Steve's surgery went very well. I am doing better with the lawn care, but it's not as pretty as when Steve does it. Oh, well, at least it's done. In about 2 weeks, he gets the weedeater back.
For the past few weeks, he and I have been talking about needing to lose weight. We're both tired of being fat, not having any energy, and not being able to do the things we want to do. We also want to set a better example for Jacob. On Tuesday night, we joined Weight Watchers. Both of us had successfully done WW in the past, on our own, but thought if we go together, and stick to the plan, it will give us more motivation. The hard part is, he gets more daily points than I do, and I'm the one fixing all of his food.
In addition to the other reasons above, I just want to feel attractive. I know my husband thinks I'm sexy, but I want to look sexy for him. I want to stop having to shop in the plus size stores. I want to buy underwear that don't include the words "Just My Size" on the package. And who, exactly, decided that plus size women either have unlimited budgets (I'm looking at you, Lane Bryant!) or want big old flowers and sequins on every article of clothing they own? So to accomplish this, I'm sticking to the plan. I'm counting the points in everything I eat, every single BLT (bite, lick, or taste). I will do it this time, for good.
College classes are now out for the summer, so I'm at home now. I'm still teaching four courses online over the summer to earn some extra money. We're going to fence in the backyard and buy a pool. We've gotten estimates, and determined the amount I will be earning extra will do both of these, plus eliminate the rest of our debt, except for my car payment. After all the credit cards and doctor bills are paid off, we'll be first adding to our emergency fund to get it to the $5K mark, then doubling up on my car payments. All of this should be done by next May.
Jacob will be out of school next week. We're going to have "Math Camp" here over the summer, he is really struggling with basic multiplication. Does anyone have any fun ideas that will help multiplication stick for him?
Well, gotta run! There's laundry to fold, beds to make, and supper to calculate and cook.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Saturday, April 16, 2011
A Change of Plans
Steve has been having some trouble with pain in his elbow. On Thursday, we went to see a specialist, who did some x-rays and testing, and determined that Steve has no cartilidge in his elbow, just the bones of his elbow and forearm rubbing together. Painful enough in itself, but he also has a twisted nerve that is getting trapped between the two bones. Ouch! The doctor recommended surgery, and then told us he had an opening on Monday, just 4 days later. The surgery will leave him unable to use his arm and hand for around 6 weeks.
We came home Thursday night, picked up Jacob at my parent's house, and I got a crash course in using the lawn mower and the weedeater. We also worked until after dark on the landscaping, as we had just bought a truckload of landscaping rock. Most of the rock is unloaded in the flowerbeds now, but there is still about a fourth of a truckload left for me to do when the weather clears up. Yesterday (Friday) it rained all day and through the night, and today it is drizzling rain, cold, and windy, so the rocks will have to wait.
We spent the morning doing some deep cleaning in the house, so it will be a bit easier for me since I'll have all the indoor and outdoor chores to do by myself until Steve is able to help me. This afternoon, I'm working on some papers for my classes, trying to get a few weeks ahead, so I can adjust to my new life style. I sat down and came up with a new schedule so the major stuff gets done as it needs it.
6:30 am: wake up, dress in workout clothes, wake Jacob. Fix breakfast, empty the dishwasher, and start the laundry. Jacob dresses for school, eats breakfast, feeds the animals, and washes face, hands, and brushes teeth.
7:15: Jacob gets on the bus, I work out for 30-45 minutes, then reboot the laundry.
8:00: Shower, get dressed/hair/makeup for work. Fix work lunch, fix Steve's lunch and put in the mircrowave for him.
9:00 Fold and put away laundry, thaw meat for supper or put in crock pot, any supper preps that I can get to.
10:00: Leave for work.
4:00: Home. Change out of work clothes, put dishes in dishwasher, make our bed. Jacob does his chores, start on supper, clean while supper cooks.
5:30: Supper
6:00: Kitchen clean-up, Jacob loads and starts dishwasher and sweeps kitchen, 10 minute tidy of the living room.
6:30: Homework for me and Jacob
8:00: Jacob shower, teeth, jammies.
8:30: Jacob in bed, can read or watch TV until lights out at 9:00.
9:00: time with hubby. Watch a movie or some TV. I usually read or sew or crochet while we're watching.
11:00: Lights out for me.
Daily cleaning must-do's:
1 load of laundry, dishes, counters in kitchen, sweep kitchen, food preps.
Day by Day cleaning tasks:
Monday: Sweep (Jacob) and mop kitchen, bathrooms, and entry
Tuesday: dust all furniture: Living Room, Bedrooms, Hall
Wednesday: Clean bathroom counters, tubs, and toilets. Make grocery list.
Thursday: Grocery shop on the way home from work. vacuum all carpets (Jacob), clean mirrors and windows (inside only)
Friday: Family night (movies or games)
Saturday: mow and weedeat. If it's raining, do Monday and Tuesday cleaning, then mow those nights. Homework for me.
Sunday: Church, meal plan for week. Bring up food for week from basement pantry and freezers. Rest.
Menu planning:
Breakfasts: cold cereal with milk, oatmeal with fruit, eggs and turkey sausage, peanut butter toast
Lunches: Jacob eats at school, I take a sandwich or supper leftovers or a frozen Weight Watchers meal. I fix Steve leftovers or a sandwich, or he finds something he can fix.
