A funny Christmas Story

This afternoon I had a conversation with my Mom about my post yesterday Christmas past. It was fun remembering past Christmas's. Here is a funny story about a Christmas a few years after Larry & I were married. Larry's friend talked him into buying a Virginia ham. Well that Christmas I said Larry you prep the ham I will cook it. I always thought you had to soak the ham at least overnight in water in the fridge. Well Larry thought it would only take a couple of hours. Well let's just say it was more than a tad bit salty. We had several people over and let's just say the sides & desserts were almost completely gone by the end of the evening and we had enough ham left over forever is what it seemed like. I don't remember if we kept it or dumped it. but we all had a good laugh that night and agreed if we ever have Virginia ham I would make sure it wasn't so salty.  Just thinking about this now makes me laugh.

Christmas past

Last night & today I have been thinking about Christmas & what it was like when I was a kid. My favorite memory was when we would spend it at my grand parents house in California City. Grandpa would make porridge and hot chocolate. If I remember correctly we opened one gift on Christmas Eve after we went to Church the gift was from my grand parents, my grandma made us pajamas's for us to wear Christmas morning. Some years we would celebrate with my Aunt, Uncle & cousins. Every year Dee & I had matching jammy gowns and my brother Jim, my cousins Curtis & Ray they had matching p.j.s. Christmas was about family and necessities and the occasionally we got stuff just for fun. I miss this, because now days it is all about I want this and I want that. My friend has this and I don't. I just wish that we and yes I am including me weren't so materialistic. This year I have hopes that Nikita will understand this as well as Larry. We need to go back to simpler times. I am trying it this year, no I will not be sewing like my grandma did but I truly believe we need to take care of our necessities if we can and not charge away with no idea of when or if we can pay it back. Let alone the interest rate that will kill you. Are you going to do necessities this year or go overboard with the credit cards and this and that, or my friends have this and I don't?  

What I have been up too

I have been way too busy. First Thanksgiving, Larry's surgery. Now I am taking care of Larry and that is a challenge for me. I have had to lift, bend and do things I am not supposed to do. Nikita is helping some but all she does us whine about it. I have hopes that when Larry has recuperated he can do the lifting and bending. Currently Larry can't lift anything over 10 lbs. I am not supposed to even lift that much but until he can do more I will try my best. I just hope that I don't fall apart before he is better.
I have been browsing sales online for possible gifts for Christmas. This year will be a hard Christmas with Larry not working and waiting for disability to kick in, which god knows when that will be. Now we wait and see how Larry does & when he can return to work. Our first priority is to take care of paying what bills are the most important and then food for us. If there is more we will get presents. Nikita has never know what it is like to have to deal with things like this. Nikita keeps asking for the this and that. We will find money for what is necessary but other than that we will have to see.
Also this year I will not be baking like I usually do for others to save money as well as I can't do what I use to do my body just won't cooperate to do all that I would like to do. I am planning on making for dessert for Christmas apple pie Nikita asked if I would make it and I said yes. I am making something chocolate too haven't figured it out yet. Haven't decided on what we will have for Christmas dinner yet either, it will depend on how much money we have as to what I will make. Well got to get back to looking at chocolate recipes for Christmas.

Getting ready for Larry to have Surgery

Well, all three of us are getting ready for Larry's surgery. First the house will be in order I hope we are trying to do that this weekend. Larry & Nikita are cleaning the living room, this is where all of their messes are. My kitchen is clean. The family room/dinning room needs a little picking up and both rooms need to be vacuumed. Tonight we are having remainders of Thanksgiving.
Tonight I will be learning all about the bills again, when we were waiting for Larry's liver transplant I had to figure everything out without him, he was to ill & or a coma to ask questions. I don't want to go through that again. I don't think anything bad will happen when they do the hernia operation but the doctor was very frank with us that he is at a very high risk for infection but the surgery is an absolutely necessary it is interfering with daily life. Larry has two hernia's and they will decided when they get in if they do both or just one.
I have stocked my pantry and freezer to last for two weeks. If I had more room I would do more. Larry's last pay check will be in two weeks, then we wait for disability check to start. Larry does have retirement from him being am Iron worker that we will get on the first of the month. Larry says not to worry but I still will I remember how tough it was for us when we were waiting for the transplant. I do not wish the stress of that on anyone. I am probably concerned over nothing. Well we begin the count down to surgery it is this week on Dec.1, 2011. We will find out the day before what time surgery is. Got to remember just breathe and one day at a time and if that doesn't help one minute at a time.

