Author Archives: michele343

Things that make me go hummm

28 Saturday Jan 2012

Posted by in Girls Corner, My Story, Thoughts

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So I have a friend that I just don’t understand sometimes.  I mean I am pretty black and white when it comes to thinking but well he is a ton of grey I think.  He is still single at my age and I have known him for ages it seems.  But well he does some crazy things sometimes.  For one he met up with a girl that he found somewhere I forget and she has a kid.  He found out about the kid after a couple times together.  And well after those first couple times he knew he didn’t want to continue things with her but well she didn’t get the clue.  Well for over a year now she has text him and things telling him things like she is moving, what she is cooking for dinner, all sorts of stupid stuff.  But the really stupid one is that she as been out of state for months now and she just asked my friend if she could move in with him for a little bit til she found a place.  Come on lady he doesn’t text you back and doesn’t like you why try to have something that isn’t there.  And he has nicknamed you to all his friends “crazy lady”.

I also wonder why people who are young or well friends of mine that well I see that don’t have insurance or just don’t get sick very often not know how to take care of themselves.  If you have a cough that goes deep into your chest you don’t fix it by taking Tylenol PM.  That will just make you sleepy and if you can sleep through all the coughing.  Why don’t people just go to the store and talk to the pharmacist even at Rite Aid, Walgreen’s, Wallmart, etc. and they are happy to help you understand what is out there on the shelves that can help you.  That is what they are there for too so ask.  Or ask a friend that you trust.  But come on you aren’t going to get better if you don’t treat the cold or symptoms.  It drives me nuts to see my friends do things like this to themselves.  And to see even my husband try to take Gatorade to rehydrate himself after throwing up.  You don’t want to use Gatorade because it has sugar.  Use things like water, propel, and other things to get fluids into you again. 

Middle Ground

20 Friday Jan 2012

Posted by in Family, Kids, My Story, Parenthood, Thoughts

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These days I have been working hard to try and find some middle ground.  For years even before we had kids I tried to talk and come up with a plan to have a middle ground for raising our kids.  And for years I have tried to work hard to be better with my temper and things and to be more calm about things so that we have a better middle ground. 

Well with all of this work, years, and things tried and gone by failed I just don’t know what to do.  Things for years I have been able to keep to myself and deal with but these days with having kids and a family it is harder to hide things.  It isn’t that I am not trying to keep it to myself but well people feel it, know, and can tell that something is up.

It hurts when your mom starts to notice and worry about you and hopes that things will be OK.. She knows I am strong and will fight and take care of things but she wants to let me know she is there for me.  It is one of the first times in my life that I have felt good about my mom being there for me and supporting me.

I want to raise my kids like my dad raised me with love but with strenght and discipline.  He was a great dad and guy.  He was a great example and I want to be an example like that to my kids.  I want to be strong and to be there for them and to love them always.  He was like a big teddy bear but you respected him.  He was a high school teacher, football coach, and so much more.  Everyone loved him and remembers him.  And yes that is what I live up to and want to be like a loving, caring parent, but one that my kids know when they have done wrong.

But I worry because in our house it is divided and where I try to show my kids one way my husband is different.  And the kids know it and sometimes take advantage of that. It is really hard when my little one throws a fit in public or something to see how he handles it. The kids are one way for him, one way for me, but together it is a mess at times.  And sometimes when things get really bad and he is trying to deal with it but it isn’t going well he takes them to me and says now you have to tell your mom what you did.  And he turns it then to me to finish it and deal with it.  It is hard when this happens because then what is this telling the kids?  I get stressed, embarrased, want to cry, and so many feelings it is just hard to deal with.

I want a middle ground but I don’t know what to do to find one.  I know I am trying really hard to have great kids but I know this is just really hard.

After surgery

17 Tuesday Jan 2012

Posted by in My Story, Thoughts

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Well I had to have surgery this year the first week of Jan to remove an ovarian cyst.  We found out about the cyst in 2010 when I doubled over in pain one day. I had tests and ultrasounds run to check on the size and it was large and kept growing.  So they decided it needed to come out.  They wanted to take it out in December but I asked if I was going to die from it and if it could wait til Jan or something because I didn’t want to do it during the holidays.  So we waited.

So come the first week of Jan I went in for surgery and in hopes of an easy surgery to do an arthroscopic surgery to remove the cyst and maybe the ovary too.  But that isn’t what could happen.  They got in there and because of to much scar tissue from my 2 c-sections and hysterectomy just a few years ago it made for a more difficult surgery.  It took over an hour and 20 min for the doctor to cut all the scar tissue from all of my organs (stomach, intestines, bowels, tummy wall, everywhere).  I feel like a train hit me or a rotor rooter went through me.  It hurts so much. 

