The Last Monday in January 2012

It is the last Monday in January 2012. It seems like only yesterday, I made blackeyed peas for New Year’s Day. The month has sped by and I still have a bandage on my left leg. The bandage will come off on Friday, February 3, when I return to the wound doctor.

Today I bought compression stacking and I will begin wearing them on Friday. The problems with my legs are the veins. The doctor will do the left leg first and then when I have recovered from that, he will do the right leg. 

Thankful Thursday: A T.V. Dinners and Apple Juice

Istijlál (Majesty), 8 Sultán (Sovereignty), 168 BE – Thursday, January 26, 2012 about 11:15 AM Pacific Time

Today I am thankful for T.V. Dinners and Apple Juice. This morning I went out to pickup some food. When I arrived home, I brought the bags of food in the house and put the cheese in the refrigerator. Then I decided I needed something to eat before I put the canned goods, cereal, and juice away.

I had three T.V. dinners in the freezer and a jug of apple juice in the refrigerator door. I put a pasta and green beans dinner in the Microwave and heated them. After the dinner was done, I poured myself a large glass of apple juice and took my meal into the living room. I turned on the television and sit down to eat my meal.

I know I am not supposed to eat in front of the T.V., but I do anyway. I have eaten in front to the T.V. for years and old habits are hard to break. I know that is not a good excuse. I know I should attempt to break this bad habit. I am not sure that I will attempt that for a while, at least, not until I get my dinning room table moved back into the dinning room.

Tuesday Thoughts on my upcoming outpatient surgery

Fidál (Grace), 6 Sultán (Sovereignty), 168 BE – Tuesday, January 24, 2012 about 11:40 AM Pacific Time

I finally found out what is wrong with my legs. It turns out that I have a problem with my veins and the blood is pooling in my lower legs. This is what caused the sores on my left leg, which was spreading to my right leg. I have an ultrasound of my legs last week and a follow up this week.

My veins are not working properly, which causes the blood to pool in the lower legs. I have to have an outpatient surgical procedure to correct the issue. I am not sure precisely when this procedure will occur, probably sometime in February.

I know that the procedure will occur on a Monday. I know this because the surgical center that performs these procedures does so on Monday and Thursday. I have chosen the doctor and the day all that is left is the specific date. I will know the date as soon as my insurance approves the procedure.

As I wrote, the procedure will be done on a Monday. The following Thursday, I will go in for an ultrasound. This is to make sure there are no blood clots. As soon as I find out the date, I will update the information by making another blog entry.

Recipe of the Week: A Poem

Jamál (Beauty), 4 Sultán (Sovereignty), 168 BE – Sunday, January 22, 2012 about 3:38 PM Pacific Time

Each ingredient

Combines to create savor

My taste buds singing

Family History Friday: Morning Routines

Istiqlál (Independence), 2 Sultán (Sovereignty), 168 BE – Friday, January 20, 2012 about 5:45 AM Pacific Time

For about fifty year, my Grandpa Newland worked at the Zink Smelter in Blackwell, Oklahoma. Monday through Friday, Grandpa would get up, shower, eat breakfast, and then go to work. Monday through Friday, the routine was the same.

Jalál (Glory), 3 Sultán (Sovereignty), 168 BE – Friday, January 20, 2012 about 5:54 PM Pacific Time

As you can see, I started this entry early this morning; unfortunately, I had to stop in the middle of the entry and did not get back to it until now. I had intended to compare my grandparent’s morning routine with mine, but I have forgotten what I was going to write. Therefore, I will post what I have and go on to the next project and interruption.

Thankful Thursday: Today I am thankful that my washing machine does not flood my living room

Istijlál (Majesty), 1 Sultán (Sovereignty), 168 BE – Thursday, January 19, 2012 about 2:45 PM Pacific Time

All right, perhaps “flood my living room” is an overstatement. The drainpipes overflowed during the spin cycle. It wasn’t enough water to flood the living room, but after two or three loads that’s what it felt like.

A plumber fixed the pipes on Tuesday and now they don’t overflow during the spin cycle. I washed two loads Tuesday evening and four or five loads on Wednesday. Today, I have only managed to wash three loads, but that was because I had a medical appointment this morning.

It is cloudy outside, so I’m hanging the clothes indoors on the drying rack. I have to catch up on the washing, so I have to hang them indoors. The clothes don’t dry as quickly indoors as outside, but I have to do laundry and I can’t wait for the clouds to clear.

