About This Monday in May

First - I was completely cleared in my head to toe exam.  YAY!  And for all the shyness and nerves I spoke of in last night's post ...I actually got into it ...even offering up the secret place and another suggestion.  We discussed some other things and even had some simple things done.  I LOVE that feeling when you are cleared medically and get past the dread of the exam!!!!

So ...tomorrow ...I WILL schedule some other appointments I have been avoiding.  Absolutely ...positively ...I am going to schedule 2 more important appointments.  And after I got home today I also called the urology office to get the paperwork for my upcoming lasix renal scan to be scheduled.

Friday ...may 17th was 26 months post ureteral stent removal, sans relapse.  Double Yay!! YAY!!

Gosh ..today was gorgeous!  I drove with roof and all windows open ...effectively pulling all bouncy body out of my hair (the whole point of rollers), but I don't care - it felt sooo GOOD!  I had clear sailing up a dual lane highway ...traffic lights smiling down at me as they all allowed me through.  Music on - exhilarating ... and so free feeling.  I even managed to avoid political shows and enjoyed the music. 

Fortunately, I remembered the cop that was around the last bend before getting into Stockholm.  I wasn't speeding ..well I was 5 miles over.  I think you have to be 10 miles over before they pull you over.  Open roads are such fun to drive on on beautiful days.

So there I was enjoying the music and as I was coming down the mountain ...singing Free Falling with all my heart ...totally into it ...moving to the music ...even when I had to stop when I hit the backed up traffic going into town.  I did turn the music ...just a bit and continued singing ...and then I looked to my left.  Ohhh NO!  I forgot about the traffic sitting directly opposite me, waiting to turn onto the highway and the man in the truck was grinning big time at me!!!  If I could've slunk down under the dash and still driven I would have.  Not an option tho.  So, instead I kept singing ...but not loud at all and definitely not as enthusiastically.  *sigh*  Thank God it was a stranger!

I did this last spring to.  I don't recall if I wrote about it.  I was coming back from Hackettstown, late in the afternoon on a gorgeous day.  the drive from there is really pretty and again ...there I was windows open, hair flying, music loud and I was singing, I Can't Get No Satisfaction ...again with all my heart ...even through the little part of Andover in which traffic slows and I could be easily heard singing.  Except this time I didn't realize it until I was past that area.

Oh well ...I think most of us have fun singing in the car at some point.  I just don't have a great singinng voice, but I forget about it when I'm driving.  :)

And on that note (pun intended), I'm headed out to Costco and yes windows down ...but mindful of where I am if singing.  :)  I am hoping my charms work on the front desk lady because I have to return this hideous electric tooth brush without a receipt.  I will be upset if they don't take it back.  I have one more place to look.  I only used the darn thing twice and felt like I should check for fillings still being in tact.  It was like a road crew was working in my mouth.  And I will do a post on this awful product.  maybe some people like it but I would n-e-v-e-r recommend it.  And I have this major C-R-A-V-I-N-G for their large bowl of fruit salad ...among some other things.

Dermatology Appointment

Photo Credit


I am going to keep my head to toe derm appointment tomorrow.  (I canceled last week's appointment.)  I'm trying to decide if I will show my beauty mark in a private place.  I did once ...but that was in a moment of courage and even then it was because that doctor was so darned upbeat and positive ... continually saying, "Beauty Mark!  Beauty Mark!" a-n-d  I got caught up in his enthusiasm for my beauty marks.  And why not?  Every girl wants to hear about the beauty all over her body.  :)

It's not easy going through an exam like that and so I may not point out the secret beauty mark (shhhh ...don't tell anyone ;), this time because I feel shy with a capital "S", and frankly ...it looks the same to me. Of course it depends on how thorough the exam is. It will be seen if the exam is super thorough.

 Oh Yippee! I get to get nekkid for a stranger to peruse my entire body under bright lights.  It's every woman's dream come true and I can't think of anything more I'd rather do. Yeah  ...that's it ...act as if it will be fun and it will be.  I feel better now.  It will be fun, it will be fun ... it will be FUN ...I tell you.  ;)

Refreshing Popsicle Recipe

 

Do these look good or what?  Healthy popsicles!  I definitely want to make these when the hot weather gets here.  I think these would be good anytime, but especially refreshing on a hot day. They also make a pretty presentation when served.  Oh ..and guilt free.  :)

I am shopping today and will definitely make sure I get the ingredients to make this recipe.  We usually have all these fruits in the house during the summer.  Peaches aren't ready yet though. ?  I'm not a fan of canned fruit, but I suppose I could get the peaches in their own juice. And maybe a little pineapple would be nice too.

