Mystic Ramblings

Happy Sunday!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 23 Jun 2013 15:00:00 +0000

Homemade Upholstery Cleaner

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 23 Jun 2013 01:00:00 +0000

Love when I find things I can make at home that is cheaper and still as effective as the store brands.

2 1/4 cups of hot water (from the tap)

¼ cup of liquid dish detergent

1 mixing container

1 large mixing spoon or hand mixer

2 cleaning cloths (old clean wash cloths are fine)

1 towel (Designate an old clean towel as your "furniture cleaning towel". Wash and reuse it for next time.)

1 soft bristled brush

1 medium sized bucket/container filled with warm water (keep this water separate from the mixture)

Directions:

1. Mix the 2 1/4 cups of hot tap water and ¼ cup of dish detergent in a mixing container. Using a large spoon or hand mixer, whip the mixture. You will know it is ready when you see a few dry suds.

2. Apply the mixture to the upholstery/upholstered furniture by dipping a cloth into the sudsy mixture and rubbing it onto the furniture.

3. Lightly scrub problem areas with a soft bristled brush after the mixture has been applied.

4. Wipe away any dirty suds with a clean damp cloth. Ring out the cloth and dip it into the bowl of clean water and continue cleaning the furniture.

5. Repeat if need be and make sure that you continue to rinse and ring out the soiled cloth before continuing the process.

6. Give the entire area one last wipe down with a clean wet cloth.

7. Using a dry clean towel, blot and wipe upholstery/upholstered furniture dry.

8. Open a window and/or turn on a fan to speed up the drying process.

DIY Mason Jar Salt, Pepper, or Herb Dispenser

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 22 Jun 2013 21:04:00 +0000

Click Here to Make Your Dispenser

Celiac Disease Vs Gluten Intolerance Vs Gluten Allergy

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 23:30:00 +0000

So recently I've had some issues adding to my other digestive health problems, I thought at first it was the flu and upon researching my symptoms and talking to friend that is Gluten Intolerant that I may be as well or may have Celiac Disease.

Here's some information I found today.

Celiac and Gluten-Free Fast Facts:

Celiac disease is an autoimmune digestive disease that damages the villi of the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food.
One in 133 Americans have celiac disease.
An estimated 3 million Americans across all races, ages and genders suffer from celiac.
95% of celiacs are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed with other conditions. (Source: Fasano A, et al. Arch Intern Med. 2003;163:286-292.)
6-10 years is the average time a person waits to be correctly diagnosed. (Source: Daniel Leffler, MD, MS, The Celiac Center at Beth Israel Deaconness Medical Center)
5-22% of celiac patients have an immediate family member (1st degree relative) who also has celiac.
Celiac disease can lead to a number of other disorders including infertility, reduced bone density, neurological disorders, some cancers, and other autoimmune diseases.

A 100% gluten-free diet is the only existing treatment for celiac today.
- A positive attitude, 100% of the time, helps celiacs create a gluten-free lifestyle for themselves and their affected family members.
- The celiac disease diagnosis rate may reach 50-60% by 2019, thanks to efforts to raise public awareness of celiac disease. (Source: Datamonitor Group, 2009)
- Gluten-free sales reached more than $2.6 billion by the end of 2010 and are now expected to exceed more than $5 billion by 2015. (Source: Packaged Facts, 2011)
  
  For more information visit Celia Central by clicking HERE.

I AM ~ RIP Maison Ortiz

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 03:58:00 +0000

On January 19th, 2011 my daughter lost a friend, he was a 15 year old boy with a bright future ahead of him. I wanted to share the story and a poem he wrote. His name was Maison Ortiz. While snow boarding, him and a friend found the conditions to be too icy so they decided to take it safe and walk down the hill, sadly, they also removed their helmets.

The story is here: http://www.mynews4.com/story.php?id=36245&n=122

And here is the poem, the title is "I Am":

I am colorful and creative

I wonder about later in my life

I hear music

I see amazing things

I want happiness

I am colorful and creative

I pretend to fly

I feel magical

I touch the clouds

I worry about how I do things

I cry when I am sad

I am colorful and creative

I understand why I need to work hard

I say what I believe in

I dream out loud

I try to improve on things I am not very good at

I hope to be successful

I am colorful and creative

By Maison Ortiz ~ 2010

Monday Blues

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 04:31:00 +0000

So today was a day off from homeschooling since it was Martin Luther King Jr's Day. We still had to get up early to wait for the Direct TV rep to show up and hook us up, we were scheduled between 8am - noon.

