My Funny Valentine

My new Flip UltraHD Camera is the best! It was a birthday gift from my cousin Angie and her best male friend Alfred. This afternoon I was able to shoot a video while I moved into poses (read as "awkward camera moments"). From there my camera's USB was hooked to my laptop. The brilliant software already installed inside the camera enabled me to go frame by frame and choose shots I enjoyed enough to share before finishing them in Picasa.

Sprinkles Confession: Due to impending chemo cocktail happy hours, I feel a mad rush to take these pics before I become "unphotographable" and my body "less than Greek".


Triple threat: 1) Good enough shot; 2) Official Pic; and 3) The one my aunt likes because I am a little smiley - ew!




Sepia Sprinkles...? Love it!




Loving this combo of Sting singing to his wife Trudie and sexy hottie Chris Botti on trumpet. Very romantic!




More love,
Sprinkles xxoo
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My Funny Valentine

Happiest Valentine's Day!

LOVE ♥ - It's not how many people you love and not how many people who love you back...It's about the quality of love you give to the world because realizing the quality of love you are receiving back is the most awesome! God blesses me because I am receiving the best love of my life this last month.

Thank you!

Spread love = Happiest Valentine's Day!

(Taken from my trip to California last summer. We made a quick nosh stop at the Sprinkles Cupcake Bakery in Beverly Hills right before Angie dropped me off at the Los Angeles International Airport. You can almost eat a whole one -- too rich!)

All My Love,
Sarah Sprinkles
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Happiest Valentine's Day!

How I Roll

Chalene Johnson is an inspirational fitness instructor. I first heard about her through Beach Body where her video set called "Turbo Jam" is sold. I've owned a set her videos for more than a year. It is the most fun you can have exercising at 5am; however, due to the progression of my dis-ease, I was forced to abandon my exercise routine months ago.

One of her blog videos summed up how I am dealing with my dis-ease. She talked about the difference between merely surviving and conquering situations in your life. Basically anyone who is still alive after traumatic situations survives it and is a survivor. Those who take charge and own the situation conquer and become conquerors. This label being special and unique as it denotes owning the situation rather than merely enduring.

This brings me to the last couple of days. My last post was about my new haircut which I love more each day. Yesterday was my rescheduled doctor visit -- it was supposed to be tomorrow but my doctor had other plans. Tawny was unable to take me because she had an interview in the morning. Luckily for Sprinkles, Tawny's husband Jeff volunteered to drive me as he had already taken the day off for other things.

My doctor took off the rest of the tape strips across my stitches and decided to leave on my wound vac dressing. He could see that I was progressing nicely and in great spirits. His next words brought me back a little. Chemotherapy was on his mind -- more importantly, me being part of a clinical drug trial. I was thrilled to be able to help or so I thought.

Minutes later I was being briefed by a nurse about the clinical trial. It would involve including an additive to the chemo mix I would be infused with during the next several months; otherwise, it could be a placebo because of the blind testing they were conducting. The more she talked, the more I was slightly dismayed and quite horrified at the side effects not to mention the extra CT scans, etc. She piled on a bunch of brochures and pamphlets for me to read and to assist me in making a decision very soon.

Jeff drove us to get a late breakfast before he took me home. I discussed the doctor's visit. We are of the same mind of helping science progress; however, I was just not fully on board inside. It was my uncle who helped me feel better about the decision not to participate. He reminded me that I am a single person with a single income living by myself and that I have a responsibility not only to myself but to work (for income). It would be different if someone would be there in the middle of the evening next to me to help me should I have adverse reactions. His words resonated and my inner voice reminded me that I have already donated my tumor to them for research so it wasn't a complete "no" to the progression of science. Tomorrow I get to tell them...

Today I visited my workplace to speak with HR and to tell my boss about my tentative date to get back to work on March 15th. My surgeon wants me to have one interval of chemotherapy before I go back to work to see how I react to the chemicals. I won't lie -- I was a bit depressed to wait longer to resume my job. He also told me that I would lose my hair pretty quickly. Nice. In an odd note, I will get a prescription for a wig to be paid by my insurance. I would like it soon so I can have it styled to what I have now. I will temporarily assume the persona of Telly Savalas. As soon as chemo is done, I will grow my hair again and wait to get extensions when they are long enough to hold them. Yes, Shallowville never ever sleeps in Sprinklesville! Hee.

Back to the work visit...Everyone seemed stunned to see the new Sarah. I've lost 38 pounds now since the surgery a month ago which obviously makes a big difference in how I look. The new haircut didn't help them either. Ha!

It is my responsibility to set the tone when meeting people after my surgery and my tone is almost always effervescent. This made today's visit fun. There were a couple of people treating me with a "pity approach" in their way of trying to be sensitive. How I detest this!!! It just drives me crazy with annoyance. Pity is not me. To iterate, we are approaching this dis-ease with a project plan (July completion date) and with humor. If you are not on board with that, then I cannot associate with you. I will be goddamned if I spend the next several months mewling and walking around half dead in spirit and in body. I am set to conquer this and not merely survive. Dis-ease is not a reason to give up, look ugly and lose your humor. I am making every effort for health and beauty. We all respond to positivity. That is HOW I ROLL.

Love and Health,
Sprinkles xxoo

PS I am going back to my apartment either Monday night or sometime Tuesday barring unforeseeable circumstances. I have a "honey do" list that my girlies will be helping me complete as I progress in the best of health.
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How I Roll

New Do

My hair received the cut I have been planning for weeks and I love it! Tania, my stylist, was loathed to make the cuts needed to achieve the shorter look. She seemed sad until I encouraged her and turned it into a positive thing by reminding her that I was cutting away old energy and that I was looking forward to a sexy new look.

Here is the carnage on the floor. From the longest point in the back to the shortest section in the back was about a 12-inch cut. Tawny teased that some of the clumps on the floor resembled small dogs. Silly girl.



This is not the official photo. This is the "It is 10pm and I am too tired to brush the hair and take a more proper and flattering photo". Ugh -- you can't even see the dark red color just a dark color. Tawny says I look like a Japanese anime character and is waiting for me to have blue streaks in it. The odd thing is that doesn't feel short in the back. My aunt was sure startled when she saw me because I do look like my mother. I did forewarn her; the resemblance was just too much.



After our salon visit, Tawny and I made a brief stop to use my gift card to buy Bare Minerals make-up. We then zoomed to one of my favorite clothing stores for Tawny to buy an alternative interview blouse. Instead she found a nice autumn green shirt and a lacy black camisole she can wear underneath other blouses. My clothes are three sizes too big now -- it feels like I am wearing my big sister's clothes. I only had enough energy to buy a new top and a pair of jeans WITH proper buttons and zip. No elastic waistband!!! Ha. Since we were meeting some work friends at a bar, I wore my new clothes out of the store and Tawny exchanged her shirt for the green one, too.

