We Have Dodged another Bullet......I hope!

Thanksgiving is over and the company has left. The house is quiet except for the football game I can hear in the background. It was a rough few days here. I didn't write about it because I was busy taking care of a sick, sick husband. But I think he is once again on the mend. The roller-coaster that we call our life is chugging it's way up to the top of another hill. We have rounded the curve.

My company arrived on Tuesday afternoon and Richard was having a good day and was happy to see them. We ate take-out Mexican and enjoyed watching the finals of Dancing with the Stars. After it was over my cousins and I took off for a big shopping trip to the local grocery store. Going after 10 p.m.us the store mostly to ourselves. All was well when we returned home.

Wednesday morning started of as a normal day. I got Richard up and to the bathroom and he brushed his teeth as per normal. Then I sat him at the dining table and began to fix his breakfast. He said he wasn't hungry and wanted to go to the recliner. This isn't normal for him as breakfast is the meal that he eats the best. I settled him into his chair, covered him up with a mountain of blankets (also normal, see here) and went about working in the kitchen. It soon became apparent that he was sick. The normal coughing (see here) was turning harsh and his voice was deep and raspy. I dosed him with some cough syrup. By afternoon, on Wednesday, he as running a fever and coughing more. I restarted the breathing treatments. The cough was deep in his chest and I could hear crackles throughout (with a stethoscope). This means fluid or secretions in the lungs, often indicative of pneumonia or inflammation. His color was very grey. So I put him on a low dose oxygen and notified the hospice nurse. We agreed to continue to observe throughout today.

He was restless later on Wednesday evening and vomited a bit. He still took fluids well but wasn't eating. And he just wanted to be left alone.

During the night on Wednesday his fever broke and he was soaked in sweat. He wanted all covers off and we changed him from his damp clothes and sponged him off. He became quiet and slept some.

Thursday morning he repeated the Wednesday morning routine. Up and to the bathroom. To the dining table. Refused to eat and asked to be put into his bed. For all who know Richard and how much he didn't not want this hospital bed you can imagine what we were all thinking. He told my cousin he was happy that he came and he hoped that he (indicting himself) would still be here in the morning. I was scared! But Richard and I both are comfortable with knowing that when the end comes we will be ready to let him go. He did not eat Thanksgiving with us. Justin and Trina were here and he perked up a bit for Justin. He ate a bit of cheesecake and that was all. Justin and Trina took the kids home with them so they could enjoy Thanksgiving with Trina's family. Plus they really don't need to hang over the death bed.

Thursday evening he wanted up in his chair so we made the transfer. And that is where he stayed until Friday morning. The breathing treatments continued around the clock every 6 hours. And he coughed and coughed and was once again beginning to bring up the secretions, which is the intended purpose. He ate more on Thursday, but small amounts.

Friday was more of the same but he was eating a bit more. Still coughing and sounding a bit less harsh. Much fewer crackles heard in lungs.

This morning the cousins have left for their return trip to Oklahoma. Richard is much better. His color has returned to normal. The fever is gone. He is coughing less. The oxygen is off. I will continue the treatments for a few more days. But I thank the good LORD that we have once again dodged the bullet.

Cranky Turkey

source

Thanksgiving is over. I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday. I know that ours was very nice. Now to enjoy all those fantastic leftovers. Here is one of my favorite ways to eat left-over turkey.

Cranky Turkey Sandwich

Bread (I like to use rye)

Cream cheese

Cranberry Sauce

Lettuce or Alfalfa sprouts

Butter (if you like it toasted)

Spread the cream cheese on both slices of bread and top with turkey, cranberry sauce, and sprouts/lettuce. Toast if you like

I guarantee you this is the best sandwich EVER!

How do you like to use your leftovers? All of my posts in the 30 Days of Thanksgiving can be found here. Now we are moving on to December and Christmas.....

In Memory...

Denny

Katie, Kelsi, Darian, Harley, Paige

Up, up, up to heaven!

