We need groceries in our house.   I don't think I will be able to get them so my hubby will be doing that for me tomorrow.  I planned my menu a bit different this week.  I simply wrote down what meat I had in the freezer and planned 14 meals based on that.  I don't necessarily have a certain meal planned for a certain day, etc.  I will play it a bit by ear depending on when I am able to return to work.  Bu this should get us through until January 11th and by then I should be able to go shopping.   We are having visitors that weekend so hopefully I am doing better.

Recipe for Upcoming week

Chicken Filets in Buns - Fries - Movie Night - - MADE

Creamy Potatoes N Keilbasa - crock pot (low 6-8 hours) - Good Add To Website - MADE

Ranch Pork Chops - Rice - Veggie (Bake 375 for 35 minutes)

Rotiserrie Chicken  - Potatoes - Veggie - Cockpot - Apple Crumble - (low 4-6 hours) - MADE

Teriyaki Pork Roast (crockpot - low 4-6 hours) - Noodles - Veggie - MADE

Chicken Broccolli and Rice (stove top - 15 mins?) - Good Add To Website - MADE

Beefy Mac - Crockpot (low 6-8 hours)- MADE

French Dip Sandwiches - Crockpot (low 8-12 hours) - MADE

Ham and Cheese Wraps/Pasta Salad (15-20 minutes?)

Chicken Nuggets and Fries (20 minutes)

Soup / Biscuits (15 minutes) - MADE

Slow Cooked Steak - (Fix it and Forget 5 ingreds pg 88) (Low 6-8 hours)

Beef Barley Soup (Crockpot) (8-10 low or 4-5 high) - MADE

LEFTOVERS

I was able to finish one book this weekend.  The cold weather sure makes me curl up in bed and read. 

Leap Days - Katherine Laphner - (3/5)

It was an average read.  I finished the book so that says something......It is the selection for my book group this month.  I should finish the book I am listening to today as well. I will then start the new one my sister gave me for Christmas.

Well believe it or not I have finished my second book of the year already!   It is the one positive thing about not being able to sleep.  *smirk.    This book initially was very intimidating to me and I was not thrilled it was selected as our book for book group.  I think I always feel like this each time a classic is chosen for book group.   It took me a bit to get into this book, but I really enjoyed it!!!   I am very glad I read it!

Tess of the d'Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy - (5/5)

I suppose I should do a bit of housework as I have been reading quite a bit this weekend.  What a rare treat!!!!  But laundry does call......

I have finished my 1st book on 2008.  It was a great read.  A perfect way to put an end to my  reading slump.  

Lottery - Patricia Wood - 4/5

Gotta love a book that makes you cry in public.  I was finishing the last few chapters today while wating in the public library for hubby and Tommy to finish making their library selections for the week.   After the library we headed off to have lunch at the Olive Garden and use up some old gift certificates .  YUMMY!

Hope you are all having a great day!!  I think I am all off to curl up under my electric blanket and start another book.   I love lazy Saturday's like this!

I have to share the list of the Best Books of 2007 according to Bookmarks Magazine.  In the Literary category the following were some of the Favorites of 2007

The Aeneid - Virgil

After Dark - Haruki Murakami

Against the Day - Thomas Pynchon

American Youth - Phil LaMache

Black Girl/White Girl - Joyce Carol Oates

I'll Steal You Away - Nicolo Ammaniti

In The Country of Men - Hisham Matar

Lost City Radio - Daniel Alarcon

Mistress of the Art of Death - Ariana Franklin

My Holocaust - Tova Reich

Nada - Carmen Laforet

Nineteen Minutes - Jodi Picoult

Only Revolutions - Mark Z. Danielewski

Out Stealing Horses - Per Petterson

The Raw Shark Texts - Steven Hall

Then We Came to The End - Joshua Ferris

A Thousand Splendid Suns - Khaled Hosseini

What Is The Want - The Autobiography of Valentino Achak Deng - Dave Eggers

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Only three of these titles are on my To Be Read list.  I have already read one of them, A Thousand Splendid Suns.  Since I am listing books here, I might as well share the titles that interested me out of the New Book Guide.  These might not be at our library yet, but generally they are on order already.  I also listed behind the book how many stars Bookmarks Magazine gave it.

