Saturday, April 27, 2013

The Very Bad, Horrible, Terrible, AWFUL Stomach Bug

 

Hey Y’all!

Sorry to be MIA for awhile! Last weekend Mom came by for a quick visit Saturday afternoon and night. All day Saturday I didn’t feel like myself and I was incredibly tired. More tired than usual. For real. At dinner Saturday night I didn’t feel like eating. And we were at The Dead Dog Saloon. One of my favorite places to dine! Sunday morning Mom left and I ran to the grocery store. Where the very bad, horrible, terrible, AWFUL stomach bug hit me. I made it home and laid on my bathroom floor for HOURS. For FOUR days I felt like I was undergoing the universe’s joke of the master cleanse. I have lost SEVEN pounds. Oh yes. I am feeling much better today, but my appetite still hasn’t returned. Not that I want to eat anything after what I have been through! I hope that no one gets this virus. It is not nice!

My house, of course, is in shambles due to me being so sick. I have a few errands to run this morning and then I have to get my house straight. I have so much laundry to do that I don’t even know where to start! I am just happy that I finally got to enjoy my beloved morning cup of coffee this morning!

Pitty Pat resorted to just laying on me to make me feel better. He is very happy that I am better! For his dedication to not leaving my side, we are going on a walk on the beach this afternoon. We only have a few days left where I can take him in the afternoons. On May 1st, dogs are no longer allowed on the beach between the hours of 10 and 5. And, maybe, just maybe we will stop for ice cream. I still don’t know about that one!

Y’all have a great Saturday!

Tootles!

JKP

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Weekend Wrap Up and a Movie Review!

Hey Y’all!
Well, as I am typing this post I am literally about to fall asleep. Somehow yesterday, the spirit moved me and for FOUR hours I cleaned out my closet. I moved my winter clothes upstairs and my summer/spring clothes downstairs. I took FOUR bags to Goodwill yesterday. I am so happy that project is done! Since my tummy is giving me a fit right now and it is somewhat bloated, I have had to look for my “looser” fitting clothes. Thank goodness I still keep that wardrobe. This summer is going to be me wearing lots of dresses and skirts. Nothing tight on my tummy!
As  a reward for working hard yesterday, I went to see the movie “42” today based on Jackie Robinson. Let me tell you, I LOVE baseball movies, and this one did not disappoint. All of the actors were outstanding. The story of Jackie Robinson is very moving and also very thought provoking. I thoroughly enjoyed it and suggest you go and see it too!
When I returned from the movies this afternoon, I had two more tasks on this weekend’s “To Do List.” I made a stop at the grocery store on the way home and picked up a pot roast to put in the crockpot for dinner. Then. I had to tackle my yard. This was one thing that had to be taken care of this weekend. It took me a few hours, but my yard has been tamed. Pitty Pat can now roam the weed free backyard. For some reason this year, I have some weeds with thorns that are growing IN THE MIDDLE of my backyard. I had to take those out after I got scratched several times. Bless poor Pitty Pat if he came in contact with those. They are calling for thunderstorms and rain tonight and tomorrow so the yard had top priority.
Well. I am headed to bed. I hurt all over. When I have a Crohn’s flare.. my joints, especially my hips, really hurt. The thing is, I just have to keep going! If I don’t get things done, then they don’t get done! And, like the yard, that is not an option!
I am going to leave y’all with this cute picture of Pitty Pat… I think he is having deep doggie thoughts….
pittypat thinking
Night y’all! Tootles!
JKP

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Hip, Hip Hooray for Saturday!

Hey Y’all!

Wow. This week was a FAST one. I don’t know if it was because I was out for a day and the next day we had a field trip, but I found myself shaking my head with disbelief yesterday. I am usually pretty organized during the week with running copies and being ready for the following week. But yesterday I had to stay at school later than I do on a Friday just to get caught up. And, not that I am wishing my life away, but I sure do hope these next 37 days go just as fast!!!!

