Without my crack...

In an earlier post, I mentioned that I was entertained by the show Downton Abbey. Nope that's not a spelling error. It is, in fact, spelled and pronounced Downton.
Well, while the show kept me busy and entertained during my infusions, it has now turned into a full blown obsession! Seriously, I may have a problem.
When I returned from Seattle, I went to Best Buy and bought the things to connect the computer to the TV with the intention of a proper marathon! Life is busy and TV obviously took a second seat, thus it took me a few weeks before I actually got it all set.
This last week was so gray and gloomy (and cold!), I finally got it together and set up the TV/computer with the Hulu link and sat down for a proper marathon. I got through a few episodes and it was time for bed before I knew it. Between my treatments and Sunday night I got through all of season 1.
To say I enjoyed the show is an understatement. I LOVE this show!
I literally couldn't wait for the work day to come to an end yesterday so I could turn it back on! I was desperate to see if Lady Mary and Matthew would end up seeing that they love each other. And wanted to see if Sybil ended up with the driver. I mean, would Granny handle it all or would she poo-poo it all?! And will Thomas and Miss O'Brien ever get their due (ugh, I despise them!).

Before my trip to Seattle (and the introduction to my crack), I had zero interest or care in such things. In fact, if someone would have referred to Ladyship or Lords, I would have thought of the Khloe Kardashian's boyfriend (Lord Disick), which might be worse if I really think about it. But now. Well, now I have this ridiculous desire to watch this show until I get to the very end. It sort of reminds me of those nights when you are reading such a good book and just can't seem to put it down. That is how I feel about this show. I can see you rolling your eyes. But don't judge until you watch! I realize it's ridiculous, but I love it.
Today I got to the end of season 2. And again, I find myself wanting for more.
But I can't seem to find it available to view. And it's making me crazy!
I may actually break down and buy the damn season....seriously.
This is my crack. And I feel a bit crazy. I am generally not an obsessive person. Or a huge fan of soap operas. but I just love it and can't seem to get enough. I also know many others just like me.
I also found out there is a season 4. My TiVo is set and will record it when the time comes.
Between now and then, I will continue my search to fill my need for the crack and catch up through the end of season 3.
So you'll have to excuse me if I start to wear hats and proper attire when invited to dinner.
And perhaps forgive me for referring to people by proper names. There is something so delightful about it all. The proper attire, the titles, the courtships---I just love it.
I am waiting with bated breath to see where it goes from here!

Ps-- if you know of where I can obtain Season 3--shoot me a note! I'd owe you.

Dreams of spring

Today I woke up to snow.
Yep. Snow.

It is March 25. And I live in the South! What is up?!

While I enjoy snow, I do not enjoy snow in the end of March. Especially, when I live in a warm(ish) place!
I am sitting here,wearing my cozy blanket-like sweatshirt and shudder to think about heading outdoors, thus I am procrastinating by dreaming of spring....

And new sandals with pretty spring-colored toes:

And spring dresses to wear with the sandals into the warm summer months:

And cherry blossoms (photos from last year's adventures):

And favorite spring memories from the past (my last spring in Seattle)--

The annual spring break visitors arrive on Thursday. These temps better get warmer so we can have new adventures!

Adventures in Cooking

Since starting the new eating plan-- no flour, no sugar, no soy, I have really started to experiment in the kitchen. When ordering pizza from my guys across the street is no longer a fall back option, one needs to get a little creative.
It's been so fun!
I have found new blogs to follow. I found some things on Pinterest (I mean, who knew?!), and have just expanded my horizons.
Obviously, some recipes are total flops-- Creamy cauliflower garlic rice comes to mind. I may attempt this again with some adjustments but it will definitely not be an instant go-to. Or Quinoa Broccoli baked cheese dish, which I will not make again. Quinoa in a grain form is not as good as a noodle so cannot mimic Macaroni ad cheese. On the other hand I did use quinoa pasta and made an AMAZING macaroni and cheese with some broccoli last week. Seriously, yum! Really.

This past weekend I was motivated and feeling awesome. I did not have a sleep in Saturday since the neighbors have taken to being super loud in the mornings...not cool. But it did mean I was up and ready to hit the day running. I cleaned and then did some cooking and socialized a wee bit. Amazing what can be accomplished when you're feeling good!

For breakfast I made Raspberry Chocolate Muffins--

AMAZING! Seriously-- YUM! And really not all that bad for ya, chocolate not withstanding of course.

