Thoughtful Thursdays- stylish new footwear

I thought I would share with everyone my new stylish new footwear.

Apparently, had I had this two and a half weeks ago (when the doctor thought he had prescribed and ordered it for me) I wouldn't have had two additional injuries and all the added pain.  It weighs about 1,500 pounds (okay probably not that but fairly close).  It definitely makes me hobble now.  The sadest thing however is that my heel still hurts when I walk in this.  Sigh.

I am still waiting to hear from the insurance company to see if they will allow me to have surgery so I can be done with all this pain.  I will keep everyone posted.  Meanwhile, have a hobbley Thursday!

Linking up with Thoughtful Thursdays.

Worry Less Wednesday

Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight.

Benjamin Franklin

Dealing With Fibro Tuesdays- Sometimes your plans go out the door

I have found, when you have fibro, that you are constantly fighting for balance.  I walk a very fine line somedays in an attempt to keep a flare at bay.  Watching what I eat, what I do, making sure to rest and to keep my stress level down when possible.  Throw another health issue into the mix and sometimes I cannot keep my balance.

Back in March when I first discovered that I had an Achilles tendon issue, I was very proud of myself for keeping my balance.   I made sure that I didn't over do but I was able to keep things on track.  I continued this path until I started physical therapy.  The doctor had lectured me that I needed to give my all to physical therapy as it was my best hope for a full recovery and to avoid future issues.  I knew it would be difficult to do everything I was asked but also to keep my balance.  Somehow I was going to have to figure out how to do all my stretches and therapy but rest when I needed to so I didn't over do.

The first week of physical therapy, I did very well.  Of course I also had another issue where I did something to hurt my tendon once again.  So I wasn't pressed very hard and was given just some simple active stretches to do.  But I was feeling pretty good come Monday and I was ready to go.  By Wednesday I knew that I wasn't succeeding very well at keeping my balance.  I ached, I was having daily headaches and knew a flare was coming.  By Thursday, I was fairly sluggish at physical therapy but I gave it my all and got through.  I then spent the afternoon in search of a night splint.  This simple task caused my stress level to skyrocket!

The local medical supply store wanted $205 for a night splint.  I was outraged.  Honestly that just sounded crazy for something to keep your foot in a certain position.  I sent my husband out to search during his lunch hour and he called to tell me that he hadn't found anything either.  After several phone calls (to the insurance company, my mom, the physical therapy place) and some internet searching, I finally found one on line for $50.  Since I needed the splint for the long weekend, I splurged and paid for the overnight shipping ($30).  My way of thinking, I was still under the $205 price tag of the medical supply place.

All this stress, running around, pushing myself, etc. resulted in my feeling horrible.  We had plans to camp for the weekend and I was dreading the trip.  It was suppose to be in the 90's on Sunday and I knew I was going to be cooped up in the camper resting all weekend.  After discussing everything with my husband, I talked to my youngest and told him I was going to stay home for the weekend and rest.  He was a little bit upset (poor guy) but he knew that it also wouldn't be as much for them if I was not feeling good while camping.

So I knew I was going to stay home now, I knew I could rest all weekend and figured I would be back on track to tackle physical therapy again.  Then it happened.  I got up and walked into the kitchen.  All of a sudden there was a loud snap from my right leg and I felt pain running up and down my calf.  I was able to walk it off but I just wasn't sure what had happened.  Had I snapped my tendon?  I was still able to walk on it even though it felt like I had a huge knot in my calf muscle.

After some internal arguing, I decided to e-mail my doctor (thank god for technology!) wondering if I should keep stretching over the weekend or rest my leg again.  Within about an hour and half I had a response.  You need to make an appointment to see the doctor.  Okay- well here it is, Friday of Memorial weekend.  So I called the office.  At first they were sure I could just wait the 2 weeks until my planned appointment.  I explained that something had happened and I needed to be seen earlier.  They were able to find one a week earlier.  I have been pulled from physical therapy, I cannot walk much because there is too much cramping in my calf, I cannot sit for long because the same thing  happens.  It is going to be a really long week.

So while I look at all the plans I had for this weekend, the next week, the summer......I just have to remember that no matter how hard you plan, sometimes things happen to change your plans.  The weekend has been spent resting.  My balancing act is struggling even more do to the constant pain but I am hanging on.

To be continued......

Weekly Menu for May 28, 2012

I love these long holiday weekends.  I especially love when I can kick back and relax some during these weekends!  Especially this time of the year.  My kids only have 6-1/2 days left of this school year.  Where did the time go?  It seems to have flown by this year.  The end of the school year is often busier for us then the beginning so I am counting down the days with the kids!

This week's menu plan reflects our busy week.  I am trying to be as flexible as possible since sometimes I have no idea when something else will pop up.  I am ready to really start moving towards a more summer menu as well.  Hopefully strawberries will be ripe here soon.  We went through our stash of strawberries way too fast last fall.  I need to make sure I hide some this year.

Weekly Menu for the week of May 28, 2012

Monday: Meatloaf and baked potatoes

Tuesday: Sloppy joes and fries

Wednesday: tuna noodle casserole with peas

Thursday: Grilled chicken and broccoli cheese rice

Friday: Pizza

Saturday: burgers on the grill and something to go with them... :-D

Sunday: roast chicken, roasted potatoes and a veggie

Thanks for stopping by and visiting me here on the hill.  I hope you stop by again soon.

linking up with MPM.

Confessions for Sunday, May 27, 2012

I love that summer time is almost here- or starting to get here.  I am impatiently waiting for strawberries to be ready.  I always go out and pick a bunch.  Last year we went through them really fast doing smoothies.  Once we get some more, I will work out the exact measurements for our smoothies.  They were incredibly good and they were a great swap for ice cream.  Several times last summer when I craved ice cream I made a thick smoothie and I was more than satisfied.

Even though fresh produce tempts me during the summer, there are also many other bad things out there tempting me.  Ice cream, marshmallows over the campfire, grabbing a quick fast food dinner when things are hectic.  It is easy to fall off the wagon during the summer and I am sure that I will stumble occasionally during the summer.   That's okay though, I now know how much better I feel when I stay on track so it is fairly easy to get back on the wagon!

But of course this week I did stumble a few times.  How did your week go?

1. Corn Chips and Potato Chips: We had walking tacos on Friday and I have just been craving salty snacks lately.  I definitely didn't over do but I rarely eat chips so even just a couple of servings is a lot for me.

2. Soda: I did good all week long.  Then the weekend hit!  I bought some soda for the kids for a treat.  Of course I was good at first but eventually I gave in and had a couple.  One of these days I will get past this addiction!  Honestly though it is so much better than it was before when I had to drink several a day.

3.  Juju Fruits and Belly Flops: My chewy gooey treats.  I don't think I could make it through a week without them.

4.  Roasted Marshmallows and S'mores: Of course I had to have some since there was a campfire!  And I was doing a s'mores challenge so of course I had to try several different kinds.  That's my story and I am sticking to it.

5.  Relaxing my foot and pointing my toes: That is how my foot likes to sit- with my toes pointed.  I now know it is a huge no no for me.  But how in the world do you keep them from doing it unless you constantly pay attention to how your foot is sitting.  The physical therapist is trying to get ahold of my doctor to see if I can wear a night splint.  I cannot sleep with socks on-- I have no idea how well this will work or if I will even be able to tolerate it.  I am willing to try-- and I figure if nothing else then I can wear it during the day.  I cannot tell you how many times I find myself sitting with my toes pointed, I think it just automatic.

