For What It's Worth


Wednesday, February 5, 2020

Currently–February



Currently is hosted by Anne from In Residence

I was going to skip this because I'm just feeling overwhelmed right now. As most of you know, Fonzi made it through a pretty serious surgery (with a high mortality rate) wonderfully! Now, a month later, he has pancreatitis - which can be very serious. He was at the ER for 2 days and he's basically frying my nerves and breaking my bank account 😱

Fingers crossed he keeps improving and doesn't have a re-occurrence (which is common for the type of surgery he had and his breed).

So anyway - I decided this is precisely why I needed to do this post and try to keep my brain from spiraling into negativity.


Loving: My fireplace. We've had a few cool nights and even a few inches of snow and being able to flip on my (gas) fireplace and hide under the covers makes me all cozy & happy.

Embracing: What life is throwing at me. It seems like it's been one thing after another. I don't like it but it's happening and I have no choice but to deal and find the small things that I do love - like walks in the park, winter clothes, soup and catching up on all the movies I've missed. I'm struggling with this one but trying.


Tasting: Soups and stews. I've been using my Instant Pot a lot and have made chicken & dumplings a few times. It's always so warm and comforting. And I tried a new recipe using the slow cook setting - Korean-Style Soft Tofu Stew (Soondubu Jjigae). It's super easy and is a little different than the same old soup because it has kimchi and tofu. And mini blueberry scones. Kevin has had to take a few work trips that have him getting up too early to stop for coffee & scones - so I made these to take to tie him over until he can get a real meal.

Wearing: I got to pull out the snow boots! I bought these on clearance in FL several years ago and this is the first time I've gotten to wear them. And look what a pretty print they make in the snow! (that's Fonzi's little paw print next to mine).


Preparing: We prepared our taxes - does that count? lol And seemingly constantly preparing something for Fonzi - medicine, food - it's all day affair starting at 6am until 11pm that actually requires a spreadsheet (the vet sent him home with it and I LOVE)

What are you Loving, Embracing, Tasting, Wearing & Preparing this month?

45 comments:

  1. Sorry to hear about Fonzie ((HUGS)) to you, Kevin, Figgy, and Fonzie. Thinking good thoughts for you all. I used to love visiting my aunt and getting her to put on the fireplace. We had one in three of the homes I lived in growing up, but my parents are like polar bears, and never lit them, not once! I love soup and the ones you made sound amazing.

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    1. Thanks Sam.

      Kevin loves the cold but I'm winning this winter lol I'm not sure I would have used it if I had to stack firewood and all that but flipping the switch for instant heat and coziness works lol

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  2. Oh no, poor Fonzi! As if you all haven't been through enough. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he recovers ok. I love those prints from your snow boots...how cute! I'm doing a lot of the making soups at the moment. I hate vegetables but if I blend them up into thick liquid and add a few spices and stock cubes, I quite like them! The latest concoction is tomato, corn and mixed beans and it really warns up the internal workings!

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    1. Yeah - I thought we made it past the complication window. And we did but...knew problem lol

      I didn't realize I had a print on my sole until I was coming back up the stairs lol

      I LOVE veggies but I'm glad you found a way to sneak them in that you enjoy.

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  3. I'm so sorry to hear about Fonzie, and I can just imagine that you're hurting too. I've had two friends who had pancreatitis and they told me the pain was excruciating as they went through the healing process. I sure wish I could teleport over to you so we can hang out in front of the fireplace with some yummy treats and drinks with a good book. Sending lots of hugs to you and your family and Fonzie. RO

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    1. I know people get it but I had never known anyone who did - but since this - your the third person who said they knew someone. It looks super painful.

      I wish you could teleport! It's very cozy here at night.

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  4. Glad that you are embracing all that life throws at you and are tasting all those soups and stews ... Mr T's veg soup and dumplings are quite simply divine.

    I hope Fonzi is doing OK. I can remember all too well the regime of food and medication, medication and food. The spread sheet sounds like a good idea though.

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    1. I had never had dumplings so they were a great discovery lol

      I love the spreadsheet. It's pretty overwhelming when they just hand you all the bottles and all the medicines need to be stored and given differently.

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  5. Aw hang in there! I'm sorry to hear about Fonzi- hopefully he makes a full recovery, poor guy. Sounds like you're taking great care of him though! And I agree, soups and stews are the best in wintry weather. Total comfort food. :)

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    1. We're starting to eliminate a few drugs so my spreadsheet schedule is getting smaller lol Hopefully he does well without them.

      There are a few things I like about the colder weather (very few lol) and stews/soups,winter clothes are a few of them.

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    1. Me too Mary! The constant worry is wearing me down lol

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  7. Keeping Fonzi in my prayers and sending warm thoughts your way!
    I've been really loving my fireplace lately as well, it's my favorite spot in the house lol!

