6 x 9 = 42

Life's dragging along. I am eagerly waiting for that day when it becomes normal again, without constant obstacles thrown on our way.

Tiny's tummy ache was diagnosed as food allergy (as I suspected) after few dozens of blood tests to opt out all kinds of nice things like colitis, celiac disease, amebas and other funny parasites. He is now off dairy, eggs and fish and has become more like his old self.
It turns out he may have been allergic last two years, if not his whole life... he just hasn't been able to communicate it and haven't realised that it is not normal to have nausea and tummy ache until now.
This and my father's cancer cause enough stress to make my system more unstable and it seems that my allergies (and my thyroid) may be worsening again. Yay. It would make life really interesting, though luckily Tiny is at day care so he gets diverse diet even if ours were more restricted.

But on the bright side, it's Mother's Day and we have cake!

Beware: there are clay huts even in your own neighbourhood!

We were eating egusi soup yesterday (to make my point here clear: it's eaten by hand, with garri) and something popped to my head.

We were waiting for a bus home on the day when Mr. Wonderful came home and there came a woman with her little daughter in a pram; the little girl had icecream.
At some point the girl started to eat that icecream with her hands (well, as far as I know kids like to do that) and the mom started to nag to the girl about it, my favourite part (I may be sarcastic) of it being: "Why are you doing that?! We don't live in a clay hut. People in *clay huts* eat like that, but in *here* we use *tools*!"

I actually found it depressingly funny at that point, thinking myself that in that case those, oh so intimidating, clay huts are far closer than she thinks. And that occasion came into my mind yesterday as we were eating dinner.

The clays huts are in fact in their neighbourhood: they got off the same stop as we did...

30 days later

Oh yes, I am very much alive. I have just entered the phase which is said to be nasty to most people, one month of medication, and hence I am quite... tired. Though I would imagine that my problem is mostly that Mr. Wonderful traveled to Nigeria and I simply have not been sleeping too well. As usual.
It's also possible that I have started to take my thyroxine too late and stay awake until early hours because of that, but I would bet on lack of my Wonderful. I have never been good on falling asleep or sleeping soundly throughout the night when He is not by my side.

And of course I obviously need higher dose of thyroxine, but... I really shouldn't up the dosage before I get blood drawn in August.

Regardless, I love the stuff, which obviously means that my thyroid is not ok. Actually I foresee quite a high dosage eventually which means that my thyroid is either very dysfunctional (not literally dead, not yet at least) or my body just needs more of the hormone, for reason or another... but on a brighter note, I may be able to FINALLY lower my cortisone intake!

I noticed this within last two weeks as I wasn't taking my asthma meds as often as I was supposed to and used officially empty (the magic with easyhalers is that they are not empty at that point, the manufacturer just does not quarantee correct dosages at that point) easyhaler without any symptoms of worsening asthma. Pre-thyroxine me would have been hospitalized by now.
There has also been drastic change in my allergies: I have taken like five tablets within whole month of June, whereas back in old times I would have took approximately 60 by now from June 1st... AND the best bit is that my thyroid medication actually has corn starch in it and there are no issues, taking that I take it carefully (if it touches my lips there are symptoms).

Crossed stitches

I have been stitching, have two biscornus almost finished, but I haven't got around ironing and finishing them yet. I blame work for that: no matter how great evenings are because of the extra pay they kind of limit the things you have energy for outside work.

But, I took this weekend off as my birthday is tomorrow (yikes, I am 31 soon! ) and have decided to wake up early tomorrow (3rd) and spend the whole day... stitching and watching DVDs (and eating something less healthy *grin*).

I think that sounds like a great plan.

Maybe I have the energy tomorrow (after yet another day of coming home just before 1 am... from work) to post about the loveliness Jenna sent me, too!

Wonderful

I am not sure have I ever said that He is a real sweetheart? If not there it came.
I have an interesting feeling that now that we are married He is treating me even better than before - which is of course how it should be - He even cooked some food (tuna sauce (He makes the best tuna sauce ever) and okazi soup) for me "for a bad day" before He traveled, which He has never done before (well, intentionally).
(Or maybe He has found out that Nigerian food has become my comfort food and it is easier for me to cope with it - when I had the suspected Swine I craved for egusi soup...)