I ventured out to be an observer of the Rock & Roll Marathon and got a little chilly. When I got home, I wanted something warm and cozy. After some inspiration from pals, I ended up with a craving for Tortilla Soup.

I made a Mexican Chicken soup  adapted from two different recipes.
http://www.onceuponachef.com/2011/01/chicken-tortilla-soup.html
http://detoxinista.com/2013/03/mexican-chicken-soup-with-vegetarian-option/
Again, SO good!

Plus, this bad boy allowed me to use my new kitchen gadget-- the immersion blender. I am obsessed with how fun it is to use! Though next time I need to remember to keep it better under control because I found soup splatter marks ALL over the kitchen! Whoops.

And then, as if the above wasn't quite enough, I was craving something a little sweet and decided to make Peanut Butter Brownies. YUM-O! Seriously I am convinced these are so good that I could trick others into thinking they were normal brownies. Delicious!

It was a delicious weekend of good food. I've got some other things lined up to try out this week. I'll keep ya posted!
No matter what I have really enjoyed being in the kitchen and trying out new things. Plus, it's all so good for me! Whole, healthy foods. Yumminess.


**sorry about the wonky pics. I'm not sure what's up and can't seem to fix them. But even with the wonky you get the idea.

The Next step...

So, in addition to the no sugar, no flour experiment (see here), I began a new medication yesterday. This seems like a lot of change all at once. And change usually menas I have been feeling super rough, so experimenting needs to happen to find a solution to fix the rough and put a patch on it. But not this time. This time things have been fairly status-quo, well as status-quo as things go in my world. I've not been feeling bad. Actually, I've been feeling pretty good (relatively speaking). But that relative feeling of good can lead me to a place of complacency, where a good surprise dose of bad can sneak up on me and take me out for a few days. But not this time. Nope, I am in fighter mode. I am on a mission to find a solution that works (at least for awhile). I want to at least try and stop the damage I see getting worse every year this continues. And if something will help, I am on board! Let's try it. It's not like it can get worse, right?
Prednisone is the one medication that has worked over the course of the last 9 years (yep, I've been sick for that long...insane!). It was the medication that took me from thinking at 24 I would have to move home and be taken care of by my parents for the rest of my life to being able to know I would be just fine on my own, like a 24 year old should be. And it happened in less than 5 days flat! Incredible. But with that triumph comes some consequence. It leads to weight-gain (for reals), a roundness to the face (moon-face), facial hair (always attractive on a lady!), and other non-visible things like brittle bones, anemia and other fun things. So after 9 years and many ups and downs with that miracle maker it is time to see what life could be without it.
While in Seattle, my amazing doctor started to discuss the idea of Remecade with me. He is a crazy smart dude, with an incredible bed-side manner. (Loved him!). After some discussion and research, I got on board. I've been through every other treatment that should work, but they don't.(Hence why I am always described as a mystery by medical professionals.) The prednisone is the constant and winner when it comes to keeping the symptoms and damage of my disease at bay. But it creates its own damages. It was time to try something new (and maybe a little scary).
Then I moved.
And as any doctor who I have seen does, my new doc in DC needed to confirm that I actually have sarcoidosis, since I do not fit the mold at all. It was confirmed. Then she also suggested Remecade as a treatment plan. So, after much less effort to gain approval from the insurance company ( 4 weeks instead of 3 months), I began the Remecade treatments yesterday. After going in for my first treatment, I do understand why insurance fights. It's pricey and once you start, you always have to go. There's no stopping and starting this mediciation because once stopped the body becomes immune to it's power. (The body continues to amaze me!). And there's a lot of expense involved. You go to the hospital for the infusion. I didn't mention that this can only be administered via an IV in an infusion room. So, you have nurses, the room, the juices offered, the tylenol and benedryl (all at hospital prices). And that doesn't include the cost of the medication. It is mind-boggling. But I am lucky and have a job that provides health insurance. Insurance that took the information provided to them and decided while it may be an experiment, it just might work in the favor of their patients health. (Maybe a few calls from said patient in her sassy pants mode put them over the edge...).
Yesterday, I geared up and put on my big girl pants (as my brave friend Bridget would say) and went for my first infusion. I really didn't know what to expect. And while I put on a brave face, my heart was racing (and my blood pressure skyrocketed!) and I may have teared up a tiny bit. Anne, the Infusion Dept Director and her cohort Joanne immediately made me feel a little more at ease. They were kind and expertly inserted the IV (I always get nervous because I have wonky veins..of course). I was still a little nervous as I sat in the room alone and started the treatment. I have never been more grateful to "santa" for a gift than I was at the moment I busted out the iPad and watched a little Downton Abbey (thanks to my friends Emily and Samantha for making me wacth the season 2 finale, I am now hooked). So instead of being nervous, I relaxed with some apple juice and watch as the Lordship and Ladyship handled their random affairs. Before I could start a third episode, the treatment was over and it was time for me to head out.
I will return in two weeks for a second treatment, then again in 4 week after that. From there, if things go as planned, I will visit the infusion center every 8 weeks for a little visit with Anne and Joanne and continue to catch up on Downton Abbey.
I am not sure what the future holds and if this will be the thing to help my cause, but I am glad to be giving it a go! Fingers crossed.