I am thankful that the water doesn’t overflow the drainpipes in the spin cycle. Now I can wash my sheets without using them to soak up the water in my living room. It feels good not to have to worry about water in the living room. Since I’m drying my clothes in the house, I have to figure out a way to dry the sheets indoors. It is difficult to dry sheets on a drying rack meant to hold clothes on hangers.

Midweek Reflections on Laundry

‘Idál (Justice), 19 Sharaf (Honor), 168 BE – Wednesday, January 18, 2012 about 6:45 AM Pacific Time

The plumber worked on the pipes behind the washer yesterday. He fixed them so that they drain properly when the washing machine is in the spin cycle and releasing water. I can now catch up on the laundry.

I’m not sure how long it will take to catch up completely. I have about five baskets of dirty clothes waiting. In addition, several items lay over a chair in Mom’s room I have to check to determine if they are clean or dirty. However, those will have to wait because I want to get the clothes in the laundry baskets washed first.

Since I don’t have a dryer, I have to hang the clothes in the house or on the line. The only clothes I’m hanging on the line are sheets, I like the way sheets smell when they dry outside. The problem is that I can only hang four at a time and these short days that means I can only wash four sheets and I have more then that to catch up.

In the spin cycle

The washer sings morning’s song

A new day begun

Tuesday Thoughts on my change in themes

My goal is to write a 200-word entry everyday on the theme of the day. If possible, I will post a photo or graphic with the entry. Sometimes this will be possible, but not everyday until I get my digital camera. I still have about 11,000 points before I can order the camera. I have a camera on my phone; unfortunately, I cannot use the phone to send photos to my e-mail account. All right, I did not research the phone before buying it.

I will post an entry between 12:01 AM and 11:59 PM everyday. I am giving myself enough time to deal with interruptions, slow computer, proof reading, and research. The interruptions and the slow computer are the biggest issues I encounter on a daily basis. If the first entry I make does not total 200 words then I will make a second entry for that day.

A change of themes

I have decided to change some of the blog entry themes for this blog. The themes I am using for the rest of 2012 are (1) Recipe of the Week Sunday, (2) Monday Mumblings, (3) Tuesday Thoughts, (4) Midweek Reflections Wednesday, (5) Thankful Thursday, (6) Family History Friday, and (7) Spiritual Quote of the Week Saturday.

Mobile Monday: Driving to my doctor’s appointment

Fidál (Grace), 18 Sharaf (Honor), 168 BE – Monday, January 16, 2012 about 10:00 PM Pacific Time

This morning I had an appointment with my primary care physician. Her office is on West Charleston, a couple of blocks west of Valley View. Traffic was nice and not too thick.

About a block from Valley View, a road crew had Charleston completely closed. I had to turn south on Valley View and go up to Oakey until I could get back on Charleston. Despite the road closure and detour, I finally arrive at doctor’s office about 10:00 AM. It is a good thing I left the house at 9:00 or I would have been late for the appointment.

I decided to take Oakey back home. The city is working on Oakey as well. It was down to two lanes. Anyway, I finally arrived back home at about 1:00 PM. The next time I go to the west side of town I will take Sahara because they have the roadwork finished on that street. Driving in Las Vegas is stressful enough without roadwork and when the city is doing roadwork then traffic and stress increases.

Recipe of the week: Café Mint Mocha

Jamál (Beauty), 16 Sharaf (Honor), 168 BE – Sunday, January 15, 2012 about 10:15 AM Pacific Time

You like café mocha, but your budget does not allow you to buy it at your favorite coffee shop. The solution to this problem is to make your café mocha at home using an instant hot chocolate mix. This week, I am drinking Café Mint Mocha made from a gourmet hot cocoa mix.

Ingredients:

3 rounded tablespoons of mint flavored gourmet hot cocoa mix (I am using Chocolate Mint Truffle)

¾ cup of hot coffee, freshly brewed

Directions:

Step 1: Spoon the hot cocoa mix into a coffee cup (I know the direction on the can of hot chocolate  say to put the hot liquid in the cup first, but I have found that it mixes better when you put the cocoa mix in the cup first.)

Step 2: Pour in the hot coffee and stir until the cocoa powder dissolves in the hot coffee.

Step 3: Enjoy your café mocha.

Note: You can use any type of hot chocolate mix. If you have use the mix that come in individual packages then use 1 pkg. of mix for one cup of café mocha.

