Friday, November 30, 2012

Cerebral Palsy: Extremely Unsteady Today!

I don't know what it is with me today but I am so off-balance, a lot more than normal.  My gait is much wider as well.

I get up from a chair and oops..butt hits the seat I just got up from. So I have to do it again. Luckily, or may be not,  this apartment is small and cramped so if I weeble there is something I can grab to prevent from badooming! . But the adverse of it is I can fall,  miss and hit the floor and piece of furniture on my way down and conk myself out!

We went to the home center where we are buying our home from. (Another post later date). As we walked my hubby had his hand on my shoulders to try to stabilize me and for in case I go tumbling he had a better chance to catch me. I thanked him because I sincerely appreciated the gesture as I was doubting myself and I seldom doubt myself in this matter.

I was walking a little faster t than usually because walking my usual pace had me teetering and I felt like I was going to fall over. That is not a good feeling.

I can be standing and people will  pass by me closely or just touch me with a finger and I can land on the floor or weeble wobble. Thankfully, I weeble wobble more than hitting the floor!

Today I was standing up talking to someone and in seconds I felt myself shifting and I lost my footing. I wasn't even moving. I was holding on Hubby for dear life LOL.

I have had this happen but not quite extreme. It happens when I am tired or walking in a crowd that is stopping and going or so nervous but never this bad. Also, when I was out of the situation or rested I was fine.

I've been thinking about would be causing this. I am not tired, I wasn't walking in a crowd and I was not nervous. I am not on any new medications so who knows. It has gotten better as the day progressed but LORDEEE!

Ya'll have a good week because I will be away, (Burglars out there, I have a house sitter so don't you dare try). Although I am bringing my computer to check on emails I will not be on  much.

Most importantly, thank you for stopping by and reading and if you comment. It is much appreciated (even if you don't comment.)

If you should have problems commenting as I've been informed by someone,  email me at my yahoo addie: Bellelady1981@yahoo.com. Not sure if I can help but am searching for a resolution.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

And The Mystery Meat is....

It finally defrosted and it looks like Pork...the guesses on Facebook were same as my own.


Isn't that some pretty meat? They are definitely pork ribs..not Beef chuck.

So this morning I woke up early, seasoned them with Tony's Cachere's and Jack Daniel BBQ Sauce, threw them in my crock pot and put it on high..

7 hours later and I have some tender pork ribs.

I picked it up with my tongs and they fell apart. Waiting for hubby to return from visiting the Sandman, Herb and butter rice with some kind of veggies will be eaten with them.

Thanks for all the private messages and comments guessing what they were.


Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Mystery Meat

I have a dilemma. Here is a package of meat I bought from our local Winn Dixie a few weeks back. They have awesome specials on meat every week. When I picked up this package of meat I thought I had picked up pork because it was in the pork freezer. But as you see on the white label (Look at clearer picture below) it says Beef Chuck/Beef for Stew.


The other day I took it out thinking it was Pork chops but realized it said Beef chuck on the label. So I put it back, taking another package that said pork chops on the white label.
Label stating Beef




Pork chop recipe underneath label


Hubby said the Pork Chop label may just be the packaging giving a recipe. My question was why give a pork chop recipe on a package of beef chuck?

Beef and pork are two different animals, hence two different cuts of meat, Am I right or am I losing my mind?

Maybe when I unwrap it after it is defrosted I'll figure it out. I guess I'll have to pay more attention to the packaging!!

Anyone wanna guess what it is?

If it is beef chuck (Beef for stew) anyone have any ideas on how to cook it besides stew??

Monday, November 26, 2012

Walmart:No He Couldn't Live Our Lives

There is several reasons why I HATE Walmart as you probably figured out if you follow my blog.  It is so big and to get from point A to Point B is like walking a mile.  It never fails to have an encounter or witness an encounter with a Moron. It's like Walmart shows the WORST of human decency.

Let me tell you about something I witnessed a few months ago.

I had gone alone that nonth. I usually wait for MyHubby to come with me but I had procrastinated long enough and he had been working hard. So I went down only the aisles taking my time.

As I was comparing Lipton rice dishes to the the other brands a  60-ish year old overweight Caucasian lady was driving one of the carts they have for people who can't walk or have trouble walking. She had stopped right behind me and I could see she was getting up to reach something on the lower shelf.