Supper: changes weekly. I will be focusing on easy to prepare foods that don't require a lot of time from me. I'm searching for some good crockpot meals, so I can just dump it all in before work.
We came home Thursday night, picked up Jacob at my parent's house, and I got a crash course in using the lawn mower and the weedeater. We also worked until after dark on the landscaping, as we had just bought a truckload of landscaping rock. Most of the rock is unloaded in the flowerbeds now, but there is still about a fourth of a truckload left for me to do when the weather clears up. Yesterday (Friday) it rained all day and through the night, and today it is drizzling rain, cold, and windy, so the rocks will have to wait.
We spent the morning doing some deep cleaning in the house, so it will be a bit easier for me since I'll have all the indoor and outdoor chores to do by myself until Steve is able to help me. This afternoon, I'm working on some papers for my classes, trying to get a few weeks ahead, so I can adjust to my new life style. I sat down and came up with a new schedule so the major stuff gets done as it needs it.
6:30 am: wake up, dress in workout clothes, wake Jacob. Fix breakfast, empty the dishwasher, and start the laundry. Jacob dresses for school, eats breakfast, feeds the animals, and washes face, hands, and brushes teeth.
7:15: Jacob gets on the bus, I work out for 30-45 minutes, then reboot the laundry.
8:00: Shower, get dressed/hair/makeup for work. Fix work lunch, fix Steve's lunch and put in the mircrowave for him.
9:00 Fold and put away laundry, thaw meat for supper or put in crock pot, any supper preps that I can get to.
10:00: Leave for work.
4:00: Home. Change out of work clothes, put dishes in dishwasher, make our bed. Jacob does his chores, start on supper, clean while supper cooks.
5:30: Supper
6:00: Kitchen clean-up, Jacob loads and starts dishwasher and sweeps kitchen, 10 minute tidy of the living room.
6:30: Homework for me and Jacob
8:00: Jacob shower, teeth, jammies.
8:30: Jacob in bed, can read or watch TV until lights out at 9:00.
9:00: time with hubby. Watch a movie or some TV. I usually read or sew or crochet while we're watching.
11:00: Lights out for me.
Daily cleaning must-do's:
1 load of laundry, dishes, counters in kitchen, sweep kitchen, food preps.
Day by Day cleaning tasks:
Monday: Sweep (Jacob) and mop kitchen, bathrooms, and entry
Tuesday: dust all furniture: Living Room, Bedrooms, Hall
Wednesday: Clean bathroom counters, tubs, and toilets. Make grocery list.
Thursday: Grocery shop on the way home from work. vacuum all carpets (Jacob), clean mirrors and windows (inside only)
Friday: Family night (movies or games)
Saturday: mow and weedeat. If it's raining, do Monday and Tuesday cleaning, then mow those nights. Homework for me.
Sunday: Church, meal plan for week. Bring up food for week from basement pantry and freezers. Rest.
Menu planning:
Breakfasts: cold cereal with milk, oatmeal with fruit, eggs and turkey sausage, peanut butter toast
Lunches: Jacob eats at school, I take a sandwich or supper leftovers or a frozen Weight Watchers meal. I fix Steve leftovers or a sandwich, or he finds something he can fix.
Supper: changes weekly. I will be focusing on easy to prepare foods that don't require a lot of time from me. I'm searching for some good crockpot meals, so I can just dump it all in before work.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Ultimate Blog Party 2011
I am joining up at 5 minutes for mom ultimate blog party 2011. If you are a new visitor, welcome! Have a seat!
I am Amanda, married to my best friend Steve! We have one son, Jacob, and an assorted menagerie of animals that currently includes a cat named Mittens, a poodle named Patrick, and a bunny named Floppy. I enjoy making things, growing my own produce, canning, even when it doesn't always work like I planned. I'd love to live on a farm someday, and be able to have even more animals.
We have dreams of self-sufficiency, and even though we won't be entirely self-sufficient, we enjoy working together and making things. I like use what we have to make what we need. Sometimes it's an experiment that works, and sometimes it doesn't. We live and learn.
So what can you expect from me? Posts about crocheting, sewing, canning, gardening, occasional rants. You may see some book reviews, because I like to read, and like getting free books. You won't see much adver-blogging, though. This is just my daily life, I'll be posting about that.
I am Amanda, married to my best friend Steve! We have one son, Jacob, and an assorted menagerie of animals that currently includes a cat named Mittens, a poodle named Patrick, and a bunny named Floppy. I enjoy making things, growing my own produce, canning, even when it doesn't always work like I planned. I'd love to live on a farm someday, and be able to have even more animals.
We have dreams of self-sufficiency, and even though we won't be entirely self-sufficient, we enjoy working together and making things. I like use what we have to make what we need. Sometimes it's an experiment that works, and sometimes it doesn't. We live and learn.
So what can you expect from me? Posts about crocheting, sewing, canning, gardening, occasional rants. You may see some book reviews, because I like to read, and like getting free books. You won't see much adver-blogging, though. This is just my daily life, I'll be posting about that.
Weekend Wrap-up
This weekend I:
Planted 8 trees (2 apple, 2 cherry, 2 peach, and 2 pear)
Planted 10 fruit shrubs/vines (5 blueberry, 2 grape, 1 raspberry, 1 blackberry, and 1fig)
Tilled the garden, covered it in fertilizer and started covering it in plastic to kill the weeds.
