Busy Monday, February 23

Monday I meant to write this but I'm going in and out of feeling icky sicky. I went into work yesterday because last week I was out sick half a day and so they told me to come in and work the extra hours this week instead of using my sick leave because they needed me to work on some paperwork. After I got done with that and lunch I was pretty much done for the day as I was feeling pretty ill. (Truthfully feeling pretty ill this Tuesday too.) 

Menu

• Monday - Country Chicken Bake
• Tuesday - Hamburger Helper w/green beans
• Wednesday - Lasagna
• Thursday - Chicken, Rice, Veggies
• Friday - Pizza
• Saturday - Baked salmon & shrimp scampi (Chicken... more chicken for Peter), pasta, cauliflower
• Sunday - Meatloaf, Mashed potatoes, corn (every week I say I'm going to make this)

This Week's 'To-Do' List

Monday like I said I worked which I never did get on my schedule. The kids were on a 1hr delay but at least they were finally back in school. 

Today (Tuesday) - I have a dentist appointment I had forgotten about also the PTO thing is tonight where the 5th graders (which my littlest baby is) are playing their recorders so we have to be at that.

Rest of the week is pretty standard other than Peter will be going to Breakfast with Katherine Friday.

Saturday my friend who needs hours for her massage class is coming in town and I'm going to be a guinea pig. 

Last Week

The kids were out all last week due to the cold temps making sure that the roads weren't clear because nothing could melt off. From what I can tell the kids pretty much just stayed inside and played on their computers. 

It was pretty quiet last week due to school being out it meant most other places were closed too and things like 4-H were canceled. 

Other thing to happen last week is in realization I'm about to get on a bus with a ton of 5th graders, going to a city I don't know, with people I don't know, with large crowds I know my anxiety is going to be very bad so last Tuesday I started on the path of trying to quit smoking. I actually failed Tuesday because by 1am Wednesday I needed sleep but I tried again Wednesday and am on day 7. The bad thing is though it's ruining my diet so I'm gaining weight I worked so hard to lose. Double edge sword. 

Saturday Peter and the girls were out for part of the evening so while I was working on laundry I went to their room to see if I could find a few more things to fill up a load. Well one discovery lead to another until I was digging under my teenagers bed and this is what I found! OMG!! Needless to say they've been grounded for a few days since it was her and her sister since they share a room. We've started doing nightly inspections and having to stand there and supervise to make sure the floor is picked up before they go to bed.
Needless to say I was not a happy momma. 

Well I better wrap this up and start getting ready for work. I really don't feel up to going in but I need to so I'll push myself and hopefully feel better later. Hope everyone has a great week!

Busy Monday, February 16

Today's 'To-Do' List

• Since it's past Monday let's just say I didn't accomplish much. 

Menu

• Monday - Chili Dogs & Chips
• Tuesday - Chicken Nuggets & French Fries
• Wednesday - Spaghetti w/meatballs
• Thursday - Grilled pork, baked potatoes, peas
• Friday - Pizza
• Saturday - Chicken, rice, Asian veggies
• Sunday - Meatloaf, Mashed potatoes, corn (every week I say I'm going to make this then something comes up)

This Week's 'To-Do' List

Sunday was a family friends daughter's birthday. They had the birthday at the science museum so we spent a good part of our day there. Earlier that day Peter went out grocery shopping with me as we tried to get our shopping done while the majority of folks were still at church because we knew the snow was moving in and I didn't want to be out trying to drive in it. Oh I also went out to Hancock fabrics and picked up some patterns and fabric for a new project.

Monday was Presidents Day so the kids had no school but we really weren't able to get out. We did go out for lunch but we almost didn't. I spent most of the day doing laundry, napping and shoveling snow.

After 2nd time of shoveling and the snow was still coming down. I now have a few more inches on the driveway.

Tuesday - Today I'm at work and just taking my break right now then getting back to it. We were suppose to have a PTO event tonight but needless to say that is canceled. -- I have also started a stop smoking program today... 

Wednesday - We are suppose to go to STEM club and build catapults but given the roads and a threat of a few more inches of snow tonight I'm pretty much counting that one as a loss.

The rest of the week should be pretty open with no other plans but everything is being played by ear right now with another threat of snow on Friday nights forecast. 

