Yeah, okay... I may have to revert to posting weekly menus in order to post something here. It's probably only interesting to me but that's okay.
- Easy Chicken Enchiladas, rice, beans
- Meatloaf, baby baker potatoes, green beans
- Canadian bacon with apples and onions, sweet potato mash
- Taco's
- Mac N Cheese with Chicken
- Spaghetti and meatballs
- Some sort of soup
I've finished up my Counseling Theories class - or will on Wednesday. This one was a killer and I'm hoping that things get easier rather than harder. I've asked a friend to let me know if she hears anything about Time or Stress Management workshops in the area; I really need help in that aspect. My next class is Dual Disorders, focusing on - I believe - psychological disorders and alcohol or drug abuse. So much fun.
Homecoming week is upon us. All week long Matt's high school will be having activities for homecoming - the three biggest are a huge bonfire on Thursday night, the football game on Friday and dance on Saturday. I think all the kids really love this week just because the district tries to make it fun. Matt will have his senior pictures done on October 3. I'm not doing them like I did for Jake. Matt mowed a photographer's lawn this summer in exchange for his pictures. I'm sure they'll be a lot better than mine.
And on my final note of randomness - completely outdoing myself for making the least sense ever and having no point whatsoever - I'm reading a great series these days... The Hallows Series (Rachel Morgan) by Kim Harrison. This series of books can be described as paranormal murder-mystery romance - otherwise known as vampire smut. Oh, dear Lord. It's brain candy at its best, and I swore I'd never read anything like Twilight (still won't read that, by the way).
I'll wrap this up with a link to a blogger-friend of mine - I think the sentiment is appropriate these days.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
New Friends
I used to think I had a hard time making friends but I don't really think that's the case. I'm picky. I like people who are moms, who have lives that are just as crazy as mine, and who don't really have time to spend on their friends. That's what makes it difficult. The last woman I met whom I liked, works a full time job, has two little girls, goes to school part time, and is married to a man that is a full time student. Wow. And I thought I was busy.
Rob met her husband a year ago. They became friends at school and wanted to get the two families together. I balked. I don't like meeting new people; it's awkward and a lot of the time, the other families we've met are too different or... out of our league? He tried to arrange a picnic last summer, a barbecue, a day at the lake - he was relentless. I said no. I was under a lot of pressure with my senior capstone, finishing up my degree, surviving a job that I can't stand, my oldest son was graduating and starting his own life. I made all the excuses I could think of.
At the beginning of this summer, my husband started talking about getting together with this other family again. This time he said he wasn't taking no for an answer. I finally (and literally) threw up my hands and said, "Fine, lets plan to meet them at the lake and barbecue." I picked the date and he made all the plans. My job was to show up. And I did. And I really enjoyed myself. It took a little while for the ice to break, and when it did, this amazing woman and I sat talking about everything and nothing for hours. Our kids played and fished, husbands talked and talked (and fished a little), and this woman and I talked - endlessly. I was sad when the day came to an end. I was also exhausted and burned and dragging a complaining 11 year-old home.
I had enjoyed myself so much that day, I told my husband that we had to do it again - soon! We went to the New West Fest, spending the day walking around, feeding our kids 'fair food' and listening to the free concerts. This year the Fest had margaritas at their Brewfest section, so when we were done walking around and doing everything, we sent out kids with our husbands to ride all the crazy, expensive rides, and the moms? Well, we bought margaritas, picked out a spot on the grass and talked for as much time as we could get. I really liked her. We decided to exchange phone numbers and befriended each other on Facebook.
I've talked to her on the phone twice now; always after her kids are in bed and mine are on their way. I can relate to her because she's raising a family, working and surviving school - not just surviving but excelling. It's nice to venture out of your comfort zone sometimes. You don't always meet people you can enjoy at soccer practices or the bleachers at football games. Sometimes it's good to let your husband set you up with someone - you never know what the rewards will be.
Rob met her husband a year ago. They became friends at school and wanted to get the two families together. I balked. I don't like meeting new people; it's awkward and a lot of the time, the other families we've met are too different or... out of our league? He tried to arrange a picnic last summer, a barbecue, a day at the lake - he was relentless. I said no. I was under a lot of pressure with my senior capstone, finishing up my degree, surviving a job that I can't stand, my oldest son was graduating and starting his own life. I made all the excuses I could think of.
