Sausage, Peppers, and Tomatoes with Linguine

 

This meal was delicious!  It’s very easy to make and the whole family will love it, unless you have one “picky eater”  like I do and has suddenly decided not to like peppers. The way I fix that problem, “picky eater” got served plain pasta and some sausage. I figure after a few VERY bland meals that “picky eater” will suddenly revert back to liking peppers.  Enough about the problem child, lets cook!

1/2 lb. Linguine- uncooked (I LOVE Dreamfield’s pasta)

1 (12oz) Package of your choice of sausage links- sliced diagonally

3 Bell Peppers, Assorted Colors- chopped coarsely

3 Tomatoes- chopped coarsely

2 Garlic Cloves- minced

Grated Parmesan Cheese

Get your pot of water going, while waiting for it to boil, slice up your sausage, peppers and garlic and throw it in a pan, heating the sausage thoroughly. I prefer my peppers soft instead of crisp so I tend to cook mine longer. Add the tomatoes, let simmer until tomatoes are soft.

Add your pasta to water, when done, drain and combine with sausage and peppers. Stir in as much grated parmesan cheese as you wish. Plate it and sprinkle with more parmesan.

Now enjoy!

Garlic Chicken Farfalle

It’s been a while since I have posted anything, but I just wanted to share this delicious recipe that I got from Kevin & Amanda Delicious recipes to spice up your dinner rotation. 

This really is one of the best new recipes that I have tried, and believe me it’s a keeper! It is so full of flavor, I just can’t get enough of it.

16 oz. Farfalle pasta
1 c. heavy whipping cream
3-4 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
2 to 3 cloves garlic, crushed OR garlic salt (I do a spoonful of crushed garlic)
1 Tbsp. pepper*
1/2 c. butter
1 lb. bacon, crumpled**
1/2 c. shredded Parmesan cheese
1 (12 oz) Lawry’s mesquite marinade with lime juice

**I followed the suggestion on Kevin & Amanda’s blog to cook my bacon in the oven at 400° for about 30 minutes. it is so much easier and less of a mess to clean up after. Of course I line the cookie sheet with foil to make it even easier.

[ directions ]

Crock pot chicken and bottle of marinade on low for 6 hours. Pull marinated chicken out of the juices, allow to cool a little bit, and shred (I pull it apart). Set this aside. About a half-hour before serving, boil the pasta. In a small saucepan, melt butter, add garlic, whipping cream, pepper, parmesan cheese, and crumpled bacon. Whisk together on low heat for 3-4 minutes. In a large bowl, pour over cooked, drained pasta, add chicken and stir through. Sprinkle a little bit more shredded parmesan cheese on top.

There you have it, an easy and super yummy meal that the whole family will love!!!!!

Lucky Me

I just have to tell you all about my wonderful mother-in-law, or as I refer to her, mom.  From the very first time I met her, she has welcomed me into the family, or at least has pretended to, lol. She has always been supportive and willing to help out whenever we need her.

This is her beautiful garden that she loves to take care of…

In this garden she has an area with pink flowers and a Breast Cancer Flag. The reason for that would be that my sister-in-law had breast cancer and beat it.

I was at her house today and saw these sitting on the steps…

I texted her to tell her that these were my favorite two flowers. Her response…”That’s good because they are my orange for MS flowers.”

I just love that woman!

Copaxone

Well, this past weekend I started my Copaxone injections.  A Copaxone trained nurse came to the house on Saturday and spent two hours going over things and giving us injection hints.  Since she has MS and has been taking Copaxane for years, she had a lot of useful information that just a nurse couldn’t offer.

She talked me into doing my very first injection all by myself. I have never given myself an injection and I have done different types of injections for about three years. We decided to inject in my stomach, which I’ve never injected there before. I did it, it was nothing! I have been terrified to inject my stomach for some reason, now I know it’s no biggie.

I had no bruising or lumps with my first two injections, but the past two have left their mark. Last night was in my arm which didn’t hurt at all but left an instant bruise.

 

Tonight was my right thigh, this is what was left behind…

Oh the joys of MS, at least the injections aren’t extremely painful…so far.

Just Shoot Me!

After almost two months since my neuro prescribed Copaxone,  it will finally be delivered on Friday.  The first issue was that either the nurse didn’t fax the prescription,  or the pharmacy never received the fax.  After about two weeks of not hearing from the pharmacy I called and they had no record of me, so I called the doctors office and they claimed to have faxed it. Another week or so went by and still nothing,  once again I contacted the neuro’s office with them sticking to the story that they faxed it,  but said they would fax it again. Well imagine my surprise when I finally got a call from the specialty pharmacy.  I gave them all my insurance info,  the rep said they would run my insurance and it would be the middle of the following week until they would hear back from insurance with approval.  Once again, here we go waiting and waiting to hear back.  When I finally did hear back, they said that Medicaid was being difficult because they weren’t contracted with them, claiming that it would be a few more weeks of working with Medicaid to get them to cover the $100 co-pay,  they would get back with me.

