Chicken

Excuse me? Chicken? Yep, chicken.

Those of you that have known me for a while are familiar with one of my favorite stories to tell.

I got married believing that I knew how to cook; Bake chicken in the oven with a little salt and pepper. Open a can of little green peas and and a can of corn, heat on stove. Put a serving of each on a plate and Ta Da, dinner is served. About a month into our marriage, Michael very nicely informed me that if we were going to eat chicken every night I needed to learn a few different ways in which to cook it.

I'm proud to say that in 20 years of marriage I have learned many different ways to serve me up some chicken. However, chicken is still ~98% of our diet.

So what's the point? I have one more rabbit trial, then the point.

When Kevin was eight and nine, I had him in public school. The teachers became concerned with some of his behavior. This began a long journey of test and IEP's and many a discussion with lots of people. When Kevin was ten we moved to North Carolina, where I attempted to home school. During this time my Home Schooling efforts allowed my path to cross with many different people. One group introduced me to the idea of allergies causing behavior concerns. So I set my cap to checking this out. I did get Kevin in to see an allergist, who straight away informed me that if he was having no obvious signs of an allergy reaction, then there was no need to test him for food allergies. However, since I was there he would do some testing for dust and grasses. I was a bit irritated to say the least. If the kid was showing obvious signs of a reaction I wouldn't need the Dr to test him! Guess what? Kevin did test positive to grasses and dust. My response? No duh, who doesn't test positive to those things. I never took him back to the allergist.

Through the years Kevin frequently spent his midnight hour at the toilet throwing up. One of the reasons why I was so quick to bite off on the whole allergy idea, and yes I did share that with the Dr. So let's progress forward to age 17 &18. I recently shared with you that Kevin was having trouble swallowing and actually has had food stuck twice now. He biopsied positive for esinophil esophagitis. A real true honest to goodness, took a sample of tissue and tested it and that was the result. This time I had a diagnosis that caused the allergist to take me serious when I requested food allergy testing. When I went on line to read about the esinophil esophagitis I was amazed. Most likely a good bit of Kevin's throwing up could be attributed to this diagnosis, unknown to us at the time.

Now the point, if you haven't already figured it out; Kevin is allergic to CHICKEN.

Is that not weird?!

Yes, he tested positive to allergies for every weed that grows here in the desert and three different kinds of trees. Dogs and cats--ouch. Pistachio nuts and chicken.

This Dr. recommended allergy shots, some medication and elimination of all nuts and chicken. He did tell Kevin that it would be wise to eliminate the foods and see how he feels, if he can't tell any difference then don't worry about trying to eliminate those foods altogether. The Dr believes that the weeds, grasses and dusts are the main culprits to his esinophil esophagitis.

As I stated earlier, I have learned to cook chicken in many different ways, however it is still ~98% of our diet. Kevin and I agreed that it would be wise to stop all chicken for a while and see what happens. He is now eating LOTS of hamburgers. (home made)

I am struggling really hard to keep my mind from traveling down the "what if" highway!!

It's best to just live in the facts of the here and now and know that I did all I knew how to do in the past.

In the present, all chicken is being avoided, as well as p-nut butter. The dogs have been moved to my end of the house and lots of hand washing is happening.

Roasting

Do you know what the good thing about sitting in an 85 degree house is? When we finally turn on the A/C again 80 degrees will feel good!

Last months electric bill knocked me over. So I adjusted the thermostat to remain at 78 degrees with the exception of 5 hours at night, when we dropped it to 75. I also unplugged the extra fridge in the garage and Michael gave the kids the 'turn off the lights' lecture.

Our stove top, dryer and hot water heater are all propane. The oven is electric, but honestly I only use it maybe twice a week.

The thermostat is now at 78 24/7, unless of course we decide there is a nice breeze and turn the air off altogether. Wow!

It reminds me of the days of living alone in my own place. The thermostat stayed at 80 and I actually LIKED it there. I got used to it. However, when friends came to visit they would request we have a soda...elsewhere. :)

My Guys!

Plans

Today my mind was just running rampant with ideas. I have two things that my mind bounces back and forth between.

The first, is a trip I'm planning with my mom. My mom has visited us often in the ~20 years that we have lived here in California. However, we have never managed to take her to any of the National Parks. We have taken other family members that have visited, but not her. So, after talking to Michael we have invited mom to come visit. This visit she and I will be seeing the Grand Circle. There are National Parks in 4 states that make a circle, which makes it easy to travel and see. I am so excited I can hardly see straight. We have invited my sister to join us, but at this point she has declined. She has 4 children that she home schools and she works part time as a Labor and delivery nurse, plus she and her husband bought a home this past Dec. I can see how taking off for 2 weeks could be a bit over whelming, but I'm still hoping she'll change her mind and join us.

