They're off!!

I was able to get this shot in the front yard before the guys headed off to the game. They all seem happy and excited to be going. The kids are excited just to be together and I heard them walking towards the van with Jackson saying "I call sitting by Logan" and Steven agreeing "it's fine to have the 3 seats in the back to myself." The younger boys have their ds lites with them and I'm sure that the ride will be a nintendo fest for them.

Me, well after this blog post I am going to drink my Starbucks Caramel Macchiatto (thanks honey!) and read the paper. Then at 10 I am expecting my friend Carolyn -and we are going to spend a few hours scrapbooking and hanging out. She lives across the street, yet we sometimes go weeks without actually seeing each other. We've know each other for 12 or so years... met while working at USAA and have been friends ever since. I really enjoy spending time with her -there is no stress, no guessing what she's thinking, no worry about saying the wrong thing... I am just me uncensored and I love her for that! Great girlfriends are so important to have and I am lucky to have her in my life.

So, off I go to read the paper...... don't worry, I'll be back later to post some more pictures that I finally off-loaded!

Saturday

I've come to the conclusion that I am not as young as I used to be, nor as agile as I like to think.
Today I am feeling the physical effects of my all day shopping, lifting, holding, standing in line excursion. My arms and legs are achy/sore, my shoulders are tense and my ankles are stiff. I had a hot bath before bed last night and motrin today, but still I feel the effects.

The motrin helped a bit... I was able to sweep the downstairs levels and get the kitchen cleaned up. But now, my wrists are killing me.. I am typing this, then more motrin, another hot bath and I am off to bed. The carpal tunnel I have is a curious thing... I can be fine for several weeks, then *boom* I move wrong, sleep wrong or overdue use of my hands and the pain in unbearable. I will schedule a chiropractor visit for early next week and a massage for tomorrow if I can.. hopefully by Wednesday I will be pain free again... but that means no mopping for me. The sweeping overdid it I guess (or maybe just on top of yesterday) it's hard to know for sure. But the throbbing, shooting pain each time I move my hand and the inability to pick up my steaming hot full tea mug is a constant reminder that I do have carpal tunnel.

What's amazing is that for several years I lived with this lack of use and the pain everyday. It was "normal" for me and I took motrin a couple times every day. After chiropractic treatment for a year, finally I could go a month between visits and I would say I am 90% pain free. Most days are good, some aren't but there are less of those. I re-read my journal from that time frame and it's amazing to think that I couldn't hold a full glass, open a jar or lift a saucepan to move it off the heat without using both of my hands. I adapted and learned to do things 2 handed, in an effort to feel "normal" while being in denial that there was something really wrong with my hands.

With the current economic atmosphere, I have seriously considered going back to work full-time for financial reasons... however today I realized that really isn't an option. I like to think that I could, but my hands would never accept being on the computer hours every day and that is the kind of work I am most qualified for. Working from home allows me a great deal of flexability and the opportunity to take frequent breaks and stretch my hands, thereby not overdoing it.
Most days I work 2-3 hours and I am able to do that in 1 hour increments with an hour in between... I am very thankful that I have the opportunity to work from home and am taking steps to add clients and build my business a bit. That will allow me to remain at home with the boys, work at a do-able pace and increase our savings as well.

We have opted for me to work part-time since the kids were born as it is important for one of us to be with them. I realize now that although we have lived within our means and on a cash system, we are not as prepared with savings as I would like us to be. We both have cars that are 8+ years old with over 100,000 miles .... sometime soon we will have to replace those. What about appliances... ours are 10+ years old and will also need to be replaced. So now is the time to think ahead and get ahead, so when those bumps come up in the road we'll be ready.

One thing is for sure, I am happy to be done with my Christmas shopping. I am planning to stay out of the stores and not buy anything that isn't absolutely necessary between December 1-30. I am ready for the challenge, I really believe I can do it. It will give me lots more time at home to just enjoy the holiday times and my family.

So today we all stayed home. No one went anywhere. We watched some tv and the Bruins game. We tried to watch How to Eat Fried Worms.. but the Blockbuster dvd was scratched and turned off part-way thru. We updated our Blockbuster Queue with holiday movies we want to watch: Elf, The Santa Clause, The Santa Clause 2 & 3, Home Alone, Unaccompanied Minors, Christmas Vacation, The Family Stone, Scrooged, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and some others.... looking forward to many happy family movie nights this month.

Tomorrow the boys and Jonathan are off to the Raiders game, it's the boys first NFL game (they've already attended multiple MLB, Hockey and NBA games)..... so I guess there's just one thing left to say -- Go Raiders!!!

Happy Black Friday...