On Stay at Home Saturday I want a little red wagon

Jalál (Glory), 15 Sharaf (Honor), 168 BE – Saturday, January 14, 2012 about 6:15 AM Pacific Time

It is stay at home Saturday, January 14, 2012 and I want a little red wagon or some other piece of equipment that will help me get the recyclable bins to the curb. Today is recyclable day in my neighborhood, so I should carry the bins down to the curb for the recyclable trucks. I do not think that will happen this week because I strained my rotator cuff again.

Even with a strained rotator cuff, I can roll the trashcan to the curb without difficulty. The problem is picking up the recyclable bins and carrying them to the curb. You would think that a plastic bin full of empty bottles or cans would be easy; however, picking them up and carrying them to the curb puts more strain on my left shoulder and rotator cuff.

Just thinking about lugging two or three bins full of papers, plastic bottles, and cans makes my shoulder ache. Since the only people in this house are my mother and me, I am the one who carries the bins to the curb. This morning, I will roll the trashcan to the curb and carry the recyclable bin labeled “cans and plastic bottles” to the curb. I am not going to attempt to carry the bin labeled “newspapers” to the curb today.

The recyclable trucks come again in two weeks. Between now and then I should be able to figure out a way to get that bins to the curb. My rotator cuff ought to heal enough by then for me to carry all the recyclable bins to the curb. It is times like these when I wish I had a man or someone around to help carry the bins to the curb.

It is back to the laundromat next week

Istijlál (Majesty), 13 Sharaf (Honor), 168 BE – Thursday, January 12, 2012 about 1:55 PM Pacific Time

During the rinse cycle, the drainpipes behind the washing machine overflow into the wall between the kitchen and the living room. As a result, the water drains into my living room. I wash small loads so that there is less water overflowing into the wall; however, that get me behind on the washing because I can only do two or three loads in a day. If I do any more then three loads, I have more water in my living room.

Next week, I need to go back to the laundromat to ketch up on the wash. Tomorrow, Friday, I have an appointment to have the bandage on my left leg changed. On Monday, I have a doctor’s appointment, so I will have to go to the laundromat on Tuesday. Tomorrow, on my way back from the wound care, I will stop at the bank and get $20.00 in quarters.

I am not looking forward to going to the laundromat, but I have to catch up on the laundry. I had planned to get my tag next week, but it is not dew until January 27, so I will have to wait until January 25 to get the smog test and then the tag.

On Monday I ate out in Las Vegas

Fidál (Grace), 11 Sharaf (Honor), 168 BE – Tuesday, January 10, 2012 AD about 1:00 PM Pacific Time

On Monday, I ate out by myself for the first time this year. I had to get a blood test and I couldn’t eat anything before getting the test. Afterwards, I went to a restaurant and ordered lunch. I usually don’t like going to a restaurant by myself. Mom and I used to go, so going alone is a big step. I enjoyed eating alone. The next time I do this, I’ll take my journal with me and write poetry.

Recipe of the week: Green Beans & Pasta

Jamál (Beauty), 9 Sharaf (Honor), 168 BE – Sunday, January 8, 2012 AD about 10:02 AM Pacific Time

Ingredients:

1 26.5 oz. can of pasta sauce (any flavor)

1 16 oz. pkg. of elbow macaroni (any type of pasta may be substituted)

8 c. water

2 14.5 oz. cans green beans (any style) drained

¼ c. of grated cheese (any type)

Instructions:

Step 1: I fix my pasta in a slow cooker, so I start this dish the night before. Put 8 cups of water in the slow cooker and turn the cooker onto high. When the water reaches the boiling point, I put in the pasta and let it cook. If you put the pasta into the slow cooker too soon, it gets starchy.

Step 2: Remove pasta from slow cooker and drain. Then place the pasta into microwavable casserole dishes (either 1 or 2 will do depending on the size of the casserole dish). Then place the pasta into the refrigerator (if you cook the pasta the day before making this recipe).

Step 3: Open the can of pasta sauce and mix it with the macaroni. If the macaroni is in two casserole dishes divide the pasta sauce between the two casseroles.

Step 4: Mix the green beans into the macaroni and pasta sauce; if you are using more then one casserole dish divide the green beans between the casseroles.

Step 5: Put the casserole dish into the microwave and heat the mixture. The length of time depends on the microwave, but give this dish at least 2 ½ to 5 minutes.

Step 6: Sprinkle the grated cheese on top of the green bean and pasta mixture. Note: If using two casserole dishes then change ¼ cup of cheese to ½ cup and divide between the casseroles.

This recipe makes enough for several people; therefore, if you want to freeze parts of it go ahead. To do this place the mixture into freezer containers that are also microwave safe, but do not add the grated cheese until you are ready to heat and serve.

