Fiesta

Know what has been on my mind all day?....

Salsa!!

  Salsa is a staple food at our house. I have one child who is completely an addict. I think I have tried every store brand ever made and finally decided that homemade is still the best. I searched for a good recipe online and finally found a winner. Yesterday, that same child needed his salsa fix so I made a batch. As I was making a second batch tonight I decided I wanted to share it with anyone who also experiences our same addiction. Try this..

--I put it all in the food processor and pulse it just a few times and there you go. --

*1 small onion

*1 jalepeno (take the seeds out!)

*2 cloves garlic

*Handful of cilantro (maybe 1/3 of the bunch)- don't use stems. They are bitter

*2 cans Rotel tomatoes with green chilies

*1 Large can stewed tomatoes

*1 lime juice

*1/2 tsp salt

It is a bit spicy but a happy kind of spice. Muy Bueno!!!

Misses

I have been thinking lately about how my life has adjusted to my new foot and how good I am feeling. It seems like a distant memory of all the struggles I just went through. I don't ever want to forget. Well, I know I won't forget but what I mean is that I don't want to forget the small daily struggles that humbled me and made me grateful just to be alive each morning. One of the biggest things I told myself I would never complain or grumble about ever again was all the driving I do to get my kids where they need to be. This was put to the test as I added early morning seminary driving to my list this week. Surprisingly, I found it to be the best part of my day. I got to watch as the sun was just rising. Although I really don't like waking up early, I completely love seeing the sunrise! And it has a whole new meaning to me as I endured many awful nights of chemo when I didn't feel like I could live one more day. I will be forever touched and reminded of my blessings at the sight of the sun rising.
I was also thinking about the things I really miss now that I have had my life altered a bit. They are both quite selfish things. The first is that I really miss my eyelashes. Alot! I have always liked my eyes. It is one part of my body that I wouldn't want to change. I mean, does anyone ever find flaws about their eyes? They are quite remarkable body parts really. Anyway, I miss my eyelashes way too much. I sure do hope they will really grow back. My other thing I miss is taking a shower. This may not be a big deal if I was a person who enjoyed taking baths. I am not that person. I can't get my leg wet so I don't get to take my leg with me in the shower. I miss getting up in the morning and having the shower run all over your face and wake you up. Nope. No enjoyment anymore. But the good news is that if this is as bad as my problems get then I am truly blessed.
There is still one thing lingering that may be added to my list of 'Things I miss'. I need to figure out how to conquer the beach this summer. How do I keep the sand from getting into my bionic parts and getting caught in the crevaces. And how in the world am I going to go get my feel wet or get into the ocean???? I guess I will find out in a few months.

Old Flame is still burning

I visited an old flame Saturday night. It was just like old times.

Hot and Sour soup. Still love it!

Lots of Floss

I finally went in to see the dentist. I was super worried what effect the chemotherapy drugs would have to my teeth. Even with all my mouth sores, I always brushed my teeth. Sometimes 3 times a day. Sometimes crying from the pain of the sores. But I didn't want my teeth to go bad. I got addicted to those floss picks. I had them with me all the time. I think I was a bit paranoid at times.

My secret addiction

Well, I saw the dentist a few days ago and the good news is... No cavities. The dentist said my teeth were in good shape. I am relieved. Very relieved. I don't like bad teeth.

Tall order

My thirteen year old son had an appointment at the doctor today. He measured in at 5' 8". What is going on with that? When I finally got my foot and could stand up straight is when I noticed that he had grown taller than me. But already at 5' 8". Goodness sakes.

Tune up

I had my first re-check with the prosthetisist. He said I was doing very well walking. I was glad to hear that because I haven't gone to therapy yet. I am kind of rebelling about it. I just don't want to go to any more appointments. I know what walking should feel like and I know how to stand up straight when I walk. So if it hurts to walk and I am limping, then I need to shift my weight around. I figure that I don't need someone to tell me that. Last week I finally got that shifting idea down. By adjusting where I place my weight on my leg when I walk, I have gotten rid of some of the soreness and I can endure the day till bedtime time. That is a  big relief.
I was pretty amazed at how the prosthetisist can 'fine tune' my foot. I would say, "I feel like I am leaning towards my little toe". And then he would twist his allen wrench in different spots and then I would say, "now my heel is too high." After only 5 or so adjustments he had me standing so strait. I practiced walking so he could evaluate my gait. The one thing I am forgetting to do is swing my arms when  I walk. He said it would make my limp look less if I would swing my arms by my side. I now have to deliberately think about it when I walk. I need to re-learn to strut.

My lucky fin

I think that there should be a better accepted name for an amputee's stump. I am not a fan of the word "Stump". But what else to you call it anyway? My friend was talking to me and was asking questions about my leg. I kept saying, "Are you  asking about my real leg?" And she answered, "No, your bot leg." I liked that. 'Bot'.. as in 'Robot' leg.
One other name I like to call my stumpy leg is my 'lucky fin'. Think Finding Nemo.
That brings me to what I did today. I went swimming!!!
Our spring break started on Thursday. And we got up bright and early to leave the house because we were having the house tented for termites. We have been staying in a hotel and enjoying the pool. Today I decided to swim with the kids while Kenneth was at work. I wasn't quite sure how I would do this. It turned out that it wasn't that bad. Thankfully there was only one other person at the pool. I sat on a lounge chair and took my leg off. Then I had one of the kids steady me as I hopped a few steps to the pool edge. Easy right? Well almost. After I got in I realized I still had to stand on one foot because I was helping Ben splash around. I only lost my footing once and thought that Ben and I were both going under. Thankfully we didn't.
As we swam Courtney told me of the two women she saw at the beach yesterday who were both without hair and just 'Embracing it'. So a few minutes after getting in I left my hat and my pride on the side of the pool and after handing Ben off to one of the boys, I swam over to her and said, "I'll embrace it".

Me before 'Embracing it'. Loved being able to swim again!

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