I am quite stupid sometimes

I have been wondering why I have been sleeping so oddly last days... it probably might help with my energy levels if I ate something in addition of two bowls of natural yoghurt with some honeydew melon bits in it/ day. Altogether they make whopping 800 kcal for a person whose average energy usage is about 2200 kcal/ day.
Can we say undernourishment?

I just can't seem to remember such mundane things. Eating, what's the idea with it anyway?

Still, I have spent some time to familiarize myself with few scripts and I have just started to re-do Periphaeria Designs' site (it's there, you just can't see it *evil grin*). When it is done it will be quite professional looking - and when it is done I can pat my back quite some time, maybe I have to even reward myself then with something... like new stash.

Indian Food!

I stumbled upon this link at Deb's blog and if you, as I, do love Indian food (though I have broadened it a bit to male individuals of Indian origin, but edable as edable *grin*) check One Hot Stove. Yummy recipes and as yummy pictures.

Odd accomplishments

Noticing how nonexcitent my stitching mojo has been few months I have to say that I am rather proud of myself: 38 finishes in 39 weeks. This includes four knitted and 34 stitched items.

Because I'd love to have 39 items/ 39 weeks I think it's better that I will stitch some more before hitting the sack.
Ta-ta.

Asthma, pumpkin pies and dragons

Shocking as you find it I am still alive. *grin*
I have come to conclusion that even I have learnt to live with the respiratory impairment I am actually getting worse every day before I get my cortisone... Which is either in Wednesday (because I don't have any money on me (once again only our beloved Lady has it *grin*)) or tomorrow if local social services actually have smart enough employees to know that asthma and allergies are chronic diseases... As I know that they only give "billing contracts" for expensive and continuous medication. My medication applies to both: Firstly I need the cortisone and my allergy meds daily, secondly the cortisone I have been prescribed (that was one of the cheap ones!) will be ~46 €/ 25 days with the reimbursement from SII, add my new bronchodilator and allergy meds to the mix and sooner or later we have a HUGE bill.
And in case I take whole three months, which is the maximum you can get any prescription medication from the pharmacy, the bill will be insane.

I am just like any other cranky granny: I come from the pharmacy with a huge bill and a full plastic bag. (I'm kind of getting my mother's complaints about the price of asthma medication etc. SO much better nowadays... fortunately I get all my medical expenses reimbursed for the time being.)

Mmm... pie...

I have always loved the stuff as only pumpkin pie I have ever tasted has been made according to my mother's ye good ole recipe, but... what makes me wonder is that now, when she tried acclaimedly American (U.S.A.'an) recipe the filling is not as good as it was in past with ye good ole recipe.
So, either this acclaimedly Real Thing is directed for very spice-o-phobic people or I am a misguided soul as in my opinion The Real Thing has good amount of spices as they are the soul of a great pumpkin pie. The Real Thing is what my mother used to make when I was a kid, that one with loads of all the yummy spices.

But then, I am a spice addict. Only good gingerbreads are also made according to the recipe my mother has always used, that one which has loads of spices and not too much sugar.

Still... a spiceless pumpkin pie is always better than no pumpkin pie. (And there's nothing better than a rice flour pie crust, yum!)

Fall

Spite of the migraine I have had since Wednesday I have been merrily stitching Autumn Fall Dragon on Jenna's RR and I actually found it quite hilarious that I, like Jenna, enjoy stitching on black during a migraine attack. (Great minds etc. *grin*)

It's not done yet, but I have to say that spite the slowness of my progress I have thoroughly enjoyed stitching this so far (Though, admittedly black floss with black blending filament on black evenweave kind of got me, but fortunately there wasn't too many stitches with that combo and I love the effect) and at the moment this is my absolute favourite of all the four as it really symbolises the season it represents - and it looks gorgeous on black.

