Saturday, April 10, 2010

Getting Rid of my Pain in the Butt today...I hope

Well, today was the second epidural injection for my back.  Actually, when I met with the doc this morning he gave me a choice.  Just an injection in SI, just an injection in L5, or go for broke and get one injection in each to really knock it out....Hmm, so he did 2 of them one in L5 and one in S1.  The latest MRI showed a herniated disk in S1 which is why we did the injection there last time.  It didn't seem to work and was still in continuous bad pain.  BTW, is there good pain?  Oh yeah, it was a good pain when I felt the injection meds going down my leg and tingling, and hurting.  Told the doc it must be the right spot, cause I really felt it.  They wheeled me back to the recovery room on a table, and after taking my vitals and waiting a few minutes, got me up to sit in a recliner for the rest of the recovery time.  Well, I took one step and almost went down on the floor.  My left leg felt NUMB and I couldn't put any weight on it.  Scared me to death.   The nurse helped me into the chair and after about 15 minutes, the tingling/numbness started to subside.  So, Jim got the car and loaded me into it. 

Since I didn't get to have breakfast we went to a restaurant to feed me!!  It was already after noon, and I get cranky when I don't eat. So we brought my 2 ice packs in the restaurant and sat in a booth and iced my back at the same time...love to multi-task.  Had a good hawaiian omlet with pineapple and bacon, hashbrowns (very crispy) and buttermilk pancakes.  YUM...still have some left for tomorrow too.

The restaurant was right across the street from Hancock Fabrics so, we drove on over.  Since I was still a little nervous after the numbness, Jim said he would come in with me.  And, I knew what I was looking for and where it was located, so we didn't shop too long.   Got some black vinyl for Jeff to pad the bar he is making.  He's padding the edges, so I think it will be more comfortable to lean on it, or when you pass out..hmm.  Great price  $6 a yard for flat fold remnant...AND also 50% off that for a total of $3 a yard.  I got 5 yards, even though he doesn't need that much.  He can use the extra to recover some bar stools.  Also looked at some green vinyl to fix Jim's recliner.  It's literally all torn at the seat and foot area.  Got a swatch and it matches really well.  The only thing is that it has worn off at the crease area.  Want to make sure I can manuver it so it doesn't show.  I'll figure it out and get it on Wednesday or Thurs depending on how I feel.

After coming home (I wanted to do a couple more things in the area; but I was exhausted and wisely decided to stop) I again iced on and off.  Watched some TV, and did some hand sewing projects while watching.  When I got tired of sitting, I started to make a chopped salad for lunch, Had some extra cut up veggies and blanched them and put them in a jar of pickle juice.  Did it last week and it was yummy.  Since it was a use up the leftovers in the fridge mood, I also made some foccacia from some dough I had refrigerated from the breadsticks I made last week.  I patted the dough on a greased baking sheet, poked some dents in the dough with my fingertips, lightly oiled it and put some italian seasoning on it, then topped it with some roasted peppers from the fridge and some blue cheese.  Baked at 450 for 20 minutes...  Awesome.  got to make it again.   The chopped salad was a combo of veggies from the fridge, some chickpeas and water chestnuts from the pantry, and a dressing made from the italien dressing I made last week with some of the blue cheese and bacon dip I had made for Easter.  It was really good, and it felt good to be up and about and doing things. 

The rest of the evening, I alternated cleaning up the kitchen and icing and heating my back.  Did take some more Vicodin, and don't seem to be as bad today, though sitting still aggravates it.  I finally got on the computer and checked some stuff, and I think my pills are now kicking in so maybe I can sleep more than the 3 hours I did yesterday.  The fibro isn't as bad today, probably because of all the other meds in my body for the back pain. 

Am looking forward to this injection working, and having more positive stuff to talk about. 

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Ramblings and renewals.

Had a wonderful dinner yesterday with Veronica and Sandy.  It was waay too long since we got together, and we just talked about everything.  Food was fabulous, and loved that they used the "good china".  Though I had been thinking of canceling because of the pain, decided to go, and glad we did.  One of the things we talked about was blogging, so, I need to renew my writing, even if just for me.  So, here I am again.   Now, V, you need to start your project, and "follow" me to keep me on my toes.

Had a painter  come over today for estimates on painting the inside of the house.  .  As much as I think "I could do that".  The mind is willing; but the body keeps reminding me why I can't.  Guess we just need to bite the bullet and get it done.    Need to get a couple more estimates and get this going
.
Also had another realtor in to see the house and "interview" her.  Jim took her around, and I laid on the couch with my ice and heat packs.   We have one more to see, and then will decide who we will post with.  In the meantime, we need to let people know that we are selling and perhaps get some interest in the house ourselves.  We do have someone that we met that will come next week to see the house.  Wouldn't THAT be nice if we sold it that way..

I had ideally wanted to have it on the market by May 1st; but there is still a lot to do, and my body is NOT cooperating, even with all I am doing and the pain pills.  I guess another epidural injection is in my near future.  Now if I can just help the fibromyalgia that way..

