Chicken Noodle Soup & the Dr's office

This morning I woke up and thought I should go see my doctor. I thought I should at least see if it was the H1N1 strain of the flu that I had been suffering with. On the way I had the thought to call my friend Tori and ask her to bring me some Chicken Noodle Soup. Immediately I brushed it aside thinking that there was no way I could call my friend and ask her to make me some of her homemade goodness. But the thought came again. So I called. I got her voicemail which is not surprising, she rarely answers her phone. I left a message that said this:

"Hi Tori, this is Darilyn and I was wondering if you could call me back. I have something I want to ask you. If I don't answer it's because I'm at Dr. Hicken's office and have my phone turned off. But leave me a message and I'll call you back. Talk to you soon."

So I proceeded to my doctor's office and checked in. I had been sitting for a few minutes in the waiting room when the door to the patient rooms opened and out walks Tori. I couldn't believe it. I told her I had tried to call her and then gave her my request as I burst into tears. I just couldn't help myself. I felt so pitiful asking for help, and it truly was that, a request for help. My dad and Ladda were supposed to be arriving today and i couldn't tell them to eat cereal like my own children had been eating for dinner for the past 3 days. I needed something more. My body needed something more. And I realized in that moment with Tori that I was really in need. That's why I had the tears. So then Tori tells me that it was already made and that she was going home to grab it and would bring it over shortly. Wait, I thought. It's already made? Yes, she says, I made it last night and we had a bunch left over.

Now I know why Heavenly Father wanted me to call her. It was all ready to go! I love it when I listen to the spirit. And it showed me how mindful Heavenly Father is of me and that he loves me.

By the way, I did not find out if I have H1N1. Apparently the only place you can get tested for that is in the hospital. My doctor said you have to end up in the hospital or die in order to be tested. I told Chris that and he said, "let's try to avoid both of those." That made me smile. All I know is that I haven't been this sick in a long time. I can't even remember the last time I was this sick. It's bad. But I feel a tad bit better tonight than I did this morning or last night so I am hopeful that I am on the upswing of this.

12 on 12 for 12

Yes, this is late. But not really. See, I did actually do all this and take the pictures on the 12th. But they were on my mom's and sister's camera and I had to wait to get the pictures. Because we've been a little busy around here.

On the 12th of October my sister and I were at my mom's helping out knowing that it would be a matter of days before Papa passed away. He ended up passing away the next day.

So here it goes:


I made soft boiled eggs. Ben wanted a soft boiled egg for breakfast that day and I had never made a soft boiled egg before. It turned out just the way he liked it.

I took the garbage out.


I looked in my Entertainment Book to see if there were any coupons good in the Coos Bay area.
I read this book, Coos County the Early Years. I love reading about the early days of Coos Bay, back when it was called Marshfield not Coos Bay.


I went to UPS to mail the Star Wars concert tickets to Chris. I had won them on the radio and was hoping to surprise Chris with them and go together. I was in Coos Bay the night of the concert so I mailed them and he went on a man date with a friend.


I had to go to a Chase bank to make a deposit and the nearest one was in Myrtle Point, 25 miles away. So we went.

On our way back home we stopped in Coquille at this little place to buy some baked potatos for lunch. Odd place to buy a baked potato but I was assured that they were fantastic.

We bought a head of cauliflower while we were there.

I made grilled ham and cheese for lunch. I made it for mom but Ben ended up eating half of hers and I had to make another. He ate really well for a dying man!

The cat and I took a nap.

We met with Hospice. Two social workers came and a nurse.

We went to Penny and Robin's house. They are good friends with my parents.

Surrounded

A small group of family and friends stood around the casket sitting atop it's burial plot with their heads bowed in prayer. The dedicatory prayer began and a few seconds into it I heard it. I wondered if others had heard it as well; the spirits floating through the trees. It was a beautiful sound and not one I will soon forget. I knew in that moment that we were surrounded by not only Ben's spirit but his family and our family as well. Maybe some would not believe what I know I felt. But if you had been there you would know it was true. Why would they not want to be somewhere as beautiful as this place?

Mom, Krista and Me on Papa's burial day.
Allegany Cemetery
October 20th, 2009

Do you know that scene in Sense and Sensibility where their dad has just died and Marianne is playing that incredibly sad song on the piano? It is making her mother cry and Eleanor asks Marianne if she could not play something a little more cheerful? So then Marianne starts playing another song which is just as bad as the last one.

