Fun in the 'sac

Have I mentioned that we scored the neighbor jackpot?  'Cause we did.  Man, we absolutely adore our neighbors and seriously love just hanging out in our 'sac and chatting at night while all the kids run around and play.  It's my favorite thing and it blows me away when I think about how we all randomly landed not only in this neighborhood, but also in the same cul-d-sac.  It's amazing.

We went out with a bunch of our neighbors last weekend to celebrate two of their birthdays, Jay and Swati's, to Solace in Encinitas.  Unfortunately this is the only group shot I have of us (from my iPhone) and our eyes are all creepy, I think we look like fembots.  But we're way hotter, of course.

On Sunday, it was glorious and we were hanging out chatting while the kids played, and next thing you know, it turned into an impromptu block party in the 'sac.  Suddenly there were like 20 of us, it was great.  I love our 'hood!

The (long overdue) health update

Well, here it is.  Not alotta happening since the last time I posted on my health, so I think I've been avoiding rehashing a non-topic, or beating a dead horse.

It's essentially been about 6 weeks of the same symptoms - I feel incredibly stuck, frustrated and hopeless sometimes, but I am trying really hard to remain as positive as I can and mindful of the fact that this is still temporary.  It's such a mind-game, but I'm trying to focus on the now and what "is" as opposed to worrying about the future, possible outcomes and my job.  Trust me, it's a daily exercise in mindfulness and positive self-talk because my mind quickly goes to the "what if" bad place and it's no good.

I think part of what is so challenging is around 6 weeks ago, I had a decent 2 weeks with mild symptoms and I was noticing some improvement, so I really started getting my hopes up.  I started really mentally gearing up for returning to work, I got all excited and frankly, got really hopeful.  When the next vertigo hit at night, I crashed and burned dizzy-wise and I haven't had improvement since, so it's been hard emotionally just having more of the same when I've had a taste of the "good life".  I know logically I can get back there again, but it's so hard when it's all out of my control and I have no idea what even caused the improvement OR the setback.

I guess the good thing that IS different is me.  I'm so much better at moving on and refusing to let my symptoms dictate my life.  Now when I'm feeling like crap I still do whatever I had planned to do for the day, and I keep my routines of working out, cooking and hanging in the 'hood, all of which make me feel happy and productive.  No matter how I'm feeling, I never turn down offers from people to come by and visit or any social events...and all of those are things make me so happy! Hell, being dizzy and feeling like crap, surrounded by people I love (which makes of course keeps me distracted and happy) WAY beats just sitting at home on the couch focusing on how dizzy I am. Ultimately, this whole experience will pass and I'd hate to look back on this time and feel like it stole a chunk of time from me - instead I'm just so grateful I'm moving forward and enjoying life, even though it's taken a different path right now.

I'm heading back to the OtoNeurologist tomorrow for another chair ride, which surprisingly, I'm really looking forward to because I'm feeling so awful right now.  We're also going to review my lab work and look at those other treatment options to see if there really is an autoimmune component to this whole thing.  Will post next week with updates, but for now there are some fun blog posts pending over the next several days that I already did but scheduled in the future.  It's advanced blogginess.  Her royal bloggess here.  Be impressed, be very impressed. 

As always with my health updates, I like to end on a laugh and this clip has absolutely SLAYED me this week - I've probably watched it 15 times and laughed so hard I've given myself a headache.  Please to enjoy goats yelling like humans.  My fave is the 2nd dude and the last 2.  Would it be rude to insinuate the little brown guy in the barn is "special?"

ROW - the George's Smoked Chicken Soup Edition

Somehow my book club buddy Catherine scored the recipe to George's On The Cove (to you non-locals, a delicious and gorgeous restaurant right on the, we'll, cove, but I'm thinking you already figured that part out) famous Smoked Chicken Soup. It's creamy slurpy deliciousness and I made it earlier this week.

It's surprisingly easy particularly because I cheated and did NOT smoke my own chicken (I mean really, who has that kind of time?) and instead just shredded a rotisserie chicken from Ralph's. bam.

Anyhoo, super easy and delicious though I'll go lighter on the butter next time, yikes. The food critic on the couch next to me surprised the hell out of me by eating it for several days of leftovers... And raved about it each time which tells you something. That's just downright unprecedented around these parts. Score!!!

More Aussie Pics - Daintree Rainforest!!

Well, Shielas and Bruces, it's time for more Aussie pics!  I'm sad to say there's only going to be 2 more posts after this...and I've stretched out the fun as long as possible.  No word back from Ellen, guess we didn't win the free Aussie trip - wah!

Anyhoo, I can honestly say the Daintree Rainforest is one of my favorite places on the entire planet.  It was so GORGEOUS - so lush and green and tropical and hugged the coast so it had amazing coastline views as well.  In addition the beautiful scenery, though, it just had such a presence.  I felt so calm and peaceful there, and Rob and I had some amazing experiences in some sacred Aboriginal spots during our stay.