Today is the busiest shopping day of the year. Last week, I thought about staying home today.. but you (meaning I) can't buck tradition, right? So I figured that even though my Christmas shopping is all done (and mostly wrapped) that I would head out with my mom, SIL and niece for some shopping and breakfast...fast forward to yesterday... my mom is not feeling well, so she decides not to go.... SIL is pregnant and not sure how many stores or what order she will go... so I think, well, I'll just stay home.

Then comes the car ride home... kid is loud, husband is snappy and I think.. I am shopping tomorrow -just to get out and do something. So my friend is planning to shop with her other friend in Folsom (30 minutes away from me)... she asks if I will go with them if she shops in Roseville (15 minutes from her as she lives in the middle). I say sure and we tentatively plan (via text at 11:15 p.m. for me to meet her around 4.. she'll text when she leaves her house. I wake at 4:53 and realize I have overslept.. I didn't fall asleep til after 12:40 a.m., so small wonder..I text her and all is well --she is almost done at Kohls and heading to Walmart. So I hit Starbucks and meet her there.

I will spare you the detailed list of what (10) stores we went to and the vast difference in customer service levels in those stores... suffice it to say that almost 11 hours later, I was home.

I did buy some things: pj's and track suits for Jack, some dvds, pj's and socks for me, some fabric and some "stocking stuffer" gifts. I probably went crazy in the $2 dvd section, the $3 dvd section and even the $3.98 dvd section at different stores... many of those titles will have to go back -what was I thinking? But the good news is I enjoyed myself, had a nice day out with my friend and came home relaxed (but tired) and happy.

We did make it to IHOP for breakfast. While there I couldn't help but have a bit of sadness to not be there with my family as I usually am on Black Friday. I missed shopping and experiencing this day with them.. but there is always next year. I enjoyed an omelet and yummy pumpkin pancakes (which I brought home and had for lunch too!).

My honey made me a cup of hot tea so it was ready when I got home.... then he, Steven and I sat down and watched the final disc of Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.. I must say that installment was MUCH louder than the others...but it was nice to finally see the triology end. I feel about the same as I did when they drug it out over 3 years in theaters.. you just want to see the whole story ... but 10 hours is a bit much at one time. I think Steven liked the movie overall, his ears perked a bit at hearing they are working on starting to film the Hobbit (which was my favorite of the books). I suggested he read it.. so we'll see.

So what's the plan for the rest of the weekend.. a whole lot of nothing! The boys seem tired, which is strange considering they've been off school for 2 weeks. But late nights are catching up (we are all often up at 11) with us all and Steven heads back bright and early Monday for basketball practice at 6 a.m. so we have to start ending the nights sooner (tonight). So tomorrow is still up in the air, but will probably be a lazy day except for cleaning and laundry.. then Sunday the boys are headed to their FIRST Raider game with their dad, uncle and cousin. They are excited and I am too. I have the whole day free! I think I will scrapbook with a friend... sounds like a perfect day to me.

I hope to download the pictures tomorrow that I took on Thanksgiving and finish up my Christmas cards.. wish me luck!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Today I just have to take a day off from everything - thinking, striving, working hard to improve myself and so on. Sometimes it can be really exhausting! So today I am not going to think (or stress) about work, bills, timing or money, I am not going to spend time online (just jumped on to post). I am going to spend the day hanging out with my family... trying to get a photo for our Christmas card... reading... playing games with the kids... looking thru the ad's (although I have done that already and am not sure there is really anything worth going out for) to see if there is anything I must have.

So today I am going to spend the day being thankful and being present. I want to experience each moment as it happens.. no wait til later, in a minute, just a second things.. just living in the moment.

I am happy to spend the day with my entire family... my parents, my brother and SIL, my niece and nephew and my sweetie and kids. I love that time when no one is rushed, everyone is just hanging out and we get to let down the defenses and just enjoy being together. Moments like that are harder to come by as the kids get older and involved in many activities.. I intend to enjoy every minute of it.

Today I am grateful. I am grateful for many things .. we have a home, family, food, jobs and cars. We have each other. I am grateful for this blog.. that it provides me with a recap of the year and tidbits of how I feel, think and what we do. I am anxious to have it printed this year ..then a book will forever be available to me.. a journal of sorts, but still able to share it with others.

I am thankful for all of you who can't be with us today. Know that I am thinking of you and wishing you a peaceful day filled with happiness and family.