Laughed in delight as my son caught an abandoned baby rabbit that's been hanging around for a week.
Made an after hours phone call to the vet to find out how to care for the rabbit.
Made an impromptu run to Wal-Mart at 9:30 pm to buy baby food sweet potatoes for said rabbit.
Cleaned the kitchen from top to bottom.
Finished writing a 10 page paper.
Spent quality family time snuggled up on the couch watching movies together.
Thanked the Lord for my family, the animals, the beautiful weather, and the abundant blessings He provides.
Note: this was also posted on my other blog.
Planted 8 trees (2 apple, 2 cherry, 2 peach, and 2 pear)
Planted 10 fruit shrubs/vines (5 blueberry, 2 grape, 1 raspberry, 1 blackberry, and 1fig)
Tilled the garden, covered it in fertilizer and started covering it in plastic to kill the weeds.
Laughed in delight as my son caught an abandoned baby rabbit that's been hanging around for a week.
Made an after hours phone call to the vet to find out how to care for the rabbit.
Made an impromptu run to Wal-Mart at 9:30 pm to buy baby food sweet potatoes for said rabbit.
Cleaned the kitchen from top to bottom.
Finished writing a 10 page paper.
Spent quality family time snuggled up on the couch watching movies together.
Thanked the Lord for my family, the animals, the beautiful weather, and the abundant blessings He provides.
Note: this was also posted on my other blog.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
A Time to Plant...
Well, almost time to plant! It's time to start prepping for this year's garden. Last night, we bought a tiller and started tilling and raking up the dead grass. It will take a few days to complete this.
This year, we are planting watermelon, lettuce, corn, carrots, cucumbers, green beans, peas, cantaloupe, celery, cauliflower, bell peppers, broccoli, radishes, and several types of tomatoes. And some strawberries. I'll probably also do a few herbs in pots on the deck.
Currently, we have 3 blueberry shrubs, a plum tree, and a nectarine tree. This year, we are adding 5 more blueberry shrubs, and 2 each of these trees: apple, peach, pear, and cherry. We will eat fresh throughout the summer, and I'll can, freeze, or dehydrate whatever possible. I plan to get a pressure canner this year, so I'll be able to can even more than last year with just my waterbath canner.
Are you gardening this year? What do you plan to do?
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Help needed!
I've mentioned before, I think, that I'm working on a doctorate in marketing. the topic of a current paper I'm working on is the ethics of marketing to children. This may possibly be the topic of my dissertation as well. If you have children (or grandchildren) do you let them use the internet? What ages are they? What websites do you let them visit? Please feel free to comment on this anonymously if you prefer. I'm just collecting info on the advertisers of the websites geared to children, not looking to stalk anyone.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Preparing for the Pantry Challenge
(okay, I've never added pictures from my camera to blogger before. I don't know why they are all at the top of the page, but that is the over-the-fridge freezer, my closet pantry, and one of the kitchen cupboards)
Heather is having a pantry challenge in the month of February, and I have decided to join in. I have recently posted the inventory from my freezer and the cupoboards. I did go to the store last week to stock up on a few sales, spending a total of $83.00 between two stores. This is what I bought at Kroger:
15 lbs flour
3 (24) packs of drinking water
10 Totino's pizzas
4 half-gallons of chocolate milk
8 (1 lb) blocks of assorted cheese
4 packages Annies Organic mac and cheese
1.21 lbs tomatoes
1.78 lbs grapes
2 boxes saltine crackers
1 lb carrots
After I left Kroger, I drove to the next town over to an Amish bulk store, and purchased the following:
.52 lbs bacon bits
.67 lbs sour cream and onion powder
.48 lbs cheddar cheese powder
.66 lbs nacho cheese powder
.32 lbs cheesy bacon and potato soup mix(This prepared with a dash of red pepper sauce tastes exactly like O'Charley's Potato Soup)
.74 lbs vanilla pudding mix
.79 lbs choclate pudding mix
.62 lbs whip topping mix
.87 lbs cherry gelatin
.32 lbs grape gelatin
1.31 lbs sea salt
I will need to buy milk, eggs, and sandwich bread throughout February, but that is it. Hopefully I can save by staying out of the grocery, and apply that money to reducing our debt
Monday, January 17, 2011
Menu Plan Monday, 1/18, from the pantry
Once again, everything this week is coming from the pantry and freezer. I also go back to work tomorrow, so lunches aren't on the menu.
Breakfasts: cold cereal, oatmeal, eggs and toast, bacon.
Suppers:
Monday: Chicken Pepperoni and Green Beans
Tuesday: Hamburger Helper, Mexican Sytle Veggies
Wednesday: Chicken and Dumplings, Peas
Thursday: Spaghetti and Meatballs
Friday: Cheesy Chicken and Potato Bake
Saturday: Leftovers
Sunday: Steak and Baked Potatoes
For more menu plans, Visit I'm An Organizing Junkie!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Daily Schedule, Spring 2011
Once again, its that time of year. The time where my daily schedule changes. Below is the current schedule:
6:30 am: Up and at 'em. Wake Jacob, he gets dressed, feeds the dog and cat, and eats breakfast. I unload the dishwasher and toss in a load of laundry.
7:25 Jake gets on the bus. I begin exercising.
8:00 Quick shower, then fix breakfast for myself and Steve. Toss the wet laundry into the dryer. Eat, then do hair and makeup. Fold the laundry and put it away. Fix my lunch to take with me to work. Steve's on his own for lunch.