I asked her if she needed help. She thanked me but said she had it.

As she stood up, and slowly made her way off the cart, a gentleman of same age passed the aisle and saw her.

Visualize this, we are half way down the aisle when this man was passing the aisle evidently not needing anything down this particular aisle.

I saw him at a glance as he passed by.  I am always looking to see if I am in the way of someone trying to pass. There was only me, the lady and a 30ish African American lady making her way down the same aisle.

I turned my attention back to my label reading when I heard, "Hey You!" Of course, we all stopped what we were doing and looked in the direction of the call.

The guy that I had just seen pass had walked back.  Let me just say he was about 5'10 and overweight himself, maybe 5-10 pounds less than the lady.

He glares at the lady on the cart and shouts, "You do know there is a weight limit on the cart so you better not put too much in the cart. Maybe you should lose some of that weight." Then he took off. He left before anyone could say anything.

Don't you hate those moments when something crazy as this happens and you can't think of one thing to say at the heat of the moment? But after that moment passes, you think of all the things you could have or wanted to say? Arghh!!

Simultaneously I exclaimed, "OMG! That was so rude. Did that really just happen?" and the African American grunted "ooh  child"  like she couldn't believe it either. She reminded me of the reaction the maid would make on The Jefferson's! (For those who are too young to know who The Jefferson's are, it is a comedy way back when).

The lady on the cart visibly embarrassed and upset bursts, "He has no clue what my life is!"

I sympathized stating " No, he doesn't. Maybe he should walk in your shoes or another disabled person's shoes for a day. He is such a man (NOT) that he ran after he said it not giving you time to respond."

She responded, "No he couldn't handle my life and that just shows how he is really a coward running without giving me a chance to respond. Did you notice he wasn't really a Slim Jim either,"

I laughed and said, "You are so right, he couldn't handle it." After a little chit chat we went different directions. She did tell me that she had just had surgery and wasn't able to walk long distances at that time and although she didn't want to use it, she had to.

I've faced many ignorant people in my life. This man made me angry, especially walking away. Who in the hell he thought he was? Every time I think of it, I stew and boil all over again. And  it was not even directed to ME.

What is this world coming to? We are all guilty of some form of judging but blatantly voicing something like that is WRONG. Where has the compassion gone?

Hubby works at a Home Improvement store and he sometimes comment how these carts are used. The carts are for those who can't walk long distances and are truly disabled but they are being abused by obese patrons as well as children. I remind him to be nice and nonjudgmental.  But it frustrates him that he sees people on the carts that shouldn't be on them. There are only a few of them.

He claims just because you are overweight, doesn't make you disabled and eligible to ride on the car. He has also seen children and lazy people get on them and break them. Or they are left in the parking lot and the battery wears down. So I can understand his reasoning and his view

When BabyGirl was young, she used to ask me why I don't use the carts. I told her I did not need it. She knows how much it takes out of me to walk Wallyworld. When I was having major breathing problems, she saw how I had to stop at the end of few aisles and rest. In her childish mind she couldn't understand why I wouldn't ride one of the carts. It was simple in her mind, I was not like every one else. It was there. Why not use it?

I think she was concerned about me but at the same time SHE was the one who wanted to ride the cart! But I would tell her that there were so few of them and I didn't want to use it because what if someone who really could not walk or really needed it more than me and didn't have one?

However the coward had no excuse of his outburst. It shows how cruel and arrogant the coward was. He could have stood like a man and allowed her to at least defend herself, although he deserves nothing but it could have given her a choice.

I thought afterwards how this could have ruined this woman's day or self esteem. I know how it feels when people judge me without having any clue of who I am. It was just damn WRONG!

I am going to close with this quote of many I have found regarding ignorance.

You are not entitled to your opinion. You are entitled to your informedopinion. No one is entitled to be ignorant.” 
― Harlan Ellison


Sunday, November 25, 2012

I Was Speechless!

 "You know your my number one right? The one I can always count on no matter what I'm dealing with. You say I'm your rock Mamma. But honestly, it's the Mamma who's the rock for their daughter."
                                                                                                                 My BabyGirl.


Yes, I was speechless. 