At the beginning of this summer, my husband started talking about getting together with this other family again. This time he said he wasn't taking no for an answer. I finally (and literally) threw up my hands and said, "Fine, lets plan to meet them at the lake and barbecue." I picked the date and he made all the plans. My job was to show up. And I did. And I really enjoyed myself. It took a little while for the ice to break, and when it did, this amazing woman and I sat talking about everything and nothing for hours. Our kids played and fished, husbands talked and talked (and fished a little), and this woman and I talked - endlessly. I was sad when the day came to an end. I was also exhausted and burned and dragging a complaining 11 year-old home.
I had enjoyed myself so much that day, I told my husband that we had to do it again - soon! We went to the New West Fest, spending the day walking around, feeding our kids 'fair food' and listening to the free concerts. This year the Fest had margaritas at their Brewfest section, so when we were done walking around and doing everything, we sent out kids with our husbands to ride all the crazy, expensive rides, and the moms? Well, we bought margaritas, picked out a spot on the grass and talked for as much time as we could get. I really liked her. We decided to exchange phone numbers and befriended each other on Facebook.
I've talked to her on the phone twice now; always after her kids are in bed and mine are on their way. I can relate to her because she's raising a family, working and surviving school - not just surviving but excelling. It's nice to venture out of your comfort zone sometimes. You don't always meet people you can enjoy at soccer practices or the bleachers at football games. Sometimes it's good to let your husband set you up with someone - you never know what the rewards will be.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
It's been forever!
My life got completely out of hand. First, I walked in commencement exercises with Regis University in December and then I actually was awarded my degree in March. I am the proud owner of a mint condition Bachelor of Science, Magna Cum Laude, Applied Psychology. MAGNA CUM LAUDE people!
Knowing my degree wasn't going to pay me enough to start repaying the staggering amount that I now owe to the Federal Loan Program, I was already on the ball. I applied to, and was accepted at, Grand Canyon University for a Master of Science, Professional Counseling degree. I started June 3. So far I have one "A" and am working on my second one. At this point though, I just want to pass. Having two children living at home with active social lives and sports schedules, balancing that with a part time job and being in graduate school... oh, yeah, I'm a wife too - now when do I get to have any time for me? I'm working on it.
Jake moved out last October. He graduated from high school, enrolled in college, found roommates and decided to jump ship. Can't blame him though; it was time for him to spread his wings and have his own life. It's quiet around here without him. Well, the quiet is a relative term. With a 'tween and a 17 year old in the house, there is plenty of noise, but Jake had this huge, loud personality. I miss him.
Jake is about to turn 20 (in less than two weeks!), Matt will be 18 two days after that, and Lindsay will be 12 in October. Holy crap, I'm feeling old! I'm pretty sure I'm not mature enough to have a 20 year old son.
Knowing my degree wasn't going to pay me enough to start repaying the staggering amount that I now owe to the Federal Loan Program, I was already on the ball. I applied to, and was accepted at, Grand Canyon University for a Master of Science, Professional Counseling degree. I started June 3. So far I have one "A" and am working on my second one. At this point though, I just want to pass. Having two children living at home with active social lives and sports schedules, balancing that with a part time job and being in graduate school... oh, yeah, I'm a wife too - now when do I get to have any time for me? I'm working on it.
Jake moved out last October. He graduated from high school, enrolled in college, found roommates and decided to jump ship. Can't blame him though; it was time for him to spread his wings and have his own life. It's quiet around here without him. Well, the quiet is a relative term. With a 'tween and a 17 year old in the house, there is plenty of noise, but Jake had this huge, loud personality. I miss him.
Jake is about to turn 20 (in less than two weeks!), Matt will be 18 two days after that, and Lindsay will be 12 in October. Holy crap, I'm feeling old! I'm pretty sure I'm not mature enough to have a 20 year old son.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
What Happend To The Weekend? Or, What Was I Thinking?
It is sooo hard to be motivated to be anything but a slug when the whole weekend was filled with chaos and craziness. Anyone else ever feel like that? I do, all the time.
Just as soon as things drop 10 levels of insane at work, and my home life explodes with self-inflicted busyness. I offered to do a tax return for a friend and it took around eight hours to finish because there was some bookkeeping involved. She was in town for a while and I hadn't seen her in almost three years. It was a really nice visit and the return wasn't so bad, but that was only the beginning.
