MG Reminder

It's that time of year. You've got the sniffles, a sore throat, a cough or the dreaded stomach bug. People with Myasthenia Gravis have a much harder time fighting illness than the normal person due to their compromised immune system. So be nice and keep your germs away!  They will thank you later! 

Thanksgiving Brunch Ideas

A few days ago I posted about a sorority sister who recently wrote and published a children's book about grief and loss of her young son, well I came across this today. Another sorority sister who writes the food blog, Perfecting the Pairing had a recipe featured in the Huffington Post. So cool.  I always knew Gamma Phis were going to achieve great things! :) Her recipe looks fun for a family brunch. Might have to check it out!

       

                   

So Fun Seattle

A Thanksgiving trip to Seattle provided time to escape work, the hustle and bustle of life in KC and counting my blessings with family.  While the main entertainer had 4 legs and unforgettable ears, we can't forget the feast which took G&C all day to prepare, the many glasses of vino, all the fresh seafood and shoe purchases! No trip to Seattle is complete without a shoe purchase. Perhaps one of these times I will learn to take the correct pair. As the weekend closes, looking forward to 4 short weeks and more family time in December! Here's to the holiday season!

                       

       

Layered Taco Bean Dip

There are many variations of this type of dip but my moms recipe is the best, dare I say! Sometimes it is so good you may want to even take a spoon to it. Easy prep and great for a family feast appetizer!

Ingredients

1 can refried beans

12 oz sour cream

8 oz cream cheese

1/4 to 1/2 cup of salsa or taco sauce

Shredded cheddar cheese (enough to cover top)

1 onion, diced

1 tomato, diced

1/2 bag of shredded lettuce

Spread beans all over a plate or platter. In a bowl combine sour cream, cream cheese, salsa and onion.  Spread mixture on top of refried beans. Top with lettuce, tomato and cheese. 

Pee Shoes

I started this post months ago and as I'm flying this afternoon from Seattle home I thought I'd finish it up. After all, while in Seattle I didn't bring appropriate shoes and ended up buying a pair of rain boots. So much for cute fashionable fall boots with no traction. But it's gotten me thinking about walking a mile in your shoes. Your shoes tell a story about where you have gone. I know I've written about this before however as I prepare to part with my pee shoes I thought they needed a tribute.

Commence May 2005, Memorial Day weekend I believe. My sister was living in Dallas and I was driving down to see her. I-35 between Dallas and KC can often become a parking lot and that it was on this day. Just over the Texas border I had been in 3 mile per hour traffic for some time and my bladder was nearing eruption. Like the kind of eruption where if you move a little might slip out. Proactively, I had undone by belt and pant buttons to be ready for when I got close enough to exit. Finally, after seriously considering peeing in a cup, I creeped up to a rest stop. And let it be known I am one person who does NOT do rest stops, whether it's due to my friend Lindsey's story about when she was a DA and she prosecuted a case where a person was beheaded in a northern Missouri rest stop or just the terrible stench of everybody and their dog using a random building for no other purpose but to relieve themselves.  On this day there was no choice.  I slammed the Jeep in park and inched myself out of the drivers seat, slowly turned and grabbed the door handle to push it open. Slowly as to not have any leakage and exited the car. With my body shift I was able to regain control of my bladder and I bolted inside the rest stop. As I flew through the women's restroom door to my feet were surrounded and warmed by a couple of inches of "waste" everywhere on the floor. There was NO way to avoid stepping in the pee and there was no way I could quit running at this point. Barely making it to the toilet to get my business done,  I started laughing. I was literally wading in that rest stop in other peoples urine. Hence the pee shoes being named. A brand new pair of flip flops from American Eagle that cushioned my feet just perfectly, ruined. A solid pee shoe cleaning later ensued.

I made the mistake of telling my sister the story and then the pee shoes were not welcome in her house in Dallas and her later homes in Minneapolis and Chicago. The pee shoes made trips to Fairfield and the grimace on my mothers face still makes me laugh.  The pee shoes helped me perform yard work, cheer on the Cyclones, walk Ries, help sleepily get me home for treatments, up and down the stairs at the lake, the beaches in Aruba, San Diego, and I'm pretty sure they even made some trips to Seattle.  They started getting worn, losing some rubber and this past summer while babysitting I looked up and a baby had them in her mouth. Eek. 

As my brother announced his Hawaii wedding, my mom told me in August that the pee shoes could not make the trip. Talk about bursting my bubble. The pee shoes have walked many miles, made lots of memories and probably know more things about me than I do.  So a new pair of basic flip flops have been purchased. They will never replace the pee shoes or be of the same comfort or have half the story the pee shoes did but the time has come. Ode to the pee shoes.                                                        

    

PS. Mom this does not mean I am throwing them away. I'm just getting one step closer.    

Feel Good Friday

Happy Thanksgiving

                 Happy Thanksgiving! 

Home Runs in Heaven

A sorority sister of mine has written a lovely book explaining grief and loss for kids. Her book is based on the story of losing her infant son. Check it out Home Runs in Heaven here.

#woofoutwednesday

                           This. Oh precious one is ready for winter. 