I have been very good at keeping up with all my "homework" for physical therapy.  I have two more weeks before I go back to the doctor.  I have no idea what his measurement of success is.  I just want to get rid of the pain, be able to walk long distances and stand for long periods of time without pain.  I am not anywhere near there but I am determined to do the best I can right now.  Definitely so I can stop walking like a peg leg pirate.  The hubby is going to find a new nickname for me instead of Hobbles!

Craves for May 26, 2012

Ahh the beginning of summer.   I am more than ready for soaking up some wonderful sun (yes responsibly but sun is a great free feel good medicine when taken in small doses!) and some lazy days (and nights).  Now if I can just get my garden planted and some more flowers on the deck.  Then life will be good.

What is your favorite thing to do during the summer?  I love sitting on our deck and relaxing.  I love puttering around in the garden, picking veggies and canning all our wonderful produce.  I love going to pick strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and peaches.  But most of all I love the lazy days and nights when we have nothing at all planned and can decide what to do at the moment.

Current Craves for the Week of May 26, 2012

1. Corn on the cob: It definitely is not in season here in Michigan but corn on the cob was on sale this past week and I couldn't resist buying some.  While it definitely wasn't fresh picked corn from the field, it was very good.  A little butter, a little salt, messy hands and messy faces!

2.  Chicken Wings: First I must give a huge shout out to My Little Life's blog and her post on Cooking With Gram...chicken wings.  I had purchased a big bag of chicken wings at the store a couple of weeks ago and I just wasn't sure what to do with them.  After reading her chicken wings, I knew I had to try them.  I had all three children tell me that I had made a very good dinner (that is something that doesn't happen all that often).  So I think we have a keeper.....and I will definitely be buying chicken wings more often when they are on sale.

3.  Compression Stockings : Yes, I really did say compression stockings!  I am not sure if that is truly the name of these wonderful, very stylish(definitely not!) things that the physical therapist has given me to wear BUT they have really decreased the amount of swelling I had in my heel.  I never realized how much swelling I did have until after wearing one of these for a day and night.  I can actually move my ankle some.  Now if we could just get rid of the pain.  And work on my walk....right now I look like a pirate with a peg leg when I try to walk with my right foot straight.  Since I have walked with my foot sideways for so long the muscles on the inside of my foot and ankle have weakened and cause me to roll my foot.  But really it looks like I am a drunken sailor trying to walk straight.  One day at a time, right?

4. Baking: After being banned for standing for long periods of time (or on my feet for a long period of time), I had pretty much stayed away from the kitchen except to make quick meals.  I decided this week however that I wanted to make some treats for this weekend so tried doing a bit of baking one morning.  While my foot can't take standing for too long, I was successful at making a couple of different treats for the family (which I promptly hid so they last until the weekend!).  I think I am going to need to find some sort of stool for the summer and canning.  That way I can stand for a bit but then sit when I need to.

5. 80 Degree Weather: We have had some wonderful weather this past week.  Beautiful blue sky, bright sun shine and a gentle breeze.  What more could anyone ask for?  I got to mow the yard and enjoy the wonderful day on Wednesday.

What are your summer time craves?  Do you have specific food you just have to have?  Or something that you always have to do?  Please share your summer craves, I would love to hear from you!

5 Question Friday on May 25, 2012

I really missed 5 Question Friday last week.  Thankfully it's back on track this week. If you enjoy 5 Question Friday, make your way over to My Little Life and check out other's answers on these same questions.  I think it's a great way to learn about someone cause honestly, I wouldn't think to ask most of these questions!  






1. Are you a napper?  Well...since the fibro thing- most definitely.  There are some days that you just need some extra sleep.  One of the theories on some of the causes of fibromyalgia is that people with it do not get enough quality sleep.  I am sure it plays a large part in it, you need good sleep to restore and repair your body.  So ..I find myself napping more now than I ever have.  Usually 15-30 minutes will give me a huge boost.  But if I am in a flare, then I will nap off and on all day long.


2. What was your favorite subject in school? Most hated?  I have always loved history.  My senior year of high school I took a Masters of British Literature class that I really enjoyed (think Shakespere, Shelley, etc).  My most hated subject is math.  I get most of algebra but geometry is way beyond me.  The scary thing is that one of the last times I subbed I had to review geometry with 6th graders.  I didn't know most of the answers.  Thankfully I had a bit of time to review quickly and figure out the answers!


3. Did you have the something old new borrowed and blue at your wedding? What were they? I actually did!  I borrowed some earrings from a friend that were inherited so those hit the old and borrowed.  Then I had some blue on my garter.  :-D  It has been almost 19 years that we have been married so I guess it worked.


4. What one thing are you determined to do this summer  Right now things are in the air for my summer.  My assessment at physical therapy on Thursday wasn't promising.  Basically she wants to see where I am in a week to decide if we should continue with physical therapy or just go back to the doctor (which would mean surgery).  If I have to have surgery, pretty much all my summer plans will be out the window.  I was told 2-3 months of no weight bearing and then 1-2 months of a walking cast after that.  I imagine physical therapy will follow.  So at the moment, my summer is on hold.


5. Ice cream or Popsicles?  Ice Cream.  Ice cream pretty much beats out everything.  What can beat that wonderful cold, sweet, creamy goodness?  Nothing in my book.  Now I have a craving for ice cream!


What a fun Friday this was.  I am hoping to have answers on my foot/ankle when I go to the doctor on June 8th.  Then I can plan my summer.  What are  your summer plans??


I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Thursday's Finds and Transformations

Last Thursday I posted about my desire to seek out treasures from yard sales, garage sales and thrift stores.  Writing about these things gave me the desire to go out and start searching.  I wasn't sure if any garage/yard sales were going on (and I didn't see any while I was out driving) so I headed for our local Goodwill store instead. 

I wandered the aisles of the Goodwill store trying to see past what these items were and look at them in a whole new light.  I struggled, greatly!  I just wasn't seeing much that caught my eye- until I saw this green glass candy dish?  vase?  bowl?  I am not sure what it's purpose was suppose to be but I could see it sitting on my mantle, giving me some color and variety up there.  But I just wasn't sure.  So I moved on, went to look through the books.  After finding two books I went back to look at the green glass again.  It was marked at 99 cents.  So I decided, why not?

I had other errands to run so while driving, I thought about the green glass container I had just purchased (while still being a safe driver, I promise!).  It hit me about 10 minutes later.  I had a small candy dish (a snowman candy dish at that) in my bathroom that held small odds and ends.  Maybe the green glass would work in there.  Hmmm, it seemed that I was starting to look outside the box.

This is what I had before.

Once I got home I gave the green glass a good wash, dried it up and tried in in my bathroom.  Here's how it looks.

I love it!  It is honestly quite tall sitting on the shelf but I love the way it classes up the mirror and bathroom.  Hopefully it will be safe there-- between kids, dogs and my clumsy self, it could easily be in danger.  Fingers crossed!

I am so proud of myself and love the green glass.  On to the next adventure!  Thanks for stopping and visiting me here on the hill.  I hope you stop by again soon.

Using What You Already Have Decorating

How many out there are like me?  When you think of redecorating or changing decorations in your home you think you need to go out and purchase something new?  You think to get the look you want that you need to go out into the world and find the perfect decorations.  Honestly that is my gut instinct- I want a change so something new must be had.  I have been trying to change my way of thinking and have been trying to search through my home first for some changes instead of buying something new to me.  I am trying to think outside the box.

