Menu planning done for another two weeks.  I got groceries and only spent $48.00 for the next two weeks.   We are pretty well stocked. 

Updated Menu

Now I am off to finish decorating our Christmas tree.......more later!

Argh....insomnia again.  They increased my predisone due to my cold, which always messes with my sleep.  Argh....I am up early!   I am going shopping this morning at 9:00 or so with my SIL.   I need to get some jeans and they are having 50% off at Marshall Fields.   So I hope to find apair of jeans.  

I was feeling better yesterday and made it through Thanksgiving meal.   We had the usuals and tried a new potato recipe that everyone loved!   It will be used again!

Party Potatoes**

• 5 lbs. baking potatoes
  
• 2 (3 oz.) pkgs. cream cheese, softened
  
• 8 oz. sour cream
  
• 1 stick butter, softened
  
• 1/2 cup milk
  
• 2 tsp. Adobo
  
• Paprika for garnish

Peel potatoes and cut into 1 inch cubes. Cook in boiling water until tender and drain. In a large mixing bowl, combine potatoes and all ingredients except paprika. Beat at medium speed until smooth and fluffy, but leaving a few lumps is fine. Do not overbeat or they will not have enough form. Spoon into a greased baking dish. You may refrigerate for up to 2 days before cooking. When ready to bake, set cold potatoes on the counter for 30 minutes, then bake at 325° for 50 minutes. When done, put a pat of butter on top and sprinkle with paprika before serving.

We had four extra guests for Thanksgiving meal.   Then the Miller family came over to visit after supper.   All five of them!    I talked to my nephew Joe and his roommate is an electrician and is willing to come over and do a few projects for us.   We are needing to separate Josh and Erik and give each of them a bedroom.  So we will be moving the computers to the basement, but need outlets put in,etc.   We would love to have this project done by Christmas.  Then when we get a few more bills paid off my nephew, who is a carpenter, said he would finish the basement for us.   That will be a few years before we are ready for that project.   But it will be nice to get the electricity done! 

Then after the Miller's left, the Mathisens came over.  We hung out and played Apples to Apples with Grandma and Grampie.  We stayed up until about 11:00 and then were so tired!    I am starting to get a bit sleeping, I think I will take a little nap before I call my SIL and tell her I am ready to go shopping!  

Have a great day!  I think now that I am finally feeling better, I might take Tommy to the movie.  

I just sent Josh, Erik and Amy to get groceries for Thanksgiving.   I hope they do ok!! 

I am actually out of bed today.  Yesterday I was in bed all day.   I have been under the weather for a couple of days.  Very bad timing since I have about 9 people coming for Thanksgiving.   I haven't even been able to buy any of the groceries for the meal yet.  ARGH....I thought I might feel better this morning, but no such luck.   I still have chills, headache and upset stomach.   I am going to make a grocery list today and send Joshua to get everything.  He has never gotten that much groceries by himself.  I hope it goes ok.   I have no choice since I can't make it to the store.  He is such a good kid....I don't know what I would do without him!

I hope Josh will help me this afternoon to make pies and mashed potatoes.    Yesterday Josh, Emma and Amy made some cookies.  They are going to bake some more today.   I think I will shower and head back to bed.   

The only thing good about being sick on thanksgiving is that I bet I won't over eat and gain alot of weight!   It will be interesting to weigh in on Monday.  Might be my most successful holiday ever!

Later!

Weight In....went well....down another 3 pounds and received another 5 pound star FINALLY!!  This last 5 pounds took a very long time to achieve. 

8 more pounds to goal................I doubt I am will make a dent in that until after the holidays.

I am awake....but still tired.   I wanted to get up early since I need to run a few errands before I head to church.   I need to be at church by 9:30 and I need to go to CVS and the grocery store before that.   I also want to pick up a bit around the house.  I enjoy the quiet of the morning before everyone is up,  my quiet time.  

Hubby is taking the boys to the library this morning while I am at church.  Then they will be stopping by the church to check out the cookie baking.   The boys love to get samples!   I will be staying at church until about 2:00.

Now that I think of it, I should get my invite for my cookie exchange here at home printed and mailed today.    Time is flying!  

Later!

Home from work early...but didn't accomplish too much.   Took Erik to the mall and bought him a new jacket, stocking hat and two pairs of jeans.  He is going through a growth spurt.  I bought him 5 new pairs of pants in September when school started and they are getting too short!    So I bought two more in the next size up.  I will have to buy a few more next pay period.   He really enjoys picking out his clothes....it is funny. 

Then we came home and hung out until Dad came home.   Hubby went out to buy us supper since I was so tired!   I just couldn't make supper tonight.  I relaxed a bit and then made my cookie dough for tomorrow!  We are baking Christmas cookies at church tomorrow.  I think here is about 12 of us baking.   I made a new recipe - Cherry Chocolate Blossoms.   They look yummy and very festive.   I hope to get alot of baking done this year since Tommy is older.  

   The news tonight said the packages the bomb squad found at my office were nothing.   The thing behind pizza hut was a backpack and also not a danger.   That is all good! 

