Social Gracious

It's a Good Thing She's Not an Octopus

My in laws are practical people, when someone needs help, you help them, when something is broke, you fix it. My mother in law's knees, damaged by arthritis, had been bothering her for some time, and she made the decision that it was time to do something about it, simple as that.  One nice thing about my husband's family, UberGeek included, is that they are very positive in their focus.  They assess things, research their options and move forward, ready to implement their plan.  

My in laws researched the candidates for knee surgeons  and decided on Dr. Mary O'Connor at the Mayo Clinic.  We are lucky to have Dr. O'Connor, one of the best surgeons in her field, right here in Jacksonville.  Dr. O'Connor recommended the Brooks Total Joint Rehabilitation program for rehabilitation, and it was time to schedule the first knee. 

MIL decided on a few days before Thanksgiving for the first knee replacement.  The second knee was optimistically scheduled for Valentines, keeping up with the tradition of scheduling things around a holiday.  When people heard me say that my seventy something year old MIL was getting two knee replacements in three months, mostly they issued dire warnings. "She'll never get the second one done, the first one will be so painful." "Most people never keep up with the rehab, they don't rehab the knee properly." "The new knee won't ever work right." I listened and worried about my MIL endlessly, asking UberGeek what he thought.  Typically, he replied, "She has the best surgeon and my dad will make her do the rehab, she'll be fine."

The first surgery went as planned with a short recovery at her suite in the Mayo Hospital, then she was off to rehab at Brooks.  There they put her through the paces with rehab every day, several times a day.  She was amazed by all the different things the therapists had her do, and how her range of motion changed day by day.  MIL couldn't believe anyone would get a joint replacement and go straight home from the hospital without a stay at rehab.  After two weeks at the total joint rehabilitation program, she was discharged and continued her therapy three times a week at a Brooks outpatient clinic, with my father in law closely supervising. 

Tonight I went to visit my mother in law in the hospital where she is recovering after having the second knee replaced.  As my father in law said, "It's a good thing she's not an octopus."  She looked great and was in good spirits; for a hospital room, she had pretty nice digs.  So I'll just say the thing that gives UberGeek the most satisfaction in life, "You were right" and this is one time I'm happy to let him say "I told you so."

The Heartburn Diet

This was a tough week, for a couple reasons, but in general, I wasn't expecting it to be complicated by a digestive condition I have not experienced since I was nine months pregnant with twins who crowded most of my vital and not so vital organs.  Friday, Web Warrior Princess, UberGeek and I hit Tommy's for pizza. The Princess and I ordered a gluten free  pizza with pepperoni, olives and mushrooms, I couldn't wait to dig in! Since she has celiac disease, there aren't that many spots to enjoy pizza. UberGeek ordered a slice of regular pizza with pepperoni.

We were chatting away, and I was enjoying the company; I usually bring lunch so it was nice to be out of the office.  Our pizza was delivered and we dug into the steaming slices.  I have to say that this crust was amazing, and just like any other pizza, except maybe a little crisper. Although it was delicious, after just a few bites, I felt uncomfortably full. I was really hungry and it was very good, so I managed to eat two pieces anyway.  My lack of gusto delighted Web Warrior Princess who managed to down the rest of our tiny pizza. Then, my stomach started to ache, although it was not too painful.  We finished our pizza and dashed out into the rain to finish the workday.

That evening UberGeek decided to make breakfast for dinner, waffles and bacon.  I took a few bites and the pain was unbearable, as if fire was shooting through me.  I couldn't even finish my pecan waffle and slice of bacon. UberGeek's waffles are heavenly and I was desperate to eat mine, and hungry and I just couldn't eat it.  I was doubled over at the table and UberGeek had to dash out to the Walgreens to pick up a selection of products that promised to relieve my pain; I consumed them with gusto.

All day today I have been desperate to eat, but each bite is agony. I made the family buttermilk pancakes with chocolate chips and couldn't eat them myself, it was devastating. The fact that I have a marathon coming up in a week worries me even more.  This is not a good time for me not to be able to eat what I need to eat. UberGeek has tried several times to suggest the Emergency Department at nearby Mayo Clinic, but the thought of walking in a place meant for Emergencies when I have heartburn is mortifying.  I think I'll wait until Monday and see my primary care doctor.  Until then, Gaviscon, Zantac and I are very close friends.

Chocolate Covered Strawberries Recipe

Many of us are on a budget this Valentine's Day.  If you want to make your sweetheart swoon without pinching your wallet here is a fast way to their heart!  If you are a man you get extra points for doing something that looks fancy in the kitchen.  Not to mention, there is something romantic about juicy fruit covered in rich dark chocolate.  My kids also really dig this recipe.

2 pints strawberries
1.5 cups semi sweet chocolate chips
(I use Sunspire Organic 65% Cacao bittersweet, amazing flavor and I stock up when there is a coupon from Mambo Sprouts) 
3 tbs corn syrup
6 tbs butter
1 tbs Chambord or Grand Marnier liqueur if desired to add flavor and depth

Rinse strawberries and set aside on dish towel until they are dry and room temperature. Mix all ingredients except strawberries in a heavy sauce pan or double boiler and melt on low, stirring frequently with metal whisk.  When all ingredients are melted and mixed dip strawberries one by one into chocolate mixture then place on wax paper to set up.  I use individual foil or wax cupcake liners for each strawberries which makes them easier to serve and transport.  Place the strawberries in the freezer for about five minutes to harden chocolate, then store in refrigerator until ready to serve.

Download Recipe for Kristie's Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

Enjoy these with love!

A Fish Story

About a year ago, we bought two fish for the kiddos.  Like all low rent fish who are not cared for by people who have a certain yen for the care of creatures that dwell in aquariums, they eventually died.  The first to succumb was Diva’s fish, who she named Hannahbelle.  I noticed the lady Hannahbelle floating belly up in the little tank late in the evening, and alerted UberGeek to our plight.  Then I grabbed the little green handled scoop and “fished” her out.  We gave the fish an unceremonial flushing and bid her farewell while she circled the drain.  I told UberGeek I would talk to Diva in the morning about the demise of her fish; that’s not his thing. 

In the morning, as I was showering, a terrible thing happened; Diva woke up and noticed the fish was gone.  She approached UberGeek, and he panicked. UberGeek said the first thing that came to his mind, “Hannahbelle went on vacation!  She wanted to see the world like Nemo.”  UberGeek was thinking to himself that he would replace the ill fated Hannahbelle with a similar fish and save his daughter the heartache.  She would never know the difference, right?

Time went by as it does, grocery lists lengthened, laundry loads hummed, until finally over a year had passed.  The lovely Hannahbelle, despite all the good intentions, was never replaced.  Recently, we were out shopping at Wally World picking up some necessities when the kids begged to pass by the pet supplies area.  As we walked past the tanks Diva began to sniffle, “I miss Hannahbelle, she went on vacation a long, long time ago and she never came back. Daddy, where is Hannahbelle?”

Eddie turned to look at his sister with a very serious look on his face, “Diva, that fish is dead and it’s never coming back!  Fish don’t go on vacation.”

I suppose Santa Claus is next.