It helped that we were staying in such an incredible place in an Eco Lodge in the heart of the rainforest, surrounded by sounds of the thousands of birds and insects...it just felt so healing and serene.  My favorite thing was sitting on our screened in patio and drinking coffee together quietly, just listening to the rainforest.

 

 

 

 

One day, we ventured out to the Mossman Gorge and swam in several sacred billabongs...it was surprisingly chilly but really fun!  There was no one else around, it felt very "Swiss Family Robinson" and really cool - we had such a fun day.

 Thank goodness we swam BEFORE we saw a gnarly poisonous snake...I shrieked like a little girl and had to go running past that sucker as he reared back - yikes!!!

 SNAKE!!!!!

 The other thing we did that was super cool was go on a boat down the Daintree River and we saw an ancient croc - they estimate his age to be around 70 years old, if you can believe it!  They nicknamed him Scarface for obvious reasons, boyfriend could use some Mederma.  Crazy thing, though, he has NO teeth left, which unfortunately left me to ask the boat captain how he survives - we heard the horrible story of how he still eats by crushing his prey and just the week before, a boat tour had watched in horror as he literally ripped the head off a cow drinking water from the river.  Um, thank you GOD that we weren't on that tour - not sure I would have such fond memories of the rainforest...pretty sure I'd still be in rehab if that was the case.  In fact, I kinda want to go now with just that visual image.  Blech.

Anyhoo, here's all of our pics of Daintree - so amazing.  Enjoy!!

ROW- the fettuccine bolognese edition

Girlfriend Rachel Ray came through this week with a delicious vegetarian take on a bolognese sauce. I admit, this was an easy recipe but definitely a labor of love, it took about an hour so there's that. Worth it, though, it was so rich and delicious and surprisingly healthy!! I used whole wheat fettuchini and even though it calls for whole milk, I used skim and couldn't taste a difference, it was so rich.  Or, maybe that was the wine talking.  Any recipe that calls for wine always makes for a happy chef...know what I'm saying?  A little bit for the recipe, and then a little bit for the chef...and etc.

Which makes me remember Ab Fab when they go wine tasting..  "This is the one, no, this is the one".  "Someone's taken the steering wheel!"

Anyhoo, back to the recipe.  The food critic next to me said it was "delicious" and wants it again but as always said it could use some sausage. Haha!!!

More Aussie pics - Kurranda

Ok ok, now it's been 2 months since we got home from Australia.  I know - but isn't it way more fun this way?  It's like a little dose of chocolate or other happy treat spread out over time.

The last time we left you, loyal viewers, we were in Green Island.  When we left by ferry, we landed in Cairns and rented another rental car (since by this point Rob was such a pro driving on the wrong side of the road...go boo!)  We had such a great day, took a skyrail up to Kurranda which stopped along the way at Barron Falls - absolutely gorgeous views of the ocean, GBR and Rainforest!

Cassowary attack!!!

After walking around and enjoying the falls, we took the ancient railway down.  Fun idea, but it was a screechy shaky ride all the way down.  Cool concept, though.

 The dude across from us took his shoes off.  Let's ask Rob his opinion on the matter.

Good day!!!

And here's the rest of the pics if interested:

ROW - the Creole Crab Dip and Cajun Deviled Eggs Edition

For our 'nawlins super bowl party, I made New Orleans-style food and I tried out two new recipes, from People magazine again (my source of all info).  Both were huge hits!

The crab dip is crazy creamy fatty deliciousness and reading it alone about clogged my arteries, so I changed the recipe by cutting way back on the butter and putting in low fat cream cheese instead of the regular.  It was AMAZINGLY delicious and a huge hit with the crowd.

 The deviled eggs were so great and this was a fun twist to the plan ol' deviled eggs that we know and love.  I cut back on the spice a bit, not knowing how our guests liked their faces melted off, but next time I make them, I'm totally upping the spice factor to slap-yo-mama heat.  I love those chipotle peppers in adobo sauce...they're crack.  Ooooh, and a little tip to those of you with Trader Joe's - they now sell Cage Free eggs already hardboiled - score!!!

Thank you People, you not only keep me abreast of all my celebrity gossip but you kept my super bowl guests happy and stuffed to the bejesus.

Super Bowl, 'nawlins style!

We had friends over for the Super Bowl and I had made a bunch of fatty fatterson Cajun food 'nawlins style (more on that for ROW)...slurp.  We had a great time with everybody and everyone got beads, free artery clogging...and oh yah, I think there was a game on.

Here's some highlights:

 Here's where our monkeys found my exercise ball - success!

 fun in the loft!!

 

 Carson fell asleep with his Mom's iphone in his hands and a smile on his face....how freakin' cute is that???

 Our furry cheerleader

 At one point, Rob was being chased around the yard...I love how G got in on the fun...so precious.

 

"Mr. Rob" makes it all better when your team is losing.

At the end of the night, somehow we ended up having a dance party in the backyard...not sure how it happened but it happened.  Good times.