tyronebcookin

Feasting on Asphalt - Thanksgiving Edition pt.1

Stephanie had viral meningitis (read our other posts to catch up on this) and went back in for an appointment (she was released on the Friday previous from the ER as a patient) to reassess her condition and they request that she not come back to work till the following Monday. If she was not feeling better she would have to come back in for further testing...

That being the case I felt that Stephanie indeed needed more rest and a relaxing environment. Our room that we live in at the IOC at Mercy Ships was quite stuffy and I felt it was time for at least a temporary change. I already had a four day weekend coming because of the Thanksgiving holiday so I loaded Stephanie up in the car and took here for a 'countryside' ride. She had plenty of pillows, medication, and a special neck pillow for our journey.

After researching online for coffee shops I found an interesting place that was called Spices Unlimited that fell under the coffee category even though it was not a cafe or coffee shop. It sold coffee, all kinds of packaged as well as bulk spices...most I had seen before but there were a few surprises. They also had a section in the back called 'The Cellar" or at least thats what I think it was called, it had an extensive collection of equipement, materials, replacement parts, yeast, hops, barley, and other ingredients for the simplest to most sophisticated home-brewer of beer or wine. Very interesting...Although I personally do not care to venture into that region of recipes and what not.

From Feasting on A...

Spices unlimited is located in Texarkana exit 223a off of Interstate 30. That exit deposits you on highway 71 or N. State Line Ave. After about a half mile you should see it on your left. It is in the middle of a couple of other businesses that are attached.

From Feasting on A...

After talking extensively with the Lady who was running it, she also told us that they supplied the coffee, spices, and other supplies for the cafe next door. Actually while we were there the cook from next door came to get a refill of some 'meat seasoning'.

Join me next time as we visit the cafe next door.

I am a lucky lady!!

I am not bragging (well maybe I am) but I am a lucky girl. I was 27 when I got married and I truely have found my match. He challenges me to be a better person every day. He prays for me regularly. One of my favorite things about him is that I still have my independace. I don't feel like I have to beg to go ut of town with my girlfriends. He has taught me how to be frugal and how to save for our future. I think while I was single the most important thing to me was to find someone that wanted to do Mercy Ships. Man, I hit the motherload on this one. His desire to serve in Africa is huge and for the right reasons. There are so many reason why he is the best in my opinion, not to mention what woman wouldn't love a chef for a husband. I love that when we travel together we don't eat at chain restaurants and that when I am sick I feel taken care of but not smothered.

He loves me and I know it. Of course we have our challenges ( which he wrote about last month) but so far we are working through them and trying to have much fun as possible in this stage of our lives.

My head is not going to explode!!

Finally, after 3 long days of thinking it was possible to see my head actaully explode and roll off my neck, my headache is down to just minor pain. Tyrone has been so nice to me. He took me to the ER yesterday. I was so dreading going, because I knew they would do an LP and I was sure everyone I knew at the hospital would see me at my worst. They gave me some Versed (conscious sedation medicine) to knock me out. I was most anxious about what I was going to say while I was visiting the land of the Loopy. And I was afraid who was going to come in the room while they were doing the LP, so I gave the nurse a specific list of people who could come in the room, all others were strictly BANNED!!! As far as I know my wishes were granted. Now I am off work until Wednesday which brings me to 18 more shifts in the ER, then Hasta La Pasta, Sianara, WE ARE OUT OF HERE!!!

A note to Sunday School (& faithful readers)

Hello All,

I (tyrone) just brought Stephanie home from the hospital. On tuesday Stephanie went to get the 'yellow fever' shot for our travel to Africa. 4 hours later she started getting a headache. It later developed into a burning sensation in her neck, pain, chills, discomfort and a worse headache that was still happening today.

After some tests, IV, and some shots (not necessarily in that order) they took an LP (what is that?) yeah me too, what is that? They take a long (blunt/dull) needle and extract fluid from your spinal cord and run tests with it...and it was decided she indeed has viral meningitis, and yes its contagious. So I would ask that you pray that she will start feeling better and heal. Usually its just a waiting game.

I don't think I will get it because I have already been immunized for it a few years ago. I am a walking immunization having had all known medical shots for traveling and disease. (not sure if that is something to brag about or not?)

Thanks in advance for your prayers...we probably won't see you Sunday, we'll probably be lying around watching chic flics and feeding Stephanie ice cream to make her feel better.

tyrone

Feasting on Asphalt Wedding Anniversary ~ the wrap-up

Our wedding anniversary was more about having fun and enjoying time together and it just so happens travel and food play a big part of it. I posted several pictures in small form in the other parts of this 'post' series that link to my Picasso Web Album which I would encourage you to look at all the other pictures. They range from the river walk...

From Anniversary

To the AT&T building (accessible from either exit 19a or 19b in Shreveport not to far from the Eldorado's or Sam's Town Hotel) which has large murals painted on its sides...