Thanksgiving Challenge

My friend challenged me to make a list of the things I am thankful for (big and small). So I did...

warm baths, tivo, candlelight, fireplaces, movies, Jackson's smile, my family's love, winter hats, California winters, long lost friends, new technology that makes it so easy to keep in touch with friends and family I love, my WW leader, my book club, beauticontrol, starbucks caramel macchiattos, the local donut store, my new $6 shirts from WM, my parents, holiday reflections, photography, my ipod, crafting, microwave oven, my new muffin pan, my palm centro, my relationship with God, bible study group, Steven's persistence, my husband's efforts, dishwashers, Sammy, River, warm blankets, my comfy bed, friends who listen and don't judge, sunshine, dog parks, baseball, herbal teas, longaberger mugs to drink from, working from home, spending time and knowing my kids, board games, not having to cook the turkey on Thanksgiving (my mom's rocks!!), pumpkin anything, fresh crisp apples, Quaker apple cinnamon rice cakes, WW 1 point caramel chocolate bars, virtual friends, bubble gum, my garage freezer, eating dinner as a family, watching jackson at karate, fuzzy warm socks, finished Christmas shopping, Christmas lights......

times up... 10 minutes and just a brain dump of things I am thankful for. Now she also challenged this:

My list is by no means comprehensive, but it is a good start. Once you've got a few of your "thanks" down, I further challenge you to turn your thanks into "giving" -- for every item on your list, donate some amount of money. It does NOT really matter how much you give, but that you give freely. Count up your thanks and then multiply it by whatever you can, and give it back to someone in need.

So in response to this challenge I have listed 58 (I counted 3x and that's what I think) items I am thankful for. So I multiplied that time 3 to get 174.... I gathered 174 items (canned/boxed food, gently used jackets/sweaters, shampoo, toothpaste/toothbrushes... it is in the front seat (and floor) of my car and I will drop it at the Salvation Army downtown today when I am running my errands. It feels good, it will do good and I did it all based on her challenge.

Sometimes it is the simple things.. someone else bringing it up and challenging you and look at the good it can do!!!

So I am passing this challenge on to those of you who read my blog... make a list and then do something for others... you know you want to!

Technology and Time

Growing up an Army Brat wasn't so bad. We saw lots of neat places and learned about different cultures and beliefs. But the moving... that was hard on friendships. At the time I was growing up (seems like eons ago) you could write letters or talk on the phone.. but long distance phone calls were expensive. So I would write a few letters to the friends I left behind... and usually never got one back. So my friends came and went.

I talk to people all the time who still have friends they met in kindergarten or middle school or high school.... I envy them. It is the only thing that I would change going back.. if I knew then, what I know now.. I would have tried harder to stay in touch.

Welcome to 2008! We now have email, messageboards and my new favorite Facebook! In the last 2 weeks I have located 3 long lost friends from high school in San Francisco.. people who I think of often and missed... but lost touch with. Maybe I am nostalgic with this being the 20th anniversary of my senior year. Maybe I am just sentimental.. but I am so happy to have found these friends. I also got in touch with a missing friend who was in my wedding and have a great lead on the other... when I got married and everyone else was still single.. my friendships drifted away.. I miss those people, those connections. I still feel their presence in my life, friends that are just drifting on the tide... and now I have contact with them again. It is like being rescued from a deserted island...

Ok I am tired and my mind is going a million miles a minute. This post may make zero sense tomorrow... I realize that. But for now I am just going to bask in the glow of my big computer screen, knowing that technology of today has brought me back into my past and I am awed.

On a final note, today I went to Weight Watchers and found I had lost another 2.2 pounds. That means that since June when I started this healthy lifestyle journey I have lost 20% of my body weight!!! I am so psyched at that. 10% more to go! Also if my leader is to be believed, she says that every 5 extra pounds you carry puts 15 pounds of pressure on your body... so I have taken 105 pounds of pressure off in the last 5 months. That is why I feel better, have more energy and am so excited about the whole journey.

Hope everyone has a Happy Tuesday! Stay warm and cozy, it's gonna be a cold one here (63 and rainy) .... which I know the rest of you in other parts of the country have it worse weather wise.. but for us.. this stinks!

The end of another weekend...Menu Plan Monday

Another week has dawned and we draw nearer to December. It's hard to believe this year is almost over! It seems as if it was just New Years Day.. yet it will be that again shortly.

Sunday was a relaxing day.. Steven had baseball practice for 3 hours... Jackson stayed in his pajama's almost all day (until he changed to go with me to pick up dinner at 5:45 p.m.)... I did a little of this and a little of that and a whole lot of nothing... Jonathan watched football (it is Sunday after all...)

I caved last minute and decided I really wanted french fries.. so we had McDonalds for dinner.. it doesn't happen often around here, but tonight was one of those nights -the family loves it when that happens. So after our big mac's we watched the Amazing Race... happy it was a non-elimination round so the team Steven is rooting for are still around. Jack, Jonathan & I are all rooting for a mother/son team and they finally finished first today! So happiness all around... Then there was a special 24 Movie on.. to prelude the next season which starts in January.. so Jonathan and I watched that and enjoyed every minute of it! I have missed Jack Bauer.

Menu Plan for this week:

Monday: Rigatoni with sausage, green salad
Tuesday: Taco's with lettuce, carrots and dip, refried beans
Wednesday: Meatloaf, mac & cheese and a veggie
Thursday: THANKSGIVING
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Turkey pot pies
Sunday: I'm on my own as the boys are headed to the Raiders game with Brian & Logan and will probably eat on their way home...

