Doris #14653
Mon, Feb 8, 2010 10:07 PM 

Thank you so much for the big beautiful garden basket that arrived this afternoon! It contains 3 kalanchoe plants in different shades of pink, a nice philodendren, and two other very pretty green foliage type plants and it is rewally lovely. I very much appreciate your thoughtfulness even tho you were sooooo bad to do this! LOL I'll take pictures and maybe some day will get them posted so you can all see how pretty it is.

I've had a little more pain today and think that's maybe a sign I can't push quite as hard with PT, etc. so I guess I'll have to listen to my body and take it slower. Oete is feeding me too well, and with this beautiful garden basket to look at, I'm being terribly spoiled. Thanks again, dear WOWsie friends for thinking of me.

Emmy #14652
Mon, Feb 8, 2010 12:48 PM 

Hi ladies...just stopping in for a quick visit. I haven't had a chance to keep up with all of you - I hope you all are doing well.

My main reason for coming over is to let you know that I'm having to sell my Boyds collection. I'm sad about it but I have to. I don't know if any of you are still collecting or now. Right now, I'm concentrating on my treasure box collection. If you're looking for one, please let me know.

Mare :) #14651
Mon, Feb 8, 2010 12:28 PM 

Wishing you a wonderful Monday today and hope you are all doing well.
Yesterday I did a bunch of cleaning for Mom and Dad and today, maybe will do some windows and some baking and shopping for them. Tomorrow Dad has a doctor's appointment, and hopefully, we can get a little bit of help and advice for him.
Thank you for all your prayers and get well wishes for Dad, he really appreciates your kindness.

JaniceTX #14650
Mon, Feb 8, 2010 11:29 AM 

Will have to check out the drip beef recipe for sure, made my mouth water just reading about it!

It was just DH & I for the game...we RARELY watch the game, if its on its for the commercials (I really liked the Budweiser/longhorn one, grin). I really didn't care who won but decided to root for the Saints, since Drew Brees is a local product. I fixed snack type foods, including a new recipe for a brie. THIS is the best one I have ever fixed!! EASY too. EVEN DH enjoyed it. (A RARE THING) ... its called Honey-Nut Glazed Brie
melt "butter", add chopped walnuts, a little cinnamon, nutmeg, some honey and cook for couple of minutes. Put brie on oven or microwave safe plate.. Pour nut mixture over, then bake or zap for less than a minute..serve with sliced apples. OH MY...I couldn't believe we ate the "whole" thing! email me for proportions if you wish. Its been advertised as "I Can't believe its Not butter" recipe though so you have seen it probably. I didn't use that product but Smart Balance spread.

Had a decent weekend, woke to pouring rain this morning, but this moment the sun is valiantly trying to break through. Don't think it will last though.

Ya'll have a good week! Good to see Doris is able to post...get well soon friend. Prayers for all who need em and who doesn't?

A WOWsie Note From JaniceTX Oooops that horse is Anahueser Busch, not Budweiser, maybe they are "same". Tells you we don't drink beer around here, lol.

A WOWsie Note From Love Mare :) Janice the Honey Nut glazed Brie sounds so yummy thank you for sharing :P

A WOWsie Note From Mary I thought that was such a cute commercial too! Like one of the E-trade ones with the babies too!

Mary #14649
Mon, Feb 8, 2010 10:30 AM 

Just wanted to give y'all a heads up on the Pioneer Woman's Drip Beef!!! I fixed the plain version and it was delicious!!!!! I cooked it Saturday evening and then on Sunday reheated after I scraped the fat off when I took it out of the frig. I did fry up some more onions and added to the meat. I separated the meat from the au jus. I toasted the hoagie rolls using my griddle a couple hours ahead of time and just put them in a covered bread basket. I put the meat on the rolls grated some cheese over them and put them in the broiler just long enough to melt the cheese and they were SO GOOD!!!! Got lots of compliments!! Also made PW mexican dip and it was really good too. It's real filling though!! Anyhow, just wanted to let you know both recipes were really good if y'all ever get a hankerin to try them!!

