Gratitude

Charlie and Jen came out to help us with projects to make our existence a bit easier. We spent a large part of the day building a ramp from the driveway to the porch, for the inevitable day when David will need a wheelchair to get around. It will also be easier for maneuvering a walker.

I'm so lucky to have a family that chips in to help when times get crazy. It also helps that there is so much talent in our family. We can take care of projects without needing to hire someone. David, Jen and I figured out the problem with the refrigerator, and I am pleased to report that the fridge temperature is currently 35 degrees. Quite an improvement over 60 degrees when I got up.

Stay in touch,
Lisa

Know what we need? Pictures!

I am envious of David's blog. He has pictures and I don't (other than the Bahamas photo you're supposed to be checking out on the right there). Time to rectify that. Gratuitous photography!

Got me thinking

My friend, Pat, posted this in FB regarding my other blog post:

Sounds like where you get a wish granted (like weight loss) then you find out it's not what you want at all (due to neuromyelitis optica). I think these types of fairytales were meant to be teaching moments...trying to tell us not to keep asking for so much, or to be careful what you ask for. Maybe they were there just to scare us.

8 hours ago · · 1

 

I've been thinking about this for a while. It corresponds to the story asking "How do you know this is bad luck?" Pat's last comment about just being there to scare us rings true to me tonight. I'm scared about the future, the present, however I got the past licked. I look at our lives, and where we are now, and shake my head. But by heaven, we're tougher than we realize.

I'm thinking about moving this blog slightly more toward bioethics commentary. Feel free to skip that if you aren't interested. I won't be offended.

Stay in touch,

Lisa

Mozarella and ricotta recipes

This is pretty close to how I make it, but it also has pictures!

http://www.cheesemaking.com/howtomakemozzarellacheese.html

http://www.cheesemaking.com/store/pg/217-Ricotta.html

Lasagne and Physical Therapy

David is at his PT appointment (aquatherapy, I love it!!!) and I am making lasagne. Lasagne may be the perfect food: cheese, tomatoes, high glycemic value pasta, more cheese...oh yeah...and sausage/pepperoni. But the sauce was homemade, and I know it has no additives/preservatives, and my Italian blood was crying out for ricotta, asiago and mozzarella.

Tip: spend a bit more for good mozzarella, if you aren't up to making it yourself. Really, make it yourself if you can. It's easy and inexpensive, and if you have kids, you get the fun of watching them learn a little chemistry. I accidentally bought a certain giganto-foods mozzarella, and succeeded on turning it into cream cheese in the food processor.

I will post my homemade mozzarella and ricotta recipes another day. Or you can look it up online in the Mother Earth News archive. I bought the book that the recipe came out of, but right now I'm feeling too lazy to get up and hunt down the recipes.

Stay in touch,
Lisa

A new focus

When I posted last summer, we were delighted to see David had lost a bunch of weight, without a lot of effort. We thought it was just minding portion sizes and a bit more exercise. Turns out we were mistaken. He's been diagnosed with a disease called Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO). It's similar to MS, but tends to be much more devastating in terms of the severity of the flares, and the lasting damage. The neurological situation is causing some muscle wasting, hence the weight loss. Around the same time, we got caught up in an ugly custody mess regarding the grandkids, the stress of which may have exacerbated the onset of this disease.

So, we are being much more careful about what we eat, and trying to find meals which are myelin-friendly. On the other hand, we're also willing to indulge a bit more, because the future is quite uncertain.

I'm totally committed to making things easier for the family, and making the most of every second. This blog may, if it's possible, become even more boring than it was, but it's my blog and I'll write what I want to.

Stay in touch.
Lisa