November 29, 2007 is a day that I will always remember. It started very, very early with a telephone call from my sister. My brother-in-law, Denny, had died. He had been struggling, for 3 long years, with lymphoma and his struggle was now over. We had just celebrated Thanksgiving together one week earlier. Denny looked really good that day. He was oxygen dependent by this time and took his bottle wherever he went. That day as we were walking him and my sister to the car he became very short of breath. I was walking nearby and reached for him. He was able to get the words "my oxygen" out. His lips were blue and he was in trouble. My sister rushed to his side and realized she had not turned on the tank. We laughed about it later. That is the kind of family we are. Laughter is the best medicine. But 7 days later he left us. The picture above is him eating Thanksgiving dinner (plate on his lap) at my middle brother's house. The other pictures are of 5 of my grandchildren at the memorial service where we released balloons in his memory. RIP Denny. I miss you!

This is part of the 30 Days of Thanksgiving. My past posts can be found here. 

My Wish For YOU!

Thanksgiving Sangria

source

What do you do with a bottle of wine that someone brought you and it is just not all that good? I make Sangria. You can use any wine to make Sangria and it will taste yummy. I have a pretty little drink dispenser that I set up with the sangria and people just help themselves. Here is a recipe to get you started:

Spiced Apple Cider Sangria

To make the spiced apple cider:

2 cups apple cider (the real stuff)

1/3 cup sugar

2 cinnamon sticks

1/2 tsp. cloves

1/4-1/2 tsp. ground allspice

1/2 tsp orange zest

2 orange slices (round)

For the Spiced Sangria

1 bottle red wine

2 cups of the apple cider from above

1/2 cup orange juice

1/2 cup brandy

Mix all the ingredients together

Garnish with orange wheels and cinnamon sticks

Pour over ice

Or you can heat it and strain it and serve it warm.

Enjoy!

Here is is...day 27! Read my other posts to the 30 Days of Thanksgiving here.

What Do You Take For Granted?

There are so many things that I take for granted every single day. Like my health, the air that I breathe, the roof over my head, the good and fresh food that I am able to buy, fresh water that runs right out of the tap in my home, my family. I could go on and on. Couldn't you? What do you take for granted?

Today is Day 26. We will all start getting busy for the big day. If you would like to read the previous posts in my 30 Days of Thanksgiving go here. 

Over The River and Through The Woods

Did you know that the song "Over The River and Through the Woods..." was originally a poem titled "A Boy's Thanksgiving Day" written by Lydia Maria Child? From what I learned on Wikipedia modern day Thanksgivings don't normally have snow but New England, in the 19th century, was enduring the Little Ice Age. And although I always heard this to be...to grandmother's house we go, the actual poem is to grandfather's house. Here is the original poem.

Over the river, and through the wood,
To grandfather's house we go;
The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh
through the white and drifted snow.

Over the river, and through the wood,
To grandfather's house away!
We would not stop for doll or top,
For tis' Thanksgiving day.

Over the river and through the wood-
Oh, how the wind does blow.
It stings the toes and bites the nose
as over the ground we go.

Over the river and through the wood,
When Grandmother sees us come,
She will say, "oh dear, the children are here,
Bring a pie for everyone."

Over the river and through the wood-
Now Grandmother's cap I spy!
Hurrah for fun! Is the pudding done"
Hurrah for the pumpkin pie!

I can remember learning this as a song when I was in grade school. Along with the paper pilgrim hats and the paper Indian head-dresses. Oh what simple times those. When you are a child and none of the worries of the grownup world cloud your head....Now let's sing along

"Over the river and through the woods......"

Following along with the 30 Days of Thanksgiving...read here. Today is Day 25!

Sunday Stealing

This week's Thanksgiving Meme comes from the archives!  

1. What do you have for breakfast on Thanksgiving? Usually I am not much of a breakfast person. So I usually just have coffee. 