A WOWsie Note From Love Mare :) Oh my goodness Mary the Woman's Drip beef sounds so yummy and with the hoagie buns and extra onions, cheese,sounds really good. Must try it and the Mexican dip too! :P

A WOWsie Note From Stacie I made her restaurant salsa recipe yesterday and needless to say DH has basically made it disappear!

the kat #14648
Mon, Feb 8, 2010 07:32 AM 

Have a blessed week, my friends!

A WOWsie Note From Love Mare :) Good morning Kat and wishing you a blessed week also. Huggers

the kat #14647
Sun, Feb 7, 2010 10:24 PM 

New Orleans Saints Defeat Indianapolis to Win Super Bowl

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The New Orleans Saints almost left when their city flooded
and their home stadium had been turned into a shelter,
a disaster seeming to provide the perfect escape route for a better stadium
and a bigger market.
Displaced and disheartened, the Saints haltingly returned to a repaired Superdome
after Hurricane Katrina.
A team so awful that fans used to wear bags on their heads came to symbolize and
be embraced by a battered but rebuilding community.

On Sunday night, with a quarterback who had hitched his career
to resurrecting the Saints and New Orleans together playing nearly flawlessly,
the Saints gave New Orleans a reason to do what it does better
than any other American city: celebrate.
In the franchise’s first Super Bowl,
the Saints upset the Indianapolis Colts, 31-17,
sending New Orleanians into the streets for a party.

“Who Dat?” the fans of the Saints ask.

They are the champions.

A WOWsie Note From Joy with WOWsie Hugs I knew they'd win!! Way to Go Saints!!!! WOOO HOOOOOOO! I was rooting for them because of their history. Great job!! Just another thing to give LA something to be proud of!! I'm happy for you all! PS... didn't even watch. I was out of the house most of the evening. Just as well, I'd jinx it if I did I suspect. HUGS!! Congratulations SAINTS!!

A WOWsie Note From Mary YEE-HAW!!!!!!! It was a good game and enjoyed some of othe commercials!!! HUBBY was so proud of his SAINTS!!! I've actually learned quite abit about football the last few weeks!!

Doris #14646
Sun, Feb 7, 2010 07:57 PM 

Hi WOWsies! I came home from the hospital yesterday afternoon and I'm doing very well. This surgery was sooooooo different from the knee replacement that I had in April 03. Instead of a general anesthetic, I had a spinal and they did two nerve blocks along with that - one for the sciatic nerve and I'm not sure what the other one was, but the blocks last 24-30 hours beyond the surgery and keep you quite comfortable. The surgeon also used a "pain ball" which delivered a numbing medication and an antibiotic directly thru a tube into the knee and that was left in place until yesterdy morning, so the need for morphine thru the PC pump (personally-controlled) was greatly reduced and I was even able to be switched to oral pain medication Friday morning. So, no brain fog from the anesthetic and not much from other pain meds, which is a very good thing. I had the option of staying in the hospital until today, but after I had Physical Therapy yesterday morning and was cleared by them for release I opted to come home. I wasn't getting any sleep at night and knew that would be better at home. My first roommate was quiet and considerate but I was just wide awake all night. She went home around dinner time on Friday and it looked like I might be alone, but at about 9:30 p.m. (just as I was turning off my light and ready to nod off) they brought in an 83 year old lady who only stopped talking when she was loudly snoring! There was also a man in the next room who was doing a strange snoring/breathing/moaning thing that was keeping the entire floor awake. Finally at 3 a.m. I asked if I could have a sleeping pill and did go to sleep, only to be awakened around 4 when my roommate wet her bed and started again with the motor mouth. I'm happy to report that both my "Manservant" and I got a wonderful restful night's sleep last night and no one here wet the bed. I'll be having in-home PT and a guy came this afternoon to do an assessment and interview and we worked on just a few exercises. He scheduled a therapist to come every day this first week. (My PT in the hospital was intensive and exhausting, and I'm feeling the benefits of that already!) I have very high hopes that I'll have a wonderful outcome from this and it will eventually take away a lot of pain from the "other" knee.

