My husband is annoyed with me.

Allow me to explain:

My surgery is scheduled for Jan 19th - a Monday, and MLK day, so both hubby and kiddo are off for the holiday.

The surgery is in downtown chicago, near Water Tower Place - not very easy or quick to get to from my suburban location. Even taking the train down, it still requires a water taxi ride and 10 min walk, or an extended bus or cab ride (this time of year the water taxi doesnt run)

The surgery is scheduled for 7:30 am and I have to be checked-in at 5:30 am.

My nine year old does not do so well at 5:30 am, let alone 4am, when we would have to get up to be dressed and in the car to haul downtown and park the car.

The surgery is estimated to last 3 hours, so I wont be out until 10:30, then I go to recovery, then resting until I am discharged in the afternoon.

[Sidebar: YES, this is an OUTPATIENT hysterectomy. I have very mixed feelings about THAT issue, but I will save it for another post.]

There happens to be an inexpensive but decent chain hotel/motel literally 3 doors down from the hospital in Chicago. After taxes, one night for me to stay there with my small overnight bag, will be $88.

Add in the possibilty that I might have to do a bowel prep if so ordered by the doc the night before surgery...and you would think he would WANT me to be elsewhere, stinking up a bathroom that wasnt ours!

I found out that I can check in to the surgery alone, and just give his cell phone number. That way, hubby and daughter can get up at a decent hour, walk the dogs, have breakfast, and then head downtown to check in on me, and then take me home.

I thought my idea was smart; so did the surgical registration person I have been working with at the hospital.

But hubby does not appreciate my logistics planning.

He said I should get up early and drive myself downtown; then he and daughter will take a train later to get me.

That still leaves a car in a train station parking lot, and considering I wont be able to drive for over a week, I have no idea how we would retrieve it.

I would have them drop me off at the train on Sunday afternoon and then, I would bus or cab over to the motel, check in, and try to relax, maybe do some quiet reading, before facing this surgery that, quite frankly, scares me, even though I do want to have it done.

For now, I will keep the reservation; I can always cancel it if I choose up to 24 hrs before.

I am still weary after our travels, driving back and forth from Chicago to Philadelphia. With the exception of the doggie disaster (see previous entry), our visit was enjoyable. I even met up for drinks with a friend from the high school days. Hubby came along with me and we had a pleasant evening out at an Irish bar in a charming town near my folks house called Media, PA.

I also spent an afternoon in Media with the hubby and bro-in-law doing a bit of shopping and savoring a great lunch at an institution that I have not visited since I was about 5 years old. I have had salads with steak before but their Steakhouse Salad was incredible.

In between the dining, drinking and shopping, I did attend masses. Well, I *intended* to attend mass on Sunday, but due to an overnight ice storm (and the fact that churches in the area were actually cancelling services due to this fact) I took a safer route, which was to watch mass on tv. The broadcast I was able to find , unfortunately only did the Liturgy of the Word and the homily (sermon) in English the rest was in LATIN!!! So...since neither my daughter nor I could follow along, we changed the channel at that point. But we TRIED...

Then, Wednesday evening we attended a Christmas Vigil mass at my sister*s parish. Although not a beautiful church architecturally, the parishioners, priest, and liturgy particpants were so friendly and welcoming, it was a great expereince, even though we had to partake of it in the Crying Room with my two little nephews.

Last night, after driving for 12 hours, we got home and I began to tidy the house and unload our items crammed into every corner of the van. Sometime around 9pm, I got really bad vertigo - a dizziness with the sensation of swirling. I got a bit scared, thinking maybe Iwas having a heart attack or something! Well, I just decided to getinto bed and try to sleep it off. I woke up generally feeling ok, but Ihave had an awful headache all day.

Thursday (New Years) is what Catholics term a *Holy Day of Obligation* - meaning, you have to go to mass that day. Of course I am also supposed to go today (Sunday) as well.

After two masses last week (albeit, one televised) I dont think I am ready for another double-dose of worship time; I am going to skip it today, rest my weary head, and just say my prayers.

Oh and, uh, there is an Egales game on this evening so, uh...yeah...I*ll be at mass Thursday!

Through a mistaken placement of wrapped and sealed boxes of expensive gift chocolated from Belgium  my dogs went on a gift-unwrapping rampage in my moms basement, ate FOUR boxes of chocolatesintended for gifts, BARFED EVERYWHERE, and yet survived their foray into the naughty side of Christmas-not without barking ALL NIGHT insisting that they should still be allowed to haul their barfing arses into the people beds for the evening.

I likely got a total of 3 hours of sleep last night, grasped in between barks. My solution was to BATHE the scottie (Megan) because her beard was covered in her body*s rejection of the cocoa delights. And then I let those F***ING dogs sleep with us anyway, just so as to prevent their barking from waking the whole house.

I have a feeling if Santa brings them coal, they will try to eat it!

