- Good food, good company, good advice from Grandma

More Doctors. When Will It End?

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The last time I updated y’all about my health issues was back in January, when I talked about starting to go to the pain management doctor, and starting to use the BiPap machine for sleep apnea. The BiPap machine has really helped me. I sleep better, if not a bit longer, since I don’t stop breathing 36 times an hour every night. As far as the pain management doctor goes, I think it was one of my best decisions in a long time. She has me off of percocet, which I was afraid I would be taking for the rest of my life. Now, I take Gabapentin three times a day, and hydrocodeon two times a day. That is instead of taking percocet five or six times a day. So that is a good thing.

The pain I was having in my abdomen has almost completely disappeared, but because I am no longer experiencing that, it allowed a pain in my side and back to be brought to the forefront. It is a continuous aching, sometimes throbbing pain in my right side, where my kidney is on that side. I mentioned it to my pain management doctor back in February, and she seemed to just brush it off, and sort of made me feel like she thought I was trying to get more pain meds. But believe me, that is not the case. I don’t want to be on so many pain meds that all I do is sleep all day.

So, when I went to my endocrinologist last month, they found a urinary tract infection. They called in an antibiotic for me, and referred me to a urologist. Yes, another doctor added to the roll. Before I get into the urologist stuff, I have to tell y’all that I have been having episodes of LOW blood sugar. I have been diabetic since 2001, and have never experienced low blood sugar until now. If you’ve followed me for some time, you will know that I went through some rough times of not being able to get my blood sugar down low enough, so this is a new thing for me.

The low blood sugar usually happens in the early morning. The cats wake me up around 5:30 every morning wanting to be fed. My routine is that I feed the cats, check my blood sugar, then wait for the cats to finish eating so I can let them outside. I can tell when my blood sugar is below 70 or so because I feel like I am going to fall down. My hands shake, and my heart beats at a very fast rate. I have a container of glucose tablets, so I take four, wait 15 minutes, and check my blood sugar again. There have been times when my BS is in the 50’s, and when that happens, I have to take 12 of the glucose tablets to get my sugar up high enough. That is pretty scary to me.

I went to the urologist three weeks ago. They took a urine sample and sent it to the lab. Then we talked a bit about my symptoms and why I was there. They scheduled a CT scan for a week later. Then yesterday I had my follow up appointment to discuss the results of the tests. They found no infection, and a large kidney stone that I have had for about twenty or so years was not anything that they would worry about. They did find a large cyst on my right kidney, but they also said that the cyst would not be something that would cause the pain I have been having. They want to take a closer look at it though, so they have scheduled me for an ultrasound next week.

I asked the doctor what they would do if there is a cyst, and she said they would only watch it to make sure it doesn’t get bigger. She also suggested that the pain I am experiencing is probably caused by muscle strain due to side and back muscles having to compensate for my lack of abdominal muscles. So, that is where I stand with my health right now. One more doctor added to the pile, with no answers to the questions I have about why I am still in pain five years after my surgery. I’ll try to catch you up after my ultrasound follow up appointment in two weeks.

Invite Heluva Good Dips To Your Holiday Party

Karen · 1 Comment

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I received Heluva Good! product in exchange for this post.

With the 4th of July Weekend just around the corner, everyone is making plans for their celebrations. Making a menu, gathering the ingredients, finding out where the best place is to view fireworks–all of it is part of the party planning. While you’re making your plans, here is a cute recipe idea that not only tastes good, but will also dress up your holiday table.

heluva god — Heluva Good Patriotic Dip Platter

Heluva Good Patriotic Dip Platter Recipe

Place blue corn chips on top left quarter of a rectangular pan of choice
Spread Heluva Good! dip of your choice on remaining quarters
Cut red cherry tomatoes in half and place on top of the dip in rows as many as they will fit
Add star cut-outs of cheese of your choice on blue chips
Sprinkle some cracked pepper all over on top and ENJOY!

Such an easy to prepare, good to eat, and pretty to look at dip platter made with Heluva Good! Dip. For more recipes, store locator, and information on Heluva Good! Dip flavors, check out the Heluva Good! website.

Box Elder County Utah: A Birdwatchers Paradise And More!

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I have been compensated for this post. Thank you for taking time to read it.

