Happy Tuesday! Belated happy, joyous birthday wishes to Patti! It's sure strange here - all of us facing tough battles. I'm sending positive energy to everyone in need, including your friends and family who are toughing it through some tremendous hardships. May God bless them all, and you too. It's been crazy busy for me. Lots of planting up my plants into bigger pots, still starting seeds on my wire greenhouse stand that I have inside my craft room against a patio door. Been potting up tomato plants that are now blooming and have started forming tomatoes. They are indoor plants - I'm stealing big window space in the hall to grow them on. I'm starting new tomato seedlings over the next month for the outdoor garden - 3rd week in May for me - zone 5a Ontario. Sunday had one hell of a scare. Had to call 911 for DH. I can't recall if I spoke of this or not last Sunday - he had severe dizziness, nausea, vision blacking out and had to lie down. They ruled everything out at the hospital and concluded it must have been a severe bout of vertigo. The only thing they could not explain was the fact that for the first 1 1/2 hours his blood pressure was all over the map into dangerously high levels. A few hours later it calmed right back down to his normal range of 117/65. His family doctor has experienced him having bouts of very weird blood pressure to the point of having dangerous levels and then back down to his normal low. No one can explain that. They did find from the cat scan the beginning of plaque in his neck arteries. Family doc has had his legs scanned at the heart clinic - again the nurse was baffled because of his low blood pressure and he did not seem to be a high risk - but we are waiting for that assessment from last week to get to his doc. Abnormal seems to be our normal - not fitting the textbook standards is the same for both of us. So I have to admit to a few days of horrid eating - carbs, cookies and just plain ol' hungry. Not looking back I started damage control yesterday and have dropped 2 of the 4 pounds I put on. It will come off as it was just my tummy showing those few pounds - plus that stuff I ate probably had salt in it (don't normally use much salt). Spring is here - it's a cool one as forecasted. Fine for me because I have lots of garden beds to put in. I prefer the cool weather when flipped, busting up and raking new beds. I don't over heat that way. I'm still here, just really busy right now. Hang in there everyone. My heart is with you. Don't forget your needs while supporting family and friends. If you can think ahead and prepare some grab'n'go foods/snacks and water you won't be stuck at vending machines or canteen stops. LOL to everyone, Peggy

Hi all! Another MIA checking inÂand hoping that everyone is doing great! I havenÂt been here since my FIL died in late June, as I came down with a "C Diff" infection the night after his funeral. Rog found me unconscious on the bathroom floor and took me to the ER, and I really donÂt remember anything about that night or July 4th. I was in for 3 days, and was deathly sick for the next 2 weeks. (I did lose 23 pounds during this time, thoughÂnasty way to do it!) IÂm OK at this point, but everyoneÂseriouslyÂthe CDC in Atlanta has issued warnings that this could be an epidemic, and the mortality rate has doubled. Since I donÂt want to squick anyone out, please do a google on "C Diff", and remember to wash your hands, and this is very contagious. The next thing that has went on with me is that not only was I praying for Demerol or death while I was in the hospital, I have found that I am a diabetic. Great. Just screaming great. My sugar level was 453 when I went to the ER. (OKÂwellÂI was on prednisone during this time b/c I ended up in the ER the night FIL died with a horrible rash all over my behind and legs, and come to find out it was a reaction that I had to a spider bite a week prior. I was diagnosed with Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) which normally occurs in young boys (yes, I laugh at f@rt jokes, maybe this is payback!) and steroids are the usual treatment for it. It can be serious, and lead to kidney problems, but the chances are small.) So, between the stress (GAD!), the steroids, the ridiculously bad eating habits IÂve developed, IÂm not surprised that my sugar was that high. I didnÂt have any of the usual signs, i.e. excessive thrist, excessive urination, etc but here I am. I am following drÂs orders, but man! I want some sweet iced tea!! AndÂI had to drop out of school for the time being. Which just frustrates me to no end, but whaddya do? When it rains, it pours! So, that it why I havenÂt been here, or anywhere else for that matter. Things are slowly getting back to normal, and things will be good once again. RaeanneÂwhat auction? I wish I was there, IÂd love to call it for you! SuzanneÂI love that pic! WeÂre going to try to grow garlic this fall, so any advice is appreciated! BJÂhugs, my sister! Still busy as ever, I see! DeeÂnew car? What kind? Has anyone heard from Amy or John? Has Patti posted lately? Hope all is well with everyone! Love and hugs, Maddie

PULLED PORK 1 Pork Butt Roast (I cut into large cubes and defat as much as I can before cooking.) Rub down with your favorite spices. I use: ½ T salt, 1 T paprika, 1 t. dry mustard, ¼ t. ginger, 1/2 tsp. garlic powder and pepper to taste. (I put the cubes in a zip-loc bag, add the spices and shake.) Cook overnight in crock-pot. In the morning when it is still warm, you can shred with a knife and fork. The meat is so tender, the fat and bones just fall away. Mix with BBQ sauce of your choice. Here is an alternate rub, that can be made in quantity and used several times. Barbecue Rub: 1 cup chili powder 3 tablespoons paprika 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried) 2 tablespoons sea salt 2 tablespoons garlic powder 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper 2 tablespoons ground cumin 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper Place all ingredients in a large bowl, whisk to combine. Store in an airtight container at room temperature. Makes 2 cups. NHSuzanne - I make my own BBQ sauce, but when in a pinch, I will use store bought. Can't remember what kind I buy, since I usually just make it. I do usually use the Pork Butt, but last time I went to Costco and bought a rolled roast and used that. I didn't have time to fool with defatting the pork butt and I was making large quantities for company. Some fat is good for flavor, but the health conscious part of me, just can't leave all that fat on the meat. I am making zucchini brownies to take camping (they put me in charge of dessert) and a banana cake. The brownies are in the oven and I am off to mix up the cake. I figured I got a vegetable and a fruit covered in the desserts! LOL Hope everyone has a great weekend. Marci

hi! Checking in. I'm taking my DD out for her first driving lesson this morning at dawn's early light. Wish me luck. I've been practicing "calm" all night long! DeeMarie: Vegas? I love Vegas! When are you going? LUCKY wishes for you! Tikanas: Glad to hear SB (South Beach) is relatively easy. I have found I'm not having any trouble yet, nor is DD, but DH is asking for Bugles and OJ! He is REALLY having a hard time (carboholic) and has had terrible nightmares every night since cutting out the carbs---I wonder why? Really! If anyone knows anyone else who has experienced this, please let me know what happened after they cleaned their system out---will it get better for him? Only the shadow knows.... I hope you get your appetite back, T. We are all pulling for you. Starting my figurative scupture class at the local college today. I am really challenged in that area, so this ought to be an exercise in teaching for my teacher---lol. Jen: Did you get my email w/ Maddie's addy? I want the roasted cauliflower soup recipe, Raeanne! While I was flying home, I read a good recipe for clam soup - no cream - and we tried it the other night. DH and I liked it a lot. I made a small batch, but tomorrow, I'll make a larger one, then post the recipe. NHSuzanne, once again, the end of the month and I'm thinking heavily about you and your deadlines. Hope they went okay. I bet you are going to ride your heart out and breathe in the great outdoors this weekend! We'll wait to hear of your adventures! Hi to everyone else. Hope Magic Kitty and Patti and Dave are doing okay in FL! Be good to yourself and your bod! :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) *** beginning 4th day of South Beach - I'll add a star tomorrow if I get through this BBQ party tonight!