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    1. Thank you :-)

      I love it even if it's only for 5 minutes to take the chill off.

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  8. A gas fireplace sounds lovely. My mom has been talking about converting her fireplace to gas but it sounds like it’s going to be cost prohibitive. I hope Fonzie keeps doing better. {{hugs}}

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    1. We looked at a few houses that had a regular fireplace and I doubt I would have used them but I love the gas. Just flip a switch lol

      Thanks - I thought we were all clear after a month post surgery but nope.

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    1. Do you know what it is?? I can't imagine you haven't herd of it lol Or maybe it's a US obsession.

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  10. Ugh! I just received a few things in the mail and know it's time to start getting things together for taxes too. I haven't been using my instapot this winter - thanks for the reminder. Hope you have a great week!

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    1. The IP is the best thing in the winter! I use it all the time for grains but that winter comfort food is so simple in it.

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  11. Aw, hope your pup is doing better! And I hope a chance to take stock of some other things in life was comforting, or at least a good distraction... I'm loving my gas fire place right now too :)

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    1. It's hard to remember the good things when you're stressed but this was a good chance to do just that.

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  12. I really hope that Fonzi is doing okay, that has to be incredibly difficult for you all. I also did my taxes, and then was told I have to wait almost 2 months for the refund because "laws" so. Love the snow boot print picture!

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    1. 2 months??? I wonder why. I think mine should be deposited soon - or so I thought lol

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  13. I hope that Fonzi feels better soon. That spreadsheet is intense, but that's awesome the doctor gave it to you - makes taking care of your baby a bit easier! Ooh love the print of your snow boots in the snow. Very pretty! I'm always trying to embrace the good things in my life, whether they are small or bigger. :)

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. I usually make a checklist when I get home but this spreadsheet is SO much easier. We're starting to wean him off the meds so fingers crossed.

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  14. Mini blueberry scones - what a delight they would be on a winter afternoon! In front of the (gas) fireplace...yes!! I love ours! So sorry that Fonzi has had so many struggles...here's to a better week ahead!

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    1. They're my new favorite snack. I make a 1/2 batch and keep a few for myself and send the rest with my husband for a snack on his road trips.

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  15. I love this! Poor little Fonzi. I hope he is all better soon. The print from your boot is adorable and I love Fonzi's little footprint. Chicken and dumpling plus blueberry scones...yummy! I hope you are having a good week!

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    1. I was so surprised by my boot print. I was like ...oh look how cute! Oh that's from me lol

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  16. I'm sorry Fonzi is struggling so much. I hope he gets better soon <3 Fireplaces are so nice. I'm glad you're finding ways to stay cozy!

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    1. It seems to be an ongoing thing ...so stressful.But he's holding steady.

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  17. Oh no, Karen, I am so sorry that Fonzi is still having issues. I know how stressful that is and how much it drags you down mentally and physically. I hope he is on the mend. I am glad you are making the adjustment to life in the Pacific NW. Winters are long, but hang in there, spring is right around the corner. You got this!

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    1. Oddly enough, the winter isn't really bothering me. I could be so preoccupied with Fonzi that I'm not noticing lol My house is on a hill though and we get at least 1 hour of sun each day - even if it's just the sun setting so that helps me so much.

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  18. I'm sorry it's rough with Fonzi at the moment but I'm glad he's recovering from the Pancreatitis! I sympathise with the strain on the bank account though... When our Freya was on palliative care (and before she reached that point!) our bank account was haemorrhaging cash. Furry family members are not cheap, especially when they reach a certain age. :(

    I love soups and stews this time of year. It's been a long time since I experimented with new recipes but talk of the chicken and dumplings has me curious! We normally go beef stew with dumplings. :)

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    1. Yeah - that intensive care is EXPENSIVE. Ate our whole tax refund. And this is after all the testing and surgery costs so aghhhh!!!

      This was the first time I had even eaten dumplings but I'm a fan! lol I'll try them with beef stew. That sounds delish.

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  19. I'm happy to hear that you're trying to be positive and it works! And I hope that Fonzi's health will get better and better soon!

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    1. I'm trying. I could feel myself spiraling back down to how I was when I first moved here. I'm going with the fake it till you make it philosophy atm lol

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  20. I'm sorry to hear about Fonzi. I hope he starts to get better soon and makes a full recovery.

    I miss having a fireplace. Nothing beat having it going while my furbabies curled up around it, as I cuddled on the couch and read a book.

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    1. He's been much better the past few days and I'm hoping ti all continues!

      I haven't had a fireplace since I was a kid and I do love it!

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  21. My first time reading your blog. Sorry to hear about Fonzi. May God put his loving arms of protection around you and your family.

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    1. Thank you for taking the time to stop by and for your kind words :-)

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  22. Life can definitely throw a lot of things at us at once. I have been following all of your updates on twitter and I am glad to hear that Fonzi is only getting better ^.^

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