Research, Reading, 'Riting & Laundry!

Among other things, I've been writing a lot (not here... sorry). With that comes research and reading. Currently, I'm reading a book on relationships. It is research for a test piece. We'll see how that goes.

Stacy's last water polo game was yesterday. Did I say my daughter is an awesome player? At least when she gets it in her head to play... She has an arm like a cannon and can shoot and score from the half (field). It's really too bad they lost (again), but some didn't give it all they had. There is one senior on the team who feels that her main goal was to be "captain", and that's where that ended. She swims almost relaxed and doesn't go for the ball, letting it skim past her into the other team's hands. (Sigh.) Oh well, we know she won't be there next year. Hopefully, next year, the team will begin with more spunk and pick it up even more. We are trying to get Rey to play, too. We'll see how that goes.

After the game, we went across the street to Church (it was Ash Wednesday - the beginning of the Lenten season)... to attend the shortest Mass ever known in the history of mankind. It was quick and not as crowded as our church. During Lent, I make sure we go to church every Sunday. I know... I'm a bad Catholic, but at least I don't reserve church for only two days a year! We usually continue on past the end of Lent, but somewhere, sometime, it fizzles out. Then I go when I "feel the need." How odd that the "need" usually comes around this season each year.

With so many things happening to me, my family, and my friends at this time of year, it's no wonder we always go at this time. It's like God's way of telling me... "Get back in there. I need to know you are still with me..." How odd, or is the a different version of Divine Intervention?

Now we continue on with the tradition of no meat on Fridays... YES! This includes chicken! I don't get how lots of people believe this is a substitute for fish. Oftentimes, we don't even eat fish, but a vegetarian-type meal. It is really not that hard. I don't understand why so many people seem to have a problem with it at this time of year, when they eat meals like this, normally, throughout the rest of the year on any day. Go figure. This is a time that we usually like. Yum!

My dad is doing much better. He is getting up and walking... they'll probably kick him out on Friday (according to my aunt). He even admits it is hereditary. Yikes! Uh... maybe I'll really begin to lose that weight, so as not to put so much strain on my potentially thin vessles... Dad is in really great condition, and that helped him a lot.

This link goes to the article written on my great grandmother (Dad's side). The actual bloodline gets complicated, but my Gran is doing so well, she ended up on the front page last Thursday! Congrats and keep it up! http://www.livingstondaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008801300318

Today is my normal laundry day. Oh what fun... but hey! I feel better just making sure I stick to my routine. I'm still clogged up, keep getting headaches (don't know what that's from!), doing the blonde thing (hollow feeling in my head... NO! That's not normal!), and normal tiredness, not to mention probable dehydration, as I really don't want to drink much - then I'd have to go - and it's mighty cold here!

You have a great day... I know I'll try. By the way... the "spellchecker" is not working on this site, so do forgive... The dryer just stopped... Marissa just got up... Gotta go! Toodles for now! lisa

Some Weeks Are Harder than Others...

If you've missed my postings, you're not alone... so do I. However, there just hasn't been much time. Between feeling kind of ill, seeing everyone else get ill (I'm a total gagger!!!), water polo games (regardless of how I feel, Stacy still needs my support), writing (small articles), taking care of Miss Marissa, and handling all of the drama that comes my way... we'll just say some weeks have been harder than others, with last week being one of the really hard ones.

It seems that last week was a difficult one for other friends of mine, as well. Almost everyone had at least one sickie in their family last week, if not more! What's the deal? Not everyone lives around me!

I've had the stuffy head and plugged ears syndrome for over a week now. Everything sounds "hollow" to me. There is an echoing in my head, and I feel like my ears are going to pop. Ouch! I sure hope I get over it soon.