Stash!

It was mailed from Italy in Wednesday and it was waiting in my mail box in Friday...

This is not all, but rest of it is property of the Birthday Fairy, and she won't reveal her part before her victim has received her giftie... when ever that is.

Visitor

My mother came and went, and she loved the Santa (I knew she'd). (And the Panda too.)

In addition of bringing the casseroles she promised (rutabaga (I love that word, sounds like an old witch) and carrot) she brought me some turkey, a cake and gingerbread biscuits! (Two of the latter ones are made purely out of oat, so yummy, yummy. (I tried the gingerbread cookies and they were great! (Though I'd have put more spices).))

Ngh

I woke up with a migraine. But...
I got a message from our mother and she's coming over some day and bringing me 1. gifts (O_O I thought she already gave me my Yule gift...) and 2. traditional Finnish Yule food!

Now, the cuisine of this season may sound very poor, as it originates from times when Finland was poor agricultural society, but Oh Mi Gosh it's so good! ...Freshly salted salmon, casseroles... it's a real pity I can't eat bread anymore, as that sweet bread is... ah, pure heaven.
What makes my mothers offering to bring some so great is that those casseroles are somewhat time consuming, and as I live alone I'd no interest to make them myself (and I can't eat ready made, due the wheat). So, in the end I'll eat myself silly around the winter solstice.

And talking of food... I should drag my hiney to the store...

Epilogue

KLM: Great service, rather inexpensive tickets (for me they were very inexpensive, as you know), good food and gorgeous stewards.

Bangkok: You either hate it or love it. And it seems to me that I fell in love that city, despite of it's noisiness and crowds - or maybe that was the actual reason, I don't know.
I could have lived there.

Food: was great and I was able to consume most fruits and vegetables I can't eat in Finland.
Actually I had less food related worries during that month than I've in here during one month. We process our processed food too much (what's the idea of cornstarch in yoghurt for instance?).
And seriously, I had less allergic symptoms in Bangkok than I have in Finland... I even ate food which was soaked in sesame oil and I had no problems. I don't even dare to try that in here...

We talked about it few times... "You really should make a business out of this, you know? Wolfie's holidays for allergic people: 'Come to Wolfie's and eat what you can't eat at home.' You could make good bucks with that."
I still have dirty dreams of those fruits...

Pictures: In here.
There is one set of pictures I haven't blogged of yet... I popped by in Wat Pho one day. (Pictures in here.)

I dislike taking pictures of 'things' which are sacred to people (don't ask me why. Out of respect, I guess, even I'm this rude being I am), but I made one exception when it came to Reclining Buddha

"The highly impressive gold plated reclining Buddha is 46 meters long and 15 meters high, and is designed to illustrate the passing of the Buddha into nirvana.
The feet and the eyes are engraved with mother-of-pearl decoration, and the feet also show the 108 auspicious characteristics of the true Buddha."

It really is stunning. And huge.

Wonderfully peaceful place, I recommend. And I also recommend to reserve whole day in case any of you ever visits there. You'll easily lost sense of time when strolling around.

Shoes: Were almost new when I landed, now they're in pieces.

Was it worth it?: Yes, absolutely.

Give us our daily bread

What exactly is bread? To most individuals in Western societies it seems to me something you can't live without, and something which seems to be base of a healthy diet.
Answers.com gives us this when we ask:

A staple food made from flour or meal mixed with other dry and liquid ingredients, usually combined with a leavening agent, and kneaded, shaped into loaves, and baked.

I tell you something: You can actually live without bread - and be happy.

I'm still alive, and I haven't ate bread in 7 months because my allergy just forbids most forms of bread (I admit that occasionally I miss toasted rye bread with slightly salted salmon (we talk of "freshly salted salmon") on it). But I eat bread at this very moment... and it isn't that good I remembered it was... Kind of a disappointment, I'd say.

