Incredulous

I got a 97% on my final paper and a 90% for the class overall.

I honestly have no words.


****

I just realize that I've somehow managed to maintain my 4.0 GPA.

musings from the library downtown

awesome: listening to the kids from the homeless shelter have singing and story time

awkward: the 80 year old woman wandering around the library wearing leggings and a neon green fanny pack

j crew

yes, i understand that this j crew model is about 30 pounds lighter than me, but seriously, they shouldn't show pictures of people like this and then sell it to people my size if its going to make me look like a giant whale pumpkin. its just mean.

better for you chick {pea} salad sandwiches

Compared to chicken salad sandwiches, this is better for your health, better for your budget (chickpeas are 50 cents a can), and of course better for chickens. I served it with naan, but you can put it in a wrap, on plain bread, in a pita... whatever. I made a double batch and plan on eating the leftovers for lunch during the week.

This recipe courtesy allrecipes.com

• 1 (19 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon dried dill weed
• salt and pepper to taste

Drain and rinse chickpeas. Pour chickpeas into a medium size mixing bowl and mash with a fork. Mix in celery, onion, mayonnaise (to taste), lemon juice, dill, salt and pepper to taste.

home security

" miss social worker, since im not allowed to have a gun in my apartment, i think i'm gonna get some bear traps and put them by my front and back doors"

"........"

4.0

that's my current gpa. granted, i've only taken 1 1/2 classes so far so i haven't had much of a chance to screw things up... but i'm still pleased.

also, if you tell me that "it's just ONLINE school, it's not REAL school", i will punch you in the face.

a love note

dear cimzia,

you rock my world.

peanut butter fudge crinkles

1 box devils food cake mix
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 bag of peanut butter chips
1/3 cup powdered sugar


heat oven to 350*. in a large bowl, use a spoon to mix all of the ingredients except for the powdered sugar until dough forms.

shape dough into 1 inch balls, then roll balls in powdered sugar. bake 10-12 minutes on an ungreased cookie sheet until set.

adapted from betty crocker's 30 minute meals volume 19.6

this irks me

has anyone else noticed that when dads watch their children, the wives tend to call it "babysitting?"

or when the dad does a load of laundry the wife posts about how AMAZING he is and how sensitive he is for "helping her out?"

seriously people. he's not babysitting. do you call it babysitting when you are home caring for your own child?

no, because watching your own child is NOT babysitting. and i feel sorry for women who react to their husband helping with household chores as if they just witnessed their husband turn the baby's bottle into wine or started walking on the bathtub water.

thank goodness my husband is not like that.

Heaven help us all

"Miss Social Worker? Do you think we could look at some colleges in Virginia?"
"Sally, you know that your financial aid will only work in North Carolina."
"Wait, Virginia isn't in North Carolina???"

I miss blogging

I do. But it's hard to know what to write about, because I have landed myself in trouble on numerous occasions in the past. I'm sure everyone is sick of my vegetarian recipes by now, but I don't really know what else to say.

Well, I guess I can write about how quickly our lives have changed in the past 3 months! As you may have read from one of my previous entries, I'm in grad school now. Finally. I'm getting my MA in counseling from Liberty University. Most of my classes are online, which is great. It's a little annoying that people tend to discredit online programs. It requires a lot of discipline and so far I have learned a lot. Also, I don't think I could actually get a masters any other way. I've been so stinking sick lately with my RA that being able to take my classes in pajamas on my sofa has been a major blessing.

The other big news is WE BOUGHT A HOUSE!! Jon would like to make it very clear that nothing is final until we close, which won't be until November. (however, things are looking very good and I'm almost positive we'll be moving in.) We are building our home about 10 minutes away from where we live now. We've had a blast picking out the flooring and other design aspects of the home and can't wait to move in! It is a 3 bed, 2.5 bath town home... which means NO EXTERIOR MAINTENANCE! Seriously, I have no desire at all to have to re-shingle a roof, maintain a yard, etc. I don't know why anyone bothers to own a single family home at all... I am too lazy to do all that work. I'm also psyched that our house is under warranty for 10 years, so we will have almost nothing to worry about once we move in.

