Morgan watching puppies on Fox and Friends this morning!
Birthday T Shirt Retirement Uniforms
2 days ago
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Friday, December 27, 2013
Just taking it easy
It's 8:00 am and I am still in my robe and slippers and on my second pot of coffee! That never happens on a week day, except when I'm on vacation!
One of the nice things about vacation is not having to set the alarm. . . but I don't know why I need an alarm clock with two live alarms clocks in the house in the form of two Black Labs!
Molly is holding her own. The medication seems to be working. I am not delusional. With the type of cancer she has, her days are numbered and I have accepted that. As long as she is not suffering and shows at least minimal interest in life, I will keep her alive.
For now, I'm going to have another cup of coffee and think about the things I have to look forward to in the New Year. My brain is enjoying the rest from the frantic, high pressure job I have at the Medical Center.
Go out and make it a Great Day!
One of the nice things about vacation is not having to set the alarm. . . but I don't know why I need an alarm clock with two live alarms clocks in the house in the form of two Black Labs!
Molly is holding her own. The medication seems to be working. I am not delusional. With the type of cancer she has, her days are numbered and I have accepted that. As long as she is not suffering and shows at least minimal interest in life, I will keep her alive.
For now, I'm going to have another cup of coffee and think about the things I have to look forward to in the New Year. My brain is enjoying the rest from the frantic, high pressure job I have at the Medical Center.
Go out and make it a Great Day!
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Update on Molly
Molly seems to be stable since being on her medications. She perks up when company comes or if I give her a special treat - her favorite is a beef bone to chew . I'm clinging to what the vet said that some dogs can live weeks or months with this type of cancer. I don't see any signs that she is suffering.
I am off work till Monday so, other than some last minute Christmas preparations today and having Christmas dinner with my son and daughter in law tomorrow, I'm home and trying to spend as much time as possible with both the dogs.
I hope all of you who celebrate Christmas have a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
I am off work till Monday so, other than some last minute Christmas preparations today and having Christmas dinner with my son and daughter in law tomorrow, I'm home and trying to spend as much time as possible with both the dogs.
I hope all of you who celebrate Christmas have a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Friday, December 20, 2013
A tough post to write
This week has been a challenge just trying to stay on track.
My older Lab, Molly, began showing symptoms that I thought needed a vet's attention. I'm a strong woman, and can take whatever comes my way, as I have proven many times over the years. But don't throw the "c" word at me if you are talking about one of my dogs. Molly has cancer of the bladder.
I honestly don't remember driving home. One minute, I was listening (or trying to) what the vet was saying. The next thing I knew, I was in my home trying to make sense of what had happened.
The next day I called the vet and asked him to repeat what he had told me and apologized for not remembering what he said. He explained everything in detail.
I read everything online that I could about canine bladder cancer, then called the vet back and asked what he thought of what I was thinking. I will not consider surgery, given Molly's advanced age. . . not to mention, if they did do surgery, and found the tumor inoperable, the surgery would be in vain.
She is on medication and it is possible the medication could shrink the tumor. The vet says he has known dogs to live weeks or months with Molly's condition.
I'm a strong believer in quality of life. Tonight I gave her a beef bone. She got really excited about that and chewed away on it in pure joy. Later, the UPS man delivered a package and she ran to the door. . . all these are good signs. Right now I am focused on the good signs.
My neighbors across the street, who take care of Morgan and Molly when I am away, were upset to hear about Molly. Sara is a mother of three young children. When I was away over Thanksgiving, she said coming over to care for the dogs was her "me" time. She is especially attached to Molly, as Morgan, with her young, rambunctious personality can be trying to someone not used to that. One night, she put Morgan in her cage and just spent quiet time with Molly, petting her and talking to her. I'm sure Molly ate that right up!
I really love the Labrador Retriever. I've owned four of them dating back to 1985 and can't imagine living without one. When it is time, I will give Molly a peaceful, dignified death. But now is not the time.
My older Lab, Molly, began showing symptoms that I thought needed a vet's attention. I'm a strong woman, and can take whatever comes my way, as I have proven many times over the years. But don't throw the "c" word at me if you are talking about one of my dogs. Molly has cancer of the bladder.
I honestly don't remember driving home. One minute, I was listening (or trying to) what the vet was saying. The next thing I knew, I was in my home trying to make sense of what had happened.
The next day I called the vet and asked him to repeat what he had told me and apologized for not remembering what he said. He explained everything in detail.
I read everything online that I could about canine bladder cancer, then called the vet back and asked what he thought of what I was thinking. I will not consider surgery, given Molly's advanced age. . . not to mention, if they did do surgery, and found the tumor inoperable, the surgery would be in vain.