My dream as an adult has always been to have a fireplace with a mantle in our home.  None of the homes we bought or built ever had one though until our current home.  But the fireplace in our current home isn't what I had envisioned.  It is a gas fireplace that is right smack in the middle of our living room.  It is open on both sides and had no mantle at all when we moved in.  What a disappointment!

Thankfully after a couple of years I was able to talk my hubby into putting a shelf up on one side of the fireplace for a makeshift mantle.  I have been enjoying the task of decorating it for the holidays but the rest of the time it is pretty simple and bare.  That is until this weekend!   The part of the living room that has the mantle is technically my office.  If you can call it that.  It is mostly a walk through from the bedroom hallway to the kitchen.  I moved my desk into here about a year ago and have slowly been turning it more into an area for me.  I have added some chairs for reading (to go along with my bookshelves) but it still is a work in progress.

All last week I kept looking at the relatively bare mantle (all I had on it was a clear glass vase with some dried flowers in it- blah) and wondering what to do.  Then Sunday I was tired of looking at it and went in search of something new.  This what I came up with:

Yep those are my kiddos in there too.  I think the mantle has kind of an old country feel to it with the lace and milk glass.  I took the candy dish and plate from my hutch and the vases from under the sink.  I really like the look of it for early summer!

Here is a little bit closer look:

So what do you think?  The cost for this updated decorating?  Nothing! 

Thanks for stopping by the hill for a visit.  I hope you stop by again soon.

Dealing with Fibro Tuesdays- muscle cramps

I admit, the topic of this post doesn't really deal with a fibro related issue.  At least I have never had muscle cramps with my fibro- others might.   However, I have been suffering from some good calf muscle cramps lately while trying to get my Achilles tendon stretched.  WOW- can those muscles tighten up and cause some pain.  I knew I needed some go to instructions to help me deal with this painful situation.

I never in my life had calf cramps until I was pregnant with my second child.  They used to wake me up from a deep sleep and I would have to stumble around my bedroom in tears trying to work those nasty things out.  Once the majority of the pain is gone, I always have a lingering soreness that sometimes can last for days.  I am hoping to keep the pain to a minimum during this phase of physical therapy so here are some things I am hoping will help.

1.  I have increased my water intake a great deal.  I usually drink several large glasses of water but with the extra exercise that physical therapy brings, not to mention the hot humid weather we have had the last couple of days, I know this extra water is essential.

2. Increase vitamin c intake.  This one was something I did not  know.  I have some vitamin c tablets that my oldest takes whenever he starts to get a cold.  I plan on starting to take one a day to see if it helps.

3. Eat foods rich in potassium.  I stopped on Friday and bought bananas.  Usually bananas do not last in our household but thankfully the kids haven't been grabbing too many.  I have eaten more bananas over the weekend than I have probably in the last month.  Let me know if you see me swinging from the trees after this venture!  Does anyone know some other foods that are rich in potassium I could add to my diet?

4. Apply Heat to the muscle.  Up until now I have been ice, ice and icing my poor heel to the point where it is frozen for several minutes after I remove it from the ice.  Ice was also mentioned in regards to muscle cramps so I probably will try that as well.  I have avoided heat but honestly it feels wonderful on those cramped muscles.  Ahhh.

5. Massage muscles after workout.  Hmmm...maybe I can get the hubby to massage my calves.  Poor guy already was in charge of cleaning up after dinner this weekend, along with all his other chores.  Thank goodness he is a good sport and very understanding.  I wonder if I could pay my youngest son to massage my calves?  Probably, however he cannot usually sit still for more than 2 minutes unless he is zoned out in front of the tv (which then everything around him disappears and he is in his own world).  I am guessing I might get half a minute out of him.  I am guessing that won't be quite enough.

Does anyone else have any suggestions for me?  I am willing to try just about anything at this point.  Now if I can just find something to keep the swelling out of my heel and ankle.  I am tried of having a flabby foot!

Thanks for stopping by and visiting me here on the hill.  I hope you stop by and visit again soon.

Weekly Menu for May 21, 2012

Last week we had issues staying on track with our planned menu.  My foot gave me issues, my oldest finally found a time for us to take him out to dinner and well, things just happen!   Really it makes this week's menu planning even easier though- I can just swing some of the things into this week.

Slowly the garden is getting planted, I did some cleaning and changing things around in the house and wow was Sunday hot and humid.  School is slowly winding down which means even more activities during the day and evening.  Now you know why I look forward to the lazy days of summer- I actually get some down time.

Weekly Menu for the week of May 21, 2012

Monday: Baked Spaghetti

Tuesday: Chicken Wings and Fries (forgot the thaw the wings for sunday..I threw them in the fridge on Sunday!)

Wednesday: Impossible Cheeseburger Pie and green beans (we have 2 baseball games going tonight)

Thursday: Bourbon chicken and rice

Friday: Walking tacos

Saturday: Hobo Pies, chips and s'mores challenge

Sunday: Burgers and Brats and baked beans

The s'more's challenge is for a guest post that I am writing.  You'll find out our results in August (I know, a long time to wait but I am sure it will be so worth it).  I am thinking of doing a hobo pie challenge sometime in the next few weeks.  Do you know what a hobo pie is?  Some people call them mountain pies or pudge pies.  Basically it is a sandwich that is cooked over the campfire.  We usually do pizza or ham and cheese.  Last summer we tried reuben ones- YUM!  I know there are several other options out there that we haven't tried so maybe a challenge is just what we need.  That way we can find some other new favorites.

So what does your schedule look like this week?  How do you plan your meals around your busy schedule?

Thanks for stopping in here at the hill, I hope you stop by again soon.

Linking up with MPM.

Confessions for Sunday 5/20/2012

Another week has come and gone.  We have now gone past the middle of May and are barreling towards June.  I love all the green outside- green lawns, green leaves...ahh I am so ready for summer time.  How about you?

Of course my week wasn't perfect.  I don't strive for perfect, I strive for the best I can do.  Sometimes I just have to go off track and enjoy myself.  I am getting better in some areas but I don't think I will ever be able to give up candy forever.  It is just too tasty!

1. Bridge Mix, JuJu Fruits: I treated myself to a small bag of bridge mix this week.  It came in really handy when my heel went crazy and left me in pain.  I treated myself to some bridge mix.  Okay, I know that I shouldn't use food as a comfort but it sure did help me out Wednesday night.  I am just thankful that the bag was small, otherwise it would have been a struggle to stop.  The juju fruits- well if you have read my other craves or confessions, you know I have a weakness for those chewy candies.

2. Not listening to my pain: I thought I was doing well.  I had done all my stretches as I was suppose to.  I wasn't over doing the walking or standing.  I was hoping to be making some progress (even though it was early in my physical therapy).  So when my heel started to hurt with a burning pain sensation while I was sorting tee shirts, my first thought was that I would ignore it until I got done with the order I was working on.  Within a couple of minutes, the pain became bad, my heel was hot to the touch and I had to sit down.  Had I listened and gotten off of it immediately, maybe I wouldn't have gone so far backwards.  Now I cannot do standing stretches for the weekend.  I am left doing some stretches while sitting.  I learned my lesson- listen to that pain and get off of it!

3.  One Soda: And it was a small one at that!  Have you noticed those smaller bottles in stores lately?  At first I scoffed at them, I wanted the full 20 oz.  Since I have been decreasing my soda consumption, I know like those smaller bottles.  I get a taste, enjoy the drink and then it's gone.  Perfect.

