Cooking & Crafting On A Rainy Day

Yesterday was the first rainy day we've had in November. Although I was sorry to give up the chance to walk outdoors, we need the rain and I determined to enjoy it. Jim was busy doing a painting job for friends and I had my kitchen all to myself sooo...

~I made some favorite dishes; spaghetti pie and taco chicken. Both of these recipes are easy to make and yummy to eat. Both can also be frozen and reheated at a later date. These are great casseroles to take to friends in need or to have on hand for company.

In my case, I have a friend who is going through some medical issues in her family and she is taking up all the slack that occurs when a family member is ill. She is such a wonderful mother and friend. I marvel at the ability she has to keep going and going; just like the Energizer Bunny. So, I thought a visit from The Food Fairy was in order. I didn't photograph the casseroles, but here's dessert.

It was such an enjoyable afternoon, snug in my kitchen with the wonderful food aromas filling the house. It makes me anxious to begin my Christmas baking.

Then, because I'm not a big fan of Thursday night television, I spent the evening in my craft room...

~creating these for Thanksgiving.

I thought they would make cute place cards for the table. We are spending Thanksgiving with my SIL, Deb and niece, Kacy. Dinner will be at Deb's niece's house. We are really looking forward to Thanksgiving and a chance to be with this part of our family.

Well, I'm going to run. Tonight I'm planning to see a local production of the musical Carousel. My friend, Shelly, is the choreographer. The director is another acquaintance of mine. A great guy and a good director. I'm sure the show will be a delight. Have a happy weekend.

~Hippo Hugs~

Thy fate is the common fate of all;

Into each life some rain must fall."

~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Mid-week Catch Up

I cannot believe how beautiful the entire month of November has been here in Upstate, NY. Today was another gorgeous, sunny day with temperatures in the mid-50's. Many times, by this time of the year, we have snow in this area. We are all just lovin' these beautiful Indian Summer days. Knowing that they can't last forever, I have been trying to be outside as much as possible.

I went to the hospital to spend the lunch time with Bruce today. He is having a regular diet now, and although he can feed himself it is a little difficult with only one hand so, sometimes, it's nice to have a little help. It was nice to have that time to visit with him by myself. He's doing pretty well and I think it won't be long before he's off to a skilled nursing facility for his orthopaedic rehab. They can't start his spinal cord rehab until the orotho is done, so the sooner the better.

In between hospital visits and trying to get some exercise, I have been working on putting my craft room back together. I am so excited to finish it and post some pictures. Jim has done such a nice job of painting and refitting it, I am anxious to show it off.

He's also finished painting the downstairs bathroom and I'm trying to get that finished too. My main problem is window treatments. I just can't make up my mind. I'm thinking of Roman shades in the craft room, but haven't seen exactly what I want yet. I'm not one of those people who has a decorator's touch. I really agonize. Any suggestions will be gratefully accepted.

I know my postings have been sparse and a little boring lately, but I'm going to get better....sometime, I promise.

~Hippo Hugs~

Wild Things

I went to see Where the Wild Things Are with the Lindas tonight. The Lindas worked with me in the library (back in the olden days) before I retired. So, of course, we needed to see what they had done to this classic children's book by Maurice Sendak. It was a fun evening

We went to dinner before the movie. The food was good and the company better. We did enjoy the movie. There were only two other people in the theatre besides us. They left as soon as the picture finished. As soon as (the bad) Linda realized they were gone, she began to howl. And, of course, I couldn't let her howl alone so I joined her. The good Linda, however, did not howl.

As for a review of the movie, my only comment would be that it seemed much more an adult movie than a child's. The wild things were charming and Max was a delightful little boy. And though I know his mom was relieved to have him back safe and sound, I still think there should have been a consequence for biting. Is that the disciplinarian in me speaking?

All-in-all it was a great day. Bruce continues to make progress. It's slow, but it is forward and for that we are grateful. He's eating soft foods, taking his meds orally and breathing with only the nose prongs. All this is good and we are thankful. Please continue to remember Bruce and Shelly in your prayers.

~Hippo Hugs~

More Happy News

Bruce is tubeless today. It was so good today to walk in and see him without that ugly breathing tube. He still has an oxygen mask on his face, but one more hurdle has been passed. They were doing physical therapy on his legs when we arrived.

This is all good news. Praise the Lord.

~Hippo Hugs~

A Joyful Report

It's late and I'm very tired, but just had to post a little good news. Yesterday, Bruce had surgery to repair his broken femur. But wait, I'm getting ahead of myself. Prior to the surgery, with his daughters and wife watching, he moved BOTH of his legs. That's right, both of his legs.

The spinal surgeon had told Shelly earlier that he was sure there was some spinal cord activity, but to see it with our own eyes was a wonderful gift. The surgery went well. They did not repair the shoulder as they want to wait until the breathing tube is out as that will make the surgery easier.

