1 Year Later

Being a first time dog owner, Iivana instantly captured my heart. I finally understand "dog people" that I couldn't quite connect with all my life. What happened a year ago will always stick with me and make my heart wrench when I think of that day. My princess was playing at the dog park when a pit bull turned on her. She was pretty beat up and had a long recovery. 

My Vana is resilient though, even the night we took her to pet ER when she was bleeding out of a quarter size hole in her chest, she continued to examine every inch of the room we were in. Her attitude and loving personality never changed which we are very thankful for.

We were ecstatic that her stitches were coming out, but the wound wasn't completely healed so we started over again with the recovery process.

But we eventually arrived at the day when she could bid goodbye to her e-collar.

Through out the whole thing Iivana was a champ. Justin and I were the ones who took it the hardest. Of course we stopped going to the dog park. We were hesitant about how she would play with other dogs. I can't speak for Justin, but I became protective of my baby. But time goes by and you slowly start to let go of the worry and live life...

Iivana enjoyed her second birthday during the summer!

Iivana was Minnie Mouse for Halloween.

She made a new best friend, Bruiser, at grandma and grandpa's in Wimberley. 

We also decided to install a fence, so that Iivana would have more space to run freely in our backyard since we don't take her to the dog park anymore. Today I played frisbee with her in our backyard. I also decided to take a little photo shoot of her playing and enjoying our backyard.

I think she's missing most of the frisbees I threw in the following photos because I attempted to toss them quick and then snap a picture.

I just had to include these so you could really appreciate my attempts of action shots.

   

 She almost looks like she's walking.

I tried to get a picture of her chest scars, but she wasn't having it.

I love this pic.

Although my opinionated dog can sometimes be a pain, she's a sweetheart and has been there for me.  She gives me kisses, hugs, and keeps me company. Justin jokes because she's always at the top of my blog labels; just look at the right and click on the label "Iivana" to find more of her musings. (Okay, I am officially a crazy dog lady.)

GF Food on the Wall

I'm a picky pinner. When I see things on Pinterest, I only pin it if I think it is something I will really do. When I saw this idea, I knew the perfect place for it and instantly pinned it for home decorating inspiration.

I ordered the 12 x 16 colored mats for $16, however the shipping cost practically just as much! I figured it would be easier and save me time by ordering them from the place that was suggested. I'm glad I did too because I love the colors! I bought eight 12 x 16 in frames from Michael's when they were running a buy one get one free sale on frames. They're poster frames so they are probably not as nice as the Pottery Barn ones that were suggested to use. However, I saved some money buying ones that were cheaper; each frame was about $6 for me. 

Justin offered the suggestion to use food themed pictures since this project was going in the eat-in kitchen area. I loved the idea since I'm constantly taking pictures of our gluten free foods. I picked several different food pictures and decided which ones looked best in black and white. Getting the photos printed, buying the frames, and ordering the colored mats was easy. My biggest nemesis became hanging the frames. Justin's not here to do it for me either so it was either let the frames sit for six months or try to figure out how to hang them evenly on my own. Before I began to hang them, I measured the space I had to work with and realized the configuration I saw on Pinterest would not work in the space I had. If I hung them in 3 rows, they would be too high or go below the table, so I decided to hang them in two rows of four.

I laid the colors out on the table and started to hang. But then I was quickly stalled...it looked like this for a few days. I wasn't sure how to make sure they would be evenly spaced and level.

I made a trip to Lowe's to purchase a laser level. I took this picture with the directions, because despite being a teacher I hate reading directions. Ugh, I had to figure out how to use the laser level. (Also in the background you see a paint stick, I tried to make a picture hanging contraption that I also saw on Pinterest. It didn't work though because the one paint stirrer wasn't strong enough to hold the picture.)

I was happy to invest about 20 bucks in the laser level. It made the process so much easier. The red laser made a level line that I could follow. Then I measured with a ruler to make the spacing between each.

My first row looked even and pretty darn good, if I do say!

I moved the level down and left 2 inches between each picture.

Even with a glare, the pictures look amazing! (My photo taking abilities make it appear a little crooked.) Can you place each picture with a blog entry? They all have made an appearance before.

Viola, the only bad part is the glare in every picture. I'm not a master photographer and the sun shines through the doors near this area.

After hanging the pictures I was inspired to do a little more decorating in the room. I ordered a black and white rug. I'm trying to do black and white with the pops of color. Currently I'm working on some curtains to add too. Hopefully those will be done soon. I also want to add a bright colored buffet, but will need to wait until Justin returns because I want to buy a cheap one on Craig's list or from a flea market to redo.

