Irratic Posting

I think “spontaneous” is better 🙂

As you can see, I do not post on a regular basis.  From time to time, I even (goddess forbid) forget that I even have a blog.

You should check out Susun Weed’s new online course “Your Healthy Heart.”  Entering midlife, I find myself very concerned with my health and my heart health is top on the list (Remaining cancer free is number one).  This course is well thought out.  It is divided into three sections and you can pay for each “as you” take them ($125) or save $80 ($295) and pay a one time fee.

I will be taking this course in 2015 as a New Year gift to myself.  I will be taking it in sections (for multiple reasons).

There is a lot of information that is already available.  Check it out!

Peace & Blessings

Colleen

Pulled Pork – Crock Pot Recipe

I’ve never made pulled pork and wanted to try it for meals this week.  I took ideas from two pulled pork recipes on the net (About.com) and as one should, I changed it to make it my own 🙂

Crock Pot Pulled Pork Recipe:

1 4lb pork shoulder

1 large white onion, thinly sliced

2 16.9oz bottles of Dr. Pepper

1 16oz bbq sauce of your choice ( I used Guy Fieri’s Bourbon and Brown Sugar)

Slice onions.  Put half of them in the bottom of your crock pot.  Put the pork shoulder (Trim the fat 1st if you wish to, I didn’t) in the crock pot.  Put the rest of the onions over and around the pork roast.  Pour in both bottles of Dr. Pepper.  Turn your crock pot on the LOW setting and allow to cook for 9 to 11 hours.

Pour contents of the crock pot into a colander and allow liquid to drain off.  Shred the pork inside the colander(Throw away any pieces of fat after you’ve removed the meat) with a fork (It’s really easy to do when the pork is completely cooked) and put back into the crock pot.  Pour jar of bbq sauce over the pork and stir until all pieces are coated.  Turn crock pot back on the LOW setting for 3 hours.  Stir occasionally.

It turned out beautifully and is quite delicious!!  I put a small amount of pulled pork on a slice of flax & whole grain bread as a snack and for dinner I had pulled pork on brown rice with a side of vegetables.  Not to mention the multiple spoonfuls that I had in between that 🙂

Isn’t It Ironic

Twenty – two years ago, I had a sterilization procedure done.  Twenty – two years later, I have a full hysterectomy.

Just An Update

I recently had a 20lb ovarian tumor removed from me(January 7th).  In the same surgery, I had an appendectomy, a hysterectomy and partial colon surgery.  I had to wear this goddess-awful wound vac that reminded me of this Star Trek episode in which Captain Kirk wore this belt with a red button in the middle.  I hated it.  But my gyn oncologist removed it a week ago for which I am eternally grateful (On top of being grateful for my life).

Because of the type of tumor I had, I will have to have a colonoscopy to make sure that I do not have colon cancer.  And I’ll have to go back every three months to be screened for cancer(My doctor did perform a biopsy on all removed and one of the ovaries tested positive for ovarian cancer).

On the bright side?  I do not have any signs of cancer now.  Dr. Dillon said that he felt it unnecessary to go thru a round of chemo.  I do have to have the colon test but I’m not afraid of the possible results.

I was afraid when I was told that I had ovarian cancer.  I wanted my parents(deceased).  I hadn’t thought about dying (I did get lucky.  If I had waited any longer, then the possibility of my death would have been greater).  I had been so depressed by the possibility of my own demise until I saw Dr. Dillon yesterday.  I recently posted on Facebook that “I do not believe that many people are afraid of death.  They just do not think too much about it until the possibility smacks them in the face.”  It’s the truth, isn’t it?

Thank the gods for my family and friends.  I have one of the best support networks anyone could ask for 🙂  I love all of them so very much.

I go back to work on February 15th(Thank you Dr. Dillon).  I’ve been going insane not doing anything.  That and I miss not having a paycheck.

I learned some big lessons going thru this.  Don’t take your life or anything else for granted.  Take care of yourself and your health.  Appreciate the life you have, the people in your life, love them and love yourself.  A good phrase:  “Don’t sweat the small stuff.”  Be grateful for what you have, not pine for what you don’t have.

I am forever grateful to Dr. Dillon & Dr. Myers of the D’Amour Cancer Center in Springfield, MA and all of the staff at Baystate Medical/Wesson Women’s for the care that they gave me.  Thank you to my favorite nurses:  Marie, Sheila, Sue.  There are others too 🙂  And thank you to Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen (Chicopee, MA) for giving me a dinner some nights while I was out of work.  The food was awesome and you guys are terrific for giving of yourselves.  Alot of people (myself included) could learn about giving from all of you.

General Rant & Update

I don’t feel good, caught something from my granddaughter which added to my “I feel like shit” day. Took the day off from work.

Oh yeah, the oil is still infusing. When I FINALLY do decant the oil and make my salve, medicinally it’ll be good for my extremely dry skin. It’s the right time of the year. My skin gets so dry in the colder weather that it causes a small eczema breakout.

I’ve still got to put up some tinctures, about seven of them. I also would like to do another echinacea tincture. I just might buy a half gallon of vodka this week and do them all. We’ll see.

I’ve got all of these crochet supplies including a how to book. My goal was to relearn (My mother taught me when I was about eight or nine years old) and make afghans, blankets, hats, gloves, etc. Haven’t done anything about that either. Nor the cross stitch. As with the oil, will NOT post the day when, but will post when it’s started/done.

I’m now working seven days a week. The twisted thing about this? My body clock has gotten used to it which scares me a bit. Hey, I take care of myself and MooMoo so I need the money. That’s what I remind myself when my ass is dragging.

Will be adding a few blogs that I read tonight. Just don’t feel like scrolling thru my bookmarks nor doing a search on the net when I want to read them.

The on-going war with myself to quit smoking is still happening. I’ve been smoking & not smoking. My recent e cigarette purchase pisses me off. The two original batteries in my kit have died already. I just bought the kit late July I believe. Freaking A, not cheap. I’ll be ordering a mix-n-match kit from “The Vapor Girl” tomorrow so we’ll see. Until I’m satisfied, the war rages on.

On the bright side? I bought a Keurig brewer. One of the best purchase I’ve ever made. My favorite coffee in less than a minute. Love it 🙂

Infused Oil

My herbal oil is still infusing.  I’ll have to decant it next week.  I’ll bet it going to have a strong scent.  That’s what happens when you procrastinate!!

Had to put salv…

Had to put salve making on hold for several weeks.  My oil is still infusing.  Will make it during my vacation.  Won’t have to worry about small details like work.

Three Days To Go

Three more days and I’ll be decanting my oil and making a salve for the 1st time.  It means picking up some organic beeswax from River Valley Market.  This will be interesting.

My Environmental Impact

I use disposable pads, both for incontinence and for my period(Occasionally now lol).  Imagining my impact on the environment, I’ve decided to make my own pads and tampons.  If anyone is looking for a really good story of how one women affects the environment (And what she can do about it), I highly recommend WEN’s article, “Seeing Red:  Sanitary Protection & The Environment.” I have updated my favorite pages to include links to make your own feminine products.

First Steps

On April 17th, my son Micheal gave me the best birthday present I received. An e-cigarette. I have smoked a pack and a half of conventional cigarettes since. The last cigarette that I smoked was this past Saturday. I haven’t had one since. My ultimate goal is to end my addiction to nicotine period. I cannot say thank you enough Mighty. Love you 🙂