Ahhh letting go...

Janice Jeep

We had a very productive weekend...First  Po-boi living up to his nickname.  

Janice (blue Jeep) was his vehicle we purchased for him 10 yrs ago. (Ah, 10 yrs already???..)  His 1st car.  He named her Janice.  Do you name ur vehicles??? I remember we had BAM BAM the awesome Grand AM.  or Tango Durango come to mind...lol silly...

Oh, the stories Janice would be able to spill.  Like the time she went 4 wheeling behind the high school, getting stuck, having the entire football team assist getting her unwedged from the boulders her young driver put her thru....lol  Or the time she almost met her maker, sliding down a mountain sideways, cuz the "road" wasn't really a road.  3 days of constant rain in the Kentucky Smokies makes the mud terrain unstable by the way...Oi, I nearly met my maker when Po-boi shared that story with me, 2 days after it happened.  I sprouted at least million grey hairs from it....lol  Or the time you're waiting at a stop light. Just jammin to the music, eating Mcfries...minding your own business, when suddenly every direction you are surrounded by the police.  Six in total, they (police) quickly step out with their weapons drawn at the car in front of you.  Arresting them for drugs, your driver nearlys pee's himself... lol

Yes, these are only the few Po-boi has "shared" with us...

Pennie Patriot Jeep

Now meet Pennie "Patriot" Jeep.  We found a penny in the driveway, must have come from Janice after Po-boi cleaned her out.  So, she is the reason Po-boi has retained his nickname.  Ain't she a beauty???  Po-boi has mixed emotions.  Letting go of Janice was hard for him, cuz he wanted to keep her & make a toy (lifted)...I'm glad he did not, 2 insurance policies cleared that matter up, plus he would always have to lug her around.  Yes,  we're very happy for Po-boi.

Stella at play..

When the menfolk were at the dealership, Stella caught playing with my yarn as I was crocheting.  She always has the evil look when I take her picture...too funny.  She was having a blast "attacking" the yarn.

speaking of crochet, I better get back to my project, stop piddling around. I can hear the thunder boomers approaching...better get my afternoon coffee on...

Journey...

Old Mill in Pigeon Forge, TN

If you ever get the opportunity go to Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg TN. You must visit this amazing place, The Old Mill, or the Pottery House Cafe.  At the Pottery House when you walk inside, the aroma of fresh bread baking hits you square between the eyes.  Heaven really, oh my I want to go back right now...I promise you will not go away hungry.

I'm pretty sure I know what happened now regarding my RA crud stuff...We celebrated Hubby's bday recently.  Since I was feeling great that day, I made Orange scones for breakfast. Then I prepared a pineapple upside cake.  Followed up by making him a huge meal.  I spent all my spoons, plus a few extra. Ok, so it takes me a while, but this journey Im on is one rocky road.  Sometimes my path will be covered with tiny pebbles to walk on, other days I will have boulders to climb. Thanks all for listening...  It's such a fine line, to put your information out to the world.  All our paths are different, again I appreciate the kind words, they do help.

Orange marmalade scone 

I love making scones.  I have to laugh, cuz it sounds so fancy, when really all you're doing is making biscuits.  Instead of scooping out the dough individually, just place in a pie dish!  Seriously easy.  A couple of adjustments to the recipe.  Adding a lil orange juice, zest as well as orange flavoring just enhances the scone more.  Top with the marmalade sprinkle a dab of sugar, pop it in the oven...yum yum.

Pineapple upside down cake

So who doesnt luv a Pineapple upside cake??? Baked this in the cast iron skillet...oh so good!!!  

Stella news.... She's mingling with us more and more outside Po-boi's room.  She will never be Mercedes friend plain and simple.  They will tumble whenever the opportunity arises.  Each fighting for their places.  Understandable I suppose.   We've compromised. Mercedes sleeps in our room during the day hours so we keep our door shut. Stella has free range of the home.  At night we reverse the scenario.  This does not please her Royal highness Stella, but if she is willing to risk a butt whoopin, like the other night when she dared Mercedes, then that is the risk she is willing to undertake.  LOL    

This day will get better....

Im so stinking tired!   The last 2 days I have had no energy...Zapped out!