This morning I got up and put on my Strawberry Lemonade playlist on Spotify. I have a link to it on the left side of the blog. I am already in summer time mood! It has been VERY warm here this week, in fact, I had to put on the air! I really need to pull down my spring/summer clothes from upstairs and get my closet sorted today. But I really don’t have the energy. The grass also needs to be cut. Pitty Pat looks like he is in a jungle when he goes in the backyard! My CT scan really wore me out. Not the actual scan, but the prep. I had to drink a lot of barium before my test and it really made me sick. I had a moment of panic on Thursday when I, ahem, tried to put on a pair of shorts. My tummy is still so swollen and bloated from all of that barium that my clothing choices have been difficult for the past few days. This morning I think that it is all gone, because I am noticing a difference already. But. You panic when your shorts don’t fit!

When I went to have my CT scan done, they had to put an IV in me. I do not make friends easily with IV’s because my veins are usually pretty uncooperative. They had to put the IV in the side of my arm. Which. Hurt. Like. Heck. I haven’t been able to knit since. It has made my wrist pretty sore. arm

I haven’t  heard my results yet. But I figured if they let me leave AND they didn’t call me right away, then all must be good.

Also this week, I have been having tons of fun with my phone. I have downloaded some cool photo apps and I have had a great time taking pictures of the sky. Here are two pictures that I love. The first one was taken at sunset and the next one was taken in the morning. The morning shot was just before we had some bad thunderstorms hit.

sky

spooky sky

Alrighty. I guess I better go and tackle this day. It is supposed to be a beautiful one!

Tootles!

JKP

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Barium... Its What's For Dinner!

Hey Y'all....

I am busy drinking this stuff tonight and trying really hard NOT to throw it up! I'll post after my CT scan tomorrow.
Tootles!
JKP


Sent from the Samsung Galaxy Rugby Pro, an AT&T LTE smartphone

Monday, April 8, 2013

Dollar Tree Spree


Hey Y’all!

Well, today was our first day back after spring break. It was a pretty good day and overall we are getting back into the swing of things. Pitty Pat was not happy that I left for work today, but I think he enjoyed having “his” house back for the time being!

Last week I had to make a stop at my local Dollar Tree. I love the Dollar Tree because it has so much stuff! That I NEED! :) I really only stopped in there to buy doggie poopy bags. They were out.. so here’s a tip.. buy the pink scented diaper disposal bags instead! There are 75 in a box. Now they are pink, but they are also scented which makes up for the pink! They fit perfectly in your pocket and they are not as bulky as a plastic garbage bag.

While I was in the Dollar Tree I also picked up some great knitting tools! You can never have enough post it notes, especially when you use them to mark your place in a pattern. I found some cute floral ones that found their way into my basket! I also go through stitch markers by the dozen since so many of my projects are in the round these days. I found some very springy colored elastic bands that work perfectly as stitch makers. 500 for a buck. Yes please! Lastly, I picked up these fabulous multipurpose clips! I am knitting several hats and cowls right now and keeping track of the patterns can be a pain. I slide each pattern into a clear plastic sleeve. Then I attach all of my current patterns in work in a binder ring. I have found that these big clips mark what pattern I am on and they also keep the patterns from spilling open while I am working. Bonus! They come in cute colors too!

knitting tools
                                                  Never underestimate your Dollar Tree!

Tonight as Pitty Pat and I were walking out the door for a walk, I looked up in the sky. I saw this brilliant cross  right in front of my house. I ran back into the house so I could grab a quick picture. What do you see?

cross

Well, I am tired after today. I am off to take a bath and get in the bed. I hope y’all have a great day tomorrow!
Tootles!
Smile JKP

Sunday, April 7, 2013

43 More!

Hey Y’all!

Tonight marks the end of Spring Break. I was sad about it for a few minutes, until I realized that we only have 43 more days of school left. That is a very do-able number. So, as of right now, I am ready to knock those days out of the park and dive into SUMMER! Besides, unlike our spring break, the weather is getting ready to warm up . And. That means weekend beach visits. Oh yes. 43 is do-able.

I am not sure how the furry baby is going to handle us getting back onto our schedule tomorrow. I have been with him almost 24/7. He has had 4 walks a day. And. We have really enjoyed our afternoon naps. Here’s a shot from today’s nap! Pitty Pat is a blanket hog!

 sunday nap

Yesterday, I started working on and finished the cutest baby hat. I call it Buzzy due to the flowers and the bees. I think it is one of my favorite hats that I have ever done. I bought the pattern off of Etsy.

buzzy in works

buzzy hat

I made a stop at the Dollar Tree this week to pick up some poopy bags for Pitty Pat. I found those great clips in the first picture holding my patterns together. I also found some other great knitting tools. I plan to post about those tomorrow!