About time to call it a night.  I think I will get Tommy upstairs and head to bed.   Have a great night.

Well I ended up being home from work early today.   I got to work around 10:00 and as I was walking into the building (govt. building), I noticed a wrapped xmas present by the door on the newspaper stand.   I went over and looked at it and thought...that is odd.   Did I report it to security???  Nope...didn't think too much of it. 

About an hour later we are told there is possible bomb found and they moved us to the other side of the building.  After about 45 minutes, they said we had to evacuate the building.   Outside there is the FBI, bomb squad, fire trucks and police everywhere.   OOPS....note to self....report any package!!  Did you forget what world we are now living in???  Your not in South Dakota anymore Dorothy! 

So a group of my friends get in my van and we go to eat.   At the restaurant we are sitting next to some cops who we ask if they know if we can go back to work.  They call in and say the building is still not cleared.  Over 3 hours of my work day gone already. ARGH!!   We go back and they let us in the building but tell us to search our areas for suspisicios packages. 

OH yeah..and on our way back to the building we see the bomb squad and all the other emergency vehicles are now behind Pizza Hut.  Another suspicious package found.  I heard there was another one earlier in the morning before our building all with the same message on them.   I won't share what the message was since I saw the package first hand and not sure what is being said to the public.   I will have to watch the news tonight. 

So I got to the office and grab my laptop and decide that there is too much going on in that part of the city today so I came home!    Thankfully I am one of those employees that is able to work from home.  

Whew....where has this week gone???  I have worked late almost every night this week.   Poor hubby has needed to care for the children most evening alone.   I can't wait until the busy season is done!  IT is crazy around here with year end budgets and massive amounts of work. 

WEDNESDAY

My parents came into town and went to church for supper with us.  My mom and I went to half price book to shop a bit. (Our favorite store!)   Of course I bought some more books.  ARGH...one I realize I already read.  OOPS...I will have to mail it to my mom or something.    Hubby and I didn't go to our class since my parents were here.  We wanted to spend the little time we had visiting with them.  Tommy loved having Grandma to play with.   He is missing her this morning. 

THURSDAY

I went with to Preschool to drop off Tommy and make sure everyone got to the right room.   His grandparents stayed with him and I went to work for unit meeting.  I *Had to be at work by 10:00.  My hubby came at 11:30 to pick up Tommy from preschool and take him to daycare.  My parents headed back to South Dakota.  It was so incredibly nice of them to come so far to spend grandparents day with Tommy.   He is a lucky boy!

I worked until late.  I was in Burnsville for a homevisit so I stopped at DSW Shoes...another favorite store!   I really needed new black boots to wear to work.   I bought a pair of Franco Sarto Boots...(love them).  My pair from last year were Franco Sarto!  I also bought a pair of Clarks that are boots shoes.  They are very comfortable, with a nice heel.  I dont' care to wear flat shoes much. 

That evening I went to book club.   Very fun....didn't discuss the book much, but had a great time.  What a fun group of ladies!   I didn't even leave to head home until almost 10:00.  YIKES!!   Of course when I called home to say I was on my way home...the kids were all still up.  GRRRRR   Things sure are run a lot differently than when I am home. 

FRIDAY

I slept in a bit....I have been burning the candle at both ends and needed a little more rest.   I than quickly paid bills and updated our budget for next week.  I forgot to budget to take the kids to a movie next week.   I will have to mess with it a bit and see if I can squeak out a movie.   They all need haircuts and Erik wants a new jacket. 

I am going to be working in the office all day today.  I hope to get alot of paperwork, budgets and reports done!   I also have to stop at the grocery store after work to get the ingredients to make cookies at church tomorrow morning.   We are also putting on a community baby shower at church on Saturday afternoon. 

NEXT WEEK

Erik is off of school all week next week.   He will have to go with Tommy to his auntie's on Monday as I have to work.  Tuesday and Wednesday I will either work from home or take the day off.  Tuesday I will probably get groceries since Tommy is at his Aunties.   Erik can help me.   Wednesday I have both boys home with me so I am going to try to take them to a movie.  Wednesday afternoon Erik will be going to his mothers for Thanksgiving and the weekend. 

For Thanksgiving we are having my in-laws and brother in law over.   I hope to relax the rest of the week!  I am done with Christmas shopping so I won't be going to after Thanksgiving sales.  Actually I have never gone to them......just not my cup of tea!  

Time to get busy with work....have a great day!!

I am up early today...WOW!   I am showered and dressed already.   I plan on getting groceries this morning as my parents are coming this afternoon.   We have had our first snow fall here in Minnesota.   I hope my parents will still be able to come today.  It is done snowing and not much accumulation.  But it is cold.

TODAY.....

Groceries
Return Movies
Laundry
Work...

Tonight is church/confirmation.     We will eat supper at church and then if my parents are here we will have them return home with Tommy after supper.  

TOMORROW

Grandparents day at preschool.  I hope it goes ok for them all.  I have to head to work after they go to preschool since I have unit meeting at 10:00.  Then in the evening I have book group. 

I am off to switch laundry and get my grocery list done.    Have a great day!