Today is the staff Christmas party. I hope to just be there for a bit. They are barbecuing. I had to order it all---whole chickens, pork ribs, potato salad, cole slaw, apple pies, baked beans. Not one thing that I am interested in eating for lunch. I'm picking up my friend that broke her arm then going around 2:00. The party is at the cafeteria manager's house, which is right near the school, so it's not in a very safe area, but I'm sure everyone will have fun.
Suzy-That recipe sounds delicious. It could be made into a somewhat Core recipe if you add fat free cheese instead.
I am very worried about Dan. Gayle, have you heard from Ramona at all?
1# lean ground beef (browned)
1 package taco seasoning (I used walmart brand)
2-14 oz cans 99% FF beef broth
1-15.25 oz can corn (undrained)
1-14.5 oz can petite diced tomatoes
1-14.5 oz can diced potatoes (drained,rinsed)
Cook on stovetop around 45 minutes, stirring often. I tried something a little different...no one in my family likes beans so this is why I added the corn/potatoes.
I had a few minutes and wanted to check in. Dan was transferred to Houston, Texas last Thursday. Things are really, really bad there and he is in terrible shape. I just finished booking airline reservations and we will fly there tomorrow. I can't even begin to tell you here what he has been going through there. They basically told him to forget about ever getting better and just deal with it. They have left him by himself in a bed with no rails for three days. He already has bed sores and they won't even help him clean up when he has to use the bathroom. I have already written emails to every Congressman and Senator and I am not beyond going to the White House. This is a Veterans hospital and they treat everyone there the same way. Dan was crying so hard he could hardly talk. I'm going to bring my baby home and heads are going to roll!!!!! They haven't even bothered to give him any antibiotic since he's been there and his incision is infected. They told him they might have to open him back up. OVER MY DEAD BODY! They aren't touching him! Sorry to rant, but I have never been so upset and disgusted in all my life. I'll let you know when we get home.
Love you all.......
Oh Ramona, I'm so sorry to hear how Dan has been treated in Houston. I'm glad that you're taking charge and having him moved...no one deserves to be treated that way! Please know that Dan is in my prayers daily as well as you and the rest of your family. Safe travels to you and please keep us posted on how things are going!
Ramona, is there anyway Dan can get on some type of assistance such as medicaid? I'm assuming he probably doesn't own much since he is single, maybe without too much personal property and money, he could qualify. This would be so much better then the treatment he is receiving at the VH. My father went to a veterans hospital when he had cancer, he received the same type of treatment as you described with Dan. We ended up removing him from the hospital and taking him home. I assumed because it was an older hospital dealing primarly with older vets, this was the way it was. Sad to hear the treatment of our young military personnel is no different. Prayers continue to be sent, praying also for extra strength for your family to help you through the tough times ahead.
Ramona-How horrible! How can they treat an honorable military man like that? I keep you and Dan in my prayers daily. It's a shame the way the VA treats our men that fight for our country.
Hi Girls just wanted to pop in and let you know that we got home late saturday night. We had a glamourous time. I will tell you more details later. How do you like my new pic. We took it in Vegas. I thought that you must be tired of looking at my back side. lol I am just heading out for a walk with Desiree.
Ramona my heart goes out to you. I will be praying for Dan and your family. God will not put you through more than you can handle. Trust in him. I know that this is very hard hard for you to go through.
Beautiful picture Dee! It's nice to SEE you and welcome home! I'm glad to hear that you had a good trip! I'm looking forward to hearing the details...or was it one of those "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" trips?
Here is an email that I recieved today that I would like to share with you,
Sisters
A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day, drinking iced tea and visiting
with her Mother. As they talked about life, about marriage, about the responsibilities
of life and the obligations of adulthood, the mother clinked the ice cubes in her glass
thoughtfully and turned a clear, sober glance upon her daughter.
"Don't forget your Sisters," she advised, swirling the tea leaves to the bottom
of her glass. "They'll be more important as you get older. No matter how much
you love your husband, no matter how much you love the children you may have,
you are still going to need Sisters. Remember to go places with them
now and then; do things with them. And remember that "Sisters" also means your
girlfriends, your daughters, and other women relatives too. You'll need other
women. Women always do."
'What a funny piece of advice!' the young woman thought. 'Haven't I just gotten
married? Haven't I just joined the couple-world? I'm now a married woman, for
goodness sake! A grownup. Surely my husband and the family we may
start will be all I need to make my life worthwhile!
But she listened to her Mother. She kept contact with her Sisters and made more
women friends each year. As the years tumbled by, one after another, she
gradually came to understand that her Mom really knew what she was talking
about. As time and nature work their changes and their mysteries upon a
woman, Sisters are the mainstays of her life.
After more than 50 years of living in this world, here is what I've learned:
THIS SAYS IT ALL:
Time passes.
Life happens.
Distance separates.
Children grow up.
Jobs come and go.
Love waxes and wanes.
Men don't call when they say they will.
Hearts break.
Parents die.
Colleagues forget favours.
Careers end.
BUT.........
Girlfriends are there, no matter how much time and how many miles are between you.
A girlfriend is never farther away than needing her can reach.
When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you have to walk it by yourself,
your girlfriends will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on, praying for you,
pulling for you, intervening on your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the
valley's end. Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk beside you.
Or come in and carry you out.
The world wouldn't be the same without them, and neither would I. When we began
this adventure called womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or
sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we would need each other.
Every day, we need each other still.
Suzy, thank you. I was reading your bio this morning. We have so much in common. Our children are about the same ages but I am not a Grandma yet. You are only a year older than Gayle and I. Larry worked for a heating sheet metal shop for a few years. Now he works for a company that puts silencers in duct work.
Are you all ready for Christmas? We are going to start putting up our tree tonight. With all the traveling I haven't had time. Thankfully most of the gifts are wrapped and the rest of the decorations are up. I just have a few gifts to buy.