Update on day before Thanksgiving

Well baking is done, dinner is done. Nikita helped w/baking & she cleaned up most of the downstairs bathroom. I have hopes of doing what I can do tomorrow, if not that is ok. We are only having one guest. I guess I just wanted to make everything perfect. Here I am telling Nikita it is ok to not be perfect and what am I doing. I guess I should take my own advice. I have plans on going to bed early tonight, I need the rest plus I will need energy and hopefully not pain which I am currently in.

Day before Thanksgiving are you ready?

It is the day before Thanksgiving and are you ready? Well I am not yet, currently I am cooking veggies for stuffing/dressing. Still have to bake pecan pie & praline pumpkin dessert & prep veggies for roasting. I need to finish cleaning kitchen & make sure bathroom downstairs is clean. I hope Nikita will still help with baking today. Had to go out to Costco today needed a necessity and was it ever crowded. Got in and got out in about 40 min. The veggies for cooked now I just have to let them cool down & put in fridge to add to dried cornbread tomorrow. I still have to hand wash some dishes, it sucks that not everything can go into a dishwasher. I also have remainders (leftovers) for dinner, which is my version of osso bucco. Which I just tell Larry & Nikita it is pot roast so I don't have to explain it to them. I will let you know later if I get done or not.

Overwhelmed by Thanksgiving

I don't know about anyone but this year I am feeling a bit overwhelmed by Thanksgiving. I am usually very organized but this year not so much. I finally made a list of what I need to do. I have way too much on my mind and things to do. I have to realize that I am not perfect and I will try my best and if something doesn't get done I will be fine, dinner will be fine. It isn't like we are having a lot of people over it will just be me , Larry, Nikita and Larry's best friend Dan. We haven't had a crowd over for the Holiday's in about a year, because I can't do what I used to do. I still try and it sets me back a day or two. I need to remember Nikita is old enough and she can help with somethings and it is a good lesson for me to have more patience with her and with myself. Let's see now if I can accomplish this today.

My count down for Thanksgiving

Well first I already ordered my smoked turkey, which we will already be carved, when Larry picks it up on Thanksgiving morning.
I need to make a list of what I need for both Thanksgiving & for us too. My menu for Thanksgiving is Smoked Turkey, corn bread stuffing, gravy, either mashed or baked potatoes, roasted veggies & steamed veggies, fruit salad & cranberry sauce. For dessert we will have Larry's favorite pecan pie, praline pumpkin dessert and Larry's friend Dan is bringing something chocolate. We will also have sparkling cider to celebrate.
Today we also need to do shopping at Whole Foods. Monday shopping at Sprouts, they have nuts, eggs, butter, mushrooms, maple syrup, cranberry sauce.
Wednesday do prep of stuffing and bake pecan pie & praline pumpkin dessert. pick up cheap dinner or make easy dinner.
Thanksgiving Day arrives. 

Are you ready for Thanskgiving?

Are you ready for Thanksgiving? 
I am working on getting ready for Thanksgiving. I ordered a smoked turkey, like I did last year. It was so good and easy for me. I am not sure how many people will be coming until a day or two before. Larry's friend comes unless he has made plans with his adult kids. Dan, Larry's friend has brought his youngest over before for the Holidays, we shall see if it will just be Larry, Nikita & me. Either way it is fine with me.