It's basically fruit salad on a stick.

Great recipe for the little critters too.  :)


Ingredients:
3 cups watermelon puree (seedless if possible)
1/2 cup fresh blueberries
1/2 cup chopped fresh strawberries
1 kiwi, peeled and sliced
1 peach or nectarine, diced small
handful fresh cherries, pitted and chopped

Cut the watermelon into chunks and then puree it in a blender until smooth. Set aside.

Set out about 1 dozen popsicle molds (amount needed will vary depending on size of molds). Fill each one with the chopped fresh fruit. Then pour in the watermelon puree until each mold is full to the top. Place a popsicle stick into each one. Place into your freezer and freeze for about 6 to 8 hours.

When ready to serve, run the popsicle molds under warm water for a few seconds and then pull each one out.

Fun Getting Something New - So Excited! :) and Stuff

Yay!  After a lot of shopping/research effort - we just had our refrigerator delivered and I just got it all set up on the inside.  :)  I do love it ...especially that we have the stainless steel now.  We were about to remodel the kitchen before I had begun with all the urology issues, but it had to go on the back burner because I had stopped working.

Anyway, our old refrigerator was from 1996 and so it doesn't owe us anything.  I hope this one will run as well for a long time too.  I'm glad it will hold magnets, but I don't think I will let the kids play with magnets on the lower half as I don't want it to get scratched.  Maybe on the side ...I'll see. I can see where it will make me a bit obsessive with fingerprints, but I have that with the stove anyway.  I just wipe it down with a soft cloth,dish detergent and buff it when I am working at the sink. :)

It seems to have a bit more room in depth, same as width and I was surprised that I felt I had less shelf height room between shelves.  But then I realized the freezer has a lot more height - hence significantly more freezer storage.  I like that.  I saved a couple of the side drawers on the old refrigerator door, washed one out and am using it for other smaller jars so that if looking for little things not on the door, we just have to pull this one out off one of the shelves, like it's an additional drawer - much more organized that way.

I was going to go to Costco tonight so that I could buy organic foods/juices I usually get and stock it up with other things, but ...inspired by the new fridge, I'm in a total organizing/spring cleaning mood and so I'm going with it.  :) 


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When a friend calls you in the morning and you burst into tears as soon as she asks how you are ...and you immediately go into how frustrated you are because you can't do what you want to do and are tired of hurting all the time ...then it just might be time to schedule for a knee replacement.  *Notice how this SeaSpray went into 3rd person DENIAL regarding this topic?  And that is all She has to say about that.
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I've been super busy lately for various reasons. Some good.  Some not.  One of them is that Our grandchildren were here four 4 -11 hour days last week and it was so much fun.  Although quite busy.  It was nice that I feel I bonded even more closely with them.   And I am soooooo in love with each of them.  Such blessings in our lives. :)
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Also, I am seriously considering going back into business for myself.  I've been looking at that again and was glad to have the opportunity to discuss it with another friend who has her own shop and for years has had her own business in which she operated out of her home and traveling.  She is encouraging me to do it based on the things I have been telling her, my sincere enthusiasm for the product and longevity with the company.  I have been with the company for 23 going on 24 years. I LOVE the product and will be placing an order later.  It is like Christmas for me every time the products are delivered.  :)  I only operate at hobby status right now ..buying for myself, gifts and the occasional sale.
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This is such a great time of year.  So pretty with all the flowering trees (The blossoms on our weeping cherry tree were magnificent a couple of weeks ago. :)and flowers on the ground.  Green grass and leaves on the trees - everything is so green and full of life.  And I love that I am already using my garden herbs.  I hope to expand the herb garden and get a bit creative with design.  I want to sand the Adirondack chairs and picnic table and stain ..or paint.  I haven't decided.  This time of year holds so much promise for what is to come for the rest of our warm weather seasons.  Oh and how could I forget?!  It's almost time to OPEN the pool!  Although it has been in the 30s at night or close to it - so cold.  Unusually cold.  Great for sleeping tho.  :)
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Happy Mother's Day Mom :)

 This is a picture of my Mom, Ruby.  I think she was in her twenties or maybe thirty when this was taken.