2. Do you go to a Thanksgiving parade or watch one on TV?  Yes we do!


3. Do you serve appetizers, lunch, or snacks during the day?   We eat our meal close to noon, so no!

4. What are the traditional favorites?  Turkey and stuffing, sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie

5. What new recipes will you try this year? No, nothing new here.

6. What part of the meal do you never compromise? The turkey 

7. Who gets to carve the turkey?Whoever I can talk into it. Used to be my husband but now it is a cousin

8. Family style around the table or buffet style and everyone sits wherever there’s room? Around the table.

9. How many will be at your table this year? Small crowd of 10!

10. Once you're at the table, do you say grace or a toast or does everyone go around and say what they're thankful for?We say Grace!

11. Cranberry sauce… yay or nay?Yay.....love it! I have a relish recipe or straight from the can

12. What time do you eat Thanksgiving Dinner? around noon 

13. Three best pies for Thanksgiving dessert? Pumpkins, apple, cherry.....we also always have cheesecake 

14. Do you have dessert right after the main meal or later on?  Later on....everyone is too full right after the meal. 

15. Favorite leftover? Turkey....will make some Cranky Turkey sandwiches

Will We Be Thankful for the Weather.

I live in Kansas. The saying goes that if you don't like the weather, just wait a moment, it will change. That is Kansas weather. Last week we were enjoying weather in the 50's and 60's in the daytime and this week it has been in the 20's and 30's. They have been predicting rain and snow but so far we have been able to miss that. So today I am wondering......

Will We Be Thankful for the weather this Thanksgiving?

What is the weather like where you live?

30 Days of Thanksgiving...all posts can be found here.

Stuffing Just Like Mom used to Make!

 Day 23

  We have an "adopted" daughter, Heather. She came into our lives as a 15 year old girl who was living in a local girls home. We took her under our wing and helped to finish raise her. She completed high school, went to college, became a nurse, got married and had 4 children. They live close by. We don't see them as often as I would like but we still claim her as one of ours.

    When Heather married Marvin in 2000 she hadn't been around a kitchen much in her life. Marvin came from a farm family and has a mother who is a wonderful cook. The first few times Heather had Thanksgiving Marvin would tell her...."You need to call my mom and find out her stuffing recipe. It is the best". Haven't a lot of us wives heard that before?

     So Heather finally contacted her mother-in-law and asked for the stuffing recipe that Marvin so coveted. And we haven't stopped laughing since. Because this is what she told her...."Go the the store and buy several boxes of Stove Top Stuffing and follow the directions on the box!!" She said that is how she has made stuffing all of Marvin's life. I have been known to cheat and make it that way as well. I just add my own onions and celery a bit of chicken broth and stuff it right into the bird. No one needs to know the difference. And, as you can see, they usually don't.

The big day is almost here. Are you cooking yet? I can almost smell the aromas that bring back all the memories.

30 Days of Thanksgiving posts can be found here. 

Honoring a Fallen President

November 22, 1963.....one of those days that I will always remember exactly where I was and what the day was like. If any of you, who are reading this, were alive at that time then I know you remember as well.

I was in 7th grade at the junior high school in my hometown. Lunch had ended and we had returned to our homeroom classes when the announcement came over the intercom. I cannot remember the exact words but I remember what the subject was about.

"John F. Kennedy, the President of the United States of America has been shot."

At the time of the announcement I do not remember if we knew that he had died. But school was immediately dismissed and we were all sent home. We went to my grandparent's house, because they had a TV. And we were glued to the TV. Well the adults were.  I think everyone was terrified  We had to sit and be very quiet because that is what we were told to do. 

I remember seeing Jackie Kennedy in that pink Chanel suit with the pill-box hat. We didn't know it was pink at the time because the TV was black and white. I don't think anyone we knew had color TV yet. Jackie was so glamorous 

Everyone thought so. And the President was so young and so handsome. I cannot begin to tell you how many times I heard people say, "he was so young". And I remember thinking, "dead is dead, no matter how old you are."

The conversations I can remember going on around us usually centered around the Russians. My grandfather was convinced at that time that it was the Russians who killed our president and we would soon be at war.

I don't know when we saw the images of Vice-President Johnson, on board the plane that was bringing the fallen President home, with Jackie at his side still wearing that same pink suit (later to be said that it was stained with the blood of the president); taking the oath that made him the President of The United States of America. But this is one of the images I see when I think of this day. 

