Like Old Times

Friends for 50 Years: Larry, Mom and Joella. Madeline Photobombs! :)

Upon our return from the beach, we quickly resumed a faster pace of life and a few things got lost in the shuffle. I've mentioned that this year has been an exceptional one when it comes to being with those we care about and re-connecting with those we haven't seen for a very long time.

Sisters: Alison and Katie
Lots of Beach Memories with These Two!

On our way to and from the beach, we stayed at Joella and Larry's home and got to see their two daughters, Alison and Katie, as well as Alison's daughter Madeline. 

Me, Madeline, Flynn, Tovah Rose and Gershwin!
Madeline is a JOY!

A little background: Mom has known Joella and Larry since her days as a student at Rockford College! Then, when my parents moved to NC State where my dad got his first teaching job, Joella and Larry were also there. We spent many, many summers going to the beach with this family. Alison was always kind of like a big sister to me.

This year we also saw Gary and Diane, and Gary and was also part of those early days in my parent's marriage when they first moved to NC.

Gershwin Really Loved Hanging Out With Larry

I know it has meant so much to Mom to reconnect with these treasured friends and I have loved hearing stories and reconnecting as well! It's surreal to think we let so much time pass between seeing these folks. Other than a short visit a couple of years ago at our home with Joella, Larry, Alison and Madeline and a quick dinner with Joella and Larry in 1998 when I thought I'd be moving to the DC area--I hadn't seen this crew over 25 years!

College Buddies

What we have loved the most about our visits with Gary, Diane, Joella, Larry, Alison and Katie is that   we felt as if we had just been together around the dinner table laughing and talking yesterday. 

Joella made us a wonderful dinner on our way to and from the beach and gave us comfy places to sleep. And of course, we were able to have the dogs with us. 

Lookin' Good Larry!

One of the things we look forward to already in anticipation of next year's trip to the beach is another visit with Joella, Larry, Alison, Katie and Madeline on our way to and from Sunset Beach and hopefully another visit with Gary and Diane while we are at the beach.

Here's to reconnecting with old friends!

Thank you for all of your hospitality Joella and Larry!

I Painted Mad's Fingernails! Sparkles!

It appears that I never blogged about their visit in June 2012, probably because we were just about to get our little girl, Miss Tovah Rose. So here are the pics from that fantastic visit as well.

Alison, Larry, Me, Madeline, Joella. Larry Gives Great Hugs!

Alison, Madeline, Larry, Mom, Joella

Madeline is Crazy About Her Papa

She LOVED Having Mom Read to Her!

Blessings,

Emily

Monday Dog Blog: Helpers

How Can We Help Mommy?

We were able to do one of my favorite things Saturday night--plant our flower pots! It was a true family effort!

Helping to Clean the Pots

No one takes this task lightly. We have a great deal of 'assistance'.

The Face of a Hard Worker

There is soil to dig in, flowers to steal, gloves to chew on, trowels to move, and all sorts of important 'work'. 

Someone Kept Trying to Steal My Basil Pod!

Gershwin is always the one most involved in helping.

Look at These Pots We Helped to Plant!

Most of all, we're pretty proud of our hard work here. And the puppies are excited that Mommy felt well enough to really enjoy one of her favorite activities. 

That's the Spot Mom!

It's important to balance out all of that hard work with a lot of rest and snuggle time. 

Happy Monday!

Blessings,

Emily

Summer Visits: Diane and Michael

Mom, Gershwin, Diane, Me, Tovah Rose, Michael (Note: Mom and I did *not* plan identical leg crossing! :))

As usual, our summer is a busy one with out of town visitors. This year has really taken the cake for fantastic visits with old friends and family that we haven't see in way too long.

The Two Lovebirds

Diane and Michael, who last visited in 2007, came for an afternoon of good food (crab cakes, asparagus and carrot salad, potato salad, chocolate chip espresso cookies, gluten free strawberry shortcake with ice cream--and as many items fresh and local as possible) and good conversation. 

Professor Michael

Some you may remember that mom and I attended Diane and Michael's 45th anniversary party last June, where we were able to be together with the entire Jewish side of our family.

