So much has changed in the past 4 weeks. Actually, when I think about everything my mind gets jumbled and I have to go to sleep. I sleep all the time. I don’t know if it’s my body‘s way of healing… Or hiding. When I’m awake, the majority of my time isn’t spent in sadness or anger. It is spent on researching vitamins, exercises, and healthy recipes. It’s spent puttering around the house trying to help Ninja. It’s spent listening to my Girls tell me about their day.
One thing that hasn’t changed, the enormous amount of support and love from my family and friends that I have received and continue to receive!
HBear is continuously filling my water bottle and checking on me like a little mother hen. It’s adorable and so loving. SBean is always trying to make me laugh and gives me the bestest cuddles. I get a daily text from my Dad asking how I am and he brought me the most beautiful yellow Calla lilies to bring sunshine into my day! His girlfriend, J, always sends cute messages to cheer me up and her and her mom baked me a few loaves of banana bread, knowing how much I love it 😊.
My Uncle called and almost all my cousins have messaged and sent love. Ninja’s Aunts sent me the sweetest card and a little Angel to watch over me 💛.
My SIL and even my ex SSIL have checked in on me regularly and my Sister… Oh my Sister 💗. Even though she has gone through hell this week, she continues to FaceTime me and send reassurances daily. They have been struggling to move from their rental unit into their new home before the keys needed to be passed over on January 31. The plan was for us to help but… this weekend my Sis tested positive for Covid. Dad and Ninja cleared out the rental unit for them but were unable to enter the new house because of this new roadblock. She looks and sounds like hell but thank goodness she is triple vaxxed and should be back up on her feet in no time ❤️.
This weekend I was bombarded in the absolute best way! Over the years I have made wonderful friends. In fact, I have almost daily check-in’s from my WpgBesty who has been my BFF since kindergarten! In fact, from friends from my childhood, to my teenage years, to new friends here, and even from my podcasting world… have really been there for during this difficult time. When HBear was in elementary school she had a group of 8 girls that were best friends. Although they’re all still friendly, they’ve all gone their separate ways throughout middle school. Some went to different schools, some moved away, some are in the same classes but have developed new friendships but one thing stayed the same, the love I have for each of their Moms. The messages I get…
You don’t need to reply, I don’t need to know how things are going, I just want you to know that you are loved.
I’m just here to keep reminding me that you are important. You are loved.
Like I can’t even! And then on Saturday I receive a gorgeous self care basket full of beautiful and wonderful things like a Turkish towel, a wonderful smelling candle, a gorgeous coffee mug, snacks, magazines, sparkling cider, flowers and beautiful bath items to make me feel loved and special 💛.
While I was part of SBean’s preschool, I met another group of caring, unique and amazing women. They too have been sending me encouraging messages just when I need it most. They understand chronic pain and mom guilt and remind me almost daily to let that shit go.
I never let me illness stop me is a harmful narrative. Sometimes chronic issues DO stop you. And you shouldn’t be made to feel guilty about it. Period.
I honestly don’t know how I have been so fortunate to collect these wonderful groups of friends from all these different avenues in life. One of the incredible women in this particular group dropped off a wellness basket this weekend that was filled with everything a newly diagnosed MS person could need! Turmeric, green tea face creams, vitamins, snacks, wine!, & puzzles to keep my brain sharp 💛!
I feel so lucky! I had just finished the delicious almonds and fantastic magazines that my GiftedBestie had dropped off earlier in the month when I had a mysterious illness… Before we knew… Before everything changed.
How lucky am I? Could I be any luckier? Oh, I can and I am. Ninja.
This man is my everything 💗. He has been beyond supportive, loving, tender, reassuring, and has made me feel safe during this entire time of the unknown. He has been mom and dad without one complaint. He has kept the house up, done the grocery shopping (even during Points Days 😂), and made us delicious dinners… He even tries to take pictures for the blog! He has kept his sense of humour and has done it all while making it look so easy! Getting the kids to school, making their lunches, signing permission slips, volunteering for SBean’s skating classes, getting them to dance, laundry, making sure I’m eating and drinking, keeping on top of my doctor’s appointments and generally just keeping us all safe and sane while dealing with a brand new puppy 😳😂😂😂.
I honestly don’t know how to say thank you. I am a very independent person and I hate to ask for help so this dependence is all new to me 😂. How grateful I am to all my family and friends, well I just don’t have the words to express my gratitude 💛. Thank you. Thank you to each person who has sent their well wishes. Thank you to everyone who has kept me and my family in their thoughts. Thank you to everyone who has checked in, sent love, prayed for us, and has provided the support I need to help me through this flare up. I appreciate each one of you. Thank you 💛.
Check out How Was Your Week, Honey? Episode #261: BC Song Bracket Modern HERE! This week, we complete the 2nd half of our BC song showdown – with tracks recorded in 1994 or later. Topics: no booze, cost of healthcare, missing items & favourite Canadian bands live.
It has been difficult menu planning these past few weeks. I have no idea what is in my kitchen! It is not a nice feeling 😒. Our weeknight dinners are weird because of dance, 1 day the meal needs to have enough for leftovers so HBear can have it later in the week when she has an early schedule. 1 day it has to be easy enough to take to the studio for SBean to eat on her 45 minute break between classes. Most dinners need to be before 4:30 so that we can eat together as a family at the table before the Girls run off to their activities. It’s a lot for 1 person, who isn’t used to the schedule to just jump in! Ninja is doing it like a BOSS! This week he made a delicious 1 pot dinner that was easy enough to get done early, that would transport to the studio easily AND was good enough for HBear’s leftover dinner later in the week! PLUS he took pictures as he went. Best. Husband. EVER 💕.
Easy Peasy Taco Mac & Cheesy
Adapted from Maebells
1 pound ground beef
1 can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can corn, drained
1 cup beef broth
1 cup milk
1 can tomato sauce
2 tablespoons taco seasoning
1 1/2 cup elbow noodles
1 1/2 cup Mexican cheese, shredded
In a large skillet or dutch oven, brown the beef over medium heat. Drain grease.
Add the tomatoes, broth, milk, tomato sauce, corn and taco seasoning.
Increase heat to medium high until the mixture begins to simmer.
Stir in noodles, cover and allow to cook for 20-25 minutes.
When noodles are tender, stir in shredded cheese.
