Taco Soup

Fall is here and the air is crisp! Time for Taco Soup! My kids love this and it is an easy recipe for the four quart crock pot. 1 lb browned hamburger; 1 can beans ( I like black beans, but kidney beans are great too); 1 can of corn, juice too; 1 can of tomato soup; 2 cans of vegetable soup; 1 c of your favorite salsa; Mix all of this in your crock pot and add enough water to fill it up. Cook on low 8 hrs or high 4 hrs. Serve with grated cheddar cheese, Fritos corn chips, and chopped green onions, and sour cream.

Suicide

Recently, my son installed an aquarium in our living room for my grandchildren to enjoy. Originally, there were eight fish in the tank. Slowly over the week, one at a time, their numbers are dwindling. It occurred to me today that we are not the only living beings on earth to be suicidal. There are now four of the original eight fish in the tank. I have been wondering why the fish feel the need to leave the tank. They have all the food, water, entertainment, and company of the other fish. People contemplating suicide need to have a "hope" to hang on to for their survival. As a member of the human family, hope can come from any direction. Family, friends, accomplishments-they are all a vital part of our existence. When my children were small, and even now that they are older, I would touch them. Hugs, a pat on the back or arm, ruffling their hair, I knew that they would know the touch of their mother and feel safe and loved. I have tried to strive over the years to keep that contact with them. Telephone conversations end with an "I love you." There are hugs when they walk through my door and hugs when they leave. My youngest said that we are a very "huggy-kissy" family. Looking back on my childhood, there were always hugs and kisses from my parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. Make sure that your loved ones have the touching and hugging and "I love yous." Quantity and Quality matter! Maybe, the fish in the tank need more touching.

Sushi Night

One of my favorite things to do is get together with my kids and grandkids. Life is NEVER boring with my group. Last night, we celebrated two birthdays, Nathan and Emily. We made sushi and had dragoons, lemon poppy seed cake, and no bake cookies. We played a Monte Python card game and was I ever lost with all of the jokes and cards! I was still able to follow the rules and play the game. During the sushi making part of the evening things were really interesting. My son Scotty made a mac and cheese sushi for his daughter Marissa. It was fun to watch her face when she found out how to eat it. Scotty put a dollop of ketchup on top of each roll and told her to put it all in her mouth and chew. Marissa looked at him skeptically and said, "I even have to eat the paper! No way!" Then, her father put one in his mouth and chewed. She ate her plain mac and cheese. Sushi is a family favorite for most of us. There are a few dissenters. I discovered a tutorial on YouTube that shows how to make California rolls and other types of sushi. I taught the kids and now everyone makes their own when we have a sushi night. We talk and eat and laugh. Lots of fun and teasing going on in this house! Life is definitely good.

Suicide Prevention

It is once again that time of the year when we celebrate the life of our husband, father, brother, and cousin. The decision he made has affected us in many ways over the last ten years. Some are positive and others not so much. Please remember that it was his decision, whether we feel it was wrong or not. I know that he would want us to carry on and do him proud. That is why I have pressed forward with my book and will continue to advocate for mental illness issues. I believe that education, support, and advocacy for mental illness is the way to lift the stigma associated with it and set the next generation free from that stigma. Every few years, I take a class through NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). I refreshes what I have already learned and gives me new information and hope for future generations. I have promoted the classes in the past and will continue to advise everyone to take them if they are available. THEY ARE FREE! Here is a write-up that was in my city newsletter. Good luck and God Bless! The Bear River Health Department issued this in our city newsletter. NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION WEEK National Suicide Prevention Week is September 8-14. During this week, we want to raise awareness about suicide and how we can prevent it. Suicide is a complex and multi-dimensional problem and no one is immune from its effects. It is important to remember that suicide is preventable, but it will take the entire community's efforts to be successful. There were over 38,000 deaths by suicide in the United States in 2010. That breaks down to one death by suicide about every 15 minutes in our country. In Utah, an average of 400 die from suicide with an additional 4,152 suicide attempts each year., During 2007-2011, the Bear River Health Department lost nearly 100 persons to suicide (data from DC and YDOH-IBIS). What can you do to help prevent suicide? Educate yourself and others. Participate in local events and trainings where you can learn more about suicide prevention. Let your loved ones know you care. An easy way to do that is to send an e-card. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline now has e-cards available at ecards.suicidepreventionlifeline.org. Participate in Suicide Prevention Week by lighting a candle near a window on Tuesday, September 10th at 8 pm. This gesture supports World Suicide Prevention Day, suicide prevention awareness, survivors of suicide and memories of lost loved ones.