Yesterday, I wasnt feeling well, so I thought, maybe I just didnt get enough sleep, but I rarely get enough.  I'll do my today stuff tomorrow. 

I hung out,  picked up the crochet project messed with it for a couple of hours.  Mainly I watched TV, and felt like crud all day.  

Today I awoke feeling a little better.  Waking up with Rheumatoid every morning is not the typical groggy, sleepy, getting older stiffness.  It's all that times 10.  Scratch that times 100.  No matter, just have to shake it off, work thru the pain.  Aware that yesterday was zero productivity.  I was gearing up to push thru.  Tho every so often a day like yesterday, and today happen.  It gives you your regular aches, & pains, stiffness then throws in light headed, nausea flu like no energy whatsoever ugly crud. Reminding you what you can & can not do. I call it RA winning day.  I loathe them.

It catches me off guard every time.  I swear I'm constantly thinking why does this hurt, when did that happen, what did I eat???  Seriously, when was it possible catching the flu???  All to go back to the beginning and remember...Oh, yes it's typical RA crud. Dang you RA crud.  Plus it means another lil victory for this crappy disease.  I have battled it for so long, I hate giving in.  I have no idea what it feels like to have a day without pain anymore.  I count on my lil victories.

For instance, is the pain too much today or can I do a load or two of laundry?  or Hey, today might not be too bad, I can do laundry and cook a meal.  or  I crochet because I luv it, but also my hands are becoming crippled, I dont want to lose the ability.  I have now stretched out my "to do" list, because I can't do it all. 

 I'm a Spoonie.  Click the link.  It will explain.  The author is dealing with Lupus, a wretched disease.  The difference between RA & Lupus.  Lupus attacks the internal organs more often, gangs up on weakening the heart muscle.    

The Spoon Theory

It was wonderful to discover, that I'm not alone.  Yet, it's heart breaking too.  I do not like to talk about RA.  Silly, but I think it gives it victory,  but I'm realizing I need to change my perspective.  It will limit my physical abilities.  I just don't want to be know as that is ALL I have to offer.

So maybe tomorrow will be better physically, and emotionally.  

 Meanwhile....I posted this pic the other day on FB.  I didnt know what type of waterfowl we had roaming around in our yard.  I found out they are Coot.  They are a noisy bunch at dawn & dusk chatting up a storm.  This is the second batch I've seen running around.  The first batch we saw around the 1st of May.  About 2 weeks after hatching we think Mr Gator had some Coot for dinner.  There was a momma with 5 babies.  The next day only 3 babies, then only momma.  Hopefully, these guys will survive. They all live in the same neighborhood.  Good luck Coot family #2!

ugh..technology

So blogger is having issues with it's Reading list (dashboard).  Not sure if anyone else is experiencing this  current issue, but it has affected me.  I can only see one blog at a time...so until the issue is corrected I will sit out for the moment....

Granola bar & mini breakfast treats....

I have been concerned lately that hubby & Po boi are not eating properly during their work week.  They come home saying they've skipped meals, and such.  So I saw these recipes on Pinterest, and decided to give them a try.

This is the granola bar recipe.  It was from Redbook magazine.  This will be a favorite to make in the future.  I usually have all the ingredients in my cupboard.  I did not calculate the cost, but I'm sure I saved a pretty penny or nickel with prices of late.  lol  The next batch, I will add a tsp or so of dry fiber mix, melt choc chips on top, copycat to a fiber bar.

The recipe calls for 1 cup oats.  I adjusted it a bit adding a 1/2 c more.   Plus I added dates, as well as cranberries.  I mixed the dry ingredients by hand, cuz I did not want to clean my food processor.  My RA decides how much prepping, making, cleaning I will do..lol  I would recommend the food processor, if you want a finer blend, but hey worked out ok.  The guys gave the thumbs up.  I accomplished what I set out, makes me a happy girl.