Schulte Days

(should have been posted 2/26...computer issues apparently)

This weekend I was able to spend a quiet weekend with my family. It started as a trip to attend the annual Schulte Days extravaganza that the Dude and Dudette host annually. That party ended up getting cancelled due to plague-like flu situations. I stayed with the plan for a few reasons, and believe me it WAS SO WORTH IT!
I enjoyed some quality one-on-one time with each of them. That never happens. Usually we're all together, when we're together (which is fun) but it was so nice to have time with each one of them and just really talk.
Mom and I had a "spa" day and got all girlie. So nice and just a good treat. Then I introduced her to the wedding shows on TLC. Watching them with her was super funny. She was so appauled and that just cracked me up.
Saturday we celebrated my birthday a few weeks early with a trip to the Western wear store, to get me some cowboy boots (like the rest of my family) and then went out for a yummy dinner.
I ended up spending the night at the dude and dudette's. And just hung out and chatted. Sunday morning we woke up and the dude made a yummy breakfast, then we finallygot our game on. (You should know we LOVE games...Jen does not so much, so when A and I are together we always play a game!). Then Jen and I went and spent a whole bunch of money at the outlet mall (we are REALLY good at that together!).
Then I headed back home and mom and papa made me a super yummy no sugar, no flour dinner, including dessert! My mom is a genius and found an incredible dessert recipe with no sugar.
And Monday, it was a work day for me and hang out with the retired guy. We enjoyed a two hour car adventure and relived our cross country adventures from last summer.
It was a great weekend with my family and such an unexpected one.
I am a lucky lady!

A photo from Chrstmas.

Snow in the south

Ok, so I'm still not 100% sure that DC is actually in "the south". I guess perhaps my idea of the south is what I should refer to as the deep south-- Georgia, Mississippi, etc. I do technically live below the Mason-Dixon line and people in Maryland did actually have slaves. (That's where Harriett Tubman escaped from-- your fun historical fact for the day). I'm not sure why but I definately put slace-owner locations into "the south". So, yeah, I guess after some thought DC is "the south".
Either way, there are seasons here. Yes, winter is more mild than say in Michigan or Minnesota, but there is still a need for a wool coat in winter months. Not everyday, but many days between November and February (winter). There is definately a summer (shrouded in muggy, hot temps), and then fall where there are warm afternoons and crisp evenings. After living in AZ for so many years, the idea of fall is still so heart-wamring to me. I love the smells and tastes of fall veggies. And I absolutey LOVE that fall meant the end of ridiculous sweating when taking out the trash. I have not yet experienced spring in full wing but I can only imagine that when the Cherry Blossoms bloom, it will smell yummy! Already, the daffodils are poking up in the yard---delightful.
But this week (one week from my birthday--always), it is snowing. It is winter's last fight to produce "winter" like everyone obsesses over. They've been talking about this storm for over a week. Calling it things like Snowmeggeton, & snowquestration ( a joke referencing the current news at the Capitol). And with the hype and people's insane worries about snow only increased, locals are freaking out. (My landlord included). He popped by yesterday and made sure I had everything I'd need for a few days without access outside. Um?!
I appreciate the preparation by everyone around me. I did go and buy some ice melt yesterday to take care of the stairs into my place, but seriously there is not a huge need for panic. By tomorrow afternoon, it is supposed to be in high-40s. The snow will be melted by Saturday and give way to spring. That is, if any of it actually sticks. As of now, it has completely turned to rain in my neighborhood. The melting has already begun.
I'm not saying other places further north and west have snow, but in DC, there was no need for panic.
Maybe that's the Michigan girl talking, but really, I just don't get the panic.