Easy, peasy menu planning.. just need to stock up on fresh fruits/veggies for the long weekend... everyone is home for 4 days! That's alot of extra lunches and breakfasts to prepare for.

Happy Monday to you all!

Simple Living

As I type this I am sitting in my recliner, blanket on my lap, hot cup of tea next to me, first fire of the winter in the fireplace and my family all around. 3 of us are cuddled up with blankets watching The Two Towers, a fourth is laying on the floor in front of the fire - playing with Star Wars toys.

I find myself wishing I could just get a picture of this moment. A snapshot of a simple, yet memorable time in my family life. However, the camera coming out would upset the moment, so instead I choose to let the moment continue.....

Spending time together... enjoying a shared experience... these are the highlights for me! Sharing with my son a movie that I LOVED when it came out... that I waited in line for hours to see.. and having him enjoy it as much as I do each time... that creates a wonderful feeling in my heart.

See, I am a simple girl. My girlfriend was here today helping me set-up for a tea we hosted this afternoon...and she kept saying -wow, you sure take the simple road. Tablecloth -don't own one, just wipe down the tables and call it good. Can Opener --mine's old fashioned and manual -she couldn't believe it. My tea cups don't match..but I love every one of them that I have collected over the years at thrift stores and flea markets. Each has a memory or elicits a sensation -much more than if I just bought a matching set. The food was mostly home-made and certainly easy.. brownie bites (just mix a box of brownie mix and diet coke, then bake.. yummy!), chicken salad and egg salad sandwiches, pumpkin cake and cookies. I tried to keep it simple and I think everyone still enjoyed the food.

This same friend is often amazed that I cook meals for my family everyday. I find it to be: simpler as we always know what we are eating; easier than going out; quicker than take out; healthier usually and definitely more cost efficient. The hour I spend menu planning/grocery list making and 2 hours grocery shopping is time well spent in my opinion. Over the last year I have simplified our meals also. We eat the things we all like more often as no one minds. I try to keep the meals healthy and stocked with a good variety of grains and vegetables. Knowing we are having a meal everyone likes that is healthy brings a sense of peace for me too.

I find that the clutter of life overwhelms me. I am much happier with less stuff around me. However I cling to some material things because of what I paid for them, thoughts that I may need it or just fear of getting rid of it. Then the clutter builds and I am miserably overwhelmed by it. I am not an organized person by nature, but I am slowly finding my way.....

So I joined the Oprah Clutter Crew challenge. 10 minutes a day and I am on my way to a more organized house, waaay less stuff and more peaceful living.


7 years ago I first read The Simple Living Guide by Janet Luhrs. We have come a long way since that time.. although there is still a long way to go. But the path is there and I am doing my best to keep us on that path. One of the first things I simplified was the holidays. I went from crazy, over the top gift giving to simple. We each receive 4 gifts: something we want, something we need, something to wear and something to read. Everyone is happy on Christmas.. just spending time together, the presents are by no means the focus of our day.. just a part of it. This year I have completed my shopping and plan to stay out of the stores.. I am not going to be drawn in by the advertising or the decor.. I am just going to stay home. I don't want to be tempted as in years past.. buying another gift, then returning an earlier purchased one.. a never-ending cycle. I have put lots of thought into the gifts that have been purchased and I am sticking with my first choice, not second guessing myself.. that will be a first for me, but I am certain that I will stick to it.

In fact, I am putting a 30 day moratorium on shoppping in December. I am going to not spend on anything that isn't a budgeted item (food, gas, tournament) the entire month. Anything I see that I want to buy.. I will put on a list and if after 30 days I still feel likeI need to buy the item,then I can... but not before the 30 days has passed.

Well this post is longer than I expected, but I have been wanting to write it for awhile...so I am happy to have the thoughts down in writing, instead of rolling around in my head.

$29.76

Today the boys and I took a ride to Stockton. We had lunch at a favorite restaurant down there -Moo Moo's Burger Barn, I did a bit of work and we came home in traffic.. lots of traffic.

I filled my gas tank when we got home.. the van was on empty (light on) and it was $29.76 to fill the ENTIRE tank!!! Woo hoo.. finally something to be happy about!

Sports... arrrgh.

So this has been my last week. I have been wanting to blog, but unsure of what to say or how to say it. I am frustrated. That sums it up I think pretty well. After finally closing down the book fair Friday... we had the evening to relax just Steven, Jonathan and me.. Jackson went to his friends house for a sleepover since we needed to be in Elk Grove for Steven's first game by 7:15 a.m. We had a nice dinner out at Johnny Garlic's (Guy Fietti's new restuarant) which was okay...not really worth the hype or the wait or the cost -but good enough food and a great, entertaining waiter. Then we all went to bed... seriously, at like 8:30 p.m. we were all in bed - no installment of Lord of the RIngs (which we are working our way thru) no new James Bond movie (theaters were packed) just dinner and bed.

