Prognosis is Good!

Well, it isn't gout! Thank you! That is a typically something older people and men get. I know I am getting closer and closer to the big 3-0, but I am not quite prepared for the diseases and problems of the elderly Heck, I still haven't figured out what I want to be when I grow up! I know I am not ready to be the game night host at a nursing home I am living in ... not yet!

Anyways not much new going on here. I have been kind of nursing my foot. Today, I actually worked out twice and brought another box up from the basement to put more winter clothes in the closets. I need to get those warmer clothes out! It is quite chilly, if I do say so myself. This morning in my car, my thermostat read 37! I am not kidding. Now, I am all for the cold, but I really love fall, and it's only October. Hold off old man winter. Yes, I have major crush on you in December, but not yet, buddy!

This weekend is my parents' Halloween party, and you will have to stay tuned to see what my dear husband and I are going to be! Also, Sunday, Joe and I and the rest of my family are going to the pumpkin patch. We will probably cheat and get our carveable (yes, I made up that word) pumpkin at the local store because it is way cheaper. But, the pumpkin patch has a Christmas and fall shop, kettle corn, apple cider, hay rides and other fall foods. My family started coming with us last year, and it is a blast. They are all going to come to our house afterwards for dinner and to watch "Sweeney Todd." Woo hoo!


Finally, here are a few pictures. I failed big time and forgot to take my camera, so I had to steal these. Some are blurry ... sorry. The worst and best part of alumni weekend: I didn't get any pictures of the Oreo cupcakes, but they were so popular, they were gone in a flash! The were definitely a hit. the only changes I made to the recipe were that I added chopped Ores to the chocolate (box mix, he he) cake batter, mixed finely blended Oreos into the cream cheese frosting and decorated with mini Oreos. They were divine! you have to make them now!

Here is my dad, me, my brother Derek (in the back), my husband Joe, my sister Kayla and my mom before the game!

Here I am getting ready to go on the field for halftime!

This one is blurry, but this is during pregame! The girl on the left is Amanda. I am actually really good friends
with her older brother and friends with her now, too! I remember when she was a little girl;
now she's in grad school. Wow, I am old!

Holy Gout!

Well, today was interesting. My foot was feeling a little better this morning, but it still looked pretty swollen. So I decided to call the doctor, and the nurse told me to stop in. I took the second half of the work day off and headed to the doctor. He instantly thought that it was gout! Yuck! Just the word "gout" bothers me.

Typically it is something older people deal with. Basically, it is when the kidneys have trouble ridding the body of uric acid, so the uric acid leaves through the bloodstream and for some reason, heads to the big toe in most cases. It is a form of arthritis, according to what I've read. The doctor said that when the toe swells, it indicates a gout attack. Things like alcohol, red meat and spicy foods trigger attacks. However, my doctor said he is not to the point where he would limit my foods. He said I am healthy and at a healthy weight, so he is not worried about foods, etc.

Even though he is pretty sure that it is gout, we won't know for sure until the blood results come back. The blood work was done in the office, and the results will be back tomorrow.

I'll be honest; I am not convinced it is gout. I kind of want it to be, since I will know what the problem is. Although this incident is the first time my foot has been really bad, I have had a few times when the foot hurt before. I always wrote it off as a pulled muscle or a bruised bone or something. However, this is a completely different possible diagnosis. I mean, I was thinking I would need x-rays and would find out I had a chipped bone or stress fracture or something.

Like I said, I would be absolutely shocked if it was gout. But, I guess I will find out tomorrow! I just want to be able to work out and walk like a normal person again. I need to because I ate like a pig this weekend.

Week in Review Oct. 10-16

This was a fun but busy week. I was on deadline for work, we had alumni band, my brother-in-law came in for a visit with his kids and my parents went to Baltimore on a trip with the church. So,here goes nothing!

Sunday- I had to go lead my Weight Watcher meeting in the morning. We then headed to church for choir and had Mass. Then we headed back to our house, and my brother-in-law Jim stopped by for a quick visit with his two kids, Hannah and Ethan, before heading back to his house two hours away. Jim was visiting my in-laws all weekend (who live 15 minutes away). His wife couldn't come because she had to work all weekend. We had a nice visit. Earlier in the morning Jim called me and asked me to be baby Ethan's godmother.Of course I said yes, and I looked forward to Jim coming over so I could snuggle with the little guy. It took him a few minutes to warm up to me, but he did. After Jim left, I went to the mall to get my uncle a Steelers' shirt for his birthday, and then I went home and woke Joe up, so he could come to my grandma's house with me for my uncle's party. We then headed up to my grandma's for dinner.We had my grandma's amazing meatballs, pasta salad, my mom's wedding soup and pumpkin pie for birthday cake. After a long day,we came home and relaxed before bed.





It's Aunt Renee and her newest godson!



He is wondering about me!