Oh -- I must tell you this: When Tawny emerged from the dressing room, she thought she lost me. She was afraid that I had already left to go to the car. With my new haircut and clothes, she didn't recognize me at the counter waiting for her!

Within minutes we were at the appointed meeting place near work where I had my co-workers, who hadn't seen me since I left on leave, gawking with disbelief. They said I looked great, but definitely different. We were all very happy to be reunited again. I may see more of them when I visit the office on Friday. Man, did I get very tired by then, but it was worth it to be milling around doing things I would normally do. I felt alive again.
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New Do

Papaya Goddess

Go on. Gaze at my Papaya Goddess as she raises her arms in front of the setting sun. Feel her power and admire her.



Around the time of my surgery was one of the coldest snaps in Florida history. Parts even had snow flurries in the darkest part of the morning which melted once it reached the ground. Our citrus industry as well as other fruits like strawberries were seriously threatened. Farmers worked hard to save their crops. About a third of the crops suffered casualties.

I emerged six days after my surgery to discover a land I didn't recognize painted with the dark beige of decay on grass, trees and shrubbery. A quick round by my apartment to pick up mail brought a large measure of dismay at the sight of decay that greeted Tawny and me as we drove through the gate entrance where lush greenery had once welcomed all who entered. It was the same in my aunt's neighborhood. Her own treasured fruit trees looked like they might never recover.

Weeks have passed and from the chair I spend most of my days watching television or snoozing from the narcotics, I can see my aunt's papaya tree that had been ravaged by the cold. It has metamorphosed into the picture I've shared with you. It appears to be a woman raising her arms with either triumph or outrage depending on how you feel at that particular moment. She is no longer a lush tree; however, she stands before the sun proud and unyielding just waiting for her chance to grow large branches of leaves to shield the eventual promise of blooming flowers that will peek underneath. With God's grace, she will live and bear fruit again. So go on -- gaze at her.
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Papaya Goddess

Fluctuations

To tell you that I am a little miffed at not being to update my blog for the last couple of days is an understatement. The road to health can have its bumps especially when there are other people involved. In this case, it was a nurse overeager to demonstrate her prowess in front of a trainee at changing the dressing for my wound vac which resulted in me being miserable for two days.

Long story short: It was "installed" on my person incorrectly. The negative pressure fluctuated incessantly. The only way the beeping and alerts would quiet down was when I was laying down horizontally on my bed. This was even after they came back a second time to tweak the hose connections the following day. Another nurse changed it properly on the third day thank God! The best news out of this whole ordeal is that my wound is healing very well.

Anyhoo... After a phone convo to firm up a visit from Possum last Thursday, she had remarked that I was the busiest and most sociable sick person she new. Ha! Last weekend Kimmee and Kathy each visited me. On Tuesday, I bribed Tawny into sneaking me out for a spell. We started with a seafood lunch at a favorite Greek place followed by manicures and pedicures at my salon where I received a warm welcome for coming back from surgery.

Next Tuesday I am getting a drastic hair cut; it will be short in the back to follow a long angle towards the front. A reverse bob or something like that....? I'll post a picture when I do one of my self-portrait pics. A tinge of sadness creeps in every now and again as I think of how long it is now and how patient I've been at growing it the last couple of years. This act is to both cut away "old energy" from the new woman I am becoming as well as to prepare for what might be a by-product of chemotherapy treatments, hair loss. It isn't something to be really sad about considering the state of the world. I think the new "do" will be a hot look on Sprinkles. After all, why be boring? Other people (IE numb, faceless plebeians) have it covered...

My dad and stepmother were supposed to visit at the end of this month. They had planned on visiting me and my three other sisters on the way down from Chicago. All is now postponed as my stepmother is getting breast cancer surgery on Monday. She has a small lump that is stage one and will have to receive radiation treatments. Freakish isn't it? Cancer is prevalent in most people's lives nowadays. That's the way the cookie crumbles I guess.

On a much lighter note, here is a photo of my pedicure. I live in Florida where a bit of floral whimsy is expected on nails. Yes, that is a viable reason! This cheered me considerably and makes me giggle every time I see it. The feet may not be dainty -- how can US size 10 cement blocks be sexy? -- but I think they are still cute!



Kisses,
Sprinkles
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Fluctuations

More Than One Vacuum

My surgery was about three weeks ago. It feels like four. My weekend visitors especially Kathy today had to remind me of how far I have come since that day and the week before the surgery when I could barely breathe...

The past two weeks has me at my aunts where I am being taking care of with kid gloves and being fed mostly Filipino food, a fact that brings me endless smiles. It sounds great, but it is not all great when you're used to having your own independence to do whatever you normally do. I am not allowed to drive so Tawny gets to drive my car when she's not hustling me to and from the hospital for appointments.

Last Sunday night, I developed a fever which was a response to an infection I had developed in my lower set of stitches. I had no choice but to call the hospital around midnight. The on-call gyno doctor was a bitch and disrespectful. I did take her advice, but did not call her back. Instead I waited until normal hospital hours and called to explain what happened including dealing with bitchy gyno. I was scheduled for blood work and an afternoon appointment the same day. My normal stellar care resumed itself and apologies for bitchy on-call doc were issued several times.

A nurse practitioner who worked under my surgeon saw to me and decided to take out my stitches. The first five-inch row were pinchy while the rest of the six inches were extremely painful that I carried on loudly while trying valiantly not to use the curse words that were fighting to be screamed. Tawny let me crush her fingers as I cried and tried to focus on her and her voice to lessen the pain. I wasn't armed with pain meds since I received a scolding from the on-call gyno for taking them round the clock instead of as needed. My nurse was not happy. She almost admitted me but there were no beds available. I did not feel bad enough to be admitted. New antibiotics were prescribed before we left.

Irma, a social worker, came to see me in the exam room to arrange for a home health nurse to visit my aunt's home three times a week to change the bandages/sponges for my new wound vac. It's like a Hoover for your wound. Because of the infection, my wound had not all sealed so it was gaping when it was not stuffed with gauze, etc. Different sponges are inserted in the wound site, followed by double-sided sticky cling film layered around the perimeter (simulating skin) and on top of the wound. A slit is cut to put a round plastic attached to a hose that would go over my wound followed by more sticky cling film. Another hose connected to a canister and battery pack is attached to the hose on my body. I carry this everywhere I go and make sure it is charged. Once it is switched on, it begins to suck the sponges sticking out back towards inside my wound where it will wick any drainage to the canister. Taking the dressing off and putting back on is a bit painful. All this trouble is supposed to heal my wound 50% faster. It is worth it in the end.

Tawny took me back for a follow up two days later - last Wednesday - to see my surgeon who pronounced my wound healing nicely. Our hospital visit was 1000% better than the two days prior. I sang in the exam room while waiting to see him. I won't see him again until February 12th. I was also switched from Percoset to oxycodone, a gentler but stronger pain medication not containing acetaminophen to injure my liver. The thing about these narcotics is that it is imperative to take stool softeners and with my wound near that area still healing, I have no choice. I know -- not glamorous at all! Sprinklesville is not as effervescent and scintillating these days I'm afraid.