Then yesterday, let me remind you of the date, May 7th and all this initially started March 12, I received a call from the pharmacy again.  The lady goes on to tell me that Medicaid won’t cover it,  BUT they have a “sister” pharmacy that is contracted with Indiana Medicaid that they are going to transfer my prescription to.  What the hell?  Are you kidding me?  So for two months they have been fighting with Medicaid to pay it,  when all they had to do is transfer the damn thing to a “sister” pharmacy that is contracted with Indiana Medicaid?  I guess it’s a good thing that I’m not dying since I have had to wait 2 months for my freakin’ meds!

Once I receive my meds, I have to call the Copaxone nurse to come over and go everything with me.  Considering I have done several different injections,  I’m not sure what the point of that is.  Unless she can tell me a sure fire way to make it not burn like hell,  I don’t really need her to come.

This is what I have to look forward to…

SHOOTING THIS…

INTO ANY ONE OF THESE…

EVERYDAY!

 

 

 

Can You Say Myoclonus?

Can you say Myoclonus? Having a bit of an issue with it this evening, and last night trying to fall sleep. It makes me so damn mad, it’s just annoying!  Are you just dying to know what it is? Well here it goes…

Myoclonus refers to a quick, involuntary muscle jerk. For example, hiccups are a form of myoclonus. So are the sudden jerks, or "sleep starts," you may experience just before falling asleep. These forms of myoclonus occur in healthy people and rarely present a problem.

Most often, you hear of myoclonus as a symptom of a nervous system disorder, such as epilepsy, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis or of a metabolic condition, or as a reaction to a medication.

People with myoclonus often describe the symptoms as "jerks," shakes" or "spasms" that are:

• Sudden
• Brief
• Involuntary
• Shock-like
• Variable in intensity and frequency
• Localized to one part of the body or all over the body
• Sometimes severe enough to interfere with eating, talking or walking

It’s not like this is the first time I have had them, it is just for a longer period of time. I’m sure my husband is tired of hearing “god damnit” come out of my mouth every time my leg jerks. It has just been my right leg as of late, but I remember when I was first showing MS symptoms both legs would do it at night. Nothing like laying in bed trying to fall asleep when out of nowhere you keep getting these electrical shocks and legs jerking uncontrollably. I’m sure I was a sight to behold, just picture…laying on my side trying to drift off and BAM, I now look like a fish (or maybe I should say Mermaid, it sounds sexier) flailing about.

Now,  this evening all kicked back in my recliner, my right leg apparently has a mind of it’s own, or is it that my mind has a lesion of it’s own? Pretty sure it is the latter of the two, I just love all the little misfiring’s going on in my brain, makes for an adventurous life. (Said with so much sarcasm)

New Love

Laying face down on the table, he strapped my ankles down and began to swivel the lower half of my body slowly from side to side, stretching and loosening me up. He made his way all the way up my back to my neck, being gentle but yet demanding with every touch. Then we moved to the chair where he moved my head and neck in ways that brought such sweet relief……….

 

I love my new chiropractor

 

This man is WONDERFUL, I haven’t felt this good in years!

 

Dr. Mark Lindholm, go check him out-

Waiting…

Went to disability court today.  They put us in a conference like room with the Judge sitting up high like in a usual court room and then there was an eight foot table running perpendicular to the Judge where we sat.  The only people allowed in the room was the Judge, the court reporter, the attorney , Jeff and I. Oh and the guy that sits on the other end of the speaker phone listening until he is asked if I am capable of doing the jobs I have done in the past, and if not, is there any jobs that I can do?  The Judge rambled on at the beginning and then he proceeded to ask me questions about my daily activities, what causes me pain, what helps, what I can and can not do. The attorney then asked me some questions, then the Judge questioned the attorney and then he questioned Jeff and FINALLY he spoke to the guy on the phone to wrap it all up.

 

Before being dismissed, he complimented my attorney on being so helpful and organized and he wished all attorneys were like that. After we left the room she told us that she thought it went good. Now we just wait…..

Snap, Crackle, Pop to Court

 

Today I took a four hour nap and boy did it ever make me feel better, tired wise anyway. Of course my back still hurts. I have an appointment with a chiropractor tomorrow. Sure would be nice if it helped. I’m sure it’s going to hurt like hell while he’s working on me, since the lightest touch in certain places sends me through the roof. I have tried everything to help the pain in my lower back and SI joints. I have had several injections, and have even gone as far as having the nerves burnt in my SI joints, too bad that didn’t work. I guess the best way to describe the nerve burning is, they MS me, lol. It was supposed to break the connection from my SI to my brain. Here I’m trying to to fight against this stupid MS and I go and MS my ass, lol.