GRANOLA BARS

all dry ingredients

crumbled together dry ingredients 

finished product

1 cup quick-cooking or old-fashioned oats
1 cup spoon-size shredded wheat cereal
1 cup walnuts
1 1/2 cups dried fruit
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
2 large eggs
1/4 cup honey
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

Heat the oven to 350° F. Lightly oil or coat an 8x8-inch baking pan or dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside. Place oats, shredded wheat, walnuts, dried fruit, cinnamon, and salt in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until mixture is finely chopped (fruit should be the size of a dried pea or lentil). Whisk together eggs, honey, and vanilla in a large bowl until well-blended. Add oat mixture and chocolate chips; stir to combine. Spread mixture evenly in prepared pan; flatten gently with the back of a spoon or rubber spatula. Bake, about 18 minutes, or until the edges turn golden-brown. Let cool completely in pan before slicing into twelve 12 2x2 1/2-inch bars. If you have leftovers, wrap individual portions in plastic baggies or aluminum foil and freeze.

Makes 12 servings.

BERRY OATMEAL BAKE

This recipe I alter a bit too.  The original recipe calls for 2 cups of liquid.  I was making them in the cupcake pan. (its all about portion control) I decided to only add the 12 oz of coconut milk. I wanted more of a cake like product, making it easier to freeze individually.  I also did not use 1 cup fruit.  I chopped a couple of strawberries, used  handful of blueberries, and placed 1 banana slice in each serving.  I left the fruit on top, thought they would blend in while baking, but since they did not, I would recommend you poke them further into the mix prior to baking.  They still got the thumbs up from the menfolk.  So I know I will make this again.  I included a pic of the bloggers original product, so you can see the differences.   Make sure you mix all dry ingredients together.  Then add wet. My bake time was 15-18 minutes.  I wanted a lil doughy, knowing the guys would zap them in the microwave. The edges are a light brown.

before baking

finished product

Cook Time: 40 minutes
Prep Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Old Fashioned Oats  
• 3/4 Cup Natural Maple Syrup  
• 1 Tablespoon Cinnamon
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 Cup Raspberries (or mixed fruit)
• 1 Cup walnuts, chopped  
• 2 Cups unsweetened Almond Milk or Coconut Milk  
• 1 large egg 
• 1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract
• 1 Banana, peeled and sliced 

before baking

ENJOY ...breakfast is good for ya!

Monday blues...

Gasparilla Is, FL

 Gasparilla Is (Boca Grande) is definitely top 3 favorite places I have been to in this world.  Love everything, sand, water, solitude.  Why I live in FL.

 Anyway, yesterday was a good day.  Father's day & all.  Hubby got 2 fishing poles.  One is a small pole, to pack in his golf bag.  I know, you're asking yourselves, Why a golf bag?  Clubs are to be stored in a golf bag, you play golf with them, not fishing poles.  Well, hubby explained to me on occasion he has to wait on a group in front of him, several occasions he has found himself next water, and thought....if I had a fish pole right now...opportunity, you just can't let it slip by ya....lol  Oh, and he saw a group of guys cast their lines in the water before....lol

My previous post I mentioned Mercedes whoopin a flip flop. The pics are a tad blurry.  She's like a Ninja, quick, silent, deadly.  Too funny.

Sylvester & Bentley

Every morning I must make the boys get out of our bed.  In order for me to make the bed.  Bentley is staring at the camera.  He's been caught cuddling with Sylvester.  He's pleading his case not to spill the beans.  Sylvester likes sleeping alone, if Mercedes or Bentley awake him when attempting a cuddle he gets a lil grouchy...

We had Eldest meatloaf for Father's day.  I really enjoyed making these ahead, then freezing them.  The portion size is perfect.  I try to eat with smaller plates.  This is a 5" dessert plate, instead of  filling a 9" dinner plate.  Today Eldest & I are going to make Oatmeal Granola bars, and a Oatmeal Strawberry/Banana Casserole.  I'll post pics later.

Enjoy the day....

Smell of cut grass...