Remember when I told you about my swollen ankles? They are no longer swollen -- they are half the size. They are rather sexy and shapely, I might say. I've lost 35 pounds since the surgery. The alien was large and I was carrying around that much extra liquid bloating. Of course, my appetite isn't grand, so that contributes, too. I halfway do not recognize the woman I see in the mirror. As the days pass, I am having to come to grips with the new life I will have especially after chemo treatment which I hope to have completed by June/July. My surgeon is not discussing this until my wound heals to his satisfaction. Just as well. The days are appearing seamless but I try not to get sucked in that kind of vacuum. I try to recognize each day for its own. Meanwhile, I am resting and receiving visitors.

Kisses,
Sarah xo
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More Than One Vacuum

Lucid Moment

Finding a lucid moment when not doped on narcotics for pain management has been challenging, but I am going to take advantage of one moment now to update my blog. Where were we...?

The day of my surgery was a blur. My aunt and uncle came to my apartment to pick up my bigger suitcase while Tawny picked up and small suitcase for the hospital. Tawny drove the two of us to the hospital with my aunt and uncle following. It was a bit tense in pre-op where I was prepared for surgery. Having my aunt and uncle there by my hospital bed got a bit emotional. Soon the anaesthetic drugs tookover and I just remember bits and pieces.

In the recovery room, I remember blinding pain and being so chilled my teeth chattered. I also remember asking what time it was so I could ascertain if my ovarian cyst was benign or cancerous. The nurse told me it was 4:15pm; I was in the operating room around 11am. That told me that it was not good.

Eventually I was wheeled to my own private room. On the way to the room, the ceiling lights passed too fast making me nauseous that I immediately closed my eyes. I heard familiar voices in my room where my aunt, uncle and Tawny had been waiting with smiles and kisses.

Tawny stayed the night to keep vigil over me, making sure she was a whisper away. I kept moaning all night and kept apologizing to her. She fed me glasses of ice chips to hydrate my mouth and throat. I couldn't believe how dry the medications made my mouth feel. That night was the first of six nights Tawny stayed overnight with me.

I was told by Tawny and the doctors that I had Stage III cancer. My surgery involved a complete hysterectomy, all my fallopian tubes taken, a portion of my belly taken and a portion of my intestines taken as well. The intestines are now re-attached via titanium staples for my flesh to grow over. It will be a permanent installation. A long row of staples up and down my abdomen gave proof to the severity of the surgery.

During my stay at Moffitt, I was woken up by nurses, patient care techs and doctors all hours of the day and night. Being hooked up to IV for nourishment and pain medication was surreal. Did I mention the catheter I had to carry around? Everywhere I went for the first four days involved juggling these things.

I ate ice chips for the first four days then eventually being allowed gelatin. When the hospital food came, I really didn't have an appetite for it but I tried to eat as much as I could. My appetite didn't return until I came home to my aunt's house where she fed me food to my taste.

The most incredible part of all were the texts, facebook messages, cell phone calls, room phone calls and the alarming amount of visitors I had during my hospital stay. There was an incident with my cell phone midstay so I may I have missed some calls. There were flowers everywhere. The medical staff had to bustle their way in through everything. It was quite funny. I think they were surprised themselves at how many visitors they saw in my room. They did accept Tawny has my nighttime angel. She went home during the day for showers and some rest. I know her husband missed her much during that time.

I was eventually discharged on Monday the 18th. I'll write more about everything since then later. My laptop battery is signaling 13 more minutes of typing time. Thank you very much for keeping up with me and also for the lovely blog messages you've left me. All in all I am very blessed. Until my next lucid moment....

Love,
Sarah xxoo
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Lucid Moment

One for Me

This post is for me and to remind myself how happy and full of joy I am at this very moment. Tomorrow is a big day in my life and I cannot wait to greet it. I am remembering the words of my favorite television preacher Joel Osteen, "Pruning leads to blooming".
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One for Me

Ecclesiastes 3

My time for open surgery has been scheduled on Tuesday the 12th at 1:15pm. It is two days before my birthday and I cannot think of a better present to myself than the gift of health!

Wednesday found me shuffling between floors at Moffitt Cancer Center. I spoke to several individuals and was physically examined by two doctors that day. My wonderful friend Tawny accompanied me the whole time. The late afternoon had me participating in pre-operative tests and extensive instructions so I would be prepared for Tuesday. Our visit lasted a total of over five hours. We were hungry and exhausted. Before too many phone calls were made to family and friends, Tawny and I finally ate at our favorite Mexican place.

So a bit about the surgery...I am instructed to check in three hours before surgery having already bathed in antibacterial soap. No make-up, perfume, nail polish and lotion are to be applied before surgery. Eek! Anyhoo... The surgery itself should last about an hour if the sample of the cyst taken to pathology is found to be non-cancerous and requires three days hospital stay. If it is cancerous, surgery could be up to two and half hours because of further removal of reproductive organs and tissue with four or five days hospital stay. Either way still requires six weeks recovery time at home.

Thursday and Friday made for busy days between sorting out work stuff and hospital stuff during work hours. There is much to do before surgery day. My human resource department have been extra helpful in making sure my pay during this time is properly coded so not only do I get the benefits of Short-Term Disability (60% of regular pay) supplemented with my loads of sick days I've hardly taken over the years. This should assure me a full paycheck during my leave of absence and still be able to accrue more vacation time while in recovery. Few employees have this luxury and peace of mind.

This weekend I will run last minute errands, start to pack two suitcases (one for my aunt's house and one for the hospital), tidy my apartment a bit and also visit my aunt and uncle to go over the plan for Tuesday. I will still go to work on Monday instead of being at home spending too much time thinking about the following day.

The support of family and friends I have is immense and my care at Moffitt is top notch. My blessings are still being counted... Thank you to everyone!

Love and Kisses,
Sarah

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Ecclesiastes 3

¹To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

²A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

³A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

⁴A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

⁵A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

⁶A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

⁷A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

⁸A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

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Ecclesiastes 3

Sick Humor

No countdown on the New Year -- we were too busy watching the latest Star Trek movie on cable. There was no fanfare, but there was comfort in being surrounded by friends who have known me a long time. That's way better!

Two days later Tawny came by to help me get some affairs in order. Too bad it wasn't the fun kind. I had received a welcome packet in the mail from Moffitt Cancer Center which included a full color brochure/booklet that was both friendly and informative plus a nice stack of paperwork I had to fill out. The first page outlined what I was to bring to my first appointment; however, the sobering portion of the page was the top right where a medical number was assigned to me. I know this is just part of procedure and is not a knell of anything in particular to come. Still. It is sobering.

I suggested Tawny to drive us to my aunt and uncle's in my car since I was uncomfortable, just not feeling up to par. The funny part was that we had to switch so I could drive after all. My ass grooves were molded to the drivers seat and made the ride more comfortable. The passenger seat made me favor the side that was sore. Maybe it is just psychosomatic and my need to be in control?

