Got up feeling absolutely awful. Not sick, just exhausted. I spent much of the morning just reading quietly, aside from critter chores. Finally, FINALLY got all the new chickens to roost inside the coop instead of in the dratted apple tree, so that's an improvement. When I went out to take them hot water I wanted to tell them "I told you so!"

I ran some errands in the afternoon. Got those pendants back from the jeweler - finally - the ones that were supposed to be done before Christmas. Picked up unsold artwork for myself and a friend at a gallery. Ran to the Discount Grocery and got a whole bunch of sweet treats I don't need (but I want them!) and a bulk package of hamburger.

Now I have hambuger, pork sausage, onion, green pepper, oatmeal, and lots of herbs and spices cooking in the crockpot to turn into goetta. Goetta is a wonderful breakfast. It's either labeled "an authentic German recipe" or "A Cincinatti favorite" if you look it up online. Definitely recommend it.

Called the vet - the large animal vet - because Hero seems to be losing weight. It's too much, too fast, and he was a pretty reasonable weight before. The appointment person told me that a Dr. Slim would come by tomorrow between 2 and 4. I hope he can get Hero feeling a little better. He's a senior horse, but 22 is certainly not THAT old. That compares to mid-sixties for a human.

I need to collect. Over twenty different forms or worksheets for doing taxes. This is ridiculous.

I've had this dang stone sitting in a tiny little box for over twenty years. It is a MIRACLE it didn't ever get lost. It's finally in a setting, so my daughter and I can wear it.

Sadly, a photo of goetta just looks like a bunch of meat on a plate, and dramatically undersells its deliciousness. I used Montreal Steak Mix seasonings, Italian herb blend, and paprika, and applied them liberally.

Pros: It's precooked, so when you're making your breakfast you can heat it up quick in a skillet or microwave. Pairs well with eggs, toast, or potatoes, but could also be enjoyed with a small salad or a piece of fruit. If you want to make it more of a one-dish meal, you could shred some carrot or sweet potato in there in addition to the pepper and onion. The oatmeal adds a whole grain/fiber component.

Cons: None that I can see. Damn.

Reblogging because I am ABSOLUTELY going to do something maple-ham-apple-cheddar. Mmm.

Oh HELL YEAH!

Pancake mix, egg, chopped apple and cheddar, maple cream. The milk and the ham lunch meat (it's what I had) are not in the photo. Made a single-size batch of batter, stirred in chopped ham, apple, and cheese. Microwaved in the little white baking dish, there. Spread with maple cream. Heavenly!

Outpatient

Ok, hmm, I have 3 - 5 brains cells back to work. This has been a strange day.

When I went into the surgery center, the person leading me down the hallway introduced herself; "Hi, I'm Kelly, I'll be with you the whole time you're here."

Honestly, between a lifetime of farm veterinary emergencies and the whole Childbearing Thing, I am pretty darned nonchalant about medical care. I'm not worried. But it's sweet when someone tries to make me feel 'better'. I just roll with it. It's the thought that counts.

She got me settled in a dentist's chair and started all the minutia of prep; the sticky electrodes on my arms, the blood pressure cuff, the little finger-clamp-thingee. She gave me a small cup of versed, explaining that it would calm me down. Not necessary, my learnéd friend, Kelly, but I'll take it. Gimmee.

Then we had to do the little "why are you even here" dance. Apparently, Mandibular tori are often small and not an issue. Often. Not always. When they turn into big honkin' chunks of bone that interfere with eating or hygiene, then they have to go. And every dratblasted dental person I mentioned them to always tried to tell me they're not an issue! Until they look in my actual mouth and say. OH. Uh. Yeah, that's an issue. Grrr.

Next she hooked a nasal cannula over my face for nitrous oxide. That I have never had before, that I can remember, and I was curious if it would make me giddy or giggly. It did not. My head got very quiet inside, though. I was enjoying that, but my silence made the nurses nervous, and they kept asking if I was ok. I was ok. Just suuuuper quiet. And enjoying it.

The surgeon entered the room and he and the nurses did an interesting little call-and-response routine to ensure that I am the correct patient getting the correct surgery on the correct side of the body. Then the IV medi c i n ooooooooOOOPsie - waking up time!

I have never before had so MUCH novocaine that my mouth was still numb 8 hours later. Not complaining; I'm sure I don't want to know what it feels like in there with a chunk of bone cut out. Very odd, though.

Well, dang, now that I know how little trauma this was, I'm wishing he had done both sides at once. I'm not going to be eating anything crunchy for a while, but I'm doing much better than expected. I can feel the stitches (eeEEee) but, hey, just not overall that bad.

I deserve some strawberry sweetness.

1/3 c pancake mix (gluten-free is fine)

1 egg(ie)

a little milk until it's a thick batter

Pour into a little microwave-safe baking dish and bake. My dish is about 5 in / 12 cm square, and it take two minutes to get done.

Then top with cream cheese&jam, pie filling, chopped cheese and ham, Maple syrple, whatever. It's quick, easy, and higher protein that a typical pancake. I like a protein-y breakfast before farm work. It's traditional! (thank you chickens, for the wonderful eggs)