Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo in my book = great Mexican food.  And who doesn't love Mexican food?  I don't think that i know a single person who doesn't (well, I am lying.  My nanny, from Africa, is not a huge fan, but generally, it is true.)  In my book, it is THE BEST.  I mean, as soon as you sit down, they bring you hot, salty chips with salsa and ask if you want cheese dip.  Um, yes please.  And don't even get me started on my love for margaritas.  I could go on and on (and gain at least 10 pounds - but they would be a happy 10 pounds).

On my way to work today I saw our local , favorite Mexican restaurant setting up for the big day.  They are on the corner of a one-way street, with our village clock tower right out in front of the reastaurant.  They close off the corner and have an outdoor party.  I am not sure what time it starts, but by the looks of things last year, some people came for lunch and never left.  It is s kid-friendly event, which is nice, and I think that we will stroll up and check it out.  Last year it was so packed that we couldn't even get a beer, but maybe I will sneak up there before Ted gets home and have a margarita.  I mean, it only happens one day a year and someone has to do it. 

Kids room

As most of y'all know, I am a closet interior designer.  I love to rearrange furniture, re-do shelves, and buy little things here and there from ideas I get from all the many design blogs out there.  For instance, I bought these from eBay the other day for a mere $18 and rearranged the shelves in my living room.  They look fabulous by the way and I think that I may have to buy some more. 

I am also thinking a lot about the kids rooms these days.  We have decided that we are going to move Sam into Ward's room and let our new little girl have Sam's room.  That way the boys will share a bathroom and the girls will share one.  I am probably not going to redo much in the rooms, but I came across this picture and thought that it was so fun!  Would be great in a lake house or beach house as well.

It would take a little time (and some taping or stenciling) but how fun!!

Why?

Our family headed to Tuscaloosa yesterday for our godson's (Gus Holt) first communion.  It had been planned for months and I was so glad that the celebration was held, despite the disaster and devastation in many parts of Tuscaloosa.  We got to see first hand some of the worst hit areas off of McFarland Boulevard.  It looked like a bomb had exploded and thrown enormous pieces of metal like they were mere tissue paper.  There was one area where huge billboards where bent and twisted and the metal signs were over a block away, mangled and wrapped high in the tree tops.  We also took some items to the Temporary Emergency Services warehouse near downtown.  So much was going on and so many people were donating - it was surreal at times.  And all I could think about were all the people who died or are missing (over 400 are still missing in Tuscaloosa alone), all those who were left with nothing but the clothes on their back, all those whose lives are forever changed by a tornado that took mere seconds to destroy everything in its 1.5 mile-wide path across the state of Alabama.

Through all this tragedy, Ward has asked some hard questions.  Particularly he has asked why God sent the tornados.  Why did people have to die?  Why did God allow them to lose everything that they had?  Why mama?  I didn't really know how to answer his questions.  I have the same questions.   I told him that God didn't send the tornados, but instead sometimes God allows bad things to happen, even to good people.  And that we will never truly understand why.  I told him that we have to trust and believe that there is a greater good to what is going on and that we can be a part of that good.

To be honest, I did not like my answer.  (I don't think he did either as he asked Ted and my mom the same questions.)  Why does all this stuff happen?  And why does it keep on happening?  Katrina, the Tsumani, the earthquake and floods in Japan, and now these tornados, just to name a few.  Ted and I have been talking about this since Wednesday and I am at a loss for answers.  Ted pointed to a devotional he read by C.S. Lewis which talks about pain, suffering, and hardship in general.  To paraphrase, C.S. Lewis thought that without hardship, we would never truly apreciate good.  Of course that is true, but it still does not satisfy my logical, legal mind.

But I know that good things have come from these horrible disasters.  Some of the absolute best parts of humanity are awakened.  The volunteers and the outpouring of people and supplies from around the country has been amazing.  Not so sure about Charlie Sheen, but we will take all the help that we can get.  Ted forwarded me a letter from the Greek Organizations at the University of Alabama who have mobilized and are doing great things. Here is a portion:
Today, we prepared 1/4 of the total amount of hot food plates delivered to the affected Tuscaloosa area. We made over 8,000 hot plates, gathered and distributed thousands of canned food items, and distributed hundreds of truckloads full of medical supplies, baby supplies, hygiene supplies, clothing, and toiletries. Even as late as 8:00 pm tonight we were receiving donations from UA alums in Jackson and Nashville, TN. We cannot thank you enough for your generosity.