So we get up and go.. the team lost both games 16-3 and 16-2. It was not pretty nor fun. The team just isn't playing that well. Steven kept saying he was tired and after a quick lunch at In and Out burger and picking up Jack, we were home at 2. Steven jumped into the shower and then lay down on his bed.. he was asleep shortly thereafter and didn't wake up until 6 a.m. the next day. We waited until the game time was certain for Sunday, then I went to bed too -I was exhausted. The good news is the weather was amazing -it was 70 degrees, warm and sunny - a great day for baseball and it's the middle of November?


So the next day the game is at 10 a.m. ... we think that is better as the boys are just not early risers. Starts off good... we are visitors and we get the lead 3-0 in the first, then they get 2. The next inning our pitcher (thanks to a tiny strike zone) walks 7 batters and balks... and the 2nd baseman has 5 (yes 5, well really 1 in the 1st then 4) actual, recordable errors... bringing in 8 runs althogether... the boys were shaken -but what could they do? The coaches left the pitcher in and finally changed the 2nd baseman after the 4th straight error that inning. It's just our luck that every ball they hit went right to the 2nd baseman. Steven was bored in the outfield as there was no action going on out there -- the batters were walking or hitting to 2nd. We lost (15-3) and are out of the tournament. The other games in the tourney were all close 3-4-6-5 type scores, but all 3 games we lost the other teams scored 15+ runs?????

Thus my frustration... the kids practice (most of them) but practice or not, they get to play. Steven is having fun and he likes playing with his friends. He is frustrated they can't seem to win, but he plays wherever they put him and doesn't complain. I wish I could have his attitude. I really do.

Tournament ball is expensive, time consuming and involves the whole family. I am starting to wonder if it is worth it in the end...

Then theres basketball. We go to every game (well I missed one last week for the book fair). The kids play well and with heart. 5 kids play the lion's share and the other 8 are lucky if they get in the game. It is frustrating to me as a parent, but again my child has a much better attitude than I do. He is happy to be on the team. He smiles as he goes to practice at 6 a.m. and games where he doesn't leave the bench. I don't understand the logistics there either? We played the other day (and won) and all the kids played .. it was a fast moving game and both teams played well. But everyone played... why can't every game be like that? At least there he is learning and growing as a player. His sportsmanship is unmatched and he is always full of compliments for his teammates. I am so proud of him, watching him really makes me want to have his attitude.. I am trying, I am.


The team is now 5-2 and they have a break until Dec. 1. Then 6 more games til the end of the season.. it's moving really fast and will be over before we know it.

Then starts little league.... and the same frustrations exist there... hopefully I will have mastered my attitude by then...

Thursday already?

It's been a quick week. Only one more day of school and then the kids are off for 2 weeks. I am really looking forward to the break... Steven has basketball still next week -then 1 week of no commitments!!!!

A friend posted about this giveaway on her blog and I wanted to do the same. Can you imagine winning something so beautiful? It is a super cute quilt and she is giving away 3 of them!!!


So go to her blog and check it out.. .maybe you'll win!

Book fair has just today and tomorrow left and it will be done... we are having family night tonight from 6-8 pm and Steven has a game at 4... busy, busy, busy... but worth it!

Steven's team won last night (I wasn't able to go...) by 4 points after being tied going into the 4th... that's a 3-1 record...

Sometimes the best laid plans.....

Go awry. I had every intention of making fried chicken for dinner. I checked my ingredients early this morning, I defrosted the chicken and was excited about this new recipe. The recipe calls for the chicken to be fried, then set to steam for about 40 minutes, then baked to crisp it back up...total time about 2 hours.

My mom took the boys to see Madagascar 2. I ran errands and got home about 2:30. I got the stuff I needed out, switched the laundry and made a cup of tea. My mom and the boys got home about 250 and I talked with them about the movie. Made my mom a cup of tea and sat down to discuss a card making day later this month. Jonathan got home and my mom & I kept talking. All of a sudden I realized it was just about 4!!! Since I needed to leave at 530 for my weight watcher meeting (I lost 1.2 this week) the time had run out to start the chicken. My best laid plans.... gone in a flash.

Oh well, what can you do? I know what I did..... I ordered pizza. And it was delicious!

Happy Veterans Day

Today is a very important day. A day that should mean more than just the day off school or work. A day that every American should consider and observe. This is the day we honor those who serve our country. Who make many sacrifice's and ask for little in return. People who lose valuable time with their families and sometimes their lives protecting the rest of us. I believe we should consider them and thank them every day of the year, but especially on this day set aside for us to honor them and their courageous commitment.

