Eating out, health news

Mama has been cooking a lot lately. It is not for us directly but rather for the meals we have been enjoying at the church each night before the Missions Conference. Neither of us is used to eating that much which is one of the reasons Mama has gotten out of the habit of cooking through the day to prepare for an evening meal. She is more of a breakfast and lunch person. I am more of the dinner person.


Many have been the evenings that I would come home from work and fix dinner for everyone. Not that Mama did not want to; she just could not think of anything that interested her based on the available ingredients. Eating out has always been her special dinner interest – breakfast and lunch too, for that matter. But this is like eating out, or a picnic with friends; something along that line. It has been fun and tiring to participate since my turn around time is about an hour from the time I get home from work until the time we load up and leave for church.

Last night was “Texas” food with a special focus on charcoal grilled, bar-b-qued and/or deep fried items. One item I had never seen before was deep fried bacon. I avoided that but I found the idea interesting. There was so much food it was overwhelming. I did not eat too much but there was enough that I certainly could have. For the occasion Mama made a Texas Sheet Cake. It turned out very good. All the left over’s were set in the fridge to be set out again tonight. The theme tonight is International food.

On the health new front; Grandma Kline came through her surgery well. Yesterday the nurses had her up walking around a bit. After open heart surgery, that is pretty amazing. She should get to go home this weekend. Full recovery should be about six months. This will be a pretty special Mother’s Day.

Becky went for a surgery consult yesterday and got a very good report. The nodules on her spine seem to be shrinking and there is no need for surgery at this time. I am not sure if her original supposition of cancer is or was accurate but for the moment the doctors are electing to let the body continue the healing process. (She and Charles remain at odds but maybe less so than before.)

Maggie had her twenty week ultra sound and was excited to see the baby moving about in the womb. I know I was told the name they have chosen for the baby, but I do not remember. Everyone is sure it is a little girl. Mama is excited to travel to see her, but we have not made any plans yet. It will probably be Mama going alone for the first trip. My travel plans are on hold pending updates from work; which have been painfully slow in coming. I am also working on setting aside the money required for the travel.

Brittany got a clean bill of health after a pretty significant scare. The doctors had told her she had a cyst on one of her ovaries that would require the removal of the ovary to ensure the cyst could be effectively dealt with. On her last visit she was told that the danger was past and that the cyst was no longer a problem. I am not sure if it is totally gone or significantly reduced in size but the fear of losing a reproductive organ is lifted from her. She and Andrew are planning on delaying children until he completes Fight School. We will see if that plan works. Mama and I are ready anytime for more grandchildren.

April is over and gone for 2013. Wow!