RECOVERY DAY SEVENTEEN

 Today was a great day. Okay there were parts that were not that great but I rolled with it. 

Lucky and I woke up early. I set off my alarm by accident (long story) and it wasn't my fault. There was a scramble to get to the company so the police didn't come. Then I had to schedule a service visit to get it fixed. 

Then I was late to get Lucky to the vet visit so we rushed there and she got her allergy shot. We were home by 8:15. We got the house organized for my parents visit. 

My parents and I visited all afternoon outside in the backyard. Unfortunately Lucky was not feeling well or something and she got very aggressive toward all three of us. I am not sure what was wrong with her. Just a few minutes ago I think I figured it out: she was really hungry. She didn't eat breakfast and woke up really early. It was around 3pm and in her mind it was her dinner time. She wanted to eat. She saw my parents eating and some of us gave her snacks. She didn't want snacks, she wanted dinner! I gave her an extra portion for dinner. 

I made another combination for dinner. My parents brought me some food to supplement the veggie box I got last night. I made pasta with sauteed spinach, mushrooms and cashews. It was really good. 

I ordered more Orencia. I didn't realize that I only had one shot left. 

Until tomorrow...

RECOVERY DAY SIXTEEN

 The veterinarian called about Lucky. She does not have a UTI. So that is good news. I talked to him about the fact that she is licking her feet. He said she needs to get an allergy shot tomorrow. I also brought up that she may be having pain in her hips again and can't take the medicine she took last time because it worked at first and then made her anxious. He is calling in another pain medicine. It is tricky because her other medicine makes it hard to give her pain medicine. So Lucky is either peeing a lot because she is in pain or because she is trying to get attention. Something to sort out.

I made another interesting dinner. It was vegan pasta with green beans, pinto beans, avocado and almonds.  It may not sound very good but it was better than you think. I am finding these interesting combinations are better than I think they are going to be.

I did some picking up and writing out some cards to mail. I worked on a work project. 

I also got some good news about my taxes. I thought it was going to be bad news but it turned out good. 

Until tomorrow...

RECOVERY DAY FIFTEEN

 Today I felt so much better. This is probably TMI but I am peeing much less even though I am drinking a lot. The pain in my abdomen has decreased tremendously. I am still fatigued. 

Today was a day of work again. This is a good thing having so much work. Although I wish I was baking or cooking. 

I did make a new combination for dinner. Vegan Pasta with Avocado, Sweet Potato and Green Beans. It sounds like a mish-mash but it tasted pretty good. 

I had to give Lucky a bath because she is licking her feet. I think she got something on them when we went to the vet's office or when she went to the park. It may be allergies. She seems a bit better since the bath. She is really good if I tell her to stop licking. She doesn't want to wear the "cone of shame". 

Until tomorrow...

RECOVERY DAY FOURTEEN

 I had a better day today. I had to take Lucky to the vet early this morning. I was worried that I would have to be away from the house for a long time but it was fine. I was getting Lucky checked for a UTI. I am not as sure it is a UTI now, I think it may be that her hips are bothering her. But let's wait until the test results come back. 

I did some work and sat around after I got back from the vet appointment. I made a vegan avocado toast sandwich. I never understood the avocado toast thing but this sandwich was good. It also may be that I haven't eaten much food lately and anything different seems delicious. 

I tried to clean up a bit too. I ran the Roomba and took Sunny the bird out of his cage for a little bit so he could walk around. He loves to walk around on the couch. I cover it with a towel. I think he likes a different view for a while. 

Until tomorrow...

RECOVERY DAY THIRTEEN

 Today turned into a day of relaxation too! I had a work call in the morning and then I relaxed. I watched some TV and then had a few phone calls from friends. I watched the movie Minari. This was a movie that won awards and I wanted to see it for a long time. It is a slow moving movie so I needed to be in the right frame of mind to see it. If I watched that movie in the evening, I would have been asleep half way through. It was a marvelous movie. About half of it was subtitled and I really didn't mind it. It took turns that I didn't expect and kept me interested. I recommend it. 

That was basically my day. I made another warm salad for dinner. This time it had romaine lettuce, broccoli, cashews, wild rice, sweet potato and potatoes. It was good. I do think I am getting tired of the same basic dinner. I need to switch it up a bit tomorrow. 

Health Update: I am feeling about the same as yesterday. I need to drink more water. I have a hard time drinking water all the time when it is cold. It was cold and rainy today. I am trying not to drink too much tea. 

Until tomorrow...