But, enough about me... I've read back and caught up and am glad to hear that Mare's Dad is home and they've ruled out stroke! I sure hope they can figure out the problem and get him feeling better quickly. Jnett, you silly girl - you are happiest when you're busy and there's no better way to be busy than working for the Lord. Eva, can't wait to hear a lullabye from your direction! Joy, congrats on your photography awards. You're always first place in our opinion! Kat, I hope that all three triplets don't get that virus and am glad you made the trip home safely in that horrible weather. (As a "roomie", you're waaaaaay better than the one's I just had! LOL)

To everyone, here are giant hugs all around and thanks for all your well wishes and prayers. I could feel that there was love surrounding me and that God was guiding my surgeon and the many good and kind people who took care of me.

I have no preference for the Superbowl, so will just celebrate with which ever team wins. Sherron, it just isn't as much fun when our Steelers aren't playing and we aren't being heckled by Cheeseheads and hearty Prarie and California Girls...

A WOWsie Note From Jeanie How wonderful to see a post from you! And such a good report! Glad you nor your manservant had night time troubles! LOL Take care & take it easy! Hugs

A WOWsie Note From Sherron Still was rooting for a black and gold team. Glad you are home and doing so well.

A WOWsie Note From Joy with WOWsie Hugs Doris, you crack me up (about your roomies). Nothing worse than a loud room mate when you are trying to recuperate. Ralph was mistakenly put into a ward of four when he went from the ICU at one hospital back to Langley hospital and he was MRSA positive. He had to spend a whole day and night while being paralyzed in that room. One old lady from down the hall started wandering and where do you think she wandered?? She was yelling and would come and stand at the end of the bed and stare ... actually it was unnerving, lol because we didn't know where she came from. They managed to move him the next morning. Then there was a guy that wouldn't stop moaning ... it gets on your nerves to say the least. Thank goodness you didn't have to stay longer. Just as well you came home early and get a good nights sleep in your own bed. We all know you have a great Manservant there. Mr Oete did a fine job of letting us know the lowdown and you were close in thought by us all. I sure wish this is the way they had done the surgery the last time. I just know it will help the other knee! Great doctor there, taking such good care of our Doris. I'm sure the physio will be much better and easier than the last and how nice it is to have it done at home. You will be good as new in no time at all. Just pace yourself and let them know if it feels weird or giving you grief. Anyway, very nice to see you home and I really did know this one was going to be good! Big hugs dear friend, another one is over with!! Yay!!! Welcome HOME!!!

A WOWsie Note From Mary So glad you're home and doing well!!! Sounds like a pair of ear plugs would have come in handy for you!! Continuing to keep you in my prayers.

A WOWsie Note From Love Mare :) Doris so nice to see you post, you must be so happy to be home. Those hospital guests can be worse than the tests, surgery and physio! ;P I was surprised that they did not put you under General anesthetic. The Pain Ball sounds really interesting also, that sounds great for the patient. My goodness. Wishing you a speedy recovery Doris. Thank you for the get well wishes for Dad. Last few days have been better for him. Take care Sweetie Huggers.

A WOWsie Note From Sharon Great to see your post, Doris.. You sound like you are ready to take on the world..you go, girl!

Elaine C. #14645
Sun, Feb 7, 2010 07:42 PM 

Happy Belated Birthday Eva!! So sorry that I wasn't here on your special day. I hope you had a lovely one since you are such a sweetie.

Happy Birthday Annette!! I do hope you are enjoying your day. Celebrate and have some fun.

Good Evening WoWsie Gals....I am feeling somewhat better. One more antibiotic to take. I will take it when I eat my dinner tonight. I will return to *My Playground* tomorrow. I am hoping to be able to work this whole week. Next week we have the whole week off. I just hope that I can keep up with the pace.

It has been a long hard week for me. I was so sick that I couldn't sleep. My computer chair was my friend. We only went out to have our chest X-rays done. We stopped into Wal Mart to exchange our vaporizer. It had stopped working.....so we got a new one. I was so glad to get in the car to come back home. I couldn't stand to be around anyone or hear any noise at all.

Hubby's X-ray results came in. He doesn't have pneumonia or bronchitis. What he has is viral. He is still coughing and not feeling great. My X-ray results didn't come in yet.......hopefully tomorrow I will find out what the results are.

Both of us have been drinking lots of water and taking our medication. We are both just wanting all of this sickness to go away. We were both such a sight too. We ran our of Kleenix...this was when we first got sick. We both were walking around with our own TP to use. I think we must of went through 10 rolls of TP just for noses... What a mess we were and still are.