Away  - Amy Bloom ****1/2

First Among Sequels - A Thursday Next Novel - Jasper Fforde ****

The Rest of Her LIfe - Laura Moriatry ****

Run - Ann Patchett ****

The September of Shiraz - Dalia Sofer - ****

Forgive Me - Amanda Eyre Ward ****

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I turned on my heating blanket about 15 minutes ago so I am sure my bed is warm and toasty for me by now.  Time for me to snuggle into bed and read for a bit.  Hope you all have a great night.  Let me know if you have read any of the above books. I would love to hear your review of the book! 

YESTERDAY

I went to the library in the afternoon and drove the car for the first time in over two weeks. I picked up my book on tape and the latest copy of Bookmarks Magazine. It is my favorite issue, the best books of 2007. I will share the list later when I have a chance to type it up. Once home I worked some more on the laundry and cleaned up a bit. I am still finding it a bit difficult to walk and need to take frequent breaks. After supper I did my bedtime routine!!! It really felt good to get back on schedule. Hubby helped out by putting Tommy to bed while I finished up dishes. I headed to bed early to read. I started a new book that I am really enjoying. It is called Lottery by Patricia Wood. I was still awake at after 11:00 so I took a benedryl in hopes of sleeping. I did get alot of the book read!! Our local library has an adult reading program called "Cold Nights, Hot Read", until February 29th. You receive prizes after reading 4 books and after 8 books. I signed up to do that again this year. I am nearly done with my first book so I might have a chance at finishing 8 books in two months.

TODAY

I actually slept all through the night and Tommy stayed in his bed all night!! I was so happy. Not that I don't enjoy my nocturnal chats with you all, but I do need some sleep. Today I returned to work. I was up early and completed most of my morning routine right on schedule. I am all showered and dressed and go to put on my shoes....yikes....We have a problem here Houston! My only winter shoes for work are dress boots or shoes with high heels! I put on those shoes and could barely walk....argh.... So I had to go buy new shoes before I could go to work. We have a pretty strict dress code at my work. I am breaking it a bit, but they will have to allow it while I recuperate. So I am wearing black tennis shoes for work, so not me! I am doing ok at work. I should have brought my crutches as I am experiencing alot of pain from all the walking. I am trying the best I can to just sit at my desk and combine any walking that I need to do. I don't just walk to the printer once I print something....I wait until I have printed alot and then make only one trip. Or someone usually takes pity on me and brings my stuff to me. I will not be doing home visits for the next two weeks. I will only be working in the office until I experience less pain with walking. It is a good time to get caught up with paperwork anyways. Our next busy time will occur starting about February or end of January.

GOALS FOR 2008

I have been thinking about my goals and priorities list for 2008. I am tempted of course to take on too much, but for the next 3 weeks I am only going to focus on a few things. Some of these are connected but I am going to work on the following as my first priorities.

*Daily Time with God's Word - I will read my bible either as part of my morning routine as planned or if that doesn't happen I will read my daily reading online at work while I eat lunch. I have to admit my devotional habits are a bit weak and inconsistent. I hope to change that this year.

"You'll go forth a little stronger
With a fresh supply of grace,
If each day you meet the Savior
In a secret, quiet place." - Adams
* Establish a Better Sleep Pattern - up by 6:00am each morning
* Complete Bedtime and Morning Routine Each Day
* Make and Take my lunch to work each day

Today - I completed three of these...I completed my bible reading, did morning routine and brought lunch to work.

HOW I SAVED MONEY TODAY....

Hmm...I had to think about this. I actually spent money as I had to buy shoes for work. But I did bring leftover pork roast, carrots and cheese to work for lunch. So I probably saved $4.00 by bringing my own lunch of leftovers from home. Actually using up the leftovers is a great money saver. I end up throwing away too many leftovers sometimes!

Has anyone else had strange footprints on their blog today???  Starting around 3:26 I got numerous international footprints ranging from the Russian Federation to Republic of Molodovia, most of which were international.   I ended up with over 100 footprints today.  That is very strange....has anyone else experienced this?? 

Since this was probably a search engine or something inventorying my site, I won't freak out too much.  But since alot of the things viewed were picture of my children.  I have changed my privacy levels.   I am only allowing access to logged in Xanga users.   I apologize if that is not the best options.  Please let me know how you guess all set your privacy levels. 

Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. 

Penny Ann has posted a challenge on her blog.  Each day you are to post one thing you did to save money that day.  I like the idea of this as it will allow me to think about saving and also see how others save!

Jan. 1st  - I had my Christmas money with me at Target.   I of course browsed the book selections and was tempted to buy one or two.   But instead I came home and reserved both books I wanted to read from the Library.   I make sure I keep a pen and notebook in my purse for this reason. 

I reserved on CD:   Lucky by Alice Sebold and Pillars of the Earth Ken Follett.   Always take advantage of reserving book online from your library.   I received a MP3 players a few years ago and rip the book to my player and I have hours of FREE listening.  This saves me alot of money every year.   Just by not buying the two books I wanted I saved over $20.00. 

January 2nd  - Picked Up my Book on Tape from the Library.  I will listen to the Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon for FREE!  

Made Supper for my family!   The last two weeks while I have been recooperating we have been eating convenience food, fast food or some sort of take out most days!   Now that I am walking so much better I am able to stand and make supper for my family.  I have a pork roast in the slow cooker for supper.   This saves me at least $6.00 as hubby could have picked up burgers off the 99 cents menu again.   YUCK!!

Have anyone ever been to a Hearts At Home Conference??   A couple of my friends at church went to it last year and I would like to go this year.   I am just not too sure about going and the time away from my work and family.

I would like to subscribe to their magazine as well.  I know it is geared to SAHM, but I glean so much info from SAHM'S.  

MY PRIORITIES FOR 2008  

God, Husband, Children, Home

I will continue to have the same priorities, but I need to add myself to the list.  I really feel and see the results of not ever making myself a priority.  

GOD – SPIRITUAL LIFE

But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.  – Isaiah 40:31

Goals for 2008: 

·         Time Daily with God’s Word

·         Continue my attendance of my Wed Night Disciple Group

PHYSICAL LIFE  (TAKE CARE OF SELF)

Medically I have had a fantastic year.  My asthma and weight are under great control.  I am very happy of my progress on those goals from last year.  I read 35 books last year, which was really good considering I didn’t finish a book in October or December. 

Goals for 2008: 

·         Make at least 30 minutes a day of me time – (reading)

·         Reading Goal – read 36 books next year and 12 off of my own shelves. 

·         Maintain my weight below my LIFETIME weight of 133.

·         Establish a better sleep pattern – up by 6:00 am each morning. 

HOME LIFE

 MARRIAGE

This is my beloved, and this is my friend.  – Song of Solomon 5:16

Goals for 2008:  Date Night Once a Month

 CHILDREN

Motherhood is a privilege, and our children our crowning glory. -  (1 Timothy 2:15) 

Be generous with praise – cautious with criticism.

Goals for 2008:  Continue Family Movie Night each Friday during the school year. 

I am very happy with how each of our children are doing.  Each one of them is making great progress on their areas of need.   I really don’t have a specific parenting goal this year.

HOMEMAKING

She watches over the ways of her household.  - Proverbs 31:27
 Every wise woman builds her house but the foolish pulls it down with her hands.  Proverbs 14:1

In 2007 I had a pretty good system and handle on this area of my life.   I need to put a little effort into getting back on track. 

Goals for 2008:

·         Complete Bedtime and Morning Routines each day

·         Dishes washed each night

·         Bake at least twice a month. 

FINANCIAL LIFE  - (FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY)

Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousnes, and all these things shall be added to you.  - Matthew 6:33

We have done very well with paying extra towards are debts in 2007.   I want to continue that with a long-term goal of living Debt Free. 

Goals for 2008

• Make and Take a Lunch everyday to work
• Continue Weekly Budget and Debt Repayment Program (Debtproofliving.com)
• DO NOT buy books – utilize the Ramsey and Dakota Cty Library systems

SOCIAL LIFE (FAMILY/FRIENDS)

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.  - Proverbs 17:17

Do not forsake your own friend. - Proverbs 27:10

Goals for 2008

• Send Birthday cards to Family and Friends
• Write one letter a month.
• Blog at least weekly.

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That is a run down of my priorities for 2008.  Of course I would not be sucessful if I was to think I could accomplish each of these at the same time.  Later I will come up with my priorities that I want to focus on first this year.