The funeral took place on November 25, 1963 and once again we were in front of the TV. It was a time of mourning for the entire world. Schools, offices, and factories were closed. They say that the streets of America were empty. If people were not in front of their TVs they were in their churches, praying for the assassinated leader of America. I will forever remember Little John saluting his father's casket shortly after it was carried down the front steps of the church and placed on the horse drawn carriage that would take his remains to Arlington Cemetery. 

That was a long, long time ago. 50 years ago this year. I was but a girl of 12. My whole life was yet in front of me. The United States would never be the same. RIP President John F. Kennedy!

Read my other posts about 30 Days of Thanksgiving here.

The Cousins are Coming, The Cousins are Coming

My favorite cousin and his family will be here on Tuesday to spend Thanksgiving with us. We haven't seen them since they surprised me with a visit on my birthday back in April. They used to live in Kansas but have since moved to Wagoner, Oklahoma, near Lake Gibson. We will enjoy their stay. There will be cooking and drinking and laughing and staying up late. (But not as late as we used to cause we are no longer spring chickens). We will reminisce and play dominoes and a few rounds of Tenzi. I hope the weather is nice! 

This is part of my 30 Days of Thanksgiving. Go here if you want to read what else I have written. 

Blogs and Books

  

   Most of you who read my blog know that I am going through a difficult time in my life. A sad time. A hard time. And I don't know what I would do if it weren't for my blog and my blogging friends. Even if they don't stop by everyday I am grateful when they do. And they always leave such encouraging words. I have met some amazing women (and a couple of men) since I started blogging. Teachers and nurses. Mothers and photographers. Young women and middle-age women. From all over the United States and all over the world. We converse with each other through our blogs. And sometimes we email. And soon I hope to meet a couple of you in person. Coming to visit me via my blog has kept me sane. Has kept me company. Has kept me connected. I am thankful for all of you.

    And my other escape is books. I have always been a voracious reader. This has slowed down some since Richard's stroke. But I still read everyday. It just takes me longer to get through a book now. I have my Nook Color loaded with a variety of reading material. I read magazines and blogs as well as books on my Nook. I love my Nook. Best Christmas present I ever received. Well, dang near the best. I mostly like reading thrillers and mysteries but once in awhile I will read a biography or a book with something about history. Usually though I just want to get lost in the story. Escape. You know what I mean?

    Tell me what kinds of books and blogs do you like to read?

    This is day 20! What? I can't believe it is already day 20 in the 30 Days of Thanksgiving. Go here if you want to see what else I am writing about. 

Blanket, Blanket, Who's Got The Blanket?

    It is day 19 of the 30 Days of Thanksgiving. Find all my posts here.

    At my house we do NOT have enough blankets! Maybe I should rephrase that and say we do have plenty of blankets but we don't have enough if anyone else comes here to sleep. I am THANKFUL for the blankets I have, however. You see Richard is always cold. His circulation is just not up to par. That part of his body doesn't work right anymore. It could be caused from a variety of health problems that he has. He has chronic anemia, hypothyroidism and has lot quite a bit of weight in the past two years. All of this makes him cold.....I am not just talking about your normal feeling cold. He is ice cold. His nail beds turn blue. His lips turn blue. He shivers. 

    Bath times are a nightmare to him. He likes the warm water of the shower but getting him out and dressed takes a team effort. This past shower day Harley warmed a small blanket in the dryer while I was drying him with the towel. All the  while Justin held the blow dryer on warm and blew it over him. Harley came running with the blanket and we wrapped him up until the shivering stopped. And then I flew into action and dressed him as fast as I could. Then we take him to his chair and start with the blankets. On a normal day 5 blankets are enough. There have been occasions where he requires a couple more. 

    So if you are coming to my house for a visit bring your blanket. There are no extras here. And if you want to stop and say "hi" to Richard just look for the pile of blankets.