I haven’t posted a lot about my trip to Charleston on Thursday. It was such a rainy and nasty day that I was very glad to get home. The doc made me have more bloodwork (which I did on Friday) and I have to have a Cat Scan of my belly done on Wednesday. He thinks I am having a Crohn’s flare and just wants to make sure I don’t have a blockage or other issue. So, I had to put in for a sub on Wednesday. I have to drink some really yucky stuff and then they take pictures of my belly as it goes through. The last time I had this done it took 4 hours. So. You better believe I am going to have a good book. I don’t take my knitting with me. I having this done in the hospital and it is so germy. I could never take my knitting there!

Well, let me log off. I have to resume “school time” bed time tonight. That is going to be so hard, I have been staying up until midnight and then sleeping until 8:30. 43 more days people. 43 more days!

Tootles!

Smile JKP

Saturday, April 6, 2013

You are Getting Very Sleepy....


Goodnight Y'all!

Sent from the Samsung Galaxy Rugby Pro, an AT&T LTE smartphone

Friday, April 5, 2013

Dog Tired

Hey Y'all..
     We have had a busy few days and we are DOG tired! I'll be back tomorrow with a post!
Tootles!
JKP


Sent from the Samsung Galaxy Rugby Pro, an AT&T LTE smartphone

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Movie Review Thursday!

 

Hey Y’all!

I am getting ready to leave for Charleston in just a few minutes, but I wanted to squeeze in some quick movie reviews!

Yesterday I had the chance to go and see GI Joe: Retaliation. Y’all know I love a good action movie, and this one does deliver. However, if you are going to see this movie because Channing Tatum is in it, let me warn you he is only in the first 15 minutes of the movie. After that it becomes “The Rock” action adventure movie. So, if he is not one of your favorites, then you may want to wait until the DVD comes out.  One neat scene in the movie takes place in South Carolina at Fort Sumter. Obviously this was an “enhanced” Fort Sumter because there is no bridge that runs beside Fort Sumter. This movie is a great action movie, but there were several scenes in the movie that I felt were straight out of other recent action movies. During the previews there was a glimpse of the upcoming Red 2. If you saw the first Red and loved it, then there are a few scenes in GI Joe that will remind you of that movie. The second Red looks to be a hoot! Overall I give GI Joe a solid B.

One of the best movies I have seen so far in 2013 has to be Olympus Has Fallen. This movie promises big ACTION and SUSPENSE and it delivers. Yesterday during the previews I saw a movie that looks to be similar to this and it is White House Down. That one is based on a book, which you know I will have to read! Anyway, back to Olympus Has Fallen. It is a great movie and it never loses pace. You are kept on the edge of your seat throughout. I loved it. I give Olympus Has Fallen a solid A!!!!!

Alrighty. It is time for me to hit the road. Say some prayers for safe travels, the weather is very nasty today. Charleston is not picnic to drive in when the weather is great, so I am not looking forward to today. Also, let’s hope the ol’ GI doc does not want to put me on prednisone. Ewww.

I’ll post more when I get back!

Tootles!

JKP

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Blueberries! Blueberries! And, Instagram Fun!

Hey Y’all!
Spring Break is moving right along! Imagine my horror when I woke up this morning and realized that it is already Wednesday. WEDNESDAY! That means tomorrow is Thursday, and spring break is almost over. BOO!

Yesterday I took it really easy. I haven’t been feeling great with my tummy and I have a trip to Charleston tomorrow to check in with the tummy doc. The pain that I was having in the fall has come back and it is really uncomfortable. So. I am hoping the ol’ GI doc will have some answers for me. And. Hopefully those answers don’t include prednisone. But, it is what it is.

Yesterday I had all kinds of fun playing with instagram! If you are not on instagram, you really need to give it a try. I take a ton of pictures with my phone and instagram provides all kinds of filters for you to add to your photos. It seems that my favorite filters are 1977 and Nashville. I am pittypat 269 on instagram if you want to follow me. But let me warn you. I take tons of pics of Pitty Pat and my knitting. So. You have been warned!

