The other day a doctor on PBS was talking about high fructose corn syrup (and hydrogenated oils or trans fats) being the reason there is an epidemic of obesity in our country, so I started paying more attention to food labels. Since then I have discovered that the Campbell's tomato soup I like so much has HFCS, and it's the first ingredient in my favorite salad dressing and my favorite barbeque sauce. I have tossed out the salad dressing and the bbq sauce, but I had stocked up on the tomato soup while shopping at Sam's club a few weeks ago.
I also felt inclined to throw out a bottle of pickle relish and noticed HFCS in my pickled beets and applesauce.
I am left wondering - who thought of putting something so sweet in soup? If you were making soup from fresh tomatoes, I don't think you would grab a bottle of karo syrup and pour it in.
Also from Campbell's - chicken noodle soup with monosodium glutamate.
Soup, anyone?
I have about 20 cans of tomato soup and at least 13 cans of Chicken noodle, and 8 cans of Swanson's chicken broth that has MSG in it. I guess I'll be donating to the soup kitchen around here.
Saturday, April 01, 2006
Saturday, March 18, 2006
My sister called me Monday, and told me my mother is in the hospital with an abcessed foot. She is a diabetic amputee, so the foot is her right foot, and she is in danger of losing it. It will be hard if she does. She stays in bed pretty much most of the time, anyway. I don't expect she will live out the next year, especially if she loses that foot.
I have been trying to set up doctor's appointments, but had to cancel my eye doctor because of this cold. Also had one today to talk about my latest blood test results, and she had to cancel because of some emergency. I have a Monday apptment for 3:30 instead. I think I will have some medication changes.
We had the funeral last Wednesday, and it was a nice funeral, if you can really say that about such an occasion. People sang beautifully, and the deceased was a talented singer, so I think he would have loved it. One of the women who sang hit such a high note, all I could do was say "Wow".
My friend was upset when they wheeled her husband's body out of the building. I went to see her Wednesday night this week to bring her some chili for dinner and some marble cake. Her house needs cleaning and she seems overwhelmed a bit, but we are going to a Women's conference tomorrow, and I'm hoping it lifts her spirits a bit. We like to go shopping for clothes together, but I haven't had the money for it lately. I already have some clothes, and have more clothes to make when I get down to sewing more. I love spring clothes. I want a chocolate brown top to go with one of my skirts. I'll have to check my fabric inventory.
Monday, March 06, 2006
Goodbye, I love you
Last night my friend's husband died. I was told by DH just as I was trying to catch a few zzz's before waking up for church.
When we got to church, the Bishop made the announcement that J had passed away. I heard audible "Oh nos" from the front pews. It was not expected that he would pass this soon.
Our church service was a fast and testimony meeting where everyone has a chance to testify. I sat there thinking I didn't want to testify, but finally I had to give in. Many people before me spoke of the death and the family of the deceased. They all are just getting to know the family, and I guess in many ways, so am I, but I think I know my friend better than most of the peeps at church. The peeps at church are great when it comes to compassionate service and when I testified I told them so. I am grateful to know that when something comes up, there are people there who are willing to help. Meals, cleaning a home, whatever is needed - the people at church are very generous with their time and talents. As I walked away from the podium after bearing my testimony, my friend S and I clasped hands and she told me she loved me. I said I loved her, too.
The Bishop closed up the meeting by talking about his final words with J Saturday night. J told the Bishop "I love you" and the Bishop said, "I love you, too." It was very moving and emotional. I felt the love of the peeps in the ward was hyped up over this passing of a new member, which made it a special sacrament meeting for me.
J was baptized last Saturday, and he was the newest member of our church. His wife and 2 children were baptized last August. He sang "How Great Thou Art" in his terrific voice, vibrating the room with it's rich tones. I cried then, and we didn't know he had cancer at the time. He had been sick and lost a lot of weight, but the doctors had not found the cancer yet.
J sang again at the talent show in October. It was the same song, but this time I knew he had cancer, and I wept. I did not know he was terminal, though. DH told me about the terminal part in January and I was so dissapointed, even though it was evident at Christmas time J was very, very weak.
Well, it's over and I guess that could be good for him to be out of his misery. Now we have the task of funeral and all that goes with it.
We celebrated DH's birthday by going out to Isabella's Tavern and Tapas on Friday. It was very good. The service was good, the food was good, prices were good, and I loved the atmosphere. Isabella's has an online menu, but I'm too lazy to link it. DH ordered the asparagus fries, which I loved and will order the next time I go. There were 3 big stalks of asparagus fried in a crunchy batter with tiger sauce for dipping. He ordered some salmon, a portabello mushroom dish, and I ordered shrimp in spicy oil with caramelized onions (there were 4 pieces of garlic in with the onions), beef meatballs, and chicken breast in a sauce made with sesame and chocolate, but it didn't taste like chocolate. My favorite out of the three was definitely the spicy shrimp. The chicken was too dry and the meatballs were not anything special. I ordered a piece of raspberry cheesecake for dessert and DH helped me eat it, of course. He never orders dessert, just shares with me. That was fine with me. We will return to this place, but while we were in downtown Frederick, DH noticed the other fine restaurants in the neighborhood, so we have so many new places to try.
