fevers,chills and a few tears...ugh

I know a fever is a way our body tries to fight infection, I know they can be a good thing, I know a fever is not going to kill me...theoretically. I HATE everything there is to a fever. The chills, the aches, my toes so sore I fear I will never be able to wear shoes again, sweating, and just plain being miserable. I have had major surgeries during my 31 years of life and I am pretty much a champ when I comes to pain, I don't love it, but I know it will pass. I know that rest and dilaudid...yes the hard stuff I'm allergic to everything else, will do the trick and the physical pain I feel will pass. Not so much with a fever. There is that moment when it is at it highest where I am sure without a doubt I will die. A painful, tragic and pathetic death. I know if by some chance I survive the fever I will be left scarred by blindness, deafness or I will be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of my life. What makes this all the worse, is that nobody feels sympathy for someone who has a fever. I frequently hear, "Suck it up," or my favorite "Get up off the kitchen floor." Today I got up off the kitchen floor, sucked it up and came to work. I know right I'm a carrier monkey...I sanitize my hands frequently and don't touch the patients.

I hate working when I feel more like a patient than some of the people who walk in the doors. I am a tough cookie and rarely cry, unless I am sick and then it's a freaking tear fest! All the little old people who come from nursing homes with no families, the sick little babies who have no fight in them, or the families who are here with a loved one and scared to death make me just want to curl up and cry. There is also a second side to this sick coin, I have no patience for bull crap. If you are looking for drugs, are drunk, or come in for the tooth ache that you have had for six months and tonight at 4am is an emergency....you get no sympathy. It's just not there. You can't squeeze blood from a turnip so don't even try.

All and all it's not been that bad. I am thankful for a body that knows pain for without pain I wouldn't know how good it feels to feel good. I am thankful for a job that gives me insurance, money in my pocket, food in my pantry and a roof over my head. Thankful for friends I work with who care for my well being and check up on me. One of the nurses gave me something to help bring down the fever and help with the aches. I have the next couple of days off so I should be able to rest and revive myself. The fever has gone down, but I suspect any minute I will spike and I will collapse. Thankfully I am in an Emergency Room....

It's like crack...but better for you.

not actual picture*

I am sure you know by now how much I love to cook. I was a vegetarian for a while (before I moved to Crescent and my Doctor and lack of meat free dishes changed that). I also have dabbled in the art of eating completely animal free ...I couldn't do it for long I LOVE cheese, but I picked up a few things along the way. Believe me my 18 year old brother and friend loved these cupcakes and my father said it was the BEST coconut pecan frosting he has ever eaten. Give it a try you never know how much you'll like something until you try it. My mother also pointed out this is a perfect treat for people who don't have access to dairy or for a delish food storage dessert. My family is hooked...

The Best Vegan Chocolate Cake Ever

3 cups flour

2 cups sugar

1/2 cup cocoa (I usually add a little more for a richer flavor)

2 teaspoons baking soda

2 teaspoons salt

2 tablespoons white vinegar

3/4 cup oil

2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups cold water

Directions: Preheat oven to 350. In a large mixing bowl or mixer (use the batter attachment) combine dry ingredients. Stir in oil, vinegar and vanilla mix until it's a paste. Slowly stir in the water a cup at a time. It won't seem like it can take that much, just keep stirring. After all liquid is incorporated stir or mix for a minute or so more. Bake at 350 until the middle of the cake is springy to the touch or a knife inserted into the middle comes out clean. Immediately turn out and wrap with plastic wrap. This keeps the cake super moist. Let cool to room temperature before frosting.

This makes a little over 2 dozen cupcakes, one bunt cake, or two 9" rounds. Be sure to adjust the baking time.

This goes great with a coconut pecan frosting, which is listed below. This is by far the best vegan cake recipe I have found, and I've been looking!

Preparation time: 50 minutes

Coconut Pecan Frosting

1 stick margarine (1/2 cup)

3/4 cup sugar

1 1/2 cup shredded coconut

1 cup chopped pecans

1/2 cup soy milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions: Boil together all ingredients in a medium to large saucepan over medium-high heat for 8-12 minutes, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Pour then spread on cake while frosting is still warm. Let set up for a few minutes before serving (sets up faster if you cover it and place it in the fridge).

Serves: enough for one 2-layer cake, or 24 cupcakes

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Meggo is Preggo!

