Birthdays, Homecomings, Dog Bites, Oh My!

I've been posting on my other blog about my experiences with cancer. Today, I am not really in a 'cancer reporting' type of mood. And I am in the mood to write. So, posting here today.

Friday, November 4th, was the 18th birthday of my eldest son., Chris. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHRIS!!!! Since it was Homecoming weekend at his school, it's been difficult to find a time to plan a family celebration. And get this; Chris didn't even want to celebrate at a restaurant! Of my children, he is the most considerate. That, I will not deny. He knows it's difficult for me to get around and money is tight, but that's no excuse. He's 18! He gets to celebrate! So, in accordance with his wishes, I am making River Hash, rolls, and salad for dinner tonight. And naturally, we have a birthday cake. I'll share the River Hash recipe at the bottom of this post.

Friday night he was going to see Harald and Kumar but ended up staying at home. He's not really into football and wasn't interested in going to the homecoming game. Then yesterday he took two, yes two, girls to the Homecoming Dance. Both of them are named Alexx. Picture is below.  Isn't my baby such a stud muffin? I think so! They went to dinner at Outback Steakhouse and enjoyed the dance till around midnight.

Tonight we get to celebrate his birthday with a family dinner. Even Cassie is coming for dinner! And speaking of Cassie...

Dog-bit again. Back in January she was attacked by a dog while defending her girlfriend. The dog, a pitbull, did some pretty serious damage though Cassie opted out of seeing the doctor. This week, one of her roommates brought a stray into the apartment which is already occupied by a dog. Well, the stray and the homey took issue with each other, and Cassie and one of her roomies tried to break up the fight. Cassie got the bum end of the deal. Her right arm is covered with deep scratches, and some puncture wounds from where the stray got a hold of her. And her right leg? The stray got a good grip on that leg and you can clearly see the bite marks, many of which were puncture wounds. So, off to Solantic, and a tetanus shot and several stitches later she was on her way back home. The stray? Is impounded and under observation. Hopefully, very hopefully, Cassie won't have to undergo the Rabies series. We should know within the week. Cassie and dogs. They don't get along.

As for me? I'm still house-bound. Still working part-time from home. I've got 2nd and 3rd degree burns on my leg, and I am not allowed in the workplace until they heal. That said, I'm flexing all the time to keep the scar tissue at bay. Which is painful. Very painful. So, no walks with the dog. The leg can't handle it right now. And as an emotional eater, I'm just not ready to start Weight Watcher's. My emotions are everywhere right now. On the plus side? I am thankful I have my family (immediate and extended), my job, a wonderful boss, books, and plenty to keep me busy while sedentary.

What I'm looking forward to right now is movie #4 of the Twilight Saga. Yup! I'm one of those Twilight junkies. And I'm going to the midnight showing! With Cassie and her girlfriend! Can't wait! And a month later? The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo!

River Hash
1 lb. hamburger meat
1 package crispy crowns tater tots
1 can Mushroom Soup
1 can (use the Mushroom soup can) milk
1 onion
Lawry's Seasoning Salt

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Spray 13x9 pan with Pam. Lay tater tots evenly in bottom of pan.

Chop onion. Saute onion, hamburger meat, and Lawry's salt in large frying pan until meat is cooked through. Add Mushroom soup and milk and mix till well blended.

Pour meat mixture on top of tater tots. Cover pan with aluminum foil. Cook in oven for 1 hour. Uncover pan and cook an additional 10 minutes.

Let sit for 15 minutes.

Hint: I typically cook Pillsbury crescent rolls as soon as I take the River Hash out of the oven. When the rolls are done, the River Hash is rested.

Hint 2: Serve with salad.

Awesome meal!

Chris and his Alexx Angels

The true "New Moon"

The second movie of the Twilight series, New Moon, was released this weekend. Millions around the world went to see it. Critics panned the movie; the series in fact. The vast majority of the moviegoers loved it.

I've been pondering just what is it that keeps so many people, rather women ranging in age from 10 through 99, so entranced with the books and the movies. I have to admit that I, too, can be counted among those millions. And I've come up with a theory. One that the more I consider it, the more I really do believe is fact - at least for me.

The Twilight series is an otherworldly take of Shakespeare's tragic love story Romeo and Juliet. Edward is Romeo, the prince of Vampires while Bella is Juliet, the princess of Humans. Just by their very nature they are doomed in their love. Vampires and Humans are, and always have been, mortal enemies. Yet they have a love that bridges the taboos of their respective worlds. Why is that? My take? They are soul mates - which in and of itself, answers the question that meanders throught the series; do vampires have souls? Well, they've got to! Edward is bound by something even more powerful than the vampire and human worlds can break, and that is his soul can only be completed with his perfect mate - Bella. And Bella is human. Which funnily enough, answers a very human, and age old, question, do humans have souls? Again, they've got to! Because Bella can only be completed - whole - when she is with Edward.

The difference between the Twilight series and Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is that Edward and Bella's ending is happy. They manage to bridge the chasm separating them and their worlds, and in the process, they merge the worlds together (let's not argue that point when we read the 4th book of the series and find out that biworldly folks have existed for eons).

As we all know, Romeo and Juliet is one of the most romantic stories in existence. And my I be bold enough to say that the Twilight series ranks among them. Women love romance, and Twilight is filled with it. And that is why I think the books and the movies are so popular. They fill a feminine need to be loved unconditionally, protected unconditionally, wanted (at all times) unconditionally, protected unconditionally.

In the real world, our significant others love us, but it's just not the same.

• When we have fights it's for less noble selfish reasons. Edward's reasons for getting angry at Bella are because she won't keep herself out of harm's way. In my world, my husband gets angry at me for forgetting to pay a bill.
• We get tired of being with our significant others - they get on our nerves. Bella and Edward can't get enough of being in each other's presence. They never tire of just being together for the sake of being together.
• Occasionally, we tell each other we love each other, even when we don't mean it. Edward and Bella mean it when they say it - always.
• Often, we are on our own when life gets difficult. When I'm shopping and I'm confronted by a difficult situation, my husband isn't going to drop everything to come to my rescue. Edward lives to rescue Bella. She is is first and only agenda.

In short, Edward's and Bella's relation is the relationship many, of not all women, long for. A man (or woman) to put me and my happiness at the zenith of his (or her) existence.  Were I to have a man like that loving me, you betcha I'd be loving him back just as passionately!

But instead, I am married to a man who puts softball above my needs and wants. That said, I seriously doubt he's my soul mate. Doubt? Know! Is there a soul mate somewhere in the world for me? I hope so! A love even fractionally similar to that of the fictional characters Edward and Bella is worth pursuing. And pursuing I am!