Another book completed in January......my new MP3 player sure is having me listening to a lot of books.  Love it!!

Angels and Demons - Dan Brown (4.5/5)

I sure didn't want to go walking this morning.  I was behind and running late, but decided I really needed to be walking.   So I walked my 2 miles and then headed off to run errands.

I went to Aldi, Rainbow, Target, Sam's Club and bread thrift store.    And I am very happy to say that I stayed within my budget.  I spent 77.74 on groceries for the week!   YEAH!!!   I did have to elect not to buy a couple of treats on my list, but oh well.  I have everything for all my meals for the week and that is what matters. 

Now....I have to clean around the house until 3:00 then I have to work.   So I am off and running!!!

Today is my half day of work.   I am hoping I am able to do this most weeks.   I worked late last night.  I was at parents-teacher conferences in ISD #196 as I was walking out of the school another family I work with came in so I went to their conferences too.   All the kids were doing so well!  That particular school does a very nice job.   I came home and I went straight to bed.  I was so tired. 

Tommy went the bed in the middle of the night so I got up am changed him and will be washing bedding today. 

GLANCE AT JEN'S DAY

Let's see, what do I have planned today???  

MORNING

• Drop Tommy off at Daycare  - DONE
  
• Mall Walk  - Done - but I didn't want to!
  
• Get Groceries  - DONE
  
• Laundry - working on some more...

AFTERNOON

• Complete Flylady Tasks - (Master Bedroom)
  
• Complete 4 Reports for Work -(need to work at least 3 hours)

EVENING

• To Church for Supper
  
• Play with Tommy in the Evening

TOMORROW..............

• Tommy has a field Trip and Needs to be at School Early
  
• I have Book Group
  
• Open House at NI Magnusun School (Parochial School for Tommy)

I just got notice that Tommy got into the class we wanted him in for Preschool next year.  He will be going to school three days a week.   Of course that means I have to go into work late three days a week and work late, but it is so worth it for the education he is getting.   He is one smart turkey!   My hubby really wanted him to go three days a week so we will make it work.   Luckily my boss is very understanding and I am a hard worker so they know I will take care of my stuff.   My job is great for having a family with the flexibility they allow me.  I am very lucky!

Well Erik is out the door and to the bus so now I can finish getting ready for my day.   I can't shower and be downstairs to put my makeup on when he is home or he gets into things.   Usually I try to be showered and dressed and everything before he gets up.  Makes things easier.   Today he got up early on his own for some reason, usually means he is up to something.  We will see........

Tommy is still sleeping so I think I will do a few things around the house and let him get caught up on some sleep.   Have a great day!!!!

Send good baby vibes to my friend, happysauders.  She is still waiting for the baby to make their appearance!   Not sure how patiently they are waiting anymore...They are ready to have their baby already!

I am off to dry my hair and make my shopping list.   I am a bit short on money this week, so I have to stay within my $80.00 weekly budget for groceries......wish me luck!  My trustly calculator and I can do this!!

First day back to work....and ended up working 13.5 hours.  It is now almost 10:00pm and I am heading home for the night.  ARGH!!  I still have a ton to do, but have to sleep at some point!   Have a great night!

Today has been a quiet day.   We got up and went to church and stopped at Target to pick up a couple of things after church.  Then home for lunch and a nap.   I couldn't get Tommy to take a nap, but did get an hour of one myself.   I didn't do much today was so tired!    After I am up all night I am worthless the next day!   

I did do a couple of loads of laundry and cleaned in Tommys room for 30 minutes.  I almost am done with his closet.   Now I am making supper and going to read some more and do laundry.    

Only other thing on the list tonight is to do mu bedtime routine so I can get out of the house earlier tomorrow morning.   I am back to the office starting tomorrow....ARGH!!  No more vacation until we go to Orlando in March!

Added a few new recipes to our online family cookbook!

CROCKPOT CHICKEN and VEGETABLES

PANKO CHICKEN

HERBED RICE

MASHED POTATOES - Menus For Moms. com

Well is it morning and I just got up really early or is this insomnia!!  Of course it is insomnia and I have been up since about 3:00.  Oh well, I decided to get up and do a few things since I was just laying in bed awake. 

Since being Up.....

• Rebooted the Dryer (sheets still wet)
  
• Got all caught up on my Bible Reading - The Book of Job bogged me down a bit!
  