4.  Housework is going down hill: If I thought the housework was suffering last week, it is really suffering now.  Thursday my physical therapist said no standing for the weekend.  Do you know how hard that is?  I am allowed to walk but not to just stand for any length of time.  So I have to watch myself when cooking, doing laundry and scrubbing bathrooms.  I have given up the kids bathroom and Miss BB is suppose to be doing it.  We shall see how motivated she is- grandma said she would give her a dollar a week for keeping it clean.

Overall, the week wasn't filled with too many slip ups.  Just some frustrating circumstances that have left me sitting on my behind, attempting to stretch my achilles with some active stretches and feeling frustration that this is going to be a super long upward haul.  Trying to keep positive- maybe the pain will begin to lesson soon....fingers crossed.

Thanks for stopping by and visiting me here on the hill.  Come back soon!

Craves for 5/19/2012

What a week!  I think I say that almost every week though.  This time of the year is just so busy for us and it doesn't stop until school is done.  11-1/2 days left of school- whoo hoo!  I am just as excited as the kids are, I think.  Of course I get excited when school resumes too-- then I get a quiet household where it stays clean for at least a couple of hours a day!

No matter how crazy the week gets, there are always craves out there- so what were yours this week?  Here are mine:

1. Having another driver in the house: I am getting spoiled.  My mom let my son take her extra vehicle for the week and he has been in charge of driving everyone to school each day.  I am not sure what to do with this extra time but have been enjoying another quiet cup of coffee and the sunshine!  With his baseball season winding down, he has also been able to bring the younger two home 3 days this week too.  It sure saves me a great deal of gas and time.  Now we just need to get in gear and get him his own vehicle so this can continue next year!

2. Heel Lifts: Who knew something so simple could be so wonderful??  I had a set back on Wednesday evening when my heel decided to really act up.  For several hours I wasn't able to put any weight on my heel without intense pain.  At physical therapy they scaled back my stretching and gave me a heel lift.  While I can only use it for this weekend (and I have to peel off a layer each day making it lower) it has been so helpful.  I can actually walk with only slight pain when my shoes are on.  Ahhhh-- relief!

3. Bridge Mix: I was naughty this week (which yes I will confess to tomorrow!) and bought myself a small bag of bridge mix.  It was on sale for just a $1.  It had the good gooey chewy caramel in there plus some awesome pink creams...yum!

4. Salads: Okay quite a contradiction after the bridge mix :-) but it is true.  We go through a head of lettuce if I make salads for dinner.  So this week I bought 2 heads of lettuce and we have been enjoying salads for dinner, lunch and snacks.  We are definitely waiting for cukes and tomatoes but we'll get there eventually.

5.  Icy Coffee Drinks: The warm weather is visiting Michigan which means that hot coffee sometimes is just too much.  I take the left over coffee and stick it in the blender with ice cubes, some chocolate syrup and creamer.  Blend it all up and voila, a wonderful icy drink.  Caramel sauce is good in it too....

Soon garden fresh veggies will be a big crave.  I am looking for some good summer crave items- what are your favorite ones?

Thanks for stopping by the hill, come back soon.

Who Knew- Achilles Tendon

I just found out that there is no 5 question Friday today which left me with a huge- oh no!  What do I post on then?  Since I am laying here on my stomach doing my leg stretches- I figured I would share some information I have learned this week on the achilles tendon.  Somehow I went backwards this week in my  pain level, swelling and physical therapy.  I am not happy with myself but am trying to shake it off and keep moving forward.

So for those who don't know, your achilles tendon is the largest tendon in your body.  It attaches to your heel bone in the back of your heel and then runs up your calf. It is used to run, walk and jump.  The achilles tendon also has one of the poorest blood supplies as well.  Not a good thing when you are trying to get the thing to heal!

Achilles tendonitis occurs when the tendon is over used.  So athletes that run and jump, especially quickly are prone to get tendonitis.  However (and here is where I learned a lot this week) some people who are not athletes can get achilles tendonitis (this is where I fall in).  Apparently since I was young, my achilles has taken over for the muscles in the front of my leg, which are far weaker.  Therefore I have very large calves.  This results in my achilles being very tight, which means it is far easier for tears, strains and ruptures.

Another sign that your achilles is very tight is having wide feet.  Yes that is what my physical therapist told me.  So here I am with two very tell tale signs- wide feet and huge calves and no one has ever told me I should stretch out those achilles!  Another sign for me is that I like to have my toes pointed when I sleep or am at rest.  Which means my heel is angled up towards my ankle which means my achilles is not being stretched (which is far more comfortable for me) and is allowed to tighten up even more.

So that wraps up my Who Knew.  I had no idea about these tell tale signs but now that I know I am making sure my kids don't have to deal with what I have.  I am making them stretch those achilles out, hopefully they will learn from my mistake and pain.

Thanks for stopping by and visiting me here on the hill.  I hope that maybe this information will be helpful to some others out there.  I hope you stop by again soon!

Thoughtful Thursday

Before I get started writing today's post, I want to thank every single person who has visited Country Living On A Hill.  We have finally hit over 8,000 pageviews!  Since we had only a few before January, 2012, I think this is awesome.  Thank you to all my readers and visitors- I appreciate your support!  Now I just cannot wait to hit 10,000.  Wanta help?!

I don't have a bucket list (although I keep thinking I should sit down and write one at some point), I do have some activities that I keep coming back to that I would like to do soon.  One main activity is to hit more thrift stores as well as garage and yard sales.  I just have never been one to do these things.  I have to admit that I am always jealous of other peoples finds at these places but I just never seem to find interesting things.

My main issue however is that I look only at the item for it's intended use or how it currently looks.  Instead of looking past these things and dreaming about what it could be, I take a quick look and walk on by.  After several visits to different places I just gave up.  Why waste my time when I just don't need any of these things.

The past couple of years I have not only a change of heart but always had my eyes opened to looking past the original use and searching out new creative uses.  The internet has been a huge influence and yes now I am jealous of a bunch of new people out there who make some awesome finds!  So this year I want to venture out of my comfort zone and do some wandering at some garage sales, yard sales, estate sales, flea markets, etc.  I would love a partner in crime, someone to hang with and wander these sales with.  That is my next task.

Garage sale/yard sale season is starting to heat up here in Michigan.  I really need to get myself psyched to start going to them (I think I can, I think I can!).  I haven't ventured to any yet but I have tried to get myself to stop at our local Goodwill at least once a week.  So far all I have picked up is some books but I am hoping to venture out into other areas as well.

While surfing the web yesterday I found an interesting site- Yardsellr.  Now I am not too sure about paying shipping for yard sale goods but I did see a few that stated they would cover the shipping costs. It looks like an interesting site to wander through and see what others are selling.  Especially if I decide I need something in particular.  Check it out, I found it very interesting.


I am hoping to be able to share some of my awesome finds with everyone-- fingers crossed.  Does anyone have any good tips for hitting thrift stores/yard sales?  Please share them with me as I am a complete novice!  Thanks for stopping by and visiting me here on the hill, I hope you come back soon.

Link up with Thoughtful Thursdays.

Some Summer Recipes

Ahh- it is starting to feel like summer.  The kids only have 14-1/2 days left of school this year.  I am ready for some warm, lazy days.  Of course I don't like how quickly the kids go through food during this time of the year.   Thankfully I have some tried and true recipes that I turn to during the summer months.  I would like to find some more easy summer recipes for this summer.