If you are planning a trip out west this summer, you should consider adding Box Elder County, Utah in those plans. There are plenty of things to see and do, including bird watching, historic sites, and family fun activities.

The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge in the area offers great bird watching opportunities, with more than 250 species of birds, so you will definitely be able to add some to your life list. The refuge contains almost 80,000 acres of land and hosts the world’s largest breeding colony of White-faced Ibis, and is one of 3 largest colonies of American White Pelicans in North America. The Fall population of waterfowl can be over 263,000 birds! You will lose count of how many species of birds you see in one day at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge!

After a long day of being out in nature and bird watching, take the family to Maddox Ranch House for their famous Turkey Steaks and Shrimp Steaks. One of the most popular restaurants in Utah, it has been in business since 1949. Other items on the menu include beef steaks and prime rib; American Bison steaks; seafood; salads; burgers; and their famous skinless fried chicken. There is truly something for everyone at Maddox Ranch House.

Another way to appease your appetite are the many roadside stands on the Utah Official Fruitway on Highway 89,
find the very best in local homegrown fruits, veggies and other products in Northern Utah. If you’re camping or staying in a cabin with cooking facilities, you’ll be able to prepare the freshest, best tasting fruits and vegetables Utah has to offer. Get freshly picked peaches, apples, corn, pears, onions, squash, peppers when in season.

Crystal Hot Springs, which is a naturally hot spring that once was a home to generations of Native Americans, has the highest mineral content found in any hot springs in the world. Your whole family can go swimming, or just soak in the warm water. There are one large soaker pool, three hot tubs, a lap pool, and an Olympic sized pool (available during summer season), and a water slide. Camping is also available.

History and railroad buffs may want to see the Golden Spike National Historic Site, where the railroads going from the east and from the west met in 1869. The golden tie marks the spot where the last spike was driven by Leland Stanford, the President of Southern Pacific Railroad, at Promontory Summit, Utah, May 10th, 1869. Visitors can participate in a reenactment of the ceremony.

With outstanding bird watching opportunities, great food and fresh fruits and vegetables, family activities, and historic sites, your family will make wonderful memories in Box Elder County, Utah.

Coca-Cola™ And Tombstone Pizza Make a Great Dinner Combination

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This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, INC. and The Coca-Cola Company, all opinions are mine alone. #ServeWithACoke #CollectiveBias

Back in the day when my kids were little, I worked full time and volunteered with a youth group for several hours a week. It seemed like there was never enough time in the day, and I was often scrambling to get meals together. I dreamed of the day when I could retire and have plenty of time. Ha ha ha ha ha ha! Now that I am retired, it seems like I am either taking myself or my husband to a doctor appointment, taking the cats to the vet, folding laundry, sweeping floors, or whatever else needs to be done around the house. And by the time all of those things get done, I am quite pooped! I don’t feel like cooking a big meal, and Fabgrandpa doesn’t want to clean up after me. So what to do?

Save $1.00 on Coca Cola and Tombstone Pizza at Dollar General with digital coupon. Coca-Cola™ And Tombstone Pizza Make a Great Dinner Combination – FabGrandma
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, INC. and The Coca-Cola Company, all opinions are mine alone. #ServeWithACoke #CollectiveBias

Since he likes pizza, we do a pizza night at least once a week. I can grab a 1.25 liter Coca Cola™ and a Tombstone Pizza at Dollar General for less than $5.00! I got a $1.00 off digital coupon at the Dollar General website , and saved even more! Thank goodness for Dollar General Easy Meals!

coca cola at dollar general — Coca Cola 1.25 liter bottles can be found in the refrigerated section at Dollar General.

You can find Coca Cola in 1.25 liter bottles in the refrigerated section at Dollar General. Tombstone Pizza is right next door in the freezer, so picking them up is so easy!

Once you get them home, it is easy to prepare too!. I just preheat the oven, take the pizza out of the package, and place it directly on the middle shelf of the oven. It bakes up to a crispy crust. When it’s done, I take it out of the oven with a large spatula, and put it back on the cardboard that it came on. Cutting the pizza with a sharp knife or pizza cutter is easy to do since it is on the cardboard. Serve on a paper plate, and clean up is a breeze. Just toss the plates and cardboard in the trash, and wipe the counter.