10:30 Go to work.
3:15 Come home. Jacob gets home at 3:40.
4:00 Start supper. Jacob does his homework. Spend about 30 minutes in the current zone.
5:30 supper time! Eat, then clean up the kitchen. Start the dishwasher.
7:00 I do my homework.
8:30 Jake has his shower and starts winding down. His bedtime is 9:30 on school nights.
9:30-11:00 time with hubby, then go to bed. Hopefully sleep sometime or another.
6:30 am: Up and at 'em. Wake Jacob, he gets dressed, feeds the dog and cat, and eats breakfast. I unload the dishwasher and toss in a load of laundry.
7:25 Jake gets on the bus. I begin exercising.
8:00 Quick shower, then fix breakfast for myself and Steve. Toss the wet laundry into the dryer. Eat, then do hair and makeup. Fold the laundry and put it away. Fix my lunch to take with me to work. Steve's on his own for lunch.
10:30 Go to work.
3:15 Come home. Jacob gets home at 3:40.
4:00 Start supper. Jacob does his homework. Spend about 30 minutes in the current zone.
5:30 supper time! Eat, then clean up the kitchen. Start the dishwasher.
7:00 I do my homework.
8:30 Jake has his shower and starts winding down. His bedtime is 9:30 on school nights.
9:30-11:00 time with hubby, then go to bed. Hopefully sleep sometime or another.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Pantry Inventory, Part 2: The cupboards
Most of these items are usually kept in the basement. I have 2 large shelving units that my dad made in one corner so I can keep like things together. Anything marked with an * was home canned last summer.
Sauces, Condiments, and Jams:
Pasta, tomato, pints*
Salsa, pints*
Cheddar cheese sauce
Alfred sauce
BBQ, Sweet Baby Rays
Pizza, pints*
Pancake syrup
Green tomato relish*
Italian dressing
Ranch dressing
French dressing
Mustard, yellow
Ketchup (must be Heinz, we don't like the others)
Strawberry Jam*
Apple Butter*
Blueberry Peach Jam*
Blackberry Jam*
Pastas, Grain, and Helpers: (I keep these upstairs, since they are in boxes)
Stove top stuffing
Garden rotini
Spaghetti
Lasagna
Egg Noodles
Couscous
Chicken Alfredo Homestyle Helper
Fruits:
Cocktail/Mixed Fruit
Pears*
Peaches*
Pineapple
Mandarin Oranges
Meats and Beans:
Tuna
Chicken
Salmon
Grillin Beans
Chili beans
Northern Beans
Refried Beans
Veggies:
Green Beans*
Pumpkin
Potatoes (I keep canned potatoes for quick mashed potatoes when I'm in a hurry)
Corn
Mushrooms
Dill Pickles*
Mixed Veggies
Peas
Tomatoes, quarts*
Diced tomatoes, Italian style
Soups and Assorted Ingredients:
Chicken Noodle Soup
Vegetable Beef Soup
Bean and Bacon Soup
Ramen Noodles
Turkey Chili (For quick chili-chees hot dogs or Chili-cheese baked potatoes)
Diced green Chilis
Chicken broth
Beef Broth
Cream Soups (I think I'll try making my own when these are gone)
Sweetened Condensed Milk
Tomato Sauce
Tomato Paste
Pie Fillings (all of these are home canned):
Peach
Cherry
Strawberry
Blueberry
Baking Ingredients:
Chocolate Chips
Hershey's cocoa powder
All purpose flour
Self rising flour
Whole wheat flour
Granulated sugar
Brown sugar
Powder sugar
Assorted spices, flavorings, food color, etc
We only have a couple of grocery stores around here, including Kroger, Wal-Mart, and Save A Lot. Our Save A Lot is just a dirty store, so I very seldom shop there. Wal-Mart is too high on most things. I buy frozen veggies, soups, and meat at Kroger when there is a good sale. Otherwise, I drive about an hour 3-4 times each year to a larger town, where there is a Sam's Club and an Aldi, and stock up. I very seldom buy ingredients for a specific meal, instead stocking my pantry well and then menu-planning based on what I have on hand.