Hubby is making his wonderful spaghetti for us for dinner. Our home is smelling so yummy. Comfort food for us.....Ah!! He is making six pounds of sauce.......yummers!!

Have a blessed evening everyone. Off to watch the Super Bowl....Prayers for All....and many hugs too.

Bear Hugs and Kitty Snowflake Snuggles....Elaine C.

A WOWsie Note From Joy with WOWsie Hugs You're going back to work tomorrow?? ... Hmmm, don't think I like that. You could relapse so very easily especially when you don't know the result of the xray yet. You will be very weak so when you are at school don't do anything quickly as it will tire you out fast. You could end up with a fever and off to the hospital. Make sure you keep hydrated and rest when you can. I hope you can do more sitting while at work because your lungs are not healed enough to be running after those youngins. Wishing you both a speedy recovery ... but be GOOD!! Love and hugs, Joy

A WOWsie Note From Love Mare :) Elaine so sorry to hear you and hubby are feeling well. Take care and do not go back to work too fast, try and take it easy. Take care Sweetie, sending you Bear Hugs and Kitty Snowflakes Snuggles, hoping and praying you feel better soon!

Love Mare :) #14644
Sun, Feb 7, 2010 01:26 PM 

Wishing you A Very

Annette
Hope you have a wonderful day!!
Still at Mom and Dad's and today seems to be a better day for Dad, sure hope he gets better soon.
Enjoyed our Chat Joy, luv You Hope all goes well for you with the CPAC machines.
Doris sending get well wishes your way and hope you recover fast and feel better soon!Huggers
Well must run and get some work done around here.
Have a great Super bowl day!

WOWsie Super Bowl Referee #14643
Sun, Feb 7, 2010 01:06 PM 

All Righty Ladies...
Here are the ground rules for today...
There will be no double dipping! That's an automatic 5 chip penalty.
There will be fun and frivolity and good food and fun!
Make sure your hot foods stay up above 140° and your cold foods below 40° so you don't get side-lined by food poisoning!
Did I mention have fun??

A WOWsie Note From Mare :) LET THE GAMES BEGIN THANK YOU WOWSIE SUPER BOWL REFERREE GOOD ADVICE ON THE SAFE FOOD AREA AND LET THE PARTY BEGIN

Glennis & Co. #14642
Sun, Feb 7, 2010 12:54 PM 

I'm sorry I'm a day late Annette! I wasn't much on the ball yesterday!

We had a great last dinner with Mike and Michelle. Always an adventure...they found the restaurant with ease..I drove past the darn place 3 times and never did see it. Had to stop and ask...I asked at Starbucks - Michelle had asked at the hotel on the corner across the street...Starbucks knew, the hotel didn't...it was just across the street from them. Sometimes you really have to wonder... We were about 15-20 minutes late, but we got there, had a great time, and sadly parted until we meet up again...wherever that may be! Maybe someday she'll get a great contract up near the north coast where it's always gorgeous! Or along the Mendocino coast. They'd hate that! LOL!

Work has been a little more stressful and tiring than usual. I've been pretty wiped out by the time I get home and get supper fixed. I haven't even been doing too much fun cooking.

We finally did get to have the bolognese sauce that cooked for 11 hours as lasagna. All I can say is...NOW I get it. I didn't make the pasta, which would only make it THAT much better. One of the challenges I faced was using coconut milk, nutmeg and fish...I ended up seasoning the fish with a dusting of fresh nutmeg, a bit of coconut milk mixed with red curry paste, then rolling the fillets up around a slice of ginger, a split stalk of lemon grass and a crushed clove of garlic. I tied the fish up in parchment purses and steamed them. They came out really fragrant and moist. I'm not quite sure how they should be served though! LOL! It comes out very WHITE and flavorful, but so very white! LOL! I served them on a bed of spicy rice noodles, and that was ok, but I don't have rice noodles down well yet. Maybe they should have been lightly fried...that could have helped. So now I've got a can of coconut milk open...and some chicken thighs (on sale)...I seasoned the chicken with salt then a mixture of coconut milk, red curry paste, and peanut butter, then rolled them in panko and baked them. That didn't come out so bad either. Lots of flavor... Today I need to do an Italian pot roast and some kind of Italian tea bread... All I know is they both cook in the oven...one takes time, one takes effort, so maybe I can get both done...I'm kind of behind again.