The weekend started on Friday at noon when I got off work. I had decided to make a 'quick' stop at the grocery store and figure out what to make her for lunch/dinner since people have to eat and I love to cook. My imagination never kicked in and after 45 minutes I finally checked out with the makings of a dipping party - an awesome nacho cheese dip, potato chips and french onion dip, salsa, guacamole, and the bread for some dips I'd pick up at my favorite S*uper S*ppers location. Matt gets off early on Friday's so I headed from the grocery store to the high school. I was on a schedule - my friend May was due in town any minute and she'd be over at my house soon! I was about a hundred feet from the entrance to the parking lot at the high school when one of my front tires went flat. These kinds of things just have no respect for schedules. I don't know about you, but I just don't include tire changes in my job description; I carry roadside insurance for just such occasions. The only problem is that the guy that came to change my tire didn't get that I had a schedule either. And then the spare tire was almost flat as was the tire on the other side... So basically, screw the schedule.
We got home at around three in the afternoon and May wasn't waiting for me, she called around five and said she'd be there by six but nine o'clock rolled around before she parked in front of my house. I wasn't angry. May has just started a dog rescue and she was dropping dogs that had been destined for death off with various no-kill shelters.
Previously a draft 2/9/10 - worth publishing 1/1/11
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
The Life and Times
See how well that regular posting thing turned out. Yeah, that's why I didn't make any promises to myself.
I'm in two classes right now, one online (Adult Spirituality), the other in the classroom (The Family). The Family is primarily a sociology class so I'm not used to just looking at the statistics and saying, "Well that's interesting." I'm more interested in why something is happening not just that it happened. That being said, it's an easy class. I do the reading and writing the night before and then attend class the next evening. The instructor lectures for almost the whole time, rarely stopping for anyone to add anything constructive. No biggie.
Adult Spirituality, on the other hand, is one that makes me dig deep. Not that I thought it was going to be easy, but WOW! I'm dedicating two days a week to that class and I'd bet it would be easier if I'd spend four days doing the reading and posting. I just don't seem to have that much time right now.
Work is getting lighter now. I'm nearly done with prepping the books for the accountant. Today my boss said it was no big deal if we waited until next week to finish everything up. Talk about a big sigh of relief. Now I can deal with other pressing matters, like renewing our Cost Containment Certification which I haven't had to do for the past three years and is due in just a few days.
While my work load at my job may be lightening up, tax season for individuals is about to ramp up. For the last several years I've helped out friends here and there with their taxes. I've always done it as a favor or out of friendship in the past but this year the cost of the program and my dwindling time are requiring me to charge a small fee. I've already got two returns lined up, besides ours and Jake's.
My hubby lost his job due to lack of work last week. We were kind of expecting it, so it wasn't a shock. Thankfully he should get unemployment and that will fill the void until he can find something suitable. This whole situation kind of leaves me stunned in another way though. Every time some sort of financial crisis has threatened to befall us, I lose my mind. I stress out; I cry; I make others around me miserable and worsen the impact on my family. This time I'm pretty calm about it. I know that we'll be okay, we've been through worse. Maybe I'm just growing up. I guess you can still do that in your 30's, right?
I got some good news when I was leaving campus tonight. I've been looking at grad programs at several different universities for nearly a year now. Ideally I'd like to attend Regis in their Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology but they only offer the program in Denver and Broomfield and I'm just not willing to drive an hour once a week to sit in class for four hours in the evening. It would be torture. I know five people, maybe six, who would like to attend the same program but the drive is just a deal breaker. Tonight I was told by the night manager that the Fort Collins campus had been contacted by the program in Denver asking if they had some specific technology that the program requires. It's possible that they're already looking at bringing the program up here and I was given contact information and guidance on convincing them that it was a good idea.
So, YEA! Things are looking up. Busy season is ending at work, grad school may be possible with the school I'm interested in, and we won't be living in our car due to the job loss.
I'm in two classes right now, one online (Adult Spirituality), the other in the classroom (The Family). The Family is primarily a sociology class so I'm not used to just looking at the statistics and saying, "Well that's interesting." I'm more interested in why something is happening not just that it happened. That being said, it's an easy class. I do the reading and writing the night before and then attend class the next evening. The instructor lectures for almost the whole time, rarely stopping for anyone to add anything constructive. No biggie.
Adult Spirituality, on the other hand, is one that makes me dig deep. Not that I thought it was going to be easy, but WOW! I'm dedicating two days a week to that class and I'd bet it would be easier if I'd spend four days doing the reading and posting. I just don't seem to have that much time right now.
Work is getting lighter now. I'm nearly done with prepping the books for the accountant. Today my boss said it was no big deal if we waited until next week to finish everything up. Talk about a big sigh of relief. Now I can deal with other pressing matters, like renewing our Cost Containment Certification which I haven't had to do for the past three years and is due in just a few days.