She is on medication and it is possible the medication could shrink the tumor. The vet says he has known dogs to live weeks or months with Molly's condition.
I'm a strong believer in quality of life. Tonight I gave her a beef bone. She got really excited about that and chewed away on it in pure joy. Later, the UPS man delivered a package and she ran to the door. . . all these are good signs. Right now I am focused on the good signs.
My neighbors across the street, who take care of Morgan and Molly when I am away, were upset to hear about Molly. Sara is a mother of three young children. When I was away over Thanksgiving, she said coming over to care for the dogs was her "me" time. She is especially attached to Molly, as Morgan, with her young, rambunctious personality can be trying to someone not used to that. One night, she put Morgan in her cage and just spent quiet time with Molly, petting her and talking to her. I'm sure Molly ate that right up!
I really love the Labrador Retriever. I've owned four of them dating back to 1985 and can't imagine living without one. When it is time, I will give Molly a peaceful, dignified death. But now is not the time.
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Sunday, December 8, 2013
Bean and Ham Soup
Today I am making Bean and Ham Soup - something I make often in the cold months. It not only is high in nutritional value, but it just plain tastes great!
It's an all day process. I begin with a smoked ham hock (from my farmer who only raises grass fed animals - no hormones, preservatives or other yucky additives). I put maybe 8 cups or more of water in a large pot and let the ham hock simmer with celery, onion, and carrots. After that has cooked for several hours, I remove the celery, onion, and carrots and discard. I let the ham hock cool until it can be touched.
I chop meat off the bone and add that to the pot along with a package of 16 bean soup mix that has soaked overnight, and salt and herbs and spices and let that simmer most of the day. Towards the end, I add a large can of chopped tomatoes with the juice. Sometimes I add pasta during the last 15 minutes of cooking.
Can't beat it! It is economical, tastes great, and adds excellent nutritional value to your diet.
It's an all day process. I begin with a smoked ham hock (from my farmer who only raises grass fed animals - no hormones, preservatives or other yucky additives). I put maybe 8 cups or more of water in a large pot and let the ham hock simmer with celery, onion, and carrots. After that has cooked for several hours, I remove the celery, onion, and carrots and discard. I let the ham hock cool until it can be touched.
I chop meat off the bone and add that to the pot along with a package of 16 bean soup mix that has soaked overnight, and salt and herbs and spices and let that simmer most of the day. Towards the end, I add a large can of chopped tomatoes with the juice. Sometimes I add pasta during the last 15 minutes of cooking.
Can't beat it! It is economical, tastes great, and adds excellent nutritional value to your diet.
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Thanksgiving
I had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with my son and daughter-in-law, John and Jen, and my three grandsons. It was cut short, however, due to that ugly storm that decided to strike right at the peak travel time. My plans were to drive down on Wednesday, but instead I drove down early, VERY early on Thanksgiving morning, leaving long before dawn. I had to get there. . . I was bringing the Thanksgiving turkey!
First order of business when I arrived. . . get the turkey in the oven!
On Friday, we took a walk through the grounds of an old mansion in Richmond. Here are some pictures of that. You can click on the pictures to make them larger and easier to view.
First order of business when I arrived. . . get the turkey in the oven!
On Friday, we took a walk through the grounds of an old mansion in Richmond. Here are some pictures of that. You can click on the pictures to make them larger and easier to view.
This is an animal sanctuary for birds and animals. All of them have been injured, or otherwise rendered unable to survive in the wild. There is a huge area that is home to a black bear, double fenced because someone in the past who wasn't too bright, got too close and was mauled by the bear.
John, Jen, Andrew, Kevin, and Jake.
Kevin, Jake, and Andrew
Jen had a fantasticThanksgiving feast. One dish, in particular, was extraordinary - and so simple to make. It is a cranberry orange relish and here's how to make it.
one 12 oz bag fresh cranberries
one orange, peel and all
sugar (here you can add an amount to suit you - 1/4 cup up to a cup)
Put everything in the food processor and blend well. It is not only eye-catching but tastes great.
This has been handed down in her family for years. It's no wonder!
I hope your Thanksgiving was as memorable as mine was. It is good to pause, in this rat race world we live in, and give thanks for those things that really matter - family and friends.
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Sights and thoughts in the halls at work
I work in a large Medical Center. To say it is a busy place, is an understatement. When I leave the quiet of my office and wander down the halls, there is no telling what I will experience.
Come along with me on a "typical" walk. . . although there really is nothing typical in a Medical Center.
