Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:6-7



Tuesday, September 02, 2014

{9/2}...September streaming



Can you believe it's September already? It feels like it was just April yesterday.

I have purchased two Christmas gifts already and I know that is the earliest I have ever done that. I am so pleased with myself. I did not start planning so far in advance because I am such a great planner, however. Since Doug left his former employer we learned he will not be getting that little performance-based bonus he used to receive in November. It was not much, but it helped with Christmas gifts. I had a little (big) panic when we found out and I started planning. What really stinks about it is he worked the entire year and met his goals, but since he is not there when they dole the money out, he's out. Grrr.

~~~~~

We had a very busy Labor Day weekend, and I'll give you one guess who labored. You guessed the kids, didn't you? Ha!

We had family in from Cincinnati on Saturday and I fixed one of my favorite dishes I had never prepared for them -- Spanish Pan Roast (not a beef roast, all the food roasts together). I used fresh andouille sausage instead of chorizo and everyone enjoyed it. I also made the Spanish bread I usually serve with it, and a loaf of Semolina 5-Minute Artisan bread. I'll make that again soon and post the recipe. It's really good. We had Chocolate Cheesecake for dessert.

On Sunday, we had Doug's brothers, mother and families over for dinner and it was mostly potluck. I made my Baked Beans, and we supplied the burgers and toppings, and dessert. One of the desserts was Pig Pickin' Cake. Have you ever heard of Pig Pickin' Cake? It is one of my favorites and there is one piece left in the fridge (luckily no one else in my family really likes it).




You can find variations on the name and recipe all over the internet, but here is my recipe, as passed down by my mother-in-law (she uses Cool Whip instead of whipping cream and you can substitute if you want, just don't whip the Cool Whip):


Pig Pickin' Cake

1 package butter cake mix
11 oz. can mandarin oranges (don't drain)
4 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 cups heavy whipping cream 
small box instant vanilla pudding
15 oz. can crushed pineapple, well drained

Mix together cake mix, canned oranges with juice, eggs, and oil. Pour batter into two greased and floured 9-inch round pans.

Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 20-25 minutes, or until cake tests done. Cool layers on wire racks.


Whip cream and pudding mix with electric mixer. Fold in pineapple. Fill and frost the cooled cake (only frost the tops). Refrigerate until ready to eat.



Last night we had spaghetti, meatballs and sauce, garlic bread and salad, with all the kids and Taylor home. I'm tired of cooking. I did freeze 28 meatballs, however, so at least I got ahead.

But, there is no rest for the weary, so tonight is Mediterranean Chicken, Twice Baked Potatoes and Cabbage Apple Slaw (Faith and I made our first trip to pick apples on Friday).

~~~~~


You know I have been having problems with anxiety, I certainly have talked about them enough here. I started thinking about how cyclical the worst anxiety is and started thinking maybe they are hormonal. Makes sense, at least to me. A lot of other weird things have been going on, the most weird is that I have stopped drinking coffee entirely and it doesn't even smell good to me any more. That is weird! I feel like I could be pregnant. Ha! Hahahahahahaha!

I wondered if any of my "older" friends here have experienced anxiety with menopause and, if so, what did you do? I am not a candidate for hormone replacement therapy because I clot, but I could replace just the progesterone. Anybody done that with success? I guess I need an appointment with my regular gynecologist because my uro/gyn told me to see my family doctor, who, as much as I like her, is not a hormone replacement specialist.




Just for kicks I am including this photo of myself, since I rarely put my own image up here. Faith took this photo for a magazine article I'll tell you about another time.


And, in the mean time, do you have other methods you use to help relive anxiety? I am taking chelated magnesium, and Vitamin D, drinking chamomile tea, and breathing deeply when I feel anxious. But, I am sure there is someone out there with some other great suggestions.




"Cheerfulness strengthens the heart and makes us persevere in a good life. Therefore the servant of God ought always to be in good spirits." ~~ St. Philip Neri


I also think I need to laugh some more. Any one have suggestions for funny movies (funny but not crude)?






"So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth." 1 Cor 3:7



I am also trying to appreciate all the beautiful things around me, including this sweet little viola which grew from the seed of a plant I had on the porch in the spring. The wind must have blown the seeds and here she grows.




And creating beautiful things also helps. This is the other Seven Sorrows chaplet I made for my Etsy shop. The Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows is coming up on September 15.






28 comments:

  1. I have been dealing with anxiety also...well maybe my whole life!! The latest was making me feel so sick to my stomach. I hope you find out what works and let me know! Great picture of you and look forward to the magazine article...you are famous!!

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    1. I have had no appetite lately, and I'm sure it must be the anxiety. Wish I could say the pounds were falling off! I can't believe you have dealt with anxiety your whole life -- you seem so carefree! You must have some great coping mechanisms.

      PS the magazine is just itty bitty -- not famous! ;-)

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  2. You might try finding "Catholic" or "clean" humor on Youtube.

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    1. Oh if I didn't have to sift through so much trash to find it...

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  3. Anxiety....I take meds. I know, I know. But I have a great therapist and I take a very low dose of anti-anxiety meds. Helps enormously.

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    1. I really would like to treat what is causing the anxiety if it's hormonal, ya know? I hope you are feeling better this week!

