The Dallemagnes → From the mouth of Angel

When your fur baby decides you are no longer doing school work.

When your fur baby decides you are no longer doing school work.

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How did I ever do that?

So we went to Frisches today before class… It had been a while since we ate there. I forgot they switched to Pepsi products.. So not liking Pepsi I got a Mountain Dew… OMG how did I ever drink that God awful sugar juice… Soooo bad!

Living with Graves` Disease an Essay

Stethoscope on a printed sheet of paper
Stethoscope on a printed sheet of paper

Once I could walk from one side of town to the other without issue. I worked on my own car, I carried my children with ease. These days a simple task such as folding laundry can wear me down. Half way through the day I can feel exhausted and the only thing I’ve done is shower and cook a meal. I spend every day living with Graves` Disease. I don’t believe that most people realize that. I feel when they see me in my wheelchair or with my walker they judge me harshly. I notice the sideways glances and in some ways, I have grown used to them, but it is always in the back of my mind. I want to help them understand what it is like to live with the invisible Graves` Disease.

I was first diagnosed with Graves` Disease when I was 31 years old. For years I had been misdiagnosed with having bi-polar disorder and was told that it was the reason for my mood swings. At the time there was no Affordable Care Act, and I had no health insurance. My husband’s job did not provide dependent insurance and I was working in fast food which provided health insurance, but it was very expensive and not very good. Because of these factors I wasn’t seeing a doctor on a regular basis and went undiagnosed for a very long time. I was miserable and always complaining about various ailments, so much so that my husband regularly told me that he thought I was a hypochondriac. To hear my long list of complaints, I’m sure most people would have agreed with him. Even I questioned whether I was being over dramatic.

We were still living in our first little apartment. It was a one bedroom on the second floor of a small complex. I noticed that over time climbing the single flight of stairs to our apartment became more difficult instead of easier, this was very frustrating as I couldn’t understand why. I also couldn’t understand why I a 31-year-old female was losing hair? This made no sense to me. Hair loss only happened to men, or so I thought. I also noticed that any time I received a small wound such as a scratch it would take an unusually long time to heal. My hands constantly shook and were unsteady, something I originally attributed to drinking too much caffeine. I had trouble sleeping and I was either burning up hot or freezing cold. There was no middle ground. I had developed a goiter which is a large lump on the neck. I had lost a lot of weight, that was the one thing I was happy about. I had spent most of my life being chubby and somewhat over weight, so to finally be thin had me thrilled. However, the longest running symptom I dealt with were the emotional problems. The mood swings I had made me believe there was something horribly wrong with me. Sometimes at night I would lay awake for hours trying to figure out what was wrong with me. Why was I so depressed that I couldn’t get out of bed? This had been going on for so long, that I was desperate to get any kind of help. I no longer wanted to feel worthless. Put plainly, I was sick and tired of being sick and tired.

 Read the rest of Living with Graves` Disease an Essay

All mathed out

College clip art
College clip art

I’ve done more math in the past week than I have in years… I so need a math break. But I am glad I’m learning something new..

Today is definitely a slow cooker day…

Barbecue Baked Beans & Weiners in a slow cooker.
Barbecue Baked Beans & Weiners in a slow cooker.

With the weather being bad today I decided it was a good day to use the slow cooker and make some good old fashioned barbecue baked beans and wieners. I hadn’t made them in so long, and nothing says comfort food for a cold day like beans & wieners.

My first week in school has been good. It turns out math isn’t bad when you have a good teacher.  The problem is my academic advisor told me that my classes were on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but I was registered for classes on Monday’s and Wednesdays. So when I showed up on Tuesday the teacher told me I could stay as they covered the same things, but the I don’t have access to her files on the school website. I enjoyed her teaching method so much I really didn’t want to change. Her class was full, but I was able to get written permission from her to join her class. So I’m now waiting for the school two drop me out of the other class and register me into hers. I hope it doesn’t take them too long as I need access to the homework on the website.

First week in college

College clip art
College clip art

So my first week in college has officially begun. My first on campus class is tomorrow I’m a bit nervous about it. It’s math and I’ve never been very good at math, but I’m determined so there is that. Besides I’m married to a math genius (at least he is to me) so I should be okay. I’ve already begun my English comp class and I must say I think I’m a bit excited about it. I’ve always enjoyed writing and being able to improve those skills is something I’m glad about. In any case here I am starting my new path!

The Death Of Net Neutrality

 

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Too Funny

Someone maxed out their sneak skills.

 

Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet Potato Casserole
Sweet Potato Casserole

 

Sweet Potato Casserole

I fell in love with this recipe from the moment I first tried it.
Course Side Dish
Keyword Casserole, christmas, holiday, Paleo, Potatoes, Sweet Potato, thanksgiving
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

Casserole

  • 5 large sweet potatoes peeled and roughly chopped
  • 3 tbsp butter divided
  • 3 tbsp maple syrup divided or subbed sweetener
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tsp cinnamon divided
  • 1 Pinch of nutmeg
  • Salt to taste

Topping

  • 1 cup walnuts chopped
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes chopped
  • 2 tbsp coconut oil melted

Instructions

  1. Fill a large saucepan with water and bring to a boil. Add the sweet potatoes and cook for 10-15 minutes until fork-tender. Remove from heat and drain.
  2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Add two tablespoons of butter and maple syrup, to the pot with the sweet potatoes.
  3. Stir in the vanilla, one teaspoon of cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
  4. Mash until smooth. Adjust salt to taste. Transfer to a baking dish.
  5. In a small bowl, toss the walnuts with the coconut flakes, coconut oil, remaining butter and syrup, and teaspoon of cinnamon.
  6. Cover the sweet potatoes with the walnut topping.
  7. Bake for 18-20 minutes until the walnut topping is golden. Serve warm.

Goody Potatoes

goody potatoes
goody potatoes

 

I'm not entirely sure where this recipe comes from but my Mom has made it for years. Now it's a must have for Holiday meals around here.
Course Side Dish
Keyword Hashbrowns, Potatoes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 12 Servings

Ingredients

Filling

  • 2 lb Bag of Hash Browns
  • 16 ounces of Sour Cream
  • 2 Cups butter Melted
  • 1 can of cream of chicken soup
  • 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 chopped Onion

Topping

  • 2 Cups of Crushed Corn Flakes
  • 2 Cups Butter Melted

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350° F
  2. Take hash browns out of freezer, keep in bag, set aside.
  3. In microwave, melt 1 stick of butter in large bowl; mix in sour cream, cheese, onion and cream of chicken soup.
  4. In large bowl combine hash browns, sour cream, cheese, and soup/cheese mixture.
  5. Spread into 9x13 pan (sprayed with cooking spray).
  6. Melt 1/2 stick of butter and then combine with crushed cornflakes until well coated.
  7. Spread corn flake mixture on top of the other ingredients.
  8. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until golden brown on top and cheese is bubbling.