Month: October 2006

  • For A LIttle Fun........

    Ok, I heard on the radio that Oprah isn't doing her yearly "my Favorite Things" episode this year.  Instead she gave each person in the audience $1000.00 in which they have to spend right away on a stranger.   Good concept...but I love her favorite things list....

    So please start adding your favorite things to your site and post it here.  WHat are your favorite things????

    My list will be a work in progress.......

    1.   V Smile Pocket - Cool hand held game - Tommy loves this!!  He loves to learn and really enjoys these games.  Now they are even portable!!

    2.  Bob Books - I taught Tommy to read before the age of 4 with these books.  He is great at sounding out words and will try to write me notes by himself. 

    3.  BOOKS - I love to read, but I am trying to not spend so much money on books.  I love our library online, half. com, paperbackswap.com and the half price books store!!  

    4.  Cooking/ Recipes -  I love to cook.  My favorite magazine is Simple and Delicious (used to be Quick Cooking).   LOVE Menus For Moms - free weekly dinner menus!

    5.  Organizing/Home management - in my busy life I have to stream line everything and aI am always pumped when I come up with something new.  I love Flylady , her timer and calendar. (only calendar I ever buy!)  I must admit I don't love her duster all that much. 

    6.  Clothes - not much of a clothes person by I love Tommy Hilfiger Classic Cut jeans (only kind I buy) and Lee Casual Dress Pants for work. 

    7.  Shoes - I love Boots!!  Franco Sarto's are nice!!!  Gotta have good looking boots in MN.  I love sandals in the summer!   I like Eurostep

    8.  SanDisk Sansa m240 1GB* MP3 Player - I love my MP3 PLayer and downloading books from the NetLibrary.com!!

    9.  Weight Watchers - the point system worked great for me!!   I love eating Smart Ones.  It makes the counting of points easy! 

     

  • Interestings.....

    Great bags to buy for shopping, especially since I almost exclusively shop at Aldi or Farmer's Market...

     

  • A Week in Review....

    I guess i will have to just review the last week since I don't seem to find time to blog anymore. 

    MONDAY- 23rd -  I took Tommy to school in the morning and then headed to work.   I worked on paperwork in the morning and had late afternoon and evening appointments.  I got home around 9:30 that evening and went right to bed. 

    TUESDAY, 24th - I had a morning homevisit with a lovely family.  I stopped at half price books in Apple Valley to check out their clearance books.   Then I needed to go to Anoka for a psych appointment for Erik.  That was our day in the evening we had out parent meeting with Erik's current psychologist.  

    WEDNESDAY, 25th - I got very little if any sleep on Tuesday night.   I got up and took Tommy to school and stayed to participate in his Birthday celebration.   I will post pictures later!   We had a fun time!   Then I went home and crawled into bed for the day.  I was just so worn out that I could not work if I had tried.   Erik called and missed the bus and I ended up going to have a chat with the principal about the things going on with Erik presently.   I also called to the church to see about confirmation for him. 

    THURSDAY, 26th - Had my flu shot before work.  Then I had unit meeting and my boss stated that the stuff for the federal audit needed to be done by the end of the week.  I had blocked off all of Monday to do it, but I guess that won't work.   So I canceled my afternoon appointments and got busy!   I got home a little later than usual because of it.   Hubby made Mac and Cheese per Tommy's request and we celebrated Tommy's birthday.   (Pictures to follow of course).  My baby is 5 years old....I can't believe it.   Part of me is wishing we had another child, but another part is ready for the next stage of my life. 

    FRIDAY - 27th -  Hubby and I had the day off since we were leaving town that afternoon.   Hubby took Tommy to school and took my FIL is consumer credit counseling.   Afterwards I raced home to pack us all up.   I can't figure out what hubby did the time I was gone, but that is another story.   We ended up getting out of town late and I was not a happy camper about that.   I was hoping to meet my friend at 5:00 in Alexandria to have supper but didn't get there until after 6:00.   So we went to Target to buy a lighter winter jacket for Tommy and we picked up a DVD to watch in the hotel.   Then we went to Perkins to have supper.  I had an omelet, hash browns and pancakes.   WOW...was I ever full.   Then it was back to the hotel and to bed.  