While my work load at my job may be lightening up, tax season for individuals is about to ramp up. For the last several years I've helped out friends here and there with their taxes. I've always done it as a favor or out of friendship in the past but this year the cost of the program and my dwindling time are requiring me to charge a small fee. I've already got two returns lined up, besides ours and Jake's.
My hubby lost his job due to lack of work last week. We were kind of expecting it, so it wasn't a shock. Thankfully he should get unemployment and that will fill the void until he can find something suitable. This whole situation kind of leaves me stunned in another way though. Every time some sort of financial crisis has threatened to befall us, I lose my mind. I stress out; I cry; I make others around me miserable and worsen the impact on my family. This time I'm pretty calm about it. I know that we'll be okay, we've been through worse. Maybe I'm just growing up. I guess you can still do that in your 30's, right?
I got some good news when I was leaving campus tonight. I've been looking at grad programs at several different universities for nearly a year now. Ideally I'd like to attend Regis in their Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology but they only offer the program in Denver and Broomfield and I'm just not willing to drive an hour once a week to sit in class for four hours in the evening. It would be torture. I know five people, maybe six, who would like to attend the same program but the drive is just a deal breaker. Tonight I was told by the night manager that the Fort Collins campus had been contacted by the program in Denver asking if they had some specific technology that the program requires. It's possible that they're already looking at bringing the program up here and I was given contact information and guidance on convincing them that it was a good idea.
So, YEA! Things are looking up. Busy season is ending at work, grad school may be possible with the school I'm interested in, and we won't be living in our car due to the job loss.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
For You.... You know who you are!
It's been almost seven months to the day since I've posted. But you knew that already, right?
I won't cover everything that happened in the time since I disappeared, it's just too much. Some happy, some horrible - lets just say that life happens. I won't promise I'll post regularly either.
Well, here goes...
Merry Christmas! Ours was pretty good. I threw a party for the in-laws. There were 30 people and it was great. It was also a lot more work than I thought it would be however, if I do it again next year, I'll know what to expect and how to pull it off without as much stress.
My family celebrated at my mothers on Christmas Eve. My brothers and their wife/girlfriend (respectively) along with their children and my husband and kids all chipped in and bought my parents a new LCD television and my younger brother built a custom entertainment center. It was great. My parents hadn't bought a new television since the late '80's!
On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day my family was all together under the same roof. This is a big deal because Jake, the oldest, moved out of our home into an apartment in October. I miss him a lot but the quiet that replaced him is pretty nice too. You know I love you honey!
The kids left to go to the in-laws cabin up near Walden on Christmas Night, leaving my hubby and I alone for the weekend. We truly had no idea what to do with ourselves.
We have one last holiday gathering to attend. The annual New Year's Eve party held by our dear friends. I will certainly need it after the final three work days of the year have beaten me to a pulp.
I won't cover everything that happened in the time since I disappeared, it's just too much. Some happy, some horrible - lets just say that life happens. I won't promise I'll post regularly either.
Well, here goes...
Merry Christmas! Ours was pretty good. I threw a party for the in-laws. There were 30 people and it was great. It was also a lot more work than I thought it would be however, if I do it again next year, I'll know what to expect and how to pull it off without as much stress.
My family celebrated at my mothers on Christmas Eve. My brothers and their wife/girlfriend (respectively) along with their children and my husband and kids all chipped in and bought my parents a new LCD television and my younger brother built a custom entertainment center. It was great. My parents hadn't bought a new television since the late '80's!
On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day my family was all together under the same roof. This is a big deal because Jake, the oldest, moved out of our home into an apartment in October. I miss him a lot but the quiet that replaced him is pretty nice too. You know I love you honey!
The kids left to go to the in-laws cabin up near Walden on Christmas Night, leaving my hubby and I alone for the weekend. We truly had no idea what to do with ourselves.
We have one last holiday gathering to attend. The annual New Year's Eve party held by our dear friends. I will certainly need it after the final three work days of the year have beaten me to a pulp.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Out of the Will
It's no secret that I don't like my mother-in-law's. I've said as much before. But MIL-1 is now officially out of the will. She's screwed up one too many times and I just can't ever forgive her.
Jakegraduated from high school last Saturday. We sent announcements/invitations to family and friends, just like normal people do. We weren't asking for gifts or money, we were just letting people know and sending them a picture. Nearly everyone came to the party, and those that didn't sent a card or called to congratulate him.