My father spent 25 years serving our nation in the Army. Life in the Army isn't always easy and is never predictable. Being an Army Brat I was exposed to many different places, cultures and beliefs. I was resentful at times that someone else got to make decisions about our lifes... where we would live, when my dad would be home and how long we could stay. My dad was in Vietnam when I was born and didn't get to meet me until I was almost a year old. I don't feel like I missed that time (I was a baby) but I know he does. As I got older, I realized that there was great benefit to living our life in the Army. Not many kids get to do many of the things we did living in Germany and we experienced so many great adventures that now overshadow the moving around. I only wish the technology of today was around then.. with facebook and email -we could have stayed in touch with so many people who are fondly remembered from the places we have lived.

I am grateful that my father believed in our country, that he was (and is) passionate about this country and that he did such a great service for all those years. I am very proud of all he accomplished for our country.

Thanks to him, and to all of the others, all of our veterans, for preserving our liberty and our nation. America is much more than just a spot on the map, or a nationality, and you all represent the best of it.

Menu Plan Monday

This is a super busy week. That said I have our menu planned down to the last item to make it easier and to be sure we eat well and healthy each night!

Monday: Homemade Chili Dogs (dogs and chili in crockpots), tater tots, brocolli
Tuesday: Fried Chicken Legs, rice and peas
Wednesday: Salisbury Steak (crockpot), mashed potatoes corn
Thursday: Italian Beef hoagies (Crockpot), green salad
Friday: really hoping for a date night out!
Saturday: Meatball Sandwiches (crockpot), potato salad and fries
Sunday: Roast Chicken (crockpot), stuffing, peas

So it is finally Sunday night...

It's been a looooong few days... Thursday the book fair was delivered. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the book fair -it is at the elementary school and I have been in charge of it 2x a year for the last 7 years (this is year 8... book fair #15). It is ALOT of work. My mom is my co-chair and she helps out a bunch.. I don't know what I would do without her. This is our last year.. next year another pair of ladies are taking over (they are helping & learning this year) and we will assist them their first year ... which is our family's last year at the elementary school It means 7 days of being at school 8 hours a day.. without even getting paid! It is long and tough on my body... but so worth it as I talk with the kids about books and stories and reading.. plus my kid wants me to do it.

So Thursday we were to the school at 11:45 for set up. We received 12 cases and 60 boxes of books.. we hefted and moved those boxes, got the cases set up and unloaded everything.. transforming our school's library into a book store. Usually we have about 6-7 people for set up .. this time there were 5 of us.. and we did it in record time ..2 hours. Then at 2:30 the teachers started previewing and making their classroom wishlists. We were there until 3:45 then hightailed it to the middle school for Steven's basketball game. The team won and he played several minutes near the end. Then home and got dinner for everyone and Jackson and his dad headed to karate. I headed to the grocery store and then got things ready for the morning that weren't done yet.

Friday I spent the day at the school... Jackson and I left home at 7:35 and went to Starbucks.. meeting my mom at the school about 8 a.m. We finished up with what needed to be done and classes started touring (new class every 20 minutes) at 8:50... school got out at 12:50 and the day had flown by... Jack was back and we continued selling and labeling books until 3:30 p.m. We left to go home and the boys headed off with my mom for a sleepover. This was the first Friday in months Steven hasn't had baseball practice (because it is dark at 5) and they took advantage of that to go to their grandparents. So, not ones to miss an opportunity... my sweetie and I headed to a late matinee of Role Models. We enjoyed the movie for the most part.. right up until the power went off at the theater 3-4 minutes before the end of the movie... the whole theater, the strip mall across the street and even the traffic light we all out... no power anywhere (good thing for cell phone screens/batteries when exiting a dark theater with 200 other people). We stopped for chinese food, then stopped for dog food and headed home. I was in bed at 8:45 and I am sure asleep by 9... so exhausted and every part of my body hurt. Whether from the setup and moving all those 40 lb boxes of books or standing all day and twisting and turning... I hurt.

Saturday was gray and gloomy. We got up, took the dogs to the park and then headed out to see Ciera play softball. We were only able to catch about 3/4 of the game and she was on first base the whole time. We did see her hit once and she really hustled. Then everybody headed home and I left again immediately to go to a cooking class. My weight watcher leader offered a class on cooking, meal planning and freezing food. I learned lots about spices and foods you can freeze that I never expected.... Stopped to pick up some prescriptions, saw they were giving flu shots -what the heck, got mine.... then realized I should go ahead and pick up Steven's contacts that come in... did that and finally got home, quickly had dinner ready and then settled in with Steven and Jonathan to watch The Two Towers... we only made it thru one disc and decided to watch the other 1/2 later. I was tired again.. and headed to bed at 9.