    SATURDAY - I was up early and ready to leave for my conference by 8:40.  I rode with my friend to the Douglas COunty Hospital where the conference was.  It was a great conference.   It was on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome- (FAS).   The speaker was great and every engaging.   The day went very fast.   FAS is one disability that really needs alot of attention.   It is the only disability that is 100% preventable.  No amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy.  I learned a few new things, but was amazed to learn that there was a study of children who were exposed to alcohol only and another group that was exposed to cocaine.   The researchers are finding that children exposed to only cocaine are able to eventually to catch up with their peers, but children exposed to alcohol never catch up with their peers and exhibit many behaviors and cognitive delays.   It is hard to believe that alcohol is more damaging than cocaine.  So many children that have been put for for adoption have been exposed to alcohol prior to birth.  At the conference there were alot of adoptive parents who had FAS children.   Ok, I will get off my soap box.  I just feel so strongly about preventing this disability as it is 110% preventable!

    I got back to the hotel around 4:00 and both Tommy and hubby were gone.  I called them and they were out shopping.  So I was able to read for a bit and took a little nap before they came home.  It was very relaxing and what I desperately needed.   Tommy really needed some time with his Daddy as that has been rare.   Once they got back we went swimming.  I sat in the hot tub a couple of times and lounged and read my book.   AAAAH....

    After swimming we went to eat.  We ate at Ruby's!   WOW!!  I have not had a steak in about a year so I had one.  WOW was it ever good!  I ate the whole thing!   While we were there a bunch of people came in that were from a Halloween party so Tommy really enjoyed looking at them.  

    Then it was back to the room. Hubby and Tommy watched the movie we bought, Monster House and I feel asleep.  

    SUNDAY - I awoke around 7:30 and got up and read until hubby and Tommy woke up.   We got ready to leave and were on the road my 12:00.  I love places with a late check out time!   We ate late supper when we got back to the cities at Buca Di Peppo - yummy....   As you may have noticed I ate alot this weekend!!!   I will really need to watch what I eat this week.   We headed home and stopped off at Barnes and Noble to browse for a bit.  What a great way to end a relaxing weekend at my favorite store!    We also stopped at Once Upon a Child and I found some great things for Tommy.   I spent $35.00 and bought Tommy 4 winter shirts, 4 sleeping pants, a pair of Addias Tennis shoes and a set of Bob Books. 

    Once home I got us all unpacked and did a few loads of laundry.  We watched the Monster House again and I finished reading my book.   Tommy was asleep quickly as was I. 

    That has been my week...now starts another busy week!!   Hope you all had a wonderful weekend !!

    FINISHED READING :

    Sex as  a Second Language - by Alisa Kwitney

    There is a history of betrayal in Kat's life. She's had no contact with her father since he left when she was 10, her ex wants all their cash but no contact with their son, and her friends aren't respectful of her needs. But she does have the support (and annoyance) of having her mother live across the hall, her job as an ESL teacher, and auditions that may give her entry back into her acting career. Although this should be sufficient complication and angst for a novel, Kwitney tosses in an attractive undercover CIA agent assigned to pose as an ESL student so he can locate Kat's father, who was also an agent. Kat needs a boarder, the agent needs a room, and the rest is the stuff that dreamy stories are made of. With the help of our love-smitten CIA agent, Kat learns a great deal about her son, her ex-husband, her friends, and herself and finds the romance that completes her life. If you are looking for a pleasant, undemanding read, this is it.

  • Happy Blog......

    I think the best medicine for feeling down is listing the happy things in your life.......

    1.  Weigh In Today....I have lost 22 pounds and I am below my weight watchers goal weight!   If I was still attending I would be a lifetime member.  My BMI is currently 23 so my next goal will be to be at 22, which would mean a loss of 6 more pounds. 

    2.  My friends are a wonderful support and I appreciate them all so very much both those at church, xanga and work.

    3.  Hubby, Tommy and I are going out of town tomorrow!  I am attending a conference all day on Saturday, but the rest of the weekend will be just hanging out with them and relaxing.  Which both hubby and I really, really, really need.   

    4.  This one I am happy and sad about.....my baby, Tommy is 5 years old today!!!  He is such a joy in our lives. 

    5.  Looks like Grandma will be coming out of the nursing home on Saturday and will be at home again. 

  • Still working......have to leave the office by 6:30 I think as the alarms go on then........I still have plenty to do. 