Hi Mom. We love you and miss you so MUCH! You're always in my heart, but especially so today. I know you are happy, healthy and even younger in heaven ...enjoying being in the presence of God -WOW and being with family and friends... and making new ones. Oh and angels ...you get to see angels. They must be magnificent. And the perfect beauty all around you ...it must be spectacular beyond words.

 I have so many questions I'd love to ask about your heaven experiences. I wonder where you live and who you see ..what you do. ? Tell everyone else I love and miss them too ...please. I have so many things that I wish I could tell you ..or have discussions on politics, world events, and get your opinion on so many things. Even when we disagreed because as you often said - we were like oil and water - different ..but loved each other deeply. I miss your laughter ...and your teasing tickles when least expected. I miss your excessively taped presents ..taped as if you had stock in Scotch tape.

And just yesterday I told Chris (he agreed) how much you would love our newest dog, Faith. She'd be crazy about you too.  I imagine you in heaven with all the animals you loved, and especially your cat ...sweet Peachy. When we took him in, I was so concerned that he would be afraid of our German Shepherd. But HE put Bob ...in his place and he ...as you would say, "Ruled the roost.", and Bob was afraid of HIM ..a cat.

  I miss playing scrabble. I miss watching you do a crossword puzzle. I miss hearing family stories and I wish I remembered more of them.   I miss how your pretty teal eyes would light up when you were excited about something. I miss you for so many reasons. I loved how you always wore red lipstick, red nail polish and teal eye shadow - it looked so pretty on you.

 Oh and Mr SeaSpray is planting a large garden this year. I always loved how he grew the yellow squash and the yellow low acid tomatoes for you and how much you loved getting them, as well as the other vegetables. The corn is already coming up. Wrenna (will be 4 this month), wants him to grow a beanstalk like in Jack and the Beanstalk and so he is going to grow some pole beans for her. You never know...  ;)

Most people don't know this about you ...because you were always so private, but I really respected and admired how you helped so many people in your apartment building during the years you lived there. You were a blessing to them. But ..even when I was a young girl, you were always helping someone whenever they needed help - no questions asked, nothing wanted in return and you'd even give out of your own need. And you never one time ..not once that I can recall ...complained about what you didn't have.

I miss how you called me Patty. And I miss our phone playing "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling", whenever you called.

Thank you for all you did for me over the years, Mom. Especially ...thank you for encouraging me in my Faith in God and Jesus ...for seeing to it that I grew in Faith when I was a little girl. You saw to it that the seeds of faith were planted. It has brought insight, joy and peace. Oh sure ...I can still get sqirrelly if anxious about something - but just imagine if I didn't have faith.

It helped me make mostly right decisions at a time in my life I could've easily strayed because of the challenging times we had to go through. And no doubt ...I gave you some some gray hair and kept my guardian angel busy - but I never strayed far off track because of those values instilled in me. And my faith also carried me through difficult times. And has given hope ..in this life... and for the next. Thank you for that. Is there any more important lesson?

You would've enjoyed today. We celebrated Mother's Day over at Mom SeaSpray's ...with Mom and Aunt Margie. The kids, J, P and C and grandchildren were there too. I know you'd be so proud of your adult grandchildren and just thrilled with all your great grandchildren. Devan is is such a sweet girl and you'd enjoy talking with her and be so proud of her. She's still an avid reader too. And the Wee ones, Wrenna and Myles ...no doubt would have you laughing with their antics and extreme cuteness ...not to mention cuddles. The food was delicious. We had our first cook out of the year ...although chilly out. And the flowers are all so pretty. Of course we would've given you your beloved Tabu. It was a fun day for all.

I wrote this as if you can't see any of this, but I'm reminded of the scripture that talks about a cloud of witnesses. I recall Billy Graham stating once that he thought the cloud of witnesses were our loved ones in heaven, that God allows to see us during special events. So ...you probably know all of this... and that thought warms my heart. But if not ...I trust that this will get to you in some way. Angel mail?

With all my heart ...I wish I could again look into your pretty eyes and tell you , "I love you Mommy", then give you just one more ...long ....close ...HUG ...like we'll never let go ... and I wouldn't want to.

Happy Mother's day, Mom.
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Happy Mother's day to all the Mom's. I hope your day was special.