Sunday Steven headed out to an early practice for baseball... 9:30 a.m. and I enjoyed my coffee and the paper. About 11 I went out the park to watch them practice. Once we got home we got the laundry going and I set about cleaning house. Jackson was so sweet and helpful --he did half the sweeping and mopping for me.. so much help! I finished that and took Steven to pick up his new glasses at the mall then stopped at Sams for some groceries. Came home and went crazy! I turned the meat we bought at Sam's into 3 meatloafs (one for dinner), 2 meals of meatballs, Salisbury Steak patties, Shepards Pie, sloppy joes. I made 10 lbs of mashed potatoes (although I didn't have to peel the potatoes, my sweetie offered to!) some for tonight and some for later. Got all the dishes washed up and then watched the Amazing Race with the family.

Now I am off to bed and ready for the week to start.. book fair -here I come! I may be scarce this week.. but I hope to get some photo's from the weekend posted .....

What a day....

{This post is long and you may not agree... however this is my opportunity to document for my family the feelings of the day...If you don't agree, that is ok. I ask that comments not be political.. thanks for understanding!}


Tuesday, November 5th 2008 started the same was as all other days. We got up, I packed lunches, kids went to school, I worked in Jackson's class..... then I had book fair stuff to do and dinner to make. I made chicken parmesan (enough for us + my parents for dinner and 4 more meals!) which took a couple hours to do. At 2:52 when Jonathan got home I was making a cup of tea -hoping to finally get a chance to sit and drink it while relaxing for a moment. I had been on my feet and going for hours at that point. It was a dream not meant to be... we had to leave almost immediately so we could exercise our right to vote on the way. So we headed off to the Grace Church on Baseline (a new voting place for us) and after giving our address to 4 people, each telling us to move to the next one... we signed our names and took our ballots. We, in Placer County, have scantron like forms, we must bubble in each and every bubble -so it took a bit of time. After placing our votes and getting our I voted stickers... we headed off to Steven's basketball game.

The game did not go so well. The team lost by 7 points to their rival school.. it was a much more intense game as this was against the rival team -you could tell by the change in our coach. Last game he sat in his chair, leaned back, leg crossed at the knee ... this game he stood, he paced and he squatted at the edge of the court --and he yelled. We could hear him (heck, everyone could hear him). He had words with the refs a couple of times (but they both had attitude) when blantant fouls on our boys were not called. Our defense just wasn't what it needed to be. Unfortunately, Steven did get the chance to help with that -as he (and 3 other kids) didn't play. Maybe tomorrow's game will be better? I hope so --the coach had told the boys that this rival team would probably be the hardest they would face.. so I can hope the other "easier" team games will be less intense.

So we headed home for dinner... my parents were able to join us which was nice. The chicken was made, so I put it in the oven and turned the water on for the spaghetti. It took FOREVER to boil.. I realized too late because I had the burner on medium instead of high... my bad. So it took almost an hour.. but then we had chicken parm, spaghetti and garlic french bread and it was yummy.

After dinner Steven and I were watching last weeks 90210 when Jonathan yelled down that the race had been called for Obama. So we turned on the election coverage. After a bit, Steven decided to head to bed (his mind reeling from the election discussion we were having I'm sure) and I continued to watch, unable to turn away from the screen.

I watched John McCain speak and I believe he was sincere.. but the words weren't right. They sounded off coming from him plus he was reading the words. This is something I have felt over the course of the campaign.. that his speech writer just has a different "talk" than him and it shows. I appreciated the tone and message of his address, I'm glad I got to see it live and in the moment.

When Obama spoke I was moved. I have always liked him, enjoyed hearing him talk in interview and recognizing the passion he has for making the world a better place. Also, I liked Hillary, so my initial concerns were based on his lack of government experience and whether that would hinder him in fixing what the current administration has broken. Over the course of the campaign and debates, I have come to admire him. I find him to be a very thoughtful speaker. I was told he writes his own speeches -which would make sense to me -as he always seems to me to be speaking from his heart, without pause, without awkwardness. His speeches are absolutely in his voice, the same way you hear him speak in interviews. Obama has always seemed to me to be highly intelligent and well spoken. His wife has shown in interviews that she is also very intelligent and passionate about the same things.

I may not agree with all of his positions, but I am struck by his vision. He reminds me of JFK -in the way he speaks, acts and inspires the people of his generation. He is only 10 years older than me (which makes me feel old, because the president is usually much older than me) and had kids who are younger than mine... that puts in a certain sense of solidarity for me - that maybe his ideas, causes and actions are that of someone living a life in the same stage as me. Which is how many felt about JFK in the books I have read on him.. he was the people's president in that way.

So while I was not certain, I was not a follower or believer before... I will say that today, I believe we are on the right path... I believe that this historic election will change the course of our country forever, for the good. I am proud to be an American and I believe we can!

