Not a dream, this is our reality

What a strange year this has been, at the beginning of the year we were facing some changes, and I was preoccupied and apparently more anxious than I had thought I was about the event.  What event? The Mike's company was offering a separation to whomever wanted to take it. It was a great offer, but the company still had the right to grant anyone's separation. Until the middle of January, I was a apprehensive of what was going to happen. Once the date passed, it was more a sense of getting use to being home 24/7 together!   Within a few weeks we were hearing of the virus in Asia, and we were talking of how that must be impacting his former workplace--and relieved he wasn't having to work with changing production due to the virus. 

One pot Fiesta Soup from the cookbook The 150 Healthiest 15 minute Recipes on Earth.
This is so delicious and filling, but the recipe makes a lot-even when halved!  half a pound of 93% ground beef, kidney beans, pinto beans, tomatoes, ranch mix, taco mix, jalopenos, onion, garlic, and corn.  The mixes I used are Simply Organic by Frontier Co-Op.  It is so full of flavor. I can't believe I had been wary of trying this recipe!  I freeze half the can of beans, so the next go 'round I am already set!  

We topped the Fiesta Soup as above  with shredded cheese, sour cream, and avocado. 

Towards the end of the January,  I experimented with Gluten Free Artisan Bread in Five Minutes  A Day  breadbook.  Why? Simply because I have found the recipes to be good, easy,and -most importantly-I had found some pecans and decided to experiment :)   While it is a bit to get use to working with dough that is sort of like gluten dough, but still a little sticky, it works well as, after they say in the book, to let it set in the refrigerator a few hours or a day before using.  I do use my own flour mix rather than the recipe that they suggest in the book. (I had used the book version at first, but found I like using my blend). 

Let me say how much I LOVE the bench scraper I got at a local school surplus auction.  They are great for scooching off the counter, but also cutting the dough into rounds as well.  Most of the time I still use parchment paper under the dough, but it did work well with just the flour dusted counter top too. 

Don't hold back: experiment with gluten free!  

January I had some abdominal pain with exercising, and afterwards, so I decided to lay off and see if it helped. It seemed to, so I thought I had injured something (not sure what, when I was only on the treadmill. . . ). My previous PCP would have told me I was exercising too much and to back off, so that's what I did to be more informed when I go to my internist.  

What to do with left over banana bread?
Why, make banana bread french toast of course! 
I used the Betty Crocker cookbook recipe for banana bread, but added 6T of sour cream or vanilla greek yogurt and it turns out beautifully moist and such a great treat!  

In February we ventured to our state's Cap City to be advocates for cancer with American Cancer Society, and to share our stories.  We were in for a day!    We started off with leaving the hotel room and I almost immediately had excruciating pain radiating on my left side through my body to the back as well as around the outside to the back.  I braced myself against the wall and just kept my torso as set in place as I could.  After what seemed like several minutes, but was probably a minute, the severe pain left and I shouted internally "Not today body, NOT today!"  I had no idea what was going on, but I wasn't going to let my body interfere with asking for more funding for cancer!  My side was sore for the rest of the day from whatever this was. 

At the Captiol we met with our local Representative and Senator, shared my Melanoma cancer experience, my mom's passing from pancreatic cancer, and as we were there with American Cancer Society, we were asking for stricter smoking /juuling regulations, as lung cancer is the top cancer killer--the only one the ACS breaks out into 'smokers' and 'non smokers' statistics, and one where The Mike lost a family friend and an uncle to late stage lung cancer. It is an horrific cancer that is often not diagnosed until late, can grow quickly (or not) and is so devastating.  

While The Mike was driving home, I called the internist's office for this pain. My side was still sore, or maybe my brain was just remembering how awful the pain was.  I had an appointment for the a few days later, and he ordered an abdominal ultrasound which was ten days out.   In the meantime I tried not to worry. I was hoping my Melanoma wasn't inside, and that my pancreas was fine. That's it. That's what I was worried about!   

Clear Lake Iowa Ice Kite Festival.
A definite 'must see' if you're along I-35 in Iowa the third Saturday of February.
Last year we went and there were more kites than this year, but they were also spread out further. This year, the water a 'ways out' was not iced, and everyone was fairly close to shore.  My favorites are the twirling/spiral kites, the Spaceman, and the octopuses that looked like the things from the Matrix when they were flying, especially with the large one and then smaller ones around it as well.

Ultrasound day came and there wasn't much to it. I just had to breathe and hold my breath, and repeat several times.  

The nurse called *that* afternoon. I was worried, and she told me what the diagnosis was to help me rest easy, but it gave me something else to research.  She said the doctor said I could just have this added on to my appointment in April, or I could come in earlier. I wanted to come in earlier. We made an appointment for the next week.   

First, we celebrated The Mike's birthday. He requested a lemon merguine pie, which I have only made a few times, and I think it turned out fairly well.    I used the Wholly Wholesome gluten free pie crust (they had been on sale and I had put some in the freezer). The Mike was surprised I was squeezing lemons and such---as if I was going to skimp and use concentrate for his birthday.  If I'm going to make a convoluted recipe, I'm going to make it the way it's written!  

The next week we met with the doctor regarding the ultrasound. I have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease NAFLD and was only diagnosed because of the excruciating pain. He said most people never know the have it. He said that my long term use of prednisone in my 20s/30s probably played a big part as to why I have this.  When I started looking at the symptoms of this, I actually wonder if this is why my body has been in such an upheaval for the last. . . gah, eight years now. Since 2011 I have been complaining (to previous PCP) about no energy, and increasing weight, and increasing abdominal area.  and she would just reply that I was 'fine' and that I was 'pretty' and that I shouldn't worry. 