When the doctor was finished with the surgery he came out the see my husband and my mom and told them about the surgery.  He also told them that I must have been in a lot of pain for a long time and just covered it up very well,  It was a long and rough surgery. I am going to have a rough recovery.

So far coming home though I have been trying to recover and relax. I know I hurt and am in pain but well I have a family that needs things.  It is hard to be home and well I sometimes think that just because I look good even without makeup or take time to put it on, brush my hair, put clothing on that people think that I am OK.  Well those things to do sometimes to do my hair and get dressed take me hours now not just a few minutes.  But what I need people to remember is that I am hurt no matter if I get dressed and ready for the day.  I don’t want to look like trash or smell when my friends or family come to see me so I am sorry for cleaning myself up a bit.

But I am in no way ready to function at top speed.  And sometimes I even think my own family forgets this.  They think I can do the dishes, laundry, clean up, put things away, go shopping, you name it just like I use to.  We I am sorry but I can’t.  It hurts me and I am not doing well.  But so far everyone thinks oh she is out of the hospital and looks good or almost back to normal so she is fine.  Well I am sorry they didn’t cut my face off they cut my tummy off instead.  And it really hurts.

I have had do the best I can as a mom and get my kids clothing and have my little one help herself get dressed.  I have had to do my best to pick up and clean when and where I can.  I have had to take shifts at folding laundry.  I have had my son help me bring the laundry up and down and get it started.  But I have to switch machines.  I have had to sweep and mop.  Thank goodness for a robot vacuum and a little hand held vac. 

I am getting by trying to sit as much as I can, taking a chair outside to watch my kids sledding, and trying to rest but be apart of my family.  And I am taking my pain meds.  So I will keep being strong and making it through this and I will recover some how some day.  I just hope people know that I am human and have pain too and am doing the best I can.

Christmas vacation

17 Tuesday Jan 2012

Posted by in Family, My Story

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Well I grew up as a kid going to our family cabin just after Christmas. We would ride on sleds, snow mobiles, x-country ski, you name we tried it. It was fun!

I grew up wanting to pass those memories down to my kids. And for a few years we got the chance to. But the past couple years and most of my daughters life I haven’t been able to do this for my family.
Well my in-laws haven’t been well. The past few years things have really been getting worse. It is hard because they are both so young but they both are medically not good. Last Christmas we had to put my mother-in-law in the hospital. That was really scarry for my kids.

This year we have delayed coming down for Thanksgiving because she had been in the hospital again. So we came down at Christmas instead. Things just aren’t so wonderful. It isn’t the Christmas I wanted for my family & my kids.

It’s hard when your son is telling you that he remembers things we use to do and asks why we don’t anymore. When he asks why his grandparents are sick. It makes me want to just cry. But i feel so much in the middle because I want to do these things with my family and give them great memories. But i want my husband to be with his parents too. Plus, I have such a big caring heart I just hate seeing them like this. I know they need it & enjoy seeing the kids. I just wish sometimes we didn’t have such a big honey-do list and a wish list that was so huge. But that is what we have to deal with & I hope someday our kids know why & the choices we have had to make are all for them & family.

Discounts from your favorite online stores!

04 Wednesday Jan 2012

Posted by in Girls Corner, Products I Love, Websites

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Shop top brands and your favorite online stores quickly and easily by starting at All Stores. It’s easy and it’s FREE! Browse All Store Categories, or check our Featured Coupons for hot deals and Cash Back incentives. Or, refer to our comprehensive alphabetical listing of All Stores for instant store ratings, coupons and best of all, Cash Back, only from ShopAtHome.com!
http://www.shopathome.com/All-Stores.aspx

Here are some and many more:

Cycle Chic

02 Monday Jan 2012

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Parallel Universe

Christmas may be over, but that won’t stop us from fantasizing about out-of-this-world fashion wants on a daily basis. Ladies and gents, acquaint yourselves with the Firmstrong Beach Cruiser!

The holy grail of designer bicycles, this stylish one-seater is more than just a pretty thing to look at—though it is reallypretty.  Are you daydreaming along with us? Put on your most stylish outfit and take Firmstrong for a spin!

Heaven Scent

02 Monday Jan 2012

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Heaven Scent

Dolce & Gabbana The Velvet Collection Fragrances


I go bonkers whenever a new fragrance hits the scene, so when I found out that Dolce & Gabbana released a collection of six new scents, I had to share! Chicly dubbed The Velvet Collection, this assortment bears the same qualities as its namesake luxurious fabric—timeless perfection and modern possibility.