So my sister in law had called last night and we made plans to do lunch here with the girls and her awesome Tortilla Soup and a few rounds of Scrabble.

Game day was fun, the Direct TV guy was late, called about 11:45am and said he was running behind but would be here in 15-20 minutes.

I believe our definitions of that time frame are different since he didn't arrive until well after 1pm and actually closer to 2pm. He was here almost 3 hours and some how disconnected our internet modem and told me he didn't do anything, it was just our router and that the connector slots were broke. So here I sat trying to fix it before hubby got home. And guess what, hubby came home to find the Direct TV guy hadn't connected the correct cables into the correct spots in the router; hence the reason we had no internet.

Gratefully hubby's work was short handed so they bought lunch for everyone since they had to work through lunches and he wasn't hungry when he got home, the girls and I had leftovers and I have to say the Spiral Baked Ham I made from last night tasted better today, yummo!

Please "Tapp" / Vote for My Daughter's Bullying Video

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 08:46:00 +0000

Hi everyone, my daughter, Krystal is 15, she's the middle child and the shyest of all the girls. Recently she has been exploring YouTube and Twitter and has been making some videos and has made some friends.

One week she did a video with some friends on the topic of bullying, she is in a contest that runs weekly for a cash prize. We are asking for your "Tapp" or vote. You can "Tapp" once every 24 hours, this week just started and it would be so awesome to see her place.

She has helped so much the last 2 years during the time I spent alot of time inpatient in the hospital with multiple surgeries, illness at home and now I battle Fibromyalgia, chronic pain & Fatigue as well as severe depression, anxiety and panic attacks.

Krystal is not like most 15 year olds, I'm grateful for that but sad at the same time. I'm sad that she's so nurturing and always trying to fill in to take care of the family when I can't, a child shouldn't have that burden or stress to worry about as well as keeping up with school.

Krystal is an honor student and homeschooled to be home with me and assist as needed as I am unable to sometimes do simple household chores etc.

Please click HERE to "Tapp" and be sure to bookmark to vote daily (every 24 hours) and if you can, please share the link.

Thank you for your support :) <3

Please Vote for My Daughter, Krystal

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 08:22:00 +0000

My daughter, Krystal is 15 years old. She is the middle child and the one that is the most shy. She has recently started making YouTube videos and is trying to make ones that are meaningful and inspirational. She also has been involved in our community by volunteering with the homeless and is always willing to help out someone in need.

Recently, she did a YouTube video on Bullying and has entered it in a contest. The reward for the top 3 videos is a cash prize. Krystal could do alot with the cash prize and deserves it. She is always putting others before herself and over the last 2 years has spent alot of her time unselfishly helping me as I have been ill, undergone a few surgeries including losing 85% of my colon and now battle daily chronic pain and fatigue with Fibromyalgia. Krystal is home-schooled and gives up alot of things most teenagers are doing like spending time with friends hanging out etc to be home taking care of me, cooking and cleaning as I more often than not can not perform normal daily household duties on my own.

Our family has battled financial hardship due to my health issues, finally after 2 years I have a disability hearing coming up and hopefully will finally be approved, this will help too. I would love to see Krystal win and have the money to unselfishly spoil herself, it's well deserved.

Please visit the contest site and vote every 24 hours, we both thank you and appreciate your vote and support.

To make your vote count, click HERE and click "Tapp."

Why...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 23:39:00 +0000

I battle severe depression that has increased with my chronic illnesses and pain with Fibromyalgia. I've been so down and for the first time ever, yesterday, I wanted to just run away, I wanted to leave my husband and my daughters and disappear. Not because I don't love them, but because I love them so much and I hate to see the pain and stress they go through because of my illnesses or my sadness.