This cute lil flower just popped up in the middle of our yard.  I wish it had popped up in the flower bed instead...lol

Hubby's out mowing the lawn before another thunder boomer erupts.  By the looks of things probably less than an hour.  I luv the sweet smell of cut grass.   A friend bought me a candle on time when I mentioned how I loved the smell, I had a good chuckle tho.  I smell fresh cut grass year around living in FL, no need for a candle....lol  

tampa news

The above pic from a Tampa news station, captured this waterspout happening the other day in the bay area.  I'm a tad concerned about my previous post regarding tornado's around water...eek.  I'm gonna believe the Cherokee wisdom.  A bay is much larger than a river. Our lil lake is tiny compared to a bay, and I live on a canal, so really it's a river like...right???     With the rainy season upon us, the humidity has shot up with the temps.  We have more or less locked ourselves inside for the summer.  This week has been especially crazy.  Each night we have gone to bed with a lightning show happening.  The storms pass quickly in Florida, but the rain that each storm produces amazes me.  We're just one big soggy bog down here.

I luv Pinterest.  If you're not on this site, I would recommend it.  The above pic is mini meatloaf.  Brilliant idea.  Eldest made these the other day.  He loves to help in the kitchen.  I luv teaching him how to cook.  He did 95% of the prep work, from beginning to end.  Most often he will stir a pot, then tell his dad he made dinner....lol  I also found on Pinterest printable grocery lists.  Here's a July 4th grocery list. 

http://www.freeprintablegrocerylist.com/preview/Fourth_of_July_Grocery_List

The site also has menu planners, various grocery lists, gluten free, diabetes.  Check it out, might be helpful...

The boy's are going to get something for hubby at Bass Pro.  I think I'll stay home, give them some male bonding time.  We'll see how it goes, generally they harp on me to come with them...maybe I can get me a pair of wader's..course with all the rain, I might need an Ark...lol

Flares and whoopins.....

Waking up is hard to do...na na na....

So of course I need to blog on Fri 13.  History is being made here people. So full, moon, and new moon to boot, on a Fri which happens to be 13 of June, this series last happened in 1919.  The news is reporting some serious solar flares from the Sun.  Thus effecting our GPS, or ISB, cell phones, TV's, any electronics you might have going basically.  Case in point as I've been typing, 2 requests from Blogger help have been denied, "Sorry for the inconvenience".  Here's the thing, I haven't requested Blogger to "help" me.   LOL  Let the crazies begin.  What a joy.

I was able to send Dad his Father's day gift.  I luv ordering gifts online.  The gift for Father's day is so simple.  A dozen Oatmeal cookies. As I was growing up, Dad always told me he liked my oatmeal cookies, that I would bake, making me feel special.  When I first moved out of the house he would tell me to come visit.  He needed oatmeal cookies. A bribe for me visiting him.  Over the years he has reminded me on occasion of his cookie inventory.  Now, I send them cuz I can't always be near him, but he'll get his oatmeal cookies, and we both understand this meaning.  It's the little things..... Which reminds me I am due for a real visit, soon Mom hinted at Mother's day...better listen to mom...lol.  

We went a whole 4 days without a Stella whoopin!  lol  Mercedes is trying her best, but when we keep leaving the gate open, and Stella is daring her.   I ask ya, What's the po girl suppose to do?  There's only so much whoopin you can do to a flip-flop (sandal)....Yes, Mercedes attacks our flip-flops.  Always has, not while you are wearing them tho.  All our shoes hang out at the front door.  So, when she feels the need to "whoop" up on something she usually dives head first into a flip-flop, gathers it up to her belly, then let the whoopin being.  I believe the smells of grass, bugs, lake water drive her insane....LOL   This isnt as crazy as Sylvester bouncing off the walls when he get's his "whoopin" feeling on....lol  

Better run, I've pushed my limit with the solar flare....

Happy place....

This is my happy place.  The hot tub.  We got this inflatable tub recently.  

It's inflatable, thus making it portable.  It does not have jets on the sides. They bubble up from the bottom, relaxing, yet has some power to it as well.  The advantages are:  Portable, so I can take it anywhere.  Holds the temp very well, nothing above 104 degrees which is great for me cuz I like 102 range.  It plugs into 110v standard.  No rewiring, or adding additional costs to the fuse box.  The utility increase was $18-20, not bad. The cost, about a 1/3 of what the standard spas range.  We order this online, got the best deal from Wal-mart (Amazon has product too).  The manufacture is the popular pool maker.  Maintenance is easy peasy (we all luv that).   

