ICE CREAM after over a year without it!!

Most people who knew me before pre-surgery know that Ice Cream was one of my major food groups. It was often made up my whole lunch while I was at BC. It has always been one of my absolute favorite foods...I have yet to find a flavor I have not liked!! After surgery I became lactose intolerant--which pretty much put a kabash on my ice cream obsession...until TODAY! I've done some research on the internet for dairy-free ice cream & I found that, indeed, it did exist. When I went to the grocery store to search for it today, TA-DA, there it was before my very eyes. I am pretty sure the people in the aisle with me think I am a loon because I literally shrieked with excitement. I purchased the chocolate/peanutbutter flavor. They had about 5 to choose from. After all this time in the ice cream aisle, I never saw "soy" ice cream before. It is the dairy-free alternative for those of us with particular needs!! I rushed home & immediately grabbed a spoon & dove in. It was wonderful!! Okay, not as great as my regular ice cream, but certainly not bad & absolutely better than NO ice cream at all. I enjoyed a few bites of it, thankful for such a wonderful finding!!! I think it will also help with getting me more calories that I need right now. Wouldn't it be a shame if I was put on an ice cream diet? haha! Can you believe such a little thing could make me SO happy...but it did!

It also happened on a good day because I've been enduring one of those 'not so great' days with the ol' tummy--so finding something that not only soothed my throat & tummy with its coldness, but also my heart--was spectacular!! I'm hoping to find it in "Peach" flavor--that's my favorite! (Christina, remember the drive to St. Joe to Baskin & Robbins for peach ice cream??--haha). Good times! :)

I've also been spending time on the internet researching digestive issues. I usually do this when I'm really not feeling well and find myself on the couch. It at least makes me feel pro-active in my own care & helps me learn more about the digestive process & issues that can occur. On my research today I ran across a website that was devoted to people with digestive problems & those with tube feedings. It is a chat room/journal place. I signed up & began reading different things. It is almost a support group of sorts, but on-line. It was interesting to read how many people suffer with similar problems as mine, some are much worse!! I think this sort of thing is good because it allows people to connect with others who are going through a similar situation & that can provide a lot of encouragement & hope. Some of them were my age & their stories were very intriguing. I'm usually not in to this sort of thing & the ooey-gooey 'you're special & we're here for you' sort of thing--but this seems to be different. So...I signed on (it is free) to give it a shot. If nothing else, maybe I'll learn some 'home remedies' on different things. It is scary to see how many people are alive because they are tube fed everyday. I pray everyday I do not have to go back to that...it was the most painful part of my surgery, though I know for most it isn't. Mine just leaked & caused multiple issues.

Anyway--today was 2 good finds to hopefully help me during all of this--for different reasons, of course! (SMILE)

Tutu & I went to Church this evening & one of our members' grandson was ordained a priest a week ago & tonight he presided his first Mass for his Grandmother. She just sat there glowing the whole entire time. It was very cute & he did a great job. He didn't seem nervous at all.

Well...I have to say that I am ready for this day to be over in hopes my tummy decides it likes me more tomorrow! (SMILE) But, I did have 2 findings & that makes me happy. Tomorrow is Father's Day--I'm a lucky girl, I have a pretty awesome Dad to celebrate.

I'm off to try & get some shut eye--my sleeping patterns are certainly odd these days! (SMILE) Hope the weekend is treating everyone well. I wouldn't be suprised if my dreams entail ice cream tonight. HaHa!

GOODNIGHT...sleep well!