MIL-1? She didn't do a thing. She didn't call. She didn't send a card. She didn't show up. She didn't even send a text message, which is her standard these days. She's ignored my kids for years, only paying attention to them when it was convenient for her. My family is done being convenient.
I've been saying it for a long time, we need to be done with her. Jakes graduation invitation was the last invitation I will ever send.
Good riddance.
On a happier note...
It took me 20 years but I finally got approval from my FIL. What is it with me and the in-laws? I was standing there at the graduation talking to him about the graduation ceremony and party going on around us when he told me that Jake had gown up to be a fine young man and that we had done a great job with him. "And this is a great party, you did a good job."
That was it. Twenty years of approval wrapped up in that one little statement. But that's all it took for me.
Jakegraduated from high school last Saturday. We sent announcements/invitations to family and friends, just like normal people do. We weren't asking for gifts or money, we were just letting people know and sending them a picture. Nearly everyone came to the party, and those that didn't sent a card or called to congratulate him.
MIL-1? She didn't do a thing. She didn't call. She didn't send a card. She didn't show up. She didn't even send a text message, which is her standard these days. She's ignored my kids for years, only paying attention to them when it was convenient for her. My family is done being convenient.
I've been saying it for a long time, we need to be done with her. Jakes graduation invitation was the last invitation I will ever send.
Good riddance.
On a happier note...
It took me 20 years but I finally got approval from my FIL. What is it with me and the in-laws? I was standing there at the graduation talking to him about the graduation ceremony and party going on around us when he told me that Jake had gown up to be a fine young man and that we had done a great job with him. "And this is a great party, you did a good job."
That was it. Twenty years of approval wrapped up in that one little statement. But that's all it took for me.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
20 Years
Today is the 20th anniversary of Michael's death.
20 years ago today, I kissed my baby boys sweet little head and told the doctor it was okay to turn off the ventilator.
Thinking about that still brings tears to my eyes. I wish I could still smell his sweet babyness, cuddle his tiny little self.
After his heart stopped and relatives held him to say their goodbyes, we swaddled him in a blanket, handed his little body over to a nurse, and watched her walk down the hall and out of sight.
I haven't let that scene play in my head in a long time. A piece of my heart broke off and shriveled up in that moment.
Time certainly does not heal all wounds. It eases their severity. But the deep ones? It doesn't ever just go away.
20 years ago today, I kissed my baby boys sweet little head and told the doctor it was okay to turn off the ventilator.
Thinking about that still brings tears to my eyes. I wish I could still smell his sweet babyness, cuddle his tiny little self.
After his heart stopped and relatives held him to say their goodbyes, we swaddled him in a blanket, handed his little body over to a nurse, and watched her walk down the hall and out of sight.
I haven't let that scene play in my head in a long time. A piece of my heart broke off and shriveled up in that moment.
Time certainly does not heal all wounds. It eases their severity. But the deep ones? It doesn't ever just go away.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Fresh Heartbreak
The blogging world has experienced some young losses in the past weeks and it is heartbreaking. I don't know them, I never saw them on the street in passing, I didn't even read their mommy's blogs... It matters not; I ache for them.
And I think of him...
And I think of him...
Please keep the Spohr and Myers families in your thoughts and prayers.
Friday, April 3, 2009
I Could Be A Jewelry Girl...
I found it, for only $10 at Kohls!
So it's fake, but the real thing cost $300, so the decision was easy to make. It's perfect, but I've seen some other pearl necklaces that now I have a craving for a few more pieces.
So it's fake, but the real thing cost $300, so the decision was easy to make. It's perfect, but I've seen some other pearl necklaces that now I have a craving for a few more pieces.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Which Ring?
My friend LJ asked me what the fifth ring of hell was. I've been using that phrase for a couple of years and I honestly don't know where I came up with it. So I looked it up.
The urban dictionary says it's the hell reserved for:
The urban dictionary says it's the hell reserved for:
- Bad spellers
- People who drink decaf coffee...
Tee hee hee...
It's also from Dante's Inferno:
"Wrath and Sullenness (7-8) Like the fourth circle of hell, the fifth circle--presented in Inferno 7 and 8--contains two related groups of sinners. But whereas avarice and prodigality are two distinct sins based on the same principle (an immoderate attitude toward material wealth), wrath and sullenness are basically two forms of a single sin: anger that is expressed (wrath) and anger that is repressed (sullenness). This idea that anger takes various forms is common in ancient and medieval thought. Note how the two groups suffer different punishments appropriate to their type of anger--the wrathful ruthlessly attacking one another and the sullen stewing below the surface of the muddy swamp (Inf. 7.109-26)--even though they are all confined to Styx." http://danteworlds.laits.utexas.edu/circle5.html
I'm not sure I quoted the right ring of hell... Maybe I did. I'll figure it out - now that I know where to find the descriptions of hell.