Jon is doing amazing, by the way. He is healthy as a horse. Still on blood thinners, but he's doing well with those. He has been riding his bike to work, which is 3.5 miles away. He is crazy. I'm so happy that he is doing ok and that he is still here with me.

Well, that's all for now. I'll be back with a recipe and or/boring life update soon.

farmers market chowder

i'm making sure to take advantage of the last month or so of fresh, local veggies... yum!!

2 zucchini, peeled and chopped
1 onion, chopped
3 ears corn (cut the kernels off)
3 tomatoes, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
3 cups water
1/3 cup flour
1 1/4 cup evaporated milk
2 cups cheddar cheese (i used pepper jack because thats what i had in my fridge and it turned
out excellent)
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
3 vegetable bullion cubes
2 tbs butter
salt, pepper, sugar

in a large soup pot, melt 2 tbs butter. sautee zucchini and onion until tender.

mix in flour, basil, and parsley. add dash salt, dash pepper. gradually add water and bullion cubes. bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cook and stir 2-5 minutes.

add evaporated milk, corn, and tomatoes. bring to a boil. reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes until corn is tender.

add cheese, stir until just melted. add a pinch of sugar to taste.


ps- my soup came out a little watery because i used regular milk instead of evaporated...

summer luvin' brushetta

summer=fresh tomatoes=love

6 or 7 roma tomatoes
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbs extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp balsamic vinegar
6-8 fresh basil leaves, finely chopped

1 baguette
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

parboil the tomatoes for 2 1/2 minutes, drain and then rinse with cold water. use your fingers to remove skins. quarter and remove seeds/juices, then chop. mix with the garlic, olive oil, vinegar, and basil leaves.

cut thin slices of the bread and brush one side with olive oil. toast on the top rack of your oven, oil side up, for 5 minutes at 450*.

i prefer to NOT top the bread with the brushetta before serving because the bread gets soggy. rather, i serve the bread on a plate and the brushetta in a small bowl. it's also nice to serve this with a little feta cheese to sprinkle on top. if you're feeling really fancy, you can drizzle some balsamic vinegar on the bread plate. enjoy!

makes about 8 side dish servings... or if you are lazy like me and don't feel like cooking anything else, 4 main dish servings.

tamale pie

Sorry my blog is boring.

Here's one of my favorite recipes.

TAMALE PIE

2 cans of beans (black bean, pinto bean, kidney bean) try to pick 2 different varieties
1 pepper, chopped (I prefer red but green works too if you're on a budget) You can also do 1/2 green pepper and 1/2 red pepper if you want, this adds some color
1/2 or 1 onion, chopped
1 4 oz can of diced grean chile peppers, undrained
1 or 2 cloves garlic, minced (or some garlic powder)
6 oz vegetable juice (1 small can of V8 or Wal-Mart brand)
1 box of Jiffy corn muffin mix, 1 egg, 1/3 cup milk
1/2 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, pepper jack, or whatever you happen to have in your fridge)
dash cumin
dash chili powder
dash cilantro

Preheat oven to 400* and grease a glass pie pan (or other glass dish that's about the same size, about 2 quarts)

Sautee the pepper, onion, and garlic in 1 tbs oil until tender. Stir in beans, vegetalble juice, chile peppers, chili powder and cumin. Heat through. Spoon into prepared dish.

Prepare corn muffin mix according to package directions, add cheese and cilantro. Stir until just combined. Spoon cornbread evenly over the top of the bean mixture. Bake uncovered at 400* for 20-25 minutes until golden.


I based this recipe from one I found in the Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook. I love it because you can mix and match what items you have (like different varieties of beans, peppers, cheese, and clean dishes) and it comes out great. I'm always changing up what I use and probably have never made it the same way twice. Plus you get a whole pie/casserole dish worth of dinner for only a couple bucks worth of ingredients. The best part? It tastes AMAZING when you heat it up later in the week for leftovers!

BAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!

I GOT A 96% ON MY FIRST EVER GRADUATE LEVEL TEST!!!!

I hope this motivates me to keep going.

I also hope this does not encourage me to continue to procrastinate... I took the test about an hour before the deadline. Oops.

But I GOT A 96!!!!

Oh, I guess I haven't mentioned what I'm even talking about. As I'm sure you've guessed, I have FINALLY started graduate school. I am working towards my MA in professional counseling. It's a hybrid program with mainly online instruction, but some brick and mortar classes. I should be done (and provisionally licensed!) in about 2 year.

I'm going to a evangelical school. This is a new experience for me, but good one. It's funny though. I was so worried that when I went to grad school I was going to always be the most conservative one and constantly taking heat for it. Ironically enough, I am easily the most liberal of my classmates this semester and now I'm taking mild heat for pushing some touchy issues. (not gonna lie, it's kind of fun). I am happy to be in a conservative setting. I applaud those who are brave enough to go and get their MSW's from public schools and who speak up for their beliefs all the time... but I'm glad I'm not one of them! That sounds stressful. ;)

on adoption

I lied. I'm not going to write about my opinions on politics. They have caused enough problems on facebook! It's been actually pretty funny to watch my liberal and conservative friends argue. It's weird having very liberal views on some things and very conservative views on others. It's also weird being more left wing than most of my church friends, and more right wing than my work friends.

Anyway.

Here's something I DO want to write about. Yesterday I had the opportunity to witness a brave, selfless mother place her child for adoption. I had been with her when she made the decision to place, and she had asked me to be with her when the time came for her to send the baby home with his new family. It definatley ranks up there in the top 2 emotional days at work. It was so sweet to watch the two mothers interact with each other- they both cared deeply for this baby and each other. This baby is so lucky. He has so many people who love him. Especially his birth mom, who knows she can't provide the life she wants for him. She also has such a love for the adoptive couple. Ever since she picked the couple, she has talked about them non stop and how happy she is to be able to bless them with a baby. I have so much love and respect for this young woman and all birth moms out there. They are amazing, amazing people.

Back to blogging?

For the past year, I've been missing my blog and wondering what I could write about. What I'm most passionate about is work, but obviously I can't write about that on here. Recently though, I've become more and more interested in politics. I think it's because I have a new smart phone and the only thing I know how to do on it is call people and check the news. Regardless, I've been posting all sorts of articles on my facebook and really enjoyed listening to what my friends and family members have to so. So, voila, I have something to write about again. This will probably get me in trouble, but at least I can't get fired for it like I almost did last time.

On a somewhat related note

http://lds.org/ensign/2011/02/similarities-and-differences?lang=eng&query=(ward+OR+unity+OR+sisterhood)+-family+-history

If this is how it really went down every Sunday, maybe us non mothers wouldn't feel need to boycott church on Mothers day

On Mother's Day

"You know, Mother's Day really is a horrible holiday. You've got all the people who wish they were mothers who are sad. Then you've got all the people who have lost their mothers who are sad. There's mothers who miss their kids who are scattered all over the country, so they are sad. And then there's all the people who have kids, but feel like they are a terrible mother and are not living up to anyones expectations so they are sad.... I really don't know anybody who actually LIKES this stupid holiday!"

-This person shall remain nameless, but this conversation made my day. This person is a mother, by the way.

Don't get me wrong. I think mothers are wonderful. I love my mom and am so, so thankful for everything she's done. Mothers DO deserve recognition for the sacrifices they make and everything they do to raise their kids.

But seriously. Mother's Day does kind of suck.