Homemade versus Mrs. Smith

Okay I am going to admit it here. I cannot make a pie. I have tried. The crust is either inedible or undone. It is either soggy or so tough that you need a chain saw to cut it. So, yes, I use Mrs. Smith. Once upon a time I would carefully remove the pie from the aluminum pie pan and put it into my own fancy pie dish. Then when the compliments came I would just smile. One time my husband found the empty pie box in the trash. He just smiled and the next year asked me what kinds of "Mrs. Smith's" pies did I want from the store for Thanksgiving. All of my family knows that I 'cheat' and buy Mrs. Smith. But that is just the way it is.

Only a few more days and I can heat
up the oven and pop in a few of these.
Follow my posts here.

Good luck to brother Fred on his trip
to KU Medical Center*

Sunday Stealing

I haven't participated in a Sunday Stealing in a long time. Today, I liked this one.

The ASK Meme, part one 

1. What’s your favorite candle scent?
 I love anything vanilla.

2. What female celebrity do you wish was your sister?
 Rosanne Barr she would get me

3. What male celebrity do you wish was your brother? 
Mark Harmon...he has my sense of humor

4. How old do you think you’ll be when you get married? 
I was 18 the first time and 45 the second time around.

5. Do you know a hoarder? I did.
 My mother. She was terrible


I dI did
6. Can you do a split? 
Heck no!

7. How old were you when you learned how to ride a bike? 
I think around 7 or 8!

8. How many oceans have you swam in? 
2 Plus some gulfs and rivers and etc.

9. How many countries have you been to?  
Australia, Singapore, Viet Nam, Thailand, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Venezuela,Canada, Indonesia, Jamaica 

10. Is anyone in your family in the military? 
Not currently

11. Have you named any of your body parts? 
Nope

12. If you had a child today, what would you name him/her? 
I already have two and I am raising two grand-kiddos and that is ENOUGH

13. What’s the worst grade you got on a test? 
in high school probably an F...in college a B

14. What was your favorite TV show when you were a child? 
We didn't have TV until I was older so I don't remember.

15. What did you dress up as on Halloween when you were eight? 
A witch

16. Have you read any of the Harry Potter, Hunger Games or Twilight series? 
Nope

17. Would you rather have an American accent or a British accent? 
American works for me.

18. Did your mother go to college? 
No. She didn't even finish high school.

19. Are your grandparents still married? 
My grandparents are all dead, but we still married when they died

20. Have you ever taken karate lessons?
a small one once

21. Do you know who Kermit the frog is? 
Of course. Who doesn't?

22. What was the first amusement park you’ve been to? 
Six Flags after my kids were old enough to take

23. What language, besides your native language, would you like to be fluent in? 
Spanish....then I could understand all those old ladies in the grocery store when they are talking and looking at me.

24. Do you spell the color as grey or gray? 
Both. Depends

25. Is your father bald?
Sadly he died at age 49 and still had plenty of hair. 

Ham It Up

After I met Richard and he came into the family we began to  serve ham along with our Thanksgiving turkey. Richard said that is what his family always did so that became our new tradition as well. Sometimes, if it has been a good season, my brothers will contribute some dove and pheasant to the table. One year when we had been in a drought for a couple of years my brother Rich brought two dove on a big turkey platter. Two! It was so cute. 

Today is day 16 on my 30 Days of Thanksgiving. Read all my posts here. We are in countdown mode now . 

Tell me....do you have both ham and turkey? Or just turkey?

Heart Attack Potatoes

At my house at Thanksgiving (or any other time they can talk me into making them) we love what we call heart attack potatoes. I think you can find the recipe all over the internet listed as party potatoes. They got the name 'heart attack' potatoes because of the ingredients. One day when I made them and people were oohing and aahing someone asked for the recipe. As I read it out and they copied it down someone in the room said, "dang those things will clog up your arteries." Hence, "heart attack potatoes."

Heart Attack Potatoes

2 pound bag frozen hash browns

1/2 cup melted butter

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

2 cans cream of chicken soup

1 pint sour cream

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

10 ounces shredded cheddar cheese

Topping:

2-3 cups crushed corn flakes

1/2 cup melted margarine

Thaw potatoes and combine all ingredients

Put into a large, greased baking dish.