Here are a few pics of yesterday….

Pitty Pat needed some “alone” time. My spring break is getting in the way of his daily schedule.
pp crate

Pitty Pat has partied to hard with the Yorkies next door…..
Party Hardee Pp

I found two new awesome products yesterday that have BLUEBERRIES in them. Oh YES!
blueberry lemonade

bread
So that is what has been going on here. I think today I am going to venture out and maybe hit the movies. Tomorrow is going to be a long day, so I need some fun today. I am thinking GI Joe may be the movie of choice today. I’ll be back with a movie review if it is. Have a great day!
Tootles!
Smile JKP

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Eye on the Ball!

Hey Y'all!

I had about 15 balls fall out of my bed when I went to wash my sheets today. Now it's playtime! Eye on the ball!


Sent from the Samsung Galaxy Rugby Pro, an AT&T LTE smartphone

Currently :)

Hey Y'all!

It is the beginning of the month and Farley has up Currently for April. Here's mine!


The last one is on advice..... we've heard all the tried and true ones. This year I turned 40 and a wee bit of wisdom came with it. EVERYBODY needs a day to be lazy. Now my lazy may be get up, take a shower and put on a clean pair of jammies for the rest of the day.. your lazy can be a little different. But never underestimate how a day of lazy can make you feel better! Also, a good cup of coffee can do wonders too!

Anyhoo, I don't have a lot going on today. I am trying to decide if I want to drive down to one of my favorite consignment stores or not. Taking a day to be lazy doesn't sound like a bad idea right now! I ran a bunch of errands yesterday, so really I can chillax until Thursday when I have to drive to Charleston for a doctor's appointment with the tummy doc. It is just nice to have a day without plans! Even if it is a chilly day!

I hope y 'all have a great day!
Tootles!
:) JKP

Monday, April 1, 2013

Rain, Rain Go Away!


Pitty Pat really wants the rain to go away! 

Sent from the Samsung Galaxy Rugby Pro, an AT&T LTE smartphone

Happy April! And, A New Recipe! That's No Foolin'!

Hey Y'all!

I hope everyone had a great Easter yesterday. It was a very nice day. We went to early mass, got in a few walks with Pitty Pat, had a super yummy lunch with Uncle Richard at Olive Garden and I even got in a great nap. So. It was a great day!

It was so nice to sleep in this morning and enjoy my coffee while watching Good Morning America. I only have a few things to take care of today. After errands I plan on catching up on Young and the Restless and getting some reading in. Our high is supposed to be 70 today, so I hope I can get some reading on the back patio in!

I also have a simple new recipe to share! I can't take credit for this one! I happened to see it on a TV commercial several weeks ago and immediately knew I had to make it. This recipe is from Pillsbury and it is for Unsloppy Joes. And let's just say, who doesn't enjoy a sloppy joe? They are so yummy, but so messy too! This takes out the messiness!

Here's how to make Unsloppy Joes...
(Sorry I didn't take an ingredients photo.. my Blackberry was on life support at this time!)

1 can 15 oz can of Manwich sauce
1 lb lean ground beef, cooked and drained (you can use the beef you like, lean just works better with my tummy)
1 tsp chili powder (you can omit this, I did. Chili and my tummy do not get along.)
1 can of Grands refrigerated biscuits
1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
Preheat oven to 375

All you have to do is brown your beef, drain it and mix with the Manwich sauce. You can add the chili powder if you want. Let this mixture simmer for 5 minutes.

While  your beef is simmering, take the biscuits out of their tube. Flatten each biscuit until it is about the size of your hand. About 6 inches. Scoop about 1/3 of your beef mixture into each biscuit. Add about a tablespoon of cheese to each biscuit with the beef mixture. Then fold each biscuit in half and crimp the out side with your fingers. To make sure it is really sealed, you can use a fork too.




Place on a cookie sheet and bake for 9 to 14 minutes until golden brown.



I served mine with a side of sour cream and it was DELISH! This is one of those dinners that you always keep the ingredients on hand for.. it is so quick and easy!

Anyhoo! I am off to enjoy the rest of my day! I hope you have a great one!
Tootles!
:) JKP