 


Happy birthday, Uncle Joe!



Go Steelers!





Monday - I woke up bright and early to walk Maddy,and then headed to work. It was a deadline week at the paper, so it was a busy day.I went grocery shopping during lunch. I then packed up a lunch and headed back to work. After work, I had to go to the doctor's office to pick up a physical paper for my brother, since my parents were out of town, and Derek had to go straight from class to work. Afterwards, I went home, made chicken with tomatoes, baked potatoes and corn for dinner. After dinner, Joe did dishes, and I cleaned out the hall closet, while watching the season opener of "Giuliana and Bill." Yes, I am a reality show junkie. Then, I went to bed absolutely exhausted, but I couldn't sleep until 2 a.m. It made for a long Tuesday!

  

Tuesday - Even though I had a long night, I got up early and did a workout from digital cable. I then headed to work for actual deadline day. I went home at lunch to put a ham in the crock pot, and I headed back to work. Joe finished dinner. He made mashed potatoes and green beans. I got home at around 7 p.m. and ate. Then we relaxed and watched T.V. Kayla came up and we watcher "Glee." It was  great episode about duets. Loved it. Then I blogged a bit and headed to bed. What a long day!

Wednesday - Wednesday I woke up and went to work. I know I worked out at some point, but I can't remember if it was in the morning or during lunch. I went to work, and after work headed to Walmart to pick up supplies to make the Oreo cupcakes I was making for the weekend. Then I had my Weight Watchers meeting, headed home to my house that my husband cleaned (we're talking bathrooms and all) and ate ham leftovers. Then I had a Weight Watchers conference call at 8 p.m. Afterwards, Joe and I watched "Sweeney Todd," and relaxed. My sister, brother, and brother's friend Ben stopped by for a few minutes. We had a a nice evening.

Thursday - Thursday I was planning to have my parents up for dinner because they got back very late Wednesday night from a three-day trip to Baltimore, Gettysburg and Washington, D.C., and I wanted to hear about the trip. Well, Joe had cleaned the whole house the night before, so I didn't have to worry too much about that. I think I did Tae Bo in the morning before heading to work. At lunch, I came home and made an apple spice bundt cake; it was yummy! After work, I headed home and made taco salad, corn bread, cinnamon applesauce and macaroni and cheese. Then my parents came up for dinner. It was yummy, and we had a chance to visit, look at pictures and relax. It was really awesome. After they left, my brother and sister and my brother's friend came up to watch "The Office." It was a great night.

Friday - I woke up early and did ab exercises. My left foot was killing me (and still is), and I couldn't do much exercise. It is a pain that radiates from the inside ball of my left foot into the toe. It even looks slightly swollen today (Sunday). Joy! I then went to work, came home and baked pumpkin chocolate chip cookies and Oreo cupcakes that were divine. (I even chopped up Oreos for the cake batter and for the frosting.) Then, Joe and I relaxed and watched "Groundhog Day" before heading to bed.

Saturday - It was the big alumni day I have been talking about. We had practice at 11 a.m. at  the high school. I got up early, went to practice, and we all headed to get Chinese after practice. Then we headed to Mass at the high school and played after Mass. Then, we rode in the band bus to the stadium (five minute drive away). The game was fun, and we ate a lot of Swedish fish, which is an odd tradition for alumni band. After the game, we drove cars (that we dropped off at the stadium earlier in the day) back to the school and played at the fish fry. Then we hung out in the band room and Chris (alumni band member) played "American Pie," "Piano Man" and "Sweet Caroline," while we sang along. Chris is, by far, the most talented musician I know. He can hear a song and just play it right now - no music needed. Amazing! Afterwards, my cousins Megan and Ryan rode with us back to my parents' house. My mom had awesome roast beef sandwiches, chips, Doritos, potato salad and macaroni and cheese. We also had my cookies and cupcakes for dessert. We ended the party way into the night (after 2 a.m.), and I had to be up for my Weight Watchers meeting at 7 a.m. That was a blast (notice the sarcasm).

Today, I am relaxing and taking it easy. I hope that by relaxing, I will give my foot some time to heal. Go Steelers. Ben is back!

Alumni Game 2010

As I mentioned, this weekend is alumni band weekend, and I am so excited because so many of my former band peers are coming in for it this year. We will have practice tomorrow morning at the school, and then we will all head to lunch before returning to the school for Mass (Catholic high school). After Mass, we will head to the game and play and hang out. I doubt I will play much, as I look forward to the company more than anything, but my whole family will be playing, and it is a good time. When I say my whole family, I mean my mom, dad, sister, brother, aunt, uncle and cousin. Yes, we were all in the same band, at different times, of course :)

After the game, we are always pretty starved. So, we will head to my parents, and my mom will have tasty food. I am going to make  pumpkin chocolate chip cookies and Oreo cupcakes. We also bought a couple dozen smiley face cookies from a local bakery, which was a treat my group always enjoyed while we were growing up. Yum!