To our volunteers, thank you for your continued and tireless work. Our efforts are making a difference for those who have lost so much. Please see these important notes regarding tomorrow's operations.
. . .
If someone would like to make a donation to the UA Greek Relief Fund, they may visit https://www.grsconnect.com/rush/rlf/. Your donations will be used to purchase much-needed food and supplies for the relief efforts in Tuscaloosa. (When making a payment, please select "0007 Psi - Alabama" for chapter, for contribution type, please select "Alabama Greek Relief Fund")
. . .
If you or someone you know wishes to ship supplies to Tuscaloosa, please send them to:
Attn: Temporary Emergency Services
1705 15th St.
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401

And the amazing part is that the University is closed.  No exams (for the most part - students who wish to take some exams to raise their grades have the opportunity to do so later in the summer).  These kids could go home and start their summer.  But they stay and help. 

Please help.  I am sure that most of you already have.  But if you have not, no donation is too small and every penny is appreciated.  There are so many out there who lost everything.

The Power of Weather

This is an image of what came through Birmingham last night.  It was the same tornado
that roared through Tuscaloosa.  The images this morning are devastating, to say the least.
Praying for all those families who lost loved ones and their homes and all their
belongings.  Over 200 confirmed dead - 149 in Alabama alone. 

Safe Place

If anyone is watching the weather right now it is BAD in Alabama.  Tornados took out a large part of Tuscaloosa, very close to where Ted lived while in law school.  And we watched it all live on a tower caera.  Very scary.  We are praying for our cousins in Tuscaloosa and hope that they are safe.  Although we hav tried to get in touch with them, they are not answering their cells, presumably because all the cell towers are on the ground at this point.  The devastation is widespread.  I pray no one was killed.

And as I type we are under our staircase, our "safe place." I am thanking God for iPads right now.  Although the kids are a little nervious (except for Sam who has no clue), they are having fun watching "Despicable Me" and "camping out" under the stairs.  Ted is periodically going out to watch the TV and check the radar (love me some J.P Dice!).  Thank goodness we have not lost power.  Grandmom has not had power all day and I doubt she will for the next few days.   It looks like the worst of the storm is going to track north of us, but it is the real deal.  Over 200 mile per hour winds.  I am nervous.  And requesting a bottle of wine.  No telling how long we will be in here.  Again, thank God for iPads.  Oh, and the next thing we are adding to our house is a generator.  We have had too many scary storms this month not to get one.

Easter

The kids had a great time this Easter, although it was pretty exhausting for Ted and me - Easter egg hunt at the club on Saturday, Easter bunny presents, another egg hunt at church, lunch and another egg hunt at Cher Cher and Papa's, and then the final hurrah (and 4th egg hunt) at Grandmom's with the Holts and all (well, some of) the fun cousins!  Oh, and I apologize in advance - I got a little carried away with all the pictures!

AT THE CLUB:

with Richard Monk waiting for the hunt

loving my new sunglasses!

and they're off!

not so sure about this egg hunt thing!

oh but look at all the eggs I got!

examining their loot

Sam checks out the Easter bunny.  He wasn't scared at all, and went up to give him a hug and a high-five

EASTER MORNING - The Easter Bunny came!!:

coming down the stairs

LOOK!

a little chihuahua!

Ningago!  How did the Easter Bunny know?

so happy!

Sam got monster slippers and was so pleased!

Candy in the morning?  Life doesn't get any better!

CHURCH:

The best I could get of the three of them.  Sam is not an easy subject!

see what I mean?

No Mama!

Ann Park and her best friend, Francie

weeeeeeee!!!!!

Swinging like a monkey!

AT CHER CHER AND PAPA'S:

Mom had the table looking so great and the kids loved the balloons!

Another Easter egg hunt!!

Sam eating m&ms off the ground after they spilled out of the egg!

Sam and daddy having some fun!

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST AT GRANDMOM'S HOUSE:

Again, Sam was not cooperating, and remember that this is only about half of the cousins!  LIfe is always fun and exciting at the Holts!!

So if you have gotten through this entire post, I am sure you are exhausted as I am.  Good night!

The Good, the Bad and the Booted

So I have been to the doctor at least twice since I wrote about the boot situation.  Well, the situation is still there, but at least now I have an accurate diagnosis.  I went to the doctor last Wednesday thinking that after almost 3 weeks I would finally get the boot off.  I saw some improvement in the swelling and a lot of improvement in the tenderness so I really was looking forward to wearing two shoes again.  No such luck.  She wasn't nearly as pleased with my "improvement" and decided to do an ultrasound to see if she saw any tears, etc.

When she did the ultrasound there was definitely something going on in there.  She showed me what the healthy areas looked like which was like nice little lines - what you would think healthy tendons would look like really.  Then you could see hte large bags of liquid - or the swelling.  It was all over the place.  Finally, when she got to the area that was the most swollen and tender to the touch the strainght lines kinda started looking more wavy or cloud-like.  So off I went to get an MRI.