But that's nothing! My dad (in Northern California) had "chest pains" early Friday evening and was admitted to the hospital. Apparently, it was much more serious than he suspected, as he was air-flown to Reno, Nevada and admitted there. My dad is extremely healthy and active, even in his "old" age (he's 62 - I think...). This was the last thing we expected. My aunt (his youngest sister) died at an relatively young age, but "we" attributed her heart condition to the lifestyle she led; my other aunt (his older sister) had heart problems a couple of years ago, almost died, and luckily came out of it (but once again, it was attributed to "lifestyle" [i.e. smoking, high fat diet, etc.]). My dad eats well and is a labor worker, doesn't smoke, drinks occasionally (not an alcoholic), hates coffee, goes, hiking, biking, boating, making friends, etc. Pretty much, he could be an adult version a Boy Scout! Then this hits... ugh!

Maybe it is hereditary, afterall. It's really something I'd rather not add to the list. There is already cancer (in a big way), depression, anxiety... and of course.. we're all a little bit crazy.

Regardless, he seemed to be doing fine. He was told he had thin vessel walls (like my aunt) and scheduled for a double by-pass surgery to be done this morning. Thank goodness they can see more things when they open people up. Skip the double... he went on to the triple by-pass surgery. They found another one. And so... he is doing well, and still out. He should be a little groggy and out of it for the next couple of days. We'll see where he is at later. Before surgery, he thought he was only going to be limited (in activities) for a couple of months. Uh... Search and Rescue is probably out, Dad! I'm just glad there were no complications and everything seems to be okay. Please, no more surprises.

As for us, here. We are okay. We have carried on with life. Saturday, we took Marissa to the circus. (I'll put that in another post... all by itself...) Sunday was Super Bowl. Gotta love the commercials! I didn't particularly care for the half-time show, but the game itself was riveting and very excellent. The food at my mom's house was great, too!

Kudos to Rey for trying a new recipe - Pork & Cabbage Dumplings with Dipping Sauce (you can get the recipe and photos at http://www.americastestkitchen.com/printrecipe.asp?recipeids=3332 [dumplings] and http://www.americastestkitchen.com/printrecipe.asp?recipeids=3333 [dipping sauce]). She had seen them done on America's Test Kitchen last week and wanted to make them for the Super Bowl party. They tasted wonderful, and looked like they were purchased at an Asian restaurant. Good job!

Don't think I simply "partied," as I was pretty stressed out and waiting for horrible phone calls. Hospitals and family illness really do make me feel stressed and full of anxiety. I watched, waited, and anticipated. Through it all, everyone's still okay.

Whelp... gotta go. I've just been assigned "e-mailing" the family with the news of my dad's excellent numbers, non-pale skin, and overall is great condition for just enduring what he did. Please continue to bless him and pray for him. Toodles for now! lisa

Gotta Kick It Up!

I-yiy-yiy... however you spell it!

Got the massive headache going here, along with a stuffed head (nose, throat, etc.). It really sucks. At least I can write. I've been writing some articles for the freelancing I received last week. That is so fun. It is really interesting to see everything I have in my head down on paper (or the computer screen... hee, hee...). I didn't know I knew so much! Of course I did, but when you get all of the words written, it looks like so much more.

Yesterday was too much for me, though. I thought I was coming off the sick wagon. We went to Stacy's water polo game - NO, it didn't rain! - and the team played really well. It was slamming and dunking and really great fun to watch. When we first got there, I thought I was going to a pool party (a little cold for it, but hey!). There was rockin' music being blasted from the pool deck. Apparently, the home team plays music for warm-up, time-outs, and intervals between periods. It was all cool (cold, too.) The girls were really into the game, this time. They've started being a lot more aggressive, much like the other teams they've been playing. This is not a timid sport, and they were kind of shying away from the aggressiveness, almost like they were afraid. Naivety is not for water polo. But they finally went for it yesterday.

The other team, however, was super aggressive and had this one player who we nickname "the Submarine." This girl was pretty large, and would show her hands to the refs, to show she wasn't holding one of our players down, but yet was sinking our player with her feet. We (the spectators) saw it, so how could the refs not? Yet, throughout the whole game, she was not called on this. Amazing.

