diarrhea.

Nighty night


--------------------------------------------------

12-20-11

9:40am

Mom called the pharmacy last night to see if I could
take Ibuprofen because the prescription pain meds
weren't doing anything for me.
The pharmacist said I could. They helped out
the pain soooo much better!!

Even though I'm still a little shaky this morning
I got up the strength to throw a roast on the
crock pot this morning. I plan on using half the roast
and shredding it up to put in some chili.
The other half will go towards another meal tomorrow.


1/2 deer roast- free
1 jar chunky salsa- $2.50
1 can Wolf no beans chili- .35 cents
2 cans mild chili beans- free
1 large can of tomato juice- free

Total cost to make $2.85


I have the in-laws coming Christmas Eve so
decided before any energy I have gave out
I would try and finally make up a batch or
two of Toffee Cookie Brittle. Maybe one now
and one later on or another day.

I start by lining a cookie sheet with sides
with non-stick aluminum foil overlapping the sides.
Then today I used a boxed sugar cookie mix.
Mix it up according to directions on box
then press it out into the cookie sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes.
Remove pan from oven and allow to cool.


Later on I will make the topping for it because
I don't want to overdo it at the moment
and are starting to feel weak again and muscles
are shaking. At least I got this far. It's the most
I've done in a long time. Hubby's been making
supper for us.

I thought about making an ice cream cake for
Christmas day to go with our dinner.
We'll see how I feel.


----------------------------------------------------------


I wanted to show you some things hubby found.
Someone left all this in a box beside at
dumpster at his work. Every little thing helps.

-Bottle of 2x Ultra Tide
-Bounce dryer sheets
-Scrubbing Bubbles toilet cleaner
-Bottle of Kiwi water resistant spray
-Bottle of Febreze
-Bottle of Windex
-Box of Cut-Rite wax paper
-Homelife gallon zip storage bags
-Homelife sandwich zip bags



-------------------------------------------------------


11:40am

Mom called and found a gastreonologist for me
near downtown Columbus at Broad & 71. I have an appointment
for Friday at 9:45am. Now mind you everywhere else
wants to give you an appointment for around February!


I decided not to use the sugar cookie dough I made
up this morning for toffee cookies.
Instead I took a pizza cutter and cut the large
cookie down the middle lengthwise then cut
the entire thing into strips.
I then frosted each strip with some cream cheese
frosting. I cut strips out of a portion of
the cookie mix box and used that as a guide
for sprinkling red colored sugar on them
to look like candy cane sticks.





--------------------------------------------------


7:00pm

Wow I can't believe how well ibuprofen works
for severe pain and even stomach cramps.
I took two this morning and they've lasted up
until a half hour ago. Problem was I let them
wear off and got an instant reminder of
all the pains, difficulty walking and stomach cramps.
I gotta be more prompt with taking pills.


---------------------------------------------------


9:00pm

Thank God for ibuprofen or I wouldn't be able
to make Tony an ice cream cake for his work
potluck tomorrow. I think he mentioned something
about it about a week or so ago and tonight
about 8pm reminded me once again that it was tomorrow.
Ahhhhh. So I started making the cake at 9pm.
I did a white cake mix, divided it among three
bowls and tinted one bowl green and one red
the other I left white. I marbled them all
together to make it look Christmasy.


10:45pm

Cake is done and is cooling in the fridge.
I also have the ice cream softening in there as well.
Then I'll need to fill the cake and put it together
then decorate it. Just sitting here thinking
if I had been reminded earlier today I could
have had this done already!

11:10pm

Got the ice cream in the cake and it put together
and in the freezer. Debating whether to wait up
and frost it or to do a quick frost job in the morning.



Here's some pictures of me and kitty in bed
earlier this evening. He fell asleep on his
back with legs stretched out.

12-19-11

Today is the last day of voting for the Nestle Toll House
which ends at 11pm this evening.

TOFFEE COOKIE BRITTLE




Please, please make it count today and get your votes
in. I really, really need this to happen!
Some people enter contests just because, I enter
out of desperation because I don't know what
else to do to make money other than to bake or
enter these contests. I do consider myself lucky
to have been chosen as a finalist and are very
grateful for that. It tells me I have potential.
It sure would be a big stress reliever around here.
Doctor bills are piling up and I don't have the funds
to pay them without the help of my friends and family
to try and make this happen for me.
It would be one of the most wonderful Christmas
presents this family would get and would help out
sooooo much. We are not on social security/disability
nor do we receive any kind of assistance like welfare.
We try so hard to make it on our own with what we
have or are lucky to come by. We stretch everything
to it's limits. I would love to put a smile back on
everyone's faces around here. Something I haven't seen
in quite awhile with all the struggling we've been
going through. I don't ask for help unless we absolutely
need it. While my husband is the sole provider for our
family, I am the glue that holds us together.
My glue is coming undone with all the sickness
and I need to find a way to strengthen it once again.


