Deglutenizing

It's been quite a while since I posted anything.  Sorry for the absence, but I confess, as with my attempts at keeping a diary, when life is busy (interesting), there's no time to blog; and when I have the time, it usually means there's nothing going one, and who wants to write (or read) about that!

So, today I finally have a little time and something to share.

My one and only kiddo has been suffering with GI issues for about a year now. We'd tried to figure out what could be causing her discomfort. Stress, poor diet, not enough exercise, moon phases, what?!! Off to the pediatrician, who ultimately refers us to a pediatric gastroenterologist.  Off we go for more bloodwork, BM analysis, and an upper & lower GI scope. Scary stuff for we parents--watching our kid get an IV and being knocked out on Michael Jackson's favorite cocktail. All looks good, until the results come back from the lab, which indicate the beginnings of celiac disease.  Prescription--adopt a gluen-free diet for the rest of her life.

Now I know you've all seen the gluten-free groceries at the market, but you probably never noticed the prices attached.  Talk about sticker shock!  Nearly $5 for 8 slices of gluten-free bread, which by all accounts tastes like sawdust.  Yikes! 

After some online research and getting help from a kind friend who shares kiddo's affliction, I discover lots of foods are already gluten-free. The big no-nos are bread, cereal, and pasta, which are so laden with the stuff that the tummy issues return so fast it'll make your head spin.

The answers (which I'm still learning and probably will for quite some time) include the following products which, by and large, are reasonably affordable:

Ciel LOVES these. Apple Cinnamon for breakfast;
Chocolate for snacking.

Corn tortillas are the new bread at our house.
Great for packing lunches.

Quinoa--alternative to oats and rice. Can be used to make meatloaf; add butter and serve like you would couscous,
or you can add raisens and brown sugar and eat like oatmeal. 

 

The kindness of others

It's been a hellava summer thus far.

Roger & Roberta Smith on their 50th Wedding Anniversary, 2011

My father-in-law, a lovely man, became suddenly quite ill with a rare blood cancer (like, 80 people in the world kind of rare).  It took hold of him just before Easter, and, after yoyo-ing in and out of ERs, ICUs, and a physical rehab hospital, he passed away peacefully with his wife and kids around him last Monday night.  He's with God now, and whole, free of pain and exhaustion and tubes and tests. I know he is at peace.

Roger's heaven would have to include a spiffy racquetball court . . .

and a fully-equipped wood shop.

For the rest of us left behind, we must now set about the business of living on, day by day. And it is through faith and the kindness of others that this is possible.

I don't think we really realize how many people honestly care about us and what happens in your life until you're faced with such sadness. We have been blessed with many, many people who have sent messages, cards and flowers to express support and there-ness. Meals and car pool exchanges have helped us maintain some semblance of normalcy in our lives during these past few decidedly un-normal months. Offers to care for our poochies, take in mail, water plants have kept things going on the homefront while we were needed elsewhere. Understanding bosses and co-workers have enabled us to be away a lot yet still stay employed. Family and friends have asked how we're doing and listened (for hours, I'm sure) with sympathetic ears to our responses, at church, on porches, on the phone, in the office. And when we needed to talk about something else, they went there with us, too. I thank God for each and every one of those people who helped us maintain our sanity during this rollercoaster ride we've been on.

I also understand, just now, at age 51, why sympathy cards exist. We received cards from so many kind people (even the folks at our local CVS!) who just wanted to let us know they're thinking about us.
Thank you everyone ~ it truly is at times like this that one only gets by due to the kindness of others. I only hope that we can be there for you when you need someone to lean on.

Peace!

The value of a dollar

Two Guys, NJ 1960s

I don't know about you, but my folks took it as part of their parental duties to teach my bro and me the value of money.  We heard  "it doesn't grow on trees, you know" more than once. We  cut coupons, checked bargain bins, studied sales flyers, and started shopping trips at the discount racks in the back of stores. In the NJ of my youth, there was Two Guys from Harrison, a K-Mart kind of department store featuring decent merchandise at reasonable prices.  The really good clothes (and our Boy/Girl Scout stuff) all came from Gelman's, a swankier department store in Pompton Lakes. I LOVED going to Gelman's--they had fancy dresses and Easter bonnets and white gloves and everything!

The lesson for me was this; you have to pay full price for some things (like cars, refrigerators, TP and dance lessons), so save on the other stuff if possible.

I learned my lesson well.  Many's the Mother's Day that my Mom got some fabulous trinket purchased with my tooth fairy quarters at Oak Ridge Presbyterian's Annual Spring Rummage Sale. Our family always helped with the set up and sale, so we got first dibs on the really cool stuff. My favorite play clothes were fashions I discovered at the rummage sale. I probably loved them most because, if they got stained or torn, Mom didn't care. How great was that!