My daughters have had to take on so much and in many ways grow up because I can't manage simple things like household things or going out and just walking the mall with them. My husband took on the stress of worrying about me and taking care of the girls and more often than not, they weren't the nicest to him. They aren't his biological daughters, he could have walked away but stuck it out it out the last 2 years. I love them so much.

I can't take the medications specifically for the Fibromyalgia although few because they increased my depression to the point almost of suicidal thoughts, I wanted to give up.

I cry to the point I run out of tears. Why me? Why my girls and husband? They deserve a happy life without without worrying about me or taking care of me like I'm a child, for pete's sake, I'm 39 years old. I have not been a good mom or wife the last 2 years, I've almost lost my husband and still could over these damn illnesses.

Sorry everyone, just needed to vent, I guess the thoughts of wanting to disappear scared me even, never have thought it out that far. I had sent my husband into Best Buy and told him I would be right in, was going to have a smoke, he said he would wait and I insisted he go in and I would find him. I was just going to walk away.

Tomorrow is another day...remember don't go to bed mad and always tell the people around you how much they mean to you and how much you love them. I try and find happiness, I try to keep myself surrounded by the light but some days it feels like I'm just too weak to take it on.

My Birthday Present ~ Bear

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 23:27:00 +0000

I have wanted a dog for the longest time but living in an apartment that was really crammed with my husband and I, our 3 girls and 2 cats, it really wasn't an option. Now that we have a 4 bedroom mobile home, approx. 1500 sq foot on 1/3 acre, a puppy was an option. I occasionally would look at the ones online at our local Human Society and there were many cute ones. But it wasn't until the day after Thanksgiving that I saw the one that was meant to be in our home. There were 3 siblings; Sitka (my husband was raised in Sitka, Alaska), Bear (my husband collect's bear items and his magickal name is Bearclaw), and finally the sister Smarty. They were Lab & Alaskan Malamute Mix.

My husband called and left a message to see if Sitka was still there to be adopted as the website showed they had been surrendered 2 days prior. I also called and found out Sitka and been adopted 2 hours prior but Bear was available.

Anyway, to cut the story short, we adopted Bear, he was a birthday present to me and I love him. He's helped with my depression and I feel myself smiling more and I do get outside the house taking him out.

Bear loves the snow and was on the local news a few days ago because he is soooo cute and loves the snow we are getting.

Dealing with chronic pain and fatigue, Fibromyalgia, and some other health issues, a dog or cat can definitely be theraputic. I love my Bear :-)

My Visitor

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 18:56:00 +0000

Over the past 2 days I've had a visitor peering in while perched from a large tree across the street. Today, she just stared across into my living room window while yesterday she soared low to the ground across my drive-way. She, is a beautiful Red-Tailed Hawk. I've seen hawks, but I don't think I've ever seen a Red-Tailed Hawk. Always near her are 2 squawking ravens or crows. They are so loud and are off in a distant branch from her, when she spreads her beautiful wings to fly away, they are always in toe, behind squawking a way.

I decided today, that I would research the correspondences and meanings of both the Hawk and Raven or Crows, I do know the Raven is a messenger; a carrier of messages.

As most of you know, I'm Cherokee woman, following a Shamanic Path. I believe everything has a meaning and for me to see this beauty in nature so close and all of a sudden, I believe I'm being told something or need to see something. Sometimes my Gods & Goddesses literally have to give me the slap of reality here it is without subtle hints so I get it, LOL.

So now, I will be meditating and asking in my dreams for the answers as to what message I need to see or hear. What path should I be on, what does the beautiful Hawk want me to see...

Hawk:
Visionary power, guardian messenger, leads to life purpose.

Raven:
Magick, creation, shape-shifting, vocalizing, playfulness.

Social Security Disability Update

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 22:32:00 +0000

Well, thanks to a friend's advice I was able to get some help from Senator's Reid's office. The representative from his office got a status report and then requested an expedite since the report showed that my attorney had requested the hearing on my behalf in April 2010 but as of yet a date had not yet been scheduled by the Social Security Administration.

Well, the expedite request was a HUGE help, I have the hearing date for January 11, 2011. I'm hoping this is the final step and we get approval from the judge, all of my doctor's feel that I will have no problem at this point.

