Chicken Soup for the Cold

Despite the fact I have a chronic illness (fibromyalgia), I rarely get sick. An occasional stomach or headache maybe but I haven't had the flu for maybe seventeen years.

On Wednesday, I started feeling under the weather. Thursday, I knew I was in for it. By Friday, a cold was full blown. I didn't want to talk because it caused a coughing jag.

One of the last things I wanted to hear on Thursday was, "What's for dinner?" (Can you ask who, besides Isabella, asked?) In my head I might have said, "What do you think, you idiot?" However, I had defrosted something that was easy to broil.

On Friday, leftovers were the only choice I gave.

Now Saturday, I was intrigued by a recipe for chicken soup a school mate I had caught up with on facebook offered and I was willing to work through the yuck to make it.

Roast a whole chicken at a high heat for twenty or thirty minutes to render out fat and increase flavor. Put the chicken into a pot with cold water, fresh peppercorns and dill, salt, carrots, onions and garlic. (I had to use dried peppercorns and dill and also added celery.) Simmer, I repeat simmer for several hours. I advise putting the pepper corns in cheese cloth, if at all possible, if you don't strain your soup. Straining is the norm.

This is one of the best chicken soups I have ever eaten! I confess I added a bit of boxed chicken stock because it was already open in the refrigerator and I didn't want it to spoil. Add a bit of orzo and it is so satisfying.

Now it is Sunday and I am about 57% better and I do believe I owe it all to what we call "Jewish penicillin," chicken soup! Studies have shown that it truly helps one feel better. Research it and you will see that I am right!

Isn't it wonderful that God has given us foods that help us when we are sick? Also, herbs and such to help keep us healthy?

Have a wonderful week. Blessings, g

Silver and Gold

"Make new friends but keep the old; one is silver and the other's gold" was a song we sang at girl scout camp. Today, I got together with someone who I have known since I was twelve years old. We hadn't seen one another for probably ten years so we decided to meet up at her mom's.

We had a lovely time reminiscing and catching up. Years ago, I introduced her to the musical artist Dan Fogelberg (you might remember his songs Longer and Leader of the Band). We attended two of his concerts in the past. Today we commiserated his death a few years ago.

When I came home, I decided to work off some of my dessert on the treadmill whist listening to, and singing along with, one of Dan's albums, Twin Sons of Different Mothers, which he recorded with a flutist by the name of Tim Weisberg (The Power of Gold is one of my favorite songs on this album). Oh, how I enjoyed that album!

I decided to listen to more and saw an album by Christian artist, Michael Card (this, Joseph's Song, can bring tears to my eyes. I started listening to him when I needed an alternative to secular music and he reminded me of Dan. Wow! I was lifted up with that album. I almost fell off the treadmill because my eyes were closed and my hands were lifted!

As I explained to my friend, I find that the old, secular music tends to remind me of things from the past that I don't want to remember. There is one song that can send me into a panic attack because the memories are so vivid and hurtful that I stay away from the oldies stations.

Whatever we put into our minds, whether reading or tv or movies, stays there forever. Memories can flitter across our minds in a nanosecond and set us up for pain or happiness.

It has taken me too many years to learn this lesson. I need to weed out those shows and books and movies that are just not silver or gold.






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Daybook March 5, 2012

For Today . . .

Outside my window . . . the promise of spring as evening approaches and she sun is still shining at 5:30 PM.

I am thinking . . . that some people never learn from their mistakes. Why do I bother trying to teach and yet I can't help myself.

I am thankful . . . that I listened to the Spirit's urgings and made a phone call that was received with joy. Why don't I listen more?

In the kitchen . . . the table is finally cleaned off!

I am wearing . . . a red top and olive green jeans.

I am creating . . . memories with my granddaughter. I can only hope she remembers me as I remember my beloved gram who was my best friend.

I am going . . . to hope for relief from anxiety.

I am wondering . . . how to better teach life lessons to several who will not listen.

I am reading . . . Tim Tebow's book Through My Eyes. Okay, I got it from the library but have barely cracked it open but hope to tonight.

I am hoping . . . to get some work done around here. This is a never ending theme here.

I am looking forward to . . . some time alone - PLEASE!

I am learning . . . that some things will never change and I need to let go and let God handle it.

Around the house . . . I need to get rid of anything I haven't used in the last year.

One of my favorite things . . . time spent with my BFF. It is never often enough.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . bringing my granddaughter to visit her greatgrandmother, working out, dinner with friends.

A favorite quote for the day . . . "Peace I give you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives you." Gospel of John


The Simple Woman's Daybook

Please Don't Use That Word

As children on the spectrum are prone to do, Isabella was having a conversation with herself. One of her comments was, "Bella, you are retarded."

When questioned about it, Bells said, "I'm sorry!" She was assured she had done nothing wrong. Questioned again, she had the same reaction and then she changed the subject.

The dreaded "r" word. I have been warning the girl, and everyone else within hearing range, to get rid of that word from their vocabularies unless used in a clinical way. Our precious children on the spectrum get called all kinds of names. When the "r" word is used to hurt, it is horrid.

Click here.

Please teach that the "r" word is not acceptable. Period.