When we got to church, the Bishop made the announcement that J had passed away. I heard audible "Oh nos" from the front pews. It was not expected that he would pass this soon.
Our church service was a fast and testimony meeting where everyone has a chance to testify. I sat there thinking I didn't want to testify, but finally I had to give in. Many people before me spoke of the death and the family of the deceased. They all are just getting to know the family, and I guess in many ways, so am I, but I think I know my friend better than most of the peeps at church. The peeps at church are great when it comes to compassionate service and when I testified I told them so. I am grateful to know that when something comes up, there are people there who are willing to help. Meals, cleaning a home, whatever is needed - the people at church are very generous with their time and talents. As I walked away from the podium after bearing my testimony, my friend S and I clasped hands and she told me she loved me. I said I loved her, too.
The Bishop closed up the meeting by talking about his final words with J Saturday night. J told the Bishop "I love you" and the Bishop said, "I love you, too." It was very moving and emotional. I felt the love of the peeps in the ward was hyped up over this passing of a new member, which made it a special sacrament meeting for me.
J was baptized last Saturday, and he was the newest member of our church. His wife and 2 children were baptized last August. He sang "How Great Thou Art" in his terrific voice, vibrating the room with it's rich tones. I cried then, and we didn't know he had cancer at the time. He had been sick and lost a lot of weight, but the doctors had not found the cancer yet.
J sang again at the talent show in October. It was the same song, but this time I knew he had cancer, and I wept. I did not know he was terminal, though. DH told me about the terminal part in January and I was so dissapointed, even though it was evident at Christmas time J was very, very weak.
Well, it's over and I guess that could be good for him to be out of his misery. Now we have the task of funeral and all that goes with it.
We celebrated DH's birthday by going out to Isabella's Tavern and Tapas on Friday. It was very good. The service was good, the food was good, prices were good, and I loved the atmosphere. Isabella's has an online menu, but I'm too lazy to link it. DH ordered the asparagus fries, which I loved and will order the next time I go. There were 3 big stalks of asparagus fried in a crunchy batter with tiger sauce for dipping. He ordered some salmon, a portabello mushroom dish, and I ordered shrimp in spicy oil with caramelized onions (there were 4 pieces of garlic in with the onions), beef meatballs, and chicken breast in a sauce made with sesame and chocolate, but it didn't taste like chocolate. My favorite out of the three was definitely the spicy shrimp. The chicken was too dry and the meatballs were not anything special. I ordered a piece of raspberry cheesecake for dessert and DH helped me eat it, of course. He never orders dessert, just shares with me. That was fine with me. We will return to this place, but while we were in downtown Frederick, DH noticed the other fine restaurants in the neighborhood, so we have so many new places to try.
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Well, the 3rd bedroom is now settled, except we really need to get a new mattress to make the bed more comfortable. DH and I had a furniture moving contest. I won in the end, with the best configuration. He kindly conceded that my furniture placement was the best arrangement. *Whew* On a side note, I had to move the stuff without the furniture sliders I bought because he lost them. *grumble* He can't borrow my stuff anymore.
DD and I had a few laughs Thursday morning when she described going to the bathroom at a residence with thin walls. She was making gassy sounds and was embarrassed because she knew they could hear her in the next room. She could hear the sound of chalk writing on the blackboard, so she knew they could hear her!
I'll be back with more later. Have to go out the door.
DD and I had a few laughs Thursday morning when she described going to the bathroom at a residence with thin walls. She was making gassy sounds and was embarrassed because she knew they could hear her in the next room. She could hear the sound of chalk writing on the blackboard, so she knew they could hear her!
I'll be back with more later. Have to go out the door.
Friday, February 10, 2006
I'm getting the 2nd bedroom ready for the bedroom furniture. Currently I use my computer in this room and it has my sewing supplies in it, but we will be moving the computer to the family room by Saturday and using this room as a bedroom. I guess I should call it the 3rd bedroom, but it's the 2nd bedroom upstairs. Our 3rd bedroom is downstairs where my DD sleeps. She is happy that we bought a house with a downstairs bedroom. She has more privacy that way. She also has her very own bathroom, and the family room is right outside her bedroom. She could sneak out at night if she was ever that kind of kid, because there is a sliding glass door in the family room. The family room is also connected to the garage, but I doubt if she could sneak out that way since the garage door is right below our bedroom. Anyway, she is a good kid, and I trust her.
I need the extra bedroom to sleep in sometimes, as it gets noisy in our bedroom with my husband's snoring most nights. I sleep better when I sleep alone. I know a lot of couples who have separate bedrooms for the same reason. I love him, but the noise can be a bit too loud at times. I know I snore too, but that is because I carry around too much extra weight, which is the result of not being able to sleep. I am looking forward to snoozing blissfully soon.
If you're reading this, have a great weekend!