Oh...and seeing as it's Super Bowl Sunday...I hope everyone enjoys the game, the food, the camaraderie, the entertainment and the commercials! I don't exactly have a team to claim in this one...sorry ladies. You just have a good time with this one! LOL!

A WOWsie Note From Michelle Thanks for meeting us! We had a wonderful time!! Sad to part but know we'll meet up again. Glennis and I agreed another Wowsie trip to Galveston would be rewally nice!

A WOWsie Note From the kat Ditto on the Gaveston WOW-a-Rama!

Sharon #14641
Sun, Feb 7, 2010 11:12 AM 

another birthday?!! Happy Birthday, Annette!
Well, at the last minute I decided not to set my alarm for early this morning..and it turns out, the launch was scrapped until tomorrow morning...
Lots of pre game stuff on the telly! Along with PBS offering one of their Britcoms for several hours this afternoon..they do it every year on Super Bowl Sunday!
Hugs around..enjoy the day..whatever your plans!

Sherie #14640
Sat, Feb 6, 2010 08:17 PM 

Happy Birthday Annette! I hope you had a good day.

Hi to everyone and continued hugs, prayers and love

Jnett #14639
Sat, Feb 6, 2010 07:21 PM 

Sorry I'm a bit late. Haven't even read back so only know from what Mare mentioned...has that baby arrived yet?

Wow I can't tell you how many days it's been. Let me see if I can fill you in on the last few weeks. I'm still working with Penny and her therapist and our pastor (read that spending lots of time at appointments that have nothing to do with me, but I'm committed and that's all there is to it). Penny did see a new psychiatrist and he tried yet one new med. He was allowed to only switch one, I made that abundantly clear. He's a likable fellow and totally understood what we were talking about. He did stop one and add one. The new one, Buspar is really helping. Penny is not so withdrawn, has been able to nearly get into group on Wednesdays at church. Normally she sat at the back, now she is right up near the circle, just at the end of the pew. She has been more open and more talkative, has less anxiety and her throat isn't closing up near as much.

Let's see what else. Oh yes, there's the whole church thing. I think I forgot to let you all know, but I did accept treasurer (voluntary not paid) again. I had said no when asked. About a week later, God tapped me on the shoulder and said basically, get over it and get on with it - well actually he said I was being prideful and greedy, in so many words. So Phil and I are still Co-Head Trustees and I'm treasurer and Missionary Treasurer. I had already accepted Missionary Treasurer before swallowing my pride so I said I'd let it stand as well. Pastor was a bit anxious about it, but I told him it would be fine. I have lots of help and we'll be doing things so I will only need to come into the office maybe a few hours a week. I'm sure I can do it in half of what Barb was doing. Since I was still training Barb and Karen, this seemed just as easy. I'm still watching Makenna one day a week and hmmmm let me see I know there's more, but that's enough for now.

I need to go read and catch up with all of you. DORIS if you're ready I was praying. Sure hope you're doing great and it's all down hill now. Okay, until next time ~Toodles~

A WOWsie Note From Glennis And if I know you...and the church...you and Makenna will find a way to work things out. When Kya suddenly came to live with us half-time, I couldn't change what was already in motion...so there were a lot of compromises that included her being with me.

Mare :) #14638
Sat, Feb 6, 2010 03:03 PM 

Eva sorry I missed your birthday
Any news of baby Rachel Dawn will be born today?
Today was a bit of a set back, Dad was released from the hospital a couple of days ago, feeling better. Actually Joy you phoned the house here right after we went to the hospital to bring Dad back home. Missed your call. I do not have your phone number here to phone you back. :(
Anyways Dad was not as dizzy and had some balance the last few days, and this morning he was unstable again.
So will see what happens,pretty sure it is the inner ear problem. The stroke has been ruled out, so that is good news. Thank you for all your prayers and get well wishes
Don and I rushed back home the other day and came back to Mom and Dad's
Thank you Mary for the wonderful birthday card, so nice of you!
Hope you all have a wonderful day today.