So with that in mind, I am going to post some tried and true summer recipes now.  Then as I try new recipes that go over well, I will share those with you as well.  I am always searching out new recipes.  It always feels like we are in a rut.  I try to shake thing up but it always make my youngest kids scared!

The first recipe I am going to share is very good!  It goes beyond the juice or kool aid only ice pops.  These do taste more like store bought ones but so easy to make and with things you probably have in your cupboard!  The hardest part in our household?  Waiting until they are frozen!

Homemade Ice Pops

1 (3 oz) pkg fruit flavored gelatin mix

1 unsweetened kool-aid packet

1 cup white sugar

2 cups boiling water

2 cups cold water

Dissolve gelatin, kool-aid and sugar in the boiling water. Stir in cold water and pour into popsicle molds or small plastic drinking cups.  Freeze until hard.

The second recipe is so easy as well.  Plus you can make any flavor you like.  This will cost far less then those store bought syrups.

Snow Cone Syrup

2 cups white sugar

1 cup water

1 (.13 oz) unsweetened kool-aid packet

In a saucepan, stir together sugar and water.  Bring to a boil, boil for about 1 minute.  Remove from heat and stir in drink mix.  Allow to cool and store in a container for pouring.  Pour over shaved ice.

What are some of your favorite summer recipes?  Do you have any make ahead recipes that freeze well?  I am hoping to find some quick lunch ideas for the kids without turning to all that frozen processed foods.  Thanks for stopping by here on the hill.  Come back soon!

Spring has Sprung on The Hill

Finally we are having some nice weather again here on the Hill.  The trees have leaves, there are flowers in front of the house and we have some tomatoes planted in the garden!  We'll have to take precautions in case there is a frost (still very much a possibility here in Michigan) but those poor plants needed some more room to grow. 

So today I thought I would share some photos of spring here on the Hill.

Here is our house on the hill.

Tomatoes in the garden-- cannot wait for fresh tomatoes to eat.

So there you have it.  I am going to go out and enjoy some sunshine for awhile.  Stop by and visit again soon!

Weekly Menu Planning for May 14, 2012

It's Monday again!  I hope all the mom's out there had a wonderful Mother's Day.  We celebrated Mr. H's 16th birthday so Mother's Day for me kind of went on the back burner.  I did however get just a wonderful present- a new garbage disposal and 20 bags of manure!  Okay, definitely not what I would have asked for but what are you going to do?  Our garbage disposal was leaking water all over under the sink and refused to work so a new one was definitely in order.  On the plus side, hubby moved it to the correct side of the sink (we were backwards for several years) so I am not complaining.  The manure means our garden is ready to start planting and I am sure our tomato plants will be far happier in the ground (as long as we protect them from any frost).

I get to take Mr. H to get his driver's license today.  It will sure be nice to have someone else who can run errands and kids.  I just need to get into gear though and get my van listed for sale.  We are going to some vehicle switching and get a car for him as well.  That will definitely be nice next fall - he can drive everyone to and from school.  :-D

We have a crazy week ahead of us once again.  2 baseball games on Monday, one possibly on Tuesday, one of Friday and possibly one on Saturday.  One more week following this one for High School baseball, then it will be just the youth league games.  Maybe it will get a bit easier to plan meals.

Monday: Meatloaf and taters- I figure that those of us who are home early can eat early and the rest can warm up meatloaf later.  Or have meatloaf sandwiches.

Tuesday: Bourbon Chicken over rice

Wednesday: Brats on the grill and fries

Thursday: Chicken Chop Suey in the crockpot

Friday: Homemade pizza

Saturday: On Your Own- not sure if we will have a game or not.  If we do, it will mean a fairly good drive so we might be eating out.

Sunday: Chicken wings and ???  Not sure what to make with them.  I bought chicken wings a couple of weeks ago but have never made them.  H used to love the chicken wings we would get at the chinese restaurant.  Anyone have any good recipes?

Linking up with MPM.


There you have it, our week.  What are your plans for the week?  Thanks for stopping by and visiting me here on the hill.

Sunday Confessions 5/13/2012

Ha!  Just as I was typing in the date I almost put 1996 for the year.  You see, my oldest son's birthday is today and so usually when I am writing, typing or saying the date I have to add in the year he was born!  It must just be second nature now.  Who knew 16 years could fly by so fast?  Where did the time go?

So Happy Birthday to my Big Guy and Happy Mother's Day to all those moms out there!  We aren't celebrating Mother's Day this year- just our big 16 year olds birthday (it still means a good dinner and dessert so who can complain?!)

As I talked about in my craves yesterday, somedays I wish I could go back and enjoy some quiet time with them when they were babies.  As much as that was enjoyable however, this phase of our lives is very nice as well.  I get to sleep all night long, I don't have to get up with them early in the morning all summer long (heck usually I am the first one up now), and babysitters are a thing of the past.  After tomorrow, I will also have someone else who can run to the store or pick up the rest of the kids.  Yeah!

So this past week has been a rather busy, crazy, wild week.  Of course there were some slip ups- what else is new.  I had one rather rough day that resulted in an early to bed night but hey don't we all deserve those occasionally?  So here are my Sunday Confessions for this past week:

1. Fast food and soda: Wednesday was a very busy day.  I ran through McDonald's for a quick breakfast and then hit Arby's for lunch.  I did have a soda for lunch but thankfully it was a medium one.  Wednesday night I was not feeling well at all.  Directly after dinner, I hit the bed and stayed there (leaving the kitchen a mess for my poor hubby).  I knew I needed to get enough rest so I could function on Thursday (I was scheduled to sub all day in 3rd grade).  All in all, I learned my lesson-- too much fast food and I am done for.  I think I did well soda wise though-- only 1!

2.  Lunch Meat: As a rule I try to avoid lunch meat.  It doesn't like me and I am not very fond of it.  Wednesday for lunch I had a turkey sandwich from Arby's.  Thursday I had a quarter of a sandwich from Jimmy Johns (teacher appreciation week and those of us subbing were treated to lunch too), and then Friday I grabbed a sandwich for lunch because I was too lazy to make anything else.  Next week I know I need to scale back, way back.  Thankfully this isn't too hard to do.

3.  Resting my foot: I thought I was misbehaving when I would try to stay off my foot as much as possible the past couple of weeks.  I did find out today that I was actually doing the right thing.  Phew! I knew that too much walking and standing was causing me pain but I was warned against not using my achilles tendon enough.  Apparently my achilles cannot get any tighter (oopps!) so resting it is not going to harm me any further.   So I am going to continue to take advantage of sitting my behind down and sticking my foot up!

4. Stretching more: Apparently my achilles tendon has probably always been too tight-- thus I have large calves.  I never knew this.  Had I known, then I would have probably stretched my achilles more. But I never realized that I had this issue-- I have always walked a great deal without issue.  I can squat and keep both heels on the floor.  I never realized that I was walking funny because I don't have much ankle movement.  So now I realize that stretching can be important- not just before exercising but throughout life.   Keep those muscles loose!

5. Weeds, weeds and more weeds: The front flower area of our house needs some desperate weeding done.  I have watched the weeds grow larger and larger.  I know that I need to pull those weeds and get some new mulch on them to prevent more from sprouting.  It has been bad for weeks.  Maybe had I gotten them under control early on, there wouldn't have been so much to get control over.  But I didn't. And I need to stop procrastinating!

Not a bad week really.  Just some new information for me to process and probably a new way of living for awhile.  But hey, I like to keep things interesting- don't you?  Okay I agree, boring and no pain really are the top two craves in my life at the moment.  Thank goodness it is almost summer.
Thanks for stopping by and visiting me here on the hill, I hope you drop by again soon.