Mom, Gershwin, Diane, and Michael

What a change I've experienced since our last two times with Diane and Michael. We enjoyed a four hour visit them! Lots of talking, catching up, laughter, hugs, and snuggle time with the puppies (Diane loved them!). 

Gershwin, Diane, Michael, Me

It's strange to have gone so long without seeing so many important people in my life, or to have only seen them when I was so very sick. It's new and different to fully enjoy being together and to feel a part of the world in a completely different way now. 

  

I am LOVING every minute of it all.

A Kiss for Tovah from Michael

Diane and Michael: you really are family to us, and we are so thankful for your visit. We will not let so many years pass again before seeing one another. You are beautiful, amazing, wonderful human beings and we love you.

Blessings,

Emily

Monday Dog Blog: Three's Company

Gershwin, Sluggo and Tovah Rose Wait for a Treat

This weekend, we welcomed Sluggo for visit while his family went out of town. As you can see, he got the hang of the routine pretty fast. Treat when I come back inside? I'm here! :)

Sluggo Seems Pretty Comfy Here!

He settled right in. 

Time to Watch Gilmore Girls

Everyone got along splendidly. Gershwin so wanted Sluggo to play with him like Asher used to do. Despite Gershwin's valiant efforts, Sluggo was not interested. :) Both nights he we here, all three dogs settled into bed with me. G is never upset about sharing his 'space', whereas Tovah Rose gets jealous.

Time for a Walk!

While I know it's not possible to have three dogs again--it's simply too much work for Mom and too expensive--a part of me absolutely soared with joy having three dogs around again. 

Creative Dining

In other news, Tovah Rose continues to find creative ways to enjoy her meals.

Mom! You WORE Me Out!

She is usually impossible to wear out, but after a walk around the golf course the other day she ran right to her bed and collapsed into this goofy position.

Being Nice

This afternoon, I spotted the Gershwin and Tovah Rose in this adorable moment of closeness.

A Moment of Sweetness

 I couldn't believe it!

My Cuties

And this might be my new favorite picture of my two favorite little beings.

Happy Monday!

Blessings,

Emily

Recipe Fridays: Gluten Free Oatmeal Chocolate Chunk Cookies

When Jay and Jeanette were here Mom and I made some Gluten Free Oatmeal Chocolate Chunk Cookies for dessert. I have been craving a yummy Oatmeal Chocolate Chunk Cookie, and we have found ourselves a winner.

We used all Bob's Red Mill products, but other GF flours or oats could certainly be used.

Instead of using chocolate chips, our new favorite thing in any cookie or baked good that requires chocolate chips is to use Scharffen Berger Bittersweet Fine Artisan Dark Chocolate. It comes in a big bar. It makes the cookies less sweet than using traditional chocolate chips and the high quality of the chocolate brings the cookies up a notch as well. I love to pound the chocolate into chunks--very therapeutic! We put the chocolate in a quart-sized Ziploc bag and use the side of a meat tenderizer to create the chocolate chunks.

I have always loved baking, and it's such a joy to be able to do this activity with Mom again. We have  fallen easily back into our old rhythm of Mom using the mixer, getting out the bowls, ingredients and measuring devices while I read the directions, measure the ingredients, and put the dough on the pans. I love the feel of the dough between my fingers, rolling it, and placing it on the cookie sheets. Mom doesn't enjoy this part at all, and prefers the mixing and getting out the ingredients. So it works
out perfectly!

Enjoy!

Blessings,

Emily

Gluten Free Oatmeal Chocolate Chunk Cookies 

1 1/2 cups GF All Purpose Baking Flour

1 tsp Xanthan Gum

2 large eggs

1/2 tsp Sea Salt

1 tsp Baking Soda

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

1/2 cup Sugar

1 cup Brown Sugar

1 cup Unsalted Butter (softened)

3 cups Gluten Free Rolled Oats

1 Cup Chocolate Chips


Directions:  Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat butter and sugars together until smooth. Add vanilla and eggs; beat well. In a separate bowl, blend flour, baking soda, salt and Xanthan Gum. Stir flour blend into wet ingredients. Add oats and chocolate chips and mix well. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto un-greased cookie sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool one minute then transfer to wire rack. Makes about 4 dozen cookies.