RECOVERY DAY TWELVE

 Last night I decided to make some oatmeal cookies with no sugar, eggs and flour. They came out okay. They are edible but I had to make a couple of substitutions. I used flax seed instead of bananas and eggs and I used almond meal instead of almond flour. I could not use cinnamon. I used dates to give it sweetness. They are a good snack while I am going through this elimination diet. 

Today was a lazy day. I just wanted to take it easy. I did take Lucky for a short walk and ran into a neighbor and chatted for a bit. We talked about how it was when we were kids. How we just ran wild until dinnertime playing in creeks and making our own fun riding our bikes and playing ball. 

I am trying very hard to keep doing what I need to to feel better. Eating right, drinking, taking a bath.

I think Lucky may have another UTI (which is very common for older dogs) so I made an appointment for her to get checked Monday. She went outside to pee then came inside and peed in my office and then I took her outside and she peed again. Either she has a UTI or she didn't pee the first time and faked it and decided to pee in my office to get attention. That may sound mean but she has faked peeing before. She is a smart little pup.

Until tomorrow...

RECOVERY DAY ELEVEN

 I got a call from the physicians assistant today. She was checking in on me. She said I need to make an appointment with the OB GYN. I have one three weeks from now. I need to be checked to see how it is going and do further tests. 

I made another dinner of a warm salad made from warm potatoes, parsnips, wild rice, udon noodles, romaine lettuce and cashews. It was really good. 

It was a long day of work. 

I am feeling 15% better. Getting better. 

Until tomorrow...

RECOVERY DAY TEN

 I am feeling about 10% better. It is good news. Removing all good food from my diet has made me feel better. I am able to eat my normal breakfast of a muffin and peanut butter with a banana. I haven't really eaten lunch. Dinners are where I have to get creative. 

Tonight I made a vegan warm potato & parsnip, wild rice salad.  I used the potato and parsnips from yesterday and made some wild rice and put it over romaine lettuce. I can not eat salad dressing so I used salt and pepper. It was very tasty. 

Yesterday and today were tough days. I am not really a very depressed-type person but the idea of having another autoimmune type disease that would effect my life in a large way seemed a bit overwhelming. I reviewed all the data and read all that I could find about IC. I reviewed all the good and bad food items on the list and tried to make a meal plan. My whole life has been turned upside down because I can't do any of my baking or cooking for my cooking course. These have been activities that occupy much of my time while I am housebound.

The way I deal with change is to make a plan, find out all I can about it and figure out a way to live with it. This time it seemed a bit too much. Almost everything I eat is on the bad list. Today I decided to take this change as a challenge and learn how to be more creative in my cooking. Once I realized this is my new project I can do, I am in a happier headspace. I can make food that is really creative until I can get back to my cooking and baking. 

Lucky and I took a short walk today. She was so happy.

Until tomorrow...

RECOVERY DAY NINE

 I know this has been hard to read. I haven't had such a hard health time since I was first diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Okay, that isn't true. It was hard to read about when I had meningitis but I didn't post every day because I was incapacitated. I only posted a wrap up post which is less day-by-day. 

I got my test results today and I do not have a UTI. That was a little bit of a surprise. I did not hear from the doctor/physician assistant, I just got the results via email. Okay, so now I have to go onto Option 2. Option 2 is to perform the elimination diet for Interstitial Cystitis/BPS. I am vegan so I already don't eat 2/3 of all foods. Now with this elimination diet I have to deduct another 1/6 from that remaining 1/3. I have so little left to eat for a while. I spent a good portion of my day figuring out things to eat. 

I had the rest of my mushroom soup for dinner along with some roasted potatoes and parsnips that I made. 

Both potatoes and parsnips are on the GOOD list. I will have to order more food from the store before I don't have anything left to eat but rice and water. 

This was all I did today. I need to get organized before I have nothing to eat. All the things I normally eat are on the BAD side. Soy sauce, sugar, ketchup, apples, oranges, Thai and Indian food. 

I am going to relax and watch some TV and then go to sleep. Thinking about this is not helping. 

Until tomorrow...

RECOVERY DAY EIGHT

 I spent part of today researching the connection between Sjögren's and Interstitial Cystitis (IC). Current research shows that if a person (mostly a female) has Sjögren's may develop IC. I need to find out why this is. Sjögren's, for those of you who do not know is n auto immune disease that causes the body's immune system to attack its own healthy cells that produce saliva and tears. Sjögren's can also cause dysfunction of organs such as the kidneys, gastrointestinal system, blood vessels, lungs, liver, pancreas, and the central nervous system. 