Cravings for 5/12/2012

What a week!  Next week looks almost as busy although I have had to cancel some things so I could add some other things.  Finally I have some answers on my heel.  There isn't an easy fix however (I was really hoping for like an insert or something along those lines).  Instead I am looking at 6 weeks of physical therapy, 3 times each week.  Fingers crossed that it works because I only have one other option which is surgery.  Just the thought of cutting my heel open causes a lot of squeamish thoughts.  Eww!

Otherwise I am suppose to be a good girl, do my physical therapy and not do anything that makes my heel hurt (which is walking, standing jumping).  Hmmm....we'll see how much I can stay off of it.


So here are my craves for this past week:

1.  A day at home to garden, craft, read: This past week has been crazy and I haven't had an entire day at home.  Therefore this is a definite crave.  Honestly I would love a day to just be home all day--- cause goodness knows the cleaning has been let go during the past week.  But while cleaning is all well and good, a day at home with doing just what I want sounds even better!!

2. A day at home with limited walking, standing needed: Okay this sounds good too....just a day where someone else cooks, cleans, lets the dogs in and out.  A day where I can just put my foot up and not need to do anything.  Yeah, it goes with the above one, it just takes it to a whole new level.

3. Sun and 70 degree weather: We finally are getting some good weather here in Michigan.  I was sure after April that 70 degree weather might never show its face here again.  Thankfully it has.  I love having the windows open, feeling the cool breeze blow across my feet and hearing the birds sing.  I might just have to sit outside and soak up some sun- if I ever get one of those above days to happen!

4. Turn back the clock: My oldest turns 16 tomorrow.  WOW - where did the time go?  While I love this phase of our lives (no babysitters needed, no waiting on them hand and foot), I would occasionally love to travel back in time for a day or two.  I would love to have them little again where you can rock them to sleep and then just sit there enjoying them while they snuggle up with you.  You can't do that with a 16 year old boy.  First off he is just too big.  Secondly, no 16 year old boy wants to "rock" with his mom anymore! :-D

5. Eating Dinner as a family: With 2 boys in baseball and games almost every single night, dinner as a family has pretty much gone out the window.  Some of us eat early, some eat much later and sometimes we take sandwiches with us to games.  Thankfully Sunday we have a birthday dinner planned....and it is something everyone loves.  So we'll all get to sit around the dinner table and talk.

What were your craves for the week?  Let me know- I am always looking for new things to try out!!

Head over to Attached Mom's Blog.  She is applauding and supporting all mom's this Mother's Day.  Don't we all need some extra support and love?

Thanks for stopping by and visiting me here on the hill, I hope you stop by again soon.

So it's Friday again, which should mean 5 question Friday!  But I have a doctor's appointment really early Friday morning.  Soooo-- I won't be able to get on the internet to write a post then.  I did some searching and found some other questions that I thought  might be interesting for everyone.  So-- instead of 5 question Friday, today shall be 10 question friday!  These questions were found at this website Humor That Works.  So here we go!

1. What was your favorite food when you were a child? Anything sweet.  I loved (and still do) sweets.  Cake, ice cream, pudding....all those were favorites!  As for a favorite dinner...maybe pizza with mushrooms??
2. What’s the #1 most played song on your iPod? I usually have it on shuffle so no one song gets the most play time.  I do go through streaks though.  Right now it probably would be Someone You Used To Know by Goyte.
3. What is one of your favorite quotes? Be the Change You Wish to See in the World- Gahndi
4. What’s your favorite indoor/outdoor activity? I love to garden.  I enjoy walking.  But my all time favorite thing to do outside would be to grab a huge glass of ice tea and go sit in the sun on the deck and soak up some rays!
5. What chore do you absolutely hate doing? Cleaning the bathrooms!  I hate doing this but I hate dirty bathrooms more. 
6. What is your favorite form of exercise? Walking.
7. What is your favorite time of day/day of the week/month of the year? I love the weekends when I don't have to get up early, when we don't have a ton of activities to do.  My all time favorite month is October.  I got married in October, two of my kids were born on October and I absolutely love Halloween!
8. What’s your least favorite mode of transportation? I get nervous when we fly, however I like how quickly you can get from one place to another.  Otherwise, I don't really have a least favorite mode of transportation.  It just depends on where you are going.
9. What is your favorite body part? Huh??  We have to have a favorite??  I honestly do not have one.....I guess if I had to chose something it would be the birthmark on my belly!  Strange I know but it definitely gets comments.
10. What sound do you love? Wind chimes, a gentle rain hitting the roof and windows, birds singing on a sunny morning, the sound of my kids laughing and the sound of a train whistle.

So there you have it-- my 10 questions for the week.  I hope you enjoy them.  I am glad that I finally have an appointment to have my heel checked out.  Fingers crossed that they have an answer and can provide some relief- otherwise I know I am going to hurt myself with the way I am walking.  I hope everyone had a great weekend!

Thoughtful Thursdays- Looking back

A couple of weeks ago I was surfing around the internet and found an interesting section on the BlogHer site.  It is called NaBloPoMo and each month a new topic is given out plus they also give writing prompts for those looking for inspiration.  I decided to give the whole concept a try, add something different to what I write about.

One of the prompts for May was What sport did you play as a child?  While I didn't play any sports when I was young, I did dance.  I didn't start out when I was really young, I was older when I decided I wanted to take dance lessons.  Several of my friends did and I thought it would be something fun to know how to do.

I cannot say that I was particular good at dance but I did certainly enjoy it.  I took tap and jazz lessons.  My mom still has some really embarrassing photos of me in dance costumes.  I have always had a belly so they are not pretty pictures!  I was an extremely shy child who rarely spoke a word in class.  Somehow I was able to get on stage (with several other people thankfully) and dance without nerves taking over.  I think it was a good way for me to start to transition out of my shyness.  It did take several more years after I stopped dance lessons before I could say that I was comfortable in most situations but it sure takes a lot of courage to get on stage when the auditorium is filled to the brim with people.

One of the dances that I remember the most was a tap dance routine.  It was to the song The Battle of New Orleans by Johnny Horton.  I now have this song on my ipod.  Often when I am cooking, blogging or just home alone I turn my ipod on shuffle and let it go.  When this song comes up, I always want to tap dance.  I don't remember the steps at all but it sure makes me want to try!  My kids are horrified to see me stomping around the kitchen and office dancing away (isn't it fun to embarrass your kids sometimes?).   I definitely remember the costume we wore too- it was yellow and black with a gold top hat.  Oh those were the days!

So now I am wondering, what sports did you play as a child?  Did you dance or do something else?  Let us know and check out the links above if you are in need of some blogging inspiration.  You never know where it might lead you to.

Thanks for stopping by and visiting me here on the hill, I hope you stop by again soon.

11 Recipes I cannot live without #1-2 wrap up

We have made our way down to the top 2 recipes I definitely cannot live without!  These recipes are ones that I turn to over and over again.  They are definitely family favorites and even favorites with others as well.

So here they are:

2. Crockpot Sausage Baked Beans: I have submitted this recipe several times to different places and I have never gotten it published.  I think honestly that people are scared of it for some reason.  All I can say is that you MUST try it.  I make it for potlucks and usually there is maybe a spoonful left.  They really are this easy to make and they really are truly awesome.  Don't be scared, give them a try!  You will be shocked at how good they are.  I just use a roll of sausage from the meat aisle by the breakfast sausage.  I used just regular but you could definitely do spicy if you wanted to.  I also use all brown sugar but that is my preference.