Here is the link for the Oreo cupcakes:
http://acupfullofcake.blogspot.com/2010/06/fathers-day-death-by-oreo-cupcakes.html

Here is the link for the chocolate chip pumpkin cookies:
http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/pumpkin-chocolate-chip-cookies-iii/Detail.aspx

Now, I haven't made either recipe, yet, but you can be sure I will give you a full update next week. I mean, honestly, how can they be bad? They are chocolate and Oreos and frosting. Thinking about that alone made me just gain five pounds! Normally, I like to make apple pie cupcakes for the fall alumni game, but I am changing it up this year. I love trying new recipes in the kitchen, and my husband never seems to mind! Since my post was so picture heavy yesterday, I will keep it free of pictures this time. Be sure there will be plenty from alumni game next week. 

Have a great weekend and be safe!

Travel Thursdays - Our First Cruise

This is a long post and very picture heavy. Proceed if you dare!

Cruising wasn't something that Joe or I had ever done, along with most of the rest of my family. However, it was something my parents always wanted to do. So, for their 25th wedding anniversary in 2006, my sister, brother, Joe and I threw my parents an anniversary party and asked that everyone, in lieu of gifts, consider donating toward a cruise for them. The feedback was positive, and we were able to write my parents a nice check for a cruise of their choice. Their anniversary was two weeks before our August wedding, and they took the cruise in May 2007.



Come sail away with me!



Well, fast forward two years later (June of 2008), and we all decided to go on the same cruise they went on. When I say all, I mean all nine of us, including: Joe, Mom, Dad, Kayla, Derek, two friends, our friend Finney and me! It was all set, we decided to cruise on the Carnival Miracle for nine days (same exact cruise my parents did). We left from New York, which was driving distance for us, and we went to Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and Tortola.

Dad, Finney, Mom and I by the pool one morning. Notice there is no one else there.

Let me tell you, within minutes we were hooked. If you have never been on a cruise, you have got to try it. Envision drinks and food available all day, someone cleaning your room twice a day, napping as you please, getting lost in a good book, excellent food, going to Vegas-style shows every night, laying poolside and gorging yourself with soft-serve ice cream. It really is magical.

Waiters singing Mom and Kayla "Happy Birthday." They share a birthday, and my sister turned 21 on the cruise!

We got a balcony room, and I don't think I can cruise any other way. Think about it, a private balcony to read on while sailing the ocean. Can you smell the salt water right now?

Our ship in Puerto Rico.

There is much debate over Royal Caribbean versus Carnival, and honestly I can't give a real review because we have only cruised with Carnival. But, we have cruised with Carnival three times, and we love it. Does that say anything? Carnival is a fun ship; it is true. There are events that are a little corny (belly-flopping contest, etc.), but we just don't go to those. There also are jewelry sales, art shows, bar musicians, trivia games, casinos, bingo games and so much. If there is something that interests you, you can go. If you don't want to go, just don't. It is time for luxury and relaxation. Speaking of luxury, my sister and I always take advantage of the spa. I just realized I need a cruise right now.

Each port was unique. We had three sea days before reaching Puerto Rico, and let me tell you, we love sea days. We could wake up anytime we wanted and really relax. In Puerto Rico, my mom, dad, sister, brother, Joe, Finney and I did a tour of the island and went to the Bacardi Rum factory. Although the tour of the factory left much to be desired, we loved our free rum, and we got to take some great flavors home with us. On the tour, we saw where Roberto Clemente is buried and shopped in some of the markets near the port. We were there a good while (3-11 p.m.), which we really loved because it gave us a lot of time to enjoy the city. After dinner (we ate in the lido deck dining room on the ship), Joe and I went and sat on the top deck completely by ourselves, and I mean completely by ourselves. It was dark out, and we could look at the city with a gorgeous view. That was probably the best part of the trip for me. I think Joe would agree. That night, we had a Mexican buffet and dance party while our ship set sale for our next port, which was St. Thomas!

Kayla and me at Bacardi!

St. Thomas was gorgeous. I don't care what anyone says. We did a tour of the island again and stopped at Magens Bay. We had the whole beach to ourselves. Seriously, there were maybe two dozen people stretched along the beach. The water was crystal clear and just gorgeous. We loved it! For that excursion day, it was just my mom, dad, sister, brother, Joe and me. After the beach, we went to (what we call) tent city, and I got my very own Coach purse. Kayla got two purses. It was insanely hot, and I believe Joe was delirious when he told me to find a purse. I promise I didn't even ask for one. Finney went by himself that day, and he said Magens Bay was packed when he went. We really lucked out. Don't worry, that day we got free rum too.

St. Thomas

Joe, me, Derek and Kayla at St. Thomas

My sister at Magens Bay with no one in sight. Incredible.