Thank you to all for the continued support, thoughts & prayers, I appreciate it so much and I'm so glad to have such an amazing support system of family, friends and fellow Fibromyalgia sufferers.

Namaste'

Stay tuned for updates!

Finally A Good Update on Disability Battle

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 10:24:00 +0000

Thanks to the suggestion of an associate and reader, I contacted my Nevada Senators, and Senator Reid's office was the first to respond and inquire with Social Security Disability on the status of my Disability Claim. Initially they were told that I had an attorney and we had requested a hearing in April of this year. And that guidelines allowed the Social Security Administration 12 months before they had to provide me with a date for the hearing.

The Representative from Senator Reid's office upon receiving this information requested an expedite after we discussed my family's situation financially and my finances preventing me from following up with some of my doctor's as often as I should due to the cost of my copays etc.

Finally, we were given a date and time, January 11, 2011 I get my hearing and now just hope and pray for an approval which all of my doctor's feel won't be a problem. This will help our family so much and will help me feel a bit better as I will feel as if I'm contributing a bit more to the family and hopefully we won't be struggling as much as we have for over 2 years due to my medical issues; surgeries, illnesses, etc.

Please continue to keep us in your thoughts & prayers and thank you so much to those that continue to send such kind notes of inspiration.

Update: Plea for Help on Disability Claim to NV Government Officials

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 20:58:00 +0000

So as you know, I sent letters to our Nevada Governor, Mr Sandoval, L. Governor Mr. Krolicki, & Senator Harry Reid asking for assistance with my Disability Claim.

I've been battling this for going on 2 years and we just can't keep our head above water anymore, the mental stress and financial stress is just to much, I want to help keep the roof over our head and food on the table.

Thank you to Susan for the phone# for Mr. Reid's local office here in Reno, NV. I've been in contact and now am waiting for a return a call from the representative in the office that works with Disability issues/concerns.

Stay tuned for updates, hopefully good ones. The only better than getting approved would be for them to find a cure!

Update on my Plea For Help Letter

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 20:26:00 +0000

So yesterday I posted a copy of the "Plea for Help" letter I sent to my Senator in Nevada; Mr. Harry Reid. Today I also emailed our new Govenor; Mr. Brian Sandoval, via his website: http://briansandoval.com/contact and our Leut. Govenor Mr. Brian Krolicki, via his website: http://briankrolicki.com/ , as well as our Secretary of State, Mr. Ross Miller via his website: http://nvsos.gov .

Hoping to receive some type of response soon. It's so unfair the battle I'm going through and the suffering our family is going through financially as a result of my condition making it so I cannot work.

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers and stay tuned to see just how much our Nevada politicians truly do care about the people of Nevada.

Date Night With Hubby and a Restaurant & Movie Review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 07:16:00 +0000

Tonight hubby & I got a night out; a date night without the kids which are all teenagers now and really don't want to hang out with mom and dad much anyway, lol.

It was nice, it's been quite some time with my health, finances etc since we've been out, we are making it a point to do something at least one a month together like tonight - a date night. I love my husband and so much enjoyed the time we shared tonight.

Dinner was at Red Lobster, along with us were my brother and his wife and my mom & dad. I had the endless shrimp and it was pretty good, even found a coupon I'll post at the end here.

Finally, after dinner my parents went home and hubby & I along with my brother and his wife headed to the theatre, we saw the movie "Devil." I have to say this wasn't what I thought it was going to be from the previews on tv and the trailers, I actually was a bit disappointed and would have rather saved our money and waited for this movie to come out on DVD.

Hoping to see Saw in 3D at the end of the month :) so far none of them have let me down.

We used a coupon from Red Lobster's site, it was $4 off 2 adult entrees which was cool. Always nice to save a dollar or two. http://www.redlobster.com/ you can also sign up for savings to be sent to you via email.

Here's the Yahoo link to read on the movie Devil and watch a trailer; http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1810055811/info

Veteran's Day 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:06:00 +0000

Thank you to all that have and do serve in our military, you defend my freedoms and I'm very grateful.