Note: Recipe was adapted from  this recipe on the Bob's Red Mill site. 

Anniversary: Sweet Sixteen

Second Ulta Trip! :)

Sweet Sixteen. Wellness within Chronic Illness. That is how I will remember this anniversary of getting sick. 

Last year, we planted a dogwood bush and two knockout rose bushes in honor of my 15 year anniversary. Last year was a pretty typical anniversary/shitiversary for me. 

This year feels a LOT different.

As I mentioned earlier in a post about my trip to Ulta, I decided that this year's celebration of life/my anniversary of getting sick was going to be more fun and carefree--treating myself to new make-up. 

On our first trip, I purchased most of the products I needed for a 'full face'--foundation, blush, mascara, eyeliner, eye shadow, pore minimizer.

Last week, we made our second trip to purchase the rest of the items for a 'full face'--highlighting pen and eyeshadow for evening.

Then, I worked with another great salesperson to purchase 'every day face' items--a tinted BB cream, bronzer and mattifier. 

While we were at Ulta Mom treated herself to getting her brows tinted. 

We had so much fun together! Normally, Mom doesn't treat herself to something like a brow tint and especially not when we are out together, because she is focused on maximizing our time out to get what I need. 

The two of us were so excited to be able to go out long enough and not have to worry that I wouldn't have energy for the outing.

It feels wonderful to sit at my new bathroom sink and put on make-up--either the every day look or the full make-up look--almost daily. I've been able to get cute clothes. I continue to paint my nails (Health, Wealth and Happiness in honor of my anniversary). 

Yes, underneath the make-up, the clothes, the painted fingernails, I'm always and still me. My soul is always Dancing Light. 

But it's dancing a lot more this year because I feel so much more a part of this world. It's not about the make-up--it's about what being able to go shopping, having energy to put on make-up, wanting to put it on, having places to go wearing and people to see when I'm wearing it, and feeling a bit of  normalcy means. I love being able to take joy in the things I've missed and always loved. I love being able to feel pretty. I love being able to feel well enough to have a reason to put on my make-up.

This is the sweetest anniversary I've had. 

Blessings,

Emily

New Joys: Girls Night Out!

Storm, Marjie, Nicole, Me

As I write this on Saturday night, I'm feeling a mix of emotions-- amazed, grateful, hopeful, thankful, relieved, and a little scared this goodness won't last. 

Today, as Mom and I baked chocolate chip espresso cookies (recipe coming), I said: "Can you believe I'm able to do this today after going out last night?" 

Mom's face lit up with joy as she reflected on how well I was doing today. 

I said: "I will be devastated if this new level of health doesn't continue." 

"I know," she said. "So will I." 

I try to rest in the present each day. But there is that little part of me that always knows the fragility of wellness within illness.

Clockwise from Left: Julia, Stephanie, Lauren, Storm, Marjie, Nicole, Me (HATE this photo of me!)

On Friday night, Marjie arranged for a girls night out at a local restaurant while her mom babysat her newly adopted daughter. 

Julia and Stephanie

First, Marjie is top-notch at accommodating my needs, so she and Nicole asserted to the folks at the restaurant that while the restaurant requires all members of a party to be present before seating (and there was an hour wait), that one member of their party could not stand/wait for that long and could only arrive after they had been seated. This made it possible for me to go. 

Stephanie and Lauren

My body continues to do things new, different and better with each passing day. 

The scene:

Eight women

A very loud restaurant

Sitting up for 3 hours

Needing to yell to be heard

A crowded restaurant

The experience:

Almost symptom free

Crossed my legs Indian style, as always, to sit up that long

Lots of laughter

Lots of great women, including several Jewish women

Ordered a meal as FODMAPS-friendly as possible

Asked for help--by asking Marjie and Nicole to be seated before I arrived and by asking Nicole for a ride--and received it willingly and lovingly

The outcome:

Tired

Achey and a sore neck

No extra meds needed to sleep

A day at home Saturday, but still able to function low-key

HAPPY! JOYFUL!