Ziva the cat is funny & frustrating

Well let me tell you some funny things you may or may not know about Ziva she loves to play fetch like a dog. Ziva also loves to steal Larry's seat in the family room right before he wants to sit on it. Ziva comes running when Nikita comes home from school and just bashes her nose against Nikita's and purrs like crazy. Ziva can't make up her mind a bedtime where to sleep she either sleeps in between Larry's and my feet or above my head on the pillow behind me.Right now she is resting on the back of my recliner that I am sitting on. Earlier this week I gave Ziva a new scratching pad that has a ball in it that she can play with.
Now to the frustrating part, when ever Nikita & I leave the house, Ziva likes to bring things downstairs, that we don't need. Usually she will get into either clean or dirty hampers and bring clothing or towels downstairs. Ziva likes to leave stuff on the stairs too. If we are gone an hour we will usually only have one or two things brought down stairs, but the other day I was gone from 7:15am until 2:45pm/ When I got home she had the stairs cluttered with clothes, towels and toys as well as the living room & entryway. What can I say she misses us so she brings down things I guess to keep herself busy and not lonely. I tell Ziva on school days that I will be going to get Nikita and we will be home, and she does brings one or two things down and prances on down the stairs when she hears Nikita's voice. What can I say I have a unique cat.

6th grade fundraising

Well today I did my first official act as 6th grade parent rep. I stapled information sheets onto catalogs. We will kick off our first fundraiser of bags on Thursday night at Back to School night. There are so many to choose from. What I believe we do is raise as much money as we can for the 6th graders can go to Science Camp. Which we I think will find out about on Back to School night.
I will be at the booth for sales that evening, Larry gets to visit Nikita's class & go to Science Camp information meeting. Then come back to the booth and keep me company until it is over.
I can't wait to see what else we will do for fundraisers. I am very excited to see what we will be doing, I do believe I heard we will be selling World Finest Chocolates, which is one of Larry's favorite things. How much you want to guess Larry will spend a fortune on?????

Unsafe Construction on my street & Malvern Ave

Let me start by yes I will be bitching about the construction on my street! First of all I do want the traffic  light that is being put up on my street. We have so many accidents coming out of or turning onto my street. The City finally agreed to put up the traffic signal after securing some Federal Funding and I believe because we have a metro link stop about 2 1/2 blocks away. The commuters are parking on Malvern Ave when the train station is full which is all the time Monday thru Friday.
Well here is the unsafe issue in a nut shell the construction personnel have blocked off my street and wait until I get to the end of them street to tell me and where I live we have one way on each side of the street and parking in the middle. So the guy who was directing traffic didn't know how to do it and that was a joke. Later when I came home they almost hit my truck because no one was directing the bobcat. Well I complained to the City of Buena Park and they said they would do something about it. Now for the past two days the construction workers are jaywalking across Malvern Ave and I almost hit them at least 3 times. Larry has almost hit them the last two day too. Larry suggested I call CAL OSHA. Which I just did and I was told we only have three people to cover all of Orange County but  the gentleman said he would forward the complaint to his boss. The gentleman also said if we come out we will not be able to stay out there all day. I never thought they would. I know for a fact that times are tough and that there is very little to no money in City & State budgets to cover things people etc... that need to be done, "BUT" what is it going to take yet another death on Malvern Ave & my street before anyone does anything!!!!!!!!!

Ziva the cat found a buddy!!!!!!

Over the past several days we have been visited by a grey & white cat that shows up in our patio at our sliding glass window. We have never heard Ziva hiss or growl she is a very quite cat, she only talks when she is too excited and wants to play fetch or wants love. Well back to the other cat (buddy), it has shown up a lot and they both hiss and growl and bang on the glass door, it is funny to watch. On Friday night the cat (buddy) snuck into our garage and tried to hide under my truck, Larry saw this and scared the heck out of the cat and it took off.

I have a very neat cat (Ziva). I am adding a picture I took of Ziva sleeping on the back of my recliner.

Do you remember Hamlet?

Do you remember Hamlet when you were in school? I can't say that I remember it. Today Nikita and a friend of hers are doing homework and then practicing Hamlet's to be or not to be poem, they have to recite them on Friday. I can't much remember much at all about Shakespeare. I think we did learn it but in High School not 6th grade. I could be mistaken.