Good ole Stella girl, she's mad cuz I captured her in mid scratch.  She's in a super loving mood this morning.  Hum,??? we'll see how long she lasts.  I play the Mission Impossible theme when she lurks around the home.  Too much fun.  The boys (Sylvester & Bentley) are completely over her antics, come and go around her, she still hisses at them.  Mercedes is another story completely.  One day I hope...will see until then ...da da daaaaaaaa....lol

I'm a fan....

The weather is heating up...so

The A/C runs continual for 9 - 10 months if I spoil myself, I could probably go 6 - 8 months, but hey I like being spoilt...lol 

 With our open floor plan, we have two ceiling fans close in proximity.   In my vain attempt to keep the temps low.  I have followed the "rules",  with setting the fans in a forward vs reverse mode.  I'm now fed up with the "rules", and have set one fan in a forward mode, the other reverse.  This has cooled the entire open space immensely.  What can I say, I'm a "rule" breaker....lol 

If you interested I have included the "rules" at the end of this posting...

Eldest had a bday yesterday.  We enjoyed a day at sea...lol (lake)  Things heated up pretty quickly.  Even tho we were on the water, no clouds, the temps got to 93...whew it was HOT, before noon too.  Today's temps are to be near 100...eek!  The boy's went out again, NO THANK YOU...I will stay inside.  Eldest enjoyed his bday! He enjoys everyday, so super blessings for us.   

Stella is still being her royal self.  I bring her out of Po-boi's room daily, to mingle with us peasants.  She breaks mentally, turns into a civil, somewhat tame cat, she turns on a dime suddenly remembers she's a wild beast that we should not be contend with or she'll rip us limb from limb, then a second later she's calm, tame, loving....Psycho.  This is total entertainment for me, but torture for her I'm certain.  She like's humans,  just one.  She will allow Po-boi to love her at anytime.

time to tend to laundry  ugh!  lol

Yay,Im a Great Aunt...again..

borrowed from Pinterest

Our niece on my side of the family, had her son today!!!!  This is the 1st grandchild born on our side of the family.  My hubby's side, we're pro's we have 6.  One grandnephew, five grandniece.   We're tickled pink (rather blue, since he's a boy) lol, for our niece & her hubby.    My sister & her hubs are ecstatic.  Everyone is well, healthy and happy.  Thank you Lord. Ah, the cycle of life.

Cloudy & rainy today, the season has begun.  The local weather  forecasters are a twitter, there could be a slight possibility for a tropical depression arriving next week.  lol  Tho I tease, FL does have it's act together with the storms.    This lil storm popped up and brought a guest Saturday afternoon.

local fb news

It was in the town north of us 17 miles or so. Near the mall, so I WILL be selective as to the time I go shopping in the future, cuz this is TOO close for me.  No damages thankfully.  Im going to rely on my Gmas story she told me when I was a little girl.  The town Gma lived in (raised) south of Wichita KS, lays between 2 rivers.  The Cherokee say a tornado will never touch down there, because of the 2 rivers protect the grounds making it safe.  There have been plenty...too many tornadoes, but none have ever been in her town, always north of one river, or south of the other.    Now we live between two lakes, I pray the Cherokee wisdom works in Seminole country Fl, tho they are lakes, and not rivers, we're in Fl not KS, and really pray the Cherokee got along with the Seminole, cuz I really dont want to be jinxed with a tornado. 

With the cloudy sky, Im going to make a jambalaya for din din.  No Gator bites on the side,  we are still keeping an eye out for our uninvited guest.  I was watching one of the infomercials early Sun morning..(.Insomnia comes with the pain in my rear RA)...anyway, this guy was selling home remedies to deter pests large or small.   He said, shake some cayenne pepper around your veggie plants in your garden, this will deter bunnies from eating your veggies you got growin.  So I figure I'll buy a 20# bag of cayenne pepper, spread it around the dock.  Maybe it will deter the Gator.  

I just had a thought, what if the Gator thinks I'm ringing the dinner bell? He could smell that pepper, come running.  Cuz you know Gator's taste good with dat Cayenne pepper on em...  Oooeee..