As I type, the snow is falling fast, in great volume. We are expected to receive somewhere between 6-14 inches of this stuff before noon Friday.

My family and I (including the dogs) are scheduled to pile into the Rockin Van and haul across 80 and 76 to Delaware County, PA. I am not sure how or when this will happen as scheduled, unless somehow the salt and plow trucks from City, County, and State agencies step up the pace they have been in for much of this winter.

Speaking of dogs...

Annie is ok, in a manner of speaking. Her bloodwork was totally normal, but the X-rays revealed the beginning of hip dysplasia, plus some disc degeneration in her lower back. The vet also confirmed she has incontinence issues. She is now on two medications - one to strengthen her bladder muscles, another for chronic pain. She wanders about the house ok, but has trouble managing the 4 steps to get down to the back door to go outside. Since my back has been ok the past few days, I actually carry her down the stairs to go outside. But, despite me taking her OFTEN, she has still has accidents in the house. The vet noted that in a few weeks, once the meds kick in I *should * see a change for the better in her toileting habits. If not, we both discussed the possibilty that old Annie is getting dementia. She has had some moments over the past few moths where she seems to not recognize me, or understand my verbal commands. She was always such a good dog and very easy to train. Even though she was older when we got her 5 years ago (around 6 or 7, was the estimate) I taught her Sit, Beg, and Down (laying down on the floor, front paws outstretched) within a matter of weeks. Now she ignores my calls to go outsdie, and sometimes even to eat, which is really unusual. In the middle of the night she gets out of our bed and wanders around the house.

*Sigh* Do they make nursing homes for dogs?

Through a variety of outlets, I have been able to catch up with a number of friends from high school and college days. It genuinely saddens me to hear of friends who are going through tough times - deaths, health crises, divorces, etc, - when my last in-person memories of them seem so filled with the promises of youth and the future ahead. I suppose the easiest saying to tack on to these feelings is *Well, that*s life!*

But its not as easy as all that. I, myself, have had various trials through the years; who hasn*t in some capacity or another. But despite that, my personality is such that I bounce back, albeit sometimes grumbly and full of complaints. Not everyone is able to manage this way.

For all of my friends, both old and new, dealing with trials of life right now: I am thinking of you, praying for you, hoping for the best.

I was really angry with Annie for her obsession with trash, but one tidbit I omitted from my previous blog entry is that Annie has been having a number of *issues* lately - mostly peeing and pooping all over the house, even though I walk her constantly, and I am usually home for her to ask to go out.

I spoke with our wonderful vet today. She and I agreed that its possible that old Annie (whose exact age is unknown, but could be anywhere from 12-15) is having aging-related issues such as arthritis (prevent her from wanting to walk around outside), incontinence (which can be treated with pills, I learned today), or possibly something worse (which could also exlpain her more pronounced obsession with food). She was already scheduled for her annual comprehensive exam AND dental cleaning tomorrow, so she will also possibly get X-rays and a urinalysis to see if there is a medical reason for her poor housetraining manners in the past few weeks.

For Annies sake, I hope something DOES show up that is treatable.

Friday night, while I was at the cookie party, my mostly-beagle knucklehead dog, Annie, got into the garbage, made a royal mess and made herself sick with a typical case of *garbage gut.* Copious amounts of diarrhea, vomiting, and constant requests from her to go outside ensued. It is now 5:47 am. I was woken up three times last night  by Miss Garbage Eater to take her out so she could squirt OR to haul her barfing ass out of my bed (which was this last occurance at 5:30 am)

Here is my grumpy meme. Play along if you like.


(enter annoying Dog/dog issue here)_____ is no fun because _________________.

_(again with the annoying dog issue)____   drives me nuts because_____________.

__(enter name of annoying dog)___ is damn lucky I rescued his/her sorry canine arse from the (pound/shelter/breeder/pet store/neighbor) because this (annoying dog issue) is (expletive and adjective of dog issue)!


Here is mine:

Eating out of the trash_____ is no fun because it results in the runs and barfing.

_Eating out of the trash drives me nuts because I first have to clean up the mess, then I *know* garbage gut is coming soon thereafter.

__Annie___ is damn lucky I rescued her sorry canine arse from the McHenry County dog pound because this eating out of the trash is bleeping disgusting!

I felt out of place at the party last night. I knew very few of the moms there, which was not a problem in and of itself. But overall, I felt like I did not fit in.

EVERY mom except me had on dark denim jeans, some sort of heeled boot and a plain sweater. I wore a glitzy top, and black knit pants and rhinestone dangly earrings - I mean, its a holiday party, right? I felt dumb and out of style. Worse, though, I was clearly the fattest person there and one of the shortest. Everyone had long layered hair (majority blonde), was about 5ft-8 and thin. And NO ONE ate any of the wonderful snacks our hostess made...no one except me and my kooky neighbor who also attended. She is a very bold, straightforward woman, and she cracks me up, altough she never seems to laugh at the things she says that I find funny, so conversations get awkward at times. Nonethelss, I spent a lot of time talking with her.