Homework, bad mood & arguementative that is my kid today

Today was early release day for Nikita's school and when I met her in the office which I do most days, she was a complaining and whining about how heavy her messenger bag that she want was with all the books in it for homework for tonight. I said stop complaining about how heavy the bag is I offered to get you a new rolling backpack because I knew that she was going to have a lot of books but no she had to have this messenger bag. I told her that she has an old rolling backpack that is in good condition the only thing wrong with it is that where the water bottles go it is holey. I told her that either she quits complaining and changes bags or go complain to someone else not me. Then Nikita says I have math and to practice my Hamlet poem I need to memorize by Sept. 23. The poem is 35 lines and she has choose not to spend much time on it. so I told her no TV or computer until you work on the poem. While we were waiting for the buses to leave so We could leave the Teacher in charge of the Student Body Elections, which Nikita has chosen to run for VP hasn't been coming to her class at recess to practice her speech and get approval for it. Nikita's excuse is I lost my speech and the teacher said either come by tomorrow with a speech or don't run.  Well she found her speech and just argued with me that she needs to practice it and write it on index cards, I asked did you work on your poem yet? Nikita yelled what don't you want me to be on student council & hit a bag of her stuff next to her. I said well if you don't keep your grades up there is no student council do the poem first and she isn't happy about it but that is life. From the moment I picked her up today all she has had is a bad attitude and been argumentative. I guess that is the way tweens are now, I know if I did this I would have gotten the back of the hand across my face. Today kids are lucky because if I did what was done to me I would be in jail.

Does it seem like Fall?

Does it seem like Fall? It is just beginning to seem like Fall to me. The last few mornings the air has seemed crisp to me, and the afternoons when it is time to pick up Nikita from school it is warm and some days it has been hot. I subscribe to several e-mail newsletters for recipes and life style stuff etc... Well today I got an e-mail from Family Fun Weekender and they have 20 different recipes for pumpkin. Now doesn't that just scream  Fall to you it does to me. I just want to go straight to baking and getting ready to make all my favorite Fall foods. I do cook somethings that people only cook during Fall & Winter all year long because they are my families favorites.
Tell me what are your favorite Fall foods? My all time favorite is roasted butternut squash and sweet potatoes. I just love roasted veggies, I add olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic, rosemary & time to my roasted veggies. my mouth is just watering thinking about it.

My second mammogram & breast ultrasound results

I got my results back recently that on the tests they found nothing. I was very happy that is was nothing, I am glad I go yearly for mammograms. I hope that anyone with breast cancer in there family men & women get their breasts checked out regularly and get mammograms too.

What's for Dinner tonight?

What are you making for dinner tonight? We are having brisket french dips, steamed carrots & broccoli & Honey dew melon. I had left over brisket in my freezer and I got french rolls today, so that is how I came up with dinner.
I will slice up the brisket and put in a pan with the juice that it was cooked in, if you don't have any juice, use stock in a box/can. Bring brisket and juice/stock to a simmer cook until brisket is warmed through. While you are doing this toast french rolls, if you like butter them if not it is up to you. Put brisket on rolls and juice/stock to bread if you want it real juicy. Put a small bowl along side sandwich for dipping.
I try to serve at least one vegetable & one fruit with our lunches & dinners I know weird hu? Let me know what you think about our dinner and tell me about what you are making or any food ideas you may have.

Way to hot lately

It has been, way to hot lately.  The last two days it has been so hot, I have hardly slept, we have a two story house and as most people know heat rises. Even though I have had the air on in the house it is still over 80 degrees and has gotten up to 85 upstairs. If I was so cheap/economical I would turn the air down past 75 but my house is all electric and our bill is way too much as it is.
Well we (Nikita & I) did cool off after school today we went to have shaved ice and invited friends to join us. There were 4 adults & three kids. We all cooled down then went about going home because all of the kids had homework. Today was early release which is always on Thursdays.
I hope it cools down soon, I have some baking to do. I enjoy my baking and cooking. I made an easy dinner tonight we had grilled ham & cheese sandwiches. Tomorrow night haven't got a clue what to make for dinner tomorrow night. I will figure it out tonight before bed because tomorrow night is softball practice. Then I think we start Saturdays as double header games. I will let you know the team name Saturday after the games.