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  4. 1. It WAS just April yesterday. I'm glad someone besides me knows it.
    2. That cake looks incredible.
    3. Been there done that with menopause. Didn't have trouble with anxiety, just unbelievable hot flashes - and GOSH do I know I'm old since I just admitted I "did" go through menopause! And came out the other side already!
    4. I am going to 'watch this space' with you in hopes that someone has suggestions for funny but not crude movies. I was laughing out loud last week as I re-watched the Julia Ormond/Harrison Ford version of Sabrina.. some funny lines in that. And I can hardly wait to see 'Mom's Night Out.' I missed it in theatres - its supposed to be really funny and totally 'clean.'

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    1. I will put "Mom's Night Out" on my list. But, I really need it to be funny. Just a funny line doesn't get me. Guess I'm too serious. The other day I watched a YouTube video -- and it was just audio -- but the guy talking laughed and laughed. He really had me laughing. I need like "Laugh In" funny. Remember that?

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    2. "Laugh In" - you bet your sweet bippy! I found some clips from that on YouTube not long ago. Also the old Carol Burnett variety show (esp. "Went with the Wind"). And if you don't mind my putting a link in here, this 2 minute video had me giggling (they have a whole bunch of them). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRLTqdn52AI I love to laugh. I NEED to laugh.. I think it keeps me from imploding!

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  5. Oh, anxiety, how I loathe thee. It robs me of joy so many times. And mine is definitely cyclical. Besides knitting, breathing deeply and hiding out at home, which is how I cope, I hope someone has some sage advice for you!

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    1. I could have said these exact words, Jenny. It does rob me, and I have hardly left the house lately, and if I can avoid it, I do. And I forgot the knitting -- rows and rows of neat stitches. Yes! Every night before bed. I'm not sure I could sleep without it. And then that thought makes me anxious. Ugh.

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  6. I am dealing with horrible anxiety lately. I blame it on the adoption! I get horrible tension headaches and by the end of the day my back is hurting and my jaw line is so tense. I do not sleep very well either. But, taking a homeopathic remedy for stress (and one for sleep) has helped.

    Exercise normally helps me too.

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    1. An adoption would be stressful, Katie! Do you take herbal supplements during the day and at night?

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  7. What a wonderful picture of you! And, yum! I think that cake is something I can do!

    Wish I could wave a wand and make everyone's issues go away.

    My history tells me that we need to be very kind to ourselves; give yourself "down time"; do nothing for a while (and I mean nothing); sip on a mint tulip, put up your feet and contemplate. Give God a whole lot of quiet time (silence) to talk to you.

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  9. P.S. I think that's "mint julep"! In addition, I recently read Total Recovery by Dr. Gary Kaplan, D.O. He addresses inflammation and makes a lot of sense. Just a thought.

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    1. You know, down time almost makes my anxiety worse -- nothing to take my mind off how I'm feeling. And I wish I could enjoy a mint julep -- no alcohol for me on coumadin. :-( I'll have to settle for herbal tea.

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  10. I don't have a it of anxiety, but lavender essential oil on the bottom of you feet may provide a calming influence and help with sleep. My SIL gave me some lavender lotion for headaches yrs ago and I always thought it helped.

    I WILL try that cake recipe! It looks wonderful.

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    1. I use lavender scented powder and it might be in my head, but I think it works!

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  11. Yikes, cell phone replies are unpredictable! "I don't have a lot of anxiety" and "your feet"... I think that's it for corrections!

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  12. Lately, after reading your posts, I feel like I want to eat...even if I'm not hungry. Always sounds so good over here on your blog!

    My 3rd daughter will celebrate her birthday on Sept. 15. She's going to be 11. Still don't know when those 11 years came and went. My goodness.

    Liked your pregnancy joke! :) I supplement with progesterone cream. It helps me through my rougher months. I'm not in menopause, but have other issues.

    A Catholic comedian is Jim Gaffigan (sp) He is hysterical. At least my hubs and I think so.

    Loved your picture! Good to see you. I"m never in mine that often...always behind the camera. Have a great week *and weekend.

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    1. I will check out that comedian -- you think on YouTube?

      And I have an appt with my doctor on Tuesday to talk about some cream.

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  13. Are you moderating, or did my comment just disappear? grrrrr.

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    1. I'm sorry. Blogger ate it. My blog is acting weird this morning. I had to do all sorts of acrobatics to see it at all. I'll try to call you later. Long school day ahead.

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  14. Sigh. I have a headache. Just call me instead. :-)

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  15. I love that picture of you!! You all are eating well, I feel like I am in such a cooking slump. I may have to try some of your recipes. Your cake looks awesome, I may have to try that. And NO I cannot believe it is September.

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  16. The movie Dan in Real Life always makes me laugh. Love that picture of you at the sewing machine! Love the red beads. Love that yellow cake, so pretty!

    Every time I come here, I so wish we were neighbors...I know I've told you that before, but I do wish it. Let's compromise and both move to Texas! :)

    I had this post up a while ago, all dang day and thought I left a comment and checking back tonite, see I did not leave a comment. SO sorry. You are often on my mind, thoughts and prayers.

    Love you

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    1. I'll have to check out Dan.

      I appreciate your thoughts and prayers, Jamie. More than you can know. (But I can't stand hot weather, and I love the winter, so there will be no TX for me, my dear.)

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I appreciate your comments -- sometimes I feel like I'm talking to myself!