My  heart swelled. I cried.  Tears of happiness. Tears of pure Joy. Tears of pride. Tears of Accomplishment.

Me? Her Rock? Awesome! How many parents have heard that from their children?

I honestly never thought of being her rock. I don't know why. 

I always said SHE was my rock. She kept me going when I would have easily hung it all up. She was the reason for my fighting and staying here. She will always be my ROCK.

I am blessed to experience this sort of bond with an extraordinary daughter. 

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Happy Belated Thanksgiving

I hope everyone had a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving.

MyHubby and I decided to spend it together alone. He had been working hard and just wanted quiet time. I had been feeling under the weather for the past couple of weeks and was just blahzee. I went to the doctor a couple of weeks ago and it was just a cold he said. It is more aggravating than anything else.

I cooked MyHubby and I a little feast. Cornish hens, rice dressing, candied yams, cranberry sauce, and green beans. I had never cooked Cornish hens but it was easy.

BabyGirl and her girlfriend stopped by in the evening which is always good!

I have so much to be thankful for. I am thankful and grateful for my blogger friends and all those who don't blog but take the time to come by, read and sometimes comment! Yes! That's you!   THANK YOU!

I have great family and friends. An awesome daughter and husband who loves me unconditionally. They make my life worth living even during those times I feel like I just wanna hang it all up.

I am thankful for a year of pretty good health. I've had my ups and downs but I can finally say I am healthier.

What more can a girl ask for?
Thanksgiving Dinner












Thursday, November 15, 2012

Home Buying Update: Land

In July, MyHubby and I began a search for a new home. We had enough of the downfalll of the neighborhood we live in not to mention the obnoxious neighbors we have above us.

We had no idea what we were getting into. To see or be reminded of our  ongoing frustrating adventure click here for the beginning of our journey and for a follow-up a few months later, which is not much of anything go here.

I am happy to say the light is brighter at the end of the tunnel. 

We have signed the front closing. There are two closings for this lender. I don't know the technicalities but the loan has gone through!

So the business that is selling us the home is finding contractors to do the improvements we need to do on our land. I want to share with you pictures of our land. We have a tiny bit less than 3 acres. Most of it is L shaped. In addition there is a  of woods by a bayou across the highway that is also ours.

The mobile home will go right in front of the sewerage cover you see right in front of the brush. The green building and house is our neighbors. There is dirt under that brush. The view is from me standing in the middle of the land


View of the middle of land to future driveway. Across the road is also our land, the woods and the bayou is a few yards from there.

This is the short end of the L.  The next door neighbor was allowed to use that little portion for a garden. I have no idea why he needed it because he has a nice backyard but Hubby gave him permission since we weren't using it. We own the all the way to theland to the road, a little pass the light pole.

I was standing at the other end short L as shown in previous picture.

Back of land to road

This was once a shed. I think Hubby told me that the shed was once his grandfather's The wood just rotted collapsed during a storm. We watched it slowly break apart and finally collapse. There is all kind of stuff underneath there. Not sure how much is salvageable. But we will eventually tear it down and dispose of it.

So this is the land we are going to put our home. It is the outskirts of a small town of Arnaudville, population 1060.  Yep it is in the country far away, well almost.

Friday we are having a man to come update our sewerage pump and pump it out. Finding someone to do it was a trek because of the type of pump. Can't blame me on that one because Hubby bought it way before he met me!

Our salesman is finding contractors to put the pad and do other improvements for the home as well. We will have to move the electric pole further up and put the line underground. 

By the way our initial salesman quit. Remember the one that just didn't seem to be with the program. So we are with a saleslady with whom we met and feel much more comfortable with.  The salesman is hoping they get us in before the first of year. So are we!

Stay tuned..

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

WEDNESDAY WONDERS: Sealed Jars

I know the answer to this but there has to be another way.

Why do manufacturers seal jars and bottles so tight that consumers like me have difficulty unscrewing or popping the lid? I mean really! I know machines do it so I guess it is logical that machine needs to unscrew it. I am NO Machine.

I know! I know! It is for safety reasons. Morons could try to put something in the jars. It is sealed tight to preserve and keep products fresh. I am sure there are many more other reasons.

However, it does not help me.

I remember Mom having what looked and felt like a long rubber band with grip spikes on it. Now there are many gadgets to help you unscrew jars and bottles but it doesn't help if the lid is to wide for the gadget,  like The Gripper.