  • SUNDAY......

    Busy., Busy......I am at the office right now trying to get a few more hours in for the week.   I didn't get all my hours in since I was home with Erik.   I woke up last night with anxiety over all the work I have to get caught up on, so I am spending a fair amount of my Sunday at the office.  Yes, a committed or commitable government employee.   There are actually about two other cars in the parking lot as well.   I am not the only crazy one!

    • PAY BILLS
    • MENU/GROCERIES
    • ERRANDS - BINDERS/ORGANIZER MATERIAL, GOOD NIGHTS
    • LAUNDRY  - Hubby's Doing hopefully while I am at the office!!!! 
    • PAY GRANDPA'S BILLS  - Maybe when I get home from the office??? 
    • WORK ON A FEW BUDGETS HOPEFULLY OR SSIS - doing now!

     

  • MENU FOR WEEK:

    SATURDAY - ATE OUT - OCB

    SUNDAY - Apple Chicken Recipe with Cheesy Mashed Cauliflower

    MONDAY -  CROCKPOT - Turkey Vegetable Soup

    TUESDAY - Hamburger/Fries

    WEDNESDAY - Slow Cooker Beef Stew

    THURSDAY - Hot Dogs/ Cake - Tom's Birthday

    FRIDAY - OUT OF TOWN

    SATURDAY - OUT OF TOWN

  • Hello.....it seems I never have anytime to post anymore.   I try to read here and there, but life is crazy.   

    Josh - Has been great.  He went to South Dakota for the first time to visit his grandparents.  He took Amy with him.   He had a good time and his grandparents were so happy to see him.  He went to his grandma's grave and took flowers as well.   He is still working two jobs and going to college.   I think he is doing very well.    Josh has been painting his room and redecorating it.  It really looks nice.   I need to find time to help him finish.  He helps me so very much so I need to help him finish. 

    Erik -  got into some trouble and is struggling.   I wish I could say he has learned his lesson, but he seems to be right back to the undesired behaviors.   It is heartbreaking to say the least.  I have been home from work watching Erik this week as there is no school. 

    Tommy - My baby will be 5 next week.   It is hard to believe, time has gone so quickly.    We gave him his gifts early since it was nice out.  We gave him a John Deere car you drive and a hand-held V-smile educational game.  He is doing great.  He goes to preschool three days a week and stays with his auntie the rest of the time.  Next year he will start kindergarten.  He has been going to the nursing home alot with his auntie as we try to take care of Grandma.

    Grandma -  (hubby's Mom) is in a nursing home in Stillwater.  I just took her to the orthopedic surgeon appointment on Friday and she can now start bearing weight on her legs and hopefully will be abel to walk soon.  I just got her approved for Medical Assistance and need to finish up getting their finances figured out soon.  We have an appointment with a credit counseling place next week.   Today I need to go over to my FIL's and pay the monthly bills and maybe give him money for groceries if I have some left afer I pay our bills today.  

    Hubby - He is very busy with work and a bit stressed.   Out TV broke....our second one in a year.  ARGH!!  So we bought a LCD flat screeen.   Hubby is a very happy boy!    So last night we watched a movie together.  We bought Over The Hedge when we bought the TV.   It was a good movie!  The only movies we ever buy are kids ones as we will watch those more than once.   We rented CLICK the other day and that was a pretty good movie!  

    Me.........

    Certainly life is crazy busy....I hardly know if I am coming or going.   I work many hours and am way behind in work since I have had to take so much time off.   It is so incredibly overwhelming.   Amazingly my asthma has been under pretty good control considering the stress I am under.   I did get bit by a spider or something and got a nasty infection on my arm that was spreading to my lymps nodes.  I am on antibiotics and it is starting to get better but is pretty red still.   I quit going to weight watchers since I couldn't afford it any longer.   My goal weight was 141 when I was going there and I hadn't met it, I was close.  At the Dr the other day I weighted 132 pounds.  YEAH!!   I still hope to loose a few more pounds.  All my clothes are pretty baggy, so I might have to buy some new ones.    

    My attorney for my car accident a few years ago called and we are moving on with my law suit.  He wants me to look into a procedure where they severe the nerve that is causing the pain.   I am not too sure about that.  It would be amazing to not be in pain every day, but it sounds scary to me.  