Sauces, Condiments, and Jams:
Pasta, tomato, pints*
Salsa, pints*
Cheddar cheese sauce
Alfred sauce
BBQ, Sweet Baby Rays
Pizza, pints*
Pancake syrup
Green tomato relish*
Italian dressing
Ranch dressing
French dressing
Mustard, yellow
Ketchup (must be Heinz, we don't like the others)
Strawberry Jam*
Apple Butter*
Blueberry Peach Jam*
Blackberry Jam*
Pastas, Grain, and Helpers: (I keep these upstairs, since they are in boxes)
Stove top stuffing
Garden rotini
Spaghetti
Lasagna
Egg Noodles
Couscous
Chicken Alfredo Homestyle Helper
Fruits:
Cocktail/Mixed Fruit
Pears*
Peaches*
Pineapple
Mandarin Oranges
Meats and Beans:
Tuna
Chicken
Salmon
Grillin Beans
Chili beans
Northern Beans
Refried Beans
Veggies:
Green Beans*
Pumpkin
Potatoes (I keep canned potatoes for quick mashed potatoes when I'm in a hurry)
Corn
Mushrooms
Dill Pickles*
Mixed Veggies
Peas
Tomatoes, quarts*
Diced tomatoes, Italian style
Soups and Assorted Ingredients:
Chicken Noodle Soup
Vegetable Beef Soup
Bean and Bacon Soup
Ramen Noodles
Turkey Chili (For quick chili-chees hot dogs or Chili-cheese baked potatoes)
Diced green Chilis
Chicken broth
Beef Broth
Cream Soups (I think I'll try making my own when these are gone)
Sweetened Condensed Milk
Tomato Sauce
Tomato Paste
Pie Fillings (all of these are home canned):
Peach
Cherry
Strawberry
Blueberry
Baking Ingredients:
Chocolate Chips
Hershey's cocoa powder
All purpose flour
Self rising flour
Whole wheat flour
Granulated sugar
Brown sugar
Powder sugar
Assorted spices, flavorings, food color, etc
We only have a couple of grocery stores around here, including Kroger, Wal-Mart, and Save A Lot. Our Save A Lot is just a dirty store, so I very seldom shop there. Wal-Mart is too high on most things. I buy frozen veggies, soups, and meat at Kroger when there is a good sale. Otherwise, I drive about an hour 3-4 times each year to a larger town, where there is a Sam's Club and an Aldi, and stock up. I very seldom buy ingredients for a specific meal, instead stocking my pantry well and then menu-planning based on what I have on hand.
Pantry Inventory, Part 1: The Freezer
I like to keep a large stock of food, to use in lean times. Since this year, I plan to pay off at least $7000 in various credit card and doctor debt, I thought I'd share my pantry inventory, as I will be using the pantry a lot over the next few months.
This is what I keep in my freezer. The number after each item is the amount of meals each will make for the three of us. Tomorrow, I'll share the cupboard inventory.
Beef:
Meatballs (2)
Steak (9)
Ground beef (7)
Hamburger patties (1)
Stew meat (4)
Roast (1)
Other meats:
Pepperoni (4)
Kielbasa (2)
Cooked turkey (2)
Ground venison (5)
Italian sausage (2)
Corn dogs (4?)
Chicken (10)
Cooked, shredded, BBQ pork (2)
Whole turkey (should be able to get at least 6 meals out of this, including the stock)
White chili, cooked (1)
Fruits:
Mixed, 5 pound bag
Strawberries, 10 oz. bag
Veggies:
Broccoli, Cauliflower, & Carrot Mix (1)
Stoplight peppers, 2 cups
Shredded zucchini, 2 cups
Stir fry veggies (1)
Mixed veggies (3)
Veggie Soup Mix (5)
Mexican Style (1)
Italian Style (1)
This is what I keep in my freezer. The number after each item is the amount of meals each will make for the three of us. Tomorrow, I'll share the cupboard inventory.
Beef:
Meatballs (2)
Steak (9)
Ground beef (7)
Hamburger patties (1)
Stew meat (4)
Roast (1)
Other meats:
Pepperoni (4)
Kielbasa (2)
Cooked turkey (2)
Ground venison (5)
Italian sausage (2)
Corn dogs (4?)
Chicken (10)
Cooked, shredded, BBQ pork (2)
Whole turkey (should be able to get at least 6 meals out of this, including the stock)
White chili, cooked (1)
Fruits:
Mixed, 5 pound bag
Strawberries, 10 oz. bag
Veggies:
Broccoli, Cauliflower, & Carrot Mix (1)
Stoplight peppers, 2 cups
Shredded zucchini, 2 cups
Stir fry veggies (1)
Mixed veggies (3)
Veggie Soup Mix (5)
Mexican Style (1)
Italian Style (1)
Counting my Blessings
1. The love, grace, and acceptance of Jesus Christ
2. My amazing, funny, hot hubby
3. My intelligent and zany son
4. My home. It's not perfect, but it is (fairly) clean, spacious, and abundant.
5. Electricity.A few years ago, there was a massive ice storm in my area. We were without electricity for 10 days.
6. My job. I work part time hours and recieve full time pay and benefits. I also have the freedom to work from home between semesters for extra pay if I choose to.
7. My pets. Patrick and Mittens add so much joy to our lives.
8. A full pantry and freezer. This week's menu plan was made completely from on hand items.
9. Books to read. I have a wide assortment of fiction and nonfiction, and usually have at least one book going.
10. The smell of fresh baked chocolate chip cookies coming from my kitchen.
2. My amazing, funny, hot hubby
3. My intelligent and zany son
4. My home. It's not perfect, but it is (fairly) clean, spacious, and abundant.
5. Electricity.A few years ago, there was a massive ice storm in my area. We were without electricity for 10 days.
6. My job. I work part time hours and recieve full time pay and benefits. I also have the freedom to work from home between semesters for extra pay if I choose to.
7. My pets. Patrick and Mittens add so much joy to our lives.
8. A full pantry and freezer. This week's menu plan was made completely from on hand items.
9. Books to read. I have a wide assortment of fiction and nonfiction, and usually have at least one book going.
10. The smell of fresh baked chocolate chip cookies coming from my kitchen.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Menu, Week of 1/10
Monday: Chili with hot dogs
Tuesday: Tijuana Trainwreck, steamed carrots
Wednesday: Homemade pizza with pepperoni, sausage, and mushrooms
Thursday: Turkey/gravy (purchased, frozen, nasty...this is the last one of those, and I won't be buying them very often. Steve and Jacob love them. I'd rather bake a real turkey and not eat cardboard covered in goop).