Previously and more recently, I have resolved to hitting the bottom of the jar, running the lid  under cold water and hot water, banging the bottom of the jar on something hard. It is a hit or miss that it works.

I've even stuck a tip of a fork or knife under the lid until I hear a Whooosh or POP.

If I am lucky, MyHubby is around and I can use his muscles. Of course, he makes it seem like it is so easy.

I've been known on a rare occasion to swallow my pride and ask a neighbor to help, which also makes me feel stupid after they seemingly open it with ease.

Does anyone have the same problem as me? What are your tips to opening a jar or bottle that is air tight?

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Battle of The Ants-Dream

It's been a while that I wrote about my dreams. Here is a recent one.

I'm dressed in military camouflage pants, shirt and helmet equipped with a big gun that looks like a cannon. I'm in a squad room which actually looks like a hospital nursing station. My commander is telling us we are being surrounded by hundreds of ants.

Feeling like I am in a video game, I exit the squad room and walk into the middle of thousands of ant hills with millions of tiny ants coming at me. I start shooting. Orange flare from my cannon like gun evaporates the hills and ants.. After what seemed like hours, our team leader states we have had a successful mission.

We all cheer as we walk back to the squad room. Our commander, which is actually a cousin, Karin commands we need to debrief and then we can go home.

As I wait my turn, I call my mom. My mom is upset because evidently I was suppose to get home before Mass. I told her I would try but had to debrief and it may take an hour. She reminds me (Without having to because I heard it all before) that mass Mas in a hour and asked how was I suppose to make it. I told her I could only do what I can.

Next scene: I am running into the church, Mass is almost over. Everyone turns. I look for my Mom where she usually sits but she is not there. The attendants all point the other direction. She walks to me and told me it was about time.  She and dad wanted to bring me eat. I explained to her I had to debrief. She said she did not even know I was in the army and how was I allowed to be in the army with my disability. I told her it did not take much convincing, She gave me one of her trademark looks of exasperation. I thankfully woke up.

Do I really want to analyze this: Oh what the hell.

ANTS: MyHubby and I went to our land the other day and we were discussing how we needed to get a hold of the ants and devised a plan.

ARMY: No clue.

MOM AND Dad: I don't know. Maybe its a sign for me to call and touch base with them.

KARIN, MY COUSIN: Recently I read some of her posts. Why is she the commander. No idea!

HOSPITAL SETTING: Maybe I've seen many of my Facebook friends and family members have been in the hospital or went to the doctor. I've also been sick. Feeling better though.

MASS: The incident with BabyGirl with her church in my last post.

If you have any thoughts, feel free to share.

And as always thanks for stopping by!

Monday, November 12, 2012

Churches Shun Followers By Judging

If you have read a few of my posts you will know I was raised a Catholic and have practiced my religious faith in the past.  In my Catholicism classes I learned that ONE of the purposes of a Catholic mass and what made our religion so unique was it was to receive Communion, the body of Christ.  

However, since I divorced, according to the Catholic rules, I am not allowed to receive the Eucharist unless I get my previous marriage annulled.  I refuse to do so. I have seen the application for the annullment and I don't think it is any of their business with some of the questions asked. I also don't think I should fork up hundreds of dollars for someone to say my marriage was doomed from day one.

I talked to a Jesuit priest a year or two ago and he told me I could still go to church but I cannot participate in Communion,  He said I should still go to church to praise our lord etc. 

I've struggled with the Catholic Church and my religion because of my divorce.

This past year Hubby and I went to a retreat and we were told by a priest that there are some things the Catholic Church is out of date. I need to do what is comfortable for myself. He even suggested that I go to a different church who does not know our history and if I feel comfortable receiving communion, do so. It is between God and I.

I know we shouldn't pick and choose what we want to believe and do. At the same time, I can understand why the Catholic Church is losing members. 

On another note, I raised my daughter as a Catholic. She was involved with the Church being an altar server, participated in some church groups etc until she was a teenager. Right before she was to confirm   she fought me to go to Church or anything to do with religion. She was old enough to know what she wanted. I gave her tools to make her decide to that point.. I did not see any benefits of MAKING her confirm if her heart was not in it. I had her baptized when she was a baby. I believed Confirmation was her decision to make and if her heart was not in it, it was fruitless. With much adverse opinions from other family members I stood my ground and allowed her to make that choice.