You know you're healthy when

- You're able to work full time

- Your last short term disability check comes in the mail

- You only have to see the doctor every couple months, instead of every day

- The wheelchair has been returned to the spare room

- The apartment maintenance staff has removed the wheelchair ramp from your front step

- You're able to run on a treadmill

- Your are able to go back to your routine of staying up way later than your wife

- Your wife's booklet of hospital parking passes is starting to collect dust in her car

- You are able to take long walks (and even hikes) that you weren't able to do before

- You can climb the steps to get to your friends second story apartment in under 10 minutes

These are a few exciting things that we've been up to lately. Jon is basically recovered and back in the swing of things. He has an appointment with his doctor in the next few weeks, but it's just to check in. We are so, so thankful that he is better!

This has been one of the most difficult things we have dealt with in our marriage (WAY harder than the 2007 cancer scare, and even harder than the miscarriages) but we have come out so much stronger. We work better as a team. I've learned to appreciate him more and snap at him less. (I'm still not perfect... it's a work in progress.) BUT we've been able to cook dinner together dozens of times, which we had NEVER been able to do before. I would get annoyed with him and kick him out of the kitchen after 5 minutes, but we've been able to work as a team recently. We've fought less. Smiled more. All in all, while this has been a huge trial, it's been a huge blessing because we are closer than ever.

So, what should I do with this blog now that he's better? Blogs usually get me in trouble. So I don't know if I will update this regularly. We will see.

Powdered milk whipped cream

Ok, this has nothing to do with Jon or Duke or anything important, but I have decided that people need to know that

POWDERED MILK WHIPPED CREAM IS GROSS!

I didn't have any whipping cream and didn't want to buy any because I'm cheap. I found a recipe online to make whipped cream with powdered milk, which we have in food storage. I decided to try it. At first, it made my whole kitchen smell like vomit. I thought "maybe my mixer just smells bad."

No, it was the whipped cream. It was so nasty! I decided to post this in case anyone googles "powdered milk whipped cream" and then hopefully this post will pop up and they will read it and avoid making a horrible mistake.

You're welcome.

My Duke Graduate

Jon graduated from physical therapy today!! He got a diploma and everything. His newest joke is that he is a Duke graduate. Hahaha!

He has been back at work part time for two weeks now, and will be steadily increasing his hours. Thank goodness!

It really hit me the other day how lucky we are that he is still here. I was joking that he should wear a cap and gown to physical therapy today, but then he told me that it's a pretty sad/serious place and it wouldn't be appropriate to wear that. Apparently a couple of people have died after leaving physical therapy and receiving lung transplants. Most of the people in his group were lung transplant patients, which is way more serious than what Jon had done, but it never occurred to me that his physical therapy friends were DYING. I am so thankful that he is still here with me and is making such a great recovery. Thank you all for your love and your prayers- we appreciate them!!

It's been a while, sorry!

Hi again!

Jon came home about two weeks ago. It's been pretty crazy and I apologize for not posting sooner! He is doing well. The first week that he was home, it was all about the little victories... getting out of a chair by himself, being able to sleep on the bed instead of in a recliner, etc. His doctors say he is doing great. His heart function and size is almost back to normal, and his pulmonary pressures are good. He will start physical therapy tomorrow. He has to go 5 days a week... he is going to be tired!

It's incredible to see how well he is doing now. As I was driving home from Church today, I found him walking our dog about a mile away from our house. I ended up needing to pick him up because we had some people from Church coming over right then and I needed him home, but I was amazed that he had made it that far. In the weeks before the surgery, he could barely make it to the mailbox. We are so thankful that he has such great doctors and is healing.

He will be able to go back to work in about a month. He is going insane with boredom! If anyone wants to call or stop by... I'm sure he'd love the company! His mom is still here and will be here till February 22nd. It has been a huge relief for me knowing that he is taken care of while I'm at work. He can't drive yet so he needs help getting around. Plus, at any age, I think when you're sick there's nothing like having your mom there to take care of you ;)

Anyway. That's all for now. Thank you all so much for the prayers, calls, care packages, meals, and love that you have shown us!

slowly but surely

Hello!!