Our third excursion day was Tortola, and it was the best excursion day. Kayla and I went swimming with dolphins. I thought we would be in a huge group and get very limited interaction. Boy was I wrong! The big excursion group broke into smaller groups, and our group was approximately seven or eight people, and we had two trainers and two dolphins. We got to feed them, pet them, ride them two times each and do tricks with them (getting them to speak and spit water). It was fantastic! I highly recommend the dolphin excursion in Tortola. We purchased a video and pictures at the end. It was hot, so when we got back to port, we only went shopping for a short while before heading back to the ship.

Joe and me on our balcony in Tortola.

While on the ship, we had two formal nights, which you don't have to attend, but I highly recommend them. It's fun to get dressed up once in a while, right? Carnival's dress code isn't too strict. The ladies wore anything from cocktail dresses to gowns, and the guys pretty much wore suits or at least dress shirts and ties. The first formal night (earlier in the trip) was what they call "Captain's Formal Night," where you get to listen to the ship band play music in the main theater, meet and shake hands with the captain and crew and indulge in free alcohol and appetizers. (Although food and drinks are included in the cost of cruising, there is a cost for alcohol.) My parents got to go to a special past cruisers event later in the cruise (which we got to attend in later cruises). Those are fun too!

Dancing with my baby brother one night!

Joe and I at our first formal night!

One of the highlights for our group was the piano player, Roger, in the piano bar. The piano bars on the ships are like a group sing-a-long, and they are a blast. Roger was a great entertainer, and we became regulars of that bar. It is bad, by the way, if you are regulars on a nine-day cruise.

Second formal night.

The second highlight for our group, was that Finney won bingo twice (totaling something like $800), and our other friend won. It was so cool. When Finney won the big bingo, he paid a round of drinks that night. It was a ball!

Our whole gang at dinner with our waiters on the last night. The picture is fuzzy, but it was a group shot.

Our dining room

Since that cruise was two-and-a-half years ago, I don't remember all of the details. But, I think I did pretty good.

I want a drink with an umbrella, a lounge chair in the sun and ocean as far as my eyes can see right about now.

The candy corn debacle

So, every year around this time everyone gets ready for the fall weather and tasty treats that come with the season. When I think of fall scents, I think of apple, pumpkin, spices and cinnamon. When I think of visions of fall, I think of leaves changing colors, sweaters and pumpkins. When I think of sweet treats, I especially focus on candy corn.

You may think the candy corn is a very simple concept. Heck, it's sugar and food dye, right? WRONG! In my family and circle of friends, the candy corn is reason for much debate, and I am very serious when I say that. Although the debate is not heated, it is a debate, nonetheless. The debate stems from the question, which side is the top of the candy corn? Now, you are thinking well of course I know the answer. But in our group it is a pretty evenly split topic. Ask a few of the people around you, and you may find the same debacle.

My husband and I along with our smart family members and friends (just kidding), think the pointy part is the top. I mean it only seems natural to me that the wider end would be the bottom. How would said candy corn stand on the tip? It can't!

Members of the other side of the debate said that the wider part is the top because of how how corn grows on a cob. Hello, I have yet to see a candy corn cob! In my mind, that makes their argument a moot point.

This started years ago, and it got to the point where my husband and I e-mailed Brach's (don't judge us; I know we are insane), and they took the politically correct way out. (Hey, I was surprised they even responded.) They said that when they create the candy corn the point is the bottom; but when it comes out of the molding, the point is the top.

One year for Halloween a husband and wife couple who are friends of my parents dressed as candy corn, each dressed to represent what side they thought was the top.

What side do you think is the top? Think about it; and by the way, you will never look at candy corn in the same way ever again.

My cousin's wedding

Well, we finally loaded some pictures on the computer, so I can update with some pictures...woo hoo!

Two weeks ago, my cousin Christine got married,and it was a night of fun and full of family time. She had an absolutely gorgeous September day for a wedding. It was sunny and warm, but not too hot.

I had to go to the actual ceremony by myself, since my husband and dad were working, and my sister had a football game. (My sister is the band's dance team instructor.)

Afterwards, we all caught up and went to the wedding together. My cousin Luke was in from Indiana, and he sat at our table with us,along with my dad's cousin Annette (and obviously my husband, mom, dad and sister. I think the highlight of the wedding was when the groom sang to the bride. It was so awesome. He sand Elvis Presley's, "I Can't Help Falling Love with You." I kid you not when I say he sounded like Elvis.I mean, Joe didn't believe the groom was singing until he got choked up for a second. That man's got pipes. AMAZING!

So, here are the pictures!





Here is my sister Kayla dancing with our little cousin Karlie:


And what would wedding pictures be without a picture of the bride and groom? It's not my picture, but it's from her Facebook page (not a professional picture). I don't think she'll care!