Have a blessed weekend, g

Company Girl Coffee - click here

Daybook for February 3, 2012

The Simple Woman's Daybook


Outside my window...winter's darkness doesn't touch the cozy feeling I have in my modest home.

I am thinking...about bullies who, because they are so influential, can throw their weight around and, if they choose, destroy good people and organizations.

I am thankful...for my parents who are turning 75 and 80 in the next month. So very thankful that my baby brother and his wife flew well over one thousand miles to celebrate with us tomorrow!

In the kitchen...is the clean up from the cheese and mashed potato dish I made for tomorrow's feast. It is a family favorite!

I am wearing...my most comfortable pajamas. Don't you just love lounging in pj's?

I am creating...a blog post!

I am reading...there is a book waiting for me at the library. Hopefully, I will be able to pick it up tomorrow morning before I leave for my folks' house which is one and a half hours away.

I am hoping...that my anxiety doesn't get the better of me before or during tomorrow's festivities...it happens.

I am looking forward to...my son making a living wage and moving out!

I am learning...to give myself a break.

Around the house...the same as usual...heavy sigh

I am pondering...how fragile life is. Can I keep up this pace?

A favorite quote for today..."You're a good cooker, Booboo." (What my granddaughter says to me!

One of my favorite things...is having my house to myself foF hours or days at a time.

A few plans for the rest of the week: family party and Superbowl spent with friends

A peek into my day...I got Isabella off to school, weighed in at Weight Watchers (gained a pound but that's okay) and became a lifetime member, visited my niece who is also my hairstylist and got a cut and color, shopped, brought my mother-in-love to the hairdresser and got myself a manicure!

Random photo:

What in the World Did I Do All Day?

As expected, I didn't get a lot of comments on my last post. That is fine with me. I have to be at peace with God.

Lately, I've been wondering where time is going. I look around and see a house that needs vacuuming and dusting and straightening out in a big way and wonder why it hasn't gotten done; why I can't get it done.

As I sit here typing, I realize I could be doing the quiet parts of these tasks (Himself goes to sleep quite early because of his early shift) but here I sit watching tv and keeping up with my "social networks."

Where did I go wrong? Let's go over the events of today:

6:00 Woke up before Isabella's arrival at around 6:20. Made tea and read my Bible.

6:20 Made Bells' breakfast, prepared her snack for school and got her washed up and ready for school.

7:50 School bus arrived and I blew kisses to my little love. Instead of going back to bed, which I usually do for a few hours, I got ready for the day.

9:15 Started driving to my Weight Watchers meeting and returned the call I missed fifteen minutes earlier from my mother-in-law. Her defibrillator had gone off (for the second time in three weeks) and she needed to go to the doctor. My nephew drove her there and I skipped my meeting and took over at the doctor's office (this has become my part time job).

11:30'ish At the hospital to have the pacemaker/defibrillator "interrogated" and found that the doctors feel an increase in medication will hopefully do the trick.

12:'ish Got Mom home and made sure she ate and drank a cup of tea. All she wanted to do was sleep so I left for....

12:45'ish ...Weight Watchers weigh in...yea! All is good. 47 down and three to go.

1:00 Met a friend to pray for missionaries who are in creative access countries (countries where missionaries are not allowed)

2:00 Nap time for me.

4:40 Emerged from nap and spent time with Isabella and did absolutely nothing else of significance.

I could have gotten things done after my nap but the energy wasn't there! Even thinking of doing anything makes me cringe inside.

Maybe some day, God willing, I will be blessed with energy. What I am thankful for is the ability to be do what I CAN do.

When I had to go on disability years ago, I never thought it would be for so long. The original reasons for this are still active and have intertwined with fibromyalgia. The times I am needed the most seem to fall on my "good" days and for this I am grateful.

What's the saying, "Man plans and God laughs?" Ha! So true. I am so very blessed.

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Life

sanc·ti·ty   [sangk-ti-tee] Show IPA
noun, plural -ties.
1.
holiness, saintliness, or godliness.
2.
sacred or hallowed character: the inviolable sanctity of the temple.
3.
a sacred thing.

Today is Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. Thirty-nine years ago abortions became the law of the land of America. Since then, more than 53,000,000 children have been denied the right to life.

Progress in pre-natal testing has made it possible to know if your unborn child has an extra chromosome (Down Syndrome)like Addison and Abby whose parents can't imagine life without them.

Before you know it, there will probably be a pre-natal test for autism. I can't imagine a world without my Isabella. Nor can Jess imagine a world without Brooke or Jeneil a world without Rhema. There are so many others I can mention who don't have blogs.

If Tim Tebow's mom had listened to the advice of her doctors to abort because her child would, if he survived, mental and physical deficiencies, we would not have the saying "Tebowing."

The womb is an "inviolable sanctuary." If not safe there, where?

No matter what the situation, unless the mom is dying right in front of the doctor, there is no legitimate reason for abortion. If you don't want your child, send him or her to me; I will either find or give them a home.

I know this is not my usual type of post but I know with everything in me it had to be said. May United States of America repent for its sins of mass murder and may God have mercy if we do.

*If you have had an abortion, I hold no ill will against you nor do I judge you. If you need to talk, I am here.