Another huge event going on tomorrow is Disability court! I’m nervous, mainly because I know when the judge asks me questions that I will have to really think about some of my answers because I tend not to remember things. We have to go to Valparaiso for court which is about an hour and a half way. I’m sure that will only add to my pain. What’s bad is I don’t want to take a pain pill because it knocks me out and causes me to be sooo far out there. Well maybe I should take it just so that the judge can see what happens to me on a daily basis from taking my pain meds. I don’t know, I just hope it all goes in my favor.

 

WalkMS:2012

It’s that time of year for me to start hitting you up, ok, begging everyone I know for donations. I’m sure you all are tired of hearing all about my MS and the aches and pains that go with it, but I really have to say that as much as you are tired of hearing about it, I’m 100 times more tired of dealing with it day in and day out. The only way to shut me up is to help find a cure for it, and the only way they can do that is with your help..YOUR MONEY!!!! I don’t care if it’s $1.00 or $100, well, I would prefer the latter of the two. All kidding aside, EVERY little bit helps towards a cure.

Unlike last year, I will be joining  WalkMS:Michiana on the IUSB campus on May 5, 2012. Registration and check in begins at 7:30am with the race kicking off at 9:00am. Last year we missed the Michiana walk and went to the walk in Highland Park instead. It was a good day. They had a DJ, clowns, and they fed us afterwards, which was nice.

This year I have designed Team Laws shirts($25). If you would like to purchase one to help our team look more unified that would be great, but by no means feel obligated to have one to walk with us. If you would like to walk, you need to register under Team Laws.  It cost nothing to walk and you don’t have to raise money to walk either, although it would be fabulous if you did.

If any of you know of a business that would be happy to help out, I have Shoe Pin Ups that they can use for customer donations or if they would like to make a business donation , that would be very much appreciated as well.

Again, I am begging for whatever you can give, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE dig deep and find it in your heart to help find a cure for Multiple Sclerosis!!!!!

Icky Few Weeks

The past few weeks have been just crappy. I would assume that it could be categorized as an MS flare. I have been so extremely fatigued to the point that I have been taking 3 hour naps just about everyday. My legs and back have been very weak and my knees are hurting terribly,  therefore limiting everything I need to do. It makes me so darn mad that I have to nap and can’t do much of anything.  Too bad we weren’t loaded, I would definitely have a maid and chef.  Oh and a chauffer to take the kids to and from school so my sleep wouldn’t be disturbed.

OK, it has taken me about 30 minutes to start typing again. I get side tracked so easily. The sad thing is that I haven’t been doing anything but sitting here with my laptop and my mind just tends to wander off. I had so many thoughts and now they are all gone. It drives me crazy that my thoughts leave me so quickly. I can think of something I want to Google and from the time I pick up my laptop to getting ready to type in what I want, the thought is completely gone. It’s so frustrating!

After months of gathering medical records and letters from my doctors, the attorney has agreed to take my disability case. Woo hoo!!! Good thing she did because I received a letter the other day with a court date for disability. I am really hoping that with the help of the attorney that the Judge will do an on the record approval so I don’t have to go to court. One thing that sucks about court is that it is Valparaiso, almost an  hour and a half away. Well I guess on the other hand, I would be so sore and stiff from the drive over and then having to sit in whatever crappy chair, it just may work to my advantage, lol. I’m sure that little day trip would do me in for a day or two.

Today’s Bargain

My husband and I went grocery shopping today and I got some good bargains that I thought I would share.

We do most of our shopping at Martin’s, therefore I signed up for their text coupons. The text I used today was for 16 oz. Prairie Farms Sour Cream and Dip for just .88¢ which I then used a .35¢ coupon with each one making it .53¢ each! Needless to say, we stocked up on it. I use the sour cream a lot when cooking and my husband and daughter love their chips and dip!

Martin’s had their Suave deodorant, which I use, for .99¢ that I paired with a .50¢ off coupon making it only .49¢!

They were also running a special on Kraft products, if you purchased 10 Kraft products you got $5.00 off. I bought 2 jars of Ragu spaghetti sauce for $1.49 each,  paired with a coupon for .50¢ off two jars, making it $1.24 a jar. We love our cheese around here so we purchased 4 bags of Kraft shredded cheese for $1.99 each paired with 2 coupons for .50¢ off when you buy 2, making it $1.74 per bag of cheese. Of course we bought enough other items to add up to 10!

Tru-Moo Chocolate milk was 2/$4.00, I had a coupon for $1.00 off, making it only $3.00

 

So all in all, with my good deals I saved $52.17 on my grocery bill today and only paid $10.05 for the items below….