And did I mention the other good news? His peep (I have no idea exactly what that is) is 5 (and I do know that that is good). They are hoping to remove the breathing tube tomorrow. They may or may not do a temporary trach depending on how he responds.

I cannot be grateful enough. I am praising God and standing in awe of the work going on in Bruce's life.

Thanks for your prayers. Please keep on.

~Hippo Hugs~

Sunday Update

Oh, the twist and turns of life. I'm so sorry I've not been a faithful blogger these days. The past few weeks have been pretty much a blur. I'm still spending nights with Shelly. It's not that she's afraid to be alone, it's just the thought of a nighttime phone call bringing bad news that haunts her. So, for the time being, I'm living in two homes. Jim is such a dear husband and wonderful friend for seeing that this is where we need to be right now.

In my days at home, I've managed to:

~Get to Curves four times. That's good. I'm so glad to be back at Curves. It is good for me both physically and mentally. I'm also walking on the treadmill regularly.

~Start to put my craft room back together. Wait 'til you see the pictures. Jim has done an outstanding job of redoing this room for me. Now I just need time to get settled in here. A little bit at a time is working.

~Go to the mountains with Jim and another friend of Bruce's and close the cabin for the winter. Remember the fun of opening last spring? Hopefully, we'll have a healthy Bruce to open again next June.

\

~Have lunch out three times. What is it about times of crisis that make us think we can eat whatever and whenever we want? I know some people don't eat in crisis, me, I just want lots and lots of sweets and fats.

We have had some good news in the past few days. The spinal surgeon has told Shelly that there is movement below the site of the injury. He seems to have some movement and sensation. How much and how long the therapy will be isn't quite evident yet, but this is better news than we really expected. He is, however, still on the ventilator as his bruised lungs are healing slowly. This is a source of great frustration to him. I cannot even imagine how he must feel.

We are still waiting and praying for the final surgery on his leg and arm. That won't take place until his lungs are more stable. Let's pray that that is this week.

I want to thank everyone for all their prayers and support. We are so thankful for all the people around the country and world, actually, who are praying for Bruce and Shelly. We do have so much to be grateful for. You are all wonderful.

~Hippo Hugs~

It's Tuesday

Today was another beautiful day in Upstate, NY, bright sunshine, blue skies and wonderful fall colors everywhere. Jim and I took a walk along the canal path and I took my camera. Jim accuses of me of using the camera as an excuse to stop in rest every once in awhile.

If it didn't mean that winter was on its way, I think this might be my favorite season. Well, maybe not. I do love spring with the greening of the grass, buds on the trees and flowers blooming. Or maybe my favorite is Summer. Summer is so lovely with her gowns of green and multicolored bouquets. I guess I am really a pretty fickle lover of seasons. I don't even really hate winter. I just wish it lasted about six weeks and that no snow would fall on the sidewalks or roads. Is that too much to ask for.

Anyway, today's walk was glorious. We stopped on the way and had lunch. We each had a bowl of scrumptious beef barley soup and shared a yummy grilled cheese sandwich. Then we went on our way and finished our walk.

We have talked about the possibility of buying cross country skis and skiing on the canal path in the winter. We used to do cross country and then we had a few winters with scant snow and we just got out of the habit. I think we sold our skis at a garage sale and forgot about them until the last couple of years. Now that we have more time and desperately need winter exercise, we are thinking of it again. I think we might go to a place where we can rent equipment and see how it works before we invest.

The weather looks mild for the rest of the week, with some rain thrown our way from time to time. We're hoping for dry weather on Friday and Saturday as we are going to the Adirondacks to close up Bruce and Shelly's summer home. We had been looking forward to the four of us going for a last hurrah before winter. Now, it is just a reminder of how quickly life can take a turn.

Speaking of Bruce and Shelly, there has been no change in Bruce's condition. He is under less sedation, but he is still on the ventilator. He is more aware, but also more frustrated because he can't talk and he hates that breathing tube. There was talk of doing the surgery on his arm, shoulder and leg today, but he had a slight fever and they decided not to do it. He still isn't moving his lower extremities.

This is a picture of their Nisson Murano just after they cut Bruce out of the driver's seat. As far as we know the intoxicated driver of the other car was not seriously injured. He admitted at the scene that he had been drinking too much. Please continue to pray for Bruce's recovery. No matter what the outcome, he has a very long road of rehab ahead of him.

A former student of Bruce's has started a group of Friends and Former Students of Bruce Thompson on FaceBook and over 500 people have joined. I guess that gives us a good idea of how much this man has influenced the lives of people around here. I just know that my heart is breaking and I want my friend back...as soon as possible.

~Hippo Hugs~