Black Velvet

I've tried several different Woodchuck Cider flavors, but the Private Reserve Belgian White has to be one of my favorites. It's not an overpowering taste, more of a pillow-y cloud taste like the blue box & label. According to the availability calendar, this Private Reserve is only available March - May so start looking if you're interesting in trying this flavor. Iivana was even intrigued. How fitting a Belgian Malinois is interested in the Belgian White! 

During March Madness, I was playing around on the Woodchuck website and came across the "mixables" section. The picture on the site instantly made me think of a black and blue (which my hubby loves), or as they call it a black velvet. I wondered how I could create my own entirely gluten free version.

Green's Dubbel Dark Ale would be the answer!

First I poured my mug half full of my Woodchuck (any flavor will work.)

I told Justin about my idea through email and he suggested I use a spoon to help pour and separate. I took his advice and held a spoon over while I poured the dark beer.

It worked! I created my own GF Black Velvet.

Normally I don't like dark beers on their own but mixed with the cider, it made the perfect drink. I definitely see more of these in my future.

Easter Basket, Cakes & More

My husband is so thoughtful and kind. We have a tradition of making and hiding Easter baskets for each other. He hid one for me before he was deployed! I was talking to him on Skype a few nights ago and he told me to look for it upstairs. I'm the worst and finding baskets, but I found it hidden in the linen closet. He's that good at hiding that it was hidden there for a whole month. 

I also had a fabulous weekend in Wisconsin with my family. I surprised my mom and dad with the help of my sisters. Both my parents and my uncle all turned 60 in March or April, so we celebrated that on Good Friday. 

Here they are with their cake. Also note Jett photo bombed the picture.

The sheet birthday cake was from Costco, which of course was not GF so Kristen bought a gluten free one for us. She bought it from a bakery in Chicago that specializes in GF products.

It was moist and delicious. There was no after taste and it was very filling. Every time I had a piece I could barely finish it; it must have been from all the big meals I ate.

Speaking of big meals, on Friday my grandma and grandpa had my cousins, aunts, and uncles over for fish. Kristen again was awesome and brought some fish for us that was gluten free. We picked up some waffle fries and prepared our own GF meal. I really enjoyed the fish and didn't remember to take a picture until I only had one piece left. (We did almost have to share mine, but I won't go there. Let's just say there was a spilling disaster.)

Saturday I was able to spend time at the park with my adorable niece and nephew. I had two coats (and looked super stylish) because I wasn't sure how cold I would be. My Texas blood has thinned out and even 55 can feel cold to me. (You can sort of see my Peeps shirt underneath.)

I snapped a few pictures of my family balancing across a zig-zag shape of planks, my mom is seen below. Even my grandpa tried to cross. It was comical but fun to watch everyone try.

Easter with my three sisters...loved seeing each one of them!

After several attempts we got a picture with Jett and Maren somewhat looking at the camera. This one includes the whole fam (of course minus my hubby) + grandma & grandpa.

The only bad part of my trip was that my flight was canceled yesterday! I couldn't get one rescheduled until today. Luckily I didn't have to work today otherwise I would have been way more upset. My sister, Kristen, was a life saver again and let me stay with her in Chicago last night so I could fly out from there instead of Milwaukee. There were more flight options from Chicago, so I'd be able to get home sooner to pick up my Vana!

My baby is always so sleepy when I pick her up after a weekend of boarding.

Dear Kidd Kraddick,

As a teacher, I listen to your radio show every morning on my drive to work. I normally listen, laugh, and cry along with your show. But today I walked into school fuming. It would be an understatement to say that I was offended this morning by your rant on how annoying the gluten free fad is.

I wish there was a gluten free fad 19 years ago because maybe I would have been diagnosed with Celiac Disease earlier than a year and a half ago. When I was 8, I was extremely anemic. I went to several doctors and under went a variety of tests, but they couldn’t figure out why my iron levels were so low. They wondered if I was bleeding from somewhere, but with a lack of awareness about the disease I was never diagnosed. I had to mix liquid iron with orange juice twice a day. To this day I cringe when I drink orange juice because all I can think about is that filmy, pungent taste. Years went by as I suffered with fatigue and began to accept that I would have to take iron pills daily for the rest of my life (and I would also have to deal with the constipation, brought on from taking such pills.)

Fast-forward almost 20 years, and I have the military to thank for my diagnosis. I married, moved across the country with my Air Force husband and began my first year of teaching. Can you say stress? Stress triggers the symptoms of celiac disease, which brought on a range of symptoms. I would be constipated one day and have diarrhea the next. Am I grossing you out yet? I hope I am because this was a daily fight. Not to mention, my gas was extremely volatile and constant. Most nights I would go to bed with rumblings and was constantly asked if I was pregnant because my stomach was so bloated. Yes, my husband loved our first year of marriage!