The visit to my aunt's was to get signatures and witnessing my wishes in a living will on what I want in case I end up in an vegetative state, etc. and to make my designation for a health care surrogate to make decisions for me in case I am incapacitated. I told my aunt and uncle as I filled out my portion that if a sexy man was on top of me incapacitating me at the hospital, they were to leave me alone. How else should one go in the next world? We all had a great chuckle.

Another errand and a lunch on the go, brought Tawny and me back to my apartment to help me with other paperwork and other little things I needed help doing. It is difficult to ask for help, but I know that I need to right now if I am going to be well until my next medical appointment. It will determine my day for open surgery to get this alien amoeba out of me. I eat less because it is pressing up against my organs yet as I lose weight it continues to re-assign itself around my midsection announcing itself in front of me like a shameless and knowing showman.

Don't fear my lovelies, if the phone conversation with my new doctor's nurse assistant today is anything to go by, I should have more laughs going through this journey. Apparently, I am not so special. There are others with bigger cysts that they've seen. She punctuated the news by iterating (in my words now...) what a rock star my doctor is and how well he is rated as a surgeon in his field. Just lovely. I'm going to need a really good poke.
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Sick Humor

Spaces in Between

RECENT NOTE TO MY GLAMOROUS FRIEND JILL:

So my dear...I wanted badly to see you over Christmas for lunch or something but I've been dealing with matters that are taking precedence, namely my health.

The protusion in my stomach is not just fat, but an ovarian cyst about 25 cm/10in. in size. I look 9 months preggo right now and my legs are swollen to capacity thanks to less circulation. How did I find out?

I was checking out *** and had a consult with a surgeon because of my burgeoning tummy. I was eating less but it was getting bigger so I thought I was just out of control somehow. I told him my stomach was distended more than it should be and was firm. He examined me and agreed and immediately ordered a CT scan and that's when he told me at our follow-up that it could be cancer and he made arrangements for an urgent appt with my gyno.

Met with gyno two days ago who has since scheduled me for a meeting with a gynecological oncologist at Moffitt for next Wednesday. The results for the blood drawn on Monday will be ready for that appt. We still don't know for sure but what I do know is that the size explains all the weird things happening to me and will be relieved once extracted through open surgery. I will be recovering at my aunt's in Brandon after.

To me, this is just another piece of news. I told my family we are approaching this with a project plan and with humor. Anything less is not acceptable. I have already lived through worse so this is nothing. Also, to put things in perspective, I am not a child burn victim or a dad who just lost his job and home while trying to figure out how to feed his wife and kids nor am I a mom with cancer figuring out how to take care of her kids.

The bad news is having to wear elastic waistband jeans. EWWW
The good news to me is that I finally have some answers and I am gonna lose some weight!

Just letting you know..

Hugs,
S

JILL'S RESPONSE:

I would start out with the OMG's and WTF's but we dont' have time for that....

I am here for you. I will call you after my lunch appointment so we can plan out the "divicious" plan of attack-that word is (Div ISH IS).

First and formost...fashion...what makeup will you wear in surgery....what lounguing outfits should we buy? Oh the details. I am not making light of this AT ALL...but we must handle this with our everlasting positive attitude and sense of humor, there is no other way to get through this. I love you very much my friend and I will call you in a few hours. Everything will be OK.

SPRINKLES RESPONSE:

You are my honey! I was thinking the same thing. Need to find some hot pink socks and I need to figure out my air fresheners for my room because I am not smelling hospital smells. Ick. xo

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This is the kind of friendship(s) I have in my life... Tawny has been with me at every appointment if she is able, being patient and supportive. My cousin Angie just bought me pink comfy and sensible slippers for the hospital (as opposed to the ones with maribou feathers I secretly like) -- as well as lots of other incredibly nice things she does everyday for me especially during her Christmas visit! My galpals at work have helped me re-tie my shoes and re-adjust my chairs for comfort. Kathy listens and offers words of encouragement that I've normally given her in the past. Kristey and Myrna are there, too, just waiting for me to say the word 'help'. I can't even begin to tell you about my family...

I just love everyone so much and want it all to be better. It is the spaces in between these appointments that try my patience and my independence. At least I have Las Vegas neon pink socks and vanilla air fresheners to look forward to when this alien juice is out of me. ;p

Joy and Magic to all of us in the New Year!

Love,
Sprinkles xxxoo
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Spaces in Between

Inside Look

Bile. It began to feel like bile if my imagination of what bile might really feel like when it was sloshing in my stomach. Within 12 hours, I had ingested four cups of berry-flavored contrast or iodine dye and one more generous cup of citrus-flavored contrast at the hospital this morning. It had the faintest lingering taste at the end that was not too pleasant. My stomach was protesting at the contents and at missing breakfast in order to complete my scheduled CT scan this morning.

What CT scan, AGOL?

While seeing a specialist for something else on Tuesday, he became alarmed at symptoms I was describing and began to examine my person with the requisite female nurse present. Several minutes later, he ordered a CT scan for my abdomen and pelvis at the hospital next door to his facility for today. The CT scan will allow him a "slice by slice" inside look of my organs to see if there is any obstruction or growth not belonging in a healthy human.

I recently found myself mysteriously able to eat half or a third less of what I normally consumed but my stomach had gained inches and parts were firmer than normal. The latter part had been happening gradually over the last couple of years. No, I was not in any danger of being pregnant -- my body was just starting to look like it. It was distorted to me. It had finally become embarrassing and uncomfortable enough to seek medical help. I am rarely ever sick, never had a broken bone or any kind of surgery in my life. For me to finally break down was difficult personally and emotionally.

During this morning's special x-ray, I was asked to lay down on top of a sheet covered slim platform. My feet were fed first inside a circular metal mouth housing the special instrument. The radiologist finished right below my breasts. Sometimes I had to hold my breath for 6 or 13 seconds during several passes back and forth. The strangest burning sensation of wanting urinate immediately also followed the additional IV of dye being forced through my body via the needle sticking out of my right arm.

The two good things of this experience were that I didn't have to take jewelry or clothing off and the whole thing lasted less than 30 minutes. Next to the imaginary bile was the surreal aloneness (if that makes sense) I felt while being in the room with the CT scan and the radiologist stationed in a different room to administer and adjust the machine. It was eerily quiet except for the hum of the giant x-ray and instructions being squawked through the microphone.

When I was finally released, I was able to escape the catacomb-like halls of the hospital with a patient wristband and a small bandage where my IV needle had been. I had valet parked my car so retrieving it in the rain was easy. The rainy weather was soothing...

I debated whether to write about this experience because for the many things I do share there are another set of events I do not. Tuesday seems like forever to discuss my results, but that is when my follow-up with my specialist is set. He is a surgeon specializing in laparoscopic surgery; his expertise gives me comfort and trust. In fact, he was the one who recently removed Tawny's husband's gallbladder.

