Diabetes

Another shoe has dropped.

We've dealt with so much since DH's stroke three-and-a- half years ago,
and last week they diagnosed him with diabetes, as well.

Took most of yesterday off to drive him to a diabetes education class.

Most of the "work" following a new eating plan (and hopefully getting
him to exercise) will fall on my shoulders, even though the leader
today stressed it is not the caregivers responsibility to follow
through with the plans.

She stressed that I should not be the "Diabetes Police", but when he can't/won't take care of himself, who else does it fall to?

A Taste of Grey Poupon

Have you heard of Houseparty.com?

It's a fun little website that matches your entertainment style with nationally known brand names, and offers hostesses free gifts when they are matched to one of their houseparties.

It's a great marketing tool, as well as a lot of fun for the hostess and her attendees

Last night several friends came over for my Taste of Grey Poupon party. We sampled the three new GP specialty mustards, along with the tried-n-true dijon variety. Dinner included Hot German Potato Salad, Spaetzle with bacon, carmelized onions and swiss cheese, Polish Dogs and Mini Wiener Schnitzel Sandwiches. For dessert I served individual apple blossoms.

We rounded out the evening with Lemon Drop Martinis, Margaritas and a rousing game of Texas Hold'Em.

I received (12 each) jars of mustard, recipe cards, GP coupons, mustard pairing wheels, GP measuring cups and the gift bags to hold them. In addition, as hostess, I received three jars of the new mustards, an apron and a DVD.

Head on over to houseparty.com and sign up to be a hostess. It's a fun way to entertain your friends!

Ultimate Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Cookies

Ultimate Ghirardelli
Double Chocolate Cookies

Yield: 24 cookies

11 1/2 ounces(s) Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet
Chocolate Chips
12 ounce(s) Ghirardelli Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
6 tablespoon(s) unsalted butter
3 eggs
1 cup(s) sugar
1/3 cup(s) all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon(s) baking powder
1 cup(s) chopped walnuts


In double boiler over hot water, melt bittersweet chocolate chips and butter.

In large bowl with electric mixer or whisk, beat eggs and sugar until thick; stir into chocolate mixture.

In small bowl, stir together flour and baking powder; stir into chocolate mixture.

Gently mix in semi-sweet chocolate chips and walnuts.

Using a sheet of plastic wrap, form dough into two logs, each 2 inches in diameter and about 12 inches long. As dough will be quite soft, use plastic wrape to hold dough in log shape. Wrap tightly; refrigerate at least 1 hour or until firm. (Dough may be frozen; thaw in refrigerator before proceeding with recipe.)

Heat oven to 375°F.

Unwrap dough; with sharp knife, cut into 3/4-inch slices. Place slices 1 1/2 inches apart on greased or parchment-lined cookie sheet.

Bake 12 to 14 minutes or until shiny crust forms on top but interior is still soft.

Cool on baking sheet; store in airtight tin up to 1 week.

Susan's Note:

DH made these cookies today, and to say they were a huge hit with the family would be the biggest understatement ever!

Will Wonders Never Cease?

Can you believe it..........the VA actually followed up with ME yesterday, instead of the other way around!

DH has fasting blood work next week, and then a visit to his new VA doctor the following week (i.e. two weeks from today).

That will be about 7 weeks after his last appointment, so we will see what the effect of his new diet (but still no exercise, alas!) has been on his weight and blood sugar levels. He's down about 5 lbs. (me, too!)

Yesterday a dear friend told me she'd hate to be in my shoes (dealing with a stroke victim on a 24/7 basis). What's funny is I'd hate to be in HER shoes (she has MS!)

Isn't is the truth -- your burdens are always easier to bear than someone else's!

MIA

Sorry I've been missing-in-action lately.

The daily saga with DH's health continues.

After two incredibly bad weekends (with him not feeling up-to-par) and his foul moods peaked on Tuesday, when his blood pressure dropped to 80/60. (Normally with a bag full of meds, his BP runs 140/80).

It was an inconvenient as could be, with me being the only one in the office and it being the final day of the month, with billing to be done after 5pm.

But there we were, on the line with the VA for nearly an hour trying to talk to a nurse and then trying to get an appointmen (after an hour on the phone I was told he should be seen in the ER).

So off to the VA we went. Admitted to the ER where, after an IV, an EKG, and another ultrasound on the carotid arteries, they came up with...........nothing!

The good news is they couldn't find a reason for the drop in BP.

The bad news is they couldn't find a reason for the drop in BP.

And so goes the story of life after a stroke.