    I have a few recipes to share and update my website.  My son reformatted my laptop and isn't done with it yet so I dont' have access to everything I want yet.   I try to add my recipes and books read to my blog so I remember to go back and add them to my site later.  

    Next weekend we are going to Alexandria Mn.   I have to work all day on Saturday and attend a conference on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.   We are developing a new FAS group home and hope to have it up and running shortly after the new year.   Hubby and Tommy will hang out at the hotel while I am at the conference.   I am up on Duluth again in December and will stay the night there.  I sure have been traveling alot for work lately, but am getting better about that.   I used to just hate it!!  Now the time alone is a sanity improver!  

    READING -

    The Space Between Us - Thrity Umrigar -  Very good so far.  About two women in Modern Day India.  One rich and one very poor.   I always find it facinating to read about other cultures. 

    The Historian - Elizabeth Kostova - Interesting - In this smart retelling of the Dracula story, a young girl's discovery of a mysterious book, blank save for a sinister woodcut of a dragon, impels her father to divulge, reluctantly, details of his vampire-hunting days back in grad school. Halfway through his tale, which is told over several sessions in various atmospheric European locations, he vanishes. His daughter's quest to find him is interwoven with letters that reveal the past in full. Kostova's knowledge of occult arcana is impressive, and she packages her erudition in a graceful narrative that only occasionally lapses into melodrama. - I am listening to this one on CD, but I would recommend reading it as the interwoven story lines are hard to keep straight and I have found myself wanting to reread a passage many times. 

    I have so many great books from the library right now.  I would love to curl up in bed for a few weeks and read, read, read...  I should be able to read a lot next weekend when we go out of town.   I have also been getting many great books from www.paperbackswap.com.   What a great site!!!

    TODAY

    I have much to do today and I might need to go into the office and work a few hours as well.  

    • PAY BILLS
    • MENU/GROCERIES
    • ERRANDS - BINDERS/ORGANIZER MATERIAL, GOOD NIGHTS
    • LAUNDRY
    • PAY GRANDPA'S BILLS
    • WORK ON A FEW BUDGETS HOPEFULLY

     

  • Cooking Plans/Menu for the Week

    Another Busy Weekend getting things done around the house.  I am going to work on doing a hamburger plan a bit at a time each weekend.  This weekend I will be making hamubrger patties to have in the freezer.  I have not tried the hamburger plan above, but hope that it will all be great!!!  

    MENU FOR WEEK:

    SATURDAY - Pumpkin Soup - Chicken Salad on Crossiants

    SUNDAY - Grilled Pork Chops, Rice, and Veggie

    MONDAY - Spaghetti and Meatballs

    TUESDAY - CROCKPOT - Roast Beef with Veggies

    WEDNESDAY - Apple Chicken Recipe with Cheesy Mashed Cauliflower

    THURSDAY - CROCKPOT - Turkey Vegetable Soup

    FRIDAY - Left Overs or Frozen Pizzas

    SATURDAY - Slow Cooker Beef Stew

     

  • Recipe to try..

    Apple Chicken Recipe

    Here is a recipe that I saw in Saving Dinner, by Leanne Ely, host of www.savingdinner.com . If you haven't checked out her site or book, take some to do it today. Here is the recipe:

    1 1/4 teaspoons vegetable oil

    6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

    4 Granny Smith apples, cores and sliced into 1/2-inch wedges        

    3/4 cup dry white wine

    3/4 cup chicken broth

    1/3 cup brown sugar

    1/4 cup cider vinegar

    3 tablespoons cornstarch

    2 tablespoons Worchestershire sauce

    1/2 teapsoon salt

    1 teaspoon black pepper

    Heat oil in a large skillet. Add chicken and brown on all sides. Add apple slices, saute 3 minutes, stiring occasionally. Add 1/2 the wine and chicken broth, reduce heat, cover, and simmer 10 minutes.Mix remainig wine and broth together with remaining inredients; add to skillet. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until sauce thickens.

    Serving Suggestions: Baked potatoes, baked butternut squash, and steamed broccoli.

    I got this recipe from Saving Dinner, The Menus, Recipes, and Shopping Lists to Bring Your Family Back to the Table.

    Have a blessed day!