Serving suggestions:

Serve this dish with either chicken thighs or breast. If you serve with chicken thighs do not remove the skin before cooking the chicken, especially if you are cooking the chicken in the microwave.

A beautiful day outside in Las Vegas

Jalál (Glory), 8 Sharaf (Honor), 168 BE – Saturday, January 7, 2012 AD about 3:56 PM Pacific Time

It’s Saturday and I’m at home with Mom. I went outside twice today, once to roll the trashcan to the curb and pick-up the newspaper. The second time to take trash out and roll the trashcan back into the garage. The rest of the day I spent in the house with Mom.

This morning it was a bit chilly. This afternoon the wind blew, but it didn’t feel much colder then when I rolled the trashcan to the curb. It’s a beautiful and sunny outside afternoon.

In some ways, Mom is better. This afternoon, she brushed her teeth twice. Because of her short-term memory problems, she forgot she’d already brushed them. I’ve walked her to the bathroom twice to brush her teeth and she did a good job both times. The first time she took her upper plate out to brush it and the second time she brushed it in her mouth. I’m not sure she remembers she wears upper dentures.

Mom has Alzheimer’s disease, so these little memory issues are expected events. I didn’t tell her she’d already brushed her teeth because it’s easier to go along with her in these cases. Mom uses a walker, but I still have to accompany her when she wants to do various things in the house. I’m glad she can brush her own teeth. I’m glad Mom is still capable of doing a number of things by herself, but I still have to keep an eye on her.

Mobile Monday: The day after New Year’s Day

Kamál (Perfection), 3 Sharaf (Honor), 168 BE – Monday, January 2, 2012 about 11:40 PM Pacific Time

It is Monday, the day after New Year’s Day and despite the fact that I set Monday aside to do business outside of the house and offline, I am staying home because the Adult Daycare center is close and Mom is home. I would not do me any good to go out today anyway because most of the places I have to go to are closed. Yesterday was New Year’s Day, so almost every place I need to go closed today, so that their employees can have a three-day weekend.

Mom seems to be having a good day. Right now, she is watching Star Trek the Next Generation on the sci-fi channel. I warmed her up some coffee a few minutes ago, so I have to check to see if she drank it. If she let get cold, I will warm it up again. Mom enjoys coffee, but she cannot have it after 5:00 PM because I do not want it to keep her awake.

Since I have to stay home today, I will attempt to do all the business I need to day the next four days. On Wednesday and Friday, I have doctor’s appointments. Wednesday I am getting an ultrasound of my left leg and Friday I see the wound care doctor again. On Tuesday, I have a bill to pay, which I attempt to pay last Friday, but the business closed because they moved. The worker I talked to said they would open again on Tuesday, January 3.

Recipe of the Week: Blackeyed Peas a New Year’s Day treat

Jamál (Beauty), 2 Sharaf (Honor), 168 BE – Sunday, January 1, 2012 about 6:30 AM Pacific Time

Blackeyed peas and ham
A New Year’s Day requirement
Afternoon delight

Blackeyed Peas and Ham

Ingredients:

1 1-lb. package of blackeyed peas washed, sorted, and soaked overnight
1 tablespoon of salt
1 tablespoon of pepper
1 small to medium sized hambone (I use a honey baked hambone)

Instructions:

Step 1: Rinse and sort beans into a large pot (if you are cooking them on the stove) or other large container (if you are cooking them in a slow cooker).

Step 2: Put the 1 lb. (approximately 2 cups) into the container and pour 8 cups of cold water over them. Let the beans stand overnight (at least six to eight hours).

Step 3: If you are using a slow cooker. Place 8 cups of water into the cooker and turn the cooker on. The water has to be hot when you add the blackeyed peas.

Step 4: Drain the soaking water off the beans and then put the beans into the slow cooker (if you are cooking the beans on the stove then you can put hot water in the pot of beans and turn the stove on).

Step 5: Add the hambone to the slow cooker or the pot of beans and cover with a gently titled lid. Let the beans simmer for about 1-½ to 2 hours (note this will take longer in a slow cooker) until tender. (My grandmother added 1 or 1/2 teaspoon of white vinegar while the beans were cooking; she said it cut down on the “gas”).

Step 6: Add the salt and pepper to the cooked beans if desired. (My grandmother always waited until last to add the salt and pepper to the beans.)

Note: You may add any other ingredients you like. For example, you may want to add Jalapeno Peppers.