And how weird is that, since I don't really believe in hell...
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Suckage
Can you say fifth ring of hell? Yeah, that's what the last two days have been like at work. When something fails that I'm in charge of, it's all my fault - and I can't even blame him for thinking that!
Let's just say that I was actually in fear for my job.
It was that bad.
And I feel a little better now but I've decided some time off work is in order. I'm arranging myself a long five-day weekend where no one will wake me up saying, "Mom! I'm going to be late, can you give me a ride?" Yeah, that's not in my plans. Sleeping in until 9 is in my plans, watching too many movies on the couch is in my plans, maybe even taking my youngest son and daughter to the tennis courts is in my plans.
But you know all about best laid plans, right?
Let's just say that I was actually in fear for my job.
It was that bad.
And I feel a little better now but I've decided some time off work is in order. I'm arranging myself a long five-day weekend where no one will wake me up saying, "Mom! I'm going to be late, can you give me a ride?" Yeah, that's not in my plans. Sleeping in until 9 is in my plans, watching too many movies on the couch is in my plans, maybe even taking my youngest son and daughter to the tennis courts is in my plans.
But you know all about best laid plans, right?
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Recession Indicators
Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil the "Light at the end of the Tunnel" has been turned off.
We apologize for the inconvenience.
We apologize for the inconvenience.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Speechless
This morning I told the hubby that I'd seen a necklace that I'd really like to have. I don't have much jewelry and I don't wear what I have too often. I'm just not a jewelry girl. But this necklace is really simple, classic and timeless. I told him that I didn't know what it would cost but that I was pretty sure it'd be pricey so I'd have to look for one that was 'fake'.
"No, you won't. If you like it that much you'll have to get the real thing."
...
Wow
"No, you won't. If you like it that much you'll have to get the real thing."
...
Wow
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Dinner Procrastination
I try to get dinner on the table between five and six every night but I swear, when I don't have a class to run off to, I just don't get it done in a reasonable amount of time. I make meal plans that include enough 'quick' recipes (whatever can be made, start to finish, in 20 minutes) and the rest are meals that take longer because we like it or it's yummy. Tonight is meatloaf and mac n cheese with cauliflower. It should have been nearly done by six but instead, it's 7:30 and we won't eat for another 15 minutes.
I guess the reason is that I'm rushed every other day, I want to relax and take my time. The reasoning is flawed. If I'd just made dinner the minute I walked in the door, even if it was time consuming, I'd still have all the time after dinner to veg-out. But there's no convincing a procrastinator.
The good news is that I'm done with my current training classes this weekend. The bad news? I have two classes starting next month. Two consecutive nights a week I'll be at school and have little time to get dinner going or even see my kids. Once I'm finished with the training I'm doing, I'll be volunteering six to ten, twelve-hour shifts a month. Hopefully that won't start until I'm done with my college classes for this semester.
I'd post this weeks meal plan, but I lost it. Guess it isn't doing me much good right now. Thankfully, I know what we're having tomorrow night. Jambalaya!
I guess the reason is that I'm rushed every other day, I want to relax and take my time. The reasoning is flawed. If I'd just made dinner the minute I walked in the door, even if it was time consuming, I'd still have all the time after dinner to veg-out. But there's no convincing a procrastinator.
The good news is that I'm done with my current training classes this weekend. The bad news? I have two classes starting next month. Two consecutive nights a week I'll be at school and have little time to get dinner going or even see my kids. Once I'm finished with the training I'm doing, I'll be volunteering six to ten, twelve-hour shifts a month. Hopefully that won't start until I'm done with my college classes for this semester.
I'd post this weeks meal plan, but I lost it. Guess it isn't doing me much good right now. Thankfully, I know what we're having tomorrow night. Jambalaya!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
The Jar Is Bigger
Yesterday was Michael's 20th birthday. I started to wonder if I'd be calling him Mike by now, if he would have gone to college like we would have insisted, met someone special, what mistakes he would have made, how many hearts he would have broken or if his would have been broken. What if... That's how I torture myself.