We have been invited to Easter dinner at Michele & Dan's at 2 pm and to Jeff & Raquels for dinner at 7pm.  We are very grateful that we have been included in their plans for most holidays.  I do remember all the years we did plan and have the kids and grandkids over.  Though it was a lot of work, time, and money we really enjoyed doing it,. Jim especially liked having his family over during the holidays, and we tried to include others we knew that did not have any plans.  I do hope that I express how much we appreciate being included in as guests of others now.  I really need to rehink holidays now, and how to make it help others so they are not lonely or excluded.  We all get so busy with our own lives, we sometimes forget how just a simple invite, makes a huge difference in someone's life.   Ok....enough for now.

We're bringing an appetizer tomorrow to Michele's, so Jim went to the store while I lay down this afternoon for ingredients.  I made brown sugar crusted bacon this evening for a blue cheese dip.  Hope it tastes good after it blends together.  Also, have a recipe for peanut butter and bacon cookies....YUM!!!  Hope to make those in the morning. 

 Ok, so all in all..today was a rotten day...pain level of 7 and 8 most of the day...but.on to the next day. Tomorrow is Easter Sunday, a day of renewal.  Gotta love Spring, everything is in a rebirth, hope my body is gonna do the same...Looking forward to a good day.

Friday, April 2, 2010

Leek and Swiss Chard Tart

Leek and Swiss Chard tart  Another Smitten Kitchen Recipe.  Since I have Swiss Chard in my fridge,  this may be a good morning breakfast since I'm always in some kind of pain, and Jim usually is the one that has to make breakfast.  Sounds good.

More Breads and Baking links

So, still looking for appetizer/savory madeleine recipe; but found these instead that look great.  Below recipes are from  YumSugar.com

Brazilian Cheese Bread
Savory Madeleines    These sound good
Baked Goldfish  Wonder how these would taste in a madeleine pan?


Soft Baked Pretzels  Just made breadsticks that was really similar; but didn't do the baking soda/water bath.  Wondering if I can stuff the ropes with cheese?  What kind?  It bakes for 10-15 minutes so that "should" be ok to stuff wouldn't it?

these from Smitten Kitchen....  Miniature Soft Pretzels

Searching for Madeleine ... and more

Had a taste for Madelines, and since I can't find my recipe, went searching...and here's what I found. 

Wouldn't a savory appetizer one be great??? 

Smitten Kitchen Madeleines

Cheese straws   again from Smitten Kitchen

http://smittenkitchen.com/2006/12/just-a-few-bites/

Gougères
Jacques Pépin, Food & Wine
1 cup milk
4 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/2 stick)
1/4 teaspoon salt
Dash cayenne pepper
1 cup all-purpose flour
3 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 1/2 cups grated Swiss cheese (Emmenthaler or Gruyere)
Coarse salt (fleur de sel or kosher salt) to sprinkle on top
Bring the milk, butter, salt, and cayenne to a boil in a saucepan. Remove from the heat, add the flour all at once, and mix vigorously with a wooden spatula until the mixture forms a ball. Return the pan to the heat and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 1 minute to dry the mixture a bit. Transfer to the bowl of a food processor, let cool for 5 minutes, then process for about 5 seconds.
Add the eggs and paprika to the processor bowl, and process for 10 to 15 seconds, until well mixed. Transfer the choux paste to a mixing bowl, and let cool for 10 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a cookie sheet with a reusable nonstick baking mat or parchment paper. Reserve 1 tablespoon of the grated Parmesan cheese, then add the remainder and all the Swiss cheese to the choux paste. Stir just enough to incorporate. Using a tablespoon, scoop out a level tablespoon of the gougère dough, and push it off the spoon onto the cooking mat. Continue making individual gougère, spacing them about 2-inches apart on the sheet. Sprinkle a few grains of coarse salt and a little of the reserved Parmesan cheese on each gougère. Bake for about 30 minutes, until nicely browned and crisp. Serve lukewarm or at room temperature with drinks.

Dinner at Marlene and Terrys...

Ina Garten Lemon and Garlic Roast Chicken

This was one of the fabulous dinners made by Marlene when we were visiting in Florida during January and February.   Just came across this today and knew I had to link it.  Try it, it's wonderful

Cookie Quiz

Ok, I just took this cookie quiz at Martha Stewart. Although most of the answers were NOT what I would have picked, using their answers here are the results:
You are undoubtedly
Candy-Stripe Cookie Sticks.

You're a little complicated and possibly high maintenance, but well worth it. Go back to the Christmas Workshop for holiday cookie recipes and creative packaging ideas, and then check out the Cookie of the Day.
Did you notice the high maintenance reference....what can I tell you?

Speaking of Cookies, this year was the first in quite a long time that I have not made my Christmas cookies for gift giving. Most times I have made up to 160 DOZEN of 20 different kinds of cookies. This year, because of "stuff" I only made 2 batches, one was Rugelach Pinwheels for Christmas Dinner (a change from the regular rugelah), and the other was a Chocolate Espresso cookie for a cookie exchange. I did make some quick breads; carmelized corn puffs; peanut butter chocolate dipped pretzels covered with nuts, sugar sprinkles and drizzled with white chocolate; sweet and spicy nut mixture and a dark chocolate, pistachio, dried cranberry and white chocolate bark. I'll link the recipes when I get a chance.