I am sure that by now most if not all of you have heard I am going to be an aunt for the very first time! My sweet sister Megan is having a baby and I couldn't be more excited...well maybe when it's my turn.... She and Kevin are living in Tacoma, WA and Meg has been super with keeping us updated on the goings on in her growing belly.


This is the first picture of my niece
October 30, 2009

From the time we found out Megan was going to be a mom, everybody knew she was going to have Ava Carey Nickel. I bought Ava her first pair of shoes, the cutest little pink maryjanes. We were so blessed to have Meg and Kev home for Christmas and we had the funnest time planning for sweet little Ava. Meg had "the" ultrasound to find out for sure who she was carrying in the beginning of January. They had the funnest party where they asked everyone to come dressed in pink or blue depending on who you felt she was having. It was a sea of pink with the exception of a few blue hopeful men. During the party cupcakes were given out with pink or blue frosting in the middle so when you bit into it you were able to find out who she is having. With my parents on the phone everyone at the party bit into the cupcake to find.....BLUE!!
She is having Kevin Russel Nickel III or as we so lovingly call him Tripp.

Tripps foot

Below is the progression of her growing belly

January 24, 2010


For the longest time she wasn't quite showing. These pictures are of her where you can tell she is pregnant, but she hasn't popped just yet.

Three days later... January 27, 2010
She POPPED!

With Meg only being 5'2 she doesn't have anywhere to go but out, and she is quickly going out...

February 10, 2010

She has four more months to go and we expect she will be getting much, much bigger. She is due on June 9th only four days after my birthday. I am just so excited she and Kevin are getting to experience this miracle. Our entire family is tickled pink...uhh I mean blue that Tripp will be joining our family. Five years is a long time to wait, but we are all sure Tripp has been and will be worth the wait. We know he is going to be an adventure and that Ava is sure to follow....

Daddy Daughter Date

Many of you know I live in the house next to my parents...some of you wonder how, why, or is that even possible? It actually works out very nice, I have my space my parents have theirs and we respect each others. There are a few perks IE: my mom loves to do laundry, my dad will take out the trash for me on trash day, no rent, a garden, and dinner invites. With that being said this Saturday I was tinkering around in my room when I heard my backdoor open. Then I heard the water running in the bathroom, so I walked out into the hall to find my father face down in the sink with blood pouring down his face as he says "I think I broke my nose." Me being the calm ER employee look at him and say I don't think your nose is broken, but you are going to need stitches for that lip. Go home and shower, I will meet you there in ten minutes. I got into the shower, got ready at the speed of light and called my mother who was already aware of the situation and was on her way home to access his injury.


He was working in the garden and pushed the trashcan away from him...it slipped and he fell face first in to this


Why yes those are jagged pieces of wood and sharp rusty tomato spikes. He was very lucky to not loose an eye. Something we discussed in detail as I drove him to the hospital. The conversation goes a little something like this:
Dad "It could have been so much worse!"
Me "I know, you could have lost your eye."
Dad "Easily, I was very lucky and blessed."
Me "Yeah you were. You could have lost your eye, and you know how I feel about people who are missing body parts" (as I lean over and pat his leg I say) "God sure was looking out for me."

I thought it was hilarious as did he. He didn't loose an eye, but this is what he ended up with




After four hours in the Emergency Room, one tetanus shot, three magazines, one book Twilight (his not mine, I know right. I told him he shouldn't be embarrassed by falling, but by reading that book.), seven stitches, tons of laughs, a million gauze 4x4's, a few new stories, and no tears this is his badge of honor...

I love you Dad....Your favorite Cookie

Peanut

I was telling a story today to one of my coworkers about Ben. The time when he rescued Meg and I from the dead mice in our apartment. He was the bravest nine year old I had ever known. Meg and I cheered him on while he cried and laughed the entire way to the trashcan. He is a senior this year and is officially old enough to put in his mission papers. I can't believe that my little peanut is a man. He is a good student, a true friend, caring, loving, talented, Christ like, funny, witty, and still just as brave. I love the relationship he and I have now that we are both adults, we laugh all the time. I am forever thankful for the grownup conversations we have shared. Thankful for the little brother that is willing to "beat up" anyone who hurts me. He helped me through my recent failed engagement with wisdom and clarity of the Spirit. I love him and am so excited for him to put in those papers, however dificult it will be to miss him. He is and always be my Peanut.