Still feeling rough-around the edges Sunday

How it used to be:

Sweating just to sit up

Overwhelmed and overstimulated ANS from the noise and large crowds

Shortness of breath from having to talk loudly

Difficulty focusing on conversation because of cognitive fatigue and other symptoms

Inability to even go to such an event or sit up that long

I would also arrive home with ringing in my ears, nausea, forceful heartbeats, fatigue, pallor, sweating, and an ANS otherwise so mad that I would be up most of the night because it couldn't calm down. Without a LOT of extra medications, I might be awake all night. At least one pajama day and maybe more. Several days to completely recover.

Clockwise from Left (Same as Above Photo)
Missing: Melissa Had Already Left

It was a wonderful night for so many reasons--because the women were wonderful, because I think I'm finding more new friends locally, because many of these women are Jewish, because the women watch out for my health, because we laughed a lot, because I felt so 'normal' going on this type of outing, because my body exceeded any expectations I could have had, because I didn't pay a horrible price, because I was able to fully enjoy the outing.

Many people have been asking if I know why I am feeling so much better. It's a combination of things, but for the most part it is due to one medication in particular called mestinon. I know I'm long overdue for the health updates, but I'm so immersed in the new, exciting things happening. 

Thank you for sharing in my new joys and experiences. I would never be this joyful, this happy, this blessed, this perseverant, or this resilient if it wasn't for the cheering squad I have with me every step of the way.

Blessings,

Emily

Monday Dog Blog: Sleeps with Dogs

Gift from Marla

A sweet, thoughtful, and fun gift arrived in the mail from Marla last week--a pillowcase with the above printed on it. She knows me so well!

Yup, sleeps with dogs. That's me.

TV Time

First, we all settle in for some TV. As you can see, these two aren't in it for the TV show, but instead for the snuggles.

This Guy Can Really Sack Out! His Mouth is Hanging Open!

For most of their lives, Tovah Rose and Gershwin have slept in crates in my bedroom. But now that Asher is gone, I miss having a dog near me to fall asleep. So, I caved in and started letting these two sleep in bed with me. 

Gershwin has not quite gotten the hang of the idea that sometimes Mommy needs to roll over during the night--which results in me needing to wake up and move him. One night, I tried to give him a little noodge with my foot and he fell off the bed! Oops!

I'm aware of all of the research that says letting your dogs sleep in bed with you means poorer quality of sleep, but I'm such a crappy sleeper anyways--in and out of sleep all night long--that I'm not quite sure it makes a whole lot of difference whether or not Tovah Rose and Gershwin sleep with me or not.

Taking Over My Pillow

While Gershwin likes to sleep against the back of my legs, Tovah Rose has always liked to sleep above my head on my pillow. I got out of bed the other night to discover she had taken over the pillow entirely. 

Oh how these little creatures wiggle their way into our hearts...and our beds.

Happy Monday!

Blessings,

Emily

Happy Father's Day Dad!

Professor Dad

Happy Father's Day to my Dad!

This year we really get to enjoy celebrating--we'll be going out to a new Thai restaurant in town, I've got a gift ready to go, and then Dad even agreed to stop at Talbot's to look at shoes for my reunion. I am sure his favorite part of our father-daughter date day will be shoe shopping! :) I'm so excited to be able to really spend time with Dad on his special day.

I snapped these photos of Dad one day for his webpage and thought they were great shots of him.

Professor Dad

I'd also just like to shout out to my dad how much I love him.  I think I learn to love him more every day. After many years of struggle we've come to a place of peace, understanding, respect, compassion, and nurturing. I'm sad we missed out on years of this type of closeness, yet I try to live in an understanding that maybe this was our journey and our path to each other. Still, I think of the time we have left and savor it.

Thank you, Dad, for your counsel, for your wisdom, for your constant support, for your commitment to my present and to my future, for your hard work, for your sense of humor, for your compassion, for your 100% stand-by-me on my medical journey no matter what attitude, for your perseverance through your own life, for your passion, and most of all, for your love.

Happy Father's Day!

Love, 

Champ