The man loves to have a glass of Coca Cola over ice with his pizza.

He is a gamer, so he sometimes eats his pizza sitting at his computer.

coca cola and tombstone pizza. — Fabgrandpa multi-tasking at his computer!

Next time you are out, stop in at Dollar General and pick up some Coca Cola 1.25 liter bottles and some Tombstone Pizzas for Easy Meals to have on hand for those days when retirement gets hectic! Don’t forget to use that $1.00 off digital coupon!

Looking For Healthy Recipes? Time To Buy A New Cook Book

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You just got off work, picked up the kids from school, and the thought crosses your mind: “What should we have for dinner tonight?” Too tired after a hard day of work to prepare a nice healthy meal for the family, you veer off into a McDonald’s drive-thru line, and an hour later, after consuming that greasy Big Mac and order of salty fries, your body reminds you how much it disagrees with your decision to choose fast food. Your stomach starts to ache and you feel an extreme lack of energy, but what can you do? You tell yourself it’s too time-consuming and financially costly to prepare healthy dinners, and honestly, you don’t know of any healthy recipes.

Well, maybe it’s time you looked into buying a new cook book. The common misconception that healthy food is difficult to prepare and expensive is a lazy person’s excuse. It’s easier to hand someone a few dollars and receive a cooked meal within minutes. But, don’t you want to make a dietary change that will have both short and long term benefits? Wouldn’t it be fantastic to not only enjoy the taste of a well-prepared meal but feel mentally and physically healthy afterward?

If you want to start eating healthy but don’t know any recipes for quick, easy-to-cook meals, visit here. There you will find recommendations of cook books that will suit your dietary needs. Here are some suggestions of just a few simple recipes that are cost effective, tasty, and so easy to prepare.

Roasted Chicken and Vegetables

One of the simplest, yet tastiest meals to prepare uses chicken breasts and vegetables. Chop up the carrots, potatoes, onions, celery, or any other vegetable you want to include, and place them in a roasting pan. Then, place the chicken breasts on top of the vegetables and simply roast them. You can obviously tinker with this recipe, seasoning the chicken in a variety of ways. It all comes down to personal preference, but either way you do it, this meal won’t take much energy, time, or money to prepare.

Veggie Pizza

Who doesn’t love pizza? Well, this dish isn’t your traditional pizza, but it is delicious and cost effective, too, not to mention how simple it is to make. All that you need is some pizza dough, red bell peppers, corn, onions, basil, and part-skim mozzarella cheese, and 45 minutes later, you have you and your family a healthy, delectable dinner.

Grilled Steak (or Chicken) Salad

One of the top sellers of late in many restaurants is lunch and dinner portioned salads. But, you don’t have to spend $15 at a local restaurant when you can prepare the same dish at home for so much cheaper, and healthier, too. Use Romaine lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, steak or chicken, and use a lemon vinaigrette for dressing with the chicken and for steak, a balsamic vinaigrette is recommended.

These are just a few of so many healthy meals that can be prepared in under an hour while being friendly to your pockets. Above are basic recipes for meals that kids and adults will both enjoy, but if you’re looking for more options, look into getting a healthy recipe book, and start preparing breakfasts, lunches, and dinners that will have you and your family eating delicious meals and improving your health at the same time.

Perennials For The Flower Bed Around The Fountain

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I was compensated for and received product from SmartPond last year. I have not received any more compensation from them, but I love talking about my pond and fountain.

I’ve been slowly getting a few flowers planted in the flower bed I made last year around the fountain. Some of the ones we planted last year came back and bloomed already this spring. I’ve had gardening fever for quite a while, but it seemed like it rained every day from the end of March until the first of June. The soil was definitely too soggy to dig. So, while we waited for the rain to stop and the ground to dry out, Fabgrandpa repotted his succulents that spent the winter on the enclosed back porch.

Fabgrandpa’s succulents were repotted and line the porch rails.

By the time we went to Home Depot to buy some flowers and some bags of soil, the annuals had already been picked over and looked scraggly. I did find one small pot of petunias and two larger pots of Impatiens which were the only annual flowers I bought. Basil, Curled Parsley, Oregano, a tomato plant and two sweet potato vines rounded out the rest of the annuals.

herb plants — A few herbs and a couple of sweet potato vines.