Friday: Salmon patties and potato soup
Tuesday: Tijuana Trainwreck, steamed carrots
Wednesday: Homemade pizza with pepperoni, sausage, and mushrooms
Thursday: Turkey/gravy (purchased, frozen, nasty...this is the last one of those, and I won't be buying them very often. Steve and Jacob love them. I'd rather bake a real turkey and not eat cardboard covered in goop).
Friday: Salmon patties and potato soup
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Airing My Dirty Laundry...
I'm not perfect. For a long time, I've tried to be. It's not working out so well.
My house is a hot mess right now. Part of it is because we're switching Jacob's room and the craft room, but part of it is just because I'm lazy that way. I have 7 totes of craft junk stacked in my bedroom right now, waiting for a new home. Half of Jacob's furniture is in one room, half in the other. Oh, well.
I cannot stay on a schedule with laundry or the dishwasher. I ran the dishwasher 3 times today, and the sink still has a handfull of dishes in it.
We're looking for a church. We've been drifting for a while, trying to find one where we feel comfortable. There are 100+ churches in this town, it shouldn't be that hard.
I'm still having difficulty dealing with my miscarriage. Today, I yelled at Steve for no real reason, then burst into tears. Some days I don't think about the miscarriage, other days I can't think about anything else.
Jacob isn't paying attention in school for some reason. I think he's bored with the work. We moved about 2 years ago, and his old school was much further ahead. No child left behind, my big toe. I wish I could get Steve on board with the idea of homeschooling.
I'm procrastinating writing a paper about the effects of advertising on the entitlement mentality of generation Y. Yeah, it sounds boring to me, too.
I ate 6 lindor truffles today, and they were good. I didn't even feel guilty for more than a second.
I'm ticked off at Apple. Jacob got an Ipod for Christmas, and it won't hold a charge. I shipped it back, and got an email today saying there was nothing wrong with it, they're shipping it back as is.
I did manage to cook 2 meals today. 3 if you count the toast I made to go with the yogurt for breakfast. Hamburgers and homefries for lunch, salisbury steak, mac n cheese, and green beans for supper.
I also managed to clean out and inventory the pantry and freezer. Only tossed a 1 box of Ritz crackers that were expired last May, and some shrimp that had freezer burn, so I've done okay on rotating our stock. I think we're up to about 4 months of supplies at the moment.
I paid all the bills, painted 3 shelves to go in Jacob's new SpongeBob themed bedroom, and did a couple loads of laundry. I have been productive, yet I feel like I've accomplished nothing.
I think far too often bloggers only want to present a rose-colored picture of their lives. I've read some of my past posts, and see that I have done that, too. I need to stop. I'm not perfect. I'm not SuperMom or SuperWife. But I'm pretty darn good at both of those jobs. Yes, I do get impatient. I lose my temper and sometimes I yell. But overall, we have a lot of fun together, our little family of 3 humans and 2 critters. And I shall focus on that, and not worry about having a perfect house or perfect anything. Our house is clean enough to be healthy, and dirty enough to be home.
Cause let's face it. That whole perfect...it ain't happenin' here.
My house is a hot mess right now. Part of it is because we're switching Jacob's room and the craft room, but part of it is just because I'm lazy that way. I have 7 totes of craft junk stacked in my bedroom right now, waiting for a new home. Half of Jacob's furniture is in one room, half in the other. Oh, well.
I cannot stay on a schedule with laundry or the dishwasher. I ran the dishwasher 3 times today, and the sink still has a handfull of dishes in it.
We're looking for a church. We've been drifting for a while, trying to find one where we feel comfortable. There are 100+ churches in this town, it shouldn't be that hard.
I'm still having difficulty dealing with my miscarriage. Today, I yelled at Steve for no real reason, then burst into tears. Some days I don't think about the miscarriage, other days I can't think about anything else.
Jacob isn't paying attention in school for some reason. I think he's bored with the work. We moved about 2 years ago, and his old school was much further ahead. No child left behind, my big toe. I wish I could get Steve on board with the idea of homeschooling.
I'm procrastinating writing a paper about the effects of advertising on the entitlement mentality of generation Y. Yeah, it sounds boring to me, too.
I ate 6 lindor truffles today, and they were good. I didn't even feel guilty for more than a second.
I'm ticked off at Apple. Jacob got an Ipod for Christmas, and it won't hold a charge. I shipped it back, and got an email today saying there was nothing wrong with it, they're shipping it back as is.
I did manage to cook 2 meals today. 3 if you count the toast I made to go with the yogurt for breakfast. Hamburgers and homefries for lunch, salisbury steak, mac n cheese, and green beans for supper.
I also managed to clean out and inventory the pantry and freezer. Only tossed a 1 box of Ritz crackers that were expired last May, and some shrimp that had freezer burn, so I've done okay on rotating our stock. I think we're up to about 4 months of supplies at the moment.
I paid all the bills, painted 3 shelves to go in Jacob's new SpongeBob themed bedroom, and did a couple loads of laundry. I have been productive, yet I feel like I've accomplished nothing.
I think far too often bloggers only want to present a rose-colored picture of their lives. I've read some of my past posts, and see that I have done that, too. I need to stop. I'm not perfect. I'm not SuperMom or SuperWife. But I'm pretty darn good at both of those jobs. Yes, I do get impatient. I lose my temper and sometimes I yell. But overall, we have a lot of fun together, our little family of 3 humans and 2 critters. And I shall focus on that, and not worry about having a perfect house or perfect anything. Our house is clean enough to be healthy, and dirty enough to be home.