During my first year of teaching, I remember sitting on my chair and gripping it so tightly because I was in extreme pain and couldn’t go to the bathroom. You can’t leave a room of fourth graders unattended while you run to the bathroom every 30 minutes. I didn’t understand why I was always getting so sick and thought it was “normal.”

Thankfully I went to the doctor’s for a refill on allergy and iron pills and the doctor decided to run a blood test. I thought, here goes another military doctor (because you never have the same physician) freaking out because I’m anemic. Well my hemoglobin level was extremely low. It was so low that she decided to give me an iron infusion, but also said that we had to figure out why I was anemic. I began to have a flashback to my childhood, and I was sure that they wouldn’t figure anything out. Eventually I was referred to a GI doctor where he performed a colonoscopy and an endoscopy. With a scraping of my small intestine I was finally diagnosed with celiac disease. But I was not out of the water yet; I had to get my iron infusion, which I had a reaction to and began to have difficulty breathing, became extremely sweaty and had instant cramping. I probably could have died if they didn’t do the test dose first.

My small intestine was so damaged that I wasn’t absorbing minerals and nutrients that I needed, hence the anemia. That is what happens when I eat wheat, barley, or rye; my small intestine gets damaged. You’re right I won’t keel over from one crumb like a person who has a peanut allergy. See, celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder.  The only cure is a gluten free lifestyle. Some people’s small intestine is so damaged that it can’t heal. Now a crumb won’t kill me today, it may just send me to the bathroom, but it can lead to cancer or infertility.

I wish I could go to any restaurant and eat anything off the menu, but I can’t. I’m glad there is more awareness, because it offers me choices. I’m sorry you’re so annoyed that it is everywhere. I wish I didn’t have to make a special trip across town to Whole Foods to pay three times what others pay on groceries. Have you ever looked at the prices of all those gluten free things; they are outrageous.  I have to pay nearly $6 for a loaf of bread half the size of a regular loaf.

As a teacher, I couldn’t let this go and felt the need to educate you a little on the topic. By the time I arrived home from work, I noticed that there were already 245 comments on your Facebook page. I contemplated not writing anything, but the longer I sat at home I couldn’t let the feeling sit. I don’t complain much about the gluten free lifestyle that I live, but I felt the need to make my point. For some of us, it is not a choice. With one final jab, my husband is currently deployed in Afghanistan; I can only imagine what symptoms my current stress level would bring. Luckily since I am following a strict gluten free diet, I don’t get sick and can healthily wait for his safe return.

You may not even ever see this, but now I feel a sense of peace.

Sincerely,

Karen

Gluten Free Pasta Salad

Two weekends ago I went to a barbecue at my neighbor's house and there was a pasta salad that look amazing. It used tri-color noodles was loaded with chunks of cheese and meat along with veggies and of course wheat pasta noodles. I became inspired to make my own version to eat through out the week.

I had ordered some GF veggie noodles when I bought that Living Social deal in February. I had in mind a pasta salad when I ordered them, but I didn't know I would come up with this one. I also used Boar's Head pepperoni, a green pepper, broccoli, a cucumber, red onion, and Colby Jack cheese. The vegetables were diced up and the cheese and pepperoni where cut in chunk-like cubes.

After I cooked the noodles according to the directions on the bag, I ran some cold water over them. Then I mixed all the sliced add-ins with the noodles.

I added Wish Bone Italian dressing. (You might want to save a little, because the next day a lot of it soaks into the noodles.)

This salad lasted me the whole week. Some days I packed it in my lunch and other days I ate it for dinner. I liked making it because it was simple and I could eat from it all week.

The Bad & The Good

Justin has officially been gone for one month. I've become used to a new routine with just Iivana and me. However, there are times when you're living by yourself and you could really use some help! For instance, yesterday I struggled to open some flavored water. I twisted and twisted until my hand was red. I was trying to turn the cap off for a couple minutes, which led to frustration. So I did what any other person would do, grabbed a tool!

Even with the pliers, I struggled. I tore up the cap with scrapes and even removed some of the plastic. When I finally did open the top, all the shaking caused it to explode out all over my counter. Oh well, I was victorious and opened up my drink.

Despite times where I feel frustrated, I definitely felt the love this weekend. My hubby sent me some beautiful flowers. They were delivered right after I woke up on Saturday morning; it couldn't have been planned better. Not only are the flowers pretty, they smell sweet and the vase is neat!

Iivana and I also received a package from Justin's parents for Easter. Iivana got a new bunny toy and a new bone.

She had fun with the bunny toy...

I received an awesome Peeps shirt and of course some Peeps.

I think it is cute and I am excited to wear my new shirt.

Plus, Peeps are gluten free. I like to eat them when they're stale (weird I know), so I may save them for a while.