I had my first shopping trip to a Salvation Army Thrift Store when I was in college. On that first visit at the store in Corning, NY, I purchased THE coolest plaid windbreaker ever. I still have it, and occasionally still wear it.

As a college grad living on $13.5K from my first job in NYC, I put my savings skills to work for all they were worth. I decorated my apartmet with IKEA and thrift store finds and filled my closet with clothes from the outlets in Secaucus and the SalVal near my office.

There are pros and cons to this.  I find it incredibly difficult to shop retail now--talk about sticker shock!  There was also a gourmet food outlet in Secaucus when I lived in Weehawken. This allowed me to discover and develop a taste for such exotic/expensive foods as Dickinson's Lemon Curd and Looza Banana Nectar (which, by the way, makes THE best banana dacquiri EVER!)  I also learned you could eat dinner at a Happy Hour munchie spread on 2nd Avenue for the price of a pint of beer. I know a deal when I see one!

So, here I am in very central PA and I've got a whole new list of go-to places to shop for food (Wenger's) and home supplies (Big Lots). To satisfy my need to reduce/reuse/recycle, I still visit thrift shops and the Salvation Army for great deals on jeans someone else has taken the time to break in. And, truth be told, I get a kick out of saving money when I can so it doesn't sting so bad when I have to pay full fare on things like 38" inseam pants for my Mr. and the latest fashions for my kiddo.

Plus, I love the thrill of the hunt, don't you?!

Fabulous 21st!

Yep, 21 years of wedded bliss!  And what a wonderful celebration we had!  The morning started out with a gourmet breakfast in bed, lovingly prepared and presented by the best kid in the world.  Not sure exactly what or when, but we must have done something pretty right with her, 'cause she's a keeper for sure!

After breakfast, we took off to NYC (sans aforementioned offspring) for a much anticipated 24 hours of celebrating US. First up, checking in to our room at a swanky midtown boutique hotel, the Shoreham.  (Thank you, Priceline.com!)  At check-in, we discovered we were upgraded to a mini-suite AND offered champagne on the house.  Whooooo hooo! 

We relaxed for a while and finished our champagne, then got gussied up and walked across town for dinner before the show.  Decided to pass on our usual haunt--Virgil's BBQ--and dozens of Italian bistros and enjoyed a window-front table for two at Rosie O'Grady's just north of the theatre district.

 
It's our anniversary, so we shared this fabulous lobster tail appetizer (So good!) Then hubby had filet mignon and I had THE BEST lobster ravioli EVER!  It was served in a creamy tomato sauce with chunks of lobster in the sauce as well as in the ravioli. Fabulous!  No dessert . . . yet.

Off to the theatre.  THE BOOK OF MORMON was hysterical. Not for kids (especially ours--language a bit raw at times), but seriously, laugh out loud, soil your skivvies funny (at least to we non-Mormons).  We had great seats (front row, rear balcony, just off center, no one to block our view!)  I'm not a fan of South Park, but without a doubt, those two guys are comedy geniuses.  I was a bit taken aback by the family of 5 sitting right behind us--couldn't help wondering why they brought their 10 year old daughter in her fancy white dress to this particular show. Bet there were some interesting discussions following the performance--what with the references to female castration, masturbation, and a few more 'bations.  Their 15 year old son was bored, but their 13 year old son thought it was hysterical.  He must have ordered the tickets.  I know, it doesn't sound like it'd be rip-snortingly funny, but it truly was. 

After the show, we stolled back to Rosie O'Grady's for the dessert we'd skipped earlier.  10:30PM and they handed us full menus to peruse--only in New York!  Key Lime Pie & Irish coffee for PAS, mousse au chocolat and ginger ale for moi. Perfect ending to a perfect day in the city.

Saturday morning we headed east to find breakfast. Ended up at Smiler's for old time's sake.  We used to get breakfasts at Smiler's when we worked in the city,  so this was fun.  Cinnamon bagel with a 'schmere, fresh fruit, and vanilla coffee in the upstairs dining room, watching Madison Avenue come to life. Then a stoll around town, mostly in search of something special to bring home to the little one.  The weather was perfect for walking--warm but not hot, thanks to a bit of an overcast. Times Square was aglow with hundreds of jumbotron billboards.  Even the ball is still lit these days--guess it has to be to even get noticed! 