Cause let's face it. That whole perfect...it ain't happenin' here.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
New Year, New Goals
Well, Christmas has come and gone. This year, I just really wasn't in the "mood" for all of the holdiay hoopla, and am glad its over. For the first time ever, we stayed home on Christmas day. We opened gifts that morning, had breakfast, and watched Christmas Vacation, A Christmas Carol (the newer Jim Carey version), and A Christmas Story. I cooked a full meal, and it was simple, peaceful, and nice. We also had about 3 inches of snowfall that day, so Jacob finally got to see what a "White Christmas" is all about.
Now it's time to start thinking about goals for 2011, so here goes:
Personal: Lose 43 lbs. This will put me under 200. Obviously, I'd like to loose more eventually, but it's too big of a number to think about at once.
Spend more quality time with the husband and son. Too often, everything is so rushed. Have at least one family game or family movie night each month.
Blog at least once per week.
Financial: Pay off all credit card debt and doctor bills. This is about $7000 total, but totally do-able.
Cook at home more. Use the resources in the pantry and freezer that are already bought and paid for. This will require more planning on my part.
Professional: Complete all coursework toward Doctorate and be ABD by December 2011.
Have all exams, syllabi, and rubrics ready to go before each semester begins, instead of waiting until the day before to do everything.
Now it's time to start thinking about goals for 2011, so here goes:
Personal: Lose 43 lbs. This will put me under 200. Obviously, I'd like to loose more eventually, but it's too big of a number to think about at once.
Spend more quality time with the husband and son. Too often, everything is so rushed. Have at least one family game or family movie night each month.
Blog at least once per week.
Financial: Pay off all credit card debt and doctor bills. This is about $7000 total, but totally do-able.
Cook at home more. Use the resources in the pantry and freezer that are already bought and paid for. This will require more planning on my part.
Professional: Complete all coursework toward Doctorate and be ABD by December 2011.
Have all exams, syllabi, and rubrics ready to go before each semester begins, instead of waiting until the day before to do everything.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Update on Pregnancy, or lack thereof
Tuesday was my first OB appointment. Steve and I were both so excited to meet our little bean on the ultrasound. I left work early, and went to the doctor's office. After the prerequisite peeing in a cup, and some basic medical history, followed by about an hour's wait, we were ushered into the ultrasound room. The technician came in, and started up the machine. After several long minutes, she got a "something's wrong" look on her face, and left to get the doctor. The doctor came in, looked at the machine, and moved the wand some more. The sac was showing, but no baby. The doctor explained that either I could be less far along as they thought, or I could have a condition called a blighted ovum. She sent me to the hospital for blood work to check my hcg levels, with additional orders to return today for a re-check of hcg levels. Today, the blood work confirmed that my hcg levels are dropping, and a second ultrasound revealed that the sac had already begun to collapse.
The doctor spewed some trite phrase about how I'm still young, that it wasn't even a "real" baby yet, and that I can try again. None of that helps at all. I KNOW my age, that I can still try, and yes, it was a real baby, thank you very much. I really wanted to punch him. His bedside manner is severely lacking.
So now I'm sitting at home, bawling my eyes out, and waiting.
Thank you, readers, for your prayers.
The doctor spewed some trite phrase about how I'm still young, that it wasn't even a "real" baby yet, and that I can try again. None of that helps at all. I KNOW my age, that I can still try, and yes, it was a real baby, thank you very much. I really wanted to punch him. His bedside manner is severely lacking.
So now I'm sitting at home, bawling my eyes out, and waiting.
Thank you, readers, for your prayers.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Preggers Give-Away!
Milehimama is having a giveaway for Preggers maternity socks and tights! These are similar to orthopedic hose, and help relieve or reduce swelling in feet and legs. Go check it out!
www.milehimama.com
(also linked in my sidebar)
www.milehimama.com
(also linked in my sidebar)
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Exciting Announcement
FOr the past couple of weeks, I have been feeling sort of "blah." Not really sick, but not totally myself, either. I thought at first it was allergies, but then I began to just feel worse.
My husband had his vasectomy reversed in April of this year, and obviously, we have been trying to concieve. When my period was late, I bought a home pregnancy test, and it came back negative. So I made an appointment with my doctor to find what was wrong. I was really tired of being tired. Well, the doctor did a blood test, and told me...........
I'M PREGNANT!!!!
We're expecting our little bundle of joy next June (by my best guess, I haven't been the the OB yet to get a due date), and Momma can't wait to meet him or her. Neither can Daddy or Big Brother! Patrick and Mittens, the fur babies, well, they just ignore each other, so I don't really think they'll be too impressed with the baby, either, but they will adjust.
By the time this little one is born, it will have been almost nine years since I was a new mom, so I guess I have some brushing up to do. I also want to do some things differently this time. With Jake, I was young and alone, and I went the most convenient route, because I had to work full time. With this one, I still have to work, but I am blessed with extreme flexibility in my hours, and I set my own schedule. I'd like to exclusively breast feed as long as possible this time, and I'm also looking into predominantly using cloth diapers instead of disposables. I also want to make my own baby food. Any advice to offer?