Feel Good Friday

Thankful Tuesday

281. Summer. Um, yes summer, it was never TOO hot. Come back.
282. Christmas decorations. I caved. My dad brought mine out of the attic and they now adorn my house. Thanks Dad!
283. Unconditional love by oh precious one. I saw her run from laying on my bed to the front window as I pulled in the driveway yesterday. Melt my damn heart. And then she shredded my bedsheets. Ugh.
284. the Trio from Corner Bakery. I hate salad at home but this, this I love!
285. Learning to say, "no." Yes, I am working on this. We can't save the world my friends! You can try but sometimes we get in over our heads.
286. Cranberry Lotion from the Body Shop. Love it!
287. Christmas shopping. I love EVERYTHING about gift giving.
288. Short weeks. Thanksgiving, I'm looking at YOU.
289. My employer. My gratitude to basically no insurance changes for next year. I am blessed.
290. A good nap.  (Specifically those after a treatment) for those I am thankful!

Feel Good Friday

Pizza On Earth- Please Vote!

Spin Pizza in KC has a VOTE going on now for your favorite local charity. Please help us collect votes for the Myasthenia Gravis Association by voting here.  All you have to do is type in Myasthenia Gravis Association. Please pass the word!  Thank you so much for your support!

Wordless Wednesday

This is one of my biggest pet peeves. Slow drivers in the left lane. Otherwise known as the "passing lane."  Did you know you can get a ticket for just driving in the left lane? It's true. I've been pulled over for it myself. And another friend I know got a ticket for it.  I have to agree with my sister, Minnesota drivers are TERRIBLE and they are so good at just chilling in the left lane. Move it, buddy! Move it!

Thankful Tuesday

It's been awhile yet again. I think I had a case of writer's block. Although I have about 8 blogs in draft form. We shall see if I can get them finalized.

270. Treatments. Today shall be a test. Does this damn port really work?
271. CPR training. Get trained. It's easy. A situation at church on Sunday made me really start thinking about how many people are CPR certified. You no longer have to do mouth to mouth and it could save a life!
272. Parental visits. (minus really terrible football games!)
273. And at the risk of sounding like a "Jayhawk", Cyclone Basketball.
274. Von Maur. I love that store.  Entering the doors, I can't help but smile thinking about my Grandma Foss.
275. A generous community. As we start to pick up gift certificates for the Hambingo event, I am reminded how generous businesses are in this community.
276. Helpful neighbors. Like those who let you borrow their lawn mower so your dad can mow your yard!
277. Ok, this is gonna sound funny, but getting organized and sticking a few meals in the freezer for other days when I don't feel like cooking!
278. Scarves. Love them.
279. Ordering Old Navy Petites online with card for free shipping and easy return. And folks we finally have a new winter coat. That was a not fun search!
280. No leaves in the yard. So nice to have them cleaned for a few hours anyway!

Disgusted, Read At Your Own Risk

In college I attended a rally for Elizabeth Dole because a sorority sister was working on her campaign. Growing up, I'm pretty sure my parents were Republicans. Thankfully now, in my family, we all wear BLUE.

I am a woman, I have a chronic illness. I work in social services for the state of Kansas and I am disgusted at how this state responded to the midterm elections. As a state, we re-elected the Governor who has so drastically cut services to the states most vulnerable population, those with special needs, slashed school funding, had our credit rated down graded at least twice and slashed taxes for the wealthy.  Basically the state of Kansas is bankrupt. What in the heck? Insert a ton of cuss words. 

The results of last week's mid term election make me want to leave my job. Somewhere amongst the lines of trying to help those in need, it gets a little bit old when you constantly battle the big guy to achieve anything. The big guy who claims he is ever so Christian. The last I checked, being a Christian meant helping thy neighbor, not making it more challenging.  Some Christian example he is setting here.

As I have been thinking about this I had been wondering had I chosen a different career path, one that didn't involve assisting people with special needs to access state and federal funds for their needs and supports and to achieve the least restrictive lifestyle, would I care?  But then I thought, well holy sh*t, yes, I would care. Because, in general my friends, we are talking about a Republican party, who wants to spend more time regulating your vagina and your marriage and ensure that you aren't taking control of their guns. We are talking about a Republican party who is working extremely hard in this country to ensure that equal rights for all is NOT a option.  A Republican party who is also working tirelessly to take away and limit services to those in need, those with special needs, Down Syndrome, Autism, Muscular Dystrophy.  One of my personal favorites are the staunch critics of gay marriage who are sitting on their own 3 divorces or 2 kids out of wedlock. Really?  Or those who are pro life but for the death penalty.  Hmmm.

I ask yourself to take a look at the BIG picture. Likely, the big picture involves your family and your friends.  Look at the big picture when it comes time for voting. Educate yourself with non biased media so you know the facts.  But most importantly,  Love thy Neighbor.

Sunday Roast

I tried my hand at making a "Sunday" Roast today.  It turned out pretty yummy! There are a billion recipes on Pinterest and I had a hard time deciding which to chose. This one seemed really easy and it was!

Hello

Yes, Hello! I have had a bit of a writers block I suppose. I have several posts in draft form that need finished so I have neglected my blog.  Excited for a long weekend with my parents and going to the ISU-KU Football game. Hoping the team shows up, unlike last weekend and a little nervous to return to the football field in Lawrence. The last time I attended a game there in 2005, ISU was playing to win the North title and during the middle of the game my Grandma Foss had a stroke back in Iowa which would ultimately take her life.  All adding to my hatred for KU of course. So here's 'to a MUCH better experience and a cherished time with my parents.  And say a few prayers as we head into Tuesday where I will hopefully be getting a treatment, pending the port works! xoxo