I need the extra bedroom to sleep in sometimes, as it gets noisy in our bedroom with my husband's snoring most nights. I sleep better when I sleep alone. I know a lot of couples who have separate bedrooms for the same reason. I love him, but the noise can be a bit too loud at times. I know I snore too, but that is because I carry around too much extra weight, which is the result of not being able to sleep. I am looking forward to snoozing blissfully soon.
If you're reading this, have a great weekend!
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
We went to church on Sunday, and after Sacrament my DH told me a friend's husband has terminal cancer. We knew he had cancer, but held out the hope that he would recover with chemo. I sat there and cried while people walked past me on their way to Sunday school classes.
I feel for this family. My daughter likes to hang out with their daughter, who is a year older than my DD. They have so much in common because they both love video games and gameboy. It is a sad time for this family. I think the friend and her DH are only in their early 40's. They have a 17 year old daughter and a 12 year old son. My friend just got a job a few months ago working as a substitute Head Start teacher's aid. Her DH was a social worker in New York. Unfortunately, he has been sick a long time and lost a lot of weight. I don't think he was diagnosed correctly at first, thus, the cancer spread throughout his body.
At the baptism of his wife and 2 children, he sang "How Great Thou Art". I posted about this previously, I think. I will never forget the sound that resonated through that small room as he sang in his beautiful bass voice. I closed my eyes and could feel the deep vibrations. He has such a talent. He wants to be baptized into our church, also, but he is so very frail. He managed to sing at Christmas time - "O, Holy Night", but he was very, very weak. He still managed to belt out the song, starting weak, but ending strong. He had to have help while walking.
My DH told me that my friend's DH will be put into a nursing facility. I will continue to pray for him. I so hate cancer, and I hope someday we find a cure for it in all of it's horrible forms.
As for me, I am up with indigestion. That will teach me to eat chocolate and peanut butter late at night. I had a nice dinner - pork loin, red skinned potatoes, and green beans, and I definitely have my appetite back. I need to get the exercise equipment set up in the family room, so I am working on getting it cleared of other things. We thought we would have a bigger house, but wound up buying one that is smaller than the one we were going to build, so storage is still challenging. A friend of ours is giving us an exercise bike, so I need to get that set up to burn up some calories. I am so happy to be feeling better than I was last month, and I think more exercise will make me feel even better, and help with some of my health issues.
If you are reading this, what do you do for exercise? DD found out she has gained 20 pounds over the past year, so she is ready to start her exercise program.
I feel for this family. My daughter likes to hang out with their daughter, who is a year older than my DD. They have so much in common because they both love video games and gameboy. It is a sad time for this family. I think the friend and her DH are only in their early 40's. They have a 17 year old daughter and a 12 year old son. My friend just got a job a few months ago working as a substitute Head Start teacher's aid. Her DH was a social worker in New York. Unfortunately, he has been sick a long time and lost a lot of weight. I don't think he was diagnosed correctly at first, thus, the cancer spread throughout his body.
At the baptism of his wife and 2 children, he sang "How Great Thou Art". I posted about this previously, I think. I will never forget the sound that resonated through that small room as he sang in his beautiful bass voice. I closed my eyes and could feel the deep vibrations. He has such a talent. He wants to be baptized into our church, also, but he is so very frail. He managed to sing at Christmas time - "O, Holy Night", but he was very, very weak. He still managed to belt out the song, starting weak, but ending strong. He had to have help while walking.
My DH told me that my friend's DH will be put into a nursing facility. I will continue to pray for him. I so hate cancer, and I hope someday we find a cure for it in all of it's horrible forms.
As for me, I am up with indigestion. That will teach me to eat chocolate and peanut butter late at night. I had a nice dinner - pork loin, red skinned potatoes, and green beans, and I definitely have my appetite back. I need to get the exercise equipment set up in the family room, so I am working on getting it cleared of other things. We thought we would have a bigger house, but wound up buying one that is smaller than the one we were going to build, so storage is still challenging. A friend of ours is giving us an exercise bike, so I need to get that set up to burn up some calories. I am so happy to be feeling better than I was last month, and I think more exercise will make me feel even better, and help with some of my health issues.
If you are reading this, what do you do for exercise? DD found out she has gained 20 pounds over the past year, so she is ready to start her exercise program.
Thursday, February 02, 2006
I got the flu a few weeks ago, one week after receiving a flu shot in the doctor's office. A friend says I didn't get it from the shot, but I'm not so sure. I don't usually get the flu. I will hesitate to get a shot next year, but then maybe I should to avoid the pandemic they are predicting. Thanks to Oprah, that's been something to think about. I guess it is better to be informed, but it sounds like even wealthy Oprah won't be able to get flu vaccine if there is a pandemic. The doctor's on her show said there will be a pandemic, it's just a matter of time.
DD needs to go to the doctor, today if possible, and DH stayed home from work to fix my van. I guess I will just have to play things by ear. I was hoping to go to a spanish restaurant that has tapas (appetizers). I bought a $10 certificate for $3 at restaurant.com.
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