I think that only thing which binds me to this substance is... memories. I remember how good fresh bread smells, how good it tastes when you can have piece of bread straight from the oven... My mom likes to bake (and so do I, in fact it's one of the worst sides in my allergy... I can't bake certain things I'd like to... fortunately I live alone so I have no need to bake anything (as it's not meaningful and I'd end up eating all that stuff and that's not good for my weight or my blood sugar levels - mostly I worry about my blood sugar...)), and therefore we have got plenty of that stuff. And yes, hot and fresh bread is good, but after it...Bread is overrated. I could almost say that it's just one addiction among others. (Feel free to burn me.)

Something in this place...

For some odd reason I've difficulties to fall a sleep in here. My brains just don't know how to shut themselves down for the night. At home I can fall asleep in 5-10 minutes after I get into bed, but in here it takes more or less 30 minutes. It was same thing in summer too so it can't be season (read: darkness), stress or anything related. It has to be something in this apartment. (In fact I can't remember have I ever slept well in here.)

Checked

Ok, there's this and that and no one will starve, but it seems that I'll conquer kitchen tomorrow (which means I've to wake up really early...) and everyone just have to shut up - and someone else does the dishes.

Greetings from the fridge

I've more or less browsed trough half(!) of the upper part of the fridge, just to get the image what there is and what I can eat. I also like to know what there really is for Yule (24th).

Anyway, after that I needed allergy medication, so here I am bit irritated sipping coffee and blogging about it. Great life, huh?

And allergic rections or not, I've to explore rest of the fridge today as tomorrow I need to do few things, like some candies for myself as I can't eat bought ones because there's more or less nuts or something related in every single Yule chocolate brand there is...
And in case I want to keep Shabbat I've to wake up early so I can finish everything before 6 o'clock. Living in a family with several ways of belief, or lack of it, is quite cumbersome.

But hey, I've done some stitching today and I feel much better about myself again. It's really odd what's the difference between stitching me and non-stitching me.
I like this stitchy self more.

Btw, I think it goes like this...

• All things kawaii!
• Kawaii!
• ^^

equals

Note to self: Chicken Noodle One-Pot

Food is good thing, and as I spent time to write this to one forum I'll save one copy of it to here:

Serves: 4

1 tbsp sunflower oil
1 onion; sliced
1 garlic clove; crushed
2.5 cm (1 inch) ginger root; peeled and grated
1 bunch spring onions (scallions); diagonally sliced
500 g (1 lb) chicken breast fillet; skinned and cut into bite-sized pieces
2 tbsp mild curry paste
475 ml (16 fl oz/ 2 cups) coconut milk
300 ml (½ pint/ 1 1/4 cups) chicken stock
250 g (8 oz) Chinese egg noodles
2 tsp lime juice
salt and pepper
basil springs, to garnish

1. Heat the oil in large, heavy-based frying pan (skillet) or wok. Add the onion, garlic, ginger and spring onions (scallions) and stir-fry for 2 minutes until softened.

2. Add the chicken pieces and curry paste and stir-fry until vegetables and chicken are golden brown, about 4 minutes.

3. Stir in the coconut milk, stock and salt and pepper to taste, mixing until well blended.

4. Bring to the boil, break the noodles into large pieces, if necessary, add to the pan, cover and simmer for about 6-8 minutes until the noodles are just tender, stirring occasionally.

5. Add the lime juice, taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary, then serve at once in deep soup bowls.

Complete Thai Cooking; ISBN 0-75215-214721-21

Notes:

I've done this once and I used soya "meat" instead of chicken, used vegetable stock instead of chicken stock, and Indian curry paste instead of Thai. (And my victim liked it even he wasn't a vegetarian. )

Yes, I've figured out how to use lj-cut.

Oddities of carbohydrates.

I just ate food with regular rice and... my right ovary hurts like hell. Which is kind of funny in a way, as yesterday I ate rice with my lunch without any problems, but it was basmati rice and what I've heard it's glycemic index is better than regular rice's. Though I've also been told that glycemic index is complete bs, but my ovary doesn't seem to think so.

So, this means that there will be one more restriction in my diet - though I don't mind, I prefer basmati over regular any day.