Travelocity Customer Service (My Opinion)

Well Larry used them to book his business trip to Montana, he thought he had a great deal. Well Larry had to change plans while in Montana and come home early the job didn't take as long as they thought it would so Larry contacted Travelocity and they transferred Larry to the airlines to make changes. Then Travelocity contacted the hotel & car rental service. Well here is the BIG PROBLEM the day after Larry got home he contacted Travelocity for a detailed report/invoice for Larry to do his expense report so we can get our money back. For 5 days straight Larry has called customer service and they sent him an report/invoice for the original dates not the actual dates he was there and not all information was included and or broke down like he asked. Then today they sent him a another report/invoice and gave dates weird dates that Larry returned on Friday August 31, 2011. Well August 31, 2011 was a Wednesday not a Friday. I told Larry go to credit card and get information of changes and along with the latest report/invoice turn in expense report with detail of problems with Travelocity.
It is a crying shame that after six days they can't get there shit straight. That is my opinion. It is sad to say that now days customer service isn't what it used to be.

Ziva the Cat

Ziva the cat has been on a rampage this morning. She loves to play fetch, what a cat.

What are you doing for Labor Day Weekend?

So Tell me what are you doing for Labor Day?
This is what my family is doing for Labor Day Weekend. Tonight Nikita is at Softball practice, she is learning to pitch as well as how to be the best she can in the infield as well as outfield.  Nikita has played softball come this January I believe will be 7 years. She has been nominated two times for All Stars but she wasn't choose either time. Yes I will go there it was in my opinion politics that she didn't get in, but hey what do I know I am just a proud Momma.
Tomorrow is a possible scrimmage in the morning, then errands and may be lunch out. Sunday god only knows, we need to get somethings for the house & for school for Nikita. I have hopes of having some fun as a family, but what to do? I am limited as to what I can do and Nikita is a very active child,
Tonight I am trying to plan a get away for the three of us for November, wish it could have been this summer but this is when Larry will have a day for sure off. Which happens to be a Friday so we will leave on a Thursday night and come home on a Sunday night. This is only tentatively because every time we plan something shit happens. Larry has to work instead of a day off or I can't go for medical reasons, or Nikita gets sick or we can't afford it. So we will see.if we get to go or not.

Last Day of Summer School starts tomorrow

Well today was the last day of summer before school starts tomorrow. I am so glad school is starting tomorrow. I can go back to doing my stuff uninterrupted and no whining. I can run errands go her go there without do we have to, or why can't we go here and get this or do this. I will also see more adults when school starts.
I am looking forward to getting started on the yearbook and helping where I can and doing what I can with my limitations.
Today Nikita and I ran errands, got Nikita's hair done, came home had lunch made (pasta salad). Then did stuff around the house. Then Nikita and I went for Shaved Ice to celebrate the last day of summer.
The best part is that Larry is flying in tonight. He has been in Billings MT. since Sunday afternoon. I have over done it while he has been gone and I need him more than I thought I would. Larry helps out a lot with Nikita. I know I bitch a lot that he doesn't do anything but believe me it has been hard without him.

Baked Pasta w/meat sauce

Baked Pasta with meat sauce

Ziti / rigatoni/mostaccioli

Meat sauce

2 cups mozzarella cheese

½ cup Parmesan cheese

Non-stick spray

Oven method:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook pasta per package directions. After draining pasta add pasta to meat sauce and stir. Spray 13 x 9 x 2 w/non-stick spray. Add ½ of pasta mixture to baking dish sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese on top and ¼ cup Parmesan cheese sprinkle on top. Add rest of pasta mixture and top with the remaining cheeses. Bake for 15-20 minutes if pasta mixture is hot. And if it is cold cook for 45 min. – 60 min.