IC, also called Bladder  Pain Syndrome (BPS),  is a feeling of pain and pressure in the bladder area along with frequent urination.  For some people it may go away on its own. For others different things may have to happen such as change in diet. 

I am starting with a 10 day elimination of trigger foods. I have a long list of foods I can't eat. Then after 10 days I will reintroduce one food at a time. First day, a small amount. Second day a larger amount and on the third day a regular portion. If I am fine then I can move on to another food item. Since the list is long this will take a long time. Some of the foods will be out of season so they will have to wait. It will be hard to find Brussels sprouts and watermelon in April. I have to keep a food diary to keep track of what foods are a trigger for me. I am hoping there aren't any. I was cheating and drinking a bit of caffeinated tea and green tea. I know better than doing that. That may have triggered this whole thing. 

It was a super nice day today so I sat outside in the backyard for about an hour. It was nice sitting in the peace and quiet. I also took Lucky for a short walk and cleaned up the kitchen. I am trying to get moving again. It is just hard. 

Having an RA flare at the same time as this whatever IC flare or UTI is really sapping my energy and will to get up and get anything completed. I look around my home that has been neglected for over a week and I lay back down on the couch.

Until tomorrow...

PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT APPOINTMENT

I got up early for my appointment. I had my plan all ready. I was double masked  I got to the building and found the stairs to walk up. In the doctor's office I was immediately ushered to the back when I arrived. They handed me a cup to do a urine test. I peed in the cup and almost knocked the cup on the floor. BAM! 

I went to see the physician asst (PA) and she was very nice. She talked to me for a long time and asked lots of questions. When we were done I peed in a cup again but it wasn't enough. I had to get home for a virtual gig interview so I rushed home. I made it with one minute to spare. 

I was given a lab slip so I went back a few hours later. I go to that lab regularly (during non-COVID years)so everyone knows me. I peed in the cup successfully and the lab folks started working on it immediately. 

The PA thinks three things 1) I have a UTI and did not get the right antibiotics, 2) I have inflamed interstitial cistitis which is inflammation of the bladder wall, or 3) something else that would require me to see a gynecological urologist. 

Step 1 is the find the results of the urine test. That will take three days.  Step 2 is to cut out a LONG list of things from my diet for 10 days and then reintroduce them one at a time. All the things are acidic such as citrus, coffee, chocolate, almost all fruit, spicy food, sugar, all sweets, etc. I am less excited about this for obvious reasons. But if it helps. 

I made vegan creamy mushroom udon noodle soup. It is so delicious. 

Until tomorrow...

RECOVERY DAY SIX

 I haven't been able to do much of anything except lay on the couch. Today I got myself up and did a few things. I took a shower, did two loads of laundry, washed some dishes and made soup. I had lots of breaks in between all of these activities but I got them done. 

I have been so exhausted and in pain. It is tiring to go the bathroom 30 times a day. It just takes it out of you. Plus the pain in my back and abdomen are not fun. 

Tomorrow is the day I see another physician. Let's see what they say. I am interested to get another opinion.  This has gone on too long. 

Until tomorrow...

RECOVERY DAY FIVE

I don't have much to report. I feel basically the same. I did basically the same. I am catching up on TV shows and movies and things I can do with little brain power and without moving. That leaves very little. 

I have one more day left of the antibiotics and I think I can safely say they didn't work. I am glad I jumped in and put Plan B into action last week. Plan B is to see a physician asst first thing Monday morning. 

Let's hope we figure this out soon. I am anxious to get back to doing constructive things again. 

Until tomorrow...

RECOVERY DAY FOUR

I am getting frustrated that I am not feeling better yet. I do have a bit more energy but that could be because I have given myself the authority to relax and take it easy. 

Yesterday I had an appointment with my gut doctor and she said to finish the antibiotics and then be myself and be my advocate. 

Today I called my Ob/Gyn and left a message. My antibiotics are over on Sunday and I want to be ready to move to another solution on Monday if the antibiotics don't work. 

I did have an interview for a gig today and despite me being distracted I think it went well. 

Until tomorrow...

RECOVERY DAY THREE

 This recovery is taking longer than I anticipated. I am anxious since is taking so long. I am now three days into the antibiotics and I am not feeling too much better. I am feeling not as tired and I had more energy today. I still have four days of antibiotics so maybe this will take awhile. I am a bit impatient.