When I said I was s-l-o-w-l-y getting the plants in the ground, I really do mean slowly. I have managed to get one or two things planted a day. I am finally, after five years, getting in the mind set that I can not do it all in one day like I used to. Knowing that and accepting that about myself has made getting the garden in the ground this year much more pleasant for me. I have a small folding chair that I can sit on to work in the raised bed by the pond without hurting myself. So, here are some pictures of some of the things I planted last week.

black eyed susan — A beautiful Black Eyed Susan.

Impatiens to attract butterflies and hummingbirds.

shasta daisy — This Shasta Daisy was planted last year and has really bloomed its heart out this spring.

coreopsis — I love Coreopsis! Once it gets established, it comes back every year and blooms all summer.

flower garden — We will add another side to the garden later this year. Eventually, the flower bed will circle the entire pond.

Eventually, the flower bed will circle the entire pond. There are two Knock Out Roses on the other side of the fountain, and two butterfly bushes in the back. I’m going to plant the Sweet Potato Vines in a large pot, and place it so that the vines will cover the support that the fish sits on, and hide the wires. I might be slow, but I do have a plan, and like the tortoise, I WILL win this race.

Here is a short video of the fountain in operation. Don’t you just love it?

SmartSign Makes Custom Signs. Design Your’s In The Blogger Challenge and Win!

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I received compensation for this post, but all opinions are my own.

SmartSign makes all kinds of signs. You can get a No Parking sign to prevent people from parking in your yard. You can get a sign that indicates that Children Are At Play. SmartSign makes all types of signs. They come in metal, plastic, permanent signs, and temporary signs. I was allowed to design my own custom sign! Here it is:

This sign is made of durable metal. The paint seems to be baked on so if it were posted outside, it would be just as good in 10 years as it is today. Although I am not hanging my sign outside, I think it makes a great addition to my sewing room. It looks good hanging over that stack of fabric!

This sign was very easy to design. I just looked around on the SmartSign website to find all the graphics they have as stock images. Then I clicked on the one I wanted and it appeared on the sign shape that I picked out. I was able to customize the sign further with the wording, and choose the colors I wanted. It was so simple to create, but the best part is, that I was really surprised by the quality of the sign when it arrived. It is so nice, and would make an excellent gift for anyone who has a workshop or sewing room. You could even design a sign for a flower garden or a vegetable garden if you wanted to.

Win Your Own Custom Sign, Plus a $500 Amazon Gift Code!

I love my custom SmartSign, and I’m so happy to be able to share the opportunity for you to win your own custom sign, plus a $500 Amazon voucher.

To be in with a chance of winning this awesome prize, all you have to do is write and share a blog post explaining what your custom sign would look like, and why.

We’d also like you to include an image of your proposed sign design in your post. Feel free to be as creative as you like in your design – if you can think it, SmartSign can make it!

Your design can be a photo of a sketch, or something you’ve created using an online tool – it’s completely up to you. I created my sign on the SmartSign website, and took a screen shot of it to send in.

Some tips on what to include in your post:

– What words and images would be on your sign? Would it be your blog logo? A favourite quote? A warning sign for your neighbourhood?
– What shape and materials would you use? Do you love specific colours because they remind you of something special?
– Where would you like the sign to be displayed? Is it for your home office, outside your home, or in a neighbourhood building?

How to Enter

– We’d like you to publish your competition entry before 22 June 2017. Your post must include the statement: “This post is an entry into the #MyCustomSign www.smartsign.com blogger challenge”
– Please also share your post on Twitter using the hashtag #MyCustomSign and tagging @tots100
– Make sure your post is live, and you’ve added a link to the Linky at the bottom of this post no later than 22 June 2017
– One winner selected by SmartSign at the end of the competition will win a $500 voucher and their custom sign. One runner-up will also win a custom sign design. Good Luck!

Heluva Good Patriotic Dip Platter Recipe

Roasted Chicken and Vegetables

Veggie Pizza

Grilled Steak (or Chicken) Salad

Win Your Own Custom Sign, Plus a $500 Amazon Gift Code!

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