Crock pot method:

Cook meat sauce either on the stove or in crock pot, and then cook pasta per package directions, drain pasta and mix with meat sauce. Spray crock pot with non stick spray. Add ½ of pasta mixture to crock pot then ½ of cheeses then top with remaining pasta mixture then rest of cheese. Cover with crock pot lid make, sure that there is room for pasta to expand in crock pot if you don’t the lid might be either lifted from the top of crock pot or come off altogether. This cooks for approx. 3 ½ - 4 hrs any more and it becomes to dry to eat in my opinion.

Makes 13 x 9 x 2 pan or approx. 5 qt crock pot

Movies, laundry, dinner, softball & shaved Ice

Places to go thing to due. Well today went to the Movies and say Spy kids 4 in 3D w/aroma scope. I don't know if anyone else has see the movie it is a great movie. Both Nikita and I thought the aroma scope sucked!!!!!!!! Our cards only had two scents soap & candy. I don't know if we had bad cards or what. I usually can smell just about anything, so can Nikita we were looking forward to seeing what the smells were, but no luck.
We got home and did stuff around the house like laundry never ending it seems. Then I started prep on dinner. Tonight we had stuffed chicken breasts (boneless skinless that I butterflied). I stuffed 2 of them with cooked mushrooms w/garlic, thyme and Swiss cheese. 1 with cheddar & Swiss cheese. The Mushroom ones I topped with alight coating of mushroom sauce & Swiss cheese. The other one was topped off with salsa and cheddar cheese. I cooked them in a per-heated 350 degree for 45 minutes. Then let them rest for 10 min. I served more mushroom sauce with the mushroom stuffed chicken breast.  The cheddar stuffed one I brought the salsa to the table for Larry and he had tortilla chips with it, since he won't eat corn on the cob like Nikita and I do. Nikita ate too much popcorn at the movies and only ate corn & strawberries for dinner.
Larry & Nikita are at softball practice right now. I will be meeting them at the field then we are going for shaved ice at  Oahu shaved Ice & Ice Cream Parlor.   http://www.oahuice.com/Ice_Cream_Parlor_Brea_CA.html They are fantastic. It has been real hot so we need to cool down.

Mammogram update

Well I got a call today that they did see something on my mammogram and that I need to have a different type of mammogram & an ultrasound done too. Well I tried to schedule it for this Saturday since I already have to have a thyroid ultrasound done and there were no appointments available unless I wanted to be there for most of the day to get both done. I did get the next appointment which is on Monday the 29th in the afternoon, of course I did have to ask my Mom to watch Nikita since I can't bring her with me. School doesn't start until Sept. 1.
I am so tired of every time I turn around I have yet another medical problem, I feel like WTF is going to happen next. Well I guess I will find out when I see first the Primary doctor on the August 30th, then the Endocrinologist on Sept. 6th, for biopsies of my thyroid and find out how much out of whack both the Thyroid & Parathyroid is. Like I said WTF!!!!!!!!!!!

Fall Softball

Today we met Nikita's new team for practice a parent & team meeting. We found out our team color will be orange. The girls need to come up with names to vote on at our next practice. Nikita is interested in learning to pitch. The coach told her that he would teach her to pitch. Nikita usually place first base or outfield, she is a lefty and does really good on first base. On our team there are several first base players, so we shall see how she does.
With fall ball we have double headers on Saturdays. I hope I will be up to going. Larry says they are trying something new for fall ball, I don't get it but that's ok as long as Nikita has fun and learns new things. I am a very proud mom that she is good at softball.

MS Bike Ride

Just saw on Facebook that my cousin's Husband is riding in Waves to Wine Bike ride to help find a cure for MS. My cousin has MS I hope people will go to www.wavestowine.com to donate. His Name is Rob Lytle. Thank you for your time!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chicken Enchiladas (Green Sauce)

Chicken Enchiladas (green sauce)

2 cups cooked chicken

2 ½ cups shredded Mexican cheese blend

28 oz can green enchilada sauce

4 oz can dice green chilies

10 corn tortillas*

Non stick spray

Oven method:

Pre heat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl mix chicken and 1 cup of cheese and green chilies. Microwave corn tortillas in a damp cloth for 45 seconds. Spray 2 qt baking dish with canola spray put ½ of the can of sauce at the bottom of 2 qt baking dish. Take corn tortilla that has been softened and fill with chicken mixture, and roll up and add to baking dish continue to repeat it. Pour remaining sauce on top of rolled up tortillas then top with remain cheese. Put into oven for 25-30 min. Rest enchiladas for 10-15 min. before serving.

