Monday, March 9, 2009

Monday Morning Staff Meeting

I'm sorry I'm late. Here's a doctor's note which reads, "Please excuse Suzanne's tardiness but she was sleeping late to counteract the effects of the flu AND pneumonia in her right lung."

It was my decision to set up the screen here in the conference room so that I could appear from a remote location. I'm telling you that you DO NOT want to catch what I have. I do appreciate all your good wishes and admonitions that I lay low and fight the good fight.

I've done my best to do just that but when you start to feel a little better the four walls begin to close in and you long for the sound of another voice. I've dragged myself to the computer when possible and spent some time with all of you, reading and rejoicing in your lives. Oh, thank God for good friends is all I can say.

You've made me laugh and in one case I cried and committed myself to help in a medical battle thousands of miles from my home. I'll talk more about that later in the week and a fair warning - I'm going to ask for your help. I've never done this before on my blog but I believe that some of you will be willing to help also. Stay tuned.

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How's the old saying go? "Starve a cold, feed a fever"? I have no clue what to do for the flu and pneumonia but I'm sure it involves the Mennonite Girls. They can cook!! Do you read the blog? If not, check it out here:

Mennonite Girls Can Cook

I've spent many an hour dreaming that they came to my house and cooked up wonderful, nurturing meals. Food takes on new meanings when you're ill. The Mennonite Girls certainly have the recipe for getting better.

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I was going to save this gem for another day but I can't wait. I want you to meet someone. She's a gem. You are going to simply fall in love. Her name is Clara.

Clara lived about 2 miles from where I grew up. I probably ran into her at the A & P Store and certainly we bumped into each other during the anuual Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Melrose Park where she made her home.

She's 93 years old and was filmed by her grandson in an attempt to capture some of the old recipes. The series is called "Depression Cooking with Clara". You'll love when she checks the rice for bugs. HA. She also puts together the fabulous Italian Fig Cookies.

I hope you love her. She's a hit on the internet with 100,000 views and interviewed by CBS. As you would guess she's not so impressed with the attention.



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Have you been doing anything interesting this week? I might have missed something between the naps.

- Suzanne

19 comments:

chocolatechic said...

I have watched all of Clara's videos.

She is a gem. I would love to meet her in person and just quiz her.

Anonymous said...

I saw the interiew they did with her on TV... she's just as sweet as suger... Wish she were my neighbor!

DI
The Blue Ridge Gal

Anonymous said...

I found out about Clara around three weeks ago. I love her frank matter of fact attitude. She obviously loves her great grandson-the videographer, which makes the videos even better.

Anonymous said...

So glad you are getting better. I was getting worried about you! The web is a great thing for someone recuperating. Bored with doing nothing, but not enough energy to do anything seriously physical. Glad you are giving yourself time to heal.
-arlene

Jenni said...

I just found Clara this weekend and started watching all her videos. Love her!

Take care of yourself and get better soon! Flu and pneumonia, what a double whammy!

Vee said...

Clara and I have met and I did fall in love with her. I thought that you had featured her, but perhaps it was ChocolateChic. I lose track.

Pneumonia? Oh dear heavens! This makes two of my blogging buddies with it. Enough already.

What happened with your dinner party? Did it get postponed (I hope) to a better time?

Amber said...

well, I am having a giveaway on my site...I am giving away the secret life of bees book...come on over and check it out!
http://kentuckysunflower-amber.blogspot.com/

bv said...

this blog world is crazy...i have been so worried about you! i would check a few times a day to see if you had blogged...this morn i was thinking 'if i email maybe the farmer would tell me how poor wife is doing' glad to know you are sitting up and taking nurishment.
bv

Jill said...

I'm so glad to hear that you're feeling better. I was going through my reader and noticed that you hadn't posted recently... and even in your last post you mentioned how ill you were.

Not to laugh here, but I also check my rice - and all pastas for bugs too. Obviously for different reasons...

Becky said...

so glad you are on the mend. Take your time getting better. I had the luck of catching the stomach flu from my granddaughters over the weekend. I am improved, but am finding I'm too weak to do much of anything but sit and sleep! I was so glad to have the Monday morning staff meeting....I feel more focused! :) Becky

Mary said...

Am so glad to hear from you. Was certainly hoping you were on the mend. I saved both of those links. I think i gained 6 lbs just browsing in the mennonite girls blog. Saving Clara for later.

Michelle said...

Glad to hear you are up and about. Love the Clara video and I can't wait to check out the Mennonite Girls.

Heidi said...

What a great gal - how wonderful that she has been able to share this with us. WE need to get these old timers talking more and keep the information alive and well. Its SO important to pass this stuff down.... Thanks for sharing Sue - glad you are better and I HAVE MISSED YOU!!!!

Rustic Goods said...

thank you for sharing Clara with us...I love her and have watched all the videos!

Thirkellgirl said...

I knew something was really wrong! (I'm highly intuitive, lol). I'm so sorry you've been so ill. Now you'll need a vacation to recover from the post-vacation.

I have been waiting for my out-of-control flare-up of my own previously simply-annoying autoimmune disease to back off. And trying to think happy thoughts. And eating an inordinate amount of red meat and spinach.

And getting my toenails painted and reading John Grisham on the front porch, ignoring the wind gusts and enjoying the sunshine while it lasted.

How are you feeling? Slightly better or just awful?

Vickie said...

I'm so sorry to hear that you've got pneumonia along with your flu! Poor thing!

First time I've seen Clara - I'll have to check out her other videos. She's darling -reminds me so much of my grandmother. My Nanny would be a little older than her if she was still alive... sigh... I miss her

Linda said...

Thank you so much for introducing Clara to me. Doesn't she epitomize the spirit of the elderly we hope and pray to achieve some day? Wonderful.

StitchinByTheLake said...

I found Aunt Clara last week and watched every episode! Now I'll go and visit the Mennonite girls. :) blessings, marlene

Judy said...

I'm just catching up on your posts...and now I am having a good laugh...since I am one of the "Mennonite Girls...who tries to cook" and I haven't got a clue about starving a cold or feeding a fever!