Baked Beans with sausage

1 lb Great Northern Beans (1 large jar)

1 cup sugar (white, brown or half and half)

1 onion, minced

1 lb roll of sausage, cooked

Combine all ingredients in the crockpot and cook for several hours.

1. Grandma Pearson's Sugar Cookies: I will give you the recipe as I was given it.  My dad said that his grandma used to make them as well but she put either a half of a pecan or a date on top.  I have no idea how old the recipe actually is.   The first time I made them I was able to roll them out and cut them out.  Since then, I have not been able to do that.  They are just too sticky.  I have added more flour but that makes them too tough and floury tasting.  I have chilled the dough for several hours and up to a couple of days, which doesn't help either.  I now just make them as drop cookies.  It doesn't matter as they are so good, it just would be nice to be able to use cookie cutters for special occasions.  I usually use colored sugar to go with whichever holiday is closest.  I don't just make them for holidays though, I make these all year round and everyone loves them.

Grandma Pearson’s Sugar Cookies

2 cups sugar

1 cup shortening

3 eggs

3 tsp nutmeg

2 tsp salt

3 tsp baking powder

1 cup sour milk or butter milk

2 tsp baking soda

4 cups flour

400 degree oven for 8-10 minutes.

If you are looking for my other top 11 recipes - you can find them here: for recipes 3-4, recipes 5-6, recipes 7-8 and recipes 9-11.

Thanks for stopping by and visiting me here on the hill.  I hope you stop by again soon!

Dealing with Fibro Tuesdays- Artificial Sweeteners

In February 2011, I decided to stop ingesting all artificial sweeteners as well as most processed food.  At the time I had not read anything that suggested that the above products were making my fibromyalgia any worse.  I just knew that I needed to make some serious changes in my life.  I knew I could no longer live as I had been living.  When you hurt too much to get out of bed all day long, you know that something has to change.

Just recently I have been noticing that now there are some websites out there that agree with my choice.  It is nice to realize that others can now find this information and make informed decisions for themselves.  Here is one link that I have found especially helpful on Everyday Health.

While I cannot say that I always am successful with eliminating all processed foods, I have been very vigilant at keeping the artificial sweetener out of my diet.  Which means watching labels very closely.  My husband wanted me to try some Kirkland Vita Rain water because he really likes it.  Thankfully I read the label before I took a sip.  It had artificial sweetener in it.  It means that I no longer chew gum, drink diet soda and I now am a label reader.

Honestly that is okay.  I am able to function 99% of the time.  I have very few bad days anymore.  I feel better now than I have felt in years.  Not chewing gum or drinking diet soda anymore is definitely worth feeling good.  There is no comparison!

Thanks for stopping by and visiting me here on the hill today.  I hope you drop by again soon.

Monday's Post- weekly dinner menu

What a week this is going to be.  Both our boys now have baseball games.  Two for SJ this week and 3 for our oldest.  Plus I have two days completely full of other activities.  Add in teacher appreciation week which means coming up with 5 small gifts and I am not sure if I will have time to get much else accomplished this week.  Just hoping for some nice warmer weather to go along with all this busy activity.  We shall see.

Weekly Menu for May 7-13, 2012

Monday: Goulash

Tuesday: Spaghetti and garlic bread

Wednesday: Chicken Chimi's

Thursday: Salads with grilled chicken and lots of fixings

Friday: Burgers and fries

Saturday: Taking H and his girlfriend out for an early birthday dinner.  Little ones will get something frozen, I will let them chose

Sunday: H's choice.  It is his 16th birthday!  So instead of celebrating mother's day we are celebrating his birthday.  But really, how better to celebrate mother's day?  16 years ago I became a mother to a very wonderful young man.  So really, I can celebrate too.  I always let the birthday person chose their dinner.  I am not sure what H will decide on yet.....I did tell him that I needed to know soon so I can plan accordingly (as in run to the store!)

So there you have it, our dinner's for the week.  Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday are game days this week.  Just a few weeks of double games and then the high school's season will be done.  Where has the spring gone?

Thanks for stopping by and visiting me here on the hill.

Linking up with MPM.

Sunday Confessions - 5/6/2012

It's that time again for Sunday Confessions.  This is where I bare my soul to everyone and tell them all the "bad" things I have done during the past week.  Then I get to wipe my slate clean and start the week with a clear conscience.  Tag along for the ride and leave a comment to let me know your confessions for the week.  I would love to know that others struggle each week as well.

1.  Cookies: Yep if you check out my craves post you will see that I found a really good new cookie.  I enjoyed them a lot-- usually I try to only eat homemade cookies so I know what is in them.  These were chewy good.  I did not share them with anyone-- shhh!

2.  SJ's Glasses: I placed them on his backpack on Tuesday and Wednesday.   Somehow both days they went onto the table and did not make it to school.  Thursday I did not see them so I figured that he had them in his backpack.  Nope-- they were hidden somewhere on the table.  His teacher has been having fits all week and sending me notes.  I know he needs them, I get after him but after herding all three kids into the car, I usually forget to ask if he has his glasses.  So yes I am at fault for not getting after him each morning to remember his glasses.  I paid the price, Thursday he yet again forgot them.  I got two phone calls from him asking me to bring them to school.  So I had to find them and then make a trip all the way over to school to deliver them.  He now knows he needs to be more responsible.

3.  I have been trying to self diagnose using the Internet: I know, I know.  It really isn't a smart thing to do.  I got the call back on my x-rays and I have heel spurs.  The problem?  The doctor at the med center and everywhere on the internet tells me that heel spurs don't hurt.  Okay.  They say that it usually is due to a tight muscle.  Okay.  Well then why does only the very back of my heel hurt?  Why does it hurt to touch it even?  Nothing else in my foot hurts.  The scary thing is that everything that I can find on the internet to treat this condition, I have done.  The even scarier part is that it stated on the internet that it usually takes 3 months to an entire year for it to heel completely.  WHAT??  An entire year??  I don't have that much time to be in this much pain.  It is huge in my life.  I do a lot of standing to cook and can.  I like to walk and if I don't then we'll watch the pounds fly on.  So....I am trying to just wait and see what the foot specialist says.  That is when I get an appointment with one.

4. Soda: Only 1!!  I was prepared to write in here that I had not consumed any soda this week.  I was so excited about making it a whole week again. Then on Friday I went to SJ's recorder concert in the morning.  I didn't slide out of the school quick enough :-D.  The secretary found me and talked me into subbing for 6th grade.  Oh the horrors!  Okay not really but I didn't have enough time to run home to grab lunch.  So I hit one of the local stores and grabbed some crackers and some sugar and caffeine (in the form of a cherry coke).  I am glad that I did because I definitely needed it!  Those 6th graders are a lot of work.  I survived but ended up at home with my foot up for the evening and none of my errands or cleaning done.

5.  Not Staying On Task: I have to be honest.  I have been rather slack about the cleaning around the house.  I haven't stayed on track with my blogging goals.  I have some ideas for extra writing and need to get my thoughts on paper in addition to actually seeking out some volunteer writing I want to do.  I have many ideas but haven't gotten them accomplished.  I seem to have difficulty staying track recently.  Of course it doesn't help when I get a call to sub or get cornered at a concert to sub.  Because then all my plans for the day go out the door.  But I guess where there is a will, there is a way.  I will get back on track.....hopefully some day soon.