Toaster oven method:

Same as oven except time is 15-20 min. If you do not have a large toaster oven don’t do in microwave I didn’t like the way it looked or tasted. I do not recommend microwaving other than for reheating of this.

Crock pot method:

Same as above but after you put them into the crock pot turn the temperature onto low and cook for about 2 ½ -3 hours, any longer and it begins to dry out. Let rest before serving 10-15 min.

Makes 10 enchiladas

21 year Anniversary

Today 21 yrs. ago Larry & I got married. It just doesn't seem possible that it has been 21 yrs. Larry & I have had our ups and downs all through out our marriage. Health problems, deaths in both of our families, miscarriages, Larry almost dying 4 times & loss of a house. You can't say that our marriage hasn't stressful or dull. I know we are grateful that in April 5, 2000 which is my birthday, I gave birth to our daughter Nikita.
Some people may think what are you doing for your Anniversary this year well, Larry is working & Nikita and I ran errands (ordered new glasses for me). Tonight we are going out to eat dinner w/Nikita. We have a buy one get one free at Hof's Hut. Saturday night Larry & I have a date planned, we are going out to Ruth Chris for steak that is to die for. My Mom is watching Nikita for a little Saturday so we can go out. How boring are we? Well on our 17th Wedding Anniversary we were on a Disney Cruise to the Mediterranean. Maybe on our 25th we will do something exciting again, who knows.

Mammograms

I don't know about anyone else out there but I get yearly Mammograms. I recently found what I thought was a another skin tag, I get them frequently. This time I got what I thought was a skin tag but it turns out it was a lump on my breast. Well when I found it I wasn't concerned because a few days later I was having my Mammogram. Well the tech asked me about the tag and asked to see it. Well apparently it isn't a tag but a lump. She marked where it was and proceeded with the squishing. I should get the results in about a week to ten days. I am not going to worry every time I worry about test that I have had done they come back fine. Next month I will at least 3 Thyroid biopsies, so far they are benign. I am hoping for this again too.

Food Truck Fest last night at BPHS

We arrived at Buena Park High School at about 5:30pm, I really didn't expect to see so many food trucks as we did. I really thought Nikita and Larry were exaggerating on how any truck were going to be there. I believe if my Mom counted  right there were 25 trucks. I don't know for sure but it was great. First we found parking and unloaded the truck (2003 Navigator) we took the wheel chair so I could go and not fall or end up in the ER. Before I forget you should know that if you go to these food trucks usually they don't have seating, we brought chairs too. Well I can not believe how nice everyone was there to help us with the wheel chair usually people don't care, I can walk a little but not much and that is on a good day. Well I digress we got a great place to set up the chairs and then Larry, Nikita and I went around to see all the food trucks. The first one I had to have from I don't remember the name of the truck is but it had Spanish Tapas which we got bacon wrapped dates. They were so good Larry & I enjoyed it Nikita wouldn't even try it. Then We found another truck that was Mexican/Korean fusion Larry got 2 taco's I got a burrito and again they were delicious. Nikita wouldn't even try that either. Then Nikita wanted something of course she wanted bacon sliders from Baconmania and a cinnamon potato torpedo from the Torpedo Truck. Mom got a regular potato torpedo from the Torpedo Truck. Mom thought they were ok and Nikita loved her food. Mom's next door neighbor Lara and her Aunt & nephew joined us too. Mom had a fish taco from Komodo truck and she didn't realize she ordered it because she doesn't like fish tacos but these fish taco's she loved them. Then Mom got barbecue baked beans & creamed corn from a BBQ truck. Mom loved the corn & got even more before they ran out. Then Mom, Larry & Nikita went to Crepes Bonaparte truck and Mom got Strawberry crepe w/whipped cream & ice cream. Nikita got for her & I to share a Nutella, peanut butter & banana crepe. Needless to say it was soooo good. Then Larry went & got ice cream sandwiches for us to share. The cookies on the sandwich was good but you had to eat with a fork I wasn't able to pick up and eat it. We got chocolate chip cookies w/mint & chocolate chips. Needless to say it was great food great company and a great fundraiser for BPHS football team. Well I was full until after 1pm today from all the food we ate last night. I highly recommend checking out food trucks, if you get a chance.

