Wassail Recipe!

Here is a recipe from Geneva my family LOVES! Of course the amount of rum is up to you! Remember, Friends don't let Friends drive when they are Full of the Holiday Spirit!  Enjoy! I can't wait to have some...too busy right now...I'd get less done if I was nipping at this now! HA! Great for New Years too!

 

Persimmon Tree's Christmas Wassail

 

6 cups apple Cider

2 cups cranberry juice

1/4 cup sugar

1 tsp aromatic bitters

1 cup rum

3-6" sticks cinnamon

16 whole cloves

1 tsp whole allspice

3 oranges, studded with cloves

 

Combine first 4 ingredients in saucepan. Break cinnamon sticks into pieces, add the cloves & allspice & put into cheesecloth bag (or use "Good Time Mulling Spice"). Add spices & oranges to saucepan. Simmer, covered, for 10 minutes. Remove spices, stir in rum. DO NOT BOIL! Pour into warm serving bowl & garnish with the clove studded oranges. Add red food coloring if desired. Makes 9 - 8 oz servings. To Triple the recipes, use 1 1/2 times the spices.

It's A Wonderful Life Pt. 1

I'm heading to go see "It's A Wonderful Life" on the big screen at this dinner & a movie place. The woman who played ZuZu will be there! I'll tell you all about it when I get back! :-)

I'm FREE!!!!

Ya, right! HA! I know...but grades are in & I am FREE! Woo Hoo! (No comment on Easy!)

Well.....Now I just can't decide what to do first since I have SOOOOOOO much to do! HA! Just keep repeating "Hakuna Matata!" HA! What do you think..."Hakuna Matata Clubs"  Well, they have that red hat ladies one so....Somehow I'm not sure it would work! HA! They should have bumper stickers with this...so people don't road rage....hey...that was my idea...don't anyone go make a mint....I gotta contact Disney! HA! I think I'll print this pix out & tape it in my back window! HA! Maybe on my door for my students!  

Santa goes Vegas!

Got this in my email from my bro. Santa is losing money I guess & needs to supplement a bit with a vegas act. HA! It is cute!

 Hear Santa Sing!

Another Doc...UGH!

Ok, saw my Mom & sis's doc for my knee today. He listened & x-rayed & says...

 

"Ah ha...how did that lateral release work out on your left knee long time ago? Any problems since then?"

UGH!!!!

 

This is where they just, if I remember right, cut the ligament on the outside of the knee so the knee cap goes more in line with the hips. Maybe that is why I am having SI & hip problems??? You just can't win! I remember my old PT guy once telling me a guy had back trouble for 10 yrs...they fixed his knee & no back trouble. I wish they were all more wholistic!

 

Well, he says what I am describing is to the tee of needing that but he says we will try PT first, then shot, then last surgery. Ugh!

 

He agreed probably vicious cycle with my foot. Said those boots are horrible on the back & then my other leg took over so it got more load & wear & tear. He seemed pretty nice.

 

He said it could be masking something else...showed me a bit of loss of space on the one side my knee hurts & it is popping & said there is a thick line beginning which might indicate meniscus (SP) problem but no where near my mom's knees. Good, considering I'm a lot younger! Now this is my "good knee" ugh! I guess it just switched! My other one really has been pretty good since my surgery in college.

 

Said it seems the whole bursur is inflamed down my leg even, so Motrin & PT for now when my PT guy gets back from his Mecca trip. 1 mo of PT & then if I have progress ok, if not then next step. I know losing weight will help so that is of course on my list as well. Hard to do when you are in pain though...just not fair! It isn't really hurting like it was before thanksgiving those 2 days when I couldn't straighten it. He pushed on the side & down the leg & that was pretty bad so must take that extra push. Now I'll have to heat it & tylenol...you always end up hurting more when you get out. "Does this hurt?" "Well, it didn't until you did that!" Ha! Or put your leg this way for the x-ray. If I could I wouldn't be here! HA!

Now this is on top of my labs results the other day. My sugar is back in normal range (ok, high normal but heck it is normal!) but my iron store is horrible. Hemoglobin in normal but my store was like 9 & it should be 46 so I have to take 2 iron pills a day. My cholesterol was the worst it has ever been in my life. 232! The highest I had in the past was like 203 & when I was on Atkins it was like 170s. LDL was great but my HDL went up from 110 to 170 since June! Dang, what am I eating different? I really think it is the lack of exercise due to my foot but we'll be working on that let me tell you. She says 6 mo & she'll consider putting me on meds & I don't want that so...I am making a conscious control decision...I don't care about family & friends who start to say I'm selfish...yep, I won't mention names & I hope it was just out of being upset if not they have a problem but I am going to be taking care of myself! It is high time after doing for others for so long. I don't get that...if they had to do these things they would not think they were being selfish and just caring about themselves. If I don't care of myself how can I be there when they need me so....Maybe they are just not on the same point on this path that I am & they will realize later.

 

Well back to grading. Can't wait until 12:01pm Fri! HA!

Petition: Longer Warrantees!

Ok, my aunt sent me this cute thing below & I think it is cute...ya right as I start to realize my model is starting to begin to take on these attributes! Just 10 min ago asking the pharmacist what was up with the Arthritis Tylenol etc. It only has 150 mg more of Tylenol...nothing special. Taking 600mg of Motrin already when I need it with Extra Strength Tylenol.

I would normally have just a couple of times a winter some arthritic pain. I think I've had like 8 so far & this is just in the last few weeks because we have been unseasonably warm this year. Ugh! I may have to move out to AZ with my folks! I love the seasons & how the holidays are here but....not sure if moving there will make it worse, that I won't be able to handle the cold at all then or if I wait too long here if it will not make a difference if I do move later? I guess I should start by talking to the doc to see if there is anything else I can take. I know exercise is a big thing so right after grades are in Friday it is going to be a big goal to get into place before school starts up again in Jan. Even though those who think I'm being selfish lately, because I can't do things with them or for them as much as I have in the past (great thanks huh), I'm just going to have to concentrate on me a bit more. The only way to do more for them is to take care of me right. Ugh...man I'll never get a buyer now! HA! ;-) 

 

            IF MY BODY WERE A CAR

If my body were a car, this is the time I would be thinking about  trading it in for a newer model. I've got bumps and dents and scratches in my finish and my paint job is getting a little dull, but that's not the  worst of it.

My headlights are out of focus and it's especially hard to see things up close.

My traction is not as graceful as it once was. I slip and slide and skid and bump into things even in the best of weather.

My whitewalls are stained with varicose veins.

It takes me hours to reach my maximum speed.

My fuel rate burns inefficiently.

But here's the worst of it --

 
Almost every time I sneeze,   cough or sputter.....either my radiator leaks or my exhaust backfires!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Really, I swear I'm still alive!

I know, I know but I'm really busy with work! I'm currently getting ready my last final exam & my cousin sent me this & it just made me laugh & I thought it was a quick one I could share with you.

What gets longer when pulled. Fits between your tits. Inserts neatly in a hole & works best when jerked?

You all have dirty minds don't you! On Santa's Naughty list like me huh! HA!

It is a Seatbelt...ha!

I know I will never look at doing that behavior the same again! HA! Leave it to the guys to think of a sweet innocent behavior like that! Thank God for Guys! HA!    

Ok, well after Noon Friday I am done so then I promise I will be back. Then it will just be clean & get ready for the holidays & I'll want to relax in the evening by playing on here! Have a great week! Wish me luck...and no STRESS! UGH! Got any good jokes email them to me...I'll need them next week!