The Spirit of the Corn ~ An Iroquois Legend

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:57:00 +0000

by Harriet Maxwell Converse (Adapted)

There was a time, says the Iroquois grandmother, when it was not needful to plant the corn- seed nor to hoe the fields, for the corn sprang up of itself, and filled the broad meadows. Its stalks grew strong and tall, and were covered with leaves like waving banners, and filled with ears of pearly grain wrapped in silken green husks.

In those days Onatah, the Spirit of the Corn, walked upon the earth. The sun lovingly touched her dusky face with the blush of the morning, and her eyes grew soft as the gleam of the stars on dark streams. Her night-black hair was spread before the breeze like a wind-driven cloud.

As she walked through the fields, the corn, the Indian maize, sprang up of itself from the earth and filled the air with its fringed tassels and whispering leaves. With Onatah walked her two sisters, the Spirits of the Squash and the Bean. As they passed by, squash-vines and bean-plants grew from the corn-hills.

One day Onatah wandered away alone in search of early dew. Then the Evil One of the earth, Hahgwehdaetgah, followed swiftly after. He grasped her by the hair and dragged her beneath the ground down to his gloomy cave. Then, sending out his fire-breathing monsters, he blighted Onatah's grain. And when her sisters, the Spirits of the Squash and the Bean, saw the flame- monsters raging through the fields, they flew far away in terror.

As for poor Onatah, she lay a trembling captive in the dark prison-cave of the Evil One. She mourned the blight of her cornfields, and sorrowed over her runaway sisters.

``O warm, bright sun!'' she cried, ``if I may walk once more upon the earth, never again will I leave my corn!''

And the little birds of the air heard her cry, and winging their way upward they carried her vow and gave it to the sun as he wandered through the blue heavens.

The sun, who loved Onatah, sent out many searching beams of light. They pierced through the damp earth, and entering the prison-cave, guided her back again to her fields.

And ever after that she watched her fields alone, for no more did her sisters, the Spirits of the Squash and Bean, watch with her. If her fields thirsted, no longer could she seek the early dew. If the flame-monsters burned her corn, she could not search the skies for cooling winds. And when the great rains fell and injured her harvest, her voice grew so faint that the friendly sun could not hear it.

But ever Onatah tenderly watched her fields and the little birds of the air flocked to her service. They followed her through the rows of corn, and made war on the tiny enemies that gnawed at the roots of the grain.

And at harvest-time the grateful Onatah scattered the first gathered corn over her broad lands, and the little birds, fluttering and singing, joyfully partook of the feast spread for them on the meadow-ground.

How Indian Corn Came Into The World

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:50:00 +0000

I've recently started homeschooling my 7th grade daughter (the youngest) an in my search of different tools I'm finding some really cool things like the short story below so I thought I would share with you, the Mystic Ramblings readers!

by Henry R. Schoolcraft (adapted)

An Ojibbeway Legend

Long, long ago, in a beautiful part of this country, there lived an Indian with his wife and children. He was poor and found it hard to provide food enough for his family. But though needy he was kind and contented, and always gave thanks to the Great Spirit for everything that he received. His eldest son, Wunzh, was likewise kind and gentle and thankful of heart, and he longed greatly to do something for his people.

The time came that Wunzh reached the age when every Indian boy fasts so that he may see in a vision the Spirit that is to be his guide through life. Wunph's father built him a little lodge apart, so that the boy might rest there undisturbed during his days of fasting. Then Wunzh withdrew to begin the solemn rite.

On the first day he walked alone in the woods looking at the flowers and plants, and filling his mind with the beautiful images of growing things so that he might see them in his night-dreams. He saw how the flowers and herbs and berries grew, and he knew that some were good for food, and that others healed wounds and cured sickness. And his heart was filled with even a greater longing to do something for his family and his tribe.

"Truly," thought he, "the Great Spirit made all things. To Him we owe our lives. But could He not make it easier for us to get our food than by hunting and catching fish? I must try to find this out in my vision."

So Wunzh returned to his lodge and fasted and slept. On the third day he became weak and faint. Soon he saw in a vision a young brave coming down from the sky and approaching the lodge. He was clad in rich garments of green and yellow colors. On his head was a tuft of nodding green plumes, and all his motions were graceful and swaying.