My husband had his vasectomy reversed in April of this year, and obviously, we have been trying to concieve. When my period was late, I bought a home pregnancy test, and it came back negative. So I made an appointment with my doctor to find what was wrong. I was really tired of being tired. Well, the doctor did a blood test, and told me...........
I'M PREGNANT!!!!
We're expecting our little bundle of joy next June (by my best guess, I haven't been the the OB yet to get a due date), and Momma can't wait to meet him or her. Neither can Daddy or Big Brother! Patrick and Mittens, the fur babies, well, they just ignore each other, so I don't really think they'll be too impressed with the baby, either, but they will adjust.
By the time this little one is born, it will have been almost nine years since I was a new mom, so I guess I have some brushing up to do. I also want to do some things differently this time. With Jake, I was young and alone, and I went the most convenient route, because I had to work full time. With this one, I still have to work, but I am blessed with extreme flexibility in my hours, and I set my own schedule. I'd like to exclusively breast feed as long as possible this time, and I'm also looking into predominantly using cloth diapers instead of disposables. I also want to make my own baby food. Any advice to offer?
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Of mice and men
My 8 year old is an almost-official hoarder. If it comes in a cardboard box, like those that contained his Star Wars Legos collection, he wants to keep the box "just in case it breaks." He also very seldom plays with any toys, other than the occasional hot wheels party or Bakugan battle, but insists on keeping all of his toys in his room, rather than in the basement "man cave." We compromised, and if he can keep the toys in his closet, with the doors shut, then he can keep them upstairs. He must also not pile them so high that clothing bar is unusable.
Oh, and have I mentioned that our house is surrounded on three sides by fields, and that this week, the owner of said fields decided to mow them? Are you following me here?
So, yesterday morning, I was cleaning up the house in order to take pictures for a photo home tour. Rather than leave the clean laundry piled on the couch, I thought I'd put it away before inviting people in, if only virtually. Not paying any attention, I opened Jake's closet and reached in for some hangers. I felt something, and looked up, and a freakin' MOUSE was pole dancing on the clothes rod!!! Being the strong, rational woman that I am, I screamed and jumped back, running into his desk in the process. I also managed to wake up Steve, who came to my rescue with mouse traps. The plan for the rest of this week through the weekend is to give the mouse time to die, and then clean out all the crap from that closet. Boxes are trash, toys are going to the basement, and all non-current essentials such as extra blankets and off season clothing are going to be stored in plastic bins.
What are your plans for the weekend?
Oh, and have I mentioned that our house is surrounded on three sides by fields, and that this week, the owner of said fields decided to mow them? Are you following me here?
So, yesterday morning, I was cleaning up the house in order to take pictures for a photo home tour. Rather than leave the clean laundry piled on the couch, I thought I'd put it away before inviting people in, if only virtually. Not paying any attention, I opened Jake's closet and reached in for some hangers. I felt something, and looked up, and a freakin' MOUSE was pole dancing on the clothes rod!!! Being the strong, rational woman that I am, I screamed and jumped back, running into his desk in the process. I also managed to wake up Steve, who came to my rescue with mouse traps. The plan for the rest of this week through the weekend is to give the mouse time to die, and then clean out all the crap from that closet. Boxes are trash, toys are going to the basement, and all non-current essentials such as extra blankets and off season clothing are going to be stored in plastic bins.
What are your plans for the weekend?
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Nine years ago today
On September 11, 2001, I was working at a fast food chicken place mixing up a huge vat of coleslaw. One of the managers wives called, and said a plane had struck the World Trade Center. Thinking it was a fluke accident, yet still concerned, we turned on the radio kept in the back of the store for listening to ball games. A few minutes later, the newscast announced that a second plane had struck, and that it was believed to be the work of terrorists. We finished the morning tasks and opened the store for business in somewhat of a daze, serving chicken, potatoes, and slaw without really seeing a single customer that day. Our customers were subdued, and business was slow, as our small town comprehended how the world had changed in just a few minutes.
After my shift, I had an Economics course in the next town over, at a small, private college. Arriving on campus, I heard other students discussing the news, and noticed that there were fewer students milling about. My class that night was cancelled. Dr. P. was of middle eastern descent, and he, as well as all other "foreign" faculty, staff, and students, had been pulled into an "interrogation room" of sorts, occupying the school's gym with most of the campus security staff, and a few state police. I'm not sure how long they were kept in seclusion. Two days later, the next class was held as scheduled, even though rumors were flying.
Today, we still have an abundance of conspiracy theories as to what actually happened that day. Regardless of what the terrorists were thinking, MANY people lost their lives. Today, many people are STILL risking their lives, so that we may go about ours in relative peace. I thank them for this.
After my shift, I had an Economics course in the next town over, at a small, private college. Arriving on campus, I heard other students discussing the news, and noticed that there were fewer students milling about. My class that night was cancelled. Dr. P. was of middle eastern descent, and he, as well as all other "foreign" faculty, staff, and students, had been pulled into an "interrogation room" of sorts, occupying the school's gym with most of the campus security staff, and a few state police. I'm not sure how long they were kept in seclusion. Two days later, the next class was held as scheduled, even though rumors were flying.
Today, we still have an abundance of conspiracy theories as to what actually happened that day. Regardless of what the terrorists were thinking, MANY people lost their lives. Today, many people are STILL risking their lives, so that we may go about ours in relative peace. I thank them for this.
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