There is an Amish couple and three small daughters. The man has a long, unkempt beard and the dark hat worn by the Amish. The woman is attired in a long, simple dress with a white nylon cap. The little girls are dressed similar to their mom.
There are people from every socio-economic background and every ethnic variety. People who don't care about their appearance or a healthy lifestyle and those that do.
In an almost deserted hallway, I see a woman walking toward me that looks very familiar. The person I think she is wouldn't be here in the Medical Center this time of day, I thought. "SHERRY!" she exclaimed as she walked closer to me. "I almost didn't recognize you without a gun in your hands!"
Uh-oh. . . I hope there are no left-wing nut cases within earshot! It was Margaret, one of my sporting clays shooting buddies. With my dress clothes on, minus jeans and a shooting vest, she didn't recognize me!
In another moment, I see a woman with a volunteer therapy dog coming my way. A yellow Labrador Retriever. "Oh, I just have to touch your dog!" I tell her. My hands are all over this dog, Dar is his name, and he is just eating up the attention. The hospital uses specially trained and screened dogs in the patient areas. Research has proven this is a good approach to helping patients in their recovery and in relieving stress. We talk "Labs" for awhile and then she is on her way. But first, she commands Dar to "take a bow." He goes down on his front legs right in front of me and my heart melts.
Oh, look over there! There is an obviously proud dad, most likely going to visit his wife in the maternity area, with a toddler at his side wearing a T-shirt that says, "I'm the big brother."
A local TV reporter, whom I recognize, hurries along with her crew. The Medical Center is a research center and over the years, hundreds of new therapies and discoveries have been made here. In the next day or so, I would expect to see a story on the latest discovery on the 6:00 news.
Stepping into an elevator, I notice one woman looking at me intently. I see her eyes move to my ID badge. "Are you the same Sherry Bennett that has little twins?"
How do I answer that one? "Uh, well. . . I do have twin sons but they aren't little anymore."
This was a woman I knew years ago from a church we went to back in the day! I remembered her name but didn't recognize her.
When you step into the large Medical Center where I spend my weekdays, you just never know who or what you will encounter!
Come along with me on a "typical" walk. . . although there really is nothing typical in a Medical Center.
There is an Amish couple and three small daughters. The man has a long, unkempt beard and the dark hat worn by the Amish. The woman is attired in a long, simple dress with a white nylon cap. The little girls are dressed similar to their mom.
There are people from every socio-economic background and every ethnic variety. People who don't care about their appearance or a healthy lifestyle and those that do.
In an almost deserted hallway, I see a woman walking toward me that looks very familiar. The person I think she is wouldn't be here in the Medical Center this time of day, I thought. "SHERRY!" she exclaimed as she walked closer to me. "I almost didn't recognize you without a gun in your hands!"
Uh-oh. . . I hope there are no left-wing nut cases within earshot! It was Margaret, one of my sporting clays shooting buddies. With my dress clothes on, minus jeans and a shooting vest, she didn't recognize me!
In another moment, I see a woman with a volunteer therapy dog coming my way. A yellow Labrador Retriever. "Oh, I just have to touch your dog!" I tell her. My hands are all over this dog, Dar is his name, and he is just eating up the attention. The hospital uses specially trained and screened dogs in the patient areas. Research has proven this is a good approach to helping patients in their recovery and in relieving stress. We talk "Labs" for awhile and then she is on her way. But first, she commands Dar to "take a bow." He goes down on his front legs right in front of me and my heart melts.
Oh, look over there! There is an obviously proud dad, most likely going to visit his wife in the maternity area, with a toddler at his side wearing a T-shirt that says, "I'm the big brother."
A local TV reporter, whom I recognize, hurries along with her crew. The Medical Center is a research center and over the years, hundreds of new therapies and discoveries have been made here. In the next day or so, I would expect to see a story on the latest discovery on the 6:00 news.
Stepping into an elevator, I notice one woman looking at me intently. I see her eyes move to my ID badge. "Are you the same Sherry Bennett that has little twins?"
How do I answer that one? "Uh, well. . . I do have twin sons but they aren't little anymore."
This was a woman I knew years ago from a church we went to back in the day! I remembered her name but didn't recognize her.
When you step into the large Medical Center where I spend my weekdays, you just never know who or what you will encounter!
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Homemade vegetable beef soup
I made a big pot of vegetable beef soup today. It has lots of good, nutritious ingredients, including beef from the soup bone, tomatoes, carrots, sweet potato, garbanzo beans, pasta, garlic, and spices. I will freeze much of it in single servings and leave enough to enjoy this week.
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