Not allowed in the Kitchen anymore (good)

Well you must have eggs to hold that terrific receipe together....You knew that because you put it back in the bowl...I know it was great and that the entire party enjoyed the whole affair.  Your description really made me think of many of my own 4th of July family gatherings.  Most of those folks have gone now so I thank you for bringing them back to mind. Don't completely give up the kitchen.  Just don't over do!  I also had a very nice 4th.  I went to a pcnic in the park sponsored by a friend.  This year I have not be out socially very much so it was wonderful to see jany freiends abnd acquaintances.  The weather ibn DC was perfect, the foid and drink was great, and the company was refreshing.  My day was great.  I hope everyone had a good 4th

Hello momdukes,

I vaguely remember something about cooking when we first married 26yrs. ago.  My idea of cooking is, if it fits between 2 slices of bread, it's good enough!  Of course, there's always eating out and my favourite, ordering pizza!

Turns out my husband has a flair for cooking, who knew?  In fact when I had to stop working, my mother said, "now that you're at home, you could make a nice meal for the family!"  To which my husband replied, "that would be the downside to her being home."  He cooks, I clean up!  I told my mother that it didn't make any sense to mess with something that has worked well for so many years, she agreed.  When we were married, I asked that part of the vows include, "I don't bake and I don't do gravy!"  I also added, that along with getting me, you get animals.  He thought I was only referring to the ones I had at the time, silly boy, you don't marry an Animal Health Technician and not expect to always have animals.  He was thrilled when I went into social services but, a few years after being a stay at home mom, I was able to get a job at an animal hosp.  You guessed it?  There were at least four that I can remember that either were orphaned or brought in for euthanasia that ended up at our house.  Fortunately, our vet has a policy that they will not euthanise a healthy animal.  This dog was brought in to be euthanized as he had diarrhea!  Always a good reason to kill an animal.  The owners were told of our policy and given the option of signing him over to the clinic and still have to pay cost of euthanasia and burial. Fortunatly, they chose the latter.  Norton, the rather large Doberman(weighed 100 lbs. & he could rest his chin on the counter top), was 7yrs. old, antibiotics & a good diet cleared up the diarrhea very quickly. No one had butchered his ears and he had the mildest temperment.  Now, if I had a dime for the response I got from husband when I called home to say I'd like to... I'd be a very wealthy woman.  I brought him home for just the weekend, hee, hee, so he could spend more time out of the Kennel.  It took my husband two, maybe three seconds to fall in love with him and the rest as they say, "was history".

Within a couple of months we discovered the Norton had myocardiopathy which is a congenital heart problem in Dobermans, Boxers, Cocker Span. and a couple of other breeds that I've forgotten, Brain Lesions, which, was difficult to hear as Norton was already 7 yrs. old and if a doberman lives to be 10 yrs. that's great, 12 yrs. is pretty much the top.  A heart problem pretty much ruled 12 out.  The vet I worked for was able to get Norton into a study at the University of Guelph Veterinary College.  We were fortunate to have him accepted as they want to study the dogs starting as puppies.  As luck would have it the vet I worked for the the one doing the study were friends, Norton was in!  Every 3 months I would take him for tests.  It was like a day at the spa, having all the vet. students make a big deal over him.  I should tell you that Norton was the biggest couch potato I ever saw but, he was also very gentle and, loved everybody.  He had his own "mutual admiration society", the kids used him as a pillow and when he had to share the sofa, would curl up on one cushion.

About a year after Norton came to live with us (we we're his 4th home) my husband was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.  Needless to say, it was not the kind of news one wants to receive. Norton spent the next year hanging out with "dad", usually on the sofa as the chemo progressed.  I would come home from work and wonder who was going to have the remote?  I continued to take Norton to his appoint.'s and, told him he could not get sick as I couldn't deal with that too!  Fortunately, my husband went into remission and, two weeks later returned to work.  Well, on the Monday Norton wasn't himself but, I just assumed it was because his coach buddy wasn't there.  By Thurs. of that week, he couldn't stand and had lost control of his bladder function.  I knew time had come.  We talked about it and, my husband did not want to be there.  The next day I could barely get him in the car as he was so weak.  It took two of us to carry him in.  By the time my friend was able to bring the kids to say good-bye, he was almost gone.  After they left, we did admin. the drug used in euthanasias but, I think if we'd have waited a couple more minutes he would have died on his own.  He was 10 yrs. old. I can't even begin to describe the emotions so many of Norton's "extended family" as well as his own were feeling that day.  We lost a wonderful companion.  I firmly believe he came into our lives for a reason and although we only had him 3 short years, we know we were the fortunate ones.  Boy, did I get a little(?) off track there, always do when I think of Norton.  Its been 10 yrs. since my husband went in remission and since we lost Norton.

The point that I started to make was, try as my husband might, he could not stop the flow of various creatures who came through our home.  When I became the Administrator of the zoo, he was sure I couldn't bring anything home...wrong again!

This all started with not having to cook, unbelievable.  My thought is that anytime you can get out of it, do so!  My oldest son wants baked goods badly enough that he is learning to bake, it's perfect!

Sorry for these novels I tend to write or I should say speak, as I have to use the Dragon Naturally Speaking Program due to a right hand that is not very strong and, sometimes doesn't work at all.