A bouquet of aromas, The Velvet Collection perfumes—including Sublime, Love, Desire, Vetiver, Wood and Patchouli—range from sweet to woody to floral—all the better to please your nose, my dear! Like an invisible must-have accessory, narrow down the Dolce & Gabbana concoction that speaks to you the most, then spritz it on as a finishing touch to every look. Scentsational!
Availability: Dolce & Gabbana The Velvet Collection Fragrances ($195 each).

Chicken Cacciatore

22 Thursday Dec 2011

Posted by in Dinner, Recipes

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Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, divided
  • 1 (3 1/2 to 4-pound) chicken, cut into pieces
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, roughly chopped
  • 1 carrot, diced
  • 1 rib celery, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 3 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 (28-ounce) can plum tomatoes
  • 1/3 cup dry red wine
  • 1/4 cup freshly chopped flat-leaf parsley

Directions

For the Chicken Cacciatore:

In a shallow bowl, combine the flour, 1 teaspoon of the salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of the pepper. Rinse the chicken and pat it dry with paper towels. Working in batches, lightly coat the chicken with the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add some of the chicken to the pan. Cook until browned, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate. Repeat with the remaining chicken.
Add the onion to the pan and cook for 2 minutes. Add the carrot, celery, garlic, thyme, and bay leaf. Cook for 10 minutes.
Crush the tomatoes and stir them into the vegetables. Add the wine and the remaining salt and pepper and bring to a simmer. Add the chicken, reduce heat, and cover. Simmer for 45 minutes, turning the pieces occasionally. Remove and discard the bay leaf. Stir in the parsley and serve on individual plates.
This recipe was provided by professional chefs and has been scaled down from a bulk recipe provided by a restaurant. The FN chefs have not tested this recipe, in the proportions indicated, and therefore, we cannot make any representation as to the results.

Zeppole

22 Thursday Dec 2011

Posted by in Desert, Recipes

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Ingredients

  • 1 vanilla bean
  • 1/2 cup sugar, plus 3 tablespoons
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 stick butter
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 eggs
  • Olive oil, for frying

Directions

Cut open the vanilla bean lengthwise. Using the back of a knife, scrape along the inside of the vanilla bean to collect the seeds. Scrape vanilla bean seeds into a small bowl. Add the 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon and stir to combine. Set aside.

In a medium saucepan combine the butter, salt, 3 tablespoons of sugar, and water over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Take pan off the heat and stir in the flour. Return pan to the heat and stir continuously until mixture forms a ball, about 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer the flour mixture to a medium bowl. Using an electric hand mixer on low speed, add eggs, 1 at a time, incorporating each egg completely before adding the next. Beat until smooth. If not frying immediately, cover with plastic wrap and reserve in the refrigerator.

Meanwhile, pour enough oil into a large frying pan to reach a depth of 2 inches. Heat the oil over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 375 degrees F.

Using a small ice-cream scooper or 2 small spoons, carefully drop about a tablespoon of the dough into the hot olive oil, frying in batches. Turn the zeppole once or twice, cooking until golden and puffed up, about 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Toss with cinnamon-sugar. Arrange on a platter and serve immediately.

Duck a l’Orange

22 Thursday Dec 2011

Posted by in Dinner, Recipes

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Ingredients

  • 4 oranges, washed
  • 2 duck breasts, about 3/4 pound/375 g each
  • 1/4 cup/55 g sugar
  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 2/3 cup duck, chicken or veal stock
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper
  • Squirt lemon juice

Directions

Prepare the oranges: Remove the peel from 2 oranges with a vegetable peeler. Cut the white pith off the back with a very sharp knife. Cut into julienne, and blanch three times in boiling water. Drain and rinse under cold water. Set aside. Squeeze the juice of those 2 oranges and reserve. Peel and cut the remaining 2 oranges into sections, draining their juice into the other juice, and set the sections aside. You now have one dish of blanched julienned orange zest, about 1 cup/250 ml orange juice, and a dish of orange sections.

Prepare the duck breasts: Score the fat side of the breasts with a knife. Set them fat-side down in a pan over low heat and render the fat, about 10 minutes. Remove the duck and pour off the fat. Increase the heat in the pan and put the breasts back in skin-side down. Saute until done to your liking, or about 7 minutes on the fat side, then another 3 on the other. Remove to a carving board to rest, covering to keep warm.

Make the sauce: Put the sugar and 1 tablespoon water in a saucepan, bring to a boil and cook until golden, about 3 minutes. Add the vinegar and orange juice. Reduce slightly. Now add the stock and the zests. Boil down to sauce consistency. Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter. Check the seasonings. Add the orange sections. Carve the duck breasts and arrange on a serving platter. Spoon over the sauce, and serve.