Found ourselves a Forever 21 store in Times Square and scored big for CFS.  Hubby has a great eye for what she'll like. I'm better at editing out what she'd hate; guess I have more practice with that ("Mom, really?!) Anywho, left the store with a box of goodies sure to make her smile.


On our walk to the hotel we stumbled upon Kristin Wiig and Ben Stiller getting ready to shoot a scene for their upcoming release, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. My hubby, the mayor of wherever he happens to be, chatted up Ben's bodyguard and Ms. Wiig. We didn't take any photos--they asked us not to--but these were taken that same day by others who ignored such requests.  

Checked out at noon and headed home, having loved every minute of our anniversary getaway.

Here's hoping you can carve out a little time celebrate the milestones in your life, too.

Highs and Lows

It's been quite a week, and it's only Thursday.

First, the good news--CFS received the Principal's Award for Music on Monday, which included a certificate and a cash award (which is, of course, burning a hole in her pocket!) We're so proud of her. She's ending her middle school years on a good note, and very anxiously awaiting the start of HS.





The down side of this roller coaster we're on:
My father-in-law has been hospitalized due to the myriad of effects of the Aggressive Systemic Mastocytosis he was recently diagnosed with.  ASM is rare--like 80 people in the whole world rare.  It's a form of cancer where the (totally worthless) mast cells which are part of the white blood cells reproduce like crazy and take over space in the blood that should be occupied by red cells, white cells, and platelets. His ASM has taken root in his bone marrow. Among other things, it has caused drastic anemia, enlargement of his kidneys and spleen, extreme fatigue, total loss of appetite, scary levels of calcium in his blood, and lesions on his spinal column. 
It's not easy being the sandwich generation--caring for your parents and your kids. We muddle through each day, doing the best we can to keep some semblance of normalcy to our lives. Thank God for friends and family who are helping us keep the Smith boat afloat.

Wishing you sunny days and the good health to enjoy them.
B

Thank God for the Sunshine!

Oy, what a week its been! Our hot water issue seems to be fixed--although the flue still needs some love. . .Torrential rains early in the week=muddy pups all over the house. . .Parental health issues we need to take care of. . . the list goes on.  BUT, the sun is shining today and its a glorious evening THANK YOU LORD!  I just hung up with a friend who invited me to join her at a pre-graduation shindig at Bucknell. It'll be good music (my boss/neighbor/good friend is playing!) plus cheese and wine and time to catch up with Amy--I'm looking forward to it!  Sunday I'm working at Commencement--and for something completely different, it looks like it's going to be a beautiful day! Next week I start my summer work schedule (read reduced hours). Looking forward to a slower pace, more time with my gorgeous kiddo & hubby, and time to really kick butt cleaning around the house.  Is it sad that I'm looking forward to dusting & laundry & gardening?--OH MY!
Wishing you and yours sunshine and the time to enjoy it!

B

Icy Showers

Our highfalutin' hot water heater quit on us last Wednesday night. Thursday morning, cold showers all around. Called the plumber--he'll come check 'er out and fix it. No can do. He came, opened up the pretty blue box, found LOTS of wires that were never attached to anything, but couldn't get the thing to work. He ordered a part and came back to install it on Friday. Nope, still won't work. Can't find the problem. Called a guy who knows this brand inside and out. He'll come check it out tomorrow (Saturday). If you're counting, that makes full days without hot water, which translates into sink baths with water heated on the stove, no laundry, no dishwashing. Saturday, I couldn't take it any longer, so I got all ready and stepped into a FREEZING COLD SHOWER (see photo above)--like Mr. Sippy Slushie cold, complete with the brain freeze and blue lips. Plumber Andrew brings Expert Dewey back with him--he's like the Macguyver for this brand and can rebuild them in the dark using nothing but toothpicks and dental floss. . .  but not this time. Could tell the thing was installed incorrectly, but feels our best/only option is to orders parts and rebuild the thing. DO IT! With any luck, the parts will arrive on Monday, worst case Tuesday. Does it seem like we're having any luck with this? 
You still doing the math? If so, you know we're closing in on a week with NO HOT WATER! Today, Tuesday, the parts finally arrived and Dewey works his magic and we have hot water--for out 4 hours. Hubby and I got our showers in by 5pm. Ciel's shower at 8:30 was cold again. Poor thing could only take it long enough to wash her hair, then wrapped herself up and got the heck outta there--NOT a happy camper. Aaaaarrghhhh! Latest diagnosis--chimney must be partially blocked, which is triggering something that turns off the water heater. So now we have to clean out the chimney. Stay tuned.  If we show up at your door with our shower kits and towels, you'll know why!
Wishing you hot showers and warm towels!
B