Am I prepared for a diagnosis? Yes. I have already started to plan for different scenarios that included e-mails with HR on handling time-off for surgery should it come to that. I have also extrapolated for a more serious scenario. It is not that I am trying to "borrow trouble" or "write stories that aren't there", but I firmly believe you cannot have a Pollyanna mentality that everything is roses. How naive and stupid. One should always run different ideas in his/her head to not feel shock or hopelessness. I firmly believe in pre-planning which helps dispel the fear of what happens next.

My practicality shifts into overdrive in situations like this while my emotional considerations get pushed back until I allow it a voice or acknowledge its presence. It would be an unwanted nuisance until I find out more. Believe me it is fighting for a voice right now. I can feel pinpricks of tears at the oddest moments until I steel myself against them. There is no room right now. This new goddamn birth control I switched to makes it more difficult to squelch such a feminine response. Ugh.

There are events this weekend that will take my mind off things. Angie is flying in from Los Angeles for Christmas around 5am tomorrow. My aunt and uncle will retrieve her from the airport while I sleep under my new warm IKEA comforter. I will see her later when I meet up with Mi Familia for Kristen's dance recital -- I can't wait!
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Inside Look

Happy Thanksgiving

This week was my vacation week. It started off with a weekend trip to Jacksonville to visit Kathy with Tawny. Kathy surprised us with movie tickets to see New Moon which we all enjoyed immensely. Tawny and I have read all four books of the Twilight series while Kathy seems to have been motivated to read two more.

I was pretty much a slug on Monday while Tuesday was spent at a recommended follow-up check-up with my physician. The bloodwork taken at my cookie doctor last month revealed that I was anemic and unusually low on Vitamin D. It is official -- I am a vampire! My physician surprisingly wrote me a script for the vitamin deficiency.

The doctor also prescribed a mammogram since it has been years since I've had one. At (almost) 39 and with history of cancer in my family, I've had to endure the breast pancake machine earlier than normal. Coincidentally Tawny had to get one, too, with the same radiology company. A couple of phone calls secured us back-to-back appointments yesterday. We took the term Bosom Buddies to a whole new level!

Today is Thanksgiving Day...Turkey, gravy and rice -- could anything be more divine? My aunt made a legendary feast as she always does. This time I took home some leftovers to enjoy later.

I brought my aunt a big jar sampling of my Atchara (Filipino pickled papaya). Pic #1 is of the raw ingredients. The only things missing are the garlic and the sugar. Pic #2 is the finished product.




Yes, the decorative carrots are a rule. I didn't make the rule; I just followed it for fear of bringing a strange yet believable Filipino curse on me.




For part of dessert I made Cake Ball Truffles. It is made by blending spice cake (usually red velvet cake) and cream cheese frosting before rolling into balls. [Clearly not my original idea!] They were chilled and then dipped in chocolate coating. These crazy treats were a hit at my aunt's feast as well as Tawny's home. I stopped on the way to my aunt's to drop off a couple of containers.




Tomorrow is Black Friday. I have no desire to be in any retail store at any hour just to avoid the greedy crowds altogether. Some stores are opening at midnight tonight and others around 3am, 4am, etc. just to capture more sales with lures of unheard of deals. Big deal. Well then...Off to get some green tea.


PS I am thankful for my family and friends who continually support, encourage and love me. I am also very thankful that I don't have to go in the sun to increase my levels of Vitamin D. Taking a pill is worth every wrinkle not earned. Hee.
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Happy Thanksgiving

Tulip Temptation

Give me an occasion. Any occasion. My creative compulsion will answer the faintest siren's call. It has lain dormant for almost three years. Now it has been unleashed to frighten me with its power and (grudgingly) its magic. My recent posts have reflected my giving into the sweetest temptations. Today fared no better.

Kristey had invited Myrna and me for dinner so we could enjoy the outdoor tiki bar she and husband had built in their large backyard. The last time we visited, the rain had discouraged any stay outdoors. Like last time with the Brownie Beach Cake, I volunteered to bring dessert.

Years of knowing Kristey has allowed me the intimate knowledge of her favorite color - purple and her favorite flowers - tulips. When we worked together, I had the pleasure of seeing her enjoy the bouquets of tulips her husband would send her on several occasions. I thought I'd try my hand at it from a different angle, an edible one.

The following is from my youtube page. It was not my intention to create a video with the pictures, but the amount of photos left me no choice. The quality isn't what I would like as the videos you can upload are 2MB max unless you want to break it down which I did not. Enjoy!




Kristey was very pleasantly surprised and enjoyed the filled tulip cups. The doily tray and plated photos were taken at her home.

Tulip Collage


xo Sprinkles
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Tulip Temptation

Monogram Monday

My oven received a workout yesterday. First the scones, second the lasagne and third the birthday cake for one of my buddies at work, Michelle. I don't know what possessed me -- everything was made from scratch! The weekend started productive and continued until midnight last night when I put the finishing touches on the cake.

Creativity allows you flexibility to adapt quickly which makes me very thankful for mine. The cake was supposed to have zebra-like stripes on the edges, but I couldn't get the proper shade of black with the kind of icing I made. It required a special candy colorant to achieve the desired color. Out came the plain piping tip to drop white dots along the perimeter of the bottom and top of the cake. The top part was mainly to hide where the hot pink icing met the white color.

Without the zebra stripes, I couldn't do my original design on top. Armed with a piping bag filled with dark chocolate, I dropped a monogram design, frame and swirls onto acetate (clear plastic). A few drops of coloring in bowls of melted white candy coating produced the colors I filled the negative space created. Once all the chocolate hardened, I peeled the plaque off the acetate and flipped the whole thing flat side up on the cake.



A little vodka and gold petal dust allowed me to use a brush to paint golden accents on the plaque.



Here is the birthday girl indulging me in a pose with her cake!



The cake was enjoyed by many. Chocolate butter cake was filled with whipped heavy cream and crushed Oreo cookies. The whole thing was covered in a special buttercream frosting that was light and not too sweet. The cake, filling and frosting recipes came from The Whimsical Bakehouse.



Yum!

Monogram Monday

Scone Heaven

A proper scone is a dear friend of the Sprinkles' taste buds. The last time I was tantalized by a good scone was during my trip to England two and a half years ago. I fell in love with it again this morning after making my own.

Feast your eyes, my lovelies:

Fresh from the oven



Abundant scones in ceramic dish



Light and tiny pockets of air all over



No English cream or strawberry jam this morning. I think butter and my aunt's homemade mango jam are officially the Sprinkles Way. Damn, they were heavenly!





Richard Bertinet's Scone Recipe is from Gourmet magazine editor Ruth Reichl's PBS television series Adventures with Ruth. The episode was filmed in The Bertinet Kitchen in Bath, England... Scone food porn pictures were shamelessly and deliciously brought to you by Sarah Sprinkles.