Suddenly out of the blue I had two potential clients contact me to set up conversations to discuss projects. It is a good shock after two years of nothing. I need to feel better to do more work.

I really miss baking and making chocolate candy. Oh, by the way, the doctor checked and my glucose levels are fine so I am not eating too many of my own baked goods!

Tomorrow will be another day and I hope I will feel much better. 

Until tomorrow...

I THINK I OVER DID IT TODAY

I decided to be active all day today and at about 5 pm I realized that was a bad idea. I basically crashed and I still had a dog to feed, play with and take outside. I needed to eat something to take the medicine. All of this before I could lay down. Plus I am supposed to be drinking tons of water which makes me have to pee. It's a vicious cycle. 

The pain in my back keeps getting worse. So is it related or is it not? It is an interesting thing to think about. 

I have had interstitial stistitis (IC) for years. It really hasn't bothered me for years. But upon further research IC has been genetically connected to Sjogrens Disease which I have. The symptoms (not the back pain) are the same that I am having. Plus the Urinalysis comes up negative like I have. Makes it interesting to think about. 

That was all I did today. 

Until tomorrow...

RESTING AFTER PHYSICIAN ASST VIRTUAL APPT

I had a hard time falling asleep last night after coming home from the hospital. I think it was a combination of being riled up from the experience and missing Lucky. It was so quiet without Lucky. She snores and moves around a lot. She stayed at the dog walkers house where she was while I was at the ER. 

I slept pretty late and stayed in bed to relax. I sent timed texts last night so folks would get them this morning and wouldn't have to wake up to take care of updating people. 

I called the doctors office and got an appointment for the afternoon. Then I called family and friends to fill them in. 

The physician asst and I talked for a bit. The result is that I take the antibiotics and yeast meds. The tests show that I have trace amounts of crystals in my kidneys. Even though these did not show on the CT scan, they may be big enough to be bothersome. So I need to take the antibiotics first and then see how I feel. Plus drink a lot of water. 

I had a very nice neighbor pick up my prescription for me. I gave her some chocolates. 

Then I just slept the rest of the day.  I finally ate some food for the first time since Saturday morning. 

I am sure I will feel better tomorrow.

Until tomorrow...

ER VISIT

I think I jinxed myself. I was just saying this has been my healthiest two years. I haven't been to the emergency room once in two years. Ha! Life has a way! Lady night I didn't feel well and didn't have an appetite. Then today I woke up and didn't feel much better. I know I have a UTI but the question they are looking at here in the ER is why my back hurts. Is there something going on with my kidneys? 

I have now been in the ER for 7 hours. Life in the big city. 

I asked the dog walker to take Lucky for the night to make sure she gets taken care of. Then I called a taxi to take me. I had a very nice nurse who allowed me to sit far away from everyone else in a separate section during the 3-4 hours I waited to get seen. 

I have had to give urine, blood and had a CT scan. I watched 2 movies on my iPad so far. (Helpful tip: always come to the ER prepared to entertain yourself. It makes the time go by faster.) 

I am home now at 10:30 pm. So a total of 8 hours in the ER and UTI. No idea why my back hurts. But at least I know my kidneys are fine. 

So off to bed I go. I think my appetite is coming back. 

Until tomorrow...

SHORT AND SWEET

 This is going to be short and sweet. I took Lucky on a long walk, worked and went to bed early. I don't feel well and I am in bed right now. I will give more of an update tomorrow. 

Until tomorrow...

TAX PREP COMPLETE

 So, my tax prep is done and sent off. I am so happy and exhausted. It is always a marathon. Every year I vow to do a monthly prep but I never do. I am really organized so it is pretty easy. 

I was going to go for a walk but I wanted to finish my taxes. 

I made barbecue tofu for dinner. It is one of my specialties. It tastes really good.

I also cleaned my shower which was not a good idea with my hands in such pain. The shower just needed to be cleaned and I needed to do it. I have an electric spin scrubber so it goes pretty fast. It is basically a long wand that has a scrubber on the end. That way I don't have to bend down. This has been a lifesaver.

Until tomorrow...

VEGAN DARK CHOCOLATE CANDIES

 I decided to make two kinds of dark chocolate candies today. I think I am perfecting my tempering of chocolate. I made dark chocolate with pecans inside in the shape of a shell. Then I made dark chocolate stars that had vegan cherry pomegranate jam inside. These are my favorite. When I bite into them the jam just oozes out. This was a fun experiment. 