 Thankfully another friendly face arrived later - a mom who has a child in my daughters class and who also goes to my church. She is also tall, thin, and pretty, but she is good-humored and always makes a point of chatting with me, so at least I wasnt twiddling my thumbs in a corner.

Overall, it was nice, but I realize why I dont clamor to be part of a big *mom* crowd. I am glad to remind myself that I do have one or two friends in the neighborhood - not CLOSE friends, but women that are reliable to ring up for a coffee date, have a good chat with in the supermarket, maybe even a lunch now and again. I never was part of a clique in high school or beyond, and I guess its silly to think I would become enveloped in one at this stage of my life.

I am also thankful, that, though I am different, something prompted the hostess to invite me, so I know I am not a pariah in the suburban mom enclave in my community.

After burning the first two dozen of my Awesome Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies(I baked them for 12 min in my preheated oven; they only need about 9), I took it as a sign that I might have to use my secret weapon recipe to come up with the requisite 6 dozen for the cookie exchange. I only had enough ingredients for one batch of the oatmeal! So, I put together the super-easy Butterscotch Cookies and they turned out beautifully. So, having a change of heart (and since I am required to share te recipe for the exchange) I am sharing that EASY recipe here. It is based on one I saw some years go in Better Homes & Gardens but I changed some items to make it my own. Instead of butterscotch you can also use white chips & macadamia nuts, which is an excellent combo. Chocolate chips, however, are NOT good in this, for some reason.

Amie's Easy Butterscotch Cookies

 Yield: about 5-6 dozen cookies

1 package yellow cake mix
½ C. Crisco (I use the sticks for easier measuring. ½ stick = ½ C.)
2 eggs
¼ C. dark brown sugar
1 Tbs unsweetened cocoa powder
1 C. butterscotch chips

• Preheat oven to 350
• Line cookie sheet with foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray
• In large mixing bowl, add cake mix, Crisco, and brown sugar. Mix to combine.
• Add eggs and mix well.
• Add cocoa and mix well.
• Add butterscotch chips and mix until distributed through the batter.
• Use teaspoon to roll into 1-inch balls; place on cookie sheet – 12 to a sheet.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes.
• Remove from over and, using spatula carefully remove to platter to cool.

I was excted a few weeks ago when I was invited to a moms-only party for the holidays at my friend and neighbors house. However, further reading of the invitation revealed that it is a cookie exchange and I need to bring 6-dozen cookies plus the recipe with me.

6 dozen?!?

I begrudgingly bake a few dozen cookies each year - one batch is divided into gift bags for my daughter to take for teacher/bus driver gifts. The other goes to hubby to take to work for his office party/buffet/celebration.

I have two reliable and oft-complimented recipes for cookies that I make. It is really not all that much trouble to make them; they are both drop cookies, so no rolling or shaping of dough is involved. One of the recipes is good - but is best as a *dunker.* What I mean is that on its own its ok; pretty tasty. But when dunked in milk, its is irresistable. I have had that recipe published in an office cookbook years ago, so I suppose I wont mind sharing it. It is one that I made up myself. The cookies are sturdy, so they would be good for an exchange party, I guess.

The cookie that gets raves on it own, is one that I also made up (or, more like doctored from an existing recipe.) But...I feel like a total asshat to say that its a recipe I just dont want to share. Likely because its EASY yet seems difficult when tasted. Its my *cheat* cookie and I dont want the secret to get out! (Although I may have posted it on this blog last year...I forget...)

Beej suggested in another venue, that I do the hershey kiss cookies. Those ARE good and I was set to do them - even went to the market on Monday with the intent of buying the Kisses. But I caved to my ego - I wanted to use one of MY original reicpes. So I am making the oatmeal chocolate chip cookies that are my hallmark. These I may have also posted here at one time but I will share again. Yes, they call Crisco in all its hydrogenated goodness, but it gives it the BEST texture and that melting/crackling sensation when dunked into milk. Oh well; its just once a year!

Awesome Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

1C Crisco shortening (I use the sticks – easier to measure)

1 C. Sugar

1 C firmly packed dark brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1 ½ C Flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

3 C quick cook oats

1 C semi-sweet chocolate chips
 

• Preheat oven to 350
• Spray baking sheets with non-stick spray (Pam, etc.)
• In large mixing bowl, blend Crisco with the sugars until creamy.
• Mix in eggs and vanilla.
• Stir in flour, salt and baking soda.
• Add oats and chocolate chips.
• Form into 1-inch balls and place on baking sheet. Some chips may fall out of the dough – just stick them back in – they will stick while baking.
• Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove to rack to cool

 
Note: in my experience, these cookies are actually better after they have cooled. Serve with cold milk or eggnog for dunking. (I am also told they are good dunked into hot coffee or hot chocolate.)