Just a little update...

So...this is my bruise. Some people are just gross and like bruises. But I won't mention any names. So, you-know-who, this is for you! I had surgery last Wednesday, and this is where the nurse attempted to put in the I.V. Of course, it didn't work. That's why, almost a week later, it is still so colorful and pretty.

I'm on a pretty strict diet. I have a disorder where I am not allowed to eat any ANY foods that contain acid. Basically, it's not about what I can't eat. It's about what I can eat. That list is a lot shorter. Who knew that the foods I was eating in Africa were wreaking havoc on my bladder? Oh well! No more tomatoes, onions, balsamic vinegar, yogurt, eggs, cheese, fruit, spices and seasonings, ketchup, mustard, mayo, soy or soy products, MSG, caffeine, tea, nuts, artificial flavorings, colorings, or any meat that isn't organic. That's just the tip of the iceberg. So, I cooked dinner tonight. Fresh tilapia, mushrooms and capers with pine nuts (OK to have), rosemary, garlic, EVOO and white wine (OK because alcohol burns off). It's a good thing I was interested in going organic here, because I don't have much of a choice anymore!

Though I can't have chocolate, I can have some white chocolate. I wanted to make a fun snack for me since junk food and candy and anything sweet and fun is out of the picture. I thought I bought some baking white chocolate. I was wrong. I bought the candy coating that you melt. Oops!
The pretzels looked great and tasted better, but in case anyone is keeping tabs, soy lecithin is a killer for my body. Whew! Now I know I can't have any soy lecithin. (Add yogurt to that mix. I tried some yogurt to soothe my upset stomach last night. It helped my stomach, but made my bladder feel like it was on fire!)

In other happenings, we went to a going away part for a friend who is moving to Russia. This is where the party was located. Doesn't it look like a classic Southern mansion? It used to be the president's house of a local college here. Now it is used for social events.

The temperature dipped into the lower twenties for Easter. This is the first time we've had a fire on Easter. There were even some snow flurries. Definitely out of character for Georgia. (You can, however, tell that the fireplace gets used quite often during the winter season.)

In fact, it was so cold that Dad was scared the frost would kill the growing vine thingy on the mailbox. It scared the frost away, and the neighbors, too. The teens across the street thought there were ghosts outside.

The two rivals snuggled a little closer on the couch, confused by the cold weather. Jay, left, and Cleo, right, had a stare down before deciding it was OK to be near each other. And finally, our neighbor Vicki brought her new Golden Retriever puppy Melly over for a visit. Puppies are such great therapy!

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