Last Week

I got my B-12 shot.
Katherine and I did the DC meeting and realized what I got myself into... Oh god help me...
Pete was out of the house several nights out playing cards. About to the point I was getting rather annoyed but he's been taking over dinner the last couple nights so I'll forgive him for now.
Valentine's day was pretty laid back for us. Pete & I exchanged cards and that evening we went out without the kids and played Cards Against Humanity with some friends and I had a couple glasses of wine.

Alright back to work with me. I hope everyone has a great week!

Siding...

Only Posting MONTHS late.

So do you remember last summer when I was looking for siding. Stressing over things and was totally crazy?
I'm sure I mentioned we got it but I forgot to post pictures. I was looking through things trying to find something when I was reading on MoneySavingMom about another person who also paid cash for their siding. The top picture is the only original picture I have of the house when we bought it I accidentally drew over it when I was trying to figure out windows.
I figured I'd post it now otherwise it was going to totally bug me that I didn't!
So yup bottom picture is a new picture of the house. Main reason we did this was for insulation in the walls though but there was no replacing the siding after it was taken down with the same siding so we just went completely different. 

Easy Snack Crackers

Easy Snack Crackers

Little bit of truth here. This is a photo I found on pinterest as there was nothing left of my crackers to even attempt to take a picture. 

There are a lot of recipes flying around out there for this type of cracker. This particular recipe I got from the local herb society cookbook and everyone loved it! While I was looking around online curious on the popularity of this recipe I found several different versions that would change an ingredient or the amount of oil but almost all of them had you bake them. These are a no bake version! They're very quick to throw together a few hours before a party or get together. These are NOT a diet food though.

1 box oyster crackers
1 pkg. ranch dressing mix
1 Tbs. Dill Weed
1/2 tsp. Garlic powder
2/3 cup Vegetable oil

In a Tupperware bowl, mix first four ingredients. (I actually just used a gallon sized ziplock bag and that worked just fine too.) Drizzle oil over flavored crackers. Seal the bowl, shake and let stand for two hours or until golden in color.

And yup those are the Nutrition Facts I got when I put the recipe into MyFitnessPal. I told you this was not a diet food but they are OH so good!

Busy Monday, February 9

Today's 'To-Do' List

• Write Blog
• Make menu
• Try to get van into shop
• Pay Community College for Brielle's course
• Lunch with Peter
• B-12 Shot @ Hospital
• Groceries
• Sew pillowcase

Menu

• Monday - Rib patties, chips
• Tuesday - Royal Round Steak
• Wednesday - Chicken, Pasta, Peas
• Thursday - Chicken Nuggets & French Fries
• Friday - Pizza
• Saturday - Grab something out - Fast Food - My request was something simple I don't want to cook but we aren't crazy enough to try and go 'out' to eat on Valentine's Day.
• Sunday - Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Corn (may sound like we just had this but truthfully I never did get it made up)

This Week's 'To-Do' List

Today well I covered that above.

Tuesday I go down to the elementary school with Katherine and we will be there from 5:30-7pm going over things for the Washington D.C. Trip next month.

The rest of the week the only objective is to survive and to get down to the gym.

Sunday we have a friend's daughter's birthday party to attend. 

Last Week

I got a bit silly last week. I went to the dollar store and got a bunch of stuff to organize things (I need more) and decided what the heck and bought nail stickers. I actually have been enjoying them as funny as that sounds and I can stand paying a $1 for some stickers instead of $12 for a sheet of like jamberry.





Peter bought me some roses this week too. He found a set that the price hadn't been marked up on yet. I have taught him well... perhaps too well on how to pinch pennies but I really loved the roses. 

I went to the gym a couple times last week. Not as often as I would like to get down there but last weeks schedule was hectic a few days.

Speaking of which I went down to my appointment with the APRN. No more suggestions of crazy diets. I was down 30 lbs from when I had been in last year so I was told just to keep doing what I'm doing even on the medication side so things went better than I expected thankfully. 

Oh... that reminds me the other stress. So we went to that children's fair and we were told, "Sign up for a free trip to disney"... basically stay, tickets what not. So then we get a phone call. "You won!" and we were so excited then came all the catches then my husband apparently seeing the hopeful look in my eyes that things weren't all a scam decided to say okay to the $737 in fees. Well the company turned out to be pretty much a scam so we're nearly a grand out and working with the bank on going after the company for fraud charges because thankfully it wasn't a fly by night scam. 