I had a class last night, a training with MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) and how they help their victims. The advocate said that someone had once explained their grief to her using the following analogy. Grief is like a ball. For
arguments sake, lets say it's a tennis ball and the life of the person experiencing that grief is the size of a small relish jar - grief fills the jar, the life, and there's no room to move, nowhere to escape the presence of the grief. As time wears on, as some level of healing begins to occur, the jar gets bigger. The grief never gets smaller because it represents the person who is gone and that's exactly how much space they took up. So now my jar, my life, is a five gallon water jug. I have space to live; I'm not constantly bumping up against my grief.
My life is different than it might have been. I accept that and move on. It doesn't mean I love him any less.
Could, would, should, might, if....
But this year was easier. The jar is definitely bigger now.
Let me explain.
I had a class last night, a training with MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) and how they help their victims. The advocate said that someone had once explained their grief to her using the following analogy. Grief is like a ball. For
arguments sake, lets say it's a tennis ball and the life of the person experiencing that grief is the size of a small relish jar - grief fills the jar, the life, and there's no room to move, nowhere to escape the presence of the grief. As time wears on, as some level of healing begins to occur, the jar gets bigger. The grief never gets smaller because it represents the person who is gone and that's exactly how much space they took up. So now my jar, my life, is a five gallon water jug. I have space to live; I'm not constantly bumping up against my grief.
I thought that was a really great analogy. Years ago I thought my grief was going to be a raw, infected, wound that I would always have. Not so much.
My life is different than it might have been. I accept that and move on. It doesn't mean I love him any less.
Could, would, should, might, if....
Monday, February 2, 2009
Groundhog Day - Six More Weeks of Winter?
Everyone in our house is taking turns getting sick. There's really no way around it either so I've just accepted that my turn will be here before I know it.
In my house, as I am sure it is in many others, I don't generally find myself in bed with tea and tissues when I'm sick. There are things that must be done and I'm the one who needs to do them. I don't however, go to work when I'm sick. My boss will just send me home. There's nothing worse than dragging yourself out of bed when you're sick, making yourself look presentable (or not on the verge of death), driving across town and getting to work on time only to be told that you're too sick to be there - go home, get in bed and get well... Now why didn't I think of that?
I'm not sick yet but I'm so worn down that it's only a matter of time. Meanwhile, I have daily headaches to keep me company. The migraine is looming, it's right around the corner too. Lovely.
I managed to make a list of meals for the coming week, and even 'shopped my pantry and freezer' before making the list. There's lots in there to make meals out of.
Meal Plan - February 1 - 7, 2009 (I still can't get over that it's 2009!)
Today is Groundhog Day and that little rodent has predicted that there are six more weeks of Winter left. Not that I actually believe it but seriously, wouldn't it be nice to think Spring was right around the corner? Right after we saw Phil make his proclamation this morning, Lindsay and I put in the movie Groundhog Day with Bill Murray. I guess I have movies appropriate to nearly every holiday.
So the countdown begins, six weeks of Winter won't kill me since we haven't had anything nearly as catastrophic as the Midwest and their ice storms. We haven't even had snow for a week or two.
In my house, as I am sure it is in many others, I don't generally find myself in bed with tea and tissues when I'm sick. There are things that must be done and I'm the one who needs to do them. I don't however, go to work when I'm sick. My boss will just send me home. There's nothing worse than dragging yourself out of bed when you're sick, making yourself look presentable (or not on the verge of death), driving across town and getting to work on time only to be told that you're too sick to be there - go home, get in bed and get well... Now why didn't I think of that?
I'm not sick yet but I'm so worn down that it's only a matter of time. Meanwhile, I have daily headaches to keep me company. The migraine is looming, it's right around the corner too. Lovely.
I managed to make a list of meals for the coming week, and even 'shopped my pantry and freezer' before making the list. There's lots in there to make meals out of.
Meal Plan - February 1 - 7, 2009 (I still can't get over that it's 2009!)
- Skillet Shepherds Pie
- Drunken Chicken - calls for rum but I neither have nor like rum so I guess we're just having Chicken. A thinks that's pretty funny.
- Wild Chicken Skillet
- Hamburger Stroganoff In A Hurry
- Meatloaf and Stouffer's Mac N Cheese
- Jambalaya
- Frozen Pizza
Today is Groundhog Day and that little rodent has predicted that there are six more weeks of Winter left. Not that I actually believe it but seriously, wouldn't it be nice to think Spring was right around the corner? Right after we saw Phil make his proclamation this morning, Lindsay and I put in the movie Groundhog Day with Bill Murray. I guess I have movies appropriate to nearly every holiday.