The "EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!" Factor - It's Implied in the Vows :)

EWWWWWWWWW!

Even though I opened the windows ...I can STILL smell it!

What you ask?

Well ...I decided to boil eggs for the potato salad and deviled eggs I am bringing over to my m-i-l's tomorrow.  Then I went about other things in another room.  I thought I smelled something charring and thought it was outside because I knew the stove top was clean and nothing was anywhere near the stove.

Then it seemed stronger and from inside.  I immediately went into the kitchen at which point I met Mr SeaSpray who was wondering what was burning.  I said there can't be anything on the stove burning and then became concerned about something electrical and looked over at the fan that fan that has been on all afternoon.

But then ...I saw something on the stove burning and was perplexed because I knew it was clean.

And then I got a closer look and EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!

Why the "EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!", you ask?

WAIT.

DOUBLE EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!

Okay ...it was a stupid STINK bug!!!

Flat on it's back, legs up in the air ...crackling to a crisp on the stove burner.  The only thing missing was a toothpick impaled on it rotating on a rotisserie.  Funny how the brain works ..or mine anyway.  You know ...using word association.  After the visual and rotisserie image ...Protein was the next word that came to mind.  I don't know why.  I don't eat and never want to eat bugs.  Perish the thought!

And by the way ...apparently chivalry is dead in the SeaSpray household tonight because ...unaffected by the grossness of the situation ...Mr SeaSpray didn't say anything else and just walked back into the family room.  He actually put his riveting movie ahead of rescuing this damsel in distress.  It was a betrayal of our marriage vows I tell you.  Not the vows spoken ...but the vows implied.  Universally, we women KNOW and so do the men ...that from that day forward ...husbands will jump in to rescue their wives ...or damsels if you prefer ...from all creepy, crawly, slithering, smelly, gross, critters that scurry, or are airborne sonar flying creatures, things that bite and sting as well as bears and monsters ...for the rest of their married lives.  It is not only implied in said marriage vows ...but also ...a universal law.  And we women also know that if we cry out with a shriek (I save that for the scary spiders) ...or a disgusted EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!, that signals them to go into action.  Well ...it didn't work this time. So I just went to the sink to soak a paper towel, back to the stove where I shuddered then hollered out to him, "I'm going IN!" , then forcing myself to grab it off the burner again with the EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!, at which point Mr SeaSpray did come back in to the rescue, but I already had that stinking, smoking bug cooling in the sink.  And ...oh my gosh ..it wasn't just charred it really had an odor.  I immediately opened the windows, but unfortunately the fan that was on blew the odor straight into this room.

And so now I am going to go light one of those wonderful candles I bought last month.  I'm thinking ... Beach Walk ...one of my favorites.  :)

And I'll let Mr SeaSpray get the bug out of the sink.
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Psst!  I really can kill a bug by myself ...if I have to, but I really do shudder when going in to combat with them.  And I sometimes scream if they move because they're still alive and I really will feign abject fear so that any male in the area will rescue me from having to do it.  And sometimes I will just let them live so I don't have to deal with it ...unless they are on the bedroom ceiling ...because after all ..who could sleep knowing a spider could drop down on them at any time during the night?  THAT would evoke a blood curdling scream in the night.  Then Mr SeaSpray would probably wake up with a blood curdling scream in the night and then ..well you know ...no one would rest until we found it.

Ahhh ...younger son just put the stink bug outside for me.

All is well now. :)

Beep! Beep! :)

This cartoon reminds me of a couple of hospital stays I had.  No ..I don't look like Road Runner.  And I don't go off running from 0 to 60 in a second.  Nor do I run around yelling "Beep!  Beep!"   now ...THAT ...would be interesting.  :)  But I could've been nicknamed Road Runner a couple of times while in the hospital after surgery.  That is because the only place they could get the IV in was in my right hand and another time in my right arm ...and I'm a righty.  I began feeling guilty for setting monitor off so much because I'd forget and use my right hand not even realizing I did until I herd the beeping.  So I began shutting it off myself ...until one nurse ...understandably ...told me, "You can't do that."  But that was around 5 years ago at least.  Now, I wouldn't be surprised if with all the increased financial challenges ...along with more face time ..vis-a-vis with the computer, providers now have patient self care training videos in their rooms so they can do some of the nursing care themselves.  Just saying.  ;)