Sprinkle topping on.

Bake for 1 to 1-1/2 hours at 350*

Give them a try if you have never eaten them. They are delish.

Closer and closer the big day is coming.

What are your plans?

Read my other 30 Days of Thanksgiving posts here

The Pickled Dick

(Full disclosure and warning....this post will contain some salty language) But no pictures, I promise! Well maybe one, but it will not be x-rated! And we will pray for and forgive teenage boys. 


I can remember one particular Thanksgiving at my mom's house.Some of us were still teenagers. I think that my oldest brother and possibly two of the older cousins had already joined the Navy and were not at home at this time. So it must have been in the later 60's. My youngest brother's name is Richard, but we had always called him Dick or Dicky Lynn. Since I am married to a Richard, I am often asked why people by the name of Richard get a nickname like Dick. I have no idea! I just know that we called my brother Dick. I used to call my husband Dick as well, but as my boys starting getting older and the snickering started, we switched to Richard and stayed with Richard. 

Dick was probably somewhere around 14 or 15 at this time. You know how boys this age can be real smart-asses? 

My aunt and uncle were over for the big meal. My uncle was of the Jewish faith and sometimes I am sure he found our family to be a little crude. But he loved us all. Most of the times he was just a quiet guy.

On this day someone asked "Will you pass the pickles, Dick?" If you can use your imagination a bit here, my brother answered with "whoever heard of pickled dick?" A hush fell over the table. We were not a perfect family. We heard cuss words once in awhile. But this was not a common way to talk at our house, at that time. My uncle slammed his hand down on the table and pronounced to the family:

"From this day forward, we will call him Richard" and that was the birth day of my brother Rich.

Can you guess which one is Rich? Yep, the one taking his shirt off. This was the last Thanksgiving we all spent together. 2008!

(I hate that lamp sitting on the mantle. I am not sure why it is there....it belonged in the living room)

Today is day 15 of 30 Days of Thanksgiving. Find the first two weeks of my posts here. And I hope I didn't offend anyone. Just recording memories. :) 

We are so thankful

My husband, Richard, loves holidays. He loves to go all out with celebrating these holidays. We have always (until this year) decorated outside for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. He used to love a giant 'real' Christmas tree. Always, on the Friday following Thanksgiving, a group of Friends with all of our kids would drive the fifty-so miles to the tree farm and cut down our live tree. Didn't matter if it was icy, snowing, raining or what. Off we went, caravan style, to cut down our trees. And then we would gather at one of our houses for chili and potato soup. Ah the memories....

One of Richard's favorite holidays, like mine, is Thanksgiving. And he really likes to go all out. Having just one vegetable was never enough. We had to have creamy corn (in fact Richard was the one to make this dish) and french-style green beans with bacon. And never just one type of pie. We always had to have enough pie to please everyone. We had cherry, apple, pumpkin and a variety of cheesecakes. 

taken at our Disney World vacation before his stroke

We always started the day off by getting up early to get the turkey ready to go into the oven. And then tearing up the bread to make the stuffing. Richard was my ace-in-the-hole when it came to dicing up the onions and the celery. He had the patience to make them into the small pieces that are so necessary for the stuffing. And he peeled the potatoes. I never peeled potatoes for anything until after he had his stroke. Richard knew his way around a kitchen. And he liked to help.

He loved to set up the bar and make sure everyone's glass were always full. Whether you were drinking bourbon and coke or wine, Richard was there to keep your drink fresh. 

Richard also hated paper plates and plastic utensils. So we owned plenty of china and silver to set the table for the entire family. When his mom was still with us I always borrowed her china to compliment mine. After she passed away that china became mine. And I still proudly display it in our hutch. 

Richard loved having the big family gatherings at our house. Never once did I hear him complain. He was always a most gracious host to my extended family.