I hope that your upcoming week goes well.  Thanks for stopping by and visiting me here on the hill.  I hope you stop by again soon!

Craves for the week of 5/5/2012

What a week.  Somehow things keeps coming up.  I am easily distracted.  I keep forgetting things which has meant repeated trips to the store (and somehow I still keep forgetting to get sandwich bags).  One of these weeks I am going to plan on staying home and working on blog promotion, blog improvements and all things bloggy.  But not next week.....or the following week.....maybe sometime in the middle of June?!

Regardless of how crazy my life has been, I have still found time for some new craves this week.  I know the biggest crave in our household at the moment is Frank's Red Hot.  My oldest son and hubby cannot seem to get enough of the stuff.  They slathered it on the shepherd's pie I made Monday and the brats we had on Thursday.  It's too warm for me, I don't go for burning mouth pain.

So what is on my craves list this week-- look below:

1. Flowering bushes, their flowery scent blowing in the breeze: I have no idea what type of bushes these things are but they smell amazing.  Just a light flowery scent that gives the air this wonderful aroma.  I went to get the garbage can on Wednesday and had to stop and figure out what was smelling so good.  It only lasts a couple of days each year but it sure is a nice sign of spring and the summer to come.  I did plan on getting a picture on Friday.  Then my day went into a tail spin when I agreed to sub the rest of the day for a 6th grade class.  I just never got caught up again.

2. Belly Flops: I love Jelly Belly's.  I love all the different flavors.  What I don't like is the price.  They really are rather high when compared to other candy.  So it is only once in a great while that I will splurge and indulge in some of these wonderful jelly beans.  While wandering in my local Dollar Tree I found Belly Flops again.  They haven't had them in about a year so I was so excited.  They are irregular Jelly Belly's- so basically they were rejected for some shape or color issue.  But I say, who cares if they are stuck with another jelly bean or if the color is a bit off.  All you are going to do is eat it!   The flavor is the same, the experience is the same but the best part is the bag is about double the size of the regular Jelly Belly bags at the dollar store.  Yum!

3. Archer Farm Turtle Cookies: I had to run to the doctor's office on Wednesday and then ran errands afterwards.  I stopped at Target hoping to find SJ a pair of baseball pants that might actually fit. After snagging a pair that I hoped would work I wandered the food aisle where I found these little beauties.  Why are they so wonderful?  Because they have these caramel chips in them that are chewy yummy goodness.  When I first thought caramel chips I figured that they would be similar to chocolate chips and have no chew.  Boy was I wrong!  I love chewy caramel.  Okay fine- I just love chewy things!

4.  Getting ahead on my plans and goals:  Right now it seems that I am about 3 weeks behind on everything in my life.  Cleaning, laundry, cooking, planning, blogging goals, future work, etc.  At one point not too long ago I was ahead of the game.  Then I slacked and now I am struggling to stay on task.  Plus the subbing calls have become much more frequent.  I am not sure if the teachers are taking more time off or if the other subs are just tired and ready for a break.  I am trying to rack up as much time as I can before the end of the school year.  It certainly doesn't help my getting ahead plans though. One day at a time-- right?  I would just love to be ahead of the game rather than lagging way behind.

5. Ice Tea: It has become my drink of choice.  I cannot seem to get enough of it.  True, water would be healthier but when compared to soda I think I am doing so much better.  The warm weather this week has increased my ice tea consumption and addiction!  What is better on a hot sticky day than ice tea!

So what are your craves for the week?  Did you find something new to crave?  Or did an old favorite stick in your head all week?  Let me know- leave me a comment!

Thanks for stopping by and visiting me here on the hill, I hope you stop back soon.

***Disclaimer** All products discussed in this post were purchased by me.  I did not receive any free products nor am I getting any compensation for writing about the above products.  These products merely were enjoyed by me this week and I wished to share my enjoyment with my readers.**

5 Question Friday- May 4, 2012

I want to say that it feels good to be back to my old routine....but I am not there yet!!  For some reason this week I just have not been able to stay on task.  I ended up doing a big grocery shopping trip, had a doctor's appt, did a Costco run (we were out of toilet paper again- oh the horror), subbed for a bit and then  I have a recorder concert to attend this morning.

Next week isn't looking any better.  Wednesday is fully booked as is Thursday.  Somewhere in there I have to go and have blood drawn (one of those lovely fasting blood draws) just for routine tests but still.  Blah!  One of these weeks I am going to finish my weekly goals list again, really!

Today is Friday though and that means 5 Question Friday.   Whoo Hoo.  So here are today's questions and answers.  If you want to check out some other bloggers answers to these questions- head over to
My Little Life and check out the others who have linked up.


1. What did you wear to prom? Include a picture if possible.  Pictures??  Really??  Well first I would have to actually find the pictures and I have to be honest, they are somewhere in the house.  But I am not sure where.  Then I would have to figure out how to get it onto my computer.  I haven't had any luck with my scanner.  Maybe that needs to be put onto my goals list one of these days.  It sure would be nice to share some older pictures.  Sorry-- I got distracted there.  What did I wear.  Well you have to remember that when I went to prom it was the late 80's.  I wore long, long poofy dresses with hoops.  Yep, really.  The one my senior year was red.  My junior year it was royal blue.  That's all I'm saying!  :-)


2. Would you rather be on the biggest loser or a food eating challenge? Well I definitely would love to lose some weight.  However with my fibromyalgia I know there is absolutely no way I could handle what the trainers put these people through ( I would be in some serious pain and in bed for days after 1 session).  I really cannot eat a whole lot so I wouldn't win a food eating challenge either.  


3. Done fave sonic drink? Refreshing summer drink? (Hey, Kristina...was that a typo, or some "done good" Southern thing?)  On our way to Springfield, IL, we had our first experience at a Sonic.  Really!  I know of one in the Grand Rapids, MI area, otherwise we don't have Sonic around where I live.  So I don't have a favorite Sonic drink-- sorry.  We only had boring old soda when we stopped, we had no idea how to mix up a good drink.  For my favorite summer drink- I love ice tea but I drink that year round and have become even more addicted to it since giving up soda.  I do love good lemonade.  Something that is tart yet sweet and ice cold.  I just found some raspberry lemonade recipes that I can't wait to try this summer.


4. What was your first car, and what did you call it?  I had a Pontiac Sunbird for my first car.  It was wonderful having a car and it was useful in picking up boys (they always seemed to like it).  I don't think I ever had a name for it.  I do remember going to the gas station and paying for gas with dimes (hehehe poor attendants had to sit and count all those coins).  I also remember my best friend kept a bun candy wrapper in the glove box with lipstick prints all over it.  It got me where I thought I needed to go for a few years but I honestly wasn't super attached to it.


5. What's one thing your child or spouse does that sends you over the edge?  Putting empty ice cube trays back in the freezer- or empty cartons left in the fridge or cupboard.  I hate thinking that you have something left (cause the box is in there still) only to reach inside of the box or bag and you find it empty!  Same goes for the ice cubes trays- you go to use one only to find it empty.  Really??  We also keep a big jug of water in the fridge and no one seems to know how to fill it up.    Oooppss- sorry.  You caught me going off on a tangent!




So there you have it-- this week's 5 question Friday.  Phew, I think it wore me out this time.  Great questions this week.  So do you have a prom picture sitting out there that needs to be shown??  Let us see it!  I promise to put scanning pictures into my schedule.  Now if I could just keep to my schedule.......


Thanks for stopping by and visiting me here on the hill, I hope you stop by again soon.