It's really too bad they started playing this way towards the end of the season. The beginning would have been much better. But, at least they are getting there. I believe they have 4 more games to play. Let's hope they stay playing at this new level of combativeness. They just have got to kick it up, and keep it there.

Marissa threw up between the game and getting home. I thought maybe it was just from over-activity on her part (she twirled around a tarp pole for a lot of the game). Now I'm not so sure, as this morning (and most of last night, too), I felt the stuffy head with queasy stomach syndrome. Yikes. Didn't I just get over the other end?

But, we all know, mommies don't get sick days. I still took the kids to school, did dishes, and have done 3 puzzles with Marissa, as well as began preparing Juan's lunch. I would love to lay down and rest my weary-achy-stuffy head and body, but there is just no way. And so, I've got to kick it up, too.

We will have to wait and see what the day brings. Even though I'm not feeling so hot, I'm still looking forward to Super Bowl. It's not necessarily the game, as the food, commercials and half-time show. Something to think about... I still need to finish planning what I'm taking. Hmm... let me think (and write some more)... Toodles for now! lisa

A Birthday for Marissa and a COLD Swim Meet for the Rest

Marissa turned 3 today! Yeah! She was snoozing next to Juan this morning and kept rolling over to cuddle with him. He would move her and seconds later, she'd be right there on his shoulder. When she woke up slightly, he told her, "Happy Birthday, baby." She said, "Tank you." (without the "th" sound) and promptly started snoring on his shoulder. Too cute for words...

This morning was off. It was supposed to be raining all through the morning, but it was beautiful and sun shiny, but cold. Off to Redlands for a swim meet. Both Stacy and Rey were competing today. Rey shaved 10 seconds (that is a lot) off her 100 backstroke time, and Stacy forgot to check her time. Both girls appeared to do well their first race. Stacy was nervous, as since she just a birthday, as well, she "aged up" into another level (older girls). Rey will continue at the 13-14 level for another year.

It was a small group at the meet, only 4 families out of the whole team (another group of younger kids had already swam in the morning, but many other families forewent this meet). So, we stayed together and we all cheered on each kid during the events until...

The sky started darkening, the wind picked up, and it started to sprinkle. Then it started to pound. Like little nails, almost with the feel of hale; it was really cold! Finally, the sky poured out. It pelted the deck, and the swimming stopped. Did someone see lightening? I don't know. The referees blew their whistles, and the next heat mounted the blocks, ready to go. Stacy and Rey were going to swim one more event, but the rain started coming down even harder, and they changed their mind, as did almost everyone else. Two other families left at the same time as us, needing to get out of there. What can I say? We are all wimps. I can do a lot, but cold and wet is not one of them. (Well... maybe Marissa can... she loved it!)
So, we ran to my house, changed clothes, and went out to dinner. After all, it was Marissa's birthday, and she kept asking for a cake. Mimi's Cafe is a favorite place of ours, serving excellent food with excellent service. Marissa got her cake and a song, and we got to relax for a little bit. (By the way... I did get some more chicken soup there - Cream of Chicken Soup!)

The movies was next. We saw Enchanted again. Marissa asked for it, and it wouldn't hurt us to relax for another 2 hours. She still laughed and smiled for the movie, and wants to go see it again tomorrow. She came home singing the songs from the movie. She has only seen it twice, but has really picked up on the lyrics... Yikes! Help me... just kidding. It was a great movie, and we will probably buy it the day it comes out on DVD.

As for me... I'm feeling better today. We'll see how I feel after I sleep off the chill. Today was exhausting, and since I wasn't totally up to par, I'm not sure how much I drained out of me. It's time to hit the beddy-by... I have a lot to do tomorrow. Onward! (And thanks for all of your comments!) Toodles for now! lisa

Chicken Soup?

Forget my soul! I want it for my sanity and budget. Even though I wasn't feeling good yesterday, I made a pot of chicken soup. After I boiled the roasted chicken, I added a miracroix (combination of celery, carrots, and onions) to the broth, then divided it into two pots, dividing the de-boned chicken, as well.