So, what to do?  He said to tell the GI when I see them in April.  I called the GI office and was told internist should have ordered blood work and that they'd talk to me when I saw them.  I have no idea what to do for this condition. When I look at things on line I find an article that says to do xyz and another that says to do abc. The literature for main research hospitals says they don't know why it happens, or what to do about it. Great. :( 

The end of February I went on a road trip with my sister M and our friend M.  My niece's team was in a robotics competition-the first I ever attended. They won to advance to Nationals! 

Really is fascinating to watch!  

Sunday morning before we headed back to the competition, we found a restaurant, Ginger Sue's, which had a gluten free menu.  We didn't know what would be available as a soy oil free option too, but we were game to try.  We were glad we tried!    They were able to make omelets for my sister and I without the 'vegetable' oil, and we got a side of fruit (bananas, apples, blueberries) to go with.  Definitely recommend this place!  

Ginger Sue's omelet with subbed fruit 

With the trip to KC metro area, I was a bit leery with the virus stuff in the news, and here I was going to be in a gymnasium packed with high schoolers from all over (it was a regional competition).  We were all a little worried in the back of our minds.  

Back home, March was lunging in like a lion, and I was getting ready for my trip to DC for Melanoma Advocacy.  My nerves with the Covid19 virus was ramping up and I was actually debating on not going. Apparently many others had that idea too. Of the almost one hundred who were registered, only sixty-some came to the event.  

I always have to take a photo of the monument when I land and am leaving the airport. 

Mostly, I could tell in Chicago that the airports were definitely taking a hit mid March. I flew out on the 6th and back on the 11th. I always wipe the arm rests and tray down when I fly and normally I get the 'weirdo' side eye from people.  Not this trip. This trip everyone was wiping things down.  The media was even suggesting wiping down the actual seat. I didn't do that, since I wasn't doing that when I was seated in the actual airport either.  

The airport was easy enough to navigate without having to thread and weave my way through fellow travelers. There were some school groups and I was surprised.  When I got to DC, my sibling there took the afternoon off work -- I'm sure that was hard to do on a Friday ;) and picked me up at the airport. I had wiped my bag down before putting it in the car. We were off to food at Outback Steakhouse and to do grocery shopping, as well as hauling things out of the basement for the trash. My sibling told me that some members of Congress had been exposed to Covid19 at a conference, and I was more leery about going to visit my members on Cap Hill.   

Monday was all day training of what to expect, and hearing from a researcher about gains in treatment and such for Melanoma cancer.  Reminder to use Purell--and no shaking hands!   

A few of us walked to Capitol City Brewing Company and then had to walk through this gorgeous pedestrian area afterwards. 

As we headed out on the day, we were told the changes were no handshakes, and wash more than usual.  We were able to walk from the hotel instead of needing transportation, but most of us carpooled in taxis over to the building for our morning meeting.  I was surprised at the other people visiting the office buildings who had no care. I will gladly hold that door open with my foot, and yes, I am putting as much as I can into my bag to send through the conveyor belt. What we were doing, seems so odd two months later! 

No going in this building for me, and we were blocked from even walking down the roadway. Turns out, our POTUS and VPOTUS were inside, so we were told to cut across the lawn. 

Time to fly home. The airport was quiet, already businesses were canceling travel that was not necessary. I was suppose to have an empty seat next to me, and was glad for it. I was wiping down my plane area when this guy sat down next to me. Not sure why, but he did move to the aisle seat when the doors closed, and I wonder if he just forgot he had an aisle seat and not a middle seat.

Quiet airport .  

An amazing view. I love being in the clouds. . . physically, not mentally ;-)
Flying with American Airlines 

The Mike picked me up from the airport and we went to the grocer to get some quick food for dinner. I picked up some TP, not knowing the situation at home. The Mike questioned, but he didn't really know what the situation was either.  Friday I went back to the grocers to refill the refrigerator and cabinet space, as we had cleared out a lot over the last few months of winter.  We weren't hoarding food, but getting what we needed. . .and then Muir Glen things were on sale at Natural Grocers, so maybe I did get quite a few there.   One thing The Mike said to get was dry beans, so I've been trying my hand at beans from dry instead of bean dishes with canned items.

White chicken chili. . . with a splash of color with canned tomatoes

I've been spending time making masks, and I can say that it is time consuming. I'm not sure how some folks are able to make so many, but I do find it cathartic to do so.  The Mike has started printing some of the plastic pieces for the 'ear savers'.

Olson Mask pattern pieces

My whimsical fabric supply is dwindling. 

My April doctor's procedure appointment with the GI was rescheduled to September. 

I'm suppose to have a doctor appointment this summer. . .will be interesting if that is in person or phone or postponed.  Some nights we just have something simple--and probably isn't good for my fatty liver, and some days we have more fiber and fruit. . .and does fruit count if it's in a cobbler or pie? hmmm.  Fresh apples, carrots and celery sticks are our snacks as well.

I found a bottle of bleach two weeks ago at the grocery store and thought I struck gold!  We don't have any wipes in our house, and I've been making a bleach solution for the spray bottle after shopping. I had about a pint of bleach left in the house. Then last week I found a pack of toilet paper at Target.  Who knew we would be so excited for these things?!    

Keep well, and be as constructive as you can, quarantining and staying safe!

I can't wait to get my hair styled again, but I'll wait to browse stores in person.

Let me know what you'd like to see in the posts!