Happy Sunday!
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Scone Heaven

Post Halloween

Just got home an hour ago from the other side of the apartment complex. I should be in bed now, but we have ended Daylight Savings Time and I had an extra hour. Might was well post while it is still fresh in my mind...

Tawny had an intimate evening of old horror flicks planned for her guests. Her apartment was dark, many candles were lit, had a bubbling cauldron by the dining area, snacks and sweets all over the table for us to nibble and plenty of good cheer.

I brought two dishes. Once was a plate of refrigerated croissant dough torn at random pieces to wrap around sliced smoked kielbasa sausage that were no bigger than two inches long. The nibbles were baked, speared with toothpicks before I arranged them around a ramekin of spicy mustard.

The other dish was a more spooky fare that tantalized my creativity...

BEFORE PICTURE




AFTER PICTURE



How? First I sliced the package of cream cheese into two equal parts and rolled them into a ball. They were placed together and mushed down a bit into the serving dish. I wasn't sure how it would work but I drew capillary-like furrows into the cream cheese before drizzling some barely warmed homemade red pepper jelly from my aunt over the mounds. I topped them with two small rounds of red pepper I cut to fit underneath the gummy eyeball candy. This was served with buttery crackers.

The craziest part of the evening was when I found myself unable to get out of Tawny's bathroom. I somehow managed to lock myself inside. Her husband and relatives were just in the bedroom next door looking at something on the Internet so I knocked, but no one answered. I didn't know they had left to go back into the living room where the TV was a bit loud. By this time I was giggling so hard I barely could talk on my cell phone. Tawny knew where I was and couldn't fathom why I was calling her from the bathroom. She was cracking up on the other line as she made her way to rescue me. It was several minutes before we could speak from laughing painfully. There is never a dull moment in Sprinklesville!
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Post Halloween

Happy Halloween

From my haunted palace to yours...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN




Tricks and Kisses,
Sprinkles
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Happy Halloween

Sweets with Sweets

I cannot recall the last time I decorated cookies. My rusty skills revealed themselves today during Bridget and her son Logan's visit to my place for Halloween-themed cupcakes and cookie decorating.

My visitors were so sweet! They brought me flowers. Bridget handed me a vibrant summer-like mix while Logan had to bring me his own separate single pink rose. I immediately prepared them in a large vase before we headed out for a quick Greek lunch down the road...

Disney's "Lilo and Stitch" played on the DVD while we decorated the cupcakes Bridget baked and the cookies I made. Logan did participate; however, it was Bridget who got more out of it by learning how to color buttercream and royal icing with the new electric gel colors I received in the mail earlier in the week. My memory was short on how involved the whole activity could become, but it was worth a creative afternoon.

In between decorating, Logan would show me his mini Legos shaped like helicopters and trucks. It was all very complicated and told him so. Bolstered with the fearless spirit of an eight-year old, he commanded his knowledge of building each bit. He proceeded to hand me five pieces to put together a miniature helicopter pilot: three black pieces for the body, one for the white helmet and a yellow tinted clear acrylic mask for the helmet. After I struggled a little with my long nails to put them all together, he rewarded me with a smile. What a ladykiller!

Here are some pics of their decorating. Luckily for me they took most everything home. My kitchen and dining room were decorating disaster areas. Ha! All cleaned up in over an hour thank goodness.



As a result of today, I am definitely going to bake again for Christmas with the 15-year old butter cookie recipe I've kept and never used until this afternoon. It was a recipe from a lady named Nancy I worked part-time at Williams-Sonoma back in Chicago. For years I saw it hidden in between other pages of my personal recipe treasure book, but never had the heart to throw it away. Delayed surprises can be best and sweet, too!
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Sweets with Sweets

Cookie Doctor

I know I am treading on dangerous ground as I discuss a visit to my new "cookie doctor" yesterday. As millions of women around the world know, it is not the most dignified exam whether is it given by a male or female doctor.

After years of dealing with a male, I decided to switch to a women's group five minutes from my apartment. From the first call to make the appointment to the end of the visit, it was the best experience. They managed your expectations and made you proud to have chosen them.

Hello Hollywood...The lobby reminded you of an upscale hotel with wood and cushioned furniture set in conversation groups surrounded by deep sand colored walls. This facility was packed with women waiting to be seen, mostly by pregnant women. Navy blue jackets adorned the ladies sitting behind the reception windows like tetras in a fishbowl and friendly nurses milled about in cheerful rose pink scrubs. Everyone welcomed you with a smile and addressed you formally by "Mrs --" or "Ms --". Later I found my exam room already prepared for my visit with vials marked with my name in bold letters.

My new doctor has a cozy office decorated with formal heavy furniture and one wall hung a big photo cloud sculpture of babies she had delivered. In front of her was a mini laptop where she made notes of some symptoms I had been experiencing. We talked in general, agreed to a battery of blood work to get a baseline and she hinted that part of my issue could be age (horror!) related. "Women in their late 30s...blah blah blah". Nice. Yes, even your AGOL suffers from human maladies.

I normally get anxious in any doctor's offices and was dumbstruck when the nurse told me my blood pressure reading was normal. The exam itself was uneventful thanks to smaller instruments and the butterfly gentle care of my doctor. My experience with male doctors for some reason tend to use bigger instruments in this case -- the speculum. It's not like they need to be spelunking in there. Contrary to scorned ex-husbands, no stalactites have ever been found in any woman's vagina, I'm sure.

Why post about such a routine event? Well, sometimes it is enriching to share what is right with the medical world when women run it. They run it with themselves in mind and the sensitivity with dignity women are entitled to have each and every day. Hell, I told my girlies that the experience was so freeing that I would go daily for fun and take it up as a hobby. Uhm...That is a joke my lovelies.
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Cookie Doctor

Dumpling Love

Jonesing for dumplings. Yeah, I know. "What happened to rice?" Ever since I've been exclusively eating brown rice (short grain and Jasmine long grain), I haven't been craving it as much. So now enter the dumplings or maybe is it the endless possibilities of the fillings?

Last weekend I made a seasoned pork and shrimp filling that I stuffed into square wonton skins. Several have been cooked in a chicken broth, ladled in a bowl and sprinkled with fresh chopped baby bok choy and several more steam-fried and finished with Indonesian soy sauce (thick and sweet).

Below are frozen rows still waiting to be cooked.



This evening had me making pumpkin dumpling raviolis. If I have to do this next time, I would just stuff one round skin and fold in half like the wontons. This was either too much dough or not enough filling in the dough for me.



Oooh. Pumpkin Ravioli Patch. Pillows and pillows.


I didn't feel like defrosting the red sauce from a previous batch in the freezer so I melted some butter with olive oil and added chopped spinach in a pan. When the pumpkin raviolis were done boiling, I quickly tossed them in the pan with spinach before plating them and sprinkled some Parmesan cheese on top. This would have been tastier with toasted pine nuts. Instead of a butter/olive oil mix, you could brown the butter and some sage together before incorporating the the dumplings with it.