I did my Orencia shot last night. I know it is too soon to feel better. I also did my B12 shot for the first time in a few weeks and I think that made me feel better today. It will be a short term fix but I felt better today and that is a step. I wasn't so tired. I am still really sore and I have painful joints but I didn't want to fall asleep all day. Each step is a step!

I took Lucky on a long walk today since it was a nice day and I had some time between meetings. Then this evening I worked on my tax prep. I am almost done. 

Until tomorrow...

VEGAN NO MILK CHOCOLATE CANDIES

 I decided to use the new candy molds I got for my birthday today. I used the vegan milk chocolate to make little filled candies. One dozen were filled with golden raisins and the other dozen were filled with peanuts and a touch of sea salt. They are like larger Raisinettes and Goobers. They taste so darn good. As you can see the they are in the shape of smiley faces and roses. 

I made these in between work meetings. Lucky went to the park so I had more time alone. That was my whole day.

The pain level is not receding. It is bearable but not fun. I forgot what this type of pain felt like. I think this is my body letting not get too comfortable. I had pain prior to this flare cluster but not in 20 years.  

I did not get to do my Orencia shot last night because I received an unexpected phone call that threw me off my plan. I am planning on it tonight. 

Until tomorrow...

GOING BACK ON ORENCIA TODAY

 I am going to go back on the Orencia today. I am hoping it will stop the pain I am having in my: hands, wrists, hips, feet, legs, and forearms. I am over feeling like this and I know it will end soon but I want it to end sooner than soon. Ha ha. 

So fingers crossed this works. 

Today was Lucky's 13th birthday. I got her a cute scarf for the day. She was happy that on her walk she got to see some folks she hasn't seen in a long time. She also got some treats from me. 

I didn't get to cook today. I had work and a foster meeting. Then birthday girl stuff.

Until tomorrow...

VEGAN BOX DELIVERED

 Today my vegan box was delivered. I signed up for a vegan subscription box last month. The box comes once a month and includes items like chips, chocolate and food items. This month it included: Pioneer Chips, Pine Pollen Lemon Raw White Chocolate, Blakes Seed and Fruit Bar, Bakery on Main White Chip Raspberry Swirl granola, Nairn's Chocolate Chip Oat Grahams, Oskri both the Coconut and dark chocolate coconut bars, Nut pods creamer, Longieve protein crumbles, Drizzilicious salted caramel bites and Miso Good. Plus, we helped two sheep!

 I already tried the coconut dark chocolate bar and it tastes like a Mounds bar. 

It was a big birthday day today for two people in my life so I had lots of birthday greetings to do. 

Other than work, that was all I did today. 

Until tomorrow...

NOT A FUN DAY

 Today was not a fun day. After eating breakfast and taking a bath, I sat down and started on my tax prep. I am more than 1/2 way done. This year is easy since I didn't really do anything, that helps. 

I rearranged a bookshelf in the kitchen and moved some cookbooks around. Then I took a plastic container that I had and put some of my baking items in the container and put the container on the bottom shelf of the bookshelf. I am working really hard to organize all these new and exciting baking and cooking items. I am tired of having them sitting out and getting in my way. I believe in having a place and keeping it in it's place. 

That was my whole day. No walks no fun. I did throw the ball for Lucky in the house. She loves doing this. She is really funny when we play this game. I throw the ball and she has to run after it. She slides on the floors. She gets confused about where I throw the ball. She is learning that she needs to return the ball to me and drop it. This has taken years to teach her. She really wants to keep that ball to chew on. I think I have dis-proven the adage that "old dogs can't learn new tricks".  I also have been teaching her to go to the kitchen when she really wants to go hide. She is a smart girl.

Until tomorrow...

DAY TWO HUNDRED TEN OF COOKING COURSE

 I had such big plans for today but not too many of those plans came to fruition. I wanted to finish the chocolate dessert that has been taking up real estate in my fridge for a week and I did do that. I wanted to start my taxes but I did not do that. I wanted to run the dish washer and wash the dishes and I did that. I wanted to do a load of laundry and I did not do that. I wanted to take Lucky on a short walk and I did that. So I got some of my wants done. 

I finished the chocolate dessert cup done finally after 1) the whipped cream dispenser didn't work and I had to get a new one shipped to me and 2) the store didn't have any vegan soy cream to make the recipe. I tried another way to make the chocolate espuma but it didn't seem to work so I bagged the recipe and made coconut chocolate pudding instead. It looks fine but it isn't as light and creamy and I didn't get to use my fun new gadget. 

