BIG DOG

My sister sent me this picture. I think we have identified the dog that has been getting the home cooked meals. Would one turkey a week do it?

WEIGHT AND SEE THE NEW ME

Yesterday I did something I swore I would never do. I told my husband how much I weigh. I haven't told anyone how much I weigh since I hit 126# years ago. My Dr. knows, but he has taken the Hippocratic Oath and is bound by Hippa law to secrecy.

I was outsmarted by my sweetie. He bombarded me with guesses. He guessed extremely high knowing that might make me feel good that I didn't weigh as much as he said. It was a boondoggle. Feeling a little better about myself since I have lost 30#, I told him the truth. Time to be honest and time to divulge so he can hold me accountable in the future. Problem is, I forgot my husband is no good at keeping secrets.

I want friends and family to swear out a warrant for my arrest if I regain more than a pound, but I am NOT telling you what I weigh. You will have to be very observant.I know that doesn't make sense. You can see the real person but that number will remain my secret. Maybe someday my driver's stated vital stats. will match the truth.

The woman in this cartoon must have one of those talking scales. If mine had talked it would have said "Get A Life". That is what I feel I am finally doing. I have new zest and energy and see myself getting and staying in shape. Now, when was that high school reunion again?

Maybe We Should Try Solar Heat

We just had the heating and cooling guy here to give us an estimate for a new furnace and A/C. He listed the options with costs and rebates. There was a pretty good size list of rebates plus a federal tax credit of $300. He also worked up the possible savings in utilities. With all these savings, I figure if we bought two of everything we would really be rolling in the dough. I think my husband wished I had not been party to that conversation. Jon also scratches his head about my blogging. "It's about nothing" he says. It is. Just everyday life. It worked for Seinfeld. Perhaps I need a job where I talk to more people.

This Freaks Me Out

Soup Kitchen

I may start cooking for dogs. Yesterday was snowy, cold and a good day to eat homemade soup. We had ham Sunday and a juicy ham bone went in the soup pot first. After simmering that several hours, I added diced red potatoes, carrots, onion and cabbage. Topped off with fresh cracked pepper it was scrumptuous. Jon and I ate some for lunch. When I tried to serve it again today (soup gets better a day later) he declined and ate pasta. Do dogs like soup or would they rather just have the ham bone?

PS. -30 today. Maybe I should now go on the Cabbage Soup Diet. Yes, there is such a fad diet.

GONE TO THE DOGS

The EAT section of the morning paper has an article about cooking for dogs. With the recent scare of tainted pet food that killed some animals, this is attention getting information. Inside the paper are recipes for dog food. I have previously seen recipes for home cooked dog bones and how to make rawhide, but this is cuisine! Lucky dogs. As the writer states, some people do not even cook for their kids.
Our friend Bruce would be jealous if he saw this. Margaret does not cook. A few years ago they remodeled their kitchen to a state of the art spacious, granite countered, island holding, luxury applianced wonderland. It didn't work. They still eat out. I hope he doesn't find out the author's dog is feasting on meatloaf, organic carrots, beef vegetable soup and roast turkey. Her doorbell might ring at dinnertime.

http://www.twincities.com/food/ci_5641662

http://www.twincities.com/food/ci_5641679

THE LAST LPN

I received some very sad news today. One of my former co-workers in the ER was killed in a car accident on the way home from work yesterday. His name was Maynard and I worked with him the last ten years of my career.
Maynard was an LPN hired to work night shift about ten years ago at our community hospital. When I was night supervisor he worked under my supervision. As years went by the ER went to an all RN staff. Maynard was "grandfathered" in. He was a very competant nurse and I encouraged him to pursue an RN associate degree. He already was capable of doing the work, he just needed the credentials. Maynard had been a medic in the Army and also an EMT on the western Wisconsin ambulance service where he lived. Instead of pursuing his RN, he studied to be a paramedic. This was probably more difficult and did not pay as well . Doing it on a volunteer basis he was only paid for the actual hours called to duty. He did believe in serving. At the end it was his friends, the volunteer paramedics and EMTs who came to his rescue after the accident. He was conscious initially and I am sure that was a comfort to him.
Some memories come to mind of very stressful shifts almost on "tilt" working in the ER. I always felt like we had it covered if Maynard was my partner.
He was a big guy who usually brought Slim Fast for lunch but succumbed to the treats we had stashed in the back room. I described him as a "teddy bear" and that fits. Patients loved him. His co-workers had a hard time outworking him.
I am sure his wife and son are in shock. In his 50's, he was cheated out of a leisurely retirement and they have lost his generous spirit.
I stopped up at the ED this afternoon with a bag of cookies. Maynard was known for bringing a bag of cookies on Tuesdays. I guess he sabotaged his Slim Fast too.
Many will miss him. So long soldier, nurse, medic and friend.