That is the scene in my house right now.

I have arrived home after being gone 5 days. My stepfather passed away on Tuesday. I am home for 24 hours and then I leave again.

Makenzie is playing a very sad classical song on the piano right now. And it's making me cry.

See the similarity?

On a cheery note, I was very happy to see the beautiful faces of my girls and to feel their hugs and even happier to be embraced by my husband. I'll endure the sad music. It's good to hear her playing.

Perfect Portland Playday

Today was one of those days I long for. To be out on the streets of Portland taking in the vibe of some new hip place. It's usually not New but New to me. There are so many of these places that are hidden gems among the streets of Portland.

I love my city...

First place we went was La Bonita, a locale that has been on my list of places to eat for about three years. yeah, I don't get out much. The reviews are outstanding and it's been said it's the place to go for a dang good burrito. We trekked on over to Alberta Street to find this eatery and we were not disappointed.

I ordered the Carne Asada Tacos which came with rice and beans. The rice was good, more than good. It tasted as if it had been cooked the Brazilian way where each individual grain of rice is stirfried first in an oil/garlic combo and then you add your water and let steep until perfect. I loved it. The color was a subtle red where you knew it had been made with fresh ingredients not some package mix. Yum, yum. I can't say enough about the Carne Asada. I don't eat steak. Rarely anyway so it was a surprise that I even ordered this. But how could I refuse when the guy behind the counter told me it was the most popular thing? It was delish. Yum, yum again.


Next up is a place called Ink & Peat. Darling name for a darling place. I found some lovelies here but won't blog about it because I'd have to spoil the surprise for the recipents. I'll just say that my Christmas shopping started today! It's a place to definitely check out. This is on Williams Avenue in the Northeast part of Portland.

And after you are done with your shopping head across the street to Pix Patisserie. I had heard of this place before but had never been. Man, have I been missing out. This will be my new "take out of towners to" place. Their desserts and chocolates are yummy but it's really the French Macaroons in a variety of rainbow colors that I was salivating over. I bought three and gave one to Chris when I got home. I even let him choose. Wasn't that nice of me? But I insisted he give me a bite though. I'm saving the other two for tonight when I'm busy making up work that I didn't do because I played all day! I'm so glad it was my friend, Merilee's birthday so we had an excuse to visit all these wonderful places.

That is my perfect Portland Playday!

What will be next?

And first place goes to.....

Emma May (insert shouting, hurrays and "way to go, Emma" here)

This was the scenario at the Portland Feis this past weekend. Emma did great. She did more than great. She had her personal best scores and it showed with her taking first place in her soft shoe dances of the Reel and Slip Jig and her hard shoe dances of the Treble Jig and Hornpipe. She also got the first place trophy for her Trophy Dance. 5 first places. She was amazing. It would have been a clean sweep except that she did not place in the Light Jig.

I would put some pictures up except that my camera is sick. Yep, his eye is broken. So he went back to his maker for eye surgery and hopefully he will come back all better. (sniff sniff)

My sister took pictures and when I get copies I will add them to this post.

I am especially thankful that my sister, mom and aunt Sherilyn and Uncle Mike were able to be there. I think they must have been good luck charms.

Oh, and my soda bread I entered got first place as well. It helped that there was no competition. I don't mean that to seem hoity toity of me, there was literally no competition. I was the only competitor. So not too difficult to win first. But I did love the judges comments, "I can't stop eating this bread. It's very, very good." That made me happy!

So up next for Emma is the Novice level for most of her dances. She will now get the embroidered school dress. It's exciting but expensive. I have prepared Emma for what to say when relatives ask what she wants for Christmas, "I would like money towards my Irish Dance dress." She has practiced with a smile, a sad puppy dog look and the glittering eye look. Not sure which one will be most effective.

Emma with her great-aunt Sherilyn

Emma and Grandma Marilyn

Portland Feis

Do you need something to do this weekend?

Check out the Portland Feis. What is a Feis you say? It is an Irish Dance Competition. Our school, the Murray School of Irish Dance, hosts this competition each October. There is FREE admission and lots of curly-haired girls in frilly dresses.

Here's the scoop.

Holiday Inn Portland Airport
8439 E Columbia Blvd
Portland, Oregon 97220

Dancing starts at 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday and lasts until about 4:00 in the afternoon.

Hope to see you there!

p.s. don't let the picture above scare you. I promise they look lovelier than that!