Next, is the missions dinner that the Women's Missionary Fellowship group from my church is planning. Usually we have several ideas for a theme that we vote on and then spend most of the meeting brain storming ideas for decorating according to that theme. I really enjoy the whole brainstorming and planning process. Unfortunately we didn't get to do that today. A theme was decided on, but no real discussion on how to decorate. There was a real reason, but I don't see the need to try to explain that. The theme is: Bearing Precious Seed.

The verse is Psalms 126:6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.


After the meeting a few of us talked a little bit. The idea of making center pieces out of miniature hay bales, mini pumpkins and garden tools was tossed out there. I like the idea actually but I keep thinking about it. The theme is bearing precious seed and the decorations need to reflect that, but what is the precious seed that is being talked about. In our case it is the Word of God being sown by missionaries that we support. You guys are always very creative, so I thought I'd toss this out there and see what ideas you came up with. The dinner is a covered dish dinner. The WMF provides the decoration and music. My only thought towards decoration was to have little treat cups with different seeds in them. Pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds. Then at Wally world I saw a cute idea. Instead of putting the seeds in just a plastic mini cup on the table, place them in a mini glass and enclose them in netting, tied with a ribbon and the verse printed on a piece of paper attached. Any how, that's what is playing in my mind tonight.

I suppose I should quit rattling away here and get ready for bed. Let me know your thoughts.

Life

Wow! It's been a long time since I've written a post!

Michael came home for good June 15. YEA! He was home for about a week and then he and Kevin took off for a 'dude trip'. They went to Lake Powell and rented jet skis and then into Moab to ride ATV's. They had a great time! It was so good to hear about all the fun there were having. Yes, I wish I had been with them, yet at the same time I was so thankful that they had the opportunity to go off and spend time together.

My plants in the back yard are all alive except two. Michael placed a drip system for me and I put it on a timer. Amazing how well plants do with water. ;)

Last week end Michael and Kevin took me to Lake Powell. This time we rented a boat and rode to Rainbow Bridge National Park. The only way to get to it was by boat. If was a lot of fun to be on the water with my guys. Gab couldn't be with us because of already made plans.

Then this past Tuesday Michael and I spent the evening in the ER with Kevin. Every now and then food just doesn't like to go down Kevin's food pipe. Monday a bite of chicken became lodged. You know it is stuck good and not budging when he tries to drink water and it comes right back up. He couldn't even swallow his spit. He refused to go to the ER. On his promise that he'd come wake me if need be, Michael and I went to bed. He had a rough night but still didn't want to go to the doctor. By 1pm he was calling me at work, ready to go. We started in the ER at the Naval Hospital and ended in the ER 'down the hill'. They put a camera down his throat and pulled the chicken out after several attempts. My son's 'food pipe' (I am intentionally not using proper medical terms) is a mess. He has one spot that is a real concern. The Doctor didn't want to biopsy it because every thing was so inflamed. So we left with one very drugged young man and a Rx for medication. His chest and throat are still sore from the ordeal, but he is well. Um, well but in sever need of some diet changes and food pipe monitoring. After a couple weeks, when the inflammation has calmed down, we will add another medication and then in a few months take another look. The doctor says that medication is the answer for the rest of his life. I am so hoping, praying and believing that some good common sense diet changes will be made and adhered to. Unfortunately that has been my song and dance since Kevin was 10 years old. He has gone on line and read and educated himself on the condition that he most likely has and seems to be more than willing to make some changes.

Well, my daughter just entered the room and announced that I need to start telling family that she will be getting married. Her young man is in the process of joining the service and they want to get married when he gets out of boot camp. I told her that we would begin the process after said young man speaks with her Dad. The young man has not yet signed the dotted line and therefore no one can really make any for sure plans, because he doesn't know what his are going to be as of yet. Life is interesting isn't it?! I remember telling my mom that Michael and I were going to get married. She said when she saw the ring she would take me seriously, or she would begin to talk about it seriously with me. When Michael came home that Christmas we placed the engagement announcement in the local paper. Then the plans began! I'm glad mom didn't wait until I got my diamond because that didn't happen until we'd been married over 5 years. I had a choice: diamond ring or honeymoon in Hawaii. I took Hawaii, thinking I'd never get the chance again. We've been twice. :) Isn't life fun. If this crazy long blog comes to mind in the future your prayers would be appreciated.

I guess that pretty much brings you up to date with my little piece of life. I still enjoy reading all of your blogs and sharing the journey with you.