I got the MRI on Thursday morning and had to wait until today to get the results because of the Easter weekend. I really didn't want to wear the boot over Easter, but I did.  See - you can even see it as I was hobbling away from Sam in this picture (proof that I am wearing it!):

So I went this afternoon and got the results.  As usual, there was good news and bad news.  The good news is that there is no fracture (which we knew from the x-rays) and no damage to my tendons.  So where is the pain and all the swelling coming from you ask?  Well, the first radiologist totally missed it.  His report noted nothing but swelling.  My doctor was not convinced that this persistent swelling after being booted for an extended period of time was from a simple sprain.  Instead, she got a second opinion from the first radiologist's boss and he confirmed her suspicions.  I have an injury, or small tear, to the retinaculum.  Huh?  

From the way she described it (and what I have read on the internet, which has proved to be a bad thing, as usual) the retinaculum is a webbing like membrane that covers the ankle bone and tendons and prevents the tendons from shifting all over the place, resulting in consistent rolling of the ankle, especially when exercising.  Injuries are common - especially in bad sprains - but usually resolve without any help from a boot, etc. on their own.  The bad news for me is that mine is worse than most and not resolving on its own, as of yet.  That is mainly because there is not much blood flow to that area, according to my doctor.

Because this is actually a pretty important area of the ankle, healing is essential.  So I am in the boot for at least three more weeks.  I don't even go back to see my doctor for three more weeks.  Looks like me and the boot are forming a long-term relationship.  One that I did not want, but will agree to if it prevents surgery (something that I read all about on the internet so I am staying away from there!)  

The thing is that we are going on our annual Upchurch family vacation in four weeks.  I go back to the doctor on Monday, May 16 and we leave on Sunday May 22.  I really really really don't want to be in Palmetto Bluff (one of my favorite places in the universe) in this boot.  So pray.  Pray hard.  This thing has got to heal.

Amazing Grace

My mom sent me this link of the Four Tenors, or II Divo, singing "Amazing Grace" in the Colleseum in Rome.  It truly brought tears to my eyes.  For anyone who does not know, this group was put together by Simon Cowell of American Idol fame.  He searched the world for the "four best male singers."   In the order here, they are David (from America); Carlos (from Spain), Sabastian (from France) and Urs (from Switzerland).  Three of them were opera singers, and Sabastian was a self taught "pop" singer.   They were pretty reluctant to come together as a group, but they are completely AMAZING.


http://www.clarrissegill.com/videoclips/amazing_grace.php

Easter Fun

I have been trying to think of something fun and different to do with the kids this Easter and I came across Peeps S'mores!  I mean, how much fun is this (even if you are like me and don't like Peeps)!  I think that we might have to try these for dessert on Easter Sunday.  I know that my kids will get a kick out of them! 

Another amazing dessert

Why is it when you are trying to lose a couple of pounds (I have put on a few since I have been in the boot and not able to exercise), you find the most amazing desserts online and find yourself salavating over them while waiting on your grilled chicken salad, no dressing, to be ready in the cafe downstairs.  Well, maybe not all those details apply to you, but they do to me.  Right now.

I was browsing some of my not-so-typical websites while waiting on that delicious salad (mind over matter) and came across this on Our Best Bites.  I mean, Peanut Butter Caramel Shortbread bars?  You have to be kidding me.  And they are super easy to make?  Sign me up.  But, maybe in about a month when I have dropped about 5 pounds.  Sorry Ted.  You would LOVE these.

Here is the recipe, but check out all the step-by-step pictures on Our Best Bites.

Peanut Butter Cup Caramel Shortbread Bars

Recipe adapted from King Arthur Flour by Our Best Bites

1 c. salted butter at room temperature
1 c. powdered sugar
2 c. all-purpose flour, lightly spooned into measuring cups and leveled with a knife
1 tsp. vanilla
2 c. caramels (1 14-oz. package Kraft caramel or 2 c. homemade caramel)
1-3 tablespoons cream (1 if using Kraft caramels, 3 for firmer or homemade caramel)
3 cups mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (about 1 1/2 11-oz. bags)

Preheat oven to 300. Spray a 9×13″ pan with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.

In a large bowl or the bowl of your mixer, combine the butter, sugar, flour, and vanilla until the mixture comes together. Lightly press the shortbread dough into the pan. Prick with a fork to prevent the crust from bubbling. Bake for 35-45 minutes or until the crust is lightly golden. Remove from oven and run a knife around the edges of the bars. Allow to cool completely.

Combine the caramels and cream in a microwave-safe bowl and heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring each minute, until the mixture is smooth. Spread evenly over the cookie crust, then place the pan in the refrigerator and chill for 30-60 minutes or until the caramel is solid.

In a microwave-safe bowl, heat the unwrapped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups until melted and smooth, stirring each 45 seconds. Spread over the cooled caramel. Place in refrigerator for 1-2 hours or until the chocolate layer is solid. They can also be placed in the freezer for less time if you’re in a hurry. Cut into squares and serve. Store leftovers in a cool area or the refrigerator to prevent messy disasters.

Are you drooling yet?