Peanut Butter Crisis

With the current recalls looming over all the PBJ lovers, it is so nice to have a small stockpile of safe peanut butter.
One benefit of stocking at least a three month supply of food and carefully rotating your stock is that you are past the point of recall when you finally are ready to eat it.
Stock up for food security!

Economic Disaster Plan?

It occurs to me that our current situation is a direct result of using similar economic tactics in the 1930's.

Now, decades later, our generation is paying dearly for those mistakes.

If you borrow money, you will, eventually, have to pay it back!

How much worse will it be for our grandchildren to have to pay back the mistakes of then and now?!

Judging Others

Okay...

so I have some people 'in' my life who enjoy giving me their opinions on my weight...

neither one sees me socially, so neither has even half a clue about me...

so...

one told me we couldn't be friends because I'm not active enough for him...

one told me all I eat is fast food...

both judged me without asking what was really going on...

it was cold and cruel...

Eating Ice Outside

It's fun to eat ice outside, even when it's cold out!

I Love This Ice

With the low hemoglobin, ice is my friend!

Great Ice!

If you love to munch ice, you know the square cubes with holes are the best!
The only place I've been able to find this kind in Joliet is at La Lomas on Walnut St at the top of the hill between Cass St and Silver Cross Hospital.

Preparing for Surgery...

Although my surgery this Thursday will be a common one, I feel much better knowing I have this.
I can't even imagine risking him ending up in foster care while my estate is sorted out!
Now I know both of my children will continue to have stability.
Can you put a price on that?

Growing Up?

Matt found his drawer full of ties and has decided to wear one every day... Even with sweat shirts and t-shirts!
A trendsetter in the making!

Reducing Soap Scum

Try a bit of vinegar in the rinse cycle to reduce the soapy residue.

Who wants a soapy towel after their shower?!

My Kids are Coming to Get Me!!!

I can see my kids driving up to the Vera Smith Pavilian to pick me up!
The doctor says my hemoglobin is up to a 8.2... I can go home and the troops have arrived to take me away!
There is always hope, but don't think I didn't pray too!!!

The View From My Window...

For winter in Joliet, it wasn't bad!

Time Never Seems to Change...

My room was like something out of the "Twilight Zone".

As though maybe it was a room that had been locked long ago at 2:47...

Or like the song "Grandfather's Clock":

"... The clock stopped never to go again when the old man died".

Hmmmm... Regardless, it was eerie!

Knitting While I Wait

Yes, we all know I'm addicted to knitting, so what else would I take to keep busy.

As soon as I felt well enough to sit up and knit, they discharged me!

LOL!!!

Quaint Bathroom...

The bathroom was quaint.

At first I thought it was really cute, but, after a while, it seemed rather SMALL!

And I had to wait till the night shift came in to be offered wash cloths, towels, bath soap, etc...

That's Breakfast?!

I guess I was spoiled by St. Joe's food the last time I was in the hospital. As I told my eight year old son, "you cook way better than they do".

Upscale Televisions~ Pampering!

After 4 hours in the ER, I finally got a room.

The first thing I noticed was this TV.

It was so big I could see the picture clearly!

Build a Better Hospital Bed

The person who finally designs a comfortable, cost-effective hospital bed will make a fortune and be appreciated by millions!

The Best Spot in the E.R.

I was fortunate and was placed in a room across from the nurses station. This spot was ideal as my nurse passed my room regularly and I could hear all their discussions (good & bad).
I found out that my hemoglobin had dropped to a 6.3 by the time the ER tested me!

Gotta Have a Sense of Humor!

Don't go to the hospital and leave your sense of humor at home. As the next blogs will tell you, humor is critical to survive any hospital visit!

Still at Emergency Room

OK, so the kids drop me off at the ER and head off to work.
I walk in and get in line to check in... Yes, get in line!
The girl signing people in, Melissa, had obviously taken classes in being rude and pushy. She was NOT happy that the doctor had told me to check in through the ER!
But, the triage nurse was great... Very soft spoken and kind. I thanked her for being so nice.