Now to clean-up the dishes...


FYI & Warning - You will have loads to freeze of both these dumplings for future use:

Wonton Filling: fresh ground pork, fresh chopped peeled shrimp, finely chopped waterchestnuts, finely chopped shallots, sweet rice wine, ground ginger, pressed garlic, sesame oil, salt & pepper.

Dumpling Ravioli Filling: cooked squash, potato flakes, grated Parmesan, finely chopped shallot, pressed garlic, nutmeg, salt & pepper.
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Dumpling Love

Watching Wild Things

This long week deserved a nice feel-good ending. I was supposed to be hanging out with my old friend Jill, but I was afraid to drive home late from her home as tired as I have been. The evening may have involved some libations. You remember me and my night blindness? Anyhoo, Tawny asked me to see a later showing of "Where the Wild Things Are", an adaptation of the children's book by Maurice Sendak.

During Comic-Con* in July, I had the pleasure of seeing a preview of the movie. Clips shown to us included behind the scenes and some of Sendak. All of this will probably appear on the DVD later.

Representing his movie at Comic-Con was the child actor, Max Records, who portrays a child who basically has a tantrum. He leaves his home wearing a wolf costume and ends up sailing to, you guess it, where the wild things are.

Max Records below on two jumbo screens.


I felt the same sense of wonder tonight as I did in July. The cinematography was breathtaking with the tight shots -- Spike Jonze (director) did an amazing job. You can really get the sense from a child's point of view. The special effects didn't smack you over the head either; the story stayed center stage.

Your AGOL highly recommends seeing this movie. Its simplicity is beautiful and heart-warming. When was the last time a movie told you a story without engaging you in too many complicated subplots and distracting special effects? Exactly.


*Yes, I know I owe you pics of celebrities and events of this portion of my vacation. Still thinking about it.
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Watching Wild Things

Sunny Somewhere

Very beary delicious brownie! You can create this beach scene, too, if you're pressed for an idea to bring for dessert and if you have a dose of baking insanity (aka Sprinkles Magic).

I brought this to Kristey's house last Saturday for an evening with her and Myrna. We also got to see her backyard beach and the tiki bar upgrade her husband made. They are officially ready for serious entertaining in their big yard.

Wouldn't you know it? Rain. We had to enjoy everything from the confines of her living room instead as the dark sky and continued precipitation discouraged any outdoor appreciation.

Luckily, these bears were there to remind us that is was sunny somewhere:

The beach sand was made with processed mini graham bear cookies (eek!) and those that survived the food processor were allowed to bask the indoor sun and enjoy the water made of blue tinted sugar gel. (Hint: Spread gel first before the sand - you'll thank me for it!) Their towels were cut from the bottoms of cupcake liners. You know my drink parasols had to be included as their umbrellas! The sand barriers in the back were mini stick pretzels lined against the cake. Underneath is a vanilla frosted fudgey (dense not cakey!) brownie cake.



More details...Notice the green decorating sugar near the pretzel sticks -- I needed "grass". Basking bears were stuck to the paper with a dot of white vanilla frosting. The floating rings in the blue gel were made of oval dollops of shimmering pink gel with the bears plunged in.



The girls laughed, took pictures and later we all had a sampling. I made them transfer parts of it in separate containers for themselves so I wasn't tempted at home.




Bringing you a smile and scenes of the sun,
Sprinkles
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Sunny Somewhere

Date an Asian Man Video

I clicked. I watched. I was speechless...

...because I was laughing my ass off:

WARNING: Song contains some profanity.


XO,
Sprinkles
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Date an Asian Man Video

Soak Your Fallopian Tubes

Maybe it is good that I am not much of a drinker. With my brain cells taxed at work, I need to remember as much as I can. Ha! This weekend was the long-awaited "Soak Your Fallopian Tubes" weekend with Tawny and Kathy. Tawny was deserving of time away from everyone and Kathy needed some company while her man was in DC.

Friday...Got kicked out of work at 3pm so the movers could move our office with the rest of the clan in Tower Four. Drove home and did a few quick errands before picking up Tawny to make our way to Jacksonville while singing in the car. (Talk about dorks!) We arrived to wine and snackies before 9pm. The three of us polished off two bottles of wine before bedtime.

Saturday...Awoke early enough to enjoy delicious French Toast made by Kathy and jugs of coffee. Drove all over the city and ended up at Whole Foods where we had an incredible lunch. Shopping..More shopping which included a stop at an adult superstore for fun. We were home for a spell before heading back out to see "The Time Traveler's Wife". Tawny and I cried during the movie while Kathy endured. It was fun to watch a complete chick flick with my girlies. Eric Bana was hhhhhhhhhoooootttt !! Yowza. Stopped for veggie pizza and back for more wine and vodka.

This is what happened to the bottle of Riesling we were chilling on Friday night. We forgot about it and discovered a science experiment on Saturday. Pop! goes the freezer..


Yes, it was still drinkable. Hee.

Sunday...Late start. Kathy drove us to Cracker Barrel for a fortifying brunch. Around 3pm Tawny and I made our way back to Tampa. Getting back to a clean apartment and all the laundry done was great. It pays to scramble before a trip to get that all complete.

This is Kathy's dog Belka. She is attention seeking, loving and just adorable. I love her coloring. Her body is sleek. This is what she thought of us during the whole weekend when she'd tire of us. It is also what your AGOL did when she got home, only on the sofa.



Lessons Learned:

1. Don't underestimate the power of being with your girlfriends and keeping in touch no matter what else is going on in your lives.
2. Adult superstores have kinda lost their allure -- read as "Sprinkles is jaded".
3. Sprinkles still can't hold her liquor. .

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Soak Your Fallopian Tubes

Hot and Cold

Feeling the artificial breeze move across the top sheet covering my body reminded me that I had a mission this morning. The air conditioning had gone on the fritz again yesterday. It wasn't blowing any cold air and indoors registered 82 degrees when I got home. By 8am today, the humidity had thickened within Chez Sprinklesville. Oppressive! A small oscillating fan I kept in the storage room outside moved with me from room to room lessening my discomfort.

I rushed through breakfast scarfing down cold cantaloupe pieces and a stick of cheese. The cloying warmth didn't encourage any cooking. A quick shower followed but I stopped myself from the instinctual urge to shampoo my hair. The last thing I wanted was to use a hot hair dryer on it and I refuse to go out with wet hair.

An hour after I visited the main office, one of the maintenance guys came to investigate. He soon discovered the problem outside - a burnt wire! Thank goddess it was easily rectified to bring back the cool in Chez Sprinklesville. When it was chilled enough I trekked to the other side of town to spend the afternoon and early evening at my aunt's.

I gave my uncle his Father's Day gift one day early (a rare bottled six-pack of San Miguel beer imported from the Philippines) and a humorous card filled with heart Sprinkles he had to dump out from his netbook. They scattered all over as he opened to read the card. Whoops!


............................................................
Sharing some pics...

