Priceless

Monday was in a word, crazy. I think when my neighbor came over around 11 and found me still in my jammies rushing around the house like a mad woman, she knew something was up.

Out the door I headed to take my sweet Sophie dog to the vet for a sore ear. Little did I know the rest of the afternoon would be spent with Sophie in surgery. I love my Sophie. I almost love her as much as I love my kids. She is ALWAYS happy to see me and she NEVER talks back. Moreover, she seems to know when to come and sit with me for a while so I can seek comfort in the mindless task of stroking her back.

But I simply did not have time on Monday for her to have a medical crisis. Do you ever have one of those days where there are simply too many things on your to do list? I do, it happens all the time. And then, two or three more things get thrown at you that are quite pressing and really need your immediate attention. But those two or three more things seem to slowly push you over the edge as you try to re-adjust your schedule? Yeah, I thought so. We've all been there.

And that is why when my neighbor asked if there was anything she could do to help me, I quickly added a few items to her grocery list.

I went about my day and arrived home to the blessed smell of dinner in the oven. Not only had she picked up the ingredients I needed, she had gone the extra mile and prepared dinner for me. I think I almost cried. I was so tired and stressed and so completely grateful that someone had taken care of me as I struggled to take care of those around me.

She left me a sticky note in the fridge that went something like this:

Bread $1.50
Turkey $8.17
Cheese: $4.00
Lettuce: $2.00

Cost of a Completely Prepared Dinner: PRICELESS

Many, Many Thanks to Heather for the delicious meal and for taking care of me in so many ways.

PS. Here is the recipe for the grubbin' French Dip Sandwiches she made. If you own the infamous Peacocks cookbook, it's Kelly's recipe.

French Dip Sandwiches

4 lbs boneless thinly sliced rump roast (Heather used sliced Roast Beef from the deli, and only 2 pounds)
2 cans beef broth
1 pkg. dry onion soup mix
2 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. oregano
12 oz. apple juice
1 Large can mushrooms with juice
2 cloves minced garlic
1 beef bouillon cube
slice mozzarella cheese

Heat oven to 300 degrees. Place beef in large dish. Combine all ingredients and pour over meat. Cover with foil and bake for 3-3 1/2 hours. Butter large sourdough sand which rolls, add sliced mozzarella and toast. Heat roast on rolls and dip in remaining juices.