Jon is recovering well. He now just has 1 IV, instead of 5 or 6 bags of fluid going into him from his neck and both arms. He is walking with his walker a few times a day. He still has tubes draining fluid from his lungs that make him uncomfortable, but he is growing stronger every day.

That's pretty much all I have for you for now- thank you for all the prayers! Keep em coming! Thanks for thinking about me and his family, too, this has been harder than I ever imagined.

Much love to you all!

they just wheeled him by

Rachel and I are hanging out in the cardiac ICU waiting room... Surgery ended about an hour ago and he's doing ok. The doctors said "his pressures" are still abnormal but his heart function is much better. I have no idea what pressures they are talking about. They also said that they were able to clear out more clots from the right side than the left side. So, this means that the doctors have some more work to do, but overall the surgery went well and he's doing ok right now.

A few minutes ago they wheeled him by- we could tell it was him by his giant feet sticking out of the bed haha!

surgery

Whew! It's only 8 am but Jon has already had quite the day. They came in at 3 am and started taking blood for some final tests. Then he got scrubbed and prepped. By 5 am he was in pre-op, and they kicked me out at 6 am and they began the cooling process. At 8 I received an update saying that had begun surgery. I'll post more as the day goes on.

They started the surgery about an hour earlier than planned... I'm glad they did because I was getting so scared that I wanted him to back out!! I know he needs it and he would be in horrible shape without it... but I cant tell you how scary it was leaving him this morning.

Tomorrow

Jon goes in for the PTE surgery tomorrow morning- about 5 am! Yikes! He should be in the ICU for a few days and then in a regular hospital room.

Thanks for all the prayers... keep em coming!

cath test

His cath test showed his pressure in his lungs is double what it should be. This means he is going to get the surgery. The date has not been set but it will happen this week. Please pray for him!

PS

Please ignore my spelling and grammar throughout this blog... I am exhausted and I'm sure I will only become more tired as the month goes on!

Updates

Hey everyone,

I appreciate all the love and support that you all have been giving us! If one good thing has come out of this, it's been realizing how many people really care about our little family.

I started this blog so I could keep everyone updated on Jon's condition. I wish I had the time to update everyone personally, but between a million doctors visits; trying to spend quality time together; and maintaining my employment... I just don't have enough hours in the day!

So let me start from the beginning. About 6 weeks ago, Jon was diagnosed with multiple blood clots in his lungs and pulmonary hypertension. He began to take blood thinners to take care of the clots, but he gradually became worse until he couldn't even make it up a flight of stairs without becoming totally winded and completely exhausted. On Monday December 27th Jon went to the hospital in an ambulance and was diagnosed with level III heart failure. He stayed at WakeMed in Cary for a few days before transferring to Duke University Hospital for more specialized care. His tests have shown that he not only has blood clots in his arteries, he also has scar tissue that has formed around the clots. He came home on Friday.

On Tuesday he will have a few more test (including a hearth cath) to determine if he needs the pulmonary thromboendarterectomy surgery. It is looking like he will probably need the surgery and the tests on Tuesday are pretty much for the doctors to dot their I's and cross their T's. He will likely go in for surgery on Thursday or Friday. After surgery, he will be in the hospital for 2 weeks-1 month, and then needing to rest at home for about 1 month after that.

Jon's doctors don't know what is causing the blood clots, and this surgery is only going to clear out existing blood clots and scar tissue. After his surgery, his doctors will begin to determine how to prevent future clots and scar tissue from forming.

Jon's mom flew out last week and will be here as long as we need her. We can't be more thankful for her being here!!! We are also thankful for the sacrifices that her family has made for her to come and stay with us.

Jon may stay in the hospital between his tests on Tuesday and when he goes in for surgery, but he also could come home for a day. My bet is that he will stay in the hospital because it takes forever for anything to happen at the hospital... and I seriously doubt they will actually get him discharged from the hospital before surgery.

That's all for now... I'll post more on Tuesday when we know if he is going to have the surgery or not.