 I watched BabyGirl move away from the church for reasons of her own. I just prayed she would find her way back to God. She reassured me that she did believe in God. That's all I needed to know. She had some kind of belief in God.

She found a small church that she has been going to. It is not Catholic. It is a nondenominational church. She has been going regularly. I do not know much about it. I know who the Pastor is and who introduced her to it. I know she goes for 2 hours on Sundays. She told me once that the first hour is instruction, singing etc. The second hour the Pastor lectures.

I was relieved that she found a religion she was comfortable in.

This morning she wrote me an email. She was upset. She knew the church frowned upon homosexuals and kept it to herself as she knows how various religions are. She respected it. She brought her girlfriend to church with her yesterday. Her friend was having anxiety problems as she sometimes does. My daughter placed her hand on her girlfriends as an act of support and talked to her. 

Out of nowhere, a higher member of the church approached her and told her as she would tell anyone else, any signs of PDA was inappropriate and she was not to do that. It shocked my daughter and her girlfriend, they walked out to shake the shock and eventually left.

She said she thought God wanted us to love one another and not hate.  

My first thought was this is a perfect example of how people can jump into conclusions. It amazes me how people who are supposedly devout in their religion will take upon themselves to JUDGE others.  

I told her regardless, what made this woman God? As long as they were not in a full blown make out session what was it to this woman? What is so wrong about holding hands anyway?

In my church, when we say the Our Father, we hold hands. I wonder, what this woman would have said if Hubby and I walked in holding hands. We are always holding hands. When we offer peace to one another during mass, I have seen spouses kiss each other, or hugged. Is that not allowed in church?

I encouraged her to take this woman to the side and explain to her what was going on to inform her that her judgement was wrong. I encouraged her to always remember that her relationship with God us all that matters.  I told her clergy like that or even the CHURCH is only] go between,. She should not let ANYONE like this woman deter her from her belief and religion.  

After I wrote my response to her I thought  a lot more to say. I was offended and it wasn't even me. But then it makes me realize why so many people move away from organized religion.

When I see the Catholic commercials or ads asking those who were Catholics to "come home" I am not surprised why they have left.  And for any religion who tends to judge.

But she is right. God loves everyone. God wants everyone to love one another. 

I believe he is our maker. He is our Judge when the time comes. No one else should be doing the judging.



Thursday, November 1, 2012

Weight Goal Reached!

I hope everyone had a Safe Halloween.

I've been battling weight loss for the past couple of years.  Last year at this time, I weighed 74.5 lbs. I struggled but I am finally over 100 lbs. I gained 14 lbs in the past 6 weeks!

When I stood on the scale and 108.5 lbs registered at my endocrinologist's office, I was stumped. I asked the nurse what was wrong. She responded nothing. I asked if she was sure that number was correct. She assured me it was. Then...

I clapped and yelled YES! I gained 14 lbs since I came last. I was so excited. I nearly bubbled over. She said that it was because I was in love. Maybe. Or maybe the brownies and cookies I've been wolfing down nearly every day. Or the meds I am taking. Doc did say the meds I am on can increase my appetite.

Doc walks in and I informed him that I reached my goal. I passed 100 lbs. In his own reserve kinda of way he grinned as he was looking at my chart. He reminded me that almost to the day a year ago, I weighed 74.5 lbs when I first saw him but he was amazed I gained 14 lbs since I saw him six weeks ago. I had a big grin ear to ear. I don't think I've seen 100 lbs since after I was pregnant.

Doc joked and said his mother calls it "Love weight". You can call it whatever you want. I am just so darn happy!

I knew I had gained weight because my clothes are actually fitting. Some almost bursting. I have a small pouch of a belly but I'd take that instead of my ribs sticking out. I just didn't realize how much I gained.

Also, I noticed my legs have been getting tired faster. I figured it was because I am gaining weight gradually but didn't realize that much!!!

Now all I have to do is maintain this weight. I won't cry if I lost 8 lbs to get to 100. As long as I stay 100 or above I am happy.

I feel so accomplished reaching my goal. I am so happy and relieved.