I won't be able to blog...

for a while more anyway. I am having alot of hand pain/swollen wrists. I know it is because of work and the amount of keying I am doing there. I am trying to stay off the computer when I am at home because ..a) my hands need a break; b) it hurts and c) I don't want to make it worse.

The worse part is I still compose my daily blog post in my head.. I just can't type it.

Menu Plan Monday

Well it's still Monday -so I have time to post my menu! It was hard for our house to get going again today after the weekend. Steven's birthday has come & gone --my guy is 14! He is still a tad disgruntled about spending the night before his birthday at a school retreat, sleeping on the floor. We had a lovely lunch at Red Lobster after mass and my mom was able to join us--which was nice as it was Grandparents day as well. Steven enjoyed his endless shrimp and then we went home and spent the rest of the day hanging out -watched a movie and some great Giants baseball .

so the menu is very easy this week as I didn't have much time to spend planning it with the crazy weekend...

Monday: italian sausage pasta bake
Tuesday: meatloaf, baked potatoes, veggie
Wednesday: chicken & balsamic onions (didn't get to this recipe last week), rice, veggies
Thursday: chili mac, corn
Friday: chicken pot pie, green salad
Saturday: going to the Holy Bowl --eating out
Sunday: Pot roast

September??

How did it get to be September? The last 10 days have flown by between work, Steven starting high school, Jack joining Drama Club, Premier and birthday preparations. I can hardly list the things I've been doing, but I certainly have been doing them.....

This week included a dinner at Jesuit for Jonathan and I. We got to meet some other freshman parents and listen to people wax nostalgic for their own experiences. That was interesting, to hear grown men speak with such enthusiasm about a time in life that I myself would pretty much like to forget. I hope that Steven has an experience like that. That stays with him and last forever. I think that's really cool.

Jackson is loving drama. He is asking to take some classes at the high school. The students who are helping with his drama club are from the local high school and they shared the classes and gave out brochures. It will add another day to his "busy afterschool" schedule -but he seems willing to cope with it for 6 weeks .. so we'll see. Yesterday I got home from work at 5:15 and he was asleep on the couch -he had a hard time waking up, maybe he is about to have a growth spurt- because he has also recently complained of growing pains and he is always starving. He is handling his advanced classes really well and adjusting to middle school well.

Work is crazy. I am the only person in my department and I am part time... there used to be 3 of us full time... now there is a hiring freeze -so I'm just waiting to see how that turns out. LOL really not fun, stressful even. I can feel it in my hands, my carpal tunnel is acting up -mainly because I spend the entire time I am there keying like crazy just to stay caught up on current work, forget about all the already backlogged stuff. I do my best to be positive and smile alot when I am there.... suffocating my desire to eat chocolate.


Jonathan has been running the afternoon carpool for us most days. Picking up Steven & his friend at the bus stop and ferrying them home. I really appreciate his willingness to do that --since it falls at such an awkward time of day.

We figured out Steven's school schedule yesterday and uncovered that almost every Friday has a 9:30 start time!! He was so excited to get to sleep in today until 8am!! It was a nice change from up at 5:50 am and out the door at 6:30 am. We learn new things everyday so I am trying to go with the flow and deal with it as it comes. Not my natural inclination, but I am think I am doing pretty well.

I've got to get going... got to make sure Steven's stuff is ready for his retreat tomorrow and my stuff is ready for my event tomorrow night. It's gonna be a loooooooonnnnng day -but worth it I'm sure.

Menu Plan Monday

It's been a long, hot weekend here in Roseville. We went out for BBQ on Friday, celebrated Steven's upcoming birthday with the family on Saturday and stayed home for the most part on Sunday. I have accomplished 1/10 of what I hoped to get done this weekend - but sometimes that happens. I am watching a movie with the boys as I type this blog post... I can't complain as it's been a fun family weekend.

Friday night I was blessed to be able to spend some time with my Premier sisters from all over the country. We laughed, shared and planned. I am so inspired by these women who have built their businesses to such great levels. They are so open and ready to share and help others succeed.


Saturday Steven attended his first Jesuit varsity high school football game with his dad. They sat out in the hot (99 degree) sun for 3 hours to see the team lose in overtime. Afterwards they met us at my parents for a yummy pork chop dinner and some much needed swimming. Steven selected banana cream pie as his birthday dessert - from Marie Calendars. I was pleased when I went to pick up the pie that banana cream is the pie of the month so 1/2 price! Even better, right?

Next week Steven has to attend the mandatory Freshman retreat at school. He will wake up on his birthday in the school gym. So we did the "traditional" birthday things we do this Sunday since we can't do them on his actual birthday. That includes breakfast donuts from Foothill donuts -for Steven a maple bar and a cake donut with frosting and sprinkles. Later in the afternoon he and I took a trip to Icing on the Cupcake for a maple bacon cupcake. The original plan was for me to get that for him on his birthday -but they are closed that day for Employee Appreciation day. So we went a week early, because maple bacon cupcakes are only available on Sundays. Steven said it was really, really, really really awesome. Jackson also tried one and said it was very, very, very, very awesome.. LOL I tasted the frosting and it was super mapley with a bit of bacon flavor.