Stuffed Bell Pepper with Rice and Kale. Two of these were perfect for lunch during the week.



This was done for instructional purposes only. Zucchini ribbons are a great alternative to pasta. These were too thin really to blanch for a minute or two. I should have eaten it raw with the hot tomato sauce I made. If you were to use a mandolin slicer or a vegetable peeler, you can get thicker and more firm ribbons to blanch and hold their shape better. I used a saladacco (spiral slicer) which can also be used to do spaghetti-style noodles.


Yes, I used chopsticks. I included the pic of my personal stash. Round chopsticks not square, mind you, are my preference.

AND THEN....(There is always an AND THEN, right?)

My eyes bore into the title and picture of this DVD at the craft supercenter during a trip with my aunt to today. What was the author thinking? Why did the producers allow this? Egads!


Just sayin'.
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Hot and Cold

I Hate Popcorn...for Other Reasons

I actually love popcorn, but I can no longer eat more than 1/2 cup. To that end I avoid it completely. My body balks at its intrusion into my system. You may recall a trip to the emergency room and then doctor about a year ago. No repeats - no, thank you. Craving it when someone cooks a bag of it at work is no longer an issue. The shame of not being able to indulge in it during a movie theater outing has lessened, too.

This evening my enquiring mind led me to "How Stuff Works" website which is filled with fascinating information. It is pure joy to read their pages. Feels like drinking in words through my eyes and nourishing my mind. The added knowledge are like tiny electric flowers swaying and basking in the energy of my body. I love learning...until the small and galling hiccup in numbers 12 and 13 in Twenty Things You Didn't Know About Popcorn.

I recoiled and huffed when I read the following obscenities:

12. Unpopped kernels are called "old maids" or "spinsters."

13. There are two possible explanations for old maids. The first is that they didn't contain sufficient moisture to create an explosion; the second is that their outer coating (the hull) was damaged, so that steam escaped gradually, rather than with a pop. Good popcorn should produce less than 2 percent old maids.

Perhaps I am bristling too much. Still. Damn kernels.
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I Hate Popcorn...for Other Reasons

Still Sprinkles

While I enjoy living in Florida, there are two things you can count on during the summer, the rising heat from the blinding sun and the intense humidity that hangs around it like a lusty lover that cares for nothing else but merging with it. The product of that post coital bliss is left for us Floridians and visitors to bear from June to September.

Maybe it is the heat that has made my blogging sluggish? Truth be told -- I've started a few entries and never finished them. As you read I did keep some pics to remind me what I've been doing. Just about the time I get the inspiration to write again, a week has gone by and I decide to start over. After umpteenth attempt, let me catch up with you with some life lessons I've been reminded lately.

IKEA in Tampa opened the beginning of May. I was invited to go the first weekend it opened. The traffic was diverted and managed like that of a big sports event. The cult of IKEA was in full force. My pals and I survived the mad crush and later stopped at the art center and then for ice cream. The little girl [pictured below] ordered the most sugar laden ice cream and topping combination that was poured into this chocolate and sprinkle dipped waffle cone. Her enthusiasm reminded me the idealism of childhood and the joy that can be experienced when you allow yourself to live in the moment. Especially during the sweetest moments. (She is also going to be Tawny's future step granddaughter.)



A couple of weekends later had me attending my cousin Dave's kids' First Communion mass. My aunt and uncle had just arrived back the day before from their week-long cruise around the Caribbean and Virgin Islands. They remind me of what true love can be like as long as it is cherished and not taken for granted. Look how happy they are! While sitting one pew behind them, I noticed how they would find ways to touch each other and what made me really chuckle was when my aunt would sway her hips to left to lightly bump my uncle's right hip in a playful gesture during the hymns we sang standing up. I hope to rock like them in my 60s.



These custom made First Communion outfits came directly from the Philippines thanks to their mom's relatives still living there. I should have taken a picture of Kristen's hair from the back because it was really cute woven with silk ribbons and flowers. Carter in his traditional Filipino "Barong Tagalog" shirt was quite the little man. He read from scripture with a deliberate and thoughtful delivery. We all felt such pride in them both. I got to see them again the following weekend during Kristen's dance recital event at the performing arts center.



Two Fridays ago I took as a vacation day to just "chill" from the hectic work pace. Tawny and I hung out (rare moment!) most of the afternoon and joined me again later for dinner before we left to see her youngest son play at a bar several miles up the road. I hadn't seen the boys play in a couple of months. Their improvement was impressive. In fact, a touring band that played after them was horrible in comparison. Singing death metal incorrectly can make you sound like the Cookie Monster on meth. Really.

It was on to new worlds the next day. I drove 240 miles north to Jacksonville, Florida to visit Kathy and Jamie in their new home. Kathy advised me that it would take me about 3.5 hours to get there. Erm...uh...I made it in under 3 hours. My personal speed limit was mostly 80mph. I only slowed when I went through Orlando and a couple of rainy spots.

It was a fun change to get away from Tampa for a weekend and I missed Kathy a bunch. Within an hour of getting there, she took me to a tasty Filipino restaurant. With the exception of dessert items, there were only two things she could eat off the menu as a vegetarian. She still ate well and we went crazy on dessert. We worked it off by shopping a few hours.

In the evening we ended up at the movie theaters watching "Star Trek" with Jamie. He and I agreed ahead of time that I would explain things to Kathy during the movie if she had any questions. Kathy is not a trekkie even in the loose sense of the term. The movie was a lot of fun and the new Captain Kirk was rowrrr!

I drove back on Sunday afternoon accompanied by the Twilight series (vampire theme) audio books playing in my car. Listening to the first book made the drive back home pass magically. I am still listening to the first book to and from work creating a zen feeling. Being incredibly relaxed driving is a new sensation for sure.

Now to the present...This weekend was supposed to be my hermit weekend. Not so, said fate. Ant called me yesterday to invite me to lunch with his wife Becca and cutie pie son, Garrett at a German restaurant near me. He is such a good and flirty baby.



Tawny called me in the evening to go to the art center. They were hosting a small high school band that was going to do 80s covers. How could I say no? The band ended up being really entertaining. The kids were set up in the garage facing the street with amps, lighting and their instruments. The songs could be heard down the street and caused cars to pause as they drove by. When "What I Like About You" came on, I had no choice but to do an impromptu 80s style dance in the middle of the street in front of strangers. Tawny, my ultra cool pal, joined me while her husband embarrassed by our antics retreated back inside the art gallery. We laughed in response.

I am about to make some stuffed zucchini using seasoned vegetarian crumbles, brown rice, red dal and sweet potato. I will also make some stuffed red peppers with kale, brown rice and my special tomato sauce I have already cooked and reduced. These will be my lunches these week. Cooking and freezing whole foods versus paying more for processed junk or buying junk is more in line with what I am trying to achieve. My goals are of increasing fiber, nutritive values and lowering meat intake. It is a delicious time all the way!
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Still Sprinkles