A WOWsie Note From Jnett I have a friend who had a similar problem. They found that some little things in the ear had gotten out-of-sink and they had to put him on this special machine. It turned him a certain way and got them all aligned again. He was perfectly fine as soon as the procedure was complete. I sure wonder if that's not what's happening to your dad. Fortunately this fellow had a doctor that was a tuned to such things happening. Sure hope he's doing better soon.

A WOWsie Note From Love Mare :) Thank you Jnett, I read this to my dad and he really appreciates your advice. I hope that when we go to the doctors appointment for him on Tuesday, they will do something. Joy phoned yesterday, and she had this and her doctor gave her a medication that helped. Thank you also Joy for phoning and your advice, enjoyed our chat. It is hard as Dad does all the driving and most everything around here and he is so disappointed and scared.

Sharon #14637
Sat, Feb 6, 2010 12:54 PM 

Good Saturday to all...Sally, your weather should be really nice today..better here too..sunny and breezy!
Kat..it should be a great game tomorrow...will be watching with friends right here! Doris..hope you are doing just fine...bbl!

the kat #14636
Sat, Feb 6, 2010 10:37 AM 

What are your Super Bowl Sunday traditions?
And which side of the stadium will you be sitting on?

A WOWsie Note From Mary We'll be sittin on the Saints side!!! I am in the process of fixin Pioneer Woman's Drip Beef recipe for tomorrow afternoon and tomorrow I'll fix her 7 layer mexican dip. We don't really have any Super Bowl Sunday traditions but since the Saints are playing this year, Ken's folks are coming out tomorrow afternoon to eat and watch part of the game with us.

sally #14635
Sat, Feb 6, 2010 06:48 AM 

Greetings from West Palm Beach!!

Had a few minutes and found a computer so thought I would pop in and say hello.

Didn't get a chance to read - but I do see that Doris is coming along nicely - - good to hear!

Hugs to all and I will return on Tuesday night.

Joy   #14634
Fri, Feb 5, 2010 04:09 PM 

Today would have been my Momma's 99th Birthday! Happy Birthday Mom (Elsie)!!

Lots of Aquarians in my life that's for sure, including all of my WOWsie fellow ones.

Hoping today is better than yesterday for you Doris, you WILL be good to go after this episode!! Sending speedy recover hugs honey.

Michelle I wish your 'work' visit hadn't been so horrible. They're obviously not bright enough to know what a wealth of information hold and the gem that you are. Stupid people. I'm sure you would have loved to have stayed longer. There is so much to see and do, but impossible to do it all in such a short amount of time. Happy you managed a Las Vegas trip though.

Well, we had an appointment with the government office today to apply for medical services that would cover the CPAP. So, were done with the initial application. We'll hear something next week to know the next step. You know, ... it's the government, no telling who will get off their duff first.

I'm tired today. Need a nap but it's sunny out this afternoon and 60F at the moment. Everything is Springing up, the trees I'm sure will be in full bloom within the next two weeks. Can't believe we broke the record for the warmest January since they started keeping records. The average temp was 13C (about 58F) ... so strange. A far cry from last year with sub zero temps in Jan. It took till the end of April to see more than Crocuses shooting up. Mother nature, gotta love her. The farmers almanac doesn't lie. Anyway with that said, I'm hoping you in the east and south east get back to normal temps soon. It's like the reverse of last year.

I better get off here, have stuff to do that isn't getting done. Might try finishing the vacuuming I started last Sunday. This week just flew by. We had something we had to be at every day and that just throws me right off.

Thanks for all the input about the CPAPs ... very much appreciate it. Ralph is going to try to use it while awake tonight watching TV, he has to get used to it somehow. Won't be going back to the therapist till next week with the machines so he can see what it has recorded. So, in order for them to assess his, he has to use it. Then we'll be talking a different mask.
Love and hugs all around the room. Joy

A WOWsie Note From Stacie OMG Joy! Today is my dad's 94th birthday! Happy Birthday Elsie! Happy Birthday Stu! I'm tired - 2 straight days of craziness! Yesterday work, supper at the folks & the nephew's hockey game. Today was chemo with Pat (went good!), birthday party at dad's and then grocery shopping. I'm wiped. Need to get to bed. Hugs and love to you all!