So on to the day's task.. Menu Plan Monday...

Monday - chili mac
Tuesday- kids: pizza (with Gma & Papa) parents: dinner at Jesuit
Wednesday- spaghetti with l/o sausage & peppers
Thursday- tacos, refried beans meatloaf, mac & cheese per Jackson request
Friday- Balsamic Chicken and Onions Wraps with Green Beans
Saturday- leftovers
Sunday- Steven's birthday dinner out ... looking like Red Lobster

Finally Friday.. and too dang hot.

After a somewhat mild summer -the last 2 days have been 100 degree's!! It is so hot outside it is miserable to do anything. I think I will stay inside as much as possible.

This has been a busy week with both boys in school and getting used to a new routine. Getting up at 5:40 a.m. is hard for me and has been kicking my ass. I am lucky to make it to 9 pm before I am ready to fall into the bed. It seems to be getting a bit easier though -so I am hopeful that over time it will not be as hard.

We are all looking forward to a 3 day weekend and lots of at home time. I think everyone is looking forward to getting to sleep in a bit. We are celebrating Steven's birthday tomorrow with the family -he will be 14 in a week. How time flies -I can't believe how grown up he seems now that he is in high school. He and his dad are planning to attend the Jesuit 1st football game tomorrow vs. Rio Americana -which I have gathered is their big rival. Then we will have dinner and swim at my parents --should be a nice day.

Sunday and Monday there are no concrete plans other than getting the house together. I wish I had more to say -but that's really it.

after work

After a long, tedious and not fun day working for the state, I went home. I am exhausted. Exhausted by drama, exhausted by people who want to play the blame game and exhausted by an overwhelming backlog of work. I had planned to go to a fun night of networking after work, but instead I drove home. Traffic was heavy, people were honking their horns and there seemed to be road rage around me.

Once I was home it was all erased. I was greeted by my family and my dogs -all happy to see me and smiling. I was immediately relieved of the tension from my day. I enjoyed a chili dog and apple slices for dinner.... then we sat down to watch a movie together. Office Space. I love this movie. After a long day surrounded by people in an office... it was almost therapeutic.

Sometimes we have to do what we have to do. There is good and bad in everything. Taking it one day at a time, that helps. The good news -I don't have to go back to work for a week! The bad news --all the work will still be waiting when I get there.

We are adjusting to life with everyone in school. Things are busy around here, but not crazy yet. I have a full calendar going into September -I would like to add 1 more show, but that's about all. There are lots of school things coming up.. plus Steven's 14th birthday is right around the bend.
It's a transitional time... but we are doing well.

Now it's time for bed ... along with being exhausted mentally, I find I am tired from getting up at 5:40 a.m. ... so good night everyone.

Menu Plan Monday

It's our first full week with both boys in school - so menu planning is a must! It's a normally busy week for us and there is no time to wonder what is for dinner or lunch for that matter.

Monday -- meatloaf & baked potatoes & corn
Tuesday --chili dogs
Wednesday -- spaghetti & sausage, green salad
Thursday --chicken & rice
Friday -- BBQ beef
Saturday --Pork chops
Sunday -- hamburgers, potato salad, veggies
Monday --Labor Day --BBQ?

being new...

Last night Jonathan and I attended a Spirit of Jesuit parent dinner. It was held at the school in the gym (supposed to be outside, moved inside because of threat of rain). We got there at the start of the social hour and checked in, got our name-tags then walked around. There was a Booster Club table (already signed up) and a table for Christmas Tree Lane (already signed up!) so we headed to the Logo store. I splurged and bought myself a red girl shirt that says "Jesuit Mom" in rhinestones. It is sparkly, yet subtle so I love it. I think I will wear it to work tomorrow.

We walked around a bit, then picked a spot to sit for dinner. My husband always prefers to sit in the back, so he doesn't obstruct others view. So we grabbed a table and there was no one near us at all. We sat down (thankfully together) and scoped out the room. There were lots of people milling about, talking and drinking in groups all around the gym. People that knew other people. We knew each other. I realized at that moment that this is probably how Steven felt going into high school -he knows 1 person & they only have 1 class together. So we sat, talked and looked around. Eventually, I got up to get a 2nd margarita and when I returned there was another person sitting at our table! A nice guy, his wife couldn't make it and his son is also a freshman. Then another couple sat down and little by little the table filled up.

So while I was worried for a moment that Steven would feel all alone, as I felt at my moment of realization... by the end of the night I made a new friend. Her name is Sonia, she lives in Folsom, works at Intel and has a son who is a freshman and a 4 year old daughter. We made plans to have coffee before the Loyola Guild meeting. She is very nice and I look forward to getting to know her better.

We had a great night. It was fun to meet new people and see the scope of community at the school. It was nice to be out together, enjoying this experience with my husband. We are looking forward to a great year!