Feeling kooky & Food Trucks

Today I am feeling kooky, I am eating a weird lunch. I had a bowl of cereal (granola) then cut up some cheeses (manchego that is six months old, an aged cheddar & aged Swiss cheese). Tonight we are going to go to Buena Park High School, there will be 30 food trucks is what we are told. We like to try different foods me & Larry not so much Nikita but supposedly 2 of her favorite trucks are supposed to be there. Nikita likes Baconmania food truck & Crepes Bonaparte. Tonight we will be joined by my Mom & Larry's Friend Dan. So far when we have go to the food truck places we find it a good thing to bring chairs to sit on and beverages, because we are picky and cheap at the same time. I will talk later tonight or tomorrow about our experience and what we thought.
Here is Baconmania's web page http://baconmaniatruck.com/live/
Here is Crepes Bonaparte's web page  http://crepesbonaparte.com/crepetruck/
Buena Park High School tonight check it out!!!

Went to two Kaiser's today

Today Nikita and I went to, two Kaiser's. Nikita had a Therapy appointment this morning and it went well. Then I had an appointment for me to see the Neurologist. I found out that I my spine, disks & neuropathy is still the same not worse but the pain is worse which he said is normal the longer I have these problems the more the pain can increase. He did offer medicine (pain pills & muscle relaxants) but I have plenty of them I only use them usually on the weekends when Larry can help. I don't like to ask friends to help with Nikita she is Larry's & my responsibility. The only good thing that happened today was I lost 8 ounces of weight. That is better than gaining. Right now I wish Larry was home from work I am so tired from the pain. Larry is on the way home right now. Larry & Nikita will be going to drop off somethings old furniture, clothes & toys to the Salvation Army, then go swimming. I will take a little nap then make dinner. Tonight we are having Breakfast for dinner.

Fire & Ice

Want a great place to go eat lunch or dinner go to Fir & Ice.   http://www.fire-ice.com/locations/anaheim-ca/ .

The Restaurant is choose what veggies & meats you want into a bowl & pasta, then go to the sauces and choose which one you want. Then take your food to the Mongolian Grill & they cook it for you. If you have allergies or are vegetarian they will cook it in the back so that your food doesn't come in contact with either meat or the foods you are allergic too. I have allergies and it is great place for me to eat at. The sauces they have are different Asian sauces, Marinara, Alfredo, Fajita etc... At your table they will bring you steamed white rice and or tortillas not sure if they are flour or corn, Larry thinks they are flour. Over all it is delicious, this is Nikita's favorite place here is why they have hamburgers & bacon they cook on the grill for her as well as calamari & steak. Haven't tried Brunch yet one day we will I am sure.

Yogurt Parfait

4 cups fresh fruit (strawberries, peaches, grapes, melon etc….) cut into bite size pieces

4 6 oz vanilla yogurt or favorite flavor

4 cups granola w/nuts *

Put into individual bowls or large bowl. Start with fruit then yogurt then granola and repeat until all is done with the last layer be sure it is granola. I use individual plastic water goblets.

Serves 4

*If you don't like nuts get granola without nuts

Strawberry Mango Smoothie

 Here is something to cool down in the summer heat!

Strawberry Mango Smoothie

12 oz frozen strawberries

1 regular size mango

2 6 oz strawberry yogurt (reg. or low fat)

2 cups of milk (1% is what I use)

1 16 oz cup of ice cubes

Put all ingredients in the blender and blend until smooth. Smoothie will be thick.

Makes 6 cups