-----------------------------------------------------------


8:00am

I kept Christopher home from school today.
He started getting a fever last night and
this morning was throwing up.
I'm trying my very best to take care of everyone
but I have the fear of also getting the cold
or flu on top of what I already have
to double my pain and symptoms.

Not to sound gross, but that the time of
the month, coming up soon, really does a number to me
when already having inflammation in my stomach.

I supposed my immune system isn't what it used to be.
So to double up on any infections, colds, flu
and what not, is not something you really want
to expose yourself to. But sometimes it's unavoidable
when you have a family to take care of as well.

Last November when I had one infection in my toe I ended
up with a stomach virus at the same time that the kids brought home
from school and it made the whole situation turn
from so so to really bad really quick with a trip
by ambulance to the hospital.


---------------------------------------------------------


9:15am

Mom's been working on trying to get me set up
with a gastreonologist. We've got two potential
places I can go to and are seeing which
can get me in the soonest. One says it won't be
til February and we might have to wait a day
to see what the other one says because this other
one wants a referral from my family doctor.
So it's looking like I may have to keep on suffering
for awhile before I can get in to see a stomach doctor.


----------------------------------------------------------


4:30pm

I slept most of the afternoon til about 3:30pm. Good thing kids
also took naps or laid down in their beds.
The one is still running a fever so will probably
stay home tomorrow as well.

Feel like crap. My body is starting to hurt again.
I've take prescription pain medicine the last two
days and don't think I will take it anymore.
I think I get more of an effect from taking
ibuprofen than I do with them.


MAIL CALL

2 sample packets of catnip (mom got one also)

2 Fancy Feast cat ornaments in a velvet bag
(mom got one also)
now I have something to put in kitty's stocking.

I also got a free BNSF railway calendar.
Christopher saw a train calendar in Kroger
for about $18 that he wanted for Christmas.
There was no way I was paying that much for
a calendar. I managed to find one at a dollar store
for a buck and now he'll have this one as well
for Christmas that was free.

Well it's 4:45pm. Tony should be home soon.
Thinking about going and laying back down
some more. That's pretty much how I spend my days
because of being sick. Man it would be so
nice to be back to my normal self and not to
be spending it in pain and sleeping my days away.
Hopefully the one gastreonologist will call
back tomorrow to see how soon I can get into their office.

I don't know how I'm going to get through Christmas.
Still have all the wrapping to get done.
Plus I found out yesterday that my in-laws
want to stop in Christmas eve. Then my parents
usually come Christmas day for dinner.
Thank God it's a simple dinner of mostly finger
foods and a ham which is sliced up for sandwiches.

This is how I feel for Christmas-
Just think of a Christmas tree instead of
a jukebox in the song.



-----------------------------------------------------


8:20pm

I'm about ready to bawl my eyes out.
I waited all day to get on Facebook
to tell others, now that they are mostly home,
to vote for my recipe before the deadline at 11pm.
I have been in bed most of the day.
I hobbled my ass out of bed, pain and all,
and yes I am in quite a bit of it at the moment
that it hurts to even walk a straight line,
to get over to my computer to put in my
vote and to let all my Facebook friends know and vote.
My child decided to put my vote in for me already
minutes before I got to my computer.
AND MY LAST VOTE WASN'T EVEN FOR MY OWN
FREAKING RECIPE!!! My child hit the wrong one!!!
I GIVE UP!!!! I just wish one freaking thing
would go right!!!!
Going back to bed and staying there!!
I feel really horrible at the moment.
Just took my temp and it's 100.4 degrees.
I wish someone would just figure out what the
hell is wrong with me because I am so tired
of suffering!!!!


-----------------------------------------------------

12-18-11

From COSI.

We knew COSI was going to have a train exhibit but didn't
tell Christopher. It was a surprise for him
since he loves trains.






Jonathan got brave enough and rode the unicycle
across the tightrope.



Well it's only 8:45am and I am considering going
back to bed. I got up about 8:00am and have
already made about 4 trips to the bathroom.
I feel like crap but what's new. SSDD!!
I was still having stomach pains with the
pain medication I took last night.

1 week before Christmas.
2 days before the kids go on Winter break.
1 week before Tony gets almost a week off from work.



----------------------------------------------------


3:00pm

Sorry everyone I have been down and out today.
I went back to bed this morning and slept again
from 8:45am to noon then have been laying in bed
ever since. Tony's been doing all the cooking and
cleaning and looking after the kids. I'm trying
to get a little energy built up to do at least a couple
loads of laundry. I've been taking my medicines.
Not sure that the pain medicine does anything as
I still get the stomach pains with them.


PLEASE don't forget to vote for my
TOFFEE COOKIE BRITTLE COOKIE recipe on Toll House.
I really appreciate everyone who does vote!!
It's hard to stay on top of it at the moment
and there's only two days left to vote.
Just wish I had more energy. I have none other
to lay in bed and make the occasional trip to the bathroom.