Menu Plan Monday

This week looks to be a busy one. I have planned out our meals to help keep us on track. We have lowered our November food budget to $200 --to see if we can do it! I think I can --my goal is to feed us healthy meals and snacks for the entire month.... I have made a menu of all breakfast, lunch and dinners with snacks included... so the challenge is on....

Monday: Shepards Pie, Green Beans and salad
Tuesday: Chicken Parmesan with spaghetti, glazed carrots and salad
Wednesday: Pork chops, rice and peas
Thursday: BBQ chicken sandwiches on homemade rolls, tater tots and brocolli
Friday: Meatball Sandwiches, oven fries and green salad
Saturday: Penne and sausage, french bread and raw veggies
Sunday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, corn

Now we may switch the nights or eat out of order.. but this is the plan for this week.

For a ton of other inspirational weekly meal plans, be sure you head over to Menu Plan Monday at Organizing Junkie’s site. She saves me each and every week by holding this event- makes me feel like I’m forced to menu plan, and that’s a fantastic thing! You can participate too if you like- even if you don’t blog. And if you don’t blog- you really should! Even if you only menu plan once a week, imagine looking back at two months worth of menu plans at a glance- that could be very helpful!

Halloween 2008

So this was the seen at our house this year. Jackson was a killer clown, Logan was Scream (without the mask) and Steven and friends didn't dress up. We started with a pizza dinner. Brian, Cyn, my mom and dad, Logan and us. I also made Pasta e Fagioli soup for with dinner -just my mom and I had that. Then the kids got dressed and went trick or treating. My dad and Cyn took them around.. they stayed out until it started pouring rain, then they returned. My mom and I sat on the front steps to hand out candy --so Sammy wouldn't go completely crazy hearing the doorbell ring. Since Steven and his friend Kevin as well as Brian and Jonathan were inside, the dogs were pretty calm.

Steven invited a few friends over. They came after dinner. After hanging out for a while, they sat down to watch Gremlins with Brian and Jonathan. We popped some microwave pop corn and they watched the moveie. Logan and Jack watched when they got back (you can just see them in the background behind the couch). It was a fun night overall, ending with everyone safe and happy.

Remembering my Gram....

My grandmother's birthday was on Halloween. As my mom and I sat talking, handing out the candy, I realized that my post about her had not gone up. I know this is a few days late, but I also know that she would understand. The following is what I wrote while back home for Gram's funeral. I was sitting in her house, with my laptop and as I wrote the tears flowed down my cheeks. As I read this last week, contemplating posting those same words, the floodgates of my tears opened again. I miss her everyday and reading those words reminded me of the changes I made in my life after she was gone. I only wish that she could have known how she inspired me... and everyone else. Wow, more tears..... but happy, remembering ones.


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My Gram was an amazing woman. She could make a meal out of almost anything. She was always ready for fun –be it teaching me to cook or playing hide & seek. It wasn’t often she said no, or later. Unlike most grown-ups I knew she always made the time to
do whatever I wanted to do. I loved to see her sitting in her chair reading a book. I believe that her nightly reading encouraged me to do the same –every night I sit down to read at least a chapter of some book. My Gram lived a simple, yet full life. Instead of filling her home with lots of possessions she filled her heart with many precious memories. I have many of memories of her being there, always kind and warm and loving.

I want to be more like her. I want to live each day according to my beliefs, never being negative towards others or myself. I want to fill my heart with happy memories of my children doing ordinary things in ordinary ways. Not every memory has to be filled with achievements or accountings. It is the little things that matter –my Gram taught me that by the way she lived her life. While it didn’t sink in when she was with us, now in her house without her I sense it. I feel the joy she felt, the comfort and security of this loving place and I see the truth. It is not the things that matter – it is the people. So what if your carpet is old or stained, at least you have carpet. It doesn’t matter if your couch is one day old or ten years old it is still a place to sit.

What does matter is what you meant to those around you, how they know they mean everything to you. Why spend precious money or time searching for something that is right there waiting for you – your family. I will never again groan that I could be getting something done at home while watching my boys play baseball. I will not choose to be working when my children want to play. I am going to try to stop saying in just a minute –when that minute never comes.

BC 6-6-04

On this day.....

39 years ago.. my parents were married in New Jersey. Today we are on the other side of the country, but they are
still so happy together. I took this shot of them last night... so it is a really a day early (and it showcases my new photoshop
skills... ) but it's them and I wanted to honor them today.

Growing up, it seemed to me that people got married and were married forever. Today that is not always the case, but it is
what I was looking for. My parents were my inspiration in married life.. and that still hasn't changed. They got married, had my
brother and me and lived thru our childhoods. That in itself is a milestone. Now they are there for their grandkids and us, every
day.

I just wanted to say Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad.... we all love you!




PS... Halloween pictures coming tomorrow... the anniversary post has bumped them a day.