That really was the big thing. Truth is... we all know this but we all want something nice in our life like a trip but if it sounds too good to be true it is. I am contacting the people that handle the fair though and trying to let them know they sold their booth to a scam artist. 

Saturday I drove to Evansville, IN it's a bit of a trip but they have big craft stores there so Brielle and I made a day of it out there.

I had been looking for the submersible lights for awhile. Don't mind the floating one I got those on clearance awhile back and tossed it in for fun.

After doing the break down because I could make more than one vase like this if I choose to each one would cost me about $5. I thought the idea was really pretty when I was looking at flower arrangements for my friends wedding.

We may not use this idea for table settings but I still have been having fun with the lights and different flower combinations from other fake flowers I have around the house. I've gotten my enjoyment out of it to be sure. 

Anyways just got off the phone and was told if I take my van now I can get it looked at now for brakes so off I fly! Have a good Monday folks!  

Ryan's Rockin' Salad

Salad!
So I've been saying I need to post another recipe and I've been meaning to post this. I snapped off a few shots but not the finish product sorry was really busy. I made this for one party and then recently for the super bowl party my friends had. Over all it goes over well.
I don't have pictures for everything though! Sorry!

10 oz Hearts of Romaine lettuce
10 oz Shredded Carrots (I use a bit less than that because that just seems like a lot of carrots)
15 oz Can of Black Beans - Rinsed
15 oz Can of Corn
1 Red Onion Diced - Not shown here because one of the guests was allergic to onions so I actually chopped them up and put them off to the side at the last.

The dressing is:
1 Cup Salsa
1 Cup Ranch Dressing

Mix together and pour over top of salad. It says to chill for 2 hours though I've served it sooner than that before too.
Warning though this may scare folks because it looks like an odd salad.
It's suppose to be a layered salad but to really get the flavors to mix together I like to blend it all together with the dressing.

Top the salad with tortilla strips at the time of serving or I like to keep them separate so people can just get what they want and they don't go soggy in the salad. Personally I like the precut tortilla strips that are all pretty and multi-colored. 

Busy Monday, February 2

Today's 'To-Do' List

• Doctors appt - Yeah I have a yearly check up with the APRN that I really
  can't stand. Until my appt at 9:30 I'm fasting because this doctor likes to do surprise blood tests and then try to determine things, even things that after I did my research for it there is no range determined for non-fasting tests *huffs and puffs* Sorry if I didn't have to have my medication renewed I wouldn't be going.
• Lunch with Peter
• Groceries
• Homework Diner

Groceries and Menu were never done. I ended up going out to lunch with Peter then picking up my friend Johanna to drive her to the next state over to show her their SUPER Jo-Ann's. My afternoon was spent in travel or there then rushing to get back in time for the Diner.

Menu

• Monday - Homework Diner
• Tuesday - Chicken and Pasta?
• Wednesday - Spaghetti?
• Thursday - ....
• Friday - Pizza
• Saturday - Hamburger Helper?
• Sunday - Rosemary Porkloin w/Baked Potatoes and some type of veggie probably peas, I like peas (Hold over from last week)

Lots of question marks because I really don't know I'll give it more thought tomorrow... probably while I'm grocery shopping. 

This Week's 'To-Do' List

Not much going on this week so I don't have any excuses not to go to the gym so I'm going to make a solid effort.
Orthodontist on Thursday for Brielle.
Friday Night Magic for Peter Friday and I may pick up Katherine's friend again and maybe see about going swimming this time.
Saturday is Pokemon for Katherine.
Sunday is Bitch 'N Stitch for me

Last Week

... Can we say lots of 4-H

Then a sleepover Friday night at my house... lots of little girls we played some dance game that used the xbox kinect. I really tried to wear those kids out!

Saturday we went to the movies early in the morning and watched Into the Woods... had I had to pay to go I think I would have a lot more complaints. Then again I dislike musicals but even another friend who went who loves all things Disney and loves musicals didn't have much good to say about it either. 

Sunday we went to the Kids Fair. 

Then we went to a friends house for their Superbowl party. It was interesting. It was more fun teasing the folks that cared about the games but I did ask questions and actually tried to understand the game. 

Sorry for the messy post I want this blog up before midnight so I can say it was officially up on MONDAY! By golly I need to get better at my goals.