"I am sent to you, O Wunzh," said the sky- stranger, "by that Great Spirit who made all things in sky and earth. He has seen your fasting, and knows how you wish to do good to your people, and that you do not seek for strength in war nor for the praise of warriors. I am sent to tell you how you may do good to your kindred. Arise and wrestle with me, for only by overcoming me may you learn the secret."

Wunzh, though he was weak from fasting, felt courage grow in his heart, and he arose and wrestled with the stranger. But soon he became weaker and exhausted, and the stranger, seeing this, smiled gently on him and said: "My friend, this is enough for once, I will come again tomorrow." And he vanished as suddenly as he had appeared.

The next day the stranger came, and Wunzh felt himself weaker than before; nevertheless he rose and wrestled bravely. Then the stranger spoke a second time. "My friend," he said, "have courage! Tomorrow will be your last trial." And he disappeared from Wunzh's sight.

On the third day the stranger came as before, and the struggle was renewed. And Wunzh, though fainter in body, grew strong in mind and will, and he determined to win or perish in the attempt. He exerted all his powers, and, lo! in a while, he prevailed and overcame the stranger.

"O Wunzh, my friend," said the conquered one, "you have wrestled manfully. You have met your trial well. To-morrow I shall come again and you must wrestle with me for the last time. You will prevail. Do you then strip off my garments, throw me down, clean the earth of roots and weeds, and bury me in that spot. When you have done so, leave my body in the ground. Come often to the place and see whether I have come to life, but be careful not to let weeds or grass grow on my grave. If you do all this well, you will soon discover how to benefit your fellow creatures." Having said this the stranger disappeared.

In the morning Wunzh's father came to him with food. "My son," he said, "you have fasted long. It is seven days since you have tasted food, and you must not sacrifice your life. The Master of Life does not require that."

"My father," replied the boy, "wait until the sun goes down to-morrow. For a certain reason I wish to fast until that hour."

"Very well," said the old man, "I shall wait until the time arrives when you feel inclined to eat." And he went away.

The next day, at the usual hour, the sky stranger came again. And, though Wunzh had fasted seven days, he felt a new power arise within him. He grasped the stranger with superhuman strength, and threw him down. He took from him his beautiful garments, and, finding him dead, buried him in the softened earth, and did all else as he had been directed.

He then returned to his father's lodge, and partook sparingly of food. There he abode for some time. But he never forgot the grave of his friend. Daily he visited it, and pulled up the weeds and grass, and kept the earth soft and moist. Very soon, to his great wonder, he saw the tops of green plumes coming through the ground.

Weeks passed by, the summer was drawing to a close. One day Wunzh asked his father to follow him. He led him to a distant meadow. There, in the place where the stranger had been buried, stood a tall and graceful plant, with bright- colored, silken hair, and crowned by nodding green plumes. Its stalk was covered with waving leaves, and there grew from its sides clusters of milk-filled ears of corn, golden and sweet, each ear closely wrapped in its green husks.

"It is my friend!" shouted the boy joyously; "it is Mondawmin, the Indian Corn! We need no longer depend on hunting, so long as this gift is planted and cared for. The Great Spirit has heard my voice and has sent us this food."

Then the whole family feasted on the ears of corn and thanked the Great Spirit who gave it. So Indian Corn came into the world.

Virtual Bubble Wrap - LOL

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 05:45:00 +0000

I pop bubble wrap at 2.16 bubbles per second!

I popped 196 bubbles in 1 minute and 30.9 seconds
at www.Virtual-Bubblewrap.com!
Can you beat my score?

"M&M'S" Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 02:48:00 +0000

Cookie:
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup shortening
1 large egg
1-1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp EACH: baking soda & salt
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
2/3 cup milk
2/3 cup "M&M's" Chocolate Mini Baking Bits
1/2 cup large marshmallows

FROSTING:
3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) butter, softened
3 tblsps water
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Cookie:
Heat oven to 375F. Grease baking sheets. Sift together flour, baking soda, salt & cocoa. Cream together sugar & shortening; add egg. Add flour mixture. Add vanilla, milk & mini baking bits. Mix together. Drop onto prepared baking sheets.

Bake 8 mins at 375F. Top each cookie with a marshmallow. Bake 3 mins longer; cool.