The bottom layer is a chocolate "biscuit" like a cakey layer, then the next layer is the chocolate pudding and then chocolate crumble. The crumble is my favorite because it is chocolate but not too sweet and crunchy. 

I gave one chocolate dessert cup to my neighbor and have some left for some other folks. This is the last chocolate dessert for a while. I never thought I would be a little sick of chocolate.

They just announced the next chapter in the cooking course and it is American Cuisine. It should be interesting to see what Europeans think is American Cuisine.

Until tomorrow...

PAD KRA PAO FOR DINNER

 Today was so great. Lucky returned to walks with the dog walker. I had three hours of peace and quiet. I love my dog but she has gotten so needy since the lock down. But a lot has happened in her little world since lock down: her best friend died, her mama is suddenly around ALL the time, she spent a whole year only going on walks with the dog walker, people had their faces covered and that was confusing, and mama has been around all the time. Now some times mama goes out without her and she doesn't understand why she is left behind all alone. Before she was left behind with Happi. Lots of transition. She is now two years older. 

I ended up having a two hour meeting but I also got to have the bird (Sunny) out of his cage for a little bit (I can't do that with Lucky around), I cleaned Sunny's cage and I ran the Roomba. 

It was a productive day. I made Pad Kra Pao for dinner. It has tofu, mushrooms and I added broccoli. I made udon noodles to eat with it. It was really good and filling. 

Until tomorrow...

CHOCOLATE PUDDING IS MAKING ME FEEL PRETTY GOOD

 We got rain. Not much but a little and may get more tonight. I know for the rest of the world getting rain is no big deal but for us getting rain is always a big deal. If we don't get rain in the winter, we have to ration water in the summer. That sucks so much. So rain! 

Lucky and I went for a walk between the rain. We had to make it fast because we were expecting a package delivery. 

I was only expecting the book I bought but I also got some lovely baking pans from my brother and sister-in-law and family. I also got a box of goodies: homemade jam and a bag from someone else. 

My book is all about Chocolate. It is such a beautiful book. It shows how to make all sorts of chocolate goodies and chocolate creations. I am in awe. I can't wait to make some of them. 

It was another slow day of trying to feel better. Now that I am off the antibiotics, I hope I will feel better quickly. Meanwhile the chocolate pudding is making me feel pretty good.

Until tomorrow...

VEGAN CHOCOLATE PUDDING

 What a day?! I waited all day to get my food delivery so I could finally finish my chocolate dessert. The delivery arrived and the one ingredient I needed (and the whole reason I made the order) was not in the order. So I can't finish the dessert. Well, maybe I can but not with the same ingredients. The chef says I can make due with a combination of other ingredients. I guess I will try tomorrow. 

So today I made Vegan Chocolate Pudding. It was super easy and so delicious. I used a combination of a few recipes and made my own pudding. 

I took Lucky for a walk and she did not limp one time. I told the dog walker she is cleared to go with him on Friday. I can't wait. She has been driving me crazy. She has so much energy that she needs to burn off. 

Until tomorrow...

SURPRISE GARDENER VISIT

 Today was a day of surprise. My gardener called to see if I wanted him to come and fix my drip system. My drip system had one of the thingys come off and when I turned it on the water shot into my neighbors yard. He came by and fixed my system and weeded the whole yard. Since the last rain the dreaded clover popped up again. I know he told me to spray it with vinegar but with my sore hands there was no way I could spray my whole backyard with vinegar. The clover was everywhere again. The gardener brought his sweet pit bull named Veronica and she stayed in the backyard while Lucky stayed inside. I thought Lucky would go crazy with another dog out back but she didn't even seem like she noticed. I think having a doggie daycare a couple houses away has made her immune to dog noises in the backyard. Those doggie daycare dogs are always barking at her and she just ignores them. The backyard looks great!

I spent some time inside working on the kitchen. Since I moved everything out of the kitchen due to the ants, I rearranged everything when I put it back. I now have a breakfast area where I have my tea pot and toaster oven. Then I have all my baking equipment on my main counter. This will allow me to finish the few desserts I have to finish and move on to making bread. I need space to make bread. 

I made a Chickpea, Kale Tomato Soup tonight. It is so delicious. It was supposed to be made with fire roasted tomatoes but I like it better with regular tomatoes and some sriracha. It is just the right amount of spicy. 

My neighbor came by to get his cookies and his review is "DAMN THOSE ARE DELICIOUS. 3 gone already." That was 2-hours after he picked them up.  He was touched that I designed them with his college logo.

That was my whole day. 

Until tomorrow...