In one pot, I finished the evening meal, making it a traditional chicken noodle soup. I had started soft rolls already... It was hearty and filling and made me feel a little better. The rolls were soft and buttery and didn't make me feel any worse, so all was well with the world.

This afternoon, I finished composing the broth in the other pot. I added a can of petite diced tomatoes, a can of corn (drained), garlic, cumin, oregano, and zucchini. We grated cheese, chopped avocado, put up some tortilla chips and sour cream, and ate the tortilla soup.

I am extremely defensive. All of the above sounded good, right? Well, this afternoon, when I was putting the meal together, hubby asked me, "Didn't we have soup last night?"

Ok, all... there is something I need when I am not feeling well. It is chicken soup. It does not matter if it is traditional chicken noodle, Mexican chicken tortilla, Thai Tom Yum, or hearty chicken and wild rice... as long as it is chicken soup! This is one of my comfort foods, and it makes me feel better, at least mentally...

So, I say this: Let me eat my chicken soup in any way, shape or form, whenever I want, and live with it. Do not question me. I need it, I want it. It comforts me and keeps me sane, at least for the time being. Toodles for now! lisa

This is HELP?

Last night, I laid my head down on my pillow (after eating homemade chicken noodle soup) and went into dreamland. When I awoke, I thought I was in a fairly tale... the family room was cleaned up! Thoughtful hubby!

Imagine the world of Enchanted... I was Giselle (singing... I've Been Dreaming of Love's First Kiss...) in awe, thinking little critters were going to smile upon me (at least my husband) and be happy they helped... SCREEECHHHHH!!!! Halt! The needle ripped across the vinyl......

The dream ended when I saw that everything had been piled up in different places everywhere else! No, items were not put away where they should have been, but crammed into other spots, away from the room that was cleaned. This is NOT help!

This type of action just makes the room appear cleaner. And others much worse off than what they were. Even more, he moved stuff from my desk area and put it elsewhere! He put kid things on my sewing table. He shoved stuff on the kitchen counter that doesn't belong in the kitchen! This is NOT help. This is a lot more work for me.

And so... I have a dilemma... Do I clean it up now? Or go back to bed and hope this was all a bad dream? Toodles for now! lisa

The Blues and the Princess Ghost

I cannot seem to get rid of this horrible headache or fluttery/cramping stomach. Yuck! I've tried taking a nap, but Marissa insists I "watch" her.

That means I watch her do EVERYTHING! From Play-doh to playing with her friends (she has every single stuffed animal lined up on the couch), she is non-stop. She keeps coming and asking, "Are you happy?" If I say anything about a headache or hurting, that is how she responds, by asking those 3 words, and running over to lift my chin up in her hands, while looking into my eyes. How precious that a child this size (she'll be 3 on Sunday...) can have so much compassion and caring, although she might not understand things, is beyond me.

She thinks that if I go to sleep or bury my head, that I'm not happy and she does everything in her power to make me feel alright. So I have the sickie blues...

She comes to me with her Disney Princess blanket draped over her, saying, "Boo... Boo..." Isn't Halloween long over? Well, she seems to think she can scare these blues out of me. Of course, I never tell her that I'm not happy. I am happy; I just don't feel good. But, alas, she is not understanding of this, and so... I have the Princess Ghost trying to scare the bejeezes out of me. It is funny, though. I see all of these princesses, Cinderella, Snow White, Aurora (Sleeping Beauty), and Belle (Beauty and the Beast) with a splendid castle hanging down to the ground. She cannot see out of the blanket and puts her hands in front of her trying to feel her way. She trips unexpectedly (to her) on the dragging blanket and giggles. "Boo... Boo..."

No, I'm not unhappy. I'm very happy. My child is glowing with love, and it makes me smile... even though I don't really feel like doing it. I just want to take a nap... But instead, I think I'll finish making my chicken soup... Toodles for now! lisa