• Surfed a bit of Xanga.
  
• Had Breakfast

Well I am off to find a few more quiet activities to do...probably will need to be reading or computer projects.   Tommy already woke up and I had to take him into bed with Daddy and get him back to sleep.   He thought since Mommy was up it had to be morning and he should stay up.  That took a bit of convincing. 

Have a great day!

Just woke from my nap.....aaaah....feels great!    I went to the mall walking and walked 3 miles or so.  I stopped in at Marshall Fields since they were having their 13 hours sale.   I wanted to see if my favorite jeans were on sale!   Luckily they were.....50.00 a pair marked down to $30.00.  I have a terrible time finding jeans that I like on me.   So I bought two pairs that should last for a long time.  Now I have 4 pairs of jeans!    I wear dress pants for work most days so only have jeans for the weekend and days off.

Then I came home and we all headed to the library.   I sat and read my book while hubby and Tommy did their things at the library.   After the library we headed to Olive Garden to enjoy our gift cert from my brother and his wife.  THANKS Becky and Danny!!    It was so good.    I had parmesan crusted Tilapia.    OH MY.....I am still stuffed though.   It will be a very light supper around here.  

Then we came home and Tommy and I took a nap...Actually Tommy is still sleeping.  I am going to have to get him up here in a second.    So now I will get busy doing the things I need to around the house.  

EVENING

• Laundry - DONE
  
• Pay Bills/Budget  - DONE
  
• Tommy's Dresser - 2 drawers - ALL DONE
  
• 15 minutes a Room - DONE
  
• Rip more Books on Tape for Player -1  DONE
  
• Catch up on Bible Reading - DONE

The best word to describe my life is content.   I enjoy it so much.  That hasn't always been the case.  But now the ordinary times/things are so important to me.   Last night it was Tommy and I home alone since hubby had to run up to Erik's moms house to bring some of his homework.   Tommy wanted to have a party.    I love a 4 year olds idea of a party.  We made frozen pizza and had pop an orange pop at supper.  That was a real treat!    Then after supper we put on our pj's .....it was a pj party too he said!   Then we played pirates, legos, blocks and did a few puzzles.  What a party!! LOL!!   That little guy knows how to have contentment in the ordinary things!    At 8:00 we put headed to bed and watched Rainbow Fish video.   Hubby and Tommy were both asleep by 9:00.   What contentment and love I feel to look over while I read and see those two sounds asleep next to me!  

I wasn't that tired so I stayed up until about 11:00.  I finished my book, Reading Group by Elizabeth Noble.   (4.5/5)  Very good, I recommend this one.  The women in the group are very well developed and you really care about them and want to see what happens with their lives.   I was sad for it to end....I loved the characters!   After I finished that book I started A Million Little Pieces by James Frey.  

I had moved Tommy into his bed and at about 4:00 he woke up tell me he wet the bed.  OOPS.....pop before bed.  So I got him changed and put him into bed with us.   I couldn't fall asleep so I listened to the book on tape on my MP3 Player.  Gotta love that thing!   I am listening to Angels and Demons by Dan Brown - also very good! 

Well I slept a little late so I better figure out what I am going to do with my day and get going!   

MORNING

• Walk at Mall - at least 2 miles  - DONE - 3 Miles
  
• Go to Library   - DONE
  
• Laundry - DONE

AFTERNOON

• Nap - DONE
  
• Tommys Room
  
• Pay Bills
  
• 15 minutes a Room
  
• Supper into the Crockpot - by 1:00 or 1:30 - Skip - Too Full from Lunch!

EVENING

TBD

I have to work today...no more taking time off for my birthday!  Back to reality!   It was a nice break though that I really needed.   Today I am driving to Duluth for a meeting and driving back this afternoon.  I HATE driving so this isn't a fun trip for me.  Oh Well....I will take my book on tape with me and try to enjoy that.  

Hubby and I are so looking forward to the weekend.   Erik will be at his moms and Josh working most of the weekend.   That means a weekend without doing 6-8 hours of homework with Erik.  We can relax and do something together with Tommy.   YEAH!!  Hubby is great ab out doing homework with Erik.  He does it all weekend long and every night during the week for a couple of hours every night.  

I gotta get going I am running late!  Later!!  Have a great day!!!