God Laughs at plans

This was not at all the weekend I had envisioned or hoped for. I was excited for a nice time of fun and relaxation as I drove home Friday afternoon from work. I got home only to find my little Mazie with what I thought was a bad cold. We decided to go out for dinner (not advised when fasting - you spend a great deal of money on food that really isn't worth spending so much money on. If I go out to eat I want to fully enjoy my meal - not eat rice and potatoes and veggies). During the meal Mazie was looking bad and wanted to lay down so I left early and we went home. I was up much of the night with her. Saturday she said her throat hurt and when I looked I was astounded at the size of her tonsils and worried about how she would possible breathe. I tried to go to 2 walk in clinics but they were both closed already so I had to wait until Sunday morning to get her to the doc for what I knew would be strep throat. In case you don't remember - she had it in Dec. and Jan. I was up all night with her. SHe was crying and miserable iwth a high fever and coughing non stop. I slept (or didn't sleep) on the living room floor and watched teletoon retro all night. I finally got her to the doc this morning but she really didn't like her medicine. I tried to give it to her 4 times and each time she would vomit on me. Got some new medicine - thank God insurance covered another antibiotic on the same day! Note to self - Mazie does not do well with cherry flavoured medicine even if you put it in grape koolaid and don't tell her. She finally got a dose and it was a miracle how quickly it started to work! She seems better already. I almost took her to the ER for a 2 hour non stop cough which I thought was an asthma attack. Luckily Drew got some sleep last night so his brain wasn't altogheter fried like mine and he thought of using the vaporizer. Duh mom! ANyway, I did nothing fun this weekend and it wasn't relaxing at all and the house is a mess. I guess there's always next weekend which happens to be Easter. NO hubby for a week at least. I hope he doesn't get sick!

March Break

I thought I might provide a little update into our lives the past few days as there have been some exciting new developments.

On Monday Mazie once again complained of her tummy hurting her and we've talking about taking her to the doctor for months now but hesitated because we've been there before for this issue and never really got any answers. I felt enough was enough and we were all home so we called the doc and got an afternoon appt. He sent us downstairs for an x-ray of her tummy and we waited a really long time and finally got it. Not without also getting a parking ticket for parking too close the a fire hydrant. Another lady in the waiting room also got a ticket for the same thing. Don't get me started on that though becuase I was fuming about it. As if we have money to throw around.

Later that night I made dinner and as we were sitting eating I noticed Mazie's neck was very red. Upon further inspection we found hives all over her body! Big ones and it was spreading to her face as her eyes were beginning to swell and I thought for sure this was going to be my chance to pull out that epi pen. We were mystified as we were aware of her grass allergies but she was fully buttoned up in a coat outside playing in the little grass there was after the snow had melted and didn't think that would be the cause. After 4 doses of benadryl she was out and the hives subsided but I was restless all night worried for her. I checked the ingredients on the bag of chips and my hunch is that she is allergic to safflower oil. Safflowers are related to dandilions and I know she is allergic to those so I figure that's it. We have an appt. with the allergist on Monday to find out. I am not at all looking forward to dandilion season. It was hell last year and I fear it may have gotten worse.

The next day the doc called and wants to try a laxative regimen for Mazie to see if we can get rid of her tummy aches. That has been fun. I'll spare you the details. DId you know that if it says do not crush or chew and you do it really doesn't make a difference?

The kids have been home having fun with dad on their week off- going to the park, playing video games, making forts, etc. Mazie went to daycare yesterday - we paid for the spot and she wanted to go - and Leo got some one on one time w/ dad. Friday I have a vacation day and we hope to do something fun. Not sure what yet.

How could I forget? Last night was St. Paddy's and we had corned beef. I bought 2 of them - one for yesterday and anotehr for the future. They were $13 a piece and barely feeds the 4 of us. It was delicious - Drew did the prep work of boiling it with the carrots and I baked it later with a delicious glaze and made the potatoes and cabbage. THis was the first time I tried cabbage and I found it to be pretty good. I was a bit down last night and in need of some TLC and guess what Drew did? You'll never believe this and if you dont' know him you won't be impressed but he made me brownies! That's amazing for him and it cheered me right up!

Lenten Greek Cooking

Trying out some new recipes for lent. Tonight is stuffed tomatoes and peppers along with greek green beans (they were a bit shy for the camera though).

Homemade Chicken Pot Pie

THe other day I was watching CHef at Home with Mazie. We love to watch cooking shows while we cuddle on the couch. Unfortunately, I was in my coma blanket and fell asleep so I only got part of the show/recipe. I really liked what I saw though and I figured I could improvise fair enough. One whole chicken (for some reason in the Kosher Aisle you can get a cut up chicken in a bag but not in the regular meat section) surely makes a lot of food. I wasn't able to make the bisquit part because I think I remember he used milk so I thought I'd try puff pastry. I've never used puff pastry before and I wasn't really sure exactly how to assemble so I tried a few methods. Below are the pics for you. This is no cooking blog though to be sure. I'll never measure up to Our Best Bites which continues to be my fav. THe food was delicious (don't ask Leo though - he said it was disgusting which is his typical response these days). We had enough for 6 of us for dinner and then I had left overs for lunch today and the 3 of us ate it again tonight. Leo had eggs.

Happy March

I am so excited to say that we survived February. For those of you who don't live in the Great White North, you may not think that this is an amazing feat but believe me, it is. When November rolled around I was so scared about the coming winter. It means staying indoors for long periods of time. Our basement is small and dark and I wasn't looking forward to it. Luckily the winter wasn't too bad in terms of snow but it is still very gray and gloomy most of the time and of course, cold. By February everyone has the blues and we are all very crabby and sick of eachother. ON Sunday morning Drew said he smelled a skunk when he went out to scrape off the ice on the windshield before church. You know what that means?! SPRING! And then on my way to work this morning I saw a little squirrel run across the road. Another sure sign. I am so happy today. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. It is coming and we survived. I hope I don't have to try to go another winter though. Each one seems to get harder and harder. I've begun to take more Vitamin D as I have been extremely sluggish and I stopped walking because it is just too darn cold and my snow boots were giving me a blister anyway. I might start up again soon. Maybe when it gets above freezing.

Happy March everyone!