So the countdown begins, six weeks of Winter won't kill me since we haven't had anything nearly as catastrophic as the Midwest and their ice storms. We haven't even had snow for a week or two.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Our Meals
The month doesn't surprise. It's busy here as always, but at least it's not in a bad way. I began a series of classes last Monday, training for a volunteer position with the County that I've been interested in since October. For the next five weeks I'll be in classes for two hours Monday and Wednesday night and roughly seven hours on Saturday. Classes are draining, not only because of the hours but the topics as well. I'll save that for another time. I don't start school until the beginning of March so I won't be on overload for some time.
Last week I tried several new recipes.
Meal Plan - January 18 - 24
Last week I tried several new recipes.
Meal Plan - January 18 - 24
- Empanadas with Cheese Sauce
- Chicken Tostadas with Avocado Salsa
- Garlicky Potatoes and Sausage
- From Scratch Mac N Cheese with Cauliflower and Chicken Sausages
- Chicken Burrito Bake
We had two convenience food nights so I didn't make two of the dinners I'd planned; they have been moved to this coming week.
Meal Plan - January 25 - 31
- Potato Soup - I made this today, yum!
- Spaghetti Carbonara
- Chicken Fried Steak - still have not pulled these out of the deep-freeze!
- Buffalo Chicken Fingers
- Chicken In The Chips
- Chicken Tostadas with Avocado Salsa and Homemade Refried Black Beans - Encore!
The two cookbooks and website that are feeding us right now are Dinner Doctor, Desperation Dinners (my new addition) and Everyday with Rachael Ray. Without them we'd be eating Mac N Cheese out of a box and Hamburger Helper. Don't get me wrong, I like a box of the orange stuff every now and then and Hamburger Helper is quick but we've reached that point in our lives where we'd rather eat real food on a daily basis. I don't make everything from scratch mind you. My refried black beans are out of a can because that sort of planning doesn't really happen in my house. Half the main dish recipes in Desperation Dinners begin with frozen chicken or ground beef! That's my kind of cookbook.
I've also discovered my awesome stick blender again. Some time back my Magic Bullet died. It didn't actually die though - it broke. The little gear on top of the base - THAT'S MADE OUT OF SOME SORT OF ACRYLIC - broke. It was a very sad day here as we don't own a blender or food processor. Let's just say that I was angry as my previous Magic Bullet died/broke in the very same fashion and Homeland Housewares doesn't sell replacement parts. Any-who... the stick blender I got for Christmas last year has become very handy while I try to decide on the best product to replace my beloved bullet. You can stick that thing in soups, mash beans and potatoes, make smoothies and shakes - nearly any task that a blender can accomplish, a stick blender can do... except crush ice, don't try that. So while I obsess over which kitchen appliance I'll be dropping $100 on next, my $15 stick blender is chugging along making my kitchen existence tolerable.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Sleep Eludes Me
I'm supposed to be in bed, asleep. I've been hunched over a computer all day and felt like I needed an early bedtime but it's just not working out that way. I took a hot shower, got in bed, laid down, and knew I wouldn't be able to relax.
The hubby is still at work. He's working on a big conversion that was supposed to be done at three this afternoon but it failed around six tonight and he had to restart it. He probably won't be done until midnight. I don't sleep well when he's not in bed.
I've been working on getting the books ready for the accountant. I don't have everything I need yet so it's a slow process. I've got two months of IFTA done but I can't really even start December until one of our field guys gets back in town. It's so frustrating not having everything I need! I did lots of little things today, nothing special except acting as the HR manager. I've had several requests from employees to get information from the insurance company or help them make changes. I actually love that part of my job. I like helping them and getting their questions answered. I'll probably get my Bachelors and end up in the HR department of some company.
Well, I suppose it's time to resort to boring movies. I can't afford to be up all night.
The hubby is still at work. He's working on a big conversion that was supposed to be done at three this afternoon but it failed around six tonight and he had to restart it. He probably won't be done until midnight. I don't sleep well when he's not in bed.
I've been working on getting the books ready for the accountant. I don't have everything I need yet so it's a slow process. I've got two months of IFTA done but I can't really even start December until one of our field guys gets back in town. It's so frustrating not having everything I need! I did lots of little things today, nothing special except acting as the HR manager. I've had several requests from employees to get information from the insurance company or help them make changes. I actually love that part of my job. I like helping them and getting their questions answered. I'll probably get my Bachelors and end up in the HR department of some company.
Well, I suppose it's time to resort to boring movies. I can't afford to be up all night.
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