Mix together; frost cookies, after cookies are frosted sprinkle with "M&M's" Chocolate Mini Baking Bits.

Banana Nut Rice Krispy Treats

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 02:37:00 +0000

Banana Nut Rice Krispies Treats

3 tablespoons margarine or butter
1 package (10 oz. about 40) regular marshmallows
or 4 cups miniature marshmallows
3 tablespoons banana instant pudding mix
1 1/2 teaspoons walnut flavoring
6 cups KELLOGG'S® RICE KRISPIES® cereal

1. Melt margarine in large saucepan over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat. Stir in pudding mix and walnut flavoring until combined..

2. Add KELLOGG'S RICE KRISPIES cereal. Stir until well coated.

3. Using buttered spatula or waxed paper, press mixture evenly into 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan coated with cooking spray. Cut into 2-inch squares when cool. Best if served the same day.

Yield: 24 servings

MICROWAVE DIRECTIONS:
In a microwave safe bowl, heat margarine and marshmallows at HIGH for
3 minutes, stirring after 2 minutes. Stir until smooth. Add pudding mix and walnut flavoring, mixing until smooth. Follow steps 2 and 3 above.

Microwave cooking times may vary.

NOTE

For best results, use fresh marshmallows.

1 jar (7 oz.) marshmallow creme can be substituted for marshmallows.

Diet, reduced calorie or tub margarine is not recommended.

Store no more than two days in airtight container.

Cherry Sunrise (dump cake)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 02:10:00 +0000

DIRECTIONS:

1 16 oz can of cherry pie filling (you can also use apple)
1 cup crushed pineapple (do not drain)
1 box of yellow cake mix
1 cup chopped nuts (I use pecans)
1 stick of butter cut into small pieces

DIRECTIONS:

Lightly grease a 9 x 13 pan. Spread can of pie filling in pan. Cover with crushed pineapple.
Spread dry cake mix evenly over the fruit.
Sprinkle with nuts and then the butter.
Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees.

Once cooled you can top with whipped cream or cool whip if desired.

Porcupine Meatballs

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:16:00 +0000

1 beaten egg
1 10 3/4-ounce can condensed tomato soup
1/4 cup regular rice
2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
1 tablespoon snipped parsley
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup water

In bowl combine egg and 1/4 cup of the tomato soup. Stir in the uncooked rice, chopped onion, parsley, salt and pepper. Add ground beef and mix well. Shape meat mixture in 20 small balls; place in 10-inch skillet.

Mix remaining soup with water and Worcestershire; pour over meatballs. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 35 to 40 minutes; stir often. Makes 4 or 5 servings.

Update on me

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:23:00 +0000

Been awhile since I posted anything here so I figured I would give an update and let everyone know I'm still around.

As many you know I've battled heath issues severely since May when I had my Hysterectomy. Then I ended up w/a post op infection that put me back into the hospital. A few weeks after discharge I was diagnosed with Diverticulitis.

The Diverticulitis flare up would never fully go down and once again after being admitted to the hospital every 2-3 weeks, I was referred to a GI doc and then a surgeon.

In November 2009, I had my colon removed, all but 1" which was left to reconnect to avoid me having an ostomy bag the rest of the life. I almost did not survive this surgery as I had internal bleeding and lost ALOT of blood. I lost so much blood I required a transfusion of 8 pints. Mind you now, the body only holds 8 -9 .

The Diverticulitis was the worse pain I've had, even next to child birth. After the Colectomy I was discharged home after 6 days, by 2 weeks I was back in the hopsital being admitted for an abcess found in my abdomen. This too required a hospital stay with a tube insertion for draining the abscess.

In between all I've been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, still playing with a med blend on that.

Last month (June 2009) I was brought into the ER with abdominal pain. An X-Ray and Cat Scan showed inflammation on my small intestine and a scope showed polyps adn blisters like ulcers. All had biopsies but I haven't haeard yet on them. June 30th I was discharged.

Now here I am again, in patient 3 days so far, they have put me back on isolation and I have to have my stools and body tested for C-DIFF, some other things and the doc's are leaning towards the diagnose of Crohn's Disease.

Please keep myself and family in your prayers, thoughts and whe sending healing energies.