And now that he is not quite the same man he will still love the holiday. Because he will be the center of attention. People will sit with him and they will include him into the conversation. We may not be having a big family dinner this year. But we DO still have Richard. And that is something to be thankful for. 

Only two more weeks until Thanksgiving. Read my 30 Days of Thanksgiving posts here. 

Hi Dee!

November's Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...it is dark and cold. We have had a couple of nights in the 20's. Today we did see upper 40's however.

I am thinking...only two more weeks until Thanksgiving. Where oh where did this year go?

I am thankful...for antibiotics. Richard has the start of another urinary tract infection. So he started back on Cipro today.

In the kitchen...I just haven't felt like cooking this week. So it hasn't been homemade meals. Stuff from the freezer like enchiladas that the kids made as a fund raiser. Good though.

I am wearing...sweatpants and a tee shirt

I am creating...the perfect Thanksgiving. In my mind.

I am going...to try really, really hard to get organized around here.

I am wondering...what tomorrow will bring.

I am reading...I am currently reading an old gent's blog (on my Nook) about his years of caring for a wife with Parkinson's disease.

I am hoping...for a good day tomorrow.

I am looking forward to...seeing my cousins at Thanksgiving.

I am learning...that my mom was right.."life is not fair" and "no one promised me a rose garden."

Around the house...I have rearranged some furniture in several rooms. Things are changing.

I am pondering...what tomorrow will bring.

A favorite quote for today...

One of my favorite things...no clothes in the laundry hamper. Doesn't happen very often.

A few plans for the rest of the week:Just more of the same. This is the last week before Darian starts wrestling practices. Harley is already in basketball practices and things will get crazier.

A Turkey Secret

Do you know how to cook a turkey? I have baked a lot of turkeys in my years on this earth. And I am not going to lie and tell you that they have all been juicy, tender, and wonderful. I have had my share of ups and downs. I have left the giblets, in the bag, inside the turkey. I have overcooked it. I have under cooked it. I have forgotten to take it out of the freezer in time for it to thaw. But I have found, and will share, the best turkey tip that I know. And I now, never have a failure.

Yep...that is my secret. And the turkeys I make are the BEST. They are moist, tender, and take much less time in the oven. And clean up is just a matter of tossing the bag and rinsing the pan. If you have never tried an oven bag, you have got to this year! I guarantee them. Now if someone would just teach me how to carve that sucker we would be in business. 

What's your favorite way to cook a turkey?

A bed in the Room

We have a bed in our living room. A hospital bed with an alternating air-flow mattress. This type of mattress will help to treat and prevent any pressure sores that might develop.  Richard has a couple on his bottom from having spent the last year sitting in either his recliner or his wheelchair. We have gel-pads in both chairs but it just wasn't  enough to prevent him from having sores develop. He is no long able to lift himself up, even a tiny fraction, to relieve the pressure. Now my biggest challenge is to get him to try out the bed. He told our son the other day..."I must be getting near the end if she thinks I need a hospital bed." We spent the weekend trying to convince him that just isn't so. We explained several times why we thought the bed would be better for him. The bed was delivered yesterday afternoon. He just sat and watched as it was set up. He didn't say a word to the delivery man who brought it. He didn't want to try it out. "Maybe tomorrow." I am thankful that I have a large living room and it will accommodate the bed, as well as a sofa and two recliners. Not to mention my little nook behind the sofa where my computer is. But we still had to move a lot of furniture around. And store what wouldn't fit in another room. I am beginning to look more and more like a care home!

We also had another visit with the re-certification nurse. I understand she will now come every 60 days to see that he still needs Hospice. It is a Medicare requirement. She says that failing appetite and more sleeping will continue to qualify him. That, of course, is good news to us.(That he still qualifies, not that he continues to fail). Paying for all of this would be a nightmare otherwise. I think it is crazy that Medicare will pay this sum of money each month to Hospice yet won't pay the room and board portion to the nursing home, should we need it. It is because the kind of care that Richard needs is called custodial care not medically necessary care. Sometimes it is just hard to understand why the rules are the way they are. But I am grateful for Hospice and what they do for us.